Evening Star Newspaper, April 28, 1896, Page 2

2 LATE NEWS BY WIRE Tilinois Democrats and the Question of Instruction. SENATOR COLLOM ON THE SCENE Conflicting Claims Regarding Con- trol of the Gathering. ANNER REFU: ES A DEMAND — ial Dispateh to The Evening St 3FIELD, HL, April 28.—Senator Cullom is glad he came out from Washing- ten. His friends think now that they have & good chance of preventing the state con- Yeation tomorrow from instructing the dele- gates-at-large for McKinley. In his ab- Bence there would have been no chance. This is now apparent. J. Otis Humphrey, Cullom's Heutenant, who is one of the district delegates from Springtield to St. Louis under McKinley instructions, this morning assured the Chi- go anti-McKinley leaders that 400 dele- kates from the interior of the state could be courted on to op instructions. If 300 of the 373 from Chicago could be relied en he was confident Mr. Cullom would win @ handsome victory. The Chicago leaders will turn in their quota, but they are not 8) sure about the county delegates, and 4 is beyond the limit of their expecta- tens. On the other hend, there is no basis for tke claim that S00 to 900 of the delegates are for McKinley. If he has a majority it i$ a narrow one, so narrow that the su- perior management of the Chicago leaders nd of Cullom’s friends may get it away rom him. iinley Forces Without a Manager. McKinley has practically no management. A number of ambitious gentlemen are quarreling among themselves over the right lo be delegates-at-large under the shadow of his name. A caucus of the McKinley leaders last night was remarkable chiefly for quarrel between Mayor Swift of Chi- ergo and . John MeNulta and other candid: ‘or delegate-at-large. real strength hes in the coun- who are coming into Spring- h the ore object of seeing that Mc- the support of Illin These ‘re nothing for the quarrels of They favor instructions, and ed with notning else. MeK!n- -e lies with them. , Senator ‘Cullom has called in a} good many of his personal friends also. The ta at whoever is President, Cullom | from Hlinois the next four | 1 with effect on the candidates es who have imagined that all do was to hitch onto the Mc- | wagon. ey Ket! fear that’ ntion behind them. Demand Made on Tanner. This morning a committee, headed by Samuel W. Allerton, waited on John R. Tan- per and demanded that after the organiza- ntion tomorrow, and be- e officers, a vote ruct the dele- of the c the nomi would see before he + at the outset, all preliminary questions of Tanner is determined to i tions; he is sure a major- tion ases om the presidency. It to hoid iliinois for Cu! nd he is making 2 it. rimer, Murphy, Hopkins, of the Hilinvis members | Mr. Hopkins is still 2 erner and his name will but he an ae od terms. of the Chicago Z . is bitterly opposed to -y. Ha said to The s ground. ndidate for ge bs: 5 ar correspon- dent this morning: “The n is close, but I am cat didates for deiegates-at-large will be beat- en ind McKinle structions will be thrown down. This will put Illinois in its pre yesition at Louis. It will alao to Serctor Cullom before the nd will in all probability hav a effect In other states which are Yet to hold thelr cor verticr A. P. A. Leaders to Meet. A meeting of the A. P. A. leaders is to be held this afternocn to determine wheth- er the order shall take a and Im the con- vention. Originally the organization in Illi- noils was tnited for McKirley; now there is a MeKiniey faction and an anti-McKin- ley faction. The former is led by the Peo- ria jegation and the latter by Clarence P. Johnsen, the president, and members of the naticnal advisory boa’ John: in- sists that the order ts against McKinley, but the rin faction denies it. While there are a number of A. P. A. members | amour the dele; the politicians who are fighting M miley instructions appar- ently don’t leok fer their kelp. MICHIGAN DEMOCRATS. Delegutes Are Alrendy Assembling at Detroit. Specks! Dispatch to Ths Evening Star. DETROIT, Mich. April 28—The Gemo- cratic state convention will be held tomor- delegates already assen- ft from present ¥ in all that the word indications are that : the fr ver element will come out on top. ‘The silverites ha ‘ried a majority of the easy majority of hope that they tage in the absence ad there is es actually . insiead of allowing he solid vote y opposed by the sil- have a majority of tne the ground it is needless to} hoi go through. he sound in the fact may . of many of th talk of allowing o in atten the This v nd Wayne's solid vote | and as Dickinson di- In the state, y a solid silver delega- ‘© will Ingham, Ottawa and Ionia, * counties in which referees li ‘The silverites are confident of controlling the convention, and will resolut ns de e, regardless of what other na- may do about it. candidates mcst prominently men- tioned fer delegates-at-large: W. F. Mc- Knight of Kent; Judge John W. McGrath of this elty, Justin R. Whiting of Port Hurot with whom Dickinson had a pic teresque contest two years ago, and Spen- cer O. her of Bay. It has been customary to send an upper peninsular delegate-at- lerge, but the upper peninsula will be represented by a sound money delegation, and will not be recognized. eae TRA DITCHED. G ALR. Sevefal Cars Telescoped in a Disaster in lown. CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, April 28.—An tn- ccming Illinois Central train, with visitors to the state G. A. R. encampment, was ditched today by a washout just east of Raymond. The train was running at a; high speed. Several cars were telescoped. | Fourteen people were injured, none serious- } THE EVENING STAR, TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 1896-FOURTEEN PAGES. ly The lst of injured is as follows: Mrs. Charles Baldwin, Waterloo, Iowa: F. G. Vail, Waterloo; Mrs. D. Wagner, Dubuque, Iowa: Miss Minnie Wagner, Dubuque; Mrs. E. Barney, Sheffield, lowa; Mrs. Mary Ham- ming, Darlington, Wis.; Mrs. R. B. Rut- ledge, Williams, Iowa; Mattie Nailer, Wil- liams. NEW FRENCH MINISTRY. ist of the Members Selected by M. Meline. PARIS, April 28.—The Meline cabinet, it is announced this afternoon, is almost com- pleted, and will be about as follows: M. Meline, premier and minister of agri- culture; M. Barthon, minister of the in- terior; M. Hanotuax, minister of foreign affairs; M. Cochery, minister of finance; M. Deschanels, minister of the colonies; M. Lebond, minister of commerce; Gen. Bil- lot, minister of war. The above have already accepted the portfolios opposite their names, and the re- maining offices will probably be filled as follows: M. Darlan, minister of justice; Admiral Besnard, minister of marine; M. Valle, minister of public works; M. Ram- band, minister of public instruction. The ministry will probably be gazetted Thursday, as M. Meline wishes to be in office on May 1, in order to accept the re- sponsibility of maintaining order on that holiday. ——+— BLAZING OIL TANKS. @ Burning of a Large Warehouse at Pittsburg. PITTSBURG, Pa., April 28.—The large warehouse of the Atlantic Refining Com- pany, o: th street, together with two settling tanks and a number of receiving tanks, containing oil, were destroyed by fire about 2 o'clock this morning, entailing a loss of about $100,000. The fire is bi Heved to have been of incendiary origin. a THE NICARAGUA CANAL, Col. Ludlow Has Doubts of the Feasi- bility of the Plan. Investigation of the Nicaragua canal by the House commerce committee was re- sumed today, with Lieutenant Colonel Lud- low of the engineer corps, who was chalr- man of the canal commission, and who had just been recalled from London, before the committee. Referring to details of the work, Colonel Ludlow criticised Lieutenant Menocal’s plans for the Ockoa canal and Tola basin as Impracticable. While expressing his un- qualified approval of the project for a Nic- aragua canal, he asserted that the isthmus presented physical conditions which made the work one of the most formidable ever undertaken. Every precaution shouid be taken to see that the engineering fiasco of Panam? was not repeated. One thousand millions might be sunk, he said, without result if proper and sufficient plans and data were not perfected before the work was begun. So far as could be foreseen, from seven to ten years would be required for the completion of the canal, but no man could foretell all the difficulties which might arise. The question whether he regarded Mr. Menocal as a competent engineer Col. Lud- low asked to be excused from answering, ut in that line sald it was inexplicable that with all the time spent by the com- pany in its work it had omitted to secure certain information which every engineer would regard as indispensabie. In conelusion Col. Ludlow stated that while he had gone to Nicaragua with fa Vorable impressions concerning the com- pany's project he had left with grave joubis of the feasibility of the whole pla: his doubts inspired by the company’s fail- ure to furnish necessary information. i DECORATION DAY. United States Troops to Pariicipate in the Ceremonies Here. Preliminary arrangements have been made at the War Department for the par- pation of the military in the exercises of Memorial day in the District of Colum- bia. At the request of the department com- mander of the Department of the Potomac, G A. R., the artillery band and a detach- ment of soldiers of the fourth artillery at te Washington barracks will be present at the Soldiers’ Home, and a mounted guard will fire a calute at noon at the Arlington cemetery, where a detail of sol- will also be in attendance to proiect cemetery and preserve order. Instruc- tions to this end have been issued to Gen Ruger at New York, commanding the mii tary department of the east. According to the usual custom, the Marine Band will supply the music for the ceremonies at Arlington. a AN EDUCATIONAL EXCURSION. A Battalion of New York School Boys to Vixit Washington. Wasnhirgton will be visited about May 15 by 150 members of the first battalion of the American Guard, pupils tn the grammar schools on the upper west side of New York city. The pilgrimage is to be made In order to reinforce the theoretical knowl- edge of the boys fa civics by a tour of the government departments. Incidentally there will be a trip to Mt. Vernon, a review and dress parade on the White Lot and one cr two receptions. Preparations are almost completed for the reception of the boys, the arrangements being in charge of Mr. William Walton Eldridge, who is in charge of the matter of introducing military training in the public schools, as representative of the Depart- ment of the Potomac, Grand Army of the Republic. An effort was made to have the American Guard met at the depot and es- corted to their hotel by the regiment of High School Cadets, but as it is against one of the rules of the school to permit the High School Cadets to parade at night, that idea had to be abandoned. Capt. Eugene C. Edwards of the Cor- coran Cadet Corps, however, tendered the services of his company, and the Cor- corans will, therefore, perform escort duty and also entertain the visitors at the Na- tional Guard Armory on the evening of Friday, May It is not known yet whether the guard will reach here May 14 or May 1. Fresident Cleveland will receive the boys at the White House, and perhaps review them on the White Lot. It is also expected that General Miles and Senators Sherman, Proctor, MeMillan and Hawley will also lend their presence at the ceremony. Af- ter a tour of the departments, the boys and their escorts will go to Mt. Vernon to visit the grave of Washington, returning home before Monday, May 18, in order not to miss any session of the school. ee ee Passengers Landed by Tags. Special Dispateh to The Evening Star. RICHMOND, Va., April 28—The steam- ship Wyanoke, which sunk off Newport ws early this morning, had on board about forty passengers from northern points, a number of them from New York. Ail the passengers were save] by Chesa- peake and Ohio tugs Hinton and Wanderer, and carried to Newport News, two miles 3 All their baggage was lost, to- th all the freight on the ship, in- cluding sixty tons of manufactured tobac- co shipped from this city to northera and western markets. This was all insived. Seme of the passengers lost valuable jewels which were in their trunks and othe! uables, q HEAR THE VOICE OF AN EXPERT! Walter E. Edge, an advertis- ing agent of close observation and long experience, being asked by an interviewer as to the best advertising medium in Washington, answered, prompt- ly and unreservedly :-— “The Star. That is one of the “exceptions to my belief in “morning papers. I think that “The Star has more influence “with the best class of Washing- “ton people than all the rest of he papere in the | | | HAMMOND’S CASE Resolution to Protect the American Sentenced to Death. A LIVELY DEBATE IN THE HOUSE The Pickler General Pension Bill Passed Today. NAVAL APPROPRIATIONS — Under the special order adopted yester- day the vote on the passage of the Pickler persion bill was taken in the House today immediately after the reading of the jour- nal. ‘The bill was passed, 187-54. ‘The republicans and populists voted solid- ly for the measure, and the democrats, with six exceptions, voted against it. The six democrats were Fitzgerald of Massa- chrsetts; Sorg of Ohio, Cummings of New York, Walsh of New York, Downing of Illinois, and Layton of Ohio. There was great pressure for unanimous consent legislation after the announcement of the vote, and quite a number of minor bills were passed before the regular order was demanded, among them a bill to re- store the lands embraced in the Fort Lewis military reservation, Colorado, to the public domain. The Case of Hammond, At 1:30 p.m. Mr. Mahany (N. Y.) created a flurry by asking for the immediate con- sideration of the following resolution: “Resolved by the House of Representa- tives, That whereas the cable report an- nounces that John Hays Hammonil, cther- wise described as Eugene Hammond, an American citizen, has been condemned to death for treason in the Transvaal, the Secretary of State take immediate action to safeguard the interests of said Ham- mond and exert the friendly offices of the department in his behalf, if the Secretary of State, in his judgment, deems such interposition advisable.” Mr. Bartlett (N. Y.) asked if the reso- lution had been considered by the foreign affairs committee. Mr. Mahany explained in reply the vr- gency of the caxe. It was a mater of life and death. Hammond might be executed under the sentence at any time, and any delay might be fatal. “Is not the Secretary of State competent to deal with the situation?” asked Mr. Bartlett. * “Certainly,” replied Mr. Mahany. “But the case might escape his attention. With the House of Representatives behind him he can proceed vigorous! I de: say in this connection,” he added, the whole power of English diplomac: is being employed to safeguard the interests of the subjects of the queen who are being tried at Pretoria. Some one will be made the scapegoat cf this affair. I do not propose to attempt to shield any American from the just consequence of his act, but 1 am determined that an American shall not be made a scapegoat.” “Are you a member of the foreign affairs committee?” asked Mr. Bartlett. “I am not, but I am a member of this House and have a right to seek the pro- tection of an American citizen anywhere on the globe.” (Applause.) “I desire to say,” interposed Mr. Hill (Conn.) at this point, “that some time ago, at the request of some of my constituents, 1 wrote the Secretary of State regarding this case and received the usual American reply to the effect that the interests of American citizens in the Transvaal were being guarded by the English government. I think it high time,” he continued, em- phatically, “that the Amreican governme protected the interests of its own citizen: (Prolonged applause.) . Mr. McCreary (Ky.), ex-chairman of the foreign affairs committee, thought the State Department would take such steps as were necessary for the protection of American interests without instructions from the House. If congressional action were necessary the foreign affairs commit- tee, he thought, could be relied upon to promptly report the matfer to the He therefore objected. Mr. Mahany dis- claimed any purpose of reflecting on the State Department, and appealed to Mr. Hitt, chairman of- the foreign affairs com- mittee, who had jrst entered the hall, to give his opinion upon the subject, but the objection of Mr. McCreary prevented fur- ther discussion. The resolution was then, at Mr. Mabany’s request, referred to the foreign affairs committee. Mr. Quackenbush’s €nse. Mr. Hepburn (Iowa) called up the bill to authorize the President to retire John M. Quackenbush as a commander of the navy. The beneficiary of the bill was court- martialed and dismissed from the service in 1871 on charges of excessive intoxication. It was claimed that the order dismissing him from the service was a mistake; that the sentence of the court only contemplated hts suspenston. On a rising vote the bill was passed, 59 to 16. Mr. Sayers (Tex.) demanded the ayes and nays. The vot2 resulted 161-49. The Speaker announced the appointment of Mr. Ellet of Virginia as a member of the covamtttee) on merchant marine and fisher- jes. THE SENATE. The Senate resumed consideration of the naval appropriation bill after some rou- tine business had been disposed of today. The pending question was on the amend- ment offered by Mr. Chandler (N. H.) making it unlawful for retired naval cfti- cers to enter the service of contractors furnishing naval material to the govern- ment. Before proceeding with this amend- ment Mr. Bacon (Ga.) reported an {mport- ant new amendment from the committee on naval affairs. It provides as a condi- tion to the bulldir.g of four battleships, as provided by the bill, that in case the Sec- retary of the Navy makes separate con- tracts for armor or armor plate he shall not accept bids exceeding $350 per ton for such armor, and in case the Secretary can- not make contracts within such limits he shall delay action and report the facts to the next session of Congress. Debate on Armor Plate. The Chandler amendment led to general debate on armor plate. Mr. Hawiey (Conn.) spoke of the early movement, with which he was identified, toward inducing American manufacturers to go into the business of making armor. It was not a mere matter of dollars and cents, Mr. Hawley said, but patriotism had no little to do with the opening of armor shops in the United States which had reflected great credit on this country. Mr. Chandler severely criticised the prac- tice of allowing naval officers to enter the service of naval contractors. The Sen- ator spoke of the difficulty of accomplish- ing any reform, owing to personal friend- ships and sentiment brought to bear on Congress. Mr. Tillman (S. C.) also participated in the criticism, saying it was time to get back to a moral basis in this branch of the naval service. ——__—__+ e+. AN ANNUITY RELIEF BILL Being Prepared by the House Civil Service Committee. A subcommittee of the House committee cn reform in the civil service is at work upon a bill providing a system of annuity relief for aged employes of the government departments at Washington. The bill will rot provide a plan of pensioning, and will be based upon the principle of improving the civil service rather than for the sole benefit of the clerks. The subcommittee expects to have the framework of the bill ready by next Fri- day. ——+-e-______ Gasoline Explosion. This afternoon about 1 o’clock there was an exciting scene in the house of Michael Meehan, No. 340 10th street southeast, where there was an explosion of gasoline. There was enough of the fluid about the stove to make a big blaze, and damage to the amount of $100 was done before the firemen could extinguish the flames. THE CHICAGO CHAIRMAN Many Silver Demoorats Suggest Senator Harris of Tennsssee. Wis Qualifications for the Position Set Forth at Some isan. ——— For chairman, temporary and permanent, of the Chicago cohVention, Isham G. Har- ris of Tennessee. This suggestion meets with the approval of many silver democrats, south and west, and if the silver men are in the majority at Chicago the senlor Senator from Ten- lessee may be called upon to take the gavel. The post calls for a man of parlia~ mentary knowledge and experience, of quick powers and good nerve. He should be able at all times to keep the convention {n the middle of the road, by a ready grasp of all points submitted to him, and by a Prompt decision on them. If the chairman gees astray, elther through inexperience or @ lack of self-possession, the convention ts certain to go astray; and nothing is so dif- ficult as for a chairman to regain control of a body once it breaks away from his authority. On the other hand, a chairman who ts at home in his place, and who can nelther be rattled nor bullied, wields great influence not only in preserving order, but in securing a prompt and satisfactory dis- charge of business. The spirit of resolu- tion and intelligence which he manifests is communicated to the great body of dele- gates on the floor. A Lively Body, ‘The Chicago convention, it seems to be agreed, will be a lively and important body. It will he called upon to deal with more than the work usually presented to such bodies. _ Propositions involving interesting changes In party procedure will be brought forward, debated and pressed to a vote. ‘The usual work, even, will be entered upon with unusual spirit. The feellng between che two factions of the party is very bitter, and promises to try the powers of the peacemakers to the utmost. It is a question in some quarters whether there will be one or two democratic parties after the July meeting. All of this, of course, makes it most important that every step taken should be carefully considered, and that the strongest men in the party shall be as- signed at Chicago so as to utilize to the full for the party's benefit the ability and eaperience which they may posse: We Would Fill the Bill. Nothing has advanced beyond the stage of mere suggestion and discussion, but the silver men consider that in Senator Harris they have a leader who, as chairman of the Chicago convention, would fill the bill com- pletely. He possesses, they point out, all of the qualifications for the post. He takes high rank as a presiding officer in the Sen- ate. He Is an authority on parliamentary law, recognized as such by both parties. He is ready in his rulings, and been com- plimented for his and impartiality by as thorough partisans as Mr. Ingalls and Mr. Hoar. He has unquestioned nerve and a cool head. All Right on Free Coinage. On the subject of free coinage Mr. Harris is uncompromising. He has always been a free silver man, and holds with his neigh- bors in the Senate, Vest and Cockrell of Missouri, Jones of Arkansas and others, that the United States Is strong enough to establish @ financial pol of its own. He advocates that. His ele on as chairman of the Chicago convention would mean that, even more pointedly than would any line in the platform of like tenor. So that it is as- serted that if Mr. Harris is put in the chair at Chicago, and men like Mr. Vest and Mr. Jones are assigned to the committee on reso- lutions, there will he small reason during the campaign to inquire where the demo- cratic party stand the question. _—— ge The Bankruptey Bill. Mr. Henderson, from the commi on rules, brought in a-sp-cial order today for the consideration of the bankruptcy bill, general debate to begin today and continue tomorrow and Thurs debate under the five-minute rule Friday and Saturday, une til 4 o'clock, when the final vote is to be taken. — Liquor on Sunday, Thomas Tyrrell, a Georgetown saloon- keeper, was in the Police Court this after- noon, charged with selling liquor on Sun- day. His counsel, C. Maurice Smith, en- tered a plea of guilty, and a fine of $50 was imposed. ———— Against the Terry Cigarette 1iNl. The House committee on judiciary today decided to adversely report the Terry cigarette bill, which would have subjectea cigarettes transported Into a state to the laws in force there, and waived exemption applying to original packages, ae Se Unwilling Witnesses. The case of Mrs. Mary Moore, whose house, on Missourl avenue, was raided Sun- day night, may prove sensational when tried In the Police Court later in the week, Some of the witnesses, it is said, will re- fuse to attend the trial for fear of expo- sure. One woman, who-gave her name as Loulsa Dougiass, did not appear yester- day, and an attachment was issued from court today for her ‘arrest. Although the witnesses were permitted to give fictitious names their identity is known by the po- lice, and they will be compeiled to attend the trial. ——— For a Trustee, A bill in equity for an accounting, sale and the appointment of a trustee was this afternoon filed by Isadore T.Young against Caroline L. McCullough and twenty-eight others. —— Gets a Verdict. A jury in Clreult Court No. 1, Judge Bradley, this afternooh returned a verdict for $1,000) in favor of Eliza Johnson against the Eckington and Soldiers’ Home Railway Company, for injuries claimed to have been received September 2 last In falling from a car belonging to the company at 4th street extended and Bunker Hiil road. —_.__. The Wilkesbarre Way With Thieves. From the Globe Democrat. A sensation was caused in Wilkesbarre, Pa., recently by a poorly dressed woman, with a basket on her arm, parading the streets and bearing upon her back a pla- card containing these words: “I am a shoe thief. Look out.” Crowds collected at doorways, wondering what it meant, andwhen they learned that the woman was ‘simply obeying the sen- tence Imposed by the mayor some laughed, while others pronounced it an outrage. The woman is Mrs. Jones, a confirmed thief, and has béen before Mayor Nichol- son on the charge of stealing more than a dozen times. Shé ‘has also served several terms in the coynty jail. She stole a pair of men’s shoes from a stand in front of a shoe store and was caught in the act. She was taken to the thayor’s office, and was permitted to chdose between a term in jail and wearing the sign, and she took the latter. A policeman walked in the rear while she carried out the sentence, Hanged Him to Save His Life. From the Chicago Tribune. William Penn, an Indian, living at Elm- wood place, Cincinnati, was seriously in- jured about the spine on January 2 by being buried under several tons of Ice at the Chester lake tce house in St. Bernard. Since that time Penn has been unable to move, and his physicians decided to adopt heroic measures. He was hung by the neck and left in that position for several hours until his spine had again assumed its normal position. A strap was placed under his shoulders to avoid strangulation, He was able to walk about the day after. ee Too Emotional. From the Chicago Record. “Julia, I never see you at funeral: “No, when I go I always cry harder than the widow, and that makes people think I was‘ém love with the man,” THE HIGHWAY ACT Senator MoMillan Says It is a Self- Acting Law. NO IMMEDIATE APPROPRIATION LIKELY Desire on Part of Property Owners to Quiet All Doubts. THE POSITION STATED Ever since Judge Cox held the highway act to be unconstitutional the friends of the street exténsion plan have been hoping for new legislation to remedy the defects in that law that were made the basis of the decision, but the District committees of Congress have persistently refused to take any steps pending the action of the Court of Appeals on the appeal which was last week decided in favor of the law and against the lower court. Immediately after the announcement of this decision a move- ment set in toward Congress to secure some action at this session to carry out the provisions of the act. Yesterday Mr. Charles H. Armes, who was the land owner | in the particular case that went Into the | courts, called on Senator McMillan to urge that steps be taken immediately to have an appropriation made this year. No Appropriation. The chairman of the committee, however, declined t6 act, on the ground that the item belonged to the committee on appro- priations, and he gave Mr. Armes the bene- fit of his views on the entire question, which are embodied in the following let- ters. Briefly, Mr. McMillan's position was this: The highway act did not contemplate the purchase of all the lands necessary for the street extensions, but it was the idea that this land should, in a majority of ceses, be donated by the owners. There- fore, the chairman did not anticipate that there would be any pressing necessity for large appropriations, and he asked Mr. Armes to submit his request in the form of a letter in order that a formal reply might lm sent to him. The Owners’ Standpoint. Mr. Armes wrote thus: “Since the de- cision of the Court of Appeals, unanimously declaring the ‘highway act’ valid, so far as the plan of extending the streets is concerned, I have been requested by nu- merous owners of property involved in the case decided to urge upon your committee immediate action that may determine whether Congress intends to carry out the highway plan or not. This, it has been sus- gested, can be decided only by the action of Congress upon the question of appro- priating the necessary money. Congress must eventually decide that question one way or the other. in itself whether The highway plan Is not necessarily harmful, but doubt It will be executed ‘has already In serious loss anf distre to refuse to provide the to carry out the plan se, be to repudiate ft; and if that is to be the ultimate result, the sooner it be dene the better for the entire com- munity. ‘The expense, delay and uncer- tasnty incident to litigation Is to no avail to the parties in interest if, after ail, Con- gress is to repudiate the éntire proceedin when they are confronted with the que: tion of the cost of the improvement. Yearly Burden Small. “If the plen is to be carrked out, it is obvious that the completion of it will in- volve many years; consequently no large expenditure will be necessary in the im- mediate future. “It has therefore been further suggested that bonds, say $4™,00) annually, be au- thorized to’ provide payment for the pro} erty as the work of condemnation may progress, and that such a provision would impose no immediate burden and would at the same time avoid all semblance of connivance with speculative schemes. If this provision should be deemed sufficient it would leave the plan open to such al- teration, modification or limitation, with- out loss or unnecessary expense, ‘as ex- perience might suggest after the opening of thoroughfares that the public need at time. If, on the other hand, Con- repudiates the highway plan’as an ely by refusing to go to the expen: then, of course, the law should be at ence expressly repealed.” Senator MeMillan’s Reply. Last evening Senator McMillan addressed the following reply to Mr. Armes: Replying to your letter of April 27, I would say that the appropriations to carry out the provisions of the highway act come from the committee on appropriations, and not from the committee on the District of Columbia, except in so far as amendments proposing new legislation may be referred to this committee. There is no intention, in so far as I know, of nullifying in any way the highway act. However, {t was not the expectation of those who prepared the bill, or of Congress when the act was passed,that there would be any very large expenditure needed, except to straighten out and to ex- tend streets through a comparatively small belt of land lying just beyond the bound- aries of the city of Washington. The lands occupied for agricultural purposes and those held for speculative purposes are to be sub- divided, and the strects are to he laid out in rordance with plans prepared under the provisions of the act. It is not expected that Congress will make appropriations to pay for the streets | thus created, but those people who are particularly Interested in having the streets opened in order that they may sell their property are expected to be willing to donate the !and necessary for streets and alleys. Land to Be Given. Of course, where the opening of a street or avenue would take all or a greater part of the land held by any individual, so that the damages would be out of proportion to the benefits he would receive, the question of compensation would come in, but it is expected that as a rule the law will be self-acting, and that the property owners | beyond the city of Washington will find | it for their advantage to donate the streets and avenues, just as the original proprietors of the land within the city of Washington | found it for their advantage to give not only the streets and avenues, but every other lot to the national government. Yours truly, JAMES McMILLAN. —_—_—_—_—_—_—-e-._____ Speed Record of the Massachusetts. SUI further corrections in the record made by the battle ship Massachusetts in her speed trial Saturday last show that she developed an aycrage speed of 16.2079 knots instead of 16.279, as previously reported. ‘This makcs a great difference to the build- ers, inasmuch as it reduces her premium from $125,000 to $100,000. ‘That amount, however, is $W,000 more than the speed premium in the case of the Indiana. Bere nae es Murder Trial Began. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. CUMBERLAND, Ma., April 23—The trial of Simon Homer, charged with the murder of Wm. McCreary, February 29, was be- gun here today. Witnesses are being ex- amined. a — The New Pcrtuguese Minister. Le Vicomte de Santo Thyrso, the new Portuguese minister to the United States, and his wife have arrived In this city. The minister will present his credentials to the President in a few days. _———— For Divorce. Suit for a@ivorce was this afternoon insti- tuted by Hugh Allen Saxon against Kittie L. Saxon. They were married at Baton Rouge, La., December 10, 1890, and it is claimed that Mrs. Saxon deserted her hus- band October 28, 1891. _——— Marder Trial. Owing to inability to complete the jury, because of the exhaustion of the panel, the trial of Samuel Patterson and Wm. Hooks for the murder of Lewis Dade, January 3 last, in Pleasant alley southwest, was not begun this afternoon. The trial wil! yn- doubtedly be started tomorrow, DECLARED NOT GUILTY, Young Spitzer Exonernted From the Charge of Robbing His Employer. Israel Spitzer, a young man of nineteen years, who was the cashier of Samuel F. Friedlander, engaged in the clothing busi- ness at 311 7th street, was placed on trial yesterday before Judge Cole, In Criminal Court No. 1, charged with embezzling sev- eral small sums of money from his em- ployer last November, December and January. The testimony for the government, as in- troduced by Assistant District Attorney Jeffords, tended to show, so the government claimed, that the young defendant, who Was represented by Attorney C. Maurice Smith, had become infatuated with a cer- tain young woman, and that, although he received but a small salary, $ a week, he spent not a small amount of money in en- lertaining her. As cashier of Mr. Fried- lander, the prosecution charged, young Spitzer received the money representing sales made in the store, of which records were kept by slips or memorandums. The 30th of last November, the govern- ment claimed, there was a certain sale, for which the sum of $> was recei ; the ith of the following month a $5.” sale: the 17th one of $4; the 6th of January a sale of $5, and one of $8, and the 15th, one of $7.50. "These sums, the prosecution as- serted, the defendant appropriated to his own use. On behalf of the defendant many wit- nesses testified as to his good character, and he also testified in his own defense. He emphatically denied any wrongdoing, stoutly insisting that he never appropriated a penny of the various mentioned sums to his own use, or, indeed, a penny of any other sums. The defense also claimed that Mr. Friedlander and several cf his relatives also acted as cashier of the store, and that there was such a general lcose- ness in keeping accounts of sales that it was simply impossible to keep an accurate record of Sales and of the 1oney received therefrom. The defendant admitted his infatuation for the girl; that he sometimes furnished “her with small sums of money, and that he attended race tracks and prize fights, but he insisted that it was his own money which he foolishly spent. The defense intimated that there was a conspiracy to prosecute the defendant, and claimed that a Mr. L. Stargardter was connected with it. But the latter emphat- ically denied the intimation, remarking that nis only connection with the case was an effort to do all he could for the unfor- tunate defendant and his family. Judge Cole, upon Mr. Stargardter’s explanation, held that no consptracy against the de- fendant had been shown, and instructed the jury to wholly disregard such an inti- mation. After arguments by counsel for the gov- ernment and defendant, the jury retired to consider their verdict about 12:30 o'clock They returned in about an hour's time with a verdict of not guilty. The young man wes thereupon discharged from custody, much to the gratification of his family and friends. — TIME HAS EXPIRED. Legal Move to Get Rid of Some Eck- ington Railroad Tracks. Prosecuting Attorney Pugh will now go into court and champion the cause of the Eckington Citizens’ Association in their complaint against the Eckington and Sol- diers' Home Railroad Company. The citi- zens of Eckington want better street car facilities, and 1f they can’t succeed in this undertaking they want the railroad com- pany to give some reasonable explanation The prosecuting attorney, who so succe: fully prosecuted the company in the fight s against the overhead trolley on New York avenue, is confident that he will win the case started today and bring about some satisfactory result. wade today is an effort to make the com- comply with the provisions of the amendment to its charter or take up one of its la extensions of track aking of the case today, Attorney Pugh said that by an act of Con- gress, entitled “An act to amend the char- ter of the Eckington and Soldicrs’ Home Railroad Company,” authority was given Prosecuting to the company to lay its tracks and ;un its cars thereon through and along c streets, rtain one of the extensions being: Be- the intersection of G street and Jersey avenue, thence across New sey avenue to and along G street to Norta Capitol street, thence along North Capitol street to New York avenue, con- necting with its main lire and North Cap- itol street branch. Section 3 of the act provides “that unless sald extensions are commenced within three months and the cars run thereon within ene year from the passage of this act, ex- cept as otherwise expressly provided for, the guthority Bereby granted shall bé void.” The tracks prcvided for in this act have been laid, and Mr, Pugh says his informa- tion is that no cars have ever been run upon them, For this reason he determined to take the company Into court on a charge of occupying the public streets for prive purposes. It was under this act that the prosecution for mairtaining the overhead trolleys was brought. “These tracks complaired of constitute an obstruction and Megal occupation, which is really a public nuisance,” d Mr. Pugh, “and come within the lines of the decision in the trolley case.” It is charged that the company has there- fore violated section 2 of the act of No- vember 1862, which reads: “No open space, public reservation, strect or any public grounds in this city shall be occupied by any private person, or for an: private purposes whatever, under a penalt of not more than $0 nor less than per day for every day or part of a day any such place shall be so occupied; to be collected as other fines, penalties and forfeitures are collected for the use of the city.” The citizens’ association has made eve effort to bring about a prosecution of some kind in this matter. Attorney General Harmon was requested to take action in the matter and he referred the reques' District Attorney Birney. Then the tion of Prosecuting Attorney Pugh was called to the questions involved, and he promptly ordered the issuance of a warrant against the superintendent of the road. It {s likely that the case will reach the court for a hearing later in the week. —_-___ Naval Examining Boards’ Reporis. The President has approved the reports of naval examining boards in favor of the Promotion of the following named officers: Commaander Colby M. Chester, Lieutenant Commander Frederick W. Crocker, Lieut. | Arthur B. Speyers, Ensign Jno. T. McGuin- ness, Lieut, Frank W. Kellogg, Ensign M. Fahs, Surgeon William’ G. Far- urgeon Jno. @. Wise, Assistant Sur- geon Jno. M. Moore. Lieut. Samuel Scabury and Lieut. Han- son R, Tyler have been placed on the re- ured list on account of disabilities incurred in the line of duty. ——__+e+__. Forfelted Collateral, Maj." W. C. Cox, the colored politician who was arrested on a charge of soliciting funds from Congressman Harris at the Capitol, forfeited $10 collateral in the Po- lice Court today. —— 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. GRaIN. Wheat—May July. ss 5" ‘42 32 4.72 67 487 82 4.10 5 4.27 220 Month. “High. “lose. May cet Ta ‘Angast. 7.38 tS —_—>— _.. Baltimore Markets. BALTIMORE, April 28.—Flour dull, unchanged— reeeipts, 7,835 barrels: ehipments, 1,285 barrels. Wheat weak—spot, Q933069%; M: 65}%4200—stock, 81,172 bushels: sales, 100,000 bus! els—southera wheat by semple, 74 asked: do. on ade, GWa72. Corn Weak—spot, mont and Mag, Biynd6; June, 85% anked; duly, 354,26: steamee mixed, ‘334433%—receipts, 146,601 bushi x, 568,787 ‘bushels; sales, | 1,000 bushels—southera white corn, 35% yellow, 37. Oats firm 2 white western, 26a26' Feoripts, 8,320 bushel steady—No. 2, 40a41 nea: ‘0.2 mixed do., 2414a2 143,115 bushels. Rye 4243. western—stock, 56,713 bushels. Hay firm—cholce timothy, $17.00. Grain freights steady, engagements light, un- changed. ir steady, unchanged. Butter steady creamery, 16al0: do, iniitation, 18414; do. eee Fao The move | jase: FINANCE AND TRADE London Cables Dominated the Course of Prices, DAY'S BUSINESS WAS CONTRACTED Early Adjournment of Congress Looked For. GENERAL MARKET —— REPORTS Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. NEW YORK, April 28—London cables dominated the course of prices in today’ stock market, values suffering in conse- quence of the lack of confidence reflected therein. The foreign market was fraction- ally above the local closing level during the greater part of the day, but reacted toward the close of business on vague rumors of uneasiness as to the outcome of the several military and diplomatic enter- prises now on foot. Arbitrage houses sold a few stocks, and the room as usual as- sisted the movement. The day's business was noticeably con- tracted in yoivme, and was almost wholly professional. Washington advices were more encourag- ing on the prospects of an early adjourn- ment of Congress, and the prompt aban- Gonment of disquieting tariff debates. The failure to take up the free alcohol bill is regarded as permanent, and with this measure cut of the situation rapid progress in other directions is considered likely Railroad earnings were, in most instances, satisfactory, an addition of $156,0% to Bur- lington’s surplus attracting particular at- tention. The reactionary movement during the af- ternoon extended to all classes of secur: ties, however, the good news of the mori ing being overlooked in the presence of pos- sible complications abroad. Recent e: periences justify a very cautious accept- ance of rumors relative to foreign subjects, the fact that the material exists inspiring variety of gossip not infrequently purely imaginative. Sugar was an active feature of the day and for a time was disposed to work toward a higher level. Later in the day a sharp decline of it: per cent from the previous high level wi recorded, The movement In this stock is regarded simply as being delayed pending the actual official announcement of @ satis- factory legislative prospect. The market for foreign exchange was firm under an increased demand, and mod erate offerings of commercial drawings. No gold or security bills were reported to be offering. The selling of stocks by foreign houses t y, while not considerable im volume, may ‘force a moderate advance In exchange rates in view of the present de- mand from other sources. The sales of stocks by foreicn houses was discovered to have been less general than was originally supposed, and the f ob- tained toward the close of market that local traders had sold through fore hous=s for the purpose of d=pressing pric This device was made apparent by a 8 den abandonment of the railway s industrial shares in which foreigners have no interest being substituted, If this view of the day's transactions be sustained by subsequent developments, the attempt to recover the day’s sales should prove ben {ficial to values, Sentiment continu strongly jc in influential ci the reaction having attracted but p: notice among interests interested in ulti- mate rather than immediate results The tendency to buy moderately on all ecessions is still marked, ard may pre- vent any material setback from the pres- ent level. —_— FINANCIAL AND COMMERICIAL. The following are the opening, the highest and the lowest and the closing prices of the New York stock market today, as reported by Corson & Macartney, members New York steck exchange. Correspondents Messrs. Moore & Schley, No. 80 Broacway. Open. High. Low. Last. American Sugar. . 125 195% 1° Tea American Sugar, Pfd... 103 103% 108 1Mig American Tobacco. ..... ig Th American Cotton Oi - 2222 essen Atchison. .. 16% 16 Balto. & OM: 1% 17% Canada Southe: Canada Pacific Chesapeake & C.,C., C. & StL. & Northwestern. . Chicago Gas, Cfs. C. M.& St. 5 c.M. & st. 9 Chi DelaWare & Hudson.... Den. & R. Grande, Pfa_ Dis. & Cattle Feeding. General Electric. ~ Niinois Central. Michigan Central. Missouri Pacitic. National Lead Co. - National Lead Co., Pid. 2.8 St. Louis. Nortiern Pacitic Northern Pacific, Pid. North American. Ont, & Western Facitic Mail, Phila. & Reading Pullman Pal. Car G Soutuern Kailway, Pid. Pilla. Traction ‘Texas enn. Union Wabasi. Wabash, Wheeling & L. Erie..7" Wheeling & L. Erie, Pfd Western Union Yel...., Washington Stock Exchange. lar call12 o*els as, 10 at 4 After eall—Me: Gs, "$1,000 at “124; $1,000 at 124% . 100 at & ‘Chesapeake and Ig 20 at 5x. Government Bonds.—U. bid, 109% asked. U.S. asked. U.S. 45, S. 4s, re 108° 4s, coupon, 5 log MSY Jid, “Tyg asked, xf FET vd. Miscellaneous oT bid, 2 . Gs, 124 ‘bid Azle asked.” Kekin ia Ratiroad Gs, 113 bi Mingion Gas Company Washingtoa 116 asked, . Gx, 133 bit. U.S Chesapeake 108 asked. A: ston imp. 6a," 10. Sud, Washington Market Gs, 108 bid. Ma- Hall Assoclatie bid. Washingtoa Infantry ist 6 ational Bank St ugton, 280 ne Repurbtic, 240 tropolitan, 300 asked. Central, Farmers 140 upanies. ‘Trust, 122 asked. 4 asked, sked. ‘ational Safe American Washington Capital Traction Company tropolitan, 120 bid, 12. Relt, 30 asked. Eckington, Georgetown and Tennalistown, 30 as and Ehectele Light Stocks. Washington Gag 464 bid, Georgetown Gas, V1 ides = 12 bid, 123% asked, asked. Ligh Ins Stoc heute, 84 bid, STIG asked. Franklin, 38 bid, 4 asked. Metropolitan, 7% bid, 90 asked. Corcoran, 50 bid. 1 65 bid. Arlington, 140 bid, 155 osked. rmsan- American, 175 wid. ional Union, 11” bid, 14 asked, Co- lumbia, 12 bid. Rises, 7% bid, $i asked. p 5% Ind, 6 asked. Commercial, 4% 0 Title Insurance bid, 110 asked. Washington Title, 3 bid Peo- Lincoln, 8 bid, 8% asked. is asked. ks.—Real Estate Title, 100 Columbia Tie, 5% bid, 6 asked. District Title, 7 bid, 11 hone Stocks. Penoestvania, 37 bid. 50 asked, esa peake i Potoma: . 58 asked Amer- Cox"Erapbophone, 6 id asked. Paeumatle 2 Obid, .25 Mise Stocks, jlergenthaler § Linotyy 120 bid, 135 asked. Tanston Monotype, 7% ie Washington Market, 13 bid. Great Pulls Ice, 1! vid, 120 asked. Norfolk and Washington Steamboat, 65 bid. Lincoln Hall, #) asked.