Evening Star Newspaper, December 16, 1896, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. ————— PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY, AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th St, by the Prange Rares New York Office, 40 Potter Building. ‘The Evening Star is served to subscribers in the city by carriers, og their own account, at 10 cents per week, or 44 cents month. Copies at the founter 2 cents each. mafl—anywhere in the United States or Canada—postage prepaid—50 cents per month. Saturday Quintaple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with tereign postage added. $5: (Entered at the Post Che Zven r | Star. <_second-class mail matter. 7 F-All mail subscriptions must be paid to advance. = of advertising made known on application. | No. 13,653, ‘WASHINGTON, D. ©, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1896-FOURTEEN PAGES. TWO OENTS. the crew were saved. There is a good chance of saving the vessel. The Puritan is of 641 tons, and wag form- erly the barkentine Charles L. Pearson. Track Shovelers Run Down. NEW YORK, December 16.—During the prevalence of a blinding snow storm today, a Pennsylvania passenger train, westbound, ran upon a gang of laborers engaged in shoveling snow from the track near Wa- verly, N. J. Moriarto Zanino was killed outright and Guiseppe Callotto was dan- gerously injured, while four others sustain- ed injuries that will incapacitate them for some time. = sTORM IN THE EAST| ee Wind Thick and Blowing Hard on the Coast. Mr. Frank R. Phister Fires a Fatal Shot. : DESPONDENT AND DESIRED DEATH EW YORK STREET TRAFFIC DELAYED es SMALLPOX RAGING IN gaPAN. |Was a Well-Known Government Clerk and Southern Man. Snow and Severe Cold Reported From the Interior. Two Hundred ‘mses and Several Deaths at Kobe. VICTORIA, B.C., December 16.—The steamship Empress of India, just arrived from the orient, reports smallpox raging with exceptional severity in the principal sea towns of Japan. At Kobe 200 cases and several deaths were reported. The Empress’ passengers were not al- lowed to land, and the crew were all vac- cinated before departure from Yokohama. Nothing has been doing in the Carew Poisoning case at Yokohama than already reported. ENROLLING CUBAN RECRUITS VESSELS KEPT IN PORT FOUND IN HIS BED Mr. Frank R. Phister, a government clerk and a popular young man about town, committed suicide this morning at his boarding house, 922 I street, by shooting himself through the head. Death was instantaneous, and when the body was found about 8 o'clock this morning the young man had evidently been dead for some time. The young man was a son of the late NEW YORK, December 16—The storm which began yesterday afternoon and which developed into a severe storm of snow and sleet during the evening still continues. At 9 o'clock Sandy Hook re- ported the wind blowing from the north- northeast at the rate of forty miles an hour, and very thick off shore The tele- phone line connecting Sandy Hook with the life-saving stations on the Jersey coast is Over Three Hundred Said to Have Been Se- down, preventing reports from the Ife Elijah C. Phister of Maysville, Ky., who “savers. cured at Kansas City. represented the tenth Kentucky district Telegraphic reports from Long Branch in the Forty-sixth and Forty-seventh Con- and Asbury Park say that from those Se FS gresses. During his father’s term in of- points nothing has been seen of the schoon- er Grace K. Green, which was abandoned yesterday after the rescue of her crew by the Old Dominion steamer Yorktown. The last that was seen of the schooner last night she had four sails set, and was ap- parently drifting off shore, heading south. The thick atmosphere caused by the snow storm interferes very materially with the river and harbor navigation, and ferry traffic Is very uncertain, the boats of the different lines running with very little at- tention paid to schedule time. Only two steamers reached quarantine this morning, the Starlight, from Swansea, and the Asloun from China ports. In this city considerable interruption of street traffic resulted from the storm. Ele- vated railroad trains ran on time, but the cable and other surface lines of street rail- Way were working under difficulties. The wind was fierce and cutting, the snow striking the face with a stingin terce. The street railway companies hac their sweepers out all night and during the forenoon, and the full force of the street cleaning department, men and teams, was set to work early in the day to clear the streets of snow. The telegraph and telephone wires were but little disturbed by the storm. Reports from Connecticut and Massa- husetts and from the interior of New York state show that the storm is of wide ge, the snowfall being from three ‘o eight inches and the temperature well down toward the zero mark. The White Star steamer Majestic, for Liverpool, left her dock at 1 o'clock, about an hour later than her regular time for sailing, and passed out quarantine at 1:52. Owirg to the storm, the presentation of colors to the cruiser Marblehead, now at the Brooklyn navy yard, has been post- poned. Only a portion of the delegation of citizens of Marblehead, Mass., having the Eresentation in charge had been able to reach the city at the hour set fer the cere- mony, and it was therefore deemed advis- able to defer the affair until tomorro EW HAVEN, Conn., December 16.—A show storm of unusual severity is raging in this section. It is especially violent all along the coast. Fully six inches of snow bad fallen by noon, and as a result of a high wind of the proportions of a gale, it is badly drifted. Neither the New Haven line nor the Starin line sound steamer from New York had reached New Haven up to noon. The Richard Peck postponed her nightly trip from o'cleck until 6 p.m. So far no damage is reported at the water front, but the direction of the gale, directly along the coast, makes the storm the worst kind. The steam railroads and the electric lines are not interferred with. MIDDLETOWN, Conn., December 16.— Steam railroad traflic is greatly delayed by the record-breaking storm which now pre- vails, and the trolley lines are badly crip- pled. The snow is ten inches on the level and fs drifted four and five feet deep. Ail country roads leading into this city ure blocked. NORWALK, Conn., December 16.—The Bridgeport-New York steamer Rosedale was compelled to put in at Wilson’s Point last night owing to the vehemence of the gale prevailing on the sound. Her pas- sengers, seventy-five in number, were land- ed and taken to their destination by train. rr Rosedale remained at the point ail night. LITCHFIELD, Conn., December 16.—The worst storm ever experienced in this sec- tion thus early in the winter is raging in Litchfield county. Snow began to fall at 2 am. and still continues with no signs fice the young man was appointed to a gcvernment clerkship, and was for a time cornected with the Smithsonian Institu- tion. For the past year or so he had been a clerk in the Indian bureau. Mr. Phister had lived for a couple of years past at the boarding house on I street and was prominent in the southern contingent of: Washington society. He was a good-looking mar, always well dress- ed and was about thirty-six years of age. He was also well acquainted among the artistic set and was something of an aria- teur himself. The walls of his room were hung with excellent amateur photographs, mementoes of social events in which he had participated, and with photographs of southern beauties. He was well liked by all who knew him and was of rather a studious turn of mind, devoting his even- ings as a rule to reading, but he was his own worst enemy. At times he was a hard drinker, and there is little doubt that he killed himself either in a fit of tempor- ary insanity or in the deep despondency that succeeded a spree that had lasted for several days. When Mr. Phister returned to his board- ing house early last evening he was evi- dently under the influence of liquor and was scarcely able to make his way to his room on the fourth floor. A friend of his, who occupied a room in the same house, came to his assistance and finally got him to bed. The unfortunate young man was in an extremely nervous condition, and his friend went to a neighboring drug store and got him a sedative powder, after which he went to sleep. At an early hour this morning, somewhere between 4 and 5 o'clock, two ladies in the house heard a noise that sounded like the report of a pistol, but they were unable to locate it and paid no further attention to the matter. About § o'clock this morning Jeff., a colored waiter, went upstairs to call Mr. Phister. He opened the door and caught a glimpse of the body lying on the bed. He turned and hurried down the stairs to give the alarm. The sight that met the first to enter the room was a shocking one. The young man was in bed, under the cov- ers. In his right hand was still clasped a handsome pearl-handled revolver. He had evidently drawn the weapon from under his pillow, and, placing the muzzle to his right temple, had fired one shot. The wound had bled tremendously, and pillow and mattress were drenched. The authorities were notified and Coroner Hammett, afger viewing the body and mak- ing a thorough investigation, decided that an inquest would not be necessary. The body was turned cver to a local undertaker to be prepared for burial and word was sent to the young man’s sister in New York and to his other relatives in Kentucky. It is supposed that the remains will be taken to Maysville for Interment. STREET EXTENSION CASES, No Secret is Made of the Movement— Awaiting Action by Congress— Organization in St. Low KANSAS CITY, Mo., December 16.—Al- ready aver 300 Cuban recruits have been enrolled in this city, and Col. B. 8. Harri- man, head of the local Libre movement, says that there are just as many more in Kansas City and vicinity ready and willing to go to the front. The men average in age between eighteen and thirty-five years and are generally unmarried. The enrollment is going on in Harriman’s office, and no se- crecy of the purpose of the movement is made. “Should Congress take action,” said Col- onel Harriman to a reporter, “that would permit armed men to go to Cuba without molestation, these men will be notified and sent in a body from Kansas City.” There has been some talk that two Span- ish spies“had recently arrived in the cit In this regard Colonel Harriman says: “Spanish spies cannot stop us. ST. LOUIS, December 16.—In the house at 202 Elm street in this city a company is being organized to go to Cuba and join forces with the insurgents. Edward Hast- ings is at the head of the scheme and is eager to join forces with the other Cuban sympathizers who are in the city. He has the names of twenty men who have joined his company and thinks he will have 10) men befcre the end of the week. Hastings visited the city hall to learn if the author- itles would interfére with him. He was told that the blind could not see, and if he organized his company quietly and did not make it too public no one would either see or hear of the movement. : HORNELLSVILLE, N.Y , December 1 A letter has been received from Vera Cruz which states that three Hornellsville bods who enlisted in the insurgent cause in Cuba are well and doing much good service. One of them, Wellington Lee, has the distinc- tion of having a Spanish reward of $500 set on him dead cr alive. He had charge of a dynamite gun under the late General Ma- ceo. Twenty other young men of this city ere ready to go to Cuba, but the letier says: “We are unable to serd any more men to Cuba at present.” BUFFALO, N.Y., December 16.—A call has been issued by the Cuban junta in this efty for an indignation meeting to be held at the Lycsum Theater next Sunday after- noon. At this meeting preliminary steps will _be taken to raise troops and money to send them to Cuba, and also to petition ‘ongress to take immediate steps to further Cuban struggle for liberty. CINCINNATI, Ohio, December 16—A special to the Times-Star from Wheeling, W. Va., says: Captain General Weyler was hung in effigy at 6: is morning at Main and 14th streets. Many people took part. Cuban sympathizers are hoiding nightly meetings here. ——— MINISTER COOPER’S MISSION. Argument Heard in the United States Supreme Court Today. The Supreme Court this afternoon heard appeals in the street extension cases of the District of Columbia. Mr. A. S. Worthing- ton appeared for the District and made an extensive argument on the unconstitu- tionality of the act in question. A large map of the District was hung in the cen- ter of the Supreme Court room, where it could be viewed by all the judges, many of whom interrupted the attorney with ques- tions. It is probable that the case will not be finished today, and that perhaps an hoar will be given to hearing arguments tomorrow afternoon. He Came to Urge Hawaiian Annexa- nexation. : SAN DIEGO, Cal., December 16.—The se- cret of Minister Cooper's mission to the United States is out. Mr. Cooper is the Ha- walian minister of foreign affairs, He formerly lived in San Diego and was a prominent member of the bar. He is here today and 1s quoted as saying that he came to the United States to urge annexation, owing to the fears that the Hawaiian gov- ern nent has of Japan. The situation in Hawaii, according to Judge Cooper, is that the Japanese far out- number all other foreigners The Ameri- cans are a handful in comparison. Hawaii has a treaty with Japan and cannot ex- clude the Japanese, who are pouring into the island steadily and pushing into every business. They are losing the humble de- meanor that characterizes their country mea on this coast, and through their great of abatement. It is accompanied by a howl- ing gale, which ts causing mammoth drifts. SAYBROOK POINT, Conn., December 16. One of the most violent northeast gales for years Is prevailing along the Connecti- cut CARLISLE. At Home Busily Preparing His Ans nual Report. Secretary Carlisle is busily engaged at home in the preparation of his annual re- port to Congress. He has been delayed in his work by the lack of certain statistical information. Having finally obtained this he is fast pushing the work to completion. He ts a rapid worker, and expects to aave the document completed and ready for sub- mission to Congress by the close of this week or the beginning of next week. SECRETARY shore of Long Island sound. The rs of the sound have been lashed in a wicked condition. But driving snow renders ‘katiom practically impossible. Not a vessel has been seen passing today, and the few that ran into the Connecticut river last not ventured out. LONDON, Conn., December 1 pansive harbor is crowded with ft of all sorts which have sought from one of the uglest storms in eth Ef RE aA hI Se hace ESTE IAB Sh A A ST eT A aD i da A cl ee a EL PE i BD a a ale sailing ¢ refuge numbers and the prestige of the Japanese- ‘hinese war are beginning to chafe for the years. The sound steamers succeeded ‘n | elective frarchise. if they force Hawaii to Sioa Feaching tals city not far behind their | give them the right to vote, then American Personal Mention. ane wd aera, et oe erates is | ascendancy will be at end forever. Dr. C. W. Little, whd sustained a serious — 7 os cay. he trolley lines Judge Cooper has laid the situation before ent last is improving slowl: which still continuce end arenes now tall. | influential men in the east and has so won | poe ait cova to Mer wane, to indefinitely." UmUes and promises to. rage | upon their judgment that fie believes that great strides will be made during the next | Florida avenue northwest. MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. December 16-- | Year toward annexation under the McKin- | Col. H. M. Robert, Corps of Engineers, Percy Middlebrook, Frank Roe and Patrick | ley administration. formerly Engineer Commissioner of the Powers, all sons of prominent citizens of eee oe District, is in the city in attendance on the Plerila: Orange county, took a ride in a] FREQUENT SKIRMISHES IN CUBA. | meetings of the Brasos river boacd, He is sleigh last night, returning at midnight. 2942 13th Roe and Powers attempted to assist Mic Spee SG Spanish Reports Say That Insurgents Are Retreating. MADRID, December 16.—Dispatefles re- ceived here from Havara say that the pur- sult of the Cuban insurgents fs being very actively pushed, especially in the provinces of Havana and Matanzas. Skirmishes are frequent, and the insurgents are reported to be retreating to the eastern end of the is- land. No attention seems to be paid here in official circles to the reports that Antonio Maceo was assassinated. The Spaniards say that if the Cuben leader was poisoned he would have died at the table or in bed and not on the field of battle, They add that the superior numbers of the insur- gents in the engagement near Punta Brava with the Spanish troops under Major Cirue Jeda disposes of the idea of an ambush. According to the Heraldo, 15,000 troops are to be sent to reinforce the Spanish garrisons in the Philippine Islands. Sakis 3 diebrook from the sleigh, but found that he was dead and frozen stiff. PHILADELPHIA, Pa., The wind ard snow Surgeon E. H. Marsteller, who is under orders to the Raleigh, is at 309 C street. Naval Constructor J. H. Linnard has re- ported at the Navy Department for tem- porary duty. Lieut. Lucian Flynn, yard, is in the city. Major N. H. Jackson, the newly appoint- ed paymaster, has reported at the War Department for duty. ~ Major W. B. Lane, U. 8. A., retired, is in the city on a visit. Ensign Ryland D. Tisdale of the Essex has reported at the Navy Department for examination for promotion. Secretary Lamont has gone to New York for a few days. Major F. H. Phipps and Capt. J. C. Ayres, ordnance department, are in the city in attendance on the meetings of the board of fortification: Capt. M. B. Hughes, 9th Cavalry; Lieut. Geo. O. Squier, 3d Artillery; Lieut. E. 8. Airs, 18th Infantry, and Lieut. J. P. Wade, Sth Cavalry, are registered at the War De- partment. December 1 storm which began eerly last evening continued throughout thé night, and at noon today shows no signs of @ating. During the eariy morn- ing hours the wind blew a gale, and rail- read and street car traffic suffered consid- erably. The suburban trolley lines, with one or two exceptions, are snowbound. Snow to the depth of six inches has fallen. Reports from the Delaware breakwater State that no marine disasters have been reported, and that the wind has fallen to about twenty-five miles an hour. On the New jand Coast. BOSTON, December 16.—A severe storm has been raging here since shortly before middey. The wind is from the north and blowing at the rate of thirty-seven miles per hour. The barometer marks 29.76, while the temperature is 18 degrees above zero. With the exception of the steamer How- ard, which left here on her usual sailing hour yesterday afternoon for Baltimore, there nave been no sailings on local steam- ers. Of the large fleet of European steam- ers now some days overdue at this port, only one, the St. Ronans, from London, has been sighted. The St. Ronans came to anchor today after a fearfully rough pas- sage, fully three days late. No accidents of any kind were reported in the harbor. Telegrapkie communication with the highland lights and other points on Cape Cod is interrupted owing to the storm. ‘A dispatch ‘from-Scituate’states that the three-masted Bostoa schooner Puritan, which left Portland Menday for Glen Cove, ran ashore at an early hour today and lies high upon the beach. ‘Capt. Harding and on duty at Cgamp's Representative Grosvenor’s Health: CLEVELAND, Ohio, December 16.—Con- cerning a report that Congressman Gros- venor had left Washington for his home in Ohio in very poor health, a dispatch from Athens, Ohio, says “Congressman Grosvenor is here at home with slight throat trouble, but is ‘al attend to business, as usual.” —o——__—_____ ‘The Next Ambassndor te France. It is said that Representative Draper of Massachusetts has been selected for ap- pointment, under Mr. McKinley, as am- bassador to France. ———__---+______. _ Called on Secretary Olney. E Ocean Steamghips Arrived. eat bi renee sion e z . oy gociation called at | tate. Department Yee eee nT aa arsas Wi an cabeeai@rtnie Ge etee Secretary Olney relative to affairs. in ‘Turkey as she saw theni during the ttme she spent there last summer while in he distribution of reHef to the sufferers in Armenia. ib}e to —— ss Stuttgart, New York. SOUTHAMPTON, December 16—Arrived, New York, New York. NAPLES, December 16.—Arrived, Nor mannia, New York. HE ENDED HIS LIFE|MR. QUIGG"S BILLIBATTLE SHIP TEXAS To Govern the Library and Remove the Books to the New Library, Office of Librarian of Congress to Be Abolished, Also That of Superin- tendent of the Building. The joint committee on the library ts not content with the action of the appropria- tions committee in regard to the new lI- brary, and Mr. Quigg has introduced in the House a bill embodying the ideas of the joint committee on the subject. Mr. Quigg has 4Jso submitted to the committee on rules a resolution providing that it shall be in order to offer his bill as an amendment to the legislative appropriation bill when it comes up in the Hotse. The bill in full is as follows: That upon notice by the joint committee on the Hbrary to the President of the United States that the new building for the use of the Library of Congress is ready to be occupied, the President shall appoint, by and with the advice and consent of ‘the Senate, a director of the brary, who shall receive an annual compensation of $6,000 and shall have charge of the ilbrary of Congress, under such rules and regulations as may be lawfully establighed from time to time. The director of the library shall give bond, payable to the United States, in the sum of $50,000, with sureties approved by the Secretary of the Treasury, for the safe-keeping of the library collections and for the due and faithful performance of his duties. Sec. 2. That all the duties now by law committed to the librarian of Congress shall devolve upon the director of the li- brary when appointed, and the office of li- brarian of Congress shall be thereupon abolished. The joint committee on the It- brary is hereby. empowered, in behalf of Congress, to assume the charge and cus- tody of the new building for the Hbrary of Congress, and to make rules and regula- tions for its occupancy and“use and for the accommodation and d.splay in the said new building of the library colieciions; and upon satisfactory proof that the futies hereto- fore conferred by law upon Bernard R. Green in relation to the conszruction and completion of the'’'said ew building have been fully performed, the jofht committee on the lbrary is_authorized’ io discharge the said Bernard R. Green of all duties and responsibilities In connection with the said building. ‘ To Remove the Bool See. 3. That any balance! new existing of the appropriations heretofare made for the construction and completion of the said building is hereby rendered available not only for that purpose, but’also to furnish and equip the said building for its use as the Library of Congress, and also for the removal of the library collections from the Capitol building to the said new building; and the joint committee op the library is hereby authorized, through such agencies as it may select, to effect'the removal of the said library collections and their ar- rangerhent in thé new building and to pur- chase the necessary furniture for the fur- nishing and equipment of the’ said new building, and all the expenses fhcurred in carrying out the provisidfis “of this. para- graph shall be paid by the ry of the Treasury under such rules Tegulations. s he may prescribe, 4 3 Sec. 4. That the Joint committee on” the libra hall have power to éstablish rules and regulations for the conduct and use of the Library of Congress dnd to employ and remove all persons, with the exception of the director of the library, for whose com- pensation as employes of the library pro- vision is made in any act of Congress. A Temporary Committee. Sec. 5. That the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Fifty-fourth Con- gress shall, before the expiration of his term of servite, appoint from among the Representatives-elect to the Fifty-fifth Congress a temporary committee on the library of ‘three members, which said com- mittee on the library shall have the same powers and perform the same duties in -relation to the Library of Congress as are authorized by law @nd the fules of the House of Representatives; And which said temporary,committee on the library shall begin to dxercise its powers immediately upon the termination of this Congress, and shall continue t@ exercise und discharge such duties until after the meeting and or- ganization of the House of Representatives of the Fifty-fifth Congress dnd until the appointment of the regular committee on the library. And hereafter the Speaker of each subesquent House gf Representatives shall, before the termination of the last session of each Congress, appoint from tie Representatives-elect a temporary commit- tee on the brary, with similar powers and for the same purposes. Mr. Cummingw’ Views. To a Star reporter today, Representative Cummings of New York stiarply criticised the action of the appropriations committee yesterday. \ “The joint committee on the library,” said Mr. @ummings, “‘abided by the action of the House and came here long in ad- vance of the opening of the session to do what it had been instructed. We stayed here at our own expenge and did our work as we thought hest. Before I serve on any like committee again I want to know whether I am to get my authority from the House or from the committee on appro- priations. It was supposed that the House would receive and pass ppon our work, and not the appropriations committee. If the committee on appropriations is sustained in its action by the House the next time the House appoints a special committee to in- vestigate or sit.during a recess it had } ter add to its resolution’a proviso ‘if it is entirely satisfactory to the! committee cn appropriations. NATIONAL WOOL GROWERS. ‘The Association in in Session at the Ebbitt House! ~ The National. Wcol emp" ‘Associa- tion is in session at the Hbbitt House, for the purpose of taking action for the pro- tection of that industry mM p ective tariff legislation. There are thi '¥-fiye delegates in attendants representing y. us states. Judge Wm. Lawrence of Ohio is president and Mr. W. G. Markham secretary. Ac- cording to Judge Lawrence the association is opposed to the Dingley: bill in its present shape, as not giving eng protection to the wool industry. of the delegates present” prevailing sentiment fore the Dingley bill to the faktow! Strikes out the p.ovisith c operation of the bill untit’ To require prohibitory portations of forefgr.”' other wool adulterants, To provide that Wool ang manu: of wool, imported under. ‘bill, should not be permitted -to remain in bonded ware- houses more than ten-dayé, apts 3 | ink, a conviction which I am sure you VEST ON THE TARIFF The Missouri Senator Makes a Char- acteristic Speech. is my earnest desire that all naval officers shall pursue a similar cours In concluding the Secretary deprecates the practice of some of the American newspapers of frequently enlarging on minor defects of American ships, as tending to injure our interests in foreign countries. He says he ts credibly informed that cer- tain ship builders of other countries who were competing last spring with Ameri- can ship builders for contracts with the Japanese government collected a large number of very sharp criticisms of Ameri- can ships and put them all in array be fore the Japanese authorities for the pur- pose of showing that we do not know how to build ships in this country. “The press of the country has been gen- erally loyal to the navy,” says Secretary Herbert, ‘and has been Isrgely instru- mental in its successful upbuilding and development; its services in this direction cannot be teo heartily acknowledged. 1 submit Mr. Cramp’s letter, however, for Secretary Herbert’s Comments on the Court of Inquiry Findings. A STATEMENT IN HIS OWN BEHALF How the Accident Occurred and Where the Blame Rests. ELECTION A PARODY ON FREEDOM Sn nomad one The Pension Appropriation Passed by the Senate. Bill HISTORY OF THE VESSEL the purpose of pointing out to some of our] MATTERS o > SE newspaper friends the unintentional in- ERS IN THE HOUSE —__+——_. juries to American interests that are Hable en reer” to result from enlarging upon minor mis- takes that may have been committed, even though at other times full credit be given for the great and substantial successe: that have been attained. SANTA CLAUS ‘CLUB AGAIN Tt Will Celebrate the Holidays by a Grand Pound Party. The Secretary of the Navy today made public the findings of the court of inquiry which investigated the circumstances con- nected w.th the recent stnking of the battle ship Texas. In addition, the Secretary makes a statement on his own behalf, re- citing the criticisms that have been passed upon the ship and answering them in de- tail. Ip swbstance he shows that the vessel represented the best accepted type when she was designed; that she had no more de- fects than are inherent in all new ships, afid that other vessels of our navy, which he names, were quite as much in need of changes, although they have not been so The illness of Mr. Allison (lowa) and Mr. Warren (Wyoming) was referred to in the chaplain’s prayer at the opening of the Senate today, and the earnest hope ex- pressed for their speedy recovery When Mr. Sherman (Ohio) favorably re- ported several bills authorizing the accept- ance of medals, ete., from foreign govern- ments to United States citizens, Mr. Allen (Neb.) interposed an objection, and the bills went over. . The joint resolution for the payment congressional employes prior to the days was agreed to. The bill was passed extending holi- Both Children a Growu People of the time unlucky; that the Texas has suffered from| ‘he Capital to Be Given a Chance for Dutlding ‘a bridge over the Missouri ; exington, Mo. surreptitious attacks by naval officers, to Help the Poor and Needy. Mr. Mitcheli (Oreg.) spoke briefly in favor which he says must cease, and that Capts. of an amendment to the statutes, which he Evans and Glass pronounced the Texas the = offered, prov.d.nj that all survivors of wars would be included with disabled soldiers of the late war in the preference given in ap- ointment to government offices. His bil was referred. Pension Appropriation 1 The pension appro; -iation bill was then taken up. Mr. Gal ‘-H), chairman of the committee is, in support- ing the bill, made tor cent statements as 1. The Senator expri firding in the President's message that the executive had not yet disabuse: the idea that rascunty pervaded ee ot best sea boat of the squadron. The Secre- tary quotes a letter from Mr. Chas. Cramp, criticising Admiral Brown for attacking private ‘ship builders as conspirators against the Texas, and earnestly defending the vessel herself as a good ship for her time.. The Secretary points out that all of this talk is damaging to the interests of the-navy and disastrous to the aspirations of our shipbuilders seeking foreign con- tracts. z Carelessness by Engineers. The court of inquiry found that the ves- sel sank because of.a flaw in a valve yoke casting, whicn broke and let in the water, The Evening Star Santa Claus Club witl this year follow the program that was carried out last year with such good re- sults. What was, as a matter of fact, a great big pound party was held under the auspices of the clut, and the provisions that were received were distributed through the recognized charity agencies of the city These supplies came at a time when they were most needed and relieved many dis- treesed families. Money subscribed to the fund: of the club, in accordance with the a surprise on h spirit and traditions of the club, was ex- | Sion Sya:cnat Tascahty, pervaded the pen- and that no one was to blame. Secretary | pended in helping poor little children in th | far as the ‘presint sak be er ee Herbert, however, finds that there was} puptic schools. The funds were used by Pension bureau was concerned, it woe carelessness exhibited by Chief Engineer | the supervising principals of the schools, Rorthy of full approval, for the man at ite Farmei of the New York navy yard and] mainly ty buy shoes for indigent children, | P€44 Rad shown hunself to be in fun by Chiet Engineer Moore of the Texas in | 70S a ‘lub: is' and always bas pathy with the old soldiers. But the mot putting jin ‘a black flange when the |The Santa Claus Club is and always has | tor said he believed Mt was tent iat, Sema valve was disconnected, but he docs not| been a children’s charity. In past years| this bubble which the President ‘ Is con deem Jt necessary to order further pro-| most of the money collected has been that | stantly intruding before the pulilic as to cocaine received as dues from the members of the | PQTNOU, frauds." Secretary Herbert's Answer. club, thousands of children in the public pointed out that only 1 convictions in_ pension -« Within the year ‘and thes not against pens ners. against the President's ¢. on the pensioners and his co tien of conyeed 45 not constitut and expressed the beliet hat gress in no way share (ude of the President 2 ‘i hostile Secretary Herbert's answer to the many oat oe criticisms that have been passed upon the Texas is a long and comprehensive state- ment, and includes a history of the design and construction of the Texas. “Of course, the public knows,” he says, “that the ac- cident about which this court of inquiry schools. The club is full of the Christmas spirit, and appeals to the public at the Christmas time, when one’s heart is most likely to be touched by tales of poverty, hunger and deprivation. It has become a recognized fact that the club, through all its branches, atti- 5 Mr. Hawley, C was held could not nave occurred at sea, isvonetol lie ibest inecniis asnliaiae awley, Coun., spoke in th that it happened because a part of an in- | *7F4 Seen eee ca ore [oe DUNiaE. ct Nat Fee ET oon jection pipe had been taken out for repairs, | fF setting at those wno ne seoet Mnslenificant percentage of the twa and that the ship was promptly raised | werthy of relief. So last year the whole | Million pénsion cases, without having suffered any material aam-| community was invited to contribute to a The BM Passed. age.” reat pound party. Sehool buildings were | The pensi ‘The Secretary gives a brief history of the |,8reat Pound pa: : Pension appropriation I was then ship and says that all her defects have | si! 42 depositories for the supplics | passed without division. It is ident alt been practically remedied, except those | donat Bhese were gathered up by | the bill as it passed the Honan ane carries relating to her turret and the system of | wagons sent cut by The Evening Star and | $141,328,580. The bili will OW eb .ta sh water-tight steupantinerts. geteonea by | then distributed through the Astociated | President. ” the’ recent flooding ‘of the vessels. ers | & : - <= 2 a have been given to have these detictencies | ak eH Senne as Be fake The Senate bill was passed to quiet the completely remedied, and it is believed the | be held the instant, jay se ae it certain private land claims in work can be done in a few weeks and at| Will close for the holidays. ouisiana, Mr. Blanchard La ining comparati small cost. In speaking | Two purposes will be kept in mind—to “howe At appled to about Su,o00 a. “4 generally of the difficulty of constructing | raise a fund for the purchase of shoes and | @°tS Of 250 acres. ge any, perfect ship, the Secretary | wotning for the children of the poor, so The Dingley Bin “A modern war vessel is an ageregation | aS to enable them to attend school, and to Mr. Vest, Mo., then calle up the Ding of complicated machines, and no expert ex- {collect a supply of food and other neces- | ley bill for the purpose of making some pects a ship to be at his best until it has | saries for the relief of the pressing wants | "emarks. He said he appreciated he was anit Is believed that we have yaade fewer | The Pound party will accomplish only the | allude tc it if many wetlm ink pbigha than any nation, and certainly less costly | latter of these ends, and so a subscription | Were not urging on Cougress to act a mistakes than most others in the building of a modern navy; yet there were two of our ships, the Castine and the Machias, list will be opened at The Evening Star this measure. He regarded Cflice for money gifts to this worthy cause. bill as one of the most th remarka of leg:siation ever presented. It Ls ‘ was the that had to be cut in two and lengthened. Tse ANNAPOLIS. result of the President's warning to Con. There were three others, the Detroit, the wees m gress a year ago that the condition o! Montgomery and the Marblehead, in which | , Be Taneenee aE wecalccan, | Minamoe wes eu Mangere tee eee it was found essential to make far more | 't Pte mg edmendny | holiday rec might’ well SS was given up an aban ned. fundamental changes than have ever been Morning. The rec the Dingle found necessary in the Texas, and yet the | Mr. Lewis Nixon of the Crescent ship- | bill resulted, notwithstanding the emphat ee oe emer because food question | building works of Elizabeth, N. J., was at ns of the executive that no mo: of her availability as a naval war vessei cals ine aS wanted. was mooted in the navy from the very in- | the Navy Department today and notified Tais bill had not come from the wool the authorities that he would launch the | growers or from the hoa ie Annapolis next Wednesday morning at 9:30 o'clock. The Annapolis is one of the new light draft gunboats which the depart- ment has ordered to be fitted up as a train- ing ship to take the place of the little Bancroft as a summer cruising vessel for the Annapolis cadets. Mr. Nixon told a Star reporter that he is making rapid progress in the constraction of the submarine boat, the ownership of which is a mystery. He frankly says he dces not know whether the boat is interd- ed for use in the Cuban war, and, in fact, dces not know who will own the boat. All that he knows is that he receives his mcney promptly, and that the boat will soon be ready for service. She is some- what similar to the Holland boat building at Baltimore for our navy, but embodies scme radical improvements that will with- out doubt make her much more efficient. One of there features is the substituuon of gasoline motors as the propelling power while above water instead of steam en- gines. These motors also charge sec- ondary storage batteries which will fur- nish electricity to propel the queer craft while she is under water. —————— GIVES UP WATSON. ception of the ship, has been subject to un unusual amount of harsh criticism. Action of Naval Officers. “It is sometimes stated that there are naval officers who are stealthily and surrep- Utiously aiding, through the press, to have the public condemn a vessel of the United States navy. If this were true there would be no condemnation too strong and no punishment too severe for such conduct. “The Texas has been.cruising as a part of the North Atlantic squadron for the past four months,’ since her bottom was stif- fened at the Norfolk navy yard. Captain Glass, one of the most efficient 2nd relia- ble officers of the navy, who has been in command of her, declares that she is the stiffest, most easily managed and entirely seaworthy ship in the service. Capt. Rob- ley D. Evans, commanding the Indiana, holds the same opinion. He says that, when the fleet, on the ° on its way to New York, in a hurricane, in the worst sea he had ever encountered, the Texas showed that she was the s worthy ship in the fleet. Admiral I» corroborates this statement. The Secretary refers to the controversy that has arisen in regard to the ship, and makes public a letter he received from Mr. Charles Cramp of Philadgiphia, in reply to a@ statement credited to Admiral Brown, to the effect that the troubles of the Texas are not due to any defect in the ship, but to a conspiracy among private ship build- ers to discredit and defame her, because she was built in a navy yard. Mr. Cramp characterizes the statement as “a rank absurdity,” and says that instead of con- spiracy to defame the Texas, he has always defended her. He goes into the subject a detail, and concludes his letter as fol- lows: The production of tin plate had increased, notwithstanding the decrease of one cent per pound on tin secured by the present law. And yet, that reduction had been se- cured only at the point of tie legislative bayonet. This brougnt on a spirited pas- Sage between Mr. Aldrich and Mr. Vest. The former declared that it was well known that the iron schedule of the Wil- son bill was protective in character, and that If iron and tin had been t other articles had been they, have been struck down. This production was due first to the criginal pr e duties on tin, and to that partial remnant of duty maintained in the 1 t law “The Senator form Rhode Island joes not seem to agree with the Presid-™ § Mr. McKinley, on this tin question,” re. sponded Mr. Vest. The Senator said he had read a recent interview with Mr. Mc- Kinley at Canton, in which he said that the increased production of tin was due to the use of the natural oils of Indiana in the manufacture of the tin But Mr. McKinley must be mistak aid Mr Vest, for he found that Indiana had only five tin works out of seventy-seven in op- eration. “No,” said Mr. Vest, “this can le an- swered only by an absolute surrenler of the Senator from Rhode Island of the con- tention that the enormous duties of the McKinley law are necessary to the do- mesiic industries of the United Staies.” Wool Schedule Analyzed. The Senator asserted .that the oplum habit had no more deadly hold on its vic- tims than this advocacy of protection. He aralyzed the results of the wool schedule Present law, showing that many d been ‘established during the factories had secured the during the last year, and the of wool went to the upbuilding industries. A return Fstem ax proposed by the Ding- meant disasier to these manuf. turers of woolens. Mr. Vest asserted, also, that the price of raw wools had gone up since the free wool schedule of the Wilson bill had gone into effect. He quoted from the Boston trade Hst, showing that certain grades of wool were bringing more than they did Prior to the Wilson bill. Why is it, asked the Senator, that with the balance of trade in our favor and with the gold standard ir force the country is in a state of dis- tress? ‘We were told,” said he, “that with the election of McKinley prosperity would ficod the land like sunshine. McKinley was elected, but has the prosperity come? Will the increased prosperity come with your tariff bill, adding more taxes to the burden of the people and heaping up more money in the treasury? Will it give the People the Pesources to buy either foreign or goods?” Mr. Vest denounced that ‘moss-grown lie” which told ef the large per capita cir- culation now. enjoyed by the people. What sated as too, would Semator Butler's Paper Admits That Patience is Exhuusted. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. RALEIGH, N. C., December 16.—Senator Butler’s paper says this evening: “It is an- nounced that Hon. Thomas E. Watson will contest the seat of Black from the tenth Georgia district. We have strained our- selves right much to be loyal to Watson nomination for the vice presi- qe our strength is now exhausted, and we give up the job of loyalty to } with a conviction that he is more sor a d—d fool than Elliott F. Shepard, was.” Effect of Criticisms. “The armor plate investigation, the alle- gations of defective stability and many other published - criticisms on our ships have been paraded by the English and Ger- mans in Japan, China and Russia, and their substance translated and printed in newspapers there to our prejudice. “Far more serious faults prevail in other navies, but they are never known to the public, because-it is policy to prevent ill- Juaged or misconceived criticism of such affairs. This policy is sound, because what- ever may be the faults or defects, they certainly cannot be made good by printers’ —_>—__ ONE OF THE HATFIELDS HANGE! Five Thousand Persons at Sneedvil Ky., Saw the Execution. MIDDLESBORO’, Ky., December 16.—Ad- vices from Sneedville say that Marion Hatfield was hanged this morning for the murder of Jonas Trail. Five thousand per- scns were present. Hatfield confessed, im- his wife and a woman named ee share with me. “in conclusion, I remark that while I have long deprecated this tendency, with- out saying much about it, I have been pro- voked to this somewhat emphatic protest