Evening Star Newspaper, January 8, 1897, Page 2

2 THE EVENING STAR, FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 1897-12 PAGES. LATE NEWS BY WIRE Simon Cooper, the Sonth Carolina Murderer, Run Down. — CANNON AIMED AT a HIS RETREAT Ammunition Lacking,Nuts and Bolts Will Be Used. — RECORD OF HIS CRIMES SUMTER, C., January §—Jake Dar- gan, colored, living five miles the other side of Sumter from Lynchburg, the seat of the murder of five persons yesterday, went to W. S. Burkett, a white neighbor, this merning about 2 o'clock and said that St- men Cooper had come to his house and was there asleep. Burkett rode to Sumter with the and a deputy sheriff, with a pesse of nine men, immediately left. A woman <pd man were in the house with Coaper. He sent out the woman, and later the man to buy him ammunition in news, Camden, giving him a sample sheil. The man rode over to the posse and gave them the shell. Cooper is in the house alone: is weil armed with Winchesters, with which he this morning kept up a continuous fire. The se is small and on a hill in the open, so the he’ that w posse cannot come within range degree of safety. six-pounder cannon used for fir- s has been secured, as the only way to capture Coop:r without further loss of life is to demolish the house in which he is barricaded. There is no ammunition for annon in Sumter, so it will be loaded with volts and nuts. A messenger named McCown, who has just arrived for ammunition, says Cooper is shooting through a hole in the chimney and that once Cooper came out of the house with a shotgun, and was taking aim when he (McCown) fired at him. Cooper immediately dropped his gun, knelt and pressed his hands on his left side about four inches below the heart. McCown, therefore, feels certain that he nit him. Cooper did not shoot, but returned to the house. Men have been leaving town all morning, and now probably a hund armed with all kinds of weapon: the scene. Cooper's Career of Crime. Simon Cooper, a negro, killed old Bea Wilson, his son Wesley and Mrs. Wesley Wilson, all white, and two negroes, a man ard @ girl. Cooper went to Lynchburg Wednesday evening for the purpose of forcing a young cclored girl to marry him. The girl and her mother by some means escaped and ran into the swamp. As soon as possible after Ccopex’s appearance in the town a pesse was organized and went in pursuit of him Cooper forced some regroes to go with him, and kept them with him all night. He came out of the woods about daylignt yesterday morning, and went to the house of a colored mai named Boyle, took his herse and compelled Boyle's son to accom- pany him. From there he went to the hcuse of the Wilsons, about a mile distant. Mr. Baker, who lives near by, saw M Wilson go to the buggy house with Cooper to get the harness, and then go back into the house, Cooper following her. Cooper a short time afterward came out on tne piazza, shooting in every direction, and forced Boyle's boy to harness the horse to Mr. Wilson's buggy. He got in the buggy, and only went a few yards when he met a colored man named Smith. He killed him, and » passed Baker's house he shot at Bakes children, who were on the piazza. He then disappeared. When the bodies of the Wilsons were found, the old gentleman, seventy-five years old, wes sitting up in bed, with a shotgun in his hands; his son Wesley was in another room, with his head split, while on the floor lay the body of the woman, her head smashed in and her throat cut. mith, the negro who was killed on the road, was found with an ax still in the back of his neck and his head half severed from his bodv ‘ooper, on Emancipation day last, killed ene negro and wounded six others who un- dertook to arrest him. Se WANT A FAIR TRIAL. European Powers Again at Od the Porte. CONSTANTINOPLE, January S.—Owing to the refusal of the Turkish authorities to admit the dragomans of the embassies to be present at the trial of Mazhar Bey, the French and Italian ambassadors have re- called their dragomans, and have strongly protested to the porte, demanding the transfer of the trial of Mazhar Bey, who is accused of responsibilily for the murder of Father Salvatore, an Italian priest, who was killed im the convent of Jenidjekale, at Marash, tn 1895, by Turkish troops com- manded by the bey. The ambassadors in- sist that the iatter shall be tried by a com- petent and impartial tribunal here, instead of at Marash. With ———.___ CRAZED BY LACK OF WORK. Suicide of a Convict at = im. SING SING. January 8—On the first of the month convict labcr was abolished tn all the prisens of this state, and today Frederick Hoffman, a prisoner here, while depressed from lack of employment, threw himself from a gallery, where he was tak- ing exercise. to the floor, seventy-five feet below. it is thovght ke cannot recover. Hoffman told Warden Sage last night that he feared his mind would © way unless he had some work to do. He was a printer. Attempted ee Died After 2 Whipping. DES MOINES, Iowa, January 8.—Harry Oliver, aged eleven years, the son of a Lusiness man of Des Moines, was whipped by Miss Florence Miller. a teacher in the Grant Park School. which the boy attended, end a half hour later died. The boy had heart disease, and the whipping brought on the fatal attack. The parents will take no st=ps to force official inquiry. — A Norwegian Statesman Dend. CHRISTIA Norway, January 8.—Ex- Minister of State Orkjerulf ts dead. He held office at Stockholm from 1871 to 1884, and was dismissed, with others, at the tiste of the impeachment of the Seimer cab- ne’ ——.- PATERSON’S POSTMASTER. Why Ex-Representative Cadmus Was Not Appointed. An interesting bit of gossip was cur- rent at the Capitol today tn connection with the appointment by the President of Herman J. Kohlhaas to be postmaster at Paterson, N. J. Ex-Representative Cad- mus of New Jersey was a candidate for this appointment. He was a gold demo- and In addition, had the indorsement of Garret A. Hobart, the Vice President- elect. It was understood some months ago that Mr. Cadmus would be appointed and that the republican administration would not disturb him, in view of the good work which he had done in connection with other gold democrats for McKinley. It turned out, however, that Mr. Cadmus was one of the democrats in the House who voted against the Wilson bill, and it is said that when this fact was called to the attention of Postmaster General Wil- som and the President, Mr. Cadmus’ ap- pointment was considered undesirable. It is further said that Mr. Kohlhaas is a silver democrat. He was the only candi- date against Mr. Cadmus, however, and it “is considered doubtful tf the republl- cans will confirm him at this time. ua wee Es. Public Sale. C. G, Sloan & Co., auctioneers, sold yes- terday, at public sale, the residence 1710 New Hampshire avenue, to Frank W. Stone, agent, for $40,000. The house has four stories, a le front, twenty-six marbl rooms, and the lot ts 25 by 120 feet, with a stable in the rear. DISTRICT IN CONGRESS. The Senate committee on the District of Columbia bell an important meeting at the Capitol today, wher It was decided to make favorable reports on several meas- ures. There were present Messrs. McMillan, chairman; Proctor, Baker, Harris, Gibson, Smith, Martin and Bacon. Mr. McMillan made a favorable report on House bill 9647, to authorize the exten- sion of the line of the Metropolitan Rall- road Company from the intersection of Connecticut and Florida avenues north- ward along Columbia road to a point on the west line of 18th street extended. The bill provides that this extension shall be completed within six months from the date of the passige of the act and the company is authorized to increase its capital stock fo: the above purpose. The bill was ap- proved by the committee with an amend- ment allowing the conversion of outstand- ing certificates of indebtednezs into stock irstead of bonds, as provided in the meas- ure as it_was passed by the House on De- cember 17. Mr. Marti House bill 8726 made a favorable report on the report was adopted by the committee. This bill directs the auditor of the supreme court of the District of Columbia to audit for settlement all claims for property taken, injured or destroyed by reason of the destruction or removal of the Northern Liberty market in tais city, in September, 1872; as also all claims for payment made for the purchase, rent or use of any stall or privitege in said market house, and for licerse for conducting any business there- im, to the extent of the expired term of said purchase, rent, use or license. When the amount of such losses are ascertained by the auditor he is to issue drawback certificates, which shall be received for ar- rears of taxes due the District of Colum-. bia and unpaid June 30, 1895. This work is to be completed by the auditor within two years from the passage of this act. To Open North Capitol Street. Mr. Prector made a faverable report, which was adopted by the committee, on House bill 6713, “to extend North Capitol street northward through the property of the Prospect Hill cemetery, to pay for land to be taken for such purpose and for other Purposes.” This bill was passed by the House of Representatives December 17, and authorizes and directs the Commissioners “to proceed with the opening of North Capitol street northward through the prop- erty of the Prospect Hill cemetery, and to bay. the owners of the land necessary to be taken for public use in the extension of said North Capital street according to the report of the appraisers appointed by the Supreme Court of the District of Colum- bia March 16, 1804, to appraise the land necessary for the extension of said North Capitol street, as said report was confirmed by the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia June 22. 1894, and finally adjudged by the Court of Appeals of the District of Cclumbia March 4, 1895, so far as the same relates to the land of said Prospect Hill “The biti 7 e appropriates for th > Poses $51,686. ereheves uur Inauguration Preparations. The committee also voted to report fa- vorably House resolutions 213 and 214, which passed the House on December 17, authorizing certain permits for work nec- essary for the proper conduct‘of the cere- monies attending the inauguration of Mr. McKinley. House resolution 213 permits the railroads in the District to occupy ad- ditional parts of streets to accommodate the traveling public attending the inaugu- ral ceremonies, such temporary occupation not to exceed the period of fifteen days, and to be subject to conditions prescribed by the Commissioners. House resolution 214 authorizes the Secretary of War to grant permits to the executive committee on inaugural ceremonies for the use of any reservations or other public spaces in this city on the occasion of the inauguration, which, in his opinion, will inflict no serious or permanent injuries upon such reserva- ticns or public spaces or statuary thereon, and the Commissioners of the District of Columbia may designate for such and other Purposes on this occasion such streets, avenues and sidewalks in this city as they may deem proper and necessary. The resolution was amended by the committee to provide for such electric lighting as the inaugural committee wants done, appro- priates $8,200 for a temporary increase of the police force, and authorizes the Com- missioners to make such police regulations and to fix hack fares for the occasion of the inauguration as they may deem neces- sary. The Secretary of War is author- ized to loan flags to the inaugural commit- tee, and the telegraph companies are per- mitted to extend their wires into the build- ing to be used for the inaugural ball in order to supply an adequate press service. Mt. Pleasant Citizens. A committee, consisting of Chapin Brown, C. L. Ricketts, C. B. Chatfield and E. W. Woodruff, from the Mt. Pleasant Citizens’ Association, called at the room of the Sen- ate committee on the District of Columbia today to request that a hearing be given that committee on the subject of the ex- tension of the lines of the Metropolitan Railway Company. The committee were informed that their request would be an- swered at a later date. To Restore Medical Freedom. Mr. Kem has introduced a bill in the Hevse proposing “To restore medical fre- dom to the people of the District of Co- lumbla.” This Dill, if passed, would have the effect of repealing the law recently passed by Congress regulating the prac- tices of medicine in the District. Hall of Records Site. Secretary Carlisle transmitted to the Hovse today a report upon the practicabil- ity of locating a hail of records upon the public reservation between Ohio and Louisiana avenues and 10th and 12th streets northwest. The secretary states that the reservation is conveniently located for the construction of such a building, but he is not prepared to make a final report upon the subject at this time on account ef the fact that questions have arisen con- cerning the character of. the soil at this point and the possibility of securing a sui- stantial foundation for tha building. He suggests that an appropriation be made to disecver this fact. Two Medical i Dr. Busey of the Medical Association of the District has submitted to Chairman Bab- cock of the House District committee two bills which he desires introduced. The first provides that no person shall sell at retail any poison unless the bottle or box con- taining such poison fs of triangular shape and upon which shall be affixed the name of the article, the word “poison” and the name and place of business of the seller. No person shall sell or furnish opium ex- ceeding in amount one-quarter of a grain or morphine exceeding one-twentieth of a grain, except upon the written prescription of a registered practicing physician, and the prescription shall not be filled more than once, except upon the physician's or- der. Penalties are provided for violation of the regulations. The other bill provides detailed regula- tions for the taking of expert testimony of physicians in court trials. Government Printing Office Site. The House committee on public buildings and grounds at its meeting this morning took up Mr. Milliken’s bill providing for the purchase of a site for the government print- ing office on the square at the corner of Ist and B streets northwest. The bill was con- sidered for some time and was thoroughly discussed. A question arose as to the own- ership of a portion of the square, and it is said that this matter will have to be looked into before the committee can go any further. This will be done between now and next Friday, when the committee will meet again. At that time it is pro- posed to take a final vote upon the report- ing of the bill from the committee. eS Sent te the Hospital. John W. Hendley, formerly known as the “wizard of the Agricultural Department,” @ man said to have no superior in repro- ducing fruits in wax, was in the Police Court today, charged with vagrancy, As is the case with so many others, whisky caused the downfall of Hendley, and on taking the stand he requested that he be sent down in order that he might receive treatment. “Make it days, Mr. Clerk,” df- thirteen rected the court, , ae eapeinte seat 408 man be sent to the < LUM FEARSON’S FATE|C 48! NT GOSS1P/STALWART SUPPORT The Murderer of John E. Ford Sen- tenced to Death. SS APRIL 30° SET FOR THE EXECUTION The Condemned Man Makes a Statement in Court. ———— HE IS COOL AND UNRUFFLED —— Judge Cole this afternoon sentenced “Lum” Fearson, convicted of the murder of John E. Ford, to be hanged Friday, the 30th of April next. The prisoner, a man nearly seventy years of age, and a well-known local character, was convicted the 19th of November last, and last Monday Judge Cole overruled the motion for a new trial. The old man lived in Georgetown, and his victim was a boy of nineteen years. There had been bad blood between them for some time, said to have been occa- sioned by a woman, with whom it was said Fearson lived. One evening early last August Ford entered the old man’s back yard, presumably to see the woman. The prisoner was in an upper room of the house, and it was claimed that the mo- ment he recognized Ford he twice fired at him, having, so the government claimed, previously threatened to kill the boy on sight. The young man crawled away, and died a day or two later. The old man claimed that he shot in self-defense, but was promptly convicted. Cool, Calm and Courageous. During the trial, despite his advanced age, the prisoner showed unusual courage ard calmness, and when asked by the judge teday if he Lad anything tu say why sen- tence should not be pronounced, the old man straightened” up, and in a firm and deliberate tone, said: ‘Your honor, I can only say at this time that no man can regret more than I do the necessity of do- ing what I did that night, when I shot down into my back yard. “That man Ford had threatened my life, and had made a vicious assault on me with a stone just a few days before. I had been sick for two years, and that night I was undressed and about to go to bed, when Ford attacked my house. He threw’stones, attempted to force his way in, and sald if he got in he'd kill me, and I honestly be- lieved he would kill me ff he got in. “I supposed every citizen had a right to protect his habitation, his property or his person when attacked. I had no thought of killing Ford, and only shot to scare him away. This is all I wish to say.” The Judge Imprexsed. Judge Cole seemed deeply impressed by the old man’s words, and in a kindly tone remarked that if any mistake had been made or injustice had been done the pris- oner the Court of Appeals, where his coun- sel would take the case, will correct it. But there was nothing left for him to do at this time but to pronounce the judgment of the law. “The sentence of the law is,” said the judge, solemn'~ “that you be taken hence to the Distric: _ «il, from whence you came, and there be safely kept until Friday, the 30th day of April, 1897, when, between the hours cf 12 meridian and 3 pest meridian, you shall be taken to the place prepared for your execution, within the walls of said jail, and there be hanged by the neck until you be dead. And may God have mercy upon your soul.” ‘The old man heard the sentence with @e greatest calmness, and after his counsel, Messrs. Andrew Y. Bradley and Thomas C. Taylor, had given notice of an appeal, he walked to the cage below with perfect un- ccncern. His attorneys, if unsuccessful in the Court of Appeals, will apply to the President for « commutation of the sen- tence. —> LAYING CONDUITS, Potomac Electric Company Collides With a Ruilroad. The Potomac Electric Power Company is making good progress with the work of opening the streets and laying underground conduits. Ever since the Commissioners granted the company the permit to do the work it has been pushed, and sey- eral hundred men are engaged upon the work. The permits allow conduits with twelve ducts, two of which shall be the property of the District, in the following- named streets: I between 18th and Connec- ticut avenus Connecticut avenue between H and I northwest, and Jackson place be- tween H street and Pennsylvania avenue; Pennsylvania avenue between Jackson place and 15th street northwest; New York avenue between 9th and 15th northwest; 9th between New York avenue and Florida avenue, and Florida avenue between V and T northwest; Florida avenue between 7th and 9th northwest; Mt. Vernon place be- tween 7th and 9th northwest; Massachu- setts avenue between 7th and 5th north- west; 5th between Massachusetts avenue and D, and D between 4% and 5th north- west. Rallroad Objects. The officers of the Metropolitan Railroad Company expressed considerable indigna- tion today because the electric lighting company had tunneled under its railroad track and conduit at 17th and I streets and intended to tunnel under the tracks at other points. It was understood this afternoon that the Metropolitan company would seek to enjoin the electric lighting company from doing further work on its conduits. The suit to be entered by the Metropolitan Company, it is understood, will be based on two grounds—first, that the electric lighting company has ‘no legal right to lay conduits in the streets of Washington, and, second, that the charac- ter of the conduit construction is such as to imperil the railroad conduits and tracks above them. ——.>—__. MR. McCORMICK’S PICTURE. A Protest Against Its Use on a Gov- ernment Note. At the fastance of certain manufacturers of agricultural implements, Secretary Car- lisie has ordered a suspension of work on the new ten-dollar silver certificate being made at the bureau of engraving and print- ing. The new note, as designed, contained allegorical figures representing the progress of agriculture, and the back contains vig- nette portraits of Whitney, the inventor of the cotton gin, and of McCormick, the in- ventor of the reaper. They were selected as representative agricultural inventors. The manufacturers of other agricultural machinery, represented by Mr. H. 8. Rob- bins, have lodged a ptotest against the prominence thus shdéwn the McCormick reaper, end have requested the Secretary not to aid in advertising a live industry by placing the portrait of the inventor on a government note. No objection is offered to the Whitney portrait. Mr. Louis A. Dent, representing the McCormick interests in this city, made an argument to Secre- tory Carlisle today against any change in the design of the note, and contended that McCormick's invention entitled him to the Place of honor to which he had been as- signed. Secretary Carlisle said he had merely stopped the work, pending a consid- eration of the justice of the protest, and that he would give both sides a hearing be- fore making a decision. ° CAPT. LEMON’S NEWSPAPERS. ‘Their Sale Authorised by a Decree of judge Hagnuer. Upon the petition of the executors of the late Capt. George E. Lemon, Judge Hagner this afternoon authorized them to sell the newspapers owned by the testater. +. Copying the Account. ‘The land and railroad division of the In- terior Department has been occupied today in copying the original statement of acg counts between the government and Pacific railroads, which are said to be missing from the it. Linea this afternoon shat the conles sent to the Senate tomorrow. y pa ee, & Senator Aldrich to; Be Offered the Treas- ury Portfolio. —— It Has Already, Beem Declined by Represcntatpvé Dingley and . Sema: ot 4 ison. oa The secretaryshigy of the treasury has been today or ts totbe offered to Senator Aldrich of Rhode Island. It is not be- lieved by Mr. APirkgh’s associates that he will be willing to Jeave the Senate. This position has been declined by Mr. Dingley of Maine and Mr. Allison of Iowa, and it is believed that it will be declined by Mr. Aldrich. The work and responsibility of the position is too great for the offer to have any temptation to a man already well fixed in official position or in private business. The statement is made positively that the following selections have been made and will stand: E Sherman, Ohio, Secretary cf State. Nathan Goff, West Virginia, Attorney Genere 1. Cc. W. Bliss, Navy. Horace Davis, California. Interior, H. C. Payne, Wisconsin, Postmaster Gen- eral. . A special dispatch to The Star from Lewiston, Me., a few days ago announced that Representative Dingley would not ac- cept the appointment of Secretary of the Treasury under Mr. McKinley. It was stated that Mr. Dingley would take this Position on account of his health and the onerous duties of the effice. Mr. Dingley last night authorized the statement concerning The Star’s previous dispatch. In it he said that he would not go into Major McKinley’s cabinet for the dcuble reason that he preferred to retain kis present position in public life, and that a proper regard for his health direct- ed that he should not undertake the great burden of the Treasury Department. What is Said et Cleveland. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. CLEVELAND, Ohio, January 8.—It is an~ nounced that Senator Sherman will go to Canton within ten days in answer to a spe- cial call to confer with Maj. McKinley. Mr. Hanna will not consent to accept a cabinet proffer until every effort has been exhausted to induce Senator Sherman to accept a cabinet portfolio. When Mr. Sher- man goes to Canton President-elect Mc- Kinley will formally tender him the state portfolio. Mr. Sherman is said to be move inclined to accept a cabinet position now than he was a month ago. The whole cabinet problem hinges on the result of the coming Sherman-McxXinley conference. Despite the unsatisfactory re- sult of the Allisqn-McKinley conference, Mr. Hanna will not give up his fight to set into the Senate. All now centers upon Sen- ator Sherman. COMING COURT-MARTIAL, New York, Secretary of Ensign Coleman to Be Tried Upon Two Charges. A general court-martial, will assemble at the Washington navy yard next Monday afternoon for the tridl of Ensign Noah T. Coleman, lately’’on“‘tuty at Harrisburg, Pa., inspecting steel for use in the con- struction of naval vessels. He is charged generally with negléct of duty, and it is intimated that he hks allowed his social pleasures to intef¥ere’with his official func- tions to the possible’ detriment of public interests. oe i The detail for the court is as follows: Commander Z. L. Tanrer, president; m-~ manders J. F. rry and J. N. Hemhill, Lieut. Commanders W. H. Reeder and G. R. Harber, Lieuts. T. S. Rodgers, R. F. Nicholson and G, H, Harlow, K. Benham, with Lieut. H. L. judge advoca Ensign Coleman ig charged with “‘culp- able inefficiency in ‘the performance of duty” and with talsobedience of the law- ful order of his superior, officer.” The specifications are numerous under each head, and allege generally that he failed to inspect a‘certain lot of high boiler rivets for battleships in accordance with instruc- tions from the steel board, and that he failed to report the reason of his neglect to make the tests when called upon to do so by Capt. B. F. Day, president of the steel board. Ensign H. Draper as Cubans Deny the Report About Gen. Gomez. Mr. Gonzalo de Quesada, charge d'affaires of the republic of Cuba, today received the following telegram from Dr. Castillo, the subdelegate of the republic, who acts in the absence of Mr. Palma from New York: “A New York paper publishes a state- ment concerning terms on which Gomez would surrender. Deny it most emphatic- ally. Report probably emanates from the Spanish legation. It is a diplomatic lie. No letter received here from (tomez.” ——______ + e+____ —__ DISTRICT GOVERNMENT. Proposal Accepted. ‘To enlarge the grounds of the Douglass School, the Commissioners today accepted the proposal of A. P. Fardon to sell the District the north 16.62 feet by the full depth of lot 20, in square 557, for the sum of $1,800. Want It at Once. ‘The Commissioners have urged Congress to make $25,000 of the $150,000 estimated for building the upper portion of the Rock creek and B street intercepting sewers im- mediately available in order to build the sewer to a point where it will be useful. If the money be not made immediately available, the Commissioners say, it will leave a gap in the long line of sewer along the east side of Rock creek, and prevent the diversion of the sewage from Rock creek until the end of next summer. Substitute Probable. The resolution of Congress the object of which is to perpetuate the use of the north side of B street between 7th and 9th streets for the farmers’ use will not, it is under- stood, be favorably reported by the Com- missioners. The resolution does not confer sufficient power upon the Commissioners, and as they desire to control the situation and regulate the stands of farmers, they will, it is understood, offer a substitute measure. —— Filed a Caveat. Ida L. McLaren, claiming to be the only child and hetir-at-law of the late Elizabeth Barber of Anacostia, today filed a caveat to her mother’s alleged will. She says her mother owned né‘real-estate, but that her Perscnal estate |vas* worth about $5,000. She claims thatothe-:tlleged will filled by Andrew M. Green is, at the last will of her mother, and.chargés that its execution was procured paths fraud or undue in- fluence of said aapen oF of some other per- son. She therefore prays that the issue may be sent to trial by jury. —————— An Assignment Recorded. Charles F. Montgoxéery, grocer, 1506 7th street, today male an‘assignment to Wm. P. Cole. The aggets Are placed at $17,- 778.07, and the Habilitls at $6,264.02. Pawnees, a¢ {pe Capitol. Curly Chief and three other Pawnee In- dians were about tke corridors of the House of Represgntatives today interview- ing members. as‘ito asbalance of $100,000 due their tribe. —___2-__.___. Sailors of the Revolution. Captain Goodrich of the United States navy will deliver an‘ address before the Army and Navy Club next Monday even- ing on “The Sailors of the Revolution.” os _____ A Suggestion Regarding Cuba. Mr.-R. H. Phillips, writing to The Star, suggests as one’ way-of solving the Cuban question, a resolution of Congress author- izing the’ President td negotiate a treaty with Spain providing for the cession of the Island of Cuba to the. United States in con- sideration of a relinqui tof all claims for injuries to American citizens and prop- erty arising out of the présent ion and a payment of $1 in lawful money of the United States. . - Anglers Assisting the Project of Seining the Canal. ~ INDIVIDUALS AND CLUBS HELPING Views of the Fish Commissioner and His Assistants. A TEMPORARY STOPPAGE es Capt. L. H. Harron of the United States fish commission returned to Washington lagt night from Point of Rocks, to which place his party had seined the canal from Harper’s Ferry. Capt. Harron stated that the ice had formed too thickly on the pools and holes in the canal for the work to be prosecuted with anything like success, and he had acccrdingly discontinued it until warm weather set in and a thaw came. In the atreich between Harper's Ferry and Point of Rocks, said Capt. Harron, there had been taken out of the canal and placed in the Potomac over 2,000 bass, of which 1,000 were large bass which would breed in the spring. Expert Harron’s Opinions. In response to an inqviry of a Star re- Porter as to whether he believed the pro- ject would bear good results in increasing the supply of small-mouth black bass in the Potomac, Capt. Marron said that it would most assuredly. “I am sure that at a low estimate,” he remarked, “the thousand large bass we put in the river will produce 200,000 you ing bass which will reach maturity. The: is no doubt about the value of the work. “I am confident that better results will be secured nearer Washington, around Seneca, Great Falls and other points. The holes in the canal there are deeper, and conecduently, contain more fish and bigger “In transferring the bas continued Capt. Harron, “‘we also put into the Potomac every white perch, yellow perch, chub, minnow and shiner which we caught. There were bushels of the little fish, which are the food for the bass, so altogether the result of the work so far has been of great yalue.” Commissioner Brice Pleased. United States Fish Commissioner Brice expressed himself as well pleased with the resuits of the work so far. “It is fine,” he said, heartily, “and as soon as the work can be recommenced it should be and continued to completion.” To show what the possibilities are of the restocking of the Potomac with small- mouth bass, which the seining is accom- plishing, and the results from the introduc- tion of so many matured bass into its waters, it was said at the fish commission today by Assistant Commissioner Ravenel that from a group of fifteen bass the com- mission had secured and distributed 37,000 yearling bass. So it will be seen that Capt. Harron’s estimate given above is extreme- ly conservative, he allowing each bass only 200 progeny, instead of over 2,000. The results above Harper's Ferry have been even better than those below. The party seining between that point and Wil- Hamsport, which is being directed by Mr. David Dement, also of the United States fish commission, has placed in the Potomac over 3,000 bass, besides about 25,000 food fishes of other varieties. Half of these bass were matured, so if the same esti- mates of expected production and propaga- tion are extended to them. the additional value to the Potomac can be easily un- derstood. Substantial Support Given. The success of the seining and the neces- sity of additional funds to meet the ex- penses of continuing the work has inspired individual and associated anglers to a gen- €rous determination to provide the means for its completion. The Montgomery Sycamore Island Club, of which Mr. James F. Hood of the Amer- ican Security and Trust Company is the secretary, and whose membership includes many of the most prominent gentlemen sportsmen in Washington, held its regular menthly meeting last night and contributed $40 toward the expense of seining the canal. ‘The Anglers’ Association of Washington. which includes expert and indefatigable bass fishermen with the proudest sort of records in its ranks, subscribed $10 for the same purpose. So the subscription fund toward saving the bass, which was opened by The Evening Star recently, shows most substantial and gratifying increase today. The record to date is as follows: For Saving the Ba Heretofore acknowledged. Old Stager. to the river,” $216.50 00 A Subscriber's Views. In making his subscription Mr. Dingman stopped a Star reporter on the street and handed him the amount. “I wish I could make it twenty times as much,” he remarked. “The gentlemen who have undertaken the splendid work of saving the bass which would otherwise perish in the canal when its bed gets dry and caked, and The Star, which is helping so well in the work, deserve the support and approval of every man who wets a line either for bass or any other fish. The project must be carried to completion. it is too valuable to allow it to discontinue.” There is no possible chance for its dis- continuance if the stalwart support of such a substantial character that is now being given is continued, and there is no reason to doubt that it will be. Dr. Massamore Satisfied. Dr. George W. Massamore, the chief dep- uty game warden of Maryland, and the secretary and treasurer of the Maryland State Game and Fish Protective Associa- tion, who is the general superintendent of the work of seining the canal, and to who more than to any other man the credit is due for originating and organizing the work, was in Washington for a few min- utes today, on his way from Harper's Fer- ry to Baltimore. “I very much regret that the ice has caused a cessation of our operations,” said Dr. Massamore, “but I look for warmer weather soon, and as soon as it comes the parties will pick up where they left off and continue the work. There is enough water in the pools and holes yet to give the fish plenty of chance to live, and there fs no doubt that we will have ample opportunity to get them out and put them in the river before the water dries and the mud freezes and cakes. The work so far shows that the seiring of the canal for the purpose of sav- ing the bass and the other food fish has gone far beyond any experimental stage, and will be of untold value in increasing the food fish supply of the Potomac.” a Lecating the Route. Engineer D. J. Howell today began the lccation of the route of the Capital Railway Company from Congress Heights to Lan- coin Park, and the actual work of con- struction is expected to be begun in the course ef a few days. President an General Manager A. E. Randle says the road will be laid in the best possible manner, and will pe pushed to completion as rapidly as possible. it not that Mr. Randle has suc- ceeded in interesting in the enterprise Mr. R. T. Wilson, the multi-millionaire, whose son married a Miss Astor, and whose daughter was married to ius Van- derbilt, jr. It is stated that Mr. Wilson's income is in excess of $3,000,000 annually. Heé-1s an old personal friend of Mr. Randle. SESS Death of James M. Latta. Mr. James M. Latta, who was at one time one of the largest and most prominent real estate operators in the District, and who enjoyed the esteem of a large and in- fluential circle of friends in Washing: died last weck at the Hotel Hascall ik Goshen, Md., near which place he had re- sided for a number of years, ‘was a member of the firm of Kilbourn & Latta of this city for scveral years. Mr. Latta | E MYSTERIOUS NOTE. Another Suicide May Have Been Co: mitted. Anothe~ suicide is one of the possibili- ties. Perhaps a young girl jumped in the Anacostia river from the Pennsylvania av- enue bridge. Again, it may be that the ex- ample set by Joseph Collins in going away instead of sutciding is being followed. Just what really happened is not known, but the police ere engaged in an investigation today, the result of a note being found on the bridge this merning. A school boy passing over the bridge about 8 o'clock this morning saw a picce of paper pinned on the fencirg along this end of the bridge, where the overspans hold the bridge. Brad- ley F. Stull, the bridge watchman, was no- tified, and when he reached the place where the paper was pinned his at- tention was attracted to the word “no- tice.” The frost had sealed the paper to the board, and when the heat from his hard had melted this away he took down the paper and read: “Drag the river. I have jumped off the bridge. When you find me life and the sting of unrequited love will have been washed away. “(MISS) O. M. H.” The handwriting, with the exception of the word “Miss,” showed that the writer had made an effort at disguising the hand- writing, but this word showed plainly the handwriting of a female. When the note was turned over to the police of the fifth precinct the records were searched, but the only girl that had been reported miss- ing during the past few days was Mary Mister, the school girl, fifteen ycars old, whose’ mother complained to the police yesterday that she had failed to return home, and that she been seen south of Pennsylvania avenue. It was recalled that the landwriting indicated that a school girl had probably written the note and that possibly the girl had changed the initials so as to include those of the man whom she loved so dearly. The police in all the precincts were notified of the finding of the note. When Harbormaster Sutton was told of it he called on the Commis- sioners to see if he should be recuired to drag the river because of the finding of the note. His crew had dragged the river all day yesterday when there was no body to find, and he objected to a waste of time again. The Comraissioners decided that the river need not be dragged until something more Gefinit2 is ascertained. es THE SECRETARY OF THE DISTRICT The Commissioners Desire bam Passed to Define His Duties. The Commissioners have sent to Congress with a recommendation for its passage a draft of .a bill to define the duties of the secretary of the District of Columbia. The principal object of the proposed legislation is to provide against interruption of the ad- ministration of fhe District government in case of the disability or necessary absence from the District of one or more of the Commissioners. The present law requires the unanimous consent of the Commission- ers of the District to enter into a contract for public work, &c., and two are necessary at all times to constitute a quorum for the transaction of general business. It has oc- curred that two of the Commissioners have been absent for unavoidable reasons. An instance of this kind might result in a serious embarrassment. The law already provides for a substitute for the Engineer Commissioner in case of his absence or dis- ability, and the operation of this law has been found extremely convenient and ase- ful. The investment of a secretary with corresponding alternative duties with re- gard to the civil Commissioners would be fully as advantageous to the public as in the case of the assistants to the Engineer Commissioner. It frequently becomes neces- sary, the Commissioners say, in a letter accompanying the bill, for the municipal authorities to attest legal papers with the District seal. There is no doubt whether any one now has the legal right to use this seal, and, therefore, the proposed legisla- tion is deemed expedient. >-— THE TENNESSEE EXPOSITION, Money Requested to Pay the iix- penses of Local Representatives, The Commissioners tcday sent to Con- gress a draft of a joint resolution to pro- vide for the expenses of the Tennessee ex- position commissioners from the District of Columbia. The bill carries with it an appropriation of $15,000. In a letter ac- companing the resolution the Commission- ers set forth their reasons why favorable action is recommended. The commissions referred to were ap- pointed by the Commissioners at the re- quest of the management of the exposition for the purpose of encouraging and pro- moting commercial, industrial, educational and artistic exhibits from the District of Columbia at the exposition, which is to be opened next May at Nashville, Tenn. There are two commissions, one consisting of white and the other of colored citizens of the District. The amount named in the reso- lution, the Commissioners say, would, if appropriated, previde for an exhibit from the District of Columbia, that would be highly creditable to all concerned and be of far-reaching usefulness in effect. —_—.—_—_ THOUGHT OF HIS CHILDREN. Touching Incident Following a Bad Accident to James Tucker. James Tucker, a linesman in the employ of the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company, was seriously injured this after- ncon about 1 o'clock by the fall of a tele- graph pole at 3ist and K streets. A gang of mer were lowering the pole, and when it was about three feet from the ground it suddenly veered and fell against Tucker, knocking him down. The injured man was taken to the Emer- gency Hospital in the seventh precinct pa- trol wagon, where an examination showed that he had sustained a compound fracture of one leg and a triple fracture of the other. While on the operating table Tucker suffered great agony. He seemed to be laboring under the impression that his lit- tle children would starve, and he begged those about him to cut his throat. He was finally put under the influence of chioro- ferm, and Dr. Carr, assisted by the house staff, proceeded to set the broken limbs. Tucker's condition is critical. His home is at 1777 32d street. a Died From Her Bu Ella Gaines, the colored woman who was so seriously burned at her home, 73 H street northeast, Wednesday, as reported in The Star, died at the hospital this mcrning as the reseult of her injuries. Af- ter viewing the body Coroner Hammett decided that an inquest was unnecessary. a Took Washing Soda, A badly frightened man called at the office of Senitary Officer Frark at police headquarters today and agked to be sent to a hospital. He hed taken a dose of wash- ing soda solution. Patrick J. Colgan was his name, and he lives on B street. His story was that some washing scda left in the coffee pot for clearing purposes was not emptied this morning when the coffee vas made, and the mixture cf soda and coffee made him sick. He was sent to the Emergency Hospital for treatment. - 2 Government Bonds. and Cotton Markets. Farnished by W. B. Hibbs & Co., 1421 F st., members New York stock exchange, ondents Messrs. lenburg, Thal- mann & Co., New York. wacah aeaseavzaay FINANCE AND TRADE Prices Fractionally Irregular Under » Small Volume of Business, LT eee WATCHING THE FUNDING BILL DEBATE Decided Difference of Opinior Regarding the Outcome. GENERAL MARKET REPORTS Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. NEW YORK, January §—Openiag prices this morning were fractionally irregular under a small volume of business. London sold several thousand shares of the active international tssues, notably St. Paul and Nashvilie. An increas: yolume of com- mission buying permlited the ready ab- sorption of these offerings without serious- ly depreciating prices, Union Pacific was sold liberally by houses with Washington connections, London tak- ing practically all of the stock offered cn the decline. The funding Dill debate is be- ing carefully watched, in the ope that the attitude of the House may be fully dis- closed prior to the vote Monday. The trans- actions based on the prospecis of this bill show a decided difference of opinion among shrewd judges of legislative conditions It is a notable and significant fact that the opposition to the measure comes large- ly from sections prejudiced against the personnel of the management of the prop- erty. The scheme itself is attacked as being (oo one-sided in its benefits, with occasio: hints at the inadequacy of the security ot- fered, but few substitutes covering tne whole situation have been suggested. The measure is admittedly crude and is dealing with a most unfortunate condition and would unquestionably give way to a bill seeking to more fully protect the in- terests of the government. The entire bill is considered in the light of an apology for a measure believed to be possible, but beyond the immediate reach of legislative ingenuity. Action of some sort ts imperative thi juncture, either the funding of the debt or doubtful litigation over the result of foreclosure proceedings. Meanwhile a splendid reorganization scheme is delayed in its operations, and shareholders can only guess at their prospects of reimbursement Delaware and Hudson was opened off more than 1 per cent from last night's closirg figures, advanced sharply under covering, and finally yielded to further selling for both «2counts. A new level must be establish for this property to conform to its new dividend rate and tem porary fluctuations are likely to be erratic. The short Interest in American sugar having become suspicious of the recent support in the property began a covering movement which added substantially to recent prices for these shares. The char- acter of the buying was superior to the recently recorded selling movement, and attracted a fair following of room opera- tors. The strength of Tennessee Coal and Iron may be noted among the features of the day's industrial movement. ASE FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL. The following are the opening, the highest and the lowest and the closing prices of the New York stock market today, as reported by Corson & Macartney, members New York stock exchange. Correspondents Messrs. Moore & Schley, No. 80 Broadw High. Low. Clos: n Spirits... Bh Te! 184, in Spirits, pfd... Wy Py Bos, a TB 1 AT, Oo 10 10 ican To 787TH 784 American Cotton Oil “ iB 18 Atchison ...... s iy 4 dy Baltimore X Ohi 18° ty TK Bay State Gas. = Consolidated Gas. Del., Lack. & W.... Delaware & Hudson... ii Den. & Rio Grande, pfa..... General Elec cy Minois Central. 97 Lake Shore 3 Louisville & N oy ay Metropolitan ‘Traction 10s, 110" 1104 Mahattan Elevated... BA LST BTA Michigan Central. Miva Hag tsa M Yi My Bly “Hla WY Wye BB BB 100 108 ”y 100 BK Northern Pacific BBY Ont. & Western. Pacitic Mal Phila. & Rea Pullman P. Southern Ry., pfd. 26, BT 86K Phita. ‘Tra petrctueres 5 A! sy att 9% 5o° iby 6s Be Wheeling & 6s 8 6 Wheeling & [. Erie,pt 3° 8 88K Western Cnion el Sty By Be Silver. pit Reese? ween Washington Steck Exchange. Sales—regular call—12 o'clock m,—Washington Loan and Trust, 1 at 120%. phone, 100 at 8%; 50 at N% riage, 100 at 19 cents. Lanston Monot G& After call—Washington Loan and Trust, 3 121. U.S. Electric Light, 20 at 90; 10 at 0. fs Carriage, 500 at 20 cents, f Columbia Bonds.—20-year fund 3a, 103 30-year fund 6s, gold, 109 bid. Water stock 7s, 1901, currency, 109 bid. Water stock 7s, 1903, Garrency, 110 bid. 3.658, funding, currency, 107% Misceilaneous Bonds.—Metropolitan Railroad fs, 108% bid. Metropolitan Railroad conv. Gs, 110% bid, 114 asked. jetropolitan Ratlroad ‘certificates of tedness, 118 bid. Belt Railroad 5a, 65 bid, 85 asked. Eckxington Railroad €s, 88 bid, 92 nsked. Columbia Ratiroud Gs, 112 bid, 118 asked. Wash- ington Gas Company 6s, series ington Gas Company 6s, series B, 112 bid. Chesa- peake and Potomac Telephone 5s, 102 hid, 104% asked. American Security and Trast 5s, F. a A., 100 bid. American Security and T: and O., 100 bid. Washington 105 bid. Masonic National Bank bid. Metropolitan, 260 bid. - Central, 170 bid. Sec asked. Citizens’, 115 bid. Co- Capital, 117 bid, 130 asked. West 12 asked. Trad ond, 128 bid, 1 lumbia, 118 bid. > h 1 lers’, 93 bid, End, 106 usked. Lincoln, 100 bid, 108 asked. — Deposit and Trust jt “omy Deposit and Trust, 115 bid. Trust, 118% bid, "123 asked. y and Trust, 4138 bid, 145 asked. hington Sate it, 55 bid. etaiiradt Stocks,—Capital Traction Company, 51% bid. Metropolitan, 10244 bid. Columbia, 30 bid. Gas and Blectric Light Stocks.—Washiagton Gas, 45 bid, 46 . Georgetown Gas, 44 bid. U.S. Hacctric TAght. 90 bid. 20\4 aated. : Insurance Stocks. — in, |. Metropoli- © did. 50 bid. Potomac, 66 bid. Arlington, 140 asked. “German-American, "160 bid. National Union, 9 1 4asked. Col bid. 1 decked. | Rlag. Did, BY a 5% bid. Lincoln, St bid, 9 asked. 4g bid, 56 astced. tle Insurance Stocks.—Real Estate Title, Mid, (96 asked. Columbia Title, 44 bid, % asked. Washington Title, 5% asked.’ District Title, 16 asked. Telephone Stocks—Pennsylvania, $8 bid. Chesa- ‘and Potomse, 53 bid. American Grapho- bid, . American ¢ _ id. 11 asked. Pueumatic Gun Car: “20 asked. 12% shed." Lanaton Meuotspe co Th bid, 123% a jon Monotype, 3 Washington Market, 12 bide id asked” asked. Norfolk and Vashington Steamboat, 98 asked. Lincoln Hall, a. rnies.— ‘Corcoran,