Evening Star Newspaper, April 13, 1895, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR . PUBLISHED DAILY EXOEPT SUNDAY STAR BUILDINGS, Sheet Star, $1 per year, with 00. Post ES t Washington, D. C., Seam ea ate, 1d in adi Ee eee eae in ste Che Hve ing Star. | No. 13,138. WASHINGTON, D.C., SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1895-TWENTY-FOUR PAGES. TWO CENTS. THIRD TERM TALK The Free Coinage Men Take Little Stock in It. WHY MR CLEVELAND 18 BARRED Unavailable for His Own Party or a New One. —_— A COMPLIMENTARY MOVE . The more uncompromising cf the free coinage men take but little stock in the talk of nominating Mr. Cleveland for a third term. They do not regard the propo- sition as laid down in the newspapers as either practicable or sincere. The result is that they are canvassing it more with the view of ascertaining what it may conceal than what it would appear to reveal. Their discoveries so far are few and unimportant. But they are comforted by the belief that the whole program must soon come out, and thay are confident that when it does come out it will show for one thing merely that the single gold standard men are very badly frightened. = The Issue a Plain One. The issue, as the free coinage men see it, is, and will be next year, a very plain one. They belleve also that it will have to be squarely met. Both of the cld parties may again try to straddle it, but, admitting the possibility of a certain degree of success in that direction, the democracy cannot po: ybly hope for the greater degree of suc- . The democracy’s record as to silver made up, both in Congress and out, and the purty cannot get away from it. And the same is true of the republican party. Nine-tenths of the one party is for free silver, while nine-tenths of the other is again free silver. How, then, the free coinage men ask, can this be concealed by any juggle of words, either in party plat- forms or on the stump? The democracy, it is held, would be at an especial disadvan- tage in such a contest of phrase-making by reason of its past aggressiveness on the subject. The great majority of the republi- cans have been willing to let the issue rest from time to time, while the democracy, as @ party, has always insisted on action that would restore silver as a money metal to the status it held prior to the passage of the demonetizing act of 1873. This, then, will be the record, whatever the party plat- forms next year may try to express, or to evade. Why He is Barred. Mr. Cleveland, in the opinion of the ex- treme free coinage men, is barred from next year’s race by every consideration of party safety. The democracy, as at pres- ent organized, could not afford to take him again. It took him in 1892 because the tariff was the issue, and he was the most eminent representative of the party’s con- tention on that subject. He had put that contention in its most aggressive form. His financial views did not enter into the question. There was ro thought then that during the coming four years the money question would b> brought so conspicuously to the front. But it has been, and now the party, with its record, must meet that question. Is Mr. Cleveland a representative democrat on the money question? With that question as the issue, could the party nominate him again and keep a straight face before the country? The free coin- age men assert chat he would be as con- spicuously not the man for such a race next year as he was conspicuously the best man for the race in 182. On the one is- sue he had been leading his party; on the other he has always opposed it, and twice has balked it outright. Could any situation arise which would induce the republicans to turn to Mr. Cleveland, or he to them? How could they ever trust him? The most violent rupture of both of the old parties. would put any new party formed on anti-free silver lines under the control of those who are at pres- ent members of the republican party. Such a party, it is held, would simply be the present republican party minus {ts western contingent, and plus the eastern contingent of the present democratic party. Standing, as it would, for the republican financial policy, would the new party lack for lead- ership? Would it be likely, the free-coin- age meg ask, to turn from John Sherman or Thoss B. Reed, to Grover Cleveland? Why take the disciple, instead of one of the masters? Why take the nominee from what would be the small minority member- sbip of the new party rather than from the majority membership, and which be- side had brought the issue along with it into the new organization? Simply a Compliment. There are some free coinage men who see nothing more than a feint in all this ma- neuver. The purpose 1s not, they insist, to put Mr. Cleveland forward for President again, but merely to compliment him and surround his retirement from office in 1807 with a circumstance of unusual glory. The talk of a third term, it is pointed out, is confined so far to Mr. Cleveland’s warmest personal friends—men who sincerely ad- mire him and believe him equal to any emergency. But even they, it is held, must be able to see how unavailable on every score their favorite will be for next year’s race and how useless it would be seriously to press him. The program is to. bring out. a flattering review of the President's ca-* reer in office; to show how resolute he has been at times, and especially on the money uestion; how it has never been possible to rive him or cajole him on that or any other question against his convictions; how well and thoroughly he would fill the pres- ent Dill, and then have him write a letter declining to permit the use of his name in connection with a third term, and express cordiak approval of the general sentiment of the people against a violation of the rule governing the subject. It is not charged that the movement is one of hocus-pocus, but rather one of those strokes that public men now and then resort to in the effort to provide a once-popular leader with an impressive and inspiring exit from the stage. Se CAPT. GILMORE’S CASE. A Novel Question to Be Passed Upon by the Secretary of War. The Secretary of War has been called upon to pass upon a novel question in the case of Capt. Q. O'M. Gilmore, eighth cav- alry. Several years ago this officer be- came irregular in his habits and neglectful of his duties to such an extent that it was found necessary to confine him in the government hospital for tho insane for treatment. The superintendent of the in- stitution recently reported the case as in- ¢eurable, and said the oflicer could stand the excitement of an official investigation. The question has arisen, whether the cffi- cer shall be dismissed the service or abil- It is if it is solely . drink- , he will be dismissed the servi but otherwise he will be placed on the re- tired list. os Secretary Smith Goes to Atlanta. Secretary Smith goes to Atlanta tonight on private business. Mrs Smith Is in At- lanta and the Secretary will remain there a few days. He says there is absolutely no politics in his visit home, and not so very much business elther. whether he shall -be retired ‘for di ities incurred In the line of duty RECEIVING CONFESSIONS Citizens With Incomes Busy Making Their Returns. Monday the Last Day for Filing of Income Tax Statistics—Local Office Busy. People with incomes of $3,500 a year and upward have all the week been making pil- grimages to the office of the deputy col- lector of internal revenue, at 643 Louis- jana avenue, for the purpose of being frank and honest with Uncle Sam. That Fonored individual has been conducting a ccnfessicnal at this establishment, where not one, but several, deputy collectors have been quite busy all the week answering gome questions and asking more, and re- ceiving the documents that have been handed in by capitalists of both great and small grades. With the small fry of hu- menity; that is to say, all who have less than $3,500 a year income, the deputy col- lectors have no concern. The world to them consists of people who annually draw more than that sum. Monday next will be the last day for these income tax returns to be made. After that something dreadful may happen to those who failed or forgot to perform this duty, though exactly what has not yet been made public. One of the deputies sald to a Star reporter this afternoon that the business of receiving the returns would be concluded at 6 o'clock Monday evening, ard none will be taken after that hour. When asked what would be done with those citizens who have neglected to make a return, he shook his head sadly and acknowledged that he did not know. “That,” he said, “is a matter for the department to settle. There will probably be a consultation at the department on this subject, and in the course of time there will be orders received here, but just vhat they will be cannot, of course, be told now. The law provides, however, for such cases, but it is not certain what in- terpretation will be placed upon it.” A Calculation. The deputy said that they had been doing a land office business all the week. The announcement of -the decision of the Su- preme Court; he added, which settled the question of the constitutionality of the law by greatly unsettling it, had the effect of starting the pilgrimage of citizens to the collector's office, and since then they have been coming at the rate of about 200 a day, which the deputy regarded as very satis- factory. The reporter asked the number of returns so far received, and the deputy was about to answer when quite a young man came into the conversation and offered the deputy some conservative advice. He ‘nti- mated that the department would “kick” if it should become known just how many prompt people there are in the District and assured him that if he were in his place— that is, if the young man were in the place of the deputy—he (the young man) would not make public this information. The deputy pondered over the problem for a minute or two and then he declined to give out the total number of returns. There be- ing six days of the week, it is fair to pre- sume that there are upward of 1,000 or 1,200 returns now filed, and by Monday. this may run up to 1,500. The reporter sng- gested this estimate, but received no en- couragement in his mathematical re- searches, although the deputy confessed that he expected to be kept very busy on Monday—the last day for making returns. Busy Times. There were several citizens then in the cffice delivering to the deputies the blanks which they had filled out, giving what pur- ported to be true and accurate statements of all their incomes and properties, exclu- sive of investments in lands and state, county and municipal bonds. The emissary of a United States Senator called during that period and made a modest estimate of his principal's irfcome, which is supposed to be one of the largest enjoyed by any member of the upper house. For the ac- commodation of the crowd the office will be open at 8 o'clock Monday morning, and will cortinue for ten hours. + At the Revenue Office, Reports to the internal revenue’ office here show that income tax returns ere coming in very rapidly, and in some cases the appointment of additional clerical force has been necessary. It is very probable that the revenue bureau will hold that the sale of standing timber and royalties on coal, mineral, oils and gas well products will be treated as rents, and therefore not subject to the tax. As to the salaries of United States judges, no official action has yet been taken, and it is probable that nothing will be done until the courts have decided the question. It is believed that many judges already have made returns, including their salaries among the taxable items. —_—.—__. Trensury Department Changes. The following promotions have been made in the classified service in the Treasury Department: Office of auditor for War Department— A. A. Adams, Tennessee, from $1,600 to $1,800; J. H. Ellis, Arkansas, from $1,400 to $1,600; L. D. Alden, Georgia, $1,200 to $1,400; Elwyn Greene, Minnesota, from $1,000 to $1,200; Miss J. P. Rohrbach, Pennsylvania, from $900 to $1,000. Office auditor for Post Office Department — Richard Washington, Virginia, from $1,200 to $1,400; M. C. Spooner, Iowa, from $1,000 to $1,200; Miss I. B. Higleigh, New York, from $900 to $1,000; J. J. McCarthy, Massachusetts, from $840 to $900; D. E. Webb, Tennessee, from $720 to $840. Office of the controller of the currency—B. F. Blye, jr., New York, from $1,200 to $1,400; A. L. Hitchcock, New York, from $1,000 to $1,200; Miss G. Clifford, Scuth Carolina, from $900 to $1,000. Office of the United States coast and geodetic survey—Andrew Braid, assistant, Pennsyl- vania, from $2,500 to $3,500; E. D. Preston, assistant, Maryland, from $2,000 to $2,500. —_———-e-____ The Revenue Cutter Service. Capt. Shvemaker, chief of the revenue cutter service, has appointed Capts. L. N. Stodder, James B. Moore and Lieut. O. C. Hamlet a board to convene at Washington April 22 to examine for promotion line of- ficers in. the revenue cutter service. He has also appointed a board, to consist of Chief Engineer Collins, Engineer D. F. Kelly and Assistant Engineer H. C. Bar- rows, to convene at the same time and place to examine engineer officers for pro- motion. a oe Called on Mr. Curlisle. N. Clarke Wallace, controller of customs for the Dominion of Canada, made a’ social call on Secretary Carlisle at the Treasury Department today. ¢ ——_——___+-e+_______ Presidential Postmasters. The President has appointed the follow- ing postmasters: Minnesota—Benson, Julius Thorson, vice Lillie Harter. Wisconsin—Menasha, Charles Reed, vice Curtis Reed. No Muste for the Children. There will be n> music at.the children’s egg rolling festivities in the grounds south of the White House on Monday, but other- wise the occasion will have all the usual happy features. 5 esate To Go Out of C mixsion. The dynamite cruiser Vésavius arrived 4t the League Island navy yard yesterday and will be ordered out of commission. JAPAN’S ULTIMATUM China Must Accept or Refuse the | Terms Offered Tomorrow. CLATMS OF MONEY INDEMNITY REDUCED —~— No Information as to Russia’s Re- ported Interference. WHAT MR. KURINO SAYS SHANGHAI, April 13.—The Mercury to- day reports that the Japanese have pre- sented an ultimatum to Viceroy Li Hung Chang,. the Chinese peace commissioner, demanding that China accept or refuse the terms offered by Japan no later than to- morrow. The Mercury adds that Japan has reduced her claim for a money indemnity by the sum of 100,000,000 yen, and that she is also satisfied with the cession of the Shing King peninsula, on which Port Ar- thur is situated, and will not demand any additional territory. It is reported that the peace party is willing to accept these terms, but that the Hunan party is holding out. LONDON, April 13.—The Pall Mall Ga- zette this afternoon publishes a dispatch from Hiogo, Japan, which says that ad- vices from the Pescadore Islands state that the Japanese forces are still at thpse is- lands awaiting reinforcements, and that over eight hundred deaths from cholera have occurred among the troops. The epi- demic, it is added, is now abating. ‘é Two ships which have arrived at Graves- ends recently from the Pescadore Islands have reported deaths from cholera during the voyage. The vessels have been disin- fected and have been released. No Definite Information. At neither the Japanese nor the Chinese legations could much be learned today of the progress of the peace negotiations be- tween Japan and China. Advices received in this city from St. Petersburg are to the effect that China, considering it impossible for her to accept the Japanese conditions for peace, is sounding Russia and the other powers as to whether they will inter- vene. Russia has determined, it is stated on ex- cellent authority, to make diplomatic oppo- sition to the annexation by Japan of any part of the mainland of China. ‘The Rus- sian army and navy in the far east are being reinforced. Russia has also resolved, in order that she may have a free hand in the far east, not to interfere in Armtnia. The representatives of Japan in this city are not inclined to take much stock in the theory of Russian intervention. They hint at a probable understanding between China and Russia, but regard the talk of Russia stepping in as being in the nature of a “bluff,” kept up for the vake of keeping other European nations from trying to take a hand in affairs. In their opinion the terms of the negotiations are understood and practically agreed to, and that the negotiations are likely to be closed up at any time within twenty-four hours’ notice. Minister Kurino’s Opinion. Minister Kurino of Japan said last night, concerning the Japan-China peace under- standing, announced to him by official cable from Tokio: : “The cablegram is quite brief, and does not recite the terms, nor does it say that peace as yet has actually been agreed upon, but that an understanding has been reached between the envoys by which peace seems assured. I have no doubt from this that we will have a treaty of peace within a few days. It undoubtedly will be con- cluded within the next seven days, as the armistice expires at the end of that time. Should it not be arranged by that time, there probably would be no difficulty in continuing a truce now that a peace un- derstanding has been definitely reached. There may be some delay in arranging the details of the new Japan-China treaty, as it will cover all of the commercial interests of the two countries. One of the most es- sential items will be that of the tariff. Heretofore the Japanese duty has been 5 per cent on Chinese goods, and under the favored nation clause all other countries were entitled to this same rate. But with Japan’s new treaties with the United States, Great Britain and other countries, all of which contain the favored nation clause, it will no longer be possible to.give China the 5 per cent rate. Some Possible Concessions. Mr. Kurino said that in the absence of definite word from his government as to the terms of peace understanding, he did not wish to speculate on the terms. He regarded it as settled, however, that the island of Formosa would be permanently ceded to Japan. That much had already proceeded beyond the stage of contention. He also considered the independence of Corea as settled. This would leave the question of indemnity, of Port Arthur's occupation and of future treaty arrange- ments as the subjects on which the Jap- anese plenipotertiaries may have granted some concessions. These concessions may apply to one or the other of the three terms, or to all of them. The minister is hardly prepared to believe that there will be no occupation of Port Arthur. It is possible that a term of years may be ccn- ceded instead of permanent occupation, or else that the extent of surrounding ter- ritory may be more restricted than was first contemplated. Mr. Kurino takes a conservative view of the conclusions of peace. He shares the feeling of his coun- trymen that Japan had won the right to expect much as the price of peace. At the Chinese Legation. The Chinese legation has received no confirmation of the advices from Japan that a peace understanding has been reached, and there is a strong disposition on the part of the Chinese to regard the rercrt as premature. An ominous lull has occurred since the first brief dispatch came from Japan that an understanding had been reached. As yet the concessions leading to the agreement have not been reported, and it is stated that they will not be made known within a week or ten days. As the conclu- sion of peace negotiations are drawing to a climax the eyes of European powers are naturally drawn to the rich territory in the east, and a sharp game of diplomacy is on, in which the European nations are becom: ing involved to gain something from the treaty proceedings. There is no doubt that China has ep- pealed to Russia and other European na- tions against the terms Japan originally proposed. An interesting point, thcrefore, arises as to whether the umistakable threats of Russia and the appeal of that nation for intervention by the powers were antecedent or subsequent to the peace un- derstanding reported yesterday between Japan and China. What is Thought Here. The views of the State Department offi- cials is that the advices from Russia are really based upon the status of the peace negotiations several days ago, and that since then the Japanese conditions have been materially modified and are now as- suming such shape as to make them more agreeable to Russia or the other great European powers. As officially stated in the Associated Press dispatches, among the original Japanese deniands was one for the absolute cession of Port Arthur. Al- thougk not specifically stated, it is proba- ble that this included the cession of a considerable tract of country in the vicin- ity of the port. As Port Arthur is within the limits ofgthe great province of Manchuria this demand, if persisted in, would conflict directly with the Russian ultimatum, delivered at the very beginning of hostilities, and repeated more than once since, in a semi-official manner, to wit, that she could not per- mit the acquisition by,@gpman of any por- tion of Manchuria. Officials of the State Department are con- fident that within the;dast few days the Japanese demand on this oint has been modified so as to permit omly a temporary occupation of Port Arthur, perhaps only so long as the war indemnity shall remain unpaid. To such a stipulagion, it is said, no reasonable objection .coyld be made, as it would be based upom the precedent set by Germany in imposimg germs of peace upon France, when she.retained the great French fortress of Belfgrt until the in- demnity was paid. The French Breqedent. The practical effect-of tis in that case was to cause the Frenph to pay the enor- mous war indemnity ima space of time far shorter than was allowed by the treaty in order to escape the; humiliation of for- eign occupancy of Franee’s territory. Of course, if Japan follows a similar course in respect to Port Arthur, the Russian gev- ernment will make sure that she has ainple guarantees that the occupied port will be evacuated within a fixed period of time. It is also pointed out that Japan may justly make such a demand as the tempor- ary possession of Port Arthur as a means of insuring herself against retaliatory war by China until the feeling of resentment may have worn away, for by the occupation of this strgtegic position the Chinese would find it almost impossible to keep the com- munication open between Peking and the sea in case of a renewal of hostilities. On the whole, the officials here (assum- ing that Japan pursues a poliey of modcra- tion) see nothing in this news from Russia calculated to’prevent the consummation of peace, unless it should, perhaps, encourage the Chinese to endeavor to recede from the terms alreagy practically agreed upon, in the hope of securing better treatment from Japan while the latter nation is under ap- prehension of ‘Russian intervention. THE INCOME TAX SUITS A Rehearing to Be Asked in the Supreme Court Next Monday. Judge Jackson Will Sit With ‘Hix Colleagues in the Cases if the Request is Granted. It is understood that the counsel for the parties who are.opposed to the income tax and whose cases were recently heard in the Supreme Court will appear before the court Monday and ask for a rehearing of the question, with a view of securing scme definite decision upon the entire law. The impression prevails that such a motion will be granted at once, and the law be considered by a full bench of nine jus- tices, so that no further vexatious delays may arise in the settlement ef the contro- ¥ersy. It is known in this city that Judge Jackson recently expressed his determina- tion to come to Washington and resume his official duties at once in case the in- come tax. suits were set down for an im- mediate hearing, and in view of this fact it is believed that the cases will be re- opened and an early decision be given upon those portions of the lawaipon which eight justices, are now equally divided. The mo: tion on Monday will probably be made by Mr. Guthrie. * ————————— OF A €HILD. CUSTODY Mrs. Frost's Efforts to Get Possession by Habens Corpus. The habeas corpus case of Mrs. Margaret A. Frost against Sister Superior Agnes Rellihan of St. Ann's Infant Asylum, in which Mrs. Frost seeks to recover posses- sion of her little four-year-old child, Goldie Marie Frost, was postponed by Judge Hagner this afternoon until next Wednes- day morning. In her answer Sisteri Agnes stated that the child was placed In-the,asylum the 9th of last month by the mother in virtue of a deed of separation signed by the child’s Parents, the father pagiig for its board. She, therefore tendered the child to the court to await its decision. Judge Hagner allowed the mother to have the custody of the child until Wednesday, next. Mr. Herbert M. Locke, representing the father of the child, submitted affidavits signed by Nellie Durfee, Lillie Garrison and Chanles E. Anderson, alleging that Mrs. Fort committed adultery with one Joseph E, Barnes at 1210 3d street south- west on the 7th of last month. Judge Hag- ner, however, refused to hear the case cn such ex parte testimony and postponed the hearing. ee ae MEMORY LOST FOR YEARS. Appearance of William H. Allen at San Francisco. SAN’ FRANCISCO, April 13.—The sudden appearance in this city of William Henry Allen, who was supposed for twenty years to be dead, surprised a great many prop- erty owners, because Allen at one time owned land in the heart of the city now valued at $14,000,000, The records do not show that the property eyer passed out of his hands, and the present owners hold under the statute of limitations, having had adverse possession for nearly a generation. His appearance was simultaneous with the filing of a quit claim deed to half of his interest in the lands, the grantee being a lawyer named John C. Watson. The prop- ‘erty claimed is that on which the hand- some Crocker building, the Palace Hotel, the Chronicle and many other buildings stand. Attorney Watson, speaking fcr his clients, says: “In 1848 L. Callendar received deeds to the iands in question from T. M. Leaven- worth, then alcalde and chief magistrate of San Francisco. Callendar was then Allen’s brother-in-law and debtor, and the lands were of little value. Callendar deeded the lands to Allen in liquidation of the debt. Allen went back to his home in New York and, nothing more being heard of him, ne was supposed to have died without deeding his property to any one else. But: there was reason for his disappearance. “After Teaching New York,he was hurt in an accident and lost his mind. For twenty yeers—that have been to him as a dream— he has been harmlessly insane. Then im- pairment passed away, and he came to a realization of the fact that he was old and gray, and one-third of his life was a blank. With sanity came memory, and he be- thought himself of his property here, which increased to millions while he wandered a day dreamer in the realms of the insane. Against such a man the stafute of limita- ticns cannot be pleaded.” Attorney Wilson says there will soon be a big sult as a result of Allen’s return. —<__ Successful Bidders= Messrs. H. V. Allen & Co. of New York were the successful bidders for the new army cap just adopted by the War De- partment. Sudden The Brooklyn Dry Dock. Secretary Herbert has gancelled the con- tract of John Gillies forj the construction of the Brocklyin dry doc§ and has ordered rroposals to issue asking/bids for the com- pletion of the work. The many delays on the part of Gillies cause¢ the action to be taken. : Ferdinand W. Callaghan yesterday filed a bill in equity against Charles W. Callag- han, for an accounting in the matter of the partnership between themgin conducting the Keystone Hote, THEY. WILL SPEAK NAVAL CADETS’ SALUTE Mombets of the Administration to Discuss Financial Matters. MR, CLEVELAND MAY WRITE A LETTER What Will Be Required of Presi- dential Candidates. SILVER MEN’S DEMAND ————— An official of the government who holds high rank in the administration told a Star reporter today that it is quite probable that members of the administration will take part henceforth in the discussion of finacial matters in the politics of the sev- eral states where campaigns may be under way. He said it is not to be understood by this that the members of the admin- istration will go out of their way to take a hand in political gatherings, but that where cpportunity is presented for speechmaking or the delivering of addresses the financial question will be handled. This announcement, on account of its source, may be considered as of importance at this time, and bears out an intimation to the same effect published by The Star several days ago that the administration regards with seriousness the free silver movement within the democratic party. What the President May Do. In this connection, it is a matter of Political gossip that the President may seize an opportunity on the earliest occa- sion in responding to some invitation to address a gathering to write a letter upon the general subject of the currency and sil- ver coinage. In this event it is supposed he would advise all good democrats against advocating the free coinage of silver inde- pendently by this country, and would en- deayor to spike the guns of the men who are attempting to work up free silver senti- ment in democratic conventions. No con- firmation or denial of the President’s inten- ticn in this re@ard can be obtained at this time, howevep The Next Democratic Candidate. “The democrats of the west will not be satisfied with a presidential candidate who is uncertain on the silver question or is merely ‘favorable’ to silver,” said a promi- nent western Congressman to a Star re- porter taday. ‘Ihe mere act of choosing a western man for a candidate will not sat- isfy them. I prophesy.that the demo- cratic national convention will adopt an out and out free-silver plank and that the man who is nominated for President by that cenvention will have to be an openly avowed advocate of the unlimited free coinage of silver. I make this prophecy as the result of my observations of the in- crease of the silver sentiment in the west within the last few months. “I think it will be found that the demo- crats who favor free coinage are not will- ing to risk another equivocal silver plank and candidate, afraid that they will again be crowded out by the excuse that silver ¢oginage is inexpedient without an interna- tional agreement. By adopting this line of action they may expect to retain in the party many that might otherwise flock t» the so-called new silver party, which, in my opinion, is to fizzle out. It ‘must be a free silver platform and° candidate or the disruption of the democratic party, and as the free silver people will be in the major- ity in the convention it will not take them long to decide the question.” The Republican Position. “Is there not a large silver sentiment in your own party?” was the question then asked this Congressman, who is a repub- lican. “Oh, yes, and I suppose some of our peo- ple, the most radical of them, will go with the democrats on their free coinage basis,” he replied, “but the number will not be lorge. It is well known that free silver is mcre of a democratic heresy than a republican heresy, if the term is to be used, and the rank and file of our people will stick to the national platform, which will be bimetallism or the recognition of silver through an international agreement I think a western man will be the republi- can candidate, some man whose record on silver is known and whose sincerity is un- doubted. I believe that with such a selec- tion the advocates of free silver among our people can be placated and satisfied and prevented from deserting the cause in any considerable number.” eo BEEF AND ITS PRICES. Scope of the Inquiry Commenced by the Agricultural Department. The investigation into the causes of the high prices of beef products and what in- fluence, if any, the trust known as the “Big Four” has upon them will be carried on at Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Omaha, Hammond, Sioux City and other points where experts of the bureau of ani- mal industry are stationed in force, and Dr. Salmon is sending out instructions to” guide them in the matter. Several years ago Dr. Salmon made en inquiry in this direction, which contained some views ap- plicable to the present investigation, espe- cially in relation to the effect of the reduc- tion of the stock of cattle while there was a steady increase of population. The latest cattle statistics were compiled by Statisti- clan Rebinson of the Agricultural Depart- ment February 14 last, and show that the decrease in number of oxen and other cat- tle since the estimate for January, 184, has been very marked. It amounts to 243,952, or 6.13 per cent of last year’s num- ber. The estimate for 1895 makes the num- ber of such cattle 34,364,216, against 36,- 608,168 in 1894. “Accompanying this considerable decline in numbers,” says the report, “there has been a falling off in the value per head. The decline in the per capita value has been from $14.66 in 1804 to $14.06 this year, a decrease of 60'cents. The decrease in the ageregate value is from $536,789,747 to $482,999,129, or $53,790,618.” ae TO FUMIGATE THE MAILS. ‘This Will Re Done to Prevent Yellow Fever Infection. The beginning of the yellow fever season in the tropical portions of Central and South America and the West Indies has revived the annual question as to the dan- ger of infection being conveyed to the United States in letters or newspapers mailed from those countries. The New York health authorities have requested that all mails from tropical countries shall be fumigated before distribution. The im- mediate cause of the request was the re- cent arrival from Brazil of a vessel, one of whose crew had died of yellow fever on the voyage north. Postmaster Dayton, in for- warding th2 health authorities’ ‘request, said that he did not know the exact extent of his powers, and asked instructions. Per- sonally he regarded the chance of infection as exceedingly small. Second Assistant Postmaster General Neilson replied today that in view of the small expense and labor involved, and the amount of loss and grief that might be occasioned by only one death, it seemed to him advisable to begin a system of fumiga- tion of mails from tropical countries during the yellow fever period. This extends from January to September. Mr. Neilson invited suggestions from Mr. Dayton on the sub- Ject before issuing any order in the matter. It Must Be the Regulation Form in All Cases, No Faking Of the Hat to Ladies— Girls Protest to the Superin- tendent Without Avail. The superintendent of the Naval Academy has issued an order that is the subject of considerable comment on the part of the cadets and their friends of the fair sex. The order is as follows: “The salute for all officers, cadets and men in uniform or not, when not under arms, shall be that prescribed in the in- structions for infantry. Bring the right forefinger to the lower part of the head dress, above the right eye, thumb and fin- gers extended and joined, palm to the left, forearm inclined at about forty-five de- grees, hand and wrist straight.” Applies to the Case of Ladies. Under the academic construction, this or- | der forbids cadets from giving a salute in any other way than that prescribed, even in the case of ladies. The usual practice of raising their caps when saluting a lady will no longer be tolerated at the Naval Academy. Hereafter ladies must be satis- fied with the formal military recognition fixed by the regulation. This rule prevails at West Point, but is an innovation at An- napolis. Ss The cadets were informed that a salute was a salute, no matter to whom given. The cap must not leave the head, they were given to understand, and they were told that the penalty for violating the order would be five demerits, which means a great deal to a youngster at the Academy. They appreciated that the girls would not like the official recognition provided by the new salute, but they had no alternative. Ladies Protest Without Avail. The ladies of Annapolis naturally ob- jected to the change, and protested to Su- perintendent Cooper against it. He wanted to oblige them, cf course, and was really sorry he could not do it. A mild boycott (or more properly speaking, girl-cott) was established against the cadets who adopt- ed the regulation salute in the case of ladies, and for a time the embryo admirals were in danger of sccial ostracism. If the situation had continued much longer a ‘mutiny might have resuited, but eventually the ladies got over their first flush of in- dignation, and regretfully consented to ac- cept the regulation salute as the best that could be expected under the circumstances. ADMITTED TO PROBATE. ‘Phe Will of Frederick Douglass in Court Today. Judge Hagner this afternoon admitted the will of the late Frederick Douglass to probate, and granted letters of administra- tion to the widow of the deceased, Mrs. Helen Douglass, and to Lewis H. Douglass, the son, fixing the amount of bond at $70,000, Several weeks ago Mrs. Rosetta D. Sprague, a daughter of the deceased, ap- plied for letters of administration, and also asked that a collector for the estate be ap- pointed, placing the value of the personal property at about $40,000. The matter was argued at some length today by Messrs. E. H. Thomas and Pres- ton Williamson on behalf of Mrs. Sprague, Mr. John Ridout representing the widow and son. The petition of Mrs. Sprague was denied. The administrators will now pro- ceed to administer the personal estate ac- cording to the terms of tle will, they hav- ing nothing to do in the matter of the real estate. The real property will pass to the heirs, Mr. Lewis H. Douglass, Mrs. Rosetta D. Sprague, and the heirs of the late Frederick Dovglass, jr., a son of the deceased, the widow's dower interest first being observed. It was stated this afternoon that the ac- tion of the court today will have the ef- fect of closing the contest over the estate, and that the interested parties will soon reach an amicable settlement of all differ- ences. a SELLING THE PROPERTY. Delinquent Tax Sale in Progress at the District Building. A soggy wet flag drooped from its staff in front of the new District building this morning, announcing, as red flags usually do, that a sale was in progress. It was the sale of property for delinquent taxes, al- though the appearances of things in the collector's office, where the sale was in progress, was deceiving. Few bidders par- ticipated, and during a large majority of the time Chief Clerk Collins, who conducts the sale, talked to an imaginary office, and, receiving no bids from the vacant chairs and desks, knocked the property down to the District. It was by all odds the poorest attended sale that has ever taken place. The several trust companies, however, are taking a lively interest in the sale and have purchased a large amount of prop- erty. There has been, with the exception of a few pieces of property in the north- east, absolutely no competition, and the sale has been a most uninteresting affair. To expedite matters andegive the public an opportunity of knowing exactly when certain pieces of property would be sold the city was divided. Last Tuesday squares 1 to 300 were sold; Wednesday squares 301 to G00 were taken up; Thurs- day squares 601 to 900 were disposed cf, and Friday the city proper was completed. Today Georgetown was under considera- tion, and next week the sale will conclude with the consideration of the county. Owing to the fact that the trust com- panies have purchased a great deal of property it is believed that the District will receive a large sum, and the Gelin- quent tax books be greatly reduced in size. —— Army Transfers. The following transfers in the tenth cav- alry are ordered: Capt. Thaddeus W. Jones, from troop G to troop F. Capt. Charles G. Ayres, from troop F to troop G. The following transfers in the twenty- second infantry are ordered: Second Lieut. Hanson E. Ely, from com- pany B to company E. Second Lieut. Albert C. Dalton, from com- pany E to company K. Second Lieut. Harry Clement, from com- pany K to company B. ———__-o— A Present for the President. The expressman delivered a large package at the White House this morning for the President. It was the head of an tmmense elk, with twelve large branching antlers, fully five feet from extreme tip to tip. It is an elegant specimen of the king of the forest and was sent to the President by an admiring resident of the centennial state of Colorado Fourth-Class Postmasters. Muggie Priddy was today appointed post- master at Siloam, W. Va., vice W. K. Ham- brick, resigned; C. R. Devine at Union, W. Va., vice Allen Caperton, and W. P. Wil- liams, at Capen Road, Shenandoah, Va., vice J. H. A. Cooper, resigned. Allen Ca- perton, who goes out at Union, W. Va., was formerly Senator from West Virginia. pei car esta Arrests for Counterfeiting. The Treasury Department is informed cf the arrest at San Francisco today of John Baddely and Laura Baddely for counter- feiting two and a half dollar gold pieces. OIL AT TWO DOLLARS Upward Progress of the Product is Continued. NET ADVANCE FOR THE DAY 31 CENTS The Price Went Up Eighty-two Cents in the Week. ORDERS TO BUY POURING IN ——— ee PITTSBURG, Pa., April 13.—O!l continued on its upward course this morning, and fulfilled the predictions of those who said that it would go to $2 before the week was out. At the opening the Standard put its price 25 cents to $1.75. May option opened at$ bid, and the first sales were at $1.95, an advance of 26 cents over the closing quotation on Thursday. From $1.05 it broke to $1 and at 10:30 o'clock $1,924 was bid. In the first five minutes of trading 19,000 barrels of May option were sold, and there was some trading in cash oil at $1.91 3-4. Although there is great interest in the up- ward trend of cil here, there is little excite- ment, for the reason that nobody has the certificates on which to trade. The new Producers’ Association, as a competitor of the Standard in refining in- terests, is having rather a hard row to hoe at present. They are obliged to buy crude oil at high prices and sell the refined pro- duct at low prices. A meeting of anti- Standard producers was held here’ yester- day and discussed the matter, but the re- sultis not known, Selling at Two Dollars. From 10:50 until 12 o'clock, the closing hour, the market was strong and active. Just before the close 7,000 barrels of May option sold at $2, and the prediction of many oil men was fulfilled. It then re- acted to $1.08%, but rallied, and closed at $1.00y. Net advance for the day was 31 cents and for the week S2 cents. The Ag- lantic Refining Company, which is the re- ceiving end of the Standard Oil Company, today advanced the price of refined ofl 1 cent per gallon, or 50 cents per barrel. This advance was made on the basis of $1.50 for crude oil, and as the Standard today put ae aoe oe cents pug there wi ub another of refiaed oil on Monday. ai ee Reaping a Harvest. OIL CITY, April 13.—The advance of 25 cents in Lima and Indiana oil yesterday was followed this morning by a notice frem the Seep Purchasing Agency that it weuld pay $1.75 a barrel.for Pennsylvania credit balances. This is an advance of 25 cents a barrel from Thursday's prices, and had prompt effect on the speculative oil markets. The long period of stagnation preceding the present advance of nearly $1.05 per barrel for the commodity had driven the majority of the brokers and speculators into other business and to other portions of the-country, but the half hundred of the old guard that rave stood the speculative battles and storms of the specu+ lative adversity from 1870 until now are reaping a wonderful harvest of good round dollars in profits and brokerage, as here is the only oil exchange left of the many once established at New York, Pittsburg, Brad- fcrd, Parker, Warren and Titusville. Orders Pouring In. From all over the country orders are coming from would-be speculators attract- ed by the unprecedented steady and great increase in prices. The limited number of certificates, about 750 in all, prevents deal- ing in extensive lots, but the width of the fluctuations more than makes up any dis- crepancy in the excitement and uncer- tainty of the business and the game is heavy enough to suit the most hardened speculator, gambler or spendthrift. On Monday of this week the market clos- ed at 130 and at 11:15 today was selling at $1.96, an advance of 66 cents in six days, an advance of more than ten cents a day for the week, and one day of it was a holi- day. Although there was some realizing of profits on Thursday and today, the ma- jority of the buying today was for specu- lative investment. It opened excited and strong, with sales at 190, or 21 cents higher than on the eve of Good Friday. In less than ten minutes after the opening sales had been made at 195 and at 192%. There was a fair volume of-trading and no signs of a“break in the bull movement. At 11:20 prices advanced to 196%, and at 11:50 a.m. 15,000 barrels were sold at $2. The close was steady, with sales 199 and bid. ———_—_ WILL HELP. NEW YORK GREATLY. Senator Hill on the Recent Supreme Court Decision. NEW YORK, April 13.—Referring to the decision of the United States Supreme Court in relation to the income tax, Sena- tor Hill says: “I was gratified with the finding of the court as far as it went, but I believe.that the Whole tax, instead of a part, should be declared unconstitutional. It seems to be a compromise measure to secure votes of an element in the country that is antago- nistic to all existing conditions. The find- ing of the court will directly knock out just part of the law that these people were vrging, and will prove of more benefit to New York state, perhaps, than any other state in the Union. “In New York nearly all the municipal and state bonds are held, and in this city also are the big landed estates. The main fcatures of the law are, therefore, wiped out, and the party gets nothing for its pains.” Mr. Hill was asked about a story that has been geing the rounds of the news- papers. The story says that Mr. Hill, by fighting the confirmation of William B. Hornblower and Wheeler H. Peckham as associate justices of the United States Supreme Court, really hurt himself. It is said that had either one been on the bench of the Supreme Court instead of Justice White, who secured the seat for which they were successively nominated, the tie would have been broken, and another vote against the constitutionality of the tax would have been assured. In reply Senator Hill said: “There is no use theorizing about what might have been. I don’t know anything about thet, and to declare that a justice of the Supreme Court would be swayed by corporation interests would border on con- tempt.” —_>_—_ REWARD FORK PERRY. Gov. Morton Offers $1,000 for the Fugi- tive’s Capture. ALBANY, N. Y., April 13.—Gov. Morton has issued a proclamation offering a reward of $1,000 for the capture and return to the Matteawan asylum of Oliver Curtis Perry, the escaped train robber. POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y., April 13.—Up to 12 o’clock today no further captures have teen made of the convicts who escaped from the Matteawan asylum under the leadership of Train Robber Perry. Quigly, the man who was found in a freight car at New Hamburg yesterday afternoon, slept soundly all night and the doctors say that no serious results will come of the exposure which he suffered. The authorities antici- pate that most, if not all, of the others will be captured unless they have got fur- ther away before this, which fs not prob- able.