The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-02-25
CAPITAL CHAT.
A Plum This Government
Has to Dispose Of.

Sponge Culture station--Why They
Resigned-simpson's Story.
WASHINGTON, Feb. a3.-[Special l.
There has been the keenest sort of contest
for the honor Of representing this country
Mt Mexico. That is looked upon as one of
the best of all tho diplomatic posts this
government has TO dispose of and probably
tho last Of the first class missions Mr..
Cleveland will have to give out to his
friends. The salary is $l7, 500 year,
which Is very fair, especially when Ii is
considered that this is paid in gold, and
that Mexico is on n silver basis. BY con-
verting his salary into silver dollars IL il
said the minister can save about $l2, 600 q
year. The expense OF living at Mexico,
while greater than In tho United States,
is not as high as one would suppose, con-
sldorne tho disparity In tho value of the
dollars OF tho two countries. AT the City
of Mexico it is not necessary for the min
lister TO 1.-Two in that fashionable and ex-
pensive style incumbent upon our embas-
sadors at London, at Paris and at Berlin.
Embassador Bayard finds his salary in
adequate to defray bis expenses, and SO
docs Embassndor Eustis at Paris. EN-
bassador Runyon at Berlin spends every
year number of thousand dollars moro
than his salary. Another advantage OF
the Mexican post Is tho ease with which
It Is reached. A journey Of three or four
days, all rail, carries the minister TO tho
scene Of his duties, whereas most of our
other diplomatic representatives have to
travel from Il week TO a month. No won
der there has heen keen rivalry on tho part
OF prominent Democrats for this rich plum.
A Free Port.
A good deal OF interest Is fels-in an ef
fort being made to pass at this session OF
congress bill providing for {" free port"
on tho eastern end Of Long Island, and TO
authorize tho secretary of tho treasury to
permit tho establishment of other FREQ
ports from timo to time. This Is an en-
tiroly new scheme for this country, al
though free ports arc not by any means
unknown ia other parts of the world, es
pecially in Germany. A FREQ port" is,
in fact, an enormous bonded warehouse,
so large that factories may be established
and operated in 1t. Tho free ports of Ger
many are surrounded by high walls. so
that mono of the products brought Into
them can be taken out and transported
into the country In which they are located
without tho usual payment OF duties. The
not subject to the usual tonnage and other
port dues, and the goods which they bring
are unladen and placed In the warehouses
without payment of any tariff duty. Man
ufacturers within the walls OF tho free
port are permitted 10 use these goods in
manufacturing, but when they ship their
manufactured articles into the country in
which the port is located they must pay
the usual tariff rates on those goods. IL
they ship their manufactures or tho for
eign goods themselves TO other parts of
the world, nc duty Is required on the goods
thus brought In ind reshipped or upon
those which enter into the manufacture Of
their own products shipped abroad.
Two Interesting Measures.
An effort is TO be made to place In one
of tho appropriation bills an appropriation
looking &c the establishment of sponge
cultural station on tho coast of Florida.
The sponge fisheries of Florida have been
of good deal of value but have never re-
ceived any care from the government au-
thorities. AS there are comparatively fow
places in the world where sponges are TO
be had, there is much interest In caring for
,ehis industry and improving 1t. The
pponges which grow on the Florida coast
arc of a coarse variety and not nearly so
valuable as those of some other parts of
the world. 1t is proposed to make the ex-
pertinent of attempting to introduce at
that point the spawn of the finer grade of
sponges, brought from other parts of the
world,
The friends of low transportation rates
arc looking forward with much interest To
an effort which Is to be made in few
days TO pass through the house tho joint
N nt nf
q commission to consider tho propricty Of
joining with Canada In the construction
of deep water canal to connect tho great
lakes with the Atlantic They argue that
II canal through which tho lake vessels
can reach tho Atlantic can be obtained at
= small cost by cooperation with Canada,
under proper treaty protection. IL Is wise TO
do So Not only would 1t givo lower trans
portation from the great lakes To the En-
ropean ports, hut &c would also compel
lower rates of transportation by rnil upon
grain, meats and all sorts of farm prod
ucts. Besides this tho friends of tho prop
osition mako no concealmont OF their be-
lief that it would bo another step i'm the
direction of some peaceful arrangement
by which Canada and oil the section north
of this country shall become part Of the
United States.
Gossip and Gieanings.
Information contained in tho latest is
sue OF tho Congressional Directory, just
out, would seem to refute the oft repeated
remark with reference TO officeholders that
''few die and none resign" This book
shows that thcro have been 10 deaths and
no fower than II designations I'm this con-
gress since its election. A careful study
of the list of designations, however, shows
that most of thom were for tho purpose of
enabling tho gentlemen In question TO ao-
cept better official positions. OF the two
senators who resigned, one Senator White
of Louisiana, did so to become justice Of
tho supreme court, whilc the other Mr.
Walthall, retired To private life on account
OF III health. OF the 10 representatives
who resigned four, Lodge. Mitchell Of
Wisconsin, Blanchard and B.rrows, did
60 10 become senators, Fitch, Cummings
and Fellows had better official posts offer
ed thcm In New York city, Caldwell be-
cano mayor Of Cincinnati, Oates govern
pr ~ A Ip hufna I,rpbI IN ri e,o MT ftlat,- o.,