Evening Star Newspaper, December 13, 1895, Page 2

2 HE EVENING STAR, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1895—-SIXTEEN PAGES. LATE NEWS BY WIRE The Singular Aub Case Again Ap- pears in Court. SHE PLEADS NGT GUILIY OF PERJURY Statement Made by Her At torney. HER BAIL FIXED AT $1,000 NEW YORK, December 13.—Barbara Aub, indicted for perjury on her accusation of criminu assault against Walter S. L. Lan- germsa, was arraigned before Judge Cow- ing in part 1 of the court of general sessions today. To the customary question, “Are you guilty or not guilty?” following the reading of the charge against her, Miss Aub replied, “Not guilty.” Lawyer House then addressed the court, making the following statement: “When I was first assigned by the court to this case I asked to be excused, because whatever view I took of the case, I plainly saw that adverse criticism was sure to arise. I, how- ever, accepted the assignment, and on my first meeting with the woman I tried to im- press upon her mind the position in which she stood as a self-confessed per- jurer. “She asked me what sentence she was likely to get, and I told her no one but the judge could tell. She was greatly excited, end I left her, promising to come back. I came back and found her much calmer. Since last Monday I have labored with this young woman, and today, if your honor asked me my opinion of the case, I should be obliged to say, ‘I do not know.” “On several occasions when i have seen her she has been in no condition to talk with counsel or her friends. I asked her if she realized the position in which she was, and she replied that she had com- muned with her conscience and her God, and felt better for making the confession which exonerated Langerman from the charge against him. “Again I asked her If she realized the po- sition in which she stood, and she replied that no one had influenced her tn making her confession, and she asked me to try and have her sentence mitigated. Repudiated the Confession. “When I saw her on Wednesday last in response to a message by telephone, she told me that she had no recollection of making any confession, ror did she recol- lect going to the house of Recorder Goff or the evening of Thanksgiving day. “She said that such a confessior was im- possible, as the story she tol] or the wit- rees stand was true. I then asked her how she came to make this confession, and she replied that from the time of the trial until Wednesday afternoon she had been In a dream When her aunts called on her on Wednesday afternoon she appeared as one coming out of a trance. She then made to her aunts the retraction of her previous confession. Bringing in Miss Kellard. “Now, your honor, I have the greatest sympathy for this young woman, and I think that I understand the position she is placed in. She made one peculiar state- ment to me. She asked me if I thought that Miss Kellurd would be brought into the case. I told her I did not know. She then said ‘Tf you can give me any assur- ance that Miss Kellard will not be prose- cuted, I will tell the truth.’ “I told her that I had no authority to promise immunity to Miss Kellard, but that I did not think she was in any danger of prosecution. She then asked that I send my stenographer, Miss Rosenthal, to her. I did so, agd all she would say was that Miss Kellard had accused her of giv- ing false testimony at the trial of Langer- man.”* Ball Fixed. Mr. House suggested that the court ap- point a commission to inquire into the mental condition ef the girl. He had, he said, arrived so far at no definite conclu- sion in the case. He had some private facts about the girl’s case which he would submit to the court. He also asked that no one be allowed to see the prisoner in the Tombs. Col. Fellows said that he had intended to move that the girl be discharged on her own recognizarce had not the new phase, caused by her recent recantation, appear- ed. He asked that ball be fixed at Barbs.a, he said, was the victim of “fool friends. Judge Gowing paid no attention to the re- quest for a contmission in lunacy or about her not seeing her friends In the Tombs. He fixed bail at $1,000. After being returned to the Tombs Miss Aub scnt notes to her counsel and Assist- ant District Attorney. Townsend, asking them to come to her. She also said that she wanted to see reporters some time dur- ing the day, but not while the Rev. Mr. Lewis was with her. She sent word from her cell requesting the newspapers to deny for her the statement of Col. Haire, Lang- erman’s lawyer, to the effect that she was @ professional blackmailer and a lewd wo- man. —_—.__. Maryland Politics. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. BAE TIMORE, Md., December 13, 1895. In discussing his cardiducy with The Star correspondent Col. Mulliken said: “I see no reason to feel despondent over my chances of succeeding Senator Gibson. I am in the fight to stay, and from the as- surances of support that I have received I believe that I will M the ultimate choice of the party. The sentiment against ignor- ing the eastern shore law is becoming stronger, and I shall fight to insure its recognition whether I shall be able to go to the Senate or not. I am confident, how- ever, that in case the law is sustained the eastern shore members will eventually unite in supporting my candidacy.” Col. Mulliken will be in town from now on until the meeting of the legislature, and he and his friends are prepared to fight to the last for the eastern shore “birthright.” Ex-Congressman Mudd was also in town this morning, and in speaking of his chances for the speakership, said: “I am at I will be elected. I have the sup- nd, and Col. Mulli- the eastern shore ill stand by me, whatever op- position to my election comes from Balti- more, and, as the city delegates are una- ble to unite on any one man, I apprehend little difficulty from that source. If the city delegation was united I should not be so confident, but as it is whatever ob- stacles they may throw in my way will not handicap me.” Both the democratic and republican sen- ators will hold conferences after the elec- tion in Carroll county on the 2ist. Very little, if anything, was accomplish- ed at the recent demecratic caucus held at the Carrollton. The hotel was filled with politicians, but notwithstanding the meeting of the senators about three repub- licans were in the building to one demo- erat. a A Financial Investigation. Several republican members of the House have been in consultation since the Presi- dent's message was made public to devise a method whereby they could secure a detinite statement of the condition of the treasury. Mr. Walker of Massachusetts will endeavor to bring about an investiga- tion of the finances by an expert under the} @rection of the committee on appropria- tions. -— nd Jury Indictments. In addition to those for violation of the oleomargarine law, indictments were re- ported this afternoon by the grand jury as follows: John Early, alias Jimmy John, Richard Hurley, alias George McCarthy, and Maurice Davis, assaulting Policeman Will am Vermillion September 22 last; Eliot Smith, embezzlement; Bossie Graig, sec- nse petit larceny; Robert Handson, bert Hansen, second offense petit James Green, assault with intent | Frank Taylor, assault with intent to kill; Frank Norris, d Howard and Sadie Howard, housebt ; James Ross, housebreaking housebreak Se jareeny; Rosa Moocy, | larceny, and Melville ten, Miles, charge of false pretences against ‘ferman Donath was ignored. Here is another suggestion for the business man who adver- tises or ought to advertise. Advertising space is valuable in proportion to the extent and character of circulation of the advertising medium. The Star’s advertising rate for a given space for three months or more is less than 5 cents per line, without changes; for ten thousand lines to be used within a year, changes at. will, the rate is 7} cents per line. The Star’s circulation is be- lieved to be five times that of any afternoon paper in Wash- ington—no other afternoon pa- per makes public its circulation. On this basis it is therefore easy to calculate that a fair rate for space in other afternoon papers would be one cent a line where The Star charges five and 1} cents a line as against The Star’s charge of 7} cents. THE SANFORD MUDDLE. The Alleged First Wife Writes a Let- ter to the Court. The death of John M. Sanford, the aged government printing office watchman, who died several weeks ago, it was claimed, .n- der suspicious circumstances, and who left two women claiming to be his lawful wife, was again brought to notice this afternoon when a letter wes received by Judge Hag- ner from Rosa Sanford, otherwise known as Stockholm. The letter is dated Peekskill, N. Y., and after stating that she is the lawful widow of Sanford, the writer protests against the probate of the will on the petition of Flor- ida Fairfax Sanford and against the rec- ognition of the latter as the widow. Mrs. Sanford of Peekskill then recites that she married John A. Stockhalm June 24, 1857, at Caledonia, N. Y., but he died in Was! ington in 1866, and she remained his widow until 1872, -when she married Jerome B. Close, but the union, it is stated, was an unhappy one. In 1878 hy secureé a decree of divorce, granted by Judge Mac Arthur. March 11, 1878, the letter ccntinues, the writer, un- der the 1ame of Stockholm, was married to Sanford at the residence of his sister, Mrs. Emeline Young, in this city, by the Rev. William J. Floyd. Mrs. Young and Mrs. Campbell, sisters of Sanford, were present at the ceremony, it is set forth. There was never a divorce or legal sepa- ration, Mrs. Sonford of Peekskill declares, and she appeals to Judge Hagner for the protection of her rights, asking that the same be intrusted to Mrs. Emeline Young. : —— ENGINEER EXPERTS. THE Will Not Be Able to Determine About the Tunnel Till Next Week. Maj. Knight and Capt. Townsend of the engineer corps were again before the cx- pert engineer commission considering the lecal water service today. The board will not. be able to conclude its” work as early as it was heped, for the reason that a fur- ther inspection of the Lydecker tunnel has been found necessary, and it cannot be pumped out suffictently for the purpose for several days vet. The board will therefore be unable to conclude Its deliberations before Tuesday or Wednesday next at the earllest. ee Extending Time for Assessment. Mr. Aldrich of Hlinois has introduced a resolution in the House providing that the time fixed for the return of assessment, by section 7 of the assessment act, shall be ex- tended to the first Monday in April, 1896, as to the real estate within the city limits and to the first Monday in September, 15%. The time for the meeting of the board of equalization shall be postponed until Sep- tember 1, 1896, so far as it relates to prop- erty outside the city limits, and the equali- zation and review shall be completed before the first Monday in November, 189%. The appropriaition act of March 3, 1877, is amended in section 4 so as to make the whole tax levied under the assessment of that portion of the District of Columbia out- side the present limits of the city of Wash- ington due and payable on the first day of May, 1897, instead of one-half on the first day of November, 1896, and one-half on the first day of May, 1807, as by existing law: Provided, That ‘these amendments shall not extend beyond the fiscal year ending June 30, 1897. ee Contests the Will. A caveat to the will of the late Wilhel- mina Moelich was filed today by Minnie Hynes, F. H. Lohmeyer, Estella Weillcpp, William E. Lohmeyer, Hattie Binger and Carl Lohmeyer, grandchildren of the de- ceased. It is claimed by the caveators that if the will was executed by their grandmother it was the result of undue influence exercised by an aunt, Bertha Keferstein. It is also alleged that Mrs. Moelich was incapable of making a will at the date of the execution of the instrument filed. —_— The Hazing Investigation. The court of inquiry which has been in session at the navy yard for nearly three weeks past has completed its labors and is expected to adjourn this afternoon, sub- ject to further orders from the Secretary of the Navy. It is generally believed that the court will recommend that further pro- ceedings shall be taken in reference to the charges of hazing for the purpose of which the court was originally called. es The Texas Again Ready. The Texas has been again reported ready for trial, and if the weather is good she will go to sea from Tompkinsville, Staten Island, next Wednesday for a four hours’ full-pow- ered steam trial. On that occasion she will have gboard a detail of naval engineers to watch the performance of the machinery, and if all goes well, this will be regarded as the official trial trip. ( (SS ee Licenses Issued. A marriage license was Issued this after- roon to Taomas F. Kinsella and Fannie Minor. It is understood that these are the parties from East Washington who went to Alexandria a few days ago for the pur- pese of being married, but, instead, it was reported at the time, were arrested for dis- orderly conduc! ——.__ Suicide of Magruder Hough. Magruder Hough, a young man _ well krown in this city, died last evening at his mother’s house, 4 Pennsylvania avenue, from the effects of an overdose of laudanum, taken with suicidal intent. Young Hough was quite dispirited. His father, who was @ prosperous butter merchant, died a few months ago and left most of his estate to other members of his family, a discrimina- tion that appeared to pique Magruder. He had made two attempts previously to com- mit suicide. Though a young man, he had been married three times, having been twice divorced. _——— More House Appointments, Majer McDowell, clerk of the House, to- day appoirted John Slack of West Virginia as assistant index clerk and Guy Under- tant In the House li- Doorkeeper Glenn appointed William R. Houscholder and C. H. Brown messengers, |and the following session laborers: James William A. Swann and Charles eo —____ The St. Francis Catholic Orphan As; at Milwaukee, Wis., burned Wedn night, causing a less cf $40,000, were lost. sday No lives THE PERALTA-REAVIS CASE Aftorney General Harmon's Report to Congress on the Subject. History of the Claim—Investigations That Proved the Documents Sub- mitted to Be Forgeries. ‘According to 2 report made to Congress by Attorney General Harmon, the well- known Peralta Reavis case, in the magni- tude of the claim made and the fertility of crininal resource displayed in its support, has rerely, if ever, been equaled in judi- cial ennals. History of the Case. “In Octcber, 1992," he says, “James Addi- son Pcralta-Reavis and Sofia Loreto M carla de Peralta-Reavis, nce Maso y Silva de Peralta de la Cordoba (husband and wife), sued in the court of private land claims for confirmation of a grant alleged ‘to have been made by Spain in 1758 to one Miguel Peralta, Baron of Arizonac, Knight of the Colorados. Grandce of Spain, ete. covering 12,740,000 acres of land in Arizona and New Mexico, including the land on which are situated Phoenix, the capital of Arizona; the towns of Florence, Tempe, Casa Grande, Globe, Silver King, Pinal and Solomonsville, and a portion of the White Mountain or San Carlos Indian res- ervation. The title to this land had been investigated and pronounced nerfect by eminent counsel employed by the, petition- ers, and as a result many persons and cor- porations throughout the United States had acquired interests therein 2s purchasers from the plaintiffs. 3 In Support of the Claim. “In suprort of the claim it was averred that the original grant had been recom- mended by Philip V of Spain im 1744, and by his successor, Fernando VI, in 1745; that it had actually been made by the viceroy of New Spain in 1748, and that it had sub- sequently been ratified and enla zed by Carlos III. It was averred that po‘ jen had been given to the grantee in 1 that the female petitioner had become vested with the title to the property as the grantee’s only descendant and heir. A large number of certificates ani authenti- cated copies of original title papers on file in the various archives of Spain and Mex- ico were presented in support of the peti- tion. Result of Investigations. “In order properly to prepare for the trial, Mr. S. Mallet-Prevost of New York was re- tained as special counsel for the govern- ment and sent to Spain and to Mexico to make personal investigations among the archives, for which duty he was peculiarly fitted. An investigation as to the identity of Mrs. Reavis was also commenced, under the direction of Mr. Reyrolds. A mass of testimony was taken on both these subjects in Spain, Mexico and California, clearly disclosing the most startling facts. Mrs. Reavis was proved to be an impostor, and the instruments of which the copies were correct and duly authenticated were shown to have been cunningly forged on genuine ancient parchments, from which other wri ings had been skillfully erased, which fals documents Reavis had found means to place without detection among the archives of both Spain and Mexico, on visits which he made to thos countries for that purpose. It is a curious fact that the suspicions of ccunsel for the government were first arous- ed by an error of date due to the forger's ignorance of Spanish history. Decided to Be Forgerien. “The court, by unanimous dee! that every title paper out of the one hun- dred or more presented had been manufact- ured and forged, in whole or in part, and surreptitiously deposited among the ar- chives in the countries named, and also that Mrs. Reavis was in no way related to the alleged ‘Baron of Arizorac.' “The case is remarkable as probably the greatest fraud ever attempted against a government in its own courts, and Its deci- sion removes a cleud from thousands of titles held by actual settlers. “Since the de-ision I have caused R. be arrested and indicted for fraud an jury, and he is row in prison awaiting trial.” — WHAT WE OWE TO SOCIETY. Hypecrisies and Falschoods as the Current Coin of Social Speech. From Harper's Ba: For example, in declining an invitation that ve would not under any circumstances accept, are we privileged to say that we deeply regret that a previous engagement prevents the pleasure, &c.? When we have been greatly bored and have so expressed ofirselves to various persons in the com- pany, should we say to the host and hostess, eyen if it be the custom, that we are indebted to them for a very delizntful evening? Is st quite the thing, if we have asked our companion who that very plain woman may be, and are presented to her a few moments later by Mr: Jones as his wife, to declare that we had been wondering who that very pretty woman 2 Does our consefence feel easy when we remember that after being compelled to lis- ten to a sonata, very ill performed, which we pronounced excruciating, we have de- liberately walked up to the performer and ed him in superlatives? 1s our equa- not a whit disturbed when we say to our friend, “Don’t introduce me to that cad!” and the next minute, while shaking his hand, repeat the formula, “Charmed to meet you! ‘These and numberless other hypocrisies and falsehoods are almost the current coin of social speech. Consequently, they are not considered what they really are, and he who objects to them is regarded as overserupu- verely Puritanic. have us ay ask. “Tell th brutal truth and be unpardonably rude If it be urged that rudeness is preferable to lack of veracity, it may be claimed that such fictions really deceive nobody; that society does not expect any one to be truth- ful, and that no harm is done. If so, the admission is sufficiently damag- ing to society to give color to what c: say of it. Is it, indeed, a miserable sham, a mere dance of death, a mass of ccrrup- ticn under a polished surface? Society is nothing of the kind here, whatever it may have become at some of the courts of the old world. Here we need not say that we do not believe, nor need wé contradict what we have just spoken in order to be polite. Politeness consists in suppressing ill-natur- ed comments, in the first place; not in as- serting the contrary afterwa It Is possi- ble to be reasonably sincere, even in society, if we strictly carry cut our unwritten com- pact to be agreeable—at least to try. And in the furtherance of this object amiablility will be a great help. ——__ see AN ELOPEMENT SPOILED. ‘The Father Acted in an Way That Was Not Traditional. From the Chicago Evening Post. “Papa is just too mean for anything, the girl in blye, bitterly. “What is the matter?” asked the girl in gra: “Well, of course, you heard of my mar- ” sald . yes, of course. Wasn't that just it wasn’t,” returned the girl in blue, I thought it was,” said the girl in surprise. “I heard that you eloped. “And that your father was chasing all over the country for you.” “Well, he wasn’t. He acted just as mean as he could about i “What did he do?’ “He didn’t do anything. I thought he'd make an awful fuss, and get the story in all the papers, and then people would have talk- ed about our romance and we'd have been somebody. But he didn't make any fuss about it at all.” ‘That was strange,” said the girl in gray. “It was more than strange; it was down- right mean. It just spoiled all the effect of the elopement. And that wassn’t the mean- est part of it, either.” “What else did he do?” “When we came back and tried to get up little something dramatic by walking into fhe partor and announcing that we were man and wife, he spoiled it all by just looking up from his paper and sayin, “Well, that lets me out of the cost of a wedding, doesn’t it?” Why was so disappointed that I almost crie “What would you | [DIST Proposal to Ryn Street Cars at Rey Speed. STREETS Us. BIS CLEARED °OF ICE Sa Controversy: Ougr the Convention HallBoiler. nN OTHER LOCAL NOTES There is a proposition before the Com- missioners to increase the speed of rapid transit street cars. At the present time the speed of cars is limited in the city to nine miles an hour, and the desire is to increase it to twelve miles afl hour along certain streets. The application was made by President Phil- lips of the Metropolitan Railroad Company, who supplemented it with a statement set- ting forth the advantages of rapid transit. His application exempted certain streets where the conditions made it impracticable for rapid transit. The Commissioners this afternoon heard Mr. Phillips’ argument, and decided that it would be unwise for them to make ary order on the subject that was not general in its character, so as to include all roads, They thought, however, that the speed of rapid transit cars should be limited to six miles an hour where they crossed intersect- ing streets. Mr. Phillips was informed that the matter was of such grave im- portance to the citizens that it would be necessary to take the matter under careful consideration before acting upon the same. Streets to Be Clenned. It will cost the District upward of $50,000 to comply with its part of the snow and ice bill. Section 4 of the bill provides that it shall be the duty of the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, immediately after every fall of snow on the cross-walks or in the gutters, forthwith to cause the same to be removed from the said cross-walks to a width of ten feet and from out of said gut- ters to a breadth of one foot, and to keep the same free from obstruction, and sprinkle the cross-walks when covered with ice with sand or sawdust. The above section is so general in its terms that it will be impossible for the Commis- sioners to comply vit h it, as it would re- quire several hundred thousand dollars to do all the work stipulated. This being the case, Superintendent McKenz'e of the street sweeping department has, under direction of the Commissioners, prepared a list of the streets to be cleaned. # Pool Ro and Horses. The Commissioners have under consid- eration two important matters that will shortly be presented to Congress in the shape of bills for enactment. One ts a bill to control merry-go-rounds. According to a recent decision of the Police there is no law in force in the Di; t préventIng minors from fre- quenting pool ‘rddms. The Commissioners consider this of great importance, and the bill which is.40,be presented absolutely forbids minors from entering pool rooms. The subject of merry-go-rounds is also considered impdrtant, and the legislation which will be asked will serve the pur- pose of keeping such places of amusement out of the city, by fixing the license fee atesuch a large figure as to make it im- possible for the proprietor to comply with the law. Bullding Regulations. The action of the Commissioners in | amending the building regulations so as to permit of the erection of a boiler house in square 515 was assailed this morning by Charles W. Darr for Stephan M. Gatti. This was the case where Messrs. Hutchins and Towers desired to locate a boiler house on lot in square f15, to supply power for ruming an ice skating rink in Convention Hall. The building reg- ulations at the time specified before such a permit would be granted it would be necessary to first obtain the signatures of all the property owners in the square. Mes. ephan and David M. Gatti were owners in the square, and refused to sign the application. Then application was made to amend the regulations by the appli- after several days the regulation was changed so as to require only the sig- natures of two-thirds of the property own- ers in lieu of all of them. Mr. Darr called atention to the fact that the regulation was changed without notice to the Messrs. Gattl, thereby, as he deemed, entailing a great loss to the objectors. Commissioner ‘Truesdell sald the Com- missioners had looked carefully into the matter. He was satisfied the Commission- ers had power to amend the regulation. It is understood Mr. Darr ts going into court with the caseg Crematory Site. The Commissioners have accepted as a site for the Smith garbage crematory lot 14, square This property is better de- scribed as being on the east side of 24th street north of N street. It contains 10,! square feet, and belongs to S. Oppenheime: The work on the crematory will be begun at once. Engine Accepted. ‘The Commissioners have eccepted a 5,- 00,000-gallon pumping engine of the North- burg Manvfacturing Company, with cer- tain minor stipulations. Some Transfers. The following changes vere made by the Commissioners in the building inspector's office today |tendent of constriction of a truck house on D street, transferred to the new school house at the corn of ist and Pierce streets northwest; S. A. Carpenter, inspec- tor in the engineer department, transferred to the office of inspector of buildings, to be superintendent of censtruction of the Greenleaf school house on 4% street south- west, and Francis Reeside, appointed su- perintendent of constructicn of the school house at the corner of 15th and C streets soutacast. ————_— NO INDIAN WARS IN CANADA. She is Too Poor to Scek Glory and Too Proud to Do Them Wrong. From the Westminster Review. The great fact stands boldly forth that Canada has never fought the Indians, and she will not begin to do so now. Never has Canada had an Indian war; an Indian mas- sacre is unknown, in the annals of her his- tory. She is too poor to seek glory by slaugh- tering the rlatives’ born of her soll, and too proud to defame her character or stain her escutcheon.\,Contfast with this the policy of the United States that is nearly always fight- ing its red men. Indian wars are very expen- sive matters to deal with. The small episode of last year,beginning with theMessiah craze and ending with the tragedy at Pine Ridge agency, covering but a few weeks, cost the United States government $2,000,000, besides the lives lost, and, in addition, unsettled the natives throughout the country. It is to the credit of the Canadian Indians that, al- though sorely tempted, the Messiah craze had no charms for them. There was in Can- ada, it is true, Riel’s first rebellion, that cost Canada $7,000,000 and the lives of some of her noblest citizens. But that was not an Indian uprising. Nevertheless, it taught both the white men end the red men a lesson. It taught Canada that it would be cheaper to ration all the Indian tribes than to have an- other rebellion; and it taught the Indian the prowess of the authorities, and this was em- phasized by the trips given the Indian chiefs to Ontario, where they behold tokens of the power, wealth and glory of the white men. ———_+e+___ How to’Secure a Seat. From the Chicago Reco-d, She came into @ West Side car with her husband—a big, blackeyed man, with a sub- dued air. Every seat was taken, mostly by ten whose ncses were buried in their even- ing papers. She glanced about meaningly, but no one offered to make room for her, Her lip curled imperiously, “Never mind,” ‘these men will all get off at the first saloon,” In the dark of the tunnel three men in her neighborhood sought the back platform and she took the places of two of them with a little sigh of satisfaction, nd David | James L. Parkinson, superin- | act RIGh AreAins | oo 0. ea Questions Asked Applicants at the Exam- ination. Getting Men on the Force Who Know When to Make an Arrest. Since the police department was put under the civil service rules by the Commissioners three examinations have been held, the last one having been held Monday. The police officials are very much pleased with the workings under this rule, and Maj. Moore is confident that he will get mea of intelli- gence to fill the vacancies as they occur. Chief Clerk Sylvester and Capt. Austin constituted the examining board, and the questions asked at the different examina- tions differ cs much as possible, although much of the same ground is covered cach time. The Questions. At the examination held last week the questions esked were as follows: What qualifications does the police man- ual provide fcr appointment on the force? Upon what charges, if sustained, may a member of the force be removed? When should estray horses, mules and cattle be assigned to .the poundmaster? How much time and attention should a member of the fore> devpte to department, business? ° When and where may a member of the force drink intoxicating liquor? When may a member of the force receive a reward for police services rendered? May a member of the force serve a civil process? What should be done with a person ar- rested @uring the session of the Police Court? What is a “property return,” and when should it be made? When should the revolver be.used by a member of the force? When may a member of the force leave his beat while on duty? . Name in order the several official ranks in the police force. Are police surgeons and station keepers members of the force? What should the driver of a one-horse vehicle charge a single passenger, during the daytime, to convey him from Ist street to 16th street northwest, when no contract was previously made? At 1 o'clock at night? What should the driver of a two-horse vehicle charge a passenger during the day by the hour? How should a member of the force pro- ceed to secure the services of his family physician in case of ‘ilness? Can en officer arrest@a person charged with a crime of less degree than a felony without a warrant, if not committed in his presence? What is a felony? What course would you pursue if John Smith should demand that you arrest ‘Tom Jcres for assaulting him, and you did not witness the assault? What should be done with beggars asking alms in the streets? Another Examination. The applicants are allowed more than two hours in which to answer thé ques- tions, and in determining upon the merits of the answers the penmanship is taken into consideration. It is the intention of the authorities to get men who are versed in the law enough to unde-stané under what conditions they may make arrests and at the same time get men who are able to make intelligent reports. This the offi- cials think is due to the public as well as to the police authorities. Thus far the examinations have been satisfactory, and of the large number cf thcse who have been examined not many have passed. Another examination will be held in a fe de as the officials want to have a number of names on the list of eligibles in order that there may be no in filling positions when Congress les for an increase. -_ TURKEY'S CAPITAL, The Defenses of Constantinople, Both atu: and Art From the New York Herald. The Straits of the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles are so narrow that at their widest point they are not half a gunshot across. Constantinople, with its densely pepulated environs, covers both sides of the Bosphorus. Immense fortifications guard al! the approaches. It is true that the forts and guns on the European side of the Dar- danelies are commanded by a small range of hills, and that the holder of the hills would be able to threaten the safety of the batteries. But the Turks are fully ccgnizant of this fact. They are them- selves defendirg the hills from attack by planting heavy guns upon them. On the Asiatic side there are no such hills. Here the forts are safe from an at- tack by land. Now, through the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles a quick current is almost always running in the same direc- tion—that is, from the Black sea into the Mediterranean—at the rate of some feur miles an hour, The waters are deep and usvally narrow. They afford an excellent opportunity for torpedo defense. A few hundred of these submerged deadly weap- ons swept down by the current against an advancing fleet would prove a formidable adversary. So much for an attack from the Mediter- renean, which affords the easiest means of access to most European powers. An at- tack from the Black sea, though more dif- ficult in its inception, would te more dimM- cult to repel also when once made. In that event ground mines might be placed at the entrance of the Bosphorus, while torpedo ships and boats would be kept in readiness to resist attack by sea and defend the mires. Nevertheless, it is true that if Russia ccmmanded the Black sea she would hoid Constantinople at her mercy. But she does rot do so, and it is not probable that she ever will. Against an attack by land from Asia Minor nature has thrown the bul- warks cf mountains, which as yet have few or no reads that could be utilized by an invading army. For six months of the year snow les thick upon their summits and in- creases their natural difficulties. Russia, single handed, would not dare to attack Constantinople by way of the Balkans, as without the consent of Austria and Ger- many she could not sex aa army through Roumania. Probably she would strike her first blow in Armenia, and through that country prepare to advance toward the Ottoman capital. 6 GREAT MEN AND CATS. Distinguished People Who Have Been Fond of the Felines. From the Chicago Record. A current paragraph tells us that Prof. Huxley’s notorious fondness for cats was a fad which he shared with Cardinal Maz- arin, Cardinal Richelieu, Charles Stewart Parnell and other eminent public men. The name of Isaac Newton should not be omitted from the list of cat lovers, nor that of Mahomet. The prophet, it will be remembered, had so great a regard for the comfort of his pet cat that once when he found her asleep on his robe he would not awaken her, Lut, cutting out that part cf his robe upon which she lay, removed the other mutilated part carefully and left tabby undisturbed. Robert Southey was an ardent lover of cats. Have you ever read the letter he wrote to his friend Bedford, announcing the death of one of bis pets? “Alas, Gros- venor,” he wrote, “this day poor Rumpel was found dead, after as long and happy a life as a cat could wish for, if cats form wishes on that subject. His full titles were: The Most Noble the Archduke Rum- pelstitzchen, Marquis Maobum, Earl Tom- lemagne, Baron Raticide, Waowhler and Skraatch. There should be a court mourn- ing in Catland, and if the Dragon (your pet cat) wear a black ribbon round his neck or a band of crape a la militaire round one of his fore paws it will be but a becoming mark of respect.” poet-laureate adds: “I believe we are each and all, servants included, more sorry for his loss, or, rather, more ajffected by it, than any of us would like t6 confess,” Byron was fond of cats; in his establish- ment at Ravenna he had five of them. Daniel Maclise’s famous portrait of Har- rist Martineau represents that estimable woman sitting in front of a fireplace and turning her face to receive the caress of her pet cat that is crawling to a resting place upon her mistress’ shoulder, FROGS FROM MISSOURI. They Are Caught. From the Memphis Conuhercial Appeal. W. A. Wilecx, agent for the United States fish commission, fs in the city just from the upper part of Arkansas and the southeast- ern part of Misscuri. A reporter asked him for an account cf what he had found. “In southeast Missouri,” said the commis- sioner, “I found that a new industry was springing up. Last week a firm of fish deal- ers at Kennett shipped to New York the first car load of buffalo fish ever sent from this territory to that market. The car con- tained 26,000 pounds, and the sale of the shipment was so satisfactory that the same parties will make another shipment this week. “I was amazed at the frog industry there. The town of Kennett alone shipped 60,000 pounds of dressed frog legs to the markets last season, and New Madrid not less than 25,000. I got these figures from the books of the railroads, and know that they are true.” “How do the frog fishers get the best re- sults?" asked the reporter. ‘They fish in all sorts of ways. Some frogs are shot, some are caught with a ved fianuel tied below a hook, but the best results are from spearing. The frog season commences about the middle of March and lasts three months. During the first of the season the nights are cool and the frogs : in the water, only coming out in the day time for sun. Most of the fishing is then done in the day time. But as the nights become warmer the best results are obtained at night and by the spear. It takes two men to work this. One site in the stern of the boat and paddles it along close to the bank. On the bow there is a big reflector, arranged so that the light can be thrown in any direction. Just behind this stands the spearer. The light so blinds the frog that the boat can be paddled right up to him. The price paid last year to the fishermen for the frogs was seventy-five cents per dozen, the frogs averaging one- half pound each. This made a revenue paid to the frog fishermen of Kennett last sea- son of $7,500 in three months. These frogs are shipped not only to the cities of the Mississippi basin, but a large amount of them go to New York, where,-I am told, they command a much higher price than the frogs caught in the northern waters. The swamp lands of Arkansas and Missouri are the finest places that I ever saw for frogs, and will bring a large amount of money to those who go into the business.” SS eg ge es THINGS FOUND IN AMBER. How Nature Has Embalmed Some Rare Plants and Animals. From the Gentleman's Magazine. In many museums may be seen in the most perfect state of preservation in am- ber fossilized remains of plants and ani- mals. The science of Egypt in its highest development did not succeed in discovering a method of embstming so perfect as the simple process taking place in nature. A tree «xudes a gummy, resinous matter in a Hquid state. An insect accidentaily Nghts in it and is caught. The exudation contin- ues and envelops it completely, preserv- ing the most minute details of its struc- ture. In the course of iime the resin be- comes a fosstl and is kncwn as amber. The history of fossil insects is largely indebted to the fly In amber. And to the preserving properties of amber we owe, likewise, our knowledge of some of the more minute de- tails of ancient plant structure. The coasts of the Baltic are, and have been from the days of the Phoenician trad- ers, the great source of the amber of com- merce. It occurs in rolled fragments, in strata known to geologists as oligocene. These are tertiary rocks of a date little more recent thaa those of the London basin and equivalent to the younger tertiary se- ries of the Isle of Wight. The fragments of fcssil resin were washed down by the rivers from the pine forests of the district along with sediments and vegetable debris. In them zre found most ‘perfectly ‘pre- sérved remains of the period, as well as of insect life. Fragments of ‘twigs, leaves, buds ‘and flowers, with sep: petals, sta- mers and pistils still in place, occur. Pol- len grains have likewise been found. A re- cent genus, deutzia, has been recognized by its characteristic stamens; the valves of the anthers of cinnamomum are seen in others. In one specimen the pendent cat- kin of a species of oak is seen as distinctly | through the clear amber as if it were a fresh flower. And besides the insect and plant remains thus sealed up in amber, stray relics of the higher fauna of the for- est have aiso been met with. Fragments of hair and feathers have been caught in the sticky resin and preserved. Among others a woodpecker ard. squirrel have been recognized in the Baltic amber. o- HER POINT OF VIEW. The Young Man W Tired and Went to Sleep. From the New York Times. Said the girl among the pillows in a friend’s room the other day: “I had an ex- perlence last week that is worth telling. A man I know came to the house by appoint- ment to take me oft. He was a little ahead of the hour set, and I wasn’t quite ready. When I was, and ran down to the parlor, I found him—sound asleep in his chair. The parlor was cather dimly light- ed, warm and perfectly quiet, and I suppose the poor fellow had hurried to keep his ap- Ppointment after a hard day’s work. I felt awfully sorry for him.” “The pity that is akin,” began the girl at the dressing table— “The pity that is akin to nothing,” promptly interrupted the other, “except the realization of what it means for many young New York men to go into society. This particular one I happen to know has a very responsible place in an importing house, and his hours are long. I felt posi- tively guilty to think of keeping him up late to take me out for the evening, and bring me way home among the eighties, It would be midnight, at least, before he could see his own room, early the next day. “But,” and the speaker laughed, “for a moment I didn’t know how to waken him. Then I slipped back part way up the stairs and let my opera glass bang against the baluster, and then I exclaimed at my stu- pidity, and altogether made such a clat- ter that when I reached the parlor a second timewhe was standing ready to greet me. I think the nap did him good, too, for he was specially bright and entertaining all the evening.” Washington Stock Exchange. Sales—regular eall—12 o'clock m.—Capital Trac- 75; 10 at 75; 5 at 75. Washington 1 at 46. U.S. Electric Light, 10 ; 2 at 117%; 2 at 1174; 10 at 118; 10 at 118% Thon 2 e's Fire Insurance, fomac Ti at 5%. Ch e jeplione, 10 at 49. oalaeraaas ment Bo S. 4s, registered, 110% bid. pon, Ti bids Ue . 5s, 1904, 115 bid. ia Bonds.—20-vear fund 5s, 104 ear fund 6s, gold, 111 bid. Water stovk 7s, 1901 carreney, bid, Sis, regietvied % Miscellaneous Bot s-— Metropolitan Railroad conv. 115% bid, 116% asked. Metropolitan Railroad ., 107 bid,” Belt Ra‘lroad bs, 84 bid, 87 asked. Eckington Railroad Gs, 28 bid, "203 asked. Colum: bia Railroad 6s, 112 ‘bid, 114’ asked. Washington Gas Company, ser. A, 68, 112 bid. Washington Gas Company, B, 68, 118 bid. Washington ny ‘conv. 68, 125 bid, 135 asked. United Electric Light’ couv. 58, 120 bid. Chesa- peake and Potomac Telephone $s, 95 bid. Amerl- can Security and Trust 6s, F. and A., 101 bid, 105 ed. and Trust fs, A. and O., Washington Market Company Washington Market Company Washington Market Company 1 Masonfe Hall Association 5s, Washington Light Infantry 1st 6s, 100 currency, 115 bid. Wat dl renee er stock 7s, 1903, 3.658, funding. y, Ss. funding. “currency, 1 exten. 68, 110 bid. 103. bid. bid. bid, |. Bank of Republic, 240 bi ropolitan, 285 ‘bid, 300 asked. Central, 270 Farmers ‘and Mechanics’, 180 bid, 195 asked. Sec- ond, 135 bid, 139 asked. Citizens’, 130 bid. Co- lumbia, 130° bid, 138 asked. Capital, 115 bid. West End, 106% bid, 10814 asked. Traders’, 104 bid, 108 asked. “Lincoln, #8 bid. Ohio, 85 bid. Deposit and ‘Trust, 120 bid, 130 ton Loan and Trust, 119 bid, Security and Trust,” 139 b ton $a asked. Railroad Stocks.—Capital Traction Company, *74% bid, 75 asked. Metropolitan, 98 bid, 10014 ‘asked. Columbia, 45 bid, 65 asked. “Belt, 37 asked. Eel ington, 87 asked. Georgetown and Tennalistown, asked. Gas and Electric Light Stocks.—Washington Gi 4514 bid, 47 asked. Georgetown Gas, 45 bid, asked. U, 8. Electric Light, 118% bi Insurance Stocks.—Firemen's, 35. bid Franklin, 38 bid, Metropolitan, 70 bi 50 bid, " Potomac, 60 bid, 70 asked. Arlington, 155 asked. German-American, 160 bid. National Union, 10 bid, 12 asked. Columbia, 12 ‘bid, 14 bed. Riggs, asked. People’s, 59 bid, 55% a: : 7% bid, 8 asked. Commer- cial, 4, bid. {tle “Insurance Stocks,—Real Estate Title, 110 bid, 116 asked. Columbia Title, 7 bid, 8 asked. Wainington Titie, 7 asked. Distétet Title, 8 bid, 10 asked. ‘Telephone Stocks.—Pennsylvanta, 87 bid. Chesa- peake and Potomac, 48 bid, 51 asked. American Graphophone, 3% bid, 4 a Pneumatic Gun Carriage, .26 bid, .80 rsked. Miscellaneous Stocks.—Me1 230 asked. Washington Falls Ice, 120 bid, 125 asked. Bull’Run Panorama, 2, asked” “Lincoln Hall, 70 bid, 90 asked. x div, ithaler Linotype, 218 rket, 14 Did” Great yet he must be at work FINANCE AND TRADE Postponement of Gold Shipment, Until Next Week. FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES STEADIER Speculation in Railway Shares Dull. GENERAL MARKET REPORTS Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. NEW YORK, December 13.—Opening prices this morning compared favorably with those recorded at the close of yes- terday’s business, and in many instances were fractionally improved by the later trading. The volume of business was un- improved, and no significant extension of the long agcount was noticeable. The market for foreign exchange was somewhat steadier, under an increased de- mand, but no appreciable change in rates was reported. Gold shipments will be postponed until Tuesday, when, unless rates decline materially meanwhile, a con- signment of $3,000,000 will be made to Ger- many. This process will revive the tri- angular operations of several months ago; the coin will be shipped to Berlin, the drawings made on London, and the opera- tion completed by the latter city drawing upon the former. The profit to the consignor is not large, but it is sufficient to force shipments under existing conditions. A significant fact in connection wth the exckange market :s disclosed by the absence of any demand from the large foreign houses, which, as a rule, accumulate bills at this season to effect interest and ,dividend payments arourd the first of the year. The inference naturally follows that those in position to judge most accurately are relying upon a declining market to supply the neces- sary semi-annual quota of for accumu- lations. The railroad shares were again given over to dullness, the general impression prevailing that no profits, in proportion to the risk involved, are likely to be re- fiected until after the new year. The pub- lication of the Reading plan may, however, be very widespreading as a speculative in- centive, and as much of its future success is dependent upon the manner of its ac- ceptance an effort may be made to estab- ish a higher range of prices throughout the entire list. =~ A general advance in values would be pointed to as conclusive evidence of the unanimous indorsement of the new plan, and would undoubtedly inspire confidence among te unfortunate holders of the junior securities. Manhattan was an ex- ception to the general list in point of fluctuations, a gain of 15-8 per cent being Spat oes, the ene ae mark- plete recovel its quart dividend. ie 2 sd The buying of Consolidated Gas was re- sumed this morning, a gain of 2 per cent being recorded on confident pi by interests originally interested in the ad- vance. Evidences of an important transac- . tion are plentiful, but its details are care- uy) guarded by those intrusted with Sugar was advanced 1 per cent on good buying, the demand being inspired by the absence of any indications that inside in- terests were disposed to sell long stock now that the dividend books are close: Fluctuations elsewhere in the industrial department were fractional and vold of significant feature, improvement wherever recorded being credited to the short in- “The trad ie trading of the last hour was dull and unchanged in character, prices holding well under indifferent operations. —— FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL. The following are the opening, the high- est and the lowest aad the closing prices of the New York stock market today, as re- ported by Corson & Macartney, members New York stock exchange. Correspondents Messrs. Moore & Schley, No. 80 Broadway. Open. High. Low. Last. Chica; Chic. rth ‘Northwestern. U. 8S. Leather New Jersey Central ew York Central. Northern Pacific.. Northern Pacific, Pf North American. Ont. & Western. Pacific Mall Wabash, Pia. Vheeling & L. Erie. 13K 18K CIB Wheeling & L. Erie,Pfd. 4 4 Western Union ‘Te et ote ae Wisconsin Central. div. 13g. BEvediv. 136, —— Baltimore Markets. BALTIMORE, Md., Decemter 18.—Flour quiet, unchanged—receipts, 14,727 barrels; shipments, 7,- las aaa. 150 barrela. | Wheat dull an morth, 66%4266%; January, 67; 6%; steamer No, 2 red, G8U4a6dig—recel bushels; stock, 519,109 bushelK: sales, 1, —souther? t by sample, 66x67; ‘do. 63%u00%. “Corn “weak spot, airy, 33133%; February, j 3314a33%; steamer mixed, —receipts, 89,- 207 bushels; ‘stock, 1,320,264 bushels; sales, 76,000 bushels—southe.n white corn, 32) do. "yell 2a: Oat. ensier—No. 2 white western, 24%0 xed, 22%a23—receipts, 811 bushels; ‘ock, 220,253 bushels. Rye julet and steady—No. 44045 nearby; 46a47 western—receipts, 207 bush- el stoc 102,745 bushels. Hay firm—chotce timothy, $15.50a$16. Grain freights dull, demand light, unchanged. Sugar, butter and eggs firm, un- changed. Cheese steady,’ unchanged. —__—_ Grain and Cotton Markets, Furnished by W. B. Hibbs & Co., 1421 F street, members New York stock exchange, correspondents Messrs. Ladenburg, Thal- mann & Co., New York. GRAIN. Open.” High. Low, Clone, 7% 50% SIR 61% —6O%-% 00 co By Ry. 28% 28 ee eee ames 1 19%-% 1 1 846 850° 840 8.4 880 BST 875 8.80 522 S21 8.22 5.25 547 6.52 5.47 5.478 420 427 4.20 425 447 462 447 4478 COTTON. ‘Open. . Low. Close. toy REE 2, Ste 835 839 834 R34 840 845 8.37 837 45 855 8.46 8.46 | Fiction for Saturday. Saturday’s Star will be rich in fiction. The final chapter in the prize mystery story will be published, and the second installment of the capital story by Conan Doyle, which be- gins today. There will also be a story, com- plete, hy Flurence Warden. 2 —_—_ Mayor Bemis of Omaha has canceled his offer to the Cuban sympathizers to accept money and provisions in aid of the in- surgents. This action was due to the an- nouncement by Judge Dundy that an at- tempt to forward such goods would bring the mayor in contact with the federal au- thorities,