Evening Star Newspaper, December 7, 1895, Page 9

THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDA AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th Street, by The Evening Star Newsvaper Company 8. H. KAUFFMANN, Prest. ee eee New York Ofics, 49 Potter Zuilding. ‘The Evening Star 's verved to subscribers in the eity hy carriers, on thelr own account ut 10 cents F week. or 44c. per month. ‘lopies at the counter conte, cache By mail—eoywhers inthe Catted States or Canada—postage presiid--60 cents ver menth. Saturday quivtupt» fae bia per year; with foreign st e Entered at the rat ince at Washington. D. C., 88 second-class mail matter ) ‘All mail ubeecriptisos must be paid in advarce. ‘ten of advertising made known on application. Part. Che ay citing, Sta | Pages 9-24. WASHINGTON, D. C., SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1895-TWENTY-FOUR PAGES. printers’ Inf, (Be fittfe sefoof master of advertising), saps: JE is cfaimed for the Washinsfon THEY KNOW NEWS Journalism is Well Represented in the New Congress. FROM ALL DIRECTIONS Distinguished Legislators Connected With Newspapers. WRITERS AND PUBLISHERS Journalism is well represented In the new Congress. Ordinarily, Congress is made up from the ranks of the legal profession, and while this is true to a greater or less de- gree in regard to the present Congress, it centains in its ranks a larger percentage of newspaper men than usually. In both House and Senate there are men who have “served time” in the renks of journ: m. Some are owners, some editors, some were correspondents, and some still act in that capacity In connection with thelr congres- sional duties. it is an interesting fact, in this connection, that a very large propor- tion of the newspaper statesmen come from the north, very few of the thirty-five or forty who have had newspaper experience coming from south of Mason and Dixon line. New En: a Journalis: New England is very prolific in journa- Ustic statesmen. Maine. supplies two, for Congressman Dingley is proggietor and edi- tor of the Daily and Weekly Journal at his home, Lewiston, Me. and Congressman Boutelle is proprietor and editor of the Bangor Whig and Courier. Senator Gal- linger of New Hampshire was a printer in early life, and now contributes a good deal to the medical journals of the country, hav- ing followed the profession of surgery and medicine prior to his election to Congr?ss. Representit.ve Barrett of Massachusetts was several years Washington correspon- dent to the Boston Advertiser, and for the past ten years has been its managing editor and chief proprietor. Representative Mc- Call of Massachusetts was, at one time, edi- tor of the Boston Advertiser, and since that a lawyer. Senator Lodge of Massachusetts is another who is well Known and admired. His political and literary work has been of great value, and a maiter of pride to his Massachusetts friends. Senator Hawley of Connecticutt ts owner of the Hartford Courant, and was formerly its editor. From the Empire State. New York state has of Itself a numerous cerps of newspaper men in Congress. Lem- uel E. Quigg of the New York Press, for- merly of the Tribune, is one of the most Prominent from the empire state. He is only thirty-two years old, but has been, wince the age of seventeen, connected with newspaper work in and about New York city. He was prominently connected with the management of the last republican na- tional committee, having charge of the newspaper work at headquarters. Shortly after this, a vacancy In one of the New York districts gave him a chance to make a race for Congress, which he did succ folly, in the face of a strong democrat: majority of former years. Amos J. Cummings, who has been severai years In Congress, is well known as a news- paper writer, having been for several years connected with the New York Sun, to which he sent brilliant tters during several years of his service in Congress. Richard C. McCormick of the first dis- trict is an old newspaper man, having serv- ed as war correspondent both at home and abroad for New York papers. He bas done more or less journalistic and literary work in later year: Frank S. Black of the Troy district was editor of the Johnston (N.Y.) Journal in life, and served as a reporter in Troy Y studying law. since which he has fol- lewed his legal profession. George N. Southwick, who represents the twentieth district, has been for many years a journalist at Albany, beginning newspa- per work on the Albany Express in 1SS4, serving as official reporter for the Associat. ed Press in the New York legislature, and editing the Albany Evening Journal in 1889, From Pennsylvania. The keystone state 1s thorcughly well rep- Tesented in the ranks of journalism in Con- gress. Representatlve Jehn B. Robinson, repre tative of the sixth district, speaks of himself in his autobiography as “a la yer and journalist,” and says that he “w: editor of the Delaware County Gazette, ISS1-82; spree wr: the Philadelphia Times, Pittsburg Commer- cial Gazette for several yea: at present proprietor of the Media Ledge Representative Hart of the eighth Penn- a district was proprittor arf editor e paper at his home, Nyack, N. Y., of ic whieh he speaks in his atitobiography «us “the leading democratic new rection. He conducted it su ssfully wu til ISSs, when he removed to Pennsylvania and entered the real estate and insurance business, but stil more or legs of a ankering” for Jo m. Representative Scranton of Scranton, Pa., is proprietor of the Scranton ublicar which he founded !n 1867, and which safely carried him into Congress, where he has been nearly a decade. ntative Acheson of the twenty- h Pennsylvania district says of him- the autobiography: raper correspondent for “Was a news- everal years, and ashington (Pa.) Ob- h he has since been editor; in ISS) he established a daily edition of the Ovserver; was elected president of the Ed- itorial Association; In January, 1803, and !n June of the same y; as chosen as secre- tary of the national aszociation. From the South. Looking to the south for journalistic con- tributors to Congress it Is found that Rep- resentative Russell of Georgia has been twenty-one years editor of the Bainbridge Democrat. George C. Crowther of St. Jo- seph, Mo., was for mare than a decade’ en- gaged in newspaper work tn the state of Kansas. Representative Tracey of Spring- field, Mo., was for yeurs editor of a repu- lean newspaper at that place. Representa- tive Bartholdt of tor-in-ch of the St. Louis F and has been a newspaper man ever attaining his majority. Congressman Pri ar ntleed In the . Tribune-Herald office,in early years becoming joint editor and owner M the R. Republica quired y son of rewspape: . Senator‘ Butler of the kame state Is proprietor of the Clinton Can- n, of which he s b- that it “has of Henry nded t f 1882 he be- Vtor of the Knoxville Daily © 2 only morning republican paper Ohio river and the gulf. rom the West. tof the Allegha 1 very ge ‘Taft of the proprietor of the one of the Knoxville 1879. In came between th iz of er and correspondent for | leans, where he removed several years ago, then to Natchez, Miss., where he conducted a republican newspaper until 1877, after which he removed to Indiana and ertered the practice of law. Representative Per- kins of Sioux City, Iowa, is the proprietor of the Journal of his city, and has been its editor for many years. Senator Peffer states In his autobiography that he “prac- ticed law until 1878, meantime established and conducted two newspapers, the Fre- conia Journal and Coffeyville Journal;” aiso, that in 1881 he became editor of the Kansas Farmer. Knute Nelson, the new Senator from Minnesota, “engaged in the newspaper business” at a very early age hy selling newspapers on the streets of Chicago shortly after his arrival in. this country from Norway, where he was born. He has always beer a fritnd of the’ press in his service as member of the legislature, presidential elector, Representative in Con- gress, gevernor of Minnesota, and now United States Senator. Joel Prescott Heat- wole of Minnesota, prominent in state poli- speaks in his autobiography of himself printer by trade,” when in point of fact he is the editor and publisher of the Northfield, Minnesota, News, having the ulstion of any publication in his city. Serator Lee Mantle of Montana es- tablished a daily newspaper, the Inter- Mountain, at Butte, Mon., in 1881, and is still its owner and manager. Senator Hans- brough was a printer, and published a daily newspaper at San Jose, Ca ward connected with the San neisco Chronicle; then removed to Wiscorsin, where he published a paper. and thence to Dakota, where he engaged in journalism until h's election to Congress. Represerita- tive Ellis of Oregon was a newspaper toiier at Hamburg, Iowa, shortly after gradyation from the law department of the Iowa State University. Delegate Flynn of Oklahoma established a paper at Kiowa, Kan., in 1ssl. Delegate Cannon of Utah speaks of imself in his autobiography as “‘a printer, newspaper writer and republican.” It might be added that journalism is well represented in the cabinet and other Imes of departmental service. Secretary Lamont was, as everybody knows, a suc- cessful rewspaper man befcre becoming private secretary for President Cleveland in his first term. Secretary of the Interior Hoke Smith is proprietor of the Atlanta Journal, a successful newspaper daily. Sec- retary Morton is proprietor of a paper at bis home, Nebraska City, Neb., and was formerly conrected editorially with the De- troit Free Press and Chicago Times. ee THE CONNECTICUT COLONY. A Reception Given to the Congres: sional Delegation at the Arlington. The members of the Connecticut delega- tion in Congress were given a reception last night In the parlors of the Arlington Hotel by the Connecticut colony in this city. The event was a delightfyl social affair, and brought several hundred people together to renew old friendshivs of the nutmeg state and to make new ones. Senator Haw- ley, Senator Platt, Representatives E. S. Henry, N. D. Sperry, Charles A. Russell and E. J. Hill were present and were irtro- duced to their Connecticut constituents as they arrived. The reception continued from 8 to 1 o'clock, and at 9 o'clock a buffet lunch was served. As an outcome of last night's affair it is thought probable that a Connecticut state association will be formed sin:iler to the social organizations now existing among the citizens of other states resident in Washington. The rv ion was In ihe hands of the following committee: Committee on arrange- ments—Mr. George B. Ei is, Chairma Mr. Hiram Buckingham, . ‘Theodore Spencer. Committee on reception—Mr. Morgan, chairman; Mr. C Gen. Frank D. Sloat, Capt. H. ng- ham, Capt. Patrick O'Farrell, Mr. George B. Edwards, Mr. John 8S. Seymour, Mr, Ed- ward A. Bowers, Dr. Anton Coe, Mr. 8. Isa- Daniel dore Bradley, Mr. Albert Belyea, Mr. Theo- dore E, Spencer. Ameng those present were D. N. Morgan, wife, daughter and son; Chas. Lyman and wife, Edw. A. Bower, Gen. F. D. Sloat, Capt. H. Buckingham, wife and two daughter: Capt. P.O. Farrell, Mr. Geo. B. Edwar Dr. Anton Coe, wife and son I. ley and wtfe, Mr. Albert Relyea, Mr. J. E. Spencer, Mr. H. P. R. Holt, Mr. W. C. ‘Tyler, Mr. J. V. Shea, Mr. Dan’l Shea and wif Mr. Chas. E. Breau, Mrs. L. H. Wood, M H. W. Porter, Miss E. Ellerberger, Miss J. M. Adams, Mrs. R..G. D. Hanns, Mr. C, W Watson, Mrs. E. R. Blagen, Mrs. J. T. Moul- throp and two sons, Mr. Geo. N. Burns and wife, Mr. A’ G. Bliss, Miss E. A. Fox, Mr. Augustus Smith, Mr. C. R. Bradbury, M 0. G. Simonson, Miss G. H. Williams,’ Miss E. E. Robinson, Mr. W. L. Marsh, wife dnd daughter, Mr. W. P. Huxford, Mr. O. S. Finnin end wife, Mr. A. W. Harrison, Mr. H. A. § Miss Elizabeth Sheldon, Mr. H. A. Griswold, Mr. W. A. Croffut, Mr. k. T. Bushnell, Miss Temple, Mr. Byington and wife, Mrs. J. Byington, M Pere G. Wallins, Mrs. A. G. Cook, Mis: s, Mr. J. H. Pratt and wife, Mr. E. K. hip, Mr. R. F. Cardella, “Mr. Smith, Mr. Wm. B. Douglass, Mr. R. W h, Mr. W. B. Kimball, Dr. Fox and wife, Foster, Mr. Mansfield, Mr. Hall, Mr. ckman, Mr. Nichols, Spofford, Mr. Mitchel, . Penfield, wife and daughter, wife and daughter, Mr. Stranahan, Mr. P. J. Sh r. J. sates, Mr. A. Wilkinson, J, Dailey, Mr. A. W. Cowles, Mr. J. Q. Rice and Liss S. J. Noyes, Clara D. Cia ‘ rimer, Cyrus Root, C. E. Mower, 0. . C. P. Blackman, M. A. Howard, G. FE. B. Kellogg, D. L. Allison, W. Curtis, C. O. Buckingham, J. W. Jenning: T. A. Dennison 2 J. D. Hird, Mr wife, Mr. Wm I. Lewis, daughters, Maj. Chas. E. B. Davis, Maj. W. H. Webster, Mrs. Gen. Mower. —— T ST. LOUIS’ CLAIM. TO PRES A Large Delegation WIL Arrive Here : Tomorrow. The Business Men’s League of St. Louts, up to last accounts, had ratsed $55,000 in cash on guaranteed pledges towards a fun for se- curing the republican convention for St. Louis. A special meeting of the league was held yesterday afternoon when it was re- solved to guarantee generally, under the seal of the corporation, such further amount as might be necessary to secure the convention and properly entertain the delegates. Plans were submitted for projected alterations In the exposition building so as to furnish a hall with 15,000 seats. Headquarters and rooms were secured by wire at the Arlington Hotel in this city for a special committee appoint- ed with full power to use the guarantee of the Business Men's League, which fs an in- corporated body and thoroughly responsible. This committee will arrive in Washington at noon tomorrow. The delegation is composed of the following prominent citizens of St. Louis: Clark H. Sampson, chairman; S. M. Kennard, _ pre: Business Men's C, P. Walbridge, mayor; ex-Gover- ©. Stan) uncey I. Filley; Na- rank ex- sman; R, C. Kerens, un national committee from Mis- Thomas Booth, president Merchants’ Exchange; W. H. Thompson, president Bank of Commerce; D. M. Ho’ resident Globe- Democrat Com: y; F. H. Niedringhaus, e: Congré nell, H. C. Town- send, Jo: i. . Boyd, A. H. Handlan, Major C. C. BR ater, Frank ( arles M. F jennie, C! ch, Nathan Cole, ex- Congressman; Major Wiliam Warner, Kan- sas City, Mo., ex-Congre: Barthol!t, Charles F. Joyce, James secretary, ee The Stereotypers. The annual mecting of Stereotypers’ Union, No. 19, I. T. U., was held Thurs- day night, and the following officers to rve for the ensuing term elected: Thos. president; James Smith, vice ent; Joseph Torrens, secretary; Geo. er, treasurer, and Thomas Waters, aint-at-arm: president, Mr. 2 the meeting. In the absence of the '. Campbell presided at LABOR LEGISLATION Measures to Be Presented to This Congress, 10 AMEND THE EIGAT-HOUR LAW + Proposed Retorms in the District Contract System. —— PAY OF MUSICIANS Since the adjournment of the last Con- gress the Federation of Labor and D. A. 66, the two representative bodies of the labor societies of the District, have referred to their respect've legislative committees meas- ures for labor legislation which will be sub- mitted to the proper committees during the present session of Congress. All the legislation proposed is intended to correct the evils of corditions whick are the resuit of legislative neglect or the opera- tion of unwise or inefficient enactments. “These legislative demands,” said a lead- er to a Star reporter, “ace suggested and prompted by the industrial experiences of those In every department of labor, and have the indorsement of the membership of the trade organizations of the city. While the legislation proposed is in a restricted sense regarded as solely in the interest of that large class termed ‘organized labor,’ in a larger and more limited sense the hene- fits contemplated will, !f enacted into laws, accrue equitably to the people generally. “It is an econontic truth generally accept- ed by those who have given attention to social conditions that a material improve- ment in the condition of labor results in benefits largely shared by all classes. What is termed labor legislation, enacted for spe- cific purposes, must be regarded in a broad- er and more comprehensive sense as reia- tively more general In scope, operations, and results than mere statutory license to an interested few. “The labor of the country has advanced from that extreme belligerent position which was largely characteristle of the earlier trade organizations, and through inielli- gent combination a wiser and more health- ful sentiment prevails. This attempts, by legislative enactment, to correct evils, ce- cure just privileges and equitably adjust those trade relations which exist between the laborers as a class and the community as a whole. “Both the American Federation and the Knights of Labor, the two great labor di- visions of the country, have formulated a platform of legislative demands, essential- ly {dentical, embracing those ecouomrmal questions which intimately relate to the in- terests of the workers specifically and of the people generally. “Ugon this line the legislative committees of the two bodies will co-operate to secure favorable action on the bills which will be submitted to the present Congress. The Eight-Hour Law. “The first of these bills will be an amend- ment to the act entitled ‘An act relating to the limitation of the hours of daily service of laborers and mechanics employed upon public works of the United States and of the District of Columbia,’ commorly called the eight-hour law. “This statute was the result of years of agitation and much earnest effort to se- cure from the government a legal recogni- tion of an eight-hour day, but while this was accomplished, the force of the stat ute was largely neutralized by the clause which excepted an employer from the pen- alty of the law in cases of extraordinary emergency. This exception has been given the largest latitude, and in every case of prosecution the judiciary has so liberally interpreted the clause that a conviction has been impossible. The amendment proposed will define what constitutes an ‘extraor- dinary emergency.'Th's objectionable clause was regarded by those interested in the law at the time of enactment as a defect which woull render it inoperative. Fre- quent efforts to pr cute alleged viola- tions have been made in this District and cisewhere, but the statui> has fa'led to accomplish the avowed intention of the law, and without it 13 amended as pro- posed, it can hereafter he violated with impunity and withou: the leas. fear of punishment on the j»at of the offender. Contract and Day Labor. “A bill will also be presented which will provide for the construction ef public work in the District by the day, thus repealing the law which requires the work to be done by contract. Now the Commissioners are compelled to award a contract for public corstruction to the lowest responsible bid- der, which in many instances results in the letting to the most irresponsible, if a strict and honest adherence to the re=virements of a contract is considered the measure of responsibility. ° “Preliminary to an effort to secure this desirable and benefictal togisls om gress will be asked to institute an investi- of construction under the ont in the District. Those conn: building trades are positive that a fi impartial investigation will reveal sufficient rottenness to convince our lawmakers th a speedy repeal of the contract law is de- manded in the interest, not aione of the mechanics, laborers and dealers in mater- fale, but of the taxpayer and general pub- Ic. An Employer's Liability Act. “Congress will also be urged to pass an employer's Habihty act, whose provisions shall make employers liable under specified conditions for the accidental injury or death of those in their employ. In the absence of any definite law it is now very difficrlt to attach legal responsibility in such cases, several of which have already cecurrea in Washington, and the employe is withcut any assurance against danger, which in many i@ the result of the caretcss- ness, indifference or parsimony of the em- ployer. The bill as prepared by the com- mittee of the Federation was presented in the Senate of’the last Congress, but further than this no definite action was taken. “Many of the states have :nade legal pro- vision in such cases, even to the extent in some of attaching felony under certain con- ditions. The experiences of the employes of a firm, which a short time ago made an assignment, being indebted at the time to each of the men a week's wages, brought to the attention of the legislative comm of the Federation the tact that there is no law in the District of Columbia for the protection of the employe in such cases. In the case referred to, the employes, after a week's labor, were dismissed with the information that the firm was insolvent, had made an assignment and that the employes had the same chances to get what was ave them as other unpreferred creditors. In many of the states the laoorer is made by statute in cases of assignment a preferred creditor, and this is the purnose of the bill which is now being prepared by the legis- lative committee of the Federation. Pay of Government Musictans. “Still another bill in the interests of la- bor which {s to be presented to Congress will provide for the increase of pay of musicians in government service, and will prohibit the competition of the members of military bands with those of civilian cr- ganization, This bill provides for a di- rector of music, who shall receive the pay and emoluments of a first Meutenant of marines; an assistant, who shall receive $75 per mouth; a band sergeant, at $70; two corporals, $65 per month, limiting the rank and file membership ‘to sixty-tive, thirty of whom, as first class, shall be paid $60 per month, and thirty-five, as sec- ond class, who shall receive $0 per month. “The competition of military bands with those composed ef civilians has long heen a very serious and disturbing question with the musical organizations of the cou1- try, particularly in those localities con- venient to military pests, In this city,where three military bands are stationed, the civilian musicians haye. keenly felt this competition, which is’ regarded as unfair because of tne advantages that the inem- bers of an enlisted band have over all oth- ers. The former are furnished instru- ments, uniforms, etc., in fact, being at no expense incidental to a band. Rationed and quartered by the government, they are in a@ position to always successfully compete with the civilians, and if the bill becomes a law the enlisted bands will be confined to the duties imposed by the Secretaries of War and the Navy. District Suffrage. “It is fvrther intended to bring before Congress a bill to restore suffrage to the residents of the District. Though of a lo- cal character, the passage of the bill will be urged with a natioral force, as Congress will b2 petitioned for this through the American Federation of Labor, the general body of the K. of La, Civic Centers, single tax ciubs, alliance organizations and other bodies throughout the country. The Free Library. “The legislative committee 1s also in- structed to co-operate with the committee appointed by the board-of trade to secure from Congress legislation favorable to the establishing of a free public brary in this city. APPROVED BY. WORKINGMEN The Effort to Secura a Free Library for Washington. An Institution That Would Be of Benefit to All—Talks With Some Leaders of Labor. Since the passage of the resolution by the Federation of Labor, about two weeks ago, directing the legislative committee of that body to co-operate with the library” committee of the board of trade in the ef- fort to secure the establishment of a free library in this city, there has been much quiet discussion and approval of the mat- ter on the part of leaders in labor organ- izations. A number of them have been interview- ed by a Star reporter, Mr. George O. Cook said: “I have always thought there cught to be a good public library, centrally Iccated, in Washington, As a matter of fact such an institution should exist in every large city or tows in the country, and my impression is that, with the ex- ception of Washington, every large city and town in the United States has one. The advantages of a public library in any town are almost beyond calculation, and the amount of good that could be accom- plished by the estubiishment of one here could hardly be estimated. ‘0 my mind the piojgpt as proposed by the committee of the bogrd of trade is a grand good one, and I think that it ought to be carried out at, once; that, in, fact, it ought to have been pugtin operation tong ago. My earliest recolfections are associ- ated with public libraries. I lived, as a boy, in Brooklyn, N. Y. where every one could, by the payment of @ small fee, suffi- cient to guarantee the return of the book desired, take a book home with him from the public library. Of course, if the per- son desired to sit down in the Mbrary and read he could do so, and for this privilege there was no charge. Later in life I went to Denver, Col., which was then one of the youngest cities in the country. But young as It was the enterprising citizens had es- tablished an excellent public librar: It was located in the chamber of commerce building and had a large patronage. There was no charge made there for the use of the books, but a deposit to the value of the book was required if a person desired to take a volume ‘from the library building. There was also a fine library attached to the High School at Denyer for the use of the students, who were allowed to take the books home if they wished, but were not required to make a deposit for their re- turn, their honor being refied upon for the proper care of the books. “I think it would be a good idea if the government would take the surplus books which are to be found in the library of each of the departments in Washington and put them in a general library made ac- cessible to the publi. The result would be beneficial not ofly to these who now make use of them, but to thousands of others as well, who never think of going to a de- partment library to lgok for information. if I were permitted to suggest a location for the proposed library I would name the new pest oflice building, in which, doubt- less, suitable rooms can be secured when the structure is compl Mr. ed.” C. T. Walport,*seeretary of District bly No. 66, Knights of Labor, said: I am heartily in favdr of a good public library, as I believe sueh institutions are the source of much goad to every member of the communities th which they are lo- cated. So far as I am advised as to the plans of the committee of the hoard of trade, which Is agitating this question, they meet my approval, but I would not wish to be understood as favoring that plan at the expense of the workingman’s library, as sought to be established by the societies of organized labor in the District, or risk of Interfering with the plans of the managers of the latter. “It is the {dea of these who have the latter in charge to haye a place where laboring men who are unemployed can stop in off the street and without the necessity of changing their work-day clothes for bet- ter garments can sit down and read as long as they feeel dispose “It was also the idea of the promoters of the present workingman's brary that by combining a labor bureau with the library there would be many, @ecasions when a man who was out of work could, by hav- ing his name registered on the books of the burean, secure employment. Jt is true that the workingman’s library does not at pres- ent contain many books, but we feel con- fident that it will grow in time and be a useful factor in the Community.” Mr. Milford Spohn said: “Ihave no doubt that every Intelligent workimeman of this city fuvors a free public-lterary and reading rcom. Visitors from other cities have fre- quently expressed surprise that in the cap- ital city of a great republic there is no in- stitution of the kindy while.in every city of any pretentions in this country and Eu- rope a library is maintained, patronized and appreciated. The benefieial effects of a free circulation of healthful literature in a com- munity cannot be overestimated. The li- brary, with the largest. facilities for the dissemination of the knowledge of the ages, is a factor as potent in the advancement of the race towerd a better condition and a higher civilization as the school house or church. In fact, the library ts the great public school house, the boe@k the public teacher, and whether it is healthy fact or fiction, it Is the souréeyof that knowledge which elevates men. : “A public library would therefore pro- duce desirable results which could not be measured by the financial expenditure. With comfortatle reading rooms supplied with the current literature If would become 4 desirable and profitabfe resort for the work- ing people. Their stoge of literature is very limited. None has the luxury of an exten- sive library, Fet mahy keenly enjoy the compantonship of bapks. None, therefore, of our residents showd be more favorably disposed toward a publip library than the working men and working women of this city. -With the generous aid given to the free schools of our city, with educational facilities equal to those bf any community in the republic with the establishing of great universities, which in the near future ‘will make this city the educational center of the continent, we shouldhave here a public library equal, if not superior, to any city of the world.” THE NATIONAL GUARD Company C of the Infantry Corps in Danger of Dissolution, A CONTROVERSY OVER A LIEDTENANCY Gallery Rifle Matches Whole Brigade. for the BASKET BALL BARRED Undoubtedly the most interesting news of late in District National Guard orders cropped out at the annual meeting of the Washington Light Infantry Corps Wednes- Gay evening last. All business was transact- e1 behird closed doors, and so there is still much uncertainty outside the organization as to what occurred. The result of the meeting is believed to be that company C is practicaliy wiped out of existence. Dissatisfaction in the company has been manifest for some months. It is a pro- vision in the constitution of the Washington Light Infantry Corps that each of the companies shall elect officers once every two years, and that such election must be confirmed by the corps. According to one version, a dozen or more members of com- pany C desired to secure the election of another man in the place of First Lieut. Carll. At the company election, so the story goes, eighteen men being present, twelve voted against Lieut. Carll. There- fore, in the corps meeting company C pre- sented the name of Charles H. Ourand as captain and Charlés H. Kettler as second Leutenant for corfirmation, leaving the first Heutenancy vacant. Capt. Ourand, it was claimed by some, was cognizant of the movement to oust Lieut. Carll, but made no effort to quiet the disturbance in the com- pany. Therefore, it is said, the corps re- fused to confirm the two officers elected which would practically mean the disband- ment of the company. When the action stated was taken, sixteen members of com- pany C immediately resigned. According to one version of the affair the three offi cers will tender their resignations before the next monthly meeting of the corps those who are known to have been instru- mental in the endeavor to oust Lieut. Carll will be discharged, and the other men in the company will be transferred to other compaties in the battalton or permitted to leave the organization if they so desire. No thought as yet has been given to the formation of a pew company. It is a significdht fact that the corps at its meeting failed to re-elect Captain Ourand to the position of recording secre- tary, which he has held forthe past eight years. First Lieutenant Jesse Grant of company B was chosen for the office. Another statement made is to the effect that the corps refused to confirm the names presented without that of Lieutenant Carll because no sufficient reason was advariced for the omission’ of the name of Lieutenant Carll, who bas been a most exemplary member of the organization, not having missed a drill, parade-or meeting during the past ten years. Another version of the affair is that the officers will be re- tained, the dissatisffed ones being dis- charged and the "company strengthened by temporary transfers from the other com- panies until a suificient number of new men can be recruited. Still another version is that a committee from Company C requested Lieutenant Carll’s resignation, but after consulting with certain members of the corps he de- clined to tender it. When the meeting declined to confirm the names presented the company, as a whole, then announced that it would leave the corps, to date from the next monthly meeting. It was also stated that a committee would wait on General Ordway and ask that company C be transferred to some other battalion. In all events the corps failed to contirm the election, and that means a good deal under the constitution of the Infantry. Capt. Ourand has been a memier of the corps for many years, serving in from private to his pri sition. was commissioned captain April 3, 188), and ranks eighth among the captains of the guards. He was a member of the brigade board of examination for a long time, and has always been considered a thorough gentleman and a capable officer. If it is true that he is to leave the Infantry it Is among the possibilities that he may be- come a member of General Ordway's staff. having been tendered such an office several times heretofore. Lieutenant Carll was commissioned April 1, 1891, and Lieutenant Kettler the same date. Interesting Team Matches. The entire brigale is concerned in a new departure adopted by the department of rifle practice, and which will be fully set forth in in order to be issued from head- quarters in a few days. The innovation is a. series of gallery matches for trophies and also for the gallery championship. The contestants are to be reg:mental, battallon and company teams, regimental and battalion teams each to consist of ten men ard the company teams of five men. The sheoting Is to be ordered, and is therefore ecmpulsory. Each man is to fire ten shots at each of the four distances, the 200-vard matches oceurring in January, those at 300 yards in February, 500 yards in March and 60 yards in April, while the opening matches this month are also to be at 200 yards. The initial matches will be between com- pany teams, and are to occur December 18 and 19. | Distit.guished mark: course, are barred, but commiss ficers are eligible to all the teams. It will be stated In orders that each company team must be commanded by a commissioned of- ficer, The battalion match for this month is to occur December 27, while the regi- mental team ratch will be shot December 30, The best men in the companies and battalions will naturally constitute the terms. Heretofore in such matches it was stipulated that each company should be represented, but that drawback has been removed, and it now behooves all the companies to “rustle’’ to secure representa- tion in the battalion and regimental ccn- tests. The gallery will be open daily from 4 to 6 p.m., and weck nights, from December 9 to 17, from 8 to 11:30 o'clock, If necessary. Ammunition is to be furnished free for the matches, but the teams must pay for that used in practice. The following inspectors will be present in the galleries on the even- irgs mentioned: December 9, Lieut. Kirk; December 10, Lieut. Sabin; December 11, Lieut. Shaw; December 12, Lieut. Youns; December 13. Lieut. Gibson; December 14, Licut. Vale; December 16, Lieut. Cardozo, and December 17, Lieut. King. Any man who desires to indulge in voluntary prac- tice, whether in preparation for the matches or not, may shoot any night men- ticned. Of the evening of December 17 the gallery will be occupied by the fourth bat- talionin a match for an individual trophy The Mages for*the matches in Januar, February, March and April have not yet been selected. The first battalion will prac- tice on the range at its own armory. It {s probable that the thirteen companies comprising /e first, second, third, fourth and fifth battalions will shoot in the com- pany match December 18, while the nine companies cemprising the sixth battalion, the first separate battalion, the first and second separate companies and the engineer battalion will face the targets the following evening. The nature of the trophies has not yet been determined. As to Basket Ball. Considerable complaint has been made during the past few days by those mem- bers of the guard interested in basket ball, over an order prohibiting the use of the rifle gallery for games of basket ball, Speaking of this matter today to a Star reporter the inspector general of rifle prac- tice said: “I am extremely sorry to interfere with the amusements of the guardsmen, but it is a cold fact that the gallery was not equipped to cultivate basket ball,the break- ing of windows and the smashing of elec- tric lights. In the old-fashioned militia, basket ball, if there had been such a thing then, would have been encouraged at the expense of soldiery efficiency, for there was little if any pretense at such efficiency. The National Guard is another sort of an organization. If men have joined it to shine socially, achieve repute as basket ball experts or anything else non-military in character, there is probability of disap- pointment ensuing. Nothing could be more pleasing to me than to see a gymnasium, recomy and well equipped, in connection with the armory, but I never could consent to sacrificing rifle practice for basket ball or anything else non-military.” A Cup Presentation. The cup won by the Morton Cadets in the competitive drill at the military fete of the Corcoran Cadet Corps has been re- ceived from the manufacturer, and is a thing of beauty. It will be formally pre- sented to the winners early next week, and in connection with the ceremony the Mor- tons have arranged to entertain the Cor- corans in the quarters of the former. The Morton Cadets have already com- mernced arranging for their next dance, which is to be held in the National Rifles’ Armory Friday evening, January 3. The company is recruiting rapidly, and will elect civil officers at the annual meeting in January.. Second Lieutenant C. M. Rob- inson, jr., who has been critically 4ll for sev- eral months, ts so far recovered as to walk about. Corporal G. J. Harris, the treasurer of the company, has applied for a discharge in order to accept a business offer in New York city. * Notes. Active efforts are being made to secure the adoption of a service medal for District guardsmen. Lieutenant Jacobson, the chairman of the committee in charge of the matter, has received several designs, which will be taken under consideration. Capt..W. IE. Horton, aid-de-camp on/the general siaff, has resigned from the War Department to engage in the practice of law in this city. : The Washington Light Infantry Corps has appointed the following committee to arrange for its afnual Christmas entertain- ment, which will probably be held December 23: Capt. Allison Nailor, chairman; Capt. Andrew J. Kelly, 8. P. House, Sergeant Phillips, Corperal Scott, Corporal Doten and Corporal McCathran. IN THE INDUSTRIAL FIELD. Signs of Improving Times — Notes Among the Tollers. The Maryland Steel Company of Balti- more has started up the fires in another furnace at Sparrow's Point, giving imme- diate employment to 100 men. After twenty- two months of idleness the indications are that the great stecl plant will be in full operation within a few weeks, giving em- ployment to several thousand men. The Lewis Joncs Knitting Company is building a new mill at Winchester, Va., to manufacture hosiery and underwear. The building will be two stories in height and ecntain 250 machines, and ‘s to he lighted with electricity. The plant of the Virginia Fredericksburg, Va., is to be ef! ed. The Richmond, Va., locomotive and ma- chine works is making a number of im- Provemerts, putiing in a new 250 hors> power Corliss engines and other machinery; also enlarging the foundry and building a new blacksmith shop. ° The Portsniouth, Va., knitting mill is fast nearing completion. The building is ebout finished, and the machinery is ex- pected at an early date. The Granby cotton mills buiklings at Co- lumbia, S. C., are being pushed to com- pietion a8 rapidly as possible, and will be finished in January. An equipment of 15,- 600 spindles and 1,050 looms has been or- dered, and will be put in at the start and increased gradually to 30,000 spindies. The main building is a four-story one, 372 by 127 feet, and is to contain every modérn mill improvement. The product is to be fine sheetings and twills. The Ada Manufacturing Ccmpany of Charlotte, N. C., will add a weaving mill to-its plant at a cost of $50,000. The Orion knitting mills ingston, N. C., bas put in new machinery, and now em- ploys 130 operatives. The Columbia Mills Company, Columbia, S. C., has decided to add 22,000 spindles to its equipment. Good progress is being made on mill No. 2 of the Henrietta, N. C., cotton mills. The plant will cost $200,000, and will have 35,000 indles and 1,200 jooms. The company will build 140 tenements for its en-ployes. The water power fs furnished from the French Broad river, but a 250 horse power engine is being put in as an auxiliary. The American Bridge Company of Rs roke, Va., has been reorganized as the Vir- ginia Bridge and Iron Compary, and will &o into cperation at once. The stockholders of the Pittsburg wire works at Braddock, Pa., have decided to in- crease their capital stock from $300,000 to $560,000, and to make extensive improve- ments. mill at The German Dramatic Society. The German Dramatic Society opened its eleventh season in this city at Willard’s Hall last evening. This club is well known in Washington, and has acquiredzan ex- cellent reputation for good work. It has put on some of the best plays ever pre- sented by amateurs, and last evening kept up its standard in the presentation of a ct adaptation from “Romeo and Ju- translated by Miss Schade, and a one-act comedy, entitled ‘The Choice.” Both were put on in an exceedingly intelli- gent manner, and the participants took thelr parts with grace and ease. In the first Mr. Theodore Friebus, jr., took the part of Hans yon Streklen and Miss Anita Schade that of Leopoldine von Wedel, cor- responding to the English Romeo and Ju- liet. Both characters re excellently por- trayed. The second was participated in by Messrs. A. H. Boelter, F. Altrup and Carl Droop, and Misses Julia Moedel, Carrie Didden, Clara Ulke and F. Meyer. Mr. Melville Hensey sang a couple of tenor solos and Prof. Thorald Jerichan played Mendelssohn's Capriceo on the piano dur- ing the intermission. The officers of the soclety are Theodore Friebus, jr., presi- dent; Miss Anita Schade, vice president; Mr. A. Spier, treasurer; Mrs.Emma Karon, recording secretary, and Miss Anna Ret- tig, corresponding secretary. These officers have been but recently elected, and after the performance last evening they held an informal reception. A large audience was present and frequently testified thetr ap- preciation of the good work by hearty ap- plause. ——— Newsboys’ Home Housewarming. One of the pleasant events of the opening season will be the housewarming to be given by the ladies of the Newsboys and Children’s Aid Society at their new home 220 C street northwest, Tuesday next, De- cember 10, from 3 to 19 p.m. Henceforth the home will be designated as the George Movlehy Memorial tome, it being the ma- nificent gift of Mrs. George Maulsby in memory of her husband. Mystery Story Final Chapter. Today is printed in The Star the last chapter before the final chapter in the mystery story, “Before They Were Mar- ried.” The interval between today and next Wednesday at 6 o'clock p.m., inclu- sive, is allowed for forwarding guosses to the office. The final chapter will be pub- lished in The Star Saturday next. As is well known, the $250 offered in prizes are to be paid only for explanations sent in by women and girls, according to conditions published elsewhere. REAL ESTATE GOSSIP Disposition of the Money Raised by - Taxation. SOME ITEMS OF MUNICIPAL EXPENSE An Active Demand Recently for Houses for Rent. ——_<+ SOME IMPROVEMENTS —_>__—_ To property holders the annual report of the District Commissioners is always of interest, as it gives the details of the exe penditures of the money which is contribe uted each year by the citizens of the Dise trict for the support of the municipal gove ernment. During the last fiscal year, the report referred to states, over $6,000,000 was expended for municipal purposes. As the largest percentage of the revenue cone tributed by the citizens is derived from the tax on realty, it is not surprising that property owners like to know, in a general way, how the money has been spent. Outside of the expense incurred in maine taining the public schools, ‘the police and fire departments, etc., considerable sums are expended in street improvements and in other ways which contribute to the wel fare of the city. The item of salaries is not an insignificant one, and so in these various channels the money paid by the taxpayers finds its way back Mto the ordle nary channels of business. As this large sum of money is paid out only on warrants from the Treasury De- partment, with all the safeguards which are thrown about the disbursements of the national revenue, it is recognized that a larger percentage of the city’s revenues Ig expended for legitimate municipal pur- poses than is the case in any other city in the country, and probably in the world. If the estimates made for the coming year are approved by Congress it is probable that the expenditures for municipal pure poses will reach the sum of nearly $7,000,« The Rent Market. If the renting of houses can be taken as a criterion, the population of the city has received a good many additions during the past month or so. Nearly all the real ese tate dealers report that they have rented a large number of houses, and that the demand has been quite an active one. Of course the supply has not been oxhausted, and it probably never will be, as there will always be a time when there will be va- cant houses in the city. It is quite cer- tain, however, that the number -is not so great as {t was some months ago. It 1s evident from this as well as other facts that the population of the city is in- creasing. Of course, there is @ temporary addi- tion to the population of the city whenever Congress is in session, but It is believed that independent cf this element there has quite a substantial gain in the num- ber of the residents of the city during the last fall. As is well known, the average increase in the population of the city for a number of years past has been 5,000 an- nmicily, ard it is quite probable that the statistics of tne growth of the city for the present year will show an increase in this average. The total popilation of the city is now about 275,000, and it fs thought that a point has been reached when the rate of increase will advance each year. The Building Record. The building record for the week ending yesterday shows that a total of fifteen per- mits were issued, at an estimated cost of $24,550, divided among the several sections of the city as follows: Northwest, eight permits, for $13,300; southeast, five permits, for $5,150, and the county, two permits, for $3,100, Mahone Square Sold. A sale of some interest occurred during the week when the property famous in the history of the efforts made to secure a site for a new government printing office as the Mahone square was offered at public auc- tion. It is square number 673, bounded by North Capitol, Ist street, L and M streets northeast. Mr. C. C. Duncanson was the auctioneer, and the square, comprising as it does nearly 400,000 square feet, was of- fered in two biocks. The north half, with ghe exception of lots 18 and 19, and con aining 175,381 square feet, was sold to Ed- gar Allen and Edmund Waddill, jr., for 70,152.40, which is at the rate of 40 cents per square foot. The south half was sold to Richard S. Windsor for $80,164.88. Ag this portion contained 213,773 square feet the price paid was 37% cents per square foot. A G Street Property. A sale has just been completed by George J. Easterday, real estate agent, by which the title to the properties, 1216 and 1218 @ street northwest has changed hands. The former owner was Charies H. Davidson, and the purchaser is Stilson Hutchins. The property has a frontage of forty feet and a depth of 116 feet. Some Improvements, Boyd M. Smith has had the plans pre- pared by R. J. Leail, architect, for the erec- tion of a row of six two-story brick dwell- ings at Nos. 201) to 2029 11th street north- west. The building contract has been awarded to James T. Levy. The founda- tions of the buildings will be of concrete and brick. They will be heated by a fur- nace, and will have a frontage of fifteen feet six inches each by a depth of thirty- four feet each. The front of the buildings will be of press brick. Mary 8S. Heincke will erect a store at No. 221 Indiana avenue northwest. R. B, Leathers is the builder, A two-story brick dwelling will shortly be erected at No. 1130 Gth street northwest uy George M. Depue. James Hughes has been given the contract for building. The front of the building will be of pressed brick, and will have a frontage of sixteen feet by a depth of forty-eight feet. Lucy York will erect a row of six two- story frame dwellings in Hillsdale, front- ing on Howard avenue. James M. York & Son will be the builders. Db. B. Gotwalis has had the plans made by A. BR. Morgan, architect, for the erection of a row of six two-story brick dwellings at Nos. 119 to 123 Kentucky avenue svutheast. The fronts will be buiit of pressed brick and stone. They will each have three bay windows, and will be heated by latrobes. ‘They will each front seventeen feet on Ken- y avenue. ‘ 1s a proposition under consideration to erect on Net York avenue near Sth street, opposite Convention Ha four- riment house, to cost $35,000. The are to ly D0 feet. A. Goen- hitect, n plans which call for’ fronts of light bsick with limestone trimmings, with square and round hay windows terminating in towers. ‘The roof will be mansard and tiled. ‘Twenty-four apartments will be provided for with pri- vate halls. There will be cellars and bi- eycle store rooms. The Jvuilding will be heated by steam and lighfed by eiectricity, and every modern convenizi.ce and comfort is to be supp! John’ R. Mclean is having an addition made to his building at the corner of Ver- mont avenue and H street, from plans pre- pared by James G. lilll, architect. It is proposed to make stcre of the corner building. A two-story brick dwelling will be erect- ed on Kentucky avenue southeast between Ist and 2d streets, for Anton Stephan, by W. E. Maloney, builder.