Evening Star Newspaper, April 8, 1896, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. —— PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY, AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, Pg ener a Cor, 11th ines by vening Star New: 3) SE KAUFFMAN, Pres. paseo Sei Rew York Olio, 49 Potter Building. ‘The Evening Star is served to subscribers Im the eity by carriers, on their own account, at 10 cents per week, or 44 cents © month. ecunter 2 cents cach. By mail—soswhere in United States or Canuda—pestage prepald—50 F Quinteple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with foreign postage added. $3.00. (Eutered at the Post Oifice at Washington, D. C.. as second-class mail matter.) 7 All mail subscriptions must be paid tn advance. Rates of advertising made known on application. DISTRICT CHARITIES Proposed Settlement of the Question by the Committee. CHARGE IN THE APPROPRIATION BILL Lump Sum to Be Expended by the Commissioners. REFORMATORY INSTITUTIONS The Hotse committee on appropriations today reported the District of Columbia ap- propriation bill, with a proposed settlement of the vexed question of how to provide for char! The committee’s solution of the problem presented by the recommittal of the bill by the Howse was to strike out all provisions fer charities as included in the original bill, and submit the following: Por the relief ard care of the poor and Gestitute, and for such charitable and re- formatory work, and such care and medical and surgical t tute patients in the District of Columb as have been heretofore usually provided frect appropriations to private in- and as the District Commission- recessary, the sum of $4,- der the direction of ers ms said € r under contract with r ible and competent persons or institutions or by employing for the pur- pose t public institutions or agencies of said District, where practicable: Provided, That no such contract shall extend beyond the 30th day of June, 1807, and that no payment shall be made under any such contract except for service actually ren- dered, for which compensation shall he pro- d contract; and that said pall report to Congress on e the first Monday of December in detailed statement of their ¢x- 's theretofore made under th's ap- ation, and of all contracts made by cnder, giving the names of the nd institut‘ons contracted with, and stating what further expenditures will ke required therecuder: And provided fur- That no part of the money herein ap- Ml be paid for the purpose of ment for ser- i mination, or any institu- ety which is under sectarian or “ al control. For municipal lodging house and wood and stone yard, $4,090. For the Columbia Hospital for Women i L.ying-in Asylum, maintenance, $2,000. men's Hospital and Asylum.—For $22,500. and compensation of the sur- not to exceed $3,000; two as- nt surgcons, clerk, engineer, matron, mn S$, Cool teamsters, watch- d laborers, $16,000, nt of hospital buildings and grounds, a For re: Fw. For fuel and light, clothing, bedding, for- age, transportation, medicine and medical supplies, surgical’ instruments, electric Lights, repal niture and other absolute- » $11,500; in all, $51,000, for Girls.-Kor superin- ; matron, $%"); two teachers, ) each: overseer, $720; engineer, $490; t watchman, $365; laborer, $300; in all, groceries, provisions, fuel, soap, oil, candles, clothing, shoes, forage hoeing, medicine, medical attendance: hire, freight, furniture, beds, beddin; sewing machines, fixtures, books, horses, tionery, vehicles, harness, cows, stables, fe irs and other necessary Schocl._—For main- tenance. including repairs, $9,900. Provid- ed, That before this appropriation shall be- ec ailable the board of managers of said Industrial Home School shall transfer the control and management of said insti- tution, with all its right, title and interest in and to the same, to the board of chil- dren’s guardians, who skall thereafter con- trol and manage said institution as an in- dustrial home school and for such other child-caring work as shall be approved by the Commissioners of the District of Co- lumbia, drawing moneys for supplies and naintenance-of said institution by requisi- ton upon said Commissicners and paying ever all income of said institution to the said Commissioners. Said transfer shall include a surrender of the charter and ise ef said institution, and is evocable release and sur- render of all control of the same with the said District Coma issioners. Board of children’s guardians._For the board of childrens guardians, created un- der the act approved July 26, 1892, namel For administrative expenses, including sal ary of agent, net to exceed $1,600, ex- penses in placing and visiting children, and ull office and sundry expenses, $4,000. For care of feebie-minded children; care of children under three years of age, white and colored; board and care of all children over three yeirs of age, and for the tem- porary care of children pending investiga- tion or while being transferred from place to place. $23,400; In all, $27,400. The bill will be called up for considera- tion tomorrow. : —_—____-«—____ BATTLE SHIP INDIANA. © THE Net Enough Water to Float Her Out of the Dock. The battle ship Indiana is still in the dry dock at Port Royal, though It was expected that she would come out yesterday. All necessary arrangements were made to that end, but there was not enough water over the sill of the dock to permit the big ship to float out. This low water !s said to be attributable to the prevalence of unusually strong and constant northwesterly winds, biowing the water out of the harbor. It is hoped that in the course of a day or two, with the increasing tide, the Indiana may come out easily. To prevent the settlement of the ship upon the blocks under her bot- tom, fifteen feet of water have been let into the dock, not enough to float the shi the blocks, but sufficient to releve ately the pressure upon them. Naval Constructor Taylor has just returned to Washington Royal, and he says that the ship ‘andied in the decking. Her as found to be in excellent condi- wut signs of bruises, although she uched slightly on the mud since she ‘st docked. Beyond some dents around the bow, caused by knocking against the anchors, he says, the ship’s’skin is wi blemish. fe ship’ is without —_—+e.______ Personal Mention, Maj. E. A. Koerper, medical department, ig in the city on leave of absencegfrom his post, Willett’s Point, N. ¥. He ts at 2uz4 Hiliyer place. Lieut. M. C. Butler, jr., fifth cavalry, has been granted leave. of absence for one month on account of illness. Pay Inspector G. W. Beaman, who is on waiting orders, is at 2031 1 street. L-eut. C. V. Gridley of the navy is In the @.ty on leay A Medal of Honor. A medal of honor has been awarded James K. Merrifield, late corporal of com- pany C, eighty-eighth Mlinois volunteer in- fantry, for most distinguished gallantry in action at the battle of Franklin, Tenn., No- vember 30, 1834. He captured two battle flags from the enemy, and feturned with them to his own lines." : The Evening Star. No. 13,447. BRADLEY AND HUNTER A Bitterness Between the Friends of the Two Men in Kentucky. The Story of How the Governor of the Blue Grass State Joined the A. P. A. “Representative Hunter weuld have been United States Senator had it not been fer Governor Bradley, and Governor Bradley would have had the delegation of Kentucky to the national convention had it not been for Representative Hunter,” is what a Frominent Kentucky politician said to a Star reporter. Mie knew what he was talk- ing about and in a few words explained the situation in the blue grass state. Since the senatorial fight, it is said, there has been the bitterest feeling between the friends of Hunter and Bradley, and the Hunter men have come out on top. They jcined forces with the McKinley sentiment and will control the state convention. Mc- Kinley will get the delegates and a Hunter man will become state chairman. Hunter men will also get whatever else in the way of honorary offices there is to be given out. “Bradley's influence is crushed,” is the Way it Is sized up among the Kentucky Politicians here. Alliance With the A. A. Governor Bradley’s open alliance with the A. P. A. is regarded here as a bad break, and the talk which has been indulged in over it has brought out a story of sharp politics which is variously commented on. “It was something like this,” said a gentle- man talking about it. ‘The republicans Knew that they would have a hard fight in Kentucky to elect Bradley, and they consid- ered many projects to help him dlong. They found out that he was somewhat in love with the principles of the A. P. A., and after @ consultation with some of the A. P. A. jeaders, it was agreed that if Governor Bradley should secretly join the order he would be given its support. He did join it shortly before the election, but the fact did not become known. The A. P. A. people voted for Bradley and have since claimed that they elected him. It can easily be seen how he could have been benefited. He join- ed the order secretly and the fact was secretly circulated, so as to catch only A. P. A. votes and not raise opposition from other quarters. It was a shrewd game, but wil! draw the line in Kentucky from now on.” As to 2 Complimentary Vote. It is doubtful now, it is said, if Bradley will get instructions for even a compliment- ary vote from the state. He may get in- structions as second choice, but there is a doubt about this. If the Hunter men allow their feelings to have full sway, they will not permit anything for Bradley. The de- sire for harmony, it is asserted, may induce them to dole out some complimentary phrases for the Kentucky governor when the platform is written. See a A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. The Senate Flag Man Has Fall. Columbus Lynch of West Virginia, an employe of the Senate, a part of whose duty it 1s to hoist the flag that floats over the chamber while the Senate is in session, met with a painful accident shortly after noon today, as he was returning from the roof after raising the flag. He slipped as he was descending the steps leading from the roof to the loft and fell, striking heavily on his back, near the base of the spine. The shock caused a temporary paralysis of the legs, and Mr. Lynch was removed in a carriage to his home. He is forty-five years of age and has a family. Later in the day he recovered somewhat from the shock, and his injuries promised to be slighter than they first appeared to be. SEE ee AN ALLEGED COMPROMISE. a Bad Reported Result of the Mecting of Ballington Booth and His Sister. LONDON, April 8—The Evening News this afternoon says that it learns on the highest authority that the recent meeting between Ballington Booth and his sister, Mrs. Booth-Tucker, resulted in a compro- mise by which the “volunteers” will con- tinue as a distinct body for special work among the rich, with Gen. Bootn nominally in supreme command and with Bailington Booth the permanent local head of the new force. ‘This, the News says, it is believed will obviate the difficulty which has arisen in regard to the funds. ————— FIELD CLEAR FOR WELLINGTON. Gary to Withdraw From the Republi- can National Committee, BALTIMORE, Md, April 8—It is an- nounced by the friends of James A. Gary, the present member from Maryland of the republican national committee, that he will decline a re-election to that office. That leaves the field clear for Senator-elect Wel- lington, and there seems but litile doubt that he will be selected for the piace. Mr. Gary will, however, in all probability go as a delegate-at-large to the national convention. Mr. Gary’s withdrawal as a candidate for a place on the national com- mittee is looked upon as indicating a thor- cugh understanding between himself and Mr. Wellingt2, and it is generaily believed that the Maryland delegation to St. Louis will vote as a unit, its vote on the first bal- lot going to Governor Lowndes, after which it will go to McKinley, for whom every county convention thus far held has given ir structions. —_——— POSTPONED TO THE 14TH. The Habeas Corpus Case of Lacey at Richmond. RICHMOND, Va., April 8—The habeas corpus case of Lacey, who was arrested at St. Asaph’s race track for violating the Maupin anti-gambling law, has been post- poned until Tuesday, the 14th, by the court of appeals. Attorney General Scott and Leonard Marbury of Alexartéria will argue the case for the commonwealth, and Ed- mend Burke, S. G. Brent and R. Walton Moore for the prisoner. Tre defense also has retained the services of a prominent New York lawyer whose name is with- held. The case is a test one. SS GREENWAY GOES TO OTTAWA. Important Conference on the Catholic Schools Question. WINNIPEG, Manitoba, April 8.—Premier Greenway left suddenly for Ottawa yester- day. He would not say what was the ob- ject of his trip, but it is learned that he has gone at the earnest solicitation of Sir Charles Tupper and the dominion govern- | ment tc have a further consultation on the farochial school question. It is believed the dgminion government, finding it impossible to pass the reme@ial measure, will modify its proposition. Archbishop Langevin, head of the Roman Catholic Church in this country, has also left for Ottawa. It is said from there he will proceed to Rome to corsult with the pope. —_—— > Stable Boy Fatality Hurt. MEMPHIS, Tenn., April’S.—While taking exercise early this morning at Montgom- ery Park the race horses Addie Buchanan, Leavitt and Dan Huger, the latter a valua- ple colt by Simple Simon, came in colli- sion, and three were seriously injured. One colored exercise boy received fatal WASHINGTON, D. C.,, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1896-TWELVE PAGES MOVING ON DONGOLA Maturing Preparations for the Sou- dan Campaign. ANXIETY AT CAIRO OVER THE ADVANCE The Khalifa to Raise an Army of Fifty Thousand Men. WILL “RESIST TO THE DEATH” (Copyright, 1896, by the Associated Press.) CAIRO, Egypt, April 8—Each additional budget of news from the front increases the anxlety here in unofficial circles as to the fate of the vanguard of the Anglo- Egyptian forces operating up the Nile as a preliminary to the advance in force upon Dongola, for which troops are belng rapidly concentrated at Wady-Halfa. ‘The news of the movement southward of the troops has spread with that wonderful rapidity which has frequently been noticed as one of the features of campaigning in the Soudan. While the British intelligence department experiences the greatest ditfi- culty in obtaining information regarding the movements of the dervishes, the latter, apparently having spies in all quarters, succeed in transmitting important news with lightning-like rapidity from one part of the country to the other. Thus, in some mysterious manner, the news of the Anglo- Egyptian advance has been communicated to the most distant quarters of the Moham- medaw world, and the departure of pilgrims for Mecea has been suspended,which means that the Khalifa is calling upon his war- riors to muster to the standard, and that the jehad (holy war) which he recently pro- claimed agaitest Egypt is to be pushed with all the desperate energy of the dervish leaders. Preparing for the War. The khalifa has decreed that the tribes immediately collect and forward to Omdur- man a heavy war tax, that the pick of the warriors be hurried to that camp and that all preparations be made for a long cam- paign. He expects, it is currently reported, to muster an army of 50,40) men, composed of the best fighting men of the Soudan, at Omdurman by September, when the Anglo- Egyptian advance will be met by the khalifa in person. The latter has recalled the dervish armies from Fashoda and Darfur, The kkalifa, writing to the sheik of As- souan under date of December last, said that he was always ready to submit to the auimority of the Khedive of Egypt as the representative of the sultan, but that he would “resist to the death any expedition coming from Egypt so long as the British occupy the country.” The khalifa concluded: “I am aware that the British desire to have me assassinated, but I have taken precautions that none of the European prisoners shall survive my murder.”” The Bnse of Operations. Though Wady-Halfa is really the base of the Anglo-Egyptian operations, Akasheh, a Place of little importance, about ninety miles south of Wady-Halfa, is the present base of operations. It is to tnat point that the light railroad is being pushed for the conveyance of men, supplies, &c., and there, it is believed, the first fighting will occur, for telegrapkic communication with the vanguard occupying Akasheh has already been twice cut off and the dervishes are believed to be gathering in force in the vicinity of that place. Hence the anxiety here. Akasheh was occupied by a small column of troops, under Major Collinson, without opposition, on March 20, and from that time on reinforcements and stores have been pushed forward by rail where possible and by river boats when the railroad could not be used. Akasheh is now being strong- ly fortified. The British troops which will take part in the advance on Dongola will, it is expect- ed, number about 5,000 men, and, tn addi- tion, there will be about 15,000 Egyptian troops, led by and trained by British offl- cers. Advance on Dongola. Some prophets say that the advance on Dongola will begin when 10,000 men are concentrated at Akasheh, but if this fs the case, according to general belief here, there will be another terrible disaster similar to that of 1883, when Hicks Pasha, at the head of about 11,000 Egyptian troops, was decoyed into a defile and attacked by over- whelming numbers. They formed squares and fought bravely to the last, but were massacred to a man, and the Mahdists are now partly equipped with the rifles and guns which then fell into their hands. The work of dispatching troons to the front is carried on in the most admirable manner, with the greatest ease and regu- larity and without a Fitch of any kind. ‘The work of Gordon Bey, who, in charge of the citadel, had the furnishing, equip- ping and transporting of these troops, has been greatly commended. The employes of the citadel have been working night and day since military operations were decided upon, and have turned out, for instance, over seven thousand pack-saddles for cam- els up to date. Major H. A. Macdonald will shortly re- lieve Colonel Hunter of the command of Akasheh, in order that the latter may re- -turn to Wady-Halfa for a short time. Transportation Up the Nile. Some idea of the neat manner in which troops and supplies are being sent south- ward can be gathered from the statement that Messrs. Cook, who have contracted ta do this work, recently conveyed 2,500 men, fully armed and equipped, by steamers and barges, from Balliana to Assouan, a dis- tance of 300 miles, between 4 o’clock on Saurday afternoon and 6 o'clock the next Monday morning. A strong volunteer camel corps is being formed from among recruits picked up from the tribes of friendly Shekehs, and it will prove a very valuable body for scout- ing purposes. The steamers used in the military trans- portation service on the Nile are all stern- wheelers, similar €0 those in use in inland rivers in the United States and South and Central America. They tow iong strings of barges, are in many cases protected by iron plates and are always escorted by troops. The camel corps at Wady-Halfa is now over 1,000 strong, and there is a strong force of cavalry and artillery at the same place. Scouting is being carried on night and day about Akasheh and other threatencd places, and the intelligence department is kept busy sending out spies and receiy- ing the incoming 1eports from these val- uable agents of a campaigning force in the Soudan. Seme Soudan Distances, The distance up the Nile via Sarras and Ginnis to Hanneck, near the Third Cata- ract, is about 180 miles, and from Hanneck past Old and New Dongola to Debbeh (Don- gola) is about 120 miles more, say 300 miles in all. Berber, by the desert route, is about 200 from Debbeh, and from Berber to rtoum, near Omdurman, is about 200 miles more, so, if Khartoum is really the objective point of the Anglo-Egyptian ad- vence, there are 700 miles of hard travel and harder fighting to be overcome before the unfortunate Gordon's old headquarters are reached. Kassala Not Evacuated. * IONDON, April 8.—A special dispatch received here from Rome says that Kas- sala hes not been evacuated, as previously reported, but that Col. Stevani’s column has been withdrawn in order to decrease the number of mouths to be fed, and in view of the fact that the ordinary garri- son of that place is now considered strong enough to defend it. DISTRICT IN CON GRESS | Matters Considered and Acted On by the House Committes. st Racing Bill to Be Favérably Report- ed—Action Deferred on the In- creased Liquor License. The House District committee at its mesting this morning directed Mr. Odell of New York to make a favorable report on the racing bill, and to include amendments which will make the law more stringent than the New York racing law, and which will absolutely prevent gambling. Mr. Odell expects to have the Dill in shape to call up on the next District day. The opponents of the racing bill continue to make an active campaign against it. Renewed protests were !aid before the com- mittee today from the Methodist clergymen and the Washington presbytery, and Mr. Ss. Woodward sent a telegram to the committee urging that the present law im the District should not be changed. The bill to increase the liquor license In the District to $800 was called up In com- mittee, but action upon it was deferred un- til the next meeting. The committee decided to postpone action on the telephone bills until after the con- sideration of the general subway bill recom- mended by the Commissioners. A special meeting of the committee will be called at an early day to consider the subway bill. The committee favorabiy reported the bill relating to arrears of taxes and tax. sale: This is a lengthy m re prepared by the Commissioners and provides regulations for the sale of property in arrears for taxes. The committee also faverably reported the bill authorizing the redemption of tax fale certificates issued by the givernment of the District, which have become invalid eglect of the District to cause a the sale to be recorded. A fa- report was ordered on th relieve Anton Gloetzner from the opers of the law, relating to alien ownership of land in the D.strict. Also a favorable report on the bill to reg- ulate the sale of unclaimed freight and baggage. Against the National University. Senator Walthall today presented the minority report of the committee to es- tablish the University of the United States on the Dill to creste a national university adverse lo its passage. To Lay Gas Pipes. Senator Gorman today, for Senator Gib- son, introduced a bill permitting | the Pintsch Compressing Co. to lay es in cer- tain streets in this city, similar to that formerly introduced in the House. To Collect Criminal Statistics. Senator Pettigrew today offered an amendment to the sundry civil bill appro- priating $5,000 to collect statistics in rela- tion to criminals and paupers, the feeble- minded, deaf, dumb and biind, and to In- vestigate the causes of criminality «nd Pauperism from a siatistical point of view under the direction of the bureau of edu- cation. Library Bill Conferees, Speaker Reed has appointed Messrs. Pow- ers, Milner ard Babcock conferees on the public library bill. Modern Motive Power. Mr. Miles has introduced a resolution in the House providing that the Eckington and Soldicrs’ Home railway of the District of Columbia, the Belt Railway Company and the Maryland and Washington Rall- way Company be respectively authorized to equip their respective lines, or any part thereof, now located and constructed or which may hereafter be lovated and con- structed within the limits of the city of Washington, in the District of Columbia, with such pneumatic or other modern mo- tive power as said railway companies, re- spectively, may deem best: Provided, That such motive power shall first be approved by the Commissioners of the District of Columbia: And provided further, That orses and overhead wires shall not be used, and that said Commissioners are hereby authorized to grant a permit or permits for the adoption by said railway companies or any one of them of such means of propulsion of its cars as said Commissicners may approve. Congress reserves the right to alter, amend cr repeal this act. Home for Colored People. Senator Pritchard has presented a petition signed by residents of North Carolina, pray- Ing for the passage of Senate bill 886, to erect the National Memorial Home for Aged ard Infirm Colored People. ee SS Exeeutive Clemency. The President has granted a pardon to Jose Almendaris, convicted in New Mexico of adultery, and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, and David L. Driver, con- victed in Arkansas of illicit distilling, and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. He has denied a pardon in the case of Marshall Jewett, convicted in Connec- ticut of embezzling post office funds. In his indorsement the President says: “The facts connected with the crime of this prisoner are not before me, and in- asmuch as his offense was the embezzling of letters intrusted to him as an employe in the postal service, no sufficient reason is presented why he should be pardoned. These crimes are too common, and it seems to me they cannot be lightly condoned without serious impairment of the public service.” Act Approved. The President has approved the act to confirm certain cash entries of offered lands. The act to authorize the leasing of lands for educational purposes in Arizona has become a law without the President’s approval, ——_—-e._____ Commander O'Neil Reports. Commander Charles Q’Neil reported at the Washington navy yard this morning for duty as superintendent of the gun fac- tory. He has just returned from the Euro- ee station, where he had command of he cruiser Marblehead. ——__-o+____<__ Going to Mexico. Senators Cameron and Blackburn have recently planned to take a trip to Mexico with their families as soon as the business of the Senate is in such condition as to permit their departure. It is their design i visit Minister Ransom before their re- ‘urn. é 5 —<—$—_2 —___ Government Receipts. National bank notes recetved for redemp- tion today, $263,680. Government receipts: From internal revenue, $291,355; customs, $413,112; miscellaneous, $19,177. TWO CENTS. If you want today’s news today you can find it only in The Star. BUT ONE CANDIDATE A Republican Opinion as to the Democratic Nomination. CLEVELAND NOT AGAINST A THIRD TERM Much Depends on the St. Louis Convention’s Action. HARMONIOUS OR NOT A distinguished republican politician in discussing Mr. Carlisle's letter with a representative of The Star said today: “That is as definite an expression on the subject of the Chicago nomination as was reasonably to be expected. This is not the time for a definite expression by any man whose name is worthy to be con- nected with that nomination.” “Why?” was asked. “Because the democratic campaign, if there is to be one for that honor, will not really begin until after the St. Louis con- vention. So far as the democracy is con- cerned, everything depends on what we do at St. Louis. 1f our platform is wiscly written and our candidate wisely chozen, and the response from both east and west skows republican indorsement of the ac- tion taken, it will be very difficult for the democracy to persuade any of its more rs to submit their names al jose men will f then even more certain than they now do that the jig is up with them for this year, and they will shrink from heading a ticket so weil assured of overwhelming defeat. But if, on the other hand, we are not conspicu- ovsiy successful at St. Louis; if our plat- causes complaint and the serious threat of a bolt, and the fighting over the ination leaves deep scars and much discontent, then the democrats may pluck =p heart and by the time of the holding of their convention be in better spirits. Drafting to secure a candidate may not have to be resorted to. There may even be a scramble for the place.” *Who would be strongest in such circum- stance: “Oh, the democrats haye but one man to fit any occasion looking to success. If they € a nomination ¢ mply to give an: de: to vote the demo ertunity to do so—they h inen among them, any one of whom would make a very good candidate. But if the unexpected happens between now and the holding of the Chicago convention, where- by hope of democratic success is held oui, Mr. Cleveiand will carry off the prize. The names of Carlisle, Olney and all the rest of them will disappear at once, and his name be run up again. That, to me, is very plain.” “But how about the prejudice against a third term?" “Mr. Cleveland has no prejudice against a third term. He adjusts his views to cir- cumstances. He was on record against a second term quite as strongly as the coun- try is against a third term, but that did not preveat him from seeking renomination when the time came. He saw the whole subject then in a different light. And so it will be about a third term if the clouds lift a Mittle.” “But will the country see the thing in a di ent light?” 's another matter. I don’t think it will. I don't think a third term possible for any man. But Mr. Cleveiand’s friends regard him as an exception to all rules. And I have sometimes thought that he must be of the same opinion.” CONTESTED ELECTION CASES. Four Decided and Only One in Favor of the Contestant. ; “Four contested election cases were de- cided today by House elections committee No. 8. In only one case was the report ad- verse to a member now holding the seat, that of Murray agt. Eliot, from the first South Carolina, which is favorable to Mur- ray. The other cuses were: Johnson agt. Stokes, seventh South Carolina, in favor of Stokes; Kearby agt. Abbott, fifth Texas, in favor of Abbott; Ratcliff agt. Williams, fifth Mississippi, in favor of Williams. In the last case the contestant did not make an appearance and minority reports will be filed in all the others. The Murray-Eliot contest was the one over which most difference of opinion arose in the committee. There were four factions in this case, and for a long time an agree- ment seemed out of the question, so that last week the committee had practicaliy agreed to permit Mr. Eliot to retain his seat. The presence of one member who was absent from the meeting last week turned the scale, and by a narrow majority it was decided to seat Murray. Mr. Murray will be the only colored man in this Congress, as he was in the last, He had many friends in the House, and a strong pressure was brought to bear on the committee to seat him, WITHOUT HIS SIGNATURE. The Bill Authorizing Leasing of Cer- tain Lands in Arizona o Law. The act originating in the Senate to au- thorize the leasing of lands for educational purposes in Arizcna became a law today without the President's approval, by the expiration of the ten-day period allowed for his consideration. This particular measure was really fram- ed to meet certain objections made by the President to an original bill passed by the House January 16 last. That bill was vetoed by the President, but was promptly passed ever the veto upon its return to the House. Fending action of a similar nature in the Senate, another bill was drawn up there ard passed to meet the President's objec- ticns This bill contained a proviso making it unlawful to cut, remove cr appropriate any timber from the leased lands, and for- bidding the leasing of more than one sec- tion of land to any one person, corpora- tion or association of persons, two matters that the President had in mind when he vetoed the original bill. But the addition of these safeguards did noi suffice to secure the President's approval for the measure, and it became.a law without his signature. — KATAHIDIN AND MASSACHUSETTS, Arrangements Being Made for Their Acceptance Trial Soon, The official acceptance trial of the battle ship Massachusetts will take place over the Cape Ann course on either the 18th or 20th instant.Word was received at the Navy De- partment this morning from Cramp & Co. of the complete readiness of the vessel for inspection and trial by the representatives of the government, and it was suggested that the speed trial take place on either of the dates named. Arrangements to carry the suggestion into effect are now being made at the Navy Department. A board to conduct the trial will be detailed in a few days. The Massachusetts will be tried over the same course and as nearly as possible under the same conditions as her twin sis- ter, the Indiana, so that there will be a basis of comparison between the two vessels. The Indiana made a speed of 15.52 knots and won for her builders a premium of $50,000 As in the case of the In the contract for the Massachusetts calls for a speed of fifteen knots, with a premium of $25,000 for each quarter knot in excess of that rate, with corresponding penalties for failure to. make the fifteen-knot rate. TO THE SUPREME COURT/TALKING FOR CUBA Mr. Chapman Will Endeavor to Appeal Again The Other Cases Against Refractory Sugar Trust Investigation Wit- nesses—Court of Appeals. Mr. Elverton R. Chapman, whose convic- tion several weeks ago of refusing to un- swer inquiries put to him by the Senate sugar trust investigating committee was yesterday affirmed by the Court of Appeals, will, it is stated, endeavor to carry the case to the United States Supreme Court. It 1s regarded as somewhat doubtful whether he can induce that tribunal to grant him an appeal. Such, at least, is the belief of District Attorney Birney, it 1s said. In criminal cases tried in the District the Court of Appeals, Mr. Birney holds, is the court of iast resort. It is generally admit- ted that in such cases no writ of error lies from the Court of Appeals to the United States Supreme Court, so the government contends, it is understood, that the only possible way in which Mr. Chapman can get to the Supreme Court would be by writ of habeas corpus, or, perhaps, by a writ of certiorari. And it is sald that the Su- preme Court would mérely, in either event, inquire whether the court below, that the trial court, had jurisdiction in the mat- ter. If it had, and District Attorney Bir- ney claims, of course, that it had, then the Supreme Court would, it is claimed, re- fuse to interfere in the matter. Constitutional Question. But counsel for Mr. Chapman have all along insisted that there is a grave con- stitutional question at issue in the case, and they will undoubtedly endeavor to secure an appeal on that ground. Speaking of the action of the Court of Appeals yesterday, apman said: ‘This case fs the first to d under this law, and its importance s interests Is great. If the law is constitutional, it will put an end in business. All that will be necessary to pry into a person’s or a con- cern’s affairs will be for the Senate to say, “Whereas it is reported, therefore be it re- solved to investigate,’ and anybody who does Rot answer questions will be clapped into ae The Other Cases. It is probable that the question of wheth- er an appeal to the Supreme Court can be had will be finally settled within the next few weeks, and if it is decided adversely to Mr. Chapman, it is said to be the iniention of District Attorney Birney to set the re- maining cases for an early trial. The re- mainging defendants are Newspaper Corre- spondents Edwards and Shriver, Mr. Ma- cartney, the broker, and Messrs. Havemey- er, Searles and Seymour of the alleged sugar trust. District Attorney Birney 1s, of course, confident of securing a conviction in every case. The sentence imposed by Judge Cole upon Mr. Chapman was the minimum one, thirty days in jail and a fine of $100, and it is presumed that no severer sentence will be imposed upon the other defendants, should they be convicted. The Court's Decision. As stated in The Star, the opinon of the Court of Appeals In the case of Mr. Chap- man yesterday was written by Mr. Justice Mcrris. It is quite a voluminous one, and fully discusses the questions raised in the ccurt below, which were reported at length in The Star in its report of the trial. The gist of the opinion of the Court of Appeals is contained in the following werds: “The refusal to answer being, there- fcre, in its nature a deliberate and willful act, and being denounced by the statute as a misd2meanor, it cannot avail a recusant witness that he may have believed himself to have been cnly asserting a constitutional right. If he was mistaken in his belief, hcwever honest in a moral sense that belief may have been, and the statute is a valid exercise of the legislative power, it is be- yend question that his mistake will not excuse him for his violation of the law. For a mistake the criminal law will not excuse any man, any more than will ignor- ance of it. Any different theory would be destructive of all the safeguards of society. We find no error committed in the trial of this case, and we must affirm the judg- ment, and it is so ordered.” — ‘A NEW CONSULATE. One to Be Established at Alexaadretta to Look After Missions. Senator Sherman,chairman of the commit- tee on foreign relations, today gave notice of an amendment, intended to be proposed by him to the sundry civil appropriation bill, providing for the appointment of a consulate, either at Harpoot or Alexan- dretta, Turkey, and in support of the amend- ment filed a statement from Secretary Olney. Mr. Olney states that, while the Turkish authorities acquiesced in the estah- lishment of a consulate at Erzenem, they deciined to grant an exequatur to the vice consul sent to Harpoot in accordance with the action of Congress at the last session, on the ground that the United States have no commercial interests at the latter pla He expresses the fear that a like denial be encountered this year, and requests that provision be made for a temporary appoint- ment at Alexandretta, “While,” he says, “it is well known that Great Britain has recently obtained an exequatur for a vice consul at Harpoot, it is believed that the opening of a United States consulate there would be useful, nevertheless, in view of the present delay encountered in doing so, and after a fur- ther careful consideration of the question I am led to believe that the interests of this country, and its citizens residing in Asia Minor, would be greatly benefited meanwhi by the establishment of a consulate at Alex- andretta, on the coast of Syria, where an officer would be most favorably located for looking after the American missions and Se in that section of the Ottoman em- pire. ——— SENATOR MORGAN BETTER. 8 Able to Sit Up Awhile This Morning. Senator Morgan, the announcement of whose serious illness yesterday caused con- siderable alarm among his friends, was better this morning. It was announced at the Capitcl that the veteran statesman was able to sit up, and this occasioned a great relief to be felt by all who knew the serious nature of the Senator's ailment. He is afllicted with an inflammation of the liver, and yesterday afternoon his condi- tion was such as to cause alarm to be felt by those around him. Mr. Morgan is very nearly seventy-two years old, and he has always been a very hard worker. Session after session he has taken an active part in the consideration of all financial and international questions, and the work of the past three years has been a heavy drain upor his energies. This year he devoted himself with characteristic zeal to the Cuban question, and while he was hard at work on that line he s de- voting a large part of his time to an un- Traveling of the intricate finances of the Pacific railroads. Last week he gave notice of a speech to be delivered by him yester- dgy on this subject, and he was busy in its preparation when he broke down and was forced to take to his bed. ————__2-—_____ Naval Orders. The Dolphin left Key West yesterday for Norfolk. The Detroit arrived at Chinkiang this morning. The Monadnock has arrived at Mare Island, Cal. The Thetis has from San Diego for San Francisco. Senator Turpie’s Speech on Mr, Call's Joint Resolution. WOULD SEND A NAVAL FLEET THERE He Criticises the Chairman’ of the Foreign Relations Committee. MATTERS IN THE HOUSE Mr. Gallinger (N. H.) read to the Senate today a petition signed by the mayor and aldermen and many citizens of Portsmouth, N. H., urging that the atrocities egainst Christians in Turkey had reached such a stage that the United States should effect an alliance with Great Britain and other Christian countries, that the fleet of the combined powers be dispatched to Turkish waters with a view of establishing a pro- tectorate of Christian powers over Ar- menta, and if need be to take Constanti- nople. The petition also deprecated the agi- tation between the United States and Great Britain aud Venezuela, and urged a speedy settlement. Mr. Lodge (Mass.) gave notice that he Would take up the immigration bill on the isth instant, and Mr. Nelson (Minn.) said he would submit some remarks on that subject. The bill was passed granting a pension of $50 monthly to the widow of Major Gencral Charles 8. Hamilton. A Debate on Banking. Something of a debate on banking came up on Mr. Teller’s request that a bill re- quiring national banks to keep their re rves in their own vaults be referred to the committee on finance. Mr. Teller said there was a congestion of money in the large eastern cities, growing out of the fact that the law permits bankers to keep their reserves in New York city, drawing interest, and thus taking the funds from local use. He regarded this as very detrimental. Last September $200,000,000 of this ouiside money was tied up in New Yerk. It tended to in- crease speculation. He was informed that 75 per cent of these funds were used in stock speculation and not in legitimate bus- iness. He urged the finance committee to devise some method of reform. Mr. Hoar (Mass.) agreed with Mr. Teller that a reform was necessary. Since the rational bank law went into force the prac- tice had grown up of having outside banks eposit their reserve funds in the large, cities in order to get the interest. It pre- vented the former reciprocity of interest be- tween the local borrowers and the local banks. The borrowers now dealt through brokers who dealt with the large cities. Gradually, said Mr. Hoar, we were building up two huge combinations—one the money borrowers ani the other the money lenders. In case of panic the whole structure would tremble as though a nerve had been touch- ed. In his opinion, the banking law should be amended so as to prevent the payraent of interest on reserve deposits in all cases. Mr. Morrill, chairman of the finance cor mittec, said both the Senators were mi taken, as banks of standing did rot pay interest on reserve deposits. Mr. Hoar iristed that they did, and cited the Boston banks, which, paid 3 per cert on outside depos bill went to the finance committee. Bis were passed avthorizing a bridge across the Chattahoochee river Columbia, Ala.; fer the improveme: roads at Gettysburg National Park. To Send a Fleet to Cuba. Mr. Turpie ind.) was then recognized in support of the joint resolution of Mr. Call for the sending of a United States fleet to Cuban waters to protect Americans and to prevent Spanish barbarities. Mr. Turpie said this resolution was full of meaning, considering the remarkable change of front of the chairman of the committee on for- eign relations (Sherman) and the Senator from Massachuseits (Hoar) in their conduct of the Cuban campaign. This resolution proposed to send a United States naval force to Cuba. During the Chilean trou- ble our fleet was sent to Chile and exer- cised most salutary influence. And now, on the same errand and with the same pur- pose, a United States fleet should proceed to Hi na. This resolution was the natural out- growth of the inertia, inaction and obstruc- tion of the chairman of the committee on foreign relations (Sherman) since he took refuge in the crypt of a conference commit- tee. Mr. Turpie sev criticised Mr. Sherman's “abnormal ings” in han- diing the Cuban resolution. He also refer- red to the “jingo jargon” of Mr. Lodge—a gentleman who was able to clothe an ex- citing question with all the dullness of commonplace. Kind of Intervention He Wants. Mr. Turple ridiculed the resolutions offer- ea by Mr. Sherman. These had proposed “{ntervention,” but the honorable chalr- man did not say on which side we would intervene. It was not disclosed by th's re- markable document whether we were’ to intervene to restore the grasp of Spain on Cuba, or in behalf of Cuba to throw off that grasp. A “When the time comes for intervention, exclaimed Mr. Turpie, “I am for interven- tion on the side of Cuba, for the sake of freedom and independence, and fur no other reason.” The Senator said that the great- ness of a question was often obscure? by the indifference of its presentation. Here was a war raging for a year, and yet in the twenty or thirty speeches by Mr. Lodge and a like number by Mr. Sherman before he retired to the cave of Atala, all that could be learned were the ejaculations: “There is a war in Cuba,” and “Great is the Cuban question.” Mr. Sherman sat across the aisie, smiling at times, while Mr. Turpie proceeded with his vigorous arraignment of the misman- agement of the Cuban resolutions. The Condition Today. Mr. Turpig,proceeded to descrile the con- dition of Cuba today. Two-thirds of the island was within the embrace of the revo- lution; the other third was debatable ground, where skirmishes and fighting was going on, and he showed in mucit detail the status of affairs. This, he suil, had not even been touched upon by Mr. Sherman, although of vital consider: “That Senator has appeared as afraid as Gen. Weyler to look into this question, to go over the territory, He has not even looked over the fence. Mr. Turpie took up in detail the condi- ticns existing in Cuba. He conceded that exact official information was meager. Yet the “minute men of the press” and the mass of general correspondence on the sub- ject established certain general essential principles showing a flagrant condition of war existing. The Senator said he had per- scnally collected data. He had kept tally of raids by the Spaniards on country stores until they ran into scores. He had noted the raids involving attacks on women and children. From this data, he said, he drew the first essential conclusion, that the coun- try stofe, that type of civilization, was widely established throughout the territory cecupied by the insurgents. The existence of the country store meant that there were no bandits and pirates, as charged by Span- ish officials, nor thieves and burglars; that the debtor and creditor of the store was resent; in short, that the reign of justice, the first requisite to social organization, existed. s Gen, Weyler'’s Amnesty. ‘The Senator referred to Gen. Weyier's amnesty offered to priests. “Gen. Weyler paused in his campaign— paused not as long as the cha:rman of the