Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-24
LIVE NATIONAL TOPICS.


WASHINGTON, Dec. 2S.-The full text of
the repo! is on the Canadian lake question,
which were briefly summarized in these dis
patches two days ago, is now accessible.
The question of main ntaining wsrships on the
Great Lakes in contravention OF treaty
stipulation, has engaged the attention OF
this administration since the fall of 1891. In
that year Lieutenant G. l.. Garden, OF the
United States Revenue Marine Service, was
directed to investigate the subject. He MADE
a quiet visit to Canada, and under date OF
January, 1892, submitted a report to Secre-
tary Foster, of the Treasury Department.,
giving the dimensions nf the so-styled "neW
Canadian cruiser Constance" which was
revenue cutter in name but in reality war
ship. This report was transmitted to Secre-
tary Tracy, who commenting on it in letter
to the Secretary of the Treasury under date
OF January, 1884, says: Revenue cutters
would not appear to come, within the llml-
tatlons of the treaty of 1917, for the United
States maintains four revenue steamers on
the Great Lakes, varying in tonnage from
419 tons to 499 tons each, and each carrying
two or three guns. The treaty provides that
neither party shall maintain on the lakes
greater number OF vessels than follows:
On Lake Ontario, one vessel not exceeding
lO0 tons, armed with one l6 pounder cannon;
on the upper lakes. two vessels OF the same
descriptions; on Lake Champlain, one vessel
of the same description, and that no other
vessel of war shall be built or armed Oh
these lakes" The report of Lieutenant
Garden has occasioned much comment in
the reasury department., as emphasizing
tho neeu Tor new revenue cutters OF
modern type, capable of coping, il need be.
with those now being constructed BY
Canada.
TOrrey's Bankruptcy Bill to Be Heard.
The friends OF the Torrey bankruptcy
bill, fearful that the House. through inac-
tivity might not give even consideration at
this session of Congress to the measure,
have circulated a petition asking that the
Rules Committee bring in a special order
liking a day at which it shall be taken up.
They have succeeded in securing l25 sigma
lures of Democratic members of the House,
or more than maj ority of the members OF
the dominant party. 1t is said that this
makes it practically certain that the Torrey
bill Will get Il special order from the COM
nittee, as Speaker Crisp has heretofore
stated that he would bring in special rule
whenever so requested to do by majority
OF his party colleagues. The special order
does not signify anything save that the Dill
will receive consideration, for large num-
Der of the members who signed the petition
stated in doing so that they would vote
against the passage of the bill. They merely
favored its being given chance in court.
The Bear Safe at Frisco.
Captain Healy, of the United States
revenue cutter Bear, reports his arrival at
San Francisco from Alaska. He says that
the present system of guarding the seal
rookeries is Intellectual. The rough weather
that prevails about the islands prevents
revenue cutters from approaching the shore
close enough to be of any service. 1! they
go close enough for service they run immI-
nent risk of being dashed to piecesupon the
shore and wrecked. The darkness that pre-
walls Tor l6 to Is hours out OF the "a increases
the risks run and prevents those af1Oat from
seeking marauders. Even with all these OBJ
stacles one vessel can only guard small
coast. He thinks that police patrol OF suf-
1cient strength should be stationed on
shore and patrol the coast. A vessel, too,
should be kept there to act in conjunction
with the land guard.
Important Land Office Discussion.
Commissioner Stone, of the General
Land Office, in a letter to the register and
receiver of the local land office at Taylor's
alls, Mimi, has revoked his order OF Sep
tember 8, 1891, holding for cancellation SS
pre-emption entries which were made by
settler in the Mile Lac Indian reservation
under the authority of decision of Janu-
airy 81, 1891. This letter held that these lands
were subject to entry under the general
land laws. A later decision. however, held
that they could be entered only under the
special provision of the act OF January IA,
1889. The order of cancellation is revoked.
to afford time for remedial legislation in
their behalf now pending in Congress-
AJob for an American Citizen.
The President has under consideration
the appointment OF a-citfzen of the United
States as Chief Justice of Samoa, to succeed
Judge Cedarcranz, who has been asked to
retire because of the dissatisfaction on the
part OF the natives with his administration.
Great Britain and Germany have left the
selection of his successor to the United
States Government.
Americans Fortunate at Madrid.
That American exhibitors at the Madrid
Columbian Exposition nave been most sue
cessrul is shown by cable message re-
ceived by the Secretary of State to-day from
the United States charge d'atfaires at Mad
rid, saying that they had been awarded
8 gold me ais, "A silver and 10 bronze
medals, besides receiving honorable men,
tion In numerous cases.
Springer's Proposed Voting Scheme.
''The electoral college, as it now stands,
is a misera BILE fraud" said Representative
Springer to-day, land the idea that all the
votes in the electoral college from u great
State like New York should go to one party
by matter of 100 or 200 votes is a great fraud
upon the electors of the c,.untry. Some OF
the newspapers misapprehend the PROPOSE
ton which 1 submitted this subject.
The popular vote contemplated Is con-
fined to each State. The States Will have
the same number of electoral votes they
now have in the election of President and
Vice President. There will be no persons
running as candidates for electors, but tbe
electoral vote OF each State will be appor-
toned among the several candidates., ac-
cording to the number of popular votes
each receives in that State, the odd votes
going to the candidates having the largest
fractions. This will prevent the vicious
practice of gerrymandering, and gives exact
weight to the popular vote which each can
didate receives in the State. 1t will nation
aliZe the Presidential election and render
contests for the succession next TO impossi-
ble Politically, it would give effect to the
popular will, limited only by the just repre-
sentation to which State is entitled in the
electoral college, and would not spread
large maJorities in one locality beyond the
limits OF the the state; Besides. d it would
imperative" Mr.. Springer said the propo-
sition seemed to be growing in favor, and
was certainly attracting great deal OF in
terest.
Probable Repeal of the Sherman Law.
There is to be an organized effort in the
House after the holidays to bring about
some sort of financial legislation. 1t will
probably take the shape of an attempt to re-
peal tile Sherman law, under which the
is purchasing 81, 100000 ounces
of silver a year. The opponents OF free
coinage believe this law is daily menacing
the securities of the Government and in
evitably leading to gigantic losses. Mr..
Harter, OF Ohio, one of the most pronoae ced
champions OF the repeal Of this law, Will
make it his special business during the re-
cess to endeavor to mould the public and
Congressional sentiment so that favorable
action may be taken AS soon after recess as
DO ssible. For this reason he will not return
TO Ohio to enjoy the holiday festivities, but
will be found at various places throug hout
the East where he may be most useful in