Evening Star Newspaper, December 11, 1894, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDA’ AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 3101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th Street, by The Evening Star Newspaper Oompany, 8. H. KAUFFMANN, Pres't. Now York Office, 40 Potter Building, pHicens Veet iy by sarritca, on thelt own Sccouat, at 10 cents he gE aE ted Statice or Canada postage prepaid—00 cents le Sheet Star, $1 per: year; added, 1.00. a Preah ace’ at Washington, D. 0. second-c! i] ma! pe] pa subscriptions in advance, Che Lvening Star. Vor 85, No. 21,065. WASHINGTON, D.O, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1894-TWELVE PAGES. TWO OENTS. Te proof of te purding is in fhe eafing. Yesterday's Star contained 50 cofumns of advertisements, made up of 757 separate announce: ments. hese advertisers fought pubficitp—not merefp space, QUESTION OF WAGES Trouble at Union Building Over Some Government Work. MR. BENEDICT GIVES AN EXPLANATION How Contractors Might Secure Their Own Compensation. PAID OFF YESTERDAY ——— The Union building yesterday and last evening was a field of conflict, in which a force of carpenters, Architec® Gustav Frie- bus, Contractor W. Finley Basim and Pub- Me Printer Benedict were involved. When it was determined to transfer part of the force from the government printing office to quarters on the fifth floor of the Union building Pubtie Printer Benedict sent for Architect Friebus and directed him to fic up the floor indicated with such benches, tables and other paraphernalia as would be needed by the specifications force. This was about one month ago. Architect Friebus had a talk with Con- tractor Basim, who assumed immediate charge of the work and employed the car- penters. When the men undertook the Job it was thoughtethat the work would re- quire about a fortnight to complete, and they agreed to wait for their compensa- tion till the completion of the work. In- stead of lasting two weeks, the job was protracted through four. Several of the men became pushed for cash, and these were given an advance of $12 on their pay. On last Thursday sixteen men were laid off, leaving three at work. Saturday af- ternoon was the time set for settling the bills. This settlement was not effected be- cause of the dispute between the contrac- tor and men. The force was paid off yes- terday evening, most of the men receiving $2.50 per day, while others received more. Rate of Wages. There were about thirty men on the work. All were white men but one, a laborer em- ployed personally by Mr. Basim. They in- cluded several trades, cabinet makers, car- penters, painters, etc. All but three or four.of them, it is stated to The Star, went to work on the understanding that the job was being done by Basim under a contract, and accepted his promise to pay $2.50, which he represented was all he could afford. A few of the men chanced to know that Basim was hired by the public printer at the rate of $5 a day, under the appropri: tion of $75,000 for the relief of the print- ing office. Therefore they insisted upon the full rates which are scheduled by the unions for government work, and, as far @s can be ascertained, they received prom- ise that this would be paid. ‘The union rate for carpenters 1s $3 a day for nine hours and $2.80 for eight hours. At tho printing office the carpenters there employed get $3.20 per day. Cause of Dispute. Yesterday evening a Star reporter meved among the workmen and found them a much perturbed set of men. They stated their objections to be for two reasons; one was that Contractor Basim and Architect Friebus attempted to effect a settlement with them at less than union wages, and then demanded that they sign a pay roll for presentation to the public printer to which the rate of wages paid the men was to be affixed subsequently to the signa- tures. The pay roll which was presented to them had blank spaces, where the rate of compensation should have been. This pay roll would have had to be submitted to the proper authority before requisition for the total sum could issue. The cai penters claimed that it would have been the simplest thing in the worid for Mr. Basim or Mr. Friebus to use that pay roll and get from the government a requisition for a total amount computed on the basis ef union wages, and settle with the men on the basis of the reduced rate, and pocket the rake-off. This, they say, is why they refused on Saturday to sign the pay roll. Paying Of. Yesterday the men began to clamor for their money. They gathered at the Union building and besieged Mr. Basim. Along toward night he began to pay off. The first four men in line, the foreman and the few wh> had agreements for the Ngher wages, were paid in such amounts that they had no protest to make. Then came @ carpenter, to whom was offered money at the rate of $2.50 a day. He said that the work was not being done un- der contract, and that the government rates were due him. Therefore, he would sgn under protest, and accept the money offered. The next man was a German, who @greed to accept the $2.50 rate, as he had originally understood. When it came to the turn of Mr. Rabbitt to sign he protested most vigorously. He ‘was offered his money at the rate of $2.50 ® day, and he absolutely refused to sign or to take the money. He announced his intention to carry the matter to the au- thorities, and then, he says, Mr. Friebus offered to pay him “out of his own pock-" et.” The architect, he alleges, then took ihe balance which he claimed, the differ- ence between $2.50 and $3.00, from the general pile on the table and paid him, Mr. Rabbitt accepting it with the remark that it made no difference whose money it was, so long as it would buy bread. Most of the men protested, and some of them received the higher rate before sign- \ng the slips. A Cale tion, One of the workmen gave The Star this morning a mathematical calculation, py which he claims to show that Mr. Basim Btood to make $630 at least off the differ- ence between government rates and the rates he actually calculated to pay. He based his estimate on thirty men working thirty days. This would make 200 days of work, for each of which there was a dis- erepancy of 70 cents between the $2.50 of- fered and the $3.20 paid in the printing office, and which, Mr. Rabbitt alleges, was the sum inserted in the time sheets after the men had signed. This calculation gives ® total of $630, which, added to the % a day which Basim was getting as superin- tendent, would give a total compensation, resuming this theory to be correct, of ‘8 for one month of work. Mr. Hencdict’s Statement. ‘When interviewed by a Star man, Pub- He Printer Benedict said that he did not know Contractor Basim in the transaction at all. He did not know what wages the men employed on that piece of gcvernment work were to receive. He did not know that union wages for carpenters was $3 r day, and that government wages for he same was $3.20 per day. He would pay , Friebus whatever amount the work cost.” ‘The reporter informed Mr. Benedict that the men were openly and violently alleg- ing that Mr. Friebus desired to charge the vernment per day per man and hen pay the men $2.50 per day. Mr. Bene- ict did not appear to be extremely shock- ed at this suggestion, butsaid that he did not know what was usual in such cases, whether or not @ contractor got his pay by making so much off each of the men. He believed that such might be the case. Turtfing to his private egeretary. Mr. Baker, Mr. Benedict said: “Isn't it quite ysual for a contractor to make his pay in Ahat way?” and Mr. Baker nodded assent. The Star man could not get a very clear idea as to how the work had been author- ized. He was given no information which would indicate that the job had been let at a competitive figure. The only informa- tion on the subject was from Mr. Seaeiet, who said: sent for Mr. Friebus and tol him to have this work done in best, quickest and cheapest manner possil be- cause I knew Mr. Friebus’ standing among architects.” Mr. Benedict further said that the matter of wages rested solely between Mr. Frie- bus and the men. All but One. The Star man also saw Friebus. This gentleman assured the reporter that there was no trouble among the men at the Union building. That last evening he had paid them all off at the rate of $2.50 per day, and that they were perfectly satisfied with that sum. There was one man to whem he had paid more. This was Mr. Rabbitt, who had raised all the row, and who, said Mr. Priebus, always raised a row wherever he had worked. ——._—_ THE MINT ACCOUNTS. Mr. Preston Has No Knowledge of Any Shortage. Mr. Preston, director of the mint, said to a Star reporter today that he has no knowl- edge of any shortage in the accounts of the Philadelphia mint since Dr. Townsend en- tered on duty as superintendent, notwith- standing published reports to that effect. In 1890-1891 some 50,000,000 silver dollars were stored in the large vault at the Phila- delphia mint, under the joint supervision of @ representative of the mint bureau and the then superintendent, Col. O. C. Bosby- shell. When Dr. Townsend entered upon duty it became necessary to count the dollars in this vault, and 1t was found upon open- ing the same that by reason of a leakage in the roof and the natural dampness of the vault nearly all of the bags had rotted and could not be handled, and many of che doliars are so dirty from the decayed bags that they have to be wiped and counted by hand, which ts a slow and tedious pro- cess. In justice to Dr. Townsend, the di- rector states that the men handling and passing the dollars out of the vault are old employes, selected by Col. Bosbyshel!,whose son is his immediate representative, and who has one of the combinations of the vault, so that access to it is impossible without his knowledge, and if, upon final count, it should be found that there is any shortage, which is not anticipated, Col. Bosbyshell and his bondsmen would be re- sponsible and not Dr. Townsend. THE POOLING BILL, Uncertain Whether the Measure Will Ps or Not. Though the vote on the railroad pooling bill was expected to be taken in the House this afternoon, neither the advocates nor opponents of the measure are able to make any calculation as to their strength. There has been an unusually strong and active lobby in favor of the bill as reported from the committee, which is supposed to be most favorable to the railrcad. The friends of the Cooper substitute, which lodges more power in the hands of the interstate commerce commission and gives them the authority to name the conditions under which privileges to pool may be grarted, have been working with great energy. It was believed when the measure was last before the House on Saturday that the substitute was stronger than the original proposition and that it would be adopted. This is not as apparent today, however, and Mr. Cooper himself is hopeful rather than confident of success. Every possible influence which the repre- sentatives of the railroad could bring to bear upon the House has been ayailed of. The time between Saturday and this morn- ing has given an opportunity to them to bring pressure upon wavering members from scme of the influential men of their districts. It is impossible to foretell the result, but it looks as if the committee bill had better prospects than at first. ~*~ TILLMAN ELECTED SENATOR. Received 131 Out of 155 Votes in the South Carolina Legislature. COLUMBIA, S.C., December 11.—B. R. Tillman was elected United States Senator today at noon, receiving 131 out of 155 votes cast. M. C, Butler received twenty- ene votes. Three negro members of the house voted—two for George Murray and one for W. D. Crum. The vote stood in the Senate, 29 for Tiliman, 6 for Butler; in the house, 102 for Tillman and 15 for But- ler. The two houses will meet in joint session at noon tomorrow to canvass the vote and declare the result. Many Candidates Will Oppose His Re- Election. Special Dispatch to Tho Evening Star. LEXINGTON, Ky., December 11.—Who is to be the next United States Senator from Kentucky to succeed J. C. 8. Black- burn? The answer to, this question is causing a great deal of anxiety among politicians all over the state. Now, there is no use in denying tl fact that the present Senator, who wants very much to succeed himself, is alarmed at the present ‘outlook, although to The Evening Star re- porter who talked with him yesterday in this city he said that he was perfectly satisfied with the present situation in the race. “The plan of my opponents,” said he, “is to get out candidates from all parts of the state, each one of whom will be. able to command the party strength in his par- ticular locality. This is to prevent my nomination on the first ballot, but I do not think it will succeed.” With Brown, McCreary, Buckner, Stone and Breckinridge already considered in the race it looks as if the Senator were right in his ideas of the opposition. Of the can- didates named it is believed by politicians here that Gen. Buckner will prove to be the most formidable antagonist of Blackburn, but one of the shrewdest politicians in the state said to me today that if it was found that Blackburn could not be beaten by Buckner a dark horse would be sprung. When I asked who the dark horse would be he said “Carlisle.” ——.——__ “BOLD AND BAREFACED.” Gen. Weaver on the “Baltimore Plan” of Currency Revision. DENVER, Col. December 11.—The Rocky Mountain News today publishes a letter from Gen. Weaver, in which he says “The Baltimore currency scheme is a bold and barefaced proposition to apply the methods of the stock exchange, the trust and the board of trade combined, to the entire business of the country. It is an at- tempt to transfer as a gratuity to specula- tors the highest attribute of sovereignty, that of Issuing the currency of a great nation and controlling its volume.” —_——_—__ BIG FIRE AT BUFFALO. Destruction of the Birges Wall Paper Factory. BUFFALO, N. ¥., December 11.—Birges’ wall paper factory, at Niagara and Mary- land streets, was entirely destroyed by fire today. The loss is estimated at $250,- 000, and the insurance 13 sald to nearly cover the damage. The factory was the largest individual plant of its kind in the country, and perhaps in the world. The Birges did not belong to the wall paper trust. About 600 hands will be thrown out of employment. CAPTURE OF SEELEY MacFarland Tells of His Detective Work. THE PRISONER ADMITS Willing to Return to New York Without Papers. IDENTITY UNWILLING TO TALK CHICAGO, December 11.—H. E. Mac- Farland is the name given by the man who caused the arrest of the man sup- posed to be Seeley, the fugitive New York embezzler. “I met Seeley eight days ago on Dear- born street, between Madison and Washing- ton,” MacFarland says. “He spoke to me as a man does who is unacquainted, and asked how to reach the Roby race track. I had nothing to do, and offered to show him the way to the depot. I walked as far as Adams street with_him, and told him to take the street cars“to the Union depot. Then he invited me to go with him, and I accepted the invitation. When we started for the track he told me his name was C. G. Evans. We went to the races, and he lost $8, if I remember correctly. He seemed to have plenty of money, and when we started back to the city he Invited me to accompany him to the race track next day. That day he lost $60, and after the races ke showed me a card, which he sald bore his right name—Frank J. Dale. This roused my suspicions, and I went to the police station to get a look at Seeley’s pho- tograph on the circular offering $5,000 for his arrest. I had seen the circular before, and when I got a second look I was sure that my new acquaintance was Seeley. We went to the track the third day, and Seeley won some money, but he lost again the fourth day. We met each other every day at the Lincoln Hotel, on North Side, and last Friday while we were talking Sceley took his pencil and wrote his real name on a card. “Did you ever hear of that man? he asked me. “I told him that I had read in the news- papers of a man by that name who had skipped from New York with a pile of money. “‘1 am that man,’ asked me if I was going to give him u MacFarland said that Seeley was pressed for money last Thursday, and had to pawn his watch and chain. ‘The next day he received $100 by mail, which, he said, had been sent by his wife, who had received it from his attorney. Seeley, atter confessing his identity to Mac- Farland, talked freely about his connec- tion with the Shoe and Leather Bank. He said that he had been a dupe for Baker, and that he had received but $10,000 in the nine years during which the bank had suf- fered losses. Baker, he said, got all the rest of the money. Admits He fs Seeley. The prisoner admitted, shortly before noon today, that he is Samuel C. Seeley, the absconding bookkeeper of the National Shoe and Leather Bank. He declined to talk of his case, but said he was ready to go, back to New York and would make no trouble. Seeley’s remarkable coolness and persistency in denying his identity had completely baffled the detectives, and they had determined to await the New York officers before making further efforts,when, about noon, the prisoner told his guard that he wished to see the men in charge of the detective force. Inspector Shea and Lieut. Haas promptly responded, entering the inspector's private ffice, where the suspect had been confined. e seated, gentlemen,” Seeley sald, as the officers appeared, and somewhat dazed at his coolness, they sat down. “Now, gentlemen,” Seeley continued, “I first wish to thank you for your courtesy and Kindness since our meeting last night. I have told you repeatedly that my name is Dole, but I have become tired of deception. I had no sleep last night; 1 am weary. My name is ‘Seeley —Samuel C. Seeley — late bookkeeper of the National Shoe and Leather Bank of New York. That is what I wished to say to you.” “Do you care to say anything about your case?” asked the inspector, “Not a thing. I am ready and willing to go to New York. I will not make any trouble about extradition. So soon as the proper New York officials arrive I will go with them.” The officers attempted to secure some sort of a statement from Seeley regarding his connection with the great steal, but he ¢arefully avoided making any admissions or denials. Finding his efforts in that line unavailing, Inspector Shea ordered the man taken to the Harrison street station, where he was locked up to await the arrival of the New York officers. His quarters at the Harrison street ste- tion were much more comfortable than those he occupied at police headquarters, when he was allowed to remain in the private office of Inspector Shea, but the foul air of the cell apparently had no ter- rors for the bookkeeper, and removing his ulster he made himself comfortable on the fron bunk. His vocabulary became very limited so scon as the cell door closed be- fore him. And to all questions he simply replied: “I have nothing to say.” Discussing MacWarland'’s Story. MacFarland was slow in following up his conquest today. Although anxiously awalt- ed by the authorities he had not put in an appearance up to noon. Seeley’s action in voluntarily confessing his identity to a passing acquaintance, after having dispiay- ed such remarkable Keenness in eluding ar- rest, was the cause of much speculation. MacFarland had said that Seeley met him on the street, invited him to the races, and after several days’ companionship | had calmly infcrmed him that he was Samucl C. Seeley, wanted in New York for aiding in the theft of $354,000. The police were inclined to the belief that MacFarland’s story might be subject to variations. It was believed by many of the detectives that the informant was an old acquaint- ance of the fugitive, and that the allure- ments of $5,000 reward had got the better of his friendship. On this subject, however, Seeley was as silent as a clam, and the officers were forced to be content with speculetion pending the appearance of young MacFarlard. What evidence, if any, had becn found at the boarding house at which Seeley was arrested, the police refused to say. It was known that papers of no importance and a solitary $100 bill were found on his per- son, and it was not thought that any in- criminating evidence had been discovered in his room. During the afternoon MacFarland put in an appearance at detective headquarters. He was apparently laboring under a heavy burden of intoxicants and his conversa- tion was not particularly lucid. He was able, however, to make his hearers under- stand that he was hot after that 35,000 reward and that he intended to have it all. He would, he declared, divide with no one. After making something of a scene at headquarters MacFarland left, but re- turned several times during the afternoon and made numerous demands for the re- ward. Detectives who were sent out to look up the informer’s record reported that he had been for a week boasting to his friends that he knew where to find Seeley. Mac¥arland, according to the officer, 1s an ardent admirer of the flowing bowl, and many of his acquaintances say that he frequently, during the last week, while in- toxicated, had declared that he would soon clear $,000 by a clever bit of detective work. MacFarland is a rather good-looking man, perhaps twenty-five years old, dresses well, though flashily, and is said to frequent the race tracks. Owing to his condition today, the officers were unable to learn anything regarding his acquaintance with Seeley. he said, and then THE CURRENCY HEARING The House Committee Oontinues to Hear Views. A Plan Presented by Hoface White of New York—Secretary Carlisle is Questioned at Length. ‘The hearing before the House banking and currency committee.on the question of @ reorganization of the curreicy laws was resumed in the room of the ways and means committee, but did not move off very promptly. Among those present were Mr. Horace White of the New York Even- ing Post, Mr. C. C, Homer of Baltimore, chairman of the committee of national bankers to formulate the so-called Balti- mcre plan, and Mr. A. B. Hepburn of New York, ex-controller of the currency. These three gentlemen represent the currency ideas embodied in the Baltimore plan and they were present for the purpose of urg- ing the merits of that plan. It was ex- pected that Secretary Carlisle would pre- sent his currency bill and continue his statement of yesterday, but as the Secre- tary was late in arriving Mr. White opened the hearing. In answer to questions he stated that he had drafted a bill on the lines of the Baltimore plan and it was arranged that this should be placed before the committee. Mr. White's statement was read from manuscript 4nd was a carefully prepared review of the banking questio1 He began with a reference to the Balt! more plan, calling attention to the fact that it deals with only one part of the banking business—that of issuing circulat- ing notes. “It is often said,” he began, “that the issuing of notes is not a necessary func- tion of a bank. It is true that a bank may exist without it, but a banking sys- tem without note issues comes far short of rendering to the community all the ser- vice that it is capable of.” Discussing the solvency of banks, he said: “At common law eny man may issue his promissory notes and circulate them as money if people ‘e willing to take them. But this is like the right to make or keep gunpowder or to sell liquor. It is the paramount right and duty of the state to provide for the safety of the commu- nity. Hence, it may prescribe the regula- tions under which circulating notes shall be issued or gunpowder be stored or liquor be sold. It is not bound to give equal priv- ileges to all persons to exercise these functions. It may authorige one bank to issue or one powder mill, and no more.” The first half of the address was de- voted largely to a historical review of banking in this country, and the Suffolk bank redemption system and the New York safety fund system of the days prior to the war were referred to at length. The Baltimore Plan. The latter part of Mr. White's address was devoted exclusively te the Baltimore plan. Referrigg to the fact that it makes the circulating notes a fst lien on the assets of the bank, he said: ‘There 1s an outcry against this last feature from some people, who say that the poor depositors will suffer, But what is the condition of the poor depositors now? Aren't notes a first Men on the assets? Aren't security bonds a part of the assets? Can any de- positor get any part of this fund until the netes are paid in full?” Mr. White said he saw no objection to the repeal of the 10 per cent tax on state bank notes, provided the state banks com- ply with all the requirements of the na- tional banking law, and provided the means of enforcing these requirements are lcdged with the controller of the currency. But a mere power of observation without the power of enforcement he would con- sider unwise, unsafe and sure to cause embarrassment and to end in disaster. Mr. White announced himself in favor of the retirement of the legal tender notes, notwithstanding that retirement is not in- cluded in the Baltimore plan. He would have them extinguished, not merely tem- porarily withdrawn. “My reason,” he said in conclusion, “for desiring the ‘extinction of the legal tender notes is that they are @ constant menace to business interests. Business men are in a chronic state of alerm lest the government should not be alle to redeem them in gold, or lest a po- litical party shduld come into power on a platform of not redeeming them at all.” Not a Mere Tendency. At the close of Mr. White's statement he submitted his bill on the lines of tho Baltimore plan. Mr. Homer stated that the committee of national bankers had not yet formulated their bill. Mr. Johnson ef Ohio asked Mr. White's — on Secretary Carlisle's currency plan. Mr. White answered that he did not think the Secretary’s plan would give the elastic currency it sought to secure. It compelled banks to put up 30 cents every time they issued 75 cents. Secretary Carlisle came in at this point and was an interested listener to Mr. White's answers to questions as to the want of elasticity in Mr, Carlisle's cur- rency plan. Secretary Carlisle then resumed his state- ment, begun yesterday. He presented the bill he had prepared embodying his plan of currency revision, and read it to the committee, commenting on it as he pro- ceeded. When he had concluded reading the bill Mr. Carlisle explained it in detail. He pointed out the various sections of the present law proposed to be repealed. The Secretary's Views. Mr. Brosius (Pa.) asked whether it were not desirable for the government to as- sume the risk of redeeming notes rather than leaving it to the banks. Mr. Carlisle answered in the negative. He said he did not believe in government responsibility further than in providing the most araple safeguards. The Secretary presented ta- bles showing the profits of national banks under the proposed plan, as compared with their pro‘its under the present law. It showed the addittonal profits and induce- ments would incline national banks to take out circulation. In the course of the gen- eral discussion Mr. Carlisle said he did not think any immediate retirement of the United States treasury notes was prac- ticable. The Secretary spoke of Controlier Eckels’ currency plan. — Without wishing to criticise it, he thought its fatal defect was in requiring national banks to take out two different kinds of circulating notes. ‘Mr. Hall of Missourl atked the Secretary as to Mr, White's statement that the treas- ury plan lacked elastiélty. Mr. Carlisle said there was no difference between the plans as to the amount of circulation which could be taken out. ‘The shipments of gold was discussed at much length. Mr. Carlidle said the loss of gold was very heayy’after the passage of the Sherman law. The loss of our gold had brought on finaneial distrust, and had threatened panic. But there had Leen no real danger. These panics were largely the result of sentiment endzpublic feeling, in- stead of. well-based feary At 12:50 the random Questicning of Mr. Carlisle was concluded and the Secretary excused. The committee took a recess until 2 o'clock, when Messrs. Homer and Hep- burn will be heard. The Bond Issue. During a general discussion between Mr. Carlisle and members of the committee the Secretary referred to: the issuing of bonds. He said that as mucli as he regretted it he saw no way of prevegting the further issue of bonds as long asthe present system re- mained. * Mr. White was again questioned after the recess. Mr. Ellis (Ky.) asked him if na- tional banks would consent to become guarantors for the notes of-all their sister banks. Mr. White said that at the outset he doubted whether national banks would adopt this plan, but they would ultimately accept it. IN CONGRESS TODAY Some Deilaaen Transacted at the Session of the Senate. THE NICARAGUA CANAL BILL AGAIN Champ Clark Again Attacks the Revenue Cutter Bill. THE RAILROAD POOLING BILL After the approval of the journal the President pro tem., Mr. Harris (Tenn.), laid before the Senate a communication from the acting secretary of the treasury, transmitting the report of the superinten- dent of the coast and geodetic survey; also one from the Secretary of War, trans- mitting a report showing the number of aliens and naturalized citizens in the army. Mr, Dolph (Oreg.) presented a memorial from the citizens of Phoenix, Ariz., asking for relief in the matter of Indian depreda- tion claims. Mr. Berry (Ark.) presented a few re- marks urging the passage of the bill in- troduced by him last week to establish the territory of Indianola out of Indian terri- tory. > Mr. Morrill (Vt.), in accordance with the notice he had given, then addressed the Senate. His speech is given elsewhere. Mr. Peffer Thinks One Bill Was For- gotten. At the corclusion of the speech Mr. Pef- fer said that the Senator from Vermont had lef* one bil) which he (Mr. Peffer) thought might be disposed of at the same time with those of which the Senator had spoken. This bill had been introduced by Mr, Palmer of Illinois, and was to eatab- lish a bureau for the loaning of money. Mr. Peffer asked the clerk to read the bill in full, but at the suggestion of another Seeatcr it was ordered printed. Mr. Palmer remarked that the bill had been introduced by him for a constituent of his. He claimed no patent on the bill, but sald it contained the best embodiment of populism found anywhere in political history. All the bills were then indefinite- ly postponed, exept Mr. Palmer's, which was laid on the table. On motion of Mr. Carey (Wyo.) the Sen- ate agreed to the conference report on the bill authorizing the Secretary of the 1 terior to sell reservoir sites and gravel pits to railroads. A Mediation Resolution. Mr. Higgins presented a resolution call- ing on the President and Secretary of State for correspondence on the subject of mediation on the part of the United States between China and Japan. It was laid over until tomorrow at the suggestion of Mr. Morgan (Ala.) Mr. Call asked that his resolution re- garding Cuban independerce, introduced yesterday, lle on the table till he knew what the wishes of the committee on for- eign relations were regarding It. A District Bill Passed. On motion of Mr. Pugh (Ala.), a bill was passed supplementary to the act establish- ing a Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Mr. Call (Fla.) made a personal explana- tion of a dispatch appearing in the Florida Citizen, stating that he (Call) was already beaten in the fight against the confirmation of George W. Wilson for collector of in- ternal revenue. On motion of Mr. Frye (Me.) a bill was passed authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to remit or forfeit certain fines and penalties arising in the administration of the navization laws. Mr. Call gave notice that tomorrow he would ask the Senate to appoint a com- mittee to investigate the operations of the Honduras Lottery Company of Florida. The Nicaragua Canal Bill. The hour of 2 o'clock having arrived the Senate proceeded to the consideration of the Nicaragua canal bill, and Mr. Dolph (Ore.) proceeded to address the Senate in favor of it. THE HOUSE. At the opening of the session of the House today Mr. Breckinridge (Ky.), from the committee on appropriations, reported the urgent deficiency bill. Mr. Dingley (Me.) asked unanimous con- sent for the consideration of a resolution calling cn the Secretary of the Treasury for information, first as to whether the articles of the Bering sea tribunal had resulted last season in saving the fur seal herds from that destruction they were intended to prevent; second, information as to the number and sex of seals killed by pelagic sealers; third, the present condi- tion of the fur seal herds on the Pribylov Islands, and fourth, the revenue derived by the government from the seals during the past and the expenditure of the govern- ment for their protection during the same period, Mr. Dingley had read a letter from Henry W. Elliott, the seal expert of Cleve- land, asserting that 50,000 seals worth $500,000 had been taken last year by C nadian pelagic sealers; that the Bering sea articles had proven a flat failure, and that unless something Is done to further protect the Alaskan herd {it would be en- tirely extinguished in five years, and that the $300,000 of expense incurred annually by the United States benefited Canadian sealers alone. The resolution was adopted. Mr. English Makes a Threat. Mr. English (N. J.) again today proffered the request he has made on all occasions when he could get the floor for unanimous consent to consider a bill appropriating $250,000 for additional accommodations for the public building at Newark, N.J., but Mr. Sayers, chairman of the appropriations committee, objected, and Mr. English re- tired, threatening to continue his objec- tions to all unanimous consent hereafter. A mcment afterward. when Mr. Bingham (Pa.) Moved the passage of a resolution giving the Alamont water company au- thority to build dams across the St. Louis and Cliquot rivers in the state of Minne- sota, Mr. English called a division, made the point of no quorum and forced a roll ‘all. The resolution was adopted; 241-0. Champ Clark Again. In the morning hour Mr. Mallory again calléd up*the bill to promote the efficiency of the revenue cutter service, which pro- voked Mr. Champ Clark's remarks on Sat- urday, and today the Missourian again took the floor, in pursuance of his avowed intention of talking the bill to death, The bill was almost dead, he began by saying. He was looking into its open grave, and he proposed to consume his time today in eulogy of the heroes of the border states on both sides. He proposed, he said, to lift them to the highest pinnacle of glory. Mr. Clark then took off his cuffs, and for forty-five minutes kept the House in a roar with humorous and stirring anecdotes of “obscure heroes,” paying rough and ready but eloquent tributes to the gallant deeds of Siias Adams of Kentucky, Gen. Sickles of New York, W. C. P. Brecki ridge of Kentucky, Gen. Black of Illinois and Jerry Simpson of Kansas, who are members of thc Héuse, and Orville B. Young, who first planted the Union flag on the breastworks at Gainsburg; Tom Cald- well, who took the first transport pas! Vicksburg; Gen. Rousseau and “Old Pap” Price and Frank P. Blair of Missouri. In concluding, M1. Clark said he expected to be flayed by one hundred newspapers to- morrow. Mr, Mallory (Fla.) and Mr. Dunn (N. J.) occupied the remainder of the time until the expiration of the morning hour. ‘The Railroad Pooling Bill. On motion of Mr. Cooper (Ind.) 10,000 copies of Secretary Carlisle's report were ordered printed. Then, under the special order, the consideration re of the railroad pooling bill was resumed. —_-2 —______ DISTRICT IN CONGRE: Supplementary Court of Appeals Bill. Senator Pugh today reported favorably in the Senate, from the committee on ju- diclary, the Senate bill 3325, supplement- ary to the act approved February 9, 1893, establishing the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The bill provides that nothing contained in this act shall be construed to affect in any manner the power and jurisdiction conferred upon the Supreme Court of the District by the act of August 5, 1886, intended to protect the in- terests of the United States in the Potomac river flats. It also provides that the suit instituted by the Attorney General in the District Supreme Court under the act of 1888 shall proceed to a final hearing in the same manner as though the Court of Ap- peals had not been established. The bill was, on Mr. Pugh’s request, taken up for an immediate consideration and unanimous- ly passed. The Ford's Theater Disaster. There will be a meeting/tomorrow morn- ing at 10:30 o'clock of the congressional joint commission on the Ford Theater disaster In the room of the District com- mittee of the Senate. This will be the first meeting of the commission since it was formed by the addition of a House committee to those Senators who had been working for several months when the last session closed. Price of Gas. After the hearing on the question of the municipal building for Washington before Senators Hunton, Harris, Faulkner and McMillan had closed yesterday afternoon, the same Senators sat in their capacity as a subcommittee on the bill to reduce the price of gas in the District to $1 a thousand feet, and granted a hearing to Messrs. W. C. Dodge, Evan H. Tucker and W. J. Friz- zell, a committee representing the North- east Washington Association. They argu- ed at some length in favor of the bill, and the Senators took the measure under ad- visement, after deciding to grant a hear- ing to the representatives of the gas com- pany, and to the District Commissioners. Mr. C. Dodge laid before the Senators the report of the Spooner investigation in- to this subject in 1888, to show that the company is making tremendous profits on stock that has been watered from $500,000 to $2,500,000, —_——-2.+___—_—_ WAR TO THE KNIFE. Mr. English Will Object Unless He Gets His Own Bill Through. It is war to the knife now between Mr. “Ben. Bolt” English of New Jerscy and the members of the House who have little bills to pass. Ever since this session began Mr. English has been objecting to unanimous consent for the passage of individual bills. At the same time he noised abroad the in- timation that if he could be permitted to pass his own little bill, the Newark public building bill, he would cease to block the wheels of legislation, and all would be well. This morning, thinking, perhaps, that he had sufficiently instructed the House in the premises, Mr. English resolved to make another try. for his bill. He asked unani- mous consent for its consideration, and stood by the Speaker's desk while it was being read, a trusting and pacifying smile overspreading his features. “Is there objection?” asked the Speaker. There was silence for a moment. It seem- ed that n> man had the nerve to defy the wrath of Mr. English, and thereby cut himself off from chance of passing a bill for the rest of the session. ‘Then up rose Chairman Sayres of Texas, who has his eye on the appropriations, and has favors to ask of no man. “I object,” said Mr. Sayres, decidedly. The expectant smile on Mr. English’s face gave way to a dark and ominous frown, and he shook his head, as if to say, “Ha! *Tis well.” Having previously announced his intention to block everything until he gets his bill, Mr. English immediately be- gan to object again, and also instituted a fillbuster agati a@ pending measure. He it will require a quorum to do busi- for the remainder of this session. say! ness — 08 POSSIBLE ABANDONMENT. te Submitted for the Bureau of American Republics. The diplomatic and consular appropria- tion bill will probably be reported tomor- row. With reference to the failure of the Secretary of State to submit estimates for the bureau of American republics provided for in the bill since the convening of the Pan-American congress in the first year of Mr. Harrison’s administration, Chair- man McCreary said that the Secretary of State had not yet received the report of the bureau. “Some of the countries which were parties to the pan-American agree- ment, which provided for the bureau,” said he, “have not been paying their share of the expenses, and the United States has been paying all with the expectation of subsequent remuneration. We made an appropriation last year, but the result was the same. Again the countries did not pay their pro ratas. 1 do not know whether or not the bureaus will be discontinued. “The appropriation for the nomenclature of imports and exports will depend on the continuance of the bureau, as the work is done by it.” Fe arene anomie A Mistake in the Orders, The recent movements of the cruiser Co- lumbia, which have been so puzzling to the Navy Department, were explained late yesterday afternoon. They were found to have been due to a mistake of the cable company, which, in forwarding the de- partment’s orders, in code, sent the wrong word and ordered the vessel to Kingston instead of Bluefields. Fresh orders were sent last night, and the Columbia will probably start for Nicaragua at once. a Charges Dismisse: ‘The charges preferred against Deputy Customs Collectors Dunn, Phelps and Haw- thorne of New York by Chinese Inspector Scharf have been dismissed. Mr. Scharf's charges of admitting Chinese into this country contrary to law were carefully examined by Assistant Secretary Hamlin, who announced that the charges were not sustained by the evidence. ° Has Deen Retired. Lieut. T. B, M. Mason, one of the best known officers of the navy, has been placed on the retired list on account of disabilities incurred in the line of duty. He was naval aid to ex-Secretary Whitney, and his last sea service was on the New York, on the Braziiian station. ——+ © —____.- Cabinet Meeting. The usual semi-weekly meeting of the cabinet was held at the White House to- day with all the members present except Postmaster General Bissell, who is out of the city, and Secretary Carlisle, who was at the Capitol. +e -+—____- National bank notes recelved for redemp- tion today, $254,414. Government receipts— From internal revenue, $83,542; customs, $177,186; miscellaneous, $114,284. MR. CARLISLE’S BILL The Secretary of the Treasury For- mulates His Financial Ideas, PRESENTED 70 THE HOUSE COMMIPTEE It Removes the Tax From State Bank Notes. TEXT OF THE MEASURE Follcwing is a copy of the financial bill prepared by Secretary Carlisle and pre- sented by him today to the committee on banking and currency: An act to amend the laws relating to national banking associations, to exempt the notes of state banks from taxation upon ‘certain conditions and for other pur- poses. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress ossembled, that all acts and parts of acts which require or authorize the deposit of United States bonds to secure circvlating notes issued by national banking arscciations be and the same ere hereby repealed, and such notes hereafter prepared shall not contain the statement that they are so secured. Bank Circulation. Sec. 2. That any national banking asso- ciation organized as now provided by law, and any national barking association here- after organized, may take out circulating notes to an amount not exceeding 75 per cent of its paid-up and unimpaired capital upon depositing with the treasurer of the United States legal tender notes, including treasury notes issued under the act ap- proved July 14, 1590, er titled “An act direct- ing the purchase of silver bullion and the issue of treasury notes thereon, and for other purposes,” as a guarantee fund equal to 30 per cent of the circulating notes ap- plied for. The association making such de- posit shall be entitled to receive from the controller of the currency circulating notes in denominations of ten dollars and muilti- ples thereof in blank, registered and coun- tersigned, as provided by law, and all such notes, together with the circulating notes of national banking associations now out- standing, shall continue, and are hereby declared to be, a first Men upon all the as- sets of the association issuing the same. All circulating notes hereafter furnished to national banking asscciations shail be uni- form in design, but any association desir- ing to redeem its circulating notes in gold may have them payable in that coin; and the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized and directed to have prepared and keep on hand ready for delivery on application @ reserve of blank notes for each national banking association having circulation, but such reserve for each bank shall at no time be in excess of the differ- ence between the amount of its notes then outstanding and the total amount which it is by this act authorized to receive. Sec. 3. That in leu of all existing taxes, each national banking asscciationgshall pay to the treasurer of the United States, in the months of January and July each year, a duty of one-fourth of one per centum for each half year upon the average amount of its notes in circulation, and in coinputing such averages all notes issued by such as- sociation and not actually retired from cir- culation in the manner hereinafter pro- vided shall be included. Redemption of Notes. Sec. 4. That each national banking asso- ciation shall redeem its notes at par in lawful money of the United States on presentation at its own office, or at its own office and at such agencies as may be designated by it for that purpose, and whenever such association desires to retire the whole or any part of its circulation, the notes to be retired shall be forwarded to the controller of the currency for can- cellation, and thereupon thirty per centum of the amount of such canceled notes shall be returned to the association. Defaced and mutilated notes and notes otherwise unfit for circulation, which have been re- deemed by any association, may be return- ed to the controller of the currency for destruction and reissue, as now provided by law. Sec. 5. That, in order to provide a safety fund for the prompt redemption of the cir- culating notes of failed national banking associations, each such association now organized, or hereafter organized, shall pay to the treasurer of the United States, in the months of January and July in each year, a tax of one-fourth of one per cen- tum for each half year upon the average amount of its circulating notes outstand- ing, to be computed as hereinbefore pro- vided, until the said fund amounts to a sum equal to five per centum upon the total amount of national bank notes out- standing, and thereafter said tax shall cease. Each association hereafter organ- ized id each association applying for ad- ditional circulation shall pay its pro rata share into the said fund before receiving notes; but an association retiring or re- ducing its circulation shall not be entitled to withdraw any part of said funds. When a national banking association be- comes insolvent its guarantee fund held on deposit shall be transferred to the safety fund herein provided for and applied to the redemption of its outstanding notes, and in case the said last mentioned fund should at any time be impaired by the redemption of the notes of failed national banks and the immediately available assets of said banks are not sufficient to reimburse it, said fund shall be at once restored by pro rata as- sessments upon all the other associations to the amount of their outstanding circula- tion, and the association so assessed shall have a first lien upon the assets of each failed bank for the amount properly charge- able to such bank on accbunt of the re- demption of its circulation. To Invest the Safety Fund. Sec. 6. That the Secretary of the Treasury may from time to time invest any money belonging to the safety fund in United States bonds having the longest time to run, and the bonds so purchased, and the interest accruing thereon, shall be held as part of the said fund. Such bonds may be sold when necessary and the proceeds used for the redemption of the circulating notes of failed national banks. Sec. 7. That every national banking as- sociation heretofore organized and havi bonds on deposit to secure circulation shall, on or before the Ist day of July, 1 with- draw such bonds and deposit with the treasurer of the United States a guarantee fund, consisting of United States legal tender notes, including the treasury notes issued under the act of July 14, 1890, equal to 30 per cent of its outstanding circula- tion at the time of such withdrawal and deposit, and all Jaws requiring such associ- ation to deposit or to keep on deposit with the treasurer of the United States bonds of the United States for any purpose other than as security for public moneys shall be and are hereby repealed from and after the said date. Sec. 8. That sections nine and twelve of the act, approved July 12, 1882, entitled “An act to enable national banking asso- clations to extend their corporate exist- ence and for other purposes,” and section thirty-one of the act, approved June 8, 1864, entitled “An act to provide a na- tot currency, secured by a pledge of United States bonds, and to provide for the circulation and redemption thereof,” and all a and parts of acts amendatory thereof, be and the sam re hereby re- pealed. To Retire United States Notes. Sec. 9. That the Secretary of the Treas- ury may, in his discretion, use from time te