Evening Star Newspaper, December 28, 1893, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR es PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE xt New York Office, 88 Potter Building. Tre Evexrvo Stan in served fo subsoribers in the by their own account, at 19 cents week. or 44c. per month. Copies at the connteg cents each. By mail—anywhere in the Unit th.” Canads—postaze prepaid—s0 cents per SATURDAY QUINTUPLE SHEET STAR $1.00 per years — foretzn postage added, $3.00. aa Entered at the Post Office at Washington, Me as second-class mail matter.) a j S2rANl mall subscriptions must be paid in advance. | Rates of stvertisine made known on app’icstion Vor 83, No. 20,767. THE NAVAL POLICY. | An Endeavor to Extend Our Com- merce With Foreign Countries, CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA, Warships to Protect the Interests of Americans. NEVER SO WELL EQUIPPED. The present distribution of United States warships in foreign waters marks, it is zaid, an intention on the part of this gov- ernment to obtain the extension of Amert- can trade and commerce in countries which would naturally have large commercial in- terests with the United States. Respect for American interests in foreign countries through the presence of our men-of-war is the keynote of the idea. It is not a new policy by any means, but it has never been attempted on such a large scale before ow- ing to the lack of vessels. Never So Well Represente: At no time within recent years has the United States government been so well represented in foreign waters by an armed naval force. Three big cruisers are at Rio Janeiro, two more are on their way there, and it is possible that this number may be increased to six by the monitor Miantono- moh, now fitting for sea at the Brooklyn navy yard. The gunboat Yorktown is at Callao, Peru, and the corvette Alliance sailed yesterday to join her, from La Lib- ertad. The old Yantic is stationed perma- nently at the mouth of the Rio de la Platte, charged with the duty of attending to American interests in adjacent territory. The Ranger, which sailed from La Liber- tad yesterday for Corinto, Nicaragua, is assigned to the west coast of Central Amer- ica, where revolutionary outbreaks are so frequent, while the corvette Kearsarge, now en route from New York to San Domingo to afford protection to American life and Property in the threatened uprising there, will cruise about the West Indies and along the east coast of Central America. The Asiatic Station. The Philadelphia and the Adams are at Honolulu and the Chicago and the Ben- mington are in the Mediterranean. The Asiatic or China station, which has become so important through the alleged hostile feeling of the Chinese toward Americans over the exclusion law, has six vessels at- tached to it, and it is expected that the Machias, now at Brooklyn, will sail soon to join them. The North Atlantic or home station has nominally five, but actually only two large ¥essels in commission to its credit—the Kearsarge and the Miantonomob. The Kearsarge is bound for San Domingo (which can hardly be called a “home” port, although within the lines of the station), and the Miantonomoh may go to Rio. The Machias and Castine are destined for China. The dynamite cruiser Vesuvius is therefore likely to be the sole war vessel left for service on the eastern coast of the United States, practicability of the ‘Vesuvius as anh battle ship is in serious doubt. Other Ships Fitting Out. At the navy yard at Mare Island, Cal, the old Mohican ts fitting for sea service, Presumably ig the South Pacific. The coast defense vi Monterey is also at Mare Island. The Thetis is in Mexico and the Pinta is in Alaska. It is intended to keep ships-of-war in the waters of countries where there is a chance for increasing American trade. South America and Central America will be given the greatest attention. The idea is based on the theory that American interests will be respected when an American cruiser is near by, and, furthermore, it is hoped that for- eign countries will appreciate the recogni- tion of their importance to this country by the action of the United States government in causing itself to be represented in their ports. The present large fleet of men-of-/ war at Rio is an instance of this govern- ment's intention to make it known that the United States has the force to protect the life and property of its citizens. It will be noticed the list given that wherever there is a chance for the extension of American trade and commerce United States vessels are to be found notably in the West Indies, in South America and tm Central America. ————_-2-+__—_—. THE PRESIDENT’S RETURN. He is Expected Back Today or To- morrow Morning. The President and party are expected back tonight or tomorrow morning. Prior to their departure there was a general un- Gerstanding that the regular semi-weekly meeting of the cabinet would be held to- morrow as usual. There is no special cc- easton for the President to return so soon and in the excitement of the sport he may possibly overlook his original intentions. Nothing has been heard at the White House from the President since he left Washing- ton on a lighthouse tender Tuesday morn- ing on a hunt for ducks, and no attempt has been made to communicate with him| from this end, for the simple reason that no one here knew where he is, nor had any means of communicating with him had they known of his whereabouts. It is believed the President spent a portion of his time in the duck-abounding waters of the Patuxent and that he found excellent opportunities | for the exercise of his skill and prowess as a an. At any rate he has escaped the worry of official business for a few hours, | and that was one of the principal objects! of his outing. His return by tomorrow 1s| confidently expected. | ———_- oe -__. NAVAL ASSIGNMENTS. | A Number of Very Important Ones to Be Made. | One of the questions under consideration | Dy the Secretary of the Navy ts the assign- ment of officers to several desirable shore commands which have been vacant for some time. Commodore Carpenier has been at Portsmouth, N. H., several months over the time usually allotted officers and is will- ing for a sea command. Just now the! none available, and there will be no chanz there until the Secretary decides upon the Officer to succeed Commodore Carpenter, when he will be placed on waiting orders. There will be a detail due soon for the com-| mandantship of the Pensacola yard, which Ras remained vacant for some we Howell, commandant of the Wa Ravy yard, is also president of the st Board. He will probably be relieved of the latter duty very soon by Capt. Silas Casey, late of the Newark, or some other otticer. Capt. Stcard, it is said, was offered the com- mandantship of the Portsmouth nav but declined and requested to be ass to the naval home near Philadelphia. term of the captain of the Le yard has expired and there will be a vacan- cy there for some captain whose sea tour is up. BES << a Cadet Appointments. Cadet appointments to the United States Military Academy have been issued during the past week to John W. Dawson, jr., of | Baltimore, Md.; Chas. A. Rapsher, Mauch Chunk, Pa. (alternate); Frank W. Blake- | more, Shelbyville, Tenn_; Joseph T. Linney, Vashti, N. C., and James B. Gowen, Brook- | lyn, N.Y. | ——_—__+ e+ ______ Lieut. Galloway Retired. | Lieut. Charles D. Galloway will be placed! om the retired list of the navy on account deafness. 1 STILL UNSETTLED. The Internal Revenue Features of the ‘Tariff Bill This, However, Will Not Delay the Consideration of the Wilson Bill in the House. ‘The internal revenue features of the tariff bill are still unsettled and the meeting day of the committee has not yet been tixed. Members of the committee, however, are figuring over the matter and each has prob- ably pretty well made up his mind as to what shail be done, so that it remains mere- ly for the matter to be settled by a vote. There will probably be a meeting of the committee on Tuesday to agree on these features of the bill, but even if they fail to be ready when Congress meets, it will not delay the consideration of the Wilson bill in the House. The customs features of the bill will be the first to be considered eny- how, and the other may be added in the form of an amendment at any time before the consideration in the House 1s completed. The expectation is that there will be but little more than a week of general debate in the House and probably three weeks of consideration by paragraphs under the five- minute rule. The general idea is to get the bill through the House by the Ist of Feb- nce Committee. Meanwhile the informal consideration of the question will be proceeded with by the Senate finance committee in the hope of hastening the matter somewhat at that end of the Capitol. It is understood that Mr. Voorhees, chairman of the committee, is not inclined to favor the idea of constructing a new bill in that committee, but there is a great deal of talk among democrats in the Senate in favor of an entirely new measure, and there is said to be a disposition ‘in that direction on the part of some of the demo- crats in the committee. The proposition for the general reconstruction of the bill is to make it conform strictly throughout with the scientific idea of the tariff measure. The purpose of this is to curtail the free list and to put a small tax on sugar, coal and tron ore, and to make heavier cuts in other parts of the bill where a measure of protec- tion is now preserved, so as to make a more uniform reduction throughout the schedule and to avoid an income tax if pos- sible. MR. CARNEGIF’S OFFER. ire Poor if the City Will. NEW YORK, Dec. 28.—A special to the United Press from Pittsburg. Pa., says: A letter was received in this city yester- day from Mr. Andrew Carnegie addressed to Robert Pitcairn of the Pennsylvania rallread, who is associated with other prominent citizens here on the relief com- mittee to provide work for the unemployed. Mr. Carnegie offers to give, if the people of Pittsburg will be an equal contributor, the sum of $5,000 for @ach working day for two months. This means a contribution from Mr. Carnegie of nearly $0u,000. Mr. Carnegie, in his letter, after expressing re- gret for Kis inability to “bé in” pittsburg during the winter, owing to his physician prescribing a long sea voyage, as the only means of securing relief from a bad attack of the grip, says: “You know my views about alms giving, and how often 1 have written and said that of every thousand dollars spent today in so-called charity $950 of it had better been thrown into the sea. But the business condition in tis country, and especially in Pittsburg, 1s a temporary emergency in which money can be beneticially devoted, not to giving aims, but to giving worthy men work who are fale through no fault of their own. ‘These are terrible times, yet I trust the people will not become discouraged. ‘They will Soon pass away, and the republic will re- sume its prosperous career. Meanwhile, they are fraught with precious opportunity for the rich to show that when real trou- ble comes the rich and poor, employer and employed, are at heart brothers, allies and sentinels to the prosperity of each other— not antagonists. If wealth does its duty in this crisis the good feeling produced will be no small compensation even for the suf- fering endured.” ———___ WALLER AND SCHOCK CLOSE. Progress of the Six Day: Bicycle Race in New York. NEW YORK, Dec. 28.—The 10 o'clock score of the bicyciers this morning stood: Waller, 1,050 miles; Schock, 1,049; Martin, Albert, #2; Meixell, 906; Hosmer, an Emberg, 865; Golden, 812; Forster, 767; Ashinger, 723; Barton, 665. The score at 11 o'clock wa: 1,067; Schock, 1,066; Martin, 1, 1,003; Meixell, Hosmer, 887; V ; Golden, 824; Forster, 7: Waller, 740, Barton has withdrawn from the contest. The score at 12 o'clock noon was: Wal- ler, 1,081; Senock, 1,074 Martin, 1,0% Al- bert, 1,016; Meixell, Hosmer, $89;'Van Emberg, 889; Golden, "883; Forster, 788; Ashinger, h The attendance at the bicycle race in Madison Square Garden during the early morning hours was slight and the big place presented a deserted appeararce. The con- testants looked fresher, however, than they did yesterday and it looks as ‘if most of them will be in at the finish on Saturday night. Fuller and Barton dropped out of the struggle early this morning. Martin, who is surely out to win the race, had a fainting spell and was sick at his stomach at 7 o'clock this morning. He was taken to his quarters and subsequently his trainer said that friends of some other contest- ants had drugged him. This statement could not be substantiated. Martin soon got better and returned to the track. On account of Martin’s illness the man- agement has secured the attendance of two detectives to see that no crooked work is done. —<— —_—_- TROOPS W TED AT ONCE. A Raid by Bandits Expected at Noga- les, Me., Where Considerable Money is Stored. NOGALES, Mex., Dec. 24.—Nogales has been in a feverish state of excitement since Tuesday night over a rumor that a band of revolutionists were headed this way for the purpose of looting the Mexican custom house at this place. The band 1s said to number about fifty, and it is claimed to be the same crowd which looted the Palomas custom h Lieut. Col. Kosterlitzki arrived from Mag- dalene with a company of rurales, or state troops, and went into camp near the custom house. Another command of two or three companies and the commander of the de. a of Sonora ts hourly expected. the municipal officers in Nogales, Scnora and all the custom guards in the vivinity were on duty at the custom house and a force of special officers have slept there. At present there fs over $150,000 in the col- lector’s possession, and, it is thought, that this is the inducement for the proposed raid. Americans at once telegraphed the situa- tion of affairs to ¢ Hughes and auked that he take immediate steps to have sol- diers sent at once. As Nogales, Sonora, and Nogales, Ariz., are divided only py a nar- row street, the people on the American side would be in considerable danger {f hostill- ties open upon the Mexican side, The opinion prevails that the trouble is caused by desperate bandits, who have in view only robbery and pillag paibson sel doricret An explosion caused by mixing chemicals yesterday set fire to the Leonard & Bilis paint and oil works at Birmingham, Ala. The place was destroyed. Loss, $10,000. Thomas Swope, an employe, was fatally in- jured. AFFAIRS IN BRAZIL. Our Naval Force Being Very Greatly Strengthened, MINISTER MENDONCA CONFIDENT. The Commercial Situation at Rio to Be Attended To. STRENGTH OF OUR FORCES. So far as official information is disclosed there have been no important changes in the situation at Rio. There are audible whis- pers to the effect that countries having large commercial dealings with Brazil, in- cluding the United States, have in serious contemplation some radical plan of action that will settle existing troubles and permit the full resumption of foreign trade rela- tion with Brazil. The port of Rio is prac- tically closed at present. It Is dangerous for foreign merchantmen to approach the wharves, and it is understood that the naval forces of the United States in Brazil were increased with the special purpose of preventing any further interruption of the commerce of this country. That there is no special discrimination against the United States in this matter is shown by the report that eighty British shipmasters, represent- ing 2,000 men and property valued at $1,500,- 000, have sent to Lord Rosebery, the British foreign minister, a protest against the course pursued by Capt. William M. Lang, commander of the British cruiser Sirius,and senior officer of the British squadron now at Rio, and Mr. G. Wyndham, the British minister to Brazil, neither of whom, they charge, will protect them in discharging their cargoes. Making Investigations. The State and Navy Departments have instituted investigation of the commercial situation at Rio, in order to take prompt ac- tion on the request of American merchant- men that they may be allowed to load and unload at the usual place in Rio, without risking their lives and property. The in- surgent forces have all the landing places within range of their guns, and go far have shown no disposition to suspend firing long enough to allow a merchant ship to dis- charge or take on a cargo, The Brazilian government notified the representatives of foreign governments that its forces would suspend firing in such cases, but, it is said, that it was found impossible to make a similar arrangement with the insurgents. The difficulty in treating with the latter arises from the fact tnat they have not been recognized as belligerents, and because of the very apparent indisposition on the part of all the neutral powers to treat them as pirates o> marauders. It is expected that decisive action for the settlement of the commercial troubles will be taken very shortly, but that no one nation will under- take to act in the matter without the sanc- tion and approval of the others in interest. Minister Mendonca continues to show a Most persistent Confidence in the ultimate success of the government in overcoming the present revolutionary movement. Last night he commented on the situation with the following cheerful remark: “The insurrection in Brazil {s fast crumb- ling to pieces. The manifesto of Admiral da Gama declaring in favor of a monarchy is working great injury to the insurgents’ cause. Many of the rank and file among the rebels are strong republicans, and these are desertirg Mello at every opportunity. Of course, the monarchical element is more friendly to the rebellion that it was before da Gama’s manifesto, but these are compar- atively few in number, and the result of the manifesto has tended to weaken rather than improve their prospects. “There was never any hope for Mello and his followers unless they received aid from Europe. That aid has not been forthcom- ing. There is no indication that the rebels will receive any substantial assistance from that quarter. The attitude taken by the United States of strict neutrality in Brazil- jan affairs is very encouraging to our peo- ple, and the effect upon the world at large has been beneficial to us. “Mello is cruising up and down the coast in his flagship, the Aquidaban, but he is accomplishing nothing. The latest dispatch- es report that he has gone to the Island of Fernando de Noronha, which is the Botany Bay of Brazil. In other words, an island where about 1,000 convicts are quartered. He has gone there to gain recruits, Thi: shows Mello’s desperation, and it proves conclusively the failure of his efforts to se- cure any considerable addition to his ranks from the people of Brazil. “The steamer America, I am advised, will arrive at one of the northern ports of Brazil on Friday. Two days later she will join the Nictheroy, which is now at Pernambuco awaiting her arrival. Their movements from that time are uncertain, but the gov- ernment will no doubt make excellent use of their services.” Increasing Our Forces. With the arrival of the New York and the San Francisco at Rio the United States will have a stronger naval fleet in Brazil- jan waters than almost any two other foreign countries combined and will be well prepared to enforce the Monroe doc- trine against foreign encroachments on American territory. The New York, which will undoubtedly be the flagship of the squadron, is a steel armored cruiser, with two steel barbettes. She is the largest and most powerful all- ound vessel of the new navy now in com- mission. She is 380.6 feet in length, 64.10 feet beam and 23.4 feet mean draft. Her displacement is 8,150 tons, and her engines | have 16,500 horse power, giving her a speed ot twenty knots an hour. Her armament consists of six eight-inch breech-loading rifles, twelve four-inch rapid-firing guns, eight six-pounders and four one-pounder rapid-fire guns and four gatlings. The San Francisco is an unarmored steel cruiser, built by the Union iron works of San Francisco. She has a displacement of 4,083 tons, and an indicated horse power of 10,400, Her dimensions are: Length, 310 feet; extreme breadth, 49.2 feet, and mean draft, 18.9 feet. She has twin screws, and has a record of 20.17 knots. Her main battery consists of twelve six-inch breech- loading rifles, and her secondary battery of four six-pound, two three-pound and two one-pound rapid-fire guns; four Hotchkiss revolving rifles and two gatling guns. The Charleston, now at Rio, is one of the new twin-screw cruisers of 4,040 tons displacement, and a speed of 18.2 knots. Her armament consists of two eight-inch and six six-inch breech-loading rifles, four | six-pounders, two three-pounders and two one-pounder rapid-fire guns; four Hotch- k revolving rifles and two gatlings, The Newark, another of the fleet, is a steel-protected cruiser of 4,083 tons displace- | ment, a speed of 19 knots, and carries a battery of twelve six-inch breech-loading rifles, four six-pounders, four three-pound- ers and two one-pounder rapid-fire guns; three Hotchkiss revolving rifles and two Gatlings. Smaller Vessels, The Detroit is an unarmored steel cruiser of 2,000 tons displacement, with a speed of over 17 knots. Her armament comprises eight five-inch breech-loading rifles, six six-pounders and two one-pounder raptd- fire guns, and two gatlings. She has just gone into commission, and this is her first cruise. The Yantic is one of the old wooden third- rate vessels, barkentine rig, 900 tons dis- placement, and a speed of about 8 knots. Her armament consists of two nine-inch smcoth-bore guns, one eight-inch muzzle. loading rifle, one twelve-pounder smooth- bore howitzer, one gatling and one three- inch breech-loading howitzer. She is now at Montevideo, and will probably remain there. WASHINGTON, D. O.. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1893-TWELVE PAGES. NEW YEAR RECEPTIONS. A List of Persons Receiving and Not Receiving to Be Published on Satur- day. The Star will, on Saturday, publish a list of those receiving or not receiving on New Year day. Persons desiring to announce that they will or will not receive can do 80 without any charge by sending notices to The Star at any time prior to 9 o'clock Sat- urday morning. The notices should contain only the announcement whether there will or will not be a reception, the names : the addresses. Every notice must be ae erly authenticated to insure publication. ee NOT ELIGIBLE TO LICENSE. Mr. Thomas Does Not Think Conv: tion Hall is a Theater. Application was recently made by the pro- prietors of Convention Hall to draw out a theater license. From the fact that the hall does not comply with the building laws regulating the issuing of a theater license, however, the matter was referred by the assessor to the Commissioners, who in turn referred it to District Attorney Thomas to see if any other sort of license could be is- sued. * Attorney Thomas has replied, as the hall is not built in compliance with the building regulations, and does not answer the description of a theater, that no license of that sort can be granted. He says: “A theater is defined to be a house for the ex- hibition of dramatic performances, such as tragedies, comedies and farces. A place that comprehends a stage, a pit, boxes, gal- leries and orchestra. “The building regulations provide that every building hereafter erected, and every building hereafter altered to be used as a theater or public place of amusement, in- volving the use of a stage, with movable or shifting scenery, curtains and machin- ery, shall be a brick building of fire-re- sisting construction, &c., &e. As Conven- tion Hall has no such apparatus, its pro- prietors are not, therefore, entitled to a theater license. Only such licenses as ®e provided by law can be legally issued. ‘There are only two kinds of licenses mentioned in the statute, “theater licenses” and “variety theater licenses.” “For these reasons, it seems to me, the only license which can be legally issued in this case is a special license to man- agers of concerts, exhibitions, &c., given at the hall, for which an admission fee is charged.” Attorney Thomas ited the propriety of an amendment to the license laws, so as to provide for such case@ Sepetecielenesesate MAJ. MOORE NEXT. He Receives a Mysterious Letter From Jersey City. And now Maj. Moore, chief of police, is a victim of a letter-writing crank. Yester- day’s mail brought him from Jersey City a sheet of ordinary letter paper, such as is used in hotels, and pasted on it was the heading of a paper called House and Home. Newspaper prints of a woman and girl were also pasted on the sheet of paper, and over them were pasted slips containin, lowing: ‘The $10-a-week puzzle," “Baby's looks make trouble,” “Beware ‘the mother- in-law.” Written on the paper was “Young men beware.” There is also pasted on the paper a news- paper clipping containing an account of the shooting of a gambler by the city attorney in St. Louis, in a disreputable house. There is no signature to the paper, but at the bottom is written “Let’s have <ither “Adeu.”* The letters bears the Jersey City post- mark of December 26 and the envelope is addressed “Chief of police, Washington, D. c.," in the lower left-hand corner being written: “Cor, Trade.” There is nothing about the paper to indi- cate the purpose of the sender except the pictures and the newspaper elipping. Coming, as it does, from Jersey City, it is thought that perhaps some race man who returned to that place when he dis- covered that it was impossible to operate here sent it, expecting to cause Maj. Moore some uneasiness, but if that was his purpose he certainly failed, for the major was about the city today transacting busi- ness as though he had not received the contents of the envelope. _—— A MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTION. The Sale of Lost, Stolen and Aba: doned Property That Began Today. ‘The annual sale of lost, stolen and aban- doned property in the District began today at the auction rooms of Ratcliffe, Darr & Co., under the direction of Mr. Richard Syl- vester, property clerk of the police depart- ment. The sale brought together the usual crowd of curious people, who were anxious to take advantage of any chance to pick up bargains. There were plenty of such chances, though the majority of the articles were of such # character that none would want them more than a half dollar's worth. It was about as miscellaneous a collection as even the dead letter sale would bring forth. There was practically everything that one would expect to fall into the hands of the police, with the exception of pistols and razors. These are not sold at public auc- tion, as they formerly were, but are now dropped into the Potomac after being de- stroyed as weapons, so that they are no longer of use to the vicious classes. There were several bicycles, which were never claimed by their owners, and went off for small sums. The star sale of the morning was a set of harness, which sold for $2.25. A pair of barber's shears brought 10 cents, a malacca cane 30 cents and a lot of liquors, six bottles in all, went for 40 cents. A hat that might have belonged at one time to a colored female “vag” was hammered down to 1 cent without a single taker even at that price. A bottle of wine, name, na- tionality and vintage all unknown, was sold for 15 cents, while another, the next on the list, of the same size and history, went for 20 cents. There are upward of 600 ar- ticles to be sold, which will probably net in the neighborhood of a counle of hundred dollars, to be turned into the police relief fund, oo A Soup Kitchen, Next Wednesday there will be started a soup kitchen at the rooms of the Newsboys’ Home on E street, between 9th and 10th. Each day, between 12 and 2 o'clock, there will be soup and bread enough for all Washington, and a large bowl of {t and a good-sized piece of bread can be obtained at the exceedingly low rate of three cents. The soup will be donated by Mrs. Charles Dulin, who has taken a great interest in charitable matters this winter. She is con- sidering a project of establishing a free soup kitchen for all classes, to be main- tained during the months of January and February, but nothing has been decided about this as yet. — Eighty-Three Years Old. Mr. Wm. H. Lewis, for many years an employe in the Post Office Department, died today at his residence, in Vienna, Va. The deceased had reached the ad- vanced age of eighty-three years. _ Mr. Mohun’ The position of secretary of the Riggs Fire Insurance Company, made vacant recently by the death of the late Francis B. Mohun, was filled today by the election of Mr. Harry C. Birge, the assistant sec- retary. iS Se Forfelts Collateral. J. Eyre Hendrickson, the South Washing- ton dentist who was arrested a few days ago on charges of indecent exposure and disorderly conduct, has been permitted to forfeit $0 collateral in the Police Court. IVIEWS THAT CLASH. Conflicting Arguments on the Pro- posed New H Street Theater. OPPONENTS OUT IN FORCE. Mr. Albaugh to File a Brief on Next Saturday, THOSE PRESENT TODAY. The friends and foes of the new Albaugh Opera House both had talks with the Com- missioners at the District bufiding this mornirg. Those opposed to the theater's erection came first at about 10 o’clock, and were shown into the board room, where Commissioners Ross and Powell heard them, Dr. Welling, the president of the Columbian University, and Mr. Gardiner Hubbard began the presentation of the case alone, but gradually the board room began to fill up, until a round dozen or more of prominent men representing Columbian University and the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, all opposed to the theater, were present. Mr. Hubbard, the chairman of the com- mittee of five in the interest of Columbian University, began the argument. He said that although a man was supposed to be able to do what he pleased with his prop- erty, when he came into a city like Wash- ington, his rights were immediately re- stricted by regulations for the public good. He must not injure others. “I am not here to say one word against a theater,” said Mr. Hubbard. “I am in favor of good theater, but others have some rights. Is this a good place for a theater, where it will injure if not destroy an educational institution, by the noise and music and dis- traction? I hold that the Commissioners have a right to modify the rules for the public good, and hold that the erection of theater here ts not for the public interes‘ President Welling then said that in sum- mer the theater would absolutely prevent recitations and lectures by the noise and disturbance, and that it was the unani- mous opinion of all the professors that the theater would destroy the school. Recreation vs. Education. By this time Mr. Needham had entered, and rising, made a pointed speech before the Commissioners. “The two cannot staad together,” he said. “One must. go down. The schools are already established there and doing their work. It is not just that established institutions should be compelled to move. The purposes of the theater and the schools are exactly opposed—the theater is to re- create and rest the mind, while the schools are made to train and educate it. The very purpose of the theatemis to take one’s mind from his work. If the theater comes the schools must go elsewhere.” The Legal Side. Mr. Garnett then addressed the Com- missioners. He began by saying that ne would like the final postponed until next Tuseday. This Commissioner Ross conditionally agreed to. Mr. Garnett touch- ed more on the legal and technical points and less on the sentimental side than those before him. His first point was that the minute the permit was issued the schools would be injured; and he spoke for the New York Avenue Church and for him- self. He said that the amount of property held by those affected should be considered, and not merely the number of property holders, nor the frontage they owned. Mr. Garnett showed that, so far as the area of land affected was concerned, that twice as much was owned by those opposed as by those in favor of the new theater. Furthermore, Mr. Garnett dwelt strongiy on the rights of the church and schools there as established institutions, and his last point was that the residents as well as the property owners should be consid- ered, and that persons who had perma- nent quarters at the Fredonia should be given the right of a say in the matter. Dr. C, A. Stakely, pastor of the First Baptist Church, next presented his objec- tions. He said he did not think that the list handed the assessor by Mr. Albaugh was complete, and moreover, that many had signed it at the moment who were now anxious to withdraw their names, and he presented letters from two such persons. “Would you, the Commissioners,” said he, ‘grant a permit for the erection of a thea- ter opposite the Franklin school, of which you, as District officers, are the custo- dians?” Dr. Stakely said that if time were given them they could break up Mr. Al- baugh’s list. The Opponents. Here the hearing ended for the opposers of the opera house, but as Mr. Larner, rep- resenting Mr. Albaugh, had promised to be present some time in the forenoon those interested remained in Commissioner Ross’ room awaiting his arrival. Those at the hearing, all opposed to the theater, were Dr. Welling, Mr. Gardiner Hubbard, Mr. Garnett, Rev. Dr. C. A. Stakely, Mr. J. L. Wilson, Mr. Needham, Mr. 8S. W. Wood- ward and Dr. 8. S. Domer, pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. The Theater Representatives. Mr. Larner, however, did not arrrive, but about 1 o'clock Mr. Hines, representing Mr. Albaugh, and Mr. Widdicombe, the original owner of the property, had an informal talk with Commissioner Ross, who asked them to prepare a brief, bearing on the right of the Commissioners to revoke a permit, after the majority of the signers had been secured. This will be prepared and presented to the Commissioners at 1 o'clock Saturday afternoon, at which time another and final hearing will be given to all parties concerned. He May Withdraw. An opinion was received from District Attorney Thomas today bearing on the Al- baugh Opera House matter, and made at the request of representatives of the Co- lumbian Univergity. The question sub- mitted was whether once having signed his name to the permit for a theater one could Tevoke such a signature before the permit was issued. The attorney after citing many cases and comparing the question with that of ob- taining a saloon license decides that a name may be withdrawn. He concludes in the following language: “There being nothing in the building regulations to the contrary, I am of the opinion that a resident or property owner whose consent is required to accompany an application for a permit to locate and con- struct a theater may revoke that consent at any time before the inspector of build- ings has issued the permit, and I so ad- vise you.” ee THE BURNED LIGHT HOUSE. It Was Evidently Visited by the Presi- den Party Yesterday. Capt. Sterling and Capt. Burgland of the light house establishment have returned to Washington from a visit of inspection to the Lower Cedar Point light house, which was destroyed by fire Christmas. They made the visit on the light house tender Maple, and found the situation just as described in yesterday’s Star. A letter received at the Treasury Department to- day from Capt. Robley D. Evans Indicates that the light house tender Violet, with the President and Secretaries Gresham and Carlisle on board, visited the scene of the fire Wednesday morning. Capt. Evans does not say anything on that subject, how- ever. He merely instructed the chief clerk }of the board to issue a notice to mariners of the destruction of the light house and to inform them that due notice will be given of the re-establishment of the light. TWO CENTS. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. Annual Report of the Supervising Archi- tect of the Treasury. Changes Contemplated in His Ofice— ‘Work Upon the New Washington Post Office Building. Mr.Jeremiah O'Rourke, supervising archi- tect of the treasury, submitted his annual report of operations on public buildings to Acting Secretary Curtis today. During the past year there were under the control of this office 371 buildings, classified as fol- lows: Completed and occupied, 273; under course of construction, repairs and modifi- cations specially appropriated for, 60; active operations not yet commenced, 38; total, 371. The following statement shows the amount expended on public buildings dur- ing the year ending September 30, 1883: For sites and in construction of new buildings, $8,787,043.47; for repairs and preservation of public buildings, $190,729.44; for heating ap- paratus for public buildings, $88,836.11; for vaults, safes and locks for public buildings, $53,242.10; for photographic duplication of plans, $5,388.13; total, $4,126,159.25, Inadequate Appropriations. The architect says that owing to the large number of new bulldings authorized by Congress of late years and the inadequacy of the appropriation of $200,000 for the an- nual expenses of this office, it has béen found difficult to secure the services of an adequate number of skilled draftsmen for the requisite study and prompt development of plans of buildings for the public service, which, in design, arrangement, construc- tion and cost, should be in keeping with the correct canons of art, favoring and express- ing, as they should, a just and proper de- velopment of our natio1 architecture. of construction of public buildings, as advo- cated by the American Institute of Archi- tects. The architect says it is contemplated, in the interest of economy and ficiency, to reduce the number of divisions to eight by consolidating the tracing with Work in This City. has been made for heating apparatus at the bureau of engraving and printing, and the work is nearing completion. The ap- Propriation was $25,000, and the contract Mabilities exhaust it all but #20. The New Post Office. In regard to the Washington post office the architect says that all general pit and: trench excavation, piling, concrete and stone footings, etc., are now complete, and contracts are in force for the supply of masonry of superstructure and steel and iron structurai work of first, second and mezzanine floors. The limit of cost of this building is $1,900,000, and the “ tions for the work aggregate 370,000. The te an contract liabiliti 9 wae bilities amount During the year $2,137 was expended in an inquiry as to the best method of safe and vault facilities of the partment, out of an Propriation of $3,000. Sa ROPE ky THE CUSTOMS REFUND. The Whole Questi, Referred to Mr. Dockery’s Commission, The whole subject of custom refund methods has been transferred by the Treas- ury Department to the congressional com- mission for inquiry and report. This com- mission, commonly called the Dockery com- mission, was appointed by Congress to in- quire into the methods of conducting busi- ness in the executive departments. So far the commission has devoted much of its time to treasury methods. Three experts were employed by the commission at the outset, and will continue with the commis- sion until the end. These experts are now looking into the refund methods as prac- ticed at the several custom houses. These methods, irregular in practice and fraudu- lent in many cases, it is asserted, have been brought into prominence by the ex- tensive irregularities in the New York cus- tom house. All alleged irregularities in the New York custom house and all other cus- tom houses in tobacco refund cases, and all other cases under the tariff act of 1888, will be searchingly inquired into by this con- _ noel fees pasa will = = e hearty co-operation an cs Department. ne o——$____ Recovering From the Grip. Assistant Secre' Wike is still suffer- ing from an attack of the grip, but he has recovered sufficiently to permit a partial re- sumption of his official duties at the Treas- ury Department. ———_- e-___ Postmasters Appointed. The total number of fourth-class post- masters appointed today was 44. Of this number 19 were to fill vacancies caused by death and resignation and the remainder by removals. John L. was ap- pointed postmaster at Intermont, Va., vice ‘Virginia E. Fizer, resigned. ————__-e-_ Pension Appointment. Felix Mahoney of New York has received an appointment to a clerkship in the pen- sion bureau. ————__-e Applied for Appointment. A. J. Yorker of Rockford, Ill, has applied to Secretary Carlisle for appointment as as- sistant register of the treasury, an office now held by Mr. H. H. Smith. ———————+-2-+—______ Government Receipts Today. The receipts from internal revenue today Were $327,059; from customs, $435,017. ——_- 2 Sent to Albany. The following prisoners were sent from the jail to the Albany penitentiary last evening: Horace McKeen, minslaughter, six years; Joseph Jones, assault with intent to kill, five years; Arthur Lucas, do., three years; James West, do., two years; Fanny Milburn, larceny, and Leopold Frudiler, forgery, each three years. ——>—__ The Fiske Gold greet go eg f » local ai aw Coty ‘and. principally owned. in. Haverhill Mass., has been sold to an English syndi- cate for $500,000. &IG FRAUDS ALLEGED. Sensational Charges Against North- ern Pacific Directors. BILL 10 DISSOLVE THE RECEIVERSHIP. Officials Who Sold to Themselves at a Profit. THE PETITION AT MILWAUKEE. —_—_——— MILWAUKEE, Wis., Dec. 28.—A highly sensational turn was given to the Northern Pacific railroad receivership situation today when Silas W. Pettit of Philadelphia, the general counsel of the before Judge Jenkins in the United States circuit court for the easte-n district of consin and filed a petition for the removal of the present receivers, Messrs. Thomas F. 1 ; : li ih Company. chairman of the finance commit- ter of said board. The netition then states that when saif Oakes-Rolston boanl took charge of the Northern Pacific pronerty tt was in mod financial condition an4 in bieh credit: thet It had $2,000.000 in cash in its treasury. How the Expenses Were Increased. to the Northern ay Company at an ex- orbitant profit to themselves. The story of the wreck of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company is then set out as great detail, naming parth the railroads — pul ed and their guaran pany, and wi complete one year of the Oakes-Roiston ting into power. Out of the $20,000,000 of set aside for new branch lines, expended for additional construction branch lines $5,083,000 of consol: each [ i g i : i i i ft f 24] 3 operat $13,224,000 of said the construction and railroad which do not tion, and in most of United Railroads of Washington, Fork and Cooke City railroad, and Northern Pacific and Manitoba raflroad, some of the board of directors were person- ally and directly interested. tion of the United Railroads of Washing- ton the members of the board Profit of $1,750,000, while the that road cost the Northern road Company in the year ending June 1883, $155,602.83. The petition avers that the and Cooke City railroad was syndicate called the “Rocky Trust,” of which Villard was se of opening and di Inining, about $200,000, and the other $2,000,- 090 of trust certificates represented the ownership of the Rocky Fork and Cooke City Railroad Company, which was organiz- ed to build a railroad from the main line forty-five and one-half miles, and which railroad cost not over $800,000. Buying From Themselves. The North Pacific directors caused the Northern Pacific to buy from themselves as owners of the Rocky Fork and Cooke City Railroad Company the said railroad for the sum of $1,400,000 in consolidated bonds, and then made a contract between themselves as representing the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, whereby the railroad company agreed to buy 500 tons of coal per day at the price of $2.05 « ton, de-