Evening Star Newspaper, May 1, 1897, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. —__.——_— PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY, AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. llth Bt, by The Pe kacrrManee Freee Few York OF ce, 40 Potter Building, Evening Star is served to subscribers In the city by carriers, oo thelr own account, at 10 cents per week, or 44 cents per month. counter 2 cents each. By miail—anyw United States or Canada—postage ti. PSaturda; 7 Quintuple — ae $1 per year, with tage added, $3. ntered at the Post’ Office at Washtngtoa, D. ©., mail matter.) mail subscriptions must be paid in advance. Rates of advertising made known on application. No. 13,780. WASHINGTON, D. C., SATURDAY, , MAY 1, 1897-TWENTY-FOUR PAGES. TWO CENTS. _ “Want” advertisements in The Star pay because they bring answers. AT THE WHITE HOUSE The New Chinese Minister Received by the President. INTERESTING CEREMONY AT NOON _— Making the Selections for the Au- ditorships. SOME OF TODAY’S CALLERS The Pres:dent at noon today formally re- ceived the new Chinese minister, Wu Ting Fang, and the ceremony was an interest- ing one. The new minister went to the White House accompanied by three sec- retaries. The retiring minister, Yan Yu, was accompanied by two secretaries. Sec- retary of State Sherman was with Wu Ting Fang and Assistant Secretary Rock- hill was with Yan Yu. The party came over from the State Department and was ushered into the blue room, where the ceremonies took place. The new minister and his suite were attired in the richest of silk garments and presented a most pic- turesque appearance. After the customary addresses there was handshaking, bowing and dignified salaaming all around. The President in- formally congratulated Wu Ting Fang cn his use of the English language, which, he said, was splendid. Wu Ting Fang made his address in good English and did not need an interpreter. The Auditorship Figh It is understood today on good authority that Secretary Gage has sifted the appli- cations for auditorships down to sixteen names. These have been presented to the President, and the four places to be filled will be picked from the list. Secretary Gage has been a long time in going through the papers. It was tedious and difficult and unpleasant work. There were some- thing like 150 applicants, all with more or influence. It is rumored that Frank Rice of Crawfordville, Ind., one of the plicants, has gone home to get his busi- Tess in shape to return here. W. J. Cal- noun, the man who is to go to Cuba for Presicent McKinley, is said .to have a winning candidate in Editer Nye of Dan- wile, Ii Col. H. P. Farrow of Georgia is declared to be one of the sixteen before the President. All this, however, is gos- sip, based on events of the last few weeks. The Calcutta Consulship. Representative Brownlow of Tennessee ‘d upon the President today the im- portance of immediately naming the man who is to be consul to Calcutta. Mr. Lrownlow stated that the route to Cal- a is by the Red sea, the heat over which becomes too oppressive after the middle of June for an American to cross. rownlow jokingly remarked that the was the only place too hot for a Penne office seeker. Mr. Brownlow end Representative Gibson have been trongly urging James F. Rull for the Cal- cutta consulship. It is stated, however, that the place will probably go to Col. Rk. F. Patterson of Memphis, Tenn., a former Iowan. The nomination may be made Monday. Among the other Tennesseeans who are here applying for consulates are Charles W. Caulser of Knoxville, applicant for the ulate at Colon; J. J. Patterson, also ying for the post at Colon; Human Slock of Nashville, who wanted Cal- ‘a, but who will make application for some other place, and James M. Patterson of Newport, who is applying for any con- sulate worth as much as $2,500. Eunlop Given Four Days. The President yesterday received urgent telegrams from Jos. R. Dunlop of Chicago asking to be given four more days in Which to put his business affairs in shape before going to Joliet to serve his two- year term in prison. The President this morning decided to give the time asked for and telegraphed the authorities in to hold the mandate. Several men remirence went to the White House to ask this favor for Dunlop, but the Presi- Gent hed granted it befere they appeared. Curtis to Be Appointed. It is positively stated by catlers at the White House today that Secretary Bliss bas decided to appoint Dr. Curtis of Chica- 0 as surgeon-in-chief at Freedmen’s Hos- pital, to succeed Dr. Williams. It is said chat Dr. Curtis came here a few days ago and tcok part in an examination of appli- cants, at which he demonstrated his fitness fer the position, and obtained favorable no- tice from Secretary Bliss. The strong ef- forts being made for Dr. Williams,however, may have some weight in changing the de- termination of the Secretary of the Interior. To Be Invited to Detroit. Representative Cleary of Minnesota and M. J. Dowling, secretary of the National Republican League, saw the President and erranged fer an interview Tuesday, at Minoiz of which the President will be formally in- vited to attend the annual meeting of the It is gue at Detroit July 13, 14 and 15. ped the President will be able to attend. airm: mittee and other prominent ans will be invited. The Minister to Greece. If the President appoints Rev. Isaac S. Hopkins of Atlanta, Ga., to be minister to Greece, as it is intimated he will, it will be arother evidence, lke that of the ap- pointment cf Andrew D. White as am- dor to Germany, of political consider- @0ons net ccntrolling foreign appoint- ments. Though Rey. Mr. Hopkins has Strong political suppert, he is not a poll- ian in any sense, and from the ordinary nt of view there could be no politics in ving Georgia another foreign mission ter the appointment of Buck as minister to Japan. As those things go, Georgia had about aa much as she could expect in that line when If the ap- pointment is made, therefore, it will be re- das due entirely to the conviction on art of Mr. McKinley that Mr. Hopkins t eminently fitted for the position d will be in accordance with the Presi- nt's idea of having this country repre- 4 abroad by sometving more than <inley is credited a desire to acquire such a reputation Pres- judicial nat of being of the highest possible or- Hopkins has been a candidate the office and has been supported by Buck and other Georgia politicians, support has been through influences. His appeiatment has wrged by lecding men in the Metho- rch in various parts of the coun- 5 the intimation that he was to be appo'nteed was given out last night s friends had about given up iupe, and given the Japanese mission. & me e polit Mr. Me jars. his foreign appointments as nt Harrison had for his Mr. chief Before was being talked of for another on. or leading Methodist Church in Atlanta. Many Cther Matters. Dingley of the ways and means republi- Like otper of Mr. McNinley’s selee- ns for foreign missions, Mr. Hopkins is en edveater and a man of great culture. lic was president of the Emory College in and more recently pasior of the clemency in the cases. Several weeks re- main before this would be done, if at all. Mr. Wilson said that he was not at the White House on business of that kind. Representative Evans of Kentucky called on the President with Commander Quack- enbtch. Jesse Tull, whose friends think will be appointed as marshal of the southern dis- trict of Hlinois. was at the White House. Representatives Mercer and Strode of Nektraska taiked to the President in favor of William Grimes of Kingfisher, Okla., for marshal of Oklahoma. Mr. Grimes is a member of the territorial republican com- mittee. Representative Mercer has talked with the President several times about Fred Schrader, who wants to be consul at Ham- burg. It has been decided that Mr. Schrader will be provided for. If he is not given the Hamburg consulate he will get some other. H. H. Hanna, chairman of the executive committee of the I monetary convention, saw the President. Mr. Hanna is urging the President to advocate a eom- mission to investigate the money question. The President, it is said, will take no ac- tion on this Hne until after the passage of the tariff bill. A Virginia Delegation. A large delegation of politicians from the second district of Virginia were re- ceived by the President in the east room. They were introduced by John 8. Wise. The delegation presented a letter, signed ty prominent politicians of every county in the district, asking that Dr. Wise, who is contesting the seat in Congress from the district, be allowed to control the dis- Position of patronage. ge THE HONDURAS REVOLUTION. The Government Considering the Ad- visability of Sending 2 Warship. The State and Navy departments are considering the advisability of sending a warship to Honduras for the protection of American interests. The latest official ad- vices show that a revolution is in progress in that country, and that unless it is speedily checked foreign interests will be imperiled. E The Honduran authorities are confident, however, of their ability to suppress the revolution in a short time, and it is not likely that a warship will be sent there, unless the troubles promise to be prolonged. Truxillo, on the Caribbean coast, is the only port of any importance in Honduras, and in case a vessel is dispatched that pcint would be her destination. In case of an emergency in Honduras, one of the vesscls now engaged in patroll- ing the Florida coast for Cuban filibusters would undoubtedly be detached and sent to Truxilio, but It is hoped that no such action will be required. The position of the administration is against the dispatch of a naval vessel to Honduras just at this time unless it 1s absolutely necessary. Moreover, it is ques- tionable whether one coud get there in time to be of any service, as it is not likely the present revolution will last much longer. ————-e-____. THE NAVY YARD FIRE. Commodore Norton’s Preliminary Re- port Upon It. The Secretary of the Navy today received, a preiimirary report from Commodore Norton, commanding the Washington navy yard, in regard to the recent fire in the building occupied as seamen’s mess room, peymaster’s offices, etc. The fire broke out in the attic roof and spread with great rapidity, but was confined to the roof, which was, the commandant says, very dry and old in its timbers, like the other burnt building. He compliments the fire department and the city department for their work. The board of inquiry, consisting of Com- mander O'Neill and Lieutenants Rogers and Green, who were detailed by Commo- dore Norton to investigate the circum- stances connected with the recent fires at the navy yard, continued their session to- day. The findings will not be made pub- lic until they have been acted upon by the Secretary of the Navy. EEE POLICEMAN PIERCE’S CASE. Effort to Get Bail for the Man and Also to Recover Missing Property. Policeman James E. Pierce, who was ar- rested for the Georgetown robberies, is still in jail, having failed to give the reducel amount of bond. His friends are’ making every effort to get him out of prison, and they hope that by the early part of next week they wil! succeed. With the excep*ion of a shawl, none of the property mu: the Mc- Millan case has been recovered, und the officers are searching for it. It was reported today that some of the property had been disposed of in Virginia, and that Detective Lacy had zone across the river hoping to recover it over there. This report, however, was denied by In- spector Hollinberger, who said he had no kvowledge that such action had been taken. It is said that the case will de investigated by the grand jury early next week, and tried at an early day. st Caveat Withdrawn and Will Probated. The will of the late Wm. M. Shuster, dated March 17, 1896, which was filed for probate the 7th of last January, was today admitted by Judge Hagner to probate, the caveat to the instrument, filed January 12, 1897, having been withdrawn. The caveat was filed by Mrs. Mary W. Shuster, the mother and next friend of John W. and Elizabeth M. Shuster, grand- children of the testator. They charged that the will was procured through the undue influence or fraud of Wm. M. Shus- ter, jr., or of some other person. They also alleged that the testator was mentally incapable at the time of making @ valid will because of physical infirmity and sickness. —_——_._—_ Death of Dr. Zegarra. Dr. Felix C. C. Zegarra, Peruvian min- ister to the United States from 1887 to 1891, and vice president of the Pan-American congress, died at Lima a few wecks ago from appendicitis. He was educated at and served his Georgetown University, Poe well in various responsible capac- jes. ——__- e-_____ Spanish Naval Officers Here. The officers of the Spanish warships Maria Theresa and Infanta Isabelle, which took part in the naval demonstration at New York in honor of Grant, are on a visit to this city. This afternoon they paid their respects to Secretary Long at the Navy Department, the presentations being made by Senor de Lome, the Spanish min- Secretary Long will entertain the ister. visitors at a dinner this evening. ——___ + e+_____ Assumed Office. Mr. Joseph Shillington, appointed by Dis- trict Attorney Davis several weeys ago as the successor of Assistant District Attor- ney Tracy L. Jeffords, today formally en- tered upon his duties. The successor of Assistant District Attorney Chas. H.Armes, who yesterday retired from the office, will be announced by M Davis Monday next. 1 Filed. w A paper purpo-ting to de the will of the between the widow of the hildren. ine Tolson, his Death of testator, Cather- HAWAIIAN TREATY|TREASURER MARTINITHE CIVIL SERVICE Its Abrogation Unlikely, According to Senator Frye. OUR NEED OF PEARL HARBOR The Treaty Was a Condition of Its Cession. THE PRESENT CONDITIONS SaaS Senator Frye of Maine is one of the best- informed men in the Senate on all foreign questions, and fs particularly well informed as to Hawaiian matters. In response to an inquiry by a Star reporter today as to the Prospects of the abrogation of the reci- procity treaty with Hawaii, he said: “Ten days ago I should have replied that there was very great danger of the abro- gation of the treaty. I say now that 1 do not think that the abrogation is pos- sible. “The McKinley bill had in it a provision similar to that in the present bill, abrogat- ing the treaty. In the Senate it did not receive more than a dozen votes. A simi- lar vrovision in the Wilson bill did not receive any greater support in the Senate. The representatives of the sugar trust are now seeking the abrogation of this treaty with more than usual energy and activity. They are deeply interested in abrogation, and I do not know of any one else who is. In their efforts to secure thelr own inter- ests they are misrepresenting the disad- vantages to the United States from this treaty and concealing the advantages. The advantages are manifold and the disad- vantages small. When the Treaty Was Made. “When the treaty was made with Ha- wall I was a member of the foreign rela- tions committee. It was then obvious to the members of the foreign relations com- mittee that if we were to develop and pre- serve our commerce on the Pacific it was of vital importance that we should have a coaling station in Hawaii. With some difti- culty the government of Hawaii was in- duced to cede Pearl Harbor to us, as a compensation for the advantages Hawaii would derive from the treaty. “It was the understanding of the com- mittee that the cession of this harbor was forever. I believe that view of the matter to have been correct and the present com- mittee holds it to be so; but Mr. Carter, at that time the Hawaiian minister to this country, rotified Mr. Bayard that our rights to Pearl Harbor would cease with the abro- gation of the treaty, and Mr. Bayard £0 notified the committee. “I believe that our right to Pearl Harbor ts legally vested forever, Lut {f we should ab- rogate the treaty we could not justify our- selves before the nations of the world if we insisted on holding Pearl Harbor after Gepriving Hawaii of the privileges for which it was given in compensation. Ha- wail would have a moral right to withdraw the cession, and a moral right is often as strong as a legal right. An Injustice to Hawall. “The McKinley bill did a great injustice to Hawaii in providing for the free ad- mission of sugar from other countries, and aggravated it by giving a bounty to the American producers of sugar. This took away the principal advantage Hawaii got from the reciprocity treaty; but so strong is the American feeling in Hawaii that they did not retaliate, but suffered the in- justice until it was corrected. But.in view of the present disturbed condition of affairs, the ccntroversy with the Japanese and the dangers of the situation, Hawali would be justified if we abrogated the treaty in ap- pealing to England for protection. I think they would do this, and England would Promptly respond to their appeal.” ———-- e-—______ Assistant Secretary of War's Duties. Secretary Alger has issued an order de- fining the official duties of Assistant Sec- retary Meiklejohn, making them the same as were performed by his predecessor, Gen. Doe, with the important exception that the bestowal of medals of honor is confined to @ special board, composed of the Secretary of War, the general commanding the army, the adjutant general and the chief of the record and pension office. ——_——_+e The Militia Encampment. Gen. Ordway, commanding the District militia, was at the War Department today making arrangements for the encampment of the militia at Fort Washington next month. He made formal application to Gen. Wilson, chief of engineers, for the use of the military reservation named for the purpose indicated, and Gen. Wilson forwarded it to the Secretary of War with @ recommendation that it be granted, in accordance with the custom of previous years. There is no doubt of the granting of the desired permission at an early date. =. Personal Mention, Mr. P. V. DeGraw, late Washington man- ager of the United Press, has associated himself with the Scripps-McRea Telegram Company, as its Washington manager, with headquarters in the Postal Telegraph building, No. 1345 Pensylvania avenue. Lieut. R. C. Van Vliet, 10th Infantry, reported at the War Department this morn- ing for temporary duty at army headquar- ters. He is at S19 15th street. Col. M. M. Blunt and Lieut. J. H. Weber, retired, are on a visit to the city. ———— A Torpedo Boat to Be Sold. The Navy Department has prepared ad- vertisements for the sale at public auc- tion of the iron torpedo ram Alarm, now lying at the New York navy yard. Bhe ts of 800 tons displacement, but the depart- ment offictals do not expect to realize more than $1,200 or $1,500 from the sale. ee The Dolphin to Be Overhauled. The Dolphin, which is now at the New York navy yard, is to be overhauled at that yard, so that she will be in perfect order should the President desire to repeat his cruise of last month. At present she is in dry dock and the work will begin as soon as she comes out. —— Outflow of Gold Only Natural. Secretary Gage said this afternoon that he did not care to discuss the financial situation just at present further than to express the opinion that the recent heavy outflow of gold was entirely natural and gives no good cause for alarm. —_———_-o+______ Personal Mention. Mr. John 8. Shriver, correspondent of the New York Mail and Express, who re- cently underweat a severe surgical tion, is rapidly recoverin, up and about again. ————+e-——___. opera 1g and will soon be Additional Bumors About the Former Go- lumbian University Official, The Trustees Are) Reticent—Indow- ment Fund Said to Be Involved. For the past two or thfee weeks rumors that have almost taken the shape of posi- tive assertions have been in circulation to the effect that Mr. Robert H. Martin, the fcrmer financial agent, secretary and treas- urer of the Columbian University, was a defaulter to » greater extent than was ad- mitted when he relinquished the positions named on that account fn March lest. It will be remembered that President Whit- man of the Columbian University, on the evening of March 16, 1897, made public an- nouncement of the fact that Mr, Martin's resignatimn had been called for, to take ef- fect March 31, and that the reason for this was his confession to a shortage of $4,540 in his accounts The announcement was also. made that the entire amount of the shortage had been covered, so that the unfVersity would lose nothing, the facts being that Mr, Mar- tin’s bondsmen had made good the de- Mnquency in his accounts. No prosecution followed. It was believed at the time that, the amount stated covéred the extent of Mr. Martin's shortage, ‘but it is asserted with much positiveness now that it has been discovered that he had also diverted to his own personal uses a large sum of money, alleged to be between $20,000 and $30,000, belonging to the endowment fund of the university. President Whitman Reticent, A Star reporter called on President B. L. Whitman of the university today and informed him of the:character of the pre- vailing gossip. President Whitman, with- out denying or affirming any of the al- leged statements, aid that if the board of trustees decided to make any statement on the subject that it would be given to the newspapers immediately when made. President Whitman impressed upon the r Porter that he was dealing with a hypo- thetical question when he spoke about the action of the trustees and was extremely reticent on the entire subject. It can be positively stated, nevertheless, that the board of trustees are copsidering the prep- aration of a statement concerning the new developments in the finaneial relations of Mr. Martin with the tmlversity. Other members of the board of trustees, while in no manner denying the assertions regardiag the discovery of an increase in the amount of Mr. Martin's shortage, pre- served the same reticence shown by Presi- dent Whitman, but also spoke of a forth- coming statement when the proper time came. Possible Proseention. It is declared with: much emphasis by persons who seem to! be in a position to know what they are talking about that if Mr. Martin or his friends do not make good the alleged additional shortage in his ac- counts, if such is found to exist, that he will be prosecuted to, the fullest extent of the law. $ Mr. Martin had been the financial agent, secretary and treasurer for five and one- halt years preceditig Ms resignation. He received a salary of $2,000'a year. He was fond of good living, and particularly par- tial to fast horses. (Until shortly before his resignation from the untversity, which was compelled by the discovery of his shortage, he had also been the treasurer of the First Baptist Church, and handled the funds for the building of the new structure ai the corner of 16th and O streets. His accounts in this connection were audited regularly, and found, it is said, to be all right. a A BANK REORGANIZED The Now Owners Take Charge of the Na- tional Bank of the Republic, The transfer of the mejority of the stock of the National Bank of the Republic, which was owned by the late George E. Lemon, aid which was sold a couple of weeks ago by the executors of the estate, the American Security and Trust Company and Mr. Jere M, Wilson, to Messrs. S. W. Woodward and E. Southard Parker, took place at the bank at 1f-o’clock this morn- ing. Mr. Charles J. Béll, president of the American Security and Trust Company, and Judge Wilson acted for-the executors, and turned over to Messrs, Woodward and Farker 1,348 shares of stock, of a par value of $100 per share. The-price paid by the purchasers was $221 per share. The total amount of the bank stock is 2,000 shares. Immediately after thé transfer was com- pleted, a meeting of the stockholders was held, and the reorganization of the bank proceeded with. A new board of directors was at once elected, consisting cf 8S. W. Woodwerd, E. Southard Parker, John B. Larner, Ezra D. Parker, H. G. Jacobs and A. M. Lothrop. An election of officers was then held. Mr. W. Woodward was chosen president and Mr. Joan B. Larner vice president. The retiring officers were Dr. Daniel B. Clarke, president, and A. A. Wilson, vice president. ‘The retiring direc- tors were Dr. D. B. Clarke, W. B. Sibley, T. E. Waggaman, A. A. Wilson, John E. Her- rell, George Ryneal, jr,, and Jeremiah M. Wilson. Messrs. Woodward and E.'S. Par- ker purchased the stock held by the retir- ing directors, which amounted to sixty- eight shares, at $221 per share. CANDIDATES FOR MODERATOR. Effect of the Declination of Ex-Presi- dent Mareison. CHICAGO, May 1.—Tixé declination of ex- President Harrison hag breught to the sur- face three candidates for the moderatorship of the Presbyterian general assembly, which ts to meet at Winona, Ind., the latter part of this month, ese are the Rev. Sheldon Jackson of ska, John Wana- maker of Philadelphia the Rey. Dr. Minton of- San Francine; ee Big Strike Failed te Develop. CHICAGO, May 1.—What promised a few days ago to be a’ general strike of all unions affiliated with the Building Trades Council dwindled down yy to, the walk- ing out of about 500 hodearrlers, bricklay- ers and plastere: other disaffected unions, including: the at mbers and struc- tural iron workers, haying come to. ami- cable agreement, —,— On Their Hon: Secretary Alger has gisd/ched the hearts of the clerks and e; yes of the War Department by the issue of an order vir- tually putting ther on -honor in the matter of punctuailty and attention to duty. The order abolish reports of ctiereead Investigation Into the Operations of the Law. EVIDENCE BEFORE SENATE COMMITTEE Letters Received From Several Government Officials. THE FREEDMEN’S HOSPITAL The Senate committee on civil service and retrenchment, through its subcommit- tee, resumed its investigations this morn- ing into the methods of the last adminis- tration in construing the civil service law. The work of the committee has aroused a gteat deal of interest, and more than fifty applications for a hearing have been re- ceived from people who desire to testify. Senator Pritchard of North Carolina, Senator Chilton of Texas and Senator Lodge of Massachusetts comprised the subcommittee at today’s hearing, and Mr. Proctor of the civil service commission was present. Senator Pritchard read to the committee a letter from the Secretary of the Navy, setting forth the classes of emplcyes at mavy yards who are now included under the civil service law. In closing his com- munication, the Secretary says: “I have not familiarized myself with all the existing rules of the civil service, and carnot therefore cxpress any except the general opinion that while they no doubt need modification as time goes on and as circumstances change, I cannot specify what particular modification is necessary. “I am strongly of opinion that the civil service law should be continued and not repealed. I have no doubt that room will be found for amendments from time to time.” An Obstruction Rather Than an Aid. The public printer, in a letter to the com- mittee, said: “As applied to this office, which is simply a great manufacturing plant, involving varied branches of skilled labor of high grade, the civil service rules are, in my judgment, an obstruction rather than an @id to- efficiency and economy. In my opinion the civil service rules as promui- gated for enforcement here should be modi- fied radically, suspended or repealed.” A_ letter from the Fostmaster General said: . “I am in favor of a-civil service law properly constructed, by which I mean a civil service law which-will secure recogni- ticn of merit and the promotion of per- sons specially qualified for public office. I cannot at this time say in detail what cLarges or modifications would be most desirable in my opinion, but by way of categorical answer te the question sub- mitted I will express as my opinion that the law should be amended and continued.” Mr. Holman’s Testimony. Mr. Solomon E. Holman of 129 D street northwest, a former assistant messenger of the redemption division of the Treasury Department, was the first witness. He safd that in September, 1804, the chief of hig division informed him of his discharge,. stating that there were no charges against him. He wes discharged on account of politics. He was not an offensive partisan, but usually went home in the fall to vot: ‘The chief of the division tried to get him reinstated, but the Secretary had replied, “He has been there long enough; he had better go.” Other efforts for reinstate- ment hed failed. Mr. Holman is an ex- Union soldier, having served over three years and lost an arm. Messengers were not under the classified service when he was discharged, but they were put under the classified service within a short time after he was discharged. Mr. Holman was distinctly told that he was discharged on account of being a republican. Mr. Morton a Witness. Mr. John T. Morton of Atchison, Kan., Was then sworn. “I am the man,” said Mr. Morton, “‘who was appointed a clerk in the Post Office Department in Mr. Cleveland’s first term under the impression that I was a white man and turned out to be a colored man, which caused a commotion at the time, as you may remember.” He said that for nite years he was a painstaking clerk, but in 1804 he was reduced to $00. He was then sent to the dead letter gallery, then sent below. His duties were changed. They were no longer clerical, but he was put to wait upon other clerks. His resignation was demanded in May 1, 1894, and he was told tf he did not resign he would be dismissed. He appealed to the civil service commission for redress, and the commission promised to investigate his case. He never heard anything from it, however. Mr. Morton said the records would show that he had been an efficient clerk for nine years, and had filled positions where ac- curacy was necessary. Mr. Morton said the course pursued by the department led him to believe that his dismissal was on account of his color. For a long time he was the only colored clerk in the Post Office Department. Mr. Morton said that upon his first day's service in the dead letter office his chief was very nice to him, and complimented him upon his work. The next day the chief's manner changed, and, “with a vin- egary aspect,” the chief told him he must go down below. That was when his work was changed from clerical to mechanical duties. Why Dr. Purvis Was Removed. Dr. Chas. B. Purvis of this city was then sworn. He said that for a number of years he was surgeon-in-chief of the Freedmen's Hospital. In 1893 he learned that an ef- fort was being made by a number of ne- gro democrats to have him removed. His frierds then learned from Secretary Hoke‘ Smith of the Interior Department that it was his intention to remove Dr. Purvis, for the reasoh that Dvr. Purvis was offensive, Politically. He went to see Secretary Smith in person and was told there was nothing against him, except that he had made a speech at a church in Wastington favor- ing the passage of the federal election laws, and that he intended to remove him as socn as he could find a colored demo- crat who could fill the place. Dr. Purvis said he was in the army and served as an assistant surgeon for about three years. The Freedmen's Hospital is now under the classified service, and he had made application for reinstatement. Dr. Purvis said that to have the employes of the hospital tied up by a civil service rule was ridiculous. He said the institu- tion should be kept out of politics, how- ever, as it is on about the same footing as the public schools. In answer to questions by Senator Lodge hrc at eee a con fore ie of employes or officers of the hospital. Dr. Williams’ Evidence. Dr. D, H. Williams, the present surgeon- in-chief of the Freedmen’s Hospital, was the hospital there were women employed there not one of whom could read the directions on a bottle of medicine. “They had to make their mark on the pay roll,” said Dr. Williams, “for they were not able to sign it.” He said there was cnly one of these women who could read and write. Mr. Weaver's Story. Mr. H. E. Weaver was sworn. He was employed in the office of the sixth auditor until July 1, 1886, when he was removed for the reason alleged by the auditor that he was “an offensive partisan.” He was reinstated under President Harrison and assigned to duty in the supervising archi- tect’s office. He was removed August 15, 1804, by Secretary Carlisle, no reason being given therefor. He asked for reinstate- ment, but was offered a $900 place, which he refused. He served in the regular army from 1861 to 1866. He had called upon Civil Service Commissioner Roosevelt for satis- faction, but was told by him that it would do no good. - “Mr. Roosevelt said if the commission were to take it up the department would allege some cause which would militate against me, and the commission would have no power to investigate it,” said Mr. Weaver. Mr. Francis M. Schell of this city, being sworn, said that in asking reinstatement they would exclude him because he was a veteran of the Mexican war, claimirg that the rules only Included veterans of the civil War. That was his only grievance, he said He had been told he would be reinstated if it were not for that rule. Mr. Miller Was Put Of. Mr. James M. Miller of 814 13th street was sworn. He wes appointed a laborer in 1878, and was promoted through exami- nation to $1,400, reaching that grade in 1883. He performed duty in the office of the auditor for the Interior Department, cf an expert nature. He was dismissed in 1894, no reason being given to him. In 1895 he made application for reinstatement and ‘was promised the place from time to time. A vacancy occurred in his old office, which was proinised him, but it was not given him. The vacancy was closed up by the promotion of Mr. Troup, who, he said, was brother-in-law of the auditor, and Mr. Orr, father-in-law of the auditor. Mr. Miller said he had been told at the civil service commission that neither of these men had ever been certified by the civil service ccmmission, either for appointment or promotion. Mr. Miller submitted his ratings in the department, which were shown to be perfect in most instances, and a general average of 97.10, 96.94 and 96.40 for the last three months in office. “Did Troup and Orr get into the depart- ment by favoritism?” asked Senator Chil- ton. Mr. Miller replied that they did not get in by civil service examination. “How could they get in, then?’ asked Senator Chilton. “Well, under the administration of Mr. Logan Carlisle, where there was a will there was a way,” replied Mr. Miller. Continuing, he said that after his own re- Instatement had been blocked by the pro- motion of these two men it was suggested at the Treasury Department that he might get into the sixth auditor's office. He saw the stxch auditor, who promised to take him, but Mr. Howard subsequently changed his mind and put in another man. A Veteran Reduced. Mr. Carl Stierlin of 1711 T street then took the stand. He was a second lieutenant in the war and was appointed a clerk in the office of the United States treasurer after the war. In 189 he was reduced from $1,600 to $400 by Assistant Secretary Ham- lin for the promotion of a $1,400 man from the sixth auditor's office. Mr. Stterlin said he is now doing the same work that he performed when he received $1,000. Mr. Stierlin produced a letter from Gen. Spinner testifying in the highest terms to his ability. When asked about the cause of his reduc- tion he said Secretary Hamlin came into the office one day and said he wanted a place to promote a man. The chief clerk told him there was no place, that the clerks were protected by the civil service law and were veterans. Mr. Hamlin then called for a list of employes, and, looking it over, picked out Mr. Stierlin's name and said he would have to do the same work for a lower salary. The person who re- ceived the place, Mr. Stierlin said, was not a soldier, but a young man. This closed the hearing. The committze then adjourned without fixing a day for another meeting, but will determine this next week. ——_-e+__ —__ DRY LAND AT LAST VISIBLE. Big Fall im the River Reported at Memphis, MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 1.—For the first time in a period of nearly fifteen days dry land is visible to the naked eye looking west from Chickasaw bluffs into the sister state of Arkansas. A fall of seven-tenths is recorded by the gauge at this point this morning. This is the heaviest reported since the decline set in. Several hundred refugees were sent to- day on steamers direct to plantations along the river to the north of Memphis. NEW ORLEANS, La., May 1.—The river continues to rise slowly, and at midnight it was 19.5 above low water and higher than it has ever been. KEOKUK, Iowa, May 1.—Last night the Cress levee at the scuth end of the Hart €rainage district was cut to prevent the water getting deeper in the flood-stricken territory. : ST. LOUIS, Mo., May 1.—The river today showed a rise of of a foot for the past twenty-four hours. Points above on both the Mississippi and Missouri rivers show a decline for the same time, and prospects are that the flood will not be more serious here. ——— HERDICS AGAIN RUNNING, A Transfer Arrangement Made With the Metropolitan Electric Line. The herdics reappeared on 16th street and on G sfreet northwest this morning, and when the residents saw them coming along on regular schedule time there was ‘general satisfaction expressed, and some of the more enthusiastic gave the vehicles Chautauqua salutes with their handker- chiefs. Passengers who availed themselves of these restored conveyances on both G street and 16th street were agreeably surprised when on reaching the corner of Vermont avenue and H street northwest, they were informed that they would be transferred free of charge to the electric cars of the Metropolitan street railroad. The herdics began running at 6 o'clock this morning. The new arrangement is loudly praised by residents of the thickly populated sec- tions traversed by the herdics. Especially as after a moderately stort ride a pas- Seager can continue his jouraey by rapid transit on the Metropolitan cars. The herdics run to 22d street on G ard out to Florida avenue on 16th street. —_>——_. Narsed Gen. Pleasonton. As administrator of the estate of the late TURKS MOWED DOWN $$$ Their Attackson the Greeks Repulsed With Great Slaughter. Flank Movement by Cavalry From Larissa Frustrated. RUMORS OF MEDIATION ATHENS, May 1.—Dispatches just re- ceived from Pharsalos, the headquarters of the Greek army in Thessaly, give further particulars of the recent fighting between the Turks and Greeks at Velestino, ten miles west of Volo, at the junction of the railroad connecting Volo with Larissa and Pharsalos. The Turkish attacking force at Velestino consisted of 8,000 infantry, 600 cavalry and 13 guns. The charges of the Turkish cavalry were firmly withstood by the Evzones posted on Karantasi hill. An entire Tur- kish regiment was decimated. Four Tur- kish squadrons which attempted to charge were received with a combined rifle and shrapnel fire which mowed down several hundred. The Greek irregulars co-operated with the regular troops of Greece. Fifty Greeks were killed and a major and five subalterns were wounded. A detachment of Turkish cavalry from Larissa approached the vallway between Pharsalos and Domokos, which tewn is about ten miles south of Pharsalos and in the Greek rear. The Greek artiliery opened fire upon the enemy's cavalry at long range, and, after a heavy cannonading, forced the Turks to retire, the Greek cay- alry pursuing them. The Turkish commander apparently wished to surprise the Greeks at Pharsalos, and sent two army corps against them, one from Trikhala and the other from Larissa. LONDON, May 1.—A special dispaich from Athens says that M. Ralli, the new Greek premier, has announced his inten- tion of calling to arms every able-bodied mar. in Greece. LONDON, May 1.—A dispatch to the Evening News from Athens says that M. Theotokis took the oath as minister of the interior yesterday evening, arid left the Greek capital later with the minister for war, Col. Tsamados, for Pharsalos, the headquarters of the Greek army, whence it is reported that the Greek troops have suc- cessfully repulsed a heavy attack of the Turks. It is rumored that Col. Vassos is about to be recalled from the Island of Crete. WOULD ACCEPT MEDIATION. It is Stated That Greece W. come Intervention. PARIS, May 1.—A dispatch from Sofia, Bulgaria, to the Gaulois, alleges that M. Ralli, the Greek premier, has sem!-ofti- cialiy intimated that Greece will gratefully accept the mediation of the powers and that Turkey has signified that she will be satisfied with the payment of a war in- demnity, guaranteed by the temporary sur- render of the Greek fleet. The Gaulois adds: “The sultan, now con- scious of his strength, in consequence of the successes of the Turkish forces in Thes- saly, is resolved to claim sovereignty over Egypt or obtain more effective recognition thereof.” LONDON, May 1.—It is semi-officially announced that the Marquis of Salisbury has proposed to the powers that a con- ference be soon held in Paris to discuss measures with a view to ending the war between Turkey and Greece. The powers, it is further stated, are discussing the pro- posal, but its acceptance is regarded as doubtful. FIGHTING IN THE WEST. Wel- Turkish Const Near Nicopolis Bom- barded and Turks Driven Of. ATHENS, May 1.—A dispatch from San- ta Maura, capital of the island of that name off the west coast of Greece, an- nounces that the Greek gunboat Flotilla, in the Gulf of Arta, has bombarded the Turkish coast near Nicopolis and Santa Petras. The Turks fied, the dispatch adds, Greeks Sail for Home. NEW YORK, May 1.—About 550 Greeks sailed for home today on the French line steamsnip La Gascogne. They marched in a body from their headquarters in Roose- velt street to the pier, preceded by a bapd. They were accompanied by friends, who cheered them as they went aboard. Nocholas Kontos of Lowell, Mass., one of the party of departing Greeks, made a patriotic speech to his countrymen on the pier ~ TIME TO INTERVENE. The Powers Have About Reached an ment. PARIS, May 1.—All the powers, including Germany and Austria, have agreed that the moment is opportune to intervene between Greece and Turkey. They are now discussing the conditions of such intervention and appear about to reach an understanding. AEE > a GREAT ALARM AT LIMA. Violent Earthquake Disturbances at the Peravian Capital. LIMA, Peru, May 1, via Galveston, Tex.— A violent and protracted earthquake dis- turbance, lasting about one minute, caused great alarm here at 2 o'clock this morning. All the church bells were tolled to call the people to prayer, as a serious disaster was judge Jeremiah Wilson’ was @ White House visitor. There.is gossip that Judge Wiison and the other attorneys for Elver- tou R Chapman, the sugar trust witness, may make an appeal to the: President- for