Evening Star Newspaper, July 24, 1894, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR PUBLISHED DAILY Excerr le ae T THE STAR BUILDINGS, ans ar We ou appli Che Zen Vor 85, No. 20,945. a Star. WASHINGTON, D. C.,, TUESDAY, JULY 24, 1894—TWELVE PAGES. TWO CENTS. proof of te pudding is ing. Yesterday's He in fe eating. A FAMILY ROW The Condition of the Democrats on the Tariff Bill. HILL DEFENDS CLEVELAND'S LETTER Trying to Now Get the Bill Back Into Conference. CLEVELAND EVEN FIRMER The proceedings in the Senate this morn- ing were much less dramatic. The attend- ance among Senators was not as large as the day before nor were as many members of the House among the spectators. The galleries, however, were crowded, and a large number of people were in the corri- dor seeking admission. By the open win- dows leading from the Senate lobby to the main corridor large crowds were assem- bled. Mr. Hill is quoted as having said yes- terday perhaps that he would- speak today, that he presumed he would have to, since bis client had been attacked. Defending His Client. But as soon as the Senate matter was laid before the Senate this morning Mr. Hill Was recognized and proceeded not only to reiterate his approval of the sentiments of Mr. Cleveland's letter, but to defend Mr. Cleveland's ri, to pen such a letter to the chairman of the ways and means com- mittee. He said that the writing of this letter was no violation of the Constitution and that Mr. Cleveland had not exceeded Ms right in the matter. But on this line, and generally in defense of Mr. Cleveland and his criticism of the Senate, Mr. Hill spoke, as if in reality Mr. Cleveland were his client, as he had sardontcally put it in Private conversation. Mr. Gorman’s speech yesterday took the administration by surprise. It is asserted that the conference between Gorman and Cleveland during the morning before the Marylander delivered his Speech was very friendly in character, and that both parties agree] that there should be an effort made to get the party together and pass a bill. What Mr. Gorm: May Do. It is suggested now that Mr. Gorman, having let off steam, will assume the role of savior and try to fix up another one of his compromises. There is no way of tell- ing how long it will take Senators to get back to that state of calm required for any action in that body, but the general belief is that if the bill is sent back to confer- ence its fate will be settled in three or four days thereafter. What this fate will be no one can now say. The anxiety of those who hope for some tariff legislation is to get the bill back into conference. Hav- ing got it out of the bottle, they are puz- zled about getting it back again. They are more afraid now of the radical tariff re- formers, who had stretched their con- science to vote for the Senate bill with the compromise amendments, and who, now that the President has repudiated the bill, do not want longer to hold to any agree- ment. A very earnest effort is being made to induce Mr. Vilas to withdraw his propo- sition for the Senate to yield on sugar. This effort comes from both sides of the contro- versy, but thus far Mr. Vilas has declined to yield. Tried to Bunco the President. The friends of the administration say that Mr. Gorman and his associates tried to bunco Mr. Cleveland. “Bunco” ts the word they use. They insist that a deliberate at- tempt was made to deceive Mr. Cleveland while the bickering for the compromise amendments was going on, and that the truth of the situation was not disclosed un- til after the bill was passed by the Senate. It is asserted also that some of the demo- cratic Senators assented to the agreement made between the finance committee lead- ers and the Gorman faction only because they were led to believe that it was ac- ceptable to Mr. Cleveland. Now they, too, are said to feel that they have been bun- coed, and the personal resentment pro- Woked is exceedingly bitter. It is earnestly declared by friends of the administration that Cleveland never as- sented to the Gorman-Jones compromise amendment, and that it was never intimat- ed to him that any agreement could be en- tered into between Gorman and the finance committee which would bind the House and the committee of conference. It is declared that Mr. Cleveland’s uniform comment was that the Senate should get some sort of bill through and fix it up in conference, and that those who talk-d with him on the sub- fect always said that the bill would be im- Preved in conference. The House people are resenting the assumption on the part of Mr. Gorman that he could centrol the House by any agreement with Mr. Jones, Mr. Cleve- land or any one else, and it is asserted that during all the bickering over the Senate bill the leaders of the Hause were never con- “sulted as to how the House would take the Proposed compromise. A Pretty Family Row. ‘Altogether it ts a very pretty family row, and questions of veracity are thicker than blackberries. Those who claim to know assert that Mr. Cleveland ts, if poss‘ble, firmer than ever in his position, and that he would rather See all legislation fail than have the Senate bill eceepted. The line of compromise dis- cussed with more hope than anything else invclves the Senate ytelding on coal and froa ore and the House committee to allow the Senate to have all the protection on sugar demanded. The differential duty on refined sugar will probably be put in an ad valorem form, if any settlement is reached, but it will be fully the equivalent of the 1-8. — Chief Engineer Ogden’s Transfer. Chief Engineer J. S. Ogden, who has been assistant superintendent of the State, War and Navy Dapartment for several months, has been detached from that duty and ordered to the training ship Constellation at Newport. It ts not likely that any one will be detailed to take his place at the above named department, as it is believed that Chief Engineer Williamson, superin- tendent of the building. will be able to at- tend to all the necessary business of that office unaided. -o+—_____ Pay Corps Vacanctes, There are three vacancies tn the pay corps of the navy which will be undoubtedly filled by the President very soon by the appoint- ment of graduates of the Naval Academy who failed to secure commissions at the time of their graduation. They have been made eligible by an act of the present Con- gress waiving the age limitation in such cases. -o— Fever Prevails, The marine hospital bureau {fs informed that det e fever is epidemic at Key West, Fi there having been seventy-five cases among the 115 officers and men of the third artillery forming the military garrison at thet, pia None of these cases has been tal ——+-2+__. Motion Denied. The Secretary of the Interior today de- niel the motion in behalf of Fred A. Johnsto: Pacific raflroad vs. Fred A. Johnston, for B review of departmental decision of April 8, 1804. The case involves land in the ttle district of Washington, jhas been detailed to 2 fn the matter of the Northern | Guard July 26 at Martlasburg. FRICK ON THE FRAUDS Carnegie’s Partner Appears Before the Armor Plate Investigation. He Says the Work Would Have Been All Ri ¢ if the Government In- spectors Had Done Their Duty. Chairman Frick of the Carnegie Steel Company was the witness before the naval committee in the armor plate investigation teday and attracted an unusually large audience. Answering questions from Chair- man Cummins, Mr. Frick told of his con- nection with the company since 1888 and as- serted that he had opposed entering upon the work of making armor plates, since the company would be at a disadvantage and have but one customer. While the com- pany’s output of 1893 has been more thar 3,000,000 tons only 5,000 tons were armor plate. It was a comparatively unimportant branch of the works and he had left the details entirely to Superintendent Hunsiker. Regarding the penalty exacted by che government Mr. Frick said that he regard- ed the penalty levied by the Navy Depart- ment as exorbitant, and had “appealed: to the President, as he was permitted to do under the la’ He considered the Prest- dent's decision unjust in the amount ex- acted, since all the company had stipulated to do was to furnish the best armor. His Opinion of the Informers. Like other witnesses Mr. Frick asserted that the tensile tests of plate were of no importance as compared with ballistic tests. He did not regard the information to the government as a conspiracy on the part of former strikers for revenge, but rather as a money making scheme. Informer Craig had come to him before the information was given out, intimating that a conspiracy was on foot.and giving as his motive for the visit gratitude toward a member of the company who had as- sisted his sister in obtaining an education, but Mr. Frick did not go into details re- garding Craig’s information to him. He told also of a visit from an unknown €l- derly lady, who said she came from Wash- ington, and intimated that for money she could give some valuable Information. Criticising Government Agents. “If the government inspectors had done thetr duty there would have been no trouble,” said he. “I knew they were there to see that the work was properly done, and depended on them. You gentlemen will see how that was when you come to see works.” Mr. Frick could not see how it benefited his men to slight their work, as it was of no financial advantage to them. He did not indorse their conduct in deceiving the in- spectors, and thought they should have ex- plained when it was necessary to deviate from the regular methods to secure the best results. Immense Cost of the Plant. Since taking the armor plate contracts the company, he said, had invested three million in the plant, and had never refused to buy any machinery that was recom- mended as necessary. Probably the plant could be duplicated now at a less cost. Un- {il the recent trouble the government in- spectors had always told him they were greatly pleased by the work. | Mr. Millard Hunsiker, assistant to Chair- man Frick, and who had been in charge of the armor plate department since last Jan- uary, testified that he had no personal knowledge of the frauds. No Knowledge of Plugging. Witness had no knowledge of the plugging of blow-holes in armor plate without the sanction of the government inspectors. Mr. Hursiker furnished a statement of the num- ber of armor plates made from the begin- ning of the old contract (November 180), to June 1, 1894. This showed a total of 1,506 plates made, of which 905 were shipped, 153 condemned, and 448 were on hand. Of the 905 shipped, 662 were regular armor plates, and the remainder were small plates for conning towers, etc. Most of the plates condemned were by the action of the com- pany itself. As some of the members of the committee wanted to go to the Senate, an adjournment was taken until tomorrow instead of until this afternoon, as at first proposed. — Decisions by Secretary Smith, Decisions in the following cases were pro- mulgated by the Secretary of the Interior this afternoon: Northern Pacific Railroad Company agt. F. A. Johnston, Washington; Mather et al. agt. Hockley heirs, Florida; R. J. Gardinier, Wyoming; D. C. Savage, Alabama; Thos. Duffy, California; Central Pacifie Railroad Company agt. Karl Beck, California; M. Christensen agt. J. A. Degenhardt, Colo- rado; E. Oberg agt. P. Mathews et al., Michigan; F. Lewis agt. H. W. Millard, Montana; Northern Pacific Railroad Com- pany agt. R. Coad, Montana; Northern Pa- cific Railroad Company agt. M. Jorgensen, Montana; Northern Pacitic Railroad Com: pany agt. E. H. Hielman, Montana; North- ern Pacific Steamship Company agt. Alex. Duvall, Montana; D. R. Holbrook agt. Wm. Smith, North Dakota; T. J. Adams agt. H. T. Meloy, Oklahoma; C. V. Nix agt. M. J. Simon, Oklahoma; Owen Teachan, Okia- homa; W. C. Reeves, South Dakota; North- ern Pacific Steamship Company agt. Z. A. Lanham, Washington. ———-e Acts Approved, os The President has approved tho act pro- viding for an additional circuit judge In the eighth judicial circuit; the acts authorizing bridges over the Monongahela river at Belle Vernon, Pa., and acfoss the Missiséipp! at Dubuque, Iowa; the act granting right of way across the Yokima reservation to the Columbia Irrigation Co.; the act for the ben- efit of sundry persons living near Jefferson Barracks, Mo.; the acts granting pe: stons | to E. C. Emerson and Mary Brown; ney act changing the Florida judicial’ dis- tricts; the act granting to Utah University a site off the public domain; the act for the relief of J. G. Utter; the act to accept a painting of “Love and Life,” by F. G. Watts; the act authorizing Jos. FE. Johnson and others to accept medals and diplomas from Spain; the act authorizing Admirai John G. Walker and Surgeon General Try- on to accept decorations from Venezsula; the act authorizing the appointment of delegates to the International Geodetic As- sociation, and the act authorizing Com- mander Davis to accept a decoration fr Spain. es —— Concert at the Capitol Grounds, | The following is the prégram of the Marine Band concert at the Capitol grounds tomorrow afternoon: 1. March, “The Letter Carri 2. Overture, “Rienzi” 8. Trombone sole, * By -Fanet! ~Wagner “anclulli 4. Waltz, a v echrer 8. Grand fa’ Meyerbeer Missud ee West Virginia National Guarda. First Lieut. John F. Landis, first cavalry, {tend the annual en- est Virginia National campment of the W io eens _ a Lieut. J. M. Roper has been detached from the Naval Academy and ordered to the New York. HOSTILE COREANS An Attack is Reported on a Japanese Garrison. ATTRIBUTED 0 CHINESE INFLUENCE What is Said at the Japanese Le- gation of the Affair. VESSELS IN CHINA WATERS SHANGHAI, July 24.—A dispatch received here from saki, on the southwest coast of the island of Kioo-Sioo, Japan, says that a detachment of Corean troops, at the insti- gation of the Chinese residents, have a’ tacked the Japanese garrison and were de- feated. A later telegram says that a Japanese cruiser and a Chinese transport have been engaged, and that the cruiser sank the transport. Nothing is known here of the alleged private dispatches stating that the Japanese have bombarded Corean ports. The British consul has received a telegram frem the British charge d’affairs at Tokio, Japan, stating that the Japanese have un- dertaken to regard Shanghai as outside of the sphere of operations. ‘The price of coal has risen 40 per cent on account of the large demand made upon these supplies for us? on board warships, transports, &c. Promises of Reform, LONDON, July 24.—A dispatch from Chemulpo, Corea, says that the Corean gov- ernment, instigated by the Chinese resi- dents, has withdrawn its promises of re- fcrm already made to Japan. The guards at the imperial palace at Seoul are assuming the most hostile attitude to- ward the Japanese troops in the capital. A conflict is momentarily expected. The Jap- anese legation hore has received no news of the rumored bombardment of Corean ports by their government, and give the report no credence whatever. Views of Naval Officers, The action of the Chinese government in closing the Yangse river on account of the complication with Japan, growing out of the Corean occupation, is regarded by naval officers as a most important strategic move from a defensive point of view. Shanghal, one of the most populous and wealthy cities in China, is situated on the Woosung river, a short distance beyond its juncture with the Yangse. The Woosung bar, at the mouth of the tributary, made the navigation ex- tremely difficult, and the Chinese govern- ment has prudently refused to heed the oft- repeated suggestions of European commer- clal powers that the channel be improved at this point. As it is, the sinking of a few junks loaded with stone in the narrow and crooked channel will easily and effectually close the Yangse and Woosung above, thus protecting Shanghai on the Woosung and also the enormous expensive ordnance fac- tory near the Yangse, which would be simply invaluable in case of hostilities. At the Japanese Legation. Information received at the Japanese le- gation here today from Tokio Is to the effect that the trouble referred to in the Shanghai dispatch occurred at Seoul, the capital of Corea, and not at Nagasaki, as reported. The mistake in locating the scene of the difficulty is due, probably, to the interrup- tion of overland communications between Seoul and Shanghal, in which case all news reaching the latter place from Seoul would have to he sent via Nagasaki. The cable- gram, giving the minister the news of the difficulty which occurred yesterday, came to hand today and Is as follows: “Corean troops made uncalled-for attack upon the Japanese troops stationed in Seoul and the troops returned the volleys.” The dispatch gave no particulars regard- ing the cause of the trouble and nothing as to the number of persons who may have been killed. The minister’s opinion, how- ever, is that {t was the result of some in- discreet action on the part of the Corean soldiers, which are described at the legation as being undisciplined and hard to restrict in what they do. The minister feels sure the firing was unauthorized by the govern- ment of Corea, and he says it is very likely that it has already made an apology ex- pressing regret at the occurrence. There have been no dispatches received at the legation showing that the Japanese have taken action with reference to the bombardment of the Corean ports. Japan, it is said, has too many interests at stake in Corea to attempt to destroy her coastwise cities, and, the minister says, certainly has no intention of going to war with Corea. United States Vessels in China Waters The reported cutbreak of hostilities be- tween China and Japan, if confirmed, will require an immediate reinforcement of the United States naval force on the China sta- tion. At present this fleet consists of but two vessels, the cruiser Baltimore and the antiquated Monocacy. They are both at Chemulpo, Corea, and it would be tmpossi- ble for them to properly cover the enor- mous extent of seacoast that must be watched. It happens that owing to the de- mands of the seal patrol service there 1s but one vessel at present available for the China station, in addition to the two vessels now there. This is the Charleston, now at Mare Island, which, it was expected, would be sent to Hawali to take the place to be vacated by the recall of the Philadelphia to the United States for much needed docking. However, on August 1 tne close season in the seal waters expires, and as it will be necessary after that date to protect only the small sixty-mile zone sround the Priby- loft Islands, it is probable that some of the vessels of the patrol fieet can be spared and ordered to proceed directly to China, and in this case the choice would probably fail on the Yorktown, the Concord and the Petrel, leaving the Mohican, the Adams, the Alert and the Ranger to guard the seal ts- lands. The Concord and Petrel ‘belong’ to the Asiatic station, and were sent from there to’Bering sea. , ——._—-. CHARGED WITH FORGERY, Arrest of Dr. Wells, ex-Health Officer of Chattanooga. * Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. CHATTANOOGA, Tean., July _24.—John. Weils, ex-city health officer, “Was ‘today | bound over to court on a charge of forgery: He {ts charged with forging the name of Morton & Co. of this city to several checks, amounting to $375. WIL Employ Negroes, | Today the Kentucky Jellico Coal Co., whose miners are on strike, will advertise for 100 able-bodied negroes to take places of strik- ers. They will work negroes in future, palsies “Wha eae Accident at a Catholic Sémfiiary! WINONA, Minn., July 24.—By the caving in of the walls of a cistern today at the Young Ladies’ Catholic Seminary three bricklayers and a boy nine years old were burled eighteen feet under the earth and brick. A foree of men were at once set to digging, but all were dead when found. *ollowing are the names of the dead? Jos. chneider, Albert Stanek, Mike Kulasa, Henry Griebach. pg Cycle Meet Declared Of. NEWARK, Ohio, July 24.-Owing to wet track the national cycle meet was post- CAUSE AND EFFECT Mr. Henry L Brown's Explanation of his Discharge. : He Refused to Contribute to the Democratic Campaiga Fund in Ala- bama—A Confidential Circular. ‘The following letter was received ten days ago by Henry I. Brown, a cierk in the rec- ord and pension division of the War Depart- ment: . 4 Henry I. Brown, Record and Pension Div. (Confidential.) KELLOGG BUILDING, 1416 F st. n.w. WASHINGTON, D. C., July 12, 1804. My Dear Sir:—The organized democracy of Alabama is now engaged in a life-and- death struggle with the enemies of good government, and the contest being fought out is one of the most heated ever known in our political history. Owing to failure and business depression such as has never been experienced in the south before and the consequent unprecedented scarcity of money our people are not able to provide the means needed to meet the legitimate expenses of the campaign. In this hour of distress and of supreme political peril our party leaders have determined to call on each Alabamian holding position under the federal government and embracing every one holding office through political favor, or who, under civil service law, is occupying a place charged to our state, and to solicit contributions from each. Our state commit- tee has requested me to take charge of these subscriptions and to see that every Alabamian here is given an opportunity to contribute. Heretofore we have received only very small sums from this source, but our necessities now are greater by far than ever before and the demands upon our party are vastly more pressing and urgent. It is earnestly hoped and expected that the re- sponse to this invitation will be prompt and that it will be liberal to the full extent of each one’s ability to make it. Assuring you that all Alabama democrats will appreciate whatever ald is extended the party and trusting that you, realizing the gravity of the situation, will send me by check or in currency the fullest donation you can man- age to make and that you will do so in a very few days, I beg to sub&cribe myself, Yours very truly, (Signed) c. M. SHELLEY. P. S.—Record of the emount subscribed by each one will be duly made and reported to our state executive committee at Mont- gomery, unless otherwise requested, and where parties have already subscribed to their state and county committees direct they ‘e requested to favor me with the name and address of the party sent to and the amount of subscription, so that proper credit will be entered here. As the election takes place on the first Monday in August prompt action is indispensable. Cc. M. 8. The words “Henry I. Brown, record and nsion division,” were written in the same handwriting as that of the signature and initials. The rest of the letter was type- written. Mr. Brown being a republican, declined to accede to the piteoug appeal of Mr. C. M. Shelley, and paid n@ more attention to the matter, believing that the civil servige law, of which the Presideat of the United States has been such. firm, enthusiastic and valiant an exponent, merely required of him a strict attention to his duties and the effictent performance thereof, and that the protecting qualities of the statute would prevent the anger of disappointed political managers from affecting his relations to the government that employed him. A few days afierward, however, Mr. Brown re- ceived a curt communication, of which the following 1s a cop’ WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, D. C., July 21, 1894. HENRY I. BROWN, Clerk of class $1,000, in the record and pension office, is hereby discharged, to take effect July 25, 1894. By order of the Secretary of War. JOHN TWEEDALE, Chief Clerk. Mr. Brown says it did not take him a second to determine the reason of discharge, and he immediately concluded to bring the entire matter to the attention of the proper authorities. He 1s a short, stout, good-look- ing and intelligent colored man. He was met by a representative of The Star this afternoon shortly after he had filed the letter he received from Congressman Shel- ley with the civil service commission. “I was appointed a clerk in the record and pension office on September 7, 1891,” sald Mr. Brown. “My appointment was the result of my passing the civil service ex- amination. Last February I was promoted. I have always held a high record for effi- ciency in my work, and at the last grading my percentage was 84. While it was known that there would be some reduction of the force in the records and pension division, the announcement was officially made that dismissais would take place among those whose efficiency was the lowest. I know a man who is stiil employed there whose per- centage was less than 70 at the last rating, but there is no necessity In my going any further into the record part of my work. Some time ago I went down to Alabama on two weeks'leave,and while there I was asked to support Col. Oates for the governorship. I declined to do this, of course, as I am a republican and Col. Oates was nominated by the democratic party. I was told by a gentleman in Evergreen, Ala., that if I did not support Gen. Oates I would lose my position under the government. This was not a threat on his part, but was intended as a friendly warning, but I didn't propose to sacrifice my political principles by any- thing of the kind. When I received Col. Shelley's demand for a contribution to the democratic campaign fund of Alabama I refused to comply with it. I have no doubt in the world that my discharge from office was brought about by such refusal. There is not a colored man from Alabama left in the record and pension division, because they all refused to subscribe to the fund.” + 2+ ______ CAPT EVANS’ NEW COMMAND. far Fitness for It. There has been a good deal of comment in naval circles upon the selection of Capt. Robley D. Evans, who stands almost at the foot of the list of captains, to command the armored cruiser New York, the finest sea command in the navy, and a prize which was sought after by many other of- cers. It has also been stated that Capt. Evans did not relish his assignment in view of the fact that he has held his pres- ent shore duty as naval secretary of the light house board but twenty months, when the customary length of such service is four years. Secretary Herbert today said that he had himself selected Capt. Evans for the com- mand of the New York on the ground of absolute fitness, without consultation with or suggestion from any one. He had ex- plained'to Capt. Evans his reasons for as- signing him to this important command, and so far from being dissatisfied the of- ficer had expressed his great gratification and sense of the compliment implied in his selection. While it ts true that his tour of shore duty has been short, it is also true that his.preceding term of sea service was also short. e+ No Truth in It. ‘Inquiry at the State Department touching the reported resignation of Mr. Willis, Uni- ted States consul at St. Thomas, on account of dissatisfaction with the settlement of the flag-tearing episode, shows that there is no truth in the story and that its only basis is the granting of leave of absence to the co. sul. —_—_— —_—. Executive Clemeney. The President has commuted to eight months’ imprisonment the sentence imposed poned from yesterday until this afternoon | in the case of Jacob and Artis Wammack, end was declared off this morning. convicted in Mississippi of counterfeiting. THE WELLMAN PARTY|PEAOLY OISEASES|MR HILL'S SATIRE A Belief in Norway That the Brave Explorers Are Lost. DETAILS EAGERLY SOUGHT FOR It is Possible That Only the Vessel is Missing. PERSONNEL OF THE PARTY LONDON, July 24.—Carl Siewers writes to the Standard that he is in receipt of advices from Norway that leave little doubt that the Wellman arctic expedition is lost. Experienced skippers just returned from Spitzbergen seas express the same opinion, and Col. Fielding, who accompanied Capt. Nares’ expedition in 1875, shares this belief. The Pall Mall Gazette ts in receipt of similar advices from Tromso, all confirming the general belief in the fate of the expedi- tion. Members of the Party. The American north pole: expedition in command of Mr. Walter Wellman left Tromso, Norway, on board the steamer Ragnvold Jarl for the island of Spitzbergen on May 24 last. The expedition, ‘among other members, included Astronomer Owen B. French of the U. S. coast and geodetic survey; Thomas B. Mohun, a well-known medical man of Washington, and Mr. Chas. C. Dedge, a photographer and artist of the U. S. Navy Department. In addition, the expedition included Mr, Westfall, a Swedish member of the party; Franklin, an Amert- can athlete and skater; Wenship, an Eng- lish engineer; Oyen, a geologist from Chris- tiana; Alme, a meteorologist; Hyerdah! and Juell, ski runners and sportsmen from the University of Christiana, and Capt. Hen- derson of Aalesduun, the executive officer and ice pilot. The members of the expedi- tion had with them fifty dogs, six aluminum sledges and boats combined. Nothirg definite has been heard of the expedition sinze it touched at Danes Island, off the northwest coast of Spitzbergen, where Prof. Oyen, the geologist, was left, his crly companion being a dog, to awalt the return of the expedition, and Suard the provis‘on depot established’ at that place. The ; pear gil Fg aed } sears 34 only of enovgh meat and ficur for eight six months. a ree Possibly Only the Vessel Lost. On Jvly 6 Prof. Oyen seen by the crew of the yact Saide of the royal yacht squadron, and they left him Some fresh supplies. Lacer the yacht made a search for the expedition, but found all the routes badly blocked with ice. An experienced walrus hunter, Capt. Johannessen, was also sea by the Saiie, and he expressed the be- Nef that the Ragnvold Jarl had been crush- ed by ice; and annou: ced his intention of searching for the members of the expedi- ton in a direction northwest of Spitebergen So soon as the ice permitted. The Wellman expedition was particularly well fitted out for exploring without the aid of a ship, so it Is hcped that the reports received don may simply amount to the loss of the Ragnvold Jarl, and that the members of the expedition will be rescued alive. The Wellman expedition was distinctly a sledg- ing expedition the steamer being only cal- Mr. Wellman’s Plans. Mr. Walter Wellman its a well-known newspaper man of Washington, D. C. He made no appeal to the public or to private individuals for funds, preferring to earn the entire cost of the expedition, which is estimated at about $25,000. Prof. Oyen, the French astronomer of the party, was detailed for the duty by the superintendent of the coast survey. Mr. Wellman was to take what he considered the “true high- way” to the north, which is carved out of the ice by the influence of the gulf stream in the Norwegian sea. He calculated that at the rate of twenty miles a day one could easily march from Spitzbergen to the pole within a hundred days, and that is what he expected to be able to do. Opinions of Arctic Skippers. LONDON, July 24.—Arctic skippers re- Port that the floe of pack ice and its densi- .ty this summer would prove irresistible to any vessel, however strong. They belleve that the Ragnvold Jarl has been crushed in the ice, and express the belief that there is a remote chance that the members of the Wellman expedition have been saved by managing to get upon an ice floe, in which case they believe that the explorers are in a mest dangerous position, and they add that it is most probable that the Rag- nyold Jarl was crushed without warning. Should the forebodings of the arctic skip- pers prove true, ani if th Ragnvold Jarl was crushed without warf@hg, it is prob- able that the members of the expedition were unable to take any large quantity of supplies with them vpon the ice floe, even supposing that they had succeeded in es- caping thereto. When questioned in regard to the effec- tiveness of the alumiaum boats in such an emergency, the arctic captains expressed the belief that they would be of no use in such pack ice as was flowing this summer. Mr, Filden, the owner of the yacht Said has received news of Prof. Oyen’s distress from Capt. Johannessen of the sloop Anna. EES STRUCK AN ICEBERG. Accident to the Vessel Coniaining the Arctic Scientifie Party. ST. JOHNS, N. F., July 24.—The steam- ship Miranda of the Red Cross line, having on board Dr. Cook's arctic expedition, which left New York on July 7, has been in collision with an iceberg. No lives, how- ever, were lost, and the Miranda has put, into Cape Charles harbor, Labrador, where temporary repairs were effected. The Mi- randa then returned to this port, reaching here safely this morning. The steamship will be thoroughly overhauled at this port, and will probably proceed to Greenland in a few days. All on board are well. The collisicn occurred at 8:30 a.m. on July 17, during a dense fog, when the Miranda was about five miles northwest of Belle Isle. ‘The Miranda was then running at a good rate of speed, and it was not believed that there was any ice in her vicinity. In fact, the iceberg was not sighted until the steam- er close upon it. The moment the berg was sighted the engines were promptly reversed, and the ship was turned head on to the obstacle, in order to avoid a glancing collision, which might have proved fatal, Owing to this prompt handling of the helm the Miranda struck squarely with her stem, and, the engines having considerably checked her headway, not much damage was done. As it was, however, two of her bow plates were cracked, the forward rails wére carried away and the hawse pipe on the starboard side was so damaged as to render the starboard anchor useless. At Cape Charles the Labrador exploring party of the University of Pennsylvania was landed. The steamship Miranda left New York at 5 o'clock in the afternoon of July 7. In addition to Dr. Frederick A. Cook, the commarder of the arctic expedition, the following scientists were on board: Prof. Wm. H. Brewer of Yale, Prof. G. F. Wright of Oberlin College, Prof. B. C. Jii- son of Pittsburg, gectogist, and a number of others of lesser note. Black Plague in China and Cholera in Europe. Nevertheless All the Usual Celebra- tions Incident to the Advent of the New Year Were Indalged In. Additional information regarding the black plague in China has been received at the marine hospital service through the De- partment of State. Minister Dunn writing from Tokio, under date of June 16, reports the pest to be on the increase in Hong Kong. Latest advices, he says, are that up to June 7 over 1,300 deaths had occurred in Hong Kong, and several Europeans had Cied of the plague. A very small percent- age only of those who are attacked recover. Under date of June 22 Minister Dunn says that latest advices from Hong Kong report a slight abatement of the epidemic. He also incloses to the State Department a notifi- cation by the Japanese government, which requires citizens of the United States in Japan and the commanders and masters of aval and merchant vessel* arriving at Nagasaki Kobe, Yoko! and Hakodate to conform to the imperial ordinance for the regulation of the inspection of vessels arriv- ing from cholera infected ports. Immense Percentage of Mortality. Charles Denby, jr., secretary of legation at Peking, says the plague now prevailing has caused great uneasiness, and every pre- caution has been taken to prevent its intro- duction into districts not yet infected Great difficuity arises, however, from the utter inability of the Chinese to understand and unwillingness to comply with the most elementary principles of sanitation. In Hong Kong cases have numbered be- tween forty or fifty per day, with about 70 per cent of deaths. At Canton it was es- Umated that five thousand deaths had oc- curred up to the Sth of May. At that ct a novel and thoroughly Chinese method of checking the disease was hit upon. A fortune teller having given out that the plague would die away with the approach of the spring solstice the people of Canton in order to deceive the gods of sick made the first day of the fourth moon (M. 5) their New Year day. Ghastly Celebration in Canton. Every ceremony by which the day is cele- brated was gone through with scrupulous exactitude. The local authorities assisted in this farcical performance. The New Year festivities in the presence of such wide- spread death had a somewhat ghastly char- acter. Under date of July 11 the United States consul at Liege, Belgium, reports that thir- teen deaths from cholera had occurred in that city during the week ended July 7. The past week, he says, the newspapers reported four or five new cases each day. So great is the confidence of the people in the power of the authorities to sup- press the disease that its presence occa- sions absolutely no excitement. The ex- losion of a single dynamite bomb h Frightened more out of town than all the cholera they have had. —-2-——____- THE DISCHARGES EXPLAINED. They Were Based on the Report of an Examining Board. It is raid at the War Department today in explanation of the changes made in the record and pension office, announced in yes- terday’s Star, that the legislative bill called for a reduction of 300 clerks in that office; that 150 vacancies had already accumulated, thereby necessitating 150 discharges. These were made yesterday, to take effect on the 25th insiant, and were based on the report of a board of eight members, composed of chiefs of divisions and principal clerks in that office. This board was appointed by the Secretary to make a thorough and ex- haustive examination of the “work, deport- ment and attendance” of all employes of the office and report who, in its opinion, should be discharged or reduced in grade, so as to meet the requirements of the pending ee executive and judicial appropria- tion bil In submitting its report the board, among other things, said: “The board has given great weight to the claims of those having records of honorable military service, or of long and faithful service in the department, and has not rec- ommended the discharge of any person having such a record unless his retention would work manifest injury to the public service. The Secretary of War approved the report of the board, and it is understood that he will not consider any application for rein- statement which would necessitate any change in the report of the board. Mrs. Kate Hill, widow of Major Hill and sister of Admiral Ramsay, was among those recently dismissed from the quartermaster general's offic: —_——_—_—__@.—___. STATUES TO BE ERECTED. Those of Hancock, Logan and Sheri- dan Now Under Construction. The next statues to be erected in the pub- lc parks of Washington are those of Gen. Winfield Scott Haucock, Gen. John A. Logan and Gen. Philip H. Sheridan. The statue of Hancock, which will be the first one completed, will be located on the reser- vation on the north side of Pennsylvania av2que between 7th and Sth streets. The artist and contractor for this statue is Herry J. Ellicott of this city. It is to be completed in two years, and will represent Gen. Hancock mounied, as at Gettysburg. The figure will be nine feet in height and the horse and all else in proportion. 7) statue of Gen. Logan will be located lowa Circle, and is ty be completed in five years. Mr. Franklin Simmons, the celebrat- ed America artist, designed this statue, and has received the contract for its con- struction and erection. The statue of Gen. Sheridan will be prominently displayed in the triangular reservation on Pennsylvania venue between i3th and 13 1-2 streets, in front of the New tioral Theater. No ap- propriation has yet been made for this statue, and consequently arrangements for its construction have not been completed. +o Another Armor Test. Indian Head was the scene of another armor-plate test yesterday. The plate under trial was the same as tested on three for- mer occasions last week, and was a seven- teen-inch Carnegie plate, representing about 600 tons of armor for the Oregon's bar- bettes. The result of yesterday's trial was regarded as satisfactory, in spite of the fact that the shell penetrated in the plate to a depth of ten inches, cracked it and then split it up. The projectile was going at a velocity of 1,858 feet per second. The department has not yet rendered a decision as to the general satisfaction of the armor. e+ Counterfelter Rearrested. Chief Hazen of the secret service has re- ceived information of the re-arrest of Harry Weir at Chicago, a counterfeiter, who, with two others, was arrested in Milwaukee last April, but who made their escape. After breaking jail the three stoie a sloop yacht and started north. They were followed by the officers the entire length of Lake Mich- igan to a point near Cheboygan, where the yacht was wrecked and all made ther es- cape. Weir wandered back to Chicago, where he was arrested. The whereabouts How He Characterized Those Whe Attacked the Presid JULIUS CASAR PARAPHRASED He Defends Mr. Cleveland's Right to Send That Letter. MATTERS IN THE HOUSE ——_o——__ Every seat in the galleries was filled again today when the Senate met. Re- sumption of the heavy firing against the executive was anticipated. The strain and excitement were almost as intense as when the Senate convened yesterday. The Sen- ators themselves were slow in arriving, most of them remaining in the cloak rooms until the morning business was completed. Sene ator Vilas of Wisconsin, who was expected to defend the President against some of the aspersions cast upon him yesterday, was, however, on hand early, as was tiso Senator Hill of New York, who also red billed for a speech. Mr. Hill Makes Another Speech. When, at 12:28, Mr. Harris, the floor man- ager of the tariff bill, called up the con- ference report, almost every seat on the | ficor was occupied. Mr. Hill of New Y« rk | Vas on his fect and was immediately recog- tized for a speech. He agreed, he said, at the outset, with Mr. Gorman, that the democratic party was in the midst of @ great crisis. The democratic party after such a long struggle in the minority had at last been intrusted with power. It had ¥ | gone to work to reclaim the pledges it had | made. The greatest of those was that to re- form the tariff. The House had passed @ tariff bill, which aside from its income tax jeature seemed to meet with general satis- faction and appro As it passed the Senate, however, after tong, weary months of debate, it was not satisfactory, and it. Violated the pledges of the party. It went to conference. The House conferees were confronted with the fact th: the Senate had made. the bill inconsistent, had made it unworthy of democratic support. They rejected the duty on coal and iron. They refused to yield, and there was no hope that they would yield. If they insisted upon their attitude and the Senate was obsti- rate, all prospect of tariff legislation was at an end. His (Hill's) motion that the Senate recede from the coal and iron duties Was in the line of an agreement. Wo Vieta. It would do no good to obstinately ad- here to the position taken when the bill was passed. “Do you see any signs of yielding on the part of the House?” he asked, addressing his democratic colleagues, “Backed by the public press of the coun try, by the democratic masses and the President of the United States, as it un- Aoubtedly is, the House will never yield, Why not yield on these two points and see whether it does not lead to an agreement ?t He was not, he said, talking about Mr, Vilas’ motion io recede from the differential in favor of the sugar trust. But conces- sions must and should be made if the bill was to become a law. Mr. Hill said he was fn sympathy with the President's letter to Chairman Wilson, Its sentiments were his sentiments. The President violated no clause of the Consti« tution when he sent that letter. He had the right to do it. It was a private communica- tion. The question as to making it publie was one to be decided by its sender and re- ceiver. It was one with which Seaators had nothing to do. In Sympathy With Mr. Cleveland. No Gemocrat on this floor could controe vert the position taken by Mr. Cleveland in that letter. He raw that to place a duty on coal and iron would be to violate the platform declarations of the party, and would place the party whose success he de- sree in a false and indefensible position, e democrats of the country were in syme pathy with Mr. Clevelard. Democratio clubs democratic conventions all over the country had indorsed the Wilson bill in respect to free raw materials. On the other hand, the Senate bill had been received everywhere with siens of disapproval Even in the Senate every democratiqa member of the finance commitiee had an- nounced himself as personally in favor of free coal and free iron. The Senator from Maryland (Mr. Gorman), on the other hi with that “frankness and boldness ” which was his nature, had boldly thrown aside the mask on yesterday and had proclaimed hime self in favor of @ tariff on coal and irom revenue tariff,” suggested Mr. Gorman, quietly. “A revenue tariff,as you will,” replicd Mr, Hil, “but nevertheless a tariff. ¥ tinued Mr. Hilllooking Mr. Gorman st in the eve “did not,like your colleagu the childish defense that you 1 ‘buncocd’ into supporting a duty and iron.” The President and Free Raw Mates rial Mr. Hill then proceeded to take issue with Mr. Gorman’s argument made yesterday to show that the President had only recently discovered the doctrine of free raw r He carefully quoted from the ats public utterances to demonstrate that Mr Cleveland had been wedded to that doctrine since he sent his famous tariff message to Congress in 1887. Neither did Mr. Hill bes eye that Mr. Cleveland could be held responsible for the unofficial utterances of Secretary Carlisie, but, referring to the official utterances of the Secretary of the Treasury, he pointed cut that until this pre- ent question arose both Mr. Cleveland and Mr. Carlisle were consistent and in har- mony. “When Mr. Cleveland ate bill placed a du y that this Sen- m coal and iron, U Mr. Hill dramat- ly, “and removed the duty from wo the product of the farmer, he would have if, false to his pledges and false to his party had he not caile tention to the discrimination and inc enc: “He spoke too candidly, too earnestly. That was why he was criticised. Did not these nators who criticised Mr. C President and mocratic continued, “the Senator from Maryland read from a Sare= well of Washington on the ene croachments of the executive. That extract might be read by those who acted indes pendently of all outside influences, come with poor fr: but > from those who st here and admitted that they had th sought the interposition of the Presider save them. His Duty to Defend the President. ‘I do not often defen the President, a Mr. Hill, raising his voice until it rang gh the chamber, “but today duty to do so. I hope Iam b and liberal enough to defend hir unjustly criticised and attacked. of the others is not known, ——+- © + Consul Recognized. The President has recognized T. B. Harzis | as Haitian vice consul at Savannah, Ga, As he was say there were demon, strations of apy lin the gallery thal broke finally into applause, which compelle Mr. Harris, who was in the chair, to cautio the gaileries to desist. A suggestion front Mr. Hawley of Connecticut that the galleri should be cleared upon a repetition of th offense wre Jeere nd hissed, Mr. Hil prceceded in impassioned tones. “In the last half century,” he continue’ “the Senate chamber had ‘witne grea! ccnes and great debates; but ay, ie w es the presence of a Kreat crowd, @ co ous senatorial lewidr of