Evening Star Newspaper, March 6, 1894, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. 7 PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, The Evening Star Newspaper Company, 8. H. KAUFFMANN, Pres’t. New York Ofice, 68 Potter Building, reek. Seonis sack” By mail-say wi here United Btates or cents ber month. * Stan, $1.00 per year; Sat: RDAT QUINTUPLESHEET ¢ af the Bost Ofte s¢ Washington, D. C., Go All mafl subscriptions taust be paid in adv. Wrecctcfedverthine msde knows oe ral CRUSHED TO DEATH | Four Men Meet Their Fate in a Mine Shaft. THEY HAD IGNORED ‘THEIR PERIL Gas Explosion Followed the Dis- aster. MANY NARROWLY ESCAPE SCRANTON, Pa, March 6.—Four men on @ gang of mine shaft sinkers were killed in the Richmond shaft in the northern part of | the city this morning at 5 o’clock. The ac- | cident was caused by the fall of a shelf of rock from the side of the shaft near the bottom, and a consequent explosion of a biower of gas. The victims are: Thomas | Holwill, chargeman, married, wife and child, burned to death; Richard Hughes, single, twenty-seven years; James Nozthen, single, twenty-nine years; Albert Richards, single, twenty-four years. Hughes, Northen and Richards were crushed to death by the rock. The two lat- ter men but recently came to this place! from the copper mines of Michigan, and | were experienced in shaft work. Five others of the shift made their es- cape, though some suffered some light | bruises in their scramble for safety. These were brought quickly to the surface. The bodies of the others had not been recovered up to 10 o'clock, owing to the accumulation ef a body of afterdamp, into which it would be dangerous for men to enter. The men were at work at the bottom of the shaft, almost 400 feet from the surface. ‘They had but recently opened the vein and were clearing away the coal at the foot of | the shaft. Above them hung a bell-like| piece of rock, which projected slightly from | the side of the shaft. This shelved down- ward and had been somewhat loosened by blasts set off by a previous shift, under charge of Foreman Oliver Turner. When the latter went off duty at 11 o'clock last | night he warned the new shift of the danger. | For some as yet unexplained reason they failed to properly protect themselves, and | | | | continued the work of removing the coal. Suddenly the rock gave way. Three were caught and crushed to instant death. } Chargeman Holwill rushed away as the Fock fell, with five other of the men. He Went further into the opening than his fel- low workmen, still carrying iis naked Jamp en his head. Instantly flames burst forth, enveloping him in a biaze. His companions tried to put out the flames at their own peril, but before they succeeded he was dead. The ufterdamp | quickly gathered, and it was only by Prompt action that these survivors eucceed- ed in reaching the foot of the shaft and signaling the engineer and were hoisted to the surface. Mine Inspector Roderick. Su- perintendent Grier and Mine Foreman Hail- | Stone quickly set about bringing out the bodies, but it was necessary to clear the shaft of the gas before this could be done. Meanwhile forces of men prepared | to go down and bring out the bodies when this was accomplished. > HOTLY CONTESTED. The Fight for Mayor Being Made To- day at Troy. TROY, N. Y., March 6.--One of the most hotly contested elections ever held_in this | city is taking place here today, there being six candidates in the fleld for mayor, the most prominent being the present mayor of Troy, Dennis Whelan, democrat, op- Fosed to Senator Murphy and who is in- dorsed by a wing of the republicans, and | Thomas Malloy, who is the candidate of the regular democracy headed by United States Senator Murphy. The vote polled | So far today is the heaviest in the annals ef the city. The betting is in favor of Mr. Malloy and odds were offered this morning by sporting men. The polling officers are in Possession of heavy lists of persons regis- tered illegally and there is no doubt that there will be serious trouble before the | day closes. In 1802 Whelan was elected | by the regular democracy by a plurality | of 5,354. | Around the polling places in all the wards as early as 6 o'clock crowds had, gathered, and the special and reguler police were kept busy. The republican watchers ‘Were numerous, and nearly every vote in some districts was challenged. At 9 o'clock no serious trouble had occurred, although there had been a few arrests. A small-sized riot occurred later in the day at one of the districts where the Mur- phy-Malloy inspectors refused to allow the Whelan and republican watchers inside the rafling. The latter insisted on their rights | and a fight followed. Revolvers were drawn | and it looked for a time as though blood- | Shed must follow,but at this juncture Mayor | Whelan, who had heard: of the trouble, | rushed to the scene and by his fearless ef- | forts succeeded in quelling the disturbance | and the Whelan republican watchers were allowed inside the rail. ITHACA, N. Y., March 6.—A sharp con- test is on In the city election today, and a large vote ts being polled. The registration | is almost the largest in the history of the city, falling only ninety ‘short of that of last fall. There is the usual splitting in the tickets. The prevailing opinion 1s that Merritt, democrat, will elected city recorder; Clerk, republican, justice, and that Thurston and Williams, both repub- lieans, will win in the fourth and second | wards. The remaining wards will probably | elect democratic aldermen and supervis- ors. DES MOINES, Ia., March 6.—At Sioux City yesterday the entire republican mu-| nicipal ticket was elected by from 400 to| 000, a gain over last fall. Council Bluffs republicans elect mayor and nearly all other city officers. The| council’ will stand two republicans and two | democrats. At Corning the democrats elected the | Mayor and the republicans captured re-| corder, treasurer and two councilmen. | —_—_»__ ALFRED OXNARD’S DISAPPEARANCE. He Left Boston to Contest a Will ana Hasn't Been Seen Since. | BOSTON, Mass., March 6.—The strange | isappearance of a wealthy Boston business man has just leaked out, and brings to | light a peculiar story. Last September Alfred T. Oxnard, man- @ger of the collecting and mercantile | agency at No. 13 School street, and resid- ing in Melrose, left for Portland and Free- Pert, Me., to contest his father’s will, Which gave $30,0u0 worth of property to his brother John, and left him nothing. He never reached Portland or Freeport to the knowledge of Boston parties. That he Rever went that way is not known. The will was probated without contest and the | ‘operty turned over to his brother Jokn. | xXnard made money in speculation here, | and it Is claimed that his close attention to | business at times affected him mentally. His business was in good shape when he went away, and the only thing missing among his papers is a deed to some land in Georgia. His relatives have but little to say about the matter, and offer no ex- Planation. Mrs. Oxnard, in an interview, first said several times that it would be strange if she did not know where her hus- | band was, but later she admitted she did | mot know where he is now. By some it is believed that the man found murdered at Georgetown is Oxnard, and the matter is | now being investigated. | —_ } A Derelict Chief Convicted. RAHWAY, N. J., March 6.—The common council o: ¢ Rahway last night convicted Chief of Poltce Crane for neglect of duty. May y will now have to appvint another ct George Jackson,acting chief, will probably be appointed, os “ i Che Zvening Star. eS Vor 84, No. 20,825. WASHINGTON, D. C., TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 1894—TWELVE PAGES. 3 TWO CENTS. An index to advertise- ments will be found on Page 3. TO SIDETRACK THE TARIFF An Effort to Give the Bland Bill the Precedence, What Mr. Stewart's Attempt Means— The Committee Has Not Yet Con- eluded Its Work. ttempt on the part of Mr. Stewart to get the Bland seigniorage bill up in the Senate ahead of the tariff bill is not merely an individual effort on his part, with an ac- cidental republican following. The republi- cans held @ caucus last night, and consid- ered the question, maturely determining to secure the immediate consideration of the silver bill if possible, and to hold it on the track in the way of the tariff bill for two months. Therefore, in his effort this morning to get this bill up for considera- tion Mr, Stewart had the entire republican party behind him, and the intention is to prevent the tariff bill from securing con- sideration until such time as the minority is willing. Another Element of Embarrassment. The committee on finance have practically come to an agreement, but this turn of af- fairs has thrown another element of em- barrassment in their way, and causes them considerable alarm. A hasty conference of the democrats was held on learning of the action of the republican caucus, and a plan adopted for defense against the insidious move of the silver men. They hope to cir- cumvent the republicans by getting the | seigniomage bill on the calendar, and by then reporting the tariff bill and getting it before the Senate. There is some hitch, however, in the plan, and considerable ap- prehension ifs felt lest the republicans should get the better of the parliamentary situa- tion. Mr. Hill's Resolution, Mr. Hill's resolution of instruction to the finance committee directing that the bill be reported without the income tax and with other changes, is merely a theatrical move, as nothing can come of it. It is merely an- other evidence of the laek of harmony in the party. Still at Work on the Bill. The democratic members of the Senate committee on finance continued their work this morning, but none of them would con- | sent to state any facts as to the proceed- ings. They declare without exception that they have given out none of the figures agreed upon in the bill. They are engaged today largely upon the constructive features of the bill, changing words here and the-e, and altering figures where later examina- tion have convinced them of the necessity of changes. The treasury officials and experts have pointed out some incongruities and the members of the committee have discovered many themselves. Indeed, every time that one of them attempts to go over the bill he finds expressions which he thinks should be | altered, and one change generally involves others. lt has thus happened several times that when the bill has been considered al- most completed and ready to report that the necessity has arisen for a postponement. Uncertain When It Will Be Reported. Early this morning a member of the com- mittee stated that he felt confident that the bill would be in shape for presentation to the full committee not later than tomor- row. At 1 o'clock a Senate member said he could not say whether the bill would be reported tomorrow or not. But the sugar schedule continues to hold sts place as a source of annoyance and cause of delay. There is a constant exchange of proposi- tions between the sugar men and the com- mittee, but the difficulty of reaching an agreement does not appear to have lessened with time. A Senator who has taken an active part in the movement in opposition to the bill as first prepared said today that the ques- tions in dispute are no nearer settlen-ent today than they were yesterday. a A COMPROMISE PROBABLE. Understood the Metropolitan Road Will Pay the District $50,000. The House District committee today spent some time in an attempt to reach a final decision as to what shall be done with the bill to authorize the Metropolitan Rail- way Company to change its motive power. As heretofore explained in The Star, the only bar to favorable action upon the bill is the claim of the District against the rail- way company of $147,000, which, it is claim- ed, would virtually be vacated by the pas- sage of this bill recognizing the existence of the charter of the company. The com- mittee has been careful to avold any action which would militate against the possibility of the city enforcing its claim. After serious consideration of the sub- ject today and after a thorough discussion of the matter from every possible stand- point, it is understood that the committee decided to make a proposition to the Com- | missioners and the railway company for a settlement of the question. The exact form of the proposition was not outlined, and a subcommittee, consisting of Mr. Richardson of Tennessee and Mr. Cooper of Florida, was appointed to confer the parties at issue before making formal announcement of the decision. The details of the proposition were not made public, but it is understood that it is a proposal to compromise the case on the basis of the payment by the company of 350,00. It is understood that the committee is willing to report the bill with an amend- ment requiring the company to pay the city the sum of $50,000 in settlement of the claim and that further proceedings under the suit are to be dispensed with and the matter to be closed. This proposition is still in embryo, however, and subject to change, but it is believed that it will form the basis of a settlement of the question if both sides will agree to it. It is thought quite probable that the rail- way company will agree to this proposition. Before the committce adjourned President Stevenson of the railway company, who was at the Capitol with his counsel,was called before the committee and was told in a general way that a compromise :ight be | suggested. This was done to ascertain, if possible, how the company would regard the proposition. It is understood that he did not absolutely commit the company to an agreement, but that he indicated that the company would acquiesce in any rea- sonable proposal for a settlement which the committee would make. Mr. Ross Objects. Speaking of the reported proposition to compel the Metropolitan Railroad Com- pany to pay $50,000 as a compromise for its debts to the District, Commissioner Ross said: “I am opposed to such an arrangement. The courts have decided the amount of the debt, and I think the company should be made to pay it.” a Armor Tests, Another interesting armor test will take place at the Indian Head proving grounds this week, when two Harveyized plates will be fired upon by a ten-inch gun with Carpenter shell. These plates ure experi- mental and represent no large lot of armor for the navy. A cast-steel shell, represent- ing a quantity contracted for, will also be used in these trials. This sheli can be made cheaper than the projectile now in use, and if it shows up well will assure their adop- tion hereafter in the service. meee AW Claim. The Court of Claims has rendered a de- cision on the claim of Charles N. Arm- strong and 158 others for $75,508. The de- cision was against the claimants. ‘The claim was for expenses for services and labor furnished in 1863 in fortifying the | city of Pittsburg, Pa., against the threaten- ed attack of Gen. Lee's army on its Gettys- burg campaign, ith | Some Information Wanted From the District Commissioners, A DOZEN BILLS FOR NEW CHARTERS Senator McMillan Asks if Any More Roads Are Needed. HIS OPINIONS GIVEN ea A resolution of considerabie importance to the street railway interests of the city was introduced today in the Senate by Mr. McMillan, chairman of the subcommittee on railroads of the Senate District commit- tee. The resolution reads as follows: “Wheras, There are now before the Senate twelve or more bills to charter new Street railroad companies or to extend existing lines in the District of Columbia; “Resolved, That the Commissioners of the District of Columbia bé, and they hereby are, directed to inform the Senate: “First, Whether any considerable number of the citizens of the District have repre- sented to the Commissioners that there is need of increased street railway facilities to accommodate the public, or have re- monstrated against any new line; “Second, Whether any new lines of street railways are needed in the District for public accommodation; “Third, Whether, in case such facilities are required, such facilities can best be obtained by chartering new companies or by requiring the extension of existing lines; “Fourth, Whether it is feasible to require a transfer of passengers between city ard suburban lines, so that by the payment of a single fare a person may secure transpor- tation from any point on one line of rail- | Way to any point on a connecting railway | within the District of Columbia.” It was at the suggestion of Senator Hale that in the first question was inserted the last clause, relating to remonstrances. Senator McMillan asked for immediate con- sideration of his resolution, but Senator Allen objected, and it went over until to- morrow. To Systematize Street Railway Char- ters. Senator McMillan sald to a Star reporter that the object of his resolution was to systematize, if possible, this matter of street railway charters. “As I stated in the resolution,” he said, “there are now at least twelve applications for charters of railroads in the District, and I doubt if half of them in any way represent the needs of the people. It was noteworthy that two years ago there were twenty-two franchises of this character asked for, and after a thorough investiga- tion by the committee Congress granted only two charters. These were said to be in the outlying districts demanding uddi- tional roads. It was represented to us that the money for the building of these roads was all ready, and that ajl we had to do was to grant the charter and (hat the roads would be built without delay. Yet there has day to this. To my mind that demonstrates very clearly the character of many ff not most of these applications. They 7, in many cases merely for - speculative purposes and thi have idea of building the Is, but seem to think they can obtain concessions. from other roads now existing by applying for or ob- taining these charters. Congress has’ no objection to chartering street railway com- panies in this city if they are really needed by the veople, but the problem is how to reach the real wishes of the citizeas. It seems to me that this resolution will come as near to testing the actual demand as anything else. The Commissioners of the District must surely feel better than we do here the pressure for or against street railway extensions, and I think that a full, frank answer to this inquiry will give the committee much valuable information. Little Need for New Roads. “There appears to be little need now for any new roads except perhaps a cross town line in the northwest. This project has been advanced and fought many times and 1s still unsettled, owing, I really think, to |the uncertainty of the fate of the Metro- | politan company, which, as you know, is now under investigation by the House com- |mittee. It is probable that after this ques- | tion has been settled we can take up the |matter and get to a decision about cross- town lines. I am really in favor of al- |lowing this line to be constructed by one of the already existing companies, and par- ticularly by one making profits. I have ne- ticed that during the last few years a num- ber of lines have been constructed into the suburbs that are not making a cent today, and are really losing money on the Invest ment. There can be but one cause for thi ‘and that is the lack of patronage. Tha’ means nothing if it does not mean that the roads were not really needed in the first place. I think it would be better to allow | these suburban or semi-suburban charters to be granted to the roads that now are able to exist without a loss or that are making money. They would be able to give the people better service without continual- ly asking for relief and without belng in constant danger of collapse.” ee THE NEW COMMISSIONER. Only Waiting to Have the President Sign His Commission. Col. George Truesdell, whose nomina- tion as Commissioner of the District of Columbia was confirmed by the Senate yes- terday afternoon, is ready to enter upon the duties of the office as soon as his commis- sion is made owt and signed. His bond has been prepared, and is ready to be filed, as is customary, with the first controller of the treasury.’ The bond required by law is in the sum of $50,000. The bond, how- ever, cannot be signed and approved ur til the President's signature is affixed to Col. ‘Truesdell’s commission. The absence from the city today of the President, there- fore, prevented the immediate entrance up- on office of the new Commissioner. oo EE NAVAL ARMOR PLATES. Information Wanted by the House Naval Appropriations Committee. It was understood that the House com- mittee on naval affairs would take some action at their meeting today toward an in- vestigation of the Carnegie armor plate ir- regularities. The subfect was not consid- ered, however, and Representative Cum- mings, chairman of the committee, says that no resolution of investigation is con- templated. He thinks such a resolution would be referred back and forth and would accomplish little. For that reason he has asked the Navy Department for full information on the subject, and this will be used by the committee and House when the naval appropriation bill is considered. ELEVATED RAILROAD, A Hearing on the Boundary and Na- tional Park Road. The House committee on the District has requested the Commissioners to report upon H. R. bill 5577, “to incorporate the Boun- 5577, dary and National Park Flevated Railroad Company in the District of Columbia,” and |for the purpose of obtaining the view: give a public hearing at their office on p.m. Oe ast The Gunboat Bennington. The gunboat Bennington arrived at Per- nambuco, Brazil, today, from Cape Verde islands, on her (join the Bering sea fleet. applied for in the interests of people living | not been a single spade turned on the con- | struction of either of these lines frorq that of | persons interested the Commissioners will | Wednesday, the 14th instant, at 2 o'clock | | } STREET CAR LINES|THE POSTAL SERVICE|, Interesting Facts Embodied in the Appro- priation Bill Report. @ Might Be Money-Making— Ocean Mail Contracts, Interesting facts concerning the postal service are embodied in the unusually complete report upon the appropriation bill compiled by Representative Henderson of North Carolina, chairman of the House committee on post offices. The estimates of the department on which the bill 1s based amounted to $90,390,485, exclusive of special facilities on trunk lines, an item amounting to $196,614. The bill recom- mends an appropriation of $87,470,59¥,which is in round numbers three millions less than the estimates, and about the same sum in advance of the appropriations for the current year. The estimated postal revenue for the fiscal year 1895 is $84,427,- 748, so that the postal service is nearly self-supporting. Instead of depending upon the future action of Congress to make good deficiencies, the bill provides that a sum equal to whatever deficiencies may arise shall be appropriated. Throughout the report comparative tables for each item are given, showing the ap- propriations for the ten years, and making an interesting history of the growth of the service. A material reduction from the estimates is made in the compensation of postmasters. The amount asked was $17,250,000, and that recommended 1s $16,000,000. For clerks’ salaries the full estimate of $9,700,000 is granted, an in- crease of $840,000 over last year. For free delivery service the estimate of $12,327,685 is recommended, an increase of a mililon from the preceding year. For inland trans- portation by railroad routes $26,900,000 was asked for, and $25,500,000 granted, an in- crease of one million from last year. Might Be a Money-Making System. That the postal service might be a money-making system is shown by the fact that 87,000,000 pounds of free matter for the government was carried during the year, which, had it been paid for at regu- lar rates, would have yielded $7,173,364. The amount credited on account of the Pacific railroads for the past year was $1,639,817. Of crimes the report says: “During the year 1,181 persons were ar- rested for violation of the postal laws, and of these persons arrested 227 were postal employes, 6 postmasters, 50 assistant Postmasters, 28 clerks in post offices, 1$ railway mail clerks, 27 letter carriers, 20 mail carriers and 19 other employes in other grades. When it is remembered that there are about 185,000 persons employed in the postal service, the percentage is very small. Especially does this show the fn- tegrity of postmasters, inasmuch as out of 68,403 postmasters but 65 were arrested. of cel ape determined, 380 resulted in conviction and 54 in acquittal. 225 arrests for burglary. Ta were @ total number of post offices bi - ized during the last fiscal year was Fath aes against 1,108 during) the previous year. ere were 228 burgl: = Gnabe yee. lars arrested, an in- On June 30, 189%, there were 68,408 a in the service, number only 65 should have been char; with criminal acts and held to arwertin court speaks loudly for the integrity of the service, and the same may be said of all other classes. Free delivery of mail in 46 small towns, ranging from 800 to 4,000 in population, is said not to have shown the expected ‘in- crease in. business and no further appro- priation for extending the service experi- mentally is recommended, particularly as the free delivery branch has a deficiency of $68,016 for the first time in its history, and to make a fair trial of rural free delivery would involve great expense, at least $20,- 000,000, st- and that of this Ocean Mail Contracts. Ocean mail contract routes in operation, with their cost, are: New York to La Guayra, $81,287 New York to Colon. 82,117 San Francisco to Hong Kon; + 95,523 New York to Tuspan. . New York to Havana. ++ 134,523 Total (five routes) .............00066. $398,450 A saving of $967,323 has been made by cutting off the following: Galveston to La Guayra. San Francisco to Panama, New York to Antwerp. New York to Buenos Ayres. New York to Rio de Janeiro, Dissenting views are reported by Repre- sentatives Kyle of Mississippi and Loud of California from the recommendation to ap- propriate $196,614 for special mail facilities on trunk lines. They argue that the principle which al- lows the government to discriminate in favor of individual enterprises is unjust and demoralizing to the system, that the Post- master General does not recommend a con- | tinuance, but shows in his report that rail- roads which had previously been beneficia- ries of the fund and are not now receiving it are rendering as good service as before. | They refer to many railroad lines in sparse- ly settled sections, particularly in the west, which do not receive extra compensation, assert that no Postmaster General has rec- ommended an appropriation of that char- acter and cited Postmaster General Dick- inson and Wanamaker against it. + AGAINST THE LOTTERY. The Policy of the Post Office Depart- ment Sustained. The policy of the Post Office Department in prosecuting bond investment companies | throughout the United States on grounds | $121,901, customs, $280,547; of practicing lottery schemes has been again sustained, according to a communi- cation received at the department today. The department recently issued fraud or- ders against a large number of these com- panies, among which was the Tontine In- vestment Company of Minneapolis, Minn. The latter brought suit against the post- master at St. Paul to compel him to re- ceive and forward the company’s mail, which is forbidden by the order. The de- cision In the case was rendered Saturday by Judge Thomas of the United States dis- trict court, who dismissed the suit on the ground that the company’s operations con- ; Stituted a lottery scheme. o+_____ THE STATE BANK TAX, It Will Come Up in the House After the Appropriation Bills, The committee on banking and currency expect to call up in the House the bill to re- Neve clearing house certificates from tax- ation and the 10 per cent bank tax law as soon as the appropriation bills now on the calendar are disposed of. When this meas- ure is called up it will bring to the front the whole matter of the state bank tax in the form of an amendment by Mr. Cox re- pealing the law. The indications all along have been adverse to the repealing of the law, the opposition of the republicans being solid and to that being joined the strength of the eastern democracy. It is claimed now, however, that the measure has gained considerable strength, and its advocates expect that a prolonged discussion of it will end like the discussion of the income tax— in enough conversions to secure its passage. This, however, is very doubtful. ——————— ‘Treasury Cash Balance, The available cash balance in the treas- ury today is $138,418,752; national bank notes received for redemption, $306,551. Gov- ernment receipts: From internal revenue, miscellaneous, Judicial Appointment. W. P. Miller of North Dakota has been way to San Brencisco to appointed a special assistant United States l attorney for the district of North Dakota. WAITING ACTION The President’s Work Basket Filled With Important Affairs. MANY QUESTIONS TO DECIDE Plenty to Engage the Executive's Attention on His Return. ——— ARMY AND NAVY WANTS Now that the President has returned to the capital, refreshed and reinvigorated by his free and unmolested sojourn in the quiet retreats of the water fowl, in Dismal Swamp and the sounds of North Carolina, far from the scheming politician and the importunate office seeker, he will find that the wheels of government have been re- volving as usual during his absence and that public business demanding his per- sonal attention has been accumulating with relentless persistency. The ordinary rou- tine duties of the President are considera- bly increased by the fact that he has “‘Con- gress on his hands.” Work of this charac- ter is sufficiently abundant to keep the chief executive constantly employed dur- ing the usual hours of labor in the Gay- time. Consequently, he is compeli2d to de- vote extra hours at night to the considera- tion of more important questions of state. Hawalian Papers. There are a number of important matters awaiting his early attention, and he will have hard work in disposing of the busi- ness that has steadily accumulated on his desk during his short holiday. The Ha- wailan mail arrived during his absence and undoubtedly contains ‘nteresting dis. patches from Minister Willis concerning re- cent occurrences in Honolulu since the last published exchange of compliments he- tween the minister and Presid=at Dole. These have been prepared for the Presi- dent's consideration with a view to their early transmission to Congress, provided it shall not be considered “incompatible with the public interests.” So far as known, Minister Willis reports no startling changes in the situation. His treatment of the subject will undoubtedly be interesting, however, as tending to ow whether his relations with the provisional government are more or less strained than at last ac- counts. The British occupation of the Mosquito country near Bluefields, Nicaragua, with its menace of American rights in the Nicara- gua canal, is another important interna- tional question requiring the prompt atten- tion of the President. Very little informa- tion on this subject has reached the State partment as yet, but no doubt is enter- tained there of the correctness of the re- port that British troops have been landed and a British protectorate establisned. Moving the Navy. ‘The pressing necessity for war ships at home and in the waters of the Pacific suggests the prompt consideration of the expediency of disbanding the large fleet at Rio. There are six ships on the Brazil- jan station at present and with the pres- ent indications of a settlement of the revo- lution in the near future it is believed that two vessels will be ample to fully” protect the interests of the United Stated’ for months to come. At least one ship ts imperatively needed for service on the West coast of Central America, and the patrol of Bering sea can scarcely be made effective with the few ships in the Pacific available for that service. The plan of the Nevy Department is to reorganize the fleet at Rio s0 that the New York and the San Francisco can be brought home for whatever service may be required of them, and the Charleston and the Detroit can be sent around the horn to San Francisco to assist in the enforcement of the sealing regulations. This would leave the Newark end the Yantic as the representatives of the United States on the South Atlantic Station. The squadron could be reinforced in a few months by some of the new ves- sels nearing completion or by some under- going repairs. The Alliance, now on her way from Callao, Peru. *. New York, will soon reach Rio and she can be detained there if her services are needed. Then, as Admiral Benham retires next month, it will be necessary to select his successor in command of the Brazilian fleet at once in order that he may get there in time. It is predicted that Admiral Stanton will be-assigned to this duty and that Com- modore Meade will succeed him in com- mand of the North Atlantic station. These matters require prompt action on the part of the President. Another naval matter that requires im- mediate attention is the appointment of a chief of the bureau of yards and docks, vice Commodore Farquhar, whose term expired today. One of the matters that will be first brought to the President's attention is the alleged complicity of the United States in the reported conspiracy against the Car- negie Steel Company in the matter of steel | plates supplied for the use of the navy. Secretary Herbert has prepared a full his- tory of the case for publication, with a view to the correction of recent sensational statements on the subject, but will not give it out except upon the approval of the President. Army Questions. ‘There are no questions of special impor- tance pending in the War Department that require the immediate attention of the Pres- ident. The matter of brevet commissions for distinguished service in Indian cam- paigns has been prepared for his action and will probably be disposed of within a few weeks. In case of approval, the officers to be brevetted will be nominated to the Sen- ate. There are 145 in the list approved by the War Department., The President will also be called upon to act in the cases of Maj. Throckmorton and, Capt. Lyon. The first named is under suspegsion and has asked to be retired under the thirty years’ service law. Capt. Lyon has had trouble in the settlement of his accounts and he has tendered his resignation. The question to be determined in his case is whether he shall be court-martialed or whether his resigna- tion shall be accepted. Waiting Action. In addition to the paramount questions of finance and tariff, the Secretary of the Treasury has a large number of changes in federal offices under the Treasury Depart- ment ready for the President's action. Se lections have been made for vacant offices, and several offices are mentioned where changes are desirable. The only offices of local interest reported to be on Secretary Carlisle's list are the Georgetown colleczor- ship and the assistant registership. The latter was recently vacated by Mr. Henry H. Smith, and is said to have been promised to Mr. Reid of Alexandria. There is con- siderable more uncertainty in regard to the Georgetown office, although the friends of Mr. Manogue and Mr. Hutchins profess more confidence of success than the sup- porters of the numerous other applicants. All the other executive departments are Prolific with business for the President's consideration, and his desk contains a big batch of pardon cases, so it is clear t he will find plenty to do when he resumes hi: official duties. The Bering sea question ha: occupied a good deal of his time and atten- tion of late, but there is nothing further for him to do in that matter until Congress adopts some measure for the practical en- forcement of the regulations of the Paris tribunal. y Department Appointments. The Secretary of the Navy has appoint- ea William M. Brown of this city a com- puter at the naval observatory at $1,200 per year, and Cyrus C. Wells of Chicago a copyist at $40 in the hydrographic office. These are both in the classilied service. OPPORTUNITIES FOR FRAUD In the Present Loose Way of Auditing Custom Accounts, Reasons by the Dockery Commissi for Abolishing the Customs Bureau of the Treasury Department. The forthcoming report of the Dockery joint commission recommending the aboli- tion of the office and bureau of the com- missioner of customs will show that op- portunities have existed for extensive cus- toms frauds. The commission has con- cluded that the customs bureau is a “fifth wheel” of the treasury, as its work of auditing customs accounts is a duplication of the same auditing by other branches cf the treasury. And yet it has been found that with this duplication of work and this “fifth wheel” the customs accounts of Chi- cago, Cleveland, Buffalo, Detroit, Galves- ton, El Paso and other border points have failed to be properly audited. In the ag- gregate the customs receipts of these cities amount to many millions, those of Chicago alone amounting to over $8,000,000 annually. But these accounts have never been passed upon by an auditor in the manner large accounts are uswfally scrutinized. There | has been nothing further than the integrity of the collectors of customs at these points to insure the government in receiving full returns of all sums collected from cus- toms. The commission has not found that any actual irregularities have occurred as a result of these loose laws, but they will report that the opportunity exists for ex- treme irregularities. This opportunity has existed for years, so that the honesty of collectors of customs at Chicago and else- where is the only guaranty that the goy- ernment has received all it was entitled to. Loose Manner of Doing Business. The loose manner of doing business has not been due to any inattention in the | Treasury Department, but is the result of the existing laws governing the audit of customs accounts. These have established n auditing officer, technically known as leans and San Francisco. This officer has had no naval duties, but has been charged with carefully auditing the customs re- ceipts of these large ports. It has insured complete protection to the government in the accounts from these sources. But the law has confined these auditing officers to the six ports mentioned, and no provision has ever been made for a like auditing of reports from Chicago and the many other customs ports outside of the six designated. AS a result of this omission the customs collectors at Chicago and other boider ports have forwarded their reports and coilec- tons to the Treasury Department with copies of the papers in each account. The treasury officials passed on the papers as the collectors submitted them. There was no means of checking them with the orici- nal papers. The word of the collector had to be taken that the papers were regular. His return that $1,000 was collected on « particular import of goods had to be ac- cepted without an examination which would disclose conclusively thi $1,000 was the amount collected. It was readily within the power of unscrupulous employes to fal- sify the papers sent to Washington, and yet no means has ever existed here for de- tecting or even suspecting these falsifica- tions, if any ever existed. The accounts of these ports, covering many years, stand as they were first submitted, without any means of establishing their correctness, The Change Proposed. The Dockery commission will now propose ‘ of the law by which the commis- |fion of customs will pass out of existence, and the first auditor of the treasury will hereafter audit all customs accounts. Chi- cago and other cities will thereafter be “naval officer of the port,” at Boston, New | York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, New Or- | IN CONGRESS TODAY The Bland Seigniorage Bill Discussed in the Senate. MR. HILL'S INCOME TAX RESOLUTION Naval Cadet Appointments Up in the House. GEN. SICKLES ON PENSIONS There was evidence during the progress of routine business in the Senate this morn- ing of @ purpose on the republican side of the chamber to displace the tariff question with a silver discussion over the Bland seigniorage bill. There were but few demo- cratic Senators in the chamber when the Vice President's gavel fell. Mr. Hill's Resolution, Mr. Hill awakened interest by offering the following resolution, and asking its ref- erence to the committee on finance: “Whereas, the Secretary of the Treasury has anndunced a deficit of ‘$78,000,000 tor the current fiscal year. “Whereas, the W internal and direct taxation. “Resolved, That the Senate finance com- mittee frame amendments to the said bill, omitting the said internal and direct taxes newly proposed, and instead thereof make provision for sufficient revenue by tartffing other foreign imports and otherwise revis- ing the tariff, without creating a defic ctency.” The Silver Storm Cloud. The silver storm cloud which had been lowering all the morning broke over the Senate when Mr. Harris of Tennessee ed the second reading of the Bland doing so, he stated to the Senate, cally to the Senator from Nevada(Mr. ary, ong a latter was no more Vvocate of silver believed that there wastong anerk should take precedence over this, and out any breach of confidence he that the finance committee was verge of reporting the tariff bill Senate. He, therefore, objected to | Proceedings on the lorage bill, oe that objection it would go to the and cal- unfinished business before the Sesate, unt @ vote could be taken. Mr. Berry Furnishes Amusement. An exciting episode, and amusing to @ large number of Senators, was precipitated by Mr. Berry of Arkansas, who rose to @ question of personal privilege. He read the headlines of an article in a New York paper, which he characterized as “infa- mous, without foundation, and thoroughly unjust.” It was headed, “Obstructing Com- mercial Prosperity,” and contained por- traits of the Senators, and asserted that they had joined hands to defeat the Wilson bill. Among them was that of Senator Berry, and he denounced the assertion that he was opposed to the Wilson bill. Mr. Berry asserted that he had asked for brought into the system by which each col- lection is audited and verified from the original papers. No additional naval officers will be authorized, but the customs collec- tors will be required hereafter to submit the original papers, invoices, etc., in order instead of from copies. vast sums which have gone unaudited for years the loose manner of accounting is a matter of much surprise to veteran govern- ment accountan' — se DISTRICT IN CONGRESS. To Suppress mbling. Mr. Heard has introduced a bill in the House providing that the act of January 31, 1883, entitled, “An act to more effectu- ally suppress gambling in the District of Columbia,” shall not apply to bookmaking at the spring and ‘fall meetings of any jockey club or other racing association,con- ducted beyond one mile from the limits of the cities of Washington and Georgetown, provided, however, that such meetings oc- cur between the first day of March and the fifteenth day of December, and do not ex- ceed the period of eighteen days ‘The Proposed Traction Ratlway, A number of citizens appeared before the House District committee this morning to givetheir testimony in behalf of, or against the proposed Washington Traction Com- pany’s road, the clearing house system of | street railway, designed to furnish to the various suburban electric railways access to the heart of the city by means of an un- derground trolley system. It was understood that the committee would give a hearing today, and Bishop Hurst, W. L. Bates, H. E. Pellew, CG Duncason, W. Winthrop, A. Porter Morse. Dr. Gunnell, G. W. McLanahan, H. C. Shu- brick and L. D. Meline were present to pro- test against the road in the name of the 17th street proper: holders; while Mr. Wheeler, Mr. H. A. Cummings and Mr. A. D. Anderson appeared in behalf of the com- pany, and Mr. Thos. J. King, J. W. Somer. ville, Col. Daniel Ramey, H! M. Eark and W. L. Cole represented the citizens’ com- mittee appointed at the recent mass mect- ing of citizens to heartily indorse and favor the plan. Inasmuch as the committee desired to consider the Metropolitan railway case to- day it was decided to postpone the traction company’s hearing until next Tues preeenB when both sides will be given an opportunity to present their vi a the proposed ‘road. pial ite: ——-e-—_____ IVIL SERVICE OFFICE. A The Retiring Richmona Postmaster Writes a Letter. Postmaster Cullingsworth of Richmond | has been inducted into office by Post Of- fice Inspector T. M. Arrington and Mr. James Maynard, chief of the depredations division of the Post Office Department, The retiring postmaster, Mr. Otis H. Rus-| sell, whose four years of service, accord- ing to the Richmond press and the Post Office Department officials, has given great Satisfaction, has written a letter, dated March 1, to the civil service commission, saying: “I vacated the office of P. M. of this last night, as will be seen by inclosed | Newspaper clipping. It is the universal opinion of our people that the postal serv- ice here during the last four years has been of the highest standard that Rich- mond ever attained. This was made possi- ble by the operation of the civil service law, and I wish to return thanks to the commission for the fair and impartial aid rendered me during the last four years. | So well have the duties been performed that not a single change in the office force | was found necessary during the last twelve months, and only one substitute clerk selected for emergency purposes dur- ing this time, and he belonged to the op- posite political party to myself. I am Sure no better result could be desired.” Cruise of the Exsex. The training ship Essex sailed from New- port yesterday for Queenstown with the | naval apprentices aboard. Her original | itinerary for a cruise in the West Indies | was changed at the iast moment, and shé will go W the Mediterranean instead. city that the treasury may audit from originals | Considering the | | prevent such mistakes in the future. no favors for the industries of his stat and when the lumber men of Arkansas requested him to urge the finance | committee the imposition of a higher duty, | on lumber he had refused to do so. | On the contrary, he had stated on every |occasion that he would vote for a reduc- | tion on every article in that bill. He had |gone to every member of the finance com- mittee, he said, and had urged and the committee to report the Wilson bill as it came from the House. At 2 o'clock, after some discussion as to the parliamentary status of the Blan@ seigniorage bill, it was finally decided that the motion of Senator Harris to have the bill read a second time should go over until tomorrow. Senator Stewart renewed his, motion to take the bill up tomorrow, and Senator Teller continued his remarks om the bill. i THE HOUSE. Some minor routine business preceded the resumption of the debate on the pension appropriation bill in the House today. Quite a heated discussion was precipitated at the beginning of the session over a resolution instructing the Secretary of the Navy to ap- point a naval cadet from the fifth South | Carolina district. It seemed that Mr. Strait, the representative from that district, failed | to appoint a cadet and the Secretary of the Navy appointed and charged to that dis- trict a young man from Alabama. It de- veloped that in several other cases the Sec- retary of the Navy had filled vacancies from districts with residents of other districts, and there was a manifest disposition on the part of the members of the House to resent. what they considered an infringement of their rights. To Investigate Judge Jenkins. The Speaker, however, ruled the discus- sion out of order and Mr. Hopkins (Ill) de- manded the regular order. Mr. Boatner (a.), from the committee on judiciary, asked unanimous consent for the considera- tion of the resolution directing the investi- gation by that committee of the writs of injunction issued by United States Judge Jenkins on behalf of the Farmers’ Loan and Trust Company against the Northern Pa- cific Railroad Company. There was no ob- jection and the resolution was adopted. Mr. Linton (Mich.) secured unanimous consent for the consideration of a resolution authorizing the Secretary of the to transfer a certain piece of property in the city of Saginaw, Mich., to that city, and it was passed. Appointment of Naval Cadets. Mr. Strait (S.C) then rose to a question of privilege on the ground that his rights/ had been invaded by the Secretary of the Navy in appointing and charging to his dis- | trict a naval cadet from another state. He detailed the circumstances which the appointment had been made. i Mr, Cummings, chairman of the naval committee, stated that his committee agreed with Mr. Strait and had reported a bill to “But that does not go far enough,” inter- rupted Mr. Hatch. “We want to correct the wrongs already done members.” Mr. Strait asked the adoption of the fol- lowing resolution: “Resolved, That the appointment by the Secretary of the Navy of a naval cadet for the fifty-eighth district of South Carolina from the sixth Alabama district was with- out authority of law, and void. Mr, Bankhead, speaking to the resolu- tion, narrated the story of how he had been deprived by the late Secretary Tracey of the right to appoint a cadet. The reso lution was adopted. Gen, Sickles om Pensions. The House then went into committee of the whole for the further consideration of the pension appropriation bill, an agree- ment baving been reached by unanimous consent to close general debate at ® o'clock tomorrow. Mr. Sickles (N. Yo tcok the floor, and bad read an extract from Mr. Cleveland's letter of acceptance of the presidential nomination, saying that the debt due the defenders of the Union should be ungrudgingly discharged. Upon that pledge to the old soldiers the @emo- cratic party stood and won the political victory. The pension system commanded the ap- proval of all parties and all sections, Jus- tice to the Union soldiers was the one thi upon which all united. This country paii out last year a larger sum in pensions tham a@uy other country had ever paid.