Subscribers enjoy higher page view limit, downloads, and exclusive features.
THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, Pg en ay ay Cor. 1th Feed by ne See oot ees oe New York fice, 19 Potter Building, ‘The Evening Star is served to subscribers in the city by carriers. 10 their own account, at 10 cents © week, or 4éc. per month. Copies at the counter cents each. By mail—anywhere in the United States or Canada—postage prepaid—S0 vents per month. rea intay Sheet Star. $1.00 per year; a ry Qui _ ple Pas m th 00. (Entered at the Office at Washington, D. C., &s second-class mail matter.) {All mail subscriptions must be paid ip advance. Rates of advertising made known ov application. cad ee Che £vening Star. E= SSS ’ Vor. 84. No. 20,888. ASHINGTON, D. C., FRIDAY, MAY 18, 1894—TWELVE. PAGES. TWO CENTS. LABOR STATISTICS The Method of Obtaining Them and Their Extent Discussed. PRESIDENT WRIGHTS REM RKS Convention of Labor Commission- ers Close Their Work. ‘A LAND TAX RESOLUTION The third and last day’s meeting of the convention of the labor commissioners and | Superintendents of labor of the various states began at the usual hour this morn- ing in the rooms of the interstate commerce fommission in the Sun building on F street. ‘The proceedings were more than usually in- teresting and the opening remarks of Presi- dent Carroll D. Wright were received with marked attention. He made a strong and scholarly plea in favor of better and more comprehensive form of statistical reports, and impressed upon his hearers thé necessi- ty of not only publishing the summaries nd recapitulation of the tables they draw up, but the tables themselves. The statis- ties of today, he said, were not only in- tended for the information of the present ulation, but would be needed fifty years ence, when there might be a different sys- tem of industry and of wages, by the stu- dents who would desire to understand the conditions now existing. He cited a report made by the department of labor on the cost of living, in which the individual re- ports of the condition of 16,000 families was eblished. This mass of detail was not on- ly vastly interesting, but it caused the lead- ing statistician of Germany to change his Views on the subject of the cost of living to Such an extent as to compel him to rewrite his life work. As to Child Labor. Mr. Wright commended the report of the New Jersey bureau of labor on the subject of child labor as a model to be followed, as it contained the statistics of factories,towns end localities in detail, as well as a thor- ovgh recapitulation and summary, the whole of which was preceded by a very complete and succinct text analysis. < Mr. Davis of Rhode Island recited an in- Stance of how a detailed report, such as Mr. Wright favored, had proven to be extreme- ly efficacious in his own state. The ques- tion of child labor had been vigorously agi- tated In Rhode Island, and some of those taking part in it claimed that 10,000 chil- dren were employed in the state factorii The labor bureau, upon investigating Subject, found only 5,000 children so” ployed. In order to satisfy both sides the question the tabulated details of the findings were published, in order to all the summaries and recapitulation to proven, and the result was general sai #action to all parties concerned. . In response to a question by Mr. Powers of Minnesota, Mr. Wright replied that the details of statistics could not be too mi- nutely brought out, provided they were not terested in securing such a system, and moved that this convention siders it expedient that individual states should make an inquiry to show the value of land, exclusive of improvements; the total amount of taxation now levied within each district where the value of land is ascer- tained; the probable rate of such taxation which would be levied upon the land only, and a classification of values, the classifi- cation to show land, improvements of differ- ent kinds, railroad values, exempted prop- erty, and-all other properties, separately. Ex-Congressman Bob Vance of Connec- ticut did not believe the resolution should bind the members of the convention. In Connecticut the old system of town taxa- tion was still followed, and the inquiry could not be carried to its intended scope there. Mr. Vance then spoke some strong words in favor of a general investigation into building associations in the various states, the fundamental principles of which are being violated by many dishonest individ- uals, who are running alleged building as- sociations for their personal benefit and the Public loss. He claimed that many of the figures published in reports of alleged build- ing associations were false and intended for swindling purposes, and believed the labor bureaus of the states should expose such concerns when they are found to be fraudulent. The discussion on the resolution proper was then continued. Mr. Marsh of Michigan said the drift of the resolution was very plainly toward si gle tax and nothing else, and the state leg- islatures would laugh at labor commission- ers who would endeavor to give them any Tecommmendations on the subject. Commissioners Howard of Maryland, Pow- ers of Minnesota, Walz of California, Davis of Rhode Island and President Wright strongly favored the adoption of the reso- lution, and it was passed by an almost unanimous vote. A number of minor details connected with the work of the convention were then ar- ranged, and the convention adjourned sine die, to meet next spring in Minneapolis, subject to the call of the president. —___ e- —_ ALLIC LEAGUE. Delegates Expected at the Conv. tion Here Next Week. Several hundred delegates are expected to be present at the convention of the Pan- American Bimetallic League, which meets in this city next Tuesday. They will come largely frum the west and south, with po: sibly a few from the east, four from Mex- ico, two from the Central American states and two from Brazil. A delegate also is ex- pected fom New Zealand. This will make the convention of the league, the pre- vious, ones having been held in Denver, Col, and Ogden, Utah. Mr. A. C. Fiske of Denver is the president, and to him princi- pally is due the existence of the league, he having made a trip through the southern countries in aid of its organization. What the league ts striving for is to lay the foun- dation for the adoption of a silver dollar that will pass current between the United States and Central and South American countries, which, it is argued, will result in stimulating trade relations between them. THE SENATE COMMITTEE Getting Ready to Investigate the Sugar- Bribery Cases. The sugar-bribery investigating commit- DR. MEYER CONVICTED Guilty of Murder in the Second Degree. POISONED BRANDT FOR HIS MONEY Scene in the Court Room This Morning. DISCUSSING THE VERDICT NEW YORK, May 18.—The jury in the case of Dr. Henry C. F. Meyer, charged with poisoning Ludwig Brandt, in order to get his life insurance, this morning re- turned a verdict of murder in the second de- Bree, the penalty for which is imprisonment for life. Dr. Meyer was brought from the Tombs prison at 10:15 o'clock this morning to part of the court of general sessions. The jurymen, who retired last night after being charged by the court, were in a room across the hallway, not more than twenty feet from the court room. Rumors of an agreement on a verdict were rife around the corridors of the court house, and the action of the jurors when seen by the reporters through the doerway, when one of their number passed out, fully bore out this rumor. They went to the Astor House at 7 o'clock this morning for break- fast and they seemed to be all on good terms with each other. When they returned to the jury room there were no signs of a Dr. Meyer. debate as they sat around the room, chat- ting pleasantly, and now and again they could be heard laughing, which seemed to be a little incongruous with their gruesome task of considering whether they would give Mberty or death to the accused doctor. ‘When the latter entered the court room he coolly sat down on a chair within the wired inclosure of the prisoner's pen. He did not show any signs of nervousness, and after exchanging a few words of greeting with the court officers he began to reag the A GAIN OF AN HOUR What, Senator Harris Says as to the Early Sessions. The Next Move Will Be to Prolong the Evening Hours—Night Si ions May Come, Senator Harris was very much pleased over the adoption of his resolution today providing for 10o0'clock session: ind for taking up the tariff bill at 10:30, “We have done a little better than we would have done,” said he, “if my motion of last night for a recess until 11 o'clock today had been agreed to. We have gained just half an hour for the consideration of the tariff bill.” He then sald that if the recess motion had been agreed to it was not his purpose to ask to have that order continued for more than one or two days, but he would have taken occasion to consult with the re- publican leaders and try to agree upon hours for proceedings. He confessed to having been somewhat nettled over the long speeches of yesterday, and as many of the democratic Senators also looked upon these speeches with disfavor it had been thought @ good time to move for a change. The Next Change. Senator Harris says he will not ask for earlier sessions than 10 o'clock. “If there should be a change at all in the hours it will be at the close of the day. I think that for the present we shall adjourn about 6 o'clock, as we have been doing, but you will observe that there is no time for ad- journment fixed in the resolution. “The time will ultimately be extended until later in the evening, but when that shall be undertaken I cannot say. It will depend entirely upon the progress made. If the bill runs along smoothly and there is a fairly rapid disposal of its various items I shail not be in a hurry to crowd the Senate into night sessions; but sooner or later I feel confident we shall extend the hours gradu- ally until 7, 8, 9 and probably 10 o'clock.’ As to Executive Sessions, Asked what would be done about execu- tive sessions, he said they could be held when necessary at the close of the regular sessions, but that none would be held ex- cept for the confirmation of uncontested nominations. That is always a brief work, and the President being absent and no new nominations coming in, there is no prospect for much executive work. The democrat are continuing their efforts to hold a quo- rum in the Senate for the late sessions in the afternoon. Senators Gorman and Irby, who were ab- sent yesterday when the written request for Senators to remain in their seats until ad- journment was circulated, returned today, and when the request was presented to them signified their willingness to comply with its terms. Their acquiescence leaves only Senators Hill and Smith to be consult- So far forty-two democratic Senators, lacking one of a quorum, have agreed to wait each day upon the will of the demo- cratic leaders as to when they shall leave ‘he Capitol each day. The republicans were in a conciliatory mood, and Senator Gallinger’s announcement that he would postpone the delivery of the remainder of his prepared speech was a part of a pre- TARIFF CHANGES) Mr. Aldrich’s Table Showing Great Reductions on Luxuries Nee Ne es COMPARED WITH NECESSARIES OF LIFE Resolution to Meet Next Week at 10 O'clock Adopted. PROGRESS MADE TODAY The temper of the Senate was like a May morning when the Senate met today after the prolonged and somewhat stormy session of yesterday. The blind chaplain of the Senate, in his prayer, alluded feelingly to sad affliction which had befallen Senator Cullom in the death of his daughter. The House bill authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to take steps to locate the northeast boundary of the Pamaquid Light Station, Me., was passcd. The Morgan resolution of yesterday call. ing upon the Attorney General for informa- tion as to the existence of a sugar trust in violation of the anti-trust law and whether that law is defective was adopted. Will Meet at 10 O'Clock. ‘The resolution offered by Mr. Harris at the close of the ‘long struggle last night, providing that the Senate should meet at 10 o'clock instead of 11, beginning next Monday, was laid before the Senate by the Vice President. Not a word was said on either side of the chamber and. the Vice President declared the question to be on the adoption of the resolution. Silence being the only response he declared the resolution adopted. Mr. Sherman of Ohio immediately protest- ed that he had not understood the question and manifested a disposition to debate the resolution, but being informed by Mr. Hale that there was a tacit understanding that the resol should be acted upon he said he did not ¢fre to violate any agreement. Mr. Dolph rted emphatically that there was no such agreement. Mr. Frye’s Explanation. After some discussion on this point Mr. Frye of Maine got the floor. He explained that his absence on a trip down the Poto- mac during the struggle yesterday was due to an assurance he had received that no important move would be made. He had been very much astonished upon his return to find what had occurred. He regretted his absence because he was fond of a con- test. “I have always had but one opinion with regard to the tariff bill," he went on, defining his position in emphatic terms. “I have always believed, and believe now, that it is the duty of the republican side to Gefeat this bill in any way, by «ny parlia- méntary method. But I have not been able to convince my republican friends on this side of the chamber that this is the proper course to pursue.” “There seems a detrmination to allow the bill to come to a vote after reasonable de- to show that the democrats in Congress were reducing the duties on luxuries, in violation of their pledges, while making no appreciable reductions on the necessaries of life. If he had had any doubt that the cause of-protection was on the wane and was utterly doomed, that argument would have resolved the doubt. If any man could be caught by such an argument, said Mr. vests he ought to be disfranchised at the 3. Pat was an outrage in argument, he de- clared, Mr. Aldrich had taken the mini- mized importations, caused by the high, al- most prohibitory, tariff of 1800, but said per about the reduction in rates. Take w ry reports show that under the high duty levied by the McKinley law forty pounds had come in. He had taken the re- duction that would be given on this insig- nificant importation, but he said nothing about the fact that this bill proposed to reduce the duty from 83 to 30 per cent. The McKinley duty was prohibitory. Based upon a prehibitory duty Mr. Aldrich drew this false and fraudulent conclusion. He could go through the whole list. ‘The real point in controversy was fully concealed. The high duties prohibit- ed importations, gave the market to do- restic manufacturers and enabled them to put up prices to the cost of foreign manu- fucture with the duty added. The reduc- tions of duties made on the necessaries of fe in this bill would bring down the prices. Mr. Aldrich Agat When Mr. Vest finished Mr. Aldrich again tcok the floor, The figures he had used, he said, were the only ones obtainable, as the majority had steadily and persistently refused to furnish an estimate of the increased importations which would result from the enactment of the bill. While the McKinley bill was pending, he said, estimates had been prepared by Mr. Allison. and himself as to the effect of the bill on importations under its operation, and that, estimated in its aggregate, was | found to be substantially correct. It had only been $3,000,000 out of the way. Mr. Jones of Arkansas then took a hand in the controversy, adopting the line of argument pursued by Mr. Vest. He took as an illustration of the unfairness of Mr. Aldrich’s argument wool hats. Over five million dollars worth of wool hats were manufactured in this country in 1890, cording to the census. The McKinley duty on wool hats was 100 per cent. Under that prohibitory rate but $19,000 worth of hats were imported. The present bill reduced the rate to 35 per cent. Suppose wool hats had been placed on the free list, the Senator from Rhode Island would not have the audacity to say the reduction in taxation would be but $19,000. Those hats, imported at a cost of $21,000 (200 per cent of the foreign cost), must have been sold here for at least $35,000. The price for domestic hats was correspond- ingly increased, and the reduction of duty Proposed in the same proportion would re- duce taxes to the American consumer at least $2,500,000, ——___-e-—_____ THE LEGISLATIVE BILL It is Taken Up for Action in the House Today. care- = SWORN IN TODAY Judge Miller Receives His Oom- mission and Takes the Oath. ae en See CREDIT DUE T0 MR. THURBER For Expediting the Matter in the President's Absence. WORDS OF CONGRATULATION j + - The mail left at the White House this | morning contained a communication from the President. It was the commission of | Judge Thomas F. Miller as judge of the | Police Court. It contained the signature | of President Cleveland, and the signatute | of Attorney General Olney, @nd was com- | plete in every respect. | Judge Miller Gets His Commission. Word was sent to Judge Miller of its arm rival, and shortly after he called at the | White House and was informed by Privace | Secretary Thurber that the document would | be delivered to him at the Department of Justice at noon. Judge Miller then walked lover to that department and received bi |commission from the hands of Appoistt- |ment Clerk Brenagan. He said he would qualify this afternoon before one of the justices of the Supreme Court of the Dis- trict, and then be ready to resume his du- | tles on the bench of the Police Court to- morrow morning. He would have taken | hold this afternoon if there was any occa- sion for it. . | Credit Due to Mr. Thurber. Private Secretary Thurber is entitled te | the credit of the issue of Judge Miller's commission in advance of the President's | return to Washington. As soon as he heard that the nomination had been confirmed by the Senate Tuesday afternoon he had the commission fully prepared f President's signature and mailed it for the | to him | in his secret retreat, near Morehead, N. C., with a note explaining the necessity for | haste in the matter. There were several | other commissions awaiting the President's action, but this was the only one where the | Public service could possibly suffer by « few days’ delay. In all the other cases the | ireumbents hold over, under the law, until their successors shall have qualified. Judge Miller’s term expired on the 15th instant, however, and he could not act beyond that date until he received his commission. It was expected that the sought-for document would arrive yesterday, and that it did not | 1s probably due either to the fault of the | mails or to the probability that the Pres- ident was ham to find. ° He is Sworn in. Judge Miller appeared at the city hall fees his commission, dated May 15, 1894, about 1 o'clock this afternoon. Depositing it with the clerk of the District Supreme Court, he was given a typewritten copy of the oath of office. In company with a Star reporter Judge Miller sought Judge Cole, who is now presiding over Criminal Court No. 1. ‘Judge Cole was found in his private room, and there he administered the oath of office. Judge Miller attached his signa- ture, and then filed the paper with the clerk of Judge Cole's court. Warmly Congratulated. bate, and I have reluctantly bowed to the will of the majority. Personally I am glad the Senator from Tennessee (Mr. Harris) sprang his trap last night. If he would do ey, ng would ar ee is side and array it in so — the bill.”, Immediately after the opening of the | House today Mr. Wells (Wis.), from the | committee on accounts, offered a resolu- | Uon. for the assignment of a clerk to the ccmmittee_on railways and canals. Mr. Reed took occasion to make some criticism | ’ @ct of business on private carried to the point of attenuation. The system of publishing the recapitulation and summaries of statistics now in vogue in this country, he concluded, had com- pelled foreign statisticians to give up their former habit of publishing tables * only and to recapitulate their reports. Am Int. res tee of the Senate, composed of Senators Gray, Lindsey, Allen, Lodge and Davis, will | meet tomorrow for the purpose of organiz- ing and starting the formal part of the in- vestigation. The meetings of the committee will be held in the room of the committee on privileges and elections, to the chairman- account of yesterday's proceedings, pub- lished in the morning papers. Meyer Downhearted. On his way to the court house ,from the Tombs Dr. Meyer usual] been very talkative to the d of him, but this morn was and arranged program to allow the paragraphs of the bill to be discussed upon their merits nd passed upon as rapidly as might be. Republicans Will Help a Quorum, There are sald to be from seven to ten re- publicans in the Senate who will help main- tain a quorum at all times when needed. ag : and he hoped this The ceremony was witnessed only by ‘The An interesting discusston then occurred | Ship of which Mr. Gray was last evening | seemed to be dow@hearted,, as if he had buster last night, it-is sw the bi by te. ‘Was @ symptom of attending to some other Star reporter, but when Judge Miller came over the question as to whether the va-| Promoted. They will be open to newspaper| premohition that the wotht.was in store-for to hasten than to delay Byapen a fac was a| businéss than the auditing of national ac-. eut he wa warmily congratulated by = rious states should provide penalties ‘fét /™Meg//@xeept perhaps for brief consultations | him. . action on the tariff bill. The de:nocrats (Mit? the as to the ccunts. |number of people who had learned of his Fefusal on the part of corporations or {n- @ividuals to answer questions propounded by state labor commissioners. Mr. Dowling of New York was called Upon to explain the workings of the law in his state, which provides a heavy penalty for such a refusal. He said that the mere existence of the law served the purpose sought by its enactment, and that, with two or three exceptions, it had never been enforced. The law placed a club in the hands of the commissioner, but it never necessary to use it. He explaii that when questions were sent to any son and no answer was returned, a cir Jar was sent requiring the desired answ. to be made within thirty days, under of the recalcitrant party being visited the law, a copy of which was printed the circular. He had found this system amply sufficient for all purposes. He thought it exceilent to have such a law on the books, but did not deem it wise to enforce it, except in cases where the con- tumacy of individuals or corporations pre- ented highly important information from being secured. Besides, he did not believe much credence could be placed upon infor- gation that was forced out of people \gainst their will. Mr. Wright's Opinion. . President Wright cited an instance of a fase that was brought to trial out west in which an individual was arraigned for re- fvsing to answer questions propounded by the census officials. The judge quashed the irdictment on the ground that census offi- is could not compel a citizen to answer ny inquiries unless Congress itself had Specifically stated their character and di- rected such officials to make them. Mr. Wright didn’t believe the New York law or any other similar staté statute which provides a penalty for a refusal to answer e scrutiny of a Supreme court for an instant, because the law could not recognize such delegation of pewer to determine a crime by legislation to any single individual. Such a law to be good would have to. contain specific Questions, he thovght, and name some offi- gjal to ask them. He agreed with Mr. wling that compulsory information was mot worth very much from a statistical Point of view Continued discussion, participated in by many of the deiegates,showed that the laws providing pendities for factories which did not carry out the instructions of state labor bureaus regarding the safety of their em- ploves worked to a charm, but were of ttle value in securing information worthy of being depended upon for statistical pur- peses. Compulsory Information Valueless. Mr. Powers of Minnesota emphasized the latter point by stating that he had gotten @ large amount of information by reason of the penalty clause in the state law, but Wouldn't compile it, because he did not think it could be depended upon. A year ago he had secured the erasure of the Penalty clause from the law and the adop- tion in its place of a provision declaring that any employe of the labor bureau who divulged any information given to him | officially should be given a year’s imprison- ment. This departure had secured the con- fidence of the people in the inviolability of the bureau, and the result has been most gratifying, an instance of it being that the flour mills, which had formerly refused to make returns, now send them in willingly. After further exchange of views the ques. tion was left open for consideration, and the question of the expediency of state labor bureaus inquiring into the causes of the facts that they investigate was taken up. Commissioner Shilling of Iilinois,said that there was no doubt about the advisability | a procedure. It would be well to} inquire into the principles that minimize wages and drive parents into sending their children to work in factories instead of keeping them at school. He believed it to y of labor bureaus to as- e could not be a better system laws adopted, as well as a more equable and fairer system of taxation. | ‘There was now an intense inquiry being | made into the various systems of taxation, and the was general that the people were being robbed by those now in use. A Land Tax Resolution. He thereupon presented a resolution re- eiting that the subject of taxation is one of the most vital topics for present-day dis- zssion, and that a just and equitable tem is desirable from every point of view, all individuals of the community being in- between the committeemen. Permission ts to be obtained from the Senate for the com- mittee to meet during the sessions of the Senate. This is a necessity, as the Senate from Monday on will meet at 10 o'clock in the morning and will doubtless remain in session until 6 or 7 in the evening. It was currently rumored today that Senator Gray was considering the advisa- bility. rawing from the committee, id that he even went so far as with several of his democratic this subject. Other members mittee, however, learning of this ion, pleaded with Mr. Gray to re- the head of the investigation, and during the afternoon a member of the com- mittee told a Star reporter that there was no possibility of Mr. Gray's retirement. The reasons which actuated Mr. Gray in desir- ing to withdraw were mainly personal. It is understood that he does not relish the task of investigating matters so intimately connected with the personnel of the demo- cratic side of the Senate. As chairman it will be his unpleasant duty to ask many very persqnal questions, and there is & strong, possibility that at any time the committee may unearth a nest of very disagreeable facts. However, the investi- gat Must be conducted, inasmuch as it has teen ordered by members of the Senate, and Mr. Gray's plea to be excused has been met by the question: “Who then will serve tRom the democratic side?’ t is generally regarded the selections of the Vice President form exceptionally sttong committee for integrity, intelligence and acuteness. Senator Gray is a very broad man, whose name has never been associated with any scandalous talk. Both he and Senator Lindsay are devoted friends of the administration, but it is not thought that this fact will operate to prevent a per- feetly fair investigation. Senator Allen will be the balance of power on the committee, standing, as he does, between the two great parties. He is especially anxious fur a thorough investigation, and !t was at his suggestion yesterday that the resolution was brought up to include speculations of Sena- tors In sugar stock. Nothing can be said against the reputations of either Senators Lodge or Davis, both of whom are regarded very highly. Senator Davis 1s considerd one of the ablest lawyers of the Senate and he has a wide reputation as a keen cross-examiner. No witnesses will be examined at tomor- row’s meeting, and the investigation proper will not begin until Monday next. it is likely that the bribery charges will be first taken up, and Senator Hunton is apt to be the first witness examined. The real inter- est, however, centers in the sugar investi- gation, which may be postponed for a week or two. + e+ Wants to gate Armor Plate Frauds. i Representative Dunphy of New York had a hearing today before the House rules committee on his resolution to investigate naval armor plate frauds. He went into the details of the frauds to show the com- mittee the desirability of probing the mat- ter to the bottom. Mr. Dunphy said that the investigation now being made by offi- cers of the Navy Department would be fu- tile, as there was no power to summon wit- nesses or to administer oaths to those who voluntarily appeared. He had statistics showing that $1,200,000 would soon fall due to the Carnegie Company. The payment could not be delayed, and if once made it would cut off an investigation and destroy ail means of redress. He specified one in- tance in which an armor plate on the Monterey fs said to contain a blow hole eighteen inches long. The man who saw the blow hole when the armor was cast dropped his card in the hole, and is sald to be ready to locate the defective plate and identify it by his card. The committee took no action, but Mr. Dunphy believes they will report’ back the resolution, with a recommendation that the naval committee start the investigation at at once. Ses Dispatch of Regret. Acting Secretary Uhl has sent the follow- ing cable message to Mr. Coleman, secre- tary of the U. S. legation at Berlin: “Department learns with regret of the death of Consul General Edwards. Con- vey to Mi Edwards expression of my sympathy.” Shortly before 11 o'clock Dr. W. J. O’8ul- livan and Charles W. Brooke, who defended Meyer, came into the court room. Lawyer Brooke took his seat at the counsel table, while Dr. O'Sullivan held a long conversa- tion with the accused doctor. The corridors of the court house were thronged with a crowd of curious people, but the court ofii- cers admitted no one to the court room who could not show that he or she had a right to_be there. Recorder Smyth arrived at the court house at 11 o'clock. Clerk Penny was not!- fied by Capt. Oakford, who had charge of the jury, that an agreement had been ar- rived at, and that the jurymen were ready to come into court. The jury, Clerk Penny said, could not be brought in until the arri- val of Charles W. Brooke, the senior coun- sel for the defendant. Lawyer Louls 8S. Chandler, who was as- sociated with the lawyers for the defense, came into court a few minutes after 11 o'clock, and a message was dispatched im- mediately for the senior counsel. Among those who anxiously awaited the verdict of the jury were a number of prominent criminal lawyers, and as soon as the rumor became general that the jury had agreed on a verdict, the lawyers discussed whether it would be for murder in the first degree Exactly at 11:30 o'elock Charles W. Brooke, senior counsel for the defense, ar- rived and Clerk Penny informed him that the jury had agreed on a verdict at 6 o'clock this morning. The jury then filed into the court room and took their seats iy the jury box. Recorder Smyth entered almost at the same moment, and Clerk Penny polled the jury and asked for their verdict. i Foreman Wersebe hesitated a moment, and looked toward the recorder, evidently not wishing to look at the unfortunate prisoner, He then bo eed find him guilty of murder in the nd degree.” ‘The moment these words were uttered a confused murmur was heard through the court room, and Meyer sat down on his chatr absolutely crestfailen. His hands twitched nervously, and his whole appear- ance showed plainly that he was disap- pointed. He had hoped for a disagreement. Mr. Brooke made a motion for a new trial, and the recorder gave him two weeks to file his reasons. This wili act as stay of sentence, and Meyer will probably receive oo banishment for life in the beginning of june. He was led back to the tombs prison, where his wife is waiting trial as an ac- complice, District Attorney Fellows was not in ccurt when the verdict was rendered. As- sistant District Attorneys McIntyre, Well- man, Weeks and Lindsay were seated with- in the inclosed t2 set apart for the prosecution. Mr. MzIntyre received the verdict quietly. “I am disappointed,” said he, later, “in the jury's returning a verdict of murder in the second degree. Murder by poison is surely premeditated, and therefore must be murder in the first degree.” The other lawyers, who were discussing the outcome of the case, said that it was a verdict for both sides, but Dr. O'Sullivan did not agree with them. “Do you accept this verdict in the light of a victory for the defense, doctor?” do not,” he replied. “How can a verdict of murder in the second degree be looked upon as a victory, when the con- victed man has not killed anyone? I am not satisfied with this verdict, and our firm will insist on a new trial, the reasons for which will be made known in due time.” Dr. Meyer and his wife were arrested on July 12 last at Detroit, Mich., where they were living quietly and pocrly under the names of Dr. and Mrs. Carl Schaffer. They were taken at the instance of a New York insurance man named Julian for poisoning one Brandt, or Baum, in that city in 1892, to procure the insurance on his life. Meyer was taken to New York for trial and de- velopments made it probable that he had similarly dealt with a number of other vic- | tims before he met Brandt. On his first trial one of the jurors became insane and the trial had to be abandoned. Meyer was convicted largely on the evidence of one Mueller, an accomplice. , May 18.—Secretary Herbert, Miss Herbert, Miss Buell, Mrs. Micou and Lieut. Reamy arrived here last evening from Mare Island, and spent two hours visiting points of interest here. They left for the north by way of Portland, and will return east by the Northern Pacific route. will be disposed to accept this aggressive action of the republicans as sufficient war- rant for their pressing the-fight more per- sistently. With the silver republicans help- ing them to keep a quorum, the democrats ought to be able to prolong the sessions late in the night, if they desire to do so. The silver men are expressing great surprise at the course of Mr. Shoup in joining the fill- buster last night. During the fight over the repeal of the Sherman law, two silver men, Shoup and Perkins, refused to take part !n the fillbuster against the repeal upon the grounds that they were opposed on principle to filfbustering. Consistent with this posi- tion, Mr. Perkins refused last night to fillbuster against Mr. Harris’ motion. Shoup, however, joined in this filibuster. The silver men now want to know why he did not help them in this way in the fight for ‘silver. —_—____- e- ——___—_ A PUBLIC HEALTH BUREAU, d Against Its Es- tablishment Heard, The House committee on interstate and foreign commerce gave a hearing today upon the bills before it to establish a bu- reau of public health. Surgeon General Wy- man of the marine hospital service opposed the project, taking the ground that the marine hospital service was able to satisfy the requirements for such a service. It would be necessary to go to great additional expense to establish the proposed new bu- reau. The expenses of the marine hospital service proper, the care of sick and disabled seamen, were borne by @ tax on foreign tonnage. Dr. John Gardner of the New York Acad- emy of Medicine, which is urging the pro- ject, complimented the work of the marine hospital, but said that the medical frater- nity objected to the government spending so much money to fight two or three dig- eases. One hundred and fifty thousand people died annuaily from three diseases— typhoid fever, diphtheria and tuberculosis. That cholera and yellow fever had been so far prevented was an argument for vigor- ous measures against other diseases. He ap- pealed to Dr. Wyman to cofifirm him in the statement that there never would be an- other general epidemic of cholera, because the medical fraternity had it so far under subjection, but Dr. Wyman replied that he was not so sure of that. It would be im- practicable for the states to deal with the question. The law in New York for an in- spection of tuberculous cattle had put a premium upon the importation of tubercu- lous cattle into the state. Dr. Jenkins, health officer at New York, was present, but did not speak, remarking that he con- sidered it a fight between the marine hos- pital and academy of medicine. ——-+e-— MR. DOCKERY’S REDUCTION BILL, lt Will Have a Hard Fight to Get Through the Senate. There is promised a hard fight in the Senate against the bill of Mr. Dockery’s commission abolishing the customs bureau of the Treasury Department and the sec- ond controller's office. The opposition will be based not on any desire to interfere with the adoption of any proper reform by which there can be a saving to the govern- ment, but upon the fact that it is alleged that the action proposed by this bill, while making a nominal saving in salaries, is Mable to cost the government much more in the end than can by any possibility be saved. By substituting some imperfect system of accounts for the one now in vogue, which has stood the test since the time of Ham- ilton, it is held that the treasury may lose thousands by mistakes and in other ways for every hundred they save in salaries. The removal of existing safeguards would be Hable to lead to endless frauds, and it is pointed out that under the s; bookkeeping which this bill propos troduce, which is in use by the railroads, the railroads have lost millions of dollars. The question ts one of the gravest im- portance, and complaint is made that in his anxiety to do something in the name of economy Mr. Dockery is trying to hurry this bill through Congress, while it is very uncertain as to what its operation will be, with the stfong probability that it may be disastrous, e to be pursued he want: tion distinctly understood. He was williag to adopt any method to defeat the bill ang could not be shaken in his conviction by clamor or threats that the country was de- manding immediate action. As far as his state was concerned, the bill was a free trade bill, as it affected the great Oregon oe oe — om ae, nee he — ly to t it to tl yy any parli- amentary method at hand. 4 Mr. Allison’s Stateme: Mr. Allison, while declining to commit himself as to what he would do, deciated he was glad to learn the positions of his colleagues, Messrs. Dolph and Frye. He was emphatic in his statement that there had been no agreement on the part of the minority as to what should be done, but he sumed that the future would develop their attitude. They would, most certainly, how- ever, insist upon full and orderly debate, whether it took ten days or ten weeks, and he did not hesitate to say that in his opinion the other side manifested too much impa- tlence, If, in the final struggle, his personal opinion should be overruled by a majority of his party, he would follow his party saw Senators on the other side’ following theirs. Mr. Chandler (N.H.) also bore testimony to the fact that no agreement had been ar- rived at on his side of the chamber. The queation was still open and would be, presumed, until the fullest possible debate had been had. Mr. Manderson moved to amend the reso- lution #0 as to set aside one hour each day for morning business. This motion was de-| feated by a strict party vote, 22-32. During the progress of the roll call the hands of the | Senate clock passed noon, and as the vote was about to recur on the adoption of the resolution, Mr. Dolph demanded the regular order, claiming that under the agreement under which the Senate was operating the tariff bill must be laid before the Senate at 12 o'clock.” There was some controversy over this peint, Mr. Harris eontending that the proceedings of yesterday terminated all previous agreements. At last it was decided to take a vote by unanimous consent, and | the resolution was adopted without di- yision. Mr. Gallinger Yielded. Then, at 12:20, the tariff bill was taken up. Mr. Gallinger was about to proceed with bis speech, but, at the request of Mr. Hale, yielded the floor to allow the Senate to go ahead with the consideration of the schedules. In doing so Mr. Gallinger de- | nied that he was engaged in making a speech against time. His speech had been carefully prepared; much time had been spent in its preparation, and he intended to deliver it in an orderly manner. Heavy Reduction for the Rich. ‘The consideration of the paragraphs pass- , ed over last night during the closing hour of the session was then resumed. Mr. Aldrich moved to increase the rate on preparations used as applications to the hair, mouth, teeth or skin, from 40 to 50 per cent. In some general remarks upon the inconsistencies with professions of the democratic party, when ranged alongside the pending bili, Mr. Aldrich producsd a table of figures, carefuly worked out upon the basis of last year's import, showing that the heavy reductions had all been made up- | on articles of luxury. A tax was proposed | on sugar, ah article of common use, he said, which would cost the poor people $50,000,000 a year. He ranged articles of common use by the side of articles of luxury. The re- duction. on flannels was $978, on diamonds $2,000,000, on cut nails $8, on decorated china $4,000,000, on trace chains, $7, on silk laces and embroideries $1,500,000, on cheap hats $14, .on fine woolens $14,000,000, on wood screws, $18; on French brandies, cordials, &c., $1,000,000, on fence wire, $18,000, on fine hosiery, $1,542,000, on spool cotton $21,000, on kid gloves $1,000,000, on cotton bagging $6,489, on silk velvet plushes $549,000, on collars and cuffs $2,000, on silk ribbons $110,000, The whole table he submitted showed a total reduction on articles in common use of $11,000,000 and on articles of luxury of $38,000,000, The pending paragraph proposed to reduce the rates on cosmetics, powders, dentifrices and pomades to 40 per cent. They were articles of luxury. Mr. Vest’s Rep! Mr. Vest replied to Mr. Aldrich. The latter’s argument, he said, was an attempt “The previous question being ordered the resolution was agreed to. The regular or- der was then demanded and committees called for reports. The routine morning business being con- cluded, and this being private bill day, Mr. Bunn,chairman of the committee cn claims, stated that he would not ask the House to go into committee of the whole to con- sider private bills, as he had made an ar- 1éngement whereby some other day would be set apart for the consideration of pri- vate bills. Mr, Reed's Inquiries. Mr. Reed inquired whether he had also rede arrangements for the substitution of scme other day for the day taken from other business to give to the consideration of private bills, and so on ad infinitum, but Mr. Bunn replied that he could only take care of the present and allow the future to take care of itself. Mr, Dockery then moved that the House o into committee of the whole to con- sicer general appropriation bills, but Mr. Loud (Cal.) moved that the Houre go into committee of the whole to consider private ills on the calendar. The latter motion took precedence, and a small-sized filibuster was begun. On di- vision the vote stood 61—0%—no quorum. Mr, Loud asked for tellers. Pending this he| Mr. Dockery demanded the yeas and nays, end the roll was called, and the motion to take up private bills lost—S3—14. Mr. Burrows moved that when the House adjourn today it be to meet on Monday rext, and fillbustering tactics were con- tinued, the yeas and nays being demanded. The roll cail'on Mr. Burrows’ motion te adjourn over Saturday resulted 79 yeas and 134 nays, when an agreement was made between Mr. Dingley on the part of the re- publicans and Mr. Dockery for the demo- crats that the first reading of the legisia- tive, executive and judicial appropriation bill should be dispensed with and general debate be closed at 5 o'clock this evening, so that the House could adjourn over to- morrow. The House then went into committee of the whole without any opposition (Mr. Rich- ardson in the chair) and the bill was taken up. e Legislative Appropriation Bill. Mr. Dockery, who has charge of the bill, explained its provisions and showed where reductions had been made. Among other items absent was the sum of $100,000 for salaries of assessors for the sugar bounty, which was omitted from the pending bill, as it was drawn up in line with the recent ac- tion of the House on the tariff bill. This led to an interesting discussion on | the sugar question, in which the >epubli- can end was held up by Mr. Cannon of Illinois, who inquired of Mr. Dockery as to the source of his information that there would be no sugar bounty in the next fiscal | year. Was it courteous, he asked, to say to the gentlemen in the other end of the Capi- tol that there was to be no further sugar bounty? Mr. Dockery replied that so far as he was concerned he was willing that the action of the cor mittee in omitting provision for ssessors of the sugar bounty should be taken aS an omen. And that so far as the democratic party in the House was concerned it intended to repeal the sugar bounty at the earliest possible moment, and all other bounties from the public treasury for all other. privileged classes. (Democratic applause.) +o<+—___ THE PRESIDENT’S RETURN. He Will Not Be Back Until the Mi of Next Week. The President and party will not return to Washington before the middle of next week. ——————+ e+ ___ A Branch Hydrographic Office. Arrangements are being made for the establishment of a branch hydrographic cffice at Cleveland, Ohio, for the benefit of the mariners on the Great Lake: ie Stanley Brown Resi: J. Stanley Brown of Ohio, geologist, at $1,- 800, in the United States geological surv has resigned to accept a place with the North Américan Commercial Company. | taking the oath of office. The commission, @ great sheet of parchment, states that the intment is for the term of six years. | é Miller said that, while he would re- | sume his seat on the bench tomorrow, he would not, of course, proceed in the case of Coxey, Browne and Jones until further | advised by the district attorney. Mr. Bir- |mey, he understood, would not move for séntence until after Judge Bradley had dis- posed of the petition of the men for a writ | of certiorari. cman ilioaienetasetirtlinan THE VENEZUELAN EARTHQUAKE. A Report Received From the United | States Charge @'Affaires. | The acting secretary of state today re- | ceived the following report of Mr. Bante- man, United States charge d'affaires at Curacoa, Venezuela, in regard to the recent earthquakes in that country: “On the 28th jof April last at 10:30 p.m. an earthquake destroyed completely the cities of Merida jand Egido and several villages. Details of this calamity have not as yet been receiv- ed, but there is little doubt that the loss \of life and property is very great; so much the more, as at the time most of the in- habitants had retired for the nigttt. It is ;to be feared, at the same time, that the sections of Trujillo and Tachira have suf- fered very seriously, and that almost the whole western part of the republic was visited by this catastrephe. Even in Cura- cca the shock was heavy, though the dis- lance is 300 miles. A commission of con- gress is to be sent immediately to the scene, and public subscriptions have al- ready been started for the benefit of the | sufferers. An official telegram from the |president of the state of Merida to Gen. Crespo with reference to the misfortune having been published in Curacoa, I offered | immediately my services to the president, jand stated that if he desired I would ask my govefnment for aid, and, in accord- janee, sent to you the cablegram of May & which I had written in the presence of the minister of foreign afiairs, having in mind the fact that the United States very gen- {erously contributed the sum of $50,000 to the sufferers of the earthquake of 1812, which has been so gratefully referred to and remembered by the Venezuelans. I am |sure that the government will highly ap- preciate any assistance on the part of the | United States.” TROUBLE IS FEARED. The Indian Territory Strike Ape vroaching an Acute Stage. Dispatches received at the Department of | Justice this morning indicate serious trouble jin the Krebs and Lehigh districts of the | Indian territory. Several of the mines in those districts are under the control of gov- ernment receivers pending the settlement of litigation in United States courts. A lot of the miners struck and threatened vio- lence to the men who offered to take their places. The trouble originated several days “go, and is gradually nearing an agute stage. The United States marshal says he cannot raise a reliable posse, and is utterly unable to quell the disturbance. He repre- sents that the use of troops is absolutely necessary for the protection of government property. The matter has been submitted to the consideration of the military author- ities, and it is probable that the request will be granted. The nearest available troops are ct Fort Smith, Indian territory. DO The Ranger Sails North. | Word reached the Navy Department todaj |that the United States ship Ranger had | sailed from San Francisco for Port Town- send prior to her departure for Bering sea for service against poachers on the sealing ‘ » Ranger was detained at San 3 on account of court-martial pro- ceedings against one of her oflicers—Lieut, Edward D. He was charged with drunkenne asions while the ship was er waters. All th j ent in rega |PPthat the officer was detached, and that the ship sailed north without him. This is a good indication that he Was not exonerat- (ed. The record of the court will be mailed {te this city.