St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-05-18

Fred A. Rowland, clerk OF the House OF
Representatives, last week communicated
with President Mckinley, conveying to
him the joint resolutions adopted by both
branches of the state legislature when in
special session here endorsing his policy.
The following is the reply received from
John Addison Porter, the presidents sec.
rotary:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, May 10, '9S.
NV Dear Sir:-Your letter of the 18th
instant, enclosing copies Of joint resolu.-
tions recently adopted by the Senate and
House of Representatives OF the State OF
Vermont has been received.
1.-THE President is very gratiied and en-
couraged by these cordial expressions of
confidence and good will and heartily
appreciates the patriotic congratulations
on the glorious victory at Manila. In his
behalf have much pleasure in conveying
to you and Throughout to the members of
the general assembly his sincere thanks
for these generous resolutions.
Very truly yours,
(Signed) John ADDISON PORTER,
Secretary to the President.
"Mr. Fred A. Rowland, Clerk, House OF
Representatives, Montpelier, VT"
Mr.. Rowland has also received from
Congressman Powers letter acknowledge
ing the receipt of the Dewey resolutions
passed by the assembly. Judge Powers
states the resolutions were read from the
desk Wednesday in the House and will
appear in the Congressional Record. He
considered the resolutions very appropri-
ate.
A Prisoner Escapes from Havana.
Lieut.. Don Carlos Agramonte, who
fought under Gen. Maceo, and was made
prisoner by Gen. Weyler and confined
in Moro castle, has escaped and arrived
in Tampa, bringing important dis
patches, including the full ratification
plans, with him. He is now on his way
to Washington to confer with the secre-
tary of war.
He said that Gen. Blanco, having dis
covered conspiracy, ordered two wom-
en- and four men to he shot. The victims
had trial OF one hour only. He said
these poor people before being shot were
nearly lynched by the Spanish soldiers.
More prisoners are to be taken. The
whole conspiracy was nothing less than
TO poison zen. blancO.
Late News from rlanlla.
A dispatch from Manila, dated May 8
and sent by special steamer to Hong
Kong says:
1.-THE arsenal has surrendered and Ca
vite has been evacuated by our troops.
The Spanish losses were 300 men killed
and 600 men wounded. The enemy suf-
fered considerably, including an officer
killed ON the Olympia. The Baltimore
was damaged. Our shells did not burst,
and all the enemy's shells burst"
admiral Dewey has had long con-
ference with the foreign consuls. The
Yankees took and burned the merchant
ships. Corregidor island was betrayed.
A consultative assembly is discussing the
horrible situation created by hunger and
misery. We are isolated by the block
ade and in fear of an immediate attack.
Since the cable was cut little new has
happened. The blockade continues, but
Admiral Dewey says he will not bonn
bard the town without his governments
orders. He also says he hopes that a
general rebellion will take place within
four days. New bands are on foot in
Pampanga."
George Downing, the Spanish spy ar
rested at Washington last Saturday,
committed suicide last Thursday morn
ing by hanging himself with his bed
clothes at the barracks where he was
confined. He was charged with securing
information in regard to military and
naval operations in the United States,
and of furnishing it to Spaniards in To-
ronto and Montreal.
The privates Of the Vermont troops are
now drawing the regular army salaries,
with the addition of the state pay of 81
per month. Officers furnish their own
mess. The list is as follows: Colonel,
$500 per year; lieutenant colonel,
$4,000: major, $2500; captain, not
mounted, $500; first lieutenant, not
mounted, $500; second lieutenant, not
mounted, $1400; sergeant, $3.50; cor
poral, sos; privates, $22.60; corporal,
SOS; privates, $2260; adjutant and
quartermaster, $500.
What is said to be the largest flag in
the world was unfurled Thursday by
John M. Smyth at his store on West
Madison street, Chicago, Ill. 1t is rs
feet long and 40 feet wide and contains
800 yards of bunting. On one side are
large portraits of Washington, Jackson,
Robert E. Lee and Grant, and on the
other are Decatur, Paul Jones and Perry.
The second dastardly attempt to
poison the infantry at Mobile has been
made, and it was almost identical in
character to the first attempt. A sack
filled with cotton and saturated with ar
senic was found under a rock in the
stream where the soldiers get drinking
water. Spanish spies are known to be
lurking hereabouts, and tits believed that
their movements are followed by secret
service officials, and that sensational dis
closures and arrests will be made soon.