Evening Star Newspaper, May 7, 1897, Page 1

=— THE EVENING STAR. —--+——_ PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY, AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. llth St, by ‘The Evening Star We Company. 5. H. KAUF! Pres’t. Few York Office, 49 Potter Building. woes Sent The Evening Star is served to subscribers in the city by carriers, on their own account 10 cents week, or 44 cents per month. Copies at the counter 2 cents each. By matl—anywhere in the United States or Canada—postage prepaid—50 cents 7 month. PGatuniay Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with foreizn postage added, $3.00. (Entered at the Post Office at Wash'ngton, D. C., nd- ss mail matter.) €7-All wail subscriptions must be paid in advance. Rates of advertising made known on application. THE STAR BY MAIL. Persons leaving the city for any Period can have The Star mailed to them to any address in the United States or Canada, by ordering it at this office, in person or by letter. Terms: 13 cents per week; 25 cents for two weeks, or 50 cents per month. Invariably in advance. Sub- scribers changing their address from one Post-office to another should No. 13,785. WASHINGTON, D. C., FRIDAY, MAY 7, 1897-SIXTEEN PAGES. Sive the last address as well as the new one, TWO CENTS. SUGAR TRUST'S GRAB The Amended Tariff Bill Gives It Over 90 Per Cent Protection. PECULIAR CONDITIONS IN THE SENATE A Blow at the Proposed Annexa- tion of Hawaii. BIG FIGHT TO BE MADE ‘The power of the sugar trust in the Sen- ate is still apparent. Among men in Con- gress who have looked to the tariff legisla- tien as an instrument to lift the country out of the depths of depression into which it was plunged by the Wilson law and other features of the Cleveland administration the presence of the sugar trust influence to bring discredit to the tariff measure is offensive to the extreme. They are de- termined that there shall not be a repeti- tien of the soiadalous conditions which at- tended the enactment of the Wilson bill, and that, if possible, the bill shall be re- lieved from the charge of subserving the sugar trust interests. It is figured out that the Senate committee substitute for the House sugar schedule would give the trust a protection of over 9% per cent. Not satis- fled with that, they demand and get the abrogation of the Hawalian treaty by Stealth. With the sugar schedule as the Senate committee has put it and the abro- gation of the Hawaiian treaty, through the striking out of the clause éxempting imporiations from the duties imposed, the sugar trust gets all it could possibly ask for its benefit. Framing the Schedule Quietly. The framing of the sugar schedule in this bill was not attended with the gea2ral and Wild speculation by senators which marked the progress of the Wilson bili through ihe Senate. But the reason for this was that the knowledge of what was to be done was confined to so few persons that the: was not the general information on which spec- ulation might be based. ~ The sugar trust, however, is not the less beneiited. The sugar trust representa- tives have been on the ground all the while working according to their peculiar methods, and their influence has been felt at every turn. They were unable to ac- complish what they wanted in the House committee. The framers of the bill there Were too independent and had the support of a reliable majority in the House. But in the Senate the situation was dif- ferent. With a friendly interest in certain quarters there to start with, they had the tremendous advantage of a condition of af- fairs where the control of but one or two votes would place them in a position to dic- terms. The absence of party respon no party veing in absolute control, red their task easier. Practically the influences which held up the Wilson bill until the desired concessions were made to the trust are still there, and they were rendered still more powerful by the party conditions in the Senate, so far as getting @ report from the committee was concern- ed. They found additional strength in the fact that revenue must be had to make up for the deficiency of the Wilson bill, and that if protective duties were to be main- tained where they were needed the surest way of getting revenue from a customs duty was to increase the rate on sugar. Disguising the Grab. . To disguise the enormity of their grab they insisted upon the ad valorem additions of duty, which defy accurate computatior when combined with the specific. If, in addition to this extremely favor- able schedule, they could prevent the free importation of sugar from Hawali there was nothing left that their hearts could desire or their pockets profit from. Heretofore the Spreckels’ interests have come in conflict with the sugar trust in respect to the Hawalian treaty. Now their interests are the same. ‘The Oxnard, the Spreckels’ and the trust are one in the de- ire to have the Hawaiian treaty abro- gated. Lettera received by senators pro- Ung ageinst the abrogation of the treaty lare that the Spreckels’ interest is to Place the producers in Hawaii at their mercy, pending the making of new con- tracts for a term of years. Deprived of free entry into the United States, it is calculated that the Hawaiians would have to make the best terme they could with Spreckles and would be at his mercy to accept what he might give. In this respect the indirect abrogation through the failure to provide for the ex- emption of Hawaiian imports from duty would be more to the interest of Spreckles than would the direct abrogation of the treaty. A Blow at Annexation. But a still more far-sighted move for the plan is apparently to prejudice the pros- pects of annexation. It fs known to those who have means of getting inside ir.for- ation and whose interest it 1s to keep well posted, that steps are now being taken for the annexation of Hawaii, which scems to promise the speady conclusion of a treaty for that purpose. The matter has progressed so far that annexation is felt by some of the best informed to be on the verge of accomplishment. . abrogation of the reciprocity treaty, by either direct or indirect methods, would do as much as anything can to hinder nego- tations or to defeat their object. In this way the sugar trust people and those who oppose annexation of Hdwait without be- ing incerested in sugar find themselves in accord, and the trust gets the benefit of the combination. On both the propositions which the trust wants—the Senate sugar schedule and the @brogation of the treaty—there will be a determined fight in the Senate, and, if the trust should win there, In the House,where there exists a fixed purpose to keep a sugar trust job out of the tariff measure which shall pass through this Congress. ‘The House may go so fer as to say chat the Senate will have to take responsibility for the defeat of tariff legislation if the Senate committee bill is insisted upon in all its features. ——————-e-+_____ INDORSED BY THE PRESIDENT. He Hus Gone Over the Amended Tariff Bul. President McKinley has gone over the tariff bill with Senators Allison, Aldrfoh and Hanna. After a careful examination the President expressed approval in a gen- eral way of the Senate committee's biil, in so far as it makes reductions in the House schedules and promises a larger revenue. He did not extend his approval to the en- tre amended bill, but agreed with the re- euctions and some other particular fea- tures. He expressed himself as favoring a reduction of 10 cents on whisky, which would bring {t to a better revenue point. He was inclined to doubt the wisdom of the Secretary Gage Going to Philadelphia. Secretary Gage has accepted an invita- tion to attend a dinner at the Union League Club at Philadelphia May 14, as the guest of C. S. Patterson. ‘5 Joint Resolution Introduced by Representa- tive King of Utah. Provisions for Acquiring the Islands— Chinese Immigration to Be Regu- lated by Present Laws of the U. 8. Mr. King of Utah has introduced in the House a joint resolution providing for the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands by the United States. ‘The resolution carries a long preamble stating that “citizens of the United States, some of whom reside upon the Hawaiian Islands, have property and extensive finan- cial interests upon said islands; that many of the citizens of the republic of Hawail were formerly citizens of the United States, and by the ties of affinity and consanguin- ity are indissolubly bound to this govern- ment and its people; and that notwith- standing the rights and liberties of the pco- ple of said republic are guaranteed by its constitution, and have thus far been pro- tected, the perpetuity of the republic is not assured by reason of efforts to secure European interposition and control or Asi- atic domination. “The ascendancy of European or Asiatic influences and forces in that republic,” ys the preamble, ‘would work its de- struction and prove perilous to the liberties of its people, especially the Americans and native Hawaiians, and also dangerous to the property rights of all classes, including eltizens of the United States who have interests upon said islands. It has been the policy of this nation for more than half a century to prevent foreign control over or intervention in those tslands, and aiso to secure the annexation of the same whenever desired by the Hawaiian govern- ment. “The acquisition of the islands constitut- ing the republic of Hawali by the United States of America would prove of ines- timable advantage to the citizens and peo- ple of said islands, as well as to the United States and its people, and by the consti- tution of said republic and the repeated official declarations of its leading executive and legislative officers {t is manifest that angexation by the United States of the republic of Hawaii is desired by its citi- zens.” The resolution then provides: ‘That Congress doth consent that the territory properly included within and rightfully be- longing to the republic of Hawaii may be received and become a part of the United States: and whenever the President and legislative department of the republic of Hawali shall cede to the United States by proper enactment all of the territory embraced within said republic, and shall surrender all governmental powers and functions and the sovereignty of the re- public, the said territory shall be received into the Union and become a part of the United States, and it and the people re- siding thereon shall be subject to the juris- diction of Congress, which may make all needful rules and regulations for the gov- ernment of the same. “As soon as siad cession shall have been made, the President of the United States is authorized, and he is hereby directed, to issue a proclamation declaring that said Hawatlian Islands belong to and are a part of the United States; and he is also author- ized, and hereby directed, to take possession of and oecupy the territory ceded by the republic of Hawaii, and for that purpose to employ any part of the army and navy of the United States. “All laws not inconsistent with the Con- stitution of the United States in force in said republic at the time of said proclama- tion shall remain in force until Congress shall otherwise determine; and until Con- gress shall provide for the government of said islands the President of the United States shall take all necessary steps to maintain and protect the inhabitants of said islands in the enjoyment of their Jiber- ty, preperty and religion. “The persons who are citizens of the re- public of Hawaii shall, upon the issuing of said proclamation by the President of the United States, become citizens of the Unit- ed States. The laws of the United States relating to the entry of Chinese into its ter- ritory shall be in force upon said Hawaiian Islands upon said proclamation being is- sued, and no Chinese residing upon said is- lands shall be permitted to land in any other part of the United States unless Con- gress shall otherwise enact. “Whenever the cession of said islands shall have been completed and all the pub- ec lands, harbors and other property now belonging to said republic shall have been transferred to the United States, the latter shall assume the public debt of said re- public. “If, dvring this extraordinary session of Congress, the committee on foreign rela- tions shall not be appointed by the Speaker, the President of the United States ts here- by authorized and directed to appoint three persons, to act with a like number to be appointed by the president of the republic of Hawaii, and said commissioners shull report et the earliest practicable date such legislation as they may deem necessary for the government of the Hawaiian Islands.” Mr. King endeavored to secure corsid eration of the resolution in the House yes- terday by unanimous consent, but objection was made. —e-—____ ICE FOR THE DEPARTMENTS, Bids for Supplying Two Pounds Opened. The bids opened yesterday for supplying the Treasury Department and its brancies, including the bureau of engraving and printing and the coast and geodetic sur- vey, with 2,000,000 pounds of ice for the next fiscal year are as follows: Independent Ice Company, 23 cents per 100 pounds; Washington Ice Manufacturing Company, 20 cents; Hygienic Ice Company,, 26 cents; Great Falls Ice Company, 26 cents; E. H. Willis, 25% cents; Purliy Ice Company at 18 3-4 cents. For the Navy Department, which con- sumes about 225,000 pounds of ice a year, there were but two bids, as follows: In- dependent Ice Company at 25 cents per 100 pounds; Hygienic Ice Company at 27 cents per 100 pounds. Million +2 + VETERANS TO GO BACK, Secretary Alger Will Reinstate Five in the War Department. Secretary Alger has arranged with the civil service commission for the reinstate- ment of five veterans of the war who lst their places at the time of the big reduc- tion of the clerical force of the record and pension division last year. The reduc- tions were due to the action of Congress in reducing the appropriations for the office. Applications for reiastatement have been received from nearly fifty ex-clerks, but so far the Secretary has been able to pro- vide for only five. There are no vacancies in the department, and they have to be created either by dismissal cr reduction before any of the old clerks can be put back, no matter how deserving the case may be. ne SENATOR EARLE BETTER. Col. Bright Receives a Telegram From the Senator's Son. A jelegram was received this afterncon by Col. Bright, the sergeant-at-erms of the Sexate, from the sen cf Senator Earle, at Greenville, S.C., stating that his father is resting ¢asily today, being somewhat bet- ter. He added this reassuring line: “No immediate danger.” This dispatch was re- ceived with many expressions of relief from tnose senators who aad heart tae Hosur free a cirrularton this morn = Senat Earle was in a dying His Resignation in the Hands of the President, SAID TO HAVE BEEN CALLED FOR Ex-Representative Cheatham Slat- ed for Recordership. AT THE WHITE HOUSE It was rumored at the city hall this afternoon that C. H. J. Taylor of Kansas, the District recorder of deeds, was notified by the President today that his resignation is desired. The rumor was based upon the appear- ance this morning of a messenger from the White House at the recorder’s office. The messenger is said to have seen the recorder and to have delivered a note addressed to him by the President. Mr. Taylor, so it is said, left the office a few minutes after- ward, and it is claimed that he went to the Executive Mansion and tendered his resig- nation. Up to a late hour this afternoon Mr. Taylor had not returned to his office, and none of the attaches of the office knew anything more than the above referred to rumor. Mr. E. M. Hewlett, one of the best-known colored members of the local bar, stated this afternoon that Recorder Taylor had shortly before informed him that his resig- nation had been demanded today by the President, and that the President's request had been acceded to. Later in the day it was stated that Mr. Taylor's resignation would reach the Pres- ident tomorrow, and that ex-Representa. tive Cheatham would be appointed Mon- a3 Mr. Taylor was appointed by Fresident Cle¥eland, and succeeded _—_ ex-Senato> Blarche K. Bruce, May 26, 1894. He has, therefore, served not quite three years. He Was at the time of his nomination a c zen of Kansas, and is still said to be a citizen of that state. The salary of the office is $4,000 a year. The nomination o: Mr. Taylor was bitterly opposed by the citizens of the District, because, as they insisted, the office is a purely local one, and ,therefore, a District man should have been appointed. At the White House. Mr, Taylor was at the White House this afternoon to talk with che Presiden:. It 1s believed he tendered his resignation. He says he gave the President to understand scme time ago that ke was willing to go when his successor was named. Bishop Arnett is said to pe urging the President to appoint a man named Wright of Georgia. Mr. Taylor was still waiting at the White House late this afternoon to see the Presi dent, and would say nothing regarding the case until he had consulted Mr. McKinle; It is looked for as certain that Mr. ham will succeed Mr. Taylor. Some Talk. Frieads of Mr. Taylor seemed somewhat surprised this afternoon when they heard that he had resigned. His appointment by Mr. Cleveland, they said, was a personal one, and in view of the part Mr. Taylor played in the last campaign they thought might have kept him in office some time longer than this. People who heard of this rumor early in the day also heard that the President would appoint ex-Representutive Gheatham of North Carolina to succced Taylor. This the District republicans say will prove a sericus blow to home rule, and will sadly disappoint the friends of Attorney Milton M. Holland, who is almost the unanimous choice of the local republicans for the po- sition. —<——_— DEFEATED THE TREATY. England’s Refusal to Take Steps to Save the Seals, Although the defeat of the Anglo-Amert- can arbitration treaty is ascribed by some to the efforts against it of Michael Davitt, ex-Minister Patrick Egan and other promi- rent Irishmen, and by others to England's attitude toward silver, it is believed that the votes in the negative might have been over- come but for Great Britain’s refusal to take action to protect the seals. It was held that Great Britain had failed to carry out the spirit and intent of the award of the Paris tribunal that settled the Bering sea controversy. It was, t fore, de- clared that she could not be depended upon to carry out the terms of a general arbi- teation treaty. Shortiy after President McKinley entered upon his duties as chief executive, he took up the matter of preservation of the seals, and appointed Mr. John W. Foster, ex-Sec- retary of State, and Mr. Hamlin of Massa- chusetts, formerly assistart secretary of the treasury, to look after the interesis of this country in the seals. Mr. Foster pro- posed a conference of representatives of jreat Britain, Russian, Japan and the United States, to formulate seal regula- tions. It was recommended that in the cneantime sealing be prohibited by those nations. Great Britain refused this propo- sition, and it is believed that this refusal doomed the arbitration treaty to defeat. A number of senators were uncertain as to how they should vote, and this decided them. : Ex-Secretary Foster will sall for England on the 19th as a special ambassador to lay the wetter personally before the English government and to make another effort to Save the seals from destruction. He is in- structed to negotiate an agreement under which sealing shall be stopped until the four nations interested shall agree upon a cede of regulations. Mr. Foster had in- tended to sail on the 12th, but changed his mind on the request of Chang Yen Huan, who had telegraphed that he was to sail on the 19th for England, where he goes to take the greetings of the emperor to Queen Vietorta on the occasion of the diamond jubilee. Mr. Foster was in conference with the Senate committee on foreign relations for two hours today, during which time he went over the situation quite thoroughly, putting the committee in pessession of all the information in his possession, and ad- vising them of his plans. No details of the conference were made public, but it is known that the conference was based upon Great Britain's refusal to enterginto any agreement for the future proteetfon of the seals, and that Mr. Foster indicated his purpose to enter into negotiations with Russia and Japan looking to the accom- Plishment of this purpose. but there was a general expression of ap: proval of the plan to deal with Russia and Japan. . —-—_____ COUNTY WILL. BUY THE ROADS. Outcome of the Toll Gate Raids at Richmond, Ky. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. RICHMOND, Ky., May 7.—To appease the anger of the half-distracted farmers in this county who have heen worried for eight months by the cowardly toll gate raiders and their deviltry, the fiscal court has determined to buy the toll gate and apo roads. The pikes will cost about and the trat fon kh Mr. Wight Visits the Soene of His Future Work. x ‘ Greeted by the Clerks—Tomorrow’s Organization—The Presi- dency. Just as the Commissioners went into board | session this morning Commissioner-elect John B. Wight was announced. He was immediately invited to participate in the session, and took a seat at the end of the table next the seat he will occupy tomor- row when he qualifies as Commissioner. The Commissioners were hearing a com- plaint from a citizen who had been ordered to make some sanitary improvenient in his property. He protested against the order, as depriving him of bis property rights. Mr. Wight listened intently for upward of an hour to the protest. Mr. Wight repaired to a distant corner of the room to discuss @ matter of business with # friend, but was interrupted a mo- mert later by an applicant for office. He received the application, talked a moment with the applicant and then, as though he had been a Commissioner all his life, prop- erly referred the application, adding, diplo- matically, that when the opportunity pre- sented itself he would be glad to ¢onsider it. Shortly afterward Commissioner Truesdell entered. He greeted his successor pleas- antly, and then took his old seat at Com- missioner Ross’ right. He leaned over a moment later and whispered to Mr. Wight, and the latter laughingly replied that he would not qualify until tomorrow. The new Commissicner, while not a superstitious tan, does not enjoy the reputation of Fri- days for luck and decided to wait until temorrow before assuming the duties of a Commissioner. was recalled today at tlie District building that Commissioner Truesdell tooix the oath ef office on Friday. In response to an inquiry Mr. Wight said he had his bond perfected. His fatner- in-law, J. P. E. Kumiler, and Mr. Wm. M. McKilvey were his bondsmen, and all that Was now necessary to make him a Com- missioner in fact was the administration of the oath of office. Commissfoner Ross also stated that his bond was ready. His bondsman this time was the Fidelity and Trust Company of Baltimore. After the meeting of the board adjourned Mr. Wight repaired to Commissioner Trues- dell’s private office and there received the heads of departments «nd the ‘clerks of the District building. He greeted all pleasantly and had a kind word for each one. Replying to a question from @ Star re- porter he said ne could add nothing to what had already been printed. He was goins to do his best to serve the District faithfully. He nad not given the subject of removals any consideration, and would not for some time to come. Shortly after noon he left the building to keep an engagement, but said.as he was leaving that he would shortly return. As soon as Wight takes the oath of office tomorrow and Commissioner Ross qualifies by kissing the old District family Bible there will be a meeting of ¢he new board for the purpose of reorganization. At this meeting a president of the board will be selected. While it has been the general rule heretofore that the president of the board shovld be the representative of the administration in power, there is considerable speculation as to, Which of the civil Commissioners will hae~- the honor. The position is a nominal one, car- rying with it no special horior nor extta compensation, It is vather a: trying po- sition, since the president of the beard is made, by custom, the speechmak¢r of the board, and {is supposed to welcome ail Suests to the city when o¢casion demands. a MR. MICHAELS’ CASE. | It is Still Under Consideration by the Civil Service Commission, The civil service commission still has undcr consideration the case of Mré Mich- aels, whom Secretary Sherman wants to be chief clerk of the State Department. There is a decision of the commission, made by Mr. Harlow during the &bserice of President Proctor, which is sald to be a case similar to that of Mr. Michaels, Mr. Bennet C. Taliafero was entered on the rolls as an employe of the interstate coim- merce commission, and six months ‘ago the Secretary of the Treasury asked the com- mission to certify Mr. Taliafero for ap- pointment by transfer to a place in his denartment. Mr. Harlow decided that as Taliafero’s appointment had beer merely a technical one and as he had not actually been employed by the interstate commerce commission on salary the transfer could not be made. = 2+ —__ WILL THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATE. Assistant Seerctary Roosevelt to Ex- amine New York Navy Yard Methods. Assistant Secretary Roosevelt will leave Washington early next week, under orders from Secretary Long, to make @ thorough investigation of the New York pavy yard, with special reference to the laboring force, avd a purpose of correcting amy injustice that may be the subject of well-founded cemplaint. For obvious reasons the-inquiry will be privately conducted The depart- ment does not expect any startling results from this investigation, but deems it best that the inquiry be made in answer to the allegations of unfair treatment that have been lodged with the Secretary by friends of employes reduced or dismissed. The same line of investigation will be ex- tended to the other principal navy’yards of the country, with the exception» of the Washington navy yard, which has been singularly free from complaints’ of.favorit- ism in administration. * While away on this trip Mr, Roosevelt will endeavor to selze the opportunity to go aboard the gunboat Nashville on her trial trip up the sound next Wednesday. The New York visit of inspection will be followed shortly by visits of like character to the navy yards at Norfolk and’ League Isiand, and some time in the fall by a trip to the Mare Isiand, California, navy yard. Mr. Roosevelt has accepted an thvitation to inspect the gun factory at the Washington Navy yard tomorrow afternoon. < —————..__-+ Personal Mention, Capt. T. A. Dodge, U. S. A. retired, and Lieut. H. C. Carbaugh, 5th Artillery, are on a visit to this city. Commander Richardson Clover, com- manding the Dolphin, {3 at 1335 New Hampshire avenue for a day or,twb. Lieutenant Commander ‘F. A. Miller, U. S.N., retired, is.at the Shoreham, Mr. William E. Curtis of the Chicago Record left this afternoon for Albany and Buffalo, where he has iecture e: ents ‘Mashington next week. He returns to next Thursday. Among the passengers for Europe on the North German Lloyd steamer Munchen, that sailed from Baltimore yesterday for Bremen, Germany, was Harry.. Davis Warde. son of John T. Warde-of this city. Mr. Warde goes abroad in the hepe that an ocean voyage will restore his health. Conferring With Mr. Rockhill. of state, called at the Stete Judge Day, the new assistant ,secretary | Department’ Ex-Treasurer of Columbian Univer- " sity in Castody. TAKEN T0 THE POLICE COURT His Defalcation Placed at Twenty Thousand Dollars. REFUSED TO TALK ee Robert H. Martin, until recently the treasurer of the Colvumbien University, was arrested this morning at his residence, 1719 S street, by Detective Mattingly of District Attorney Davis’ office on a warrant charg- ing him with the embezzlement of $20,850 of the funds of the university. Detective Mattingly escorted his prisoner to the city hall, preparatory to taking him before the Police Court this afternoon, holding him there while the accused man’s friends were engaged in securing bondsmen. It was understood that the warrant was issued at the instance of District Attorney Davis upon the complaint of the university officials, but when questioned by a Star re- porter Mr. Davis was very reticent. He ad- mitted the fact of Martin's arrest, stating that the amount of funds alleged to have been embezzled is $20,850. Mr. Davis also said the arrested man will be taken before the Police Court this afternoon, where he will ask that the amount of bail be placed at such a sum as to secure the presence of the defendant when wanted. Mr. Davis also said that the case will be laid before the grand jury for their action at the earli- est day practicable. In the Police Court. Accompanied by Detective Mattingly, Mr. Martin appeared before Judge Kimball this afternoon in the Police Court. Assistant District Attorney Mullowney briefly ex- ‘plained the facts in the case to the court, and added that District Attorney Davis would be satisfied with ball in ~he sum of %,000. Judge Kimball acted accordingly, and Mr. Martin was released from custody, Mr. Emil L. Kupfer qualifying as surety in the sum named. Mr. Andrew A. Lipszomo appeared as attorney tor Mr. Martia. Mr. Martin was arrested on a warrant sworn out by President Whitman of tne Columbian University, and Dr. Greene and Mr. S. W. Woodward, members of the beard of trustees. Rev. Dr. B. L. Whitman, president of Columbian University, left the city this af- ternoon for Wilmington, N. C. In his absence the other members of the execu- e committee and of the board of di- rectors of Columbian University declined to say anything whatsoever as regards the facts in the case. It 1s understood that the amount alleged to have been embezzled—{20,850—or the greater portion of it, was taken from the erdowment fund of the university. PRINTING OFFICE CLERKS. Question Bi to Apportioning Them to the Staten. The’ appcintment of a number of clerks in the government printing office has beer called for by hcads of executive depart- ments for transfer under the rules of the civil service commission, The commission has decided, however, that as the employes of the government printing office are not apportioned among the states, as is the case with the other branches of the public service here, such transfers could not be allowed. As a re- sult of this decision the commission has been asked by those interested in secur- ing transfers from the printing offi whether it could not recommend that the rules of the civil service commissioa requiring appointees to the departmental service should be apportioned among the states should be applied to the big print- ing establishment. When a Star reporter. called the atten- tion of Commissioner Procter to this mat- ter today, he replied: “That question was carefully considered and I do not believe there is any disposi- tion to change the existing practice. It is recognized as necessary to the conduct of the government printing office that a large number of the people employed there should be taken on temporarily during short p2- riods when there is a pressure of work. The pay of many of these employes is not large,- and would not warrant the gov- errment in bringing people here even if they cculd be Induced to come for such temporary work. Skilled help is needed, and it was regarded as important that no restriction should be placed cn their places of residence.” —o_____ TO INVESTIGATE THE AFFAIR. Court of Inquiry Called on the Ter- ror-Penelope Collision. Cor.mander Harrington of the monitor Terror has notitied the Navy Department that his vessel was in collision Wednesday with the steam yacht Penelope, formerly Mr. A. L. Barbour’s yacht, in New York harbor. The damages to the Terror were insignificant. Admiral Sicard, commanding the station, to whom the facts were reported, has called a, meeting of a naval court of inquiry for today on board the Terror, and has notified Mr. Converse, the owner of the Penelope, that he may attend in person or by attor- ney to put forward his side of the case. —_—___—_—_—_-e—____ RESIGNED HER PLACE. Mrs. Wilcox, Who W One of the Few Born in the White House. Mrs. Mary E. Wilcox, who enjoys the dis- tinction of having been born in the White House during President Jackson’s adminis- tratioa, called on Secretary Gage at the Treasury Department today for the pur- pose of resigning her clerkship in the of- fice of the auditor of the War Depart- mient. She is the widow of Representa- tive Wilcox of Mississippi. She entered the government service in September, 1882, as a $900 clerk and has gradually risen in grade until she now holds a $1,600 clerk- ship in the office of the auditor for the Post Office Department. Sue was a great friend of the hero of New Orleans and proudly exhibits many relics of her child- hood days in the White House while he was President. She now over eighty years of age and in feeble health. Her resignation was entirely voluntary and was due to her inability to work to her own satisfaction. Secretary Gage recelved her cordially and listened to her story with great interest. He accepted her resignation to take effect August.1, and gave her leave of absence until, that date, being the extreme limit allowed by law. ———-e+_____. Mr. Sickles’ Americanism. Mr. Edwin Stanton Sickles, who was re- cently nominated to be secretary of lega- tion at Madrid, denies the published report that he was cducated in Spain or.spent a corsiderable part of his life there. While che was born in thet country, his mother being a native of Spain, who was married to his father while the latter was the 5] eee vd where de nas ANNEXATION OF HAWAII MR. TAYLOR'S PLACE AT THE BUILDING MARTIN ARRESTED A REPORTED AGREEMENT GREEKS LOSEGROUND Turks Occupy Velestino and Pharsalos After Hard Fighting. Rear Admirals Norton and Miller Said to Be Willing to Retire. Commodores Phythian and Wallace Could Thus Be Rear Admirals and Retire om the Pay of the Latter. PROSPECT GOOD a Greeks are Now Intrenched at FOR MEDIATION Reports of an agreement in the interest of several prominent naval officers, which were current several weeks ago, have been revived by a current rumor that it may yet be carried into effect. The vlan involves the voluntary retirement of Rear Admirals J. N. Miller and Charles S. Nor- ton in order to enable Commodores R. L. Pkythian and Rush R. Wallace to retire with the rank and pay of rear admirals. The last two named officers retire for age next July and November, respectively. The success of the plan depends entirely upon the action of Admiral Miller, as Ad- miral Norton has promised to retire if by so doing he can benefit the two junior offi- cers. Admiral Miller, who has just been re- lieved of command of the Boston mavy yard, has been ordered to proceed to Eng- land, on the cruiser Brooklyn, to represent the United States navy at Queen Victoria's jubilee next month, after which he fs to proceed to San Francisco to relieve Ad- miral Beardslee of command of the Pacific Station, including the Hawilan Islands. The latest story is that Admiral Miller will voluntarily retire at the conclusion of the ceremonies in London in time to per- Domokos and Almyros. TURKS HAVE ATTACKED VOLO LONDON, May al dispatch from Athens says a telegram has been re- ceived there from Prince Constantine, say- ing: “Our new position at Domokos is one of great strength. We are resolved to hold it at all costs. The retreat from Pharsalos Was rendered imperative by the overwheim- ing numbers of the enemy and was effected without mishap.” ATHENS, May 7.—A dispatch just ceived from Almyros announces that Gen- eral Smolenskt’s brigade arrived there this morning after having effected a retreat from Velestino in good order A panic prevails at Lamia, on the gulf of Lamia, which is now the base of supplies for the Greek forces at Domoskos. Many re- of the inhabitants are flecing from the mit of the execution of the so-called deal. The story is not believed in naval circles. | Place. fearing it will be attacked by the Secretary Long told a Star reporter today | Turks. ‘Three vessels brought refugees that he hadn't heard anything in re: to the deal, and so far as he waa inform Admiral Miller was going to the Pacific station when he returned from his mis- sion to England. Admiral Norton is commandan: cf the Washington navy yard. Commodore Phyth- jan 1s superintendent of the naval observa- tory, and Commodore Wailace is command- ant of the Newport training stution. Admiral George Brown, commanding the Norfolk navy yard, who is now the rank- irg officer of the navy, will retire for age in July next, and that fact has been con- sidered in the above mentioned calculations in favor of Commodores Phythian and Wal- lace. His retirement will make Commodore E. O. Matthews, chief of the bureau of yards and docks, an admiral. The pay of an admiral on the retired iist is $4,500 a year, or $750 a year more than from Lamia to the Piracus yesterday even- irg. CONSTANTINOPLE, May 7.—An official communique reiterates that the excesses attributed to the Turkish troops at Larissa are infamous calumnies, and that the al- leged Turkish evacuation of Trikhala is unfounded. Turkey Favors Mediation. The proposed mediation of the powers be- tween Turkey and Greece is viewed with favor by the Turkish government. Another batch of men who have been on trial, charged with participating in the massecre of Armenians in the streets of Tokat, district of Sivas, have been sen- tenced. that of a retired commodore. Commodores Three of them have been con- Phythian and Wallace are moved by the | demned to death and four others have been matter of finances as well as the matter of | sentenced to terms of from three to ten honor in their efforts to retire with the rank of admiral. ——_-+e-_______ MR. JORDAN’S VISIT. years’ imprisonment. The authorities of Erzeroum have been ordered to hold eleven regiments of famous Hamidieh cavalry in readines case they are wanted for servic saly. A baitalion of Rediffs has been sent to the Island of Mytiine as a pre against a possible landing of the G there. . in sin Thes- Believed to Refer to Conditions in New York. Conrad N. Jordan, assistant United States treasurer at New York, was at the Treasury Department today, and in com- pany with Secretary Gage called on the President before the cabinet session. His visit Is said to have no particular signifi- cance. Now that the rush of applicants for office has abated somewhat, Secretary Gage has taken up the study of the finan- cial situation, and it is thought that Mr. Jordan was requested to come to Washing- ton to advise the Secretary on some mat- ters pertaining. to the conditions in New York. The recent engagements of gold, Mr. Jordan believes, were the result of the peculiar conditions existing in Europe, and had no relation whatever to the conditions in this country, beyond the fact that gold was more easily procured here than in Europe. He expects to return to New York tomorrow. Turks Occupy Pharsalos, The Turkish government ht re- ceived the following official dispatch from Pharealos: “At dawn the imperial troops, having a’ tacked the enemy occupying Pharsalo: from which piace a portion of tre Greek troops had already begun to retreat during the night, defeated them and captured the town. “A division of cavalry pursued the en- emy on the road to Domokos, and the di- vision of Khairi Pasha has been ordered to advance in that direction. “The Greeks left ammunition and pro- visions at Pharselos.” Headquarters of the Turkish Army in Thessaly, Pharsalos, May 5, night (delayed in transmission).—The Greeks, in retiring across the plains toward the town, suf- fered terrible loss from the murderous fire of the Turkish artillery. During the re- treat the Greeks were compelled to cross the river by a single bridge. As the Greek troops were massed at that point the Tur- kish artillery wrought fearful havoc among them. Nevertheless, the Greeks fought Gesperately until nightfall. Velestine Reported Captured. LARISSA, May 6 (night) (delayed in transmisson. During the day many wounded Turkish soldiers were brought in here from the front. They contirm the report of the capture of Velestiag by the Turks, where the fighting has been severe. A Turkish brigade is marching on Volo, which is expected soon to be in the hands of the Ottoman troops. Everybody speaks of the remarka%le courage dieplayed by the Albanian troope. SALONICA, May 6 (delayed in transmis- sion).—The Greek fleet today dropped a number of shells into the Turkish camp at Kassandra, but they did no harm. The Greeks did not try to effect a landing. Story of Battle of Pharsalos. HEADQUARTERS OF THE TURKISH ARMY IN THESSALY, PHARSALOS, May 6 (delayed in transmission).—The Turkish army toright is bivouacking in the eighty villages surrounding Pharsalos, captured from the Greeks. The battle began at 9 o'clock in the morn- ing. After skirmishes between the advance posts of the opposing forces, the Greek ar- tillery opened fire with great precision. But the Turks pushed forward, exposing themselves to the enemy's fire with the greatest sangfroid. ‘The Greeks then made a fatal error in leaving the commanding positions which they occupied, and retiring upon the plain, which was commanded on all points Ly our batteries, which were brought into action 80 soon as the Greeks left the hills. The scene which followed was both interesting end cruel. The Greeks, from all parts of the plain, were converging toward a stone bridge spanning the river, and which was the only means of getting over. The mass of humanity at this point was constantly growing, when the roar of the Turkish artillery began. The Turks ob- tained the exact range of the enemy, and shell after shell fell and exploded in the o——______ SUCCESSOR TO MR. SCULL. Promotion of J. M. Schryver of the B. and 0. Railroad Company. Speclal Dispatch to The Evening Star. BALTIMORE, May 7.—J. M. Schryver has been appointed general passenger agent of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company by Manager of Passenger Traffic D. B. Martin, to succeed Mr. Charles O. Scull, resigned. The appointment is effec- tive un and after Monday next. Mr. Schryver, who is now assistant gen- eral passenger agent, has been with the company for a long time, and §s regarded as thoroughly competent. He has a wide circle of acquaintances. He will have en- tire charge of all the detail work in the passenger department. ee DUC D’AUMALE DEAD. Expired Suddenly Upon Hearing of Duchesse D’Alencon’s Death. PARIS, May 7.—The Duc d'Aumale died yesterday at Zucco, Sicily, from the shock he experienced upon hearing of the death of the Duchesse d’Alencon. The relationship of the Duchesse d’Alen- con and the Duc d’Aumale was that cf uncle and niece by marriage, the Duc @Atencon having been the second son of the Duc de Nemours, brother of the Duc a’Aumale. 5 The immediate cause of death was car- diac apoplexy. The attack lasted but a few moments and he expired without suf- fering. The Prircess Clementine of Orleans, wife of Prince Auguste of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and sister of the Duc d’Aumale, at whose villa at Zucco she has been staying for some time past, is very ill. The prin- cess is eighty years of age, and the shock caused by the sudden death of her brother, following closely upon the tragic leath of the Duchesse d’Alencon, may prove fatal. ————— TO AFFILIATE WITH A. F. OF L. Firemen’s Brotherhood Thought to Have Voted Favorably Thereon. TERRE HAUTE, Ind., May 7.—The lodges of Krotherhood of Locomotive Firemen throughout the country voted on the first of th's month on the proposition to affiliate with the American Federation of Labor. The proposition was before the biennial convention at Galveston last summer, and was strongly urged by Grand Master Sar- gent and President Gompers of the federa- tion, who was present by invitation. The impression is that the returns will show that the proposition has been carried by more than the necessary two-thirds of the lodges. The affiliation is for fraternal and financial assistance, and cannot in- volve the firemen in a strike or other radi- cal action not authorized by their own laws. ——— ae OFFERED $2,000 FOR A VOTE. Attempt to Bribe a Member of Mlinois Legislature, SPRINGFIELD, Ill., May 7.—A sensation