Evening Star Newspaper, February 9, 1895, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101_Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. Lith Street, The Evening Star ‘Newspaper Come apinionnnsdieioemntpetes Evening Star {s served to subscribers in the 7 by carriers, om thelr own account, at 10 cents Der week, or 44 cents per month. Copies at the counter 2 cents cach. By mail—anywhere in the United States or Canada—postage prepald—50 cents er month. Je Sheet Star, $1 per year, with Saturday Quint forelgn postage adiled, $3.00. (Entered at the Post at Washington, D. C., @s second-class mail matter.) Che LHveni Star. No. 13,084. WASHINGTON, D.C. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1895-TWENTY PAGES. TWO CENTS. Tbe proof of the pudding is in fhe enfing. Yesterday's Star confained 34 cofumns of advertisements, made up “of 519 separate announces menfs. TBese adverfisers fought pubficite—nof merefp space. ADMIRAL ITO’S TASK His Official Report gs Fighting at Wei-Hai-Wei. od TAREE JAPANESE FROZEN 10 DEATH Se Guatemalan Refugees Coming to Mexico. . cee GENERAL FOREIGN TOPICS ene ae HIROSHIMA, February 9.—An official dispatch recetved here from the Japanese naval commander at Wei Hai Wei, Ad- miral Ito, dated uary 6, announces that during the night of February 4 the lirst Japanese torpedy flotilla guarded the west entrance of the harbor of Wei Hai Wei, while the second and third torpedo Notill after the moon had set, entered astern channel of the harbor, passing “through spaces which had been previously cleared between the floating obstructions with which the Chinese had obstructed that entrance. » torpedo beats then made a dash at the Chinese warships, and succeed- ed in torpedoing and destroying the war- ship Ting Yuen, and, it is supposed, dam- axing the bottom of the Ching Yuen. The fire of the Chinese warships, while not ¢ repelling the attack, disabled the e s of torpedo beat No. 8 belonging to the Japanese fleet, and all on board of her were killed. Others of the Japanese torpedo boats, while returning from the attack, grounded on some of the fleating obstructions, and partly sank under the enemy’s fire. A lieutenant and two others of the Jap- ‘Yanese force were frozen to death. ‘On the night of February 5 the first Jap- anese torpedo flotilla renewed the attack on the Chinese fleet, passed successfully through a channel cleared from obstruc- tions, and torpedoed and sank the Chinese cruiser Chin Yuen. The Chinese battle ship Chen Yuen, the Wei Yuen and one Chinese gunboat were also attacked with torpedoes, and were probably sunk. This time there was no less of torpedo boats or men on the part of the Japanese, and the umaged Japanese torpedo boats were eventually towed to Port Arthur for re- pairs. F In conclusion, the Japanese admiral re- ports that the Japanese fleet is constantly on the alert outside the harbor of Wei Hai Wei, and that on the day following, Feb- ruary 7, the fleet would bombard the forts on Liu Kung Tao and Jis Islands con- jointly with the land forts now in the hands of the Japanese. Admiral Carpenter's Advices. Secretary Herbert has received the fol- lowing cable message from Admiral Car- under date of Cheefoo, February 7, “The Japanese have taken possession of Wei-Hai-Wei today. Three vessels of the Chinese were sunk in harbor by torpedoes. The Charleston has left today for the pur- pose of going to the rescue of distressed people beyond Teng-Chow.” ages ALARM IN GUATEMALA. Men Along the Borders Forced Into » the Army. COMITAN, Chiapas, Mex., February 9.— This border town is full of Guatemalan refugees, who are arriving from the south daily by several routes to prevent being pressed into the army service. They re- pert great alarm as prevalent among the people of the republic of Guatemala, es- pecially among the frontiersmen, over the threatened war with Mexico, and say that the greater part of the men now along the border have been forced into service by the Guatemalan government. The most of the refugees arriving at Comitan have come long distances on foot through a wild country and are in a very destitute condition. The problem of taking care of them is assuming sericus proportions, and york being scarce it is not known from Whence can come the means for their continued support Many of them are willing to enlist in the Mexican army and fight against their own country, if thereby they can contribute to the overthrow of the rule of President Barrios. Among the refugees just arrived is a Mexican family named Valdez, who have been living for some time in Guatemala. The family consisted of the parents, two sons and two daughters. In making their escape from the country they were over- teken and the father and two sons killed. After bejpg maltreated the mother and two daughters succeeded in reaching this = nearly dead with hunger and hard- hip. The matter will be called to the atten- ion of the Mexican government, with a Tequest that a demand be made upon Gvatemala for indemnity and punishment of the offenders, who, it is claimed, were Guatemalan soldiers. A number of strate- gic movements which have been made by the Mexican troops within the last few days have given rise to a rumor that an advance upon Guatemalan soil has been ordered. This is denied by Gen. Garcia, who Is in charge of the Tenosqui forces. Be Telks About His Recent Trip to LONDON, February 9.—The Westminster ette this afternoon publishes an inter- wiew with Mr. William R. Cremer, M. P., fecretary of the International Arbitration League, and editor of the society’s organ, the Arbitrator, who has just returned from the United States, where he has been on & mission from the league, seeking the support of public men tn America in be- half of the principle of arbitration. Mr. Cremer is quoted as saying that he is more than satisfied with the results of his mission, adding: “From what passed in a tonversation wiich I had with President Cleveland, I Rave every reason to antici- Fe that such a treaty as the one desired 1! be carried by our American friends fore, perhaps, many weeks, and will be fulmitted to the British government. All the best men in Congress are on the side of ov se.” In Mr. Cremer’s opinion, the treaty, when arrives here, will be concluded by Lord josehery without reference to parliament. t. he adds, {f Lord Salisbury is in pow- @r the prospects of its conclusion are small. — ee INTENSE COLD IN LONDON. Yet There ts Said to Be Bathing tn the Serpentine. LONDON, February 9.—The cold weather eontinues. The Braemar observatory in- struments registered 12 degrees below zero yesterday. In spite of the cold weather ere are large numbers of bathers daily B the entine, a sheet of artificial water In Hyde Park, this city. The ice f& broken for them every morning, and y indulge In their usual swim before kfast. A concert company has been owed up for fourteen hours between Fainvureh and Inverness, without food or fre. —_- > The Delaware Deadlock. DOVER, Del., February 9.—The thirty- @ghth ballot in the United States sena- torial contest was taken today without @hange. THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Its Suggestions Considered by the House Ways and Mcans Committee. Several Propositio: but Advanced, No Agreement Reached and Adjournment Taken. The discussion tn the House ways and means committee today fully disclosed the impracticability of any effort to secure an authorization of gold bonds. The fact that the ecmmittee could come to no conclusion on the subject, and was obliged to adjourn until Monday for its further consideration, is in itself extremely discouraging to those who would follow the recommendations of the President's message. The republicans of the committee will hold the balance of power apparently, a number of democrats oppesing the gold bonds, and it is very generally understeed that the republicans will not vete with Mr. Wilson. Most of the session was taken up in the discussion of other matters, but what was said concern- ing gold bonds indicated a majority op- posed to them. Propositions Considered. Two or three propositions were constd- ered, but the one which seemed to promise strongest support was to provide that the $62,000,000 of bonds which the President announced had been negotiated might be transformed into gold bonds, without giv- ing authority for anv additional bonds of that character. Even this will probably not get a majority of the committee, and if it should there is apparently no possi- bility of legislation to that_effect. It is probable that if a bill were reported from the committee authorizing gold bonds at 3 per cent an amendment would be offered in the House to the effect that since the bankers themselves made a discrimination in their bids between “‘coin” and ‘“‘gold’* bonds of 1 per cent interest, that the gold bonds on which a higher rate of interest had to be paid shall be construed to be redeemable in silver only. Such an amend- ment would probably not secure a very large support in the House, but it would be designed to call attention to the dis- crimination which the bankers would make against coin bonds. Apparently all effort at legislation in favor of gold bonds must be fruitless and idle. Proceedings in Detail. Mr. Bynum (ind.) proposed a resolution to amend the act of 1875 so as to make it authorize the issue of bonds bearing inter- est at a rate not to exceed 3 per cent and payable in gold coin. Chairman Wilson proposed a resolution less sweeping in its scope, to apply only to the contemplated issue which was the subject of the mess- age, and to empower the Secretary of the ‘Treasury to make them payable in goid coin at a rate not exceeding 3 per cent. The republican members quickly announced their opposition to both plans. Mr. Reed said: “I do not believe in borrowing gold by bonds payable after thirty years, when, according to the Secretary of the Treasury, we are to have a surplus in the treasury scon.”” It was developed by the brief discussion that not only the republicans, but Messrs. Bryan, Whiting, Wheeler and McMillin of the democrats, are opposed to the plan for bonds to be payable by stipulation in gold. Mr. Turner (Ga.) made the motion to make the message a special order for the time named, which was carried. Mr. Reed’s Comments. The discussion was entirely informal, and the republicans bore the leading part, par- ticulary Mr. Reed, whose comnents were numerous and sarcastic in tone. By the democratic friends of the Pres- ident it was argued that Congress was con- fronted with the specific question of sav- ing to the government $16,000,000. Their republican adversaries’ contention that a thirty-year loan, to meet which the ad- ministration, according to their construc- tion of its utterances, represents to be a temporary necessity, was inadvisable. They questioned the policy of negotiating with individual financiers for bond issues, and advocated a popular loan of short-term bonds in small denominations, which could be taken by the people of the country. Mr. Bynum’s resolution contemplated bonds payable after one year and within ten years, but was changed to the form given above to apply to th? thirty-year issue just negotiated. There was an in- formal vote taken upon it, but several members did not vote, and those who re- sporded “yea” and “no” in chorus were not noted. Mr. Hopkins of Illinois says there is no uncertainty about the republican position; that they will not agree to the President's proposition, for the reasons which have been outlined. —-e—___—_ FOR THE POOR. The Possible Appropriation by Con- gress for Their Relief. The Commissioners have received a copy of the bill which passed the Senate and the House yesterday appropriating $10,000 to be applied immediately for the relief of the distress among the poor of the District of Columbia. Up to a late hour this after- noon the Commissioners had not been for- mally notified that the bill had received the signature of the President. The Commissioners, however, have not lost any time considering the disposal of the fund, which, according to the provision of the bill, is to be expended under the direction of the Commissioners by the charity organizations of the District. Com- missioners Ross and Truesdell held a con- sultation on the matter this morning, and decided that the best vse to which the money could be put, with the least loss of time, is to turn it over directly to the central relief committee, of which Mr. Lawrence Gardner is chairman. Major Powell was not present at the conference, but there is no doubt that he will agree to this disposition of the mcney, as it is real- ized that the central relief committee recog- nizes the different charity organizations and allots to them in proper proportions all money placed in its charge. The Com- missioners today notified Col. Tracey, su- perintendent of charities, that the money is to be given to the central relief com- mittee, and he will probably so inform the committee at its meeting this afternoon. —— Simon Mubr of Philadelphia Dead. PHILADELPHIA, February 9. — Simon Muhr, the philanthropist, died shortly af- ter midnight last night at his home, 1036 ‘Arch street, aged fifty years. Mr. Muhr had been suffering from pneumonia for the past five weeks. Two weeks ago he had ar internal hemorrhage and all hope of saving his life was abandoned. He passed a comfortable day yesterday, but eorly in the evening he became suddenly werse. About 10 o'clock he became un- ccnscious and remained in that condition until he died. ———— Swindled by the Handsome Clerk. SAN FRANCISCO, February 9.—A hand- some Englishman named A. Harcourt has suddenly disappeared from the city, carry- ing with him $7,000 worth of diamonds from the trusting jewelry firms. He also forged several checks. He recently came from New York with strong letters of recommendation from eastern houses and secured a position with the Hall Safe and Lock Company. He was succgssful as a salesman, and on his letters secured two lots of diamonds from different jewelry houses to carry as a side line. With these, valued at $7,000, he has disappeared and detectives are looking for him everywhere. HOLDING OUT HOPE Weather Bureau Promises a Better Brand of Temperature. THE ICE KING PREVAILS Effects of the Storm on.Travel and Business. IN OTHER PLACES Washington is still in the embrace of the Ice King. Although the blizzard seems to be abating in intensity, and, in fact, the weather officials assure us that it is, yet the blizzard fs still with us. Great snow drifts are piled high along the streets, bit- ing winds are whistling their winter song through the barren branches of the trees, icicles are pendant from the eaves of houses, chilly, shivering pedestrians pace along with frosty lashes and mustaches, ear drivers are beating their hands against their bodies and conductors and gripmen are stamping their heavily booted feet to keep up circulation, shop girls, many of them scantily clad, hustle along with red noses and breath that goes and comes in gasps, no sleighs are out except those on business bent, stores are deserted, tales of suffering are seen around the police sta- tions, the alieys and the corners—all this, and more, too—shows that the weather is extraordinarily cruel and severe. The mer- cury is not so low as it has been, but who cares what the mercury says when every- body knows that the weather is bitter? The wind blows in frigid blasts, and what havoc the temperature does not, the winds do. But there is a prospect of a better and a warmer time. The weather bureay be- lieves that the temperature will rise and that by tomorrow, although It will still be cold for this latitude, yet it will be com- fortable by comparison with the weather of the past few days. ‘The indications are: For the District of Columbia, fair, slightly warmer, north- westerly winds, diminishing. This prophe- cy holds good also with respect to Mary- land, Virginia and the Carolinas. In Other Places. The minimum temperature reached dur- ing the last twenty-four hours was be- tween five and eight this morning, when the mercury went down to five degrees above zero. The maximum temperature reached was twelve degrees. The tempera- ture during the first half of last night hevered.at about 10, and during the last half slowly sank to five. The minimum temperature at points on the Atlantic coast for the past twenty-four hours was as follows: Sydney, C. B. I. 16) WASHINGTON,D.C. 4 ifax, £ i Sei uebec, | sees Montreal, Quebec:. — 2) Chartotie, cee 6 Eastport, 2) Raleigh, No @..022 10 Northfleld, “V1 —14| Wilmington, NOG! 14 Portland, “Me 2 — 4) Charleston, "S.C... 16 Boston, ‘3 | Augusta, ee Albany, 3 - + 16 New York, : 18 : . Atlantic City, : 48 Baltimore, Md.-... 4) ‘The present storm has moved from the New England coast to New Brunswick, and has diminished somewhat in intensity. A ridge of high pressure extends from the east gulf country to the north of Montana. Snow has fallen in New England, the lake regions and throughout the Missouri val- ley. Throughout New England and the extreme northwest the temperature has fallen, though it has generally risen else- where. The temperature will rise generally east of the Ohio and lower Mississippi rivers. ‘The following precipitation (in inches) is reported to the weather bureau: Montreal, 1.02; Saugeen, 1.10. The weather bureau has been informed of a dangerous gorge of ice in the Ohio river at Parkersburg. ‘The indications are that Sunday will be more pleasant than today. Papers Were Scattered. ‘As a result of the storm, communication with Alexandria was cut off last evening, and it was impossible to get The Star to its hundreds of readers.in the Virginia town, elther by train or boat. An effort was made to get the papers down by road and a big two-horse sleigh was laden down with “all the latest news.” Just across the bridge it encountered a drift so deep as to be practicably impass- able. The sleigh was broken to pieces, and the horses floundered around in the drift until some men 2ame to their rescue with shovels and dug them out; and hundreds of copies of The Star were picked up by the blast and scattered all over the staie of Virginia, while the good people of Alex- andria had to ge without. Street Car Blockade. The blockade still continues on all the suburban roads. Travel has been suspended since Thursday night. Great banks of snow have drifted across the tracks al- most the entire length of the lines, and the ordinary snow plow is found to be of little avail. Efforts will be made to have the tracks on all the roads cleared and the cars running tomorrow. The electric snow plow on the Eckington road has been ren- dered useless by the burning up of the armatures. The fight against the snow drifts will be pushed with vigor, so the managers of the various suburban roads say, and now that there is a prospect of the violence of the wind somewhat abat- ing, they hope that the snow will stay where it is put. As far as the suburban rcads are concerned, the tie-up has been a complete one. The city roads are being operated, and last night the Belt line was able to run up Mth street. There are no cars on Sth street, as the main line to Eck- ington is not in operation. ‘Their Gas Supply Cut Of. One effect of the cold snap has been to deprive many pergons in the eastern sec- tion of light. The failure of the water supply in that section, due to the fact that water is run from many pipes to pre- vent freezing, has caused the shutting dcwn temporarily of the gas works at the eest station of the Washington Gas Light Company. The company hopes soon to make other arrangements for water. A Winter Scene. The scenes around the Baltimore end Ohio station today were but a repetition of those of yesterday. All the trains from the north and west were from four to six hours late, and the greatest difficulty was experienced in getting outbound trains off on schedule time. ‘The force of wind has been so strong ever since the storm began that it has been impossible to keep the tracks clear of snow. No sooner does a train pass by, leaving a clear path in its rear, than the wind turns again and brings back another flurry cf snow, making a drift as deep or deeper than the preceding one. As a result of the drifting of the snow even greater hardships were imposed on railroad men yesterday than was the case on Thursday, for in many places along the tracks the wind has beat the snow down so hard that it is possible to walk cver the tops of drifts, as if one had on snow shoes. In the yards of the Baltimore and Ohio the scene presented is not unlike that on the western prairies during a blizzard. ‘There are long stretches of hard white snow where there ought to be only turn- tables, switches and side tracks, causing the greatest difficulty to the crews who are engaged in making up trains. The fast train for New York, which leaves here at 10 in the morning, got away om time to- day, as did also the noon train, but there is no telling when either one of them will reach New York. Metropolitan Branch, On the Metropolitan and the main line of the Baltimore and Ohio crews.of men have been kept at work for the past thirty-six hours*clearing away drifts, which, in many Places, are five and six feet deep. As a sample of the depth to which the snow has drifted at times it may be Said that the trains which were in the wreck at Branch- ville last evening were standing in snow up to the level of the car windows. The train which left for Rockville last evening did not reach that place until 4 o'clock this morning, and from all points come reports of delayed and snowed-in trains. Superintendent Alvey, who has taken personal charge of the work of keeping the tracks clear in this vicinity, has been hard at it for several days, and has not had a chance to go to bed since Wednesday night. The prediction that better weather may be hoped for tomorrow was good news to him, for he told a Star reporter that never in his expérience had his road had such a hard battle with the elements. All day Icng he was kept busy answering questions of people who wanted to leave town, and in every case he assured them that ‘they could get away on time, al- though they might be subjected to some delay on the road. The suburban travelers, who are especially numerous on the Bal- timore and Ohio, were very anxious to know this morning whether there was any chance of getting home this evening, and there were very few who failed to stop at Mr. Alvey’s office to ask for information. Reassuring promises were made to all, but it is not safe to say that people who live out on the different railroads, coming in each morning and going out in the after- noon, will have an easy time of it getting home tonight. Trains AN Delayed. All day yesterday and today a crowd of persons making anxious inquiries filled the Baltimore and Potomac depot. There were men, women and children in the party. Men expected their wives or chil- dren, wives were looking for their hus- Lands, and others were awaiting the arri- val of relatives or friends. All trains ar- riving are behind time, those from New York being nearly twenty-four hours be- hind the scheduled time. To add to their anxiety today, the anxious inquirers were told that there was a wreck on the road somewhere between Baltimore and Wil- mington, but the railroad people were par- ticular enough to say that there was no one injured in the wreck. The trouble on the road, it was sald, would only cause a delay in the movement of trains. The New York paper train due yesterday arrived this raorning, and today’s train will arrive tomorrow. a: Several trains from the hiths reached here during the day, and the Florida spe- cial left here about noon. The Florida spe- cial due here Thursday night arrived this morning. The first local train frem Alex- andria since Thursday arrived this morn- ing abcut 9 o'clock. Passengers going north are guaranteed through passage to Baltimore only on the P., W. and B. rail- road, while on the Northerm Central road from Baltimore they are assured: through passage as far as Harrisburg. With the exception of the Florida trains no trains have left here for the south, al- though it was stated that one will leave about 4 o'clock. In the crowd of persons in the depot this. afternoon were fany who reside only a few miles across the river, but who have not been able to leave here since Thurs- day. “ A railroad man said to a Star reporter that he thought the trains would not be’ running on time before next Tuesday. There ere plenty of cars here, and when the roads are opened there will be no trouble making up trains. Nothing has been heard from Virginia along the line of the Washington and Ohio read between here and Round’Hill. There are two trains somewhere on the road— probably at Round Hill—but just when this road will be cleared is not known. The Glen Echo Road Open. The Glen Echo road, which was snowed under yesterday so deeply that it was thought it would be a long time before it could be opened, was open for traffic today, and ready for business as soon as the Ten- leytown road starts up. The drifts were heavy, but the men were kept steadily at work until the whole road was open. Fears of a Flood. All the river steamers, as stated above, have abandoned the idea of trying to force their way out through the ice, and are lying up at their wharves. The fires on all the steamers are kept banked in case of an emergency, for the river people realize that should the ice break up rapidly it will place the boats in a very dangerous predicament. Steam is kept up all the time, and there is not a big boat but that is ready to make for down the river at the first sign of trouble. The most experienced river men say they have no idea what the result will be when a thaw comes. If the ice goes out gradual- ly, it may not do much damage, but if there should come a sudden spell of really ‘warm weather they are of the opinion that a great amount of damage would be done. In some parts of the river now the ice is so thick that the different companies here are considering the plan of filling their ice heuvses from the Potomac, instead of relying on the supply from Maine. It is not often that they have an opportunity like this, but there is no reason to believe, however, that ice will be cheap in Wash- irgton next summer. Cleuring the River. It is pretty thoroughly understood among the river-front people that the plan of dealing with the ice this year, should the appropriation be made, will be substanti- ally as that followed two years ago, when the ice blockade was lifted and Washing- ton relieved from imminent danger of a ficcd. The tugs plying on the Potomac sre, with one or two exceptions, not pow- erful enough to buck ice of the thickness of that in the Potomac, and it is under- stood that two of these, the Harlow and the Templar, are frozen in at Alexandria, Just now it is not known whether they will be available for duty. In any event it is thought that the har- bor force will be transferred to Baltimore, where there are a number of strong sea- going tugs that already are armed with the formidatle ice beaks necessary for service in blockaded waterways. A fleet of these will be fitted out and will cut their way up the Potomac, and then be- ‘gin the arduous duty of grinding: up the ice in the river above Alexandria. It will be necessary to raise the gorge at Fort Washington, open the Washington and Georgetown channels, and then crack the ice above the Long bridge. Then the tugs will stand by till the freeze passes and the frozen matter floats down stream. The question was discussed at great length at all points of congregation on the river front today. Wherever the river peo- ple got together this was the theme of which they talked. It was admitted that the present was the most complete freeze- up within the memory of the oidest inhab- itant. Once in a while some old fellow bearing the snows of many winters in his beard would tell of how about fifty or seventy-five or a hundred years ago the hay was frozen over and all the Potomac steamboats put on runners, but still, these gentlemen were few and far between, and it was voted that this was -the snap of snaps. The enterprise of the District of- ficials in appreciating the danger of a flood, and acting with such alacrity, was generously commended on all sides. It is thought that not very many days wil elapse before the grinding and pounding of the tugs will be heard. - On the River. The managers of the Norfolk and Wash- ington line of steamers report the worst state of weather and river they ever saw. From Alexandria to Maryland Point, a dis- tance of 40 miles, the Potomac is gorged with ice jams from 10 to 20 feet high right in the channel. NEW SENATE RULES|FOR SEWERAGE AND WATER) MERCURY LYING LOW The Young Blood Coming in May Make This Possible. BOTH SIDES ADMIT THEIR NECESSITY The Veteran Senators and Parlia- mentarians Will Assist. SELECT COMMITTEE PROPOSED Those calculations about the next Senate which include possible combinations and the hope of an improved method of doing business are based largely on the unusual amount of young blood that is being in- fused into the chamber. The new men, with but one or two exceptions, are all young. Pritchard and Butler of North Carolina are both under forty. Tillman of South Carolina is barely forty. Mantle of Montana, Clark and Warren of Wyoming, Baker of Kansas and Wilson of Washing- ton are likewise very young men to attain to positions which, as a rule, are the prizes of veterans, Thurston of Nebraska and Witmore of Rhode Island are under fifty. Then there are Wolcott of Colorado, Du- bois of Idaho, Hansbrough of North Da- kota, Smith of New Jersey and Irby of South Carolina, who have come upon the scene within the past few years, and all practically just starting in political life. None of these men is under the spell of old forms or legislative traditions. Some of them will participate for the first time in the business of law making. The presump- tion is that, as they are young and fresh from the people, they are progressive in spirit and will respond readily to the effort that will be made to put the business of the Senate on a business basis. Veterans Will Help. There are veterans anxious to show. the way. Not all of the men who have served for long in the Senate are wedded to its antiquated code of rules. Many of them earnestly desire a change and will do all in their power to help bring a wise and con- servative change about. But the feeling is that if anything is to be accomplished the work should be undertaken during the com- ing recess. It has been demonstrated time and again that the subject cannot be handled while the Senate is in session. Whenever a change has been proposed at such times the fear has at once arisen that the object sought was not the facilitating of general public business, but the carrying of some particular points. This was conspicuously the case during thé silver fight at the spe- cial session in 1898, when the silver Sena- tors openly charged that new rules would cnly mean gag rules designed for that oc- casion® The result, of course, was failure. The proposition now is that the subject be taken up during the coming recess, discuss- ed in all of its bearings from a general and non-partisan standpoint,and a report made at an early day neat December, and a vote taken as soon as may be, so that in case the report Is adopted the Senate may im- Mediately enjoy the benefit of the new order of things. A Spceial Committee Suggested. Some difference of opinion exists as to whetker this work should be given to the present committee on rules, or to a special committee appointed especially for the pur- pose. The fullest confidence is expressed in the committee as at present constituted. It contains some of the ablest parliamen- tarians in the whole history of the Senate, and nobody questions the fairness of the members. But the point is made that the Senate is passing from the control of the democracy, and that therefore the present committee would not be the proper one to execute a commission the fruits of which the republicans would have to apply. The republicans themselves, it is insisted,should direct the work in the main, or at least have a majority vote on all of the propo- sitions submitted in committee, and for this reason it is suggested that a special committee be appointed to revise the rules, and instructed to give as much time to the work during the recess as its importance demands. No names are mentioned in con- nection with the work, but Mr. Aldrich, Mr. Sherman and Mr, Allison, on the one side, aud Mr. Gorman, Mr. Harris and Mr. Hill, on the other, by reason of their large parliamentary experience would hardly be omitted, it is thought, from any list made up. This committee could meet in Wash- ington, or wherever might be most con- venient. All necessary data would be easy of access at any point, and such work in such hands would probably not consume a very great deal of time. New Rules Necded. Although the question has been found so difficult there is substantial agreement among Senators on both sides of-the cham- ber as to what the occasion calls for. Within the past few years legislation tas taken that sharp turn which discloses many thiggs and a long vista at once. The fight over the force bill in 1890, the fight over the silver repeal bill in 1893 and the fight last year in bringing the tariff bill to a vote were all so stubbornly contested that every possible application of the pres- ent Senate rules was made. Their fuliest powers of obstruction were developed and tested. The success attending this pro- gram was surprising at times, even to the Senators invoking the agency. Every Sen- ator received a liberal education in the way of preventing legislative action. The question at present, therefore, relates not so much to what should be done as it dees to proposing new rules under circumstances that will recommend their adoption. Sen- ators know what they want, and a large majority of them are in favor of securing what they need to put themselves as Sena- tors in touch with popular sentiment on the subject of the dispatch of public business. No Decision Yet Renched. It has not been decided as yet whether a motion embodying this proposition shall be submitted or not. Several Senators are in favor of such a step, and but for, the backward condition of business would urge it upon the Senate. But with so many appropriation bills blocking the way, and the financial question still unsettled, the prospect of securing attention for anything else, no matter how important, seems poor. Debate on anything now imperils its ex- istence. SSS HIS FIRST ORDER. Lieut. Gen. Schofield Selects His Two Alds. Although Gen. Schofield is still confined to his residence with the grip, he is trans- acting all the business that devolves upon him as the commanding officer of the army. He issued his first order in his new capacity today by the designation of Capt. Charles Schofield, second cavalry, and Capt. Tasker H Bliss of the subsistence department as his aids, with the rank of leutenant colonels of cavalry. The statute bearing on this subject reads as follows: “The lieutenant general may select from the army two aids and one military secre- tary, who shall have the rank of lieutenant colonel of cavalry while so acting.” Each major general is allowed to select three aids from the lists of captains and lieutenants, and each brigadier general may have two aids, to be selected from the list of lieutenants. Capts. Bliss and Schofield were on the personal staff of Gen. Schofield while he was a major general, and their new desig- nation merely raises their relative rank. A Petition Urging Their Necessity Pre- sented to Congress Today. Statement Made by the Committee Ap- pointed at the Citizens’ Mass Meeting Last Saturday. ‘The paper prepared by the committee ap- pointed at the meeting of citizens that was held at the Shoreham !ast Saturday afternoon was presented to Congress to- day. It bears date of February 7, 1805, and is addressed to the Senate and House of Representatives. The signatures are those of Justice Harlan, W. J. Boardman, Gen. John M. Schofield, Col. James G. Berret, Crosby S. Noyes, Frank Colton and Dr. John S. Billings. The text-in full is as follcws: “The undersigned were appointed a com- mittee by a mass meeting of citizens held at the Shoreham on Saturday, February 2, and wére directed to urge upon Congress the necessity of some early provision for the extension of the sewerage system and the improvement of the water supply of the District of Columbia. “The subjects referred to have been long under consideration by Congress, and care- ful investigation has been made regarding them, not only by the municipal officers of this city, but by the committees on the Dis- trict of Columbia in both the House and Senate,who have made elaborate reports to both houses, urging prompt and favorable action, realizing the imperative needs of the proper facilities for sewerage as well as absolute purification of the supply of water for this District. Seriousness of the Situation. “The seriousness of the situation, so far as sewers are concerned, was recognized by President Harrison, and a board of sani- tary engineers of the highest prominence and character was arpointed by authority of Congress, to whom they reported in 1890, From that date to this the substance of the report has been constantly brought to the attention of the proper authorities, but without resulting in any action. “The necessity for action regarding the improvement of the water supply has been stated by the chief of engineers, and has also been demonstrated by the lack of water during the past few weeks. That there has not been a greater mortality in the District of Columbia, in view of the contamination of the water, as weil as de- fective sewerage, seems remarkable. “The national capital, where so many citizens from all parts of the country live during part of the year at least, is one of the most exposed places, so far as typhoid fever and other kindred diseases are con- cerned, in the country. Pure and Abundant Water Needed. “Pure water alone should be furnished, and there should be an abundant supply, the use of which should be encouraged rather than restricted. No private corpora- tion or individual would be allowed to fur- rish a city with an insufficient supply of water or where there was the least sus- picion of danger that it was in any way polluted or tainted, so #s to endanger hu- man health er Kfe by the propagation or extension of disease. “No matter how great the supply of wa- ter may be, it cannot be used to advantage or with safety without adequate sewerage. Congress absolutely controls*the revenues of this city. When it is not in session no officer. can entertain an appeal involving the appropriation of funds. The taxpayers are compelled to meet charges for main- taining the municipal government and yet are absolutely powerless as to the expen- diture of their contribuions for this pur- pose. The only source of relief, therefore, is found in Congress. Phenomenal Growth of the City. “This city-has had a phenomenal growth within the last quarter of a century, and, although wonderful improvements have been made, still they have not been rapid enough in the directions indicated to meet the demands of health and comfort. Thousands of new residents have located here from all quarters of the country, and are now looking for protection to intelli- gent and liberal action of Congress, for they can look nowhere else. “There can be no question that any proper expenditure of money for furnish- ing every modern appliance for comfort and health would meet with the unqualified and vigorous support of a very large ma- jority of our taxpayers. Speedy Action Needed. “So far as possible the urgency of speedy action has been set forth by the Medical Society of the District of Columbia, whose president has been most active and efficient in” expressing the views of this body for many months past to both the Senate and House of Representatives and also by the board of trade, an organization composed of more than five hundred leading and representative citizens of the District of Columbia, and among them a large number of the heaviest taxpayers. “This committee, therefore, is not com- municating any new information regarding the needs of the District, or the dangers which attend the postponement of prompt action for relief. We do, however, feel that steps should be taken at once to rem- edy the dangerous condition and to remove causes which are liable at any time to result in a largely increased death rate and bring terribie disaster upon the national capital.” EXECUTIVE CLEMENCY. One District Convict Pardoned and One Application Refused. The President has granted a pardon to William Smith, convicted in the Police Court of an assault and disorderly conduct, and sentenced, November 22, 1894, to 12 days’ imprisonment. The President says: “This convict has served the term of im- prisonment to which he was sentenced for assault, and in consideration of his pre- vious goed character and the fact that the disorderly conduct of which he was con- victed was mingled with the assault, I think the cause of justice will be subserved if he is pardon for the offense of dis- orderly condue: The application for pardon was denied in the case of Wm. A. Beach, convicted in the District of Columbia of receiving stolen property, and sentenced, January 26, 1895, to two years’ imprisonment in the Albany penitentiary. The President says: “As the facts are presented to me in thie case, I cannot discover the least justification for executive interference with the sentence of the court.” The President has pardoned Jesse Ponder, sentenced, in Kentucky, to two months -for selling liquor without a license, and he has commuted to thirty months’ imprisonment. the three years’ sentence imposed upon King Crain of Texas for embezzling let- ters. The applications for pardon were de- nied in the case of Walter Evans, Texas, mail robbery; J. T. Buryhill, Georgia, il- licit distillirg; Jasper Lindsey, Georgia, counterfeiting, and Perry Mills, Kentucky, mail robbery. Naval Movements. Admiral Meade, with the North Atlantic squadron, has sailed from St. Thomas for Santa Cruz. The Monterey has arrived at Mare Island. The Mohican has sailed from Tacoma on a cruise at sea to test coal, The Bennington has arrived at Aca- pulco, Mex. e+ Indian Agent Relieved. Capt. L. W. Cook, third infantry, has been relieved from duty as Indian agent’at the Blackfeet* agency, Montana, and cor- dered to join his regiment. Continuance of the Cold Weather Elsewhere. TAE WIND IS HOWLING AT SANDY HOOK Nothing Has Yet Been Seen of the Gascogne. GENERAL NEWS OF THE STORM NEW YORK, February 9.—The tempera- ture today remains very low, with a pres- pect of continuing so throughout today snd Sunday. The thermometer reached zero at 6 o'clock this morning and at 10:30 o’ck it was 7 degrees above. The highest ve- lecity of the wind here was at 10 o'clock, when it was blowing 48 miles an hour. At Sandy Hook it is howling along at the rate of 56 miles. The wind does not seem to be losing its force, but Forecaster Dunn says it will decrease a littie tonight. The southern point of the zero line today is Knoxville, Tenn. Commissioner Waring of the street cleaning department estimates that it will take ten days and an extra cost of $100,600 * to clear the snow from the city’s strects. The garbage scows are unable to run and the work of taking away the ashes and refuse was practically stopped this morn ing. The situation regarding the train servic® in and out of Jersey City remains about the same as yesterday. Only local irains are being run. No trains were being run west of Philadelphia or south of Wash- ington on account of the road being block- ed with heavy snow drifts at different points. Mr. Black said he could not tell whether any through trains would be sent out this afternoon or tonight. 5 WATER PLUGS FROZEN. Hard Work to Extinguish Flames a Fire. JERSEY CITY, N. J., February 9.—The fire which broke out shortly before mide night in the cooperage works of J. & W. Matheson burned until daylight this morn- ing. The firemen suffered intensely of the exposure, and were handicapped by the hydrants being frozen. The works con- sisted of a four-story brick building. This was totally destroyed, the walls being blown over this morning by the force of the gale. The total loss on stock, build- ing and machinery is estimated at about $125,000. There is about $75,000 insurance. NOW SIX DAYS OVERDUE. Nothing Has Yet Been Seen of the Gascogne. NEW YORK, February 9.—The French line steamer La Gascogne, from Havre, January 26, had not been sighted up to 11 o'clock this morning. As she was due to arrive here on Sugday last, she is now six days overdue. The hope entertained that she was in company with the White Star stegmer Teutonic was dissipated by the ar- rival Jast night of the latter steamer, which reported that she had seen nothing of La Gascogne, her own delay having been occasioned by head winds and high seas. The cause of La Gascogne’s non-appear- ance can only be conjectured, but there can be little doubt now that her machinery is In some way disabled, and she is work- ing for port under reduced steam. The se- vere weather reported by the Teutonic is no doubt being encountered by La Gas- cogne, but her long passage can hardly be attributed to bad weather alone. ‘The Red Star line steamer Rhyniand, from Antwerp, ts still out. It is now four- teen days since she left Antwerp. No anx- iety is felt, however, for her safety, and she will probably be reported during the day. The Bolivia is sixteen days out from Gibraitar; the Llandaff City, eighteen days out, from Swansea; the Manitoba, fifteen days cut, from London; the Wittekind, thirteen days out, from Bremen, and the Taormina, sixteen days out, from Ham- burg, are still to be heard from. The Cunard liner Umbria, from Liver- pool and Queenstown, is due to arrive to- day, but under the existing weather con- ditions she is not likely to reach port un- til_ tomorrow. ‘That the Teutonic did not fall in with the Gascogne is not at all strange. The French liners follow a track fuily fifty miles south of the English ships, and the orly place there could be any chance of the vessels meeting would be off the Grand Banks. ‘There were more inquiries about the missing ship at the French line offices to- day than any day this week. For the most part these anxious persons were owners 0! gcods on board. Some few persens di inquire for the vessel because of anxiety fer friends on board, but as the cabin list is small and the first and second-clas@ passengers for the most part persons not residents of this country, the number of inquiries was not nearly so great_as would have been the case were it an English or ‘American vessel that was late. The great majority of steerage passengers are, of course, unknown here. It is generally believed that the French vessel is disabled, and in that case she must heve been blown far south out of the traveled course. ‘La Normandie of the Companie Generale Transatlantiaue line is due here tomor- rew. Her coming is anxiously looked for, since she will travel the course followed by her missing sister. If the Gascogne is still in that course La Normandie would likely fall in with he ‘Agent Forget said: “We are still confi- dent and believe that the Gascogne will outride the storm, for she is a stanch ves- sel. It is not remarkable that a disabled beat should be delayed seven deys if such weather prevails.” On Board the Gascogne. PHILADELPHIA, Pa., February 9.— There are two passengers on board the overdue French liner La Gascogne who reside in this city, Mrs. Almon F. Rock- well and S. A. Crezier, jr. Mrs. Rockwell is the wife of Col. Rockwell, United States army, who has charge of the quartermas- ter's office in this city, and Mr. Crozier belongs to the well-known family of that name. Mr. Crozier is a son-in-law of Col. Reckwell, and in company with Mrs. Cro- zier went to Europe on a pleasure trip lost July. They were joined in November by Mrs. Rockwell. Mrs. Crozier decided to remain somewhat longer in Eurepo than her companions, and is at present in Brussels. COLUMBUS, Ohio, February 9.—Edgar W.Mix, Paris representative of the Thom- son-Houston Electric Company, who is returning on La Gascogne, is a Columbus young man. He received his education at the Ohio State University, from which he graduated in the year 1887. About a year ago, while traveling in Austria, Mr. Mix was arrested for taking snap shots at some of the fortifications and was held for several day: WORST STORM HE EVER SAW. Experience of Sailors on Chesapeake Bay. ANNAPOLIS, Md., February 9.—One of the crew of the schooner Lillie Estelle of an abandoned fleet of vessels that en-