Evening Star Newspaper, April 9, 1896, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. rd PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY, AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, spt) Beaginaia Avorn Oo 11h Sw, ty ¢ uD H. KAUFFMANN. Pret.” Row York Office, 49 Potter Building, Star is served to subscribers im the on their own account, at 10 cents ‘The eity by Pox carriers, per week, or 44 cents the ccunter 2 cents each. By mail—snywhere in the United States or prepaid—50 cents per Star, re with Saturday Quintrple Sheet, Star, $1 per year, Gaatered a the Post Diilee at Washington, D. .. ST ane Ste pt rane al - Rates of advertising made known on application. No. 13,448, WASHINGTON, D. O., THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 1896-TWELVE PAGES. TWO CENTS. CHAPTER OF TRAGEDY|THE RACING Murder of a Dressmaker-—Snuicide of Her Lover. UNACCOUNTABLE CRIME AT SALEM A Criminal Breaks Down Under Rigid Questioning. INDIANA’S STRANGE AFFAIR SALEM, Mass., April 9.—What the police believe to be a murder ard suicide was dis- closed today, when those who responded to en alarm of fire, given for a slight blaze in the apartment occupied by Miss Joseph- ine Mannin, a dressmaker, burst into the room. The fire was .n a folding bed. On the bed lay the dead body of Miss Manning, while across its foot James Flynn, who had been “keeping company” with the wo- man for some time, was writhing in pain from a bullet wound, and gasping for breath. He died before a physician could Teach the place. The fire, which probably resulted from the flash of the pistol among the bed clothes, was extinguished before any extended dam- age was done. Flynn was a widower about thirty-five years of age. The woman was twenty-eight. ‘she oc2upants of the house do not know at what time Flynn called last night, state that he had been in the habit of ing Miss Manning frequently. The lodgers State that they heard the report of a pistol shot at about 4 o'clock this morning, but @id not inv ate the matter. This evi- dence is thought by the police to confirm the theory that Flynn shot the woman and then killed himself. Three shots were fired, two of which pene- he woman's head, while the third, ected against the skull of the mar, Pierced his brain. The revolver, a pack of For and a pocketbook were found on the ed. Both had been considered respectable per- sens by their neighbors. A Murderer Finally Breaks Down. CLEVELAND, Ohio, -April 9—A special to the Leader from Akron, Ohio, says: The Tallmadge murderer has been found. Smith, the recently discharged hired man of the Stone family, has confessed to the crime. Detectives who have been employ- ed on the case arrested John Smith in Tallmadge last night. Smith is about twenty-one years of age, and came to Sum- mit county nine months ago, going to work for Mr. Stone. Two weeks before the mur- der ne had a disagreement with Stone and left him. Smith was much enamored of Flora, Stone’s young daughter, and his attentions were distasteful to the family. Flora wes the only one of the family not injured by the murderer, and on the morning after the crime ae made the statement that the o' voice the murderer “sounded like John’; On the night following the mur- der h was subpoenaed to appear be- fore the coroner. Upon examination he de- nied al iknowledge of the crime. Two Cleveland detectives became convinced that Smith was the real murderer and paid a visit to Tallmadge. They took Smith to the Stone residence, and for six hours kep in the “sweat box,” plying him with qres- tions. ‘The man doggedly insisted that he never committed the murders, but finally broke down and si “If I murdered them I did not know it.” This served as a starting point, and from this the officers worked partial confession frem him. His home is in Turia, N. ¥. He says he is only seventeen years of age, but is evi- dently about three or four years older. When Smith had concluded the statement the detect-ves placed him under arrest. A Double Tragedy in Indian: EVANSVILLE, Ind., April 9.—A double tragedy was eracted here last evening. ‘Thomas Hitch, a constable, is dead with a bullet in his brain. and Ella Stamps is un- conscious with a hcle in her head, and ts probably fatally vovnded. A mystery surrourds ihe case. Two thecries are advanced. One is that Hitch attempted to kill the woman and then killed himself. The other is that the husband of the woman came suddenly up- on them and did the shocting. Stamps and his wife had had trouble and separated. Hitch had been paying attention to the woman. Mrs. Stamps had sued for divorce and the trial was set for today. Stamps has not been arrested. Found Guilty of Murder. WILKESBARRE, Pa., April 9.—Frank ®chaffer, colored, was today found guilty of murder :n the first degree. Schaffer was ne of a mob of men who blew up a board- ng house over two years ago, killing four Hungarians. Sentence was deferred. ALL WERE: BLOWN TO PIECES. ‘Tragic End of a Mutiny in a Chinese Garrison. VANCOUVER, B. C., April 9—The steamer Empress of Japan, which has just arrived from the orient, brings news of a terrific explosion In which a large number of Chinese eoldiers were killed at Kiang Gin. Two regiments revolted, and at a signal from- their leader they seized the guns of the forts and proceeded to kiil off all officers and a new regiment of soldiers recently arrived. In the midst of the mas- secre a magazine exploded, and all hands were blown to pleces. Two battalions must have been wiped out of existence, as not a soldier lived to tell if‘the magazine went off by accident or designediy. All within a hundred yards of the magazine were killed by flying shelis. The story of the mutiny is told by those who watched it from a distance. Besides an immense quantity of shells, 16,000 pounds of powder were stored in the pow- der room. One company fighting near the building literally disappeared from the face of the earth, not a trace of any of them be- ing found. ‘Capt. Kao, who was sent in command of the battalions, found them shockingly demoralized, and all sorts of crimes were being practiced in the garrison town. His attempt at honest reform cost him his life. Several celebrated officers of the late war were killed. DISASTROUS CHICAGO FIRE. A Loss of Over $100,000 Caused in Madison Street. CHICAGO, Aprif 9.—Fire caused a loss of over $100,000 in the J. H. Swartz block, 278 and 286 Madison street, this morning. The thr2e upper floors were entirely burn- ed up. The first floor and basement were badly damagei. The loss falls chiefly on J. H. Swartz, owner of the building, and A. Elinger, clock manufacturer. Losses not ex- ceeding $5,000 each were suffered by Leon- ard & Atkinson, boots and shoes; Joseph Dux, wood carvings; T. J. Shay, boots and shoes; Adams & Etling Company, paints and oils; American Bill Posting Company =a Poihims & Co., cigars.. All: are fully —_—>— » ‘To Honor the Grecian Games. ATHENS, April 9.—There will be a grand banquet tonight in honor of the King of Servia. All the ministers, members the diplomatic corps and the presiden: of its of the Ss gameg committees .will. be pres- BILL The Measure Reported to the House by Mr. Odell Today. Provisions Against Bookmaking and Betting in All Forms—Penalties for Violations. Mr. Odell of New York today reported to the House the bill to permit horse racing in the District of Columbia. Mr. Odell says the amendments made to the bill will ef- fectvally prohibit all forms of gambling at the race tracks. The bill authorizes the incorporation of racing associations, and the holding of races for forty days, between April 1 and November 30. 5 At such race meetings the corporation, or the owners of the horses engaged inssuch races, or others who are not participants in the race, may offer or contribute toward purses, prizes, premmms or stek2s to be contested 1pr, but no person or persons other than the owner or owners of a horse or horses contesting in the race shall have any pecuniary interest in the purse, prize, premium or sweepstake contestel for in such race, or be entitled to or receive any portion thereof after such race is finished, and the whole of such purse, prize, premi- um or sweepstake shall be allotted In ac- cordance with the terms and conditions of such race. Police Regulations Provided. Police regulations fer the rave track sre provided, and it is, stipulated that there shall be “properly posted, in conspicuous positions upon the grounis whereon such races are keld, printed notices or placards in large and legible type, which notices or placards shall be to the e! orderly conduct, pool selling, bookmaking, the use of any kind of gambling devices or the indulgence of any form of gainbling are prohibited.” It is provided, however, that no l:cense shall be issued to conduct such races or Tace meetings within one mile of the boundaries of the city of Washington. It is provided that all racing or trials of speed between horses or other animals for any purse, prize, premium or sweepstake, except such as allowed by this act, or by spec.al laws, is a public nuisance; and every person acting or aiding therein, or aking or being interested in such purse, prize, premivm or sweepstake is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, therefore, upon any conviction thereof, shall pay a fine of net less than $250 nor more than $1,000, and in addition thereto be imprisoned not less than thirty nor more than ninety days, at the discretion of the court. Penalty for Betting. * Any person who, upon any race course authorized by or entitled to the benefits of this act, shall make, directly or indirectiy, any bets or wagers on the result of any trial or contest of speed or power of en- durance of horses taking place upon such Face cours> shall forfeit the value of any money or property received or held by him as a result of such wager, to be recovered in a civil action by the person or persons from whom such money or property is re- ceived. This penalty is exclusive of all other pen- alties or punishments prescribed by law for the acts above specified: Provided, however, that the occupation of any room, shed, booth, tent, boat, ground, either public or private, or place for the purpose of making registry or record of bets; the exchanging, delivering, or transferring therein or at any other place of a record, registry, mem- orandum, token, paper or document of any kind whatever, as evidence of any such bet or wager; or the subscribing by name, initials, or otherwise of any record, registry, or memorandum in the possession of any other person of a bet or wager, intended to be retained by such other person, or any cther person, or the registry or recording of any such bet or wager in “abulando,” as evidence of such bet or wager, shall be deemed to be bookmaking or the use of gambling devices, and punishable as book- making or the use of gambling devices is Tow punished. In the event that the trustees of any corporation or association created pursuant to tne provisions of the act, or erititled to the benefits thereof, shall comply with the foregcing provisions, then no trustee or Officer of said corporation shall be person- ally liable to the imposition of any fine or to prosecution, or in any other manner held liable, fox any violation by any person other than himself of the provisions of the law with reference to pool selling, book- making or other forms of gambling unless knowingly permitted by him; nor shall the maintenance of such race course nor the holding or conducting of races thereon pursuant to the provisions of this act be construed or held to be violation of any of the provisions of chapter forty of the pub- lie act of the Forty-seventh Congress of the United States, approved January 31, 1883, or of chapter 497 of the public acts of the Fifty-first Congtess of the United States, approved March 2, 1891, or of the provisions of any penal statute of the Uni- ted States. It is provided, however,that nothing here- in contained shall be construed to relieve such corporation or association from any lability which may exist, either under the penal statute or the laws of the United States applicable to corporations and not herein specially provided for. ———____+e+____ RIVER AND HARBOR BILL ‘To Be Considered by the Senate Com- merce Committee. ‘The Senate committee en commerce today decided to take up the river and harbor bill tomorrow, snd to sit daily until its consid- eration 1s concluded. The committee will devote Friday, Saturdzy and Monday to bearing Senatorc who have amendments to offer, and after that time will press the bill to final coasideration as soon as practica- ble. The desire was expressed to have the bill pass the Senate at an early day that the President might have the ten days’time nec- essary to consider it before adjournment, in order to give Congress an opportunity to consider his action, In case it should be adverse to the measure. The cormittee also decided to grant hearings <n Friday, the 17th instant, to the rival claims of San Pedro and Santa Mo- nica, on the California coast, near Los Angeles, for the establishment of a deep- water harbor ‘The bills for Itfe-saving stations at Port Gratiot, on Lake Huron, and Hampton, N. H., and for gas buoys at various points on the St. Lawrence river were favorably acted upon by the committee. oie BETTER OF THE MEASLES. The President's Little Girl Doing as Well as Could Be Expected. News came to the White House this morning from Woodley that Esther, the President’s second daughter, is doing as well as could be expected under the cir- cumstances, snd that the efforts to prevent the spread of the measles to other members of the presidential household haveybeen so far atterded with entire success. Donald Thurber, the eldest son of the t's private secretary, was attacked with disease last evening. é ——_-e_____ Mr. Craim’s Successor. Representative Pendleton of Texas this morning -received a telegram from Texas confirming the news of the election of Ru- dolph Kleberg to the House as successor of the late Representative Crain. The other candidates were Brewster, republican, Lawhorn; populist. bee and Representative-elect Kleterg was for many years the law partner of Mr. Crain, He is a brainy, able man. REV.MR. KNAPP’S CASE Believed to Indicate a General Ex- pulsion of Missionaries. ALLEGED ROSSC-TORKISH AGREEMENT Comment on the Matter in London and Paris. WHAT IS SAID ABOUT IT HERE CONSTANTINOPLE, April 8, via Sofia, Bulgaria, April 9.—It now appears, accord- ing to a semi-official statement, that the Turkish government bases its action in ex- pelling or allowing the expulsion by local authorities of Bitlis of the American mis- sionary, the eRv. Mr. George P. Knapp, on an understanding reached between the porte and United States Minister Terrell. It is added that it was agreed between the government and Mr. Terrell that the Rev. Mr. Knapp was to leave Bitlis April 1, and in consequerce, when the missionary took no steps to depart, the local officials of Bitlis politely invited him to leave. At that time, it fs also stated, the United States charge d'affaires, Mr. John W. Rid- dle, had no official explanations on the :ub- Ject. Mr. Knapp has left Diarbekir for Aleppo, and from there, unless the plans of the Turkish government'-are interfered with, the American missionary will be “invited” to go to Alexandretta, in order that he may embark upon a steamer. It is generally believed here that the ex- pulsion of Mr. Knapp is only the first step taken by the sultan in the direction of ex- pelling all Protestant and Catholic mission- aries, as well as’ the agents of the Ameri- can Red Cross Society, from Armenia. There are several reasons given for this movement, but the affair may be summed up in the statement that there is no doubt that Russia and Turkey are alarmed at the effect of the work of the missionaries in Armenia and elsewhere, and that it has practically been decided that they are to be expelled under some excuse or other in order to make way for priests of the Rus- sian church. This is belfeved to be the basis of the understanding (or secret tréaty) arrived at between Russia and Tur- key when the fleets of the powers had as- sembled in the Bay of Salonica and the question of coercing Turkey by display of naval strength before Constantinople had been almost decided upon. PROTESTS FROM ENGLAND. Action Taken by the Armenian Re- Mef Committee. LONDON, April 9.—The newspapers here all give prominence to reports of the meet- ing yesterday of the Armenian relief com- mittee, presided over by the Duke of Ar- gyll, to protest against the proposed ex- pulsion from Asiatic Turkey of the Protes- tant and Roman Catholic missionaries, at which Mr. C. E. Schwann, M. P., urged a resolution earnestly requesting the govern- ment to take immediate steps to obtain the release of Rev. George P. Knapp, the American missionary. Canon Gore and Sir J. Kennaway, M. P.. of the committee appointed for that pur. pose, will call the attention of the conser- vative leader in the house of commons, Mr. A. J. Balfour, to the matter, and ask that he urge an increase in the number of Brit- ish consuls in Asiatic Turkey, as their presence there will have a salutory effect in preventing outrages upon Christians and in aiding inthe work of relieving the distressed Armenians. The Duke of Westminster, who has re- ceived direct information that the sultan Proposes to expel the Protestant and Ro- man Catholic miss:onaries from Asiatic ‘Turkey, is communicating on the subject with the Marquis of Salisbury. IRRITATION IN PARIS. Comment on the Reported Decision to Expel the Missionaries. PARIS, April 9.—Considerable irritation against Turkey has been aroused here by the reperts from Constantinople and Lon- don that the sultan has decided to expel all Roman Catholic and Protestant mis- sionaries from Asiatic Turkey on the grcund that they have been instrumental in inciting the Armenians to revolt -against the authority of the sultan. The newspapers, especially the Figaro, have taken up the question in earnest, as one directly and strongly affecting Chris- tianity, and as calling for prompt and ef- fective action. The Figaro complains of the deception that Turkish officials have pra@ticed upen the world at large in the whitewashing stories of the massacres sent out by the Turkish government, and ex- presses the hope that France will not per- mit the missionaries to be expelled from Asiatic Turkey. Other newspapers express similar views, and hope that the French government will act with promptness and-energy in the matter. WILL RETURN TO BITLIS. It is Said on Authority That Mr. Knapp Will Be Treated Fairly. Touching the case of Missionary Knapp, who is reported by cable from Constanti- nople to be under process of expulsion from Turkish Armenia, it can be stated on au- thority*that there is no reason for appre- hension that he will not meet with fair treatment and eventually be permitted to return to his post at Bitlis, after he has undergone the forms of clearing himself from the charges that have been lodged against him of conspiracy against the gov- ernment. Early in the course of the Armenian troubles Mr. Terrell, our minister to Tut key, was instructed by the State Depart- ment to see to it that any American citizen, native or naturalized, who was arrested by the Turkish government, be surrendered to the United States minister for trial. In this matter our government held, against the opposition of the porte, that under the treaty of 1830 it had the right to exercise extra territorial jurisdiction in Turkey where American citizens are con- cerned. Mr. Terrell was explicitly instructed by Secretary Olney to claim all rights under the fourth article of the treaty, and to offer to try any Americen citizen charged with insurrection, rebellion, sedition or like offenses, or in the event of such offer being refused, to demand the release of the accused. So, when Mr. Knapp was about to be arrestéd by the lozil Turkish authorities at Bitlis, and notified Mr. Terrell, the latter promptly addressed himself to the porte and after much difficulty secured the re- mission of the trial of the missionary to himself. This necessitated the coming of Mr. the | Knapp to Constantinople, but as there was assurance that the charges of sedi- tion against the missionary were without substantial foundation, there was no rea- son to apprelend that he would not be Promptly acquitt>d upon trial before the United States minister or his representa- tive and be permitted to return to his post. Thersfore there is this measure of truth in the story from Constantinople between the Turkish government and Mr. Terrell; that the minister had secured what it be regarded as a valuable con- from the authorities in having the trial of the missionary SBR oct of the hands of the Turkish and left to his own court, and this involved the appearance of the acct at Constan- tinople, Minister Terrell is still in this city in congultation with the authorities, but per- sistently declines to say anything for pub- lication regarding the situation in Turkey. —— NEW FORM OF GOVERNMENT A Bill Providing for Five Commissioners i of the District, Four to Be Elected by the People— Senator Gallinger’s Remarks on Introdveing the Measure. Senator Gallinger today introduced in the Senate, by request, a bill providing for a change of the form of local government by the substitution of a board of five Commis- sioners, four of whom shall be elected by the people of the District and one ap- pointed from the engineer corps of the army by the President. In introducing the bill Mr. Gallinger made an interesting and important statement. He said: “The bill, which I have only casually looked at, recommends that the board of Commissioners of the District shall be in- creased to five and shall be elected by pop- ular vote. I would say that if I had my way I would rather the District of Colum- bia were under the well-established doc- trine that there shall not be taxation with- out representation, but that is impossible under the existing conditions. If I were to have my way and a change of the Com- missioners was to be made I should reduce the number from three to one in place of increasing it to five.” Provisions for an Béeetion. ‘The bill which he presented is very long and provides in intricate detail all the ma- chinery for holding a popular election. It first provides that from and after the first Monday in January, 189, the board of Commissioners shall consist of five mem- bers, four elected and one appointed, as already stated The term of office is to be three years. The vote for Commissioners 1s to be cast the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, 1896, and every third year thereafter. The electoral qualifications are stated in these words: “Every citizen, having resided in the District of Columbia ninety days and in the election precinct sixty days next pre- ceding any registration of voters, shall b er:titled to register and vote.” The city !s to be divided Into four election districts, corresponding to the geographical divisions of the city at present, bounded by North, East and South Capitol streets and by a line running west from the Capitol. Each section is to be entitléd to one repre-, sentative on the board of commissioners, and is to be divided Into voting precincts, each containing as nearly as possible a thousand inhabitants. The Commissioners are required by the bill to give forty days’ notice of every clection held, and to choose election judges, who shal! also constitute the board of registration. The polls on elec- ton day are to be opened from 6 a.m. to p.m. The Australian Ballot System. The e’ection machinery provided in the bill is very similar to the Australian ballot sys-| tem, now in vogue in most of the states. The vote is to be cast in the form of a print- ed ballot, and the voter is.to he required to indicate his choice of candidates by making @ cross mark opposite the name he prefers. Hach vote is to be indorsed on the back by the initlalz of one of the registers, and no vote is to be counted unless so marked. Elabcrate precautions are taken in the bill to prevent repeating and falsifying of the returns, and to insure the purity of the bal- lot box. The Commissioners are consti- tuted a canvassing board, and they are given power to provide the paraphernalia of the elections and are required to establish at each precinct a voting booth, with the necessary guard rails, etc. This bill, the authorship of which was not disclosed, was referred to the committee on the District of Columbia. ~ MR. CUMMINGS’ CHARGE. He Accuses the Commissioner of Navigation of Lobbying. In the House yesterday a portion of the day was devoted to debate on the bill to exempt sailing vessels engaged in the coastwise trade from ccmpulsory pilotage laws, with the understanding that a vote should-be taken at 2 o'clock this afternoon. The bill was championed by Mr. Payne (N. Y.) end Mr. Simpkins (Mess, and opposed by Mr. Minor (Wis.) and Mr. Cummings @. ¥). Mr. Cummings, in the course of his re- marks, charged that Mr. Chamberlin, com- missioner of navigution, had been lobbying in favor of the bill. It had been stated, Mr. Cummings sad, that the pilots had a lobby here to Gefeat the passage of this bill. “I know,” said he, “of a mugwump, one Chan berlin, commirsioner of naviga- tion, why has been importuning members in the interest of tais bill I remember that Grover Cleveland a few days ago fe- moved from the goverrorsh'p of Arizona one Hughes, who was accused of trying to influence members on the Arizona land lease bill, and I say to you if you have any regard for the official life of the commis- sioner of navigation you will allow this bill to be defeated, for if this bill passes, and Grover Cleveland ‘s true te the princi- ples he laid down in the Hughes case, the commissioner of navigation will very speeti- fly navigete out of Washington.” (Laugh- ter and a,plavse.) = Z Personal Mention. Mr. John H. Fow of Philadelphia, who is spoken of as a possible occupant of the seat in Congress of the late ex-Speaker Randall, is in Washington on legal bus- iness, E. V. Smalley of St. Paul,>Minn., editor of the Northwest Magazine ‘and president of the chamber of commerce of that city, is in Washington for a week or two and is stopping at 222 New Jersey avenue south-_ east. Mr. Smalley was once well. known in Washington journalism as a New York ‘Tribune correspondent. Senor Lazo Arriaga, minister of Guate- mala and Honduras, has left here on leave of absence for a visit to his home. He will go" by way of Panama and expects to re- turn here by July 1. F Capt. W. H. Clapp, sixteénth infantry, is in the city on business with jhe Indian bu- Teau. Col. Henry L. Abbott, rétired, is in the city on leave of absence... _ Lieut. G..U. Moore, twerity-sécond infan- try, is at the Bancroft. ts = West Point Cadets Appbinted. Cadets at the United States Military Academy have been appointed as follows: Charles L. Filtean, Idaho “Springs, Col.; John P: Sullivan, New Orleans, La., with Gordon Robinson, New Orleans, as alter- Rate; Jacob Joseph, New York city, with E. J. Treacy, New York city, as alternate; Harvey Stovall, Athens, Ga.; Joseph F. Jones, Green} A telegram was received at the Navy De- partment today, eayttg tZat the cruiser DAML Das salle ieeees CHR iane face o- ae = x ne CUBAN ARMISTICE Report That President Cleveland Will Interfere. . SUGGESTED OFFER AS MEDIATOR Cuban Question, Not Measles, Prevented a Cabinet Meeting. COUP D’ETAT COMING There is reason to believe that the ‘Pres- {dent's plan of action in the matter of the Cuban insurrection will be developed with- In the next few days, and In a manner that will create genuine surprise and astonish- ment. It is known that a definite policy has been agreed upon as a result of several long conferences between the President and Secretary Olney which have been held in the seclusion of the White House during the past few days. It has also been ascer- tained that the appearance of measles in the President's household had nothing to do with the omission of the cabinet meet: ing last Tuesday, but that the meeting was called off simply to allow the President and his Secretary of State opportunity for the preparation of an important paper on the Cuban situation. Not the Measles. Secretary Olney was closeted with his stenographer at the State Department for several hours Monday, engaged in the Preparation of the case, and he submitted it to the President at the White House the following morning. Its consideration was not concluded at the hour at which the cabinet usually assembles, and, as’ the President desired to continue its consid- eration without interruption, word was sent to all the different departments that there would be no meeting that day. The appearance of the measies in the Presi- dent's family has in no wise interfered with the dally routine of business In the Executive Mansion, and, in fact, the Presi- dent’s office has been almost continualy thronged with visitors, mostly Senators and Representatives, every day since Esther was taken sick. Her removal to Woodley is believed to have removed all source of danger of infection at the White House. Unless present plans are changed, the regular semi-weekly meeting of the cabinet will be held at the White House as usual tomorrow. A Coup D’Etat. Although it is well established that the President aid his Secretary of State have decided upon a positive course of action in the Cuban affair, its character is a well- kept secret, and cannot, as yet, be stated with any degree of certainty. It is said to be something in the nature of a coup d'etat in its unexpectedness, in view of the past policy of the administration toward the insurgents. According to reports, more or less reliable, the Secretary of State has addressed a ccmmunication to the Spanish minister of foreign affairs, deploring the présent state of affairs in Cuba, and ex- pressing the President's desire for a speedy termination of the conflict on terms honor- able and satisfactory alike to all parties concerned. Offer of Mediati. Although not known, it is sald that the President has in fact offered to mediate be- tween the two parties to the struggle in the hope of ending the insurrection by remoy- ing the cause of dissension end by the in- stitution of certain political reforms in Cuba. In case the President has really instituted negotiations in the direction indicated it would not be in actual conflict with the spirit of the concurrent resolutions recently adopted by Congress, one of which resolved that “the friendly offices of the United States should be offered by the President to the Spanish government for the recogni- tion of the independence of Cuba.” A Truce Suggested. It is said, however, that the President is not prepared te ask outright for the inde- pendence of the island, but that his present plan contemplates rather a cessation of hostilities pending a subsequent settlement of the issues between the Cubans and the Spanish gevernment. How much truth there {s in the reports mentioned will prob- ably be established within a short time, in- asmuch as {t 1s confidently expected in all quarters that the President will soon show his hand in this matter. —EE McKINLEY AND THE A. P. A. Managers of the Order May Make War on the Ohio Candidate. There seems to be no doubt that there is a very strained feeling between the board of governors of the A. P. A. and Governor McKinley of Ohio. This feeling may lead to war between Ohio’s candidate and the managers of the A. P. A. The manner in which this trouble has developed is strange. When the board of governors met in this city, several weeks ago, they desired, it is said, to have a conference with Gen. Gros- venor, who is in charge of the McKinley boom in this city. Representative Linton spcke to Gen. Grosvenor of the presonce of the board in the city, and svggested that it would be well for him to meet them. Gen. Grosvenor is alleged to have said that he was extremely busy at that time, and ex- cused himself on that ground. The mem- bers of the board of governors, it is under- stcod, did not call upon Gen. Grosvenor, but felt very much aggrieved over what they regarded as a cold reception. It was suggested to the representatives of the A. P. A. that if they wished to call on Mr. Mc- Kirley at Canton doubtless they would be received, as would any other citizens. But they have not called on Mr. McKinley. After the board of governors went to New York, friends of the Ohio candidate were told that the A. P. A.’s felt that the Mc- Kinley boomers had slighted them, and ‘that In order to ayoid a rupture it would be well to have some one call on them. This was not done, and the result. was that the managers of the A. P. A. started west feel- ing very sore over what they considered as a slight. It is thought by many that the opposition, which, it is said, will be waged on McKinley,. is the result of the personal feelings of the A. P. A. managers. The McKinley people are doing nothing about the threatened rupture and are ap- parently not disturbed by it. They do not think the influence of a few men will be so great as to wield the votes of great masses of people when nothing more than a feeling of personal tlight is brought forward as a reason for their opposition. ———___-e-________ THE UTAH DELEGATION. Only One Who is for Any of the An- ounced Presidential Candidates. “There is only one delegate from Utah,”.| said « Utah man to a Star reporter today, “who is for any of tne announced candi- dates for the presidentiel nomination. He is Mr. Trumble, and is favorable to the nomination of Allison. The other delegates are for a silver man. They would like to see a straight silver ticket headed by Cant eron, with Senator Morgan of Alabama for second place. I would not er aon ee for and others.” SUICIDE OF HENRY FITCHISOLD FOR BUTTER Sent a Ballet Through His Head From Temp'e to Temple, Believed to Have Been Insane From Suffering and Despondency When He Pulled the Trigger. Mr. Henry Fitch, a well-known resident of Northeast Washington, committed sul- | cide shortly after 12 o'clock today by shoot- ing himself through the head in his apart- ments-on the third floor of his residence, No. 100 Massachusetts avenue northeast, where he lived with his son, Williany 8. Fitch, a clerk in the pension office, and the latter’s family. Young Mrs. Fitch was attending to some household duties in the second story of the dwelling about the time mentioned, when she heard the muf- fled sound of a firearm, followed by a crash of-crockery and the fall of a heavy body. She called down stairs to the servant to ascertain if the noise had been caused in the lower part of the house. Discovery of the Servant. Upon receiving a negative reply she in- structed the maid @ go to the third story and see what was the matter. The woman went and immediately returned with the information that Mr. Fitch was lying on the floor of his room bieeding very badly, and she believed him to be dead. Mrs. Fitch ran across the street to the drug store and asked Dr. H. M. Cline to come over and see what was the matter with her father-in-law. Dr. Cline ran to the scene and found Mr. Fitch, who was helf dressed, lying on the floor with the blood and brains oozing from a hole in his right temple. i Death Was Ins Dr. Storch was immediately summoned and found that death had been instantan- eous, the bullet having passed entirely through the head, entering the left temple and coming out of the right. The dead man left notairg to indicate the reasons for his rash act, but is believed to have committed the deed in a fit of temporary aberration, caused by constant suffering he has undergone for the past six weeks. He has complained of unremitting pressure on the top of his head during all that time, and his son had told several of his friends that he believed his father was threatened with apoplexy. whe) Mr. Fitch was fifty-seven years of age, and was a native of Ohio, having been a resident of Cleveland for many years. He was a man of considerable means and owned the house in which he resided, as well as the dwelling on Massachusetts ave- nue. The latter dwelling was.occupied by Mr. Robert Giddings, who took his own life a few days ago, ari Mr. Fitch was a warm friend >f his tenant. He has been brooding over the latter's death in addi- tion to the suffering from his head, and it is thought that this, added to his despon- dency, finally led to his self-destructian. He leaves two children, Mr. William 8. Fitch of the pension office, and Mr. Harry D. Fitch of Louisville, Ky. He was a brother of, Mr. George K. Fitch, the joint propri- etor of the San Francisco Bulletin and the Francisco Call. The coroner was noti- tnneous. —_—__ PROF. GREGORY'S SUIT. He Sues Mr. Murray for $50,000 Dam- ages for Alleged Libel. Suit-at-law, to recover $50,000 for alleged libel was this afternoon instituted in the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia by James M. Gregory, formerly a professor at Howard University, and a school trustee of the District of Columbia, against Daniel Murray. It is set forth in the bill of com- plaint that the libel was in the form of a letter sent to Congressman Joseph D. Sayers, by Murray, as follows: “The paper presented by Mr. Livingston of Georgia was inspired by one Prof. James M. Gregory, who was dismissed from the university for borrowing money from the students and others and refusing to pay the same. The same individual was several years ago ap- pointed a trustee of the public schools of the District of Columbia, and was dismiss- ed by the District Commissioners for sell- ing teacherships in the public colored schools. I myself aided in bringing this dishonest practice to the attention of the Commissioners.”” Claiming the statements said to have been made were false, Prof. Gregory says he has been greatly injured, and therefore asks damages in the sum named. —_—> THE ECKINGTON RAILWAY. Senators Go Over the Territory of Proposed Extension. Senatore McMillan and Proctor this after- neon went on a tour of inspection over the land proposed to be occupied by the Eckington and Soldiers’ Home Railroad Company itn the extensions outlined in a pending bill. They were accompanied by ex-Congressman Talbot of Maryland and Col: Douglass, formerly chief engineer of the Baltimore and Ohio road, who repre- sent the Eckington road before Congress. This is the bill recently submitted by the Eckingtcn company to the District commit- tee through Senator McMillan, who has since been examining it, but kas not yet introduced it in the Senate. It proposes to extend the line of the road from the southern point on the water front to the arsenal gate, thence north to M _ street, east to 6th east, and up 6th to Stanton Square, there tc connect with the present line of the road. This would involve the use of the Anacostia tracks on M street between 4% and 6th east. The Commis- sicners have just taken action on this proposition, which is similar to one pending in the House, and have recommended that it be rejected. The District committee of the Senate, however, will continue to con- sider the propositicn in connection. with the plan for putting the entire Eckington eyes line system on a rapid transit ——___-e. TO COMMAND THE CADETS. Reported Transfer of Capt. Augur to ‘West Point. EL PASO, Texas, April 9.—Capt. Jacob Augur, troop A, fifth United States caval- ry, statiored at Fort Bliss, has received of- ficial notice from Washington of his ap- peintment as commandant of the West Point cadets for four years, beginning July 1 next. He succeeds Capt. Mills, third United States artillery, whose detail ex- pires. ¢ It is stated at the War Department that Capt. Augur’s name is under consideration, but ‘that the selection has not been made. $< ___ RHODES’ DEATH RUMORED. South African Company Officials Dis- credit the Report. LONDON, April 9.—There were rumors on the stock exchange today that Mr. Cecil Rhodes, formerly premier of Cape Colony, who has been suffering from fever at Sal- isbury, Matabeleland, is. dead. This rumor conset @ decline in the company’s securi- ies. < The officials of the Chartered South African Company’ the ru- mor. —_———. Bishep Ryan’s Critieal Condition. BUFFALO, N. ¥., Agel &—Rt was thought at noon that Bishop Ryan eould First of the Oleomargarine Cases on Trial. < DETECTIVES PURCHASED THE STUFF Given Maufactured Article When They Asked for Butter. GIVEN TO THE JURY i Trial of the first ease for violation of the oleomargarine law was begun this morn- ing before Judge Cole in Criminal Court No. 1, with District Attorney Birney and his assistant, Mr. Jeffords, prosecuting, and Attorneys Jere M. Wilson and Henry E. Davie appearing for the defendant, who was Mr. William L. Matthews, whose place of business is at the cozner of 10th and 8 streets northwest. After arguments late yesterday afternocn by Messrs. Henry E. Davis and Jere Wil- son, Judge Cole overruled the demurrers to the Indictments in the cases of Wilkes C. Prather, Thomas Pickford, William L. Matthews and Clarence Fowler. The attor- neys entered pleas of not guilty for their clients, and it was decided to begin the trials this morning. = In their arguments the attorneys con- tended that the indictments were defective because they were insuflicient in law and framed under an unconstitutional act; that the act does not define what siall consti- tute a criminal offense, and that Congress has no constitutiona! authority to delegate to the internal revenue commissioner or any other person the authority to deter- mine what acts shall be crimi reply District Attorney 2 a general declaration of the unterability of the contentions of the defense, adding that the Same poincs set forth had been passed upon by the court several weeks ayo. Judge Cole went over all the point 4 the law briefly and then announced he would sustain the indictmenis. The defense de- sired to take the matter to the Court of Appeals on ap appeal from the interiocu- tory order of Judge Cole overruling the de- murrers. Mr. Birney objeciei, however, and the trial was set for this morning. Trials Begin. Mr. Peter Emrie, an employe of the Em- rich Brothers, who are under indictment for violation of the law, and Mr. Isaac A. Eiker, a dealer in butter, were excused from service on the jury, and then, in the Presence of a crowded court room, the proceedings were set in motion by Mr. Bir- ney, who explained that the government hoped to prove that Mr. Matthews sold a pound of oleomargarine as and for butier in violation of a law passed in 1886 to pro- tect the communities of the country from just such imposition. Mr. Harrison Nesbit of the internal reve- nue service, the first witness for the gov- ernment, testified that Mr. Matthews, July. 6, 1895, ‘was issued a license for the ‘sale of oleomargarine, and explained the method eel in as such licenses. fective Joseph Carter next took the stand and stated that October 22, 1895, he was detailed by Maj. Moore to investigate the oleomargarine cases. In company with Mr. John Enright witness visited thirty- five or forty establishments, the ninth be- ing Mr. Matthews’ store. Witness saw Mr. Enright enter the store and return with & package of oleomargarine. ‘Where did you get the money to make these purchases?” asked Mr. Wilson. “I object to the question; it is irrelevant,” said Mr. Birney. < Z wisi “I desire to show,’ explained Mr. Wilson, “that Detective Carter was acting as the agent of a butter dealer in this city, the latter supplying him with the necessary money. Judge Cole ruled that the question had no bearing in the case, and an exce} aT exception was Bought as Butter. The package in question purchased from Mr. Matthews by Mr. Enright, said the wit- ness, cost thirty cents, apd was sold as creamery butter. There was no stamp or mark whatsoever on the package that would signify the contents to be oleomar- garine. Mr. John Enright of 1122 F stret south- west testificd that he purchased the pound of oleomargarine offered in eviderce Oc- tober 22 last at the store of Mr. Matthews. Witness asked for one pound of good creamery butter, and paid thirty cents for the package. There were no marks or label on the package, a clerk wrapping the articie purchased in ordirary paper, tying it with twine. He delivered the pack- age to Detective Carter, who marked it, and, with the latter, took it to the Treas- wry Department. “Who employed you to do this work?” asked Mr. Wilson. The witness maintained a discreet silence until instructed by the court to answer, when he admitted that he had been paid. “From whom did you reccive the money?” next asked Mr. Wilson. Again the witness failed to make reply, but when informed by the court to respond to the question, stated that he was paid by Mr. Oyster, at the rate of $} per day, re- ceiving in all §9. He was paid at the store of Mr. Oyster, he said, but insisted that he had been employed for the purpose de- serited by Detective Carter alone. The defense endeavored to show by the witness that Mr. Oyster was endeavosing to make cases ageinst the smaller dealers, but it was ruled ovt. Was Oleomargarin: Dr. Charles A. Crempton, a chemist in the Internal revenue office, testified to re- ceiving the packege from Detective Carter, to making an analysis of the contents, and declared the same most emphatically to be oleomargarine. Dr. Crampton described in detail the analysis made by him in deter- mining the contents of the package to be oleomargarine. It bad been in his posses- sion alone since being turned over to him by Detective Carter. Mr. Oyster’ Testimony. Mr. James F. Oyster was then called, and in answer to questions said that he was acqvainted with Mr. Matthews, and that the latter had gone out of business last summer. The defendant called on the wit- ness at his place of business yesterday, it was testified, and stated that he was much concerned about the charge against him, saying he had failed in busincss, was @ poor msn and was trying to get along. Matthews explained to the witness, so said the latter, that he first sold the oleomarga- rifie because inducements to do so had been offered him. He bought it es butter, s1 posed it to be butter and sold it as sucl until later, when he was informed by Mr. Wilkins of its nature, but was also told that he had a right to sell it. Witness was asked by the defendant what he should do, and was irformed that a frank confession was the only plan that could be cuggested. On cross-examination, Mr. Oyster admit- the oleomargarine case, tective Carter with a list of dealers to be investigated, and that he had paid Mr. Ea- right for services rendered in assisting De- tective Carter. ‘The government here closed its case, and Mr. Wilson asked that the jury be im structed to return a verdict of not guilty, ccntending that no evidence had been 4 sented tc prove that Mr. Matthews