Evening Star Newspaper, March 29, 1897, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. > HED DAL EXCEPT SUNDAY, AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Peorsylvania Avenue, Cor. lth St, by ing § Co fe Rees eee ee Few York Gffce, 49 Potter Building. a ers in the PUB ved to m owt r month. Ry rail p Star fs s fiers, on their or 44 cents ates or Canada ¥ Quintup lited, —= Che Evening Star. st Oflice at Washington, D. C., Seemui-clase mail mail si < of 1s must be paid in advance. > known on applicat No. 13,751. WASHINGTON, D. C.. MONDAY, MARCH 29 1897—-TWELVE PAGES TWO CENTS “Want” advertisements in The Star pay because they bring answers. CAPTURE OF RIVERA|!MPORTANT NOMINATIONS Maceo’s Successor Said to Have Been Taken, —E RECENT FIGHT IN PINAR DEL RIO A Second Assistant Postmaster General and Assistant Secretary of the Interior. Charlemagne Tower Named as Minis- ter to Austrin—Some Other Places Filled. The Eminent Prisoners Taken to San Cristobal. The President today sent the following nominations to the Senate: State—Charlemagne Tower of Pennsyl- vania, to be envoy extraordinary and min- z 7 ister plenipotentiary of the United States A GREAT CUBAN DISASTER ee ero HAVANA, March 29.—Gen. Hernandez Velasco, continuing his operations in the of Pinar del Rio, with the columns of troops under his command, was en- ~l yesterday morning at Cabazedas, in the Rio Hondo district, with an insur- gent force, numbering about 100 men, un- der Gen. Ruis_ Rivera. The insurgents were dispersed and the position they oc- cupied was captured after an hour's fight- ing The troops captured a number of pris- oners, including Major ral Ruis Ri- vera, his chief-of-staff, Col. Bacallai, and hi a uieut. Terry. ¢ Rivera Terry were both wounded. Gen. Antonio insurgent forces considered next Gen. Maximo ad ne at Lieut Rivera 2 command of th el Y importance Gen. succeeded Mac in Ptr m milita mez. ‘The insurgents left ten men killed, and pursuing the ene captured ammunition, dynamite s had man killed, . and twenty-four sol- . and to Mr. Charlemagne Tower. trooy to Austria-Hungary; Anson Burlingame Johnson of Colorado, to be consul of the United States at Fuchan, China. Post Office—William S. Shallenberger of antity of arms, from Pinar del Rio con-) pennsylvania, to ke second assistant post- of Gen. Ruls Rivera. Gen y chi Col. Bac niaster general. ; brought ners at San! Treasury—James D. Gill of Massachusetts province of Pinar del Rio, last | to be collector of internal revenue for the Lieut. Terry, the adjutant of | tnirg district of Massachusetts. ee tine Med while on hig way to] Interior—Thomas Ryan of Kansas to be Hea Croatian” Mle wae “eered Gav hia pirat ansi tunes secretace Roestneniaterian Henry Clay Evans of Tennessee to be commissioner of pensions. To be registers of land office—David C. Fleming of Colorado at Sterling, Col.; Wat Theodore Beall of Colorado at Leadville, place | ¢, Col. most im- t of Santa Correspondents Reported Death. h was received from dated Havana, yester- York, the re) Record, ts re- h flela- nish and lanco, close Principe and isiand Jan- graduated at of New jeazo watening w combat between th forces near Arroya pundary of Puerto ame to the to have pce ye Mr. H. Clay Evans. Mr. Ryan is fifty-nine years old. He was %\—This was | in the late war and sustained severe tas cece wounds in the battle of the wilderness. Baltimore annual Cot | Dor thirty-ave! séai he Hues a bere Ai high position at the bar of Kan- was several years county attor- at United States attorney. as elected from the capital district of state deaths f Rev to the Fort snth, Forty-ef fth, Forty-sixth, ath, Forty-ninth, d Fifty-first Congresses; was ap- ed minister to Mexico by President Harrison, and served four years as such. : In every position his success has heen b en Grandin | conspict He seems to have been popu- retired nerant ranks, loving were lar w ople, as he wa: twenty-two ‘ars, and was in convention or at the his largest majority at his ability and integrity are ; His appointment will recognized as a good one, and his old in both branches of Congress before them receiving ie(proarées Ge. fie cive it with gratification. eee ay added that TO BE OPENED MAY 1. ospect of preser, — Excitement Over Recent Discoveries in Indian Lands. PERRY, Okla., March 29.—Recent in- formation from Washington is that the Wichita country, owned and occupied by the Kiowa, Comanche and Apache Indians, will be opened by May 1. The goid and silver excitement in the Wichita mountains has drawn hundreds on the border of this new country, and the opening is expected to be of more note than any land opening and de- out and set- of the countr: rence : of the Indian territory lands. The allotting H. P. Hami to the Indian families is progressing rap- male Institu y. Miners are still prospecting in the and not a day passes without a contlict between prospectors and soldiers. With the exception of one range of moun- BIMETALLIC COMMISSIONERS. - tains, these reservations are the finest Alleged Intentions of the President | farming lands in the territory. Stated In Lond —— > April issue of DR. LUIZ SENTENCED. statement rs inforn ident McK bimetallic commis atic ag ly negot Sent to Jail for Eighteen Months and Fined. BALTIMORB, March 29.—Dr. Joseph J. Ruiz, convicted of filibustering, was sen- tenced in the United States court today to jail for eighteen months, and fined $500. Bail was refused pending an appeal. * on Contracts Caused Assignment. COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 29.—Butler, wford & Co., coffee and spice mills, as- signed today to H. N. Henderson. Assets about $100,000; Habilities same; but neither amount ts settied. Weakness dates from G. A. R. national encampment here in 1888, when the tirm lost heavily on contracts. Sigs Held for Extradition Papers. in full progress in Cuba.| NEW YORK, March 29.—Matthew Lane, Wasbin, to the ¥ | alias Martin Lang, who is accused of being is In line with this state- | implicated in the robbery of $3,000 worth feated that Spain will grad-| of jewelry from S: ve Desio’s store withdraw her troops, leaving the | in Washington, D. C., was committed today in Cuba to detain the island if | t@ @Walt extradition papers from that city. n. The special say n opinion is ertertained at Havana that the abandon- ent of Cuba wil! not be proclaimed from © housetops of Madrid, but wiil probably the way here spoken of. ‘The nment gave Weyler two im- of information some time m was that no more rein- to Cuba from ther was that after next be unable to furnish funds for military purposes in ation ms Presi- re to have th: the pol of their t least t hest posi DTIATIONS. ie is Said They Arc in Progress in Caba. h from 1 states that pe are Postponed the Launching. BRISTOL, R. 1., March 23.—Owing to the extremely low tide the launching of tor- pedo boat No. 7 has been postponed until tomorrow. eer No Choice at Frankfort. FRANKFORT, Ky., March 29.—Several pairs were announced before the vote for United States seuator today. The ballot resulted: Hunter, 58; Blackburn, 41; Davie, 12; Boyle, 7, Stone, 1. No choice. en Ocean Steamship Arrivals. NEW YORK, March 29. — Arrived, Spaarndam, Rotterdam; Michigan, from London. t BALTIMORE, March 29.—Arrived, Hes- tia, Glasgow; Govina, Sunderland. aes ‘The Saginaw Floated. NEW YORK, March 29.—The Clyde line steamer Saginaw, “wo; one of th forcements nd the pa nal - oe TRIAL OF THE HELENA. hing Favorable for the Gun- boat's Making Fast Time, NEW LONDON, March 29.—The new United States gunboat Helena left this har- bor at 6:45 this morning for her official speed trial over the measured course in the sound. The weather ts finer, if pos- sible, than that prevailing during the run of the Wilmington Saturday, and every- ji hich went ashore thing points to a successful effort. bes Newport News Ship ullding and bey March 24, near Beach Haven, N. J., dur- Dock Company officials are sanguine that | irg a thick fog on her Passage from Hay- the Helena wlil exceed fifteen knots ai mee ten ports for New York, was floated early our. today. DISTRICT OFFICES Gen. Boynton’s Name Suggested to the President POR THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERSHIP Opposition Made to Some of the Candidates Named. Sees QUESTION OF HOME RULE ——— President McKinley is still receiving sug- gestions in regard to the appointment of successors to Commissioners Ross and Truesdell. Considerable effort is being made to have the Preident ignore to some extent the tome-rule principle in filling the offices of Commissioner, marshal, recorder of deeds and register of wills. An argument has lately beeri made to the President favoring the appointment of one civilian Commis- sioner from the country at large. Those who favor this plan have urged upon Mr. McKinley the fact that the general govern- ment pays one-half of the expenses of the District of Columbia as its share of the municipal expenses, and they have endeav- ored to impress upon the President the idea that there should be one civilian Com- missioner, who should be appointed without regard to the place of his residence, and be distinctly the representative of the govern- ment in order to look after the disburse- ment of the District revenues. This proposition would be impossibie of adoption without a change of the law, which provides that the civilian Commis stoners for the District of Columb!a shall have been for at least three years prior to their apointment residents of the District, but to overcome this objection it is pro- posed to have a provision placed in either the sundry civil or deficiency appropriation bill, which failed in the last Congress and which have passed the House of Repre- sentatives and are now poctore the Senate committee on appropriations. OF course this proposition, it is realized by those who have made it, will be fought in Congress, and those who are acquainted with the feeling there do not belicve it could Le carried. The proposition to make one of the commissionerships a political office is, of course, a suggestion made by politictans and receives no approval from residents in the District of Columbia. Mr. McKinley has not given it his sanction, but he is merely considering it along with every other suggestion that has been made te him. A new name has been placed before the President for consideration when he shall appoint the District Commissioners. The name is that of Gen. H. V. Boynton, now of the Chickamauga Park commission, and well known in the District of Columbia, us he is thrcughout the country at large. Gen- eral Boynton ts in no sense an applicant for the commissionership, and it is not known whether he would accept it. It is stated as a fact that Gen. Boynton Was offered the commissionership by Gen. Harrison, but declined it. It may be that reasons might be brought to bear upon him to induce him to accept it at the pres- ent time in case the President wished to appoint him. It is argued by those who favor Gen. Boynton’s appointment that he has an intimate acquaintance with mu- nicipal affairs in this city. As correspon- dent of the Cincinnati Gazette Gen. Boyn- ton treated local affairs in this city as of national importance. He wrote much con- cerning the Lydecker tunnel scandal, and frequently commented upon District gov- ernmental matters in a manner that showed the widest acquaintance with such affa There is little charge in the situation as regards other applicants for the commis- sionership. The Presideut is constantly receiving suzgestions in favor of or against the candi 3 that have be: placed be- fore him. No sooner is a new man sug- gested than the President is waited upon by people of the District, who proceed either to indorse or oppose the candidate. The Candidates, The candidates for eppointment as Com- missioners of the District of Columbia ar Republicans, Commissioner Trueadell, Cha- pin Brown, Dr. A. P. Fardcn, M. A. Bal- linger, W. C. Dodge, George C. Hazleton and L. M. Saunders; democrats, John W. Ross, Jesse B. Wilson, J. D. Burke, John G. Slater and W. V. Cox, the last named being the son-in-law of ex-Mayor Emery of this city and a nephew of the late ex- Representative Cox of New York. In ad- dition to the above the attention of the President has been called to the eligibility of Henry L. West, M. I. Weller, Lawrence Gardner and Gen. H. V. Boynton, none of whom have made any application for the office. ‘The candidates who have been urged for appointment by the President upon the ground that they represented a particular section of the city are receiving consid- erable opposition, through the argument that the Commissioners should represent the entire District and should not in any sense be regarded as interested especially in any particular section. This is the ar- gument that has been used against the ap- pointment of Mr. Dodge, who had been indorsed by all the citizens’ associations east of the Capitol. The Marshalship. Persons who are well acquainted with Mr. McKinley say there is no reason to believe that the President has changed his opinion regarding the appointment of Willlam A. Hahn of Ohio to be marshal for the District of Columbia. A good deal of opposition to Mr. Hahn's appointment has been developed here be- cause of the home rule principle, which it is desired to enforce. One prominent local republican lately told Mr. McKinley that while it was true that he would find many precedents for the appointment of outside people to District offices by republican Presidents he would at the same time dis- cover that democratic Presidents had done @ great deal more in enforcing the home rule principle than had any republican President, and that that fact had operated very advantageously among democrats in urging them to active political work. He told the President that the republicans of the District of Columbia had contributed a very large amount of money to advance republican interests in the last campaign, and had not only sent voters home during the election, but had sent out a large num- ber of speakers who had done good cam- paign work in the adjoining states. He told Mr. McKinley that if he desired to encourage the republicans in the Dis- trict of Columbia to continue this kind of work there would be no better way to do it than to give the local offices to local men. Mr. McKinley paid careful attention to these suggestions, and regarded them as of importance, especially in view of the fact that it is desired to promote repub- licanism in Maryland during the coming campaign. The President is making no haste in the consideration of the District offices, as there are other matters that he considers of greater importance. TO ANNEX HAWAIL Representative Spalding. Introduces a Joint Resolution to That Effect. Representative Spalding-of Mischigan to- day introduced a joint resolution providing for the annexation of Hawaii to the United States. Under the provisions of tne resu- lution Congress shall consent that the Sandwich Islands may be erected into a new state, to be known as the state of ge with a republican form of govern- ment THIRTY-TWO TO ONE Silver Ratio Proposed by the Japanese Government. Seme Interesting Financial Informa- tion From Over the Pacific— On a Gold Basis. The Secretary of the Treasury is in re- ceipt of information from the United States minister at Tokio, Japan, to the effect that during the present session of the Japanese diet a government coinage bill will be pre- sented for the consifieration of that body, which will, if passed, change the standard of value in Japan frdm silver to gold. It is Proposed to fix the. government ratio be- tween the two metalp at 32 to 1. The unit of value will be a gbld yen, which will be one-half the weight and value of the old Japanese gold yen, which is of the same weight and fineness as the gold dollar of the United States. The proposed unit of value will therefore be the exact equivalent of 50 cents in United States money and ap- proximately of the same value as the pres- ent unit of value in Japan, the silver yen, which, at the current rate of exchange, is worth about 51 cants in United States Money. It is propo§ed that the smallest coin minted shall bea five-yen piece. The further coinage of silver will be limited to subsidiary coins. The silver yen now in circulation will be maintained at par with the gold yen by the government bel! prepared to redeem, them in gold when- ever called upon ta do so. in this con- nection the following statement is made at the Treasury Department: “It is Imuortant to note that there are about one hundred and forty miilions of Japanese silver yen in circulation, of which it Is estimated that about seventy millions are in circulation as money in China, and the English, French and other colonies and settlements in the east. Should the ratio between gold and silver become greater than one to thirty-two the tendency would seem to be to drive the outstanding silver coin back to Japan for redemption. The vernacular press reports considerable dis- satisfaction among the manufacturing and commercial classes with the proposed change of standard, and it is reported that the Cotton Spinners’ Association have pre- pared a protest against it to present to the diet. Those interested in manufactures in Japan are at present very prosperous and satisfied with the returns their investmenis are bringing in. They are naturally, as a class, not disposed to view favorably a proposed change, the effects of which, upon their interests, they have no means of d termining beforchand. It ts generaliy be- lieved, however, that the government Dill will, in a perhaps modified form, become a law. It is supposed that the principal ob- ject of the government in bringing about the change is to enable it, should such a Measure become necessary or expedient, to negotiate a loan in Evrope on better terms than would be possible, as they believe, if Japan remained ona silver basis.” The information given above came to the Treasury . Department Saturday, but the Associated Press cable dispatches have contained news later than that of the de- partment and stated that the bil! had pass- ed through both houges and been sent to the emperor for approval.”” Es ROCK CREBK BRIDGE. Public Fands Cannot Be Used for Its Repaft. Judge Bowler, controller of the treasury, has ‘written a letter to the Commisston- ers of the District in regard to the repair of the bridge over Rock creek at Massa- chusetts avenue, in which he says: am in receipt of your letter of the 26th instant inclosing a communication from Mr. John W. Thompson, requesting that the tron bridge crossing Rock creek above Messachusetts avenue be put in proper repafr. You agk whether you are authorized to repair safd bridge and pay the expense thereof from the appropriation ‘for construction and repairs of bridges, $10,000," contained in the District appropria~ tion act of June 41, 1896. 2 “It appears that the bridge was built by Mr. ‘Thompson and is his private prop- erty, never having been dedicated to the District, although by his permission it has been quite geperaiiy used by the public. Consequently it ts within his power to pre- Vent the use thereof. by the District au- thoritles and the, public at any time. He might do so immediately after the proposed repairs were mi although there is no reason to believe that he would take such action. The mere’ fact, however, that it is within his power to exclude the District authorities. "and the public indicates that the public funds of the District cannot properly be used to pay for the repairs on the bridge. “The appropriation above referred to clearly relates only to public bridges under the control of the ‘Commissioners of the District. In the absence of a specitic ap- Propriation authorizing the repair of this private bridge paymtent of the cost of re- Pairs is not authorized.” So Bureau of Aserican Republics It seems that th¢ reference in Saturday's issue to ex-Gov. Hoyt, in connection with the bureau of reyjublics, has been misun- derstood, inasmuch’ as he had never en- tertained a thought of appearing before any examining bdard with a view to the post of director. | When informed of the intention of the lincumbent to retire he allowed his natae to go before the Secre- tary of State and the foreign ministers for the succession, but withdrew it at once when further informed that the director, as well as the bureau itself, had been placed under the civil service regulations. Being among those who originated the bureau his friends say he hag cherished large ideas of what it should bejmade to accomplish, and could in no way ‘countenance what he considers a lessenjng of its dignity and im- portarce. o+_____ y_Orders. Post Chaplain Wm, # Hubbard has been granted six months’ leave of absence on account of fll health: The leave of absence} granted Lieutenant James A. Ryan, 9th (Cavalry, has been extended two months. | ~ The follcwing-named; officers will remain on duty with the/éth Gavalry until May 1, 1897, instead of until ordered: Second ‘Ligutenant Abraham G. Lott, 8th Cavalry; Second Lieutenant Geo. T. Summerlin, 8th Cavalry. Dividends Deélared. The controller of the Gurrency has de- clared dividends in favor’ of the creditors of insolvent national bariks, as follows: A first dividend, 20 per cent, in favor of First National Bank the creditors of thé of Decorah, lowa, on claims proved, amounting to. $224,699.40. ~ A first dividend, 40 per cent, in favor of the creditors of the First National Bank of East Saginaw, Saginaw, Mich., «oo claims proved, amounting: to $294,074.04. A second dividend, 10 per cent, in favo of the creditors of. the Chat! tional Bank of Cofumbus, Ga.,) all 30 per cent on ‘claims prov. ing to $145,708.32. ee Na- Making in amount- ril 1, as heretofore BREAK IN A LEVEE Water Pouring Through a 500-Foot Opening, ee ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE T0 STOP I? Fertile Country That Will Be Overflowed. LATE REPORTS DISCOURAGING JACKSON, Miss., March 29.—A special from Greenville, Miss., says: A crevasse occurred last night at Lake Lee, seven miles south of Greenville, on the Mississippi side, through which an im- mense volume of water is pouring into the Black and the Steele Bayou country. The opening is five hundred feet wide, and unless it can be stopped, which is highly improbable, ali of the country west of Deer creek and the most fertile and pro.- perous in the delta will be overflowel from Arvola south to the mcuth of the Yazoo river. This break has relieved the pressure somewhzt on the Greenville front, and the gauge at this hour shows the river to have been on a stand singe 4 p.m. yesterda MEMPHIS, Tenn., March 29.—The Com- mercial Appeal has received from what is considered reliable authority a report that the levee has broken in the Mississippi side of the river at Wayside, nine miles south of Greenville. A messenger came from Wayside to Greenville, arriving at midnight, and a relief train was at once dispatched to the scene of the reported break. If this report is true, it is the first break in the main levee system on the Mississippi side. The overflow reports are not encouraging today to those fighting the waters. From a local standpoint all is serene, but reports are flying thick and fast as to breaks below Helena. The levee at Wayside, Miss., gave way shortly after midnight last night. This was confirmed this morning by a subse- quent telegram. QUINCY, TIL, March 29.—The Mississippi keeps up its record of the past week at this point, and another rise is registered, mak- ing the stage fifteen feet above low water mark. Thousands of sightseers line the river banks and bluffs to see the muddy water, which has submerzed all of the is- lands and stretched hack over the Missouri bottoms for a distance of several mile: with only the tops of trees and part merged houses visible ‘e and _ the: mark the former places of abode of the thrifty farmer. The situation in the levee district is the same as yesterday. A large force of men are working heroically to strengthen the weak places in the levees and thereby save their homes and crop: but it is now believed their task is a hope- less one, as old river men say that the river will go beyond the mark of 1888, Reports from north of here are very dis- couraging, and the rain storm which pre valled Sunday, only increased the force of anxious watchers. There has been no danger to Quincy it- self from the flocds, but the families on the islands and in the Missouri bottoms have been driven out. The water is now stationary, and the levees north of the city will be saved if no further rise occu. Quincy itself could stand ten feet more without injury. ALTON, Ill, March 29.—Flood -onditions become graver every hour. Men were put to work this morning overhauling all the levees protecting higher bottom lands. The railroad companies are putting their tracks in American and St. Charles bottoms in the best possible condition to withstand foods, for } feet more water will bring the stage of 1802, when the tracks of atl railroads w submerged between Alton and § Loul. The gauge shews tenths of a foot in the last twenty. hours. The river is within feet of the stage reached in the middle of May last year, and with nearly two months wet Weather ahead, the outlook is gicomy. Thousand of dollars have already een swept away in crop products, and it is raining again, so that the prairies even back from the river look like lakes and the preparation of lands for spring crops is again deferred. ST. PAUL, Minn., March 27.—The rivers of Minnesota are rising very rapidly, fol- lowing a day of heavy thawing. The Mis- sissippi at this point has passed the ten- foot mark and is still rising steadily. Water is flowing in from Minnesota in a torrent. A telephone message from South Park, five miles south, says a gorge of ice twenty feet high has formed there. As the prediction is for warmer weather, it is believed the gorge will break without doing any serious damage. The water row is running through the Bohemian flats and the residents of that locality are moving out. The basements of many concerns on the west side are full of water. Much higher water in the Mississip- pi is reported at Little Falls, St. Cloud and Grand Rapids. There is still about a foot of snow on the ground. an advance of four- Gen. Wilson, chief of engineers, has re- ceived a telegram from Col. Gillespie, presi- dent of the Mississippi river commission, dated Vicksburg, Miss., yesterday, as fol. lows: “Gauges along river from Memphis to Vicksburg give flood readings varying from 1% feet to % feet above any previously re- corded readings. Feeling everywhere one of great uneasiness, and all state leve= beards are battling against rising floods regardiess of cost. As yet no widely spread damages have been reported, though scv- eral breaks in levees above Greenville on both banks have occurred. Levees ser- fously strained at all points. Commission will give ail possible aid by applying money balances to protection of works. Water rising slowly below Helena.” Sor ONLY A CRUST REMAINED. The Captain Cried When Food Came to His Vessel, NEW YORK, March 29.—Captain Schiey- der of the Norwegian steamer Eidsvold, which has arrived at quarantine, reports that on March 23 in latitude 41.36, longi- tude 53.19, he spoke the Newfoundland bar- kentine Silver Sea sixty-five days out from Cadiz for St. John’s, N. F., short of pro- visions. The latter craft signaled that her boats were stove, and the steamer’s life- boat was lowered and sent alongside. The crew had been put on skort rations, and there was literally nothing but a crust of bread left. The captain of the barkentine cried for sheer thankfulness when the provisions came. He said he kad strong adverse winds during the whole and had not spoken or sighted a vessel since the pro- visions began to run out. He sent a mes- sage to the owners of the Eldsvold, in St. Johns, N. F., telling of his safety. ae GOES RIDING DAILY. Health of the Czarewitch is Un- : changed. ALGIERS, March 29.—The health of the A MINORITY REPORT Senator Morgan Against Adjusting Pacific Bailroad Debts by Commission. He Claims That the Government Owns the Roads, Which Are One Continuous System, Senator Mcrgan of Alabama today pre- sented the minority report on the bill re- cently reported favorably to the Senate for the adjustment of the Pacific railroad debts through the agency of a commission. Mr. Morgan gives the circumstances of the in- ception of this national highway across the continent, and maintains that it was es- sentially a government undertaking in- trusted to private hands, just as. national banks are instrumentalities of government although in private hands. To secure the government against a default of these cor- porations In the payment of the bonds is- sued to enable them to build tnese railroads there was provided in the charters a dis- tinct and separate lien upon all their prop- erty, of every description, in favor of the United States. The statute provides for the forfeiture on default of payment, and transfers the title and possession by act of !aw to the United States. The govern- ment is thus substituted in absolute and unconditional ownership of the corporate roperty of every kind, in place of the stockholders, whose ownership thereupon ceases. The report then points out at this bill provides an agreement with “the owners” of the Pacific railroads without dectaring who owns them, and deals with them as if the United States government was not t owner. The bill also destroys ihe unity of this great highway and proposes to serarate the Central Pacific from the Union Pacific ratiroad. No court could ignore nor violate the desired public policy that these roads constitute one continu- ous system. This is an effort to have an act of Con- gress change the present law, and such an act should never be passed. Mr. Mor- gan states in the report that he will offer an amendment in the Senate providir that the provisions of the pill shall appiy to both the Pacitic railroad pmp ies. The senator says that if the fatal of separation between these road not reached a conclusive stage by ve ot agreements made by the presflent for the disposal of the government's interes in the Union Pacific railroad then it should be intercepted and placed in the hands of this proposed commission. The United States ¢ great high 9 more afford to have y pass beyond its reach Great Britain could afford to leave th Canadian Pacific railroad, which, in a mi itary sense, is the spinal column cf the empire, pass into the hands of the Ameri- ean government. The nature of such a transaction com is as a usurpation of authority by ecutive that has no support in lay, too much to ask that Congress by and witness a disposal of this v erty under a private agreement betw executive and a great railroad combination thout even a prote The value of the whole property is not adequate compensation for such demorali- zation in the abuse of official power. M Morgan contends that the destruction o this unity wiil enable a great railroad com- Nation to control transportation from New York to the Pacitic ocean, making the people along the routes mere feudatories of these great railroad kings. The report asserts that the real occasion for this bill fs to uvold the disclosures and to provide for the condonation of fraud ard breaches of trust on the part of th owners and directors of the Central cific railroad, “which, if they were deait with in the spirit of justice, would fasten liabilities upon these men that would fz exceed the vast sums which the com: owes to the government.” Mr. Morgan refers to the “enormous frauds perpetrated by both of these railroad companies upon the United States,” : remedy for which is easily in the r. through the tribunals of justice.” The re- port then urges that the President should not be left as final umpire, as proposed by this bill, “in a contest en crime and public justice.” ‘The respo ity on Congress, and it should not unburden it on the President.. Mr. Morgan that al- though the result would disappoint the pow- erful order of railroad wreckers, yet easy adjustment is open Ly the ps Senate bill 222. ‘The report cl statement as to the powerful engine whic the committee bill places under the dir. tion of the President and cab‘: —— REAPPOINTING OLD OFF Eaceptions to the Rule to Be Made in Certain Cases. The statement has been made that Presi- dent McKinley is going to adopt the policy inaugurated by Mr. Cleveland of not ap- pointing ex-officials to office. The proposi- tion has, however, been too broadly stated. It is understood that a certain class of ex- officials will probably be reappointed to po- sitions from which they were removed by Mr. Cleveland or his secretaries. A large number of employes in the de- partments renking above the classified service—men of experience resulting from long service and exceptional fitness—were removed, and after their successors were appointed the civil service rules were ex- tended so as to take in the new appointees. ‘These officers are by this move taken out of the class to which President McKinley or his secretaries may make appointments at will, and the democratic appointees are safe from cutside competition, The only men who might succeed them without going through the civil service commission mill are those who formerly held the posit’ons. Such of these ex-officials as were soldiers may be reappointed to their old places, re- gardless of the length of time they have been out of office, and others who have not been out more than a year may be restored. The understanding is that those republicans whose training rendered them conspicu- ousiy capable officials, and who were re- moved to make room for democrats before the offices were placed in the classified service, will be restored, both for the im- provement of the service and as a protest against what republicans regard as the partisan scheme of the last administration to keep its appointees in office. —_—___-+e+______ ASSOCIATED PRESS ACCESSIONS. New York and Philadelphia Papers Sign Ninety-Year Contracts. The New York Herald, New York ‘Tribune, New York Times, New York Evening Tele- gram, Philadelphia Public Ledger, Phila- delphia Record and the Philadelphia Even- ing Telegraph have entered into ninety-year contracts with the Associated Press, and have severed all news relations with the United Press. ‘The Youngstown, Ohio, Vindicator has Joined the Associated Press. —_—_—__-e-_______ Naval Movements. The Castine has sailed from St. Lucia ‘for Bahia, on her way to Montevideo. The Yorktown has sailed from Wuhu for Ki- amiang. The Montgomery has sailed from Pensacola on a cruise at sea, and the CHARGE OF LIBEL Commissioner Truesdell’s Suit Against Mr. ©. G. Conn. eines THE TRIAL COMMENCED TODAY — Evidence Heard and Arguments Over Legal Points. eee. SENATORIAL REFERENC ae oe eee Mr. Charles G. Conn, formerly the pro- prietor of the Washington Tim was this morning placed on trial before Judge Brad- ley in Criminal Court No. 2 on the indic ment returned against him the 4th of la January, charging him with having crim- inally Mbeled District Commissioner Geo. Truesdell in the issue of the Evening Times of the 2d of last December. 1 Attorney FE str Davis, assisted by Mr. John E. La conducted the pros tion, Mr. Conn being represented Messrs. J. H. Ralston, F. L. Siddons Andrew Y. Bradi Commissioner Tru el for the ating him well dell sat just back of the from Mr. Conn. Ex- was among the sp, issioner Pc Mr. Conn never having pleade indictment Mr. Davis suggesied plead. His counsel waived the instrument, whereupon Mr. tered a plea of guilty. Th selecting a jury, both sides ann their readiness to proceed, was next gun, Judge Br. stat that th leged offense t a mis meanor € side would be entitled to three peremp: challenges The first twelve men on the regular panel were called into the box, and. being sworn to give wers to ¢ tions asked them, t were examin both sides as to whether they k loner Truesdell or Mr. Con: had formed or expressed an opinix as to the guilt or in of the defen ant, whethe- they employ of either or the Di overnme similar questions. e following we ly selected and sworn as the jury: David C. Oswald, Thomas Luxen, Ch La ley, D. A. Gorsuch, Andre ©. ‘Carter, Ale Barnes, Jam: John H. Kir being the or red member of the The Opening. During these preliminary proces court room had filled up t ea extent, so that when Mr. Laskey opened the case to the jury on behalf of the gov- the room was a crow one that the . the as follows: Truesdell been by far 1 ry a the most cord: civil Cimm has worked eh complai satisfac liked of 1 trict. He thorit: has r his yurely for his perse te no bones about it. ed in properiy in the extre rihea to dive instead ¢ northwe lic mon: those places, Ing it upon more populous sectic office whoily for his per he will not be perpetuated government would show, said Mr » that Mr. Conn was at the time of ue in question the proprictor of and that he published or caused be pubiished the alle ous words, On behalf of Mr. r. Ralston would r after the Da ning address until Mr. fo! W. Matting’ st of thi Birn: closed its case the as first. witnes: Joseph the req - a. A. office matter, th being handed the witn: An All Joseph K. Pot Witness, now a teacher of man in the local public schools, t was Decemb 186, the si 3 Times Publishing Company. He wa i by Mr. Davis what connection Mr. then had with the company and when counsel for the defe: the ground that the indictment doe allege that with the p. M Mr. Conn had any connect er or company. In that diey argued at some length, and in support of his posi- tion he quoted a number of authorities In reply, Mr. Davis submitted that it was net nec ry to charge in the indict that Mr. Conn held any the paper or company. If t showed, insisted Mr. Davis, leged litelous matter was public! caused to be lished by Mr. Conn, would then be guilty of the offense. After some ‘Turther Bradley suggested that postponed until some time late! If then, said the judge, c terial question the court can dispc the rights of the defense to be fully served until then. Mr. Conn and the Times. The judge’s suggestion was adopted, and then Mr. Potter testified under the formal objection of the defense, that Mr. Conn was at the tine of the complained of pub- lication the president of the Times Com- pany, and the general manager of the paper. Chas. E. Lewis, the cashier of the paper, testified that Mr. Conn was the recognized head or proprietor of the paper. The witness was asked by Mr. Davis who compored the staff of the Times, wher Judge Bradley suggested that the defe dant’s connection with the alleged Mbelous matter could hardly be proved by show- ing who composed the staff of the paper, and then asking them in turn if they responsible. Afier some further questions on the part of Mr. Davis it appeared that former Business Manager Goldsmith of the paper, a material witness for the govern- ment, cannot be found by Mr. Davis. Mr. Davis said he would show by the re ords of the company the position held by the defendant. Mr. Hutchins Testifies. The next witness called by Mr. Davis was Mr. Stilson Hutchins, who stated that he is a newspaper man, the owner of the Washington Times. He explained that in negotiating with Mr. Conn for the pur- chase of the newspaper Mr. Conn etated that he was the owner of, and conveyed what purported at the time to be, a ma- jority of the stock of the company, and that he was the responsible conductor of the r. While avaitirg the receipt of the min- utes of the Times Company and other doc- umentary evidence as to Mr. Conn’s con- rection with the paper and company, Mr. Davis offered the complaincd-of issue of the paper in evidence, stating that he de- sired to read the alleged Ibelous article to the jury. Mr. Ralston promptly objected on the ground that the matter complained of was not composed by Mr. Conn, but was merely quoted language of a promjnent western senator. The head lines, said Mr. Ralston, showed that much, they being “New Deel in District of Columbia. West- ern Senator's Frank Talk About the Com.