Evening Star Newspaper, February 15, 1895, Page 1

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THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 2102 Pennsylvanig Avenue, Cor. 11th Street, by The Evening Star Newspaper Company, & © RAUFEMARE Prevt. Now York Office, 49 Potter Building, pocbeaenceeueepnsted ‘The Evening Star is served to subscribers in the efty by carriers, on their own account, at 10 cen! per week, or 44 cents per month. geunter 2 cents each. By mail United States or Canada—postage prepald—60 cents Der month. Saturday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with foreign postage a 3.00. Entered at the Post e at Washington, D. C., 88 mail matter.) subscriptions must be paid tn advance. de known on app! Che £vening Stave. WASHINGTON, D.C., FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1895-TWELVE PAGES. TWO CENTS. Be proof of te pudding is fn f6e eafing. Yesterday's Star contained 49 cofumns of advertisements, made uz of 578 separafe announce ments. Bese advertisers foua§t pubficite-nof merefp Space. go nn tr ere a Were His Presidential Prospects Af- fected by Yesterday's Action? MOTIVES EXPLAINED BY FRIENDS The Criticism on His Action on the Bond Resolution. —— EFFECT ON HIS LEADERSHIP gies The presidential fortunes of Thomas B. Reed were thought to be as much in evt- dence in the House yesterday as the finan- celal fortunes of the country. The support- ers of the Maine man were nervous and anxious. The supporters of other republi- can presidential aspirants were alert and expectant. How would Mr. Reed come out of the scrap? How would he bear seeing his Heutenants in the House set up for themselves on the question of the bond scheme, and make open exhibition of the republican division on the point at issue? And how many republican votes would they be able to throw against a scheme which the recognized republican leader in the House was advocating? Mr. Reed Somewhat Disturbed. It was apparent that Mr. Reed himself was somewhat disturbed. He knew of the general interest attaching to his attitude. He was restless during the whole of the debate, remaining in his seat but very lit- tle of the time.” He was absent from the chamber when the republican members en- thusiastically applauded the condemnation of the gold scheme by Hopkins and Can- non of Illinois and Grosvenor of Ohio, but he could hear the noise from his chair in the cloak room, where he was conferring with his supperters. How very strange, and loud, and un- welcome it sounded to him, however, no- body could tell from anything he said or from the expression on his face. ‘Ine effect it produced was only to be gathered from his increased activity and the number of conferences between him and his friends that followed. His short speech toward the close of the debate was well done, as to ease of delivery and simplicity of expres- sion, but it was not considered character- istic as to close grappling or directness. His rebellious lieutenants had denourced the administration's contract with the New Yerk bankers as monstrous and impeach- able. Mr. Reed would only say that, while perhaps this was true, it was not wise to permit the contract to cbscure the duty of Congress as to the financial issue itself. His remarks upon the whole were received most respectfully but coldly by his party friends. What His Friends Say. From the day the President's gold mes- soge was received by the House Mr. Reed and his friends were advised of the kope entertained by his opponents in the party that it would result in putting him in a‘ hole. The reasoning was simple. It was asserted that if Mr. Reed voted againsi the scheme his eastern friends would re sent it, and that if he voted for it any ‘~ crease of his support in the west would be rercered impossible. A straddle was not to be considered for a moment. Such treatment of the question would be diffi- cuit for even a trained trimmer, and was for Mr. Reed, whose whole ts upon irage and straightfor- wardne His friends assert that he took the course dictated by his sense of duty, regardiess of personal considerations ¢r possible onal consequences. There was Dut the one question before him, either in the committee room or the open House, and that related to the public interests ‘The President had laid down a propos tion embodying both the credit of the gov ernment in the open market and the sav- ing of an enormous sum in the way of in- terest, and Mr. Reed thought it his duty as a republican to show as much zeal in the cou 's behalf as the President was profe; In doing this he did not consider that he was indorsing to the full what the admin- ration had done and was asking should ified. Mr. Reed, according to his . would neither have issued such nor bound himself by such a con- But the responsibility for what had been done was not his, and he did not con- sider that he or any other republican rep- resentative would share in it by a vote designed simply to save the government from additional embarrassment. ‘The Other Republican Views. ‘The other republican view of the ques- tion ges Mr. Reed with having wn- necessarily gone to the administration's assistance. It was not his fight. This con- tention, and that of the party, had chal- lenged the necessity of any such policy on the part of the administration. He had stated that the treasury trouble was due to a lack of revenue, and he should have held to that proposition and to the remedy char sug proposition for an issue ping up the goid reserve shouk ith one for an increase in th 1 sp tions, if nec é the money should be obtained. According to this view, there was no rea- son y Mr. Reed should take sides at all as n the warring democratic. fac- tions. democracy was in power, and if it desired republican support it should 1 obliged to come to republican terms. Mr. Reed ought, they say, to have laid down these tert Had he done so the result would have been an undisputed, un- diluted republican victory. Mr. Cleveland would have led the gold democrats, Mr. Bland the silver democrats and Mr. Reed the solid republican column advocating more revenue for the government. There would have been no legislation, as is the case as it stands But now the republi- cans under Mr Reed share in the adminis- on’s defeat, while the silver democrats Mr. Bland are more jubilant over the victory obtained than those republicans under Mr. Hopkins who helped achieve it. Possible Effect of His Action. This criticism of Mr. Reed takes into ac- count more than the simple question of the action he has just recorded. That, it ts suggested, might be forgotten, or remedied, before the holding of the next republican al convention But there is the next oming on, whose business Mr. 3 $ money ¢ ted to it, and pr It form than the eS are all interests How will Mr. ‘olt in hi find expre this re hip is t themselves oving thag Mr. G after y vinetble. man, spoke and the two fa- a who are c . were emphatic b their former record in urging the refe of the scheme to which Mr. Reed had given Has the Reed leadership in cived a black eye in anti-Reed men on the presi- pproval. al issue believe that it has. — oe Naval Movements. ‘The cruiser Charleston has returned to Cheefoo, and the gunboat Yorktown has gone to the south coast of Shantung Pe- ninsula. Court of Appeals Affirms Judge Hagner's - Opinion. InjJanction Refused and the Case Ap- pealed to the Supreme Court —The Opinion. The Court of Appeals today disposed of the case of John G. Moore against the com- missioner of internal revenue, by affirming the judgment of the court below, Judge Hagner. The case was argued yesterday, on the appeal from Judge Hagner’s decision of last month, refusing the complainant an injunction to restrain the Commissioner from proceeding to collect the income tax. Counsel for Mr. Moore at once noted an ap- peal to the United States Supreme Court, and it is expected by them that the appeal will be considered there next month, ‘The opinion of the court was written by Mr. Chief Justice Alvey, and fs as follows: “This case has been brought into this court, on its way to the Supreme Court of the United States, as we have been in- fcrmed, with a request by counsel that it should have an early hearing, and we ac- cordingly advanced the case on the calen- dar, and have heard argument, in order that it may reach the court of last resort in time to be heard there In connection with pending cases in that court, presenting the same or similar questions as those presented by this case, and which cases in the Supreme Court have been specially as- signea aud will likely be heard by that tribunal within the next few weeks. “With that object in view, there can be no good reason or useful purpose subserved by any elaborate consideration by this court of the questions presented by the bill and demurrer. “Some of the questions raised may well admit of grave and careful argument and consideration, if presented under proper conditions But in this case, and as now presented, we do not perceive that there is any good ground or cause shown for an in- junction to restrain the commissioner of internal revenue from proceeding with the werk ef his bureau in respect to the assess- ment and collection of the income tax un- der the act of Congress of 1894. The court is asked to take cognizance of and deal with the case before the facts are brought into existence to constitute the foundation for the exercise of jurisdiction, even sup- pesing the court competent to extend relief by injunction, notwithstanding the positive prohibitory terms of the statute embodied in section $224 of the Revised Statutes of the United States, which declare that ‘no suit for the purpose of restraining the as- sessment pr collection of any tax shall be maintained in any court.’ ‘The learned justice below has considered this case at large, and has decided all the questions attempted to be raised by the bill, and he has reached te conclusion that there was no sufficient ground presented to justify the exercise of the restraining power of a court of equity in any aspect of the case. And, without considering and deciding the main questions presented by the bill, we concur in the conclusion reach- ed by the justice below, that there is no suQjicicnt cause alleged or shown for the eatraord nary remedy by injunction, and therefore the decree dismissing the bill should be affirmed, and it Is so ordered.” —_——___ GRAY’S SUCC MR. on. Several Who Will Be Out of Congress Would Like the Office. The sudden death of Mr. Gray, Ameri- can minister to Mexico, has started a great deal of talk at the Capitol as te the pos- sible successor to the position thus ieft vacant, and also gossip about the peculiari- ties of Mr. Gray himself, who has long been regarded as an odd character in American politics. He had many very warm friends in Congress, deep sorrow at his death. Mr. Gray had immeasurable ambition, and it is satd that within the past year he had been engaged in political work in In- diana which foreshadowed another attempt on his part to get the democratic nomina- tion for either the presidency or vice pres- idency. He had recently effected a combi- nation with Gov. Matthews, the leader the young democracy of Indiana, which, it was understood, involved the continuance of the latter's power in state affairs and election to the Senate to succeed Voorhees if the democrats were in a_ position to elect, in consideration of which Gray was to be presented before the national conven- tion again as the favorite democratic son of Indiana. The story of the deal by which at the last convention the Indiana delega- tion was thrown to Cleveland, and which miscazried, as far as it contemplated the nomination of Gray as second on the tick- et, but resulted in hls appointment as min- ister to Mexico, has been frequently told; but it is being repeated over and over again, with a number of variations by the politicians in Congress who participated in that convention. It is generally con- tended that Gray was not treated fairly by Cleveland’s friends, with whom the was made. Gray was the first man tn America to count a quorum in a legislative body. As presiding officer of the state senate, when the constitutional amendments securing liberty for the negro were presented for ratification, he locked the democratic mem- bers of the body in the state house long enough to count them te preserve a quo- rum of the body. who express ‘A large number of members of the House who will have ex’s before their names af- ter ith of March are being spoken of to succeed Mr, Gray as minister to Mex- leo. Bynum of Indiana, Wilson of West Virginia, Springer of IMinois and Kilgore of Texas dre heing mentioned for the place. It is probable that the state delegation of each of these men will stand behind him, with the exception possibly of Bynum. o- COLLISIONS AT SEA. Proposed International Agree- ment and England’s Attitade. The Vice President has received a com- gal, Sweden, Spain and Russia have prom- munteation from the Secretary of State in response to a Senate resolution concerning the inteynational agreement to prevent col- lisions «t sea. The Secretary states that France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portu- fsed to promulgate the regulations, and Japan has already promulgated them. Great Britain, Austria and Italy express ire to postpone action until a later It appears from the correspondence transmitted that Great Britain at first fell ir with the plan for an international un- derstanding, but that on October 15 last etary Greshatn was informed that the | Earl of Kimberly had reached the conclu- sion thet as all the maritime powers had net sinified their acceptance of the agree- ment it had heen found impossible to put them into effect on March 1,1895, as agreed ‘This led to mere or iess diplomatic representation, closing with a recommenda- tion by Ambassedor Bayard, of January 31, that a joint resolution be adopted by Con- gress authorizing the President to tempor- arily make his first proclamation. Mr: Bayard thinks that the British government will immediately accept the agreement. ‘The correspondence shows that Austria and Italy acted in accord with Great Bri- tain in asking for a postponement of the date of putting the agreement into effect. ——— ae Indian Agents Here. Several Indian agents have reached the city to confer with the Interior Department on reservation matters. The agents are Capt. John L. Bullis, Pueblo and Jicarrilla agency, N. M.; Thomas B. Teter, Fort Hall agency, Idaho, and Lewis T. Erwin, Yaki- ma agency, Washington. The MR.REED'SFORTUNES|'§come TAX CASEIHILL AND HALE A Lively Colloquy Between the New “York and Maine Senators. _ THE SUBURBAN RAILWAY BILL The Vote on It in Committee Was a Tie. OTHER DiSTRICT MATTERS —————— ‘There was a lively meeting of the Dis- trict committee of the Senate this morn- ing followed by quite as lively a half-hour on the floor of the Senate, and it was all about the bill to extend the charter of the District of Columbia Suburban Railway Company. The House passed a bill to this effect (6816) on Wednesday last, and-yes- terday afternoon, among other bills, it was laid before the Senate. The Vice President referred these measures in a bunch to the District committee, and the Record this morning so stated. When the District com- mittee met, its members were under the impression that this bill was before them for consideration, and a debate of an hour ensued, in which the merits of the bill were thoroughly discussed. The advocates of the measure insisted that as all of the otter street railway lines running into the suburbs have had their charters extended it was only fair that this road should be treated in the same way. Its opponents, however, argued that this road, when built, would parallel the Columbia line, and would destroy, in a large measure, the value of the expensive cable plant that has just been instituted by the latter road. It was insisted that these suburban lines should be made to tap the trunk lines of the city at or near the boundaries, and so avoid duplication of tracks within the city. The pending bill, it was shown, would prac- tically nullify this principle, which has been adopted by the District committee of late. The Vote a Tic. At the conclusion of the discussion, the question was put whether the committee should report the bill favorably to the Sen- ate, and this was negatived by a tle vote, 5 to 5. The attendance, as on last Friday, was unusually full, Mr. Smith of New Jersey being the only absentee. Had he been present this morning the decisive vote would have been reached in committee. Oddly erough the position in the commit- tee was on strict party lines, although this was more of a coincidence than anything else. On the motion to report favorably the ayes were: Senators Harris, Faulkner, Hunton, Gibson and Martin; the nays were Serators McMillan, Proctor, Gallinger, Hansbrough and Wolcott. Mr. Hill's Interest in the Bill. When the committee had adjourned and the Senate had met, it was found that the Hcuse bill had not been referred to the committee, but had been held on the table yesterday afternoon at the especial request of Mr. Hill of New York. There has been a great deal of unpleasant feeling engen- dered during the last few weeks by the per- sistence with which Mr. Hill has been urg- ing the subcommittee, in charge of this bill, to report it to the Senate. Not long ago he and Senator Murphy joined in a letter to one of the members of the subcommittee that was not pleasant in its tone, but was rather the reverse. Later Mr. Hill wrote a leng letter to the same Senator, and was, if anything, more insistent than before. The cause of his interest is said to be the fact that an Albany man, a political friend of his, is one of the incorporators of this road. ‘The extent of his interest was shown when immediately after the reading of the journal in the Senate the Vice President was about to refer this bill to the District committee, by his preferring the request that it should lie on the table for the pres- ent. Senator Hale asked the nature of the bill and Mr. Hill briefly told him that it was a House bill relating to the suburban railway. z “Then, of course,” sald Mr. Hale, “it ought to go_to the District committee. The Senate, I take it, does not intend to take any action upon it until the committee has considered the bill.” The New York Senator's Complaint. “I should regret to make this promise,” said Mr. Hill. “A bill of a similar char- acter which has passed the other house (in this Mr. Hill was mistaken, for it is a Senate bill now pending before the District committee) has. been before the Senate District committee for eight months. Since December last I have been endeavoring to get a report from the committee and have been unsuccessful. The bill has been considered in committee and is being con- sidered now. I am advised that this morn- ing in the committee it stood five to five. ‘There is no reason why this bill, which has now passed the House and is precisely like the other, should go to the committee. A meeting fs to be held on Monday next, I believe, when this subject will be again brought up. I can see no reason why this bill should not now remain here.” Mr. Hale’s Reply. “{ am sorry,” said Mr. Hale, “that in any instance of the very many where the Senate is being corstantly raided in the direction of the desires of these street railway corporations to get possession of the streets and avenues of the District, the Senator from New York is giving his great force and influence in aid of this project. He has given what seems to me the best of reasons why the bill should be referred to the committee. The only reason he has given why it should not be referred {s that the committee, in its deliberations, has found itself to be tied; in other words, that the committee declines to report the bill to the Senate. That is a very good reason why the bill should be sent to the commit- tee for Its action, and if that committee, which {ts our chosen organ, does not report the bill to the Senate, then we can act as we choose. Therefore, I move that the bill be referred to the District committee.” “I regret that the Senator from Maine,” retorted Mr. Hill, “has seen fit to suggest any undue anxiety on my part to obtain control of any of the streets of the District for this or any other street railroad. I have been engaged, sir, in no such strife. Some friends of mine in New York, having some interest in this bill, suggested to me that they would like to have a report on the bill.” A Lively Colloquy. “How can hey get it,” asked Mr. Hale, “unless we send it to a committee?” “I am referring,” Mr. Hill answered, “to a bill that has been before the committee for eight months, and action upon which has been promised me repeatedly since the first day of December.” + “But if a majority of the committee is not in favor of the bill,” Mr. Hale insisted, “how does the Senator expect he can get action?” “I will come to that in a moment,” said Mr. Hill. “The Senator is seeking to down the committee,” said Mr. Hale. “No, I am not,” sald Mr. Hill; “but this pill must be treated the same as other bills.” e “That Is what I want,” said Mr. Hale. Mr. Hill was going on to explain further his position in the matter, when Mr. Hale interrupted with the suggestion that the motion was not debatable. “The motion is debatable,” snapped Mr. Hill. Mr. Faulkner endeavorzd to smooth the ruffied spirits of the two Senators by mak- ing a compromise proposition that the bill should lie on the table without action until after the meeting of the committee on Monday next. Mr. Hale said he had no objection if there was a distinct under- standing that no action should be taken. “TI cannot be here at all times,” he said, “because I am engaged on other commit- tees.” At this point Mr. Wolcott came for- ward with a vigorous defense of the Dis- trict committee. Mr. Wolcott Defends the Committee. “There has not been a reflection,” he said, “but a direct statement by the Sena- tor from New York that the District com- mitte2 has been derelict in its duty, and has for eight months had custody of the bill and has failed to act upon it. There is in the Senate, so far as I know, no such hard-worked, patient and conscientious committee as the District committee. There is in connection with that commit- tee a subcommittee of three, having direct charge of chartering and extension of char- ters of street railroad lines. That commit- tee brings to its work consideration and in- dustry and care greater than that which most men exercise over their own affairs. I speak with greater freedom because Iam not a member of that subcommittee, and I am probably the least industrious of any member of the District committee. But I know that that committee has painstak- ingly, carefully and conscientiously con- sidered every bill that came before it. Some eight months or so ago this bill was re- ferred to that committee. At that time the tariff measure was under discussion, and the members could not be got together to consider bills. There were twenty-eight bills for street railways pending before that subcommittee. In December, when the committee met, there were some members who thought it desirable to go back to their own states on matters pertaining to the election of Senators. Since their return this particular bill has been taken up and considered with the utmost care. In the opinion of many people the merits of this bill are but the slightest character. The reason why the bill has not been reported long ago has been largely a disinclination to offend the Senator from New York and others, because I understand the Senator from New York has an unusual—a per- fectly proper, but unusual—interest in this bill and has addressed the committee, I think, in writing on the subject. There has been ua desire to deal with it with the utmost liberality. The Senator from New York will be gratified with the report on the bill sooner or later. The Senator says that this very bill is now be- fore the Senate committee for considera- tion and asks that a bill exactly like it which has passed the other house shall be left on the table without first going to the District committee. I can imagine no greater or more unwarranted rebuke than would be exercised by such a vote if car- ried. Mr. Hale said he was willing to let the bill He on the table, but Mr. Wolcott ob- jected and said that he had no idea in the world that this measure would be specifi- cally taken up by the committee next Mon- day. He thought it perfectly fair and open to say that the situation of Mr. Hill would not be changed in the slightest degree or bettered by the committee meeting Mon- day. He would object to any unanimous consent which would bind the committee to some specific~action on Monday. Mr. Faulkner explained ghat there was no idea of pushing the committee to take any ac- tion and he made his proposition again that the bill should lie on the table, with the motion to refer pending until after Monday. This was finally agreed to and the question was passed oyer for the time being. The Dollar Gab BA. In the committee this ing a volumi- rous report was presented by the subcom- mittee on the dollar gas bill. Tne members of the subcommittee de- clared that they could not see how the gas company could afford at this time to make the reduction stipulated by the House bill. There was little discussion of the matter and it was decided that a mecting of the full committee should be held on Monday for the purpose of finally considering the report of the subcommittee. The report was ordered to be printed for the use of the committee, but will not be made pub- lic at present. Its effect negatives the bill and the ad- verse report will probably be adopted by the full committee on Monday. The bill in- ccrporating the National Gas Company, thcugh not discussed at all today, will also be brought up on Monday for final consid- eration. The Surveyor's Office. ‘A few other routine matters were attend- ed to. Senator Faulkner was directed to report favorably House bill 5711, author- izing the adoption of children in the Dis- trict. Senator Gibson was authorized to make a favorable report upon Senate bill , in- corporating the Marlboro’ electric road, when the subcommittee of which he is chairman shall have agreed upon the terms of the bill. House bill S714, incorporating the Capital Railroad Company, was re- ferred to Senators Harris, McMillan and Faulkner as a subcommittee. Senator Gal- linger was directed to report favorably on Senate bill 2672 when the subcommittee agrees upon its terms. This is the Dill es- tablishing sanitary regulations in the Dis- trict. Senator Gibson was added to the sub- committee on this bill, the other members being Senators Gallinger and Harris. The Surveyor's Office. In pursuance of the direction of the com- mittée, Senator Proctor, later in the day, moved in the Senate that the Senate insist upon its amendments to the Senate bill 444, making the surveyor of the District a salaried officer, and, this being carried, a conference was ordered. The Senate also disagreed with the amendment of the House upon the bill relating to the ap- pointment of women on the school board, and a conference was ordered on this meas- ure. Senator Hunton endeavored to obtain action upon the bill which passed the House on Wednesday providing for the striking of juries in the District, but Mr. Allen of Nebraska cbjected. se DISCRIMINATING SUGAR DUTY. Tie Bill for Its Repent to Be Favor- ably Reported. The Senate finance committee has agreed to report favorably the House bill repeal- ing the one-tenth of a cent discriminating duty on sugar imported from bounty pro- ducing countries. 5 The decision to report the bill was reach- ed without a roll call. Senator Aldrich, however, made a vigorous protest against the measure, saying he did not think It wise policy to make any such concession to Germany as was proposed, and suggest- ed that by a vigorous American policy of retaliation Germany could be brought to terms just as Spain had been in the matter of the trade relations of this country with Cuba. He also expressed the opinion that Germany’s decision to discriminate against American beef had been the result of our repeal of the reciprocity law and the con- sequent abrogation of our commercial agreement with that country, and he con- tended that the best way to remedy the trouble would be through the re-enactment of the reciprocity provision of the McKin- ley law. He gave notice of a motion in the Senate to recommit the bill to the com- mittee with instructions in the line of his suggestions. ————_—+o+—__ Personal Mention. Mr. Abbot Low Wood left for New York on Monday, to meet hig cousin, Mr. Hubert Pierrepont Van Wagenen. They will sail for Bermuda on the 20th, for a stay of two months. Dr. Thomas Fearn, who has spent the past five years in attendance upon the noted surgical clinies- of Europe, is visiting Mr. and Mrs.Richard Lee Fearn, 1767 Madi- son averue. Mr. _B. H. Warner, accompanied by his son, B. H. Warner, jr., sailed yesterday from New York for Bermuda and the Windward Islands. They will be absent about one month, THE POTOMAC President Has Signed the Bill for Clearing River. TWO BALTIMORE ‘UGS SELECTED Local Boats Have a Chance of Doing Some Work. COMMISSIONERS’ STATEMENT The congressional ‘appropriation of $5,000 for clearing the Potomac river of ice was made available this morning, the President having signed the joint resolution making the provision as soon as it was presented to him. Word of the President’s action was immediately telephoned to the office of the District Commissioners in order that they should not be delayed in their action in the matter. The Commissioners this afternoon set- tled the matter of securing tug boats to be put at the work of clearing the ice. The contract will be let to the Baltimore boats. Their reason for doing this is the claim that the local boats are not large enough to do effective service with such thick ice. This decision of the Commissioners will not give much satisfaction to the local river men, for they have been at the Dis- trict building every day this week in an effort to secure the job for Washington boats, They have put forward the claims of their boats, and insisted that these have abundantly demonstrated in years past their ability to cope with all the difficul- ties that the Potomac may present. Their agreement was printed in The Star yesterday, together with that submitted by the Baltimore men, The bid of the latter was for $250 a day for two boats, the num- ber decided upon, but with the understand- ing that they should be employed for not less than ten days, as this job would neces- sitate the cancelling of other contracts, as well as the expense of bringing the boats around from Baltimore. ‘The services of the United States tug Triton are also to be enlisted, and a sop is held out to the local boat owners in the suggestion of the Com- missioners that they may be able to employ Washington craft to aid in the work in connection with the larger boats. Their Statement. In order that they may not be misunder- stood, the Commissioners this afternoon made public the following statement in re- gard to their action: “The Commissioners, after a full con- sideration of the problem of getting rid of the ice in the Potomac river, and after consultation with the harbormaster and many other people who are conversant with the subject, have decided that it will be necessary to employ a very large and strong tug to have any effect upon the ice in the river. They have, therefore, secured the serwces of the Hercules, of 154 tons, length 112 feet, and the Vulcan, 62 tons, length 86 feet, of Baltimore. They have made such arrangements as they can rely upon for the services of these boats at Washington not later than Tuesday next. They have also accepted the offer of the Secretary of the Navy to furnish to the District the use of the Triton and have already made a contract for the. equip- ment of this boat with a suitable prow at the earliest possible date. This will en- able the Commissioners to employ other craft belonging to the city of Washington to aid these vessels in case further assist- ance should be necessary. They had a conference with the owners of the Templar and the M. B. Harlow, and will take their offer into consideration, together with an offer made by the owners of the William H. Mohler, the D. W. Keyes, the A. P. Gorman and Minerva, all of which are smaller boats and may be used with boats of large capacity. The testimony of all of the owners of all the tugs is to the effect that one large boat of the type of the Hercules at least, is necessary to en- able tlie others to do effective work." Better Condition. There is a slight improvement in the situation on the river today due to the gradual thaw, and the hope which this fact awakens, that it may continue. No movement can be made yet by the river craft. Nothing had been heard at the dcck of the Norfolk and Washington Steain- boat Company up to late this afternoon from Superinttndent John Callahan, as to whether the propeller Washington, with her heavy cargo of freight, is to be forced up the river. It is thought that with a day or two more of this kind of weather the feat can be accomplished. The Nor- folk is still at her dock, and no effort will be made to move her till word comes from Superintendent Callahan, The harbor Lo- lice are talking strongly of the urgent need for a harbor boat to replace the steam yacht Joe Blackburn, which shall combine the qualities of a patrol boat, fire boat and ice boat. ——————— CONGRESSMENS’ PERQUISITES. How Little of the Legal Stationery is Drawn by Members. Some interesting evidences of the amount of stationery Congressmen draw out of their legal allowances are shown by the ses- sion accounts that are now being filed in the clerk’s office of the House of Repre- sentatives. Each Representative and dele- gate is entitled to $125 worth of paper, pens, ink, pencils, ete., every session of Congress, and if he does not avail himself of the full extent of his privilege he can draw the balance in cash. This Congress members have been unusually fortunate, as there have been three separate sessions, entitling them to an aggregate stationery, account of $875. Not a baker's dozen have taken out their full quota of stationery, and the great majority have drawn but a few dollars’ worth. One of the accounts recently filed showed that the member had drawn but 3 cents’ worth of stationery during the session; another was for 53 cents, while quite a number were be- tween $1 and $10. Each committee of the House is entitled to a certain amount of pens, ink, paper, etc., every session, and members avail themselyes freely of this in preference to the troublesome and more expensive method of keeping a private sup- DIF aor Nominations by the President. The President today sent the following nominations to the Senate: Justice—Henry S. Foote of California to be attorney of the United States for the northern district of California. Richard T. O'Connor of Minnesota to be’ marshal of the United States for the district of Min- Lesota. Postmasters—Charles H, Gove, Garner, Iowa; Jas. M. Elerick, Keesauqua, lowa; Rebt. Kennedy, Pleasanton, Kan. —_—__-2+___. Gone to Philadelphia. Secretary Herbert left here this afternoon for Philadelphia, where he will deliver an address at the annual banquet of the Penn- sylvania Scotch-Irish Society tonight. 0s. An Indian Commission. The President today appointed Right Rev. Henry D. Whipple, bishop @f Minne- sota, to be a member of the board of In- dian commissioners, in place of Mr. Chas. C. Painter, deceased. Senator Jones Expects to Get It Up for Oonsideration on Monday. There May Be Filibustering Against It—No Financial Action Likely in Either House. Senator Jones expects to get his free sil- ver bill before the Senate for cons!dera- tion on Monday, and there is some pros- pect of a vote being reached. An agree- ment for a vote to be taken had been in- formally reached yesterday before the vote cn the gold bond bill in the House, but it may be that the result of this vote in the House may lead some of the anti-silver men to withdraw from the agreement. The silver republicans and democrats have been working very earnestly to secure a vote in the Senate, and have be2n making a very clever political play in support of their efforts. Their proposition to the le2d- ing opponents of the measure was that the bill should be taken up on Monday, with an agreement that a vote should be had on,Tuesday. They urge that there cculd be no objection to letting the coun- try know by an official record just how the Senate stands on this question, and that it would be a benefit rather than an injury to the gold men to be relieved of the responsibility by their helplessness being advertised. May Now Be Objection. There was a general acquiescence on all sides to a proposition that no harm could come of the votes being taken, and it was believed yesterday that there would be no difficulty about the matter. In the first ex- citement over the defeat of the gold bond resolution in the House, however, there may be some thoughtless apprehensions that the bill being passed through the Senate might also get through the House and cause more agitation and trouble. ‘There appears to be no real foundation for stich an apprehension, but it may be suffi- cient to cause some of the anti-silver men in the Senate to interpose an objection to any agreement and to talk the free silver bill to death. A conference between the silver Senators will be held late this after- noon, at which it is expected their course will be determined upon. It is probable that they will degide to take up the bill on Mcnday, even if they do not succeed in getting ‘a formal and binding agreement that a vote upon it shall be taken. No Further Attempt in the Fouse. ‘There seems to be little doubt that yes- terday’s fight was the final rally in the campaign of the administration democrats for financial legislation by this Congress. Members who are supposed to know the mind of the President say that he recog- nizes that it is futile t> attempt to secure any sort “of legislation for the treasury, and they assert unhesitatjzgly that he will not again recommend congressional action of any sort upon the finances. These dem- ocrats are disposed to put upon the repub- licans the blame for the failure of the res- olution reported by the ways and means committee. For their part, many republi- cans who say they would not have opposed the gold provision in a bond issue had the proposition been unincumbered by other factors explain their negative votes by say- ing they Gould net assent to a contract made with private parties for taking the bonds when they believed the issue could have been advantageously disposed of by public competition in this country. It is safe to say that this objection to the con- tract, which developed rapidly while the instrument was under discussion, was largely responsible for the remarkable shifting of plars which took place on the republican side. No Senate Action Likely. The bond men in the Senate say, almost without exception, that in view of the ac- tion of the House it is plain that no bond legislation is possible, and that action by the Senate would be meaningless and a loss of time. They agree that there will be no revival of the effort to authorize the is- suance of bonds. It may be almost authoritatively stated, however, that if Secretary Carlisle desires a temporery expedient to provide for the immediate Wents of the treasury, it will be granted in the shape of an amendment to the sundry civil bill providing for short- time certificates of indebtedness. This is the utmost in the way of financial legisla- tion that the Senate will agree to. EE THE WALTER CLAIM. Mr. Sayers Objects to the Considera- tion of the Bill. “I object, Mr. Speaker.” This assertion, made by Mr. Sayers on the floor of the House today, recorded another instance of the refusal of Congress to honor the debts of the government. Mr, Sayer’s objection was leveled against the consideration of a bill to pay the heirs of Thomas U. Walter for work performed by him for the gov- ernment, The history of the case is stated in the report accompanying the bill, as follows: ‘in the year 1850 the government deter- mined to build the new wings of the Cap- itol, At that time there was no such oilice as government architect, and the govern- ment adverused for plans and specitica- tions for the extensions, just as an indi- vidual would. Various plans were submit- ted, but that of Charies U. Waiter, who i spent most of his life in Europe stuay- his protession, was accepted. The con- tract as architect was awarded Mr. Walter, and he accepted, and his pay for that spe- cial work was fixed at $4,500 per annum. ‘Subsequently, the Secretary of the In- terior said: This, I feel sure, was a single and sep- arate contract relating exclusively to the two wings of the Capitol and the corridors conriecting them with the old building.’ “Thus it will be seen that Mr. Walter was not a government officer, but he was employed and paid for the specific work above referred to. Mr. Walter displayed such taste, capacity and energy in the ex- ecution of his work, the government as- signed him to perform the following duties: ‘To add wings to the patent oflice, which, when completed, became the great Interior Department building; the extension of the treasury bullding; extersicn of the post of- fice building; to make the fire-proof con- gressional library; to plan and personally supervise the erection of the immense dome of the Capitol, which required his hourly presence; marine barracks in Pen- sacola; marine barracks at Brooklyn, N. Y., and other valuable public services. “These services ran through the period of fourteen years, from 1851 to 1805, and by the estimate of architects would amount to over $100,000. They embraced nearly the whole of Mr. Walter's profes- sional life, for so arduous were his services and the strain on his mind that he was subsequently incapacitated for any im- portant work. It appears that Mr. Wal- ter’s desire was to live on the sum paid him for the extension of the Capitol and to reserve the amount for these important extra services as his compensation and as furnishing the means to support himself and family. After he had completed all these extra works he was informed by the Treasury. Department that there was no appropriation for that purpose and he must rely on Congress. Then he filed his me- morial. Since then he died, leaving his will giving to his wife and daughters his in- terest; sin his wife has died, leaving the two daughters, who are single and without any means of support. Your committee thinks it the merest act of justice to allow the sum of $14,000, the sum fixed by the Senate, as it seems, at $1,000 a year for fourteon years, for Mr. Walter's labor in all these matters. Your committee feel it due to his memory to state that no work was ever more superbly done and that his work reflects credit on this government, for which he comparatively gave his life. ICE THE FREE SILVER BILL REFUSED TO PLEAD The Hawaiian Ex-Queen on Trial at Honolulu. DAMAGING EVIDENCE IN HER DIARY The Present Sent Her by the President. SHE GOES ON THE STAND HONOLULU, February 8, via San Fran- cisco, February 15.—Liliuokalani Dominis, ex-Queen of Hawaii, was arraigned on the 5th instant on a charge of misprison of treason. The criginal charge was treason. She is represented by Paul Neumann. The first day was frittered away by the argu- ment of counsel, who objected to the court at every turn. His objections were over- ruled in every instance. After the charge was read the matter went over for a day. The case was called again the day before yesterday. The deposed monarch refused to plead, 80 a plea of not guilty was entered. The work of examining witnesses was gene on with, and enough evidence secured tp prove to an impartial observer that she was aware the rebellion was to be started. The most damaging evidence that is to be brought against her will be her personal diary, which was found in her residence after her arrest. Whether this is introduc- ed and made public at her trial depends very much upon the course pursued by her counsel in defending hey case. The ex- queen recorded her thoughts, desires and impressions very freely in her diary. The President's Present. Among the entries made during last sum- mer was one stating: “J. O. Carter called teday and delivered President Cleveland's present to me.” What this present was is not stated. Up to the time of the return of the special commission which went to Wash- ington to interview President Cleveland, the ex-queen records herself as favoring a waiting policy, confident that the Ameri- can administration would interfere in her behalf. After President Cleveland’s an- swer to the commission she became more aggressive and began to listen with grow- ing favor to those urging an uprising on the part of the natives. Rudolph Spreckles called to see her often, and is represented as advising her to fight it out. She did not agree with him until, during his last stay in Honolulu, ke indicated that she could get plenty of money in San Francisco to carry out a successful rebellion. He is also represented as a willing agent of her ladyship. The last entry in the diary was made on December 28, 1894, and closed with: “Signed eleven commissions tcday.” ‘These were the commissions for the of- ficers of the new government referred to in the testimony of her private setretary. The documents have been concealed or de- stroyed, and her attorney has endeavored to prove that they never existed. The Warimoo’s departure fer Victoria was delayed for two hours in crder to give Johnston, Muller and Cranston, the ban- ished m2n, an opporturity +o see their re- spective consvis. Johnsten talked to Brit- ish Commissioner Hawes, after which he stated he was satisfied to go. Cranston saw Minister Will's, who protested to the government, ch: ing it had no right to send the out of the ccuntry without first giving them a trial. The German consul also objected in the case of Muller. Willis Confers With Eeardslee. After the steamer sailed Minister Willis boarded the Philadelphia and had a confer- ence with Admiral Beardslee. The move- ments of Mr. Willis are watched anxiously, and it is said the government fears he will call the forces of the Philadelphia to his aid in case the government decides to hang Willard Seward, one of the men condemned by the military court. ‘The Advertiser recently published an edi- torial about the American minister's course which brought forth the following to the pdito DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, HONOLULU, H. L, February 4, 1895. Dear Sir: I have noticed in this morn- ing’s issue of the Pacitic Commercial Ad- vertiser an editorial commenting unfavor- ably upon the action of the American min- ister in relation to the deportation of Mr. Cranston. I desire to call your attention in this conneetion to the fact of our friendly relations to the government of the United States, and that, therefore, it is desirable that due caution be exercised in comment- ing upon the official conduct of its repre- sentative here; to refrain from harsh and unfriendly criticisms, and especially 80 when reference is made to the acts of the President of that country. I have the honor to be, dear sir, Your obedient servant, FRANCIS W. HATCH, Minister of Foreign Affairs. It ig understood that the foregoing was sent to forestall any objection that Mr. Willis might make. Since last advices the military court has tried twenty-one native rebels, V. V. Ash- ford, John Cummins, John Wise and Capt. Davies. Cummins and Davies both pleaded guilty to the charge of treason. The latter was master of the steamer Wamanalo, the vessel that landed arms for the rebeis. The government has liberated John S. Walker, Thomas Rawlins and Henry Swin- ton on their own recognizances. The men are charged with conspiracy. It is under- stood that a number of prisoners who have business interests will be liberated after the departure of the Mariposa. Taking Pearl Harbor. ‘A well-defined rumor says that Admiral Beardslee has instructions to raise the flag of the United States over Pearl Har- bor. It is indicated that the United States government will take possession of the harbor under guaranteed treaty rights, and virtually declare a protectorate over the islands. Admiral Beardslee ts said to be vested with the authority necessary to carry out the program. Cc. C. Moreno, who takes a lively interest in Hawailan affairs, recently wrote to Robert Wilcox, one of the condemned rebel jeaders, saying he had been assured by Senator Hawiey and other prominent men that President Cleveland and Minister Wil- lis were both ready to recognize the rebels if they were successful. Lilinokalani Testifies. While the trial of the ex-queen was In progress yesterday she was placed on the stand in her own behalt. The direct examination was confined to an alleged conversation between her and Charles Clark, who testified that he in- formed her of the proposed rebellion. She denied any such conversation took place. After her examination was concluded, a statement written by her was filed. It commences with a history since the time she was deposed, and goes on to say: “The movement undertaken by the Ha- waiians last month was absolutely com- menced without my knowledge, sanction, consent or assistance, directly or indirect- ly, and this fact is in truth well known to those who took part in it. I received no information from any one in regard to arms which were to be procured, nor of any men who were induced to join in any such uprising. I do not know why this in- formation should have been withheld from me unless it was with a view to my per- sonal safety, or as a precautionary meas- ure. It would not have received my sanc- tion, and I can assure the gentlemen of this commission, that, had I known of any such intention, I would have dissuaded the pro- motors from such a venture. But I will

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