The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-02-18

ture today on the anti-option bill, and
through its president, Charles w.
Hamill, opposed the passage of the
bill on the ground that it prohibited
dealings in futures. The system of
future deliveries, Mr.. Hamill said,
grew up in response to the demand
from agriculturalists for continuous
open market, which was impossible
without future buying and selling.
He believed the sale of futures was in
the interest of the producer. Specula-
ton, in his opinion, had tendency to
sustain values. If the men were pro-
hibited from buying tor future deliv-
cry, great stimulus to buying would
be taken away. In answer to Mr..
Lewis of Mississippi, Mr.. Hamill ad-
mltted that speculation sometimes
forced prices down, but believed this
was generally temporary, and that in
the aggregate it sustained prices.
THE CANADIAN TREATY.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.-Sir John
Thompson, George E. Foster and Mac
Kenzie Howell, Canadian commission
ers, closed their negotiations with
Secretary Blaine and John w. Fos-
ter, representing the United States,
for reciprocal trade relations between
the two countries this afternoon and
left this evening for the Dominion
capital.
The State department officials re-
fuse to make known the result of the
conference, but it is believed the Wis
itors were unsuccessful in their mis-
sion because of their alleged failure to
satisfy the representatives of the gov
eminent that they were authorized to
make commercial treaty entirely in
dependent of the direct interest of
Great Britain.
FREE TWINE BILL.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.-The Demo-
Gratis of the ways and means commit
tee this morning decided to report a
bill reporting ON the free list "All
binding Irvine manufactured in whole
or part from IXtle or tampico fibre,
jute, MANILA or sisal grass"
The original bill upon the subject was
introduced by Representative Bryan
of Nebraska, and this gentleman was
chairman of the sub committee which
prepared the committee bill today
agreed upon and which is worded as
above. The Democrats also today
agree to report favorably the bill of
Representative Turner of Georgia,
placing upon the free list cotton ties,
cotton bagging and machinery for
cotton bagging.
FOR RIVER IMPROVEMENT.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.-The river
and harbor committee has practically
concluded it's hearings and will now
push the work for the completion of
Che bill as early as possible, and the
Louisiana members are confident of a
reasonably large appropriation for the
work in that state. 1t is believed the
Mississippi river will get about $2,0O0,-
600. The action of the senate COM
merce committee in reporting bill
appropriating $4,000, 900 for the Miss
issippi levees, and 5000, 900 more for
the improvement of the river is looked
upon as a mere piece of politics, for
nobody has the slightest idea that a
bill of that size will pass the house.
1t is likely to pass the senate, but
with the rigorous economy that pre-
walls in the house, it don't stand the
slightest show there.
THE WOOL BILL.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.-The Demo
cratic members of the ways and means
committee today held another con-
ference, at which an agreement was
reached ON the wool bill. 1t is prob.
able meeting of the full committee
will be called tomorrow, at which a
bill will be submitted. No change
was made from the agreement reached
Saturday. The paragraph relating to
shoddy was taken up and the duty
fixed at 26 per cent ad valorem. It is
the intention of the Democratic mem
bers of the committee to get the bill
into the House as soon as possible.
ELECTION BY POPULAR VOTE.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.-The House
committee ON elections, the president
and vice president and the represen-
tatives in congress today agreed to re-
port bill leaving the election of SEN
ators to the people and comforting
exclusive power on the state legisla-
lures to fix the time, place and man
ner of holding such elections.
FREE SILVER MAJORITY.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.-The silver
men have secured upwards of 120
Democratic signatures to their petit
ti0n asking that the rules committee
bring in a special order for the silver
bill. There are 238 Democrats in the
House, so the silver men have secured
majority.
ANTI-CHINESE BILL.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.-The Geary
anti-Chinese bill to absolutely pro-
hibit the coming of Chinese into the
United States was today ordered fav-
orably reported to the house by the
foreign affairs committee.
THE OATH ADMINISTERED.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.-Wm. Grin
nell Of New York, the new third as
sistant secretary Of state, reported for
duty at the state department this
morning. The oath was administered