Evening Star Newspaper, April 10, 1895, Page 1

PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th Street, by Tho Evening Star Newspaper Company, 8. H. 'KAUFFMANN’ Pres't. ol New York Office, 49 Potter Buildiag. The Evening Star is served to subscribers n the city by carriers, on their own account, at 10 cents per week. or 44 cents month. Copies at the ianter 2 cents each. Ry matl—anywhere in the United States or Cauada—postage prepald 50 vents faturday Qui: a nates Star, $1 per year, with Post rt ington, D. a8 second-class mail conse eas ee ‘All mail subscriptions must be paid {1 Becca ot eater sana ene Pad Wa tteance. THE EVENING STAR. ae Che £oening Stave. ——" No. 13,135. WASHINGTON, D.C., WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10, 1895-TWELVE PAGES. TWO CENTS. THe proof of fe pudding is fn £8 eafing. Yesterday's Sfar confained 53 cofumns of advertisements, made up of 781 separate announces ments. Bese advertisers Soua$t pufificitp—nof merefp Space, REAPPOINTMENTS The President's Policy May Provoke Lively Controversy. AN ISSUE WITH THE SENATE LIKELY The Case of Mrs. Helm Cited as an Instance. OTHER IMPORTANT CASES ‘The President continues his policy of re- appointing persons whom he named for office during the session of the Senate, but upon whose nominations that body refused or neglected to take action. It is a policy that many public men are examining with care, and some with pronounced disfavor, and it is certain to provoke a lively con- troversy when the Senate mests again next winter and these names are sent in the sec- ond time for consideration. Both Sides of the Case. ‘Those Senators who resent this action on the part of the President regard it as being not only in derogation of the dignity of the Senate, but in violation of the spirit ct the Constitution. As they put the case, the failure or refusal of the Senate to act upon a nomination is a polite notification to the President that the Senate does not approve of the choice he has made. In extreme cases there Is rejection outright. But, as they insist, the Senate, by the one means as by the other, takes position in the premises, and the President on his part is bound to take due heed. It ts even urged that it would be no more improper for him to send in the name of a person whose nomination had already been rejected than it is for him to lay before the Senate for the second time names which it has already. refused to consider. The Senate's rights are the equal of his own. ‘The President’s side of the controversy 1s gathered from those who approve of his course, and who, as a rule, in one way or another, benefit by it. They insist that the President has a perfect right to demand positive action by the Senate on all nomi- nations submitted to it, and that it is only in this way that the real judgment of the Senate can be secured. Non-action, they insist, may represent only the attitude of a committee toward a nomination. One Sen- ator, even, by a fortunate presentation of f@ personal question to a committee com- posed of his personal friends, may hope to balance his single influence against that of the President, and in the end win the day, without ever the Senate as a body being called into consultation at all. The most interesting of these reappoint- ments has just been mad\, and the case contains features which shSw how greatly purely personal considerations welgh both with the executive and with the Senate in the filling of public places. The Case of Mrs. Helm. Last winter a man of the name of Joplin was appointed postmaster at Elizabeth- town, Ky., to succeed Mrs. Helm, a young- er sister of Mrs. Abraham Lincoln. The nomination was made at the instance of Mr. Montgomery, then representing the Elizabethtown district in the House. He did not prove to be popular in Kentucky, where Mrs. Helm, both by reason of her re- lationship to Mrs. Lincoln and of her own name, is held in very high and even af- fectionate esteem. The ex-confederates throughout the state were especially earn- est in their protest. Ben Hardin Helm had commanded a Kentucky brigade in the confederacy, had died in battle, and they insisted that his widow ought to be per- mitted to remain in ofiice. They made their wishes known to Senator Blackburn, himself an ex-confederate, and asked him to prevent the confirmation of Joplin. Mr. Blackburn could not resist the appeal. In the first place, his sympathies were with Mrs. Helm, and, in the second place, as a candidate to succeed himself in the'Senate, it would be of great advantage to him thus to oblige so many of his old army com- rades. He exerted himself, and as the re- sult the Senate committee on post offices and post roads took no action on the nom- ination. It died with the session. The President resents this by reappoint- ing Joplin, and at a time when Joplin is certain to get the office. He will be in- stalled at once,_and when the Senate re- assembles his name will again be sent in for confirmation. There may be a contest, but it is thought that Joplin in the end will be confirmed. His rejection could not benefit Mrs. Helm. She will be out, and the President would not send in her name. Further protests, therefore, in her behalf would be in vain. Other Cases That May Cause Trouble. But while this case possesses a sentiment- al interest, there are others thought to be far stronger in elements that go to supply material for a warm controversy be- tween the President and the Senate, and in which the Senate may hope for some advantage. It is not difficult to raise a controversy between them. It has come, indeed, in political circles to be considered @ sure thing that whatever recommends itself strongly to the Senate meets with but scant favor, if any at all, with the Presi- dent, and’ vice versa. Politicians on the outside even trade upon this feeling, and go to the Senate or to the President for favors with all the greater assurance as they are known to be out of favor with the one or the other, and it is in this way, it is asserted, that some of the appoint- ments now in controversy came originally to be made. The known opposition of cer- tain Senators turned the scale in the in- terests of applicants who had secured the President's car by reason of that fact. It will be the aim, however, of many Senators to eliminate the purely personal phases from the general question, and try it when the time comes upon Its real mer- its. They contend that a most important principle is involved, and that the Presi- dent's action is calculated to prevent that co-operation between the Senate and the executive commanded by the Constitution for ro other purpose but to insure the fill- ing of the public p competent and acceptabl should appear to flout the ju wishes of the other, or do anything cal. culated to prevent good feeling and consul- tation. —————_--«.____ - THE NAVAL MUSEUM. Seerctary Herbert Interested in Pre- serving the Relics There. Secretary Herbert will visit the Wash- ington navy yard this afternoon for the purpose of selecting quarters for a naval sum originally assigned to_ the board and r of the valuable there had been remoy rbert countermanded the or- to rve the ex hibits in in shape their pres- per- ramola- ¢ of the at inte: to est was made 1 to the shades them is the rn post of the a bed of safety ihe memora- If that ‘loubtedly end there. would the. ploded it the Kearsarge, TALKING OF THE DECISION Some Remarkable Utterances of Mr. Oarter Recalled. A Threat of Revolution if the Law Was Not Sustaincd—Justice Field's Opinion. It is evident that the decision of the United States Supreme Court on Monday last in the income tax case is to be a lead- ing topic until there shall be some definite adjustment of the questions involved on a very different basis. The decision leaves the law in the condition which shocks the Arrerican notion of fair play. The opinion of Mr. Justice Field, the old- est member of the court, has been much read. It is the one opinion which was at ence accessible, and was cheerfully fur- nished to the press. The opinion is a severe indictment of the constitutionality of the whole law. This opinion sustains the view which was held by many of the ablest lawyers in the two houses of Con- gress when the measure was under consid- eration. Origin of the Law. The decision of the court and its failure to decide has caused much discussion as to the origin amd purpose of the income tax law. Thoughtfui men in both partief were op- posed to the law because it was avowedly an attempt to inaugurate class legislation. It was a law behind which many claimed were the threats of socialistic revolution. This was made clear in the remarkable speech of Mr. James B. Carter of New York in the United States Supreme Court in support of the constitutionality of the law. Mr. Carter has become a pessimist. He is of the opinion that the increase of trusts threaten the stability of the republic, and it appears to be his judgment that, unless the Congress and the courts shall change their course, the existence of the republic is threatened by revolution. Accordingly, he made, in the United States Supreme Court in the argument of this case, a ako such as was never heard there be- ‘ore. He told those eminent gentlemen who con- stitute the highest tribunal in the land that unless they found the law to be consti- tutional, and should agree with him in his construction of the statute, they might be driven from their places by a social revolu- tion. He distinctly attempted to set up in the court the barricade of the French so- cialists, and threatened and defied the court. It was a matter of intense surprise that he hha not rebuked by the chief justice for his threats. It Went Unrefuted. One of the oldest of the justices the argument of Mr. Carter was as he was leaving the chamber: “If I had not supposed that the chief justice would have rebuked him for such an extraordinary utterance, I should my- self, from my place upon the bench, have protested against such an attempt to in- timidate the court by an appeal to revolu- tionary and socialistic prejudices.” It was this sentiment which Mr. Justice Field rebuked in these sentences: “If the provisions of the Constitution can be set aside by an act of Congress, where is the course of usurpation to end? The Present assault upon capital is but the be- ginning. It will be but the stepping stone to others, larger and more sweeping, till our political contests will become a war of the poor against the rich; a war constantly growing in Intensity and bitterness. “If the court sanctions the power of dis- crimination in taxation, and nullifies the uniformity mandate of the Constitution, as said one who has made all his life a study of our institutions, ‘it will mark the hour when the sure decadence of our present government will commence’ ”’ Further consideration of the decision seems to have added to the confusion. All admit that the decision in its legal aspect is far from being satisfactory, and the only hope tpat remains is in the truth of Presi- dent Lincoln’s remark: “Nothing ts-settled in this country until it is settled right.” CHANGES CONTEMPLATED. said, when concluded, Increase of Troops in the Department of the East. Military circles are gossiping over a re- port that several changes are contemplated in the department of the east, commanded by Maj. Gen. Miles. According to the story, Governor's Island, N. Y., the present headquarters of the department, is to be made a large infantry garrison and the ar- tillery force on David's Island is to be in- creased by two batteries. The alleged pur- pose of the change Is to have a larger bedy of infantry near New York, for use in the event of strikes or other disorders in which national interests are jeopardized. Foot troops, it is said by army officers, are the most useful on such service, as they are in case of war. If the program as talked of is carried out, about 500 infan- trymen will soon be in a position from which they can be thrown into any quar- ter of New York in an hour or two. In- volved in the proposition is the transfer to New York of the headquarters of the de- partment of the east. Presumably Gen. Miles and his staff would have their offices in the Army building in that city. This story is coupled with another, to the effect that Capts. Huggins and Maus are to be relieved of further duty on Gen. Miles’ staff and sent back to their regiments. Gen. Miles is reported to have protested against such action. The two officers nam- ed have been absent from their regiments for several ars, and, by a strict con- struction of Secretary Lamont’s rule lmit- ing detached service to four years, they should rejoin their regiments. Gen. Miles desires their retention on his staff, on the ground that he reeds their services. An exception may be made in this case, but it is not thought probable. Army officers are watching the case with interest. eee THE DAWES COMMISSION. The Appointment of 2 Member to Be Made Soon. Those who have the best means of in- formation expect that the President will announce this week the appointment to the vacancy in the Dawes Indian commission. Indian Commissioner Armstrong, after full consultation with ex-Senator Dawes, has made his recommendations from the-stand- point of the various needs of the Indian service,and Secretary Smith has had under- consideration for several days the scope and character of the work to be done by the commission. At the White House it is that there has been a in favor of several pro: smen out of jobs and for ident desires to provide ment. Among utler of South C ve Cabaniss of Ge whom the itable em- x-Senator e heen presen e those of Mr. Enloe of Tennes 1 of Ark: and Mr. Monts , all of whom have had a long in with been fon having Congress conne: Peel expenses. © President Remains in the Seclu- sion of His Woodley Home. The President spent today In the seclu- sion of his country home at Woodley. It is reported that he gave the Detroit artist who {s painting his portrait, another sit- ting. THE TWO COMPANIES A Report on the Intricacies of the Fidelity Associations. SAME OFFICERS FOR BOTH Affairs Were Greatly Mixed, but There Was a Division. DIFFERENT INCORPORATIONS —— Pursuant to the order of the court of February 19, 1895, the auditor of the court, Col. James G. Payne, today filed his report in the case of Wheeler and others against the Fidelity Building, Loan and Investment Company. The auditor was directed to ascertain and report to the court whether this company and the Fidelity Building and Loan Association were the same or dif- ferent associations, and if the latter to state and report the accounts between them. As a result of his investigation the auditor .reports that while the business, liabilities and resources, as well as the as- sets, of the two associations have been so thoroughly commingled as to render them between themselves practically the same, they are not the same for all purposes or to all intents, but, in legal contemplation, and as to the rights of innocent stock- holders and creditors, are different associa- tions. Explaining that he has reported on the main question at this time, at the sugges- tion of the parties and for the prompt in- formation of the court, Auditor Payne says that unless otherwise directed he will now proceed to state the account between the two associations. But he states that while there may be some difficulty in stat- ing an exact account of the dealings be- tween the two associations, it sufficiently appears that at least an approximate ac- counting may be had. The Fidelity Association. The report shows that November 12, 1890, the Fidelity Building and Loan Association was incorporated at Alexandria, Va., by Harrison Dingman and others. The capital stock was to be not less than @4),000 nor more than $1,000,000, in shares of $200 each, payabie in monthly installments, there to be not more than nine directors. March 17, 1891, the certificate of imcorporation was amended by increasing the number of di- rectors to not more than twelve. Contrary to its charter, stock was’ subsequently is- sued upon weekly payments, such stock being known as stock of classes C and D. July 9, 1891, it was unanimously resolved to separate the weekly plan and reimburse the association for the expenses incurred thereby. Another Word, July 23, 1891, the parties interested in this association were granted by Judge Norton of Alexandria, Va., a charter incorporating the Fidelity Building, Loan and Investment Association, the stock to be not less than $1,000,000 nor more than $20,000,000, in shares of $200 each, payable at such times and such installments as the board of di- rectors might prescribe. The officers for the first year were substantially the same as those then managing the.other associa- tion. “It Is a singular fact,” says the au- ditor, ‘and one worthy of note, that there is no record of a preliminary mecting of the parties to organize this association, or to provide articles of association, consti- tution or by-laws; nor does {t appear that they at any time formally fixed the amount of their capital stock or of the stock to be issued.” The Same Officers. The auditor states that while the weekly business of the former was transferred to the second association, there is no separate record of the proceedings of the latter as- sociation until June, 1893. He finds that the business and management of both as- scciations were commingled, and there was perticularly a mixture of the monthly and weekly business. The officers and other officers of the two associations were sub- stantially the same, and officers and direc- tcrs for _gpe or the other were elected, who were ni any time stockholders, and the president of the two associations stated that “he had nothing in_the second or in- vestment association.” The correspondence and printed matter of: both associations the auditor found to contain evidence of an identity of purpose and administration. Instructions to agents were to make checks payable to the investment association. Proceedings Unauthorized. ‘The auditor says that the Irresistible con- dusions are that the broad charter of the investment association afforded wider fields and greater opportunities; that in the administration and conduct of the af- fairs of the two associations there is a substantial commingling of the business, liakililles, assets and resources as between the two associations, ard their dealings with shareholders and the public; that the business of the two associations largely merged and was absorbed by the invest- ment association, and that the sharehold- ers not participating in or assenting to the acts of commingling and merging have rights of h they cannot be divested by the unauthcrized and unlawful proceedings of the management. Had No Power. The directors had not, says the auditor, the power, either under the char- ter or in law, to transfer the fran- chise of one association to the other, nor vas there any attempt to do so by formal act or proceeding. Although, he states, the substance may have been large- ly transferred or commingled, there still remains the chartered structure of two dis- trict corporations amenable to law as such, and having the qualities and responsibili- ties of separate legal entities. He also states that there are shareholders not ap- pearing to have participated in or assented to the acts of trausfer or merge or com- mingling of the business, appears from the stock books and other records exhibited in this reference. Motion Made. After the auditor’s report had been filed Receivers Poole and Williamson moved the court to require the Virginia receiver, G. Hatley Norton, to bring back into this jurisdiction certain assets and papers al- leged to have been taken to Alexandria. ‘The motion was argued at considerable lergth, and Judge Cox took the matter urder advisement. —>____ RANSOWS RETIREMENT. {| LIEUT. He Waited Twenty-Four Years for His Appotatment. Secretary Herbert has recommended that Lieut. R. H. Ramson be placed on the re- tired list of the ravy, and the case now awaits the President's action. This officer was appointed a leutenant in the navy in January last, under authority of a special act of Congress, appraved March 27, 1871, | which was passed in recognition of distin- shed service in the navy as a subaltern Lieut. Ramson waited cty-four years for his appointment. Sie ts a cripple, and has resided in Portland, Oreg., for Several years past. The Presi- dent will undoubtedly approve the recom- mendation 4er his retirement. THE CITY IN DARKNESS No Street Lamps Were Lighted Last Night Much Complaint by Citizens—Ordered by the District Inspector—How the Lights Are Regulated. Washington was treated to a dismal ex- pPerienct last night. The skies wére com- pletely covered by clouds from shortly after 4 o'clock until nearly dawn, and throughout all that black night not a gas lamp was lighted in the streets. Citizens who were forced to be abroad found them- selves immersed in a stygian blackness that caused shudders to be a drug on the market. Dark spots on streets where the electric lights are not located were avoided as though they were infected with a pesti- lence. The city is not over-safe these days, anyhow, since the Jackson City gentry have taken to coming across the river in small boats and robbing people and crack- ing safes. The lack of gas lights and the clouds therefore made a perfect combina- ticn for the Ught-fingered chaps who are snugly ensconsed at the south end of the Long bridge, confident of their security from the hand of the law. This morning half of Washington was in a complaining mood, and all on account of the lack of street lights. Men who had gone out and walked on the dark streets began to realize what a risk they had been forced to run, and one of them wrote to The Star to complain about the negligence of somebody or other. He said: “Can it be possible that in the contract between the Washington Gas Light Company and our city authorities no provision has been made that the street lamps shall be Mghted on nights when {t is cloudy, notwithstanding there is a full moon? In my opinion all the street lamps in the city should be light- ed the year round from sunset to sunrise. While it is true that when the night is clear and the mocn is full the streets will be light enough without the gas for a few hours when the moon is near the zenith, there is no certainty of its remaining clear, and in the shady side of tall buildings it is too dark. I hope the enterprising Star will take the trouble to investigate the subject, and turn on its searchlight and ascertain where the fault lies, so that the board of trade or some one of the various citizens’ organizations may take such prompt and energetic action that the bemutiful city shall be lighted by gas or electricity every night in the week.” ‘The Responsibility. Information given a Star reporter at the gas office places the responsibility for the dark streets of last evening with the chief ir.spector of street lighting of the District government, Mr. Allen, whose orders are daily given to the gas company for a cer- tain period each month. Westerday after+ noon at about 4 o'clock, the officials say, he telephoned to Capt. Cash, the superin- tendent of street lamps of the company, that there should be no -ligtts for the night. He evidently expected the night to be clear, although at 3 o'clock the skies had begun to cloud a little and by 4 o'clock the western sky was quite @ark. By 5 the skies were badly clouded,-and by 6 thoy were wholly’ overcast, and*remained so up- til morning. Capt. Cash said to a Star/reporter that he was absolutely under theprders of this official, so far as fifteen day# of the month are concerned. These are the days when the moon is schedule@ to shine. At the be- ginning of each month a schedule. is fur- nished to hitm by the District offices, giv- ing the hours for lighting and for ex- tinguishing the lamps. The moon period is marked by instructions that read: “Less lighting may be ordered.” In his own schedule, which Capt. Cash furnished to the lamp-lighters, he inarks this period by a brace, containing these in- structions: “If not raining sany of these nights report for orders at 5:45 p.m.” This insures the force being on duty throughout the questionable period, and the men were so on duty last evening until dismissed for the night. In case of rain the men go ahead and light up without further orders. if the skies are cloudy in the afternoon, however great the threat of rain, they re- port for orders, which are those of the chief inspector. Last Friday night the lamps were not lighted at all, upon orders; from the chief inspector, whose judgment was then veri- fied, for the moon shone without any cb- scuration. Last night, however, he made a slip, and hence all the trouble. On Other Days. On the remaining fifteen days of the month, when the almanac does rot promise any mocn, the lighters go ahead and start the lamps going at the schedule time, which, in April, runs from 6:38 to 7:09 p.m., and extinguish them according to the same schedule, which varies from 4:21 to 3:29 a.m. As the summer approaches and the days grow longer the period of lighting grows shorter. It is necessary, of course, for the Dis- trict to economize somewhat in its gas Hills, for the appropriation is @ certain sum that will not erable the lighting of all the lamps every night of the year. It is so drawn as to run them about. three thous- and hours each. This makes allowance for mconlight nights, but if every night when the moon is scheduled should prove to be bright there woulé be a surplus. There is, therefore, a margin for the lighting of the lamps on the nights when there is a moon killed for appearance, but when she is prevented, by some circumstances over which ske has no control, from appearing. Made a Mixtake. With reference to the failure of the gas company to light the streets of the city last night, Engineer Commissioner Powell, who hus the direct supervision of the street lighting, says: “Last night, according to the schedule, the lights were to have been lighted at 7:40 p.m. and extinguished at 4:10 a.m. Owing to the meagerness of the appropria- tion the lighting department has been com- pelled to cut whenever the opportunity pre- sented Itself. Now, last night the weather reports all stated that it would be fair, and as these are moonlight nights ‘we decided to light. You see, the superintendent of street lighting notifies the gas companies every day what is expected in the:way of light- ing, and gives orders relative to commenc- ing to light and when to extinguish. To successfully carry out thig:scheme we no- tify the gas companies about 4 o’clock each day. If the sky is overcast at that time and it looks like rain, no matter whether we are working on a moonlight schedule or not, the lamps are ordered fated. There is no question that the lamps should be lighted every night, but the appropriation is so small and the price of gas‘so high we are compelled Ee be Seno CAPT. MAHAN’s DUTY. His Assignment Will Be Made Con- wenial in This City. Captain F. A. Mahan, ¢ommanding the cruiser Chicago, which is to be put out of commission at New York on the 20th instant, had an interview with Secretary Herbert at the Navy Department today with regard to his future duty. He has been granted leave of absence for two months, and is said to desire its extension for two years In order to complete some literary work he has on hand. He ts will- ing to forego the extra leave, it is sald, provided he can secure shore duty which will not interfere with the prosecution of his literary labors. He was offered the place of chief intelligence officer at the Navy Department, but is not disposed to accept it under existing conditions. The Secretary desires to have the benefit of Captain Mahan’s expert knowledge on naval affairs and will endeavor to give kim & congenial assignment in this city. EXPECTS 10) RETIRE | NOETEHDENCE. OF "Cones Senator Voorhees to Relinquish the Finance Chai hip, HE TALKS ON SENATE REORGANIZATION The Committee Will Continue to Be Friendly to Silver. MR. JONES’ POSITION Speaking on the reorganization of the next Senate, which is likely to occur owing to the changes caused by the last election, Senator Voorhees of Indiana said: “I have no doubt the republicans will or- ganize the finance committee. I for one shall make no opposition, and I do not be- Meve that other democrats will. The re- publicans, while not possessing a majority over all other parties in the Senate, will have a plurality, and it fs right that they should take the lead in shaping legislation. I expect to surrender the chairmanship of this conimitte2 to Senator Morrill at the beginning of the next session.” “Then you do not expect Mr. Morrill to relinquish his claim to the chairmanship, as has been intimated he may do?” “I certainly do not. Why should he? He is as vigorous as many younger men, and any effort to displace him would be shame- ful, after his many years of service on the committee. .[ should personally resent a movement of that character. Furthermore, I do not believe that Senator Sherman's mame in that connection has been used with his knowledge or consent.” Will Be Friendly to Silver. Senator Voorhees also stated that the committee would continue to be friendly to silver under the reorganization. “It is a silver committee now,” he said, “and it will continue to be a silver com- mittee regardless of economic views of the addition which the republicans may make to it. Mr. McPherson, a democrat, is the only member of the committee as at pres- ent organized who will not be a member cf the next Congress, and he is the only demo- cratic member who is oppcsed to silver. The other five democratic members will, with Senator Jones of Nevada, constitute a quorum of the committee, even if the vacancy should be filled by the appoint- ment of an anti-silver republican. I do not, of course, know what course the re- publicans may adopt in filling the vacancy, as that will depend upon the conclusion of the republican caucus, but if the silver repuDlicans should succeed in getting one of their own number on the committee the accession will only make the silver major- ity that much more pronounced.” Senator Jones’ Position. Senator Voorhees declined to discuss the probabilities of the retirement of Senator Jones of Nevada from the committee be- cause of his affiliation with the new silver pafty further than to say that he belleved that the strong personal popularity of the Nevada Senator would serve to cause his retention as a member. Senator Cockrell also said, in reply to a question, that he had no doubt the repub- licans would organize next December, and Senator Gorman expressed the opinion that they would do so in case they were suc- cessful in the Delaware election, upon which contingency might depend their will- ingness to assume this responsibility. o——______—__ TO SHIP BIG GUNS. Those Made at the Foundry Here Ready for Transportation. Preparations are being made at the Wash- ington gun foundry for the shipment to Philadelphia of the eight 13-inch guns which are to form the main batteries of the battleships Indiana and Massachusetts. Each vessel will carry four of these guns. Those intended for the Indiana will be shipped first, aS that vessel is in a much mcre advanced state of construction than the Massachusetts. These guns are the heaviest made for our navy, and are said to be the finest specimens of ordnance in the world. There are twelve of them, four each for the Indiana, Massachusetts and Oregon. The last-named ship is under con- struction at San Francisco, and it will be quite an undertaking to get her big guns on board. They will be taken across the ccntinent on specially constructed cars, and will coustitate the heaviest freight, of anything like equal dimensions, similarly transported. Each gun weighs about sixty tons, and, with its mounts, will be a diffi- cult thing to handle. Inasmuch as 12-inch guns have been sent to San Francisco by rail without accident, it is thought that there will not be much greater risk with the larger guns. Insecure bridges are the chief source of danger, but the railroad companies profess to have no fear on that score. The shipment of these twelve guns will clear the gun shop of all ordnance of the maximum caliber. The guns made for the battleship Iowa are of twelve inches, notwithstanding that vessel has a greater displacement than the three battleships carrying the heavier guns. INTRICACIES IN THE DECISION. Internal Revenue Bureau Officials Trying to Unravel Them. The internal revenue officials are busy trying to unravel some of the intricacies involved in the Supreme Court decision in the income tax cases. Last night they had a long conference and a large number of questions that have arisen were disposed of, and the result is that only four or five important problems still remain to be solved. The words “income” and “rent” as used in paragraph 7 of the court’s conclu- sions will be held to be synonymous, and, therefore, the exemptions on account of rent will be accepted only when it is the actual return received by a landlord for the use of his property. Insurance, taxes and ordinary repairs on rented property probably will be permitted to be deducted from the income before making returns. Aside from the exemption of interest on state and municipal bonds these are be- lieved to be all or nearly all of the changes affected by the Supreme Court decision. Will Use the Newspaper Reports, Commissioner Miller of the internal rev- enue bureau was informed today that he might be able to get an official copy of the income tax decision of the Supreme Court early next week, but inasmuch as it is necessary for him to act in accordance with the decision between now and Monday next, it is likely that he will accept the press re- ports of the decision as sufficiently accu- rate for general action. He told a Star re- porter today that the only action since the decision was announced was to telegraph collectors to hold the income tax list due Apri! 10 until further orders, and to retain possession of all returns received. The tax list referred to is the lst of re- turns for March, which were due here on the 10th instant. These returns will be held by the collectors for revision, in ac- cordance with the decision. Mr. Miller said he was still thinking about what to do in the matter, and had been unable, so far, to reach @ conclusion. He said he was so busy receiving returns and seeing taxpayers who wanted to mal returns before Monday that he had acar: ly had time to think about an; hing else. Nothing would be done today, id, for the very good reason that they aia not know yet exactly what to do for the best. One of the Terms of Peace Between Japan and Ohina. The United States Alone-Has Recog- mized This—The Armistice Closes in Ten Days. It 1s agreed on all hands, including Jap- anese and Chinese officials, that the inde- pendence of Corea will be one of the terms of peace between Japan and China. This brings out the curious fact that the United States is the only power which has hereto- fore recognized Corea’s independence, and has received a diplomatic delegation from that country. It is stated that some time ago China addressed a private letter to all foreign powers, in which it was urged that Corea was independent in conducting her internal affairs, but was a tributary of China so far as dealings with foreign powers was concerned. It has never been disclosed what answers the powers gave, but from the fact that Corea has no diplo- matic legation anywhere outside the United States it is concluded that European powers acquiesced in China’s suggestion and failed to accord Corea complete independence of China. It 1s understood that the United States never made any formal reply to China’s contention, but the establishment of a Corean legation in Washington was a ‘tacit refusal to recognize her authority over Corea, and a recognition of the lat- ae ig anieyentonc It is believed that the ce agreement between Japan and China will so conspicuously affirm Corea’s inde- pendence that the little kingdom will ex- tend her treaty relations with the re- mainder of the world and establish lega- tions throughout Europe as well as in the United States. Terms of Peace Near. The Japan-Caina armistice closes in ten days, so that ‘t is anticipated by officials and diplomats that the final terms of peace must be near at hand. It is stated, how- ever, by a diplomat of experience with the Chinese and Coreans that it is character- istic with them not to meet an emergency until the last day. A case is cited in which Japan gave Corea three months to ac- quiesce in certain conditions. There was no response until the day before the three months expired, when a Corean official ap- peared and stated that the subject had been overlooked, and more time was de- sired, which request, however, was not granted. It would not be surprising to officials if Li Hung Chang pursued this policy, taking the full ten days before yielding to all of Japan's Gemands. ‘The reports that the indemnity will be about 400,000,000 yen coincides substan- tially with the understanding here that $200,000,000 would be the amount of the payment. The present rate of exchange on the silver yen is forty-seven cents, so that 400,000,000 silver yen would be $1S8,- 000,000. ——_—_+-e-+____ GEN. CAMPOS’ POLICY. How He Will Deal With the Rebel- liom in Cuba. The policy of Gen. Martinez Campos, Spain’s commander-in-chief, who is now en route to Cuba, for the decisive stroke against the revolution, is made known in copies of the proceedings of the Spanish congress, just received here. On the night before Campos sailed both he and the minis- ter of foreign affairs addressed the cortes. The significance of Gen. Campos’ speech lay in its conciliatory tone, showing that his purpose was to avoid bloodshed. It also brought out that while he would keep free from party entanglements in Cuba he would be strongly inclined toward the autonomists, or conservative element, and would depend on them to resist the separa- tion from Spain. “I am in hopes,” said Gen. Campos, “‘that when I arrive in Cuba the war will be over, for I-have no wish for that kind of glory.” He expressed hope that the various political parties in Cuba would be inspired to assist him in putting dcwn the uprising within a short time. “I will do everything,” said he, “toward seeing that no party, whatever its name may be, shall exercise its influence against the autonomistic element.” It was a coincidence that the autonomist party held a meeting in Havana, passing resolutions of welcome to Campos and pro- nouncing against separation from the mother country. The principles of the an- tonomists are for home rule in Cuba, simi- lar to the home rule of Canada and other British colonies, but not absolute separa- tion from Spain. It is judged from Ge: Campos’ speech that he will take this mi dle course of home rule, without entire separation from the mother country. The report that President Marti would promulgate the new constitution of the revolutionists today, and would then come to the United States to secure recognition, Is received with some doubt by those in Washington personally acquainted with Marti and familiar with the status of af- fairs. They say no election for president has been held. Marti is well known here, having been officially connected with South American affairs. He is said to have a fervid eloquence, heightened by personal grievances against Spain. He was arrested in Havana in his youth, and he still dis- plays the leg-shackles with which he was confined and sent to Spain. — WEIGHING UP THE MAILS. The Operation is Taken as an Indi- eation of the State of Trade. Col. James L. White, superintendent of the railway mail service, returned yester- day from an extended tour through the west, during which he inspected the eer- vice at Chicago, St. Paul, Omaha, and other points. At Chicago the customary quad- rennial “weighing-up” of the mails was begun this week. This is done every four years, to establish the rate of compensa- tion to be allowed the railroads for haul- ing postal cars. It is of interest in other directions than this, as an indication of the state of trade. When Mr. White left Chi- cago the weighing had been in progress but two days, so that full results are, of ecurse, not yet known. ‘The indications are, however, that there will be a very decided increase shown. The business of the railway mail service has, during the past two years, been quite aj parently in sympathy with the general de- Pression of trade, yet there has been, in some dircctions, an increase of business on account of the hard times. Merchants were never before known to make such full use of the mails for sending out circulars and advertising matter as they have been doing during the past year. It is said that many large wholesale houses have dispensed largely with commercial trayel- ers, and saved a good deal of money by using the mails instead. Degjed at the White House. The rt which was current and was published yesterday afternoon to the «! fect that President Cleveland had received ; telegrams from all over the country: re-j questing him to call an extra session ot | Congress for the purpose of repealing the income tax law was denied at the White House by Mr. Thurber. o— Disvarred Patent Attorneys. The Secretary of the Interfor has dis- barred M. V. Blake of Morganton, N. C. George Demarest of Seneca Falls, N. Y., and L. W. Mead of Shorman, Texas, from practice before the patent office. OIL GOES UP AGAIN Advance of Twenty-five Cents in Three Days. THE MONTHLY PIPE LINE REPORT Mr. Rockefeller Expresses Himself on the Outlook. OTHER MARKETS AFFECTED PITTSBURG, Pa., April 10.—The ofl ex- citement here begins to resemble, in a mild way, the halcyon days of the Pittsburg oil exchange. The Standard advanced its price 8 cents to 1.35 this morning, making an ad- vance of 25 cents in the last three days. May options opened on the exchange at 1.45 bid and advanced to 1.47% on the first sale. It then went up to 1.49% and then broke to 1.45, which was the quotation at 11 o’clock. The monthly pipe line report, issued to- day, was bullish. It showed an increase in acceptances and a decrease in stocks. Spec- ulation is hindered by the fact that there are only 721 certificates for 1,000 barrels each now outstanding on all the exchanges. It is probable that the excitement may ex- tend to buckeye oil, and it may be quoted on the exchanges again. NEW YORK, April 10.—The steady” ad- vance in oil is leading to very much bright- er expressions in regard to trade by the Rockefellers. The export demand for oil at advancing prices continues large, ané@ trade reports from the interior are un- usually encouraging. Mr. Rockefeller, referring to this fact, told a friend that he thought it was the forerunner of more activity and advancing prices ia most of the other markets. He thinks that trade is brightening in all directions, and that rich men are steadily gaining more confidence. TOLEDO, Ohio, April 10.—Ohio oil took another five-cent jump today. The price now is 77% cents for North of Lima, 72% for South of Lima, and 70 for Indiana. SWOLLEN BY RAINS. Freshets in the Rivers in the Eastern States. TROY, N. Y., April 10.—The biggest fresh- et seen in the Hudson in years is now threatening this point. The water began to rise rapidly yesterday afternoon, and the heavy rain which fell last night added to the flood from melting snow and ice north of here. The water is fourteen feet above low tide mark, and all the docks from the state dam south are submerged. The dock of the Citizens’ steamboat line is away un- der water. All ferries have suspended, and considerable damage has been done to Property in the cellars of warehouses. A great deal of drift wood is coming down stream, but as yet none of the heavy ice supposed to be north has appeared. BORDENTOWN, N. J., April 10.—There ts a heavy freshet on the Delaware river at this place. The piers and docks are sub- merged, and 1 1-2 miles ef railroad bed on the Amboy division of th» Pennsylvania. railroad between this place and Trenton is urder water. The Delaware and Raritan canal locks are covered with water to a depth of three feet. The passenger boat Florence, which plies between Bordentown and Philadelphia, was unable te make her trip today, on account of the high water. EASTON, Pa., April 10.—The water in the Delaware river reached 27 feet above low water mark this morning, the highest known since 1879. The electric cars were compelled to stop running, as the water is in Edison station and the machinery is useless. All industries in Odenweldertown are closed down. The people living on Front street in this city have been com- pelled to move to their second stories for the first time in fifteen years. Considerable damage has been done to retaining walls of the iarger buildings on Front street and there is danger of some of them collapsing. Many frame outbuildings have already been carried Away. Reports from up the river show that it is Petill rising. POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y., April 10.—The Hudson river is very high from the fresh- ets up the river, and at some points prop- erty on the banks is threatened. All the wharves in this city are submerged by the unusually high tide. SCHENECTADY, N.Y., April 10.—The thaw and heavy rains caused the water in the Mohawk river to rise last night higher than it has reached in several years. The entire valley is flooded and the losses will be very heavy. ANNA DICKINSON’S SUIT. The Jury Failed to Agree and Were Discharged. SCRANTON, Pa., April 10.- The jury in the case of Anna E. Dickinson ageinst Dr. Underwood, Dr. Hileman, John M. Bryden, George B. Thompson and others, after be- ing out for seventeen hours, were discharg- ed today, not being able to agree upon @ verdict. Judge Acheson announced, in dis- charging the jury, that he was led to do 80 only because of the death of one of the jurors. The majority of the jurors, it is said, favored a verdict in favor of the plaintiff. Miss Dickinson sued to recover $50,000 damages for being incarcera’ five weeks in the Danville asylum in 1891. rd VICTIM TO MELANCHOLY. Suicide of Wyman G. Scoliny at New York. NEW YORK, April 10.—Wyman G. Scol- lay, forty years old, committed suicide today at his home in West 10th street by shooting himself. For fifteen years Scol- lay had been the confidential clerk for Wood & Company, commercial agents in the dry goods trade. He left work three weeks ago, suffering from melancholia, He was being watched and treated by his father. GRAIN _—— ELEVATOR BURNED. Over $75,000 Loss by Fire at St. Louis. ST. LOUIS, April 10.—John W. Scharp & Co.’s grain elevator at Theresa avenue and the Missourl Pacific railroad tracks was almost destroyed by fire this morn- ing. At least 100,000 bushels of wheat were stored in the building. The loss on building and contents is from $75,000 to $100,000; fully insured. The watchman is missing and is thought to have perished in the flames. —————— For Shooting a Pigeon. RALTIMORE, April 10.—State’s Attorney Duncan has found criminal information against George Hronek for cruelty to ant- mals by shooting a plgeon from a trap. The case grows out of the arrest of tr slooters at Highlandtown on February 2 ee “Bat” Masterson Not Dend. WICHITA, Kan., April 10.--There ts no truth in the reported death of “Bat” Mas- terson. His brother Jim is the ma: who died. The latter was simply a piain citi zen, who never attained notorie:y.