Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1899-01-07
NEW YEARS RECEPTION.
The Condition of the U. S. Treasury
American Canned Beef In Dam
ger-Wages In India.
From our Regular Correspondent.

ttAOAh WI kASkutAF A1fEeSpOnue0t.)
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2.-The Presi.
dent and Mrs. Mckinley held their
first New Year reception, in the White
House, today, having been compelled
by mourning to omit the 90 recep.
ton. The reception was as brilliant
as usual, but there was tinge OF sad
ness in Congressional and Diplomatic
circles which could not be shaken off.
They could not forget that the re-
mains OF the oldest Senator, both in
years and in service, Morrill,, of Yer.
mont, after funeral Saturday alter
noon, in the Senate chamber, were on
the way to his state for interment;
nor that the funeral of the oldest Dip
lomat, in point of service, and prob.
ably the most popular personality,
Senator Matias Romeo, late Mexican
ambassador to the United States, was
only held Sunday afternoon, and was
attended by most of them. Senior
Romeo first came to Washington in
1859, and with the exception of sew
eral short periods had been coutinu-
ously connected with the Diplomatic
Corps until his death. President Nc
Kinley thought seriously of abandon.
ing the reception because OF these two
deaths so close together, but after con-
ferring, by proxy, with leading diplo-
mats, he concluded to hold it.
In view of the critical condition of
affairs in the Philippines for which
Spanish duplicity and Germany's Sc
cret dealing with Aguinaldo are be-
lieved to be partly responsible, delay
in ratifying the treaty of peace will
be almost criminal, because it may re-
suit in considerable loss of life and
property. 1t is generally admitted
that the ratification of the treaty has
no bearing one way or the other on
the final disposition OF the Philippines
or on the question of expansion, and
seventy Senators have promised to
vote for ratification; therefore there is
absolutely no excuse for delay, and
those Senators who attempt it, if any
do, will invite the public condemna.
ton that they will almost certainly
receive.
The condition OF the United State:
treasury now and one year ago fur
nishes an object lesson to the world
of the almost limitless financial re
sources of this country. Most nation,
emerge from war with their finan
ces in more or less crippled condi
ton. Not so with this country. w
fought victorious war, all on casl
basis, and we have cash balance il
our treasury of about SIS, 900, ooo o.
more than we had one year ago
Here are the exact figures, which will
arouse the envy of the richest nation,
of the world: Cash balance on hant
January l., 1898, $235,474.76o. 90, casl
balance on hand January I. 1890
$500, 900. 10000.
The charge of General Miles, tina
beef unfit for use was furnished tn
army during the war with Spain, i
likely to be thoroughly investigated
The War Investigating Commission
is now working upon it, and the Sec
rotary OF War has ordered Board O
Survey, composed of army officers, t
make searching investigation of tn
charge and to report its findings a
early as possible Col DENLY,
member of the War Investigator,
Commission, says the canned beef in
dustrY is at stake; that if the charg
of General Miles is proven, American
canned beef will be barred out Of ev
cry country in the world, whicl
would be very serious matter, no
only to meat packers, but to cattle
raisers.
The Department of State has Jus
received from Consul General r. +
Patterson, at Calcutta, India, a re
port, showing the average monthly
pay in United States money, of differ
ent sorts of laborers in India. Al
able. bodied farm laborer is paid from
SI.So to 81. so month; unskilled cot
ton mill laborers from 81 90 to So 80
and skilled from 81 to SIS; household
servants from S.. rs to So; common
masons, carpenters and blacksmith
from 81 to 81. so; hostler from S. t
s. so; unskilled railway labor from
sI.6o to sara, and skilled from 81 t,
81. 40, and cooley laborers from 81. oe
to S2.25. These would seem to b,