Evening Star Newspaper, December 1, 1894, Page 1

bn THE EVENING STAR. perro e N PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY, AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Pennsylvania Aveurie, Cor. 11th Street. by The Evening Star Newspaper Company, Ss. H. KAUFFMANN, Pres’t. pment fcr aa Now York Ofice, 49 Potter Building. See oe ‘The Evening Star Is served to subscribers In the city by carriers, on their own account, at 10 cents per Week, or 44 cents per month. Coples at the counter 2 cents each. By mail—answhere in the United States or Canada—postage prepaid—50 cents Star, * month. bs $1 per year; with foreign postage added, $3.00. r She Koening Star. Saturday Quintuple Sheet r (Entered at the Post Office at Washington, D. C. as second-class ma‘l matter.) 7 All mail subscriptions must be paid in advance. Rates of advertising made known on application. Vou. 85, No. 21,057. WASHINGTON, D. 0, SATURDAY, DECEMBER i, 1894-—TWENTY PAGES. TWO OENTS. Se proof of the pudding ig in fe eafing. Yesterday's Star contained 54 cofumns of advertisements, made up of 721 separate announces ments. hese advertisers fought pubficite—not merefp space, CONGRESS IS COMING|REP. DINGLEY’s VIEWS|FQR THE DISTRICT Nothing Can Be Accomplished if There is Determined Opposition. EFFORT OF THE PARTY LEADERS To Keep Down as Much as Pos- sible Factional Feeling. WHERE A CLASH MAY COME Congress will open on Monday without plans or any defined purpose. Members aro returning to Washington slowly and with apparent reluctance. A few nave a vague idea of something they want done before Congress adjourns, and many ap- pear to be possessei of an ugly feeling of disgust which they would like to vent in some way. The leiders in both parties, Sut especially th2 democrats, are giave and apprehensive. It requires but short expor- fence to prove that nothing ean be accom- plished during the few remaining weeks of this Congress in the face of determined op- position, but a great deal can be done that is not legislation. A great deal of ugliness can be shown, propositions which annoy may be pressed and speeches that nmdden may be made. The disagree‘ng democrats may disclose their disagreements in the most irritating manner; the party may be split all to pieces in an effort to commit it to this proposition or to that, and, in hort, they may have a regular monkey qd parrot time. This the leaders are atraid of, and fear that with their besi ef- forts they may not be able to avoid. The Aim of the Leaders. The aim will be to get on to routine business as speedily as possible and to keep in advance fcr consideration some question in which there is little or no politics. The democrats would be greatly pleased at this time if they had the repeal of the election law, or some other proposition, on which their party all hang together, to keep to the front and fight over as a di- version during the, short session. There Is nothing, however, of sufticient importance to occupy their minds which they are agreed upon On the other hand there fs a large num- ber of men who have been defeated, who have several things to say, and who do not know when again they will get a chance to say them if they don’t speak now. A great many are suspected of a motive to demonstrate just how mad they are with the administration, and with a purpose to make an effort, though they know it to be vain, to do some of those things which they have heretofore been restrained from by consideratfon of the administration. Eagerness of the Administration Men. Again many «dministration men who also have suffered defeat are eager to have @ part in doing some of those things which Mr. Cleveland desires, and who in spite of all opposition, will exert themselves to the utmost to carry out whatever recommenda- tions he may make in his message. Thus the two factions of the party ure think- ing of jst those things which they should most endeavor to keep out of mind if seeming harmony is to be had and serious trouble avoided. The most optimistic of the leaders scarcely hope to be able to keep back the threatened tide of dissen- sion, and most anything which would di- very attention would be hailed with great ine it is hoped by those most interested in @ quiet session that an early adjourn- ment for the holidays will be taken, and that enough routine business may be press- ed to the front to occupy the house until the members have dropped into that apa- thetic state of mind which generally pos- Besses members after they have for awhile been compelled to devote themselves to uninteresting work. The aim will be to have some one of the &ppropriation bills ready for consideration at a very early day and to always have something of routine ready for considera- tion, as one thing after another is dis- posed of. Judge Ricks’ Impeachment. The impeachment of Judge Ricks of the Mmerthern district of Ohio will probably be one of the matters of early consideration, and, from its novelty, considerable interest will attach to it. If a resolution of im- peachment is reported from the commit- tee on judiciary, it will probably occupy a day or two in the House, and, if the reso- lution is adopted, the trial will probably occupy the Senate for about a week and at- tract considerable attention. Another thing of early consideration will be an appropri- ation of money to carry gut the provision of the income tax law. This will probably be made the subject of a good deal of talk on the part of those who originally op- posed the Income tax, but there will prob- ably be only a sham battle. The principal diversion for the early part of the session will probably be furnished by the Nicara- gua canal question. Had there been any truth in the story of British interference and consequent trouble between this coun- try and Great Britain on account of this canal, it might have been gratifying to those who would lke to avoid the irrita- tions of this Congress, as furnishing a sort of a safety valve for letting off the steam. The question of whether the government to undertake the construction of the canal is in itself one of sufficient interest to occupy the House for awhile, and it looks as if the purpose might be to arouse as much interest as possible in this matter and to exaggerate the importance of im- mediate action. Where a Clash May Come, If, hows , as is anticipated, Mr. Cleve- 1 sends in a message urging immediate action on a financial scheme which Mr. Carlisle will present it will fn all proba- bility be impossible to long delay a clash on this question. The silver men and anti- national bank and anti-bond men are eager for the fight, if with no other object in view than to afford them an opportunity to show how thoroughly they disapprove of Mr. Cleveland and despise his policy. The Cleveland men and the men who agree | with the administration without bemg cuckoos are thoroughly convinced that the salvation of the democratic party lies in their solving the financial problem by legislation which will meet with the ap- proval of bankers and business men be- fore the republican Congress has an op- portunity to legislate. If, therefore, an administration plan of any merit and hav- ing a non-partisan eastern support is pre- sented administration democrats will be eager to press for action upon it. +e ortant Naval Changes. val program announced in yester- tar has been fully carried out by the issuance of orders detailing Rear Admiral John G. Walker to duty as a member of the ight house board in place of Admiral James A. Greer, who assumes the pres!- dency of the naval examining and promo- tion board vacated by Admiral Walker. This anticipates by two months the pre- viously announced Intention of Secretary Herbert, and it was expected that he would not make the change in Admiral Walker's duty before the retirement of Admiral Greer in February next. This action ef- fectualty dispeses of the many wild and sensational reports that have been in cir- culation recently in regard to Admiral Walker, the wildest of which was undoubt- edly the one that he was to command a gormidanie naval expedition against the glish forces on the Mosquito strip. He Does Not Think Any Financial Legis- lation Likely. ‘The Position of the Next Congress on the Money Question Discussed With Freedom. Representative Dingley of Maine says that he does not anticipate that there will be any legislation at this session of Con- &ress of any moment beyond the appro- priation bills. He does not believe that there is any possibility of the democrats in Congress agreeing upon a financial measure, and therefore does not think that any recommendation on that subject by Mr. Cleveland will be productive of result. As to what the republican Con- gress may do on the financial question, he says that the time is a little far off yet for speculation. He recognizes that it is quite possible that the republicans of the House in the Fifty- fourth Congress might pass a financial measure which Mr. Cleveland would ap- prove, but the fate of such a measure im the Senate would be uncertain. “Mr. Cleveland,” he said, “is very much of a republican, as far as his opinions on the money question are concerned. He comes from a section of the country where the people are so strongly impressed with the idea of sound money that even though he is a democrat, he is imbued with the same sentiments. “On this question, therefore, he is in dis- agreement with a mjority of his party, although there is a strong minority of sound money democrats. It would be very easy to get through the next House a sound currency measure, there being such an overwhelming majority of sound money men that the opposition could hardly ef- fect ‘anything. This coadition will not ex- ist in the Semats, however, and it might not be easy to secure the adoption of such a measure by that body. After all, you can- not tell so far in advance what the issues of the next Congress may be. “Conditions change so rapidly that in a year from now some other question may have greater importance than the cur- rency question. Just now it looks as if the currency question would be most prom- inent, and the circumstances seem to in- dicate that it will keep to the front. “Of course, there ts no possibility of tariff legislation during the Fifty-fourth Con- gress, nor until there is a change of ad- ministration. “It is probable, therefore, that there will be no disposition to agitate the tariff ques- tion in the next Congress. This would seem to promise an open ficld for the cur- rency question, and there may be some settlement of it during the Fifty-fourth Congress.” ———_+-e+_____ FATAL BOARDING HOUSE FIRE. ‘Two Inmates Found Dead in Their Rooms, PHILADELPHIA, Pa., December 1.— Two persons lost their lives in a fire this morning at the boarding house of Mrs. C. B. Reeves, No. 318 South Broad street. The dead are Mrs. Ella Ray Smith and Miss Cullenden, both boarders in the house. The fourth story front room was occu- pied by Mrs. Smith, and the middle room on the same floor by Miss Cullenden. The firemen were on the scene in a few minutes and at once turned their attention to rescu- ing the boarders on the third and fourth floors. All of these on the third were got- ten out safely, and the firemen rushed to the fourth floors. They tried the doors of Mrs. Smith and Miss Cullenden, but found both locked. The doors were quickly burst open. Lying on the floor in the front room was the body of Mrs. Smith partly wrapped in carpet, which she had torn from the floor in her ggony. She had been suffocated by the smoke. Marks on the window siil showed that she had made an effort to raise the window, but it is supposed that in her weakened condition she could not get it up. Miss Cullenden was found lying cross the bed in her room, having also fallen frcm ‘suffocation. She was dead -when reached by the firemen. There were many narrow escapes. Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Pollock occupied a room on the first floor, As soon as they were aroused Mr. Pollock rushed to the floor above to arouse his daughter. He was partially overcome by the emoke before he succeeded, and had to be carried from the building. E. L. Rabourg, who occupied a fourth- story back room, had a thrilling escape from suftocation. He saw that his escape down the stairway was cut off, and, gathering up his bed clothing, rushed to the window and waved frantically, en- deavoring to attract the attention of the firemen. Fireman Rafferty of engine No. 2 had by this time reached the roof of the burning bullding, and was attracted to the side of the building by Rabourg’s wild shrieks. Rafferty took in the situation at a glance. He rushed to the ladder, and, procuring a short plece of rope, dropped it to Rabourg. ‘The latter, realizing that this was his only means of escape, clutched the slender strand and was drawn up on the roof by the sheer strength of the fireman. From the root he was taken down the lad- der in safety. The rear of the building was partially destroyed, involving a loss of a few thous- and dollars. —__———_—_ THE TORPEDO BOAT. Disaster Again Has Overtaken the Hl-Fated Ericsson. Again disaster has overtaken the torpedo boat Ericsson. She had just completed the repairs necessitated by the last break- down of her air pump and was trying her machinery yesterday under most promis- ing conditions, when owing to the collapse of a piston rod a cylinder was smashed and the trial abruptly ended. The news came to the Navy Department today in the following telegram from the _repre- sentative of the contractors, Mr. Dickey, at New Londen: “On unofficial trial the Ericsson broke the starboard low-pressure piston rod, breaking the low-pressure and second in- termediate cylinders. Have wired for new cylinders.” The engineering bureau here estimates that it will take six weeks to repair the damage to the machinery. -o-+— SES FOR CARS. Lic Warrants Against W. and G. Road to Be Issued. License Inspector Melton this afternoon filed in the Police Court four informations against the Washington and Georgctown Railroad Company for alleged violations of the act of August 23, 1871, which imposes a license tax on street cars. The informa- tions charge that the company has oper- ated 175 cars on its roads since January 1, 1803, to date, without having paid the re- quired license. Warrants upon these in- formations will be issued and served on President Dunlop of the railroad company, and the case will probably be called in court early next week. SRC Mrs. Ergood Gets a Divorce. A divorce was granted Lucy J. from Lemuel Ergood today by Judge Hagner. The bill was filed the 20th of last July by Mrs. Ergood, who was Mrs. Lucy J. Sey- bolt at the time of her marriage to the defendant, and she based her prayer for divorce upon the alleged cruelty and drunkenness of her husband. Hope for Local Legislation at the Coming Session. SOME BILLS NOW ON THE CALENDAR Those Which Most Need Prompt and Definite Action. MUCH WORK TO BE DONE The present prospect ie that there will be no general legislation introduced at the coming session of Congress that will give rise to prolonged debates, and this encour- ages the hope that more attention may be paid to minor legislation and incidentally to local matters than last year, when the silver and tariff bills practically monopo- lized all the time. There is no lagk of material for both the houses and the com- mittees to work on. Indeed the calen- dars of the District committees of both houses, which are still in force from last session, are crowded with measures of considerable importance, with the usual number of insignificant matters of which the disposition will be of little consequence. The Bond 1 The matin interest will center in the bond issue or sewer extension bill, which was the cause of considerable controversy at the last session. The bill, as it passed the House, is eminently unsatisfactory to the citizens of Washington, in that it places the entire cost of this great improvement, the necessity for which gro’ with every year, upon the District, thus abrogating the original contract whereby the govern- ment undertook to pay half the expenses of the capital. The Senate committee has taken a de- cided stand against this unjust treatment of the citizens of Washington, and should the bill be brought to a discussion between the two houses a fierce controversy is sure to follow. In view of the fact that the personnel of the two committees will not be changed until after the expiration of this Congress, it has been suggested that it will be better for the interests of the city for the pill to be allowed to lapse, and to be brought up again in the Fifty- fourth Congress, when there may be a more favorable view taken of the question by the House. A New Municipal Building. Next in importance is the question of a new municipal building, which did not quite come to a focus at the last session, but which, it®is hoped, may be urged through both houses in satisfactory shape. There are several propositions in the form of bills before both committees, but per- haps the one most popular with members and Senators from an economic point of view, and therefore most likely to be fa- vorably considered, is to erect on the pres- ent site of the old court house a combina- tion home for the municipal and police of- fices and all the courts that pertain to the local jurisdiction. While there may be a large number of citizens who would regret to see any further encroachments on the public parks, it is probable that this plan will commend itself most highly of all to the approval of the legislators, in view of the fact that no appropriation for the pur- chase of a site will be nec ‘The old fight over the se for a new printing office is be reopened in view of the krown deter- mination of the present public printer to place the responsibility for further delay in this most vital matter on the houses of Congress. He will be further reinforced this year by a report from a board of en- gineers, who, it is understood,point out the danger of waiting until the owners of va- rious sites may compromise among them- selves before building a new structure. ‘The need for a reorganization of the police and fire departments of the city will be early urged upon Congress, and it is be- leved by many that something will be accomplished at the coming session. The Steam Railroad Problem. There is a growing disposition on the part of members of both committees to take up and finally dispose of the steam railroad problem, which It was felt last year could not be handled adequately, ow- ing to the great Imitations on the time that was meted out for local legislation. A bill comprehending all the features of the question, embracing the needs at both the termini in this city, may very possibly be drawn early in the session, and urged to a vote so that the sentiment of the Congress may be well tested in advance of the next session succeeding, which, it is hoped, will be inclined to take decisive steps in this long postponed matter. The entire subject of street railway especially in the line of subur- and the extension of existing routes, may be brought forward in a single Mil destined to settle for some time to come these vexatious problems. The great duplication of lines throughout the entire ncrthern neighborhood of Washington, and the almost certain prospect that If all the franchises asked for were granted, more than half the roads would be unprofitable, will possibly lead the members of the two committees to frame in harmony a meas- ure that will protect the interests already vested, and supply the demands of the pub- lic without unnecessarily covering the streets with tracks. The policy of the Senate, at least, will be to run the surbur- ban nes making city connections upon the established trunk lines wherever it can be done without complications resulting from differences of motive power. It may be that the delay of the Metropolitan com- pany in starting to work establishing an electric road will be the cause of some ccmment by resolution or otherwise, al- though the bill by which this improvement was authorized contains its own penalty for non-conformance. Four months of the one year granted for the completion of the th street line have now elapsed, and no work has been done. A Free Public Library. The bill for the establishment of a free public library has already made many friends in both houses and its early consid- eration 1s anticipated. The bill as drawn and approved by the board of trade is certain to be the basis of whatever legisla- tion may be accomplished, although sever- al suggestions have been made as to the methods of maintaining the library and the question of a home for this institution. There is no disposition to postpone the matter as far as can be ascertained. One of the most important bills to which attention will be directed earfy is that pro- viding for an increase of the water supply. This bill involves not only the question of the establishment of an adequate water plant at Great Falls, but also certain con- troverted items relating to the title of the government to the water power, which it is most destrable should be settled at an early date. Closely associated with the question of water supply is the proposi- ticn to utilize the power at the falls for the creation of electric power to be used in lighting the city. Bills are on the calendar for each of these objects and it is quite possible that they may be combined and so considered as one matter. Taxes and Tax Sates. There are several bills relating to taxes, tax sales and similar matters on the calen- dars of both houses and the committees. It 1s hoped by the leaders in the committees that some action will be taken at this ses- sion on these measures. Among other bills that are now on the calen@ars in different legislative shapes are the following: To amend the act of October 1, 1890, relating to incorporations within the District; to codify the laws of the District; for the ap- pointment of a public administrator; re- quiring the erection of gates or guards at railroad crossings; to amend the marriage laws; to provide for the erection of a na- tional home for aged and infirm colored persons; to prevent the desecration of graves. In addition to these old matters, there are many new to that are Mable to be sprung, and it is knowh that certain mem- bers of the District committees of both now have in contemplation legisla- tion upon a number of important subjects. Altogether the prospect is good that the record of the coming session wiil not be a ne r one in the matter of local legisla- n. SUGAR TRUST SPECULATION How Congressional Disctssion May Be Used to Influence the Market. An Attempt to Pass a Free Sugar Bill Would Reopen the Entire ‘Tar! One of the greatest of the Wall street operators, who is in close touch with the dealings of the street, said recently to a friend, with whom he was having a con- ference as to the epeculations which might be expected in sugar trust securities that would be effected by legislation or attempt- ed Yegislation at Washington this winter: “The session of Congress will be a short one, but it will be a very important one in the markets, and the probability is that the aggregate of the operations will be hardly less than they were at the last ses- sion,” A Senatorial Conference. ‘The season seems to have begun early. ‘Those whose duty was to watch the move- ments of the sugar trust forces here during the last session have not failed to observe that three members of the United States Senate—Gorman of Maryland, Brice of Ohio and New York and Smith of New Jersey—whose names a few months ago were very frequently connected with the legislation ‘n Congress which affected the sugar trust, have been spending much time in New York city. They have been report- ed as holding a very secret conference there, and, singularly enough, this confer- ence is said to have had’relations to legis- lation which might affect the sugar trust securities. The action taken at this confer- ence is said to have been of a character which, if it can be incorporated into law, would have a depressing ¢ffect upon the securities of the sugar trust. Directly af- ter this conference, a bear movement was inaugurated by the president of the sugar trust, and the great refineries were closed down. The result was that sugar trust stock fell some points. A Conference Last Winter. It will be remembered! that there was a conference at the house of Senator Brice in this city last winter, which was attend- ed by the three Senators who have recently been in New York city in conference. At both of these conferences the subject under discussion is said to haye been legislation which might affect sugax, trust securities. As the result of the con{grence at Senator Brice’s house last wintef. sugar trust cer- tificates advanced comtinuously — thirty points. And Mr. Terrell,\@ very audacious operator, did not tell the sugar trust in- vestigating committee (if he was ever asked) at what price he purchased, or in whose interest he sold, the vast block of sugar trust securities which it must have required a quarter of a million dollars to carry, and the profits gf which, if the operation was judiciously, conducted, as it undoubtedly under such sdvantageous cir- cumstances was, could net have been less Campaign Be; ‘The events of the last few days seem to confirm the accuracy of remarks of the noted broker first abofe quoted to his friends as to the probable activity of the market in sugar trust gertificates in con- sequence of attempted legislation here this winter. The campaign rs to have be- gun early. To a man who knows what the managers of the sugar trust intend to do, as to anything connect@@ with their vast interests, it does not matter, Wall street men say, whether the s| goes down or up. Previous knowledge, of such a move- ment guarantees: succes# in any operation. Those who look at things from a wordly point of view will not h@ve failed to notice that the Senators who hve just been con- ferring in New York to sugar trust legislation are the same Benators who con- sulted as to the same gubject at Senator Brice’s house last winger. In the latter instance sugar trust sgeurities advanced thirty points, and some§ody made money. In the former instance sugar trust cer- tificates were depres: and doubtless somebody made money however sad a ‘Thanksgiving it may Wave been for the 50,000 operatives of thg sugar trust re- fineries, of whose wag@s the sugar trust managers have made a holocaust. No Likelilfexd of Passing a BI. The attempt to pass ajpill for free sugar would be contrary to the policy that there must be a rest from fariff agitation. It will not be possible e¥en to discuss the measure to put sugar of the free list with- out reopening the entir@ tariff question, or without at the same tfme discussing the proposition to restore the bounty upon sugar. The latter would be germane to the former. The entire tariff question would be germane to both, and the session of Con- gress, so far as the Senate is concerned, could’ be entirely devoted to the discussion of the tariff question, with the prospect of putting sugar on the frag Uist. But the dis- cussion may serve to make the sugar trust securities the foot ball of Wall street specu- lations, and in this way the purpose of those who promoted thé discussion may be accomplished. + MORE NEWS FOR 5 oe READ- Early. The Associated Presa Further Ex- tends Its Splen@fa Service. The Associated Press’ Teated wires have been extended from this &ty to Richmond, Petersburg and Norfol& Va. The full night report of the Associated Press be- gins tonight to the Petefsburg Index-Ap- peal, which has withdrawn from the Southern Associated Press and joined the Associated Press. The full night report iso goes to the Norfolk Pilot. The full day report begins to the Richmond State, the leading afternoon ‘paper in Virginia, on Monday. It ts the first afternoon: paper in the south outside of New Orleans, Mem- phis, Nashville or Louigvifle to receive the full day report of the Associated Press. The afternoon papers at the other cities named are served exclusively by the As- sociated Press over its leased wires. The Associated Press has extended its news service so as to cover every city in the south, and is now receiving in a direct way the most complete news service ever col- lected in the southern states. Twenty-Five Years of Service. Mr. T. J. Sullivan, asgistant chief of the bureau of engraving and printing, having completed his twenty-fifth year of con- tinuous service yesterday, was presented with a token of remembrance in the shape of a floral horseshoe by the superin- tendents of the printing division, ELECTION RESULTS|* DISPATCH REPUDIATED| FAILED LIKE COXEY What Representative Bell of Col- orado Says of Them. WHAT THE PEOPLE INTENDED ——— Not an Approval of the Republican Policy. NOT OPPOSED TO SILVER A representative of The Star asked Rep- resentative Bell of Colorado if he regarded the result of the November election as a declaration against silver. “No,” replied Mr. Bell, “rather the con- trary. The people expected relief through an expansion of the currency and a re- duction of the burdens of taxation and debt. To their utter surprise their distress was augmented through a further contrac- tion of the currency and an increase of the bonded debt. They asked for bread, for relief in general. They were answered shrough an increase of distress in their name and they repudiated the assumed representation and dissented and disap- proved of the means used.” “What can they reasonably expect from republicans?” “Those who have kept pace with the drift of events expect nothing. It was not the intention of the people to approve re- publican rule, but rather to rebuke dem cratic inefficiency and obstinacy in this trying crisis.” What will the populists do?” “Double their energies, further concen- trate their efforts and subordinate every other issue :o that of free coinage and en- larged national currency issued and con- trolled by the government.” “But the people of the west, even Colo- rado, Gid not suppert your cause. They knew the republican party would not re- monetize silver, did they not?” “They should have known it; they will soon know it. We carried a very large percentage of the farmers, miners, m chanics and of the’ laboring people gener- ally. We have a great majority of the county officers of Colorado. Every undue advantage of employes was used by the emplcyer, the concentrated force of all the banks, foreign money lenders, insurance companies and kindred associations was directed in the interest of the republican party, and they were powerful enough in a few great cities to become the vote con- trolling element in the state. This will be temporary. The people will have a show- ing of hands at this sersion. The eastern democrat and 9) per cent of the republi- cans, regardless of lovality, will work for a dear money and cheap property, while the southern democrat and populist will work for an abundant currency and a dear prop- erty—in other words, for the masses of the pecple.” “If the southern democrats and populists are so near each other, why do they work at cross purposes?" “Their eastern brethren, interested in dear money and a perpetual debt, are sa- gacious enough to keep them divided. The svuth and the west must and will be to- gether in some way and under some condi- tion before any permanent relief is ob- tained. The sconer those representing the masses of the people join hands, the sooner will be their emancipation from the ruin- ous domination of the bankers and owners of ready money. ‘The issue is clean-cut and well defined. One side favors a dear mon- ey and cheap property—the other an abun- dant money and dear property. The for- mer system makes the owner of ready money, bonds and mortgages very rich and the masses of the people very poor. The latter system would make all of the peo- ple prosperous.’ SiS Es REE SES THE MESSAGE COMPLETED. But the President Did Not Come to the White House Today. The damp, disagreeable weather today again interfered with the President's in- tention of coming into the city for the purpose of meeting thq members of his cabinet at the White Hovse. His improve- ment, whilé slow,has been sure and steady, and warrants the prediction that he will certainly be at the White House on Mon- day to receive the joint committee of Con- gress always appointed at the opening of a session to notify the President of the assembling of Congress and its readiness to consider any business he may choose to present to it. The committee is invariably informed that the President will communi- cate with Congress in writing, and his an- nual message on the state of the Union will be delivered to the presiding officers of both houses almost simultaneously with the report of the committee. The President's message is completed, and will be set up and bound in pamphlet form at the government printing office be- tween now and Monday morning. Mr. Pruden and Mr. Young, who usually copy the message in manuscript for submission to the two houses, will be fully occupied in completing that work in time. There is ro doubt whatever that the document in its written and printed form will be in com- plete readiness for use on Monday. Unu- sual precautions have been taken to keep the message secret and render impossivle its publication a second before the clerk of one of the houses begins to read it for the benefit of the members. POST OFFICE PROGRESS. Limited Number Pleased at the Rate of Advance. For two months, covering a period of nine weeks, The Star has carefully noted the progress on the city post office build- ing. It has seen the number of men em- ployed on the structure vary from none to nearly ninety. It has seen the walls strug- gle upward. The second story has been evclved to a point fairly near completion in this time. The frame work for the second and third stories has stretched its ungainly skeleton to the chilly heavens. The rate of progress has been eminently satisfactory—to the contractors ard the government officials at the site, whose tenure of office is thereby made certain to the end of the present admin- istration at least. But they are the only ones, excepting, perhaps, the workmen themselves, who heve a selfish interest, who have been pleased with the advance. The people of the city, almost without any exception, have continued to complain that so much valuable time and excellent weather have been wasted. And today, at the end of the two months of watching, the average number of workingmen em- ployed daily on the structure is 47.71. There are today fcrty artisans on the walls and site. The average for the week is 403-5, made up as follows: Monday, thirty-rine; Tuesday, forty; . Wednesday, forty-two; Friday, forty-two; Saturday, forty, a total of 203, which, divided by five, gives’ the average ‘as stated. This count leaves out Thanksgiving day, which, being a holiday, could not be legally utilized. The average for the whole period made up thus: First week, 381 week, 363-6; third week 1-8; fifth week, 474-6; seventh week, 523 464-6; ninth week,’ 40 3 dally ‘averages of 429.43. The daily average so far is just the least fraction over one-tenth of the number of men employed daily on the brary build- ing, under General Casey, 6; eighth week, 5, &@ total of the Secretary Gresham Denies That Any Alarming Report Has Been Received. Probable Chrnge of Station of Ves- sels in the Asiatic Squadron—Pro- gress of Peace Negotiations. It is"reported that the Secretary of State has received a cable message from Minis- ter Denby at Pekin indicating an alarming state of affairs in the Chinese capital. One authority gives the following lan- guege as the substance of the dispatch: “Chaos reigns in Pekin. The American legation is in danger. Need protection,” and adds that Secretary Gresham and Secretary Herbert held a conference yes- terday, at which steps were taken to af- ford the requested protection. It is a fact that the two cabinet ministers named were in conference yesterday over some question of more than ordinary import- ance, but its character has not been sat- isfactorily disclosed. It is believed, how- ever, to have related to a change in the stations of the vessels on the Asiatic sta- ticn with a view to the better protection of the points of danger in China. Probable Change of Vessels. The distribution of the vessels of that squadron at last reports is as follows: Flagship Baltimore at Nagasaki, Charles- ton at Chemulpo, Monocacy at Tien-Tsin, Concord at Chin Ktang, Petrel at New Chang, Yorktown en route from Honolulu to Yokohama, Detroit at Cadiz, Spain; Machias nearing Gibraltar. The probabilities are that the vessels now at or nearing Corea or Japan will be dispatched to the treaty ports of China where the foreign element is strongest, and which are reported to be in a state of excitement over the Japanese triumphs. Such a movement would include the Bal- timore, Charleston and Yorktown. It might also be deemed advisable to have the Concord and Petrel leave their present places on the Chinese coast for the more important treaty ports. It is understood that a cable message has been sent to Admiral Carpenter embodying a sugges- tion to that effect, ‘The Quoted Message Repudiated. The quoted message from Minister Den- by is repudiated entirely by Secretary Gres- ham, who said this afternoon that no such report or anything akin to it has been re- ceived by cable, mail or otherwise. The old wocden ship Monocacy is the only vessel near Pekin at present, but the Baltimore, Charleston, Concord and Petrel are not more than two days distant. Meanwhile favorable progress is reported in the peace negotiations between China and ‘Japan, conducted through the agency of the American ministers at Pekin and Tokio, who are paving the way for a meet- ing of the peace envoys of the two coun- tries. Very little importance is attached to the reported British naval demonstration against further advances on the part of Japan. Japan's Favorable Reply. An official, who is in a position to know the facts, says that Japan has made a re- ply favorable to China's proffer presented through United Statos Minister Denby. It still remains, however, for China to make it plain that she can and will execute what she has pro} , and until this is done there will be no cessation of hostili- ties. ‘The favorable reply of Japan was given, it is understood, through United States Minister Dun at Tokio, Japan, who, in turn, presented it to United States Min- isver Denby at Pekin, China. While the exact terms of the offer accepted by Japan are not known, it is said to be about $125 000,000 cash indemnity and, Chir There 1s saa w ve uo surreuaes v1 China's territory. pf AS ERA Sree NATIONAL BANK CURRENCY. Brief Outline of the Main Points of Controller Eckels’ Report. The annual report of Mr. Eckels, con- trcller of the currency, which will be sub- mitted to Congress on Monday, contains the usual statistics relative to the organt- zation of new banks and the condition of the banks in existence, under the na- tional system, as well as the condition of state, savings and private banks. The controller makes an interesting resume of the results of free investigations conduct- ed throughout the past year as to the in- ‘terest which women have in banks as stockholders,depositors and employes,show- ing that such interest and participation are much greater than has been generally supposed. He also reports the result of an investigation as to the extent to which checks and other credit instruments are used in retail transactions. A _ special chapter is given to show the number of depositors in national banks and the ex- tent of euch individual deposits. The facts developed in these investigations are fully set forth, and with them the conclusions which they seem to warrant. The controller shows clearly the extent to which the national banks have been a source of profit to the government and of great usefulness to the public in various ways. The greater portion of the report is de- voted to a discussion of the various sug- gestions that have been made for an ii proved method of securing bank circula- tion. The controller submits a general plan for a more elastic currency, suitable for the business needs of the country, and gives practical illustrations of the de: bil- ity of remedial legislation which will do away with those provisions of the national banking laws which render the issues un- der them inelastic. ERENCES EXIST. NO DI Semi-OMcial Statement Regarding England and America. LONDON, December 1.—The following semi-official statement will be issued this afternoon concerning the differences be- tween Great Britain and Nicaragua: Reiter's agency learns that no difference of opinion exists between the government of Great Britain and the United States with reference to the Mosquito territory. Owing to the influx of certain traders and others in these regions it became necessary re- cently for Great Britain to draw the atten- tion of the Nicaraguan government to the provisions of the treaty between Great britain and Nicaragua, which were con- trary to certain decrees recently issued by their commissioner at Bluefields. It ts understood that the matter formed the subject of inquiry upon the part of the United States, and a satisfactory explana- tion of the affair was given by the British government. The question did. not affect the relations between Nicaragua and the Mosquito territory, but merely the rights and customs of the Mosquito Indians re- served under the treaty in question. There was no question of the United States dispatchiny war vessels to the spot in this connection. The bottom has dropped out of the Nica- raguan war scare. The only new develop- ment in the case is an ollicial cablegram received here by Dr. Guzman, the Nicara- guan minister, confirming the advices re- ceived in London by Mr. Barrios, as made known in the cable dispatch of the As- sociated Press. As this was to the effect that the Mosquito Indians themselves had voluntarily resolved upon the incor- poration of their territory with the re- mainder of Nicaragua, the minister ex- presses the bellef that the United States will be troubled no more by the freauent outbreaks in the Mosquito reservation, which have threatened to cause serious in- ternational complications, Captain Kolb's Demonstration at Montgomery, Alabama. SWORN IN, BUT DIDN'T TAKE OFFICE Governor Jones Kept Him From the Capitol. THEN INDULGED IN ORATORY Special From a Staff Correspondent. MONTGOMERY, Ala., December 1.—Since daylight this morning the streets of Ala- bama’s state capital have resounded with the tramp of armed men and the roll of drums. The early morning sun has glinted upon hundreds of bristling bayonets, all of which marks the arrival and presence of a portion of the state militia to par- ticipate in the inauguration of Gov. W. C. Oates, The mere presence of troops on this occasion is not an unusual occurrence in itself. It has long been the custom for the state militia to participate in the cere- monies. There is one unusual feature in cvnnection with their presence, however, tcday. Each of these men, by direct or- ders of Gov. Jones, carried forty rounds of ball cartridges for his rifle, and there were other rounds close at hand. Instead of coming to Montgomery, all on pleasure bent, to make a jolly occasion of the day, they are here prepared for sterner matters if necessary. Consequently they presented a more military display as they trudg- ed steadily up streets in close order, and there was an appearance in their manner and bearing of readiness for whatever might come. These troops are not here by public order of state authorities, but by invitation to take part in a civic ceremony. It is fair to assume, however, that when their invitation was followed by command to bring ammunition they construed the invitation in a different manner. This is the day set apart by Capt. R. F. Kolb in a pronunciamento issued to the people of Alabama lsst month upon which he is “by the grace of God” to be sworn in as governor and to attempt to exercise the functions theveof. It is also the day ap- pointed by the legislature of Alabama for the inauguration of Governor-elect Oates, declared elected by that bedy, who is to be vested with his gubernatorial authority by the present governor, “by the grace of God” and with whatever collaterai in- fluence may be necessary. Capt. Kolb’s Followers. There was another body of men upon Mortgomery’s streets this morning who made no display of force, but who were easily recognized. They were tall, gaunt countrymen, with sullen faces, and attired in rovgh clothes and slouch hats. They came in town in small groups within the past twenty-four hours by trains, wagons and mules. They don’t appear to be armed. They make no boast or bluster, but go about with a cowed air, end gaze wrath- fully upon the military. These are the men who came here at Capt. Kolb’s re- juest to see him sworn in as governor, “by 3 grace of God,” but without the form of law. When The Star correspondent reached Montgom>ry, at a late hour last meet. there were few outward signs of anticipa- tion of trouble. The visiting militia were resting upon their arms in their armories and very few people were on the streets. A guard had been maintained at the ar- mory for several nights. There were no demonstrations on the streets, but men gathered in the hotels and restaurants, and talked earnestly over the prospects of the morrow. No exhibition of braggadocio was made, but the people seemed to be upon a strain. Out at Capt. Kolb’s residence a secret caucus of some of the populist leaders was in session, whose deliberations were care- fully guacde& Gov. Jones’ Preparations. The Star corresnondent found Gov. Jones at a down town office, with Congressman Cobb, well known in Washington as a member of the District committee; Maj. Screws, the postmaster; Col. Glass and Judge Rutledge. “I don’t anticipate trouble,” said Gov. Jones to The Star correspondent, “but I am prepared to stamp it out on the spot if it should appear. “I have ordered the militia to carry ball cartridges, so as to be ready for action if required. I am simply doing my duty in providing for the safe and orderly inaugu- ration of the man whom the legislature of Alabama has declared to be governor—Wm. C. Oates. If the legislature had declared Capt. Kolb to be governor I would take the same steps for his inauguration, if there were signs of opposition. “Capt. Kolb has no earthly claim to the governorship. He was overwhelmingly de- feated, and, even leaving out those districts where he charges fraud, there would still Le a sweeping majority against him. I re- gard his threats and murmurings as a bluff to serve several purposes. First, he wants to be able to say to his followers that he made an attempt to be seated as governor. He wants that attempt to be accepted by outside sympathizers as a guarantee of the good faith his former statements to them, and he ts to place himself upon record for the benefit of his followers who will make congressional contests.” The Kolb Program. At the caucus of the Kolbites, held last night, a program of action for today was fixed. It was decided to assemble at the state house at 11 o'clock today, one hour in advance of the inauguration of Oates, and have Mr, Kolb sworn in. Some difficulty was experienced in getting ar official to administer the oath to Kolb. Two populist judges, sympathizers with the cause, were asked to perform the of- fice, hut declined on the ground that they would lose their offices by being impeached for treason. The caucus of the Kolbite legislators, who, by their announcement in the legislature, are men of peace, are sald to have been thrown into @ state of con- sternation by the appearance of a well- krown Kolbite leader, who announced that he had come for war. : He said he had brought a_ body of mounted men, armed with Winchester rifles, who had come from an adjacent county, and were at that moment en- camped just across the river, opposite the town. The leader wanted to know what his men should do. The men of peace stood aghast at this declaration, and declared that they did not want ary violence. “But Capt. Kolb called for the people to come and seat him,” sald the countryman, “and I do not see how it can be done with- out fighting. What did you start this thing for if you do not intend to carry it out. You had better have kept your mouths shut If you did not intend to fight.” This fellow, who is known as a hard cus- tomer, and has killed his » is said to have told the leaders that he was in Mont- gomery fully prepared to face anything that comes. eS a single man,” he said, “and I haven't a near relative in the world; more- over, I am dying with consumption. Now, I am willing to give up my life today to establish a republican form of government in the state of Alabama, or make the at- tempt to do it one of the bloodiest pages in the history of the state, and I have got men who will follow me. Will you do it?” His offer is said to have been declined with precipitate thanks, and he was en- treated to return to his camp across the river. ‘This incident is cited to show the effect