Evening Star Newspaper, January 11, 1895, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, MOL Penasylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th Street, by _ The Evening Star Newspaper Company, 8. H. KAUFFMANN, Pres't. New York Office, 49 Potter Building. oe The Evening served to subscribers in the city by carriers, on their own account, at 10 cents per week. or 44 cents per mouth. es at the counter 2 cents each. By mail—anywhere tn the Vnited States or Canada—postage prepaid—50 cents month, urday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with foreign postage ackled, $2 bhatt at the P - at Washington, D. C., ) # must be paid in advance. aade known on application. Che Lvening No. 13,059. Star. WASHINGTON, D.O., FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1895-TWELVE PAGES. TWO CENTS. TBe proof of te pudding is in f6e eating. Yesterday's Star contained 42 cofumns of adverfisemenfs, marve up of 608 separate announcez ments. Bese advertisers fousht pubficifp—-nof merefp space, SENATOR SHERMAN as Suggestion That He Should Take the Legislative Helm. DEMOCRATS SEEK HIS ADVICE They Did So During the Extra Session in '93. FEELING OF SOUTHERN MEN bien The great pressure being brought to bear on the Senate to take up the financifl prob- lem has its origin, it is believed, in the hope that thereby the influence and expe- rience of Mr. Shermar may come to dom- inate the situation. Some of the most em- nent of the democratic leaders share in this feeling. The President himseif, even, tt is said, would experience a sense of re- » lief if, in some way, the Ohio Senator could be induced to take the legislative: helm at this time. It is not understood that Mr. Sherman is without interest in the situa- tion, or that he is denying himself to any of his democratic friends who approach him for suggestions, But the difference is wide between an adviser and an active leader. What is corsidered absolutely es- sential to success in the present emergency is the combination of the sound adviser and the experienced leader, found to a more marked degree in Mr. Sherman, it is thought, than in any other man in either house ef Congress. And another thing of Moment conceded fs that in the considera- tion of these greater questions Mr. Sher- man invariably sinks the partisan in the Public-spirited legislator. He has heen con- sulted by the democrats as freely almost es by those of his cwn party about both foreign and domestic affairs during the ast eight years, and his views, it is said, jave been accepted as often in the one case as in the other. His Work on the Silver Repeal. This leads to discussion of the part Mr. Sherman took in the repeal of the bullion purchasing clause of the silver act bearing his name. The assertion has always been made in Washington that it was the ad- vice of the Ohio Senator that finally pre- vailed in that fight. His participation in ‘the open debate in the Senate was con- uous, but his principal service, a3 is aimed, was formed in the conferences that were held. Many of these were non- pa nm, and Mr. Sherman took part in them upon the ground that as the ques- tion was one affecting the welfare of the whole country it was his duty to assist Mr. Cleveland fully as much as if the oc- ant of the White House were a repub- Mean. That Mr. Sherman was fully con- sulted during the contest both by Mr. Cleveland and Secretary Carlisle has long been an open secret, and that it was his criticism of the compromise offered by the silver men which induced the President to reject it, and thereby force unconditional repeal in the end, is openly asserted and believed by many of the best informed men in_ political life. It is pointed out that the question pre- sented now is not exactly the question that was presented then. But the leading fea- tures are the same. And, it is admitted, ~ the patriotic feature of the case is the same. Now, as then, the credit of the country is involved, and Mr. Sherman, it is believed, would, upon opportunity ‘given him, respond as readily now as he did then. The difficulty at the special session in 1893 was in bringing the silver men of the south to consent to an issue of a low-rate short-time bond. The government at that time had not been a borrower in the mar- ket for many years, and the southern democrats, always fighting shy of national banks, refused to vote for bonds, upon the ground that the proposition was simply a disguised effort of the banks to perpetuate their existence. Mr. Sherman was willing to vote for coining the seigniorage in the treasury, but insisted on the bond feature, in the interests of keeping up the gold re- «serve. These differences could not be recon- ciled, and the final action taken, which was - @ defeat for the silver men, simply pro- vided for putting a stop to the further pur- chase of silver bullion. Situation Changed on Doth Sides. Meanwhile the goverument has been fcrced Into the open market twice as a bor- rower, and seems on the eve of going in again. A bond issue, while still deplored, does not affect the southern silver men as the bare threat of such a thing eighteen months ago seemed to do. But there fs also a change on the Sherman side of the question. It Is suggested that the simple question of maintaining the gold reserve in the treasury, which occupied Mr. Sher- man at the special session, has now become complicated with the question of revenue. It s stated that Mr. Sherman sees difticul ties in dealing with matters now which did not present themselves then. A tariff bill, which he opposed and still condemns, has been passed, and he ascribes the great- er part of existing embarrassments to that. This puts him in complete accord with the other leaders of his party, and makes his suggestions as to a remedy at this time of greater interest than ever. He insists, in general terms, that both questions must be met. He is still an advocate of keeping the gold reserve intact, and of a low-rate short- time bond, but declares that, at the same time, the currency question must be kept distinct from the question of a sufficient revenue for the support of the government, “and the country be brought to see precisely where the trouble lies. Now or at a Special Session. ‘ It 1's a question much disputed as to whether Mr. Sherman could render the more signal service now, or at a special session of the Fifty-fourth Congress. Called to a quasi-leadership at this time, the fear ig expressed that partisan considerations in other quarters might interfere with his usefulness. It can be stated that many democrats would value his assistance very greatly, and would not for a moment doubt its unselfishness because rendered by a »lican leader to an embarrassed demo- ic administration. But some of the southern men, who have grown up in op- position to every prominent stand Mr. Sher- mon has ever taken, would prefer to see + the Sherman leadership, if essential to solve the problem, exercised in circum- stances of republican control and responsi- bility. These men, therefore, do not look with disapproval on the proposition for an extra session, but rather hold that, all things considered, such a step would be both logical and effective. They do not hesitate to admit that the President and Mr. Sherman are in much closer accord on the money question than the President and southern leaders are, and hence, if it is the Sherman view that, in any part, is to prevail, they think it would be franker and tter ‘to await the day, which need not be distant, when the Ohio Senator, in the full panoply of party leadership, would be able to take the field and carry out in person his own plan of action. It is ad- itted at the same time, however, that the tuation is becoming so grave a delay of only three months might be attended with the most alarming consequences to the business of the whole country. The sug- estion is made that the panic of 1893 de- sloped in less time, and got entirely be- yond the control of Congress. ——— Claims Against Mearagua. Senator Hawley has introduced a resolu- tion In the Senate suggesting to the Prest- dent that the claims of United States citi- zens against the republic of Nicaragua having been long 4 ed) be called to the ‘attention of the government of Nicaragua for proper adjustment and settlement. DISTRICT IN CONGRESS||MPLOQRING AID|4 HAWAIIAN CaABLE/AN EXTRA SESSION Representative Aldrich Appointed on the House Commitee. A: Street Railway Hearing Postponed Because of a Lack of a Quorum —Other Matters. Representative Aldrich of Illinois was to- day appointed to fill the vacancy on the House District committee occasioned by the death of Representative Post. Mr. Aldrich was selected for appointment to this position as being thought to be pe- culiarly adapted to the work on account of his previous connection with the municipal affairs of a great city and his familiarity with city government. Mr. Aldrich fs from Chicago and was president of the board of county commissioners during the period when the sweeping reforms in municipal matters of that city were inaugurated in Is He was also a member of the county board of education and was chairman of the citizens’ committee appointed by the business men to secure the passage of the act which brought about the better drain- age of the city. He served as commissioner of public works for two years. Mr. Aldrich’s familiarity with the ques- tion of drainage will serve him in good turn when the bond issue bill comes up again and the needs of a new sewerage sys- tem for Washington are discussed. s A Hearing Postponed. Owing to the lack of a quorum, the sub- committee on railways of the House Dis- trict committee failed to take up today the question of the proposed street railway on F, G and 22d street northwest. The presi- dent and attorneys of the Washington and Georgetown, the Columbia and the Mctro- politan railway, together with prominent directors of those roads, were present to present their claims if a meeting were held. The Columbia and the Washington and Georgetown roads are contesting for the privilege of laying the road on F and G@ streets, snd the Washington and George- town propcses to exterd it along 22d street. In the medntime many property owners and residents on 22d street are objecting to any road at all on their narrow street. At- torney T. Percy Myers was present with what he said was a list of protests from 132 out of 158 residents on 22d street, which he was ready to file, if the committee took the matter under consideration. Among the others present were Mr. C. C. Glover, Mr. ©. C. Green, Mr. Enoch Totten, Mr. Na- thaniel Wilson, Mr. E. G. Davis and Prest- dents Baker, Phillips and Dunlop. ‘The subcommittee postponed the hearing until next Tuesday at 10 o'clock a.m. It is probable that the vacancy on the subcom- mittee on railways, occasioned py Mr. Post's death, will be filled by the appoint- ment of Mr. Babcock. The Washington and Maryland R. R. Company. The District committee of the Senate held a meeting today, the first In several weeks. There were present Senators Har- ris, Faulkner, Hunton, Gibson, McMillan and Proctor. The greater part of the time was taken up in the discussion of Senate bill 2361, to incorporate the Washington and Maryland Ratiway Company. Previ- ous to the meeting Mr. J. Kesley Schoepf called at the committee room and stated this company,which he represents, is eager to go ahead and build the road between Washington and Ealtimore. The charter, however, expires in February, and a rein- corporation is necessary to allow the com- pany to build. Some question has been raised as to the amount of stock and bonds to be issued by the company, and it is stated by the officials of the road that the $200,000 authorized in the original act is not enough. The amount will probably be reaised to $450,000. Senators Faulkner and MeMillan were given charge of the bill and they went to work upon it this after- noon with a view of getting it into shape before a favorable report is made to the Senate. The District Commissioners have recommended a number of amendments and these will be considered by these Sen- ators this afternoon. The Srow and Ice Bill. Senators Hunton, Gitson and Hans- brough were directed to further examine Senate bill 1921, for the removal of snow and ice from the sidewalks, and so forth, and then to make a favorable report to the Senate. This bill directs each house- helder to remove the snow from the paved sidewalks opposite the houses within the first four hours of daylight after the fall has ceased under the penalty of $1 for each lot, to be paid by owner or tenant who may so neglect to remove the snow.The Commis- sioners may direct owners or tenants, un- der a like penalty, to remove all dirt, sand, gravel or other refuse matter that may fall or be washed upon any paved side- waik or alley, five days’ notice being re- quired from the Commissioners. In case the sidewalks are covered with ice the owners or tenants shall cause them to be strewn with ashes, sand or sawdust, under penalty of $1 for each lot. In case the owners or tenants shall neglect or refuse to remove snow, ice or dirt, and so forth, the Commissioners may cause such re- moval to b2 made and assess the cost against the property as a tax. It is to be the duty of the Commissioners immediately after every fall of snow to cause it to be removed from the cross walks to a width of ten feet and from the gutters to a breadth of one foot, and to keep the cross walks sprinkled with sand or sawdust whenever they may be covered with ice. It is to be the duty of the superintendent of public buildings and grounds imme- diately after a fall of snow or sleet to eause the sidewalks and cross walks through and around the public parks to be, removed to allow pedestrian travel. It is also to be his duty to visit each public park personally or by deputy as soon as pessible after any snow or sleet storm and carefully inspect the work. Senator Faulkner was directed to make a favorable report upon Senate resolution 119, which provides for the care and distribu- tion of the statutes relating to the District of Columbia recently compiled by Mr. Will- fam Stone Ebert under the authority of Congress. This resolution details a number of copies to be given to the courts and in- stitutions in the District. The committee adopted an amendment providing that ten copies shall be given to each District com- mittee of Congress. Senate bill 2449, for the relief of Mrs. F. W. Wallace, was favorably considered by the committee, and later in the day was re- ported to the Senate as passed. It exempts from all water-main assessment certain property of Mrs. Wallace in Brookland. The Dollar Gac Bill. The subject of the bill known as the “dol- lar gas bill” was brought up in the com- mittee and it was decided that further hearing should be granted on the subject, particularly to the representatives of the gas company. Accordingly, Senator Hun- ton, who is chairman of the subcommittee having the bill in charge, directed that notices be sent to President J. R. McLean of the Washington Gaslight Company and Mr. F. P. B. Sands that a hearing on this bill will take place in the District commit- tee rooms next Tuesday at 2:30 o'clock. ‘This is House bill 4279, and Senators Faulk- ner and McMillan are associated with Mr. Hunton on the subcommittee. % Estimate for Read. An estimate of $15,000 has been sent to Congress by the Smithsonicn Institution for a road into the Zoological Park from the Holt mansion entrance to connect with the roads now in existence. Statue for Prof. Gro: A bill has been introduced In the House by Mr. Clarke of Alabama granting per- mission for the erection in Washington of a bronze statue of Professor Samuel D. Gross and appropriating $1,500 for a pedes- tal for the statue. fz What the House Democrats Want of the Republicans. THEY WILL GIVE REASONABLE HELP Two Things Suggested, a Tax on Beer and Low Rate Bonds. WHAT MR. DINGLEY SAYS The republicans of both houses of Con- gress have notified the democrats that they will assist in any reasonable, safe and non- partisan relief*of the condition of the gov- ernment. Those who are known as the sound money democrats, representing the administration, have gone to the leading republicans in both houses and appealed to them with arguments of patriotism to help save the country. Mr. Springer has gone from man to man among the republican leaders in the House imploring their assist- ance. The republicans informed him that there had never been any time when they would not readily have given all the assist- ance in their power to sccure legislation which, in their judgment, would be bene- ficial to the country, and that they were ready now to do anything not opposed to their principles. Anything reasonable they would accept, but two things they suggest- ed—one, an increase of revenue, either by an additional tax on beer or a horizontal increase of custom duties of five, ten, fif- teen or any per cent, or, both; the other, an authorization for the issue of low-interest bonds, to be used both as a basis of cur- rency and to meet any deficiency in the revenue until there should be an increase in the receipts. What Mr. Dingley Says. Representative Dingley of Maine said to- day that the republicans would vote for either cr both of these propositions. “The trouble is that the democrats tried to make a partisan measure to meet a question which should have been approached with nothing but patriotic sentiments. Having failed to unite their people on the propo- sition—a thing as difficult as mixing oil with water—they have come to us for as- sistance. The republicans are willing to do now just what they have been willing to do from the first. We will vote to increase the tax on beer so as to raise $30,000,000, and a bill fcr this purpose can be casily passed through both houses of Congress. ‘The democrats know this and have kuown it all along. Why they have not resorted to it as a means of relieving the situation, is not explained, unless they are under some sort of obligation growing out of the last campaign. The republicans would be very glad to aid in both the increase of the beer tax and a provision for the issue of bonds. ‘The bonds would afford an immediate re- lief and the increased revenue from beer might be sufficient to meet the demands of the government. If it is thought not, we will vote for any other necessary in- crease of revenue. A horizontal increase of customs duties would probably be the most prompt and effectual way of meeting the deficiency which recent legislation has caused.” The Ways and Means Committee. The House committee on ways and means at their meeting this morning failed to take any action for the increase of the revenue. The proposition to increase the tax on beer to the extent of $1 a barrel was brought up and immediately referred to a sutcommittee. The question of the repeal of the one-tenth of a ¢ent discriminating duty on sugar coming from countries pay- ing bounty was also referred to a subcom- mittee. What little was said on the subject indicated a general opposition from the democrats of the committee to the in- creased beer tax, and some opposition to any action on the sugar question. The majority of the committee still profess con- fidence in the revenue-producing qualities of the Wilson-Gorman law, if it is givea time. They reported adversely the Pence resolution calling for information of the Secretary of the ‘Ireasury as to the state of the revenues, and what should be done to secure any increase necessary. Democrats of Both Wings. The men in Congress who can, strictly speaking, be called administration men are in favor of taking advantage of the propo- sition mede by the republicans to form a sound money alliance and attempt to pro- cure a financial measure which will entirely ignore the demands of the silver men.Démo- crats who most agree with Cleveland's fin- ancial views, while disclaiming any special inclination, say that they are satisfied he would never sign a bill, even under the pressure of emergency, one feature of which was an extension of benefits to silver beyond the coinage of the seigniorage. They are firm in the opinion that he would not consider the proposition for the un- limited coinage at market rates. ‘The free silver republicans of the Senate have refused to consider this same proposi- tion of unlimited coinage, unless they are assured in advance that if they did agree to it Mr. Cleveland would sign the bill. AN IRRIGATION CONFERENCE To Be Held at the State Department Tomorrow. ‘A conference will be held at the State Department tomorrow on the subject of the storage and use of the waters of the Rio Grande river for irrigation purposes. It is expected that the governments of Mexico and the United States will act to- gether oa this matter and that the Presi- dent will shortly appoint a national com- mission to act in conjunction with a simi- lar Mexican commission. Tomorrow's con- ference is for the purpose of considering the best course of procedure in the matter. Minister Romero will attend as the repre- sentative of the Mexican government. Sec- retary Greshim will represent the United States. There will also be present Col. A. G. Mills and Maj. Dutton of the army, who are perfectly familiar with the situation along the Rio Grande by reason of long service in that region. .Col. Mills is a mem- ber of the international commission, en- gaged in the work of marking the boundary line between the two countries. Mr. Juan S. Atwell cf El Paso has also been invited to attend as the representative of the resi- dents of that section of Texas. Generally it is proposed to devise some plan by which the flood waters of the Rio Grande may be stered for use during the long dry spell in summer. Large property interests are also involved in the settlement of the many questions at issue. —__—_-2.+___ TODAY'S CABINET MEETING. The Financial Situation the Main Topic of Discussion. The financial situation is understood to have been the main topic of discussion at today’s cabinet meeting. The poor pros- pect of remedial currency legislation at the present session of Congress and the steady loss of gold are said to give the President and his advisers serious con- cern, but what they propose to do to im- prove the situation has not been dis- closed. All the members except Secretary Morton were present at today’s meeting. Mr. Hitt Thinks It Should Be Controlled by the United States, Disadvantages in Case of War With a British Cable Pointed Out— A Subsidy Favored. The recommendation made by President, Cleveland to Congress that the United States give its consent to the construction of a cable to Hawaii by Great Britain does not find favor among republican members of the House. Representative Hitt of Illinois, who is recognized as the republican leader in the House on foreign affairs, said today that he fully agreed with the President that the Hawaiian Islands should have the benefits of telegraphic communication with the world at large, but was strongly opposed to putting their cable facilities under con- trol of any government but the United States. In the Fifty-first Congress Mr. Hitt offered an amendment to the diplomatic and consular appropriation bill providing for a survey of a feasible route for a cable between Hawaii and San Francisco, and for the preliminary steps toward the or- ganization of a company. On the grounds of economy the proposition was defeated by a small majority, the attendance being light. Favors a Subsidy. Mr. Hitt is still in favor of a subsidy for a Hawaiian cable. ‘The United States,” he says, “controls most of the commerce with the islands, and should control any cable company that is to be under govern- ment domination. With a British cable this government would be under great dis- advantages in case of war or grave inter- national difficulties. “Doubtless Americans would be free to use the cable for commercial purposes, but it is doubtful whether we would be per- mitted to send messages in cfpher, and no treaty arrangement would be practicable by which this government would have the privileges of communicaticn for naval pur- poses in time of war or other troubles. “Great Britain maintains a cable Letween Bermuda and Nova Scotia, which does not begin to pay for its maintenance,” he said by way of Illustration. “Bermuda is a great strategical point, with a powerful fortress. Americans can order onions by that cable, but Secretary Herbert could not request one cf our ships to. put dynamite on a British vessel and blow her up, in the event that such a proceeding was deemed advisable.” ‘This was, of course, said to illustrate his point. Had there been cable communica- tion with the United States the complica- tions in Hawail of the past two years would have been greatly simplified and partly averted, Mr. Hitt says. He declares it to be a doubtful form of economy to ex- pend $25,000,C00 annually for the mainte- nance of a navy_and neglect comparatively small expenditures for the control of ves- sels, by which they could be effectively handled and kept under working orders by the home government. MORE MEN FOR THR SAVY. Ships That Cannot Be Pst Into Com- misstun for Lack af Crews, An increase in the foree’ of enlisted men in the navy is one of the st pressing reeds of that service at the present time. ‘The cruiser Mohican, at the Mare Island navy yard, has been repérted entirely ready for active service at sea, but she cannot be put in commission for the very good reason that there are no available sailors at the disposal of the department for that purpose. The unemployed contin- gent of enlisted men was exhausted in the detail for the cruiser Olympia, also on the Pacific cvast. There were only men enough for one ship, and it was decided to commission the Olympia in preference to the Mohican. The cruiser Boston, which has gained a world-wide reputation through her connection with the revolution in Ha- wall, is in almost the same condition as the Mohican. She is in complete repair and awaits only a crew i order to be transferred to the active list. She will probably be put in commission before her older consort, it having been determined to man her with the crew of the flagship Chicago, as soon as that vessel returns to New York from the European station and is put out of commission to reseive extensive repairs to her machinery ‘intended to ma- terially increase her speed power. It will be several weeks, however, before the de- partment can utilize the crew of the Chi- cago, as that vessel will not start for home until she is relieved of duty in the Medi- terranéan by the new flagship of that sta- tion, the San Francisco, which has not yet started on her journey across the Atlantic. She is now completing her outfit at New- port, and will probably start for Europe in a few days. Another vessel ‘that could be utilized for active service if there were men to man her fs the battle ship Maine, at New York. From present indications it will be a long time before she can be placed in commission. The additional number of men required to properly man the new ships is 2,000, and Congress has been re- peatedly urged to authorize such an in- crease. This number is based on the actual necessities of the service in the event that the department puts all of its new ships in commission. In view, however, of the uncertainty of favorable legislation by Con- gress on the bill now before it, it has been suggested that the department reduce its requisition to 1,000 or even 500 men. SMALLPOX SUSPECTS. Two Cases of This Sort Being Ex- amined Today. There were two smallpox suspects this morning to be looked after by the health cfficials, and before noon it was definitely determined tkat one of the patients, a colored man, in Union alley, did not have the disease. He was very ¢ick, and erup- tions had appeared, but his ailment was not smallpox. The other case, a patient in Prather’s alley, was found with a fever. There had been a case of typhoid fever in the house and it was thought that is the cause of this patient's sickness. The phys- icians failed to find any evidence of small- pox, althcugh they will pay anether visit to the house tomorrow and see the patient before determining upon the case. The houses from which smallpax patients have been taken are still being watched by special policemen to prevent the spread of the disease as much as:possible, and ex- Policeman Ossie Klinger is one ef the men so employed. He fs the man who assisted Sergt. Daley in his work in South Wash- ington and who was dismissed: from the force after charges had been» preferred against him. Although he now wears a Policeman’s badge his powers are limited and his duties are confined to watching a particular house. o —_—._— Nominaticns by the President. The President today sent the following nominations to the Senate: Postmasters—I. K. Deckard, Middletown, Pa.; Joha J. Kinney, Gallitizen, Pa.; Frank P. Bennet, Bridgeton, Me.}.Samuel Welch, Somersworth, N. H.; race Bullock, Georgetown, Col.; David 9. Stone, How- arden, Iowa; Thos. F. Danaher, Forest City, Iowa; Alexander Charles, Cedar Rap- ee Iowa; Ella L. Kempe, Montevideo, inn. Be ‘War—Lieut. Col. Wm. Winthrop, deputy judge advocate general, ta.be colonel and assistant judge advocate ‘general; Major Edward Hunter, judge advocate, to be deputy judge advocate general, with rank of lieutenant colonel; First Lieut. Enoch Herbert Crowder, eighth cavalry, to be major and judge advocate. A General Impression That One Will Be. Held. PARTY LEADERS DO NOT THINK 90 They Have Received No Intimation From the President. NO AUTHORITY TO SPEAK While there has been no further declara- tion or intimation coming from the admin- istration than that circulated two or three weeks ago, the conviction that there is to be an extra session of the Fifty-fourth Congress has become fixed in the minds of nearly every one in Congress. So general is this conviction that the subject of dis- cussion is the question of how early the session will be called, rather than of whether there will be such an extra ses- sion. ‘his, of course, is based upon the assumption that there will be no financial legislation, and this assumption is thor- oughly warranted by a canvass of the opponents to the Carlisle bill, based upon the vote by which that measure was knocked™out of the House. A careful can- vass shows that the vote on the rule was the very strongest which the friends of the measure could secure, and that if the bill had been permitted to come to a vote about elghty democrats would have voted against it, or in the neighborhood of forty more than voted against the rule. Not Authorized to Speak. Emphatic denial is made by all the dem- ocratic members of the House committee on gules of the reports which have been in circulation that President Cleveland had authorized one of them to make it known that an extra session of Congress would be called if currency legislation was not ef- fected by the present Congress. There is much general talk of an extra session and the statement that the President has au- thorized the announcement probably arises from this. Speaker Crisp, the senior member of the rules committee, sald: ‘There Is no truth in the report that the President has au- thorized such a statement nor has he given any intimation so far as I know that an extra session would be called: I have not seen him of late except at the reception to the diplomatic corps last night when there was, of course, no reference to public busi- ness.”” Mr. Catchings, another members of the rules committee, said: “The report is un- true, so far as I am concerned. I have not seen the President and have heard nothing from him on the subject of extra session.” Representative Outhwaite, the remaining democratic member of the rules committee, said: ‘I have not seen the President ex cept in the crowd at the reception last night, and I have not the remotest intima- tion from him or any one else that an extra sessicn will be called.” The Rumor Discredited. Chairman Springer of the banking com- mittee says: “The President has not di- rectly or indirectly stated or intimated that he was even considering the question of an extra session. The report is based entirely on current gossip.” = Mr. Hall of Missouri, who has conferred with the President of late, says he does not believe the report. Mr. Straus of New York says: “I do not believe it is true that the President has made such a statement. He does not make advance announcements of his purposes. I think there will be an extra session, but it js my individual view, and such views among members have started the report.” It is impossible to secure any contirma- tion in the Senate of the report that the President has decided upon a call for an extra session in case of failure to pass a currency bill. Among a large number of democratic Senators spoken to not one was found who could give any confirmation whatever to the report. Senator Vilas, who is provably closer to the President than any other Senator, said that he not only could not confirm the ex- tra session story, but that he believed it to be without authority. Senator Hill also said he had heard nething to confirm the report, as did various other democratic leaders. —______+e+_____ THE CRUISER ATLANTA. Some Surprise Here That She Has Gone to Bluefields. ‘The cruiser Atlanta left Key West, Fla., yesterday. In reporting her departure, Ad- miral Meade, commanding the North At- lantic squadron, said the vessel was going to Bluefields. This intelligence caused gen- eral surprice at the Navy Department, in- asmuch as Admiral Meade had been in- structed to send her to Belize and other ports in Honduras, to see that American in- terests were not jeopardized by domestic conflicts reported as imminent in that coun- try. Admiral Meade has been asked for an explanation. The matter is rot serious. There is no special call for a warship at Honduras, and, in case one is needed, Blue- fields is not very far away. The Atlanta's orders*iacluded a short visit to Bluefields prior to her joining the rest of the squad- ron in the Caribbean sea for fleet evolu- tions. It was understood, however, at the department that the vessel would first visit Honduran ports on her cruise to Bluefields, and such may possibly be Admiral Meade’s purpose. He may not have thought it necessary to menticn proposed intermedi- ate stopping places, or it may possibly have been decided to change the order so as to visit Bluefields first and then go to Hon- duras on her way back to join the fleet. At any rate, that is the way several Navy Department officials, who think the matter susceptible of satisfactory explanation, look at it. Otherwise Admiral Meade may be subject to rebuke for a technical disobedi- ence of orders. —_—___—_+e+____. DWINDLING GOLD BALANCE. It is Now Reduced to the Sum of 77,474,410. The dwindling gold balance of the treas- ury received a severe shock today by the withdrawal of $2,300,000 from the New York subtreasury for export. This is in addition to the $1,200,000 withdrawn yes- terday, and reduces the gold balance from $80,974,410, as last reported, to $77,474,410. These figures naturally revive the gossip of another bond issue to recoup the loss of gold. ————_+-e+—______ Overproduction in European Mills. According to a report to the State De- partment from United States Consul Gen- eral Max Judd at Vienna, the European paper mills are suffering from an over- production. At an international congress, held in Antwerp last October, they decided to form a vast international union to regu- jate the trade and prevent the over produc- tion. Although definite plans were not de- termined upon the general opinion was that the best way to regulate the produc- tion was to close the factories on Sundays and to form a syndicate for the sale of the paper. Neither England nor Germany were represented. THE NEW MEDICAL BILL A General Expression of Opinion as to Iis Merits Brought Out in a Public Hearing Be- fote the Commissioners Today. At 11 o’clock this morning the Commis- sioners heard those persons who are inte>- ested in the new medical bill as proposed by Health Officer Woodward,which has hereto- fore been published in detail in The Star. There was quite a gathering of medical men in the board room when Commissioner Ross called the hearing to order. Dr. Bu- sey asked if the Commissioners had agreed upon any bill, to which the Commissioners replied that they had not. Then Dr. Custis, president of the Homeopathic Society, was recognized and said: “We are confronted by three bills, the first emanating from the Medical Society of the District_of Columbia and named by physicians Dr. Busey’s bill; the second, the bill which I had the honor to submit as a substitute for that, and the third, the bill which is known as Dr. Woodward's Dill, upon which we have asked a hearing. “To analyze Dr.-Wocdward’s bill, he pro- vides a board of supervisors made up of the presidents of the three boards of medical examiners, one of which is called “‘th board of medical examiners, and in addition to these presidents, two other members are to be selected. Through the newspapers we are told that the additional members may or may not be physicians. This needs no comment. If they are not physicians they cannot be competent judges of the qualifi- cations of a physician. If they are physi- clans it appears to us that possibly they might be of the “old,” or “regular,” school of practitioners, and in that time we might be led into temptation by having the extra members of our own school. Objections Raised. “Now, Mr. Commissicners, the boards of medica’ examiners previded for by this bill, it is hoped, will be compcsed of rep- rescniative men, representing on the part of all schools the greatest intelligence, greatest experience, and, censequently, the greatest liberality. And yet, by the bill the doctor proposes, thuse members are simply clerks. The application for examination must be made to the board of supervisors, the board to which the applicant shall ap- ply for examination is designated by the board of supervisors, the questions which are to be asked of the applicant are ap- proved by the board of supervisors, the an- swers to the questions are subjected to a reviewal by the board of supervisors. As the supervisors have all power, the boards of medical examiners become merely clerks. And yet this bill proposes that such ex- aminers shall represent the best of each school. True, it only provides that they od standing, and, us to say it, they there make the greatest mistake in their bill, because we believe that the Medical Society of the District of\Columbia repre- sents all that is best in the ‘regular’ school of practice, and those who are not eligible for membership in that society, although they may be competent to practice, are not eligible for membership on a board of med- ical examiners which is to stand before the country as representing the District of Columbia.” a “As I heve said, we will meet any of these gentlemen in any standard they may raise, but we are not willing to place our rights in their hands, whether it b> undar the guis2 of a board of supervisors or a composite board for the examination of can- didates, in which we are a minority. Let each school, which has risen to the dignity of recognition by Congress, attend to its own affairs, so long as it meets the stand- ard which you may set for all.” Dr. Busey’s Answer. Dr. Busey replied briefly. He said in the beginning that the gertleman was in er- ror in attributing the bill to him. It was not Dr. Busey’s bill that had been present- ed to the Commissioners, but the bill of the Medical Society, over which he had the honor to preside. The bill, as he stated at the time, was really intended to represent the abstract opinion of the Medical Society. He did not think for a moment that the b:M would be adopted, but the society pre- ferred to come before the Commissioners and Congress representing no compromise measure until scme compremise had been agreed upon. The Medical Society of the District was willing to give its approval to any bill now in operation in any of the states. What the society desired was a medical bill which weuld protect the citi- zens against charlatans and quacks. That such a bill was needed no one denied. It was an absolute necessity. He said there was practically no differ- ence in the objects of Dr. Custis and him- self, but they were going about the matter differently. He did rot think that it was a wise provision as set forth in the bill drawn by Dr. Custis, providing for sepa- rate examining boards, and thought that such a thing if embodied into a law would not change the present conditions. Under uch a section each board would have the right to examine applicants and decide as to their fitness. As for him, he believed the only direct way to select competent men was to take them from the several medical societies. However, there were a number of competent men who were not in any society, some of whom could not get in, and he was willing to trust the Commissioners to select the members of the examining board, belicving that they are perfectly competent to do so. The Commissioners promised to take the matter under serious consideration and a report upon the bill is expected within a few days. Among those present were Drs. Busey, W. W. Johnson, Woodward, G. Wythe Cook, Reyburn, Stone, Magru- der, Custis, Stearns, Prentiss and. Sowers. pone Sosa NAVAL CADETS. They Are Not Subject to Trial by General Court-Martial. A singular state of affairs of long stand- ing in the navy, and the existence of which was emphasized in the most embarrassing way in the recent investigation of the case of Cadet Dennett, is that naval cadets are not subject to trial by general court-mar- tial. All misdemeanors committed by them are investigated by summary courts and the result is placed before the academic board, which in turn reports the case, with its recommendation, to the Navy Depart- ment. In the case of Cadet Dennett the board reported him guilty of the offense of “gouging” at an examination, or, in other words, copying from the papers of another cadet, and recommended his dismissal. He appealed from this judgment, and, through the influence of powerful friends, induced Secretary Herbert to reopen the case and give it a personal hearing. This was done and the hearing occupied the attention of the Secretary for several days to the ex- clusion of other departmental business. The case is still before the department, awaiting the completion of the stenographic report of the evidence and arguments sub- mitted. One of the results of this case is that the Secretary has requested the en- actment of legislation which will authorize the Navy Department to extend the juris- diction of general courts-martial to naval cadets, whether at the Naval Academy or on board ship. In the event of the passage of such legislation, it is contemplated that the exercise of the power of ordering gen- eral courts-martial will be conferred upon the superinterdent of tht Naval Acadgmy ard upon officers in command of naval squadrons. es Landed at Ellis Island in ’94. NEW YORK, January 11.—John E. Moore, landing agent at Ellis Island, has that during the year gers arrived and 188,164 steerage passen- gers landed at Ellis Island. TAKING OF KAIPING Thirty Thousand Chinese Defeated by the Japanese. REINFORCEMENTS FOR THEIR SUPPORT The Invading Army Welcomed by the Inhabitants. THE ADMIRAL’S COMMANDS YOKOHAMA, January 11.—An official dis- patch says that Major General Nodzu’s di- vision began an attack upon the Chinese position at 5:30 a. m. yesterday. By 9:30 a.m. Kaiping was taken. The Chinese fied toward Hai Shaik Sal, with the Japanese in pursuit. The first army was welcomed by the in- habitants, while moving its headquarters to Shenyen, with manifestations of strong desire to remain under Japanese rule. Dispatches from Kin Chow received this morning say that Japanese scouts report that a large force of Chinese is moving down to support the Kaiping force, which has retired toward New Chwang. At Kaiping the Chinese numbered 30,000 men, and they had twelve guns. About 200 Chinese were killed; the number of wound- ed Chinese is not known, About 150 pris- oners were taken. The Japanese casualties are not stated. Admiral Freemantle’s Orders. Mr. Kurino, the Japanese minister, sald today that the legation was without in- formation of any intention on the part of Japan to move against Shanghai or to at- tempt to ascend the Yang-tse-Kiang river, and that it, of course, also knew nothing of the reported orders to Admiral Free- mantle of the British navy to prevent Japanese forces ascending the river named. It is believed here that Japan will not attempt any such move, and hence that there is no occasion for action on Admiral Freemantle’s part. Shanghai, naturally, weuld be greatly concerned over any ru- mors bearing cn the occupancy of the Yang-tse-Kiang, since it would demoralize the city’s immense trade to have the river blockaded. Grave international complications would resvlt should Japan interfere with ccom- merce at Shanghai, and it was for this reason principally thit Japan some time ago gave notice of its purpose not to in- terfere or in any vay molest Shanghai or the treaty ports. In making this agreement with Great Britain and other nations Japan insisted that these ports should not be made the seat of Chinese warlike operations. It is thought that the various reports concern- ing a purpose not to keep this agreement have their origin in charges made in the Japanese newspapers alleging that Shang- hai was being used as a base for warike preparations against the Japanese in viola- tion of its obligation to remain neutral. No official communication on this sub- ject has been received here, and it is un- knewn whether or not the government has called attention to the newspaper charges. — FRENCH BEAT THE HOVAS. Latter Driven From Positions Out- side of Tamatave. TAMATAVE, Madagascar,December 28.— The French have bombarded Fara-Fatra, about four miles inland from Tematave. The Hovas answered with seven gurs, but the French weré successful and the Hovas retired with heavy loss. The following are the details of the en- gagement: At 8 o'clock Jn the morning the French cruisers Primanguel, Du Petit, Thuras and Papin, supported by two guns in a shore battery, opened fire upon the Hova positions outside of Tamatave. At 11 o'clock in the morning the Hovas re- plied with the seven guns mentioned, but they were badly aimed and their projec- tiles did not reach the French ships. The firing ceased about an hour later, the Ho- vas having suffered a serious loss. The cruiser Primanguel sailed away later in order to occupy Mojanga. ES THREE PERSON S ASPHYXIATED. An Overturned Gas Stove in a New York Tenement. NEW ‘YORK, January 11—Two men and @ boy, who were on the lookout for bur- glars, were suffocated by gas this morn- ing in a room on the third floor of the teuement house 343 Grand street. The dead are Jacob Rosenberg, aged thirteen; Abraham Bersan, aged twenty-two years, and Joseph Jacobson, aged twenty-five years. An overturned gas stove caused the tragedy. The flat in which the men were suffocated while asleep is occupied by Jacob Rosenberg, the father of the dead boy. He is a butcher, with a shop on Hes- ter street. Some time ago the flat was robbed, and Rosenberg decided to have his workmen, Bergan and Jacobson, sleep there to guard against burglars. Young Rosenberg slept with the men. A few minutes after 4 o'clock this morning when another em- ploye from the butcher shop came to wake Rosenberg he smelled gas coming from the rcom wherein the three men slept. The dcor was burst open and all were found dead in their beds. The gas stove in the rcom had been overturned and the pipe by which it was connected with the jet had been broken. —_—_——_—_ ESCAPED THE GALLOWS. Sentences of Execution on the Scaf- fold Cummuted. CHARLESTON, S. C., January 11.—Lin- coln Grant was under sentence to be hang- ed today at Mt. Pleasant for the murder of Jack Manigault. The sentence has been commuted to life imprisonment, and noti- fication of it reached Sheriff Morrison at almost the ast moment necessary in order to save Grant's life. WINSBORO, Tex., January 11.—Peter Hall, colored, who was to have been hang- ed today at Quitmaa, the county seat of this (Wood) county, was respited by Gov. Hogg and the venalty commuted to life imprisonment. Given a Respite. GUTHRIE, O. T., “anuary 11.—Jchn Mul- ligan, the negro -nurderer under sentence to hang at Oklahoma today, was reprieved for six days by Acting Gov. Lowe last night. ——— Senator Hill on Dinners. BALTIMORE, Md., January 11.—Control- ler Eckels, Senatcrs Gibson and Dubois and Representatives Tucker, Allen, Bynum, Craw, Springer, Boutelle, Bankhead, Dol- liver, Quigg, Milliken and Coffin have ac- cepted invitations to attend the annual banquet of the Merchants’ and Manufac- turers’ Association, January 24. Senator Hill said to Secretary John Bland: “I am not much on dinners, but I have made one or two exceptions recently.” : ———— An Octogenarian’s Fatal Accident. BORDENTOW N. J., Janvary 11.—Wm. Collier, a well-known distiller, residing near this place, was instantly killed today while felling a tree. He was in his eighty- first year.