Evening Star Newspaper, April 11, 1896, Page 2

THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, APRIL ee Se EPS, See ey ee were voue race 1896—TWENTY-FOUR PAGES, LATE NEWS BY WIRE Arrival of the German Emperor at Venice. GALA SCENES IN THE CITY OF THE SEA Received by the King and Queen of Italy. TOWN GAY WITH FLAGS VENICE, April 11—The imperial yacht Hohenzoltern, with Emperor Wiiliam of Germany and the empress on board, en- tered the St. Marie dock this afternoon. ‘The king and queen of Italy, accompanied by Premier Rudini, all the cabinet min- isters and Gen. Count Lanza Di Busca, the Htalian ambassador at Berlin, boarded the imperial yackt as soon as she was moored and greeted the distinguished visitors. The meeting between the emperor and Kirg Humbert and between the empress and Queen Margaret was of the most cor- dial rature. The town is beautifully decor- atzd with flags, and tonight it will be bril- liantly illuminated. Venice is crowded to overflowing with vis- itors frem all parts of Italy and from near- ly every parc of Europe. The vicinity of its dock, where the Hohenzollern is moor- ed, is alive with gondolas filled with people, and the immediate neighborhood of the dock festooned with flags and gay with flowers and evergreens. Subseauently the emperor and empress returned the visit of the King and Queen of Italy at the palace. Their majesties were che2red by the crowds on their way to the royal residence. Sg LACKS TWO OF A MAJORITY. Claims of Mr. Mudd’s Friends as to the District Convention. Special Dispateh to The Evening Star. BALTIMORE, Md., April 11—The fight for the congressional nomination from the fAfth district is distancing all other politi- cal skirmishes in interest, and public at- tention has been. riveted for some time on the efforts of Mr. Sydney E. Mudd to se- cure enough votes to make the nomination his beyond doubt, and the no less deter- mined mov-ment of his adversaries to pre- vent his success. He is now reasonably sure of eleven votes in the district conven- tion, and has therefore only two more to secure to give him a majority. He and his friends feel they can depend on 3 votes from St.. Mary's, 3 from Charles and 5 from Anne Arundel. They concede § votes to the opposition, 3 from Calvert, 3 from Howard and 2 ‘from Baltimore’ county, while the 4 votes from Prince George's and 2 from the seventeenth ward of Baltimore city are now regarded as doubtful. Moreover, Mr. Mudd is now strongly backed by Gov. Lowndes and Mr. Welling- ton, and is, consequently, in high favor with the administration forces. The activity of the anti-Mudd faction was illustrated by the scenes and incidents of the primary election in the seventeenth ward of Baltimore yesterday afternoon to elect delegates to the Upper Marlboro’ ecn- vention on April 23, when district delezates to the national convention will be chosen, and to the La Plata convention, set for Au- gust 16, when the congressional candidate will be chosen. The election was one of the most exciting that has been held in Baltimore in recent years. .Lallot box smashing, arrests and assaults figured, ard the day closed with both sides claiming the victory. Congressman Coffin is a candidate for re- nomination, and he and Senator Day of Howard are the most conspicuous anti- Mudd candidates. Both are ardent workers and are prepared to give the speaker a hard fight. ——.__ LOST ON THE IRISH COAST. Wreck of the British Ship Carnarvon- sh. the Skibbereen Rocks. BERLIN, April 11—The British ship Car- ire, Captain Hughes. from San Francisco on December 11 for Queenstown, has been wrecked on the rocks near Skib- bereen. She went ashore last evening, and her stern to amidships is now submerged. ‘The crew escaped in the boats, but they lost everything. The Carnavonshire was of i122 tons reg- ister, and built at Liverpool in 3876. She Was 224 feet long, had about 36 feet beam, was about 21 feet deep znd was owned by Hughes & Company. ——__. IN THE BEST OF HEALTH. Consul General Williams Laughs at the Report of His Assassinatio: HAVANA, April 11—There is absolutely no truth in the story from Madrid, printed this morning in New York, to the effect that the United States consul general here, Mr. Ramon O. Williams, bas been murdered and bis body dragged through the streets. A representative of the Associated Press called upon Mr. Williams today and found him enjoying the best of health. He laugh- ed at the report in circulation, and said he ‘was very busy with diplomatic matters. A dispatch, under today’s date, was re- cvived at the State Department this morn- ing from United States Consul General Wiliams at Havana, thus disposing of the rumor thet he had been assassinated and his body dragged through the streets of Havana. — SIX BLOWN TO PIECES. Explosion of Giant Powder in a Mon- tana Mine. BUTTE, Mont., April WM.—An explosion of one hundred pounds of sia1t powder, by which six men were blown to pleces, oc- curred at the 1,100-foot level of St. Law- rence mine today. The names of the kill- ed are: Con M. Lowney, John Quinlan, Eu. Shields, James Dwyer, John McVeigh, Patrick O'Rourke. ‘The cause of the explosion is unknown, 4s the six men killed were the only ones in the part of the mine where the disaster occurred. Owing to fall of debris in the level just after the explosion, the bodies will not be recovered until tonight. ——.__. THE IMMIGRATION QUESTION. Cougressman Barthold House Republican Caue: Chairman Bartholdt of the House com- mittee on immigration, speaking of the re- Publican caucus tonight to outline the policy of the House on the immigration question, said: “I welcome this plan for an interchange of opinions on the immigration question. re are two factions on this question, one posed of those who favor extreme measures, amounting almost to prohibition of immigration; the other believing the present laws to be sufficiently stringent. Personally I favor the Lodge-McCall bill, which imposes an educational test, for that would shut out the undesirable classes of immigrants and very few others. “While it is recognized that certain na- tionalities make more desirable citizens than others, it would he offensive to legis- Jate against foreigners by naming their nationalities. “The Stone bill for consular certificates I regard as extremely vicious. Under such @ law the most desirable class of Germans and others would be excluded, the young men who are eligible for milltary service athome. They could not secure certificates, for our consuls could not issue thess certifi_ cates in violation of the laws of the 0" ernments to which they wore accredited. eat More Filibusters Land. TAMPA, Fla., April 11—The Cubans held meetings last night in both their club houses In commemoration of the twenty- seventh anniversary of the adoption of their government's constitution and the fourth anniversary of the formation of a Cuban revolutionary party by Jose Marti. News Has been received of the landing in Cuba of Col. Menzou’s expedition of forty- seven men. BONA-FIDE CIRCULATION. A reference to the statement be- low will show that the circulation sworn to is a bona fide one. : It is easily possible for a news- paper with an elastic conscience to swell its legitimate circulation enor- mously, in order to deceive adver- tisers, by sending out thousands of Papers to newsstaads, which are re- turnable, and which are in fact re- turned, but nevertheless are in- cluded in what purports to be an honest statement of circulation. Intelligent advertisers, however, judge by results, and bogus circula- tions don’t give them. The family circulation of The Star is many thousands in excess of any other Washington paper and is be- lieved to be fully five times that of our afternoon contemporary. Cireulation of The “Evening Star.” SATURDAY, April 4, 1896... MONDAY, April 6, 1396. TUESDAY, April 7, 1596. WEDNESDAY, April 8, 1696. THURSDAY, April 9, 1996. FRIDAY, April 10, 1996... Total... Dally average. 1! solemnly awear that the above statement rep- resents only the number of copies of THE, EVEN- ING Srak circulated during the aix secular days end- ing Friday, April 10, 189¢—that ia, the num- ber of copies actually sold, delivered, furnished or mailed, for valuable consideration, to bona fide purchasers or subscribers, and that none of the copies so counted are returnabie to or remain in the office unsold. J. WHIT. HERRON, Cashier Evening Star Newspaper Co. Subscribed and sworn to before me this eleventh day of April, A. D. 1896. HERMAN R. HOWENSTEIN, Notary Publle, D. ¢. LINTON A CANDID ATE Seriously Seeking the Presidency as the A. P. A. Representative. His Nomination to Depend on the Re- sult of the St. Louis Convention. Representative Linton of Michigan, the A. P. A. leader in the House, is seriously a candidate for the presidency. As the repre- sentative of a secret order, his canvass Is being made in secrecy, but it is being ac- tively pressed through the medium of the various locges of the A. P. A. The inten- tion appesrs to be that he shall receive the votes of a numter of delegates at the re- publican national convention, not with the idea, perhaps, that he can get the republi- can nomination, but with the view of hold- ing all delegates who may be A. P. A. men away from any other candidate who may be offensive to the order, and to prepare the way to an independent nomination if the choice of the convertion is repugnant to them. Making an independent nom:na- tion, they expect Linton to be their choice. They claim, however, that they are going to have enough of their order in the repub- lican convention to defeat any man who is repugnant to them. They say that some of the delegates will even disregard instruc- tons, if necessary. His “Red School House” Speech. Linton has made himself rather conspic- uous since he first entered Congress through his devotion to the cause of the A. P. A. His famous “little red school house” speech first brought him into no- tice among his colleagues. It was not realized then how far the movement which he represented might go. His speech struck the popular fancy and members from all quarters sent it out to thelr con- stituents to read. One Senator distributed a million coples, and about; two zillion more were circuleted by the repuolican memb=rs of the House. The character of the fight this session against sectarian schools shows how active the movement has been during the past two yeats. ‘It is viewed with some apprehension by many of the leaders in politics as likely to tem- porarily disturb the political situation. The opinion is expreesed that the St. Lonis con- vention is going to be embarrassed by the demands of both the A. P.. A. and. the social reformers and religionists for recog- nition in the platform. The Lint Button. The Linton button has made its appear- ance. Some of Mr. Linton’s great admirers are distributing them, and they are seen on the lapels of numerous coats. The but- ton contains a good picture of the well- known Michigan representative, and th words “For President, Wm. S. Linton.’ The A. P. A. button, on which are the letters “F. P. P.,” is becoming numerous. The let- ters stand for “Friendship, Purity and Patriotism,” it is stated. A Star reporter mentioned to Mr. Linton this morning that the Linton button was showing up. “I haven't anything to do with it,” he said. ‘Nobody seems to know exactly what are the projects of the friends of Mr. Linton. They may hope that there will be a chance for him as a dark horse, or they may mere- ly desire to compliment him. —_____-2+__ REFUNDING LICENSE DEPOSITS. Controller Bowler Sustains the Dis- trict Authorities. Judge Bowler, controller of the treasury, has authorized the refunding of deposits for liquor licenses not granted. His letter to the District Commissioners on the sub- ject concludes as follows: “The doubt which the first controller en- tertained as to the applicability of these sections (in an act of the District legislature in 1872 providing for refund) to fees for per- mits under the act of April 23, 1892, arose from the provision therein which required one-half of said fees to be deposited in the treasury to the credit of the United States, as it was not seen how an act of the legis- lative ass*mbly of the District could create an appropriation of moneys once deposited to the credit of the United States. “As, however, the acts of the legislative assembly, in force prior to the-pa’sage of the organic act, were by the provisions of that act adopted and ratified by Congress, as if made by Corgress itself, they should be given the same force and effect as if they had in fact been passed by Congress, and therefore they constitute appropria- ticns for the repayment of taxes erron- eously paid, and of license fees when the licenses for which the fees are pald are sutsequently refused by legal*authority. “Therefore you are authorized to refund fees paid for permits under section 3 of the act of April 23, 1802, when said per- mits are refused, notwithstanding the amount of the fees paid therefor have been deposited into the treasury of the United States in accordance with the provisions of section 3 of said ac! —_—_+2+_____ Lieut. Lang’s Case. The case of Second Lieutenant C. E. Lang, second artileery, Is once again be- fore the War Department for action on the report of the medical board by which he was recently examined at New York to do- termine his physical condition. Lieut. Lang had applied for retirement on the ound that he was physically incapable of Ficuher active duty. itis aail that he hes been anxious to get on the retired list ever since his marriagé to the daughter of an enlisted man, shortly after his graduation at West Point. In response to his application, he was ordered before a medical board, and result of the examination has just reached the Gapartment. ‘The board reports that Lieut. Lang shows symptoms of neuras- thenia, but is not permanently disabled, and his poppers = not recommended. Hi row on ve of per Ce of which he will probably be ordered to. join his battery, [GOSSIP ABOUT HILL|™OLY OFFS OFFERED) TROUBLESOME SEEDS|°TICSED THE COMMISSION FINANCE AND TRADE ABOUT HILL He May Again Bo a Candidate for Governor. NEW - YORK DEMOCRATIC SITUATION A Hope to Carry the State Legis- lature Next Fall. THE TEMPTATION INVOLVED The latest gossip in New York circles connects Senator Hill’s name with the race this year for governor, and many democrats believe that it would be to his advantage to accept the nomination ard throw his whole soul into the contest. A Peculiar Situation. The situation is peculiar. So far as na- ticnal affairs are concerned the New York democrats are quite as dispirited as their brethren in other states. They are present- ing ro presidential candidate of their own. Mr. Hill is going to Chicago at the head of the state delegation, but principally for the Furpose, it is understood, of assisting in the construction of a good platform. His own preference among the presidential availabilities is Col. Morrison, and very likely the delegation will follow his lead and vote for the low tariff champion. But no assurance is held out, or will be, that even with Colonel Morrison on an accept- able platform the state can be carried for the national ticket. The Local Opportunity. It is when considering local affairs that the New York democrats grow jubilant. ‘The Raines biil has filled them with confi- dence. They fancy they see thelr way clear to retaking the state house at Al- bany, and even, by extraordinary manage- ment and a little luck, of seeuring a ma- jority on joint ballot in the next legisla- ture. The rext legislature will clect a. successor to Mr. Hill in the Senate. The republicans’ start with an advantage. The senate, where they have a strong lead, holds over. Only the lower house, the assembly, is to be elected in November. This will make it necessary for the democrats to carry a large majority of the assembly seats if they are to control the senatorship. They believe this to be within the range of their abilities If they can utilize all of the ma- terial at thefr command. Their Strongest Card. Mr. Hill has always been thelr strongest card. Whenever success has been possible they have won with him. Whenever dis- aster has come he has covered the retreat. There is a proposition that he be brought forward again this year. The argument ts that as the candidate for governor he would not only strengthen the state ticket, but add to the enthusiasm and effective- ness of the campaign for seats in the as- sembly, and increase the number of the democrats winning. Temptation in the Proposition. There is thought to be temptation in the proposition for Mr. Hill. His term as Sena- tor will expire on the 4th of next March. But here will be two chances for him to remain prominently in public life. If he runs for governor and 1s elected he will return to an office which confers great power on the incumbent. Mr. Hill himself while holding it wielded greater power than he has ever done since. Or, in the case of a democratic majority in the legislature on foint ballot, ascribed to the influence of his gubernatorial candidacy and his personal direction of affairs, he will be able to suc- ceed himself in the Senate, by resigning the office of governor and giving way to the second man on the ticket. In either case, whether by returning to Albany, or by re- maining here, he will continue an influential factor in affairs. Some Other Candidates. Mr. Hill fs a tireless worker, and is now at home comparing with his friends about the selection of delegates to Chicago. He has given, no countenance as yet to this talk about himself nor is it thought he is likely to even consider the matter until the proper time comes. ‘The conveniion to nominate a state ticket will probably not be called before September. Mean- while a great many things may happen calculated to put a new face on affairs. The other names mentioned in connection with the nomination for governcr are Mayor Thacher of Albany, John B. Stanch- field of Elmira, Mr. Hill's law partner, and Perry Belmont ee SENOR QUESADA’S VIEWS. The Cuban Representative Discusses the Subject of Mediation. Senor Don Gonzalo de Quesada, the rep- resentative here of the Cuban republic, conversed with a Star reporter this morn- ing on the subject of the alleged note sent to Spain by the United States. “If it is true that President Cleveland and his administration have addressed Spain on the subject of the Cuban war, with a view of bringing about its settle- ment by a species of arbitration,” said Senor Quesada, “I can safely say that such efforts will come to naught. The Cuban people have been fooled too many times by Spain to submit themselves to any repre- sentations she may tnake. “There was a time perhaps when home rule in Cuba on the plan of that. exercis2d by the people in English dependenc’es of Canada and Australia might have been acceptable to our people, but that time has passed. A half a loaf is not acceptable new to people who are sure of securing a full_meal of freedom. “But it is useless to speculate on any such a thing. Spain will never accept the serv- ices of a mediator, even if they are tender- ed by such a strong nation as the United States. Spain Realizes Her Position. ‘She realizes precisely the desperate con- dition she is in. If she loses Cuba by war, as she is going to, she will be irre- trievably bankrupt among nations. The result would be ihe same if she relinquish- ed in any degree her despotic hold on the island by means of arbitration or anything else, because she would lose her power to make the Cuban taxes support her gov- ernment at home. “Another thing stands in the way of a peaceful settlement of the war by the grant- ing of home rule to Cuba. This would, of course, necessitate the withdrawal of Spain’s army, and with this enormous arm of her power removed from the island she would be unable to govern it in her accus- tomed manner—and Spain would never as- sent te giving up absolute sway, even if she pretended to: give our people the apparent right to govern themselves.” “From what I have seen of the temper of the American people on this subject,” said Senor Quesada, “I do not think the rumored course of President Cleveland, -if it Is merely seeking reforms in Cuba, which Spain may some day take away from the island after the people are disarmed, will’ meet the approval of the United States public. The people of this country, in my opinion, are satisfied in their minds that Cubar should be absolutely free. Nothing Lei Than Independence. ‘Looking at the question of mediation in another way,” continued Senor Quesada, “it must be remembered that the Cuban re- Public is tOfay an absolute entity. It is governing two-thirds of the Island of Cuba, and 1s daily gaining strength and extending its authority. “It would be for the government to accept or refuse any terms that might be offered. An article of its constitution says that no treaty of peace shall be made except on the basis of independence. And rest assured that when the revolut on triumphing the Cubans are not going to give up the struggle for anything less,” ————_—— __ Successfully Passed Examinations: Lieut. Gunior grade) Frank W. Kellogg and Ensign Jno. P. McGuiness have suc: cessfully passed an examination for pro- motion _to the next higher grades in the = Fem alee an be submitted to lent for ay course of the next jew cae eee KINDLY OFFICKS OFFERED The President Repbrod to Have Proposed Meditation ft Guba, The Rumor -Acc ly “Reprenents the Tatentlon Ge . Cleveland, but is ee i All is excitem: over the publication of the substance of a have been addresséd. to the Spanish minister\pf foreign affairs, through the medium he United States minister at Madrid, defining the attitude of this government on the Cuban affair. ‘The note is describe@ as conciliatory but firm in character, somewhat imitating Sec- retary Olney’s celebrated note to Lord Salisbury enunciating the Monroe doctrine in the Venezuelan boundary dispute. According to those responsible for the statement that such a communication has been sent to the Spanish authorities, the United States minister: 1s told to make it clear to Spain that ‘the United States is actuated by the most friendly interest in calling to its attention the unhappy con- dition of affairs in the Island of Cuba; it is pointed out that’ the War is of far Breater magnitude than’ any “of the up- risings in the -past,-end that ‘the insur- gents. control, with the .exception pf Havana, the whole of the island, and at- tention 1s. called to the fact that in 1870 Spain promised to bring about reforms in Cuba, and that so fax, these xeforms have not been inaugurated... For @ll these reasons, and because the cla circles today at purports to be United States is much disturbed by the conflict gcing on near its'shotes, the Prest- dent, with the utmost ‘kindness and with no motive but to end the strife with honor to all concerned, would propose that Spain accept the good offices of the United States and allow it to act as mediator, so that the differences between the’ Spanish govern- ment and the Cubans may be ‘peacefully settled to mutual advantage. Although it is impossible to obtain offi- cial confirmation of the above reports, there is reason to believe that they cor- rectly outline the position assumed by the administration, but are somewhat prema- ture as to what actually has taken place. The well-guarded denials made at the State Department and at the Spanish lega- tion here apply mainly to errors in. de- tails, rather than to the one material poirt that the President has decided to offer his good offices to the Spanish gov- ernment for the peaceful settlement of the Cuban troubles. When the report was called to the atten- tion of the Spanish minister he said he knew of no such note, either as going to Minister Taylor or himself. ALABAMA’S ELECTION Interest Felt in the Result of the Contest There Today. The primary elections to be held in almost every county in Alabama today will settle the question of whether the state demo- cratic convention will.elect “sound money” or silver delegates:to#the national conven- tion.*"Tt-will also settle the question of whether Johnson, free silverite, or Clark, will be the democratic nominee for governor.: > Interest in the Result. The result of the Alabama fight is being watched here with moye than the interest which ordinarily characterizes a state pri- mary. Silver-and gold standard democrats are deeply interested in the outcome of the fight, and both sides have arranged for bul- letins tonight. The state is claimed by both sides, al- though it has been admitted for some time that Alabama was about the only southern state which was doubtful on the silver ques- tion. If the vote today Is for the white metal the silver men will be more fubflant than ever. They will then see and know that the south’s delegation to Chicago will be solid for a silver man and platform. Silver Men Feeling Good. The silverdemocrats have been feeling good the past week. The. Missour! primar- ties had gone the way they had predicted, evey the city of St. Louis showing up a big majority for the white metal. Orégori “Nad elécted a silver delegation, and everywhere else’ th stiverites had been victorious. The interest they have in the Alabama contest can be imagined. Representatives Cobb, Wheeler and the other silver democrats from Alabama ex- press no .doubi about the outcome, whilé Representative Harrison has all along sata there would be some surprises in his state. He has regarded Clark as having a splen- did chance to win. Effect on the Senatorship. Repr@sehtative Clark, the gold standard candidate, has been absent from his seat in the House for fully two months, and has put in every minute of the time campalgn- ing in the state. He was making such headway that several of the silver Con- gressmen, among them Mr. Bankhead, went to Alabama several weeks ago to try to counteract the work done by the “sound money” champion. Mr. Bankhead may be a candidate for the Senate to succeed Sena- tor Pugh if the silver men win. Governor Oates will be a “sound-money” candidate. The issue has been closely drawn in the state, and it may be said that there is a national tinge to the election today. It is understood that the entire influence of the administration has been thrown into the fight and everything done to help Mr. Clark along. The silver men have not been backward, knowing that the loss of the state means a refutation of their claims of a solid south for silver. ———___+-o+—_. ARMOR PLATE CONTRACTS, The Senate Committee on Naval Af- fairs Much Concerned. The Senate committee-on naval affairs held an executive session today for the r4rpose of considering the testimony which has been taken in connection with the ar- mor plate investigation. The only definite conclusion reached was’ not to interfere with the Secretary of the Navy in making certracts for armor for the Kentucky and the Kearsarge, but to allow these to be siven to private firms as heretofore. Their investigations have revealed the fact that the cost of the manufacture of the plate averages about $300. ‘The manu- facturers make the plea, however, that the work furnished is not aafficient to keep them constantly employdd, and say that with contracts running constantly for five or ten years they gguld. teduce the pFice, but’ not otherwise. It is this state oftArats which has led the committee to comsidei the advisability of building a government tplant. With reference to,another branch of the committee's inquiry, touching upon the employment of idvat ficers by armor Plate constructors, tHe d&mmittes will, in all probability, rej Dill forbidding naval officers, activd: or ‘tetired, to accept employment from n@¥al ‘plate constructors. ee —__. BISHOP RYAN’S -FUNERAL. Twelve Thousand M逮 Will Escort His Rpmains. BUFFALO, ‘N. Yc April 11.—Tomorrow afternoon the rematis of the late Bishop Ryan will be escorted from the episcopal residence to the cathedral by the various gugpnized bodice of the Catholic Church. probable that 12,600 men will be in line. From Sunday afternoon: until Tuesday morning oe remains will le in state at the ie og retbishop Ryan ‘én be present he will preach the funeral sermon on Tuesda: The remains will be deposited in the oath: edral vault bestde the bédies ae Bishop Ti- mon and Vicar General Gleasoi From the letters and telerrama constant-. ly arriving it is certain that the funeral ‘will be attended by many. Brominent church itaries in the Ui ites and Cana- ae tas fi bit to. attend: “The ai inal 0 al @ powers to aaminigter temporarily the affaite ot “the see will proba be vested'in Father Lani- gan, the present vicar general, TROUBLESOME SEEDS A Chicago Firm Makes Serious Charges. THEY WERE LOWEST BIDDERS IN VAIN The Secretary Shows Why Seeds Were Bought Elsewhere. SEED TESTING The Northrup, Braslan, Goodwin Com- pany, a Chicago seed firm, have filed charges at the Department of Agriculture against Secretary Morton in connection with the recent award of seed contracts. The letters filed asked a reply from the Secretary, which thus far has not been forthcoming. The substance of the charges made is that the Northrup, Braslan, Goodwin Com- pany were really the lowest bidders for the 10,125,000 packages of vegetable seeds included in the recent seed contract, their offer being $64,000, ‘The contract was given to Landreth & Co. of Philadelphia for veg- etable seeds, .and to LL. May & Ca. of St. Paul, Minn.,. for flower seeds, to the valué of $5,000. ‘Tuesday the representative of the firm filed their charges. They state that when they entered the competition a certitied check for $8,600 was filed as evidence of responsibility, letters were presented from leacing bankers of Chicago affirming their responsibility, and that while they offcred seed asigood as any offered by competitors, with a guarantee bond on file and a Did $11,000 lower than any other, they were not given the contract “because of coi- lusicn, fraud, corruption, false statements and especially prepared reports, practiced, carried on and kad done in your depart- ment One charge is that the contract was with- held because members of the firm worked to secure the passage of the seed resolu- tion through Congress against Secretary Morton's wishes. It is also charged that false statements have been made by va- rious officials in the department with re- gard to the seeds furnished by the firm. Secretury Morton’s Statement. When Secretary Morton was seen this morning by a Star reporter he said: “We shall be only too glad to have the fullest investigation possible of this matter. If it is desired it may be investigated here cr ia Congress, or anywhere else. If neces- sary, articles of impeachment should be drawn up against me and the matter tested to the end. “The facts in the matter, briefly stated,” he continued, “‘are that the department last year bought more seed of this firm than of any other. Of the grand ‘otal of seed bought by the department last year, to the value of $45,830, we bought of the North- lan’ Goodwin Co. seed to the value to put the matter concretely, I want to say just this: If we had bought the seed this spring of the Northrup, Bras- lan Goodwin Company, under precisely the same contract that we bought of Landreth, and tkeir seed under this contract proved no better than that they sold us last year, y contract price for it would be $48,000 instean of $64,000, the amount which they. bid. A Peculiar Business Contract. “'To explain: All seed purchased by the department is tested fer its percentage of purity and its percentage of germinative power. Landreth & Co., a firm that has been in business 114 yezrs, that itself pro- duces upon its own farms the seed it sells, obligated itself with bonds to submit to a deduction frem the amount paid them for seed in precise proportion to the failure of that seed to come up to the standard tests. This is the first time in the history vf this department any such contract was ever made. It ix a superb busincss contract. Now, that fs all I wish to. say in regard to the matter as affecting this Chicago firm. “The seed was bought in the open mar- ket, just as Congress directed should be done. When the joint resolution was pass- ed we had to hurry. Et was like passing a resolution to buy oysters. We had to buy and get this seed out ina month with R in }t | L'wrote to Senator Proctor and to Rep- resentative Wadsworth, the respective chairmen of the agricultural committees of the Senate and the House, and asked them to come to the department and give me their advice in connection with the pur- chase of these seeds. How the Contract Was Let. “A tabulated statement was made of all the offers received. They were gone over carefully by these gentlemen, myself and Assistant Secretary Dabney. At the con- clusion Senator Proctor was first to suggest that the contract be given to Landreth. Mr. Wadsworth was next to assent. Mr. Land- reth’s bid was $78,000. Senator Proctor said that if he would furnish the seed for $70,000 we had better give him the con- tract. Mr. Landreth was here, as well as other seedsmen, and we called him in and told him that we would give him the con- tract for these vegetable seeds if he would furnish them for $70,000. He hesitated a moment then said: ‘I think I could do it— I'll do it,’ and that settled it.” A Star reporter visited the chemical ‘aboratory connected with the Departinent of Agriculture, where Mr. Gilocrt H. Hicks, the seed-testing expert, and his assistant, Mr. Edward D. Peters, are in charge. | Mr. Hicks is a graduate of the Michigan Agri- cultural College and Mr. Peters of Cornell University. Both were students and as- sociates in scieatific work with Professor L. P. Bailey, the famous agricultural scien- ist. Testing Seeds. “We make four tests of all seeds,” said Mr. Hicks. ‘The seeds are sent to us labeled with letters and we do not know whcse they are. Of all the agricultural seeds two hundred are used in duplicate tests by each of the four methods, so that there are practically eight tests made of each kind of seed and 1,600 seeds ure used of each kind. The first and simplest test is germination between hlotting pads. Then we test in asbestos pockets, in sand and in soil. The standard of purity and germination adopted by the department is the result of an average of tests made in this laboratory and in the physical labo- ratories connected with the various ex- periment stations throughout the country. Scientifie Seed Control. “In the recent contract it was decided to allow a leeway of 5 per cent below this standard. We are testing the Landreth seeds carefully, and where they fall more than 5 per cent below the standard a cor- responding percentage of deduction will be made from the contract price. It should be said for the benefit of the public that Mr. Peters ang myself are acting simply as scientists. We cnly desire to be atcurate = and just, and science is purely impersonal. It is true that the Agricultural Department has been the dumping ground in the past of immense quantities of old and useless seed,-and the farmers of the United States have been regularly and systematically im- posed upon by seedsmen. It is the uni- versul practice to mix old seed in with new, vo Yar as the new will stand it. If this pre resent commotion will tend toward the es- blishment of a seed control in this coun- try similar to that undertaken by several countries in Europe, it will not have come for naught.” Culiom Has Not Withdrawn. A rumor was circulated this morning that Senator Culom had withdrawn his candi- dacy for the presidential nomination. To sevéral members of Congress who asked him about the matter tl nator denied it. Shenk’s Sentence Postponed. Sentence was not imposed today, as was expected, on Monroe Shenk, who pleaded guilty a few days ago to a charge of rob- bery at the office of the Eckington and Sol- diers’ Home Railway Company. Before taking this action Judge Cole will await Ce result ort the trial next week of William I. Roberts, in dicted jointly with Shenk for the crime mentioned. CRITICISED THE COMMISSION Testimony of Lieut. Menoosl on the Mio- araguan Canal. The Gevernment Boara is Charged With Making Only © Hasty and Superficial Examination. Lieut. A. G. Menocal, United States navy, the chief engineer of the Nicaragua Canal Company, appeared today before the House committee on commerce, which is investi- gating the question. Menocal submitted a statement, which was in the nature of a review of the report of the commission sent to the isthnfus last summer. He sald: “The company regards and has treated the pro- ject as a business enterprise, with a view to commercial requirements, technical suc- cess and financial results. The board en- tirely ignores two of these conditions, and considers it from the point of unlimited ex- Penditures without any question of finan- cial results, and provides beyond com- mercial requitements of the present for de- mands that can be only rarely occasional.” He said that the board had made a hasty trip through the territory, touching only here and there the route of the canal when it was convenient, and had an imperfect knowledge of the physical conditions of the broblems Presented and the work already jone. What the Company Proposed. The plans of the company were not for en ideal canal, regardless of cost, but for one ample to satisfy the needs of com- merce end larger than any ship canal now in operaticn. None cf the changes proposed by the board was in the interests of econ- omy or of a better canal. Mr. Menccal dealt in detail with the at- mospherie conditions, rainfall and ot! ratural features of the’ country, as well as the engineering details of the canal. ‘There was a long examination of Mr. Men- ocal by members of the committee. He had made the trip through Nicaragua with the government commission, and gave @n account of the journey. Practically no eurveys or bearings were taken, he said; the observations were of the most hasty and superficial sort, and the report of the commission might have been made as in- telligently without leaving Washington. The company, he said, had paid to the Nicaraguan government $100,000 for its concessions and $50,000 for its right of way, and nothirg to the Costa Rican govern- ment. Mr. James Alexander of Pittsburg ad- dressed the committee in opposition to the Nicaragua canal. He argued that the scheme was entirely impracticable, and favored the Eads ship railway across Mexico. ——_____-e+__+__ DISTRICT IN CONGRESS. Mr. Wilber has introduced the follo bill in the House, by request: Commissioners of the District of Columbia are directed to opensand grade 11th street northwest from Florida avenue to New Jersey avenue extended, on the line of ex- tension laid down in the map of street ex- tension recently filed by the Commissioners in the office of the surveyor of the District of Columbia, under the provisions of the act of March 2, 1993; and the Commission- ers are authorized and directed to con- demn, in the.manner provided by law prior to the said act of March 2, 1893, for the condemnation of land in the District of Columbia, such lands as may be necessary for the extension of said street, and the amount ‘of money necessary to pay the judgment of condemnation and the cost of grading is hereby appropriated, out of any inoneys in the treasury not otherwise ap- tng That the avenue to Whitney avenue under the same terms. The Marringe Bil. The report of the House District commit- tee on the marriage bill, as prepared ny Mr. Curtis cf Iowa, proposes the following new section to the bill in lieu of section 7: That if any minister, justice of the peace or other person. who is authorized to cele- brate marriages in the District of Colum- bia shall faff to comply with the provisions of section 8 of this act, he shall, upon con- viction, be fined for each and‘every offense, in the discretion of the court, not less than $59 nor more than $250. Also the following in lieu of section 13: That sections 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17, in chapter 30, of the compiled statutes now in force in the District of Columbia, and all laws or parts of laws heretofore in force in this District inconsistent with or in conflict with the provisions of this act are hereby repealed. Street Railway Transfers. The Hovse District committee will give a hearing next Thursday morning at 10 o'clock upon the general subject of street railway transfers. To Vent: ite the House. The House committee on ventilation and acoustics today agreed to a resolution re- questing the Secretary of the Treasury to detail an expert on heating and ventilation from the supervising. architect's office to carefully examine the plan submitted to the committee for a proposed new system of ventilation for the House wing of the Capi- tol. The resolution requires the expert to report to the committee by April 23 his opin- ion of the proposed plan, with suggestions and recommer.dations for such alterations as, in his estimation, would improve the plan, and would better the system of ven- tilation. —————————+e+___ jouthern Railway Agent Dend. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. RICHMOND, Va., April 11.—Charles W. Harwood, past gr: regent of the Royal Arcanum of Virginia, died at his home in this city early this morning. He was soliciting freight agent here.of the South- ern ratlway. —_—__ New Hammer Throwing Record. SAN FRANCISCO, April 11—Robert W. Edgren of the University of Callfornia has again beaten the world’s hammer throw- ing record. From the regulation seven-foot ring he hurled a sixteen-pound hammer 148 feet 5 inches. This was over three feet farther than the world's record, and @ foot ferther than Edgren’s previous best trial throw. ——__. Grain and Cotton Markets. Furnished by W. B. Hibbs & Co., 1421 F street, members New York stock exchange, correspondents Messrs. Ladenburg, Thal- mann & Co., New York. Lael ah ad sab ad Sauses ale ea Markets. receipts, (050 babrelaz shipments wy, , rel ments, 17,039 1s; sales, 160 barrels. Wheat dull ‘and’ higher spot and month, eee May, 720724; a, 71y 4 receipts, 20 bushels; shipments, i 6,000 bush. oa ‘bern wear by sam- propriated, to carry out the provisions of this act, the cost to be borne equally by the United States and the District of Colum- Dia. and the lowest and the closing prices of the He also introduced a bill to open and | New York stock market today, as reported grade New Jersey avenue from Brightwoud | by Corson & Macartney, members New York FINANCE AND TRADE Strong Speculative Undertone and Small Volume of Business. CONFIDENCE IN COBAN SITUATION What Representatives of Foreign Interests Say. GENERAL MARKET REPORTS Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. NEW YORK, April 11.—A strong specula- tive undertone and a minimum volume of buziness about describes today’s stock ope- rations. Fractional additions were recorded in a majority of the more active issues, but the professional character of the market remains unchanged. The developments of the pest week, which are likely to influence speculation, have in the main been favor- able, and should eventually find reflection in a slightly higher range of values. The Madrid letter, notwithstanding the existence of grave doubt as to its having been sent and patent evidences of guess- work as to its contents, had a moderate influence for good in today’s market. Enough has already been learned of the Probable course to be pursued in connec- tion with the Cuban situation to inspire confidence in a satisfactory termination of a disquieting controversy. This latter assurance is all that should be demanded as a speculative factor, the date of a diplomatic letter opening the wa: to such a result being of small moment by comparison. The adjournment of Congress would ma- terially relieve the tension of the present situation, and indications point to an early disconating of this event. A movement, based on the prcepect, is quite probable within the next fortnight, unless present indications are misleading. The market for foreign exchange is an important factor at the present time and will continue to be for several weeks, in all probability. There has been no important business, transacted in the market during the week, the bulk of the transactions con- sisting principally of bills sold against goid shipped, on special order, to Russia. Rates have ruled well under the shipping point, except in cases similar to the one noted, in which a premium was paid. Representatives of foreign banking in- terests are authority for the statement that there is almost no disposition on the part of foreigners to withdraw funds from this side, a condition fully substantiated by the free offerings of three and four months’ money at 4 per cent. For the first time since the government bond transaction the associated banks report a moderate gain in lawful money, all in legal tenders. @This circumstance indicates that the receipts of money from interior points have more than cffeet the withdrawals on account of specie exports. An easier money rate 1s reasonably cer- tain in view of the changes noted. Should the exchange market sink back to normal conditions, cheap money will prove a val- uable auxiliary to improvement in values. The approach of more seasonable weather is regarded with hopefulness, a revival of general business being likely to follow more settled climatic conditions. The market's disregard for the government crop report, in view of the extreme dullness pre- vailing, was generally regarded as an en- couraging indication of strength. Discrim- inating purchasers from now on will not be disappointed with final results, Paticat holders alone are likely to be rewarded, however, as the demand for stocks will not immediately become general. ea sai FINANCIAL AND COMMERICIAL, The following are the opening, the highest steck exchange. Correspondents Messrs. Moore & Schley, No. 80 Broacway. Bich, 119% 10135 Cy Last. 11935 101K cy Low. 119 201 83 American Sugar..... American Sugar, Pfd. American Tobacco. American Cotton Oil.. 15% St. C.M. & St. Paul, Pid. Chic., K. ae & Pacific. Del., Lack.& W. iorthern Pacific. 5 Northern Pacific, dened . North American. Ont. & Western. Pacific Mail... Pullman Pal. Car Go. Xouthern Railway, Pfd. Paila. Traction. Lexus Pacific. ‘Tenn. Coal & Iron. Union Pacitic Wheeling & L. Erie, f Western Union Tel” Silver. ——— Washington Stock Exchange. Sales—regular call—12_ 0 Railroad 6s, $5,000 at 12 road, 10 at’ 115; 10 at 11 American, ock mi.—Metropolitan paletmne Latision ‘Momo: 85 at Sty. After call— at 115%. at Si: Meropetitan Railroad, Gi Bond: 108% U. rament ask come 116% bid, 117}, asked. | ct of Columbia Bowls 20-year fand Ss, 108 god, 108 bid. tie oe Ww. 3.658, fund! Metropolitan Railroad 00% asked, Metropolitan Retiread cone? 126 asked. it Railrowod 3s, 77 Columbia Baliroad G2, 114% Erkington i 5 arkedo, Washington Gas Company’ Gs. 0% bid, 115 asked. | Washington Ga 104 bid. U.S. 5s, 1 Water stock r stock 7s, 1003, currency, 105 trie: ‘Chesapeake ‘and Potomac Telephone Ga,'98 Did. “American Becurl and An Ok tid, 104 nai American Security and ‘Trast and O., 101 iid, Tot ‘anked. "Wanlington. Market Company Ist 6s," 108 bid. “Washington Market Company es, 108 bid.” Washington Market Company bid. Masonic Hall Association 5s, Infantry, st Ga, ‘Trost 5a, F. and t. a, 100 bid. fonal Bai of Washington, 275 vid. Bank, ‘ot the Republic, 240 bid. 290 bid, 310 asked. and Mechanten’, bid. — Citizens’, asked. Capital, Jie uv asked, € ae Safe Deposit and Trust Com Deposit and Tuast, 118 bid. Loan and ‘Trust, 121 bid, 122 asked. American Se, curity and Trust, 142 bid, 146 asked. Washington Site Deposit, 50 bid. Railroad Stocks.—Cap! bid, 75 asked Stcteonatean Columbia, 5 bid. Belt, “Whatngon 16 6 bid, 27 dnked. “Georgetown and aaa 30 a Gas and Pages Light Stocks.—Washington 48 asked. | Grorgvtonn Gas. ital Traction. {fompany., oo 1d asked, tae asked. 1. 8. Blectric Light, 123 bi Tostrance Storks, “Ficemea's, 30 bids 30 aa asked. Franklin, 33 old, 45 asked. Metropolian, 74 bid. in, 52 bid. Potomac, 6 bid. Ariiugton, 142 Did. 153" asked.” German-American, 170 id, tional Union, 11 bid, 13 asked. Columbia, Re i ed, Boa Ss, ices, one bid, ore een 5 asked. oI Commerce, 3 bu 5% asked. itle’ Insurance’ Stocks.—Real Beinte Title, ot Lid, 110 asked. Columbia Title, 1. Oi 3 Dd District Title, via 38 “Telephone Stocks.—Penneylvania, 88 Bi aeons Bees “sf on Title, 0 asked. fomac, bid, SRY asked. ead 7 “ae Pneu- 5 > bi {incellaneous: — Mergent 118 bid, 120 asked. -Lanston Mop asked.” Ws mn Market, Ice, 12 Ovid. asked. Ne Steamboat, 90 bid. ‘Tancola Hall, Al = Batic Gum Ca