Evening Star Newspaper, April 1, 1895, Page 1

EVENING STAR. THE ee eg DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, ‘All tail subscriptions aust be pad in _adva Fixtes of edvertisitg made Rhowe application. No. 13,127. WASHINGTON, D.C., MONDAY, APRIL 1, 1895—TWELVE PAGES. TWO CENTS. proof of the pudding entir °" adverfisements, made 1,090 se; These i : pufificifrp—not merefp KF Fe? i ep (I BLEW OPEN THE SAFE|THE '!NcomE Tax caSES/THE TIME IS UP Bold Robbery Last Night on the River Front. THE FERRY COMPANY'S Watchman Gagged and Bound and Office Looted. LOSS POLICE ARE AT WORK Two safes and the ticket drawer of the Washington Steamboat Company (limited) Were successfully attacked by masked cracksmen at an early hour this morning. The watchman, James Fonschell, was bound and gagged and threatened with death at the muzzle of a cocked six- shooter. The combination to one safe was worked and the other safe was blown up with dynamite cartridges. The ticket drawer was cut out, presumably with a chisel. Eight hundred dollars in booty was secured and a number of checks and other valuable papers. The robbery was execut- ed with great daring and considerable skill, Watchmen and policemen for many ®quares around heard the explosion, but it could not be located. The payment of the stolen checks was ordered stopped, and the case turned over to the detective bu- reau. The Washington Steamboat Company @imited) is popularly known as the Ferry Company, but in addition to operating the ferries Columbia and Eelle Haven, also runs the steamers Waketield and T. V. Arrowsmith. The dock is at the foot of ith street, off M street. It is completely closed and roofed in on the shore side, the Street entrance being through heavy wooden gates, which are bolted at night. ‘The offices of the company occupy a sub- structure in the southeast corner of the dock. It was here that the watchman stood guard.* The record of station No. 4 shows that Officers Muller and Neale, who are on the wharf beat, reported from the box at M and obliquely opposite the ferry Rouse, at 12:55, that all was well. The eyes of the safe blowers were probably on the officers and followed them as they moved eastward along M street and away from the scene of depredation. The watchman, according to his own story, was sitting peacefully in the rear office. He was well armed with a Colt revolver of heavy cali- ber and improved model. No unusual sounds had been heard during the night. Very few unusual sounds ever are heard along the river front at night. The hands of the office clock pointed to the hour of 1 and “two bells’ rang out from several of the craft in the harbor. The street gate rattled and its bolts grated. This was very uncommon, and the watchman listen- ee et e shaking was repeated, not with very Much force, but considerably more teas had at first been used. It then occurred to the watchman that some of the officers or men of the Wakefield, which had come in during the preceding evening, had been belated in the city and were returning to thelr ship. Acting on this theory, he thought it best to sally from the office and unbar the gate. The suggestion of robbery crossed his mind, but the theory of belated boatmen seemed the more plausible. The shaking and grating of the gate was re- Peated. This determined him. He crossed the office floor and threw open the door leading to the dock, which at this time was very dark. As he stepped over the sill he was grasped from behind on either side, a rough hand was clasped over his mouth, his arms pinioned and a heavy re- volver pressed against his face. Bound and Gagged. One of the thieves hissed, “Make no noise, or we'll kill you,” and the pressure of the cold steel of the ugly weapon as- sured the watchman that resistance would be futile and an outcry fatal. Two of the masked strangers forced the watchman back into the office which he had just left, and threw him back on a pile of soiled linen belonging to the Wakefield. The third robber paced up and down the dock to keep watch. The two inside drew a towel from the laundry heap, stuffed it in their victim’s mouth and bound in the gag with a piece of sheeting. Then they pin- joned his arms and legs so tightly that the flesh was cut in places. They turned him face down end threw a sheet over him. Leaving him, they proceeded into the mid- dle office, occupied during the day by Agent Johnson and Ticket Seller Cooksey, and the big safe, which stands against the north side, was tackled. The men worked way at the combinaticn for several min- utes, turning the knob first this way and then that, and carefully noting the clicks of the dog. In this way they found the combination, and the docrs came open. Such of the contents as were desired were bagged. The front office, occupfed by Gen- eral Manager C. W. Ridley, was next in- vaded. This office faces directly on the street, but the window glass is coated with paint, and the tight shutters were fastened. Blew the Safe. The safe against the east wall was drilled and the cartridge inserted. The explosion followed, the fron front fell back with a crash, and the whole building shook. It is thought that the robbers had retired to the rear office till this shock had passed. OfM- cers Muller and Neale, who had said “All well” at 12:55 from 7th and M, were stand- ing at the corner of 6th and L when the re- port sounded. They thought that it came from a southwest direction, but of this, be- cause of echo, they could not be certain. Officers Bruce and Ferkes, who were on M street east of 4 1-2 heard the shot, but could not locate it. Watchmen on the va- rious steamers at the river front heard it, too. They thought of it for a moment and then dismissed it from their minds. Quick’ work was then done by the cracksmen. On the way out they ripped out the drawer and scattered the tickets broadcast. Then then passed out of the door through which they had entered, and were lost. Watch- man Fonschell, after the lapse of consider- able time, managed to turn himself over, and by plaeing his back against the wall gained his feet. Although tightly bound he edged along till he reached the dock. After about an hour of hard work of this nature he crossed the gangplank of the Wakefield and roused one of the deck hands. This man at once cut the binding that tethered the iegs, but on looking up noticed the great white sheet wound round the face and neck, and, taking fright, dash- ed below. Fonschell, having his feet released, made his way to the quarters of the assistant engineer, who, after being roused, released the man. The Front Excited. This was about 4 o'clock. An alarm was given, and soon all the river front was awake. The police and the company officers were notified, and the usual scenes of excitement and discussion were enacted. Detectives Weedon and Hall arrived a little atter § o'clock and put Fonschell through a severe examination. They took him to police headquarters for further questioning. The Wakefield left on schedule time this morning, and none of the people of that craft have been seen by the authorities. Yesterday was an especially busy day with the Y company, troops of women and children making the trip, and the receipts had, of course, not.been banked. The popu- lar theory at the river front fs that the thieves came along the wharf in a small beat anc made their escape in the same way. ‘The ferry {s running, the trucks are com- ing and going, the dock laborers are hus- ting, and everything around there has re- sumed the normal tenor of its way. No Decision on Them Handed Down by the Supreme Court. Only One Important Cane Acted Upon— A Large Audience Disappointed— Speculation as to the Opinion. The United States Supreme Court dis- appointed an anxious audience today in failing to hand down a decision in the In- come tax case. A large crowd assembled in the court room to hear the opinions of the learned judges in case they should be presented. The audience outside the rail was composed principally of ladies, at- tracted there by curiosity, and a number of newspaper correspondents. An assemblage of distinguished jurists graced the bar of the court upon this oc- casion, the attendance including three ex- cabinet officials, ex-Attorney General Gar- land, ex-Secretary Bristow and ex-Secre- tary Boutwell. Senator Morrill was an at- tentive listener, and many of the most prominent attorneys of the city were pres- ent. Several Decisions, but Not the One - Looked For. ‘The court handed down several decisions in minor cases, but no reference was made to the Income tax case or the Debs case. While it is not beyond the bounds of pos- sibility to render a decision during the week, such a thing is unusual, and prob- ably will not be done, and the income tax case will probably be décided next Monday or the succeeding Monday. While there is no time limit upon the court for acting in the matter, it is thought they will render a deci8ion some time this month, as the income tax becomes payable after April 15 and before July 1, and in case of an unfavorable decision consider- able embarrassment would be caused in the case of those persons who had paid. The only opinion of importance read was one denying an application made in behalf of August Bergmann, a New Jersey mur- derer under death sentence. Speculation as to the Opinion. When Attorney General Olney was argu- ing the income tax cases for the govern- ment during the progress of the recent hearing in the Supreme Court he sug- gested that parts of the income tax law might be declared invalid without affect- ing the law as a whole, mentioning the incomes derived from rents and from state, ecenty and municipal bonds, which might be excepted by a decision, and a number of lawyers, including members of the Sen- ate, think it probable that when the der oo shall ve reached it will be on these nes. Senator Vest, who, as a member of the firance committee, helped to frame the bill, expressed the opinion yesterday that such a decision was possible, and indicated his belief that he thought the income on bonds was in especial danger. Discussing the question, he said ‘that a great many changes had been made in the bill in the Senate, after it was reported from, the finance committee, which it had been“ intended to cerrect in conference. The provision in regard to the taxation of incomes on bdnds was one of these, and it would have been stricken out if the con- ference report had ever been considered by the Senate and House and accepted, as such a change was agreed upon by the cenferees. Mr. Choate’s Charge. Senator Vest was reminded of the charge made by Mr. Choate in arguing the case in the Supreme Court that some attorney must have received a big fee for securing the exemption of mutual insurance com- panies. “Oh,” he replied, “that is on a par with the charges that were made about il- legitimate influences in connection with the sugar schedule, and if Mr. Choate wants to make that sort of an argument I have nothing to say. My recollection is that the exemption was suggested by Sec- retary Carlisle. He thought it was a proper exemption, and I agreed with him, and I still think it was proper.” —_—__-+e-____ SECOND-CLASS MAIL MATTER. Mr. Craige Trying to Determine What is and What is Not. Third Assistant Postmaster General Kerr Craige is very busy at present trying to de- termine what is and what Is not second- class mail matter. The well-known posi- tion of Postmaster General Bissell on the subject of second-class maiter, and his resolution to draw the line between legiti- mate newspapers and periodicals end those which are published for advertising pur- poses solely, has induced postmasters to draw the lines more tightly, and more pub- lications are rejected than formerly, or if admitted, made subject to review by the department. The result is that publishers and attorneys of publishers have heen fre- quenting the department presenting their side of the cases and arguing for the ad- mission of their publications without re- Strictions. All these matters come before the third assistant postmaster general for final determination, and just at the present time there are an unusually large number of cases pending. ——_—_-o.__ Mail for Admiral Meade’s Squadron. Admiral Meade has notified the Navy De- partment that mail intended for the officers and men of his fleet may be sent to them by the steamer leaving New York for Colon on the. 10th instant, after which date, he says, all mail should be sent to Key West. This communication is somewhat signifi- cant, inasmuch as it indicates that the fleet will make only a short visit to the eastern coast ef Central America. It is also ac- cepted as an indication that na apprehen- sion is felt of territorial encroachmerts by Great Britain or other foreign countries in that quarter at any rate. ———_——--« Coinage During March. Reports to the director of the mint show coinage during the month of March, 18 as follows: Gold, 166,102; silver, $573,536; minor coin, $70,196. Total coinage, $3,50v,- 835. Of the silver coined $100,200 was in standard dollars. In addition to the above, there was coined $142,000 in twenty- cent silver pieces for Ecuador. This was done by virtue of an act of Congress au- thorizing coinage for foreign governments on payment of the cost of the sdme, when it does not interfere with our own. The New Supervising Architect. Mr. William Martin Aiken of Cincinnati, the new supervising architect of the treas- ury, qualified at the department this morn- ing and at once entered upon the discharge of the duties of his office. All the officers of the bureau were individually presented to him by Mr. Kemper, the chief executive oflicer, who also assisted him in a general examination of the affairs of the office. —___+ e+ —____ Made Assistant Chief. Henry S. Merrill has been promoted to assistant chief of the revenue cutter di- vision, Treasury Departinent, vice Walter Eaton, reduced. 2 Secretary Carlisle's Return. Secretary Carlisle is expected to return to Washington tomorrow morning. His brother is reported to be a little better. Ss One Presidential Postmaster. The President today appointed Caleb R. Barrat® postmaster at Salt Lake City, vice A. H. Nash, removed. Commissioners Will Look Into the Fender Matter. POLICE MAY: PROSECUTE RAILROADS No Further Extension to Be Granted the Companies. WHAT ROAIS HAVE DONE Paucity of street car fenders was the cause of considerable conversation at the District building today. Sixty days ago the Commisstcners—who had for a long while been engaged in a desultory discus- sion of fenders—issued an order which in- sisted that on and after April 1 every grip and motor car operated in the District should be fully equipped with life-saving appliances of approved patterns. Failure to comply with that regulation would re- sult in the imposition of a fine of $25 a day for each and every unequipped car. An- other provision applied to obstructions be- tween tracks—projections that were wholly unnecessary and that could not but pre- vent the satisfactory working of even the most ingeniously constructed fender or wheel guard. No Extension of Time. Officially the Commissioners were un- aware of anything that could be construed into disregard of ‘the order, but in their capacity, as more or less distinguished in- dividuals, they knew that the percentage of fender-equipped cars was almost in- visibly infinitessimal. The first question was, would the Commiesioners grant any or all of the rather-deliberate corporations an extension of time? To this the first an- sSwer was promptly and strongly negative. ‘What may be done in the course of a day or so can only be guessed at. Maj. Powell was emphatically of the opinion that an extension would be improper; that ample notice had been given, and that if any of the companies had been heedless they should be required to pay the penalties. Maj. Powell thought that the first official intimation of non-compliance weuid come through the Police Court, for the order was law, and any violation of it could only be treated as would the violation of any other iaw. Chief of Police Moore, however, had made no preparations for campaigning against defaulting railroad companies; he had not even been supplied with a copy of the regulation which it may be his duty to enforce. He talked it over with _his su- perior officer this morning and departed for police headquarters to await delinite instructions before making any move in the affair. = To Write a Letter. A while later the board considered the situation, and the debate resulted in a let- ter, a copy of which will be sent to each street railway company employing mechan- ieal motive force, in which the company will be asked if it has complied with the regulation, and if not why not. When the Comniissioners have received the looked- for replies they will decide as to action. The Police Not Notified. Up to a late hour this afternoon the po- iice department had received no formal communication from the Commissioners with reference to the car fender matter, and so had no official knowledge of the fact that the companies are in default. Maj. Moore told a Star reporter that he would not take ary action until he recelved a notification from the Commissioners to do so. The natural order of things, he said, would be to cause warrants to issue for the presidents of the railway companies which have not complied with the order of Jan- uary 31, and then let them come up for trial. All that the police have done in the matter was to furnish copies of the order, two months ago, to the presidents of the reads which are operated by mechanical motors. This was done at the ingtance of the Commissioners, but since then they have received no further communications on the subject of car fenders. One prom- inent police official said that so far as he could see from personal observation there has been no effort on the part of the rail- road companies to comply with the order. What the Roads Have Done. The situation of ‘the various roads af- fected by the fender regulations, as stated tcday by officers of the roads, is as fol- lows: As soon as the Commissioners had is- sued the regulation, which was about the 1st of February, the Washington and Georgetown began a correspondence with Mr. Blackiston, the inventor of a fender which is in operation in Baltimore. In a short time a contract was entered into with Mr. Blackiston to equip the cars of that road with fenders. Thus far but one car has had a fender attached to it. That ts car No. 1 on the 14th street line. The equipment is being pushed forward as rap- idly as possible, the officers of the company say, but there has been unavoidable delays in- the manufacture, and in addition to that, the regular service of the company must be maintained, and only a few cars can be withdrawn from the road at a time in order to have the fenders attached. It is expected that the entire equipment will be completed in what the officers of the company regard as a reasonable time under the circumstances. In the case of the Columbia railroad the new cars of the cable system, it is claimed, have a fender, but it lacks the pick-up at- tachment. It is stated that this fender has not been approved by the Commissioners. ‘The necessary electrical changes are be- ing made on the cars of the Eckington road with the view of using the Claude fender. An extension of thirty days has been asked by this company in order to have time to make the change. It is also stated that they desire to secure the Commissioners’ approval of the fender which they propose to use. z The Rock Creek road has attached the Claude fender to several of their cars, and it is stated that they are attaching them to the other cars as rapidly as possible. A director of the Georgetown and Ten- leytown road Said today that the company had already entered into a contract with Mr. Biackiston to equip the cars with his fender, It is stated that one car has this fender and that the remaining cars will be supplied as soon as possible. The Columbia Road. In an informal sort of a way the Com- missioners today made it plain to the Co- lumbia Street Railway Company that the wheel guard with which the Columbia's new cable cars are equipped Is insufficient, and will have to be supplanted by “pick- up” apparatus. Representing the Columbia Company before the board were President R. A. Baker, Director E. G. Davis, General Counsel Nathaniel Wilson and Secretary Adams. The delegation was decidedly of the belief that nothing more in the way of fe and limb savirg mechanism was neces- sary that now surrounds the car wheels in the revolutions of which they are so deeply interested. They asserted that the cars could be stopped from full speed in less than four feet, and as it was nine feet from the bumper to the wheel guard, the chances for any damage other than that caused by the first shock would be few indeed. This idea was not concurred in by the Commis- sioners; they deemed a “pick-up” essential. But they would examine the working of the wheel guard before coming to any definite conclusion as to what would be needed to perfect the anti-collision attachments. All three of the Commissioners were enthusi- astic in their praises of the operation of the Columbia road, and spoke with especiai warmth of the superiority of the cars, but neither of them showed any disposition to retreat from the position which demands that there shall be @ “pick-up” as well as a wheel guard. At 4:30 this afternoon the Commissioners are due at 15th street and New York avenue, from whence they will probably ride over the entire road. GOV. McKINLEY’S VISIT While Here He Will Get Even With the President. The Ohioan Chats About Washington and the Clty Post Office, but Exchews Politics. Governor William McKinley, jr., the ex- ecutive officer of the state of Ohio, is spend- ing today in Washington. He arrived last right at 11.45 from the south, accompanied ky Mrs. McKinley, Mr. J. P. Smith and Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Osborne of Boston. The party came to Washington directly from Savannah, Ga., en route northWard from an extersive southern trip which included points in Florida and Georgia. Governor McKinley spent the night in his private car at the depot, and this” morning pro- ceeded to the Ebbitt House, where he wel- comed a Star reporter. Maj. McKinley is, in appearance, much the same man whose figure was so familiar to Washingtonians when; he was in Con- gress several years ago. Barring a slight paleness, the results of the grip, he looks in excellent health and condition, and is apparently in full vigor. He has led a busy life since he went out of Congress, but hard work is familiar to Maj. McKinley, and he seems to thrive under it; in fact, his friends say he is never so well or so happy as when he has enough work on his hands for three ordinary men. “I have enjoyed my southern trip very said Maj. McKinley to a Star re- porter. “The south is a great country and has a magnificent future. I like the peo- ple, and they made my visit an enjoyable ore. When that country attracts more cap- ital, it Will build up into a rich and popu- lous domain, for the natural advantages of the land are almost limitless.” He Knows Nothing of Politics. At this Juncture an untimely reference to “politics” by the reporter diverted the cur- rent of Maj. McKinley’s thoughts. “Politics?” he asked, and his face as- sumed an innocent and wondering expres- sion. Thet countenance, bland and serene at all times, became’ the very picture of questioning innocence. “Politics?” he repeated; “Why, do you know, I really don:t know anything at all about politics; honestly, I don’t,” and he skcok his head as a’ man who would ac- centuate his sincerity. “Iam glad to get back to Washington for a little visit,” said Maj, McKimley, “and to see the growth of the city. I always took @ great interest in\Washington. This af- ternoon I shall take & drive ard visit some or the attractive points, I shall take a Icok at the new library bpilding, for I hear it is getting along finely, And your new city post office, too; how is that getting alcng?” The reporter acknowledged that things are not as they might be with the city post office. “Ah, well,” sighed Maj. McKinley, “I feared as much. Why, I can remember years ago when I was In Congress that building was talked about. So they are still at it? Well, well,one must not ex- pect too much in this world. “I have some friends in Washington whom I want to see. I shal! call on Sen- ator Sherman and will also get around to the White House and call on the Presi- dent. I expect to leave for Ohio at 7:10 this evening.” Getting Even With Mr. Cleveland. Maj. McKinley's visits to the White House during its occupancy by President Cleveland have extended over a number of years and have been made under varying circumstances. He has called to congratu- late the President upon democratic victor- jes, and then in a little while dropped around to have the President congratulate him on a republican cyclone, and so it has gone in a see-saw fashion for several years. The last time he was at the White House was at the time of President Cleve- land’s inauguration, when the whole coun- try had gone democratic and the joke was on Maj. McKinley. Now the joke is the other way, and he went up today to get even with the President. The Ebbitt House was besieged during the day with callers upon the distinguished Ohio man and an avalanche of cards was poured in upon him. He was absent the greater.part of the day, however, and ‘ew people were able to see htm. — Ot MORE THAN LAST YEAR. Treasury Receipts Show an Increase Over 1894 A comparative statement of receipts and expenditures issued by the Treasury De- partment today- shows as follows: Receipts from July 1, 1893, to April 1, 1894—Cus- toms, $104,016,408; internal revenue, $106,- $32,460; miscelianeous, $12,268,517; total, $223,117,385. Receipts during corresponding period of present fiscal, year: Customs, $115,534,962; internal revenue, $100,992,656; miscellane- ous, $10,819,14: |, $236,346,766, an in- 1. The receipts for March, were $24,542,798, and for March, 1895, $25,470,576. ‘The total expenditures from July 1, 1893, to April 1, 1894, were $278,549,412, and the expenditures from July 1, 1894, to April 1, 1895, were $272,888,919, a decrease of $5,660,- 493. The expenditures for March, 1894, were $31,137,560, and for March, 1895, were $25,716,957. es + e+___ Personal Mention. Attorney General Olney has gone to Bos- ton and will probably return tomorrow evening. Mr. F. G. Smith, jr, is here for a few days. Assistant Secretary Dabney ef the Agri- cultural Department has returned to the city from a trip to some of the southern and southwestern states on @fficial busi- ness. 5 First Lieut. H. R. Lemly, third artillery, who has been in charge of the military school of the Colombian government at Bogota, is now in this city on business connected with the military service of that country. He is stopping at the Chevy Chase Inn. He The earliest visitor at the White House this morning was an old gray-Raired man, who wanted to sell the Presidest some gold and precious stones, His stodk consisted of several brass hinges-and big glass balls. Officer Ellis, who guarded the main door, said he thought he would like to invest. He invited the man in, and detained him until the police patrol wagon could be sum- moned, when he was placed in charge of the police. It developed that the visitor was an inmate of the Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor, and had wandered away this morning. " * ————— Pensions/Granted Today. Among the penSions granted today were: District of Columbia—Alice F. Rollins, Arecostia; Josephine A. Simmons and Sus- anna Beckert. Virginia—Peter Dowdy, Hadlock, and Clara F. Foster, Alexandria. +o Government Resefpts. National bank notes received today for redemption, $218,046. Government receipts —From internal revenue, $601,759; customs, $586,925; miscellaneous, $122,503. THE WHITE HOUSE The Presidential Family Did Not Move to Woodley. GOV. WPKINLEY MEETS MR, CLEVELAND A Delegation Invite the President to Chicago. AN EXTRA SESSION HINT Owing to the unfavorable state of the weather the presidential household did not move out to Woodley today, as was ex- pected. The transfer will be made at the first opportunity this week, probably after the cabinet meeting tomorrow afternoon, if the conditions are entirely favorable. Maj. McKinley Received. The President usually denies himself to visitors on Monday, in order to devote his entire time to business that may have ac- cumulated on his desk. He broke the rule in two notable instances today; first, in receiving a committee of business men from Chicago, and next in receiving Gov. McKinley, the distinguished republican gov- ernor of Ohio. The latter called while the President was engaged with the committee and he spent about half an hour in Private Secretary Thurber’s office, conversing with several congressional friends, who were also awaitirg an audience with Mr. Cleve- land. He was in very good spirits, and said he had no special business with the President, having called merely to pay his respects, and to renew an acquaintance be- gun during the President's first term. The President received him at his first leisure moment end the two had quite am interesting chat together, in the course of which, it !s said, the President twitted the Ohio governor as to the possibilities of his being the next republican occupant of the White House. i The Chicago Delegation. The Chicago delegation included half a dozen representative elitizers of the west- ern metropolis. It was headed by William T. Baker, ex-president of the board of trade and president of the Commercial Club, which is composed of all the prom- inent bankers and men of the business world of Chicago. His companions were Gen. George W. Smith, ex-Mayor JolfM A. Roche, Thomas W. Harvey, David Keeley and Henry S. Robbins. They came to Washington for the express purpose of i viting the President to visit Chicago at an early date and make a speech on the financial situation. It was explained that the invitation was intended as a special compliment to the President on account of his firm attitude on the monetary question in favor 2f a sound currency. It was in- tended to make his visit to Chicago the oc- casion of a hard-money demonstration. Hint at an Extra Session. The President réceived them ‘cordially and expressed his great appreciation of the compliment implied by their invitation. He said he could not make them a definite promise to go to Chicago, but that he would make the visit if the state of public business justified his leaving the city. Al- though he did not say so in so many words, he intimated that it was possible that he might not be able to leave the city this summer. Some of the visitors thought his remarks indicated a possible necessity for an extra session of Congress in the event that the Supreme Court decides against ype constitutionality of the ircome tax Ww. ——————— LI HUNG CHANG’S ASSASSIN. He Will Probably Be Sent to the Mincs of North Japan. It is said at the Japanese legation that the young Jap who shot Li Hung Chang will probably be sent to the mines of North Japan to serve his life sentence. The lo- cality is like that of Siberia, and a sentence there is dreaded by the Japanese as little short of death. The unofficial reports of the sentence make no reference to the trial or conviction. It is understood to have been a civil trial, as a military trial would have resulted in death. When the Japanese summarily punished those who attempted the life of the Russian crown prince it raised an agitation in the Japanese parlia- ment, as the government was accused of crowding the trial and not according the usual rights of defense in the desire to make amends to Russia. In the present case the speed of the trial is accounted for by the fact that the offense is regarded as one against the government of Japan, and, therefore, reasonable. = Dr. Scriba’s report of his wound is re- garded by the Japanese legation as assur- ing his recovery. Scriba is one of four of Germany’s most distinguished surgeons who have entered into the service of Japan. —————— Smallpox Hospital. Today Mr. A. O. Von Herbulis, the archi- tect, presented to the Commissioners the plans for a smallpox hospital, which he sometime ago was authorized to make, and all of the Commissioners investigated with censiderable minuteness the sketch draw- ings. Health Officer Woodward was also present for the purpose of criticising the arrangements, and he will be present later {n the day when the Commissioners take the subject up again for the purpose of reaching a conclusion, The appropriation for this purpose was $15,000, and the build- ing is to be close by the present inadequate affair. ———— Bids Opened. Bids for the improvement of the Police Court building weie opened this morning. There were seven competitors, and of these the lowest was the firm of Gormully & Walker, their figures being $999. The other bidders were J. B. Walling & Sons, $1,344; W. H. Sincell & Co., $1,347; T. E. Cabell, $1,350; James R. Young, $1,473; C. Thomas & Son, $1,651, and A. W. Fuemas, $2,120. As the appropriation for this improvement is only $1,000, the Gormully & Walker bid will leave but one dollar with which to meet contingencies. ——.__ Directors Elected. The stockholders of the Corcoran Fire Insurance Company, at a meeting today, elected directors as follows: Charles A. James, William E. Edmonston, Edward F. Droop, John Joy Edson, James W. Orme, Frank J. Lewis, Albert F. Marsh, Edward T. Kaiser and A. T. Coumbe. The direc- tors chose Charles A. James president, William E. Edmonston vice president and L. Rv Peake secretai eee The New Paymaster General. Gen. Thaddeus H. Stanton, the newly ap- pointed paymaster general of the army, ar- rived last night from Omaha, and entered upon the discharge of his new duties this morning. His many friends in this city called on him at the War Department dur- ing the day and exténded their congratu- lations. $$$ e+—_____ Dr. J. Ford Thompson’s Illness. The condition of Dr. J. Ford Thompson remains unchanged today. He is still a very sick man, but the attendant physi- clans are hopeful. EXECUTIVE CLEMENCY| WATER WAS TOO LOW Applications for Pardon Granted and De- nied by the President. How District Criminals Fared in Fatal Explosion of a Boiler at Wo- burn, Mass, Their Efforts to Secure Retease— |{]X KILLED AND FIVE INJURED Other Cases Acted On. The President has denied the application for pardon in the case of George G. Schroeder, convicted in the District ef Co- lumbia -of false pretenses, and sentenced February 2, 1893, to three years’ imprison- ment at Albany. “The clemency already granted this prisoner,” says the President, “will, as I understand the case, effect his release early in June next. I am glad of this, on account of his poor, wife and chil- dren, and because, if he is thus early to be released, I cannot grant further clemency.” A Conditional Pardon. The application for pardon in the case ef Charles H. Blandford, sentenced No- vember 23, 1892, to six months’ !mprison- ment in the District work house in.each of ten informations of indecent exposure, was indorsed by the President as follows: “Granted conditionally. This convict has ncw been imprisoned more than two years and four months, and there seems to be some doubt as to his entire mental re- sponsibility for the vile and dirty offenses cf which be was convicted. “His punishment has already been severe, and his place of confinement is not the best for his mental, moral and physical health. I am willing to give him a chance for im- provement and reform if the community can be protected against him in the future. His pardon is granted on the express con- dition that the father of the prisoner shall watch over and care for him and furnish him such medical services as may tend to cure him of the propensity or inclination to commit indecent crimes, and do all in his power to restrain and prevent him from the commission of such crimes or any other offenses. “And upon the further condition that if the convict is again discovered in the com- mission of the offense of indecent exposure, this pardon shall be absolutely void, and he shall be again arrested and committed to his present place of imprisonment, upon the conviction and sentence upon which he is now held, and shall thereupen serve the re- mainder of his imprisonment under said sentence.”” . Other Cases. The President has granted a pardon to Monchee Cohee, an Indian, imprisoned for horse stealing in Texas. The convict is very ill and probably has but a short time to live. In the case of Chas. H. Ritter, convicted in Indiana of embezzling bank funds and sentenced October,1891, to six years’ Impris- onment, the sentence has been commuted to four years’ actual imprisonment. ‘The President has denied the applications for pardon in the case of Curt W. Black- burn, confined in Oklahoma for perjury, and in the case of James B. Fink, convicted of Beet cutting of timber on Indian reser- vation. +e +______ CHARGED WITH EMBEZZLEMENT. An Apartment House Manager Gets in Trouble. A respectable-looking middle-aged white man by the name of Oliver Ellsworth, or Jennings, was put under arrest by Detec- tive Proctor on the charge of embezzlement and was held for his appearanfe in the Po- lice Court tomorrow. Some time ago Dr. J. M. Gregory of the Concord apartment house inserted an ad- vertisement in a New York paper calling for a competent hotel man to take charge of the management of the house. Among those who responded was a man who gave the name of Ellsworth Jennings, who was living at the time at the Mt. Vernon House, in this city. Jennings made a favorable impression and claimed to have had con- siderable experience in the hotel business. The end of it all was that he was engaged as menager for the Concord, but his tenure of office was very short. He entered upon his duties last Saturday morning. On the representation that he needed money to purchase supplies for the table, Jennings got a check for $50 from Dr. Gregory, drawn on the American Security and Trust Company. That was the last seen of the man until he was put under arrest today. He cashed the check and did actually buy some supplies, which were sent to the Concord, but not enough to have cost anything like $50. Then he pro- ceeded to.get under the influence of liquor, and when he was arrested this morning he had not a cent left. The man claims the right to use both names, as his mother was named Elisworth and his father Jennings. He was confronted by his accusers in Inspector Hollinberger’s office this after- nocn, and was in a very penitent frame of mind. He was unable to account for all the money, but promised to make complete restitution, if he was given the chance. The charge was not withdrawn, however, and Jennings was held for trial. ——.__ THE DISTRICT SUSTAINED. It Has a Right to Take Possession of the Hay Market. The Court of Appeals this afternoon af- firmed the judgment of the court below in the case of the Washington Market Com-. pany against the District. This was a case in which the company sought to have the District restrained from taking possession of the open space at the intersection of Ohio and Louisiana avenues with 10th and 12th streets, commonly known as the “hay market.” The court below dismissed the case. as To Command the Newark. Capt. Yates Sterling has been ordered to command the cruiser Newark, flagship of the South Atlantic statiop, as the relief of Capt. Silas Terry, whose tour of sea service has been completed. Capt. Terry will return to the United Staes by .mail steamer as soon as he is relieved. ee Awarded 2 Diploma. Edwin R. Hodge of this city has been awarded a diploma by the committee on awards of the world’s Columbian exposi- tion for his exhibit*in connection with the medical department of the United States army. » ee. Naval Movements. The cruiser San Francisco has arrived at Palermo. The Yorktown has sailed from Cheefoo for Nagasaki. The Machias is at Amoy. The Marblehead arrived at Gibraltar yesterday from New York. ————— oe Fourth-Class Postmasters. Twenty-seven fourth-class postmasters vere appointed today, of which twenty-one were to fill vacancies caused by deaths end removals. eS ee Poundmaster Statistics, Last month Poundmaster Einstein im- pounded 209 dogs, 6 horses, 1 cow and 1 heg. The horses, cow and hog were re- deemed, as were 19 dogs, while 241 dogs were killed. In addition to this work, the men in the service destroyed bedding in 3u cases ef scarlet fever and diphtheria. Gone to Detroit. Adjutant General Ruggles of .the army has gone to Detroit, Mich., to attend the funeral of his sister-in-law, Mrs. Ledgyard. He will be absent about a week, during which time Gen. Vincent will act as adju- tant general. Inspection Was Passed Only Yes- terday. TAKING OUT THE BODIES ————— WOBURN, Mass., April 1.—Just before 7 o'clock this morning one of the boilers in the old Conn tannery in this place exploded with terrific force, killing five men and in- juring five others. The dead are Austin Clements, foreman; Patrick Lally, fireman; Thomas Patterson, night foreman; Patrick McGonagle, oiler, and Sam Tracy. The injured are Michael McGuire, internal injuries; Patrick Riley, both legs broken; Patrick Keefe, bad scalp wound; John Tracy, scalp torn off, and Herbert Sanders, colored, badly burned abgut the head and several ribs broken. There has been trouble with the boiler for some time, and early this morning John Parker, foreman of the plant, was called to the boiler room to see if it could not be fixed. It was found that the water supply eculd not be satisfactorily adjusted, but this was remedied. By the time the tan- nery opened for the day it was thought that the boiler was ail right. Five minutes before 7 o'clock Mr. Parker entered the boiler room, and ordered that the whistle be biown. to start the works. The rope attached to the whistle was pulled, and instantly there was a fearful explosion. The big iron smokestack on the boiler house was blown high in the air, and fell across the roof of the shop, and the tall brick chimney fell in a thousand pieces, crushing the engine room beneath it. When the smoke and dust cleared away a scene of wreck and ruin was re- vealed. Men hurried from all parts of the town, and the work of removing those buried under the ruins was commenced im- mediately. The piteous cries of the injured pinned under the debris urged the rescuers on to rapid work, and in a short time the bodies of five men had been removed, and five of the injured had been taken out. it was then found that one of the two boilers had been. blown to pieces, com- pletely wrecking the boiler house and de- molishing several sheds near by. The head of the boiler fell 300 yards from the tan- nery. and the boiler tubes were scattered in_every direction, The falling chimney and smokestack practically wrecked the tannery building itself, and the structure will have to be rebuilt. It is not known how many men were in the tannery when the explosion oc- curred, but when the roll.of employes was called shortly before 11 o'clock seven men were it. ig not known whether or not ‘work when the acci- dent happened. The fire department was called out promptly and the work of removing the wreckage and taking out the dead and jn- jured was carried on under the direction of the fire chief. The tannery is a three-story brick building, and is fully insured. The boilers, which are of 150 horse power, were inspected only yesterday and declared to te all right. It is believed that the ex- plosion was caused by the exhaustion of the water in the boiler. Later—Patrick Riley died at the hospital at 12:40 o'clock, making the sixth fatality resulting from the explosion. Sas WOMEN MAY VOTE TODAY. Feature of the Spring Municipal Elec- tions in Ohio. CINCINNATI, Ohio, April 1—In this city there is no election today, the terms hav- ing recently been arranged so as to have all expire the same year. Elsewhere in Ohio local campaigns will clése with indirect effect on the coming state election in November and on, the senatorship and Possibly the presidency, so far as Gov. Mc- Kinley’s candidacy is concerned. Many of the counties nominate by popular vote their candidates for the legislature at the local elections in April. The feature of today’s election that will attract most interest is the candidacy of many women throughout the state for membership of the boards of education. Woman suffrage in Ohio for these offices has been legalized, and the women will take part. They have been conspicuous in the campaign, especially in the smaller towns. ———— A NEW GERMAN RIFLE. Its Bullet Will Go Nearly Two Miles. BALTIMORE, Md., April 1.—Capt. Mor- schlager of the steamship Le Campine, now in port, visited Fort McHenry today and exhibited to the soldiers a new German repeating rifle, with which he did some remarkable shooting. It is of 32-calibcr, and the barrel is made of three tubes, one inside the other on the same principle as the Krupp gun. The in- ner tube is rifled and of hard, tempered steel. The powder used is a smokeless nitro- glycerine explosive, which makes little re- port and no smoke. Fired along at the height of the shoulder the bullet will go nearly two miles before its force is spent, and at 2,000 yards it would pierce the bodies of seven men placed one behind the other. —__——.— Notable Men Dead. LONDON, April 1.—The Times announces the death of the Very Rev. Robert Payn Smith, D.D.,; dean of Canterbury. He was born in 1818. Dr. Smith was at one time under librarian of the Bodleian, at Oxford University, and was the author of many works. Gen. Sir George Tomkyns Chesney has died from angina. pectoris. Gen. Chesney was the author of “The Battle of Dorking.” He was educated at Woolwich and joined the Bengal engineers in 1818. He was lieu- tenant in 1856 and served throughout the siege of Delhi, where he was twice severely wounded. —__—>— At Last in Port. SAN FRANCISCO, Cal., April 1.—The long overdue British ship Moresby has ar- rived, 241 days from ‘erpool. The cause of her detention was a succession of stormy gales in the South Adantic. ‘ ———— Mayor Warwick Installed. PHILADELPHIA, Pa., April 1.—Charles F. Warwick, the newly elected mayor of this city, was installed in office this morn- ing. _—d Memphis’ Biggest Cotton Shipment. MEMPHIS, Tern., April 1—The Yazoo and Mississippi valley freight train this morning pulled out for New Orleans, with the largest shipment of cotton that ever left Memphis. It consisted of 10,521 bales, all billed through to Liverpool. The larg- est previous shipment was 6,175 bales. —— Cannot Hold Two Offices. NEW YORK, April 1.—Corporation Coun- sel Scott today decided that Coroner Hoe- ber cannot draw salary as coroner snd fees as examining physician for the pen- sion bureau. He will have to resign cne of the offices.