The Holly chieftain., 1900-01-12

in these cases.
The Roberts investigating committee
resumed its session Thursday for the
purpose OF hearing arguments and
bringing the inquiry TO an early con-
clusion. Mr.. Schroeder, head of the
Gentle delegation here 10 oppose Rob
erts then opened the argument against
Roberts. The argument was largely
technical and was divided under three
general heads. viz: First, whether or
not the member-elect has the constitu-
tional qualifications. including citizen
ship; second, whether or rot the con
stitutional provisions as TO citizenship
includes one who has impaired his cit
izenship by crime or unlawful status,
and whether Mr.. Roberts has so i'm
paired his citizenship; third. whether
member-elect has the statutory qualiti
cations, and whether the House has
the power to establish qualifications
beyond those in the constitution. Mrs.
j. Ellen Foster addressed the commit
tee in behalf of the great number of
women interested in the case and who
were not represented before the com
mittee. She spoke vigorously. dealing
Win the Roberts case and the general
moral interests 1t involved. This con
cluded the days proceedings and the
committee adjourned until 1880
O'Clock.
Italy has returned n favorable re
sponse to the recent note of the State
Department respecting the open door in
China. Italy was the last of the great
powers remaining to be heard from. Ii
is learned that although Italy was the
last of the powers addressed to return
an answer to Secretary Hays over
lures, that government really was more
prompt than ony other in the negotia-
tions. This is explained by the fact
that the Italian government was ad-
dressed on the subject some time after
the other continental nations had it un-
der consideration. owing to the fact
that our ambassador, Mr.. Draper. was
away from his post on leave of alb.
sence in the United States when the
identical note of instructions was sen,
out. The agreements have not yet
been reduced to their final form. but
the State Department will now enter
upon the task of putting them into
shape of precis, and as in each case
the agreement TO the principles in
volved in our invitation is returned in
unequivocal terms according TO the de-
partment officials it is not anticipated
that any difficulty will be experienced
lily. Pending that outcome the State
Department does not intend to make
any statement for the public as to the
exact terms of the agreements. though
it Is admitted that the ground has been
covered with unusual accuracy in the
press reports up to this point.
The House of Representatives at the
present session will pass the Hepburn
bill providing for the construction of
the Nicaragua canal. This statement
is made emphatically by member of
the House committee on commerce,
which has the bill in charge. The mem
Der has given the matter close atten-
tion because the district he represents
In Congress is vitally interested in the
construction of an isthmian canal. The
committee had meeting to-day, and.
while no formal vote was taken, II
was discovered that all the members.
Republicans and Democrats. with the
exception of one, We're in favor of re-
porting the Hepburn bill Immediately.
Upon further discussion. it was agreed
to give the French Panama company
an opportunity to be heard before final
action was taken, and next Friday
was set as the date for the hearing
The representatives of the company
their statements under oath. If they
decline to be sworn they will not be
heard. 1t is understood the administra-
tion will not oppose canal legislation
ut this session. While the members
of the commerce committee are conf
cent that they can pass the Hepburn
bill in the House, 1t is not known
what action the Senate would take
upon 1t. although Senator Morgan and
others prominently identified with the
movement are expected to exert suf-
| ficient influence to force 1t to consider
| alton.
Eight officers from the navy, rank
Ing as captains or higher, who were
in actual command of vessels partici-
pating in the naval operations at San
tiaso and at other points in the West
indies during the late war. met the
| President by invitation in order that
| he might consult with them as to the
best means of rewarding the services
of the men under their command. All
of the eight captains present, including
every commanding officer in Admiral
Schley's fleet, recommended the pro-
motion of Admiral Sampson to the
grade of vice admiral. because they be-
lieye him to be entitled to all the credit
| that has been claimed for him in con-
nection with the naval operations of
the Spanish war, and, with the excep-
tion of Captain Cook. who commanded
| the Brooklyn admiral Schley's flag
ship. they opposed "the promotion of
any officer charged with reprehensible
conduct until he has availed himself
of the opportunities offered by the
regulations of the navy for an official
inquiry into his conduct. or has other
wise purgeo himself of the charge"
This means Admiral Schley, although