Evening Star Newspaper, April 3, 1896, Page 2

LATE NEWS BY WIRE Langdon Held in the Case of Anna McGrath. ACTION AT THE CORONER'S INQUEST the Girl’s No Traces of Poison Remains. PRISONER GOES TO JAIL PHILADELPHIA, Pa., April 3.—The cor- oner’s jury this afternoon held Samuel P. Langdon for the action of the grand jury. Zangdon lived with Anna McGrath, the minteen-year-old typewriter, who was found dead in bed under suspicious circumstances March 23. The inquest was held today by Coroner Ashbridge. Langdon occupied a front seat, and did uct appear to take much interest in the Proceedings. Henry H. McGrath, the dead girl’s father, was the first witness. He said the last time he saw his daughter alive was on the Wednesday prior to her death. He did not know Mr. Langdon, and had never scen him at his home. Mrs. Effie Butterfield, a sister of Anna McGrath, said she had met Mr. Langdon a@t the McGrath house but once. She knew that her sister was in the habit of pur- chasing chioroform in small quantities for the toothache, but did not know that she had purchased a two-ounce bottle of the drug until she was told so by Howard A. Sausser, a deug clerk - Flo Stewart, a friend of the dead girl, ed that she had known Anna McGrath since childhood. She said that on ion Annie had said to her: “If ion would find me going out with else he would kill me.” Brockman, drug clerk at 2838 id he nad sold a small quantity of chloroform to Miss McGrath the Friday prior to her death. rth# Stewart, the colored servant of the couple. told about the finding of the body of Miss McGrath. Howard A. Sausser, druggist, told of sell- ing two ounces of chloroform to the dead girl, and about the latter asking him what were the relative effects of chloroform on an elderly and a young person, and also what was the most deadly poison. After several other witnesses had tes- tified to the cheerful disposition of the @ead girl, Prof. Leffman, the coroner's ex- pert, read his report on the analysis of the blood and stomach of Miss McGrath. The report stated that there were no traces d of poison in the girl's stom ach or blood. The blood was a bright red which would be the case if the dead d died from inhaling water gas. al physicians testified that the sore on the tongue came from the pressure of the teeth in the lower jaw. Coroner Ashbridge then explained the ease to the jury. telling them that the absence of special poison casts somewhat of a doubt upon the cause of immediate death, but that statements Mr. Langdon mate varied to suc extent that his 3 looked suspicious. jury was out ten minutes and re turned with the following verdict: “We find that An her death in a mann th Jury, and we reco that the defend- ant, Samuel P. La: be held to await the action of the grand jury Langdon was taken bac any one Frank Girard av«nue, CONSIDERS HIMSELF GOVERNOR. Mr. Hughes Will Resist Until Col. Franklin is Confirmed. _ PHOENIX, Ariz., April 3.—L. C. Hughes still considers himself governor uf nd challenges any act of Secre- tary Bruce as acting governor until the time of the confirmation of Col. Franklin as his su or. Hugh s he has learned that his re- moval was due to the information taken to the President by ex-Delegate to Con- Mark Smith, that he (llughes) had the President on the veto of Ari- gona land lease bill. Mr. Hughes brands this as fase. No Opposition to Confirmation. The Senate committee on territories today a@uthcrized a favorable report on the nomi- nation of B. F. Franklin to succeed Gov. Hughes as governor of Arizona. Contrary to expectation, no opposition to confirma- tion manifested Itself in committee. Dele- gate Murphy filed a request to have the nomination held up when the name was first sent in, but he withdrew it. ed MISS BARTON'S RELIEF WORK. Bhe Denies That It is Controlled by the Turks. CONSTANTINOPLE, April 3.—Miss Clara Barton, president of the American Red Cross Scciety, is much disturbed on ac- sount of the reports circulated In the to the effect that the Red relief is being controlled by the This, it appears, is not the case. h government allows the agents Sarton to distribute the relief the only stipulation being that it must be done in the presence of Turkish Micials. United States Cros: ———— THE CANTEEN CLOSED. Awaiting Advices at Fort Robi From the Secretary of Wa’ OMAHA, Neb., April 3.—A special to the Bee from Fort Robinson, Neb., says: The tomplaint of Crawford citizens that the Foverrment has no right to sell liquor without state restrictions at the fort has Fesulted in the post canteen being closed pending advices from the Secretary of War. This is considered singular, since the government is granted a complete author- ity on all United States tand in Nebraska. This question involves all United States Property in ali state: _———— FRENCH SENATE DISSENT: Expresses Lack of Confidence in the Ministry. PARIS, April 3.—The senate, by a vote of acopted the following resolution: “The senate, noting the declaration of the government that It cannot add to its ations of Tuesday (on the Egyptian All the ministers left the senate chamber after the passage of the vote, and the sen- ate almost immediately afterward adjourn- ed until April 21. After leaving the senate, the ministers Met at the Quai D'Orsay, to discuss the situation. SUICIDE IS SUSPECTED. & Philadelphia Editor Killed by Fall- ing From a Fourth-Floor Window. PHILADELPHIA, April 3.—Thos. Whar- ton, Sunday editor of the Philadelphia Times, fell from a fourth-story window of the house in which he lived early this morning and was instantly killed. It is generally believed that he committed sul- Gide. Of late the other occupants of the house had noticed that Mr. Wharton seem- 4 to be melancholy. He was eccentric,and mae but few friends in the house, but @uring the past few days he seemed par- ticulariy despondent. Mr. Wharton was thirty-seven years old, and was widely known because of his Uiterary ability. He was a frequent con- tributor to magazines. He wrote several novels, the best known of which are “A Latter Day Saint” and “Hannibal of New York.” from the University of the honorary di He graduated Pennsylvaria, and legrees A. M. had been conferred of A. B. and — him. His father was the late Henry istinguish mehr tos = ed member of the Philadelphia bar, and deceased also ticed law before journalism, taking up ‘His connection with the Times dated from MANY MORE TO FOLLOW Oleomargarine Dealers. The Internnl Revenue Authorities Have Gotten Evidence in Over Forty Different Cases. ‘The indictment of the members of the firm of Wilkins & Co., yesterday on the charge of selling to the boys’ reform school oleomargarine under a contract calling for genuine butter, and supplying the article in tubs not marked in accordance with the provisions of the laws governing the sale of oleomargarine in the District of Co- lumbia, created genuine consternation among the large number of dealers here who have been engaged in selling the same kind of product to the public as genuine butter, and receiving the prices command- ed by the genuine article for the imitation gcods. A large number of other indict- ments of persons who were caught violat- ing the oleomargarine laws in this man- rer are expected to be presented at any moment. About three months ago Commis- sioner of Internal Revenue Miller instruct- ed Mr. Welborn Colquitt, chief of the spe- cial agents of that bureau, to clean up the District of illegal oleomargarine sellers. Agents Brought From Abroad. Mr. Colquitt quietly brought to Waching- ton two or three trustworthy officers under his supervision, and in a short time over forty cases had been made out against as many different individuals who had been discovered selling oleomargarine for but- ter and selling it also without having « ten out the licenses required by the gov- ernment. When these dealers were made acquainted with the fact that their illegal methods had been discovered, they paid—or some one paid for them—into the Treasury Depart- ment, through the internal revenue bureau, the amounts of money equal to the licenses they had failed to get out before embarking in the trade. It was expected that this course would satisfy the treasury officials and prevent prosecution of the offenders. But such, it is said, will not prove to be the case. All the evidence in the cases made by Chief Agent Colquitt was placed in the Possession of District Attorney Birney sev- eral weeks ago, and it is believed to be probable that the grand jury will signalize its adjournment next Monday by finding true bills agminst all of the Individuals against whom the charges have been made. It may be interesting to note that the reform school case against the Wilkins Brothers, in which the indictment was found yesterday, was worked up by Detec- tive Carter, entirely unaided by the United States authorities. So far the only indict- ments brought have been upon cases made out by Detective Carter. All the indict- ments brought some months ago, the cases under which have never been brought to trial, were due to this officer’s efforts. There have been presented to the district attor- Bey’s office by private individuals and the authorities of the internal revenue bureau ever seventy cases based on charges of violations of the oleomargarine law. ——— THE CARROLL PICTURES. Two Colored Boys Charged With the ‘Thefts. Detectives Horne and Weedon, who have been Investigating the case involving the robbery of the oil paintings from the old Carroll mansion at 1sth and F streets, got a clue yesterday as to the whereabouts of some of the stolen property, but because a certain boy of good parentage was sus- pected of being connected with the affair, Mr. McKenny, who made the complaint, requested that the investigation be stop- ped. Today, however, the investigation was renewed, and Mr. J. Marshall Brown of Portland, Me., who is executor of the Car- roll estate, swore out 4 warrant for two colored boys, Jeoffrey Jefferson and Wr. Thompson, alias Thomas. The warrant charges the grand larceny of seven oil paintings, valued at $100, and the writ was placed in the hands of the detectives for service. Mr, McKenny denies that any member of the families of hvirs to the property. wore in any way connected with the theft. ee THE IMPORTED ITALIANS. Contractor Lesher Says He Will Em- ploy Some Local Laborers. Mr. F. M. Lesher, the junior member of the firm of T. M. Lesher & Son, the con- tractor for building the Brookland sewer, and who, it will be recailed, imported a number of Italian laborers from Pennsyl- yania to do the work, was at the District building today. In cenversation with a reporter of The Star he said that it was true that he had brought a number of Italians here, and that they were located in Brookland. He said they were regular employes of the firm, skilled in the work of sewer construc- tion and understcod the working of the big excavators. No more Italians, however, he said, would be brought into the city, and he had decided to employ about one hundred local laborers In the work. He said since he arrived here he had received but few applications for work. He wanted hends, however, and his office was at Brookland for those who wished to apply. ——.__ Ex-Gov. Pennoyer Nominated. PORTLAND, Ore., April 3.—The popu- lists’ municipal convention has nominated ex-Gov. Pennoyer for mayor. The Tax- payers’ League is expected to indorse the nomination. Gov. Pennoyer refused to state whether or not he will accept the nomina- tion. Instructed for Quay. EASTON, Pa., April 8.—The eighth con- gressional district republican conferees met here today and elected Gen. Frank Reeder of Northampton county and J. M. Dries- bach of Carbon county delegates to the national convention. They are instructed to vote for Senator Quay for President. John Fritz of Bethlehem was chosen presi- dential elector for the district. Couldn't Stand It Any Longer. ALTOONA, Pa., April 3.—Andrew Grueh- ler, whose hotel license expired last Tues- day, after he had failed to secure a re- newal, committed suicide today by shooting himself. Despondency over his ill-fortunc is supposed to have been the cause of the act. His wife ran away with his brother ten years ago, and about a year ago he was so badly injured in a bar room fight that his sight and hearing were permanent- ly impaired. The loss of his license com- pleted his woes. Gruehler was about forty- six years old. —— Unfortunate in Business. ATTLEBORO, Mass., April 8.—Wade, Davis & Co. of Plainville, manufacturing jewelers, and Harland G. Bacon of Lin- coin, Bacon & Co., also in the jewelry bus- iness, have made assignments. ‘rvolving more than $100,000. CHICAGO, Aoril 3—Herman Kirchoff, manufacturer of sash, door and blinds, of this city, has failed. The assets are said to be from $250,000 to $300,000, but no exact Se could be procured as to the la- bilities. Mo., April 3.—The Imboden manufacturers of a general line of m snd ladies’ shoes, have failed. The assets are upwards of $100,000, and it ane all indebtedness will be paid in fi ———— CAPITOL TOPICS. The Bankruptcy Bill. The Senate committee on judwy-y to- @ay decided upon a favorable rsport upon the voluntary bankruptcy bill. Divorce in the Territories. The House bill requiring a residence of @ year In suits for divorce in the territories received the favorable indorsement of the Senate committee on territories today. The committee amended the bill so as to pro- vide that it shall not affect suits begun. New York Custom House Bill. Mr. Quigg’s New York custom house bill was favorably reported by the House com- Gutise on: pubic! bolidings ard. groursis) to= ONLY THE HOUSE But One Branch of the National Legislature in Session. THPORTANT RULING AS T0 A QUORUM Contest Between Pension Bil's and the Cuban Resolutions. THE CONFERENCE REPORT ‘The galleries of the House were well filled today in anticipation of a renewal of the Cuban debate in connection with the pre- sentation of the conferense report on the Cuban resolution, but the attendance on the floor was smaller than usual. Some preliminary routine business was trans- acted. Mr. Murphy (IIL) secured unanimous con- sent for the consideration of a bill to au- thorize the construction of a third bridge across the Mississippi river ut St. Louls. Mr. Bartholdt (Mo.) offered an amend- ment, which was defeated, to compel the construction of the bridge at least one and a haif, and not more than two and a half miles below the Eads bridge. Mr. Hepburn, chairman of the committee on commerce, opposed the bill on the ground that a third bridge vithin a dis- tance of two miles would greatly impede navigation at St. Louis. Mr. Murphy and Mr. Joy urged the pas- sage of the bill because of the excessive tolls charged by the present bridge com- pany. Mr. Hepburn maintained that Congress had the power to prevent the extortion complained of. ‘The bill was paseed. Cuba or Pensions. Mr. Pickler, chairman of the pensions committee, demanded the regular order. ‘This being private bill day, he wanted to proceed with the consideraticn of private pension bills reported from the committee ef the whole. Mr. Hitt, chairman of the foreign affairs committee, thought he ought tc antagonize those bills if they would en- tail debate, in the interest of the confer enee repcrt on the Cuban resolutions. “Cuba can walt,” “while we pass these pension bill: Mr. Hitt finally agreed to withhold his Taotion if Mr. Pickler would demand the brevious question on each bill as it was culled up. The democrats insisted that there ought to be debate, and Mr. Erdman (Pa.) promtply mace the point of no quo- rum on the first bill. The Speaker count- <d 200 members, eleven more than a «uo- rum. Mr. Erdman then attempted to se- cure the yeas and nays on the passage of the bill, but only twenty-two members sup- ported his demand. On the next bill dem- cerats refrained from voting, and less than a quorum voted, but when Mr. Erdman made the point the Speaker promptly over- ruled it, stating that it had already been ascertained that a quorum was present. Mr. Erdman went through the motions of demanding a “division” on each vote, but his oppesition was unavailing. The Speaker's Important Ruling. On one occasion when Mr. Erdman made the point of no quorum the Speaker made the important ruling that 178 constituted @ quorum, thus deciding that a majority of the ving members was a quorum in- stead of a majority of the full membership of the House. This question had never been absolutely settled. In the Fifty-first Congress Speaker Reed held that a major- ity of a full house was a quorum. Mr. Richardson called attention to the import- ance of the ruling, and asked if the Speaker intended to reverse his decision in the Fifty-first Congress. The Speaker replied that he did. He ex- plained that his former ruling was made hurriedly, on the side of safety. After thorough examination he had concluded that a majority of living members was a quorum. He cited several authorities, among others that of Reverdy Johnson. Mr. Grosvenor (Ohio) said he desired at some future time to cite other authorities. Mr. Talbert (S. C.) caused a little flurry on the last bill—to pension Mollie Crandall— by attempting, under the guise of a parlia- mentary inquiry, to denounce the passage of the bill as an “outrage,” but the Speaker called him to order and ordered him to take his seat. After apout thirty bills had been passed in something more than an hour Mr. Erdman made a novel point, de- manding after the bill had been ordered to be engressed that a copy of the engrossed bill be produced. As this could not be done the bill was laid aside. The Cuban Resolutions Up. Then, at 2:25 p.m., Mr. Hitt, chairman of foreign affairs committee, called up the conference report on the Cuban resolutions. The report agreed to the Senate resolu- tions, the first of which declared, in the opinior of Congress, that a state of public war existed in Cuba, and that the United States should maintain a strict neutrality between the belligerents, and the second requested the President to use his friendly offices with the Spanish government for the recognition of the independence of Cuba. The conference criginally agreed on the House resolutions, the most important of which favored intervention if necessary, but which form the Senate rejected. The re- port of the new conferees decided to ac- cept the Senate resolutions. Mr. Hitt moved the adopiion of the con- ference report in a speech which will be fund elsewhere in The Star. Pertinent Questions and Answers. During the course of Mr. Hitt's remarks he was interrupted several times by ques- tions, though there was no general display of antagonism to his position. Gen. Hender- son asked for an explanation of what ben- efit the recognition of the belligerency of the Cubans would be. Mr. Hitt replied that that was the point of the whole proposition before Congress, and said that it would give the Cubans a flag and a status. Today if a Cuban vessel should come into the port of New York flying the flag with a single star she would be subject to treatment as a pirate. The Spanish minister would at once go to the State Department and demand that such treatment be given her. But after belligerency had been granted, there would be nothing of this sort. The Cubans by this recognition would acquire the right to purchase munitions of war and supplies and be accorded the same treatment which is accorded to Spain herself. Mr. Swanson at this point asked if Mr. Hitt thought the adoption of this resolution would be followed by the recognition of belligerency. Mr. Hitt replied that he believed it would, because he did not think that the President of the United States would be recreant in his duty toward Congress. He did not think that Mr. Cleveland would ignore the wishes of Congress so emphatically ex- pressed and occupy the attitude of master instead of President. He was confident, therefore, that the adoption of this report would be followed at once by the recogni- tion of the belligerency of Cuba. —___~o+_____ COL. NAFF’S PARTY DROWNED. He and a Deputy Marshal Alone Were Saved. ‘The report received in Washington late last night from Crookston, Minn., that Col. Adam F. Naff, en inspector of the general land office, and party of seven men, had broken through the ice in the Rainy Lake country, and all perished, created ‘consider- able excitement among his friends and land office officials. The report came through a letter to the Crookston Times, from the Winter Road River country, and seemed to be authentic. This afternoon a dispatch from Crook- ston states that Col. Naff, who was re- ported drowned yesterday on the Canadian boundary, has returned to that city. All the party broke through the ice in river, and with the exception of Naff the United States deputy marshal, all were drowned. Those two managed to escape and secured horses, on which they reached civilization. The original report was sent out by the Indians, —_-e—_____ Saratoga Opera House on Fire. SARATOGA, N. Y., April 8.—The opera house block was damaged by fire and water t to the extent of ‘deri Sar $50,000, part- AFFAIRS IN ALEXANDRIA we The regular magnet meeting of the Co- lumbia Steam Fire -Rngine Company was held last night, h President W. A. Smoot in the chair’<The minutes of the last meeting were reat and approved. Two applications for membership were received and referred to committee on membership. One new member was eleoted. An invita- tion to attend the Maryland state firemen’s convention and engine contest, to be held at Cumberland on June 10, 11 and 12, was received and accepted, and the necessary committees to make arrangements were appointed, after which the meeting ad- Journed until April 14, at which time the above committees will report. The Columbia engine holds the cham- plonship of the world in getting up steam from cold .water, and throwing 150 feet. She is a third-class Amoskeag and was built in March, 1863, and was purchased in Philadelphia in 187i, and brought to this city, and has been in active service ever since. In June, 1893, she won the first prize of $100 at Frederick, Md., with eight competi- tors, in elght minutes and ten seconds; in June, 1804, she again won the first prize in seve minutes and fifty-seven seconds at Hagerstown, and In September, 1505, won the first prize at Grange Camp, Va., and succeeded in breaking the world’s rec- ord of six minutes and seventeen seconds by eleven scconds. It is expected that about fifty members of the company will accompany the engine to Cumberland. En- gineer W. H. Wood, who has so success- fully handled her before, will have entire charge, and it is safe to say that the Co- lumbla boys will do all in their power to keep up the reputation of the company. He Encaped. Mr. James F. Upton yesterday reported to Lieut. Smith that his store, at the cor- ner of Princess and Alfred strects, had been entered Wednesday night and a lot of candy, bananas, etc., stolen therefrom. Lawrence and Larry Bright were imme- diately suspected, and the lieutenant, with Officers Wilkerson and Bettis, yesterday evening searched the home of the Bright boys, end found the candy there. The of- ficers soon located the boys on the old fair grounds, at the head of King street, where they were playing a game of ball. When the officers put in an appearance the boys started to run, but Larry was caught be- fore he had gone far. Lawrence was not to be caught, however, for he jumped a barb- ed wire fence and made off, with Oflicers Bettis and Wilkerson in hot pursuit. Of- ficer Bettis shot at him twice, but did not strike him. After running about four or five miles Bright, who can run like a deer, succeeded in avoiding the officers. Lieu Smith brought Larry Bright to the station house, and when searched some of the stolen candy was found in his pocket. The Bright boys have been giving the police a great deal of trouble for the past five years. This morning Larry was brought before the mayor, who committed him to 3ail for further examination. A Runaway Marriage. The Ballad and; Exchange Hotel in this city was yesterday the scene of a romartic welding. Wednesday night Miss Birdie St. C. Brooks, Miss Daisy Bowen of Washing- ton and Mr. Charlés Brengle of Frederick, Md., and Mr. Richard Scott arrived here on the 11 o'clock train from Washington. They endeavored to find Mr. Beach, clerk of the corporation court, to secure a marriage license, but Mr. Beach could,not be found. Yesterd: however, they ‘procured tbe necessary license, and Miss Brooks became the bride of Mr. Charles Brenglet. The cere- mony was performed in the parlor of the Exchange by Rey. Dr. P. P. Phillips of St. Paul's Church, after which the bridal party left for Frederick, where Mr, and Mrs. Brengle will make thefr future home. Miss Brooks !s the daughter of Mr. Wm. Brooks, a wealthy retired’ business man of Wash- ington, and is extremely. handsome, and is just twenty-one years of age. Police Court. Mayor Thompson this morning~ disposed of the following cases: Beverly Carter, colored, arrested by Officer Young for being drunk and disorderly, fined $2.50; Larry Bright, arrested by Lieut. Smith and OMm- cers Wilkinson and Bettis, charged with entering and robbing store of James’ F. Upton; committed to jail for turther ex: amination. Sidney Foster, colored, arrest- ed by Officer Arrington, on charge of steal- Ing gas fixtures, etc., from the house of Sami. H. Lunt; continued until 7 o'clock tonight. Lucinda Rowe, colored, arrested by Officer Bettis, charged with disorderly conduct. Corporation Court. In the corporation court yesterday, Judge J. K. M. Norton presiding, the following business Was transacted: Yeaton agt. Yea- ton; final decree. Sipple agt. Hammerding- er; final decree. McCartney, administrator of Wm. Fletcher, agt. J. Shipman et al.; decree to ascertain amount due by Ship- man and perpetuating injunction restrain- ing him from collecting; decree for costs in his favor, entered In March, 1888. Notes. Grand Regent J. J. Jamerson of this city last night paid an official visit to Jefferson Council, Royal Arcanum, of Charlottesville. The funeral of Miss Lizzie Baader, whose death was mentioned in The Star, tcok place from her late home on King street yesterday afternoon, and was attended by a large number of her friends. Rev. P. P. Phillips of St. Paul's Church conducted the funeral services. About 65,000 herring and 500 shad ar- rived at Fishlown yesterday. Herring sold at $5 per thousand, and shad at $18 to $20 per hundred. Police Officer George Jones, who has been confined to his bed for some time, dled last night at 10 o'clock. The police headquar- ters have been draped in honor of his memory. eS Senator Voorhees’ Condition. The continued absence from the Senate of Senator Voorhees of Indiana has given seme concern to his friends, but it is stated by members of his family that his con- dition is perhaps a little better of late than it has been for some weeks. The Senator has been suffering all winter from a severe attack of rheumatism, complicated by nervous prostration and a marked liability to frequent colds. He has been out riding several days lately, and it is hoped that he will improve as the weather becomes warmer and brighter. —_—_+ e+____ Stamps for Stolen Sugar. United States:'Treasurer Morgan has re- ceived the folldwing“letter from Westville, ‘Conn., inclosing 30 cents in postage stamps: “I was a soldier af, the time of the rebel- lion. I was on:guard over the commissary stores and thoughtlessly took lumps of sugar from arf’ opeti barrel to eat. I did not take much in quantity, but violated the principle of strict HOnesty. It is impressed upon me after eu these years that I ought to make restitution. 'I send postage stamps to cover, I think, the value of all that I took, with intérest. These stamps were turned into the con- science fund. ~ i The Eastern Branch Bridge Bill. Mr. A. H. Randld: of Congress Heights and Gen. Wheuler ®f Alabama had an in- terview yesterday..with Col. Allen, the engineer officer in charge of local river and harbor improvements, In regard to the bill now before the House of Representa- tives for the construction of a bridge across the Eastern branch, at the foot of South Capitol street. They were satisfied, from what Col. Allen said, that he would report in favor of the project. The promoters are encouraged at the situation, and will exert their utmost endeavor to secure the pas: of the measure at the present session. t is estimated that the bridge can be built for $500,000. —————_-e+—___ In Favor of Women Delegates. CHESTER, Pa., April 3.—By a vote of Tl to 11 the Methodist Episcopal confer- ence decided today in favor of afmit! women as lay delegates to the pet] conference. THE EVENING STAR, FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 1896—TWELVE PAGES. DISTRICT AFFAIRS Earnest Protest Against Continuing the Contract System. THE RECENT IMPORTATION OF LABOR Mr. Blake’s Argument Before the Commissioners Today. OTHER LOOAL NOTES There was an interesting discussion in the board room at the Commissicners’ office this morning upon the subject of abolishing the contract system of doing public work. Incidentally the incident of a contractor employing Italians and bringing them from Pennsylvania to work on a District sewer was mentioned: The hearing was given to a committee from the local Federation of Labor, con- sisting of Messrs. E. M. Blake, J. J. Mc- Carthy and Jos. K. Potter, to present the views of the workingmen of the city upon Senate bill 1417, relating to the employ- tment of labor on public buildings and grounds owned by the District of Colum- bia. Mr. E. M. Blake presented the views of the committee, which he explained was the legislative committee of the Federa- tion of Lahor of the District. The working people of the city, he said, are more in- terested in the “passage of this bill ihan any measure before Congress. It was the desire of the committee, he said, to appear first before the Commis- sioners in advocacy of the bill, but the opportunity not occurring the committee made its first presentation to the Senate committee having charge of the matter. it was gratifying to note that the subject of municipal control of public works had received substantial recognition from Dis- trict officials. The reasons which prompted the Com- missioners 2nd the superintendent of street sweeping to favor the abandonment of the ccntract system in the imnortant work of cleaning the streets and alleys applied with equal force to every other kind of work. It was not sufficient ground for rejecting the bill that, in the opinion of an official of the District government, the work would be Tore expensive than the contract system. The facts controvert such an epinion. Un- der the day’s work sysi2n, experience had proved, and will prove, that it will be no greater than the safeguards the govern- ment is obliged to employ to insure good work. He argued this measure, not only because of the bellef that it will promote the special interest of the workingmen, but also because it would redound to the ad- vantage of the community. To eliminate the contractor meant the savings of his Profits to the District, and insured better work. If the bill were considered only from the workingmen’s point of view, there was abundant reason for adopting The com- munity at large would bene from any measure that contributed to the welfare of the working classes. Summing up the rea- sons for the passage of the bill, he said: by: “The system proposed the bill is cheaper than the contract system, hence is commended by considerations of ‘economy. “It will rid the public service of the many Scandals growing out of the contract sys- em. “It will institute a system of competition in quantity and quality, and not in price, and thus secure for the public better work for the money expended. “The workingmen engaged on public work would be fairly and justly paid for their labor.”” Cane in Point. Continuing, the speaker said: “When contracts were let it was natural for the contractor to make as much out of the contract as possible. The result was the employment of cheap labor and poor work. A case in point was mentioned in last evening’s Star. Hordes of Italians were brought into the city to do certain work upon a sewer. The poor laborers of the District, whom the generous people of the city had supported during the winter, were robbed of an opportunity to work. The com- munity suffered. If there was any possible Way to annul this contract, even at a loss, he thought the Commissioners were justi- fled in doing it. Such an outrage to the local laborers would be resented. The last time Italians were brought to this city was when “Yankee Gleason’ was a contractor for cer- tain work. The scenes then were disgrace- ful, and the police had to be called out to preserve the peace.” Should Be Changed. Commissioner Ross said the Commission- ers had no control under the law over this metter, no matter how much they regretted it. The organic act was specific regarding the award of a contract, and no discretion was left to the Commissioners. Mr. Blake said if this were correct, the organic act should be changed. These Ital- jars were evidently here under the padrone system. They were not naturalized, but shifted about all over the country by the mén who owns them. He had been in- formed by a friend who lives in Brookland that twenty-seven of them were huddled in one room last night, and that sixty- seven were sheltered in a single house. He spoke of the danger from disease, and the liability of crime, and said he hoped the Commissioners would reconsider the grant- ing of the contract if possible. The Two Methods. Rethrning to the original discussion, he said: “The adoption of the day's work system before these operations are begun will be an assurance to the public that it will re- ceive an honest return for the millions it 1s purposed to expend. An evil that has at- tended the contract system in the District, and one which in addition to the distresses and injustices suffered by the workingmen results in a serious tax upon the com- munity,is the importation into the District by various contractors of gangs of work- men employed at low wages. Hundreds of such workmen are stranded here at the end of their term of employment, and their presence serves to depress the local labor inarket and to increase the general poverty in times of distress. Ultimately the com- munity has to pay dearly for any seeming gain from the employment of cheap labor. “Sound business principles undoubtedly condemn the employment of the contract system to so general an extent, as unfor- tunately the law now requires in the Dis- trict. Great railway corporations and manufacturing concerns, whose dividends depend upon economical management, long ago eliminated the contractor from any share in their current work. ‘There are other considerations, however, which from the point of view of the body I represent are even weightier than these matters of good business management and economy. Earnest Plea. “The workingmen believe they have a right to be considered. The laborer en- gaged in paving the street, or the mechanic employed in the construction of a school house, is working for the government. The sham of the contract system interposed be- tween him and the government does not alter the fact that his work is for the pub- Mc. The workingman has a right to de- mand that the government shall not lend itself to promoting a system that degrades him, makes his work, his health, his | strength, his very life material for specu- lation. He has a right to ask, and good public policy will indorse his appeal, that he shall be paid fair and just wages. It is a shameful thing that the government should be the chief patron of a system which is in many of its phases more damnable than slavery. Under better con- ditions and a better law, both the work- Ingmen and the public will fare beiter. Then when work is to be done for the com- munity the question will not be, how cheap- ly it can be done, but how well it can be done. If the contract system is to be continued, at least let it not be continued a merciless speculation in human labor. Let the government require as a part of every contract that the contractor must pay the maximum wages to his workingmen. In this way competition will be shifted from the plane of cheapness to the plane of qual- ity and efficiency; the public will get better work and the workingmen will get just treatment.” It is evidently the intention of the Com- migsioners to favorably report the bill in part. No Additional Lights. Replying to a letter from the Eckington Citizens’ Association relative to the main- tenance of street lamps in Eckington the Commissioners say: “There ig not # sufficient balance in the street lighting appropriation to maintain any additional lights this fiscal year. As many changes have been made this year as the needs of the service will permit. Lamps near electric lights have been discontinued; certain sections have been deprived of half their light to enable the department to use them in lamp that could pos- sibly be discontinued has been moved else- where in order to keep within the present appropriation and maintain the present service. Incinerating Waste Material. ‘The Commiesioners today transmitted to Congress, with the request that it be in- cluded in the District appropriation bill, the following provision: “For ircinerating all combustible waste collected in the District of Columbia and delivered at the furnaces, $15,000: Provided, That said Commissioners may, on ard after the passage of this act, enter into contract, after due advertise- ment, as wired by law, for incinerating such combustible waste, as hereinbefore mentioned, for a period not xceeding four ycars, to terminate June 20, 1900: Provided further, That said Commissioners are here- by authorized to make necessary regula- tions for the collection, transportation and delivery of such refuse in the District of Columbia, and to annex to said regulations such penalties as will enable them to secure the enforcement thereof.” Resignation Accepted. The Commissioners have accepted the resignation of Private F. M. Luckett of the fire department, and appointed Thomas B. McLane to the vacancy. Repairs of Wharves. The Commissioners are sending out copies of the report of Mr. John H. Cooper, in- spector of wharves, to the companies using them, with the request that they take im- mediate steps to repair the same. Per Diem Employes. The Commissioners have returned to Con- gress with favorable recommendation a list of per diem employes of the District which are intended to be transferred to the per- manent roll, in order that they may be al- lowed leave of absence the same as other employes. Excise Board. The excise beard today rejected the wholesale liquor license application of John R. Ward, 901 9th street northeast, and granted the retail application of William A. Ehrmanutraut, 1000 7th street south- west. Fined for Neglect. Private J. E. Schuyler of the police force has been fined $20 for neglect of duty. Order Revoked. The order forbidding the use of Green's Hall for entertainments is revoked, on con- dition the fire escape law is complied with. 2 es He Was Buncoed. George Collins, a colored man who works on the farm of August Burgdorf on the 7th street road, was victimized by two confidence men today to the amount of $28.40. He came to the city with a load of hay for Mr. Frank Hume and when he reached the alley near the stable he saw two strange white men. One of them directed him to the stable and assisted him in unloading the hay. When this work was finished the stranger asked him for the receipted bill, saying he would get the mcney for him. ‘Thinking the man was in Mr. Hume's empioy Collins gave him the bill and he collected the money. When he came out of the store he told Coliins that they would have to go to the bar.k together and get the money. Collins went as far as Pennsylvania avenue and 7th street and the man left him to go to the bauk. When Collins realized what had happened he made complaint to the police, who are now looking for the stranger. a Both Were Hart. This morning, about 8:50 o'clock, there was a collision at the corner of Pennsyl- vania avenue and I7th street between a bicycle and a pedestrian, and both were so painfully injured that they had to be fent to the hospital for treatment. The pedestrian was Frank A. Nute, thirty-eight years old, a clerk in the Win- der building, and the bicyclis: was John Stewart, fourteen years old, a messenger, who lives on Valley street. Mr. Nute, who lives at Mount Pleasant, was on his way to the office at the time the accident happened. He had just stepped from a cable car, when the bicycle struck him. His head struck against the concrete pavement with such force that concussion of the brain is feared. He was also other- wise painfully injured. The boy sustained a number of cuts and bruises, and both the clerk and the messenger’ boy were taken to the Emergency Hospital for treatment. eee Charged Wi Embezzsicment. Mrs. Mary Whelan, who was evicted from her house on G street northwest between 6th and 7th streets, swore out a warrant in the Police Court this afternoon against one of her former neighbors, Walter J. Costello, the former saloon keeper, charging him with the embezzlement of $25. When Mary was evicted, she says, Costello offered to lend her some assistance. She says that h3 called upon some of her friengs and collected money for her. This money she alleges he kept and failed to turn over to her a single dollar of the money collected. Detective Lacy served the warrant this afternoon and took Costello to headquar- ters. There he said that he had collected $6 for Mrs. Whelan and had not given it to her for the reason that he was drinking. He showed the effects of liquor when ar- rested and says he will reimburse Mrs. Whelan. The case will be called in the Po:ice Court tomorrow. ————— Death of Thos, A. Cogan. There was a great deal of sadness about the office of the collector of taxes today. News had been received of the death of Thomas A. Cogan, one of the trusted clerks. He was an old employe of the Dis- trict, and a general favorite all over the building. Saturday he complained of feel- ing ill, but worked throughout the day. That night he was taken sick with pneu- monia with heart complications, and died last night. Deceased was, for several years, connected with the office of the building inspector, but was promoted to a clerkship, in the office of the collector about five years ago. His death will be universally re- gretted. —— For Sale and Partition. Margaret A. and Wm. E. Draley today filed a bill in equity against Richani P. and Katie Brown, praying for the sale and partition of parts of lots 4, 100 and 101, square G77, of the estate of the late Daniel Brown. Attorney Irving William- son represents the complainants. Warrant Nolle Prossed. ®; The warrant issued against Supt. F. H. Chamberlain of the United States Electric Light Company, charging him with ilegal- ly stringing a wire in rear of the Hotel Emrich, was rolie prossed in the Police Court today. The wire was erected as the law permits, being a connecting wire. —__=-- Marringe Licenses. Marriage licenses have been issued to the following: John Turner of Richmond, Va., and Ella Tinney of Baltimore, Md.; Adolf Conrad and Bessie Reynolds; Joseph H. Eskridge and Annie Washington; Martin Cartwelle of Fredericksburg, Va., and Mrs. Browne Gentry of Petersburg, Va.; Thomas Wolfenden and Mrs. Annie Cooper, both of Baltimore, Md. —____ Gen. Craighill Honored. Gen. Craighill, chief of engine2rs, has re- ceived notice of his election as an honorary member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He is the only officer of the corps of engineers who has held the office of president of this representative society, and he is one of four of the twenty-five ex- presidents who has been elected an hon- orary member. There are but eight mem- bers of this class, and an election requires the unanimous vote of the entire board of thirty members. Secretary Herbert's Vacation. Secretary Herbert left here this after- noon for Fort, Morroe, where he expects to remain four or five days for rest and re- cuperation. DEATH IN THE FLOOD Recent Disastrous Cloudburst in Kentucky. MANY HOUSES WERE WASHED AWAY Vain Efforts to Escape from the High Waters. OHIO RIVER RISING LEXINGTON, Ky., April 8.—The recent cloudburst in Clay and Owsley counties was more disastrous than at first reported. Buf- falo creek, which is across the south fork of the Kentucky river, suffered more than Sexton creek by the unusual rainfall. Every house on the bank of this stream Was washed away. Miss Mary Garrett was drowned while trying to escape the flood, George Capson’s wife and three children, two children cf Will Burns and two others, whose names were not given, were also drowned. John Crane, a logger, rescued his wife and small child when they were drift- ing down the stream on some uprooted trees. Thousands of logs are coing down the stream. The large booms at Booneville are choked with logs, and it is feared the booms and all will be carried away by the water. Part of the town is inundated and a num- ber of persons have had to move their household effects up the side of the moun- tain, North Fork and Middle creek are both overflowing their banks, and at Jackson, Military Instructor Bull of the Jackson In- stitute was drowned while riding on a raft. INNATL Ohio, April 3.—Contrary ations, yesterday the Ohio river con- tinued to rise all through the night, and has risen five inches in two hours since 8 o'clock this morning, making the height 46 feet 11 inches. Reports from up the river indicate that the top of the rise is almost here, and that it will begin falling some time today. The cold weather and high winds favor this tendency. At the same time the winds make navigation difficult, especially for towboats. A vast number of small interes:s along the river bank are put to inconvenience; no serious losses or inconvenience will arise until after the river reaches fifty feet, which is not now probable. ———_—_ DOOMED TO THE STAKE. Enraged Georgi Bexslege a Dee peradeo and Two Friends. CONCORD, Ga., April 3.—A tragedy oo cured here last night in which two men were fatally shot. About 7 o'clock Sheriff Gynn and a posse went to the house of Taylor Dolk, a notorious desperado, to ar- rest him on a warrant for robbery and as- sault to murder. He had two friends with him. As the sheriff arrived at the door he was fired at through a window with a rifle. The ball passed through his left side. About fifty shots were fired. Sheriff Gynn was lying on the front porch begging for some one to come and get him, when Mr. John F. Madden aitempted te drag him away. He was also fired on, and the ball passed through both thighs, break- ing both legs. A crowd of enraged citizens, thirsting for the blood of the desperado, surrounded the house, and while some procured balls of tow saturated in turpentine, which were lighted and hurled at the building, others kept an incessant fusilade from guns and revolvers to deter the inmates from mak- ing a dash out into the darkness and es- caping. If it is possible to take the trio of prison- ers alive their fate will be a horrible one, death at the stake having been determined upon by the frenzied people. Sheriff Gynn is sinking fast. Dr. Malloy and assistants have the wounded man un- der their care, but say that all that can be done is to ease his last moments. Mr. J. F. Madden is a prominent mer- chant with a wide business and sociai ac- quaintance throughout the state. His con- dition is regarded as serious, and he will doubtless have to undergo amputation of one, if not both legs. — ee LYNCHING MISSISSIPPI, A Young Negro Hanged im Front of the Court How NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 3.—A telegram from Tupelo, Miss., sixty miles southeast of Memphis, says: This morning, at 2 o'clock, a young negro about eighteen years old was taken from jail by a mob and lynched in front of the court house. The mob went to the sheri home, overpowered him with shotguns and marched him to the jail and forced the keys from him. The men wore masks, and their identity is unknown. The prisoner at- tempted to assault a prominent white lady at Plantersville about two weeks ago. —— ADVANCE IN STEEL LIKELY. of Opinion at Conference. NEW YORK, April 3.There was a con- tinuation today of the conference of steel manufacturers of the United States at the Hotel Waldorf. As was the case yesterday, all outsiders were rigidly excluded, an the greatest secrecy was observed as to what was being done. It is said, however, that no action nas been taken ‘n regard to the protest against pooling made by the Shcenberger Steel Company of Pitisburg and discussed at the mecting yesterday. The consensus of opinion was that an advance would probably be agreed to im the price of everything made of steel. patna New York OBSERVED THE DAY. Weyler the Authoritics Pare ticipate in Religious Ceremonics, HAVANA, April 3.—Captain General Wey- ler and his staff and the civil and mili authorities took part yesterday and t in the religiovs ceremonies in the cathed: at which were also assembled all the elite of Havana. An Ex-Champioi Sad Ei ANACONDA, Mont., April 3.—Thomas Brennan was burned to death esterday while engaged in putting out a fire. The blaze, which was unimportant, was in a waste flume, which is timbered as a tun- nel. Ashes had been dumped over a part of it, from which the timbers were ignited, Brennan and Tom Smith went into the flume with a line of hose, and a stream of water was turned on the fire, which loosened the blaze, and a mass of ashes fell in, filling the space with steam, cinders and hot air. The men were able to run to outer air, but were horribly burned and scalded, the fiesh of their arms and hands hanging in shreds. Brennan died in the hospital; Smith may recover. Brennan was, about ten years ago, well known in athiet ‘ircles as the champion sprinter of the world, hav- ing an established record of 19 seconds for 200 yards, —_———__ Death Rather Than Hydrophobia. FRIEND, Neb., Aprii 3.—Richard Ringen a local merchant, was bitten by a dog sew eral months ago. A few days since he was stricken with what was supposed to be @ severe cise of grip. Today physicians agreed it was a case of hydrophobia. The victim seized a razor when he heard the diagnosis and almost severed his head from his body before any one could interfere, dying at once. a Was Not the Strangler. SAN FRANCISCO, April 3.—The police are convinced that Julius Festner, the Oma- ha man who was arrested Wednesday night for following a woman, had nothing to do with the recent strangling of two aban- doned women in this city. An investigation shows that Festner was not in San Francis- co when the crimes took place. Festner ig confined in the insane patients’ ward at receiving hospital. He will be exami tomorrow.