Evening Star Newspaper, December 3, 1894, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY, AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 10D Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. Lith Street, by Star Newspaper Company, 8. H. KAUFFMANN, Pres't, Now York Ofioe, 40 Potter Building, ‘The Fvening Star ts served to subscribers in the city by carriers, on thelr own account, at 10 cents per Week, or 44 cents per month. jes at the counter 2 cents each. mail—anywhere in the United States or Canada—postage prepald-80 conte per month. Saturday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year; with forelen postage died. $8.00, (Batered 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, Che £vening Stave. Vor 85, No. 21,058. WASHINGTON, D. ©. THE MESSAGE oe President Cleveland Advises Congress as to National Affairs. HE ADVOCATES THE POPGUN BILLS Seo ea nae Bonds Cannot Be Depended Upon to Support the Gold Reserve. CIVIL SERVICE REFORM see See Tc the Congress of the United States: The assemblage within the nation’s legis- lative halls of those charged with the duty of making laws for the benefit of a gener- ous and free people impressively suggests the exacting obligation and inexorable re- sponsibility involved in their task. At he threshold of such labor now to be under- taken by the Congress of the United States and in the discharge of an executive duty enjoined by the Constitution, I submit this eemmunication contajaing a brief state- ment of the condition of our national af- fairs and recommending such legislation as seems to me necessary and expedient. International Relationy. The history of our recent dealings with other nations, and our peaceful relations with them at this time, additionally dem- onstrate the advantage of consistently ad- hering to a firm but just foreign policy, free from envious or* ambitious national schemes and characterized by entire hon- esty and sincerity. During the past year, pursuant to a law of Congress, commissioners were appointed to the Antwerp industrial exposition. ‘Though the participation of American ex- hibitors fell far short of completely illus- trating our national ingenuity and tndus- trial achievements, yet it was quite credit- able in view of the brief time allowed for preparation. I have endeavored to impress upon the Belgian government the need'exsness and postive harmfuiness of its restrictions upon the importation of certain of our food products, and have strongly urged that the rigid supervision and inspection under our laws are amply svificient to prevent the exportation from this country of diseased cattle and unwholesome meat. The termination of the civil war in Brazil has been followed by general preva- lence of ‘peace and orde® It appearing at an early stage of the insurrection that its course would call for unusual watchfulness on the part of this government, our naval force in the harbor of Rio de Janeiro was strengthened. This precaution I am satis- fied tended to restrict the issue to a simple trial of strength between the Brazilian government and the insurse: and to avert complications which at times seem- ed imminent. Our firm attitude of neu- trality was maintained to the end. The insurgents recelved no encourazement of eventual asylum from our commanders, and such opposition as they encountered was for the protection of ow commerce and was clearly justified by public law. A serfous tension of relations having arisen at the close of the war between Brazil and Portugal, by reason of the es- cape of the insurgent admiral, Da Gama, and his followers, the friendly offices of our representatives to those countries were exerted for the protection of the subjects ef either within the territory of the other. Although the government of Brazil was duly notified that the commercial arrange- ment existing between the United States and that country, based on the third sev- tion of the tariff ac. of 18%, was abro- gated on August 28, 1894, by the taking effect of the tariff law now in force that government subsequently notified us of its intention to terminate such arrange- ment on the Ist day of January, 1895, In the exercise of the right reserved in the agreement between the two countries. I Invite attention to the correspondence between the Secretary of State and the Brazilian minister on this subject. The commission organized under the con- vention which we had entered into with Chile for the settlement of the outstand- ing claims of each government against the other adjourned at the end of the pe- riod stipulated for {ts continuance, leav- ing undetermined a number of American cases, which had been duly presented. These claims are not barred and negotia- tions are in progress for their submission © a new tribunal. As to China and Japan. On the 17th of March last a new treaty with China in fusther regulation of em!- Gration was signed at Weshington, and on August 13 it recetved the sanction of the Benate. Ratification on the part of China and formal exchange are awaited to give effect to this mutually beneficial convention. A gratifying recognition of the uniform impartiality of this country toward all foreign states was manifested by the co- incident request of the Chinese and Japan- ese g@vernments that the agents of the United States should, within proper limits, afford protection to the subjects of the other during the suspension of diplomatic relations due to a state of war. This deli- cate office was accepted, and a misappre- hension, which gave rise to the bellef that in affording this kindly unofficial protec- tion our agents would exercise the same authority which the withdrawn agents of the belligerents had exercised, was prompt- ly corrected. Although the war between China and Japan endangers no policy of the United States, it deserves our gravest consideration, by reason of its disturbance of our growing commercial interests In the two countries, and the increased dangers which may result to our citizens domictled or sojourning in the interior of China. Acting under a stiptilation in our treaty with Corea (the first concluded with a western power) I felt constrained at the beginning of the controversy to tender our good offices to induce an amicable arrange- ment of the Initial difficulty growing out of the Japanese demands for administrative reforms in Corea, but the unhappy pre- @lpitation of actual hostilities defeated this kindly purpose. Deploring the destructive war between the two most powerful of the eastern nations, and anxious that our commercial interests In those countries may be pre- served, and that the safety of our citizens there shall not be Jeopardized, I would not hesitate to heed any intimation that our friendly aid for the honorable termination of hostilities would be acceptable to both belligerents. XK convention has been finally concluded for the settlement by arbitration of the Prolonged dispute with Ecuador, growing @ut of the proceedings against Emillo cast 3 (Continued on Ninth Pe OPINIONS OF THE MESSAGE It Was Not Such a Document as Was Gen- erally Expected. His Recommendations Please Some and Disgust Others— The Tariff C Financial ees Advised. The early part of the session in both houses consisted in nothing but formal roll call and resolutions. The Senate took @ recess until 1:30, The House, which took a shorter recess, had to extend it for fif- teen minutes upon reassembling at 1 o'clock. A very general interest was man- ifested in the President's message on ac- count of the expectation that he would discurs financial questions at some length, and more than a usual number of the members waited through the recess to hear the message read. There was evi- dently a feeling of disappointment when the clerk began reading a message con- structed on the old lines, summarizing the operations of all the departments and dis- cussing in a generai manner our re tions with the various foreign countries. it had been expected that his message would be one similar to the famous tariff message, dealing exclusively with one question, that of finance. They were, therefore, surprised, and lost interest when so much of dry detail was gone into in the early part of the message. ‘The Financial Features. When finally the financial features of the message were reached, general attention was given to the reading. This was rec- ognized as the principal feature of the message, but in the treatment of the sub- ject it was not made as conspicuous in scare heads as is Mr. Cleveland's custom when dealing with qvestions which he de- sires to call especially to attention. There was no surprise in (he message at any point, except its surprising dullness. When the fixancial plan “with Mr. Carlisle was discussed, it was found to contain nothing of importance which had not already been anticipated In newspaper paragraphs for the past three or four weeks. Sliver Men Disgusted. The silver men, who had got some sort of an idea in their heads that Mr. Cleve- land might say something to indicate a more friendly disposition toward the white metal, were immensely disgusted at hts close adherence to what is known as the Baltimore plan, and it was made evident at once that his recommendations would not in any way appeal to the radical ele- ment of the democratic party. The so-call- ed sound money men among the democrats applauded the recommendations, pronounc- ing them wise and statesmanlike. The re- publicans had very little to say on the subject. As the representatives of sound money, they were hardly disposed to take their cue from a democratic President rep- resenting but a minority sentiment in his own party, and they showed a disposition to take time for consideration before dis- cussing Mr. Cleveland's suggestions. The Tariff! Recommendations. In repeating his recommendation for free coal and free iron ore Mr. Cleveland did only what was expected of him in view of his proverbial tenacity. It was not ex- pected, however, that he would venture in- to a discussion of the sugar question, even to the extent of a paragraph. His recom- mendation that the differential duty in favor of refined sugar be repealed was one of thé few things gratifying to the radi- cals in his party. They will be very ready to undertake to carry out this recommen- dation. His discussion of the bond ques- tion, especially that part wherein he vlames Congress for failing to give their approval for an issue of low interest bond: fell upon unwilling and offended ears. The long-winded, dull routine character of the message was very generally commented upon. 25 a PRESIDENT IN TOWN. Receives the Notification Committee at the White House. President Cleveland was at the White House today for the first time for over two weeks. He made the trip from his coun- try retreat at Woodley this morning alone, and was greeted at the main en- trance of the White House by Private Secretary Thurber. The President looked pretty well, considering his severe spell of sickness, and the only outward sign of his ailment was the pronounced limp and halt which characterized his walk from the carriage into the mansion. His feet are still badly swollen with rheumatic gout, and were encased in large, easy slip- pers. In view of the general uncertainty as to the President's movements, there were but two or three persons at the White House to see him this morning. Representative Catchings of Mississippi called on behalf of Speaker Crisp to ascertain whether the President would receive the notification committee at the White House or whether it would be necessary for the committee to make the long trip to Woodley. He was very much relieved when informed that the President was at the White House, and that the usual program would be carried out. Attorney General Olney spent most of the morning and other members of the cabinet called during the day. Senator Hunton called about 11 o'clock, but was unable to obtain an audience, even with Mr. Thurber. The notification committee were received during the afternoon and the usual program followed. The President and family will probably resume their residence at the White House in a short time, but it is very evident that they are strongly averse to leaving their country home, and that they will stay there until obliged to do so by the weather and social and official duties. The Presi- dent returned to Woodley this afternoon. In case he is able to bear the fatigue of the trip to the city, a meeting of the cab- inet will be held at the White House to- morrow. ——_——_--e. DINGLEY ON McKINLEYISM. What the Maine Congressman Says of Republican Policy. ba Congressman Dingley of Maine, on being asked if the republicans would re-enact “McKinleyism” when they come into full power, as they expect to two years henco, replied: ‘That depends upon what you mean by ‘McKinleyism.’ If you mean every rate and schedule of the tariif act of 1890, then I reply ‘no;’ but If you mean the protective principle, the policy of im- posing upon competing import duties equivalent at least to the difference of cost of production and distribution here and abroad, arising mainly from our higher wages, which is the underlying principle of the tariff of 1890, then I reply ‘yes.’ The principle of protection is permanent, and the republican party stands by it. The rates required to carry that principle into effect change as industrial conditions change.” —_—_- e— Extending Civil Service. The civil service commission has for- warded to President Cleveland a set of rules providing for the incorporation of places in the geological survey under the civil service laws. Some of the offices of geologists and chemists and a few other spectal pesitions are excepted from the provisions. The rules are the result of a recent request of Secretary Smith for the classification of the offices. MR. DENBY’S APPEAL Has Asked Aid at Pekin, and Marines on Their Way. MAY MOVE THE LEGATION Our Available Force in China Not Very Strong. eee ane se EE HELPING EACH OTHER The statement published in Saturday's Star that Minister Denby had informed the Secretary of State that the Americ: lega- tion at Pekin was in need of better pr tection has since been officially corroborat- notwithstanding Secretary Gres! i tive assertion of Saturday mo that no such information or anything akin to it had reached the State Department, either by cable or mail or otnerwt At the very time he contradicted the re- port, it is said, he was arranging with Sec- retary Herbert to have a force of marines sent to Pekin in response to Minister Den- by’s appeal for protection. At any rate, Admiral Carpenter, com- manding the Asiatic station, was instruct- ed by cable Saturday afternoon to send fifty marines to Minister Denby at Pekin, without delay, with injunctions for them to observe a strict neutrality between the combatants. Admiral Carpenter is at Nagasaki with the flagship Baltimore. Sim- ilar instructions were seat to him several days before, under the suyposition that he was at Shanghai, and their return to the department marked “not delivered” neces- sitated their being cabled back to him at Nagasaki. The delay occasioned by this blunder caused considerable vexation at the depart- ment, and every effort was made for prompt reparation. Force Available. As explained in Saturday's Star, the old Monocacy, at Tien Tsin, is the only United States warship near the Chinese capital, and her complement of men meludes only eighteen marines. The Baltimore, at Naga- saki, and the Charleston, at Chemu!po,each have a strong marine guard, and between them can readily spare the men desired for the defense o1 the legation at Pekin. As these vessels are serving no spectal pur- pose where they are, it is more than prob- able that Admiral Carpenter has been in- structed to send them to Tien Tsin as the nearest port to Pekin, The latter place can then be reached by the marine detachment by an overland route. In case it is found inexpedient to send the force sc far land, and there is a prospect of danger ay Pekin, MinisterDenby 1s authorized to tran: fer his headquarters to Tien ‘'sin, whe he would be less exposed to langer. There he would be under the protection of the guns of the Monocacy, and if neceas could seek immediate refuge on that vessel. Assist Each Other. Even in the absence of an armed guard Mr. Denby and his assistants are not en- tirely helpless, for the reason that they are practically assured of the assistance of the combined forces of all the civilized powers at the Chinese capital, who have entered Into a tacit agreement co stand together for mutual aid and protection in the event of a Chinese outbreak against any of their number. Several months ago it was agreed by the United States, Great Britain, France and Germany that their forces would co-operate for mutual protec- tion during the progress of the war be- tween China and Japan. In all uncivil- ized countries, from time immemorial, the war ships of Great Britain and the United States have been open places of refuge to the citizens of either country in distress, and there is no reason to doubt that the same rule will apply to the present case should an emergency arise. e+ —______ TURKEY'S DEFENSE. What She Has to Say Relative to the Trouble in Armenia. The Turkish legation today furnished the following official telegram, received by the minister from Turkey, relative to the trou- ble in Armenia: “It has been ascertained that agitators, originally from Roumania and Greece and recruited in Caucasus, took an important part in the Sassoun rebellion. Following instructions from the London Armenian committee, money is even now secretly subscribed in Caucasus with the view of creating more troubles at Mouch and otheY places. It was the Armenians of the Ta- lourie district who started the revolt, at- tacking Mussulman villages, the inhabit- ants of which had great difliculty in shel- tering themselves in their winter quarters rear Diarbekie. “Regular troops were immediately sent on the spot. ‘These troops never employed more than seventy or eighty Kurds, who. were of the Djaater tribe, and served as* guides in those hilly regions, according to the custom that all armies follow. ‘These facts show that far from committing any. cruelties, the regular troops succeeded in restoring peace and order. A further proof that there was no persecution of any sort ia evinced by the fact that peaceful Armenian villages, the inhabitants oi* which were in open revolt, were left in’ perfect security and unmolested during and after the military operations. Armen- ian revolutionists and their friends are, therefore, the interested propagators of news that has no foundation in fact. Hav- ing revolted, they wish to hide their guilty actions under the cover of a supposed persecution. It 1s moreover proved that these Armenian insurgents had as com- rades a few misguided Kurds.” - NOT MAKING A snow. Congress Doesn't Hurry Work on City Post Office. Common prudence would have dictated to the contractors on the city post oflice build- ing the wisdom of trying to make a special splurge In the appearance of things on this first day of the session of Congress, for there ts a sort of belief that Congress has the power, if it should so care, to make things hum at the site. But this idea does not seem to have taken root at all, and therefore there were but forty-five men at work on the building this morning, not enough to make things look even lively on the walls. There are some busybodies here in town who may be mean enough to call the attention of the national legislators to the slowness of this work, in the belief that there is a remedy. Congress has a nasty way of overturning things once in a while. The forty-five men at work today might possibly finish the building by the Mth of September, 1898, but they are not apt to do it, for that date is reached by means of the old calculation. ———_o-+___. Reciprocal Arrangement. ‘The postal administration of france has submitted to the Post Office Department a proposition for the use of an international letter sheet with paid reply, on the same principle as the international postal reply card now in use. Postmaster General Bis- sell favors a reciprocal arrangement of this nature, and will give the proposed plan early consideration. MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, GEN. SWAIM REINSTATED The President Remits Remainder of His Sentence. He Will Now Probably Be Retircd— An Old and Famous Case—Presi- dent Arthur's Actions, By direction of the President, the Secre- tary of War has issued an order remitting the unexpired portion of the sentence in the case of Brig. Gen. David G. Swatm, Judge advocate general of the army, and directing him to take station in Washing- ton until further orders. This announce- ment of the restoration of Gen. Swaim to full rank in the army comes as a great surprise to the public, and naturally re- vives the discussion of the merits of a case which, during its progress, was bitterly fought, and created fieree enmities and charges of bad faith. In the latter part of 1884 charges were brought against Gen. Swaim by A. E. Bateman, a stockbroker with whom the general had had dealings. Bateman had berrowed money from Gen. Swaim and given his note for the amount. Later he claimed that the debt had been wiped out through certain stock transactions. Gen. Swaim denied this, and transferred the note to a third party, to avhom he stated the case, and whom he asked to bring suit on it. Bateman brought the case to the attention of the Secretary of War, who di- rected a court-martial to be held. At the trial it was testified by the assignees of the note that they had not been deceived as to its status, and it was proved that, admiiting all the claims of Bateman, there was still some due to the general on the note. The court-martial struck out several of the specifications, but found the feneral guilty, by a bare majority, ef conduct un- becoming an officer. They sentenced him to suspension from rank and pay for one year. President Arthur r fused to accept this sentence, and returned the case to the court. They made it more severe, and re- submitted it. Three times ft was returned to them by the President, and finally the court sentenced Gen. Swaim to suspension on half pay for twelve years. Gen, Swaim’s counsel in the trial were Gen Chas. Grosvenor’and Judge Samuel Shellabarger. Gen. Grosvener, who is a member of Congress from Ohio, says that the friends of Gen. Swaim had always con- tended and still believe that the proceed- ings against him had been peshed and were largely inspired by a desire to create a vacancy in the judge advocate general's office, to be filled by a friend of the -admmistration, and that the sentence was gros@ly unjust. As Gen. Swaim was only suspended the vacancy was not created. At the time of the final verdict of the court the matter came up in the Senate, and the President was bitterly attacked by several Senators for his share in the matter. Gen. Swaim's friends have been expecting bie restora- tion for some time. It is understood that Gen. Swatm will be granted leave of absence, and will be — = Lg —. Ust on the 22d in- stant, when he will have reac of sixty-two years, s aipaviaeay —. + 2+ GEN. SWADIS BLOeESBOR. It Will Probably Be Col. GN. Lieber, Who Has Been Acting so Long. The retirement of Judge Advocate Gen- eral Swaim causes much speculation in military circles as to the succession. Under ordinary circumstances, General Swaim would not retire before 186, if he cared to remain on the active list, and in deciding to avail himself of the privilege of arbitrarily retiring an officer of this rank upon reaching the age of sixty-two years, without the officer's application, the President has adopted a course, which, while perfectly legal, has very few prece- dents in the history of the army. Up to this time but two names have been prominently mentioned for che succession, One is Joseph Doe of Wisconsin, assistant secretary of war, and the other is Col. Guido N. Lieber of South Carolina. Mr. Doe has, however, publicly denied any as- piration to the place, and it seems very probable that the office will fail to Col. Lieber, who has since Gen. Swaim’s sus- pension discharged all of the onerous duties of judge advocate generel without receiving the pay of the official. ————— NOT A WHIT CAST DOW Suffragists in Kansas Will Work on Patiently, TOPEKA, Kans., December 3.—The re- cent overwhelming defeat of the equal suffrage amendment has ‘not discouraged the advocates of female suffrage, but has had the opposite effect. The forthcoming meeting of the Kansas Equal Suffrage Association at Winfield, December 6 and 7, will be largely attended, and the contest for the presidency between the republican and populist women will be animated. It now seems certain that the populist women will not be able to dislodge Mrs. Laura M. Johns as president. She has been writing and urging the republi- can women to be there. Mrs. Johns says that the annual meet- ing is the place for the planning of the next attack. It fs the determination to arouse the republican women of the ‘state who are advocating equal, suffrage and move on the republican legislature in such nurrbers as to overwhelm the members and secure the submission of another amend- ment to the people. Petitions will be cir- culated in every county in the state and a strong lobby will ccme to Topeka to work on individual members. POSTPONED THE HANGING. Equal A Double Execution Put Off at the Last Moment, Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., December 3.— Chattanooga was to have been the scene of a double hanging today,but about 10 o'clock, thirty minutes before the time of execution, Gov. Turney telegraphed Sheriff Hyde that he had granted the doomed men a respite until January 11, pending an investigation for commutation of their sentence. All was in readiness for the hanging. The gallows had been tested and all arrangements com- pleted. ‘The men under sentence of death are “Buddy” Wooten and George Mapp, two young negroes, who, on January 17, 1 murdered Marion Ross, a well-known sa- loonist, for purpose of robbery. The mur- der was a mystery until Wooten was sent to the workhouse on a minor eharge. Here he made a confession to a fellow prisoner, who reported it to the officers. Thence came the arrest for murder, Mapp is but seventeen years of age. ———— QUICKLY CONVICTED. F. Lawson Sent to Prison for Lloyd Vermillion’s Murder. Spectal Dispatch to The Evening Star. ROCKVILLE, Md., December 8.--The trial of Benjamin F. Lawson for the mur- der of Lloyd Vermillion at Upper Marl- boro’, Prince George's county, about the 1st of September last, and removed to this courty for trial, began here this morning and ended at 12 o'clock by a verdict of murder in the second degree. This was rendered by the jury without leaving their box. He was immediately sentenced to a term of thirteen years and six months in the Maryland penitentiary. The case was submitted to the jury by consent of coun- sel and without examination of witnesses, the verdict being in accordance with the instructions of the court. Ben. 1894-SIXTEEN PAGES. OUR LOCAL RULERS Annual Report. ofthe Dist Com- AN ACCOUNT OF THEIR STEWARDSHIP oe The Contagious Disease Hospital Site Discussed. TIONED OTHER MATTERS MED + ‘The annual report of the Commissioners of the District ot Columbia was submitted to the President this morning in fuli is as follows: The President: Pursua ments of the organic law of the District Columbia, the Commissioners of said Dis- trict have the honor to report thcir official doings during the fiscal vear ended June 80, 1804, the details of which are set forth in the accompanying exhtit of the officials in charge of the several depavtments of the District government: Receipts and Expenditures. The receipts and expenitures during the fiscal year were substantially as follow An absolutely accurat2 stimement cannot new be made for the reason that in a few cases of unfinished conteacts further ex- peulitures out of the revenues for that period will have to be made, but the obli- gations on this account are comparaiively insignificant. ‘The total appropriations payable out of the general revenues of the District of Co lumbia for said period, were 8.08. The funds available ¢ ‘he payment of those appropriations amounted to $6,038,125. this amount was deriv: rom general taxes on private property, tes for licenses and other privileges, and rece:pts from all sources Cther than the United States and the water department, including a balance on July 1, 1803, of $83,797.19. The remain- ing $26) 19.78 tepresents the proportion- ate amount due from the Unite] States to pay its legal shhre of the apy i aforesaid. The balance of $ applicable to the payment of the Distr share of future appropriations. The expenses of the water department, which are wholly payable out of the rev- enues derived from water rents and taxes, amounted to $364,711.07. The revenues of the water department, including a balance at the beginning of the fiscal year of §214,- 304.28, were $577,481, Debt of the District. The bonded and other interest-bearing debts of the District of Columfia are un- der the charge of the treasurer of the United States. The Commissioners’ only duty in relation to them is to include in their annual estimates for the support cf the District government an estimate for the interest and sinking fund on these debts, and for the salaries and contingent expenses needful in transacting the sink- ing fund business. The bonded debt on June 30, 18%, was $15, 198,620.18, The non-bonded interest-bearing debt— On June 30, 1504, the District owed the United States $684,214.83, on account of ad- vances for the construction of the water supply tunnel and appurtenances, and $200,403.16 on account of advances for the 48-inch water main and the lth street water main and connections. The first is payable ir sixteen, and the latter in twen- ty-two equal annual installments, with in- terest at 3 per cent per annum, wholly out of the revenues of the water department. The floating devt—The floating debt of the District is very small and consists mainly of judgments of the courts rendered after the passage of the annual appropriation law. The Commissioners endeavor to en- force strict observance of the requirement of law that no expenditure shall be made nor obligation incurred unless previously authorized by congressional! appropria- tions, and thus limit the floating indebted- ness to unavoidable liabilities. Rate of ‘Tax. The rate of general tax for the year was fixed at $1.00 on each $100 for all taxable personal property, and for al! real prop- erty, except that used solely for agricultu- ral purposes, the rate of which was $1 per $luv of assessed valuation, Arrenruges of Ge The decisionof the Supreme Court of the District of Columbie that the purchase of property at tax sales relieves said prop- erty of ihe Hen of all unpaid prior taxes upon it is still a bar to the collection of a large amo int of arr ges of taxes, and an encouragement to taxpayers to be dila- tory in the payment of their taxes, in the hope that they may ultimately evade their payment under the aforesaid ruling. The Commissioners have sought to cover the defects of existing law on the subject by the preparation and submission to the first session of the Fitty-third Congress of H. R. bill $248, entitled “A bill in relation to taxes and tax sales in the District of Co- lumbia,” and now earnestly reiterate their recommendation for its early enactment. The coilectcr’s books carry a large amount of personal tax charges against persons who. have discontinued the busi- ness in which they were when assessed, and deceased persons, and amounts other- wise uncollectable, which should be elimi- nated. As neither the Commissioners nor the collector of taxes have authority to cancel these charges, authority to do so is recommended. Municipal Markets, The municipal markets continue to con- tribute to the convenience and advantage of the public as a source of supply for market product: ard in the aggregate yield a material net revenue to the Dis- trict. The Georgetown market has been reconstructed out of the approp! tion for additional repairs to said mar! . So changes thus made will furnish that sec- tion of the city with excellent market facilities. The Commissioners have in- cludéd in their estimates for 1896 an item of $4,250 for special repairs to market houses, out of which they hope to be able to place the other two markets in like condition. t to the reqnire- ral Taxes. Bathing Beach. The bathing beach has increased in use- fulness and popularity to such an extent that the Commissioners felt justified in recommending a further appropriation of $1,000 for its maintenance during che fiscal year 1896. Contagious Hospital. In the appropriation bill for the last fiscal year the Commissioners were author- ized to purchase a site for a contagious hospital. They were advised by those deeply interested in the matter and who were largely instrumental in securing the appropriation therefor, as well as by prom- inent members of the Medical Society of (Continued on Eleventh Page.) TWO CENTS. LEADING ASPIRANTS The Three Most Prominent in the Republi- can Presidential Race. Harrison, McKinley and Reed—The Power of the Latter as Speake: ‘The three leading aspicants for the next republican presidential nosmmation are now on even terms so far as recent party suc- cesses are conéerned. Thomas B. Feed, Benjamin Harrison and Wiliam McK are commanding figures on the republican horizon, and for the next eighteen months will be included in all calculations having the next presidency for their subject. It is assumed that Gen, Harrison will not change his usual mode of life between now and the time for choosing delegates to the republican national convention. He is de- lghtfully situated at Indianapolis. The whole city, regardless of party lines, holds him in the highest esgeem, and testifies to the feeling whenever occasion offers. De- spite the talk about his being reserved and unapproachable, the number of his admir- ers has greatly increased since the public began to disregard this jalk and look into the matter for itself. Party leaders espe- cially, who at one time held aloof, are now not infrequently his guests, desirous of benefiting by his level-headed views about men and measures. That visits of tbis nature are likely to incra4se from now on is an easy guess. The Marrisoa strength, too, lies in the west and south, and hence it will not be dffficult or expensive for his friends from a distance, anxious for a conference, to reach him in person at any time. The general fs very near his use of supplies, and to that extent is at no disad- vantage. icKinley a Pleturesque Figure. Gov. McKinley will remain a picturesque figure at Columbus, filling the highest cf- fice in his state with distinction, and keep- ing in touch with the best of the buc! aspirations. He, too, is centrally loca and, like Gen. Harrison, may be easily reavhed by those who desire to confer with him. His party friends consider that he greatly strengthened himself by his woa- derful stumping tour, which extended through the whole of October, and covered thousands of miles. Gov. McKinley is rec- ognized as an attractive man in every wa While not a tactician, nor yet in any se'f- ish sense a hustler, his judgment fs con- sidered excellent, and he ‘does not hesitate to go after anything he thinks is in reach. and rightfully his own. Reed’s Commanding Position. But the admirers of Mr. Reed believe that, in point of location, as well as in op- portunity for reaching and impressing the local managers of his party, he holds the “age” on both of his rivals. They point to the fact that Washington is the center of things political at all times, and will be an especially lively center during the whole of the first session of the Fifty-fourth Ccen- gress. The Reed men see an unusual oppor- tunity for their favorite. His reappear- ance in the Speaker's chair will, in their judgment, be made the occasion of a cem- onstration arousing the greatest enthusi- asm, and certain to advance his personal fortunes all along the political line. He left the chair covered with democratic criticism, but sustaining himself in a vale- dictory full of prophecy and defiance. He claimed to have wrought a revolution in parliamentary forms, and predicted that the fruits of his labors would last. They Fave lasted; and, what even he at that time hardly hoped for, haye been adopted almost in their entirety by the very men who opposed him at the outset the most vigorously. He stands, therefore, not only recognized as a reformer, but actuaily | crowned as a@ prophet, by the frank end full confession of those who only four years ago deafened him with shouts of disapproval and complaints. Mr. Reed has wit, sand, remarkable de- bating power and large legislative capac- ity. These qualities have ail been demon- strated. But what is his power as a build- er of party policy for a presidential year, and with a party roll call in the House to handle as long as the whiplash of a Cali- fornia stage driver? It is at this point that the discussion of Mr. Reed's case takes on its most interest- ing phase. The next House will in some form take up the tariff question; but in what form, and how far will it go in its treatment of it? If there ts to be no re- turn to McKinleyism how far short of that will the House stop? The committee of ways and means will be made up by him, end it is assumed not unfairly that the committee and the Speaker will not be in aniagonism on so important a question. The South and Protection, But how will this policy of conservatism affect those new recruits from the south who have just come over to the party on this question of protection, and who are insisting that it is the only policy under which their section can hope for develop- ment? The interests of coal, fron ore, wool, sugar and hemp are all involved, and their Representatives will demand recogni- tion for them in any tariff bill that may be proposed. The south has seen the north get rich, and has heard that prosperity ascribed to the protection policy. The men from the south who will present this matter to Mr. Reed as Speaker are men of force and ex- perience. Several of them are of national reputation. They are protectionists of long standing, and several of them had, until this last campaign, been engaged in a Graeco-Roman effort to make a place for that policy inside of the democratic party. When the question was at last presented, | however, of a choice between protection as | illustrated by the legislation of the re- publican party and the same policy:as il- lustrated by*the Gorman-Wilson bill, they packed up and went over, bag and baggage, to the republicans. But, as some of the McKinley men are asking, of what avail will all this prove to be if these new re- cruits are told onthe very threshhold that the party has concluded to revise its pro- tection polley? This, in the opinion of some shrewd po- litical observers, is the only cloud that now shows on Mr. Reed's horizon. It is small— no bigger as yet than that traditional man’s hand—but will it grow? Will it! come, duplicating that hand's history, to overcast the whole sky, and subject the Maine man and his party to the rigors of a genuine storm? And in what plight for the presidential race would the Maine man emerge from such weather? see THE DEBT STATEY Decrease Due to the Gold for the Bonds Not Yet Issued. The monthly debt statement issued today by the Secretary of the Treasury shows that on November 30, 1894, the public debt, less cash in the treasury, amounted to $879,582,919, a decrease for the month of $31,744, This decrease, however, is al- together due to the receipt of gold in pay- ment of new 1904 bonds not yet forms lly is- | sued. Following is a recapi(ulation of the | debt: Interest bearing debt, $5:0,145,0%; in- | crease during the month, $4,10 ston maturity, | T. which interest has ceased since $1,826,930; decree $1,850; debt bearing no interest, | $383, increase, | $1,324,088 Total debt, $1, 843 are in’ certificates and treasury notes, offset by an equal amount of cash tn the treasury. The cash in the treasury is classi- fied as follows: Gold, $164,350,468, which is an increase for the month of §! sil- ver, $04,802,457; paper, $107 disbursing officers’ balances, & E Total, $79,140,163, against which ther demand liabilities amounting to $64 leaving a cash balance of $144,50; which $10,000,000 is gold reserve. = — Te proof of the pudding is in f6e cating. Saturday's Star contained Ol cofumns of adverfisements, made up of 986 separate announce: ments. These advertisers fought pufificite—not merefp Space, CONGRESS IS HERE Senators and Representatives Again Commence Their Work. THE LEADERS RECEIVED WITH CHEERS Many in Both Houses Are Giver Floral Tributes. —— THE MESSAGE READ ee The opening of the second session of the Fifty-third Congress, after a recess of three months, made the big white marble Capitol building a center of interest to- lay. Early in the day the corridors be- n to fill with the crowd, which is al- ‘% attracted by the assembling of Con- gress. There was added interest, owing to the political revolution which had recentlg, occurred, But it was not a struggligy mass of humanity, such as so: marks the great events of Congress. President's message was to be presented an both houses, and this meant that there could be no sharp debates, as the reading clerks would have the ficors for two hours or more during the reading of the message. The crowd seemed to be drawn mainly to the House end of the Capitol, as it was here that the recent political storm had made its marks most apparent. The gal- ier'es were well filled, though not ove crowded, and the spectators showed an eager interest in the arrival of each con- spicuous gure on the floor. © ession- al veterans who had spent a good share of their life in the House of Kepresenta- uves came into it for their final session, the recent tidal wave haying retired most of the leaders of the majority. But there were few disconsolate faces among the defeated, and they joined with the mem- bers of the minority in good-natured sal- lies across the middle aisle, which is the political dead line. Representative Hol- man of Indinra was one of the first to put in an appearance. He greeted warmly his old friends and then went to his seat and busied himself with the business of the day. Occasionally there was a round of applause as some leader of note made his appearance. Cheering the Leaders. When Mr. Reed entered the hall of the House this morning he was received with the loud acclamations of his colleagues. He entered the hall at twenty minutes of 12, at a time when the floor was crowded. All of bis partisans, most of the specta~ tors and a number of the democrats clap- epd their hands to give him welcome. For five minutes or more he stood near his desk and shook hands with people who came down the aisle in a stream to meet him.,On his desk was a floral ship of state, which some admirers had placed there, with an inscription making a wa phetic suggestion that It might carry to some place very agreeable, perhaps to the presidency. Mr. Reed's countenance \as beaming With amiability and satisfac- tion. He wore a long Prince Albert coat, buttoned tight across his chest, and with his imposing figure and smi counte- prance looked like an amiable giant amidst a throng of friends. About ten minutes later Mr. Wilson of West Virginia entered the hall from a side door and at once his gathered around him to shake hands and give every evidence of their friendship and admiration. It was the democrats’ turn to applaud, and Mr. Wil- son was given a warm reception. At 12 o'clock Speaker Crisp entered the hall and his appearance at the Speaker's desk was the signal for universal applause. Most of the republicans joined with the demo- crats in giving him welcome, and the hand- clapping continued for several minutes, until he silenced it with his gavel, calling the House to order and directing the chap- lain to offer a prayer. The opening scene in the House was one of unusual animation. Instead of a quiet coming together, which was anticipated with the depressing contrast of sorrowful counterances on one side and exultation on the other, a general buoyancy of spirit was shown en all sides. The handshakings, congratulations and banterings were mingled in noisy confu- sion, The republicans were in high spirits and the democrats had evidently made up their minds to put on a bold front and to disarm all purpose to embarrass them by, urcomfortable reminders of recent politi- cal events. There was a perfect tumult of good nature and high spirits shown on the floor from the moment that members began to assemble until they were quieted by the prayer. The floral display was something unusual in extent. Even at the opening of a new Congress it is seldom that as many and as gaudy flowers deco- rate the desks of the members. Nearly every desk in the house had some sort of flcral piece on it, and the hall looked lke a hot house. At the Senate End. The Senate looked like a great wedding reception party teday rather than the up- per house of the national legislature. There were flowers and smiles, handshaking and congratulations, pretty speeches and gra- cious responses,and a general air of holiday beauty over the whole scene. icverybody was in his best clothes and probably his best humor. The galleries were full of ladies also dressed in their best. They, filled every seat and then swarmed ont in= to the corridors and formed a besieging party, a force of which attacked the re- ception door in search of tickets of admis. sion, But a new rule had gone into effect and no more tickets are to be issued here- after. The reserved galleries are to be filled by members of the families of Sena- tors, Representatives and judges of the Su- preme Court, and ell left over are to be given to personal friends of Senators on verbal orders. If it were not for the flowers, today’s sicn of the Senate would have been ely monotonous. Recess followed re- until the mes age came.and then there was a long period of readmg, which Is probably quite unintelligible to the aver- age occupants of the galleries, Flo ‘s Profuse and Beaautifal. The flowers were very profuse and beou- tiful. Little bunches were laid by the pages on the desks of Senators Voorhees, Gor- man, Smith, Harris, Dubois and Vilas. Great baskets were lugged in by the litle boys and set on the desks of Senators Proctor, Mitchell of Oregon, Shoup, Hans- brough ‘and White of California. After the had begun, the smallest Hoy of the se am session lot brought in the v largest piece, a tremendous shield in immortelles, «cross the face of which the words ‘ Jersey” blazed in blue letters, with a sort of sul- phuric effect. It was placed on the d2sk of Mr. Smith, who promptly retired from its vicinity surprising modesty. Poor Mr. Peffer uaremembered. He strolled about the chamber, shaking hands here and there, and finally Mr, Mitchell of Oregon, out of the erosity of his soul, gave Mr. Peffer a single rose, which he pinned on his bosom. The stale was long, and the rose- bud nestled lovingly in the midst of Mr, ‘iant beard, form! a most Peffer's luxu artisti> effe There was aa unusually full atiendance, but sixteen seats being vacant when the roll was called. Most noteworthy among the absontees was M# Hill, and this caused @ greut disappointment to the crowds who had expected to feast their eyes upon the lately disanvointed candle