Evening Star Newspaper, May 25, 1894, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. Beanrberas 9 "wid PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th Street, by The Evening Star Newspaper Company, 8. H. KAUFFMANN, Prest. New York Office, 49 Potter Building. ar is poser to subscribers im the the Ty mail—anywhere in the United States or Canada—postage prepald—50 vents per monts Satmrday Ga wi aple Sheet added, subscriptions must be paid ip advance. rtising made known on application, Che Evening Star. Vor 84. No. 20,894. WASHINGTON, D. C., FRIDAY, MAY 25, 1894—TWELVE PAGES. TWO CENTS. BOTH EXONERATED Report of the Senate Bribery In- vestigating Committee, SENATORS HUNTON AND KYLE FREED From Anything That Tends to Impeach Their Honor. SOME QUEER TESTIMONY ‘The report of the Senate committee ap- Pointed to investigate the charges of at tempts to bribe Senators to vote against the tariff bill and the charges of improper in- fluences being used in connection with the sugar schedule, was submitted to the Sen- ate today, so far as concerns the attempted bribery of Senators Hunton and Kyle. The fommittee in its report say: “It appears from the testimony submitted that a certain Charles W. Buttz of North Dakota, but domiciled in Washington since December last, where he has been engaged as a lobbyist and claim agent, did, on or about the Ist of April of this year, at the house of Senator Hunton, in Warrenton, Va., during the absence of the Senator, say to his son, Eppa Hunton, jr., that he would Pay him a contingent fee of $25,000 if he ‘would, by presenting arguments as to’ the ending tariff bitl, induce his father, Senator Hunton, to vote against It. “This offer was declined at once, and per- emptorily, by Eppa Hunton, jr., as set forth in his testimony, and the whole mat- ter was communicated by him te father. Senator Hunton avatled himself @® the first ‘opportunity to disclose the matter to certain of his friends in the Senate, as appears in the testimony, and was in “no other way connected with the transaction. month of March last past, approae! ator Kyle of South Dakota with ag tion that $14,000 would be paid toh ator Kyle) if he would vote again pending bill. The said Buttz, when this proposition, also stated to_Senator Kyl that the money’ was in the hands or cipael of an agent of certain bankers and c: ists of New York city, and that the ‘was in Washington. “Senator Kyle's testimony is confirmed by that of Mr. Duncan McFarlane, clerk to the committee cn education and labor. “Senator Kyle is shown by the testimony fo have communicated this interview with Buttz, and the offer made to him to sev- eral Senators shortly after the said inter- ¥iew took place. ‘Your committee are abundantly justified im stating that the facts above recited have been established by the evidence. notwith- standing the denial on the part of Charles W. Buttz, and they refer the Senate to the fegtimony tm detail in support of this find- ‘s. Your committee find nothing from their investigation to impeach, in the least de- gree. the honor or character of Senators Hunton and Kyle. “There is no evidence to show the truth of Mr. Buttz’s statements to Senator Kyle and to Mr. Eppa Hunton, jr., that a syn- dicate of bankers and capitalists had Taised @ sum of money to be used for the purpose of defeating the pending tariff bill, or that there was an agent of such a syndicate in Washington, or that any money was in Washington for that puzpose. Buttz de- nies that he made any such statements, or that he had or has any knowledge of the existence of such a syndicate, or that he begga _ representative of any one. e further denies that he had money himself.” gy The Testimony Taken. ‘The testimony taken before the committee fh the Hunton and Kylé matter is sub- fitted with the report. It does not differ from that which was published at the iime the charges were made and when the tes- timony was taken. Hoth Senator Hunton and his son testified as to the offer made by Buttz to the younger man of money for the vote of the Senator. Senator Kyle’s testimony as to Buttz’s offer of from $30),- wu to $100,000 if he would vote against the tariff bill is very explicit, but he testified that afterwards uttz suid that all he could Jet him have was $15,000. Regarding Eppa Hunton, jr., Senator Gray asked him: “Did you say you would Pay, or that Mr. Hunton could receive from any source whatever, a fee of $15,000 or any other amount in case his father voted @gainst the tariff bill in the Senate?” Don't Think He Said I . Buttz—No; I do not think I ever said The chairman—Are you sure? Mr. Buttz—I do not see why I should have @aid it, because I had no means of paying or anybody to authorize me to do it. I do not see why I should have had so idle talk @s that. Mr. Hunton is a distinguished gen- tleman, a man of veracity, and I do not see Why I should come forward and make such & statement. As to the offers of money to Senator Kyle, the following is a portion of the testimony: } The chairman—Did you say to Senator Kyle at that interview, or any other, that he could have a large sum of money if he ‘Would vote against the bill? ie Buttz—No; I never promised Mr. Kyle cent. ‘The chairman—Did you say he could have that? Answer my question—yes or no. Mr. Buttz—What do you mean that he Gould have? That I would get it for him? The chairman—That he could have, or that You would procure it—obtain a large sum of Money in case he voted against that bill. Mr. Buttz—I could not say anything of that kind. But I will tell you what I did say. In this general running talk I sald to Mr. Kyle on several occasions that I was Satisfied there would be a fund raised and that money would be offered. A man told me here the other day, “Buttz, I will get a fee of $15,000 If the tariff bill Is defeated, and I will give you $1,000 of that if you wili find out how Kyle will vot Said he: “He is from your state." I said: “No; South He said: “If you find out how he 4s going to vote it is worth $1,000 to you.” In reference to the conversation with Pri- vate Secretary McFariane,Buttz’s testimony became confused. Senator Davis said tion w j oar referred to. Mr. Buttz—“I cannot speak of any one oc- I can sp=k as a whole as to the mee of the talk in regard to the State what was sail McFarlane in the ff. Senator Davis—‘‘State what was he subject of $15,000; $14, for him and $1,000 for your: What He Told Me Mr. Buttz—“I told Mr. McFarlane that a friend of mine would get $1 of which I would get $1,000, if I would find out how Kyle would vote. Senator Da “He was to get $14,0003" ‘he offer was in case I would you ever said $15,000 on that Mr. Buttz casion ?"* is not all I ever said on speaking of the aid to any othe sion ? On at least his vote. talk?” talked sinary We ster of the xplain wh ort up- mn | GONE TO KENTUCKY. 1 over that} Some Republicans Still Hope the Bill Oan Be Defeated. Radical Democrats in the House Will Offended by Gorman’s Speech. Some of the republicans who are still holding to the idea that the tariff bill may yet be beaten are advising that the fight be kept up at least until the Ist of July, when, in the absence of any new appropria- tion bills, the old appropriations will bave to be extended. They contend that the tariff would then have to be laid aside and that-they might then be able to kill it. ‘The radical tariff reform opposition in the House to the Senate amendments to the Wilson bill is being organized for a hard fight against the compromise measure whenever the bill comes over from the Sen- ate. A large number of the radicals de- clare that they would sooner have no legis- lation than to accept the Senate proposi- tion, and it is believed that most of the democrats of the ways and means commit- tee are in favor of fighting to the !ast ditch. Gorman’s speech has offended many dem- ocrats in the House, and is being bitterly criticised. It is understood that when the ume comes for the appointment of a con- ference committee the House conferees will be selected with the view of getting men who will be most determined in their oppo- sition to the Senate amendments. a. it the odds are against the radicals, bie they. will certainly make a stiff fight. —_—_——_--e+__ CHICAGO FAIR BUILDING Sold by the Government for a Little Over $3,000. There seems to be a good deal of dissatis- faction among the Georgia delegation in Congress and others interested in the con- templated international exposition at At- larta at the sale by Secretary Carlisle of the government building at Chicago for The parties to whom it was sold asked the Atlanta exposition author- $25,000 for it. It was stated at the iry Department today in explanation ind justification of the sale that some ‘ ago Secretary Carlisle, having been Rotified that the building must be removed from Jackson Park, directed the custodian of the government butlding at Chicago to make a thorough examination of the build- ing and report as to its value. This was done, and the lue was placed at $1,550. On May Sth Mr. Carlisle sent Special Agent 0. O. Stealey to Chicago to ascertain what it could be sold for, and after consulting with a large number of contractors and architects, Mr. Stealey reported that a large percentage of those consulted were of opinion that not only was the building worth nothing, but that the government should pay something for removing it. Mr. Stealey, however, succeeded in get- ting an offer of $3,250, and telegraphed the facts to the Secretary and received au- thority to close the sale, which was done, it was stated further that not un- til the 2ist of the present month, when Mr. Carlisle received a letter of inquiry on the subject from Representative Living- ston of Georgia, did he have any intima- tion that there was a scheme on foot to remove the building to Atlanta. Had he had any idea that the building was wanted for this purpose, or that it could have been utilized the government in any way, it is said he would not have taken og 4 steps to dispose of it. The building, it is said, was not constructed vith a view to its be- ing taken down again, but on the contrary was built in such a way and of such ma- terials that it could not be taken down and set up again “without practically recon- structing it. The Deal Interrupted. Secretary Smith and Representative Liv- ingston of Georgia had an interview with Secretary Carlisle at the Treasury Depart- ment this morning in regard to the trans- fer of the government building at the | world’s fair to the Georgia exposition. Sec- | retary Carlisle informed them that he had not entirely closed the deal for the sale of the property to’ the Chicago firm, and prom- | ised that he would not do so until he learns | the purposes of the House appropriations | committee on the subject. All that remains to be done to complete the transaction is for him to sign the bill of sale. There is still time, however, for a reconsideration of the steps that have been already taken. SUPERVISING | ARCHITECT’S OFFICE. Secretary Carlisle Proposes to Re- duce the Clerical Force. Secretary Carlisle contemplates a com- plete reorganization of the office of the su- pérvising architect of the treasury. A corps of experts has just completed a thorough in- vestigation of the business methods of the office, and has found many things to crit- icise. The result of their researches has been embodied in a detailed report to the Seeretary of the Treasury, and this docu- j ment will be used as a basis for the pro- posed reorganization of the office. The ex- perts recommend a number of changes in the clerical force of the office, and suggest several improvements in the administration of its affairs. These recommendations are based entirely on their instructions from Secretary Carlisle to ascertain and report on the best means of simplifying the busi- ress methods of the office in the interests ef economy and good government. The report is made solely for the benefit of the Secretary in formulating his action in the matter, and its contents are regarded as confidential. It is known, however, that the report recommends a reduction of at least twenty employes in the office, involv- ing the abolition of two divisions ‘and the consolidation of others, and contemplates an annual saving in salaries alone of $30,000 out of an annual appropriation of $200,000, | The experts who have acted in this matter | are the same ones who served the Dockery commission in the case of the offices of the | commissioner of customs, second controller | and sixth auditor. The reductions made in those offices ag- gregated 157 employes, with a total salary list of $200,000 a year. In case Secretary | Carlisle acts In accordance with the recom- | mendations of the experts with respect to j the architect's office, the next fiscal year | Will show a total reduction of 177 in’ the | force of the Treasury Department, and a reduction of $230,000 in salaries. est Representative W. C. P. Breckinridge | to Make More Campaign Speeches. Representative W. C. P. Breckinridge | left this afternoon for Kentucky, where he | has arranged to deliver a couple of cam- | paign speeches. For the ys Mr. | | Breckinridge has been a vw man, preparing the bill of excep mitted in the breach of prom! | w attending to of hi d making arrangements for hi tour into the blue grass state. A tar reporter who called at his house this | morning was told that he was not at home. His private secretary sxid, however, that | he had not yet prepared the speeches he | is to deliver, ne 1 he know what the | nature of them would be. — +o. ‘The Massachusetts Militia, Maj. Marcus P. Miller, fifth artillery, has been detailed to attend the encampments of the militia of the state of Massachusetts at South Framingham, Mass., June 5 to 9, 1894, | and July 17 to #1, 1804; at Hingham, Mass., | to be sub- | i cae | July 10 to 14, 1804; at Essex, Mass., August | 7 to 1, 1804, and at Fort Warren, Mass., | August 20 to 1 I report by | letter to the etts for {such duty as x during ase as | the encampments, and after the close of the | fire at an early hour this morning. The loss (same will return to his proper station, Fighting With Striking Miners Re- sumed in Illinois. SOLDIERS ORDERED 0 CENTRALIA A Battle With Deputy Sheriffs Near Cripple Creek. QUIET IN PENNSYLVANIA PEE: We Ne esas CENTRALIA, IIL, May 25.—Despite their defeat and the capture of a quarter of their number yesterday in Eodine the miners made another attack on the Centralia miners before dawn today. Just about 3 o'clock about fifty of the strikers crept stealthily to the mines, which had been left lightly guarded in the belief that any attack, if made, would be on the armory, where the arrested men were confined under heavy, guard. The first known of the strikers’ ap- proach was a tremendous fusilade of bullets against the mine company’s office. The guards returned the fire with their Win- chesters and the strikers fled. So far as known no one was hurt. Assistance soon came to the guards, and no further trouble occurred. A little after 9 o’clock the troops ordered here under Col. R. M. Smith arrived, and the town was immediately put under’ mili- tary guard. News reached here from Duquoin that 500 more strikers are endeavoring to steal a train and come here, while from Breeze comes word that the strikers there are pre- | paring to march. The troops, however, are strong, and will resist any mob that may come. Sheriff Holmes also has a large force of deputies now on duty, all picked men, who will not hesitate in an emergency. Fighting Near Cripple Creek. CRIPPLE CREEK, Col., May 25.—Mayor Whiting today received a te’ephone message that miners from Bull Hill had surrounded the Independence and Portland mines, and that a battle was in progress. Another message to the mayor was to the effect that the snaft house of the Strong mine had been blown up. A wagon load of powder was backed up against the shaft | house of the Strong mine by strikers and | exploded. Several men were in the shaft house a short time before. Whether they got out alive or not is not known. All telephone lines leading into the hills | have been cut and it is feared the telegraph | wires will go soon. It ts reported the Den-| ver deputies reached Victor and were !m-/ mediately assaulted. DENVER, Col., May 25.—About 125 depu- ty sheriffs left this city last night for Crip- ple Creek and about 10u more left today to assist the miners in that locality in resum- ing operations. The strikers expect to give them battle at the Victor mine about six miles from Cripple Creek, where the turbu- Jent element has thrown up breastworks. About sixty deputy sheriffs, armed with a Winchester rifle and a brace of revolvers each, have left Cripple Creek for the Victor mines, ostensibly to protect railroad prop- erty, but undoubtedly to participate in the fight. The strikers will be confronted by about 800 deputy sheriffs, all well armed. UNIONTOWN, Pa., May 25.—The Wash- ington Run plant, where the bloody battle y as occurred yesterday, i: nothing had hal ed. hi not been near and have not 3 tramp of the deputies yards is = only sign of lite, the plant being- shut own. i The inquest held by "Squire Browneller of Perry township on the four dead strikers found the shooting justifiable and exoner- "d the deputies. Coroner Batten, however, says the inquest was unauthorized and without instructions. He has ordered Dep- uty Coroner Echard to hold another inquest tcday and to make a thorough investlsa- tion. The strike leaders say ihey will pre- fer charges of murder against the deputies. BIRMINGHAM, Ala., May 25.—The sher- ift's posse which went in searcn of the mob of strikers that were marching to Dolomite mines last night falled to find them. The mob took to the woods and evidently dis- persed before reaching Dolomite. All is quiet. LA SALLE, IIL, May 25.—Five compantes of militia have arrived from Ottawa, Streator and Aurora and gone into camp. ‘Their coming has done much to reliave the terror and anxiety of the people. —_-— FREE TO COME ON. “Gen.” ders to Give Bon Own Appearance. LEAVENWORTH, Kar., May 25.—Gen. Sanders of the commonweal has received the following telegram from his attorney at Topeka: “District Attorney Perry offers to let all the men go on their own recognizance, ex- cept yourself, engineer and fireman, for whom bond will be given. What do you say?" To an Associated Press reporter Sanders said he would accept the compromise and would so wire his attorney. Sanders then went to camp and addressed the army. The men gave vent to their feel- Mgs by cheering lustily. The general says they will‘leave here before next Monday and march to Kansas City, where they cx- pect transportation. If the compromise is not knocked out, Sanders and his engiieer and fireman will not be tried until Septem- ber, and the army will be free to go to Washington, or some other place. Contrary Report: Reports received at the War Department are to the effect that the prisoners who were brought to Leavenworth, Kan., after capturing a train, have become unruly, and are with difficulty prevented from organiz- ed revolt. The marshal's officers having represented the facts to the Department of Justice, Gen. Schofield has given instruc- tions to Gen, Brooke, at Omaha, to cause the troops to be held in readiness to assist the civil officers, >. RPRISE SPRUN ANOTHER SU Mrs. Coddington Charges Relatives With Stealing Her Ch NEW YORK, May 25.—In the Coddingtcn case, now being heard in the suprenze court, a new sensation was added today. The rela- tives of Mrs. Coddington’s dead husband | are trymg to take from her the custody | °&C° of hiv millions on the grounds that she is | an inebriate. surprise was thrown into | the case y lay when it was -nnoun:e u Mrs. Coddington had married James | Feilows, a broker. the late 3 Mrs. Mathilda E. with kidnaping year-old daughter Caroline. Mr. Coddington, Goodwin. Mrs. and his me They are char; Coddington’s “4 three- | — Sentiment of Kansas Women. TOPEKA, Kan., May 25.—At a meeting of the representative women of Kansas yes- terday the following resolution was adopted: “The women of Kansas join hands with our Kentucky sisters in demanding that no man henceforth be elected to Congress who does not require in other men and exemplify in his own life the same standard of moral purity that is rightfully demanded cf wo- men.” gees Col. Morrell’s St TORRESDALE, Pa., Ma of Col. E. DeV. Morrell were destroyed by on building and horses is $12,000. THE TARIFF FIGHT|MORE SHOTS FIRED DISTRICT IN CONGRESS Not Much Prospect for Looal Legislation in the Senate, No Meeting of the District Committee Today—Many Bills on the Calendar. A prospect for local legislation ts not very bright just at present in the Senate. The urgency of the tariff situation is such that nothing can be done now in the way of committee meetings, for the Senate meets daily at 10 o'clock, and remains in session until 6 at the earliest. The possibilities are that night sessions will be ordered regular- ly, beginning with next week, and so the entire legislative day is to be taken up by the discussion of the tariff bill in all its features. The result of this concentration of attention upon the tariff was shown to- day in the matter of the regular meeting of the District committee. As the Senate meets at 10 it will be really necessary for members of the District committee to reach the Capitol on Friday mornings as early as 9 o'clock, an hour unheard of in senatorial customs, in order to do any busi- ness at all before the beginning of the ses- sion. In anticipation of this, Mr. Harris, the clerk of the committee, last evening made a poll of the committee, and ascer- tained in a very few minutes that it would be utterly impossible to secure the attend- ance of more than one or two Senators at 9 o'clock in the morning. Consequently, the members of the committee were notified that there would be no meeting today, and this will probably be succeeded by similar notices each Friday until the tariff bill is disposed of. ‘There may be a few hearings on the sub- ject of the disputed railway bills, but there 43 go disposition on the part of the com- mittee to hasten in these matters as no ac- tion can be taken legislatively and there is no necessity for accumulating material. Weeks Before Any Action. ‘The naval axion referred to by Mr. Sills the other day in a tariff speech that the speed of the fleet is the speed of its slowest veusel is applicable to this case. No mat- j ter at what rate the House may consider and pass local bills the Senate cannot act upon them for many weeks to come and so the capacity of the Senate now regulates the output of the congressional machine. ‘This is true, of course, of other matters than local legislation, but the local calendar" of the Senate is now in a fair way to rival all the other matters on the calendar put together. There are now upward of two dezen bills on the Senate calenlar await- ing action, inclu Some of the most im- portant matters re Congress affecting the interests of Washington. Among these are the tax sales bill, the Metropolitan rail- read bill, that relating to reorganization of the oftice of sealer of weights and measures, the water supply bill and others of more or less importance. In addition to all these there is, of course, the District appropriation bill, still in the hands of the appropriation committee, or, more properly, of the subcommittee, consist- ing of Senators Gorman, Cockrell and Alli- son. The illness of Senator Gorman, which now confines him to his rooms at Worm- ley’s, added to his recent work on the tariff bill, has necessitated his complete aban- donment of the District bill for the present. Nothing has been done upon {t for upward of two months, and there {s still a preat deal to be attended to in connection with it. It is quite likely that Mr. Gorman, when able to resume work on the appropriation committee, will not at once take up the District bill, but will apply himself to other appropriation measures of more national importance, The House Committe Action. The House committee cn judiciary decided to lay on the table the bill intro- duced by Mr. Morse of Massachusetts to ore seduction in the District of Colum- fa. The bill authorizing the attorney for the District of Columbia to adininister oaths was adversely reperted. The Bill Passed. By unanimous consent the House yester- day afternoon passed the bill to incorpoxate the Supreme Lodge of Knights of Pythlas of the District of Columbia. —_—__——_--e.____ THE COMMITTEE CRITICISED. For the Way It is Investigating the Charges Against the Sugar Trust. ‘There is a great deal of comment con- cerning the manner in which the Senate bribery investigating committee are going at their work. They appear to be start- ing out on the same old congressional plan, which has so often failed. They reported to- day that Mr. Buttz had offered bribes to Senators and also that he represented no one. ‘Chis amounts practically to the opin- ion that he was simply trying to get options on votes with the view of speculation, which appears to be the popular view of the case. ‘There was nothing very difficult about that feature of the investigation and it was simple enough to dispose of it properly with- out hurting any one of public consequence. The question of the alleged speculation of Senators in sugar and of the contributions ot the sugar trust to the democratic cam- paign fund ts apparently being approached with great caution. Mast determined efforts are being made to get Newspaper men to tell where they got information which led them to discuss these matters in the press, just as has been done time and time agains Congressional com- mittees have had experience with newspaper writers before and know well that these men, while ready to give information as to facts, the knowledge of which is in their possession, will not disclose the names of their informants. There is probably not a member of the committee who would trust a man who would disclose to the committee the name of a confidential informant. The statements have been repeatedly made that certain Senators and cabinet of- ficers, whose names have been given, and others named had the desired information. It is thought that the committee is wasting time trying to find out why the writers think these men know something, when It would be easy to get the men themselves to testify before the committee. Officials could not very well refuse to testify, as news- paper men can, without subecting them- selves to suspic! NOMINATIONS BY THE PRESIDENT. n. Some Important Customs Offices Fill- ed—Promotions in the Medical Corps. The President today sent to the Senate the following nomination: Treasury—C. C. Baldwin of New York, to be naval off of customs in the district of New York; John A. Sullivan of New York, to be collector of internal revenue for the trict of New York. »iectors of customs—Wm. Mickler for the district of St. Augustine, L. O'Reilly of Bhoae Island, Col. Jo 1, to bec Maj. A. A. ant colonel and dep ; Capt. Wm. R. Hall, ant surgeon, to be n jor and surgeon. ‘0 be marshals of the United States— Bar ldwin of California, for the north- ern district of Calfforni Harris of Vermont, for the district of Vermont, and a number of postmasters. ——+ 2 +— Applications Denied. The President ha for pardon In the following cases: Robert Withelm, alias John R. Roberts, convicted in Ohio of counterfeiting; Peter Green, con- Victed in South Carolina of counterfeiting; W. H. Spanier, convicted in North Dakota of selling Mquor to an Indian. ee Se Final Instructions. Mr. Edward I. Prickett of Illinois, United States consul at Kiel, Germany, received his final instructions at the State Depart- ment today and will leave for his post in a few days. denied the applications | REAL ESTATE VALUES /R UMORS House Committee Considers the New Assessment Bill. THE BOARD OF TRADE PROPOSAL Mr. Weller and Mr. Frizzell Pro- pose Some Changes. NO ACTION TAKEN ‘The House District committee this morn- ing entered upon the consideration of the question of an immediate revision and equalization of real estate values in the District and provision for assessments in the future, as provided in the bill agreed upon by the board of trade and the Dis- trict Commissioners. In anticipation of this action a number of citizens were pres- ent, including Assessor Trimble, Mr. John Joy Edson, Mr, C. C. Duncanson, Mr. M. I, Weller, Mr. Frizzell nd Mr. Tucker. President Stevenson of the Metropolitan Railway Company was also present. Representative Cobb, from the subcom- mittee having charge of the bill, reported it to the full committee, and said that the first question for the committee to take up is. whether the committee desires to con- sider the plan of assessment as provided by this bill. There are, of course, numerous methods of assessments, the object of all being the same, and only differing in the method. He explained the system of as- sessment which now prevails in this com- munity, and said the object of proposing a change is to accomplish three purposes; fixing the certainty of getting all propert: listed, an equalization of values for assess- ment, and the certainty of collecting the tax and providing for the rectification of errors in assessment. He explained that this bill provides for the appointment by the Commissioners of three discreet persons, who shall triennially essers the property of thd District. Then | theee three permanent assistants shall, with the assessor, form a board of equalization and revision, sitting constantly. This is the main feature of the bill, he said, the re- mainder merely providing details of admin- istration. Mr. Heard asked if this is not the usual plan of assessment adopted by progressive communities. Mr. Hull said he thought it fs not. One | feature of the bill he thought was unusual, and that was that the assessors who rate the property shall themselves form a board of review to reviee their own acts. The central idea of a board of review is an in- dependent body revising the acts of others. He would prefer that each assessor should have a district, which he would assess, and an independent board of revision should be provided for. If a property holder did not appear before this board, it would be good evidence that the assessor’s work was con- sidered to be correct. He would have real estate assessed every two years and person- al property every year. He opposed the sec- tion providing that improvements to the amount of $200 should be taxed. Mr. Edson Explains. Mr. John Joy Edson said the board of trade, in conjunction with the District Com- missioners, had carefully considered this bill. The great object is to obtain an equalization of real estate values, which will be as perfect as possible. ‘To do this tt is proposed to have the board of re’ on duty constantly, so that at any time a ‘citizen ‘ean sppear and have his assess- ment corrected. Mr. Heard suggested that it is useless to keep the board on duty for three years, as they would have nothing to do after the assessment {3 completed but to sit as a board of appeal. Would it not be better to have a beard which would sit occasionally, say every six months? Mr. Edson explained that it would require a year and a half to make the assessment. He added that with three men of good Judgment, business integrity and capacity @ fair assessment can be secured. It can- not be done perfectly within eighteen months, but long strides can be made to- ward the desired end. He hoped the bill would be adopted. Mr. Weller’s Objection, Mr. M. I. Weller, on behalf of the East |Washington Citizens’ Association, said |there are some features of the bill which |he would like to have changed. In the main, however, the bill is indorsed by the association he represents. The idea of the assessors reviewing their own acts is not acceptable. Appeals will be made from the judgment of the assessors, and they should hot pass upon those appeals. The board |should be increased to five members, and it |would be a good plan to divide the city linto sections, and let each man handle his jown section. | Mr. Heard said he would oppose that plan, and hoped the committee would also. | Mr. Weller replied that in any event the lassessors should be appointed from differ- ent sections of the city. In this city the {poor man pays the bulk of the taxes. His |property is assessed at 60 per cent of its | value, while the rich man’s house and the |great’ office buildings are undervalued. He thought the assessor should give a bond of from $25,000 to $50,000, However, rather han have no bill at all, the association would swallow this one. Mr. Frizzell, on behalf of the Northeast Washington ‘Association, presented some amendments, which, he ‘said, were in the line of those suggested by Mr. Weller. The board of trade, he said, is composed of ele- gant gentlemen, who are, perhaps, several degrecs above the average citizen in point of wealth, but not in intellect. The govern- ment Clerk and the small property owner are not represented in the board of traie. jand their interests were not consulted in making up this bill. The amendments of- fered by the Citizens’ Association were in behalf of these people. The committee then went into executive session, and took up the bill by sections. After spending some time in discussing the bill, it was recommitted to the subcommit- tee. The committee adjourned to meet next ‘Thursday. —__——._—_. THE FLAG INSULTED. A Statement That It W at St. Thoma: The State Department has been informed by our consul at St. Thomas, Ontario, that the American flag has been torn down and otherwise insulted. Torn Down a More Ve for Bluefields. The Navy Depariment has decided to send the cruisers Atlanta and Marblehead to Bluefields, Nicaragua, to relieve the ruters San Francisco and New York, and the latter vessels will start for New York as goon as the other vessels reach Blue- fields. The Marblehead is at New York and the Atlanta {s at Newport. ‘he latter is under orders to tow the receiving ship Richmond to Philadelphia. The Marble- ad will start for Bluefields in a few days ani the Atlanta will follow soon after. ‘The orders to the Marbiehead to attend the Fourth of July celebration at Marble- |head, Me., have been revoked, and that | vessel will not be able to receive her stand of colors on that occasion. oe His Commission Signed. The President signed the commission of Mr. Taylor as recorder of deeds this after- noon, and it is presumed that he will qualify and assume charge of the office tomorrow morning. —_—__-e-______ Fourth-Class Postmasters, Thirty-nine fourth-class postmasters were appointed today. Of these twenty-one were to fill vacancteS caused by resignations, fourteen by removals and four by death. The Purpose of Assistant Secretary Curtis in Going to New York. It is Stated at the Treasury Depart- ment That His Visit Has No Refer- ence to Financial Matters. The fact that the gold balance of the treasury has fallen to $80,000,000, with prospects of a still further reduction by the continued exportation of gold, has set financial gossips to speculating as to what the administration is going to do about it. Scme of these people have made up their minds that another bond issue is impera- tive, and every time one of the principal treasury officials goes to New York it is assumed that it is to confer with bankers and financiers on that subject. A case in point is that of Assistant Sec- retary Curtis. He has gone to New York in pursuance of an engagement made over a week ago, to attend the banquet of the American Institute of Architects in that city tonight, and expects to return to this city tomorrow. His departure so soon after the return of Secretary Carlisle caused the suspicious gossips to circulate a sensational report that he had been sent to New York to consult the financiers of Wall street in regard to the financial situation. This report was denied most emphatic- ally at the department today. A gentle- wan, speaking for Mr. Carlisle, said that Mr. Curtis had gone to New York on pure- ly private business, and that his visit had no reference whatever to the financial con- dition of the treasury. The gold balance, while not so large as it might be, is sufficiently far above the dan- ger point not to require any radical change of policy. It had fallen to $65,000.000 when an issue of bonds was resorted to in Febru- ary last, and it is not believed that another loan will be made unless the balance again gets below that figure. There is an abundance of gold in the country. When call was made on the ni tional banks for a statement of their con- dition on the 28th of February last it wae found that all the national banks of the United States had in round figures $190,- 000,000 in cold. REDUCING THE FORCE. There Will Be Many Changes in the w Departmen Concerning the rumors of proposed whole- sale discharges in the War Department, Secretary Lamont said to a Star reporter this morning that the approaching comple- tion of the work of the record and pension office and the condition of the appropria- tion for the compilation of the records of the rebellion in themselves call for a very material reduction in the clerical force of the department within the next sixty days. That this situation would exist at this time was known to the clerks a year ago, and very many in those bureaus have, in antici- pation of the close of the work, secured transfers to other departments. The War Department for some time has been trans- ferring these clerks to its permanent bu-" reaus, as vacancies have occurred in the classified servi. instead of drawing on the civil service commission. As to other reductions, Secretary Lamont said he had found in his own office that its work wouid be facilitated and delays avoid- ed by a consolidation of desks and a read- justment of duties to some extent, and that this had worked a considerable reduction in the force, which has been made already. The appropriation bill reported to the House 7 feduction of something like 10 the other bureaus, and he be- the views of the committee could be met without working much hardship or im- pairing the efficiency of the department. For some time the Secretary has been en- gaged in an investigation looking to a con. solidation of divisions and reassignment of business for the purpose of doing away h some of the useless copying and dupli- cation of work that has operated to delay the transaction of business and encumber the files of the department, and growing out of this certain changes in the organi- zation of the bureaus will go into effect on the Ast of July next. + 2+ Short Cabinet Meeti A meeting of the cabinet was held at the White House today for the first time in two weeks. All the members were present except Secretary Herbert, who is in the west. Foreign affairs, the financial situa- tion and the labor troubles all over the country are sald to have engaged the prin- cipal share of attention. Secretary Lamont took luncheon with the President after the meeting. It is said that the President will resume his afternoon receptions to the pub- lic in the east room tomorrow at 1:15 o'clock. +2 Not a Counterfeit. R. E. Preston, the director of the mint, today received from a special inspector of customs at El Paso a five-dollar gold plece, with a request for a decision as to its gen- uineness, the inspector stating that it was the evidence against a party accused of passing counterfeit gold coin. Director Preston observed that the coin lacked so- nority, and from its genuine appearance suspected that owing to too rapid rolling of the gold strips preparatory to cutting the planchettes an air bubble or blister was formed just at the spot in the strips from which the coin was cut. With a steel ink eraser Mr. Preston split the coin far enough to ascertain that his diagnosis was correct. It is stated that these slight imperfections occur occasionally, especially when the strips are rolled rapidly. The coin will be — with the statement that it is gen- uine. ———-o-_____ The Navy Needs Money. Owing to a cut in the estimates submitted last year to Congress for increase of the navy the Navy Department has gotten into a sad plight. The estimates prepared by the bureau chiefs were just sufficient to carry forward the work to which the gov- ernment was actually committed by con- tracts, but were scaled down before reach- ing Congress. As a consequence several of the largest contractors for naval construc- tion must go without their money for months, although their work has been com- pleted and turned over to the government. If the department attempt to pay these bills the appropriation would be so reduced that It would be necessary to discharge ev draftsman and clerk employed at Washington and in the various na ras under the head of increase of the navy. - For Paying Pensions. Requisition was made on the Secretary of the Treasury today for the sum of $10,730,- (00, to be disbursed as the quarterly pa: ment of pensions. The amount ts distribut- ed between the various pension agencies as follows: Boston, Mass., $1,790,000; Milwau- kee, Wis., $100,000; Des Motnes, lowa, $100,- 000; Concord, H., $50,000; Chicago, IL, $100,000; Washington, D. C., $1,825,000; San Francisco, Cal., $665,000; Detroit, Mich., $1,- lumbus, Ohio, $3,700,000; Augusta, 1,000, ——- +e. Perso: Mention. Lindsay Dennison, Lanier McKee and Frank 8S. Butterworth of this city have been chosen to the skull and bones at Yale. Gen. O. B. Willeox, U. S. army, retired, has returned from a tour around the world, and has again taken up his residence at 2022 R_ street. Mr. Samuel Roads, jr., chief of the sta- tone! leave here this evening for Marblehead, Me., Where he will deliver an oration on Deco- ration day. National bank notes received for redemp- tion today, 786. Government receipts— from internal revenue, $409,400; customs, $858,914, and miscellaneous, $45,650, DENIE DITALK | | | in f6e ecafing. Yesterday's Sfor confained 46 cofumns of advertisements, made up of 815 separate announce: ments. These advertisers soo pubficitp—not merefp ON HAWAII Mr, Kyle's Resolution Again Up in the Senate. MR. TORPIE WANTS BIS ACTED ON Sharp Words Between Senators Harris and Hoar. MATTERS IN THE HOUSE Mr. Kyle's Hawaiian resolution, which came over from yesterday, was considered again for half an hour in the Senate today, but no action was taken. Mr. Kyle asked for a vote upon the resolution, but Mr. Gray (Del.) thought that if a vote was to at length in the Senate. He moved to sub- stitute that resolution for the one by Mr. Kyle. The Turpie resolution is follows: “Resolved, That from the facts and pers laid before the Senate it is unwise ment therein having been 4 the hi unfriendly to the government of the United States.” The Difference Between the Two. Mr. Manderson (Neb.) did not understand how there could be any objection to the Kyle resolution in the Senate, while on the Turpie resolution, the main feature of which was an expression on the subject of annexation, there was material difference of opinion. He believed that as soon as the republic was organized in Hawaii over- tures looking to annexation would follow. The Kyle resolution simply declared @ policy of non-interference. The Turpie reso- lution raised an entirely different question, and in view of the march of events might prove embarrassing. Mr. Teller (Col.) agreed with Mr, Man- derson that an expression now on the sub- ject of annexation would not be timely. Mr. Morgan, chairman of the committee on foreign relations, also agreed with Mr. Manderson that there was no necessity for an expression on the subject of annexation. Mr. Turple argued that his resolution was clothed in more diplomatic language than Mr. Kyle's, and being colorless as fer as political divisions were concerned,was pref- erable to it in text and terms. At this point the hour of 10:30 arrived ard Mr. Harris insisted upon the regular order. The tariff bill accordingly was laid before the Senate. Mr. Frye’s Protest. Mr. Frye (Mfe.) protested against cutting off action on the Hawaiian resolution. It was of supreme importance to the Hawa- fian Islands that the Senate should take scme action. Yet for three months the Serate had dallied in a manner that was utterly inexcusable. The of Hawail were on a pivot. The action of the Senate might send them forw or back’ Why this miserable quibbling should go on was beyond his comprehension. There could be no reason why the people living on those isla should not be given Mberty of thought 4 action. He asked gnantmous consent that those resolutions’ should be voted on without debate tomorrow morning. Mr. Turple objected. Mr. Frye then modi- fied his request and asked that they be con- sidered again tomorrow. Mr. George of Mississippi objected. Then followed a sharp clash between Mr, Hoar and Mr. Harris. Mr. Hoar was dis- posed to continue the debate. He said that it was the universal sentiment not only of the Senate, but of the country, that there should be no interference by the United States with the domestic affairs of Hawaii. Sharp Words by Messrs. Harris and Hoar. Mr. Morgan, chairman of the foreign re- lations committee, fully indorsed what Mr. Hoar had said and the latter was proceed- ing to say that he hoped Mr. Morgan's tm Gorsement of his statement would echo around the world, when Mr. Harris, who had grown very impatient, broke in and declared that the tariff bill was before the Senate, and further debate on this subject was out of order. Mr. Hoar flared up. He protested in vig- orous terms against what he termed these repeated “angry and discourteous lectures” from the Senator from Tennessee. “The tariff bill is before the Senate,” re torted Mr. Harris, emphatically, “and the Senator from Massachusetts is violating the rules by continuing the debate on @ resolution that has just gone over. As far as the courtesy of the Senator from Ten- nessee is concerned,” he added, in withering tones, “he owes less courtesy to the Sena- Massachusetts than any other Senator on the floor. “If the Senator from Tennessee owes*any- body any courtesy,” retorted Mr. Hoar, in kind, “he is a hopeless bankrupt: he could not pay one-thousandth of a mill on the dollar.” “He could pay as much as the Senator from Massachusetts,” returned Mr. Harris, ee this parting shot tke incident closed. Mr. Teller Arraigns the Democracy. The pending amendment was that of Mr. Aldrich to substitute the McKinley nates on shot guns, rifles and pistols for the rates in the bill. Mr. Tellier (Colo) took the floor and made a general arraignment of the democratic administration, using Mr. Gorman's speech of Wednesday as his text. Mr. Gorman, he said, had hailed himself as a Moses leading his party out of the wilderness, but, unlike the old Mosea, he proposed to participate in the triumph. Mr. Teller cared nothing about the of democracy, but he did desire to address some remarks to Mr. Gorman’s of the prosperity that would A 4 enactment of the present bill. The country was accustomed to hear prophecies in con- nection with pending legislation. Consid- ering the avowals of many of Mr. Gorman’s democratic associates that they had been | forced and dragooned into the support of the pending bill, Mr. Teller could not un- derstand the exultation of the Senator from Maryland. Mr. Teller then at some length to point out how p er prophecy made when the bill to repeal the purchasing clause of the Sherman law was before the Senate had failed. The ex- port of gold had not stopped. More gold had been exported this month than in any month for several years. The treasury had been compelled to issue $50,000,000 of bonds. He showed how all the European countries were absorbing all the gold they could get their hands on and hoarding it in their coffers. They realized that the gold stand- ard could not continue. A solution of the monetary problem, he said, would alleviate the present distress and depression of the world. In his exposition of the financial situation Mr. Teller stated that one-third of the raflroads of the United States were in the hands of receivers and that ‘those which were solvent could be counted om the fingers of the two hands. He declared that savings banks of the country, in which 1,000,000 were deposited, could nof e $1,000,000,000 on their assets. When these facts are understood, said he, a | standing army larger than all the standing y division, Treasury Department, will | *'mies of Europe would be required to pre- vent a financial revolution. Mr. Gordon's Question. Mr. Gordon asked whether, Mr. Teller @14 not think that the removal of the tax on state banks would in a large measure solve the monetary question. Mr. Teller replied that the relief offered by such an expedient would only be tempo- rary and would be gonfined to this country,