Evening Star Newspaper, January 31, 1896, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR: ——— - RPUBLISHED PAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY, AT THE STAR bs Tits Beet, fis T1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. vening Oo: a eee a ee Few York Office, 49 Potter Building. ‘The Evening Star is served to subscribers in the elty by carriers, on thetr own account, at 10 cents 1 week, or 44 cents r mouth. Ce ee at the omar 2 cents each. mail—anywhere in the United States or Canada—postage prepald—30 cents per month. ‘Saturday Quintcple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with foreign postage 3 $3.00. (Entered at the Post Office at Washington, D. C., + as second-class mail matter.) All mail snbscriptio must be paid in advance. Rates of advertising made Known on application. he Lue No. 13,389. WASHINGTON,’ D. ©., FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 1896-FOURTEEN PAGES. SUICIDE AND MURDER BIDDING FOR THE BONDS A Man Jumps From the Deck of a Steamer. ~ BANK CASHIER TAKES HIS OWN LIFE a ge The Deadly End of a Long Stand- ing Feud. AN OLD CRIME UNCOVERED PHILADELPHIA, Pa., January 31.—T. EF. Haghes of Gainesville, Fla., committed sui- cide todsy by jumping from the deck of the steamer Tallahassee into the Delaware river. The Tallahassee left Boston on Wednes- day afternoon. Mr. Hughes was a passen- * ger on the steamer. He was a well educated man and spoke intelligently on various top- ics, and appeared to be quite a favorite mong the passengers. Last night he spent most of his time on deck, conversing with the men on watch. He was In cheerful spirits. The Tallahassee fs attached to the Ocean Steamship Com- pany and plies between Boston, Philadel- phia and Savannah. Mr. Hughes had pur- chased a through ticket, which would have carried him from Savannah to his home in Gainesville. ROM . ¥., January 31.—George Bar- rard, shier of the Fort Stanwix National Bank of this place, committed suicide today. The bank has been closed pending an inves- tigation. End of an Old Feud. PLYMOUTH, Iné@., January 31.—John Swoverland, a well-known stock buyer, was shot and ied instantly by Samuel S. Stewart at a sale of machinery on the farm of Charles Elsener, last evening. The shocting was the result of a long-stand- ing feud between ie two men. Swover- land, it Is asserted, had sworn to kill Stew- art. Stewart, who is about twenty-one years ol4, attended the sale and became Involved in a quarrel with a young son of Swover- land, in which young Swoverland seems to ve beeen worsted. He started to return me for his father, whom he met on the a short distance from the scene of the + sale. The elder Swoverland immediately hastened to the scene and, it Is claimed, calling to Stewart, toid him that he had ceme to kill him. Drawing a revolver, he shot at Stewart, but missed him. Stewart returned the fire, but the ball went wide of its mark. Stew- ert’s second shot struck Swoverland full in the forehead, penetrating the brain. As Swoverland fell, Stewart fired again, but only inflicted a flesh wof@hd. After the shooting, Stewart started for home, in- tending to get a horse and come to town to give himself up. On the way he met an elder son of Swoverland, who fell upon him with a knife and nearly killed him. In the . fight Stewart's right arm was cut nearly to pieces. He then went to Bourbon and gave himself up, and was brought here and placed in jail. Evidence of Murder. VANDALIA, Ii, January 31.—Evidence of a murder has been unearthed near Pat- kota, fourteen miles south of here, by the finding of a lot of charred human bones, supposed to be those of a man named Smith, a nephew of Thomas Smith. Smith left home on horsetiack two months ago, and since then nothing has been heard ot him. A few weeks after his disappearance a horse was found tiled to a tree in the woods, and from all appearances had died from starvation and exposure. The saddle and bridle re identified as those belonging to Sm! Foul play was suspected, and suspicion pointed to some enemies of Smith in the neighborhood. A day or two ago supposed tramps were = seen in the vicinity of where the dead herse was found, and a deserted camp was fcund within a short distance of where the horse was tied. A large hollow tree had been set on fire by the tramps, and in the ashes were discovered the human tones. It is supposed that the murderers concealed the body in the tree at the time, Lut learning that suspicion pointed to them, they became alarmed, and disguising themselves as tramps, returned to the scene of their crime and attempted to cover up all evidence of their work by burning the tree and its contents. Detectives are now at work on the case. ——.__ SENATORIAL ULTIMATUM. Democrats at Annapolis Announce Their Terms to the Governor, Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. ANNAPOLIS, Md., January 31.—The dem-+ Ocratic senators have presented as an ulti- matum to Gov. Lowndes that they fill confirm no more of his appointments until after the supervisors of election for the city and al] the counties are named and acted upen. The democratic senators will insist that the minority supervisors shall be chosen by the democratic senators, when the counties are represented by such, and in cases where the counties are represented by republicans the mincrity supervisors shall be chosen by the local democratic committees. Until this agreement ts entered into, and the terms fully carried out, the democratic jority in the senate will confirm no more appointments, and will decline to go into Joint convention to elect police commission- ers, and will also decline to go into an election for state treasurer. Conferences have been going on during the day between the governor, the republican senators and the democratic senators and others on the subject. Gov. Lowndes is strongly inclined to agree to the terms of the democratic ultimatum, but several of the republican senators and leaders are op- posed to yielding and are advising him to hold out. The indications are that he will yield and ~*that the deadlock which appears imminent will not last long. He has definitely an- nounced that he will appoint no democrats to office no matter how well they supported the republican ticket, except in cases where the law requires minority representation on certain boards. It is, therefore, useless for democrats to apply for office under the present administration. Senator Bruce's civil service reform meas- ure, restricted in its-application of the sys- tem to Baltimore city, was read in the house of delegates today. The impression is. that the house will fail to pass the bill. THE ST. PAUL STILL FAST. Vain Effcris to Pall Her Into Deep Water. NEW YORK, January 31.—At high tide this morning, with the wind north north- east and blowing eight miles an hour, there as an effort made to pull the American line steamer St. Paul out of the sand off Long Branch. The big windlass on board the steamer pulled on the cables attached to the kedges, and several tugs spent what power they could attempt, but with all the great craft was moved only a few feet to- ward deep water. The probability of the St. Paul being floated today is very re- mote, but an effort in that direction will be made again et the next high tide. ——_.—__ Commander S. W. Very, on duty at Cramp’s ship yard at Philadelphia, is on a = to [ms city. leut. Perry Garst is in the city on leave of absence from the North Atlantic fleet. The Various Offers Are Filed Away and Kept Secret. Foreign Bids Expected to Be Numer- ous Owing to the Improved Political Conditions. Nothing definite can be learned at the Treasury Department as to the number or amount of bids already received for the new bonds. As fagt as received the bids are deposited in a_safe, where they will remain until next Wednesday, wher they will be opened and their contents an- nounced. It is certain, however, that a large number of bids have been r ard every mail brings considerable ticns. As to the amounts or prices offer- ed, even the Secretary of the Treasury knows nothing, except in some few cases, where he has been privately advised by letter. There seems to be no doubt that the amotnt of the bids will exceed the $100,000,000 to be offered, and it is ex- pected that the foreign offers will be con- siderably more than was expected when the lezn was anncunced. The improved po- litical situation abroad, it is believed, will eentribute to this end. The semit-official atnouncement that bidders who intend to pay for their bonds in foreign coin will be given the preference in making the awaris is expected to sthaulate foreign cgmpeti- tion for the bonds. The thing most to be feared In connection with the sale, it Is said at the Treasury Department, is a possible combination by which a large percentage of the offers will be at untform- ly low rates. Should this prove to be the case, there seems to be no doubt that Sec- retary Carlisle would not hesitate to re- ject all bids below what he would regard as fair both to the government and to the purchaser. The Monthly Deficit. The forthcoming monthly statement of the government receipts and expenditures for January will show the aggregate re- ceipts to be approximately $29,237,670, and the expenditures $32,696,830, leaving the de- ficit for the month about $2,459,109, and for the seven months of the present fiscal year about $1 s7. The receipts from cus- toms during the present month will amount to about $16,380,796; from internal revenue, $11,041,401, and from miscellaneous sources about $1,815,472. This is a decrease of about $1,000,000 in the receipts from cus toms as compared with January, 1895, and an increase of about $2,000,000 in the re- ceipts from internal revenue. As compared with last month, there is an increase of over $4,000,000 in the receipts from cus- toms, and a decrease of nearly $1,75),000 in the receipts from internal revenue. The pension payments this month amount to about $9,98),000, a decrease from last month of about $1 6,000. pas: as PRINTING OFFICE BUILDING. NEW Mr. Bankhead Hopeful That One May Be Secured This Session of Congress. At a meeting ef the House committee on public buildirgs and grounds this morning, Mr. Bankhead madée a motion that the com- mittee proceed at an early date to the con- sideration of a bill looking to the erection of a building for a government printing office ‘to replace the present dangerous structure, which has been condemned by the grand jury. Mr. Bankhead’s motion was favorably received by the committee and it was decided to go ahead at once with me kind of a plan to carry out the end desired. Mr. Bankhead wa authorized to prepare a bill as a basis upon which the commit- tee can get te work. He is familiar with the subject and has given the matter his attertion for several years. “I den't know what kind of a bill the committee will propose,” said Mr. Bank- head to a Star reporter today. “I imagine that the main po.nt to be considered wiil he the question of obtaining a site. I think there is no doubt that the committee will insist upon the erection of an entirely new plant on modern principles and_sufficignt to accommodate the future needs of the government as well as to fulfill present re- quirements. I believe the committee is sat-- isfied that it would be folly to spend any more money in trying to patch up the old shell now in use, for it would be money thrown away, and at the end of the ex- penditure we still would not have a good building.” Mr. Bankhead thinks that the carncstness of the committee in this matter and the sentiment in the Heuse warrant the hope that action can be had at this session of Congress upon a Dill. DR. O'GORMAN’S ELEVATION. It is Expected He Will Be Consecrated in This City. Rev. Dr. P. F. O'Gorman of the Catholic University, who, according to the press dispatcLes, -has been nominated to the bishopric of Sioux Falls, stated today that while he has not received any communica- tion on the subject from Rome, he has, however, been unoffici:Jly informed of the correctness of the repott. The official an- nouncement is usually sent to the arch- bishop of the diocese, in this case Most Rev. John Ireland. The pontifical brief or commission, as it were, is expected to ar- rive here ir the ccurse of ten days or two weeks. Urtil then, of course, the exact date ond time cf consecration will not be certainly known. Lut Dr. O'Gorman thinks that he will be consecrated at Washington, most probably at the university, and that the prelate who will probably perform the ceremony will be Cardinal Satolll. Bishop Martin Marty, the previous episcopate of Sioux Falls, was transferred to the diocese of St. Cloud, Minn., more than a year ago, and for this reason it is expected that the new bishop will be put into a position to enter upon the admniistration of his office as secon as possible. The diocese is com- paratively a new one, and embraces the whole state of South Dakota, having with- in its confines eigkty churches, seventy- nine stations, one hundred chapels and nearly seventy-five priests. It will be prac- tically impossible, if Cardinal Satolli is to Freside, for the ceremony of consecration to occur much before the middle of March, for the reason that the announcement has been made that the cardinal is to leave on the 12th of February for his southern tour, and will be gone a month. He will be pres- ent at the opening of the Catholic winter school at New Orleans, the 16th, and will then visit the southwest, returning by way of St. Louis, where a reception will be ten- dered him, preparations for which have been under way for some weeks. ————— Presidential Nominations. The President todey sent the following neminations to the Senate: Wm. H. Ander- son of Maine, to be surveyor of customs for the port of Portland, Me. Justice—To be marshals of the United States, James S. McCabe of Rhode Island, fer the district of Rhode Island; Wm. H. Cannon of Wisconsin for the western dis- trict of Wisconsin. Postmasters—Edmund W. Nutter, East Bridgewater, Mass.; Wm. B. Dayton, Port Jefferson, N. Y.; Elmer Winner, Liberty, N. Y¥.; Elizabeth Wolf, Peshtigo, Wis.; Ar- thur A. Maynard, Crown Poiut, Ind. Interior—Wm. Galloway of Oragon to be receiver of public moneys at Oregon City, Oreg. ————-_-o-—____. Herman Mueller of Kansas City, Mo., charged with embezzling $14,000: from the Schlitz Brewing Company while acting as its bookkecper in that city, has been ac- quitted after a three ‘days’ trial. FREE LIBRARY BILL Senate District Committee Will Re- port Favorably,- BOARD OF TRADE PROJECT INDORSED Interesting Statistics Contained in the Report. LIBRARIES IN OTHER CITIES The Senate committee on the District of Columbia, at a meeting held today, author- ized Mr. McMillan to report favorably to the Senate the bill intreduced by him to establish and provide for the maintenance of a free public library and reading room in the District of Columbia. The commit- tee approved the bill as introduced by Mr. McMillan, with several minor amendments, one of which authorizes the Commissioners of the District of Columbia to receive as component parts of said library collections of books and other publications that may be transferred to them. Another amend- ment provides that the board of trustees, who are to have charge of purchasing books, etz., shall appoint not only a libra- Tian, but also “such assistants as they shall deem necessary.” A third amendment provides that assistants to the librarian “shall be selected after competitive profes- sional examination.” ‘The report on the bill, which will be pre- sented to the Senate as soon as an oppor- tunity offers, contains much interesting data regarding the needs of Washington city of library facilities. The report says: Interest in the Bill. “The public interest in the library -biil may be measured by the fact that the pro- ject of a free public library and reading room in the District of Columbia has been recommended by the District Commission- ers, by the trustees of the public schools, by the board of trade, by the Federation of Labor, and by public-sp‘rited citizens, who have subscribed upward of $9,000 for the purchase? of books. . “So far as the committee is informed there is no city in the United States-of half the size of Washington that has not a tree public library, and on the other hand uW towns and villages have free public li- braries supported by local taxation. Eve! where the free library is recognized as the adjunct of and the supplement to the pub- lic schools. With the example of the Bos- ton public library and its magnificent build- ing and complete equipment occupying sc prominent a place in the attention of the public, it is unnecessary to enlarge upon this point. “HTow eificient a public library may be rendered by intelligent management can be learned from the report of the New Yo! free circulating lit for the year end- ing November i, 1805. This library is now exceeded in point of circulation only. bs Chi public librari of Boston and With but $1,755 volumes on its New York 1 and its reading room privileges were u by 181,153 persons. The Hbrary maints six branches in various sections of the c Of these branches the one in Harlem ¥ but 4,300 volumes paid rent and circulate 95,319 books at an average expense of .(42 per volume. The entire cost of the six branches was $43,000), of which amount $23,- 00 was appropriated by the city, $3,000 came from invested funds, $12,000 from do- nations and the remainder from fines, ete. Work in Connection With Schools. “The New York library paid special atten- tion to work in connection with the public schools. The report of the chief librarian says: "To the end that the scope of the library as an educational institution may be wide ed, both in itself and in connection with the public schools of the city, ali the aid in our power has been given to the in the schools by catalogues and bulletins, by mal them lists of books on special subjects in the curriculum and by lending books in lots of fifty or sixty to any teacher who will undertake to become responsible for their proper use by the scholars and for their safe return to the library, with a statement of the number circulated.’ “If the great city of New York can ac- complish so much with so limited an expen- diture, the city of Washington should be able to support an efficient library for a comparatively small amount of money. Nor need it be feared that the library, once established, will not receive financial en- couragement from the sums already raised, and the miniature library already establ ed show a degree of public spirit and en- terprise worthy of such a backing as will ruake the project a thorough success.” Appended to the report are the indorse- ments of the project for a free public libra- ry and reading room for this city by the Commissioners, the trustees of public schools and the Federation of Labor, which have heretofore been published in full in The Star. There is also appended a letter from Gen. Greely, president of the Wash- ington City Free Library, indorsing the project. Gen. Greely says: “The Washington City Free Library stands ready to merge its entire library into any municipal library that may be estab- lished for the District, under the sole pro- vision that it shall be for the use of all res dents of the District free, and it asks that the powers of the Commissioners to accept this free library, or any other that may be opened, be clearly set forth.” Ald to Other Libraries. There is also appended to the report a statement showing public library laws in the various states, together with appropria- tions for their establishment and support. This statement shows how generally throughout the United States public li- braries are supported by appropriation. It shows appropriations for public libraries of cities, as follows: Boston—Annual appropriation for support, $130,000; for new building, $1,5( Chicago—Publie library; 189 tion by city council, $121,836. Milwaukee—Public library; act of 1892; one-quarter mill on a dollar for library fund for maintenance and increase of library alone. St. Louis—i$91-92-96; rate, one-fifth of a raill on a dollar, gives $55,000; from school board, $14,000; total income, about $20,000. Cleveland—1894; income for maintenance of public library, $46,022. Cincinnati—1894; appropriations for public librar$, $40,271; expenditures, $53,307. San Francisco—1898; for support of public library from taxes, $40,075. Detroit—1894; for public library, city taxes received, $38,768.15; fines, ete., $11,3% : other items, about $2,500; total, $52,664.13. Minneapolis—1805; taxes; levy of 1804, $42,- 120; other income, about $10,000; total, $52,- 120; expenses, $48,511.23. St. Joseph, Mo.—1893; city appropriation, $6,981.36; balance on hand, $889.70; total, $7,871.06. . ‘Worcester, Mass.—Appropriations, $17,400; dog tax, etc., $4,183; library fund. $1,715; other sources, about $1,000; total, $23,898. Salem, Mass.—Appropriations, Appropriations in Different States. A statement showing the public library laws in the various states shows that in Idaho 25 per cent of the school fund may be used for libraries. In Illinois any school fund may be used for library purposes after all necessary school expenses have been paid, and the school board is empowered to make provisions for the purchase of li- braries in the annual tax levy. In Massa- > appropria- annual, chusetts any city or town may appropriate and pay such sum annually as it may see fit toward defraying the expenses of main- taining any library within such city ortown. to which the inhabitants are allowed free access for the purpose of using the same on the premises. In Michigan all fines go into a fund to be distributed by the state to dis- tricts according to the number of school children in each, distri¢t. In Missouri, in cities, boatds of educatién may appropriate $2,500 a year in cities of from 20,000 to 100,- 000 population, $500 a year in eities of from 5,000 to 20,000 population’ and 9259 a year in cities of froin 1400 to 5,000 population. ‘The laws cf New Hampshire provide that any town may raise and appropriate money for the establishment and perpetual mainten- ance of a public library. In New Jersey the state pays $20 to every school that raises a Iie amount in any way for a library, a8 by subscription, entertainment, et¢.; $100 to these raising $100 for founding certa!n libraries, and $30 each year for support additional. In New York state a tax may be levied for the sup- pert of a library by a majority vote in am city, village or town or school district. Twenty-five taxpayers may petition for such action, and 2 vote must be had at the next meeting and taxes voted upon. In Rhode Island the state allows for public Ubraries 25 cents on each $10) valuation in the city of Providence, and 2) cents in ary other town. The state gives $50 for the first 5,000 volumes and $25 for such addi- ticnal 2,500 volumes in any library. In Cclorado appropriations of the necessary amount for libraries may bé-made by vot! Laws providing for the support of librarte are also in force in Indiana, Kansas, low: Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebrask: North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Or: gen, Utah and Wycming. FORTY YEARS OF AGE Fe coming Birthday Celebration of the Republican Party. Union Republican Club Preparing for an Elaborate and Enthusiastic Commemoration of the Event. The fortieth anniversary of the birth of the republican party will be appropriately celebrated by the Union Republican Club of this city on the evening of February 22, 189 The committee on arrangements, con- sisting of A. M. Clapp, Lewis Clephane, W. W. Dudley, Th J. Lasier, William A. Cook, Thomas C. Fletcher, Charles P. Lin- coln, B. F. Crawshaw, Alphonse Hart, Simon Wolf, W. Oscar Roome, Jacob H. Dewees and Patrick O'Farrell, has issued a TWO CENTS. THE TELEPHONE WAR|O!STRICT IN CONGRESS/THF DISTRICT BILL Ex-Congressman Butterworth <Ar- gues Before the Commissioners POR THE. COLUMBIA COMPANY Calls the Bell Company a Grinding Monopoly. HEARING THE TODAY The scramble of propesed telephone com- panies for a franchise to operate in Wash- ington is getting interesting. Three com- panies are knocking at the door for an op- portunity to divide the business with the local company. They are ihe Standard, the Home, dnd the Columbia. Since the Commissioners reported adversely upon the general proposition to charter another tel- phone company the would-be competitors have been uneasy. Several hearings ha been held, with a view to a reconsidera- tion, but up to this time the Commission- «rs have not indicated a disposition to change their action. This morning the Commissioners listened attentively io the representatives of the Columbia Telephone Company, and when the hearing had con- cluded thanked the speakers for the excel- lent presentation of their case. The com- pany was represented by Mr. Benjamin Butterworth and T. A. Lambert, esq., w Keelyng, representing the West- € uction Company, which propose to furnish the instruments, was also pr ent, and spoke interestingly of the tele phone uses and abuses, The hearing was opened by Mr. T. C. Daniel, the representative of the local co pany. He briefly expla! is designated as Senate biil 1515 i signed contracts with at present subscribers to the who would take the servi the proposed company for three y a cost nearly one-third what they were at present paying. - Butterworth Argues. Gen. Benjamin Butterworth followed. After explaining the benefits that wouid ac crue to the people from competition he saiit: “We understand that the Commissioners of opinion that no such charter should elreuler to the prominent republican resi-}iae-granted, and for the reason that there dents of Washington and: vicinity, stating that it is proposed to commemorate the important historie évent publican assembly on . The circular also states” ttt the t available hall in the city has been secured, capable of s 0) people, and that able speakers of eminent national reputation will be invited i i The committee t- the grand national epoch whic Jed to commemorate, ard at the me to rekindle the spirit of republi- an fervor in the minds and hearts of the le. To this end the cordial co-operation and active support of republicans Is asked in making the event @ grand svecess. "The detailed arrangemetts will be sys- tematically apportioned ampng several ommittecs, on finance, speakers, invita- tions, hall, printing, &c. The members of the finance committee will meet for organization tomorrow after- noon at 1 o'clock in the directors’ room of the Second National Bank. This important body is composed of Le hane, M. G. Emery, Major W. Oscar Room Lothrop, L. D, Wine, y xz T. Britton Geo. FE Emmons 8. Smith, ant, Morgan D. H. Slater. = MOTHER SOLOMON IN COURT. Held on Charge of Receiving Stolen Property. The little French woman, Mrs. Clara Sol- cmon, known as “Mother” Solomon, whose alleged “fence” was raided’ by the police Wednesday afternoon, as published in yes- terday’s Star, was released on $500 security late yesterda¥ afternoon, but her bonds- man, fearing she intended to leave the city and cause a forfeiture of the bond, had the police rearrest her this morning, and she appeared at the Police Court behind the bars cn a charge of receiving an old gold watch stolen three years ago from Frank Smith. “It's a shame to have this old woman iti here,” remarked one of the colored occu- pants of the cell. And the old woman also thought she was being improperly treated. She said she had signed a note and she could rot understand why her bondsman should have surrendered her. “Have they identified any more of the goods?” was her anxious inquiry of a Star reporter. ‘Ihe watch,” she muttered, “and the spoors. Who claimed the shawl?” She was told that some of the spoons had kecn identified, but this did not seem to. agi- tate her, for she said they belonged to a man who rented a room and went away without paying his rent. “He left the spoons in the trunk,” she said, “and he left other silver.” She told the reporter that she had bought the watch, but the shawl, which seemed to trouble her more than anything else, she would not account for. “Mother” Solomon denied that she has a daughter living in New York. Her daugh- ter, she says, lives here and was never even in New York. The blankets and bed spread she bought from a peadler. Mr. Devine of the Skoreham called at beadqusrters this morning and identified the spoons bearing the hotel mark as having teen stolen from the hotel, but just when they were stolen he could not say. The other property is still held at the de- tective office for identification. “Mother” Solornon was not taken into the court room, although there was filed against her a charge of having received the watch stolen from Frank Smith. This case was continued until Tuesday, and ‘“Mother” Sol- omon was committed. —— Personal Mention. Lizut. J. T. Conrad is at the Ebbitt from’ Jefferson barracks, Mo. Mayor Wm. L. Steele, Miss Steele, Mrs. Hardy Bryan, Miss Frisk, an@ E. C. Wa- ters, all of Helena, Mont., who assisted at the launching of the gunboat Helena at Newport News, are at the Ebbitt for a few days. Col. and Mrs. John J, Garnett of New York are at the Ebbitt. Mrs. Geo. W. Reed and Miss Margaret Reed of Pittsburg are at the Arlington. S. 8. Huntley, the prominent Montana lawyer, is at the Arlington. P. A. B. Widener, the PA es oor street railroad magnate, rrive at the Ar- lington tonight. Thomas F. Ryan, the New York banker and railroad man, is at the Arlington. Joseph Medil of Chicago is at the Shore- ham. Robert McCormick and T. Sar- kisian are with him. O. Howard Royer, one of the managers of the Norfolk and Western system, is at the Raleigi? State Senator Chipley of Florida is at the Riggs House. Wiitam Quinby, the prominent Boston lawyer, is at the Raleigh. ~ Capt. George S. Young, seventh infantry, is in thé city on Teave‘of ence. 5 F, 8. Munsford, &. §. A., retired, is at the Army ahd Navy Cfub. for a few will days, . _ Robert W.*"'Smith, Rv Or f St. Paul, 1 18t¥ street north- Minn., is stopping at west. should be but one system in a city and that it should necessarily be a monopoly; te being that two plants would cost dow as much as one, and therefore the service could not be as cheap, and beyond that that no person would want to use a tglephone that did not connect with a sys- tem that reached all parts of the city. “There is much force in this, but we sub- iit thatkft does not reach the question ee the Commissioners are called upon to de side, “It is known by all men that the [ell Telephone Company has been w monopoly and has been able to continue its exa. by reason of the ownership of pat nie re it exclusive control of the te phon ld. That in 187% on the monopoly-secure by a contract with Telegraph Compan i other companies that were in the field competitors. While that control con- tinued by reasen of ihe existence of pat- ents the company fixed the rates, not £o much with referertce to what would yield the company an enormous profit, but ap- y with reference to the abillty of hose who had ample means to pay exor tant prices for the accommodation. Redaction of the Rates. “As a résult the price paid for the use of the telephone has been exorbitant and without justification or excuse, except such as is found in the legal power of the com- pany to exact the amount. The Washing- ton company has distinctly stated to the public that it is unable to reduce the rates. If they mean by this that they have a contract with the Western Union Telc- graph and two other companies, which compels them to continue in these unjust charges, it may be true; or it may be true that, for some other reason, personal io the company, they are not permitted to re- duce the rates. “But if they mean to convey the idea that es good a system and better service cannot be secured to the people at half the price, they ere imposing upon the public and stating what every informed person can successfully centrovert. A Monopoly. “That there is manifest advantage in hav- ing a plant operated by a single company, ‘f the service is efficient and cheap, may be true, but the Bell Telephone Company has no claim upon the Commissioners of the District, nor upon the people of the District, nor upon Congress, that entitles that com- Fany to one moment's favorable considera- tion, and charters should be granted to com- panies precisely as if the Bell telephone had no exist2uce, and did not have a grip upon the purse-stvings of the people of Washing- ton. It must be apparent to the Commis- sicners that for Congress to refuse a char- ter, as prayed for, is simply to do what is, with good reason, so generally complained of by the public, to wit, to make the gov- ernment the upholder and supporter in fastening and maintaining an offensive monopoly upon the people, and that without justification or excuse. What They Ask. “What we ask is that our company shail be chartered, and for the reason that we have the ability and the means, and are ready to establish a plant and give better service at one-half the rate now charged by the Bell Telephone Company; and in- stead of there being less than 2,000 tele- phones, we shall expect to put in at least thrice that number. Touching the question as to whether two companies can operate, it mey be said that ‘the proof of the pud- ding is in the eating,’ and the fact is that difterent companies are cperating success- fully in many towns and cities, and in citics where they are not it would be in- teresting to know why competition is ex- cluded and how it is successfully. excluded. “We insist that so far as granting a charter is concerned the active concern should be in regard to the consumers—the people—rather than any chances of dis- figuring for a day the streets. We think that the community should be satisfied that the interests of the individual consumers are considered first and above al! eise; and we think that in order that that idea May obtain, competition should not be needlessly trammeled. Nor fs there any reason why a system of exchanges between companies should not be established in case there is more than one company, and in all cases a maximum charge shouid be fixed, with the power retained in Congress to reduce rates, if it shall appear that such reduction is just.” Gen. Buttcrworth gave way to Mr. T. M. Lambert, who went over nearly the same ground, testifying to the ability of the pro- posed company to carry out all pro: made in the ‘bill. Promises Mr. J. E. Keelyng, president of the west- ern construction, followed, answering the contentions made by the Bell Company, and giving the Commissioners considerable In- formation concerning telephones. the Western Union Seven Years for Forgery. NEW YORK, January 31.—Paul Brigham, who pleaded guilty to having forged the certificate of a check on the Columbia Na- tional Bank of Wasbingicn, by which the Lincoln National Bank of this city was swindled out of $6,500, wes today sentenced fe seven years in state’s prison by Judge Much Business Transacted by the Senate Committee Today. Bill to Amend the Statutes in Rela- tion to Marringes—Other Measures Fuverably Acted On. ee ‘The Senate committee on the District of Columbia held a meeting today and trans- acted considerable business of interest to the District. There were present Messrs. McMillan, chairman; Gallinger, Hans- brough, Proctor, Pritchard, Baker, Wet- more, Harris, Faulkner and Bacon, the ab- sentees being Messrs. Gibson, Smith and Martin. ‘The committee authorized a report on Mr. Gorman’s bill to extend the time for the ccmpletion of the Washington and Mary- land Railway Company, but amended the Hill to conform with House bill 4810 on the same subject, providing “that ali the fran- chises, rights and powers conferred by said act, or either of them, upon said railway company, may be enjoyed and exercised as fully and as completely es if said railway had been completed and put in operation prior to March 2, 1896." In Relation to Marringes. Mr. Faulkner reported to the committee a bill to amend sections of the Revised Stat- utes of the United States relating to the District of Columbia in relation to mar- riages and his bill will take the place of bills intreduced in the Senate by Mr. Har- ris and by Mr. McMillan on the subject. Mr. Faulkner had given the subject of the marriage laws of the District much cen- sideration, and the bill reported by him re- vises the whole question of marriage laws in the Disirict. The bill is a long and in- tricate one and was fuliy discussed by the committee and a number of suggestions of amendments made which Mr. Faulkner will incorporate in his bill, which he will then introduce in the Senate and have the same referred to the District committee for fur- iher consideration. The bill will provide that any minister who wishes to perform marriage ceremonies in the District of Co- lumbia shall be obliged to give a bond of $00 guaranteeing his compliance with the law by A single bond for this gmount given a minister will be sufficient to enable to perform the marriage ceremony for indefinite time. The bill wiil provide that before a person, male or female, can secure a license, they must, if under the age of twenty-one years, ave the consent of their parents or guard- jans. If a female should marry under the age of twenty-one then she is to have, at the requ of the next friend, a trustce appointed to manage any property she may e or of which she may become pos- sessed until she arrives at the age of twenty-one years. . Any investigations necessary to be made preliminary to the suance of licenses must, under the pro- visions of this ‘bill, be made by the court officer issuing the license, the minister be- ing thus relieved from any responsibility of this kind. This bill was not formaily approved by the committee, and if any of the ebove mentioned provisions are objec- uionable the committee holds itself ready to further amend the bill if good reason for auch action should be shown. The measure will probably come before the committee at its regular meeting on next Friday. Use of Public Parks. Mr. McMillan was authorized to report favorably to the Senate his bill to regulate the use of the public parks and improved reservations in the District of Columbia under the charge of the chief of engineers of the United States army. This bill was prepared by officers of the engineer corps of the army and has the approval of the Secretary of War. Practically this meas- ure extends to the public parks and im- proved reservations in the District the same regulations now in force in the Cap- itol grounds Mr McMillan is also authorized to fa- vorably report Senate bill 1780 to provide for the erection of @ wall around the jail of the District of Columbia. This bill ap- propriates $20,000 for the erection of the said wall, and the committee amended it providing that the District of Columbia shall be charged with one-half of the amount. ——_-_e-—___. TO SEAT MR. DUPONT. Decision of the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections. The Senate committee on privileges and elections today decided to report in favor of seating Mr. Dupont as Senator from Delaware. The committee divided on strict party Hines, being five for te four against. Majority and minority reports will be presented as soon as they can be prepared. They will be made in writing and both will necessarily be long, as they will deal with questions affecting the federal Con- stitution as well as the constitution of Delaware. The questions involved were discussed at length in the committee. The republicans held that it was incom- patible for one man to exercise the func- tions both of governor and state senator, contending that as Mr. Dupont had a-clear majority in the absence of the governor he was entitled to be seated, as the !at- ter’s vote could not properly be countel. The democrats argued, on the other hand, that the Delaware state senate was the proper judge of the qualifications of its own members. ‘They asserted that to deny the goveraor, who held the office by virtue of his election as a senator, the privilege of acting in the latter capacity would be to reverse the practice which had prevailed in Delaware in such cases for the past century. Senator Mitchell will prepare the ma- jority report, and Senator Turpie will pre- sent the views of the minoriiy. The com- mittee vote was as follows: For seating—Mitchell of Oregon, Chandler, Burrows, Pritchard. Against seating—Gray, Pugh, Turple, Palmer. . When the Delaware case was disposed of Senator Chandler made an effort to have the committee take up Senator Allen's resolution for the investigation cf the Alabama eleciions,. but objection was made and, as the hour was late, the matter went over. Hoar, e+ —______ AMERICAN CITIZEN IMPRESSED. William C. Schweder of Mlinois Serv- ing in the Pra HAMMOND, Ind., January 31.—William Carl Johann Schweder, a resident of Cook county, IIL, is asserted to he a victim of a violation of the rights of American cit- izenship by the German empire. He is doing military duty in the Prussian army, into which he was drafted last summer, and efforts thus far to secure his release have been futile. Schweder left Germany in 1889, coming to West Hammond. -He was naturalized in due time by a Chicago court. By a mistake of the clerk the pa- pers were made out in the name of Wiill- iem Shuader. Schweder returned to his old home in Germany on a visit last July, and upon his arrival at Stettin was pressed into military service. Four months ago copies of bis naturalization papers were sent to Germany, but were returned, indorsed: “The man named within cannot be found.” Schweder wrote to his father a few days ago that he was still doing military duty, and row steps are being taken to secure his release. The facts will be presented to Secretary Olney at once. Appropriations for Local Govern-- ment Discussed in the House, MR. PICKLER GETS THINGS TANGLED UP’ The Change in Regard to Street Lighting Exp'ained. FEATURES OF THE DEBATE: The House proceaded with the cons‘dera- tion of the District of Columbia appropria- tion bil! this afternoon. Mr. Grout, chair- mar: of the subcommittee that prepared the bill, was recognized to explain the meas- ure. Mr. Grout said the bill explained itself to a large degree, being an explanation by figures. He said the total amount recom- mended to be appropriated for the general expenses of the District of Columbia for the fiscal year 1897 in the bill is, exclusive of the water department, $5,225, , of which sum the general government is re- quired to pay $2,612,682.98, that being one- half of the whole. The former amount is $2,265,991.50 less than the estimates sub- mitted. The amount appropriated for the general expenses of the District of Columbia for the current fiscal year, 1896 (including $15,910 in the sundry civil and urgent de- ficiency acts), is $5,559,263.97, being $333,598 more than is recommended in the bill for 1897, and the whole amount recommen in the bill, including the sums for the wa- ter department, is $343,422.86 less than was appropriated for the current fiscal year. The amount recommended for the water department, all of which is payable from the water is $192,594 The amount appropriated fur the water depart- ment for the current fiscal year is $202,- 119.28, being a reduction @f $9624.86. Mr. Grout then read to the House a sum- mary of the report on the bill, which was published in The Star yesterday afternoon. Some New Provisions, Mr. Henderson asked if there is new seg- islation in the bill, to which Mr. Grout re- plied that there were some provisions that had never appeared in previous bills, but which would not ve susceptible to a point of order. Among these is the following: “That hereafter all rents, fees and income derived from the markets herein appro- priated for shall be paid to the collector of taxes; and no person employed by the Dis- trict of Columbia in or about the said mar- kets shall receive any fees or compensation of any kind addition to the salary pro- vided by iaw. Mr. Blue of Kansas, a member of the committee, said the provision as to gas and electric Lighting might come under the point of order. Mr. Hepburn of Towa asked if the pro- vision authorizing competing gas and elec- tric light companies to lay underground conduits and pipes is not new legislation. Mr. Blue was about to reply, when the point of order was made and sustained that the paragraph in question is not under con- sideration. No Revision of Salaries Now. - In defense of the bill, Mr. Grout said that, with the treasury depleted, the cost of living reduced and other considerations led the committee to take the ground that the appcal for the revision of salaries should be laid aside at this time. There are discrim- inations in salaries, he said, but they cannot be remedied now. Mr. Dockery of Missouri said that, while this bill is $350,000 less tha: he current law, it is at the same time ) greater thar. the bill which passed the House at the last session, and that this statement should be made in justice to the committee. Mr. Pickler Tangles Things. The proceedings at this point were tan- eled up by Mr. Pickler of South Dakota, who wanted to have read a petition relat- ing to the employment of charwomen in the departments. Although there is noth- ing in the bill relating to charwomen, Mr. Grout offered to yield to Mr. Pickler to have the petition read. Mr. Pickler refused to take advantage of this courtesy and in- sisted on being recognized in his own right. Mr. Grout declined to give up the floor en- tirely, and Mr. Pickler commenced to fili- buster. Pickler Gets His Way. Haif an hour was consumed in a parlia- mentary tangle, during which a wide varie- ty of motions were submitted, and the House finally found itself tied up into a hard knot, with Mr. Pickler having hold of the knot. The knot was finally cut by Mr. Stone of Pennsylvania asking unanimous consent for Mr. Pickler to speak fifteen minutes, which was granted. The char- women’s petition was read in Mr. Pickler’s tame. They ask that their pay, which is now $20 per month, be increased to $25 per menth. They say that the majority are women with families to s ; that the work is very severe and and re- quires so much time and effort that they eannot work elsewhere at the same time. Mr. Pickler said there are about 500 of these deserving women in the city, and he hoped the committee on appropriations would give their petition, a worthy one in every respect, favorable attention. Lighting the Strecis. Mr. Pitney of New Jersey explained the new clauses relating to lighting the streets. He said the bill will reduce the cost of the service about $20,000, while increasing the value of it at the same time. He said the committee had thrown open to public competition the lighting of the streets for “reasons considered good and sufficient.” In order to do thfs it was necessary to &rant the right to establish a new plant if competition cannot be obtained any other way. Mr. Pitney said if this is done a new company will lay down pipes and b= ready to light the city at the beginning 6f the fiscal year. “They will bond to do it,” interjected Mr. Livingston of Georgia. “Yes, they will give a_ sufficient bond,” continued Mr. Pitney. He said it was.a serious question whether under existing conditions competition in street lighting can be obtained. He said the Commis- sioners had taken into consideration the question of tearing up the streets, and he would assure the House that the streets would not be torn up for any other pur- pose than to establish a new plant. He said Congress carnot make the existing company accept any price that Congress choses to offer. If the lighting companies do not want to take the price they can refuse and put the city in darkness. Mr. Baker's Recommendation. Mr. Baker of New Hampshire recom- mended striking out the entire provision of the bill opening the street lighting serv- ice tc competition, Mr. Pitney said the passage of this clause would not only reduce the price to the city, but would help the general public by re- ducing the cost. Mr. Babcock said it would not be neces- sery to pass this bill if Congress would do its duty and require cheaper and better gas, Another company should be chartered. Mr. Baker feared that this bill would throw open the doors to enable any one,to come in here and tear up the streets of the city. Mr. Pitrey denied that they would have the right to tear up the streets at their own