The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-11

polls. Then too 1t may be that ne eah
console himself. If there be any consola-
ton. with the reflection that the enemy
grow over confident and by remaining at
home election day came near leaving
hole I'm the roof OF Nebraska through
which the animated balloon might have
ESCAPED and come this way again.
The mention Of men being left at nome
through overconldence OF their party re-
calls the case Of the Hon. Samuel Griffin,
OF Bedford City. Va. Major Griffin Is a
successful lawyer, a staunch Democrat or
the old school and a broad-mlnded, in
telligent man whom the people of any
district might feel honored to call their
representative. His services TO the party
had been of great value and in the 'sOs
his friends sought TO have him nominated
for Congress from the Sixth Virginia
District No difficulty was found In Sc
curing the prize and he was regarded by
every one as practically elected. An
fndepondeut labor candidate Mr.. Samuel
/. Hopkins. OF Lynchburg, was pat up
against Major Griffin. but little attention
was paid to him as he had no visible
backing. Hopkins friends. however, took
advantage Of the supreme confidence OF
the opposition and put forth ferculean
efforts to elect him. all the work being
done quietly. because there was no econo-
mic issue dividing the friends OF the men.
Major Grifins friends were so confident
that unheard-of numbers did not even
trouble themselves TO 20 to the polls
with the result that 2Ir. Hopkins was
elected He served one term and then
dropped out Of sight. Major Criffin con-
tinued his extensive practice IN the
Southwest and never tried again for Of
flee. although undoubtedly he would have
been successful and made his mark.
In May. 1900. the sun will be In total
eclipse along n path passing lhfoush
Norfolk, va. Raleigh. n. c., Mobile. Ala
and New Orleans. Mr.. c. II. Davis. su-
porintendent Of the United States Naval
Observatory. I'm this city. is anxious that
suitable arrangements be made for es-
tablishng observing stations along the
line and with the approval Of Secretary
Long asks Congress 10 make available in
the appropriation bill tor the next fiscal
year 5000 for the expenses. 1t VIII De
visible in Washington only as a partial
eclipse. In his communication Mr. Davis
says:
ut would be necessary 10 select cbserV-
ing stations at several POINTS on this
line 10 which SldllDtS pun AliJ tENiBfNN
parties from this observatory would be
assigned. The travelling expenses or
these parties might be covered Under the
regular naval appropriation for the year,
but the estimate submitted Is intended
to include the preparation and outfit OF
instruments and their transportation, the
purchase Of additional apparatus and
materials. including Photographic mate-
rial. the erection of suitable buildings at
each station. and generally the expense
OF preparation and observation. including
the living expenses of parties at the sew
eral stations. The estimate submitted Is
believed to be ample for these purposes.
The Instruments used in observing the
transit Of Venus in 1874 and 1852 are avail
able for this work.
1T is unnecessary 10 dilate on the i'm
portance OF this work The United States
has usually co-operated with oiher par
ties I'm such observations Foreign par
ties. representing their own governments,
will be I'm this country. and 1t is desir-
able that the United States should not be
behlndhanl in an astronomical event
which occurs in its own territory"
Military courts have no power to COM
pei civilian witnesses to testify and as
A
because of their refusal 10 do so. The
Secretary OF War in a letter to Congress
urges that the defect be renicdied. The
difficulties experienced in the case Of
Captain Oberin NJ. Carter Is instanced
as showing the need Of legislation on the
subject. One bill submitted provides that
any civilian witness who has been duly
summoned fails 10 appear or refuses TO
testify or TO produce documentary evid-
testify. or 10 produce documentary EVIL
dence when directed to do so, shall be
shall be punished or information In the
United States District Court, the punish
ment not to exceed five hundred dollars
fine or six months Imprisonment or both.
The other bill provides that recalcitrant
witnesses shall be punished ly the United
States District Court. on certifcation by
a court-martial. FOR contempt to the
same extent as though the contempt
had been committed against its cwn au-
thority.
The Secretary thinks the latter method
would be more expeditions hut might be
open to the question OF cnnstitutionality
"A violation of the fifth amendment
which prescribes that TO person shall be
deprived Of life. liberty or property with
out due process of law. The other mea-
sure is not open TO that objection.
Reports on the national defense fund
OF s5O.00000' appropriated by Congress
show that some Of the money probably
about half a million dollars. Will revert
TO the Treasury on the 3lst inst. The al
lotment 10 the War Department was
Sis,SiiC27eS. By the end OF the month 1t
is estimated that ssesl, 80 Will have
been expended. leaving balance Of sls2.-
$500. The Navy Departments allotment
was 500. 97s.274.22 OF which s29 Cos. 27f.22 will
have been expended by December 3lst.
leaving probable balance of 1915. 900.
The Treasury Department was allowed
5000 and the State Department $685.
sG0S9 Neither Of these were able TO estl-
mate with any degree Of accuracy the
expenditures to December 3lst. The Sec
rotary Of the Treasury allotted $4,000 for
investigating conditions In Cuba and
Porto Rico and s.. 900 for investigating the
administration OF civil affairs in Porto
Rico. all of which will probably be ex-
pended. An allotment OF $4,000 for ex-
penses OF commission of inquiry into the
conduct OF the war has also been made
to the Treasury Department. OF which
$4,000 have been advanced to the dis
bursting agent Of the commission. How
much more VIII be required the DEPART
ment was unable at this time to state.
OF the s3o3, s6os9 allotted to the State
Department Secretary Hay says: "One
hundred thousand has been transferred
To the bankers for this Department at
London. England. for the use OF the
Pence Commission at Paris and $4,000
was advanced to the disbursing cficer
for tho commission prior TO their depar-