Evening Star Newspaper, April 8, 1897, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. +> --— PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY, AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Ponnsyivan's Avezue, Cor. 11th St, by The Brenmg. Star Ve 8. H. EAUFYMANN, Pree’t. Few York Ofce, 40 Petter Building. The Evening Star is served to subscribers in the city by carrters, on their own account, at 10 cents ber Week, or 44 cents per mouth. at the counter seach. By mail—anywhere in the Unit es or Canada—postage prepald—50 cents per mont Saturday Quintuple mene ign postage added, $3.00. the Post Office at Washington, D. C., is mail matter.) subscriptions must be paid in advance. ertising made known on application. Star, $1 per year, with 09. EFA n Rates of Che Hen ny Star. — No. 13,760. WASHINGTON, D. C,, THURSDAY, APRIL 8, TWO CENTS. DESTROYED A BLOCK Heavy Lom by Fire Caused at Knox- ville, Tenn. FLAMES IN THE HEART OF THE CITY A Number of Persons Injured and Burned. — + —— CHATTANOOGA SENDS AID CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.. April 8—A spe- clal to the News from Knoxville say: ‘The most disastrous fire ever experienced in Knoxville occurred this morning between 4 and 8 o’ciock. The entire block between Vnion and Reservoir streets, on Gay street, with the exception of the McGhee building end, the longest and handsomest the city. is a mass of ruins, and is estimated at nearly $1,000,000. Several people were slightly injured, the most serious being Joe McMillin, who had a leg broken. ‘The fire was discovered about 4 o'clock in the wholesale grocery store of the McNulty Grocery Company, by a porter of the Knox Hetel. which adjoins the grocery. A gen- eral alarm was turned in, and all the local fire compani were soon on the scene. ‘Their efforts proved futile, however, and the flames spread rapidly. mong the heaviest losers are: Daniel tscoe & Co vholesale dry goo Stexchi Hros., wholesale and retail furni Marble City Hat Company, wholesale P. Laher. dry goods company wholesale shoes; S. B. New. printers; Cullen, Newman & W. W. Woodraff & Co..whole- Henneger. Doyle & C and shoes; Sanford, Cham- ure; ha H nes & Co. & Albers, wholesale drugs; Knox : McNulty Grocery Company. establishments, among tables in the rear of the burned block, were destro An explosion of dynamite in Woodruff’s are store shattered every window in Gay street. A portion of the Chattanoog: ment arrived at $ o'clock and uatle assistance. Injured in the Fire. fire depart- dered val- Amorg those injured in the fire were W. H. Keppart, one of the most prominent men in the city, formerly clty editor of the Journal. After assisting five men to escape he jumped from the third story of the Krox Hotel on to the reof of adjoin- ine building; badly, but not fatally hurt. Jo Me Millin traveling man, jumped from second sto leg broken. James Hegan, barkeeper, Knox Hot Jumped from third story to roof adjoining bulla: both legs badly sprained. Jo Bogle, resident of Morgan county, wa rued from the third story of the Knox Hotel by firemen; probably fatally burned. Tom Speck jumped from the third story; legs hurt. J. M. Loop of Salisbury, N. C., jumped; seriously injured. c. L. Hudson, clerk in Knox Hotel, jump- ed; ankle broken. McDaniel, jumped; badly injured. now believed that the total loss unt to about $1,200,000. The insur- ance will be about one-half. ‘The Losses. Among the heaviest individual losses are: MeNulty Grocery Co., $15,000; insurance not known. Hotel Knox, loss $25,000; insur- ance not known. Daniel Briscoe & Co., ale dry goods; building and stock (; insurance, $250,000. E. P. King & Co., insurance agents, $5,000. S. printers and engravers, insurance $20,000. Cullen Newman Company, wholesale queens- re, loss $40,000, insurance $35,000. Hen- Doy! Arnold, wholesale boots and M ; Insurance, $75,000. wholesale grocers, $7: W. W. Woodruff & Co., hardware, $250,000; insurance, insurance, $0,000 wholesale 220,000, Murphy & Robinson, wholesale hats, $50,- Ooo; insurance, $25,000. A. P. Laher, retail dry good: Ooo; insurance, $160,000. i Brothers, wholesale and_ retail furniture; loss, $35,000; insurance, $20,(40. : Chamberlain & Albers, $40,000; insuran not known. JM sick, livery stable; $2,000. n McMillin, residence; $7,000. losses so far reperted, which do not r any small losers, amount to $6®,- }, with Insurance of $450,000. The fire stopped at Union street at one side and at Commerce street on the other side of Gay street. a FOUR THOUSAND FORCED OU7. Effect of Rail Straighteners’ Threat to Quit Work. 3100,- CHIC. . April &—Four thousand men were forced out of employment by the sing of the work of the Illinois Steel Cempany at South Chicago last night. This action was taken by the cfficials to head off a strike. Employes deciare they Will resist the lockout. Officials assert that the works will be reopened next Monday. Rail straighteners are responsible for the tre The officials of the company say that the workmen broke their yearly con- tract, which was made a few months ago. As a result of the strained relations it is the Amalgamated Association of and Steel Workers is in danger of veing disbanded, but Vice President Davis thinks nothing of this kind will happen. neral Manager Walker of the Illinots 1 Company says the strike is but a dispute among the workmen, and the company has nothing to do with the mat- than holding employes to their said Iror i that the company has reduced of wages since the fall in the of rails, and the question has been much-disputed point ever since. Rail strelghteners have discussed it with the managers at different times and threat- «ned to quit work, as they claimed they could not make as mueh money as when the price of rails was above $20. President Collins of the Amalgamated jation was called from Pittsburg by Illinois Steel Company's officials sev- He heard both sides of the and at last told the workmen that they must stand by their contract. with the company. or the association would not support them. Iron workers who were objecting to the sliding scale of wages refused to give a the eral days ago. story positive answer at that time. Yesterday they held a meeting among themselves and made plans to stop Work. The officials were informed of the move on the part of the workmen, and at once ordered. the mills to be shut down. They at once cir. cuiated the report among the “workmen the plant would be closed but a short ‘This was good news to the men who not interested in the strike, but the straighteners sent out a story that the works would be closed for an indefinite period. ‘The majority of the workmen ¥ vengeance against the rail straight- for closing the works. > Alleged Embezzier Caught. OAKLAND, Cal., April 8.—John St. Peter, wanted in Pittsburg for the embezzlement of funds belonging to the Window WGiass Workers’ Association, of which he. was ae and: treasurer, has been arrested ere. REAPPOINTING VETERANS Secretary Wilson Giving Old Soldiers Prefer- ence in His Department. A List of Recent Appointments and Promotions—Soldiers’ Cared Fer. Widows Secretary Wilson of the Department of Agriculture proposes to see that ex-Union soldiers in his devartment are given every advantage that the civil service law ac- cords theni. He is reinstating ex-Union soldiers whose ‘records for work in his department ure good, and 1s preferring those with a war record for promotion wherever practicable. Since taking charge of the department the Secretary has made the following appointments. reinstatements and promotions in pursuance of this policy: Mrs. Genevieve G. Kennon, widow of a naval officer, of the state of Iowa; ap- pointed a laborer in the division of seeds, at a salary at the rate of $1.75 per dic to take effect March 22, 18) Capt. Willlam W. Jones of the state of Wisconsin, a veteran of the late war of the rebellion, serving in the company com- manded by General Jere M. Rusk, ex-Sec- retary of Agriculture; reinstated clerk in the division of accounts, at a salar of $1,209 per annum. Captain Jones wili prob- sbly revort for duty about the 15th in- stant. Thomas Rutledge of the state of Michi- gan, an ex-Union soldier; reinstated a watchman, at a salary of $720 per annum; to take effect on April 1, 1% Israel W. Stone, an ex-Union soldier, of the state of Kansas; promotad from clerk at $900 per annum to clerk at $1,800 per annum; to take effect on April 1, 1807. Mrs. Fannie N. Gregory of the state of Pennsylvania, widow of an ex-i'nion sol- dier, also daughter of an ex-Union sol- dier; promoted from clerk at $1,200 per annum to clerk at $1,4 = take effect on April 1, 1 Mr. James R. Brown, dier, of the state of Kansas; appointed a laborer, at a salary at the rate of $49 per month; to take effect on April 7, 189 Mr. Herman H. Gerdes, an ex-Uniona sol- dier, of the state of New York; vromoted from $1,600 per annum to $1,800 per an- num; to take effect on April 1, 1897. Mr. William C. Smimoneck, an e: soldier, of the state of Wisconsin ed a messenger, at a salary of » per annum; to take effect on April 1s Mrs. Martha H. Mahon, widow of an ex- Union soldier; promoted from clerk at $1,000 per annum to clerk at $1,200 per an- num: to take effect on April 1, 1807. Mr. Jona J. Bain, ex-Union soldier, of the state of Vermont; promoted from clerk at $1,200 per annum to clerk at $1,400 ver to take effect on April 1, 3597. Mr. Charles Dill, an ex-Union soldier, of the state of Kansas; appointed an observer in the weather bureau, at a salary of $310 per annum. 3 ; Mr. John P. Church, an ¢x-Union soldier, of the state of Ohio; promoted from clerk at a salary of $1,200 per annum, to editor and chief of publication division in the weather bureau, at a selary of $1,800 per annum; to take effect April 1, 1sv7. Mr. Mchael Mahany, an ex-Union soldier, of the state of Pennsylvania; promoted from messenger, at a salary of $68) per annum, to captain of the watch, at a sal- ary of $1,200 per annum, in the weather bureau; to take effect April 1, 1897. Mr. Edward McDermott, an ex. an ex-Union sol- Tnion point- Union scl- dier, of the state of New York; appointed a laborer in the weather byreau, at a sal- ary of $6) per annum; to take effect on April 5, 1897. The Secretary has also appointed Dr. Dabney, assistant secretary under Sec- retary Morton, as special agent in charge of statistical and scientific investigations of the department at a salary of $4,500, which is the salary he received under the last administration. This appointment has created some surprise, as it was supposed so desirable a position would have been given a republican, but the Secretary was probably largely influenced by the fact that Dr. Dabney is the representative of the department at the Tennessee centen- nial exposition, has his work in that con- nection well advanced, and it would have been itadvisable to make a change. ee FRENCH NAVAL ESTIMATES. Proposed Expenditure of Two Mil- Hon Francs in Docks. PARIS, April 8.—M. Lickroy, the former minister of marine, notified the naval com- mittee of the chamber of deputies yester- day of his intention to transform into a substitute bill his amendment asking for a naval grant of 200,000,000 francs. He said the chamber ought to vote the whole sum, although the expenditure might be spread over a period of four years. The bill proposes to establish naval docks at Saigon, capital of French Cochin China; Diego Suariez, near the northern extrem- ity of the Island of Madagascar; Ajacoio, the capital of Corsica; Porto Vecchio, Coi sica, and the French Pacific ports. —_——_-—_ MET AN AWFUL FATE, A White Trader Killed and Eaten in the New Hebrides. VICTORIA, B. C., April 8.—Australian advices state that Mr. Duncan, a white trader, who reached Sydney from South Africa last year, met his déath in a very painful way while trading with na- tives of New Hebrides. He was tied up to one of the trees for three days, being kept alive and forcibly stuffed with food. He as then cut down, killed and eaten, wo- men even joining joyfully in the cannibal- istic feast. There was a great assemblage from the various groups of islands. Duncan, it appears, was a single man about thirty-three years of age. He was @ peaceable man, and his friends at Syd- ney say that he would not draw ais re- volver on any account. From those who know the New Hebrides has’ been collected the information that the natives are very treacherous, they on several uccasions hav- ing dealt murderously with European ves- sels. — IN SOUTH AFRICA. Fight With the Insurgents in Bechu- analand. CAPETOWN, Africa, April &8—A dispatch from Vryburg says that in an encounter with the Bechuanaland insurgents on Tues- day near Kuruman., the Cape, Volunteers lost five men killed and had six men wounded. A later dispatch from Vryburg says that the volunteers have captured and burned the insurgents’ “stronghold at ‘Gainssepe. Lieutenant Harris was among the killed. LONDON, April 8—A dispatch to the Times from Cape Town says that advices received there from Delagoa Bay announce that the country bordering on and across the Limpopo river, forming for many miles the northwest and northern limit of the Transvaal, is in open revolt. It is added that the situation is serious. Trocps cre leaving for Delagoa Pay by the steamer Carnarven. A further rising is expected in Maputaland, ——— Robert Cunningham's Death. NEW YORK, April 8.—Rebert Cunning- ham, who had conducted a |, news bureau in this city, died today of apoplexy, aged fifty-nine years. Mr. Cunningham was the ploneer in the present system of supplying Wall street news to” brokers. During the civil war he was a seeeranh operator in the War Department at Waeh- ington, A ‘TROUBLE JUDGE DAY'S MISSION He Will Particularly Inquire Into the Death of Buiz. TO CONSIDER THE GENERAL CONDITION May Be a Change in the Rules at the White House. ROOSEVELT’S NOMINATION Force of habit carried several politicians to the White House today. On arriving there they remembered the departure of the President. Several of them who con- gregated on the front portico of the Ex- ecutive Mansion suggested that a steamer ought to be chartered for the office-seek- ers, so they could go down the river to meet the President on his return. Around Judge Wm. R. Day. y i jy the hotels today the waiting patriots com- posed themselves for still longer waits. The most of them ar2 going to hang on until their cases are settled, but they are already complaining of accumulated board bills and the prospects that these will be &@ complete loss. A Change in the Rules. No decision has been reached by President and Secretary Porter as to change will be made in the rules when the President returns from his trip. As here- tofore stated in The Star, the President thought that the place-hunters would have d@windled to such a number by th’s time that he would have had a chance to attend to other matters. He had no {dea that the pursuit for positions was going to be 80 warm and so persistent. That is why he was in favor of giving the office-hunters liberal time in which to present their cases. Over a month éfter his inaugura- tion he finds that there is no let up in the He finds battle for government plums. himself going through the same routine from day to day. From 10 o'clock in the morning until midnight he fs engaged in talking to men who want jobs for them- selves or somebody else, and going over the papers of office-seekers. He has little time to devote to public matters of great concern. Nothing has been decided as to the rules because the President wants to give all the time he can to this class of people. He doesn’t want to be accused of shutting him- self up. His hope 1s to give access to peo- ple of all kinds. To do this, and at the same time to shorten the hours going to the office-hunters, is the question now un- der debate. The plan which has obtained most favor so far is to close the receptions to the office-seeking element at 1 o'clock each day, instead of % o'clock in the after- noon. This scheme would give the Presi- dent more time than at present, although there would be little difference, as up to this time the President has lunched be- tween 1 and o'clock, and the callers were forced to wait until he returned to his office. It may be decided to shut off on callers at an earlier hour than 1 o'clock. There is not much danger that any radical change will be made in the schedule of public receptions. The President is dis- inclined to a change, because he finds a pleasure in meeting and shaking hands with those who want nothing but the honor of grasping his hand and looking him in the face. These receptions often take near- ly an hour of the President's time, and are occasionally fatiguing, as he has to stand on his feet all the time, but this causes no regret. Jadge Day and His Mission. Judge W. R. Day of Canton is expected in the city within a few days. He will ther begin preparations for ‘his trip to Cuba. From administration authority it can be stated that the scope of Judge Day's mission has been much exaggerated. He has been selected as a lawyer to specifi- cally investigate the death of Ruiz, and is not commissioned to handle the Cuban- Spanish situation generally. The President did not ask him to do this, and he does not expect to attempt it. He will, however, report to the President all that comes to his knowledge as incidenta! to the invest!- gation he will make. This itself may have a highly important bearing on the future policy of the administration. Judge Day will not shut his eyes to what he ascer- tains to be facts in any direction, but these must come to him without his inves- tigation. Only those close to the President and the man he has selected for this mission know how much it may affect the future policy of the administration toward Spain. The President has unlimited confidence in his old friend and neighbor, and one of the closest friends the President has says that the relations between the President and Judge Day are those of brothers. It is as- serted that whatever report Judge Day may make will be accepted without question by the President, If this report deals entirely with the Ruiz case the President will be guided accordingly. 1f, however, Judge Day is impressed with other facts and matters and reports upon them, his advice will be followed. If that advice should suggest the most radical action it will be followed. After going through the papers in the Ruiz case that are on file in the State De- Partment Judge Day will leave for Havana. He will take an interpreter with him, who will be detailed from the State Depart- ment. He may take a clerk, but this has not been decided upon. It fs not thought that the investigation in the State Depart- ment will take over ten days after Judge Day arrives here. Piatt and His Sore Followers, New York politicians who are coming to the city say that the Platt followers in the state are disconcerted at the ap- pointment of Theodore Roosevelt as as- sistant secretary of the navy. Despite assertions to the contrary, there is truth in saying that the New York followers of Senator Platt, from members of the House to ward bosses, are sore over the situa- tion. Senator Platt’s closest friends are said to be vainly trying to smooth matters over, but they are unable to do so. The | senator has been flooded with ‘inquiries from his stalwart friends, inquiring why | he doesn’t fight the nomii ‘The greatest fear of the New York poll- ticlans is that Roosevelt will a ad control of the Brooklyn navy: yard. If: he does have a hand in the management of that institution, it is said, he will upset many plans of the Platt people. He knows these plans now, and, with the power in_ his hends, he can frustrate them. The New York people have 'alJ‘along admitted that city, but they have been willing that he should have any job but that which he got. It is said on good authority that Senator Platt would have fought the nomination if he could have mustered the old anti-Mc- Kinley forces 4n ‘the Senate. This was impossible. Senator Lodge, Speaker Reed and other -time anti-McKinleyites wanted Roosevelt; #nd the appointment pleases them an@ thaKes them more friend- ly to the President: Senator Platt saw these things swiftly and has taken his Medicine. His fdligwers take it worse than he does. Politica conditions in New York made it necessary, it is claimed, that one man should be the dispenser’ of jobs. Everybody looka {o ‘him and believes he can do anything, When he falls down in any attempt there is weeping and wail- ing and gnashing of teeth. The South Carolina Muddle. E. A. Webster, the republican national committeeman from South Carolina, will see President McKinley early next week about the federal offices in that state. The outlook is that he’ will dictate what will be done. The President has expressed a desire to see the two factions in the state come together. Efforts have been made to do this, but they are futile up to date. Lawson Melton, the head of the anti-Web- ster faction, has beer here a month, but he and Webster cannot agree. Both have had conferences with the national com- mittee, which favors Webster, whose fac- tion was recognized at the St. Louis con- vention. The Webster people claim that the national committee, through Secretary Dick, has told the Melton people that the only way they can get recognition is to throw up their organization and pledge themselves to act with the Webster fac- uo hereaftea or unui they are anle to de- feat the Wehsterites. within the pariy rarks. These conditions are considered too hard and may not be accepted. If noth- ing is done the Webster people will get all the offices and Webster himself will become collector of internal reversue. Law- son Melton, the leader of the other fac- tich, wants to be district attorney. Indian Territory Marshalship. | stor wanted Roostvelt out of New York Big “Jack” Ellis of the Indian territory, well known in Washington, will not be marshal of the middle district of the In- dian territory. The President, it is un- derstood, will appoint Jasper P. Grady, who has the backing of the party machin- ery in the territory. Bllis couldn't get the backing of the territorial machine, but has made a fight anyhow. The A. P. A. is said to be back of him. ‘There are three districts in the territory. ‘The terms of the offices in the othg® districts have not expired. : Mr. Scott Comfident. Mr. N. B. Scott, repupdican national com- mitteeman from West Virginia, is quoted as being confident of his &ppointment as com- -nissioner of internal revenue, to succeed Mr. Forman, appointed to that office during the last weeks of President Cleveland’s ad- ministration. In a reeent interview at his home in Wheeling Mr. Scott expressed himself on the subject’ as follows: “When I was in Washington, a month ago, I saw the President, and we talked over the matter, At that time he promised to appoint me commissioner of internal revenue, and the pro: as made with- out equivoeation. The intment wiil not Le made until June or Jaty out of deference to Mr. Forman, the it incumbent, who was a candidate fer governor of Illi- nois on the gold democratic ticket, and who made considerable saerifices for the: gold standard. Before leaving the President he said to me: ‘Mr>Scett, if you and I live till July, you will be the commissioner. o- HE HAD ALITTLE LIST District Government Qlerks Thrown Into a State of Consternation. ‘The clerks employed at the District puild- ing were thrown into a state of excitement this afternoon by bejng called upon to state their politics. The. demand came from a clerk in the office of the auditor, who had been, he said, detajJed to get up the rec- ord. He carried with him a large number of legal cap pages, with the names of the cierks, their positiogs;and the salary they received placed opposite. When questioned as to his authority for demanding the in- formation, he said nothing and referred ail inquirers to the auditor. Inquiries among cierks and the heads of the respective de- partments elicited nothing. Meanwhile the clerk with his deadly list was traversing the building. Application was made to the secretary of the boerd for the authorship of the or- der, but he said he knew absolutely noth- ing of it. Severai of the clerks hurried af- ter The Star reporter to find out something definite of the order. The Star man im- mediately repaired to Commissioner Ross, the president of the beard, through whom all orders of this character must come. He had not heard of it, and said in passing that he thought it ili-advised. Engineer Commissioner Black deprecated the movement. He also had not heard of it, was positive thatthe Commissioners did {not sanction it, and thought such an order most inadvisable at this time. Auditor Petty wag sphinxlike in his re- plies. He was not at liberty, he said, to State from whom he received the order, but would answer to the Commissioners when called upon. He-had only carried out instructions. The work suddenly ceased when it became known that a majority of the Commissioners opposed it, and nothing else was done to: completing the hst during the day. The matter worked almcst @ complete demoralization of the clerical force, and the clerks discussed the subject the remainder cf thé afternoon. It transpired later that the clerk who made the. inquiries did ‘so at the bidding of Commissioner Truesdell. | Commissioner Truesdell said that there was no signifi- cance in the matter at all; that he had been told that there Was a’ report to the effect that a latge miajority of the em. Ployes in the District-bufldings were dem- ocrats, and he had haib the inquiries made to show that the report was not true. — as MR. BUCK’S NOMINATION. Protests Against Hit'Genfirmation Re- ceived: by Senators. It is understoog tha’ the nomination of Mr. Buck of Georgig @p:minister to Japan is kely te be hung up-im:the Senate for a while. Protests agaimst! his confirmation have been received. 4 nators, and the indication is that a. ined fight upon him is contemplated, Eetters received have requested that the nolstination be hung up in committee until.sore formal protests, with grounds of objection, could be for- warded. pee - Personal -Meation. Gen. Porter, ambassador to France, has arranged to start for Paris by the steamer St. Paul, from New4York, on the 5th prox- imo. Consul General Osborne will start for rarer a the same steamer. leu . L. Rodgers of at i735 N street on leave of absence, Passed Assistant sineer T. W. Kin- kaid of the Terror is dt 1514 30th street. this morning from Mr.~Nelll, secretary of legation at saying that Minis- ter J. A. shas been seriously i with brain much better,” the United States, if it refuses to shelter ; bankruptcy bili, stating thet he would con- | on the bankruptcy bill. He said there was |no public demand for the drastic collec- tions Continued Tcday. THE BANKRUPTCY eee The Senate galleries were well filled again today in expectation of a continuance of the Cuban debate. Mr. Chandler offered a resolution, which was agr-ed to, as fol- by the reorganization of Senate c went over, Mr. Chandler p amendment to be urged when tion is taken up. The amen-iment prov: that on Tuesday, April 2 es 1897—TWELVE PAGES. “A DISGRACED RAG” What Senator Morgan Says of the His Speech on His Cuban Resolu- ACT lows: “Resolved, That the committee on tigate the payments made or agreed to be made by the interstate commerce co.n- es the attorneys the commission have also been cm- cases; and further whether any additional the employment of counsel in any pening proceedings which have been instituted The resolution of Mr. Senate will proceed to Mr. Morgan Continues His Speech. The Morgan resolution Cesaring that a up without cbjection, and Mr. Morgan re- senator reverted to the statement of M Hate yesterday that the number of Ame! duced to twelve. In sareas tones Mr. curred were the result of application by our government, and perhaps :t would be appropriate to adopt a vote of thanks to Spain for not slaying these prison-rs out- United States Flag. interstate commerce be directed to inves- mission for attorney: fees: and als ployed by railroad comp: 3 in similar authority from Congress is requirel fer or on motion of the commission mittees. state of war exists in Cuba was then taken sumed his speech in support of it. The can prisoners in Spanish prisons was Morgan said that such reteases as had © right. Aside from the official testimony as to the condition in Cuba, the news- paper press had up a mass of tes- timony which established beyond question that the war was being prosecuted by Spain contrary to all the rules of civilized warfare. Mr. Morgan cormmented on a letter writ- ten by Dupuy de Lome, the Spanish min- ister, to Miss Clara Barton, reiative to Red Cross work in Cuba. In the course of the letter use 1s made of the exp “during the present war.” ‘This, dec Mr. Morgan, was an inadvertent admis- au sion by the Spanish minister, despit his diplomatic cunning. that war wa3 go- ing on. And yet Congress and ihe Presi- dent would not recognize that st of war which would assure to Ameri i oners the treatment of prisoners of war and not of insurrectionists. Protection of American Prisoners. Mr. Morgan said the question of pro- tecting Americans imprisored !n- Spanish prisons could not turn on numbers; whether or 12 were in prison. Suppose, instead of 74, it had been only one. Who could say that the United States government would maintain its dignity by standing by while this one American citizen was held by Spain in violation of treaty provisions and contrary to every principle of civilization and justice. The United States had warned off European nations from all control over Cuba, said Mr. Morgan. We seemed to ex- ercise a-sort of guardtanship over that Is- lend as against all other nations. “But,” exclaimed the senator, “that guardianship, if we have it, is like the guardianship of the devil over a condemne soul. We are warning nations that the st hold aloof, while we stand by and see the inquisitorial methods of Spanish war- fare, Spanish dungeons and Spanish tyran- ny executed against Cubans and against our own people without one word of pro- test.” Mr. Morgan yielded temporariiy for a mo- tion by Mr. Carter (Mont.) that when the Senate adjourn it be until next Monday. Mr. Hoar (Mass.) urged that the Senate cught to g> on with the bankruptcy bill. at least tomorrow, and on his request Mr. Carter withdrew the motion. Resuming, Mr. Morgan spoke of the Com- petitor expedition. He reviewed the cir- cumstances of the case; the departure of the little schooner probably with the pur- pcse of carrying aid to the insurgents. In particular. the senator took up the case of ycung Owen Melton, one of the Competitor prisoners, and followed the progress of his trial and his imprisonment incommunicado in the Spanish dungeons. Mr. Morgan de- clared that it was a long course of violation of theaty rights and the erdinary methods of judicial procedure. Young Melton’s Case. Young Melton, said he, was held today in a loathsome dungeon, not because guilt had been established against him, but be- cause he is a young American boy. He was held in a miserable place in which, at times, forty other prisoners were srowded. Three pails of water were brought to them daily to quench the thirst from the rations of dry codfish. These facts had been Stated to the Senate committee of foreign relations by two credible witnesses, in- cluding Rev. Dr. Diaz. Mr. Morgan ihen reviewed the case of Rev. Dr. Diaz. While preaching at Havana bombshells had bean thrown into his church; he and his brother were arrested and hel for seven days in- cemmunicado. The evidence of such Span- ish cruelty came to the Senate from ur- impeachable sources. It was, declared the senator, a record of horror unmentionable to decent and civilized ears. It could rot even be described on the floor of the Sen- ate without shocking all present and driv- ing people from the galleries to the cuter corridors. Mr. Morgan read portions of the evidence siven by Messrs. Lawrence and Diaz and heretofore published as a senate document. Mr. Morgan said he had tried for a year to Bet from the State Department facts in the case of Owen Melton, and not until the closing days of the last administration was he able to get even a partial statement. The Senate would be in the dark today as to the Melton case if the committee had not secured evidence of the facts. There was not a more innocent man on the face of the earth than Owen Melion, and yet this young American was held by Spain in flag- rant and contemptuous defiance of treaty rights. The Flag “n Disgraced Rag.” Mr. Morgan read from the laws and treaties to skow the unjustifiable character of Melton’s imprisonment. And yet this American is lying in that Spanish jail, and no President, ro official raises his hand to save him. Then the senator explained with great vehemence, “‘Whether there are sev- enty-four priscners in Cuba or 74,000, or whether it {s one in the person of Owen Melton, this Arkansas youth, the flag of him, is a disgraced rag.” .Mr. Morgan gave way at 2 o'clock to the tinue his speech at the next meeting of the Senate. =A The Bankruptcy Bill. Mr. Nelson @tinn.) addressed the Senate tion machinery provided by the Torrey bankruptcy bill. When the measure came “~~{Continued on Second Page.) A NEW CGHAIRMAN Gen. H. V. Boynton at the Head of the Chickamauga Commission. He Succeeds the Late Gen, F: Duffield Appointed to the Vacancy Thas Made. jerton— Gen, The reorganization of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga national park commis- sion, necessitated by the recent death of its chairman, Gen. J. S. Fullerto: perfected by Secretary Alger today. Ger: eral Henry V. Boynton, who has assisted the commission in historical work, was transferred to full membership in the com- mission and appointed chairman, and Gen. H. M. Duffield was appointed to the va- cancy caused by Gen. Boynton's promo- tion. The other members of the commission are Gen. A. P. Stewart and Major F. G. Smith, U. S. A. The latier is secretary. Gen. Duffield, the new memb is a resi- dent of Detroit. “lich. «nd is eminently qualified by education and experience for Gen, H. V. Boynton. ris new duties. He was an active and courageous participant in the battles of Chickamauga and Chattanooga, being on duty at the headquarters of Gen. Rose- crans and Gea. Thomas at the tme, and se prominent y identiticd wiia aigns and battles of the Army of the Cumberland. He is an officer of the Society of the Army of the Cumberland, and was its orator on the occasion of the dedication of the statue of President Garfield in this city. His selection as historian of the com: missicn is highly commended on all sides. Gen. Boynton, the new chzirman of the commission, needs no introduction or words of praise in this community, where he has been so long and favorably known. EGRESS BARRED FROM THE MAILS. Fraudulent Practices Meet Prompt Punishment. The E. S. Dean brokerage concern, whore suspension of operaticns at New York and elsewhere already has gained general no- tice, has been formally barred from the mails by fraud orders issued today by the Postmaster General. The orders are di- rected against the firm's offices in New York city, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Vin- cennes, Ind., and name the’ following: E. S. Dean, E. S Dean & Co., the E. S. Dean Company, Myron L. Bernard, Edward F. Farrand and Goslin & Company. The Postmaster General has issued a lot- tery order against the Colonial Savings and Lean Company of Louisville, Ky., and W. J. Hoover, its general manager, and fraad orders against the Metropolitan Collecting Agency of New York city and the Ameri- can Collecting Agency of Rockland, Me. ——_——-e+____ A POST OFFICE SCANDAL. With The Philadeiphia Office the Subject of Complaint. Charges of injustice and irregularities against the past administration of the Philadelphia post office were made by a delegation from tne carriers of that office today in a hearing before First Assistant Postmaster Gem-1al Heath. The delegation consisted of Carriers Will- jam M. Butcher, Philip Walters, Richard T. Dearce, Joseph R. Upham and Edward Van Etten. Representatives Young, Har- mer, Adams and Bingham were with them. Messrs. Harmer and Young requested an investigation and asked that the injustice, if proven, be corrected and, if any viola- tion of civil service law is shown, that the full penalty be enforced. Compiaint was made of a decrease in the force of carriers after it had been increased in November, 1894, by eighty-nine democrats who had been regularly appointed from a demo- cratic substitute list. The decrease was ninety-five men, and they alleged that by this reduction seventy-two republicans and four democrats (who had failed to con- tribute to a political assessment of 3% per cent of their salaries) were placed upon the substitute list. They also protested against the secret agent espionage, and also made other charges, including one that the force is too small. ——___ e«. THE PACIFIC RAILROAD DEBTs. Senator Gear's Report on the Bill Authorizing a mixsion. Senator Gear of Iowa today made a re- pert on the bill to authorize a commission, consisting of the Secretaries of the Treas- ury and Interior and the Attorney General, to adjust the debts of Pacific railroads to the goverrment. The report reviews in detail the financial condition of the roads and their relations to the government. The bills for extend- ing the debts of the roads have failed to pass Congress, it is said, because of its judgment that the questions are so compli- cated that it could not devote the requisite time to the consideration or reach satisfac- tory conclusions. Therefore the committee thinks it would best express the wishes of Congress by a plan permitting executive officers, with the approval of the Presi- dent, to make an adjustment of the owners of the property. ——.-—____ The Assistant Secretary’s Duties. Secretary Long has amended the naval regulations governing the duties of the assistant secretary of the navy so as to Provide as follows: “The assistant secre- tary will perform such duties as may be prescribed by the Secretary or required by law. All orders issued by the assistant secretary in the discharge of such auties will be considcred as orders of the Secre- tary, and will be obeyed and respecicd ac- cordingly.” ———_-o-+_____ Resolutions Approved. Just before bis departure from the city yesterday afternoon the President ap- proved the joint resolution the appropriation for renewal of the patrol system of the District of Columbia im- mediately available, and the joint resol:- tion authorizing the Secretary of the Navy to transport centributions for the relief of the suffering poor in India. ——-+$_$_+o+ — Denth of Col. Best. Adjutant General Ruggles received today of the death of Colonel C. L. Fetired, in New York city. Hi DISTRICT CHARITIES ie Hearing Before the Joint Congres- sional Committee Today. SEVERAL EXPLANATORY LETTERS Mr. Wilson's Criticisms of the Con- duct of Hospitals. -_ THE REFORM SCHOOL The investigation by the congressional joint committee on charities now in prog- ress is likely to prove a matter of consider- able importance to all charitable and mosynary institutions in the District questions asked by members of the mittee it is already apparent that the mittce proposes to sift the subject t oughly, and there is evidence of posstt recommendations by the committee which will change materially the present methods of conducting these institutions. Yesterday afternoon after The Star's re- port had closed Secretary Wilson of the As- sociated Charities was recalled and ques- tioned at some length by Senator MeM!Nan, Mr. Wilson stated that in his opinion the institutions that are now receiving go! ment aid could be conducted more ecnom!- cally and as efficiently if the »ropriations Fi com- were withdrawn. Mr. Wilson made some rather caustic comments upon the conduct of the hospitals of the city that are now being aided by the government. He cited a case where a little boy suffering from diph> theria had been carted around from one to another of these hospitals and refus mission, and the health officer of the Dts trict had no authority to compel any of them to take him in, although they were Supported in large part by the government Mr. Wilson said he knew of one very prominent hospital whose main support was derived from federal appropriations, and yet to all intents and purposes this hospital was a close corporation, private corporation, in fact. One of the officers had admitted to him that the hospital was to all intents and purposes a close cor- poration, that the officials could admit whom they pleased and refuse treatment to whom they pleased. Upon being pressed by the committee to name this hospital Mr. Wilson said it was the Central Dispensary and Emergency Hospital, which, in his opinion, was a private corporation support- d largely by the government. Mr. Wilson thought that if the United States con- tributes to the support of hospitals in the District it should own them entirely. He did not recommend withdrawing aid, be- cause that would be a very bad thing. but d ad- 1 he thought the government should take complete charge of them, Reformatory fitations. At the hearing this afternoon the pro- gram laid out by the committee was as follows: Subject, “Reformatory Institu- tions.” Those invited to attend were the officers of the reform school for boys aud the officers of the reform school for girls. The topics of discussion were the work of the reform school for boys and girls, and the needs of the institutions; the manage- ment of the schools and extent of the supervision exercised by the Department of Justice. Questicns to be asked were: Should the control be transferred to the District au- thorities? Do the schools provide for all necessary cases? What becomes of the boys and girls discharged from the schools? and the conditicns of the most economical management? It was also proposed to take up this a’ ternoon the subjects of the insane, th deaf and dumb and the {ceble-minded. Those to be heard were Dr. Godding of St. Elizabeth, Dr. Gallaudet of Kendall Green and Mr. Lewis of the board of chil- dren’s guardians. These were to be ques- tioned, respectively, upon the provision for the care of the District insane and the method of committment; of the deaf and dumb of the District at Kendall Gre of the feeble-minded, in what instita:ions placed, the comparative cost at various in- stitutions and the increase or decrease in the number of cases; also the need of an institution for inebriates. Letters Received. At the hearing this afternoon letters were received from Dr. Godding of the Insane Asylum and Prof. Gallaudet of the Deaf and Dumb Institution, setting forth the work of those institutions, and giving statistics of the cost of their conduct and number of inmates. The interests of the reform school wet represented by several members of th board of irustees, consisting of Col. Cecil pres >; Mr. N. W. Burchell, Mr. James E. Fitch, Mr. Crosby 8. Noy Mr. W. M. Shuster, jr., Mr. 8. W. Curriden # Supt. Geo. A. Shailenberger. Col. Ciay submitted a written statement in answer to the questions propounded by the com- mittee. This statement showed that the average number of inmates is 219, of whom 6% per cent are committed by the District courts, 17 per cent by the United Sta‘es courts and 14 per cent by the president of the board. The paper set forth the need for an assem- bly hall, and suggested legislation giving the trustees some control over the boys after their discharge from the school. In reply to the question, “Should the control be transferred to the District au- thorities,” Col. Clay’s paper said: “The Attorney General being charged by law with matters relating to the imprison- ment or discharge of convicted offenders against the laws of the United States, us well as with matters relating to the reform school and jatl in the District of Columbi: it does not appear that any part of hi duties in respect to these matters should be taken from him ard put in other hands. “For some years after its incorporation no appropriation was made for support of the inmates of the reform school, the District of Columbia paying a certain sum per week for such of its boys as were com- mitted to the school. Shertly after the adcption of the present system of gov- ernment for the District of Columbia. and agreeably to the plan of placing upon the District of Columbia the obligation of sl.ar- ing with the general government in the payment of certain expenses, appropria- tion was made for the support of inmates of the reform school, onc-nalf to be paid by the District of Columbia. “Appropriations have been £0 made an- nually since. This legislation simply pro- vided a different method for paying for the support of such boys as shoud be sent to the school from the District of Co- lumbia. Before that time the Distric: of Columbia paid board for them. “By the act of June 4, 1880, it was pro- vided that ‘one of the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, to be sclected by the board of commissioners, shall be a trustee, with all the po' privileges and duties sof other trustess’ of the school. And by the act of March 3, 1881, it was provided that the officers of t schcol should, at the end of each fiscal year, make a report to the Commissioners