Helena, Mont, Dec. 16.- Governor Rickard...

Helena, Mont, Dec. 16.- Governor Rickards has granted a free pardon to Mr. and ÏIrs. Edward Clarke, serving seventeen year terms eaeh in the penitentiary at Deer Lodge, for the murder of John P. Stewart by poisoning. They had already served a year of the sentence. Stewart was a wealthy man and suspicion first feil upon his wife, Mary Stewart. She was arrested at Spokane, and trled at Missoula. To save herself she accused her mother and stepfather. They were convicted by her testimony of murder in the second degree. But remorse overtook Mrs. Stewart and she flnally confessed to au attorney and to ex-Governor Toole, but committed suicide before a written statement could be signed. Governor Rickards made what reparation lay in his power by pardoning them. : Act ion on Cuba. Washington, Dec. 17. - The senate committee on foreign relations held a meeting Wednesday, which was devoted to a considei'ation of the Cuban resolutions which have been referred to it. No action was taken and the committee adjourned to meet on Friday. It was said that the sentiment of the committee was favorable toward reporting one of the resolutions, tliqugli its form was not determined. The postponement of action until Friday was for the purpose of securing further information from the state department as to the situation in Cuba, especially as to the latest developments in the island. Hearings on t e TarilT. Washington, Dec. 17. - The hearings to be given by the ways and means committee on the tariff question promises to attract an even greater number of business men to Washington than usually gather during a revisión of the tariff. The committee is overwhelmed wlth applications from representatives of the intereste who are anxious to present arguments for increasing the rates. The Democratie members of the committee intend to marshal witnesses in rebuttal to advocate the continuance of the Wilson bill. Crooked Witnesses Sentenced. Frankfort, Ky., Dec. 16. - John Seward and William Trusty, witnesses in the Pearl Bryan murder case, who were convicted of false swearing, were Tuesday sentenced in Newport, Ky. Seward was given two years and Trusty one year in the penitentiary. They attempted to make the jurors beheve that Pearl Bryan was beheaded on the Ohio side of the river and conveyed to Fort Thomas afterward. The court of appeals has granted attorneys for Scott Jackson thirty days in which to file a petition for a rehearing. Woodmaii's Cuban Kesolution. Washington, Dec. 16. - Congressman Woodman of Chicago introduced in the house Tuesday a 500-word joint resolution directing the president to express to Spain our condemnation of Spain's methods of warfare and especially the murder of Maceo, to recognize the independence of Cuba, and to demand that Spain immediately withdraw from Cuba all her armed forces. In one of the preeeding whereases he refers to the president's message as "an argument in favor of the Spanish butchers in Cuba." Navigation Closert on the Lakcs. Buffalo, N. Y., Dec. 17. - Navigation on Lake Erie practically closed here Wednesday. There are a few boats in transit making for winter quarters, but loading for long trips is over. The life saving stations here and at Erie were closed and the men relieved of duty. The statiorts on Lake Ontario closed Saturday and navigation on that lake ended with the week. A dispatch from St. Catherines, Ont., says both the old and new canals have closed for the season. City Klections in Massacliusetts. Boston, Dec. 17. - The thirty-two municipalities in the state held elections this month. Throughout the state the Republicans have seemingly lost some of the advantage obtained in the state election, although in few instances did national politics enter. The total license vote in the state shows a decided increase in license over last year, while the no license vote is slightly reduced. The total vote for license in 1S96, yes, 124,776; no, 104,095. Agricultural ApprnpriatioD Bill. Washington, Dec. 17. - The house agricultural committee has practically completed the agricultural appropriation bill. This bill follows very closely the lines of the one. drawn last year and the amount to be appropriated will be about the same, which was, including the weather bureau, $2,29S,532. Big Mili to Kesurae. Warren, O., Dec. 17. - Orders have been issued to get the mili of the Union Iron and Steel company at Girard ready for operation by Jan. 1. This is one of the best milis in the Mahoning valley. It has been idle for months and has only been operated at long intervals during the past three years.