Evening Star Newspaper, May 4, 1896, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY, AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 6 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. llth Street, The Evening Star New: Company, 6. H. KA Pres’. New York Office, 49 Potter Building. ‘The Ev Star Is served to subscribers in the city by pees on their own account, at 10 cents Peat e Gace sek, By malvssvebere t= tbe Ercnrer. 2 cents ead ES United States or Canada—postage prepald—50 cents per month. Peete Coe oe — $1 per year, with ign posta, ided, A (Entered at the Post Dales at Washington, D. C., cond-class mail matter. , “oan mail subscriptions must be paid tn advance. Rates of advertising made known on application. — No. 13,469. WASHINGTON, D. 0, MONDAY, MAY 4, 1896-SIXTEEN PAGES THE DU PONT CASE] THE LOUISIANA CONTENTION/CA PITAL RAILWAY Suddenly Sprung Upon the Senate by Mr. Turpie. MOTION 10 TAKE If UP CARRIED Subsequent Agreement to Wait for the River and Harbor Bill. + MATTERS IN’ THE HOUSE ——— The Senate passed several minor bills when the session opened today, including the bill authorizing the Muskogee, Okla- homa and Western railroad, to construct a railway through Oklahoma and Indian territories. Also removing the political disabilities of Col. John Taylor Wood. The bill concerning marriages in the Dis- trict of Columbia and giving parents the guardianship of their children was finally disposed of by agreement to some minor House amendments. The measure is an outgrowth of a recent sensational case in the District of Columbia courts, which de- veloped that a father had the right by will to give another than the mother custody of the children. Mr. Cali (Fla.) then called up his resolu- tion for a special committee of five Sena- to investigate alleged election Irregu- es in Florida. Mr. Harris’ motion to refer the resolu- tion to the committee on privileges and elections prevailed, 35 to 22. The Du Pont Case. ‘The Du Pont case was unexpectedly brought forward on a motion by Mr. Turple ind.) to proceed with the consideration of the case. On this he asked for a yea and nay vote. Mr. Mitchell, chairman of the committee on privileges and elections, was about to protest when Mr. Gorman made the point that the question was not de- batable. “I am In charge of the resolution, and as chairman of the committee I ask to make a statement,” insisted Mr. Mitchell. Mr. Gorman yielded, and Mr. Mitchell proceeded to state that it was surprising that this move should be made to take the case out of his hands, when there was no disposition on the republican side of the chamber to delay a vote. He had expected to go on with the Du Pont case as soon as the river and harbor bill was out of the way Mr. Senator rple responded that the Oregon umed too much in stating that of the resolutions. He had offered resolutions opposing ¢ of Du Pont, and Mr. Mitchell he was in charge (Turpie) “The Senator understands that he does nt the committee,” replied Mr. . with earne His resolutions a minor for the Mr. Turpie remarked with some sarcasm that Mr. Mitchell had given no new tn- formation as to being chairman ef the committee, and insisted on a vote on his motion to take up the minority resolution. At this point Mr. Gorman interposed with @ suggestion of a compromise by which the case would be taken up next Monday and voted on at 4 p.m. next Tue: a Mr. Mitchell wanted the proposition modi- fied so that the river and harbor bill would not be interfered with. Turpie's Motion Carried. No consent could be obtained, and the roll was called on Mr. Turpie’s motion, which was adopted, 32 to 31. All the re- publicans voted against the motion, the democrats and four populi8ts, Allen, But- ler, Kyle and Peffer, voting for the motion. Mr. Jones of Nevada was not in the cham- ber, but Mr. Stewart was, and did not vote. a Mr. Mitchell's Characterization of the Action, The vote baving been announced, Mr. Mitchell, showing evident feeling despite his efforts at calmness, sald impressively that in eighteen years of service this was the first time he hed seen such unjustifia- Me action. Under ordinary circumsiaaces there was comity among Senators without reference to party. And yet, with several Senators on the republican side of the chamber absent and unpaired, without any intimation or notice, this motion to pror with the Du Pont case was made and car- ried. “Under the circumstances, I car look at this action in no other light than as a discourtesy,” said Mr. Mitchell. “In view of this statement,” said Mr. George (Miss.), “I say to my associates on this side of the chamber that we ought to credit it.” Mr. Allinson suggested that it was unfor- tunate to precipitate this case ahead of ap- propriation bills. Mr. George replied sig- nificantly that there was plenty of time be- fere July 1 next to pass appropriation bills. Mr. Chandler spoke of the singular features of the action just taken, two republican Senators being absent and unpaired. Mr. Gorman's Proposal. After further debate a concillatory tone prevailed, and Mr. Gorman proposed that the Du Pont case be taken up after the riv- er and harbor bill was disposed of, the final vote to be taken the second day thereafter, ati pm. This was assented to by all con- cerned, and the incident closed. The river and harbor bill was then taken up. Mr. Peffer’s Bond Resolution. At 2 o'clock Mr. Peffer occasioned another flurry. At that time the bond resolution was laid before the Senate as the unfinished businéss. It was supposed the resolution would give way. But Mr. Peffer insisted on going on, saying he had yielded to three appropriation bills and would yield no lenger. Mr. Hill's Opinion. Mr. Hill declared that this “political— financial—partisan” resolution was entitled to no privilege. Mr. Sherman said he thcught the bond resolution should be acted on promptly, in view of previous under- standings, d the desirability of granting any request for information on treasury or bond transactions. He did not think the Secretary of the Treasury would object to it. There was no reflection on him. The bond resolution should be disposed of in a few hours. THE HOUSE. This was suspension day In the House. After a discussion of almost an hour over a conference report on a bill relating to street railways in the District of Co- lumbia, the withdrawal of which was forced, a bill was passed to authorize the construction of a railroad bridge across the Illinois river at Grafton, Tl. The report in the contested election case of Kirby vs. Abbott, from the sixth Texas district, which favored the sitting member, wes presented and adopted without di- vision. A bill was passed to constitute a new division of the eastern judicial district of Texas. The Senate resolution was adopted authorizing an investigation of the Con- gressional Library by a joint committee of the two houses during the recess. A bill was passed to pension Gen. Jos. R. West at the rate of $50 per month. Sev- eral other private pension bills were pass- ed, also a bill for the relief of the National New Haven Bank. It May Result in’ an Investigation by Con- gress if the Pharr Faction Set Up a Govern- ment—What May Happen at the Election Next November. It is thought to be not unlikely that the contention in Louisiana may in the end be investigated by Congress. This is almost certain to be the case if the Pharr faction carries out its threat of setting up a state government. Part of such a program would be the assembling of a Pharr legislature and the election by it of a United States Senator to succeed Mr. Blanchard. The Foster legislature will, of course, elect, and the Senate would thus be called upon to decide between the two claimants. An in- vestigation would follow, and that would necessarily be extended to include the con- ditions of the recent election in the state. The Alabama Precedent. Alabama furnishes a precedent. The Kolb program failed in so far as the state gov- ernment was concerned, but the case of the senatorial claimant stil! exists. Senator Al- len of Nebraska, assisted by Mr. Chandler, is insisting that Mr. Reese and not Mr. Morgan is entitled to the seat now occu- pied by the latter, and asks the Senate to investigate the Alabama election, as it af- fects the right of Mr. Morgaa to keep the seat. The State Next November. Well informed southern men are not in- clined to think that.evea ff the Foster faction triumphs in Louisiana before the legislature in this state affatr {t will serve as a pointer as to how the state fs likely to yote ‘on the national issues next Novem- ber. They suggest that the question of protection will then be conspicuously and lence, and they as- is overshadowingly in e sert that the sentiment of ‘the overwhelmingly for protection. The su planters all lean that way, and they con- trol the white parishes, which, even in this local contest, all gave majorities against the democratie ticket- The colored, parish- es were inanipulated to give the democratic ticket the majority it claims. But in a na- tional election this use of the colored vote could not, it is believed, be successfully made. The colored vote is conceded to be republican on national issues. If the pro- tection vote in the white parishes, ther fore, is as strong as reported, and ‘recor« itself in November, a republican majority then would appear to be reasonably as- sured. The Financial Question. On the financial question the white vote in the state is said to be about equally divided. The southern section, influenced by New Orleans, is for sound money, while northern Louisiana holds many populists and is for free coinage. The financial de- liverances at St. Louts and Chicago, there- fore, may cut a figure in the fight, unless the demand for protection Should prove to be strong enough to put the other ques- ton aside. state —e-___ EDITOR MATHIS- CAPTURED. A Southern Newspaper Man Was on the Competitor. Represeatative Linney of North Carolina this morning recetved the following tele- gram from Cyrus B. Watson, a prominent lawyer of Winston, N. C.: “George Mathis has been caught by the Spaniards, and is under a charge the pen- alty for which Is death. Try to save him.” Mr. Mathis was once the editor of the Winston Sentinel, and is an influential man in his state. How he came to be one of the party of filibusters captured by the Spaniards a few days ago on the Competitor is not known, but the North Carolinians here who have heard of the matter are deeply interested. Mr. Linney expects to receive a letter from Mr. Watson today explaining the matter. Mr. Linney did not know whether Mr. Mathis was on the Competitor as a news. paper man or as a soldier, but supposes he was on his way to Cuba to fight with the Cubans. Mr. Linney called on Secretary Olney this morning and was assured that there Would be no hasty action by the Spanish authorities. Mr. Olney, it is said, is wait- ing for full particulars of the recent cap- ture. a Reports of the execution of members of the crew of the schooner Competitor are untrue. Admiral Navarro, who must con- duct the trial, has not reached Havana. ‘The expedition on the Compeiitor, a p: serger from Havana declares at Key West, was landed before the vessel was c: tured. | Men and arms, he asserts, were put safely ashore at Berracas, and the sckconer was coming out when sighted by the war vessel and overhauled. Captain Laborde and five men of the crew are said to have been all who were aboard. Bank Dividends Declared. ‘The controller of t¥e currency has de- ciared dividends in favor of the creditors of insolvent national banks as follows, viz.: A second dividend, ten per cent, in favor of the creditors of the National Bank of Middletown, Pa., making in all 40 per cent on claims proved, amounting to $161,032 A secend dividend, ten per cent, in favor of the creditors of the First National Bank of Pella, lowa, making in all fifty per cent on claims proved, amounting to $53.6US. A third dividend, ten per cent, in favor oi the creditors of the First National Bank*| of Marion, Kan., making in ail sixty per cent on ‘claims proved, amounting to $87,808.09, * 2 A fourth dividerd, fifteen per cent, in favor of the creditors of the Stock Grow- ers’ National Bank of Miies City, Mon| making in all forty-five per cent on claims proved, amounting to $180,820.51. A sixth dividend, five per cent, in favor of the creditors of ‘the First ‘National Bank of Wilmington,"N. C., making in all sixty per cent on claims proved, amounting to $559,605.96. Ee Contested Election Cases. Four contested electicn cases were de- cided in committee today. Committee No. 2 decided three cases—those of Mitchell, re- publican, vs. Walsh, democrat, from the eighth district of New York, in favor of Mitchell, the contestant; Martin, republi- can-populist, vs. Lockhart, democrat, from the sixth North Carolina (istrict, in’ favor of Martin, the contestant; ThompSon, popu- list, vs. Shaw, democrat, from the third North Carolina district, in favor of Shaw, the sitting member. Mr. Bailey was the only democratic member of the committee present, and it is not certain that a minor- ity report will be made in any case. Com- mittee No. 3 decided the case of Yost, re- public: vs. Tucker, democrat, from tiie tenth Virginia district, in favor of Tucker, the sitting member. The vote of the com- mittee was six for Tucker and one for Ycst, the latter being cast by Mr. Walker, republican, of Virginia. Committee on elections No. 3 has now de- cided all the cases assigned to it, and No. 2 has but one remaining, that of Beattie vs. Price, from the third Loutsiana. —_——_--e-+-_____ Twice Thanked by China. Commander Felix McCurlo¥, U.S.N., cap-: tain of League Island navy yard, @t Phila- delphia, died there yesterday: morning of heart failure. He served -throughout the war with gallantry and was tinder fire more than forty times. Twice while on the Asi- atic station, in command of the Alllance, he rescued shipwrecked crews, and on both eccasions received the thanks of the Chi- nese government. The Conference Report on the Bill Withdrawn in the House. POINT OF ORDER MADE AGAINST IT Act in Regard to the Rights of Married Women. THE HIGHWAY ACT The House devoted three-quarters of an hour today to discussing the conference re- port upon the Capital railway bill, the bill to give rapid transit to Anacostia, and the matter ended by the conference committee withdrawing the report in order to omit from it a feature objectionable to a point of order. The conference report recommended that the Senate recede from its disagreements to th: House amendments to the bill, and agree to the same. A proviso was added, however, that in the future no railway ccmpany shall operate its cars upon the tracks of any undergrovad electric or ca- ble company unless its charter originally Provided for such coincidence or route, or unless Congress shall hereaft authorize ‘This amendment would, of course, pre- Vent the joint occupancy of tracks by a number of companies now operating upon this plan. Mr, Hepburn of lowa vigorously attacked this amendment. He said the House in the last Congr d strenuously contested for the joint routes coincided, in order to prevent duplication of tracks. He expressed great surprise that the conference committee had taken occa+ sich to repe means of a con’ members seldi ports, and that it was only by accident he hed become aware of the fact that this im- portant provision, altcgether extraneous to the subject matter of the bill and not ger- niane to any of the amendments, was con- tained in the conference report. At this stage Mr. Dingley of Maine made the point of order that the conference com- mitiee had exceeded its jurisdicton in add- ing that amendment to the conference re- port. He said st was clearly outside of the subject matter of the bill, this being a bill relating to one railroad only and the pro- posed amendment affecting every railroad in the District. Mr. Richardson contended that the amendment was not out of order and that it was germane to the bill oecause the bill dealt with the question of coincidence of tracks. A long discussion ensued upon the technicalities of the case, .as to wheth it, the amendment, was subject to the point of order or not. Finally, Mr. Richardson sug- gested that if the Speaker thought the amendment was foreign to the subject m ter the committee would ask to withdraw the conference report. “The gentleman from Tennessee requests ion to withdraw the corference re- ald the Speaker, and there being no objection this was done. The conference committee will assemble and will omit the cbjectionable amendment. Marriage Law Passed. Senator Faulkner today presented to the Senate the conference report on Senate bill 1904, to regulate marriages in the District of Columbia, which was recently passed by the House with certain amend- ments, which were quite acceptable to the Senate committee. A conference was held, however, end: the Senate conferees agreed to recede from all disagrements and to accept the amendments. The report of the conference committee was adopted by the Senate today without a division and the bill will soon be laid before the President for approval. Disabilities Removed. The Senate today, on motion of Mr. Daniel, passed the bill removing the political disabilities of John Taylor Wood of the District of Columbia. Rights of Married Women, Senator Faulkner today reported from the District committee the bill approved at last Friday's meeting of the committee amend- ing the local laws regarding the rights of married women, and making the parents the natural guardians of their children. As heretofore stated in The Star, the commit- tee made several amendments. The bill, as it now stands, provides by section, as fol- lows: First. That the real and personal property owned by any woman in the District at the time of her marriage, and the rents, issues, profits or proceeds thereof, and the real, personal or mixed property which shall come to her by descent, devise, purchase or be- quest, or the gift of any person, shall be and remain her sole and separate property, not- withstanding her marriage, and shall not be subject to the disposal of her husband or able for his debts, except such property as shall vome to her by gift of her husband, which shall be subject to his debts existing at the time of the gift. The provision that this Hability shall not be enforced till all the property of the husband has first been exhausted was stricken out by the commit- tee. Second. A married woman, while the marriage relation subsists, may bargain, sell and convey her real and personal prop- erty and enter into contract in reference to it in the same manner, to the same ex- tent, and with like effect as a married man may in relation to his property, and she may, by a promise in writing, express- ly make her separate estate liable for necessaries purchased by her or furnished at her request for the family. Third. Any married woman may carry on any trade or business, occupation or Profession by herself, or jointly with thers, and perform any labor or services cn her sole and separate account, and the earnings of any married woman from her trade, &c., shall be her sole dnd separate property, and may be used and invested by her in her cwn name. Fourth. Nothing in the act ts to be con- strued as invalidating any marriage sct- tlement or contract. Fifth. The husband shall not be Mable for the payment of the wife's ante-nuptial debts, but she shall be liable to all reme- ies for the recovery ‘of such debts, to be enforced against her and her separate property _as if she were unmarried. Sixth. The father and mocher shall be the natural guardians of the persons of their minor children. If either dies or is capable of acting, the natural guardian- ship of the person skall devolve upon the other, provided that in case of the death of either parent from whom the chiltren may inherit or take by bequest the said parent may by deed or last will appoint a guardian of the property of the children, subject to the approval of the proper Dis- trict court. Severth. The sucviving parent mey, by last will, appoint a guardian of the person and property of the children, whether born at the time of making the will, or af- terward, to continue during the minority of the child, or for a less time, subject at all times to removal for cause and ap- pcintment of another by the court. Fighth. Dower shall be assigned' to a widow entitled to the same in the equita- ble as well as the legal estate of her de- cezsed husband. The committee struck out four sections: That allowing a married woman to sue and be sued-as though unmarried; that grant: ing toa woman married out of the District and whose husband afterward becomes a resident of the District the right to enjoy all the rights as to property. which she may have acquired by the laws’ of any oth- er state, territory or country; ‘that which provided that one-half of all property in which either husband or wife had a. legal P 1 this important legislation by [ or equitable interest, and ngt necessary for the payment of debts, hill become the property in fee simple of the survivor; and that abolishing the estates of dower and by courtesy. L To Pay Mr. Jackson. Senator Palmer today_intreduced a bill authcrizing the payment to Wm. W. Jack- son of this city of $17,182 for material fur- nished to recruits during the war. The Highwny Act. ‘There was a special meeting of the Sen- ate District committee at 8 o'clock this afternoon for the purpose of hearing what the District Commissioners had to sey on the matter of appropriations to carry out the highway act. There is perfect har- mony between the committee and the Com- missioners in this regard; that is to say, so far as the general poli¢y of Congress un- der the highway act 4s voncerned. The principles embodied in Senator McMillan’s letter of recent date declaring that in the minds of its framers the highway act was intended to be self-operative, and that the owners of land in the outer suburbs are ex- pected to donate the property for street ex- tension, have, It is understood, been ac- cepted ‘by the Commissioners, and at the meeting this afternoon the discussionwas on ways and means of securing appropriations at this session to begin the work of exten- sions in the immediate vicinity of the city Iimits. The Commissioners urged that the mem- bers of the District committee should make an individual and collective effort to se- cure action by the appropriations com- mittee In this direction. Meanwhile the subcommittee on the Dis- triet appropriation bill in the appropria- tions committee ts working ahead slow! Little progress was made at this morn. ing’s session, owing to Interruptions by several citizens who desire to have a few last words to say in regard to certain minor provisions of the billy It was the hope of the subcommittee to be able to conclude teday, but this hope was frustrated, and the subcommittee will continue tomorrow. The general matter of street extension appropriations has rot yet been formally taken up by the subeommittee. When the bill was first under consideration by the five Senators having it in charge, there Was a disposition to wait in regard to the highway act until the Court of Appeals should take action upon the constitution- ality of the law. That question having teen decided in favor of the law the Com- missioners have urged, during their hear- ings befors the subcommittee, that the matter should be taken up and a Mberal appropriation made this year to carry out a part at lerst of the street extension plan. It is thought that today’s action of the Senate District committee may have some effect upon the appropriations committee in dealing with this matter. A NEW NATIONAL BANK Riggs and Company Boon to Apply for a Obarter, Change to He Made by the Old In- stitution in Order to Insure Its Permanmency. Among well-informed financial men in this city there is talk of a change which is stortly to be consummated {n one of the oldest end most substantial banking houses of Washington. Within the next two months Riggs’ Bank will*be turned into a national bank, to be knoWh as the Riggs National Bank. The capital stock of this bank has never been in proportion to the business done or the deposits, which run up into the mil- lions. It has always been regarded as one of the strongest financial institutions In the country, and has a world-wide reputa- tion. The stock amounts to $200,000. Of this amount about one-third is under- stood to stand in the name of Mr. Riggs and about one-third in the name of Mr. Glover. The bulk of the remainder is held by Mr. James M. Johnston and Mr. Thomas. Hyde. Within the next thirty days, it is said, application will be made for a national bank charter, and by July 1 the bank will be doing business under the new name. Stock will be Issued in proportion to the Present holdings, though probably on a cepitalization of $500,000. Riggs Bank has a history which runs back for seventy years, and is the institu- tion with which the name of the late Mr. W. W. Corcoran was so closely connected. The bank building, corner of 15th street and Pennsylvania avenue, was erected in 1827-8, and was first occupied by the “Branch Bank of the United States.” In ‘1845 Messrs. Corcoran and Riggs,the found- ers of Riggs’ Bank, purchased the building and the adjoining residence, and ever since then it has been occupted by the institutian they established. One purpose of the change in the charac- ter of the institution is said to be to place {t on a permanent basis and to insure its perpetuation. a DROVE HIS WIFE INSANE. A Cruel Husband Confined in Default of a Bond. Special Dispateh to The Evening Star. RICHMOND, Va. May 4.—Wednesday last Mrs. Whitlock, a widow, was married to a man named Harper. Harper went home drunk Saturday night, threw a light- ed lamp at his wife, besides other missiles, and threatened to kill ,her three little chil- dren. The treatment drove the wife in- sane, and yesterday she was found wan- dering around in an aimiess manner in a cemetery, where she sald she had dug graves for her three children. She was taken home and the man urrested, and this morning he was in the.police court. He was fined $25 and made fo give security in the sum of $500 for one year, in default of which hé went to jail. Warper is said to shave been divorced from,hts first wife for cruel treatment. CANAAN, Conn., May 4.—Edwin Plant of Clayton, Mass., three miles from here, today shot and instangy killed his wife, Ada, and then fired a.bullet into the breast of his two-weeks-old chil, killing it. Plant fled and is now in the swamp near Karka- pol river, surrounded by a posse. He re- fuses to surrender, and is holding the crowd at bay. a —_—. ——_ a JUDGE BOUIC DEAD. Passing Away of a ,Well-Known Marylander. - Special Dispatch to The Evening: Star. ROCKVILLE, Ma., May 4—Ex-Judge Wm. Vier Bouie died here today very sud- deniy of heart disease, in his eighty-=st year. Deceased had“been in feeble health for several years, aml had for some weeks been confined to his home. He ate a light breakfast this morning and afterward fell back upon his bed and expired. / During his life he hag occupied the po- sition of state's attorney for four terms, was associate judge of the circuit court for jifte ars and, also served as mayor “of Ro .. Fer many years he took an active-part in politics, and was at one time one of the democratic leaters of the state. Funeral Thursday, at 10:30 a.m, Ex-Séhdior. Wallage’s Condition, NEW YORK, May 4—Ex-United States Senator William Wallate of Peansylvania — Ghe Foening Star. TWO CENTS. The circulation of The “ Star is more than double that of any other paper in Washington, morning or evening, and it is de- livered regularly to five times as many homes as any other. It has no rival, whether considered as a‘ newspaper or as an adver-' tising medium. WOMEN = WITHDREW|THE PRESIDENT AND CUSA/RESULT OF A PLOT Action Taken at the Methodist Con- ference, A STEP WITH A PACIFIC OBJECT Favorable Report of the Com- mittee. ENTITLED TO THEIR SEATS CLEVELAND, Ohio, May 4.—The anticl- pation of a disposition of the woman ques- tion called out a large attendance at the general M. E. conference this morning. The delegates were early in their seats, and the spectators were more numerous than on any previous day. Bishop Merrill of Chicago presided, and the first hymn was announced by Rev. Dr. B. Hurlbut of the Sunday School Union. A fervent prayer was offered by Dr. Hurlbut, after which the business of the morning was taken up. Rey. H. A. Buchtel of Indiana desired the Episcopal address read in every pulpit. The ecnference adopted a resolution to send a copy to each pastor. Dr. Mueller of Cleveland presented a resolution favoring arbitration for all Eng- lish-speaking countries, which was adopted, and a copy ordered sent to the President of the United States. Woman Delegates Withdraw. The exciting feature of the day was when Dr. Monroe preserted to the coafer- ence a written statement from four woman delegates. It locked as though this state- ment might rolve the perplexed woman question, but it did not. Following is a part of the stat2ment: “While we regard ourselves as laymen in the full sense of the term, and hold that the lay electoral conferences are entitled under the amendment of 1868-72 to choose their delegates, subject only to the restric- tions therein specified, we are unwilling to seem to insist upon personal rights which are in dispute. “The chief question at issue now seems to us to arise over the method to be pur- sued upon this. We recognize honest dif- ferences of opinion among the most intel- ligent and conscientious members. It seems to us that were the conference relieve from the tension which our presence oc- casions, it might speedily devise a plan of admission upon which the great majority of the members could agree. While we sincerely regret to disappoint the chival- rous champions of woman's eligibility, we canuot consent to a protracted debate ov: cur personal eligibility to this conferenc with the alienation which we fear such a struggle might cause. We, therefore, cheer- fully relinquish your honorable body, and await such a settlement of a long vexed question as your wisdom may devise, fident that. your action will embody spirit of the golden rule. We desire to : press our appreciation of the courtesy shown us, and asure you that we shall ccntinue to pray and labor for the prosper- Mity of our Zion.” The statement was presented by Jane F. Bashford, Louis S. Parker and Ada C. Butcher, Report in Favor of the No sooner had the communication of the women delegates been offered than Dr. Ky- nett, chairman of the committee on eligi- bility, submitted the majority report of the committee. It briefly announced that the committee had decided that the women were entitled to seats in the convention. Several delegates arose to defend the re- port, but there was a universal demand for the minority report. It was a long document, and was read by Dr. T. B. Neely of Philadelphia. It found that the challenge of the eligibility of the women whose names appear on the roll of the general conference is sustained, and that the election of women by lay delegate conference are illegal acts, and that to seat the claimants would tend to destroy all the respect for that constitution of the church and for the decisions and inter- pretations of the general conference. After extended debate on the merits of the two reports, further discussion was post- poned until afternoon, when it will be re- sumed as a special order of business. The conference then adjourned. — ASSOCIATED PRESS “Scoops.” Women. Important Cable News Last That Was Exclusive. NEW YORK, May 4.—There never has been a question among newspaper men as to the overwhelming superiority of the ca- tle news service of the Assoclated Press over that of any other organization. For instance, a number of startling, historical beats were scored by the Associated Press Jast week, among them being the following: Monday, April 27, Constantinople dis- patch cf April 26, surrender of the Rev. George P. Knapp, the American missionary expelled from Bitlis, to the United States consular ageit at Alexandretta, but only after the United States charge d'affaires at Constantinople, Mr. John W. Riddle, had telegraphed the commander of the United States cruiser Marblehead, at Messina, to place his vessel at the disposal of the con- sular agent. Tuesday, April 28, dispatch from Cape Town, giving the text of the reply of Pres- jdent Kruger to the British government's Invitation to visit England. Tuesday, April 28, Havana dispatch giv- ing full details of the explosion of a dy- namite bomb in the palace of the captain- general of Cuba. Wedresday, April 29, Havana dispatch, early in the afternoon, announcing the cap- ture by a Spanish gunboat of the American filfbustering schooner Competitor of Key West, Fla., with full details. Thursday, April 30, full story from Pre- toria of the exposure of Cecil Rhodes and his friends, with text of the incriminating telegrams. Not a line in any put the As- ‘sociated Press papers until next day. Thursday, April 30, dispatch from Brus- seis announcing acquittal of Captain Lo- thaire, the Belgian officer who hanged the English trader, Stokes, in the Congo Free State. The so-called “opposition” had this forty-eight hours later. Friday, May 1, dispat announcing the murder of the Shah of Per- sla. e Associated Press afternoon pa- pers ha@ this important news in time for their last editions; newspapers here taking the service of the alleged opposition did not have a I{ne from Teheran in any of their afternoon editions that day, and on Satur- day morning they only had the dispatches trom Wash lon on this subject. Saturday, y 2, dispatch from Tifils announcing that Muzafer-Ed-Din, the heir apparent, had been formality proclaimed thout any serious disturbance. are only a few examples of the im- mense superiority of the cable service o the Associated Press. It is but the his- tory of a week, and only the most prom- inent exclusive items are reforrad to. es John Stetxon’s Widow Dies. BOSTON, "May 4.—Mrs. Kate Stokes Stet- son, widow of John Stetson, the m'llion- aire theatrical manager and real estate deaiér, who died April 18, died at her resi- dence on Commonwealth avenue this morn- ing. Mrs. Stetson had been prostrated since the death of her husband, but up to a few days ago it was thought that she Week h from Teheran was reported to be unchanged in ‘eondition, | woutd recover. aed Expectation of an Important Move by Some Generally Well-Informed Uongressmen. Gen. Lee‘s Instructions Contemplate a Course of Action That Won’t Please Gen. Weyler. Speculation concerning the probable ac- tion of President Cleveland with relation to Cuba is being revived by the “diplomatic circle’ in Congress. The expectation 1 expressed by some members, who are gen-" erally well informed, that the President will make an important move in the mat- ter. One member. of the House today, without disclosing the grounds of his be- lef, but expressing himself with a great deal of confidence, predicted that within thirty-six days the President would issue a Proclamation with relation to Cuban in- surgents which would excite Spanish re- sentment and endanger a hostile demon- stration on their part. He said further that he feared this would excite such uni- versal interest as to distract attention from matters of domestic political Interest which are legitimate issues cf the coming cam- paign. Gen, Lee's Instruction: According to this gossip, Gen. Lee, who succeeds Gen. Williams as our representa- tive in Havana, has general instructions contemplating a course of conduct which, while entirely proper from the American point of view, may not be altogether satis- factory to Gen. Weyler. ‘ It is not suggested that there if anything distinctly hostile to Spain in General Lee's fe1mal or informal instructions, but that a course of independence and firmness is expected of him, which, under the pecu- liar condition of affairs, may excite Gen- eral Weyler. The expectation is entertained, however, that even in the absence of any direct irritation resulting from the change of method involved in the succession of Gen- will be decisive action the President which will probably se the Spanish government. + 2+ PREME COURT ACTION, Motion to Advance the Case of Wi- borg for Aiding Cuba, In the Supreme Court todsy the solicitor general moved to advance, for hearing this term, the case of Wiborg agt. the United States, convicted of aiding a military ex- pedition in aid of Cuba, in violation of the neutrality laws, stating that the expedition of the case was desired by the President and the’ Secretary of State. The motion was resisted by Mr. Phillips for Wiborg, and the case went over until tomorrow. In the Supreme Court today én opinion was rendered in the case of F. A. Coffin, accused of wrecking the Indtanapolis Na- tional Bank, affirming the decision of the court below, and, therefore, confirming the sentence ‘of imprisonment. In the United States Supreme Court to- day an opinion was handed down by Jus- tice White in the case of W. F. Putnam agt. the United States. Putnam wes sen- tenced to imprisonment for five years on the charge of converting the funds of the National Granite State Bank of Exeter, oy to his own use, and on other ch of violation of the National bank laws. The decision of the United Siates circult court for the district of New Hampshire was affirmed on the main count, though reversed on others. The ef- fect of the opinion, however, is to confirm the sentence of imprisonment, aaa aman CAPITOL TOPICS, Public Lands Committee. The Senate committee on public lands today agreed to press pon the Senate steering committee the consideration of the bill granting 5 per cent of the pro- ceeds of the sale of pubjic lands to the states where sales have been or may be mace. Coast Defenses. The Senate committee on coast defenses today authorized a report amending the Squire coast defense bill so as to make 110 appropriations, but authorizing contracts for the full amount proposed in the bill. Senator Squire was instructed to offer the amended bill as an amendment to the fortifications bil. The committee also recommended an increase for sites of $250,000 on a like amount carried by the House bill. —— a Personal Mention. Senator Morgan of Alabama, who has been quite ill, has recovered, and was well enough to appear in the Senate today. Lieut. Wm. H. Sage, twenty-third in- fantry, has been granted leave of absence for four months, with permission to ask for an extension of two months. Capt. G. S. Bingham, quartermaster's de- partment; Lieut. M. C. Beehler, fifth cav- alry; Lieut, S. A. Smoke, nineteenth in- fantry, and Lieut. George J. Newgarden, assistant surgeon, are registered at the War Department. Surgeon N. M. Drape of the Franklin is in the city on leave of absence. Senator Wetmore has returned to the city after an absence of about a fortnight. Senator Cullom has returned to the city from Illinois and was in his seat in the Senate today. Mr. Joseph J. Barclay, formerly of this city, now of Valley City, N. D., is in the city for a few days visiting his relatives. ° Today's Presidential Nominations, The President today sent the following nominations to the Senate: Postmaster—Walter B. Woodward, Two Harbors, Minn. War—Lieutenant Colonel Wm. John Lys- ter, first infantry, to be colonel; Major Chambers McKibbin, twenty-fifth infantry to be lieutenant colonel; Captain M Hooton, twenty-second infantry, to be major; First Lieutenant Frank B. Jones, twenty-secend infantry, to be captain; Sec- ond Lieutenant Wilson Chase, twentieth infantry, to be first Neutenant. A Sixty-Foot Whale. Superintendent Kimball of the life-sav- ing station has received a telegram from the keeper of the Fenwick’s Islund (Dela- ware) station stating that a sixty-foot dead sperm whale is ashore near his sta- tion. This is an unusually large specimen, and it has been tured over to Prof. Goode of the National Museum, who has already sent preparators to bring it to Washing- ton. In the past some of the finest speci- mens of marine zoology in the museum have been secured through the life-saving service. ee Naval Promotions, The death of Commander F. McCurley yesterday has resulted in the following pro- motions in the navy: Lieutenant Command-" er S. M. Ackley, to be commander; Lieut. c. G. Bowman, to be Heutenant commander; uitenant Gunior grade) Herman Dresel, to be Neutenant, and Ensign H. A. Bispham, to be eutenant (junior grade). o- Senator Murphy's Condition. It is expected that Senator Murphy of New York, who has been MM! since early in the winter, will be ablé to return to Wash- ington this week. At present he ig at Hampton -Ro::d3, Vd, and {s slowly reoov- ermg his strength. At times this spring als life has been in the balance, See Shah's Death Was Planned at Con- stantinople, PRISONER AT TEHERAN CONFESSES Assassination of the Grand Vizier Was Also Arranged. WIDESPREAD CONSPIRACY —— (Copyright. 1896, by the Associated Press.) TEHERAN, May 4.—It has-been definite- ly ascertained that the assassin of the late Shah of Persia, Nasr-ed-din, who was fatally shot rear the heart during the afternoon of Friday last, while entering the ler perts of the shrine of Shak Abdul Azin, as exclusively telegraphed to the p on Friday afternoon, is Molah Reza, a follower of the well-known agitator Sheikh Jem Aled- din, who was exiled in 1891 after having heen convicted of high treason. Later Reza was also imprisoned for trea- son, but subsequcntly he was Mberated. After his reiease from prison he continued his attacks upon the government, was again imprisoned, was once more released and was actually granted a pension by the shah. In spite of the cl ency shown him, Reza continued his agitation against the govern- ment, and, when warned that would again be arrested, he suddenly left this city. He was next heard of ai Constanti- nople, and ii ciions ws rapned to that city to have the E lator closely watched. In addition the reports from Constanti- the government here that was corresponding with Sheikh Jem Aleddin. There the plans for the assassi- nation of the shah are believed to have been laid. About two months ago Reza quietly left Constantinople and tor some Ume all trace of him was lost. But recently his presence he has been known to ihe police authorities and they are now blamed for not having caused is arrest. They excuse themselves on the ground that the late shah’s clemency to the assessin was exercised under the be- Nef, founded on the reports of pl that Reza was of unsound mind and not 1esponsible for his actions, and it was con- sequently believed that even if he taken ito custody more he would only have been again released by the shah orders, The police, therefore, contented themselves with watching the conspirator, Result « napiracy. Since his arrest for the murder of the shah Reza tas been closely questioned by the judicial authorities. At first he pro- fessed to have acted entirely of his own accord and in the interests of his people, to whom, he claimed, reforms to which they were justly entitled had been refused. Later, however, the prisoner confessed that the assassination of the shah was the outcome of a deliberately and long-planaed conspiracy, and that he (Reza) was chosen to do the deed. He added that he waited two mont®s for a favorable chance to shoot the shah, which confirms zhe authorities in the belief that the conspiracy was haiched in Constantinople, as it :s about two months since Rera left that city for Teheran. The assassin has also admitted that upon many occasions he has succeeded in ap- proaching the late shah under various dis- guises, but it was not until Friday jast, in the mosque of Shah Abdul Azim, that he got Near enough to fire the fatal shot. Two More Arrested. The murderer is believed to have a num- ber of accomplices. He has already admit- ted that eight persons were the con- spiracy. Two of them, who have been ar- rested, are the prisoner's nieces, They are both domestics, employed, until made pris. oners, in the harem of the shah Reza has confessed that the gir conspirators informed regarding the move- ments of the shah, and, on Friday morning, the chosen assassin was iriformed that the shah intended to visit the shrine of Suetan Abdul Azin. Reza then decided to make an- other attempt to get near enouxh to his majesty to shoot at him with no risk of mise. ing his victim. = Finally Reza has informed the authori- ties that he intended to commit suicide by blowirg his brains out as soon as he was certain that he had killed the shaa, but, added, he was seized and disarmed before he could carry out his intentions. s kept the The enthronement of the new shah, Mu- zafer-ed-din, at Tabriz on Saturday, was accomplished without any disorder ‘being recorded, and his majesty start yon af- terward for the city to attend the funeral of his father, whose body has been em- balmed and will be Interred at Koom. The new shah has also been proclaimed here by the chief priest by order of the grand vizier, who has guarantecd to mal tain order pending the arrival of his maj- esty. Telegrams announcing the alleziance of the governors, princes, ministers and offi- cials are being received from all parts of the countr: Elder Brother Professes Allegiance, The new shah’s elder brother, Massoud Mirza, governor of Ispahan, was one of the first to profess allegiance to the new sheh, No ground has been found for the report that Massoud Mirza was in any way con- rected with the fatal conspiracy. He sent a second telegram of congratulation to the shah upon being notitied thar he was ccrfirmed as govertor of Ispahan, The grand vizier has also been confirmed, and, with the exception of some disturh- ances upon the part of the troops at Siiir- az, who askea for their arrears of pay there hag been nu disorder, and none is apprehended. Another Murder Planned. The prisoner, later, made a fuller con- fession, admitting that conspirators had also planned to murder the grand vizier. It is also believed that the plot was much more widespread than Reza even now ad- mits, and some time must elapse before all the facts in the case are made public. Where the Plot Was Hatched, CONSTANTINOPLE, May 4.—The news papers here were authorized to announce the death of the Shah of Persia, but with- out stating the cause. One newspaper an- nounces that the shah was out for a walk, felt unwell and died suddenly. Some apprehension ts felt here in official cireles owing to the fact that the assassin formerly lived in this city, fr: place he communicated w Aleddin, who {is cred! ned to murder both the shah a zier of Persia. HUMBERT AIMED AT. A Rumored Flot Against the King of “0 Italy. LONDON, May 4.—A special dispatch re- c@iwed here from Naples says that It is rumored there that an anarchist plot against King Humbert has been discov- May 4.—A dispatch re- celved at the Indian department here says that the Indians in the Alaska district are preparing to go on the war path. The news reached Victoria by the steamer Sitka.