SECOND INAUGURATION OF CLEVELAND. 395 imposing additional restrictions upon immigration, and a bill providing that, by a certain date, all railroad cars should be provided with automatic safety couplers. 427. Second Inauguration of Cleveland; Bering Sea Case. (1893.) — The inauguration of Cleveland and Stevenson took place on the 4th of March, and for the first time since 1861 the Democrats controlled all branches of the government. A very pleasant feature of the transfer of the chief government offices to the new incumbents was the courteous manner in which it was done, and the kindly good feeling shown on both sides. The large number of government employees under the civil service rules, and to whom a change of party rule was no longer a vital question, somewhat diminished the number of office-seekers, though the number was much greater than had been expected by the friends of reform. The Bering Sea case (sect. 420) had been referred to seven arbitrators, and they, after a most patient and careful consideration of the matters submitted to them, decided, in August, 1893, against the claim of the United States, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the seals beyond three miles from shore. But the tribunal made such stringent provisions, binding upon both Great Britain and the United States, for the protection of the seals, that, while failing technically, the United States gained the real point at issue, the protection of the valuable fur-bearing animals. So "again has arbitration been successfully applied to questions which diplomacy confessed itself unable to solve. Formerly such a juncture meant war." 1 1 Though these regulations apply only to Great Britain and the United States, it is expected that they will be sufficient to stop most of the destructive sealing. 428. "Silver" Legislation; Financial Distress; Elections. (1893.) — There was a very general feeling, particularly in the eastern and central states, that the "Sherman Act" of 1890 (sect. 417), by its clause requiring the regular monthly purchase by the Treasury of silver bullion, was greatly injurious to the financial interests of the country. President Cleveland called an extra session of Congress to meet in August, 1893, and recommended the repeal of the bill. The fifty-third Congress met at the time appointed, organized by the re-election of Charles F. Crisp as Speaker, and after several weeks' discussion, mostly in the Senate, passed an act repealing the "compulsory purchase clause." The business situation of the country during the greater part of the year 1893 was very gloomy, and not since 1873 were there so many failures and such financial depression. Uncertainty as to the character and amount of the tariff legislation to be expected from the new Congress aggravated the troubles. It was not at all surprising under these circumstances that, as is so often the case, the party in power suffered. The state elections of 1893 resulted in overwhelming successes for the Republicans. In New Jersey, and particularly in New York, the friends of reform were greatly encouraged by the crushing defeat at the polls of the candidates nominated and supported by the political “rings." 429. Hawaii. (1893.) A revolution in Hawaii took place January 14, 1893. Two days later a large public meeting denounced the queen and her advisers, and the "Committee of Safety," it is said, requested the protection of the United States; accordingly a detachment of troops was landed from a United States cruiser, it is claimed, to preserve peace and order and protect American interests. The next day a “Provisional |