Evening Star Newspaper, October 6, 1897, Page 11

; — THE EVENING STAR. Se PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 3101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th St., by The Evening Star Ne x Company, S. H. RAUFFMANN 1 Pres’t. Eew Yers Office, 49 Potter Puilding. is te hectibers im the fay by curciere, sa (hots owe accoret. at 16 cents E eh. ~answh States or Canada—pestage prepald 50 cents per meni turday Qetntuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with ied. $3.00. 3 muil matter.) sabsertptions must be pald tn advance. vertising made Known on ‘application. Spee Che Foening Siar. Pages 1-14 . WASHINGTON, D. C., WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1897—FOURTEEN PAGES. HAWAII'S FERTILITY —__+--—_—_—_. Rescurces of the Is'ands Observed by a Congressional Party. COFFEE AND SUGAR PLANTATIONS Visit of Inspection to Pearl Har- bor. MR. MORGAN’S ADMIRATION Correspondence of The Evening Star. HONOLULU, September 22, 1897. ‘The public interest of the past week has centered about the visit of Senator Morgan ard that of Representatives Cannon, Ber- ry, Loudenslager and Tawney. These gen- te arrived in Honolulu together on the ith. The eminent senator settled down to his werk of observation ard inquiry at the quiet home of a relative in this city. The feur representatives were at cnce whirled off on a steamer upon a four days’ tour of inspection of sugar and coffee plantations Maui and Hawaii, in- upon the Isls ciuding a successful visit to the volcano. Their first days was devcted to sugar plantations on Maui, calling at two sepa- rate ports. The great establishment of Spreckelsville was first visited, where Asiat- ic labor reigns in exclusive pos: Twenty miles of ra’ were traversed among the broad camps. The sons cf Claus Spreckels, who now own this plantation, de not favo white labor, and the impression conveyed to the visitors was un At the p-antations in Haua, thir miles to the eastward, where they landed in the afternoot © labor employed was mixed. At either place the cool trade wind climate would enable white men to labor in comfort in the tield throughout the year. Inspecting Coffee Farms. arly Thursday morning tkey landed at nd after an early breakfast started fine volcano road of thirty-one miles, them a succession ef delight- Here the great interest was in the new and very thriving coffee farms, where seme res of white settlers have Cleared the woods and have from ten to 2 actes of coffee trees growing on each y coffee plants, the whole of the work upon which had’ been dcne by an American and his two sons, born in Hilo These cool uplands are pec larly a “white man’s country,” and there are not less than 300,000 acres of the sort there in one block. Here the farmer, whil is coffee wing, can pr potato every kind of food except wheat, and tkat Moisture is copious, porous lav ne malaria. The night was spent at the Volcano House, 4.000 feet above the sea. As no fire had been seen in the Halemaumau S for some time, nly two of the visitors went into the crater. They were excep- ticnally fortunate, since the local goddess, Pele, made a show expressly for their bene- fit. A considerable pool of live fire lay in the bottom of the pit, in which a fountain played in four-minute pulsations. One jet spouted up for a moment, estimated at 150 feet. It is probable that this is the be- ginning of a period of continuous activity. The copious smoke has for some time been indicating that the lava was pushing 1p- ward from below. Friday forenoon was spent on the rapid he the year but over the substratum are no swamps and down-hill return to Hilo, with farther in- spection of the coffee lan as guides of ‘yor General W. It should be specialist knowledge. € D. Alexander and Attorney General W. O. Smith had been deiegated to accompany the representa- At 2500 feet altitude old Judge cheock exhibited to them a lot of fresh corn ears twelve inches long. On his farm are a quantity of apple and peach trees, rot ordinarily grown in the tropics. That whole region produces the finest of Irish and Sweet potatoes as well. The sweet potatoes, however, are pro- i along the lower coast, right on the nker lava. A bit of the vine in- n a pile of the ragged stones will grow loxuriantly and fil! the interstices of the stone-pile with swee mealy tubers. Frida, fternoon is mt partly at a ive feast, given by the mpbell, the Honolulu mil- ame noted a year ago for ermined resis! ce to a scoundrel 4 got him tied down tight after ab- lueting him to a secluded house in San Francisco. Campbell stayed until he saw torturer safely lodged in San Quentin State prison. Mrs. Campbell is an accom- lawaiian lady of about who has enjoyed much Euro- Not unnaturally, she fs an nd bitter royalist, and a leader of ather forlorn party. No politics, 3 Pars to have been developed - In the evening a reception s given the visitors by the white res{- dents. Saturday evening saw Saeee is them back in Inspecting Pearl Harbor. : It was the writer's privilege yesterday to jo-n a party of nearly forty gentlemen in shcwing Senator Mcrgan and the four rep- ives the varicus beauties and ad- s of Pearl Harbor. Running down eleven miles on an early train to a smail wherf on the east shcre of the lochs, we ked on a small steamer, which had # forward deck, with chairs to sea under a 2 y over deep water, we end of Pearl Ciiy pe- ages on our eres on the n # short distance: up the wharf, where we tcok between the . with its pk i For Here loch right left 1 to a our railread king, the genial B. F. m. North lay the broul shoal s of the upper loch. Heading south vugh the four miles of deep and the ocean. This is us r bout 600 yards wide. bi crowned with At some up to the at others shoals project. th bluffs were me scores of i y planted by the surveying y of the U. S. S. Bennington. These 1 very cisely located as to y the help of the accurate pre- rk of our government surveyors. next step will be to make some 20,000 bout fifty feet apart in every t of the herbor. In each boat two ob- nts, at the moment the multaneo: take an- of the fl This en- 53 ¢ workers su sequently to 1 large map the precise position unding, and so to draw contour $ ef the bettem. For the expense of survey $1 was appropriated by ¥ extra session. The greater part of this will be expended in work, much of the boat work being done by paid offi- cers and men of the navy. Among ouy party were President Dole, | e, two e¢ inet mintsters, . Alexander, Admiral Miller, Capta‘ns and Nichols of the United States and some eastern correspondents. jorgan held the place of honor. He ady familiar with the geography from previous study of maps. Some sur- prise was expressed by the visitors at the uniform level of the shores and peninsulas. They had supposed them to be hilly, where- as they are ancient low coral reefs, emerz- ed from the sea by a recent elevation of the island. A most important feature of the harbor Is its division into locks by the peninsulas. Uniike such harbors as the @pacious one of San Francisco, where, in a . o1 heavy gale, waves may arise which will tear a ship from moorings, there are no large spaces here where a heavy sea can gather strength, although there are 1,500 acres of deep anchorage. The veteran Cannon seemed to give the closest attention to the subject. For over an hour he stood on the rail, holding a shroud, and carefully scanning everything in sight. We ran out of the harbor and over a mile farther out to sea, where thin breakers made a fringe on the outer reef. Here the green of the sea gave place to a whitish tint, from the white sand of the bottom rising near the surface. Mr. Can- non had to leave the rail to be out of the way of the sounding line, which succes- sively told two and a half, two and one and three-quarter fathoms. A slight swell gently rocked our craft. At this point a dredger must operate to pump out the sand and open a passage thirty feet deep and 150 feet wide to begin with. Some dredz- ing may be needed along a length of 1,500 feet. Ultimately the passage should be widened to perhaps 5U0 feet to enable steamers easily to pass eacn other. With experience of similar wash on the Honolclu bar the cost of dredging the first passage is estimated at less than $100,000. Returning, we steamed fsyo,rulles up the long, straight channel, ‘héading for the point of the long peninsula, where a Lat- tery will rake everything coming up. We took the left-hand passage, running up three miles of winding channel to where the west loch broadens. and ,shoals, and where before us lay on the uplands the wide, green breadihs of the Ewa planta- tion, with six black chimneys smoking and pumping 50,000,000 gallons of water daily from artesian wells for irrigation. Half way up we turned aside into a deep ecve, which some have thought a good site for a dry dock. I heard no opinion expressed by the admiral. Again retracing our course toward Middle | Loch, lack of time led us to forego turning to the right to visit’ the broad and deep South Loch, by going around Ford's, Island. The may of the entire harbor shows it to be a quite symmetrical oval, six miles east and west, and three miles north and south, but divided by peninsulas and-an. island into four “lochs.” A breadth of two miles of coral flat and over a mile more of shoal water separates this oval harbor from the sea. The most suitable places for naval station and decks would be fully five miles inlanc from any point where even a light- draught enemy could lie outside. Such a distance would be too great for serious at- tack with heavy guns. A few good guns on the beach, masked by the algaroba trees, would easily compel the enemy to keep a much greater distance. Senator Morgan's Admfratfon. It was evident that all of our visitors were greatly impressed. Senator Mcrgan uttered a few words of unqualified admiration. “Where else can you. find such a harbor as this?” The day was a charming one, like nearly all our Hawailan days. The sofi, cool trade breeze blew over the smooth, bright water. It was an {deal day, and an ideal trip. At Pearl Harbor is no maiaria, and hardly a possibility of it. The water supply is pure and copious from springs and artesian wells on the shores. Around it is what may be made a noble farming country for supplies to shipping. This is the one solitary harbor of any size or security fer several thousand miles around. As the senator observed, “it is the key of this ocean.” At noo: we landed at the peninsula wharf, near which stood a train just ar- rived from town, with some ninety guests, a majority ladies, with whom we went on two miles to the residence of the hospita- ble Mrs. Irene Brown to partake of a luau feast in semi-native style. Mrs. Brown in- herited a large tract of land here, includ- ing lands most desirable for the naval sta- tion. We were hungry, all, nearly all, relished the pie and fish, and imu-baked meats and vegetables. A native quartet enlivened us with their guitars and native chants, some lively, some in minor key. Deticious coffee was served, with abundant cream. Early in the afternoon a majority of the party returned to town, some thirty going on west to visit the Ewa cane fields and inspect the mew pumping works. Messrs. Barry and Cannon were of the lat- ter party. The chairman of the committee on appropriations proved tough and inde- fatigable. We shall hope. that the observations of these gentlemen will prove of much service to Hawaii. Senator Morgan is confident of early annexation. Much well-informed and intelligeat legislation will need to follow, toward which such visits as these must contribute. KAMEHAMEHA. THOUSANDS PERISH IN CHINA. Late Floods About Pekin the Most Disastrous Ever Known. The steamer Victoria, which has just ar- rived at Tacoma, Wash., brings news of the most disastrous floods that have visited China for many years. Sixty villages near Tung Chou. containing over 80,000 inhabi- tants, have been destroyed by floods, and the people drowned or forced to flee. There is no means of finding out how many thousands have been drowned, but the number is estimated by Chinese authorities at from 15,000 to 20,000. ‘The flooded district is within twelve miles of Pekin, the capital of China. As a rule, Chinese officials make very little stir when 2 calamity like this happens, but the prox- imity of the disaster has resulted in ‘its leing brought to the attention of the em- peror, who has ordered that all possible re- lief be given. Survivors from the, villages nearest Pekin have been allowed such shelter as they can find in the city. walls, but thousands are without protection against the rain, which continues to fall. The floods have greatly damaged a large number of estates belonging to Fekin no- bles. The unusual rains began July 23 and continued until August 15. The crops in the flooded district were destroyed. Early in September high officials of Pe- kin and Tien-tsin suddenly forbade the slaughter of cattle, their object being to appease the wrath of the gods and. stop the rain. The result was to cut off the entire meat supply, which led foreign con- suls to protest aud to report the situation to the foreign ministers at PekM.... Its claimed that the action of the officials con- stitutes a violation of the treaty: rights: « ———__+- e- —___ THE IRRIGATION CONGRESS, Mr. Best Says Its Work Will Bear Fruit in Coming Legislation. Assistant Commissioner Best of, the gen- eral land office, who represented the In- terior Department at the national irrtga+ tion congress at Lincoln, Neb., has return- ed. will bear fruit in coming, legislation, and that Congress, at its next session, will be arked to pass an amendment’to thé Caréy jaw giving states larger control over their arid lands by enabling them to pledge these lands as security for their reclamation. A substantially similar amendment was of- fered in the last Congress by Mr. Hermann, now commissioner of the general land of« fice. ‘The principal work aceomplished~ bythe: irrigation congress was the passage of a resolution recominending to Congress ‘the adoption of this amendment; a recommen- dation for the creation ofa public lard commission to ascertain changes necessary in public land laws to meet existing condi- ticne in the arid west, and a recommenda- tion that the President reserve all the for- «st lands in the arid regicn that are shown to be more valuable for timber than for agricultural and mineral purposes,.in the interest of irrigation. ————_-o—____. Clevela: Wi Be Orato The charter day of Princeton University, which falls on October 22, will be observed with elaborate ceremenies for the first time in the history of that institution. Former President Cleveland will deliver the ora- tion, and honorery degrees will be con- ferred on dignitaries in and_ other countries, among them bein, the Bock or Aterdeen, governor general of Canada. a ne ~ He says the work’ of the’ cénvention’ OLD FRIENDS’ TRIBUTES. Touching Services Over the Coffin of the Late Warner M. Bateman. Services of a peculiarly touching and impressive character were held yesterday afternoon over the body of the late Warner M. Bateman of Cincinnati, who died sud- Monday morning at the Riggs House. ‘There was no minister in attendance, but around the casket which contained all that was mortal of a good man were grouped old friends, and two of these paid feeling tribute to the exalted qualities of the one who had departed. The remains, in a mas- sive cloth-covered casket bearing a silver Plate inscribed simply with the name of the deceased, the date of his birth and date of death, rested in the rear room of Speare’s undertaking establishment on F street. Two long leaves of palm were crossed on the coffin, and around the apartment a pro- fusion of growing palms were ranged. ‘The face of the dead man presented a very nat- urai appearance, and among those who took a last look at it were Secretary Sher- man, Assistant Postmaster General Heath, Editor Milton S. McCray of the Cincinnati Post, ex-Postmaster General Tyner, Deputy Commissioner of Internal Revenue Wilson, Gen. W. W. Dudley, ex-Representative Thompson of Ohio, Mr. Arthur Bateman, now of New York, formerly a well-known banker in this city, and a nephew of the deceased; M. Mikalovitch, who was the lat- ter's traveling companion to this city; Commissioner of Patents Benjamin Butter- worth and a number of others. Just before the casket closed General Dudley spoke mcst feelingly of the death of Mr. Bateman, and described his character in glowing words . When he concluded his brief remarks General Butterworth added a few words. Mr. Bateman, said General Butterworth, had been his friend from boy- hood, and their parents were friends before them. “We were both Friends,” he continued, “and belonged to the same meeting. I can | truthfully say his whole life was one of spotless integrity. He did not use the speech or wear the apparel of the Friends, but he carried the lessons always in his heart and never fafled to bear himself worthily in all the relations of life.’” At the conclusion of Gen. Butterworth’s tribute the remains were taken to the Pennsylvania depot and placed on the 2:10 western train for Cincinnati. The escort in this city comprised Gen. Dudley, Gen. Tyner, Assistant Postmaster Gen Heath, ex-Representative Thompson, D uty Internal Revenue Commissioner W sen and Mr. J. S. Baynon of Springbor- ough, Ohio, the native place of the Bate- man family, and a lifelong friend of the dead man. Secretary Sherman and the other gentlemen named also went to the depot, Mr. Mikalovitch, Mr. Arthur Bate- man and Mr. McCrary accompanying the body to Ohio. a WHEELS FOR SWITZERLAND. Increase in the Number of American Bicycles Importe Consul Ridgely, at Geneva, Switzerland, in a report to the State Department,-says that during the first six months of this year there was a considerable revival of exportations to the United States, especial- ly ip watches. In June there was great anxiety to get the goods in before the tariff. bill went into effect. At present, however, the manufacturers are not satisfied with the outlook, exports to this country not oniy falling off, but bus’ in general is dull. There have not been as many Ameri- can visitors as usual, but those who have been in Switzerland have made compara- tively small and insignificant purch: There has been a very large increase in the number of bicycles imported from the United States, and some American makes have taken a strong hold there. An in- crease in the importation of United States canned meats is also noted. One of the in- teresting features of the report is that an- nouncing the importation of 2,000 boxes of ‘alifornia dried fruits. = EW CURR: HAITYV’S J icY. Substitution of Gold for the Present Paper Money. W. P. Powell, United States minister to Haiti, in a letter to Secretary Sherman, States that a proposition is now pending before the chamber of deputies looking to the consolidation of the several debts of the republic into one national debt, the re- duction of the high rate of exchange, de- struction of the present paper money in use and substitution for it of a gold cur- rency, based on our unit of value, the American gold dollar. “In order to do this says Minister Powell, “the government will endeavor to secure a loan from some of our large bank- ing houses in the states, to the amount of $6,000,000. This loan, I understand, fs to be negotiated by Mr. H. J. Leger, envoy ex- traordinary and minister plemipotentiary from this republic to the United States, such loan to pay an interest of 6 per cent per annum ir gold. The present debt, with interest, amounts to nearly $26,000,000. In the matter now pending, the loan, if ob- tained, is to be secured,by a portion of ihe duty upon the coffee crop, estimated to be worth about $2,000,000 annually, and a por- tion of the import duty, which they propose to increase 25 per cent, the money thus accruing to constitute a sinking fund for the payment of these bonds. Heretofore all loans that have been obtained have come through the merchants here, or else through the Bank of France, which has a branch here. The importance to be at- tached to this loan, as far as we are con- cerned, is the growing feeling for a closer alliance with our country.” —_ DOUBTS THE REPORT. Senor Corea Does Not Believe There is © = Revolt in Salvador. Senor Corea, charge d'affaires of the Greater Republic of Central America, doubts the report of an uprising in Salva- dor, and-has cabled to the diet for infor- mation. All his advices Indicate that Sal- vador “is enjoying peace and prosperity, and this, he says, is equally true of Nic- aragua and Honduras. The revolution in Guatemala is the only one of those recently reported in Central America which is occasioning serious ap- preh€nsion. The Guatemala army com- prises 40,000 men, including the reserves, and has a large equipment of ordnance. ‘Fke revolutionists are said to have forty preces of field artillery. More serious en- gagements than those which often mark tthese Central American uprisings, there- fcre, are-probable. The last official advices rreceived here showed that the’ revolution- ists heid the second city of importance in the country, where it was expected the scvernment forces would engage them, ————_+-2-+-____- Antidote for Snnke Bite. _ United States Consul Germain of Zurich, under date of July 15, 1897, calls the at- ;tention of the State Department to an ar- ticle appearing in the Weekly Scotchman in regard to the anti-venomous Properties -of the bile cf serpents.. Experiments with the bile of the African cobra, the puff ad- der and the rattlesnake, it was stated sta meeting of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, showed that the bile, when mixed with the ‘venom cf serpents, was able to < lethal doses of the latter from produciag death. Although non-toxic in the alimen- tary canal, the bile salts and pigments acted as poisons when injected under the skin or into a blood vessel. It was improb- able, the article continued, that bile in its natural form could be used as an antidote, administration or by ap- snake THE NATION'S CITY An Estimate of Its Present Form of of Government, FORCE OF LOCAL: PUBLIC OPINIO Value of Citizens’ Assaciations and Board off Tratle. INDIVIDUAL. AUTHORITY C._ Meriwether in the Politi¢al Science Quarterly, ‘September. Such in outline is the existing city gov- ernment of Washington—a system quite different from that of any other city in America. More puzzling to the average citizen is the absence of the usual facilities for getting rid of an obgoxious adminis- tration at the next election. What, then, can be done in Washington? What if this system gcts crusted with barnacles or wrapped in red tape? What if the Commis- sioners become haughty and arrogant, and the army officer begins to show that con- tempt for civilians that seems inseparable from a soldier’s profession? The best guarantee against these dangers is the gauntlet a man must run to win the prize, and the keen scrutiny to which he is exposed after getting it. In all actions touching the municipality the President of the United States is in a position to he as free from improper personal motives as a man can be in this world. friends nor foes can rise up in the make or mar his fortunes, bezaus 5 citizens, being excluded from the polls, are utterly insignificant in any national matter. Having no further lot among the people than a sojourn for a limited number of years, the President can- act eye to a perfect administration. men also occup’ ated plane. tically citizens, feel defects and short- comings as keenly as the ordinary man, but with the advantage that they can stard in the Capitol and utter their criticisms in the hearing of the whole land. They can speak for their fellow citizens, and by congressional inquiry can have the smallest details of taunicipal business laid open to public inspection. Finding the Bext Men. From the establishment of the system in 1878 the President, in appointing Commis- sioners, has usually taken special pains to find the best men—through his personal knowledge, if possible, or through conti- dential interviews and thorough study of lives and records, In several cases the post has been offered’ to men who had never even thought of receiving the honor. The story is told of President Garfield that, having very reluctantly received a com- mittee of citizens who wished to urge the appointment of a Commissioner from a cer- tain section of the city;°he ended a long hearing by not only granting the petition, but offering the position on the spot to one of the committee. In selecting an army offi- cer as the third member the President ean most easily disregard sogial and political in- fluence and choose from merit alone, In some cases, perhaps, hé has delegated this duty to the War Department, ‘but in others he has unmistakably spent ‘time and effort in his search for the most suitable man. President Arthur, for: example, with the Secretary of War, went laboriously over the record of every mah eligible for the detail. Particular attention’ is paid to the civil side of an officer's character—to his tact and affability in’ dealing with people. Nor does the President's -vigilance relax with the signing of the Commissioners. His potential, if not active, influence is exerted so long as he is in the White House. Commissioners Rémoved. Twice has the military member been re- moved: once because of complaints at what appeardd to be arbitrary conduct in open- ing a street through a cemetery; and again, it is said, because of arousing the hostility of certain congressmen and the anger of a large corporation staff, One of the early civilian Commissioners dlso felt the sting of the same supervision, if we are to credit the chief’ daily paper in Washington. He was superseded before the end of his term, after “a big volume of complaints” had been made that “the board are aristecra- tic, bureaucratic, not easily approached and that citizens who have grievances are snubbed.” Finally it was announced: “The President appears to have come to the con- clusion that, on the whole, the adminis- tration of District affairs. was not reasona- bly satisfactory to the people, and that some change should be made to secure a more popular government.” Throughout the incident it was belleyed that the Presi- dent acted solely from the standpoint of the common good. It is a long step toward ideal government when subjects have the general conviction that neither ‘“favorit- ism” nor “prejudice” dictates the changes made in offices. The Text of Confirmation. A man approved by the executive for the post of Commissioner hag still to face the Judgment of the Senate“perhaps a severer test, because more public. With the Sen- ate committee his enemiés ‘have a fair field for their assaults. At‘ ‘this stage three nominations have been bitterly and suc- cessfully opposed. On ‘the first one, over ten years ago, the committee held public hearings; and a mass of accusations and charges were filed, with resolutions from civie organizations and’ petitions from all classes. In the second .ease, equal opyor- tunity was afforded to all to raise objec- tions. In the third, it ‘was asserted that the neminee was obnoxious to several senators. Mereover, scrutiny does not cease with cenfirmation, but even becomes sharper, as the lower house often’ with the upper in wielding the weapon of congressional inquiry. These investigations are possible at any moment, and can reach the min- utést official act. In’ actual “prattice..thoy have involved such sfbjects as paving and its cost_per yard, tree planting, street sweeping, removals frgm office and the reasons therefor, the “conrection of the Commissioners with -rajiway, bank or gas companies in the city, and the wisdom or- legality of regulatio, on a variety of matters. i : Better Than the Average Mayor. On account -of this iegular- but many- eyed vigilance the: Commissioners are, as a rule, men of a higher type than the average maycr in an American city. The political gamester who often climbs by trickery and intrigue tothe mayor's chair in our largest cities is an.utter impossibil- ity in Washington. Of ghe.twelve civilian Commissioners,. all ‘ai been of geod scelal standing. Mcst them have been college- graduates, several having - been educated at the Colgmbian University. Though but few of them have been natives, of Washington, all had acquired large in- terests In the city be: being chosen- for. the pest. All of themha' Congress- , to some extent, the same Many of them, being prac- dent of the existing board was an attorney of lucrative clientage. and had served also as chairman of schcol trustees and as city postmaster. The capacity and atiainmenis of the military member are vouched for by his rank and by the judgment of his su- perior. Accessible to the People. In the conduct of business the Commis- sioners are mor2 approachable than the average American mayor. Patience and courtesy are shown to the humblest; no “pull” or introduction is necessary. For two hours in the morning on certain days in the week the president of the board is ready for ail callers. He receives them in a large room, at the end of which is his office, partitioned off by a couple of desks and book cases. Each goes to him in turn, without announcement or card or previous interview with private secretary, under the democratic rule “first come, firs: served.” On any matter of general interest a time is set for a formal hearing, and the argu- ments delivered by counsel for and against the proposed measure are often supple- mented by advice und testimony invited from the general public. The Commiss‘on- ers by law have to report to Congress on all District bills introduced m that body. For the discharge of this duty the Pare themselves by listening to sions on all sides of the question. In all their proposea ‘regulations they display the same desire to learn the impressions cf the public and of those most nearly affeciel. Thus, there were several pablic sessions on the bill to require all street railways to give transfers at intersections and wide opportunity was granted the rep- resentatives of express and elivory agencies for exchange of oninion on the proposed regulation for wide tires. Congrexsional Interest. Members cf the District committees of the houses of Congress are often present at such occasions, and assist very material- ly by their comménts and inquiries. While Congress is in session they constitute, in fact, a miniature city council, as they free- ly hear complaints and suggestions from any aggrieved clement, and do not hesitate to take issue with the Commissioners. For example, at one time the farmers who sell from the curbing around the Center Mar- ket were charged with trespass by the po- lice. They sent a delegation to appeal to the Senate committee for what they deem- ed their rights. The senators visited the scene of contest and took testimony on the spot. As their judgment did not agree with that of the Commissioners, the farmers were troubled no more, the matter -being “laid aside for further deliberation.” The Commissioners are more sensitive to public cpinion than an elected execut! beca though appointed fer a definite period, they are subject at all time buke and're been account of lents and ion on a location reached and then revoked oa the outery of the adjacent re land owners. a suburb was settle upon and the site was actually purchased but even then the project abandoned, as the annual report confe: “of the sincere and earnest opposition of the protestants.” A Peculiar Population. The justification for the peculiar me: anism of municipal government in Wash ington is readily found in the peculiar character of the city and of its population. The city is really “a big government res- It is a resort for the idle and shiftless, a paradise for negroes, a Mecca for tourists, at the same time a growing center of fash- fon and culture, and withal, despite civil service referny, a vast hotel for transient cffice seekers. The conjunction of such discordant elements makes popular gov- ernment a priori absurd. It is significant that these who are most interested are the best satisfied with the existing system, even though they dis- charge none of the furctions of an Ameri- can citizen except to pay taxes. In a pretty full rostal card vote taken by a leading paper only a minute fraction of the people favored the introduction of man- hood suffrage. At the same time {t is re- Pugnant to the political instinct of an American that the great body of people who support the government should have no voice in its management. It is true that if he has no direct influence over the man- agement of public affairs, he can fall back on public opinion, and by concentrating that can exert an effective pressure. The Individual’s Authority. But even if on» has the privilege of ut- tering his sentiments to the authorities, and fs heard as an individual with the at- tention that h‘s character and standing de- mand, it is only when he stands forth as the agent of his fellows that he speaks with an authority that few in a free coun- try venture to neglect. Accordingly, when the citizens of Washington saw that, by the law of 1878, they were excluded from the government that they had to maintain, they found a lever to move their masters in the influence of citizens’ associations. At the same time, they have preserved the principle of local initiative by allowing each section of the city to fight its own battles for an equitable share of the com- mon benefits provided by all. The special needs of each locality are vigorously and persistently thrust before the Cfficials; and, through the play cf earnest rivalry and warm criticism, fair apportionments can be made and happy compromises effected. The great success of this peculiar city gov- errment ts due in no small degree to the jealous watchfulness of these citizens’ as- sociations. Civic Combinations. The germ of these civic combinations may be found in the ringing appeal of a lead‘ng paper in Washington, just after the adoption of the present form of govern- ment, for the people to “stir themselves to secure the selection of the right sort of Commissioners.” Quickly did the people respond; and in a few years every quarter of the city and the adjacent territory was represented by an association. As each new suburb was settled, another association was added, until mow ther? are sixteen of these unofficial town councils. In consti- tution and general method they are all alike. Each works under a written constitution, with officers proper to a deliberative body and meetings at stated times to hear re- Ports and hold discussions.. The qualifica- tions for membership are very liberal and annual fees smalltisuaily about $1. The main work is done by committees, in which the one-man idea is pushed to an extreme in empowering the chairmen to name the‘r colleagues. A committee is pat in charge of each special object of public interest within the local bounds, including usually sewers, paving, gas, street rail- ways, water mains, .street extensions, school facilities, the ma‘! service, fire ap- Paratus and police. Thus laborious investi- gations ere carried on, and a vast ameunt of valuable information is gathered, which is often preserved in printed form. Bonrd of Trade. The multiplication of these associations, however, engendered cross purposes, and energy was sometimes wasted in rivalries rether than the heart ef the city. The membership fee is Slo, fluential Membership. The names of nearly all the leading res- idents in professional and business life are on its membership list, which aggregates over 500, and includes two of the District Commissioners, with other municipal offi- cials. As many of its members are active- y connected with the smaller associations, it is fairly representative of the wh District. It has over twenty standing com- mittees, including those on bridges, parks and reservations, public buildings, public health, public library, public schools, rail- roads, river and harbor improvement, legis- lation, sewerage, streets and avenues and water supply. Through their agency the beard performs a work of inestimable value in coilecting statistics and acquiring de- tailed knowledge of municipal affairs. It publishes an annual report of more than a hundred pages, well digested and packed with trustworthy data and thoughtful con- clusions. Conservatism and Tact. The policy of the board of trade has been marked by sclid conservatism and wonder- ful tact, which have won for its opinions a high standing with the city authorities. As representative of the public it uims to werk in conjunction with the authorities, assisting with advice and information. As an organ of the mass of the citizens it can speak with some weight in voicing the scntiments of the governed. In all its tions it aims at sympathetic co-operation, and aveids any policy such as has brought some of the local associations into sh clashes with the District Commission The board of trade usually takes up on questions affecting the whole city, which its members can agitate with practical unanimity. This unbroken front increa: the moral momentum of its action in any matter. Social Influence. ‘ke board knows the strength of social influence, and it annually invites prominent numbers of Congress and of the District government to meet at dinner for 2 frank interchange of views. It also arranges excursion along the water front for ti aldermen, and carries them dow bake. The utmost cor btains between the board and th Commissioners. It constitutes, in fact, a spontaneous supplement to the District gevernment. Again and again questi; are referred to the board for repert, a conferences are held with its committees. Lately a commitice of the board was clo: eted with the Commissioners for an ning on the subject of tax ana other committees have street extension, on street sfers and on the regulation One of the local ed to engage counsel to aid the Commissioners in some fight with a railread corporation Special committees also are often appointed to urge mea on Congress: and and with respec they are heard at lengta Earnestaess ix Character! The reetings of these associations, both lecal and general, are marked by earnest- ness and directness of purpose. Those at- tend who are interested, and no clap-trap tricks are used to draw a crowd. Difficult avestions are expounded with a fullness of detail and of technical precision that would never be dared before the usual po- litical audience. Little appeal is made to the emoticns; there is no soul-stirriug “eloquence” or spread-eagleism. The at- mosphere is one of hard tacts and cogeat reasoning. These associations are a happy means for harnessing the substantial men of a commurity to the vexatious but noble task of civic counsel and influence. For such _men—who, even if fully imbued with public spirit, would find the more common species of municipal politics quite distasieful—they furnish a congenial theater for the exercise of their talents, and one in which their character and intelligence are appreciated. In these bodies some of the foremost men in every vocation in the city are active. Thus, the president of the board of trade is the managing partner in the largest de- partment store in Washington, while ot the two former presidents, one was a suc- cessful real estate dealer and the other a man of large financial interests, who had once been a District Commissioner. A Representative Aristocracy. The value of these associations is freely conceded by all, and the papers give fuil reports of all their doings. The District Commissioners cheerfully acknowledge in- debtedness to them for sound suggestions and useful information. The members ot Cor; s rely on the genuireness and dis- interestedness of their motives. A senator considered it ample recommendation for a bill that it had been indorsed by the board of trade. Mr. William L. Wilson, during his service as Gemocratic leader in the lower house, gave the fullest recognition to the work of these spontaneous organi- zations of the people. Through their ac- tivity, in fact, municipal government in Washington has assumed in operation a very different form from that contem- plated in its crganizaticn. By law, the sys- tem is a benevolent Gespotism; in practice, it is a representative aristocracy. ——_—_+ e+ _____ FUNERAL OF MAJ. GINTER. Remzains Plnced in a Vault wood Cemetery. The funeral of Maj. Lewis Ginter, whieh took place yesterGay afternoon from St. Paul’s Church, Richmond, Va., was the largest known in that city for many years. The edifice was crowded long before 3 o'clock, the hour fixed for the ceremonies. Hundreds, if not a thousand or more, were unable to get inside of the building. The steps in front and the streets were thronged with people. In some few in- stances those anxious to view the proces- sion found places on the roofs of porches ard points of vantage. The casket, which was simple, though magnificen' ered inches deep in green spfays. Dr Hartly Carmichael, the rector of St. Paul's, conducted the services, assisted by Revs. Preston Nash and Thomas Symmes of the Episcopal, and Rev. Dr. Moses D. Hoge of the Presbyterian Church. Among’ those in attendance were Presi- dent Joseph Duke of the American Tobas- co Company and other officers of that cor- poration and delegations from all of the va- rious enterprises with which been associated in life. The remains were placed in the vault in Hollywood of his old friend, the late Jchn C. Schafer. The throng at the cemetery was the largest seen there on any similar Tomes since the 1einterment of Jefferson vis. Holly- American Type Abroad. United States Vice Consul Berg writes from Rto Grande do Sul, Brazil: . “A printer in my district, who uses type from. various countries, expressed to me | The regular permanent family circulation of The Evening Star is more than double that of any other paper in Washington, whether published in the morn- ing or in the afternoon. As a medium for unobjec- tionable advertisements it there- fore stands unequaled and un- approachable. POLITICS OUT WEST Bryan Almost as Great a Factor as He Was Last Year. HIS INFLUENCE NATIONAL IN EXTENT Hot Fights in Nebraska and Colo- rado—California Apathetic. RETURN OF PROSPERITY $s Special Correspomlence of The Evening Star. LINCOLN, Neb., October 3, Confidence is said tc be a big element in political success. If it were the only ele- ment, William Jennings Bryan m: be sure of yet tenanting the White Campaigns four or five stetes have re- ived a guiding direction from Liacoln, the Chicago platform of 18M: has becn kept to the front with the confident a: surance that on it victory would be achiev- ed in 1900. Mr. Bryan’s ¢evoted political foliowers are as sure of success in the ulti- mete future as they were a year this time of winning in the immed! ture. They are loyal, enthusiastic and hopeful. Mr. Bryan's views on the poiitical situation as affected by the rise in the price of wheat have been given in news- paper articles, so I forbear to quote them, He himself divcusses the conditions with frankness in the speeches he makes. His nds tell me he is as bucyant as at anv od of his meteoric public carcer. He continues to receive overwhelming ev! cence that the masses of the democraiie rty iook to him as their leader, and is lifferent to the efforts made to wrest that leadership from him. Seme personal observations taken in journeying from the Pacific coast eastward help ‘to frame an idea of the politics! pr pects. It is proper and fair to state that rising tid- of prosperity has not sub- ged ihe Bryan people. On the const y continue in full control ef the demo- atic crcanization. Some of them seem to recognize that a shifting of the issues may be demanded within a year, but they all say it can only be done by the acknowl- edged le out there is just as well s fied. They are all too busy making money A, te want their energtes % thin thirty days more goid has come from Aus- tralia to pay the California farmers for their grain than has been brought down frcm the Kiondike. I saw the vessels load- ing the wheat at Benicia bay n June. In August anc this month when they tovched at Honolulu on their return the specie room would be carefully guarded. The last verre! to touch there carried 4,- 008,000 Ia gold for the settlement of grain balances. Much of it went into immediate circulation. With this direct benefit reach- ing the farmers and the prosperity which the whole state has received from the re- vival of mining, California republicans may lcck forward to the congressional campaign a year hence with equanimity, though the free silver sentiment remains strong In their own ranks and dominates the oppo- sition. Hot Campaign in Colorado. In Colorado there is a heated campaign for the supreme court. It is causing a break-up in the fusions which were formed last fall. The democratic party, as such, can hardly be said to have an existence in the centennial state. It disappeared fifteen months ago, when the organization prac- tically merged into the populist party. A fusion of all the elements supporting free silver was brought about. It was thorough» When the election returns were counted the vote was so nearly unanimous for Bryan that the McKinley republicans won- dered at their cwn pluck in standing by their party. The fusion of the Bryanites, however, was cnly a surface one. The sil- ver republicans had only silver in common with the populists. They would not yield their identity. Since the national election they have been drawing away from their temporary associations. Ther position has been detined in the present campaign and it has caused a disruption in the forces which supported Bryan. The silver re- ublicans have ramed their own candidate ‘or the judicial office, and apparently they are going to have rothing to do with the populists. Th> issue is complicated by the fact that Judge Hoyt, their candidate, is also the nominee of the McKinley repubdli- cans. The latter really nominated Hoyt a ‘ittle In advance of their silver brethren. It was known, -however, that he would be nominated by the silver republicans, so that une McKinley nomination was, in ef- fect, simply an indcrsemert. It was very distasteful to the populisis. Judge Hovt was charged with yielding his free silver principles in accepting the McKinley n ination. A fierce controversy sprung uj,and is still raging. Senator Teller has beer. drawn into the fight. He wrote a letter indorsing Hoyt's candidacy. Editor T. M. Patterson, who, through his newspaper, is supporting Mr. Gabbert, the populist candidate, has at- tacked the senator quite savagely, consid- ering their close associations. He charges that Teller at first repudiated Hoyt, and de- clared that an eccentance of the McKinley nomination forfeited all claim to the sup- pert of the silver republicans. Senator Teller’s charge of base, Editor Patiterson asserts, is due to corporation influence. A point is made that if Hoyt is elected it will be claimed as a straight republican victory, and heralded as a defeat for silver in its natural stronghold. Interviews with Chairman Towne sustaining this claim are telegrap! from Washington, and pub- lished under glaring headlines, Towne calls on the silver people to zepudiate Hoyt’ candidacy, and if he is correcily quoted pointedly criticises Teller. Teller is Undisturbed. Senator Teller is not moved by the criti- cisms on his course. He has a wonderful hold on the people of Colorado. He knows nearly every man in the state by name. Outside of this, his constituency has abso- lute confidence in his sincerity and integri- ty of purpose. He might differ from them widely, and their confidence in him would be uni red. In the present instance he dces not seem to be at variance with them, Three out of every four men with whom I talked on the trains upheld Teller. I was told that Denver mi Oe Doge, me pet 37