Evening Star Newspaper, January 23, 1895, Page 9

THE EVENING STAR, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 93, 1895-TWELVE PAGES. o | Smoke! Water! . On December 23, 1894, our entire stock of Fine Ready-to-Wear Clothing was damaged by FIRE, SMOKE and WATER. $68,411.17 of [len’s, Youths’, Boys’ and Children’s Clothing, as Per Inventory, to Be Sold at Apprais- er’s Valuation. Sale Commenced ONDAY MORNING, January 21, 1895, at 8 O’clock. The entire stock must positively be sold in order that the building may|tockep vr _ be turned over to the Insurance Com- panies to be repaired and renovated. After the completion of all necessary repairs we will reopen with a new and complete stock for spring trade. VICTOR E. ADLER’S Ten Per Cent Clothing House, 927-929 7th St. .N. W., Corner Massachusetts Avenue. STRICTLY ONE PRICE. fa2t-tt SENATOR FROM KANSAS How Lucian Baker Was Elected Martin's Successor. Kansas Populists Dismayed at the Result—About the ‘The New-Man. Bpectal Dispatch to The Evening Star. TOPEKA, Kan., January 23.—Kanses has sprung another of her surprises by select- ing for the United States Senate a man whose name has never been openly con- nected with it at any time in the history of the state. A man unknown as a poll- tician, who has never sought office, though office has come to him twice without so- licitation,in a state where politicians thrive lke the native blue stem, State Senator Lucian Baker, who will now affix “United States” to his title of senator, is a man whom Kansas is honored in honoring. ‘The fight has been a short and deter- mined one, each of the avowed candidates having his supporters and holding them In Kansas, when a senatorial election ts to be the outcome, the legislature and sen- ate are each pledged bodies, so far as a candidate for the United States Senate 1s concerned. Having deciared himself and his choice, a supporter has got to abide by his declaration, until he finds beyond all possibility of a doubt that bis man can't be elected; then he goes to the support of the one who, in his opinion, is the “next best man.” There was some very shacp work done In this campaign, for, as every- body knows, the whole election In Kansas revoived around the United States senator- ship. The state ticket was a matter of small moment compared to the safe elec- tion of members of the legislature. ‘The populists openly accuse each other of sell- ing out their legislature state ticket, for they were maddened at the thought of lesing the senatorial plum. There were a great many thousand fusion democrats left in Kan: , despite the drubbing given them by the state democratic committee, which declared unanimously against fusion. How Burton Lost. So it was that Mr. Burton, Mr. Ady, Mr. Thacher, Mr. Hood and Mr. Smith came to the republican caucus in Topeka with a dezen or more yotes each, pledged to stand by them till demonstrated that failure was fate. Mr. Burton had more votes pledged than any other one candidate. But he had talked too much. At a memorial day serv- ice in Wichita two years ago he eulogized Jeff Davis in a remarkable flow of elo- quence, and spoke slightingly of Lincoin. In Kansas either action is treasonable, and the old soldiers took up the matter of his candidacy and fired protests into the legislature so fast that they nearly In the caucus, Mr, Lur- bloc i business. ton lost two votes on the first ballot. That finished his chances, and his forces began to scatter, but he held forty-six of his votes til Baker was declared the nomine ‘The New Senator. Since a dark horse of excellent qualities has won, it is not probable that there will be much bitterness exhibited over the re- sult, because Mr. Baker was not in the race till the afternoon of the last caucus, and then he was precipitated into it by bis friends. Before he fully realized the situa- tion, the hall was ringing with the shouts of his friends, and his calling and election were assure Mr. Baker is a college “graduate and a man of culture. He stands high in his profession. His face is young and his finely ed head Is covered with prematurely gray hair. He is of medium height and slender. He has fine forensic powers, is quick at repartee, tenacious and rather dogmatic in debate. Being a man of good business qualifications, he has amassed a fair fortune, but cannot of the wealthy men of the He is a man of genial and kindly ature, and has no entangling political affiliations or feuds. Mr. Baker is a republican, born and bred. He is also a resubmissionist. The republi- eans fathered the probibitory law, and when a republican “goes agin” that law and clamors for “resubmission” he is usu- ally read out of the party. Mr. Baker, with his usual impetuosity, entered his protest against the law and bolted into temporary political eclipse in 1890. His sturdy repub- licanism could not stand more than one dose of that, however, and he left the bolt- ers, and the next year he was made the rominee in his senatorial district on the straight republican ticket and elected by a big majority, in the strongest democratic stronghold in the state. He ts now serving out that term, which will expire this year. Populists Dismayed. The speedy and amicable settlement of the senatorial question has dismayed the pepulists, who have been making their boasts that the republicans would never be able to reach a choice in caucus, and would have to come into joint session and vote openly, thus giving the populists a chance to exercise the great power they wauld hold in such an event. Realizing the dan- ger.in such a proceeding was what brought about the combination on Mr. Baker. The populist senate steadily refuses to do its duty according to the constitution and the laws, and so far has oyly acted as a hin- drance to proper legislation. It was bank- ing largely en its supposed strength as a factor in the much-scrambled-for election of a United States Senator, and does not in the least relish the manner in which its wind was knocked out of it, It was even whispered that the populist members of the two houses would place in nomination the statesman whom they displaced three years ago! But they failed to get Mr. ingalls up, and his name was powerless to conjure with. Eee Army Orders. The following transfers in the twenty- second infantry are ordered: Capt. Mott Hooton, from company F to company E; Capt. Theodore Mosher, from company H to company F. < The leave of absence granted Maj. Al- fred E. Bates, paymaster, is extended one month. Leave of absence for four months, on surgeon's certificate of disability, is grant- ed First Lieut. De Rosey C. Cabell, eighth cavalry. ‘The extension of leave of absence grant- ed Maj. William H. Hamner, paymaster, is further extended twenty-one days on sur- geon’s certificate of disability. First Lieut. Ashton B. Heyl, assistant surgeon, will be relieved from duty at Co- lumbus barracks, Ohio, and will then re- port in person to the commanding officer Fort Thomas, Kentucky, for duty at that post. ‘The extension of leave of absence grant- ed Capt. William C. Manning, twenty-third infantry, is further extended four months on surgeon's certificate of disability. First Lieut. Samuel Seag, jr., fourteenth infantry, will be relieved from duty with company I, twenty-first infantry, and will join his proper station, Vancouver bar- racks, Washington. —_—+s Examined for Promotion. A board of officers is appeinted to meet at Fort Monroe, Va., for the examination of such officers as may be ordered before it, to determine their fitness for promotion. ‘The detail for the board 1s Col. Royal T. Frank, first artillery; Maj. Richard S. Vick- ery, surgeon; Maj. Henry C. Hasbrouck, fourth artillery; Maj. Jacob B. Rawles, fourth artillery; Maj. Edward B. Moseley, surgeon; First Lieut. William P. Duvail, fifth artillery, recorder. + The following named officers will report for examination: Capt. John H. Calef, sec- ond artillery; Capt. John L. Tiernon, ‘third artillery; Capt. James M. Lancaster, third artillery; Capt. Lewis Smith, third arttl- lery; Capt. James M: Ingalls, first artillery. Assigned to Regiments. ‘The following assignments to regiments of officers recently promoted are ordered: Lieut. Col. William M. Wherry, to the sec- ord infantry; Maj. Charles W. Miner, to the sixth infantry; Capt. Stephen C. Mills, to the twelfth infantry, company D; Capt. ‘Theodore Mosher, to the twenty-second in- ", company E; First Lieut. Mark L. to the tweifth infantry, company B; First Lieut. Walter L. Taylor, to the twenty-second infantry, company D. 2 ‘The Nebraska legislature has adopted a resolution strongly condemnatory of the as ination of Barrett Scott, and re- questing the governor to offer a reward for the capture of the murderers. oY, THE SEVENTH CLEARING AWAY THE MOB AT RIDGEWOOD. From the New York World. SHOT BY ACCIDENT First Fatal Encounter of the Brook- lyn Strike. AN INNOCENT BYSTANDER THE VICTIM Attempt to Break Through the Picket Line. IN A HALL The first fatal affair of the Brooklyn strike took place about 11 o'clock last night, when in an encounter at the Halsey ‘street station of the Brooklyn City Rail- way Company a volley was fired by the militia, Henry Ahns was fatally shot, a musket ball entering at his mouth and passing through his head. The shooting had the instant effect of dispersing the mob. The quiet which had prevailed in the vicinity of Halsey street early in the even- Trolley Cars for Mexs Rooms. From the New York Herald. Ing was suddenly broken by the hooting of a dozen boys, who, about 11 o'clock, made an attempt to break through the picket lines. The shouting continued a moment too long, It was followed by a sharp crack of a dozen rifles. Most of the shots were aimed too high. A few shots, how- ever, went too low. Henry Ahns of 365 East 76th street was shot through the jJower jaw. He had just come out of a corner saloon, where he had been drinking with some friends. Ahns stepped back in the protection of the door when he heard the shootirg, but he was too late. The ball =F ¥ evening: in several saloons near the Halsey street stables. As they stepped out of Con- way’s saloon Ahns was just telling a good story to his companions, who were laughing loudly. Suddenly Ahns exclaimed: “Look out, the soldiers are shoctin; The three friends stepped quickly back to take refuge behind the storm door. The Chasing the Ranaway Trolley Car. From thé New York World. bullet passed Ahns’ face and. was flattened against an elevated post. It was picked up by a citizen, who declared he would keep it as a souvenir..Aunother bullet grazed the shoulder of J. H..Eckhoff of 1451 Broadway, who was sending a fire alarm in front of the candy store. 1571 Broadway. The bail pierced the plate glass show window of the candy store, and fell at the feet of the pretty daughter of the proprietor. She was greatly excited. ‘Two other shots penetrated the show win- dow of the candy store. One ball passed very close to the young lady’s face. She laughs at her close shave and says she is sure she felt the impact of the air as the ball passed her. Col. Appleton, who is in command of the detachment of the seventh regiment at this point, early this morning said regarding the shooting that Mitchell had said to him that he understood perfectly well the or- ders that had been issued, but he had been goingrin and out of the lines so often that he had grown careless, and thought the order to halt {hat had been given was not intended for him. Mitchell laid no blame whatever on the soldiers, ard said they had only obeyed their instructions. Inquiry at the home of Mitchell, at 1:30 a. m., elicited the’information that he was resting quietly wnder the influence of opiates, and that it was thought that he ‘would recover, although he may lose his right arm, the two small bones being badly splintered. Cars on all lines stopped before 10 o'clock in the eastern district, and at 2:00 a.m. all was reported quiet. During the afternoon and evening there occurred no less than seven collisions of trolley cars with wagons, trucks or other vehicles. Master Werkman Connelly returned to the strikers’ headquarters after an absence of half an hour and again announced that the linemen should go out again. He refused to explain anything about the order, but when esked what would be done with line- men who refused to go out, he replied that STARTING THE CARS AT RIDGEWOOD. Form the New York Herald. just grazed the brim of his friend’s hat and hit Ahns in the face. ‘A crowd gathered quickly and many hands assisted in carrying him to the drug store at the corner of Halsey and Broad- way. ‘A starter named Richard Mitchell, em- ployed at the Halsey street depot, was shot through both arms. He refused to be taken to a hospital and was put on_a cot Sandwiches and Coffee. From the New York Herald. by his friends and taken to his home. was found that his wounds were not ep. ‘An ambuiance was called for Ahfs. When it arrived he was very weak from loss of blood. Ambulance Surgeon Myiod made a careful examination of the wound. He pronounced it a compound fracture of the lower jaw and said it might prove fatal. This opinion was confirmed by Dr. Wilson of 1242 Bushwick avenue. ‘Ahns was one of a company of several friends who had gone ever to Brooklyn iast night to see the mobs and national guar@s- men on duty. They had passed a jo they would simply be outside the pale of honorable workingmen. Excitement, in the Afternoon. This move was vrecipitated by the al- leged action of the militia when, between 3 and 4 o'clock in the afternoon, a company of the seventh regiment surfounded a hall at Myrtle and Palmetto streets, which was entered by the soldiers, who seized all books and papers of the local assembly, who oc- cupied the place as a meeting room. The militia was finally withdrawn and the po- lice took possession of the hall. Both the militia and the police deny this. Gol. Appleton said later that he had re- ceived a report from Maj. Abrams, com- manding the detachment of the seventh regiment troops, stating that a crowd of men were locked in Odd Fellows’ Hall on Palmetto street near Myrtle avenue during the entire time the cars were rtnning on Gates avenue this afternoon under the pro- tection of the militia. The police turned the key of all the doors in the hall, None of the soldiers éntered, no books or papers were touched by them. ‘Maj. Abrams was called on for his state- ment and he said: “I most emphatically deny that any soldier entered Odd Fellows’ Hall. As a matter of precaution, I order- ed the doors locked before the first car started and kept them locked until the last car returned and was secure in the depot. No papers, books or any other prop- erty was touched by my men, and as soon as the pickets were withdrawn the men who had been boxed up were again at lib- erty to go in or out as they pleased. There js positively no foundation whatever for the sensational story given publicity by Mr. Connelly.” oe Acts Approved. ‘The President has approved the act for lights, fog signal and beacon on the Ken- nebec river, Maine; the act to pension Wil- lis Manasco; the act to pension Mary Ley- ans, and the act for the relief of Moses W. Carpenter of Arkansas. READY FOR A MOUNT Cuban Horseback Riding and Some : of Its Phases. THE GENERAL MODE OF TRAVEL Bandits Are Numerous and Guards Are Needed. METHODS OF FOOTPADS Staff Correspondence of The Evening Star. HAVANA, Cuba, January 17, 1895. Most Cubans outside of the.large cities live on horseback. They use for saddte purposes the small, tough Cuban horse, or else a half-breed, which combines the toughness of the Cuban horse with: the larger size and speed of the American. The Cuban horse’s natural gait is a pace, or rack. In traveling through the country one is constantly meeting vaqueros, dressed usually all in white, a white canuseta, or short shirt or blouse, made with a bosom like an ordinary shirt, and duck or cotton trousers, A wide-brimmed palm or felt hat completes the outfit. The countryman goes always spurred and ready for a mount. They ride like cowboys, sitting erect on their horses and seldom touching the reins. Usually the reins are made of light rope, with a long end, which the rider uses as a whip. The saddle ordinarily used is a Mex- ican saddle. The motion of the Cuban horse is peculiar, but one soon becomes ac- customed to it and finds it very easy. No Cuban countryman seems to be poor enough to be without a horse. They cost little to keep, as they live on corn stalks and husks and ‘a species of coarse fodder raised ‘n great abundance. S Some of the well-to-do people have teams and saddle horses imported from America and they are expensive luxuries, as oats and American fodder have to be imported for them, as they will not eat the fodder on which the Cuban ponies thrive. These Cuban horses have great endur- ance and have, it is said, frequently been ridden a hundred miles in a day. They are rough in appearnce and are usually thir and bony. The Cuban's Forse is part of himself, and in the county he will ride him rght into the door of a neighbor's house, when he makes a visit. Good Horsemen. At the country railway stations one will usually see a dozen or a score of saddled horses under the shelter of the projecting roof of the long, low building that serves as a general country store, cafe and loung- ing place, while their owners will be scat- tered about, tilted back In chairs, with their feet up, smoking cigarettes, and si- lently observing the train and its passen- gers. Ordinarily there are only one or two passenger trains a day passing these sta- tions, so their arrival and departure are matters of considerable moment to the country people. The mail will be brought to the train by a man on horseback, who has his package of letters in a saddle bag. He will ride up to the side of the car, hand his package through the window, receive what is intended fer him, and leaning ugh the window, sign the receipt book. During ail the time he will never budge from his horse or stop puffing his cigar. When he hus made tke exchange, he digs his spur into his horse and jogs away. ‘The other day when coming from Matan- zas, after’ the train I was on had left one f these country stations, I saw from the rear window of the last coach two of these white-shirted horsemen come galloping af- ter us beside the track. The foremost over- took the train, but not until it was going at a rate so rapid as to make it exceeding- ly dangerous to jump aboard. ‘The horse- n coolly rose in his stirrups, made a i landed neatly on the rear plat- The other horseman, his attendant, saught the horse that was now without a rider and started back with it. ‘The new passenger, who had boarded the train in such an unusual fashion, was a slender, wiry man, as straight as an arrow and full sixty years of age. He said he had been taking 2 sicsta when the train came and had cverslept himself. None of the Cubans seemed to regard the exhibition of horse- manship as anthing unusual. A Noted Bandit. ‘There is still a good deal of the romantic about Cuba. One could say there is a good deal of lawlessness, too, but such comment might be out of place from a Washing- tonian, when trains are held up and robbed within twenty-five miles of the capital. The other day the Havana papers told the story of the burning of the factory, ‘store- houses and farm offices on a plantation at San Jose de las Lajas, about twenty miles from Havana. It was stated that the place had been burned by a noted bandit, Manuel Garcia, and his followers. Garcia had made a demand on the planter for $50,000, threatening to burn up his estab- lishment if the money was not forthcom- ing. This demand was made a month ago. The planter refused to pay the money and sought to save his property by doubling his guard. However, the bandits slipped in and burned up, it is said, $300,000 or $400,000 worth of buildings, machinery and other property. Manuel Garcia has been a name with which to terrorize country people and trav- elers for several years. At one time he made a demand on one of the railroad com- panies for a large sum of money, threaten- ing to destroy a certain railroad station if the demand was refused. The railroad company did not comply. Garcia, or a man supposed to be Garcia, rode into the station one day with a baad cf followers and burned all the railroad property. He sent another demand, with a suggestion that he was just itching to wreck a traiu, It was a ferious matter for the railroad company, as it made travelers somewhat nervous about traveling on that rocd, The government in this case inter- fered, and the railroad was almost com- pletely lined with soldiers for a long while. This seems to have been effective, for no train was wrecked. Stories about «zarcia invest him with an air cf romance. He is made cut to be a sort of Claude Du- val. He will not, it is said, rob the poor, and is most gallant to ladies. When he made his recent expedition to San Jose, having need for 2 horse, he went to a house where there was @ wcman alone. He wressed his regret at being obliged to make a forced loan of a herse, but prom- ised to return it in good condition. In due time the horse was returned as promised. ‘The woman learned afterwards who the borrower was, and it is said nearly fainted with retrospective terror. Thera are folks who say there is no Manuel Garcia, but that that is a name as- sumed by any freebooter or highwayman who waylays a stranger—a scrt of firm name, under which they all do business. It is hardly likely that cone bandit could have accomplished all the villainy that is credited to Manuel Garcia. Whatever the truth isthe name is known all over the island, and it is likely the bearer of the name—whether one or many—could find shelter and concealment among the poorer people anywhere. They would be afraid to betray him, end then, as a matter of fact, they have a sneaking regard for him. ‘The government, probably, has never made a very vigorous effort to suppress him, but the fact that he, or they, have been at large so long, indicates that the country people are not especially anxious to see him brcught to punishment. A Wholesale Execution. ‘There was another bandit quite as fa- mous as Garcia, who up to about three years ago was engaged in laying tribute on jarmers and planters. His story as told to me in Havana is interesting. He and his followers wert pretty hotly pressed by the government, and at last he sent a proposi- fion to the captain general. This was that he and his men and their families would leave Cuba forever and go to South ‘Xmerica if allowed to come to Havana and dike passage on a vessel without molesta- tion. ‘Che captain general consented to this, and the band of robbers with their Women and children came to Havana. ‘They remained here a couple of days wait- ing for a vessel. ‘They walked the streets unarmed, and no one interfered with them. Then came the time for embarking, and they tcok small boats, which conveyed them from the landing out to the vessel lying in the harbor. All went well till they got on the deck of the vessel, when a body of soldiers there opened a murderous fire upon them, killing nearly all at the first volley. ‘Two of the men who were unhurt, exclaiming: “We have been sold,” leaped SSS lslamdl FOR “A Mine of it A New Feature! THE EVENING STAR'S Almanae amd Useful Information ! For the benefit of its readers, The Star has had prepared an Almanac snd Hand Book, of 352 pages, treating of the most in- teresting local, national and international facts, information and statistics—the most complete cyclopedia yet compiled. Bool - ISQ5; | RPPLABA OLAS: ETETTETT ESTs and the National Government, | ali sporting records. Battles, Schools, Cclleges, &. INTEL H i It treats fully of the relationship of the District of Columbia sioners, its sources of revenue, information and statistics re- garding ‘ts Educational, Financial, Commercial, Charitable and Religious Institutions, Points of Interest, &. All the facts and statistics regarding Rowing, Horse Racing, ‘Yachting, Cycling, Foot Ball, Base Ball, Boxing, Walking and Interesting statistics regarding the Army and Navy, State and National Politics, both branches of Congress, Civil Servize, Suf- frage, Coinage, Labor, Newspapers, Periodicals, Publishers, Se- cret Societies, Tariff, Imports, Exports, Manufactures, Rivers, Trailroads, States, Cities, Bridges, Forests, ‘Time, Space, Sun, Moon, Stars and Earth. Legal Holidays, Anniversaries, &c. antidotes and various Home Helps, &. ee ee ee +e +0 = <e} Constitutional, Business and Patent Law, Poisons and their bed =] €e) A thousand and one other things, the [x knowledge of which is almost invaluable in the Home, Business Office and Library. iasc. A COPY. To be had at the counting room or by mail. EVENING STAR NEWSPAPER CO. Lee Os ¥e. seal THT uties of tie District Commis- es * Farms, Minerals, HTT TTHH rsscagessssaststostssssscastssssssssesscossssess| over the side of the vessel to the water, and, getting into a smail boat, were row- ing away and had nearly effected their escape, when fire was opened on them with a rapid-fire gun from a Spanish cruiser nearby. The little boat was sunk and the men were Killed. There was @ great mur- muring in Havana and in all Cuba against what was believed to be the perfidy of the government, and the captain general was Ecmpelled to make a statement in self de- nse. fens’ aid that it was a mistake of the sol- diers. It is said that such mistakes have occurred before where it has been deemed expedient to make sure that a person will never give further trouble. For instance, there have been cases, it is said, where a prisoner has been informed that ‘he was tobe removed to another prison. He has been marched away between two files of soldiers, and shot down on the way, the shooting being excused on the ground that the prisoner had attempted to escape. Some Daily Pertis. All through the country districts one will see the men wearing what appears to be long, straight swords, in leathern scab- bards. These are machetas, or the knives used in cutting sugar cane and fodder. They are, in fact, dangerous weapons, and worn for purposes of defense and offense, as well as for use in the field. The coun- tryman never goes abroad without his macheta. When I visited a sugar plantation near Cienfuegos the proprietor showed me over the estate and through the sugar mill. When we left the house to go to the mill two men armed with rifles followed us at a distance of about ten paces, and remained with us as a body guard during ell the time we were away from the house. This is a custom followed, I am told, everywhere on the island. The proprietors or foremen have.a guard with them when they go abroad over thelr estates. 1 was told that there is always danger of attack from bandits or discontented men. Several cases are reported as occurring in recent years where wealthy men have been cap- tured and held for ransom. ‘There may be no more danger of being robbed in the streets of Havana than in any other large city, but the robberies committed here are done in a way to chill the blood. I was cautioned, if I walked out at night, to be careful if I saw two suspicious looking men, one of them going ahead of me and the other dropping be- hind. Their plan is that the one in front shail turn and onfront the intended vic- tim with an ugly looking knife. At the same instant the one behind comes up with a similar knife. The movement is made quickly, and the victim of it is helpless. Robbers of this kind take all the valuables @ man has, even his. revolv HP. G@. ——— Bold Thieves. Some time last night thieves who were pold enough to rob a place almost in the shadow of police headquarters visited Louis Dietrich’s tailoring” establishment, No. 330 41-2 street, and made a successful haul In smashing tne window the purglars did not make noise enough to arouse the officers at headquarters. A suit of clothes and five trousers patterns were stolen. William Howard’s blacksmith shop in Twining City was visited last night by burglars, who carried off a revolver and some tools. —_——-——_ One Suspicious Case. There was only one suspected smallpox case reported to the health office this morn- ing, and it soon turned out that that pa- tient was not afflicted with the loathsome disease. ‘James W. Cotton, the prisoner at the jail, whom it was reported yesterday had a case of chickenpox, is almost well. A telephone message from the jail to the Police Court late yesterday afternoon gave Gotton’s ailment as the result of eating buckwheat cakes, but Dr. Shute told a Star reporter today that the prisoner had a miid case of chickenpox. The eruptions on his back are fast disappearing, and the doc- tor says he did not have the symptoms of smallpox and thare was no occasion for alarm. eee Trustee Wanted. A bill in equity was filed today by Rosa Pelham Suit against Nellie F. Brooks and others for the appointment of a trustee to reconvey to her the title to lot 9, Good Hope Park. ANNUAL CONVENTION. Today’s Session of the Grand Harbor of Pilots. Today's session of the annual convention of the Grand Harbor, American Associa- tion of Masters and Pilots of Steam Ves: sels, was fruitful in discussion. Grand Captain William S. Van Keuren presided. During the early part of the day the main thing under consideration was the insur- ance feature of the association. A numbef of amendments to the insurance by-laws were put through, and others, it is under- stood, failed. These matters were of very little popular concern, being of importance directly only to the members of the asso« ciation. Some legislation in the nature of @ correction of existing laws was talked of, especially with regard to the licensing of second and third officers in the ocean trade. One of the matter# of greatest in« terest which came up was the fact that charges of malfeasance in office are to bq filed with the Treasury Department against the inspector of hulls for one of the north« west Pacific ports. About thirty delegates are in attendance, the representative from Washington Harbor, No. 31, being Capt. Samuel B. Davis. The local harbor entertained the Grand Harbor at Mariners’ Temple, opposite the harbor oitice, last night, it was a gay time, nearly ‘all the local river people be- ing present. A first-class literary and musical program was rendered, stories told and refreshments served. Se HOW, STEVENSON BEGAN. He Tried to Express the Thoughts of Grent Writers. From the Globe-Democrat. Stevenson really began to write while he was yet a boy—in a clandestine way, and principaily for his own pleasure—and he tells the story of those crude and fumb- ling efforts with rare candor and delicious humcr. He always kept two books in his pocket, he says, one to read ahd one to write in, and it was his habit to sit by the roadside, and note down the features of the scene or evolve some halting stanzas. Thus he “lived with words,” as he ex- presses it,writing consciously, and in obedi- ence to a vow that he had made to Jearn to write. “That was a proficiency that tempted me,” he observes, “and I practiced to acquire it, as men learn to whittle, in a wager with’ myself.” He also often ac- companied his walks with dramatic dia- logues, in which he played many parts, and exercised himself in writing down con- yersations from memory. This was good literary training in the respect of teaching him the subordinate elements of the art to which he was attracted, and doubtless his subsequent superior skill in verbal distine- tion and selection was largely gained thropgh those patient and persistent ef- forts. He became acquainted in that way with the value of words, and their rela- tions to one another in point of rhythm and symmetry, as every man has to do be- fcre he can become a great writer, no mat- ter how gifted he may be by nature. ‘There was profit, also, in the plan that Stevenson adopted of trying to copy quali- ties of excellence that he found in the books that he read. He thus “played the sedulous ape,” as he defines it, to Hazlitt, Lamb, Wordsworth, Sir Thomas Browne, Defoe, Hawthorne, Montaigne, Baudelaire, Obermann, Ruskin, Dumas, Thackeray, Keats, Chaucer, Swinburne and others that came to his notice. His attempts were un- successful, and he knew it; but he kept on trying, ard profited by the practice. “That, like {t or not,” he says, “is the way to learn to write. It was so Keate learned; it was so, if we could trace It out, that all men have learned.” To the suggestion that this is not the way to be original, he an- swers: “It is.not, nor is there any way put to be born so.” And yet even for the man who is born original, he goes on to peint out, there is nothing in this training to clip the wings of his originality. He in- stances Montaigne as a distinctly original genius, but a frequent imitator of Cicero, evertheless. It is the same with Burns, “a prime force in letters, but of all men the most imitative; and Shakespeare him- self, the imperial, proceeds directly from a school, as is almost ipvariably the case with great writers.” e inspiration is there to start with, but it cannot become effective without long drudgery and ciose study of m A black bearskin coachman’s cape, = posed to have been stolen, is held at the second precinct station for identification.