Evening Star Newspaper, July 22, 1897, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. — PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 3101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th &t., by New York Ofice, 49 Potter Building. ‘The Evening Star is served to subscribers ta the eity by carriers, on their own account, per week, or 44 cents per month. ceunter 2 cents each. By mail—anywhe: United States or Crnada—postage prepaid —50 cents per month. Saterday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with foreign postage added, $3.00. (Entered at the Post Office at Washingtoh, D. C., as secend-class mail matter.) 7 All mail subseriptions must be paid in advance. Rates of advertising made known on application. Che £ve ting Star. No. 13,850. WASHINGTON, D. C., THURSDAY, JULY 22, 1897—TWELVE PAGES. TWO CENTS. THE STAR RY 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: 18 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 sive the last address as well as the Tew one. ANDREE AT THE POLE eo Carrie Pigeons Found With Mes- sages Indicating His Success. NOt GENERALLY CREDITED AS FACT Views of Various Arctic Explorers as to Its Credibility. REPORTS FROM TWO SOURCES LONDON, July 22—A special dispatch from Copenhagen says that a carrier pig- eon has been caught in the vicinity of Tromsoe Islard, near the north point of Norway. with the following stamped upon its wing: “North pole passed. Fifteenth.” A keen interest is felt in geographical circles here as to the result of Andree’s polar expedition, and this is greatly in- creased by the arrival of the pigeons at Soevde and at Tromsoe Island, thougn there is some doubt to whether either birds came from Andree. curious fact that the inscription "2 agrees exactly with the ‘al location from which the Lon- don experts believe they might hear from Andree at about this time. 1 ot Keltie's Views. I. Scott Keltie, secretary of the Royal Geographical Society, who is about leaving to attend the meetings of the British as- sociation at Toronto, said to the corre- spondent of the Associated Press today: “I would not wish to speak officially for the society in this matter, but it is certain that if the wind were souther.y when he ascended Andree would er the polar basin and come out near the ing straits. “142 W" means the coast of North Amer- ica, and if such a wind prevailed under the most favorable circumstances Andree would arrive there. If the inscription means this, it means also that Andree has passed right across the pole. “The in: tion is the only thing leading to the supposition that the pigeon may have come from Andree; but it cannot be doubted that he will first be heard of on the extrem2 north of America or the Siberian coast. Supposing him to have arrived at 142 west with a disabled balloon, ne can easily ascend the Mackenzie river and reach the Hudson bay setlements. Of course, if the balloon is not dam: there is no reason why he should deseend until he reaches comfortable quart=i Anxicty as to Andree‘e Fate. There is no special anxiety feit here as to Andr fate, because even if the bal- leon comes to grief Andree will be no worse off than Nansen was after leaving the Fram. STOCKHOLM, July 22.—Dr. Ekhola, who Was associated with Andree in the projected balloon expedition of last year, does not believe that the carrier pigeon caught on Tuesday in the neighborhood of Soevde, in Rifylke, with a sliver ring on one of its feet and the message, “North pole, 142 w. 47.62." on its wings, is one of Andree's pig- eons. He s that Andree’s pigeons do not wear silver rings on their legs and they have “Andree” stamped on their wings. Moreover, he is confident that Andree Would nct send such an obscure message. A dispatch from Christiania, Norway, last night said: Sverdrup A. Andree, the lucky Swedish balloonist, has apparently found the north pole. A telegram frem Stavanger on the west prog of Norway states thet a carrier pig- €on has been caught in the neighborhoood of Soevke, in Rifylke. Upon one of its feet was a silver ring, while stamped on its wings was the fol- lowing brief but significant message: “North pole, 142 W. 47.62." Prof. Moore Interested. Prof. Willis L. Moore, chief of the Weether bureau, very much interested in the report cabled from Christiania, Nor- Way, that a carrier pigeon arrived yester- a bearing this significant message, 5 mped on its wings: “North pole, 142 W., The pigeon was supposed to have been loosed by Andree, the daring Swedish bal- loonist, and to be th nouncement that he had suecessfully reached the pole. Professor Moore, however, although he be- lieves sufficient time has elapsed for the re- ceipt of such a message, is inclined to look upon the report as a canard. If the bird had been freed by Andree he thinks the ring on its foot would have been marked with his name and the message would have keen signed. He also points out the fact that the message was not dated. Still, ‘f it should prove to be true, the news will be especially pleasant for Professor Moore, who, on the day after Andree started, af- tera eful examination of the chart of atmospheric conditions and pressure in the arctic region for this month, predicted that if Andree reached the pole the air currents would carry him out on almost the longitude Indicated and land him even- tually near Point Barrow or the north coest of Alaska. How He Would Locate the Pole. With regard to Andree’s means of locat- ing the pole, Professor Bigelow, the mag- netic expert of the weather bureau, says that he would unquestionably use the navi- gators, sextant. The sun is always above the horizon at this time of year, and there would be no difficulty in getting observa- tiers. Of course, at the pole there is no lorgitude. but he could know his longitude until within a very short distance of the theoretical pole. The magnetic needle would be valueless practically at such latitude on account of «the swaying of the balloon and the dip of ‘the needle. The magnetic pole is longitude 98 west and latitude 701-2 north. This would render the use of the needle still more difficult. Commodore Melville's Views. Commodore Melville was not disposed to discredit the story of the news from An- €ree, notwithstanding the absence of data as to the sender of the message on the pigeon’s wing, and the date of the polar discovery. This omission, he said, might be accounted for by the haste of the sender. and as it was net known that any other party in the arctic regions was equipped with carrier pigeons a degree of probability was lent to the report that entitled it to consideration. Commodore Melville, however, does not attach much importance to the results tu follow such an expedition as Andree’s, even if is succeeded In crossing the pole. He is confident that it would not be possible for Andree to have alighted at the pole and then have resumed his flight, and thinks the best that he could have done would have fen to cross the pole high in the air. His expedition, however, would solve the question as to tie existence of the cpen polar sea, which has been the subject of So much controversy between arctic ex- plorers, but teyond being able to report upen that fact Andree probably would have little of value to concribute to the Present store of knowledge of the far nerth. In the opinion of Commodore Mel- vilie, assuming that this pigeon message is genuine and from Andree, there Is grave reason to fear for the safety of the bold aeronaut. If, following the line of the merl- dian upon which he reported himself, he landed on the north coast of Alaska.nct too fer east of Point Barrow, he probably would fall in with some of the whalers who are still off the coast, or come of the few natives along the shore. But if the balloon once crossed the coast and landed in the interior there would be little chance of the explorers reaching civiliza- tion again. MURDERED IN HER BED Mysterious Circumstances Attending the Shooting of Mrs. Michael Kments. Suspected Husband Charges a Former Boarder Named Muluiak With the Terrible Deed. NEWARK, N. J., July 23.—Mrs. Michael Kmentz, who is a saloon Keeper of this city, was found murdered in bed at their home today. Her husband and her seven- year-old son are in the custody of the po- lice. The officers are looking for Andrew Muluiak, who, the child told them, shot the woman and fled. According to the story told by the boy, who slept in the same room with his father and mother, Muluiak entered his parents’ bed chamber early this morning in his stocking feet. Mrs. Kmentz slept on the outside of the bed, while her husband slept near the wall. The boy says that he saw Muluiak creep up to the bed noiselessly and draw a revolver. This he pressed against the right side of Mrs. Kmentz, pulled the trigger and ran away. Only one shot was fired. Mrs. Kmentz was instantly killed. Story of the Husband. Kmentz told the authorities that he was avakened by the noise of the shot, and that he saw Muluiak in the room. He said he sprang out of bed and grappled with Mulu- fak, who still clutched the revolver in his band and hit him on the head with the butt end, knocking him down. He said that Muluiak then ran from the house, and he followed him. He yelled for the police, and seme citizens who were passing heard him. To them he explained the shooting. They were unable to see any trace of the fugitive, and the police, from this and other state- ments that conflict, doubt whether he com- mitted the murder. ‘The revolver with which done has not been found. that Kmentz and his wife had frequent quarrels. Muluiak Had Been a Boarder. Muluiak had for several years boarded with the Kmentz family. Everything went along all right until a short time ago, when Kmentz became suspicious and ordered the boarder to leave his home. This Muluiak did, but before going he told Kmentz that he had been intimate with Mrs. Kmentz for a long time. Subsequently Muluiak wrote a letter, in which he told of the al- leged intimacy with Mrs. Kmentz and said it was his intention to kill her on sight. This so greatly frightened Mrs. Kmentz that she ficd from the house on Saturday last, taking the two children with her. She returned heme on Tuesday night. —— PROPOSED BOARD OF CHARITIES. Draft of a Bill Sent to ‘Senator McMillan. Senator McMillan has received from Mr. H. B. F. Macfarlard, the chairman of the committee on charities of the Washington hoard of trade, the draft of a bill to create a board of charities in the District of Co- lumbia. The bill repeals the act creating the office of superintendent of charities, and provides that the District Commisston- ers shall appcint nine persons, residents of the District of Columbia, who shall consti- tute the board of charities and shall serve without compensation. Three of them shall serve for one year, three for two years and three for three years. The board of charities shall have the supervision, under the direction of the Com- nussioners of the District of Columbia, of all the public charitable work of the Dis- trict. It shall inquire into the manage- ment, condition and operation of all the in- utions in the District of Columbia which have for their object the reception or deten- tion of persons at the expense, either in whole or in part, of the District of Colum- Ha, and shall supervise their expenditures ard the distribution of all funds appropri- ated out of the revenues for the District of Columbia for the relief of the poor. The board shall formulate such plans for the better organization of the charitable work in the District as shall promote its efficiency and economy. A secretary may be employed at a salary to be hereafter fixed, together with such clerical force as may be necessary. The report accompany- ing the bill says that in enacting the pro- posed legislation Congress would simply be giving the District of Columbia such a board of charities as has been already es- tablished under different names and with different powers in nearly a score of states of the Union. —____+-2+___—_. DENIED BY SECRETARY SHERMAN. That He Was Opposed to Signing the Letter to Ambassador Hay. The attention of Secretary Sherman was directed today to the published statement that he had been induced to sign the let- ter of instructions to Ambassador Hay, rel- ative to the seal controversy, which has so excited the British press, only under severe pressure and against his own judg- ment. The Secretary has just come to the State Department after an illness of a few days’ duration, but that he had kept himself informed of the affairs of the day was evident from the fact that he had al- ready read the story and was prepared ty enter a prompt and specific denial of the allegation. He said that there was not a word cf truth in it, and that as a mat- ter cf fact he had been in perfect accord with the President in every step of the correspondence relating to the seal ques- tion. —___+ e-—__—_ HIS WIFE BETRAYED HIM. Conviction of a Man Who Impersonat- ed His Dead Brother. The pension bureau kas received notifi- cation of the conviction of Horace L. How- ard of Orting, Wash., for having imper- scnated his deceased brother, Henry 8. Howard, who served in Company E, 6th Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and having fraudulently obtained a pension from the United States government and having im- posed upon the state of Washington by ob- taining admission to the home as a soldier by pretending to be his deceased brother. Mr. Howard formerly resided in the states of Michigan and New York. He abandoned his wife, went out to Washington, married again, and the second Mrs, Howard advised the special examiner that her husband was currying around with him a dose of poison, which it was his intention to take as soon as the government ascertained that he was a fraud. He did not take the poison, but kas been sentenced to eighteen months’ imprisonment. —-e-_____. Personal Mention. Assistant Secretary Vanderlip resumed his duties at the Treasury Department this morning, after a short business visit to New York. Lieut. T. F. Munson, 9th Infantry, is in the city on leave of absence. Capt. C. C. Hewitt, 19th Infantry, is at the Ebbitt, on college vacation. Dr. John A. Swope, vice president cf the Washington Loan and Trust Company, has recovered bis slight illness, and is back at his desk in the office. Mr. E. W. Barrett, for several years cor- respondent here of the Atlanta a tion, has obtained control of the ham, Ala, State-Herald, aad will soon charge of that paper, AGAINST AN INQUIRY Adverse Report on Senator Tillman's Resolution, ALLEGED SUGAR STOCK SPECULATING Insinuations Not Sufficient to Jus- tify Investigation. CORRESPONDENTS’ CHARGES Senator Jones of Nevada, cheirman of the committee on contingent expenses, to- day submitted to the Senate the report of that committee on the resolution intro- @uced by Senator Tillman for an investiga- tion of the charges of speculating in sugar stocks, etc. The report takes a strong position against ordering the investigation and is a very exhaustive review of the Procedure of the Senate in the past in such matters. The report takes the position that aside from the names of the newspaper men themselves only the name of Senator Smith of New Jersey is mentioned in the news- Papers making the charges on which the resolution was based. The position is taken that the newspaper men do not count, “inasmuch as those gentlemen do not profess to write from knowledge and usually, if not always, decline to disclose the sources of their information.” Senator Smith’s Case. With reference to Senator Smith the repott says: ‘Here is a newspaper charge made against a senator of the United States without eny averment of personal knowledge on the part of the writer and without the slightest particle of evidence to sustain it—nct even as much as would warrant a justice of the peace in sum- moning witnesses to determine the truth of @ complaint by one citizen against another with reference to the most trifling inci- Gent of every-day life. It is the bold and naked assertion of a man who does not profess or pretend to have any knowledge whatever cf the alleged fact of which he writes. On the other hand, we have a definite, explicit -and absolute denia! of the charge from the senator affected—a de- nial publicly made from als place in the Senate, upon the responsibility of h!s po- sition, as @ senator of the United States. As to the clause of the resolution whic charges that “brokers in New York knew in advance as to what the finance commit- tee would report as to the sugar schedule,” the committee say they can find in the newspaper c'ippings presented in support of the proposed inquiry “nothing but in- definite allusions, insinuations, guesses and inferences drawn by correspondents from hearsay statements, and the hearsay some- times several degrees removed. Many «f their expressions indicate the flimsiness of the foundation on which they have erected this structure of scandal.” The attack of one of the correspondents is characterized as “a deliberate, unfair and envenomed determination to, if possi- ble, bring upon the subcommittee of the finance committee the contempt of the country.” Insinuations of Correspondents. “Whenever,” the report continues, “we approach a statement that, judging from th> sensaticnal headings of the article, seems about to give us definite and respon- sible information, which could be reached by an investigation, we are disappointed io find that instead of affording evidence of the alleged fact the statements consist of insinuations, mysterious hints and indefi- nite allusions made on the authority cf some person whose name the correspondent does not disclose. All these guesses, infer- erces and innuendoes ere met in the most direct and emphatic manner by the state- ment of the senator from Rhode Island, Mr. Aldrich, the chairman of the subcom- mittee of the finance committee having in charge the arrangement of the details of the tariff bill.” Senator Aldrich’s reply to Senator Till- men, in which he refers to Senator Jones of Nevada as the only senator outside of the subcommittee who had knowledge of its proceedings, is quoted at length. Replying to this statement, Senator Jones makes an individual parenthetical state- ment, in which he says: “He is a member of the finance committee of the Senate, and that such information as he obtained from the subcommittee on the occasion re- ferred to by the senator from Rhode Island was information received in legitimate, of- ficial consultation with the members of the subcommittee, and that such informa- tion was conveyed by Mr. Jones to no hu- man being in any form or manner before the presentation of the particulars to the Senate, and this publication in due and or- derly course.” Assassins of Reputation. The report takes the position that the distinct assertions of senators are not to be outweighed by newspaper attacks in- stigated by men “willing to make state- ments to newspaper correspondents with a view to publication, and then, like assassins who use the stiletto in the dark, skulk be- hind those correspondents and refuse to permit their names to be made known, even for purposes of evidence.” It would, the report continues, be mon- strous to set In motion the investigating machinery of the Senate every time that svtch an attack fs made upon a senator, and the committee concludes that “if every unfathered rumor and unsupported charge were to be held sufficient ground on which to base an irvestigaticn into the official conduct of the people's representatives, there is no legislative body in the world that could for a single day carry on the work for which it was designed. Its entire time would be given over to the work of investigating rumors, whispers and charges. Before the investigation of one such could be completed, another would have made its appearance, and when the second had been investigated, a third would have been provided and would be ready, which, in turn, would be succeeded by a fourth, and ae fourth by a fifth. There would be no ord.” Must Be Tangible Evidence. They, say that the Senate has on several occasions held with reference to proposed ir vestigations into the conduct of its mem- bers “that in order to warrant so grave a proceeding there should be some tangible evidence—some specific and properly sup- ported allegation of fact from a responsible source, and not merely vague general charges of rumors.” The c ittee say with reference to the Portion of the resolution which requires the reopening of the inquiry of 1994, that no new evidence has been produced and that the proceedings in the ‘vourts “in the mat- ter of certain contumacious witnesses do not show any probability of securing in- formation beyond that already adduced. They call attention to the fact that Jn all the prosecutions growing out of the former inquiry there was only one conviction, the others ‘acquitted on the ground that the questions put to them were not per- tinent. ‘The committee concludes that this status cannot be changed by reopening the case. Alleged Sugar Trast Political Contri- butions. ‘With reference to the proposition that in- errment. to be subjected to natrew restrictions or circumscribed within sufberal bbunds, mere- ly to correct a disposition te over severity of criticism. occasion to. reflect <u from arsault whenes the exercise of this right sfoutd be reserv- ed for occasions of extraor@inary import- ance. Freedom of the press is guaranteed e behind parentless rumor. -count de Santo-Th: “the time to investigate @ subject of that character will be when some evidence is offered to show cause for the inquiry,” and adds that “upon the el n of a senator his political or other opponents are suffi- ciently active and alert in their own in- terest or in the interest of their party to make known to the any irregularity or cause for contest in his election. In so far as the: American Sugar Refining Com- pany may offend against the-statutes of the United States let tt be dealt with according to law. We ere not the apologists of that company or any other. The want of popu- larity of that compeny or any other can never of itself be held to be’a ground for investigating the right of ‘senators to their seats. If it be our duty; upon our own in- itiative and without the it warrant from any known fact, to~ investigate whether a corporition has “contributed to or controlled the election of a senator in this body at any time,” why stop at one corporation? Why not prepare a list of all corporations in the United States, call up the officers of each and examine into the question whether such corporations have “in any wise contributed to or controlled the election of a senator in this body at any time?” The process of examination would be end- less, and there would be no time for the performance of any legislative duties. Punishment of Correspondents. The committee goes at length into the question of the propriety of expelling from the Senate press gallery er sending to pris- on newspaper correspopdents who make false charges, taking & position against both suggestions. They say that expulsion from the gallery woulti. be disproportioned to the offense, as the other galleries of the Senate would be open to the offenders. “It might even be,” the committee add, “that the notoriety dcquired by a corre- spondent by reason of such expulsion in- stead of operating as'a punishment would prove a soirce of promotion in his pro- fession.”” 4 Furthermore, they conclude that such punishment would have ano influence upon the newsvaper proprietors themselves, and that, with the press associations covering the ground, it would be impossible to de- prive newspapers from securing the news. The committee supply a list of prosecu- tions of newspaper writers by the Senate, beginning with the case of Wm. Duaane of 1800, from which the conclusion is drawn that no very heavy penalties have been imposed for the recusancy of newspaper witnesses. As to the imprisonment of newspaper correspondents, editors or pub- lishers for making statements not war- anted by the fact the eommittee consider ‘that nothing but the imperilment of the gravest public interests should compel a resort to such an extremity. It is out of the question, on the eve of the twentieth century, for any one ‘to undertake to im- prison journalists for’every vague, indeti- nite charge which they may circulate. No legislative bodies wowkd be sustained in such action by the enlightened public opin- ion of the country. Value of a Bree Prens. “It is no disparagement of legislative bodies to admit the invaluable function of the press in the mainitenange of free gov- That functien {is too important The remedy woujd be :vorse than the disease, Legislators who, in every loose ahd Unsupported..zcharge af- fecting the action of ly, See the specter of accusation, jt upon im- prisonment in default. gf proef, should take injury that would be done tp fr ent by. the attempt on every gegst ‘ing to book members of the press Who eercised over- freely the right of ‘¢ritigism of public acts. While the right mugt ‘@¥erhe maintained by the law-making. powerto protect itself esowvedeemanating, yet by the Constittition, is “essential to exist- ence of free government, and should not Vightly be interfered’ with.” The committee do* not accept the view that the Senate will stand convicted of the charges if it does not officially disprove them, ; “Although,” the report says, “the press is a most powerful institution, we are very cenfident that this Is a great exaggeration of its power. make these charges nor believe them. The people who read newspapers from day to day are too wise and intelligent to be so de- ceived. They are able to gauge with rea- sonable judgment the decree of ‘truth and of importance to be attribited to the state- ments which they read.” Neither do all newspapers Have Run the Gauntlet. Reference is made in this connection to the gauntlet of newspaper criticism that every man elected to the Senate runs be- fore he reaches that gcal, and the conclu- sion drawn that their success ts sufficient ‘dence that those who succeed are ‘worthy of the confidence of the people who send them, and this presumption,” it is added, rebut. “is one requiring evidence to “It would be extraordinary !f upon the ap- pearance of any tfrresponsible and unsup- ported charge, every senator were to be called up and catechised upon the assump- tion that he had been guilty of some wrong or crime. This would be less consideration than is accorded ever to the criminal in the dock, for the criminal is openly faced by his accuser, who ts not allowed to skulk Some person must, cn the responsibility of an oath, fa- ther the charge against him, and, even then, he ts assumed to be innocent until proved guilty. “The ‘star chambef as an institution has been dead for two centuries and a half. On the identical spot where stood the chamber , with its gilded stars, in which this court held its sittings, end from which it derived the name,by which it is known to history, there stands today, as if by the romance of retribution, the writing room of the gentleman of the press in the palace at Westminster. “It would ill befit this age if the institu- tion of the press, which sprang to Hberty upon the destruction of: that deadliest of its foes, should itsélf revive the methods of accusation which made this so-called ‘court’ of the star chamber the most im- placable enemy of justice.” In conclusion the eammittee recommend that the resolution be.ndefinitely postpon- ed, saying “it seems toyeur committes that the time has come 'when the Senate should Practically declare ‘by fs action that it will not be accessory to attacks-upon itself bers from irrespansible sources. No investigation of any: frecti the integrity of the Senate er its member No Complications An#icipated. The insult offered to-the flag of Portugal by @ party of studeggs in southern Cali- fornia on the Fourth:of July is not ex- pected to lead to“any complications. Vis- , the Portuguese minister to the U; item, called at the State enuft had a short i , which has turn caused an inquiry ¢o Be made of the state authorities, The report of the gov- Alaska in the CARRIES BASE METAL Gold From Yukon Not So Valuable as California Product. SMELTING COMPANY'S STATEMENT Rush Continues to the Mines From Pacific Coast Points. WARNING TO PROSPECTORS SAN FRANCISCO, July 22.—Assistant Weigher W. A. Underhill of the Selby Smelting Company states that the oid from the Yukon is not of so much value &s that produced in California. In speak- ing of this matter he said: “We nave found the miners from the Yukon a very nice class of people to deal with and they have not been deceived in the value of gold they have brought back with them. It is @ fact that the Yukon gold is not as valu- able as that prcduced in this state. We have found that there are from WO to 100 points more base metal in the northern product. These base metals are iron, lead and a few others, and there isa large quan- tity of silver also. We look principally for the gold and silver. It is the iron that gives the Yukon gold its fine rich color. Decrease Metal’s Value. “Of course, these other metals decrease the metal’s value a little. The nuggets from the Yukon are worth $17 and $18 per ounce, and the finer gold dust is worth from $16 to $17 per ounce. With the California gold value is about $1 an ounce more; that is, nuggets run from $18 to $19, and goid dust never less than $17 per ounce. “Our assayers have found several other metals besides those I have mentioned, but no attention is paid to them, as the other base metals do not cut much of a figure in the general value.” WARNING TO PROSPECTORS. Fred. Price, a Klondike Miner, Pre- dicts Searcity of Food. SEATTLE, Wash., July 22.—Fred Price, a Seattle man who has returned from the Klondike with several thousand dollars in gold dust, says that there is great fear of suffering on the part of those who attempt to go into that country without an abun- dance of supplies of provisions. He does not believe the trading compantes can be- gin to supply the demand which will be made on them. Price thinks the men who take up horses to cross the pass from Dyea will do well. They can get their provisions in easy that way and sell the horses for dog meat afterward. Prospect Other Fields. He also advises newcomers to look for claims on other creeks besides the tribu- taries of the Klondike, the latter being Pretty well staked out. Stewart river creeks promise as well as the Klondike. He says further that Zambling dens and dance halls have already opened in Dawson. Games of every description are running, and some of the miners play very heavy. They go into the mining town in sheer des- peration at the loneliness and gloom of winter and gamble in a reckless manner to break the monotony. Price says it is hard to get along in Dawson City on less than a day, and many of the men spend ten times that much. He claims that one saloon cleaned up $30,000 in three weeks this summer. Elder for Alaska Trade. PORTLAND, Ore., July 22.—The Pacific Coast Steamship Company has chartered the Oregon Railway and Navigation Com- pany’s steamer Geo. W. Elder, and will put her on the line between Portland and interest of the Portland merchants. It is intended-that the steamer will make her first trip from Portland to Juneau on or about July 30. Two More Vessels Chartered. VANCOUVER, B.C., July 22.—The steam- er Islander is announced to sail for Dyea, Alaska, on July 25, and already a number of berths have been taken. The steamer Capitano is expected to get away for Alas- ka some time today. Navigation of the Upper Yukon. A question has arisen in the Treasury Department as to the rights of foreign vessels to carry passengers and freight on the Upper Yukon river to the Klondike gold fields. A request has been received from the owners of the Canadian steamer Islander for permission to carry passengers and freight to Dyea, the last port of entry on the river, going up. The matter has been referred to the solicitor of the depart- ment for an opinion, but it is believed that under existing laws the Islander cannot proceed beyond Juneau, and that the trip to Dyea must be completed in an Ameri- can vessel. The Islander will clear from Victoria. ——__—_. TENNESSEE’S NEW SENATOR. Likely to Become One of the Prom- inent Figures in Congress. Mr. Turley, the new senator from Ten- netsee, is likely to become one of the prominent figures of the Senate. He is a small man, of dark complexion, with sharp, regular features and very bright and intel- ligent eyes. He is scarcely larger than Senator Wilson of Washington, and is al- most as dark-skinned as an Italian. Though he is fifty-four years old, and was Senator Harris’ law partner from 1874 until the late senator ceased to practice, he looks no more than thirty-five. He said today that he had never before held office, and had never sought political Position of any sort. It was said just prior to his appointment that he would not be {.candidate for election by the legisla- ture, and that he and friends had so informed the governor. He says that there is no truth in this statement as far as it attributes any declaration on the subject AS the subject was not mentioned between him and the governor, and that, of course, he would not have accepied the appointment had there been any condition suggested. He did not say that he would or that he would not seek election, but Btated that he had never indicated that he would not do so. He comes with the repu- tation of an orator of some qualities. Dur- the last campaign he made but one speech. That was in reply to ‘3ourke Cockran’s famous gold speech at Nash- ville. It is claimed by the Tennessee demo- crats that he proved himself to be a kran. stronger man than Coc! ————<—<_$<_o Government Receipts. Government receipts from customs to- day amounted to $1,153,890; internal rey- enue, $846,335; miscellaneous, $22,079. N; tonal bank notes recelved for rere $388,811. LYNCH LAW IN GEORGIA Oscar Williams, a MNegro, Hanged in Streets of Griffin, Mob Took Him From State Authori- ties, Who Were Trying to Take Hi to Atlanta. ATLANTA, Ga., July 22—Oscar Williams, the negro who committed an assault on the daughter of a Henry county farmer last week, and was transferred to the Macon jail for safe keeping, was taken from the Central railroad train, on which he was being brought to Atlanta, at Griffin this morning and lynched. Williams was pursued through four coun- ties by hundreds of armed and infuriated men, immediately after the commission of his crime, but managed to escape. He was finally captured by a farmer at Barnesville and hurried off to Macon, in whose jail it was thought he would be safe. Excitement in the case was supposed to have subsided until last night, when ru- mors reached Macon that an effort would be made by a mob from the neighborhood of the crime to take the negro out of the jail and the police reserve and the military were cailed out to protect him. To make sure of his safety, however, the officials decided to take their prisoner to Atlanta They started with him on the Central train ieaving Macon at 4:20 oclock. At Griffin, forty miles from Atlanta, near the scene of Williams’ crime, a mob board- ed the train, took the negro from his guards aud marched him through the prin- cipal business street of the town to a point 200 yards outside the corporate limits, where they hung him to a small oak tree. The members of the mob made no at- tempt at disguise, and their names are known tn Griffin, which fs a town of 5,000, people. Several of them were heard to de- clare that if they had Mayor Huguely of Barnesville, who saved Williams from be- nes San first captured, by call- ut the military, y wi byathieiane waren. they would hang him Williams confessed to his captors before they swung him up. The sudden revival of mob against Williams fs believed by mai directly traceable to the excitement fol- lowing upon the sensational lynching of Dr. Ryder in Talbot county Monday night. violence ny to be —— FOR A MONETARY COMMISSION. Provisions of a Bill Introduced by Representative Stone. Represcntative C. W. Stone of Pennsyl- vania, who was chairman of the commit- tee on coinage, weights and measures of the last House, today introduced in the House a bill to authorize the appointment of a monetary commission and to provide for its expenses. The text of the bill is as follows: “That the President is hereby authorized to appoint a monetary commission of eley- en members, who shall be persons specially fitted by experience, train: ‘ing and study for the consideration ef the subjects coming before said commission, “Said commission: ‘shail investigate and report what changes, if any, are necessary and expedient in our présent banking and currency laws, and what further legisla- tion, if any, is desirable relative to our na- tional banking system and our government paper currency of notes and certificates, and may in connection therewith report a codification of existing laws on these sub- jects. “Said commission may take testimony and listen to arguments in their discretion, and may require ard shall be entitled to receive information from any department or officer of the government on any matter within its or his special jurisdiction and — within the scope of their investiga- ion. “Said commission shall meet for organ- ization in Washington at such times as the President may appoint, and may hold their subsequent sessions at such times and places as they may determine, and shall Teport to the President fer transmi to Corgress not later than November 15, 1897. “Copies of all bills relating to banking and currency or the circulating notes of the government introduced in either House during the Fifty-fourth Congress and the first session of the Fifty-fifth snall be fur- nished by the clerks of said houses to the commission.” One hundred thousand dollars are ap- propriated by the terms of the bill for the expenses of the commission. This bill has been prepared by Mr. Stone, after consul- tation with Mr. H. H. Hanna, chairman of the Indianapolis sound money conven- tion, and is understood to have the ap- proval of the administration. It is the bill that will probably be passed by the House as a response to the special message of the President, which he will send to Con- gress as soon as the tariff bill gets out of the Senate. —_——_-e-_____ PUNISHING PRIVATES. 1 Courts at Fort Myer and Washington Barracks. Private Tony J. Spring, Troop A, 6th Cav- alry, having been convicted by a general court-martial at Fort Myer, Va., of cor- duct to the prejudice of good order and mil- itary discipline, was sentenced to be dis- honorably discharged, to forfeit all pay and allowances due him, and to be confined at hard labor for six months. General Mer- ritt, commanding the department, approved the sentence, except so much of it as pro- vides for more than three months’ contine- ment at hard labor, which he says is in excess of regulations. The sentence will be executed at Fort Myer, Privates Wm. H. Brown and Willard E. Barney, both of battery A, 4th Artillery, were convicted by general courts-martial at Washington barracks for infractions of the Articles of War and sentenced to dis- honorable discharge with a short period of ecnfinement at hard labor. Private Bulow M. Bright of the same bat- tery has been sentenced to forty days’ con- firement at hard labor because of violation of the regulations. The sentences were ap- proved by the reviewing authority. —_+-—_____ FORD’S THEATER CLAIMS, Secretury Gage Today Began the Poy- ment of Awards, Secretary Gage today began the pay- ments authorized by Congress in settlement of the claims of employes of the govern- ment for injuries and losses sustained at the Ford’s Theater disaster, June 9, 1893. Warrants were issued’ today in favor of three persons, as follows: Ethelbert Baier, for $2,500; James A. White, for $1,000, and Mrs. Georgia R. Baldwin, legatee under the last will of David H. P. Brown, for Geo. 'W. Smoot, $1,200; Smith’ Thom} ‘Whi DRUG STORE BLAZE Flames and Exploding Chemicals Makes Things Lively. CRISWELL'S STORE THE SCENE Narrow Escape of Persons in the Building. HOW IT CAUGHT cis Dr. F. M. Criswell's drug store at the northeast corner of 7th and T streets, was badly damaged by fire this afternoon. The damage to the building, as well as to the stock, was considerable, and it was caused by the accidental leaking of a biz bottle centaining several quarts of benzine. The fivid ran from the second floor to the base- ment, where there was fire in the furnace. This caused a loud explosion, and pieces of breken glass flew in every direction. A col- ored porter named Robert Johnson, who was at work in the basement, narrowly escaped with his life, and he was so thor- oughly frightened that, he could hardly te the story of how the affair happened for hour afterward. ar The fire was a stubborn one and the firemen had hard work to subdue the Although the fire started. in the basement the blaze followed up the ele- vator shaft to the top of the third floor, Fs Jatd low all comustibi in material its path. On t 1 ladies were medicines and they Nie reom in which they were working. Exe!te- ment was at its highest pitch when sn.oke poured from the upper floor as from the basement, and peopl crowa feared there was somebody building. For a few minutes the colored porter nowhere to be found, and as it was known he was in there some alarm was feit for his safety. Several persons who had realized the seriousness of the fire rushed around to the eighth precinct station and a mes- sage was s@nt from there over the wire to No. 7 Engine Company, on R street. While this message was being sent an alarm was sounded from box 214. This brought out several fire companies, and it was some minutes before t reams of water secm- ed to have any visible effect on the flames. Smoke and Flames. The volumes of black smoke were so dense that it was with difficulty that the firemen succeeded in getting in the upper part of the building. Blinds from the up- per window had to be cut awa’ erai times the firemen were for treat for fear of an explosion. and also because of the density of the smoke. Soon after the firemen began playing the several streams of water on the blaze the water found its way from the top of the house to the store on the first floor and this did con- siderable damage. When the big bottle was first broicen and the fluid made its way down the elevator shaft the clerks in the store became aiarmed. L. S. Day, the head clerk, realized the danger in which the colored porter was and he hastened to the basement to assist him out of the place where the explosion had occurred. When he descended the stairway there was so big a blaze that he was turn- ed back, but it was not until he saw that the porter was Safe that he ascended the steps to the store. Mr. Day was burned about the hands, and the porter was also burned, but not ‘seriously. The clerks and others went to work to remove some of the valuables from the store. and then also removed many of the Mquids, which they knew were liable to ex- , and probably kill some of the fire- men or cause the spreading of the flames. In the removal of the goods from the store some little property was destroyed. Dr. Criswell was not in the store when the fire started, having gone to Mount Vernon this morning. putting up had to run for so quickly did the flames reach in the The Damage. Dr. Criswell returned before the fire had been extinguished and found part of his store a complete wreck. Most of the dam- age had been done or the upper floors. There was scarcely anything left on the second or third floors, while the store rroper was water-soaked and somewhat scorched. Dr. Criswell said he could give no idea of the amount of damaze done, al- though it will amount to several thousand dollars. The firemen say it was one of the hardest fires they have had to fight for a long time, and it was only because of their prompt- ness that the building was saved. Dr. Cris- well thinks his property was frilly insured Stic Sel AEE COULDN'T PLAY HIM. Speaker Reed Not Susceptible to That Kind of Manipulatio One of the comic papers had a cartoon the other day, entitled “The republican or- gan, with only one reed.” Tt was a repre- sentation of an immense organ in the House of Representatives, with the keys and stops and other paraphernalia of an organ, except there was but a single reed, an immense one, surmounted by a likeness of Speaker Reed's head. “What do you think of that, Mr. Speak- er?” asked one of his colleagues the day it was published, showing him the cartoon. Mr. Reed looked at it long and critically before he ventured a suggestion. “That's ail right,” he said, at last, “only they don't play me. ——— DEEP WATERWAY COMMISSION. The Three Who Will Probably Selected as Members. It is expected that before the adjournment of the present session of Congress the Pres- ident will send to tHe Senate the nomina- tidns of the three commissioners provided for by the last Congress to prosecute the inquiry as to the feasibility of constructing a deep waterway betweer the great lakes and the Atlantic ocean,“by which it will be possible for ocean-going craft to react Chicago and other lake ports. While the final selection of the members of this im- portant body (for upon its report may de- pend the expenditure of $20,000,000) has not yet been made, It is understood that the personnel will probably be made up of Civil United States Engineer Corps, now in. charge of river and harbor works along the New Jersey coast. . $ —————- e- SCHOOXER SUNK IN COLLISION. P. L. Dewis and Lottie Russell Collide” im Vineyard Sound. VINEYARD HAVEN, Mass., July 22.-—-a collision between the schooner P. L. Dewis if