Evening Star Newspaper, February 2, 1897, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. cowie eet PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY, AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Pennsylvania ee Cor. 11th 8t., by The Evening Star Ner Company, 8. H. KAUFFMAI Pree Wew York Ofice, 49 Potter Building. The Evening Star is served to subscribers In the ity by carriers, on their own account. at 10 cents Der week, or 44 cent month. Copies at the gounter 2 cents each. By mail—anywhere in the Unised States or Canada—postaze prepaid—i0 cents Quintaple Sheet Star, $1 per year. with daca, $3.00. (Entered at the Post Office at Washington. D. C.. as second-class mail matter.) TF All mail sudecriptions must be paid In advance, Retes of advertising made known on application. AFTER A LONG CHASE George Edward dese Notorious Murderer. Captured. “KNOWN VICTIMS NUMBER FOURTEEN Awaiting the Swanhilda’s Arrival at San Francisco. gees CRIMINAL IN PRISON NOW xs 2: , the murderer, 1 today on the ship Swanhilda, Fran- The Swanhilda was sighted at morning coming through the heads = of the tug Alice. The tug blew six vhistles as the signal agreed upen if But- ler was ard, but detectives waiting down the bay from Egg wharf did not r them, and although they knew the Swan- hilda was coming in, they did not know whether Butler was on board. Suddenly a red light flashed out through the darkness. This was another signal, and the officers knew their man was there. The custom house beat Hartley, which had been placed st the disposal of the po- lice, was boarded in haste by six detectives, four newspaper men and four revenue offi- cers, and the little vessel steamed rapidly ay to the Swanhilda, which was met off . The detectives remained con- > cabin while the revenue offi- i the Swanhilda to see if 1 been put in irons. They report- not, and the detectives went on atler was pointed out, and in vas handeu He denied that r. but positively identi- ives McHattie and Ccnroy, here from Australia for that Takea to Prison. ured murderer was taken on e Hartley, which svon landed him 2 wharf. The patrol wagon vas in nz. and he was whirled off to pr Ithough the arrest was a complete to the suspected men, he maintained remarkable coolness and calmly puffed a ei tte as he went ashore. ‘apiain Frazier of the Swanhilda said Butler shipped with him as a seaman under the name of Lee Weller, one of his vi | tims. All went well on the trip across t Pacific and it wes not known the murder was on boaré rday, when it, Frazier, as the pilot 1 to slow up. if he expected letters Australia. When the pilot came 1 Butler approached him and asked: it yes or no pilot did not know what he meant gave no explanation in Frazier was informed by the t it was supposed Butler was on oard under the name of Lee Weller and told of the arramfements for his capture. Captain Frazier agreed to do all in his power to help the police. Nothing was said to Butler and the ship was brought into port How Budler Was Pointed Out. It was agreed that when the crew lined up for inspection Captain Frazier was to slip in front of Butler. When the police came on board, and the men lined up, But- w ler was the second man in lire. Captain Frazier stopped an instant in front of him, and at the same time Sergeant Bonner of the local police covered him with a pistol. Butler's “is went up like a flash. Irons Were slipped over his wrists and one of the Most notable mals of modern times ner. MeHattie and Conroy, who rin Australia (Conroy having escaped being ore of his victims), disguised when they boarded the When they charged Butler with were Swanhilda. the crimes attributed to him, he professed entire ignorance and dented that his name was Butler. On the Hartle: on the way to shore, the disguises were moved, and still Butler pretended not to know his ¢ P- tors. On the voyage from Newcastle Butler Worked as an ordinary séaman. In his kit nd garments bearing different ich correspond to the initials of some of his victims. The Australian officers are overjoyed at the successful outcome of the long and weary wait. Extradition papers have al- ready been served and unless something unforeseen happens Butler and his custodi- gre will sail for Australia Saturday on the Monowai. Butler's Crimes. The known victims of Frank Butler, the Australian murderer, it is said, number fourteen. Among his other aliases a Capt. Les Weller, S. gess, Clare, Frank Harwcod and Simpson, but Butler is sup- posed to be his real name. His trail of blood, it is alleged, reaches from New South Wales to the reefs of Western Aus- tralia, where he ie suspected of similar d. liberate murders. His method was to a vertise in English and American papers for @ partner to prospect rich mimeéral districts. He stipulated that the intending vic « Should have a capital of $0. He rec / many responses, and whenev: comrade { the wilderness to search for gold he returned alone. sno one knew of the partnership exist- ing between Butler and his victims, Capt. Lee Weller and Ed. Sorenson, their absence excited much alarm. The first clue was discovered when the bodies of Weller and Sorenson were found by a sheep herder. it appeared as though Butler had induced the men to dig their own graves fn a pretended search for gold, for in the pit they themselves had dug they were found buried. Evidence was found pointing to Butler as the murderer, and he had assumed one of his victims’ names, as on hilda’s paper was found the Lee Weller. sin England were notified, and detectives started both from Australia and England to meet him on his arrival at San Francisco. According to these officers, e the list of Butler's victims ts constantly in. creasing. He is an Englishman, aged forty years. Pri CHARLEROI, Belgium, February Prince de Chimay was today granted a divorce from his wife, the Princess de Chimay, formerly Miss Clara Ward of De- troit, on account of her misconduct with Janos Rigo, musictan, With whom she eloped las r. There were few persons present at close of the proceedings. ——-—_-_-—_ Boston Brokers Assign. BOSTON, February C. Hogges & Co., bankers and brokers of this city, was ounced at the opening of the stock exchange today. The holdings of the firm were sold under the rule on the floor of the exchange. No statement of the company’s affairs lms been obtained. George E. Dixon of the firm of Dixon & Knowles has been named as assignee. > Relief Work at Chicago. CHICAGO, February 2—The indiscrimi- nate relief of the destitute which has been earried on by the police in the past ten days ceased yesterday. Hereafter all ap- Pilcations for assistance will be investi- gated before relief ts given. The failure of 1. Che Loenir tar. If you want today’s news todav you can find it only in The Star. "No. 13,704, WASHINGTON, D. 0, TUESDA Y, FEBRUARY 2, 1897-TWELVE PAGES. TWO CENTS. THE ARBITRATION TREATY Doubtful if It is Sanctioned by the Senate Even With Amendments. The Opposition ts. 70's ized, but Delay Imperils Favorable Action. It stands on a very close balance whether or not the arbitration treaty, even in its amended form, can receive the sanction of the Senate. The opposition to it is not or- ganized, as it has by some been supposed to be. The lack of organization on that line just saves the situation from being hopeless for the treaty, and the amend- ments will give it some votes which it would not have received without. The dis- position to lay over the matter, even among those who intend to vote for the ratifica- tion, is dangerous to the treaty. The oppo- sition is already strong enough to consume much time before a vote can be had, and there are indications that some of those who have been disposed to give the treaty the benefit of the doubt and to vote for it, though they are not altogether satisfied with it, are gradually drifting into the op- position. ‘The character of the opposition vote in the committee and the fact that several prominent silver senators are knewn to oppose the treaty has led to the impression that the silver forces were going to be lined up in opposition. Under present cir- cumstances this assumption is not war- ranted. Several of the well-known silver men are now in favor of the treaty, but ar; ents are being used against it that ay ultimately Ine them all up in oppo- sition. The chances of ratification will be weakened by the matter being held over until the extra session. Text of the Changes. The text of the changes made in the general arbitration treaty are as follows: As sent to the Senate, article one read as follows: “The high contracting parties agree to submit to arbitration in accord- ance with the provisions and subject to the limitations of this treaty all questions in difference between them which they may fail to adjust by diplomatic negotiation.” The Serate committee to this added the followirg: “But no question which affects the foreign or domestic policy of either of the racting parties, or the rela- y to any other state or pow- by treaty or otherwise, shall be a sub- Ject for arbitration under this treaty ex- cept by special agreement.” Article 8 is amended by giving each gov- ernment two, instead of one, jurists of re- pute, and the following is ‘stricken from the article: “In case they shall fail to agree upon an umpire within three months of the date of an application made to them in that behalf by the high contracting parties, or either of them, the umpire shall be selected in the manner provided for in article 10.” In article the following has been stricken out: “In case they shall fail to agree upon an umpire within three months of the date of an applicat on. made 9 them in that behalf “by Ass hi itractifig, parties, or efther of them, the umpife shall be selected in the manner provided for in article 10.” bs er he Word “person” is used, herever meaning the fifth member of the tribunal, “person” is stricken out and “umpire” in- serted. 5 Article 7 in the original treaty reads as follows: “Objections to the jurisdiction of an arbitral tribunal constituted under this treaty shall not be taken except as pro- vided in this article. If before the close of the hearing upon a claim submitted to an arbitral tribunal constituted under arti- cle 3, or article 5, either of the high con- tracting parties shall move such tribunal to decide, and thereupon it shall decide that the determination of such claim necessarily i s the decision of a disputed ques- tion of principle of grave general import- ance effecting the national rights of suck party as distinguished from the private rights whereof it is merely the interna- tional representative, the jurisdiction of such arbitral tribunal over such claim shall cease and the same shall be dealt with by arbitration under article 6.” Article 7, as amended by the committee, is as follows: “Objections to the jurisdic- tion of an arbitral tribunal constituted un- der this treaty shall not be taken except as provided in this article. If at any time before the close of the hearing, upon any matter except territorial claims submitted to an arbitral tribunal constituted under this treaty, either of the high contracting parties shall declare that the determina- tion of such matter necessarily involves the decision of a disputed question which is excluded from arbitration except by spe- clal agreement by the operation of article 1, then the jurisdiction of such arbitral tribunal over such matter shall ce: Article 10, which read as follows, has been stricken out: “If in any case the nominating bodies designated in articles III and V shall fail to agree upon an umpire in accordance with the provisions of the said articles, the umpire shall be appointed by his majesty, the King of Sweden and Norway. Either of the high contracting parties, however, may at any time give notice to the other that by reason of ma- terial changes in conditions as existing at the date of this treaty it ts of opinion that @ substitute for his majesty should be chosen either for all cases to arise under the treaty or for a particular specified case already arisen, and thereupon the high con- tracting parties shall at once proceed to agree upon such substitute to act either in all cases to arise under the treaty, or in the particular case specified, as may be indicated by said notice; provided, however, that such notice shall have no effect upon an arbitration already begun by the consti- tution of au arbitral tribunal under article iL. = “The high contracting parties shall also at once proceed to nominate a substitute for his majesty in the event that his majesty shall at any time notify them of his desire te be relieved frem the func- tons graciously accepted by him under this treaty either for all cases to arise there- under or for any particular specified case already arisen.” Bids for Mail Pouches. Bids were opened at the Post Office De- partment yesterday for the several con- tracts for furnishing mail pouches and sacks of various descriptions to the gov- ernment for four years from April 1 next. There were fourteen bidders, as follows: fhe Anniston Bag and Mill Company, An- niston, Me.; John Boyle, F. Cort Johnson, ‘chemas Kelly, Wiliam Likly and James Rockett, Frank W. McNeal, Manhattan Supply Company of New York city; J. C. Feltman of Albany, N. Y.; E. C. Cook & Bre., Chicago; P. H. MeNuity & Co. Brooklyn; C. E. Miller, Philadelphia; J. E. Quirn, Toledo, Ohio; Jacob H. Reed, Clove- lard, Ohio, and William Taylor, Lyons, Me Sis pies Ween ee The Bottling HIM. The Senate committee on finance today Gecided to report favorably the so-called bottling bil? which has been pending before it. This bill was desired by the distifers. and opposed by the bottlers. The report was not w and may be opposed by some members of the committee in the Serate. The = provides for the bottling of spirits in bond. ———_-e-+___. Naval Orders, Paymaster E. B. Rogers, from the New York navy yard to the Minneapolis, re- Meving Paymaster J. R. Redfield, who 1» ordered home; Pay Inspector W. W. Wood- hull, from the Mare Island navy yard to the “Naval Home, Philadelphia, etérson, wi the relief of ordered home. to the as T. J. Cowie, who Fevery way, ENGLAND IRRITATED Disappointed at the Opposition to the Arbitration Treaty CHARGED 10 JINGOES AND SILVERITES General Denunciation of Americans as a Mixed Race, CURZON S ANNOUNCEMENT —_+__- LONDON, February 2.—In the house of commons today Mr. Curzon, parliamentary Secretary for tne foreign oftice, replying to Mr. Bowler, conse: tive, member for Lynn Regis, said that if the latter intro- duced a motion asking that the text of the arbitration treaty be laid on the table the government would not oppose it. LONDON, February 2.—The Westminster Gazette, touching upon the delay in the passage of the arbitration treaty through the United States Senate, remarks: “The jingoes and silverites of both parties will not have even a symbolic act of peace with Great Britain. If there is any doubt of its passing, we frankly hope the treaty will be withdrawn. Great and striking as would have been its ratification as a con- tribution to the cause of peace, its pro- Posed rejection would certainly be a cor- respondingly serious set-back.” The St. James Gazette, commenting on the probability of President Cleveland dropping the treaty, says: “Should, however, President Cleveland or his successor ask us to accept an amend- ed treaty it wowld be just as well to do So, and thereby again show how much we wish to keep on friendly terms with the United States. In the meanwhile what a lesson the whole story gives as to the value of the great principle of arbitration be- tween two states more closely related in language and blood than any other in the world. They are without a real cause for quarrel, yet they cannot even agrec to ar- bitration without elaborate provisions, which exclude everything of the least genuine importance.” The Globe states: “Here in England we are loth to rid our- selves of old-time delusions, and that is undoubtedly why we still cling to the idea that the people of the United States are our American cousins. This tradition of course was fostered by the fact that they speak English more or less and that those Seen most here, Lincoln, Phelps and Bay- ard, are to all intents and purposes En- glishmen. Considering how tender we al- Ways are with the United States, and how anxious we are to spare their feelings in we periodically wonder why they in return are so discourteous and mal- evoleht to. ug. The fact, of course, is that as a whole than to Germany.” Commenting editorially upon the Anglo- American arbitratioh treaty and the pros- Pects of its adoption by the Senate of the United States the Times this morning says: “With the vigorous language employed by the New York papers with reference to the treaty as amended in the foreign af- fairs committee of the Senate of the United States, but few Englishmen will care to dissent from the substance of their re- marks. Our faith in the Senate has been sorely tried of late years, and should they succéed in replacing this treaty by an empty sham it would be all the more to be regretted because it would retard the gen- eral adoption throughout the world of the principle of arbitration. Perhaps Lord Salisbury will be willing to ratify a mere abortive agreement, but we fear for the re- sult despite the belief of the pccple of both countries in the policy of arbitration and the general desire for a treaty of this character. In the face of the silence of President-elect McKinley we must prepare ourselves for disappointment and for either a sham treaty or none.” Commenting upon the cabled statement of its Washington correspondent to the effect that there is no hope that the An- glo-American arbitration treaty will be ratified by the United States Senate, the Daily Chronicle this morning characterizes the action of the senators as “great wick- edness.” Continuing its comments, the Daily Chronicle says: “We are sure that ail good men who are not blinded by irrational hatred will stand stanchly by Cleveland and the treaty.” PARIS, February 2—The Gaulois uttrib- utes the hanging up of the treaty of ar- bitration arranged between Great Britnin and the United States to Secretary Ol- ney’s unpopularity in the Senate ond to the desire of the republicans not to allow President Cleveland the honor of signing such an important document. To Be Signed Today. The treaty of arbitration between Great Britain and Venezuela will be signed at 5 o'clock this afternoon. The delay in com- pleting the treaty was caused by the diffi- culty in making up the personnel of the ar- bitration commission, not so much from ob- jection to persons nominated by either side as from the trouble experienced in arrang- ing the tribunal, so as to interfere as little as possible with the important routine work of the supreme courts of the United States and Great Britain, from which bodies four of the arbitrators are drawn. Notice, however, was received by cable this morning from London that the privy council had finally confirmed the selectfons made. The four arbitrators, it is under- stood, will be Chief Justice Fuller and Jus- tice Brewer of the United States Supreme Court and Lord Herschel Sir Richard Henn Collins Knight, justices of her majesty’s supreme court of judicature. The fifth arbitrator in case of need will be named by King Oscar. By the terms of the treaty, the agents of the two governments, Great Britain and Venezuela, must deliver the complete cases at Paris, where the arbitration tribu- nal will meet, within eight months of the ratification of the treaty, with three months additional allowed for the submission of the counter cases, so that the entire arbi- tration probably will occupy a year anda a half. What is Said Here. The announcement made by Mr. Curzon in the commons today does not in any way prejudice the treaty, as it is understood here. The queen is not obliged to lay treaties be- fore parliament, but she may do so if she desires. The statement indicates, as it is here understood, that the treaty has been laid before parliament, and that this an- nouncement means simply that the govern- ment does not object to its being laid aside until such time as it is desired to be taken up. pe ges The Marquette Statue. Representative Fitzgerald of Massachu- setts, who introduced a resolution for ref- erence to the library committee of the Hovse requesting that body to report the resolution for the acceptance of the Mar- uette statue, has not pressed his resolu- tion before the committee, penne of the TARIFF LEGISLATION. Prospects for This in the Next Con- gress Much Impreved. The prospects of speedy tariff legislation at the extra session of the Fifty-fifth Con- gress are greatly improved by the attitude which the democrats are disposed to as- sume. If the republicans tHems¢lves ex- Perience no serious difficulty.in agreeing on a bill which both houses ‘will accept; there. appears to be but little reason to apprehend trcuble from the opposition. There has been a difference of opinion among the allied anti-republican forces as to the policy to be adopted. Quite a num- ber of them have held pretty strongly to the that they should oppose the bill in the Senate and compel the republi- cans te depend upon their own votes to pass it. They have gradualfy weakened in this, however, and it seems now that the contrary opinion will prevail There has been no formal conference on the subject, but the matter has been talked over very generally ever since this sessién began, un- til the consensus of opinion 4s practically ascertained. It is understood that some of the demo- crats and some of the. silver republicans, with the assent of those who will not themselves go so far, are prepared to give assistance if necessary to the passage of the bill through the Senate in the form ‘the republicans- want, and that none will do anything calculated to seriously delay ac- tion. This policy, if adhered to, will leave it entirely with the republicans to perfect the legislation and secure an adjournment as speedily as they can. ok PACIFIC: RAILROADS; Chitirman Powers Thinks His Com- mittee Will Agree on: @ Bill. Chairman Powers of the Pacific railroads committee of the House said to a Star re- porter that he thought his committee would agree upon some bill to report.to the House. He thought this agreement might be reach- ed by tomorrow, when the committee will hold a meetirg. The Harrison and the Hubbard bills are the ones before the com- mittee. Mr. Powers and a majority of the members of the committee are opposed to the plan of Representative Hubbard, which provides for a commission of thirteen peo- ple, each to receive $10,000 as compensa- tion for services. This commission is to have full power to settle the indebtedness of all the government bond-aided railways. The commission is specifically instructed to ascertain whether the lease of; the Central Pacific to the Southern Pacific ts a monop- oly burdensome to the people of the Pacific coast. If the commission determines that this is the case it is instructed to break the lease and prevent its re-establishment. Chatrman Powers this mornfmg said that he was aware that a commission would have no power to deal with the settlement of the case of the Union Pacifie, on: which the government has already arderea fore- elosure, but it would apply to other govern- ment-aided roads. He is determimed to push whatever, IM. is reported-by the com- mittee, He does not kiow whether action can be had in the House, but he thinks lie can bring this about. Representative Hubbard is ed to a cabinet commission and unless: can get ough a bill for whut he terms a now artisan commissjon he will fight amy new Dill reported by the committee.« He docs not believe that a bill of any Kind can be gotten through the Housé at this session, and is making no efforts to push his own bill. Among the mien whe voted against the funding bill there is 1 sentiment that a commission will be merely an instrument for further delaying a settlement with the government by all the roads. Western members are giving <his opinion frecly. This idea will greet the new bill, tf it is re- ported, and will probably crush it the same as the funding bill was crushed. ——— SOUTH CAROLINA CONTESTS. Every Seat Will Be Contested in the Next Congress, The~contest for the seat of Representa- tive Stokes of the seventh South Carolina district by T. B. Johnson, republican, has been dropped, snd Mr. Johnson is con- centrating all his energies for the contest he will make in the next Congress. The present Congress declared the seat vacant, but In November Dr. Stokes was re-elected for the short term, as also for the full term beginning in March. Mr. Johnson started contests for both terms, Contests will be settled in the next Congress for the seats of every Souh Carolina representa- tive. The chief ground of contest in all these cases is the unconstituttonality of the new registration and election: of the state. If one member is ungeat all will be unseated. < ———__-e+___i IN A RECEIVER’S HANDS. - Pennsylvania Lead Co. Has kiabilities Amounting to Over a Mililon. PITTSBURG, Pa., February 2.—The Pennsylvania Lead Company wést into the hands of receivers today. The application for a receiver was made by George 8. Griscom, as trustee, and H. E. Anderson, who set forth in the bill that the defendant company is indebted to Griscom in the amount of $968,000, and that Anderson holds one hundred shares of its capital steck at a par value of $100. The liabilities of the concern are placed in the bill at $1,- 400,000, in the form of commercial paper. Of this, $550,000 matures in February, 1897. A large part of this has been indorsed by President Schwartz, who was recently strickem with paralysis. These obligations and indorsements are held in Salt Lake, Utah; Pittsburg, New York. an@ London. Over $50,000 worth of paper went to pro- test on February 1 for non-aeceptance and non-payment. a at ‘The company, it is stated, Is if its pres- ent conditien unable to meet or/renew its obligations, and suits would be bromght by. creditors, no en Evite to be: made upon $800,000 worth o: juable property. The court named..Messrs. Griscom and Anderson as receivers and ditecte@ them to give bonds in the sum of Just previous to filing the ii tlie com- pany confessed judgment to Grissom as trustee for its creditors to the @meunt of $949,248.63, which, with the attorneys com- mission added, makes $060,233, RESTING AT LAURER HEME. Funeral of George B. Bebert, the Late Railway Pr. tes PHILADELPHIA, February; 2.—Fhe re- mains of George B. Roberts, late president of the Pennsylvania Railrog&. Company, were placed in the family vest insLaurcl Hill cemetery shortly after 3jo’cloek this afternoon, Three funeral services were held over Mr. Roberts’ remaihs. At 2 o'clock a private service, conducted by Rev. Charles 8. Olmstead, rector of St. Asaph’s P. E. Church, of which Mr. Roberts was the founder, was held at the family resi- dence, Bala, Pa..Only the, immediate friends and honorary pallbear invited to attend ‘Stain & NO’ MORE CHANGES|2!STRICT IN CONGRESS Mr. Ross and Major Powell Not Likely to Be: Disturbed. THEIR CASES NOT YET CONSIDERED What is Learned by Inquiry at the White House. MAY LEAVE IT TO M’KINLEY From the best informaticn obtainable at the White House, it is not the President’s intention to make any immediate changes in the personnel of the District Commis- sioners, notwithstanding Mr. Ross’ term expired last Sunday, and Major Powell has already served months beyond the usual term of office of the Engineer Commis- sioner. A Star reporter who visited the Executive Mansion today in quest of in- formation on this point was informed by an official very near the President that the question of appointing successors to Mr. Ross and Major Powell had not been taken up by the President, and it was impossible to say when he would consider the matter. Although not so stated, The Star man got the impression from what little was said that the President is disposed to allow the lecal situation to remain undisturbed for the present, especially in view of the fact that no material interests will suffer from a delay of action on his part. Under his present commission, Mr. Ross will remain in office until his successor shall have been appointed and qualified, and Major Powell can also continue to serve in his present capacity until formally relieved. Major Powell’s Case. The question of the selection of a suc- cessor to Maj. Powell has been under con- sideration, off and on, ever since his four years’ term expired, about six months ago, and during that period friends of Maj. Rossell and Maj. Symonds have been act- ive in their behalf. Inasmuch as the au- thorities had practically determined to make a change in the Engineer Commis- siorership so long ago and so far have failed to do so, it has been assumed by the friends of other officers of the engineer corps that the authorities were not entirely satisfied with either Maj. Rossell or Maj. Symonds for this particular detail. Conse- quently the list. of candidates, open and se- cret, has been considerably increased, until now it includes nearly a dozen captains of engineers who are eligible under the or- ganic law. The $5,000 salary attached to the office makes it extremely attractive to officers of that grade, whose regular pay is less than half that amount. The prolonged delay in action in this matter is also responsible for the pre- vailing belief in the engineer it of the army that the President, having ap- parently no personal preference in the selection of an Engineer Commissioner, has practically concluded to leave the matter open for the action of President- elect Me: ley. Although there may be no good foundation for this belief, it ob- tains general credence among the officers most directly interested, both at the Dis- trict building and at the War Department. Secretary Lamont informed a Star re- porter today that nothing had been done toward the selection of a new Engineer Commissioner, so far as his knowledge ex- tended, but he diplomatically declined to say whether or not a change was likely to occur within the next few weeks. Commissioner Ross’ Status in Doubt. The status of Commissioner Ross is equally in doubt, so far as informatioa at the White House is concerned, and there is just as good ground for the belief that he will be reappointed as there is for the belief that he will not be. The people who contend that his reappointment is not prob- able, argue that if such were the inten- ticn of the President, he would have sent Mr. Ross’ nomination to the Senate be- fore now in order to better improve his charces of confirmation before the ad- journment of the present Congress. A ru- mor prevailed today, which is impossibie of verification at headquarters, that Presi- dent Cleveland has decided to leave the settlement of this question to his succes- sor with the understanding that his (Cleve- land's) wishes will be respected in the ap- pointment. In explanation of this arrange- ment it is said that it will enable Mr. Cleveland to secure the appointment of the man of his choice, and at the samc time admit of the entire reorganization of the beard at the expiration of Commission- er Trvesdell’s term cf office,early in March. ——_—_-e+_____ DUPONT’S PETITION. Action by the Senate.Committee Post- poned Until Friday. The Senate committee on privileges and elections again today had under consid- eration the petition of Col. H. A. DuPont for the reopening of his claim to a seat as senator from Delaware. Owlng to the fact that some of the members of the commit- tee were absent, although there was a quorum present, formal action was post- pored until next Friday. All the members Present expressed the opinion that the pe- tition was equivalent to a request for a new trial, which they were of opinion could not be granted in the absence of new tes- timony. The committee took the view that the one point made in Mr. DuPont’s peti- tion, viz., that Senator Jones of Nevada had not been properly paired,was negatived by the statement of the Nevada senator himself that the announcement had been correctly made. It ¢s understood that no formal action will be taken at the Fri- day mecting, and there is no doubt, in view of the expressions at today’s meeting, that it will be oppoged to Col. DuPont. Mr. Addicks’ petition did not receive any attention at today’s meeting. Executive Clemency. The President has granted a pardon in the case of Moses Ross, convicted in the Dis- trict of Columbia of profanity and sen- tenced December 29 last to pay a fine of $20 or in default ninety days in the work house. “This convict,” says the President, “has been abundantly punished for the effense charged against him, and I am quite willing in this time of distress anrong-the =e 2 return him to his wife and chil- ren.’? A pardon has been granted Wong Gim, alias “Jim,” sentenced in California to one year’s imprisonment as a defaulting wit- ness. The President has commuted to one year ard six months the sentence of two years and six months imposed on William Burke in the Indian territory for obtaining money under false pretenses. He commuted to two years and six morths the sentence of three years and six months in the case of John Matthews, convicted in New York conspiracy. Applications for vardon were: denied in the following cases: B. R. Pendleton, West Seen Pennsylvania, presenting pen- 1; ‘Bunowe: MR. DAVIS’ CASE His Nomination May Be Hung Up Proposition Made to Complete the Old Lydecker Tunnel, in the Senate. A Proposed Amendment to the Ap- ve me Proprintion Bill—Other Local POSSIBI POSIT VER Measures of Interest. LE OP ON OF SL MEN Ptah, Ret a In the Senate today Mr. McMillan, chair-| District Bar Association Meet to man of the committee on the District of ~ Columbia, made a move looking to the tndorse Him. completion of the Washington aqueduct tunnel. Mr. McMillan gave notice of an Sa amendment he proposes to offer in ghe s, oa EP Senate to the District appropriation bill, as} THE NOMINEE CONFIDENT follows: eA ia od “Washington aqueduct tunnel: The Sec- retary of War is hereby authorized and directed to resume work on the Washington aqueduct tunnel and {ts accessories and the Howard University reservoir, authorized by section two of the act approved July 15, 1882, entitled ‘An act to increase the water supply of the city of Washington, and for other purposes,’ and to prosecute and complete the same; the work on the said tunnel and accessories to be carried on in accordance with the plans of the board of experts as set forth in its report dated January 17, 1896, house document No. 166, Fifty-fourth Congress, first session, which plans have been approved by the chief of engineers and the Secretary of War. And to carry out the It fs possible that Mr. Henry FE. Davis may be confirmed as United States District attorney for the District of Columbia, but there is strong opposition, and the indlea- tions rdther point to non-action on this and a number of other appointments by the President Some of the democratic senators are disposed to make a fight for the consideration and rejection of Mr. Da- vis, but apparently the prevailing disposi- tion among those opposed to confirmation is to hang the nomination up and leave the matter open for Mr. McKinley to deal with after the 4th of March. this paragraph tho wens Of sald act and | A number of democrats hold that it is ragraph, the balance remaining un- = hile e api e expended fron -therere not worth while to resent the appointment lons made by 5, 1882, and by sub- Sequent_acts for said purpose, amounting to $266,540.38, is hereby reappropriated, to be advanced out of the revenues of the United States, and not subject to the con- ditions of the capital account created by the act of July 15, 1882, and the sum of $266,546.36 is also hereby appropriated out of the surplus general revenues of the Dis- trict of Columbia, said sums to be applied to such parts of the works and in such order as to time as the Secretary of War may deem necessary to promote as soon as practicable the completion of the entire sys- tem of said works: Provided, That th by Mr. Cleveland of gold democrats wao refused to support the ticket last fall, but, on the contrary, to regard his appointments as if they wet made by the executive of an opposing party. Some of the strongest men in the Senate take this view and think that the confirmations should be 1 less there is some reason other the cal for their rejection. With so much con- flict of opinion it is impossible to cell just what the outcome might | stood that the der tion is in favor of non-action The District Dem the said act of July crney. sums herein set apart and appropriated | Ne Strong influence against Mr. Davis shall be expended under the direction of | Confirmation is the consideration of what the Secretary of War and the supervision | effect it might have on the District democ- of the citer 14 Ebsineers, and the work | racy. The only importance from a national be carried on by contract or other- >w that attaches e c wise, as the Secretare point of view that attaches to the District of War may deen best for the public interests,” d democracy comes from the fact that dé@le- gates are sent from the District to the na- tional convention and that their votes con- tribute toward determining the be adopted at the convention. The House committee on pensions has favorably reported the Senate bill provid- ing that any judge of the Supreme Court | that the District 4 of the District of Columbia, upon the filing | Chiefly silver men after a ht bet of a petition alleging that a United States pensioner residing in the said District is squandering pension money in drinking or by vicious habits of life, and after service of a copy of said petition on the pensioner, may, upon evidence satisfactory to him, primaries, that Davis, a gold deme discourage the sil i trict, and all others who stood by the part and might result in a gold delegs sent to the next convent mm being appoint a guardian for said pensioner, and | “The prominence which Mr. Davis took in thereafter all payments on account of pen- | opposition :¢ the views indorsed by the oft stons due to said pensioner shall be made | ghial democratic organization renders the to said guardian, who shall expend the | jccal opposiuen for political reasons pe- same under the direction of the said court. Provided, That the compensation of said guardian shall be fixed by the court, not to exceed 5 per centum of the funds so in- trusted to his care. 2. The petition may be filed in the court without making any deposit for costs, and that when appointed the guardian shall pay the accrued costs, which shall not in any case exceed the fees of the marshal. Court of Appeals Decision. The House committee on judiciary has re- ported udversely on the Senate bill pro- viding that the decision of the Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia shall be final in all cases where the decision of a circuit court of appeals of the United States would have been final if the question in- volved in such decision had arisen in any state. culiarly strong. Views of Democratic Senators. Some of the democratic senators, how- ever, say that they do not feel that under the circumstances Mr. Davis’ nomination should be rejected. They contend that the present administration has ceased to rep- resent the democratic party, and that they, as democrats, have no right to expect that Mr. Cleveland would nominate any but a man of own party. They say that there fs no persona for opposition to Mr. Davis; that he is a lawyer of ability and a man of good stand- ing in the community, and that therefore they should vote to confirm him just as they will to confirm republicans sent in by Mr. McKinley after the 4th of March, It is uncertain what the attitude of the re- publicans will be, but if the democratic op- position proves as strong as it se it is hardly to be ex will make an ex reason Appropriation Bill Amendments, Mr. McMillan gave notice in the Senate today of an amendment he proposes to a exertion to secure a offer to the District of Columbia appropria- | fopi7miation Aacinighesptcegnes awd tion bill, as follows: ment. Several with whom a Star reporter “Jail grounds, District of Columbia: For | has spoken have said that they woubl nov the erection, under the direction of the At- torney General, of a brick or stone wall inclose the grounds upon which the jail in the District of Columbia now stands, in- cluding the purchase of material and tne employment of such skilled and other labor necessary for the purpose, $20,000."" Mr. Perkins gave notice of an amend- lay awake of nights over the matter, Bar Association to Act. Vice President Samuel Maddox of the District Bar Association today issued a call for a meeting of the association at » Thursday afternoon for the purpose of taking appropriate action upon the nom- ment he proposes to offer to the same bill, | ination of the president of the associa- as follows: tion, Henry E. Davis, to be United States “For purchase of illustrative charts for] attorney for the District. The association use In the advanced grade of schools, +0] will, it is said, indorse the nomination of be immediately available, $2,000; the Mr. Davis, and steps will be taken lo se- lection and distribution of same to be by the superintendent of public schools.” To Purchase Analostan Island. Mr. Gallirger gave notice in the Senate to- day of an amendment he proposes offering to the District of Columbia appropriation bill, providing for the purchase of Analos- tan Island, or so much thereof as may be cure his prompt confirmation. The Central Commitice. Speaking today to a Star reporter re- specting the report that the democratic central committee of the District will op- pose Mr. Davis’ nomination, a member of the committee expressed him: f as being confident that the committee will indorse necessary, or falling to purchase the same | the nomination and urse ite rmation. authority is given to acquire the prop-|Two members of the commit Cook and erty by condemnation. The amount to be | Cusick—are enthusiastically supporting the appropriated is not placed in the bill, which is referred to the committee on the Dis- trict of Columbia. The purpose for which the island is to be used 1s also not stated, though the intention is to provide for a contagious disease hospital. The Von Essen Bequest. Mr. Gallinger made a favorable report in the Senate today of Senate bill 2986 in an amended form. The bill authorizes the Conimissioners to accept the bequest of the late Peter von Essen for the use of the public white schools of Georgetown. The bill is amended so that the funds referred to, amounting to $12,057, will be paid to the heirs of the said Peter von Essen, share and share alike, upon satisfactory proof of such heirship. Metropolitan Railrond Report. The annual report of the Metropolitan Railroad Compsny was today laid before the Scrate by the Vice President. Passen- ger receipts from var‘ous divisions of the company’s lines for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1896, sre as follows: Georgetown, $146,067.64; Cornecticut avenue, $66,113.08, 9th street, $201,803.18. Accidents and judg. ments cost the company $4,681.34. The to- tal receipts were $549,767.35, and on June 30, 1896, there were on hand $46,627.34. The number of passengers carried was 9,190,548. For the six months ended De- cember 31, 1898, the receipts of the com- pany were $592,629.91, less $48,627.34, bal- ance on hand at the beginning of that od. ‘The funded debt of the company on December 31, 1896, is stated as $2,566,- 000. To that date there had been expended on construction $2,557,286.68. Number of passengers carried last six months of 1896, 5,962,220. There were eighty-one persons injured by the company during the six months, as follows: Thirty-seven passen- Bers, sixteen pedestrians, sixteen occu- pents of vehicles, eleven bicyclists, one em- ploye. The greater number of passengers injured were attempting either to board or leave a car while it was in motion. To Pension Mrs. Tartle. A favorable report from the Serate com- selection of Mr. Davis a cessor. They are gold nocrats, it is true, but Mr. Davi with the utmost confidence that enough other mem- bers of the committee will join Cook and Cusick to defeat any motion made in the committee to oppose the confirmation. Mr. Davis himself is very confident of his con- firmation in a reasonable ume, and is not at all uneasy because of the report that the silver democrats in the Senace will defeat him. Mr. Birney’s suc- To Avoid Embarrassment. The business of the courts of the District will be seriously embarrassed in the event that District Attorney Birney’s successor is not installed in office immediately upon the expiration of his term of office, on the 6th instant. It was for the express purpose of averting an interregnum in the business of the office that the President made a nomination to the office in advance of the actual existence of a vacancy. District Attorney Birney cannot act afte: the expiration of his official term, and un- lees there is some one legally authorized to perform th> duties of the office from that date the entire business of the local courts devolving upon that official wiil come to a full stop. It would therefore ap- pear that there is imperative necessity for action, one way or the other, on ihe nom- ination of Mr. Davis. —s A WILD TALE Or THE WEsT. A Rehitive of Horace Greeley Cap- tured as a Horse Thiet. LOS ANGELES, Cal., February 2.—A de- generate relative of Horace Greeley is now confined in the county jail, a confessed horse thief. Behind his capture is a story of wild, reckless riding by the robber over snow-clad mountains and the dogged per- severance of Frank Griffith, deputy con- stable of Hanford, who ‘pluckily trailed the gang for five weeks and arresied young Greeley this morning. Still another mem- mittee on claims was made this morning | ber of the crowd is Fred. Rood, who is in by Mr. Gal inger on House bill 3264, to in- } jail, and the third will soon be apprehend- crease sion of Mrs. Virginia E. Tur- | ed. They are accused of having stolen thir- fis of the District of Celambix eg teen head of horses a little over five weeks tle is the widow of Major Thomas Turtle, | 28° ifteen corps of engineers, United States army. | ford pe eet. Hheteanee Set Bonnie: to $40 per micnth: - | Naval Movements, ‘The flagship Philadelphia arrived at Diego, Cal., today from a cruise