Evening Star Newspaper, January 16, 1896, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. eee PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th Street, by The Evening Star Newspaper Company, 8S. H. KAUFFMANN, Pres’t. Few York Office, 49 Potter Building, phen nthe’ ‘The Evening Star is served to subscribegr in the eity by carriers, on their own account, at 10 cents per weg. cr 44 cevts month. Copies at the fconter 2 certs cach. By mall—anyw im the United States or Canada—postage prepald—50 cents er month. sebtt=02y_Quitupl Sheet, Star, $1 per year, with Toe . Entered at the Post (fice at Washington, D. c.. scond-class mail matter.) £7,411 mall subscriptions must be patd in advance. res of advertising made kncwn on application. A WIDESPREAD PLOT Alleged Conspiracy to Overthrow the Transvaal Government. CHARGES AGAINST THE ACCUSED ———— Protest From Samoa Against Pres- ident Schmidt. GENERAL FOREIGN SS TOPICS LONDON, January 16.—The secretary of state for the colonies, Mr. Joseph Chamber- lain, received today a reply to his dispatch to the governor of Cape Colony, Sir Her- cules Robinson, requesting details concern- ing the arrest of British subjects and oth- ers in the Transvaal as a result of the re- cent disturbances. The governor cabled: “Replying to your request for details of the arrest, between fifty and sixty have been arrested on the chargegof treason and seeking to subvert the state by inviting the co-operation and entrance of an armed force. The proceedings are based, I under- stand, on sworn information, and the trials ‘will occur in the high court. The accused are well known and will be defended by able counsel. It is alleged that the govern- ment has documentary evidence of a wide- spread conspiracy to seize upon the govern- ment and use the wealth of the country to rehabilitate the finances of the Chartered Company. I urged upon President Kruger moderation, so as not to alienate the sym- pathy which he now enjoys. “The question of bail is a matter entirely in the hands of the altorney general. The government seems to be acting within its legal rights.” Mr. Chamberiain’s secretary states that counsel will be employed to watch the trials of the prisoners 2n behalf of the British government and ccunsel wili defend the in- terests of the British, American and Bel- gian prisoners. WANT SCHMIDT DEPOSED. Action Taken by the Business Men in Samoa. SAN FRANCISCO, Janvary 16.—The steamer Mariposa arrived from Apia this morning, bringing news of an uprising of the business men of Samoa against Presi- deat Schmidt of the municipal council. Resolutions were adopted by the mer- chants to the effect that after years of trial, the different functions of the presi- dent, who receives a yearly compensation from the municipality of Apia of $5,000, had proved to be wholly impracticable, and he kad become a burdensome expense upon the community and that as adviser to the king he could never be a success. As chair- man of the municipal court his success was just as remote. The committee said the Samoans were quite capable of conducting their own affairs, especially where they have the three consuls as a supervisory board. The treaty powers were requested to recall President Schmidt and allow their representatives—the three consuls—to take the office. It was then agreed that com- munication be made to the members of the municipal council in order to allow them to approve or disapprove the foregoing. ‘This action was taken, but the- members refused to meet the people's committee, which aroused such a storm of hostile crit icism that four out of the six members immediately resigned. The council, at a special meeting held shortly afterward, unanimously approved of the resolutions of the people, including the abolition of the office of president, and adding a rider to the effect that the ad valorem duties should be raised from 2 to 10 per cent. Matters then assumed a farcical aspect, but the people were in earnest, and obtained a sufficient number of signatures of council- lors to demand the president to call a spe- cial meeting to receive the resignation and issue a writ for a new election. Unfortunately for the people, au error Was made in the date for the meeting, as the request was made for Tuesday, De- cember 2, when it should have been the 2ith. The president's perception was acute enough to detect the error, and he replied, asking which was the date intended, and = in the meantime taken a week's holi- y. So the matter stands, but the people are in earnest, and, even if force is necessary, will make a change in the existing order of things. NEARLY CUT OFF. Ba regents Seize Lines of Land Com- munication From Havana. AADRID, January 16.—Di ceived here from Havana say that the in- surgents have cut off all means of land communication between that city and ihe interior except by the short railroad from Havana to Marianao, in the province of Havana, and over the still shorter railroad between Ragla and Guanabaco, a suburb of that city. Consequently the steamships are the only meats of communication with che capital and the provinces which remain at the disposal of the authorities. FRANCE AND SIAM. The Mekong River Made the Bound- ary in an Agreement With England. PARIS, January 16.—At a cabinet council held this morning M. Berthelot, the min- ister for foreign affairs, announced the Anglo-Fret.ch agreement regarding Siam wes signed yesterday, and that by its terms the Mekong becomes the boundary, and both powers undertake to refrain from an armed advance into the Menam valley; but the Siamese territory west and east of it is excluded from this clause. Bounties for Sugar Exports. BUENOS AYRES, January 16.—The cham- ber of deputies has passed a bill granting bounties fo exports of sugar. The Queen's Hope. CONSTANTINOPLE, January 16.—The letter of Queen Victoria to the Sultan of Turkey expressed the hope that peace would soon be restored in Anatolia. British Terms Accepted. LONDON, January 16.—A dispatch to the Exchange Telegraph Company from Cape Coast Casile says that King Prempeh of Ashanti has accepted the terms of the British. ee PROPOSED GRAIN MONOPOLY. A Scheme to Benefit Peasantry. 16.—In the German the reichstag today, du Kanitz’s propesal f @ government grain Genied that it tssion of Count von the establishment of the count raise the price of monopoly, would benefit th the remark while the ¢ we want de applause). concluded with nt may look on olated, but (Prolonged not words. A Minneazpolix Bank Suspends. MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., January 16—The Irish-American Bank, a state Institution, closed its doors at noon. Its suspension had been anticipated, as it was known to be weak, and its few remaining depositors commenced to withdraw yesterday when the City Bank suspension was announced. Its capital stock is only $11W),000. Che Fue ng Star. No. 13,376. |DISTRICT IN CONGRESS Senator Oall’s Resolution for Information Passed This Afternoon. Extended Inquiry Made at the Re- |- quest of the Knights of Labor —Other Measures. Senator Call's resolution calling for a va- riety of information regarding the condition of streets, &c., in the District of Columbia was passed by the Senate this afternoon. The resolution was introduced upon request of the Knights of Labor \d calls for a statement showing the names of all streets, avenues, alleys and reservations in the lim- its of the cities of Washington and George- town which are partially or wholly un- paved and the total length thereof so un- paved; also the length thereof unsewered: also the length thereof without water mains, together with the estimated cost of fully improving the same; an estimate of the full amount required ‘to carry out he provisions of the act of March 2, 1893, to provide a permanent system of highways in the District of Columbia outside of the cities of Washington and Georgetown, the amount of land required to be condemned, besides much other information bearing upon the proposed extension of streets. To Reduce the Clerks’ Salaries. Mr Skinner of North Carolina introduced a bill in the House today reducing the sal- ary of all persons in the employ of the gov- ernment one-third, the same to continue until Congress shall pass a free coinage bill, the object of the reduction being to meet the deficiency in the treasury. License on Billiard Tables. Mr. Babcock introduced a bill in the House today, by request, fixing a license fee at $12 per year on each billiard or pool table in the District, and providing that no one under twenty-one years of age shall be permitted to piay billiards or pool or any table in a public place. The bill re- lates to pool and billiard tables in saloons and+similar establishments. Hearing on Medical Sills. There will be a hearing before the Sen- ate committee on the District of Columbia at 2 o'clock on Monday afternoon on med- ical bills relating to the District of Colum- bia. There are four of these bi:ls before the committee, two by Mr. Harris, to reg- uiate the practice of medicine and surgery, to license physicians and surgeons and io punish persons violating the provisions thereof in the District of Columbia, and to provide for the incorporation and regula- tion of medical colleges in the District, and a third bill by Mr. Morrill relating to the testimony of physicians in the courts here. The hearing to be held on Monday has especial reference to Mr. Harris’ bill to regulate the practice of medicine and surgery in the District, and was granted at the request of Dr. W. H. Hubbell. Any physician having anything to suggest re- garding any of these bills will be given a hearing on Monday. District Appropriation Bill. The subcommittee of the House commit- tee on appropriations having charge of the District appropriation bill expects to con- clude its labors within a few days and re- port the bill to the full committee. To this end the subcommittee is now sitting at night in examination of the estimates sub- mitted by the Commissioners. It has not been decided what hearings, if any, will be given, but it is likely that the committee will give a hearing upon charitable matters as usual. The request of citizens of Mt. Pleasant for a hearing upon the matter of the proposed conta- gious hospital site has not yet been passed upon. 5 Taxes and Tax Sales. Mr. Babcock introduced in the House, by request, a bill relating to the taxes and tax sales in the District, which has heretofore been published in The Star. Conference on the Bond Bill. Commissioner Truesdell, accompanied by Mr. A. S. Worthington, specia! counsel for the District, had a conference at the Capi- tol this afternoon with Senators Martin and Gallinger, members of a subcommittee to consider the sewer bond bill, and this measure was discussed in an informal way. Serator Proctor is the chairman of this subcommittee, but he was absent in Phila- delphia and unable to attend the meeting. HARVEYIZED STEEL. Secretary Herbert to Explain in Re- gard to the Contracts for It. Secretary Herbert will appear before the Senate committee on naval affairs on Sat- urday next, in obedience to the symmons of the committee, to give what information he may have in his possession relative to the contracts made by the Navy Depart- ment for the use of Harveyized steel in armor for naval vessels. The motive for the investigation is fur- nished in a statement which Senator Chand- ler has made, calling attention to the charges affecting the conduct of Command- er William M. Folger in connection with the Harvey patent while he was chief of the ordnance bureau and since he retired from that position. It is alleged that while holding that office he induced the expedit- ing of the Harvey patent in the patent of- fice and the adoption of the Harvey process in the manufacture of armor by reason of an understanding that he should be em- ployed by the Harvey company and have an interest in it. It is also set forth that after the first contract had- been made with the company and after the second had been arranged for Commander Folger resigned his office, and, while continuing to be an officer in the navy, accepted employ- ment with the Harvey company and went abroad to negotiate with foreign govern- ments for the use of the process. It 18 also contended that while in other eases contracting companies have been re- quired to pay all royalties to patentees of processes necessary to be used, the con- tract made with the Carnegie Steel Com- pany set apart a fund of two cents per pound, which was to be paid by the gov- ernment in addition to the contract price to contest the legality of the patents to the process of patenting nickel steel to be used in executing these contracts. It is further said that while the prices paid by this government to the Carnegie and Bethlehem companies under the con- tracts made by Secretaries Whitney and Tracy amounted to from $500 to $650 per ton for armor, the Bethlehem company has taken the contract to furnish the armor to the Russian government at $300 per ton. Michigan Silver Conference. LANSING, Michigan, January 16.—Com- paratively few persons kave arrived here to attend the free silver conference, which has been called here for this afternoon. ‘The predominant sentiment seems to favor seeking to create a public sentiment which shall force the old parties te make free silvér the crowning feature of their plat- forms. Both democrats and republicans are among those who are anxious to in- augurate an independent silver movement. Pacific R. R. Receivership. The Supreme Court justices who have been engaged in the consideration of the proposition to unify the Northern Pacific receivership will probably not announce their decision for several days. One of them said today that it would be necessary to dispose of some of the regular vourt business before again taking up this mat- ter. WASHINGTON, D. C., THURSDAY, JANUARY 16, 18 MONROE DOCTRINE Senator Sewall Thinks the President Has Pressed It Too Far. TALK ON THE CUBAN QUESTION Senator Hale Talks on the Hawaii- an Cable Subvention. ——e MATTERS IN THE HOUSE In the Senate today Mr. Allen (Neb.) called attention to the indefinite postponement of his bill prohibiting American citizens from receiving foreign titles, decorations, etc. It occurred through an oversight of his, and he asked that the measure go to the cal- endar for consideration, as the people did not believe in this undemocratic practice and wanted it stopped. The request was agreed to. Mr. Frye (Me.), from the committee on commerce, reported favorably the resolu- tion reconvening the international marine ‘congress of 1889. To Distribute Seeds. Mr. Hansbrough (N. D.), from the commit- tee on agriculture, reported favorably the resofution directing the Secretary of Agri- culture to carry out the provisions of the law relative to the distribution of seeds and of government publications. The Cuban Question. The Cuban question came up briefly, whén Mr. Call (Fla.) offered a resolution directing the Secretary of State to send to Congress all dispatches from United States consuls in Cuba concerning the present war. Mr. Frye pointed out that the resolution “directed” the Secretary, without the usual proviso that the information was to be given if in accordance with- public inter- est. Call insisted that it should be for ‘Mr. the Senate to determine what it wanted. Mr. Sherman said such requests should not be made at a time when the uprising extended all through the island of Cuba. It might prove a serious embarrassment to our consuls to have their official udvices made public. It might possibly subject them to prosecution by the Spanish or the insurgents in the locality of the consuls. Mr. Call gave notice that he would move at an early day for the discharge of the committee on foreign relations from fur- ther consideration of the resolution for the recognition of the Cubans as belligerent He would do this, he said, in order to briny the Senate to a direct vote on the question without further delay. Mr. Platt (Conr,) said he had heard much talk as to recognizing the Cuban insur- gents But he pointed out that this was a question primarily within the jurisdic- tion of the President. Moreover, the revog- nition of the insurgents was not to be viewed as an act due them, but as a ques- tion affecting the United States. If such recognition was accorded only for its moral effect and for. sympathetic reasons, then it would be considered under international law, and justly considered, as an offense against the parent country. No one doubt- ed, Mr. Platt said, the feeling of sympathy of our people toward those engaged in a struggle for liberty, but in shaping the official course of the government there should be no haste, and every move should proceed according to the recognized rules of international law. Mr. Call consented that his resolution calling for information go over for. the present. . | Americans in Turkey. Mr. Cullom (iL) presented a resolution, whidh was agreed to, requesting the State Department for information as to whether naturalized United States citizens of Ar- menian birth were allowed to visit Turkey; whether their families living in Turkey were allowed to depart for the United States, and whether Americans living in Turkey’ had the same rights as were accorded to citizens of Great Britain, Germany, France or Rus- sia. The Monroe Doctrine. Mr. Sewell (N. J.) offered a resolution declaratory of the policy of the: United States on the Monroe doctrine, as follows: Resolved, That the Monroe doctrine, as originally propounded, was <lirected to the special prevention of the threatened action of the allied powers in reference to the re- volted colonies of Spain and the occupation by way of colonization of any supposed derelict territory on this hemisphere. 2. That the question of resisting any ac- quisition of territory by conquest was lim- ited, as stated by Mr. Webster, to cases in which by reason of proximity such acqui- sition would be dangerous to our safety and the integrity of our institutions. 3. That the true ground upon which the Menroe announcement was based, and upon which any similar position has heen taken, rests for its justification upon what may be our interests, and our interests only; and that neither by the Monroe doctrine ner any official declaration have we ever come under any pledge to any power or estate on this continent that binds us to act merely for their proiection against in- vesion or encroachment Sy any other power. 4. That when a case arises in which a European power proposes to acquire ter- ritory by invasion or conquest, it is then for us to determine whether our safety and integrity demands that we shall resist such action by armed force if necessary. 5 That the executive has pressed .zhe Monroe doctrine beyond what was contem- plated at the time of its announcement, and that the resultant sequence of the po- sition thus taken seems to be a commitial of this government to a protectorate over Mexico and the Central and South Ameri- can states; that this would be most unwise and dangerous, and would violate the sound and well-established policy; that we should avoid all entangling alliances with foreign powers, whether they be European or American. 6. That this action was premature, look- ing to the history of the controversy, and inopportune in view of the business and financial condition of the country. 7. That neither Congress nor the country can be, or has been, committed by the action or position of the executive depart- ment in reference to the Venezuelan boun- dary controversy as to the course to be pursued when the time shall have arrived for a final determination. It will then be our province to adopt such a line of policy and to take such action as may be then demanded by our sense of duty to the ccuntry and by a due regard for its honor and dignity, the welfare and safety of our Beople and the integrity of-our institutions. The Hawaiian Cable. Mr. Hale then addressed the Senate on his bill authorizing the Postmaster General to contract with the Pacific Cable Company for transmission of government messages between the United States and Hawaii. Mr. Hale stated that, in round numbers, the bill commits the United States to a subvention of abcut $250,000. It was a plain business enterprise, bringing Hawali close to our doors. The sentiment of the islands is es- sentially American, and we have been re- garded as the mother country. Other na- tions have sought to establish an influence with the Hawaiian government, which. if successful, would involve nothing but detri- ment to us. The Senator detailed the efforts of Great Britain to secure Neckar Islarid, of the Hawaiian group, as a landing point for a cable. This effort doubtless would have suc- ceeded, as the British cruiser Champion 96—-TWELVE PAGES. TWO CENTS. If you want today’s news tcday you can find it only in The Star. to the island, where a landing was made and the Hawalian flag raised. Mr. Hale detailed the extent of G Britain’s subsidies to cable companies, and of the steps taken hy the American Congress toward this Pacific cable. i Influence of the Cable. As to the influencé of the cable on the question of annexatign, the Senator satd he did not care whether gt would or would not expedite that result.; He looked upon the question of annexation as an event sure to come in the near future, and did not and to precipitate it. Of one-thing he felt sure, that with this cable built all the world would take notice that the interests of the two governments and the two peoples.would become so connected that any attempt at interference from outside would forever cease. He said, in conchusion, that if we aban- doned or were laggard in this great project our British rivals would take the ground that we had left, and, by hook or by crook,. get a resting place on the Hawaiian Islands for a great military and commercial British oceanic cable. E THE HOUSE. There was an interesting episode in the House today inspired by Mr. Grow (Pa.), who declared that the New York chamber of commerce, in a pamphlet printed by that bcdy and widely cifeulated, had cast reflec- tions upon the gaod'faith of the House. He sent to the Clerk’s desk ind had read the ex- tract from the ,pampbiet, which- follows: “Then came the Alabama claims and the fisherles dispute, the firs: being decided in our favor and the datter ugainst us, each side accepting the @ecisian and paying the award like busipes§ men. Then came the seizure of Canadian fealing vessels by the United States in Bering sea, which was ar- bitrated, and about $4,000 awarded to the owners of the seize@ vessels, which had not been paid, ow.ng to the failure of Congress to make an appropriation therefor, and which we are in Homor bound to settle with- out further delay.” ” Not a Questign of Privilege. This passage having been read,.Mr. Grow demanded to be allgwed to speak up9n it, as a question of privilege, and was proceed- ing to speak when Mr. Crisp (Ga.) made the | point that the pamphlet presented no ques- tion of privilege. : Mr. Grow contended that since reflections upof members of the House were questions of privilege, one uj the whole House was much more one. Mr. ‘Crisp combated, but Mr. Grow continue to speak, and said that he would makelit a question of perso- nal privilege. iz “The board of arbitration iid not award a dollar of damages,” Mr, Grow declared. “If that had been dome, it would be dis- honest not to pay if, ‘@fid it is a reflection on the House’ to say “that such an award was made and not < Here the Speaker rujé@ that no question of privilege was presefited, wherespon Mr. Grow took his seat, sayifg: “Weil, I am Sat- isfied.”” A bill was passed of lands in Arizona poses. horizing the leasing fer educational pur- Pension BIE Debnated. The House then resuwhed consideration of the pension bill, and an order was adopted that general debate be Gos&1 today and the bill taken up by Paragraphs tomorrow under the five-minute rule, .. Mr. Clark (lowa) thdyght that names of pensioners should n¥t_be dropped from the rolis, and satd that if fie pension office con- tinued its present poiicy, the government might soon have a surplus saved from pen- sion payments. DEATH OF TM HANNU It Occurred at Hi Mother's Home in Conshohocken, ®@4 This Morning. Word has been received here of the death of Themas Clay Hanitum, who was one of the brightest of the gerps of Washington newspaper correspondents for a number of years. He was a consumptive, and during the past year or so-hig health was such as to make his death.@ probability at- any time. For some months he had been at the home of bis mother sat Conshohocken, Pa., where his death occurred this morning. Tom Hannum wag thirty-six years old and a native of Pennsylvania. He was on the editorial staff of the Pittsburg Post, an¢ came to Washington as the corre- spendent of that paper in 1889. From that time until some timé in 1893 he was in active work here. His health being such that he was compelled to seek a change of climate, he went to Gorpus Christi, Texas, as a special agent of the Treasury Depart- ment, about two years ago. Less than a year ago his health compelled his retire- ment from all work, and he returned to his home to spend the last months of his life. He was a man éf remarkable talents, striking originality, a gift of quaint humor apd of an amiable and companionable dis- position. He was the fife of whatever cum- pany he might be in, ‘Even when so feeble that he could scatcely move about, bis gcod nature, wit, humor and quaint ‘phil- osophy suffered no “decline. . Everybody liked him, and his Sayings are frequently Quoted where newspaper men are assem- jed. In his writings, ag well as in his conver- sation, he was entertaining and original, and with all his wit he was never trivial. His death, while long expected, causes deep regret among his former associates. Mr. Robert'G. Binine. The friends of My. Robert G. Blaine, brother of the late Secretary of State, are urging him for appointment to a place in the Capitol. Mr. Blaine was removed from the Department of Agriculture at the be- ginning of the present administration, and is now employed in the Congressional Li- brary. Tae pdsitiun held by the late Capt. Bassett in the Senate and the cffice of file clerk in the House of Representatives, now being vacant, are the places one of which his friends wish him to receive. ——+ e-_____ New Austrinn Counsellor. Prince Raoul Wrede, who recently ar- rived in this city, has assumed the du- ties of first secretary ‘aad counsellor of the Austro-Hungarian Jegation in place of Mr. Alexander Von Mezey, who has been trans- ferred to Rome. Thére i& no foundation for the report recently sent from New York that Prince Wredg comes there as the suc- cessor of Mr. Von Hengelmuller, the Aus- tro-Hungarian minister, at’ this capital. SUneeeoee eee Naval Movements. The Cincinnati. arrived at Hampton Roads this morning from Key West, where she Has been for several weeks past look- ing for Cuban filibusters. The Alert ar- rived at Panama yesterday. The Bancroft left Norfolk today. for -Amapolis. —_———__+ 2+. To Be Buried at Arlington. ). ‘The,remains.of Capt. J. L. Vixen, twelfth infantry, who died recéntly in New York, have been brought to this city for inter- ment in the Arlington National cemetery. Capt. S. C. Mills, ‘twelfth infantry, has charge of the funeral arrangements. Personal Mention. Lieut. G. H. Glennan of the navy ts in the city on private business. Capt. G. K. Bin; m of the quartermas- we department is#visiting friends in this city. R. B. Roosevelt gad wife of New York have parlors at the #atel Arno. Board of Brgde Meeting. The board of trad& holds a meeting in the hall of the Buildgrs’ Exchange tomor- row evening. This m@eting is for the con- sideration of the report of the committee on streets and avenues, submitted to the board of trade at ite annual meeting in November last, and of the general subject started for the island, had not the Hawaiian government sentea fast merchant steamer of street and sewer extension in the Dis- trict of Columbia, 4 rapid advancement of Christian civilization OUT OF THE WEST | Towa’s Vigoreus Appeal to Maintaii the Monroe Doctrine. INAUGURAL OF GOVERNCR DRAKE Sacred Duty of This Country to Guard America. READY FOR WAR IF NEED BE DES MOINES, Iowa, January 16.—The Iowa capitol building was profusely dec- orated today in honor of the inauguration of Gov. Drake The ceremony took place at 2:30 this afternoon on a platform in the rotunda of the building in the presence of several thousand people. The inaugural Procession formed on the west side at 1:30 p.m. and began the march to the capi- tol; companies A and H of Des Moines, with the governor's staff, formed the mill- tary escort. Carriages in the procession were occupied by Gov. Jackson and wife, Gen. Drake and daughter, Lieut. Gov. Dungan, Lieut. Gov. Parrott, the justices of the Iowa supreme court, Senator Alli- son, Gen. J. 8. Clarkson, ex-Govs. Larabee and Sherman, members of the Inauguration committees appointed by the house and senate and other distinguished citizens. ‘The procession arrived at the south door of the capitol building shortly after 2 o'clock, and the party went at once to the stand. The members of the legislature had arrived previously and were seated sur- rounding the stage. The public crowded the corridors to the east, west and north and many were in the rotunda above, where an excellent view of the stage was obt&ined. After music ard prayer the oath of office was administered by Chief Justice Rothrock to Gen. Drake and Mr. Parrott. Gen. Drake then presented his inaugur: Regarding the maintenance of the Mon- roe doctrine, Governor Drake used the fol- lowing vigorous language: “The stand taken by the President in favor of the enforcement of the Monroe doctrine has received the most unhesitat- inf and most cordial approval of pairiotic People of al! political parties. The im- mediate action taken in both houses of Congress sounded the keynote of the true American policy. The grand chorus of American voices is now heard in unbroken harmony and with such perfect unity throughout the western hemisphere that ail the world must know, and England be well advised, that no further British encroach- ments upon American soil will be tolerated. It is the duty of the United States sacredly to guard and protect America and Ameri- can interests to the fullest extent, and to resist all encroachments by all means in its power. “The growth of liberty, freedom of thought and conscientious action and the in America and the western hemisphere show a very marked contrast with those of the castern hemisphere. Their civilization is European; ours, intensely American. We im no.righte to enter -upon or trespass upon the territory of the eastern, and we interpret the Monroe doctrine that they, as Europeans, have no right to trespass oF encroach upon the territéry of the west-' ern. We do not claim that the Monroe doctrine is international law, but we claim that it has long been declared a funda- mental doctrine af the American people, in- fended to be maintained, and we do not believe it is a subject of arbitration in which the representative of any European power is competent to participace. “The horor of this great nation and the perpetuity of this republican government are involved in this momentous question. The time has come when this question must be settled and the princtple contended for acknowledged. We hope this will be do: peacefully, but if, under providence of A! mighty Ged and in the interest of liberty and justice, it cannot be so done, Iowa is ready to acquiesce in the determination of the nation for the defense of its integrity and the maintenance of this vital principle, if necessary, with force of arms.” Regarding Armenia, he said: “A so-called Christian civilization which will thus tol- erate the inhuman butchery of innocent Christian people is not werthy to be cou- pled with tnat of American Christian civil- ization. Such a foul assault on Christianity and such inhuman practices would he of short duration on this western hemisphere. No boundary lines would suffice to stay the onward rush of American soldiers for the protection of the innocent and the condign punishment of the guilty.” CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY. Gossip at the Capitol in Regard to Its Proposed Reorganization. There is considerable gossip at the Capi- tol about the reorganization of the Congres- sional Library. This is a matter that mem- bers of both the Senate and House of Rep- resentatives believe should be attended to promptly, and there is an inclination to push the bill prescribing a form of reor- ganization of the library. The joint commit- tee on the library is now considering provis- ions of a bil) to place the library on a satis- factory footing, and it is believed as a re- sult of a number of consultations between this joint committee and Mr. Spofford, the librarian, a bill will shortly be intro- duced in the Senate and House, and it is also believed this bill will be in accord with the recommendaticns of the libra- ria... The joint committee on the library has now under_ consideration bills introduced in both the House and Sen- ate for the establishment of a new office of copyrights, this measure divorcing the copyright business from the library and placing the work under a register of copy- rights. When this bill becomes a law it is believed the President will at once select some one from the present library force connected with the copyright work, and it is not feared that_he will make the position a political one in View of the great need of technical knowledge which the place will require. While there are many men fa- miliar with copyright law, yet the adminis- tration of this law requires some one who has had experience in connection with it. —_——_—_+-2+_. DISTRICT WATER SUPPLY. Board of Experts Working on Its Report on the Lydecker Tunnel. The board of expert engineers considering the subject of the District water supply has been in session early and late at the War Department every day since Monday. The members are now engaged in the preparation of their report, and fully ex- pect to have it ready for submission to Gen. Craighill, chief of engineers, by Sat- urday, and possibly tomorrow afternoon. This report will be of the greatest inte est to the people of the District of Colum- bia, inasmuch as the board was organized to determine the best and most economical method of increasing the water supply of the city, as well as to determine the ques- tion of the utility of the long-abandonea Lydecker tunnel conduit in bringing about that much-desired result. The beard willrecommend either the completion of the tunnel, or if that is re- garded as inexpedient, it will recommend some other plan for increasing the water supply, either by a new conduit from the distributing reservoir to the Howard Uni- versity reservoir, or-some other method, the nature of which has not been disclosed. There will be no delay in laying the matter before Congress, inasmuch as Gen. Craig- hill has virtually decided in advance to be guided almost entirely in his recommenda- tion by the report of the board. ‘taxes to be paid by the government. LIVE CAPITOL TOPICS Considering Objections to Gen. Coppinger's Nomin:tion. The Seed Question at the Department of Agriculture—Matters Be- fore Committees. Senator Hale made an argument before the Senate committee on military affairs today in favor of the confirmation of the nomination of General Coppinger to be brigadier general. He said that General Coppinger had served through the war as an ofticer; that he had fought in thirty-one battles, more than half of which were important engagements, and had _ been wounded in two. He produced the original letter of recommendation to the governor of Connecticut, written by General Custer, and indorsed by General Sheridan, recom- mending in strong terms the promotion of Mr. Coppinger, then a captain, to the coloneley of one of the Connecticut regi- ments. Senator Hale also explained the de- lay on the part of General Coppinger in taking out his naturalization papers, say- ing that it was due to the fact that the general had an interest in the entail of an estate in Ireland, which he was advised by prominent Americans, including Mr. Blaine, might be endangered by his be- coming a citizen of this country. He called attention to the fact that General Coppinger had been commissioned several times; that he had taken the oath of al- legiance on all such occasions. He ac- counted for the general's participation in the civil conflict in Italy when a young man by saying that he was a professional soldier. The committee adjourned without passing upon the nomination, which is being fought by the A. P. A. Taxes on‘Indian Allotment Lands. The Senate committee on Indian affairs devoted the greater part of today’s meet- ing to the consideration of Senator Petti- grew’s bill providing for the assessment of taxes on lands allotted to Indians, the Sen. ator Pettigrew, in explaining the reasoas for the proposed legislation, said tha: if Indians living upon lands in severalty were to enjoy the protection of the local laws some one should bear their proportion of the expense entailed in their execution, and stated that under the terms on which the allotments were made the government was the proper party to do this. He said the aggregate expense to the government for the entire United States would noi ex- ceed $200,000 annually. The committee ap- peared to be generally favorable to the Will, but its final dispositi- joferred to a future meeting. Senate Commerce Committee. The Senate committee on commerce today authorized Senator Frye to report a sub- stitute for his bill regulating vessels pro- pelled by naphtha, oil or electricity so as to bring them within the regulations ap- plying to steam and sailing vessels. The substitute, as upon, requires ves- sels of this description wich exceed fifteen tons burden, which Passtngers or freight for hire, to have licensed pilots and enginecrs, to comply with all the rules gov- erning steam -vessels, and-all such vesseis, of whatever size, are required t@ comp! with the rules governing steam and sail- ing vessels as to lights and fog signals. The committee will grant a hearing on the proposition to erect a bridge across the Detroit river at Detroit, Mich., on the 30th. The Seed Resolution. Senator Hansbrough, committee en agri- culture, today reported back the resolution introduced by himself directing the Secre- tary of Agriculture to proceed with the purchase and distribution of seeds in ac- cordance with the terms of the last appro- priaticn act. The committee amended the resolution so as to relieve the Secretary in making such purchase from paying more than a reasonable and fair price, and also relieving him from the requirement to ex- pend all the appropriation available for the purchase, limiting the expenditure to so much as can be profitably used. Patent Matters. The House committee on patents has deciged to favorably report a bill intro- dcced by Mr. Draper of Massachusetts to create a classification division of the patent office, with a primary examiner, salaried at $2,750, and about forty assistants, the cosi of the division to be about $60,000. The business of the patent office has so in- creased of late years that a classification of the various arts and lines which patents are granted has become a necessity, and the creation of the new division was asked by the commissioner of patents. Pensions for Indian Service. The House committee on pensions has decided to favorably report a bill intro- duced by Mr. Baker of Kansas to make eligibie to the service act of 1800 the bat- talion of the eighteenth Kansas cavalry, mustered into service eat Fort Herker in 1897, and the nineteenth Kansas cavalry, mustered at Topeka in 1868. These troops served in an Indian war. Ex-Confeglerate Bill Reported. The House committee on military affairs has unanimously reported favorably the bill which recently passed the Senate, re- pealing the law that prohibits ex-confeder- ates who held commissions in the United States army and navy at the beginning of the rebellion from being appointed to any position in the army or navy. Two Colored Doorkeepers. George D. Stinson of Pittsburg and W. H. Grimshaw of New York, two colored men, have been appointed doorkeepers, in charge of the men’s gallery of the House. It is said that they are the first colored men ever appointed to a position of this nature. They are intelligent-looking men, of good appearance, and are filling the du- ties of their position with credit and satis- faction. Mr. Irving at the House, Mr. Henry Irving was a visitor at the Capitol today, and was shown over the House wing by a very distinguished guide, Mr Thomas B. Reed of Maine. The Speaker and Mr. Irving spent considerable time together, and Mr. Irving seemed to take a great deal of interest in watching the proceedings of the House. ~ Liquor in Alaska. Benjamin P. Moore, collector of customs at Sitka, Alaska, made-an argument before the Senate committee on territories today in favor of an amendment to the existing laws so as to permit the licensing of the sale of liquor in Alaska. The laws are now prohibitory, and Mr. Moore says they have never been enforced. Coinage Commitice Organize. The first meeting of the House commit- tee on coinage was held today, but little was done beyond the formal organization of There are two places on the e yet to be filled, but little inter? est is felt in its work, since even the free silver men upon it concede that there will be no attempt to take up the silver ques- tion in this House. A Personal Inspection. Senator McMillan, chairman, accompanied by Mr. Charles Moore, chief clerk of the Senate committee on the District of Co- lumbia, will take a drive this afternoon over the proposed line of the East Wash- ington Heights Traction Railway Company and of the Capital Traction Compan: They will drive across Anacostia bridge and then about the roads on the other side of the Eastern branch. THE FIGHT National Democratic Committee Try- ing to Settle It, CHICAGS'S CHANCES ARE THE BEST IS ON Scenes and Incidents Previous to the Final Settlement. BUSINESS TRANSACTED : The atmosphere at the Arlington this morning had even a more decided Chicago tinge than ever, and it was easy to per- ceive that the other western candidates were rather down in the mouth, although they made a brave bluff at being cheerful. New York, too, was not as confident as heretofore, but pretended to be, with char- acteristic courage. It was said that the Chicago contingent, *which arrived. yester- day, was armed with authority to enter into a table stakes game for the conven- tion against all the other cities and was fortified with sufficient capital to raise any- body else entirely out of the pasture. The visitors were also equipped with the right to promise the committee full control of the convention, with sole power to appoint all the various doorkeepers and other as- sistants, and to have absolute charge of the tickets of admi As these consid- erations were the only ones which leading committeemen desired to be satisfied upon it was said that the selection of the windy city would not take much time after the arene declaratiot mad ywever, nother dec! nm was that the Chicago men had not’ been’ car: powered to make any such sweeping bid for the convention, and had telegraphed for instructions how to act. It was known that inany of the subscribers to the Chi- cago convention fund had put down their names as part of a sition, which embraced thelr donating: a certain gum and receiving in return a cer- tain number of tickets, which they propos- ed to dispose of to the best advantage. It Was therefore represented that these men would withdraw their promises if their sub- scriptions were to mean the mere bringing of the convention to their city without per- Sonal profit to themselves. Before the committee met, Chairman Har- rity was asked how the convention looked. “It looks like Chicago now,” he said, “but I don’t think any one can make an intelli- gent prognostication.” Big Democrats Pow-Wowing. There was an animated crowd in the rooms cigar and white tie, came briskly in and introduced Perry Belmont to everybody in the ante-room. gates and for each republican Senat Representative one; but it was said that the Proposition would not get more than ten Votes. The “Majahs” and the “Jedges.” When the committee went into session everybody wished the strain would soon be over except the “kunnels, jahs,” and the “jedges, serted the down-town hotels for the past three days and sought the open bars, which serve as magnets in the various headquar- ters at the Arlington. The coming of the committee has been a great occasion for this gentry. They wear their shiny beavers with a rakish air again, and they carry out the late Jay Gould's idea about Erie. That famous financier was wont to remark that when he was in Cattaraugus he was for Cattaraugus; when he was in Putnam he was for Putnam, but he was for Erie first, last and all the time. The fraternity of de- cayed gentility and titles follow this sys- tem with a difference. When they are in New York's room Gotham is the only place half fit to hold a convention in; when cross the corridor and enter the headquar- ters of the Missourians they expatiate upon the bracing atmosphere of St. Louis in June and the superiority it possesses in point of location, and the magnificent ac- commodations. of the exposition building, but they are for the buffet and the bottled cheer it contains every minute of each hour. Sometimes they climb upstairs and sample the supply that Cincinnati keeps on hand, but not often. New York and 8t. Louis have their rooms and their buffets on a dead level and in close oa and steps are wearisome, anyhow. The ‘Ananias, Club, which meets nightly in the writing room of the Arlington, how- ever, will be glad when the crowd leaves. “There was so much noise and confusion last night and the night before that the club had to adjourn without settling the Venezuelan question or giving more than cursory consideration to the smashing of the gold syndicate, and the members are consequently very much put out. Vanity and Its Sequel. The committee met at 11 o'clock sharp and just as the call of states nad been con- cluded announcement was made by Chair- man Harrity that a photographer desired to take a picture of the distinguished 4s- semblage. There was an immediate relax- ation of brows and softening of features. A coat was buttoned here and a tie ar- ranged there and the democratic national committee made itself Icok as individually prepossessing as possible, and smiled at the mysterious orifice of the camera. The pho- tographer arranged everything to his satis- faction and stepped back. There was a blinding glare and the next instant there was a chorus of sneezing and coughing as a dense cloud of smoke swept through the apartment. Another photograph taken when the vapor cleared would have de- picted a mighty miserable looking set of men, and if some wise delegation had in- serted its buffet into the banqueting hall at that moment its city would have won the convention in a slow walk. Transaction of Business. The business was then proceeded with in accordance with the program published in yesterday’s Star. The committee organized with its regular officers, and the matter of appointing’ a sergeaut-at-arms for the na- ticnal convention was referred to the ex- ecutive committee. As Col. Richard IL Bright has declined to serve again in this capacity, and has thrown his powerful in- fluence in favor of Mr. Bernard W. Layton, it may be considered as already settled that Mr. Layton will be selected, but it will be some time yet before definite action is taken. The committee appointed to con- sider the Collins resolution, which provided for the holding of the next convention with closed doors, reported adversely upon it, and the report was adopted. _ Territorial Representation. ‘The question of representation in the con- vention was then taken up, end it was de- cided to recommend the admission of six