Evening Star Newspaper, March 28, 1895, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. es 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. Few York Office, 49 Potter Building. — ‘The Evening Star is served to subscribers In the eity by carriers, on their own account, at 10 cents ber week, or 44 cents per month. les at the Gunter 2 cents each. By mail—anywhere in the Inited erates or Canada—postage prepaid—50 cents r Saturday en ne ‘$1 per year, with ice at Washington, D. C., 4s second-class mail matter.) £7,All mail subscriptious must be pad in adva tes of advertising made knowp on vat Che Hen g Star. The proof of the pudding is tn fhe eating. Yesterday's Star contained 44 cofumns of adverfisements, made up of 677 separate announce: ments. These advertisers No. 13,124. WASHINGTON, D.C., THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 1895-TWELVE PAGES. TWO CENTS. MUST GO ELSEWHERE|NOT LIKELY TO GO/BIGELOW WAS CRAZY |°PENING SEALED LiPS|NICARAGUA CAN Secretary Smith’s Decision on the Contagious Hospital Question. NO LOCATION FOR If AT FREEDMEN'S He Will Not Consent to the Com- missioners’ Proposal. TEXT OF HIS DECISION ‘The Commissioners of the District of Columbia cannot locate the hospital for contagious diseases upon the grounds of the Freedmen's Hospital. The Secretary of t= Interior this afternoon rendered a de- cis‘on adverse to the Commissioners on thit point. The Secretary, though recognizing that the interests of humanity demand that some provision should be made for the accommodation of contagious cases, agso thinks that there {s a question of humanity involved in the interests of the patients who come under treatment in the surgical ward of Freedmen’s Hospital He is un- willing that Freedmen's Hospital, peculiar ly adapted as it is to the advancement of the colored race, shall have its facilities lessened by devoting it to the purposes of @ contagious hospital. The Secretary's Decision. The Secretary's decision was stated in a letter sent today to the District Commis- sioners, as follows: ‘our communication of recent date, vall- ing my attention to the fact that the Com- missioners of the District of Columbia are continuously embarrassed by the absence of accommodations for patients afllicted with contagious diseases, other than small- pox, has been considered by me. “In said communication you call my at- tention to the fact that the sundry civil ap- propriation act of August 30, 1500, under the head of Freedmen's Hospital and Asy- lum (26 Stats., p. 393), contains the fol- lowing provision: “For erecting one frame building of four rooms to provide for a class of patients not provided for in other institutions, to wit, those suffering with contagious diseases such as measles. scarlet fever, diphtheria and erysipelas, $2,500.’ “It appears that in accordance with the provisions of said act a building was erect- ed within something less than twenty-five feet of the surgical and obstetrical wards of the Freedmen'’s Hospital, and is now being used as a nurses’ home, there being no other building available for that pur- pose. “IT am requested by the board of Com- missioners of the District of Columbia to give direction that said building be imme- diately devoted to the use for which it was provided, inasmuch as it is the only build- ing especially provided for by law for the treatment of such contagious diseases as are mentioned in. the appropriation act hereinbefore mentioned. Protests From Howard University. “Dr. D, H. Williams, surgeon-in-chief of the Freedmen’s Hospital, and the Rey. Dr. J. E. Rankin, president of Howard Uni- versity, whose attention has been called to the subject matter of your communica- tion, have entered a protest against the use of said building for. the purpose men- tioned therein. “It is represented by the surgeon in chief that the patients occupying the surgical and obstetrical wards of the Freedmen’s Hespital, which are in close proximity to the bullding to which your communication refers, would be in great danger, more es- peef@lly since that class of patients are peculiarly susceptible to such contagious diseases as are enumerated in said appro- priation act. It is represented also by Dr. Rankin that the grounds and buildings now occupied by the Freedmen’s Hospital and Asylum are the property of Howard Uni- versity, and were leased to the Commis- stoners of the District of Columbia to be used for the ordinary purposes of such an Institution, and that the contract by which said property passed into the possession of the Commissioners of the District of Co- lumbia does not centemplate, either by ex- press proviston or by implication, that any of said buildings should be used for the purpose of receiving patients ailicted with contagious diseases other than such as are developed among the patients under treat- ment in the Freedmen’s Hospital. “Dr. Rankin contends further that the erection of the building, made in pursuance of the provision contained in the appro- priation act of 189), was done without the consent of the trustees of Howard Univer- sity, and that said trustees have never sig- nified their willingness that any building located upon the grounds occupied by the Freedmen’s Hospital should be used for the treatment of patients afflicted with con- tegious diseases, The Interests of Humanity. “TI recognize and appreciate the fact that in the interest of humanity some provision should be made for giving proper atten- tion to cases of contagious diseases within the District of Columbia, but I am also confronted with the fact that there is a question of humanity involved in the in- terest of the patients who may from time to time be under treatment in the surgical ward of the Freedmen’s Hospital. “It is contended with some pla physicians who entertain simils with those of the honorable board of Com- missioners that in the use of the building in _ question for the reception of such patients as is contemplated by the appropriation act of 1890, if proper precautions were obsery- ed and’exercised, there would he no danger of communicating the contagion to the patients occupying the surgical ward of the Freedmen’s Hospital. Not being a physician myself, I am not prepared to settle this controversy, having every ccr- fidence in the since vs taken by the honorable board of Commisstoners, as well as those taken by the surgeon-in- chief of the Freedmen’s Hospital, “You doubtless appreciate the fact that I entertain a feeling of great reluctance in giving directions that the building in ques- tion should be devoted to a purpose which, in the judgment of the surgeon-in-chlef, would endanger the health and lives of patients occupying buildings in such close proximity. This reluctance is strengthened by the fact that learned physicians of the District of Columbia, with whom I have conferred, concur in the views of the sur- geon-in-chief. “The Freedmen's Hospital is recognized by the government as being peculiarly adapted to the advancement of the colored race, and I cannot consent that its facilities should be lessened by devoting it to the purposes of a tentagious hospital. “Regretting the embarrassing conditions Which suggested your communication, I am,” &c. —_.--—— Naval Movements, ‘ams to the Navy Department to- show that the cruiser Atlanta has left Colon for Cartagena; that the Ranger has left Buena Ventura for Panama; that the San Francisco has sailed from Corfu for Pajermo, and that the Alliance has arrived at New York. —_—+: Personal Mention. Major D. D. Heap, corps of engineers, Is In the city cn leave of absence. Mr. and Mrs, Henry M. Upham of Boston are at the Cochran. Mrs, Upham is known in literature as Grace Le Baron. el Fourth-Class Postmasters. Forty-nine fourth-class postmasters were appointed today. Of these, forty were to fill vacancies caused by resignations, six by removals and three by deaths. The Delegates to the Proposed Interna- tional Monetary Conference, The President Not Expected to Ap- point Any Delegates or Commis- sion Those Already Named. In regard t> the point that delegates from the United States to an international bi- metallic conference could not be commis- sioned under the Wolcott amendment un- less the call when made should provide for a conference for the establishment of free coirage, it is recalled that in outlining the purpose of the proposed conference the language of the present law is the same as that under which the Brussels conference of 1892 was heid, and that while the first instructions of this government to its dele- gates in thateconference were to secure free coinage if possible, they were author- ized to use their own judgment in large Measure, and that, “failing to secure in- ternational bimetallism,” they were advis- ed by the then Secretary of State, Hon. John W. Foster: “The next important duty will be to secure, if possible, some action upon the part of European countries ‘looking to a larger use of silver as cur- rency, in order to put an end to the fur- ther depreciation of that metal.” The fact is not overlocked, however, that the Brussels conference was held upon the call of the United States, while it is not contemplated that the one now proposed shall be called at the instance of this coun- try. : There are some public men here who do Not believe that any conference will be called. Judge Holman is among those who hoid this opinion. He said today that the Movement would amount to nothing, and expressed the opinion that there would be no call for a meeting, and therefore no ap- pointment of delegates by the President. An Unlikely Story. There was a story current today that in case the President should decide not to complete the commission provided for in the sundry civil bill, the delegates ap- pceinted by the Senate and House could at- tend the conference regardless of his ac- tion, but this appears to be bused upon the merest surmise, as none of the Senate or House appointees, who alone could be ade- quate authority for such a statement, are in the city. Judge Culberson, one of the House delegates, remained in the city un- til today, but his friends say that he has never contemplated attendance upon any cenference that might be called_indepen- dently of the action of the President. ‘they also say for him that the impres- sion which has gone abroad that he was the mouthpiece for the President’s views in recent interviews given out by him in which he expressed belief in the invalidity of the congressional enactment is entirely unfounded, and that Mr. Culberson has expressed deep regret that such an inter- pretation should have been placed upon his utterances. ied It is pointed out by those who do not be- Meve that the congressional delegates would undertake to represent the United States independently of the President's action that the law is based upon the President's determination, and that without action on his part the delegates would have no official standing at a conference of the kind contemplated. °—_______ RECORDER TAYLOR. He Wus a Visitor at the White House Todny. Mr. Taylor of Kansas, recorder of deeds for the District of Columbia, was at the White House again today, for the second time since the President’s return from North Carolina. The report of the civil service commission in his case, showing divers violations of the civil service laws against political assessments, has been in the President's possession for several weeks, but, so far as known, he has not been able to give it final consideration. Mr. Taylor's visit to the White House today started the rumor that the President had sent for him for a personal explanation of certain developments in the investigation of his official conduct. Private Secretary ‘Thurber was seen on this point, and enter- ed an emphatic disclaimer. Mr. Taylor, he said, had simply called to see him on private business. He added that the Pres- ident had not sent for him and did not see him. In other quarters it is said that the President has been so much engrossed with more important affairs of state that he has not yet had an opportunity to give the case of Mr. Taylcr anything like the consideration it deserves. + e+—_____. SIXTY-FOUR TO GO. Clerks on the “Bullion Roll” to Be Dropped. There are sixty-four clerks, most of them women, employed on what Is known as the “bullion roll” of the Treasury Department, whose services will be dispensed with after this month. These employes have, been emplcyed and paid under the provisions of the Sherman silver purchase act of 1890. They were few in number at first, but in- creased gradually ®until there are now sixty-four on the rolls. Auditor Baldwin, in examining these accounts, found that the act under which appointments were ‘made contains no specific authority there- for, and consequently that their employ- ment is in direct conflict with a general statute prohibiting the employment of fed- eral employes without specific authority in each and every case. Aithough his decision in the matter Is not final, it is understood to have been af- firmed by all officials who have examinéd the question. It is now before Controller Bowler for final decision. That official is said to have expressed in private his strong conviction of the strength of the position so unwillingly assumed by Auditor Bald- win, The employes affected by this de- cision are nearly all in the Secretary's office and the treasurer's office. Owing to the exhaustion of the appropria- tion, eight clerks on the temporary role have been dropped. —-______ PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENTS. Probate Judges Named—Two Consuls Exchange Places. The President today appointed Geo. H. Fennemore of Utah and Joseph Houston of Utah judges of probate in the county of Beaver, territory of Utah. He also appointed Carl Bailey Hurst of the District of Columbia to be United States consul at Prague and Chas. Jonas of Wisconsin to be United States consul at Crefeld, Germany. Mr. Hurst is a son of Bishop Hurst of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is now consul at Crefeld and Mr. Jonas is consul at Prague. They have merely exchanged A Diplomatic Misunderstanding. The Japanese legation has made an in- quiry into the report that some one con- nected with the legation had received a private dispatch announcing that Li Hung Chang's condition was really serious. It appears that an attache of the Japanese legation talking with an attache of another legation in the city was totally misunder- stood, the gentleman to whom he speke believing that information had been re- ceived at the legation of the very pre- carious condition of the Chinese envoy. Mutual explanations have since followed, and the diplomat who misumderstood the statement of the Japanese attache ig quite chagrined to find that he is authority for a very sensational story about the physical condition of Li Hung Chang. Developments Regarding the New York Tragedy. THE VICTIM OF THE ROMAN FEVER See Had Been an Inmate in Insane Asylums. ee WHAT MRS. THILL SAYS —_+ MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., March 28.—Mrs. Thill believes that her daughter Amy, who met a violent death in New York yes- terday at the hands of John Bigelow, was murdered by a maniac. Mrs. Thill talked freely today about her daughter and her relations with Bigelow. She declared that Bigelow was an old friend of the family and had known Amy for several years He knew her, in fact, before she went on the stage, having met her in Minneapol’s. It was known to the Thill family that Bige- low hae twice been confined in an insane asylum, and Mrs. Thill says her daughter often expressed a fear of Bigelow and his attentions to her. Bigelow was much in love with the girl, but she steadily rejected any nearer relation than that of a friend. Her great ambition was to succeed on the stage, and she had no desire or intention of marrying. She had gone to New York to realize her ambition and not to marry, said her mother. If she had desired mar- riage she had numerous opportunities in Minneapolis, as she was a girl of singular beauty. It was partly through Bigelow’s influence that she had obtained a place in the Drew company. MIDDLETOWN, N. Y., March 28.—Actor John A. Bigelow, who yesterday in New York murdered Amy Thill and then com- mitted suicide, was confined in the state insane asylum here from December, 1892, to May, 1803. NEW YORK, March 28.—That the mur- der of Amy Thill and the suicide of her slayer, John Bigelow, were the work of a madman is mede more certain by the state- ments today of John Holden, an intimate friend of Bigelow’s. Holden says that Bigelow hes been in insane retreats at least five times within the last ten years. The last time Bigelow was in a lunatic asylum was in the fall of 1802, when he spent some time in a retreat at Hartford. He has also been several times in Bloom- ingdale. His insanity, in the belief of Holden, is the result of a> severe attack of Roman fever, which he contracted when a two- year-old baby in Rome. This fever is often followed by a weakening of the brain, which brings on periodical attacks of in- sanity. In John Bigelow’s case these at- tacks were usually hastened by the free use of tobacco and stimulants. An autopsy upen the body of Bigelow was begun today. In a note book found on his person there was a pass for the Harlem Opera House, made out in the name of Miss Thili. It was dated March 20. There was also an identification card, which read: “Going to New York March, 1867; height, five feet ten inches; weight, 160 pounds; hat, 7 1-4; notify A. M. Bigelow, 11 Pine street.” There was also a note which read: “My darling sweetheart, Jack, au revoir. (Signed) Amy.” A number of pawntickets were found in his pockets. Photographer Falke said this morning that he kad received telegrams from the two sisters of the dead girl, who played at Erie, Pa., last night, stating that they were starting for this city and that they would be here this evening. The autopsy on Bigelow’s remains show- ed that he must have been insane when he committed the deed. A clot of blood was found between the skull and the scalp on the opposite side of the head from where the bullet cntered, and it had been there some time. —_—.___ WILL STOP BOXING CONTESTS. Result of the Test Trial at Philadel- phia. PHILADELPHIA, Pa., March 28—The jury in the case of Charles McKeever, Charles McCarthy and Jack Fogarty, chetged with engaging in a prize fight, at the winter circus building on January 2t and 26 last, came in with a verdict of guil- ty this morning, after, being out two days. ‘This will put an erN to boxing contests in this city, as this was a test case. Superintendent Linden has said that he will enforce the law, which means that no more fistic encountérs will be allowed to take place at the Southwark, Nonpareil or Girard Athletic Clubs. Counsel for defengants has applied for a new trial ‘he fights which caused the trouble were between “Bull”, McCarthy of this city and Horace Leeds 6f Atlantic City, on January 24, and McKeever a1 Leeds on the 26th. Thus far Lecds has escaped the clutches of the law. ————— THE ELKS CASE. Judge Hammond at Cleveland Makes a Sharp Criticism. CLEVELAND, Ohio, March 28.—Judge Hammond delivered the charge to the jury in the B. P. O. Elks case in the United States circuit court this morning. He sharply criticis¢d the members of the order for engaging in what he termed the petty differences which had disrupted the organization. “No trial had a more trivial beginning,” the judge said, “or was more useless than this one we have before us. It is astonisa- ing that full-grown men would allow so petty a difference to grow into the propor- tions we have here, where a famous and useful social society, with rich belongings, has been disrupted, seemingly without hope of reconstruction.” Continuing, Judge Hammond said that the amount involved was sufficient tn sen- timental value of paraphernalia to give the court jurisdiction. He said the jury must consider that Atlantic City was the legal place for holding the convention in dispute, because it was fixed by the Grand Lodge and the grand trustees, and the sub- sequent removal of the grand trustees in no wise changed the legal meeting place. After some further discussion of the ‘egal phases of the case by Judge Hammond the jury retired. —————— Fire Ends an Old Feud. OMAHA, Neb., March 28.—St. Paul's Catholic Church, the scene of the desperate battle between rival church factions two weeks ago, in which many were hurt, burned last night. This settles a bitter churen fight, lasting five years. Both sides of the faction accuse the other of being re- sponsible for the row. The church was guarded at the time of the fire by six of the priests’ friends, armed. They are sure the others set it afire. —— Senlded by a Bursting Pipe. MADISON, Ind., March 28.—The steamer B. S. Rhea, which left Madison at 8 o'clock this morning, burst a steam pipe at Daniels Landing, -five miles above this city, and Emery Farrell, colored, was _ seriously scalded. The passengers were transferred to the steamer Sherley. Progress of the Police Bill. ALBANY, N. Y., March 28.—The senate has adopted the amendment to the police Oommiesioners Will Let Prudent Subordi- nates Talk. The “Exclusion” Order Not Yet Re- scinded, but the Commissioners Are Tirtng of It. Many of the diffitulties which have seriously interfered with the gathering of news at the District building since the promulgation of the extremely repressive order of the Commissioners, issued three weeks ago, are rapidly vanishing, and, in the ordinary course of events, will soon cease to be. The most objectionable paragraph in the order was, that which provides that “no employe in the District building except the secretary of the board will be allowed to give out information for publication.” It may fairly be stated that the paragraph no longer has the support of the Commis- sioners, although they insist that, for a while at ieast, it shall stand on the books of the office as issued. The natural results of the rule in question were unexpected by those who framed the regulations; they imagined that all searchers after news wculd apply to the secretary and be con- tent with the modi¢ums which he might see fit or be instructed to dole out. The corclusion was not well founded, and in practice has turned out to be an utter fail- ure, for the newspaper hustlers have taken to worrying the Commissioners as to mat- ters that heretofore have been attended to by minor officials. Too Much Worry. | As a result the usually onerous duties of the Commissioners have been a trifle more than ordinarily burdensome, and this bur- den would have continued steadily to be- come more weighty had not the Commis- sioners decided to relax the rule with which so much fault has reasonably been found. It having been made plain that the prohi- bition contained in the paragraph quoted was too sweeping, the Commissioners have informally agreed to take the metaphorical muzzles off the mouths cf such of their subordinates as are supposed to have com- mon sense enough to know what interests the general public and what is practically of a private nature. Today the process of cxemption is going en in a quite satisfac- and in a little while about all +’employes Wao,are so situated as to have news to give out will be noti- fled that the dees not apply to them except when special reports are in question. Already the chief of police, the health offi- cer, the chief of the fire department, the building inspectcr and one or two ciher of the more prominent officials have been ex- empted from the operations of the rule,and as rapidly as the reporters can secure the release of other tongues the good work of emancipation will go on. Complaints Received. There yet remains a slight difference of opinion as to letters recelved by the Com- missioners. Most of these cemmunications are complaints, and in times past some of the complainants have felt aggrieved be- cause their rumes have’ appeared in con- rection with the reforms they desired the Commissioners to make. The Commissioners have felt that the grievance alleged was a,teal one, but are considering the advisability of giving to the newspapers these complaints, on con- dition that the names and addresses of the writers be not published. At least two of the Commissioners are favorable to such action, and it is quite Hkely that a decision will be reached by tomorrow. The Com- missioners seem now to realize that there is a good deal of news of general public in- terest in the complaints filed at the Dis- trict building, and they see how it is pos- sible to get that news into circulation and at the same time, if the complainants so desire, conceal from newspaper readers the identity of the writers. The Commissioners Explaining. Today all three of the Commissioners are quite emphatic in declarmg that never at any time had they intended interfering with the printing of legitimate news mat- ter, but they realize that their order has worked badly and that many of the Dis- trict employes have been foolish enough to be governed by the unmistakable prohi- bition evident in the paragraph previously quoted. The Commissioners are now en- gaged in disabusing the minds of those of- ficlals who somehow or other did not feel empowered to take the order in a Pick- wickian sense. Vaults in Allgys. A new building regulatiog as to the con- struction of vaults in allgys is a proba- bility. The people who aré putting up the Lafayette Square Opera House want to have a vault in the alley in the rear of the building, and made application for the necessary permit. In times gone by such permits have been issued, but since the day when the engineer department found an alley vault an obstacle to the laying of a sewer all requests for such permits have been denied—not because the Commission- ers had orderea it, but because Col. Rob- ert, when a District Commissioner, had notified the inspector of buildings that a re- fusal was the preper thing in such cases. An impression seems‘to be abroad that the Commissioners are decidedly favorable to a regulation that will allow the vault to be constructed, and in case that is done the Department of Justice, which has a vault in the same alley, will be allowed to in- crease the vault’s area, so that the Attor- ney General's stock of coal will in the fu- ture be about ene hundred and fifty tons, instead, as at present, sixty tons. The Police Court Building. The Commissioners will open bids next Monday for the proposed improvements to the Police Court building. As it is today, the building can hardly be called a suitable one for the purposes to which it is put, but the contemplated improvements, which are quite extensive in character, will make it rather more attractive and habitable. Building Permits. Building permits ‘ssuéd today were as follows. T. H. Pickford, to erect eleven two-story frame dwellings on lot 3, square 599, fronting P street seuthwest, to cost $4,500. J. Edward Chapman, to erect two two-story brick dwellings on lots 54 and 56, fronting O street southwest, to cost $1,500. Wm. E. Fortune, to erect two two- story frame dwellings, fronting Douglass avenue, Barry Farm, to cpst $500. Subdivision Pintted. R. E. L. White and SS. Henkle have asked the Commissioners to approve their subdivision of Harewood Park. License Granted. The Commissioners have granted a sec- ond-class engineer’s license to Charles Can- ter. > Private Appointed C. W. Buhler, having sattsfactorily served his probationary term, has been appointed a private in the District of Columbia fire department. The Sunken Steamer. Harbor Master Sutton has filed with the Commissioners a statement of the condi- tion of the slip in which the hull of the Lady of the Lake Nes sunken, and the same has been referred to the Treasury Department. With reference to the ob- struction caused by the wreck of the steamer Lady of the Lake the Commis- signers feel powerless to do anything more than they have done, which is to refer the matter to the Secretary of War, with re- quest for speedy action. School House Rented. The Commissioners jhave leased from 8. R. Bond, for the cur#ent year, with privi- lege of renewal for three years, the Miner board bill striking out the elective feature | school building, now in use as the Business of the bill by a vote of 17 to 14. High School. The annual rental is $562.50. Warner Miller and Other Stockholé- ers Now in the City. CALL ON THE PRESIDENT AND GRESHAM Urge an Enforcement of the Mon- roe Doctrine. SURVEY AND EXAMINATION 4 —_->—— Four prominent citizens of the metropolis were much in evidence at the White House and the State and War Departments today. They are Messrs. Hiram J. Hitchcock, Warner Miller, Smith M.Weed and Franklin Bartlett. The first named is the president and the others are large stockholders in the Nicaragua Canal Company. They ar- rived here early this morning, and are scheduled to return to New York this after- noon. They first called at the White House and had a short interview with the Presi- dent, after which they visited the War De- partment and were clesctedavith Secretary Lamont for a few minutes. Although Sec- retary Gresham was the last of the three officials to be visited, it is evident from the length of time they remained in conference with him that their business pertained principally to the department over which he presides. That it related to the political situation in Nicaragua is almost beyond question, as is also the presumption that they ad- vocated a vigorous enforcement ef the Monroe doctrine in case of threatened ter- ritorial encroachments of Eurep2an powers. It is understood that they expressed their appreciation of the steps already taken by the government for the protection of Amer- ican interests in Nicaragua, as indicated by the concentration of warships in the vicin- ity. To Survey the Canal. The main purpose of their visit to Wash- ington at this time was to urge prompt ex- ecution of the legislation of the last Con- gress providing for a survey and examina- tion of the Nicaragua canal. This pro- vision is contained in the sundry civil ap- propriation bill, approved March 2, 1895, and reads as follows: For the purpose of ascertaining the feasibility, permanence and cost of the construction and completion of Nicaragua caral by the route contemplated and pro- vided for by an act which passed the Sen- ate January 28, 1805, entitled “An act to amend the act entitled ‘An act to incor- porate the Maritime Canal Company of Nicaragua,’ approved February 20, 1889 $20,000, to be expended under the direction of the Secretary of State. Three Engineers. And a board of three engineers is hereby constituted to make the survey and exam- ination necessary for such ascertainment; said board to be selected and appointed by the President of the United States,one from the corps. of ergineers of the United States army, one from the engineers of the navy, and one from civil life; and the compensa- tion of the members of said board shall be fixed by the President, not to exceed $5,000 each, including such pay as the engineers so selected are receiving, for the time they are so employed, from the government. And the said board, under such arrangements and regulations as shall be made by the Secretary of State with the approval of the President of the United States, shall visit and personally inspect the route of the said canal, examine and consider the plans, profiles, sections, prisms and specifications for its various parts, and report thereon to the President; and should they ascertain that any deviaticn from the general line of the proposed route is desirable, they shall so state in their findings and conclusions with regard thereto in their report. And said board shall make their report on or before November 1, 1895; and the ap- Propriation shall be immediately available. The foregoing appropriations for work ch rivers and harbors shall be immediately available. os THIRTY BUILDINGS BURNED. Business Portion of Canaserga, N. Y., Destroyed. CANASERAGA, N. Y., March 28.—The entire business portion of this village and thirty dwellings were burned today. Fire started at 12:40 a.m., and spread rapidly. A strong wind was blowing and the vil- lage had only the most primitive means of fighting the flames. Not until a special train had arrived from Hornellsville with two companies of firemen and a steamer was the progress of the fire checked. Half of the population are homeless. The ‘total loss will be about $100,000. ‘The insurance will not more than half cover it. No lives were lost in the fire, but several persons were injured. a ATTACKED BY HIS BROTHER. Sensational Assault on a New York Banker. NEW YORK, March 28.—Scott Foster, president of the People’s Bank of this city, was assaulted today by his brother, William H. Foster, armed with a heavy cane. Scott Foster's arm was broken, his shoulder dis- located and his skull fractured. William H. foster was arrested. In court he said: “It was good that they stopped me when they did. I'd have killed him. He has robbed me of everything I had.” —— COLLAPSE OF A MALT HOUSE. The Weight of Grain Too Much for the Building. PITTSBURG, Pa., March 28.—The five- story malt house at Wainwright's brewery, 36th street, collapsed at 7 o'clock this mernirg. The weight of the grain stored in the upper floors caused the disaster. The Icss will be $15,000. Every one in the building escaped, but there were grave fears that several passing pedestrians may have been caught and crushed under the wreck, and an active search was made. No bodies were found under the wreck. The entire structure will have to be re- built and the loss is now placed at $30,- ————.-—_—_ COOPER CONVICTED. He Shot Down Maggie Pitts in Cold Blood. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. ELKTON, Md., March 28.—The jury in the Horace Cooper murder case, which has been on trial since Monday in the circuit court for Cecil county, rendered a verdict this morning, after being out for more than twelve hours, of murder in the first degree. ‘The murder for which Cooper will pay the penalty occurred on Sunday, November 18 last, at Cokesberry, this county, a small negro settlement, when he shot and fatal- ly wounded his sweetheart, Maggie Pitts, colored, because she refused to marry him. Cooper Is a desperate character, and vis- ited her home on Saturday night intending to Kill her, but was prevented by Perry Gibson, an cld colored man. He returned on Sunday and shot her three times, which resulted in her death two days afterward. The Presidext aid to Have Ohanged His Views. Such a Tax Not Out of Harmony With Tarif Reform — The Supreme Court, President Cleveland is said to have be- come a convert to the income tax. If the Fifty-fourth Congress should attempt the repeal of this law, as is expected, Mr. Cleveland will probably be found standing in the way of the accompliskment of that act. When the proposition was first made in the last Congress the President was not favorable to it, and it was with great diffi- culty that he was converted to a corpora- tion tax, which he recommended in his message, thinking that the proposition would not be pressed beyond that point. He was not at all pleased when a general income tax was adopted, and it is believed that he looked forward to the time when the law might be repealed. Very recentiy, however, it is said, he has become con- vinced that the tax is in entire accord with his tariff policy, and that through it the opportunity may be afforded ultimately for a still further reduction of customs duties than that made by the Wilson-Gorman bill. The returns to the internal revenue bureau give promise of a considerably larger reve- nue from this source than he had expected, and to that extent relieves him of the fear that a shortage in the treasury might compel him tc accept at the hands of a republican Congress some increase of tariff rates. He sees in it also a means of reve- nue in the event of the foreign tariff war being pressed to an extreme. This attitude of the administration may have some bearing upon the decision of the Supreme Court as to the constitutionality of the income tax. While the court is sup- posed to be guided by nothing but the law, yet in matters involving the powers of the government there is an impression that the court has a leaning toward that which the administration regards as desirable. If the administration regarded the tax as unnec- essary or improper, the chances of a de- cision adverse to the government might, perhaps, be greater. —_——____+ 2 +_____—__ WEST POINT ACADEMY. Forty-Three Have Passed Examina- tions and Will Enter in June. Forty-three of the candidates for admis- sion to the United States Military Academy have successfully passed the recent exam- inations and will enter the academy in June next: Robert C. Foy, Eufala, Ala.; Vert Coleman, Huntsville, Ala.; Jas. S. Pillow, Helena, Ark.; Irvin L. Hunt, Point Arena, Cal.; Herbert L. Wigmore, Los An- geles, Cal.; Robert H. Peck, San Diego, Cal.; Hugh A. Roberts, Savannah, Ga.; Grayson V. Heidt, Washington, D. C.; Fred V. Chamberlain, Chicago, Ill.; Geo. V. H. Moseley, Evanston, Ind.; Chas. C. Farmer, ir., Mount Carroll, Ill.; Wm. B. Burtt, Hinsdale, Ill.; Jesse W. Johnson, Sterling, Tll.; Henry W. Stealey, Washington, D. C.; Chas. D. Herron, Crawfordsville, Ind.; Geo. A. Simonds, Cresco, Iowa; Norton W. Stickle, Anamora, Iowa; Albert G. Bitt- mann, Louisville, Kan.; L. N. Bushfield, Elizabethtown, Ky.; C. C, Carter, Avon, Ky.; Albert _N. McClure, Humphrey, Walter S. Brown, North Bridgeton, Me. Ganthey K. White, Whiton, Md.; Thos. M. Hunter, Baltimore, Md.; Chas. B. Clarke, Medford, Mass.; M. J. McDonough, Boston, Mass.; Leon B. Kromer, Grand Raptds, Mich. C. Clippert; Springwells, Mich.; J. L. Rowley, Port Huron, Mich.; Thos. H. Jackson, Muskegon, Mich.; L. W. Oliver, Escanaba, Mich.; Ray Cornwell, Winona, Minn.; Clyfford Game, Moorhead, Minn.; E. G. Peyton, Columbus, Miss.; Claude Still, Senatobla, Miss.; H. B. Farrar, Highland Falls, N. Y.; E. H. Humphrey, Omaha, Neb.; R. C. Sheldon, Camden, N.J.; F. V. Watson, Paterson, N. J.; F. W. Van Duyne, Newark, N. J.; Joseph Wohlberg, Y.; T. M. Coughlan, New York, N. ¥.; E. M. Markham, Troy, N. Y.; W. T. Merry, Mion, N. Y.; S. T. Ansell, Currituck, N. C.; Laurence Halstead, Cin- cinnati, Ohio; R. L. Armstrong, Celina, Ohio; R..E. McNally, Springfield, Ohio; H. S. Commager, Toledo, Ohio; B. F. Sawtelle, Bethlehem, Pa.; S. B. Embick, Bailing Springs, Pa.; G. E. Mills, Waltersburg, Pa.; Lewis Brown, jr., Newport, R. L; J. Cc. Rhea, Strown, Tex.; Jos. A. Woodruff, Washington, D. C.; C. A. Trott, Milwaukee, w F. W. Oldenburg, Antigo, Wis.; W. T. Patten, Washington, D. C., and Chas. A. Romeyn, Atlanta, Ga. —_—_——_-e. WASHINGTO A Julius AVY YARD. The Force to Be Kept at Work Until September. It is proposed to keep the full force at the Washington navy yard at work so long as the appropriation will permit. As al- ready stated in ‘The Star, the decreased ap- propriations for the yard will necessitate a large reduction in the force engaged in the gun shops. It ts believed that available funds will permit the continued employ- ment of the full force up to September 1, and that date has been set by the depart- ment as the date when it will become nec- essary to reduce the force. The entire force in the gun shops will probably be furloughed on that date until Congress provides for the necessary increase of naval armament to meet growing demands. ° OPERATIONS IN CUBA, Foreign Governments Have Sent MIl- tary and Naval Experts. The military operations in Cuba are, ap- parently, attracting the attention of for- eign governments, as several of them have sent military and naval experts to the scene of action. Commandant Clement de Grandfrey, military attache of-the French embassy at Washington, went to Cuba a month ago. He will have official entree, as he carries letters to the captain general of Cuba and others in authority. In this connection it is being suggested that it would be well to have the United States represented by military and navel experts. Secretary Herbert has detailed an officer to observe the China-Japan op- erations, and the heavy reinforcements Spain is sending to Cuba appear to make the island a valuable point for military and naval observation. 2+ BOSTON’S COLLECTOR. He Talks of the Reorganization of His Oftice. Mr. Warren, the collector of customs at Boston, is in the city on his way south, and today had an interview with Assistant Sec- retary Hamlin in regard to certain pending reforms in the Boston custom house look- ing to a more expeditious handling of importations at that port. The interview was necessarily brief, as both Mr. Ham- lin and“Mr. Warren ‘are somewhat indis- posed. On the latter’s return, several mat- ters relating to his office will be taken up and disposed of. One of these questions, it is said, involves the removal of the as- sistant appraiser and one other official, and a limited reorganization of the office. Mr. Warren leaves for the south tonight, to re- main several days. - Jacketing a 12-Inch Gun. Secretary Herbert and a large party of other officials visited the navy yard today to witness the interesting ordnance opera- tion of jacketing a 12-inch gun. Lieut. and Mrs. Dunlap entertained the party at luncheon. AL|FAVORS AN INCOME TAX/KENTUCKY POLITICS Both Parties Preparing fora Vigorous State Campaign. DEMOCRATS DIVIDED ON SILVER Leaders of the Rival Factions and Their Strength. REPUBLICANS CONFIDENT The Kentucky democrats are not waiting to see what course the President may pur- sue with regard to another international monetary conference before taking sides on the present aspect of the silver ques- tion, but are already dividing on the line of free coinage and preparing for’a most energetic state campaign. Their conven- tion for nominating a full state ticket will be held at Louisville in June, and al- though there are local issues of enough im- portance to occupy them, and although the republicans will endeavor to hold them down to the local issues, the one overshad- owing national issue is certain to receive a very great deal of attention at their hands, both before and after the convdhtion. Not improbably, indeed, the complexion of the lcket itself may depend upon the expres- sion as to silver embodied in the platform adopted. f Secretary Carlisle to Participnte. Unusual interest attaches to this contest by reason of the probable participation in it of Secretary Carlisle. The Star some time ago recorded the fact that Mr. Car- lisle was expected and was expecting to take part in the next campaign at home, and that his name was being canvassed in connection with the senatorship in the ote for choosing a successor to Mr. Black- urn. Since ther the matter has been made the subject of a good deal of discussion in the Kentucky newspapers, and now, as the time draws near for a decision to be reached, Mr. Carlisle is being pressed to accept an invitation for an early uppear- ance in the arena. There is hope that he may be able to improve an opportunity to be afforded nim about the middle of April, when a rally of the democratic clubs of Louisville will take place, and when he could address himself to the whole po- litical question, state and national. An in- vitation to attend this meeting is now in his hands, and if he decides to accept it his deliverance on the occasion will attract rational attention. Some of the time will have to be given to the financial question, and this portion of the address will, of course, be accepted as the voice of the ad- ministration calling democrats to duty. The Anti-Free Coinage Faction. The Kentucky democracy is split in twin en the silver question, and more feel- ing exists than h’s ever appeared in fac- tional strife in the blue grass state before. The anti-free coinage sentiment is voiced by Secretary Carlisle, Senator Lindsay and Henry Watterson. They are ticketed as gold bugs and as the mouthpieces of Wall street. Behind them are the commercial bodies of the towns and cities, the capital- ists here and there engaged in developing the resources of the state and business men generally. This faction is strong in talent and political experience. The three leaders mentioned are notable men, with national reputations, and have’ many ad- mirers at home even among those who dif- fer with them. Judge Lindsay has always been conservative on the money question, and considers that he is still so, even while opposing free coinage at the present time. Mr. Watterson has now and then said a good word for silver, but has always been accused of taking his cue as to money from the east. Mr. Carlisle, while in Congress, voted Six times for free coinage, and made a speech against the act of 1873 demonetiz- ing silver, which has mcre frequently been quoted both in Congress and out than any other speech on the same subject. But his record in the Treasury Department 1s thought to show a complete reversal of his financial views, and this, coupled with his responsible office, makes him the target for many shafts aimed from the silver camp. In fact, both the Secretary and his friends have been notified that all of his utterances as to silver, from the first to the latest, have been carefully collated by | his opponents, both democrats and repub- licans, and that they are “laying for him,” with the hearty promise of making his ap- pearance on the stump at home interest- ing alike to himvand to the country. The Free Coinage Wing. The free coinage faction is led by Senator Flackburn arid ex-Governor Proctor Knott, and this means plenty of fight and con- troversy. Mr. Blackburn is a candidate to succeed himself in the Senate, and is now cn the stump appealing to his friends to organize and get to work. His itinerary will take him over the greater part of the state, and into those large agricultural sections where the silver sentiment is strengest. He is assured of Immense meet- ings at every point. His style of speaking is very popular among his constituents, ard, besides, his old army comrades are to be found in nearly every county. As a rule, they are for “Joe” first, and then for anything and everything that “Joe” is for. They all call him “Joe” out of the hearti- est regard and the highest respect. The ene of their number who would venture upon “Mr. Blackburn” would be ostracised as a dude, and as being out of the pale of gced feeling. And the Senator himself would ratify the judgment and the action. Proctor Knott, though for some years now lost to national notice, is still a very prom- irent man at home, and a very popular cne. He is en ardent advocate of free coinage, and will make a number of speeches {n the campaign. If Mr. Carlisle speaks at Louisville next month Mr. Knott may be put up within a week's time to arswer him, and in this way both sides wil’ be heard through the mouths of their ablest local exponents. Behind Mr. Blackburn and Mr. Knott are the great farming interests of the state, the smaller merchants, and the rank and file of the everyday party organization. This support is formidable in| numbers, and, led with tact and courage in a state convention, has heretofore carried the day, Led as it will be in June next, a lively time at the very least may be ex- pected then. Republicans Confident. The Kentucky republicans, full of epn- fidence this year, will take the first go. They will meet in May and make their nomination and adopt their platform. As far as possible, they will keep local issues to the front. They want a look at the books after thirty years of interrupted democratic control. But they will meet the silver question, and in a way to keep them in line with the party’s national record. They are certain to be well led. Excellent material is at hand from which to choose, and the party hope is so high a vigorous ecntest has set up for the places on the ticket. Joint debates are to be inaugu- rated, and the ablest of the democratic speakers invited to come to the scratch. Party records, state and national, will be thoroughly overhauled, and unless the democrats get together, not only on the silver question, but on other questions. they privately admit themselves that defeat at the poles would not surprise them. Government Receipts. National bank notes received for redemp- tion today, $363,191. Government reccipts— From internal revenue, $436,126; customs, $881,588; miscellaneous, $11,307.