Evening Star Newspaper, December 31, 1894, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR - PUBLISHED DAILY PXCemY suNpaAy AT THE STAR BULLDINGS, nett 4 Avene, Cor Lith stiwet, by The Evenin ar Newspaper Company, 5. H JFFMANN, Pres't. . viter Pullding, a to subseritere tm the ‘ ou their own ut, at 10 cents t kor 4 * per month, Copies at the counter 2 conte eae By tmati—anywhere in th United States or Canada—postaze prepald—OO cente Sotarday Quintuple Sheet Stor, $1 per year; with forelan postw, 1. $2.00, (Entered at t ire at Wasttngtom, D, ©. ef-7 All mail sut seript must be pald in advance, AN z made known on applicatton, EXTRA SESSION - ft Would Be Acceptable to Many oo Leaders. THECUUNTRY LOOKING TC THER PARTY ——_>—_——_— Many Important Questions Will Have to Be Met and Settled. —_s——— NEE MORE oe REVENUE DED The talk about an extra session of the Fifty-fourth Congress, so far from being unwelcome, art ers. is even accep! There sre rept lieve and assert that if coutinues inactive and divic tt will be th Bue th the r and early ne cull. pres spring. duty 6f th They have e 7 no fear adiness of their party to meet any ing public questions in the able in cert fcans who be- the democ v d to the end lent to ts cting The argument offered in support of this sition is comprehensive. Pp P when om refe' the r ce is made to In the first © sit uation sent administration first took nres in a month or two had grown to be alarming in business circles. The F together at once. put the suggestion a appar on th ent, however, that some e financial estions The President then yielded, met pan dt me This ts re in ¢ bre Pre: in extra sess: by this he re se the is time ults of the s the popular desire and expectatic led now to operate as a le at the close of the sent Cougress should suil appear county lest ent was urged to call Congress He hesitated, and finally It soon b De slation was imperative. and Congress m in August. was past all control, jon failed to B ut the 8. son to demand acuiou of some kind by Congress @u the condition ef the treasury. ‘The Country Int this he wo woking to fepu second place {t ts pointed out that id mee an end conceded t icans. be important by the foremost of the republi- A somewhat popular com- sent arrangement, too much time is permitted to clapse be- can lea plaixg is that, by the pr tween the re the ass the ders. mbit people's lat forms of vw. ‘the sit obtained at the polls and # of the new Congress to put st instructtons {nto the republicans construe the November elections to mean a repudia- tion they Bo fu cerue: &s govertinental £ assert, 1s can party for the democry Rot toy att furtiv “as 1, tke tr Vertue rty eeu way 4 busi of Leivre the country, they ¢ the gamer. Vhe alt con cigsest, erat the lett t Bon. able way ena pr on leaders: party nati ariy be kept waitin ofan cans s & boon. uid nut only well, to ub sing publ ve 5 ess vt Con H 2 ijour ast ion nthe tt estion, T that time htre t a urge, cracy and # seindorse: Therefore, nt as some of the at as early hold not not act.but that ivought And the President, nt to see to it that, broper ption of k sislative power a day ysly that leg.siature is cou- wo rom the pa They poi oni te isan star usier Is made as promptiy ns alow. 4 2 Session. an ex- ut how ve the country, greatest adver questions could res: appropriation at the reg S$ susREsteC in parated from the nd di purely Ispused me on. ‘I sstions would adjourning uills ar vo of Ist. would be 1 que of potert pi would sig no les is nd duties in ¢ ot tion th Wes: T that lepre e to exist th y has been latd realize deal will be pe affairs will n toa of the to every state be Union. Much Must Be Done. ut the repa < then a very great to be done before again They are expecting to be o recpen the tiff qves tent. will grow repu! Or) tbo Thes ait ce eult ¢ fm the ers expe vide eX nti janis, 1H restion ‘i come the Wh Pordsnd. the uw . is with he g to pay iy mber ot and the main’ ge is that bonds pe nh by the oj The t the pvern L question, 3 aring © inere The vised toh more not prevent atively © 8 that & vth- do so that only wo! uld be e will ty at to on the or nat te; on lown, in the even waning receive are « of the Che Evening Star. — Vou 85, No. 21,082. NO PRACTICAL ACTION Tncome Tax Cannot Be Collected Until Congress Shall Act. Are Much Embur- rassed—Returns Must Be Made by Those Liable to the Tax, Treasury Official The income tax provisions of the tariff law go into effect tomorrow, but the of- ficials of the Treasury Department are seriously embarrassed in their enforcement by reason of the failure of Congress to pass the urgent deficiency bill before the recess. ‘That omission has upset entirely the calcu- lations of the commissioner of internal rev- enue, who has the matter in charge. It had been his intention to have the force necessary for the collection of the income tax fully organized by the 1st proximo, so that they might begin operations at once. The most important feature of this plan was the appointment of additional deputy collectors, revenue agents and other of- ficers essential to a proper enforcement of the law. Provision for this extra force 1s made in the urgent deficiency bill passed by the House of Representatives and now awaiting the action of the Senate. No Practical Action Can Be Taken. In the meantime the hands of the com- missioner are tled and no practical action can be taken until the deficiency appro- priation is provided. Everything is in read- iness fcr immediate action as soon as the | necessary authority is obtained, and ft will aot take the commissioner long to orgin- ize his force and get it into the field. Not- withstanding the failure of Congress to provide the money asked for it will In the meantime, under the law and the regula- tions of the Treasury Department, be nec- y for every person In the United ates whose Income. for the present year amounts to more than after de- deting the items allowed by the law, to make up a return between January 1 and March 1 and transmit that return to the commissioner of internal revenue for his district. The returns of the incomes of corporations must be made up in the same way and transmitted to the collectors of inte revenue. The collectors and dep- uty collectors throughout the country will be supplied with blank forms, on which these returns are to be made out. The ferms for private Incomes and those for incomes of corporations are different, and persons desiring to make out returns of their private incomes should apply for form No. 365, while those desiring to make returns for corporations should apply for form No. 366. Returns Must Be Made. Although the returns must be made be- fore March 1, the payment of the tax can be made at any time between that date and July 1, There will be lots of work for the | income tax collectors during that period, and in order to have them fully prepared for it it is desired to have them get in harness us soon as possible. They will have to reyise the returns made by. individuais and corporations and establish their ac- acy by pe Linvestigation. They will have to look out for persons who have to make returns in all where it it believed that they come within the re- ents of the k Unless the law is 1there are merry times ahead for ent of the Action ieties. Mer. Sntol as to Secret S Owing to misapprehension caused by the publication of statements that the decree concerning secret societies was not final, nd Was submitted to bishops ig order to secure trom them their opinions thereon, } Monsignor Satolli authorizes the following 1 tement of facts, to set at rest mis- apprehension and possible misrepresenta- or The archbishops of the United States have taken council with respect to three * | societies, namely, the Odd Fellows, the j Scr of Vermperance and the Knights of }Pythias, ‘The archbis decided that the | whole question should br submitted to the om from to Mon- general whom his stole see. In a is eminence, R. Cardi’ nor Satolit, the action tion ‘of cardinals, committed the q he congregation, etully the co.amunica 1 Monaco, of the to after consider- de a decree. ree his hotiness fully confirmed, e it complete effect. ‘Fhe decree ts, therefore, transmitted to all archbishops, of the United bishops and othér ordinarie: ates, to be by them carried into effect. Monsignor Satoli has acted merely as the mediom ot transmission, But ew of contradictory — and confusi reports emanating trom various parts of the coun- try, the facts aré thus briefly stated. ae JOHN WALKER. Avether District Official Passes Away This Morning. Death has claimed another District of- ficial, and today the name of John Walker, chief clerk of the engineer department, has en added to the list of those who have gone to join the great majo John Walker was appointed chief clerk of the department July 1, 104, by Col. DEATH OF cla Henry M. Robert, who was then Engineer Comunissionei d Hrank Stison, who died in Chief Clerk Waiker was beloved by all who knew him, ks who came under him wiil ura his loss. He was kind, considerate and always had a pleasant werd for his friends. . Following the general policy of civil ser: Vice, the Comr ers will appoint M . ¥, Laakenan chief cler' — s Approved. President has approved the g a pension to Mrs, Ann Bradford, rd to the withdrawal of cer- b eranti the act in rega tain public lands from private entry, as pre by the act approved March Isw; the act to perfect the title to a quar- ter Section of land in the town of Yuma, Col. and the act for the relief of Doilie KE. Vedder. ae aie les Vielated. San F arriers have is.1ed an address to the ree of their routes, “A Merry Christmas and a i. “This is a violation of pe gulations and the offendin reprimanded. ra extending New Year 2 -e+ - erest Checks Mailed. ed States treasurer h t Shinkwa ng on th nd at Chinkia 1 th ¢ cutive department closed } noon tom and will not be reopened } With the I Commander Z. le to spe WASHINGTON, D. wi INCREASE BEER TAX That Proposition to Be Submitted to Congress. THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE NEEDED Government Running Behind Hand in Its Receipts Monthly. ie A CRITICAL CONDITION aS The rosy statement which has been given out by the treasury authorities as to the probable receipts from the new tariff law represents, doubtless, what the treasury authorities would like to believe rather than what they do believe. These officials statements are not in harmony with the views which the treasury officers have pri- vately expressed. What the purpose is of giving publicity to such a “guess,” for that is what the statement is, as to the probable operations of the new tariff law for the coming six months, is not clear. It can hardly be designed to Indicate to Congress that the treasury fs not in néed of any further revenue; for the energies of the administration are now chiefly di- rected to discover how existing sources of revenue can be made to yield better re- sults, and how additional sources of reve- nue can be provided so that bond Issues may be avoided. Deficit for the Past Six Months. The fact appears that the recipts of the goverrment for the last six months have been $28,500,000 less than the expenditures. During that period the total amount of duty recetved from sugar was $2,740,000, while, under the operations of the law which has been repealed, the sugar re- ceipts were annually in excess of § oov, It appears that, in the treasur, cast of the probable rever six months, a large from the sugar dut the most familiar with th amount is expected Yet those who are have expressed the opinion that no very large sums are likely to be received from the importations of sugar, gwing to many business and tariif compitcations, The store of sugar which ¥ ance of the passage of the new law no means exhausted, and it will fur- dant very long period, particularly if there is to be any considerable reduction In the out- But of the refineries, as has been threat- ened. No revenue whatever is expected during the next six months by the treasury ex- erts from distilled spirits, while the re- pts from the income tax (if that shall re it ho into effect) are entirely problematt- by nish the refiners an ab - not @d declared unconstitutional bef cal. Meanwhile the gold balance, which a few days ago was $1 has been reduced In round numbers’ to’ $86,000,000, and the Secretary of the Treasury does not hesitate to inform Congress, as he rece’t- ly did tn his statement to the Hous ing committee, that « ar ing It seems very probal t sale of bonds will be nec ary to again re- plenish the gold reserve, unless Cong shall enact the desired currency lez tlon, 1a view of thesé facts, how it can hap- pen that the treasury can give out a statement c ut is doc ed to be very s ¥ to @ ta very cheerful prospect for the future, in the absence of legislation, it is not easy to understand, It is known from private sources that the Secretary of the Treasury is of the opinion that more revenie must be provided | the present Congress, unless the govern ment is to rely upon repeated s of bonds for current expenditures. It fs dis- covered, morcover, that, owing to the extension of the bonded period and to the extensive withdrawals of distilled from bond when the # cent tax was still in the government is prac cally no enue from distille he commissioner of internal re enue, when asked recently by a demo cratic friend how much revenue could b ected from distilled spirits, said t not certain that any revenue fré souree could be reasonably expecte year, owing to the fact that the lars stock of spirits withdrawn from bond when the $0 cent tax was still in effect is still undispesed of upon the market, and there is present indication that any of its put into bond under the new t law will be withdrawn for early consump- tion, How to Raise More Revenue. Per contra, to this optimistic statement, unless those who are usually well-informed are greatly mistaken, and unless treasury officials who are necessarily in the con- fidence of the Secretary of the Treasury have been “talking through their hats,” there have been recently some important conference the object of which has been to discover how best additional revenue can be provided. A treasury officer has tnadvertently given some hints to indicate that the 5 retary of the ‘Treasury is likely to ask Con- gress to immediately furnish him with ad- ditional revenue. 1t appears that, what- ever the Secretary of the re ury may choose to say for political effect, some of the treasury authorities are convinced that the new tariff biil, even if the income tax shall be deciared ‘constitutional, and shall prove to be effective, will not’ yield ade- quate revenue. The situation has become critical. The practical effect is that the new tariit law does not yield adequate revenue to run the gcvernment. The Sceretary of the 4 ury has ‘discovered that the pressing cur- rent obligations of the government ure not to be met by promises based upen the un- certain and indetinite operations of the rew tariff law. The issue of bonds, more- over, is not approved by the masses of the democratic party, is unpopular otherwise, hazurtous and possibly dengerous. To Incrense the Tax on Beer, There have been during the holiday re- 5 eral private consultations of the democratic leaders to determine how im- mediate revenue can be secured withou resorting to th je of bonds. It has been discovered that the best practical source of immediate revenue is the Increase of $1 per barrel upon beer and malt liquors. That incre would yield $51,000,000 of revenue and it would be immediately avail- able. « it would help the government, perhap: to bridge over the uncertainty in the 1 ceipts trom the new t w from other sources and provide ag oubt as to in- come which may result from the ince } tax if t tax shall not be aliogether lost. | One of the plans which is being considered is how to get tion upon this ¢ ect in such a way as to avoid the r ing of the entire tariff question and to escape the inevitable consequent det It has been gested that the result might tn sc way be reached by a joint resolution wl would he less ed, it is thought, to pa nentary delay and opposition than a lL But the method has not yet b upon. Fewers and Their “Pu not escape public notice that the proposition to impose this additional tax stly vocated pending of the tariff bill, and that it both by the means and by the Senate fir The only explanation given of the refection n has been that the have an extra ary “pull” those who were responsible for the fram- Ing of the receat tariff law. While other interests were subjected to whatever dis- advantages may result to them from the new tariff law, the brewers escaped. Sen- ator Jones of Arkansas, the democratic member of the finance committee, who had so much to do in the framing and passing of the tariff bill, was carnest in his ad- vocacy of the increase in the tax on beer of one dollar per barrel. He was overruled by his associates, and, although he frequently recurred to th proposition, he never succeeded in securing a favorable audience. The favorite argument of those who op- posed the tax* was that beer is the poor man's drink, and that to tax beer an addi- tional dollar per barrel would be an addi tional tax upon the poor man. The answe made to this was.that beer would still sel! for 5 cents a glass, and that the only result would be to reduce the extraordinary profits of the brewers to that extent. AND NOW. FOR’ 1895 Washington All Ready to Give the Now Year Greeting, Waich-Night Services, Whistles, Bells, Horns and C the Last Night. mes Will Mark But a few more hours remain in the life of 1894. The next issue of ‘The Star will bear the new date, and before it is issued New Year resolutions wili have been made by the hundreds and many lives will be turned in new directions, some for a short while and some, it is to be hope: forever. The old year will die easily there will be probably no demonst beyond the ordinary noises that greet the coming of *9: Watch-night services will he held in a number of churches in this city to close th year. The congregations will gather carly, and there will be prayers for the ne wr and other special services that are appro- priate to the occasion, In the Metropolitan Church the service will begin at 10:30 and ten-minute ud- dresses will be made by Revs. McCarty, Rank pey and Beiler, Bishop Harst, | Mrs. Gen. Logan and the pastor, Kev. Hugh Johnston, Other w services will be held as fol- lows: We el, commencing at 1:50 o'clock; Mount Vernon Pla Chnre South, ‘9:50 0’ b M. i . Church, .Church, 15 o'clock; Church, 10 o’cle Dumbarton Trinity M Church, 4th street sou: >= 9:30 o'clock; Waugh M. EB. Church, i o'clocis; I nd M. EB. Church, Fifteenth | Street M. i. Church, North Carolina Ave- | nue M. P. Chureh, 9:30 o'clock; Hamtine | M. E, Church, 9 o'clock; Mount Zion M. B. Church, 8:30 o'clock; Grace M. FE. Church, 10 o'clock; McKendree M. E. Church, 10 o'clock; Douglas Memorial M. E. Chureh, | o'clock; Mount Carmel Baptist Chureh Shiloh saplist Church, Mount Zion Vat oh, vill be a brief serv: Epiphany Chu fh, on G' street, beg val at 11:15 p.m. and closing at midnight. ‘Phere is to be an address by the rector. ‘The Salvation Army “head Pennsylvania avenue between streets, Will be the scene @f a spe: ice, &€ which the songs of the army Te sung. ‘The Jonadabs will bold their m waten the old year out and the n¢ at Harris Hall, corner of 7th and 1 porthwel Judge S. C. Mills, the of the order, will be present, and solemn reoblization scene will take | precisely at the first tap of the bells. Preparations are, of course, under way for the production of the usu: ount of noise in every quarter, by whistles cn th river, horns in the town, and pistols and | firecrackers everywhere, Central Union Mission, As usual the observance of New by the Central Union Mission will tinue practically throughout the day. will begin this evening with a watch night | service, lasting from 7:30 antil 12 o'clock. ‘Tomorrow a lunch will be given to the converts from 11 to 12 o'clock, and ag eral lurch will be served by the Woman's Bend from 12 till 5 o'clock. Religious serv- ices will be he witorium f om 12 ocle noon 1 The sceial fe forgott and of directors and their wi {bers of the building committee and wives will form a reecption committee to receive the ul public from 1 until 5 ojclock. ‘Services will be conducted by the M Rand on Market space from 1 until o'clock. A new plan has been adopted by building committee to meet the debt on the mission building as it matures, which amounts, principal and interest, to $6,000 a What is known as the “Fifty-cent has been organized, the mem- bership to consist cf one thousand persons who will agree to pay @ cents a month, which will yield the exact amount needed. A number of members have already been secured, and the committce hope to secure additicus rapidty. Ringing It In. , The chimes of the Metropolitan Church will give their noisy greeting to the new year and the farewell to the old, as been the cusiom ever since these bells we: hoisted into the great spire. The program arranged by Prof. James It. Gibson, the chimer, is as follows: Old yei , 1145 to 12 p.m.—Old Year xe Peal on eleven bells, “The Vac Chair,” “Auld Lang Syne,” “De Adair,” “Monastery Bells, Ye, Merry Gentiemen,” “ nnee River,” “Oft in the Stilly Night “Wait the Clouds Roll By Out, Wild Bells,” “Old Hundred,” chiming the hour of 12 upon great bell. New Year, 1809, 12 to 12:15 a.m.— Year Chimes Peal on all the bells, Hundred” and “Hail Columbia,” Ring Out, Wild Bells,” “Lead, Kindly Light," “Blue Bells 0 nd,” “Rose Marie," “Adeste Fidele, ‘omise Me," “Cayillon— Italian 'V. Monastery Bells," sele Year con- It ons 4 the tion “Marth: ‘Oft in the Stilly Night, “National Salute.” ES EE THE D 108 DEBT. ‘nm a Decrease of Over There Has B Four M United States ion Since July, 1875. ‘Treasurer Mergan has made a report in regard to the indebtedness of the District of Columbia, from which it ars that the total debt December 31, 4, is $17,781,700, being a reduction of $4,524,000 since July 1, vith a corre- ponding in interest charg per cent tstandil and the total per cent and 3.50 per cent bonds outstand- ing is $3,982,000. =e — Sentence Remitted. tary Herbert has remitted the un- expired portion of the sentence of Licut. E. D. Bostick, who was suspended for one year by court-martial for drunkenness | while attached to the Ranger at San Diezo. About four and one-half months of the | t remiined to be served, and us the offi- | cer had lest twelve numbers, an unusually large punis ber, the Secretary felt that his nt had been suiiicient. e+. — An Inqutry. The attorney for the District teday pe- titioned for an inquiry as to the mental condition of John K. Metzger, Waterman P. Bagaley and Sarah Spencer, alleged lunatics. Judge Cox directed that the in- quiry be made hme MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1894—TWELVE PAGES. TWO GENTS. The proof of tHe pudding is in fhe eafing, Safurdap’ Sar contained 44 cofumns of adverfisements, made up of 797 separate announce: ments, These advertisers 5 fi merely Space, HOWGATE’S TRIAL|N° MORE APPEALSIMARTIN TQ RESIGN —oo Some Surprises in Judge McComas’ Court Today. + THE PRISONER'S Fb OF Nut GUILTY District Attorney "Birney Replica- tion Astonishes Counsel. DEMURRERS OVERRULED ges It was expected that when the caso of Captain Henry W. Howgate v fen up before Judge McComas this morning argu- ments would be made on the demurre filed Saturday by the defendant to the three indictments itly returned against him. Counsel for Captain Howgate, how- ever, stated that as the demurrers were substantially similar to those passed upon by the court several weeks ago they would submit them without amerit. District Attcrney Birney explained that as nothing had been advanced by the other side he did not care to discuss the demurrer Judge MeComas thereupon promptly eve ruled the dezaurrers. Howsnte's £ to the New Indict- ments. That done, counsel noted an exceptton to the court's ruli after which Mr. Birney sgain asked t Capt, Howgate be required to plead to the the defendar three Lew indictments. Counsel for the defense thereupon promptly insiructe r cilent to plead that he was not guilty, because the indictments had not been found and returned wiihin three years: next after the commission of the alieged offens embe ment and forgery on such pleas the dis) cL giiomney at once joined issue, but ovked for a recess of an hour in which to prepare his replication, Mr. Birney’s request was gr being taken until noon, When court recon- vened Mr, Birn nied a repheation to Cap Howgale’s plexs of noi gulity because of the statute of WMitations, to che effect that the defend: 3 a fugitive rfom Justice from April unt the Zith of last Sep- tember Counsel Demur in Surprise. the -government’s replication Capt. counsel, Mes S. Worth- » M. Wilson, ai once entered the case of exch of the indictments, ‘They naively intimated to the court that the district attorney's repll- tion had taken them completery by sur- sted an adjournment until Inesday in order to give them time in recover from their astonishment y prepare their demurrer, 3, however, thought that over in just sixty minutes, a recess for that length of To Howgate’s ington and Je a gienmurrer in prises and requ cess 1t was explained that Howgate had a twoioid x the several dilatory mo- ions they had made; one was to be avie to uivaniage of every possible ception in the event of a convicuen, and r was to so delay the tial as to esc trial before J BleComag. At id thet Capt. Howgate’s counsel to delay tie trial until att ent of the members of tourt for che year 1805 it was expected, Judge 1 be assigned than (he court in wii would be brought to trial a g¢ WeComas? As stated in The Sta weex, the as- signiment of the judges has not yet been made, although usually made during the last week of the y ln explanation of the in the matter of the soment of th it was stated that cases had shad requested tha assignment be made which would p) him from ptesiding at the trial of . And, as expliified in; The 8 week, it Is understood that t will be mzde which will take the rom Judge McComas A Demurer Pile: jered of last At 1:30 the hearing was resumed, when Mr. Worthington filed a demurrer to the replication filed by the district attorney. The demur which was submitted with- out argument, says that the replication is bad in’ substance. Judge MeComas ov ruled the defendant's demurrer to the replication, Whereupon the defendant filed to a rejoinder he government's. rey tion. The rejoinder recites that Capt. How- gate for cighte n s mior to his al- leged flight on April 12, 18-2, was contin- uously and openly a resident of the Dis- trict, and that during that period he was not only indicted for the alleged offense: but also appeared and auded to em. the mr der the government demur- and the hearing then went over until Wednesday. — ooo CURRENCY 1 To red, 1 o'clock next ios Probable +} pe Wes Coming to a Vote. The vote on the Carlisle bill will not be taken in the House pefore the Jatter par of next week. It Is contemplated to have the neral debate inve unul tur- day, and then to have the debate proceed under the five-minute ru It is proposed to get a rale from the committee on rules either Saturday or bly the latter, fixing the time for voting and adjusting the method of procedure. Ordinarily the original bill would be considered and amendments would be offered to it. When all these umend- ments were disposed of the substitute which the committee proposes would be of- Monday, pr ing fered and yoted on. . But this would cut off all other sub- stitutes, and {t ts therefore proposed to consider the committee substitute as the original bill, This will give an opportunity for the Walker substitute to be voted on whereas, if the new committee bill were corsidered formally as a substitute it would be a question simply of recognition, and Mr, Springer being recognized Mr. Walker would not be able to get fn. ee AND COLD W The weather bureau promises clear, cold weather tomorrow. There will probably be a very wintry nip tn the air, but It will not accompanied by any disagreeable Jements of snow or rain. There ts a pos- sibility of falling weather this evening, but if that happens the weather will probably clear again before morning. be The snow flurry last night was not caused by the presence of 2 storm, bnt was the result of a slightiy disturbed con- dition g between the urea of high ba pressure which has just moved oft tle coast ard a similar area row paching from the ky moun- tain plateau, There was snow in some of the middle and south Atla) states and rain along the gulf coast, ar condition moved northeastward ocear ht a light snow fall to this ions this morning forecasted weather over the entire coun- try tomorrow, and there was not a storm in sight on the map, } be Board of Assessors Has Olosed Its Books and Will Report, ‘ Lees Reductions That Have Been Made— of 1893 11 Be Complete. Mondny the Assessmen w The permanent board of assessors closed its book of appeals this afternoon, and no more appeals will be considered. For four months the board has iabored to revise the last assessment, which contained so many inequalities, and next Monday it will hand over its report to the Commissioners, and the much talked of assessment of 1803 will be permanently fixed. The board, which it wili be recalled or- ganized August 15, 184, consists of Col. James A. Bates, chairman; Mr. 8. T. G. Morséil, viee chairman, and Capt. J, Har- rison Johnson, secretary. It was not uatil the Ist of September, however, that the beard really got to work, as considerable time was lost in getting quarters and fit- ting them up. Since tut time, however, the board has labored faithfully, and i vestigated 7,200 app representing in the neighborhood of 25,000 separate pieces of property, There has been a general re- duetion how great, it is as yet impossible to state, but it is believed that when the books are turned over to the Commissioners the av- erage reduction will reach uearly 15 per cent. arly ia the work the board addpted a ruie that where an appeal Was mace the property in the square would be considered at the same time, so that while there are a great many property owners who have not made an appeal their property has never- theless been reduced. Owing to the short time allowed the board in which to make revision, it was simply. out of. the que¢- a to visit‘and inspect each piece of prop- erty upon which there was an appeal. The greatest reductions noted are in buildings, which have been scaled considerably. But even here the poard has not had a fair opportunity to do the taxpayers justice, for the time allotted it In which to make the revision was altogether too short. Many of the buildings upon which the assessment was reduced were known to the board, ana they revised from memory. As stated above, the bosrd will complete its labors next Monday. Qhat is tt will through with the revision of the last assessment ‘The work, however, that Is, the real hard work, will begin after the re- vised assessment is made matter of record. When this is done the boerd of permanent nm taking a breathing the spell, will begin to mak ‘w triennial assessinent upon which t will be levied and due the first day of November, 1896, The board will begic, after visiting each piece of property in the District and person- ally viewing ft, to levy the assessment, which wil) stand, unless there ts an error which the board has power to correct. ‘The taxes for this year, upon which one-half of the taxes were due the first of last No- vember, will all be payable the Ist of May. Aficr the board concludes the considera- tion of appeals jt will set aside a day in each week to consider liquor licenses. > prLay on POST OFFICE. Acting Architect Kemper Says This Administration Should Not Be Blamed Mf. Kemper, acting supervising architect of the treasury, is Inclined to take a p sophical view of the progress of work on ihe Washington ci) post offic: A Star reporter undertook to interview him on that subject today, He said that he did not care to say anything about that work Just at present, except that he thou manifestly unjust to hold (he inistration responsible fer present the time ad- al- lowed for the execution of the contract, inesmuch as that contract had been made by the previous administration. ary “It is not to go into details in this mat- the position of the Us oilice with regara to this build- ing can be briefly stated. ‘The contract for the ite we @f the building was Lon the 2d day of March, 1883, two the advy« ration, to be finished { from that date. The contract does not expire until ember 2, and it is simply the duty of the supe: ing architect's office to see that this con ircet is faithfanly executed ‘This ts being dione, and, so tar as man ean forevll the future, the work wili be completed by that me. “This office is perfectiy willing to as- sume its full responsibilides in this matter, and 1 will stand by this siatement. If we fail In our obligations in this matter we of this adminis- two years and a time 183, are proper subjects of censure; but It seems to me to be hardly fair to prejudge us negligent in advenc nd to eriticts as though we had already 1 ail T care to say for the pre SINTY YEARS. COLDEST 1 The “Jig Up” Provably With the orida Orange Crop. JACKSONVILLE, F December 31.— The mercury went down to 14 above zero at the signal station In-the city just before sunrise this morning, this record heing one degree colder than the temperature during the great freeze of 3886 and the lowest since 18%, The thermometer at the sta- tion is 100 feet above the ground, and the surface readings about town average from one to three s lower, Reports from Titusville Gainesville, Palatka and that the mercufy droy abeve zero in those lo e orange and vevetal tically ruined. The best estimates place the number of oranges al present on the irces at fully 2,000,000 boxes, and the ofti- ciais of the Florida fruit exchange In this ity think fully 2,000,000 boxes have been frozen, either wholly or partially. If this estimate is correct the remaining 600,000 boxes will bring fabulous prices. hese reports cannot be veritied until to- night or tomorrow, but the best informed fruit men say the is up” with the orange crops of 1S: Ice formed on the strects of Jacksonville this morning and in smail places about the dock Tampa, Ocala, Santord indicate 1 to about 18 es. crops are prac- ——_——--—__ BURROWS LOSING GROUND. at Lans Term Senate Special Dispatch to The Evening Star, LANSING, Mich, December 814-The town is rapidly filling up with legislators, and by tonight most of them will be here. > short term senatorial campaign is im blast, and since Saturd various headquarters were opened, situation has changed in several res} The fight now seems to be between John Patton and 8. 8. Olds, with Burrows rapidly losing his grip. The Burrows men nx for the Short ‘ship. Contest ", when the the ther. insisted that he would be elected on the first ballet, but today ft admitted that fifty vores just about me res the Burrows sirength. The foree and influence of the adm will be and 1s being thrown to 1 that will help him wonderful pinch comes. The McMillan sald to be for Olds, but McLaugh!!n of De- trolt, who will introduce Mr. MeMilan's name in the caucus, has come out for Pat- ton influence is Tae full terra senatorial caucus will be dvy, and MeMiilan will go through wiihout a scratch. After the caucus a lunch will be served to the legis- lators and their friends. The short term caucus will be held Thursday or Fridey, and in al} probabillty the secret baiot will be adopted, p the assessment all over the city, * tit | The Police Ouniaabinse Considera, Himself Exonerated. DR. PARKHURST OPPOSED 10 BYRNES Mayor-Elect Strong Holds Him in, High Esteem. A 8TATEMENT PROMISED NEW YORK, December 31.—Presideng James J. Martin of the police board ane nounced today that he would, within a few days, send his letter of resignation te Mayor Strong. Mr. Martin said that now that the Lexow committee is through with its work, and, as he felt that he was exe onerated, he should resign. He added that he hoped Mayor Strong would accept hig yesignation immediately. Police Superintendent - Byrnes’ appeate ance before the Lexow committee, his offem to Mayor-elect Strong to resign and the ace companying tender of his services in reore ganizing the police force are variously ree ceived. The Rev. Dr. Parkhurst has in« Umated that tire trquisiies;—ehen Byrnes was,upon the stand, was not made suffle ciently searching for practical pu Parkhurst insists that Dipee eae Byrnes is responsible for most of the core ruption exposed by the senate committee, and he is indignant over the police chiefs tain’s “pompous vanity and self-glorificas tion,” as he terms it, Mayor-elect Strong is sald to hold Byrneg in high, estimation, and would be ipclined, to urge the withdrawal of the superine tendent’s resignation were it not for his reluctance to antagonize the Parkhurst Soe ciety, It is known that Messrs. Lapoqu Smith, Taylor and the good government element of the conimittee of seventy ene tertain a cordial dislike for the superine tendent. A statement by the executive committee of the Soclety for the Prevention of Vice ig promised during the day. This commit which consists of Dr. Parkhurst, Fran Moss, assistant attorney to Committee Counsel Goff, and Mr. Kenyon, held a cons sultation this forenoon, “I think,” Mr, Moss said,"just before tl consultation, “that it will put Mayor Stro: in something of a hole.” . Mr. Moss said that Superintendent By: allegation that he had frequently assist the Lexow committee in apprehending de» linquent witnesses and in other ways pl: himself at the service of the senate come mittee was news to Mr. Goff and him, | “At the time of Capt. Devrey’s trial an@ frequently since then,” said Mr. Moss, “Bue perintendent Byrnes, Delancy Nicoll an@ several other influential gentlemen came to us and wanted to know why amicable ree lations could Lot be maintained between our soctety and the head of the police force. The superintendent made nuraerous overtures in this direction, but all of pe were rejected because from the very firs from the time of Agent Gardner's a we were coniident that we could ex] little or no help from the police force.” Superintendent Byrnes has given out thig statement: ‘In my exemination before the Lexow committee on » When I ree fe lice commissioners intere | fer , 1 did not intend to include |the repubiican’ members of the board, | Since the latter have become commissions crs they heve coue everything to assist me and have made it possible for me to e action Which I had hitherto been io take.” Kerwin, the newest member of the board of police commissioners, and a Tes publican, ‘said today thet the board ha@ not Aampered the police force. Commis sioner Kerwin also said that he bad ne knowledge of the superintendent's apple cation for retirement, and that the recome mendation of the Lexow committee for thé | yetirement of Capt. Creeden would not im the least affect his opinion in the matter, AS STRANGE AS A NOVE! ations of the Life of « Western Murderer, VANCOUVER, B. C., December 21.—The identity of Ashford, who murdered his wife and child and the ttempted to take hig own life on December 22, has be discovered by bis private papers. papers show that Ashford’s sister Rey isa marchioness, her maiden name being Elizae bein Flowers, Ashford’s rea] name wag George Frederick Flowers. The papers and letters disclosed the fact that the Flowers femily is possessed of great wealth and that a sister of the mure derer willed to Ethel Flowers, Ashford’s second daughter, a large estate in Snge lend, She came into her estate oa her eighteenth birthda nis agcounts for the remark of Ashford, When Iam gone all but Ethel will have to beg on the streets,” and also for his ate tempt to shoot eycry one of his chidren but Ethel. Ashford, upon being reprimands ed for resenting some prison disciplin said indignantly: “You fellows will fin out who I am before this trial is over.” Ashford disgraced his family by a suce cession of wild rprees and squandering hig fortune. As he wes a prominent Came bridge graduate, and one of the leaders aristocratic society, his actions creat dal, and as disgrace followed some of apades, be concluded to sink hig He dropped his title and friends and bee came a common soldier, joining the army in India, took the name of Ashford an married the daughter of the farrier of the regiment, who knew his past and was wille ing to overlook everything. — SENATORS FROM WYOMING. ‘Two to Re Chos sion of the CHEYENNE, Wyo., December 31.—Twe United States Senators are to be chosen at the coming session of the legislature, one for six years, to succeed Joseph My Carey, and one for four years, to fill the vecancy occasioned by the failure of the legislature two years ago td’ elect a su- cessor to Francis 2. Warren, Senator Carey is a candidate for ree election, Ex-Senator Warren is also @ ndidate for the long term senatorshtp, Both are residents of Cheyenne. Early im the contest the ren r of the state de manded that Cheyenne should decide bee tw Carey and arren and that the other Senator should not be a resident of that city, Several’ candidates conceda Warren's election. to (he long term, and a majority are willing that he should be elected first, in order to remove one of the disturbing ele 3 from the contest. Senator Carey has come home from Washington and 1s making an aggressive n P i canvass. For the short term senatorship ex-Cone © n Clarence D. Kk will have the thanimous support of the Uintah an@ Sweetwater county delegation, J. J. Davis of Carbon county, Judge J. Brown of Albany and Judse Jay ‘orrey of Fremont will have the backing of their respective counties. —_——— Lord Churchil’s Condition, LONDON, December $1.—The physiciang, In ettendance upon Lord Randolph Churehe I ¢nrourced this meraing that a patieng had passed @ fair night. <_<