The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-01-19

Whereas, 1t is alleged that property
of citizens of the United, not contra
band of war, has been lately seized by
the military authorities of Great Brit
tain, in and near Delagoa bay, South
Africa, without good reason for the
same, and contrary to the accepted
principles of international law; and
Whereas, 1t is alleged said proper
ty is now unjustly detained by the
military authorities of Great Britain,
in disregard of the rights of the owners
of the same. therefore be it
Resolved, By the senate of the Unit
ed States that the president is hereby
requested to send to the senate, if in
his opinion not incompatible with the
public interests, all information in pos
session of the state department relat-
ing to said seizure and detention, and
also TO inform the senate what steps
have been taken in requesting the res
toration of property taken and detain-
ed as aforesaid
II was then determined that when
the senate adjourned today it be until
/ o'clock tomorrow.
Senator Pettigrews resolution, call
ing FOR Information from the secre-
tary OF war as to the fiscal operations
in Cuba introduced yesterday, was
passed without debate.
THE FINANCIAL BILL.
At o'clock the financial bill was
laid before the senate. 1t was finally
agreed TO vote February 18th; that two
days intervening should be devoted to
ten minutes debate on amendments to
the bill; and that the measure should
be considered on each legislative day,
after 2 O'Clock p. m.
Senator Teller, silver republican, of
Colorado, then addressed the senate on
the financial bill.
Senator Teller contendec that the
history of the American people showed
that they were favorable to bim6talliSm
and that until within very recent years
the two parties had contended with
each ether in their advocacy of the
cause. He renewed his charge that the
financial bill is practically a caucus
measure, and had been accepted from
the junta of ignorant men who conSti-
tuted the Indianapolis convention. This
he denounced as an amendment of the
Legislative function, and a surrender
10 outside influences. Still, he was sat-
isfied that the bill would be put on the
statute books as law because they
were unable to resist the influence be-
hind the measure, Notwithstanding The
bill was contrary to the convictions of
some republican senators and notwith-
standing that as date at 1890 the re-
publican president had upheld bimetal-
Iism. The president had as a member
of the house, voted for the coinage and
for the passage of the Bland-Allison
act over the then presidents veto. He
concluded with an elaborate argument
based on the declaration that silver
dollars had been maintained in full
value.
The senate, after an executive ses-
sion, adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIV
The house had another inning today
over the sale of the New York custom
house by Secretary Gage. Mr.. Sulzer,
of New York, the author of the resolu-
ton for an investigation of the secre-
tary's transactions with the New York
banks started the ball to rolling by
charging that the mandate had al
ready gone forth to suppress it. Mr..
Sfbley, the Pennsylvania democrat,
formerly radical advocate of free sill
yer, who is now out of sympathy with
the democrats in the house, warmly
commended Mr.. Cages course. These
two speeches precipitated a debate
which lasted almost three hours.
Mr.. Hepburn. republican, of Iowa, as
sailed Mr.. SElzer for some of h ez-
travagant statements and declared
there ought to be some way to Tebuke
a member for Slandering honored Off
cials. Later in the day, during the
discussion of the appropriation for the
army Mr.. Cannon in charge of the bill,
challenged any member to move to
strike it out.
Mr. Williams, democrat, of Mississip-
pi, replied to Mr.. Cannon in an eloquent
speech in which he affirmed the loyalty
of every American citizen to the flag
and charged Mr.. Cannon with Shrewdly
issuing a challenge that he knew would
not be accepted. He maintained the
right however, Of members to criticise
the policy of the government, asserting
that loyalty to the flag was often COM
pounded with loyalty to a policy OF
the government.
CHARGES AGAINST SECRETARY
GAGE.
The urgent deficiency bill was passed
with only one important amendment.
In committee of the whole to consid-
er the urgent deficiency bill Mr.. Sulzer,
democrat, of New York, took advantage
of the first opportunity to call attention
to his resolution to investigate he
charges against Secretary Gage.
The committee to which it had been
referred had not acted.
Il understand" said Mr.. SulZer that
the boss of the republican party says
these charges are all rot and that the
president does not want them investt-
gated and that nothing more rs to be
done with the grave and serious
charges
If that was so, he claimed, he said,
the minority was entitled to know it.
There was a remedy, he declared, and
that remedy would be applied. He
quoted President Mckinley while
member of congress in criticism of the
course of Secretary Fairchild in keep
ing government funds in national
banks
Mr.. Sulzer concluded with the state
ment that Secretary Gage had made !
the humiliating confession that he is
and was the mere agent of the Stand
ard Oil trust.
Mr. Sibley, democrat, Of Pennsylva-
MIA, said that while he had supported
Mr. Sulzer for the leadership Of the
house and the second place on the dem
ocratic national ticket, he could not
agree with him in his attack upon Sec
retary Gage.
Mr.. Sibley said he was satisfied with
Mr.. Cages answer. II had rather see
the country prosper said he, than
see nv party succeed Republican