Evening Star Newspaper, August 11, 1897, Page 1

Page views left: 0

You have reached the hourly page view limit. Unlock higher limit to our entire archive!

Subscribers enjoy higher page view limit, downloads, and exclusive features.

Text content (automatically generated)

THE EVENING STAR. a eegeeees PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 3101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th St., by i Co: Sh ea eee Se New York Offos, 49 Pottor Building. ‘The Evening Star is served to subscribers fn the city by carriers, o their own account, at 10 ccnis per week, or 44 cents per month. ‘Copies at the ceunter 2 cents each. By mail—anywhere in the United States or Cxnada—postage prepaid—30 ecnts Per month. Satrrday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with foreign postage added, $3.00. (Entered at the Post Office at Washington, D. C., as secend-class matl matter.) 7 Ail mail subscriptions must be pafd in advance. Rates of advertising made known on application. — Che Hoven 2) No. 13,867. WASHINGTON, D. ©., WEDNESDAY; AUGUST 11, 1897-TEN PAGES. Star. | TWO CENTS. Advertising is not an expense. It is a business investment. If you want to invest your money profitably you will therefore put your advertisements in such a paper as The Evening Star, that is read regularly and thoroughly by everybody worth reaching. The Star is the recognized household and family journal of the National Capital, and has no rival as an advertising med- ium. MEXICO GOES DOWN[GRIFFITH'’S ELECTION —_ +—_—_ Steamer Struck a Rock at Entrance | Wby the Democrats Considered Tt of Much of Sitka Harbor. PASSENGERS AND CREW ALL SAVED Was on Her Return Trip From : Alaskan Ports. Importance. Senator Fairbanks Says It Was a Rock-Ribbed District — His Prosperity Prediction. ‘The result of the election in Indiana of a successor to the late Representative Hol man has brought a feeling of relief to democrats, and they are inclined to make much of the election of Griffith to Con- CARGO IS AN ENTIRE LOSS] gress. The significance of this is not that = VICTORIA, B. C., August 11.—The steamer Topeka, which arrived here last evening, reports that the steamer Mexico on August while going into Dixon en- the election is a victory of consequence, but that the democratic leaders feared that they might suffer a reverse there which wculd seriously depress democrats in differ- ent sections of the country. Though the district is strongly democratic and the re- trance to the harbor of Sitka, during a | Publicans had no reason to expect that un- heavy fog, struck West Devil rock at full peed. and in about two hours sank, stern st, in 500 feet of water. The captain exhibited great coolness, and with the officers did everything that was possibl The p their baggage in small boats. After row- ing Ull midnight they arrived at Mettla- kala. to be 4 o'clock in the morning. The ship is a total loss. The passengers and crew are on the Topeka. Strack at Full Speed. der ordinary circumstances they could elect their candidate, the democrats were appre- hensive. They calculated that should they lose this election several months after the new administration entered into power, it would be accepted as indicating popular sengers and crew were saved with | 2pproval of republican policies, and would surely foreshadow defeat in Maryland and Ohio. For this reason more importance Was attached to the election than was its The time she struck is believed | due. The democrats calculated that if they failed to elect a successor to Mr. Holman and this should be followed by defeat in Maryland and Ohio it would indisputably fcreshadow failure in the future and dis- courage all hope of their being able to The steamer had been running at half | elect the next House of Representatives. speed because of the dense fog until a few moments before the rock was struck. Pilot Connell What Senator Fairbanks Says. Senator Fairbanks of Indiana arrived in then rang for full steam | Washington today. In conversation with ahead and soon after there was a terrible | a Star reporter he said this morning: “The shock on the starboard side. So great Was the momentum that the ship was car- ried through the reef, which, it is believed, was the West Devil's rocks, deep water beyond. Instantly there was a call of the crew, and without the slightest confusion thé seventy-five passengers on board were safely placed in the ship's boats. Soon after the vessel struck the heavy fog cleared, and it was bright and sunshiny before she went down. ‘There was no excitement on board. The passengers and watch below were awaken- ed by the shock. The alarm was quickly given, and all were soon dressed and re- assured by the coolness of the officers, and awaited their turn to enter the boats. The vessel was valued at about $100,000. Party of Scientists on Board. A party of scientists, who have been col- lecting specimens in Alaska for the Co- lumbian Museum, were returning oa the Steamer. They lost all their instrumenis, notes and specimens, which were in the hold of the vessel, only the hand bagzage of passengers and officers being saved. News From San Francisco. SAN FRANCISCO, August 11.—A special from Victoria to the Chronicle says: For ‘al days anxious inquiries have been made regarding the Pacific Coast Steam- ship Company’s ship Mexico, which was scheduled to leave tomorrow on her second trip to Dyea. When the vessel struck off Sitka, as re- ported in an earlier dispatch, Captain Wal- lace and his officers quietly awaited their turn to be lowered over the sffe in boats. This was performed without a hitch, spler.did discipline being maintained. After the passengers were safely off tne crew turned their attention to the hand bag- gage which the passengers had in their cabins and the treasure and valuables be- longing to the steamer. time below deck, and as it was everything in the cabins could not be secured, although captain and crew stayed on the steamer until It was no longer safe for them to do so. They had not been away from her long when she made a final plunge and went down stern first. he struck on her starboard bilge keel, a large hole was torn in her side. Only jort time before orders were sent to engine room to send her under full eam ahead and consequently she went right through the rocks. Had fron v very few would have li tell the story of the accident. have gone down like a rock. Waiting for the Topeka. At New Metakthala they had to spend several days awaiting the arrival of the ‘ka, news of the wreck having been ent north to her by the steamer Alki. * passengers and crew had their wants to by the Rev. Dr. Dunn and the Of the seventy-five passengers ists who made the round were coming south from skan ports. When she sailed ttle the Mexico carried 278 pas- nd some of freight, con- ipally of the outtits of the in- and carried i seve d to She would tending thereto sixty-eight horses h was used in packing these outtits. The Mexico was owned by the Pacific st Steamship Company and was well wn on the sound. She was built in San s Her gross tonnage was .707; net 1,340. She was 275 feet long, 36 feet beam and had a nominal horsepower of 1,500. —_.+—___ NATIONAL CHINESE CEMETERY. Deal Closed at Philadelphia for a 110-Acre Burial Tract. PHILADELPHIA, August 11.—The new mal Chinese cemetery {s now an as- 1 fact. Lee Troy, the “mayor of China- says that the papers closing the pur- of 110 acres comprising the old St. "s farm, near Wynnewood, about ten from Philadelphia, have now been seed and that the work of removing the es of Chinamen who have been buried in other cemeteries will be begun shortly. ‘The price paid by the Chinamen for the land was $2,2%) an acre. The cemetery will be used as a burial ground by Chinamen all over the eastern section of the country, be- ing the only one im existence in the east. Here the cclestials will be at liberty to in. se in all their native rites, a privilege ch has been denied them heretofore by local cemetery authorities. a ING FOR THE DUEL. Seconds of Prince Henry of Orleans to Meet Gen. Albertone’s. MARSEILLES, August 11.—Prince Henry ARRA of Orleans has arrived here on his return from Abyssinia. Hts seconds, M. Leon- tieff, a Russian officer, and M. Raoul Mourlchon,.a traveling companion, will Meet, in Paris, the seconds of Gen. Alber- tone, the Italian officer who has challenged the prince to fight a duel on atter’s aspersions upon the conduct of the lian soldiers in Abyssinia. ———— EMPRESS OF JAPAN'S FAST TRIP. success of the democrats in the old Holman district is not a surprise nor a disappoint- ment to the republicans. This is a rock- and into the | ripped democratic district, and for us to have carried it would have indicated an overwhelming popular sentiment in our fa- vor, much greater than we had any war- rant to hope for this early in the adminis- tration. The only chance of our success Jay in the possibility of a growth of repub- lican sentiment beyond reasonable expecta- tion. It is no significant victory for the democrats. Simply they haven’t lost a dis- trict which belongs to them. Prosperity Coming. Speaking of the general condition of the country, Senator Fairbanks said that the outlook from all quarters was extremely satisfactory. “Prosperity,” he said, “‘ap- pears to be coming on schedule time. There is every indication that we shall not be dis- appointed in our expectatign, and that the beneficent effect of the restoration of the republican party to power and the applica- tion of republican policies is being felt arlier than could ordinarily be expected. Usually, an administration is weakest after a few months in power, but Mr. McKinley appears to be stronger and his administra- tion more popular now than it was imme- diately after his inauguration. Confidence is restored, and the people are beginning to feel that they may lift their heads and look forward with hope and a feeling of contentment. Already, the effect of the iff legislation is being felt. The outlook for the republicans is bright. I hear a good deal from Ohio, and the indications are that we shall be successful there and that Mr. Hanna's election to the Senate is assured beyond a doubt. The sunlight of prosperity is lifting the free silver miasma like a mist from the earth. I think that we shall be successful in all the political con- tests this fall where we have the least rea- son to hope for success, and that where re- There was no| publicans have been strong heretofore we to attempt to save anything stowed | shall be stronger than ever. —_—_-= THE TREASURY Only Twelve to Be Allowed in a Visit- ing Party Hereafter. United States Treasurer Roberts has changed the rules regarding visits to the vaults and other mysterious places in the basement of the Treasury Department. Heretofore any number of visitors have VAULTS, she been an} been piloted through the vaults at one time by a Treasury messenger. Since Treasurer Roberts came in as many as seventy-two have been taken through in one squad. Mr. Roberts did not like this and has issued orders allowing only twelve persons at one time to make the journey. This is taken as a precaution against theft and against a too minute examination of the interior arrangement of the vaults and corridors. A messenger can keep an cye on twelve people, but cannot on a large number. Too large a number of people also block the corridors and make the hauling of money backward and forward inconvenient and dangerous. ‘A number of years ago a crook succeeded In getting among a large number of itors being piloted through the vaults. He stole a package of bills. The theft was at once discovered and the denomination and number of the bills telegraphed all over the country. In a short time one of the bills made its appearance. Then the thief was captured and the money secured. a VALOR REWARDED. Medals of Honor for Levi Roush and John William Hart. Acting Secretary Meiklejohn has awarded a medal of honor to Levi Roush, McKee’s Gap, Blair county, Pa. At Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 1863, this sol- dier was one of six volunteers who charged upon a log house near the Devil’s Den, where ¢. squad of the enemy’s sharpshoot- ers were sheltered, and compelled their sur- render. The prisoners, numbering twelve or thirteen, were delivered to the regiment. He has also awarded a medal of honor to John William Hart, 91 Highland street, Cumberland, Md. o. PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENTS. Ex-Solicitor of the Treasury Reeven + Made Assista: The President has mude the following appointments: Felfx A. Reeve of Tennessee, formerly solicitor of the treasury, to be assistant solicitor, to date from August 5. Benjamin Chiswell, Bernard H. Camden, Harry G. Hamlet and Frederick C. Billard, to be second lieutenants in the revenue cutter service, to date from August 4. Joél D. Griffin, to be a carpenter in the navy. Lewis J. Connelly to be a gunner in the navy. 3 “Frank A. Vanderlip, assistant secretary count of the | of the treasury, has been designated to perform the duties of register and assis- tant register of the treasury during the absence of those officials on leave of ab- sence. s Mr. Reeve is from Tennessee, and was a From Vancouver to Yokohama in a | gcld democrat in the last campaign. He Attle Over Ten Days. SAN FRANCISCO, August 1.--News has just been recetved here that the record for e fastest trans-Pacific ocean trip was nade by the Royal Mail steamehip Empress of Japan on her last veyage from Van- conver to Yokohama. will succeed N. T. N. Robinson of Louis- jana. For seven years previous to his selection as so'icitor Mr. Reeve held the position now given him. — + 2 Personal Mentio! Senator Fairbanks of Indiana, is in the The time consumed was ten days, three | C!ty on his way to his home. He called heurs and thirty-nine minutes. tunce covered was The diz- 270 knots. Heretofore upon Secretary Gage this morning. Mr. John Elfreth Watkins, jr., and Mr. the quickest passage was mades by the | Harry Carleton Lewis are spending several Pacific mati steamer China frem San Fran- seo to Yokohama, in ten days, eleven hours and forty-eight minutes. “Yieat C. P, George 16th Infantry, is 4 IAeut. . 3 nf '. in the city on bis way to Hot Springs, Ark. REMAINS AT MADRID Body of the Murdered Premier Reach- es Spain’s Capital. DEVOTION QF SENORA CANOVAS The Assassin Has Been Identified as Michel Angiolino. ANARCHY AT THE HAGUE MADRID, August 11.—The remains of the late premier of Spain, Senor Canovas del Castillo, arrived here at 6:55 am. from Santa Agueda. They were met at the rail- road station by the ministers, members of the diplomatic corps and the civil and :nili- tary authorities of Madrid and its vicinity. Immense crowds of people were assembled about the depot. Senora Canovas watched by the body of her husband for two nights, one night with Senor Castelar and the other with Senor Castellano. She absolutely refusei to take either food or rest, but discussed all the details of the funeral, ani only broke down today on the road to Zumarraga, When a severe nervous fit was happily relieved by a flood of tears. The Marquis del Busto, the court physi- cian, embalmed the body. The post-mortem examination showed that the deceased wes in an extremely healthy state, and that the brain was unusually large. It showed also that any one of the three wounds would have produced a fatal result. At the special request of Senora Canovas the remains will lie in state at the private instead of official residence. Assassin Finally Identified. A dispatch from Lucera, Italy, says that the Italian police have identified Golli, the assassin of Senor aCnovas, as Michel An- giolino. He is thirty-three years of age, and was born at Foggia, capital of the province of that name, in the Apulian Plain. His military record was very bad. He proved an indifferent and disobedient sol- dier, and was sent for three years’ serv- ice in the disciplinary battalion. Subse- quently he became a compositor. In April, he was sentenced to eighteen months’ imprisonment for disseminating anarchist literature, but after serving a part of the term he escaped to Spain. HE comes of an honest family. His father, who is a tailor, is grief-stricken by the crime cf his son. The provincial and communal councils of Foggia have sent telegrams of condolence to the Span- ish government denouncing the assassin. The goverrment has decided to try the assassin by court-martial. He still de- fiantly declares that other startling crimes will follow. The police and government de- tectives are acting with redoubled vig- jlarce, and the government is in communi- cation with foreign capitals on the ques- tion of the surveillance of anarchists. To Expel Marmol. PARIS, August 11.—A warrant has been issued for the expulsion from France of Tarrida Marmol, the Spanish anai who, within the course of a speech which he made on Sunday last at a special per- formance given at the Theater de la Re- publique for the benefit of the Spanis refugees in Paris, urged that Senor Cano: vas del Castillo, the Spanish premier, should be assassinated. Marmol, who was formerly a prisoner in the fortress of Montjuich at Barcelona, is believed to have started for England yesterday. The French authorities have resolved to expel a number of other an- archists from France. Spanish Minister Insulted. THE HAGUE, August 11.—A crowd of people assembled at midnight in front of the residence of the Spanish minister here, Senor A. De Bagver, and shouted “Long live anarchy.” The police arrested fifteen of the more violent of the persons who took part in the demonstration. ——— ALDERMAN IN CHICAGO CONTEMPT. Refused to Give Name of a Man Who Offered a Bribe. CHICAGO, August 11.—Alderman Wm. Mangler was sentenced today by Judge Dunne to pay a fine of $1,000 and serve ninety days in the county jail for contempt of court. Alderman Mangler a few weeks ago pub- licly stated that he had been approached by a prominent business man with an offer of $2,000 to vote for the general electric street railway franchise ordinance. On be- ing summoned by the grand jury to testify to the name of the alleged business man, Alderman Mangle refused, claiming that in telling his story he would incriminate himself. His persistent refusal to testify, although promised Jmmunity for himself, led to the contempt proz ings. The court sustained a motion of Mangler’s attorneys for an appeal and ruled that the alderman could meanwhile be released on bond. Bail was at once furnished in the sum of $5,000. OLD SPANISH MINES DISCOVERED. Pearl Silver Mining Company of Ar- kansas Reports the Find. LITTLE ROCK, Ark., August 11—It ts reported the famous Spanish mines, which have existed for years, largely in tradi- tion, have been discovered. For the last two years the Pearl Silver Mining Company has been engaged in searching for the hidden mine. At the end of a drift eleven feet from the main shaft an opening was made into another shaft, which is said to be that operated by the Spanish ptoneers in the latter part of the seventeenth century. — AFTER AMERICAN PRODUCE. English Fleet Sails for Philadelphia in Ballast. PHILADELPHIA, August 11.—The Rec- ord today says: The largest fleet of vessels that ever left England in ballast has sailed within the last week for the Delaware breakwater and Haipton Roads for orders, Their own- ers have found it more profitable to send them without cargoes than to have them wait for one. ‘The machinery of some of them is rather antiquated, but the demand for steam tonnage has induced their owners to give them another trial in competing with the more modern craft. Several vessels ar- rived at the Delaware breakwater yester- day from Europe in search of business. Large purchases of grain have been made in this country by Italy, Austria, France and Egypt, countries which rarely before have purchased cereals in the United States. Several charters have been effect- ed at this port to carry grain to Mar- seilles, Genoa, Trieste and Alexandria and other Mediterranean ports. ———.____ Steamship Arrivals. At New York—Teutonic, from Liverpool. At Philadelphia—Switzerland, from “Ant- werp. At Southampton, St. Paul, from New York. At New York, Werra, from Genoa. At Plymouth, Havel, from New York for Bremen. THE ROBESON HOUSE SOLD Mr. W, Bourke Oockran Disposes of His Sixteenth Street Residence, It Was Built by Grant's Secretary of the Navy—Details of a Btg Dealt. Messrs. Fitch, Fox & Brown received a letter from ex-Representative W. Bourke Cockran of New York this morning on- nouncing that he-had sold his former resi- dence in this ctty, situated at the southeast corner of 16th and O streets northwest, im- mediately north of Scott Circle, to Mr. Jonn T. Williams of New York. The firm had been Mr. Cockran’s agent’s for the property ever since he gave up its occupancy, and were the agents who sold the property to him for the late E. Kurtz Johnson of the Citizens’ National Bank, January 5, 1892. The residence was built and occupied for a number of years by. Secretary of the Navy George M. Robeson, while he was a member of President Grant's cabinet, and it was the scene of many brilliant social gatherings. When Mr. Cockran, while in Public life here, occupied it, the same dis- tinction characterized it, Description of the Premises. It is a fine, large, four-story brick struc- ture, occupying a lot 62 feet 5 inches by 117 feet, and contains twenty-five rooms. It.is Pecullarly adapted to entertaining. In the basement are an office room, a ser- vants’ hall and dining room, kitchen, laun- dry, pantries, furnace reom, ete. The first floor contains a reception ‘hall with fire- place, a large parler, brary, dining room, breakfast room and bath room. There are five chambers, a sewing room and bath room on the sécond floor, six chambers and a bath on the third and four servants’ rooms in the attic. The intertot decora- tions are of great artistic merit, and the hard woods and their finishing are regard- ed as the equal of any in Washington. It Was a matter of gossip when Secretary Robeson built the house that the hard- wood interior was finished by the most ex- Pert artisans in the navy. The price at which Messrs. Fitch, Fox & Brown held the property was $90,000, but in the deal by which Mr. Cockran disposed of it the residence was rated at $100,000. Very Large Interests Involved. By the terms of the contract which Mr. Cockran entered into with Mr. John T. Williams, who 1s a millionaire real estate operator and builder of New York, the residence above descrifed and his former dwelling at No. 125 West 6ifh street, New York, are conveyed to& Mr. Williams, the latter being placed at $39,000, In exchange for these*propérties and cash Mr. Cockran is to receive ffom Mr. Will- jams the recently completed ninc-story stone front mercantile Buflimg, No: and 5 Waverley place, on the north side, 100 feet west of Broadway. It ig 50x108 feet in size, and it figures in the trae at $30,000. Mr. Cockran’s idea it making the trade, it is understood, was to effett a consolida- tion of his investments 4nd t® secure at the same time a property that-would yield him a regular income without miuch attention from himself. aa His Wifes Sole Heir. The real ‘estate to be conveyed te Mr. Williams as part payment for the Waver- ley place building was anherited by Mr. Cockran under ‘the will of his late wife, who was a daughter of John Mack, a wealthy merchant of NeW*York. Mrs. Cock- ran, who died:on February 20, 1805, made her husband sofe heir to her estate, which consisted of personal propefty that, ac- cording to records in the surrdgate’s office, was worth $20,000 and real estate valued at $70,000. These estimates, made for probate pur- poses, were probably very low, especially so far as the real estate Is concerned, as, besides the property affected by yester- day’s exchange, Mr. Cockran owns a fine country place on Long Island and other property. ——_—_—_ THE REGISTER’S OFFICE, A Successor to Mr. Tillman Expected to He Soon Appointed. The appointment of Assistant Secretary Vanderlip to act as,register and assistant register of the treasury is a formal mat- ter, required by law. The appointment of the President requires Mr. Vanderlip to act as register or assistant “during the absence” of those officials, if they. are ever absent at the same time. When the register is absent the iuties are performed by the assistant. During the last adminis- tration Mr. Cusard, who was then deputy auditor of the Treasury Department, was designated by President Cleveland. Register Tillman has been absent from his office several days, and there was a repert that he might have sent in his res- ignation. Those who know Mr. Tillman, however, stated that there was uct much probability that he had resigned. He was simply off duty fora few days. He has not applied for a regular holiday. Neither has Mr. Brawiey, the assistant register. Nothing is known at the Treasury De- partment as to when Mr. Tillman’s suc- cessor will be named by the President, but it is generally believed that an -ap- pointment is rot far off. Mr. Vanderlip will continue to fill the place to which he has becn appointed, no matter who suc- ceeds Mr. Tillman. ‘ eS — MAIL BOXES ON STREET CARS. How the Experiment Has Worked in Dex Moines, Iowa. The Post Office Department has received a report from Des Moines, Iowa, where an experiment is being tried of having street letter boxes attached to all the street cars of the city, and a large share of mail col- lection taken up by them. The cars in Des Moines all run past the post office. They stop at all places to receive a letter or other mati] matter, agd as they come by the post office a ler takes the mail frem the boxes. D he: month of July there were collected ine means in Des Moines 29,237 letters, €,059 cards and 441 pieces of second. third! and fourth-class mail matter. It shows-ap fitcrease of 1,300 pieces cver June.’ and thé* postmaster is of the opinion that owing to many cars run being open snd -po béxés attached there was not so much collécted*by this means as there would be if all the cars were closed. If the experiment fs successful it will be tried in other*citie# where similar conditions prevail. ~ = * ee ee THE BATTLE sqIP Prsconsin. s Union Iren Works Waat to Supply Its Armor” The Union Iron Works of San Francisco have telegraphed the Navy Department asking permission to supply the armor for the battle ship Wisconsin, which they are building, just as the Cramps have done in the case of the Alabama. In reply the firm have been notified that the department will enter into a correspondence with them on the subject. The offer will be accepted if it is made im the same terms as Cramps’ offer. ———_-+e+_—___ Government Receipts. National bank notes: received today for From internal revenue, $204,570; customs, 381,154} miscellaneous, 34,007. NOT CALLED BACK|TIOE OF immicRaTION Judge Day Not Requested to Shorten His Vacation. ; GOSSIP GOT UP BY DEMOCRATS No Change in Minister Woodford’s . Instructions. CAPTAIN MERRY’S CASE It is declared that there is not a word of truth In the report that Assistant Secre- tary Day has been summoned back to Washington. The officials of the State De- paftment say they are utterly @t a loss to account for the dispatches in the morning paepers stating that Judge Day is to abrupt- ly end his vecation. Only this morning a letter from Judge Day, written yesterday, was received by Assistant Secretary Cridier, in which he says that he will not return to Washington until some time between the Ast and 10th of September. In the first place, there is no reason for Judge Day to cut short his vacation, for there is nothing for him to do at the State Department. In the second place, Secretary Sherman and Assistant Secretaries Adee and Cridler are both at the State Department and have charge of all matters there. There is so little work now on hand that it is expected that even Secretary Sherman will go away in a few days for some needed rest. The actual work of the department is in the hands of Assistant Secretaries Adee and Cridler, and all that Secretary Sherman is doing now ts exercising a general super- vision of matters. Only Idle Gossip. It is said that Secretary Sherman has de- termined not to talk any more for publi- cation, and the stories that the administra- tion is greatly worried over his recent in- terview are pronounced only gossip, got up by democrats to annoy and embarrass the President and his Secretary of State. Judge Day went awa: = tember, and he intends to do sey ntl SeP- ident is not doing any actual work at Lake Champlain. Although several appoint. ments have been made out at the State Department and sent to him, he will take his own time before announcing them. An Untrue Rumor. Another story has been published, this time from Naw York,- in regard to the in- structions of General -Woodford. The lat- est story says that General Woodford has been instructed to demand that Spain end the Cuban revolution by the Ist of Novem- ber, or withdraw her troops from the is- land. And it further claims that if Spain does not receive these demands properly, General Woodford is to return to this country. It can be stated on authority that this is utterly untrue. As stated yesterda: Generai Woocford is not going to haste: to Spain, but will journey slowly toward Madrid, so as to give the Spanish govern- ment time to recover from the shock of the recent assassination. It would be rather unseemly for this gov- ernment to change its minister whgn Spain is plunged in mourning and . By the time that Gen. Woodford reeches Mad- rid the country will be qutetez down and the government in running order again. it can also be stated on the highest author- ity that Gen. Woodford’s instructions are of a peaceful nature, rather than those of irritation and perhaps war, as indicated in the dispatches today. He is instructed to use all his efforts in a peaceful and diplo- matic manner to end the cruel war now going on in Cuba, but his instructions do not contain anything in the way of a de- mand or ultimatum. President McKinley, in his message to Congress, outlined his policy by saying that what he wanted was a peaceful settle- ment of the Cuban question, and Gen. Woodford’s instructions and presentation to the Spanish government wiil be in that line alone. Capt. Merry’s Case. There is every indication that Capt. Wm. L. Merry of California, who was appointed minister tothe Central American repub- lies, with residence at Managua, Nica- ragua, will soon leave for his post of duty. The ciet declared that he was non per- sona grata to Nicaragua, but it is be- lieved that the government, which is s- tinct from the diet, will not sustain that view. Capt. Merry is accredited to Nic- aragua, Costa Rica and San Salvador. If Nicaragua persists in not receiving our min- ister he can take up his residence either in Costa Rica or San Salvador. But it is confidently stated that within a few days all difficulty as to his going to Managua will be withdrawn, and when ht sails for his post he will go to Niceragua. It is un- derstood that Capt. Merry is now prepar- ing to take his departure. Senor De Lome's Status. The status of Senor de Lome, the Spanish minister here, has not been changed. and the continuance of his service in the United States will depend entirely upon the policy of the new premier. In accordance with custom and diplomatic usage, Minister de Lome will place his resignation at the dis- posal of Canovas’ successor as soon as he shall.have qualified, and he will go home or remain here according to the wishes of the reconstructed cabinet. ———— STRONGER EN Instructions to Poxtmasters Registered Letters, Numerous complaints have been received by the Post Office Department relative to losses of contents of registered letters. In- vestigation has shown that the losses were the result of using a poor quality of en- velopes covering the registered matter. Postmaster General Gary has ordered that postmasters should require stronger en- velopes when the letters presented at reg- istry windows contaim coin or bulky mat- ter than would be demanded if the in- closures were apparently of such a char- acter as not to severely test the quality of the envelopes. 3 A section of the postal laws and regula- tions has been amended so as to read now: “Postmasters, before receiving matter for registration, must require the sender to have it fully, legibly and correctly address- ed, the name and address of the sender in- dorsed upon it, and, if letters, all the con- tents placed in a firmly sealed envelope strong enough to safely carry inclosures in the mails, and to have affixed the neces- sary stamps to pay postage and fee. Post- masters and their employes are forbidjen to address the matter, place the contents in the envelope seal it, or affix the stamps. ‘Third and fourth-class matter for registra- tion must also be marked ‘third class’ or ‘fourth class,’ as the case may be, and be so wrapped as to safely bear transportation, and easily admit of examination, which the postmaster should make before registcr- ing.” so Naval Movements. The North Atlantic squadron has gailed from Newport for Portsmouth, save the Iowa and Brooklyn, which have gone to Provincetown. The Monocacy has arrived }at Chinkiang. The Wheeling was commis- }sioned yesterday at the Mare Islani nayy Is Now at Its Lowest Point Since the Year 1882, ~ Some Interesting Facts as to the Decrease in Numbers and Nationalities. The tide of immigration is at the lowest point since the general government as- sumed jurisdiction of the subject in 1882. The number of arrivals from all countries, according to treasury statistics, during the last fiscal year was 230,832, a decrease as compared with the previous year of 112,435. The lightest immigration of any previous year was in 1895, when the number from all countries was 279,948 The year of heaviest immigration was the first of the period beginning with 1882, when arrivals numbered 788,992. During the entire period of federal supervision 7,432,016 have enter- ed the United States. A better condition appertaining to the Russian Jews seems to be shown in a heavy decrease of immigration, the arri als from that country for the past year having numbered 22,750, as against 45,137 for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1896. Greatest Number From Italy. Italy furnished the greatest number, 54,431, a decrease of 8,62) from last year. TWe cause of the heavy Italian immigra- tion of 1896 was assigned to the war of Italy with Abyssinia, but the figures for the last year are not abnormal, having been exceeded by several years of the pe- riod. Since 1882 there has been a large and steady decrease in German immigra- tion; in 1882 250,630 entered the United States from that country, while in 1896 only 22.53% arrived. It will be seen that the number of German immigrants during the first year of government supervision exceeded the immigration from all coun- tries during the last year. Immigration from Austria-Hungary decreased from 5 108 in 1896 to 33,031 in 1887. The decrease from other countries is as follows: Eng- land, 19.492 in 1896 to 9,974 in 1897; Sweden, 21,137 to 13,144; Norway, 8,155 to 5,842. A Decrease From Ireland. Even the Irish have ceased to find as much attraction in this country as in for- mer years. Last year the number of Irish who came over was 40,262. This year the total drops to 28,421. A curious fact in re- gard to the immigration of the Irish is that the number of females largely exceeds the males. In 1896 there were 17,625 men and 22, women. This year there were 11,549 males and 16,572 females. is so of few other nationalitie: r the total number of males was 212. femal This year the number cf males 107; females, Ceniral America Turn’ grants to this country. Her people remain at heme. Last year Mexico sent us a total of 150 people. This year the number drop- ped to 91: The number of Cubans who came ove in 1896 was 6,077. The number this year ts only 3,503. Nearly half of these were fe- males The Pacific islands sent this country two People in 1896 and five this year. Not Many Italian Women. The number of Italian womer who come to this country, is not comparatively large. In 1806 ‘the number of Htalian males wh came over was 51,067; females, 16,903. This year the number of males was 41,4146; females, 17,985. German women come over in large num- bers. This year there were 11,89) men und 10,634 wemen. The women procure employ- ment, like Irish females, in domestic work The Italian women accompany their hus bands or families. The Armenian butcheries ind: d an in- crease of immigrants from that section, this being one of the few countries show- ing an increase. Last year 4, Armenians came to America. This year the number increased to 4,732. The Greek-Turkey war reduced the num- ber of Greeks. In 1896 2.175 Greeks came to. America. The patriotism of the people kept the number down this year to 571, and practically all these came in before the opening of hostilities between the two coun- tries, ; +e REGISTERED MAIL. shes few imzai- How Parcels Sent to Fictitious Ad- dresses Are Treated. Third Assistant Pestmaster General Mer- ritt hes this to say in regard to registered mail to fictitious addresses: “Certain concerns, in the effort to extend their business, have. been sending regis- tered parcels containing their goods to the smaller post offices throughout the coun- try. These parcels are invariably addressed to a fictitious person, or to one who does not live at the post office addressed. ‘The senders then write to the postmaster, in- forming him that a mistake has been made in address, or some other plausible excuse, and request that he will examine the con- tents of the parcel, with a view to their purchase or sale, at a greatly reduced price, rather than to return them. “Section 1113 of the regulations plainly forbids the delivery of registered mail to any one but the person to whom it is ad- dressed without a written order from the addressee, which must be verified and filed in the post office as a voucher. Therefore, until a registered parcel has been deliv- ered in this manner and properly receipted for, neither the postmaster nor any one else has the right to inspect the contents with the object of purchasing them. “In every such case, unless the parcel can be delivered and receipteg for as here- in indicated, it should be returned to the office given’ in the sender's address, in- dorsed with the reason for its non-delivery, and with the amount of postage due for returning. if any,as direeted in section 1126 of the Postal Regulations.” ‘THANKS FROM SPAIN. Acknowledgment of. the President's Message of Condolence. The Spanish government, through United States Minister Taylor at San Sebastian, has cabled the sincere thanks of that gov- ernment to the President of the United States for his message of condolence in re- gard to the assassination of Senor Canovas, the Spanish premier. The following is the text of the message: “SAN SEBASTIAN, August 10, 189) “To Sherman, Washington: “Spanish government returns sincere thanks to the President for his message of condolence. Signed) “TAYLOR.” ——_—_- 2+ _____ GEN. FOSTER’S RETURN. He Was at the State Department Awhile Today. Genera! Foster, the special ambassador ecrducting the seal fishery negotiations, has returned to Washington from Lake Champlain, where he saw the President in reference t2 his mission. General Foster was at the State Department today. He says he has nothing to say for publication as to his mission. He will leave Wash< ington tomorrow for a vacation at his sum- mer home on Lake Erie, near Sackett's herbor being accompanied from New York by Chang Yen Hoon, the Chinese special vambassedor to the queen’s jubilee, who }will spend a few days with him on the ONE-MILE LIMIT The Excise Board Sustained by Jndge McComas. ATR-LINE MEASUREMENT AUTHORIZED Decision in Patrick Sheehy's Ap- plication for Mandamus. THE ARGUMENTS penn HEARD Judge McComas, sitting in Equity Court No. 3, today considered the petition for a mandamus filed by Herry Sheehy to com- pel the excise board of the District of Co- lumbia to issue to him a license to con- duct a wholesale liquor business at the cor- ner of 11th and V streets. The case is in the nature of a test of what is known as the “mile limit law,” relating to the Sol- diers’ Home, and the proceedings were tn- stituted partly in order to secure a judicial determination of the proper method of measuring distance between the Soldiers’ Home and saloons. As heretofere stzted fully in The Star, Mr. Sheehy, who is engaged in the grocery business at llth and V streets, recently made upplicetion for a wholesale liquor license. The excise board referred the mat- ter to the computing engines: of the Dis- trict, and the latter reported that Mr. Sheehy’s place of business is within one mile of the Soldiers’ Home property by “air line measurement.” The excise board there- upon refused to consider the application on the ground of lack of jurisdiction. The Content Roth Sider. Mr. Sheehy took the stand that the dis- tance between his place of business and the Soldiers’ Home property should have been measured by the “shortest course of travel,” not by “air line measurement. He therefore filed the petition for man- damus. In its return the excise board set forth that its acticn proper, and that the “alr line measurement” between Mr. Sheehy’s place of business and the Soldiers’ Heme property was correct. The arguments extended through several hours. Mr. Sheehy was represen y torneys Chas. Maurice Smith Meredith, while Attorne S. T. Thomas looked after the i the excise board. Among the spectators » President James L. in, Attorney Shoemaker and several other well-known workers of the Anti-Saloon League. During the proceedings several direct ref. y counsel to the A ‘arid hypocrisy. At- Smith also took occasion to remark that the prevailing “fight” was based on a protest from the Anti-Saloon League. Attorney Smith's Argument. The first ‘step.in court today was the reading of the petition and the return, both of which were published in full in The Star the days they were filed. Attor- ney Smith opened the arguments. The re- tern of the excise board, he dectared, was complete admission of all the averments in the petition of Mr. Sheehy. The excise beard denied nothing ard admitted every- thing, said the attorney. Thesonty differ- ence that existed between Mr. Sheehy and the excise board, he added, was in regard to the method of measurement. There seemed to be no dispute as to the correct+ ness of the procedure adopted by Mr. Shee- hy; to petition for mandamus seemed to be the proper course. “I think the attorney for the excise board agrees with me that the only point in dis- pute is tnat of the legal measurement be- tween a saloon and the Soldiers’ Home property,”” stated Attorney Smith. “Mr. Thom: do you concur im taat statement?” asked the court. “I do not quite concede that point,” an- d Attorney Thomas. “We think the board possesses authority to act from a legal standpoint.” Continuing, Attorney Thomas argued that the act of 1891, the original mile limit en- actment. was of itself not sufficient tu de- prive Mr. Sheehy of a license. The ttle ot the act, the attorney re- ferred to the “‘Soldie act itself being silent in regard to measure- ment it was proper to refer to the Uti Attorney Smith's Contentio “The act is uncertain,” then torney Smith. What was the congré al intention in framing this law? Several years ago a large number of saloons pre- vailed about the entrances to the Soldiers’ Home grourds. Congress was petitioned by the Anti-Saloon League, I believe, and others, and a law was passed prohibiung the existenc of saloons within one mile of the Soldiers’ Home property. It is ab- surd to consider that the law was ssed as a protection to property. Now, then, it the act was intended as a protection to the inmates of the Soldiers’ Home, the only reasonable and common-sense construction to apply to the phrase ‘Soldiers’ Home property’ is the residence of the inmates of the Soldiers’ Home. “The act of 1893 making the act of 1891 part of the laws relating to the sale of in- toxicating liquor within the District of Co- lumbia,” the attorney went on to argue, “al- so speaks of the Soldiers’ Home. If the act had stipulated Soldiers’ Home ‘grounds,’ or ‘all of the Soldiers’ Home proper'y,” then the stand of the excise board would be tenable. The legislative intent in framing the act, hewever, was to confine the mean- ing of ‘property’ to the Soldiers’ Home buildings. If the act was intended as a protecticn of the morals cf the old sol- diers, why should not the construction be Soldiers’ Home ‘buildings? ” Legitimacy of Li © Selling. Attorney Smith read from an authority te show that the legislature should not be presumed to intend that which is beyond reason. He next remarked that Congress had made the sale of liquor within the District of Columbia a legitimate business, and added that the attorney for the Dis- trict, representing the excise board, de- rived his salary, perhaps, from the revenue derived from liquor licenses. “The same is trce of his honor on the bench,” quietly replied Attorney Thomas. “I considered it bad taste to refer co his honor in such connection,” explained At- terney Smith. “Resuming his argument, Attorney Smith declared that the saloon keepers should be fairly and justly treated. The statutes had given them rights. It is hypocrisy, he said, for a government to pass an enactment and then raise a howl against those con- ducting themselves under the requirements of the enactment. Those who howl, the attorney remarked, demonstrate that they lack manhood and courage. “More people die from gluttony than from drink,” the attorney declared. “The temperance question is hardly in- voived here,” suggested Judge McComas. “Very true, your honor,” replied the at- torney. “I made the reference for tne rea- son that this fight is based on a protest from the Anti-Saloon League.” Shortest Route of Travel. Old soldiers are not supposed to climb 150 houses in order to get a drink, said Attorney Smith. They take the usual, shortest course of travel. The words of the act should be limited te the Icgislature, but, the attorney stated, the excise board asks the court to rule ageinst the mani

Other pages from this issue: