Evening Star Newspaper, November 29, 1895, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th Street, by The Evening Star Newspaper Company, 8. H. KAUFFMANN, Pres’t. Kew York Office, 49 Potter Building. ‘The Evening Star Is served to subscribers In the city by carriers, on their own account, at 10 cents per week, cr 44 cepts Ret wonth. Copies at the ‘y counter 2 sents i—anywhere in the United States or Cunada—postage prepaid—u cenis per month. Saturday Quintupl: Sheet Star, $1 per year, with foreign postage added, $3.00. (Entered at the Post Ofive at Washington, D. C., as second-class: €7-AU mall Rates vf adv ising made knewn on application. The Evening Star. N 0. 18,335. WASHINGTON, D.C. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1895-SIXTEEN PAGES, TWO CENTS Look on page 13 for the eigh- teenth installment of the new mystery story, “Before They Were Married.” $250 for the correct solution of the mystery by a woman reader, TIRED OF TRIFLING British Ambasgador’s Notice to the Porte. FURKGY. PLAYING FAST AND LOOSE —__.-__—_. Another Warship Headed for the Dardanelles. SULTAN IS NEARLY CRAZY een (Copyrighted. 1805, by the Assoclated Press.) rINOPLE, Nov 28. via sigaria, November 2 politi- cal situation remains serio nd the crisis may be expected within the ensuing twen- ty-four hours. The sultan, who is only more thoroughly under the influence of the palace party, led by Izzet Bey, still declines to give firr applied for by the Britain, Russia, Italy and eS passage of extra guard through the straights of the Dardanelles. This is the more extraordinary, as on Tuesday Tewfik Pasha, the Turkish minister for foreign affairs, personally : Philip Cur- rie that the porte ! mined to grant immediately the req would thu e the ‘$$ are apparently in favor minis f srant- ing the firmans, the “palace party,” valets, priests, chamberlains and others, who are the real advi of Abdul Hamid, are op- posed to it as calculated to lower nity of the sultan. ntime the Mu y, looking upo: vent of the extra guarc less than a warlike demonstration befor Constantinople. ss is a dangerous fea- ture of the af @hd is adding io the a: fety felt on all sides. In spite of threatened storm, however, the sultan persists in his refusal to issue the firmens and has again made an evasiv reply to the British ambassador's repre- sentations on the subject. The Dryad Ordered to Come. But Sir Philip Currie, when assured by Tewfik Pasha that the firmans would be forthcuming, promptly telegraphed to the admiral in command of the British Medi- terranean squadron, instructing him to dis- patch a gunboat in the Dardanelles to be used in the Bosphorus as an extra guard- ship at the ¢ si of the Britsh em- bassy. As a result the twin-screw torpedo boat Dryal, 1,07) tons, carrying two 4.7- ur G-pounder quick. ing guns, tched to the Dardanelles, and is to arrive at Chanakkale today right on to the Bosphorus. The jon for unea expected and yi failere of the porte to grant perm! the passage to the straits of the Darda- a nelles thus puts Sir Philip Currie in what embarrassing position, the on insist that she be e ing up the order by if that shculd be necessary. he sultan is known to be in a state of atest agitation by the news that the ex- tra British gunbeat is heading for the Dar- dane and consequently the position of Tewfik Pesha is not a pleasant one. The latter was sent for at midnight and an‘ ex- citing Interview took place between him and the sultan, during which the latter bitterly and tearfully reproached Tewfk Pasha for his action in the matter. ‘The pasha tried to justify himself by re- calling that the granting of the firmans had been agreed to in substance by the sultan, and that he, as in duty baund, so informed Sir Philip Currie when the latter sent an urgent message asking for a prompt re to several communications on the subject. The su’ i ible to issue the firearms, riot- ing in Constantino} powers shouid t s taken by the government to nm . and not mper the authorities by making a demonstration likely to undo all the good he was endeavoring to do. 1 Tewfik Pasha le to induce the Brit- order Sir Phi ing that he was tii and reminding his vi was acting entirely n her treat and upon the nee of a res} member of the Turkish government tt porte had decided to graat the perm the extra guard boats to pass the Darda- nelle Tewrik ha’ returned to the palace in very unenviable frame of mind, and an- nounced the failure of nis mission to the sultan. The latter is said to have been frantic rove Tewfik from his pre The president of uncil, Said E 5 some ir was there- iy sent ani ‘reached the apartments of the sultan after 1:38 a.m. Abdul Hamid eagerly besought him to go immediately to the British ambassador and no effort to induce him to order the ll of the Dryad. Sir Philip Finally Yields. The entreaties of Said Pasha seem to have had weight with the aml ', for Sir Philip finally consented to place the whole matter at that late hour once mor before his covernment and to await: frr- ther instr Ithoush he is unde: Btood to arte blanche as to what Bteps he It necessary to take in treating with the sultan. This morning the British ambassador is awaiting a reply from Lendon. The Turkish officials believe the Marquis of Salisbury, acting upon the underatand- ing that nothing ts to be done to hinder the efforts of the sultan in the work of maintaining order, may instruct Sir Philip to direct the commander of the Dryad not to enter the Dardanelles at present. Abdul Hamid appears to have completely lost his h he public service tirely dis el, the cabinet minist are bein for from the palace at hours of the day a said ln cons 1 may th attendance to be in alme the Yildiz Kic body is an: and worried, the adors being as tired as everyhody at the long months of almost to Inc the sultan to really of co ern his empire ¥ mon sense. th some degree Minister Terreli's Ady ces. The State Department has adyi from Minister Terrell that the missionaries’ School of science at Marash was burned on the 1th, but that the missionaries are sa He also telegraphs that the Aintab College is protected. BAD FREIGHT WRECK. . Engineer and Brakeman Were Fatal- ly Injured. HUNTINGTON, W. Va., November 29.— erg Hill, on the Norfolk and d, a bad freight wreck occur- red late last evening. Engineer Walte? and Brakeman Hardin are fatally and several others seriously injured. The loss to the Company will run far ‘G10 the thousands. THE SENATORIAL CAUCUS It Will Be to Determine the General Re- publican Policy. Important to Decide on the Constree- tion of the Finance Committee if Reorganization Takes Place. The republican senatorial caucus which has been called to meet immediately after the adjournment next Monday is not ex- pected to decide what it is to do with regard to reorganization. The caucus will be for an exchange of views as to the gen- eral policy of the party, and to ascertain what Senators would want in case there should be a reorganization. The most im- portant question is how the finance com- mittee should be constructed if the repub- licans should get control. There is danger of asplit on this question, which might put an end to all thought of reorganization. What the Silver Men Want. The silver republicans have announced that the present silver complexion of that ccmmittee must be maintained and that the cancies must be filled in a way to give a clear majority fer silver. The younger eie- ment of the west insist also on very sub- stantial recognition in the formation of other committees. If this attitude ad- hered to a reorganization, if accomplished, would net represent the conservative sound money element of the east, and it is prob- able that m ‘tern Senators would prefer no r rather than to have the republi made responsible for the formation of a free silver tina committee, If much friction develops 0 this question in the caucus Monday, it is Ukely that the idea of a reorganization will be abandoned A Pre re ble Test Vote. If it is dectded to propose a reorganiza- tion, the test will be made on the vote for president pro’tem. The republicans will probably propose Mr. Frye. The demo- 's will move to amend, by in: ng the neme of Harris, and the populists will move another amendment to insert the name of one of their number. If this is done, it is regarded as certain that all’ three motions will be lost, and the Senate will be without a president pro tem. This is not a serious matter, as the chair can be filled tempo rily at any time the Vice President might be absent. + e+ TWO MICHIGAN VIEWS. Talks With New Members From the Wolverine State. Two new Michigan members are in the city, Mr. Corliss of the Detroit district and Mr. W. A. Smith of Grand Rapids. In an interview they talked interestingly upon public questions, domestic and foreign, and gave their opinions upon desirable legisia- tion. “I have no hesitation in saying,” said M Smith, “that I regard it as a duty of th republican Congress to make a complete revision of the tariff, on the lines of pro- tection. And on foreign affairs, in my judgment, we should extend a cordial gre ing to the Cubans struggling for freedom, call a halt to Great Britain in Venezueia, and take steps toward the annexation of a, Hawaii and San Domingo.” Mr. Corliss said his views on the tariff differed from those of his colleague some- what. “There are three things to which this Congress should turn its attention,” said Mr. Co: “and first of these is the tariff. But in doing this I do not think it exped ent to go into a complete revision. It would be better to repeal the Wilson law outright, thus bringing the McKinley law again into existence. That would be far better than a new revision, for the country knows all about the McKinley law, while it would take a long time to educate on a new re- But if the Wilson bill is not re- thea it would be desirable to amend the most glaring faults of the present tariff For instance, take the Detroit et, where the tariff on dressed lumber works a loss of thousands of dollars to our ewn people it in the pockets of Canadian tid be amended, and rant faults needing continued Mr. Co: t seems to me action is imperativ nis Congr Il declare itsel There should be no temporizing. publican party must announce its to the country. I favor the pa finance bill, no matter what or the Senate may do with should be the watchword with us ple expect it, and will not be pu “The third thing imperatively ing attention is immigration. We stop the influx of pauper and ¢rim before they leave the other to try to stop them when they te. I have figures sho Wi paupers in Michig: one-half of@them are of foreign But it should be borne in mind that ction should only operate against the and criminal foreigners, and not the able-bodied and industrious for- . who constitute a valuable element population.”” ——— “NEAR SIDE” RULE. reach this that of the 4 houses rth. eigne to our THE It Will Be Incorporated in the New Police Regulations. As announced in The Star of Wednesday, the Commissioners have agreed upon a police regulation governing the stoppige of cars on rapid transit es After matu: eration and consultation by letter wi the mayors of most of the principal ¢ they came to the conclusion t of the s was the near side, and as soon as the Police fons (which have recently been amended) are returned from the printer, ent the newspapers, and after the thirty cribed by law have expired they will. become law. This regulation caused more discussion than all the rest of the amendments put together. The two big lines of rapid transit at the best reet for the cars to stop on they will be published as an advertise in the Jarge cities where rapid tran: Were in operation their views h A majority t cars regard to f the replies re- ide. ded to hold the matter over until the return of Commissioner Ross, who was to settie the matter by other features of tne-regu a ferring to the stoppage of the street cai was prepared, with a blank space left for insertion of the word “ side, ." as future agreement ted. final decision in the matter was only recently made known, and Prosecuting At- th, who had immediate ‘charge ion of the regulations, was in- formed of the Commissioners’ action. He thereupon inserted the words “near side” in the blank space left in the regulations and sent them off to Philadelphia to be printed. It is expected that the new regu- lations will be returned this week. If an advertisement will be immediately i serted in the newspapers, and the new regulations will go into effect with the new year, Naval Movements, The gunboat Machias arrived at Chemul- po today, and the training ship. Essex ar- Fived at St. Thomas, W. I. HOUSE OFFICES The Slate of the Combine Probably to Go Thiough. WDOWELYS FRIENDS — CCNFIDENT ——— A Kansas Man Selected for the Chaplaincy. CAPT.SHERWOOD WITHDRAWS ——.>—___ It looks as if a great deal of talk might #row out of the contest over the offices of | the House. From what is now said, it may assume an importance entirely disproper- tionate to the consequence of the offices sought after. The action of the Indiana and Ohio delegations last evening appears to settle the question of choice and to insure the election of the McDowell combination ticket. There is something entirely unigue in the manner in which the combination has been put through. Against Traditions. There is a tradition that combinations announced far in advance never win, but in this instance the combination w announced at the outset, and it de- clared” dogmatically ‘that it was fixed for the slate to go through. It was said that a promise made Mr. McDowell by Senator Quay before the Fifty-fourth Congress was elected, contingent only on the having a majority of the Hous: fulfilled, and it looks now as if that w true. Mr. McDowell got support from every section of the country, and the com- bination does not seem to have met with any disappointments from any quarter. The ticket is said to be made up in all its details as it is to stand. Se Presidential Politics. From what Is being said, there seems to be some presidential politics in the matter, trough how things of so disproportionate consequence come to be associated together it is hard to comprehend. ‘The statement made is that the strength of the compina- tion lay in the fact that ail the presidential candidates are playing for the vote of New York and Pen lvania, and that their friends naturally w to the support of the candidates presetted by the organiza- tions of those two states. Strength of the Combination. The strength of the combination was from the first McDowell of Pennsylvania and Glenn of New York. The rest of the slate was made accord'ng to the develop- ments of the canvass. The strength of the two principal candl@ates is of a character unusual in such conte: actively supported by: The state committees committee. hind them, Maj. WeDowelt. Quay’s support of McDowell was an: at the outset, and Chairman Hac jthe New York state committee c. Washington to join in the manaz Glenn’s Campaign. Throughout the cany: has been conducted in the most ski n of practical pol:tics. ner . Keed Takes No Part. | It is understood that M |no part in the conte: said to have written to one or more of the Ohio d ns Ww g that the « | tion support: Mr. McDowell. It is felt that the conte AS g00d as settled, and eve body is engaged in talking about how ul cf fe p sted that alk in the caucus. 1, t the ticket 5 ing in the there will be some timely Unless every one is dec of talk will preve The Sout uthern Represen held the! caucus last night, and som> time was sp in deliberation, but the result will have no great weight upon su nt proceedings, it is said. Missouri did not enter the cau- crs, Lot being rded as a southern state by the Tenne s, and of the twen through, The had rules that differed, and this caused W. D. Glenn. much confusion to the traveling public. Many arguments were advanced on both | republican Representatives from the south sides tending to show which side of the| proper, © regarded, only eleven were treet "vas more acceptable. The Commis-| present. These who were in attendanc sioners sought from the municipal heads of | upen the jon of the caucus regolved to stpport Gen. Henderson of Mlinois for the clerkship and W. $. Tipton of Tennessee fer the dcorkeepership. “The Combine Confident. At the headquarters of the combine today there was very little activity, victory be- ing regarded by the managers as a fe gcne conclusion, and the necessity for fur- ther hrstling Iessened by this assurance. As the slate now stands the combination ircludes Maj. McDowell of Pennsylvani for clerk, Mr. Glenn of New York for door- keeper, Mr. F 11 of Missouri for ser- gecnt-at-arms and Maj. McElroy of Ohio for er. The friends of the com- et in caucus tomorrow even- ine yclock in the room of the com- mittee on ways and means to prepare a line of action to be followed in the general re- publican caucus, which meets later in the hall ef the House. It is understood that Mr. Dalzeli of Pennsylvania will nominate Maj. McDowell. Capt. Sherwood's Withdrawal. Capt. Henry Sherwood of this city has withdrawn from the candidacy for the pcstmestership of the House. This action was taken in consequence of the selection 1 by the Ohio delegation cf a candidate for = the office and affiliation with the combine. Up to the time of the Ohio delegation’s making this move Capt. Sherwood regarded his charces as very good. ~ Gen. Henderson's friends are still keep- ing up a brave fight for him, and show no idiections of backing ‘down. «They hop2 that there may be breaxs from the com- bination on the part of the southern and western men svfficient to elect him, and de- clare they will continue thy contest until a dcfinite conclusion is reached through a vete in the republican caucus. “A Chapinin Included. The McDowell ecmbination for the elec- tion of the House officers also includes a candidate for chaplain, the Rev. H. D. Fisher, a Methodist minister from Kansas. His name will be put upon the ticket of the combine, and the supporters of that agreement will be asked to vote for him. Rev. Fisher served during the war as lh. F. Russell. chaplain of the fifth Kansas cavalry, and ¥ known in the army Of the frontier as “the Fighting Chaplain,” and the late Sen- ator Jim Lane said on the floor of the United States Senate that “Chaplain Fisher saved my brigade." Twice the governor of ansas offered him the command of a regi- ment, but he preferred to remain a more effective fighter as the chaplain of the fifth, May Not Be Elected. The placing of Mr. Fisher's name in the combination’s list Gees not absolutely guar- artee his election, although, of course, it gives him a great advantage over any other ci idate. It will “be. remembered that in the Fifty-first Congress the Rev. Mr. Ramsdeil was the candidate of a large number of memoers und recelved the cau- cus nomination. When it cdme time to vote, however, Mr. Chadle of Jadiana bolt- ed the caucus. He said that he was a gcod party man and would stand by the party cn all political issues, but that when it came to s ting a man to pray for his immorial soul politics did not enter into it, and he would take the liberty of voting for whom ht pleased. Chadle made his case good, ani el the Rey. Dr. Milburn, whose suc as. a chaplain “i the St te to Lreak one of the ten s in coveting its neighbor's chaplain.and subsequently tekIng him away from the House. e 2 oo THE HOUSE + DEMQGRATS They Will Hold a Cancus Tomorrow Af- ternoon at $.0'Ulogie:» ij Simply to Give € plimentry Nomi- mations to the Old Officers and Determine the Patronage. A cali has been issued for’a caucus of the democrats of the House to megt at 3 o'clock Saturday atternoon. They have little to do .d will be through in ample time to sur- | vender the hall to the republicans for their caucus at $8 o’clock. All the democratic caucus has to do ts to give a complimentary nomination to their old officers, to select the four employes awarded the minority and to clect a chairman of the caucus. The chair- hip of the caucus is a permanent of- fice, vacated now by the retirement of Judge Holman from Congr It is thought that Amos Cummings may be selected. There is a fight over the four little sliees of patron- g the minority are to ge af effort being cust Ike Hill, who has for years > whip. 4 reached Washington mat made t uation, much legi I 2 Bene lie says he does not expect ation to come from this session. tone of what republicans are saying, he concludes that they. will probabiy do a little something with the tariff, and possibly authérize short term low-interest bénds to meet the deficiency. Whether anything of the sort will run the gauntlet to finished legislation is a ques- tion. He does not look for the republicans to depart from their general policy as to legislation. He says that the people in Georgia are thinking only of their exposi- tlon and saying little about politics. _~+e- REPRESENTATIVE sHERMANN. Mearaguan 1, The Pecific coast delegations have come to Washington with a determination to give the Nicsraguan canal project a boom if pessible. The report of the special commis- sion is somewhat of a get-back to their hopes of a speedy conclusionjof their plans, but they intend to make a strong pull for action. t Representative Hermanm of Oregon, who is expected to be appointed chairman of the rivers and harbors committee, said today that the Nicaraguan canal question was the one of most vital int: t to the Pacific coast, and weuld prohajdy oceupy most of the attention of the members from that sec- ton. The canal, he said, would add fifteen cents a bushel to the*vaiue’of their wheat by chegpening transportation, and would bring the Pacific slope nearerjte Liverpool thaa the wheat fields of Indiana. Mr. Hermann says that the seatiment in his section of the country is oppesed to the retirement of the greenbacks, and in favor of increasing the revenue solely from the tariff. He Spenks of the Tmyprigace of the mg New Commander. The dispatch boat Dolphin has a new commander. He is Commander W. T. Burwell, now on equipment. duty at the Norfolk navy yard. He succeeds Lieu- tenant B. H. Buckingham, who has been assigned to duty as naval ald to Secretary Herbert. The Dolphin, which is now at Norfolk, will start south fm a few weeks to make a survey of the waters off the east coast of Central America, Notice to Subseribers. Subscribers are earnestly requested to report any irgegularity im.the de- livery of The Star and ajpo any fail- ure on the part @f the copter to ring the door kell. 2 A proper service can oily be main- tained through the courtesy of sub- scribers in reporting shortcomings. A DEAD ISSU E|THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE The Cry of Negro Domination in the South. OPINION OF JOHN W. YERKES His Explanation of the Republican Victory in Kentucky. HOPE FOR NEXT YEAR —— A very interesting and able man, and one thoroughly typical of the republicanism which is now triumphent in half a dozen southern states, is at the Ebbitt House, assisting in the conferences looking to the proper recognition of that section in the distribution of the patronage of the House. This is John W. Yerkes of Danville, Ky. ebairman of the republican state commit- tee, and one of the organizers of the famous Bradley victcry in the blue-grass common- wealth. Mr. Yerkes is a man of distin- guished appearanze, a lawyer, college-bred, and, though barely turned forty,*is at the bead of his profession at home. Immediate- ly upon the discovery that the republicans would probably control the legislature his Peme was on everybody’s lips for the sena- torial prize. He announced very promptly, however, that he would not enter the race, and he still adheres to that decision. His private business, as he explains, prevents him at this time from seeking political office. Mr, Yerkes’ Views. In ccnyersation with a representative of The Star today Mr. Yerkes explained the recent republican winning in Kentucky, and most especially as regards ‘the probable permanency cf what has been achieved. “We must not lose ourselves in any false or undue confidence, and we shall try not to doso. It is true, however, as we think, after a careful examination of the whole matter, that the fruits of our victory will be far- reaching. It was no accident. It came as no tremendous surprise, either to us or to the democrats. We had organized for it, and in doing so had invited them into the open field, where, after a full discussion ef all the issues, state and national, with their best men and our best men participating, we de- feated them fairly and overwhelmingly. Four years ago the democratic candidate for governor received 24,000 majority. This year our man ha: ™) majority. Surely so great a change means more than a passing discon- tent with the old order of things. Our re- sponsibilities are great, and we accept them. We must give the state good government— better than it has had of late—ind we shall strive to do that. And our comfort is that the men we have put in office are in every waycapable of redeeming every promise and vow we have made in their name. They are all natives of the state, represent its best blood and aspirations, and will work to- gether to pysh the state along in the path of progress. Hépe for Next Year. “Now, as to next year,” continued Mr. Yerkes. “We have to consider the fact that this year we had the cordial co-operation of many democrats. But as they came to us as much because of our attitude on national tssues ap on local issues, why should they not remain with us? These are the men of substance and conviction—properous farm- ers and prosperous merchants—who demand for their own and the general interests that the credit of the country be kept at par. Our financial deliverance was as clear as daylight. No man could misunderstand it, or successfully misrepresent it. It spoke for itself. It carried the day. And carrying the day this year, why should not a similar deliverance—and the party in its national platform will give us such another—carry the day next year? In a word, the business interests north, south, east and west are, I believe, now in Lne with the republican party, and will remain so. “The cry of negro domination raised by Gen. Hardin failed with the rest? was asked. Cry of Negro Domination Fails. ignally. And next to the significance of our victory as it relates te.the finances is its significance as it relates to that. The demo- crats depeiuded almcst solely upon that cry during the last days of the fight. I'll con- fess that it made us a little uncomfortable, although from cur standpeint it was so puerile and absurd. But a little cireum- stance that took piace in my office a few days before election relieved my anxiety on that score. Several of my democratic friends had dropped in to discuss the canvass and its probable result. me: ‘John, I agree with you fellows thor- cughly on the financial question, and but for the negro question I'd vote with you this time.’ Before I could reply another member of the company—a democrat—spoke up and eaid: ‘There is no negro question Yere—there could not be a negro question here. We are all natives of this state, John with the rest of us. Our families mingle, as we are doing now, upon terms of cordial good will. John and his friends could do nothing, if they cared to do anything, in that line that if injurious to us would not necessarily prove equally injurious to them- selves. This talk about negro domination is, in my judgment, unworthy of the occa- sion. It doesn’t disturb me. I am going to yote the republican ticket this time.” There, you see, the whole thing was disposed of. Talk about negro domination in any south- ern state today is steer nonsense. The ne- groes themselves are not asking to domi- nate things. No, that cry is dead, and dead for all time. The man who tries to raise it next year will simply make himself ridicu- lous. That old spook couldn’t be used t@ frighten even children now. Admirably Represented in Congress. “The republicans will show five members of the House from Kentucky this time,” was suggested. es, and there are two cont We are fortunate there, too. They are all men of ability and experience, and our eastern friends of both parties will be able to see for themselves the kind 9f men who have given so good an account of themselves at home and are in the vanguard of the pro- cession in the new southern life. Ken- tucky in them will be admirably repre- sented.” o.+—____——. To Investigate the Water Supply. Mr. Arthur P. Davis, hydrographer of the geological survey, has been detailed as an expert, at the request of the Indian bureau, to investigate the water supply and to plan a system of irrigation for the Gila river Indian reservation in southern Arizona. The Gila river Indians, consisting of Pimas, Maricopas and Papagos, are a peaceable and industrious race, and have from pre- historic times used the waters of the Gila river for irrigation. Of recent years the white settlers have been gradually encroach- ing upon their ancient rights, diverting the Gila waters above the Indian reser- vation, until the Indians are almost entirely deprived of water for irrigation and re- duced to a starving condition. For several years the government has issued them ra- tions, and must either continue this prac- tice or provide a water supply by storage or otherwise. It is to the solation of the latter problem that Mr. Davis will direct his energies. Mr. Davis returned home about a month ago, after a prolonzed season of hydrographic investigation in the north- west, and he started yesterday for his new field in Arizona, where he will remain fcr several months. One of them said to} | It Was Read at the Meeting of the Cabi- net Today. Said. to Be About the Same Length as That of Last Year—Will Be Ready Monday. These are busy days for the President and the members of his cabinet, and each of them now has his hands full in the preparation of various state papers requir- ing the consideration of Congress. The President came into town from Woodley about 10 o'clock this morning, and ail the members of the cabinet now in the city ar- rived there soon after for the regular semi- weekly meeting. This meeting was of more than usual importance, because it is the last to be held before the assembling of Congress, and therefore involved the final consideration of the President’s mes- sage and all the-annuai reports of the va- rious executive departments. Reports That Are Completed. All of these papers, excepting the mes- sage itself and the repert of the Secretary of the Treasury, have been completed, and all the department reports, with the excep- tion of the treasury and the Department of Justice, will have been made public through the press before Congress meets. Secre- tary Lamont’s report will be published to- morrow, and that of Secretary Herbert on Monday morning. The post office, interior and agricultural reports have already been published. Secretary Carlisle's report on the state of the national finances is well under way, and will be submitted to Congress and pub- lished on Wednesd: next. The Attorney General's report will be made to Congress early next week, but the exact date of its publication has not yet been fixed. The Message Practically Finished. The President's message is practically fin- ished, and-wes read at today’s mecting. It may undergo a few minor alterations and receive a few additions, but the completed manuseript will be'ready to send to the pub- lic printer fo> early copy tomorrow morning, thus insuring its appearance in pamphlet form for distribution to the press and Con- gress at any time after 12 o'clock Monday that may be fixed upon as the time for the Gelivery of the official written copies to the Senate and House and for the release of the copies for the press. In anticipation that tke work of erganizing the House will oc- cupy the entire session of Monday, it has been practically settled that the message | shall not be submitted until Tuesday. One thing settled is that the message will not be sent in until the President shall have Leen notified that Congress has organized for business and is prepared to hear from | him in regard to the state of the Union. The | usual precautions have been taken to guard against a premature publication of the mes- sage, and the work of printing it in pam- phict form will be intrusted to men of known probity and reliability. Length of the Document. It is said that the message is about the same length of that of last year, containing about 15,000 words; but if this is so, it is possible that the President has reserved the Venezucilan and Cuban troubles for treat- ment in a subsequent special message. There is no certainty on this point, however, and the impression is that the regular mes- sage will give a comprehensive review of our foreign relations, without omitting the important complications with Great britain and Spain. ° ——____+o+—_____ COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT. Will Urge a Bogd Bill and Abolish- ment of Grade Crossings. The Commissioners were not at home to! visitors today. All day long they kept in} their respective rooms at the District build- Ing and waded through the details of their subordinates’ reports, preparatory to writ- ing their chapters to th annual report. Yesterday Commissioner Ross labored in- dvatriously at the District building for some time with his part of the rep Commis- sioners Truesdell and Powell each put in considerable time at their respective homes getting up the data for their part of the report. The report will urgently recommend a bond bill. That has been practically de- led upon. Commissioner Truesdell is drafting the bill, A new municipal buiiding will also be urged, and the absvluie needs of the same pointed out. The Commis- sioners also have under consideration the subject of removal of ashes by the munici- pality, and it is understood reference to this matter will be made in the report. Grade crossings will be treated at length, ard Congress urged to enact a law requiring steam railroads to operate their respective lines within the city limits by other means than grade crossings. ‘The report will con- tain a resume of the year’s work, and the report of the subordinates. Se REED'S CALLERS. MR. He Meets the New Members of the Ohio Delegation, This morning at 10 o'clock Mr. Reed re- ceived fourteen republican members of the Ohio delegation by appoirtment. The call was made simply to pay respects and not to request anything of the next Speaker. It was also an occasion for the new mem- bers from Ohio to meet Mr. Reed. Noth- Ing was said about committees. It is un derstood that General Grosvenor would be perfectly satisfied to remain as a membet of the ways and means committee and fore- go his chances for a chairmanship. Mr. Bromwell of Cincinnati desires to go on the river and harbor committee, while the del- egation are unanimous in wishing that Mr Taft, also of Cincinati, should be p d as Ohio's representative on the committee of foreign affairs. The New York delegation wili caucus to- morrow afternoon and be prepared to vote for the “combine” at the caucus at night. It has always been a custom of the New York members to caucus and select their committee assignments and submit “the slate” to the Speaker. The selections made for the Fifty-first Congress were accepted by Speaker Crisp,-and at the caucus to- morrow New York may make a slate for Mr. Reed. ——_—_—_+-e+______ REPRESENTATIVE SWANSON, He Does Not Think the Solid South Permanently Broken. Representative Swanson of Virginia does not think that the solid south is permanent- ly broken. “The republicans,” he said to- day, “are going to follow out their old pol- icy as to legislation and all fiscal aff. The southern pecple who voted with the re- publicans this time because they were net satisfied with what the democratic party n has done do not believe in the republic; policy, and will be as much or more dissatis- fied with the result of putting the republi- cans in power. They are sure to come back to the democrats. This desertion was only to emphasize their dissatisfaction with the course of things. In Virginia the fact that the negro population !s not increasing in the ordinary proportion will keep the state democratic. The census shows that in the ten years preceding the census the increase of the negro population was but a little over three thousard. This was due to many leaving che state. There is a constant exodus. THE HAZING INQUIRY Reassembling of the Investigating Court at the Navy Yard. THE COLORED COMPLAINANTS CALLED They Name the Seamen Who In flicted Indignities Upon Them. THE COOK’S STORY The court of inquiry that is investigating the charges of hazing in the class of sea- men gunners, now under instruction at the ravy yard, was continued this morning, af- ter the Thanksgiving day recess. It is in session in the court-martial room at the yard. The court consists of Commodore Washburn Maynard, Lieutenant Command- er Richard Wainwright and Lieut. W, W. Kimball, with Ensign Warren J.Terhune as judge advocate, or recorder. The Cook's Story. The first witness called to the stand today was Matthew Taylor, the colored cook, em- ployed in the dormitory where the seamen live. He was questioned about the indigni- ties, which are said to have been heaped vpon the colored members of the class. He said that he had heard a number of un- pleasant things said to the colored men. One seiman sang a song about a “New Coon in Town,” and he also heard refer- ences made to “a new nigger in the class.” Taylor said that he overheard Seaman Mur- phy say something ahbut organizing a lynching party, and also that if he ever got cut of that, referring probably to the navy, they would never catch him again. Mur- phy is understood to be the man who re- fused to take his examinations, perferring to be “plucked” rather than to graduate. with a class that had colored men in it. Taylor said that Seaman Durgan was the first one he heard singing the song, There's a New Coon in Town,” but a number of others, ten or twelve, joined in the singirg. Those Who Sang. At the request of Mr. Terhune the wit- ness named over as many of the members of the class as he was certain ad taken part in the singing. Continuing, he said that he knew nothing personal of ary hazing of the colered men, although he saw their beds after the contents cf the spittoons had been emptied into them. The only injury that he knew of any of the lored men receiving was the wound ch Johnson, the colorei seaman, got on the forebe: The witness jd that he uad_no ide jlant w: “Have you any Lusiness relations wi " asked Mr. ein The witness added, however, that this fear would not prevent him from testifying ror was he afraid of any personal injury being done him as a result of any testimony he might give. 2 Referrirg to the matter of the beds into which spittocns had been emptied, the wit- ness said that all three colored men had been treated to this indignity, but that Thompson was the worst sufferer. One Who Was Hazed. Wm. Johnson, cre of the colored men who are said to have been hazed» was then placed on the witness stand. In his sailor rig he makes rather an attractive figure. He has been with the class under instruction in crdnance since September 14 last. Mr. Terhun> told him that he was about t> be questioned about any hazing, hooting, jeering cr maltreatment that had been in- flicted upon him or that he knew of having been inflicted upon any of the pther mem- bers of the class. If there were any such : the witness was told that he must give the names of the men implicated. ‘i would name § Lamont, McDermott ‘gan, Heil, Fox and y. Those are all. He was asked whether he was afraid of suffering any persona! injury if he should tell everything within his knowledge bear- ing upon the ratters under investigation. “I would not be afraid to. Mr. Terhure announced that he had no further questions to ask of the*witness at this stage ef the hearing, and he was ex- cvsed for the time being. Another Complainant Called. Seaman John Thompson, colored, the sec- ond man to make a complaint of maltreat- ment, was then called. Asked to name over any of his classmates who might he implicated by his testimony with reference to the charges, he mentioned Seamen Ken- nedy, ith and Murphy as those who hocted at him, Lament, Murphy, McDer- mott, Smith, Colvell and Fox as the com- mittee who went to the colored men and bade them leave’the regular dining table, and Smith and Fox applied a hateful epi- thet to him. The Alleged Ringleader. Seaman John A. Jackson, the remaining colored member of the class, was then call- ed and put through the same list of que- tions. He implicated Smith as the ring- leader, Lamont, Durgan, Mur MeDer- mett and Kennedy. He sald that he was not afraid to give his testimony. He was excused for the present, and the court then took a recess. ——_ Personal Mention. Vice President Stevcneun, Mrs. Stevenson and two daughters are at the Normandie. Representative Wm. Alden Smith and John B. Corliss of Michigan are stopping at the Cochran. Among the Congressmen 2+ peli- tan are: C. A. Swanson, Virginia; J. G. aw, North Carolina; C. L. Bartlett, orgia; C. F. Crisp, Georgia; A. C. Shul- North Carolina, and H. D. Money of Mississippi. Senator John M. Thurston of Nebraska has registered at the Arlington. H. T. Scott, the well-known shin builder of San Francisco, with his wife and dauguccr, is at the Arlington. D. McCarthy and H. S. Brown, prominent newspaper men of New York, wili be at the Arlington for a few days. Representative Thos. M Jersey and Representati Newport, R. 1, are guests at House. ; Chief Engineer J. S. Ogden of the United States navy is spending a few days with his wife at the Ban - J. H commanding the Co- is on a visit to this city on leave of He is stopping at 1222 Connecticuy of New sull of Sbbitt ewan, so Melvite the F Kulp, medical department, and 8. L. first infantry, were registered at tus War Department today. Gen, John I. Rinaker of Illinois is in the city to make the 2c ntance of members of the House, and with a view of ascertain- ing, if possible, when the contested election cases will be taken up, and in what order. Gen. Rinaker is contesting the seat of the only democrat who will sit in the Mlinois delegation, Mr. Downing of the sixteenth district. Senor Alejandro Padillo, attache of the Spanish legition at this capital, has been promoted third secretary to the home of- fice, and will leave for Madrid early in De- cember. He will be succeeded here by Count Galarza,