Evening Star Newspaper, March 6, 1896, Page 1

—————— THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY, AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Peansylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th Street, by The Evening Star Newspaper Oompany, 8. H. KAUFFMANN, Pres’t. ee Kew York 40 Potter Building. ‘The Evening Star is served to subscribers in the eity by carriers, on their own account, at 10 cents Per Week, or 44 cents per month. Copies at the ccenter 2 cents eac y _matl—spywhere in the United a or Canada—postage prepaid—S0 cents month. = Cong Sheet Star, $1 per scar, with foreign postage added, $3.00. (Entered at the Post Office at Washington, D. C., as second-class mail matter.) 7 All mail subscriptions must be paid in advance. Rates of advertising made known on application. AGAIN ON THE RACK Mr. C. P. Huntiagton Closely Ques- tioned by Senator Morgan. HIS UNSATISFACTORY © ANSWERS Not Much Information Gained From the Railroad Magnate. SOME SHARP COLLOQUIES After two weeks of rest Collis P. Hunt- ington of Pacific railroad fame appeared today before the Senate committee on cific railroads to submit to the interroga- tions of Senator Morgan, who is trying to throw light upon the somewhat murky mystery of the construction and early man- agement of the Central and Southern Ps cific railroads. The examination of Mr. Huntington was to have been continued a Week ago, but he sent word over from New York that he had a sore throat, and he begged to be excused. So the examination Was postponed until today, when Senatcr Morgan resumed his persistent questioning. It would be too much to say that Mr. Huntington furnished any valuable in- formation to the committee today. He was just as evasive, just as forgetful as ever. He parried the queries of the astute Alabamian with all of his old-time clever- ness, summoning to his aid the stock phrases that have made him famous as one of the most slippery witnesses ever put upon the stand.- Mr. Huntington protested throughout his examination that his sole desire was to enable Mr. Morgan to know all that he knew. So deep-seated was this desire, this worthy ambition, that he re- peated this phrase at least two dozen times in the course of two hours. Notwitn- standing his anxiety to place Mr. Morgan on a par with himself in the matter of in- telligence the Senator showed a disposi- tion to fret under the constant repetitio: such phrases as “I do not remember, “That has passed out of my recollection, “I cannot state,” “1 might have done so, but I am not sure,” “Possibly I did, do not remember about things happening thirty-five years ago,” ete. But Mr. Morgan was persistent. His ques- tions flowed as readily as did Mr. Hunting- ten's disclaimers and protests of forgetful- ness. Both questioner and witness kept their tempers excellently well and there was an atmosphere of high politeness about the entire examination, which was listened to with keen attentio fully twenty-five or thirty people, including Senators Gear, Wol- cott, Frye, Stewart, Brice and Cullom. A Hook Returned. When the examination concluded for the day two weeks ago Senator Morgan gave Eim one volume of a report of the Pacific railruads commission of 1887, containing the ecnelusions of that body, which were not altogether favorable to the railroad compa- nies. Notwithstanding the fact that a large edition of that report was printed at the time, it has gradually and mysteriously dis- appeared, until there are today, it is stated, enly two complete sets in existence. M Huntington took this book with him to Ne’ York for the purpose of examining it, at the request of Senator Morgan, to be able to state to the committee whether or not he agreed with the findings of the commission. ‘There was a little anxiety lest Mr. Hunting- ton might forget to return the book and so contribute to the growing deficiency in such literature. But when he came into the com- mittee room this morning, surrounded by his cohorts of followers and lobbyists, it was roted with gratification by those who sym- pathize with Senator Morgan's efforts that the precious volume was in evidence. There was a delay of about half an hour before Senator Morgan arrived, and when he came Mr. Huntington made the particular point of returaing the book into his hands. A Well-Preserved Man. Collis P. Huntington is a remarkably well-preserved men. When the great es periences through which he has passed 1 the notable vicissitudes of his life are considered, it is remarkable that he bears his years so easily, almost so freshly. He is a man above the medium height, of solid build, almost massive about the chest shoulders. He weighs probably upwa: of two hundred pounds, and stoops but tle. His head is bald, but seidom exposed to vi as when he removes immediately dons a close-fitting black s skull-cap, which prevents a public bition of the two prominent bumps that have made his skull dear to the cartoon- ists. A full gray beard covers the lower part of his face, and he has a peculiar nervous habit, after speaking, of thrusting the lips forward, so as to curl the mus- tache up around his nose. His hair is not altogether white, and straggles down from beneath the skull-cap in rather unkempt fashion for a multi-millionaire. One of the most remarkable features about his remark- able is his eye. It is a cle: blue eye, kindly, yet penetrating: benevolent, yet sharp. It is one of Mr. Huntington's chief characteristics, often made a part of his testimony today, that he has implicit faith in the men around him. He told Senator Morgan tcday, in speaking of the late Mark Hopkins, that he had implicit confidence in him. He would not say blind faith, for no Tran would use that word in speaking of Mark Hopkins, but he would trust him with all he had. Mr. Huntington's eyes bear cut this assertion. They are trusting, cen- fident eyes. but it is a trifle difficult to ac- cept them with the same implicit faith that Mr. Huntington claims to have placed in all of his asseciates in the construction of the Pacific railroads. When talking Mr. Huntington is ani- mated, his gentle voice is modulated well. giving full play to its rich tones and its intelligent accents. His diction is occa- sicnally marred with that misuse of the word “done” that is said to form one of he chief characteristics of the American a Mr. Huntington used so many this afternoon that Ambrose Bierce of the San Francisco Examiner remarked to a Star reporter that Mr. Hunt- ington was more of a Missourian than a grammarian. There is also an occasional trick noticeable about the railroad mag- nate of shrugging his shoulders In a depre- catory fashion with the paims of the hands turned outward in the somewhat: Gallic style. -This habit, coupled with the con- stant plea that his is a poor memory for details, might lead the casual auditor to sympathize greatiy with Mr. Huntington in his unfortunate situation, but their sym- pathy would be wasted. Throughout the examination today the main drawback to his complete happiness seemed to be his inability to acquaint Mr. Morgan with ail of the facts at issue, and never once did he give birth to the suspicion that he would Prefer being in his comfortable home in New York rather than sitting within five feet of one of the keenest lawyers in the United States;Conaress, who was probing into the very marrow of his heart. ~ The Exxmtmnation Begun. When the examination opened at about qvarter past 11, Senator Morgan wasted no time in preliminafies, but started off brisk- ly with questions in.regasd-to-tRe report of the commission of 1887. Mr. Huntington teld him that he objected to the report as a whole, and had prepared a statement set- ting forth his objections, which he offered to read. Mr. Morgan relieved him of that necessity, however, and saved some time by putting the statement aside without reading it. He tried to pin Mr. Huntington down to an oral statement as to just where the commission was wrong in iis conclu- sions, but he was unable to do so. Mr. (Continued on Fifth Page) Che Fve nay Star. — No. 13,419. CLAIMED BY SILVER MEN THE WAR IN AFRICA THE NEWAR They Figure for the Control of the Demo- cratic Convention. Representative Terry's Analysis—The Electoral Vote and the Sinte Detegationn. e The silver democrats have been figuring en the outlook for the democratic national convention, and have come to the conclu- sion that they can control the convention. Representative Terry of Arkansas sald to a Star reporter today that unless the silver men neglected the primaries there would be no possible chance of the gold standard element getting control of the convention. Except in a few conspicuous gold standard cénters, he said, a majority of the party is for silver. “In the Review of Reviews for March,” he said, “is the following estimate of the silver states by electoral votes, prepared ty a New York gold standard paper: Alabama Arkansas . California - Colorado Florida Georgia Idaho Kansas Kentucky . Mississippi Moniana Nevada North Carolina. North Dakota. Oregon... South Carolina . South Dakota. Tennessee . Texas Utah . Virginia - Washington Total - 167 “In the column of gold standard states the Review's estimate includes Illinois Indiana Iowa Louisiana . Mickigan Minnesota . Missouri . Nebraska Ohio West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming “By counting all these aga’ figures out st silver, it 9 electoral votes opposed free silver. Not a single one of these states can properly be counted against the free coinage of silver in the democratic nation- al convention, and the following are almost certain to send silver delegations to the na- tional convention at Chicago: Ulino's . 24 Indiana 15 Iowa w Louisiana 8 Missouri . | G Chio 2B Total 2 “Taking ninety-two from the gold column of 280 and add them to the silver column, and we have 259 for free silver and 188 for gold. But, in addition to this, the majority of the democratic voters in Michigan, Min- nesota, Nebraska, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming are for free silver, and this would take from the gold column and add to the silver column forty-four more elec- toral votes, making the silver total 30, and leaving the opposition 144. I speak of elec- tcral votes because the Review's estimate is by electoral votes. You have just to double these to get the number of delegates to the democratic national convention from the several states. This will give 606 silver delegates and 288 in the opposition. “This does not include the delegates from the territories of Arizona, New Mexico ard Oklahoma, which are overwhelmingly for silver; nor the District of Colum Alaska. In all the states that I ¢ for silver a majority of the democrirs are in favor of free coinage. It is only a yues- tion of whether they will assert themseives as the majority. I count, too, the majority of the delegates chosen controlling tne vote of the whole delegation. The delegates from the gold standard states act under the unit rule, so that they get the votes cf their delegations solidly. I assume that the friends of silver are not going to have di- vided delegations, while the oppositiva en- forces the unit rule.’ TRI-WEEKLY RECEPTIONS. The President to Receive the Public Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. In order to meet a popular demand, Pres- ident Cleveland has decided to resume his trl-weekly receptions to the public, begin- ning next Monday. These receptions are intended solely for the benefit of persons who may wish to pay their respects to the chief executive. It is not expected that any person will so far forget himself on these occasions as to attempt to briag any business matter to the notice of the Presi- dent. The receptions will be held in the east room every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at o'clock, and will be en- tirely informal in character. They are in- tended specially for persons visiting the city, who otherwise would have no op- portunity of paying their respects to the President. THE DU PONT CASE. Little Doubt of His Being Seated, With Aid of Populist Votes. The statement that Senator Pritchard had expressed an opinion adverse to the claim of Mr. Du Pont to a seat in the Senate is incorrect. Senater Pritchard says that there was no foundation for the statement. He voted in committee to seat Du Pont, and expects to make a speech in his favor Mon- day. It is expected by republican Senators that Du Pont will be seated. The republi- cans will vote solidly for him, it is said, and the expectation is indulged in that one or two of the populists will vote with them, if they vote at all. The seating of Du Pont will give the republicans just half the mem- bership of the Senate. ae ae = Personal Mention. ~ Surgeon William Martin, U. S. N., of San Francisco and Maj. W. S. Stanton, U. S. A., of Oswego are at the Ebbitt. Mrs. Wright, davghter of Mrs. Admiral Davis, is-stopping at the Ebbitt. A party of tourists from New York city and Brooklyn are at the Ebbitt. Capt. George E. Lemon of this city, who is spending the winter in Lower California, is regaining his health and strength. Capt. F. V. Abbot, corps of engineers, is in the city under special orders. Capt. J. C. Ayres, ordnance department, is in the city rnder orders. He is at the Army and Navy Club. x Supposed te Be From Chicago. Mrs. Kate Jones, who was taken from the National Hotel yesterday and declared in- sane by the police surgeons, as published in yesterday's Star, is still held in custody by the police. The police are certain that she is Mrs. Kate Jones of No. 28% South Halstead street, Chicago. Her relatives have been notified of her condition. In ad- dition to imagining herself a detective, she believes that President Cleveland is her brother, and she came here to see him. Her son Irank, who Is thirteen years old, is with her at the police station, and the police ex- pect to hear from her relatives either this evening or tomorrow. WASHINGTON, D. C., FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1896-TWELVE PAGES. TWO CENTS Italian Sentiment Divided Regarding Its Desirability. MILITARY MEN GENERALLY FAVOR It Considerable Anxiety Regarding a Garrison. RIOTING IN LARGER CITIES ROME, March 6.—Among the military men there is a strong sentiment in favor of pushing the campaign in Africa to the ut- most, even if it is necessary to call out all the army reserves and send 50,000 addition- al troops to Abyssiria. But the sober-minded representatives of the business community advocate a policy of peace, even if it is necessary for Italy’s pride to suffer in order to obtain these ends. ‘The masses, as a rule, are opposed to any further sacrifice of the lives of Italian sol- diers and they are in sympathy with ‘those who favor a complete change in the colonial policy of Italy. The work of dispatching reinforcements to Massowah is being pushed with praise- worthy vigor. On beard the chartered trans- ports gangs of men relieve each other, so that the fitting out of these vessels is con- tinued day and night. The army reserve men of the class of 1872 just called to the colors, will, so soon as equipped, relieve regiments now doing garrison duty, and the soldiers thus rendered available for active service will be shipped to Africa as prompt- ly as possible unless the incoming ministry makes a complete change in the colonial pelicy of the country, as advocated by many prominent men, and it is determined to make peace at any price with the Abyssin- jans. A Garrison in Peril. The Ropolo Romano this morning refers to tne fact that considerable anxiety is felt for the safety of the Italian garrison ef Adigrat, Abyssinia, and another rreat disaster is feared. The troops, it is ad- mitted, nave only three days’ supply of provisions, and they are known to be sur- rounded by the Shoan army. Unless promptly relieved Adigrat, it is said, must fall and a further massacre of Italian sol- diers may_fotlow. Gen. Baldissera, who has relieved Gen. Baratieri of the command of the Italian army in Africa, is well aware of the des- perate situation of the garrison of Adig-at, and is looked upon as certain to spare no effort to relieve that piace. But, the que: jon which is in everybody's mind here is, will the Italian commander be able to cul- lect a sufficient force of troups to accom- plish his purpose, taking into consideru tion the demoralized condition of the Afri- can troops? Demands of the Opposition. There were a number of meetings last night of the different branches of the op- position, but nothing definite was decided upon, although a group of members of the right party passed a resolution demanding the complete abandonment of Abyssinia, as its retention would only involve a waste of money and men. The Marquis di Rudini is not looked upon as likely to yield to the representations of his friends and consent to undertake the formation of a new cabinet, with Gen, Ricotti as minister of war. The latter has already held that portfolio three times— first in 1870, again in 18s. and lastly in 1854. Gen. Ricotti is credited with having greatly increased the efficiency of the Italian army by the introduction of new armaments and reforms of various natures. He was born in 1822, and resigned his com- mand in 1482 in order to have more free- dom of action after having been chosen leader of the right party in succession to the late Signor Sella. Naturally, in view of the extensive military operations under- taken by Italy, the minister for war, at least for some time to come, will be hardly second in importance among the Italiun ministers. Rioting In the Large Cities. The rioting caused by the anger of the people at the conduct of the Abyssinian campaign, brought to a climax by the re- cent defeat of the army in Abyssinia, was continted last night in nearly every large city of Italy, although a rainstorm clear- ed the streets of the capital. At Milan a large mob marched through the principal streets, smashing windows right and left, yelling execrations upon Crispi and his ministers and calling for the trial and prompt execution of General Bar- aticri. The rioters made their way to the railroad station with the intention of pre- venting the departure from Milan of the army reserve of that city and neighborhood belonging to the class of 18) But, antici- pating trouble, the authorities kept the men in the barracks and sent a regiment of infantry to guard the railroad station. These precautions served only to increase the excitement of the mob leaders and an attempt was made to break into the de- pot. A number of sharp encounters be- tween the rioters and the soldiers and po- lice followed. The soldiers and carabinieri were pelted with stones and the points of the bayonets and swords were used to drive back the crowds. A number of sol- diers and policemen were injured and scores of rioters were slightly wounded. The disturbances continued until 2 o’clock in the morning, at which time the troops, at the point of the bayonet, had cleared the railroad station and its neighborhood of rioters and established a cordon of sol- diers about it, while guarding with strong pickets all the approaches. The troops remained on duty all night. There is today a marked improvement in the demeanor of the populace. A procla- tation by the mayor enjoined the inhabi- tants of Rome to be calin and avoid assem- blages, wh:ch would tend tu develop riotous demonsirations. Business 1s proceeding as usual, and the onl? evidences of the re- cent disturbances are the strong additional guards of soldiers on Iuty about the palace and all public buildings. : Troops Fired Over the Mob. There was scrious rioting at Parma last night. The municipal buildings and rail- read were besieged by angry mobs, win- dows were smashed, there were a number of lively fights between the police and the populace, and the troops were cempelled to fire a volley over the heads of the most riotous of the mobs. This dampened the ardor of the rictors, who scattered in all directions, pursued by the carabinieri, who succeeded in arresting several of the lead- ers of the disturbanc2.. They will be kept prisoners until the popular excitement sub- Bides. The students of Pisa invaded the railroad station here Jast evening, as a result of a report having been circulated that the ar- tery of the garrison of that place was to be transferred to Naples for s! Africa. They marched in proces: depot, shouting, “Down with Crispi,” “Get us back our soldiers,” ‘Death to Bara- tieri,” ete. The local authorities, however, proved equal to the occasion. A strong force of police was sent to the station, and the stu- dents were dispersed after burning all the ccpies obtainable of the government news- paper organs and smashing a few windows. The excitement in this city broke out afresh this afterrcon, when {it became known that the workmen and other socie- ties had been quietly at work organizing a great demonstration for tonight. Unless the authorities succeéd in preventing them they will proteed to the capitol this even- ing and appeal for a prompt recall of the Italian troops from Africa. * LONDON, March 6.—The Pall Mall Ga- zette this afternoon says it has the best reason to believe that Italy, in a few days, will raise a loan of many millions of pounds sterling. Change in the Flagship ef the South At- lantic, Squadron, She Needs to Be Docked to Preserve Her Hull — Changes in Personnel. Orders have gone-forward by cable from the Navy Department to Montevideo di- recting the return of the flagship Newark to the United States and the retention of the Lancaster on the South Atlantic sta- tion to take her place as flagship. Admiral Norton, commanding the station, will re- turn to this country in the Newark, as will also Capt. W. B. Hoff ef the Lancaster, who leaves his ship in command of Capt. Yates Stirling, now in command of the Newark. This will leave the United States fleet on the South Atlantic station com- rcsed of three vessels—the flagship Lan- caster, the dilapidated old Yantic, which is wrable to go to sea from the river Platie, and the gunboat Castine, the only modern naval vessel of the three. Why She is Recalled. The Newark is regalled to Hampton Roads, according to the statement made at the Navy Department, because she is not suitable for the work of this particular sta- tion. She is a fine steel cruiser of modern type, and in tropical waters must be docked about twice a year jt least, and some- times three times, in @rder to preserve her bull. ‘The Brazilian government has in- fermed Admiral Norton, in answer to his inquiries, that the only dock at Rio, and, indeed, in South Ameriea, capable of hold- ing the Newark will be so much occupied with work for the Brazilian government that the Newark could not be afforded ac- cess to it for at least a year to come, so the department has been under the rieces- sity of sending the ship clear across the Atlantic to Capetown, Africa, at frequent intervals to go into the dock there. This was not only very expensive, but it amount- ed to keeping the ship off her proper sta- tion for about a third of the time. ‘The de- pertment has therefore concluded to place in her stead in South American waters the Lancaster, a wooden and copper-sheathed vessel, whick will be able to endure expo- sure to the tropical waters for several years, if necessary, without going into dry dcek to be cleaned. The Lancaster started from New York some months ago for Montevideo for the purpose, not of remain- ng on the station, but simply to carry out a. draft of men to replace those who bad been on the station ever since the Newark arrived ther2, during the Mello rebellion in 893. = Changes in e Personnel. The homecoming of the Newark has caused the following changes in personnel on the South American station: From the. Newark to Lancaster, Capt. Yates Stirling, Enesigns W. H. Bullard and N. E. Irwin; from the Newark to the Yantic, Lieut. D: D. Stuart, Ensign H, L. Bisset and Assist- ant Eng'neer D. V. Allen: from the Newark to the Castine, Ens’gn A. A. Pratt; from the Yantic to the Newark, Lieut. K. Niles, Ensign I. K. S¢ymour ‘and-Chief Engineer R. W. Galt; from the Gaetine to Lancaster, Lieut. T. W. Ryan;,from the Lancaster to the Castine, Lieut. A. Knight; from the Lancaster to the Newark, Capt. W. B. Hoff and Lieut. FE. D. Bastick. = ONLY THE HOUSE IN SESSION. The Legislative and Jadicinl Appro- priation Bill Passed Today. At the opening ofthe session of the House today a Dill was passed, on motion of Mr. Overstreet (Ind.) to abolish the cash payment of pensions. The purpose of the bill is to prevent the swindling of old veterans who draw their pension money at the agencies on the quar- terly paydays. Correspondence with the agencies show that pfany pensioners draw their pensions in cash, and their familtes complain that they get no benefit from the morey. This bill requires all pensions to be paid in checks, sent’to the homes of the pensioners. . Mr. Hull (owa) asked unanimous con- sent for the consideration of a bill to rel‘eve Gen. Carlin of liability for $1,180, expended by Capr. J. M. C. Hyde in the rescue of a party of students whe were snow-bound in the Bitter Root mountains in 189. Mr. Wilson (Idaho) objected, saying that the party had deserted a‘ citizen of Idaho and had left him to die. A bill was pases@ to repeal the law re- quiring the United States district judge of the southern district 6f Florida to reside at Key West % The Legisfative Bill. The House then tegumed the considera- tion of the remalnfng features of the amendment to the legfétative bill to abolish the fee system in radi of United States attorneys and marshals. Mr. zer (N.Y. ‘ered an amendment to except the clerk of the United States district court for the.southern ‘istrict of New York from the operation of the pro- vision prohibiting a clerk of the court frem holding the office of United States com- missioner. The amendment was defeated. After some unimportant amendments had been adopted the legislative bill was passed. BARRED FROM THE MAILS. Non-Mallable Allusions to the Theft of a Red-Hot Steve. The Post Office Depsrtment has directed the postmaster at San Francisco to throw out of the mails certain letters which have of late been pouring in on Senators and members of Congress. These letters were in envelopes on*some of which was printed in large red/letters the legend: “Collis P. Huntingtom would not steal a red-hot stove; on ofhers was the line, “Corruption and bribe#y will not carry the @ay.” Two friends of Mr.dHuatington called the attention of Rostmagter General Wil- son to the matter, gnd‘shpwed him some of these letters. The mafter was refcrred to Asststant Attorney General Thomas, who yesterday rendered an‘ opinion on the oc- currence. He decided that the envelopes were libelous and. poh-mailable on that ground. Some of the enwelopes were less objectionable, being, ufpersonal and not 1:- belous. The order was not directed against these. The circulars were sent by the committee of Pa: coast citizens who, under lead of Mayor Sutro of San Francisco, are conducing the campaign against the Southern" Pacific and C. P. Huntington. Expected Nomfmations. It is understood’ that the President will transmit to the Senate next Monday the following nominations to fill important va- cancies in the Indian servic: To ‘be Indian inspectors: J. George Wright of South Dakota and John Lane of Oregon; to be agent at the Rosebud In- dian agency, South Dakota, Charles E. Mc- Chesney of South Dakota. The salary of-inspdgtors, of whom there are five, is $3,000:pér finnum, Major Wright has been the agent the Rosebud reser- vation since Jun i494, and entered the service in 1882. Lane, nominated to inted a special agent Mecofat $2,000 a year, June 2, 1898, and has-ginge served in that ca- pacity. Thege two suecexd Prov Moe Cormick of Virginia and Paul F. Faison of orth Carolina, both deceased. Micues.cy nas been on the Indian rolls for some time, and lately has been clerk at the Cheyenne River agency, South Dakota. $ TO RETURN| POLE AND POLICEMEN President Thomas’ Defiance of the Commissionerz. SEVERAL ARRESTS MADE TODAY The Comedy Enacted Around |5th Street Corner. TWO LINEMEN TREED ‘The war is cn between the Commissioners and the United States Electric Light Com- pany. Active operations began this morn- ing, but later in the day a truce was called until next Monday, when the Police Court will be called upon to settle the differences. From appearances today it would seem as though the three gentlemen who gov- ern the District of Columbia were deter- mined to find out just who is running things in this city, they or the electric lizht people. In the preliminary skirmish the company certainly got the best of it, but this morning five of their forces were taken prisoners, including the general in com- mand, President A. A. Thomas of the United States Electric Light Company, and his adjutant, F. H. Chamberlain, the 28- sistant superintendent of the company. The first gun in the engagement was fired last evening, when a force of men in the employ of the electric light company took possession of the corner of 15th street and Pennsylvania avenue and ere:ted a new pole to take the place of one already The “Treed” Linemen. there, which has outlived its usefulness and was regarded as unsafe. Some deys ago an application was made for a permit to put up the new pole, but it was refused on the ground that the company already had an underground conduit at that point, and the Commissioners, Major Powell in particular, held to the opinion that ‘there was no good reason to grant permission for the new pole. It is a crowded eorner at best, that corner of the Corcoran build- ing where all pedestrians turn into the broad sweep of Pennsylvania avenue, and the sidewalk is none too broad as it is. The old pele is just a few feet north of the corner on 15th street and within a few inches of the curbing. - Ran Up at Midnight. President Thomas made no secret of his intention to erect, the pole, despite the re- fusal of the Commissioners to grant a per- mit, and the way in which he went about it last night showed him to be a past master in the art of generalship. Ordinarily that corner is pretty well policed, and it would be no easy matter to erect a big pole without being caught in the act. Mr. Thomas chose his time well, at an hour when the crowds from the opera house and the hundreds of carrlages which blocked the street rendered the scene one of the greatest confusion. The policemen on the beat had about all they could attend to in keeping things straight across the street. A detachment of Mr. Thomas’ men came around in the shadows, bringing with them on a truck a nice, new, big pole. In less time than it takes to tcll it, they had excavated a hole sufficiently large and deep, about a foot to the south of the old pole. A few minutes later and the pole was in place. Then they disappeared into the night, and all was over for the time being. This morning, however, hostilities were resumed. About the time business men were coming downtown a two-wheeled truck loaded with wire and tools drew up to the corner and two of the.men in the party. that accom- panied it started at once to climb the new and slippery pole. They had climbing irons attached to their feet, and the task was con- sequently an easy one for them. President Thomas Arrested. President Thomas was on the scene and directed operations in person. Orders had gone forth to the police to keep a watch on the pole and make any necessary arrests, if the electric lizht people attempted to do anything further. Policeman Mellen of the first precinct was at the hottom of the pole and ordered the two men to descend. Presi- dent Thomas and his assistants shouted up to them to do noting of the sort, and un- Awaiting Developments. der no circumstances to come down until they had finished the job of transferring the wires. For this the president of the com- pany, his assistant, and Wm. W. Burnett, the lineman who was standing by the truck, were placed under arrest and taken at once to the 12th street station house. They were charged with making excavations without a permit, destroying public property, and string:ng wires without a permit. The three men were taken at once to the Police Court atid gave bonds to answer to the charges against them next Monday. The “Treed” Linemen. : Then began one of the most remarkable scenes that has occurred in a good while. ‘The blue-coated oflicer of the law directed the two men to come down from their airy perch, as they were violating the law, and he wanted to put them under arrest. The men did not see it in the same light, (Continued on Fifth Page.) CONTESTED ELECTION CASES REPORT WAS FALSE Complaint That the Three House Commit- tees Make Slow Prozress. Contestants Are Suffering at Home From the Long Delay—The Caxe of Mr. Aldrich Cited. The split in the republican convention of the fourth congressional district of Ala- bama, which threatens the re-election of Mr. Aldrich, gives new point to the com- Paint of those contestants before the pres- ent House about the slow progress the three €lections committees are making. A ma- jority of the contested election cases are as yet undecided, the contestants and their lawyers have been on expenses here urging a hearing, and the!r interests as party lead- ers at home have been left very much ex- posed. The Case of Mr. Aldrich. The case of Mr. Aldrich is quoted to illus- trate the danger existing, and to show what disaster to these men may be wrought by delay. Mr. Aldrich came to Washington at the beginning of the session, contesting the seat for which Mr. Robbins, a democrat, held the certificate. His party friends re- garded his case as a very strong 0: but till it vas advisable for him to remain on the ground and watch the corners. He did so, leaving his lines at home exposed, and running the risk of being out-maneuvered by some rival in his absence. It was known, of course, that he would stand for renomi- ration, whether he won his contest or not, but his presence at home was necessary to the proper organization of a campaign. A Riv is Nominated, His protracted absence, and the diffi- sulty he seemed to be encountering in get- ting a report on his case, encouraged one of his rivals to enter the field, and the man made so much headway he is now the nomi- nee against him of one of the two factions into which the Congress convention sjlit. Mr. Aldrich, it is true, Ny secured a re port in his favor from the elections commit- tee, but this came too late to be of any serv- ice to him at home. The result will be, as his friends assert, that unless the republi- can dissension in the district, which we never have sprung up if Mr. Aldrich ho been promptly seated. can be compos there will be danger of the district retur: to the democracy. A divided repu' vote there cannot possibly win. There Are Other Cases. But this, it is complained, is but one case. There are many others like it, and a num- ber of them are from southern states. The contestants are here, and have been here for some time. They have been ad: remain and watch the corners. Their c: are ready to be submitted, and they have Sreat faith in them. But their lines at home are all exposed. They intend to offer them- selves for renomination, but are unable to wap out a campaign at this distance, and :th so important a matter as a Congress contest here still undisposed of. They have no time to lose. The conven- tions, county and district, are coming on, when not only candidates for Congress are. to be nominated, but delegates 10 the St. Louis convention are to he chosen. They are very anxious to get home and put th houses in order, eith: selves, or make way for aggressive rivals who may have profited by their protracted stay here. : Not an Hi-Natured Complzint. The complaint, while earnest enough by no means ill-natured. It is not urged that the elections committees take snap judgment on anybody. Contested cases call for time and examination. At the same time, it is pointe:i out, there are three committees, and the work has been so divided up no one of them is srowded. The general business of the House is aw: anead of time. There is talk of aidjour ment in June. But these contesianis now on the ragged edge hope adjournment may not precede action on their cases, They all come from close districts, and feel that If obliged to gp into a new race with the result of the old race still unde- termined they would be handicapped. ANOTHER WEYLER PROCLAMATION. He Says Arrests Are to Be Made Only on Proof. (Copyright, 1896, by the Associated Press.) HAVANA, March 6.—The captain general of Cuba, Gen. Valeriano Weyler, has issued another important proclamation, of which the following !s a translation: “My attention has been drawn to the fre- quency with which the ciyi! and military au- thorities, and the army officers in the coun- try and towns, proceed to arrest citizens, who are afterward placed at my disposal, to be deported from the island without rea- sonable cause for such measures, and, hav- ing pointed out in my previous circulars the charges. pertaining to war jurisdiction and the formalities for trial, I have decided to exact, in accordance with' said circulars, that arrests must be justified with all rea- sons and proofs possible, so as to proceed with all justice against the prisoners. “Therefore, the authorities and army of- ficers will so order in every case of any one who is arrested without proofs enough to establish his guilt. Written information must be made with all the facts that can possibly be had through verbal or confiden- tial information. “These requisites will be more exact in the towns, where all loyal people must contrib- ute to them as a matter of safety, and in so doing they will assist the authorities to re-establish order and peace by co-operat- ing in a strict compliance with justice, for which a line has been traced by me. “These informations and material proofs will be sent to this office to proceed accord- ingly, it being understood that it will hold striclly responsible any officer who does not furnish the proofs required in the cases mentioned.” —.__ A QUESTION OF LAW. Should the President Sign or Veto a Concurrent Resolution? The subcommittee of the Senate judiciary committee. investigating the auestion of law as to whether the President is required to sign or veto a concurrent resolution has not yeti reported to the full committee, The question is one of very grave doubt, though thé Constitution seems to require executive action. Senator Vest, in speaking to a representa- tive of The Star today abcut the concurrent resolution of the two houses of Congress re- lating \o the situation in Cuba, said this resolution must necessarily be referred to the President for his official action thereon, as the Constitution expressly sets forth a. follows in paragraph 3, section 7, article 1: “Every order, resolution or vote to which ihe concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of adjournment) shall be pre- sented to the President of the United States, and before the same shay apke effect shail be approved by him, or, being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two-thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the rules and limitations pre- scribed in the case of bills.” This section of the Constitution is viewed by-seme of the national legislators as mar- datory on the part of Congress, notwith- standing any neglect of such course of pro- ceedings heretofore adopted by Congress. -————— Government Receipts. National bank notes received today for redemption, $339,258 Government receipts —From internal revenue, $397,666; customs, $409,619; miscellaneous, $8,205. The Spanish Minister Did Not Fore- cast the President’s Course, HAD NO ASSURANCES IN THE MATTER He Depended on the News Dis- patches. ——— THE PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT > MADRID, March 6—As a result of the publication in El Dia that the Spanisa min- ister ai Washington had notilied the gov- ermmnt that President Cleveland would veto any Cubaa resolution, a statement Was made today from an authoritative Source as to the extent of the information received from tae min’ster at Washington. It shows that he has kept the government fully advised of all actual developments, but has not anticipated action in any branch, Up to the present time the minister has not informed the government that the President will veto the Cuban resolutions, nor is he informed, so far as the gover ment knows, what the future cours of the executive authorities at Washington will be. At the same time the ministry cess to the dispatches received | agencies at Paris, London and M some.of these recent dispatches, whic! have been widely published throughout Eu- rope as indicating the probable course of the administrative authorities at Wash- ington, have borne the siamp of authen- Ucity and have heen accepted as semi-ol cial and authoritative. They have ell as by th as eorrectly fore course of the Washington author To these the Spanish minisier ington has not Wed his oficial nor has he stated that he has an ances as to the future of the Cub: tions. Statement Repudiated by the Prest- . lent. The President said to a representative of the Associated Press this morning: “I see that it is assumed in quarters that a deliverance pull few days ag> on the Cuban gues be taken as defining the attitude of 1 ministration on that subject. I wis you would say that I never saw the ment nor heard of it until I read it in the » cd Papers, und even then neglected to read all o1 it, UuppesINg it represe: more than a newspa know how S$ constructed or inspir that I am in no m it, nor in any way r “I only desire t m addition do not know whether the publicatic ferred to represents the views of 1 ministration on the Cuban quest not, and that I have never found a culty in communicating with the a manner which leaves no dout authenticity of any statement } to represent my views.” THE VALENCIA DISTURBANCE. ted to it. 8 to rporting It Was Caused by Over a Thousan Students. VALENCTA, Spain, March 6—Th ous demonstraticn which occurred yesterday was caused by the p students, who marched through thi shouting, “Long live Spain!” “Down with the Yankees!” ete. They were joined the medical and art students, and alto- gether over 1,000 young men marched to the United States consulate. There threw a few stones at the baloony, } a window, and shouted “Dowa with Jona- than!” The gewlarmes dispersed the rioters, whereupon they went to the French con- sulate and cheered for France Further disturbances are anticipated when the students ard oth ses will, if the prefect perm! take part in a big demonstration against the United States. LONDON, March - the T ‘aphs Tr s date that the attitude of the gard to the Cu- ban difficulty 1s unanimous approved in Portugal, and he quotes the Commercio of Lisbon as saying: “The proceedings of the Un are unique and nnexampled in b they a. will cause a complete disturbance of Inter- national rights unless all the nations of Europe rise and join Spain.’ SEPARATED FROM GOMEZ. Maceo and He Snid to Be 200 Miles Apart. MADRID, March 6. Official advices from Havana show that Maceo has made a hold march to the north, with a vicw to meet- ing Calixito Garcia, who was expected to arrive with arms and ammunition. After learning that the Garcia expedition was a failure, Maceo was unable to move east- ward or to reach the southern evergl: and was compelled to move west into Ha- vana province. It is believed that his pur- pose was in part a feint to prevent the reinforcements arriving at Havana from carrying out their projected movements. No uneasiness is felt at the presence of Maceo in Havana province. He has failed to effect a juncture with Gomez, and is two hundred miles from him, HAVANA, March 6.—The resolutions re- cently adopted by the importers of Cien™ fuegos, favoring recognition of the insur- genis, are regarded as hasty, as not likely e any effect, and they will not, it is officially stated, be seconded by any other importers of the island. A number of deputations have called up- on Captain General Weyler re testing inst the so-~ rds to Spain and himself’ United States Senate. The captain general “dvised his visitors to be moderate in their protests ag; these utterances. uttered in the WALL BURN ONE EVERY NIGHT. A Kanses City Business Man W Holds Spain's Fing in Contemp KANSAS CITY, Mo. Marc Archer, a well-to-do busines: skewn his sympathy for Cuba here by publicly burning 2 Spanish flag in front of a crowded theater, The act was lovdly cheered by the mass of witnesses. Mr. Archer nas a stock of Spanish flags, and says he intends to burn one each night Ul! it is exhausted, pees. HEAVY Loss BY FIRE Damage Caused Exrly This Morning in New York. NEW YORK, March 6.—Fully $300,990 loss caused by fire, which broke out early today in the Garvin building, Laight street, York street and St. John’s place. The fire was confined to the structure in which it_originated and upon which the Joss is $75,000. The Garvin Machine Company, which manufactured bicycles, typewriters and other machines, loses $175,140, and Bernard Uliman, manufacturer of embroid- ery, suffers to the extent of $0,000. ‘The Garvin Machine Company is fully insured,