The leader., 1897-10-20
NEWS OF THE WEEK.
Cleaned BY Telegraph and Mail
PERSONAL AND POLITICAL

The Chicago Times-IIerald published
respondent on the 18th that Associate
Justice Field, of the supreme court,
had made formal application to be re-
lieved of his duties on December 1 and
that Attorney General McKenna would
be his successor.
President MCKINLEY has deter
mined to go slow in the Cuban trouble
and will urge congress to take no
action in the matter until the new
captain general and the new Spanish
cabinet shall have had an opportunity
to end the war in the island. Mean
while the United States reply to the
new Spanish minister will express n
purpose to prevent filibustering and
tender the good offices of President
Mckinley in persuading the insurgents
to accept autonomy.
A BANQUET was given at the Shore
ham hotel, Washington, on the 18th in
honor of Archbishop John j. Keane.
Attorney General McKenna replied to
the toast "The United States" The
gathering included many prominent
men.
1T is stated on authority in the
French capital that an association has
been formed in the United States with
the object of securing the escape from
his prison off the coast of French
Guiana of Capt. Albert Dreyfus, who
was drummed out of the French army
January ), 1895, after having been con-
victed of having sold war department
plans to representatives of a foreign
government.
The president has appointed John A.
kasson, of Iowa, special commissioners,
with plenary powers, to carry into eff
feet the reciprocity provisions of the
tariff act Mr.. Chapman Coleman, of
Kentucky, is made secretary of the
commission and Mr.. John Il. Osborne,
of Scranton Pa, assistant secretary.
The commission is charged particu-
larly to look after the agricultural
interests, both north ard south, not
| forgetting the manufacturing interests
| Of the east.
| Col. J. THOMAS SCHAEr, Chinese in
spector for the southern district of
| New York has sent to the secretary of
the treasury his resignation. lie says
that four years of practical expert
ence and close observance has con
WINGED him that the Chinese exclusion
act is a farce and has resulted in cor
ruption.
IT was announced at the supreme
court at Washington on the 18th that
Justice stephen j. Field, of California.
had notified President Mckinley of his
| intention to retire as member of the
court and had informed his colleagues
of this fact. The president sent Mr..
Field a letter accepting his resignation,
to take place December /, and express
ing his regret at it. The supreme
court called on Mr.. Field in body on
the 18th and took official leave of the
retiring justice, as it is understood he
will not resume his seat on the bench
| in the interim.
THE London Globe stated on the 18th
that the British government may be
depended upon to maintain the gold
standard inviolate.
| UNITED STATES SENATOR GoRMAN has
| issued an open letter to Edwin +.
Abel, publisher of the Baltimore sun,
in which he offers to relnquish the
leadership of the democracy in Mary
land, providing Mr.. Abel will accept
it and support the democratic ticket in
the coming campaign. He also init
mates that he will forcgo his ambition
to succeed himself in the United States
senate if it can be shown that such a
step is necessary to democratic success,
TIE president reviewed the parade
of the police and fire departments OF
| the District of Colum bia on the 18th.
| The Corean legation at Washington
received an official cable stating:
King proclaimed himself emperor
from this date, October -, 1897.
THERE is proposition on foot to di-
vide Alaska and create the territory of
| Lincoln.
| THE assistant secretary of war has
left Washington on tour of inspec-
ton of the military posts in the west.
IT was stated that Spanish troops
had huddled Cuban pacificos into Los
Fosos and that since October about
25 had died every day of hunger.