Evening Star Newspaper, May 25, 1895, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Penusylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th Stzeet, by The Evening Star Newspaper Company, 8, H. KAUFFMANN Pres't. New York Office, 49 Potter Building, pasieenie tr ieaees ‘The Evening Star fs served to subscribers in the city by carriers, on their own account, at 10 cents Der week, or 44 cents per month. | Coptes at the ¢vunter 2 cents each. By mail—anywhere in the United States or postage prepald—50 cents er mon’ Saturday hoe Sheet Star, $1 per with fgen ee Post Omee at Wi ae ue Ct ered at the ice at Wa . Cy as second-class mail matter.) pe advance. plication. —COhe Fvening Star. No. 13,174. WASHINGTON, D.C., SATURDAY, MAY 25, 1895-TWENTY PAGES TWO CENTS _ EBe proof of fhe pudding is in fe eating. Yesterday's Star contained 52 cofumns of advertisements, made up of 759 separate announce: ments. These advertisers foug8t puBficitp—nof merefp Space. Kextes of savertising made Esown OS “SENATOR SHERMAN He Will Preside Over the Ohio Con- vention at Zanesville, A STRONG FINANCIAL SPEECH EXPECTED His Recommendations Will Un- doubtedly Be Indorsed. CONFIDENCE IN HIS ABILITY Senator Sherman has gone to Ohie to preside over the gubernatorial convention to meet at Zanesville. This event is looked on with especial interest, for the reason that the Ohio Senator is expected to make a strong financial speech, which will be re- garded as the keynote of the republican party of that state during the campaign. There is no uncertainty felt by republicans as to the tenor of this forthcoming speech, as the views of Senator Sherman on the financial question are too well known, and confidence is felt that the Senator's views have not changed on this important sub- Ject. Mny Be a Financial Moses. Senator Sherman has always believed in the use of silver in the monetary system of the government, although he has never had patience with the doctrines of free and unlimited coinage of silver. Very many republicans are now looking toward Sena- tor Sherman as a strong factor in the next national campaign, as they consider him the ablest financier in the party or in the untry, It is regarded as quite likely that Senator Sherman may prove a Moses to Jead a large wing of the silver faction of the country into the republican party. This claim on the part of the republicans may sound strange to persons who are not ac- quainted with the manner in which the ex- Secretary of the Treasury is expected to come to the relief of his party. High Regard of Bankers. Among the large class of conservative business men and among bankers of the country Senator Sherman is regarded as thoroughly safe as a financial leader. Any project that carries hjs indorsement will be taken up by this clAss of people with confidence, and even though he should rec- emmend a plan that would appear to be radical and unworthy of consideration if proceeding from some other source it would be accepted, and unless it should contain some unusual weakness after careful ex- amination would be indorsed. In other words, Senator Sherman is regarded as an unusually good compromise republican, so far as the sound money men are concerned. At the same time he might secure the in- dorsement of many silverites by recom- mending some substantial recognition of the white metal in the finaces of the gov- ernment, which, of course, would be very far from anything like free silver. His Recommendations Will Be In- dorsed. If Senator Sherman sees fit to make some recommendations for the recognition of sil- ver when he presides over the guber- natorlal convention at Zanesville, it is safe to say that they will at once be indorsed by the sound money men of the party. There is no likelihood that he will say anything that will please the free silver leaders, but there ts a large faction of sil- ver people in the republican party in the west today who are inclined to be dis- gruntled and to kick over their party traces unless the republican leaders make some concession to them. It is this class of silver men, republicans who would rather vote for silver advocated by the republican party than to vote for free sil- ver heralded by democratic leaders, that it is thought will be placated by utter- ances of the Ohio Senator. Expected to Hold Free Silver Men. There is no doubt that the cause of silver in Ohio 1s extremely strong today. All through that state, without regard to party lines, pecple are talking of the benetits that would arise from a more plentiful use of silver as primary money in the financial system of the country. Although the re- publican party scored decisive victories at the last election in Ohio the leaders of the party in that state are not without concern over the result of the next campaign. The ms of the democrats in that state that the great tidal ve in polities has rolled by and that their candidates have a chance for suce make the republicans anx- fous to permit not only no victory for the democrats, but even a vote that should show a strengthening of democratic ranks over the results of the last election would he looked upon as dangerous and as d @uraging to republicans throughout the in the national contest for the S reason that republicans are hoping that Senator Sherman will be equal to the cecasion by p g some financial policy that silver r n indorse, while at the same tune running no risk of alienating sound money members of the THE PR lis Portrnit to Pyr ¢ Dinplay. President Cleveland's portrait e the night during the festivities ling the opening of the Baltic ship Kiel. It will be shown in rt of the Kiel will il- . and at the same time a fie! tit of Emperor William II will be dis- played It was suggested to Secretary Herbert shertly e the New York led that n e€ ‘lent idea to have a of fireworks at the opening of the and that the Pres s portrait look well among cretary thought we given. n and the order was a From one of the President's hoto- graphs this immense 7 laid out to seale on a light fr of bamboo. At s little candles o owder were place: trips and connecte . With thin‘ stri als of MR. PCAES PUNERAL, ce Monday From Rock Chareh. Wil Arrangements for the funeral services over the remains of the late Hugh MeCul- loch, formeriy retary of the Treasury, have been comple private and the services w $ it is possible to m no honorary pall-bed bear + Imm employes of the dead man. service beld Monday, at 11 beyond the ers” ment will be in Rock ¢ Revs. Drs. Buck will cor Rock ¢ Home. ered to . P. Niblack, now in Chicago on has been ordered to 4 to relieve Lieut. W. H. Scheutze of duty in cha of the al militia Wusiness of the Navy Department Lieut. Scheutze has been as: as naval aid H. H. Sonther- d te the cruiser Cin re » Who is or dao, MR. LYMAN LEAVES Incidents Attending His Retirement From the Commission. He Addresses His Old Associates and Pays.2 Warm Tribute to the Great Cause. Mr. Charles Lyman, who has been for ro many years a member of the civil service commission, retired from office this morn- ing upon the induction of his successor, Mr. John B. Harlow of Missouri. There was general and genuine regret at the com- mission building at the severance of the pleasant personal and official relations which had existed so long between Mr. Ly- man and the officials and employes, and when it was announced that the retiring commissioner would bid everybody good- bye at the noon recess no one left the building. When the commissioners, secre- taries, examiners, clerks and other em- ployes—ladies and gentlemen—were assem- bled, Mr. Lyman, who was visibly affected, addressed them with much feeling. Mr. Lyman's Remarks. “The occasion which calls us together Is, from one point of view, almost inexpress- itly sad,” said Mr. Lyman. “It marks the end of relations which have to me been very pleasant and agreeable. The break- ing up of such relations that have been long continued and have been uniformly of such an agreeable character does not oc- cur without some emotion; but I do not desire to dwell upon this feature of the occasion. There is a brighter side, and I am glad to look upon that side of it, and that grows out of the fact that we have been associated together, many of us for years, In a work which has commanded our sincere and cordial approval, a work in which we have been engaged in common with other people, and which we believe is of vast importance to this country. We. have been engaged together, you and I, with others, in inaugurating, perfecting and carrying forward a movement, we call it a reform, I believe it is a reform; but at any rate it Is a movement which I believe, and which you believe, has in it the elements of immense good to this country. It has to do with the administration of this govern- ment. It is a great government, and the administration of the government, whether that administration is good or bad, whether it is honest or dishonest, whether it is efficient or inefficient, is a’matter of great concern to the people of this country. What Civil Service Reforms Means. “We believe that the civil service reform movement means not only good administra- tion, honest administration, but it means clean politics,” he continued, ‘and we have labored together in all these years in this movement, and upon this cause of reform we have made our impress. We have stamped in some degree, greater or smaller, our purpose and our personality. What we have written into this reform can never be unwritten; it will stand in the records of the government for all time, and it will be to your credit, as I believe it will be to mine, that we have worked together in this cause and have accomplished something toward its establishment and its perpetuity. It is possible that we have all made reputa- tions in it in a way; it is possible that I might have mad: in some sense a different reputation if my course had been differ- ent. Satisfied With His “I have not chosen to conduct my part of this work by proclamation,” he said. “I do not regret it. I have satisfied my- self, my judgment, my conscience, by 1o- ing the work of this commission, such cf it as came to me, in the best way that I possibly could. I have given to it my thought, my whole purpose, the best that was in ne; and now as I sever my con- nection with this work in its official rela- tions, and my relations with you officiall I do not intend-to sever my connection with the cause; a cause which lies very pro- foundly deep in my judgment and in my affections. For twenty-five years I have been a civil service reformer in office. If I shall live to be twenty-five years older than I am I shall be twenty-five years more a civil service reformer, and I shall every- where and on all occasions stand for it, for what It means, for what it does; and I congratulate you ladies and gentlemen that you are associated with it, and I thank you cordially and heartily for the support and confidence which you have ever given to me. Pleasent Closing Words. Course. “There has never been an occasion during our association together that you have not promptly, loyally and faithfully responded to every call," said Mr. Lyman, in conclu- ston, “and I am perfectly sure that you will give to my successor, a gentleman whom I have long known, and hold in high esteem, 1, faithful and con- stant © you have given to me. To my late associate, the president of this commission, I wish to tender my thanks for the kindness and courtesy he has invariably shown me, Our relations have been of the most agreeable character; it gives me pleasure to say this. I will not prolong these remarks. Before we separate, I de- sire to take each of you by the hand and say good-bye, and may God speed you in your work. Following Mr. Lyman’s remarks, ad- dresses : Major Webster, Mr. Doyle, Mr. ley, Mr. Kiggin . De Land and Mr. Halloran, who had been longest associated with Mr. Lyman, DEE NAMED. JUD A Fellow West Virginian Wants Him for Presi t. i Ex-Commissioner of the Internal Revenue John W. Mason indor Judge Goff of West Virginia for the presidency and be- lieves that the man who gained such wide reputation for his judicial decisions will make a most acceptable candidate for that office. In talking over the chances of Judge Goff for the republican nomination, Mr. Mason ic ‘Never before in the history of the coun- has ’ to have nern t. Tae in the south ction is more man_ he ing the shown that ts ready to come into the republican ks if local prejudices can be broken down. Republican doctrines are spreading in all the manufacturing and other ind trial ¢ sof th hern E the liberal element there wovld like to in- dorse these principles by voting for a re- publican president. Lou: might be cartied by the republican: 1 if Judge Goff were nominated West Virginia would urely indorse him and there would be great probability of carrying Virginia. If it could only be said that a republican vote would mean that a_southerner would be placed in the White House, much of the an- tagonism of the southern’ people would be overcome.” elec year oo HE COLORS. TROOP y Celebrating the Birthday of the Queen. May —The Ofte! LONDON, birthday of Queen Victoria, the anniversary of which occurred yesterday, was officially celebrated in this city today. At the Horse Guards dur! the morning many thousands of people witnessed the brilliant spectacle of (reoping the ce The Grenadier Guards, Scot Fusilier Guards and Cold Stream Guards took part in the ceremonies, FORMOSA’S REVOLT Information That She Has Declared Her Independence. THE REPORT NOT TAKEN SERIOUSLY The Movement Regarded as a Re- beilion Against Japan. NEWS AT THE LEGATION The State Department has received a cablegram from Mr. Denby, United States minister to China, stating that the Island of Formesa has declared her independence, that the powers have been so notified and that a government republican in form has been established in Formosa. This adds a new complication to the situation in the east. Befcre this government can recog- nize the Formosan independence it must be shown that a provisional government which can stand has been organized. There are great numbers of Japanese in Formosa, and it remains to be seen what course they will adopt. Not Taken Seriously. The dispatch of Minister Denby is not taken seriously at the State Department. The information contained in the dispatch was taken at the department to mean that the minister awaited instructions to recog- nize the new government, or that it was in a position to be recognized by the United States. But there Is not likely to be any such ac- tion taken by the government, nor would Minister Denby be justified in’ taking any such step. The United States recognizes Formosa as belonging to Japan, and no matter what may be the form of govern- ment which the revolutionists of the island may have organized, a recognition of the independence of the island would be dis- tinctly an unfriendly act toward Japan. It is not for the United States minister to China, or to any other countr to recog- nize the independence of any island in re- volt. The United States does not recogaize the Cuban rebels, and the movement in Formosa cannot be regarded as anything more than a rebellion against Japan. No Likelihood of 2 Republic. The idea of a republican form of gov2rn- ment being formed in Formosa is treated with some derision at the department. The population of Formosa is composed of sav- ages, reclaimed savages and Chinese im-ni- grants. The latter are of the lowest classes of Chinese, and the people there, it is de- clared, would not know what a republican form of yovernment was. It is thought more likely that an oligarchy is in control of the island. It is believed at the depart- ment that the trouble has arisen over the fear of the inhabitants of Formosa that the Japanese will take away the properiy the people have acquired. When they un- derstand that the treaty ceding Formosa confirms all fees and holdings it is thought the population will have a different feeling tcward the new possessors of the island. Products of the Island. Formosa is one of the richest islands of the sea. Nine-tenths of the tea used in the United States is produced there, and it supplies Japan with sugar and exports large quantities of camphor. It has pe- troleum wells and coal fields, but thes have never been worked. They are in’ the northern part of the fsland, and will be of immense value to Japan. The population has been estimated as between 2,000,000 and 3,000,000 people, but the best informa- tion is that it does not actually exceed a million and a quarter of people. The United States has no consul in mosa, the nearest consulate b China, which has a_ general command over American inter: island. There a consular age Yakow. The principal harbor is Kelung, from which a small railroad extends into the interior. The island contains about 14,000 square mile been subdued and i the eé: erm part state. | No Advices at the Japanese Legation The Japanese legation he no advices on the rebellion in Formosa and the establishment of an independent republic. The officials do not attach much productive, while in a savage is has received weight ‘o the affair, ig that the natives are little advanced from savagery and are incapable of or y mili- tary action, They fight and arrows. The Chinese who we and have hdrawn, ¢o pointed out, is the pow- wy of Japan available erful army and to suppress a rebellion from such a barous c Japan recently viceroy, or governor gene and he left about two we a fleet of Japan's modern cru ter are now in the large ports of For- THE PEOPLE OF FORMOSA. About the Mixed Races In- biting the Island A writer in the New York Her the people of Formosa: ‘The natives verge of the s 3; living in communi people and preserving th and modes of life, have quiet on the who, though with their own own customs pted a Chinese rule, ar d the Peppo-whan. ‘They are a large and well-formed race. It may be remembered in the accounts of the repulse of Admiral Lespes in his attack on T ui the fighting of the hill- men was specially mentioned; the the Peppo-whan. They are, howeve m fe were ve poor, being in the grasp of the Chine usurers, to whom they have mortgaged their lands. The crops of rice pay the in- terest, the unfortunate people being lowed to retain only those of tT tatoes for their own use ‘The independent tribes of Formosa live high up among the mountains and on the cst coast, and appear to be savages pure avd simple. They are said, by Dutch writers, to preserve in their huts the heads of their enem killed in war as trophies of victory, a custom common among the Dyaks or “head hunte: of Borneo and certain aboriginal tribes of Luzon. But a still more serious charge is brought against that of cannibalism. nothing in our recent knowledge of the Formosans to corroborate this charge. It is true that no European has ever had an opportunity of studying the independent tri m situ, but the report of the Peppos and the Chinese of the west es do not allege cannibalism against their savage neighbor: To what race these aborigines belong or whence they came are questions which in the present te of our knowledge can only be answered tentatively. How far did the twenty odd names of different tribes cattered over the eastern portion of the and really represent tribal distinctions it is impossibie to say; on one point only can we be ‘tain, that these people have no ethnic connection with the Chinese. High cheek bones are the exception among them, the face and head are small and round, the eyes are straight and not oblique, nor do the nty vocabularies which have Leen co!lected indicate the slightest anal- ogy with the Chinese. But a striking phys- ical resemblance has been noticed between » western half has | them and the Pellew Islanders; this, how- ever,, is hardly a safe ethnological guide. There can be little doubt that the Kuro Siwo, the gulf stream of the Pacific, which flows northward, past the island, toward Japan, has from time to time cast on its shores inhabitants of mest of the islands of the China seas. From the time of the Manchu conquest, in 1683, down to the present day, China has been gradually annexing Formosa, not by military operations, but by the most power- ful of all agencies—tmmigration. Neverthe- less, the results of two centuries of con- stant immigration have been very small, when we recollect that Formosa is only about 100 miles in a direct line from the teeming mainiand, where, as De Quincy said, man is a weed, and: that whatever differences there are in climate should rather invite than repel emigrants. The native Formosans seem to be nearly as tenacious as the Chinese themselves, but they are slowly giving way before superior numbers. From Kelung, Tamsul, Taiwan and other settlements on the west coast the Chinese gradually extended up the rivers and over the alluvial plains, carrying on a constant war with the natives, civilizing some, killing others, but always holding what they had got and usually advancing a step forward. In two centuries the natives who refused to bow their necks to the yoke, and who preferred independence and their native savagery, have been driven into the moun- tains, where the Chinese advance has stopped, probably because the soil was un- inviting. e+ TO BE NEAR CONGRESS Knights of Labor Headquarters to Front the Capitol Grounds. A Handsome Building to Be Erected to Accommodate the Execu- tive Officers of the Order. When the gencral assembly of the Knights of Labor met in convention at Richmond, Va., in October, 1886, an order was passed directing the general officers to purchase or erect a sultable building for rational headquarters. Washington was then a candidate for the honor, but Phila- delphia was selected, and the handsome brown-stone residence of the late Matthew Baird of that city was purchased and oc- cupied, and it is from that building that orders have issued during the last eight years. Recently, however, the Philadel- phia house was ordered sold and the offi- cers were authorized to select suitable headquarters elsewhere. This was nearly two years ago. The ex- ecutive board has visited Washington fre- quently during that time, and has made several offers for real estate here, the Hutchirs building at 10th and D streets northwest having been at one time bar- gained for. But the deal fell through. The knights are coming to Washington, however, and before long the flag of that Industrial army will float over a building ef their own at the corner of Ist and B streets northwest, fronting the north side of the Capitol grounds. General Master Workman Sovereign, Grand — Secretary- Treasurer Hayes, and T. B. McGuire of New York, C. A. French of Massachusetts, H. B. Martin of Minnesota, and J. M. Ken- ney of Nebraska, composing the general executive board, were it the city TWOfs- day and Friday, und before leaving had concluded the purchase'of the ground men- tioned and signed a contract with Beall & Baden of this city for the immediate erection of a substantial brick and stone two-storyand basement building, 25x120 feet in size. ? The first or main floor will contain the general offices of the order, while the pri- vate offices of the master workman, secr2- tary-treasurer, executive beard and cdito- rial and composing rooms of the Journal of the Knizhts of Labor will be located on the second flocr. The press and mailing rooms of the Journal and. shipping depa ment of the order wilF be located in the basement. The building will be heated by steam and lighted by electricity. When completed the K. of L. headquar- ters will be an ornament to the national capital, and will add to the import Washington as a center for indust! and movements. Speaking of thelr fcr coming here, General Master W E Sovereign said: “We are coming to Was ington to keep an eye on the actions cf pnators and Representatjves. The reforms sought by labor can only be secured through leg tion. This is the seat cf war, and we want to be on the ground to lcok out for the interests of the masses. The classes maintain powerful lobbies here during all the fons of Congress. The toilers will in before congr. al committees questions affecting their welfs We lieve our presence here will have a wh« some effect upon the actions of the peopl representatives. Our ofticial paper cir lates in every hamlet in the United State: and we ‘shall publish the records of both the-friends and enemies of labor; and this can be done from Washington better than from any other point in the country.’ — future also be represented all he- on DOWN TO WORK. Twenty-Five Families Have Th Potatoes Planted. The sturdy yeomen of the Pingree com- mittee are making progress. Today the ap- plications were swelled to sixty, about equally divided between white and colored. Lets are assigned as rapidly as plowed and harrowed. Twenty-five allotments have been made, and the allettees have got their crop in the ground just in time to catch the beneficent effect of the coming showers. In all, now fifty acres have been put at the use of the committee. Ten lots leased Mr. Dana on Columbia road were plow- ed and harrowed today. A nice piece of land on the Conduit road will be put order next. Some of the land offered not accepted. An expert farmer inspe all land offered and makes a report on i If it isn't worth planting on he so repor and it is rejected. Working for Their Families. Among those who are working donated lands are several colored widows, who have families dependent on them. Indeed, all the allottees have families. Every ap- plicant ‘has been looked up carefully, and so far all have been found to be working people long resident. in the District. Lands have been placed at the use of the committee by the following parties: Albert M. Read, T. B. Harris Barrow, twelve ac S. Ca Repetti, {itty Dr. J. J. Purman, Mrs. . Dre J. A. Robbins, Mr. Williams, Mrs. S. W. W Dodge, George Whitthead, J.D. Crois Miss M. L. RSL Jo At ael V Brittingham, Mr: Stambai These Are Farmers. Those who have received allotments of lands and planted their props are as fol- lows: Jno. Wingfield, Chds. Shorter, Henry Albert, Mr. Scurvey, Jas.j McCartney, Mr: Wright, Thornton and Gagner, Jas. Power: Lucinda Henson, Martha Bailey, A. B. Kaufman, Geo. Denny, Jatob A. Long, Mrs. Floyd, Mrs. Patterson, Robt. Hill Taylor, Arthur B. Whitaker, Edw: man, Reyburn Green, Jno. Thomas. ence earns To Visit Battetic Secretary Herbert and part Gen. W. T. Smith, Gen, Hyde and Col. ¢: sells, left here this morning to visit the pattlefields of Gettysburg and Antietam. They will return Monday evening. MERIT WILL RULE|W!NOER'S BUILDING/QSCAR WILDE GUILTY Chiefs of Division Under Civil Ser- vice Requirements. PRESIDENT CLEVELAND'S ACTION Extension of the Classified Service in the Agricultural Department. HUNDREDS BENEFITED —__+—_—_. Probably the cause of civil service re- form has never received more substantial impetus than it did yesterday when Presi- dent Cleveland issued a series of orders amending the civil service rules in relation to the Department of Agriculture. He di- rected that hereafter all chiefs of division in the department, of whom there are eighteen, should be taken out of what is known as the accepted class, appoint- ments in which are subject to the per- soral pleasure of the Secretary of Agri- culture, and that any vacancies that might cccur hereafter should be filled by premotion from the large corps of trained experts employed in the department, or, occasionally, when necessary, by competi- tive examination. These positions demand skill on the part of those who hold them of a high technical and professional char- acter. The cashier and the assistant dis- bursing officers, the chief clerks of the weather bureau and the bureau of animal industry and the scientific or professional experts employed in Washington in the De- pertment of Agriculture have at been taken out of the excepted list, in all about twenty-five. The classitication of the De- partment of Agriculture is further amend- ed go us to make subject to competitive examination under the civil service rules the clerks, microscopists, assistant micro- sccpists, stock examiners, taggers, agents and all other employes except temporary laborers im the bureau of animal industry outside of Washington. Also all state statistical agents and all messengers in the weather bureau outside of Washing- ten. Those employed at Wasaington were already ciassified. The inspectors, veter- inary inspectors and assistant inspectors of the bureau of animal industry were already subject to competitive examina- tion, This extension to the remaining places in that bureau adds more than five hurdred places to the classified service. Magnitude of the Change. Many of the more important places which are put beyond the possibility of their oc- cupants being removed in case of political changes of administration are at present held by gentlemen who have risen to them step by step. For instance, the chief of ac- counts and disbursements first entered the department in 1875 at a salary of $1.50 per day, and was promoted stage by stage through the division of seeds, the division of statistics, and the divisions of accounts and disbursements, until he became its chief. Secretary Morton was asked today Low the President's order would affect the De- partment of Agriculture. “The magnitude of the change in the classified service of the Agricultural De- partment may be realized,” said the Secre- tary, “when it is known that all places and positions in the department are brought into the classified civil service except the Secretary and the stant secretary of agriculture and their private secretaries, the chief of the weather bureau and his private secretary, the chief clerk of the de- partment, and the laborers and charwo- men. The extension of the classitication of the department outside of Washington will include at least 150 taggers, 5 microscop- ists, 200 assistant mic: sts, 15 clerks, 38 live stock agents, 9% stock examiners, 2 superintendents of quarantine stations in the bureau of animal industry, all messen- gers in the weather bureau stations and all state and territorial statistical agents numbering 46. Sixnificance of the Order. The action of the President at this junc- ture is taken as significant of future im- portant extensions of the cl d service in other departments. Before Mr. Roo: velt retired from the civil service com- mission that body had strongly presented to the President the necessity of extendin, the protection of the of the po cal favor. Itv land that unde acting the business of the governmeat the men most qualified by long experience and familiarity with depar ork were not available for pus ing direc- tion an executiv: uch a merit system over now filled by polit nted to Mr. ent mode of tr: leve- of the chiefs of divisions and bureaus exert. The reason for this was that after a clerk appointed under civil service rul shown marked ability in the particular duties assigned to him and won promotions n of his excellence until he .each- ed the highest grade in the classified serv. ice, he would prefer to remain there, in safety rather than accept a higher appoi ment which might be taken from }im whenever the political complexion of the administration changed. The President's Approval. Mr. Cleveland, it is understood, 1ecog- nized that the pubtic busin could be much better transacted by having all the offices, up to those occupied by men who { directly assisted the shaping the policy of the government in a political sense, filled in accordance with the merit system. The herefo the De. extension of the merit s: to include the chiefs of di em, on partment of Agriculture is believed to in- dicate a similar e nm io the other departments rly day. The appoint- ments of M nd Mr. Harlow to the Mr. it and ions of e the Nl the piaces formerly Kd Mr. Lyman are also take » of Mr. Cle eland affairs of the government to gi ad s that can possibly accrue from application of the merit system in appointments to and promotions in offive, vice. commission toda: from the stereotypers’ and ned by all th> mem- ‘s of those organizations, most of whom are employed in the government -rinting office, asking that the civil service rules be amended so as to include the employ ‘The civil ved petit of the government printing office under the classified vice. +e OUT OF TOWN. ‘The President at Woodley and Cabinet Officers Senttered ‘There is a noticeable scarcity of high officials in the city today. The President spent the day at Woodley, dispatching ac- cumulated routine business preparatory to leaving the capital for the entire summer. Secretary Carlisle is in Kentucky. Secre- tary Lamont is in New York. Secretary Herbert is in Gettysburg, and Secretary Smith is down south. —_—___+-e+_. Medical Director Dean's Retirement. Medical Director Richard C. Dean, who is the second ranking officer in the medical corps of the navy, will be placed on the retired list on Monday on account of age. He is a member of the examining and re- tiring board at the Navy Department. His retirement will promote each of the fol- lowing named officers to the next higher grade: Medical inspector; Thomas C. Wal- ton; surgeon, M. C. Drennan, and p: assistant surgeon, D. M. Guiter: are now twelve vacancies in the lowest grade of the corps, which the department finds great difficulty in filling. Some Clerks Employed in It Anxious as to Its Security. Auditor Farreww Has No Fears on the Subject—Report of a Recent Ex- amination by an Expert. Several of the clerks in the Winder build- ing, on 17th street, occupied by the office of the auditor for the War Department, have recently expressed doubt as to the en- lire safety of the building. They have made no formal complaint to the authoci- ties, but have not hesitated to disclose their uneasiness privately to their friends. The principal cause of their apprehension is a recent addition to the large stock of files stored in the building. The fact that these files were all placed in the bas>ment, where they could not possibly add the slightest strain to the walls, was entirely overlooked by the timid ones, who appar- ently considered nothing but the age of the structure and the existence of certain cracks in the front wall. They disregarded entirely the fact that these cracks origi- nally appeared many years ago, and have rot become any larger, and the further fact that the walls have since been re- peatedly inspected by competent engineors and ee and pronounced safe and sound. Auditor Farrow Satisfied. Col. Farrow, the auditor, talked frankly with a Star reporter on the subject today. He said he was not aware of the existence of any uneasiness about the safety of the building. He certainly felt none himself, and if any of the officials, clerks or em- ployes were uneasy on that score, they had scrupulously concealed it from him. His office was on the third floor and nat- urally he was as much interested in the safety of the building as the other occu- pants. When the accounting system of the Treasury Department was reorganized in October last under the Dockery plan, it be- came necessary, Auditor Farrow explained, to transfer to and from the office a large number of files. As the transfer involved an additional weight on certain portions of the walls, he requested, as a matter of precaution, that they be examined by a competent engineer or architect. His suggestion in this matter was re- spected by the Secretary of the Treasury, and an expert was detailed to make an examination. As a result of his report measures were taken to insure the perfect stability of the walls, ard props were made at all doubtful points. The inspection showed that the walls were of unusual thickness, and fhat the structure was per- fectly safe and secure in every respect. More recently the chief clerk of the Treas- ury Department found it necessary to transfer additional files to the office for storage, and notwithstanding they were all placed in the basement, the auditor re- quested simply as a precautionary meas- ure that the building be again examined in order to determine che perfect propriety of the transaction. Accordingly another examination was made by an expert, with the same result as before, viz. that the security of the building was in nowise impaired by the transaction. Confidence in the Building's Safety. Colorel Farrow expressed confidence in the perfect safety of the building, and said he was surprised to hear that any of his clerks felt the slightest uneasiness in the matter. He referred the reporter to Mr. Legan Carlisle, chief clerk and superin- terdent of the Treasury Department, as an official who could give more details as to the results of the examinations of the building. Upon application to Mr. Carlisle the reporter received corroboration of Col- onel Farrow’s statements, and was shown the report of Mr. C. E. Young, the expert of the architect's office who examined the Winder building a few weeks ago. It showed that certain changes had been recommended to meet the redistribution of the weights of the building and that the grade of the terrace be changed so as to secure a better drainage from the walls. A contract has been made for this last mentioned work, and it will be executed in a shert time. This improvement will serve to keep the foundations dry and free from surfact drainage. All the other sugges- tions made by the expert, including the placing of posts under the beams of the first floor, have been faithfully carried out. According to Mr. Carlisle the building js as strong and safe as the treasury build- ing If. DROWNED I Capsizing of the Steam Yacht Trilby at Buffalo. THE CANAL. BUFFALO, N. Y., May .—A steam yacht bearing the name of Trilby was ear ed in the Hamburg canal this morn- ing and two or three men are thought to be drowned. The accident occurred at the Michigan street bridge, which is being re- paired. The yacht served as a ferry to workmen across the canal, and to- day there was a large crowd of Polish borers who sought cenveyance to their aboard like a flock The Trilby took three loads cross, but when she returned for the fourth, the Poles made a rush for her, and all jumping simultaneously on one side caused her to lurch, capsize and go to the bottom. ———— ALLEGED REFUSAL. CHINA'S t Credited in Lon- don. LONDON, May 25.—In official circles here the report that China has refused to pay an additional indemnity to J n for the evacuation of Port Arthur and the Liao- Tung perinsula is discredited. It is be- lieved, on the contrary, that an agreeme ady been arrived at between China, dd the powers, on the basis of an ra indem The Report is ——— TRIP OF THE ST. LOUIS. She Leaves Philadelphia on Her I tal Ocean Voyage PHILADELPHIA, Pa., May 25.—At 11: today the pioneer of modern merchant marine, the giant steamship St. Louis, czst off her hawsers at Cramp’s ship yard and started down the Delaware river on her initial ocean voyage to try her speed. It is expected tha she will remain at sea from four to five days and then go to New York. ee UNITED PRESBYTERIANS, Elder, Blair's Case B: e the General Assemb PITTSBURG, Pa Presbyterian gene: ing resumed its consideration of the c: of Elder W. H. Blair of Adamsville, Pa who is charged with selling Mquor on pre- scription to y men and to men of known intemperate habits. Rev. J. H. Hutchman, counsel for the prosecution, made an address, in which he handled the defendant without gloves. —— Snatched Back From Death, Jal Dispatch to The Evening Star. UMBERLAND, Md., May ‘amuel Keesucker, a boatman on the canal, at- tempted suicide this morning by shooting himself in the head. Just as he pulled the trigger his arm was knocked up, and the revolver was taken from him. He has been desponcent, and says financial troubles led him to the attempt. The Playwright and Poet Sentenced to Prison POR WO YEARS WITH HARD LABOR The Solicitor General's Impassioned Appeal. A JURYMAN’S QUESTION ——— LONDON, May 23.—The jury in the Wilde case has rendered a yerdict of guilty and he has been sentenced to prison for two years with hard labor. Oscar Wilde's trial having reached its final stage the Old Bailey court room was filled with interested spectators almost as scon as the doors were opened today. Sir Frank Lockwood, the solicitor general, re- sumed his address to the jury, which he had just begun when court adjotirned yes- terday. The prisoner's intimacy with Lord Alfred Douglas and the exhibition of the younger man by the elder one at hotels and public places in and about London were severely commented upon by counsel. Referring to the much-commented-upon letters which Wilde wrote to Lord Alfred Douglas, counsel said that the jury had been told that they were too low to ap- Preclate such poetry and that he thanked God it was so, as it showed they were above the level of beasts. (Applause, which the judge promptly suppressed). Sir Edward Clarke, leading counsel for Wilde, here interposed objections to such appeals as the one just made by Sir Frank Lockwood, which, counsel claimed, should rot be allowed. When Sir Fiank Lockwood continued his speech he warned the jury to render a verdict which would prevent “such a de- testable and abominable vice to rear its head urblushingly in this country.” A Favorable Charge. Justice Wills began summing up at 1:30 p.m. The general tenor of his address to the jury was favorable to Wilde. During the address to the jury, the fore- man asked whether, in view of the inti- macy between Lord Alfred Douglas and Alfred Wood, one of the men whose name has been brought prominently into the case, @ warrant for Lord Alfred's arrest had ever been issued. The judge replied that he thought not. The foreman then asked if it had ever been contemplated to issue a warrant for the arrest of Lord Alfred Douglas. To this the court replied that he could not say, and the court adjourned for lunch, When the court reassembled for business the judge said that the suspicion that Lord Alfred Douglas would be spared if guilty, simply because he was Lord Alfred Doug- las, was a wild idea and a matter which they could not discuss. The present in- quiry was as to whether the man in the dock was guilty of immoral practices. The jury retired at 3:20 pm. Wilde Convicted. The jury returned to court at 5:30 p.m., with a verdict of guilty against defendant. Wilde was entenced to two years’ impriso: ment at hard labor. Alfred Taylor, Wilde's associate, was al- so sentenced to two years’ imprisonment at hard labor. The announcement of the verdict caused a great sensation in court, as it was the general impression that Wilde would es- cape conviction. Wilde's Denial. While the jury was out, at the request of the representative of the Associated Press, Wilde’s counsel brought the follow- ing signed statement from Wilde, who was waiting in the prisoners’ room below the dock. The charges alleged against me are en- tirely untrue. Youth in every form always fascinated me because youth has naturally that temperamen: to which the artist has to try to attain. All works of art are works produced in the moment of youth. I have no sense at all of social grades. I love so- ciety and the rich and well born on ac- count of their luxury. Culture, the grace of their lives, the external accidents of ccmely life. But any one, plough boy, fish- erman or street arab, has an interest for me. Mere humanity is so wonderful. “I do not ask of the young what they do. I do not care who they are. Their ignor- ance has its mode of wisdom; their lack of culture leaves them open to fresh and vivid impressions. (Signed.) “OSCAR WILDE. The document from which the above statement is cabled to the Associated Press is written throughout in Wilde’s own hand- writing, which is extremely graceful and firm, on a sheet of foolscap paper, and it is signed with a flourish. When the foreman of the jury delivered the verdict, Wilde, who had eniered the prisoners’ dock a moment before, rose from the chair upcn which he had been seated throughout the trial, and stood with his arms on the dock. The silence which pre- yailed throughout the court room was really painful as Justice Wills ordered that Alfred Taylor should also be summoned tefore him. Then, in a voice trembling with emotion, the justice said: “I never be- fore had siich a shocking case as this to deal with. — MARTIS DEATH DOUBTED. Caban Revolutionists Have No News of Ww YORK, May —Senor Diogo Ra- Cuban revolutionist, In N mirez, a prominent an interview, says: “It may be true that Marti has been killed, but the stories about his death are so conflicting that I cannot believe it until our party receives confirmation of the news. It is very strange that we have received no word in regard to it. “There are two facts which lead us to place no confidence in the report. One is that the government is making a second at- tempt to a loan in Paris and wants to sliow that things in Cuba are turning in favor of the Spaniards. The other is that they have just announced that reporters will not be allowed to go to the insurgents” camp. “There are other men among them the name of Marti, and, for that matter, more than one man bearing Marti’s Christian name—Jose. Maybe the Spaniards killed a Jose Marti, but not the great general of that name. Our chief argument against the report, however, is that Gomez and Marti had, only two or three days before, fought a battle in Camasan, some 200 miles from Dos Rios, where they are said to have been Killed, and between Dos Rios and Camasan, which is away on the northeast, the country is very mountainous and could not be traveled in two or three days. “But admitting that Gen. Jose Marti be really dead, we should deplore his loss sin- cerely, but it would not affect the cause in the slightest degree. There are many ready to take his place, and fighting will be con- tinued with redoubled vigor, for the Cubans will be animated by the desire to avenge him.” __— The Ailsa Fe to Withdraw. SOUTH END, nd, May 2 Ailsa and Britannia started at 943 this morn- ing, with hts of other classes, in @ channel race from South End to Harwich, a distance of about fifty miles. The breeze was light. Ailsa was leading the twen- ties and forties when she was compelled to give up the race and return to her anchor- ge, having Jost her bobstay. This de- stroyed the interest in the race.