Events of the Month

EVENTS OF THE MONTH

BY THOMAS HULL, SECRETARY OF THE GENERAL BOARD Y. M. M. I. A.

November 21st: An important congress of the Methodist Episcopal Church opens in Pittsburg, Pa. * * * ^ great fire broke out

in Melbourne, Australia. It is estimated the loss will reach one million pounds ($5,000,000). * * * Dreadful suffering continues in Cuba among the reconcentrados

2271(1 : A sensation is created in the Methodist Episcopal Conference, at Pittsburg, by the reading of a paper by E. G. Conklin on "Evolution and Revelation," in which he maintains the doctrine of evolution as opposed to that of special creation; evolution was not popular in the congress. * * * Advices from Havana, state that General Panda has left that city to take charge of the campaign against the Cuban insurgents. He has instructions from Captain General Blanco to treat with the Cubans for peace. He is sending emissaries among the insurgents with that object in view.

2jrd : In a report based on the request of the German Government as to what has been the experience of the U. S. Government with women employes. First Assistant Postmaster General Heath says: There are 7,670 women postmasters and 8, 000 women who have taken the oath of office to qualify for conducting the business of postoffices. The same salary is paid them as to men for the same class of work, and ranges from $240 to $1,800 per annum. * * * ^r. and Mrs. Gladstone arrived in London, England, on their way to Cannes, France. * * * "^.n exceptionally competent friend" of the Vienna correspondent of the London Times, expresses the opinion that the trade barrier between Europe and America suggested by Count Goluchowsky, since the rejection of the proposals of the Wolcott monetary commission, are likely to be forestalled by a monetary barrier raised by America, and further predicts "the adoption of the silver dollar as the standard coin from the north pole to Patagonia would be a powerful lever in the realization of the Pan-American programme of the politicians of the United States "

24th: The Lewisville Evening Journal, says editorially: Much as every true friend of American interest may deprecate it, it may now be regarded as settled that the congressional campaign of next year must be fought out on the lines of 1S96. * * * Another disgraceful scene occurs in the lower house of the Austrian Reichsrath (parliament); challenges to fight duels, and abusive language were exchanged on all sides. The disorder was such that the public in the galleries cried shame on the deputies.

2jth: At a school children's entertainment given in Fillmore, Utah, a foolish panic ensues upon the accidental igniting of a box of tableau powder. Fortunately no serious accident or loss of life occurs. * * * ^q. other disgraceful scene occurs in the Austrian Reichsrath. A railing is erected around the president's chair in order to protect him from the violence of the deputies. * * * Prime Minister Sagasta of Spain has re

ceived over loo dispatches asking that the Cuban autonomy scheme be suspended.

26th: Dispatches received in Berlin, Germany, state that a conflict has taken place between the French and British forces in Africa, over the boundary line of the territory of the respective nations. The report is discredited in London and Paris. * * * xhe riotous proceedings continue in the Austrian Reichsrath. Deputies rush upon the president's desk and destroy the papers there. The president is compelled to flee and the police after compelling the deputies to leave the president's platform form a cordon around it. Several leading deputies are ejected forcibly from the chamber. At night 10,000 people gathered on the streets and threatened the government with revolution and the premier. Count Badeni, with the guillotine.

zyth: As a result of the riotous proceedings in the lower house of the Austrian parliament, it is said that the Emperor, Francis Joseph, intends to demand the resignation of the Austrian premier. Count Badeni, and to dissolve the Reichsrath and order new elections. * * * f j^e steamer "Gaelic" from the Orient, which arrived in San Francisco today, brought accounts of the dreadful typhoon which swept over the Phillipine isles on October 6th. Whole towns were swept away and it is estimated that 500 Europeans and 6,000 natives perished.

28th: There is every indication that there will be great suffering for food if not actual starvation, this winter, in the Klondike country. * * * The San Francisco Chronicle says the Chinese government will expend $40, 000 in the erection of a school building and in bringing a corps of teachers from China for the education of the Chinese youth of San Francisco in both English and Chinese branches. * * * The members of the Austrian Cabinet tender their resignations and they are accepted by Emperor Francis Joseph, who intrusted Baron Goutsch with the task of forming a new cabinet.

2gth: The worst storm which has visited England for years, prevailed there today. Nearly every coast town has suffered severely and many large vessels and hundreds of small ones have been wrecked.

joth: Silver reaches the highest point in four months. It is quoted at 59^^ in New York.

December ist: A report reaches Havana that General Pando, who was placed in charge of the campaign in Cuba by General Blanco, has been killed in an engagement with insurgents in Santa Clara province.

2nd : Mrs. Nancy Allison McKinley, the aged mother of . President McKinley, was stricken with paralysis at an early hour this morning.

Syd: Captain General Blanco asks the Spanish government to furnish him the funds to create a volunteer corps of whites and negroes to reply to the guerrilla tactics of the Cubans by similar warfare; and is confident that by the adoption of such a plan, all except the eastern part of Cuba can be pacified by June next.

4lh: According to the report of State Superintendent of Public Instruction, John R. Park, the total school population of Utah is 81,882. There are 41,061 white boys, and 40,627 white girls; while there are 107 colored boys and 77 colored girls of school age. * * * There appears to be great danger of civil war in Austria. The factions there are drawing themselves up almost like contending armies with the Germans on one side and Czechs or Bohemians on the other. The object of the Czechs is to so change the compact between Austria and Hungary, that Bohemia will be on equal footing with the Germans in the national alliance.

^th: Senators Cannon and Rawlins and Congressman King arrive at the capital. * * * The Italian Cabinet has resigned. It is regarded as a political move to make possible the security of a unanimous cabinet by the Marquis di Rudini.

EVENTS OF THE MONTH. 228

6th: The regular session of congress opens at noon today — President McKinley's first regular message is presented to congress and discusses among other things:

The financial question , recommending a revision of the currency, and urges that when government notes are redeemed by gold they shall not be reissued except for gold:

The Cuban situation, recommending that Spain be given an opportunity to try her policy of reconciliation in settling Cuban difficulties:

Hazvaiin annexation, which he strongly recommends:

The Walcott Monetary Commission, eulogizing the members for their labors:

Reciprocity treaties, and hopes that by means of them our commerce may be enlarged:

International Arbitration, promising his support to treaties having this object in view:

The A'azy, recommending the construction of docks on both coasts:

Conditions in Alaska, urging the early attention of congress thereto, looking to the securing of civil government there, and recommending that steps be taken for the relief of Dawson City, if conditions there make it necessary:

Pacific railroads, reporting the sale of the Union Pacific, and stating that the government will bid for the purchase of the Kansas Pacific. He urges the continued development of the congressional library, the exercise of economy, and concludes with the words — "It is a commanding duty to keep the appropriations within the receipts of the government and thus prevent a deficit. " * * * Estimates presented to congress, by Secretary Gage, show that $462,647,885 will be required for the operation of the several departments of the government for the fiscal year ending .June 30th. 1899.

yth : The report of the secretary of the treasury for the fiscal year ending June 25, 1897, shows the receipts of the government to be $430,387,- 167.89 and the expenditures $448,439,622.30; a deficit of $18,052,454.41.

8th: Representative W. H. King is now of the opinion that until legislation is had by congress as to the style of building to be erected, no steps will be taken by the secretary of the treasury towards the selection of a site for a post office in Salt Lake City. * * * Secretary of the

Treasury Gage has submitted to the department of state a report upon filibustering expeditions to Cuba. He shows that out of sixty alleged expeditions, all except six have been frustrated, thirty-three of them by the direct action of the United States, while only four have been frustrated by Spain. He states that if the Spanish patrol had been one half as active as that of the United States, not one man nor one cartridge would have been illicitly landed in Cuba from the United States.

gth: The directors of the postal telegraph, in New York, decided to spend a quarter of a million dollars in the construction of a line to Salt Lake, Butte, Helena and Anaconda.

loth: In an interview with Representative King, Secretary of the Treasury Gage promised to earnestly co-operate with Mr. King in his efforts to obtain an appropriation for the erection of a public building in Salt Lake City. * * » Hon. Wm. J. Bryan arrives in Mexico, and receives a telegram from President Diaz, welcoming him to the country, as soon as he crossed the Rio Grande. * * * -phe house of

representatives today passed the pension appropriation bill without amendments. As passed, the bill involves the expenditure of $141,263,880 for pensions.

nth: The contracts between the State of Utah and the Lake Bonneville Water and Power company was signed today. The company will build in Millard county, three immense reservoirs and 720 miles of canals

and laterals, and when completed the cost will have reached $3,100,000. It is said the company will employ, in the construction of this great system of irrigation, from 1,800 to 2,400 men, for a period of eighteen months.

• • • Mrs. Nancy Allison McKinley, mother of President McKinley, died peacefully at a few minutes past 2 o'clock this morning. She had been gradually sinking, day by day, since she was stricken with paralysis ten days ago. She was nearly 90 years of age. The president was at her bedside when she passed away. * * * xhe commissioners of the District of Columbia ha%'e approved Senator Cannon's scheme for a great relief map of the United States.

12th: The Civil Federation of Chicago has issued a call for a conference to be held in New York city on Jan. 14th and 15th, 1898, to consider methods and to discuss the reforms in primary elections and how to get voters to attend the primaries after fair laws are secured. * * * The Marquis di Rudini, who was entrusted, by King Humbert, with the formation of a new cabinet, has reported to the king that he has, so far, failed to accomplish the task.

13th: Hon. Wm. J. Bryan arrived in the City of Mexico and is received with honors. * * * xhe supreme court of the United States handed down a decision today in the New Mexico case of the Springer Land Association vs. Patrick Ford in which it is held that a mechanic's lien upon an irrigation system applies to the land held under its canals as well as to the irrigation system itself.

14th: The funeral of Mrs. McKinley, mother of the president, took place today; thousands were in attendance. * * * Mr. Bryan

addresses the Mexican congress and is received with great enthusiasm. * * * Representative King secures the promise of co-operation

from Secretary of the Interior Bliss, in a movement to expedite the opening of the Uintah reservation in Utah.

i^th: The National Board of Trade, in session at Washington, D. C, endorses the single gold standard. * * * ^^ box containing ex-

plosives and so arranged as to explode upon opening was found today at Casa Neuva, where the United States consulate in Havana is situated.

i6th: Senator Hanna and five other senators call upon President Mc- Kinley and urge the revision of President Cleveland's orders of last year, by which the civil service regulations were extended. * * * According to advices received by the St. James Gazette, London, the Spanish government is so alarmed at the reception given Gen. Weyler in Madrid, by the populace, that artillery has been posted at concealed points, commanding the main thoroughfares and fears are entertained of a rebellion.

ijth: The flattering reports from the new copper mining district in Paradox valley and La Sal mountains in Utah and Colorado, will induce the Rio Grande Western to build a branch line to that section. * « *

The National Civil Service Reform League assembled in Cincinnati, Ohio, today elected Carl Schurz president by acclamation. * * * Xhe downfall of the Dole government and the restoration of the Monarchy with Kaiulau, niece of the lately deposed queen, on the throne, under British domination, is the future predicted for Hawaii, by the friends of annexation at Washington. It is reported by the New York Herald's correspondent at Washington that the senate committee on foreign relations have evidence in hand that proves that there is some secret work now going on in this direction. * * * Xhe monetary commission reached the conclusion of its deliberations today, and the chairman, ex-Senator Edmunds, declared the commission adjourned without day. Some slight differences of opinion as to minor details of the report were in evidence to the last, but the report, as it will be signed, is practically unanimous.