Evening Star Newspaper, October 26, 1896, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY, AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Oor. 11th 8t., by Tie Bree Boe Nera Gey How York Offoe, 49 Potter Building, Star is served to subscribers in the their own at 10 cents AT FAMINE PRICES|*SXET 45 TO WATSON/CRISIS IN THE EAST|Scum™™""="==——""lIN THE LAST WEEKISILVER COINAGEIQUT OF THE ARMY FAMINE PRICES Wheat and Flour Selling at Unusual Rates in India. APPEAL FOR GOVERNMENT PURCHASES Varying Opinions Regarding the Outlook. THE MARKETOPENED HIGHER ge (Copyrighted, 1896, by the Associated Press.) LONDON, October 26.—The wheat mar- ket and the prospects of a famine in India still attract much attention here and else- where, although some of the most intlu- ential newspapers do not share In the feel- ing of aiarm which prevails in some quar- ters. The Bombay Gazette of September said: “The prospects are as bad as possible, both for grain and cotton. A leading ex- porter has informed his clients in England that the crop of cotton will not exceed 30 to @ per cent on an average. “In southern India the outlook is more hopeful. The supply of fodder is ample, and if the worst comes there is no fear cf a recurrence of the horrors of 1876, owinz to the improved railway communications. “Native astrologers, basing their theories on the traditional observaticns of the heav- t if it rains within five days » will be averted, but that later will net avail man of Calcutta of September s out that scarcity is not the same as famine, says: Famine Prices for Whent, 10 “While a number of deaths have occurred in Bundelkhand, it cannot be stated that a famine is actually prevailing, as the stocks are not yet exhausted, the diffi- culty being to compel dealers to sell. But a pathetic convey of starving children which the bishop of Nagpur has brought from Jubbulpur proves that the resources of that district are perilously near exhaue- ticn. Fer a month past wheat and flour have been selling in the bazaars and hoy rahs of Calcutta at 3 ennas per seer, and Tice at to 5-8 rupees per maund, rates not dreamed of since the last famine.” The Lucknow Hindustani said: “The question now is whether the famine will last only four months or a year. The autumn crop fs sure of almost entire fail- ure. No amount of rain can eave it. And the fate of the spring harvest depends upon a:nfall by October The Calcutta Englishman also published a letter referring to the wheat shipped from California, during which the writer said: mport should not be left to private enterprise w pulated by purely com- r.ercial motives, cannot be expected to be influenced by philanthropy, and, therefore, is not to provide the needy with cheap wheat. Even if the importers are satistied with a moderate profit, it is proba- ble that the wheat will be purchased by a few wealthy natives, who will not scruple to keep the pric at famine rates.” Government Purchase Urged. The writer of the letter referred to then Proposed that the government should under- take to provide wheat by buying in the ¢ pest market, afier consulting London, Ocessa, America and Australia, and then distribute it through European agents to the needy provinces. The Mark Lane Express today says that the rise in the price of wheat Is warranted by the situation, addin Tt is not speculativ On the contrary, a speculative bear raid is on foot. The Eng- h crop, which certainly does not exceed 7,250,000 quarters, ts stated to be 9,000,000, and there are other signs that outside in- fluence is Mrected to accomplish a reac- to: Continuing, the Mark Lane Express urges English farmers not to rush their wheat to market, but send between now and Christ- mas the same quantities as sent during No- vember and December, 1805, stating that the American and Russian farmers are strong holders, owing to both crops being smaller than in 1895. WHEAT OPENED HIGHER. Influence of Advices pool. CHICAGO, October 26—Wheat opened stronger and Figher this morning, !nflu- enced by the unexpected strength displayed by the Liverpool cables. World's ship- ments were large, and northwest receipts heavier than a year ago. The important fector, however, was the recovery at Liver- peol. The traders expected a weak oper ing after the drop of Saturday, but the na- ture of the cables entirely changed the s' vation. December opened at 6 7-8a70 1-4, as compared with Saturday’s close of 693-4, and under free covering by shorts the price sold up steadily to 711-8c. Later cables skowed a decline at Liverpool, and a reac- tion then set in, December declining to G) 1-42.. At the end of the first hour’s trad- ing the price had recovered again to 69 7- Corn opened firm and higher with wheat, helped also by strong cables. Fair sup- pert was given, and prices wefe steadily maintained. —— TO STUDY OUR WAR SHIPs. From Liver- Mission of Commodore Marita of the Japanese Navy. SAN FRANCISCO, October 26.—Commo- dore Marita of the imperial Japanese navy Was a passenger on the steamer Coptic, which arrived from the orient yesterda: He is an attache of the legation at Wash- ington, under special commission to visit the navy yards and shipbuilding yards of the United States and England and pre- pare reports on the construction of battle ships for the guidance of his government. Commodore Marita is a veteran naval offi- cer, who has seen much service. He com- manded a vessel during the recent Chinese- Japanese war and took an active part in the famous battle of Wei-Hal-Wel. During the time he has been in the service he has devoted a great deal of time to the study of naval architecture and is considered as an authority on the subject in his own coun- try. Commodore Marita travels as an at- tache of the Japanese legation at Washing- ton in order that he may be in cioser touch with the government. He calculates that the work he has undertaken will require many months of diligent effort, and he pro- poses to commence in this city. ————__ TWO MEN KILLED. Eaplosion in the Mixing Department of Dynamite Works. PITTSBURG, Pa., October 26.—Two men were killed and the mixing department of the Acme dynamite works, near Hulton, Pa., demolished about 8 o’clock this morn- ing by an explosion. As far as known no one else was injured. The men killed are supposed to be packers named Stoflel and Andrews. The concussion shattered win- dows and shook houses for more than a mile around. ————— Government Receipts. National bank notes received today for redemption, $836,271. Government receipts From internal revenue, $848,905; customs, $364,444; miscellaneous, $52,745. ANMIETY “AS 1O -AWATHON Cais. IN THE- EAST Uneasiness in Democratic Breasts as to His Probable Course. Some Fear He Will Withdraw and Others Fear He Will Stay in the Race, The last week of the campaign opens with an increased feeling of uneasiness in democratic breasts as to Thomas E. Wat- son. He has been an uncertain quantity from the first. He !s doubly uncertain now. His professions of interest in Mr. Bryan’s success are not considered sincere by the democratic managers, and the oftener they are repeated the more they are distrusted. The Original Proposition. The original democratic proposition was that Mr. Watson retire from the field. No terms were openly discussed, but left- handed assurances were here and there held out that he would lose nothing by such a course. The point was pressed for a time with vigor. Mr. Watson was sound- ed on the subject as a populist leader, as an advocate distinctly of free silver, and lastly, with sonorous sentences, as an all- round patriot. The flattering opportunity was held out to him to step in and save the country. But he stood out against all approaches, and refused positively to save the country except in his own way. That way, of course, was by remainiug in the vice presidentiai field, and forcing, if pos- sible, his plutocratic rival out of it. If Watson Withdraws. The question the democrats are asking themselves today is whether Mr. Watson's withdrawal now would not do them more harm than good. Many of them are actual- ly afraid that he is secretly meditating seme such step. They consider that he will do whatever he decides 1s most Gisadven- tageous to them. His haired of Mr. Sewall, in a political sense, is far more intense than his hatred of the republicans. Whiie he cp- poses the republicans, he concedes that they are standing under their own flag and to their own guns. He regurds Mr. Sewail as # suspicious person in silver’s ranks, and bas so denouncei him a’ thousand times. If he were to reti-e, therefore, leaving the way entirely clear to Mr. Sewall's in cass Mr. Bryan suc: would rightfully arm. 40 democrat believes that, despite his profes- sions of loyalty to the cause, Mr. Watson could be brought to io anything that, even indirectly, would benelit Mr. Sew If He Stays in the Race. It is at the same time equally plain that if Mr. Watson runs the race out he must continue to be a serious obstruction to fusion advantages at several points in the debatable territory. The wrangling be- tween the democrats and middle-of-the- road populists there is distinctly due io Mr. Watson’s influence. His friends are simply reflecting in their position his teach- ings as to Mr. Sewall. They regard Mr. Sewall, as he does, as out of place in the silver camp. They are unavle to under- stand how a genuine popocratic victory is possible with such a man in the field. He is the fly in the ointment. Anxiety to Fusion. Even where terms of fusion have been ac- cepted there fs still uneasiness as to their strength and durability. They may not hold until election day, or, holding, effect then what has been designed. Mr. Watson is abroad, talking populism pure and sim- ple, and reminding his friends that their ci and his has been betrayed in this campaign. He as much as acknowledges that Bryan and Watson, because of this treatment, cannot win. It follows, there- fore, that the real choice is between Mc- Kinley and Hobart and Bryan and Sewall, and Mr. Watson has declared that the worst blow populism could receive would be the election of Mr. Sewall by the aid of populist votes. Mr. Watson's Letter. Meanwhile Mr. Watson's letter accepting his vice presidential nomination is in some- body's hands. There is every reason to believe that it is an Interesting document, and there is some reason to believe that if it 1s not given out at this end of the line Mr. Watson himself may produce It. The desire to see it is widespread. ——— THE RAILROAD REBUKED. Inquest in the Case of Fred Hvover of Baltimore. The coroner’s inquest to determine, if possible, the responsibility for the death of Fred Hoover, the sixteen-year-old Balti- mere boy, Saturday at the Emergency Hos- pital as the result of injuries received last week, Monday, by being struck by a loco- motive near the east entrance to the navy yard tunnel, was held this afternoon at the first precinct police station. The father of the deceased was an interested specta- tor. After considering the evidence given by Deputy Coroner Glazebrook, Mrs. Mary Shelton, Samuel Shelton, John F. Robey and John T. Fleishell ihe jury, which con- sisted of John W. Davis, George Biggs, William M. Armstrong, Thaddeus Morrow, John T. Young and Frank Hagerty, re- turned the following verdict: “We, the jury, believe from the evidence adduced that Frederick Hoover came to his death from the effect of injuries ae ceived by being struck by engine No. 187 of the P. W. and B. Railroad Company. We further believe it was-an unavoidable accident on the part cf the engineer and fireman, but we would respectfully recom- mend that the railroad company be required to conform strictly to the regulations of the District of Columbia governing the speed of railroad trains.” SS Col. Lodor Retired. Col. Richard Lodor, commanding the 2d Artillery, with headquarters at Newport, will be placed on the retired list during the present week on account of age. A native of New York, he was graduated from the Military Academy in 1856, ani assigned to the artillery, with which branch of the service he has ever since been associated. He was connected with the volunteers dur- ing a part of the civil war, and received the brevet of major for gallant and meri- torious services at Stone riv: and of Heu- tenant co:onel and colonel for services dur- ing the war. He reached his presen: grade of colonel about four years 1g. His re- tirement will make a numer of promotions. SS ‘The Long-Lochren Pension Case. The Long-Lochren pension case was dis- missed by the United States Supreme Court today on the ground of abatement by reason of the retirement of Judge Loch- ren from the office of commissioner of pen- sions. The case was brought by Judge Long of the Michigan supreme court to test veterans’ rights. Judge Long drew a pension of $72 a month, and the reduction of the rating to $50 per month was stub- bornly contested in the courts of the Dis- trict of Columbia and finally carried to the Supreme Court. —_—_<_<§_-o—_ = __ To Command at Indian Head. . Lieut. Commander A. R. Couden, recently relieved from command of the Pinta, Sta- tioned at Sitka, Alaska, is now.in.the city on leave of absence. He is at the and Navy Club. He is booked for the com- mand of the naval proving grounds at In- —= Head, beset as the rellef of- LiewtN- E. Mason, who is under orders to sea. Turkey Preparing to Increase Her Military Strength. EVASIVE REPLY 10 THE POWERS Varying Accounts of the Late Ar- menian Massacre. WHENCE THE ORDERS CAME (Copyright, 1896, by the Associated Press.) CONSTANTINOPLE, October 25, via Sofia, Bulgaria, October 26.—The report that trouble of a serious nature is brewing here has so often been sent out that any fresh announcement to that effect 1s looked upen as having little or no foundation in fact. But, in spite of this, it is but right to state once more that everything points to further and very serious trouble prepar- ing on all sides throughout the Turkish empire. The ball was set rolling on Wednesday last, when the sultan signed two trades, which were issued the next day, levying @ poll tax of five piastres per head on all Mussulmans and increasing the taxes on sheep, public works and education by 1 to 1% per cent, the funds so raised to be de- voted to military purposes. This caused the representatives of the Powers to send a collective note to the porte couched in the strongest language, calling attention to the danger that the arming of the Mussulmans was certain to create and pointing out generally the crit- ical situation of affairs in the Turkish empire. But larg2 purchases 6f arms have already been made and the danger increases hourly. The porte today sent a reply to the col- lective note of the ambassadors. As usual, however, it was an evasive answer, and in substance simply stated that the money de- rived from the additional taxes was only intended to complete the armament of the mustahfuz, or landstrum, the third and last class of Turkish army reserves, and to strengthen the armament of the other land forces of the sultan, which consist of the nizam, or regular army, and its active reserve, the redif, or landwehr, and the mustahfuz, already referred to. Conscripts in Turkey serve six years in the nizam, four with the colors and two in the re- serve; they then serve eight years in the redif, four in the first class and four in the second. Then they complete their twenty years’ service by serving six years in the mustahfuz. oi ey A Grave Situation. The action of the Turkish government in completing the armament of the Mustahfuz indicates that the empire is facing a sit- uation which may necessitate calling forth all the military forces at its disposal, and it also indicates that the situation 1s the gravest since the Russo-Turkish war. Un- der these-circumstances it is but natural that considerable uneasiness prevails. Of course, there is always in view the proba- bility at least that the sultan by these movements is simply seeking to detract the attention of his subjects from the act- ual state of affairs, brought about by his maladministration, and that seeing that the powers are really in earnest and that an understanding between Russia, France and Great Britain means decisive action, he is by these armaments practically threatening a wholesale massacre of the Christians and announcing that Turkey will resist to the utmost any attempt at armed coercion. Happily there is one feature of the crisis which has a soothing influence upon Abdul Hamid. This is the financial situation. It 1s about as bad as it possibly can be. All negotiations upon the part the Turk- ish government for a temporary loan have failed, and the condition of the treasury is one of utter helplessness. On top of this the price of bread ha risen 40 per cent, and bids fair to rise still higher as the price of wheat goes up. This has decided- ly aggravated the prevailing distress and its consequent discontent. The police con- tinue making arrests, and it is understood that many more bombs have been found. Recent Massacre. In Armenia the greatest apprehension exists. The echoes of the recent massacre in the city of Egin are just reaching here, in spite of the efforts made by the porte to suppress anything but the official news. The Armenian reports say that 2,000 Ar- menians were killed at Egin, so far as known; that no Turks were Killed; that 1,000 houses were burned, leaving only 150 houses standing for the Christian popula- tion, and thaf the women and children were huddled together in the school houses and in some of the remaining buildings, bereaved, destitute and hungry to such an extent that even the governor general tele- graphed that they were in need of food. The official account of the affair is that the Armenians remained in the church Sun- day and Monday so long as to excite sus- picion, and that the government represen- tatives sent officials to investigate. These officials are said to have found that the Armenians gathered in the church had placed a rope around the neck of the repre- sentative of the Armenian patriarch and were dragging him around the church and shouting: “Why did you not allow us to make a disturbance before?” ‘The Turkish Account. The Turkish officials further claim that the shot fired on Tuesday, September 14, which precipitated the massacre, was fired by Kassab Manvog, a prominent Armenian, and that the Armenians issued from their church, armed with 500 rifles and with bombs bearing the name of their deposed patriarch, Izmirlian, and marched to the upper part of the town, where they met the soldiers who were returning from driv- ing off the Kurds. Still, according to the official version of the affair, the Armenians thereupon fired upon the soldiers and killed several of them. This, the Turks say, Ied to reprisals. The Turkish version of the massacre passes with the Turkish population, gener- ally speaking, but a prominent Turk, who recently arrived here from Egin, stated to the correspondent that he saw no fault in the Armenians there, and he added that some very prominent Turks of Kharput have said to’Christians there: “It the powers take no notice of what has been done in Egin, we shall know that we can do what we please to the Chris- tians, and this will finish you.” Orders for the Massacre. Whichever version of the massacre at Egin is true, there is no doubt that the ef- fect of the slaughter, plundering and burn- ing is very serious. It is claimed in cer- tain quarters that it shows a-settled pur- pose to exterminate the Christians, in spite of the blustering of the powers, and it is > Bererally adrhitted that the orders for the issacre came from the palace of Sultan Abdul Hamid, as did the orders for the massacres in the streets of Constantinople, and it is believed that the end is not yet, for, when the heavy snows are on the ground and the escape of the unfortunate Armenians is almost impossible, and when the telegraph wires are down and the roads impassable there is the opportunity of the ‘Turk to do his butchering, with the knowl- edge that the news will not reach Europe or America until the massacres are pi tically things of the past, to be dented. ‘and eventually condoned by lapse of time. F from “The reports Egin also that a number of Christians have beet turd urdered WASHINGTON, D. 0., MONDAY, OCTOBER 26 1896—TWELVE. PAGES a Cy ssek villages since the massacre in e city. ‘The events of the past year have seri- ously weakened the authority of the Turk- ish government over its Mohammedan sub- jects. Very little confidence can be placed in the soldiers and es, as the lat- ter have received no foe: | for many months and see no immediate prospect of getting any. A GREAT’ TIDAL WAVE eetary Jelgeron Believes It Will Be in Favor of Bryan. ‘The Populist Handbook fy Still Wait- ing for Mr. Watson’s Let- ter of Acceptance, Secretary Edgerton. of the populist na- tional committee, who believes that there is going to be a great tidal wave in favor of Bryan, and who so expresses himself publicly and privately, said this morning to a Star reporter that he had received news today confirming him in his ideas that Ohio will go for Bryan. “I have a letter here from the chairman of the populist state committee of Ohio,” said Mr. Edger- ton. “He assures me that the state will be for Bryan. This morning I got a letter from G. L. Spence, secretary of the popu- list state committee of West Virginia. Mr. Spence lives at Parkersburg and frequent- ly goes into Ohio. Mr. Spence says that Ohio is more certain for Bryan than West Virginia or Kentucky, and he regards each of those states as certal Mr. Edgerton said he had also received a letter from M. C. Rankin, treasurer of the national committee of the people's party, located at Terre Haute, Ind. Mr. Rankin avows that Indiana will give Bryan 20,000 majority. Populist Handbook. The populist handbook is still a matter of the future. It has not made its appear- ance, and, even If it gets out now, will be too late to serve the purposes intended for it in the campaign. There is a doubt, it is said, whether the book will be finished. More than three-fourths of it has been printed, and nearly every Hne of it was in type three weeks ago. The publication of ithe book was de- layed to await the arrival of Mr. Watson's letter of acceptance, which tt was desired to put in as the last chapter. The facts about that letter are known. That’s why the book has not appeared. How much the work has cost up to date ts not known, but the amount will be eonsiderable. Many of the best writers in the people's party took part in the preparation of the book. Gordon Clark was one of best-known writers. J. M. Devine spent some time at the work. Senator Butler reviewed the proofs of a number of eh: }, and con- tributed some of the most forcible matter himself. ee FOUGHT FIRE THREE DAYS. Thrilling Expericnce of the Cotton- Laden Steamer Worsley Hall. NEW YORK, October #4—The British steamer Worsley Hall, Capt. Cameron, put into this port this morning with her cargo on fire. She wa#*botnd trom: New Orleans for Havre, and left the former port on Oc- tober 16. On the. morning of October 23, when the steamer was 550 miles east by south of Sandy Hook, during a strong southerly gale, smoke wag found issuing from the ventilators under the bridge, and an examination showed that the cotton stowed in the forward hold, and which con- stituted the major portion of the cargo, was on fire. The ship was at once put be- fore the wind to lessen the draught and the hatch was lifted. The smoke was al- Most overpowering, but the Singalese sailors, impelled by fear of the ship being consumed, and encouraged by the example of the officers, set manfully to work and managed to hoist all but twenty bales of cotton and pile them up on the deck. The ship was rolling with the heavy cross sea that was running, and soon a huge wave broke over the gide and washed the bales overboard. As the work of breaking out the cargo seemed too hazardous in the face of the high sea, Capt. Cameron de- cided to flood the hold. The hatches were battened down, hose was introduced into the hold and the fire pumps started. The water coming into contact with the fire produced steam, which, added to the smoke and sickening odor of the burning cotton, poured into the cabin and drove all hands on deck. As soon as the hatches were battened down the ship was headed for New York. As the water poured into the hold, the ship sank down by the head and took a decided |. list to starboard, so as to impede the ship's progress considerably. The decks grew warm with the fire, but not unbearably so. It was found necessary to batten the cabin doors, as the steam and smoke were sti- fling and it was impossible to enter there. When the Worsley Hall arrived at Quar- antine all hands were: worn out with work and anxiety. It may be necessary to scut- tle the ship to put out the fire. At present the Worsley Hall is anchored off Clifton, Staten Island. SS PUNISHMENT ORDERED. Ii Hung Chang Guilty of an Act of Presumption. PEKIN, October 26.—Li Hung Chang has been appointed minister of foreign affairs. Simultaneously with his appointment an imperial edict orders Li Hung Chang to be punished for presuming to enter the precincts of the ruined summer palace while visiting the dowager empress. ae FOUNDERED IN A GALE. The British Steamer Taif Wrecked } and Twenty-seven Natives Drowned. COLOMBO, Ceylon, Oetober 26.—A num- ber of passengers and the crew of the Brit- ish steamer Taif, which plies between the Island of Mauritius gand Bombay, were landed here today. They report that the steamer foundered during a heavy gale on September 24, and that twenty-seven na- tives were drowned. ————— Death of Ex-Congressman Eldridge. FON DU LAC, Wis., October 26.—Ex- Congressman Charles Eldridge died this morning after a prolenged illness. He served six terms. Mr. Eldridge was a popular democrat. He retired from polities twenty years ago and devoted himself to his law practice with successful results, ——__ Millions for Califognia University. CHICAGO, October-ug—A special to the Tribune ffom San Francisco says: The University of California is to be made rich- er by $4,009,000 by donations from various persons, chief among wham is Mrs. Phoebe Hearst, w:dow' of tte mifiitonaire Senator from California. Mrs. Hearst statéa that ‘she would erect two buildings: at her o' ense,.one of which would-be #: me to her late husband. ‘The: naiges of who will give tunds are netgivar ——— + Only Nine Squirrels. The President and his doorkeeper, Mr. Charles*Loeffler, spent all lay after- noon in the wootls of Montgomery county, Md., in the vitiaity of Sandy Spring, in search of the squirrel. The con- ditions were - Extremely eutpeprable for sport, but the huntsmen succeeded in bag- ging nine of the animais. IN THE LAST WEEK|S!L VER COINAGE Chairman Hanna Confident of All but Twelve States. REPORTS FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY Senator-Elect Wellington Gives His Baltimore Poll. CURRENT POLITICALMATTERS —_+—___ Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. CHICAGO, Ill, October 26.—Chairman Hanna of the republican national commit- tee enters upon the last week of the cam- paign thoroughly confident that McKinley and Hobart will carry at least all but twelve of the forty-five states in the Union. While he firmly declines to show his strength in localities by naming the states he regards as doubtful, or belonging to Bryan, he stakes his reputation on the gen- eral result. Reports received this morning, based upon Private polls taken all over the country, place in the “certain McKinley and Ho- bart” column the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kan- sas, Minnesota and Michigan. Indiana is practically conceded by the opposition to be safely 20,000 plurality for McKinley and Hobart, and is claimed at 40,000 by the re- publicans. Kentucky is conceded 25,000; Michigan, 40,000, and Minnesota, 30,000 for McKinley. West Virgiria and Maryland are regarded as safe as Indiana. The republican national committee say that it is now a question of simply pulling the free silver heresy up by the roots, like a bunch of weeds, and throwing it over the fence forever. The republican fight is to be one of de- termination that every vestige of the free coinage disease shall be permanently eradi- cated. The republican Jeaders here claim the egging of Secretary Carlisle in Ken- tucky and that of republican speakers in the eighteenth ward of this city, the burn- ing and otherwise desecrating of the Amer- ican flag jn Missouri, and several points in Illinois recently visited by Gov. Altgeld, and the final resentment by laboring men throughout the country of the: insulting charge that they were coerced into support of sound money, have all combined to arouse patriotism and the spirit for good woverament to a pitch not known since the r. The change to sound money democracy and McKinley columns on account of pro- ceedings during the past week has been, it is claimed, phenomenal, far beyond the anticipations of Chairman Bynum of the sound money democratic national commit- tee and Chairman Hanna of the republican national committee. The column of doubtful states and those conceded to Bryan has bcen reduced to Florida, Georgia, Nevada, idaho, Colorado, Montana, Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Carolina, Virginia and Utah. There is what republicans leaders regard a8 @ good fighting chance for vict in Idaho, Montana, Louisiana and Virginia, and it will create no surprise if Utah and Colorado should be rescued by the adyo- cates of good money. BALTIMORE CITY POLLED. Republicans Estimate a Majority of Over 18,000. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. BALTIMORE, Md., Octcber 26.—Chair- man Wellington this morning gave out the result of the poll of Baltimore city, which the republican managers made last week, but declined to publish. The poll indicates @ majority of over 18,000 for McKinley. In commenting on this result Mr. Wellington satd: “I have decided to give the outcome of the poll to the public in order to stran- gfe the rumors set in circulation by the silver democrats to the effect that the re- sult only showed a trifle over 1,000 ma- jority for our ticket, and that we in con- Sequence lacked the cvurage to publish it. We give it out now, and if they are able to derive any satisfaction from it I con- gratulate them. We thought it best not to make it public, as we feared such a re- sult would induce our workers to become ver confident and to take things easy dur- ing the remainder of campaign. We have been surprised to tind that these demo- cratic yarns have alarmed the people to such an extent and it is to reassure them that we disclose the true figures.” The Sixth District. Chairman Spencer C. Jones of the demo- cratic campaign committee said to ‘The Star correspondent today: “After a care- ful canvass of the sixth district we find that the indications point to a slight ma- jority for McKinley, but that Mr. Blair Lee, our congressional nominee, will de- feat Capt. McDenal See AT THE WHITE HOUSE. Mr. Cleveland Compliments Arch- ~ bishop Ireland for His Patriotism. Archbishop Ireland of St. Paul, now on a visit to this city, had a special audience with President Cleveland at the White House today, during which it is understood the latter took occasion to compliment the churchman for his vigorous and patriotic stand on the financial issue of the political campaign. —_—_——_____-e-_______ Sails in the North Useless.” SAN FRANCISCO, October 26.—The whaling bark John Winthrop has returned again to this port after an absence of thir- ty-one months, during the greater portion of which time she has been within -the arctic circle. There is not a barrel of oil in her hold, or a pound of whalebone, and Capt. A. T. Simmons’ logbook shows only hard luck. Capt. Simmcns says sailing vessels are of no account in the arctic re- gions, because the currents are so strong that a ship is unmanageable in a gale of wind. ee Rambusch’s Remains at Juneau. JUNEAU Wisccnsin, October 26.—The re- mains of W. T. Rambusch, who was accused of defaulting in a large sum, and who com- mitted suicide in Fredericksburg, Va., ar- rived here yesterday. They were immedi- ately taken to his home, where the funeral services were held. The remains were identified by a jury of six men, and weve then viewed by the people assembled. After a short funeral service the body was taken to the cemetery for burial. _ ——_ Another Fraud Order. ‘The Postmaster General has issued a lot- tery order against C. Humme of Hamburg, Germany. Humme is u name assumed by Josef Steindecker, a weaithy broker of Hamburg, who sold tickets for the free city of Hamburg lottery, an institution which has figured conspicuously in the campaign of the Post Office Department azainst lot- tery and fraud enterprises. Mail for Stein- decker has been barred from the maiis fur some time. ee Naval Orders. Lieutenant P. J. Werlich has been or- dered to inspection duty at Bethlehem, Pa. Lieutenant J. H. L. Holcombe, to the bu- reau of equipment. -As#%tant Surgeon W. M. Wheeler, from the naval laboratory, } New. York, to the Franklin. TWO a If you want today’s news today you can find it only in The Star. An Interesting Statement by the Director of the Mint, If Free Coinage Existed the Seignor- age Would Have Gone to the Mine Owners or Bullion Dealers. In the course of a conversation with a Star reporter today Mr. Preston, director of the mint, made several interesting state- ments in regard to the coinage of standard silver dollars and the redemption of treas- ury notes. “On the ist of February, 1896,” said he, “the treasury held 13,322,928 standard sil- ver dollars for the redemption of treasury notes issued in payment of silver bullion purchased under the act of July 14, 184, commonly known as the ‘Sherman act.’ “From February 1, 1896, to October 1 the mints hed coined 13,912,512 standard silver dollars, and during the current month will coin 2,600,000 more, making the total coin- age of silver dollars for the year to Novem- ber 1 $16,512,512. “The total coinage of silver dollars from 1792 to April 1, 1893, was only 8,038,241. Notwithstanding the large coinage of silver dollars since the ist of February, the amount of such coin now held for the re- cemption of treasury notes is only $10,- If Free Coinage Existed. “The cost of the bullion to the govern- ment that will be contained in the 16,512,512 sliver dollars coined from February 1 to Rovember 1, 189, would be $11,384,222, which gives a profit or seigniorage of 3, 128,290 to the government. If the free coin- age of silver existed in the United States this seigniorage or profit would have gone into the pockets of the mine owners or bul- lion dealers. “On the Ist.of November the govern- ment will have on hand of the bul n pur- chased under the act of July 14, 1x), a bal- ance of 121,67, which was $112, 3 fine ounces, the cost of A245. “It is believed that the coinage of silver dollars will be continued until the silver bullion purchased under the act of 18), now on hand, has all been converted into coin, “If the law would admit of it, there is no doubt that a large amount of the silver bul- lion purchased under the act of July 14, 189, could be, with advantage, used in the comage of subsidiary silver, as there is a great demand for new subsidiary silver coins, but owing to the limited amount ap- propriated by Congress to cover the loss on the recoinage of worn and uncurreni silver coins in the treasury, the amount of new subsidiary silver coinage is limited.” —S——— ~ CAPT. SAMPSON’S REPORT. Work Done on the Armament of the Ships of the Navy. The annual report of Captain Sampson, chief of the naval ordnance bureau, shows that a great deal of work has been done during the past fiscal year toward the ar- mament of the ships of the navy. Up to date the bureau has built 450 guns of large caliber, has eighty-nine partly completed, and has condemned only two. All of the six-inch guns on hand are to be converted into rapid-fire guns as soon as funds are had. The appropriation of $250,000 for reserve guns is being utilized to construct two eight-inch, two twelve-inch and two thirteen-inch guns, and these, with those previously authorized, will supply the needs of the naval service for some time, leaving the only appropriation needed that for guns to arm the auxiliary cruisers. In treating of the new naval smail arm Capt. Sampson refers to frequent press statements setting out its cisadvantages and says it is a sufficient answer to note that at present no nation having any pre- tensiors to naval or military power has in contemplation any other change in the caliber of its small arms than a still further reduction. The estimates fur the next year ageré gate $9,161,020, the largest item of $ Yeing for the armament of vessels author- ized. There is an item of $550,440 for a kew armament of the Hartford, $0,000 for the naval militia and $400,000 for reserve guns for the auxiliary cruisers. ————S Mik. LLOYD MOXLEY’S WILL. His Disposition of His Property and the Business Carried On. The will of the late Lloyd Moxtey, dated October 13, 1896, and appointing Willis R. Speare and Frarcis Hufty as executors and trustees, was filed today. They are directed to sell premises 1005 E street and pay the following bequests out of the pro- ceeds: $2,000 to Elizabeth Shoemaker, a sis- ter of the testator; $3,000 to George Mox- ley, a brother; $1,000 to John E. Shoe maker, a nephew; $2,000 to Lloyd Moxley, and $1,000 to named after the testator, Agnes C. Shoemaker. Premises 517 13th street are given to the said sister, Elizabeth, for life, with re- mainder at her death to the testator's son, Willis Moxley. The residue of the estate is left to the trustees in trust for ihe said son until he reaches the age of twenty-one years, when it is to become his absolutely. They are empowered to continue the tes tator’s business of manufacturing and seli- ing medicine, but not longer than the mi- nority of his son. The bill-posting business of the testator is bequeathed to the said George Moxley and John E. Shoemaker, or their survivors, to be carried on for their own benefit until the testatcr’s son reaches majority, when the three shall share in it equally. Should the son die before then the said business is to become the property of the said brother and nephew absolutely. Should the testator’s son die before reach- ing majority all of the estate not otherwise disposed of is to be sold, Mrs. Shoemaker to have one-third of the net proceeds, one- third to be paid to said brother George, one-ninth to the said nephew, John E. Shoemaker, and two-ninths to Lloyd Mox- ley. —_>—__ ITEMS OF ASSESSMENT. The Number of Ret Estate Holdings in the District. Chairman Bates of the board of assist- ant assessors has transmitted to the Com- missioners an interesting statement of the number of pieces of ground separately as- sessed and the number of buildings in the District of Columbia, included in the gen- eral assessment of 1896-7. In Washington there are 35,816 pieces of improved prop- erty, 16,625 pieces of unimproved property, and 43,655 buildings. In Georgetown there is a total of 4,163 pieces of property, of which 2,453 are improved and 1,710 unim- proved. In this section there are 3,169 buildings. In the county, measured by the foot, there are 5,104 pieces of improved property and 26,482 pieces of unimproved property. The number of buildings on land computed by the foct is 6,254. In that portion of the county where land is separated by the acre there are 892 pieces of property im- proved and 698 unimproved. Upon this land there are 1,268 buildings. A sumn:ary shows a total of 89,780 pieces of property in the District, of which number 44,265 are improved and 45,515 unimproved. There is @ total of 54,246 buildings in the city. —_-— Army Orders. Captain Stephen R. Stafford, 15th Infan- try, has been granted leave of absence for four months: Captain Charles B. Hall, 19th Infantry, has been relieved of special duty and or- dered to join gis proper station. OUT OF THE ARMY Lieut. Binns’ Resignation Promtly Accepted by the President, REACHED THE DEPARTMENT TODAY No Notice Was Taken of His Unmilitary Conduct. NOW WORKING FOR BRYAN — If Second Lieut. Joseph R. Binns, Com- pany D, Ist Infantry, calculated that his resignation would cause a stir in Washing- ton, he clearly reckoned without his host. Several weeks ago this officer published a twe-column letter in a Chicago paper, ex- pressing hts conviction that a revolution will result in this country as a result of the pcnding political campaign, and as he was convinced that the power of the govern- ment wouid be exercised agafnst the people through the use of federal troops, he did not propose to remain longer in the mili- tary service. He stated that he had ac- cordingly forwarded his resignation to Waslington, with a full statement of the reasons for his course. Although this let- ter was published several weeks ago, his letter of resignation was not received at the War Department until this morning, Prompt Acceptance by the President There was no delay in action upon his ‘resignation. Adjutant General Rugeles handed it to Secretary Lamont, and the lat- ter took it over to the White House, with the result that it was accepted ferthwith, and Lieut. Binns is no longer in the army. Although his action in publicly assailing the honor and integrity of his superior officers was clearly in violation of the ar- Uucles of war, and rendered him subject to trial by court-martial, with possible dishon- crable dismissal, the authorities concluded to overlook his unmilitary conduct and allow him to surrender his commission without prejudice to his record. Now Working for Brya Lieut. Binns, who ts alternately referred to by his military associates as “an an- archist” and “a calamity howler,” is now in Chicago on leave of absence, working in the interest of the election of Bryan. His company is stationed at Benicia 1 land, Cal. He entered the service as a pri- vate soldier in March, 1890, and subse- quently became a corporal, pacity he served until Novembe when he was appointed second 1 of the Ist Infantry. He received his com- mission as a result of a competitive ex- amination among cnlisted men. He is @ man of good education, but ts said to be far in advance of the times in his ideas of political and social economy. Senator Faulkner Back. Senator Faulkner arrived in the city to- day from Hampton, where he had spent Saturday and Sunday. He hes about recovered from the effects of a cold he contracted last week, and was hard at work at the democratic headquarters. His work now consists very largely in direct- ing matters in the states in congressional contests and in receiving reports of the situation all along the line. The demands for literature, of course, are now becoming rare, as but little can be done to influence the votes of the people by distributing reading matter only a few days before the election. The number of politicians callir at the headquarters is falling off, as neariy every one available for such work is in the field doing active work, which will be con- tinued until election day. The headquarters of the national silver party was aimost deserted today, Secre- tary Difenderfer still being in New York. He will not return here unui next Wednes- y. ————_-e -____ IN FAVOR OF MURRAY. Decision in the First th Carolin District—Other Contests. The republican congressional committee today decided that Mr. George W. Murray, the colored member of the House from the first South Carolina district, Is the nomi- nee for Congress on the republican ticket in thut district. There has been a contest between Mr. Cohen and Mr. Murray, and the committee was called upon to designate which one was the nominee in fact. The committee has also declared that in the twentieth Pennsylvania district Mr. J. D. Hicks should receive the support and votes of all loyal republicans. There are two other republican candidates in the field in that district. In the second Virginia district Mr. Deyer has withdrawn, and the committee con- gratulates Mr. R. A. Wise upon this happy settlement of the difficulty, and calls upon all republicans to support him. IMPORTANT cUsToms DECISION. Government's Contention Not Sus- tained by the U. S. Supreme Court. An important customs decision was ren- dered in the United States Supreme Court today in the case of Rose L. Saltonstall and others, executors for Leverett Sa!ton- stall, against Joseph Birtwell, brought to the court on a writ of certiorari from the decision of the circuit court of appeals for the first circuit. Leverctt Saltonstall was collector of customs for the port of Boston, and the suit was brougit against him by Birtwell to recover excess of duties paid under protest on importations. It was con- ceded by the collector that the duty col- lected was in excess of the requirement of the law. The contention was as to whether the protest had been made in the time pro- vided by law. The goverrment took the position that the protests to be efficacious should have been made at or before th time the payments were made, which not done in this case. The decisions in all the lower courts had been against the gov- ernment's contention, and the opinion de- livered today affirms this view of the ques- tion. Justice Shiras, who delivered the opinion, said: “There is no apparent rea- son in the way of advantage or disadvan- tage to the United States why the notice or protest should be made at any particular juncture if made before the appeal to the Secretary of the Treasury.’ Chief Justice Fuller and Justices Field, Harlan and Brewer dissented from the di cision. In his dissenting opinion Chief Ju: tice Fuller held that notice should be given t the time of payment. os. The Battle Ship Massachuset The naval inspection board, through Com- modore Dewey, its chief, has made its re- port to the Navy Department upon the re- cent two-day sea trial of the battle ship Massachusetts off the Chesapeake capes. The board finds that in hull and machinery and all essential perts the ship shows no defect in material or workmanship. Under full power natural draft she made 12.9 knots with 5,043 horse power, and the en- gines ran smoothly and gave no trouble. The guns were fired and the structure of the ship showed ample strength. In a moderate swell the vessel rolled and pitched easily, showing good qualities as a sea boat and as a gun platform.