Evening Star Newspaper, March 25, 1895, Page 9

THE EVENING STAR, MONDAY, MARCH 25; 1895-TWELVE PAGES. BUILDING WARSHIPS! The Maine May Go in Commission in Four Months. NEAR COMPLETION OF THE MONITORS Preparing New Engines for the Chicago. ee THE OLD LANCASTER Bpecial Correspondence of The Evening Star. NEW YORK, March 23, 1895. The winter season, that annually sends south ships of war on the “home station,” as the North Atlantic station is familiarly called by those in the service, has left this important naval station without a ship in commission, and yet there is work enough on the ships building here to oc- cupy the energies of the several hundred workmen that make up the force of the yard. The most prominent of these ships in course of construction is the battle ship Maine, which had her trial trip several menths ago. Since that time her gun mounts have been put in place and the heavy armor turrets have been nearly completed. The Maine will probably be ready to go in commission in about four months. Two small torpedo boats, which she will carry in cradles on her deck, to be lowered over the side when needed for service, are nearly completed, and they will form quite an important part of her armament. When about to engage an enemy in battle these tcrpedo boats, each carrying a Whitehead automobilé torpedo ready for instant use, will be lowered over the side. During the early part of the engagement they will be kept on the lee side of the battle ship ready to dart out under cover of the smoke or when a favorable occasion presents itself, and fire their destructive weapon. Importance of the Torpedo. When we consider the active part taken by the torpedo boats in the war between Japan and China, the relative value of the torpedo Is greatly increased, as about one- half of the large number of Chinese ships destroyed or sunk by the Japanese were 80 destroyed by the use of the Whitehead torpedo. Many ships in the foreign navies carry small torpedo boats, but the Maine and the Texas of the same date, now bulld- ing at the Norfolk navy yard, will be the first so provided in our navy. A constant complaint advanced by older officers, who have served much of their sea duty in the roomy old wooden vessels, 4s the lack of room for quarters, both fcr the officers and men, in the new steel ships, where everything seems given over to the tangle of machinery that gives the great speed constantly demanded. But this ob- Jection will not be made to the Maine, for herelarge width of beam makes it possible to give plenty of room to all. The Two Monitors. The other ships building here now are the double turreted monitors Puritan and Ter- ror. Of these the Terror is nearer comple- ticn, as her four great guns are mountgd, two in each turret, and the armored tops to the turrets are nearly completed. These harbor defense monitors have been expen- sive to our government, and the labor and material used in their construction would have built several fine cruisers—which most naval experts agree in claiming to be much more effective. They are poor sea boats, and their principal use will be found in harbor defense. In fact, the principal rea- son for furnishing them at all seems to be that too much had already been expended upon them to be thrown away. The only one completed so far is the Miantonomoh, which was kept in commission for nearly two years, but was not found to be adapted to the cruising duty demanded of a man-of- war in peace times, and-as all the enlisted force allowed by law were needed for the new cruisers, she was put out of commis- sion and laid up at the League Island Navy yard, ready to be manned if war should make it necessary. The ones now building of approximately the same type as the Miantonomoh are the from the main part of the navy yard to the Cobb dock: An improvement. much desired by all of- ficers and others interested in the yard is the dredging out of the Wallabout chan- nel, which leads from the East river up to the two docks now in use and the new one building. Owing to the action of the tide this channel fills up gradually with soft mud, which will eventually make it im- possible for ships of extreme draft to get up to the docks at all. Discussing the Allianea Affair. Much interest has been shown among the officers here in regard to the Allianca af- fair, and numerous opinions are expressed in favor of both sides by those who are more or less versed in international law, which is a requisite to a modern naval of- ficer’s education. A recent Washington dispatch said that Capt. Crossman of the Allianca was at one time in command of the Brazilian insur- gent ship America, which statement was entirely misleading, inasmuch as the Amer- ica was not an “insurgent ship” in any sense of the word, but was purchased and equipped by the regular government of Brazil. Capt. Crossman was in command of the America for a short time, and a United States Naval Academy graduate who served under him at that time as an officer of the America recently told me that people who know Capt. Crossnfan think that his story is, in the main points, entirely correct, but that as far as his dis- tance off shore was concerned it could not be definitely known by his methods of navigation. Whatever the different cpinions of offi- cers may be as to the right of the Spanish cruisers to stop vesséls inside the three- mile limit, they all agree that there is not the least probability of any serious trouble with Spain, and that in case of such trou- ble our navy could easily outclass the Spanish navy in every particular, except as to torpedo boats, which slight discrep- ancy we could overcome in other ways. The only ships of the North Atlantic squadron in these waters now are the Co- lumbia and Vesuvius. The former is lying in the North river ready for sea, and after undergoing a thcrough overhauling by the board of inspection she will join the other ships of Admiral Meade’s squadron in the West Indies. The Vesuvius is\ engaged in destroying wrecks dangerous to navigation gang the coast and will not go south this winter. —___ IN HOTEL CORRIDORS. “The Canadian government has decided that electricity is a dutiable article,” said Charles L. Anthony of Niagara Falls at the National last night.” The power com- panies at home have been making arrange- ments to run cables over the gorge in or- cer to transmit electricity into the British Possessions. One company had made a contract to deliver to a corporation 1lo- cated in a Canadian town 10,000 horse power daily, to be used for light and power purposes. This came to the knowledge of the Canadian authorities and the matter was laid before Mr. Wallace, the Canadian commissioner of customs. He rendered un opinion that electricity brought into the country should be classified among un- enumerated articles, upon which Canada has placed a general duty of 20 per cent ad valorem. Now the question will be made still more interesting, for before the duty can be charged it will be necessary 10 know the exact value of one horse power, so that the tax may be determined. The corporations which are getting electricity from the falls are in a great quandary just now and the subject is attracting con- siderable attention on both sides of the border.”" “When it comes to horse racing the In- dian is getting pretty well civilized,” said Frank O'Reilly, a race follower, at the Na- tional last night. “This fact struck me Jast fall when I was out in Colorado, in Costellas county. Nearly all the residents out there are Mexicans—greasers—you know, und they are great for chicken fight- ing and horse racing. They live in adobe houses and most of the country there is covered with cactus and prickly pear, so they have mightly little else to do but Sport. While I was at one of the villages a half dozen Indiaus came in and began to brag about the running qualities of a couple of their horses. They filled up, ap- parently, on rum and Mexican brandy, and managed to display a lot of money. When each of the Indians seemed to get about as drunk as a man well could be, the greas- ers arranged a race between a native horse and one belonging to the Indians, believing that none of the latter was sober enough to ride a herse in a jockey way. A big pile of money was bet and the course was measured off, about 500 yards. A slim Jn- dian trotted out on a long, skinny mare, and a Mexican lined up beside him on a powerful-looking horse. They were off at Puritan ana Terror, at this yard, the Am- phitrite, at the Norfolk yard, and the Mo- radmock on the west coast, at the Mare Island yard. When these are completed it is not likely-that any more of this class Will be built. | Building the Chicxgo’s Engines. In the engineering department of this yard the new engines for the Chicago are being built. The Chicago, it will be re- membered, was one of the first ships of the new navy and was built by John Roach, at Chester, Pa. Her engines were even then, over ten years ago, of an old type, and, though the ship has done much good ser- vice cruising in the West Indies, South America and Europe, it has been decided that her speed and ‘efficiency would be greatly increased by replacing her old pat- tern engincs, with the latest variety of triple expansion engines. The lines of the ships are good for speed, and it is thought tbat with new engines and boilers she can make nearly twenty knots per hour, where- as*her present speed is not much above fourteen knots. She has been for two years on the European station, where her cap- tain and ofiicers were feted and dined al- mest every place she went, especially in English ports. She was relieved a few weeks ago by the San Francisco, and after the board of inspection has visited her, she will probably be put out of com- mission, and her crew transferred to other ships. The Lancaster to Be Recommissioned. Since her return, six months ago, from duty as the flagship of the Asiatic station, the old Lancaster has been tied up along- side the dock here. Her hull and decks have been thoroughly overhauled, and it is intended to mount a modern battery on her and put her in commission again for service in the tropical climaies, where wocden stips are more comfortable and economical than iron ones, or else io use her as a gunnery ship for the naval ap- prentice boys at Newport. The Old Portsmouth. Another old ship which has seen her last service, in all probability, under the stars and stripes, is the old sailing ship Portsmouth, which went out of commis- sion several months ago here, and since then has been tied up, waiting to be sold, prebably, or she may be loaned to scme naval militia organization for a drill ship, as has been done with several other wid ships of the navy. The Big Dry Dock. ce the ships have left for the annual winter cruise the tropics of the West Indies and Central America, more atten- tion is paid to the various improvements projected in different parts of the yard. Of these the most important is the big dry dock, which has been under construction for two years, by a private firm, that took the contract to complete it some months ago. The work has progressed slowly, and it now seems that it will be over a year be- fcre the dock will be completed. The im- portance of this dock will be appreciated when it is understood that the government ins at present no dry dock large enough lock the O Massachusetts and fiana, the bi hips now rapidly ring completion at Cramp's ship yard in Philadelphia. As it now looks, the bat- tle ships will be completed long before the to tr dock is, and the gove a nt will be com- at Newport News, Va., the only one on the coast that will take th When writers in the public press, excited by the affair, talk of our great ad- 's in case of a war with Spain, and te these battle ships as a part of a pistol shot, and the way that redskin sobered up and rode was a caution. He got ahead at the first jump and kept his horse's tail in the other's face the whole distance. ‘Try as the greaser would he couldn’t get by either side. It was the cnly time I ever saw or heard of one horse ‘pocketing’ another. When the Indians went away they carried pretty near all the ready money in the village.” “The Trilby craze has resulted in one very pleasant form of entertainment up north,” said R. H. Leavitt of New York in the Raleigh yesterday. ‘‘Du Maurier’s book is being reproduced by amateurs on the stage, and in New York we have had sev- eral of the affairs. The characters in the novel ara taken by perscns who look. as much like the conception of the originals as possible, and the scenes are reproduced in tableaux, with the musie appropriate to them. The effect is very good, bo I think it would be an excellent way famillariz- ing the people with other books that may meet with popular favor, and giving them by such pletures and accompaniments a more vivid knowledge of what the authors really meant and intended.” They were conning over nearly forgotten stories of the past regime in Washington at the Riggs House the other night, and Ned Maunder remembered a good one, in which the characters were noted people. “I reckon most of you remember when Mrs. McGowan kept her famous boarding house here,” said Mr. Maunder. “She was a remarkably bright and witty woman, and her guests were all prominent in social and political life. Among her guests at the time I speak of were Senator—then Repre- sentattve—Dan Voorhees, Judge Tom Nel- on, once minister to Mexico, and a wit, with a world-wide reputation, and Judge and Mrs, Key, One evening these four, to« gether with Col. Boudinot, the Cherokee Indian, who was so well known here, were geing over to Georgetown and iook an F street car. It was crowded, and only Mrs. Key could get a seat. On the way Boudi- not, who was lame, stumbled when the car save a lurch, and fell in Mrs. Key’s lap. Quick as a flash Voorhees said: ““*You must excuse Boudy, madam. He is an untutored savage, a Pawnee, as you per- celve.” ‘The next instant Nelson broke out with, ‘No, madam, Dan mistakes his tribe. He is a Laplander.' The puns were enjoyed very much, and next morning Judge Key proceeded to relate the incident to Mrs. McGowan. ‘When Boudy fell in my wife's lap Dan said she must excuse him because he was an ignorant savage, and nothing but a Pawnee, when Tom, like lightning, ejaculated, Oh, no, he’s a Cherokee.’ “Mrs. McGowan pondered and tried to see it. At last she remarked that she ap- preciated the Pawnee part of it, but couldn’t understand where the Cherokee came in. Judge Key pondered, too, and nonplussed. ‘Well,’ he said, ‘I can’t see it now myself, but we all laughed like all creation at it yesterday evening.’ ” A party of young college men were dining at the Raleigh the other evening, and hav- ing the convivial time that accompanies a feast indulged in by such people, when one of them espied the motto on the wall— “Dum vivimus vivamus.” He looked at it uncertainly for a few moments, and then spelt it slowly aloud. “Dum vivimus vivamus,” he repeated with much unction. “I like that. It suits my ideas to a T.”" Then his eyes brightened joyously, and a smile of utter hapiness wreathed his face. “By Jove,” he added, with enthusiastic emphasis, “I think that’s just the best motto I ever saw, except ‘To h—1 with Yale!” our defenses, (hey should consider the im- pertant question of a place to dock them in case of injury that would send them home for repairs. Dredging the Wallabout the Channel. Other improvements now being made tn the yard are the erection of several new buildings, which are much needed, and the building of a stone causeway or bridge It was not difficult for listeners to tell what university that young man had been attending. Se The mayor of South Charleston, Ohi after refusing to have a peddler arrested for violating an ordinance, because he did not know it existed, found he was wrong, and fined himself $1 and costs for not knewing the law. THE DANA LIBEL CASE The Man -Libeled is the Aggrieved Party. Some Newspaper Comments: on the Proposal to Bring Charles A. Dana to This City. A Matter Recurred To. From the Brooklyn Eagle. The Noyes-Dana matter has already ré- ceived discussion in these columns, where the discriminations between what the case is and what it is not have been clearly drawn and observed. Elsewhere they have not, but should have been. It may be well to restate them. The subject matter of offense is the Statement that ‘Frank B. Noyes is a thor- oughly dishonest director.” That was de- clared in the Sun. The declaration was absolutely wrong in the Eagle's opinion. Our acquaintance and dealings wita Mr. Noyes have been long and intimate. If there ever was a thoroughly honorable man and a thoroughly honorable direstor Mr. F. B. Noyes is both. The falsity of the ac- cusation seems to all who know Mr. Noyes to be absolute. The injurious character of st is manifest. The iseue of fact could ne- where ccme to a fair trial without the fals- ity of the charge being proved. The rep- aration merited by the injured man and the pvnishment merited by the offending news- eee would bo-a matter for law to deter- mine. This is the first fact to be borne in mind. It is a fact which sheets that “refer to Mr. Noyes’ attack on Mr. Dana” forget. Mr. Noyes made and has made no attack on Mr. Dana. Tho: Sun made the attack on Mr. Noyes, and made it without any ante- cedent provocation by Mr. Noyes. The identity of the assailant and that of the assailed shculd not be confounded. Those who confound it are ignorant—or worse. Another fact to be regarded is that Mr. Noyes made an election tetween remedies open to him, and Mr. Dana is contesting the legitimacy of the choice between reme- dies which Mr. Noyes made. Mr: Noyes could have sued Mr. Dana civilly in New York or tried to have him tndictad crimin- ally in New York. He could not have sued him civilly in the District of Columbia, for the federal statutes de not give that remedy to the citizens of that District against outsiders. He did not sue him civil- Iy in New York, for money damages are not what he wents. He did not seek to have him indicted in New York, Zor he be- lleves that the Sun could prevent: an in- dictment or a fair trial under it in that city. There are those who think otherwise, but Mr. Noyes does his own thinking on that subject or abides by the advice of his counsel, Wager Swayne and Mr. Wellman, on that point. The third remedy to his hand Mr. Noyes employed. It was the indictment of Messrs. Dara aud Laffan by the United States court in Washington city. Their indict- ment in any United States court anywhere else was impossille by law. Otherwhere than in Washington city United States courts have only such criminal jurisdiction as federal statutes give. Those statutes do not make Ifbel a crime. What makes it a crime In Washington city is the commen law of Maryland, which is inherited by the District of Columbia under the terms of the cession of that District to the United States by that state. So because he lived in Washington Mr. Noyes could indict Mr. Dana there, but for the same reason he could not sue him civilly in any federal court. Nor could Mr. Dana be criminally indicted in any other United States court. Having determined cn indictment, Mr. Noyes concluded io try to get it where he lived, instead of trying to get it where Mr. Dana lived. For this Mr. Noyes is no more blamable than Mr. Dana is for seeking to show that the act of Congress under which Mr. Noyes das proceeded is unconstitutional! or does not justify Mr. Noyes’ proceeding. The papers of the country have with a near approach to unanimity condemned the law, sifice the discovery of its possibilities. That is their right. That is to their interest. The interpretation of the law is for the courts. The change of it is for Congress. So far, ail right. Two misuses of this right have, how- eyer, become prevalent. One is the abuse ef Mr. Noyes for testing his rights under existing law. That is both outrageous and irrelevant. It is outrageous because he is ope-of the finest men that ever lived, who was wantonly assalleg, and whom only ig- norant or malicious men or papers, those ignorant of nis character or maliciously disposed toward him, would assail. It was irrelevant, because Mr. Noyes did not make the law. He found it made. In it he was advised there are redresses for him. He invoked it. If he has been wrong- ly advised, the courts will tell him so. If he has been correctly advised, he is no more to be Liamed for availing himself of his legal rights than any other citizen of Washington. If the law is a bad one, Con- gtess should change it. Mr. Noyes could not change it, if he would. One may be ure that in seeking to vindicate his char- acter, Mr. Noyes declined no advantage which the varions legal remedies to his hand allowed. He was considering his cwn rights, not the susceptibilities of his as- sailant. As wrong as the attacks on Mr. Noyes are the newspaper attacks on the law are not. The Eagle regards the law as one replete with dangers of injustice to newspapers. On that account we trust that the courts will decide against the application made for Mr. Dana’s deportation to Washington. ‘The personality of no complaint or of no defendant affects to our mind the gravity of the principle involved and of the prece- cent to be created. On this account we have been against the application, while convinced that a gross wrong hes been done to an excellent man, to whom Mr, Dana should need only the promptings of his own conscience to volunteer the fullest reparation. Another Reason. From the New York Evening Post. The collection of newspaper extracts which Mr. Dana publishes in the Sun protesting against his being sent of for trial to Washington, on the ground that it may establish a precedent under which edi- tors might be “dragged,” on charges of libel, to all parts of the Union, is undoubt- edly intended to Influence the judge who is to sit on the case. But it will not influence him for the following reasons: All the small fry of editors either admire Dana or are afraid of him. They would imitate his style of journalism if they thought they could make as much money out of it as he used to make, or they expect some day to be hired by him, or fear he may attack them in his peculiar way. Then they know nothing about the law of the matter, and are not aware that the District of Colum- bia is the only part of the Union to which an editor could be “dragged,” as the law now stands. Concerning the hardship of going to Washington, they are willful de- ceivers, for they know that instead of be- ing “dragged” he would go in the greatest comfort in a drawing room car, starting at a reasonable hour, lunching on ‘Marengo chicken” and imported ginger ale, and ar- riving early in the afternoon. Further- more, they conceal the fact that Mr. Dana has been for over twenty years the organ of all the corrupt class in this city which under Tammany filled the offices, and sometimes the city courts; which preferred indictments and summoned juries and wit- nesses; that he did more than any one man te build up and support the Tammany system, and that his influence over the crimigal and semi-criminal element is un- abated, and that, therefore, any one at- tempting to prosecute him here on a crimi- nal charge would labor under great disad- vantages. We believe it is for these rea- sons that Mr. Noyes’ counsel advised him against attempting to get justice in New York. If the editors and press were in a healthy state of mind on this matter they would be backing Noyes and not his li- beler. ——__ Instinct Betrayed Him. A curious story is told by a Vienna cor- respondent. A young man, the representa- tive of a large firm, who carried a large sum of money with him, recently spent the night at a hotel at Presburg. As usual, he remained some time smoking in bed. Sud- denly the burning cigar fell to the floor. He bent over to extinguish it, when he saw a hand projected from under the bed to put the cigar out. It made him very un- comfortable. He lay awhile, and then say- ing aloud, “‘How very cold; I shall get my fur coat,” he jumped out of bed, flew to the door and cried for help. The would-be robber was caught. He confessed he knew the occupant of the room had money,which he hoped to get while he slept. He had been a fireman formerly, and could not re- sist the impulse to extinguish the burning cigar. Ter ieee in 100 Boys’ Short Pants Suits, Pleces—to go dur- ing “opening da; for of mixtures—2 $2.50 & number boys right, for wash fabrics, &c., $3 up. Fine Novelty Suits. Any number of Sweet Little “Novelty”? Suits, Ju cloth, velvet, Stands to reason that we will treat the we look to them for our future business. Three-button Black Clay Di- agonal Cutaway Coat and Vest; also same style in Cheviots. $12.50 is what you will be asked elsewhere. $10 “Opening days” Just ‘That Prince of Coats—the “Prince Albert"—of fine black elay diagonal, during opening days will drop to. a The richest thing in the way of a Prince Albert on the mar- ket today is a. Fine Black French Crepe Cloth, a regular ‘‘swell”’ wedding coat—the tailor’s $60 kind for. , $30 keeping methods. is an admirable trait. $5 PA 3 “OPENING” First Glimpse at the “Buds” of the Clothing Bush. son! Every ing from ‘ buds a peg. duplicate last spring’s success. it—go way beyond it. lief you wouldn’t buy. OW CAREFULLY WE HAVE PICKED ‘THIS SEA= bush in the Clothing Garden has been closely scrutinized and every choice ‘* bud” has been gathered. No chaff—all wheat. Pick- »” ought to be easiest for Up has gone the standard of quality and style. Prices haven’t budged an inch—unless to drop There is nothing rhysterious about our store= Sincerity in conversation, action and business The frank expression of truth—especially regarding Clothing—is an especially admirable trait. The growth of our big: business has been in mo sense meteoric. slow, steady, constant increase. RKER, BRIDGET & CO., Washington’s Foremost Clothiers, Street DAYS! It has been a We simply reasoned to ourselves that if we were the customers and you the proprietors we would want to be treated just so—and we have treated you that way. Told the truth about the goods, sold them for as little as we possibly could and righted every wrong brought to our attention. It’s your own fault if you lose a dollar in trading with us, for you have only to return and say your say! spring season, all eyes are naturally turned on us to see if we can Mark this, we propose to surpass So say all three members of the firm—and the best corps of clothing salesmen in the city. The latest addi- tion is Mr. Harry C. Wolf, late of Robinson, Chery & Co., who will have charge of the Children’s Department. The firm and the boys ask your presence during the opening. This being our second you. Tan Imported Kersey Covert Cloth “Top” Coats, with strap seams, &. The lowest price we have yet heard quoted for it is $15. We shall of- fer it the ‘opening & Jannty 3-button Cutaway Sack Satts. While you can: buy $10 suits almost anywhere, you'll pay $12.50 for the equal of these. During “open- $10 ing’ days only... . 315 Seventh i GERMANY STIRRED UP Effect of the Reichstag’s Affront to Bis- marck, ° The Kaiser Was Much Wrought Up | by It—Defended by the Socialists. “The moment the result of the vote in the German reichstag on Saturday refusing congratulations to Bismarck on his reach- ing his eightieth year was known Dr. von Botticher hurried to the telephone and told the emperor, who was awaiting the news in the old castle. Herr von Lucanus, chief of his majesty’s civil cabinet, went directly from the imperial box to the castle and described to the emperor the scenes of tumult in the reichstag. He must have given a vivid picture, for when the em- peror drove out Unter den Linden later he looked unusually sullen. He is under- stood to have exclaimed at the end of Lucanus’ narrative: “It is scandalous. The vote 1s a reflec- tion on me, the government and all the authorities and societies which will unite in honoring Bismarck.” He at once telegraphed to Bismarck: “Prince yon Bismarck, Duke von Lauen- burg, Friedrichshrue: I have to convey to your serene highness the expression of my most profound indignation at the resolu- tion which the reichstag has just adopted. It is in most complete opposition to the feelings of all the German princes and peoples.”” The emperor received the following reply to the message: “To His Majesty, Emperor and King: I pray your majesty to accept the respectful expression of my gratitude for the most gracious message, by which your majesty has transferred the action of my political opponents, concerning whigh I am not yet fully informed, into a source of joyful sat- isfaction. BISMARCK.” Many Popular Protests. The students and citizens in Jena are or- ganizing meetings to protest against the reichstag’s action. Similar meetings are to be held in Augsburg, near Munich, and throughout Suabia and Thuringia. Dispatches from Leipsic, Dresden, Munich, Essen, Mannheim, Cologne and Dusseldorf show that the people have been intensely excited by the reichstag’s action. The denunciation of the deputies is al- most universal, and there is a general de- mand for some national demonstration which shall serve as a complete popular disavowal of the vote. A peculiar feature of the whole affair is the apparent indifference or ignorance with which the emperor and the ministers, de- spite unmistakable warnings, again steer- ed straight into defeat. ‘The emperor could hardly have been ignorant of what every- body else knew. He must have been in- formed that on Thursday the socialists, Catholics, Richter radicals and Poles had formed a coalition to reject the Levetzow motion. On the same day the representa- tives of all parliamentary parties had met and, after the stormiest of debates, had separated with mutual declarations of de- fiance and reproach. Herr von Levetzow’s final efforts to save his motion were made on Friday. He then tried to induce Dr. Lieber, the clerical leader, to keep his party from voting; but he failed to get any pledge, although Lieber himself opposed the extreme action of the rest of the Catholics, Hints of a Dissolution. The relations of the parties have been more embittered by Saturday’s vote than by any purely political differences since the close of the Kulturkampf. Several deputies who favored the motion regard the reichs- tag’s decision as a personal affair, and have approached the ministers privately to urge a temporary suspension of the ses- sicn, looking to a dissolution in the near future. The government’s attitude toward de- rnands for a dissolution is distinctively pas- sive. A general election with “Bismarck” for the raliying cry would commit the gov- ernment, body and soul, to the Agrarian program, and several other points of Bis- marckian policy, for which the emperor and his ministers have little liking. The Berlin Tageblatt says: “We admit that the confusion can be ended only by the dissolution of the reichstag. If the government decides to appeal to the. coun- try, it will have a strong basis on which to make the campaign and win success.” The Vossische Zeitung (liberal) says: “No party ever can revert with pleasure to Saturday’s proceedings. The event proba- bly will lead to a revolution of the parties. Since the emperor has spoken with such deep indignation of the reichstag’s action, we should not be surprised to learn that the federal countil had been asked to agree to a dissolution.” The Daily News’ correspondent in Berlin says: “The emperor's telegram to Bismarck yesterday involves him in an open copflict with parhament, which no longer possess- es due authority. The only way out of the painful situation is a dissolution. This seems to be the secret aim of the conserva- lives, for Herr von Levetzow knew before- hund that his motion would be rejected. The result proves that those were right who opposed the motion on the ground that the ovation was intended as a tribute to Bismarck’s political system, and not to him personally.”” The Socialist View. The Vorwaerts (social democratic) says, under the caption “Nemesis: “The vote against the Levetzow motion was the peo- ple’s judgment on the refractory body of a politically dead man. It was an act of jus- tice. The people thereby pronounced guilty before the world « man who brougat more misery up2n the nations than anybody since Napoleon L if Prince Bisinarck’s friends venture to appeal to the nation, they will get a confirmation of the reich- stag’s verdict. The emperor had no right to speak as he did in his dispatch to Fried- richsruhe, in the name of the (zerman peo- ple.” ————_+e- — Believe in Americans. “It would appear from the remark that a Dresden manufacturer made to me in Germany a few months ago,” said a Pitts- burger to a Dispatch writer, “that only honest Americans go to Europe. I went to his manufactory to buy some china, and after selecting quite a line I asked him to sbip it to my home in Pittsburg, America. Then I requested him to tell me how much he wished me to pay upon it. ‘Not any- thing,’ was his reply. I was somewhat astonished, as I was a stranger to the man, so I asked: ‘But you are not acquainted with me; how do you know you will get your money?’ ‘Why, I am sure of my money,’ he replied, ‘for you are an Ameri- can, Americans never fail to pay. It is the only nationality I would trust on its name alone. When I sell to an American he always pays. I have sold many thou- sands of dollars’ worth of stuff in this same way to Americans and have never lest the least sum.’ This was rather sur- prising to me, for in dealing at home I had never met such flattering evidences of American integrity. But I was pleased to rote that we had such a reputation abroad, even if it was not a criterion of what was to be found at home. Deadbeats seem to be a domestic luxury and are not export- ed.” ——_+ee______ Magnetic Sand for Cars. An experiment has recently been made near Orange, N. J., on the Suburban Trao- ticn Company, with magnetic sand from the ore separating works at Ogden. Edison had an idea that the sand would have more effect in preventing slipping of the wheels than the ordinary sand. The experiment was tried during a snow storm on the Ea- gle Rock line, where the grades are ex- cessive and the difficulties of operating in snow are enormous. The experiment proved a complete success, the sand making a per- fect electrical connection with the rails and no slip being noted. +04 Street Car Charters. There is an English law which limits the duration of street car line charters to twenty-ones years. It was passed in 1870. Many of the charters are therefore already expiring. When they expire, the law pro- vides that the cities through which the lines run may buy them or lease them and operate them under municipal authority, There is a general movement on the part of the cities to take possession of the lines. In Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham, as well as in a number of smaller places, the street car lines are already owned an operated by the city. In these cities the eae have been all that could be desired so far. SHOT AT LI HUNG CHANG Attempted Assassination of the Chinese Peace Envoy. It May Result Disadvantageously to * the Japanese—A Similar Affair in Spain, As Li Hung Chang, the Chinese peace envoy, was returning to his lodgings at Shimonoseki, Japan, yesterday, after hav- ing attended a conference with Count Ito and Viscount Mutsu, the Japansse peace plenipotentiaries, a young Japanese fired a pistol at him. The bullet sped straight, but did no more harm than to inflict a wound in Li Hung Chang’s face. The attempt to assassinate him caused the most intense excitement, and on every side there were expressions of deep regret. The would-be murderer was arrested. It is believed that he was prompted to the crime by_mieguided patriotism. The news of the attempted assassination of Li Hung Chang creaied much excite- ment at Yokohama. The emperor and empress will send a messenger to Shimono- sek! to express to the distinguished Chinese statesman their regrets at the :nost un- fortunate cccurrence. Caused a Sensation Here. The news of the assault on Li Hung Chang caused a sensation in diplomatic circles in this city. Cases where an envoy of any kind has been assaulted in the coun- try to which he is accredited are rare, and ‘ose in which a peace commissioner is at- tacked are almcst unheard of in modern days. The opinion here is that Japan will suffer greatly as a consequence of the as- sault, and that the position of China will be so strengthened that she may be able to secure better terms of peace than she could otherwise have hoped for. The incident may lead to the breaking off of peace negotiations, which were pro- ceeding so satisfactorily, or at least may postpone further action’ in this direction until Japan has guaranteed the safety of mera envoy and made proper repara- ion. The recent parallel case is the attack made by Gen. Count Fuentes of the Span- ish army on the Moorish ambassador. ‘The latter was sent to ask Spain to grant Mo- rocco more time for the payment of tho war indemnity promised for the attacks on the Spanish at Melilla. General Fuentes became enraged at one of the conferences, and struck the ambassador in the face with his clenched fist. So seriously did the Spanish government regard the incident that Prime Minister Sagasta telegraphed a full explanation, coupled with expressions of profound regret to all the Huropean courts. Gen. Fuentes barely escaped heing shot, and will probably be confined for life in one of the fortresses of the country. The Moorish ambassador took advantage of the incident to press for further delay and se- cured it with little trouble. Reticence at the Legation. No news on the subject cf the attack up- on Li Hung Chang had been received by the Japanese legation here last night, and Minister Kurino was unwilling to discuss the occurrence. The members of the leza- tion realize that it is a serious matter. They say no one will deplore such an af- fair more than the Japanese themselves. The Chinese legation received prompt no- Ufication of the matter, but their advices contained nothing not in the press dis- patches. Minister Yang Yu did not care to discuss the subject. It was stated at the legation that it was not believed that it would lead to the total breaking off of the peace negotiations, although ‘t might cause them to be interrupted for some time. ——___-++-_______ AMONG LAW STUDENTS. Final Examinations and Subjects for Coming Debntes. The season of final examination and com- mencements is drawing near, and the thoughts of the students in the law school are becoming more or less engaged with the question as to whether or not they will receive the coveted diplomas, and in many cases, as to whether or not they will re- ceive the coveted prizes. The members of the senior and post graduate classes at Georgetowr law school who expect to compete for the essay prizes, which are $40 for the best essay in cach class, and for the better of the two an additional prize of a set of Smith’s Leading Cases, have been notified that essays must not ex- ceed twenty-five pages of typewritten legal cap, and must be in the hands of the seo- retary by April 20. ‘The prizes for the best and second best examinations in the various classes at Georgetown are as follows: Junior, $50 and $25; senior, $100 and $50; post graduate, $30 and $25. These prizes will be awarded at commencement, which will be held at the ee of Music, Monday evening, June At Columbian. At Columbian law school Judge Jolin M. Harlan of the Supreme Court has just be- gun his course of lectures, upon the sub- ject of “Commercial Paper.” Judge Cox is now lecturing on “Contracts.” Prof. Johnson, the quizmaster, has re- turned to his work, after an idleness of several weeks’ duration. The moot court of appeals at Columbian was orgenized a little more than a week ago, and now has several cases upon the calendar. The first of these is the case in which the appejlants are represented by Mr. Harris Lindsley and Reeve Lewis, and the appel- lees by Messrs. Hepburn and Moore. The court is composed of Mr. William F. Mat- tingly, chief justice, and Messrs. Henry B. Davis and Chas. W. Needham, associate justices. National School, The graduating classes at the National Law School are making preparations ‘for their commencement exercises, which are to take place during the first week in June. The members of the joint executive com- mittee have been appointed, and they have elected Edgar C. Gerwig as chairman. Mr, Gerwig named the subcommittees on Tues- day night. The case of Boanerges against Simpkins and Slick, in the moot court, at the Na- tional Law School, was assigned as follows; . For plaintiff, Messrs. C. M. Lacey Sites and Norman R. Metcalf; for defendant, Messrs. Wormelle and Fish. This is the last case to be assigned this term, and the court will probably adjourn about April 15. : Celumbian Debates. The following subjects and speakers for succeeding debates in the Debating Society at Columbian University Law School are announced as follows: Saturday, March 8 “Resolved, That the federal government should own and operate ail railroads within its borders.” Affirmative, F. L. Churchill, F. c. Laban Sparks; negative, W. H. Coleman, J. M. Seranage, C. B. Calvert. Sat- urday,April 6, 1895, “‘Resolved, That citizens of the District of Columbia should be @l- lowed to exercise the right of sui ed Affirmative, C. T. Harris, A. T. Ryanj n tive, J. W. Langley and Ashby ae Saturday, April 13, “Resolved, That tion should be made compulsory.” tive, Henry Donan, C. D. Moss; negat Ed. W. Williams, H. G. Van Evem. Sat day, April 20, “Resolved, That -the sg} ing army of the United States sho increased.” Affirmative, P, B, Cox G. Worrell; negative, S. M. Bly Mayo.