Evening Star Newspaper, December 23, 1896, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY, AT THE STAR ey agt = 1101 Pennsyivania Avenue, - 1th St, The Even‘ng Star No Company. 8. H. KAUFF: Pres't. Kew York Office, 49 Potter Building. The Ing Star is served to subscribers tm the eity by ea their own account, at 10 cents Der week, or 44 cents per month. at the gounter 2 cents each. matl—anywhere in the United States or Cansda—postage prepaid—60 ceate month. "Saturday Quintaple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with — foreign postage ‘63.00. (entered at The Boat Grice at Washington, D.C. second-class mail tiatter. ‘All mail subeeriptions must be paid In advance. piss of adr “ising made known on application. camer | = No. 13,669, WASHINGTON, D. O . WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1896—FOURTEEN PAGES. TWO CENTS ATTEMPTED MURDER|®!STRICT IN CONGRESS|BELL AND PORTER|SENATORIAL CONTESTS|ANOTHER WARSHIP James Williams Tries to Kill Rela- tives and Shoots Himself. WOUNDED HIS WIFE TWICE Shots Resulted From Long-Pend- ing Family Troubles. ae NARROW ESCAPE FROM DEATH ed James Williams, colored, forty-two years old, attempted double murder and then attempted suicide at the home of his mother-in-law, Mrs. Elizabeth Colbert, No. 83 Washington street, about noon today. Three shots were fired, one at his wife, one at his aged mother-in-law and the third ore entered his own brain. The shooting caused a great amount of excitement in the neighborhood, and a large crowd of curious people soon gathered in front of the house. Among them were Sergt. Lom- bardy and several officers of the sixth pre- cinct, who took charge of the supposed dead man’s body and had the injured wife hurried off to the Emergency Hospital. Two of the bullets had wounded her, the one intended for her and the one intended for her mother. The first shot had in- flicted a wound in her left jaw, while the bullet intended for the aged woman had passed through her hand. fter the injured woman had been taken away in the patrol wagon, Dr. Sillers was summoned, and when he found that the man was still breathing the police directed that the wagon be again called in order to remove him to the hospital. The bullet had entered his head just in front of the right ear, so that his death seemed only @ question of a short while. All the parties to the affair are colored. Domestic trouble and whisky are respon- sible for the crime. Family Troubles. Williams, as already stated, is about forty-two years old, and his wife, who ts several yeers younger, is a good-looking mulatto woman. Several years ago they married and lived together at Cape y until two months ago, when she left him and returned here to her parents. In the New Jersey city they had not lived happily together, for the husband had ill- ated ard beaten Cornelia, and even = she left him, he seemed perfectly well sfled to let her go. But a month ago when he realized what it was to be de- 1 of his wife’s company ne came here ner. He was sober and prom- to do righ:, and his father-in-law, nard Colbert, who is perhaps seventy years old, gave him tne privilege of re- maining in his house. For a short while he kept cober and got slong without much Y, but as soon as he renewed his intemperate hanits he became quarrelsome and it was « mt to Cornelia that they could not live ‘ogether azain. The disiribu- tion of their uousehoid effects at the sea- side proved a troublesome problem, and about these Williams quarreled and finally struck his wife. Then he was no: permit- ted to remain ia the Colvert house any longer, and aac to seek quarters ¢ise- where. said, “but before I leave Fil make you holler murder.” is statement alarmed his wife, although she really did not believe he would kill her After that he continued to pay visits to the house, and this morning he called and ehatted with his wife, who was in the back room at work over the ironing board. Then he went in the front room and conversed with his mother-in-law for a while. Mrs. Colbert, who 1s more than sixty years old. was propped up in bed, where she has been for four years, sufferiug from a complica- lion of diseases. All this time he had a re- volver in his pocket. There were two em hells in the ugly weapon and three which there were bullets. The Shots. Williams sat near the foot of the bed, ap- parently reading a book, and occasionally he would call to his wife, in his effort to keep up the quarrel between them. The wife's responses were mild, for she n > up the quarrel. seat and went hur and saying somet threat he leveled his d and pulled the trigger. killed.” she cried when she felt of the bullet that had inflicted a n her jaw. z he had sent the bullet crashing -'s brain and killed her the urderer went hack to the room nad left i invalid and e poor, Farm- who had sus- i and she Ju he leveled it at nen It was that she got the eral d daughter assured her that she had but ainfully s husband and remained comforted her 1 man owd had Wife's Statement. ar repc er Mrs. Williams related story of the sh told, and said * Williams has a brother in Cape May. addition to being an expressman, she he Was a contractor and was well in Cape May. 1 was standing at the ironing board working,” shi when be came in and = van the jaw. Then { followed him ront rr m and grabbed the pistol 4s he was about to kill my mother.” said she had tried the best she could lve with her husband in peace, but had it impossible to do so. Colbert told a Star reporter the ot the unpleasa: relations between daughter and husband and of his hav & assaulted her a week ago, w sa he would make her “holler mu before he left town. He was a drt: king ma = * attributed all the ‘° had king when he came this mor she said. “Hi a jed-to make me believe he Was going i but l-thowght he ip to wrong. I heard iim shoot my , and them he came back in my an ointed the pistol right at my ad. Wheat’ he piled the irigger I nought he had kille {then 1 saw turn 1 streot 6. colored -minister 36 '¥ condemned men cir preparasloys. to Gig.oa the. scattold, { among the first to reach the house. he remained there somectime to offer spiritual consolation should It become nec. essary. vi Lew e Mrs. Williates was accompanied to the hospital by @driquir- As alveady. stated, the man was thought to be dead, and the officers were about-to-move his body to the morgue, but Sergeant Lombardy ° wanted the coroner to-see the-condition of affairs before the body was touched, and the ap- pearance of Dr. Sillers resulted in the sup- posed dead man being removed to the hos- Pital in a burry. It was reported late today that both of the injured persons were doing well. Officials Explain the Estimates of the Oom- missioners, A Bill to Further the Experiments in Aerial Navigation — Other Local Measures. The subcommittee on appropriations hav- ing charge of the District appropriation bill held a session today, at which hearings were given to several officials of the Dis- trict government, including Chief Parris of the fire department. The officials were al- lowed to make statements explanatory of the Commissioners’ estimates in the bill relating to their especial departments. The subcommittee suspended with today’s meeting further hearings on the bill until after the holidays. General Grout will go home tomorrow to spend Christmas, and Mr. Dockery has already gone home. ‘Aer! javigation. Mr. Baker (N. H.), by request, has intro- duced a bill in tae House to pay the sum of $40,000 out of any money in the Treas- ury for the following purposes and to the following persons, namely: To Prof. 8. P. Langley of the Smitrsonian Institution the sum of $20,000, to enable him to continue his experiments in aerial navigation and to construct one or more of his aeroplanes, and to James Seldon Cowden of Vienna, Fairfax county, Va., the sum of $20,000 for the purpose of enabling him to con- tinue his experiments in aerial navigation and constructing cne or mere of his air navigating machines; and the further sum of $20,000, or so much thereof as may be deemed necessary, is appropriated, to be expended, under the direction of the Sec- retary of War, by the chief signal officer in conducting experiments relating to aerial navigation. Any airship or mechan- ism for navigating the air. constructed through the aid of any money thus ap- propriated. shall be the property of the gcverament of the United States for all Purposes necessary for the public defense. The bill was referred to the committee cn military affairs. Favors the Morse Bill. A. L. Swartwout of 400 Spruce street writes to Mr. McMillan, chairman of the nate committee on the District of Colum- bla, in favor of the passage of House bill 1888 fcr the improvement of the liquor law of the District of Columbia. Mr. Swart- wout says the passage of the above bill by the Senate will be a great benefit to the city by the promotion of good citizenship, which he believes would result from the removal of some temptations in the form of saloons from the young men of this cit: Metropolitan Railroad Extensio: Senator McMillan, chairman of the Sen- ate committee on the District of Columbia, is daily receiving a largs number of com- munications asking that the Metropolitan Railway Company be permitted to extend its tracks up Columbia road, on Washing- ton Heights, to 18th street. A number of thes? communications were received this morning. Gen. Flagler, chief of ordnance, United States army, writes regarding the Dill, which has passed the House authorizing this extension saying: : “I wish very much you could see your way in having this bill passed by the Sen- ate. There is a large and rapidly increas- ing population on Washington Heights ot a class of people that use the street rall- way. The walk of from two to six squares to. the corner of Boundary and Connecti- cut avenue, though down hill, is a-serious hardship in bad weather, and the walk up hill to many persons is a hardship in all weathers, cspecially in hot weather. “As I wrote you last year, we are a large’ population on Washington Heights, We pay rather heavy taxes, and so far have nothing in return except street lights. No fire protection, no police, no street light- ing, little or no improvements except those we pay for, and many of us have been compelled to provide our. own water and water mains and sewerage. A private com- pany now offers to give us what we neéd more than anything else, and it seems fair to urge you to let them give it. The Metro- politan company gives us rapid transpor- tation te all parts of the city that most of us need. A connection with any other street railway company would be of com- paratively little or no service to ug. , If it would be of any service and help I would gladly come before your committee or.do anytaing else in the matter I can.” B. Wimer, who lives on Washington Heights, also writes: “I do not believe a single objection hae reen interposed against this proposition for an extension of the lines of the Metropoli- tan Railway Company, and I feel con- vinced that no objection to it can be sus- tained. Robert J. Fisher, general counsel of the Eastern Railroad Association, a property owner and resident of Columbia Heights, says the ension of the Metropolitan road is badly needed. Lawrence Sands says he has to have his children driven to school daily because there is no street railroad near his home, and as the owner of several hundred thou- sand feet of land on Washington Heights, he wished to see the tracks of the } politan rocd extende G. W. Littlehales, 2132 Le Roy place; A. C. Stevens, 19th street and Columbia road, and L. M. Saunders, corner Wyoming and Connecticut avenues, also ask the exten- sion of the road. : EX! 0s s==S TIVE BNCROACHMENT. © Feeling at Senator Vest’s Fall- ure to Call Mr. Olney to Account. Some feelirg t= expressed among senators cn account of the failure of Senator Vest to call Sceretary Olney to a reckoning in the Senate yesterday. Those who are of- fended at Mr. Olney’s course greatly regret that the recess should have been taken without something having been said in vindication of the dignity of Congress. There are several senators, it is said, who would have spoken had they not expected that Vest would speak. The peculiar fitness of the Missovri senator to deal with such a situation is so generally recognized that every one wes ready to leave it to him, Now Mr. Olney must go unanswered until after the recess, and his supporters are atly pleased. The reason for Mr. Vest's > has not been fully explained, but it Se sile | is supposed that he preferred to reserve his remarks to a time when Congress would be assembled for action, rather than’ have all he said forgotten in the Christmas fes- tivities. He might, too, have taken into ccasideration the possib{lity that evenis curing the next two weeks ‘might possibly so change the Cuban situation as to render desirable a revision of his remarks if made at this time. ‘The assumption, however, that diything’ can happen that will modify the resentment of Mr. Omey’s declaration of an inherent pewer in the executive is not warranted. roachment by the executive is a sub- ton which the Serfate is\very easil! bilities shocked on severabé@eesmions desing Mr. Cleveland’s term. A nufhter of a~ tors expect to come bak aféer the holf@ays loaded on this subject. Ne Orderg,, Surgeon R. Whitlag, from. the $c to examination for retirément;. Shr c. 'T. Hibbett, to the navy xard Pipetolls Sur- eon N, M. Ferrebee, from the navy yard, Norfclk, and placed on waiting orders; As- Pe. Ma sistant Paymaster G. G. Rodgers, from Pinta to await orders; Assistant™ Paynes: the Pinta; Ensiga L, » from the Michigan to the Katahdin. cited, and senators have had*their sénsi-. They Are Conferring ‘in New York About the Inaugural Parade, EXTENSION OF RAILROAD TICKETS A Determined Effort to Be Made to Give Visitors More Time. MEETING OF COMMITTEES Chairman Charles J. Bell is in New York today consulting with Gen. Horace Porter over the inaugural parade arrangements, and will return tonight. There was no cessation of the busy work at headquarters, however, because of Mr. Bell's absence. The mail contained very little other than applications of employment, acceptances of committeeship appointments and offers from outside parties to supply the commit- tee with inauguration necessities. The chairmanship of the reception committee will be settled on Mr. Bell’s return, and a gentleman of international distinction will be, it is thought, chosen for the important position. Railroad Ticket Extension. There will be a determined effort made to secure from the railroads an extension of the limits of the tickets to be issued at re- duced rates to visitors to the inauguration. At the last executive committee meeting a resolution was adopted reciting that the indications are and it is expected by the committee that the attendance at the in- augural ceremonies will be greatly in excess of the attendance on any previous similar occasion, and that on previous similar casions visitors to Washington from a dis- tance have experienced great inconvenience in seeing the city and surrounding country and inspecting the government bulldings and exhibite owing to the vast crowd pres- ent within the three or four days immedi- ately preceding and following the 4th of March. It was, therefore, determined that the executive committee, in the interest of those who will come to the city from a great distance for the first time on the oc- casion of the forthcoming inauguration, for the relief of the committee and its sub- committees, as well as the raflroads and other carriers in handling the crowds, and for the greater personal security and com- fort of the visiting public, would urge all transporting companies to extend the time for using excursion tickets to not later than February 24 coming and not earlier than March 12 going. The transportation committee will hold a meetirg at the board of trade rooms in the Ames builcing at 7:30 o'clock this evening, when this important subject will be con- sidcred and any progress made will be re- ported. New Jersey's Governor Coming. The adjutant general of New Jersey has informed Col. Cecil Y, chairman of the military committee, that the number of the troops of the National Guard of New Jer- sey_ which will attend the inauguration depends on the action of the state legisia- ture, which meets January .12. The gov- ernor of New Jersey, with his staff, will be present March 4, and have secured acconi- modations at the Arlington. Chairman Wright of the public comfort committee reports that accommodations for 8,625 pecple have. been registered, and thirty-cne windows fronting Pennsylvania avenue have been offered for rent. The Stamina Republican League of Cin- cinnati has applied for ‘accommodations and Henry Wilson Post, No. 12, G. A. R., of Milton, Pa., will take part in the parade. The committces on carriages, badges and banquet will meet at headquarters tonight at 7:30 o'clock. A plan to introduce in the inauguration ceremonies a grand oratorio and concert has been suggested by Mr. James Hopkins of New York, and indorsed by prominent New Yorkers. Parks and Reservations. The committee on parks and reservations held a well-attended meeting at headquar- ters last night, Mr. Henry Willard, the chairman, presiding. Mr. S. W. Curriden was made secretary of the committee. The general desire was expressed by the mem- bers to make such arrangements that the stands erected along the avenue this year should be much more artistic than ever he- fore. A communication was read from the local architects’ association suggesting the plan for arched stands acrcgs the inter- secting streets in place of the usual struc- tures on the parks. During the discussion another proposition was made, being to place three-tier stands along the curb cn both sides of Pennsylvania avenue from the Capitol to the White House. By this means it was stated twenty thousand peo- ple could be seated, the stands would not disfigure any of the parks, but would act as a barrier to the crowds that usually surge through the ropes and would be so low as to allow persons standing on the pavement to see over them. These propo- sitions and others relating to the same sub- ject were referred to a special committee of five, to be appointed by the chairman. The committee deemed it wise to make an earnest effort to secure control of all the reservations along Pennsylvania aveaue in order that the stands erected could be of a uniform character. A special committee of five was provided for to consider the mat- ter of the letting of the official prozram privileges. The question of the design of the reviewing stand in front of the White House was likewise referred to a special committee of three. Music Committee. The music committee met last night, Judge John C. Chaney, chairman, and Mr. Edward Kreidler, secretary. There was quite a large attendance of members of the committee, and after a few preliminary re- marks by the chairman the secretary read many communications that have been re- ceived from different local and outside mu- sical organizations and directors offering to furnish music for the !nauguration ball. Finally, upon motion of Dr. Howe, a sub- committee of nine, together with the chair- man of the music committee, was appoint- ed, who were instructed to prepare circu- lars to be sent to the different band and orchestra leaders from whom bids were to be expected. This committee consists of Dr. Frank T. Howe, Messrs. Frank B. Metzerott, Edward F. Droop, Percy S. Fos- ter, Gabriel T. Johnson, George C. Ross, John W. Dudley, J. C. Chaney, J. A. Sam- ple and E. W. Stone. g This subcommittee met this morning, and Dr. Howe submitted the form of inyitation for proposals that was used by the music committee four years ago. It was decided as the sense of the committee that, besides the music for the inauguration ball, both promenade and dance music, there should he given three concerts on the following Friday and two on Saturday. It was fur- tther decided that at the last concert Satur- ‘day night there were to be vocal numbers yy a large chorus limited to“five hundred ‘voices. It was decided that the military ‘band should consist of sixty-five uniformed ‘members, and that the orchestra should inumber 125, all of whom should be either uniformed or in full dress. It was the gen- eral opinion that the music for the coming inauguration ball and the concerts to fol- low should be of the very highest order, and Messrs. Metzerott, Droop and Dudley were appointed to present a list of promi- nent band and orchestral directors, to whom proposals should be sent. The question of @ souvenir program for the concerts was discussed, and the matter was left to a (Continued on Ninth ) Much Work in Settling Them to Be Done During the Becess, Republican National Committee to Secure Election of Men Right on the Tarif. During the recess of Congress considera- ble work is expected to be done toward settling some of the pending senatorial con- tests. The republican national committee have taken the matter up, with the deter- mination to let nothing go undone that gives the least promise of securing the elec- ticn of a republican sénator or one who will at least act with the reptblicdns on the tariff. It is intimated that favorable Frogress has been made toward bringing about a satisfactory situation’ in “North Carolina and South Dakota, and that it is probable that the man elected in Washing- ton will act with the republicans on the tariff, just-es Pritchard of North Carolina would if re-elected. The visit of Senators Shoup and Thurs- ton to Mr. Hanna at Cleveland, which this morning's dispatches attribute to a pur- pose to secure a cabinet position, is under- stood here to relate to the Idaho senatorial situation. The question of the defeat or re-election of Senator Dubois has come to be a@ struggle between the two national committeemen. The republican national committee managers have determined that Dubois shall not be returned. They under- stand that the democratic national commit- tee are interesting thémselves to secure Dypbois’ return, and this conference of Sen- ator Shoup and Senator Thurston with Mr. Hanna is understood to be with relation to plans for even more effective work than has yet been done to insure Dubols’ defeat. Just what the democratic committee have done in the matter is not certain, but it is known that they are intensely interested in Dubois’ behalf. The republicans are confi- dent enough of their own strength to be very little concerned about what the demo- crats may do. They would like, however, to go a little further than they at first had any hope that they could, and in addition to defeating Dubois, secure the election of a man in his place who will be pledged to vote for a tariff bill. ——___-e— PACIFIC FUNDESG ‘BILL. Two Representatives Think There ‘is a Chance to Défette It. Representative Barham’ of California thinks there is a good ch#moé"to defeat the Pacific funding bill In tle H®use when it comes up in January. Representative Keef- er of Minnesota entertains stmilar views. “I think there is now a g@od chance to Gefeat the Dtil,” said Mr. Ba®ham to a Star reporter this morning. “If we can get enough time to show this whole thing up, I am satisfied that mahy votes will be changed. The pessage of the present bill is a present of $100,000,000 to C. P. Hunt- ington and his associates. If it becomes known that the United States is going to treat these debtors lik dees all others there will be plenty of buyers at the full value of the property. If the government should foreclose and a receiver. be appoint- ed the roads would earn increased money. When the Sante Fe road was put into the hands of a receiver its earnings increased 25 per cent Iu a short time, and it scon be- came valuable property.” a DISTRUST THE sToRY. Alleged Attack on Consul Kellet at Bangkok. State Department officials are rather doubtful about the New York Herald's story from Bangkok of an alleged attack upon United States Vice Consul General Keflett. The story was that the Siamese soldiers attacked the consulate and wound- ed the vice consul. Secretary Olney said this morning that he had not received any advices of such an attack, and that he had not wired for information, Assistant Sec- retary Rockhill said that -ven if there were any foundation for the story he did not think [t was a very serfous affair or one worth reporting to the Jepartment. —_——_—__- e+ ____ QUEEN LIL COMING TOMORROW. She Will Not op, but Hurry on to Boston. Ex-Queen Lil of Hawaii is expected to reach Washington at 9:0 o'clock tomor- row evening in the Auanta exposition flyer of the Southern Railway Company. Queen Lil left New Orleans this morning at o'clock. She will make na stop in Wash- ington except the few minutes of usual delay caused by the @hanging of the through car to the Pennsylvania tracks, as she wants to reach Bostcn Friday morning. a WILL EMPLOY COERCION. The Powers Will Use Force, if Needed, With the Sultan. CONSTANTINOPLE, December (de- layed in transmission).—All the ambassa- dors have now received instructions to con- cert fresh proposals with the view of im- proving the situation in the Ottoman em- pire. The proposals before being sub- mitted to the sultan will be referred to their respective governments. All the powers, including Russia, as re- peatedly announced during the past few months, have agreed if principle to the expediency of employing coercion should the sultan bé recalcitrant. But the form of coercion to be employed will not be de- termined upon until an emergency arises, 2 DROWNED BY HIS TREASURE, A Sea Captain Strappet of a Hundred Mexican Doflats. SAN DIEGO, Cal., DesemBer 23.—A ter- rific storm occurred in the Gulf of Cam- peche on the 11th and idth of this month, and among ‘other casyaitic$ reported is the wreck of the bark Jasialeai, with twelve passengers and most of tlie crew lost. The Jamaica was bound-from’Camipech! to Vera Cruz. re ae The passengers took t6! thé boats, which were repeatedly.-swamptid! Most of the crew simply put on 1ife .pfeservers and jumped into the sea. THe captain was one of these. He strapped 340 Méxican dollars upon him, and, clinging ty 4 barrel, tried to |. reach shore. The survi owing to the weight of. ‘The sight=was a terril senger after another “the boats prov- ing unmanageable. e screw was all drowned, ard only three men and a boy, escaped of the passengers, The vessel sank soon after sie was sheaioges. The wreck joceurred off the portyapt Rosas, To- basco: 2 $5.3 saw him stunk, ‘metal. - mné, a8 one pas- aia rumored that the fire was of thcendiary origin. Since the trial ofthe earl’s. suit against his mot! ae ship has been tof several Sucoessful Launching of the Gunboat Annapolis. MANY INVITED GUESTS PRESENT Christened by the Granddaughter of the Late Admiral Porter. DESCRIPTION OF THE BOAT NEW YORK, December 23.—The gunboat Annapolis was successfully launched at the Crescent shipyards, at Elizabeth, N. J., at 10:30 a.m. today. Despite the inclement weather fully 200 invited guests assembled at the yards at an early hour this morning. Among them were Commander Tilley, reptesenting the Naval Academy; City Counsellor Frank H. Stockett, who represented the mayor of An- napolis, and a committee of Annapolis citi- zens, composed of Dr. Douglas G. Tuck, James Owens, J. Edward Abbott and Wm. M. Holladay. Miss Georgie Porter, daughter of Lieut. Theodoric Porter, and a granddaughter of the late Admiral Porter, broke the custom- ary bottle of wine on the vessel’s bow as it glided into the waters of Staten Island sound, exclaiming at the same time: “1 christen thee Annapolis.” After the launching the guests were en- tertained at a collation by Lieut. Nixon, the owner of the yard, and Mrs. Nixon. As- sistant Secretary of the Navy McAdoo, who expected to be present, sent word that he was detained at Washington by the press of official business. Secretary Herbert also did not attend, as was hoped. ‘THE GUNBOAT ANNAPOLIS. Vennels One of the Intended for Patrol Duty. The gunboat Annapoli: which was launched at Elizabethport, N. J., today, is one of six light-draught, composite gun- boats authorized by act of Congress of March, 1895. She is one of the four vessels rigged as bargentines, and having only one screw, the two others having twin screws and a very moderate spread of canvas, only enough, in fact, to keep them steady in a seaway. These vessels are intended for patrol duty on stations where small, eco- nomical craft of good speed can be depend- ed upon for instant service. They are de- signed especially for service in the shallow bays and estuaries of China and in the warm and quickly fouling waters of Cen- tral and South America. In naval archi- tecture the term “composite” indicates a mixed construction of metal and wood—in the case of the Annapolis, one of pine and steel—so distributed that the best properties of each may be realized. The advent of these composite vessels marks a new era in our navy, and is the first move toward the sheathing of ships so earnestly advo- cated by Chief Constructor Hichborn. In the Annapolis the frames are of steel, with an outside plating of similar metal, reaching from the line abreast the berth- deck up to the rail or hammock berthing. From the keel up to this berthdeck the bot- tom and bilges are unplated, being covered instead with heavy pine planking. This planki is carried farther up and overlaps the plating mbove the water line. This re- sults in securing a water line region capa- ble of withstanding more rough treatment than the ordinary steel work. The plank- ing is coppered throughout and fastened to the frames in such a way as to preclude galvanic action. The naturai exfoliation of sheet copper is such that aquatic growths of all sorts peel off through the simple ac- tion of the passing water soon after the vessel is put in motion, leaving the cop- pered surface bright and clean and per- mitting the ship to maintain her speed un- hampered with a minimum expenditure of coal. The general dimensions of the Annapolis are: Length, 168 feet: beam, 86 feet; draught, 12 feet; normal displacement, 1,000 tons: indicated horse-power, 800; ' coal, normal supply, 100 tons; bunker capacity, 238 tons; speed, 12 knots an hour. The ar- maments, which are alike for both types of gunboats, consist of a main battery of six four-inch rapid-fire rifles and a second- ary battery of four six-pounder and two one-pounder quick-firing guns. Four of the four-inch rifles are carried on the gun deck, amidships, two on either side, firing through open ports’ and with wide arcs of fire. The two other four-inch guns are car- ried on the main deck, one forward and one aft, each gun protected by a segmenta’ shield of steel an inch thick. The stx- pounders are placed on the berth deck, two amidships, one on each side, and two way forward, one on either bow. The one- pounders are mounted on the hammock berthing, where calculated to give the widest sweep. -+—_____ BISHOP COXE’S SUCCESSOR. Installation Ceremonies This Morn- ing at Buffalo. BUFFALO, N. Y., December 23.—The ceremony of enthroning the Right Rev. Wm. David Walker as Protestant Episcopal bishop of western New York, was cele- brated at St. Paul’s Church today. Rev. Dr. Henry Austice of St. Luke’s Church, Rochester, delivered the address of wel- come and Bishop Walker responded. Bishop Walker comes to this diocese from North Dakota, where he was consecrated bishop just thirteen years ago, He succeeds Bishop Coxe, deceased. ——— A SMALL SUSPENSION. The Bank of West Superior, Wis., Closed. WEST SUPERIOR, Wis., December 23.— The Bank of West Superior did not open this. morning. It 1s a small institution; capital and surplus, $100,000. NEW YORK, December 23.—Officers of the National Bank of the Republic, the New York correspondent of the Bank of West Superior, Wis. say that the latter institution had only a very smail balance here. : 2 — THE THREE FRIENDS. Much Speculation Concerning . Whereabouts. CINCINNATI, December 23.—A special to the Commercial Tribume from Jacksonville, Fla., says: There is much guessing of the whereabouts of the Three Friends that left Fernandina ten days ago with arms and ammunition. It is supposed that she has landed her cargo. J. M. Barrs, her attor- ney ard part owner, was asked today if it was not time to hear from the daring craft. He smiled, but thought she wouid be heard from in a day or two. It is the impression here new that she has two or more other expeditions to carry over before’| coming here to be seized. .The moment she ventures within reach ‘revenue cutter her occupation will be*gone. - Its FRUSTRATED BUNCO GAME HAPPY YOUNG GIVERS A Bold Attempt to Swindle Assistant Secre- Excitement im the Department Caused by the Flight d Capture of the Man. A bold attempt to swindle Assistant Sec- retary Curtis this morning was, luckily, frustrated by the bad acting of the chief conspirator, a colored man named Charles Edmonston, now in the custody of the police. The swindle was bold and ingen- fous in conception, and nearly succeeded. The affair caused considerable excitement in and about the Treasury Department, during which it was currently reported that the treasury had been robbed. This im- pression gained belief from the appearance of a man dashing down stairs and along the corridors and then out of the building pursued by a number of coatless and hat- less clerks and messengers shouting “Catch thief.” Edmorston, for it was he, ran rapidly past the office of the captain of the watch and out of the main entrance on 15th street without any one trying to bead him off, for the reason that it was only those in the rear that knew he was wanted. When he gained the open air he ran rapidly across 15th street to the cor- ner of Riggs Hotel and down G street to 14th street, where he turned and continued his course as far as F street, where he was stopped by a citizen and turned over to a policeman who came up soon after. During his short flight the streets became thronged with people attracted by the shouts of “Fire,” “Stop thief,” “Catch him,” “Stop that man,” etc., which were taken up by the constantly increasing throng of pursuers. Nobody in the crowd apparently Knew what was the matter or why they tried to catch the fleeing man until it was all over, but that did not pre- vent their joining in the chase. Most of the people thought that the treasury had been robbed, and that the man they were chasing was one of the robbers. Attempt to Bunco Mr. Curt According to the story told at the Treas- ury Department to a Star reporter, the affair was nothing more serious than an unsuccessful attempt to bunco Assistant Secretary Curtis out of $10. Why he was selected for the operation is not known, unless it was because of his reputation for tender heattedness. Just as he was prepar- ing to leave his office for a short time this morning Edmonston called upon him and made a neat attempt to play upon his sym- pathy. He. introduced himself as George Williams and claimed to be an old acquaint- ance. He said that he was a porter in the employ of the Pullman Palace Car Com- pany and that he had unfortunately gone to sleep in Philadelphia a few nights ago and had been robbed of his uniform and all his money. He added that unless he could procure another uniform immediately he would lose his job. What he wanted Mr. Curtis to do was to advance him $10 for a few days so that he might make the neces- sary deposit with the Pullman Company and get a new uniform. To Investigaté“the Matter. Mr. Curtis said that he did not know him at all and was not sure that he had the money to spare. He was very busy just then, he said, and had to go out. He in- structed his private secretary, Mr. Johnson, however, to investigate the matter, and if it proved to be a worthy case to do what he could for the man. : Soon after Mr. Curtis left, and while Mr. Johnson was talking with Edmonston, there was a call on the telephone. Mr. Johnson answered it and was told by some one whose voice he did not recognize that it was the office of the Pullman Palace Car Company. ‘The man at the other end of the line said he merely wanted to notify Mr. Curtis that if one of their men came to ask his assist- ance in getting money for a uniform that it would be all right, and the company would see that the money was refunded out of the first wages due the porter. Mr. John- son thought the circumstance a little queer at the time, but did not say anything about it to his visitor. He told him, however, that he would look jnto the matter and let him know later sf anything could pe done for him. After the man had departed, Mr. Johnson concluded to get further informa- tion from the Pullman Company. He called up the office, and telling them what the man said, asked if it was all right. Their reply was that the man was not in their employ, and that they knew nothing what- ever of the case. The Escape and Chase. Consequently, when the self-styled porter came back for his an’wer, Mr. Johnson concluded to turn him over to the secret service for such action as might be deemed proper. Telling Edmonston to take a seat, he sent a messenger out for the chief clerk of the secret service division, meantime dropping the latch of the door so as to pre- vent the departure of his visitor. The Iat- ter evidently suspected that something was wrong, for as soon as Mr. Johnson's back was turned he forced back the latch, and opening the door ran swiftly downstairs and out of the building, with Mr. Jo’ and several messengers in pursuit. Mr. Johnson soon gave up the chase, but others joined in, and supposing that the man had commitied some serious offense. made every effort to catch him, and it was their cries that acded to that impression when the man got into the street. a = THREE MILES FROM HAVANA. Growing Boldness of the Cuban In- surgents. CINCINNATI, December 23.—A special to the Cincinnati Commercial Tribune from Key West,, Fla., saying that Gen. Weyler is going into the field again is confirmed by passengers on the Havana boat. Prepari tions are being made with secrecy for a forward move. Three battalions of newly landed trvops left by water Sunday for the east. It is supposed that this Is part of Weyler’s coming campaign. Gomez is ad- vaneing rapidly, and it is thought that Weyler, if possible, will prevent his coming to the gates of Havana. It is stated from Cuban sources that the Cuban leader is wild over the murder of his only son aud his beloved chief lieutenant, and is burn- ing to revenge their fall. The Cubans in the army are infuriated also. Dr. Zertucha is a marked man, too, and it 1s reported that a move has been made to adbuct him. He is now in a fortress some miles from Havana, with a strong Spanish guard. His trip to Spain will be post- poned, the Cubans say, us if he goes over there they have friendly hands in that country who will avenge Maceo and young Gomez. Major Cirujeda also comes in for his share of hatred and revenge. Strong insurgent bands are now so close to Havana that the Spanish soldiers seidom venture far out of the gates of che city except in strong forces. A company of twenty-five were attacked Sunday night not over three miles from the palace by an insurgent band and several of them killed. This audacity has worried Weyler, but he cannot capture or disperse them. An American named Amos Johnson, -from ; Texas, Is their most prominent leader. : ne War on the Toll Gates. | SPRINGFIELD, Ky.,. December 23.—The ‘toll henge-on the Springfield and Perry- ville one mile from this town, There is not a this county. —-->_—_ All Over the District Today School Children Bring Gifts. ARE GLAD 10 REMEMBER THE POOR > Grand Success of The Evening Star's Santa Claus Party. at ell caia at LARGE QUANTITY — GIVEN From all over town little children came trooping to schvol this morning, carrying, besides their books and luncheons, small packages done up neatly in brown paper. They were bringing their contributions to the annual pound party of The Evening Star Santa Claus Club. They had @ lesson they will not soon forget. They have learned the blessedness of giving. In the corridors and hallways of the public School buildings, from one end of the Dis- trict to the other, there were piles of gro- Londea, ceries and provisions, that meant little or nothing in the way of sacrifice to the giv- ers, bat will go a long way toward reliev- ing the poor of the city. In many of the schools it was necessary to bring in big packing boxes to contain all the supplies, and when all the contribu- tions are gathered together there will doubtless be more than enougn to stock a first-class grocery store. Collecting the Gifts. All day wagons sent out by The Star Company have been scouring the town collecting the proceeds of the pound party and taking them to the several places of deposit, where they will remain only as long as it takes for the Associated Chari- ties to begin the work of distribution. Many hands meke light work and a good many wegons are erzaced in the task, but even so it was impossible to gather in al? the contributions tod and it will be necessary to keep up the work probably until tomorrow evering. Two years ago when the whole city united in one mam- moth pound party all the donations wer brought direct to The Star office and to two depots, one located in Georgetown and one cn Capitol Hill. As a result of this arrangement it was possible to see almost at ance the amount chat had been Plenty. raised through the gets people of Washingto y of the gooa year, however, as last, every school Z in the Dis. trict was aside as « for receiving donation The result his system that there is no way of estimating imme- diately how much has teen raised through the concerted action of the 40,000 school children of the District. This will make no difference to the recipients, though, and the poor families who share the bounty of the kind-hearted little ones will bit to know that the coffee, the s: flour that they receive formed part total of fifty to two hundred tons. A Great Saccess, Superintendent Powell of the publ schools was in his office at the Franklin building for some little time ‘his morning and received reports from a number of the supervising princip » all of the most encouraging description. From all sides came the news that the pound party was quite as big a success this year as it was last, and that the aggregate of the con- tributions might even exceed that of a year ago The same condition of affairs was noted again today as prevailed last year, and at the time of the big pound party two years ago it was not the children of the wealthy that gave the most. On the contrary, the ‘The Front Row. contributions at some of the outlying school buildirgs located ir the less aristocratic sections of town were far more generous than they were at some of the more cen-