The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-01-09


points of general interest. In the first
session of the Fifty y-fourth Congress
the House passed bond and revenue
bills, each Of which was changed by
the Senate into a free coinage meas
ure. Two minor bills, the filled cheese
bill and bill repeating the provision
for a rebate on the tax on alcohol
used in the arts, became laws. The
river and harbor bill was passed over
the Presidents veto. The Indian and
District of Columbia bills were passed,
with new provision that no appropria-
tions for sectarian purposes shall be
made. The House also passed the i'm
migration bill, with an educational re-
striction, which is now in conference.
An anti-prize fight measure for the
Territories passed both Houses. A bill
was finally passed by both Houses pro
viding for the construction of three
battleshipe. and an appropriation Of
about SlOO0O.000 was made for coast
defense.
The State Department has been the
scene of unusual activity during the
year. 1t has given expression to the
sympathies of the people with the Ar
menians and has vigilantly guarded the
interests of the missionaries and other
Americans in Turkey. The Cuban revo-
luton has occupied much of the time of
the department as we'll as of Congress.
Numerous resolutions were offered in
the latter body and early in the year
recognizing Cuban belligerency and re-
questing the President to use his friend
ly offices with Spain. The latter paid
no attention to the request, in spite of
the almost unanimous vote, and issued
proclamation of neutrality. The next
important step of Congress was the re-
port by the Senate Committee on For
eign Affairs Of Joint resolution recog
nizing the independence of the Cubans,
to which Secretary Olney has taken ex-
ceptions. declaring that the administra-
tion of our foreign relations in such
case as this rests exclusively W tn the
President. The consideration of this
joint resolution will be taken up imme-
diately upon the reassembling Of Con-
gress, and meanwhile the air is full of
rumors of negotiations between the
Secretary of State and the Spanish
Minister for the mediation of this coun-
try, based upon promises of Spain to
concede certain measures of autonomy
to Cuba. The Venezuelan quarrel has
reached satisfactory settlement. On
the first day of the year commission
was appointed to examine into and re-
port upon the facts in the dispute be-
tween Venezuela and Great Britain.
The commission entered upon it's work
at once. Congress passed vigorous reso-
lutions extending the Monroe doctrine
to the dispute. but Lord Salisbury de-
clined to entertain the view of Congress-.
Meanwhile, as the result Of diplomatic
negotiations, the English government
consented to arbitrate the questions in
dispute. and Board of Arbitration,
consisting of two members to be ap-
pointed by the Chief Justice Of Eng
land, two by the Chief Justice of the
United States. and the fifth by King
Oscar of Sweden, will soon enter upon
the work of settling the points in dis
pute. The remaining point Of interest
in state affairs is the reception of the
first Minister from the new state. the
Greater Republic of Central America
Honduras, Nicaragua. and Salvador
Tribune.
~, The old year abroad
The Uld Year has been marked by
Apfoao' many political and
military events of importance. Eng
lish politics has not revealed any special
features. except the election of John
Dillon as the leader of the Irish Par.
liamentary party. the resignation Of
Lord Rosebery as Liberal leader, and
the passage of an amended Irish land
OAii' IL 4HoASh sho BONOhAulOut uoClucu
upon campaign against Dongola, to
which France made serious objection.
The triple alliance. however, gave its
sanction. and the campaign ended in
complete success and with comparative
ly little loss. thus giving Great Britain
its first foothold in the permanent oc.
cupation Of the Soudan.
The record of France, as usual, is
largely confined to Cabinet changes. In
February a stubborn contest occurred
between the Senate and Chamber as to
confidence in the government on the
question of certain railroad scandals.
The Chamber voted confidence and the
Senate voted censure, the Cabinet ignor-
ing the latter. Upon further question
of the foreign policy in Madagascar the
contest ragged with such bitterness that
the Cabinet at last resigned, and new
compromise ministry was formed by M.
Meline. The military record Of France
is confined to the complete subiugation
of Madagascar, as one of the first and
best fruits OF which slavery has been
abolished in that island. In Germany
the absolute power of the Emperor has
been asserted on more than one occa-
sion with offensive emphasis. and year