The Elk Mountain pilot., 1900-02-27

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this great work. 1t will traverse either
the border or the interior of Nicaragua
for a distance of about 100 miles. 1t
will give to that state waterway
from its capital and Its most productive
region to the sea. 1t will place that
country on one of the leading water
ways of the world, bringing it into i'm
mediate contact with a large foreign
commerce and those who conduct 1t.
In very many ways the state Will have
advantages not now possessed, and
that will be for Il long time lost if an
other route by which the oceans are
connected should be adopted. All of
these considerations induce the belief
that these two enlightened states will
be glad to aid our government cordially
and efficiently in carrying out this
great design. 1t is true that the esti-
mates of cost are variable, ranging as
they do from less than S40,0OOO0O to a
possible S145,O00,OOO. 1t is, however,
proper to say that the size and charac-
ter of the canal estimated for is as var
liable as the cost. The earliest esti-
mates We're for Il canal suited to the
ships of the time. The later estimates
are for ships of this time. Fifteen feet
depth and fifty feet width was the size
of the earliest project. Thirty feet
depth and $50 feet width are the di-
Ol tlt CHILL.
Mr.. Macrum, in his published state
ment, declares that his ''one object Din
coming to Washington was to lay be-
fore the department information rs to
the true state of affairs in South Afri-
ca but he has been here for three
weeks without even calling upon Sec
retary Hay or saying II word on the
subject to anybody in authority. When
Assistant Secretary Hill and Assistant
requested report from Mr. Macrum
he has asked for time. but he has new
er found an opportunity to make one,
although he was able to write II state
ment filling II column and n half for
the newspapers. None of the officials
of the Department of State ever heard
that Mr.. Macrum's mail had been tam
pered with until they read it in the pa
pers He once complained that his
mail did not reach him punctually, but
never reported anything more serious,
nor do they believe that any of his
correspondence, official or otherwise,
was ever opened, examined or inten-
tionally delayed. This is very seri-
Gus matter and il is remarkable that
Mr.. Macrum should have kept silent on
the subject for so many months and
then given the first information to a
newspaper instead of 10 the govern
ment. That the correspondence of an
official of n foreign power shall be held
inviolate is one Of the most sacred
points of international law, and if Mr..
Macrum had reported to the State De
partment that his mail was being tam
pered with an emphatic demonstration
would have been made on the subject.
The plan of government for Puerto
Rico which will probably be adopted
by the House also, provides for a civil
governor TO be appointed by the Presi-
dent for four years. and to be confirmed
by the Senate. Such governor is to
have all the power usually exercised
by the governors of territories. and is
to be assisted by an executive council.
consisting of n secretary. an attorney
general. treasurer, an auditor Il com
missioner of the interior, n commission
or of education and five other persons
of good reputc who shall be native in
habitants of Puerto Rico. appointed by
the President and confirmed by the
senate. These officials shall perform
such duties us are usually assigned 20
similar officials in the United States.
the commissioner of the interior having
charge of public works. There is to be
n legislative assembly. of thirty-five
members. elected biennially. to be
ca..cd n House of Delegates. to be voted
for by such persons rs possess the
qualifications of voters under the laws
and military orders in force on FcbrII-
airy LIST last. No person, however, shall
he eligible unless he can read and write
the Spanish and the English languages
and is possessed of taxable property
situated in Puerto Rico. The COVER
nor has n veto. which may be over
come 10y Il vote of two-thirds of the
House of Delegates and the Executive
Council. but Congress reserves the
power. If deemed advisable. to revoke
and annul all laws and acts passed by
the Legislative Assembly. The island
of Puerto Rico is made a judicial dis
trict and attached TO the Second judi
cnl circuit of the United States. The
present local courts are to remain as
they are. hut the President is empow-
cred TO appoint Il district judge, n dis
trict attorney. Il marshal. n clerk and
such commissioners as may be neccs-
sary. lust rs in the United States, and
all proceedings in the courts shall be
conducted in the English language.
The right of appeal is To be the same
as in the territories of the United
States.
For several weeks skillful attorneys
have been engaged in drafting n law
for the American Federation of Labor
to he introduced into Congress 10 pre-
vent future interference by United
States courts with strikes and other la
bor movements. The purpose of the
proposed law is 10 prevent employers
of labor from appealing to the courts
for injunctious and other orders for
their own protection and the protection
of non-union labor which they may en-
ploy. This is not Il new subject. 1t
has been under discussion for many
years, and IL number of bills have been
Introduced into both houses of Con
gress from time 10 time to exclude or
ganized labor from the Jurisdiction of
the courts. but no bill yet drafted has
In