Evening Star Newspaper, February 12, 1896, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY, af THE STAR BUILDINGS, 101 lvania A Cor, 11th Street,-by The Evening Star New: per Company, 8. H. KA N, Pres't. New York Office, 49 Potter Building. ‘the Evening Star Is served to sul im the eft ibseribers by carriers, on their own account, at 10 cents cple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with cdiled, $3.00. ¢ he Post Oilice at Washington, D. 0., as second-class mail matter.) {7 All mail subscriptions must be paid in advaace. Rates of advertising made known on application. No. 13,399 ‘Star. WASHINGTON, D. 0., WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 189(-TWELVE PAGES. TWO CENTS. DR. JAMESON’S RAID|NOT OUT OF POLITICS MEMORIAL BRIDGE INCREASED WATER? SUPPLY DISTRICT AFFAIRS THE POPULIST CHOICE Government Books on the Transvaal Troubles Issued. STORY OF ENGLAND AND GERMANY Narrative of the Action Taken by Great Britain. THE KAISER’S MESSAGE February 12.—A blue book upon the Transvaal troubles was issued .today. It shows the promptness with which the retary of state for the colonies, Mr. Jo- h Chamberlain, acted. He telegraphed the governor of Cape Colony, Sir- Her- Robinson, te neglect no measures to vent trouble. » British agcnt at Pretoria, the blue telegraphed on Decem- 3 that in consequence of Dr. Jam2- invasion with the British flag tlying uger had asked for the inter- Veution of Germany and France. he s. Oa me day Mr. Chamberlain cabled mson to represent to the prem- pe Colony, Mr. Cecil Rhodes, that son had been guilty of filibuster- nd that if it was proved that the red company was privy to his inva- sion the government would be confroated nand for the revocation of its and that in any case the company to pay an indemnity. inson replied that Mr. Rhodes ed to him that Dr. Jameson act- \ authority. mberlain replied that he was zlad s disavowed Dr. Jameson, who, of state for the colonies 2dd- would have he secret: ed, must te mad. Mr. sberlain also said he could see no need that Mr. Rhodes should resign the i806, Mr. Chamberlain Gov. Robinson in reply to an om President Kruger as to the ying squadron, that the no present intention of ron to South Africa, as ships had already been elagoa bay, where the foreign were lying. Hint of Germen Interference. Mr. Chamberlain, on January 31, tele- graphed Governor Robinson that there was nduced to rely upon the support of a foreign power in resisting the granting of reforms or in the making of demands on Great Britain. Continuing, Mr. Chamber- la lew of this, I beg to inform you t Great Britain would resist, at all costs, l interference of any foreign power in the rs of the Transvaal. The suggestion ermany meditated interference has een met in Great Britain by an unprece- burst of public change in her relations 1. While she will loyally dence on the subject of will maintain her position @S a paramount powe: M berlain telegraphed, on Janu- that the government of the United had been informed that Mr. John Hammond, a citizen of the United was a prisoner charged with trea- Mr. Chamberlain added: esk you to take, on his behalf, the Same measures as on behalf of British sub- jects, and to extend to any other United States citizens invplved similar protec- tion.” in later dispatches Mr. Chamberlain re- peated the foregoing instructions in regard to protecting the interests of Americans. Finally, the blue beok contains the let- ter from Mr. Thomas F. Bayard, the United States ambassador, dated January 17, ex- pressing the appreciation of the United States government at the comity and cour- tesy exhibited by the British government toward it ond its citizens. The German Stors. BERLIN, February 12.—A white book was iesued today on the Transvaal develop- ments. In it is published the first dispatch sent by Baron Marschall von Bleberstein, the minister for foreign affairs, to Count von Hatzfeldt-Wildenburg, the German am- bassador at London, dated February, 1895, with reference to the remarks of the Earl of Kimberley, then secretary of state for foreign affairs, upon President Kruger’s toast In honor of Emperor William upon the occasion of the latter’s birthday. In, this message Baron Marschall von ‘therstein declares that the German ma- terial interests require the maintenance of the Transvaal as an independent state in the sense of the treaty of 1831, and the upholding of the status quo regarding the railways and harbor of Delagoa bay. dded that Dr. Jamesya's idea that Rhode- sia was to become a commercial union or a federation of all the South African states was antagonistic to German interests. The German ambassador at London re- plied, saying that the Marquis of Salis- bury had stated to him that he concurred with Germany in ihe wish that the status quo in the Transvaal should be maintained. On Decomber 30, 1895, the Germans of Pretoria telegraphed to Emperor William, implering him to intervene to avert misery and bloodshed. Ready to Land Satlors. on Marschall von Bieberstein on the & day telegraphed to the German consul at Pretoria, saying that in case of emergency, after consulting President and, for the purpose of protecting the German consulaie and the lives and property of Germans, he was at liberty to requisition a landing party from the Ger- man cruiser Soe-Adlor so long as the dis- turbances continued. At the same time, the German minister at Lisbon was directed to inform Portugal that Germany mtended to serve only hu- mane purposes, 2nd counted confidently up- on the assert of Porvugal to land at Delagoa bay a detachraent of sailors, not to exceed fifty men. Count von Hatafelit-Wildeaburg tele- graphed on January 1, 1896, that it was his impression that Dr. Jameson’s expedition was _in every way distasteful to the British government. On the same day the German consul at Pretoria telegrapued that ali danger was over. The white book conclud»s with a dispatch from Baron Marschall von Bieberstein to Count von Hatzfeldt-Wildenburg, protesting against the view taken by the English press that Emperof William's telegram to Presi- dent Kruger was an act of hostility to Great Britain er an encroachment upon British rights. . —.__ ENGLAND AND ARBITRATION. The London Chronicle Takes Credit to Itself. LONDON, February 12.—The Chronicle, in its editorial columns this morning, claims the credit for the conversion of England to arbitration, and says: “The speeches in parliament show that we have reached the point where a solution is a certainty. The Schomburghk line is as defunct as the boundaries of Wessex.” The Daily News says in an editorial: , It is not quite clear what Lord Salisbury sftans by a mixture of arbitration and negotiation. He tried a mixture before when he offered to arbitrate only a part of the boundary ite. He cannot intend to Tepeat the dose,’ Richard Croker te Conduct the Campaign in New York Next Fall. The Most Successful Leader Tammany Ever Had—Plans for the Future of Lamont and Cummins. The bit of a scrap at the Croker dinner Saturday night merely emphasized a situa tion in Tammany Hall already known -to exist. The Star ten days ago, on the au- thority of a well-informed New Yorker, stated that Richard Croker was not out of politics, and, moreover, could not get out at this time if he wanted to. This New Yorker went into details, and made the matter altogether plain. Tam- many, he said, would have no other leader while Mr. Croker was alive and kicking. It might tolerate a substitute during a period of calm and recuperation, as at present, but not longer. The Hall in time of battle would respond to no other call but that of Croker. This stands now fully confirmed. John C. Sheehan has been tolerated during Mr. Croker’s absence abroad, when nothing was In the wind, but the reappearance of the old chief, and the near approach of an important election, develop where the heart of the organization is centered. Mr. Croker Tjust cut and come again, and everything indicates that he will do so. In fact, it Is all but officially announced that he will re- turn from Ergiand in full time to conduct the fall campaign, either openly, as of old, or by the contrivance of a proxy designed to contribute to his personal comfort, and thereby enhance his partisan usefulness. No More Successful Leader. Tammany Hall in its whele history has not had a more successful man at its head than Richard Croker. There are various estimates of the man—some according him unusual powers of this kind and that, and others holding him up as being only a grim fighter with magnetic influence over individuals trained to slavish obedience. But power of some kind he undoubtedly possesses, and that it is the kind that Tammany responds to is open to no dis- cussion. There is no appeal from the rec- ord. Every man in the Hall, from the thrifty contractor, who lives well and stands well in the community, to the sea- soned tough, who hammers the cause along with bare knuckles at the “polls. looks up to Mr. Croker, and works all the harder when he is in command. It is idle. there- fore, to leave him out of the calculation, or, taking him into account, to fall to ap- praise him at his full valuation. Will Stick to New York. Mr. Croker, upon his return to the coun- try, will confine himself to the New York situation. Strong as he is, he would not spread out well. He would not be effective as a national quantity. But at nome, where he knows all the ropes and pulls them with skill, he ought to again prove a great card- for his party. The fight in New York this year, while, of course, it will be made for everything in sight, will yet be shaped for full fruition next year. Tammany wants to regain pos- session of the city hall and the out-of-town democracy possession of the state house at Albany. The prospects for this are thought to be good. The reformers in town are dis- integrating, while Thos. C. Platt is carrying things with so high and Croker-like a hand over the state at large that a revolt against him within his parzy is regarded as certain. It is even being counseled now by his re- publican opponents. Here, then, will be Mr. Croker’s opportunity. He will return to New York, put Tammany in fighting trim again, co-operate with Senator Hill in the re- habilitation of the state machine, keep an eye on all the blunders and disaffections of the republicans, and by next year be ready to strike a hard blow. The Future Program. Interest In this program is enhanced by the fact that as the state is now arranged Amos J. Cummings is to be the democratic candidate for mayor, and Daniel S. Lamont the candidate for governor. Such candi- dates, with Mr. Croker and Mr. Hill to push them along, will make the republicans hustle. _—————— MR. CRAIN'S SUCCESSOR. Probability That a Populist May Come From the Eleventh Texas. District. Texans in the city are discussing the matter of a successor to the late Congress- man Crain. An election will be ordered in a short time by Governor Culverson, and it is expected to show how much there is in the talk of an increase in the populist strer gth in that state. At the last election in the eleventh district Congressman Crain pulled through after a hard and close fight, in which the combination of populists and republicans came nearer heing successful than the democrats thought. Crain re- ceived 17,946 votes to 16,089 for V. Weldon, the populist candidate. Even the demo- crats admit that had it not been for some doubtful border votes Crain would not have been elected Two democrats’are mentioned for the nomination by that party. One is James Wells, the most prominent lawyer in Brownvilie, who has often been mentioned for the place. The other is State Senator Debrell of Guadalupe county. Mr. Wells’ Jaw practice is a very lucrative one, and it is doubtful if he can be induced to accept @ nomination, especially when there is so much doubt of an election. The populists will again put up Mr. Weldon, if he wants the nomination, and he will receive the re- publican support. Ben Terrell, who was once the national lecturer of the alliance, may ask for the nomination. He tried for the populist nomination two years ago, but was defeated by Weldon. = To a Star reporter a Texas democrat said: “I will rot be surprised in the least if Crain’s successor is a populist. The dead Congressman was the most popular demo- crat in the district. He came near defeat, and I doubt if any other democrat can win if the populists make a strong fight. I do not know how much there is in the general impression that the populigts are almost sure to make a clean sweep in Texas this year, but I do know that they now have a geod chance to send a Congressman from the eleventh district.” ‘3 ——_-e-______ THE CASE OF MISS DAME. it of a Conferenee With the Sec- retary by Senator Chandler. Senator Chandier of New Hampshire had an Interview with Secretary Carlisle at the Treasury Department this morning in reference to the case of Miss Harriet P. Dame, the venerable war nurse, who was recently dropped from the treasury rolls because she had exhausted her legal leave of absence. Subsequently, In‘ conversation with a Star reporter, Senator Chandler sald he deprecated the effort being made to make an issue of this case. It was impos-. sible, under the law, to keep her on the rolis under the circumstances, he said, and it was necessary to secure the services of an active clerk in her place. The press of work in the office at present required it. Secretary Carlisle had stretched the law as far as he could in her case, said Senator Chandler, and he assured him-this morning that he would reinstate Miss Dame in of- fice as soon as she is able to return to the department, She is eligible for reinstate- ment at any time within the-téxt year. It is explained that inasmuch as Miss Dame — not legally be paid The Senate Passed the Bill This Afternoon, THE NATION WILL PAY THE COST OF IT One Hundred Thousand Dollars for Preliminary Surveys. THE ETERNAL CAPITAL) The Senate this afternoon passed the bill for a memorial bridge across the Po- tomac, appropriating $100,000 for the pre- iminazy surveys. The amendment offered By Mr. Blanchard Providing that the District of Columbia pay half of the cost of the bridge was called up, and Mr. Blanchard spoke at some length on. the proposition. He said no one was more proud of the,| capital city than he, and he wished to see it a most beautiful city. But when the city was younger the policy was to have the general government pay a lerger part of the expenses of the local government than it would naturally pay when the city should grow larger. In 1874 a commission was appointed to determine the relation of the general government to the District of Columbia, with a view to determining what proportion of taxation should be borne by the generel government. This commission reported, in 1878, that the gcvernment should pay 40 per cent of the expenses, ac- cording to the proportion of property own- ed by the government, and yet Congress had determined to have the zeneral gov- ernment pay half of the expenses. The ag- gregate assessment in 1878 of private prop- erty here was $191,417, and he pre- aay that this had been doubled since that ‘ime. Then in determining the value of govern- ment property in the District all the ground included in the public parks had been valued at so much per foot. This he did not think was right. Usually cities own their own parks, but the general govern- ment owns all the public parks in the Dis- trict with the exception of the Rock Creek and Zoological Parks, which are owned Jointly by the genera! government and the District, and the cost of maintaining ther is divided between the government and the District. 02, Question of Cost. Mr. Blanchard thought the action of Con- gress in making that division of the ex- pense of acquiring and mzintaining these two parks indicated that Congréss intended that the general government should not in the future provide parks for the people of the District at its experse. He said that there had been paid by the government about $2,250,000 to reclaim the Potomac flats, which had resulted in adding a great driving park of 700 acres to the parks of the District, and though this work had been done wigh a declared intention of im- proving navigation, the chief thing accom- plished had been the reclaiming of a great park for the people of the District. Mr. Blanchard said that if it were to be the policy of the government to pay half of the expenses of the District, then half of the cost of the memotial bridge should be charged against the District. But he thought a better division of the expenses would be to have the general government pay one-third and the District two-thirds. In 1578 one-half was thought to be the just pertion of the expenses for the government to pay, but a great change had taken place, and the city had become great, and the Proportion should be changed. Mr. Blenchard thought the memorial bridge should be constructed, and if his amendment shculd be voted down he would still vote for the bridge. The Nation’s Memorial. Mr. Proctor of Vermont said he was op- Posed to the amendment. The bridge was @ memorial bridge, and so far as it was a monument it should be paid for as the government pays for any other monument it proposes to build. It is, he said, built on government ground. It was not proposed to make this bridge a bridge for the people of the District, as street cars, the poor men's carriages, were distinctly prohibited. Mr. Hawley of Conecticut said he was opposed to the amendment. He said it had become too cominon for the govern- ment to charge expenses that naturally belonged to it partly upon the District. Mr. Vest of Missouri said if this was not a memorial bridge, then the District should pay its part of the cost. But if it is a memorial bridge, then the people of the country at large should pay for it. The Eternal Capital. “This city will always remain the capitel of the United States,” said Mr. Vest. “Some time ago there was a proposition to give to the state of Missouri the capital city, but even the people of St. Louis never regarded this proposition seriously. I be- Heve that if there was a vote taken today throughout the sountry it would show a unanimous verdict in favor of making Washington the eternal capital of an eter- nal republic.” Mr. Vest said that this bridge had been urged as a military necessity, and it had been said that it would enormously enhance the value of the government’s property at Arlington. If the District should by any line of argument be made to pay half of the expense of the memorial bridge, then, Mr. Vest said; by all that is right, the state of ieee | should pay the other half. The Bill Passed. Mr. Frye of Maine opposed the amend- ment. He said the proposed structure over the Potomac was a memorial bridge, and he was surprised there was any opposition to having the government pay for it. The amendment was defeated by a vote of 8 to 54. Mr. Hale offered an amendment which rmitted persons to cross thi Porecheos. ss the bridge on The bill was then passed by the Senate. ——-o—_____ Executive Clemency. The President has pardoned Samuel D. Brown, sentenced in Pennsylvania to four years’ imprisonment and fine, for breaking into a post offite. He has also pardoned J. T. Morrison, sentenced in Georgia to ten years’ imprisonment for conspiracy; and Riley Stedman, sentenced in Texas to thirty days’ imprisonment and fine, for bringing liquor into the Indian territory. In all these cases executive clemency was exer- cised on account of the bad state of the health of the convicts. A pardon has also been granted tq Robert F. Lane, sentenced in Missouri to two years’ imprisonment and fine for counterfeiting. ——_——__ ~~~. : Army Orders. Lieut. Col. Thomas Ward, assistant ad- jutant general, has been detailed as a mem- ber of the army retiring board at Fort Co- lumbus, N. Y., relieving Capt. James For- nance, thirteenth infantry. Capt. Robert D. Read, jr., tenth cavalry, has been grant- ed one month's leave of absence. The leave of Capt. Charies E. Nordstrom, tenth cav- alry, has been extended three months, on account of illness. * _Relief of Book Agents. " The committee on war claims has re- ported favorably a bill appropriating $23x,- 000 for the relief of book agents of th ‘M. E. Church South, - % Gen, Oraighill is of the Opinion That Giti- gens Oan Assist, A Balance of the Appropriation Can Be Made Available by a Joint Resolution of Congress. Gen. Craighill, chief of engineers, said to- day that he was glad to see that The Star was taking such an active interest in the movement for an increase of the water supply of Washingtcn. He sincerely hoped it would be successful, ard said ke would do everything in his power to make it so. Inasmuch as eyery resident of the city is vitally interested in having an adequate supply of water, he thought that each and every one should do what he could to bring ‘about the desired result. In the opinion of Gen. Craighill, a concentrated effort should be made at once to secure legislative au- thority for the completion of the Lydecker tunnel, there being uo longer any doubt that an ircreased water supply can be more easily obtained in that way, and at far less expense, than by,any other known method. Should Begin Work at Once. If the tunnel Is to be utilized, Gen. Craig- hill said, it would be well to begin the work of repairing it at once. He called attention to the fact that there is a bal- ance of about $270,000 remaining from the original appropriation for the construction of the tunnel, which could be made imme- diately available for beginning the work, by the passage of a joint resolution of Con- gress to that effect. The amount would be sufficient to make a good start. In case it was made available there would be no im- mediate necessity for any appropriation by Congress, as this amount would be suffi- cient to carry the work along for several months. According to the estimate of the engi- neering experts, the entire project for an Increased supply of water can be com- pleted for less than $900,000, and the sys- tem would be sufficient to meet the grow- ing needs of the District for at least a score of years to come, allowing for the constantly increasing consumption with the growth of the city. Should Be No Delay. Secretary Lamont, Gen. Craighill, and, in fact, all officials who have investigated the subject, are agreed that the: water sup- ply should be increased at-onee, and that there should be as little delay as possible in the completion of the Lydecker tunnel, in order to accomplish that most desired result, ——____-e- Personal Mention, Ex-Gov. Doggett of Californie ts at the Raleigh. E. D. Harrington of the Southern Pacific railroad is at the Raleigh, Capt. J. A. August of Hot Springs, Va., is at the Raleigh. Mrs. Carrie Schloss, Miss May and Miss Friedendurg of Baltimore, who are here to attend the Hebrew fair, are atthe Raleigh. Mr. and Mrs. Jerry W:lliams and Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Seas of Boston, amd Mr. and Mrs. Ward K. Chase of Cambridge are at the Arlington. ‘ Cora Meyer, a warm frien@ of Secretary Lamont, and a man of wealth, prominence and popularity in New York, is*at the Ar- Ungton. Navai Officer Christopher Columbus Bald- win, as he is, popularly called by those who do not fear death or seek office, and Col- lector James T. Kilbreth, both of New York, are at the Arlingto. Miss Edith Collins of New York> who is prominent in New York society, and who has been pleasantly mentioried as the pos- sible bride of Chauncey M.* Depew, is at the Arlington. Charles Counselman of Chicago, who made a strong bid to be successor to James R. Keene as a plunger in wheat, is at the Arlington. He is regarded as one of tho boldest operators in the west. 3 Edward Wetmore, the prominent New York lawyer, is at the Arlington. Henry de Forest Wickes, the New York society man, cotillion leader and financier, is at the Arlington Gen. Horace Porter will arrive at the Ar- ington tonight to attend the Loyal Legion banquet and make one of his‘rare speeches. Ex-Congressman ‘Tim Campbell is= at Chamberlin’s. Dr. Edward P. Isham, the prominent Chi- cago physician, and Pierrepont Isham are at the Shorehain. Social Boston is represented at the Shore- ham by Mr. and Mrs. John Shepard. Mr. Charles W. Hayes, who has been ser- {ously ill for some time, has recovered suf- ficiently to walk out. Mr. J. Hamilton Cruger, formerly a prom- inent member of the Washington Light In- fantry, and popular with a large circle of friends here before he went west several years ago, is paying a flying visit to Wash- ingtcn. James A. Robinson, now of Pittsburg, where he is engaged successfully in busi- ness, and formerly a most popular and widely-known Washingtonian, 1s at Page's. Misses Train, Nicholsoa and Dorothy White of Fairhaven, Mass., and Miss B. H. Train of Philadelphia are at Page's on a sight-seeing trip. Rev. T. J. Keena and W. J. McGufk, Catholic clergymen of Stamford and Hart- ford, Conn., respectively, are at the Riggs. Leo Wheat, the pianist, is at the Ebbitt from Richmond. Colonel H. B. Bristol and wife of New York are at the Ebbitt. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ayre Whipple of New York are in this city and are stopping at the Grafton. Mr. Whfpple has been commissioned by the government to paint the portrait of Senator Elkins for the War Department. Assistant Secretary McAdoo writes from Thomasville, Ga., that Mrs. McAdoo’s health is much improved, and that they will probably return to Washington by the end of next week. The leave of absence of Major Eric Berg- land, corps of engineers, has been extended two ‘months. : Commodore Edward E. Potter, U.S.N., retired, is in the city, Civil Engineer A. G. Menocal, attached to the New York navy yan, isiin the city on business before the subcommittee on the Nicaragua canal. Captain Platt M. Thorne, twenty-second infantry, and First Lieutenant Jos. B. Batchelor, ~jr., twenty-fourtit infantry, have been ordered to examination for re- tiremeni THE STAR circulates con- siderably more than’ three times as many copies as:are cifculated by any other evening paper in Washington; it has more than six times as many regular and permanent subscribers as any other evening paper*in Wash- ington, and it has more than ten times as many readers as any other evening paper in Washington. It doesn’t juggle with the figures representing its circulation, for the} purpose of deceiving adertisefs. Neither does it resort to + mail, or bunce de: to obtain business. “Tt pri exact cir- culation, and leav@s the fest to The Auditor Argues Against Pay- ment of Drawback Certificates, OLD © IMPROVEMENT ASSESSMENS Mr. Hemphill Appeals for Settle- ment of the Claims. LOCAL OTHER NOTES The auditor of the District, Mr. Petty, today forwarded to the Commissioners the following report upon House bill 4578, to provide for the adjustment and payment of certain claims against the District by draw- back certificates. In referring to the first section of the bill, which the auditor describes as “this treasury depletion scheme,” he says that the provision for reducing the penalty for the non-payment of taxes stays the pay- ment of $700,000 worth of overdue taxes for three years if desired. He says that this clause is_ more mischievous than several laws for the reduction or remission of pen- alties which have received congressional sanction in recent years, and that these laws have had much to do with the crea- tion of the enormous delinquent list which now burdens the books of the tax office. The auditor objects to the second praposi tion of the bill in question, which provides for the issuance of draw-back certificates with tax-paying power, and he said that with the aid of these certificates 1t would be possible to cancel the whole delinquent list without putting a single dollar into the District treasury. The auditor is of the opinion that the selection of the auditor of the court as the executive head of the proposed commission is bad for the reason that the present duties of the auditor are presumably of such a character as to engross his atten- tion and prevent an efficient discharge of the responsibilities imposed upon him by the proposed bill. He says that the first beneficiaries are those who claim to have been damaged by. reason of improvements madasby the board of public works; and in his opinion it would be difficult to select a class of claims more entirely devoid of merit. The auditor adds that there is not in the District of Columbia a lot or parcel of ground which, instead of being injured, has not been greatly benefited and en- hanced in value by reason of these im- provements. The auditor adds that mary of these claims being for so-called damages result- ing from the cutting down of streets have no standing in law. As to the claim of the owners of corner lots, the auditor states that what they asked is a gift outright from the public treasury. In regard to the claim for damages growing out of the de- struction and removal of the Northern Liberty Market, the auditor says it is dif- ficult “to see any great hardship in the heroic measures to which resort was finally had or any substantial ground upon which to base a claim for damages.” In conclusion, the auditor expresses the hope that Congress will reject this bill and interpose “for the future between these claimants and the treasury of the District of Columbia a barrier which neither fluence nor impropriety can surmount. For the Claimants, 3 Mr. Joha J. Hemphill argued before the Commissioners this morning in behalf of the claimants under Senate bill 1660, “to provide for the adjustment and payment of certain claims against the District by drawback certificates." The claims under this bill are of three kinés: Claims for damages to real estate by reason of public work executed by the late board of public works, claims for excessive assessments against corner ISts for sewers and other improvements and claims for losses sus- tained by stall and standholders in the Northern Liberty Market in consequence of the destruction of that market by said board. Mr. Hemphill said the claims of the first class would amount to $250,000 or $300,000. The damages on which they are based arose from the excessive changes in the grades of the streets, by which the lots were rendered inaccessible without great expenditure by the owner in raising or low- ering them. In answer to the argument that all the property was ultimately benefited by the improvements which necessitated -these damages, hé*said that the owners of many of the lots so damaged were compelled to sell them for much less than their value, by the fact that the excessive grade pre- vented them from being used as a source of revenue, and that they consequently had no means to pay the encrmous assess- ments levied on them for abutting improve- ments; that those who bought them at the sacrifice rates were the ones who were benefited. As to the second class, he claimed that many corner lots were assessed at from five to eight times as much as adjoining lots of the same dimensions, because of the unusual length of one of their sides. Mr. Hemphill said that the claims of the third class would amount to about $150,000. He said the board of pubiic works ordered the destruction of this market building in violation of law, and of the rights of the stall holders therein, who had been regu- jarly licensed by the municipal government to sell their gocds in that market, and who were dependent upon*their licenses for pro- tection by the city, but who instead were deprived of their business and property by the act of the authorities. The hearing lasted nearly an hour, and at its conclusicn the Commissioners stated they would take the matter under consid- eration, e On a Reservation, The Commissioners have notified R. H. Martin of the Northeast Washington Citi- zens’ Association that the derrick com- plained of on the parking of Delaware av- enue near E street ts on a United States reservation, and under the charge of super- intendent of public buildings and grounds. Favorable Action. Favorable action has been recommended on Senate bill No. 1416, providing for the preferment of wages of employes in cases of assigninents, executions, etc. The only Modification reconmended, however, is one to remove all legal complications in the bill. Street Railway Franchises. Favorable action was also recommended by the Commissioners upon the Senate reso- lution as to the compiling and publishing the laws relating to street railway franchises in the District of Columbia. Have Declined. “The Commissioners have declined to ex- empt the property of the Wimodaughsis As- sociation from iaxation. Adverse Action. Adverse action has been recommended by the Commissioners upon House bill No. 3179, for the erection of-a reformatory and house of detention for women and girls convicted of crimes and misdemeanors in the District of Columbia, etc. This is a bill upon which the superintendent of charitids adversely reported some time ago. . —_+__ A Notary Public Appointed. The President has appointed: Edward H. Booth of the record and pension office, War Department, a notary public for the Dis- trict of Columbia. A Oanvass of Sentiment im the West and South. Jadge Caldwell and Debs Regarded as Leading Candidates—Mr. Martin Reviews the Situation. Mr. H. B. Martin, who in part represents Nebraska in the national committee of the Populist party, and who attended the re- cent meeting of that committee at St. Louis, was in Washington yesterday. Since the adjournment of the committee Mr. Martin has made a tour of that por- tion of the country which Nes west of the Mississippi and south of the Ohio, in order to ascertain for himself and those he represents the actual prospects for the election of the nominee of that party to the presidency of the United States at the coming election. Mr. Martin asserts that he has arrived at the conclusion that there is every reason for the belief that the people’s party will be successful in November. “There is now forming,” said he to a Star reporter, “a typical American political party, which shall be composed of the farmers, laborers and legitimate business men of the coun- try, as opposed to the giant corporations ard monopolists, and I think that any man who wil) travel over the country as I have done during the last few weeks, and in- quire among the thinking people as to their views on political matters, that this party will sweep the country at the coming presi- dential election. A Confident Prediction. “I further think,” continued Mr. Martin, “that the populists, who will form a part of the great party to which I have referred, will carry every state west of the Missis- sippi river and south of the Ohio, with the possible exception of Kentucky. “The reason for this is that those sections are alrnost entirely stripped of money, and the belief is universal on the part of the people that the policy of both the republi- can and democratic parties is dictated by New York and London bankers.” Asked as to who are the men who are most prominently mentioned in connection with the nomination for the presidency by their party, Mr. Martin replied: “The first in popularity and prospects for securing the candidacy 1s, without doubt, Judge Henry C. Caldwell of the United States cir- cuit court, whose district comprises a larger extent of territory than any other United States judge in the country, and whose home is at Little Rock, Ark. Judge Caldwell is, however, favorably known in the entire section of country between Texas and Dakota, and from the Mississippi river to Colorado he is recognized by men of all parties as being an absolutely fair and im- partial judge. Believes With the People. “That of itself makes him an exceptional men in these days of degenerate judges. He is in accord with the common people on the money question; believes in protect- ing the greenbacks absolutely; favors the more liberal coinage of silver, and shares with the common people thelr opinions on the most important economic questions of the day. He is also almost the only United States circuit judge who has dis- played absolute fearlessness in dealing with the great questions which have come béfore him in the disputes between labor and the great railway corporations, and for these reasons he is immensely popular with the people of the west. “During = recent meeting of the na- tional committee of the people’s party in St. Louis Judge Caldwell happened to be in that city, and many members of the committee called upon him, and were much Pleased as the result of meeting him. ‘Eugene V. Debs is also quite popular throughout the section through which I have traveled among laboring men. His persecution and imprisonment by the cor- porations has rallied a tremendous amount of enthusiasm for him as a leader. He is known to be fearless, honest and un- swerving in his devotion to .the cause of labor as against the giant corporations, and the feeling in the west is that if Debs were nominated for the presidency the en- thusiasm of the laboring men and farmers would be roused to a white heat, and we should have a campaign like that which preceded the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1890. Mr. Sibley Thought Of. “Ex-Congressman Sibley is also quite pop- ular among a large number of people, and he is considered both in the west and south as a man who could harmonize many existing difficulties. His speeches in Con- gress and elsewhere have given great sat- isfaction, and the belief among millions of the people is that if he was at the head of the government he could not be swerved by the money power from the performance of what he conceived to be his duty. He is also looked upon as a representative of those independent and legitimate business men who are preparing to resist the en- croachment of the plutocracy and the ad- vancement of the interest of the farmers and laboring peop! “Senator Ben. Tillman of South Carolina is also considered to be an important figure amang the presidential possibilities. His plain, blunt, persistent way of putting things has unquestionably met the ap- proval of the multitude of farmers, la- borers and business men who have nearly had the life squeezed out of them by the panic and hard times. “These four men are fairly representative of the great pclitical combination which is now being formed, and which expects to elect the next President and a majority of the House of Representatives.” = 2 —____. MANY BEQUESTS. Division of the Estate of Jane A. W. Turner. ‘The will of the late Jane A. W. Turner, dated November 12, 1801, was filed today. The National Safe Deposit Company is ap- pointed executor. To Mary H. EB. Everdell of New York city, $1,000 are given, and to Susan W. Turner, a sister, all furniture, silver ware, &c. ‘The residue of the estate is conveyed to the executor in trust, the income from it to be paid to Susan Turner, asister. At the death of the latter, the fol- lowing bequests are to be paid: $10,000 to Mary Leisser Jones of Brooklyn, N. Y., a friend; $500 each to =he latter's brother and sister, Julia I. and Chandler Jones; $5,000 to Mrs. Catharine A. Smith of Brooklyn, ‘. ¥.; $500 to Assistant Surgeon Wm. G. Stimpson cf the marine hospital service, $500 to Herbert B. Stimpson, $500 to Mrs. Mary Meade Turner and $10 to Nannie C. Beard. The residue of the estate is to be given to Emme. L. Catterfeld. A codicil, dated July 26, 1894, provides that if Mrs. Smith should die before she receives the bequest of $5,000, it Is to be divided among her heirs, per stiroes, not per capita. ‘The personal estate is sald to be worth about $28,000. — Destitution in Newfound ad. ST. JOHNS, N. F., February 12.—Reports of destitution throughout the island con tinue to reach St. Johns. The condition of the residents of Fortune bay is awful. All the charities’ are doing their utmost to re- lieve. the distress. The first ship arrived here today, for a fortnight the coast having been blocked with ice, through which noth- ing could force its way. Thirty sailing ves- sels from different ports are waiting for the ice to move. — HORRORS IN FORMOSA Dreadful Stories of Illtreatment of Japanese, SOME WERE BURNED AT THE STAKE What Was Seen in a Captured Village. OUTRAGES OF THE REBELS VICTORIA, B. C., February 12.—Dreadful Stories come from Yokohama of the treat~ ment of J; ese by Formosa rebels, some correspon#®nts going so far as to say that the Chinese practice cannibalism. Early in Jenuary the rebels took possession of the village of Kelung. A detachment cf Japan- ese was sent to attack the place, and after ccneiderable opposition succeeded in driv- ing the relels off and entering the village, which was cfterward fired. # The ccrrespondent of the Japan Mail, in speaking of the arrival of the Javanese troops in the village, says: “The troops were horrified at the ghastly spectacle ef nineteen bodies of their countrymen be- headed and frightfully mangled. They were railway workmen, who had met death at the hands of the fiends. “Many of your readers may not be aware of the cannibalism that exists among the Chinese, although there is probably not . foreigner in Formcsa but knows of the eating of portions of the bodies by say ages, Or are unaware of the markets In Formosan settlements containing human flesh of savages for sale. During the out break of 1891 so great was the loss of life that savage flesh was brought in and sold the same as pork in the markets, “The miutilated bodies of Japanese were found, several of them disemboweled and with their hearts cut out. Some were found who had been burned at the stake, Charred bodies with hands and feet still fastened were some of the ctacles the soldiers saw.” ee ———__ SCOTT JACKSON'S STATEMENT. Story of the Death of Pearl Bryan. CINCINNATI, Ohio, February 12.—Scott Jackson's written statemcnt to his attorney has been given to the public. It under- takes to tell chronologically his connection: with the death of Pearl Bryan, whose deaf bedy was found in Kentucky last week, beginning with Monday of the week of the muurder. On that day, he says, he received @ postal from William Wood stating that Pearl would arrive in Cincinnati that night, He and Walling went to the two depots, but both missed her. Not having money, he borrowed $2 of Walling, of which he paid back $1.75 the next night. Tuesday, morning he received a note from Pearl at ccllege, and he and Walling went to the hotel. He saw her, but Walling did not It was arranged.that Walling should geta recm without telling Jackson where it was, Walling not having found a room, Miss Bryan went to a restaurant for supper, and to the hotel for the nigat. Wednesda: he does not say where Pearl was, except thi he told ner to meet Walling at 4th and Rece at 10 o'clock. Walling leit him to meet her, and Jackson saw him no more until Thursday afternoon at the college. To his qu ion about the news, Walling answered: “Everything is all right. well.” Jackson was at the college un’ 5:30, and in his room most of the evening. At 9:30 Walling came in and got som things from the closet, took the grip and went out. Friday morning Jackson awoke and found Walling in bed, and they went to the lec- ture together. That day Jackson had his beard shaved off at the barber's sugges- tion. Walling was out all afternoon, but came in in the evening and played & game of cards. After 9 o'clock Walling took Pearl Bryan’s grip, put on his hat an@ coat and went out. He did not return until after 3:30 a.m., “For at that time,” says Jackson, “I awoke and found he was not in, and I put out the gas and went to sleep.” Saturday morning he found Walling in bed. He then tells of their going to the college on Saturday, and in the afternoon reading of the murder in the papers. When he asked Walling if that was his case, his face turned red and then pale, but he not answer. “When I asked him what he did with it, Walling simply said: ‘I threw it over- board.’ ” Jackson then tells of their return to their room and of their plan to get rid of Pearl's cicthes. He admits that he threw a bundle into the sewer, and threw some things into the Gaio river. Semen <n TALKING FOR IRELAND. He Telis Hi Mr. Dillion Speaks of the Brief References. LONDON, February 12—In the house of commons today the debate on the address in reply to the queen’s speech, was re- sumed. Mr. John Dillon, member for East Mayo, anti-Parnellite, said he would be sur- prised if the “beggarly character of the references to Ireland in the speech” did not rrore firmly fix in the minds of the Irishmen the conviction that nothing could be ob- tained from England except by violent ag tation. Continuing, Mr. Dillon contrasted the treatment of Dr. Jameson's force with the treatment of Irish political prisoners, aen@ he would oppose the additional ex- penditures proposed for the navy, uniesp part of the surplus was devoted to Ireland, Mr. Dillon also announced an amendment to the address censuring the government for not proposing self-government for Ire- land. They were taunted, Mr. Dillon con- tinued, by the government with having lost control of the Irish nationalists in America, He regretted this loss of control and the withholding of the support they had re ceived therefrom for many years, but no English statesman, he asserted, who was anxious to solve the Irish question would rejoice that the Irish in America had lost faith in constitutional agitation. Not long ago, Mr. Dillon further stated, there was a great deal of talk about Bri ish ships blowing up American cities. 8u language, he aGded, has happily ceased, an@ the English people had learned that Prest- dent Cleveland's message was not an eleo~ tion dodge, but spoke the voice of the American nation, which was not afraid face the arbitrament of War if the Engl refused arbitration. But arbitration was te be accepted now, after America had been forced to threaten. It would have been more decent if Great Britain had accepted arbitration when Secretary Olney suggest ed it. He warned the government, in con~ clvsion, that the Irish party would resist to the utmost any idea of war between Great Britain and the United States. Mr, John Redmond, Parnellite, member for Waterford, combated the Marquis of Salisbury’s declaration that home rule waa dead, and he wanted to know what the present attitude of the Iiberal toward home rule, whether they were “a in alliance with the nationalists, and what were the terms of the alliance. ‘Te the Board of Pension Appeals. Ralph W. Kirkham of Albany, Yr. has been appointed a member of the board of pension appeals in the office of the Bee ret of the Interior at $2,000 per annum, vice John 8. Payne, deceased. * Queen's