Evening Star Newspaper, January 5, 1894, Page 2

2 LATE NEWS BY WIRE. Another Arrest in the Barrowcliffe Case. NEW JERSEY POLICE RETICENT. They Declare That There is Noth- ing to Tell. THE YOUNG LADY IMPROVED. ——_>—__— JERSEY CITY, Jan. 5.—Miss May Bar- Fowcliffe, the young music teacher who was murderously assaulted, robbed and left for dead in a vacant lot at Marion on Friday night last, was further improved this morn- ing, but there is unusual reticence at the hospital in regard to her case. Acting under police instruction, the war- @en and physicians refuse to give any in- formation as to anything she said beyond the plain statement that she felt better. At police headquarters nothing could be learned, and Superintendent Smith said it ‘was because there was nothing «to tell. There seemed, however, to be an air of suppressed activity about the place. This, with the reticence observed at the hospital, Jeads to the belief that the police nave Something from Miss Jarrowcliffe or expect to shortly. It was learned this morning that a sus- pected man was arrested last night at about 10 o'clock. He was not brought to police headquarters, but was taken to the geventh precinct station on the hill and at 11:15 p.m. the police superintet it was summoned from his house. He questioned the man until after mid- might and then let him go. The police re- fuse to give the man’s name or residence, but it is believed that his home is near Bhe scene of the crime. ne BURNED IN THEIR OLD HOME. Distressing Death of an Aged Con- necticut Couple. NEW HAVEN, N. H., Jan. 5.—Thomas gnd Kate Kinney, an aged couple living in Orange, near West Haven, were burned to Geath this morning and their charred re- mains were discovered in the cellar. They were about seventy years old “and had | lived in seclusion for many years in a small story and a half house on what is known as the Dogman road. after 1 o'clock a man named | Shortly Kattrien, who lives nearly opposite, was awakened by the roaring of the fire. Hast- ily going to the window he discovered the Kinney house to be enveloped in flames. ‘This was the first that was known of the fire. Dressing himself as quickly as pos- sible Kattrien went to the assistance of the old people, but it was too late. The hhouse was more than seventy-five years old and burned like tinder. ——_—_—_. SENATOR SAWYER’S STORY. How He Had to Stay Political Life Willy Nilly. Ex-Senator Sawyer, who is spending the winter in Washington, seems to be as happy as he ever was in public life. He oc- tupies his old rooms in the house which he Duilt four years azo at the head of Con- necticut avenue, and which he rented last spring to Senator Stockbridge of Michigan. Whe Senator is one of the plainest men in his personal tastes, and his bed room is the smallest room in what is generally regard- ed as one of the four or five best houses in ‘Washington. It is in the tower over the front door, and opens off of the large and Deautiful library, which the former and present occupants have found the pleasant- est in the house. In one corner of the little bed room stands, as of yore, a Fairbanks scales, on which night and morning for many years it has been Mr. Sawyer’s cus- tom to weigh himself. He says that little habit of weighing himself has been of in- estimable advantage to him in keeping his Fobust good health. He adds to it, however, another excellent habit—a daily walk before breakfast, which extends usually down 19th street to N, over to Connecticut avenue and hence back home again, a course of some- thing like a mile. To one of his former colleagues the other Gay the ex-Senator told a good story to an- @wer the inquiry: How do you like being down and out? “My public life,” said the hearty old gen- tleman, “makes me think of a story that ‘Was a part of my experience in early life. i was born in Vermont, and worked hard on a farm until I was eighteen years cid. ‘Then I bought my time of my father, as ‘Was the custom then, paying $200 for the three years remaining before my majority. “I made a bargain to go to lumbering over fm New York, not far from Whitehall, and finally set out on the journey to that piace. I reached Port Henry, on the New York side of Lake Champlain, about nightfall and put up there at the tavern, being about half ‘way to the end of my journey. 1 ate sup- per, joined the group of mea around the stove and listened and told stories until it game bedtime. Then I went over to the landlord and asked him just when the steamboat would come along on which I ‘wanted to take passage to Whitehall. **Bout two o'clock,’ he said. Well, can I get passage on her without @ny trouble?” “Yer kin ef she stops.’ “My heart thumped up in my throat. I began to see myself walking that last thirty or forty miles and I knew I hadn't money enough to pay for meals and lodgings for a tramp like that, while what few quarters I had would pay my bill for supp2r and lodg- ing at the tavern and my passage on the steamboat. I asked the landlord, all of a tremble, what we should have to do to stop the boat. “ “Why,” said he, ‘we go out on that rick- ety old pier and jest swing a lantern ten or fifteen minutes. But I wouldn't go out there this cold night and swing thet lantern for a ten-dollar bill.” “I felt myself fainting away. I was sure mow that I would have to walk to Whitehall. 1 turned to go to bed, consoling myself that I could at least sleep till daylight. “As I started off the landlord cailed out: "See here, young man! I said I wouldn’t go out there and stop that boat for ten dol- Jars, but I've bin doin’ it for twelve years now and throwin’ supper and lodsin® in for four shillings, and I guess I'll nev 'o do it fer you jest the same.’ “That is a good deal the way I have done {m politics. What on earth did I want, with all I’ve got to live on, to come down here and be bothered year in and year out with everybody’s errands for $5,000 a year, when the legitimate expenses of the office were generally twice or three times that? My folks up home learned thirty years ago that I was a good runner in politics and so they kept putting me up for one Office after another until I was forced to go on for the sake of my friends and my party. But if I could have done as I pre- ferred I would a good deal rather have stayed at home in the plain, comfortable ‘wooden house I've got in Oshkosh, where I know everybody and everybody knows me, ‘where I've got plenty of ground «round me, ‘where my children were born and grew up and where there is a town that 1 helped build and feel very proud of.” oe Lawlessness at Pernambuco. NEW YORK, Jan. 5.—The Welsh bark Atlantic, Capt. Belding, arrived from Per- nambuco, Brazil, this morning. Capt. Beld- ing says there are not a great number cf soldiers at Pernambuco, where he was for nine weeks. They are a blood-thirsty lot, however, and neglect no opportunity to ex- hibit their cruelty. One day while he was im port he received warning from the Brit- | ish consul to stay aboard his ship, as tt was feared that there would be a rising among the inhabitants. Cavalry and soldiers pa- trolled the streets, and rode down any ups of men they saw. The whole town, says, is in favor of Mello, and would de- clare for him if it were not for fear of the brutal soldiery. The warship Aurora arrived from Ene- land a few days before the Atlantic left. There did not appear to be any ore capable of running her at Pernambuco. ‘When the Atlantic left there were only a few officers on her deck. _ Senate Confirmation. The Senate in executive session yesterday afternoon, confirmed a large number of post office rominations. But two were made yublic, as follows: Chas. F. Bullweg, at lwardsville, and John Culbertson, at Delavan, both in the state of Illinois. THE EVENING STAR, FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1894-TWELVE PAGES. MISLEADING REPORTS. The Interstate Oommerce Commission Do Some Denying. Their Annual Report an Interesting Document—Regulating Commerce and What It Means—Mileage. The interstate commerce commission is disturbed by what they allege to be false and misleading reports to the effect that there is general depression in railroad a!- fairs, and that this depression is due to the interstate commerce law. The officials of the commission deny both points. It is set forth in the advance copy of the seventh annual report of that commission that: “It has sometimes ben claimed that the act to regulate commerce has operated to diminish the revenues of railroads. It is not uncommon to hear the statement that this statute is accountable for many of the railroad receiverships that have occurred of late years, but examination does not sub- stantiate the charge. The fact of financial failures in the transportation business sheds no light as to the effect of this law on the industry. Failures occur in ail lines of business and at all stages of business prosperity and depression. If it should turn out that the per cent of the miles of road under receiverships to the whole mileage of roads in the country had largely increased each year since this act was passed it would furnish some basis for inference that the law had the effect as claimed, but such is not the showing. It is found that on December 31, 1887, the year that this law was enacted and when the total amount of operated mileage was a little over 140,- 000 miles, the mileage in the hands of re- ceivers was .064— per cent of the total mile- age. Six months thereafter, on June 30, 1888, the total railway mileage reported amounted to within a fraction of 150,000, and the mileage controlled by receivers was .045— per cent of the total mileage. One year thereafter, on June 30, 188¥, the total railway mileage had increased to within a fraction of 155,000 miles, and the mileage operated by receivers was .050— per cent ot the total mileage. On June 30, 1800, the total mileage was 103,507 miles, and the mileage operated by receivers fell back to .050— per cent of the total mileage. On June 30, 18¥1, the total mileage was 168,402, and the mileage operated by receivers was .050— per cent of the total mileage. On June 30, 1892, the total mileage was 171,563, and the mileage operated by receivers returned to .O45— per cent of the total mileage. This shows how little the percentage of mileage in the hands of receivers has varied since the law was passed. It also appears that while about 30,000 miles were added to the | total railway mileage from December 31, 1887, to June 30, 1892, the mileage in the hands of receivers at the latter date ex- ceeded the receiver milage on December 31, 1887, by less than 2,000 miles. Accurate information as to the mileage actually in the hands of receivers during the years above mentioned is not always shown by the annual reports of carriers to this commission, some of the mileage being owned by solvent corporations and operated under lease or other agreement by the companies which had become tn- solvent, and again, a considerable amount of mileage belonging to companies over which receivers were appointed was being operated by solvent carriers. But informa- tion has been sought from a variety of sources, and it is believed that any errors in the foregoing are on the side of too much mileage in the possession of receivers rather than too little. The figures for the year ending June 30, 1893, are not yet received. The large rail- road receiverships which have occurred during the past few months must increase the percenta.e of the whole railway mile- age in the hands of receivers very largely over previous years, but these occurred un- der peculiar circumstances, in a general depression of business and through a sea- son of panic in fimance, a period when all industries went down together. Investiga- tion among files of financial journals of recognized standing and importance, for the years during which the act has been in effect, discloses no showing upon which any railroad ingolvency can justly be at- tributed to the operation of the law. “An examination into the facts compiled by the statistical division from the reports filed by the railways with the commission shows that the condition of the railway system on June 30, 1892, was better than in 1888. Briefly summarizing, it appears that the amount of stock “paying no dividend, which in 1888 was 61.44 per cent, had de- creased in 1892 to 60.60 per cent; that the amount of bonds “paying no interest,” which in 1888 was 21.69 per cent, had de- creased in 1892 to 15.56 per cent; that the rate of dividends on the basis of th tire stock outstanding, which in 1888 2.08 per cent, had increased in 1892 to 2.11 per cent, and that the earnings and income have in @ greater ratio than ex- penses, interest and dividends is evidenced by a constantly increasing surplus. Had it not been for an abnormal issue of stock during the year of 1892 there would have been a still better showing for that period. |The comparative earning capacity of rail- ways for the years 1888 to 1892, inclusive, is shown with more detail in appendix C. “The fact that the present rate of divi- | dend is low cannot be assigned to the effect of the act to regulate commerce. Under its | workings the rate of dividend has been in- | ecreased. If the issue of railway capital had been confined to the amount necessary to construct and equip the properties it is clear that under normal conditions of busi- ness there would be much more satisfactory returns. “The average rate of dividend above men- tioned is, however, computed upon the total amount of stock issued, and notwithstand- ing the amount which paid no interest and decreased on June 30, 1892, and the railway ‘uation was much improved on that date, the amount of railway securities yield- ing an exceedingly small rate of interest or no return whatever was still very great. And this was seized upon by many railway managers as evidence that the law deprives carriers of adequate revenue. The only way in which the law directly operates to limit railway profits is by preventing the exaction of unjust charges and undue partiality in transporta- tion facilities. The claim of these managers, then, must rest upon the proposition that the law, by prohibiting the infliction of wrongs, works injury to railway prosperity. Such a plea against the working of a statute is anomalous. If the remedial pro- visions of the law are just, and this is con- ceded, the evils which carriers have brought upon themselves by mistaken policies of rate-making and maragement, and which is often the case, have outgrown their power to control, are matters to be reme- died by specific legislation, but no perma- nent remedies for unprcfitable charges, ex- pensive methods of operation or heedless financial management are to be obtained by attacks upon the law with a view to its repeal or the enactment of amendments which would have the effect of emasculat- ing provisions essential to the public in- terest. The people are determined not to permit even a partial return to the rail- road anarchy which prevailed before the interstate commerce law was passed. —_—__—_+-2+_____ THE RELIEF OF THE POOR. Committees Hard at Work Making Plans for a Campaign of Charity. The committees engeged in arranging the details of the general mcvement for the re- Nef of the poor are hard at work. The funds elready ir hand are being wisely ex- perded and it is hoped that before they are jexhausted the systematic canvass of the city will have commenced ard there will be a steady stream of money ficwing into the treasury of the central relief committee. Chairman Tracey is busy attending to the }ealls upon him for relief. The executive committee authorized at the meeting of the committee of fifty to canvass the city |has been appointed by Chairman Truesdell of that committee. The resolution made the chairman of the committee of fifty, | Mr. Truesdell, the treasurer, Mr. Herrell, jand the secretary, Mr. Godwin, ex officio members of the executive committee. The four appointed by Mr. Truesdell to | complete the committee are Mrs. H. B. F. Macfarland, Mr. John Joy Edson, Mr. Wm. | H. Baum and Mr. J. Holdsworth Gordon. | This committee held a long meeting last | night, and did much toward districting the | city and organizing the proposed canvass. here will be about thirty-five districts, and subcommittee for each, besides special |canvassers to look out for some special fields. The chairman of the committee bas received a number of encouraging letters. | Among the letters is one from Rev. Dr. Alexander Mackaye-Smith, accepting serv- | ice on the canvassing committee. He writes: “I accept with pleasure the appointment jon the committee, and you may depend cn me for ald in money or in any way.” The committee hopes by dint of hard work to have all the district subcommittees completed at an early day, and to have the canvass begin simultaneously in every part of the city. The committee on devising a plan of distribution, of which Mr. Gardner is chairman, is also rapidly completing its work. [STILL NO QUORUM. The House Unable to Take Up the Tariff Bill. SOME LIVELY PROCEEDINGS. Mr. Boutelle Brushed Aside by the Speaker. THE RULE REPORTED. The filibustering of the last two days had the effect of bringing a large attendance to the House today. In spite of the rainy weather there was a crowd in the galleries and there appeared to be a pretty full representation cn the floor. The demo- cratic side of the chamber was far from overflowing, although Col. Ike Hill, the assistant sergeant-at-arms, who is gener- ally known as the democratic “whip,” had succeeded, as he thought, in securing the attendance of 28 democrats who had been absent yesterday. Immediately after the reading of yester- day’s journal Mr. Boutelle (Me.) tried to resume his tactics of yesterday and the day before. By his efforts to obtain co sideration for his Hawatlan resolution he precipitated a sharp contest with the Speaker. Mr. Boutelle Again. Mr. Catchings (Miss.) was trying to ob- tain recognition at the same time and, though the Speaker had recognized him, Mr. Boutelle continued to demand consid- eration of his resolution. He stated that his resolution was still pending, as it was unacted upon when the House adjourned yesterday, and that as it was a privileged resolution it should have preference over all other business. The Speaker replied that he had recog- nized the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Catchings), who wished to make a report from the committee on rules, and that such resolutions were of the highest privilege and took precedence over all other priv- ileged resolutions. Mr. Boutelle insisted that his resolution was before the House and had not yet been @isposed of, and asked the Speaker where it had gone. The Speaker replied that on the question of its consideration no quorum had voted. Mr. Boutelle—Yesterday the House failed to decide what would be done with it. Where has that resolution gone, Mr. Speak- er?” The Speaker (with slight show of irrita- tion)—“It is exactly where it was.” Not Yet Satisfied. The Speaker was meanwhile violently pounding with his gavel in a vain effort to restore order, but Mr. Boutelle was not to be satisfied with such a disposition of his question, and continued to demand recogni- tion. Mr. Burrows (Mich.) then joined in the melee, and he and Mr. Boutelle took a po- sition at the foot of the first and en- deavored to get the Speaker's eye. The Speaker refused to recognize any one, however, and continued to appeal for order, which was finally secured. Immediately afterward Mr. Burrows was recognized, and stated that he wished to reserve all objections against the resolution about to be offered. Mr. Boutelle, however, was not so easily disposed of, and said defiantly that he thought he was entitled to an answer from the chair. The Speaker announced firmly that he had recognized the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr, Catchings) and directed the clerk to read the resolution which he had offered. Mr. Catching’s Reso! jon. The resolution was then read, at first amid @ great uproar in the House, which gradu- ally subsided. It is as follows: Resolved, That after the passage of this resolution the House shall meet at 11 o'clock a.m.; that, beginning today, without inter- vening motion except conference reports and reports from the committee on rules, the journal shall be read, business under clause 1, rule 24, shall be disposed of, the Speaker shall call the committee for reports and then the House shall resolve itself into the committee of the whole House on the states of the Union for the consideration of House bill 4814; that general debate on said bill shall be limited to the hour of adjourn- ment on Wednesday, the 10th of January; that on Thursday, the 11th day of January present, said bill shall be read through and shall from day to day be open to amend- ment in any part thereof; that on Thurs- day, the 25th day of January, at the hour of 12 o'clock noon, said bill, with all amend- ments recommended by or that may be pending in the committee of the whole, shall be reported to the House; that the previous question shall be then considered, ordered upon pending amendments and the bill to its passage and lay on the table; that, be- ginning with Monday, at the hour of 5:30 o'clock each day, the Houze shall take a recess until 8 o’clock, the evening session to be devoted to general debate on said bill only. General leave to print remarks on said bill is hereby given. That, without other motion, the vote shall then be taken on pending amendments, on the engro: ment and third reading, on a motion to re- commit with or without instructions,should such mot#n be made on the final passage of the bill and on a motion to reconsider. The order having been read Mr. Burrows (Mich.) raised the question of consideration, but the Speaker announced that under for- mer rulings the question of consideration could not be raised upon a report from the committee on rules, Mr. Boutelle appealed from the decision of the chair, but the Speaker refused to entertain the appeal. Mr. Burrows then stated in a quiet way that he wished to ask Mr. Catchings wheth- er the rule just read had had its inception on the floor of the House or in the commit- tee on rules. Mr. Catchings replied that it had originated in the committee on rules. Mr. Burrows’ Point. Mr. Burrows stated that he was aware that the committee on rules had the power to originate rules and that such had been the ruling of the chair some time ago. Con- tinuing, he said that under rule 11 provi- sion is made for the disposition of all pro- positiorts introduced in the House of Repre- sentatives, directing to what committee they should be referred and that clause 51 specifically provided that all propositions touching the rules on joint rules and order of business should be referred to the com- mittee on rules. This was a proposition which not only related to the order of busi- ness, but involved a change in the rules of the House. In particular it affected the rule which provided for the daily meeting of the House at 12 o'clock, and the practice, which had grown into a rule, that no speech could be printed in the Rec- ord unless delivered in’ the House. The proposition under consideration changed the the rule, and went beyond the order of business, question of order of business; and he contended that all such propositions should have their inception in the House and be referred to a committee on rules. Yhat not having been done, Mr. Burrows submitted that the committee on rules had no jurisdiction, and could not bring in any such rule as the one offered by Mr. Catch- ings. He asserted that that committee nad no more jurisdiction or right to do such a thing than any other committee of the House. The rule providing that all such propcsitions should be referred to the com- mittee on rules presupposed that they orig- inated in the House. He was aware, he stated, that the chair had ruled to the con- trary, but ne was satisfied in his own mind that ‘such propositions should first have their inception in the House. ‘The Speaker read the ruling made by him in the fifty-second Congress sustaining his present ruling, but he did not know whether an appeal had been entered against it or not. Mr. Burrows said that that ruling provid- ed for the order of business, but not for a change of rules. The Speaker replied, “The gentleman will understand that almost any order fixing the order of business is a change of rules.” A Parliamentary Inquiry. Mr. Boutelle again arose and was asked by the Speaker for what purpose he desired recognition. “For a parliamentary inquiry, Mr. Speak- replied Mr. Boutelle. “The gentleman will state it,” said the Speaker—evidently somewhat dubious as to the outcome. “I desire to know,” said Mr. . Boutelle, “under what rule of the House did the chair decline to entertain my appeal?” STAR READERS AND THE POOR. Let All Subscribe Something, No Mat- ter How Little. Subscribers of The Star who desire to take part in the general movement to rg- Neve destitution in the city can send their contributions to the general committee through the collectors. of The Star when they call to make their monthly collections. 1t 18 desired that all who can shall make a contribution every month for three months. Let every one give something if it is only a aime. The contribution should be placed in an envelope with the accompanying coupon, properly filled, and handed to The Star's collector. ‘Those who desire to.do 80 may send the envelopes directly to ‘he Star office instead of waiting for the collector. COUPON. THE STAR SUBSCRIBERS’ FUND. It to- it of your monthly subscription: in an envelope to be handed to The Evening Star col- (Cut out this coupon, fill up the blanks and place nee BRE rm Sak i d o ee 82 F ae S34 $ = Ea a © Sez Bas < z og a tsi FOR THE RELIEF OF THE POOR. SSSSSSSS===—=——— The Speaker answered somewhat tartly that it was not the duty of the chair on demand or request of the gentleman from Maine to furnish him with any information. (Laughter among the democrats.) Short of a Quorum. The question was then put on Mr. Catch- ings’ motion for the previous question, which was ordered by a viva voce vote, the House dividing on party lines. Mr. Bou- telle called for a decision, and as he took his seat shouted to his republican col- leagues: “Don’t vote. Don't vote."' The result was that the republicans strictly ab- stained from voting, and the democrats had only 138 votes, forty-one votes short of a quorum. Mr. Catchings asked for the yeas and nays, and after the call had been com- pleted Mr. Springer asked that the names of those voting should be read. This was done, showing that 169 had voted in the af- roe aga ‘and one in the negative (Mr. Bell, ‘ol.). Before the vote was announced Mr. Campbell (N. Y.) said that he was paired with Mr. Belden of New York on political questions, but would vote now to make a quorum. He made the statement because some of the newspapers had commented on his not voting yesterday. Mr. Sperry (Conn.) did not vote. Neither did Mr. Haines of New York. Mr. Cad- mus (N.J.), Cockran (N. Y.) and Blanchard and Price (La.) all voted with their party associates. A Small Filibuster. Mr. Catchings then moved to dispense with further proceedings under the call and although no quorum is necessary on this question it afforded an opportunity for @ smal! filibuster and Mr. Reed (Me.) de- manded a division. This resulted—yeas, 144; nays, 40; but Mr. Reed thought that the question ehould be determined by tellers, and accordingly he and Mr. Catchings went through the form of counting the votes and announced that there were 135 in the af- firmative and ten in the negative. Accord- ingly it was ordered that further proceed- ings under the call should be dispensed with and the question recurred on Mr. Catch- ings’ motion for the previous question. The ayes and nays were ordered and again the republicans remained dumb. A subsequent attempt also failed to bring out @ quorum. + 2+______ DISTRICT GOVERNMENT. A Shelter. The Humane Society has urged the Com- missioners to provide a shelter for the cabs and carriage drivers on Market Space, and urge that one be erected at that place, where, in the interests of humanity, it seems to be so much needed. Clearing a Wharf. The assistant attorney for the District has rendered an opinion to the effect that the Commissioners cannot, by legal proceed- ings, compel Mr. J. Maury Dove to pay for the removal of the obstructions to the G street wharf, which was cleared by the Commissioners in order to promptly and effectually transport garbage. It will be re- called that Mr. Dove occupied the wharf for storing wood at the time and the Commis- sioners cleared it without giving him suffi- cient notice. Cannot Interfere. The assistant attorney today holds in an opinion rendered to the Commissioners that there is no regulation authorizing the in- Spector of buildings to interfere in the case of @ building converted into a private stable for horses, —s—— Dropped Dead. This morning about 10:30 o'clock James Reed, an old soldier, an inmate of the Sol- diers’ Home, dropped dead in front of the sixth police precinct, New Jersey avenue between D and E streets. Dr. Nevitt was summoned, but the man was beyond med- ical aid. Coroner Woodward decided that death resulted from hemorrhage of the bowels and deemed an inquest unn 4 ecesBary. The dead man was 64 years of age and will be buried from Soldiers’ Home tomorrow. ee Examinations for the City Post Office. The regular semi-annual examination for the grades of clerk and carrier for the Washington city post office will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 1894. Applica- tions for this examination will be accepted up to the hour of closing business on Wed- nesday, January 17, 1894. No person will be examined for the po- sition of clerk if under eighteen years of age nor for the position of carrier if under twenty-one or over forty years of age. The civil service commission takes this opportunity of stating that the examina- tiens are open to all reputable citizens who may desire to enter the postal service, without regard to their political affiliations. All such citizens, whether democrats or republicans, or neither, are invited to ap- ply. They shall be examined, graded end certified with entire impartiality and wholly without regard to their political views or & any consideration except their siliciency, 8 shown by the grades they obtain in the examination. For application blanks, full instructions and information :elative to the duties and salaries of the -tiff-rent po- sitions apply at the post office to the secre- tary of the board. ———__-—_-e-_____ Cabinet Meeting. The cabinet meeting today was attended by all the members, and if any important action was taken it has not yet been made public, te Watching the Berlin Anarchists, BERLIN, Jan. 5.—Dr. Zolist says that on New Year eve the police were informed that anarchigts had smuggled a number of infernal machines into the cellar of the new police building in Alexander Platz. The police searched the building from the cellar to the top floor, but found nothing. The watch that has since been kept on known anarchists is very vigorous. Se eee The Cuban Claims. ‘The President sent a message to the Senate yesterday transmitting the called-for cor- respondence in the case of the celebrated Mora claim against Spain for $1,500,0U0 indemnity for property seized and contis- cated in Cuba. CONTROLLER ECKELS./ FINANCE AND TRADE. He Explains His Position on the 2 Per Oent Bonds. The Law Under Which He Acted is Not Discretionary, but Mandatory —The Letter in Question. The attention of the controller of the cur- rency has been called to the article which appeared in a New York paper as- serting that the United States was “dis- crediting its bonds,” and purporting to give an account of a ruling made by Can- troller Eckels reversing former rulings of that office, and discrediting thé 2 ef cent bonds as a basis of national bank circula- tion. The article stated that a letter had been received in New York from the de- partment to the effect that the controller had decided, in view of the present general situation, that if 2 per cent bonds were offered as a basis of security for circulation the difference between their present market price and their par value must be made up in cash or additional bonds, and that in said letter attention was further called to an ancient section of the Revised Statutes dealing with bonds to: sécure circulation applicable in war times, when the various issues of bonds were selling at less than 90 per cent of par, having no bearing upon the case in point. Controller Eckels said: The Letter Referred to. “The statements to which you refer were evidently prepared by some one who was both unacquainted with the facts in the case und unfamiliar with the law govern- ing the matter. The facts are embodied in the following letter written on the 3d of January to Messrs. Hafvey Fisk & Sons of Nassau street, New York, which reads as follows: WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 1804. Messrs. Harvey Fisk & Sons, jo. 24 Nassau street, New York, N. ¥. Gentlemen: I have received your letter of the 24 in- stant, containing 000 funded 1891s con- tinued per cent, with instructions to eubstitute $12,500 of the same for a like amount of 4 per cents, held in trust by the treasurer of the United States for the it National Bank of Uvalde, Tex., and the baiance transferred to your account. In answer, you are respectfully advised that owing to the depreciation of the first men- tloned bonds, the controller, in the exer- cise of his authority, under the provisions of section 5167 of the Revieed Statutes, de- clines to accept them on an even basis in substitution for 4 per cents now on deposit, although substitution will be permitted by cae the difference in value upon a par This case will be held awaiting your an- swer. Very respect JAMES H. Controller. Not Discretionary, it Mandatory. “The matter is one that fs not discre- tionary with the controller, but is man- datory under the various provisions of the national bank act, some of which were of the original enactment and some under sections approved in 1882. The section re- ferred to in the letter—6,167—provides among other things that ‘whenever the market or cash value of any bonds thus deposited with the treasurer (for the pur- poses of securing circula‘ion) is reduced below the amount of the circulation issued fot the same, the controller may demand and receive the amount of such deprecia- tion in other United States bonds at cash value or in money from the association, to be deposited with the treasurer as long as such depreciation continues.’ It further provides that the ‘controller, upon the T a cay persis eo ae Se ‘reasury, may an to made of any of the bonds deposited with the treasurer by any association for other bonds of the United States authorized to be received as security for circulating notes, if he is of the opinion that such an exchange can be made without to the United States, and he may t the return of any bonds to the association which transferred the same. * * * Provided that the remaining bonds which shall have been transferred By the asso- elation offering to surrender circulating notes are equal to the amount required for the circulating notes not surrendered by such association, and that the amount of bonds in the hands of the treasurer is not diminished below the amount required to be kept on deposit with him, * * * and that the market or cash lue of the re- maining bonds is not below the amount re- quired for the circulation issued for the same.” The Circalation Act. Section 10 of an act entitled “An act to enable national banking associations to extend their corporate existence, and for other purposes, approved Julf 12, 1882, pro- vides as follows: “That upon a deposit of bonds, as de- scribed by sections 5109 and 5160, except as modified by section 4 of the act en- titled ‘An act fixing the amount of United States notes, providing for a redistribu- tion of the national bank currency, and for other purposes,’ national banking associa- tions shall be entitled to receive from the controller of the currency circulating notes of different denominations, in bi reg- istered end countersigned as provided by law, equal in amount to 90 per cent of the current market value, not exceeding par, of the United States bonds so transferred and delivered.” The languege of this last section is also sours language of section 5171 of the original ——__— Phil. Evans’ Crime. BARDSTOWN, Ky., Jan. 5.—The trap that sent Phil. Evans into eternity was sprung at 12:55 p.m. Before he died vans made a full confession of his crime. His only excuse was that he was drunk. Death ensued in nine minutes. In a speech from the scaffold he begged to be forgiven by God and man. On the night of October 15, at Samuel's depot, six miles south of here, Phil. Evans, colored, and Ed. Hell, white, were on a drunk together. Hall being very drunk, Evans agreed to take him home, a mile and a half distant from Samuel's depot. ‘When on the way a short distance, the negro laid Hall in a haystack, where he quietly slept. Evans then went to Hali’s house and called to Mrs. Hall to let him in, Mrs, Hall asked who it was. The negro answered “Ed.,” meaning Mrs. Hall's hus- | coln, band. She immediately perceived that it was not the voice of her husband and refused him admittance. This angered the negro so that he became abusive, and insisted on Mrs. Hall or Edna, her twelve-year-old daughter, coming to the door. Upon their refusal to do so Evans began firing in at thé window, which so terrified the little girl that she ran out of the house. As she did so Evans grabbed her, drag- ging her to a pig pen, where he brutally assaulted her. The terrified mother, not knowing the fate of her child, rushed across the coun- try, a mile distant, and reported the case to Sheriff A. D, Pence, who immediately pursued and captured the negro, bringing him to this city for safe keeping. He was three times spirited away from here to save him from the fury of a mob. His trial, which lasted five days, was held under a heavy military guard, and cost the state about $2,000. It was impos- sible to get a jury from Nelson county, and a special venire of 100 men was made from another county, from which the jury was selected. The outrage was of such a horrible nature that there was not a man in this county who had not made up his mind as to the fate that should be meted out to the pris- oner. Elected Officers, At a regular monthly meeting of com- pany B, Butler infantry corps, last even- ing the following officers were elected: Alexander Oglesby, captain; Tasker Thompson, first lieutenant, and Nelson Jones, second lieutenant. _- A Discredited Report. LONDON, Jan. 5.—The British steamer Ruapehua, 2,659 tons burden, sailed from London December 18 for Rio Janeiro. It may be that this is the vessel that is al- leged to have been fired upon by Fort Lage, but in shipping circles little credence is placed in the statement that forces have fired upon a vessel British flag. Peixoto’s | 65: carrying the Recent Rally in Prices Has Run Its Course. DULLNESS REIGNED IN WALL STREET | Stocks Depressed by Various Rumors. GENERAL MARKET REPORTS. —_—. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. NEW YORK, Jan. 5.—Speculation sented few new features this quently, but not in time to prevent a reac- tion of 13-8 per cent to 745-8. Missouri Pacific was sold down 21-2 per cent on reported decrease of $123,000 in earnings for the fourth week last month. ‘Western Union gained 11-4 per cent as the result of considerable activity, and New England gained 11-8 per cent to 10 5-8. strength. The industrials were inclined to heaviness, sugar especially, and were unusually dull. Distillers moved up 8-4 per cent to 243-8, then reacted to 223-4. Sugar lost 11-8 per —_—— 1D COMMERCIAL. the and prices of the tw 3 , i 3 gi is v4 * Bas Bi gy Ba m F i i i Graphophone, 100 at 2. National Safe Deposit, 5 at 130. Government Bonds.—U. 8S. 4s, 1907, 112 bid, 113 asked. U. 1907, 113 asked. ington Market Company imp. 6s, 105 bid, 110 asked. Washington ‘Market ‘Com- pany ext. 6s, 100 bid, 110 asked. American ogy noe Trust 5s, 130 Capital, 108 bid. West End, 85 bid, 103 . bid. Lin- 87 95 asked. Ohio, 8 asked. Railroad George- and North O Street, 28 . and Soldiers’ Home, 28 asked. Georgetown and Tenallytown, 32 asked. Insurance Stocks.—Firemen’s, 38 bid. Frankiin, 46 bid, 56 asked. Metropolitan, 70 bid. National Union, bid, 16 asked. Ariin; , 145 bid, 160 asked. Corcoran, 65 bid. lumbia, 13% bid, 14% asked. Ger- man-American, 150 bid. Potomac, 70 bid, 85 asked. Riggs, 7 bid, 7% asked. People's, 5 bid, 5% asked. Lincoln, 7% bid, 8 asked. Commercial, 4% bid, 5% asked. Title Insurance Stocks.—Real Estate Ti- tle, 113 bid, 125 asked. Columbia Title, 6% bid. Washington Title, 5 bid. naa Gas and Electric Light ington Gas, 48 bid, 49 asked. Georgetown Gas, 50 bid, 54 asked. U. S. Electric Light, 118 bid, 116% asked. els; stock, 159,¥14 bushels. &receipta, 100 bushels; el dull—No. 2, Jk. 50.00 Dual: stock, to sessor, however, was not certain as to the right of the Commiesioners to respond, and submitted an additional question to the as- sistant attorney. He said: 7G se ah 45 Ye t ti —_— THE EXCISE BOARD, A Large Number of Liquor Men Pres- ent at This Afternoon’s Meeting. The first meeting of the excise board since the opinion of Attorney Thomas that A i j sag? al % £ * have been communicated to Congress and are known to the public, and still another was that the State Department has no ledge of any change in the situation at neg ype that it has no dent United States to remain strictly all things and take no further part business until Congress had acted, proper one. Beyond this, he did not i : eEFES Beil ; uj: Seh5F 75 news. He expects advices ernment on a steamer that Victoria on the 9th, Honolulu up to January 2. + e+ _______ THE SUGAR TRUST CASE. Sait of the Government Postponed te the 19th. PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 5.—The suit the government against the sugar declare the absorption of the refinery by the trust illegal, es a eee iw ja 7 cae eat anne ready to and Judge Bu January 19 for hearing the case. ——___ Gilchrist Hangs. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. RALEIGH, N. C., Jan. 5.—Daniel Gn- christ, colored, was hanged this afternoon at Rockingham for murdering Frank Mc- Kay, his father-in-law. He waylaid McKay ie . fi Telephone Stocks—Pennsylvania,47 asked. | ®t Night, and beat out his brains with an Chesapeake and Potomac, 45 bid, 49 asked. | American Graphophone, 2 bid, 24% asked. ax. The crime was committed in the pres- ence of McKay's two sons, who were with Miscellaneous Stocks.—Washington Mar- | Gilchrist while the latter lay in wait for ket, 12 bid, 15 asked. Washington Brick Machine, 90 bid. Great Falls Ice, 110 bid, 130 asked. Bull Run Panorama, 20 asked. Pneumatic Gun Carriage, .70 asked. Lin- coln Hall. 100 asked. Inter Ocean Build- es Faget = a S afe Deposit and Trust Companies.—Na- tional Safe Deposit and Trust Company, 129 bid, 140 asked. Washington Safe De- posit, 107 asked. Washington Loan and Trust, 103 bid, 106 asked. American Secur- ity and Trust. °127 bid, 130 asked. ——— Baltimore Markets. BALTIMORE, Jan. 5.—Flour quiet, un- chai pts, 21,458 barrels; ents, ee Ni Sede epot, eSyat J irm—No. "i G ; February, 67 asked: "tae woe 70%; steamer No. 2 red, 62a62%; milling wheat by samp! ts, 40,112 3 stock, 1,455,590 bushels; sales, 72,- toed — els. Corn firm—mixed, spot, 40% 3 January, 40% bid; February, 41%041%; Mi 424 242%; » 43% did; <n 8; stock, 1,: 150,000 bushels. Oats quiet—No. 2 white western, 34a34%; No. 2 mixed western, ts, 3,000 bush- is victim. Fined for Libeling the Chancellor. DRESDEN, Jan. 5.—Herr Gloess, a book- seller of this city, who was charged with