Evening Star Newspaper, April 29, 1897, Page 1

=—oo —___+ ——_ PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY, AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Penneyivania Avenue, Cor. llth 8t., by th Pea ee, Som Few York Of'ce, 49 Petter Building. ‘The Evening Star is served to subscribers in the city by carriers, on their own account. at 10 cents per week. or 44 cents per mouth. Copies at the counter 2 cents each. By mail—anywhere in the United States or Cunada—postage prepaid—50 cents per month. ‘Saturday Sheet Sear, $1 per year, with foreign postage added. $3.00. (Entered at the Post Office at Wash‘ngton, D. C., as second-class mail matter.) EF-All wail subscriptions must be paid in advance. Rates of advertising made known om application. THE EVENING STAR. Che En en gq Star. No. 13,778. WASHINGTON, D. C., THURSDAY,‘ APRIL 29, 1897-FOURTEEN PAGES. TWO CEN “Want” advertisements in The Star pay because they bring answers. THE TARIFF BILL Conference Between the Two Wings of the Senate Committee. BETTER UNDERSTANDING ON BOTH SIDES No Time Yet Fixed to Make the Report. MR. QUAY’S AMENDMENTS. —___.____—_ ‘The conference between the republicans and lemocrats of the Senate finance com- mittee today resulted in a better under- standing between the two wings of the committee. There is now a prospect that an agree- ment may be reached by which the repub- licans will be enabled to report the bill to the Senate within a day or two after it has been reported to the full committee. The republicans assured their democratic asso- ciates on the committee that their only ob- ject-in asking an immediate report was to avoid the importunities which would be overwhelming as scon as the bill was made public, and that there was no purpose to curtail the opportunity of the democrats to make a complete examination of the bill. They proposed to the democrats that the time necessary for the opposition to make up this case should be given after the bill Was reported to the Senate, instead of be- fore. What the Democrats Wan: The democrats replied that they could not tell what it might be necessary for them to do until they had seen the bill, but that they would be willing todo any- thing reasonable. It was urged by the republicans that the importunities resulting from a long delay in committee after the bill was made pub- lic would be scarcely less annoying to the cemocrats than to the republicans. ‘The upshot of the conference was that the democrats said that they bad seen the bill ther® would likely be things in the bill on which they would want to put the republicans of the commmittee on record. A day or two might sutfice for that, and then they might be disposed to the report to be made, wi agreenent on the part of the republ that they (the opposition) should have the time necessary for a careful examination of the bill before it was called up for con- sideration. Details of the Conference. The committee was in session for an hour today, four republicans and four dem- ocrats being present. The absentees werc Piatt, republican, of Connecticut; Jones, democrat, of Arkansas, and Jones, silver republican, of Nevada. No conclusion of any kind regarding the tariff bill was reached, although the republicans said they hoped to be able to report the bill to the full committee on Monday. The republicans asked that a time be fixed for reporting the bill to the Senate, but the democrats would not agree to’ fix a date, saying they wanted a reasonable time to consider the bill and that there would be no undue delay. The democrats were not shown a copy of the bil nor did they receive any information regarding its char- acter. The republicans stated that their work Was not sufficiently advanced to permit the presentation of copies of the bill to tie democrais, but they vouchsafed no infor- mation in regard to changes beyond stat- ing that they were generaily in the lin2 of reductions. The discussion was of a con- versational character, ahd was participated in by all the senators present. One Thing Uncertain, One fact developed during the conference was that the republicans did not feel abso- lutely assured of the vote of Senator Jones of Nevada in committee. On the other hand, the democrats expressed confidence that he would stand with them, at least to the extent of seeing that they had time for consideration of the bill in committee. Senntor Quay’s Amendments. Senator Quay of Pennsyivania today in- troduced in the Senate a list of amendmen:s te the tariff bill, which he proposes to of- fer when the bill is before. the Senate. The amerdments propose to place on the free list crude asphaltum and bitumen, mackerel, salmon and halibut, regalia gems, statues, statuary and specimens of casts of sculpture imported for the use of educational or religious societies or bodies. or institutions of jearning, not including. however, perscnal property of individuals. Other amendments propose to change hops from 15 to $ cents a pound, hydraulic cements. Roman, Portland and ot & to 121-2 cents per 100 pounds, and other precious stones from 15 per cent ad valorem; . oranges, lemons, limes, grape fruit and ‘shaddocks from to 11-2 cents per pound. Printing paper for books and newspap-rs it is proposed to change from 15 per cent to 1-2 cent per pound and 10 per cent, and the following rates on wood pulp are pro- posed: Mechanically ground. 1-4 cent per pound; chemical, unbleached, 3-8 cent; bleached. 1-2 cent. Cattle valued at more than $20 per head the senator proposes to charge 30 per cent ad valorem on, and he offers a new para- graph providing thet cattle, horses, sheep and other domestic animais which may stray across the boundary into a foreign country, or be driven across for pasturage, may, with their increase, be readmitted ree. Rates on cast polished plate glass, sil- vered cylinder and crown glass, silvered and looking-giass plates are suggested as follows: Not exceeding 16 by 24 inches square, 11 cents per square foot: above that and not exceeding 24 by 30 inches, 15 cents: above that and not exceeding 24x60, 27 cents: all above that, 40 cents. Changes in the duties on cork bark are proposed, slightly decreasing the - rates: pitch of coal tar and creosote ofl are pro- posed to be stricken from the free list; car- bons for electric lighting of 12 inches length or less, $10 per 1,000; over 12 inches, $10 for each 12 inches or fraction thereof. To Enlarge the Bond \ Secretary Gage has rerewéd mendation made by his predecessor that an appropriation of $30,000 be made for the purpose of enlarging the bond vault in the Tnited States treasury, making it as nearly burglar-proof as possible. Heavy steel lining and modern doors are desired for the better safeguarding of the $00,000,000 United States bonds kept there as security for national bank notes, etc. ——— St The Cheetaw Agreement. The Dawes Indian commission and the representatives of the Choctaw-and Chick- asaw tribes, who, five days ago, at Anoka, Indian territery, jointly executed an agree- ment or treaty for abolishing tribal organi- zation and allotting lands in severalty, have reached here, and have announced formally the results of their conferences. The agree- ment now has to be ratified by the Senate. + 2-+-_____ Postal Rates Doubled. The government of Bolivia hus notified the Post Office Department that the letter rates cf mail to the United States and to ail paris of have been com- mencing with 189%. This will the postage cn an “fetter 22° cents. PROMOTIONS OF CLERKS LEWIS IS SENTENCED New Regulations to Be Adopted in All Gov- ernment Departments. The Civil Service Commission Claims the Right to Examine Employes Well as Applicants for Work. As soon as the present rush of office seek- ers im all the departments in this city is over the question of adopting new regula- tions ior the promotion of government em- ployes will be taken up in all the depart- ments which have not already arranged to have promtions made in conformity with regulations fcrmulated by the civil service commission, and approved by a board of the department to which they are to apply. About a year ago the civil service com- mission began to seriously consider wheth- er it was within the meaning of the iaw that promotions in the government service should be made without regard to the com- missicn, which could only, as the law was then applied, regulate appointments to the government service. The commission began to consider section 7 of the act to regulate the civil service of the United States, which reads as follews: “That after the expiration of six months from the passage of this act no officer cr clerk shall be appointed, and no person shall be employed to enter or be promoted in either cf the said classes now exi: or that may be arranged hereunder purs' ant to said rules, until he has passed an examination, or is shown to be specially ex- empted from such examination 1 conform- ity herewith.” Claims of Civil Service Commission. This provision in the civil service law had previously been construed to warrant examination for apvointment only by the civil service commission, while all exami- nations for promotion were conducted by exuminicg toards appointed by the heads of departments and regulations for examina- tions, and the examinations themselves Were carried on independently by such boards. The commission argacs that the law authorized it to examine for promotion as well as fur appointment, and taking the matter up, succeeded in having the Post Office Department and the railway mail service adopt regulations for promotions which were formulated by the commission ard approved by the department, thi action being taken under the direciion of President Cleveland. Rules were formu- lated for the government of the Navy De- partment, and were approved by Secretary Herbert, but they did not o into effect until Secretary Long came into office and epproved them during the first days of his acministration. All other government departments are now operating under their own regula tions, and clerks in them are greatly in- terested in the matter of the change which, it is believed, will Le brought around in the next six months. At present clerks are entitled to sick leave in departments, other thgn Post Office and Navy Depart. ments, without lewering their cfficiency records, on which promotions are based. Under the rules, as now enforced, a cierk or other employe receives credit in his efficiency record for application and gen- Re beeen behavior in the pursuance of his work. The Civil Service Idea. The rules as adopted by the ctvil service commission regulating promotions do not give a clerk credit for application and gen- eral good conduct, on the ground that he {s expected to maintain a high standard on these two points, and provide for marking his record down ff he fails om them; also provide for marking down the efficiency record of a clerk kept away fromthe office by sickness, ciaiming that while such e!ck- ness is a misfortune to the clerk, it is: also a misfortune to the government in the loss of time, and does actually lower the efficiency oz’ the clerk. In the departments in which this “new regulation has been put in force it 1s claimed that there is very much less ab- sence from sickness’ than was formerly the case. The civil service commission's promotion rules aiso. provide a special mark on the character of work, so that clerks doing work requiring a high degree of skill receive credit for that fact, where- as formerly they were placed on the level with clerks deing labor of a routine and very ordinary character. Al present there is no inclinaticn on the part of cabinet officers to interfere with the rules governing promotions in their offices, and they are not Ikely to do so until they have corrected what has been claimed to be acts of injystice on the part of the iast administration in lowering many re- publican clerks. But just a3 soon as changes of this character are made the departments will take up the question of providing new rules governing promotions according to the executive order issued by President Cleveland about a year before he retired from office. SE S UNCLE SAM'S SNUG HARBOR. Plans Completed for the Great Re- ceiving Basin at League Island. The Navy Department has just completed its plan for the creation of a great receiv- ing basin at the League Island navy yard, and, as proposals for the dredging are t¢ issue very soon, the work will, it is expect- ed, be well under way by the Ist of July. The basin is intended to be used for the safe keeping of ships out of commission oi* those laid up as part of thé new reserve, and Congress has appropriated $100,000 toward its construction. - In addition to°that sum, the bureau of yards and docks has $27,000 to its cree ioe dredging purposes, and this aggregate sutice for the constructicn of the original basin. The plans of the. bureau are so Grawn that, beginning with @ small basin in the back channel, next to the mouth of the Schuylkill, the dredging can be carried on from year to year until the entire back channel as far as Broad street has been turned into a vast’ receiving basin. The origisal basin will be 1,000 -feet long by suv feet broad at the bottom and 420 feet at the tcp, with @ depth of 30 feet, and the pres- ent 11-foot channel from the Delaware will be dredged out to 26 feet depth. This basin, it is expected, will accom- Taodate froin two to six ships, according to size, as they can de laid closely alongside by means of cables tastened on either shore, aud in such a fresh water basin, free from ihe corrosive action of sait water and the growth of harnacles, steel ships may be preserve almost indefinitely. ——— Cabinet Officers Back. ~ Nearly all the members of the cabinet were at their desks, as usual, today. Most of them returned from New York yester- day afternoon on the presidential train. In that party were Secretary Sherman and Mrs. McCallum, Secretary Alger and fam- | ily, Postmaster General Gary and family, Secretary Long, Attorney General McKen- ra, Secretary Wilson and family and the members of the diplomatic corps, ——————_o+—_—____ West Point Cadets Appointed. The following have been appointed cadets at the United States Military Academy: — Edwerd Canfield, jr., Middletown, N.Y., with Harry B. McLaughlin, N.Y., as olternate; Delbert A. Gunder, Ply- mouth, Ind., alternate; i ci N.Y., with’ as Mrs, Reidel’s Assailant to Be Hanged June 4, SCENE IN COURT THIS MORNING Departure of the Soldiers From Fairfax. Court House. PERIL OF THE PRISONER —EE Special Dispatch te The Eve sng Star. FAIRFAX C.H., Va., April 29.—Fairfax Court House has resumed its normal con- dition, and all is quiet and serene. The in- tense excitement that has existed for the Past few days has subsided, and the peo- ple are now satisfied that James Lewis, the negro ravisher of Mrs. Ida Reidel at Rose Hull farm, near Alexandria, will meet his fate at the hands of the law. The Monticello Guards of Charlottesville, sent here yesterday afternoon by Gov. O’Ferrall, left for home early this morning. Hardly a dozen persons were up when the scldier boys marched out of town, down the dusty road to Fairfax station, three and a half miles from the court house. Shortly after 3 o’clock yesterday after- noon the third trial of James Lewis, charg- ed with assaulting Mrs. Ida Reidel, on the neght of April 13, began before a jury of farmers and business men that had been summored from Falls Church and Centre- ville. Commonwealth’s Attorney Love Gpened the case for the commonwealth, and set ferth in clear tones what he pro- pesed to prove, and ended by asking the jury to impcse sentence of death, should the case be proved beyond a reasonable doubt against Lewis. Mr. R. E. Thornton, one of the attorneys for the defense, made the opening state- ment for Lewis. Mrs. Reidel was the first witness put on the stand, and through Mr. Louis Krafft of Alexandria, who acted as interpreier, she being unable to speak the English lan. guage, told the story that she had told be fore the two juries who had failed to agree. She was fcllowed by her son, whose testimony corroborated hers. A number of other witnesses were put on the stand, but their testimony was unimportant. Lewis took the stand in his own defense, ard in a bold, defiant, though rambling way, tried to prove an alibi, by account- ing for his movements from 7 o'clock the night of the crime until his arrest at Charlottesville, the Sunday night follow- ing. But he was unfortunately unable to prove where he was afier 9 o'clock the night of the crime: unt#l 9 o'clock the next m-rning, when he arrived at Ditchley telé- greph tower on tne Southern raftroad. Mrs. Reidel positively identified Lewis as ner assailant, tor the moon was shin- ing brightly and she saw him distinctty a#nd recognized him again in the jail at Fairfax Court House the day he was brought here from Alexandria, although he was with five or six other negroes. When the evidence was all in the court adjourned for an hour and a half for sup- per and a rest, as a!l had been under such a heavy strain for several days. After supper Mr. Vernon Ford closed the case for the defense and made a fine argu- ment in view of all the facts. He was followed by Mr. James M. Love, who cloced the case for the commonwealth. Mr. Love's appeal was eloquent in the ex- treme. He referred to the lack of moral courage in the former jury, who had heard the convincing testimony presented, and failed to agree, and earnestly begged that these twelve men would give the pris- oner the fuil extent of the law. . Lewis in Peril. It was about 8:30 o'clock when the jury took the case and returned to their room. Every one expected that they would at once return and render a verdict inflicting the death penalty. They had not been out long hefore the crowd became impatient, and fears were freely expressed that the jury had again disagreed. After waiting fully forty-five minutes a rumor spread that the jury stood as in the two former trials—eleven for cap- ital puntshment and one for a penitentiary sentence of twenty years. It was subse- quently learned that the report was not without foundation, as one juryman had deliberated a considerable time before vot- ing for the death penalty. The militiamen were not inside of the court house, as Judge Lipscomb had previously ordered that they should not be admitted, and it seemed that nothing could prevent a lynching. It is asserted that had the jury deliberated five minutes longer Fair- fax would have witnessed the amazing spectacle of a man lynched inside the court house, before the eyes of the judge sitting on the bench, and with court in session and a military company stationed outside. A man in the crowd stood not a half-dozen feet from the prisoner with a rope under his coat, ready to throw it about the vic- tim’s neck as soon as the signal should be given. A large mob was stationed at the door to prevent the entrance of the guards, and several meu stood ready to seize the sheriff and guards when the word should be given. It was arranged that the rope shouid be quickly placed around the neck of the prisoner and thrown over the bal- cony, and while the victim was heid up his body riddled with ‘ullets before, the in- fantry could posiibi’ have reached the court room from the r position outside. Excitement ran hig 1, but Lewis sat quiet- ly between the two bailiffs, and appeared not to heed his peril. He seemed not very nervous, but confidently relied upon the soldiers to protect iiis life. It was a pe- culiar situation—a jury endeavoring to fix @ sentence of ‘death anda mob”ready to lynch the prisoner shoule it fail to do so, while the crowd was all ready to act. The extreme situation was conveyed to the jury room, with the information that unless they returned in three minutes there would be no further uge for them, save to hold a coroner’s inquest. Then the jury filed in and took their seats. The Verdict Announced. “Mr. Sheriff, you will please request those in the court room to remain quiet when the verdict is announced,” said Judge Lipscomb. * “Gentlemen, have you agreed upon a ver- dict, as read by Clerk Richardson?” ‘We have,” replied Foreman Simpscn, handing over the decree, which was read “We, the jury, find the prisoner, James Lewis, guilty as charged in the indictment, and fix the penalty for the same at death.” Notwithstanding Judge Lipscomb’s re- quest that no demonstration be made, deaf- posen ik shouts greeted the reading of the ve Lewis listened with the same epporent unconcern which has characterized con- Guct during ‘the three trials, and did not seem during the three trials, and did not hastily removed to the jail, some yards 4 ict had been read E. Thornton, one of the attorneys defense, requested that the jury be eB not enacted, though the escape was a = 7 I am innocent, and these pacple are perse- cuting me. I did not commit this hideous offense and shoul@ not have been con- victed for it.” } He went on in a@‘ranbling way to detail the circumstances conan:te@ with the case. After he had been ‘talking about twenty minutes he paused, When Judge Lipecomb interrupted wits, “Weil, “have you got anything more to’say?? “No, sir, judge, your. honor, I can’t say anything more, ex¢ept that I am inno- cent.” Judge Lipscomb then sentenced Lewis to be hanged in the»ail vard of the county June 4, between 5 and 10‘a.m, As this last semtence' left Judge Lips- comb’s lips in strong tones Lewis shivered. He was taken back to the jail and placed in close confinement. a — GOING TO CUBA Wm. J. Calhoun Selected’ to Investigate the Death of Dr, Ruiz. He iw a Personal Friend of the Presi- dent—He Will Come gZiere to Consult With Judge Day. President McKinley has selected William J. Calhoun of Danville, Ill., as special com- missioner to go to Cuba and conduct the investigation into the death of Ruiz. This selection is another evidence of the im- portance which the President attaches to the case. Mr. Calhoun hag: been his friend since boyhood and enjoys his confidence in the highest degree. He 1s @ tawyer of high standing at the Illingis bar. Mr. Calhoun was’ in Washington last week and was a guest at the White House when Judge William R. Day accepted the appointment of assistant secretary of state, thereby making It necessary for a new man to go to Cuba. Mr. Calhoun’s fitness for the position at once suggested itself to Maj. McKinley, and the matter was broached to him. The circumstances were explained and he was given to understand the deep per- sonal interest which the President felt in securing a thorough investigation of Ruiz’s death,as well as a report on the con- ditions in Cuba. While Mr. Calhoun was not ready to give a definite acceptance of the mission, he was tnclired to oblige the President. He left :for Iinois with the feeling that unless his private affairs pre- vented he would make the trip to Havana. Word received frum there indicates that he expects to leave next, Week, after spend- ing a few days in Waéitmgzon. Mr. Calhoun is tifty-fcugyears oid. He and Major McKinley went,to-sehool together at Potand, Ohio. Mr. Ihoun removed to Illinois at the close the war and prac- ticed his profession therewith success. He served in the legislature, but was never gctive in politics until asyear ago or more. Thep he exerted himself-amd was in com- mand of the McKinley: forces in Illinois when the presidential’nomination was con- tested. : He took a leading part:im the campaign after Maj. McKiniey’S moegaination. When the Illinois legislature was in a deadlock last January over the eleetion of Senator Palmer's successor, he wasdooked upon as a. promising: |:compromise candidate. The choice of William E. Maean sendered the compromise unnecesgary.. It has been commonly understocd fhat-at the first op- portunity President McBiimley-imtended to elevate Mr. Cathoun td apé federal bench. Before he: goes to'f fia Mr. Calhoun will consult with Judge Day. The latter had given thorough ‘study to the situation there, and had iiitarized himself with all the aetatls of the Ruiz case. It is likely that as assistant secretary of state Judge Day will in a measure have the manage- ment cf Cuban matters, and Mr. Calhoun’s mission will receive hid personal attention. 5 GEN. MILES’ ‘TRIP. He Will Go Regardicés of the Recent Turkish Vfctories. Secretary Alger told:a Star reporter to- day that it was.settled that Gen. Miles was going to visit the seat of war in Greece, and that he had already engaged passage for himself and his aid,Capt. Maus. He added that no orders have been issued on the subject, and he did not know that ary were contemplated; Gen. Miles has full authority to nake. tye trip, and is going regardless of the recent signal victories of the Turkish forees, ‘indicating a possible speedy termination of the war. it is understcod that: he will bear cre- dentials in the form of an autograph letter trom Fresident McKinley; commending him to the good ottices of aif United States rep- resentatives with whom.his researches may Lring him in contac Gen. Miles has an crgagement. in Phijadejphia this evening, and 18 cxpected he.e tomorrow n.orning. His present program is to sail on the St. Paul, jeaving ew York onthe 4th proximo, and to cross the: continent to Gresce by the quickest ‘railroad route, He will be gone two or three months, as in addition to naking a personal study of the uw ilitary features of the contest between the ‘Lurks and the Greeks hé purposes to imspect the military establishments of the principal European powers, Germany, i*rancé and England, and possibly, Russia. ‘he result of his observations willbe embcdied in an Olficial repor? to the President. ——_~'s+-— CAPT. MOSHER'’S. SUCCESSORS, Two Army Officers to Be Attached to the District National Guard. Although ¢he orders have not yet been issued it is prectiecaily settled that when Captain Theodore Mosher of the 224 United States Infantry is relieved from duty with the National Guard of the District in June next, two other officers of the army will be detailed to duty with that: organ‘za- tion. Captain M js adjutant generat and inspector-of the District militia, znd it is proposed to divide. the duties dcvolv- ing upon that offieer between Capta:n C. H. Heyl of the 23d Intantry, and Captain H. J. Slocum ‘of the 7th Cavairy.- Captain Heyi will be regularly assigned to duty with the adji general — military. guar the authorities, may. deanp necessary. sais Pe: Méntion, ° Tay ae Gen. T. S. Clarkson, Gommander-in-chiet of the G. A. R., is Jn the ¢ity. has returned to the ci Now leone’ = ia ir. larry . Fuller ral agent_of, the Che a Onio Rall. farerecovered from eperation on fe A LEGAL OPINION The Attorney General Appealed to by Public Printer Palmer. BITENT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE LAV Does It Apply to the Printing Office Employes? a EFFECI OF THE DECISION oes Se, ‘The retention of civil service regulations in the. government printing office will de- Perd upon an gpinion daily expected to be rendered by the Attorney General on the validity of that law as applied to the great printing establishraen “A short time ago,” said a republican member of Congress to a Star reporter to- day, “Public Printer Palmer requested the Attorney General to give him an opinion on the validity of the civil service law as applied to the government printing office. In the opinion of a number of able law- yers the civil service law does not today apply to that office, and if this opinion is backed up by the Attorney General, which I am confident will be the case, good-bye to civil service rules at the printing office. From the talks I have had with the public printer, from time to time, I am satisfied he would gladly be relieved from what he regards as unjust restrictions of his power as public printer, and to get away with what a number of republicans in the Sen- ate and House of Representatives regard, in its present method cf enforcement, as a very unjust law. The government prini- ing office was filled with democrats, and then without competitive exam.nation th blenket of civil service law was thrown over them. “Those lawyers who have looked into this matter, and believe the Attorney General w:ll agree with them, base their opinion that the civil service law does not apply to the government printing office, from the fact that section 45 of the laws governing public printing, etc., adopted January 12, 485, providcs ‘it shall be the duty of the public printer to employ workmen who are thoroughly skiiled in their respective branches of indusiry as showa by trial of their skill under his direction.’ “The civil service law was approved Jan- uary 16, Iss, and the law I have quoted, approved January 12, 1895, revokes thg vious law in its application to the gov diet placed nis forze under civil sei rules August 1, 1895, neariy seven months after the law revokiug the former law nad been approved.” Public Printer Palmer has received numerous protests from representatives in Congress regarding the law, which stands their way when they attempt to provide Places for their frie: in that establish- ment. He has replied to their onjections that he could only act within the law, and that until the Atcorney General advises bim regarding the legality of the present civil service regulations he than follow the course ado by his pre- decessor. The provision in seciio. 45 of the Fublic printing laws of Junnary 12, 18%, providing that trials of skill of employes of the government printiny office shall Le “under his direction” is looks] upon as conclusive evidence by these who consider the application of civil ser regulations to the printing office as Mlegal. They claim that examinations to test the skill of such employes, conducted by u ivil service commission, cannot be said be under the direction of the public printer. According tc this mterpretation, if the Attarney Gen- erai should decid» that the civil service law is repealed by the act of January 12, 1595, it will still be necessery for ap- pointees to places in the government print- ing office to pass examinations, but such examinations would be mezely for the yur- pose of indicating their abillty to do tie work to which they would be assigned, and will not make it necessary io select the men who secure the nighes: averag, es. It would leave the doors of the A: the printing office practically open to spoilsmen, and would make available creds of places now protectél by the service law ee ————— SENATOR PLATT MARRIED. He Concented His Intention Entirely From His Associates. As long as Senator Platt of Connecticut has been in the Senate, none of his col- leagues have ever suspected him of being sy. He has always been regarded as the personification of frankness. For a num- ber of weeks, since he has been working oa the tariff bill, his colleagues on the finance committee have noticed that during the most laborious deliberation on duties on siiks end laces and fine linens and flowers ard bonnets, a.far-off look has come into His eye and a smile of sweet contentment has come over his face. Day after day, while others of the committee have been impatient and worried from overwork, he has been smiling and amiable beyond any- thing ever known of him before. But while he smiled, he sald nothing, and it was assumed that he found pleasure in the contemplation of complicated schedules. Today when the ‘inance committee of the Serate me: Mr. Platt of Connegticut was absent. Then it was announced that he had gone to Montclair, N. J., and that he was to be marr-ed at 11 o'clock today. At this time the ceremony has occurred. No one here suspected that Senator Platt had any intention of marrying. He has been a widower for three years. Even his col- teague, Senator Hawley, did not know this morning of the contemplated marriage, and it was some time before the name of the jady could be learned. Senator Hawley had not the least suspicion of it. The lady is Mrs. Jennie P. Hoyt, a widow, whose husband was president of the Penn- sylvania Coal Company. Senator Platt took but three persons into his confidence, and these he told just before he left Wash- ington yesterday for Montclair, pledging them to secrecy. His son was the onty one of his relatives or friends notified to be Present. ‘3 When the information came to Mr. Platt’s colleagues in the Senate, it caused quite a sensation, and was a more interesting topic of discussion than the tariff. to which Mr. Platt has been supposed to be devoting ali his thoughts, erie te WE eee 4 FAVORABLE REPORT. ite District Committee’s Action on Mewrs. Ross and Wight. The Senate District committee held a brief session today and decided to report favorably on the nominations of Mr> Wight and Mr. Ross as Commissioners of the Dis- trict of Columbia. No fight was made F whole matter. The repert will be made to the Senate at Ct executive session, which is ex- SAD OFFICE SEEKERS President McKinley Did Not Return to the White House Today. DELYANNIS. RETIRES ee SRS sony ssi comme vom wee KiNG CeOrece of Greeee Sp tucky—Two Georgia Cases Are Hanging Fire. The flag which floats over the White House and tells that the chief executive of the nation is in the city was not flung to the breeze today, as is always the case when the President gets back from a journey of any kind. It was looked for by the large number of men eager to renew their visits, but, not finding it, they made inquiries of the White House officials as to the probable return of the President. No notification was received at the White House this morning as to when the Pres- ident will get back, but a private telegram from New York says he will reach here, over the Pennsylvania road, a® 6:18 o'clock this afternoon. He will be at the White House for business tomorrow, but this may not avail the office-seeking visitors much, as a large portion of the time allotted to them will be taken up in a cabinet meeting. Friday is cabinet day, and the probability is that the cabinet members will have much to discuss. A majority of the members of the cabinet and many of the other dis- tinguished visitors to New York returned to the city yesterday afternoon on the trains which took them away. Speaker Reed was among the prominent men who remained in New York. He is booked to return tomorrow. Coming From Kentucky, The trains out of Kentucky are said to be bringing Kentucky office seekers this Way in great numbers. Among the Ken- tucky men here who will have a hand in the disposition of patronage the opinion is expressed that Senator Deboe and Dr. Fiunter will be the controlling spirits in all questions. Regarding the talk tha: Dr. Hunter may be given a first-class position of some sort, it is stated today chat the Place would have to be a good one to in- @uce Dr. Hunter to give up the almosi cer- tain thing that he will win in his contest for the seat in the House from his aistrict over the democrat who now holds it. It is further said that the difficulty in e way 0: the immediate appointment of Dr. Hun- ter to a gocd place would be the failure of the Senate to confirm nis nomination. No matter how much the republicans there would like to confirm him for whatever he might be nominated, it is against the precedent of that body to confirm a nom- ince who is under indictment for an of- ferse. Dr. Hunter will have to clear him- self of the charges against nim before he would be sure of going through. It is also urged that Dr. Hunter could serve his term in the House, and wait later for a federal appointment if he desired one. In the scramble for the federal offices in Kentucky the marshalship will be tne mest hotly* contested. There are numerous cp- plicants for the position, among che num- ler being Capt. J.C. Bryant, G. W. Arm- Strong, Capt. Thomcs Furman, Speaker Planford of the Kentucky house, K. J. Hampion and R. G. Grider. Twe Georgia Cases. There are two Georgia cases hanging fire before the President. One of great initrest to the people of the state, as indicating President McKinley’s disposition to the cOlored politicians, is the Augusta post office. Augusta is -one of the commercial centers of the state, and a large protection sentiment is said to exist among the cot- ton planters and manufacturers. The lead- ing applicant for the post office is National Committeeman Lyons, who has been in the city for.a long fime. He is a colored man, but is admitted to be of the betier class of the race and-personally popular. De- spite this remonstrances against his ap- pointment are flocking in from business men and cotton manufacturers, who ure willing to see W. H. Stallings, a witite re- publican, receive the appointment. Mr. uyons has the backing of ail the repubii- cans of the state of any prominence. Mr. Stallings belongs to the old line republicans of the south and bases his claim on years of hard service to his party. The other case is that of first secretary of the legation in Japan. There are many applicants for the position, but Colonel Buck, the minister, is said to want Major W. H. Smyth given the place. Major Smyth was one of Colonel Buck’s right-hand men in the campaiga for delegates last year. The incumbent is an Indiana man. It is said that the President does not feel posed to give the appointment to a Georgia man. Secretary Bliss Denies It. Secretary of the Interior Bliss authori- tatively denies the story that he has any intention of resigning. The denial is in ac- cordance with The Star’s statement to that effect. Mr. Bliss says there “is absolutely no foundation for the arti Published. RETURN OF THE PRESIDENT. He Left Jersey City for Washington at 1:13. NEW YORK, April 29.—President and Mrs. McKinley were up at 7 o'clock this morning, both enjoying the best of health and spirits, They breakfastel at § and then prepared to receive callers. This oc- cupied considerable time, scme thirty or more being received. Among the more notable persons why gained an audience were Mayor Strong ani his si Putnam Bradlee Strong, Col. J. J. MeCook, Con- gressman Brackett, Col. awl Mrs. Fred. Grant, Gen. Daniel Butterfield and Gen. ge. All of the visitors said their calis were of a purely social character, and that no . was discussed. ‘ tary Gage of the Treasury called early in the day. He ret “igs brief time. The Secretary said he would re- main in the city all day and pay a special visit to the custom house and subtreas- ury. 5 The President and Mrs. McKinley ieft the W:ndsor in a carriaze at 12.05 a for the ferry at the foot of 234 street, where a special boat was awaiting them to con- vey them to the Pennsylvania railway sta- tion in Jersey City. At the latter place the presidential went on board Presi- dent Thomson's privaie car, uttached to the regular train leaving for Washingicn at 1:13 o'clock. A crowd of several hundred people watched the departure of the President pd his party, which included Mrs. Mc: ink 8. Saxton, Mrs. Spencer Borden, Bates, Robert A. D. Smith and Charles: G. Dawes. A cheer went up from hearty the throng as the train drew out of the station. Before President McKinley left the ho- tel several gentlemen, who had been pre- vented by the Havermyer funeral from calling earlier, were received by the Presi- Whitney, dent. Among them were Wm. C. A. D. Juilliard, Samuel D. ‘Com- modore Gerry and Richard A. McCurdy. Captain Romeyn completed his defense before the court-martial at Fort McPher- . He put Lieutenant O’Brien e stand and the latter swore that no lecls a New Premier, IMPATIENT FOR REFORM eek. An Unconfirmed Report That Peace Had Been Restored. ZARCOS CAPTURED BY THE TURKS Greeks Occupying ‘the Heights of Pentepigadia. EVACUATION OF VOLO ATHENS. April 29.—The king summoned M. Delyannis, the premier, this morning and called upon him to tender his res- igration. His majesty subsequently in- trusted the opposition leaders with the task of forming a new cabinet. The new ministry wil! certainly include M. Ralli, as premier, and Mm. Teotoki, Simotoulo, Sk»utoudis, Colonel Toamados, Tricoupis, Carapanos and Deligeorgis. As soon as the new cabinet is formed the premier and ministers of marine will start for Pharsalos. King George has signed a decree with- drawing the exequators of all the Turkish corsuls in Greece. The legislative assembly, convoked in extraordinary session, met a second time last evening, and again adjourned owing to a lack of quorum, only ninety-five dep- uties being present and one hundred and four being the number necessary to pro- ceed with business. The adjournment was followed by much excitement and cries of disapproval from the galleries. After the adjournment, the premier, M. Delyannis, had a long conference with the king, and the opposition deputies held a prolonged meeting, but the conference broke up without deciding upon a pro- gram. A gathering of fully 10,000 persons sur- rounded parliament house when the depy- tues assembicd and many of the outsiders: swarmed up the steps and invaded the vestibules, The throngs there and in the streets eagerly dixcussed the situation. Ralli, the former minister and op- position Icader, was among the first of the deputies to arrive. -He was cheered and was accorded various other marks of sym- pathy; but ihe crowd generaily maintained the sullen demeanor engendered by the dis- heartening news Of the past few days. The ministers reached the parliament house in closed carriages, the crowd siow- ly opened a way to allow them to pass and respectfully saluted the occupants of the vehicles. The public galleries of the house were thyorged, among these present being many ladies and members of the diplomatic corps. When the president of the legislative as- sembly, M. Zaimis, owing to absence of a quorym, declared the sitting closed, the announcement was grected with exclama- tions of impatience from the members of the opposition ard with cries of disapprovel from the galleries. As the excitement increased, M. Rall, rising to his feet, motioned to his support- ers to remain calm. His advice was fol- lowed, and the deputies filed out of the house. Conference of the Opposition. The opposition deputies proceeded to a committee room, where they consulted up- on the failure of the session. ‘The fruitless meeting was a very great disappointment to the crowds outside the house, who were waiting to hear the result of the delibera- tions of the deputies. The ministerialists declare that an ex- traordinary session of the legislative as- sembly is impracticable at this time. It is useless, they urge, to hope for a quorum to- day, as many of the deputies who are with the army at che front cannot possibly reach the capital in time to attend. On the other hand, the members of the opposition cite the names of the supporters cf the government, who, although in Athens last evening, did not attend the assembling of the deputies in parliament house. After the sittiag the impatient crowés called upon the members of the opposition to appear and make a statement. M. Pal- ser, a well-known member of the opposition party in the legislative assembly, was spe- ciaily called upon by the crowds to address them; but, although he was apparentiy the first choice of the people, it was M. Valletta who, from the top of the great steps lead- ing into. parliament house, made a speech to the people. The Opposition’s Appeal. M. Valletta said in part: “In view of the desertion of the govern- ment the chamber and the country look to the king to do his duty and safeguard Public order. Have confidenve in the cp- position, which is watching over the high- est interests of the country.” These words, uttered with great em- phasis and significance, were greeted with frantic applause, which was shortly after- ward renewed upon the appearance of M. Rall. The crowd gave the popvlar leader a i Hi i