Evening Star Newspaper, December 26, 1896, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Pennaylvania Avenue, Cor. llth 8t, by The Evening Star Ne Company. 8. H. KaurrMaNw: Pree. Kew York fice, 49 Potter Building. The Evening S eity by carriers, on is served to subscribers Im the ir own account, at 10 cents per week, or 44 ce month. jes at the Sounter cout cach. hy maltvanywhere 15 toe United States or Canada—postage prepaid—50 cents ber month. anmtertey Setetapte, more ster. $1 per year, with foreign postage # . (Entered at the Post Office at Washington, D. C.. as second-class mail matter. 7 All mall subscriptions must be paid In advance, ‘at advertietnc Rees tnade knewn on appliention. oe Che Evening Star. No. 13,672. WASHINGTON, D. C., SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1896-TWENTY-FOUR PAGES TWO CENTS. WOULD TAKE NO RISK Kentuckians Unwilling to Await Action of the Law. ANDREW HOLT LYNCHED AT OWENSBORO Murdered a Police Officer No- vember 14. PROOF WASCONCLUSIVE OWENSBORO, Ky., December 26.—Alfred Holt, colored, alias Alexander, the mur- derer of Police Officer A. W. White, was taken from jail by a mob at 2:30 o'clock this morning and hanged to a tree in the court house yard. The lynching was the most quiet and orderly, perhaps, ever con- ducted in the state, and few persons save those having business on the public square at the time knew anything of it. About 2:15 o'clock two men knocked at the jail door, and in response to a ques- tion from Deputy Jailer John Ashby, jr., who demanded who had knocked, said they had a prisoner they wished to lock up for safe keeping. Thus thrown off his guard, young Ashby opened the door, only to face two big revolvers. He was overpowered before he could utter a cry, and the keys were taken from him. Pleading for his life, Holt was taken out of the Jail, through the court house yard to the east side, facing the Rudd House. He was given ample time to pray, when a rope was placed about his neck. At the word of command he was swung high in the air and in ten minutes was dead. He had strangled to death. When the mob had made sure that their work was complete they mounted their horses in neighboring streets and alleys and left town as quietly as they had come. While there was much talk at first, it was generally accepted that after such damaging evidence had been brought out against Holt the law would be allowed to take its course. The mob's coming was, consequently, entirely unexpected this morning. Hoit's crime was committed on the morn- ing of November 14 last, after the election. | Officer White was killed with his own pis- tol, which was taken from his pocket by a negro named George Basket and handed to Holt. Holt escaped, but was captured shortly after at Louisville and brought here three weeks ago. His trial was begun early this week, and the commonwealth rested Thursday, after producing conclu- sive evidence of the negro’s guilt. CINCINNATI, Ohio, December Times-Star special from Frankfort, Ky., s Commonwealth's Attorney Rowe this morning made application to Gov. Bradley, asking him to offer a reward for the lynch- ers of the negro Holt, who was mobbed by eight masked men at Owensboro. He Also Assaulted an Officer. LOUISVILLE, Ky., December 26.—A spe- celal to the Times from Paris, Ky., says: Johnson Howe, the fifteen-year-old negro bey who fatally wounded Policeman Lacy at Cynthia, on Christmas eve, when the officers attempted to arrest’ him, was brought here last night for safekeeping. The negro’s garments show seven bullet holes inflicted by the wounded policeman, who fired while he was on the ground. ee ABE HENSON KILLED. A Pennsylvania Outlaw Shot by His Step-Brother. LANCASTER, Pa., December 26—Abe Henson, one of the members of the gang of thieves and outlaws who reside on the Welsh mountains in the eastern end of this county, was shot and killed last night by his stepbrother, Jerry Green, who is also a noted criminal and member of the same gang. Henson kept his horse and harness in Green's stable, and when he went for it last night found Jerry with the breast strap, who refused to give It up. A dis- pute followed, when Jerry ran into the house and returning with his shot gun, shoved the muzzle against Henson's breast and fired. The latter's breast was prac- tically blown away, and he was killed in- stantly. After the shooting Green, in company with his brother, drove to the residence of Squire Groff in Salisbury township, with the view of surrendering himself, but when he discovered the magistrate was in bed, he ref to awaken him, and said he would give himself up today. He also declined to return to the mountains, and walked away. Nothing has since been heard of him. Henson was a colored man about forty years old and single. He has figured on humerous occasions as defendant in the criminal courts of this and the counties adjoining on the east, and has graced the Jails of all of them. Jerry Green is also colored, and has figured even more prominently than his Victim as a lawbreaker and resident of jails. He has always been considered a desperate man, and carries a number of scars of wounds received either in battle with his fellow-outlaws or while following his vocation of robbery and burglary. Both men were members of the famous Buzzard gang, and since the last falling of those leaders Green has been practically the head of the outlaws. - see WEEKLY BANK STATEMENT. It Shows That Loans Have Been Ex- tended Over $600,000. Special Dispateh to The Evening Star. NEW YORK, December 26.—The weekly statement of the New York associated banks reflect a gain of over $1,500,000 In lawful money, all In legal tenders. The loans have been extended $657,300, pre- sumably the result of commercial demands. ‘The desposits have increased $2,246,300 and the reserve $1,085,175. The increase in the latter item brings the total reserve hold- ings well up to $35,000,000, and reflects a strong financial condition at this season of enormous demand. It is estimated that the Ist of January disbursements on ac- count of dividends and interest will ap- proximate $200,000,000. These disburse- ments will be partially reflected in next week's statement of averages, but the full effect will not appear until the end of the first week of the new year. The holi- days are, of course, to be considered as a factor, the closing of the exchange reduc- ing all demands arising from the handling of securities. ———— SUCCUMBED TO THE DISEASE. The Second of the Elght Victim: Hydrophobia Died. BALTIMORE, December 26.—Conrad Ep- pers, one of the efght boys who was bitten by a mad dog a month ago, and after- ward. treated at the Pasteur Institute, New York, died this morning at his home in Woodberry, of hydrophobia. Eppers is the second of the boys to succumb to the dread disease, and Robert Perry, a third, is mani- festing symptoms which lead to the bellef “that he wilt also die. All these boys were bitten about the head and face. Those who were bitten in other parts of the body appear to be doing well. THE TARIFF HEARINGS|STEADY PROGRESS Comparatively Few Delegations From the South Expected at the Capitol. The Cotton Manufacturers Will Prob- y¥ Have the Largest Represen- tation Next Tuesday. Among the many delegations from every Part of the country which will appear be- fore the ways and means committee in the tariff hearings which begin Monday next there will be comparatively few from the south, ft Is said today, unless the southern men fnterested change their minds within the next few days. The largest and most im- portant delegations from the south will be here next Wednesday when schedule E,sugar and molasses, comes up for hearings. The committee has been notified that numerous sugar men desire to be heard on this schedule. Next Monday, the day fixed for hearings on spirits, wines and other beverages, the expectation was that there would be a good many southern men in the number present, but the committee so far has heard from few fruit growers in that section. The de- velopment of grape growing and wine mak- ing in the south has been wonderful in the past few years, it is said. The extensive wine makers in that part of the country are in favor of protection. Cotton Manufacturers. ext Tuesday the cotton manufacturers will be heard. Among this class of men in the south the protection sentiment has made rapid headway. Almost without ex- ception the mill men of the south voted for McKinley, because they’ wanted sound money and protection. The most alarming prospects the democratic party in the south has had in years comes from these men, it is said. For years they did not express themselves in opposition to the low iariff feeling existing in the south. During the last few years they have become more out- spoken, and in the last election severed their connection completely from the old party. If they are not represented next Tuesday in large numbers it will be, it is thought, because they will be satisfied with the same tariff schedule as the cotion mill men of the east. Many southern mills are partially owned by northern capitalisis, and in nearly all of the milts there is a certain percentage of northern capital. The scuthern men feel, tt is said, that they will be satisfied with whatever schedule will suit the manufacturers in uther parts of the country. Tobacco and Ores. The tobacco men of the south will be fairly well represented in the hearings on that line on Monday, January A whole day has been set apart for the tobacco manufacturers, and they will have an op- portunity to fully present their side. One other day when the south will be es- pecially interested will be when scheduie C comes up. This is for iron, lead 9res, ete., and is fixed for Saturday, January 9. Ala- bama and Tennessee will be here that dey. Protection sentiment is strung among these men, and became stronger during the last election. It is probable that few of them have notified the committee because they have plenty of time left in which to do this. There will provaoly be some lumber men here from the sou:h when che hearings lumber come up. Thursday, December as been fixed for this. —____-e-_____ A BANK CONFERENCE. Directors Call on Controller Eckels to Explain Matters. A committee of directors of the collapsed National Bank of Illinois, located in Chi- cago, called on Controller Eckels today for a personal conference regarding the bank's affairs. The directors thought a better un- derstanding of their own position and that of the controller could be obtained by a personal interview than by correspondence. They also desired to see the originals of certain letters which passed between the controller and the directors, some question of authenticity of signatures having arisen. The committee of directors included Wil- Mam D. Kerfoot, George E. Adams, Wm. R. Page and Charles R. Corwith. They reached the Treasury Department shortly before 11 o'clock, and were ushered into the controller's office, the doors being locked and the conference held in secret. ‘The conference was an extended one. The directors stated to Mr. Eckeis that they desired to make a statement as to their connection with the affairs of the bank, and to explain their relation to its ‘man- agement since the letter written the direct- ors by the controller in 1: Mr. Eckels said to them that he felt con- fident that the management of the bank had been very negligent, indeed. The di- rectors thereupon explained that the bank’s directors since the receipt of Mr. Eckels’ letter repeatedly had tried to close negotia- tions for the sale of the Calumet electric railroad, with a view to realizing upon it, but the business condition of the country, the long political campaign and the trouble with the Diamond Match Company had caused a failure of these negotiations thus far. They expressed a desire to do every- thing in their power to aid the receiver in realizing the utmost from the assets of the bank. Mr. Eckels impressed upon them that he would expect them to make every possible effort to realize from the Calumet road, and at the best figures possible. The delegation informed the controller that they had no one to recommend for re- ceiver and no protest to make against the appointment of any one, and were perfectly willing to co-operate with any one Mr. Eckels might see fit to appoint as receiver. The delegation said that the directors were very hopeful that the affairs of the bank would be completely settled within the next twelve months, and that every ob- ligation would be met, and that the assets probably would be sufficient to leave the real estate clear. ‘This afternoon Mr. Adams, for the com- mittee, gave dut the following: “We had a very pleasant interview with the controller. Our purpose was to show what we had tried to do to improve the condition of the bank since the receipt of the controller's letter a year ago. Our talk was mainiy about the Calumet electric. We feel that the controller will do all that can be done to realize all that can possibly be realized out of the assets. We feel hopeful about the result. We made no suggestion about the receivérship, either for any one or against any one.” —_——_—__-e-____. GEN. LEE AT HAVANA. Vice Consul Springer and the Corres- pondents Welcome Him, HAVANA, December 26.—Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, the United States consul general here; Mrs. Lee, his wife, and their daughter, ar- rived here today via Tampa, Fla. Mr. Jo- seph A. Springer, the vice consul general, the staff of the United States consulate, ard the representatives in this city of American newspapers received the eral or landing. ope: ——.__ WESTONS WALK, ‘The Veteram Pedestrian Apparently in Good Condition, $ NEW YORK, December 26—Edward Payson Weston, who started on his 24-hour walk at the Ice Palace Rink at 10 o'clock last night, completed his sixtieth mile at 10:30 this ‘mornit ‘He was in very good condition at this hour. : Important Inaugural Details to Be Settled Tonight. MEETING OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chairman McCauley Concludes the Selection of His Associates. M’KINLEY’S OLD REGIMENT The meeting of the inaugural executive committee, which will be held tonight at the Glover building, will be the most im- portant yet held, as it is expected that meny details will be reported upon by the various subcommittees and definite plans made for carrying them out. Interesting reports ere expected from the coimmittze on badges, which will submit a series of designs, some cf which will probably be adopted, and the character of invitations and tickets will also be determined. There will be, probably, a final line of action adopted regarding the illumination of the streets and of the public buildings, and Chairman Wright of the public comfort committee will make a report showing re- markable progress in the arrangements made for the accommodation of the in- auguration crowds. There will be as well a gratifying showing from the finance com- mittee, and it is probable that the amount of the guarantee fund will have assumed such proportions that the members of the subcommittees will be instructed to hand in their books and solicit no more subscrip- tions, although those who desire to con- tribute to the fund will not be debarred from exercising this privilege, but may send their favors to Chairman John W. Thompson or Chairman Bell. Mr. Bell had a conference today with Chairman Thompson and Mr. John Joy Edson over the arrangements for making arpropriations for the various committees and the work to be done under their direc- tion. and the result will probably be dis- cussed at the meeting tonight. Cons ‘quent- ly.a full attendance of the committee is earnestly desired by Chairman Bell. The mail this morning was light, show- ing the effect of the holiday season, but there were numerous visitors at head- quarters. Among the earlier ones. were Mr. A. T. Britton and Mr. Myron M. Parker. Mr. Parker had just returned from a trip down east with Senator Proc- ter, and will leave this afternoon for St. Helena, Senator Cameron's island off the South Carolina coast, for two weeks’ duck shooting. In conversation with The Star reporter Mr. Parker said he was delighted with the executive committee and Mr. Bell. “He is an ideal chairman,” said Mr. Parker. “Mr. Hanna is greatly pleased with the way he Is directing inaugural matters.” Mr. Patker said he found all through the east a growing feeling of business confi- dence, and that a bank failure or two was not at all significan Mr. Edward McCauley, chairman of the floor and promenade committee, has com- pleted the selection of the membership of his committee, and it has been approved by Chairman Bell. The full list of the com- mittee is as follows: Floor and Promenade Committee. Edward McCauley, chairman and director. Wm. H. Emory, vice chairman, Edwin B. Hay, vice chairman. Special Ai Blair, Woodbury. Mercer, Carroll Bispham, Charles. McCawley,Charles L. Brownson, Willard H. Poor, Charles H. Davis, Charles H. Sands, FE. P. B. Goodloe, G. Clay Sanger, Joseph P. Hunt, Gaillard Thoron, Ward Loring, Francis B. Woodhull, Maxwell Aids in Charge of Sections and Cor- ridors. Howard, George Howland, George F. Jenkins, Ralph Magruder, Alex. F. May, Frederick May, Henry Moses, W. H. Palmer, Aulick Perry, Seaton Phillips, P. Lee Peor, John C. Ray, Robert C. Baker, John A. Berry, W. V. R. Bestor, Norman Biddle, John M. Britton, Alexander Chatard, Thomas H. Chew, John J. Chew, Robert 8. Chilton, Robert 8S. Evans, George W. Everett, Wm. H. Gale, Thomas M. Galt, Walter Rodgers, T. Slidell Garlington, E. A. Staunton, Sidney A. Hellen, George Witkins, John F. Hill, William C. Hinckley, Robert Hopkins, Archibald Committee. Addison, A. C. Johnsion.R. LeGrand Aplin, 8. A., jr. Johnston, W. W. Addison, A. B. Johnson, Ralph Alger, Philip R. Johnson, Paul E. Andrews, E. F. Jones, Frank H. Arnold, Eugene F. Jones, Geo. A. Aiken, Martin. Keen, Geo. T. Brackett, G. Fred. King, Harry. Barnes, Geo. A. Kimball, W. W. Browne, J. Stanley Knut, Sargeant P. Billings, L. G. Keller, Thos. T. Webb, John Sidney Williams, John F. Brown, G. R. Lasky, John E. Baumgras, EB. A. Lipscomb, Lisle S. Baker, C. A. Legare, A. B. Bryan, C. E. Lee, Arthur Barross, J. V. Lee, Blair Brown, Geo. W. Bergen, Thurlow Beatty, T. 8. Benner, H. A. Bradley, A. C., jr. Britton, William Bloomer, Geo. C. Brice, Arthur T. Leech, John F. Legare, Hugh 8. Leiber, Francis Lockett, James W. Lowery, Woodbury Lowndes, James Levey, Fred H. Messenger, N. O. Muir, Chas. 8. Mauro, Philip Burnett, Dr. S. M. Mearns, W. A. Burchall, N. Landon Murray, Dr. 'T. M. Beall, John J. Moore, Clarence Beall, John E. Mills, Geo. A. H. Maddon, Samuel Mosher, Theo., Col. Magruder, G. Lloyd Marmion, W. V. Mason, T. B. M. Michler, A. K. Michler, Capt. F. Munn, Charles A. Bradley, George L. Muir, Jno. G. Broome, G. Cochran McCammon, Jos. K. Brown, Jesse McClurg, Dr. W. A. Buckingham, B. H. McKenney, Wm. A. Criswell, F. H. McKenney, F. D. Christman, H. L. McCurdy, A. W. Cushing, Alfred D, McPherson, Wm. L. Cropper, John McDonald, H. B. Crosby, O. F. McKee, David R. Chatard, Dr. McLanahan, G. W. Blair, John 8. Bath Cooper, George McLeod, maid B. Crouch, E. D. - Norwood, J. A. R, Casey, Thds. L., jr. Norwood, J. Clymer, W. B. 8. Newman, B. A. Nixon, W. W. Neill, Thomas W. Nicholson, R. F. Ferry, R. Ross Fomeroy, N. Wis Quackeni Heed, ff. W Homan, Dr. F. 0, Ww. Raymond, PF. K, , BE. B. Rapley, W. H. Richey, Dr. 8. O. ee es i Ellerson, James R. Endicott, W. C., jr. Ford, Worthington C. Foote, T. M. Fleming, Robert I. Stickney, Percy C. ney, Robert H. itz, W. H. Shuster, W. C. Sacket, Francis W. Ffoulke, C. M. Saville, J. H. Fleming, A. W. Shepard, Robert F. Green, James M. . Scott, Alex. Green, Bernard Thom, 'T. W. Galt, Norman » C. Downing. Guest, J. Alden Trafe, Capt. C. J. Hill, John ‘ucker, Chas. Hagner, Dr. Frank -Totson, H. A. Hale, Chandler Thémpson, W. S., jr. Hibbs, W. B. Ted, W. S. Harban, L. L Thompsen, Ross Hine, Oliver C. Harmer, Dr. J. B. ‘Troupe, C. 8. Turnbpll, J. G. Howe, C. E. Totten, Howe Hayden, James H. Tucker, Dallas Harban, Walter S. Vermilya, Jas. H. Hamilton, George. Van Reypen,Dr.W.K. Benj..W. Wilcox, Walter D. Huxford, W. P. ‘Whiting, Dr. Guy F. Hyde, Thos., jr. Hague, Arnold Harber, Giles B. Harlow, C. H. Hellen, Benjamin Hopkins, James H. Hoy, James Hyde, Thomas Hart, Frank W. Joyce, R. E. Johnston, Jas. M. McKinley's Old Regiment. Mr. W. P. Crump of 1029 7th street, who was steward at the White House under President Garfield, called at the public comfort committee this morning and re- quested that sleeping and-board accommo- dations be secured for fifty members of the R. B. Hayes Club, who Were all soldiers, privates and officers, in the old regiment of Maj. McKinley, the 23d Ohio. The club will also need a room for headquarters. At the Pension Building. Chairman Bell, Mr. A. T. Britton, Mr. T. E. Roessle, chairman of the committee on ball room decorations, and Capt. James E. Bell, chairman of the committee on public comfort at the ball, spent a couple of hours together at the pension buflding this after- neon studying the arrangements that will have to be made in order to prepare the structure for the great occasion. Commis- sioner of Pensions Murphy was conferred with, and promised to-do everything in his power to aid the committee in the work in this direction. Before the gentlemen sepa- rated it was decided that Capt. Bell’s com- mittee should draw up the plans to be fol- lowed in the preparations mentioned above. LE GHAIT’S RECALL. Willard, Dwight D. Wheatley, Wolf, Adolph G. Whitaker, L. D. Westcott, Horace H. Worthington,Chas. C. Wallach, Richard Wylie, Horace Webb, H. Randall Yarrow, Dr. H. C. MR. He Bids an Official Farewell to Presi- dent Cleveland, Mr. Alfred Le Ghait,), who has been the diploraatic representative of the King of Belgium at this capital for the past seven years, called at the White Hipuse in com- Pany with Secretary Olmey this morning and presented his letters of recall. As an- reunced in The Star several weeks ago, Mr. Le Gheit has been transferred to the Rus- sian ministry at St. Petersburg. His suc- cessor at this capital has not:yet been ap- pointed, so far as known, but dt is probable that Mr. Maurice Joostens, ceunsel of the legation, will be charge d'affaires ad in- terim. The usual. formalities were ex- changed at the White House this morning, and the President, while expressing his re- gret at the severance of their official rela- tions, congratulated. the minister on his Promotion in the diplomati¢’ gervice of his government. . St. Petersburg ranks Wash- ington in importance in the Belgiamdiplo- matic service just as it a in the servize of Great Britain, Francg, Germany and most of the governments of Europe and Asia. ¢ THE SPANISH NAVY. Two New Cruisers to Be Added in a Short ‘White. An interesting item in the last publication by the naval intelligence office is the state- ment of the naval construction that the Spanish government has in hand. It ap- pears that orders have been given to a big Italian firm near Genoa to butld imme- diately an armored cruiser, which will be named the Pedro Aragon. She will. be on the lines of the crack cruiser Guiseppi Gari- baldi II, which Spain has purchased and rechristened the Cristobal Colon. The lat- ter is to be delivered by the builders to the Spanish government complete next Feb- Tuary. Only fifteen months are allowed for the construction of the Aragon. Both of these cruisers are to be supplied with the tubulous boilers in vogue in the French navy, and when finished they will be slight- ly more formidable than ‘our best armored cruiser, the New York. —_—_—_-e+___ - Personal Mention. Mr. William Cowan, formerly in charge of the sail loft at the Washington navy yard and now on duty at the New York navy yard, is on a visit tb this city. He called at the White Houge today to pay his respects to the President. Major W. F. Tucker of*the pay depart- ment is visiting friends gn Calumet place on leave of absence, : Mr. Theodore L. De Laid, jr., of Phila- delphia is spending the holidays with his parents in Le Droit Park. Assistant Paymaster H. E. Biscoe, U. 8. N., is home on a short visit to his parents, 813 21st street northwest. sallt. Charles Albert of Minneapolis is in wn. Master Samuel Cunningham of 2412 Penn- sylvanin avenue has gone to Virginia to spend the holidays on a hunting trip. Capt. Color Augur, 2d Cavalry, is at 2732 Dumbarton avenue on leave of absence. Capt. J. A. Buchanan, ith Infantry, is at 1619 17th street for the holidays. —————_e___ Naval Movemen: The cruiser Minneapolis, which is visit- ing the various ports in ‘Turkey, arrived at Alexandretta this morning from Smyrna. The San Franeisco, Cincinnati and Ban- croft still remdin at the Jast named _port. The gunboat Bennington atrived at Jequi- lisco, Salvador, this morning: The Marion is already there, and the ¢wo vessels will make'd survey of the new! opened harbor. No Delay to the: Mails. Actips Second Assistant Possmaster Gen- eral ne has: received. a télegram from ue i authorities ag , advising im that during -the strike in that city there was.no ai ever to the cars bearing ‘the Unites: ‘aes mails, i ——————_- Postmaster Agpointed. W. C. Harvey was to@s¥ appointed pust- master at Perth, Halitag coumty, Va., vice H. Scott, resigned. i = ’* Post Offices Eqtabiished, The Postmaster Genemgl hag ordered the establishment of post jgfficesy at Glencoe Glynn county, Ga.; Beeman, Nez Perces county, ‘Idaho; Déslet,, Shaymon county, Mo.; Content, Tettersoim ooumeyy Pa; ‘and Hinstland, McLennan eougty, Texas. . The President- has Allen as Hawaiian consy? at St. Lous, L. AS STRONG AS EVER|A MONETARY CONFERENCE Senor Palma Denies That the Cuban Army is Decreasing. TT HOLDS IMPREGNABLE POSITIONS Has Heard Nothing of the Reported Naval Fight. DR. ZERTUCHA DENOUNCED ——— ey NEW YORK, December 26.—At the head- quarters of the Cuban junta today General Estrada Palma and his secretaries were kept busy answering questions as to the disposition of the patriot forces in Cuba and denying reports that General Maceo’s death was but the beginning of the end of the war. In talking of affairs, General Palma stat- ed that the Cuban army was now as strong in point of numbers and enthusiasm as it ever had been, and that the Cubans have full faith in General Rivera, who has suc- ceeded Maceo in command. The Cuban forces in the province of Pinar del Rio, he said, are encamped cn the mountain tops, and could afford to laugh at General Wey- ler’s declaration that he would soon dis- lodge and scatter them and wind up the war. “General Rivera,” said General Palma, “has 6,000 armed men under him at pres- ent, and, with provisions enough to last for six months in his mountain strong- hold, it is simply idle for General Weyler to make such swecping declarations. There has been and there will be no general 1 ing down of arms on the part of the Cu- bans, such as has been reported. As for Dr. Zertucha’s charges that Mazeo was driven to death by despair by reason of non-support acccrded to him by the Cuban allies in this country, it is simply infamous and unworthy of contradiction General Palma said that he had heard nothing definite about the reported naval fight of the Three Friends. SUSTAINS MR. OLNEY. Ex-Minister Phelps on the Rights of the Executive. BURLINGTON, Vt., December 26.—8. J. Phelps, ex-minister to England, gives his opinion upon the recognition of Cuba, ini the following language: “I have no doubt that the position of Sec- retary Olney, as recently published, is en- trely correct. The question what govern- ment shall be recognized in a country where an attempt at revolution is in pro- gress is certainly tor the executive to de- termine, and not for Congress. No legis- lation by that body can under any provis- fon of the Constitution decide it. They can, of course, pass resolutions upon the subject if they please, but they in no re- spect can control the discretion or the ac- tion of the President. Besides no gov- ernment can be recognized until it exists. “The goverhment recognized by other governments when a dispute in respect to it exists is always defacto government. The recegnition by other nations of a gov ernment once in existence must alway: continue, until it is actually subverted and a new one put in its place. “When it is overthrown and another es- tablished that becomes entitled to recogni- tion. “The rebels in Cuba have no organized government, nor even abiding place which they can call their own. They are merely @ guerilla force, which would speedily be annihilated if drawn into a general en- gagement with the much superior Spanish army. It proves its existence by its dex- terity in averting such an engagement. It would be absurd to say that such a force constitutes a government or that the Spanish government in Cuba has been over- thrown or that any diplomatic relations could exist between these rebels and the government of the United States. “If this country interferes by arms in that contest it must be by assisting the rebellion in Cuba to displace the Spanish government and to set up another, and this would be a declaration of war against Spain, a country with which we are and always have been at peace and from which we have received no injury and no provo- cation. It would be a gross and utterly un- justifiable violation of international law, which no country can afford to perpetrate in the eyes of the world. “It would, in my judgment, be fatal to that restoration of business prosperity which is now our most vital necessity. TO HELP THE CUBANS. Sympathizers With the Insurgents Form a Secret Organization. EL RENO, I. T., December 26.—Cuban sympathizers here have formed an oath- bound organization which contemplates fighting for the insurgents without violat- ing the United States neutrality laws. The members, composed of able-bodied men, are to go to Cuba as colonizers and to pur- chase or lease land for the cultivation, manufacture and sale of tobacco. Afte: Cuba is reached, say the by-laws which have been adopted, “‘other civic en- terprises to be decided upon later may be entered into.” ° The minimum membership of the colony shall not be less than 100 nor more than 200, and the membership fee, to be paid af- ter arriving in Cuba, is set at $100. The colonists are to provide themselves with firearms at their own expense for personal protection, and are to pay their own ex- penses to the sea coast, from which they shall embark, going as individuals. DENIED AT MADRID. The Ramors That Spain Would Ac- cept America’s Mediation. MADRID, December 26.—It is semi-offi- clally stated that the rumors in circulation abroad that Spain would accept the good offices of the United States to terminate the war in Cuba are entirely without founda- tion. NO FOREIGN INTERFERENCE. ‘The London Times’ Paris dispatch, pub- lished this morning, that the American The Question to Come Up in the Senate Soon After the Holidays, Selection of Conferees d the Num- ber to Be Left to the President. It is the expectation of the friends of the movement for an internationa! monetary conference that the question will be taken up in the Senate soon after the holidays, though it may be considered first in a re- publican caucus. The committee appointed by the caucus to draft a measure has had the matter un- der consideration, and Senator Wolcott, who is chairman of the caucus committee, has prepared the draft of a bill, which if it is not accepted as a whole probably will be used as the basis of whatever action agreed upon. Much to Be Left to the President. The tendency among the members of the committee is to leave the selection of the conferees entirely to the President, and thus depart from the precedent established in the Fifty-third Congress, when provision was made for the representation of this country at a conference then proposed by aividing the selection of the conferees 1e- tween the President and Congress. It is proposed also to leave the number ©f mem- bers to the discretion of the President, de- Pending upon the action of other countries on this point. An appropriation will be provided for carrying the act inio effect. It is not yet definitely determined how far the proposed legislation will go in provid- irg for this country’s taking the initiative in securing the conference, but the proba- bilities are that this will be left to the dis- cretion and inclination of the President. The bill is being prepared for the purpose of providing the means for carrying the republican platform on this subject into ef- fect, and the members of the committee generally ho.d that Mr. McKinley will re- quire only the means to proceed with to cause him to use his utmost endeavors to secure an international agreement. Committee Encouraged. The committee has been considerably en- couraged over the reports received as to the probabilities of the success of securing a conference, and of its success when once secured. Senator Hoar, who is a member of the committee, has given the other mem- bers much valuable infcrmation collected by himself while in Europe last summe! He has told them that France was aggre: sively in favor of an international under- stending, and that the sentiment in Ger- mepny was very favorable, but that ti emperor was the stumbling block in that country. He has also expressed the opi: jon that England would be found much more tractable on the question than is popularly considered - probable, and has suggested thatea little pressure of a busi- ness character might be brought to bear with good effect on England, going so far as to say that the payment of some of the debts in this country to England in silver might bring the English people to a sper realization of the importance of an agree- ment on the subject and prove a valuable object lesson. is MORE TROUBLE MAY COME. The Most Conservative Were Among Those Discharged in Boston. BOSTON, December 26.—Examination of the list of employes dropped by the West End street railway management as a re- sult of Thursday's strike shows that Presi. dent Young and all of the other eight mem- bers of the conference committee who promised a delay of the strike, and whose action in so doing prompted the indigna- tion among the men, which resulted in the strike, are among those discharged. When this fact became known this morn- ing a wave of excitement equal to that which precipitated the strike swept over the employes, and it is feared that further trouble may result. There will be a special meeting of the Conductors. and Motormen’s Union this afterncon to decide what shall be done in the matter of the discharge of the commit- teemen by the’ West End Company. The indignation is great among the em- ployes, and protests were received at union headquarters from every division of the road, together with promises of a united support in case a tie-up should be ordered to force the reinstatement of the commit- teemen. A public meeting is called for this ev. ing in Fanueli Hall to express indignati at the course of the ecempany. a THE SIBERIAN RAILWA Particulars of Its Organisation and Capitalization. LONDON, December 26.—A Times’ dis- patch from St, Petersburg says: “It is alleged that the Russo-Chinese treaty which recently caused so much comment is not between the two governments, but between the Chinese government and the Russo-Chinese bank, which was founded a year ago by the directors of the Ru: sian International Bank. The treaty is dated September 8 The Russo-Chinese Eank forms the railway company which an imperial ordinance recently sanctioned, under the name of the Eastern Railway Company, with a capital of 5,000,000 rou- bles, to construct and work a railway from the western frontier of Hei-Lung- Chiang to the eastern frontier of Kirin, in Manchuria, to connect with branches of the Siberian railway, it being also pro- vided that the holders of the shares must he either Russian or Chinese. “The Russian government will fully guar- antee the capital and interest of further cbligations ta be issued as required, re- serving to themselves the right of taking them upou payment to the company of a price to be mutually agreed upon. “Thus the Russian minister of finance will be complete master of the enterprise, his approval being required for all administra- tive and technical appointments and in- structions. China obtains nominal con- trol by appointing the president, but the veal chief will be the vice president ap- pointed by Russia. China may purchase the railway after thirty-six years or take and goods will be otherwise favored.” — DEBS TO GO TO COLQRADO. He Promises to Help the Leadville Strikers, ae If you want today’s news today you can find it only in The Star. MR. BENEDICT TALKS Seca peeasiaie His Views Regarding a New Print- ing Office. ———_ + THE QUESTION OF LOCATION icicle Seneca He Advocates Care in Deciding Upon the Plans. = NEEDS OF THE OFFICE “I am glad to see that there is an ex- pressed intention in Congress to take wp again the su ct of a proposed new gov- ernment printing office,” said Public Print- er Benedict to a Star reporter today. “I trust that the agitation of the matter which has been commenced by the House com- mittee on public buildings and grounds w result in perfected legislation at this ses- sion of Congress looking to adequate pro. vision for the needs of the government in this direction. “When a bill has been passed pr iding for the acquisition of the land and the erection of a building thereon Congress should not strike a lick of werk until plans should be prepared for the building. As L said in my las. annual report, no step should be taken by ( ing a government p Ngress toward erec inting office that is not based upon the mest careful plans and ex- pert knowledge. A proper commission Should be first appointed to procure and present the fullest information in regard to the larger private printing offices of the country. Every detail of the progress of the art should be m: ‘ed. Th building, architecturally, should be designed for a printing office, and for no other purpose whatever. The question of a site is of miuor importance. A printing office is a workshcp, and this is true in a more par- ticular 3 of t government printing office than of many private concerns, which ofttimes are mere adjuncts to publishing houses engaged in advancing the inte iterature and art. “The building should be perfectly ed in light and floor space, in and heating, in sanitary conditions its mechanical plant to the perfect tion of the goverrment printing at t imum of cost. It might, with the advantage to the government, t» iaeal in its appointments and appl s an exhibit of the progress of the highest humanity and irtelligence in building con- struction, as well as of the highest econ- cmy and efficiency in the printing “Abundance of time and due 7 5 should, however, be taken, in order to pre- vent the carrying out of any incompleie or inadequate plan. When built Office adapt- tilation made the should be one of the attractions of the cap- ital city, and it should possess the nighe economic, mechanical and scientific achieve- ments in the arts of printing and binding of the present day. Its lines should be laid upon. plars broad and compr enough to meet not only the demands of the near future, but the necessities of the coming century. Like the Library. “I think the printing office should be con- structed upon the pian adopted in the erec- ticn of the Corgresssonal Library. In that case, as every one knows, Congress retain- ed entire control of the work. The plans were agreed upon and Congress stood by them. The building was constructed with a view to its use as a library, and the sug- gestions of librarians were taken into con- sideration. The success of the plan ix ap- parent to every one. If a similar method were adopted in the erection of a printing office, the committee or commission of Con- giess having the work in charge should call in the great master printers of the coun- try. They should visit the great offices in various cities, any which surpass the government printing of- fice in the perfection of their plants “The building should not be a skyscraper. We do not want a structure so high that it Will take five minutes of precious time, time belonging to the government, for each em- p'oye to get in or out. This may seem a small matter, but in the aggregate it is a large one. The total saving to the goverii- ment in little matters of convenience tn conducting a great workshop like this would equal the amount of the interest on the entire investment in a year. Good for a Short Time. “The government printing office today, thanks to the recent improvements com- pleted under the provisions of Congress, is able to perform its work fairly economical- ly, fairly expeditiously and fairly complete- ly. We are enabled to do our current work and to bring up, by degrees, the back work. But this will not last long. It is only a question of five years, in my opinion, when the office will again be confronted with the condition which met me when I took charge of this office for the second time, two years ago last May. In the first fiscal year, from the beginning of my second term in office, 1 handled 101 per cent more work, consumed 100 per cent more material than I did in the fiscal year of 1 I did this without a corresponding increase of space for the ac- commodation of the work, or an increase of general facilities. There came a time when something had to be done. Congress was called upon for an emergency appro- priation to provide measures to relieve an emergency situation. Congress met the ap- peal generously, and the work was done. ‘But we do not want our new building put up urder an emergency. That would mean hurried work, inadequate plans and general dissatisfaction. The government knows now that it will have to meet this situation within a few years, and it ought to begin now to get ready to meet it. It ought to begin in a thorough, busines: like way preparing for the future, just as an individual conducting business upon a large scale would do. I hope that all of the work done by the government printing office will be concentrated under one roof. Now it is scattered all over the city. We occupy 40,000 square feet in the city post office building, we have branch offices in a number of depariments, our warchouse is in one place and our stables in another. Long-distance supervision, when it comes to mechanics, is not a good plan. The whole work should be concentrated where the director can lay his hand upon any Part of it at any time. “In this building T know whaM€yery man is doing. I ge: reports which show me the hourly work of every compositor. I kuow just how much maite- he sets in the course of a day and in what hours he does the work. I am thus enabled to keep a merit record and when the tine comes that a reduction in force must be made I know just what men to select. Every compositor at his case there works under the fecling .-| thet if he makes a good record for himself ané good service for the govern- — he will not be disturbed in his posi- mn. The Question of Site. “Now, as to a site for the government printing office. Tha: is a matter about se ae ef 835 & e t i