The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-12-14

vote had been successful. Cheers
greeted the announcement. On mo
ton OF Mr.. Bland the committee rose
and reported the bill to the house with
the enacting clause stricken out. Mr..
Cannon made an ardent plea for the
bill under running fire from Messrs.
Patterson. Bailey and others. At the
conclusion of brief speech Mr.. Bland
demanded the previous question and
the vote on the motion to strike out the
enacting clause was taken by ayes and
nays. The motion carried, 142 to Ill.
CHILEAN CLAIMS COMMISSION.
The Chilean government he's filed
with the Chilean claims commission a
claim for damages in the we'll known
Itata case. The South American
Steamship company's officers in VAL
paraiso are claimants and want $227,-
600 damages. This is the only Claim
presented by the Chilean government
The committee has overruled by a vote
of two to one the demurrer of the Chill.
can government to the claim of the
North and South American Construc-
ton company. This was on a contract
to construct railroad 600 miles long
from Santiago into the mining district
for which the ompany was to receive
100000 in gold. The claim is for
$6,500,000. The demurrer of the Chill.
can government to the claim of Charles
G. Wilson of Iquique for damages DUR
ing the war was unanimously sustained
on the ground that Wilson was not a
citizen of the United States. Today is
the last day on which claims can be
filed.
COTTON FUTURES INVESTIGATION
Senator Bate (Tenn) has arrived in
and Senator George have been acting
as sub committee of the senate COM
mittee on agriculture in an investiga-
ton of the present condition of the
market for cotton. Speaking of the
work today Senator Bate said the
committee succeeded to great extent
in getting at the history and modus
operandi of dealings in futures and in
vestigations developed some remark
able facts extending back to 1872, at
which time dealing in cotton futures
was inaugurated in New York and
New Orleans, which will be brought
to light when the committee
report is presented or in discussions in
the senate. They ascertained for in
stance that 100000 bales of cotton
were dealt in during the cotton season
during last year on the New York Elk
change and 10000, 900 bales on the New
Orleans Exchange, under contract
when there were only 7,750,0O0
bales of cotton grown in the
entire country aud only 100000
bales shipped to New York. 1t was
the general opinion of witnesses exam
ined that dealings in futures caused
great fluctuations in prices of cotton,
but as to the ultimate effect OF this
method opinions varied according to
information and prediction of the
witnesses.
STATE BANK TAX.
The bill to repeal the 10 per cent tax
on state bank circulation, to which
the full committee on banking and
CURRENCY referred all measures relating
to the question. The bill, as framed,
will be reported to the full committee !
for fiual action before it is reported to
the house. 1t does not repeal the tax
Internationally, but provides that is
sues of currency shall be under direc-
ton of the comptroller of the cur
rency, and be limited in amount. The
comptroller's supervision will prevent
the issue of currency which is not
amply secured, and tend to prevent
wildcat issues. 1t is understood that
the bill has the approval of the presi
dent, who desires repeal if it is sur