Evening Star Newspaper, February 13, 1895, Page 2

THE EVENING STAR, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 138, 1895-TWELVE PAGES. LATE NEWS BY WIRE Return of the Missing Pilot Boat Stafford. BRINGING BACK ESTERBROOK'S CREW The Steamship Southwark Reaches Her Dock Safely. FREIGHT STEAMER OVERDUE —— NEW YORK, February 13.—The pilot boat 5. H. Stafford, which was yesterday re- perted missing since Thursday of last week, arrived here today. ‘ON, 3. L, February 13.—Pilot beat America, No. 1, arrived at Stapleton this morning, having on boardeCapt. J. G. Brewn and eight sailors, comprising the trew of the three-masted schooner Rose Esterbrook of New Bedford, which ‘@bandonet at sea in longitude 71.40 and latitude 49.15, The schooner was bound from Norfolk to New Bedford with coal. The vessel en- rountered heavy weather and sprang a leak or Saturday night last. Signals of Gistress attracted the attention of the America, which ran alongside the schoone but, owing to the heavy gale and seas, could not take off the captain and his trew until % o'clock Sunday afternoon. Capt. Brown and his men had been off the Schooner but a few minutes when the ves- gel sunk. Capt. Brown and his sailors suf- — more or less from frosted hands and eet. PHILADELPHIA, Pa., February 13.-- The big American line steamship South- wark, from Liverpool, January 30, which ‘was stuck in the ice off Marcus Hook yes- terday afternoon, reached her dock at 10:0 this morning. The big steamer reached the Delaware breakwater yesterday morning at 6 o'clock and worked her way slowly up the Delaware river until she reached Mar- eus Hook, where her massive hull stuck fn the ice. Ice boat No. 3 went to her as- sistance, and at 8 o'clock this morning succeeded in breaking up the ice aad re- leasing the steamer. NEW YORK, February 13.—The Standard Oil Compan. barge Merimac, which broke away from tug which had her in tow, carrying eight men and the captain to sea, has been recovered and is being towed in past Sandy Hook. Sought Port in Distress. NEW YORK, February 13.—Steamer Mat- thew Bedlington, from Nerfolk, for Glas- gow, put in here today in distress. Capt. Baxter reports having sailed from Nor- folk, February 6, with a full cargo of flour and corn, for Glasgow. During a heavy wind, which began on the Sth and contin- ued forty-eight hours, three life boats were carried away. Some steam pipes were smashed, everything movable was swept off the decks, the afterwheel was broken and the decks were strained, causing them to leak. The cargo has been considerably damaged. —_— SEVEN DAYS OVERDUE. jhe Safety of the St. Augus- tine. NEW YORK, February 13.—The St. Au- gustine, a freighter, is now seven days overdue in this port, and fears are enter- tained for her safety. The boat left St. Augustine February 2 with a cargo of yel- low pine and 1s in charge of Capt. J. H. Gaskill. Her agent in this city is of the opinion that the vessel has been driven from her cours by the severe gales of the past few days and probably had her mi chinery disabled. The St. Augustine ts a vessel of 290 tons burden, and her officers and crew number eighteen men. —<—— Agitation Among Russian Students. ST. PETERSBURG, February 13.—Politi- cal agitation of a serious nature has oc- curred among the students of the Moscow University. The principal agitation has been In the Husbandry Institute, which in consequence will be closed. A large num- ber of students have been arrested for par- ticipation in the movement. The authori- ties of the university at St. Petersburg have issued a warning to the students of that institution to abstain from taking part fm all manifestations under the severest Penaltics of the law. >_— Quiet In Madagascar. MOJUNGA, Madagascar, February 8, via Zansebar,February 13.—Everything is quiet here. No advance has been made by either the French or the Hovas. The natives have killed a French trader at Masakoa end captured two traders at Morondava. _—o—- Restoring Telegraphs in Colombia. COLON, Colombia, February 13.—Com- munication with all telegraph stations in the United States of Colombia has been restored. There had been some interrup- tion of communication owing to the recent revolutionary outbreak in several of the departments of the republic. —_——_—_. Aid for Miners’ Families. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. CUMBERLAND, Md., February 13.—Aid has been asked for by the miners in the George's creek region, and a large con- signment of groceries, clothing, et has been sent from this city. The miners who Were out on the strike some months ago are suffering greatly. Ocean Steamships Arrived. LONDON, February 13.—Arrived, steamer Lydian Monarch, New York. LIVERPOOL, February 13.—Arrived, steamer Nuntidian, Portland, via Hal ag Johu M. Young's Will. ‘The will of the late John M. Young, dated June 29, 1894, was filed today by Messrs. James S. Edwards and Job Barnard, who, with Wm. A. Young, are named as the ex- ecutors of the deceased. To Wm. A. Young, a brother, a gold watch and chain and the horse “Dandy” are given, together with premises 1522 7th street. The same brother is given premises and 481 € street for life, with remainder to the children and descendants of Sarah Big- gins of Weehawken, N. a@ cousin, as tenants In common. To Margaret L. Gad- dis, a sister, premises 1520 7th street and 41 Pennsylvania avenue are given in fee, and to her for life square 232 and the books and household furniture a’ 1 Mth street. To Cecilia F. Young, lot reservation C, and the deceased's interest in lot 1%, square 867, also certain funds. To Dr. James T. Young, a cousin, part of lot 12, square 490. To Sarah Biggins, part of sub lot 40, hn Merritt, part of sub ‘To Eliza Day, . square 421. To yn, part of sub lots 31 same square. To Parmela Loker, farm in St. Mary's county, Md. To the ex ecutors, eres of land in Pelham, } Y.. are gi in trust for Joseph Murdock The residue of the estate is given to the executors, out of which to pay to the First Presbyterian Church, .this city, $5,000; to the Westminster Presbyterian Church, this $2,000; to James W. Pumphrey, $5, © and Lucy Loker, cousins, $1 idue of the estate endents of Mar- ere be no child r, the same to ins, a cousin, in tses, bequests hall consti- the children of Sarah Biz like manner. If any of de or legacies should lapse, the tute part of the residuary estate. The ¢s- tate !s said to amount to $250,000. sissies Personal Mention. George Kennan arrived at the Palace Hotel, San Francisco, on the Sth instan Messrs. John D, Coughlan and Regin Fendall were among the arrivals on the - instant at the Hotel Ormond, Ormond, a. Mr. Fred Meyer of 1820 G street north- West left yesterday for Los Angeles, Cal. . BB. Funk srrived at the Tampa Fila., on the 7th in- { | = PROSECUTION CLOSED One Side of the Howgate Evidence All Sub- mitted. ‘The Closing Somewhat of a Surprise— Interesting Testimony Given Today —The Escape. Today’s session of the Howgate trial was by far the most interesting so far, Charles H. Doing, the bailiff from whom the defendaat escaped, and Andrew L. Drummond, the man who arrested him last September, testifying on behalf of the gcverrment. Miss Josephine Subach testi- fied that the defendant lived at her nouse in New York during 1886 and 1887. The at- tendance today, however, was again very small, and the defendant and his daughter leughed heartily as Doing naiveiy told of the escape, April 13, 1882. Late yesterday afternoon L. H. Rogers, a New York manufacturer of stationery an intimate friend of the defendant, and one of his bondsmen, testified as to certain amounts alleged to have been fraudulently paid him by the defendant. Mr. Rogers stated that he had known the defendant in New York as H. W. Williams, and fre- quently met him on the streets and at the office of witness. Once, when witness asked him if he was not afraid of being arrested, the defendant replied that ‘life was not very sweet for him, and that if the authorities really wanted him they could come on and take him, he having no intention of running away. The Famous Escape. Mr. Doing testified that on the evening of April 13, 1882, he took Howgate to the lat- ter’s residence, 617 13th street, by order of the marshal, as he had done on three or four previous occasions. Howgate went upstairs to take a bath, and when in about half an hour's time witness looked for him he was gone, and he never saw him again until last week. To Mr. Wilson Doing satd that the de- fendant was sometimes out of his sight from the time they reached the house un- til they were ready to return to jail. Thanksgiving day, 1881, witness took the defendant to the latter's home for dinner. ‘The witness explained that it was very unusual to take a prisoner out of jail for such purposes, but in doing so he simply obeyed the orders of the marshal. The Capture. Ex-Chief Drummond of the secret service Office testified that he was in the office from 1871 to 1888 and from 1891 to March 1, 1894. He detailed the efforts made to capture the defendant, stating that at the time of his escape he had charge of the New York district. A search was made at that time in New York for him, the officers having a description of the defendant and of a certain woman. The search continued but two weeks, however. In July, 18S7, they watched a certain residence in New- buryport, Mass., for three days, it being expected that the defendant would visit his daughter there. Nothing more was done until May, 1893, when, on info:mation received from the weather bureau, the second-hand book stores in New York and Brooklyn were watched unsuccessfully for a short time. New buildings in those cities were also watched, it having been said that How- gate was working as a carpenter. He was supposed to have assumed the name of John Harrison. After he left the office, Drummond said that he searched for the defendant on his own hook, again watching the second-hand book stores. He finally located nis man last September, and upon the defendant being recognized by an em- ploye of the weather bureau sent on to New York for that purpose, witness arrest ed him on Uth street between Broadway and 4th avenue. To the witness the defendant, said Drum- mond, stated that he had been in New York for eight years, and remarked that it was the best place for a man to hide in. On cross-examination, Mr. Wilson devel- oped the fact that the headquarters of the secret service bureau was in the New York post office building, where the United States marshal and district attorney were also located. ° Prosecution Closed. Clerk Hatch of the Treasury Department was recailed after Mr. Drummond left the stand, and on cross-examination rather @isconcerted the prosecution by stating that at the time he examined the disputed vouchers he believed Treasurer Rochester's signatures to be genuine, and he believed so now. District Attorney Birney then announced the case for the government to be closed. ‘The announcement was somewhat unex- pected, and the trial was adjourned a few minutes of 2 until 10 o'clock tomorrow morning, when the evidence for the defense will be commenced. ——__—_—_ THE CHARITY CONCERT. A Briliiant and Attractive Program at Convention Hall. / The charitably disposed will have an op- portunity this evening to aid the poor and at the same time enjoy a fine entertain- ment. The big cherity concert to be held at Convention Hall tonight apparently can- not be otherwise than a most gratifying success, both from a financial and an artistic standpoint. The policemen and firemen have sold tickets sufficient to in- sure a large attendance, and the announce- ment of the attractions that will appear will, it is expected, result in filling every seat. The always popular Marine Band, under the direction of Prof. Fanciulli, has been rehearsing almest constantly of late in anticipation of its coming. tour through the south, and never were the musicians in better form than today. The band will render the catchy “Marine Band March,” composed by Prof. Fanctulli; the impressive everture from “William Tell,” a merry jingle of familiar negro melodies, entitled “Songs from the South,” and a fatrly-like composition, known as the “Dance of the Nymphs.” Of course, the numbers will be encored, and Prof. Fanciulli was never other than obliging. “The Heavens are Telling,” from the “Creation.” and the great “Hallelujah” chorus from the “Messiah,” are the num- bers which the famous Choral Society will sing in its usual matchless style. There is not a Washingtonian probably who fs not thoroughly familiar with the society and its work, and the fact that it ts going to sing is sufficient guarantee that the attendance will be far from small. The program will not be confined to music alone, for the well-known southern humor- ist, Mr. Lucius Perry Hills, has prom!sed to do all in his power to amuse. One of his recitations is entitled “An Opera Encore,” and the manner in which he delivers this will surely result in an encore. Another Dlece is called “Swaree Dramatique,” which is well worth going a long way to hear. The Washington Ladies’ Quartet has no- tified the management that it will sing sev- eral selections, and Mr. Charles E. Rice will give a barytone solo, which will doubt- less prove a feature of the evening. The committee in charge of the concert has been assisted in its efforts by the gen- erosity of those with whom it has had to deal. Th2 management of Convention Hall has given the use of the hall free of charge. The printing has been done gratis by Mr. Rufus H. Darby, and Mr. Frank Metzerott has loaned two grand pianos. The price of admission has been placed at 50 cents and no seats are to be reserved. The hall will seat 7,000 people, and it is hoped, for the sake of the homeless and suffering, that the greater portion of the number men- tioned will attend. —>—— NEW YORK APPOINTMENTS. Anti-Platt Man Chosen for Com- missioner of Public Works. NEW YORK, February 13.—It is an- nounced officially that William Brookfield has been appointed commissioner of public works by Mayor Strong. The appointment of Mr. Brookfield does not mean that Mayor Strong is going to recognize only the element of the republican party which is opposed to Mr. Platt. In fact, the state- ment is made upon apparently good author- ity that Mayor Strong yesterday positively refused to appoint a man to a certain office backed by Corneltus N. Bllss and other Union League Club republicans, and told them plainly that he had made up his mind to appoint a man opposed by them who will represent the Platt men. Francis M. Scott has been appointed corporation counsel, to succeed Willlam H. Clarke. He was a candidate for mayor on {So People’s Municipal League ticket In Au THE POLYGLOT PETITION. Preparations for Its Presentation Friday Night to President Cleveland. The White Ribbon army is slowly closing in on Washington, and today the docal workers in the cause were busy completing arrangements for the crowning «eremonies connected with the monster petition that is now somewhere on the cars rattling along between the snowdrifts in Ohio or Pennsy!- vania. Mrs. Carsa of Chicago, who is re- sponsible for the petition and its safe de- livery in Washington, ts now here, and spent the day at the Capitol interesting Senators and members, who have avowed an interest in the principles behind the big rolis of manuscript bearing the names of a million or more people, some of whom have votes. The. petition, with its grand total of 1,121,200 names pasted on rolls of muslin, with the ‘names in four columns, was. ex- pressed in several big tin-lined boxes, all duly padlocked. Just how it will pe pre- sented to President Cleveland is not new known, as the arrangements are so far in- complete. The petition will be _ draped around the walls of Convention Hall Fri- day night. After its presentation here it will go on around the world to be presented to Queen Victoria, the czar and all of the crowned heads of the world. The opening meeting of the oceasion takes place Friday morning at 10 o'clock in the Metrcpolitan Church. Mrs. M. E. Griffith, president of the Dis- trict organization, will preside, and ad- dresses will be made by Mrs. Hoffman, Miss Greenwcod, Mrs. Hammer, Mrs. Ay- dejotte of Massachusetts, Mrs. Willing of New York and others. At the afternoon session Mrs. Barker of Chicago will pre- side. Mrs. Platt will speak, also Mrs. Mc- Laughlin of Massachusetts and Mrs. Carse fof Chicago. Friday evening the meeting will be held in Convention Hall, the world’s and_na- tional president, Miss Willard, presiding. Addresses will be made py Miss Willard, Mrs. Stevenson, Mrs. Hunt, Miss Kathcrine Willard of Baltimore, Lady Henry Somer- set, Mrs. Hoffman, and others. The Moody choir will furnish music for the occasion. Saturday’s sessions will be held at the Metropolitan Church, :ommencing at 10 a. m and2p.m. Mrs. La ¥etra, Miss Weight- man and Mrs. Mary Haslup will speak on the special needs of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union in this city, after which Mrs. Willing will conduct a devotional service. The Moody choir rehearsed last night, 380 strong, with forty-seven tenors, eighty altos, seventy-six bassos and 176 sopranos, and the accompanying orchestra being made up of Joseph P. Rudy, flute; R. I. Elliott, M. D. Lindsay, A. M. Nyman, O. B. Bullard and E. J. Fitch, violins; W. F. Paxson, Miss Athalia Yingling and J. W. Perkins, cornets, and Mrs. G. D. Brown, pianist. The choir will be out in full force Friday night, under the direction of Mr. Percy Foster, its energetic leader. Miss Willard and Lady Somerset have not arrived in Washington yet, but will leave Boston tomorrow morning for this city. Their headquarters here will be at Wormley’s. ——_—_— DISTRICT GOVERNMENT. Additional Private. W. H. Adams has been appointed an ad- ditiongl private of the metropolitan police force Yor three years, for duty as patrol driver, to serve without compensation from the District. Private W. J. Rogers of the metropolitan police force, tried for gross neglect of duty by the trial board, has been fined $20. Additional Carts. ‘The superintendent of the street and alley cleaning department has been allowed to employ additional or extra horses and carts from Messrs. Horn & Horn, contractors for cleaning unimproved streets and alleys, the same to be used in hauling snow and ice from the public streets of the city, Messrs. Horn & Horn having stated that they can furnish seven, and possibly nine, in addition to three now regularly em- ployed, the contract price for such extra carts being $1.65 each per diem of eight hours. Bill Submitted. The Commissioners have submitted to Representative Heard, chairman of the District committee on appropriations of the House, the draft of a bill to amend sections 718 and 720 of the Revised Statutes of the United States relating to the Dis- trict of Columbia, with the request that it be substituted for House bill 8594, hav- ing the same title. Covering Fire Plugs. Mr. S. T. Thomas, attorney for the Dis- trict, today rendered an opinion to the Commissioners in regard to obstructions to fire plugs. Section 31 of an ordinance of the cerporation of Washington provides a penalty for obstructing access to any valve or stopeock connected with the water mains or service pipes by placing thereon stones, brick, lumber, dirt or any other material, or who shall permit any such material to be placed ‘thereon by those in his or_ their employ. Mr. Thomas says that it was the inten- tion of the corporation of Washington by the above ordinance to include fire plugs, which were in existence at the time, and it is unlikely that it would have legislated to protect valves and stopcocks connected with water mains from obstructions with- out specifying fire plugs, unless it was sup- posed that the words “any valve” were broad enough to cover fire plugs. Valves, he says, are often named from the thing which or place where connected, as an angle valve, corner valve, hydrant valve and a plug valve, a fire plug being nothing more than a plug valve. It is called a “fire plug’ because it is generally used to sup- ply fire engines with water for putting out fires, and is thus named merely to dis- tinguish it from other valves connected with the water service. He is of the opinion that section 31 of the ordinance of 1859 prohibits the obstruc- tion of fire plugs by throwing snow upon them in the process of cleaning the side- walk, and it is the duty of property owners in front of whose premises fire plugs are located to see that they are not obstructed by snow and ice. He says further that the law on the sub- ject needs no amendment, but that any person obstructing a fire plug by covering or obstructing it with snow is liable to punishment under the ordinance referred to above. Without Water. M. Kaufman of 11i2 and 1114 E street southeast writes to the Commissioners to- day calling attention to the fact that he is at the present time without water, as is also the house next to him. He says the trouble was caused by the grading of E street, which brought the service pipes too close to the surface, and which the con- tractor failed to lower when the work was completed. The matter has been referred Fre engineer department for investiga- Reported Favorably. The Commissioners have reported favor- ably, with some slight alterations, the House bill to amend the charter of the Rock Creek railroad. SS GEN. CORSE BURIED. The Casket Was Wrapped in His Old Battle Fling. The funeral of Gen. Montgomery Dent Corse, the famous veteran of the Mexican, and civil wars, took place at St. Paul's’ Episcopal Church, Alexandria, this morn- ing at 11:30 o'clock and was attended by a large number of the friends of the de- ceased. The service was conducted by Rev. P. P. Phillips of St. Paul’s Church, assisted by Rev. Henderson Suter of Christ Church. Robert E. Lee Camp, Confederate Vet- erans of Alexandria, of which Gen. Corse was a member, attended the services in a bedy, wearing their uniforms. A delega- tion from Pickett and R. E. Lee Camps, Confederate Veterans of Richmond, as well as a delegation from the geological survey, friends of Mr. W. B. Corse, son of the de- ceased general, also attended. The active pallbearers were D. H. Appich, Jchn R. Ziramerman, W. H. Bacon, Thos. Perry, C. O. Sipple and Frank J. Power. The casket was wrapped in the battle flag of the seventeenth Virginia regiment and the old state flag, while on top was a de- sign of the confederate flag in immortelles sent by Lee Camp of Alexandria. The re- mains were interred in St. Paul's Chureh cemetery. ——— John Buchanan was given a comfortable home in jail for sixty days by Judge Miller today because he appropriated to his own use $2 the property of Eliza Williams, THE BOND: CONTRACT —_+—__ ; Resolution Introduced Calling for a Copy: of It ee MR. SHERMAN'S SECOND FINANCIAL BILL Mr. Chandler's Criticism on a Post “Office Appropriation Item. MATTERS IN THE HOUSE A financial bill on the lines of the Pres- ident’s last message to Congress was pre- sented to the Senate today by Mr. Vilas (Wis.). Its reading was fcllowed with much interest, and it brought out a brief but spirited debate. A The measure is entitled “A bill to save the American people $16,174,770." It re- cites the President’s statement that he had agreed to issue $62,400,000 of bonds, payable in “coin” at an interest equiva- lent to 3 3-4 per cent, but had retained the right to issue bonds payable in gold at 3 per cent if Congress granted the au- thority. The bill states that this difference in interest amounts to $5i9,150 per year, or $16,174,770, in the thirty years during which the bonds will run. It is provided that the Secretary of the Treasury shall be author- ized to issue $65,000,000 of bonds at 3 ver cent interest, payable in gold in thirty years. The bonds are to be used in re- deeming legal tenders and are to be ex- empt from taxation. Mr. Hoar’s Inquiry. Mr. Hoar (Mass.) rose as the reading of the bill closed, and, addressing himself to Mr. Vilas, said: “Will the Senator tell us as to the authority for the great savings he sets forth? Who are the persons with whom this arrangement for buying bonds have been made. Where is the contract? ‘We ought to have full information.” “I am not the keeper of executive docu- ments,” responded Mr. Vilas. ‘The Presi- dent has given us his views in his mes- sage.” “But,” insisted Mr. Hoar, “we should have details. We have only a statement of certain facts and conclusions by the President, but there is an entire absence of details.” “I have no more detalis than any other Senator.” sald Mr. Vilas. Mr. Wolcott (Col.) gave a new turn to the discussion. “The morning reports tell * said he, ‘that these bonds are being taken in London at 112%, and by this means the syndicate of Jewish bankers who have taken the bonds are netting a profit of 8 per cent.” Mr. Vilas said this was an additional rea- son why a new form of bonds should be authorized. Mr. Teller’s Criticisms. Mr. Teller spoke of the enormous profit of 8 per cent already being realized in London on American. bonds. He said the President had given.no details as to the ecntract with bankers. The ways and means committee wf the House had been trying to get at the farts, but had not yet fcund out the names, of all the partics interested in the, bond contract. At first we were told these a nds would have to sell at 33-4, because fHey were on a silver basis, and now they wére selling in London on a gold basis.-A féw months ago our bends sold easily’at less than 3 per cent interest. It could’not“be possible, said Mr. Teller, that the utter lack of tact shown in the Treasury Department had forced up the rate of interest ‘from less than 3 to 33-4 per cent, when ‘the last bonds are much superior to the former cnes. The Senator also pointed out that the President had gone abroad,for,.purchasers of bonds and had not given our own people an op- portunity to’ buy them. If these bonds were selling at such a handsome protit in London, it showed the credit of the United States had not heen. so disastrously im- paired as the President sought to make the country believe. Mr. Sherman Offers Another Bill. At this point Mr. Sherman (Ohio) came forward with another financial measure. He offered it as a substitute to the bill for unlimited silver coinage, reported from the finance committee yesterday. Mr. Sher- man’s bill is similar to the one introduced some time ago, although he now gets it directly before the Senate. It provides for bonds at 3 per cent, payable in gold coin, and for the issue of gold certificates. Both the bills of Mr. Vilas and Mr. Sher- man went to the table. Thereupon Mr. Hill (N.Y.) raised the point that they ought to go on the calendar, where they could be got at, and would have the same advant- 2ges_as the silver bill reported yesterday. There was a spirited colloquy, but the bills were left on the table. A Call for the Contracts. Mr. Aldrich had suggested during the de- bate that if the Senate wanted more de- tails as to the bond contracts between the treasury and the bankers the best thing to do was to call for the ccrtracts. He now introduced a resolution to this effect. It calls on the President to send to the Sen- ate, if not incompatible with the public interest, a copy of the contract between the treasury and certain bankers for the purchase of bonds. Mr. Aldrich sought to have the resolution immediately considered, but Mr. Vest objected and it went over. With this financial prelude ended the Sen- ate turned to general business. Mr. Mor- gan (Ala.) secured the passage of a joint resolution in accordance with the Presi- dent's annual message, concerning the Ven- ezuela-British Guiana boundary. Mr. Vilas gave notice of eulogtes on February 15 to the memory of the late Representative Shaw of Wisconsin. Earlier Senate Sessions. Mr. Gorman offered a resolution, which went over, that the Senate sessions begin at 11 a.m. on and after next Friday. ‘The House resolution was passed extend- irg the time for making returns on the income tax from the first Monday in March to April 15. It adds several Senate amend- ments to the income law as to fire insur- ance premiums and corporation stocks. The Post Office Appropriation Bill. The Senate then resumed consideration of the post office appropriation bill, and Mr. Chandler (N. H.) made a sharp ar- raignment of the provision giving the Post- master General discretion over expending the $3,200,000 for railroad postal rates. Mr. Chandler pointed out the dangers of the change and characterized the amend- ment as a “lifter and a Squeezer.” It gave designing men an‘opportunity to “‘squeeze’’ railroads by threatening to put them on the rack if they wishdd to have their com- pensation increased for postal car service. “And the great political committees also seek various means of raising money,” said Mr. Chandlér. *““‘They seek money from all available sources. They like it in large sums and tkey orefer it from large corporations rather than in small subscrip- tions from individuals.” Mr. Chandler said that if this amend- ment was made it waald make it possible for the great political: committees to ap- proach the railroads...He did not assert this would occur, but the temptation would be offered. . “AR said MroChendler, “I would not like to subject the Memocratic national committee to the temptation of raising funds from the great railways of the coun- try.” ty 8 In Whose Interest ‘the Change Was. ‘The Senator proceeded to urge that the roposed change was in the interest of claim agents and political strikers.” He meant by this no criticisms on the present Postmaster General. But there were re- ports that he would soon resign. It was not known who his successor would be. Mr. Chandler said it would be most un- wise to make this change, shouldering the Postmaster General with not only a descre- tion, but a temptation and a tremendous burden. z Mr. Gorman, at one time chairman of the democratic national committee, briefly con- tended that Mr. Chandler's fears and po- litical inferences. were groundless. Mr. Vilas, who was Postmaster General in Mr. Cleveland’s first cabinet, supported the amendment. He gave his personal experi- ence with the postal service. The railway postal service Mae being run at a loss of $11,000,000 annually, although reliable men would contract to run it without a dollar's deficiéncy if they could have reasonable laws, and-reg lations. Mr. Vest also pointed out other changes desirable in the postal service. . THE HOUSE. The House devoted today, after the first morning hour, to business reported from the committee on the District of Columbia. On motion of Mr, Talbot of Maryland, who desires to call up the naval appropriation bill tomorrow, it was agreed that the House should meet tomorrow at 11 o'clock. The House non-concurred in the Senate amend- ments to the bill for the examination and classification of certain mineral lands in Montana and Idaho and ordered a confer- ence. A bill for ‘the relief of Basil Moreland was passed, and then Mr. Heard (Mo.), chairman of the District of Columbia com- mittee, claimed the remainder of the doy, and the House entered upon the considera- tion of District business. 2. DISTRICT IN CONGRESS. A Suffrage Bill. Mr. Hooker of New York has introduced in the House the bill prepared by the Suf- frage Association authorizing a special election to be held by the citizens: of the District to determine whether the present municipal government shall continue or whether there shall be a change in the plan of government for the District. The bill, which has been published in The Star, was referred to the committee on the Dis- trict of Columbia. An Old Clnim for Damages. The House committee on claims has favorably reported a bill to pay Geo. H. Plant $6,716 for damages sustained by rea- yon of a collision between the U. S. S. Get- tysburg and the steamboat Lady of the Lake. To Light H Street Northeast. "Mr. Frizzell of the Northeast Washington Citizens’ Association has submitted a re- cuest to the House conferees on the Dis- trict appropriation bill to insist upon the appropriation of $9,000 for lighting II street northeast with electricity. Juries in the District. ‘The House committee on judiciary has reported favorably the bill to provide for the striking of juries in the District of Columbia. This bill has been explained in The Star. The same committee also re- ported adversely the bill to incorporate the National Rapid Transit Railway Company. Laborers in the Printing Office. Senator Palmer today introduced a bill to restore to the rate of $2.50 a day the wages of laborers in the government print- ing office, which was referred to the com- mittee on education and labor. ° THE DEATH RATE Goes Down to a Low Point During the » Past Week. Although the mean temperature of the atmosphere of the last week ranged as low as 17 degrees less than that of the previous week, the humber of deaths re- ported at the health department increased but 9 per cent. The death rate was 17.0, a3 against 15.6, as by the last report. These rates are materially below the annual aver- age, which is about 23 per thousand in- habitants. There were no prominent fea- tures in the history of the mortality for the week, except six fatal cases of typhoid fever, all of which, with but one exception, occurred in the extreme northerly and northwesterly portions of the city. Infant mortality is materially below the normal, as well as that among aged persons over sixty years old. Nine cases of diphtheria, with one death, and thirteen cases of scar- let fever, with no death therefrom, were reported. The latter malady presents itself in a mild form, while whooping cough, measles and cerebral meningitis seem to be in abeyance. The smallpox patients are doing nicely. No new cases have occurred and five patients were discharged from the hospital. The total deaths were 97. Two were from violence. There were 96 births reported and 27 marriages. —-— SOUTHERN RAILWAY EMPLOYES. Satisfactory Results Hoped for From This Afternoon’s Conference. Results satisfactory to the employes are hoped for as an outcome of the meeting this afternoon between Third Vice Presi- dent Baldwin of the Southern railway and the representatives of the engineers, con- ductors, firemen and trainmen employed on its system now in the city. A prominent member of the Engineers’ Brotherkood, who will be of the committee to meet Mr. Baldwin, expressed the opin- ion that the company was disposed to make some concessions to the employes, especially regarding the question of wages, which, after all, is the main point of dif- ference existing between the company and its employes. He had no specific informa. tion on the subject, but he felt quite posi- tive, if the company showed an inclination to comply with the employes’ request, an amicable understanding would soon be ar- rived at. | The new schedules of pay, working time, ete., are expected here from New York during the afternoon. The cogference be- tween Mr. Baldwin and the employes’ com- mittee takes place at 3:30 o'clock, but as the employes’ committee will ask for time to consider the proposition submitted any announcement vf the result of the meeting today is impossible. — FATALLY BURNED. Terrible Agony of a Woman This Afternoon. Kate Cook, a colored servant, employ- ed at the boarding house No. 724 12th street northwest, was probably fatally burned at 2:45 o'clock this afternoon by her clothes catching fire from the kitcben range. Kate was ironing at the time that Mrs. Watkins, the landlady, heard a shriek of fire. One of the boarders, a Mr. Nelson, rushed into the kitchen and saw the woman enveloped in fiames. The servant, frightened by the blaze and maddened with pain, rushed through the heuse and through a room occupied by a person lying {ll with typhoid fever. Nelson pursued her and succeeded in throwing a blanket around her and smothering the fire. Dr. Atkins of 12th street was hastily called, and a telephone message sent out from the Ohio National Bank to Emerg- ency Hospital for the ambulance. The offi- cers on that and adjoining beats hastened to the house. The usual excitement pre- yailed. Dr. Atkins pronounced the woman fatally burned. She was scarred from head to foot, even the hair being burned from her head. She was carefully wrapped in blankets, placed on a stretcher and was placed in the ambu- lance and wheeled away to the hospital. The accident is supposed to have oc- curred when the woman reached over the range to take off or to replace an iron. ‘The grate was open, and in this way, it is thought that her clothes caught. Kate Cooke.was given to Mrs. Watkins by the woman’s mother away back in the times of slavery. She had always lived with Mrs. Watkins, and when the latter came to Washington from Maryland to keep boarders, Kate came too. s as cence Collector Ryan Seeking Information. Internal Revenue Collector William Ryan of Richmond, Va., and his chief deputy, W. H. Tyler, visited Commissioner Miller's office today and discussed with the chief of the income tax division certain details of the tax law and regulations. The regu- lations and blank forms scem plain enough in the main, Collector Ryan says, bue there are several large railroad systems in Vir- ginia, and it was especially about these the collector wished to ask questions. Mr. Ryan also had an interview with Civil Service Commissioner Proctor touching the question of placing internal revenue depu- ties under civil service rules. sioner is at work on the matter now, and expects to induce the President to issue the necessary orders some time during the year. ee Returned to Their Reservation. The Sac and Fox Indian delegation, head- ed by Chief Keokuk, have returned to their reservation in Indian territory. They came here several weeks ago to discuss certain reservation matters and became stranded in the city. They waited here several days for funds to secure their transportation home, and the government finally advanced them their expenses from a fund due them. ———— W. W. Stowe, one of the Golden Gate Park commissioners and a_ well-known politician, died suddenly at San Francisco Monday afternoon of apoplexy. The commis- | Ten Inches in the Channel and Piled Up in Placea. Trouble When a Thaw Comes—Can the Loeal Boats Do the Work? The Potomac continues to be icebound, and slight hope of relief is furnished by the weather indications. The reporter for The Star talked with a number of the lead- ing navigators of the home waters this afternoon and they agreed that this was the worst freeze up they have ever known. The Norfolk and Washington propeller Norfolk, which attempted to cut through to the bay yesterday, and which, after reaching Alexandria, gave up the task and returned to her home dock, reports that it required four hours of hard steaming to make Alexandria and that off that town ice fourteen inches was struck. The ice varies from ten to fifteen inches in thick- ness. = ‘The Norfolk is a steel propeller of about 1,300 tons displacement, of the most mod- ern construction, with forward lines es- pecially adapted for smashing ice, and armed with triple-expansion engines of vast power and the latest type. People on the river front think that if this craft had to give up, it would be impossible for the little tugs which steam around Wash- ington to buck the ice. The strongest tugs on the Potomac are the Marion Harlow and the Templar of Alexandria. These are now down in the Wicomico river. The Eve Belle Cain, Minerva, Juno and other boats are smail, and are without ice beaks. Their owners think that by putting on beaks they will be equal to the occasion. The reporter talked with several of the harbor police. They all thought that if the local craft could demonstrate their ability to crush in the ice, they should be given the contract, but the officers did not believe that the small tugs could do it. Several steamboat owners told the re- porter about the same thing. If the local tugs can do the work there ought to be no recourse to outside assistance; but the offi- clals, they think, should be thoroughly satisfied that the home tugs will be equal to the task of cutting the ice, and, what is even of higher import, crushing through the ice pack as it gorges at the Long bridge. A Misuuderstanding. The Commissioners are not having an easy time of it in starting the work of clearing the ice. It was developed today that there is some friction among the lccal rivermen, who are endeavoring to have the work of clearing the channel done by Washington boats, in preference to going to Baltimore to secure larger tugs from there. This misunderstanding has already caused some delay, and may still further hamper the Commissioners. Yesterday morning there was a delega- tion of river men at the District building with a proposition to do the work either on a contract or to hire their boats to the authorities by the day. They left with the understanding that they would submit a proposition this morning with figures and details. of the work that they propose to do. Since then, however, it has developed that they were counting on the co-opera- tion of the two largest tugs on che river, the Templar and the Harlow, which are icebound in the Wicomica, about seventy- five miles down the river. The owners of these two tugs have ex- pressed a disinclination to co-operate with the smaller tugs that are now at the city wharves, and Harbormaster Sutton has stated that he does not think the smaller tugs are capable of doing the work- alone and unaided. So it was that the rivermen found their plans could not be carried out, and they asked the Commissioners this morning for a further extension of time until tomorrow before submitting estimates for the work. Among the early callers at the District building today were the owners of the Tem- plar and the Harlow. They propsed to the Commissioners to clear a channel with their boats, bringing them up from Wicom- ico creek tomorrow, if they were given the contract. They said it would take about forty hours to come up and then when the clearing of ice in the harbor was begun there would be a clear channel for the ice to float out when it was started. The owner of the Harlow, which is the smaller of the two boats, said that any boat smaller than his would be of no service at all with such heavy ice. There It Rests. ‘There the matter rests for the present, for both sides have been given until tomor- row to formulate their plans. In the mean- time a number of the river boats are being fitted with iceplows, so that they could go to work tomorrow, if necessary, although some of the river men are of the opinion that there would be no sense in clearing away ice until there is enough of thaw to carry the ice down as fast as it Is broken. The situation is not,a pleasant one, for the ice is ten inches thick in the harbor and piled up to a considerable depth in places, so that if there should come a sudder thaw, with a warm rain, the chances for trouble would be by no means small. ——>——_ ASKING WORK FOR THEIR PEOPLE. A Delegation of Leading Colored Clergymen Visit the Commissioners. The Commissioners this morning received a deputation representing the central re- Nef committee of the colored churches. The object was to present the claims of the relief work among destitute colored people to a share of the $10,000 appropriation re- cently made by Congress. They explained at some length the methods of relief that are followed among their churches and the different charitable organizations, ard stated a vastly larger number of colored people have been assisted by people of their own race than the general public seems to realize. They know of many cases of destitution that would not come under the attention of the general relief commit- tee and are able to do lots of charity work without delay. Mr. Ross explained to the delegation that the whole matter of the distribution of this fund had been turned over to the central relief committee of citizens, of which Mr. Lawrence Gardner is the chair- man. He advised them to present their claims to that committee, and assured them that they would receive all proper consideration. It would be manifestly im- proper for the Commissioners to attempt to say what subordinate relief organiza- tions should be beneficiaries under this appropriation. The attention of the vis- itors was called to the effort to supply work for those who are destitute but able to work. They were urged to call the at- tention of their congregations and of col- ored people generally to this matter, and to advise their people to apply to the cen- eee for work. This they agreed to do. Grain and-Cottom Markets. Cotton and. in markets, ted by W. B. Hibbs, 1421 F'st., representing Hubbard, Price & Co., New York. Wheat—May. Jul; ‘Month. March. DANGER FROM ICE/FINANCE AND TRAD stuck, ml to ‘el gar quiet, anche: fm, unckenged. ———-— Range of the Thermometer. The following were the readings of the thermometer at the weather bureau today: 8 am., 19; 2 p.m., 24; maximum, 24; min- imum, 18, Fractional Advances in Values, But Little Business Done. SHARP DECLINE IN TOBACCO TRUST Washington Advices Regarding a Three Per Cent Bond. GENERAL MARKET REPORTS —__+—___ Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. NEW YORK, February 13.—The tone of speculation this morning was steady at fractional advances over last night's clos- ing figures. The volume of business w insignificant and professional in the ex- treme. The short interest in the market again served the purpose of more legiti- mate arguments against a revival of the selling movement. The railway list was, at times, wholly neglected, prices through- out the mornipg fluctuating between ex- tremes of less than 1-2 per cent. The decision handed down by the New Jersey courts in the suit between the in- dependent tobacco manufacturers and the trust, in favor of the former, caused a sharp decline in the price of American To- bacco. Opening at 92, the price was steadi- ly depressed to 87 3-4 without opposition. Officers of the trust were quoted as at- taching no significance to the decision in the suit mentioned, as the questions in- volved are to be subjected to further tests under circumstances more favorable to the trust’s position. The stock loaned at a premium of 1 per cent, and was difficult to borrow through- out the day. The short interest in the property, as indicated by the scarcity of borrowable certificates, is sufficiently large to cause some apprehension among those responsible for the liquidation of short contracts. Sentiment, however, continues neared bearish on the company’s pros- pects. Washington advices encouraged a belief in the ultimate passage of a bill author- izing an issue of 3 per cent bonds, as sug- gested in the President’s recent message, and traders were disposed to hold prices firm until Congress declared its ultimatum in this particular. While the room element is willing to adopt any encouraging report from Wash- ington, the best information from author- itative sources indicates beyond the possi- bility of a doubt that the probability of passing any financial measure at this ses- sion is more remote than ever. In the short time left for the accomplishment of this purpose it is practically impossible to unite the discordant element in both houses, and no fusion of political interests is at ll likely. The situation seems to promise two dis- appoirtments which will be reflected by a lower range of stock values, the defeat of = peoling bill and an unchanged financial policy. The possibility of the unexpected happen- ing will lead some of the more optimistic to accept chances on the long side of the stocks most interested in the legislative features of the situation. It is more than probable that the im- portance attached to the defeat of the pool- ing bill has been over-estimated, and that, beyond the first shock, no important or long-continued decline would follow such action. The further deposits of gold at the assay office sgainst bond purchases increased the total receipts so far as re- ported to $5,125,000. The last hour's trad- ing was dull, with prices but fractionally under opening figures. ———— FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL. The following are the opening, the high- est and the lowest and the closing prices of the New York stock market today, as re- perted by Corson & Macartney, members New York stock exchange. Correspondents Messrs. Moore & Schley, No. 80 Broadway: Stocks. American Sugar.. American Sugar Pid Amencap Tovaeco. American Cotton Oi a = aes Pr is.and Cattle Feeding. General Electric. Mlinots Central. Lake Shore. Long Island Traction. Metropolitan Traction. Manhattan Elevated. Michigan Central. Missouri Pacifi Phila. and Reading. Pullman Pal. Car Go... Southern Railway. Phila. Traction, Texas Pacific Vabash. Wabash Pf Wheeling and 1. Erie Wheeling and L. E. Pfd_ Western Ui Wisconsin Ceniral...... a Washington Stock Exchange. Sales—regular call—12 o'clock m.—U. 8. 43, tered, $100 at 110; $50 at 110%. Bank of 290. “Washi ington, 12 at fon Gas, 20 at Ek Light, 50 at 133; 10 at 183; 5 Natioral Union Insurance, 100 at at 13; 100 at 13. Lincoln Fire Insurance, 35'at Columbia Title Insurance, 63 at Tp; 13 at Ts. After call—Lincoln Fire Insurance, 100 at 8%. Government Bonds.—U. 8. 4s, registered. 110 bid, 110% asked. U.S. 4s, 110 bid, 111 asked. U.S. 5s, 1144 District of Columbia Bonds.—20-vear fund 5s, 108 bid. 30-year fund 6s, 115 bid. Water stock Zs, 1901, currency, 115 bid. Water stock 7a, 1908, Wash DOK. 123; 5 13; 28 84; 50'at BK. currency, 115 bid. — 3.658, funding, currency, 1 bid. Sic, registered, 2-10s, 100 bid. Miscellaneous town roa Washington and G 139 bid, 142 asked. Metropolitan Ratlroad conv. 6s, 06 , 84% ‘bid, Me asked. a bid, 105 asked. Columbia Railroad 6s, 109% bid, 112 asked. Warhington Gas Co 6s, scries A, 113 bid. Washington Gas C ing’ ‘omy Washington Gas Company Electric Light conv. 5s, 130 bid. ’ Chesaj Potomac Telephone Ss, 100 bid, 108 asks can Security and Trust 5s, F. and A., ¥ American Security and Trust 5s, A. and @., 100 bid. Washington Market Company ist €s, 110 bid. shington Market Company imp. Gs, 110 bid. Washington Market Company ext. 05. id. Il Association 5s, 105 iid. es Infantry Ist 6s, 100 bid. Washington Light ntry 24 7s, 100 bid. ‘National Bank Stocks.Bank of Washington, 290 14, 800 asked. Bank of the Republic, 250° bid, asked, Metgopolitan, 280 bid, 207 asked. D bid, 2 asked.” Farmers and Mechanics’, id, 200 asked. Second, 136 bid. 2 130 Did. Columbia, 130 bid,’ 145 asked. Capital, 115 bid. West End, 110 bid, 111 asked. ‘Traders* 108 bid, 00 asked. ‘Lincoln, 99 bid. Ohlo, 70 bid, —National Safe Exkington Rafiroad 6s, 16 ‘fe Deposit and Trust Companies. it and Trust, 122 bid. 124 asked. Washington Loun and ‘Trust, 117 20 asked. American Se- curlty and Trust, 133% bid. Washington Safe De posit, 100 asked. a Railroad _ Stocks.—Washington and G 270 bid, 285 as |. Metropolitan, 6 bid, rt Coiumbia, 58 bid, 6 asked. Belt, 30 asked. KE Jugton, 39 bid. “Georgetown and Tennallstown, 2 id. Tisuranee Stocks.—Firemen's, 45 asked. Franke 45 hid, ed. Metropolitan, 70 hid, 78 Potomac, S14 bid. Ar- asked. ora, | “& Mngton, 150 1 2 Lid. 13tg asked. J5'4 asked. Ries, 74 bid, 8 asked. "People’s, 5' bid, Lincoln, 8% bid, Si asked: Commercial, . 5 asked. » Insurance Storks.—Columbla Title, 74 bid, 1, Ngshiogton ‘Title, 6% asked.” Disiriet er tocks.—Chesapenke and Potomac, 55% E aphophone, 444 bid, Pneumatic Gun Carriage, 22 bid, 32 Miscellaneous Stocks.—Washington Market, 15 Did. Great Falls Ice, 130 bid, 145 asked. ” Bull Rua Panorama, 12 bid, asked. Lincoln Hall, 87 bid, 92 asked. Inter-Ocean Building, 80 asked. Mergenthater Linotype, 145 bid. Sylvester Collins of 18th street fell on the ice last night and sustained a painful cut over the left eye. He was sent to Freed« men’s Hospital for treatment.