Evening Star Newspaper, October 27, 1894, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR peas Sean see WD ssnep paty Excrrr suNpay, AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Fennsylvania Aveune, Cor. 11th Strest, by ‘The Evening Star Newspaper Company, 4 §.H. KAUFFMANN, Pres't. Few York Offie40 Potter Building, ‘The Evening Star is perved to subscribers in the rriers, om ther beh account, at 10 cents wl we er 44 cents per wonth Copies at the ‘ cents eweh. Ky. mail- anywhere in the — States or Canada--postage prepalé—60 cents mouth. Sa 2 Sheet Star, year; wat aati es ab lest, S00. ie Raaed (Entered at the Tost O@ice at Washington, D. C., “ETAMT mall subscriptions ust be pald in advance Kates of advertising made known’on application, ol. 85, No. 21,027. Che £ve ing Star. WASHINGTON, D.O, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1894-TWENTY PAGES. WILL KEEP BEEF OUT Germany Complains of Recent American Cargoes. CHARGED WITH BRINGING TEXAS FEVER Incredulity Expressed at '' > Agri- cultural Departm ———— NOT DANGEROUS | ANYWAY HAMBURG, Germany, October 27.—The Senate today published a government de- cree prohibiting the import of American live cattle and: fresh beef on the ground that two cargoes which have just arrived contained several animals suffering from Texas fever. Consignment# whieh are proved to have left America by October 28 are exempted from this protibition, but the animais im- ported must bé*killed at the abattoir here immediately after they are landed. estigntion to Be Made. ‘The action of the German government in prohibiting the importation of cattle and fresh beef was not entirely unexpected by the Agricultural Department, although the officials had hoped up to the Jast moment that the Germans would prove open to rea- son. The matter will not be allowed to rest where it stands, but our government at once will cause a thorough investigation to be made of the cases of alleged Texas fever on which the German government has seen fit to act in such summary fashion. » doubt is felt here that these alleged ses will turn out to be founded on a mistaken diagnosis, for if there is any cattle disease that the German veterinar- fans know little or nothing about, that dis- ease is Texas fever, a purely climatic non- infectious Yever peculiar to America. That is the oph. on of the Agricultural De- partment experts who have studied the dis- ease for years and are aware of the state of knowledge on the subject in Europe. If the departmental examination, as expected, re- sults in disproving the existence of the cases complained of our government will enter a very vigorous protest against the action of Germany and seek to make ft clear that the reason asaigned for the destruction of our meat trade is disingenuously stated, which fact 1s not. expected to influence Congress favorably toward the rectification of the sugar scheduies. of qur.tariff act sought so urgently by the German government. ‘Today the following telegram was sent to the Secretary of State: “DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. “Referring to your communication in re- gard to the prohibition of American cattle and fresh beef by Germany, please represent to the American ambassador that Texas fever is not communicated by diseased cat- tle, so that even If the reported discovery of ‘this disease is correct there is no danger to German cattle; also that the meat of cattle affected by this disease has never been shown to be dangerous to the con- sumer. This government inspects all meat exports, and certifies that tne cattle were free from disease when slaughtered. A vigorous protest should, therefore, be en- tered against the proposed action. (Signed) ~ “SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE.” This telegram states the position of the Agricultural Department in a nutshell, and the points made as to the non-communica- ble character of the disease and the harm- less character of the meat from cattle suf- fering from the fever are sustained by a great masa of uncontradicted expert testi- mony. It is said at the department to be ex- tremely improbable that any diseased cat- tle could have been shipped, for the reason that all exportationg are absolutely pro- hibited from the zone in the southern sec- tion of the United States where the dis- ease appears, and the rigid inspection sys- tem would prevent any such cattle from reaching New York or the eastern ports. It is admitted to be within the bounds of possibility that some cattle cars with soil and water from Texas might have gotten into the northwest, ard thus caused one or two cases of fever, but this is said to be very improbable. The Secretary of State had been informed by the German ambassador that the im- portation of fresh beef and cattle from the United States to Germany would be pro- hibited. Many persons accept this notice as an indication of the purpose of Germany to retaliate commercially against the United States on account of the discrimination against German beet sugar in the new tariff law. — ——— REPUBLICAN PROSPECTS. Reports That Have Been Made to Headquarters Today. Col. Tracy of Illinois, president of the League of Republican Clubs, is in the city, and ca‘led at republican headquarters to- day. Col. Tracy has just returned from a tour of New York state, and he thinks Mr. Morton will receive a magnificent majority. He thinks Illinois will figure very promi- nently in the eolumn of states to be made republican by the coming elections, and that a number of democratic Congressmen will be defeated. Col. Tracy reports the organization ‘of republican clubs through- out the country as being excellent and in a position to make themselves felt on elec- tion day. Mr. E, Hy Nebeker, ex-United States treasurer, also-cailed at republican head- quarters during the morning and gave Mr. Apsley @ rose-golored report of the republi- can outlook in Indiana. Mr. Nebeker ts confident the republicans will make signal gains in several Indiana congressional dis- tricts, and he would not be surprised to see Congressman Holman defeated. Capt. McKee of the republican committee returned today from Winchester, where he made a speech yesterday with the repub- lican candidate for Congress in the seventh district, Mr. R. J. Walker. The court house was crowded and tite audience was an en- thusiastic one, altiough there were many @emocrats in it. The meeting was said to have been larger and more enthuslastic than the one held by the democratic can- didate, Mr. Turner, a few days previously. maeeeetpres PRESIDENT’S CALLERS. No One Questions Him on the New York Situation. ‘The President had more callers today than yesterday, but there was the same rearcity of politicians. Great as Is the general desire to know his sentiments re- garding the political situation in his own state, so far a3 known no one of the party leaders has ventured to approach him cpen- ly on the subject, and the brave newspaper men who have questfoned him pointedly have failed signally to obtain any light on the great central question us to whether the President will inmdorse the candidacy of | Senator Hill. Amoni the earliest visitors at the White House were Jersey, Mr. nia and a party of ladies, and Chief Jus- tice Fuller of the Supreme Court. These visits were purely. social. ‘The President recelved the visitors in his office, and had a pleasant word for them, His official call- ers during the forenoon were Attorney Gen- | in the ev: eral Olney and Secretary Herbert, each of whorn presented, several business matters requiring action on the part of the Presi- Gent. CAPTAIN HOWGATE DEMURS Withdraws His Pleas of Not Guilty and Attacks the Indictments. Cle Denied That He Will Plead Guilty if Indictments Are Sustained. a They Are Fatally Defective— As stated in yesterday’s Star would be the case, Copt. Henry W. Howgate ap- peared in court this morning, and with- drawing the pleas of not gullty entered years ago to the eleven indictments against him, entered a demurrer to each of them. For a time it seemed that, owing to the absence of Judges McComas and Cole, who are at present presiding over the criminal branches of the District Supreme Court, nothing would be done in the matter to- day. Finally, however, Judge Cox consent- ed to open Criminal Court No. 1 for the purpose, and the matter was heard by him. The proceedings were done so quietly and quickly that not more than a dozen or so spectators v.ere in court when the matter was called up. Mr. A. S. Worthington appeared on be- half of the defendant, District Attorney Birney representing the government. When Capt. Howgate followed his counsel into the courc room his appearance was about the same as when he was brought on from New York several weeks ago. He wore the me gray suit, turn-down collar and old- ‘fashioned tie, neatly folded beneath it, and his reddish-gray beard was as closely and neatly trimmed as before. His eyes were bright and piercing, and he looked to be in the best of health and spirits. Addressing the court, Mr. Worthington explained that years ago, shortly after the filing of the indictments, Capt. Howgate had pleaded not guilty to all of them, re- serving the privilege to withd aw such a plea for the purpose of demurring to them, That the defendant now wished to do. Replying to Judge Cox, Mr. Lirney stated that he would offer no objection to suca a “Although,” he smilingly said, “the t has delayel taking such action a length of time.” Mr. Worthington then filed the demurrers, explaining that they charged that all of the cient, and that of not guil- inlictments w: the defendant w ty to each indie that an order to that effect be entered, and the defendant as then taken back to jail. Rensovs for Demurring. As heretofore explained in The Star, four of the eleven indictments standing against Capt. Howgate charge him with forging certain papers while disvursing officer of the signal corps, the others alleging that he embezzled certain sams of money while acting ar such. The demurrers filed today in the eribezzlement cases charge that the indictments allege no offense, nor cne of which the court has jurisdiction; that they are too general and inceitain, so that the defendant is not informed of what he is to meet, nor is he proc by them from an- other prosecution for the same supposed oftense; that they do not charge that the alleged conversion was fraudulent, or with any wrongful intent or injuriot's effect; that they do not suMfciently describe the money convertel, nor do they allege the value thereof; that they do pot aver that the defendant was a disbursing officer; that the statement that he was ‘egally ap- pointed is merely a conclusion of law, and that the indictments do not aver that at the time the money alieged to have Leen converted to defendant's use was money intrusted to him. In the matter of the indictments charging forgery, the demurrers charge that they are falsely defective, because the facts averred therein constituted no offense under the laws of the District in force prior to the filing of the indictments. It is also charg- ed that the indictments fail to allege that the acts charged, or any of them, were to the prejudice of the right of any person, body politic or corporate, or association; that they give no explanation of the mean- ing of any of the numerous abbreviations and ambiguous terms contained in the al- leged forged papers; nor do they show how said alleged forgeries could have been used to the Injury of the United States or of any person; that the defendant is charged with a number of independent offenses, such as forging and altering, and causing ‘to be forged and altered, and aiding in forging and altering, the charges being insufficlent- iy made, as, for instance, in charging alter- ing without specifying what the altera- tion was, and in charging the defendant with causing to be forged and altered with- out naming or identifying, in any way, the person who was caused to forge or alter; that the indictments do not aver that the defendant knew sald papers to be either falsely made, altered, forged or counter- feited; that they fail to charge that the al- leged offense was committed on any certain date, and that they charge the defendant with forging a name and not a paper. Not Responsible. After the court had adjourned District Attorney Birney stated to a Star reporter that the hearing on the demurrer would not be had before the 15th of next month, but probably on the first Saturday after that date. Until they were disposed of, he ex- plained, there could be no trial on any of the indictments. Asked whether, in’ the event of the demurrers being sustained, Capt. Howgate would or would not be re- indicted, Mr. Birney replied: “As to that I do not now care to commit myself. We will wait until that question arises, if it ever does arise. But 1 wish it understood that the indictments were prepared by counsel specially engaged by the Department of Justice, Mr. William A. Cook. If they Should prove to be defective, it will be a matter of which neither myself nor the district attorney in olfice at the time they were returned, the late Col. George B. Cork- hill, can be held rsponsible.” Before the hearing today tock place it was rumored about the city hall that Capt. Howgate intended pleading guilty. But when questioned about it both Mr. Birney and Mr. Worthington emphatically declared that there was not the slightest ground for such a rumor, the latter remarking: ‘If Capt. Howgate is ever convicted it will only be after the greatest legal fight ever seen here.” It was stated after the hearing that Messrs. Shellabarger and Wilson would be associated with Mr. Worthington in the defense of Capt. Howgate. It was also stated that Col. Robert G. Ingersoll would probably appear in his behalf. To a Star reporter Capt. Howgate stated today that he had nothing to say respecting his case, leaving his counsel to say anything neces- sary to be sald. He said he was feeling in the best of health and spirits; that is, as well as a man deprived of his liberty could feel, and that he wag given every privilege consistent with the rules of the jail. For all of which, he added, he felt very grate- ful. —__—> — RESCUED THE MINERS. Entombed Miners Mountain, Mich, MILWAUKEE, Wis., October 27.--A spe- cial to the Evening Wisconsin from Iron Mountain, Mich., says the work of rescuing the eleven imprisoned miners at the Pew- These at Iron abic was accomplished between 6 and 7 o’zlock this morning, and they were hoisted to the surface as sound as g dollar and here jis great rejoicing without a mark. unit: —_————>—- ‘An Extensive Fire on Brondway. NEW YORK, October 27.—Fire starting in the large five-story brown-stone Ayres building, corner of Broadway and Leonard streets, early in the day, had gained full control of the building before the firemen reached the scene, so that their most stren- vous efforts were required to save the ad- jacent structures. The interior of the Ayres building was burned out, the total loss be- ing estimated at $130,000. TWO OENTS. HILL DISAPPOINTED|™® MORTON'S concHMaN’ MR, PLATT WARNED|FIFTY-FIVE MEN Now A Week of Discouragement for the New York Leader. THE FAILURE 10 SECURE HARMONY Disappointed at the Silence of Mr. Cleveland. THACHER AND HIS MISSION Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. NEW YORK, October 27.--Senator Hill's last visit to this city was productive of hard work and discouragement and nothing more. The objects for which he came wholly failed, and he has continued his tour up in the northern part of the state with the feel- ing that it was time wasted to have come to New York this week. From first to last the week was dismal for the democratic candidate. Even his meetings were inter- fered with by the weather. Each night that he spoke the rain came down in tor- rents, and it was an intrepid democrat who would brave the elements and go to hear Hill. Consequently, his audiences were smaller than they would otherwise have been, and the enthusiasm of the audience considerably dampened by the wet outside. At Brooklyn Hill received a warm wel- come, in spite of the rain. Brooklyn is the center of the third party movement, and Hill's friends were determined to give him a rousing send-off, to show their power to the obstinate Shepardites. So they put in days of personal solicitation, urging demo- crats to attend the meeting without fail and showing the importance of a magnifi- cent meeting in the anti-Hill stronghold. The plan succeeded, and the democrats gave Hill the best reception that he has received during the campuign. : Hill had two objects in coming to New York. One of these was to weed out the independent democratic candidates for Con- gress in the city districts. At present there are so many of them that the chances are that several republicans will be sent to Washington from New York next year. ‘The Grace democracy have nominated can- didates in all the districts but one, and they have also named candidates for the assembly districts. Last week Hill sent word to the democratic managers to stamp out these independents at any cost. He told them to go to the length of making concessions to Grace and his men, and have some of the Tammany candidates with- drawn and Grace men substituted for them cn the Tammany ticket. The managers did their best to carry out these instructions, but the task was too hard for them and they wrote to Hill that it could not be done. Hill's Unsuccessful Harmonizing. Hill was indignant at this reply. He wrote back that he was sure that it could be done and he would come to New York and do it himself. So on he came and started in. Working with him were Sen- ator Faulkner, the chairman of the demo- cratic congressional campaign committee, and Lawrence Gardner, the secretary of that committee. ‘They would talk for an hour with the ‘Tamn.any men and then talk for two hours with the Grace men. Finally Hill made up a pleasant program. J. J. Walsh was to get off the Tammany ticket, and Congress- man Dunphy, who had putlicly repudiated ‘Tammany and its methods, was to be sent back to Washington. Then General Sickles was not to run again, und Colonel Robert Gricr Monroe, Grace's young man and the roving spirit of the anti-sneppers, was to dorsed by ‘Tammany. infoTSeemed like clear sailing and Hill was shaking hands with himself cver the ease with which he had managed things. But suddenly the Tammany men refused to withdraw. General Sickles stormed and waved his crutch at the suggestion that he should get off the ticket, and Lawyer Walsh declined to pose as a living picture of a man upon an altar of sacrifice. But Hill resorted to his harmony club and after some twenty-four hours of work succeeded in making it certain that the two Tam- many men would resign. But by this time the Grace men had taken on new courage. ‘They were so pleased over the idea of get- ting two real Congressmen of their own that they became ambitious for more and demanded greater concessions. They would not be satisfied, they said, with the vith- drawal of only ‘two of the Tammany men. They insisted that besldes the Hill pro- gram young George McClellan rhould get off the ticket ard Bourke Cockran be re- turned to the House and that a place be found for Congressman John De Witt War- ner, If there is one antl-snapper in the city that Tammany does not like that man is Warner. This was the iast straw, and after this ultimatum from the Grace wig- wam Hill gave up in despair and ad: his defzat. No Sign From the President. Hill's other object was to secure an in- dorsement from Mr. Cleveland. He knew that the President was to be in the city this week, and wanted to be on the ground. So ne laid awake nights raking plans to entrap the man in the White House. But Mr. Cleveland baffled every one of these plans. He came to the city, but not a word would he say, not a man would he ses, John Boyd Thacher was to have per- formed the work of conciliation. Thacher has always considered himself a warm friend of the Presidert's, and was confi- dent that their old friendship would make it plain sailing to get a satisfactory inter- view. This is one thing of which Thacher has dreamed all through the campaign. He has talked about it daily, and nightly has seen himself standing amid shouts of ac- claim with a letter from Mr. Cleveland in his hand, declaring that any friend of Cleveland's should vote for Hill. This was to be his contribution to the calcium light part of the campaign. So when he heard Mr. Cleveland was in the city he sent a cordial and diplomatic letter to the Presi- dent, asking Mr. Cleveland to appoiut a time for an interview. But back came the cruel reply by his messenger, “Mr. Cleve- land says trat there is no answer.” ‘Thacher was dumbfounded and indignant, and Mr. Cleveland has one less friend than before his visit to this city. Hill's Disappointment. Hill {s said to be geatly disappointed, too. He has played all of his cards so that Mr. Cleveland could come out for him. On every platform that he has spoken he has sald the kindest of words for Mr. Cleve- land, even though he had to go cut of his way to do it. Every speech that he made contained cordial praise of the administra- tion and remarks about its patriotism, its honesty and its ability. But apparently those things might just as well have been left unsaid. Mr. Cleveland was in New York for thirty hoi All this time he was just two blocks a from the democratic ay headjua. a sign did he make, much less pay a yisit to the headquarters. He was Invited to attend the reception given to Mr. Hill at the Manhattan Club, a club that has pald him honor in days gone by. He was three blocks away from the Manhattan Club, but could not find time to run over there, but, Instead, whisled away in a carriage, and laughed at the an- ties of De Wolf Hopper from a box at the Broadway Theater. lt has been the most discouraging week that the democrats have had during the campaign. and on top of It all is the an- nouncement that ex-President Harrison Is to make a couple of speeches for Morton next week. The Report of the Spesial Board Received ‘at the Department. The Only uecstion at Issue—Secretary Carlisle to Make the Dec! siom Shortly. The case of James Henry Howard, Mr. Morton's English ugder-coachman, is once more before Secretdty Carlisle for action. The special board Which was convened at the Ellis Island tmntigrant station to make a thorough investigatien of the case, in or- der to determine whether Howard had vio- lated the alien contract labor, law in com- ing to this country, submitted its report to Secretary Carlisle today. It was first re- viewed, however, by Mr. Stump, superin- tendent of immigration. He turned all the papers over tothe Secretary without com- ment or suggestion. It is understood that the evidence adduced by the board is sub- stantially the same as was submitted to Judge Lacombe in hearing the application for a writ of habeas corpus to prevent the execution of Secretary Carlisle’s order for the deportation of Howard. Judge La- combe said it shown conclusively that Howard was a “personal and domestic ser- vant” within the meaning of the statute, and as such had a perfect right to come to this country, but he was compelled to deny the application for his release, because the Secretary of the Treasury had supreme ju- risdiction in the premises, and he having decided that the man had violated the law, the courts could not interfere. ‘The Only Question at Issue. ‘The only question. at issue is whether a ceachman is a domestic servant. If s0, all_right, but {f mot so, a foreign coach- man cannot be imported into this country under contract without violating the con- tract labor law. At the first consideration of Howard’s case Secretary Carlisle held that he was improperly here and ordered his deportation. Judge Lacombe took an entirely contrary view, but said he was without jurisdiction, "Secretary Carligle thereupon ordered a reconsideration of the case by a special board of experts. His action will be governed by their conclu- sions. If they hold that Mr. Morton vio- lated the law in the importation of Howard the latter will be sent buck to England and Mr. Morton will be prosecuted, and upon conviction would be liable to a fine of $1,000 and a year’s imprisonment. If the board agrees with Judge Lacombe that there has been no violation of law in this case Howard will be set at liberty at once and the case will be dropped altogether. At least, that is the status of the case as set forth at the Treasury Department Mr, Stump refuses to disclose the findings of the board. As to his own opinion on the subject he said It will be the same as the Secretary's, whatever that may be. The papers in ‘the case are very voluminous and it will take Secretary Carlisle some time to read them. He will therefore bardly bé prepared to act for several days. ——— FURTHER FALL IN BREADSTUFFS, Can Be Another read Prices. If the prices of flour continue to fall may- be the bakers: will find themselves able to reduce the price of pread again. The price list issued to them Wctober 27, 1804, ts as follows: Ceres, Minn. Patent; bbls. or sacke...3475 Reliance, Minn. Patent, bbls. or sacks. 4.25 Minneola, Minn. Patent, bbis. or sacks. Washburn’s Superintive,bbis. or sacks. Sterling's St.Louis Patent,bbls.or sacks. Edge, Winter Patent, bbis. or sacks. ‘Triumph;Winter Patent, bbls, or sacks. Golden Fill, bbls. er sacks. Souvenir, bbls. or sacks Ellington, bbls. or sadks. Cook's Favorite, bbls. or Cedar Creek, bbls. of sacks. Spring Grove, bbls. or sack Virginia Extra, bbls or sacks Rye Flour, bbls. or saeks.. Entire Wheat Flour, bbls or sacks Graham Flour, bbig or sacks. Quaker Rolled Oats, bbls. or sacks... Quaker Rolled Oats, per case, $2.25 and Corn Meal, per bushel. Fine Salt G. A. Salt : In every variety is 25 cents less a Rarrel than it was when the last preceding price list was issued. Fine salt and G. A. salt have also fallen 10 cents each, While corn meal is 5 cents cheaper a bushel. Bread at 4 cents a loaf now {s consequently as profitable, if not more so, than it was three years ago at 5 cents a loaf. —_ NAVAL BATTLE EXPECTED. Flects of China and Japan Reported Of Chefoo. LONDON, October 27.—The corzespondent of the Pall Mall Gazette at Chefoo cables that the fleets of China an Japan are now off that port, and that a battle is expected shortly. YOKOHAMA, O¢tober 27.—The Japanese have gained. a decisive victory at Kiuren Castle over 16,000 Chinese. ‘The enemy fled toward Antimg. The Japanese captured a quantity of booty, thirty guns and 3) tents, as well as a qu-ntity of provisions. The Chinese lost 200 killed, a number were unded, and many were taken prisoners. Dispatches received here confirm che re- perts of the battle between the Chinese and Japanese forces after. the latter had crossed the Yalu river. It is added, that the whole of the Japan- ese army afterwards advanced northward, and that Kiuren Castle, which was held by a large force of Chinese, was attacked upon all sides, The Chinese made a desperate defence, and the fighting was very sevefe. The Chinese are reported to have number- ed 20,000 men. Another dispatch repeats the assertion frequently made that the second Japanese army landed cn the east coast of the penin- sula of Kin-Chow, upon which Port Arthur 1s situated. The Japanese army, accord- ing to these dispatches, now occupies the neck of the peninsula, thus cutting off communication between Port Arthur and the main land. —_—~—.—- CAPT. SCHMEETBERGER BAILED. OMcinl Indicted for Ac- cepting Bribes. NEW YORK, October 27.—Police Captain Max Schmittberger of the Tenderloin pre- cinct, who was yesterday indicted by the grand jury for accepting bribes, gave him- self up at police headquarters today, and later was taken fo the criminal court house to give bail in the case of bribery for which he was Indicted yesterday. Ex-Wardman Gannon, now on the rolls of the twenty-fourth precinct, was also indict- ed yesterday, but has been in Ireland for five months. He went there just after the exposures which implicated him were made by the Lexow committee. He was charged with receiving bribes in the same cases as those against his captain, Schmittberger. Capt. Schmittberger’s attorney, W. FB. Howe, claims that the indictment of his client’ is defective and predicts that it will be thrown out of court. Judge Cowing fixed the amount of the captain's ball at $7,500, and this was furnished by Thomas Smith, a contractor and builder. eet Left to the State. Attorney General Oiney is authority for the stat2ment that federal courts have no jurisdiction over violations of the election laws since’ the repeal of the so-called “force bill,” and that ting and other cf- fenses at the coming jelection will have to be acted upon solely hy the state courts. The usual election igstructions to United States marshals have/ been omitted entire- ly this year. ; The Police He Must Be Less Oracular During the Rest of the Campaign. SUSPICION OF A TRADE WITH HILL What Some Republicans Fear May Be the Result. SOME INSIDE HISTORY Niajek iietens Sienna The editorial rebuke administered yester- day morning by the leading republican newspaper of New York to the Hon. Thos, C. Platt has caused no end of inquiry and discussion in political circles, It was se- vere and very much to the point, and it ended with a sharp admonition to Mr. Platt to keep silent and well to the rear during the remainder of the campaign. The gravamen of this rebuke was an in- terview put out by Mr. Platt, in which he ridiculed, as being pure bluif, the democratic claim that Mr. Hill's chances have of late been improving so much his success is now highly probable. This deliverance of Mr. Platt is characterized as altogether un- necessary, and as calculated to do harm rather than good to the republican cause. Mr. Platt’s support of Mr. Morton at Sar- atoga is described as having been “‘osten- tatious,” and the general effect sought to be produced by the editorial is an assur- ance to the people of the state that Mr. Platt is not authorized to rpeuk for the republican party or for Mr, Morton at the Present time. Some Inside History, As surprising as all of this is, it yet tal- Nea with a story that has reached here within the past few days concerning the inside history of the republican campaign in New York. It is stated that some of the democratic opponents of Mr. Hill, who really desire his defeat, and are anxious to bestir themselves to help the republican campaign along, are restrainel for tear that if Hill should come up strong in the home-stretch Platt might be tempted to throw the race to him upon terms secretly agreed upon between him and Hill. These democrats complain that Platt 1s téo pow- erful in the republican organization, and insist that a check be put upon him. “They write him down in the same category with Hill, as a trading politician of almost un- Umited resources; and if they are simply to choose between them in this contest they confess that they prefer Hill, and will either take him or take to the woods. This suspicion of Mr. Platt appears to be fantastic, and even wildly absurd to Mr. Piatt’s friends. Mr. Morton, as they claim, is pre-eminently Mr. Platt’s candidate. Mr. Flatt made the organization for him, and carried through his nomination almost single-handed. Moreover, he and Mr. Mor- ton are the closest of friends, and have Worked together in former spirited contests. Mr, Platt supported Mr. Morton for Sen- ator against Warner Miller at the time it was found necessary to bring forward Mr. Hiscock as a Platt’s ft is. Mr. Morton's cam; Mr. Platt's reputation and Se eee party leader are at stake, and it is silly, they declare, for anybody to even suspect so shrewd and ambitious a man to destroy both himself and his friends by a deal with the opposition at the last moment. Both Said to Be Traders. Those who entertain this suspicion of Mr. Platt base it upen the charge, already stated, that both he and Mr. Hill are traders by nature, and that both are in this campaign for all that they cau get out of it of a substantial character for them- selves, 1t is said of Mr. Platt that what he really wants is control of the state and city of New York, as possible to be ex- ercised through a majority of the state as- sembly and the success of the anti-Tam- many movement in the city.. That would yield him the United States senatorship, which he could take for himself or bestow upon Mr. Morton as a balm, and give him a fair swing in town for the strengthening of a new republican organization there. or this he would give, the anti-Hill men be- lieve, all that Mr. Hill on his part would ask, namely, the governorship of the state. Mr. Hill, in his town, is charged with hav- ing no other interest or desire in this fight but to carry the day for himself. It is in- sisted that he cares nothing for control of the next assembly, and that Tammany’s disastrious flight and gloomy prospects give him no concern. What he desires is to win against a tide swamping everybody else, and thus be able to claim for himself stréngth at home which no other demo- cratic leader anywhere in half a century has been able to show. Such a_ victory would almost certainly bring him the next presidential nomination of his party, and as that is the prize Mr. Hill is-siriving for, it is insisted that he would be glad enough to deal with Mr. Platt on such a busis, and afterwards give the republican leader as Uttle trouble in the office of governor in the way of vetoeing legislation as possible, A Look Toward 1896, Still another reason is offered why Mr. Platt would be willing, if pressed with an opportunity, to make this trade. It might help him in New York in 1896. It is pointed out that overwhelming democratic defeat in New York next month will irresistably force the next presidential nomination of that party west of the Alleghanies. A western man for President, therefore, would insure, and make more or less formidable, a union of the democratic factions in New York, and a united demecracy in New York always means republican defeat in the state. But the election of Hill to the gov. ernorthip would mean Hill for the pres- idential race, and that in turn would mean a continuation of the factional fighting, in- tensified by charges of the deal that landed him a winner. If Platt can save Hill, therefore, for use as a presidential “pud- ding” in 1896, is he not likely to do so? There are still other stories from New York going to show that some discord pre- vails among the republican managers, and that some uneasiness exists. The pay, dis- tinctiy, is for support from the disaffected democrats, This must be secured in order to achieve success. The rank and file of the republicans are all right. They are for Morton, Platt or no Platt. But the dis- affective democrats object to Platt. They don't want to feel that he ts in command of the Morton forces, or that in case of re- publican success his hand would have the shaping of measures. They are afraid of him, and all the republican leaders not directly attached to Mr. Platt are disposed to give the well-disposed aliies the neces- sary assurances. Hence, the warning that Mr, Platt has received to make himself less oracular and picturesque during the rest of the conflict. ASA TUCKER CONVICTED. Guilty of Murder in the Second De- ee. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. MARLBORO’, Md., Oct. 27—Asa H. Tucker was convicted by a jury of murder in the second degree this morning for the killing of Lloyd Vermillion. A motion was made for a pew trial by his counsel, which will be/heard on Friday next. —_—— Held for the Grand Jury. Edward Riley, charged with stealing a check for $50 from A. J. Miner, secretary of the Columbia Building and Loan Asso- ciation, was held for the grand jury this afternoon by Judge Miller, The Good Weather Helps the Post Office Average a Little The Averages, However, Are Far Be- low Standard and the Winter Coming Fast. The fourth week of a most remarkable Period of good weather, in which there has not been one day wholly lost on account of rain, closes today with fifty-five men work- ing on the city post office building. This wonderful record of climate might have had more influence than it has had with the totals of the men there laboring, and the averages should have been forced up to the business point. But through some cause or other the opportunity thus given by the meteorological powers has been neglected. The fifty-five men at work today would finish the building, according to The Star’s most generous calcuution, about the 20th of April, 1897. The average for this week is 59 1-3, the highest since the watch over the building was begun by The Star. This was made up as follows during the week: Mon- day, 55; Tuesday, 54; Wednesday, 64; Thurs- day, 58; Friday, 70, and Saturday, 55; a total for the week of 856 men, which is just 44 men short of the number employed on the libray building on a single day. ‘The general averages per day for the four weeks just elapsed is 44 1-3, made up thus: First week, 8$ 1-6; second week,36 1-2; third week, 43 2-6, and fourth week, 59 1-3. It is to be seen that since The Star began to call attention to the slowness of the work and to point out the number of men actually em- ployed each day the average has steadily risen, with the aid of the remarkable weather. It 49 not within the range of probability that the contractors for the various sorts of work on the building will in the next four weeks experience the same immunity from sto: that they have in the past month, especially as the period for heavy frosts is now rapidly approaching, — the cold season cannot be many weeks off. Notwithstanding the many assurances given by the superintendent,based, no doubt, upon the representations made to him by the contractors, the work of setting the stone for the second stery has not yet been started, and there is no prospect that it will be begun in the next week. Neverthe- less, the frame at the starting point has been finished for nearly two weeks. The delay is caused by the double fact that the contractors are insisting upon finishing the main entrance before they begin work on the second-story walls, and that there are not enough engines or “setters” to allow the wall work to begin if there were an incli- nation in that direction. Today will likely see the completion of two sections of the central arch of the main entrance, which is really a beautiful piece of work. There are two masons setting stone at this point, and they constitute the sole capacity for advancement on the site. There are even no bricklayers at work to- day. This, however, ts not strictly accurate, because the gne man who was at work yes- terday labored for two hours this morning to finish up his job. The Star was misin- formed yesterday by a bricklayer, who told the reporter that a man working on a cir- cular wall received half as much again pay. as those on straight work, and so the com- putation yesterday based upon the fraction of @ man was not wholly correct; but in the same spirit of generosity which has rized these estimates during the past four weeks, The Star will let a little thing like that go by. —_>_—_ MAY TAKE PART. Secretary Binsell’s Idea of Offensive Partisanship. Postmaster General Bissell announces that he will-not dismiss clerks who take an active interest in political organization and work. Civil Service Commissioner Roosevelt, in a recent report on the in- vestigation into tha Pittsburg post office, stated that four clerks had been guilty of offensive partisanship in the same degree as a republican clerk whom Mr. Bissell had dismissed for the offense. The Postmaster Geaeral says this statement was made un- der a misapprehension. He did not dismiss the republican clerk, as alleged, but had him ordered into the field. Not having dis- missed that republican clerk, the Postmas- ter General states that it would be incon- sistent in him to dismiss democratic clerks who tako active nert in political matters. It is probable, however, that their stations of duty will be changed, as in the former case. oe THE GOSPEL MESSAGE, Reports Made to the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society. When the fourth day's session of the twenty-fifth annual meeting of the execu- tive committee of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society began at Foundry M. E. Church this morning Miss Huston re- ported from the Bombay conference. One of the missionaries from Bombay told of how the Christian Sunday school met in a Hindoo temple, which the Hindoos took pleasure in preparing and cleaning up for the Christian service. This interesting statement of heathen tolerance was re- ceived with considerable quiet astonish- ment. The report also contained a contradiction of the statement published on Brahmin au- thority, that no Brahmin had ever been con- verted to Christianity. A list of eighteen names of converted Brahmins, whom the writer knew personally, w: Mrs. E. B, Stevens reported on “Our For- eign Fields,” having especial reference to the Bengal conference, India. Dr. Ernsberger of India supplemented the report. She spoke of the medical work in south India. Miss Lena Stewart rendered a solo, after the close of Dr. Ernsberger’s remarks, which gave general pleasure. At 12:30 the convention adjourned for lunch, Tomorrow many of the delegates will be heard in the various Methodist churches of the city. poe ee TO MARSHALL HALL. Jersey and District Riflemen Of for a Shoot. ‘The steamer Macalester presented a mar- tial appearance as it steamed off for Mar- shall Hall at 10 o'clock this morning. On board were officers and soldiers of almost every rank from brigadier general to pri- vate off for a day on the rifle range, where a teem of New Jersey riflemen will en- deavor to best a team from the District of Columbia National Guard. During the day the firing was at 200, 500 and 600 yards, seven shots betag fired by each man at each range. The Macalester will make a special trip at 4:30 o'clock this afternoon, taking down a number of guardsmen and invited guests, who will return with the riflemen. A collation will be served during the re- turn trip. Those who faced the targets were: New Jersey team—Brig. Gen. B, W. Spencer, captain; Col. John C. Owens, Col. A. R. Kus2r, Private John Kuser, Sergt. August Dietrich, Capt. A. H. Graff, Private William Hayes, Private John Ransom, Col. W. F. Decker, Private Theodore Beck, Maj. D, A. Curries. District of Columbia team—Maj. Geo, H. Harries, team captain; private 8. I. Scott, Private 8. B. Wetherald, Lieut. G. B. Young, Private H.H. Leizear, Commissary Sergeant J. M. St€wart, Corp. M. Appleby, Capt. J. E. Bell, Cept. W. H. Moyer, Capt. J. M. Pollard, Sergt. C, W. Dickey. TWELVE LIVES LOST Burning of the West Street House at Seattle. TERRIBLE EARLY MORNING TRAGEDY Unaccountable Delay in Getting Up Steam. VERY BADLY BURNED SEATTLE, Wash, Octcber 27.—A fire which resulted certainly in twelve deaths and the injury of three more broke out in the West Street Hoube, Columbia and West street, about 1 0% this morning, and at this hour @ a.m.) all the dead are burned beyond recognition, and the coroner decides to allow the dead to remain where they are, in hopes that the proprietor could identify the bodies by the location of the remains, the hotel register being saved. ‘The flames broke out so suddenly and so fiercely that the occupants were taken by surprise, and there was a wild panic, men and women jumping from the windows in all manner of attire. A sharp explosion was heard in the kitchen, in the rear of the second story, by, 8S. F. Butler, a son of the proprietor, and immediately the flames began to spread rapidly through the dry inner timber of th corrugated fron building, which is one of a range of two-story structures owned by J. M. Coleman on the east side of West street. Butler raised a cry of fire, which aroused the guests, with whom the house was crowded, and a rush for life followed. It was not any too soon, for the flames were rushing through the long narrow halls like invading soldiers attacking a city. In the meantime Officer F, E. Bryant had discovcred the flames and turned in an alarm, which drought the fire department to the scene. ‘Tacn he turned his attention to saving the people who appeared at every window, with the flames fast creeping upon them from be- hind. He found Mrs. Susie Allen and her two-year-old child at a window on the West street side, the woman erying for some one to save the child. “Drop the child,” shouted the officer. She did so, and he caught it safely in his arms. iting It on the ground, he snatched a plank and set it against a win- dow. The woman slid down !t and suffered no further injury than a few scratches. W. F. Butler, proprietor of the hotel, was in bed when the fire was aiscovered, and es- caped in scanty attire. His son, 8. F. But- ler, was night clerk. Caused by a Lamp. He says the fire undoubtedly originated from a kerosene lomp in the kitchen, which was located on the upper floor near the rear wall. The flames made such a rapid pro- gress that befor? the inmates could pc ssibly, be aroused the fire was upon them. Then h if from the w ws the people began to drop the windows _ on both sides of the closely following boven Ww. tied the sheets together and used them a rope to slide on. C. B. Glass jumped out of a window, but not until his hair was burn- ed. He struck on his back on the ground. He was picked up and carried to the pas- senger station, and, with two others, was taken to a hospital. Caught by the Flames. One poor felluw, whose identity is not known, was caught in the rush of the con- flagration near the top of the West street stairway and sank down overcome with smoke and flames. The firemen fought to keep the fire away from his body, but were driven back, and when last seen the vic~ tim's right arm had been burned to a black~ ened cinder. Two streams of water were kept trained upon this place and the water fell in torrents on the stairway and was hot enough almost to scald. It was only after the fire department had gotten well to work that the full horror of the affair began to show itself, and by that time the building was a mere shell. There was some unaccountable delay in gettin, the water on owing to the slowness of the fire boat getting up steam. When at last the pressure did come the building was raging furnace and all that could be done was to confine the flames to the block where they started. The first dead man was taken out from a room over the Hill Syrup Company’s store, and was found with one leg in his trousers and his shoes half laced. The body was discovered with his head covered with bed- clothes, under the bed, having apparently hidden from the flames, so badly burned as to be unrecognizable, as were all the uther bodies, —_~—- LONDON’S CHIEF TOPIC. Action of the County Council Regard. in, e¢ Empire Theater. LONDON, October 27.—The action of the London county council in regard to the Em- pire Theater and the decision of Manager Edwardes to close that establishment, eclipses all other news Lendon today,, even including the t crisis and the reports regarding the health of the czar, The newspapers of this.gity devote pages to the Empire Theater’ tion and all of them have editorials At the end of the 4 Empire Theater last most exciting scene. . + assembled continued hour, singing and che¢ and hissing the London county council and Mrs. Ormiston Chant of the Vigilance As- sociation, ——>—__ CONTAINED $3 IN MONEY. ch Searcey Piloted the Detectives. FREDERICKSBURG, Va., October 27.— It is now known positively that the ex- press pouch, whose hiding place was re- veoled by Charles Searcey, contained only $3 in money, one or two railroad bonds, some receivers’ certificates of the Virginia Midland road and several cotton drafts, with bills of lading attached. These were the only valuable things in the pouch. It is also known that a man who was arrested in Charlotte, N. C., was overheard telling of the recent train robbery at Aquia creek with such circumstantial details that it is sup he was connected with it. Assistant Superintendent David Herring was here last night and had a long con- sultation with Commonwealth Attorney White, the purport of which could not be ascertained, as neither of the gentlemen would talk. ‘The jail here in which Searcey ts incar- cerated is comparatively new and very strong and no prisoner has ever escaped frem it. _— > THE CZAR STRONGER. He Passed a Fairly Good Night and Ate Well This Morning. ST. PETERSBURG, October 27.--The fol- lowing bulletin was issued at 10 o'clock this morning: “The czar passed @ fairly good night, and his appetite this morning {ts good. Yester- day’s weakness has disappeared. His con- dition is otherwise unchanged.” ‘The bulletin is signed by the physicians dn attendance upon the czar, e