davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-26
TO WITHDRAW THE BILL.
Commissioners Opposed to Amending
the Gas Company Charters.

tine cas company tnnrtcrs-
The Commissioners yesterday recon-
mended that the bill which has been in
troduced in the House Of Representatives
relative to the amendment Of the char
ters Of the two gas companies in the Dis
trict be withdrawn. The principal pro-
vision in the bill of interest to the pub
lie, Commissioner Wight stated was the
clause which provided for a reduction in
the price of gas from S1.25 TO 10 cents per
thousand cubic feet. In order to secure
this reduction it was claimed that the
companies would be placed under much
greater expense than they have had here
tofore. and it might cause the operation
OF the two gas plants at a considerable
loss. The price OF materials for the man
ufacture of the illuminant has greatly in
creased in the last twelve months, the
Commissioners stated in their reoommen-
dation to Congress, and they do not think
that it is just to require the companies
to furnish gas for less than il costs to
make IT,
Under the act of 1896 the price of gas
Will be reduced to 81 per thousand cubic
feet after the LIST Of July. 1901. which is
the price agreed upon by the representa-
tiyes OF the company and the people
when the bill was before Congress 1t
is claimed that il the reduction could
have been made with advantage to the
people OF the District IL would have been
done then. but it was impossible for the
to see their way clear to
make the reduction then and they will
work under disadvantage until some time
after the provisions of the act are COM
Piled with.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-26
The VAR in south Africa.

The interest OF the whole civilized world
las been centred upon the operations OF the
British and 5ocr armies in Natal for so
leng that events in other parts OF the
South African theatre of war have be n
almost ignored for at least several weeks.
Apparently they have been waiting upon
results on the Tugela line. and 1t is prob
able that the demands in that direction on
both sides have led to considerable with
drawals from the western field by Joubert,
and 10 the Withholding OF needed re-en-
forcements, sent around 10 Durham in
stead by Gen. Sir Frederick Forester Wal
Ter, and, later, by Field Marshal Lord Roo
orts at Cape Town.
1t is quite conceivable that the conditions
current in Aliwal North. at Colesberg. and
Upon the Modder River may not be ma
terially disturbed for some Little time The
adyant ages gained by Sir Redyers Butler.
in taking Spion Kop and thus apparently
clearing the way for doubling up the Boer
right from Acton Homes. may not yet be
decisive enough 10 settle the Ladysmith
relief question. In advance of further de-
velopments We shall not attempt 10 discuss
that matter. But. on the theory that Bul-
Ter will be able 10 clear the road to Wal
Eer's Hook and 80 bring the garrison under
Sir George white into action, Ct is perhaps
advisable TO consider what would happen
II, in that way. the lower avenues from
Natal into the Orange Free State. namely.
the Tintwa, Van Reenen, and DE Beers
Passes were to be cut off by the British.
and General Joubert were to be thrown
back solely Oh his communications with
the trans Drakensberg country via Cundy
cleugh and Laing's Mex.
Before that should happen 1t is more
than possible, as We have hitherto sug-
gested, that the Bofr general might elect
10 raise the seige Of Ladysmith. abandon
his Tugela line altogether and make a
break for the defence of the Free State
passes. One OF them-the lowest, Tint
wa--ought 10 be controlled by the move
ment Of Dundonald and Clery beyond
Acton Homes. Joubert might, or might
not. undertake 10 regain it; but. generally
speaking II he believes that the long turn
around his right has rendered his Lady
smith Colenso line untenable. we are in
ciined TO think that he will leave il and
swing around east and north of Ladysmitl
by Besters, and attempt 10 block Buffers
chance Of invading the Free State by the
passes named. Srch a movement, or his
defeat and retirement toward the neck
of Natal, might not end the campaign in |
the north OF that province; but either. or |
in fact anything that would create a lun |
in operations on that side OF the field
would be very apt to promote military ac- |
tivity on its western side.
The facts Of the military situation I'm |
Northern Cape Colony and in Griqualand
West. are not as clear ms one could wish:
Blu. we know enough perhaps for purposes
Of preliminary generalization The north
crnmost point OF interest. Mafekipg, at lat
est accounts. was stiIl beseieed and still
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-26
MIR. WHITES STATEMENT
His Definition of the status of the
south African Republic.

Montagu White. the South African
diplomat now at this shoreham Hotel.
whose mission TO this country has been
the cause of much speculation. yesterday
gave the following statement for publica-
ton
THE impression that Is said to exist in
certain quarters that Or. Leyds is not re-
cognized by foreign powers as the diplo-
matte minister Of the South African Re-
public, on account of Great Britains claim
TO suzerainty, Is false. DR.. Leyds is cred
tied to and fully recognized as Minister
fienipotentiary Of the South African Re
public by the following powers: Russia
Germany. France. Holland. Belgium, and
PORTUGAL The South African Republic
was represented at different court, in Eu-
rope and on the Continent for many years
past oy W. Leyds' predecessor. the late
1ohhher beelaerts Van Bloekland who had
Britain.
The suzerainty was created by the con-
vention OF 1881. but was abolished by the
convention Of 1884 In 1897 IL was sud
deniy revived by Mr.. Chamberlain. The
government of the South African Republic
strenuously repudiated the claim. and thew
have been supported in this by every in
ternational lawyer OF note on the CONT
nent. as well as by such eminent authori-
ties as Prof Westlake. Sir Edward Clark
and Sir William Harcourt in Great Brit
ain. The international status of the South
African Republic is. moreover. recognized
by Great Britain. as the following extract
from the oft-quoted letter OF Lord Derby.
dated February 10. 1854 will show:
Your government will be left free 20
govern the country without interference.
ard to conduct its diplomatic intercourse
and shape its foreign policy subject only
TO the requirements embodied in the fourth
article Of the new treaty. namely that any
treaty with any foreign state shall not be
effective without the approval of the
Queen"
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-26
MoREToN FREwEN's MISSION.
En- Route to America to Counternci
Anti-EngIish Influences

Word was received in this city yesterday
that Moreton Frewen, the English public
list. noted for his advocacy Of the free and
unlimited coinage of silver. had sailed
for this county, and that his mission was
to counterfeit the anti-English feeling
which has grown up in quarters hitherto
favorable TO Great Britain as result Of
the Boer war. Mr.. Frewen has wide ac-
quaintance in the United States, and is
well and favorably known among the sill
yer advocates. and his friends predict that
he will be able to offset In a measure the
unfriendly feeling manifested toward Eng
land by public men in and out OF Con-
gress.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-26
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20. 1900.
A bad Business.

The House of Representatives set a
precedent yesterday which will return TO
plague it long after the men responsible
for the act have been retired to the pri-
waite life they seem SO well fitted to adorn.
BY vote OF 25S TO 80. the House decided
that Brigham II. Roberts. the regularly
elected Representative of the State OF
Utah could not take the oath OF Office.
and that his seat was vacant. 1t was not
claimed that Mr.. Roberts was not legally
elected; no contestant appeared against
him; ii was simply determined that this
one man alone of the three hundred and
ffty-seyen properly elected TO the Fifty
sixth Congress could not qualify as a
member because a majority of his asso-
ciates claimed the right to keep him out
The Constitution of the United States
makes the House of Representatives the
Judge OF the election and qualifications of
its own members. and from its decision
there is no appeal. This particular deci-
sion viii stand. therefore. as solemn
precedent to be confidently invoked when
ever majority. for any reason. wishes to
tAtiuut Il Nupnh ~
does not like.
The two hundred and sixty-eight men
Republicans. Democrats, and Populists-
who voted for the Tayler resolution in
cluded a great many lawyers, not one of
whom would dream of arguing before the
Supreme Court OF the United States that
Mr.. Roberts right 10 his seat, in the first
instance, was not impregnabie under the
Law. the customs of the House. and the
Constitution of the United States. II was
Justice and logic on the one side and hys-
terra on the other. Hysteria set the
precedent, and the record is made.
AS a Representative-elect from Utah
Mr. Roberts was entitled to his seat and
should have been sworn in on the first
day OF the session. As polygsmist-a
yiolator OF law-he should have been ex-
PEELED as soon as the facts in his case were
established. The ive-sixths ma
jority. which yesterdays vote developed,
had the power TO expel Mr.. Roberts and
do right IT preferred to exclude him and
do wrong.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-26
PoPULISTS TO MEET.
The Peoples Party to Assemble at
the Home Df Colonel Bryan.

the Home of Colonel Bryan.
Considerable comment was caused by
the call issued yesterday by Senator
Marion Butler of North Carolina, Chair
man Of the National Committee of the
Peoples party, for a meeting of that COM
mittee at Lincoln, Neb., between Feb
ruary Is and 90.
Senator Butler said however, that no
special significance is to be attached to
the fact that the committee will meet in
the home town of William ]. Bryan. The
Porulist committee in Lincoln sent out
word that they would be glad to enter
tain the national committee, SO the offer
was accepted.
Many Populst leaders have expressed
themselves in favor OF holding the ma
tional convention OF the party some time
in May or June, so that Bryan may be
nominated by reclamation before the
meeting of the Democratic convention.
Some of them have arranged pro-
gramme of fusion. by which committee
will be appointed by the Populist con-
vention to visit the convention Of the
Democrats and Silverites.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-26

To the Editer Of The Times:
" is plain that the fundamental trout
bic il the Philippines is the question OF
the vast holdings OF Church lands. and
there will never be any peace until it is
settled. This country will put Itself in a
weak and pitiable position if il attacks
the problem through force rather than
ordinary craftsmanship. These lands
should be obtained in an equitable man
neT, not by absolute confiscation- even
though justifable, as they have been
gained through spOliatiOn and usery.
They should then be surveyed according
to the public land system OF this coun-
try and disposed OF by sale under
homestead act to actual settlers. In this
manner the cost of requirement could be
refunded to this country. and the lands
distributed among the people. This policy
should include the expulsion of the friars
from every portion of the world under the
control of the United States. G. T..
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-26
BRYAN AT LAST INVITED.
The Dean of brown University De-
mics the Existence Of Objections

PROVIDENCE. r. l.. Jan. 25.-The dean
of Brown University. Winslow Upton. made
a public statement today. denying that the
institution objected to having Mr.. Bryan
address the students. He says the debat-
ing union has full permission to invite the
Nebraskan. Acting on this authority the
president Of the union Edward +. Green
Of Newton Centre. Mass. has. through
Mayor Greene. OF WoOnsocket. seat Mr..
Bryan an urgent invitation to visit Brown
University and speak when in the State
next Monday.
Dean Upton. in his statement. denies
that he. or anyone acting for the univer-
sity refused the union permission to in
yitc Mr.. Bryan
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-26
PRIESTS FROM MANILA.
Father AIeuc and an Assistant Com
ing Here With Information.

SAN FRANCISCO. Jan. 25.-Among the
passengers on the transport City of Pc
kin, which has arrived from Manila are
Father Algue. director of the Manila OBJ
servatory. and Father Jose Close. his as
sistant. They are en- their way to Wash
ington at the invitation of tine American
Government. with sufficient data on the
Philippines and their people to make
twelve large volumes. This matter will be
translated as soon as the agents reach
Washington. ard printed at the expense of
the Government.
General Otis. Commissioner Sehurman.
and Senator Raveridge have suggested to
President Mckinley the advisabiIity OF
having the work done. Father Algue also
has with him the original map with which
the Americans opened the campaign in the
Philippines. He will present this to Sena-
tor BeVeridge
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-26
THE SPINNER MEMORIAL.
Project of American Women Favor
ably Reported TO Congress.

ably reported TO Congress.
The joint resolution granting permission
for the erection OF a bronze statue in
Washington. in honor OF Gen. Francis f.
Spinner. late Treasurer OF the United
States. has been favorabIy reported from
both the House and the Senate Committees
on the Library, and it is believed at the
Capitol that the statue will soon be
erected
II is 10 be located and erected according
to the directions Of the Secretary OF the
Treasury. and without expense to the Gov
eminent The money for the statue has
been raised by the General Spinner Me
mortal Association. composed entirely OF
women. In 1852 General Spinner started
the movement of giving employment to
women in the Government departments
with seven women clerks In the Treasury
Department. His example was followed
b. other departments. until today there
are more than 5000 women employed by
the General Government.
A committee has examined the model.
and report that they consider it to be an
excellent likeness in facial expression and
pose, and noble tribute by the women Of
America to the man who aided SO greatly
in opening new ways for their aspirations
and occupation. The committee adds: ''As
work of art when properly executed in
bronze. it will be worthy of a conspicuous
place in our city The cast has been made
and the statue only awaits pedestal and
place for its erection
When the Lincoln Administration was
organized Secretary Salmon p. Chase Sc
lected General Spinner for the post OF
Treasurer. which he filed under successive
Presidents from March t6. 1861. to June 90.
1875. When during the war many of the
clerks joined the army. General Spinner
suggested to Secretary Chase the advisable
ity OF employing women in the Govern
ment offices. and carried into effect this
innovation, though not without much OPP
position.
On retiring from Office he went to the
South for the benefit OF his health and for
some years lived in camp at Pablo Beach,
Fla. where he died December 81. 1890.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-26
USE OF MONEY IN ELECTIONS.
4 Bill in the Virginia senate Tn
faNornbIY Reported.

RICHMOND. Va. Jan. 25.-The Commit
tee on Privileges and Elections today rec
preventing the use Of money in elections
be not passed. Senator Barksdale. the pa
tron OF the bill. has openly threatened
that, il the Legislature turns down his
measure he will show up what he claims
10 be the corrupt and fraudulent election
methods OF the Democratic machine in
Virginia.
Barksdale is a leading Democrat but has
inaugurlted a vigorous crusade against
fraudulent elections ON the ground that
candidates for Office are openly buying
votes at the polls.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-26
SALMON PACKERS COMBINE.
The Gamers OF british Columbia
Pool Their Interests.

VANCOUVER. B. c.. Jan. 2J.-The can
rers Of British Columbia signed their final
agreement today, by which they pool their
interests. There are in all some sixty
eight canneries, representing many nil
lions Of dollars. Not single Gamer failed
to sign the agreement and to ac ept the
proposition attaching heavy penalties 10 a
breach. The fishermen are 20 be ignored
Trouble is expected. as the fishermen com
bined forces last week. According to the
combine a committee will fix the price for
salmon all season, and the pack will be
regulated by the same committee ANY
tannery packing more salmon thln assigned
will have TO divide the surplus among all
the rest OF the canneries. The Gamers
have lost money for two seasons.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-26
Local Musicians md the Marine Band

To The Editor Of The Times:
In the opinion Of j writer in a local paper the
passage OF :he Bartholdt bill prohibiting the
Marine Band from playing at private functions
will be local calamity
Doesn't this writer know that Washington has
professional musicians and plenty Of them, who
are not in The Marine Band. aud yet who arc as
caplhlr 10 furnish music for swell functions ~
members II that band? On account OF the pre-
ference shown the Marine Band these men are
hardly aule to exc out 4 respectable living. For
the same reason that Physicians employed by
Uncle Sant ate not allowed to Ply their vocation
after Office hourS-so the mcmbers OF this band
now that their salaries have been raised. should be
kept within their own domain. thus giving our
civilian musicians chance % earn the living
that is poor enough without this competition
4 MUSICIANS WIFE.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-26

(trum the ChSaso JO'ihIl-l
Among nations. as among men. frank, opeI,
and straightforward policy leads to the most
happy relations and. above all, in a republic it is
the duty Of officials to be open and frank with
the people who put them where they arc, and
r,n tur, them out again.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-26

Colonel BrH9n'- lnHucnce.-The gc-
ton OF the Senate Democratic caucus is
construed rs meaning that Colonel Bryan
is the oyerpowcriug master OF the present
organization OF the party. In support OF
this popular theory it is pointed OFT that
until the Nebraskan came to Washington
last week and held extended conferences
with the party leaders here, the Democrats
Of neither the House nor Senate had very
clearly outlined a policy toward expansion
or imperialism as the supporters of
contraction seem to prefer to designate the
issue Colonel Bryan gave to The Times
an accurate statement of his views on the
issue, and this policy the Senate Democrats
have adopted In detail. They are not TO
try to upset the arrangement by which
Porto Rico and the Island OF Guam were
transferred to the sovereignty OF the United
States. but they are to fight at every point
the proposition for the permanent reten-
ton of the Philippines IL is known that
two or three Democratic Senators are in
favor of holding on to the Philippines al
all hazards. This is notably true Of Sen
ator Morgan, who is now making a cam
paien in Alabama for reelection on this
issue. Whether the caucus action will ap
pIy the gag to Se9atoF Morgan and those
WHO think as he does is not known.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-26

senator Dcpe.'s Diieiuma-sIIo,y
does a Senator find time to attend to his
official duties or do any other serious work
in Washington" asked Senator Depew o.
a number OF his colleagues while ascend
ing to the Senate wing OF the Capitol in
an elevator. The Senator held in his
clenched hands Il large number Of capa-
cious and perfumed envelopes Obviously
they contained invitations to dinners ana
other social functions. 4 enjoy the social
friyolities as much as anybody. and |
like a good dinner too the Senator went
on 10 say but the thing is being over
done for me in Washington am in
vitcd out nearly every evening in such
pressing terms that I have been unable
to resist. This has taken up nearly all
Of my time since I have been here. and
/ don't know how TO get relief from it so
as to have some time for the discharge
OF my duty to my constituents. con-
fcss that about the only thing I have been
able to do for them is to sit in the Sen
ate and listen to speeches and vote.
am afraid II | don't do something be-
sides this they will get tired of me. And
still, I admit that | like the social side
Of Washington life. That is the reason
am so worried over the situation.
Senator Mcmillan. who was in the ele-
vator. told the New Yorker that il would
take him two or three years to learn the
trick Of how TO keep up with a Senator's
social duties and his public duties al the
same time.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-26
Must Earn Mi, ,,,u,,ssi,,n

tFrom the st. Louis Globe Dcmocratl
\ wan OF vast wealth, like Mr. Carnegie can
afford to take a circus day view Of poverty. bnt
tne time is sire 90 come in every boys life when
he will have to give UP crawling under the tent.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-26

The February Forum contains leading articles;
THE Relation of England to. the Transyaal," by
Lieut.. Ceu. Den Beer Poortugael. OF the Privy
Council Of Holland; 'Washington's University"
h. Prof Charles W. Dabnsy, OF Tennessee; "old
Age Pensions" by Michael payitt NJ p. and
RI Hon. ". II. Leoky; Reform in China" By
Gilbert Reid; The Needs OF Southern Colleges"
by Hon J. L. NJ Curry. and university EStcu-
sion in Agriculture" by Mr. A. c. True.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-26
February magazines.

The First Stage OF the Boer War" by H. J.
whigham. Is perhaps the leading article in
''Scribuer's Magazine for February. T. Bentley
Mott, I. ;. A.. writes OF the social Lite OF
Havana. and Arthur Il. kinball contributes a
charming sketch OF Donald G.. Mitchell, in ''The
Master of Edgewood" "The Problems Of the
Pacific Cable are discussed by William Allen
White. There is short story by Joel Chandler
Harris. Tommy and Grizel" is continued.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-26

The State Department relieves public
suspense by the statement that Macrum
is not burgher, as has been alleged:
also. that he is not consul. The ques-
ton then arises: What kind of a thing is
u Macrum? 1t must be sui generis.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-26

A brief naval announcement is 10 the
effect that smokeless powder will shortly
be made at Indian Head. This recalls the
fact that it was SIMPSONS ineficiency and
affection for old black powder that led to
the absence of the smokeless variety in
the naval magazines during the Spanish
war. All other leading nations were fully
supplied; but Sampson did not regard
smokeless powder as being yet beyond the
stage OF preliminary experiment The old
black and brown powder men are his
stanch admirers and supporters
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-26

On the strength OF 4 bill introduced in
the House yesterday, providing a terri
torial government for the District of Co
lumbia, we fancy that an effort is TO he
made TO secure a declaration from the Ad-
minlstration that the United States has
10 intention permanently to retain posses
sion OF the District OF Columbia, but WILL
when order has been restored, permit it TO
erect an independent republic and protect
the same from the foreign nations of Vir-
ginia and Maryland" Thus shall we have
a Filipino object lesson, like green apple.
in our midst.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-26

net. and the sooner he is lassoed and
thrown the smaller will be the accruing
damage.