Evening Star Newspaper, February 4, 1897, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. er | PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY, AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Pennsy:vania Avenue, Cor. llth St, by Star Ne Company. UFFMA . Pres’t. The Evenii 8. H. Kew York Offce 49 Fetter Pulling. The Evening Star is served to subscribers im the eity by carriers, on thelr own account, at 10 cents per week, or 44 cents per month. ies at the counter 2 cents each. mail—ai in the United States or Ca tage ber month. Saturday Quintuple Sheet St foreign postage adi .00. entered at a second-class : “FAM mail eubecriptions must be paid in advance. Rates of advertising madc ‘non epplication. cents $1 per year, with SS Che Eve WASHINGTON, D. ©. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1897-TWELVE PAGES. ing Star. No. 13,706. TWO CENTS. REFORM PLAN SIGNED Spain's Scheme of Home Rule for Cuba. sae tae APPROVED BY THE QUEEN REGENT —— Feeling at Madrid That Too Much Has Been Conceded. OUTLINING THE CLAUSES (Copyrighted, 1897, by the Asso-lated Press.) MADRID, February 4.—The queen regent today signed the plan for the reforms in the Island of Cuba. The text of the docu- ment will be pubiished Saturday. The scheme includes numerous and elsb- orate decrees and will occupy several pages of the official gazette. It is understood that the reforms consist chiefly in the creation of an sembly, te be called the council of administration, composed of thirty-five members, of whom twenty-one are to be elected by the people and six by the differ- ent corporations. The remainder will be one magistrate. one university professor, one archbishop and five former senators or deputies. The council of administration is empow- ered, first, to prepare a budget. Second, to examine into the fitness of of- ficials appointed. ‘Third. to make a tariff subject to the conditions of Spanish imports having ad- tages over the general tar‘ff. The governor general will represent the home government and will have the right to nominate officials, who should be Cubans or Spaniards who have resided two years in Cuba. Neverthele: he may freely nominate high functionaries, such as mag- s' s, ete. * Other’ & So concern the organization of the yrovisional municipalities, which are te be liberally representative. ‘The municipal councils will be empowered their presiden and will have ex- elusive control of public education. According to another decree the govern- nt reserves to itself extraordinary po ers in the event of any disturbance of pu’ lic order, and Cuba will continue to e senators and deputies to the cortes, as he reforms are much broader the on of decentralization than those granted to Porto Rico. The powers of the governor general are much exzended, while the council of administration is fat ly_representative ests. The Spanish government will continue vote budgets and treaties for the colonies, The Spanish products, according t> the reform scheme, will be allowed a eb: of 4 per cent of the Cuban tariffs, Pared with other imports. LONDON, February 4.—A dispate’ to the St. James Gazette from Madrid, published this afternoon, says that the outline of the Cuban reforms made public has created a i impression, being regarded as yielding joo much to Cuba. of all parties and inter- MR. CRAMP DENIES. Has Written No “Ugly Letter” to Sec- retary Herbert. PHILADELPHIA, February 4.—The dis- Patch which appeared in a New York news- aper this morning, under Washington date, stating that Henry W. Cramp, treas- urer of the Cramp Ship Building Company, had written an “ugly” letter to Secretary Herbert, complaining of $350,000 being held the latter since July last, is vigor- 4d by Mr. Cramp in the follow- ts either $350,000 nor any other sum be- longing to the Cramp company has been beld up in the Navy Department since last July. Neither I nor any one else connect- ed with the Cramp company has written any letter to Secretary Herbert in the re- motest degree answering to the description given in the dispatch. The Statement is, therefore, wholly false, destitute of the slightest foundation and without even the faintest shadow of pretext. : ee por asa p usually so careful 80 misi and imposed upon mystery to me.” we — s —_—. —__ CARRIED DOWN THE JAMES. ‘The Steamer Virginia Torn From Her Wharf at Richmond. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. RICHMOND, Va., February 4—A large quantity of ice moved down the James river this morning at an early hour, and did considerable damage to the Bay Line steamer Virginia, which was tled up at her wharf and was to sail for Baltimore this afternoon. The ice forced her looxe and carried both steamer and @ large part of her wharf with about 100 bales of hay down the river. The steamer was carried ten miles down. At this hour received. no news of her has been —— __ DEPENDENT ON ENGLAND. France Unwilling to Do Anything Herself for Bimetallism. PARIS, February 4.—Senator Edward 0. | Wolcctt of Colorado, who ts now visiting Europe in the interest of bimetallism, had en interview yesterday with Premier Meline. The correspondent of the Asso- ciated Press learns on authority that the interviews which he has so far had have been without the result hoped for by the senator. The interview with President Faure Sunday was short and formal, and afforded no encouragement to look for a tangible result. M. Loubet. president of the senate, in his interview with Senator Wolcott, is under- stood to have expressed himself enthusias- tically on the subject of international bi- metallism, but on the other hand Premier e was guarded fn his expressions at yesterday's conference. He is reported to ve said that however favorable France might be to the object sought nothing could be done unless the consent of England and Germany were previously obtained. In oificial quarters little confidence ts felt of the ultimate eud of Senator Wolcott's mission, although the senator seems to be sanguine of England taking part in the bimetallic movement. oo FORECLOSURE AUTHORIZED. Jadge Sanborn’s Order at Attorney jeneral Harmon's Request. ST. LOWIS, February 4.—United States Circuit Judge Senborn, in chambers, at the request of Attorney General Harmon, has entered orders authorising the government to foreclose its liens upen the Kansas Pa- cifle, extending from Kersas City to Den- ver, and known as a branch of the Union Pacific; also the Kansas Central, from Leavenworth, Kan., to Milton Vale, Kan., 168. miles. Hiram P. Dillon of Kansas was appointea The court master to certs the sale. orders were sent Special messenger once to Topeka to be recorded: = ‘The Kansas Central went into the hands of receivers In 1883 and the Union Pacific holds $3,000,000 of its stock and bonds. GEN. ALGER AT CANTON| BACK FROM CANTON He Wants to Say a Few Words for a Friend. Has Not Formulated Any Policy for the War Department—Judge . Goffs Case. CANTON, Ohio, February 4.—Gen. Rus- sell A. Alger of Michigan, who has been selected for Secretary of War, reached here this morning for a short conference with Maj. McKinley. He says the object of his visit is to say a few words for a friend and not to discuss any questicn of policy or to submit any ap- pointments to his department. The fermer, he says, will be postpened until the admin- istration is organized and that no decisions have been reached in the latter. Gen. Al- ger declined to say who the friend is or what he wanted for him. Concerning the question of policy he said: “There may be reason for a great many changes in any plans we might make and possibly the total abandonment of any pol- icy we might consider now. Therefore, 1 have considered it best not to formulate any. My time at home, since I accepted the secretaryship last week in Canton, has been fully taken up in answering ccn- gratulatery telegrams and letters, and 1 am 500 or GX) behind. Then my business interests claim a xood deal of my aiten- tion, so that I have but little time to give e consideration of appointments.” n. Alger left on the 12:30 p.m. train for Cleveland. He will remain there cver night and return to his home in Detrcit tomorrow morning. He had a pleasant interview with the President-elect of abcut two hours’ duration. State Chairman John K. Gowdy of In- diana fs here for the day, and says his object is to talk over Indiana matters in general. He blushed when asked if he expected to be commi: sioner of pensions, and said that ‘hat is a position any man would be proud to fill. Judge Goff's Case. It is believed here that Judge Nathan Gcff was tendered the Attorney General- ship upon his visit here two weeks ago, but has hesitated to accept on account of his wife's health, which has led to the con- sideration of other names pending his final decision. Revs. Dr. Rider and Stewart of Cleve- land were callers at the home of the in- coming President th's afternoon. They came from a ministerial meeting of pas- ters of the Methodist Church, held in Cleveland, to present a testimonial of their high regard and esteem to the President- elect. They also assured him of their con- tinued sympathy and support. The callers were accompanied by Rev. R. F. Manches- ter of this city, who presented the com- mittee to Major McKinley. The major was visibly affected by the testimonial, and assured the callers tha: he appreciated the act. Mr. Kanna Leaves Cleveland. CLEVELAND, Ohio, February 4.—Chair- man M. A. Hanna left the city at 8 o'clock this morning for Pittsburg, where he was subpoenaed to testify in a libel case. If Mr. Hanna gets through at Pittsburg to- day he will return via Canton, stopping over there to hold a conference with the President-elect. Among the prominent visitors at the national chairman's office this morning was Mr. Joseph 8. Spear of California. Mr. Spear was the original voter for McKinley from California at the Minneapolis convention, casting the only rote from the state for the President-elect. He said he came here to discuss with Mr. Hanna the affairs of the party in his state. He expects to go to Canton tomorrow to call upon Major McKinley. PITTSBURG, Pa., February 4.—Mark Hanna, chairman of the republican na- tional ¢emmittee, arrived in Pittsburg at » o'clock this afterncon to attend the libel cases brought by State Senators C. L. Magee and Wm. Flinn against the Com- mercial Gazette and Press of this city. An Associated Press representative met Mr. Hanna at the station, but he refused to anything on the senatcrial subject. is there as much friction between the tepublican factions in Ohio as has been reported?” asked the reporter. “If there is,” said Mr. Hanna, “I never heard of it. Of course tne newspapers must have something to talk about.” “It is said that there is a good deal of wrangling among the leaders over the United States senatorship.” “I don’t know of any trouble whatever,” he replied. Mr. Hanna then said that he expected to return to Cleveland tonight and would not go to Washington watil a few days before the inauguration. ————— A. GREGG MILLER ACQUITED. Frederick Bank Teller Not Guilty of Embezzlement. BALTIMORE, February 4—A jury in the United States circuit court this morning acquitted A. Gregg Miller, formerly paying teller of the Central National Bank of Frecerick, Md., of embezzlement. It was charged that Miller misappropriated $1,450 of the bank's money, andthe trial has been in progress for more than a week. Miller's defense was that the apparent defalcation grew cut of erroneous entries, caused by failitg eyesight. It is thought that the cases of Gen. Roloff and Dr. Luis, charged with fillbustering, will now be taken up. —+—. TO SUCCEED PENROSE. Israel Durham Nominated Pennsylvania Senate. PHILADELPHIA, February 4.—Israel Durham was today nominated by the re- publicahs of the sixth senatorial district to succeed United States Senator-elect Pen- rose in the state senate. Mr. Durham will be elected without opposition. He is the leader of the anti-combine or Quay forces in this city, and has been active for two years past in the management of the cam- paigns of the faction which he represented. In the fifteenth ward Clinton Rogers Wood- ruff, secretary of the National Municipal for the ture. There was a split, the opposition faction nominating Joseph F. Swope, a newspaper reporter. The court wilt be called upon to Comps which gentleman is legally nomi- nated. —_—__s—___. WILL OPPOSE RAWLINS. Thatcher and His Friends to Appeal te the United States Senat SALT LAKE, Utah, February 4.—Moses ‘Thatcher and his friends say: that the sen- atorial fight was not ended by the ballot that gave Rawlins thirty-two votes. The warning was given by Senator Ridout in the joint assembly, and was followed last night by the announcement that an appeal would be taken to the United States Sen- ate, and that a contest in due form would be filed within the required time. ‘The contest will be based upon charges of coercion by church officers. The con- test will be preceded by a petition to the United States Senate, which is now being signed by Thatcher's friends in the. ture, asking for an in ittee. ~ Awarded $3,000 for Injuries, CHICAGO, February 4A veFdict of $,- 000 was returned in the federal court today in favor of Robert J. Burgess of Me., for injuries sustained inoan Central wreck near Dixon, ML, ual 24, Ta. por and Burgess was a unfitted him for business. - Representative Hunter Tells of His Visit to Mr. McKinley. TS STILL A SENATORIAL CANDIDATE Maryland Stands the Best Chance For the Cabinet. GARY AND M’COMAS ——__.__ “The story that I was to be offered the Place of internal revenue commissioner or any other position under the incoming ad- ministration to remove me from the sena- torial fight in Kentucky is absolutely false,"” said Representative Godfrey Hunter to a Star reporter this morning. Dr. Hun- ter returned from Canton this morning. Continuing, he said: “President-elect McKinley is well aware, and was aware before I went to Canton, that I did not want any position, and that I was ard am a candidate for senator from Kentucky. I expect to remain a candidate until an election is had.” Dr. Hunter declined to talk about his visit to Canton, except to say that it had been a pleasant one in every way and was rerfectly satisfactory to him. He and President-elect McKinley were members of the House together about nine years ago and have been on friendly relations ever since. br. Hunter declined to talk about the sit- uation as to a southern man going into the cabinet, but said that he was confident that a southern man would be honored by Pres- ident-elect McKinley. He declined to in- timate to what state he thought the honor would go. From other and trustworthy sources, however, it is stated that the Pres- ident-elect is still inclined to select a south- ern man from either West Virginia, Ken- tucky or Maryland. This is in direct con- flict with the story sent out. from Canton two days ago, that the successful man would be pickéd from either Kentucky, Tennersee or Georgia. Senator-elect Wel- lington of Maryland yesterday expressed his disbelief in that story, and the latest information sustains his belief. It is now believed that if Judge Goff does not go into the cabinet the man who has a splendid chance is Mr. Gary of Maryland. Relaiive to the senatorial fight in Ken- tucky it is said on good authority that President-elect McKinley will distribute no patronage to that state until a republican senator shall have been elected. He will not, it is said, be satisfied with the 2v- pointment of a man, and will refuse to make any appointment himself until a sen- ator has been chosen. The McComas Suggestion. The suggestion of Judge McComas of Maryland for the cabinet ts received with general favor here, but it is uncertain whether he would care to leave the ben-h, Representative Hunter and others of the south who have seen Maj. McKinley on the subject express the conviction that some one either from Kentucky, Tennessee cr Maryland will go into the cabinet, and that at present it looks as if Maryland had the better chance. If Governor Bradley would call the Ken- tucky legislature together to elect a re- publican to the Senate to succeed Black- bern, a Kentucky man would, it is sald, be placed in the cabinet. The objection to the selection of a man from Tenressce Is that the state did not go republican at the last election. This leaves Maryland as ihe state best situated to get a cabinet place. Then, again, there is some friction, due to the fact that, while Judge Gary is the can- didate presented by the state, there is a strong underground opposition at work which somewhat embarrasses the Pres{- dent-elect In making his selection. If Judge McComas should be willing to accept the pesition his selection would mest with wide approval. What Quay and Platt Realize. It appears that Mr. Platt and Mr. Quay are beginning to realize that a determina- ticn on their part to dictate can result only in depriving both Pennsylvania and New York of any place in the cabinet. Mr. Platt gave orders when the movement in favor of Representative Sherman of New York was’ started to have it shut off. Since then he has telegraphed up from Florida, where he met Mr. Quay, that it may be possible for the New York people to get together on Sherman. This is regarded us showing that he has found it impossible to absolutely dictate. It looks as if Penn- sylvania would be left out altogether, un- less, in the case of a new cabinet office be- ing created, some one can be found who will not be opposed by either faction. —__-e—______ NEW UTAH SENATOR, Senator Cannon Snys He in a Man of Force and Ability. Senator Cannon of Utah says that the election of Mr. Rawlins as his associate in the Senate from that state is very satis- factory to him. Mr. Rawlins, he says, will make a good senator. He is a man, Mr. Cannon says, of force and ability and con- trolled by very earnest convictions. He is . Senator-Eleet Rawlins. @ silver man at all times. Mr. Rawlins and Mr. Cannon have been candidates against each other three times. They al- ternated in success in two contests for the House, and Mr. Rawlins was a candidat against Mr. Cannon when the latter wa elected to the Senat They are close friends and will make a strong team in the Senate. —___-e-—_______ SENATOR HARRIS’ ILLNESS. He Was Resting Quietly This After- moon on the Road to Recovery. Senator Harris was resting quietly this afternoon, after heving undergone last OLD VETERANS Organisations of Soldiers Asked to Join in The Question of Carringe Rates Being Discussed—Invitations to the Ball— Pablic Comfort Arrengements. OO The announcement in The Evening Star yesterday that District» Commissioner Powell was epposed to any changes in the regular carriage ratés now in force in the District at the inauguration period created much consternation among the liverymen and othets owning public vehi- cles who had agreed to. charze higher prices for service at the inaugural ball. The carriage rates for the inaugural ball, it is said, had been. fixed by the Livery- men’s Association at $10, considerably more than the price now legally chargeable un- der the Iccal regulations. There was a meeting of the carriage committe: last night, but no business of importance was transacted. The body adjourned to next Wednesday. Invitations to the Ball. The cards of invitation to the inaugural ball, which will be sent to the members of the presidential party and the diplomatic corps, were received today from the en- gravers, Bailey, Banks & Biddle of Phila- delphia, by Chairman George Gibson of the committee on invitations and tickets. They are very handsomely engraved and read as follow: INAUGURAL BALL. Admit Mr. . seeeee to the PENSION BUILDING, March 4, 1897. Chairm: igural Committee. Each card bears in its upper left-hand corner an American flag in colors. Bailey, Banks & Biddle are now preparing the dance program for the ball and are turn- ing out large numbers of the inaugural ball souvenirs, which they are assembling and distributing. The firm has the en- graving of all the inaugural tickets and work save the three inside pages of the souvenir, which were engraved in such beautiful style by the bureau of engraving and printing. Veteran Organizations Addressed. Past Commander-in-chief 8. 8. Burdetie of the Grand Army’ of the Republic, who is chief of staff to Gen, O. 0. Howard, last night sent out the circulars to the com- manders of the various veteran organiza- tions, which were mehtioned in The Star several days ago. The circular states that “the authorities charged with preparations for the ceremonies incident to the inaug- uration of the next Président of the United States, in View of the fact that the Presi- dent-elect—Maj. William MeKintey—is him- self a veteran of the ‘late™-war for the Union, anda member $f seyerai of the as- soeiations formed of the survivors of that struggle, have deemed M proper and de- sirable that a division of the parade, which will escort him from. the Capitol ‘to the White House after ue formal induction into office en the 4th of next, should be composed of He comraties and such of their sons as have organized im that ca- pacity. A division of the parade has been accordingly authorized, to be known as the ‘veterans’ division,’ and Maj. Gen. O. 0. Howard has accepted, its Command. The inauguration of a President of the United States is in no sense a paftisan occasion, but one of general gn@ puybiic importance, in which all’the people should join and re- Joice, as evidencing the cotitinuing and ‘or- derly strength of their gdyernmental instt? tutions.” 4 In conclusion, the eircular reads as fol- lows: “It is desired that the Grand Army of the’ Republic, the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, the Union Veteran Legion, the Medal of Honor Legion, the Sons of Ve! erans and other like organized and uni- formed bodie: of like'ckeracter join this division in the parade. — , “Representation of these societies need not be contined to posts or other units of organization, but all members of them properly uniformed will be welcomed and given a place in the line. “Organizations or individuals wishing to participate should comminicate promptly with the committee on military organiza- tions, 1419 F street northwest, Washington, D. C., from whom full’ information can be obtained as to fares and accommodations. “If this invitation, which is cordially ten- dered, meets with your: approval, it is earnestly hoped that you will use your best endeavor to have a representation from your department.” Order Rescinded. Acting upon instructions from Secretary Lamont, Adjutant General Ruggles today sent an order to Col. Ernst, superintendent of the United States Military Academy, rescinding the order issued a few weeks. ago for the cadets to come to Washington on the 4th of March to take part in the inaugural ceremonies. As‘stated in yest2r- day's Star, this action fs based on the theory that the United States Senate is opposed to having the cadets interrupted in their studies. The orders for the naval cadets to take part fn the inaugural cere- monies have been suspended, pending fu ther consideration of the subject, but it is expected that Secretary Herbert will follow the course adopted by Secretary ont. it is, therefore, evident. that unless Ccn- gress orders otherwise, the military and naval cadets will not appear in the in- augural procession. The Price of Carriages. Mr. Allison Nailor of the committee on carriages was at the:Commissioners’ office this afternoon -to méét other members of the committee, who were to have appeared before the Commissioners upon the subject of increasing the carriage rates during the inauguration, Mr. Nailor es the regu- lar policy that has been im,yogue so many years, of increasing the hire of carriages for the inaugural ball, showld prevail this year. The people who. come to the inaugu- ration, he said, were not led to hire a carriage; and the poor Jéhus were cn- titled to ‘additional‘com; n that night at least, since they would be compelled to stand outside the building all night. There had never been any questipn ra'sed before as to the legality of this of te its being the proper thing. It made little difference whether the Commissioner#-sanctioned the rates adopted by the ee having the matter in charge. ‘There would be higher rates charged, and. agi they would be the subject of contract the‘law, could not reach the offenders. He thoyght expenditure of money here in Washi should be fostered rather than . The Commissioners were detained at the Capitol, and the hearing @id not take pla2e. The public comfort report today showed accommodations secured ifor 32,005 persons, and meals only for 15,585. There is an in-, crease of inquiry for accommodations in private houses, and many jons are applying for quarters ee Ocean Steamships -Arrived. hawk, New Eitan: R IN LINE/ALL ABOUT LIQUOR | Lively Debate Over the Bill to Ex- ‘vlude It From the Capitol. MR. HILL AGAINST THE MEASURE He Characterizes Its Promoters as “Busybodies” and Mischief Makers. MATTERS IN THE HOUSE ‘The Senate continues to recelye many pe- titions favoring speedy ratification of the Anglo-American ‘peace treaty. In present- ing one of them today Mr. Gallinger (N. H.) read an extract from the letter of a clergyman expressing hope ‘hat the two New Hampshire senators would not de- Send to narrow partisanship in considering such a broad public measure. ‘he senator remarked that he certainly would not “de- scend to narrow partisanship.” In present- ing a similar petition from the Episcopal diocese of Delaware Mr. Gray facetiously suggested that his constituer.ts did not ex- press fear that he woull be moved by “narrow partisanship.” ‘The bill was passed increasing the pen- sions of survivors of the war of 1812 from $12 to $30 per month. Mr. Gallinger stated that the last of the survivors would soon pars away, as the youngest was ninety and the others ranged up to 104. Proposed Health Reforms. Mr. Gallinger, who 1s a physician in pri- vate life, spoke briefly as to certain health reforms proposed by the Pan-American health congress and sent to the Senate. The senator referred to President Cleve- land’s recent statement that if medical science proceeded at its present rate old age would be the only means of exit from this world, and the senator added that if all the medical reforms of the Pan-Ameri- can congress were executed people would be so hampered by health laws that they would rot reach mature age. One of the papers was a bill for a department of health, which Mr. Gallinger presented by request and without giving it his assent. Liquor in the Capitol. Mr. Morrill’s renewed efforts to pass the bill prohibiting the sale of intoxicants in the Capitol building brought on a sharp colloquy. The bill which passed the House of Rep- resentatives December 10 and reported fa- vorably to the Senate by Mr. Morrill, from the committee on public buildings and grounds, January 28, provides: “That hereafter it shall be unlawful for any person or persons to sell, dis>ense or otherwise dispose of intoxicating lhquors of any kind, or any compound or pre tion thereof, either in the Capitol buii in the District of Columbia, or upon auy part of the nublic grounds on which said building is situated. Z . “That cny violation of this act shall be deemed a misdemeanor, and shall, v>on conviction, for each separate offense, be punished by a fine not exceeding $0. “Section 3. That the courts of the Dis- trict of Columbia exercising criminal juris- diction shall have jurisdiction over all vio- lations of this act.” Mr. Hill (N.Y.) said he would move to ccmmit the bill to the committee on rules. Mr. Mills (Tex.) objected to considering the bill. Thereupon Mr. Morrill moved to proceed with the bill. This promised to bring a direct vote. Mr. Morrill said there was much feeling throughout the country against the sale of liquor in the national Capitol building. He had just received a letter stating that the writer had seen a man coming from the building drunk. While there was m{sapprehension as to the existence cf ordinary saloons in the build- irg, yet as the public felt that an evil ex- isted Congress should make a strict pro- hibition. Mr. Blackburn (Ky.) said the subject was not properly before the Senate, coming from the committee on public buildings and grounds. It related to the culinary estab- Lishment of the Senate, and should go to the committee on rules. Mr. Sherman said the objection of Mr. Blackburn was wholly technical. This was more than a question affecting the Senuie kitchen. Was it right that any part cf this great public building should be used for the sale of liquor? Mr. Sherman did not believe the public idea that saloons ex- isied here was justified. There was noth- ing like an ordinary bar here. But the law should be made stringent so that when a man wanted whisky he would have to go outside the Capitol to get it. Busybodies and Mischief Makers. Mr. Hill came into the debate at this peint, speaking with much vehemence against the “busybodies” and “mischief- makers” who libeled Congress and inspired this class of legislation. He ha@ received many letters, he said, protesting against this abomination in our national Capitol. Such statements were false. No such thing as a bar existed here. Mr. Hill read in sarcastic tones a letter appealing to him to aid in driving the saloons from the Cap- itol, and thus “raise the standard of na- ”" “Has our national honor exclaimed Mr. Hill, “that it depends on whether we take a glass of ale or beer with our meals?” ‘This appeal to national honor was be- ecming a common device every time some small question presented itself. But there was no question of national honor involved in this matter. “There are no saloons here; there is no drunkenness here; I have never seen a drunken man in the Capitol. 1 state for the benefit of these agitators that it is a libel on Congress to say that saloons are here and drunkenness exists here. It 1s absolutely false.” Mr. Hill said he felt no personal concern on such regulations, as he could get along on cold water. But a question of prin- ciple, of right, of decency to Congress was involved. The senator stated his experi- ence while goverror of New Yerk, when he vetoed two bills similar to this. The first bill not only prevented the use of liquor at the capitol, but included the executive mansion, so that it. would have been im- possible for the governor to offer a glass of wine to his guests. The veto was unanimously sustained. Then the busy- bodies, always thrusting their noses into other people's buriness, returned the next year and secured the passage of another bill, which he, as governor, vctced. This ended the raid on the so-called “state su- lcon,” and it was in full operation today under the republican administration at Albany. Mr. Hill added, that it might be rare indeed that a senator wished to tuke @ glass of wine cr beer, but his right to take it should be preserved. The discussion took a somewhat humor- ous turn, Mr, Chandler, Mr. Gallinger and ae ea ee ect of the in restri per- sonal comfort of serators. z Motion to Commit Defeated. The roll call on Mr. Hill's motion to com- mit. was followed with great interest. It was a tle senators _ McKINLEY’S SECRETARY Mr. J. Addison Porter, a Connecticut Ed- itor, to Fill the Position. cement of the Fact Made Today—His Fitness for the Pi J. Addison Porter, editor of the Hartford (Conn.) Evening Post, had a long consui+ tation with President-elect McKinley at Canton yesterda: He has been indorsed by the Connecticut legislature for minister to Italy, but it has been decided that he will become private secretary to the President-elect. Mr. Porter is forty-one years old and is a@ man of means. He was one of the orig- inal McKinley men of New England, and Was a prominent McKinley leader before and at the St. Louis convention. The News Received Here. The Connecticut delegation in the House today received a telegram from John Addi- sen Porter, editor of the Hartford Posi, saying that he had been offered and had accepted the position of private secretary to President-elect McKinley. The news is somewhat of a pleasant sur- prise to the Connecticut men, as only a week ago Mr. Porter had been indorsed by the Connecticut delegation as amb: to Italy. Within two or three days this indorsement must have reached Ca ton came the offer of the private secretary- ship, and this is taken as significant of the promise on the part of Maj. McKinley, who has all along been expected by Con- necticut republicans to do something hand- some for the Hartford editer. Mr. Porter went to Canton last Sunday, supposedly with the intention of ascertaining what chance there was for him to obtain the am- bassadorship, and it seems that while he was there the offer and acceptance of the private secretaryship took place. His Work for Maj. McKinley. John Addison Porter is the editor a proprietor of the Hartford Post, one of the oldest and most influential dailies in the state. He is about forty-one years old and is a native of Connecticut. More than three years ago he began to agitate the question of McKinley's nomination in ISM He was the president for several suc> sive terms of the McKinley Club of Hart ford, the largest political organizazioa in the state, and two years ago the club en- tertained its great namesake at a dinner in Hartford, at which Mr. Porter presided. When the time came for electing delegates to the St. Louis convention that year Mr. Porter became active in the effort to se- cure the election of men pledged to sup- port McKinley instead of Speaker Teed, and he was so far successful that seven delegates were said to be for the Ohio man out of a total of twelve. Strangely enough, Mr. Porter himself did not cure his own election as a delegate to St. Louis, and the sudden activity of ex-Gov. Morgan G. Bulkeley in behalf of Mr. Mc- Kinley, which resulted in his heading the state delegation for St. Louis, and his boom for the vice presidency, seemed for a time to eclipse the services of Mr. Porter. The latter, however, it is said, had lately been assured by a direct communication trom Mr. McKinley that his services and friend- ship were appreciated at their full value. Fitted for the Position, Mr. Porter is admirably fitted for the private secretaryehip. He was graduated from Yale twenty years ago, and has since figured prominently in the alumni affairs of his alma mater. His grandfather, Jos. Sheffield, was the founder of the Sheffield Scientific School, the scientific department of Yale University, and his father was at one time the dean of that institution. An- other illustrious relative was the lage Wil- liam Walter Phelps, his uncle, who at the same age as Mr. Porter occupied the post of minister to Austria. After his gradua- tion from Yale Mr. Porter went abroad to travel end study, and then came to Wash- ington, where he spent some time as pri- vate secretary to his uncle, then Senator Phelps. He was well known in Washing- ton, ard among the newspaper fraternity has a host of warm friends. About fifteen years ago he purchased the Hartford Post, and has ever since been its editor. During this period he has made frequent contributions to magazines and general periodical literature. He was not educated in law, but has taken an extended course of instruction in legal subjects not diréctly calculated to admit him to the bar. Political and Social Career. Six years ago he was a member of the lower house of Connecticut in the famous deadlock legislature. Two years ago he was 2 candidate for the republican guber- natorial nomination, and received 88 votes in the convention. This was followed by his candidacy for the same nomination last fall, when he was defeated by the present governor, Lorrin A. Cook. Mr. Porter is a man of considerable wealth, and has a fine summer home in the fashionable town of Pomfret, in Windham county. His wife is a charming lady, and is a leader in Hartford society. Both him- self and his wife are well known in the best social circles of Connecticut, and will no doubt take equal interest in social af- fairs in Washington. This will be partic- ularly the case in view of the determina- tion of President McKinley to make the office of private secretary one on a footing with other high offices in his gift. Officially Announced. The selection of Mr. J. Addison Porter of Hartford, Conn., as private secretary to President-elect McKinley, was officially an- nounced here today. Word to that effect was communicated to Private Secretary Thurber, who said he would take pleasure in assisting his successor in every way in ris power. With that object in view he will immediately put himself in communi- cation with Mr. Porter. Representative Henry of Connecticut re- ceived a telegram from Mr. Porter this morning annovncing his appointment, and he called at the White House and informed Mr. Thurber of the fact. The new private Secretary had an interview with the Presi- dent-elect at Canton yesterday, id it is expected that he will visit this city in a few days to complete arra: ts for ngemen: Ned coming of the President-elect and fam- iy. ———__-e-_____ MARINE BAND LEADER. A Bill to Make Him a First Licuten- ant. Mr, Cameron this afternoon reported a bill from the committee on naval affairs of the Senate, providing “that the Presi- dent of the United States be authorized to nominate and by and with the advice of the Senate eppoint e leader of the United States Marine Band as a first Heutenant of marines, not in line of promotion,with rank and pay end emoluments of officers of that F This bill was by the Secretary as ee ere i i i e | : if § : 8 f If you want today’s news today you can find it only in The Star. DISTRICT MONEY The Appropriation Bill Further Dis- cugsed in the House, MR. DOCKERY’S AMENDMENT for Debate Given Two Hours THE ARGUMENTS =i eT. MADE The House resumed consid ration of the District appropriation bill this afternoon, in committee of the whole, with Mr. Payne of New York in the chair. Mr. Dockery offered his amendment, au thorized by the committee on rule House, repealing the act of February 1 18%, providing for the settlement of tain claims against the District arising un- der the board of public works Mr. Meredith of Virginia opposed ihe amendment. He said he realized he leading a forlorn hope, inasmuch as the House, under a misapprehension of facts, Would probably repeal the law 1805. He said the District day had the matter under and he would undertake vo House had heard some of th wa assed in hittee t eration, y that if the statements nade before the committee, the House would hesitate before hurrying into the repeat of the law, as it was now doing ment is Mr. Meredith held that the gover: withholding from the t clats sums rightfully due them. Mr. Meredith rete y to the ac- tion taken before t on rules : question involved in ail representative given time ment. An Unusual Proposition. ing suddenly, and the of the claimants ‘was not to prepare himself for argu- Grout said the proposition to repeal w by an amendment to an approp uon bill was an unusual on and the widest debate should by He therefore asked that there ene heur’s debat Mr. Pitney wanted more debate than that Mr. Grout said he was willing to have as much as might be needed. It was finally eed to make it two hours. Mr. Sayers Favors It. Mr. Sayers of Texas was then re in support of the proposition to repeal the law of 189. He caused to be read from the clerk's desk the record of the prc irgs in the House when the bill was passed in the Fifty-third Congress. Mr. Sayers said that when the bill was passed he had the assurance of Mr. Cobb, who had charge of it, that the bill involved enly $30,000 or $40,000. Under the enfo: ment of the law, however, this amount had been exceeded. More than that, the claim was made When the bill was passed that it had been indorsed by the Commissioners. it turned out, however, that the report of the Com- missioners * garbled, and the vital and essential recommendations, including all of the safeguards, Te stricken out. Mr. Sayers insisted that Mr. Dockery’s amendment should be adopted and that the House should put the seal of its con- demnation not only upon the act of 18s but in the way in which it was pass Would Not Discriminate. Mr. Richardson said the danger of the preposed proceedings lay in the fact that the repeal would not discriminate between the unjust claims and the just ones. There Was danger, it was true, that the govern- ment might be robbed under the existing act, but there were some good and just claims in the lot. The course to be pur- sued would be for the District commitice to report a bill repealing the present act and enacting the bil which the Commis- sioners formerly recomm: do and which would discriminate between the meritor ous and the unjust claims. Mr. Richari son said there was no controversy ¢ the claims had amounted to $1,400, that the court would eliminate about per cent of that sum. Mr. Richardson said the District mittee is now considering the mat within an hour longer would have a bill that would be satisfactory Commissioners Mr. Hulick’s Views. Mr. Hulick said that as the law now stands, a man whose claim was adjudi- cated and paid under the act of 18% and his case settled, can come into court again with the same claim and have it adjudi- cated again, with an increase. Mr. Hulick favored repealing the instantly, for if it remained upon statute books the government would legally swindled out of great sums. Mr. Abbott Explain: Mr. Abbott of Texas, who reported the act of 1895 to the House, took the floor to explain his course at that time. He told of the deliberations upon the bill submitted by the Commissioners and the subsequent reporting cf a substitute measure. He said he had not been governed by the District Commissioners. He was always willing to listen to their suggestions, but was not compelled to follow them. Mr. Pitney of New Jersey then took the floor. He was decidedly in favor of the amendment. He began by stating that he had a high regard for Judge Abbott's in- mocence. After all, Judge Abbott's exper- jence in life, be was not able to discover a gross fraud right under his eyes. He said that when the board of public works was about to be investigated and the con- tracts were found unsigned, the clerks in the District offices were sent scuttling about to get signers for the fraudulent contracts. Mr. Pitney said that there was not a bit of justice, equity or decency in any of the claims. - Mr. Meredith said that was not the opin- fon of the Commissioners, and Mr. Rich- ardson said that the Commissioners said fry morning that some of the claims were just. Mr. Pitney said the bill to be repealed tied the hands of the Court of Claims and of the claimants had their rignts in equity, and this bill only “allowed all the thieves to get in on an equa! footing.” ———_—_—+ e+ __ NEW POST OFFICE. Contracts for Plambing an: ting Awarded Today. On the recommendation of Supervising Architect Aiken the Secretary of the Treasury has awarded the contrict for plumbing and gas piping at the Washing- ton city post office building to William H. Doyle of Philadelphia at his bid of $49,950. might ognized bu com- and ported to the law the be Gas Fit-