Evening Star Newspaper, March 14, 1895, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th Street, by The Evening Star Newspaper Company, 8. H. KAUFFMANN Pres't. New York Office, 49 Potter Building. = EET, ‘The Evening Star ts served to enbscribers in the aty by carriers, on thelr own account, at 10 cents Der week. or 44 cents per month. Coples at the ¢cunter cents each. By mail—anywhere in the United States or Canada—postage prepuid—60 cents Ber month. ‘Saturday aitepe Sheet Star, $1 per year, with forelgn postage led. $3.00. (Entered at the Post Oflice at Washington, D. C., as_second-class mail matter.) [7 All mail subscriptions must be paid ta advance. Rates of advertising made known on applicatio Che Lvening Sfar. No. 13,112. WASHINGTON, D.C., THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1895-TWELVE PAGES. TWO CENTS. Te proof of the pudding is in Be eafing. Yesterday's Star contained 43 cofumns of advertisements, made up of 642 separate announces ments. SBese advertisers Boua§t pubficitp—not merefp space. TROOPS ARE ON HAND | ONE OF THE PARTNERS GONE Militia Sent to.the River Front at New Orleans. NO REPETITION OF VIOLENT ACTS Negro Laborers Again at Their Work. THE LYNCHING OF ’91 od NEW ORL March 14.—Four years ago today Orleans was the scene of wildest excitement. On that day a mob of several thousand determined men, under the leadership of a number of prominent citizens, marched to the old parish prison and shot to death eleven Itatians, who were implicated in the as- sassination of Chief of Police Hennessy. ‘Today, the fourth anniversary of this fa- mous event, New Orleans is again passing through a siege of excitement. Its militia, the flower of the youth of the city, have been ordered to the levee to protect the negro laborers from mob violence. For two days the soldiers have been resting on their arms at their armories, and it was not known at what hour they would be called out. Governor Foster issued his proclamation yester afternoon, and as soon the word had been received at the various armories that the proclamation had been issued the troops knew well that the next order would be for them to march to the river. Consequeritly all was bustle and excitement at the different armories. Offi- cers sent for derelict men, and by night- fall, when orders were received by the various commanders of the respective ba*- talions to ve ready to march to the river this morning, nearly all of the soldiers had reported for duty. ‘At 7 o'clock this morning the wharf in front of the Harrison line of steamers i gan to present an animated appearar evedores of the various gang: ewmen and of ‘longshoremen had rd to their men to report at the vharf at the regular hour to begin work. tw otwithstanding that military protection had been promised them, seme of the colored workmen were dublous about visit- ing the scene of the late slaughter, for they feared that the whites could easily hide behind a cotton bale and pick them off before either police or military could reach them. . However, about fifty men made their ap- pearance at the time mentioned. At that hour the levee swarmed with policemen, but not a man wearing a military uniform was in sight. When the negroes ascertain- ed that the troops had not reached the scene many of them became frightened and wanted to return to the shelter of the more thickly populated portion of the city. The policemen told them that they need have no fear, and it was all the stevedores could do to’ hold them. Notwithstanding that the soldiers had not put in an ap- pearance the stevedores were willing to in work under the protection of the po- e. They had received word from Gen. Glynn, the commander of the entire militia, that the troops would reach the levee by $8 o'clock. : ‘Therefore they felt that by the time they had the work of loading the vessels well in hand the troops would arrive. Another fact which gave them encourage- ment was the absence on the levee of any erewds of suspicious-looking white men. However willing the stevedores were to go to work, Capt. Woods of the Engineer, the steamer which was attacked by the armed mob on last Tuesday, would not listen to the men going to worl until the troops ar- rived. Communication was then had with the various armories. Word was sent that it would be 10 o'clock before the troops eculd reach the scene. Consequently all idea of work was abandoned until that and the negroe: e ordered to re- ound. The , but they hug- the police ver sely The troops subsequently reached scene and labor was resumed, At 11 o'clock the third and fi of troops, under command of Maj. Violett and Ma chereau, numbering 2 left th armorie sephine street, where work of loading t India line of ships began at noon. were no demonstrations anywhere ulong the line of march. the h battalions JAPANS DESCENT ON FORMOSA. is Said to Be Intand. PARIS, March 14.—A dispatch received in this city from Shanghai says that the rumored Japanese descent upon the Island of Formosa is an accomplished fact. A Japanese squadron from Wei-Hai-Wel, numbering sixteen vessels, has been sight- ed off the northern extremity of the island. ‘The squadron is hovering around Kelung Tamsin, which are the strongest places the Chinese pessess in Formosa. The gar- risons there amount to 30,000 men, It is ed that these two towns, which are teen Vesse! Near the aot far distant from each other, will be the first points of attack. LONDON, March Berlin cor- Tespondent of the Sta ys he learns to concede to Japan including Fermo: sent, but that Il not concede an inch of territory Manchuria. The correspondent further “hinese envoy in St. Peter: y means of secret concessions, Secured the czar’s promise to oppose any Japanese designs in Manchuria. she w in Formosa Report Credible. The cable report that a Japanese squad- ron of sixteen warships had descended on the Island of Formosa is believed at the Japanese legation here to indicate the opening of a spring campaign in warmer southern latituc Mr. Matsui, first secre- tary of le; ys that as he was about Yokohama a few weeks ago one of his friends, a military officer, received rders to prepare to go to the front, but notified not to provide warm clothing ‘s is far have needed sin northern China. rom this and other circumstances it is Formosa, which is the warmest iil be the scene of a until the treaty re al- the ceding of Japan, but the latier country believes that possession of the 1 will doubly assure the execution of the agreement. ontompla evident: fs Berlin Reports. reports from Berlin stating: that Chinese envoys have intrigued with until the czar has agreed to eppose Japan's desi, on Manchuria are not eredited by h ‘They suy these Chime envoy nt out some months ego when Chii r elément was vpper- most, are beginning to find expression ble reports. But within the last few weeks the war Clement has beea displace}, and Li Hang Chang kas Been restored to power and made peace en- been followed by such on terms of peace that there ion for Russia's oppesing tion of Manchuria, peers News Piracy. SPRINGFIELD, IIL, March 14.—In the State senate today Senator Berry's bill to prevent wrongful taking of news from the wires of newspaper press associations was advanced to third reading. or Why a Commission House Had to Suspend Business. A Member of the Firm Disappears— The Accounts Left in a Bad Shape. The rumor spread this morning among produce dealers and commission dealers in the lower part of the city that the firm of Davis, Hill & Co., doing business at 308 10th street, had suspended. The firm is lo- cated but a few doors below Pennsylvania avenue, where, for a month, they have been doing a limited amount of business in general produce. As the members of the firm are newcomers in the city, little is known about them personally. Their busi- ness was in the line of eggs, butter, ap- ples, potatoes and pork, and during the time they have been in business they have received large consignments from various parts of Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina. The method of business pursued by Da- vis, Hill & Co.- was to establish agencies in the leading agricultural counties within easy reach of Washington, and in this way they have received large amounts of pro- duce for sale on commissicn. Started With References. The references given by the firm are the Central National Bank ef this city, Whit- ford & Co., the Center market bankers; Burruss, Son & Co., bankers, Norfolk, V and Edward L. Hill of the Louisville and shville Railroad Company. It seems to have been the business of Mr. Hill of Da- vis, Hill & Co. to travel from county to county and select agents for the firm, ‘These agents were paid a small salary of $10 or $12 a month and a commission of 1 to 2 per cent on all business secured by them for.the firm Mr. Davis attended to the business in this city, receiving and dis- posing of goods consigned to the firm. The first suspicion that matters were not right with the firm came yesterday, when several business men were surprised to have checks issued by Davis, Hill & Co.turn- ed down as no good. It was found then that Mr. Davis had left Washington very sud- denly last Monday night, and had not been heard from since. Inquiry at his boarding place, on the corner of 11th and O streets, discovered that he had, with his wife, gone to New York, saying that his sister was very sick there. Yesterday Mr. Hill returned to the city from Virginia, and an examination of the business disclosed to him the fact that the concern was insolvent, and he at once took legal cotinsel. His interest seems to be only nominal, and he had a salary con- tract with Davis, so that he knows almost ncthing of the details of the business done by the house. At the banks it was simply said that the firm had overdrawn. Some Money Collected. It was learned that last Saturday night Davis ccllected a bill of $520 from C. M. Joknson at the Hotel Johnson, receiving a check for that amount, and, as it was after banking hours and he could not cash so large a check at that time, he borrowed $80 in cash, giving Mr. Johnson a ticket to be presented at the store Monday for either cash or goods to repay the loan. This transaction was not reported to the office of the firm, and it is supposed that- Davis took the check with him, intending to cash it In New York. From all that can be iearned there is outstanding in protested checks upward of $1,000 and there are other accounts for which checks were re- cently made out to the amount of another $1,000, while the salaries and commi of the fifty or sixty agents of the now due will probably reach the sum of $2,000, lay it was learned that the New York , Hill & Co. had Davis left and, in obedience to telegrams, aid to Mrs. Davis several hundred dollars in settlement of their account with the firm. The store shows a very limited amount of gccds on hand at present, but shipments are coming in hourly, and great embarras ment is likely to be caused to innocent con s. ‘The store was at times today hronged with creditors, expressmen and ghtmen, all asking to have bills paid, for which there were no funds in sight. Mr. Hill stated today that he was re- ng to receive goods consigned to the and turning them over to other com- ion merchants to sell, in order that there might be no loss to the consignors. What Mr. Hill Says. He expressed himself as very much dis- tressed by the situation, but wholly pow- eriess to improve it, and without informa- tion as to what the trouble was. He said he felt disposed to give Mr. Davis the bene- fit of doubt until he could hear from him. All that he knew was that he had gone to New York to see a sister, who was des- perately ill. He could say nothing as to the assets or the abilities of the firm, but he considered the dilemma one in which he ought to take legal counsel and had done so. further than this he could only say that he would like to have the public sus- pend judgment until Mr. Davis could be tound. Mr. Hill is a Virginian from Roanoke county, and he is well spoken of among those who know him. It is generally be- lieved that he knows little, if anything, about the business, as he was away from the city neariy all the time since the busi- ness begun. vis is a handsome man of ferty, deb- in manner and prepossessing in He wears a flowing black mus- tache und dresses stylishly, and notwith- standing the seeming incongruity, consid- erg his business, there was always a diamond evident on his tinted shirt front. Ss UNDERSELLING THE E: T correspondents of Dav been communicated with since the city, bad aLI American Cloths Being Sold in Great Britain Cheaper Than Domestic Goods Evidently in the expectation that his statement that American cloths were being sold in England below the price of cor- responding English cloths would be chal- lenged, United States Consul Meeker at Bradford, has sent a supplementary re- port to the Department of State giving particulars of the transactions, with names of the firms, prizes, &c. He states that one large Bradford house has sent its trav- cling man and agents to India, Italy, South America and France With samples of twist melange flannel made in New York. They expect to take liberal orders at 28 to 30 yard, double width. They are s ving a line of Algiers cloth, made in the United States, pronounced by French merchants to be of wonderful vaiue, and for which a sale is expected in time. ‘The New York manufacturers have been in- formed ‘that the samples were exact large orders might be expected, particular- ly in the English house trade, as the goods contain no shoddy, are all short wool and are very strong, and are so superior to the English goods, which are tender. The con- sul reports that a lot of Massachusett¢ blankets sold recently in England at a, very small price, becatise, while handspme ly finished, they had little wool in them and were too light. : —____—_+-e+______ Re i Many Callers, Postmaster General Bissell spent the day in arranging some matters which demand- ed disposal befcre the induction of his suc- cessor, and in giving audience to callers. In the ranks of the latter were scores of men, some in public life, others not, who celled merely to say good-bye and to hope that the good fortune which had attended him during his term of service as Post- master General would follow him when he retired to private life. A NEWS CENSORSHIP The District Commissioners Make a Novel and Strange Order. STAR CHAMBER METHODS ADOPTED ——_+ Subordinates Forbidden to Give In- formation to the Newspapers. CHIMNEY SWEEPS WARNED ——__>—_——__ At the beginnig of this week a decided change went into effect at the District building in regard to the method of giv- ing out news for publication. An order was made and put into execution, practi- cally establishing a censorship over the news to be given out from the District building. No subordinate officials are now permitted to give out news. All that the reporters get must come from the secre- tary of the board and not from him until the matters have been acted upon by fhe Commissioners. The order in question was issued late last Saturday afternoon. It re- quired over an hour of discussion by the trio of Commissioners to decide upon the order, which was hen handed to the sec- retary, with instructions that a copy be furnished te the head of every branch of the District service. The order announces that notice of all official acts of the Commissioners will be premptly given to the press by the secre- tery of the board. Then follows an junction, emphatically forbidding any e ploye of the District to furnish any info mation for publication. Reports, opinions of the attorney and recommendations of heads of departments cannot be obtained for publication until acted upon by the Commissioners. This means that the pres: will only be supplied with such information as the Commissioners desire published, «and any opinion, recommendation or repor' however interesting to the public at large or valuable as a matter of news, will not be given to the public until acted upon by the beard. Letters received are not to be made public, except upon order of the Commis- sioners. The order in full is as follows: The Order. Office of the Comm ~ Distric Washington, ners of the ef Columbia, March 9, 1895, Ordered: All official acts of the Commissioners will be promptly given to the press by retary of the board. No employe in the District building, cept the secretary of the board, will be lowed to give out any information for pub lication. Reports, opinions and recommendations of heads of departments or employes will not be given out for publication, or other- wise made public, tntil formally acted upon by the board of Commissioners. Letters received are not to be given out for publication, or otherwise made public, except upon order of the beard of Commis sloners. By order: W. TINDALL Everybody Warned. The typewriter to Secretary Tindall has been busy for several days copying the or- | der, as many copies were needed in order to supply all the subordinate officials to be informed of the state of affairs. The work has just been finished, and some of the | heads of departments have not as yet been made acquainted with the new condition of things. From the list it appears that al- most every employe of the District govern- ment of any Importance has or will receive a copy of the order. The list extends from building in- spector to the three inst and meas urers of wood and the five inspectors and measurers of lumber, from th department to each of the thr masters, who, the Commission¢ Secretary. the grave fears. might give out news upon which the board has not passed judzmen On the list furnished to the typewrite are named the three chimney swe of the | District, but for some reason co of the letter have not been forwarded yet to the chimney sweeps, and the news from that important source not yet been shut off. The health officer and the coroner alike are forbidden to furnish news to the press concerning their respective and it may be that in strictly obsery the edict reporters will hereafter be ex- cluded from inquests held by the coroner. The auditor, the assessor, the collector of taxes, the special assessment clerk, attorney for the District, the superir ent of charities, the intendant of the Wa: ington Asylum, the property clerk, the chi engineer of the fire department, the super- intendent of police, the superintendent of telegraph and telephone service, the of weights and measures, the a; market -clerk, the superintendent of the | the et and alley cleaning department, all | @ Sy ae received notice of the new condition of | #nd Dannie Ke Albert Medison, affairs. For fear that some information | W Taylo SHOW S02) might get out concerning the river front les shy which would not exactly meet with the approbation of the Commissioners, the hur- bormaster is included in the list. The eom- manding general of the District militia is also brought within the bounds, and the excise board, it is understood, been notified to observe silence when rs are around. The edict is sc fa reaching as to include the board of school t tees, which, at the mecting Monday afternéon, held contrary to long-established custom, before its public session a private ence, from which reporters were ex: Reporters Not Citizens. Since the order hzs been in effect report- ers at the District building have virtually been in a state of innocuous desuetude. An unnatural secrecy is maintained among all the employes about the building, and to the reporters they are dumb. If the head of a department is asked for any in- formation whatscever, he invariably and significantly places a finger to his mouth and closes his lips firmly. It is almost im- possible to get a line of news concerning public matters at the District building, ex cept such items as the Commissioners have approved. For the few days it has been in operation the order has worked like a charm. Only once, when The Star fore- told the contents of the report of the build- ing inspector regarding the new school structure in Southeast Washington, has any news slipped past the censors and es- caped. Each day the board of Commissioners holds a session, when delegations and in- dividuais on public business are received. Reporters, however, are not classed as citizens at the District building, and are excluded from the board room. ce Sat- urday last the Commissioners have also curtailed other privileges formerly enjoyed by the reporters, and which facilitated their work of copying official papers. This has been dene on the plea that papers have been lost when taken from the board room to he copied. Under the new system of affairs report- ers are deprived of the privileges which are extended to other citizens, simply be- cause of their occupation. Heretofore they were admitted to the board room at all public meetings, and debarred only when the Commissioners held executive sessions. Now all proceedings before the board are of the star chamber order, and it is ex- tremely difficult to obtain information of ; the doings at such times. As soon as the Commissioners meet in the board room, acting under instruction, ihe messenger closes all doors thereto and then poses as a sentinel. An Mlustration. A case flustrating the system under which the District government is now con- ducted occurred this morning when bids were opened for the photo-lithographing of the new plat book of the District. Hereto- fore, when bids have been opened not only the.bidders and reporters of the local pa- pers were present, but representatives of mcst of the trade journals, All but the bidders were refused admittance today,and @ message coming from the Commissioners ‘was to the effect that the press would be acquainted with the name of the success- ful bidder when the contract is awarded. The Commissioners seem to be well pleased with the condition of affairs now prevailing, as they deal out only what they wish published. While the order is in effect there is not much opportuntty for anything appearing in print which might be dis- tasteful to the Commissioners. Their cen- sorship is just now complete, and but little possibility exists of any item of importance being published which does not receive their approbation. Mr. Truesdell’s Reasons. Commissioner Truesdell advances a rea- son for the promulgation of the order. He classes the official mail received by the Commissioners as strictly private, and for that reason claims it should not be pub- lished. ‘The Commissioners, Mr. Truesdell has stated, often read in the newspapers published accounts of matters of which they were ignorant, and which would not reach them through the regular, official, red-tape channels for several days subse- quent to the publication. Mr. Truesdell is the earnest champion of the new method, and, it is understood, gives as a striking example of the iniquity of the old plan the fact that the public received too early in- formation through the press of the inten- tion of placing the contagious disease hos- pital at Mount Pleasant. The plan was given away before the Commissioners had succeeded in having the contagious hos- pital actually built, and the public was thereby warned of the intention, and the Commissioners were thwarted in the idea of once and for all settling a vexed ques. tion by secretly placing this hospital in Mount Pleasant while the unsuspecting in- habitants slept. It is understood that the annoyance of the Commissioners, and es- pecially of Mr. Truesdell, at the premature publication which upset the contagious hos- pital plan was the strongest of the consid- erations which induced the adoption of this order, and was dwelt upon Mi the dis- cussion of the Commissioners which pre- ceded this action. MORE SMALLPOX. Must However, Know Nothing About The health office today-presented the out- ward appearance of a deaf mute institute, while the seven-foot frame partitions in the room added the appearance of a pawn- .’ ‘The reason for the | or the ne speaking at all} when news matter was inquired for was because Health Officer Woodward had re- ceived from the Commissioners a copy of the order forbidding the giving out of any | news matte! ust What news there was, if ar be told by the health officer S assistants. |, however, that the small- 2 renewal of its efforts to opulate a section of the city,”but many cases there had been re- ince yesterday morning could not be ascertai Rumor bad it that tere Were several of them, and Health Officer Woodward was willing to-admit that there was one new case last nfght. The victim | it to the hospital, ‘the removal being | night nen pedestrians mirht not see the 3 on the wagon and | know what was going on. It is likely that a danger 1 s been hoisted, at. the house Pal Whe . Would | ‘or any | not again ¢ just how ported from which particular patient was taken. The Information in this case was for- | warded to the Commi: out by Dr. ‘Tindall, the secretary, if the | Commissioners think the public is entitled | to know what is going cn in this direction, and at that time in the future when, after due deliberation in a star-chamber session to consider the matter, they determine that | the information can safely be disclosed. v lohers, to be given | ew Case. Late this afternoon the Commis spent some time discussing the new pox outbreak and whether or not the pub- lie in strong enough condition to be s trusted with the di: news. Then were infor they might announce that another of varioloid had been reported. The sufferer is Charles H. ¥ n, a barber, who i 9 11th street northwest. Se INDICTMEN Work of RETURNED. the Grand Jery ‘oday. The following indictinents were returned by the grand jury today: Jas. A. Ashton, carnal knowledge of a girl under sixteen; Sai ewis, mayhem; Sarah Johnson, per- John Burke, Charles Wood and Reported ris, setting up a gaming table; ny; Samuel Liutchin- Witham, Antonio E sen, do. rkht, lar¢ edward Buviy, do.; second offen: on, ii., aiits Coiton Rudd, do. suits Joseph Scanion a housepreakin, 3 a ast the follo killing ing were of Reuben nal reve- Lawrence ignored: Foste nue la ; Brown, grand arceny, DROWNED VAL. Sudden Ending of s Maorn- ing. = Jonn Jacob Fri of Mr. Andrei Frey, the .Gecrgetown contractor, “was drowned this morning in the Chesapeake and Ohio canal at 30th street. Death is believed to have been accidental. At about 10 o'clock, as Lock Keeper Edward Tarmon was opening the paddle on the lower gate at 80th street, prelimi to lockiny a boat through, he saw Frey staggering along the edge of the canal wall toward him. Just as he reached a point ten feet from the gate he stumbled over an uneveu- ness and into the nal, Tarmon clos<d the paddle as quickly as possibie to p vent the body from being sucked onward and under, and then rushed for assistance. There was no one about who could be con- veniently reached. Catehing sight of a clothes’ prop, (he iockiender grabbed it and ran back to the scene of ‘the fall. Frey was found lying motionless‘on the surface of the water and was apparently alive still. The water was then about half its usual depth. The pole was run into thé water and the man told to catch hold of it. No response was met with. Tarmon could not get the man to help himself, yet it is believed that at that time he was. perfectly conscious. In all probability, though, Prey had struck his head in falling and ‘was then out of his senses. A few seconds later the body of the man went down. Tarmon ran to his lock and opened it to let the water off then. While about three feet yet remained Harry McMullen, a boat- man, who had by this time come upon the scene, procured a rope, and jumping into the canal, tied it about the body of the drowned one and had it hauled above. The renfains were then taken to Under- teker Birch’s establishment on M street to await the action of the cgroner. Charles Fagin reports that earlier in the morning he saw Frey; staggering along the canal bank up near @2d street. Others re- port also that he was intoxicated this morning. Fer a long time he was seen sitting in the alley to the north of Grace Church, as if in a stupor. Deceased was thirty years of age, mar- ried, and had two children. He resided at 1216 25th street, and was a carpenter by trade. | matter, one TO CRUSH HARRITY The President to Interfere in Penn- sylvania Politics. THE FACTIONS 10 BE HARMONIZED A Significant Letter Sent Out by Mr. James Kerr. IN SOUND MONEY’S INTEREST A letter was sent from this city ‘ast right which is said to be the initial step in a movement that is to have important Bearing upon national politics and thy at- titude of the eastern democrats upuu the silver question. The letter was written by ex-Representative Kerr of Pennsylvania, the present clerk of the House of Repre- sentatives. It was addressed to the chair- man of every democratic county committee in the state of Pennsylvania, and was us follows: “WASHINGTON, D.C., March 13, 1895. ly Dear Sir: The demoralized condition of the democratic party in Pennsylvania has been the subject of anxiety to the friends of the present administration. It goes without saying that the believers in the principles of democracy regret the utter failure on the part of those in con- trol of the organization for the past two or three years to maintain at_leas original strength of the party. T) had every assistance the ‘admin could afford them; favored as no other set of local leaders in any state of the Union have been favored the results have been one dis: er after anoth until the party appears to have been d olved into frag- ents,-and the republican majority has hed the enormous figure of 243,000. seems literally to be no hope of maintaining the party with any semblance of strength in the state of Pennsylvania without a change of methods. Nothing should be undertaken by any one or by any set of men which would con- tinue the late factional fights or present new ones. That a general reorganization is necessary, embracing all factions and proscribing none, is the opinion entertain- by the friends of the administration others within the common- Pennsylxania who have the best ts of the democratic party at heart. he present chairman, Mr. Stranaha signified his intention not to stand for lection, and it is quite important that the state committee, in selecting his suc c or at their next meeting, act with dis. cretion and deliberation, and proceed to the selection of a chairman possessing not only the qualities necessary for the delicate and difficult task under these untoriunate cir- cumstances, but one in whom the admin- istration has the utmost confidence, and who will be the choices of the best judg- ment of the democratic state committee, and not the selection of any one man. No person the creature of the political boss can effectively serve the democratic party in its present extremity. In view of this fact, you, as a member of the state central committee, or as one of influence in your section, should prevail on those directly interested to refrain from committing themselves to the support of any candidate for executive officer for the coming year until the democr through their committee, come together’ in April next. If the democra of Pennsy ic state central commit- nia do their duty in this and to themselves, they will man one who, in his un management of the par senting at all time: cratic , will recover the ground that has bee! during the past three years. Let me hear from you upon this subject at an early date. Very r select ho and fairs, repre- of the dem- JAMES ing Purpose. A Far-Rea, While this letter would seem upon the surface to deal with Pennsylyani: ies it is said to have a deeper mere far-reaching purpose than i rst sight apparent. ‘ihe frequent reve in the letier to the “administrat and its feelings and es is only a shght indication of this fa lt is stated that Pre: determined to take dent Cleveland has hand in the present condition of democratic politics in Penn- with a view ing about in the democratic ranks and shap- fairs to a certain end which he has in His uitimate aim, it is stated, i rel the Pennsylvania delegation at the democrat: ional convention in the sts of a sound meney plank in the 1 platform and in behalf of the presidential candidate whom he shall lect, in the event of his net being a can. didate himself, The main object, however, is believed to be his anxiety that’ the Penn- sylvania delegation shall present a solid front for sound money, a condition which is hot promised at time by the d sensicns in the party and the influence of Sibley and his sympathizers, ‘© Crash Mr. Harrity. step in this move it is said ‘Ment proposes to heal the di s the party by crushing the grow: ing power of the man whom he now believes d the troubl The atement may sound somewhat odd in view of the fact that M been recognized by the 1 'S the “bess” of Pennsylyania polities, and hes been given five out of six of the principal federal appointinenis of the troub! with Mr, fied . Harrity ng among Ps ig it to the s 2n Mr. Har- of the he had gi rity. The Pr tis said to belies Mr. Harrity has saused trouble by refus- ing to bring the ons toxeth, ad by neming the a) ntees trom among his immediate henchmen and followers, too much other factions in the The President's Feeling. tated that the President has had ender consideration for some time the idea of reuniting the Pennsylvania democrats. His feeling of resentment toward Mr. Har- rity for some time past has been shown in administration cirel nd an echo of it has been found in Mr. Harrity’s waning in- fluence in matters of patronage, which has been observable to all familiar with the matter. It is known that Mr. Kerr has been consulted frequently of late by the President upon Pennsylvania matters, and the promulgation of the letter over hi: nature is therefore no surprise. It is not believed that Mr. Kerr is ambitious to suc- ceed Mr. Harrity; on the contrary, he has kept in the background, and is very close- mouthed about politics in his native state. These familiar with ‘the situation think that it is the President's idea not to dic- tate in Pennsylvania politics at this partic- ular time, but to break down Harrity’s hold and leave the democrats apparently free io get together, keeping in view all the time, however, his ultimate object. It is said that the recent developments in the plans of the new silver party, and the efforts of Sibley and his line of demo- crats to get a foothold in Pennsylvania, de- termined the President to commence at an early date the work of getting the democ- racy of that state into line for presenting a solid front for Cleveland plans and prin- ciples at the next democratic convention, standing shoulder to shoulder with other sound money democratic delegations from the east. which they owe to their party | THE LAW IN THE CASE Attorney General Stanton’s Opinion on the Right of Search, Yhe Only Point in the Allianea Case Being Whether She Was on the High Sens, State Department officials and Senor Muragua, the Spanish minister, have com- pared notes on the law applicable to the firing of the Spanish gunboat on the Amer- ican ship AMianca. They find that the Department of Justice has already speciti- cally ruled on the right of a warship un- der certain circumstances to fire blank cartridges and then solid shot across th bows of a merchant ship in order to com- mand a halt. The opinion was rendered by. Attorney General Edwin M. Stanton, on July 28, 1860, and is contained in the digest of Attorney General's opinions, page 249, paragraphs 33 to 37, inclusive, as follows: Mr. Stanton’s Opinion. “33. A cruiser of one nation has a right to know the national character of any strange ship she may meet at sea; but the ‘right is not a perfect one, and the viola- tion of it cannot be punished by capture and condemnation, nor even by detention. “34. The party making the inquiry must raise his own colors, or in some other way make himself known before he can law- fully demand such knowledge from the her vessel. If this is refused, the inquiring ves- y fire a blank shot, and in case of further delay a shotted gun may be fired the bows of the delinquent. Any measure beyond this which the commander of an armed ship may take for the purpose of on ascertaining the nationality 1 must be at his peril. right of inquiry can be exer- cised only on the high seas, and no naval officer has the right to go into the harbor of a nation with which his government is at peace to inquire into the nationality of 1 which is lying there.”, foregoing applies to thé high seas, there being no question as to the right of detention if the Allianca was inside Cuban waters. From this it appears, in the jud: ment of Senor Muragua, that the Spanis warship kept within the strict letter of th nothe law as laid down by the United 3 first, in “raising her own color and, ond, in “firing a b kK shot and in case of fired a further delay a shetted gun may be cross the bows of the delinquent.” still leaves open the question wheth- Th jer the Spansh ship fired the shotted gun “across the bows” of the Allianca, or di- rectly at her, Capt. Crossman of the American ship contends that the shots were fired to hit. The Spanish captain is yet to | be heard from on this point. One Opinion Expressed. One of the most eminent authorities in the country on the right of maritime seiz- |ure said today: “Circumstances difter so | in every case that a detention or seizure is largely dt the peril of the one who at- tempis it. If it results in the apprehension of a pirate or contraband ship then the seizure is justified, but if the detained sel proves to be a merchantman on a Jaw | ful mission then the detention is unjustified and an apology must be made for the mis- take. If I saw a suspicious craft on the high seas I would stop her and assume the peril of that act, prepared to make an apology if I was mistaken in her erraad. It is the same rule as that governing police- men in arresting a suspected felon. If the ves to be a felon then the police- man ht, but if the arrested part | proves to he innocent then the policeman jis wrong. It seems to me that the Spanish commander did what was right in trying to stop the Allianca, but as he took the | peril and made a mistake, the only thing for Spain to do is to apologize.” eee ee UNWARRAN AND UNCALLED FOR. Serator Blanchard Criticises the Ca ing Out of Troops in New Orleans. Senator Blanchard of Louisiana, who is in Washington, said today: “The action of the United States district attorney at New Orleans in calling for United States trocps to suppress the disorder at New Or- leans is wholly unwarranted and uncalled for. The state of Louisiana is amply able to maintain the peace within her own borders. We have a capable militia of 1,200 men, well drilled and equipped. If I had any idea that the federal authorities here would for a moment entertain the re- quest of the district attorney at leans I would call on the Attorney Gen- eral and urge the entire ability of the state to look after its own affairs. I yet do this, although the action of Gov. Fos- ter in declaring that federal troops are not needed appears to cover the case. The trouble is local and temporary, and the worst of it is past. It in no’ way ap- preaches the disorder at Chicago. “The shooting of the Englishman Tain is not likely to create any international complications, as it is clearly establish that his naticnality had nothing to do with the assault upon him, but that he w mingling with a crowd which was the cen- er of a conflict. The British authorities year to have taken a broad and scusible view of this fact.” —_—_+-o.____ CONSUL GENERAL WILLIAMS’ CASE. Nething Will Be Known of Its Status Until the Return of the President. There has been a hiatus of seven days ince the cable report came from Madrid that a cabinet council had agreed to ask the recall of United States Consul General Williams at Havana. Since then there has heen no official demand for his rec: Willams has stated in F 1 that he had not heard of the contemplated recall, and et the Spanish officials at Madrid have rot denied the original report that a de- mand for his recall had been agreed upon. Under these circumstances officials inti- mate that the return of President Cleve- land from his hunting trip and the re- covery of Secretary Gresham from his at- tack of grip will lead to a clearing up of the situation, as the absence of the two chiefs most concerned with diplomatic af- fe is regarded a: lanatory of the in- action ceveriny; seven days since the renort t came from Madrid. Spanish off here will say nothing on the subjec confirming or denying the report, but it believed they would take occasion to d. iss the report if it was entirely ground- —_+2+_____ Suing Secretary Carlisle. Michael J Colbert, as administrator of the estate of the late Jemes W. Denver, today brought suit against Secretary Car- lisle in the Supreme Court of the District to recover what is claimed to be due the estate for prosecuting a» claim for Chief Blackfeather, Free ee one Articles Abolished. Collectors of customs have been advised that articles 442 to 453 of the customs regu- lations have been revoked in accordance withthe jeint resolution of the last Con- gress relative to the transportation and ex- portation Sf goods without examination to the.free zpne in Mexico. ————— . } Plans Approvea. The Secretary of the Interior today ap- proved the plans for the new United States post office building to be erected at Paw- tucket, R.I. The Secretary of the Treas- ury, the Postmaster General and the Sec- retary of the Interior compose a board which passes upon plans of public build- ings. The proposed post office building and site will cost 375,000, as provided for by the appropriation. | TRIED TO HIT HER The Cuban That Fired at the Al- lianca, NOT MERELY A SHOT ACROSS HER BOWS Captain Crossman Says the State- ment is Absurd. WHERE HIS VES SEL WAS NEW YORK, March 14.—Capt. J. A. Crossman of the Columbian line steamer Allianca, which was fired upon by a Span- ish gunboat off Cape Maysi, Cuba, on the morning of March 8 last, said today that he had received no reply from the State Department at Washington in answer to his letter of March 12. _ “I have seen the statement in the morn- ing papers,” Capt. Crossman said, “that I was to receive a reply from the State De- partment asking for further particulars of the firing on my ship, but beyond that I have no ne’ of sucn a communication. The only further details I can give the de- partment is to send the authorities a sketch of the chart Showing the ship's po- sition at the time of the incident, pricking out upon it the course we followed on our passage northward. “I can tell you exactly, after a ttle figuring, just what the position of the Al- lianca was, and I know that at no time were we nearer to any headland of Cuba than four miles. This zeference to outly- ing islands, making the marine limit far- ther off shore, does not hold good in the case ot Cuba, for the nearest land to Cape Maysi is Hayti, which is ‘ifty miles away across the Windward Passage.” It was pointed out to Capt. Crossman that there was some -loubt in the minds of the State Department officials as to wheth- er the shots from the 5; ish gunboat were fired directly the Allianea, or merely across her bows. The captain smiled sarcastically at this statement and said very edly: “Look here.” reaching for two cigars as he spoke and holding one in each hand, using them tc illustrate the positions of the two ships. ‘Here is the Allianca heading northeast, weil to the southward and west- ward of Cape Maysi, a good four miles off shore. The Spanish gunboat steams out from under the land, bread off from us and then followed the incidents as I described them the other day in my letter to the State Department ard to the representa- tive of the Associated Press. “It would be impossible for a ship that we were leaving astern so rapidly to fire a shot across our bows. The attempt that was made was made to hit us, for the Spaniard deliberately altered his course so as to bring one of his forward port guns to bear on us, not only once, for he repeated the mancuver. To say that they were at- tempting to shoot acrcss our bow is ab- surd.” Later in the day a dispatch wag received frcm Seeretary Gresham asking Captain Crossman to send the State Department exact data of the affair. The captain tele- graphed that the report would be sent at once. The following Capt. Cr ment: To Capt. James the Allianca: Sir: I have received your letter of March without date, but which reached the de- partment today, March 13, which reports the circumstances under which the above- named = steamer, on pr homeward ycyage from Colon, Colombia, to New York, off the north Cuban coast, on the Sth instant, was fired upon by a’ Spanisn gunboat. The department desires to receive from you a statement of fact in form of an affi- davit, accompanied, if possible, by a sketch chart showing e of the Allianca in passing Ca nd the distance of the ves nearest point of the Island of Cuba. The affidavit should be explicit upon these two points. Awaiting such I am, sir, your obedient, EDWIN F. UHL, Acting Secretary. Sn ee ISLAND REPUBLICANS. 1 Governor. PROVIDENCE, R. L, March 14.—The delegates to the republican state convention nominated candidates for state officers, to be chosen at the April election. Charles Warren Lippitt of this city, was nominated for governor. For the rest of the general is the letter received by ssman from the State Depart- Crossman, commander of RHODE Charles W. Nominated for officers the present incumbents were re- inated. The platform strongly in- the proposed amendment to the titution, providing fer biennial i the apportionment of the city y wards for the election of members to the general assembly. —_— sR THE REGUNTE. Steamer Goes to Seek the insing Cruiser. TANGIERS, March 14.—A Moorish steamer has gone in search of the missing anish cruiser Reina Regente, on the sup- position that she has taken refuge in some Moorish port not having telegraphic com- munication with this city. As time passes and no news is received of the warship, the belief that she has foundered with all hands grows stronger. ——— Dastardly Crime at Cum Special Disp to The EB Si CUMBERLAND, Ma evening Emma, the twelve- ter of John Hauseman, wi the dark hallway of the Ac: AFT A Moorin' Ir. March 14.—Last ar-old daugh- S enticed into lemy of Music by James Valentine, a bill poster, and there criminally assaulted. The matter was kept quiet until this morning, when Valen- tine was arrested and lodged in jail.- The Stizens of this place are very indignant over the affair, and if the man could be rotten at there weuld be tr Vv tine a large man and was a rape at Frostburg, Md., a few The child is now in bed in a c; dition. To Re ST. P. the state capitol ¢ tracted for a new capitol s as directed by the state cony of Minneapolis, through M park board and city cour 2 to the house of repr ives a propo- sition that Loring Park, a thirty-six-acre park in the residence portion of Minneapo- lis, would be donated to the state for a capitol site if the state would locate the capitol there and build thereon. A similar proposition was ree the city of Stillwater and laid on the table. —— Over the Governor's Ve TRENTON, N. J. ‘The house today passed the electiv ictary bill over the governor's veto by a vote of 30 to 15. Nine republicans voted with the six demo- crats against the bill. ——— Acquitted the Mayor. NEW ORLEANS, La., March 14.—Judge King read his decision in the impeachment proceedings against Mayor Fitzpatrick. Three charges have been decided so far. They are in favor of the mayor, acquitting him on all charges. March 14. ioners have con- te in this city ention, the city yor Pratt, the today present-