Daily Kennebec journal., 1896-04-15
GETTING IMPATIENT.
The Congressman Urged to
Quit and Go Home.
Business Men Complain Of Doubt and
Uncertainty in Business.
An Interesting Story About War in Cuba
Uncle Sans Old Debts.

Washington, April 14.-(Special. y
Members OF congress are flooded with let
ters from their constituents imploring
them to quit and go home. 1t is said by
veteran statesmen that they have never
known time when tho people were APP
parently SO much out Of patience with the
lawmakers There is a prevalent feeling
In the country that congress is not doing
any good and that Its continued sitting
only adds to tho uncertainty as to what is
going to happen and prevents business as
suming normal aspect. Some of the let
ters received by senators and representa-
tives are abusive in tone, vulgar and
coarse. But the majority come from bust
ness men, who say the uncertainty about
legislation, and particularly concerning
the prospects for trouble with Spain over
the Cuban question, is holding the country
back and stopping the wheels of trade.
Voice of the People.
So many letters of this sort have been
received that there is almost panic in
congress in favor of adjournment at as
early day as possible. There is talk of
closing up the session by the middle of
May, and here and there an enthusiast is
heard saying congress will quit and go
home, rs the country wants it to do, with
in a month. Tho most probable thing is
that the business of tho session will be fin
ished up about Juno /. This is tho date
on which Speaker Reed has set his heart.
and the probabilities are he will have his
way about it. But it is agreeable to note
that the people are able to impress them
selves upon the statesmen who assemble
here to make laws and who do not work
themselves to death while at 1t.
Something of the same force of public
opinion appears to have reached the Whit,
House also, whore President Cleveland
and his cabinet have been holding long
consultations over the Cuban question.
Leading men in the business and financial
world complain bitterly that the cloud oi
Cuban disturbance between this country
and Spain is tho greatest obstacle in the
way of a return of better times, and they
have urged the president to end the uncer-
tainty one way Or another. This demand
has mado u serious impression upon the
president, and lie has sat up nights with
the Cuban problem in the language Of
one Of his official family.
Patriotic Havana Ladies'.
One Of the most interesting stories I
AliNC HttiTu COICtIDlliS VIC NIit III tluEtt
comes from Charles Cramp, the famous
shipbuilder, who had it direct from gcil-
tleman who had spent some time in Ha-
vana 1t explains in part how the instr
gents get their supplies of ammunition.
According to this traveller, many OF the
ladies of Havana arc openly or secretly in
sympathy with the cause of FREQ Cuba.
But it is the fashion for the women there
IN ovta t,,i, ,I,a ,t.I Il.
minor officers in d social way. The ladies
of Havana are nothing if not hospitahle
When tho soldiers pay visits to their fair
friends, they carry with them their belts
and cartridge pouches, and when they take
their leave the cartridges, strange to say,
are missing. In great embarrassment the
hostess explains that her servants are al
dicted to pjlforing, but begs that nothing
be said about tho matter to tho authuri-
ties, as it would get her into trouble. OF
course the gallant soldier promises silence,
for his own sake as much as for hers.
This sort of thing is going on all tho time,
and the supplies of ammunition thus Sc
cured are smugglod through the lines into
the hands of the insurgents. IN this way
the patriotic ladies of Havana contrive to
contribute to the cause of Cuba libre
htGt IL sstattt oi kHlHkSs
A curious fact appears in an official re-
port recently submitted to congress by
Secretary Carlisle. 1t is that the govern
ment of tho United States still owes about
$50, 900 of loan foated moro than a
century ago. Aug 4, 1890, the congress
authorized the issuance of something like
$65, 900, 600 of scrip, some of it per cent
and other per cent stock. OF these issues
$55, 1870. OF course the claims will never
be presented, as it is supposed tho scrip
has been destroyed. But what nice little
pickup it would be for somo poor fellow if
he were to find, Oh rumniaging through
his great -grandfather's papers up in the
attic, thousand or two of this stock !.
What would the interest amount to up to
the present time, 105 years after issue:
There are nearly $500, 900 of old loans
issued prior to the war; still outstanding
Included in this amount is about $50, 600
of treasury notes issued prior to 1916. They
also, it is supposed, have been lost or de-
stroyed, though some of them may be still
in existence in tho hands of persons who
do not know their value. Not including
the bonds issued during tho present ad-
ministration, the great items in the ob!iga-
tions of the government now outstanding
are the following Legal tender notes
(greenbacks) of 1862, $346 GSl o0o; 4 per
cent loan due in 1907, $500, 600 600; silver
certificates, S346, 900, 900; Pacific railway
bonds, SCI, 900, 900; gold certificates, $40,-
600, 900; loan at 5 per cent due in 1904
10000, 600; per cent loan due in 1925,
$62 000,0 and treasury notes of 1890
$13S,0Oo,00 Uncle Sam owes q good
deal, does he notf But no ono doubts his
ability to pay.
Assignment at Chicago.
Chicago, April, 1.-THE McKindley
Coal and Mining Co. assigned. today