Evening Star Newspaper, February 15, 1894, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Pennsylvacia Avenne, Cor. llth Street, by The Evening Star Newspaper Company, S. H. KAUFFMANN, Pres't. ‘New York Office, 88 Potter Building, srpeconat dons - THE Evestne Stan is served ty city by carriers, on tl own ac pre week. or 44. por inonth. ‘Copies at the ©‘ cents each. By mail—anywhere in the tee Cansda—postaze prepaid—3) AT ROAY QUINTCPLE SHEET Stan, $1.00 per year; With foreign postaze addet, i (Entered at the Post Office at Washington, D. C. @& s-rond-c ass mail inatter. yabseriptions must be paid in advance Ftising mace Known on application. DOUBT ABOUT SEALS | | absertbers in the ant, A Delay in Agreeing Upon the Regulations, BRITISH INTERESTS INVOLVED Che Zvening Star. Vor 84, No. 20,809. now making her way along the coast of Brazil. The other three revenue vessels will make a cruise in Bering sea and the Arctic ocean during the coming summer, regardless of the result of the diplomatic negotiations for the protection of the seais. Their presence in Alaska and vicinity in the summer is necessary for the enforce- ment of customs and revenue laws, espe- cially those against the smuggling of al- coholic spirits and firearms into Alaska. One of the vessels will carry supplies to the refuge station at Point Barrow, the most |northern point of United States territory. WASHINGTON jit is therefore apparent that although this | government has made no official announce- | meat of its policy on the subject, it is mak- ing elaborate arrangements for the practi- | cal enforcement of the regulations for the protection of the Bering sea fisheries in anticipation of the co-operation of Great Britain. It is understood that Russia, Ger- many, China, Japan and Corea have agreed to respect the decision of the Paris tribunal. In his message to Congress at the open- ing of the present session in December last President Cleveland referred briefly to the Bering sea matter as follows. “The questions affecting our relations with Great Britain have been treated in a spirit of friendliness. Negotiations are in prog- | ress between the two governments with a No Public Announcement Yet Made by Either Government. ASSEMBLING A FLEET Notwithstanding official reticence on the subject it is known that the negotiations between the governments of the United States and Great Britain looking to the practical enforcement of the decision of the | Paris court of arbitration are not progress- | Ing as smoothly as the circumstances would | seem to warrant. Broadly stated, the Brit- ish government is dissatisfied with the regulations adopted by the court of arbitra- tion for the protectiou of the sealing indus- try and is using all the arguments and arts recognized by diplomatic usage to secure important modifications in the interest of its own subjects, It is contended in their behalf that the regulations are unneces- sarily severe in the length of the closed Season, from May to the end of August, and in the extent of the prohibited zone in Bering sea. According to the British view the prohibited zone can be contracted and the open sealing season extended without interfering with the main purpose of the Paris regulation, which was simply to pre- wgerve the seal species by preventing indiscriminate killing during the season. The British Interests. To state it briefly, the Canadian sealers believe that a strict enforcement of the regulations adopted by the Paris arbitra- tion tribunal will destroy their business. An enforced reduction of the seal catch will also have a depressing effect on an im- portant industry of England, namely, the aration of the seal skins for the mar- Eee Nearly all the skins are sent to Eng- land for treatment and the business of pre- ring them for sale is a large and profita- one. These two interests, with their many Gependencies, are clamorous for a radical modification of the plan of protection adopted in Paris, and Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British ambassador, is using his best endeavors to gratify their wishes. The negotiations now in progress bear directly | on these points. The United States govern- | ment, however, is not dis] to make the desired modifications, for the reason | that the regulations for the preservation | of the seal fisheries are about all it secured | at the hands of the arbitrators. The de- | cision was against this country on the right of jurisdiction over Bering sea and the regulations were a balm to its defeat on this point. They were made in response to the argument that the interests of the wor'd at large required that steps be taken to prevent the wholesale slaughter of the geal herd that would inevitably follow the opening of the sea to unrestricted pelagic | sealing. Opposed to Any Modification. | It ts therefore natural to suppose that | Secretary Gresham will strenuously oppose | any modification of the regulations that would tend to nullify the great principle | that has actuated the United States through- | out the entire controversy with Great Britain on this question. So far as known, | the only criticism that Secretary Greshare has made against the regulations is that | they prescribe no penalty for their viola- tion. To his mind that is a most serious defect, and the negotiations on his part are directed to supplying the deficiency. This in itself would indicate pretty co: clusively that he belfeves in the strict en- forcement of the Paris agreement by provid- ing legal measures for the punishment of | those who violate it. The United States is | able to punish sealers brought before its | courts, but the Canadian law is defective, and thus an international agreement is de- sirable. ‘The Mod Vivendi. Still more time is required to complete the Begotiations, and pending their conclusion, the British government is making an effort to secure a renewal of the modus vivendi, under which operations in the seal waters ‘were governed last year. But this suggestion has further compli- cated the subject, as it touches the rights under their lease of the North American Commercial Company. Under the modus this company was ited to take only 7,500 sealskins last year; and was thereby deprived of the large income that might | have been realized under the terms of their lease, besides being put to heavy expense to feed the natives of the seal islands, who subsist upon the rookeries. So the company has entered an energetic protest against the fenewal of the modus, and in this they are mot without sympathy at the State Depart- ment, as the renewal would subject our pete ayy to the loss of revenue derived the taking of skins; to an obligation to assist In the maintenance of the natives, and also because of a disagreeable clause in the modus the The Hitch in the Negotiations. ‘That there ts a serious hitch in the ne Gotiations is absolutely certain, but the exact cause of it is somewhat speculative. Over six months have elapsed since the Fegulations were adopted and as yet neither party to the arbitration has officially pro- Mmulgated its purposes in the matter, despite the fact that the sealing season is near at As both countries agreed to abide by decision of the tribunal of arbitration, The American Fleet. The United States will have an unusually large feet of vessels at San Francisco in the early spring for service in Bering sea, but ft is not now altogether certain that they will be sent there. Existing orders for the concentration at San Francisco of vessels on foreign stations are in anticipation that | the decision of the Paris tribunal is to be strictly enforced during the present season by the joint efforts of the navies of both; countries. Secretary Herbert has made am-| ple provision for ships and if they are not Utilized in the work it will not be his fault. His fleet available for duty in Bering sea Will Include the Boston, Yorktown, Benning- ton, Marion, Alert, Mohican and Thetis, and | 4 the Charleston and Detroit, now at tio. The Marion is now on her way to San Francisco from China, the Bennington ts to make the long voyage from Gibraltar, through the straits of Magellan, to the Golden Gate, and the Yorktown was dis- patched from Callao, Peru. They will all reach their destination in good season to Join the fleet in operations against poachers ou the sealing grounds. Revenue Vessels Going. Three revenue vessels will also be avatl- able for service in Hering sea in case they are needed. These are the Corwin, Rush and Bear, all on the Pacific coast, a-d the cutter Grant will join them in a few weeks. She Grant started trom New York and isj view to such concurrent action as will make the award and regulations agreed upon by the Bering sea tribunal of arbi- tration practically effective; and it is not doubted that Great Britain will co-operate freely with this country for the accomplish- ment of that purpose.” THE NEW BONDS PRINTED | The First Lot Delivered to the Treasury Today. Models of the Engraver’s Art —Ar- rangement of Coupons Different From ‘ormer Issues. The first batch of the new five per cent bonds was received at the ‘Treasury Depart- ;Mment this morning from the bureau of en- | Staving and printing. it consisted of 1,00U sheets of. coupon bonds of the dehomina- tiop of $1,00U. Additional deliveries will be mage from day to day until the entire 30,- 00U,000 are ready for delivery to the sub- |seribers. ‘he department has fixed beb- |ruary 20 as the date for beginning these | deliveries. Deposits in payment therefor | must be made at the latest within ten days | from that date, either in gold coin or U. | certificates. These deposits may be mage at Washington or with any assistant treas- urer at the convenience of the subscriber. The bonds will be issued in the following denominations: Coupon bonds—350, $100 and $1,000. Registered bonds—35u, 310U, | $1,uuu ana 310,000, Coupon Bends of 000, The first bonds completed at the bureau of engraving and printing were the $1,000 coupons, delivered at the Treasury Depart- ment this morning. They are printed from @ new design and are excellent specimens of work. They are much larger than pre- vious issues of bonds, being about sixteen | inches long by ten inches wide, and differ from them also in showing a different color and less of it. The printing is alto- gether in black and green, the latter color being used to describe the loan and the denomination. Salmon has heretofore been the prevailing color in such work. An ex- cellent vignette of Thomas J. Benton is a Ss feature of the face of the bond. ler vignettes of this statesman are -on each side of the forty coupons. These coupons are placed directly beneath the bond proper instead of being attached to the sides, as in the past. Another new feature of the bond Is that the signature of the register of the treas- ury is engraved on the plate instead cf being writiten on the bond. This series of bonds will bear the signature of J. Fount Tillman, the present register. The Sealing and Legen The bonds will be initialed by Mr. A. T. Huntington, chief of the division of loans and currency, and will be stamped with the embossed seal of the Treasury Department, after which they will be recorded in the Fegister’s office. They will then be ready for delivery to the subscribers. (The legend of the bond is told on its face in the following words: “WASHINGTON, February 1, 1894. “The U. S. of America are indebted to the bearer in the sum of 7 “This bond is issued under authority of an act of Congress entitled ‘An uct to provide for the resumption of specie pay- ments,’ approved January 14, 1875, being one of the descriptions of bonds described in the act entitled ‘An act to authorize the refunding of the national debt,’ approved July 14, 1870, as amended by the act of January 20, 1871, and is redeemable at the Pleasure of the United States after the Ist day of February, 1904, in coin of the standard value of the United States on said July 14, 1870, with interest in such coin the day of the date hereof, the rate 5 per centum per annum, payable quar- terly on the Ist day of February, May, August and November in each year. The principal and interest are exempt from the —" of all taxes or duties of the United tates, as well from taxation in any form by or under state, municipal or local authority.” —__—_—_+-2+—_______ TO PRODUCE A QUORUM. Proposition to Fine Members Who Do Not Vo ‘The democratic leaders of the House have been considerably exercised of late over the disposition manifested by the republicans to force them to produce a quorum upon all important propositions committed to the House. They believe the republicans, under the leadership of Mr. Reed, are trying to compel them to adopt the expedient re- sorted to in the Fifty-first Congress of counting a quorum. Journal Clerk Crutch- field, however, has formulated a rule which will, in his opinion, accomplish the same end in a different way, and the question of | adopting {t as an amendment to the rules is now under consideration. The rule which he proposes is as follows: “Whenever, upon a roll call, a quorum fails to appear, upon the demand of any member the clerk shall certify a list of the members not voting on such call to the sSergeant-at-arms, who shall deduct from the monthly compensation of each member so failing to vote the amount of his salary for one day; provided, that this deduction shall not be made in the case of a member who is absent by leave of the House.” It is pointed out that this rule would simply carry out the provisions of existing law, which, according to section 40 of the Re- vised Statutes of the United States, require that for every day a member of the House is absent, except on account of sickness, the pay for such day shall be deducted from his salary. Heretofore, however, the ser- geant-at-arms has had no way of ascert ing in an official way who was absent. This rule will simply certify the list of absentees to him, only, however, upon occasions when absenteeism causes a failure of a quorum. It is believed that if the salaries of mem- bers were deducted when they refused to vote the practice of s from voting n important roll calls would be speedily discontinued,and it is very probable that the method of stopping this abuse devised by Mr. Crutchfield will very shortly be adopted as one of the permanent rules of the House. Last Voyage. A cable message was received at the Navy Department today announcing that the frigate Lancaster sailed today from Hong Kong for Singapore on her long voyage throvgh the Suez canal and Mediter- ranean to New York, is to t transformed into a training ship. This is her last cruise as a war ship, and she is peaceful destined to end her career in the school ship, calling of a AN OFFICIAL HOME For the District Government, Now in Rented Quarters, REPRESENTATIVE OPINIONS EXPRESSED The Commissioners, Board of Trade, Builders’ Exchange BEFORE HOUSE COMMITTEE The House committee on public buildings and grounds this morning gave a hearing | upon the proposition to erect a municipal building for the District of Columbia. Com- mittees from the builders’ exchange, the | board of trade and Commissioner Ross ap- | peared. Those present were Capt. A. A. Thomas, Mr. Thos. J. Somerville and Mr. George Gibson, for the board of trade, and Messrs. Thomas J. King, Thomas Norwood, F. W. Pilling, A. J. Macarty, L. A. Little- |field, W. H. H. Church, E. $. Hutchinson, J. W. Thomas, Samuel Ross, T. W. Smith, H. P. Gilbert, Albert Stephan, T.V. Noonan and F, B, Larcomb, for the builders’ ex- change. Commissioner Ross was invited to open the discussion. Commissioners, and that the board of trade and builders’ exchange were also represent- ed. ‘he District government has been homeless since 1871, In that year the hall which was occupied by the District govern- ment was surrendered to the United States and occupied by the courts. The Dis- trict has been renting quarters ever since. Every one knows that the District govern- ment should lng a building. hing are ina tners of the government. eenin the first place a of the valuable pa- pers belonging to the District government are liable to destruction by fire at any time. We have in the building we now occupy about 150 employes. There are also other officers who are accommodated in other buildings. They are in rented quarters, and being so widely separated communica- tion is diffleult. We cannot carry on our work as we should. Under this system of government the District people must come bef(q? the Commissioners and talk of their wanis. The only room we have is a little room that is crowded to suffocation. The clerks are crowded. The engineer depart- ment has not facilities for doing its work. 1f you come down there on tax-paying days you will see a line of people extending out into the street. Present Building Unsuita! “The building we occupy now was built for @ warehouse. it has no arrangements for ventilation and is situated rignt over the Great ‘Tiber sewer. A number of days ago the number of men holding important places |who were missing was so great that we had an inspection made, and it was shown that sewer gas has access to the butlding. “As the representative of the District of Columbia 1 come before you today to urge action toward providing a new building.” Mr. Ross said that the proposed location in | Judiciary Square seems available, but there is strong opposition to it on the part of the judges of the courts. The site in frent of the Center Market is equally good. It is convenient of location and the site belongs to the Distriet.gov- ermment. In answer to a question from Mr. Bankhead Mr. sald that there are two plans for a building, one to cost about $600,000 and one about $1,000,000, “Do you think the District ‘should pay half and the government half?” asked Mr. Bankhead. “Yes, sir, I think that would be just.” Mr. Ross stated that the annual rental of buildings for the District amounted to considerable. Mr. Bankhead said that the Treasury Department has submitted an_ estimate, showing the total rental to be $34,773. Mr. Somerville, representing the board of trade, said that this matter has been brought up frequently in the board of trade, and there is unanimity of opinion as to the necessity for a new building. Mr. King, representing the Builders’ Ex- change, stated there is pressing necessity for a municipal building. The Builders’ Ex- change, as an organization of business men, has expended about $200,000 for its building. A Credit to the City. “It would seem,” he said, “that the city of Washington should certainly have a municipal building which would be a credit to it. Other cities of the country with less population than Washington have better buildings than the one we ask you to erect. We have money in the treasury,and we only ask that you authorize us to take it out. We have $800,000 of unexpended appropria- tions in the treasury. I believe that none of you gentlemen would agree to have your local governments do business in such buildings as we have now. Our old dutld- os ‘e rat traps, death traps and vermin “Yes, and you have not got a much bet- ter one now e suggested Mr. Campbell of New York. “It is hardly fit for decent men to go in- to,” said Mr. King. “The building was built tor a lumber store house. What we all want is a building centrally located, sultable for the accommodation of all the District offices.” Bankhead then asked Mr. Ross ‘f the committee should desire to select the market site reservation would there be any objection to using it on the ground that it is a park. Mr. Ross said he thought no such criticism would be made. It is not a park, and not fit for such. Mr. Bankhead said that he was in sym- pathy with the opposition to using public parks for public buildings. Mr. Ross said the judges oppose the Judi- ciary square site because it would brihg | such crowds in that locality. Mr. Mercer said there is a growing de- sire in many places to combine the city and county offices under one roof. Mr. Ross concurred in the idea and said he would not oppose erecting a building on the City Hall site. Mr Somerville said that one objection which has been urged against the Center Market site is its alleged HMability to be flooded In case of a freshet. This is not a valid objection, however, for the plan pro- vides absolute protection from flood. OUR VESSELS AT RIO. No Information at the Department of Their Going to Sea. ‘The report that two vessels of the United States naval fleet at Rio have put to sea to avold the yellow fever has not yet been confirmed by official advices. It is believed at the Navy Department, however, that this movement may have been made, a! Admiral Benham has full discretionary au- | thority to change the disposition of the ves- | sels of the fleet, to protect the health of |the officers and crews, while retaining a | sufficient force to guard American interests , at Rio. It does not follow because the Newark and Detroit have left Rio harbor that they have fever aboard, although if such | were the case they would probably be or- | dered at once to some cooler southern port. | But some time ago a quantity of navai | | Stores were shipped to the Newark at | Montevideo and it may be that it has been | | found necessary for the ship to proceed to | that port to take them aboard. During the jlong summer months that the fleet has been confined closely on shipboard and ¢ |1s assumed that to relieve the monotony lof the service Admiral Benham has de- cided to relieve the ships in detail, sending them in pairs perhaps to Montevideo for re- | lief from the intense heat at Rio and to let | the men enjoy a run ashore. The depart- | | ure of the wark and Detroit would still |leave the New York, San Francisco and | Charleston on guard ‘at . which would constitute a force sufficient for any imme- | diate emergeucy. He said he represented the | been lying in Rio harbor the crews have | D.C, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1894—TWELV iDISTRiCT BRIDGES Important Action of the Senate Committee on Commerce A Memorial Bridge From Observa- tory Hill Recommended—Favor- able Reports on It. The commerce committee of the Senate held a long meeting today, and among otner business transacted took action upon three bills providing for bridges within the Dis- trict of Columbia. Senator Vest later made the report to the Senate. In the case of Senate bill 1112, introduced by Mr. Hunton jon the 17th of October last, the committee recommended that the bill be referred to | the committee of the District of Columpta as having further jurisdiction in the case. This bill directs the Secretary of War to make survey, plans and estimates of the cost of constructing a suitable ahd sub- | stantial bridge with the necessary ap- Proaches from the foot of South Capitol street or below it to the most avaliable Point across the astern branch, and to re- port his conclusions to Congress. ‘ive | thousand dollars ts appropriated for this | purpose. ‘The bill is accompanied by ietters | from the Secretary of War and Gen. Casey | stating that there are no objections to this | Project as far as the War Department concerned, . As to Observatory Hill. Senator Vest reported adversely upon , Senate bill 291, authorizing the Washington, ; Alexandria and Mount Vernon railroad to | construct a bridge across the Potomac from | Observatory Hill. It was introduced by | Mr. Hunton on the 14th of August. The bill | was referred to Gen. Casey, and by him to Maj. Davis, in charge of the pubile works near Washington. The latter made the fol- lowing report to Gen. Casey: “Congress for many years has shown a décided dispo- sition to erect a government bridge across the Potomac river at the point of New York | avenue, or opposite Observatory Hill. Reso- lutions of the Senate have eailed a report upon a government bridge at this location and the resolution of the Senate of Febru- ary 20, 1800, called for a report upon the most suitable kind of a bridge, and plans have been suggested for a monumental structure er memorial bridge, that shail do something more than merely subserve the land traffic and not interfere too much with commerce, but shall be an ornament to the capital and shall harmonize in its archi- tectural features with the handsome pubiic buildings of the city. Designs of such a character have been outlined and approved by the chief of engineers with the recom- mendation that whether viewed from local or national standpoint the proposed struc- ture would involve interest of such mag- | nitude and importance as to demand in his | judgment the careful consideration of a mixed board of engineers, whose duty it should be to give the plans the fullest ard | 8ress authorize such a board; should it pro- | Vide for the construction of ‘such a bridge. | “The public has been outspoken in its hearty indorsement of all plans looking to | the erection of a bridge of a highly ornate character. Congress has also had a road from the Virginia side of the river to Mount Vernon surveyed and an estimate made of its cost. It is the evident intention of Con- gress, therefore, so far as may be judged by its actions, at some time or other to build a handsome bridge at his part of the Potomac and have a government road to Arlington; said bridge and road to be used by visitors and residents as a driveway and to be kept entirely free from car tracks, It may be said that Congress has not yet butit the bridge'and-may not do so for some years, but that is no argument why) ft should give way to a private corporation the finest site for a bridge in the whole city future would require the purchase of at | an enormous cost.” * Maj. Davis goes on to show that there is no necessity for this bridge as far as contracts are concerned, in view of the per- mission given to build a bridge at the Three Sisters for the use of street railway com- panies. Gen. Casey made the following report to the Secretary of War: Gen, Casey's Report. “It appears that the site selected for this bridge is one that will be required for the Propcsed memorial bridge, the building of which is intended to be authorized by a bill now pending in the House of Repre- sentatives, which bill, H. R. 34%, was re- ported on by this office under date of Sep- tember 15, 1803. Objection to the passage by Congress of the bill at present is urged by Maj. Davis for the following reasons: First, it would be prejudicial to the public interest in that it would give away to a private corporaticn the finest site for a bridge in the city of Washington, and one which the public demands in the future might require the purchase of at an enor- mous cost. ‘Second, the bridge proposed is unnecessary for the accommodation of the surface traffic, inasmuch as Congress has already authorized the construction of a bridge by the Washington and Arlington Railway Company at or neay the Three Sisters, which, when completed, can be j used by any corporation upon payment of a suitable compensation. These objections ap- bear to me to be well taken and they meet with my concurrence.” Accordingly the bill was indefinitely post- poned. A Memorial Bridge. Senator Vest also reported favorably up- on Senate bill 702, introduced by Mr. Hun- ton August 25 last, and requested that it be referred to the District committee as having further jurisdiction. This bill au- thorizes and directs the Secretary of War to have constructed a memorial bridge from the most convenient point of the naval observatory grounds across the Potomac river to the most convenient point in the Arlington estate property. The bridge is to be of such dimensions and capacity and constructed of such material as in the judg- ment of the Secretary of War is most suit- j able, and if it is not practicable to give the bridge sufficient height to permit the pass- | age of vessels, the Secretary is authorized j to have such suitable mechanical means | or Graw provided to allow the unobstructed | passage of vessels in the channel part of | the river, The sum of $100,000 {s appropri- | ated for the purpose of securing Agnd ; and to commence the construction of the bridge. The bill received favorable attention of the War Department and drew from Gen. R. N. Batchelder, the quartermaster gen- eral, the following report: “The proposed bridge would be a great | convenience alike to the general public | and the military and would render more , accessible to the residents of Washington and the many thousands of visitors the Arlington cemetery, one of the largest and most historical burial grounds in the coun- try, now reached only by a much longer and more circuitous and expensive route of travel. The approaches to the bridge now in use are not pleasing to the sight, are difficult, even dangerous, of access, and are not controlled by the government. This bill would give the government control of both approaches, which would be safe and could be beautified and made attractive, in keeping with the graceful design of the proposed bridge. The necessity for a bridge at some more conyenient point than that of the Aqueduct bridge in Georgetown has long been apparent. Its utility would be unquestic.u.ed, and to make it a memorial bridge would agreeably harmonize the pro- gressive and practical, the useful and or- ramental, with the patriotic and historical. | It_is recommended.” | This bill was sent to the District com- | mittee for action as to its local features. 1 t { | ere ae j President Dole’s Letter Expected. The mail from Honolulu, which arrived at San Francisco, is due here this evening. It undoubtedly brings additional corres- pondence from Minister Willis and prob- ably includes President Dole’s letter to Min- ister Wiilis, showing precisely wherein his conduct toward the provisional government [is regarded as particularly unfair and un- friendly. most careful consideration, and that Con- | and one which the public demands in the | GRADE CROSSINGS The Subject Discussed Before the House District Subcommittee. CITIZENS PRESENT THEIR SIDE Attorneys for the Railroad Com- pany Defend Their Client. — THE LEGAL STATUS The question of railroad grade crossings |in the District was discussed at a meeting jof the House District subcommittee this morning, and preliminary action was taken toward further consideration of this sub- ‘ject. The Northeast Washington Citizens’ | Association, through its subcommittee, Messrs. Frizzell and Tucker, Father Gilles- pie and Rev. B. M. Seymour, was present, and Mr. W. C. Dodge was also present. The Baitimore and Ohio Raflroad Com- pany, which is the defendant in the fight being made by the Citizens’ Association, was represented by its attorneys, Mr. |Hamilton and Gen. W. W. Dudley. Mr. |'Tucker opened the debate by reading the report of the committee of the Northeast Citizens’ Association upon grade crossings, which has been heretofore published in The Star. Father Gillespie said he wished to appeal to the committee in the name of humanity; that there had been many dreadful accidents at grade crossings, and he represented to the members of the com- mittee their personal ‘responsibility in per- mitting a condition of things which would dash human souls into eternity without a moment's warning. Rev. Mr. Seymour said that 400 trains a day pass over the road. There have been many accidents which have never been stated in the newspapers. Nomber Killed and Injured. Mr. Dodge said that since 1873 twenty- four people have been killed and seventy- nine injured at Baltimore and Ohio grade crossings, and since 1872 there have been thirty-three killed and 101 wounded at Pennsylvania railroad grade crossings. Mr. Frizzell spoke of the delay caused by the railroad company in bettering its ter- minal facilities and abolishing grade cross- ings. He sald that the Washington branch red a dividend last year of 5 per cent in six months’ operations. The company should build a depot. The railroad com- pany knows that the present depot is a dis- grace to the city, a blemish upon the na- Uonal capital. When they bring their tracks in on a viaduci, they can build a handsome depot on New Jersey avenue between B and C streets. North Capitol street is now ob- structed by the road. It cannot be obviated now, but it would be when the tracks are elevated. The daily papers of this city are with us on this point. with articles relating to the sunject. He read an editorial from The Evening Star \setting forth the condition of affairs. | Frizzell then presented the petition of the citizens supporting the bill prepared by the | Northeast Washington Association. This bill has been published in The Star. As to Submerged Tracks. Gen. Dudley asked if the plan thus pre- sented was intended to commit the signers against any plan involving submerged tracks. Mr. Frizell answered that the lat- op pin Pens impossible, to which Gen. Dédley replied that he did not admit any such thing. Mr. Frizzell said that the people of the section of the city are so much incensed and so outraged that a proposition made to tear up the tracks by a mob was only pre- vented with difficulty a short time ago. Mr. Hamilton said that some of the state- ments made are inaccurate. “When the Baltimore and Ohio railroad entered the city of Washington the grade was fixed by law, and we can nelther attempt ¢ por lower our tracks. The Commissioners say that the grade ts fixed by law and they cannot give authority. We are not an un- lawful occupant of the streets. I do not say this as an argument in favor of grade cross- ings. I do not contend that grade crossings are the best form of entering a city.” As to the cry raised against the company of dreadful accidents, he said that within twelve years there has been but one Judg- ment against the company for a grade- crossing accident. He did not see why the warfare against grade crossings should be waged solely on the Baltimore and Ohio, and by the people of one section. Mr. Hamilton said that the newspapers of this city are not subsidized by the railroads. He does not believe that Washington papers could be subsidized. Extracts from the pers will show that the papers criticise the Balti- eet and Ohio railroad constantly and iy. r Every Plan Objected to. “We are accused of procrastination here. There has never been a proposition to change our system that has not met with opposition, The citizens of Washington think one year that they want one thing and the next year they want anqther. Every plan that.we have broached has been ob- jected to. A grave question {s brought up when you consider a proposition for a raised viaduct. Engineers are very much divided upon this subject. One point of discussion hi been whether the loop system or the stub system should be accepted. Much more business can be accommodated on the loop system than on the stub. If we get a bill through now giving us four tracks it might be found that we still would not have enough room and we would have to ask for more. The B, and O. is a lawful entity in the city. The road has a charter which does not expire until 1910. It is conceded that Con- gress has the right of eminent domain, but it cannot-interfere with the company other- wise. Congress can only make these changes by the exercise of the right of eminent do- main or with the consent of the company. There is a positive contract with the com- pany that they shall stay there until 1910. dd are not transgressors. We are fixed by jaw. w it to Better the Term; tes. There is a desire on the part of the B. and O. to better their terminal facilities in the District and to do away with grade cross- ings, but it is a serious question. The action should be well considered, however, and not hurried, The B. and O. wishes to come be- fore Congress soon as they can prepare their plans, and when they do that they will have definite plans to provide a system for all time to come. The plan proposed by the Northeast Citi- zens’ Association requires us to spend $3,000,000 within three years. This is asked at a time, too, when business is at ts low- est ebb. That provision ts not practical. The corporation has the right of a citizen in this matter. There are many defects in the bill. One fact should be determined before the committee goes any further, and that is, what is the best plan for terminal facilities, best for the public as well as for the com- pany? This question should be understood before this matter can be intelligently con- sidered or acted upon. The views of engi- neers should be obtained as to this plan. A Pertinent Question. Mr. Heard said that of course no bill would be reported without due considera- tion, but as a general proposition is it not true that some change should be made in the present system? Mr. Hamilton said that the company does not defend grade crossings, and is willing to take up the matter of a change. “We have the bill which is now offered,” he said. “I will be glad to have the en- | gineer of the company here to give details | and confer with the committee.” In accordance with this, it was decided Al Ficili- that a future date should be made for ai PAGES ] | hearing, at which the railroad engineers | will be present. Gen. Dudley said that the estimate of $3,000,000 for making the improvement does not take in the damages to abutting property, That is to be a serious question, especially where a stone viaduct is to be established. Mr. Frizzell asked the committee to have the Commissioners send to the committee the map of the profile which the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company says is now An inéex to advertises ments will be found om Page 3. ‘M'KANE CONVICTED | The Gravesend Chief Guilty of Break- ing the Elections Law, on file in the Commissioners’ office. He had not been able to find it. With the understanding that Mr. Hamil- |ton shall confer with Chairman Heard as to future hearings, the meeting ad- journed. | Legal Rights of the Railroad. At the close of the hearing Chairman Heard stated to The Star reporter that he thinks the committee will desire first to &o into the question of the legal status of the Baltimore and Ohio and the city. The statement made by the counsel that Con- gress is limited in its control of the railroad should be looked into. Before the com- mittee reports a bill requiring the railroad company to do certain things it must first power Congress has to carry out its legislation. Therefore he thinks that at the next hearing the com- | mittee v ask the company to present its | views as to its legal rights aad ask the Citizens’ that question. Association to preseut its side of | RESULT QF THE BROOKLYN TRIAL | | | Recommendation tor Mercy by the Jury. TO BE SENTENCED MONDAY BROOKLYN, Feb. 15.—Through the sleety | slush and the ineffably dreary atmosphere, John Y. McKane, in the official companton- ship of Sheriff Buttling, tramped inw the court house at 9:25 o'clock this morning. | Despite the sodden air and the ankle-leep Snow there was a crowd of spectators about the steps of the marble building to witness LITTLE LEAKS OUT From the Room Where the Tariff Bill Tinkers Sit. The Iron Ore Men Not So Con: While the Lead Ore and Coal Men Are. the passing of the multiple official of Grave- send. The corridors had lines of bedragglied supporters of McKane, who would have a glimpse of their chieftain as he went to his possible doom or delivery. They saw him in apparently better form this morning than yesterday. He had rested—possibly slept, and the delay of verdict upon his case had given him more of encouragement against the odds that had been piled up against him by the prosecution. lent, The Senate subcommittee on tariff was in session this morning and devoted the entire forenoon to work on the Wiison bill. The members of the committee declined to give | out any of the proceedings of the day, say- | ing, when questioned, that none of the work had been final. It is known, however, that members have been ziving consideration to the representations of other Senators as to making changes in many of the schedules of the bill. The iron ore men are not so confident to- day of securing a duty as they were a few days since, and there is little question that |if the members of the committee do not The papers teem | Mr. | 0 elevate | | change their minds between this and next | Tuesday the fron and steel portion of the | bill will re:nain as at present. | The lead ore men and the advocates of a | coal duty are, on the contrary, quite confi- |dent that their wishes are being favorably | considered. Senator Dubois of Idaho, whose | State is largely interested in lead ore, and | who has given especial attention to this | Subject, expresses himself as feeling very | littie doubt that lead will be taken care of. He believes that a duty of from one to one and @ half cents per pound will be placed on lead silver ore and is also hope- |ful that the provisos in the Wilson bill, which are objectionable, will be stricken out. The sugar question seems to remain un- seitled and the members of the committee insist that it is so, but the prevailing opin- jfon among Senators not members of the | committee is that a duty is likely, though | of smaller amount than the Lo = ators ask. | ————+-2+-—____ SENATOR HALE’S INQUIRY Senator Hale's resolution about the 15th | street transfer station has been postponed in the Senate from day to day, and today lie had to give way before Senator Bailey's | railroad bill and the prospect of an early |executive session. So it went over until |tomorrow, when it may come up for fur- |ther discussion, But the Senator kept his |hand in on local legislation by introducing |the following resolution, to the immediate consideration of which Senator Hunton |Promptly objected: “Whereas, It has been announced in the public press that the board of Commission- ers of the District of Columbia are about to abandon certain underground conduits in use for fire alarm, telegraph and Police tele- |Phone service in certain portions of the | District, and have ordered in the place of | said conduits thata line of poles be erected |from the rear of the office of said telegraph |and telephone service in said District along | #¥@ street to Virginia avenue southwest, for the purpose of stringing overhead wires ereon ; “And whereas, By the act of Congress |approved .July 18, 1888, entitled an act |making appropriations to provide for the expenses of the government of the District of Columbia for the fiscal year ending June 30,1889,and for other purposes, it was. provid- | ed that the Commissioners of the District of {Columbia shouid not, after September 15, | 1888, permit or aut! |telegraph, telephone, electric lighting or | other wires to be erected on or maintained ,over any of the streets or avenues of the city of Washington; ‘Be it resolved, That the Commissioners of the Dis hereby are directed whether they had dit direct to report forthwith rected or are about to the abandonment of any under- | Sround conduits now in use by the District |and the erection or mainte: jthereof of any telegraph, telephone, ‘elec- | tric light, or other wires on or over any of | its streets,the streets or avenues of the city jot Washington, and if such orders have | been orare about to be given under and by | virtue of what authority of law said action on ir part has been or is about to be | taken. | sue objection of Mr. Hunton served to Postpone the resolution until tomorrow. ————_+ e+ LOSS OF THE KEARSARGE. The Board of I iry on This Disaster Will Meet in Brooklyn. Although not yet finally decided, it 1s more than probable that the court of in- iquiry which will be ordered to investigate horize any additional | trict of Columbia be and they | nance in place | John Y. McKane. The chieftain of the ocean sands grave of demeanor, however, and the fra- ternal greetings of his followers, while acknowledged with evident feeling, were not enough to move McKane to any de- | gree of jollity. He was serious-faced and | clearly realized all that might transpire — he should again leave the court Ouse. | Inside the court room the gallery con- | Ungent was true to its post and all places |of sitting or standing were filled. The | court officers were powerless to stem the | influx, though they made ostentations | to do so. At half-past 9 o'clock Justice i Bartlett entered the court and the | became uit. McKane with. his had pushed their way to their places and were in readiness when the court was open- ed. Justice Bartlett announced that court would be held all day, awaiting the action of the jury, and requested that the sheriff produce the prisoner very soon after word was sent that the jury wished to com- municate with the court. Appearance of the Jury. At 9:30 a.m. the jury, after being locked up all night, entered the court room. Sheriff Buttling, who had evidently profit- (ed by the sharp lecture he received from Judge Bartlett last night, had the prisoner | in his place sharply on time. | The jury retired again, and at 11:35 filed into the court room. Five minutes later | the prisoner appeared in charge of a dep- |uty sheriff. He was surrounded by his counsel and his faithful friends from Gravesend. Mr. and the counsel | for the prosecution sat Around their tables. “Guilty.” Judge Bartlett then announced tha would sentence the prisoner at 9 o'clock on Monday morning. | "when the verdict was announced McKane | took it very quietly, but it was evident he ected, and his friends who | were peesent were visibly shocked. The Sentence Possible. Under the crime of which he is convicted, | McKane may be sentenced to state prison from two to ten years, at the discretion of | the court. ° Immediately after the verdict was ren- dered, McKane was taken to Raymond | street jail to await his sentence on Mon- y- Only the clemency to which the jury 80 earnestly recommended him stands be- tween the ex-czar of Gravesend and a term of incarceration in prison, In view of this | the prisoner may receive less than the full limit of the law. Appeals tothe general term an@ to the court of appeals stand in the way of the execution of the sentence, whatever it |may be. But the lawyers who have heard the trial feel confident that those appeals mean merely delay and not reversal. | Justice Bartlett has exercised the greatest | care in excluding any evidence on which the | appellate might order a new trial, and no |one familiar with criminal litigation has any doubt that the verdict will stand. The scene when the result was announced was most impressive. McKane's face was deathly pale when he heard the verdict, and his head rested upon his hand. Through all the scene there sat upon the bench, beside the presiding justice, Wm. J. Gaynor, judge of the supreme court, whom MecKane had Grentenss to Py —— was making his candidacy. It was effor to defeat him that the stupendous | frauds were committed. ALBANY, N. Y., Feb. 15.—In the senate | Mr. O'Connor announced the conviction of | John Y. McKane, and said: “I believe that the circumstances attending the toss of the the people of the state are to be congratu- Kearsarge wili hold its sessions at tne | lated on the result. Brooklyn Navy yard, and that Capt. Muuer, | now on duty at that post, will be president jot the court. The selection of srookiyn |instead of Washington as ihe place tor tne |investigation is due to the fact that all the | witnesses—olticers and crew of the wrecked | vessel—will be disembatked at that port |upon the arrival of the rescue ship City ot | Para, due on the 23d instant. 1t would be a matter of great expense to bring these |peopie to Washington. ‘rhe court will be composed of three officers, and another om- cer will act as recorder. Its duty will be to investigate tne case most thoroughly, with a view to fixing tne responsibility for the loss of the ship. rded at That Admiral Stanton is not r the department as in any wise res for the disaster is ev ment that the court of posed entirely of officers of a lower gr: As has been already stated in Th officers believed to be most directly : by the investigation are the commander, the executive and the navigator of the ship, but, more particularly than even these, the officer in charge of the deck when the ves- sel went aground. Admiral Stanton had nothing whatever to do with navig: ship, and aboard of her more a |senger in his official capacity as comm: |in-chief of the North Atlantic squadron. | e+ - Mr. Roosevelt Will Deal Direct. Civil Service Commissioner Roos when asked by a Star man whether he wished to say anything in reference to the elt, interview recently published with Mr. Cum- | mings, the promotion clerk of the treasury, said: “That had no quarrel with any subordinate of the Treasury 1 ment and should he desire to notice the marks credited to Mr. mmings, We would deal direcuy with the Secretary. McKane's Crt | The charge against John ¥. McKane was ‘that he counseled, induced, commanded and procured the inspectors at Gravesend, L. L, to conceal the lists, and aided and abetted them in preventing copies from being made. Those who attempted to copy the lists were assaulted despite an order fron the court that their work should not be in- terfered with, This happened last day. ninsinaciliipaniioms ‘HOONER DECLARED FORFEITED. Important Ru Against « Sealing | Vessel at Sitka. | PORT TOWNSEND, Wash, Feb. 15— |The schooner Alexander of San Francisco | was condemned and forfeited to the gov- lernment in the district court at Sitka, Alaska, on a charge of hunt- ing and killing sea otter in Alaska water between th and over banks or sounding, & » miles from shore. The decision is ve: nportant to Alaska fur interests, for the volves a question of wh tes can exercise jurisdiction more than three miles from shore to protect fur-bear- jing animals. Alexander was owned ‘by the Pactfie ding Company and was sel last July the revenue cutter Rush rear the Shumaxin group. An appeal will be taken to the Supreme Court. > Early Morning Fire at PI PHILADELPHIA, Feb. morning fire destroyed the f at Nos. 2726, 2728, 2730 and North Sth street. None of the household effects were LU (xavea