Evening Star Newspaper, November 16, 1895, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY 1101 Peaayivania Aves, Ge 1th Beet, by VenES, The Evening Star Newspaper Company, 5. H. KAUFFMANN, Pree‘t. New York Office, 49 Potter Building. ‘The Evening Star ts served to subscribers in the city by carriers, on thelr owa account cents per wee. cx 44 cents per month. Coples at the coonter 2 vents each. By ma’ in the United states or Canada—postage prepald—S0 cents ber month. Saturday Quintupl: Sheet Star, $1 per year, with fereign poatage added, $3. (Entered at the Post Office at Washington, D. C., as second-class mall matter.) $27,411 mail subscriptions must be patd in advance. tes uf advertising made kncwn on application. Che £Zvening Star. No. 13,324. WASHINGTON, D.O., SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1895-TWENTY-FOUR PAGES. TWO CENTS. Look on page 23 for the seventh installment of the new mystery story, “Before They Were Married.” $250 for the correct solution of the mystery by a woman reader. FAITH WAS BROKEN Attack on the American Mission at Kharput. HISSIONARIESESCAPE WITH THEIR LIVES ——_> Report of Another Massacre Re- ceived. ATTITUDE OF THE POWERS (Copyrighted, 1895, by the Associated Press.) CONSTANTINOPLE, November 15, via Sofia, Bulgaria, November 16.—It {s now known that there are about 800 victims of the Kharput massacre, and that eight of the twelve bulldings belonging to the Amer- ican missionaries there were sacked and burned, In spite of the assurances of the porte to the United States minister, Mr. Terrell, that the lives and property of the Americans would be protected, and although {t was announced that Turkish gendarmes had been detailed to guard the mission. The American missionaries, however, es- caped, and are now in a place of safety. Mr. Terrell has notified the porte that the United States will hold it respoasible for the lives of the miss‘onaries. The inhabitants around Kharput are in a state of great distress from hunger, and if the cold weather was to set in suddenly there would be much more suffering and ccnsiderabie loss of life. The news from the different provinces of Asia Minor continues to be grave, confirming beyond doubt the impression which has pre- vailed here for a long time past that the movement has now assumed proportions which have placed it beyond control of the Turkish autncrities, even If the latter were really desirous of punishing the Mussul- mans for massacring Armenians. In fact, it 1s considered very doubtful whether the Turkish troops would fire on Mussulmans if they should be ordered to do so. Another Massacre. . From Guran, in the villayet of Sivas, where the Kurds have been besieging 4,000 Ar- menians, it is reported that all the Armen- tans have been massacred. In the district of Mardin, where there Is a large Christian population of Chaldeans and Syrians, a numter of villages have been burned to the ground, the people are desti- tute and suffering from sickness due to ex- posure and hunger. ‘This outbreak is regarded here as being vory significant and as indicating that a sys- tematic campaign, directed from Yildiz Ki- osk, against all Christians, and not against the-Armenian Christians ins particular, as has generally been beileved to be the case. This puts quite a different and more serious ¢cmplexion upon the whole matter, and is a feature which will immediately attract the attention of the powers, even if it has not already done so. Turkish Charges Denied. , At Sivas and elsewhere the Turks have @laimed that the Armenians were the 4g- gressors, and that the former simply de- fended themselves when attacked by the latter. The weakness of this plea can be judzed from the fact that during the recent mas- sacre at Sivas 800 Armenians were killed and only ten Turks met death during the rioting. It is therefore safe to presume that It was a massacre pure and simple, and not an ordinary disturban which re- sulted in such great loss of life aniong the Armenians. The report that four Jes:it priests, urder French protection, had been murdered at Malatcs turns out to be untrue. There was a disturbance there for a time. The lives of the priests were in danger and they were said to have been killed, but they es- caped and are now in safaty. Many Arrests in Constantinople. ‘The police here continue making unex- piained arrests, and not a day passes with- out revolutionary posters being placarded on the walls or distributed in the strecis. The real state of affairs cannot be ascer- tained by the representatives of the cm- bassies, much less by representatives of the press. But it is currently stated that 400 Softas (Turkish theological students) have recently been arrested. The cause of their imprisonment is said to be their refusal to return to their homes without receiving the money which is due them from the govern- ment for their expenses, etc., in undergoing their course of study, but another and more Itkeiy version of the affair is that the stu- dents have been proved to be implicated in posting the revolutionary placards :ontinu- ally found in and about the public thor- oughfares of this city. ‘The porte is also said to be very anxious about the attitude of the military cadets. The latter are said to be strongly imbued with the revolutionary spirit which pre- valls in the army and navy, and it is re- Ported that the government has decided to transfer the Pancaldi Military School to the barracks at Scutari. No Action by the Powers. No definite action is known to have been taken by the ambassadors of the powers, but it is reported that they will join in a mote to the porte informing the govern- ment of the sultan that, In spite of the remonstrances and recommendations of the powers, matters have now reached a stage in Asia Minor where it is evident that the sultan’s authority is not suflicient to Quell the repeated disturbances which aré breaking out, and it has become necessary for the powers, in the interests of Chris- tlanity and humanity to put an end to these disorders by occupying jointly various por- tions of the Turkish empire until order is fully restored and a better system of government is Inaugurated. In order to carry out the policy of the powers, the most powerful fleet ever gath- ered together Js being assembled at Salon- ica bay. It will consist of about thirty British warships, including a dozen battle ships of the first class; a dozen or so French ships, including half a dozen battle ships; twelve Russian warships, of which four will be battle ships; eight Italian warships, of which number four at least will be first- class battle ships, and several Austrian and German warships. The British fieet in- cludes the flower of the British navy, and is constantly being reinforced. SENDING ARMENIANS AWAY. The Sultan Expelling the Unemployed to Asia Minor. LONDON, November 16.—A dispatch to the Daily News from Constantinople says that the sultan is engaged in examining every resort of the Armenians in the capl- tal for the purpose of arresting and ship- ping all of the unemployed Armenians into Asia Minor. The measure is regarded as a cruel one, even admitting that they reach their destination, the people being mostly inoffensive. The Datly News alse publishes an extract from a 4etter from Erzingan to the effect that Armenian priests have already buried over 40 bodies of persons supposed to have been killed in the second massacre. Thou- (ae are wandering homeless und stary- ing. According to the correspondent of the Daily News orders have been issued to eet the Pancald! miltary school to uteri, In conclusion the dispatch from the cor- respondent says that it is impossible to @scertain the truth of the various rumors about the joint occupation of various por- tions of the Turkish empire. A dispatch to the Standard from Berlin says that the Tageblatt’s Constantinople correspondent has succeeded in obtaining an interview with the Armenian patriarch. The patriarch said that he believed that neither England nor Russia had any se- rious intentions of doing anything for the Armenians, who, he admitted, had some- times provoked the massacres. He sald that a secret and powerful revolutionary committee had been at work doing its best to incense both sides, for the purpose of stirring up trouble. A dispatch to the Times from Erzeroum Says that a letter nearly four columns in length, dated November 3, fully confirms the accounts previously published concern- ing the massacre there. The writer suys that ft ts impossible yet to ascertain the number of the killed. Some persons assert that it will reach fully 2,0v0. Continuing, the writer says: “We have not dared to go to the quarters of the city where the Turks are too numer- ovs. I have yet to hear of a single dead Turk in this struggle. Turkish Accoumts of Trouble. The Turkish legation has received the fol- lowing communication from the sublime perte urder Thursday's date: “The Armenian revolutionists of Sivas, af- ter taking out of their shops all the mer- chandise, attacked the Mussulmans. They fired from the windows of their houses and wounded severely one soldier. A pistol shot broke the window of the room occupied by the governor general. They also attacked the village of Mardjilik, killed many Mus- sulmans and committed many offenses against law end order. The authorities of Arabguir disccvered forty of the bombs vhich the Armenian agitators had buried in order to blow up public buildings, such as the barracks, the palace of the governor, the military storchouse and the like. The fire that broke out in the city originated from bombs prepared for that purpose. The Turkish population of Arabguir, being at- tacked by 1,50 rioters, perfectly armed and equipped, telegraphed to the imperial government for protection. “The provincial authorities neglected ab- solutely nothing to preserve peace. “The Armenian rioters of Erzindjan fired upon the Mussulmans and attacked the palace of the governor, the military station and other buildings. They were repulsed, however, by the military. “The Armenian revolutionists of Arabguir having attacked the Mussulman quarter of Knejinar, a bloody conflict occurred. An- other conflict took place near the Saroy (Van) between Armenian brigands and gen- darmes. The brigands fied to the village of Bogazkean, but they were dispersed. Many gendarmes were killed and wounded. “The agitators Kircer and Kevork of the village of Kemer (Sivas), who fired shots, and in whose houses ammunition and cart- ridges were discovered, have been arrested. “More than 5,000 Armenian revolutionists are at Choukmerzen, and it is reported they are preparing for active aggression.” San Francisco Leaves Marseilles. A cable message was received at the Navy Department this morning from Admiral Sel- fridge, commanding the European station, saying that he sailed with the flagship San Francisco this morning from Marseilles for Alexandretta, Syria, where she will look out tor American intere: It is about 1,5 miles between the two ports, and the San Francisco is expected to make the distance in about five days, inasmuch as her com- mander has been instructed to proceed with- out delay. Her consort, the Marblehead, is at Mersine, on the Syrian coast, and it is Probable that early communication will be established between the two warships. Secretary Olney’s Advices. Secretary Olney has received a cablegram from United States Minister Terrell confirm- ing the Associated Press reports from Con- stantinople concerning the massacre of S00 Persons by the Musselmans at Harpoot and the destruction of a large amount of Ameri- can mission property. ‘The scene of this massacre is far inland and beyond the reach of a man-of-war,which would be obliged to pass the Dardanelles and enter the Black sea to approach even the neighboring coast. There is reason to believe that Mr. Terrell, in addition to strongly insisting to the porte upon the protection of the Americans there, has urged them to come to the coast, where they can be more readily assisted by the American men-of-war. As the reports indicate that the mission- aries themselves have escaped the massacre unharmed, it is probable that the amends required of the Turkish government by the United States will be confined to a demand for payment on account of the property de- stroyed. It was at this very point—Harpoot—that the State Department sought to establish a consulate, in which purpose it has been defeated so far by the refusal of the Turkish government to issue an exequatur to Mr. Hunter, sent out there from the department as the first consul. Whereabouts of the Marblehead. It was from an apprehension of trouble on the Syrian coast that the U. S. S. Marble- head was stationed there recently, and the wisdom of the move is now apparent. She has been cruising along the coast, but, un- fortunately, just when the massacre is re- ported to have occurred at Alexandretta, she was further down the coast at a place called Mercine, about a day’s sail distant. Alex- andretta is peopled by about 2,500 persons, principally Greek Christians, and Hes on a gulf of the same name on the extreme north- ern end of the Syrian coast. SECRETARY OF LEGATION. Mr. Wm. W. Russell Appointed to Venezuela by the President. The President has appointed Wm. W. Russell of Maryland to be secretary of the United States legation to Venezuela. Mr. Russell is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, who has since engaged in business as a civil engineer. He was sec- ond lieutenant on the Brazilian cruiser America, fitted out in this country to meet the rebel fleet. He has traveled consider- ably in South and Central America and Mexico, and speaks Spanish fluently. His father was Major W. W. Russell, a Mexi- can war veteran and a member of Gen. McClellan's staff, and his uncle is Rear Admiral Russell, now resident in Washing- ton, Who Recommended Him. Mr. William W. Russell lves at Rock- ville, Md. He was recommended to the State Department by Chairman Hattersly W. Talbctt and Secretary Spencer C. Wat- kins of the Maryland state central commit- tee, Senators Gcrman and Gibson, and others from Maryland and the District of Columbia. Mr. Russell is an associate member of the Journalist Club of this city. ——_—_—_+« +______ NOT AT THE WHITE HOUSE. The President Remained at Woodley Working on His Message. The President was not at the White House today. It is reported that he spent the day at Woodley writing his message to Congress. There is no certainty that he has gone hunt- ing or fishing in some of the neighboring states. —__—_-e—_____ The Asiatic Squadron. A telegram received at the Navy Depart- ment announces the arrival of the flag- ship Baltimore at Yokohama yesterday. Acmirel Carpenter, who hes been relieved of command of the Asiatic station, was a passenger on the Baltimore, and it is ex- pected that he will embark on the first merchant steamer leaving the Japanese port for San Francisco. Acting Admiral NeNair, who succeeds to the command of the Asiatic squadron, will leave San Fran- cisco for Yokohama cn the 30th instant. The Olympia, now at the last named port, will be his flagship. NO NEW TRUSTEES | °C: Commissioners Satisfied With the Present School Board. PROPINED INCREASE OF THE NUMBER The Present Trustees Believed to Have Too Much to Do. MATTERS FOR CONGRESS Two tmportant matters have been agreed upon by the Commissioners affecting the public schools of Washington. First, the present board of school trustees will be re- tained for another term, and second, Con- gress will be urged at its next session to increase the number of trustees. The terms of all the public school trustees expired on the 13th of September. The pub- Me was daily watching and waiting for the Commissioners to make the new appoint- ments, and it was not until The Star pub- Ushed the fact that the Commissioners had passed an order continuing the board in office until such time as they could deal with the question that anything positive \.as known of the situation. In the meantime, friends of those who wanted to serve as trustees, and friends of the incumbents who desired to be reap- pointed, waited upon the Commissioners and presented petitions and letters urging the respective merits of their friends. A public hearing was given, at which the Commissioners listened to eulogies of the candidates from their friends, and finally took the matter under consideration. And so it has remained until recently, when, it is understood, the Commissioners decided, that in view of the excellent work done by the several trustees in the past, no new appointments would be made, the hold- over order still to remain in force. This practically disposes of the subject, for it is authoritatively stated that no changes will be made. To Increase the Number. But there {s another important matter in this connection which will receive the earn- est support of the Commissioners before Congress. For some time it has been real- ized that the number of trustees was in- adequate, and statistics have been prepared showir g what a large field the present small force of trustees has to cover. The result has been that {t was out of the question for the trustees to completely cover the work of inspection assigned to them. According to the present arrangement the city is divided into eight school districts. There are 90 school buildings occupied by 40,678 schcol children. It requires %42 teachers to run these schools. There are 11 trustees in all to supervise and inspect these schools. Mr. J. J. Darlington looks after the first district, which contains eight public school buildings Mr. George H. Harries attends to the wants of the second district, which contains fifteen school buildings; Mr. James W. Whelpley has charge of the third district, and ten school buildings are included therein. The fourth district, with six buildings, is looked after by Dr. D. H. Hazen. Then comes the fifth district, with nine buildings, under the trusteeship of Mr. Jesse H. Wilson. Dr. A. H. Witmer is trustee of the sixth division, and he has twenty-six schools under him. The seventh division is looked after by Mr. B. K. Bruce, and the eighth division is divided into two sections. It contains fourteen school buildings, eight of which Mr. Louis A. Cornish attends to, and the remaining six fall to the care of Dr. F. J. Shadd. For the first six white school divisions Mrs. Louise R. Stowell is the lady trustee, and Mrs. Mary C. Terrell attends to the seventh and eighth divisions. Some of the districts are overcrowded with schools, and one trustee is regarded as incufficient. Then new buildings are being erected all the time. There are five new ones now under construction, two of which are in the sixth district, two in the eighth and one in the fourth. Then the sixth district, which is by a large majority the largest n the city, is to have four of its school build- ings enlarged during the present year. It is understood that the Commissioners will ask that the number of trustees be increased to fifteen. This will give four additional trustees, and if Congress grants the Commissioners authority to appoint ee the vacancies will be filled without lelay. —— MR. SAILER’S RESIGNATION. He Lays Down the Superintendency of the W. and G. R. R. Mr. C. C. Sailer, who has been for a num- ber of years past the general superintend- ent of the Washington and Georgetown railroad, has tendered his resignation to the board of directors of the Capital Trac- tion Company, which now controls the road of which he for so long was a faithful servant, and the resignation has been ac- cepted Mr. Sailer had been in the employ of the road in the neighborhood of thirty years, and proved himself an able official. He started in years ago as a watchman on the road, from which position he was pro- moted to be starter, and gradually worked up to be the superintendent af the road. He had kept pace with the development of the road and took an active part in all the improvements that have been made in its system in the past few years. Mr. Sailer is well known in the city, and is generally regarded as one of the most efficient street railway men in the United States. His res- ignation was, of course, a voluntary cne, and is understood to have been brought about by his feeling that he had worked about hard enough and long enough for one man. The positions of general superin- tendent and chief engineer of the road have been consolidated, and Mr. D. S. Carll, who filled the latter position, has been appoint- ed to the dual post. ——.__ CAPT. HOWGATE’S TERM. He is Calm and Ready to Begin Serv- ing His Sentence. Warden Leonard of the District jail stated, this afternoon, that he did not know just when he would transfer Capt. Henry W. Howgate to the Albany penitentiary to serve the sentence of eight years impused by Judge McComas the 2d of last July. The warden thought, however, that his dis- tinguished prisoner would go with the next batch of convicts, which might be some time next week. Capt. Howgate, it is said, is quite ready to go whenever the time arrives, and is said to be preserving the same remarkable calin- ness and fortitude which has been always characteristic of the man. He is sixty-one years of age, and it was stated at the City fall today that his actual term of impris- crment would be slightly less than five years. ‘The sentence was directed by Judge Mc- Comas to take effect from the day of im- position, July 2, and somewhat more than four mouths of it has already expired. It is how said that the two sentences of four years on the two indictments will be treated by the penitentiary authorities as one sentence, and the prisoner, by good conduct in prison, will, therefore, secure a reduction of thirty-three months. Adding to that the four months since the imposi- tion of the sentence and the actual term of imprisonment will be, it is claimed, eight years, less thirty-seven months. That is, four years and eleven months. ELLIOT - RELIEVED He Has Completed.the’ Wosk on the Dale- carlia, Resaryoér. Continued in This Buty by Special Act of Congresa—His Service to the Distriet. eee & Col. George H. Elliot, cbrps of enginees, retired, has been reHevediof the special work in connection with the iniprovement of the Dalecarlia receiving reseryatr, on which he has been engaged both Before and since his retirement, March 3fImét. . The character of this work and Col. Efiiet’s connection with it are described im the foMlewing provision of the District of Columbia appropriation bill, approved March 2, 1895: “For completing the improvement of the Dalecarlia receiving reservoir by the works required for cutting off the drainage into it of polluted water and sewage from the sur- rounding country; for completing the pur- chase or condemnation of the small amount of land required for the purpose, and the ex- cavation nece.siry at the head of the reser- voir, thirty-seven thousand five hundred dol. lars, the same to be immediately available, said work to be done and completed under the supervision of Col. George H. Elliot, corps of engineers, notwithstanding his re- tirement, and said officer shall be allowed until such complefon the pay and allow- ances of officers of his grade on the active list, and in case of the death or disability of such officer, the work shall be completed under the direction and charge of the chief of engineers.” , The Work Completed. His relief is made at Co}, Elliot’s personal request and is due to the completion of the project. In the order for his relief, which was issued this morning, he was instructed “to turn over the reservolr and the money and property pertaining thereto to Maj. C. E. L. B. Davis, corpg of engineers, in charge of the Washington aqueduct.” Col. Elliot has served his country well, and the people of the District of ColumLia in particular have special reason to be grateful for the valuable services he has rendered in their behalf in the improve- ment and extension of the water supply system of the District. Se THE FOG THIS MORNING. It Enveloped the Entire City and Made a Scene of Pecgliar Beauty Washingtonians who are early risers were treated to a scene of unusual brilliancy and beauty this morning. A ‘fog that was re- markably heavy for this neighborhood hung over the city like a huge pall, and at an early hour was go dense as to be fairly com- parable to a famous London fog. Unfortu- pately, Anglomaniacs are fond of lying in bed late and having their tea and toast brought to them, so that they missed the delight of being reminded of “deah old Lun- non,” and the milkmen and car drivers got the best of it. In fact, traffic on the streets was inter- fered with in no inconsiderable degree, and cable cars had their headjights blazing as though it had been midpight. Curiously enough, the mist seemed -to hang densest about the Capitcl, and from a nearby point of view it made a wonderfully beautiful background for the great dome when tinged by the rays of the risingsun. Above the fog rose the noble shaft af the Washington monument, warmed to @ gargeous pink by the early light. As the sun rose higher the fog began to dissipate, leaving the city wrapped in a warm, delicate haze, which softened rough corners, made plain struc- tures fair and added the charm of pictur- esque vagueness to the scene as the city lay basking in the first. light of a glorious fall day. One may say all he wishes to of the delights of St. Peter's, the glory of Ven- ice at sunset and the mystic beauty of the pyramids by moonlight, byt:there are many who think—good judges of beauty, too, and people of taste—that there.is no more glori- cus or inspiring sight than’ the broad sweep of the avenue from 15th street, with the vista closed by the noble Gapitol, viewed in the haze of a fair Indian«summer morning. —<_— BADLY USED UP. Maj. Newton Arrnigned for Assault- ing Officer Posey. Maj. Newton, the colored man who fig- ured in the struggle with Policeman Posey yesterday at 18th and K streets, as pub- lished in yesterday's Star, presented the ap- pearance of a man who had figured in a railroad wreck or an explosion when he ap- peared in the Police Court today. The po- iceman was unable to appear because of his condition, resulting from the fight. At the Emergency Hospital the colored man’s head was dressed with bandages, but the wounds had opened during the night, and this morning his head was covered with fresh blood. a In addition to the treatment he received at the hands cf Officer Posey, the colored man told a reporter that he was ill-treated after he Jeft the hospital, and while in the station cell an officer threw a piece of coal between the bars at him and struck him on the Lead. Newton denies that he threw the brick which inflicted the injury to the officer, and says it must have been thrown by scme one in the crowd. Several pistsl shots were firdd by the cf- ficer, and this gave rise to the report that some person had been shot. Charges of disorderly conduct and as- saulting an officer were filed against New- ton in court this morning, and the cases went over until next week. — THE BATTLE SHIP TEXAS. Question of Damages to Be Passed on by a Board of pection, The probabilities now are that no court of inquiry will be appointed to investigate the strain of the battle ship Texas which oc- curred upon the occasion of her recent dock- ing, but that the questior’ of the damage done at that time, as well as that of her al- leged defects of construction, will be passed upon by the board of inspection. The vessel has not yet been subjected to inspection with reference to her steam power, and a decision has been reached to extend the pow- ers of the Inspection board 0 as to include a careful inquiry into all the conditions of the vessel. The board will also be empowered to consider the points of dispute between the commander of the vessel and the naval ccn- structor, with a view to deciding what, if any, alterations should be made. If it ‘be- comes evident, as now appears likely, that the Texas will not be sent to sea for her steam trial for a week or ten days, the beard will proceed with the general investi- gation before that time. The high officials at the Navy Department are quite convinced that there was ho fault in the docking of the ship. MARCH OF CIVILIZATION, A System of Schools to ‘Be Establish- ed in Corea. The first impulse of the move of civiliza- tion in rea resulting from the China- Japan war, is noted in a dispatch to the skate Department from United States Min- ister Sill, transmitting a royal decree es- tablishing a system of schools in that coun- try. The purpose, as quammtly expressed in the decree, is “Children’sfall be taught, in order {at the people may {be educated; that a genfral knowledgeghay be diffused, and that men of ability may be raised up to fill the various profession: ‘There are three kinds of schools—gover » public (under the care of the magist or prefectures) and private schools. THE HIGHWAY AC Distriot Commissioners Will Wait for the Courts BEFORE ASKING FOR AMENDMENTS Changes Which Major Powell Would Like to Effect. OTHER DISTRICT AFFAIRS The District Commissioners have decided to take no positive steps toward getting the street extension law amended until the courts have cons:dered the questions now be- fore them regarding the act. In The Star of November 5 last attention was called to the defects which had been discovered in the act, and it was stated that the Commissioners would present a bill to Congress amending the act, in order that the original ideas of street extension should be carried out without question. There have been several interviews with the attorney for the District, Mr. S. T. Thomas, on the subject, and it is understood the Commis- sioners have directed him to prepare a bill in accordance with his recommendations, which, it is understood, are in favor of cut- ting out the assessment clause and making that cleuse relative to the assessment of benefits more specific. As the law now reads, there is a provision in this regard that is considered entirely too broad. It stipu- lates that the benefits are to be assessed upon “the land benefited thereby.” The matter has attracted the serious considera- tion of the Commissioners, and they are do- ing everything in their power to remedy ex- isting defects. Other Changes Wanted. Then the law, it is thought, is not broad enough in several other respects. There are limitations regarding widths of streets which the Engineer Commissioner is anx- fous to have broadened in order that sev- eral important projects may be carried out. For instance, he is very desirous of having the Piney Branch driveway widened to 200 feet. The highway commission was anxious to have this done and would have recom- mended it had it not been for the law which prohibited the widening of a road to more than 100 feet. Then again there are several original ideas which Maj. Powell desires to carry out in connection with that portion of the third section west of Rock creek. There is the recommendation, for instance, that a strip of land varying in width from 150 to 20 feet be retained on the west side of the creek to preserve its natural beauty, as well as similar recom- mendations in relation to the small streams which branch off from the creek. Maj. Powell admittei to a reporter of The Star this afternoon that the Commission- ers had had several interviews with the attorney for the District upon the subject of street extensio: with especial refer- ence to those clau: which were claimed to be unconstitutional. ‘We have decided, however,” said the mzor, ‘until the courts imterfere, to go right ahead. Should the act be Geclared unconstitutional, most cer- tainly we will have it amended. The ex- tension of the strects and avenues of this city is a most important work, and sheuld by all means be accomplished before long.” The Street Extension Case. No action was taken today by either side in the street extension case, and Mr, A. B. Duvall of counsel for the District stated to a Star reporter that nothing would be done before Monday, at least. Electric Lights Instead of Gas. The District Commissioners are doing all in their power to foster competition in the street-lighting business, The contract re- cently awarded the Potomac Light and Power Company to light the subdivisions of ‘Tenleytown and Reno are evidences of their intention to help this company as much as the law allows. It was stated today that the gas lamps on the Aqueduct bridge would be discontinued in a few days, and incandescent electric lights substituted by the Potomac Light and Power Company. Liquor License Applications. Major Moore has notified the excise board that he will return with the recommenda- tions of his department all of the retail liquor applications intrusted to his care for examination and report. It is not believed, however, that the excise board will take the subject of granting licenses up im- mediately, as they have agreed to make the return of the new assessment, as far as the city proper is concerned,by the Ist of Janu- ary. Should an opportunity present itself, however, in the meantime, the license ques- tion will be considered. Owners of Unimproved Lots. ‘The wet weather of the past few days has washed the dirt from unimproved lots onto the sidewalks of the city. Under the pro- visions of the act of March 2, 1895, the Com- missioners have the right to remove the refuse, if, after due notice, the owner re- fuses to do the work. The cost of the work is made a lien against the property. District inspectors are making reports every day of dirty sidewalks, and the Commissioners are sending out notices to clean the same forth- with. Orders for Work. The Commissioners have ordered: That the sidewalk over sewer trench on 2d street northwest between F street and Massachu- setts evenue be,repaired by the superin- tendent of streets; that 365 feet of six-inch water main be laid in 13th street between Princeton and Yale streets northwest; that 300 feet of twelve-inch and eighteen-inch sewer be laid in the alley in square 623, to replace, in part, the existing sewer, and that a fire hydrant be erected at the northeast corner of 4% street and Missouri avenue. Building Permits. Building permits have been issued as fol- lows: R. O. Ryder, to erect three two-story brick dwellings, 1337, 1339 and 1341 I street northeast, to cost $4,500; Oliver A. Emmons, to erect one two-story frame building at the corner of Nichols avenue and Park street, Congress Heights, to cost $1,200. Mr. Burns’ Contract Vacated. In accordance with the disclosures made in the case of A. B. Burns, as printed in Thursday's Star, relative to the erection of a fire escape on the Homeopathic Hos- pital, the Commissioners yesterday vacated the contract with Mr. Burns, and directed the inspector of buildings to make a con- tract direct with C. B. Albre & Co. to do the work. A New Fire Insurance Company. Authority has been granted by the Com- missioners to the Mutual Fire Insurance Company to do business in the District. A Schedule Unsatisfactory. ‘The Commissioners have notified the gen- eral manager of the Brightwood Ratiroad Company that they do not approve the schedule of the running of the cars, because it is not in accordance with the terms of its charter. They direct him to submit a new schedule at once which does comply with the terms of its charter. Fencing Railroad Tracks. The Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Company has completed the fencing of its tracks within the city limits from the tunnel to the Long bridge. Captain E. Y. Beggs, general inspector of the District, has had immediate charge of the work. There is a portion, however, that is not included, over which the District has no jurisdiction, that is, the space between 7th and 9th streets, which is a public reservation, and under the immediate control of Col. Wilson, in charge of public buildings and ground: ‘here is scme question as to the railroad’s right to occupy the space, and it is understood the question will be brought up when the matter of fencing in the reservation comes up. Executive Session. There was an executive session of the board of Commissioners yesterday, which lasted several hours, and a number of im- portant matters of local importance were taken up and discussed,including the market house matter and the Bailey case. ae CHAMBERLAIN’S DISPATCHES. What He is Said to Have Asked British Guiana. Information reaching here today from Demerara, British Guiana, is to the effect that further dispatches of a very pointed character have been received from Joseph Chamberlain, British minister for the col- onies, concerning Venezuela. Their con- tents were not disclosed, but a meeting of the high council of the colony was called, at which it was believed the subject would be fully discussed. The information which was contained In the Demerara pa- pers up to November 1 was transmitted to the State Department. The report in circulation at Demarara, and generally credited, is that Minister Chamberlain has forwarded dispatches to the British Guiana government, in which he inquires whether or not, in the event of measures between that colony and Venez- uela being pushed to extremes, the colonial government fs prepared to do its utmost in 4n endeavor to sustain the prestige of the British flag, to which it owes allegiance. Commenting on these dispatches the press of Demerara says there need be no hesita- tion in giving an affirmative answer to Minister Chamberlgin. Why such inquiry should come from Lon- don excites conjecture, and the feeling ts that it may be due to irritation because the high council voted down Mr. Chamberlain’s proposition to buy Maxim guns, ammuni- tion, etc. In that event, the next meeting of the high council is expected to show a purpose to support Mr. Chamberlain “‘to the utmost in an endeavor to sustain the prestige of the British flag,“ which is the language of Mr. Chamberlain’s Inquiry, ac- cording to the accepted reports at Dem- ews were had with all the foreign ri Guaina concerning the Venezuelan question. The French consul. Mr. Clark, and the Dutch consul, Mr. de Jonge, refused to commit themselves in | their official capacity. The German consul, | Mr. Weber, was very outspoken against the | United States and in favor of the British | position. England, he says, should insist {on a final settlement on the lines it has | laid down. Mr. Weber thinks the idea of any effective interference by America ab- | surd. —_—_—_+e+—_-. HEMMED IN BY FLAMES. Three Employes Lost Their Lives Try- ing to Save a Buildin, DETROIT, Mich., November 16.—Another fire, attended with terrible fatalities, oc- curred about 3:30 o’clock this morning, when the factory of the Improved Match Company, at Bellevue avenue and Freder- ick street, was burned and three lives lost. ‘The dead are: Reuben Davis, night watch- man, forty-three years old, single; John Wagner, night watchman, an elderly maa, married; Agnes Yettke, seventeen years old. ‘The factory had been working night and day. About 3:30 o’clock thirty hands were busily employed, when the fire suddenly started, probably by friction. The flames spread with great rapidity. All the em- ployes except the three named escaped. Davis and Wagner, cssisted by the Yettke girl, secured the fire hose and attempted to put out the fire. Before they were aware of their danger flames sprung up all around them and they were unable to escape. After destroying the main building and gutting the smaller one the fire burned itself out. The bodies of Davis and Miss Yettke were recovered, burned beyond recognition. The building, machinery and sicck destroyed were valued at $60,000; in- sured, $6,000. ‘The improved company is a new concern, not in the trust, which was organized by a number of Detroit citizens and filed articles for incorporation last week. Its plant was located In a three-story brick building at Bellevue avenue and Frederick street, with a smaller building in the rear, used for the storage of matches. —_—>—_ BROKE EVERY BONE. Suicide of a Philadelphian by a 150- foot Leap. PHILADELPHIA, November 16.—A man supposed to be Arthur T. Jack of 16th and Sansom streets committed suicide today by jumping from a window on the eleventh ficor of the Betz building, a distance of about 150 feet. Every bone in the man’s body was broken. ——-_—_ A SERIOUS CHARGE. George W. Mater Alleged to Have As- saulted Mrs. Fannie Reed. Mrs. Fannie Reed, a pension office clerk, will appear as a witness in the Police Court in a few days in the case of George W. Mater, the veterinary surgeon,against whom there is a charge of assault. The complaint in the cese was filed by Sidrey Burlingame, father of Mrs. Reed. According to the com- plaint made by Mr. Burlingame, his daugh- ter sustained her injuries, bruises on the face, Thursday night, end she was so badly injured that she does not remember just how she got tc her home, near Ist and E streets northeast. Mr. Burlingame, in swearing out the warrant, allege] that the affair tcok place neac Lincoln Park, and that the defendant compelled Mrs. Reed to get in his buggy, drawing a pistol on nche warrant was placed in the hands of the polfce, but Mater was not arrested last right. — JUDGE McCOMAS’ ILLNESS. Injuries Received While Riding in a Street Car. Judge Louis E. McCcmas of the District Supreme Ccurt is confined to his house be- cause of injuries received on a street car about a week ago. Judge McComas was standing on the car, when the sharp turn- ing of a corner threw him heavily against the rail, badly bruising his side. The judge is suffering considerable pain, but hopes to be able to sit in the Court of Appeals next week in one or more cases in which Mr. Justice Morris is disqualified from hearing. —_—_s——_ The Colt Dispute Arranged. PROVIDENCE, R. I., November 16.—One of the couns2] for Mr. Colt in an interview today stated that there would be no fur- ther legal proceedings in the case, at least for the present, as mutual friends had in- tervened. The subjects in dispute be- tween Mr. and Mrs. Colt would be settled by arbitration. —— Mrs. Chandler Granted a Divorce. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. INDEPENDENCE, Kan., November 16.— In the district court here yesterday Mrs. Beatta Chandler was granted a divorce rom her husband, Geo. Chandler, first as- alstant secretary of the interior under Har- rison and now a practicing lawyer in Wash- ington. ‘The grounds alleged were aban- donment and extreme cruelty. HOUSE CLERKSHIP The Pennsylvania Candidate Has Opened Headquarters, ASPIRANTS FOR OTHER OFFICES Some Think the Keystone State Has Had Sufficient Reward. INTERESTING STATISTICS Maj. McDowell, the Pennsylvania candi- date for the clerkship of the House, opened his headquarters at Willard’s Hotel today. Mr. Glenn, the candidate for doorkeeper, from New York, is expected to open his headquarters at the same hotel Monday. It is said that the Missouri delegation may not press the candidacy of Russel! for ser- geant-at-arms, but will present the name of ex-Representative Wade for one of the of- fices, either sergeant-at-arms or postmas- ter. There is considerable mystery about Ohio's candidate for the postmastership. It is announced that there is to be a candidate from that state who Is to have the place, but no one here appears to know who he Is, Some of the Ohio members who have been asked about the matter say that they do not know who he is, but that an Ohio man will get the office. Maj. McDowell Confident. Major McDowell said this morning that he did not think there was a possible doubt abcut his election as clerk, and he said also that he did not know anything of a combination including the other offices. His friends say that he has already pledged more than enough to elect him. The sug- gertion is again made that General Hen- derson, his rival candidate, may be given the place of sergeant-at-arms.” It is be- lieved that the only interest Mr. Reed is taking in the contests is to induce as much friendliness as possible, and to prevail upon the parties interested not to permit any bitterness to get into the fight. Major McDowell received a good many callers today, but there are few members of the House in town. Pennsylvania’s Record. One of the arguments against giving the clerkship to Pennsylvania is that the state has had quite its share of the patronage of the House since Congress was organized, and that it is now the turn of some of the western states. Pennsylvania has had 8 Speakers with 514 terms, covering 11 years; 7 clerks with 24 terms, covering 48 years: 2 sergeants-at-arms with 13 terms, covering 26 years, and one doorkeeper with 13 terms, covering 26 years. These offices were distributed as follows: Speakers—Frederick A. Muhlenberg, First and Third; Galusha A. Grow,Thirty-seventh, and Samuel J. Randall, second session, For- ty-fourth, Forty-fifth and Forty-sixth Con- gresses. Clerks—J. W. Condy, Fifth and of Sixth, and J. H. Oswatd, part of Sixth; Mat- thew St Clair Clarke, part of Seventeenth and the Eighteenth, Nineteenth, Twentieth, Twenty-first, Twenty-second and Twenty- reventh; S. Franklin, Twenty-third, ‘Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth; J. W. For- ney, Thirty-second, Thirty-third and Thirty- sixth; Edward McPherson, Thirty-eighth, Thirty-ninth, Fortieth, Forty-first, Forty- second, Forty-third, Forty-seventh and Fif- ty-first, and James Kerr, Fifty-second and Fifty-third. Sergeant-at-arms—Joseph Wheaton, First to Ninth, inclusive, and A. J. Glossbrenner, Thirty-second, Thirty-third, Thirty-fourth and Thirty-fifth. Doorkeeper—Thomas Claxton, Fourth to Sixteenth, inclusive. What Illinois Has Had. It 1s pointed out by the friends of Gen. Henderson that the state of Ilinois, for neorly eighty years a member of the Union, has had two officers of the House of Rep- resentatives, Richard M. Young, clerk of the House in the Thirty-first Congress, who was Senatcr from 1837 to 1843, and James C. Allen, clerk of the House in the Thirty- fifth Congress, he having been a member of the preceding House. Share of Other States. Ohio has furnished two sergeants-at-arms, Thompson and Leedom; Iowa, one sergeant- at-arms; Minnesota, Michigan and Wiscon- sin, one postmaster each, while Indiana has had three Speakers—John W. Davis of the Twenty-ninth, Schuyler Colfax, Thirty- eighth, Thirty-ninth and Fortieth, and Michael C. Kerr, first session of the Forty- fcurth. The two states of Kentucky and Virginia have largely monopolized the offices of Speaker and clerk, having an aggregate of fifty-two years to their credit, while no elective office has ever gone west of the Mis- sissippi river, save Minnesota, which got the postmaster for two terms. The eastern and middle state have furnished the Speaker and clerk for eighty-one years. ———_-» -—___ DUKE AND DUCHESS SAIL, at the Steamer, rt. NEW YORK, November 16.—The Duke and Duchess of Marlborough sailed for England today by the steamship Fulda. A large number of friends were at the dock to bid them farewell. Mrs. Alvan Vanderbilt, accompanied by Miss Katharine Duer, and two of the duchess’ bridesmaids were in a roped in- closure, which separated them from the crowds who had gone to the dock to catch a glimpse of the duke and duchess. Mrs. Vanderbilt, bidding her daughter good-bye, said: e “I suppose we will meet in Paris next.” The young duchess appeared much af- fected. William K. Vanderbilt, the father of the duchess, was also at the dock. He went into the state room and bade the duke and duchess good-bye and left the dock before the steamer sailed. ——— Personal Mention. Thomas J. Murry, bon vivant, raconteur, fisherman and philosopher, who casually directs the creature comforts establishment at the House end of the Capitol, is at the Shoreham, accompanied by Mrs. Murry, after spending ea delightful summer in Maine. Mr. James J. Hill, the president of the Great Northern railroad, is at the Arlington. Smith M. Weed, the well-known New York politician, is at the Arlington. The leave of absence of Maj. Joseph K. Corson, surgeon, has been extended twenty days on account of illness. Lieut. John M. Morgan, eighth cavalry, and Lieut. R. B. Matthews, ninth cavalry, are in the city on leave of absence. Ensign George W. Logan, who will be flag Neutenant of the Asiatic squadron un- der Admiral McNair, is in the city. He is stopping at the Army and Navy Club. Ensign W. B. Hoggatt of the Patterson is at the Ebbitt House. Col. Jchn F. Treutlen has sent to the At- lanta exposition a pertrait of John Adams ‘Treutlen, his great grandfather, who was the first governor of Georgia. Representative-elect Grove L. Johnson of Sacramento, Cal., and Mrs. Senator William Lindsay of Frankfort, Ky., are recent guests at the Cochran. Representative Peter J. Somers of Mil- waukee is stopping at the Riggs House. M. M. Allen, the mayor of Peoria, Ill, is at the Ebbitt House. Capt. Charles T. Smith, U. S. A., 1s stop- ping at the Ebbitt. Among the arrivals at the St. James is Prof. W. D. Dabney of the University at Charlottesville, Va.