Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-12-17
DEMOCRATS TO MEET
Congressional Caucus Called for
Next Tuesday Evening.
FOUR SUBJECTS TO Be CONSIDERED.
Caucus VIII Favor Cuban Recognition
and Oppose Secretary Cages FL
nancial Plan, Bankruptcy Bill
and Hawaiian Annexation.

richardson, OF the uemocrat1c caucus,
has issued call for caucus
Of democratic representatives to be
held in the hall of the house at 1880 p.
m. next Tuesday evening: The caucus
will consider the four subjects Of Cuba,
Hawaii, finance and bankruptcy, these
subjects being specified in the call. As
to the action on these primary gem
eral understanding has been reached
among the democratic leaders. On the
subject of Cuba the sentiment is prac-
tically unanimous in favor of resolu-
ton favoring the recognition Of Cuban
belligerenoy, and the caucus is likely to
give expression to this sentiment. On
financial questions the caucus will
probably take position against the
several plans of financial reform rec
commended by Secretary Gage. There
10 no present purpose to consider the
silver question, as that is not an issue
In the legislation contemplated by the
republican, majority. Opposition to the
bankruptcy bill is also contemplated
by the caucus. On the question Of Ha-
waiian annexation 1t is stated by those
who have canvassed the feeling on the
democratic side that it is practically
unanimous against annexation either
by treaty or by legislation.
To Discuss Civil Service Law.
Washington, Dec. 11.-Representativc
Pearson, of North Carolina, has secured
~ signatures to the paper circulated
among republican members Of congress
41- - zs.,sy
service law. 1t was decided to hold
the meeting in the rivers and harbors
committee room this evening, and such
republicans are invited who desire a
modification of the civil service law, or
more honest enforcement of It's
provisions, or more certain def
milton Of the extent of its APP
plication. In speaking of the con-
ference, Mr.. Pearson said it should
be understood that quite number of
those members who signed the call
were in favor of the civil service idea.
They felt, however, that the principle
itself was at stake by the present add
ministration of the law, and they were
therefore ready to join in considering
what remedy could be had for the pres
ent defects.
Washington, Dec. 1.-THE house on
Friday passed the pension appropria-
ton bill without amendment and ad-
journed till Monday. The amendments
offered by democrats to correct alleged
existing abuses were all ruled out on
the point of order that they were new
legislation. AS passed, the bill carried
$141 ,263,ss0. The debate covered q
wide range. 1t touched not only the
question OF our pension policy, but that
Of civil service reform and the receipts
and expenditures Of the treasury under
the Dingley law. On the latter ques-
ton Mr.. Dingley made an important
statement, in which he expressed the
opinion that the receipts would equal
the expenditures before the close of the
present fiscal year, and predicted a
surplus Of s1C,ooo,ooo next year. The
civil service law was savagely attacked
by several members, notably by Mr..
Brown (rep., o. and Mr.. Linney (rep.,
N. Co., and was warmly defended by
MIR. johnson (rep., Ind.). Just before
the close of the session Mr.. Hit, chair.
man of the foreign affairs committee,
attempted to secure unanimous consent
for the passage of the bill to prohibit
pelagic sealing by American citizens,
but objection was made. It will, under
agreement, however, be considered
Monday.
Plans for Financial Reform.
Washington, Dec. lit was stated
in reliable quarters about the house of
representatives that Secretary Gage
had made his purpose known not to
embody his financial views in one COM
prehensive bill, but to cover special SUBJ
jects in number of special bills, some
of which would go before the house
committee on banking and currency
and others before the committee on
ways and means.
The banking and currency COMMITTEES
had formally invited the secretary to
present bill covering all the phases
Of financial reform suggested in his
recent recommendation to congress,
and the desire of the members of the
committee was to treat the subject as
an entirety. For that reason there was
considerable comment when 1t was
stated that Mr.. Gage would divide the
subject into several bills, some of which
would go before the ways and means
committee.
When Secretary Gage was informed
Of the reports in circulation about the
house of representatives he said that
he had not made up his mind whether
to submit his propositions in enc, two
or three bills. His plan might be better
understood if divided, but he had not
vet decided about the matter and was
still at work on the proposed legisla-
tion.
Champions Penny Postage.
Washington, Dec. 11.-Representativ
Smith, of the old Logan district of ILL.,
nois, has introduced bill red ucing let
ter postage to one cent per ounce after
July 1, 1898.
Anarchists Expelled.
Berlin, Dec. 1.-THE police have ex-
PEELED number of anarchists and have
made many house searches in this city.
Frankfort, Mayence and Munich.
German General Dead.
Berlin, Dec. 11.-Gen. Won Buolow, of
the artillery, is dead. He has been sui
- ,,s., IN