Evening Star Newspaper, January 14, 1896, Page 1

. vlight last night. ee (LISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY 01 Peassyiania Avene, C ith Bet, by venue, Cor, The 5 ir Star Newspaper Company, 8. H. KAUFFMANN, Pres't. - Few Yjrk Office, 49 Potter Building, jetbcna: Beli saaedl ‘The Evening Star {s served to city by eavriers, on thelr own accoum THE EVENING STAR. Pre: n in the at 10 cents per we:k. cr 44 ceuts per month. Copies at the Pcunter 2 cents each. By mail—enswhere in the Yrited Ctates or Cansia—postags prepald—Go cenis © mont P Saturday Quintupls Sheet Star, $1 per year, with fercign portage added, $3.00. GEntered at the Post Office at Washington, D. C. om second-class mall matter.) a mall subscriptions must be paid In advance. Rites of “advertising made knewn on application. ¢ No. 13,374. WASHINGTON, D. GC, TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1896-SIXTEEN PAGES. TWO CENTS. | If you want today’s news today you can find it only in The Star. RUN DOWN ANDSUNK Fishipg Schooner Fortuna Wrecked Off Massachusetts. WINE OF THE CREW WERE DROWNED Fourteen Were Picked Up by Small Boats. CAPTAIN PAINE’'S ACCOUNT BOSTON, January 14—The Gloucester fishing schooner Fortuna was sunk in a collision with the Boston Fruit Company's fruit steamer Barnstable, off Highland Nine of the Fortuna’s crew were drowned. € Those lost are William Ackman, Robert Childs, Harry McFee, Thomas Stewart, Crawford Minach, Harvey Emeneau, Simon Devan, John Clark and William Tobin. The first news of the disaster reached the city on the arrival of the Barnstable today, with fourteen survivors of the For- tuna’s crew on board. From these men it was learned that the collision occurred at about 7:30 p.m., when the vessels were about four miles off Highland light. The nisht was extremely dark and a lumpy sea was running. » The Fortuna was bound for the Georges, carrying a crew of twenty-three men, in- cluding the captain, John W. Greenlaw. ‘The schooner was on the starboard tack, going at a good rate. The Barnstable’s Hghts were seen, but, knowing she had the right of way, the schooner’s course was not altered until too late. - * The steamer struck her well forward, cut- ting a deep hole, and the schooner began to settle imediately. Before the boats could be cleared she went down and the crew were left struggling in the water until fourteen of them were picked up by the eens beats. The others had gone jown. Capt. Paine of the Barnstable said to a representative of the Associated Press: “We Were about three or four miles off Highland Light, west by southwest, when we struck the schooner right under her bow. We were proceeding on our way, never dream- ing of the impending calamity, when sud- tenly we saw the starboard light of a ves- sel directly in our course. “Tt seems as if the light had heen covered by the foretackle, and the wind at that mo- ment had blown it clear, thus enabling us to see the great danger we were in. The wheel was hove around to port, but it was too late to avoid the collision. We struck the For- tuna about three feet aft of the forerigging, and she sank about four minutes later. We irstantly launched our boats and made every effort to save the crew. We got four- ef them, among whom was Captain law, but nine were drowned.” Captain Paine displayed much emotion as he described the accident, and expressed profound regret at its fatal results. - The rescued men were properly cared for . om board the Barnstable, and immediately upon their arrival this morning were sent to their homes in Gloucester by train. The lost sailors all shipped from Gloucester. the Fortuna was a vessel of about 116 tons, and was insured in the Boston Marine Tosurance Company. Capt. Greenlaw was a — owner. The other owners all reside in Gloucester. ———__ FORAKER TO SUCCEED BRICE. Receives a Majority in Each Branch ef the Chio Legisiature. COLUMBUS, Ohio, January 14—J. B. Foraker today in the senate received 2) votes for United States Senator, Brice 6 and George A. Groot, populist, of Cleve- land, 1. The senate has 30 republicans. Senator Porter was absent on account of sickness In his family. The six democrats ~voted for Mr. Brice. The populist, William M. Conley of Mercer, voted for Mr. Groot, and is the only populist ever elected to the Ohio legislature. Gov. Bushnell and ex- Gov. McKinley were present. Foraker’s name was presented by Senator John J. Sullivan of Trumbull, and seconded by Senator Adolph Ruemer of Cincinnati. Senator Hysell presented Mr. Brice’s nam In the house the vote stood—Foraker, 87 Brice, 21; John H. Thomas, Springtield, 1; Mr. Cage, 1; Judge Blandin of Cleveland, 1; Lawrence T. Neal, 1; all of whom, ex- ecpt Foraker, are democrats. Foraker re- ceived the full republican vote. The two houses will vote in joint ballot tomorrow. o~ ee PREPARING TO CELEBRATE. Third Anniversary of the Hawaiian Revolution Approaching. SAN FRANCISCO, January 14.—Advices from Honolulu are to the effect that prep- arations are under way for the third cele- bration of the anniversary of the revoiu- tion which overturned the menarchy. It will take place on January 17, and the Prediction is made that the parole of ex- Queen Liliuokalani will on that day be at an end, anl that she will be granted a full pardon. President Dole is said to have informed a correspondent that the govern- mt hoped to see its way to pardon the ueen in a short time, and the third niversary” of her dethronement will, in robability, witness the last act in the drama. . The ex-queen is frequently seen driving about the city and is enjoying much better health than at any period in the last three years. ————— LOUISVILLE’S MAYOR DEAD. Control of the City Government Given te the Republicans. LOUISVILLE, January 14.—Henry aC eets. e weeks. The cause of death was estion of the kidneys and uraemi in. Mayor Tyler was fort: age and a native of Louisville. control of the city government epublicans. eg ee EXPERT ENGINEERS. His death to Consulting on the Subject of the Local Water Supply. The board of expert engineers consider- ing the subject of the water supply of Ww ten had a long session at the War Department tcday. They will continue in ally session wntil they have concluded the consideration of the important questions left to their determination by the c exgineers, the supply ard in- of the city of Washington. epected the Lydecker tunnel ye. ay. will prehably not find it aeccsa. make it another visit. The board will probably be prevared to submit its conelusio ft of engineers in about a we CAPITOL TOPICS. The House Restaurant. The House committee on public buildings and grounds today awarded the privilege of conducting the House restaurant during this Congress to Mr. Mergan D. Lewis of Wiliard’s Hotel The vote In the commit- tee was on party lines, the republicans supporting Mr. Lewis and the democrats indorsing Mr. Thomas J. Murrey, the pres- ent incumbent. . SR SSS POLITICIANS’ SUPERSTITIONS They Are Cropping Out in Democratic National Convention Talk. Seme Cities Considered as Hoodoos— How Personal Fortunes of Can- didates May Be Affected. Politicians have their superstitions, and some of these are cropping out now that the contest is on among the cities competing for the next democratic national convention. One of the questions asked of a visiting boomer fsa, “How is your town for luck?’ This invariably follows the question about Rotel accommodations, hotel rates and a guarantee fund. It so happens, too, that all of the ccmpeting cities have records in the matter of national conventions, and these are being “drawn” ore after another on the different committees as the fight warms up. Seme Hoodoo Cities. “New York?” repeat the men who want the convention held on the other side of the Allegharies. “We mustn’t go there. Remem- ber Seymour and Blair, nominated there in 1868. The ticket was beaten out of sight, and. the party all but annihilated. Then think of Wall street, and of how the repub- leans would shout all through the campaign about the Wall street candidate and the Wall street platform. If New York is se- lected let the funeral be arranged for at ence.” ‘incinnati?” repeat the New Yorkers, “Have you gentlemen forgotten Horace Greeley and Wintield S. Hancock, both nom- irated there? Aren’t the fates of those two men sufficient to prociaim the place a hoodoo tewn? Don't go to Cincinnati unless you want to eat crow and wash it down with Ohio river waiter.” “St. Louis?” New York, Cincinnati and Chicago raise their voices in_chorus. “We nominated Tilden there in 1876, and Cleve- land there in 1888. Recall the results of both campaigns, and be wise. St. Louis couldn't bring us luck with the aid of four- teen rabbits’ feet all tiled together with a bolt ef yellow ribbon.” The Trouble With Chicago. “Chicago?” The lake city points to Clev land’s nomination in 1884 and again in 1892 as evidence of what she car. do for a candi- date who gets his commission within her gates. “Yes,” reply the other fellows, “but we don’t want another close shave like that of 1884, and as for 1892, the democ- racy is not clear in her mind ieday whether the result that year may be set down as a winning for her. Things have happened since that have given her mixed feelings on the subject. She misht not be able to sur- vive another winning like that. It may turn out that she has not survived that. It is a question In some quarters a3 whether or not we are alive today. We niust, of cours>, affect animation if we have it not, and in our doubt on that poiat we cught to seek the best quarters. No,‘no. Not Chicago, lest we be kept in doubt for a week, as in 1884, about whethe: have a majority, or for thre2 years, as since 1802. in an effort to decide whether the man we have eiected is a democrat.” ‘ Personal Fortunes of Candidates. While no man’s personal fortunes are be- ing thrown into the scale to influence the decision, there is some informal discussion as to that feature of the situation. ) York, it is thought, would be favorable to the candidacy of either Mr. Olney, Mr. Whitney, Mr. Hill, or even Don M. Dickin- son. Col. Morrison and Mr. Stevenson would fare « lly wei at Chicago, St. Louis or Cincinnati. Mr. Carlisle would flourish like a green bay tree at Cincinnati, and ex- Governor Campbell would be well treated there if he could be prod: <b shape. As for Mr. Cievel - sons, hé has all cities for his own. If a fourth nomination for him is on the cards, it is conceded that it can’ be as effectively made in one place as another. It will come from influences that no one section could suecessfully resist or materially advance. It will be Kismet. ———— 2+ -_____ 3S HARRISON OUT OF IT? Significant Remark by His ‘Senator Palmer. From the New York ‘Tribune. Ex-Senator Thomas W. Palmer of Michi- gan, who is now in the city, had a long conference with ex-President Harrison at the Fifth Avenue Hotel yesterday. After seeing Gen. Harrison, Mr. Palmer said: “In my judgment, Gen. Harrison will not be a candidate for the presidential nomina- tion.” This statement is regarded by politicians as important on account of the close rela- tions of personal friendship that have long existed between the ex-President and Mr. Palmer. They served In the Uniged States Senate together and their intimacy was of a marked character. After Gen. Harrison became President, he intended that Mr. Palmer should have a place in his cab- inet, and proposed that he should accept the post of Secretary of Agriculture. Mr. Palmer, however, was bitterly opposed by Gen. Alger and other Michigan republicans. a Palmer declined to place the President in a position of antagonism to the domi- nant faction of the party in Michigan, and Gen. Harrison gave the portfolio to Gen. Jeremiah Rusk of Wisconsin. Gen. Harrison afterward appointed Mr. Palmer minister to Spain. Their friendship has since been continued without interrup- tion or impairment, and it was believed last evening that the ex-President had con- fided his purpose to ex-Senator Palmer of keeping out of the ra SS ALL RUMORS. Friend, LIKE Minister Hatch Discredits the Alleged Hawaiian Secession. Relative to the story that the Island of Hawaii desires to secede, Minister Hatch of the Hawailan legation said to a Star re- porter today that he did not think there was the slightest vestige of truth in it. “The story,” said Mr. Hatch, “is one of those foolish yarns that drift up from Hono- lulu once in awhile. Ail we can do fs to await the arrival of the next steamer for a confirmation. By that time the story is for- gotten, and nothing more is ever heard of i is the largest island of the group, and probably the most populous, as It is nearly as large as all the rest put to- gether, although it contains but one town of any importance. I.fail to see any ible motjve for secession, even if I put ny credence in the rumor, but I hardly ay is that I have not communication from Honolulu on Promotions in the Navy. ‘The death recently of Commanders John and the recent F. M. Barber, ited in Lieu- C. Rich and Louis Kings! tirement of Commander naval attache at Pekin, have re: the following premotions in the line tenant Commanders W. T. H. Emory and George A. commaniers; Lieuts. Prime and to commanders euts. (junior grade) John Gibson, John Bell and J. A. Dougherty to be Heutenants; Ensigns H. W. Whittlesey, ieffenbach and T. C. Fenton to be ts Gunior grade). o Naval Movements. The flagship Philadelphia arrived at San- ta Barbara, Cal., yesterday, and the bat- tleship Indiana sailed from Newport today for Fort Monroe. N. TALK ON PENSIONS That Subject Occupies the Attention of Both Houses. DEBATE ON THE QUESTION OF RANK — The Regular Appropriation Bill Continues in Discussion. Beara, MR. MILLS’ FINANCIAL POLICY The Senate started today with a discus- sion of the bill called up by Mr. Lodge (Mass.), granting a pension of $75 monthly to the widow of Brigadier General Coggswell, a Representative in Congress at the t@ e of his death. Mr< Hill and Mr. Mills wanted information as to the system pursued in granting these special pensions. Mr. Allen (Neb.) opposed the discrimina- tion shown in these pension allowances. There was no rule, he said. The other day a $50 allowance was made to the widow of a brigadier general, and now a widow who is without a family was to be allowed $75. “I want to go on record,” said Mr. Allen, “as opposed to any distinction between the widow of the private soldier and that of brigadier generals, major generals or any other generals.”* Mr. Allen said it was the plain private sol- dier who met the brunt of the war. ‘To hear Senators talk it would be thought that brigadier generals won the war. It was a species of “namby pambyism and flunkey- ism.” It was an un-American discrimina- tion. Questions of Rank. Mr. Hawley (Conn.) suggested that the world recognized questions of rank, even if the Nebraska Senator did not. It recognized the difference in rank between the Senator from Nebraska and some country lawyer. While eulogizing the services of the plain soldier, Mr. Hawley pointed out that the mortality among officers was greater than that among men in the ranks. Mr. Hoar asked if Mr. Allen’s logic would lead him to approve placing the salary of Gen. Miles, commander of the army, at $13 per month, the rate paid a private soldier. “It would doubtless measure the value of his services in many cases,” answered Mr. Allen Mr, Hoar asked if the Nebraska Senator did not “pocket $5,000 a ir, while some poor constituent made only 75 cents a day.” “At least I pocket no more than 35,000,” replied Mr. Allen suggestively. ~ “Except your mileage,” added Mr. Hoar. Mr. “Allen said these Senatofs talked as though God made some distinction between the soldier and the gener “Then who made the distinction?” asked Mr. Hawley. “You gentlemen make it,” Allen, Mr. Thurston (Neb.) made his maiden speech in the Senate in support of liberal pensions. He spoke in resonant tones, and with a force which brought out a ripple of applause as he closed, He eloquently por- trayed the services of his deceased father as a plain soldier. He urged that the fol- lowers of Grant and Sherman and other heroes of the wer should have the amplest pensions. This bill, instead of havirg its allowance reduced, should serve to advance the allowance of all who served in the war. Mr. Thurston expressed satisfaction that his first words in the Senate should be in support of a pension. Mr. Vilas said the Senate would certainly show full justice in granting pensions. But he pointed out that certain peculiar influences prevailed resulting in_discrim- inations in pensions to widows of oflicers, which bore severely on the old soldiers, and they felt it. Mr. Lodge's Sharp Reply. Mr. Lodge sharply resented Mr. Vilas’ suggestion of “peculiar influences.” He de- clared that Mrs. Coggswell had never sought a pension, nor had her friends. She had sought employment. He (Lodge) had himself urged this allowance as a inatter of comimon justice. He was amazed at these attacks and covert suggestions. “This widow asks no pension,’’ concluded Mr. Lodge emphatically, “but Massachusetts asks it for her. Mr. Allen disclaimed ail purpose of at- tacking the widow. The Massachusetts Senator (Lodge) was never heard passton- ately in behalf of the plain soldier, but when the blue blood was touched this Senator grew eloquent. A sharp and at times amusing colloquy occurred between Mr. Hawley and Mr. Allen as to where the officers were during the battles of the war. Mr. Allen insisted that the officers were in the rear, usually at elevated points. At times they were three miles in the rear doing “‘stab duty.” Mr. Hawley contended that officers were not expected to be in front of their ranks when a volley was to be fired. He chal- lenged Mr. Allen to name one instance of an officer remaining three miles in the rear on “stab duty.” A roll call was had on Mr. Allen’s mo- tion to reduce the allowance to $50. The amendment was not agreed to, 23-46, the democrats, with some exceptions, support- ing and all the republicans against. The bill was then passed without divi- sion. replied Mr. Foraker's Election Noted. The Associated Press bulletin announcing the election at Columbus, Ohio, of Mr. Foraker to the United States Senate was received in the Senate and started a buzz of comment among the Senators. Mr. Sherman read the bulletin and nodded his head approvingly. Mr. Brice was not present. Mr. Mills’ Seven Declarations, A new phase of the financial question was presented by Mr. Mills in the form of a@ resolution giving seven declarations of pelicy, substantially as follows: First, against the retirement of outstanding legal tender notes; second, favoring the coinage of the silver bullion in the treasury; third, the issuance of emergency legal tender notes in the case of a deficiency; fourth, against interest-bearing bonds; fifth, es- tablishing the policy of the United States in paying obligations in both gold «nd silver; sixth, repudiating the theory that a publie debt is a public blessing; seventh, urging the rapid extinguishment of the national debt and the maintenance of the sinking fund therefor. i Mr. Miils’ resolution went to the table until tomorrow, when he will make some more remarks upon it. A Dill granting to the Nebraska Railroad Company and to the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad Company a right of way across part of the Sac and Fox Indian reservation was passed. Mr. Builer Against Bond Issues. The bond-silver bill was taken up at 2 o'clock, and Mr. Butler (N. C.) offered an amendment prohibiting the issuance of In- terest-bearing bonds, and directing the Seeretary of the Treasury to pay in gold or silver according to the market values ef the coins. Mr. Butler spoke in opposition to bond issues. THE HOUSE. The House went into committee of the whole as soon as the journal had been ap- prove tocay, and proceeded with the con- sideretion of the pension appropriation bill. Mr. Northway (Ohio), who was first rec- ognized, replied at some length to the criticisms offered by Mr. Bartlett (N.Y.) yesterday. It mattered not to him, he said, Atchison and whether pensions were legally gratuities or ccnstituted vested rights. Merally they were higher than vested rights could be. The spfrit in which pensions should be given should be broad, catholic and humane. The old veteran should not be Placed in the position of a mendicant. He censidered that the spirit in which the persion laws were now being‘ administcred was manifestly unfriendly to the soldier. In proof of this he cited the ease of a soldier who had lost one arm a®d one leg, who was deprived of his pension under the total disability act of 1890 because he was able to earn $25 a month as guard at a rail- read crossing. Renson for the Amendment. In the case of widows, under the act of 1890, the pension department ruled that if her income exceeded $96 a year she was not entitled-to a pension. A soldier’s widow should not be obliged to stand shivering and starving at the door of the pension office in order to obtain a pension, and, therefore, the pensions committee had seen fit to report an amendment to the present law requiring that as a condition precedent to-recelving a pension she should prove that her net in- come should not exceed $500. * Mr. Hemingway (Ind.) favored the adop- tion of the Graff amendment prohibiting the suspension of pensions until fraud had been proven in a United States court. He predicted, amid republican applause, that in November next the people would elect a republican President who would ap- point a loyal man from the north Secretary of the Interior to administer the pension laws with justice and fairness to the old soldiers. + ¥. STREET EXTENSION CASES The Jury to Go on With the Other Subdi- visions, Meantime Owners Will Scek Relief From Court to Court and Try to Question the Validit} of the Act. It is probable that Thursday next Judge Cox, in the District court, will listen to arguments respecting the constitutlonality of the street extension act. As reported in yesterday’s Star, about all of the land owners in case 419, in which the jury re- ported their findings to Judge Cox Satur- day, are dissatisfied with the verdict, and it is understood that not only will they ask that it be reversed or set aside, but they will also question the validity of the act under which the condemnation ‘proceed- ings were instituted. Mr. Nathaniel Wilson, representing sev- eral of the land owners, today intimated to Judge Cox that he would ask the court to consider the matter Thursday next. There is little doubt of the President ap- proving the act passed by the House of Representatives yesterday, providing for en appeal from the District court:to the Court of Appeals. This right of ay 1 is se- cured to both the District and: to the land owners, so whichever way Jwtge*Cox de- cides the question raising the alidity of the street extension act, the matter Will be carried to the appellate tribuqat Of course, there is little doubt that from that court it will be carried tothe United States Supreme Court. Henée,¥the ques- tion will’ probably remain undetermined finally for months. Meantime, it Is thé in- tention of the District, it is said, to 70 on with the remaining forty-five subdivisions embraced within section o} of the ap- proved plan, of street extension with all possible dispatch, so that in the event of the law being, finally sustained Congress will be then fully informed’ as to the amount required to be appropriated in pay- ment for the land condemned, —— Personal Mention. Ex-Congressman J. J. Richardson, mem- ber of the national democratic committee fsom Iowa, is at the Ebbitt, to attend the meeting of the body Thursday. A trio of prominent citizens of Memphis at the Ebbitt consists of Judge 8S. P. Walker, T. B. Turley and’-B. W. Sand- street. Judge Thos. B. Bond of Lakdport, Cal., is at the Riggs. Col. Joseph H. Rickey has returned to Washington from St. Louis. Mrs. Rickéy is with him, and they are at the Riggs House. The colonel will do some speil- binding with the democratic committee in behalf of having the convention held in St. Louis. A delegation at the Riggs House consists of H. E. Queen of Covington, Ky.; W. A. Puston and J. W. Fletcher of St. Joseph, and J. P. Thrasher and 0. 1. Fifield of Benton Harbor, the latter being the mayor. They are here to urge an appropriation for the improvement of Benton Harbor, Mich. The wife of Senator Shoup of Idaho and Miss Lena Shoup have arrived at the Normandie. ‘Mrs. Joseph Glendenning and Miss Bessie Glendenning of Salt Lake ac- companied them. George Westinghouse, jr., herd of the Sreat electric company that bears his name, is at the Arlington, Mrs. Westing- house wiil reach Washington next Satur- day. They will not occupy the Blaine mansion until about February 1, as certain repairs are incomplete. Sir Henry Irving and Miss Bllen Terry are at the Arlington. James Creelman, the newspaper corres- pondent, and Mrs. Creelman are at the Arlington. Gen. George R. Davis, director general of the Chicago world's Columbian exposi- tion, is at the Arlington. He has complet- ed his report on the exposition, which will embrace seven volumes, copiously {llus- trated. Gen. Davis is here for the purpose, it is understood, of securing action on the part of Congress providing for the publica- tion of his report as a public document. Louis Felipe Carbo, the new minister from Ecuador to the United States, is at the Arlington. Augustus St. Gaudens, the sculptor, Is at the Arlington. Licut. John S. King, medicat department, is in the city on leave of absence. * Gen. Vincent ts acting adjutant general today in the temporary absenee of Gen. Ruggles. Lieut. L. M. Garrett of the*Hndeavor is in the city on leave. He is stopping at 1906 Sunderland place. Lieut. C. P. Shaw, retired; is visiting friends at 1319 Vermont avenue, Commander McGowan has’ resumed his duties at the Navy Department after .a short absence on account of illness. Edwin Barbour, who was well known and popular here when he was secretary to the late Senator Barbour, is at tho Raléigh. He now resides in New York. Lieut. F. 8S. Strong, U. S. Aj and Mrs. Strong are at the Ebbitt. £ Lieutenant, Colonel J. G, C. Lees quarier- master general's department, .is at the Army and Navy Club. Captain W. S. Edgerly, seventh cavalry, ig In the city on leave from Maine State College. Post Chaplain C. W. Freeland is visiting friends at 2418 14th street. Al. Hayman, the manager of the “Shop Girl,” is at the Raleigh. Bishop Walker of Dakota is at the Eb- bitt. Dr. H, J. Coleman of New York is at the Ebbitt. Captain W. R. Tisdall of the army is at the Ebbiit. b ~ Lieutenant Commander H. @. O. Colby, commanding the Blake, is in*the city on business before ‘the coast survey.” = Mr. Thomas 8. Taylor of the dead letter office, formerly of South Bend, Ind.,. has presented to a ladies’ Iiterary_.society of that place a portion of his lib ys William M. Morrison, president. of the beard of county commissionerss0f Preder- ick county, with his nephew, C. Burt Gilson of Frederick City, paid a fiying visit to Mrs, James Bladen of Capitol Hill. THE FARMERS’ SIDE Mr. Birney's Statement to the Sen- ate District Committee. REPLY 40 THE COMMISSIONERY LSTTER Unlawful to Force the Payment of a License Tax. OTHER DISTRICT MATTERS Sa Mr. Wm. Birney, counsel for the Wash- ingtcn Market Company, has sent to Mr. McMillan, chairman of the Senate commit- tee on the District of Columbia, an answer to the letter cf the Commissioners of the 6th instant regarding the removal of farm- ers and gardeners from one point of B street to another point on the same street, which, he says, seems to him to be mis- leading as to facts and the law. Mr. Birney says the market company is assailed from the beginning to the end of the Commissiorers’ answer, and says: “This continued assault was not called for, and no pretext can be found for it, either in the resolution of the Senate cr your inquiry.” Mr. Birney says the Commissioners’ an- swer failed to show that what was legal on one part of B street was fllegal on an- other. “The Commissioners demonstrate to their own satisfaction that farmers have no right to sell their own produce without a license except from door to door; that if they wish to stop in the streets and sell they must have a vender’s license, for which, I believe, the fee is $25. This is the first time in the history of Washington city that such an opinion has been de- clared by any official, and so far as I know any lawyer. It is based, first upon the absence of any law giving the farm- ers in express terms the right to stand on the streets opposite the markets ani during market hours; second, upon a strict interpretation of article 222 of the Revised Statutes of the District of Columbia, pré- hibiting the occupancy of any public street or public ground by any private personsor for any: private purposes. “By the same kind of logic the Commis- sioners might easily prove that no citizen has the right to ride a horse or drive a vehicle or even walk upon any private Btreet. Certainly there is no statutory grant of such a right. For whet purpose, let me ask, other than a private one, does any citizen use the streets?” The Tclephone Companies. In response to a Senate resolution, the Commissioners have sent a communication to Mr. McMillan, chairman of the Senate committee on the District of, Columbia, giving information regarding the Chesa- peake and Potomac Telephone Company in the District of Columbia, the only tele- phone company here. “There are two additional companies now seeking to do business in the District of Columbi: the Commissioners say, ly, The Standard Telephcne Company of Washington and Balt:more City and The Home Telephone Company of Washington City.” “The president cf this company,” Com- missioner Ross says, “informs me that the company has sectred contracts from over 3,500 business men in and around Washing- ton to use its system fer three years. The Water Supply. Capt. D. W. Gaillard, corps of engineers, in charge of the Washington aqueduct, will appear before the Senate committee on the District of Columbia some day next week to make a statement of the condition of the water supply of this city, together with means for increasing and improving the character of the supply. 2+ THE RED CROSS WILL GO. The Society Will Rely on Treaty Ob- ligations. Although the notice to the Red Cross Scelety that it will not be permitted to dis- tribute relief in Turkey did not come to it in official form, it is taken at the head- quarters Lere as a sufficient indication of the purpose of the Turkish government. Now the society, it is explained, did not initiate the movement for the relief of the sufferers in Armenia, but simply expressed a willingness to undertake to act as a dis- tributing agent if the American public de- sired it and the means vere forthcoming. Irasmuch as the Turkish government has signified its purpose to exclude the society or any other agent of relief it now remains for the natioral Armenian relief committee at New York to take the next step, if it }is desired to carry forward the work. A dispatch from Chicago states that Mrs. Cc. E. Gross, a member of the Red Cross Society, when informed of the announce- ment made by the Turkish legation, said: “The Turkish government has a treaty with the.Red Cicss Society which will give Miss Barton free entrance to Armenia and pro- tection while she is at work there. This was the reason the missionaries asked to have her sent there. They all knew the goverment would not dare molest her or interfere with the work of the Red Cross. Miss Barton will positively sail on the day which has been set and anrounced, She did not undertake this work without know- ing every turn which affairs might take, and no announcement frem the Turkish legation will stop her. The Red Cross does not go into forlorn hopes, and this move- ment will be carried through.” Can Do Little. Senator Cullom of the Senate foreign relations committee and chairman of the subcommittee on Armenian affairs, said to- day he did not see what action the United States could take in the matter of the exclusion of the Red Cross from Turkey. Any government has the right to exclude persons from its territory. It is a right which all nations reserve, the United States as well as others. Senator Cull says that there is little that Congress can do in the matter of Ar- menian outrages except to express horror of the outrages and direct the Secretary of State to communicate the action to the Turkish government. Yesterday Miss Rebecca Krakorian, an Armenian, called on Senator Cullom and made a statement of the conditions exist- ing there. She claimed that this govern- ment should stop the slaughter of Armen- fans. The missionaries which have been sent to Armenia, she argued, have taught the people Christianity and made _ them- selves and their pupils the subjects of Turk- ish hatred. It is row no more than right, she said, that the.people of this country protect the missionaries and the converts. a FINANCE, NOT WAR. Today's Cabinet Meeting Was Marked by the Absence of Secretary Olney. All of the members of the cabinet were present at the regular meeting today ex- cept Secretary Olney. The latter came to the White House early, and had an inter- view with the President, lasting for half an hour, before the cabinet assembled, and then returned to the State Department, where he had an appoinment with Senator Sherman, the chairman of the Senate com- mittee on foreign relations. This would seem to incicate that foreign affairs did not come up for consideration at. the meet- ing. It is generally understood that the financial situation is engaging most of the attention of the President and his advisers at the present time, } Dulin, B. B. Earnshaw, NATIONAL BANK ELECTIONS Directors Uhosen in Nearly All Those In- st:tu ions in the District. In Most Instances the Old Boards Were Re-Elected—Number Reduc- ed in One Case. Most of the national banks in the District elected their directors for the ensuing year today. The results were as follows: + National Metropolitan. John W. Thompson, Wm. Thompson, Nath’l Wilson, Henry A. Willard, James E. Fitch, J. Ormond Wilson, Norval W. Bur- chell, S| H Kauffmann, Wm. B. Gurley. Second National. M. G. Emery, M. W. Beveridge, Wm. F. Mattingly, Lewis Clephane, Geo. W. Pear- son, W. W. Burdette, Samuel Fowler, A. A. Thomas, Simon Wolf, E. E. Jackson, Chas. Schneider. Lincoln. Wn. E. Abbott, Job Barnard, C. H. Bur- gess,Augustus B. Coppes, H. Bradley Dayid- son, Edw. W. Donn, George T. Dearing, W. 8S. Hoge, Peter Latterner, T. A, Lambert, W. D. Sullivan, Burr R. Tracy, Richard A. Walker, G. TaWlor Wade, J. B. Wilson. ‘These directors will mect to choose general officers Thursday next. Cotumbia. Chas. B. Bailey, W. E. Barker, C. C. Dun- canson, John Joy Edson, Albert F. Fox, John B. Larner, Benj. F. Leighton, Frank B. Noyes, E. S. Parker, M. M. Parker, O. G. Staples, George Truesdell, B. H. Warner, H. K. Willard and S. W. Woodward. Washington Loan and Trust Company Charles B. Bailey, A. L. Barber, Wm. E. Barker, R. N. Batchelder, Charles Baum, John R. Carmody, John M. Clapp, Augustus Crane, jr., Horace 8S. Cummings, J. J. Dar- Ington, James T. DuBois, John Joy Edson, Albert F. Fox, James Fraser, William B. Gurléy, John A. Hamilton, John B. Larner, Theodore W. Noyes, Isadore Saks, N. H. Shea, Ellis Spear, Frederick C. Stevens, John A. Swope, George Truesdell, B. H. Warner, A. A. Wilson, Louis D. Wine, 5. W. Weoaward, A. 8. Worthington anc H. K. Willard. The Traders’ Bank. William Barnum, Wm. H. Butler, Ed- ward F. Droop, Wm. A. Gordon, Geo. C. Henning, Wm. H. McKnew, Samuel Mad- dox, Richard E. Pairo, Isadore Saks, Emil G. Schafer, Samuel S. Shedd, Emmons 8. Smith, Marvin C. Stone, John T. Varnell, Beriah Wilkins. National Capital. John E. Herrell, Thomas W. Smith, Al- bert Carry, Allen ,C. Clark, Charles G. H. A. Griswold, George F. Harbin, W. P. C. Hazen, P. J Lockwood, W. H. Marlow, H. C. McCauley, George F. Pyles, J. W. Whelpley, Samuel H. Walker. Bank of the Republic. An amendment to the by-laws, reducing the number of directors from nine to seven, belfig adopted, thB following, all members of the old board, were re-elected directors of the National Bank of the Republic: Daniel B. Clarke, A. A. Wilson, Geo. E. Lemon, W. J. Sibley, John E. Herrell, J. M. Wilson and Thos. E. Waggaman. The number of directors was reduced because of the death of Director O. C. Green and the removal from the city of Director Geo. Ryneal. Farmers’ and Mechanics. Henry M. Sweeny, S. Thomas Brown, Philip May, M. J. Adler, A. B. Jackson, Louis D. Wine, George W. Cissel, S. C. Palmer and C. H. Craigin. The board will held a meeting and organize on Thursday. Central National Bank. Clarence T. Norment, H. Browning, O. T. Thompson, W. B. Webb, Levi Wood- bury, F. P. May, T. J. Mayer, Edward Graves, James E. Clark, W. K. Menden- hall and James 8. Edwards. Bank of Washington. Charles A. James, James L. Norris, ©. W. Howard, W. F. Mattingly, Robert Port- ner and Charles E. White. West End. F. C. Stevens, R. N. Batchelder, John V. Barross, Horace S. Cummings, John R. Car- mody, W. R. Wilcox, John M. Carson, John H. Magruder, Wm. B. Hibbs, T. E. Roessle, George E. Emmons, John F. Vogt, A. P. Fardon, James R. Elierson and John H. Moore. Real Estate Title Board. The old board of diregtors of the Real Estate Title Company were re-elected, as follows: M. Ashford, R. O. Holtzman, E. G. Davis, C. C. Duncanson, E. Francis Riggs, William Galt, Charles B. Bailey, A. F. Fox, George W. Pearson. CAPITOL TOPICS, An International Bank. ‘The House committce on banking and currency has considered the project for an international Am2rican bank which was one of the recommendations cf the pan- American congress, and Was largely the idea of the late James G. Blaine. Among the would-be incorporators are Cornehus Bliss and Charles R. Flint of New York, T. Jefferson Coolidge, Andrew Carnegie, J. 8. Clarkson, P. D. Armour ard M. M. Estee of California. The bill puts the capital stock at $5,000,000, and authorizes the bank to act as the financial agit of any govern- ment, state or municipalily, or corpora- tion; to handle bonds, et Dut bars it from issuing notes to circulate 2s money in the United States. Controller Eckels addressed the commit- tee, stating that he favorel the establich. ment of such a bank under proper re- strictions. Commodore William T. T. Hushes a New York, S. C. Neill ana Charles J. Bell ex- plained the details of the plan. In Regard to Rear Admiral Meade. Mr, Mahany (N.Y.) has submitted to the House a joint resolution recounting the patriotic services of Rear Admiral Richard W. Meade, who voluntarily retired from ac- tive duty in the navy May 2, 18%, and tendering to him the thanks of Congress with such appropriate testimoniais as tom and usage in euch cases prescribe. MAJOR CHARLES ALLEN. He Will Relieve Major Davis of the Duty of Improving the River Front. Major Charles J. Allen, corps of engineers, reported to Gen. Craighill, chief of engin- gers, at the War Depariment, today, in pursuance of orders recently issued, to re- lieve Major C. E. L. B. Davis, corps of en- gincers, of a large portion of the duties now in his charge. These duties include charge cf the improvement of the Potomac river and Eestern branch in the vicinity of Washington; the survey, plan and esti- mate of cost of a bridge across the East- ern branch near the foot of South Capitol street; the repair of the Aqueduct bridge; the river and harbor works in Virginia, and charge of the defenses at Forts Washing- ton and Foote on the Potomac river. Major Davis was also in charge of the Washing- ton aqueduct until recently, when he was relieved of that special duty by Capt. D. D. Gaiilard, the officer who had been more directly in charge of the Lydecker tunne! inspection. TWO CUBAN RUMORS France to Recognize the Tasungente for a Commercial Treaty. 10 MONOPOLIZE THE ISLAND'S TRADE England to Loan Spain Money and Take the Custom Houses. SOLICITUDE IN WASHINGTON Within the past sixty hours the Cuban situation has assumed a complexion of somewhat serious importance to the United States if the rhmor# afloat are true. It was reported last week that the represen- tatives of the Cuban government had re- ceived overtures from France looking to the arrangement of plans whereby the French republic would recognize the rights of the belligerents in the island. The invi- tation, it was said, provided for the recep- tion of a commission from the Cuban gov- ernment, equipped with full authority to enter into a broad reciprocity treaty be- recognition of the latter by the Bucpins Sie ony e Jatter by the European To Control the Island’s Trade. As stated here, this treaty was intended to be even more generous than anything of the kirfd ever entered into between nations, and was to be practically the establishment of free trade between the countries, France thus to secure a virtual monopoly of the Cuban tobacco and sugar trade. These negotiations are still in it is said. ge TeeS England to Loan Spain Money. Another and more serious part of the complicated condition, however, is found in the statement being freely made that Eng- land has of‘ered to give Sj ain another loan coupled with previsions that are extra- ordinary. The provisions under which Eng- land is said to have offered to restore the depleted exchequer of Spain and enable her to continue the war against the revolu- tionists. are that she is to take jon of the various custom houses of Cuba and hold them as a security for the payment of the interest and principal of the loan. It is pointed out that no other country, and particularly the’ United States, could object to England thus taking possession of the custom houses, as she would hold them merely as a creditor, just as she did the custom house at Corinto, Nicaragua, recently, which she seized in order to as- sure thé payment of the indemnity, and which she held until that debt was paid. This government did not interpose any objection to the course of ingland in that instance, even when the Corinto custom house was forcibly taken, and it is held that the United States could not object, if it desired to, to Grea: Britain's control of tbe Cuban ports when it was ht about hy a mutual Agreement between herself and Spain, “ The Interest in Official Circles. Naturally this new pnase of the question receiving thoughtful attention fh official circles, and, coupled with the growing sen- timent all over the country and an increas- ing belief on the part of Representatives and Senators that the war being prosecuted by the revolutionists is something more than a mere uprising, there are many who believe that “political exigencies,” as they are called, cannot very long withhold the recognition of the Cubans’ rights as bel- Kgerents by the United States. Those who ate open and ardent in their demand for such action point out that the Spanish government is evidently powerless to put down the revolution, and that any bargain with England which would give her another possession in the West Indies, which would be practically the result of her taking possession of the Cuban ports, would be an additional menace to the sovereignty of the United States in the American conti- nent. It is considered highly probable, thegefore, that Cuba and its affairs will re- ceive a great deal more attention by the administration and Congress than has been hitherto the case. A Cuban Representative on the Sub- ject. Mr. Gonzalo de Quesada, who is one of the Cuban representatives here, in company with President Palma, was asked by a Star reporter today if there was any foundation for the rumors tgat France was negotiating with the Cuban revolutionists to recognize them as belligerents In return for a reci- procity treaty with their government when it was finally established. Mr. Quesada said that he did not feel at liberty to say any- thing on that subject, especially in the ab- sence of President Palma. In relation to Spain entering into nego- tiations with England regarding the cus- tom houses of the island,Mr. Quesaia call- ed attention to the visit of some representa- tives of an Anglo-French syndicate to Cuba, several months before the revolution, for the purpose of ascertaining the condition of the island, and see if it was advisable to make any loan. Mr. Quesada sald that the representatives reported that some sort of home rule must be given to the Cubans, otherwise rcyolution would come. This ied, he continued, to so-called reforms granted by the Spanish government, and he quoted a paragraph from a pamphlet published by the Cuban committee in London some tirfe ago in explanation of them. The paragraph states that under a great pressure the Spanish Cortes granted what is known as the Absrzuza law with re- gard to Cuba, which provided for a house of representatives in Cuba of thirty mem- bers, of which fifteen were to be chosen by election and fifteen by the Spanish gov- ernment. “The captain general, as chairman, with the decisive vote and right of veto,” says the pamphlet, “was authorized to dismiss any a8 far as tew of the members, and the house was to continue nevertheless as if complete, “As a metter of course the fifteen mem- bers appointed by the government would be men ready to Go anything ordered by the captain general, and as, besides, he could dismiss as far as ten at any time, it does not require much perception to understand that the Introduction of the said house would have rendered the conditions of Cu- bans more desperate even, if possible. And so it would have been had the revolution hot broken out, because already a secret transaction was on the way from the Span- ish government to raise a loan of £50,000,000 guaranteed by the Cuban custom houses, and approved by the said house of repre- sentatives. On account of the revolution the transaction fell through.” “As that pamphlet was written in Lon- don,” said Mr. Quesada, “the writer neces- sarily had to be vague fn his statements of the other parties to the transaction, but it is generally understood that England was to have advanced the fund: — LIKELY TO BE PASSED. Prospeets of the Maupin Anti-Gam- bling Bil) Special Dispatch to The Evening Star, RICHMOND, Va., January 14.—It ts now more than likely thet the Maupin anti- gambling bill prohibiting the selling of pcols and bookmaking In the etate will be- come a law. The committee on counties, cities and towne this morning decided te report the bill favorably, without emesdé ment.