davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-12-08
SILVER H BASIS.
Commissioners Harden reports on the
Currency of the Philippine
Islands.

Washington, Dec. Am interesting
official report on financial and indus
trial conditions in the Philippines, pre-
pared Ey Edward W. Harden, appointed
last August as a special commissioner
for that purpose, has been made pub
lie by Secretary Gage. 1t shows,
among other things, that silver is the
basis of the island currency, that the
per capita circulation for the entire
population Of the islands is about five
dollars on a silver basis, or half that
on a gold basis, that the Mexican dollar
is the cvin chiefly in use, that Spanish
oppression extended to finance TO such
a measure that $4,000, 900 of a $40. 900, 900
bond issue in July, 1897, was foated as
a forced loan from those having claims
against the government, that practical
ly all the trade is in the hands of for
eigners, that exports in 1897 exceed
imports by S23, 999, 2oO in total vaIua-
ton. that the four principal industries
are hemp, sugar. copra and tobacco.
and that the establishment of n cord
age-making plant would probably be a
paying investment.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-12-08
A MiIIion-Douar Fire.

New York, Dec. Sin a binding ram.
storm Sunday night the massive block
of buildings on Broadway Nos. 253 to
$50 and included between Murray and
Warren streets, was almost destroy q
by fire. Within three hours more than
a million dollars worth of property
was destroyed. The fire began in tie
ive-story brick building occupied By
the mems furnishing firm of Rogers,
Pect & Co, on the southwest corner Of
Broadway and Warren street. Az
joining the Rogers-Peet building AID
south of it was the magnificent white
building of the Home Life Insurance
company, and next to this was the
brown stone building of the Postal
Telegraph company, erected at a cost
of millions only a few years ago.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-12-08
ALASKA'S NEEDS.
Them and Makes IA Strong Plea
for Congregational Action.

Washington, Dec. 2,-The annual re-
port Of Gov. Brady, of Alaska, makes
a strong plea for congressional action
on Alaska's needs at the coming ses-
sion and points out that Alaska is IS
times larger than Cuba, has been in
our possession for 81 years, and its
value has been unknown and unappre-
GATED" Gov, Brady declares that ''it
would seem as impossible TO prevent
smuggling of liquor into Alaska as it
would lie to prevent the clouds from
rolling by or the tide from ebbing OF
flowing
Recommendation is made for a high
license liquor law, a tax of a few cents
n case On salmon and ten cents a ton
for wharfage. The first two combined
would ncl at least $235,OO0 annually,
the third 500, 900, based on this years
Wharfage. 1t also recommended that
the general land laws be extended to
Alaska; that Alaska be given repre-
sentation in congress; that J~aponsky
island be made a naval station and that
cable communication be effected with
the United States.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-12-08
NEW BUILDING NEEDED.
structure Inadequate to Require
msntS OF Department of Justice.

/ deem il my duty to call to the attention
Of congress the condition Of the present
buildirs occupied BY the department OF jus
tfce. The business Of that department has
increased very greatly since il was es-
.3blshed in its present quarters. The
building now occupied by it is neither
large ercueh nor of suitable arrangement
fer the proper COMMUNICATION Of the bust
ness Of the department The supervising
architect has pronounced Il unsafe and IN
suited to the use to which il IS put. The
attorney general in mis- report STATES that
the library of the department Is on the
Fourth floor. and that all the space al
lotteI 10 il is so crowded with books as
l. dangerously overload the structure. The
nrst door Is occupied by the court of claims.
Tie building is OF an old and dilapidiated
appearance. ursujted to the dignity which
Sho8ld attach to this important DEPART
ueat \ proper regard for the safety, com
fort ard convenience Of the officers and
empI0yeS would Justify the expenditure
81 a liberal sum of money in the erection
Of q new building Of CommCdious proper
tons ard handsome appearance upon the
very advantageous site already secured for
that purpose, including the ground occu-
o:cd by the present structure and sdjOiu-
< vacant 10 that comprising in all front
axe 81 2l feet on Pennsylvania avenue
and a depth Of $50 feet.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-12-08
ARM
Resume of the work of the A~Sricul-
turaI Department

The department of agriculture has been
active in the past year. Explorers have
been sent to many of the countries of the
eastern and western he~mispheres for seeds
and plants that may be useful to the United
States and with the further view of open
ing up markets for our surplus products,
The forestry division of the department is
giving special attention to the t~reeless re-
gions of our country and is introducing
species specially adapted to Semi-artd re-
gions Forest fires which seriously inter
fere with production, especially in lrriSate
regions, are being studied that the losses
partment is inQuiring into the use and
and collating information regarding the
laws of the states, the decisions OF the
courts and the customs of the people in this
regard. so tina uniformity may be secured.
Experiment stations are becoming more ef-
fecfive every year. The annual ~appropria-
ton Of $27o. O00 by congress is supplemented
by $4,000 from the states. Nationwide
experiments have been conducted TO ascer-
tain the suitahienesS as 10 soil and climate
and states for growing sugar heetS- The
number of sugar factories has been doubled
in the past two years and the ability Of the
United States to produce its own
from this source has been clearly demon
strated.
The weather bureau forecast and OBJ
servation stations have been extended
around the Caribbean sea to give early
warning Of the approach OF hurricanes
from the south seas 10 our fleets and mer-
1Nuur mn rfUp
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-12-08

100 as compared with $i53.573. 147 oA Novem
Der !, 1897, and an Increase Of net cash OF
$2V7, 7o6, lV0, November /, 1881, to S3go.zaS.Z "a
November l, 1888. The present ratio OF net
treasury gold outstanding government liza
bilitIes, including United States treasury
notes of 1880, silver certificates, currency
silver coin, November /, 1888. was Is IS per
cent. as compared with 1856 per cent No
vember /, 1891.
Recommendation Renewed
renew 50 much OF my recommendation
Of December. 1871, as follows: That
when any Of the United States notes are
presented for redemption in gold and are
redeemed in gold, sach notes shall he kept
ara set apart ara only paid out IN exchange
l9r 2ob1. IGlS is an obvious duty. If
tie holder OF the United States note pre-
iers the gold and gets it from the govern
iGent, he should not receive back from
the government u United States note with
cut paying god IN exchange for 1t. The
reason for this is made all the more APP
parent when the government issues an in
terest-bearing debt to provide gold for the
redemption OF United States notes-a non
InteTest-bearing debt. Surely il should not
pay them out again except on demand and
Tor gold II they are put out In any other
way they may return again, TO be followed
by another bond issue 10 redeem them
another interest-bearirg debt to re-
deem a Notwithstanding debt" This
Recommendation was made in the belief
that such provisions of law would insure
70 a greater degree the safety of the pres
cUt standard and better protect our cur
rcFCy from the dangers 70 WnlCn IL is
subjected from a disturbance IN the gem
ersi business conditions Of the country
other Currency Legislation Needed.
In my judgment the present condition Of
the treasury amply J~uSti1eS the immedi-
ate enactment Of the legislation recon-
mended one year ago, under which a por-
lion OF the gold holdings should be placed
in d trust fund from which greenbacks
should be redeemed upon presentation, but
when once redeemed should not thereafter
De paid out except for gold. II is not TO
be inferred that other legislation relating
10 our currency Is not required, on the
contrary there is an obvious demand for
II. The Importance of adequate provision
which will insure to our future a money
standard related as cur money standard
now and TO that OF our commercial rivals
is generally recognized, The companion
proposition that our domestic paper cur
reucy shall be kept safe and yet be so re-
lated 10 the needs of our industries and
internal as to be adequate and
responsive TO such needs is a proposition
scarcely less important. The subject, in all
its parts, is commended to the wise con-
sideratiou of the congress.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-12-08
DAMAGE BY STORM.
blizzard Causes Invoc in Ohio. Penn
~sylvania, maryland and
other States.

Columbus, o., Dec. 5.-All day ter
rife storms ragged all over the state,
particularly in the northern part. Rain
and sleet fell here. and the streets were
deserted. a special to the State Jour
nal from Lima tells of conditions ex-
listing there, saying: The severest
storm in years has prevailed here. do
ing many thousands of dollars worth
of damage TO telegraph, telephone and
electric light companies. Poles nave
given way under the weight of the
wet snow, and hundreds of wires are
down and crossed so as to make them
useless. The city was in darkness
Sunday night.
Detroit, Mich. Dec. 6.-Detroit has
never suffered such complete isolation
from the outer world as has been
caused by the worst storm experienced
in these parts, so far as its effect upon
electric wires is concerned. in 10 years.
Sunday noon the white particles began
TO come down, and for two hours it
showed incessantly, a wet, soggy snow,
which weighed down trees and tele-
graph wires and poles until they
snapped and fell in all directions. For
some time Detroit had no communica-
ton with the outside world, but the
service is gradually being restored.
The damage 10 street car, telephone
and telegraph companies will run up in
the thousands of dollars.
Philadelphia, Dec. 5.-A heavy rain
storm which began here Saturday con-
tinued all of Sunday with increasing
violence. accompanied by winds of al
most gale velocity. Shortly before mid
night there was a clear sky. At its
maximum the wind blew - miles an
hour. Telegraph wires from this city
south were rendered almost useless on
account of the heavy winds. Trees,
swinging signs and chimneys were
blown down, but no great damage is
known to have resulted.
Scranton, Pa. Dec. s. - Sundays
reavy windstorm blew down a signal
Iole on the New York, Ontario & West
ern railroad at Peckville A few min
utes later a passenger train that was
hurrying TO this city through the blind
ing snowstorm crashed into the pole
ana Inc engine anu tCIlNtl XIV iut
rack and rolled down an embaukment
killing the fireman, David Davis. of Car
bondale.
Baltimore, Md, Dec. 5.-The most Sc
we're wind and rainstorm that has Wis
tied Baltimore for many years pre-
vailed Sunday, and did thousands of
dollars damage. Sixty miles an hour
IS the wind velocity given out by the
weather bureau, the highest for 10
years. Fully 500 houses in the city
and vicinity were unroofed, chimneys
innumerable were blown down, trees
~uprooted and poles leveled, Telegraph
telephone, electric light and trolley
poles were blown down like SO many
ten pins.
Dallas, Tex, Dec. 5-The severest
cold weather of the winter prevailed
Saturday in this section of Texas. Con-
siderable SNOW has fallen to the north
and east of Dallas. High winds have
prevailed and telegraph companies are
seriously annoyed by wire trouble.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-12-08
THE NAVY.
Recommendations of Secretary Long
Receive ENecutiNc AnprnNnI.

The following recommendations Of the
secretary of the navy relative TO the in
crease of the navy have my earnest APP
p~royal;
/. Three seagoing sheathed and coppered
battleships of about 1850 tons trial dis
placement, carrying the heaviest armor
and most powerful ordnance for vessels
of their class and to nave the highest prac-
ticable speed and great radius of action
Estimated cost, exclusive of armor and
armament, S., 1900 each.
2. Three sheathed and coppered arnored
cruisers of about 1900 tons trial displace-
ment, carrying the heaviest armor and
most powerful ordnance for vessels of their
class and TO have the highest practicable
speed and great radius of action. Esti-
mated cost, exclusive of armor and arma-
ment, 81, 900, 600 each.
3. Three sheathed and coppered protected
cruisers of about 5000 tons trial displace-
ment; TO have the highest practicable
speed and great radius of action and to
carry the most powerful ordnance suitable
tor vessels of their class. cost,
exclusive of armor and armament, S~2,l5O.O00
each.
4. Six sheathed and coppered cruisers Of
about 2, 500 ton trial displacement to have
the highest speed compatible with good
cruising qualities, great radius of action
and to carry the most powerful ordnance
suited TO vessels of their class. Estimated
cost, exclusive of armament, S,14l,SO each.
| join with the secretary of the navy in
recommending that the grades of admiral
and vice admiral be temporarily revived,
to be filled by officers who have specially
distinguished themselves in the war with
Spain,
In Census.
earnestly urge upon congress the impor-
tancc of early legislation providing for the
taking of the twelfth census. This is nee
essary in view of the large amount OF work
which must be performed in the prepara-
tion of the schedules preparatory to the
enumeration of the population.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-12-08
SUBMITS HIS ESTIMATES.
Secretary Gage Informs Congress o
the Appropriations Required
for the Year q

Washington. Dec. Gin conformity
with the requirements of law. the sec
rotary of the treasury on Monday
transmitted 10 congress the estimates
of appropriations required for the
service of the fiscal year ending June
30, 1900, as furnished by the several ex
ecutive departments. These estimates
including permanent annual appropri
ations, aggregates 593,o4s 37s. as agaii 81
Ss0s.s75.5l3, the amount of the appro
priations. including deficiencies and
miscellaneous, for the fiscal year 1899.
and s4G2, 647 .ss5. the mount of the cs-
Inmates for 1890. Following is the total
recapitulation. cents omitted:
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-12-08
SESSION OF sENiTA.
Opening Scenes IN the Upper House
of Congress.

of Congress.
Washington, Dec. 6.-When the sen
ate convened Monday to begin the
closing session of the Fifty-ifth con
gress, the chamber presented a notable
and beautiful appearance. By II O'Clock
the public and private galleries were
filed to their capacity with a dis
~tinguished assemblage, including many
ladies in brilliant attire. On the floor
of the senate the display of flowers was
unusually beautiful even for the open
ing day of a session of congress.
At the STOKE of Twelve.
Promptly at the stroke of ~ o'clock
Vice President Hobart entered, and
ascending TO his desk, raped for order.
Rev. Mr.. Milburn, the venerable blind
Chaplain, in a profoundly impressive
Kramer. returned ''devout and rever-
e. t thanks for Gods goodness 10 us as
a nation and for His care Oh us since
last gathered in this chamber"
A call of the senate developed the
presence of ca members.
The UsuaI Resolutions.
The usual resolutions were offered
and adopted. Senator Cullom (Ill) Of
tered that TO appoint a committee TO in
firm the house that the senate was
ready to transact business; Senator
Hale (Me.), that fixing the hour Of daily
meeting at ~ o'clock noon; and Sena-
tor Morrill, (Vt.), that to appoint a com
mittee to notify the president hat the
senate was awaiting any communion
ton he might desire TO make.
Message Read.
At 1925 p. III. the committee appoint
ed to wait upon the president reported
the performance of its duty and an
nounced that the president immediate
ly would communicate with the senate
in writing.
Scarcely had the report been made
when Maj. Pruden, executive clerk of
the president, entered the chamber and
presented the message. Vice President
Hobart laid it before the senate at
once, and its reading was begun at
1928 p. m.
The reading of the message occupied
two hours and eighteen minutes. Not
the slightest demonstration occurred
during the reading of the message.
At 3:45, on motion of Senator Plat
Comm, the senate adjourned.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-12-08
THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.
More Than s.0OO,OOO Acres Sold Dur
ing the Year.

The public lands disposed of by the gov
eminent during the year reached S.453.-
SCI. 90 acres, an increase of GA. IaO26 acres
over the previous year. The total receipts
from public lands during the fiscal year
amounted TO $2,277, 995.1S. an increase Of
$3.50. O63 80 over the preceding year. The
lands embraced in the II forest reserVa-
tions which were suspended by the act oil
June 4, 1897. again became subject TO the
operations of the p"roclamatlons OF rem
ruary %, 1897, creating them, which ADDED
an estimated amount of 1881, 800 acres TO
the area embraced in the reserve previous
" created. In addition thereto TWO new
reserves were created during the year
Inc pine Mountain and Zaca Lake reserve
in California, embracing 1,644, 594 acres, ana
the Prescott reserve in Arizona, embracing
10 240 acres: while the Pecos River reserve
in New Mexico has been changed and en-
Iarged to include 10000 additional acres.
Al the close of the year 80 forest reStrNa-
tons. not including those of the AfoShac
forest and the fish culture reserve IN
Alaska. had been created by executive
n~rocIamations under section "a of the act
of March 8. 1891, embracing an estimated
area of 0.7l9,44 acres.
The department of the interior has IN
augurated a forest system, made possible
bv the act of July, 1898, for a graded l0Tce
Of officers in control of the reserves ms
system has only been in fun operation
since August, but good results nave al
ready been secured in many sections. Inc
reports received indicate that the system
If patrol has not only prevented destruc-
i've fires from gaining headWay, but mas
diminished the number of nreS.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-12-08

are known as "Barcos," small Isolated is
ards formed by the cutting of Of bends
In he RIO Grande. from the operation Of
the treaties OF 1854 ard 1889, recommen1td
Iv the Commissioners ard approved by bis
government. but stil under consideration
IN Mexico: ard the subject Of the equita-
HE distribution of the waters Of the Rio
Grande," FOR winch the commissioners rec
0mmerded an International cam and rtseT-
yoir. approved by Mexico, but still under
consideration by this government Pc
ing these questions II il necessary 70 *
Tend the life Of the commission, Wnlcn eN-
pires December % next.
The coronation OF the young queen Of
tho Netherlands was made the occasion ot
fitting congratulations
The claim Of Victor II. McCord against
Peru. whic for a number Of years has been
pressed by this government, and mas on
several occasions attracted the attention
of the congress, has been satisfactorily ad-
justed. A protocol was signed May II. 1873.
whereby the fact of liability being admit
ted, the question of the amount to be
award was submitted to the chief justice
of Canada as sole arbitrator. His award
sets the indemnity due the claimant at $40,-
DN1
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-12-08

Sold by Druggists, 75c.
Halls Family Pills are the best.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-12-08
THE FFTYFFTH CONGRESS
Closing Session of That Body Is
Called to Order at Wash
ington.
BOTH HOUSES MEET PROMPTLY At NOON
mony of Opening-President's Mes
ened 20 Acknowledgment Wei
come Given to Maj. GEN. Wheeler.

Washington, Dec. 6.-Congress reas-
sembled Monday under circumstances
of unusual public interest. The same
congress six months ago declared war
against Spain and now with the war
fought and won, it came together again
for the first legislative consideration
of the questions developed by the event
full months just passed. The spirit of
the occasion was not. however, one of
immediate expectancy. for the few
months left TO the existence of the
Fifty-ffth congress gave promise of
little more than a beginning on the
momentous policies and problems
growing out of the war.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-12-08

Washington, Dec. 6.-Gen. Wheeler
(Ala.) introduced in the house through
Representative Stallings a resolution
providing hat in recognition of the
patriotic devotion and bounteous be-
nevolence of Miss Helen Miller Gould
to the soldiers of the army of the Unit
ed States during the var with Spain
the thanks of congress are hereby ten
dered her. and congress hereby author
ICES and directs that a gold medal with
appropriate designs be prepared by the
director of the mint, and hat said
medal be presented to her by the presi-
dent of the United States at such time
and in such manner as he may deter
mine"
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-12-08
THE INDIANS.
The Condition of the Race shows
Marked Progress.

The special attention of the congress Is
called to that part of the report of the sec
rotary of the interior in relation 70 the hVe
civilized tribes. 1t is noteworthy that the
general condition of the Indians SHOWS
marked progress. But one outbreak OF a
serious character occurred during the year
and that among the Chippewa Indians OF
Minnesota, which happily mas oeeh sup
nressed While IL has not yet been prac-
ficable to enforce all the provisions OF the
act Of June, 1898. for the protection OF the
neonle Of the Indian territory and for othef
ntlrposes." it is having a salutary erect
upon the nations composing the tive tribes.
The Dawes commission reports that Inc
most gratifying results and greater ad-
vance toward the attainment OF the objects
Of the governments have been secured in
the past year than in any previous year
/ cannot too strongly indorse the recon-
mendation of the commission and OF the
secretary of the interior for the necessity
Of providing for the education OF the 51.UVV
white children resident in the Indian terri
tory.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-12-08
Murders His Brother.

Springfield, H., Dec. 5.-After pay
ing a reward Of $500 TO secure his rel
%atiye's surrender to the authorities O
Macoupin county, William Kent OF
Saturday shot and killed Noble Kent
his brother, The tragedy was enacted
on a Chicago & Alton train at Girard
while Noble was in the custody Of a Ma
coupin county officer, on his way to the
Carliuville Jail.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-12-08
The h Debt.

Washington. Dec. 2,-The monthly
statement of the public debt shows
hat at the close of business in Novem-
Der the debt, less cash in the treasury
amounts 10 $1.127, 473,487, an increase
over the last month of SIG. SOC, sos. This
increase is accounted for by a decrease
of nearly $4,000, 900 in the cash on hand,
and an issue of about the same amount
of bonds which had been paid for in
n~rece1inr months.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-12-08
Asks for Aid.

New York, Dec. Gen. Jose Gomez
called on Stephen L. Barton at the Red
Cross headquarters in this city to ask
his aid in sending relief to the sick and
starving women and children at Las
Villas. Sanctus Spiritus. and Trinidad.
in Santa Clara province. The general
stated that the suffering was more in
tense there than in any other part of
the island, and If the relief did not
reach them soon it would be too late.