Evening Star Newspaper, February 23, 1897, Page 1

ING STAR. ————— PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenne, Cor. 11th St, by te bee Sr AE Rew York Offce, 49 Potter Building ‘The Evening Star ts served to subscribers tm the ety by carriers, on their own account, at 10 cents per week, or 44 cents per month. Goples at the counter 2 cents each. By mail—anywhere im the United States or Canada—postage prepal conte month. Gaturday Quintople Sheet Star, $1 per year, with ol tage & .00. “peered at the Post Office at Washington. D.C. second-c] il crater.) “ ail subscriprions rast be paid fn advance. rtising made known on application. IS RISING RAPIDLY +> —- The Potomac at Williamsport Covers the Canal Banks. —- +. LOOKING FOR A REPETITION OF 1889 Danger at Cumberland Appears to Be Over. RAILWAY LINES CRIPPLED Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. HAG TOWN, Md., February 23.—The upper Potomac river is on the rampage, es by the heavy rains of the past few days and the melting of the snow on moun- tain and hillsides. Williamsport the citizens are expect- a repetition of the high waters of 1889. sarly y ay morning the rise began and con throughout the day at the inches an ster rate of from ten to fourteen hour. Late at night the rise was twelve inches an heur. The canal at Williams- bmerged, presenting an unbroken raging water for miles, port is s sheet of seething carrying with it, as it rushes down, con- siderable debris. There is no dividing line between the canal and all being one sheet of er. That great damage will be done to the former fs no quest! Hazerstown is nearly depopulated today, its citizens hastening to Williamsport to witness the flcod. The Hagerstown trolley which has a terminus at Williamsport, utmost to carry the sight- thought that in a short cme the water will interfere with opera- tions at the power house of the electric Way company, which is located near Williamsport, and that no cars will be running this afternoon. At 12 noon today, the Lour of filing this lispatch, the water at Williamsport is ris- ing at the rate of six inches an hour. river, s taxed to i It is now seers, ra canal AND 0. TRAINS BLOCKED. ngers Cared For and a Resump- F uary 23.—The follow- concerning the effect of the neen issued from the eral office Baltimore and Ohio way: rhe situation at 10 o'clock this morning is as follows: feet of water over the Run and at Sir John's st of Cumberland. The rotomac cousiderable of the track Cherry Run and Hancock. Operators at Cherry Run, Sir John’s Run and Magnolia have left their offices. re is no report of serious damage to tracks. The water is reported falling tween Cumberland and Green Springs, but ts rising about five inches per hour at r John’s Run. General Superintendent itagerald, who is at Hancock, expects the water to begin falling very soon, and is er- girg to gei the passenger trains through this ‘afternoon. Wesibound trains are held at Martinsburg and eastbound trains at Cumberland. Passengers are being well cared for by the company. No bridges have gone out, ani large numbers of men with quantities of ballast, ties and other ma- ial are on the scene awaiting the reced- ing of the water in order to repair the tracks. “On the Pittsburg division there is some acks between Connellsville but not enough to delay > have been two small land- his division, but they did svt punt to much. Iperations om the Confluence and Oax- mile fty also covers between land and the Grafton and Belington branches have been suspended. These branches are of no real importance. Trains on the Parkersburg and Wheeling division are being delayed by careful ruuning, and re keeping on the lookout for trouble. rains are having no trouble between Cum- berland and Grafton. No doubt trafiic will be resumed by tomorrow morning at the very lates Lower CHARLESTON, W. Va., February 23.— The river here ts 40 feet and rising and all of the lower part of the city has been un- der water since ¥ o'clock last night. Both the nawha and Elk rivers are rising, and there is now evidence that great suf- fering a 1g the lower classes will follow the receding of the waters. Rise of the Wabash. GRAYVILLE, IL, Febraury 23.—The Wa- bash river at this point is rising at tne rate of an inch an hour. The low lands are all under water and as the rain fs con- Unuing it is thought that the entire river bottoms will be flooded. The river is now nigher than it has been for three years. Fleod Expected at Madison, Ina. MADISON, Ind., February 23.—The Ohio river has risen fourteen feet since Satur- day. It ts now thirty-eight feet and ris- ing, and is expected to come over Front street. It has been raining almost stead- ily since Saturday. Danger Over at Cumber! CUMBERLAND, Md., February 23.—The Potomac rose last night to a point within a foot of that attained by it during the fa- rrous flood of 188%, when Johnstown was overwhelmed, but this morning it is re- ceding ard all danger appears to be over, as the rain has ceased falling. Part of the city is, however, still under water and many families living on Mechanic, Beall, Prospect and Paca streets have been com- pelled to temporarily desert their homes. unication on all the lines en: is badly cripplied, but no seriovs damage has been reported. FLOOD AT PITTSBURG. Old River Men Predict a Rise of Nearly Thirty Feet. PITTSBURG, Pa., February 28.—The con- tinued rains along the Monongahela and Al- legheny valleys promises to cause a flood here greater than any since 1801. At ncon the marks showed 26 feet of water in the channel and rising at the rate of nine inch- €s an hour. Dispatches from all points the headwaters report the rivers still rising end old river men predict from 28 to 30 feet here by nightfall. ‘The lowlands in this city, South Pittsburg and Allegheny are already under several feet of water and the residents are moving to higher ground. Ali the mills along the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers have been forced to close down, and the tracks of the Pittsourg and Lake Erie, Pittsburg and Western and Pit:sburg, McKeesper! and Youghiogheny railroads are submerg~d. At Morgantown, W. Va., the water is 2) feet and rising two inches an hour. _ It is now within thirteon inches of the flood of last July and six feet below the &reat flood of 1888, when the water was the highest ever known. Cheat river is a raging torrent. It rained ali night, but is growing colder. At Browns- ville, Pa., the gauge is 40 feet and rising three irches an hour. The damage already done im Pittsburg and viciuity will reach "No. 13,722. Star. WASHINGTON, D. C., TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1897-TWELVE PAGES. many thousends of dollars. So far no fatal- ities have been reported. WATER RISING AT CINCINNATI. Rain Has Ceased md the Has Become Colder. CINCINNATI, Ohio, February 23.—The rain has ceased and the temperature has fallen, until light ice has formed. These conditions, 1f continued, will do much toward lessening the height of the inevit- able Ohio river flood. At 9 o'clock today the river had reached 51 feet 4 inches, and was rising at the rate of four inches an hour. If this rate continues the river will be running into the Grand Central depot by 3 pm. This will cause a slight inconven- fence in the transfer of passengers and baggage, and will also disturb freight move- ments, but the roads all have high ground a short distance out, where trains can be handled. A special to the Commercial Tribune from Wheeling, W. Va., says: At midnight a big slide on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad blocked both tracks at Piedmont. The Cum- berland and Pennsylvania railroad lost trestles that will close it for two weeks. The West Virginia has abandoned its road and is using the Baltimore and Ohio road for its passenger trains. The approaches to the Luke bridge on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad washed out last night. Three loaded coal barges towed by the Joseph H. Cook were washed down the Ohio by the Licking river swell at Cincin- nati and sunk against the Southern rail- road bridge pier last night. EXTENSIVE DAMAGE CAUSED. ‘Weather Trestles and Bridges Swept Away— Residents in Danger. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. PARKERSBURG, W. Va., February 23.— At Ravenswood there has been one of the hardest and most damaging water spouts ever experienced. Creeks overflowed and fences, foot bridges and railroad trestles were carried away. Considerable timber and many cross ties were swept away. The Ravenswood, Spencer and Glenville tracks are covered with water for over a mile. The running of trains is impossible until the waters recede, which will probably be this evening. At West Grafton the back water from the river is from three to six feet high in the houses. Twenty families have moved out. On Water street all the families are mov- ing cut. There is a thirty-foot rise in Kanawha river at Charleston, and the lower part of the city is under water. Tow boats are trying to save property. There has been a great destruction of property at Clarksburg. People living along the river all had to move out last night. The river and Elk creek are higher than since 1889. A report from Fairmont says that the general rise has been very disastrous to the railroads. Between Clarksburg and Fairmont there are thirteen land slips. At Cumberland, Md., the people expect a flood. People in the lower lands all had to move out. The Baltimore and Ohio tracks at Hyndman, near Cumberland, are cov- ered with four feet of water. The lower part of Piedmont is submerged. The resi- dents of the back streets were rescued by wagons from windows and taken to higher ground. Nearly all the wooden trestles on the Cumberland and Pennsylvania railroad across George's creek have been swept away. Heavy land slides on the West Virginia Central have stopped traffic on that road. The Piedmont Pulp Company has lost thousands of cords of wood. as “FIRST THE TARIFF,” SAYS HANNA. tion. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. CLEVELAND, Ohio, February 23.—Mr. Hanna announced this morning that he wouftd go io Canton this afternoon for a last conference with the President-elect be- fore the inauguration. Mr. Hanna has re- ceived notice of his appointment tu the Senate from Governor Bushnell and is much Pleased. On receipt of the letter Mr. Han- na said: “I am very much gratified to re- ceive the appointment from Governor Bush- nell and the people of Ohio, and I appre- ciate the step of the governor in announc- ing to me his intention of making the appointment prior to the creation of the vacancy, as he has said no appointment vould be made until the vacancy occurred.” When asked if he favored Governor Bush- nell for a renomination, Mr. Hanna said that he certainly did, tf the governor de- sired it. When told that Governor Bushnell hac already announced himself as a candidate, he replied: “‘Well, then I am for him.” In response to a question, Mr. Hanna said his energies and influence to the full- est degree when he became senator would be directed toward the enactment of a tariff measure. “That is the first legislation the country needs,” said he, “and I shall give it my first earnest consideration as a United States senator.” Governor Bushnell’s personal organ in Springfield has come out with the an- nouncement that the governor wiil not make the race for the Senate this fall, but will content himself with a renomination for governor, thus renouncing what has al- Ways been supposed to be his highest am- bition, and leaving a clear field for Hanna, always supposing that the democrats do not carry the state. It is believed here that with the recognt- tion of New York in the cabinet in the per- son of Col. John J. McCook and the ap- pointment of Gen. Horace Porter as bassador to France, New York will have to relinquish her claims on the English am- bassadorship. The tide of sentiment here new is in favor of Col. John Hay, the ex- Clevelander, who 1s a resident of Washing- ton. The understanding here is that Col. Hay stands very near the English ambas- sadorship, though the matter has not yet received the full attention of the President- elect. —.—_—_ TWO OFFICERS SUSPENDED. They Failed to Prove a Charge of eft. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. ALEXANDRIA, Va., February 23.—The case of William Webster, deputy city ser- geant, charged with having in his posses- sion the watch which was stolen from Mr. Harry Smoot last fall, was called in the corporation court of Alexandria today at 12 o'clock. The evidence in the case seemed to hinge on a letter written by Mr. William B. Smoot to Sergeant Smith, who was in- ves! jose of the watch, in which Mr. Smoot said that Deputy Sergeant Web- ster, 86 predicted by Sergeant Smith, had called on his brother, Mr. Harry Smoot, and told him that he thought he could pro- duce the watch if the evidence was forth- coming. Sergeant Smith had told Mr. Smoot that he had information which went to show that Webster had the watch in his possession. A number of witnesses were put on the stand, but no testimony provin, beyond doubt that Webster had the wateh was introduced. Sergt. Smith teld of his connection with the matter, and said that William Cox had given him information that Eva Hol- lett had seen this watch in Webster's pos- session and that Webster had promised her a part of the reward money. x when put on the stand was evasive in his replies to the questions to the attorneys and would not admit that he had told Sergt. Smith anything of the kind. ; Mayor Thompson dismissed the case and thereupon suspended Sergeant Smith and Officer Ferguson, who, it will be remem- were very active in the recent policy raid and about whom it has been said per- secution by those in authority has heen the order of the day. The end here and the TOCSIN OF SILVER|THE PERRINE LAND GRANT] FEARS OF White-Metal Republicans Issue an Appeal to Their Followe: LINING UP FOR ANOTHER CAMPAIGN Signed by the Senators Who Bolt- ed at St. Louis. THE FINANCIAL ISSUE —— The silver republicans of the House and Senate have held a conference and taken the preliminary steps toward a national or- ganization. Representative Towne of Min- nesota was selected chairman of the pro- visional naticnal committee and arrange- ments were made for the appointment of members of the committee to meet in Chi- cago on the Sth of June. The following ad- dress defining their position was adopted: “To the silver republicans of the United States: “There co:ld not be a better illustration of the great law by which in free gov- ernment the rise, progress and decline of parties are determined, than that afforded by recent and present political develop- ments in the United States. Political par- ties are practical instruments for execut- ing the will of the people in respect to principles and policies of government. “They, therefore, should represent and respond to public opinion in its attitude toward the problems which tho experience of the nation from time to time brings forward for solution. It is not parties that make issues, but it is issues that make parties. Approaching a Settlement. “For years events have been forcing upon the country, with ever-increasing definiteness ard emphasis, the necessity of reform in our monetary system as respects both the coinage of the metallic money and the regulation and control of credit currency. Under stress of experience and consequent investigation, opinions have been gradually crystalizing. In this pro- cess the line of cleaveage has paid little regard to previously existing party demar- cations; and today the most careless ob- server cannot fail to see that the genius of the nation is approacling a settlement of this momentous controversy through the agency of political instruments now be- ing fashioned to its hand. “In the story of these formative events the :o-called silver republicans have taken an important part and discharged a neces- sary function. In doing sv they have not surrendered their conviction on certain other great principles of political economy and government; but they realize that these principles are not capable of success- ful application under the present monetary cBnditions. They believe, therefore, that the adequate treatment of all other issues must await the correct decision of the dom- inant one thus presented. In this spirit they co-operated with the organized forces of bimetallism in the last campaign. Every consideration of patriotism and expediency sesms to counsel a continuation of that policy. Republican History. “Silver republicans believe themselves to be in harmony with the original spirit of the old republican party, and they claim a property in ite great names and glorious traditions, justified by the splendid services and sanctified by the sacred memories of the time when that party embodied the as- Pirations and spoke the purposes of the great masses of the American people. That Party was born in answer to the cry for a champion of liberty. Its early words were words of comfort and assurance to the oppressed. Its great deeds, by which it will hereafter live in history, were deeds of patriotism. Its policies professed above all things to hold dear the safety and wel- fare of the American people as against the rest of the world. “The silver republicans cannot forget” that history. They cannot today follow those who have usurped the dominion of that party into a‘shameless abandonment of American interests and the tyranny of an alien money system. They believe that the duty of the hour demands that they maintain their identity and perfect their organization. “Circumstances have sometimes in the past thrust upon the undersigned responsi- bilities on behalf of ailver republicans which, in the absence of formal organiza- tion, we have felt warranted in assuming. Recently, however, we have received a vast number of anxious inquiries from various parts of the country upon the ques- tion of party policy and requesting us to give some definite direction thereto. hes communications exhibit a surprising dnd gratifying unanimity in sentiment and plan. Appeal to Silver Republicans. Responding to these earnest suggestions, and at the same time expressing our own deliberate opinion, we urge upon the silver republicans of the United States, and upon all citizens of whatsoever previous party association, who are willing to co-operate with us in political action, until the great monetary issue is settled, and settled right, that immediate steps be taken to perfect organizations in the various states-and ter- ritoriee to the end that thereafter a na- tional convention may be held for the pur- pose of making an authoritative pronounce- ment to the country and effecting a na- tional organization. As soon as possible each of the states and territories should designate a member of the provisional national committee of the silver republican party, which committec will have charge of the calling of the na- tional convention and of all matters pre- liminary thereto. Meantime we have taken the liberty of naming Mr. Charles A. Towne of Minnesota as chairman of said provisional national committee, whose offt- ciel address for the present will be the city of Washington, and to whom all communi- cations should be sent. The provisional na- tional committee is hereby called to meet in executive session at the city of Chicago, at a place to be séasonably announced by the chairman on Tuesday, the 8th day of June, 1897. Signed at the city of Washington this 224 day of February, 1897, the anniversary of the birth of the “First American,” whose life was a sublime example of pa- triotism, and whose precept, ing duty to country above and beyond all party obii- is a deathless watchword of po- liberty. (Signed) H. M. Teller, Fred T. Dubois, J, Cannon, R. F. Pettigrew, Lee Mantle, John P. Jones, Charles A. Towne, Charles 8. Hartman, John F. Shafroth, Cc, E. Allen. —_-o-_____ PACIFIC RAILROAD COMMISSION. Farther Hearing by the Senate Investiga- tion Committee, Mr. Robinson, One of the Settlers, Ex- amined at Length—Am@davits That Are Expected, The Senate committee on public lands this morning continved its investigation of the Perrine land grant case. There were present in the ccmmittee room Senators Dubois, chairman; Carter, Tillman, Mc- Bride and Wilson. Mr. E. I. Robinson, one of the settlers, and” attorney for other settlers on the land grant, was examined at length. He was aske@ the value of the land on the Perrine grant, and said it was worth $160 per acre in the back districts. He said the men who had worked in the interest of the railroad company were the right men, who were located on the bay front, and had been given the largest con- cessions from the company. He said that Dr. Cutler, the richest man in that vicin- ity, was to have the town stlie. This he had been told by Mr, Ingraham. He sald the rich men on the bay front used their influence to have the back settlers sign the agreement with the railroad company, and the railroad company had made threats about what they would do in order to in- fluence the settlers to sign. He sald that William Roberts, who had gone to sea, told him that he had to sign the agreement with the railroad compary before leaving home, as he was afraid his wife and family would be put out of their home if he did not do so. He said that Roberts tol@-tim that when he went to sign the agreement with the railroad company, McKinley, the attorney for the company, asked if he had ever signed a petition to Senator Call, and whether he would sign another petitioi in favor of the Perrines. Roberts told Mc- Kinley he never would do so. Affidavits Expected. Mr. Robinson said he expected affidavits here in a short time regarding the improve- ments made by the back settlers in con- firmation of some statements made by him. W. S. Holcombe, attorney for the railroad company, who has been pregent during the hearings, made an objection to having let- ters and affidavits placed before the com- mittee when the railroad company would not have an opportunity. to answer the! Mr. Robinson suggested to the comm: the desirability of haying an investigation of this case on the ground, .so that the back settlers might haye an oppertunity to have their case properly presented. He said these settlers had deluged the de- partment with appeals and letters, but re- ceived no satisfaction, hut’ had only been informed by the department that they would have to go to Congress. The examination of Mr. Robinson con Unued until about 12 o’clock, when a rece was taken by the committee until 7:30 o'clock this evening, when the investigation will be continued. CANADA’S GOVERN@R GENERAL. He and Lady Aberdeen t! of Much Attent The Governor General of Canada and Lady Aberdeen, who are .the guests of the British ambassador’and Lady Paunce- fote, are enjoying their visit in Wash- ington, and are said to havé expressed great regret at the necessary brevity of their stay. Their pfesent plan ts to leave next Thursday morning for New York, where they will make a brief stop; With them is their daughter, Lady Marjorie Gordon. Lord Aberdeen’s ald-de-camp, Capt. W berforce, accompanies the party and was with the governor general yesterday when be called to pay his respects to the Sec- retary of State. Lord Aberdeen has ex- pressed a Gesire to call upon the President, and it is understood that arrangements to that end were made during the call upon Mr. Olney. Lord and Lady Aberdeen are the most distinguished visitors Washing- ton has had in some time past and their presence here has caused quite a flutter in diplomatic and social circles. Yesterday and today many of the members of the diplomatic corps and the ladies of their families have left cards at the British em- bassy. The British ambassador and Lady Pauncefote have dispensed a lavish hos- pitality in honor of their guests. Sunday évening they gave a very large dinner for them. A second followed last evening and there will be another this evening. To- morrow evening there will be a large re- ception at the embassy. This is not the first visit of the governor general and his wife to this city, and they have taken ad- vantage of the pleasant weather today to renew their acquaintance with its beau- ties. . wients —— e+ RECOVERED THE SILVERWARE. Confession of One of These Concerned in the Woodside Robbery. Special Dispateh to The Evening Star. ROCKVILLE, Md., February 23.—The colored woman implicated with William Crutchfield in the burning and robbing of the Braid residence, near Woodside, last month, was yesterday arrested in Balti- more, brought here and lodged in jail. She afterward confessea@ her complicity in the crime and told where the silver taken from the house was hidden. Last evening Sheriff Collier went to the premises of the Crutchfields and on digging in the wood yard unearthed the silver ware and a lot of fine china ware, since identified by Mr. Braid, and the value of which is placed at All the accused are now in the county jail except Wm. Crutchfizld, who Is serving a sentence in the District.. The Robinson woman was located in Baltimore by the intercepting of a letter written by her to cne of the Crutchfield family. —>—_— TO STOP CARTOONING. Provisions of » Bfil Ipteodsced in the New York ae aha ALBANY, N. ¥., February 98.—Mr. Ells- worth introduced a bili in the senate to- day to prohibit the Pubijgation, of cartoons of any person in newspapers and periodi- cals. The bill provides.ghat ‘no portrait or alleged portrait of apg In@évidual shall be printed or published jm any newspaper, Periodical, magazine, -gamphiet or book mimo the written congent such indi- A violation of the pyghibitien is to be made punishable by a fing of jand im- prisonment for one year. Mr. Crokemfaily. NEW YORK, Febryary .@3.—Richard Croker and his son Fragk safled for Ger- Many today on the Nosth man Lloyd steamship Spree. Ser 4 ee Senator Mitchell Willing to Retire. SALEM, Oreg., February 23.—Senator Mitchell has written a l@tter stating his willingness to withdraw ;from the’ sena- torial contest in order that a republican senator may be elected. A FLOOD High Water Reported on the Upper Potomac. THE RIVER STEADILY RISING a Merchants, However, Are Not Seriously Alarmed. WEATHER BUREAU REPORTS > The weather bureau this morning sent out notifications to property owners along the river front that a flocd may be ex- pected in the river within twenty hours. The flood is expected to reach its height with the high tide tomerrow. It will then begin to recede. It will be sufficient to overrun the wharves and float away whatever prop- erty is left in exposed places. Low lands will be endangered all along the river. The flood will not be an extraordinary one. The worst floods are caused when the river is gorged with ice. There will be no gorge this time. There is no danger of more rain at this time. The weather bureau authorities say that high waters are the rule throughout the Ohio valley. The following bulletin was issued this afternoon by Chief Moore of the weather bureau: “A report from the weather bureau ob- server at Harper's Ferry, W. Va., gives the height of the river at noon today as twenty feet above low water (which four feet above the danger line) and i six inches an hour. Two inches of rain fell there since Sunday. It is probable that the river at Washington will rise above the wharves, endangering property along the river front, which should be removed: to places of | safet: will probably continue to tcmorrow, but it is not anticipatel thai the flood will approach in magnitude those of 1877 or 1889. In the iatter year the river at Harper's Ferry reached a stage of thirty-four feet.” No Immediate Danger. In spite of the high condition of the river in the upper regions, there is no danger apprenended by the merckants of this place urtil scme time this afternoon. After a rise in the Potcmac at Williamsport or Harper's Ferry it takes fully twenty-four hours or more before there is any indica- tion of a rise at this point, thus giving plenty of time for preparation. While the height of the water at Harper's vis watched with interest by those who have property at. stake, no particular alarm is felt unless the water goes at least fifteen feet over bounds. A rise of that size at the village on the upper Potomac will mean a rise of only six or seven inches at this place, while each increasing foo of height at that place increases the danger to the port of Georgetown. At a height of thirty feet a serious deluge *an be looked for at this point, equal, in faci, to the lurgest freshet ever known in local history. At Williamsport, Md., a distance of about 100 miles from this city, the water reached a height of fifteen feet above its normal last evening, and was still ristig at the rate of eighteen inches an ho: a tre- mendous increase. There is batement in the rise, and the freshet at that point has assumed serious proportions. The rise in the river around this city h been very gradual. This morning at ¢ o'clock, from reports received by the Wash- ington squeduct office, the water at Great Falls had risen four and a half feet above its normal, and still increasing at a lively rate. The effects of the rise were felt at Georgetown shortly after 7 o'clock this morning, but the increase has been so grad- ual that up to 10 o'clock this forenoon the river resembled the ordinary high tide. Perhaps the best-irformed individual in the elty on the condition of the upper Po- tomac is Mr. G. L. Nicolgon, the general manager of the Chesapeake and Ohio ca- 1. Seated in his office all day, he has received almost hourly reports from points all along the line from the numerous em- ployes of the company, who have been in- structed to keep a close watch on the con- dition of affairs. To Mr. Nicolson most of the business men along the wharf front look for information. A Star reporter called on him this morning to secure his latest advices. Looks Sertous. “Things look very serious,” said he, “‘and, what is worse, the river Is still rising. In my opinion, there is only one thing that can prevent a serious flood at this place, and that is the providential failure of the Shenandoah river to overflow its banks. This appears to me nothing short of a miracle. The steady rains in that region, which have helped to swell the Potomac, have also helped to swell the Shenandoah river, which runs into the Potomac at Har- per’s Ferry. Above that point the Potomac is a comparatively small stream, and a heavy rise at any point along its whole course above Harper's Ferry will mean but comparatively Httle at this place. If the Shenandoah river is at flood height and on the ramp2ge, the volume of water it wiil turn into the Potomac, together with the already high water of that river, will be sufficient to cause some effects along our water front. The size of the flood will of course all depend upon the volume of water. “From points all along the canal from Williamsport up the river is very high. The telegrams I received at 8 o'clock this morning tell me that, and I am waiting for other information. At 8 o'clock the water at Williamsport was between twenty-three and twenty-four feet, and still rising. At Sir John’s Run, or, rather, above it, the water has flooded the canal entirely, so that it is impossible to distinguish the dif- ference between the two waterways. This 1s almost the condition of affairs from this point clear up to Cumberland, which is 184 miles from this place. Damage to Canal. “There has been some damage done to the canal. How much it ts impossible to ascertain. We will not know until the water recedes. It is quite certain, how- ever, that some damage will be done, and we can only hope that it will not amount to much. So far I have received no infor- mation of a break in the canal, though it would be herd to tell if such could be the case, as the towpath is submerged. There was no water in the levels of the canal, and this may help cause some e. According to the construction of the canal, when the water reaches a cer- cord, owing to our system of waste weirs, though the river will have to be pretty high to fill the canal entirely.” Rock Creek. Mr. William A. Leetch of the firm of Winship, Meredith & Co. was seen by The Star reporter, and he fed that he knew is very Nttle~traffic. We have a boats at our wharves, and we have et through the work Ina’ couple’ of hours. With these off our hands we will feel considerably relieved. In se high water should come we would have very little to lose, outside of a few thousand tons of coal. We do not apprehend so much danger from the river as we do from Rock creek. The last great flood we had we suffered more from Rock creek than from the river. The creek jumped its banks and washed away everything. Just at the present time the creek does not ¢p- pear to be affec by the rainfail of the past two days, and so long as it keeps in bounds we have very little to fear. We will not make any atcampt to save «ny- thing until the waier reaches this place. The volume of it will regulate us in our movements.” This Afternoon. Capt. Joseph Lee, who is an authority on river maiters, was seen by The Star reporter, but he was not in a position to give an opinion on the result of the high water. It was impossible to tell just what the result would ed here. “The wa at pres- ent,” said he, * ging by the pres- ent increase it will be 3 o'clock this after- noon before ordinary flood tide is reacned. The current is somewhut stronger than usual, and is running close on to five miles an hour. No a:tempis have. ween made as yet lo save any property, a wharf owners and others are watching the result. They will wait until the water reaches this place before making any at- stempt to save property, jueging entirely by the rate the water is rising at this point reports receive , from the regions of ising the upper Povom: Not Alarmed. At 1 o'clock this afternoon the water along the Washington river front was about three feet higher than the average high water, and was rising slowly. A heavy northwest wind was prevailing, and the water was moving out so rapidly that experienced river men had little fear of a flood here. Better Newn, At 2 o'clock this afternoon the weather bureau received a bulletin from Harper's Ferry saying that at that hour the river 2 and 6 inches above low water. This was a rise in two hours of only six inches, a diminishing rate. The weather bureau considers that this shows that the rise is being rapidly checked, and that the flood here won't be as great as at first an- ticipated. -—_ DISTRICT IN € NGRESS, The House today passcd a bill granting a pension of $50 a month to the widow of General Thomas L. Casey. The bill was called up in the House by Gen. Wheeler of Alabama, the famous ex-confederate cavalry leader. As the bill originzlly stood, it provided a pension of $75 a month for Mrs. Casey, and Gen. Wheeler was anxious to have the bill passed at that rate. Gen. Blue of Kansas, however, signifiel his intention of cbjecting to the considera- tion of the bill, Gen. Wheeler implored him not to interpose an objection, and as he was aware of Gen. Blue's position upon similar bills, suggested that if the rate of pension were objectionable to Gen. Biue it might be reduced. To this suggestion Gen. Blue replied that if the rate were re- duced to $50 he would not object to the bill. ‘The amerdment was thereupon made and the bill was passed. Bust» of Voorhees and Morrill. In the Senate today Mr. Turpie gave no- tice of an amendment he will propos#to the indry civil appropriaticn bill, appropriat- irg $8,000 to purchase busts in marble of Senators Daniel W. Voorhees and Justin 8. Mor fcr the library of Congress. For St. Elizabet Senator Sewell reported favorably from the committee on military affairs an amendment to the sundry civil appropria- tion bill to construct additional accommo- dations at the Government Hospital for the Insane in the District of Columbia, for which $75,000 is appropriated. Extra Pay. The amendment to the sundry civil ap- propriztion bill lately offered in the Senate providing that an extra month's salary be paid to officers and employes in the House and Senate borne on the annual pray rolls was today referred back to the Senate by the committee on appropriations and again referred to the committee on contingent expenses. Government Pri img Office Site. In the Senate yesterday afternoon Mr. Gallinger gave notice of an amendment he proposed to offer to the sundry civii bill approrriating $170,000 for the purchase of land adjoining the present government printing office. This sum is fixed as the upset price of the land to be bought, ex- clusive, however, of the value of any build- irgs and improvements thereon. The prop- erty which it is desired to purchase Nes ad- jacent to the government printing office, n H. North Capitol and G streets to running from H io G streets, start- ing 24 feet west of the present building and piraliel with North Capitol street, com- prising 60,730 feet. The sum of which was appropriated in 1880 and pended by an act in 1882, is to be made immediately available for purchasing the site and beginning the work on the new building. This amendment is similar to one eee im the last Congress by Mr. Gal- inger. For the Relief of Mrs. Pollock. From the committee on claims Mr. Allen made a favorable report to the Senate yes- terday on a bill for the relief of Verona FE. Pollock of this city, to the extent of $17,000. Mrs. Pollock is the widow of Alexander L. Pollock, late consul of the United States at San Salvador. The money is intended as compensation for losses from the de- struction of property on account of the sickness and death of her husband there during a scourge of yellow fever. A Fee for Health Records. In the Senate yesterday afternoon Mr. McMillan made a favorable report from the cemmittee on the District of Columbia of a House bill authorizing the Commissioners to a fee for the issuance of tran- scripts from the records of the health de- partment. ———_-9-—_____ Tea Importation. The proposed new system of regulating the importation of tea into the United States,. which was presented to the ways and means committee of the House recent- ly by representatives of the trade of the United States, was approved by the com- mittee today. It was decided to recom- mend to the House the bill which the tea men drew and which has been approved by Department with of the mansion. If you want today’s news today you can find it only in The Star. DR. RUIZ’S CASE No Official Information of General Lee's Resignation. TALK OF ADMINISTRATION'S FRIENDS Waiting to Be Sure Before Mak- ing a Move. —- - 2 AT THE CUBAN LEGATION Friends of the administration in Congress ineist that Consul General Lee will not be permitted to resign on account of inaction on the part of the present administration as to the alleged as<assination of Dr. Ruiz. The statemen: that General Lee will rests if the murder of 5»: is permitt@d to pass along with vulrages agains American citizens by the Spanish In Cu lief, Iut friends of uni administration say that “y will not permit the outrage to pass unresented. It is insinuated thai perhaps General Lee ts a little impatient, ut that when this govern- ment is fully informed ax to the facts in the case, che action taken will be such as to satisfy Goneral Lee ani the Americon peopl. It is suggested that Mr. Olney believes in the policy of “not pulling a gun until you are ready to shoot. mak. and that if there is ise of the navy to pro- ens in Cuba, it will not of form. be a mere matte: Aw to the Need of Ships. It is suggested that if there is necessity for the United States ships there will be need for more than one. Intending to go the full length if he moves at all, it is said that Mr. Oley is simply cautious about taking the inttiative. desiring to be sure of his position before he makes a move. There appears to be no doubt that Mr. Cleveland feels that Gen. Lee is disposed to be too impetuous. It is a known fact that Gen. Lee, when in Washington, reported a state of affairs in Cuba which, in his opin- ion, warranted this government in fering. Mr. Cleveland then, and th land now re: inter- did not agree with him probability is that Mr. ards cur consul general ioo sympathetic with the Cubans. Mr. Cleve- land insists upon believing that Amerte: citizens are trying to provoke outrages so this government to interfere. y about the matter he ts ports of outrages whieh ond doubt. The belief here is that he may be forced to act in the Ruiz case. The cabinet today ‘is said to have the question under advise- ment. Den of the Resignation. The State Department today authorized the positive statement that so far as the department was informed, Consul General Lee had not resigned, and, it was added, Lad Not threatened to resign. If any lette; of resignation was going to be seni by Gen. Lee from Havana, as published, the de- partment was absolutely without rews on the subject. The other published sensa- tional statements regarding warships and like matters were denied yesterday. _Inqviry was made at the Whjte House to- day as to the foundation for the published story, which has been repeated In various forms within the past few days, to the ef- fect that Gen. Lee, consul general at Ha- vana, has resigred or intends to resign if he cannot secure certain demands he has made upon the State D riment, and also that he has called for an American war- ship to suppert him. Mr. Thurber, secre- tary to the President, stated positively that there was not a scintilla of truth in the story, either as to the resignation or the call for a warship. The President was en- gaged with his cabinet at the time, and it is understood that he instructed Mr. Thu ber to make the denial as specific and com- prehensive as possible. At the Cuban Legation. The Cuban legaticn here has no informa- tion regarding the stories that Consul General Lee has jhreatened to resign if he is not given full powers to protect Amer- ican citizens in Cuba, and that he has called for warships to aid him in s demands. The legation is, however, great- ly interested in the stories and the be- lief is expressed that there is something in them. General Lee is thought to be growing tired of becoming a mere figure- head in affairs in Cuba. He cannot take action on the most serious case without communicating with the State Department. The term of office of General Lee is not likely to last much lorger. He may be becoming impatient, it is said, at the man- ner in which affairs are conducted, and may have decided to bring things to a climax before he leaves office. ‘The Virginia Members. The Virginia members of Congress have no information cencerning the reported in- teation of Gen. Lee to resign. Mr. Otey “I place no credence in the report. Gen. Lee's friendship for the President is very strong, and I believe that would restrain him from taking such a step, even if he feit disposed to do so.” Mr. Tyler seid: “il have no informa’ of Gen. Lee's opinions on the Cuban ques- tion, but it would be like him to resign if he thought the administration was failing to properly protect American citizen ° MOVING DAY. Mrs. Cleveland and the Cifldren Gone to Princeton. Today was moving time at the White House and the Cleveland domestic estab- lishment was transferred fo its future home in Princeton. li was a large party that moved out today, and included Mrs. Cleve- land and her three children, Mrs. Perrine, Mrs. Cleveland's mother; the children's governess and nurse and Mrs. Cleveland's E About 10:30 o'clock the President's car- riage was driven up te the main doorway Sinclair, the stewar<, out carrying in one hand a little doll, came dressed in blue worsted, and foliowing him ceme Mrs. Sleveland, Mrs. Perrine and the three White House babies, the youngest, ts Marion, borne in the arms of her eee The family were soon seated in the Mrs. Cleveland responded with a smile to the few onlookers who stood with stan of tea. bill makes it un- Saeeeet 2 severe Seek Oe ete ths tana a ——————_—-2+_____ Laws Without Signatures. ‘Thirty-four private relief bills have De- come laws without the President's signa- iti | ff : | i |