Evening Star Newspaper, April 25, 1895, Page 1

. oa THE EVENING STAR. eee ae PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY “50! T THE STAR BUILDINGS, Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th Street, The Evening Star Newspeper Compa, = 8. H. KAUFFMANN Pres't. Yew York Office, 49 Potter Building, The Evening Star ts served to tn city by carriers, on their own account, at 10 cents der w ort conte per month. | Copies at the fitter 2 cents each. By mail—anywhere in the ited States or Cansda—postage prepaid—60 cents Washington, D. as second-class mail matter) ics ‘All mail subscriptions must be paid Rael of edvertising made Known on Spplication: No. 13,148. WASHINGTON, D.C., THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 1895-TWELVE PAGES. TWO CENTS. LAID UNDER TRIBUTE Nicaragua Notified When Troops Will Land. THE ENGLISH AT CORINTO Reported Good Feeling Between England and Uncle Sam. THE MONROE DOCTRINE LONDON, April 25.—Inquiries made to- day at the United States embassy here con- firm the statement made that Great Britain and the United States are fully agreed as to the former's course of action in enforcing her demands upon Nicaragua. The Chronicle, commenting upon the Nic- araguan affairs, says that it does not ap- pear that America is anxious to interfere in the dispute. In a word, everything is well between Great Britain and the United States, = + When the Troops Will Land. Advices received in Washington today say that Vice Admiral Stephenson, in com- mand of the British fleet at Corinto, has given Nicaragua detailed information as to the time and circumstances of the proposed lana’ng of British troops. The admiral will consider the time of grace to run until 12 o'tleck midnight tonigkt. He will rot begin a landing of troops during the night. He fixes 6 o'clock tomorrow morning as the precise time when the British forces will move. ‘The exactness and seeming cour- tesy of this notification is in line with the notice of the British admiral before the bombardment of Alexandria. He fixed a.m, as the time for opening fire, at which time, to a minute, the action began. Mouroe Doctrine Safe. It is stated on excellent authority that the governments’of the United States and Great Britain are in entire accord in the course adopted by the latter sovernment for the enforcement of its demands upon Nicaragua and that the United States will not interfere nor even protest against Brit- ish seizure of the port of Corinto. It is, therefore, a reasonable assumption that the administration does not consider the landing of British forces at Corinto and the seizure of the custom house and other pub- lie buildings as an infringement of the Monroe doctrine. There is an apparent lack of interest in official circles over the Nicaraguan affair, as indicated by the action of the President and his advisers today. They are fully ad- vised of the purpose of the British admiral to take forcible possession of Corinto to- morrow unless British demands are fully complied with in the meantime. Having Their Pictures Taken. The cabinet met early this morning, but it was not to consider this hostile demon- stration against the isthmus. The meeting was solely for the purpose of Having their photograph taken in a group. That act was consummated at an avenue photo- graph gallery about 11 o'clock this morn- ing. The sitting closed, the President and Secretaries Gresham and Carlisle drove to the White House and had a short confer- ence, presumably in regard to the latest developments in the Nicaraguan affair. Several members of ‘the cabinet soon after took the train for Philadelphia to meet a social engagement, the others returned to their respective departments. Everything was apparently serene and satisfactory in affairs of state, and no in- dications anywhere of an apprehension that the honor and integrity of the govern- ment were in the lerst jeopardy. Mr. Gecshum end Dr. Guzman. While Secretary Gresham was having his picture takea, standing at the President's right, Dr. Guzman, the Nicaraguan min- ister, was cooling his heels in the ante room of the State Department, wating for an oppcrtunity to make a last appeal to the United States for protection against the aggression of the British government, or to endeavor to enlist the sympathy of the United States to the extent of securing the southern republic more time to satisfy the demands of Great Britain. There is every evidence that this country will not interfere in the matter in its pres- ent aspect. All our warships have recently been withdrawn from the scene of action, and the Monterey, which was on her way down the west coast of Central America, has been detained at Acapulco. Conse- quently, Great Britain is in sole and un- disputed possession of the field, and can ex- ecute her wishes without the least fear or resistance fi interference, except as it may be offered by weak Nicaragua. A deep and impenetrable silence pervades the halls of the State Department today, and all official information regarding the situation in’ Nicaragua and the policy of this government is carefully suppressed. Let Aloue Policy. Tue exact policy of the administration tcward Nicaragua has been somewhat vague for months, but there is no longer the slightest doubt as to its attitude. No instructions have been cabled Ambassador Bayard asking that no peremptory steps be taken by the British warships in enfore- ing the demand, and none have been for- warded to the United States minister to Nicaragua warning him of the British pur- pose of occupying Corinto. It can_be stated on authority that Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British ambassa- dor, has not communicated in any way with Secretary Gresham on the Nicaraguan question, and that he has received no ad- vices from his home government on this subject. All exchanges of communication between Great Britain and the United States respecting Nicaragua have been con- ducted through the British foreign office and Ambassador Bayard, while on ail points in which Great Britain is alone con- cerned the exchanges have been between British Minister Gosling and his home government. Dr. Guzman was at the State Depart- ment this forenoon, but was unable to see Secretary Gresham. The minister was very much perturbed, for while he had no advices directly from his government relative to the projected landing at Corinto Iater than those of yesterday, he is evi- dently in great doubt of the favorable dis- position of the administration. It is intimated by some officials, in ex- planation of the harmony of view between the United States arfd Great Britain in the matter of enforcing the British ulti- ratum reported from London, that the United States itself has an interest in the success of the Pritish attempt to coilect the indemnity, being about to make a de- mand on Honduras for indemnity for the murder of the American, Renton, and the destruction of his estate there last spring, and also to move on Guatemala for repara- tion for the ill-treatment of a number of Americans by government officials. ——— THE GETTYSBURG COMMISSION A New Yorker Appointed to Sucdeed Gen. Batcheller. Secretary Lamont today appointed Chas. A. Richardson of Canandaigua, N. Y., a member of the Gettysburg Battlefield Com- mission, In place of Gen. G. B. Batcheller of Massachusetts, deceased. The appoint- ment was given to the state of New York because of great interest in the preserva- tion of the battlefield. New York had more troops in the great battle of Gettysburgthan any other state in the Union, and has ex- pended more money there in the erection of monuments and stones than any other stats. PATENT OFFICE METHODS Attentioz Called to Reports and Specifica- tions by the Recent Fire. Millions of Copies Stored Away, Some of Which Were Burned—Commin- sioner Seymour's Plan, The recent fire in the patent office has had the effect of calling renewed attention to the system by which patent office re- ports are stored and sold. Patent Commis- sioner Seymour has repeatedly endeavored to obtain congressional authority to change these methods, but so far without success. At present whenever a patent is issued a description must be printed and bound with a drawing of the device. It is impos- sible to tell at the time how great de- mand there will be for copies of the pamphlet, .and the regular rule is to print 100 copies of each. Some of these are dis- trilffted to state and government libraries and to a few other places, and the great majority are stored to await purchasers. In many cases only a few Copies are call- ed for, while in others the whole edition is rapidly exhausted, and a new one has to be printed. Sometimes a patent will lie almost unnoticed for a dozen years, and then there will be a tremendous demand for it. For instance, in the case of the Ber- liner telephone patent, the original 100 copies lasted for years, and then over 2,000 more were asked for within a very short Space of time. Number of Copies Stored. Between five and six hundred thou- sand patents have been issued, and there are estimated to be fifty million copies of the specifications for these stored in the patent. office, many of which will never be called for. Some of oie copies were destroyed in the recent re. Owing to the small size of the editions printed, the actual cost of producing these reports is about 5 cents a copy. Allowing for the number that are never sold in many cases, the 10 cents for which they are sold is considered a fair price, where single ccpies only are disposed of. But many inventors, and many manufac- turers, wish to order copies by classes. For instance, a car building firm may wish all the copies referring to car couplers, and the cost of these at 10 cents a copy would be very great. In one class, that of carriages and wa- gons, there are as many as 2,000 patents, while stoves and furnaces follow close be- bind with over 18,000. In a great many classes there are 5,000 patents, which, at 10 cents, would cost $500. Commissioner Seymour's Plan. Commissioner Seymour is very anxious to obtain authority to sell these by classes at 3 cents a copy, still charging 10 cents for single numbers. This would vastly increase the sales, and put the useless paper, hidden away in the vaults, into circulation. It would proba- ty involve tae printing of larger editions, thus reducing the cost per number very materially, probably to as low a figure as the 3 cents asked. The space now occupied by these papers could be then given up to other uses, for which it is sorely needed. SS eee HAWAIVS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. Col. McLean Leaves to Assume the Duties of His New Position. Col. R. H. McLeen, who has just been ap- pointed by President Dole as commander- in-chief of the Hawajian forces, left Wash- ington today for Hawali to enter upon the discharge of his duties. The action of President Dole in appointing this gentle- man to so important a command is more far reaching than was at first supposed. The Hawalian army at present consists of 700 well-trained men, with an auxiliary in reserve of 1,500 militia. These troops have been likened to the Swiss, on account of their excellence in marksmanship. Col. McLean wus 2 graduate of the Naval Academy at Annapolis of the date of 1872, leaving that institution as one of the five “honor men” of his class. His career in the naval service until his resignation, in 1884, stamped him as an officer of excep- tional executive ability, and one whose mil- itary tastes were so pronounced as to make it certain that his proper sphere was in the military branch. Naval officers gen- gyally commend President Dole’s choice in the highest terme, and feel certain that Col. McLean's future will reflect credit not only upon himself and his country, but up- on his alma mater, the United States Naval Academy. ——___—_+ WORK ORDERED. Improvements to Be Made Under As- sessment and Permit Work. The Commissioners today ordered that the following work be done under the provi- sions of law governing assessment and per- mit work, the same having been duly ad- vertised and no objections received thereto except against new curb in 22d street northwest: : Lay new curb in 12th street northeast in front of squares 988 and 1011. Lay new brick sidewalk in 12th street northeast in front of squares 98S and 1011, except in front of lots 64, 65, 66, 67 and 91. Lay new granite curb upon streets which wil! be improved; in Florida avenue, both sides, from Q to R streets; in 22d street northwest, both sides,efrom P street to Massachusetts avenue; in Florida avenue, intersection of Connecticut avenue, S and 2ist streets northwest; Ist street northwest, both sides, O to P streets; 11th street northeast, Maryland averue to Florida ave- nue, in front of squares 980, north 990, 981, S2, US3, 956, 257, 958, 959, Y60 and 961; Flori- da avenue, both sides, New York avenue to Brentwood road; 10th street southeast, both sides, Pennsylvania avenut to I street; I street southzgast, both sides, 8th to 11th U strect northw both sides, 3ist ist street ended north- S to W streets; 22d street northwest, sides, Massachusetts ave- nue to R street, except in front of lots 20 2 ck 7, Kalorama He'ghts, and lot 2, Kalorama Heights. That a new cement sidewalk be laid in west side of 13th street between New York avenue and L street, under the provision of law governing assessment and permit work, the same having been duly advertised. That gas lamps at the northeast corner of 11th and I streets, at the southwest cor- ner of 11th and I streets, and on the west side of 11th street between H and I streets be moved back to conform to new curb ‘ine. That fire hydrants be erected at fire «n- gine houses on 14th street between Kenesaw avenue and Kenyon street northwest, and on Maryland avenue between 13th and 1ith streets northeast. That a catch basin be constructed at al- ley entrance on Ist street between K and L streets northwest. That a sewer in the south side of C street northwest between 12th and 13th streets be added to the schedule for sewer work to be done when Congress appropri- ates sufficient funds, or under the permit system upon receipt of the usual deposit. That a cement sidewalk be laid in front of 309 Sth street northwest, under the pro- visions of the permit system. That catch basins be constructed at the northeast and northwest corners of ilth and E streets northwest. That a sewer in Prospect street north- west between 37th and 3Sth streets be added to the schedule of sewers to be con- structed when Congress appropriates funds sufficient, or under the ;ermit system upon receipt of the usual deposit. That the public well at the corner of 6th and G streets southwest be closed. street WITH TWO VESTRIES A Contest in St. Mark’s Episcopal Parish, . CHARGES OF ILLEGAL VOTING A Notice That Was Posted Today on the Church Door. THE EASTER ELECTION Members of St. Mark’s Church, corner of $d and A streets southeast, who came dewn town early this morning were sur- prised to see posted on the heavy oak doors of the church a notice, written in a bold, graceful handwriting, giving @ peculiar an- nouncement as to the legal qualifications of voters in St. Mark's parish. *One after another, early pedestrians, as they came down the street in the cool vir- gin shade of the broad spreading maples, stepped up to the great door of the church to read the notice. Then, with a dubious countenance, each would step hesitatingly dcwn and proceed on the way down town bent in thought over the puzzling an- nouncement. The Surprising Notice. This notice read as follows, having neith- er caption nor heading: Resolved, That to constitute a member of St-Mark’s parish a legal voter at any parish meeting, he shall have contributed not less than (2) two dollars for the support of the church during the yeur, and such contribu- tion shall be a matter of record by the registrar, provided said member shall have ccmplied with all other requirements of ex- isting law. I hereby certify that the above resolution was adopted by the vestry of St. Mark's parish, at a meeting held on April 24, 1895, and that it was upon the same date posted in the parish church. INO. P. TORBERT, Registrar of St. Mark's Church. The Rift in the Lute. Inasmuch as the congregation nas been pretty thoroughly stirred up ever since last Easter election over the vestry supposed to have been elected at that time, it was quickly supposed that this notice had some- thing to do with that affair. Very little could be learned from members of the par- ish, who may be supposed to know what is going on. The faction in the church sup- posed to be responsible for the announce- ment put upon the door embraces several very well-known and popular gentlemen. None of them, however, desired to be quoted in regard to the action which seems to have preceded the publication of the notice. The opposing faction was equally anxious to keep out of the paper: Mr. Richard J. Earnshaw, who is a leader of this side of the rift in St. Mark’s lute, had the notice. He said to a Star re- ‘There was a vestry meeting last night, but I know of no such action as this notice indicates. Who did you say si, the notice? John P. Torbert, as regisi Why, he is not registrar of St. Mark’ To the question as to whut lay behind the matter, Mr. Earnshaw said: “There has been a slight difference of opinion in our church for a year or more. I don’t want to go into that just now, however. The recent election was quiet and peaceable. The new vestry was chosen almost unanimousiy, and no protest was made, and the vestry, which is the judge of its own elections, can- vassed the vote and everything was de- clared valid and in order.” Mr. Ramage, another member of the party in power, expressed himself vigor- ously on the notice. “It is unauthorized. If I were a vestryman I should tear it down, and tear all similar notices down. The other side has no vestry. They certainly did not elect anybody at the last election.” The Other Side of It. From several gentlemen representing the cther side, among them Mr. Torbert, who signed the notice, and Mr. W. T. Kent, who is a prominent member of St. Mark's, a general idea was gained of what took place at the meeting alluded to in the netice, although neither of these gentle- men nor any others would permit them- selves to be interviewed for publication. The situation {s that a question arose in the church as to the advisability of spend- ing time and money on a mission which Mr. Charles B. Parkman about a year ago induced the church to start. With a debt on the present church building of $24,000 the conservative members of St. Mark's wished to keep out of mission work and concentrate their efforts upon paying the jebt. Imported Voters. To carry their point, what is known as the Parkman party captured the vestry a year ago, and this year anticipating oppo- sition, it {s claimed, they brought in from the mission a considerable number of votes in a manner which, from all accounts, pro- duced quite a surprise. The anti-Parkman party estimate the number of these votes at about 27, and claim that they were not legal, and that without them the vestry now in power would not have been elected. The legal qualifications of a voter in the parish are fixed by law. The old Maryland Jaw passed in the last century, re-enacted by the District legislature and later affirm- ed by Congress, declares the qualifications of such a Voter to be a residence and cit!- zenship in the District of Columbia, and that he must be twenty-one years old, the lessee of a pew or a part of.a pew in the church, and to have contributed during the year not less than $2 to the support of the church. A Wagon Loud of Votes. It is said by the other side that colonized voters brought by the Parkman party were brought to the church in a wagon load, some of them not knowing the way to the church. ‘The contributions of many of them were all made at the same time, under condi- tions which gave rise to the suspicion that the $2 representing each vote was paid for them, as the contribution blanks were all filled out in the same handwriting and sim- ply signed by each voter, one voter not be- ing able to write his name, but signing with a mark. When the election took place there were two tickets in the field, the Parkman ticket consisting of Messrs. Bennett and Roane for senior and junior warden, and Messrs. Marlow, Hillyer, Fonda, .Lundy, Wood, Nicholson, Gaddis and Harnshaw and the anti-Parkmen ticket, consisting of Messrs. Torbert and Kent for senior and junior wardens, and Messrs. Marlow, Hillyer, Wood, Walker, Wallace, Wylie and Johan- nis for vestrymen. Not So Una imous. Mr. Kent was absent from the city. The vote stood about 54 to 53 in favor of the Parkman ticket. Had Mr. Kent been pres- ent it would have been a tie. The question as to eligibility of the imported voters from the mission was raised, but it was held that the vestry was the judge of that question, and the vestry admitted the votes. The Parkman party carried the election. The meeting alluded to in the notice as having taken place yesterday was an executive session, it ecems, of the vestry that would have been elected, it is claimed, had the mission votes not been received at the Easter election. While none of those pres- ent would state precisely what was done, it is understood that this vestry, claiming to be the de jure vestry, was sworn in and » organized, and intends to-clatm authority over the church and its finances. All of the gentlemen supposed to be pres- ent who were seen today said that there was no question whatever raised in this controversy as to the rector. Both sides were loyal to him, believe} in him and aid not desire to have him drawn into the con- tention. He has been out of the city ever since Easter, taking @ vacation. The Issue to Be Made. It 1s rumored that the so-called de jure vestry will contest with the de facto vestry thelr right to the offices to which they claim they were elected. Just how this will be done is not at present apparent. It is said that they have elected a delegate to the diocesan convention, which will be held in this city in May, and that in that body a contest will be made and the matter brought to an issue. The de jure vestry- men insist that it is not in any sense a personal matter, that they really have no objection to Mr. Parkman or the mission work, but that they believe that a legally constituted majority of the church should rule and that it would be a dangerous precedent to establish which would permit outsiders to come in by wholesale and sud- denly wrench the control of the church put of the hands of those who are legally and properly its custodians. Whe Rector Away. The rector of St. Mark’s Church is Rev. A. J. Graham, who came to this charge a few months ago from Minneapolis. He is at present in Atlantic City, having gone there a few days ago for rest. He is ex- pected home Saturday. ——_+-— INCOME TAX CASES The Rehearing to Go Into the Merits of All the Points Involved. Present Order of the Court Will Be Allowed to Stand—Hard Work for Counsel. When the United States Supreme Court, on May 6, again takes up the income tax question it will once more go into the mer- its of all the points involved and will not, as its order made Tuesday apparently stated, confine the arguments to the ques- ticn whether or not a rehearing of the cases shall be granted. This unexpected explanation of the court’s order shows that what it intended to state in its am- biguous announcement was that it had granted the petition fora rehearing and, if the bench were full on the date named, would reopen the cases on May 6. The or- der of the court, it is stated, was drawn hastily, and it was not noticed at the time that it was ambiguous and apparently justified the conclusion that the court had decided simply to hear ‘argnment on the question of granting a fehearing. Attor- ney General Olney and oth directly in- terested in the trial of the suits understood the court's order in the sathe manner as did the public. The Attorney General, however, was at some loss to understand just the extent to whieh ‘the court desired him to go in his.argumert. In reopening the cases the court, it fs stated, will not vacate the order it hag made already, but will let its decision stan 4for the present, and will only modify ihe gi f riginal entry in the event that, as a result of the reargu- ment, a majority of the ‘court decide to cverrule the conclusions heretofore reached. Hard Work for Counsel. The complete reopening of the cases will necessitate continuous and hard work on the part of counsel so a& to be prepared for the court. Attorney General Olney and counsel for the government on this oc- casion will go most fully’ and elaborately into all the points involved, and especially into the question of direct taxation. The governmerft will represent that the im- portance of the cases in the light of the views expressed by the court in its opinion already rendered make it desirable that a week should be allowed for argument. on each side. If allowed the argument in the matter of length may bear some compari- son to the exhaustive hearing before the Paris arbitration tribunal on the Bering sea question. The explanation now given unofficially at the court of the meaning of its order indicates a probability that be- fore final adjournment of the court for the present term a final determination of the full court qn the mooted income tax ques- tion may be expected. One Explanation, Given. An explanation now “giv@n of the court order is that it was purpogely made come- what indefinite in terms because of the possibility of Judge Jackson not being able to be present, and that on this ac- count the court did not wish to make a more positive order until certain of his attendance. ‘The justices are quite perturbed at the premature publication of the conclusion of the court in this case and at their un- fortunate wording of the order of the court, aud when asked for a Acrinite and authori- talive siatement of the status of the case little satisfaction could be obtained from the justices, notwithstanding the desire of the public and of officials for informa- tion. AQUEDUCT BRIDGE. HE Mnj. Davis Says It is Safe for Heavy Traffic. Maj. Davis, corps of engineers, who has charge of the work of repairing the Aque- duct bridge across the Potomac, made a personal inspection of the work yesterday. He told a Star reporter who questioned him on the subject today that the coffer dam built around the base of the defective pier was practically completed and woull meet all the requirements of its construction. The water has been pumped out to a depth of three feet and the eroded portion of the pler is fully exposed. The constant rush of the current and the action of a log that had caught in the pier at the up-stream end had gradually opened a large cavity at the base of the pier, making a dangerous overhang. The bridge has been securely shored up pending the rej of the pier, and, in fact, is naw entirel: pendent of its support by tie use of strong A braces. Maj. Davis says the bridge is perfectly safe In its present condition and can be ed by heavy traflie without dan He ys that the pier looks dangerous, but, in fact, is not so. The overhang could fall without affecting the stability of the bridge, which, as has been already stated, is not now dependent upon this particular pier for support. Maj. Davis said chat as soon as the cofferdam is in good working order the masonry work on the pier will be siart- ed and 1 be pushed to a speedy com- pletion. The bridge, he said, will tix be as strong and safe as :t ever was. Claim, Secretary Smith today commenced the hearing of the reply of the. state of South Dakota to the protest filed by the Yank- ton Sicux Indians against the state being allowed to select 50,000 acres of indemnity school lands within the territory of res- ervaticn, when it is ope: to settlement. — Electrie Car Mail Service. In answer to a request from Lorain, Ohio, Secord Assistant Postmaster General Neilson has ordered an investigation of the advisability of establishing a mail service on the electric car line running between the city post office and the John- son steel milis. South Dakota's Land A COMING VACANCY THE SIEGE AT CHITRAL Gossip as to the Successor to Mr. Roosevelt, SHOULD HE BEA REPUBLICAN? Argument of Those Who Think He Should. THREE PARTIES REPRESENTED —__-+—__— Ought Mr. Roosevelt’s successor on the board of civil service commissioners to be a democrat? : The question is a very interesting one, and opens up in a certain way, it is thought by some, the whole proposition of civil service reform as it relates to partisan affiliations, There are good friends of the reform who answer the question in the negative, and explain their opinion by say- ing that for the President even to appear to take partisan advantage of this vacancy would be unwise, and probably irjurious to the cause. He is expected to select a good friend of the reform for the place—as good a one as Mr. Roosevelt, if he can find him —but he ought to be a republican. Should Be a Republican. The argument of those who take this view of the matter is brief and to the point. They hold that the civil service board, to continue to be truly representative cf the cause, and effective, must continue to rep- resent the three great parties itto which the people of the country are divided; namely, the republican party, the aemo- cratic party and the independent party. The board is now so constituted. President Proctor is a democrat, and a sterling cne. He stands by his party in all of its cardinal contentions, while also a stai friend of civil service reform. : Mr. Roosevelt is a republican, and as a party man is as thorough-going on the one side as Mr. Proctor is on the other. Mr. Lyman, as is well known, stands conspic- uously for civil service reform itself, and therefore is considered an independent in Politics. That is the one public question in which he takes an absorbing interest, and, as a result, it has operated to classify him. This board has been successful in its work. The country has accepted its activity as ex- pressive of a sincere desire on its part to enforce the law fairly. Democrats have believed in Mr. Proctor, republicans in Mr. Roosevelt and independents of Mr. Lyman’s type have looked to him for the proper rep- resentation. This arrangement, it is held, ought not to be disturbed. The board ought Pot_to show a majority taken from any party. That would bring it at once under aban. Its fairness might continue to be all that !t should be, and its activity-in the in- terests of the reform highly praiseworthy, but partisan control, it is contended, would be charged against it by those inimical to the cause, and thoroughly effective work would thus be hindered, if not, indeed, pre- vented, A Kindred Case. The case ts not considered analogous to that in the selecting of a successor to Mr. Lamar on the Supreme bench, but there is thought to be a kinship between the two sufficient to afford a suggestion. President Harrison was strongly urged to appoint a republican to Yhat vacancy. Precedent, pub- lic policy, both were quoted to him. Ques- tions growing out of the results of the war were likely to continue to come before the court for adjudication, and therefore the court ought to continue to represent in its majority membership the party that had triumphed in the war. Mr. Lamar’s sucvessor would not turn the scale either way, but the extreme republican partisans held that the line of precedent was the line of safety, and for that reason a republi- can ought to be appointed. President Har- rison took another view and acted on it. | He insisted, in the first place, that the court should be free from all purely par- tisan bias; but, recognizing that In this country even judges must be taken from political parties, he held, in the second place, that the minority party was entitled to representation on that bench. He there- fore selected a democrat to succeed a dem- ocrat, and one thought to entertain about public questions in general views more or less in accord with those that Mr. Lamar had held. The selection was afterward ap- proved by a large mapority of Gen. Har- rison’s own party. Three Partics to Be Recognized. So, now, in the matter of the coming Roosevelt vacancy on the civil service board. This board, in many of its func- tions, is a court, and there are friends of civil service reform who insist that it should be kept as free as possible from purely partisan bias. They recognize the fact, however, that even civil service com- missioners must be taken from political parties and so make the condition that the three great parties be recognized. They ac- cept Mr. Proctor as a most worthy demo- erat, and Mr. Lyman as a stanch and true independent, and to properly complete the board again they ask for the appointment of a good republican in the place of Mr. Roosevelt. The sounder the republican, the better. He would thus be all the more worthy to succeed as sound a republican as Mr. Roosevelt, and at the sdme time pre- serve to the board its reputation for thor- ovghness and firmness in the consideration of all questions brought before it. The Cause Making Progress. This canvass of the subject shows that the friends of civil service reform are in a comfortable frame of mind so far as recent progress is concerned. They do not fear the ultimate result. They have a strong fuith that the cause will win. It is gain- ing in every section of the country, and needs only to be pushed along with wis- dom and discretion. The strongest men in beth parties are behind it, and will increase their interest in it if properly encouraged to do so. These men will note with some concern, it is predicted, the President’s action in filling this vacancy. The choice he makes will convey more or less meaning to them us to the future work of the com- mission. It is conceded that the work ought to be thorough and sincere, but it is denied that it ought to be fierce or need- lessly aggressive. All reforms cail for time for their perfect working out. ~ FOREIGN MARKETS, Bulletins of Agricultural Products Soon to Be Issued. The Secretary of Agriculture will in about ten days begin the publication and distri- bution of a series of bulletins relative to the foreign markets for the agricultural products of the United States. Letters were sent to the American consuls’ the world ‘over last: fall asking for replies ’to certain questions relative to the consump- tion in the localities to which they are credited of meats, cereals, dairy products, cotton, tobacco, fruits, liquors, seeds, &c., where they are procured, prices, &c., and all other statistical information. The bul- letins, it is belleved, will be of great value to all persons seeking foreign markets for their products, as it will enable them to select the most advantageous markets and give them in advance all the information desired relative to the prices asked and received by their cempetitors, Stcam and Electric Engincers. An effort is being made by the civil serv- ice commission to extend the protection of the classified service over the steam and electrical engineers employed in the depart- ments. Story of Dr. Robertson, the British Politi- cal Agent. The Garrison Held Out for Weeks Un- der Severe Dincourngements—Suc- cessful Sorties. CALCUTTA, India, April 25.—A dispatch from Simla today announces that the con- tents of the diary of Dr. Robertson, the British political agent at Chitral, who was besieged in the fort thefe, and who was re- leved on Saturday last by the flying col- umn, commanded by Col. Kelley, which reached Chitral from Gilgit after accom- plishing a brilliant military achievement in passing over the snow-covered Shandar Pass, some 12,000 to 14,000 feet above the level of the sea, has been received there, ard gives an account of the siege. He says that on March 3 the British gar- rison made a reconnaisance in force and lcst twenty-two officers and men killed and had thirty-one wounded. The siege proper began on March 4. On the Sth the enemy tried to set fire to the water tower, and on the 14th the besiegers attacked the east side fort but were repulsed. The tribesmen, on April 5, occupied a summer house about fifty yards from the tower,and on the 6th they advanced a sangar, or stone breastwork, to within forty yards of the main gate of the fort. On April 7 the enemy attacked and fired the tower. While the garrison was fighting the flames Dr. Robertson was wounded and several of the British force were killed or wounded. The enemy, on April 8, attempt- ed to set fire to the citadel, and on the llth the fort was attacked on all sides. The garrison made a sortie on April 17, recaptured the summer house and blew up the enemy’s mine. The British lost in the sortie, eight killed and thirteen wounded. The enemy lost sixty killed, of whom thirty-five were bayoneted by the troops engaged in the sortie. On April 19 the siege was raised. The British soldiers suffered terribly from bad food and from the exhaustion of the medical stores. The heavy loss of life suffered by the besieged was due to the splendid marksmanship of the tribesmen, who picked off the British soldiers from behind sangars, which were built on all sides. Dr. Robertson reports that Col. Kelly arrived at Chitral at noon on Saturday last. He\stated that the position of the fort was not hopeless until March 3. After that date all the Chitrals outside were compelled to join the forces of Sher Afzul, whom they believed was supported by the ameer of Afghanistan and Umra Khan, Sipah Salah and the Mohammedans joined in a religious war against the British. Therefore. the position ofthe latter was desperate. ——_ WAS IT UNDERVALUED? Sensational Reports Regarding the Importation of Sugar. SAN FRANCISCO, April 25.—For some time past it has been whispered about the custom houge and appraisers’ buildings that extensive frauds were being committed in the importation of sugar frem Hong Kong, and that the government was losing thousands of dollars in duty. The alleged frauds consisted in under- valuing the importations. Fully fifteen su- gar importers are accused of placing too low a valuation on their importations, and their cases have been, and still are, under investigation by Collector Wise. The im- porters have been permitted in some tn- stances to withdraw their shipments, but not until after they were notified that they may be called upon to pay an in- creased amount of duty aud perhaps a heavy penalty. Wrken Collector Wise was asked about the sugar importations, he said: “It is true that we have a large number of cases held up for investigation, and are now awaiting proofs of valuation, which the parties interested have promised to ob- tain from Hong Kong. We believe that sugar has been coming into this port with a value affixed much below the market price. We have not charged any one with attempting to dq@fraud the government and 1 do not know that such a course will be pursued. The importers and brokers are men of high standing and I feel certain that they will be able to expiain matters satisfactorily when their proof arrives.” —— —— MANITOBA CHURCH TROUBLES. They Occupy Small Space in the Pope’s Latest Letter. MONTREAL, Quebec, April 25.—Part of the letter sent by his holiness to the Cana- dian bishops has just become known, and it seems hardly of as much importance as has been expected. From information given the Associated Press correspondent it ap- pears that it only refers in a very veiled manner to the Manitoba school troubles. His holiness expresses the conviction that the church vill ultimately triumph over po- litical hindrances, which have a tendency to prevent the union of churches of the east and the west, and exhorts Catholics to pray for this cause. His holiness also states that at a con- sistory held in Rome on the 28th of March last he gave especial honors to sixty-five bishops, including the venerable archbishop of St. Boniface, Monsignor Langevin and the bishop of St. John’s. The creation of the new cardinals was postponed until the next consistory, which will be held in the fall. —— SHOT BY HIS WIFE. An Early Morning Murder at Savan- nah, Ga. SAVANNAH, Ga., April 25.—Milton J. Sweigart, a well-known printer, was shot and killed while in his bed by his wife early this morning. His wife had a pistol under her pillow. About 3 o'clock she placed it against her husband's side,under the cover, and fired, killing him instantly. She was a woman of notorious character, with some property, when Sweigart married her two years ago, on what was believed would be her death bed. The woman is believed to be insane. Sweigart hails from Lancaster, Pa. See LONG HAUL CHEAPER. Decision by the Interstate Commerce Commission on California Oranges, DENVER, Col., April 25.—The interstate commerce commission, now in session in this city, has given a decision of great im- portance to southern California orange growers by granting to the railroads ter- minating in California and their connec- tions authority to make a iower rate for oranges to the Atlantic seaboard cities than to intermediate points. The old rate was ninety cents. The new rate will prob- ably be sixty cents. This will enable Cali- fornia growers to market oranges on the Atlantic seaboard in competition with im- ported oranges. ——— HANGED AT NASHVILLE. Execution of the Murderer of Jerry . Brown. NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 25.—Robert Ford, colored, who shot and killed Jerry Brown, colored, was hanged in the jail yard here today. The drop fell at 9:49, and Ford was pronounced dead at 10:07. The fall was nearly eight feet, and Ford stran- gled to death. Ford killed Brown in Oc- tober last in a quarrel about a game of cards. Tbe proof of the pudding is tn te eating. Yesterdar's Star contained 48 cofumns of adverfisements, mare up THE CUBAN REVOLT Minister de Lome Confident of Its Suppression, REBELS ESTIMATED AT FOUR'THOUSAND Spain to Send 24,000 Troops Be- fore May |. TO TARRY IN NEW YORK NEW YORK, April 25.—Senor Dupuy de Lome, the new Spanish minister to the United States, was interviewed by an Asso- clated Press reporter today on board the revenue cutter which brought him up from quarantine. Senor de Lome spoke of the lack of inter- est in the Cuban insurrection, which he ob- served during his stay in Havanna, which place he visited en route hither, and also of the exaggerated reports sent out from the island concerning the progress of the insurrection; and he expressed his convic- ticns of the speedy extinction of the revolt. “The arrival of Gen. Martinez Campos in Cuba,” the Spanish minister said, “brought a feeling of security to the people and an assurance that the insurrectionists will be speedily suppressed. It is needless for me to repeat the statements that have been made so often of the greatly exagzerated stories sent out by the newspaper cor- respondents. I must say that the reports of the Associated Press are the most truth- ful of the statements cabled from Cuba. The newspaper correspondents have made me say and@ do all manner of things from time of my arrival at Cuba of which I am not aware of saying or doing. A New York paper published a long interview with me, in which I was qucted as making a number of very positive and unpleasant statements about the American press. As a matter of fact, I never said a word to a reporter of that paper, nor, indeed, to a reporter of cad paper printed in English on such a sub- jec “My mission to America is to talk poli- tics to the authorities at Washington. As for the matter of the firing upon the steamer Allianca I have nothing to sa! it is a matter that seems already to hav. satisfactorily settled. I must say, however, that I think it would have been wiser for the captain of the Allianca to have stopped when he was requested, and then sought for indemnity afterward. No Doubt of Insurgents’ Fate. “Concerning Gen. Campos. and.hie pro- posed plans, I think it is worthy of note, as a characteristic of the excellent soldier and tactician that -he-is, how little he has said since his arrival in Cuba. The general is a most loyal and patriotic man, one who has nothing to gain by the present cam- paign. It is nis policy to be as lenient as possible with the insurrectionists, except in the case of the leaders. These will be most severely dealt with. The govern- ment proposes to send to Cuba twenty-four thousand men in all before the Ist of May. With this force there can be no doubt as to the fate of the insurrectionists. Gen. Campos has with him two of his sons, Miguel, the Marquis of Bazdan, who holds the rank of first lieutenant, and Josef, who is a recond lieutenant. The former is a young man who has given up a life of leisure to endure the hardships of a Cuban campaign in the hot season. “Statements have been madé that the money which Gen. brought with him was for the purpose of buying off the leaders of the revolution. It is well known that this policy was gorened during the last insurrection in Cuba, but the govern= merit has no intention of repeating the mistake in the present instance. The rev- olution is to be stamped out by force of arms. Rebels Estimated at 4,000, “Estimates by conservative men who have been among the revolutionary forces place the number of them at about 3,000, not more than one-half of whom are arm- ed and equipped. We estimate their num- ber at about 4,000, with the same armed proportion. It is a difficult matter to get a correct idea of their numbers, for'‘one day many of them will be at work on the crops and the next they are off on a skirmishing expedition. Four thousand, however, is certainly a most liberal estimate, and they are of a class that would scarcely be taken seriously in America. “At present there are eight modern Span- ish war vessels in Cuban waters. Seven of these are second-class cruisers, and one of the first-class. The ship I came over on with Gen, Campos was Reina Maria Chris- tina, the vessel in which the Princess Eu- lali came to this country. It is not intend- ed, I think, to send any more ships to Cuba than are at present on the way. there.” Will Stay in New York. Senor De Lome said it was his intention to stay in this city for the next few days if possible, to await the arrival of his fam- ily, who are en route to New York. The minister remarked that the several changes of climate he had been through since leav- ing Spain had tired him considerably, and that he was anxious to have a few days rest. ————— DURANT LIED. But There is Little Evidence Connect- ing Him With Miss Williams’ Murder. SAN FRANCISCO, April 25.—About the only tangible evidence against Durant, the mredical student accused of having kified Marian Williams, that has been adduced in the preliminary examination so far, is that, the prisoner was better acquainted with. the dead girl than he at first would ac- knowledge. It has been shown that he lied in regard to that particular point. As to the matter of positive identification of Durant having been seen about the church where the murders occurred during the evening when the deed was committed, that has not thus far been done. There are many witnesses to come, and it may be that this allegation may yet be sustained. Rev. J. G. Gibson, the preacher of the church, against whom some suspicions have been expressed as being the guilty man, had a long siege in ihe witness box yester- day, and he is slated for the rack again to- day. The district attorney's questions to the minister did not detain him long, but the cross-examination seemed interminable. The lawyers were austere with him and the judge was sarcastic. Gen. Dickinson, at- torney for the defense, took him over the whole course of his life, from his birth in Edinburgh to the day of the discovery of Minnie Williams’ bloody body in his church, and every question seemed to veil an insin- vation. ‘The minister answered promptly, but was disposed to be exact in his answers. The district attorney put in one objection to save him from annoyance, but Judge Con- lan swept it aside and did some prodding himself. The Jength of the cross-cxamina- tion and the manrer of it indicate that Durant’s lawyers propose to throw the preacher forward as the center of their theery of the murders. It is hard to perceive just how the de- fense will connect the preacher with this murder, for he was at the party of the Emanuel Church young people at Dr. Vog- el’s house that night from 7:30 until 11, while Durart, who should have been there to act as secretary, did nét appear until after 9:30. Still, the undercurrent of opin- ion among those who doubt Durant’s guilt is that the preacher should be the man under police surveillance.