The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-05-10

s. many Of1lCdIS ana CLERKS were en-
gagged at their desks that one Of the
officers was compelled to remark apol-
O~getfcally 1--WE are not working on
Sunday; this is simply an extension
Of the executive day of Saturday."
Secretary Day spent a good part of
the day in his office going over the
kilograms and mail dispatches and
consulting with Second Assistant Adee
50 hat the department was fully pre-
pared to deal with any advices that
might come by cable and require i'm
mediate action.
In the navy department Colonel
Roosevelt was at his desk, while the
navigation bureau had almost a full
force at work. No word came during
the day by cable or otherwise to sup
Dlement the account received o. the en-
gageanent at Manila, but the officials
are perfecting all arrangements for
sending Admiral Dewey the supplies
and repair outfit he may need.
no NEWS FROM SIMPSONS
FLEET.
If any news has been received from
Admiral Sampson it was not of a char
acter that could he made public with
out e~ndangering the successful work.
ing of the plans Of the strategy board.
1t may be stated positively, however,
that so far the department has heard
nothing of an engagement or or any
thing approaching one, between the
fleet and the Spanish forces. 1t is ex-
pected by the officials that there will
BE nothing like the delay experienced
in thn case of the Philippine fight in
hearing from Admiral Sampson in
case of an engagement in the west
Indies. Without anyWise admitting
that Porto Rico is Simpsons objective
point 1t is pointed out that even allow
ing the Spanish the retention of cable
communication from hat island to the
outside world, there is an Independent
cable connection from st. Thomas that
cannot come under Spanish control,
running as it does through the chain
of French and British islands south
ward from St. Thomas and thence to
Hayti where direct cable connection
can be had with New York. From the
character of the ships under SIMPSONS
direct the officials feel little
doubt of the successful outcome OF a
fight his force and the span
ish flying squadron. Outside the flag
ship New York, which is partly armor-
ed, all of the vessels with Admiral
Sampson, with one exception, are fully
~lrOnCldIS, anu IlOIONcI bllCll l1iiOi
being fully nickel-steel harveyized, is
so superior to the armor of the Span
ish cruisers that it is calculate that
nine inches OF it is fully equal in resist
ing power to twelve inches of the un-
hardened and older arnor of the Span
ish ships.
In the war department, both General
Miles and Adjutant General COrbIn
were hard at work. There are outward
g ~ n " on of nj ON Nf TN p
Cuban campaign that cannot be de-
scribed at present, but which promise
to be very acceptable to the thousands
of people who are waiting for V
Opments. Major General Wilson spent
some time in conference with General
Miles, going over the round n lot OF
pins. capped with bits of paper to rep
recent the different arms of the SER
vice. are lying in readiness IN the
generals anteroom to be used to pin to
maps in following out the progress of
the troops in Cuba.
diuta General Corbin was one Of
the busiest men in the city To-Day.
Telegram were pouring in on MN
from every part of the country, mostly
in reference to the assembling or the
great volunteer army now L. progress
in every state and territory of the un-
ion. The adjutant general is highly
Eratified with the splendid response
that has come to the presidents call
tor volunteers and at the good WORK
being done by the army mastering Of
fcers, as evidenced by kilograms ne
was receiving from them.
SENzTG FORECAST.
Washington, May S.-The expectation
is H.. the war revenue bill will be re-
ceived in the senate from the nance
about Wednesday,, hut its
report may dedelayed a day or two be-
yOnd that date. The committee has
found so many changes considered de-
siraDle from its standpoint that prog
ress has necessarily been slow. This
has proved to tbe true without regard
to party lines. The republicans have
suggested many more to
the rbMl than have the democratic mem
bers and many of these suggested by
them have been of such Importance
as to require careful attention.
Whether the bill shall carry a pro-
vision for a rev government loan on
BON depends entirely upon Senato
ZONES. of Nevada. SO far as can be
learned. as he has not yet made known
his Tosition in the committee and the
other members profess to be ignorant
on the subject. The understanding on
the .tside is that he Will oppose the
bond feature md that, consequently.
Wnen the Dill is repOTVeu lHIS ptO'9
ION will be eliminated and probably an
authorization for the uan of green
hacks substituted for it.
Whatever the verdict OF the commit
tee on the bond clause the bond ques-
tom will be the basis Of the senate's
consideration of the bill. This subject
will in any event be debated at length
in the senate. 1t is generally conceded
that even though the ommitt dis
places the provision, the friends OF the
bond policy will he strong enough to
restore if in the senate, if a vote is
taken. TIL opponents of bonds hold
that the strength Of the bond provision
is due to the fact that a state OF war
exists and they are hopeful that the
war may come to a close before 1t VIII
Do necesSarY to vote Dol the pm.