Evening Star Newspaper, December 8, 1896, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUSDAY, i AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Pennsylveaia Avenue, Cor. 11th Bt, by N Company, Tee Be kav rsM ane Prost Few York Office, 49 Petter Building, ‘The Evening Star is served to subscribers in the eity by carriers, on their own account, at 10 cents per week, or 44 cents ‘¢ month. at the counter 2 cents each. mail—anywhere in the United stares or Cansde—postage prepaid—50 cents mom MGaturday Quintaple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with foreign postage a 1. $3.00. he Hven Star. (Entered at the Post Office at Washington, -D. 0. as second-class mail riatter.) ©7 All mail subscriptions must be paid In advance. Retes of advertising made known on application. No. 13,656. WASHINGTON, D. ©, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1 896—-SIXTEEN PAGES. TWO CENTS. If you want today’s news today you can find it only in The Star. THE DINGLEY BILL —_—___+—— Considered by Republican Senators in’ Caucus. REFERRED TO STEERING COMMITTEE Other Matters Brought Up for Action. DUBOIS’ RESIGNATION —_—_>——_ MR. ‘There were only three republican Senators in the marble room at 10 o'clock today, the hour at which the republican caucus was celled. They were Senators Sherman, Haw- ley and Carter. Others sufficient to consti- tute a quorum strolled in during the next fifteen or twenty minutes, so that the caucus was well under way by 10:30 o'clock. The most noticeable feature of the caucus as seen from the outside was the absence of the men who had bolted the nomination of McKinley because of the gold standard platform. Those who were absent on this account were Senators Dubois, Pettigrew, Mantle, Cannon, Squire and Teller. All of these except Senator Teller were in the eity and could have attended if they had been s0 disposed. Indeed, some of them were in their committee rooms in the Cap- itol while the caucus was in progress. Mr. Dubois Resigns. That their absence was intentional was clearly shown by the following letter which Senator Dubois sent to the caucus and ‘which was read soon after the meeting was called to order by Senator Sherman: UNITED STATES SENATE, Washington, D. C., Dec. 8, 1896. To Hon. John Sherman, Chairman Caucus of Republican Senators, Washington, D.C. Sir: I hereby respectfully resign my posi- tien as secretary of the caucus of repub- lican Senators. I also resign my position as a member and secretary of the republi- csn advisory or eering’’ committee of the Senate. Very truly yours, FRED. T. DUBOIS. The bolters had all received invitations, which were sent them as if they had never left the party, but they had decided not io attend. They had found it impossible to communicate with Senator Teller, who has not yet reached the city, but all expressed confidence that if here he would not have gone into the conference. If the bolting silverites were conspicu- ous by their absence, the silver men who had remained within the party were, as a rule, exceptionally prompt in their attend- ance. Senator Carter, who while he refused to accept the Dingley tariff bill, yet refused to walk out of the St. Louis convention, was the second man to enter the caucus chamber, and he was followed closely by Messrs. Wolcott, Mitchell, Shoup, Hans- brough, Cameron, Pritchard, Perkins and Clark, who heretofore have always voted for silver when the question was before the Senate. Business Transacted. The caucvs adjourned at 11:20, having been in session for less than an hour. In that time, however, an unusual amount of business was transacted, and the caucus Was pronounced by these present to have been one of the srroothest and most busi- ness-like they had ever attended. It was an exception to the rule in caucuses in that there were no long speeches and very few speeches of any character. Senator Dubois’ letter of resignation was recelved without a word of comment. “We just closed up the ranks and march- ed on,” said one of the participants in re- ferring to the incident after the close of the meeting. There was no formal motion to accept the resignation, but taking its acceptance as a matter of fact, Senator Lodge moved the election of Senator Wilson of Wash- ington in his stead as secretary, while Senator Shoup was placed on the steering committee in the place vacated by his col- league. This committe> was also enlarged by the addition of the name of Senator Hansbrough. The Dingley Bill. The advisability of trying to pass the Dingley tariff bill was the main topic of discussion, though the meeting had been called for the purpose of agreeing upon a pregram for the entire session. This ques- tion was, however, referred to the steering committee, with instructions to investigate as to the likelihood of getting the bill through and to devise a means to that end if possible. It was the prevailing opinion that the best policy demanded the passage of the bill, if possible to encompass it, but the opinion seemed quite as general that this result was not within the range of the possibilities. The entire question was referred to the committee, with very liberal powers. Senator Gear brought up the Pacific rail- road question, as did Senator Lodge the immigration bill. The Pacific road bill was referred to the steering committee, but, after Mr. Lodge had explained the status of the immigration bill, the caucus decided to stand by that measure as a party and to press for its early consideration. An International Agreement. The caucus also decided for an interna- tional agreement on silver by agreeing to a resolution. introduced by Senator Wol- cott.. providing for the appointment of a special committee of five Senators to devise @ plan during the present session to secure such a conference. The following ts the text of the resolu- tion offered by Senator Wolcott of Colorado and adopted by the caucus: “Resolved, That a special committee of five members of this caucus be appointed to recommend some plan whereby legisla- tion may be had at this session of Congress looking to an international conference with leading commercial nations of the world for the promotion of bimetallism.” An Important Thing. One of the most important things to be discovered by the caucus was how many there were of them to caucus and who they were. There was an idea that possibly all the bolting republicans except Dubois and Teller might go-into the caucus. This was due to a lack of appreciation of the char- acter of the men concerned. The more penetrating of the republican leaders real- ized, however, that after quiting the repub- lican party at the national convention, re- jecting the platform and supporting Bryan, these Senators could not without great humiliation appear in a republican caucus. When the caucus assembled it was found that Dubois, Cannon, Teller, Mantle, Petti- grew and Squire were not present. The full significance of this is not yet certain. It does not necessarily imply that all of the bolters will vote against every measure the republicans may propose. It is not unlikely that some of them might vote for a pro- tective tariff if its provisions were satis- factory to them, but they are in the atti- tude of not now being members of the “sound meoney’’ republican party. It will be the duty of the steering committee to ascertain just what the attitude of the bol- ters is if possible. The caucus itself was of a preliminary character for the purpose of finding “where they were at.” ., A Difference of Opinion. ‘The discussion turned on the question of whether or not anything could be done as to the tariff and finance at this session. A very wide difference of epinion was dis- closed. One element, under the leadership of Hale and Gallinger, favored immediate action. Another, led by Aldrich, opposed this course as impracticable. This fact in itself sufticiently indicates the improbability of anything being accomplished, though the minority will undoubtedly yield to the ma- jerity. If no encouragement can be got from the bolting republicans, it will lead to an abandonment of any serious effort to legislate at this session. One Senator said that while the bolters had taken themselves completely out of the party, it would not be difficult te so amend the Dingley bill as to compel them all to vote for it. Certain duties that their constituents demand, he said, could be added to the bill. The two Senators, Shoup of Idaho and Hansbrough of North Dakota, who were appointed to succeed Dubois on the steering committee, were both formerly free silver men. Wil- son of Washington, who was made secre- tary of the committee, is one of the strong- est young men in the Senate. If the Bolters Remain Obdurate. If the bolters are not to act with the re- Publicans at all it is a matter of greater importance than its mere effect on legisla- tion at the present session. It will involve legislation in the next Congress seriously. If the republicans elect Senators in both North Carolina and Kentucky they will have but 44 men in the Senate if the six bolters stand out against them. It will take 45, with the vote of the Vice Presi- dent, to control the Senate. With the holt- ers acting against them they will not te able to reorganize the Senate noz to adopt any legislation without assistance outside their party. On the straight silver ques- tion, if presented without any complica- tion, there will be 48 silver votes, accord- ing to the present outlook. There is little Probability, however, that the question will be permittef to come up in that way. A Tarif! Complication. The most serious complication is as to the tariff. If Pettigrew, Jones of Nebraska, Cannon, Mantle, or any or all of the silver bolters should determine to vote for a pro- tective measure, making a majority, they would not be restrained by any feeling of party ioyalty, and could demand anything they wanted in the way of tariff on the threat of defeating the bill. The repub- licans would then be placed in about the same situation that the democrats were in the Senate when the Wilson bill was hung up by the neck. The democrats then had 44 Senators out of 4&5. Hill notified them that they could not count on his vote. This reduced them to 43, just enough to pass their bill. This placed it in the power of any one or two men to defeat the measure if they were rot given what they wanted. Having to depend on the votes of men gov- erned by no party feeling the republicans may be placed at the mercy of the boltcrs on the tariff im the next Senate. It looks as if their chief hope must be in securing assistance from some sound money demo- crats, through an agreement on financial legislation, and this ts the strongest argu- mert advanced in favor of making a com- bination to legislate at this session. SHERMAN AND THE CABINET. Mr. Hanna Says Any Information Must Come From Mr. McKinley. “I have notning to do with the selection of the members of Mr. McKinley's cabinet, and any news concerning it must come from him.” This declaration was made by Chairman Mark A. Hanna to a caller at the Arlington Hotel today. The interviewer Was particularly interested in knowing whether Senator John Sherman of Ohio was Ikely to become a member of Mr. McKin- ley’s cabinet Mr. Hanna had nothing to communicate. From other sources of a Sigh character, however, it is learned that Mr. McKinley, having a very high opinion of the Senator's ability as a statesman and a financier, at the proper time will ask him to accept one of the most important of the portfolios at his disposal. Whether the Senator will accept Is a matter of seri- ous doubt. Some of his friends assert that he would much rather prefer to remain in the Senate. Ii is said, too, by the Sena- tor’s friends that all of the distinction that attaches to a cabinet position already has been fully achieved by him while Secretary of the Treasury during the administration of President Hayes. ——_—__-e-_______ PERMANENT CENSUS BUREAU. Commissioner Wright Submits a Plan for [ts Organization. Tke commissioner of labor submitted to the House today a plan for the organization of a permanent census bureau in Washing- ton. He proposes to establish a census bureau separate and unattached from any other department of the government. It shall be under the control of a director of the census, at a salary of $6,000 a year, with an assistant, at $4,000 a year. The other officers will include a chief clerk, at $2,500; a disbursing clerk, at $2,500, and five chief statisticians, at $3,000 each a year. Such clerks and minor employes as may be necessary shall be employed from time to time, the appointment of whom shall be under civil service laws. It is provided that a general census shall be taken April 15, 1900, and every ten years thereafter, which will include a wide fieid of inquiry and investigation set forth in the plan. Every five years there shall be an enumeration of the people of the United States. ———_—___-e+______ THE SILVER CONFERENCE. Waiting for Senator Teller to Arrive in Washington. The proposed conference of silver men has not yet been called, and the date has not been fully determined. As hezetofore stated in The Star, the probability is that there will be nothing like a formal confer- ence of the sllver leaders until the arrival of Senator Teller. He is expected the last of this week. His prominence in the last campaign gives him a standing in the sil- ver ranks that makes it impolitic for a conference to be held without his presence. One of the original objects of the pro- Posed conference was a discussion of the attitude the silver men would assume to- ward the Dingley bill, which was expected at that time to be brought up at this ses- sicn. Now that the Dingley bill is practi- cally out of the way this part of the pro- gram will be removed. — PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS. Only Eight States Have Yet Sent in Their Returns. The Secretary of State has received so far returns from the governors of eight states of the results of the recent election of presidential electors. These returns are from Alabama, Conrecticut, Delaware, In- diana, North Carolina, Maryland, Ohio and New Jersey. Copies of them have been sent to both houses of Congress, and they will shortly be published. Four years ago some difficulty was experienced in get- ting in all of the returns from the states before the meeting of the electoral college on the first Monday in January, and cor- respondence failing, the Department of State was obliged to send special messen- gers to Nebraska and Montana to secure the certificates. —_e-____. Gen. Lee Says Farewell. Cor.sul Gereral Lee called at the White House last evening and said farewell to the President, as he is about to start for hia post, taking the first steamer from New York for Havana. It is understood that Mrs. Lee dces not accompany the general to Cuba. ——_-e._____ A Medal of Honor. A medal of honor has been awarded to Clifford Thomeon, late major 5th United States Colored Cavalry, for most distin- guished gallantry at the battle of Chan-‘| cellorsville, Va., May, 1863. ESCAPED THE ROPE A Murderer Dies From Self-Admin- istered Poison. SHOULD HAVE-BEEN HANGED TODAY Mystery How He Obtained the Drug. AN UNPROVOKED CRIME eee WILKESBARRE, Pa., December 8.— There was great excitement at the county Jail at 6 o'clock this morning when Warden Boland was aroused from sleep by the re- port that murderer Abram Eckert, sen- tenced to be hanged at 10 o'clock today fer murder, had taken poison and was dying. The warden hurried to Eckert's cell and found him breathing heavily. He quickly telephoned for physicians. When they en- tered the condemned man’s cell they saw thet he had taken poison, and taken it in such a quantity as to probably insure death. The doctors at once applied the stomach pump. Eeckert’s Death. | Abram Eckert died at 11:38 trom the ef- fects of the poison. Daniel Reese, who was employed on the death watch, says Eckert was nervous ail night. At 6 o'clock this morning he wanted Reese to vacate the bed, as he said the presence of the death watch made him nervous. Reese, who was seated on the side of the bed, refused to move. Eckert then turned over and by a quick move swallowed the poison; at least that is what the wetchman thinks. The murderer took the poison only when he saw his last hope gone. When Eckert retired at midnight he was then in the best of spirits. He had just bade bis family farewell. The death watch was placed on him as usual. Eckert said he wanted to be awakened early. When the hour arrived one of the men tapped the murderer or the shoulder and told him to arise. But there was no answer. ‘Then the prisoner was shaken lively, but his only response was a groan. The watch became alarmed and notified the night watchman, who in turn notified the warden. How the poison reached the prisoner is a mystery. It is believed it was brought in to the prisorer by one of his relatives. Eckert’s Crime. The crime which Abram Eckert commit- ted was a most cold-blooded murder. On July 7, 1895, he met Frederick T. Bitten- bender, a prominent citizen of Nanticoke, on the street in that town and deliberately shot him down. Eckert was the janitor of the High School at nticcke, and had an imaginary grievance against Bittenbender, who had but recently been elected a school director, and who was chairman of the building committee. For some time Eckert had been neglecting his work at the schvol house, and Bittenbender spoke to him about it, and told Eckert he was in danger of losing his place unless he was more atten- tive to his duties as janitor. Minister Hatch Denies a Report That a Treaty is Being Prepared Here. CHICAGO, December 8.—A special to the ‘Times-Herald from San Francisco says: “Secretary of State Olney, it is reported or excelient information, has under con- sideration a treaty of annexation of Ha- waii to the United States. A letter just ceived here via Victoria states that thi news has been received at the islands and that the treaty will be sent to the Senate very soon. The information is given uui by @ government official in Hawaii, whose 1.ame is withheld. This official stated posi- tively that Minister Hatch had sent several letters from Washington bearing on the subject. This treaty, it is stated, had its origin in the State Department and is now said to be under discussion by Secretary Olney and Ministers Hatch and Cooper, iepresenting Hawaii. It is intimated that Minister Cooper went to Washington in connection with this matter and knows just what Hawaii wants. “In the islands the sentiment is all for annexation. President Dole and his ad- visers are bound by the constitution to se- cure annexation as soon as practicable, and the senate of the republic is unanimous on the subject. Minister Hatch’s Denial. Mr. Hatch, Hawaiian minister to the United States, authorized a Star reporter to contradict in his name the report that “a treaty for the annexation of the Ha- watian Islands is now in course of prepara- tion at Washington.” Further than this the minister had nothing to say. Mr. Cooper, Hawatian minister of foreign affairs, who has been on a visit to this country for several weeks, and who is now in this city as the guest of Minister Hatch, will leave here tonight for Honolulu, via San Francisco. er PEARL BRYAN’S MURDERERS. New Trinls Refused Jackson and Walling by the Court of Appeals. FRANKFORT, Ky., December 8.—The court of appeals has refused @ new trial to Scott Jackson, convicted of the murder of Pearl Bryan. The opinion covers also the appeal of the attorneys for Alonzo Walling, who must die. The grounds for appeal were that the judge erred in instructions, the sheriff erred in not allowing admission except by ticket, and that the evidence was insuffi- cient. Governor Bradley must now fix the cates of execution. e opinion was prepared by Judge Hazelrigg. It now devolves on Gov. Brad. ley, after receiving notice of the judgment of the court of appeals from the clerk, to fix the day and hour for the execution. There is said to be no ground for carry- ing the case to the United States court, and the governor's warrant for the execu- tion of Scott Jackson must issue. The law requires a judge in sentencing a criminal to allow not more than ninety nor less than twenty days after sentence. The only re- striction upon the governor is that he shall not appoint a day earlier than was appoint- ed by the court. That day has already passed. — The Strike at Glasgow. GLASGOW, Scotland, December 8.—The strike of the Clyde seamen and firemen is extending, and a determined attempt is promised for Thursday to block the sail- ings of the Anchor and Allan Line steam- ships. ae Transferred to the White House. Thomas J. Lightfoot of Virginia, a mes- senger at the office of the civil service com- mission, has been transferred to similar service at the Executive Mansion, to fill the vacancy caused by the recent retire- ment of George Brown. Both places are in the classified service, and the transfer was made under civil service rules. ae ae Ocean Steamships Arrived. QUEENSTOWN, December 8.—Arrived, Pavonia, Boston, for Liverpool. NEW YORK, December | Edam, Amsterdam. 8.—Arrived, DISTRIC An Electric Railway to Gettysburg Pro- jected From This City. Other Measures of Local Interest Pre- sented in Hoth Branches of the National Legislature, Mr. Wellingion has introduced a bill in the House’ incorporating the Washington and Gettysburg Railway Company, nam- ing the following incorporators: George W. Cissel, Charles Jacobson, Edgar P. Berry, John H. Gheen, George W. Harvey and James S. Mcllhenny of the District of Co- lumbia, and Asa M, Stabler, John Miller, J. Enos Ray, Albert Gleyson, R. G. Israel, N. W. Williams, Frank C. Drane, Asnley M. Gould, S. D. Waters, Francis Thoms, Robert H. Miller and O, A. Homer of the state of Maryland, and T. William Harris of the state of New York. ‘The corpora- tion is authorized to construct, equip and operate with the overhead trolley system of electric motive power, or with other ap- proved power, a street railway for passen- ger and small package freight trafile, with the necessary switches, turn outs and other mechanical devices, in the District of Co- lumbia, and run cars thereon through and along the following route: Beginning at a point on the northeastern boundary line of the District of Columbia at or near the intersection of the boundary line and the Sargent road, and running on or adjacent to that road to the Bunker Hill road; along the Bunker Hill road to 12th street to Brookland; thence south on 12th street to Dahigren rele; thence on the route of the propored extension of Delaware ave- nue, or by such other route east of the Metropolitan branch of the Baltimore ant Ohio railroad as the Commissioners of the District of Columbia all indicate prove, to the inters ion of H street east and Delaware avenue: Provided, That the company is also authorized to construct and operate a telegraph line along its rail- w Provided further, That the smail packag freight traifle cars shall not be run thereon except during the hours of 12 midnight and 4 o'clock in the morning, and that the overhead trolley system of notive power shall not, be used south of Florida and Delaware ‘Avenues, and that the company is hereby authorized and em- powered to locate, censtruct, equip and op- crate a single or double jrack railway in and through the nationa}eemetery grounds at Gettysburg, state of Pennsylvania, along such route or routes as may be indicated or approved by the Secretary of War. These routes may be modified or extended vt the will of Congress, and the railway cempany shall comply with such moditica- tions or extensions. No Stable in an Alley. Mr. Baker of New Hampshire has intro- duced a bill in the House providing that If it be found by the District Commissioners that the thirty-foot court or alley in square "8, in the city of Washington, known as Union court, has been Built ap with dwell- ing houses to the extentyef at least three- fourths of the lot front&ge on the court, and the erection of a stable or stables on lot 43, fronting on the court, would, in the opinion of the Commission be aquisance to or injurious to the heatth of the resi- dents therein, or be a damage to other property in the ccurt, the Commissioners may refuse to issue a ‘permit to erect stables upon the lot, but may issue a per- mit to erect two two-story dwellings there- on, upon the seme bofiding I the brick houses already erected adjoining the lot. For a Sunday Law. Petitions were introduced in the Senate today as follows: By the Vice President, from the state conyertion of the Christian Endeavorers of Pennsylvania, representing 207,009 mem- ters, for a Sunday law for the national capital By Mr. McMillan, from the Y.M.C.A. St. Louis, Mo., in favor of the passage a general Sunjay law for the District of Columbia: from the Alumni Association of St. Louis Medical College and from officers of the Academy cf Science of St. Louis, in favor of the passage of Senate bill for the further prevention of cruelty to animals in the District of Columbia. Title to Certain Lots. ‘The Attorney General submitted to the Senate today a report relative to the title of certain lots in the District of Columbia ciaimed by private individvals, the title io which is in the United'States. By a reso- lution of the Senate at the last session the Attorney General was directed to render a report on this subject and to submit “a raft of a bill authorizing and providing a proper method by which the United States may dispose of such jo‘s.” In his letter the Attorney General “To enable me to furnish a complete of the lots referred to, i: became necessary to have an examination made of the nu- merous records now in the office of public buildings and grounds, in the War Depart- ment, showing in the first place what ivts in each and every square of the city of Washington were acquired by the United States on the division between the public and the original proprietors of the land, and in the next place what lots thus ac- quired by the United States remain unsold or otherwise disposed of by the govern- ment; aiso an examination of the records in the office of the recorder of deeds for District of Columbia and a number of court records, tax asscssments,” etc. The Attorney General says the force at his command has not been sufficient to per- mit him to accomplish this work, but that the records of the office of public bulidings and grounds show that there are upward of one hundred squares, originally con- taining public lots, the ‘sale of some of which lots, in whole or in part, is not shown by such records, and, in ‘addition thereto, about twenty squares, which re- main undivided and of which there is no record of any sale. These titles cannot be searched, the Attorney General says, until he has Additional force with which to do the work, and consequently he cannot make any recommendation in ,the premises. Capitol Water. Supply. A report on the water service supplied to the Capitol from Edward Clarke, the archi- tect of the building, was presented to the Senate today through. the Vice President. Mr. Clarke says: “Proposals have been received from the ‘Morrison-Jewell Filtration Company’ of New York to furnish filtration plants for both wings of the Capitol, that for the House wing to cost $11,059 and that for the Senate wing $10,900, with a guarantee that the capacity of the filters: shall be to ce- liver to each wing not Iess than 300,000 gallons of bright, pure water, practically free from suspended matter,’ per day of twenty-four how. These are estimated to be of sufficient capacity to filter all the water used in the respective wings. “This company have also submitted pro- posals for the filtering of the water used for drinking purposes and for the bathing rooms only at a cost of- $3500 for each wing, giving a capacity of 5,000 gallons an hour of bright, clear water.” THe NSUR —=_ Recruits From Diftérent Parts of the Country to Sail for Cuba. KANKAKEE, Ill., Becémber 8.—A com- pary of twenty Cuban retruits went south last night over the Illigois Central rall- road, bound for. New Orleans. There they will be joined by sixty others from various parts of the United Statés, and the entire party will sail for Cuba on the first-out- going vessel and will join the insurgents. ‘The party was in command of J. B. Hart. man, an ex-regular soldicr, who served five years In Uncle Sam’s service and saw much hard fighting in the Indian cam- paigns in western Dakota and Montana. of of WILL JOIN TS. TIN CONGRESS| CHAIRMEN CHOSEN —---+ Mr, Bell Selecting His Associates on Inaugural Comm ttees. A NUMBER HAVE ACCEPTED The Two Vice Chairmen Picked Out for Service. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chairman Charles J. Bell was m sought after at the American Security Trust Company this morning, and scat- tered through the line of those who came to give their congratulations were many who saw in the commiffee work to be done between now and March 4 a chance for employment whereby to gain the needed dollar. Mr. Bell, however, did not put in an appearance at the institution over which he presides during the ante-meridian hours. He came down once, however, and took a furtive peep into the building, and when he saw the crowd he beat a retreat and did not return until 1 o'clock, Mr. Bell during the intervening time was a busy man. He had been hard at work ng his associates in the important work of making the inauguration of Pres- ident-elect McKintey a grand success. He was h , there and everywhere, interview- prominent repre nlative men and se- ‘. peration to accomplish the ‘poses he has in view When he ceeded to look oy cnts he w: jloyment seekers. the information th be done regarding the office and pro- rning’s accom- by a crowd one and all To t nothing would cnployment of neces- and other help until headquarte re established, and that he could consider no applications of any character. The sicg, sntinued, however, and Mr. Bell corciuded th to capitulate or seck a more congenial spot So he went into hiding, and a Star repor after a long search, managed to discover it. As he was uot sccking a job to kal- somine the pension building, Mr. Bell ad- mitted him. Mr. Bell's Sintement. “I have been very busy today and had to he would have run away from my office to ape the crowd. Of course I want to see everyone who calls, but at this time my time is so occupied that have been arrang' 1 started out at 8 o'ciock this the intention of cing the sire to have as asscciates in person, but I found it was cntirel: nd me, sof have had to waive fort nd have recourse to the telephone. Officers Selected, Mr. Bell, in reply to The Star reporter's tion whether he had selected any com- eemen or chairman, replied that h2 had. ‘There will be two vice chairmen, and Mr. S. W. Woodward and Mr. Louis D. Wine have consented to serve. Mr. John Joy Eéson will be treasurer and Mr. John W. Thompson chairman of the finance com- mittee. Mr. Fred Brackett, who performed Fuc ellent service in 1388 as gecretary, has been selected for that position again. The other chairmen who have signisled their willingn to serve are Mr. B. H. Warner, chairman of the committee on civic organizations: Mr. Henry A. Willard, of parks and reservation r. Louis D: Wine, of street decorations. There may be other acceptances received during the day.” Executive Committee. The members of the executive commitiee already selected by Mr. Bell in addition to the chairmen of the various committee: whose names will not be made public until acceptances are received ard who will be by virtue of their posi the body, are as follow A. T. Britton, James M. Parker, Crosby S. national commiiteen riah Wilkins, Benj. Butterworth, Charles G. Glover, Henry E. Davis, Lawrence Gard- ner, R. Ross Perry, A. M. Clapp, Charles G. Conn, Stilson Hutchins, john’ F. Cook and Milton M. Holland. By Telephone. It was interesting to sce Mr. Bell engaged in the work of ferming his executive com- mittee by telephone. He would ring up the desircd number, and if he secured the gen- tleman he wanted to converse with would explain his wish to see nim personally, but the absolute impossibility of such a course, and then inqvire if he would serve as a member of the executive committee and chairman of such and such a subcommittee. His private secretary was present ‘and Mr. Bell dictated his requests to such gentlemen as he could not reach by wire to her. Thus was the important work prosecuted by all the modern means of ‘apid communication. Mr. Bell will prod- ably complete the formation of the execu- tive committee tomorrow, and if the chair- men of the subcommittees emulate his en- ergetic example every committee will have its membership complete and be in working order by Saturday night. More Chairmen. Bell played the telephone’ with energy, and additional acceptances came in. Mr. Thomas Somerville was made chairman of the committee on carriages; Mr. Jemes E. Bell, chairman of commit- tee on public comfort at the ball, and Mr. Simon Wolf, badges. A review of the names selected by Mr. Bell indicates that he has chosen men ex- perienced in inauguration work to head the committees and act in an executive ca- pacity. Mr. L. D. Wine, Mr. Henry A. Willard ard Mr. Thomas Somerville and Mr. James E. Bell presided over the re spective committees of which they will 1 again the chairmen on the occasion of for- ner inaugvration Mr. Theodore W. Noyes was appointed chairman of the committee on printing. Mr. Hanna. Mr. Hanna, Mr. Payne and Mr. Dawes of the national committee: find that they will not be able to leave Washington tomorrow, as expected, and, although the latter may get away in a day or two, Mr. Hanna will be here for the rest of the week. The com- mittee has decided to establish permanent headquarters in Washington, and Mr. Hanna has turned this matter of location over to Mr. Payne and Mr. Dawes. These two gentlemen and Secretary Osborne started out this morning to inspect several places already recommended. The head- quarters will be confined to a couple of rooms Yor the present, and Mr. Rand of Milwaukee will be in charge from now on. Mr. Hanna, as usual, was overrun with visitors today, and last night, up to the very time when he left for the dinner given him by Colonel Hay, he was busy discuss- ing inaugural matters. Mr. Hanna and Mr. Bell, together with Committeeman Parker of the District of Columbia, spent a good portion of the day discussing the appoint- ments of the local comm to Mr. “The reception given chairman of the inaugural committee 1s rman Hanna to a Star it is impossible to do so. I the committee wor! morning with pnilemen I de- 6. Berrct, Myron Judge Long, Florida; Be- Mr. chairman of committee cn s,""_ said Ch: reporter this morning. “It is very satis- factory.” ve you seen Mr. Bell since his ap- pointment?” “Oh, yes, we bave talked matters over.” Mr. Hanna’s apartments were besieged ~ this morning by callers as usual. He left orders that he had nothing for members of the press, but courteously made an ex- ception in the case of The Star represen- tative. Mr. Horatio Kirg was among h‘s visitors and the two gentlemen had a pleasant chat. Hin Appointments, Chairman Hanna occupies what are known as the “state apartments” at the Arlington, The rooms are on the second floor at the junction of Vermont avenue and I street. The corner room is his pri- vate reception room and has been hitherto utilized for the same purpose by President Cleveland, who, with Mrs. Cleveland, occu- pied the suite previous to his last inaugu- ration, and by Li Hung Chang on his recent visit here. The adjoining room, fronting Vermont avenue, is the scene of the more important consultations with prominent party men and others, and the Lext apartment to the south is the bed room. The reception room is large and handsome, and is carpeted in light, prettily figured stuff, the furniture being uphol- stered in blue. There are some excellent pictures on the terra cotta walls. A center table several feet in diameter stands on a Turkish rug in the middle of the parlor and is literally covered with letters and telegrams. Mr. Hanna evidently has sub- lime confidence in his callers, as there 1s no attendant in the room, and when he retires to consult with somebody a curious person awaiting his turn to see the chair- man would have, if so inclined, ample op- portunity to peruse Mr. Hanna’s cor- respondence. Scattered among the sheets and envelopes are piles of visiting cards from the delicately engraved to the roughly penned hotel slip, and they contain names known in every section of the country, as well as many of world-wide fame. Chair- man Hanna visited the Capitol again to- day, and General Porter went with him. Before their departure The Star reporter chatted with the grand marshal of the in- auguration parade. Gen. Porter. “lf you Washingtcn people will only give us weather lke we had yesterday on March 4 we'll do the rest,” said General Porter, pleasantly. “You know about the prayers of the righteous. Well, I hope they'll be directed to that purpose. No, I have given no attention yet to the selection of an aid. We will establish headquarters first, select the staff and settle other pre- liminartes, and then the selection of an aid wili be taken up.” The Star reporter suggested that Col. H. C. Corbin’s name had been mentioned as that of aid. General Porter said Col. Cor- bin had had valuable experience in past iraugurations, but that he had not yet scen bim, —_——--—_ IN YOST’S FAVOR. Decision of the Virginian Supreme Court Special Dispatch to The Evening Star RICHMOND, Va., December 8.—The su- preme court today decided the Flood-Yost case, practically resulting in the awarding of the certificate of election to J. Yost as republican member of Congress from the tenth district. The court decided to take jurisdiction of the case and to issue a man- damus against “the commissioners and clerk of Buckingham county, commanding the commissioners to reassemble and sign a new abstract of the votes cast in the county election, showing the votes accord- ing to the face of the present returns. The court declined to pass on the appli- cation to have the reiurns from Glenmore precinct corrected, as the vote from ithe other precincts are sufficient to elect Mr. Yost. All questions relating to Glen:nore precinct are held in reserve by the court for future consideration, 1f such should be- come necessary. The court suggeste! to counsel for Yost to amend their petition against the state board of canvassers so as to pray that they may be compelled to can- vass and count the new returns as they will be submitted by the Buckingham county commissioners. Counsel for Yost immediately prepared the amended petition and filed it with the clerk of the court, and the board of can- vassers will take final action as soon as the amended returns are male. The acticn of the supreme court is being widely dis- cussed here today. ——— WILL FORFEIT THE VESSEL. American Suffer the Penalty for IMegal Sealing. SEATTLE, Wash., December 8—The owners of the American schooner James G. Swan have lost their case before the United States district court, and will be com- pelled to forfelt the vessel for violating the sealing laws. The case is already a noted one, as it is the first time an American schooner has been forfelted for illegal seal- ing by an American court. In his information the United States at- torney alleged that the cause of the for- feiture was that the Swan was, August 1596, found employed in killing and cap- turing fur seals in Bering sea within the limits of a zone of sixty geographical miles surrounding the Pribyloff Islands, in vio- lation of the first seciion of the act of 1894. The owners of the vessel appeared in the case as claimants, and with swer denying that the schooner was time violating the law. In this they were sustained by the members of the crew, who appeared as witnesses, and claimed they did not intend to violate the iaw. In- asmuch as the law does not specifically de- clare a forfeiture of wager, these men claimed they were entitled to receive their wages out of the proceeds of the sale of the vessel, but in this Judge Hanford dis- agreed, claiming the forfeiture to be ab- solute. Two Retirements This Week. The two rankirg officers of the 9th Regi- ment of Cavalry will retire this week by operation of law on account of age. Col. James Biddle, commanding, will retire on the lith instant, and Lieut. Col. James F. Randlett, his chief assistant, will retire to- day. Both officers served in the volunteers during the civil war and made honorable records, Col. Biddle receiving the brevet of brigadier general. Their retirement will result in the following promotions in the cavalry branch: Lieut. Col. David Perry of the lvth, to be colonel of the 9th; Major John M. Hamilton of the Ist, to be Heu- tenant colonel of the 9th; Major Thomas A. Baldwin of the 7th, to be Meutenant colonel of the 10th; Capt. E. 8. Godfrey of the 7th, to be major of the Ist; Capt. Albert G. ‘orse of the Ist, to be major of the 7th; First Lieutenant E. P. Brewer, of the ith, to be captain of the 7th; Capt. E. G. Mathey of the 7th, to be major of the 7th and then retired; First Lieut. M. D. Par- ker of the 9th, to be captain of the 7U First Lieut. O. J. Brown of the Isi captain of the Ist; Second Lieutenants Charles D. Rhodes, W. 8. Wood and Geo. T. Langhorne, to be first lieutenants. 4 SS Representative Curtis’ Pocket Book. Representative Curtis of New York was robbed by a pickpocket in the crowd: at the Capitol yesterday, losing his purse, which contained $23 and several other articles of value. Among them, and the one he prized most, was an old photograph of his wife. This ‘morning an aged colored man was toiling up Capitol Hill when he espied a brown wallet lying under a bush beside the walk. He reached for the purse and took it immediately to one of the Capitol po- licemen on duty in the grounds, having visions, no doubt, of a reward for finding it. It was Mr. Curtis’ purse, but the $2: was missing. Everything else was intac; however, including a faded picture of a sweet-faced young woman, the photograph that Mr. Curtis prized. The pickpocket had abstracted the $23 and discarded the pocket book and other contents. The police took charge of the purse and sent the old man on his way, not rejoicing, however, but muttering because he had not been allowed to see Mr. Curtis. A BRIEF SESSION The Senate Practically Did No Busi- ness Today. SENATOR COLLOM 70 SPEAK ON CUBA Post Office Bills Brought Up in the House. ONE OF THEM PASSED The Senate settled down to business to- day, and there were few evidences of the excitement of the opening session of yes- terday. The galleries resumed their nor- mal aspect, the attendance being scant and Scattered, with the diplomatic gallery empty. There was a buzz of comment among the Senators, and frequent whis- pered conferences, resulting from the re- publican caucus earlier in the day, When a letter from the Secretary of the Treasury was read, answering a Senate in- guiry as zo the number of aliens in the treasury, Mr. Gallinger (N.H) remarked that he was glad to observe that foreigners whose service had been conspicuous in the department had seen fit, as a result of the inquiry, to take out naturalization papers. Many petitions were presented from man. wacturing bodies urging the passage of the The Cuban Questi The early opening of a Cuban discussion Was foreshadowed by a notice from Mr. Cullom I.) thet on Thursday e would address the Senate on question. The House resolutions relative to the death of ex-Speaker Crisp were then laid before the Senate. Mr. Bacon (Ga.) stated that at a later day he would ask ; th: rig be set for culogies on the r euiaies next he the Cuban be distinguished Georgian. As a mark of respect to che met ceased the Senate, at 12 %, adjourned. THE HOUSE. The attendance of members was very large when the House met today, but the galleries were almost deserted. No pro- sram had been arranged before the House met. After the journal had been read there was a hurried consultation of Mr. Dingley and other republican leaders, as a. result of which it was decided to proceed with the regular order—the call of commit- tees. Mr. Loud (Cal.), from the committee on post offices and Post roads, called up a bill to authorize the use of private BS now in use whe: o elamp is affixed. The bill. ie gg] been approved by the Pos é ment, it would tend to B cards, les effecting a say government of the difference mailing At and form as the t Office Depari- popularize postal ing to the between the The Bill Passed. The bill was passed. It takes effect July 1, 1897. He also called up a bill to provide @ limited indemnity for the loss of regis- tered mail matter. It provided an indem- nity of not to exceed $10 for any one regis- tered letter, but if of less value not to ex- ceed the actual value. This bill was also approved by the Post Office Department. Such an indemnity is made by nearly all the foreign countrics. The Postmaster General expressed the opin- jon that the increased revenues from reg.s- tered mail would more than offset the in- demnity losses to be paid. Last year, Mr. Loud said, 11 of registered mail matter wer with a loss of but 2, basis of last year's 744,00) pieces: ‘e transmitted, 1K) pieces, or, on the Statistics, the vern- ment could have a revenue of ‘s000,08, with ® Hability of $50,000. ‘There was some criti. cism of the bill, on the fround that it tres- Passed on the rights of express companies Mr. Hepburn Wowa) proposed that. the government should charge 1 per cent on the — + ang package registered, and pay e full value in case of los: pase b> compan Sonn ft loss, but in ne case Collection and Delivery of Mail. Mr. Loud then called up the bill of Mr. Sperry (Conn.) to authorize the collection and delivery of mail in cities, towns and villages where no letter carrier service ex- ists by the employment, under mutual ar- rangement between the citizens, of any person in such place to perform this service at a cost of not exceeding one ceni for the delivery of each letter or package. The expense of delivery under the terms of the bill is to be borne by the benefici#ries, aud there is no Mability so far as ine ;covern- ment is concerned. Mr. Sperry said that there was a strong demand for the pussage of the bill from New England and trom other farming sections. It would in effect, he said, be a revival of the old penny post. The Dill was opposed by Mr. Bingham Pa.) and Mr. Loud (Cal.), and supported by Mr, Smith (Il) and Mr. ‘Pickler (S.D.). The bill was passed 101 to 13. ————— be. ELECTRIC LIGHTING CASE. Court of Appeals en Counsel Tim: to File Bri In the case of the United State: Blectric Lighting Company against the District Commissioners and the Potomac Electric Power Company, the Court of Appeals to- day gave counsel for the defendants until the 11th instant in which to file briefs in opposition to the request of the complain- ant company for the allowance of a special appeal from the decision of Judge Cole, ren- dered last week. Judge Cole, it will be remembered, re- fused to enjoin the Commissioners from executing a contract with the Potom. company for lighting the city cast of Rox creek, and from granting the defendant company permits to occupy said territory. Thereupon the United States compuny asked the Court of Appeals to allow an up- peal to it from that decision, and restrain the defendants as prayed until such appcal should be finally disposed of. As stated in The Star several days ago, the Commissioners will do nothing in the matter util after the Court of Appeals has acted. —— Executive Clemency. The President has denied the application for pardon in the case of Arthur E. Phil- Ups, convicted in the District of Columbia of obtaining money under false pretenses and sentenced June 7, 1894, to four years’ imprisonment at Albany. “The prisoner was no doubt,” says ‘the President, “justly convicted of a most contemptible swind’e. I see no reason to think that bis sentence was excessive, and certainly no other suf- ficient ground for executive interference,” Pardons have been granted Dong Sun, convited in California of contempt of court, and Bee Melton, convicted in Arkansas of manslaughter. The President has com- muted to five months’ actual imprisonment the sentence of eight months’ imprison- ment imposed on Margaret Morrison, con- victed in California of smuggling opium.