Evening Star Newspaper, January 8, 1895, Page 1

aetctaat PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY, AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, ~1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor tith Street, by The Evening Star Newspaper Company, 8. H. KAUFFMANN, Pres't. New York Office, 49 Potter Building. poninanaee Bo ~meemaaly ‘The Evening Star is served to subseribers in the city by carriers, on thelr own account, at 10 cents Ber week. or 44 cents per month. | Coples at the gounter 2 cents each. By matl—anywhere in the United States or Canada postage prepaid—S0 cents Der month. ps tus ntuple Sheet Star, $1 year; with foreign age added, $3.00. hobo: ostage 7 (Entered at the Post Office at Washington, D. C. a class ma‘! matter.) [7 All mail subscriptions mus be paid In adv: Rates of advert ic nttom. tion. Che Lvening Star. No. 13,056 WASHINGTON, D.C., TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1895-TWELVE PAGES. TWO CENTS. THe proof of the pudding is in fBe eating. Yesterday's Star confained 39 cofumns of adverfisements, made up of 629 separate announce: ments. Bese advertisers foug$t pubficifp—nof merefp space. THE TAX PENALTY|®!StRICT IN CONGRESS| A MOST HOPELESS nities Attorney for the District Does Not Agree With Judge Bradley. COMMISSIONERS HAVE AMPLE LAW ees ~He Holds That the Imposition of the Penalty is Legal. ae. 6S COLLECTIBLE The attorney for the District, Mr. S. T. ‘Thomas, in a lengthy opinion to the Com- missioners this afternoon, says that the question raised by Judge Bra regard- ing the legality of the imposition of pen- alties for the non-payment of general tax- es had been carefully considered by him and that he was of the opinion that the «Commissioners had ample law for the im- position of the penalty, which he held was legal and collectible. In his opinion he says: Not Penal Statates. “Statutes relating to taxes are not termed or regarded by courts as penal statutes, nor are they considé¢red as in derogation of common right. Such legislation is there- fore entitled to liberal construction. ‘The government,’ says Judge Cooley (an emi- «pent authority on the subject of taxation), ‘in its tax legislation is not assuming an hostile position toward the citizen, byt i apportioning for and as the agent of a duty among them.’ Judge Bradley's tention is, that, because the act of April 1S78 (20 Stat., 34), amended section 3 of the act of March %, IS77 (i S:at., 396), which is the nermanent tax law of the District, bz striking out the year and making the sec- tion general, and leaving section 4, which authorizes the imposition of penalties un- touched, Congress thereby limited tae right of the District t» collect penalties for non- payment of taxes to the years ISi7 and 1878 “This point is very technical, and if the statutes in question are to receive liberal construction, ti is in my opinion, not well taken. Section 4 of the act of March s declares that, ‘If one-half of the tax herein levied upon the real and personal property taxes by this act shall not be paid before the Ist of December, 1877, said + installment shall thereupon be in arrears and delinquent, and there shall then be added, to be collected with such taxes, a penalty of 2 per centum upon the amount thereof, and a like penalty on the first day ef each succeeding month until payment of such installment and penalty. And ‘f said Installment shall not be paid before the Ist day of June, 1878, together with the one-half of the original tax before said Ist day of June, a like penalty shall be added on said last one-half of said tax, and the whcle together shall constitute the delin- quent tax to be dealt with and collected fm the manner prescribed in this act.’ ‘The Law Permanent. “The constructicn claimed in the com- munication before me, it seems to me, leaves out of view the eighteenth section of the act of March 3, 1877, which make the act permanent, declaring ‘that this act shall remain in force as the tax law of the District of Columbia for each sub- sequent year after June 30, 1878, until repealed.” Now, if the fourth and eigh- teenth sections of the act of March 3, 1577, are read together the suggested objection is removed; without the eighteenth sectio: making the law permanent the fourth se tion, fixing the penalties for delinquenc: plainly. would have been limited to 1 and Is7%. “But in view of the eighteenth sectior the fourth section is to be construed us though it read: ‘If one-half of the tax herein levied, &c., sPall not be paid before December 1, 1877, and May 1, 1878, and in each succeeding year, ther there shall be aided a penalty of 2 per ce :tum,’ &c. The only effect of the amendment of the third section of the act of 1877 was to change the dates when general taxes fall due, frem December 1 and June 1_ to November 1 and May 1 in each year. The fourth sec- tion of the act of 1878 is the penalty clause, and if the eighteenth section, which de- clares that the act is to remain in force as the tax law, until repealed by Con- gress, is r2ad with it, then, with the dates changed by the act of April 3, 1878, it is plain that the imposition of penalties is not ‘imited to the years 1877 and 18% As showing that this was the intention of Congress, it has several times since 1878 provided that arrears of taxes could be paid at 6 per cent ‘in lieu of the rate of penalties now tixed by law,’ if paid within @ specified time. ‘For the reasons herein stated I am of epinion that the penalty of 2 per cent per month imposed for the non-payment of taxes is legal and collectible. ‘The papers are herewith returned. t —_— > ELECTIONS IN ONTARIO. The Protestant Protective Assooin- tion Was a Factor. TORONTO, Ont., January 8.—Interest in the municipal elections held throughout the province of Ontario yesterday was principally local. The Protestant Protec- tive Association, an organization similar to the A. P. A. in American politics, is very strong in some parts of the province « and had several candiates in the field who were elected. In other districts the P. P. A. casts its strength with the candidate whom it thought most favorable to the reviews. As between a conservative and liberal nominee the former generally secured the >. P. A. vote. In Toronto there was a it in the P. P. A. and as a result Mayor Kennedy, who was the P. P. A. candidate last year, when he had a majority of 4,500 votes, was returned over ex-Mayor Fleming yesterday by only 24 votes. In Hamilton A. D. Stewart, the P. P. A. candidate, was re-elected mayor. Other returns are: Ot- tawa, A. D. Borthwick (cons.), by 93; Lon- don, J. W. Little (cons.), by 130; Kingston, Clark W. Wright (ib.), 200. AN AMUSING INCIDENT. ter Thurston Surprised Hix Fellow Passengers. NEW YORK, January 8.—Lorrin A. ‘Thurston, Hawaiian minister to the United States, was the victim of an amusing in- cident on the trip of the Aurania, on which he was a passenger. Although the child ef New Englard parents, the tropical sun of Hawaii has made Mr. Thurston very brown. During the first half of the voy- age of the Aurania he was compelled to remain in his room on account of seasick ness. His first appearance on the ve was made at a concert last Thursday even- ing. Some one suggested that he make a speech and he promptly arose and bravely delivered an address in the Hawaiian lan- guage. Although no one understood him he re- cetved much applause, though several of the passengers made jocular remarks in English, which it was thought he would not understand. At the request of some of the passengers he sang the national an- them of Hawali. Then an effort was made to Inquire of him why he had not learned English, but the minister only looked at his questioners with a_ blank expression on hts face. Finally the ab- surdity of the affair caused him to burst into a hearty laugh. Then he astonished as well as embarrassed some of his fellow- |. Passengers by delivering a few choice sen- tences in English. Those who were in- clined to chaff the supposed Kanaka thought the shoe was on the wrong foot. How Min‘ Mr. Williams Asks About His Street Bail- way Franchise Bill. The Document Appears to Have Been Mislaid or Lost—He Wants Detinite Action. Representative Williams of Mississipp! has written to the House District commit- tee asking what has been done with a bill which he introduced last June and referred to that committee, which provides that hereafter all street railway franchises and applications for the construction or exten- sién of street railways shall be sold at public auction to the bidder who will give the largest percentage per annum of the gross receipts derived from the operation of the railway. It will be recalled that Mr. Williams made a speech in favor of the proposition carried by this bill when a street railway bill was under consideration in the House last summer. His speech was made upon a motion. to amend the pendirg bill so as to include his proposition. Can’t Find the Bill. At that time Chairman Heard said that he would be inclined to give consideration to Mr. Williams’ plan if it were proposed in a separate bill,, but did not think it ought to carry as an amendment to the pending bill. Mr. Wiliiams’ amendment was therefore defeated, and he subsequent- ly introduced a separate bill. The record cf the District committee shows that the bill was referred to the Commissioners for their action, and that it has not come back from the Commissioners. Inquiry at the office of the Commissioners by a Star reporter today elicited the statement that there is no record of any such bill. The books of the Commissioners do not show that the bill was ever received. Definite Action Wanted. It fs understood to be Mr. Williams’ in- tention to ask that the bill be reported to the House. There is said to be considerable sentiment in the Heuse in favor of re- quiring street railways in this city to give some compensation to the city for the privileges which they are enjoying. As a number of street railway bills are now pending before the committee and the House, it is likely that Mr. Williams will insist upon definite action upon his bill be- fore they are considered. The Metropolitan Company. Senator Gibson introduced a bill in the Senate to amend the charter of the Metro- politan Railroad Company. The bill, which was referred to the District committee, proposes to alter the route of the road at the south and west ends. The first section of the bill provides that the company shall be authorized to omit the laying of an underground electric road on 4 1-2 street from L to O southwest, and in place to lay a track from 4 1-2 and L streets west on L to Water street, then southeast to O, east to 4 1-2, south to P, east to the power house, then returning from the power house on 4 1-2 street by the same route to 4 1-2 and L streets, thence north by the company’s tracks as now located into its depot on 7th street extended. ‘The second section gives the Commission- ers fluthority to designate the route occu- pied by the tracks on Water street. By the third section the road is required to continue underground electric construction of single track at the intersection of O and Soth street, west along O to 36th, south on 36th to Prospect avenue, east_on Pros- pect avenue to h, south on 35th to O, thence east continuing its route as now located. The fourth section of the bill in- creases the board of directors frog seven to nine members. ‘A similar bill was introduced in the House this afterncon by Mr. Rusk of Maryland. Hope for the Bond Issue. Senator Proctor said today that he had hopes that favorable action could be ob- tained before the end of the session on the bill authorizing the issue of $7,500,000 werth of bonds to enable the District Com- missioners to extend the system of stréets and sewers Into the suburbs. This bill is now on the Senate calendar, with a fa~ vorable report from the District committee of the Senate, but with a strong recom- mendation that the House provision, that the entire expense should be borne alone by the District, should be eliminated. Sen- ator Proctor was on the subcommittee having charge of this Dill, and he was considerably interested In the preparation of the report, which argued strongly and at some length to combat the proposition made by the House that the District should bear all of the expens> of such an im- provement. The Senator said today that under no circumstances would the Senate permit such legislation to be enacted. The principle of the government assuming 50 per cent of the expenses of the District of Columbia, he added, is firmly fixed in the laws of the country. It is almost as definite and indisputable as the provisions of the Constitution itself. In view of these facts, he concluded, the Senate would never pass a bill with such a provision. He thinks that action can be had upor. the bend bill before the end of the session with the House provision stricken out, and it is probable that he depends upon a con- ference between the houses to secure the retreat of the House ‘rom its position. +e -___— DENVER’S STRANGE CASE. The Two Prisoners Believed to Be ‘Tools of a French Soctety. DENVER, Col. Januiry 8.—The more the stories told by Alphonso Lemaire, or Charles Guychard, which is his real name, and Victor Monchanain regarding the Mar- ket street strangling cases are invest!- gated the stronger becomes the suspicion that they have been concerned in the in- terest of “Les Chevaliers d'Amour,” the French macquereaux, who have been sus- pected of the murders. Last night Mon- chanain and Guychard were brought face to face. They were questioned, badgered and bullied for four hours. They were also allowed to bully each other. They repeated in detail the accusations they had already made against each other, each punctuating the other's language with ah occasional “You're a liar.”” The two stories, agreeing as they do in so many points, look as though they had been prepared and carefully repeated and carefully rehearsed by Monchanain and Guychard before being told to the detec- tives. Moreover, John W. Willlams, a ne- gro, now comes forward with a statement that ne heard Monchanain and Lemaire discussing in the street the proposed mur- der and robbery of Marie Contassoit, but he says the conversation took place No- vember whereas the murder was com- mitted October 23. Monchanain is a native of Lyons, and has been fifteen years in this country. He has been two years in Colorado, and worked in the Palace Hotel at Cripple Creek before he came to Denver, a year ago last October. He is a carpenter by trade, but claims to have worked at min- ing. Charles Guychard was born at Morlaix, on the Bretagne coast, and has been fol- lowing the s@a during the greater part of his life. He came to America in 18S+. About two months ago Guychard wanted Sergt. McPhee to give him a gun and po- liceman’s badge, as he sald he could fing the strangler. He was drunk at the time, and McPhee threw kim out of the police station. ee ‘The Appeal for “Ba Shea. . ALBANY, N. Y., January 8.—The appeal papers in the case of “Bat’’ Shea, the mur- derer of Robert Ross of Troy on election day last year, have been filed with the court of appeals. What is Said of the Prospects of the Currency Bill. SITUATION IN HOUSE AND SENATE Senator Vest Says the Senate Caucus Made a Mistake. COMMITTEE ON RULES —————— The prospects are all against any finan- cial legislation. It is almost impessible that there should be any. A suflicient number of Senators to defeat It by a fight have determined formally that they will oppose all legislation to the last extrem- ity. The developments of the democratic House caucus yesterday afternoon indi- cate as strongly as possible in ad@vance that the Carlisle bill cannot be got through the House. If one-half the fifty-nine dem- ecrats who voted against the bill in cau- cus continue their opposition its defeat is certain. With a very greatly reduced per- centage of opposition to the measvre among the seventy-seven absentees, forty of the fifty-nine might turn about and vote for the bill without its adoption being secured. Friends of the Bill biscouraged. The friends of the measure are greatly discouraged—almost hopeless. The rule fixing the time for a vote is expected to be brought in tomorrow. Whether it Will be adopted or not is uncertain, but it 1s prob- able that a great many democrats will vote for the rule who could not be got to vote for the bill. A motion to strike out the enacting clause of the bill is expected to be nade as soon as the general debate closes. This will not carry all the strength of the opposition to the bill, as some of it; opponents are disposed to permit it t come to a direct vote. The friends of the bill apprehend, however, that the motion may carry. This would end the whole matter. No Progress in the Senate. The Senate workers have made no prog- ress worth mentioning toward an agree- ment on a measure. The House is looking to the Senate for some plan in case the Carlisle bill fails. Several plans have been devised by Senators and submitted to their colleagues. The Hill plan for the issue of bonds and the coinage of the seigniorage is regarded as the simplest, and the Gorman plan for the issue of bonds on which banks’ notes may be carried to full par value, coupled with a provision for the coinage of $50,000,000 of silver each year, to take the place of all notes below $20, appears to meet with most favor. No plan, however, has failed to excite the opposition of a con- siderable number of the party. Some of the Senators most actively engaged in trying to have something done say that they have little hope of accomplishing more than the presentation of a plan which will have a respectable support, but will not be per- mitted to pass. Silver Men’s Opposition. The silver men will not accept the fifty- million-a-year-coinage proposition. They have already decided not to permit any financial legislation which does not carry free coinage, and a considerable number of the eastern republicans are opposed to per- mitting any financial legisiation that has the character of mere tinkering to make it ap- pear that the democrats are doing some- thing. Mr. Vest on the Situation. Senator Vest is not cptimistic as to the chances of financial legislation by this Congress. ‘The Senator was on his way to the meet- ing of the finance ccmmittee today when asked apeut the story published in some of the morning papers that a compromise bill hi been agreed upon in the Senate. It is all rot,” he said. “I suppose you mean the stuff about a financial measure to be cffered in the Senate by certain dem- ocratic Senators. There is nothing in it. Furthermore, in my cpinion, there is no possitility of passing any financial bill in the Senate. We have no rules, and five Senators can pr-vent action on any Dill during this session. I do not think the re- publicans generally intend to permit finan- cial legistation, but it would be a miracle if a measure could be framed which would practically command the unanimous sup- port of the Senate, and this is necessary. “The only hope for prompt and eificlent action was in the democratic party, and we failed at the outset of the session. In- stead of changing the Senate rules so as to provide for stepping debate and then reso- lutely taking up the financial question and the tariff bills from the House, the demo- cratic caucus of the Senate deliberately r fused to do anything of the kind, but de- termined to consider the Nicaragua canal bill and the bankruptcy bill. The caucus action settled the matter and the subse- quent vote in the Senate made it a finality. thing Will Ke Done. “As matters now arein the Senate noth- ing will be done except by unanimous con- sent. If the yeas and nays could be cailed on taking off the differential duties of one- tenth and one-eightii on sugar the majority would be for the removal, but there is a settled determination that this vote shall not be taken, and if any Senator will find a way to bring about the vote so that the country can see how each man stands, I will follow his leadership to the end. Final Vote on Friday. The committee on rules of the House of Representatives met today with a view of carrying out the instructions of the demo- cratic caucus to frame a rule closing the currency debate. A general understanding was reached that the rule should fix the final vote for Friday next. But the rule itself was not framed, as the committee thought it desirable to let the general de- bate run through today before presenting the rule. It is probable that the rule will not be framed or presented until tomorrow, although another meeting of the committee may be held late today to arrange the text of it. ‘The leading men of the various elements epposed to the Carlisle currency bill (dem- ocrats, republicans and populists) held several informal conferences today with a view to agreeing on a plan for forcing the contest to a speedy close. As a result of the talks the combined opposition may vote against the rule to be reported by the rules coramittee. As the rule is regarded as in- disversable to a passage of the measure the defeat of the rule would be equivalent to a defeat of the bill. The Republican View. Representative Walker of Massachusetts, a republican members of the currency com- mittee, summed up the republican view of the situation thus: “The caucus establishes beyond a doubt that the bill is dead. On the ratio of the caucus vote yesterday, the yete in the House, if every member at- tended, would be 135 for the bill and 221 agairst. But as there will not be a full ai tendance, I estimate the vote as 80 for aad 157 against. The adverse vote includes every republican and populist—122 in all— and many democrats. The number of votes for the bill in caucus 1s its utmost strength.” Demccratic friends of the measure ccntend, however, that this view is inesrrect, and that some members who cpposed it in caucus will vote for it in the House. THE PACIFIC SQUADRON Instructions to Admiral Beardslee to Send His Ships to Sea, But They Must Not Go to Pinces Be- yond Reach of Easy Com- munication, Secretary Herbert has sént instructions te Admiral Beardslee, commanding the Pacific naval station, to send all the avail- able ships of his fleet now- on the Pacific coast to sea as soon as they can be got ready. The disposition of the fleet is left entirely to the discretion of Admiral Beardslee, with the single reservation that they must not be sent to places beyond reach of easy communication. The ves- sels reported ready for sea are the flagship Philadelphia, Mohican, Alert, Monterey and Ranger, and it is expected that they will all leave San Francisco soon on a cruise, in accordance with department instructions. It is said at the department that Admiral Beardslee ean send his ships anywhere on his station that he deems advisable, but that he himself must not be beyond communication for more than a few days at a time. It is aiso said that he was not told to send a ship to Hawail or Samoa, nor was he told not to do so, but the qualification in regard to Keeping in communication will probably prevent his sending a ship to either place. It is freely predicted that he certainly will not do so, under existing con- ditions, unless he recelves specific orders to that end. ‘rhis action of the department, just at this time, is the subject of com- ment, and by the critics of the administra- tion it fs accepted as an attempt on its part to shift the responsibility for the fail- ure to station a warship at Honolulu on the shoulders of Admiral Beardslee. ——_—_---e ‘THE BANKRUPTCY BILL. ‘The Rumor us to Setting Aside the Mearagua Bill Denied. There is getting to be some impatience in the Senate on the part of the champions of other bills over the prolonged debate on the Nicaragua canal bill. The advocates of the bankruptcy bill dre growing espe- cially solicitous, and it was rumored to- day that Senator George, who has the bankruptcy bill in his keeping, would soon attempt to have it taken up, even if in doing so he would have to ask that the Nicaragua bill be displaced. Mr. George pronounced this rumor a8 without founda- tion, but admitted that he had been disap- pointed that the debate ‘on the’ canal bill had continued for such @ length of time. He said that it had been understood when the order as to the congideration of the measure had been agreed upon that the de- bate on the canal bill would not exceed six days. “I shall not attempt to check it,” he said, “but shall be very glad when it is out of the way.» | Senator Morgan sald, after the close of the session yesterday, that he dtd not think there would be a great many more speeches on the canal bill and that he believed that two days more would bring the debate to a close if it could continue, Witgout interrup- tion. “I am,” he said, “as anxious as any one can be to close the debate, but there have been unforeseen delays? Senator George eerie to ee con- siderable‘opposition to the bankruptcy bilt and will not be surprised if the debate on it extends to considerable length, but he says he will push it to a vote as soon as possible after the debate begins, and he is hepeful that the result will be favorable to the bill as reported from the Senate ju- diciary committee, It is understood that the advocates of the Torrey bill will oppose the pending Dill. The fight. will be in a general way between the advocates of vol- untary bankruptcy and those of involun- tary bankruptcy. The pending bill provides only for voluntary bankruptcy, and it is supposed to be in the interest of the cred- itor rather than the debtor class. — SION LAW Pr CODE. Considered at a Special It Will Be House Session This Evening. Representative Martin, chairman of the House committee on invalid pensions, will make an effort to push toenactment before the death of the Fifty-third Congress the bill embodying the codification of the pen- sion acts, which is the ore project most desired by the pension. bureau. The codi- fication has been compiled by Messrs. T. F. Dernis and D. S. Parter, two experts, who are detailed by the pension commissioner for special service with the House commit- tees on invalid pensions and pensions, re- spectively. It is the result-of much work and research, and, if it secures the au- thorization of Congress, will materially lessen the work of pension officials and attorneys. By consent of the House; given yester- day, there will be a special night session tonight for the reading of the bill. In view of its importance its was tleught best not to push the bill through without a reading, but it was not desired to consume as much of the time of the House in its regular hours as would be necessary to read the whole document. It is estimated that the clerk will require four hours to declaim the 140 pages. The sanction of Speaker Crisp has been secured for the measure, and as its passage is earnestly desired by Com- missioner Lochren and Assistant Secretary of the Interior Reynolds, he has promised to recognize Mr. Martin to call it up in the near future. ‘The bill is also on the Senate calendar and members of the Senate committee on pensions are pledged to put forth every effort to secure its consideration. ————-o.___ CUBAN SUGAR. A Satisfactory Arrangement With the Government of Spain. As indicated in the cablegram from Mad- rid, the negotiations between the State De- partment and the government of Spain looking to the restoration of the minimum tariff on American products entering Cuba and Porto Rica have almost reached a sat- isfactory conclusion. This outcome will be received with pleasure by the great ex- porting firms of the east-as welf as by the milling interests of the west, which have seen a large and lucrative portion of their trade threatened with destruction. It is true that some minor details remain to be adjusted, but little difficulty-!s expected in securing their settlement, and’ it is not doubted that the tariff ‘relatiows between Spain and the United States will be re- stored to their old status without resort to any hard measures that might! leave ill- feeling difficult to remove: Concessions te Spat. It appears that in conceding tothe United States the benefits of the minimum tariff Spain has also secured a substantial ad- vantage. Her West Indian colonies ordi- narily supply the United States with about 75 per cent of the sugar imported into the country. With the exception of Hawaii, all of the other great sugar-exporting coun- tries pay a direct or indjfect bounty on sugar exported. Thus t! sugar is liable to a duty of one-tenth of a'cent per pound over and above the 40 per cent duty im- posed on Cuban sugar, and in consequence the Cuban planters practically receive a protection equal to the djs¢riminating duty paid by European sugare, ‘and are so able to control the market of the greatest sugar- consuming country on the globe. —__—_--e. The Flagship Baltimore. The flagship Baltimore arrived at Che- mulpo, Corea, yesterday, FREE COINAGE CRY How It Has Affected the Democrats in the South. THE ONLY HOPE OF THE PARTY Blackburn and Harris Considered Wise in Their Action. PECULIAR STATE OF THINGS o : The prediction is made in silver circles that the action of Senator Blackburn in re- newing his allegiance to free coinage in the very face of the administration’s latest attitude on the financial question will prove to be but the forerunner of similar action on the part of other southern democrats of equal prominence. The necessities of such action are represented as being great, and as growing no less out of the past record of those men as out of a wise and necessary provision for the future. The south, it is asserted, is not now in the humor for com- promises on the silver question, and will be likely to withdraw her commission from any man, no matter how high his reputa- tion or how loyal his past services, who wavers at this time on this‘issue. The Nofth Carvlina Case. In support of this assertion two instances are given: The situation in North Carolina is offered first, because that is believed to afford the most striking illustration of the truth of the whole silver contention. The legislature in that state is on the eve of assembling, and one of its acts will be the reurement of Senators Ransom and Jarvis and the election of a populist and a repub- lican to succeed them, Gen. Ransom has been in the Senate for nearly a quarter of a century and until recently was considered invincible at home. Marion Butler, the populist leader siated for his seat, is young enough to be Gen. Ransom's son and has been prominent in the politics of the state only a very few years. His rise, the silver men claim, has been due almost exclusively to his bold championship of silver. The fact that Gen. Ransom also was a friend of silver was lost, the silver men as- sert, in the later unsatisfactory record of his party, and in his own failure to stand out at the special session in 1803 against the unconditional repeal of the purchasing clause of the Sherman act. Mr. sutler has pledged himself to devote his energies as Senator in every way possible to the re- habilitation of silver as a money metal. The South Carolina Revolution. ‘The second case cited by the friends of silver is the complete revolution effected in Scuth Carolina. This also is ascribed pri- mafily to the unsatisfactory course of the national democracy on the money question. The first rumblings of discontent are said to have been occasioned by the failure of Senators Hamfton and Butler to take a de- cided and advanced stand for silver. Till- man, then an obscure young man, saw his opportunity, tovk this complaint against Hampton and Butler for a basis of action, and founded an opposition party with free coinag2 as its cry. Mr. Butler tacked at last, and during the silver fight at the special session stood on the free coinage course. But it was too late to save him- self. He is to give place to Tillman, whose course as Senator is expected to be gov- erred entirely by the program of the silver men. Situation in Tennessee. Reference is also made to the situation in Tennessee, where Mr. Harris is standing for re-election on a free silver platform. The democracy, though saving the legis- lature, suffered a defeat in that state last fall. The rank and file of the party refused to go to the polls, and only for the reason, as the silver men charge, that the national democracy had done nothing tor silver. The saving of the legislature is accredited to Mr. Harris, who stumped the state, mak- ing renewed expressions of loyalty to silver and pledging a continued devotion to that cause in case of re-election to the Senate. The silver men are confident that upon his return here he will take his place beside Mr. Blackburn, and as he is a member of the Senate finance committee, to which the House bill when it is received will be referred, silver is expected to benefit by whatever he may do. Spreading in Other States. The silver men claim that this spirit is spreading and growing. They are expect® ing it to find controlling expression in all of the southern states. They are declaring that what has taken place in North and South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia and, in a measure, in Alatama, ts on the cards in Kentucky and elsewhere. Mr. Blackburn, as they believe, has wisely di- vined the popular tendency, and is emi- nently wise in his latest silver deliverances. He sees that the populist vote in his state is growing, and that the recruits are com- ing from the ranks of the democracy.There is talk even of an alliance between the Kentucky populists and the Kentucky re- publicans, by which the next election in the blue grass state is to be carried, and the fruits of victory, as in North Carolina, divided between the allies. Such a result would mean the retirement of Mr. Black- burn from political life, and the sending to the Senate in his place of either a straight- out republican, chosen in exchange for some populistic favor at home, or of some populist pledged to assist republican ineas- ures other than silver. A Peculiar State of Affairs. Some of the most experienced men in public life frankly confess that such a state of affairs has never before come under their observation. It is full of in- ccnsistencies, and even the baldest para- dox. The southern combination between the republicans and the populists seems absolutely inexplicable, except upon the score of an effort to supplant the democ- racy in that section with some new party, leaving everything else to the future. The pepulists complain of the democrats be- cause of a failure to enact a free coinage law, and yet are in alliance with the re- publicans, who are pledged to prevent free coinage at all hazards. The republi- cans on their part declare that free coin- age would ruin the credit of the country, and yet are aiding the growth of free coin- age sentiments all over the south. The Nerth Carolina legislature will send two Senators here, one of whom will go into the free coinage camp, and the other into the anti-silver camp. The two men, though receiving their commissions from the same bedy, and as the result of the same popu- lar expression at the polls, will yet cross swords as socn as the senatorial battle begins. The only explanation ofvered that really seems to explain anything is that the alliance has only for its object the destruction of the present leadership of the democracy, both local and national. It is suggested that the populists will consent in the end to make terms with the republicans on the silver question, which they would refuse from the demo- crats. The republicans have always stood for the system of finance they now are advocating, while the democrats, as the populists charge, have promised one thing and now-are endeavoring to compromise on quite another thing. i A Treasury Resignation. Mr. John A. Hutchison of Pennsylvania has resigned his position as confidential clerl: to the supervising architect of the treasury, the salary of which is $6 a day. BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS Progress in the Government Printing Office Improvements. Only One Case of Vandalism at the Monument—What Has Been Done in the Parks. Cri. J. M. Wilson has made a report of operations on public buildings and grounds during the month of December to Gen. Casey, chief of engineers. He says that many minor repairs have been made to the Executive Mansion, and that the building is now in good condition. Repairs were made to the roof, plumbing, gas and elec- tric lights, and to the heating apparatus. ‘The old furniture in the upper corridor and in the blue parlor was reupholstered, and a few additions were made to the bedding, table finen and furniture. Considerable repaire were made to the Washington monument during the month, and it was found necessary to suspend the running of the elevator from the Ist to the 10th ultimo, ‘The elevator was inspected and found in excellent condition, and the same ig true of the engines, notwithstanding they have been in constant use for many years. ‘here was but one case of vandal- ism detected during the month, that of a person cutting his name on the outside of the shaft. ‘(he man was arrested and fined $10 in the Police Court. During the month there were 10,375 visitors to the top of the monument, 7,003 of whom made the ascent by the elevator, and 3,370 by the stairway, making a total of 1,034,308 persons who have visited the top since the shaft was opened to the public, October 9, 1888. Care of the Parks. The usual care and attention was be- stowed on the various parks during the month, ‘I'he propagation of tropical, sub- tropical and vedding plants for use in the parks during the season of 1805 was con- tinued, and all the flower beds were mulched and protected for the winter. The group of evergreens on the south side of Lafayette Square, on the foundetion origin- ally built for the Lafayette statue, has been remodeled, and a number of the shrubs replaced by others of a more or- namental character. ‘The triangular reser- vation at the southeast corner of 14th street and Pennsylvania avenue has been properly graded, and the soil, which had been removed, was replaced by better earth furnished by the contractor for the Colum- bia railway excavation, without expense to the United States. The Printing Office Improvements. In a chapter in regard to the government printing oltice Col. Wilson reports the operations which have been in progress during the month with hired labor, the materials being purchased under Contract. The roof has been removed from the .west section of ‘the southwest fire-proof build- ing, the walls torn down to the lgvel of about five feet above the fourth-story win- dews, some of the window frames reset, the brick work of the walls commenced, the brick piers completed, a temporary false root constructed and the iron columns for the new story and roof placed in posi- tion. In the east section of the building the brick work has been carried just above the level of the floor of the fifth story, and the iron columns, girders and beams placed in position. All the tron for the structure, amounting to about seventy tons, has been received, and the greater portion hauled up to the fourth floor of the southwest build- ing. A large quantity of brick has been removed from the walls ang cleaned for using again. About 45,000 bricks have been laid, a number of stone sills placed in posi- tion, a hoisting apparatus constructed, a cement shed built, and many other minor matters incidental to such work completed. Col. Wilson says that serious delays arose during the month from heavy rains, snows anu excessive cold, so that the work has not advanced as rapidly as had been an- ticrpated. Borings have been made for the foundation of the new structure to be erected between the southwest and south center buildings. An iron pipe driven four- teen feet below the bottom of the founda- tion of the present structures showed a wet sand and gravel, with a little clay. ‘The gravel near the surface was about the size of a hen’s egg, and became smaller as the depth increased. It is proposed during January, if the weather permits, to com- plete the brick walls, the iron work, the wood and iron work of the roof, and to place the floor tiling into position. —_____+-e. Indian Conference. There was no conference today between the department authorities and the Indian agents recently called to Washington for purposes of conference. It was understood that at today’s cabinet meeting Secretary Smith would bring to the attention of the President the desirability of holding a big talk with the agents. It is expected that the meeting will take place within a few days. Capt. Clapp, agent at the Fort Ber- thold reservation, reached the city today and reported at once to Judge Browning, commissioner of Indian affairs. He did not reach Washington in time for the conference which was held at the De- partment of the Interior on Monday, be- cause of railroad delays. He had a pleas- ant chat with the commissioner on the subject of the needs of the Indians of whom he has charge. The agents will begin to leave for their respective homes on Mon- day next. Postmasters Appointed. The total number of fourth-class post- masters appointed today was thirty-four. Of this number twenty-eight were to fll vacancies caused by death and resigna- tions and the remainder by removals. The Virginia appointments were as follow: Grantland, J. C. Holt, vice Sarah E. F. Holt, dead; Slatesville, R. L. Wilburn, vice C. F. Lovelace, resigned; Stokes, Luther A, Rock, vice G. S. Stokes, resigned. F. T. ‘Stockett was appointed at Well- hams, Anne Arundel county, Md., vice Mrs. Annie L. Shipley, resigned. —_——_—_+-2+__. Pensions Granted. Among the pensions granted today were the following: District of Columbia, Char- lotte D. Ohm, Anacostia. Maryland, Geo. 'T. Nelson, Chaptico, St. Mary’s county Isaac Mayhorne, Baltimore; Isabella Usen, Cockeysville, Baltimore county. Virginia, William L. Sowers, Duncan, Floyd county; John Doyle, Elizabeth City; Samuel Boggs, Puncoteague, Accomack county; Richard Reynolds, Chincoteague Island, Accomack county. —_—_——__+-e—. Acting Chief Clerk. During the absence of Mr. Josephus Daniels, chief clerk of the Department of the Interior, at Raleigh, N. C., Mr. Wil- lam H. De Lacy is aeting chief clerk. —_—__-e-__—_. Over a Huréred Drowned. A terrible accident, resulting in great loss of life, has occurred in the bay at Rio Janeiro. The boilers of the steamer Port Nictheroy, which had quite a large party of excursionists on board, exploded and the shock drove the redhot coals in the furnaces in every direction. The steamer caught fire, and a great number of those on board of her jumped overboard to escape the flames. Altogether one hun- dred and twenty persons were drowned. © Treasury Receipts. Nationa: bank notes received for redemp- tion today, $474,803. Government receipts— From internal revenue, $325,017; customs, $921,UN9; miscellaneous, $44,044, HIGGINS IS LEADING Fight for the Delaware Senatorial Nomination. ADDICRS MEN PROFESS CONFIDENCE Massey the Third Man in the Contest. SOME ANTE CAUCUS TALK DOVER, Del., January S.—As the time for the senaterial caucus draws night the fight for the nomination grows more bit- ter. There will be no compromise candi- dite, or, at least, that is what the leaders of the opposing forces say. With the Ad- dicks followers it is “Addicks or nobody,’ and with the Higgins adherents it is the same—“Higgins first, last, and all the time. Charles L. Moore, one of the recognized leaders of the Addicks faction, is sanguine that his candidate will be nominated. He even goes so far as to state that Senator Higgins has no more show of being the caucus nominee than he (Moore) has. Senator Robert J. Hanby of Newcastle county, who, by the way, is the only man from that county who will vote for Ad- dicks, is not so positive of success. He said today that it was a pretty ight between the two, and the race is nip and tuck. Neither Hanby nor Moore would listen to the suggestion of a compromise candidate. The followers of Mr. Addicks say the re- pert that the caucus was to have been held last night originated with the Higgins men. They claim that it was a piece of strategy on their part to attempt to draw out the strength of their opponents. Sena- tor Higgins’ lieutenants, of course, offer @ vigoious denial to the statement. Mr. Moore says there is scarcely a pos- sibility of Mr. Addicks’ defeat. He states that he will be nominated on the first, sec- ond or third ballot. On the other hand, Mr. Higgins’ mana- gers state with apparently the utmost con- fidence that there will be but one ballot, and this will show a substantial majority for the Senator. One of Senator Higgins’ more ardent supporters said today that Mr. Addicks will not have more than five votes at the outside, and in all probability not more than four. He figures this result out thus: Newcastle—Higgins, 8; Addicks, 1; Kent—Massey, 1; Sussex—Higgins, 4}; Addicks, 3; Massey, 1 sure, and possibly 2. Zeke Fleming, the only representative from Kent county, is unqualifiedly in favor of Massey, and will, together with Senator Pierce and Representative Brown of Sus- sex, it is believed, give the world’s fair commissioner from Delaware a compli- mentary ballot. If this table is correct it is hard to seq just where Mr. Addicks expects to draw his support from. If the three members alt ready mentioned decide not to give Mr, Massey a complimentary vote they cannot be counted in the Addicks column, as Flem- ing voted for McMullen, Senator Higgins’ candidate for the speakership, and Senator Pierce is also claimed by Senator Higgins’ friends. From a-purely unbiased standpoint it ts hard to cee just how Mr. Addicks’ lieuten; ants expect to accomplish the defeat of Senator Higgins unless there is some treachery in Sussex county. Leaving Mr, Massey out of the question, the result of the caucus on next Monday evening probably be as follow: Newcastle—Higgins, 8; Addicks, 1. Kent—Higgins, 1. Sussex—Higgins, 3; Addicks, 6. This will give Higgins twelve votes and Addicks seven. Of course, there are liabiq to be changes in this estimate, but they will be very slight. : THE OUTLOOK FAVORS SWEET. Shoup’s Friends, However, Conced Nothing in the Idaho Contest. Speciai Dispatch to The Evening Star. BOISE CITY, Idaho, January 8.—The con- test between Sweet and Shoup over the senatorship is being conducted with great energy on both sides. The general opinion is that Mr. Sweet will be elected, but Mr. Shoup’s friends ccncéede nothing. Mr. Cozier of Blackfoot, the home of Senator Dubois, was elected speaker of the house by acclamation, and Mr. Gwinn was elect- ed secretary by acclamation. Both these men are pronounced friends of Judge Sweet for Senator. The surface indications are that nothing can beat Judge Sweet except the refusal of Mr. Shoup’s friends to go into caucus. The chairman of the republican state committee earnestly advocates a caucus. He says that Sweet has decidedly the ad- vantage. Bassett, the secretary of the state committee, says that Sweet is sure to win, By Associated Press. BOISE, Idaho, January 8.—The senatorial fight is nogy on in earnest. Judge Sweet has submitted a proposition to go into cau- cus providing the necessary twenty-eight required to elect can be secured. No for- nal reply has been made to this proposi- tien. Senator Shoup ts anxious to see the mat- ter settled that way. Gov. McConnell also favors a caucus. A careful canvass shows that some of the friends of both Sweet and Shoup who are willing to vote for their men in open session are not willing to go in caucus. Judge Heyburn has some following and it is rumored that a new man from southeastern Idaho will be in the race. No caucus will be held for some days yet. GATHERING AT CHARLESTON. “Rig Four” Combine in Opposition te Ex-Secretary Fikin: BALTIMORE, Md., January 8.—A special to the News dem.) from Charleston, W. Va., says: Every train brings crowds of delegutes and senators to the capital and when the gavel falls tomorrow a good at- tendance is assured. gMany of the members already here are non-committal on the scnatorial question, and those who do talk declare stoutly for Elkins. The Hutchison-Whitaker-Sturgiss-Floyd, or “Big Four’ combine, shows signs of weakening, as a whole, although Mr. Floyd stoutly maintains that his individual strength is growing. Messrs, Sturgiss, Hutchison and Whit- aker will arrive this evening with a large coterie of followers. These gentlemen have had little or nov ccmmunication of late. Each appears working for himself, which is regarded by the knowing ones as indicating that a split has occurred or will occur wher- opportunity offers. Mr. Elkins’ possible defeat lies in their insep@rable unity. TERMS ACCEPTED. Commodore Smith Cables to Seerctary Grant. NEW YORK, January 8.—The following cablegram was sent to the secretary of the Reyal Yacht Squadron by ex-Commodore James D. Smith, chairman of the America’s cup committee, today: Grant, Cowes: Terms of challenge, as modified by your cable of 7th, are accepted. SMITH, Chairman.