The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-08-25

@NONOSNt &A0Bo9 n6E6 uAb uOt
been much ia the world OF politics dur
ing the past.week, The new members of
parliament who have had the moral
courage to remain in town when London
Is in state Of social collapse have been
quietly settling themselves into their
seats. and the older members have not
been distinguishing themselves by any
great show OF activity. The house of
commons, as a result, has presented
dreary appearance and but little outside
OF routine business has come up for dis
cussion.
An exception, however, should be
noted in the case of the reply made on
Thursday last, in the house, by tho first
lord of the treasury, the Right Hon. A.
j. Balfour, to Sir John Long, Ii beral
member for Dundee, who asked whether
he would advise the government to in.
vite an international monetary confer
ence. Mr.. Balfour said: II am and
have always been In favor of on inter-
national agreement; but have not the
right to pledge my colleagues and I do
uot believe that an interna tional agree
ment would result from an international
conference"
The Daily News this morning SAYS:
"Mr. Balfour's answer disposes OF BIZ.
metsllism 30 far as this government Ia
concerned and we are heartily glad OF
it, because we believe that bimetallsm
spells ruin for the grea. creditory
country of the world. Mr.. Balfour has
gone further even than Sir William
Harcourt, who did not object to q con.
faranno dad tLa
were instructed to vote against debas-
Ing the currency"
In bimetallic circles, however, another
complexion is put on the matter. The
officials OF the Bimetsllic League especi.
ally dwell on the fact that Mr.. Balfour's
remarks referred to an immediate con-
ference, and, 1t Is claimed that, az
matter OF fact, his reply reveals the ex-
pectsnce on the part OF the government
that successful conference can subse-
quently be held. The Bimetallic League
officials therefore declare themselves
pleased with the answer of the first lord
of the Treasury"
One OF the most interesting events to
Americana which occurred on this side
OF the Atlantic during the past week was
the unwilling on Wednesday Last, ut
Ayr, Scotland, OF the fourth and last
q.
by Mr.. Wallace Bruce, formerly United
States consul at Edinburgh. The panel
was subscribed for by American I'D
mirers OF the poet and is the hsndiwork
OF hr. George Bissell, of New York, and
representing the parting Of Burns and
Highland Mary. The ceremony took
place in the presence of large crowd of
people. the town council and members
of the Burns club.
M. Bruce made speech during the
course Of which he said that he ex-
perienced great delight in standing
there "a connecting link between the
lovers OF Burns in the United States
and Scotland. The panel. which was
concealed by American and British
hags, was unveiled amid great cheers.
In the evening the Burns Club gave
banquet to che American visitors, and
Mr.. Bruce, replying to the toasts of the
President of the United Stetes," paid
patriotic tribute TO the chief m agissrate
of the United States. his remarks being
warmly applsuded.
The great topic Of discussion In rail-
road circles during the week has been
the railway races from London to Aber-
deem by the east md west routes The
west coast companies took the initiative
and did the distance. $40 miles, as the
rate of mile minute throughout.
These companies thus made q new
worlds, record while completely smafh-
ing that held for the past three years by
the Empire State express, from New
YORK to Buffalo. But, as the east
route companies improved on this time
on thursday evening, the west coast
ran $40 miles in sic minutes. The
train, however, was only composed of
an engine and guards, van and two pas
senger coaches. The struggle ceased
yesterday and the rival companies re.
vert to their O, binary times.
Elk Speaker Crisp has spent most of
the week IN Scotland. He will visit
Ireland previous to bis return to this
city. where he will spend his last week
on this side OF the Atlantic. Speaking
to representative of the Associated
Pfese OF the great amount OF attention
Mr. w. @. Whitney is attracting as a
possible candidate for the Democratic
Crisp said
"Mr. Whitney seems to have sue.
oeeded the late James q. Rlaine "a
the magnetic man. in American poll.
tics. l have several times been asked
questions by Englishmen concerning
Mr.. Whitney's personality and chances
OF obtaining the nomination. He seems
to have made the same great impression
here as he has long M lde at home.
Some OF the officers of the British
bimetallic league who met Mr. Whitney
last spring were greatly impressed by
him. Secretary M:Neill, OF the BIZ
metallic League, regards Mr.. Whitney
as one OF the most charming and clear
headed men he has met"
Gen. Benjsmin f. Tracy, ex-S Secretary