Evening Star Newspaper, December 15, 1896, Page 2

SREY EVENBNG STAR, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1896-16 PAGES. The Alabama Senator's Speech on the Situation. HUMILIATING STATE OF GOVERNMENT The People Demand Some Action Should Be Taken. Se MATTERS IN THE HOUSE ——- Rev. T. DeWitt Talmage delivered the prayer at the opening of the Senate today. It was a feeling and eloquent invocation for Divine blessing on th natior lawmakers and on the whole people. In the absence of the Vice President, Mr. Frye occupied the chair. 2 Mr. Hale (Me.) presented the report of the appropriation committee on the pension appropriation bill, and gave notice that he would cal! it up tomorrow. The House concurrent resolution for a holiday adjournment from December 22 to January 5 was reported favorably and agreed to. Mr. Morgan (Ala.) presented the creden- tials of Edmund W m Pettus as a Sen- ator from Alabama for the term beginning March 4 next, to su Mr. Pugh. Money in Ele Something of a stir was occasioned when Mr. Allen (Neb.) offered a resoiution for a committee of nine Senators “‘on the use-of money in elections.” The resolution dirwts that the committee shall “thoroughly in- vestigate the extent to’which money, if any, was used in connection with the re- cent presidential election, either in pro- moting the nominations or in influencing in any manner the choice of presidential elec- tors, and to inquire whether any such ex- penditures were excess: timate, cor- rept or unlawful, an ly io in- quire and ascertain to whai extent for such purposes the owners of silver mines, gold mines, the bankers, the manufacturers, the railroad or other corporations and miliion- aires of all classes made contribtions, and what contributions, if any, were made by persons and corporations r<siding abroad,” The resolution further empowers the pro- posed committee to send for persons and Papers, and directs a report by the first Monday of December, 157 Mr. Allen made no remur lution, but sent to the clerk's desk and had read several newspaper clippings contain- ing charges of irregularity in connection with the recent election. The resolution was then referred to the comunittee on con- tingent expenses, Mr. Allen remarking that he earnestly desired a speedy report back to the Senate. Mr. Dingley came on the floor during the transaction of morning business and con- gired for some time with Mr. Aldrich (RL) The bill validating certain New Mexico is was taken up, the House amend- ments agreed to, and the Senate amen. ments disagreed to, so that the bill now S on the reso- goes to the President. Mr. Palmer (ll.) called up one of the pen- sion heretofore vetoed by the Presi- ient, 1 to Mr. Morgan for a Me. Morgan on Cuba. Mr. Morgan said: “I will confine my re- marks to comments upon the facts stated the recent annual message of the Presi- i the report of Secretary of I am not able to -over that the made any ‘om- indication as to any action per or expedient for Con- gtess to take with reference to Spain or Cuba; nor that he has indicated any course, except a still patient wait that the ¢ ecutive yses to take. Congress, thus own initiative must assume its own res y in a matter of the most serious. S “Congress must of the Pr give to the statements unhesitating acceptance as to the m: that were commit by » Constitution to his especial charge. When he u takes to state the facts that affect our h other powers we facts, unless the disproof of the most impressive Importance, tatement of the leading fa and conclusions that hear upon our duties in respect to ihe conflict of arms which has raged for over two years in the Island of Cuba. and it has the support of nearly all American belief. 1 have not heard that Spain controverts any statement or the President in his message. The evidence that comes from private sources relative to the condition of Cuba and the horrors of persecution, rapine and extermination visited upon the people of Cuba, admits of no doubt as to its credi- bility. Yet it presents pictures so incredi- bly Inhuman and so disgraceful to the civi- lization of this age that it stuns the mind into disbelief t t such things can be true.” As Mr. Morzin spoke the galleries filled and his words were followed with clvse at- tention by the Senators and the large simbec of spectators. Mr. Morgar went on to speak of the trying situation which requires prompt ac- tion to save thousands of innocent people frem cruel and deliberate butenery. The wholesale massacre of Spaia was no sur- prise to the Senator, who had anticipated It If War is Necessary. “If war with the United Siates Is neces- sary to reconcile the Spanish people to the s of Cuba by foreign conquest,” said Mr. Morgan, “we saall be compelled to meet that emergency. “If the destruction of Cuba is enough to popular sentiment of revenge satisfy h Spain by remain- own people are eve] along with action toward jon and ex- being ruine Cut stopping this war of amnihi ermination we have no time to } Mr. Morgan spoke of the resolution of Cong the last session. This ‘eft to the President the choice of concurring with the policy of Congress or delaying. He tose delay. The war Was continued until it has reached the final and desperate age of a war of devastaiion and extermi- nation, with the people of Cuba as a prey to those who hav+ set asi sual hon- orable usages of wart. and have be- eme robbers, cut-throais, assassins, rav- shers and pirates.” All of crimes, Mr. Morgan declared, would be found to have be stated to our government, of secrecy is broken and uh to the kno: we of the world, for the vindication of our course “if we ure forced to war to put an end to this saturnalia cf blood and fire."* authentically when the seal y are brought Inaction of the President Regretted. Congress has reason to regret the inac- tion of the President. A firm declaration that the conflict in Cuba had reached the stage of open, public war, would have ad- morished Spain that the Untiei States at least would hold her accountable for the observance of the rules of civilized war- The Senator Spoke bitterly of the interfer- ence of “suppesed business interests” to prevent the government from ending the horrid and brptal purpose of infuriated Morgan spoke of the necessity for ing cur citizens abroad. Referring to Turkey, he expressed the hope that the poliey of this government should not be re- laxed, and we would not much longer hear of these Turkish offenses inst hu- manity. The Senatcr asserted that our people in Cuba have rights under the laws of nations which the courts of all nations will enforce, despite of the opposition even of the dent of the United States if he should oppose them. He would give these laws full force and effect. amiliating State of the Government. ‘Our people are not content,” said Mr. Morgan, “to suffer thesé wrongs within earshot of our fremtier, and to pile up claims, petitions and proofs to be brought before Spain in the “endless palaver of dip- lomatic correspondence.” While we know that wrongs have been done to our peopl, and other. wropgs are threatened, “our gov: ernment isin the most humiliating state of inocuous desuetude if it interposes no help- ing hand to the sufferers, and refuses to forbid the further devastation and death ae re - = Sey = par ee that a cruel government is now inflicting RAILROAD CHANGES. | JUST “WHO DID oh IT? panies pes od tte eee eee ee THE FEDERATION OF LABOR. FINANCE AN D TRADE upon them,” = Sand omer —— = ‘The Senater said he foresaw that the | Mr. Ganm May Go to the Southérn perfectly apparent to any one cap e Standing Committees Appointed by time was near at hand when the final stand Road. alee x bye agen) erate President Gompers. i —— ee of the United States must be taken. It was ite stated that Mr. Frank S. Gannon? Tas, 2a tus . y is > tereshadowWed by the message, and ihe mo- ment might come at any time when the President would take a definite and final stand. When this came the Senator would fol- low the colors of the President, and !f it rreant war, would any. American hesitate+ to respond? There was no alternative betwee farther humiliating delay or of intervention. The Onty Alternative. In conclusion. Mr. Morgan sald: “In this condition of impotency to estab- ish permanent peace in Cuba and perma- nent security for our people while the Span- ish monarchy is dominant in that island, we have no alternative left to us but the single chotce between the continuous repe- tition of the evils reported in the message of-the President, or a base, humillating and eruel delay on our part while rapine ond destruction are rampant in Cuba, in the hope that some fortunate turn in events may relieve us from a duty that we owe to humanity, to Christian civilization, to the spirit and traditions of our country and our people, and to the lives and liberties of our people in Cuba who are now held by the cruel power of Spain. I do not rely upon any authority for what I have said beyond the President's message and the report of the Secretary of State. ‘That is enough, the facts are incontro- vertible, and our duty is plain. If we fail to act upon them, we take the responsibill- ty of a delay to perform a plain duty, at the expenSe of our people whose lives are in contant peril.” Besolation of Inquiry Adopted. At the close of Mr. Morgan's speech he asked for the adoption of the resolution presented yesterday requesting the Secre- tary of State for the papers in the Competi- tor case, and in other cases involving the arrest of United States citizens by Spanish authorities. The resolution was agreed to without division. A Vetoed Pension Bill. After Senator Morgan's speech the Senate took up the bill pensioning Nancy Allabach, which had been vetoed by the President. Mr. Palmer (Ill), in charge of the bill, an- swered a suggestion of Mr. Cockrell that this was a move to override the President, that the duty of a Senator was to act ac- cording to his information, despite the posi- tion of the President. While he had the utmost respect for the President, he was not willing that a precedent should be es- tablished im which the President should prescribe the rate at which pensions should be established. Colonel Allabach, whose widow was the beneficiary of the till, had served with dis- tinction in both the Mexican and_ civil wars, and Mr. Palmer thought the Presi- dent had acted under a misapprehension in vetoing the bill. Mr. Gallinger also urged action on the bill. He said in reply to a suggestion by Mr. Harris that it was impossible to se- cure a gereral bill covering such cases. The bill was passed over the President's veto, yeas, 41; nays, 11. The Resolution in Fall. The resolution of Mr. Morgan, which passed the Senate today, is as follows: “Resolved, That the President is request- ed, if it Is not in his opinion incompatible with the public service, to send to the Sen- ate copies of the papers relating to the condition of affairs in the Island of Cuba, which are referred to in the report of the cretary of State that accompanies his last annual message as papers collected in the annual volumes entitled ‘Foreign rela- tions of the United States.’ And also a statement of the several amounts of the claims lodged in the De- partment of State by citizens of the United States against Spain growing out of the alleged insurrection now existing in. the Island of Cuba. And also all correspondence with the panish government relating to the vessel Ned the Competitor and the perso: tured with or near that vessel, statement of the charges pending in any court in Spain or Cuba against said per- sors, and the proceedings of such court n those cases, and the place of their im- prisonment, the character of tueir treat- ment while in prison, and the condition of their health; whether said prisoners have had the privilege of coi of their own selection on any trial that has taken place on such charges or were represented by any consul, attorney or other agent cf the United Siates.”” On motion of Mr. Vest, the Senate went into executive session, and at % p.m. ad journed. THE A large basket of American beauty roses sraced the desk of Mr. Morse of Massa- chussets when the House met today. They had been sent by the Anti-Saloon League of this city “in grateful appreciation of bis efforts in bekalf of temperance.” Sev- eral minor relief bills were passed by ur animous consent. Atlantic and Pacific Railroad. Under the arrangement made last Thurs- day the bill to transfer the rights of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad Company under the original government charter to the mortgagees upon their purchase of the property was called up by Mr. Powers of Vermont. He explained the bill and its purpose. Some 42,000,000 acres of land were grant- ed to the road, an enormous grant, he ad- mitted, but much of the land was arid and only 700,000 acres had been sold. The road had been built by money loaned to it on mortgege and row that the mortgage was to be foreclosed it was only just that the mortgagees should succeed to the franchises and rights of the original company. If the criginal company had been derelict the muocent advaacers of money should not suffer. 1f this bill were not passed the mortgagees would be simply tenants in common; they could not organize them- selves into a new corporation. Mr. McRae’s Opposition. Mr. McRae (Ark.) attacked the bill on the ground that it did not sufficiently protect’! the interests of the government, the set- tlers and the creditors of the company. He proposed a substitute for It. ‘The substitute provided that as a condi- tion precedent to the reorganization the purchasers should, in writing, relinquish all claim to lands granted to the Atlantic and Pacific companies which were adjacent to or coterminous with the portions of the d uncompleted July 6, 1886. It also pro- vided for the sale of the lands of the road in tracts of from 40 to 160 acres, at $1.25 per acre, and for the assumption by the new corporation of all the obligations of the old road. In the latter respect it differed from the original bill, which specifically relieved the new road of all debts and obligations rot assumed in the contract. During the progress of the debate Mr. Bingham (Pa.) reported the legislative ap- propriation bill. Mr. McRae declared that the history of the Atlantic and Pacific railroad showed it had violated its pledges and obligations, and that, therefore, all the obligations the mew corporation was to assume should be nominated in the bond. Several minor amendments were adopted. One of them, offered by Mr. Mitchell (N. Y.), provides that the new corporation should assume all the legal obligations of the old compan: ‘The Substitute Defeated. The McRae substitute was defeated—73 to 16%. Mr. Prince (ill.) proposed an amend- ment previding that as a condition prece- Gent to the reorganization of the road the purchasers should in writing relinquish all clatm to the land granted by the govern- ment adjacent to those portions of, the road uncompleted July 6, 1886. He explained that this amendment would simply ‘forfeit to the government all unearned lands. Mr. Powers said that a sult was pending for the forfeiture of these lands and this amend- ment would be practically blackmail. The amendment was adopted, 7$—43, and the bill was passed without division. Mr. Loud, Cal., chairman of the commit- tee on post offices and post roads, then moved that the House go into committee of the whole for the consideration of his bill to amend the law relating to. second- clase mail matter. The opponents. of this measure, led by Mr. Quigg, N.Y., took the offe.sive and supported the latter's mo- tion to adjourn. ‘6 Oo Faver a “Curfew Law.” A curfew law ts being strongly advocated by the ministers of Willtamsport, Md., and is receiving the indorsement of many of the citizens. The mayor and town coun- cil will be urged to pass the law, which will stipulate that children under fifteen years shal vacate the streets after ¥ o'clock at night. HOUSE. now general superintendent of the Statest Island Rapi@ Transit Company, which Is generally known as the New York division of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com- pany, has been appointed general manager of the Southern Railway Company, with headquarters in Washington. Vice President Finley of the Southern, who was today asked about the matter by a Star reporter, said that he had heard nothing whatever of the rumor, and could not say whether or not it was correct. What lends color to the report is the fact that Vice President Finley, who succeeded Mr. Baldwin as vice president and who is also in charge of the operating depart- ment of the road, is, In the opinion of many persons who are prominently connected with the Southern, overworked by reason of his many duties, and that the office of general manager 1s badly needed in order that the occupant of the place may relieve Mr. Finley of the duties relating to oper- ating matters. The position of general manager existed until about one year ago and was held by Capt. W. H. Green, now general superin- tendent of the eastern system. At that time, however, the cffice was abolished and the duties connected therewith transferred to the superintendence of Mr. Baldwin. Wheu the latter was succeeded by Mr. Fin- ley no change was made in the functions ef the office, which are now performed :by Mr, Finley. Mr. Frank S. Gannon has been a railroad man for at least twenty-five years, and nearly his entire service has been with tne Baltimore ard Ohio Company. He was first brovght into prominence by President Samuel Spercer, who gave him the position he now holds with the Staten Island Rapid Transit Compeny, and which he has filjed for almost ten years. SS OLEOMARGARINE CASE. ‘Trial of the Wilkins Brothers in the Criminal Court. Walter P. and Joseph Wilkins, young local tradesmen, were placed on trial be- fore Judge Cole in Criminal Court No, 1 this morning, on an indictment charging them with selling a sixty-pound tub cf oleomargarine to the superintendent of the District reform school October 17, 1895, without having branded the package ac- cording to law. Many witnesses were ex- amined. MR. HANNA > GOES T ANTON. The Chairman Will Report on His Washington Visit. CLEVELAND, Ohio, December 15. Lieut. Gov. Saxton of New York arrived here last night, and in company with Chairman M. A. Hanna, went to Canton today to call on Major McKinley. The Meutenant governor goes to call on the President-elect, while Mr. Hanna went down for the purpose of making a report to Major McKinley concerning his visit to Washington. Mr. Hanna said that he would return to Cleveland this evening. > mfirmutions. The Senate has confirmed the following nominations: Arthur L. Brown of Rhode Island, to be United States district judge for the district of Rhode Island; Andrew Kirkpatrick of New Jersey, to be United States district judge for the district of New Jersey; John H. Rogers of Arkansas, to be United States district judge for the western district of Arkansas. William B. Childers of New Mexico, to be attorney of the United States for the ter- ritory of New Mexico; Hiram P. Mack- intosh of Massachusetts, to be collector of customs for the district of Newburyport, Mass.; Charles C. Nott of New York, to be chief justice court of claims; John E. Carland of South Dakota, to be United States district judge for the district of South Dakota. Lewis I. O'Neal of the District of Co- Iumbia, to be justice of the peace in coun- ty of Washington, in the District of Co- lumbia; First Lieut. Harry B. Rogers of Massachusetts, to be a capiain in the rev- enue cutter service of the United Stazes. Also some minor appointmeats in the marine hospital service and revenue cutter service. —- Fire at St. There was an exciting time at St. Dom- inie’s Church, in South Washington, about 12:20 o'clock, when fire was discovered on the second floor of the parsonage. People about the church remembered the dis- astrous fire in the church about twelve years ago, and it was feared that the flames might again spread to the church edifice. The fears, however, were not realized, for No. 4 engine company responded to a call and promptly extinguished the flames. A gasoline stove used for heating water had exploded and caused the fire. The flames disfigured the window sash and frames ahd caused only about $30 damage. > Asks a Divorce. Ella E. Latham, in applying for divorce today from Atwood P. Latham, to whom she was married at Baltimore, Md., Octo- ber 31, 1894, charges her husband with de- serting and abandoning her the first cf December following. ee Wanted to Go In. There was some excitement last evening on H street when a well-dressed man, who later gave his name as’ John Williams, at- tempted to forcibly enter 1415 H_ street, where a modiste’s parlors occupy the first floor and a manicure establishment the sec- ond. The manicure establishment was closed at the time, but the man, who was intoxicated, insisted on entering and having his nails manicured. He was placed under arrest, and forfeited collateral today in the Police Court. Dominic's. The Newsboyw Christmas Dinner. The ladies connected with the Maulsby Home for Newsboys are arranging for the Christmas dinner annually given to the lit- tle waifs who are their special care. This dinner is one of the great events of the year for those who participate in it. It rep- resents, too, one of the most beautiful of 4 charities, ful! of the Christmas spirit. From year to year the number of the boys who have had their hearts gladdened and_their Christmas made merry by the efforts of the ladies has increased, and, of course, every year more money and more supplies are needed to provide for the increasing number of little guests. So the ladics now have confidently appealed to the good- hearted people of the city toghelp along the cause with contributions »f 1aoney. Con- tributions may be sent to The Evening Star office. 5 > Twenty-Second Regiment Washingto: From the New York Tribune. 2 ‘The first regiment of the state militia to announce its intention to visit Washington and take part in the inauguration day cere- montes is the 22d Regiment. At a meeting of the board of officers of the regiment last night at the armory, a resolution was of- fered stating that it was the sense of the board that the regiment should visit Wash- ington in a body as one of the representa- tive military organizations in New York state. The resolution was adopted unani- mously, and a committee, consisting of the captain of each company, with Lieut..Col. William V. King as chairman, was ap- pointed to make all the arrangements.-The committee will hold another meeting next Monday at the armory. Five hundred mem- bers of the regiment have already signified their intention of going. : oo —_____ Claims Damages. © In a suit filed today by her against ‘the’ Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Company, Eva J. Turner, owner of premises described as'lot 12, square 881, claims $10,000 dam. ages because of injuries to hat been Infilcted upon her house by the Fun-’ uae of trains through the navy yard tun- | to LTO BE INSTIPUTED The ~*Reosganization Committee Soon ® Insert the ‘Probe. = MR. ,- KEYSER'S COMMENTS wm Ve In Baltimore it is béHeved that civil, if not criminal, prosecutions will-be the out- come of the.Little report on the condition of the Baltimore and Ohio finances. One of the most widely known officials of the Baltimore and Ohio company said last night that*emineft counsel have been con- sulted by those holders of the securities of the company who want to find out more than is yet known regarding the causes whi® led to the wrecking of the com- pany. It is their intention, it is said, to go to the bottom of the transactions which covered the period from, 1888 to 1895, and hold those who brought about the ruin responsible: : A meeting of the reorganization commit- tee, which was selected some months ago by the company's security: holders in Bal- timore, has beén called to take place in a day or two. The exact time is being kept secret, in order to begin active steps to find out what is the real condition of the com- any. wie! originally constituted this committee Was composed of Major Alexander Shaw, chairman; C. Morton Stewart, General John Gill, Joshua Harvey, E..Edward Ham- bleton, James TL. “McLane, William A. Fisher and Derick Fahnestock, with John M. Nelson as secretary. Since then Messrs. Fisher and. Fahnestock have re- signed and their places will, it is under- stcod, be filed at the first meeting of the committee. Statute Linbility. In speaking to a Star reporter about the unfortunate condition of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, a member of the reorganization committee said that it was a question whether the directors of the com- pany had not, by giving their countenance to the annual reports, made themselves Mable for the amount of over-payments of dividends. The basis for this belief lies in the fact that Mr. Little in his report distinctly charged that unearned dividends were paid by the former management of the company. On this point article XXIII, section 67, public general laws of Maryland, is appli- cable: “If the trustees, managers or di- rectors of any such corporation shall de- clare and pay any dividend, the payment of which would render it ipsoivent, or would diminish the amount of the capital stock, they shall be jointly and severally liable for all the debts of the corporation then existing and also for all that shall thereafter be contracted while they shall respectively continue in office, even al- though the whole amount of the capital of said corporation be paid in.” Unearned Dividends, “It is not to me conceivable,” said a mem- ber of the reorganization committee to a Star reporter; “that a great corporation like the Baltimore and Ohio should have been permitted to default and be placed in the hands of receivers because some 300,000 had, according to Mr. Little's re- ee been paid out illegally, in the shape of unearned dividends. “This is not my idea of what caused the downfall of he company. I am not an expert a¢countant, but I have watched the management and manipulation of the Bal- timore and Ohio company, and, in my opin- ion, the relations of the company with sdme of: its4emsed® and operated lines have had more to do with the present -unfor- tunate eondition of the property than the payment. of. unearned dividends. Besides, no dividends were patd for a considerable time previous to thereceivership. “Mr. Little says: ‘Lf adequate eapital can he obtained with which to fund its floating debt and furnish-faoilities for the enlarge- ment of its business and the economical handling of the same, there is nothing dis- couraging in the prospects of the ability of the company to earn the interest and more on all its direct obligations now out- standing. é “There are several thirtgs to be consid- pknows bin fp the: ered in this connection. ‘Thé obtaining of new capital imposes» additional fixed charges. The receivers have already issued $10,000,000 receivers’ certificates, -and will probably be compelled to issue more. In addition, the company has a floating debt of $16,000,000, of which amount probably $10,000,000 are unsecured. New capital to the amount of at least $25,000,000 must be raised when a reorganization of the com- pany shall be effected, to pay off receivers’ certificates and floating debt, and to pro- vide new capital for repairs, improvements, betterments and equipment. This is a mod- erate estimate. Interest Capacity. "Now, what I and many others should like to have learned from Mr. Little's re- port is, not whether the company can earn the interest upon its present direct obliga- tions, but whether it can earn, in addition, the interest on the new capital, and its in- terest obligations, indorsements, guaran- tees, eto." - Mr. William Keyser, who for some years during the administration of the late Presi- dent John W, Garrett, was first vice presi- dent of the Baltimore and Ojio Railroad Company, said in speaking of the present troubles of that company: “When I was in London recently Lord Rothschild, the head of one of the greatest banking houses of that city, said to me that there were two things in connection with American railway management which need- ed radical reform before confidence on the part of foreign investors in American rail- way securities could be restored, “The one was the abolition of. the. one- “man power in the president and the other a more rigid supervision by competent and "disinterested experts of the system and cor- rectness of American railway accounting. “The report of Mr. Little on the affairs of the Baltimore and Ohio. Railroad Com- pany just issued strikingly confirms the correctness Qf this critic'sm. A .careful study of this report, based upon a somewhat accurate knowledge of this company’s af- fairs and its history, induces me to call the attention of the investing public to this striking instance of American-railway. mis- management, ending in almost unparalleled fina 1 disaster, .and-what. to.every:right- minded man, is far worse, resulting in be- smirching the reputation. of the city whose lname is 80 prominently identified with this Not the4First Inveutigatio “Wien We 'fibk-at the facts in this case and conglder ye, charagter and reputation of the men: taxwhom the management of this property was confided and the outcome of it’ all’ gre is*dtsposed to ask If there is anything inhebgpt In the American railway sys| whighoelouds the intellect and so warps and biases the judgment as of-ieces- sity to “Shuse! Facts” to be perverted and figures 4¥'be jugied with: bape: “Unfortanately, this is not the ‘rst in- svontigetsoer= nee “affairs rt, Yhis company’ been subjected ‘within late Years, nk te 1Othe Nest time the accuracy of its accounts-has_been.called in question and cl -shayn to be unreliable and un- ° Tn’ 1880 a CHmittec’ oF frivéstization, of which Iwas chairman, after an exhaustive nob ile off.as worthless some 000, Wi] an asset never had an ae hich only appeared to the credit, of thé‘profit’ ahd loss’ account asthe result of symenienc aan lation a ot the unsound in principle; but unknown in any system of bookkeeping. he Hina itr TD nog tt commfttee,~ a een of seven with a ai doubt—He.has UA. at raise the pnerchor.of during the seven years has been grossly misleading and incurrect—the outcome of @ pérsistent- tem of theoretical bookkeep- ing and dealing with figures to make them suit the supposed emtergencies of the case as each annual report was issued. ‘The Surplus in 1888, ~ “Wher we consider that as late as 1883 the surplus fund of this'company, ‘repra- senting capitel derived from earnings,’ which, to further ase the language of the annual reports, ‘was not represen'ed by stocks or bon, amounted to nearly $50,- 008,000, and that the capital stock, includ- ing both first and second preferred, was less than $20,000,000, and that no distrtbu- tion of this immense so-called surplus has ever been made, and for the period of near- ly one-half of the intervening time no dividends were paid in cash, and then if Possible realize that the company is now in the hards of receivers unable to meet its obligations, with a floating debt, stated by Mr. Little as upward of $16,000,000, to be Provided for, the so-called surplus having vanished into the air, and the shares of common stock fallen to 15 cents on the dol- lar, T think the inquiry becomes a per- tinent one, Who ts responsible? “That the responsibility for entailing this enormous loss upon the investing public Tests somewhere cannot be denied. While during a part of the time under review business conditions were not favorable for rallrcad @arnings, it is well known that well-managed properties have held their own, and that a diminution or temporary loss of dividends have been the oniy disad- ye the stockholder has labored un- er. One-Man Power. “T think in the case of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company the one-man power has been largely responsible. The board of directors of this property have apparently never exercised any control over its affairs or accounting, or kept themselves informed of the situation. “Gentlemen have for years loaned their respectable names to give currency to this company’s reports and inspire confidence in its management. While the public at large were openly criticising the state- ments and the business methods in vogue, these directors, who were the responsible parties, seem to have contented themselves to remain in profound ignorance of the ra- ture and bearing of the large transa>.ions, which have resulted fn saddling upon the concern immense losses and untold compli- cations and of the systems under which the accounts were being handled, dnd ap- barenuy ‘ndifferent as to the corre2ines: or character of the reports for which ibey were responsible. “The first step toward remedying the evils of the past is, in my judgment, to de- termine clearly to what they are attributa- ble, and I believe the incompetency and in- efficiency of the board of manugement lies at the bottom of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company's past troubles. “When the chairman of the finance com- mittee of a great corporation will content himself to remain in absolute ignorance of the financial conditio: of his company and deliberately close tis eyes when the air is full of damaging rumors as to its condi- tlon it seems to me the time has come when finance committees and their chair- men are no longer wanted, und ihe same may be said of boards of director “A wholesome lesson*may be learned from the past, and the evils to some ex- tent be offset, if a radical change can now be inaugurated, so that In ihe future this and other similar companies can be man- aged by men who accept positions reccg- nizing their responsibility to the and who will see to it that no reports of the president and directors are issucd with- out at least ordinary precaution and dili- gence being used to make sure that the figures presented are based upon some well-recognized principle of bookkeeping.” ——— 3 CLOSED TO REORGANIZE, Suspension of the First National Bank of Hullidaysburg, Pa. The First National Bank of Hollidays- burg, Pa., the oldest bank in that section of the state, and one of the original fifty- seven national banks-in the United States, suspended business yesterday. The folloy ing notice was posted on he front door of the bank: “On account of the heavy drain upon this bank for the past thirty vays, and especial- ly the last two or three days, the board of directors have decided to suspend business until further notice.” @igned) THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. The closing of the First National Bank precipitated the failure of the Martinsourg Deposit Bank of Martinsburg, anl the Wil- liamsburg Bank of Williamsburg. ‘These two banks are unincorporated, and are con- trelled by the stockholders of the First National Bank. The First National Bank of Hollidays- burg was organized in 1863 with a capital of ,000. It is officered as follows: Presi- dent, Wm. R. Babcock, Cumberland, Md.; vice president, Wm. P. Smith; ier, Hartley H. Jacks; directors, W. R. Bab. ccek, Col. Wm. Stone, J. D. iiemphill, Col. Wm. Jack and W. 8. Niceodemus. The Martinsburg Deposit Bank was es- tablished in 1870. Col. Wm. Jack of Holli- daysburg is the president, and W. Niceode- mus of Martinsburg is the cashier. The cae ca capital of $25,000, ‘The Williamsburg Bank is controlled y Jack, Blair, Watson, Morrow & Con ee which Col. Wm. Jack nas been president A Sonn Clark at Watamaburg, cashier, was established in 1873 with a capit: 330.008. capital of The officials of the bank say that the sus- pension is only temporar and that the three banks will be reopen without any financial loss to the depositors, after the work of reorganization is completed. _— —+ e+ FIGHT WITH A MURDERER. He Hnd Beaten His Father to Death in a Religious Frenzy, At Vineland, N. J., yesterday afternoon a crowd of armed men battered down the door of the home of Luigi Jurio, cut through to the cellar, and, after a terrific struggle, captured Antonio Juric, who had brutally murdered his father. In the cellar with the murderer “were his mother and brother, all insane with religious frenzy. Until recently the Jurio family were liv- ing happily, but the death of a younger son seemed to turn the minds of them all. Since that time they have been exhibiting religious frenzy constantly and in all Places, and a few weeks ago two of the sons, one of whom was Antonio, were ar- rested and sent to jail. They were dis- charged a day or two ago, and the father, Juigi Jurio, incurred the wrath of Antonio by refusing any longer to indulge in the insane and boisterous religious services, in which the family had been induiging for months past. Antonio, in his insane rage yesterday afternoon, selzed a club and at- tacked his father. Outside the house he dealt the old man a terrific blow on the head, and-when his father had fallen, he planted his foot on his chest and pounded the old man’s head into a shapeless mass. Crowds ef people saw the murder,but none dared interfere to save the man’s life. Finally two of the spectaters secured g1 and at the sight of these Antonio fled to his home. A posse was formed, and a crowd of fullly armed men surrounded the house. But the place had been barricaded, and it was necessary before an entrance could be effected to batter in the door. The Jurio family were heard shrieking and praying in the cellar, the trap-door of which had been fastened down from below. ‘Then axes were secured, and a large sec- tion of the floor cut away. Half a dozen men, prepared for any emergency, dropped down into the dark hole, where the crazy Italians had taken their stand, and after a terrific struggle managed t® bind the murderer, Antonio, down with ropes. He was then hoisted up and carried off to jail, along with his insane mother and brother. ————+es-_____ President Potter's Resignation, * Inquiry at Union Collége at Schenectady, N. ¥., establishes the incorrectness of the report that President Potter of Hobart Col- lege would join the faculty of Union Col- . Dr. Potter has resigned the presi- dency of Hobart: oliege and will r take up his residence in Schenectady. —.~+- the ede. ping {he acepunt sand mos | Death of a Veteran German Singer. , Martin Kaiser, said. to be the oldest active German singer in the Unite? States, honor- rE, president of Sapigemeaeer ms Maea- Philadelphia, from sto 1896, patch dagen and worker of the tles, is dead, aged it the Germania Maen- |! Owing to the contests heard in the com- mities on credentials the convention of the Federation of Labor at Cincinnati did not resume business until 4 p.m. yesterday. The | earlier part of the afternoon was devoted to the consideration of a resolution to ex- ude frem the convention all representa- tives of non-union newspapers. When the convention was permanently organized, af- ter the partial report of the committee on credentials was adopted, the resolution boy- cotting non-union newspapers and refusing them representation in the convention was adepted without reference. Mr. J. o'sul- livan of Boston was the only one asking to be recorded in the negative. The committee on credentials made a par- tial report, seating 118 delegates out of 125. Most of the others had led to present their credentials to the committee; but there were some bitter contests. Wood and Mallison of England, and Viourouz of France were seated with all the privileges of the American delegates. The seat of Wm. C. Pomeroy of Chicago, president of the National Hotel Waiters’ Association, was éontested by E. 0. Wood- bury of Chicago on the charge that Pom- eroy claimed he would pay as soon as pending litigation was settled. Pomeroy in turn contested Woodbury'e seat. Wood- bury also contested the seat of A. E. Vor- keller of Chicago, delegate of the brick- layers. The committee reported only on non- tested seats and has not yet reported on the contest. The partial report on credentia!s Was unanimously adopted. James H. Payne, representing the boxmakers, is at- tempting te secure a charter, and Thos. J. Kidd of the Amalgamated Woodworkers 1s protesting. President Gompers appointed the usual twelve standing committees, the most im- portant being constituted as follows: Rules and order of business—C. Lowe, J. W. Quail, Sam'l Yarnall, J. L. McFad-- den, Jas. Merr. On resolutions—Jas, Dernell, Robert Morrison. On law—P. J. McGuire, Jas. Duncan, M. M. Gariand, John McBride, John Lennon. President Samuel Gompers then presented his annual report. The different recommendations in the an- rual report of President Gompers were te. ferred to the appropriate committees. Rev. J. W. Magruder, pastor of Wesley Chapel, was present, and invited President Gompers to occupy his pulpit next Sunday afternoon. President Gompers accepted the an a that he would speak on “. ugh Sketch speak on, eI of a Rugged Secretary McGraith reported that the re- ceipts for the year showed an increase of 15 per cent over last year, while the balance on hand Is 25 per cent greater. The mem- bership was increased 68,202 during the year and heavy appropriations were met for strikes and other purposes in the Inter- est of the federation. Treasurer Lennon reported receipts $19,- f21, expenses $15,452; balance on hand, $4,169. The executive council submitted an elab- crate report on its work during the year, in which it referred to the detailed state. ment of strikes and other efferts, of which Secretary McGraith gave an elaborate his. tcry in his annual report. All the reports eek Teferred to the appropriate commit- ees. O'Connell, Ino. C. Askew, Davis Black, Frank BIG FIRE AT ALTOONA. Destruction of Property Valued at $100,000, Valuable property in the heart of the business section of Altoona, Pa., was de- stroyed by fire last night, entailing a of $10,000. A boy playing Santa Claus in one of the windows of F. M. Morrow's dry goods store. at the corner of 11th ave- nue and 12th street, dropped a lamp, and in trying to extinguish it set fire .to some cotton about his neck. He pulled the cot- ton garment hastily off and threw it down upon some decorations in the window. In- stantly the window was ablaze, and a Sew minutes later the fire was sw ping throu! loss the store, the clerks out. ‘The flames exte; to Odd Fellows’ Hall, a | three-story k building, in which the city post of 's located, and on the other le to the Simon building, a three-story structure owned by Blumenthal Bros. of Lancaster. The walls of these buildings checked the further progress of the tire. +e. WAS INSANE. Inquest on the Suicide of Mra. Le Champion, An inquest was held yesterday in Lon- don over the remains of Mrs. Caroline Muriel Valentina Le Champion, daughter of Capt. Cunliff of Shropspire, who obtained a judicial separation a short from her husband, Loftus Champion, a relative of the well-known sportsman, Sir Claude Champion De Crespigay, bart. Mrs. Le Champion committed suicide Friday last by swallowing a quantity of laudanum. The coroner’s jury returned ’a verdict of temporary insanity. The divorce proceedings caused quite a sensation at the time in revealing ‘he do- ings of certain members of the “fast set in Englend. Mrs. Le Champion, it was shown in court, occasionally came down | to dinner in red satin bloomers and her better half’s smoking jacket and frequent- | ly called her husband a “—-~ fool.” Mr. Le Champion, on his side, was proved to have been most violent upon nearly all occa- sions, making scenes in public places and calling his wife violent names. ~ +ee The Trouble Settled. The controversy between the owners of the Silver Kuight has heen settled out of the court, ahd Senator Stewart now re- mains in the field as the sole proprietor of that advocate of free silver, and will con- tinue to run it alone. The settlement was effected today, and Senator Stewart noti- fied his attorneys to withdraw the case from litigation. Colonel Sabin, who has been prominently connected with the Silver Knight, will no longer be identified with the paper. Senator Stewart will have the assistance of a number of stenographers and clerks, and expects to continue the publication of his paper with greater vigor in the advocacy of free silver than ever during the next four years. —_ Grain and Cotton Markets. Furnished by W. B. Hibbs & Co., 1421 F street, members New York stock exchange, correspondents Messrs. Ladenburg, Thal- mann & Co., New York. GRAIN. Open. Clos. Slt Es i 20% April Baltimore Markets. BALTIMORE, Md., December 15.—Flour firm, but quiet, unchanged—receipts, 10,425 barrels; exports, 26,903 barrels. Wheat dull —spot 90% bid; May, S$8a88%—recelpis, 3,- 588 bushels; exports, none; stock, 343,162 -bushels—southern wheat by sample, #1a92; do. on grade, 87%a91%. Corn easy—spot, Poem year, ey January, 27%a23; ‘ebruary,28a2814; March, 28}-a28%: steamer mixed, 26a264—receipts, 193,814 bushels; ex- po! stock, 1,693,012 bush- els: sales, 92,000 bushels—southern white corn, 22a28; do. yellow, 22a28. Oats steady —No. 2 white, 25226; No. 2 mixed, 22a23— receipts, 83,556 bushel: none; export: stock, 1,088,859 bushels. Rye firm—No. 2 nearby, 41a42; xports, none; stock, 16,465 bushels. Hay steady—choice timothy, $13.50 a$i4. Grain freights very dull, unchanged. Sugar steady, unchanged. Butter unsettled, time ago | ‘Decline in Pricas Follows Depression in London. ABIG SALE FOUND MANY IMITATORS Effect of Telegraphic Accounts of Sympathy for the Cubans. a GENERAL MARKET REPORTS _- + Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. NEW YORK, December 15.—Lower Lon- don prices and an advancing discount rate resulted in a general depression of values in the local market this morning. The sell- ing of upward of 20,000 shares of jong stock by a prominent operator discouraget @ considerable following of small holde-s and added liquidation sales to the liberal additions to the short account. day's advices from Washington, coupled with press dispatches from all sec tions of the country, announcing unusual demonstrations of sympathy with the Cuban insurgents, increased the reaction- ary sentiment. Prices yielded easily in al- most every instance, the continued absen of support being yaken advantage of by the room to force smart concessions. Ameri can Sugar was looked upon as the prob- able leader of any significant activity, ow- ing to the revival of the dividend as a de- terrent to short sales, should short selling be favored. The opening price for this property was practically at a parity with last night's final figures, bet almost immediately yield- ed urder pressure of stocks for beth ac- counts, A decline of 2 per cent was rec: ing the noon hour. The interests which usually control the market position of this stock, have not recently shown any ence for higher prices. The successs of recent years make the stock peculiarly Na Me to attack through anti-trust and tariff legislation, and good policy suggest a caf: ful concealing of fts prosperity durin legislative session. Legally the company can scarcely be in- cluded under the general term of trusts, and as to tariff changes, fractional « hanges in schedules are not likely to seriously ef- fect the earning capacity of the plant ‘These facts have to do with its real meri(, but do not concern its fluctuations when rded dur- a policy indicates the desirability of a lower speculative level Manhattan was sold down 2 per cent under offerings of stock representing both long and short account. The recent ma- nipulation in this proferty has been %p- j Parent to all interested observers, and to- day's abandonment of sustaining tactics 1s take» to indicate the futility of the pro- cess in the face of a declining market There have been few schemes proposed looking to the rehabilitation of this prop- erty which inspire conficence in their im- mediate berefit to shareholders The entire active list sold off luring the day, although the decline in the stocks j memed above was the most conspicuous he covering of a few stocks sold during the morning hour resulted in a fraconal | tecovery around delivery hour. Tae main situation was unchanged, however, during the closing hour, traders alone being neted among the buyers of the active s | In some instances the lowest pt f the | day were recorded at the close of business | > narrowness of the market suggests | raily in the near future, owing to its ov sold condition, but the demand for 5 jis more likely to be confined to th | interest tham to extend to the gen | lie. —_— + FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL. | ‘Tho folowing are the opentng.the highest j and the lowest and the closing prices of the | New York stock market today, a3 "eported by Corson & Macartney, members New York stock exchange. — Correspondents, Messrs. Moore & Schley, No. 80 Broadway. { Open. High. Low. Clow. American Spirits. Wy «Wy My LK American Spirits, pf) 9T" gx 92” ayy iAwerican sugar. 10K ican Sugar, Pfd.- 100% 4 2 Tobacco. uu American Cotton Oli see Atchison... is “BA aR” AB Baluimore & Ohio. M415 45 16 Bay State Gas...0 .00.. 10iy MIOWLg Canada Southera... ee wee . - Canada Pacific. ss we Chesapeake & Onio. Wy ey 16 16 C. CC. ASL Touts Wy My a | Chicago, B. & Q way Chicago& Nortt 1eRy | Chicago Gas. Ty fom. 73% ;G™ a e | Consolidated Gas. 160 Del., Lack. & W Delaware & Hudson. 125 Den. & KioGrande, Pra. | Brie. =. abewe | Geuerai Electric By | iinote Central. -- Lake Shore... 2 ise Lousville & Nashville.. 48% Metropolitan Traction... 108% Manhattan Elevated Michigan Central Missouri Paci National Lead Co. National Lead Co., New Jersey Central New York Central Northern Pacific. Northern Pacific, Ont. & Western. Pacific Mail. Phila. & Reading. Puliman ?’. ©. Go. SSouthern Ry., Pfa. Phila. Traction, Texas Pacific. ar | Tenn. Coai and iron 6 Union Pacific... 2g 4U.S. Leatner pfa. 59 Wabash, Pfa.... 1534 | Wheeling & L. Erie Wheelingé L. Erie,Pid. Western Union ‘el Silver. 1Ex-div. 8. 2Ex~div. 1X. 8hx-div, 1. 4Ex-iiy. 1. Washington Stock Excl Sales—regular call—12 o'clock m.—Capital Trac. tion, 20 at 52; 20 at 20 at 52; 20 at 20 t 51; 20 at 50%; 20 at Bo. phopbone, 100 at 5%. American Grapbopho preferred, 10 at 9. Mergenthaler Linot 29%; 10 at 120K; 10 at 129%: 5 at 1 ston Monotype, 10 at 6%; 8 at S District of Columbia Bonds.—20-year fund Ss, 103 bid. 30-year fund G4, gold, 110 bid. Water stock | 7s, 1901, corrency, 110 bid. Water stock Js, 1G, currency, 111% bid. 3.658, fundiug, currency, 107 bid. Miscellaneous Bords.—Meiropolitan Railroad 5s, 110 bid. Metropolitan Railroad cony. Gs, 113 bid. Metropolitan Railroad certificates of indebtedness, 116 did. Belt Kallroad 5x, 60 bid, 85 naked. ington Railroad Gs, 80 bid, 5 asked. Colm Rallroad @s, 111 bid, 113 asked. Washington Company €6, series “A, 113 bid. Washington Company 6s, series B, 114 bid. Chesapenke and Potomac ‘Telephone 56, 100 bid. American Se- curity and Trust 6s, F. and A., 100 bid. American Gas ay a ington Market Company ist Wi - ton Market € Gs, 108 bid” Washing- ton Market C ext. Gs, 108 bid. Masonic ‘ompany Hall Association 5s, 103 bid.” National Bank Stocks.—Bank of Washington, 285 Did. Bank of the Republic, 240 bid. Metroyolltan, 280 bid, 300 asked. Central, 270 bid. Farmeas and Mechanics’, 175 bid. Second, 126 bid. Cicl- zens’, 116 bid, 126 asked. Columbia, 116 bid. Cap- bid. “West End, 106 bid, 112 asked. ital, 14 ‘Traders’, 97 bid, 102 asked. Lincola, 108 bid, 108 asked. Ohio, 9 asked. Safe Deposit and Trust i gg neal Safe t-and Trust, 120 asked. Wasbington Loan Trust, 118 bid, 125 asked. American Securit . 5 bid, irdad, Stocks.—Cspital ‘Traction Company, *46 Md, 50 asked" Metropolitan, 105 bid, 100% asked. Columbin, 50 bid. nt Stocks.—Washington Gas, town Gas, 40 bid. U. asked. he 125 ‘bid: “German-American, 10 bid. “National pate. be. Sas See Heo Pincdia, Bsa seed Sone Meigs,