Evening Star Newspaper, May 18, 1896, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY, ‘aT THE STAR BUILDINGS, ue Reegiaete — Gor. 11th Street, by The Evening Star Newspaper Com SH KAUFFMANN. Prost Po New York Ofice, 49 Potter Building, ‘The Evening Star ts served to subscribers tm" the etiy by carters, on thelr own ac per week. or 44 cents . at 10 cents RSF mx . Copies at the mail—spywhere tn the pesiage prejtid—S0 ceuts per month, Satueday Quint foreign pos! : Evtered af the t Star, $1 per year, w at Washinton, D.C, Che s Foening Star. 8s seconi-c cra Rs sof pald fn Je known on WASHINGTON, D. C.,, MONDAY, MAY 18 OISTRICT IN CONGRESS IN CONGRESS TODAY -< The Senate Refused to Take Up the Alabama Election Case. —_- MR. ALLEN CHARGES INSINCERITY The Dollar Gas Bill Still Further Dis- cussed in the Senate. Mr. Kyle Quotes the Spooned Investi- gation Report to Sustain His Argu- ments—Other Local Matters, Mr. Sherman Answers Him and ‘Tre Senate took up the gas bill today Im- mediately after the routine morning bus- iness had been concluded. Senator Faulk- ner called it up, and Senator Kyle at once resumed the floor to continue his speech, Gives the Party’s Policy. MATTERS IN THE HOUSE] begun Saturday. Mr. Faulkner yielded, however, for some miscellaneous matters, — 52 but he encountered an obstacle when Sen- In the Senate today the following bitls | 2%" Allen called up the Alabama elections me rake solution. © passed: Aut ing the purchase by |™ The United States and the making tree of | Tt Was nearly 1:19 when the Senate got down to the consideration of the gas bill. Before Mr. Kyle went on with his speech Senator Harris took the floor to make an toll of roais passing over the Yosemite National Park; regulating the pay of non- mmissioned officers of artillery, cavalry ‘ Gnd HEatry aE tho tomy as toe explanation in regard to Mr. Sands’ charge Sarit ae neuimeit Guastone that he had been denied a full hearing be- fore the District committee. Mr. Harris said his first impression from hearing Mr. Kyle's reading of the correspondence be- tween Mr. Sands and Senator McMillan first sergeant, § al, $17. A proviso to the lasi bill pro- s for a continuance of longevity pay heretofore. ting $200,000 for a| was that Mr. Sands made such a charge. public buile te at Deadwood, $.D. | He had since examined the correspondence at length and ascertained that what Mr. v d Investigation. Sands had requested was not a hearing of The on authorizing the employ- | @fguments from the company, | but a 1 ok atencecaa! siecical av chance to make a final speech before the ment of stenographers and clerical staff fOr | ooo et eee eee pe Harris the inv ation of recent bond issues cf Gehe tae thee the finance committee was reported and right in denying this privilege to Mr. agreed to. ) seenred the adontion linger drew out from Mr. : act that at the tim Sands the Atte udition of tine a Paes cae agreed te sport the Is condition a agreed to report the Ulroad ‘Trafic - go and the Fr. Kyle Resumen. 1 Ing The re prese y M of the pr Sherman iumcnt ef a com- > queted figur mittee of to go 1 st of gas making in various 1 he said he could not ssible to make the cl: eto make gas here than in other seal lite, to the commit c ar 1 on th f the east. averabie or unfavo: te yle referred to the Spooner report len. and quoted t nent that in er objected to immediate con- | the « of the con SL could be fis the maxim Ss in this ion from New Hamp- | city 5 nt ownership of tel | ial attention to the f. 1 Smith o Tait 13 ad to the conclu ra ided fa ly cost thy company 64 cent New a thousand to make and distribute the il ndler) mit luminant at that time. Mr. Kyle 1 he had been before that this y been reduc: late. in ten from the report bam sharp exami y The pri ‘d inquiry election A ularities in Alehama came up ona re acknowledscc to th Mr: Alien (NGRY ioe the company could = : eae a thousand and suil make 15 lee : , Or 178s per cent. sideration o: : = Star's Noble Fight. Kyle said 2 right of way Was not a pri r had for a nob people of ti auther of th pobited ont that th ties in to the Spooner report, he ‘ re in one form or another | e@d an account of the dividends declare st two years, and it seemed evi- | up to that date by the s Mr. Chandler, that the reso aging 16.8 per cent on the capital inv hot progress as Jong as the New | Since then, Mr d, the di $ here to object have greatly ten p ted 2 ste . . and he refe eked Gmanimous consent | a recent communication i The Star At amen on the resolution | which it was stated that the company at 3 p.m. 1895 had declared a total dividend of ued that the alleged Alaba- | per cent. No other local comp except les w of the highest | perhaps the Washington and Georgetown He disclaimed, however, any de- secute any inquiry which would sight of Mr. Morgan (Ala.) to Railroad Compan made anything like as much money. He asked the Senators pres- ent hew the could conscientiously vo! against a reduction of the price to $1 thousand, and he ventured the assertion at they could not secure election to Con- Sress from the District with a record of voting to keep up the price if e ro of the District had “th tee Sale! Bowers Against a Five-Yeaur Contract. a ed the re- y purpose ence took from the question any lleged character it might possess. Mr. Allen's Motion and Its Defeat. Mr. AI = ally that he woul far as to term this sugges- He argved that it was not right to enter into a “five-year contra tion ifogging,” yet he knew vould | 71° *" such as he ike a eotee ae ce said the pending bill provided. Mr. Faulk- added that, in order to relieve | P&T ®4id in reply that there no con- tract contemplated” by the bill. He called attention to the clause in the bill whereby Congress expressly rescrves the right to alter, amend or repeal the bill, and he said that the price of gas may be changed at the rext sessicn ff this bill should Da. Mr. Kyle insisted that it was practically impossibl> to secure the repeal of a. bill, and he urged that Congress either ought to give dellar gas for all time or to mz President Steven- question of privil io take up the resolu- lan unexpected vote. ras, 6; nays, affirmative were: er and Morrill, re- and Peffer, populist. tof the vote Mr. Al- announce len th some fe said this d sed} a higher price for only one year. He th: to him what he had long suspected, that | tcok up the question of the purity and there was no sincerity on the quality of the gas furnished to the Dis- a with the exci trict consumers, and h lution, Mr. Chandler, Senators, argued that the hor of the r test end Standard adopted in the bill would rocee with the investigation. | rot give the people better gas, quoting M He had felt fied, he said, that “when | V C. Dedge as authority for this state- t. it came to the she down" republican Sen- aters would Join with democrats in defeat- ing the investigation. He said he desired this vote to go before the country in view of the claim that the Tepublican party stood tor a fair election and an honest count. Mr. Sherman's Reply. Mr. Sherman answered briefly that Mr. mi Lots Owned by the Government. Senator Proctor today introduced a reso- lution directing the Attorney General to report to the Senate on the first Monday in December a list of all the lots in the Dis- trict of Columbia originally owned by the United States, but wht! have been held Allen 1 entirely misapprehended the | for some years by private individuals, who catses lecding to the adverso vote. It | have paid the taxes. The resolution’ etted i 01 seesent (Capares the fact that there are now many such Ge ae file are Brees: Dut for | cases, and, therefore, calls upon. the At- the one assembling March 4 next, to In-|torney General for accurate Information quire into any qu s affecting the seats | with the apparent intention of covering of Senators er members whose terms be- fan at that time. The Senate had no Jurisdicticn, Mr. Sherman said, to examine into the general subject of an election. Its jurisdiction extended to an investiga- tion a te the ririat of a Senator to his these cases by a blanket bill which will setile the titles. The Senate agreed to the resolution without division and the Attor- ney General will, therefore, make his re- port to the next session. seat when that right had been formally oo, : challenged. It could not investigate the MR. HOOVER'S PENSION. election. of members of the House. He = made this explanation, he said, In view | Why the House Should Pass It Over of Mr. Allen's suggestions of tnsincerity. the President's Veto. Mr. Allen rose to state that In his judg- ment the vote was a deliberate refusal to eut party claims of championing the of fair elections. . Chandler said the vote had resulted from the unwillingness to displace appropriation bills. If he had been con- sulted he would have advised against crowding a vote es against appropriation 5 The House committee on invalid pensions teday authorized a report to be made on the bill vetoed by the President which granted a pension of $0 to Francis E. Hoover. The report, which recommends the passage of the bill over the veto, was adopted by a vote of 11 to 2, Messrs. Erdman of Pennsyl- vania and McClellan of New York voting in the negative. The report, drawn by Mr. Kirkpatrick of Kansas, states that the President's reasons for vetoing the bill are wholly untenable, being based upon the ground that the dis- ability was not of service origin and that to grant a pension in this case would work discrimination against thousands of equaliy deserving soldiers. It is pointed out that pensions have been granted to many distinguished generals and their widows when their disability was not clearly shown to have been of service ori- gin, and similar pensions have also been granted privates. Such pensions have not encountered serious opposition. Under the circumstances, says the report, we cannot conclude that the passage of this bill is an unjust discrimination against thousands of deservigg soldiers, but to re- fuse to grant relief in this case, in our opin- fon, would be an unwarranted discrimina- tion against the private. If the President's action in this case, con- tinues the report, were to guide the action of Congress it would have to turn a deaf ear to many cases deserving a pension. Since filing the first report the committee have taken additional testimony,and the re- examination of the case convinces them that the soldier’s disability is fairly tracea- ble to army service. The committee find that Mr. Hoover is in a helpless condition, entirely destitute, save for a pension of $12, which does not pay for his support and nec- essary attendance, carr Allen, sotto voce, expressed willing- ss to let Mr. Chandler's explanation ‘stand for what it is worth. With this flurry over the Senate took up the bill relating to the price of gas in the District of Columbia. THE HOUSE. The House today entered upon a two Gays’ debate of the immigration bills on the calendar under a special order. Be- fore the order was reported from the com- mittee on rules some business was trans- acted by unantmous consent. Bills were passed to incorporate the An- cient Society of Colonial Dames of Amer- ica for the general distribution of con- daemned cannon by the Secretary of War and Secretary of the Navy; to compel the attendance of witnesses before the local jand offices. To grant a site to the Charity Hospital at Beloxi, Miss.; to autherize the establish- ment of a life-saving station on the coast of Maryland between Fenwick Island and Ocean City; to grant an American register to the bark Villasi. oo ____ Secretary Lamont Again on Duty. Secretary Lamont has returned to Wash- ington from a two weeks’ fishing trip along the St. Lawrence river, and was at the War Department today as usual. GETTING A JURY Irving Ford Now on Trial for His Lite. DEFENSE OBJECTS TO JURORS ———— More Talesmen Summoned and an Adjournment Taken. ALL DELAY REFUSED oe Long before the hour for opening court, 10 o'clock, a great throng of men, women and even children gathered about the en- trances to the old Criminal Court room to- day, all anxious to obtain, if nothing more, a glimpse of Irving Ford, the self-confessed murderer of poor little I Kreglo. Even the sidewalks about the city hall and the parking surrounding it were crowded by those anxious to see the wretch. The great majority of them, however, were doomed to disappointment, for, in obedience to the instructions of Judge Coie, Marshal Wil- son's orders excluded about every one ex- cept members of the bar, members of the regular panel of jurors, ef course, court officials, newspaper men and others whose presence was absolutely required. There- fore, when, at a few minutes after 1) o'clock, Judge Cole took his seat and di- rected the opening of court, not all of the eha in the court room were occupied. Ford Just after Crier Jo ed the court, Crim brought up from the cage Springm. formally open- n and Brown, « Je the mur that his pers: n ace auy fn the day of his arraignncet, last Monday. With the exception of pnible mu : w ace cle and razor could well sack coat of pepper and salt mate 1, his trouser or tne me nutterial and most con: however, was a bright red lle sat with fold of the me, put the vously twine: omelimes he don his hand. On the i sullen, listless look, as if he was weary of the proceeds nd was anxious that they should he ly terininated, Delay Refused. Judge Cole w din i hands tiv nis eyes ¢ rt re his fingers ia and would rest his whole he wore op opar wandering ay trict: Attorney aey Mr. Laskey, and the de the prisoner being brought in a m later. Mr ey at once announced that he was ready to proceed, but Mr. Donald- N submitted a motion for a postpon ut of the trial for one y In support the motion the prisoner's counsel swore that they have had insufficient time to pre- pare a de and declared that he had been prejudiced by taking the case from the foot of the ca over a large numt of them bi Jud: Jar and advan r of other cas ing homicide cases. e Cole, however, denied the motion, ng it » SOME holding that no geod on had been en in support of it. The practice of the vourt, he explained, permits the district attorney to call cases for trial as most convenient to his office. About the only reason given in the motion w: that the ants counsel are not prepared to 40 on, but ic is seldom that counsel in any case think that they are fully pre- pared. During the last four or five years, remarked the court, courts here, as well as other United States courts, hav so fully discussed and defined the law ap- plying to homicide that all the questions Lkely to a in. the nt trial have been determin h the motion assigned no real ground for 4 jay, and it would nave to be denied. The defendant is entitled to and will receive a fair trial, sai the judge, but, at the same time, he will be given no advantage to which he is net clearly entitled by mat- ter of right. Getting a Jury. Mr. Donaldson noted a exception, and then Judge Cole directed the jrry to be impaneled. At his direction Clerk Smith called twelve members of the regular panel santo the box, swearing them to give true a! wers to such questions as the court and counsel might ask them. Th vere John Hi. Thornton, Matthew Byrnes, George M. Fillmore, Richard W. Allnutt, John D. Nauck, George W. Perltt, colored, F. A. Linger, Frank A. Jones, Samuel L. Turner, colored, William Hollander, Daniel Shea and Edward Brooks. Matter of Opinions. First the members of the panel called in- to the box were questioned by Judge Cole. He asked them, separately, of course, if they had formed cr expressed an opin ion as to the guilt or innocence of the pris- oner. Then, when they arswered, as about every one of them did, that they had form- ed or expressed an opinion, the judge in- quired if they could not listen to the ev: dence as presented in court, and render a verdict based entirely on the evidence un- influenced by the former or expressed opin- ion. If the talesmen declared that they could, and that they were not opposed to capitai punishment, and had no bias one way or the other, the court declared them to be competent to serve. Then the coun- sel for the defense took part in the in- quiry, asking on what the opinions were based, whether they weve strong opinions, and if it would not require strong evidence to remove such opinions. The defendant’s counsel also closely in- terrogated the talesmen as to the allegea confessions of the prisoner, as published in the newspapers, inquiring whether, if the alleged confession should be excluded by the court, they would, nevertheless, retain their opinions. Mr. Thornton stated that while he tad formed an opinion, he could render a ver- dict based alone on the evidence as pre- scnted in court. He was, therefore, direct- ed to retain his seat in the box. M Byrnes also had formed an opinion, based, like that of Mr. Thornton, on what he had read of the case. “Have you ever said that yon thought Ford should be hung?’ inquired Mr. Don- aldson. “You need not answer that said Judge Cole. ‘Counsel have no right to know what the opinion of a talesman Is.” “Would it not require very strong evi- dence to remove your opinion?” next in- quired Mr. Donaldson. “It would,” replied Mr. upon counsel tor u quesiion Byrnes, where- the defense submitted t he was incompetent. “No,” ruled the court, “that does net disqualify him, for it stands tu reason that if no evidence should Ve presented in opposition to a juror’s opmion he would retain his opinion.” Mr. Byrnes explained, however, that he had a bias, but remarked in ¢ er to the court's inquiry that it was not one of ill- feeling against the defendant. ie was then declareé competent, whereupon the defense challenged him for cause. Their challenge was overruled, when they noted an_exception to the court's ruling. George M. Fillmore said he kad formed an opinion, and at first feared it would in- fluence his verdict. But under the court's inquiry he explained that Le thought he could render a fair and impartial verdict. He wes then declared qualified, the de- fense’s challenge for cause being overruled. r. Allnutt thought his opinion would not interfere with his verdict, and he retained bis seat in the box, as did Mr. Nauck and Mr. Peritt, the two last named stating that they had fermed no opinion. Mr. Linger was challenged for cause by the defense, he having stated that he had fermed an opinion, but the challenge was overruled. Mr. Jones was excused by the court he- cause he feared his opinion would not yield to the evidence. Mr. Turner retaincd his seat in the hox en explaining that his opmion would not interfere with his verdict, as did Mr. Hol- lander, the defense’s challenge of the lat- ter for cause being overruled. This same thirg occurred when Mr. Shea was cated. Mr. Brooks was declared competert, but the court excused Chas. E. Burns becaus of a too decided an opinion. Frank W Dewling took a seat in the box, but Leon- ard C. Bailey, colored, was excused by the court because he was afraid his opinion would interfere. Frank Upperman was seated despite an opinion, Defense Challenges, That filled the jury Lox with twelve men de:lared by the court to be competent, when co-nsel for the defense exercised the first of the twenty peremptory challenges allowed them by law by excusing Mr. Hel- Calhoun, called to take be- lander. Jemes L. his place, was excused by the court cause he was afraid he cculdn't disre the alleged confessions, should they be ex- cluded by the ccurt. S. W. Dickman had no opinicn at ill, and then the defense challenged Mr. Fillmore. W. F. Holbrook took his place, when Mr. Linger was chal- lenged by the defense. Addison Bankett had no opinion, «nd when he took his seat in the box the deferse challenged Mr. Shea. Wm. F. Ferguson, colored, thought he could render a verdiet uninilienced by his opinion, when the government exerci first challenge by excusing Mr. Judge Cole thourht Fredk. B opinion was too strong to allow hi in the cise, » R. Cook w despite when he E enee chal nse. COW 10 not it when . Alinutt. Oli ise, and Geers B. Brow exeused by the ceurt becau cpinion would not yield to evidence. Mr. Brown y st one of th lar pancl of men called, and men in the ler by the def i} the clerk to ernment, Judge Cole sumincn sixty extra talesinen to report court at 10 o'clock 2W mornin: whieh heur the trial e the men in the box being ce court to read nothing ef the ——EE THE VICE PRESIDENCY ioned by case. The Pressure for Mr, Reed Growing, but His Friends Resent It. Senator Frye Suggested ax the Most Available After Him—Men From Other States Mentioned. In those circles where thé nomination of Mr. McKinley is regarded as a forego: conclusion the talk of the hour is fined almost exclusively to the vice presi- dency. The ticket, it is held, should be as strong as it can be made. Success at the polls will bring with it great responsivilit The party, therefore, should put its b men and its best foot forward, and the by make sure of keeping in the middle of the read. Speculation About Mr. con- Reed. The speculation about Mr, Reed is grow ing. It is not acceptable to his clos: friends, who do not associate him with the offic y ure rather inclined to resent the Insist, in th s. Will the republ democrats hay mi figure to. make Thomas A. s and in ISS4 to party pre: for that oltice. to yield both in 1s ure. He dil so with great reluctan h occasions, and in Iss# he made 1 plaint. Mr. Cleveland was an unknown man, wher he had been a party leader for a quarter of a century, and in three natioual cenven- tions had received substantial support for the nomination for first place. But he yielded. If Mr. Reed is drafted, will he yield? The suggestion is offered that both nomi- rations at St. Louis be made by acclama- tion. Let the whole proceeding be u edented, as the condition of the country thought to be. Let the ticket represe an irresistible tide, which is to extend from the party to the country and sweep all be- fure it at the polis. But it ognize that this could not be done with Mr. Reed and his friends in active cpposition. Senator Frye Suggesied. The latest sugge for second place. tion names Senator Fry: He is now the V President pro tem. He is a good presiding officer, and a very popular man. He Is likewise a capital stump speaker, and would be certain to give a great account of himself in the campaign. His promo- no risk to the party in ine is reliably republican, ce tion would be a the Senate. Ma and would send a republican to suc him. Mr. Frye's familiarity with leg tive work and his compicte mustering of parliamentary rules would make him of value to his party in the chair in the Sen- ate. Then his namo is short, and, joined to that of Mr. McKinley, would, it is thought, make an effective campaign cr. “McKinley and Frye” soun well in th ears of some of the politicians. Available From Other States. New York {s thought to have a long available list. Gov. Morton, Warner Miller, Cornelius Bliss, Col. Fred. Grant, Horace Porter are among the names on it. A New York man, so the New York papers think, would help the ticket in eastern busines circles, and make it difficult for the demo- crats to do any campaigning on the money question. The talk of Mr. Quay for second place finds no echo in McKinley circles. The Pennsylvania Senator Is not to their liking, and, besides, in their opinion such a ticket would be too much “bunched” geographi- cally. In New Jersey there is Mr. Hobart; in Connecticut, Gen. Hawley; in Massachu- setts, ex-Gov. Long; in Vermont, Senator Proctor—all_regarded as good men, and each easily of the vice presidentiai stature. Isut, open as the question is, and nume: ous as are the names mentioned, a mere hint from Mr. Reed of his willingness to accept the nomination would tantly set- tle the matter. He is not likely, however, to drop such a hint. —_—+-e+_. Personal Mention. Prof. George L. Andrews, U. S. A. re- tired, is at the Shoreham, Maj. John Egan, first artille Ebbitt, Maj. P. F. Hanney, medical department, is at 1404 16th street, Col. Thomas C. Sullivan, subsistence de- partment, has reported at the War De- partment for duty in the office of the com- missary general, Dr. Fred. Bogan of this city sailed for Europe yesterday on an extended trip. Mr. and Mrs. Aaron R, Bryan of Atlanta, Ga., are at the Raleigh, is at the 1896—-TWELVE PAGES VOTING FOR BISHOP More Ballots Taken at Cleveland Without Result. BOLT FROM THE LEADING CANDIDATES Hearty Welcome of Delegates From the South. ne REPORT ON ITINERANCY os CLEVELAND, Ohio, May 18.—Bishop Newman presided at today’s session of the M. EB. general conference, As soon as the reading of the journal was completed, a motion was made to take the ninth ballot for bishop, Dr. Buckley at once opposed this, on the ground that many of the ministers who went out of the city to preach Sunday 1 not returned, and the voting was made a special order for 10 o'clock. In the meantime the routine proceedings began with a continuation of the cons‘d- eration of the report of the committee on A brief interruption was made and itineranc to introduce Dr, J. Mori Perkins of Texas, fraternal dele; the M. 8. Chureh South. It was Dr. Mor- concerning whom an unfortunate com- of his first visit, ris 4 at tha a. Nearly an nting the vot re the after the he report of the Bible Society was be- ing read and the customary applause broke out, Lishop Newman prompt ik ainth pre The ballot. was then r of voles ©: announced ary No choi to Le a ballot’ prov loss for Met Bowen on was and for bore cut the rumor of @ and Hemilton, and the r h baliot was ited with nh Was teken, when Dr. Teter of ra moved to defer all further balioting for bishop until the next ral cont in 1KW, No ond w given, and a ereat laugh s caused, and the tellers retired to cCunt the vote. hor wman at point pre Watkinson, fraternal dv fttee on revis then read. wed no chang other than minor matters of routine that ‘were recommended. maliot resulted] as follow: McCab>, Buttz, 1 Bowen, 12. on-Hamilton gain circulation. Th fon of the e: and we ed to be a certainty when the r announced. The th ballot w: taken, and the conference re , Rassia, May 18—Lt Hung and suite arrived here today from . Petersburg. The Chinese envoy was re- ceived in a most brilliant ner, and he afterward presided at a reception given in the Chinese embassy, which was profuseiy decorated with flags. Ficld Marshal Yamagata, the Japane: envoy; the Duke of Najera, the represen- tative of Spain, and the Crown Prince of Roumania have also arrived here. The lat- ter was received at the railroad stat.on by e3 and high the band military honors, ying the national anthem epresentatives of the ru: the number of about GU” have reached here, din the Korch Theater, whose been transformed into a y The costumes of the country population to has hall visilors present a most picturesque sight, stage dining compris.ng all kinds from middle Poland to the extreme Asiatic districts of the Russian empire. Over the J ‘on Perlow, in which the Chinese embassy is located (the building be- longing to an important firm of tea im porters), Noats Li Hung Chang's crest, the double dragon. The house is furnished through in Chi- nese style. ———. __. STOPPED IN QUARANTINE, There Had Been Ycllow Jack on the Roman Prince. NEW YORK, May 18.—The cap the Prince line steamer Roman which reached this port today from Bra- zillan pcints, reperts that while his vessel lay at Bahia the chief engineer, the third engineer and a colored fireman were taken il with ycllow fever. ‘They were taken to a hospital ashore, where they speedily re- covered. While the Reman Prince was at sea, on May 5, the second engineer was taken sick with yellow fever, but by the 1th he was able to resume his duties. On reaching pert the Roman Prince was sent to Hoffman Island for disinfection and cleansing. She will not be permitted to discharge her cargo nor will any of her crew be permitted to go ashore until all danger of infection is passed. es ONLY ONE LIFE LOST. Searching the Ruins Caused by the Adania Fire. ATLANTA, Ga., May 18.—A close search of the rvins of the Markham House block, which was swept clean by fire last night, revealed this morning the charred remains of a human body, which proved to be that of W. T. Zachary, a negro driver, who was asleep in a carriage in Milam & Pat- terson's Every statle, which was one of the firsc buildings destroyed. So far as known, no ether lives were lost. a ag Political Notes. DENVER, Col., May 18.—I. N. Stevens, committeeman for this state, has called a state convention of the national silver party, to mect on Thursday, June this vity, to elect seventy delexates to the national conyenticn, to be held at St. Louis. KANSAS CITY, Mo., May 18.—James Gib- son, who has been considered a leading tree r candidate for the democrai nominaticn for governor, has issued a lez- ter to the public, in which he declines to permit the use of his name. “TWO CE A SPANISH CRITICISM Ineut. Sobra’, the Naval Attache Here Publishes a Newspazer Article. Gossip in Diplo: tle Circles Over Hix Action in Commenting on Const Defense Weakness, Diplomats are crgaging in mild gossip over the action of Licut. Guiterrez Sobral, naval attache of the Spanish legution, in writing an article for a Spanish publi tion in regard to the weakness of the coa deferses of the United States. Copies of the orticle have been reccived here, an have been the subject of much comment. It is even intimated by some sticklers U the Spanish lieutenant has violated diplo- matic propricties, and may possibly become rerscna ren grata to the administration. On the other hand, it is pointed out that it is clearly within Lieut. Sobral’s dutie obtain all the information he can as to strength, condition and resource military and naval forces of the Unite State Such are the 1 duties of m itary attaches, and the military end naval offic: ef the United S Ss attach to foreign embassies and jons are doin the sume thing for the benetit of this go ernment. It would therefore appear t Lieut. Sobrai's offending wes not in colle ing the information, but in forwarding it to an unofficial publication. The Article in Question, The El Marcial, a Spanish newspaper, gives the followirg account of Lieutenant 's article: weekly Por Mar y Tierra (By Land n article by # Sobral, naval r legation in W yor on of ard four thous. eless const tablishments for w York and 3 ts where But neath they com ous cities. The uld completely reduce Bo: ‘If as on has dilieu!t New Yo bor by wa it cun eas in by way of L: in enter! and obral cites t for neral Mile: Oid fort ted there, ae, but hips ¢ 8 to the are not sufficient. near enough to cit utenant Sol ment from the mall targ A ship pre- while a city of- very large on Artllery efticers | that, although Boston is de- mortars, the city could be bom- barded With 104ach guns in sutticient num- bers. “Referring to the lack of fortific, on i the Pacific coast, aks of its defs ing the opinion of S& ington, who stat nd could tz ssion of Puget sound and the coaling statio: it in the Straits of San Juan del Fuca without troubl Inasmuch as the article ts really litle th s and utleranc: which have bee in the » it is not re- ded as at all probable that the admini tration will feel called on to take any o! ficial cognizance of the matter. No Official Notification. The attention of the State Department has not been officially directed to the of Lieut. Sobral. Ordinarily, if the subjec were deemed worthy of complaint, the ig itiative would be in the shape of representa- tions from United es Minister at Madrid to the department, stating the fact of these publicatio: but so far nothirg be id of the matter beyond some gossip in the diplomatic circle in Washington, and it is likely to end there. — ‘0 CHANGE OF POLIcy,. Gen, Lee Will Not Differ in Regard to Caban Affairs From His Predecessor. Consul General Lee is still in Wa: in dafly consultation with the offi the State Department. He will have an interview with the President w after which it may be hington Is of » Sr. al capa who in the personality of the consul genera Havapa does not indicate any charge the policy of the administration gard to the Cuban situation, a ees Interior Department Changes. The following changes have been made in the Department of the Interior: General land office—Promotions: Mrs. Eva S. Evans of as, $1,200 to $1,400); John A, Barnes of eGorgia, $40 to $1, Miss Ada C. Lammond of California, $00 to $930. Office of Indian aftairs—Promotion: Gus- tav Friet rict of Columbia, drafts- min, $ 5 O. Von Herbulis of Virginia, draftsman, $15 at_office—Resignation of Illinois, third a: Miss Alice F. Humphrey of Con necticut, $00, Promotion: Samuel E. Fouts of Indiana, fourth to third assist ex- amine Appointment: Howard A. Coomt of T[lingis, tourth assistant eexaminer, $1,200. i on office—Resignation: John M. Mec- Gee of Ohio, special examiner, $1,300. Pro- motions: Theo. Tallmadge of Chio, clerk, $1,200, to special examiner, $1,300; Wm, T. Priddy of Virginia and Herman J. Schulteis of Wisconsin, $1,04) to $1,200; John R. Grace of Ilinois and Cha D. Shadbolt of Mis- souri, $900 to $1,000; Joseph McDonald of California, $1,200 to $1,400; Miss Susan C. Agres of Mas: $1,000 to $1,200 Frank D. Byington of West Virginia,cie: $1,400, to medical examiner, $1,s00. Geological survey—Appointments: W, vel Hall of Maryland, topograp: man, $1,000; Fredk. C. P. York, map printer, $3.40 per day. tion! rapher, $1,600 to $1,800; Chas. E. tcpographer, $1,400 to $1,000; Robt. n.er, topographer, $1,400 to $1,600; Co of Virginia, topographe: $1,600; James McCormick of M John H. M ant examine Van H. Manning of Missouri, topo- Cooke, m. > $1,200 to sachusetts, assistant topographer, $1,000, to draftsman, $1,400; J. Edward Spurr of Massachusetts, assistant geologist, $1,000 to $1,600; Harold b. Goodrich of Massachusetts, geologist, $009 to $1,200. Appointments of appraisers of abandoned tary reservations—Forts Goodwin and ‘Thomas, in Arizona: Daniel H. Ming and John T. FitzGerald. Fort Lowell and Camp rant, in Arizona: Henry Levin and Dou, Fort McDoweli, in Arizo: orl Kay and Louis W. Cog; Camp Crittenden, in Arizona: Henry Levin and Wm. F. Powers. . James Blaine of Unalaska, Alaska, has Leen appointed trustee for town site en- tries of lands in Unalaska; compensation, $5 per day when employed. assistant THE STAR BY MAIL. Persons leaving the city for any period can have The Star malled to them to any address in the United States or Canada, by ordering it at this office, in person or by letter, or postal card. Terms: 13 cents per week; 25 cents for two weeks, or 50 cents per month. Invariably In ad- vance. Subscribers changing their address from one Post-office to another shovid give the last address as well as the new one. MYSTERIOUS WiLL Jury Now Listening to the Holt Will Case. DISTINGUISHED WITNESSES TESTIFY Heirs-at-Law Object to Admi the Burned Document. — = INCIDENTS OF THE DAY ated Holt will case n Cor cult As ts well known, this is a c ulnene: se to « of an al of Judge Advocate 1 Joseph Judge Holt died in August, INH. He was supposed to have died intestate, and on petition of the he were appointed. rs-at-law ministrators The estate was being ad upoi Some advances to the heirs having been paid, it is understood, when, the latter part of last August, the regi: of wills recelved by mail from ons what ze Holt. Th nits recely to discover me unknown per- required ityne heir tisn is nam: of t COMpAr Ab Jere Wiison, Meald and Mr, ville, Ky., re whjle Mr. J. J. Darlin Bu h and Mr. it on behalf of the executor " is valued at Securing a Jary. suggestion of Mr. Wortt rs Upon the the mem} ties to the litigation © whether had formed an opinion as to the gen s of the will in d . Poston of ted with coun Was int i to and was adn of twenty ville, Ky 1 for th the court sin the jury box end yws: James M. Trad Fred Robey nich, H. F BJ Dan g Frederick and G. A. Bentley Distinguished Signatures The first witness was Senator Sherman of Ohio, who was examined by Mr. Bute terworth. The witness was shown the disputed will and testitled that the signature to the will of his brother, General Sherman, was gen- vine, as Iso that of Mrs. a. The next witnes: +d. D. Grant of New York of the President Grant. “In answer io qu of his opportun! with the f s for be- me of him for a nun and with him when he wrote his book. When asked about the purported signature of his father to the Holt will Colonel Grant testified that it looked like his siguature, and that it kad all the characteristics. | He said that he was very sure his father wrote that signature. 7 xt witness called was Judge Henry York. ng the last year of the Holt very well. He was nington by the War De- partment in "63 and was for a time em- ployed in the same office with Judge Holt. In this way he became very familiar Judge Holt's handwriting, — Duri prey m for the trial of the w of Pre Wa- Department and w communication with Jud Judge Burnett was rnet: of Nev He said that dui war he knew Juc summoned to W in alm Holt then handed the burned paper which purports to be the last will nd testament of Judge Holt and asked whether he could recognize the handwrit- ing. Mr. Worthington, for the heirs-at-law, objected that there was not sufficient evi dence before the jury to show that the paper was the instrument on which the issues of this case were drawn. The point was not sustained, howevei tion was allowed to gX and the quse- “In my opinion,” sa witress, “the body of this paper is in the handwriting of the late Judge Holt, a& is also the sig- nature at the end of the dccument The witness then produced a number of letters, which he had received from Judge Holt at various times. The contents were not made public. Legal Ability. Mr. Worthington asked the witness whether he knew that Judge Holt was a lawyer or not. Mr. Lee objec but Mr. Worthington pressed the question, saying that tt was a matter that would to be settled sooner or laterfi as it was one of their con- tentions that no man of legal attainments would ever have written such a paper. Ho said that were the matter to be left only to Judge Bradley instead of to a jury, it would not be necessary to introduce any evidence at all. Any lawyer would say without hesitation that the document in question could never have Leen written by any man of even moderate legal ability. In answer to a question the witness said that his association with Judge Holt led him to believe that the latter was not a well-grounded lawyer. He was well in- formed as to the underlying principles of law,but on technical polnts,such as the rules vf evidence, &c., he was frequ much at sea. In his opinion, Judge Holt was an eloquent jury lawyer rather than @ careful and erudite student of the law. Several of the letters which the wi