Evening Star Newspaper, March 11, 1896, Page 1

. THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY, AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, | 1101 baer dr ST Cor. 11th fm by The Evening Star Newspapsr Jom posed i Kew York Office, 49 Potter Building. ‘The Erening Star is served to subscribers In the city by carriers, on their own account, at 10 cents ec month. Copies at the By inywhere in the ed States or Canada—postage prepaid—50 cents PSaturday Cuinteple Sheet Star, $1 ith iturday intuple Sheet Star, ‘per year, wi fereign postage sdled, $3.00. (Extered at the Post Office at Washington, D. C. as second-class mall matter.) C7 All mail subscriptions must be paid tn advance. Rates of advertising made known on appilcation. Che #ver y Star. No. 13,423. WASHINGTON, D. ©., WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 189¢-TWELVE PAGES. TWO CENTS. BLACKBURN’S FIGHT /*VERTISINGIN THE DISTRICT) TARIFF AND SILVER Desperate Effort to Force His Election. REPUBLICANS RUTHLESSLY UNSEATED Jack Chinn and His Men Guarding the State House. CONSTERNATION REIGNS Bpecial Dispatch to The Evening Star. FRANKFORT, Ky., March 11.—The state house never saw such a scene of disorder as reigns there today. Doors are barricaded and a dense crowd of excited men are mak- ing a din that is deafening as well as para- lyzing. The trouble began with the unseat- ing of Kaufmann in the house and the unseating of Senators Walton and James, republicans. This action was the signal for a great cry and a rush for the €cor of the house to prevent the entrance of the two unseated senators. It turned oft that Senator James was al- ready in the house, and excitement was very high, and shouts of “Stand to them™ were heard on both sides. Hot words followed and trouble seemed imminent. The cry was heard to throw the first senator over the ban‘ster who attempt- ed to enter the house. In a few minutes the excitement seemed to have died away, but trouble is momentarily expected. The Black- burn men deciare they will put James out of the house. Dunlap Kept Out. ‘W. C. Dunlap is prevented from entering the hall of the house to take his seat. He now stands on the outside entrance of the hall and trouble is expected momentarily on this account. Speaker Blanford recog- nizes Governor Worthington as president of the joint assembly, and Dunlap cannot take seat until the ballot is over. An immense crowd is waiting in the hall and outside in the state house yard, and ex- which a while ago Was at a very . is slowly dying down. e hour for joint session arrived every door was guarded by Blackburn bullies. headed by Jack Chinn. Consterna- tion reigns. How It Happened. After the house had convened this morn- ing the clerk read the refusal of Mr. Dun- lap to prosecute his contest against Mr. Kaufi At its clese Mr. Carroll arose and stated that the house had no right to refuse Mr. Dunlap the right to withdraw his contest. This, as far as the house is cencerned, he claimed, settled the matter entirely. Representative Robbins (democrat) de- elared that nobody could compel Dunlap to do what he did not want to ¢o. ‘The speaker said in deciding the question that it was one for the commonwealth to decide. The contest had been conducted legally. All the forms of law had been observed and the chair holds that it was perfectix competent for Dunlap before the ease had been prosecuted to the end to have abandoned the contest, but that he had no such right after the case had been tried. : A vote was then ordered on the minority report of the Dunlap-Kaufman case to the effect that Dunlap is, and Kaufman is not, entitled to the seat now held by Kaufman. Poor and Edrington (populists) voted with the democrats. The republicans voted solidly to unseat, and the mincrity report was adopted by the vote of 49 to 46. The announcement of the vote caused much excitement among the democrats, who had net expected such a result. Democratic Reta) ion. As soon as the news of the action of the house reached the senate Senator Goebel Jumped up and moved the adoption of an amendment to rule 8. The motion was seconded by Bronston, amid the wildest confusion. The chairman refused to put the motion, and kept up a continual and loud Tapping of his gavel. The clerk read the amendment. The chair declared that the proceedings were revolutionary, and a scene of riot ensued. Senator Bronston waved his arm frantically, and shouted to the clerk to call the roll. Senator Jones moved that the Senate ad- journ. Amid the wildest excitement the lieutenant governor put the motion, and the republicans voted aye in a body. The Meutenant governor declared the senate ad- journed, and together with the republican members left the ch in a body. The report of the committee on elections was a. The roll was called, and Iton and James were declared in- elizible to seats in the senate by a vote of 21 to 0 Senator Walton declared that the pro- ceedings were revolutionary, and that he would not Senator Bronston de- nounced him, ar wore that neither James nor Walton should ever get in the joint as- sembly to vote. Only prompt interferen: vented a personal diificulty Violence Immfinent. A crowd is at the deor of the house chamber to preveat the entrance of either James or Walton, and serious trouble seems unavoidable. Many men were arm: and the skghtest outburst may preci @ tragedy. - e Dr. Jemex succeeded in leaving the senate r before its vote to unseat him was en, and entered the house. Senator ulton was not so fortunate, and he is re- fused adm tiance. On oe side of the door leading into the house chamber stands the sergeant-at-arms ef the house, while on the of friends pre- other stands the sergeant-at-arms of the senate, Jack Coinn, Jim Williams, and sev- e al other The crowd in the corridors 1 below in the haliways is greatly ex- ted, 2nd is hard to restrain. The democratic leaders now claim that as two senators have been unseated in the senate, and the house has not yet seated Denlap, that they will elect a Senator. See BISHOP HURST FOR FREE CUBA. His Speech in the Philadelphia Meth- odist Conference. PHILADELPHIA, Pa., March 11.—The 108th session of the Philadelphia confer- erce of the Methodist Episcopal Church began today in the Diamond Street Meth- odist Church, this city, Bishop John F. Hurst, D.D., LL.D., of Washington presid- ing. The only business of importance transacted was the unanimous adoption of @ resolution which prevents the transfer of a minister to this conference without a corresponding transfer from it. Bishop Hurst, in his opening address, dwelt briefly upon the missionary work of the Methodist Episcopal Church through- out the world. He spoke upon the Cuban question, and ceclared that if it was with- in bis power he would free the island within five minutes. This remark was greeted with applause. “Cuba has as muca right to enjoy liberty,” he said, “as does Mexico. The conditions are the same.” Reference was made to the deplorable con- .dition of the Armenians. ee New Jersey Conference. BRIDGETON, N. J., March 11.—The sixtieth session of the New Jersey annual conference of the Methodist Episcopal Churen began here today, Bishop Joyce of Shattanocga presiding. The Treasury Department Opposed to the Bill Recently Introduced. Acting Secretary Wike Gives the Rea- sons Why Its Provisions Are Not Deemed Desirable. ‘The verdict of the Treasury Department has been rendered agafhst the bill recently introduced in the Senate (S. 2127) which proposes that hereafter all official adver- tising In the District shall be placed in only one daily newspaper published in Woeshington, which shall be selected after proposals have been made and bids have been submitted, the contract to go to the lowest bidder. The bill was referred to the department and today Senator Mc- Millan received a reply from Acting Sec- retary Wike as follows: “I am of the opinion that the interests of this department are better subserved under existing law, which, although sub- ject to great objection, leaves the selection of advertising mediums to the head of ‘he department. The objections to the Dill may pe stated as follows: It is not con- sidered that one paper would in all cases furnish a sufficient medium, and, as any ene paper which, under the bill, would be required to be used might not be seen at all by the class of bidders it is desired to reach, it is obvious that a discretion should be left to the head of a department as to the paper or papers he may think proper to employ. The existing statute is open to objection. “It provides that all advertising required by existing laws to be done in the District of Columbia by any of the departments of the government shall be given to one daily and one weekly newspaper of each of the two political parifes, and to one daily and one weekly neutral newspaper. It is thing of a problem to find in the I of Columbia one daily and one ne per of each of the two principal political parties, and one daily and weekly neutral newspaper; indeed, it is frequently difficult to find thé six newspapers the statute requires to be used, and it is more than apparent that when the department succeeds in finding all the papers so re- quired some among the number are rot desirable for advertising purposes. It Is respectfully suggested that the act of Jan- uary 21, 1881 (the existing law), be repeal- ed, and that the heads of department be empowered to authorize the publication of advertisements required by law to be done in the District in such daily newspapers, not exceeding three in number, and not More than two of which shall be of the same political party, as will secure the most advantageous publicity regarding the subject matter of such advertisements. i = DOCKING THE INDIANA. The Event Will Not Probably Take Place Until Friday or Saturday. The accident to the machinery of the battle ship Indiana, although comparatively slight, was suflicient to cause a change in the plan of putting her in the new dry dock at Port Royal, S. C., Thursday next. Rep- resentative Elliot of Scuth Carolina had an interview with Secretary Herbert on the subject yesterday. He said his people want- ed to celebrate the event in fitting style, but in order to do so it was necessary to know exactly when it would take place. Secretary Herbert informed him of what had been done to repair the damage, and said that if all went well, as was confident- ly expected, the Indiana would be entirely ready for docking Friday morning at 8 o'clock. The Ind‘ana sailed from Hampton Reads yesterday. It would be impossible to dock her on Thursday, but there is ev- ery reason to believe it can be done the following morning. There are too many considerations of wind and water involved to fix absolutely upon any particular time. In view of the Secretary's statement, Rep- resentative Elliot telegraphed the citizens’ committee at Port Royal to make their arrangements for Friday morning, but to ke prepared for a postponement of the docking until Saturday. Mr. Elliot said the laboring people of South Carolina, espe- cially the negroes, were very superstitious, and never started any undertaking on Fri- day if they could possibly avoid it. There- fore, they might not take kindly to the dccking of the warship on that day. Nevertheless, every effort had been made to insure the success of the undertaking, so far as the citizens were concerned. It will be made an important event, and many prominent people will be present, including the Secretary of the Navy and the gov- ernors of Indiana, Georgia and South Caro- lina, and possibly the governor of North Carolina. ———_o—_____ BITTERNESS AT FRANKFORT. Feelings Arouxed by Senator Weis- singer's Hiness and Death. Special Dispatch to The Evening Sta FRANKFORT, Ky., March 11.—There ts no question that the struggle which Sen- ator Weissinger went through for the last month preyed upon his mind and his nerv- ous system, and his changed condition was noticeable to his friends. Senator Weis- singer was a man of exceedingly high sense of character, and the anathemas and abuse heaped upon him by his opponents drove him to his bed, and now to his grave. This is the opinion of his physician, Dr. » Who gives it out that the pain was in the heart rather than coming from the deep cold that he had contracted. Senator Welssinger, the leader of the sound money cause on the democratic side, has gone, but his spirit still lives to en- courage and stimulate the four men who stood so faithfully by him. Senator Blackburn can never be elected now, and his hope of further continuing the deadiock is almost past. The treatment of Senator Weissinger by the Blackburn forces in the hour of death will ever linger in the breasts of his friends and cannot help but enter into the succeeding ballots. The feeling of resentment from Mr. Weis- singer's aged motker for the insults to her son from the Biackburn manegers is so strong that it will certainly have much to do with the following senatorial bailots. It is said that Senator Stephenson, who is a sound money man and chairman of the democratic joint caucus, knelt in prayer by the bedside of the dying man,and pledged kis mother that he would take the place of Senator Weissinger in the interest of the economic principle which was dear to him. Weissinger’s last request was for his as- sociates to stand firm for sound mioney, and his last words were: “I was right.” A Year on Probation. The President has acted on another naval case that has been before him for a long time. It is that of Lieut. Thomas Stevens, who was examined a year ago for promo- tion to the grade of lieutenant commander. The board reported him morally and phy- sically qualified, but professionally dis- qualified. The President has directed that Lieut. Stevens be placed on probation for a year, at the expiration ef which period he will be again examined for promotion. If he then fails to meet the requirements, he will be dropped from the rolls. Other- wise, he will be promoted. Pending re-ex- amination, Lieut. Stevens will retain his present number in his grade. He has al- ready lost nine numbers, and stands a chance of losing more. ———+2-+—____ Few Calicd om the President. Owing to the bad weather there were not more than a hundred persons in the east room this afterncon when the Pres- ident came down to hold his regular tri- weekly reception to the public. The next reception will take place Saturday o'clock. PS @hio Republicans Declare for Mc- Kinley and Bimetallism. BUSHNELL HEADS THE DELEGATION Perfect Harmony Marks the Work of the Convention. THE STATE TICKET eS COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 11.—The Grand Opera House was unable again today to give admission to more than-half of those holding tickets and wearing badges with McKinley's picture thereon. Some of the delegates to the republican state conven- tion, which was to have assembled at 10 a.m., were crowded out. With a heavy snew falling, standing room on the outside was not as desirable as yesterday, and tkere was much complaint about the ca- pacity of the hall. It was 10:15 when Sena- ter-elect Foraker called the convention to order. At that time the stage was crowd- ed with Ohio Congressmen and other party leaders. Ex-Secretary Charles Foster had a seat near the presiding officer. After prayer by Rev. Mr. Lawrence the com- mittee on credentials reported in favor of seating the committee delegation from Muskingum as against the mass conven- tion delegation. The report was adopted, with a resolution against county commit- tees assuming the power in the future of appointing delegates. No other contests Were reported. The temporary organization of the con- vention was unanimously made the per- manent organizat:on, when Chairman For- aker briefly acknowledged the double honor, and the convention proceeded with busi- ness. The report of the committee on rules and order of business changed some prece- dents in the order of nominations, and dis- cussion was precipitated on an amendment to have the nom‘nation for food and dairy commissioner come last on the list. The amendment was lost and the report adopted. Congressman J. M. Taylor, chairman of the committee on resolutions, reported the following platform, which was greeted with frequent applause and adopted: The Piatform. The republicans of Ohio congratulate the people of the country upon the growth of republican scrutimeat, as evidenced by the signal victories of the last three years, which assure a glorious national triumph in the coming election. We denounce the democratic administra- tion ds the most destructive and disas- trous the history of our country has ever known. It has not only disappointed the expectations of the country, but has justly forfeited the confidence and support of its own party. We affirm our adherence to the principles of the republican party as defined by the na- tional convention in 1892. We are faithfully wedded to the great principle of protection by every tie of party fealty and affection, and it is dearer to us now than ever before. It has more de- voted supporters among the great masses of the American people, irrespective of party, than at any previous period in our national history. It is everywhere recog- nized ard indorsed as the great, master- ful, triumphant American principle—the key to our prosperity in business, the safest prop to the treasury of the United States and the bulwark of our national independ- ence and financial honor. Denouncing the Wilson Tariff. We denounce the present tariff law as the sublimated product of democratic ig- norance and incompetency, bringing as it has, to a prosperous and happy people, a period of unprecedented adversity and dis- tress from which nothing but a return to the policy of protection can relieye it. We denounce the free wool provision of the present tariff law as an unjust di: crimination against an important industry and against a large part of our people, and demand such protection for sheep ‘hus- bandry as will secure fair price for Ameri- can wool. ‘The republican party stands for a reci- procity that reciprocates, and which does not yield up to another country a single day’s labor that belongs to the American workingman. It stands for international agreements which get as much as they give, upon terms of mutual advantage. It stands for a foreign policy dictated by and imbued with a spirit that is genuinely American; fcr a policy that will revive the national traditions and restore the national spirit which carried us proudly through the earlier years of the century. It stands for such a policy with all foreign nations #s will insure both to us and to them jus- tice, good faith, dignity and honor. The Monroe Doctrine. It stands for the Monroe doctrine as Monroe himself proclaimed it. It stands for a commercial policy that will whiten every sea with the sails of American vessels flying the American flag and that will protect that flag wherever it floats. It stands for a fiscal policy opposed to debts and defic‘ts in time of peace. It stands for a fiscal policy opposed to debts and deficits in time of peace, and favors the return of the government to a debt-paying policy and opposes the contin- uance of the debt-making policy. It is too plain for argument that tie public credit and commercial interests of the country require the revenues of the government to be amply sufficient for the public expendi- tures at all tiraes, without danger of deficit, and to that end Congress should without Gelay make due prevision. Bimetallism Declared. We contend for honest money, a currency of gold, silver and paper with which to Measure our exchange that shall be as sound as the government and ag untarnisn- ed as its honor, and to that end we favor bimetallism, and demand the use of both gold and silver as standard money, either in accordance with a ratio to be iixed by an international agreement, if that can be obtained, or under such restrictions and such provisions to be determined by legis- lation, as will secure the maintenance of the parities of values of the two metals, so that the purchasing and debt-paying power of the dollar, whether of silver, gold or paper, shall be at all times equal. We denounce the present administration of the pension bureau for its betrayal of the interests of the Union soldiers, and we pledge anew the veterans of the republic a watchful care and recognition of their just claims upon a grateful people. The people have triumphantly elected Gereral Bushnell to the governorship; the general assembly have emphatically in- 4orsed the people’s choice for United States Senator, Governcr Foraker, and we con- gratulate the republicans of Ohio that to- day has completed the fulfillment of all their pledges made by their last conven- tion. MeKiniey Indorsed. ‘We: honor the eminent sors of other states, whose splendid services and high character have justified their presentation to the American people as candidates for the presidency, and we assure republicans everywhere that whoever may lIead the republican hcats, Ohio will contribute her sare to the swelling tide of victory in No- vember. The people of Ohio take sat@j&ction in the expressions coming from every section of our common -coumtry, ‘of popular ap- proval of their distinguished fellow citizen, Wm. McKinley, the great advocate of pro- tection, who has all his life stood for Amer- ica, its fectories, its farms, its firesides, finds his reward in the confidence and af- fection of the people; Whose interests have been his constant re. The republicans of Ohio pledge him anew the absolute, loyal ard unswerving support of his state at the national convention, and instruct the delegates chosen to Tepresent Ohio to re- deem this pledge. Delegates-at-Large. Col. W. C. Cooper of Mt. Vernon, ex- member of Congress, was then introduced, and presentcd in an eloquent and stirring speech the names of Gov. Asa S. Bushnell, Senator-elect J. B. Fotaker, Congressman C. M. Grosvenor and Mark Hanna for dele- Gates-at-large fronw Ohio to the St. Louis convention. He offered the following, which was adopted: “Resolvei, That Asa S. Bushnell, Joseph B. Foraker, Charles H. Grosvenor and Mar- cus A. Hanna be, and they are hereby, elected delegates-at-latze ‘from the state of Ohio to the republican national convention at St. Louis, and they are instructed by the republicans of Oh‘'o to vote and work for the nomination of Wm. McKinley, jr., for President of the United States.” Robert M. Nevin of Dayton, in a rousing McKinley speech, presented the names of Dr. J. E. Lowes of Dayton, Senator Charles Fleischmann of Cincinnatl, ex-Senator John P. Green of Cleveland and Congressman John N. Taylor of New Lisbon for alter- nates-at-large. ‘The rules were suspended and the four were selected by act ic of the Sandusky Regis:er, and Albert C. Loug- las, jr., of Chiliicothe as candidates for electors-at-large. The rules were suspendel and they were nominated by acclamation. State Officers Nominated. The roll of eighty-six counties was then called for nomination far state officers. The names of Charles Kinney of Scioto, Gen. A. T. Wikoff of Franklin and E. W. Doty of Cuyahoga were presents for the nemination fer secretary of stat>. The ballot resulted: Doty, 206; Kinney, Wikoff, 217. Necessary to eneice, 425. Kin- ney’s nomination was made un:pimous. Marshall Williams of Fay present incumbent, was renominate] for sup: judge by acciamation under a susp. of the rules. ADJOURNMENT PROSPECTS Congress Will Probably Finish all Routine Work by the Middle of May. Unless there is some upknown reason for delay, it is believed that Congress may he through with all the routine of the session before the middle of May. All of the ap- propriation bills can be got out of the House by the first week in April. A month later they may all have heen-sent to the President. A much lo.ger delay than that can only be by design, and there is not now any indication of such a design in any quarter. The urgent deficiency, which carried much that ordinarily goes in the general deficiency bill; the army bill, the diplo- matic, the Naval Academy, and the pension appropriation bills have alreajy become laws. The agricultural bill is in conference. ‘The Indian and legislative biils are in the nittee. 2 post office bill is expecied to pass the House today. The fo ications and naval bills are ahout ready to report from the House com- mittees, The sundry civil has been taken up in the committee, and will be ready to report in about.ten days. The general deficiency bill, which comes last, is not expected to oc- cupy nich time. The District of Columbia is completed, except as to the provision for charities, for the recasting cf which the bill was recommittzed. The only bill that is hanging fire in com- mittee is the rivers and harbors appropria- tion. This will provably not be out of the committee for two weéks, and it may be held much longer. At the beginning of the session the intention was to cut this bill down very low, but it has grown in the hands of the committee until it promises to be quite as large as that of the last Congress. All the other appropriation bills Sl probably be disposed of before it is, nd it is a question whether Congress could be kept im session by it if delayed long, in view of the opposition to its carrying so much. There promises to be a lively con- flict over it, and the: economists might be glad to see it fail of passage at this ses- sion if it cannot be cut down. ——_ 2+ —___—_ A FREE LIBRARY CONFERENCE. The Senate Refuses: to Concur in the House Amendment. Yesterday afternooy the bill establishing a free public library in this city, which was passed by the House Monday, was laid be- fore the Senate by th2 Vice President, and on motion of Mr, Galinger, the Senate voted to non-conctr in the.House amend- ment, which places all of the cost on the District. The Senate will probably res'st this proposition stoutly, and the bill now goes to conference, there to be discussed as to this point by representatives of the two houses. The Vice President yesterday appointed) Senators McMillan, nsbrough and Wetmore, the subcoinmi:- tee in charge of the measure in the District committee, to be the conferees on the part of the Senate. The message from ihe Sen- ate announcing its action was laid before the House just before adjournment, but no action was taken. The Hawatian Cable. The Senate committee on foreign rela- tions today resumed consideration of the bills providing for a telegraphic cable line between this country and Hawaii, but ad- jJourned without taking! action or arriving at any definite conctusioh. It was made apparent that a majority 6f the committee are favorable to granting government aid in the construction ofa ‘cable, but it is not clear whether they cam unfte upon either of the proposed lines te: the exclusion of the other. Senators Gray, Turple and Mills of the committee are opposed to granting a subsidy. The committee i# disposed not to rush the question to° a speedy conclusion, as it is a matter whieh i@volves atiention to many details. a ———_-+--—_____ To Investigate ‘the Cuban War. Senator Allen of NéBraska today intro- duced a joint resolution it the Senate ap- propriating $20,000 for an investigation into the Cuban war, to be matle by the Presi- dent. The resolution ’reqvests the President to direct the investigation especially toward ascertaining whether ‘th war “is in accord- ance with the established rules of civilized warfare, and whether cr not unusual and exceptional crvelities, barlarities and atroc- ities are, and have been, practiced by either party toward the other, and particularly toward non-combatants.” Personal Major General 0. who is. engaged , ix some time’ today eangulting authorities in the library of the Department. « Colonel Peter €: Hping and Captain Thos. ‘W. Symons, corps gf engineers, are in the city on official busin: zZ Lieutenant E. A. ‘Mullan, third artillery, is in the city on leave of absence. Assistant lin: has returned to Washington from w business trip to New York and Boston, lention. Howard, retired, terary work, spent FOR ELECTRICITY/TAKEN INTO COURTIBOTH SIDES HEARD Possible Change in Motive Power of Capital Traction Company. CHEVY CHASE POWER HOUSE Investigations and Experiments Now Being Made. SPEED A NECESSITY ae So ee Interesting developments are expected in an electrical way from the Capital Trac- tion Company. According to the talk which is currrent on the streets and in cir- cles that are usually weil informed on such thatters, the board of directors of the Capital Traction Company are at the pres- ent timé giving prolonged and earnest at- tention to the subject of electricity as ap- plied to the movement of cars. It is said that one result at least of the thought and study which the directors are said to be devoting to this matter will be of consider- able interest to the public, not perhaps im- mediately, but in the near future. It is asserted by these whose opinions are entitled to some respect, that ultimately the entire system now under the manage- ment of the Capital Traction Company will be operated by electricity of the un- derground variety. At present, however, the dcliberations of the directors are cur- rently believed to be confined to a con- sideration of the best plan of increasing the electric current for the Chevy Chase branch of the line. As is well known, the cars on this division from Boundary and 18th streets to the terminus at “the lake” are operated by overhead wires, and the current is supplied from a power house which is located at the northern end of the line. ‘ That portion of the road running along U street from 7th to 18th streets is operated by the urderground electrical system, the current being suplied from a power house which 43 at 17th street. It is stated that owing to the increased travel the electric current for the suburban section of the road is rot sufficient, and it is understood that the directors are con- sidering, or have been considering, the advisabi:ty of leasing power and doing away with the power house at the end of the line, or else increasing the capacity of the present plant. It is further said in the current talk or the subject that when the extensions asked for by this company are secured they will be operated by the underground electric system, and in that case, unless other arrangements are made, @ new power house will have to. be erected in some central locality. In view of these probable changes in the near future it is thought that it will not be unlkely that the determination will be reached to piace electric wires in the con- dults of the cable road, thus operating the entire system by electricity. There are other reasons which are advanced in sup- port of this belief, one being the compeii- tion between the Capital Traction Co. and the Metropolitan Company when the rapid transit system ef the latter road is in operation. It is said that the rate of speed of the latter road will be much greater than that of the cable, and if there was nothing else, it is said that this one consideration will induce the management of the Capital Traction Co. to make the change. ——.__ DISTRICT IN CONGRESS. The Sunday Rest Bill. Mr. McMillan today introduced the Sun- day rest bill, similar in its general terms to that heretofore introduced in the House by Mr. Wellington. The Falls Charch Railway. Mr. Meredith introduced in the House a bill authorizing the Falls Church and Po- temac Electric Railway Company to extend Its nes into this city. The bill is an amendment to a pending measure designed to carry some changes suggested at the recent hearing before the District com- mittee. Quarters for the Geological Survey. The Secretary of the Interior has asked the House committee on appropriations for @n appropriation of $1,200 to rent additional qvesters for the geological survey in this city, for the accommedation of the en- graving and printing branch of the bureau. ——_—_—-- 2 +__ ashington Irving’s Nephew Dend. The United States consul at Birmingham, England, has informed the State Depart- ment of the death of Mr. Irving Van Wart, a nephew of Washingion Irving. Mr. Van Wart was a retired merchant, and was nearly ninety years of age at the time of his death. He was born in New York, but was in business for many years in LBir- mingham. + Accidental Death. This afternoon Coroner Hammett held an inguest in the case of Charles E. Jenkins, the car wiper, who was killed between two freight cars in the New Jersey avenue yard two days ago, as published in The Star at the time. The deceased was dead, and-was in a standing position when found, and it is supposed that he was caught between the cars while attempting to cross the tracks. There was no direct evidence as to how the affair actually oc- curred, and the jury rendered a verdict of accidental death. zon ee Suspected Grave Robbers. Thomas Bowie, colored, was taken in custody yesterday by the officers of the sixth precinct on suspicion of having been implicated in the recent grave robberies here. He was turned over to the cfficers of the fourth precinct, who made the other arrests, and will be held until the express officials can see him for the purpose cf identification. He denies that he was im- plicated in the case with Marlow and Jones, who were arrested at the time the attempt was made to ship the vodies to Hanover, N. H. ————— Read the Parthenon Inscription. ITHACA, N. Y., March 11.—A letter has been received from Miss Nellie M. Reed, who holds the Correll traveling scholar- ship at the American Classical School in Athens, Greece, in which she states that E. P. Andrews, also an American student there, has succeeded in interpreting the inscription on the arch of the east front of the Parthenon, which hitherto has been an unsolved problem. —<——_ Cuban Patriots Pronecuted. NEW YORK, March 11.—General Calixio Garcia, Captain Samuel Hughes, John D. Hart, Captain John Brabazon, Bernardo J. Bueno and Bénjamin J. Guerra of the Ber- muda expedition were today indicted by. the federal grand jury for taking part in an armed expedition contrary to the neu- trality laws. All were in the federal building except Guerra, who is sick, when the indictments were reported. ———__ Went Down. WELLFLEET, Mass., Mafch 11.—The schooner Wyman of Boston, cargo, sand, from Gayhead, for Boston, sprung a leak off here this morning and went down. The crew of four escaped in a boat. United States Electric Light Company Apply for an Injunction. The Work That Was Stopped Yester- day by the Commissioners’ Orders —Permit Was Granted. The United States Electric Lighting Com- peny today filed a petition in the Equity Court praying that the District Commis- sicners and Maj. Wm. G. Moore, the su- perintendent of the District police force, be restrained from in any manner interfer- ing with or preventing the company from placing wires in a conduit built by the company from 15% street to the bureau of ergraving and printing. As stated in The Star, the company were arrested in this work yesterday, the police taking four of the company’s <«=mployes, who were engaged in laying the wires in the conduit on B street, in custody, and requiring them to give collateral tor their appearance in the Police Court to answer a charge of unlawfully occupying public space. The petition recites that in ISS7 the company contracted with the United States to supply the bureau with cle-tric lighting, and that the bureau has ever since been wholly dependent upon = such lighting. About the 9th of November, 1887, it is stated, the Commissioners granted the com- pany a permit to lay a conduit from 13% and B streets, along B to 14th, thence to the bureau. The conduit was built ani the wires placed therein; but, it becoming impatred, the company applied the 17th of lest month for permission to replace the conduit with a two-way one. Such per- mission was granted four days later, the permit being &s follows: “Permission is hereby granted the United States Lighting Company to replace electric conduits cn the south side of B street northwest be- tween 13th and 14th strects, and on east side of 14th street between B street north and B street south, and located ou the Ime_ now occupied by the old ones. “This permit expires March 1896."" Work under this permit was carried on as expeditiously as possibie, the company asserts, the cld cables being laid tem- porerily on the pavement, and when the rew conduit was completed the company proceeded to place therein the new cables. This work was interrupted yesterday by the police. The company explains that the conduit has no connection with tae prem- ises of any other customer or consumer, and that it is intended only for .the pur- pose of supplying the bureau of engraving and printing with tric Hghis, and that the stoppage of the work will greatly Gam- ege the company and be a ment to the business of the United States. The petitioa was filed ny Attorneys Jos. K. Reddington and Jere M. Wilson, who represent the company Yesterdny*s Cases. The trouble on 14th street yesterday after- noon between the authorities and represent- atives of the United States Electric Light Company about the stringing of wires in the company’s conduit, as published in yester- day’s Star, resulted in the arrest of Superin- tendent Frederick Chamberlain and three of his workmen, John J. Purcell, Charlies Lang- sion and Thomas Edwards. Sergt. Shiliing and Policeman Warren, acting under orders irom the Commissioners, made the arrests, and then, when the police station was reach- ed, the company’s agent deposited $W col- lateral for the men. The officers did not know upon just what charge they had arrested the men, and so they charged a violation of the police regu- lations. Just what particular regulation they charged had been violated did not ap- pear upon the blotter, but this morning the case was taken to court and Prosecuting Attorney Pugh filed a charge of occupying public space for private purposes, allezing the stringing of wires for electric lighting purposes. Although this charge was formally filed, the case was not ready for trial, and was continued until Saturday, when it may be heard with the others. The trials of the different cases, it is thought, will prove interesting. as able at- torneys will appear on elther side and argue the legal points involved. Attorney Thomas and his assistant, Mr. Pugh, will represent the District, and Jere Wilson and J. K. Reddington will appear for the electric light company. Both czses, the erection of the pole on 15th street and the stringing of the wires thereon, and that involving the right of the company to put additional wires in its con- duit already laid, wil! be tried. The wit- nesses in the case will include members of the police department, District inspectors and it is probable that the Commissioners may also be called into court to give evi- dence. e —_———__ CHINA’S ALLEGED MOTIVES. The Japnnese Wonder at Li Hung Chang's Going to Russia. VICTORIA, BE. C, March il.--It is gen- erally believed in Japan that China has some deep scheme in sending Li Hung Chang to Russia. A telegram from Peking of February 18 stated that in official cir- cles of Peking it was believed that cmpress dowaser was opposed to sen the kis physical condition. Another dispatch from Peking has it that the emperor nominated for the mission Shao Yu Lin, who refused to go on the ground that it was advisable to send a man of hig! rank in whom the emperor reposes utmost confideace, to thank Ri favor of last most suitajle man for t Prince Fushimi, who is to at the coronation of the czar, w left on March accomparied by a large retinue, and will visit all the Euronean cities, purchasing in Paris a wardrobe to be used at the coronation ceremoni —_>—_—_ Arrested in New York. The police received word from New York today of the arrest in that city of W. H. Hall, who ts charged here with the theft of a gold watch and chain from Robert Drinkard. Several weeks ago Mr. Drink- ard’s watch and chain were taken from him and the plunder was recovered from a Bai- timore pawnshop, where it had been pawned. After its recovery the pawnbroker re- ceived a money order for $20, the amount loaned, and was directed to express the package to a certain hotel in New \ork. Detectives Horne and Weedon, who !n- vestigated the case and recovered the prop- erty, sent a dummy package to the New York hotel. Yesterday Hail called for the package and was arrested. Hall, it is claimed, is a soap fakir, and was in Drinkard’s company on the night the theft was committed. He has been 1n- dicted , and Detective Weedon will go to New York to bring him here if the au- thorities there will surrender him, —_—»—___ Dangerously Hil. Word has reached the Navy Department that Lieut. W. C. Babcock, executive offi- cer of the Michigan, on the lakes, is dan- gerously ill with pneumonia, at the Uni- versity Club, New York city. SSS Naval Movements. The training ship Essex arrived at Fort Monroe this morning from a cruise in the West Indies. The coast defense ship Mon- terey has sailed from San Francisco fer Puget Sound, Wash., where she is to test the new government dry dock. as Milliken Case Postponed. ‘The Milliken trial was today postponed until next Wednesday. Japan to have Those For and Against the Proposed Constitutional Amendment, CHARACTER OF THE ARGUMENIS Both Parties About Evenly Divided as to Representation. SOME QUESTIONS PUT For two hours today the House commit- tee on the judiciary iistercd to a spirited discussion for and against the proposition that the United Stetes government is found- ed upon Christian principles, and that the fact should be so stated in the Constitution. ‘Those taking part in the discussion w: miristers of the orthodox church, agno: ties, free thinkers, sp:ritual!sts and other The proposition was stoutly advanced and just as vigorously resisted. A large audi- ence was present, and the two sides of the question seemed to be near!y equally repre- sented. The audience divided itself into opposite sides of the room, and vigorously applauded the speakers of the respective sides of the question at issue. The matter came before the committee in the form of a joint resolution introduced by Mr. Morse of Massachusetts, proposing an amendment to the preambie of the Consti- tution of the United States, as follows: “We, the people of the United States (ac- knowledging Almighty God as the source of all power and authority in civil govern ment, the Lord Jesus Christ as the Rule of Nations end His revealed will as of su- preme authority in civil affairs), in order to form a more perfect Union, establish jus- Ulce, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the gen- eral welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and to cur posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of Amcrica.” The Two Contentions. The affirmative of the proposition was maintained by a delegation of the Na- tional Reform Association, consisting of Rev. Dr. Stockton, moderator of the Pres- byterian synod of Pennsylvania; W. G. Hubbard of Cleveland, president of the Peace Association of Friends; Mr. C. J. Vail of Philadeiphia, Rev. Dr. McAlister of Pittsburg, Rev. W. J. Coleman of All sheny and Rey. H. H. George of Beaver Falls, Pa. The opposition was represented by Mr. W. A. Croffut, Ge Birney, Mr. Louis Abrahams and F. C. Woodb of this » Rev. A. H. Lewis of Plainfield, N. J.; Rev. Jenkins Lioyd Jones of Chicago and Mr. S. P. Putnam of the American cular Union and Mrs. J. H. Hale. The contention of those favoring the amendment was that the United States is pre-eminently a Christian nation, that it Wes founded upon Christian ideas, and it is necessary to accentuate this fact by in- cluding in the Constitution a declaration to that effect. The opposition held that nation is not founded upon Chris- nity, and that to put such a proposition dato the Constitution would be to unite church and state and to do injustice tv a great matiy worthy people who could not accept such a Constitution as that, but who otherwise would be just as legitimate American citizens as any one else. Opponents of the Resolution. Mr. W. A. Croffut quoted the famous Tripolitan treaty negotiated in the time of George Washington, and indorsed by Joan Adams, as evidence that this government is not founded on Christian principles, that treaty setting forth such a statement. He said the United States government is not founded on the Bible, but rather that the Bible is founded on the United States gov- ernment. The Bible has taken on a new reading since the foundation of this na- uon. It has been taken out of the sky and placed on the book cases of men as a book for the guidance of humanity. Mr. S. P. Putnam presented to the com- mittee petitions which he said containe@ the signatures of 40,000 people against tne adoption of the amendment. He held that the amendment is revolutionary in char- acter, and that it absolutely changes the whole foundation and principle of this gov- ernment. Mr. F. C. Woodbury of the National Spir- itualists’ Association said he represented 150,000 peopie who protest against the amendment. He said God had not been put in the Constitution because It never was. @etermined which God should be put in. To change the Constitution in the manner proposed would be to place in power a class of people whose palms had been iich- ing for temporal power, and whom founders of this government never inte! should be connected with affairs of s Rev. A. H. Lewis of the Evan; e Church opposed the amendment on the broc ground that he did not w Guestion of religion brought into politics and be kicked about as a foot ball trom a Unitarian ago, opposed the amend- ment, as he “in the interest dor and hon = it was det mined to adopt the amendment, how d the advocates interd to characterize God? Would He be designated as God, Allah, minister of C1 discussed the legal aspect of and held that it was not that the committee, 2s a set of could never put into law such a solecism as very words of the amend- ment cony Mr. Low! brew, he sai ms spoke not as a He- but as an Ame! zen, in opposition to the amendment. referred sarcastically to the div ing in the Christian church, tween the Catholics and Protestants and suggested that until they should come to scme tnderstanding between thi better let the Constitution alone. Those Advocating the Propositio The Rev. Mr. Coleman cf Alleghany and Rev. Mr. McAlister of Pittsburg were the most strenuous advocates of the amend- ment. Their line of argument was similar, and the main point elucidated was the as- sertiun that a great majority of the peo- ple of this country are Christians, chureh- going people, and that they should be al- lowed to say whether in the opinion of the majority this government is or is not based upon Christian principle as a founda- tion. “If this amendment is adopted,” said a member of the committee, “and a Moham- medan were elected to Congress, could he take the oath of office and swear to sup- port the Constitution?” “No, he could not;” responded Mr. Cole- man. “For myseif I would not accept the Constitution o: the United States without its acknowledgment of God.” “Then if yea were elected to Congress now, you would not accept because you could not take the oath,” suggested the in- quirer. “Yes, I would have to refuse to accept,” assented Mr. Coleman. ‘The committee listened patiently to the arguments of the two sides and the ortho- dox clergymen were very closely cross- questioned, the trend of the inquiries indi- cating a desire on the part of the commit- tee to draw from the advocates of the prop- osition their idea upon the legal point of the question. a they had