Birmingham state herald., 1896-03-05
A SILVER MANS PREDICTION
The National Democratic Convention WTI Be
 for Free Silver.
CONTRACT LABOR QUESTION ARGUeI
Labor Organizations Wish to Keep Four English Machinists From Landing. Another Filibuster Expedition
 Npped in the Bud.

Washington, March 1.-The treasury gold reserve at the close of business to- day stood at SPA, ,37S 167. The withdraw als for the day amounted to $373,200.
 A prominent member of the executive committee of the bimetallic national committee, whose national headquarters are in this city, states that the committee is confident the free silver democrats will control the democratic na6s>nal conven- ton by a decided majority. This com mittee, he says, is actively and earnestly at work, is organized in every state and territory of the union and is in constant and regular correspondence with leading and influential democrats in every sec ton of the country. These reports show beyond question, the committee claims, that the great mass of the democratic party is in favor of the free and unlim- tied coinage of silver at the ratio of 16 to l, and that the silver sentiment is ev- anywhere growing in strength and earnestness, it's advocates daily becom- ing more jealous and aggressive.
 Secretary Carlisle and Commissioner General Stump gave a hearing this af- ternoon to several attorneys represent ing contests as to admitting into tnlS country TOUT mdc0lDlStS IFoIn England. These machinists were sent to this country by English manufac- turers of cotton machines to set up the machines which are imported in detach- ed parts. Each man had contract with the English firm, and they were debarred from landing by the chief immigrant bu- reau as contract laborers. The attorneys representing various cotton mill owners contended that only men familiar with the construction of the complicated machinery could set them up The labor organizations contend that to allow these men to perform such work would de- prive American workmen of their just deserts Among the attorneys engaged in the case was Ex-Governor Russell of Massachusetts.
 The treasury Is informed that Captain Huiiing of the revenue cutter Morrill, seized yesterday forty miles from Port Tampa the schooner S. R. Mallory, load ed with arms and ammunition. The yes sel and cargo were turned over to the collector, who will be guided by the ad- vice of the United States district attor- ney as to detaining her.
 The arms thus captured on one of the schooners of Collazo's expedition, it is understood here. include those which were seized by the United States author ities at Cedar Key last August, consist ing of 300 guns and 00,000 cartridges, to which about ten tons more had since been added. The Spanish authorities do not conceal their disappointment that the men on the other schooner were not captured simultaneously in order to con stitute an armed expedition within the terms of the statute, but are gratified that these needed supplies, which have already been kept from the insurgents over six months, will have to be em- parked in some other way.
 Messrs. Hentz Hubbard and Lienden- berg. members of the New York cotton exchange, and Messrs. Labouisse and Brittan, representing the New Orleans cotton exchange, today addressed the house committee on agriculture in oppo- sltion to the passage of the antl-option bill The committee took no action on the matter