Evening Star Newspaper, March 26, 1896, Page 2

2 LATE NEWS BY WIRE Action at Cairo Regarding the Dongola Expedition. APPROVED BY THE DEBT COMMISSION French and Russian Members Pro- test and Withdraw. IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS CAIRO, Egypt, March 26—The commis- sicn of the Egyptian debt met here today und decided to advance the £500,000 neces- sary to meet the expenses of the British- Egyptian expedition against Dongola. Of the sum needed £200,000 are available im- mediately. The English, German, Italian and Aus- trian members of the commission voted to advance the money required. The Rus- sian and French members voted against the proposition. The French and Russian members left the Meeting, after protesting against the use of the reserve fund for the purpose of the expedition up the Nile. Directly the action of the majority of the commissioners became known the repre- bentatives of the Paris syndicate of Egyp- lian bondholders took steps to institute eeedings before the Egyptian mixed nal against the debt commissioners and make the ministers responsible for the reserve fund. LONDON, March 26.—The question of the reported protest of the Turkish government t the British-Egyptian expedition up ile was taken up in the house of com- as today. The under secretary of state for foreign affairs, Mr. George N. Curzon, said that it was true that the sultan had fade inquiries as to the nature of the ex- jon to Dongola; but no protest against 1 been made on behalf of the Turkish government. The necessary explanations, Mr. Curzon added, were given to the Turkish ambassa- dor. Mr. Curzon also said it was true that Tart had not been consulted prior to steps being taken to organize the Nile ex- pedition, but that it was because nothing Was contemplated In the advance of the trocps whic! In the khedive. Referring to the conflict of opinior which has arisen regarding the use of the Egyp- ve fund, it being claimed in cer- rters that the unanimous vote of commissioners was necessary to at money fer such purposes as the proposed expedition up the Nile, Mr. Cur- zon remarked that there were vari cedents for asserting that a majo: as all that was necessary in such cases. —— AMERICA'S CRACK SHOTS. as beyond the power vested Phe Grand American Handicap at Long Branch. NEW YORK, March .—At the conclu- sion of the sixteenth round of the grand American Handicap, which is being shot Elkwood Park, Long Branch, there were ly five men standing with clean scores of : These were Fen. Cooper, ; B. W. Claridge, Balti- es, Dayton, Ohio; G. W-. , Harrisburg, Pa., and Car! von iew York. th round ended the ooters, as that num- ‘he ill in the race. y-four men . Couper and Wellington missed their s in the seventeenth round, but Clar- He and Von Longerke grasped pigeons, and thereby retained their itions in the front rank, with seventeen straight kills. —_— —_ MASSACRED BY MATABELES. Revolt by the Natives in South Africa. CAVE TOWN, Africa, March 26.—The ateles of the Inseza and Filabusi dis- have revolted, and massacred the including Commissary Bent- fugitive whites are flocking to yo and Gwelo for protection. A de- tachment of seventy-four volunteers, with a Maxim gun, have been dispatched against the natives. ———— SIXTY MINERS -ENTOMBED. There is No Hope of Rescuing Them Alive. WELLINGTON, New Zealand, March 26. —A terrible explosion of fire damp has taken place in a mine at Brunnerton. Five persons were killed outright and sixty more are entombed, with no hope of being rescued. ——__ BAD IN EVERY WAY. The Italian Commander, Gen. Elena, Describes His Army. ROME, “h 26—Gen. Ellena, who was wounded at the battie of Adowa, is quoted by an interviewer as saying that no Italian army Was ever so badly organized, fei and disciplined as that with which he fought. > columns operating against the were so separated that contact y ile. The oticers were without . the country was quits unknown, and provisions were made to meet emer- he Gen. Ellena concluded with saying that it the war cortinued Italy would be ex- posed to great disillusto: STOPPED THE AMERICANS. sionuries Prevented by Turkish Officials From Relieving Distress. CONSTANTINOPLE, March 26.—The out- break at Killiz is more serious than had been supposed. The town is now surround- e€ by troc; aad ne one is allowed to leave or enter ihe place. The officials of Americar. mis: aid. The Pritish ambassador, Sir Philip Cur- tie, has had an interview with TewSk Pasha, the mirister for foreign affairs, on the subj . lis are preventing the tes from distributing ne —_-———__ In Favor of the Company. In the case of Charles Hooker against the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, in which Mr. Hooker claimed $20,000 dam- ages because of the loss of his little boy's leg in July, i804, Judge Bradley directed # verdict in favor of the company, hold- ing that the negligence of the company was not proved. —_.+— The Steamer Yorktown Axhore. CAPE HENRY, Va., March 26—The Old Dominion steamer Yorktown is ashore near Small’s point —— Appointed a Chief Justice. CONCORD, N. H., March 26.—Alonzo P. Carpenter has been appointed chief jus- tice of the New Hampshire supreme court, to succeed Charles Doe, deceased. The Forest Glen Railway. 1 Dispatch to The Evening Star. APOL'S, Md. March 26.—Senator Talbott’s bill to grant the Washington, Woodside and Forest Glen Electric Rail- way and Power Company of Montgomery county the right to acquire land by con- deranation for right of way and other pur- Poses has passed the senate. California Athletes. BERKELEY, Cal, March 26—The ath- letic team of the University of California has received a telegram from the Harv- ard team accepting a challenge to meet on May 23. The California team will meet the athletes of several other colleges on their eastern tour. No Word That He is Recalled. Mavroyendi Bey, the Turk:sh minister, said this afternoon that he had not fre- ceived any word from his government that he was to be recalled, as stated in a Con- stantinople dispatch, and expressed the inion that the story was untrue. LOOKING OVER CANDIDATES| Fe%eRat or mason wensrer. [5 4 NI What the A. P. A. Committee is Said to Be Doing. Chairman Stevens’ Talk With a Star Reporter—Claims Made as to Po- tical Power of the Order. The executive committee of the advisory board of the American Protective Associa- tion did not finish its work at last night's meeting at the National Hotel. An ad- journment was taken until Monday, when the business of the board will be coacluded in New York city. The chief business of the committee was the discussion of candidates for the pres- idency. The public record of every man whose name has been mentioned by any of the parties was taken under advisement. Every vote he has cast on public questions and the sentiments of almost every speech he has maie were taken into consideration. This work was not finished last night, but will be finished at the meeting in New York. Something like a complete history of each aspirant for the presidential nomina- tion will be prepared. It will then be sent, a Star reporter was informed, to the mem- bers of the order throughout the United States for the purpose of guiding them in casting their votes. ‘The reporter asked a member what effect this history would have on the candidates at the national conventions, and his answer was: “Oh, there will be plenty of delegates at the national conventions who are mem- bers of the A. P. A. They will know the pubite record of every man whose name is put before the conventions and wili vote against those men whose histories have been opposed to the principles of their or- des. They will vote for the man or men who are with them.” The committee received reperts from all state councils, and these reports, it is said, expressed an eagerness to enter actively into state and national campaigns this year. The strength of the order in every congressional district was ascertained, and the claim was made by members that every A. P. A. would stand to whatever political action was decided on by the committee. A Talk With Chairman Stevens. A Star reporter this morning had a talk with Judge J. H. D. Stevens of Missouri, chairman of the executive committee, and probably the most prominent member of the A. P. A. in the city. He will be one of the leadirg lights at the meeting of the Supreme Council, to be held here in May. “Why has everything been conducted so secretly?” the reporter asked Judge Ste- vens. “Well,” he answered, “I was net a mem- ber of the press committee, and have no right to give any further information than was givei the press, but I wish to say as an individual that I am in favor of hold- ing all the supreme sessions of the order with open doors, reserving the right of an executive secsion for strictly private at- fairs. These questions which the order is advocating are public ones and the public should know, and wants to kiow, what we are doing about them. We were not here,” continued Judge Stevens, “for the purpose of making or unmaking candidates for of- fice, but it is the duty of the executive committee to convey to the members of the order the exact position of prospective cardidates for President of the United ates, tosether with their attitude in the r inanner?”” inquired The Star reporter. y his public record, and I will say here and now, with all the emphasis I can com- mand, that any man who will not in: toadving to foreignism, cannot be elected President in the coming campaign. That is settled beyond any question, and the can- didate who has any doubt about it might as well prepare to stay at home. Political Power. “How many states are there In which the order claims to hold the balance of power?” “My dear sir,” Judge Stevens replied, “we hold the balance of power in nearly every state in the Union, and we are constantly growing. The demands for organization are such that they cannot be supplied. We can- not erganize all the councils that are ready. There will be 4,000,000 members of the order before the November elections.” The Marquette Statue. When asked about the fight of the order on the Marquette statue, Judge Stevens said: “The people have a mistaken idea atout our position on the placing of the Marquette statue in statuary hall. We recognize the services rendered the coun- try by Father Marquette as an explorer and as a citizen. We are willing that history shall give him the credit he is entitled to, but what we do object to is the placing be- side the statue of the immortal Lincoln the statue of a man attired in the garb of a Jesuit, with the beads and the cross at- tached. If he had been attired in the garb of a citizen, like Lincoln, there would have been no objection. We are willing to admit all that the donors of the statue have said about Father Marquette’s services, but it must be fer his services as a citizen, and not as a Jesuit, that his memory is hon- ored. No higher honor must be conferred upon Marquette than upon Lincoln. He is there in plain clothes. It is a step in the wrong direction for Congress in any form to attempt to recognize any religion. The Constitution forbids this by letter and spirit. ———————--e-_____ Pension Watchmen Disciplined. The force of watchmen in the pension of- fice are in a state of feeling over the sum- mary discipline that was visited on two of their number yesterday. For some time it has been suspected that some manipulation of time accounts was going on in the force. Capt. Charles H. Perry and Sergt. George Watson were charged with making rate and possibly manipulated t! counts, and were reduced by Smith to the rank of watchmen. Perry's pay is reduced from $84) pe to $720, and Sergt. Watsons rom $750 to $720. -e- Going to Georgia. Secretary Smith goes to Georgia tomor- row for a fortnight, taking his family with him. His little daughter, who was ex- tremely ill last winter and whose life was saved by a difficult surgical operation on her throat, has not done as well in this climate as was hoped, and it is the plan tc keep her in the milder air of Geurgia for a time. ———- e+ Naval Cadets Appointed. The President today appointed Charles E. P. Lull a cadet-at-large at the United States Naval Academy, with John Downs fs an alternate. Mr. Lull is a son of the late Capt. E. P. Lull of the navy, of interoceanic canal fame, and Mr. Downs is the son of Lieut. John Downs, U. S. N., retired. These were the last appointments of the kind at the disposal of the President. ————___e-_____ Government Receipts. National bank notes received for redemp- tion today, $240,301. Government receipts— Frem internal revenue, $419,043; customs, $634,085; miscellaneous, $24 BETWEEN __black-mailing methods, bullying, begging and bragging, a show of business success may be made for a while; but, as Mr. Lincoln wise- ly said, “All the people can’t be fooled all the time,” and faking schemes are sure to fall to the ground in due season. What the public wants and is entitled to have is an honest value return for every penny spent. This ad- vertisers get when they use the columns of a favorite ‘house- hold journal, like THE STAR. As business bringers they have no equal. THE EVENING STAR, THURSDAY, MAROH 26, 1896-TWELVE PAGES. A Large Concourse of Friends Pay the Last Tribute. The funeral of Maj. W. H. Webster took place this afternoon with brief prayers at the residence, 1615 Riggs place, and services at the Church of the Epiphany at 2 o'clock. The gathering at the home consisted of the family, relatives and near friends of the family, together with the honorary bearers from various civil, social and mil- itary organizations. with which Maj. Web- ster was connected. The parlors were full of the perfume and beauty of May flowers sent by friends, official associates and @ifferent societies. The casket was cov- ered with flowers end the national colors. Prayers were read by Rev. Edwin B. Niver, assistant rector of St. Paul's Church, Bal- timore. At 1:30 o’clock the funeral party started for Epiphany Church. The church was filled with the hundreds of friends of Maj. Webster and the family. Accompanying the widow were her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Mowry of Charleston, S.C: Mr. D. A. Webster of Connecticut, brother of Maj. Webster; Ex-Representative W. J. Hine and William Burton, both of Chicago, who married sisters of Maj. Webster, and Mrs. Cottrell, another sister, with her two daughters. Dr. Randolph McKim, pastor of Epiphany Church, being absent from the city, the funeral services were conducted by Dr. Alexander Mackay-Smith, assisted by Rev. William R. Turner, assistant rector of Epiphany, and Dr. Aspinwall of St.Thomas’ Chureh. ‘fhe music was rendered by a male quar- tet from Harmony Lodge, Messrs. Ric Blackman, Pearson and Wright. The pallbearers were F. M. Kiggins, G. B. Hoyt, Dr. W. S. Washburn, N. A. Strait, George E. Corson, Mr. Wm. Doolittle, rep- resenting Kit Carson Post, G.A.R.; Lieut. J. H. Vale from the Loyal Legion and Frank Birge Smith of the Sons of the Revo- lution. The honorary pallbearers were Mr. G. Brown Goode, president of the Sons of the American ‘Revolution; ex-President Walter Wyman of the Society of Colonial Wars; Mr. Charles Lyman, ex-civil service commissioner, representing the Loyal Le- gion, and Mr. M. M. Parker, representing the Kit Carson Post, G.A.R.; Commission- ers John B. Harlow, W. G. Rice, John R. Procter, Representative Charles H. Russell of Connecticut, FE. Stevens Henry, Edwin D. Railey, John T. Doyle, 8. S. Shedd. The following committee of the Sons of the American Revolution: C. D. Walcott, H. P. R. Holt, W. A. De Ceindry, F. Clarke, J. F, Ellis, Richard Dana, Dr. W. J. Hoffman, Dr. D. W. Prentiss, W. Dennison, A. Howard Clark and Henry G. Blount, rep- resented that organization. The members of Harmony Lodge of Masons, Mt. Vernon Chapter, and Wash- ington Commandery, Knights Templar, and Kit Carson Post, G. A. R., attended in a body, and received the remains as the funeral procession reached the doors of the church. The employes of the civil service commission attended the funeral in a body. a small volunteer force of clerks remaining at the civil service building to attend to cur- rent business, in order that their associates might be absent. WHAT HE DOWT KNOW. Pacific Railroad Informat ald Never Be Secured. In response to a resolution, the Secretary of the Interior today sent to the Senate 4 statement from the office of the railroad commissioner showing the cost of con- struction of the Union Pacific to have ave )00 per mile; of the Central braz 3; Sioux City and Pa $43,000, and ef the Kansas Pacific, $5 The report shows that as early as ISSI the officials « the board refused to reveal to the go <rnment officials the amount of stock held That by individual stockholders, and this ,info mation has never been in the possession of tke commissioner. The commissioner is aso ignorzat as to where the bonds of t! companies are held. The mortgage debt of the Union Pacific, exclusive of the « ernment lien, is $82,782,885. The land nt to these four roads amounted to 15,441,000) acres, of which 12,000,000 was to the Uiion Pacific and 6,000,%k) to the Kansas Pac’ ———_—_-+e-+— THE TERRITOR ES. Admivsion Bills to Be sidered. for the admission of Arizona and Agnin Con- The bili the House committee on territori ‘Thursday. Today the committee de take the bilis up next wecix them a second time. The bill has been reported favorably to the Senate, but the House committce by a ¢: close vote taken several weeks cided rfot to report it to the Hous It is now imed by the advocates of Statehood that two committcemen who voted against reporting the bills have con to the opinion that the best plan will be to lay them before the House and let ihe whole House take the responsibility of pass- ing or rejecting them. The committee finished its discussion of the House bill amended by the validate the bonds issued by the of New Mexic» for building a It. was decided to accept the amendment, secured by Senator Bric Senate to include bonds to the amount of $172.10 is- sued by Santa Fe county to aid the Santa Fe raiiroad, and the commitice aiso added amendments to include in the provisions of the bill $250,000 of Santa Fe lig: bonds and $50,000 issued by Silver City. The interest upon the bondS wus reduced from 6 to 4 percent. The bill in i form validates all bonds of the t ——+-2+—_ THE SUNDRY CIVIL BILL. present it Will Provide More Lights for Parks and Reservations. The sundry civil appropriation bill taken up by the full committee for con. sideration today, and It will probably be completed by this evening or tomorrow morning. This bill will carry a number of ap- propriations for the government servi Washington, among them the proy: completing the new post office builc it is understood that the committee did not ing. recommend the additional appropriation asked fer by the supervising architect for changing the plans of the interior of the structure. The bill will provide conside: able additions to the electric lighting sys- tem on public reservations. Electric lights will be provided for Lafayette Square, Jn- diciary Square and other prominent public reservations. It will also provide for the placing of about fifty lights through the Capitol grounds. ——— ROBBED IN BALTIMORE, A Man From That City Identifies the “Kuock-Out Drop” Men. Mr. H. Easter Gale of Baltimore city came here this afternoon in company with Detectives Ward and O'Donnell and {denti- fled the men arrested here supposed to be “Knock-out-drop" men as the men who robbed him January 25 of nearly $400 worth of jewelry, including a gold watch and chain, diamond pin and diamond ring. Mr. Gale met them in the bar of the Hotel Reanert and afterward went to several places with them. In addition to giving him the “knock- out drops,” he says, they assaulted him, knocking out three of his teeth. Mr. Gale had no trouble in identifying them. The prisoners denied their identity, and said they had not been in Baltimore. THE HIGHWAY ACT. Conclusion of the Arguments in the Appeal Case. The Court of Appeals this afternoon con- cluded the hearing in the appeal of the District from the decision of Judge Cox, declaring the highway extension act to be unconstitutional. The concluding argu- ments were made by Mr. Nathaniel Wilson on behalf of the land owners, and by Mr. A. 8S. Worthington on behalf of the Dis- trict. The decision of the court was, of course, reserved, but an early decision is expected. ——.__. A Medal of Honor. The President has awarded a medal of honor to Brevet Major General William J. Sewell, Senator from New Jersey, for conspicuous gallantry at the battle of Chanceliorsville, May 5, 1863. Although a colonel, and badly wounded at the time, this officer assumed command of a brigade of troops and~ remained on the field throughout the battle. ‘initted that he agre: z : fthat he had te New Mexico will be again passed upon by | TY QUESTIONED oie 3 iY a \thb Mental ondition of \leving 8 Ball * The peccakk nal Experts Express a Belief i Q| His Insanity—The Other Evidence. ow The mental condition of Irving 8. Beall, @ young man of education and most re- spectable parents, but now in jail on a charge of obtaining money by false rep- resentations, was inquired into by a mar- shal’s jury this afternoon. Attorneys C. 'T. Yoder and-Joseph Shillington represent- eG the parents of the unfortunate young man, Assistant District Attorney Jeffords appearing on behalf of the government. The first witness cxamined was the father of the unfortunate young man, O. R. Beall. He stated that his son is nearly twenty- one years of age, and since about nine years ago has exhibited men- tal peculiarities. Since then the boy has developed an unusual desire for taking things not his own. Yet he has always been abundantly supplied with money and personal effects, and there never has ex- isted any necessity whatever for his con- version to ‘himself of the property of others. When spoken to about these things, the boy would reply that he never realized at the time that he was doing wrong, and when punished he would in- variably become worse. In everything else the boy was always perfectly reliable. . About eighteen months ago the family thought of placing him in an insane asy- lum, and the boy expressed himself as be- ing perfectly willing to undergo treatment. A few years ago the boy suffered from measies and typhoid fever, and was de- lirious for a long time. Last April he pleaded guilty to a charge of obtaining money by false representations, and Judge Cole suspended sentence during sis goud behavior, the young man promising to keep out of bac company and abstain from drinking. In a few weeks, however, it was claimed that he had become intoxicated, and that a pistol had beaa found on him, He was brought before Judge Cole, who sentenced him to a year and a day in the Albany penitentiary. He was pardoned Jast month, and had not been home but three weeks, when he was brought before the Police Court on a similar charge. He was committed to jail to await the action of the grand jury, his father refusing to give bail, because he believed that it would be best to keep him in confinement until his mental condition could be inquired into. Charges Against Detectives. Mr. Beall claimed that his son had peen brought into this city after suspension of sentence by means of a decoy letter from a woman or a friend of hers, in an effort to induce him to break his promise of good behavior. Mr. Beall also intimated that the police were determined to send the boy to prison, and said that the day Judge Cole suspended sentence Detective Carter io!d him ie would soon have him in custody again. There had been insanity or weak- of mind in the family, and Mr. Beall tked that the boy is undoubtedly of mind through inheritance, sic! or the excessive use of cigarettes. dfather of the young a iy, and Dr. Elmer Stated that he had twice examin- and believed him to be suffering ation: nity. ed from He should be sent to an asylum fi treatment, incarceration in a p hein apt to aggravate the mental weaknes Dr. Irving C. Rosse, who stated that he has been a special Hh t in mental dis > stated that he 1 ex- the boy, and had found his condi- to will be that of one whose rly aro compromised. t would ‘only make him a con criminal. He uid be treated in an asylum, aitho IS recovery would not he ce in. "Te ssistant District Attorney Jefferds Dr. said it is difficult. to aefine insanity, and he would not admit ‘tthe young man's mental condition is that of every criminal or that of the aver- age criminal. Dr. Rosse admitted, too, fied that Murderers T; r were insane, and had to that effect in the ¢ of Murderer itcam. ‘Those men we vic of murder, but that the autops his diagncsi Other Tenti Dr. W. P. ©. Hazen gave s mony, and John A. Brown ani Jonathan Nichols testified as to mental peculiarities of the young man. Warden Leonard of the District jail and ards Woodward and nith testified that he has been at all times a quiet, orderly prisoner, and that they have never noticed any mental weak- and Sehne' an afi contirmed bess in him. Dr. J. Wesley Bovee stated that he had examin the prisoner, an] bellev- ed him te be sane. He believad that he has been guilty of many vices, as the re- sult, perhaps, of being allowed too much me © Mr. Shilling-on Dr. Bove ad- 1 with Dr. Rosse in his lelief that the young man’s will is com- promised, but did not believe that his men- tal condition is such as to justify a sus- hension of a prosecution of the charge. Nor id he agree that the young man is in- cepable of controlling his will. : Dr. W. K. Shute testified that he had ex- amined the prisoner, and while he beileved him to be of a weak will, yet he believed that he knows right from wrong, and did not consider him insane. Dr. Shute said that he believed nine-terths of all criminals to be me affected and remarked that he believed it would be wrong to imprison the young man. Dr, V. B. Jacksan gave e: similar testimony, and, after Detective Carter had denied that there had been any decoy: letter sent to the prisoner, the jury decided in a few minutes that the young man ts suffering from emotional insanity, and has been for the past year. The charge against him will now prcbabiy be dismiss- ed end the prisoner sent to the insane asy- Jum for treatment. ——— PRESIDENT HIPPOLYTE DEAD. Minister Smythe Informs the State Department. The State Department has received a blegram from United States Minister Smythe at Port au Prince, Hayti, contirm- ing the Paris report of the death of Presi- cent Hippolyte of Haytl. The minister's ceblegram gave no details, simply read- ing: “President dead.” Hippolyte led the revo!t against President Legitime in 188%. His army was victorious in almost every battle, and he entered Port au Prince at the head of is troops Sep- tember 2, 1889. He was clected president October 17. Though he never was out of Hayti, Hip- polyte spoke French with ease and ac- ¢euracy. Though he did not speak English, he took American and English newspapers and had them translated to him. A conspiracy against his administration took place eatly in 1891. Hippolyte crush- ed the rebellion and executed the leaders. Hippolyte was a born fighter, and was never so happy as when he was engaged in battle or in plans to overthrow his enemy. When the revolt against his rule began he seemed to méet the conspirators at every point. He knew their plans and forestalled them. Afier the execution he issued a proclamation, which bere the following: “Those who strike at me may know, as I have often told them, that I shall strike back with a blow harder than their own.” —4___-e. Mr. Wm. B. Webb's Estate. The late Wm. B. Webb, having died in- testate, his son, Henry Randall Webb, to- day petitioned the Probate Court for the appeintment of Randail Hagner as admin- Istrator of the estate, the helrs-at-law agreeing. The personal estate is stated to consist of $2,800 in cash; $500 in stocks and secur- itles; $100 in jewelry; $4,000 in furniture, and $1,000 in books. Debts due the estate are estimated at $2,500. The value of the real estate was not given. Ss Mails for the Bahama Islands. All United States mails for the Bahama Islands after April 8 next will be sent from New York alone. Part of the service dur- ing the past winter months has been per- formed by a contract with the steamer Northumberland, plying between Nassau, N.P.,and Palm Beach, Fia.,but the arrange- ment terminates on the date mentioned. THE CONTRACTORS FAILED. Their Receiver Says He Will Con- tinue the New Post Office Work. ‘Thorpe & Bond of New York, contractors for iron work on the Washington city post office building, have failed. Their affairs are in the hands of a receiver, Mr. John Matthews of New York. He has informed the supervising architect of the treasury of his appointment, and says he will es- sume charge of the iron work on the Wash- ington post office and push it to comple- tion as rapidly as possible. He also says that" his representative will be here today or tomcrrow to see to the execution of the contract of Thorpe & Bond. Treasury officials are rot much concern- ed at the failure of the iron contractors, with whom they have had more or less trouble ever since they received the con- tract. Several months ago the supervising architect recommended the abrogation of the contract because of non-observance of its requirements, since which time they have been working on probation. The main reason why the contract was not forfeited was that such action might re- suit in a sericus delay in the work. As one of the officials put it, ‘‘The mis- fortune of Thorpe & Bond will undoubtedly expedite the iron work on the post office, rather then retard. Nag one could possibly do worse than they have dore. ——___+e~. “CAPITOL TOPICS. To Exempt Salarics From Attachment Representative Evans of Kentucky ap- peared before the judiciary committee of the House today and spoke in support of a bill introduced by him to exempt the wages and salaries of persons engaged in interstate commerce from attachment or garnishment in any other state than that in which the employe resides. Messrs. Cooke of Louisville and Doran of Philadel- phia also spoke. The Venesuelan Correspondence. Representative Barrett of Massachusetts today introduced a resolution requesting the President to transmit to the House copies of all dispatches, notes and cable- grams in the Department of State, received since December 1, 185, that relate to in- tervention or mediation by the United States in the affairs of Venezuela, together with all correspondence with foreign gov- ernments. relating to the subject. The Miles Promotion Bi! The Serate committee on military affairs today considered the bill reviving the rank of Neutenant gencral in the interest of Gen. Miles, but postponed action upon it until a future meeting. There was no test of the standing of the committee. The bill to increase the pay of non-commission- ed officers aiso went over, after more or less discussion. The probabilities are that this bill will be amended and favorably re- ported at the next meeting. Letter Carriers’ Salaries. Representative Sperry of Connecticut, from the post office committee, has report- ed to the House the bill agreed upon by the committee fixing the maximum salary of letter carriers in cities of more than 00) popuation at $1,200 per year, and in cities of less than 75,000 inhabitants at $1,000 per year. The free delivery service, says the accompanying report, is now a source of quite a large income to the gov- ernment, and should the bill become a law it would be more than self-sustaining. It is believed that the carriers, who are faithful, having full knowledge of their duties and the residences of those they serve, would be willing to continue in the ischarge of their duties, and would not looking for other positions if this could cbtained. It be change in salaries be would, says the report, put the service on a more stable foundation, and the benefits, intended to be derived from the civil serv- ice, would be realized in part should the Dill become a law To Relieve Homestend Settlers. Representative Stephenson of Michigan has reported to the House from the com- mittee on public lands a bill calculated to relieve hemestead settlers on the Crow In- dian lands in Mortana from paying to the government $1.50 per acre for their lands, which, the committee says, may very prop- erly be consfiered a discrimination against the settlers. ‘The bill was reported on ad- versely by the Secretary of the Interior, to whom it was referred for an opinion. Mny Receive Subscriptio: Mr. Brederick of Kansas has presented in the House a resolution directing the superintendent of documents to receive subscriptions for the medical and surgical histery of the late war and for the index catalogue of the surgeon general's office, at the estimated cost of reproducing these volumes from the stereotyped plates. Whenever the number of subscribers for either of the works amounts to not less than 400 the public printer is to reprint and deliver them to the superintendent of docu- ments for sale to the subscribers. Homeopathic Medical College. Mr. Gardner kas introduced a bill in the House to incorporate the Washington Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital. The incorporators named in the bill are: Zalmon Richards, Charles T. Yoder, Oscar C. Hatton, William W. Wright, Stephen T. Goff, John C. Parker, Charles T. Lindsey, G. Howard Kennard, Jas. T. Hensiy, Rich- ard Foster, Benjamin F. Odell, Frank H. Williams and F. M. Charles. A Hall of Records. Mr. Milliken of Maine has introduced in the House a bill providing for the erection on the public grounds at the intersection of Ohio and Louisiana avenues and 10th and 12th streets, in the city of Washington, new ured as a wholesale market, at a cost not to exceed $20,000, suitable fireproof build:ng to be used as a hall of records for the safe-keeping of such valuable records of the executive, legislative and judicial departments of the government as, in the judzment of the heads of such departments, are not required for constant reference, and for storage rooms, and folding rooms for the House of Representatives, and for such other purposes as may be hereafter deter- mined. For several years efforts have been made by various government officials to secure a fireproof structure for the storage of valu- atle records. The destruction of census office records last Sunday by fire has again called attention to the subject. - ++ ____ Robberies Reported. Two white men rented a room Tuesday might from Samuel Sholnick of 1099 7th street southeast. Yesterday morning they left, taking with them $200, a gold watch and chain, ard an overcoat. J. H. Manning, 910 D street southwest, complains of the theft of two gold rings. Odie Biscoe, 212 Willow Tree alley, re- ports sfolen from the house some time last week a silver watch. Max Shanority, No. 7 Monroe street, An- acostia, complains to the police that’ four pairs of men’s shoes were stolen from his store last night. : Richard Somerville, 1115 15th street, re- ported to the police this morning that bis store was entered last night, and a small iren safe containing a gold ring, locket, Gdd Fellows’ pin, $1.25 in money and some groceries were taken. A Lyndhurst bicycle belcnging to F. P. McDermott of 120 4th street southeast was stolen this morning from his stable. A gold bracelet was reported stolen this morning by Mrs. A. M. Hardy, who is stay- ing at La Fetra’s Hotel. ——__ Mr. Lambert's Answer. Ans-vering the petition filed today by Mrs. Martina Carr for the app>intment of a receiver for the Van Riswick estate, Mr. Wilton J. Lambert this afternoon filed his answer. He denies all the allegations of the bill charging him with having acquired undue influence over the decedent, Mary Van Riswick, and denies all knowledge of the amount of her stocks, etc. He iurther states that Mrs. Carr has lived with the deceased since about the year 188 in the latter's residence, No. 1413 K street north- Nest, and that most, if not all, of the said Mary Van Riswick’s papers werg and are, to the best of his knowledge, still at said house, together with her personal effects, consisting of furniture and wearing ap- parel. ——————— . Sent Down. George Johnson and George Williams, who have been here most of the winter, and who have been arrested more than once, were sent down for thirty days by Judge Kimball today.” SIGNALS TO THE STARS Nioola Tesla Says the Earth's Waves Will Be Used.’ PS Problems Which He is Striving te Solve—What He Hopes to Accom- plish With the Oscillator. Nicola Tesla stood in the outer room of his laboratory at No. 48 East Houston street yesterday afternoon, says the New York Herald today, and smiled as he said: “My electric oscillator is nearing comple- tion. I have spent years in experiments, and have been alternately encouraged and discouraged by the results. But now there is everything to promise success. It seems to be close ahead.” Mr. Tesla’s remarks were occasioned by inquiries concerning the truth of a rumor that he was perfecting an instrument for commuricating with the planets by means of electrical waves. The inventor nodded his handsome head and remarked: “Perhaps, in time. But not yet. We have to begin with little things before we can accomplish great ones. I am confident that the principles upon which I have been working are correct. How soon they will be demonstrated, of course I cannot sav. The perfection may come in ten minutes and perhaps not for years. -But that it will be possible to signal all parts of the earth instantaneously, and that from the logical development of this it will be possible to signal the stars by electrical disturbances here I have no doubt whatever. Hin Recent Experiments, “Years ago, in St. Louis, I delivered an address before the National Academy of Sciences. I then declared it would be pos- sible to use economically the electricity in the atmosphere for lighting and heating, and, of course, for communication between different parts of the earth’s surface. The problem was the conservation of electrical energy at the least possible cost to the other elements. That problem, I was con- fident then, I could solve by my oscillator. At present I am sure it can be done. From my most recent experiments, I am con- viaced that within a very short time we shall be independent of the clumsy meth- ods of generating electricity now in vogu The electrical fluid in the atmosphere will give energy enough. The same electric en- velope of the earth will enabie us to send messages from one part of the globe to all other parts in an instant of time. The same element, which, I believe, is infinite and is not confined to this atmosphere, may be used to communicate with the other planets.” “Can ycu give any description of this apparatus?” I asked. “I regret very much to say that I cannot at present. Ii is rather a tool than an ap- paratus. My experiments are made scien- tifically, on a small scale, for I have neither the money nor the space at my disposal to co more. But it is readily admitted that if I prove my principle in this minor way, and 1 am able to do what 1 am sure can be done with electricity in a limited fashion, it will only need an extension of method to accomplish the greatest results. Simul- taneous announcements may then be made in all parts of the world. In case of dis- aster, of pestilence, of atmospheric disturb- ances, in all events which are international in their character, the word may be sent from any place to all other places. The principle is the same as that which was so generally discussed some time ago in re- gard to the possibility of signaling at sea, telephonically or otherwise, between ships or with the shore and without wire.” Applied to Light. “Will the work accomplished by the oscil- lator be suited to the sending of messages of this kind?” I inquired. “No, not at all,” Mr. Tesla replied. “It will realize the possibility of generating light so that the means we now use will at once appear old fashioned. Electric ight will be exceedingly cheap, and so will elec- tric heat. The principle will be applied to all lines of necessity in which the use of the force is now important. In photogia- phy I have already achieved results from the experiments with the oscillator on the Roentgen principle at a distance of forty feet, and have secured photographs that are much more ejaborate in detail than any others I have seen or that I have heard de- scribed.” The principle of lighting to which Mr. Tesla referred, and which is a part of the discoveries which he declares he has made, will enable one to use electric lights unat- tached to any dynamo by wire or other medium. They may rest upon your draw- ing room table unilluminated,and by merely grasping them you may generate conditions which will make them glow and shed light. ————-o+—___ Buying Bait in Canada. United States Consul General Riley Ottawa has informed the State Depart- ment that the dominion government has prepared a form of license for United States fishing vessels, permitting them to buy bait and supplies, and ship men, etc., similar in terms to the usual form, except that it contains a stipulation to prevent evasion of the law in the following clause, added to the license: “Will become null and void and forfzited herewith, and the vessel will become ineligible to obtain a license In the future, if any of the goods and supplies or other advantages obtained hereunder are sold or transferred to any United States tishing vessel that has not obtained a license.” Struck by a Train. This afternoon about 2:30 o'clock a man ramed Samuel Kitson was struck by a moving train at the corner of l4th street and Maryland avenue southwest and slight- ly hurt about the head. He was taken to the Emergency Hospital. ———__ Mr. Hall's Resignation. The resignation of John I. Hall as assist- ant attorney general for the Interior De- Fartment was presented to the President this aftrendon to take effect May 1. Judge Hall resigns to accept the general conusel- ship of the Georgia Southern and Fiorlda Railroad Companyl. His successor as as- sistant attorney get eral will be W. A. Little of Columbus, Ga., who was formerly attor- ney general of the state, speaker of the Georgia house of representatives and a member of its last constitutional ccnven- ton, o—___ Grain and Cotton Markets, Furnished by W. B. Hibbs & Co., 1421 F sircet, member New York stock exchange, correspondents Messrs. Ladenburg, Thal- mann & Co., New York. : BALTIMORE, March 26.—Flour dull, unchanged— receipts, 3,907 barrels; shipments, 23,500 barrels; sales, 500 "barrels. W dull—spot” and month, T2aT24; May, O9aG9'4: July, 6914269\s—receipts, 4,227 Iushels; stock, 118.831 ‘bushels: sales, 4,000 bushels—southern wheat by sample, 76a77 ido. on de, T1%a744y. Corn firm—spot, month and April, 34%; May, 84%2344; steamer mixed, 33 bid. receipts, 56,076 bushels: shipments, $1,728 bush: stock, 073,023 bushels: sales, 7,000 inuahels—sou! . Hit st othy, $16.00 bid. Grain freights dull, rates inclined to be weak, unchanged. Sagar, butter, eggs. cheese, firm, unchanged. Whisky un: changed. Five burglars entered the store of Good- friend Brothers last night at Middlesboro’, Ky. David Goodfriend was aroused and opened fire. One was killed; the others fied. The police captured two this morning. Fire today destroyed Germania Hall, at Ansonia, Conn. The janitor, Henry Erben, fell from an upper landing head foremost, and was fatally injured. The Pullis Brothers’ Iron Company of St. Louis has mede an assignment. The amount of the liabilities is said to be in the neigh- borhood of $50,000. Major Edward Leslie, a well-known in- ventor of, Paterson, N. J., committed sut- cide today by taking morphine. His wife and family are in Canada. b FINANCE AND TRADE Good Effect of Improved Prices in : London, SUBSTANTIAL FRACTIONAL GAINS Increased Earnings of the Granger Roads Expected. ‘i GENERAL MARKET REPORTS ‘Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. NEW YORK, March 26.—Fractional im- < provement in the London market and a favorable construction of yesterday's de- velopments in the Senate resulted in an in- creased buying demand from the room this ,- morning. Prices were advanced, almost uniformly, for substantial fractional gains over the opening level, but no new business Was reported. The strength of the market for foreign exchange- has a tendency to Promote cautious trading in some quarters, but high rates for exchange are not un- usval at this season of the year. The treasury gold reserve now exceeds $128,000,000, and is therefore better able to withstand the evils of specie exports than at any time for months. In addition to the feeling of security prompted by the actual! possession of coin tn excess of the one-hun- ared-million standard, the action of the Treasury Deparument in advancing the ~- premium on gold bars from 1-16 to 3-16 in- epires confidence in a contracted specie movement, even should such a movement become a necessity. The advance in premi- vm rates is a most practical and effective method of discouraging gold chipments and should prove of great assistance in perpetu- ating the reserve fund. The scarcity of nearly all classes of com- mercial drawings at this season of an in- creased demand may force a moderate ef- flux: of coin, but beyord a momentary sen- timental reaction prices should not be ma- terially influenced thereby. Susqucharna and Western attracted some attention by reason of a sharp de- cline, accompanied by rumors of a possible default on April interest. The stock was offered down by a few traders on these un- corfirmed reports, but immediately rallicd under covering purchases for smail amounts, ‘The gereral list was dull and strong. the Granger shares particularly giving evi- dence of confident buying in anticipation of improved earnings. St. Paul con’ ues to be regarded as the leader in this class of securities, but the already pro- tracted period of its leadership increases the probability of tne sudden appexrance of a new favorite, the intrinsic merits of which may have heretofore been neglected. Chicago Gas was advanced one per cent on a fair volume of buying by brokers usually representing the management. The Probable resumption of dividends by this property is the argument at present opera- tive in the interest of higher prices. Offi- cial confirmation of the rumors now cir- culating would be the occasion of siderable advance in the market p this stock, but recent legal opstructt to such efforts warrant a cautions accep ance of unofficial announcements. The report of the conference committ will be awaited with considerable interes the dispcsition of the Cuban controversy beirg particularly desirabie at this 2 ture. As scon as pending diplomatic qu ticns are determined, attention wil e to the probable date of the final ad ment of Congress, and a stock movement of moderate proportions may result from an effort to discount any encouraging cvi- dence of un early discontinuance of w- profitable debate. Public interest in speculation fs not likely to be inspired while legislative unowrtai tles exist, most that the immediate outlook presenis FINANCIAL AND COMMICRICIAL. ’ The following are the opening, the highest and the lowest and the closing prices of the New York stock market today, as reported by Corson & Macartney, members New York steck exchange. Correspondents Messrs. Moore & Schley, No. 8) Broacway. Open. High. Low. Last. American Sugar... TB 1nyy- 14 114% American Sugar, Pfd. tases ress arses American Tobacco. BE OM SR ‘American Cotton Oi Wy 1B Cbg Atchison Canada Canada Pacific, 14% "a0, g Ghic & Soxtewomorn.. icago Gas, CIs. Cc. M. & St. Paul. o* C. M. & St. Paul, Pfd Ilinois Central Lake Shore. Loutsvilie & N Island ‘Traction. Metropoiltan Traction. Manhattan Elevated. Michigan Central. Missouri Pacine, National Lead Gi ‘National Lead Co., Pid. U. 3. Leather, Prd. New Jersey Central. . Eng. Ch N.Y. C.& St. Lonis. Northern Pacific........ Northern Pacitic, Pid’ North American. Unt. & Western. Pacific Mail... Phila. & Reading Pullman Pal. Car CG: Southern Railway, Pid. Phila. ‘Traction. ‘Texas Pacitic Wavash, Wheeling & 1 Erie, Wheeling & L Erie, Pfd Western Union Te! Balto. & Ohio District of Colum) did. ia Bonds. —20- B0-year fuud Gs, gold, 208 1 Zs, 191, currency, 110 Wud. “Water stock 7s, 1008, currency, 112 bid.” 3.635, funding, curcency, 1us', * bid. Misceflancous Tonds.— Mot wn Railroad Bs, 106% bt, 108%. asked. a1 Railroad com Gs, 1194 1 at Rail asked. 296 bid, Columbia Washington A, 110 bia. ios MTL bt . Gs, 10 bid, 125 conv 118" i hone 10 asks Amer bid, 105 asked. “American Security A. and ©., 100 bid, 105 asked. Washington Market Company “ist Gs,‘ 108 bid. Washington Marke: Company imp. Gs, 108 bid. Wash! lon Market Compauy ext. ¢s, 108 bid. Masonic Hall Associn- Aton Sa. 106 bid. Washington Light dntuntes” int EP Dol ‘ational Bank Stocks.—Rank of Washington, 290 bid. Bank of the Republic, 240 bid. Metropolitan, 200 bid, 310 asked. Ceniral, 281 bid. Farmers and Mechanics’, 180 bid, 199'axked. Second, 1: bid, 188 asked. Citizens’, 133 bid. “Columbia, 182 bid, 138 asked. Capttal, "117 bid.” West Bnd, 1 Me, 110 asked. Traders’, 100 asked. Lincoln, 101 bid, 102 asked. Ohio, 85 bid. Safe Deposit and Trust Companies. National Deposit und Trust, 110 Loan and ‘Trust, 119%, Security and Trust ington Safe Dej allroad Stocks, pital ‘Traction Company, 641; bid, 69 asked. Metropolitan, 110 bid, 115 asked’ Columbia, 85 vid, Beit, 30 asked. Eekington, My bid, 30 asked. Gas and Electric Light S: 413g bid, 44 asked. s 118 asked. 38 Wid. Metropollt 52 bid. Potomac, ncks.— Washington Gas, U.S. Electric Light, 7115 bid, 30 bid 72 did, 9) asked. Curcoran, bid." Arlington, 140 bid German-American,” 165. bid. National" Union, 11 bid. Columbia, 12 bid. Riggs. 7% bid, 84, naked! People’s, 5 bid, Gi asked. Lincoln, 7, bid, $4, asked. Commercial, 414 bid. Sty asked.’ Title Insurance Stocks.—iteal Extate Title, 105 bid, 110 asked. Colnmbia Title, 5% bid, 6%, asked. vttelephone one Stocks -Penneslvania, 38 bid. Cu tocks.—Pennsstv pid. Cuesa- peake and Potomac, 52; bid, 52% asked. American Graphophoue, 634 ‘ibid, |Z naked. Pneumatic Guu Carriage, .20 bid, 25’ asked. Miscelianeous ‘Siocks. — Morgenthaler Linot *116% bid, 120 asked. Lanston Mo 7% Sie, aaked: | Washington Market, 13 bid, Fails Ice, 120 bid, 130 asked. “Lincoln Hail, gp! asked. °Ex div. and a traders’ market is the + ow.