Evening Star Newspaper, April 16, 1895, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th Street, by The Evening Star Newspaper Company, 8. H. KAUFFMANN Pres't. New York Office, 40 Potter Building, Siem Saas The Evening Star is scrved to cubscribers In the city by carriers, on their own account, at 10 cents French Sy Baan Me ie cents each. mail—anywhere tn United States or Cansda—postage prepald-50 cents ‘Saturday Quintupte Sheet Star, $1 per year, with fi foreign postage a L. . Entered at the Post Office at Washington, D. C., as -elass mail matter.) a mail subscriptions must be. paid in advance. ites of advertising made known on application. Che £Fveni | No. 13,140. gq Star. WASHINGTON, D.C., TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1895-TWELVE PAGES. ‘TWO CENTS. Te proof of fhe pudding is in £2 eafing. Pesterdan’s Sfar confained 49 cofumns of advertisements, made up of 732 separate announce: ments. These adverfisers Boug$t pubficitp—not merefp Space, BOTH SATISFIED The Friends of Sound Money and the Free Coinage Men. PLEASED WITH THE PRESIDENTS LETTER Friends of the White Metal Ready for Action. VICE. PRESIDENT’S POSITION oe Both sides profess to be entirely satisfied with the President's latest deliverance on silver. The sound money people have un- questionably secured what they wanted. ‘There was never the hope, so well-informed men declare, of inducing the President to visit Chicago and make a speech, but an invitation of that nature was decided upon as the best means of impressing him with the gravity of the situation. A letter was in the line of the original calculation, and now that it has been given to the public those instrumental in causing it to be writ- ten are more than gratified at the result. of their labors. The next step will be to distribute it as widely and emphasize its real meaning as strongly as possible, and this is to be the work of all the President's supporters from Maine to Texas, and from New York to California. A battle has be- gun which is not expected to close until | November, 1896. Free Coinage Men Ready. The free coinage men are ready for action. The President, they declare, ‘does not state the case too strongly for them. ‘They will meet him on the line of his own choosing, and are even threatening to force the fighting on that line. Replying to the interpretation put upon his letter, which makes it prescribe the nature and test of democracy on the money question, they point to the unrepresentative character of the members of the President’s official family as it relates to the people from whom they come. Judge Gresham is class- ed as an Illinois man, and the democracy of his state is so much in favor of silver that a convention has been called to give the feeling early formal expression. Mr. Carlisle turns his eyes toward “the old Kentucky home” and sees the silver- ites mustering in overpowering numbers under the leadership of Senator Blackburn. The democratic state convention, it is as- serted, will undoubtedly adopt a free silver platform. Mr. Herbert is powerless in Alabama as opposed to Senators Morgan and Pugh, both of whom are aggressively for free coinage. * Georgia threatens Mr. Smith with fifty thousand miajority for free coinage at the first opportunity. Mr. Morton, by giving out a letter re- ceived from a personal friend on the sub- ject, concedes Nebraska to the silver cause by fifty thousand. ‘The new Postmaster General hails from a . state where the democracy has always stood bythe white metal, and as for Mr. Olney, the free silver men refuse to con- sider him in the equation. Massachusetts is not, and cannot be made, a factor in any democratic calculation on national is- sues. So that, according to this summary, and as the er men declare, not only is the President not in line himself with his party on the money question, but he is supported at the council table by men who, at his in- stance, or for other reasons, have aban- doned their right to speak for the people from whom they were selected. To Define Democracy. Im such circumstances what right, the silver men ask, has the President to under- ' take to define democracy, or to speak for it » in any national sense? He may speak for the New York democracy, which he truly represents, and for the democracy of the democratic states of New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland, but there his authority ends. In all the rest of the democratic ter- ritory free silver sentiment controls, and, the free silver men declare, will continue to control. The prediction is made that the President's letter will have no e:fect in any of the democratic strongholds. The issue is already made up and thoroughly under- stood, and not all of the members of the cabinet, speaking from the stump, or through the newspapers, could hope to stem the rising silver tide in the sections where they live. The Vice President's Position. A very interesting point developed by the President's entrance into the fight relates to the Vice President's position. This has already been referred to in The Star. The Illinois movement for silver is not distinctly the work of Mr. Stevenson's friends, nor were his presidential fortunes in evidence at the time the convention was called. His friends assisted, however, and this was suggested as a reason why the President might hesitate even to write a letter in the | hp hagon It was thought that Mr. Cleve- nd might await another opportunity, which could easily be provided, to help along his own side of the question. But he has responded promptly, regardless of the effect on his yokemate’s boom, and now in- terest attaches to what Mr. Stevenson will do. Illinois {s the chosen battle ground. A winning for silver there means a winning * all along the line. A setback for silver there means a setback for silver all along the line. Is Mr. Stevensen the national hope of the free coinage men? And, if he is, will not they demand that he put his shoulder to the wheel at kome, even with the President pushing against him? And will Mr, Stevenson do this? Can he afford to hold aloof? Senator Palmer and Col. Morrison are helping the President, and if silver is beaten Col. Morrison may greatly benefit by_the result. But if silver wins, with the President in the fight against it, / and Mr. Stevenson for it, will not that one triumph inevitably make Mr. Stevenson the candidate of the democracy for the presi- dency? Former Free Coinage Uttcrances. Mr. Stevenson's present views as to sil- j ver are gathered more from his utterances while he was in Congress, now some twelve years ago, than from any recent expres- sion. He w at that time an advocate of free coinage, and acted with the free coin- age men. Mr. Carlisle and Mr. Herbert were in the same company. But Mr. Ste- venson, it is asserted, has never changed his vi He stands now where he stood then, and, the silver men believe, would, if elected F ident, n a free coinage bill if the Congress should lay one before him. The story recently printed that Mr. Ste- yenson would spend the summer in Europe is now denied. He will remain at home, and so will he close at hand in case his sup- porters should decide to call upon him for action or suggestion at any time, Mr. Ste- ¥ venson is too old a p! to get so far from base while the ball is passing from hand to hand at so lvely a rate. eg Warships in the Mediterranean. For the first time in many years, two American warships are In the extreme eastern waters of the Mediterranean for the protection of American missionaries in the Lev: The flagsip San France’ arrived ut Smyrna, Asia Minor, several days ago, and the cruiser Marblehead ar. rived at Reyroot, S$ : ing made a quic ranean from Gibr qto the contrary i “it !s reasonable to threatened uprising against the C! residents has been suc ly averied by the presenze of the war ships. Deputies and Clerks Were Kept Busy Up to Midnight, But Few Delinquents Expected to Be Found in This City—A Gratity- ing Showing. Last night at midnight the office of the deputy collector of internal revenue in this city was closed, and the time for the rendition of returns of incomes by citizens enjoying an annual revenue of $3,500 cr upward terminated. By that hour the pro- cession of eager taxpayers had ceased. The last day, however, had been sufficlently busy for the deputies and clerks to prevent them from growing ill from ennui. Re- turns were made during the Gay, begin- ning at 8 o'clock, by wpward of 500 peo- ple, making a total of those who volun= tarily confessed to their incomes of about 1,500 or 1,600. : When a Star reporter called at the office this morning the place was deserted, in strange contrast to the scenes that were enacted there during all of yesterday. Two of the deputies were there, to be sure, but their most arduous tasks had been com- pleted, and one of them was having his shoes blacked, while the other gazed thoughtfully out of the window and tried to think of what a good time he could have if he had all the aggregate wealth that those 1,600 people possessed. Sent to Baltimore. All the returns had been sent to Balti- more, to be forwarded by the collector there to the Treasury Department in this city. There they will be gone through, di- gested, scheduled, itemized, scrutinized, re- itemized, entered in other bvol filed, drawn out again, and verified, anJ. some day there will go forth from the Treasury Department to the collector at Bal- timore some instructions about the way to deal with those people who have failed to make their returns. These in- strtictions will, in the course of time, come back here again from the collector's offic: and they will be acted upon by the dep tes in this city. The law provides that 50 per cent shall be added to the tax of de- lIinquent individuals when finally collected, and a fine of $1,000 shall be imposed upon corporations in arrears. Few Delinquents Here. The opinion was given at the office this morning that there would be few lelin- quents found in this city. It was estimated that the returns received up to midnight last night include about all those who are subject to the tax. Indeed, sald the depu- ty, the showing was very gratifying, nore so than had been anticipated. Some people may have neglected to make returns of landed investments, in the belief that the decision of the Supreme Court de- claring those investments beyond the scope of the law excused them from doing so. This opinion, he added, is wrong, as the taxpayers must make the returns from landed investments just as from any other sources, and the department will take th? fact of exemption into consideration in making out its final tax roll. For a time the work of the deputies at the Washington office will be about normal, but when the time comes for them to find out the people who have failed to make re- turns and who are subject to the law there will be a lively season in prospect for all the talent the collector can put in the field. Reports From Collectors. Commissioner Miller of the internal reve- nue bureau is kept busy today receiving and tabulating telegraphic reports from collectors of customs on income tax re- turns. As was expected, however, these preliminary reports contain little that is of value, from the fact that the collectors themselves as yet have received only the most meager returns from their deputies, especially those in the country and outly- ing city districts. Even in the large cities only the most general estimates can be made, as the rush yesterday prevented the officials from even opening their mail. In New York there is said to be at least 1,000 returns received by mail yet unopened, and about the same condition exists at Chi- cago and, in a less degree, in other large cities. Up to noon about one-half of the sixty- three collectors had sent in their prelimi- nary reports, and speaking generally che commissioner is well satisfied with the showing made. The rent exemptions, as was expected, undoubtedly has caused a loss of at least 50 per cent in the receipts. —___—__+-e+______ THE NICARAGUA COMMISSION. Delay in the Meeting of Members of the Bourd of Survey. The administration is being criticised by the members of the opposition because of its deliberation in executing the -congres- sional provision for a survey of the Nica- Tagua canal route. The commission was appointed several days ago, but is not likely to begin practical work in Nicaragua for a month, at least. Major Ludlow, corps of engineers, who is at the head of the commission, is military attache of the United States embassy at London, and the delay in the meeting of the commission for organization is due to his absence from the country. Had another officer of engineers been selected the commission might now be cn its wey to the isthmus. The beginning of this work will be practically a notice to the world at large, and Great Britain in particular,that the United States has finally decided to take a substantial active interest in the construction of the Nicaragua canal. Maj. Ludlow gailed from Southampton for New York cn Saturday last, and ts due there on Thursday or Friday next, and it fs expected that the commission will hold its first meeting and organize on Saturday next. It is not yet settled whether the meetin;- shall be held in this city or New York, but the chances favor the selection of Washington, inasmuch as it will be necessary for the commission to have fre- quent consultations with the Secretary of State in regard to the proposed examina- tion of the canal route. = These preliminaries will take a week at least, and the trip to Greytown will occupy almost as much additional time. A United States warship will be placed at the dis- posal of the commission, and will remain at Greytown during the progress of the survey. The choice lay between the cruiser Mont- gomery, at Mobile. Al and the dispatch boat Dolphin, at the Washington navy yard. The latter has better accommoda- tions, but is not otherwise so well equipped for the trip, and the Secretary of the Navy consequently decided in favor of the Mont- gomery. The date of her departure will depend entirely upon the time required by the commission to arrange preliminaries in this ¢ Capt. Howgate’s Trial. Thursday next Capt. Henry W. Howgate med before Judge McComas in Criminal Court No. 1 on the three Iindict- ments returned on the Ist of this month. These indictments respectively charge the nt with forgery, embezzlement and ication of his accounts. It is un- derstood that Capt. Howgate’s counsel, Messrs. Worthington and Heald and Jere M. Wilson, will attack the validity of the indictments. They will scek an carly trial on the other nine or ten Indictments, but it is hardly probable that District Attorney Birney can be ready for the trial much earlier than the middle of next month, and it may be that Capt. Howgate cannot be given another trial before some time in June. Average Decrease of the Assessment Revision Only 2.74 Per Cent. THE RESULT A SURPRISE Generally Expected the Reduction Would Be I5 Per Cent. ASSESSOR TRIMBLE’S IDEAS Lest January, when the board of revision made its returns to the assessor, it was es- timated that the last assessment would be reduced at least 15 per cent. This was a ecnservative estimate, and upon that basis Assessor Trimble made his report to Con- gress’ of the estimated receipts of the Dis- trict from taxes. This is done annually as a guide to Congress in making appropria- tons for the District. Now comes an offi- cial statement from the assessor to the effect that a complete footing of the books shows only an average decrease of 2.74 per cent from the last assessment, or, speaking in figures, the District will lose in its col- lections this year over the taxes collected urder the last assessment, $5,272,988 in tax- able realty, when it was expected that the less would be more than seven times that much, The following table gives the reduction of taxable realty by sections. Washington city, last year. Washington city, revised.. Reduction. Gecrgetown, last yea Gecrgetown, revised. Reduction.. “ County, non-agricultural, last year. case: 17,151,240 Ccunty, revised 16,690,193, Reduction.. . 461,047 County, agricultural, last year. 6,597,430, County, agricultural, revised. Reduction A Larger Surplus. “Th2 effect of this small reduction,” said Assessor Trimble, “will be to create a much larger surplus, and the collections will amount to over a half million dollars more than was previously estimatzd. “If the last assersment was exoroitant, the revision gives little relief to the tax- payer. I am very much disappointed in the small reduction. Hud the reduction been 15-per cent, as we anticipated, the relief would have been felt, and been much more satisfactory. There can be nothing done at present, and the taxpayers will have to pay upon the revision until the new assessment is made, which, under the law, will be returned January 1, 1893. The taxes under that will be due November, 1897. “It has always been my opinion that the last assessment was altogether too high, especially during these hard times. That was the reason I favored the revision.” The Total Fuoting. The footing of the tax books for the year ending June 30, 1895, shows: Georgetown— Taxable on land at $1.50. Taxable on improvements Decrease, 3.48 per cent. County— Taxable on land at $1.50........... Decrease, 2.06 per cent. Taxable on land at $1... Taxable on improvements a‘ $6,421,511 Decrease, 2.66 per cent. Washington city— Taxable on laud at $1.50. -$87,030,680 Taxable on improvements at $1.50 69,655,021 $156,688, 701 Decrease, 2.71 per cent. 2,058 eres SIS, Average decrease, 2.74 per cent. —_—_—__. DEATH OF CHAS. H. MANSUR. The Sad Event Occurred in This City Early This Morning? Mr. Charles H. Mansur, assistant con- troller of the treasury, who has been ill for about three weeks, died at the National Hotel at 7 o'clock this morning. He had been unconscious for over twenty-four hours, and his death had been momentarily expected during that entire period. The end came peacefully, and Mrs. Mansur and her son were at the bedside. They will leave the city with the body at 3:40 this afternoon for Richmond, Mo., the home of the married daughter. Mrs. Mansur will make that city her future home. Her son, who is in business in St. Louis, came to Washington a few days ago on receipt of a summons announcing the serious condition of his father. Charles H. Mansur was born in Phila- delphia on the 6th of March, 1835, and was therefore just a little more than sixty years of age. He received a common school education and then graduated at Lawrence Academy at Groton, Mass. He studied law after his removal to Missourl, and in 1a56 was admitted to the bar in Rich- mond, in that state. The same year he went to Chillicothe, which he has since made his home except for such periods as he has spent in Washington in an official capacity. He became active in politicg and from 1864 until 1868 was a member of the democratic state central committee of Missouri. He was sent as a delegate to the nafional democratic convention of 1868, which was held in New York city. He was also a delegate-at-large to the Chicago con- vention in 1884. In 1875 he became prose- euting attorney of Livingston county, Mo., and held that post for four years. At a leter period he was made a member cf the board of education of Chillicothe and re- mained such for eight years. In 1872 there was a split in the republican party in the tenth Missouri district and Mr. Mansur was made a joint nominee for Congress from that district by the democrats and the liberal republican fac- tion. He failed of election. Again in i880 the democrats of the same district made him the nominee, but without success. He was elected to the Fiftieth Congress from the second district and was re-elected to the Fifty-first and Fifty-second Congresses. There was a contest for the nomination for Congress in 1892 and Mr. Mansur was de- feated in caucus by U. S. Hall, who, run- ning on the democratic ticket, was elected in May, 18938. The President nominated Mr. Mansur to be second controller of the treasury and on the reorganization of the department according to the provisions of the Dockery bill, which consolidated the offices of first and second controller, Mr. Mansur was made assistant controller Oc- tober 1, 1894, which office he has keld since that time. The funeral services will be held Thurs- day at Richmond, where the interment will take place. Government Printing Office Addition. Col. Wilson of the corps of engineers has taken steps for the prompt construction of the new fireproof addition to the govern- ment printing office on the site of the pres- ent stables. Bids were opened Saturday for excavation for the foundation. Michael Burke of this city was the lowest bidder, and he will be awarded the contract. The Commissioners Required to Record a Suburban Subdivision. Questions That Depended on the Pro- per Mode of Extending Delaware Avenue—Significant Suggestions. The case of Eleanor Goodfellow et al. against John W. Ross, president, and the board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia was decided today in Circuit Court No 1 by Justice Andrew Bradley, 4nd resulted in the granting of the demand of the relators that the Commissioners be compelled to approve and accept and make a part of the land records of the District of Columbia a plat of the subdivision known as the subdivision of the property of the heirs of R. Y. Brent, deceased. In the subdivision or plat in question it was claimed in court that the streets were laid out in accordance with the exist- ing plan of the city. The property Is sit- ueted on the Brentwood road, east of the northern portion of Eckington. The Com- missioners, it was alleged, declined to sanc- ticn the plat submitted, unless a strip alons the western edge of the property was do- nated for a future extension of Delaware avenue. The owners of the property main- tained that a direct extension of Delaware avenue would not come within several hun- dred feet of their proposed subdivision at any point. The Mandamus Proceedings. They objected to giving their land for the purpose of extending Delaware avenue, and upon the final refusal by the District Com- missioners to approve and file the plat they began mandamus proceedings to compel the Commissioners to accpet the plat and place it on file as a part of the land records of the District of Columbia. The case Wwas-| beard by Justice Bradley, Mr. E. M. Fulton and Mr. George E. Hamilton appearing for the complainants, and Messrs. S. T. Thom- as and A. B, Duvall representing the Dis- trict. The arguments were remarkably candid, especially in the case of Mr. Ham- {lton. While defending the course of the Commissioners in their intention to divert Delaware avenue from its original direction and run it some degrees further to the northeast for a considerable distance, the attorneys for the District said that the Commissioners were inspired in their action by a desire not to affect the Mne of the Metropolitan branch of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. Mr. Hamilton’s Suggestion. Mr. Hamilton, who happens’ to be the at- torney for the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, sarcastically remarked that. it was well known what a very warm and affectionxte regard the District Commigsioners had for that corporation, and inquired if it was not more reasonable to suppose that the pro- posed diversion of Delaware avenue was inspired by a desire to protect the property of Mr. George"Truesdell, one of the District Commissioners and the ownerpf Eckington, which subdivision would be Faversed in an injurious manner by the avenue if it was continued in, accordance with the original plan of the cify and the Intention of its founders. After the case Yas,argued It was submitted for consideration, and this morn- ing Justice Bradley rendered his decision. He merely announced that he decided that the writ of mandamus vpon the District Commissioners asked by the relaturs should be issued as requested,saying that he would file his fll opinion later. ——————— INDEPENDENCE OF CUBA. What Senator Call Thinks the United . Stutes Should Dp. When Senator Call of Florida, who has taken an active interest in the Cuban cause, was asked today if he considered it probable that the United States would take any steps looking to the recognition of Cuban independence he replied that he thought this country should not only recog* nize the independence of the ‘sland, but that it should guarantee the bonds of an independent government. He said that he had given Secretary Gresham his views on this point, but had not received any as- surance from the Secretary that such a course would be pursued. The Senator stated that it was his un- derstanding that almost the entire popu- lation of the island, including a large ma- jority of the rich planters outside of a few full blood Spaniards and possibly some residents of Havana, were committed to the cause of independence, and he explain- ed the opinion that they could raise an army of 200,000 or 300,000 men. who would be efficient if they could secure supplies for their sustenance and military equip- ment. He added that the revolutionists had some competent leaders, and he was quite sure they would make a determined effort to secure their liberty. Mr. Call also said that there were a great many sympathizers with the Cuban cause in his state, where there are a large num- ber of native Cubans, and said he had no doubt that the native Cubans, wherever found in this country, would aid to the extent of their ability in furnishing the means for carrying on the struggle. He added that there were many wealthy men among them. oe CLASH OF AUTHORITY. Iieut. Moses May Be Tried by Court- Martini. There are strong probabilities that Lieut. S H. Moses of the marine corps will be court-martialed for alleged disrespect to his superior officer, in consequence of recent occurrences at the Brooklyn navy yard, which are detailed by the New York World as follows: “Capt. Rogers, whose position in the Brooklyn navy yard is similar to that of the executive office on board ship, he being ‘captain of the yard,’ telephoned on Monday last to Lieut, S, H. Moses of the marines, who was officer of the day, to send him a ‘marine to act as an orderly. The sergeant of the guard took the mes- sage, and a few minutes later there was a “ting-a’ling-ling’ at Capt. Roger’s telephone. “Lieut. Moses’ compliments,’ said the sergeant, ‘but he has no orderlies to spare.’ “My compliments to the Heutenant, and ask him to step to the 'phone,’ came the long-distance command, - "The officer of the day. saluted in front of the ’phone and reported. “Where's my orderly?) asked the cap- tain. “There are none for you,’ replied the lieutenant. “Then detail one immediately. You have plenty of men available,’ roared the captain. “*The marine barracks doesn’t furnish every one in the yard with orderlies,’ sug- gested the lieutenant of marines, angrily. “Then Ili report you for gross disre- spect to a superior officer,’ was the retort, and the telephone bell rang angrily. “The matter was duly set ;before Com- mander Sicard, the commandant at the yard; formidable papers were drawn up, and the next day Lieut. Moses was’ noti- fied of his suspension from ‘duty. As he was not well, he took advantage of the respite from duty to report at the hos- pital, where he now lies quite ill.” The Peace: Contract. The Chinese legation in this city has re- ceived unofficial advices from Japan announcing the signature of terms of peace between China and Japan, * The Battle May Be Fought Under That Flag. GOLD AGAINST SILVER MONOMETALLISM The Breach Between the Two Democratic Wings Widening. A WESTERN BANKER’S VIEWS +4 Will the eastern democrats, under the leadership of President Cleveland, be forced to finally declare outright for gold mone- metallism as against silver monometallism by the western wing of the party? Will both” wings lay aside all talk of interna- tional bimetallism and fight the battle on straightout, single standard lines? ‘These are two questions which are be- ing propounded and discussed with fre- quency among politicians during the last day or two. The smooth talkers, the paci- fiers, the compromisers, on both sides re- fute the idea that it fs to finally become a question of single standard, clinging to the plea for international bimetallism, but @ large element of frank and outspoken men among both the free silver people and the sound money men are beginning to throw overboard ‘the bimetallic ballast and de- clare for clearing the decks for action un- der the single standard flag. Each Side Blames the Other. Curiously enough, each side blames the other for the necessity of this course. The sound money men say they are willing to jog along under present conditions until an international agreement for the use of sil- yer and gold together can be reached, but that the silverites are pressing for national free coinage, and that rather than have such a thing come to pass it would be Bet- ter for the United States to go on a gold basis at once. On the other hand, the sil- ver people say the other side is gradually edging toward a gold basis; that the pros- pect of an acceptable international agree- ment for silver is very slim, and that !f a single standard is to obtain, let it be silver by all means rather than gold. ‘Trere is no doubt that the western demo- ciats are becoming very suspicious of the £0-called “sound money” wing cf the party in the east, under the leadership of Mr. Cleveland, as to its leaning toward gold monometallism. They say if Mr. Cleve- land and his advisers are not out-and-out mcnometallists, they are consorting very boldly with that class, and that men are often known by their associates. The ad- ministration’s alleged leaning toward the Reform Club and its work is cited as a ecrspicuous ‘instance. Mr. Trenholm on Sound Money. Mr. W. L. Trenholm, who was controller of the currency during President Cleve- lind’s first term, fs now on the committee of the Reform Club, with @x-Secretary Fairchild, who held the treasury portfolio during the latter portion of Mr. Cleveland's incumbency. Mr. Trenholm closes a recent sound money paper as follows: “Gold mono- metallism is the unavoidable destiny of this country; the soener we recognize this and fix it in our laws, the sooner will we reap the fruits; the longer we defer the recognition, the more we impede and post- pene its establishment by law—the longer will our industries be hampered and all cur business deranged by financial unrest and commercial apprehension. Should we unfortunately let go the single gold stand- ard, there will be nothing to take hold of but silver monometallism, for bimetallism for us is a snare and a delusion.” The Breach Widening. It is just such utterances as this, It is claimed, that serve to convince the western democrats that the breach between them and their eastern brethren, which up to this time has been bridged by the rain- bow of bimetallism, is now widening to an extent which will effectually prevent their meeting on common ground again. It is a matter of comment that all of the talk of divisions between the east and the west upon the financial question seems for the present to be confined to the demo- cratic party, the republicans remaining in the background and thereby lending color to the impression that the fight over the financial question is outside of their own lines. The calling of the Illinois free silver convention, the promulgation of the Presi- dent's letter and the talk of the administra- tion taking active part in the campaign against the free silver movement has in- tensified this impression. The republicans are said to be congratu- lating themselves upon the fact that noth- ing is happening to precipitate an issue on silver in their ranks or to call undue at- tention to any differences that may already exist. Their opponents say, however, that this will not continue to be the case al- ways, but that the meeting of the Fifty- fourth Congress will immediately present an opportunity for chalking out the line of financial demarkation in the republican party. The thought that thelr ancient en- emy may soon be in the same dilemma with themselves on the silver question is consol- ing a great many grieving democrats at ‘is time. A Western Banker's Views. Mr. George Moore, a banker of Jackson, Minn., is in the city today. He reports that the free silver sentiment in his state is largely in the air, and seems to attract principally the restless and improvident classes. He says the rural districts furnish the largest quota of free silver believers, but that even in these sectiqns the farmers of substance, the men who own their prop- erty and perhaps have been enabled to lay by a little money for lending or invest- iment, are opposed to free silver, and may be counted among the adherents of a sound money policy. Reports from different sections of the country indicate that the Bi-metallic League is waging a vigorous campaign in every portion of the Mississippi valley, not only through the dissemination of free sil- ver literature, but by the establishment of branches of the league. It is se‘d the President's letter will be immediately util- ized by the league to accentuate the im- pression intended to be conveyed that the President is arraying himself with the moneyed interests of the country «nd “against the masses." The claim that the bankers and the capitalists are the in- herent enemies of the other classes of the people forms one of the stock phrases of the silver propogandists, and as the mata- dor waves the red flag in the face of the bull to infuriate him, so they taunt the people with the “oppression of Wall street’’ to work them up to the proper pitch before talking free silver. Senator Stewart of Nevada has written an open letter to the President in reply to Mr. Cleveland's communication of yes- terday upon the finances. Senator Stewart takes issue with the President upon many of his statements and argues against the establishment of gold monometallism in this country. —____+2+_____ Painful Accident. Frank Murth, a plumber, eighteen years old, met with a painful accident, while working at the National Hotel this mora- ing. He dropped his soldering iron in a pot of melted metal, and some of the metal found its way to his eyes burning him. When a physiclan was called it was thought that the young man’s eyesight had been destroyed, butt the Emergency Hos- pita) piyaicians think his eyesight will be saved. Thirty Employees of the Gun Shop Diss charged and Twenty Transferred. Lack of Work on Account of Failure to Deliver Forgings—The Ac- eident on Saturday. A large number of changes took place at the Washington: navy yard. Thirty em- ployes cf the gun shop were discharged and twenty others were transferred to the mount and other shops. The cause of this action was the lack of work. due mainly to the failure of the Midvale steel works of Pennsylvania to supply the necessary forgings for fifty-eight guns, in accordance with their contracts. These forgings should have been in readiness in November last. It is true that forgings have been submitted, but in the case of the fifty- eight guns they did not come up to the contract requirements and were all re- jected. The result is a practical suspen- sion of work in the south end of the gun shop, where all the small guns are as- sembled. Proposals have been invited for forgings for thirty additional guns, and it is estimated that they will begin to arrive early in May, in which event work will be renewed on full time in the south gun shop. The delivery of acceptable forgings by the Midvale Company may also be reasona- bly expected in course of time, in which event work will be resumed on the fifty-six guns, the construction of which is now suspended simply from lack of material. In addition to the above changes all the mechanics employed on special work have been rerated in order to aveid a reduction of force. The $3.28 per diem class were reduced to $3.04 per diem, and the $3.04 class to $2.80 per diem. An accident occurred at the yard on Sat- urday, but fortunately no one was injured. In attempting to remove a cylinder from an 8-inch gun the main driving shaft, which runs six of the longest lathes in the gun shop, got twisted and broke. The cylinder has so far resisted: all efforts to unscrew it from the tube and it may be necessary to cut it off. Captain Sampson, chief of the bureau of ordnance, told a Star reporter today that the gun had not been damaged and that there would be no great trouble in removing the sleeve. He said there must have been sand on the tube, causing the sleeve to cut and score. The cylinder can be cut off if necessary, and as it is only a casting its destruction is not a very serious affair. THE CROP REPORTS. The Conference Adopts Recommenda- tions and Adjourns. The convention of commercial organiza- tions which has been considering the im- provement of the crop reports adjourned today after adopting many suggestions as to means by which the crop reporting ser- vice of the Department of Agriculture may be improved and the official results made more satisfactory to the public. It was the opinion of the conference that the official crop reporting service shculd be continued, and that the reports now regularly issued be continued. It was recommended that in all reports concerning acreage of the va- rious crops reported upon the department give the area by states in acres, as well as by the percentage of the previous year’s area. It was also recommended that the depart- ment discontinue the employment of sal- aried state agents in the regular crop re- porting work, and that arrangements be perfected with the United States consular service for sending by cable to the depart- ment on or about the 9th of each month a statement giving the best available in- formation concerning prospects for crops ree and cotton in their respective dis- tricts, . Yesterday Afternoon’s Session. At the later session of the crop report convention in the Interstate commerce com- mission’s court room yesterday papers were read by B. W. Snow, B. F. Howard and J. B. Brown. Mr. Snow, who was formerly assistant statisticlan of the de- partment, said that the weakness in the present machinery is the paucity of data used in the making up of the reports, and the assumption that a single man is able to answer accurately for a whole country. Instead of one return from a county there should be one or more returns.from every civil division of the county, thus limiting each man’s answer to the district imme- diately under his eye and with which he is personally familiar. ‘Instead of 2,000 scattered returns, each pretending to rep- resent a whole county, there should be 50,000, These reporters should be farmers. Anether corps should be organized from among local millers in each county, and still another from local grain dealers. Mr. Brown, in his paper, said the govern- ment crop reports once were accepted as accfirate, but they now fell flat. He had noticed that in states where the Farmers’ Alliance was best organized and maintain- ed there were the greatest errors in the rts. Statisticlan Robinson of the department read an exhaustive paper upon the sub- ject of gathering crop reports in foreign countries. + Different Plans Discussed. ‘The proposition of Mr. Stone was at- tacked by several members, who said that benkers would be so directly interested that they might be influenced in making these reports. Secretary Morton suggested that if a banker held mortgages on several tracts of land all over the country he proud certainly report good crops on these ends. Mr. Davis suggested that the reports shculd come from township assessors, who weuld report to the county auditors, who should report direct to the Agricuitural Department. Mr. B. A. Snow, formerly assistant statistician of the department, said such a method had been tried ten years ago, and he could say that, whatever criticism might be passed upon the crop reports of the Department of Agriculture, either now or in the past, these reports were far superior to any ever made by assessors. The systems of assessors were so different in the various states that their reports would be simply a crazy patchwork. In answer to an inquiry by Mr. Ray, Mr. Robinson said he was not sure whether agents in the various counties were known to one another. In some instances he sup- pcsed they were. He also said that the de- partment changed agents if they were fcund sending incorrect reports. ———_2+_____ DISTRICT GOVERNMENT. Building Permits, Building permits issued today were as fol- lows: A. H. Alderman, to erect one two- story frame building on lots 3 and 4, block 1, Frankfort street, Langdon Park; to cost $1,500. Frederick Rose, to erect one two- story frame building on lot 15, block 3, South Brookland; to cost $1,200. John F. Stewart, to erect one two-story frame building, lot 79, section 8, Barry Farm, Anacostia; to cost $500. James Burns, to erect one two-story and cellar brick build- ing at 1427 34th street northwest; to cost $2,500. Henry Yagger, to erect one two- story and cellar brick building at 1918 7th street northwest; to cost $1,600. D,. Hag- gerty, to erect sev@n two-story and cellar brick buildings at 1607-1619 33d street north- west; to cost $7,000. Mrs. M. E. Fisher, to erect one two-story frame building on 11th street between MHartferd and Lansing streets, Brookland; to cost $1,800. H. S. Sutton, to erect one two-story frame dwell- MANDAMUS — GRANTED} A SINGLE STANDARD NAVY YARD CHANGES|ICHURCH MURDERS Indications Pointing Strongly to Durant as the Criminal, THE STORY TOLD BY THE ORGANIST The Prisoner's Actions the Day Miss Lamont Was Last Seen. MANY CURIOUS THEORIES SAN FRANCISCO, April 16.—Chief Crow- ley 1s confident that Durant is the mur- derer of Blanche Lamont and Minnie Wil- liams, whose mutilated rerrains were found recently in a church here, The chief says: “During the many years that I have been at the head of the police department I have had to do with hundreds of criminals of every grade, but I have no hesitation in saying that in view of the terrible nature of the crime for which this man is held re- sponsible he is the peer of all in coolness and power of self-control.” George King, orgunist of the church in which the horrible crimes of last week were committed, has made a statement to Chief of Police CroWley which tends to fix one crime at least (the murder of Miss La- mont) upon Durant. King says that on April 4, the day Miss Lamont was missed, he went into the church about 5 p.m. to Practice on the organ. “I saw Durant there, much to my surprise. He came down to the organ loft in a highly excited and over- heated condition. I asked him what was the matter, and he replied that he had been overcome by gas up fn the loft. He was very weak and pale, and asked me to give him a glass of bromo seltzer. I knew he was fitting up an electrical contrivance about the church, and thought nothing strange about his going up in the loft.” King's Story. King said that he went to a drug store and purchased a bottle of bromo-seltzer, and continued: “When I returned Durant took a dose and it seemed to nauseate him. He asked me how he looked. I told him he was pale and his cyes were a little congested. What he did during the time I was gone I don’t know. Afterward ke went into the ladies’ parlor to look into a mirror, and after- ward I found on the little shelf under- neath a little clot of blood, as though he had wiped his finger on it. We then car- ried a little organ from upstairs down into the lecture room. Several times he stopped to rest and seemed quite weak. At @ o'clock he left and went a short distance with me down the street. I do not re- member whether he went back to the church or-not.” 3 Startling Evidence. This is direct evidence of a most startling nature. Miss Lamont, it will be remembered, left the high schcol about 3 p.m. on the day she was last seen—April 4. She was seen with Durant. The theory is now that Du- rant had just finished his fiendish work when seen by the organist. Many curious theories have been evolved, assuming that Durant is guilty. One expla- nation of the murders is that the crimes were committed for the purpose of medi- cal investigation. Durant was an ardent medical student and took great interest in the diseases of women. The theory is that be was crazed on the subject, and, not be- ing able to conduct his investigation in any legitimate manner, he murdered the girls for that purpose. The condition of the bodies after they were found would tend to confirm this line of reasoning. A Practical Joker. Sergt. Whitman found a small paper box at the entrance to the central police sta- tion this morning in which were a woman’s glove and lock of long brown hair stained with red ink inside. In the glove was the following note: You are on the wrong trail. Got the wrong bird. My handiwork. Find me if you can. HARRY, The Hacker.” (Signed) There is no question that the affair is a practical joke. —_. —_ : ANOTHER ROYAL BETROTHAL, Son of the Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Wilhelmina of Holland, LONDON, April 16.—The World pub- lishes a report to the effect that Prince Alfred of Saxe-Coburg Gotha, eldest son and heir of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg Gotha (more generally known as the Duke of Edinburgh), is likely to be betrothed to the young Queen Wilhelmina of Holland. The young queen was born at the Hague on August 31, 1880, and the young prince was born in London on October 15, 1874, The mother of Queen Wilhelmina is re- gent of Hoijland during the minority of ‘he queen. It has been announced here that Queen Wilhelmina, accompanied by the queen regent, will leave Amsterdam on May 26 for London, via Flushing. ———.__. IDENTIFICATION RECORDS. 7 Merits of the System in the War De- partment Proved. About four years ago the War Depart- ment began the practice of a system of personal records of soldiers with the pur- pose of providing an absolute means of identification. The medical officers by the use of figure cards took careful note of every indelible or permanent mark on the persons of recruits and these were filed away in the office of the surgeon general. Last August Congress passed an act to prohibit the re-enlistment of men whose army service had not been honest and faithful, and immediately the data which had been previously accumulated becamo of great value in preventing enlistments of bad characters. At the beginning of the present calendar year some statistics were gathered to show the workings of the sys- tem, and it was found that in the first three months of every thousand men en- listed from civil life thirty-one were identified through the outline figure eard records as convicts, deserters or other- wise undesirable characters. The officials of. the War Department are now thor- oughly satisfied as to the merits of the system, and as for the privates, they willingly pay the price of submitting to the examinatton and record in considera- tion of being saved from ultimate asso- ciation with notorious scoundrels. ot Associated Press Acquisitions. CHICAGO, IIL, April 16—The Blooming- ton (Ill.) Leader has abandoned the United Press, and is now taking a report from the Associated Press. CHARLESTON, 8. C., April 16.—The Charleston Evening Post has begun taking the full afternoon report of the Assoclated Press, believing the Associated Press sery- ice necessary for an afternoon paper to keep abreast with the foremost papers of the south. The Evening Post has recently been reorganized and is the only afternoon ing at 2012 Frankfort street northeast; to] paper, in South Carolina taking a tele- cost $1,500. graphic service.