Evening Star Newspaper, December 15, 1893, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR ron a See - mig arena oh The Evening Star Newspaper Oompany, 8. H. KAUFFMANN, Pres’t, ’ New York Office, 88 Potter Building, —_-_ + ‘THE EVENING STAR fx served to subseribers in the city by carriers, on their own account, at 10 cents v week. or $4. per month. Copies at the counter conts exch. By mail—anywhere in the United States oF Canada—postazs prepaid—30 cents per month. SATURDAY QUINTUPLE SHEET Stan $1. year; with ‘oreicn postage added, 83.0077 Or? (Entered at the Post Office at Washington, D. C. . as second-class mail matter.) 64-411 mail subscriptions must be psid in sdvance, Rates of atvertisine made known on application GETTING IMPATIENT. Congress Restive Over the Delay in Furnishing Hawaiian Information. THEIR REQUESTS HELD IN CONTEMP?. A Suggested Excuse Believed to Have No Valid Standing. UNWARRANTED INSINUATION aeons Congress is becoming very impatient over the delay on the part of the administration to respond to the request of the two houses for information concerning Hawail. While the House resolution was passed only on Wednesday, there has been an abundance of time since the Senate adopted resolutions of inquiry for all the information desired to have been furnished. The Senate has ad-| journed over until Monday, and, of course, cannot now receive the information until then, but had they not been informed that the communication was not to be expected this adjournment would not have been taken. A Feeling of Resentment. The feeling in Congress is that Mr. Cleve- land is disposed to treat their requests with contempt and the resentment against the administration is growing stronger among those whom Mr. Cleveland has counted on for support. The policy adopted by Mr. Vest of leaving the administration to take/ care of itself and repudiating the adminis-/ tration scheme to put the queen back on the throne is one which will be generally adopted by democrats who do not come out boldly and denoynce the whole scheme. Received With Contem The suggestion conveyed in matter given out last night that the delay in sending in documents was due to the failure to find certain letters assumed to have been writ- ten on the Hawaiian subject by Mr. Blaine is received with contempt by men of both parties who have any standing in Congress. it is suggested that if any such existed, let- ters discovered since the policy of Mr. Cleveland was inaugurated cannot be cited 8 an excuse for the policy, and the admin- istration is in very bad straits if they are reduced to the necessity of hunting up, at this late day, reasons to excuse action al- ready taken. What Mr. Stevens’ Letter Shows. ‘The letter from Mr. Stevens to Mr. Blaine, published this morning, is generally receiv- ed as an indication of a disposition on his part to watch over the American interests wherever they might Me and as showing very conclusively that the native conspir- acy for the overthrow of the queen was in Drogress at the time of his writing this let- ter and that his disposition was to oppose it if the proprieties of the case permitted. ‘The insinuation is made that because no Teply to this letter can be found that there has been some tampering with the records. A Violent Assi The date of Mr. Stevens’ letter shows how violent this assumption is. It was written on the Sth of March, 1892, and could hardly have been received at the department be- fore the last of the month. At that time, the approaching national convention was occupying the minds of both Mr. Blaine) and Mr. Harrison, and there was nothing urgent in the communication which required an immediate answer. A little more than two months from then Mr. Blaine retired from the cabinet. It is entirely probable, therefore, that Mr. Blaine never answered this letter at all, and the insinuation that his reply has been abstracted is without warrant. - Minister Stevens’ Letter. Minister Stevens’ letter referred to is sup- Pesed to allude to the machinations of the Wiicox party against the government of Queen Liliuokalant. Mr. Stevens said: | ~ I have information which I deem reltia-| bie that there is an organized revolution-| ary party on the islands, composed largely | ef native Hawalians and a considerable | number of whites and half-whites, led chief- ly by individuals of the latter two classes. ‘This party is hostile to the queen and to! her chief confidant, especially opposed to the coming to the throne of the half-English heir apparent now being educated in Eng- land, and means to gain its object either by forcing the queen to select her cabinet from its own members or else to overthrow the | monarchy and establish a republic, with the ultimate view of annexation to the United States of the whoie islands. A portion of | tht party means only the former, and the *t portion intends the latter. Failing to omplish the former, the most of the party id seek the latter alternative. “I have little doubt the revolutionary at- tempt would have been made ere this but for the presence here of the United States ship-of-war. I still incline to the opinion that the revolutionary attempt will not be made so long there is a United States in the harbor of Honolulu, but it be rash to assert this positively. it my official duty to ask rtions in view of the possible s. £ may add that the an- nexation seatiment js Increasing, quite as much among the white residents and na- ve Hawaiians, and other workingmen Who own no sugar Stock, as with the sugar planters. I am * &e. There is nothing new i It formed part of the correspondence that President Harrison sent to Congress with his annexation message, February 15, 1803, and a3 pub! ed in executive document im the above letter. ‘tensed by the Pablicati The publication of the letter from Minis- ter Stevens seems to be very pleasing to the members of the administration. It was only recently that the State Department recognized the apparent importance of this . and since then the attention of Con- gressmen friendly to the policy of restora- tion has been called to it. A number of congressional supporters of the policy have read the document, and their assurances that It has a very important bearing on the Hawalian question have, it 1s said, caused the administration to consider it an effect- ive ce of ammunition. The inference by ter js that Mr. Blaine did not send a y te a val case was presented, and ustom of the State Depart- + as Well as of other executive offices, SS upon questions based upon sup- Position. The Message. The President's message on the Hawaifan and the correspondence connected will not go to Congress before not absolutely certain that v in on that day, but there are strong reasons for the belief that they will. ‘The only thing in the way of such action is sit lusion of the President and it is not compa‘ible with to let the public know r Willis has been instructed t he had done it. n is authority not care just » instructions. uid they Willis to an- jonal government, folio 1 2 conflict It 1s for this jent decided nt some of those interested in the} the letter, perhaps for the reason | } } | | | ! | be- und before | | i \ fer, Stewart and Jones and Che £Zvening Star. Vor 83, No. 20,756. WASHINGTON, D. C., FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1893-TWELVE PAGES TWO CENTS Am index to advertise- ments will be found om Page 3. SEC'Y HERBERT’S REPLY To Mr. Holman’s Resolution in Regard to Premiums to Contractors. Reports From the structor and Chief Engineer as to the Increased Speed of Cruisers. ‘hief Naval Con- Nearly, if not all, of the information rel- ative to the premiums paid contractors tor increased speed in naval vessels, called for by the resolution introduced in the House by Mr. Holman of India is already before the House. During the extra, or first, session of this Congress Mr. Blair introduced a resolution calling on the Secretary of the Navy for this data. The resolution was passed, and Secretary Herbert gave the desired in- formation. This reply is composed of reports of Chief Naval Constructor Hichborn and Chief En- gineer Melville, and gives the total premi- ums paid or due on account of incr2ased speed at $690,000, divided among five shipbuilding firms. The subject of increased boiler pressure {is treated fully, and the opinion is rendered that it has not been detrimental. The boilers of the ships have all been designed with a large factor of safety, and have been tested to a pressure much higher than carried on trials or in the service. In powering our ships it bas been the practice of the department to give them ample boiler power, for it is in this respect that foreign war vessels are tnost | deficient, so much so that Great Britain bas deemed it unwise to subject the prototype of the New York and a number of other vessels to a test under full power with forced draft. That our practice has been a wise one may be inferred from the fact that we have yet to record a failure of one of our boilers on trial. What the Effect Hi Been. It is their belief that such a practice has not resulted in giving contractors large premiums for increased speed; it has rather had the effect of getting lower bids than would have been possible had the power been barely sufficient for the contract speed, for contractors, in making thei: estimates, must, if they are anxious to get the con- tract, take into consideration the probabil- ity or the certainty of a premium for in- creased speed, and adjust their bids accord- ingly. This point is amply illustrated in the case of the Detroit and two sister ships. When the first bids for their construction were opened it was found that all of them were greater than the amount appropriated by Congress. This was because the speed required was eighteen knots, the contractors belfeving that even with a slightly greater speed there was no money in them. The department accordingly reduced the require- ment to seventeen knots, keeping the same specifications for construction, which was equivalent to increasing the appropriation $100,000, and the bids received showed that at least one of the bidders had figured on a speed of more than eighteen knots an hour and consequent premium. Not From Increased Boiler Pressure. In ccnelusion, the report says that we do not believe that aay increase of speed has resulted from the increased boiler pressure carried on the vessels in question. When the designs were made it was contemplated that the pressure at the engine would be 160 pounds on trial. In the Machias it was 160, in the, Castine 159, in the Bancroft 163, in the Detroit 168 and in the New York 169. In the latter case the engine throttle valves were pertially closed; if they had been run wide open the pressure in the boilers would probably have been less than 160 pounds, but there would have been no difference in the speed maintained. In the case of the Bancroft and Detroit premiums were paid on a basis of 14.25 and 18.50 knots, re- spectively, and as they made 14.37 and 18.71 knots, the contractors gained nothing by carrying three pounds additional pressure. ———__- oe -_____ FREEDMAN’S TRUST COMPANY. Controller Eckels’ Report Shows a Considerable h Balance. The annual report of Mr. James H. Eckels, controlier of the currency and ex-officio commissioner of the Freedman’s Saving and Trust Company, which was submitted to Congress on December 9, shows a cash bal- ance on hand of $33,707.43, including $4,- 381.57 collected during the year. Five claims | Were presented and paid since the commis- sioner’s last report, amounting to $47.35, making a total of 1,034 claims paid under the act of February 17, 1883, aggregating $10,616.52, leaving 1,377 claims unpaid, call- ing for $0,864.58. Of barred claims eight were presented during the year, making 234 claims filed since May 12, 1885, calling for $5,941.50, payment of which is barred under the act of February 21, 1881. The commis- sioner has on hand sufficient funds to cover the $6,864.58, payable under the act of Feb- uary 17, 1883, as well as the 234 claims pre- sented since May 12, 1885, amounting to $5,941.50, and such other claims as are likely to be presented, should the limitation con- tained in section 8 of the act of February 21, 1881, be repealed. The commissioner recommends the repeal of this limitation, and submits with his re- port the draft of a bill for that purpose. The item of deferred payments on the Lukins plantation lots in South Carolina, heretofore reported an available asset, amounting to $28¥.85, wili not nercafter be reported as such. These lots are located on one of the Sea [slands in South Carolina, and were sold to colored people on partial payments. The destruction wrought on these islands by the recent cyclone in that region has made it impossible for these peo- ple to make their payments, und as eject- ment proceedings would involve expendi- tures equal to if not greater than the value of the delinquents’ lots it is not thought ad- visable to institute such proceedings. The commissioner estimates the remaining avail- able assets at about $40,000. There are over $7,000 of checks issued by the several com- missioners which have never been presented for payment. ——————_-2+______ THE TARIFF BILL. Members Refuse to Be Bound by a Party Cauc The democrats who are seeking a caucus on the tariff bill find that a large number of members of the House who agree to go into the caucus refuse to be bound by it, and it is evident that if it is held it will be nothing more than a conference for an ex- change of views. Thus far those who are trying to organize an opposition to the bill have not been successful in getting enough members to agree to take the extreme posi- tion of voting against the measure if it is not satisfactorily amended. They believe, however, that when members return from their homes after the holiday recess the opposition to the bill will be stronger and more.widely spread. Some of the members represent constituencies which are very seriously affected by the bill and after having been among them it is expected that they will return with a determination either to change or defeat the measure. it seems vain, nowever, to expect the op- position in the House to be successful. In the Senate, however, the situation is ifferent and very great difficulty in pass- ing any tariff bill is expected. It has been | heretofore announced that the populists in the Senate would vote for the bill, but it is authoritatively stated that Messrs, Pef- probably Allen and Irby will oppose the measure, The first three propose to use every means in their power to defeat it. Morgan and Pugh and probably others are expected to fight the iron schedule and Murphy and MePhere son are counted among the opponents of the measure. The contempla' of this situa- tion in the Senate is em! for the House. A PLUNGE TO DEATH. Collapse of the Big Bridge at Louisville, MANY WORKMEN KILLED IN THE WRECK. Varying Estimates of the Loss of Life. FAULTY MECHANISM BLAMED. een ae LOUISVILLE, Ky., Dec. 15.—At twenty minutes past 10 o'clock this morning the fourth span of the ill-fated Louisville and Jeffersonville bridge fell into the river. ‘This proved to be the most frightful of the many disasters to the bridge, which has wrecked lives and swept away fortunes in a manner almost inconceivable. At li o'clock it was known twenty-five men had been killed, as that many dead bodies had been recovered from the water. The bodies were most horribly mangled. The shocking accident was witnessed by men employed along the river front and on the boats plying up and down the river. The ferry company at once sent two boats to assist in securing the bodies of the dead and dying and rescuing the workmen still alive. About sixty men were at work on the span when it gave way and plunged them into the river. Both banks of the river were soon crowded. Many women were in the throngs, and it was apparent they were the wives and children of those who had gone down to death. Three patrol wagons were kept busy, and the guards were assisted by the fire department in carrying off the dead and the injured. The wagons could not go to and from the hospital fast enough to re- ceive those taken from the river. Deaths Estimated at 180. Later it was reported that the officers of the Maj. McKenzie, the government boat, said 180 men were lost. The officers attributed the accident to the giving away of the girders, due to faulty mechanism. The injured were taken to the city hos- Pital at the rate of about one a minute. At 11:15 seven men had been brought in. All were unconscious, and, as a result, their names could not be learned. Some were white and others colored. Mr. Baird's Accou: Mr. J. W. Baird, secretary and treasurer of the bridge company, was one of the wit- nesses to the disaster. Mr. Baird was in the company’s office on the fourth floor of the Commerce building. The bridge is inj} plain view of his room, and it is his custom to watch the progress of the workmen through his field glasses. When the span fell Mr. Baird had the glasses on it. Even the shock of the sight of the terrible death plunge was enough to completely overcome him for a time. eae? He said in reply to @ question’ ‘ “Yes, I am the tor of the plan to build the bridge, and I guess I-will be eter- nally damned for it.” According to Mr. O. E. Selby, the civil engineer In charge, who was on the bridge at the time the span fell, there were only thirty workmen on the collapsed portion of the bridge, the engineer corps being at an- other portion of the structure. Mr. Selby thought fifteen of those who went down were dead, and said the others had even chances for their lives. He had no time to talk further, as his immediate attention was needed at the scene of the calamity. James Trent, a painter, who resides at 224 18th street, this city, was on the span, twenty feet from the pier nearest the Ken- tucky shore, when he heard a peculiar crashing noise. With Ernest Miller, Robt. Woolford, Charles Pope, and a workman named Carter, he ran for his life toward the pier, and ali succeeded in reaching a safe footholding on the masonry, when the span went down with a fearful crash. Trent and his companions slid down a Tope to the river's surface, when they were taken into a skiff which hurried to the spot. Trent asserts that the collapse was preceded by two distinct shocks, which gave the workmen warning, but too late to al- low many of them to escape. A Scene of Excitement. Consternation, excitement and, for a time, disorder ran rampant at the foot of Camp- bell street shortly after the disaster. For a while the energy and patience of the po- lice were seriously taxed, but finally they brought order out of disorder. Friends, mothers, fathers, sisters, all were present in a short time, and the scene as the margled corpses were taken from the steamer Hotspur and loaded into the wag- ons was heartrending, The first three victims were taken into a shanty boat, one already dead and the other ; two struggling for life. They were after- ward removed to the city hospital. One peor man, who had his left arm mashed off | and leg terribly mangled, died on the stretcher just as the wagon started up from the river bank. List of Victims. It is very difficult to secure a correct list of the unfortunates, but among the thirty er forty victims brought to the shore by the Hotspur, the City of Jeffersonville, the Major Mackenzie and others, that did noble work, the following are known to have been killed: Lester Garlock, Louisville. John Courtney, Louisville. —— Kelley of Allegheny City. Harry Simmons, Louisville. George Moore, Louisville. James Leech, Louisville. Franche, Louisville. Tim Murphy was taken to No. 715 Fulton street and cannot recover. Pat Kelly. George Lilly of Carter Station, Tenn. George Brown. While it is not known how many victims of the ill-fated bridge lie at the present mo- |ment under the debris in the bottom of the| Ohio river, still it is possible to give the fol- lowing imperfect list of those workmen who were on the bridge. but were saved: John | Glen, Major Hall, P. Hade, George Castle, | James Trent, Ernest Miller, R. Woodford, | Charlies Pope, John Harnor and Donnelly Leclaire. The financial loss amounts to $60,000 and is borne by the Phoenix Bridge Company, which had the contract for the work. Sse tees To Destroy Derelicts. The Navy Department has made arrange- ments to clear the path of navigation be- tween New York and the mouth of the MI: sissippi of all wrecks and derelicts that may be regarded as dangerous to navigation. This important work has been assigned to the cruiser Kearsarge and that vessel will start from New York in a few days fully equipped with torpedoes and other ex- plosives necessary to the execution of her orders. She will proceed leisurely as far south as Key West, destroying every dere- lict that may be found in the course of navi- gation, and will continue her cruise to Gal- veston in case it is reported that there are any dangerous wrecks in the gulf. The} British government has promised to co- operate in this movement for the safety of ocean navigation and the protection of mariners, and will dispatch a war vessel on rrassing to the | 4 similar errand on the high seas along the | Ways and means committee in their nlans |path usually followed by trans-Atlantic | steamers. PROVIDING A SALARY. The Senate District Oommittee Alters the Sealer of Weights Bill. Other Bills Acte@ on Today — Favor- able and Unfavorable Reporta— Members Present Today. The Senate District committee met at 10:30 this morning and were in session for over two hours. A great deal of business was transacted. The important question over the reorganization of the office of the sealer of weights and measures was solved. There has been a bill introduced in each house providing for the appointment of a sealer and an assistant sealer, to be paid by fees at the rate of $1 for each inspec- tion made. The House bill was passed, con- taining a very loosely drawn section, which practically gives the sealer power to inspect the weights and measures as frequently as he pleases, and the only limitation was that he should inspect at least twice a year, that he might inspect 300 times if he chose to do so, and receive $1 each time from each place of business, When the bill was taken up today by the Senate committee this defect was noted and it was argued that the inspection of weights and measures shoyld not be made a burden upon the storekeepers of the city, but that the office be salaried and no tax should be placed upon the shopkeepers and others, excepting the general tax for the support of the District government. Sena- tor McMillin presented these views clearly and strongly and he was directed by the committee to perfect a bill, which he pre- sented in rough form. This bill provides for the appointment of a sealer at a salary of $2,000 a year and an assistant sealer at $1,200 a year. The District Commissioners are to furnish him with an office in a cen- tral portion of the ¢ity and also with a horse and wagon and a laborer when he may need one. There are to be no fees for inspection whatever. Under the present law the sealer is a feed officer and his total in- come is between $4,000 and $5,000 a year. Senator McMillin is directed by the commit- tee to report his bill as a substitute for both the Senate bill and that which came from the House. Favorable Reports. Favorable report wks ordered, with cer- tain amendments, on' the bill to simplify the form of deeds of conveyance, trust and releases, which is in charge of Senator Faulkner. The amendments are purely technical. Senator Proctor was directed to report favorably the House bill, making service connection with water mains and sewers and recommending an indefinite postpone- ment of the Senate bill. Senator Faulkner was directed to report, with amendments, the bill to open, widen and extend alleys. Other Actions. The bill to open minor streets was reject- ed by the committee, and an adverse report was ordered on it. An adverse report was also ordered on the bill for the relief of John W. Daniel. The House bill for clos- ing alleys from square 751 was ordered to be reported favorably, and the Senate bill postponed indefinitely. Similar action was taken on the bill to release and turn over to Mrs. Mary QO. Augusta certain property in the District. street to the “So! ‘Home will ported favorably in lieu of the Senate bill to the same effect. A favorable report was ordered'on the bill 8. 1267, authorizing the attorney for the District and his assistants to administer oaths and affirmations. This bill was introduced day before yesterday by Senator Hunton. The meeting this morning was attended by Senators Harris, Faulkner, Hunton, Martin, McMillan, Hansbrough and Proc- tor. The sealer of weights and measures for the District, Mr. Bond, appeared before the committee and was examined at length as to the duties of his office and its re- quirements. Mr. Cobb has introduced a bill in the House providing that the attorney, the as- sistant attorney, and the special assistant attorney for the District of Columbia be authorized and empowered to administer oaths and affirmations, in the discharge of their official duties, to witnesses, and in all cases where a justice of the peace is empowered so to do; and providing the usual penalties for perjury. Any person refusing to answer the interrogatories of the attorney, the assistant attorney or the special assistant attorney for the District in the investigation of crimes and mis- demeanors, says the bill, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon con- viction shall be punished by a fine of not less than five dollars nor more than two hundred dollars. DISTRICT IN CONGRESS. Groun for Divorce. Mr. Johnson of Ohio has introduced a bill in the House adding the following to the existing law as grounds for divorce under the District laws: Conviction of felony and confinement in the penitentiary, or con- firmed lunacy after confinement in any luna- tic asylum or hospital for the insane for a period of seven years, and when the party 80 confined shall have been pronounced hopelessly insane and incurable. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and = apply to all cases, whether now pending or hereafter to be instituted. A New Office. Mr. Terry of Arkansas has introduced a bill in the House creating the office of fore- man of press work in the government print- ing office, who shall have complete control and supervision, under the immediate head of the public printer, of all the presses and pressmen employed in the government printing office. He shall be a practical pressman and be a member of the inter- national union containing the greatest num- ber of pressmen of the United States. He shall receive the same salary as, and be co-equal with, the foreman of printing, and shall be appointed by the public printer. Incorporation Laws. Mr. Bingham has introduced a bill in the House amending the incorporation laws re- lating to trust companies so as to provide as follows: “That fifteen or more persons, citizens of the United States, may associate themselves together to form a company for the purpose of carrying on a security, guar- anty, indemnity, loan and mortgage busi- ness, the capital stock of which shall not be less than $5,000: Provided, that the capi- tal stock of any company now incorporated under this act to carry on this class of business may be fixed at $5,000 or more, and that y such company may be ac- cepted as sole surety on any bond or un- dertaking required by or given pursuant to —————+ oe +______ Goes to Par! Maj. 8. C. Kellogg, fourth cavalry, now acting as one of the commissioners of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga national parks, has been selected as military at- of the United States embassy at Paris, a position that has practically been vacant since the recall of Capt. Borup of the engineer corps several months ago on the unsustained allegation that he had be- trayed the plans of French fortifications to Germany and other governments. He was relieved from duty at the French capital in the interests of amity, and not because it was believed that he was in the least guilty of the dishonorable conduct referred to. Maj. Kellogg is a son-in-law of the late Gen. George H. Thomas, and is well equipped by education and experience for the important werai-diplomatic duties of his new position. ret NO NEED OF HURRY. |FOR GOVERNMENT CONTROL|ONLY THE HOUSE President Cleveland Not Considering the District Offices. OTHER MATTERS TAKE HIS TIME Senators Frye and Morgan Favor the Nic- They Argue Before the House Com- mittee—A Committee to Make a Was in Session and Doing Business at the Capitol. BAD CONDITION OF THE KITCHEN. Rumors that Are Believed to Be} wr, consider the Nicaragua canal ana the| The McGarrahan Bill Again Laid Without Foundation. ONE DEMOCRAT’S VIEWS. + Those interested in the appointments to offices in the District of Columbia are of the opinion that the President has decided not to take that matter up for some time yet. it is said that there are other details of public business which, in the estimation of the President, are of more pressing import- ance than the filling of offices in the Dis- trict. It is understood that the President thinks that the District appointments can wait until he has disposed of other matters which are pressing upon his attention in connection with the government of this country. As far as the President has been informed, it is said, he is not aware that any vital interest in the administration of | the affairs of the District will suffer if he continues to defer action in the direction of making changes fn the offices of the Dis- trict. This is understood to be the present policy of the President in District affairs by those who personally, or in the interest of friends, have informed themselves of, the situation. As far as it was possible to learn today there has been no change an- nounced from the White House in this particular, and it is asserted that the Pres- ident is not now giving any special atten- tion to the subject of the fitness of the line of candidates who have been mentioned in connection with the various places which are conceded to citizens of the District. No Particular Hurry. All the reasons which could be advanced | to prove that it is of great moment that some action be taken in the premises at once have, it is believed, been called to the attention of the President, and in spite of these arguments, it is said that he still is of the opinion that a further delay will not prove of material injury. This position is generally recognized, and District politic- ans and their friends are resting on their ears. Of course, there is still some mission- ary work being carried on, and in the in- terviews which the President has almost daily with the statesmen who are here at- terding the sessions of Congress, it is said that, amid the profound interchange of views which take place on grave questions of state, the names of citizens of the Dis- trict are mentioned in the Presidential ear in ‘connection with some District office. But, of course, all that can be done and still it may be truthfully said that the President has not as yet taken up for consideration the appointments to District offices. Say a Good Wora, It is also known that members of Con- gress in their intercourse with many of the citizens of the District are apt to be specially informed of the fitness and quailfications of certain well known ci to fill certain well known offices in the Dis- trict. In this way there is an active but quiet canvass constantly in progress. Quite recently the friends of Mr. F. P. B. Sands have been active in advocating his ap- pointment as a member of the board of District Commissioners in place of Mr. Ross. It is said by some that Mr. Ross, although he is a popular democrat and has made an excellent Commissioner, will not be again appointed. In that event the friends of Mr. Sands are desirous of seeing him given the place. Mr. Sands is a native of the District, a member of the District bar, and a man of large means, He is a well known and active member ot St. Matthew’s Church, and has quite an extensive personal acquaintance. Mr. Sands’ candidacy has developed great activity within the past few days, but this, it is understood, is due more to the zeal of Mr. Sands’ friends than any immediate Prospect that the prize is to be awarded very soon. There are no other new candidates in the field for the various offices as far as known, with the exception that the people who live in the vicinity of the country home of Mr. Burroughs, where, it is said, the President has stopped on ong of his hunting trips, are of the opinion that Mr. Burroughs is destined to get some fat office in the Dis- trict. One Democrat’s Opinion. A well-known local democrat, who is Pop- ularly believed to hold the closest relations to the President, stated to a Star reporter today that he placed no more reliance in the recent reports of a decision by the President in regard to the local offices than he had in the other many rumors which had gone about since Mr. Cleveland’s in- auguration. “If Mr. Cleveland,” said he, “has decided to make the appointments I know absolutely nothing .of it; nor do I believe that anyone else does. The story is, in my opinion, nothing more than a mere rumor, and a slightly founded, if not entirely unfounded, one. Although I hi: e not seen the President for some time, I am | perfectly confident that he has not yet given the matter of the District appoint- ments more than a passing thought. “Ind remarked the reporter's in- forn ent, think it can safely be said that the President has been, and now is, entirely engaged in other and far more important matters than the filling of the District offices. Until he is in a position to relin- quish his concern in and attention to such other matters, matters of national import- ance, I mean, I fe2l sure Mr. Cleveland will let District matters drop.” “Do you believe that the President has any particular men in view?” asked the reporter “Now, as to that,” was the reply, “I can- not say. As certain men have been proba- bly mentioned to the President in connec- tion with the various District offices, I sup- Pose he has listened to what was said about them, but there, I think, the matter rested. Of one thing I am very certain, and that is that if the President has de- termined upon the appointment of anyone to any of the District offices, Mr. Cleveland has given no intimation of his determina. ton. At least, not to anyone here.” FURLOUGHING EMPLOYES, From Necessity Many Are Laid Of Temporarily at the Printing Office. Several large divisions in the government printing office have been furloughed from day to day during this week. The reason for this is that the rush of department work, which always comes in the fall of | the year, is over, and Congress is not mak- ing as much work as usual. In fact, not enough to keep the Kecord and night bill forces—which are what may be termed con- | gressional forces—busy. Those forces fill out thelr eight hours a day by “taking out” | on department work. The entire office has been rushed for several months, and the re- sult is that current work was never before so well up to date as it is now. The public printer must keep « force large enough to be prepared at ail times for the maximum amount of work, for when the maximum is reached he has no discretion but to dis- charge or furlough the employes, Owing to the exceeding dullness of the times and the utter impossibility of men finding employ- ment on the outside he is loth to make discharges, but prefers to furlough on the principle that a half or two-thirds of a loaf will be better for the employes than no bread. Hence he will pursue that policy when necessary, distributing the furloughs as equitably as possible among the em- | ployes. as duties of the government toward it,” was the subject which called out a full meeting of the House commerce committee this morning. Senators Frye and Morgan were the speakers. Both gentlemen have made an exhaustive study of the matter and ap- peared at the meeting at the request of the committee. Both Senators Frye and Morgan argued strenuously for government control of the canal, Mr. Frye argued that the government could build the Nicaragua canal for $75,- 000,000; that the bonds would sell readily, while paying an interest of only 4 per cent, and that interest money and repairs would not exceed $5,500,000 per annum, Government control would permit a lower- ing of rates to $1 a ton and a profit would result at that figure; In Mr. Morgan’s argument he said that both he and Senator Frye regretted the failure of the Senate in 1885 to ratify the Frelinghuysen treaty with Niasragua. By the terms of that treaty the United States would have secured a strip of land twelve miles wide, connecting both oceans, that would have been invaluable to us. Incidentally the Senator threw a small side light on the executive session of the Senate at which this matter was consider- ed. He stated that the treaty lacked but one vote of the necessary two-thirds vote which would have secured its ratification. The only thing which stood in the way of @ practically unanimous adoption of the treaty was a bugaboo of an infringement of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty. At the conclusion of Senator Morgan's remarks Mr. Storer of Ohio offered a reso- lution which was unanimously adopted. It provides for the appointment of three Sena- tors and six Representatives each, to be ap- pointed by the presiding officers of the two houses, to proceed as soon as possible to make a personal inspection of the route from Greytown to the Pacific, to learn the actual condition of the work and of the material and political affairs in Nicaragua and Costa Rica, so far as these may have reference to the construction of the canal. ‘The resolution will be reported to the House tomorrow. Eleven members of the committee were present at today’s session and one of the number stated that, so far as he knew, the entire committee unanimously favored the Proposition of governmental control of the work, —_——_-+o-—_____ GEN. SICKLES’ TWO SALARIES. Being Considered Second Controller Mansur of the treasury has begun the consideration of the case of Gen. Daniel E. Sickles, member of Congress from New York. Gen. Sickles draws two salaries—one as member of Congress from the tenth district of New York and one as major general on the’ retired list of the United States army. Paymaster General Smith of the War Department, to whom the the case, sent the case to Secretary Lamont. He referred the case to Attorney Gereral Olney. In an official opinion, in which no decision was reached, the case was returned to the Secretary of War. Gen. Sickles had an extended interview with Second Controller Mansur today on his case. Mr. Mansur’s decision will controller with the final settlement of army officers’ accounts, The questions involved are very import- ant, includirg, as they do, the eligibility of Gen. Sickles to a seat in the House of Rep- resentatives and inferentially approving o> disapproving the action of a co-ordinate branch of the government by a subordinate officer of the government. The pay of a member of Congress is $5,000 a year, and that of a major general on the retired list $5,625 a year for life. It is asserted that if Gen. Sickles is com. | pelled to make a choice, he will resign from Congress rather than give up the honor he So dearly prizes. ———+o+——____. THEY ARE SANGUINE. Minister Thurston Says Hawaii is Pre- pared to Resist. Mr. F. P. Hastings, Hawaiian charge d’at- faires, yesterday received the following tele-_ gram from Minister Thurston, at San Fran-) cisco, based on dispatches received by the latter from Honolulu: “The friends of the | provisional government are confident and. sanguine. They are determined to resist as- sault, from whatever quarter it may come.” | A press dispatch f>om San Francisco says) that Minister Thurston has taken re) on the steamer Alameda, which starts for) Honolulu today. CAPITOL TOPICs. Urgent Deficiency Bin. The House committee on appropriations today reported the urgent deficiency appro- priation bill, carrying the sum of $1,651,-_ 896.31. The bill provides $7,100 for the re- | pair of the building occupied by the fish commission in this city, $21,723.33 for the | Department of Justice, of which sum $3,243 | are for employes of the District Court of | Appeals. A Pension a Vested Right. | The subcommittee of the House committee | on Invalid pensions to which was referred | the bill introduced by Mr. Martin of Indiana declaring a pension to be a vested right did | not report upon the bill, as was expected, at | the meeting of the committee today. While it is confidently predicted that the report will be favorable, the subcommittee requests | more time to a ~ bill. Mr. eet Says a report will be made at meeting of the comimittee next ‘Tuesday. ———— ie Today's Cabinet Meeting. The Hawatian complication was again the | principal subject of consideration at to-| day's cabinet meeting, with what result | will not be known until the President sub-_ mits his message to Congress. Postmaster | General Bissell and Secretary Smith w not present ut the meeting. Most of the/ members left about 1:30 o'clock, but Secre- tary Lamont and Attorney General Olney remained with the President until nearly 2 o'clock. ————+ e+ The New Assistant Secretary. | Gen. Joseph Doe, the new assistant secre- | tary of war, took the oath of office at noon | today and entered at once on ‘he discharge of his new duties. The esteem and affection felt for Gen. Grant, the retiring official, | was shown by the large number of officials who called to take official leave and wish him success in his new field of labor. He took occasion to introduce them to his suc- | cessor. ae Davenport Case. The Davenport court of inquiry ts practi. | cally concluded, and today the judge advo-| cate of the court, Lieut. Laucheimer, cong | the summary of the evidence. His docu- ment was a long one, consisting of more than 120 pages of typewritten matter, and it required the whole day to read it. led. The will of Richard Curten, filed today, i to Rest for a Time. ARIZONA AND STATEHOOD. The Speaker laid before the House @ com- munication from the sergeant-et-arms, showing that that official has been on a housekeeping investigating tour. He plained of the filthy condition of the kitchen, and asked for an investigation the culinary department. The letter returned to the committee on public ings and grounds, with order to the matter. . A stir and a ripple of surprised ment went through the House o few ago when it was found that a public | ment relative to the opening of the Chero- kee strip contained a map on the margin | of which was a bold advertisement in large type of a western railroad. Above all is a strong appeal to patronize the “Best road in the world,” and the “Favorite world’s fair route.” Mr. Outhwaite (Ohio), chair- | man of the committee on military affairs, | stated that he would not have paid any tention to the matter, but that some per- sons were endeavoring to make | capital out of the episode, and a | publican paper in his city had | that the map had been obtained railroad company by the energetic the committee on military aff: he would probably obtain & the road in consideration of his . Outhwaite =~ thet been purchased for the use partment ‘by Col. Hyle of the eral’s department, who had by the department in connec! opening of the Cherokee Strip. had found it necessary to obtain a map accompany his report and had purchased the only one to be had at the place—the railway map—and had neglected to strike out the advertisement. Mr. Outhwaite sub- mitted a letter from the adjutant general's office giving this explanation of the a ~ Mr. Lacey (owa) inquired whether Mr. Oucnwaite was not giving the railroad com- pany a bigger advertisement by this airing of the matter — it would ever get from a public documen’ Mr. Outhwaite, seconded by several bers around him, remarked excitedly that the name of the road had never been men- tioned until announced by Mr. Lacey that moment. Eulogies on Senator Stanford. Mr. Loud (Cal) offered a Saturday, January 20, 1894, be set the purpose of eulogizing the litt ie ee ii bothis aly iketa i 4, 4 ae s $ noe thet the House go into committee whole for its consideration. then made the point of no quorum. were appointed, and after quarters of an hour, a quorum appeared and the motion was agreed to by a vote of 179 in the affirmative and 11 in tive. ) then took the chair and full. and Tellers three- Mr. McRae (Ark. the bill was read in Mr. Pendieton then moved that the com- | mittee rise and report the bill favorably to | the House. To this Mr. ers objected, j and the chairman stated that unless Mr. | Pendleton wished to speak he would recog- | nize some one else. Mr. Pendieton then stated that he could not see any necessity for question as it was perfectly familiar to everybody in the House. Mr. Williams (ill) inquired if this bill was the same as the vetoed Presi- dent Harrison. ae - Mr. Pendieton uf 4 that’ the objectionable. features: iad’ Dee eliminated. A Fatile Fight. The whole House gathered about Mr. Pendleton and Mr. Sayers in the center aisle and there was much confusion. The chairman suggested that the time of the gentleman from West Virginia was run- nil © is the gentleman trom West Virgin- ia,” said Mr. Wm. A. Stone of Pennsyl- Vania, sotto voce. Thus pricked on, and seeing the hopeless- hess of his cause, Mr. Pend eron stated that as it was evident the opponents of the bill seemed determined to prevent it from com- ing to a vote in the remaining five mntnutes, he would occupy the time himself. He thereupon delivered a forcible and earnest appeal in favor of the claim-nt. which was listened to with interest and its conclusion. Mr. Pendleton having finished a few minutes before the expiration of his time, Mr. Sayers took up the remainder in ex- piaining his reasons for opposing the bill, The morning hour then expired, and McGarrahan bill was again jaid at rest for the time being. For Arizona’s Admission. After the expiration of the morning hour, and pursuant to the special order adopted yesterday, the House took up the bill for the admission of Arizona, and Mr. Wheeler (Ala.), chairman of the committee on ter- rivories, moved that the Mouse go into committee of the whole for its considera- tion. The republicans, according to their pre- arranged plan, began to filibuster, and Mr, Hooker (N. Y.) demanded a division, which resulted in a vote of 130 in the affirmative and nothing in the negative. Mr. Hooker then made the point of no quorum and asked for tellers, whereupon Mr. Wheeler to avoid loss of time, called for the yeas and ni: ‘On the cail 182 answered in the affirmative and 5 in the negative, the re- publicans, as a rule, refraining from vot- ing. Only the republicans from the new jorthwestern states voted aye.*The House then went into committee of the whole. Mr. Wheeler suggested that as the bill last year passed the House by a vote of 178 to 3 there would be no desire for general debate. Mr. Morse (Mass.) did not believe that Arizona had suft t wealth or population or commercial importance to have state- hood. He proceeded to severely criticise Delegate Rawlins for his remarks concern- ing Massachusetts during the debate on the admittance of Utah and denied the allega- tions made as untruthful and unwarranted. Mr. Powers (Vt.) called attention to dis- crepancies in the preamble of the bill. By unanimous consent, general debate was closed and the bill was read by sec- tions for amendment. _ Dr. Paxton’s Resignation Accepted. The congregation of the West Presby- terian Church of New York at a meeting held in the church parlors Wednesday night accepted the resignation of its pastor, Rev. Dr. John R. Paxton. The action was taken without any discussion. _ cee Secretary Herbert Rack. Secretary Herbert returned from his visit to Augusta,Ga..yesterday, and found lots of work awaiiing his attention at the Navy leaves his estate to his wife Margaret. | Department. He spent i. of the mora- The will of Mary Ann Evans leaves her | ing in conference with Assistant Secretary property to her sons, R. M. and L. Evans. | McAdoo.