Evening Star Newspaper, March 14, 1896, Page 1

° THE EVENING STAR. ee PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY, AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Peausyivania Avease, Cor. 1th Street, by The Evening Star W Oo: © “SH KAUFFMANN, Pres Kew York Office, 49 Potter Building. ‘The Evening Star is served to subscribers in the city by carriers, their own account, at 10 cents ber feck, of 44 cents per month. Copies at the center 2 cents cach. By mail—soywhere in the United States or Canaida—postage prepald—50 cents per mont Saturday Quinteple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with foreign postage +: . 3.00. (Extered at the Post Otfice at Washington, D. C., as second-class mail matter.) £7-All mail subscriptions must be pafd in advance. ‘ion. Fates of advertising made known on applica! te Slat. No. 13,426. WASHINGTON, D. ©, SATURDAY, MARGH 14, 1896-TWENTY-FOUR PAGES. TWO CENTS. FIGHT AT FRANKFORT [CHALLENGE TO FIGHT) WIRESUNDERGROUND Searching Members for Weapons Proposed. THE = RESCLOTION IS REFERRED Duniap’s Course is Confusing the Republicans. NEARLY AN OUTBREAK Bpecial Dispat-h to The Evening Star. FRANKFORT, Ky., March 14—The “war” talk of the last day or two called ferth a resolution from Mr. Nance, repre- sentative from Webster, which was intro- duced shorily after the house convened teday. The resolution was meant in a half serious way, and shows that the situa- tion here yet is only an “armed neutral- ity.” ‘The resolution reads: “Whereas, the protection of human life is of greater importance to this common- wealth than the election cf a United States Senator, and “Whereas, it is currently reported that ” people came into this hall every day armed with knives, pisicls and other weapons of warfare, “Reselved, That the dcorkeeper and ser- geant-at-arms be, and are hereby, em- powered to search each and every person, male and female (member not excepted), entering this hail. Any person refusing to be searched shall not be cligibie to the privileges of this floor.” Mr. Violet moved that the resolution go to the committee on military affairs, and it was so referred amid laughter. Mr. Dunlap’s Absence. The course of W. G. Dunlap, who was given the seat of Mr. Kaufman by Utz house several days ago, bas thrown the re- publicans irto conftsion. Mr. Dunlap prom- ised that he would vote for Mr. Boyie when- ever his vote would elect. Today the re- publicans desired to force the election of Boyle, but to their great surprise Dunlap aid not appear, and it is reported that_he left Lexington last night for Florida. The rumor cannot be confirmed, but the fact that he pzomized to return to the capitol this morning but failed has given the re- port an appearance of truth. Mr. Dunlap has been for several years cne of the most prominent republicans in the state. He served four years on the state central com- 3 portant capaci- ties, and is now the presi: t of the State League of Republican © He is one of the brightest young men in the state and held a promising political future. A Demoerntic Offer. A committee of democrats from that body yesterday waited upon the leaders of the republicans in the house and proposed to rescind their action in expelling the two republican senator back Kaufman. The ides in_other & ion was re- ot consider and will propos ledgment of th ity of their There was ment on foot ect Boyle today by voting both James Waitea and counting sixty-nine a quo- Populist Poor promised to help the re- publicans make a quorum, though he would net vote for Boyle. Stopped by Deputies. Another outbreak similar to that of last Saturday was narrowly averted this morn- ing when the senate entered the house for joint session. The report that the republi- cans would attempt to vote Walton ard ames. put the democrats on their mettle, ni before coming to the senate chamber, the clerk of that body swore in Jack Chinn, rh Lillard, Jim Williams and Waller harp (democrat) deputy sergeants-at-arms. yhen they approached the door of th® house the doorkeeper refused them admit- tance. : The conftict of authority was discussed warmly for some time, the managers on both sides taking an active part. The door- . Keeper of the house held his post, and in the midst of the conflict of words and threats the governor appeared in the lobby and s for the adjutant general, and the two went into consultation. No Trouble in Joint Se: LOUISVILLE, ‘Ky., March 14.—A special to she Post from Frankfert, Ky., says: Senators James and Walton were on hand early again this morning, and had no difi- culty in receiving entrance to the house chamber. The joint assembiy convexed promptly at 12 o'clock end everything passed off quietly. The call of the roll showed 121 members present, necessary to a choice 67. The ~e- publican senators refused to vote. Senator Hayward arose and declared that the preservation of the public credit re- quires the maintenance of a sound currency and that he would cast his vote for a man 0 favored these priciples—John G. Car- isle, the greatest Secretary of the United States Treasury since Hamilton. At the conclusion of the roll call of the Senate Senator Deboe asked for call of ab- sentees, and the republicans ‘hen voted for Boyle. Populist Poor voted for Pettit. The ballot resuited: Blackburn, 51; Carlisle, 14; Boyle, 61; Pettit, 1; Buckner, 1. The chair announced that as no one had received a majority of the votes cast there had been no election. Upon motion the as- sembly adjourned. —_———__ DR. BROWN’S CASE. * The Charge Against Him of Immoral- + ,ese nay: ity Dropped. SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, March 14.—The Erown council was in secret session all last evening, and at midnight was still in session. The council decided to ignore the charge of immorality with Mrs. Stockton, and is now considering the charges of mis- conduct with Miss Overman. It is inti- mated Dr. Brown will be found guilty of unministerial conduct in intimidating a young lady of the church. The charge of —— Mrs. Blanchard will be drop- ped. ——————— UNION VETERAN LEGION. A Public Meeting of Citizens to Be Held at Willard Hall Tonight. The Commissioners have called a public Meeting of citizens of the District, to be held at Willard Hall at 8 o'clock this-even- Ing, to form a citizens’ organization to properly receive and entertain visitors to the eleventh annual encampment of the Union Veteran Legion, to be held in Wash- ington in October, 189% o Gone to Japan for Contracts. Gen. G. B. Willams, agent of the Cramps shipbuilding company, has started for To- kio, with the expectation of making con- tracts for some of the battle ships and cruisers that are to be added to the Japan- ese navy. He has taken with him models of the battle ship Indiana, the armored cruiser New York and the unarmored eruiser Columbia, loaned by the Secretary of the Navy, for exhibition to the Japan- uthorities as the highest types of modern naval construction. f the house would take | has never been conferred on an officer who Representative Linton Threw It in the Waste Fasket, It Came From O'Donovan Rossa’s Old Phelan, the Well- Known Fenian, Foe, Representative Linton ef Michigan, the leader of the A. P. A. sentiment in the House, received some days ago a letter from Capt. Thomas Phelan of Kansas City, the well-known Irish agitator, in which Capt. Phelan challenged him to fight a duel at Bladensburg, the challenge being pre- ceded by a long denunciation of Mr. Lin- ton’s course in opposing the church school appropriations and the placing of the statue of Father Marquette in the Capitol. Mr. Linton paid no attention to the com- munication, and from some other source it found its way into the newspapers. = Mr. Linton was asked today if he had made any reply to the challenge. He said: “Ever since the House defeated the appro- priations for sectar‘an institutions in the District of Cclumbia bili, partly through my efforts, my mail has been loaded every day with great numbers of ietters from re- gious fanatics and cranks, denouncing me violentiy, threatening dire vengeance and death iu various forms. All of these let- ters I have thrown in the waste basket. “There have been so many that there was not time to read them all, and I have paid no attention to any of them. This letter from Phelan was one of them, and, I suppose, Went Into the wasie basket with the others. I had forgotten the letter, nor did I think wh> Phelan was until the letter and a sketch of his career was printed in the papers. Since publicity has heen given to It, I may conclude to make some reply. Not so much to Phelan as to the fanatical spirit which he represents. Of course, fighting duels is not in my line. That sort of per- formance is considered rather ridiculous by Americans of this generation. The threats which I have received from cranks have not alarmed me in the least, and I would have preferred that no publicity be given to them. “I am not am enemy to the-ehurch, but I am unalterably ‘opposed ‘to’ government ap- Propriations to assist, sectarian” work,” and to any sort ‘of union ‘of’ ¢harch state, and shalbcontinue io oppose'them. -Captait Phelan “is represented as a cele- brated broadewordsmat anda. Fenian. -A few ycars ago he was ‘stabbed in-a row ‘Ir O'Donovan Rosca’s: office, in New York. SECRETARY LAMONT’S REASONS. pues Why He Thinks Gen. Miles Should Not Be Made a Lieutenant General. Secretary Lamont has made a report to the Senate committee on military affairs in cpposition to the bill for the promotion of Major General Miles to the grade of lieutenant general, unless similar action is taken in the cases of Major General Ruger and Major General Merritt, in or- er to enable them also to retire with the rank of lieutenant general. The Secretary reviews the history of each appointment as lieutenant general, from the days of General Washington, and shows that the rank of lieutenant general has not commanded a separate army in the field, and he also gives the military record of each of the three major generals on the active list. From this it appears that Gen. Merritt comes nearer meeting the usual require- ment for the advanced grade than either of his colleagues, and that Gen. Ruger's services were probably as meritorious and distinguished as those of Gen. Miles. None of the three, however, ever commanded a separate army in the field. ——————— HARD ON THE ENGINEERS. The New Navy Increases the Retired List. The frequent breakdowns of the engineer officers of the navy, attributable to hard work, resulting from insufficient force, promise, if not remedied, to oriug about the anomalous state of affairs that the re- tired list of the corps will scon become larger than the active list. The increase in the retired list has become particularly re- markable during the past ten years, or since the building of modern naval vessels, with their complex machinery, and the figures prepared at the Navy Department on the subject fully illustrate this rapid breaking down of the éngineers. a On the Ist of January, 1386, there ‘were 221 officers on the active lst of the en- gireer corps and seventy-one on the retived list, or 32.1 per cent as many on the re- ured as on the active list. On the 1st of last Jenuary there. were 173 on the active and 104 on the retired list, or 6) per cent as many on the retired list as on the active list. In other words, the percentage of re- tired to active officers has almost doubled during the past t2n years, covering the period of the upbuilding of the navy. Com- pared with the number retired in the other branches of the naval service, the figures are startling, and the engineer officers ar- gue that they show their: work must be very much more severe than that of any other officers. . ———e+____... Changes in the Interior Department. The following official changes have beer made in the Department of the Interior: Office of Indian affairs—Appointment: George Y. Scott of Rosedate, Miss., a com- missioner to investigate the Osage annvity roll, vice Clarence E. Bloodgood of Catskill, N. Y., declined. Promotions: Miss Carrie A. King of Michigan, $1,000 to $1,200; Adolph Amende of Alabama, $900 to $1,000. Patent office—Appointment: Charles Ar- nold of Pennsylvania, fourth assistant ex- aminer, $1,200. Promotions: John “. Coit of South Carolina, second to first assistant examiner; James H. Lightfoot of Virginia, third to second assistant examiner; J. R. Audley Linke of New York, fourth to third assistant examiner; Walter B. Hindmarsh of Virginia, $720 to $0; Lineas D. Under- wood of Indiana, $720 to $800. Office of the Secretary—Promotion: Miss Minette Thompson of the [ustrict of Co- Iumbia, $1,200 to $1,400, vice Jozeph H. Lambert, deceased. General land office—Promotion: Mrs. Em- ma H. Horne of Georgiz, transcriber, $400, to copyist, $900. Pension office—Appointments on certifica- tion of civil service coramissicn: Don E. Clarke, Hezry B. Hazard and Clerence J. Walter of the District of Columbia, mes- senger boys, $400. Promotions: Miss Mary Desha of Kentucky, $1,290 to $1,400; Otto C. Richardeon of Ohio, Luther S. Cannon of North Carolina, $1,000 to $1,200, John Ss. Bosworth of Indiasa, Gaylord Worstell of Texas, Wm. H. Honn of South Dakota, Harry W. Selah of Nebraska, Edgar N. Martin of Louisiana, Ahraham Bb. Hiltman of New York and Ambrose L. Jennings of Missouri, $900 to $1,000, _———— A Russian Admiral Here. Admiral Makaroff of the Russian navy |. has Leen in the city for several days past, as the guest of the Russian minister. He was recently ordered to the command of the Russian fleet in the Baltic, and {s now on his way to that station. He has visited the Washington gun foundry and several of-| the navy yards in this country, and was favorably impresesd with what-he saw. He will sai? for Europe'in a few days. ——_+ 2+ Consul Recognized. _ _ _. The President has recognized Arthur R. Getty as British vice consul at Chicago, and A. F. De Jersey as vice consuj Netherlands at Charleston, 8. C. Officials of U. 8. Electric Company in the Police Court, A MUCH DISCUSSED POLE District Experts Propose Plans for Burying Cables. ——— TECHNICAL EXAMINATIONS =e The sequel to the recent “electric light pole comedy” enacted at the corner of 15th) street and Pennsylvania avenue a week ago yesterday was played out th's morning in the Police Court. S The first act of the drama had for its “curtain climax” the arrest of the pres!- dent of the United States Electric Laghting Company and two of his linemen for erect- ing a pole without a permit from the Com- missioners and in direct violation to the order of Maj. Powell, the Engineer Com- missioner. Readers of The Star will re- member that a force of men in the employ of the electric light company put up the Poleecarly in the morning of March 6. Later in the day Policemen Mellen and Oriani had two of the Mnemen “treed up the pole,” and when President Thomas or- dered the two men not to come down until they Lad finished the work of transferring the wires from the old and broken pole to the new dne he, too, was put under arrest. The case was once postponed, and when it came up before Judge Kimball a little after 10 o'clock this morning Pres'dent ‘Thomas und his men were represented by Attorneys Jere Wilson and J. K. Redding- cn. Prosecuting Attorney” Pugh had asso- ciated with him Mr. Sidney T. Thomas,ethe attorney for the District, and Mr. A. B. Duvall. Commissicners Truesdell and Powell oc- cupied seats within the railway which Separates the officers of the court from the general crowd, and were interested specta- ters of the scene. The Charges. The informations lodged against Prezi- dent Thomas and Linemen Philip F. Bash- ferd and Daniel Scanlon charged them with “occupying public space.” The presi- dent of the company was also charged, in @ separate information, with “defacing public property.” In the case of the men who were arrested several days ago and charged with string- ing wires in a conduit on 14th strect, Mr. Pugh, acting under instructions from the Commissioners, stated that he desired to enter a nolle pros. Superintendent Frederick A. Chamberlain and Lineman W. W. Burnett were also charged with occupying public space, so that altogether there were five defendants in the case. Policeman Mellen was the first witness, for very little time was lost in the prelim inaries of the trial. He testified to the oe- currences on that historic Friday, when he arrested the men who were up the pole, ant also the others, who urged them on to the work that day. His story was substan- tially the same as told in The Star that day. Mr. Wilson said that for the purpose of saving time and simplyfying matters the defense would admit certain facts. Defense Admixsions. For instance, the defense ad: tted that on the night of March 5, some time after} midnight, a force of men in the employ of the company did erect a new pole at the northeast corner of 15th street and Penn- | sylvania avenue, to take the place of a pole that was put up by the Western Union company in 1867 or 1868, and was consc- quently not in condition to do good service today. They also admitted that the work was done without a specific written permit from the Commissioners. Mr. Pugh then called as a witness Thomas T. Rabbitt, who was formerly a lineman in the employ of the U. S. Electric Lignting Empty Conduits. The witness testified that there are two undergrourd conduits on 15th street, one on the east and one on the west side of the street. The one on the east side of the street is a six-' y duct. Of the six ways or ducis ’n the condauit one is vacant, or was a short time ago. There is also a dead wire in the conduit. Gn the west side there are two two-way conduits, which are net completely fill In the opinion of the witness the underground conduits couid accommodate ail the wires which are now strung overhead. Cross-examined by Mr. Reddington, the witness said that ine empty duct to wiich he referred ran from F tw G stree was unable *o say that there was a Vv duct runnnig all the way from Pennusyl+ vania avenue to F' street. At one ie jest fall he did assist in pu iz in a new cavie, pulling it through with a dead “pressure wire.” . In response to a direct question from Mr. Reddingtcn, the witness said that Me did” not attempt to put a new wire through the vacant duct urder the direction of Superin- tendent Chamberlain and fail in the at- tempt. ° The defense endeavored to show by Mr. Rabkitt that wires of different character could not be placed in the same duct, but the witness said that he did not pretend to be an electrician, and the court suggested that anyhow that was a matter for an ex- pert to decide. An effort on the part of the defense to show that Rabbitt had been dis- charged by the company and had threat- ened “to get even”’ also fell through. Condition of Ducts. Walter C. Allen, a clerk in the office of the Engineer Commissioner, was next call- ed as a witness for the prosecution. He stated that he made a thorough examina- tion of the conduits on 15th street on Fri- day, March 6, and also on Saturday and on the following Monday. He described in considerable detail the wires in the diffter- ent ducts and their condition, from notes taken at the time. Several of these wires are “dead.” Mr. Allen agreed with the preceding witness in the statement that there is a vacant duct in the east conduit at the northeast corner of 15th street and Pennsylvania avenue. In the manhole at the northeast corner of 15th and F streets there are two empty dvets. North of this each duct has at least cne wire in it, but one of these is a dead wire. Between G street and New York ave- nue he found the ends of two dead wires. Mr. Allen said that in his opinion the wires in the conduit at 15th and Pennsyl- vania avenue could be more economically placed, so as to leave room for a number of other wires. Still he hardly thought that all the overhead wires could be ac- commodated in that one conduit. All the Wires. Mr. Allen started to tell how the wires between F and G streets could be put un- derground, but Mr. Reddington insisted that this did not have any bearing on the ease, as it did not show how they could relieve the congestion @t the corner of 15th and Pennsylvania avenue, where the par- ticular pole is located. “Why, your honor,” said Mr, Pugh, “this information is not limited to that one pole. It covers every pole on 15th street from the Boundary to South Washington. They are all illegal, every one of them. Mr. Allen is warranted in speaking of any of them.” Continuing, the witness showed that while it would not be Rogsible to place, all the overiiead wires on 15th street in the one conduit, still all of them could be taken care of in other ways, 80 as to take them off the’poles. Thus; for example, one of the are light wires which, is not tapped be- tween the avenue and F street, could be tuken from the power house to F street through a 11th street conduit, which is not crowded at present, and provision could be made for the others in much the same way. On cross-exacination, Mr, Allen was ques- icned at some length as to his quaiffications as an expert electrician. The results being satisfactory—that is to say, favorable to the witness—he was put through a technical ex- amination on live wires, return wires, three wire systems and the like. This made the trial anything but interesting to the specta- tors generally. After explaining at length his plan for putting all the overhead wires underground, by substituting three cables for the six wires now used in the one complete incan- descent circuit, the witness was asked: “But, suppose these overbead wires were strung to an old and rotten pole, would it not require considerable time to manufac- ture the special cables in order to put them underground?” “Yes, unless the company already has a supply of such cables on hand.” “Well, bas it?” “I can’t say af to that, but there are milés of just such cables in general use in this city.” 'Where?”" “In almost any conduit in the city.” “Don't you know that the pole in ques- tion is the property of the Western Union Company, and does not belong to us at all?” asked Mr. Reddington. “I understand that it does belong to tle Western Union Company.” “Then your beautiful scheme for getting all our wires uncer ground would not complish the removal of the pole at all “Not unless the other Wires on the pole ‘e taken down?” ‘And those oth graph company “TI believe su." “And that company has no underground cenduits in which it could place its wires?” continued Mr. Reddington. “No, sir.” ‘Then this whole prosecution of the United States Electric Lighting Company is in a Pickwickisn sense; simply for the fun of the thing.” “That's not the way I understand it,” re- plied Mr. Allen. “Well, how would res off that pole?’ “T did not make any investigation of that matter at all.” “We were the you get the telegraph game you were after. then?” “Yes, sir. And when you were after us and struck other game it did not distract you in the least?” u “Not in the le. “Well, now, um! s¢ wires are taken Wh that pole w: ill have to remain, Hit not?’ + presume so.” Then all this legal fuss. and feathers ean accomplls for the pole will still be in place you get throug! remarked Mr. Reddington, as if thoroughiy disgusted with the whole affair. “But it is the erec of that particular pole that we are ir odin just now,” replied Mr. Pugh. nothing, tions on the tech- ihe witmess was ex- @ recess at 12:10 o'clock. After Recess After recess Mr. P dence, with the ag nt of the defense, a number of permits to ing wires on lvania ayenve and Jojh street, run- ning from April, 18S! ‘0 the permits which were issued after the Iaw of 1888 went into effect compelling wires to go un- rground. introduce in evi- B. C. Shipman, superintendent of lamps in the Distr wis then called 2s a witness. Allen whe tie latter m: of the conduits, and ay tive testimony on the subject ‘0? combining the overhead wires in euch a way as ta ke It possible to put the:n up.de: the sur- Cross-examined as to whether he had ever had any experience in the matter of running in the same duct two large catles, one carrying a positive and the other a negative current, he said that he had not, but that if the twa cables were preperly insuiated it could be done w perfect safeiy. The witness was a! sO questioned as to the effect of electroiysis, and said that it would be na greater with two cables than it would be with one. In point of fact, this company has two such cables in one duct at the very point in question. “Do you not know,” he was asked, “that there is an obstruction in the conduit be- tween Pennsylvania avenue and F street?” “Edo not. “Have you ever tried through that conduit?” “No, sir.”” ‘Then you do not could b or not “Of my own knowledge I do not. Walter P. Keene, also of the engineer's office, testified as to the examinations he bad made alone and with Alien and Ship- man of the wires and conduits on 15ih street. Superintendent A. R. Miles of the District telegraph and telephone service. was called as the next witness, und was examined along much the same line as the others. He thought that if all the dead wires were removed from the six ducts it would give the equivalent of two empty ducts, and Eis improssion was that ali the electric light wires on the poles could be accom- modated in them. Mr, Miles was still on the stand when The Star's report closed, and it is likely that several days will be required to com- plete the case. —— RIVER IMPROVEMENTS. to get anything know whether a cable ,tun through that pariicuiar duct Congressmen Given a Trip by a Board of Trade, Committee. Charles B. Church, chairman of the hoard of trade river and harbor improvements ccmmittee, with the other members of that committee, tcck the river ‘and harbor committee of the House and the commerce committee of the Senate out for the after- noon on the steamer Triton fer the pur- pose of inspecting the Anacestia river and Potomac channel and flats improvements. Gen. Craighill was present with other engineer officers of the army. The Dis- trict Commissioners and Senator George were also of the party. 4 Personal Mention. Edwin 8. Smeltz, mayor of Lancaster, is in the city the guest of friends on Capi- tol Hill. Mr. Wm. H. Strickland, representing Messrs. A. W. Palmer and Edwin Knowles, is at the Raleigh. Lieut. B. M. Russell, nineteenth infantry, ig in the city on leave. Surg. George W. Simpson of the New York navy yard, has reported at the Navy Department for duty. He ig stopping at the Army and Navy Club. First Assistant Secretary Sims and fam- fly left yesterday for Florida. Gov. Sims owns one of the famous orange groves at El Derado, oa Lake Harris, which tourists repert again in bloom. Badly Burneg, This morning about 10 o'clgck Mary King, colored, eleven_years old, “ives at No. 999 Florida avenue, was tH victim of a gasoline stove“fire, SHé endeavoring to start the firg, wheniher thes ignited, and befor@ she was rescued she was badly burned atout the face, “and body. the physicians, she was soon made com- fortable, Wile her injuries’ are” serious, the doctors think she will recover. wires belong to the tele- | | siding elders the right of confirmation of APPOINT OR ELECT? The Question as to Methodist Pre- siding Elders, BALTIMORE CONFERENCE DISCUSSION Dr. Wilscn Argues Against the Proposed Change. VIEWS OF OTHER SPEAKERS Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. BALTIMORE, Md., March 15.—Presiding Elder Luther B. Wilson of the Washington district made the strongest presentation of the opposition to the Bacon rerolutions to- day in the Baltimore annual conference in session at Breadway Church. Dr. Wilson conceded the first proposition for lay repre- sentation, but protested against the elcc- tion of presiding elders. “Presiding elders are the point of con- tact with the pecple,” he said, “and there- fore form the peint of friction. Such an arrangement as is proposed is impractica- ble. The confirming power ought to be absolutely with the bishops or with the conference. If there wculd be any bessism it would be with this irresponsible majority. We must have a plen for all parts of the world, and not one for a single section. The power of our church is in its untrammeled episco- pecy. Otherwise we would be obliged ta have national churches instead of a uni- versal church. Would that I could call up before you visions of ‘the great leaders of our church 10 Lave been loyal to its principles.” Rey. Joel Brown contended for the prin- ciples of the majority report. “I am for a republican,” he declared, “as against a monarchical reform of govern- ment. I challenge the statement that the present system has worked well. It fs not the system, but the men behind it, who have accomplished the results. If all the lishons died, and if all the presiding elders were buried, the reports of our revivals and other church work would have heen just as cod, Suppose those remained who have been driven out of the church by its system, how much greater would be our church today?” Rey. E. T. Mowbray characterized the proposed election of presiding elders as one pols.” He said the lay convention uken power away from the bishops entirely by giving a majority of the pre- appointments. Rev. C. Herbert Richardson sa!d the an- nual conference remains a fence in the comnvon field open to the laymen on one side in the quarterly and district confer- ences, and on the other side in the general vont He advocated throwing down N. said Davis spoke for the reso- he was the only speaker iar plan proposed in con- ars ago. The discussion fair to occupy the remaining hours of the session without getting to the order for lection of general conference delegates, Howell L. Bryant, Walter G. McNet!l, L. Emory Benrett, Jeremiah L. Winger and Jacob M. Glilum were elected to deacons’ orders, and were admitted to full member- ship in the conference. Bishop Warren hinted at some of the assaults made on the pokty of the church fn telling the candidates rv stay out unless they came y to support the polity *y found them. d institutions as “When you are sen ference to fight for for your brethr. to commency isiative point ‘is time enough sopliomorte state. Louis Henck, R. E. Ben- son and H. Grimmell were admitted to local deacons’ orders. —_—_——___. CAPITOL TOPICS. The Retirement of Clerks. The House committee on civil service and reform has taken up for consideration the bills providing a pension fund for super- annuated clerks in the departments at ington, by the retention of a small tage of the clerks’ salaries monthly. il se issioners advocated ie committee yesterday, 5 ison, Foster and Smith, departmental employes, together with Mr. Na: of the Boston Clyil Service Reform Association, also spoke in favor of the plan, The Ford's Theater Disaster Report. The joint congressional committee on the Ford's Theater disaster will meet April 15 to consider the report of the subcom- snittec, consisting of Senator Faulkner and Kepresentative Updegraff, appointed to in- vestigate the individual claims of the sur- vivors of the accident, which is about compicied. Representative Robbins Unseated. After five days’ debate, the House -yester- day, by a vo‘e of 173 to 59, unseated Gasten A. Robbins from the fourth Alabama district and decided that his republican opponent, W. F. Aldrich, was ejected and entitled to the seat. All the republicans, with the ex- ception of Mr. White of Illinois, and the pop- ulists, and three democrats, Messrs. Cobb, Dockery and De Armond of Missouri, voted tor the majority report. The 59 votes against the report were cast by democrats, with ore exception. The case furnished the republi- cans with ample material for airimg their views on southern election methods, it be- ing admitted by the minority that fraudulent ballots to the extent of over 3,000 were cast for the contestee in Dailas county. No Quorum. At the night session of the House last night Mr. Erdman of Pennsylvania raised the point of no quorum at the outset and no business was transacted. The sergeant-at-arms, Mr. Snow of IIli- nois, hed four deputies scurrying about town wiit over one hundred warrants in their possession looking for absentees, but no one except Mr. De Armond of Missouri was arrested and brought to the bar of the House before the hour of adjournment, 10:30. The House adjourned before he could be arraigned. Under the rules of the House all proceedings under the call cease with an adjournment and warrants lapse. To Elect Senators by the People. The Senate committee on privileges and elections yesterday authorized Senator Mitchell, chairman of the committee, to re- port his joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States providing for the election of United States Senators by a direct vote of the people. The vote in committee was 5 to 4 in favor of the amendment, three re- publicans and two democrats voting in the affirmative and two republicans and two democrats against. Silver Senators and Protection. Senator Cannon of Utah has received a set of resolutions from the chamber of con merce cf Ogden declaring that his vote against the tariff bill in the Senate meets with their hearty approval, and that while they favor protection, they agree with bim that protection and silver should be linked together, and they are opposed to protection in cne section of the country to the exculsion of others. The five Senators who took the position of opposing tariff in the interests of silver are getting a large number of letters from the extreme silver sections which they represent approving of their course and indicating that the sil- ver states are willing to sacrifice every- |. thing to this particular interest. ‘hile be content to | 3 SUFFER Sickness the Oause of Much of the Destitu- tion. Contributions Received to Ald the Worthy Poor—Persons in a Deplorabie Conditicn, Pitiful cases of destitution, suffering and want amcng the poor of the city continue to be brought to the attention of the agents of the Associated Charities in large num- bers. The need of money to render neces- sary assistance is more imperative than at any time prior to the present during the wanter, aud the emergency relief commit- tee desires it stated that the call for funds is still before the puolic and the appeal for aid Is as earnest as it was Wednesday last. The reports received at the central office this morring from the district agents af- firm the previous anncuncements that sick- ness fs the most violent enemy to be fought. It makes its presence felt in more ways than one; for instance, a father has lost his situation because two children were stricken w'th diphtheria, the disease being contagious. The condition of the weather has thrown a large number of men out of employment, especially thoSe who have be2a engaged in brick yards, and in con- sequence, their families must suffer. Sev- eral cases of pneumonia are on the lists, as are a dozen or more instances of sick wo- men, with young children, who have been deserted by their husbands and are now in 4 most deplorable condition. Without ready money the hands of the Asseciated Charities are tied and ajppli- cations for aid must b2 refused. With the contributions of the past few days something has been accomplished, but a substantial increase of cash must material- ize before the condition of affairs can be corfronted properly. Contributions should be sent to The Evening Star or to Mr. Jehn Joy Edson, Washington Loan and Trust building. A ion of coal has been contributed by Mr. B. L. Simpson, and simijar dorations are requested and will be gladly acknowl- edged, as will clothing and food. Contributions Received. The contributions received up to this afternoon are as follo’ Evening Star Company. J. W. Closson. Cash Mrs. Beard. Mrs. B . J.C. W. H. Goddard A Friend. J. J. Gouid. Mrs. Lent A. M. Dad Frank Mos: A Little Girl. Total: ..-.-....------ Through Mr. John Joy Edso. Mrs. A. W. Tappen. John G. Armes. Cash A. 8. Gilbert. . Crampton. . Cranford. Carrington. William B. Gurley. James Lownée: Mrs. N. W. Jones. Dr. E. M. Galiaudet. W. G. Fowier. Ruth S. Baldwin Anonymous R. T. Frazer. W._T. Harbin A Stranger. McK . Anonymous . Total ... Received by The Evening Star. Grand total... $731.75 E. B. Andersen has sent $15 to The Star for the relief of the two destitute women whose condition was mentioned in The Star Wednesday last. ————_—_ TWO INTERVIEWS. Messrs. Morrill and Dingley Confer With Secretary Carhi:; Senator Morrill, chairman of the finance committee, and Representative Dingley, chairman of the ways and means commit- tee, were in conference with Secretary Car- lisle at the Treasury Department today in regard to the prospects of financial and tariff legislation at this session. The inter- views were separate and that of Represen- tative Diagley was much the longer. The preser:ce of these two leading republicans caused considerable comment at the Treas- ury Department, and there was all sorts of speculation as to the nature of the busi- ness under consideration. It is said that Mr. Dingley desired specially to get Secre- tary Carlisle's views on a proposition for the remedy of certain alleged defects in the customs administrative law, and also to consult with him in regard to legislation for the protection of the Alaska seal in- dustry. ———————— CAN'T GO TO CUBA. Officers Not Permitted to Have Leave for That Purpose. As indicative of the great care being exercised to avoid possible complications with the Spanish government, it is stated that several army officers who applied for leave of absence with permission to cruise in the West Indies received the dcsired leave with the distinct understanding that under no circumstances were thty to visit the Island of Cuba. It is said that the queen of the Antilles was really the only one of the West Indies that several of the officers desired to visit. They did not wish to participate in the hostilities, nut merely wanted to look on for their own informa- tion. Inasmuch as their presence might easily be misunderstood, the military au- thorities deemed it best that they should keep away from the island during the pre- vailing troubles. Several years ago all epplications for leave of absence to visit the Bermudas were similarly denied by the War Depart- ment, but the prohibition no longer exists, notwithstanding the international issue be- tween Great Britain and the United States Over the Venezuelan affair. ——e. ‘The Informer’s Share. Acting Secretary Wike today awarded John Webb of Philadelphia the sum of $500, being the informer’s share of a fine ‘imposed upon Lees & Son of that city for iviolation of alien contract labor law. Under ;the law the informer in such cases receives | one-half the amount of the fine, Army INGINCREASES/ A FEEBLE MONARCH Precarious State of Queen Victoria’s Health, HER RECENT DEPARTORE FROM LONDON Opening Museums and Ari Ga!- leries Sunday. LATE TOPICS ABROAD —— right, 1896, by the Associated Press.) LONDON, March 14.—The departure of the queen on Monday for the south of France has drawn forth a pathetic account of the increasing feebleness of her majesty. It is said that sh2 is evidently grieving greatly at the loss of Prince Henry of Battenberg, who was never tired of waiting upon his n other-in-law, and who no doubt had sincere Ic-> for the aged sovereign. In view of the state of her majesty’s health much of the vsual state was abandoned, and sre was carefully wheeled on board the royal yacht ‘ta specially constructed chair. Upon arriving at Cherbourg, there was a dense fog, which did not tend to improve the condition. The gangway ways, it was noticed, were decorated with black and white flags, and by her majesty’s com- mand ail floral and other decorations were remeved. And so she was escorted ashore, 2 pathetic picture of woe, an almost heart- broken won.an mourning her dead and seeming to take but little interest her surroundings, the funeral aspect of which added coasiderably to the depressing na- ture of the scene. As a special mark of respect to the queen, the bandmaster of one of the French infantry regiments in garrison at Cherbourg composed a piece in her honor. But she would not allow it to be played, thouga she did not forget the baxdmaster’s thoughtfulaess, as a nice little present taken to him by one of the gentlemen in waiting testiticd. Sunday Opening. The Gecision arrived at by parliament this week to allow the opening of the museums and art galleries on Sundays has afforded delight to the majority of the people, and indicaies a rapid change in public senti- ment on the subject. It was only ten years ago that parliament rejected a similar mo- tion by a crushing majority, and its action was upheld in most quarters. But the de- termination to open the Britis and Ken- sington museums, the national gallery, etc., on Sundays, is now received with general commendation, which would seem to indi- cate a passing away of the stern conserva- tism which has been a featu of the British character for generations. Plans of Bimetallists. In speaking of the proposed plan of the Bimetallic League to bring a motion be- fere parliament fevering bimet:llism, Sir John Lubbook said to a representative of the Associated Press: “Bimetallisis have always declined to commit themselves to any ratic. But it is obvious that the results of a charge would to a great extent depend upon the ratio which was adopted. At present, roughly speaking, gold is more than thirty times the valwe of : There are come bi-metallists v would j insist on_a ratio approaching the market Values. For practical purposes, how We may at once dismiss any i France the legal ratio is etill 15's and no French disposition t America wi view. “Practically, then, bimetallism means a ratio of 15 or 15% to 1—that is, foreign countries should be permitted to send us any quantity of silver at double its pres- ent price. Bimetallists tell as, that if thera was any practical probability of the adop- tion of bimetalliem the value of silver would rapidly rise. I doubt, however, whether this would be the result. V should rather, I think, see a great stimulua given to silver mines, a great increase in production of silver, and all credito would de their best to call in their debts while they could still claim payment in gold. = a. In 70 1, uthority has shown any ept any material change. i believa, take a simiar Perxoi Notes, It is announced that the Princess Kaiu- lani of Hawaii, who is now in northern Italy, is to be married to an Italian noble- man on Easter Monday. But the Hawaiians who are on intimate terms with the princess, deny it, and say she would jeopardize her chances of the throne cf Hawaii by marrying an Italian. The system of privately educating the princes of the royal family has been aban- doned by the queen, who is supreme author- ity in such matters. Prince Arthur of Con- naught is at a school near Farnborough, and Priuces Albany and Alexander of Bat- tenberg are going in Lyndhurst after E. The funeral of Mrs. Marshall Field of cago took place at Newbold-Pacey. wickshire, on Monday. Mr. Marshall Field arrived here on the Campania, and his sons, and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Tree were among the mourners. The service was fully choral and there were many wreaths of flowers de- posited on the casket. ea NEW PRINTING OFFICE. The House Committee Pablie Buildings Looking for a Site. The House committee on public buildings and grounds has taken up the question of providing a new government printing of- fice, and will endeavor to secure action at this session of Congress. Several members of the committee, including Chairman Mil- liken and Messrs. Mercer, Keifer, Gillett, White, Henry and Little, spent this after- noon looking at a number of proposed sites for the building. It is the idea of several members of the committee that the new printing vffice should be located in closer proximity to the Capitol, on account of the constant intcr- change of communicaion between the two buildings. The committee, therefore amining available sites, is paying especial attenticn to vacant squares lying within a few blocks of the Capitol. Today the mem- bers of the conumittee devoted most of their attention to going over the ground south of the Capitol. The committee realizes, it is said, that the most fatal opposition to the passage of a bill providing a new government printing office has arisen heretofore over the selec- tion of a site. Conflicting Interes's have fought the bill itself upon a number of oc- casionc in the House and Senate, and the committee does not anticipate any chenze in tactics in this regard when it brings in its bill. An effort will be made, however, to secure an ment on a location be- tween the House and Senate comini‘t 2s, if mittee is thoroughly in earnest about providing an adequate building, unalterably opposed to patching up the present old shell, and, if be agreed upon, a bill will be brought in providiag for a printing office that will answer the demands made upon it by the work of tne government for many years to come. —————-—2___ News From Honolw! . Word comes from Honolulu by telegraph from San Francisco that the cruiser Adams arrived at Honolulu on the ist instant, and the gunboat Bennington sailed thence on the Sth instant for San Francisco. Nothing was about political affairs on the