The Mena weekly star., 1898-02-16
TOBACCO TALK.
Secretary Wilson Returns from Ills
 Visit to Florida.
ON RIGHT-OF-WAY DAMAGES.
Indian School Products Opposed-Houss Getting Impatient Concerning Cuba Hawaiian Treaty Must wait-In-
 dian Territory Reorganization.


 Wilson, of the agricultural depart ment, has returned to the city from a weeks visit to Florida. where he went at the suggestion of the president to study the productions of that country. In an interview concerning his obser- vations there the secretary spoke as follows:
 The most striking development found in Florida was the growth of the tobacco interest. Within the last few years 900 Cubans have come over from their native country, many Of whom had been lifelong tobacco growers and understand tho art from the planting of the seed to the marketing of the cigar. The Cu- bans recognize the hummock lands of FioridS as being very similar to that of the best to- bacco lands in Cuba The American caught onto the business very rapidly. The state statistics show that the Cubans sold last year ieo.00000o cigars and tho sales of tobacco in all It's forms brought Cubans sl3.000,o0o. The United States still pays yearly to Cuba, Sumatra, Mexico and other countries el7. GOO 900 for tobacco. This the Floridan is reaching out for. Notwith- standing the people get 100000 cigars an nually from Florida scarcely such thing is to be found on the market Florida cigar. They all come north under tine Havana name
 In conclusion Secretary Wilson ex- presses the opinion that straight farm ing will be of more value to the people than raising tobacco, sugar cane, vege- tables, etc., and that the staple indus tries of the state would be dairying, cattle raising, sheep raising. bacon hog raising, etc.
 Assessment of Right-of- Way Damages
 WASHINGTON, Feb 16.-Three ex- mayors of Kansas City, Mo. called upon Secretary Bliss yesterday in re- gard to an Indian matter. They were Webster Davis, assistant secretary of the interior; Congressman Cowherd and E. l.. Martin, vice president of the Kansas City, Pittsburg & Gulf Railroad company. The object of their visit was to have commissioners appointed to assess damages for the right-of-way of the road through the Indian terri tory. Under the charter of the com pany it is provided that three commis- sioners shall be appointed for this pur- pose, one of whom is to be selected by the government, one by the railroad company and the third by the Indian nation in which those having a claim for damages reside.
 Indian School Products Opposed.
 WASHINGTON, Feb. 16. 6.-Senator Cock rell presented to the senate yesterday a resolution of the Western Implement association, asking to be relieved from competition with the Haskell Indian institute at Lawrence, Kan. At the Haskell institute Indian boys are taught the trade of making wagons and agricultural machines. The pro- ducts of the institute are sent mostly A. T.xI .s f<.. l..& -4 them are sold in general trade. He also presented petitions from South Greenfield, Mo, praying for anti-ciga- rette legislation, and from the Broth erhood of Railroad Trainmen, urging the passage of various bills advocated by the labor unions.
 The House Getting Ihapatient.
 WASHINGTON, Feb. 16.- Yesterday the members of the house showed in an unmistakable manner their impa- tience with the foreign policy of Pres ident Mckinley. Resolutions were passed calling upon the president to furnish all information at his disposal concerning conditions in Cuba and the progress of autonomy. As it is known that these reports will show that mat ters are growing constantly worse, 1t is thought that when the information is furnished officially. the republicans in the house cannot longer be re- strained from voting with the dep2o- crats for the acknowledgement of bel ligerency.
 The Hawaiian Treaty Must Walt.
 WASHINGTON, Feb. 6.-The president was informed yesterday by some of the oldest republican senators that it will be useless to press the Hawaiian an nexation treaty to vote until after some attention has been given to Cuba It was stated by these republicans that a vote now would mean the rejection of the treaty, as several senators, fa- vorable to annexation, would positive ly refuse to vote for ratification at this time.
 Indian Territory Reorg anization.
 WASHINGTON, Feb. t6.-The house committee on Indian affairs met yes terday and considered for an hour the Curtis bill, providing for reorganiza- ton of the Indian territory. Without reaching decision upon any of the important provisions of the bill the committee adjourned till tomorrow.
 State Banks Charter Revoked.
 TOPEKA, Kan, Feb. 16.-Bank Com