Evening Star Newspaper, May 9, 1896, Page 9

: THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY; MAY 9, 1896—-TWENTY-FOUR PAGES. Gas Stoves. With a good experience and sp ecial attention to this class of goods we give j ‘ou the best results attainable—the highest grades —pure blue flame—no smoke—no dust—or ashes to contend with —we have perfect air mixers on our Stoves ands Ranges—your fuel will thus cost less than if you bought coal or wood—with one of our Gas Ranges you can do all the cooking, including baking and ironing for family of sis month for 8 to Io persons. at $1.50 per month, or only $2 per Buy one—try one—ask yctrr neighbor, who has one. Ve have sold more than a thousand Gas Ranges Gas Stoves. t-burner, 30¢., 75c., $1.25. $2-burner, $1.00, $2.25, $2.75. ¥3-burner, $1.75, $3.25, $3.75. Seley Portable Ovens. Gas Ranges Complete. $1.20. $13.00. $1.50. $14.00, $2.50. $16.00. $3.00. $18.00. $19.00. $22.00. Everything and anything connected with Gas Fixtures. Chas. A. [luddiman, 614 12th St. bs ss ss SomeN oteworthy Price Reductions in Drugs, Toilet Requisites, etc. —just unpac trons. contained in tod Miscellaneous. C. S. Disinfectant, He sid Outdoors, A bottle. Witch Hazel, large bottle. .....21¢. Gum Camphor, per Ib....... Chewing Gum, 2 pkgs... Lavender Salts. ....... Queen Anne Lotion. .. Cooper's Hair Succes i an Cologne, 2 for. Kennedy's Foot Powder, For perspiring and tender feet Hood's Sarsaparilla Page's Sarsaparilla . ae if Weal sprirg medicine. Favorite Prescription. .63c. Ducher’s Female Tonic, a tie for Female Complaints.......... 59C- mpele’s Tasteless Cod Liver Oil deseo eens s58C. Swift's Specific, small..........61¢. ” _ For Red Bugs and Insects....seeeeeseeee IQC. Naphtha Camphor, Bi er than Mothballs......... Cleansiline . Syrup of Figs, Test Laxative known, 21e.; 5 for. Lithia Tablets.......... oa s2EG: Compound Syrup Hypophosphites, 69¢. Presetihed by Physicians the world over... Olive Oil, finest imported, Ht pints... we FSC. Seidlitz Powders, boxes ...... 19¢. Ferraud’s Wine of Coca, ee Splendid Nerve Tonic 37. oot Beer, 2 bottle Gi Tee mitt to ase mport Extra large 39¢. Carholic Acid, For Disinfecting_ Large bottle... 2Ic. Clark's Corn Relief, = Always cures ze. Toilet Paper a ot antiquated stock we are anxious to ————— get rid of—for everything is new and fresh a d, in fact. new customers in addition to our steady pa- Hence the substantial s list. We want to draw inducements Silver Counter. All these articles are here offered at less than ONE-HALF of JEWELERS’ PRICES. Silver Back Combs. .. .98c. Silver Nail Files. .....74¢. Silver Button Hooks. .74c. Silver Shoe Horns. .$1.17 ver Hat Brushes. .$1.29 Sterling Silver Cane Straps... .39¢. Sterling Silver Umbrella Tags. .18c. Sterling Silver Penknives......49¢. Sterling Silver and Real Tor- * toise Shell Back Combs. ...$2.48 Perfume Extracts. 50c. bottles. Sterling Sterling Sterling Sterling Sterling 4-0z. bottle of Finest Extract, half price. Violet, White Rose, Jockey Club, New Mown Hay, Ylang Ylang, Crab Apple Blossom, &c...............$1.00 Toilet Articles. Mennen’s Talcum Powder......12c. Mertz’s Talcum Powder, Best for Infants. 4 boxes for....+. Newman’s Rice Powder, Highly perfumed. Fe 2 25C Java Rice Powder............19¢. Extra Fine Sponges, The G5e. and The. kind, for. ..sseceeseeeee SOC 25c. Nail Brushes for..........15¢. + «43C. Violet Water, extra fine. Mertz’s Modern Pharmacy, uth & F Sts. AMONG THE WHEELMEN. Visitors From Philadelphia. ‘The Keystone Wheelmen will make their arnual pilgrimage to Washington tomor- row. This is one of the largest clubs in Philadelphia, and last year brought a large rep entation of bicyclists of both sexes to the city. Tomorrow they are expected to bring one hundred riders with them and will reach the city about 11 o'clock in the morning. At the depot they will be met by Mr. J. Hart Brittain and a delegation of about twenty-five riding members from the Columbia Athletic Club. As soon as the visitors secure their wheels they will ride from the depot up to the Capitol and by the new Congressional Library building, and thence out East Cap- Ntol street to Lincoln Park, turning around and coming westward over North Carolina avenue, to the Botanical Gardens, and through the mall, passing the United States fish commission, the National Mu- seum, the Smithsonian Institution and the Agricultural Department, and stopping for a short rest at the monument. The line will go up to 17th street, past the new Corcoran Art Gallery, the State, War and Navy building, around in front of the White House, past the Treasury Depart- ment and down the avenue to Emrich’s Hotel, where dinner will be served at 1 o'clock. In the afternoon the ride will be resumed and by a circuituous route over the north- western section of the city, to show the visitors the architectural beauties of the private dwellings. After this the line will go out ISth street to Columbia road, to Woodley Lane road, and thence to the Ten- leytown road, running south to T street and branching off at the New Cut road, and thence out the Conduit road to the new International Park. Here the manager of the park will entertain the visiting wheel- men and furnish a genuine cyclists’ repast. If enough time Is allowed the visiting cele- gation will be taken over to Arlington and return home by way of the Long bridge. The visitors will leave for Philadelphia about 8 o'clock in the evening andarrive at home three hours later. Queer Wheelmen. ‘The Queer Wheelmen held a meeting Thursday evening at their quarters cn 11th street. One new member was elected and the constitution of the club revised. Sam- ples of cloth for a club uniform were placed on exhibition and a pattern selected. A special meeting of the club will be held fext Wednesday evening, at which bids will be read for the supplying of the uni- orms, the contract being awarded to the west bidder. Resolutions were passed ex- nding the hearty support of the club to is management and support of the new ternational track. At the next regular meeting of the club an election will be held for the choice of a recording secre‘ary. The Oriental Bicycle Club held an inter- esting meeting during the weeic at the res- idence of Mis3 Lena Forrest, on Q street. Among the other business transacted dur- ing the evening was the election of officers, which resulted as follows: President, Mrs. M. S. Callan; secretary, Miss Irene Davis: treasurer, Miss Lena Forrest; captain, Mr. Darlington; lieutenant, Mr. Wilcox; corpor- al, Mr. Davis. The club is making arrange- ments to give a reception to iis friends, which will be held about the 21st of next month. = A party of noted wheelmen from the Cycle Touring Club of New York elty and of the Centaur Club of Philadelphia will arrive In the city tomorrow morning and will spend several days, making La Nor- mandie Hotel their headquarters during the stay. This party represents the elite wheelmen of the two cities. Mr. Wilson of the Normandie Hotel has been after this party for some time, and in securing them as honored guests during their visit here feels proud of his success. Leading cyclists of the city are cordially invited to mest these gentlemen, and it is hoped that they will add as much to their pleasure during their stay here as possible. ——.—__ The Beer Boycott. The delegates selected from the various assemblies which are affiliated with the local Federation of Labor or District As- sembly, No. 66, to keep up the beer boy- cott, held their regular weekly meeting last evening. After extended discussion, it was ordered that 15,000 copies of a circular be printed explaining the reasons for the ac- tion taken, and distributed throughout the District. Special stress was laid on the fact that it is impossible for any member of the societies represented at the meeting to get work with the brewers whose names are on the unfair list unless they will sign @ contract that if they use beer they will take the local product. Announcement was made that it is ex- pected to have an interview with Chairman Babcock of the House District committee on the subject of a higher license fee in the course of a few days. —_.—__ Funeral of Mrs. Bernhardi. The funeral of Mrs. Caroline Bernhardi took place at her late residence, 230 7th street northeast, Thursday afternoon. Sery- ices were conducted by the Rev. E. Olin Eldridge of Waugh Chapel, whose re- marks paid fitting tribute to her memory. ‘The exercises were then taken in charge by the Geo. H. Thomas W. R. C., render- ing their solemn service in a beautiful and impressive manner. The song, “Only Re- membered,” was sung by the corps. Sery- ices were concluded at the grave. HOW TO RULE CITIES Topics Considered by the National Municipal League. STATE BOARDS OF CONTROL Single or Double Local Legislative Bodies. PAYING THE COUNCILMEN The final session of the National Munici- pal League convention at Baltimore yes- terday began with the delivery of an ad- dress on “State Boards of Municipal Con- trol,” by Frederick William Hollis, a mem- ber of the New York commission on third- class cities. During the course of his address Mr. Hollis said: “The proper relation between a city and the commonwealth of which it forms a part is a subject of perennial interest, and one of the most difficult problems of ap- plied political science. “Special legislation,” continued Mr. Hol- lis, “for cities continues to be, in New York, as elsewhere, one of the chief evils, if not the worst of all, which our munici- pal governments are suffering. The disease is as virulent as ever, and the discovery that by heroic treatment, by constitutional prohibition, would be too drastic, can be called an advance only in so far as it clears the way for other, milder remedies. How to combine th? greatest freedom of local action with sufficient control on the part of the state, and how to limit the in- terference of the legislature without pre- venting that interference when required, is the problem which now, as ever, confronts municipal reformers in every state.” After describing the various features of the New York state municipal government board bill, the speaker said that there ts good reason to hope that unless some other. state should act promptly, New York will be the pioneer commonwealth to adopt the principle of a state board of municipal control. “It is firmly believed," “that this he continued, bill contains the germs of a reform which will be found valuable in nearly all the states of the Union. “We do not claim,” said Mr, Hollis, in conclusion, “to have discovered (in the board bill referred to) anything like a pan- acea, The American student of politics must become painfully aware by long ex- perience that the stream of municipal gov- ernment cannot rise higher than its source. We do claim, however, that the experience of England and the given facts of our mu- nicipal situation In this country warrant the hope {hat the state municipal govern- ment board may he-eaft=r b@come a rec og- nized institution of the American common- wealth, and that its possibilities for good give it a well-founded claim upon the at- tention of municipal reformer: fanicipal Council Reform. He was followed by Henry W. Williams of this city, who spoke on the “Reform of Our Municipal Councils.¥ Mr. Williams asserted that the necessity for reforn in municipal councils had been Gemonstrated by the experiences of all large cities, especially in New York, Phil- adelpbia and Chicago, and added that the recent lesson in Baltimore was a most striking ore. He contended that the result in that city had been because of the fact that the men elected were chusen, not up- on a reform ticket, but upon a partisan ticket, through ward primaries and ward elections. The result, said the speaker has been nothing more than should have heen expected. He contended that it was not probable that councilmen chosen under the present system shall possess the qualifications nec- €ssary to the proper discharge of that of- fic Nor is the remedy to be sought in mag- nifying the power of the mayor. The one- man power is as dangerous as the other. The remedy, the speaker thought, is to be found in a change in the manner of se- lecting members of city councils. The first essential is that they shall be represenia- tive men. Mr. Williams then explained his plan in great detail, the result of which he con- tended would be to work a revolution in our municipal governments. He added that he believed that the people had only sub- mitted to being misruled because they saw no remedy for it, and said, in conclusion: “Let us now direct our fight against wa politics and the ward politician, and never stop until, through the abolition of ward lines, and the election of our councilmen upon a general ticket, we obtain municipal councils, representatives, not of the ward politicians, but of the intelligence and hon- esty of our municipalities. One or Two Municipal Chambers, John A. Butler, president of the Milwau- kee Municipal League, spoke to the tex! “Shall We Have One or Two Municipal Chambers?” Mr. Butler, after having carefully defined the question in all its bearings, said that the proper and best way to solve it is by testing popular feeling and by research, both of which would indicate what a city is and how it should be governed. He had therefore forwarded letters of inquiry to many municipal officials, and from their replies he concluded that “the general sen- timent is toward adequate representation ard increased local legislation, closeness of the citizen to the official, responsible ex- ecutive power, full deliberation and sim- plicity.” Continuing, Mr, Butler said that the mayor of Buffalo, N. Y., had written saying that the experiment of a double council in that city had proven satisfactory after four years’ trial; that the weight of testimony in favor of two councils was unqualified by advices from St. Louis, Cambridge, Cincinnati, Allegheny, Dallas, Denver, Evie, Lowell, Richmond, Wor- cester, Mass.; Wilmington, Del., and other cities. Indianapolis, Cleveland, Dayton, Burlington, Iowa, and other cities favor a system having its equivalent in one form or another. Mr. Butler then cited many rea- sons for the existence of a double council rather than a single, one to be composed of ward representatives, the other of rep- resentatives elected from the city at large. “I submit in conclusion that, in considera- tion of all that has been said, it is better to have a double council for purposes of leg- islation, in any case; but if the council has the power of making contracts, it is an ab- solute necessity. In all cases one chamber should be elected at large and all execu- tive power and responsibility should be centered in the mayor.” A paper on the same subject was read by Samuel B. Capen, president of the Boston League. Mr. Capen explained the changes in the municipal government of Boston sought to be made by the Municipal League in sub- stituting + single board of twenty-seven members for the present boards of twelve aldermen and seventy-five councilmen. It is urged that such a system will give better results than the present, because it would give a more efficient government, economy in administration and help to de- fine responsibility. As a safeguard against hasty action a board of apportionment, consisting of the mayor, chairman of the board of councillors, the auditor and the two senior members of the sinking fund commissioners, had been provided for, by which board every expenditure of money must be approved. He quoted examples of similar govern- ments in Europe and claimed that they are uniformly successful. “What we need, therefore,” he added, “and all we need for legislative purposes is a good working body which shall be in touch with the people. , We need the best representatives from the great financial and business and labor interests, sitting to- gether with a single aim to promote the public welfare. It will be a great step in this direction when we abolish all methods and machinery which remind us of na- tional politics, and consider the business of our cities as a great trust to be adminis- tered upon business principles. Then_and only then shall we rid ourselves of the petty scheming and selfish politicians of all parties, and make it possible for our best citizens to do honorable service in making the cities where they live more and more like a city of God.” Salaries for Councilmen, “Should Municipal Legislators Receive a Salary?” was read by James W. Pryor of New York. Mr. Pryor said, in opening, that all municipal questions must neces- sarily be somewhat experimental because of want of example, but that this was peculiarly so. Int. ference by. legislatures had prevented thé proper carrying out of many experiments. “If we could hi for five years,” ex- claimed ths speak@m “‘a single free city of 1,000,000 inhabitants} we should hear very little more about the hopeless problem of municipal government.” The speaker laid down as generally ac- cepted the prop§%tions that properly equipped citizens lly had not the time to devote to public affairs without compen- sation, and that young men cuuld not take up public office because of the necessity for making a livelihooffthat a certain stigma attaches to the ni of alderman, which it will require some substantial considera- tion to offset in the minds of honorable men. These conditlous would seem to call for the payment of good salaries. Upon the other iHand the existence of such salaries would prove a greater temp- tation and incentive to the very men now sought to be set aside. “It is sald sometimes,” said he, “that to say we must pay salaries in order to se- cure the services of the most patriotic citi- zens is an acknowledgment too humilat- ing to be made, and that if it is true, our case is hopeless. This seems to me to be a somewhat fanciful view. We must deal with facts. The facts are that we want our best men in our municipal legislatures, no matter how insignificant the part play- ed by those bodies be at the moment; that men whose services are of the highest value cannot act as members of such leg- islatures under présent conditions without Mberal compensatior, and that such com- pensation would open the way to many of our best citizens who would welcome the opportunity to serve their communities, but to whom the opportunity cannot come unless the office presents itself as a means of livelihood.” Papers as follows were also read: “Munici- pal Condition of Springfield, Mass., and of Albany, N. Y.,"" by George A, Dennis of the Springfield Republican and Mayor John Boyd Thacher of Albany. The Rey. Albert G, Lawson, D.D., of Camden, N. J., spoke of “Christian Citizenship Leagues.” Col, Waring’s Narrative. Colonel George E. Waring, New York city’s street cleaning commissioner,in speak- ing of “The Necessity of Excluding Politics From Municipal Governments” entertained the delegates with an amusing history of how he got his present position and what he had done since. He said he Was originally offered the place by a mem- ber of the democratic national committee, and said he would accept it with the under- standing that he should have his own way. Subsequently Mayor Strong appointed him on these terms, and has never interfered with him. He detailed his experience with the poli- ticlans, and asserted that Mayor Strong had received 161 sets of resolutions asking for his removal because of an alleged attack upon the old soldiers. The politicians had come to his way of thinking, however, and he had received assurances from one of Tammany's “big four" that he should be re- tained in the event of a Tammany victory. In conclusion he asserted that the street cleaning department of New York was now strictly non-partisan, and that ft Is a shin- ing example of the efficacy of divorcing poli- tics from municipal government. Wad 1 o'clock the convention adjourned sine die. soe WHOLESALE PRODUC MARKET, Butter and Eggs Slightly Advanced— Products Plentifal. In butter the locel wholesale produce market is today in a much better condition than it was this day a week age, or, in- deed, than it has been for some time. Prices have advanced, and’ the feeling is better throughout. Eggs are, however, still weak, and, while they brusbed up somewhat dur- ing the present weem, and are today slight- ly higher than last reported, yet they re- main quite low and in an ursettled condi- tion. Cheese is algo in far from a satis- factory condition, cld stceck being difficult to obtain and the rigw gocds being no less scarce. Poultry continues In gocd demand, with prices about as last quoted. The same can also be sald of vegetables, they being very plentiful and generally of an excel- lent condition. Beef and other meats show practically no change, either in price or supply, and the market in all products con- tinues to be a splendidly supplied one, a firm, heaithy tone prevailing. Butter is firmer and higher today than it has been for two or three weeks, and the tendency of prices is upward. Prices went up during the present week about two cents a pound, but increased receipts nt them down again about one cent, and they so remain today. Of course, all grades are in sympathy, and the sharp decline re- cently was due to the aceumvlation of hay Gress goods, although not fuil are arriving, and prices are likely e instead of decline when the fuil grass goods come in in sufficient quantities. Today's prices: Fancy Elgin and other west- ern extras, 1744 cents a pound; choice, 16 firsts, seconds, 14. Choice bakers’ stock, 12%; New York tubs, 12; dairy print, 14; western, 10; Maryland and Virginia cream- ery, 14; dairy packed, 12. Old cheese still remains scarce, there be- ing a limited amount left over, and new goods are also far from plentiful, the price for the latter not yet being firmly estab- lished. Tae prices prevailing today are: New York state cream, large, 11 cents a pound; flcts, 11; and ponys, 12. Eggs are still weak and in an unsettled condition They are plentiful, and while a. iraction higher today than last reported, the general condition of the market is that of last week. The prices noted today are: Nearby fresh, 101% to 11 cents a dozen; western, 10; southern, 9; and keat or guin- ea_ stock, 4 to 5. Pouitry is in good demand, with prices practically as they were last week, as may be seen from the following qvotations: Live chickens, 10 to 14 cents; dressed, 12 ive 4 to and to 16; old stock, dressed, 8 t 5; capo 16 to 18; ducks, geese, 6 to 9; spring chickens, 20 to 25. Tittle or no changes are to be obser vegetables and fruits. Cucumbers, $4 per box; carrots, $1.50 per_ barre! flower, $4 per barrel; kale, 50 to per barrel; celery, 25 to 75 cents per dozen: squash, $1.25 to $1.50 per box; spinach, $1 to $1.25 per barrel; new peas, $3 per half-bar- rel box: beans, $2 to $3 per box; asparagus, 10 to 20 cents per bunch: lettuce, $2.50 to $3 per barrel; $1 to $1.50 per basket; pota- toes, fancy, new, $5 to $6 per barrel: choice, $4.50 to $5 per barrel; culls, $1.50 to $2 per barrel; potatoes, New York, 22 to 25 cents per bushel; Maryland and Virginia, 15 to 20 cents per bushel; culls, 10 per bushel; toma- toes, Florida, $2 to $3 per crate; egg plant, 50 to $3.50 per half-barrel box; beets, $3 to $5 per 100 bunches; cabbage, $5 to $10 per 10); new, $2 to $2.50 per barrel; onions, Ber- muda, $1.40 to $1.50 per crate; Bermuda, new, 40 to 50'cents per bushel; turnips, $1.50 per barrel; squash, white, $1.25 to $1.50 per crate; beans, white, New York, medium: $1.10; New York pea, $1.05; marrow, $1.20; Virginia, white, 75 cents; white, mixed, 50 cents; colored, 50 to 60 cents; black-eyed peas, 90 cents to $1 per bushel; Lima beans, 2 to 3 cents per pound; apples, $2 to $4 a barrel; oranges, $2.50 to $5 a box: lemons, $2 to $4 a box; strawberries, 5 to 15 cents a quart. The following prices show little changes in beef and other meats: Live cattle, from 2 to 4% cents a pound; lambs, 4% to 5%: spring lamb, 7 to 9; sheep, 2% to 3%; cows with calves, $20 to $45; calves, 5 to 7 cents @ pound, and dressed hogs, 4 to 7. ae Stringing Wires. Superintendent August P. Crenshaw of the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company was before the Police Court to- day charged with unlawfully stringing an overhead wire, The alleged unlawful wire was strung in East Washington to connect the pcwer house ofthe Metropolitan Rail- road Conpany with the city telephone lines, in order to facilitate the work being done in connection) with censtruction of the road. Occupying public space for pri- vate purposes was the charge filed in court on complaint of Policeman Owens. Lawyer Hagner, representing the tele- phone company, appeared in court and asked for a postpor ement, in order to give him time to search certain records to get proof in the case. The wire, he contended, was simply strung to replace wires that had been removed some time ago. The coirt granted a continuance for ten days. —_»—_—__ Polk School Entertainment. The pupils of the eighth grade Polk School gave @ double entertainment Thurs- day and Friday, in which thirty pupils par- ticipated. The program presented some of the work of the school. There was a play written by pupils and presented in a most creditable manner. The Misses Keefe, Boernstein and Clarence Park also dis- tinguished themselves in various branches. The entertainment was under the direction of Miss Roach. The proceeds will clear off the indebtedness and add others treasures to the school library. THE RAINY SEASON Description of the Approaching Weather Down in Cuba. STEADY DOWNPOURS AND FLOODS >—_— Why the Cubans Greet Its Com- ing With Delight. INSURGENTS’ GREATEST ALLY ——————— During a recent trip to Florida, and con- siderable intercourse with the Cubans in Tampa, West Tampa, Ybor City, Jackson- ville and other places, I was struck with their manifestations of pleasure and eager- ness at the approach of the wet season in the jsland of Cuba. Almost every man of them I met, and particularly their. leaders, would conclude a discussion of Cuban con- ditions with an apostrophe to the expected rain and its dire effect upon the Spanish enemies. One young man in Tampa, whose de- licious broken English was heightened by the extravagance of his gestures, grew vol- utle over the prospect. “De rainy zezn!” he exclaimed, with a rapturous smile; “Ah! eet weel be gran’. Een Apreel eet weel rain one, two, t'ree day, en’ den de zun weel shine. But een May. Ah! den eet weel rain all de time. De water weel be six inch one foote—two footes deep all over de islan'. De Span- yard, he weel be soak wif de wet, an’ den w'en de cloud break for a meenet, he weel be scorch wif de stn. Den de fevaire, de yellow jack, as you call ‘im, weel come, an’ de Spanyard weel die like de files. Ah, de rainy zezn weel be bootiful, supairb, gran! Cuba lbre!" All Havana Houses Leak. Few Americans can realize what the rainy season in Cuba really means, and a few words of Gescription about its char- ac-er in Havana may be taken as accurate for the situation throughout the entire Island. When the really wet season be- gins in Havana existence is miserable, even to the native. It is impossible to erect a house there which does not leak. The roof may be constructed of the best material, and the joints carefully soldered, but the water will force its way through, as it beats down with merciless fury, and collects in great masses, which the canals, as the gutters there are called, cannot take off. The windows of Havana houses, like the doors, open to the street level. In the frames of both windows and doors are grooves in which boards are placed during the rairy period to keep the water from pouring into the houses in streams. As it is, with these small dams, the water only comes in in rivulets. The paved streets in Havana are so few that the city may be said to be unpaved. When they are not rivers, therefcre, they are mud holes, and in some sections the soil is positively green from the decayed matter that is mixed with it. The sewers in Havana are large affairs, aud their openings are protected by iron bars, but they are insufficient to carry off the water. They are only intended for street dratrage, and there are not a dozen water closets in tke city. The sanitary conditions, therefore, are simply appalling. The Character of the Cataract. How does it rain in Havana? When docs it rain there? It does not simply rain. The hardest storm in the experience of a man who lives hereabouts would be a gentle shower compared with a Cuban downpour. The water comes from the north and the south, the east and the west; from all the intermediate points of the compass. It falls perperdicularly from the zenith and, apparently, spouts up from the ground. It is omnipotent and overwhelming—indeed, a deluge. Umbrellas, mackintoshes, rutber coats, are useless to keep out the moisture. The char.ces would be good for a man in a diving su‘t getting wet to his skin. This sort of perfermance occurs at inter- vals. It will keep up for a few minutes, half an hour or an hour. Then the sun will shine down with the heat of a blast furnace for about the same length of time. This dries the garments of the soaked pop- ulation ani sews the seeds of disease in the systems of the unacclimated. Actual experiences in Havana when re- lated sourd like tests of human credulity; but disbelief is out of the question, because they can be substantiated by thousands. Remarkable Personal Experiences. Dr. E. L. Poey, a Cuban gentleman, now residing in Washington, told me yesterday of something that happened to him while in Cuba in 1891: “I was visiting a friend whose residence was on Campanario street. The sidewalks on this street are about three and a half feet above the roadw I ordered a car- riage, one of those small victorias which are used as public conveyances in Havana, to come and take me to the dock, as I was go- ing to sail in the evening for this country. The vehicle reached the house shortly be- fore 4 o'clock, and about that hour the rain began to fall. It lasted about half an hour, and fell in a constant sheet. All the rooms in the house were flooded, except the par- lor. I went out with a small hand trunk, waded through the hall and over the side- walk and got on the high seat of the vic- toria with the driver. The water completely filled the roadway, was over the sidewalks to a depth of four or five inches and was up to the horse’s breast, while the victoria, except the seat we were on, was entirely submerged. That sounds remarkable and it is, but_it Is absolutely true.” Every Cuban who has lived in his native country during the wet season tells similar incidents. Senor Albertini, the well-known Cuban, now residing here, and prominent in club and social circles, also told me an instance of the flood qualities of a Havana shower: “I was standing one day at the corner of Cuba and Oberapia streets, when the rain had stopped. and a mule stumbled in the roadway and fell and was drowned right there in the street.” Such experiences might be enumerated for a column or two more, but they are sufi- cient to give an idea of what Cuban clouds can do when they get their summer energy in working crder. Cubans Are Accustomed to It. The question will naturally be asked by persous who ar2 thus made acquainted with the conditions in Cuba during the rainy season as to how the Cubans themselves can take such comfort out of weather that must be intolerable to every living thing, and why the Cubans will rot suffer just the same'as the Spaniards. It is easy to answer these queries. It would not do to say that the Cukans are not incommoded by the rain and the floods. They are, and seriously so, be- cause their cavalry cannot be moved with any rapidity, and large bodies of men will find it difficult to go from one place to an- other. But the Cubans are acclimated. They have been accustomed to experiencing a season such as that now approaching every summer since ihe year of their birth, and they are accustomed to it. ‘The Spaniards are strangers to the latitude and peculiarly susceptible to all the diseases which are so plentiful in a damp and tropica) climate. The Spanish soldiers who have been sent to Cuba are, in a word, in precisely the same danger of faliing victims to the sickness that prevails in the swampy regions of the south as a New Englander would be who goes to the Isthmus of Pana- ma, for instance, to spend the summer. The Spaniards, again, are almost entirely living in the towns and cities of Cuba. They make sorties out from their fortified places of abode, but they are not familiar with the country, and are dependent upon keeping up a Hine of communication with the Span- ish headquarters, in order to secure the necessities for their actual subsistence. The: are compelled to drink the water, which is to be had in the towns, and which the floods from the falling rain quickly contaminates, Then the Cuban towns are notoriously filthy, and entirely without sanitary safeguards, so it may be easily perceived what a sad plight the Spaniards will be in. Cabans Will Cut Of Supplies. There is another Ganger which threatens them during the approaching season, and that is famine. The Cubans will absolutely control the country between the various towns where the Spanieh troops are quar- tered during the wet season, because the roads, which are now nearly impassable, and which are guarded by strong branches The [lost Remarkable Sale of Musical Instruments Ever Inaugurated. —Our Great Remodeling Sale has been a success from the start. We've cut priccs mercilessly—down to Wholesale Cost and Below In every case. Pianos, Mandolins, Guitars, Banjos, ‘Music Books—everything The sale is one of necessity. “Metzerott Music Hall” into “Columbia Opera House” must go. The converting of necessitates many big changes in our establishment, ‘ad the stock must be out of the way. Here’s a little list of the biggest bargainst Piano Reductions. Brand new—high-grade in- struments—cash or easy pay- ments, $550.00 Hardman for...$425.00 $400.00 Kimball for... .$297.50 $325.00 Whitney for... .$225.00 $275.00 Standard for. ..$219.50 Mandolin Bargains. $5.00 Church for....... $3.50 $10.00 Ricca for..... $6.50 $20.00 Gordon for. . a«..$13.50 $25.00 Bay State........$14.80 Guitar Bargains. $9.00 Stratton for... $12.00 Imperial for.. $25.00 Bay State. $30.00 Bay State. Banjo Bargains. $7.00 Stratton for. $12.00 Stewart for. . (econd grade.) $30.00 Stewart for... (Universal favorite.) Similar reductions on all Booka and Sheet Music in stock. METZEROTT MUSIC COMPANY, Wo FS eetloestetonetentonocitesteetentendeentondoneteatontostetoatentesfetented There’s Only - One complete house-furnishing store Mattings for one thing—and yon oc if you don’t draw on our Refrigerators—1™ 170 tion at the same &@ good deal. The assortment js close. House and LN. E. Cor. 7th and I Streets. = se ee ee ee ee ek ee a one of ours. The only one where you will find everything you need—from kitchen utensils to drawing room suites. ever it is you want remember “your credit is good” for it—be it much or little. The season suggests some necessary buying— priainly make a money ond satisfaction mistake stock—and we're rot going to b Ure of Refrigerators that speak for tls where you can save some money—and reap the greatest #atixfac- Baby Carriages—™™ wheels und a hanill ve got weuring qualit are handsomely ecm tructed and artistically @ dozen you'll like, Every facility of this immense “business hive” is mand—including all the accommodation you want. eeeeeeeceectetetetetedetts in Washington—and_ that’s this Seafeateateets And what- efeatoat siete stock for them, We never did try to do tsiness with any bat We've Her» is a point time, don’t mrke a Raby Carriage not by best hands in the country Sas well as beauty points, 7 aph and miss of fi The prices bug the shores of cost pre Ours are buil istered so large and varied you eteeeaeadedegetetetetetveeevaeatnteatetetetocveeeafafngentetete at your com- sete Herrmann, teateatecteatee! Soatentents Pe Sedetetecheneneeieietetetedeteted * of the Spaaish army of occupation, will be- come entirely uselc save for the passage of very small and very light convoys. It is a part of the Cuban plan of warfare the coming summer to pay their attention al- most exclusively to the destruction of these convoys, and thus cut off the supplies in- tended for the garrisons and the other Spanish roldiers occupying towns. The Cubars are accustomed to traveling in the wet and rainy season, and they are not bothered about the all-important question of water. The Cuban Water Vine. They are familiar with the location of the various springs that dot the country and that sometimes bubble out in the middle of the swamp, and then they know the value of the water vine—what they call the be- juco deagua. This peculiar vine grows pro- fusely in most parts of Cuba, and particu- larly in the low-lying portions of the is- land, and the stem of a single vine when cut will produce about a pint of clear ard crystal water, which, it {is said, also has the properties of a mild tonic. The onl healthy portion of Cuba during the rainj season is in the mountains, and these are entirely under control of the in: It will consequently be readily appreciat- ed why the revolutionists are looking for- ward with such pleasant anticipations to the rainy season, which begins in this month and lasts, to a greater or less In- tensity, until September. The Spanish scl- diers are weakened by exposure alrcady and are unaccustomed to the fatigue of campaigning, as they are nearly all young men and volunteers, and will not be able to withstand the constant inroads upon their systems, so the fatalities among them this year may be expected to be enormous. Yellow fever and dysentery will be the two great allies of the Cuban pairiots from now until September. —>—__ Struck by a Car. Yesterday afternoon about 6 o'clock Mr. Thomas A. McDevitt, superintendent of the Marehall Hall grounds, met with a painful accident while crorsing the intersection of 7th street and Pennsylvania avenue. While crossing the 7th street tracks he was struck and knocked down by grip car 18. The car was stopped and the gripman as- sisted in ;icking up the injured man, who was removed to the Emergency Hospital. At the hospital the pl ysicians found five cuts on his head, his back was sprained and there were irdications of concussion of the bri His condition is serious, but the physicians feel certain that he will re- cover. —_-—— Suits Filed. ¢ Several weeks ago Nina Dumas of 1430 C street was charged with setting fire to the house. Yesterday afternoon she filed a suit against the Northwestern National Insurance Company, James A. McDevitt, Frederick Theis and R. E. Sullivan, claim- ing $25,000 damages because of alleged false imprisonment. David Tavenner also filed a similar suit against the same par- ties. The woman claims that she was lock- ed up for twenty-four hours, and that she was threatened with further prosecution unless she relinquished a claim on a $2,500 Policy. TENNIS. Preparations for the tourna Southern Lawn Tennis Asso week beginning May 18, in this ct progressing. The announcement cards been printed and sent all over the c resulting in a larger number of re nt of the ation, the than ever, which gives promise tournament will have a 1 tries than any time s of the association. for the following 5 single, all comers’ prize; suitabl the “runner-up” gets second pri ner will be called upon to play Mr. A, H. S. Post, the president of the association, and the present champion of the south. The conditions are that the champic trophy must be won three times to become the absolute property of the ner. gentlemen's double suitable first prize be offered, the “runner-up” getting s prize. There will be a consolation pri open to all beaten in the first match play in singles, The winner of the gentlemen's singles se- cures the ttle of champion of the s All the games will be played under rules of the National Lawn Tennis Associa- promptly every day at 3 p.m., and any player not appearing when called may be defaulted. Matches will be best two out of three sets, with finals best three out of five, all tage sets. The entrance fee in the ge men’s singles is », and in the men’s double for each player. Entries will close Monday, May 18, and should all be sent to William P. Metcalf, sec the Southern Lawn Tennis 1331 F street. The officials of the meet are Messrs. Post, John C.s Davidson, Yates Penn John Hinkley, Harry R. Gower, Ho Wescott and William P. Metcalf. Very few entries are expected till within a day or so of the closing date, but already an entry has been received for the single and double. The entry is from Mr. McEnroe, with Mr. Hobart, from New York ci There 1s every indication that there will be an unusually large representation of northern men in the tournament this year, and among the well-known players who are expected to attend are Lieut. Bethel of West Point, Messrs. H. M. Billings, R. M Ferris, B. G. Hall, W. G. Parker, Jolin Howard, Dean Miller, S. C. Millett, Ss Fisher and J. F. Talmage of New York, A. E. Foot, R. V. Beech and JOhn Nichols of New Haven, C. R. Budlong and M. G. Chase of Providence, R. 1, and Man Fielding of Germantown, Pa. Numerous entries from Baltimore will come, and in addition to these there will be many other entries. The best players are expected to attend and limber up for the next important tennis tournament, which will be held on June 10, at Orange, N. J., for the middle states championship. —_._—__. The Epworth League. McKendree Epworth League last evening elected as delegates to the fourth general conference convention in Harrisburg June 25-28, Mr. R. lL. Middleton and Mr. Archie Davis; alternates, Miss Josie Burton and Mr. Frank T. Israel.