Evening Star Newspaper, October 8, 1897, Page 1

\ THE EVENING STAR. ees PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 3101 Fennsylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th 8t., by i Star Newspaper Com ee UFFMANN, Pres. Kew York Ofice, 49 Potter Building. ‘The Ev-ning Star ts served to subcribers in the ¢ity by carriers, on their own account, at 10 ecnts per week, or 24 cents per month. ies at the counter 2 cents each. By mail—anywhere in the United States or Cenada—postage prepald—50 ecnts Fer month. Saterday Quintuple, Sheet Star. $1 per year, with foreizn postaze advied, Entered at the Post Opice at Washington. D. 0.. as secend-clise mail matter. 7 All mail subecriptions must be paid in advance. Rates of advertising made known on application. Che Fue ng Star. WASHINGTON, D. 0. FRIDAY, OOTOBER 8, 1897—SIXTEEN PAGES. GRADE CROSSINGS Important Report Made by District Commissioner Wight. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROTECTION List of the Crossings With and Without Gatemen. iN HANDS OF THE BOARD Commissioner Wight this afternoon sub- mitted to the board of Commissioners his recommendations concerning the protection of grade crossings in the District of Co- lumbia, along the lines of the Baltimore and Ohfo Railroad. He urges better pro- tection at numerous crossings, and inststs that gatemen be assigned no other duties in connection with the operation of the gates. This report, it is said, is the result of an interview between the officials of the road and the Commissioners, the former «gree- ing in advance to comply with the wishes of the Commissioners for the betterment of prevailing conditions. It being cor- jered a police matter, the subject was re- ferred to Commissioner Wight for exami- nm and report, and the fullowing is the It of his investigations: “The matter of the further protection of the grade cressings of the Baltimore and Ohio railread in the District of Col mbia having been referred to me, I have to re- port that a careful examination has been made into the condition of all the cross- ings of this r . and a list is herewith ap- pended, showing the Incation of these crossings, the amount of travel and the present arrangements which the company bas for protecting them: The Commissioner's Demands. “In the recommendaciors I have to make, asking for further protection at some of the crossings, I have endeavored to consider the matter fairly, with a View of asking what is reasonable and proper. Some of these crossings are traveled but little, and over the crossiags of the Alex- andria branch only two freight trains «re run a day. It would not seem reasonable to require the company to guard suen cross- irgs continuously. All of these crossings are provided however, with danger signals nm posts near the track. “The crossings at D and E streets, Mass1- chusetts avenue, G, H, ] and K streets are now guarded continuously for the twenty- e, I recom- four hours. In addition to the mend that the company be guard the cro: F: av Metrop ‘arroll th, Sth and 7th (Washington ana Mt. Olivet road for twenty- hours continuously. These crossiags are now guarded from 6 a.m. to # p.m., and the amount of travel over them ap- Fears to me to be suiliciently large to make the request for continuous watching reasonable. Heavy Travel. “I also recommend that on the Alexan- dria branch the crossing at Monroe street be guarded from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., on ac- count ef the heavy travel, which 1s con- stantly increasing over road in con- nection with the Anacostia bridge. “I further recommend that the company be requested to avsign no other duties to th who are employed to watch grade crossings, as it is believed that the dis- rge of other duties prevents their giv- proper attention to the guardiag of the tracks. “If the foregoing recommendations are earierd out, I think the grade crossings of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad in the Dis- trict of Columbia will be sufficiently guard- ed. if those crossing the tracks will use Such diligence and precaution as it is rea- able to expect.” Grade Crossings in District. more and Ohio railroad, Metropolitan ‘anch—Investigation covering a period of aty-four hours in each instance: D et, y little travel, flagman, Bates not lowered; E street, moderate travel, gates, watchman night; Massachusetts ave- hue, considerable travel, Sates, wate a all night; F t, Moderate tray gates ra ight; G street, considerable . Watchman all night; H street, watchman ‘all night: . gates, watchman ali travel, gatts, watch- t, light travel, gates, to 9 p.m.; M street, heavy travel, gates, watchman 6 to 8 a.m) to 9 p.m.; Patterson avenue, not opened; N street, not opened; O street, none; Fiort- da avenue, heavy travel, gates, watchman 6am. to9 p.m.; South avenue, light trav Central avenue, light travel, ‘not a public street, bunker Hill road, very heavy trav- €l, gates, watchman 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Bates road, six teams a day, unprotected; Riggs Toad, bridge; Sligo Mill road, bridge; Blair Toad, Nght travel, unprotected; Carroll ave- treet, heavy watchman 6 to 8 a. nue, constant travel, gates, watchman 6 am to 9 p.m., no other duties; Oak ave- hue, same; Chestnut avenue, travel, unprocected. RA ae Washington Branch. Second street, bridge; 8d street, not ®pened; 4th street, gates, watchman 6 a.m. to 9 pr. heavy travel: 5th street, mod- erate travel, gates, watchman 6 a.m. to 9 P-m.; 6th street, not opened: 7th street, gates, watchman 6:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., con- siderable travel; K street, not opened; 8th street, not opened; Sth street, light travel; L street, moderate travel; Florida avenue, gates, watchman 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., heavy travel; Mt. Olivet road, gates, watchman 6 am. to 9 p.m., heavy travel; Queen’s Chapel road, bridge; Emporia street, light travel unprotected; Rives street, bridge. Alexandria Branch. evens avenue, unprotected; Sumner avenue, unprotected; Howard avenue, un- Protected: Mouroe street, gates, watchman 7 am. to 10 p.m., 12 p.m., no other duties; Naylor read, unprotected; Carroll street, unprotected: Pennsylvania avenue, unpro- tected; Benning road, unprotected, heav travel! Ac ‘tia road, moderate travel, unprotected; Sheriff road, light trav protected; Kenilworth, not known. pele tigi PURCHASING FORE! SEEDS. Secretary Wilson Preparing the Work of Organization. Secretary Wilson of the Agricultural De- ‘partment ts making arrangements to or- @anize the work of purchasing foreign seeds fgr distribution by the department. A great eal of information regarding rare and val- Wable seeds has been received by the de- partment from American ministers and consuis abroad, and some one will be ap- poirited to collate these facts, and also to supérintend the purchase of such sceds as are believed to be adaptable to conditions in the’ United States. It is probable that the place will be offered to Mr. Fairchild, Who was: formerly an agent of the depart. ment, if proper arrengements can be made with the ciyil service commission. ——-— — +2 Whereabouts of the Warships. The school ship Enterprise has arrived at Boston from a se to Europe. The gun- Boat Castine sail from Buenos Ayres yesterday for mtevideo. The torpedo boats Cushing, Porter and Ericsson arrived at Fort Monvoe yesterday, where they will be joined Ge the Du Pont. WIFE THOUGHT HIM DEAD James Baird Returns to His Home Under Sensational Circumstances. His Supposed Corpse Was Identified by His Wife in 2 Suburb of Chicago. LYONS, Iowa, October 8.—Several years ago, at Port Byron, IL, James Baird was united in marriage to a Miss Dorrance. Later they removed to Chicago, and some time ago removed to this city. On August 14, without warning and leaving no trace, Baird disappeared. Some time afterward there appeared in the Chicago papers the account of the finding of the dead body of a man in.a heap of rubbish in the rear of 34 Myrtle’ street at Dunning, a suburb of Chicago. The description, which tallied with that of the missing man, met the eye of the wife, who went to Chicago, arriving there September 38, to find that the body had been buried in the potter’s field. The body was located, disinterred, and it was found that while decomposure rendered the features unrecognizable, the size of the body and the general appearance of the hair, beard and mustache resembled that vf the missing man. As a last test the wife said that her husband, who had been a soldier in the late war, bore upon one shoulder a long, deep scar, from a wound received in service. The clothing was re- moved, and there upon the shoulder of the body was a scar of the kind stated. Owing to the condition of the remains it was impossible to remove them, and they were reinterred in the patter’s field, while the wife returned sorrowing to her home here. Now her grief is turned to rejoicing, for the husband mourned as dead returned home last night, alive and well. He offers no explanation of his mysterious absence and silence beyond the statement that he has been in Montana, working at bridge building. —— LIGHT REGISTRATION IN OHIO. Indications of Great Shrinkage in Last Year's Vote. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. COLUMBUS, Ohio, October 8.—Reports from all the cities of Ohio, where general registration 1s required of voters this year, shows remarkably light registration com- pared with that of last year. The falling off is from 30 to 50 per cent. There are thrce more registration days, but the bulk of the vote is generally regis- tered the first Gay. Not one-fourth of it was registered yesterday, and it is hard to explain except on the hypothesis that there is apathy among the voters. There is noth- ing in the registration returns to show that either party is getting the worst of it. It is a significant fact that the Cincinnati Enquirer today ignores completely as a news matter General A. J. Warner's chal- lenge to Senator Hanna to a joint debate. It is interpreted to mean that John R. Mc- Lean has,rot given up his senatorial as- pirations,*and does not propose to help along his rival by publishing his challenge. ge SISTER GONZAGA DEAD. The Oldest Sister of Charity in the United States. PHILADELPHIA, October 8.—Sister Gon- zaga, the oldest Sister of Charity in the United States, and for over fifty years the superioress of St. Joseph’s Orphan Asylum, this city, died at the asylum today. Sister Gonzaga was born near Emmitts- burg, Md., in 1812, and when old enough attended the school at that place. Her name was Agnes Grace, and the members of the family are still well known in that section of the country. When she was buc fifteen years of age she entered the church, and from that time until her death was a Sister of Charity. During the war of the rebellion Sister Gonzaga took the field as an army nurse, and it was while acting in that capacity that she was able to give con- solation to many a dying soldier. —_+—. MURDER OR SUICIDE? Young Chicago Woman Found Deed With Revolver Near. CHICAGO, October 8.—Lying in a clump of tall weeds, with a revolver by her side and a bullef hole in the left temple, the body of a young woman, supposed to be Jennie Oates, twenty years old, was found last night by Officer Schmaudt of the South Chicago police station, at a point midway between 8th and 9th avenues on 89th street. The body was still warm, and near by, neatly folded, was a shawl and the wo- man’s bonnet. In one of the pockets of the woman’s Gress was found a note, which leads the police to believe the young woman com- mitted suicide as the result of a lovers’ quarre!. The note was addressed to J. Fell, 8719 Bishop street, and in it the writer stated that she was tired of living, and, in fact, tired of everything. The note was signed Jennie Oates and bore the address of 886 Francis street. She had lived at this piace two weeks, but nothing more is known of her. ed CARL FABER UNDER ARREST. Accused of Embezzling $10,000 of Oelrichs & Co.'s Funds. NEW YORK, October 8.—Carl Faber, the defaulting cashier of Oelrichs & Co., was taken into custody when,the steamship Barbarrosa from Bremen arrived at her dcck in Hoboken today. Faber took his arrest very coolly, and was locked up at once in the captain's cabin. His wife, however, was completely unstrung and almost went into hysterics. Faber <pparently had knowledge :hat he was to be arrested. He said to the detec- tive that he was willing to pay what he owed, and that everything would be fixed up all rigat. Faber is accused of embezzling at teast $10,000, and it is said that {t may reach three times that figure. He has been a trusted employe of Oelirichs & Co., who gave him_a vacation in April, which he spent in Europe. The defaleation was dis- covered during his absence. —————_— MOTH BESTS McLAUGHLIN. Three Out of Four Wrestling Match. SEATTLE, Wash., October 8.—The wrest- ling mateh last night between Charles Moth and Col. J. H. McLaughlin was won by Moth, who secured three falls to Mc- Laughtin’s one. McLaughlin won the first bout, collar and elbow, in 44 minutes; the second bout, Graeco-Romen, won by Moth in 26 min- utes; third, back hold, won by Moth in 26 minutes, and fourth and final, catch-as- catch-can, won by Moth in} minutes. —_._—__—— HOKE SMITH’S NEW HONORS. Falls in Elected President of Atlanta’s Board of Education. ATLANTA, Ga., October 8.—Mr. Hoke Smith, former Secretary of the Interior, has be&n elected president of the board of education of this city, to.succeed Judge Howard Van Epps, resigned. Mr. Smith's election was unanimous. He represents the eighth ward on the board. PLAYING FOR DELAY GUITEAU’S LOST PISTOL Spain Believed to Be Trifling With This Country. MANAGEMENT OF THE CUBAN MATTER Holding Out Commercial Conces- sions as a Bait. MINISTER MORET’S SELECTION ———-_—_- The impression here is that the Spanish gcvernment is trifling with this country in relation to the opening of negotiations for the restoration of peace in Cuba. It is quite evident to the administration from the Madrid dispatches that it is the inten- tion of Spain to make a pretext of the change of ministry for delay, and that the change of ministry will not improve the situation from an American point of view. The State Department, of course, is em- bartassed by the fact that under the usages of diplomacy it cannot question the mo- tives of Senor Sagasta, though it may be thoroughly satisfied that he is not dealing frankly with the question. The change of ministry affords an opportunity for delay beyond the time suggested in Mr. Wood- ford’s letter—October 30—when President McKinley would like to be informed as to when the pacification of Cuba may be ex- pected. The reauest for this information Was not made in the form of a demand, but was couched in friendly terms. Senor Sagasia can, with due official politeness and protestations of friendliness, explain that it is impossible, under the circum- stances, to make a -reply by October 30, end can repudiate the idea of this govern- ment having a right to demand an an- swer at that time, without displaying a Gefiance which would really be covered un- der his communication. Of course, it is known perfectly well that the change >f ministry really gives no warrant for delay that did not exist al- ready, but a suggestion to tiis effect from Minister Woodford would place this coun- try in the aggressive, and consequently at a disadvantage, unless it is the policy of this government to take prompt and vig- orous steps. In other words, our State Department cannot decline to accept Senor Sagasta’s excuse for delay, and at the same time maintain the forms of friendly mediation. A declination to accept this explanation would have to be based on the assumption that we have rights which warrant our making a demand, and this would at once make an issue between the two countries which could hardly be set- tled in any friendly manner. It is evidently the purpose of the new Spanish minist:r to gain as much time possible and, finally, to attempt the plac: tion of this government through some sort of commercial concessions. The hint has been thrown out that It will be possible for this government to secure valuable trade concessions and an improvement of our commercial relations with Cuba if that island remains under the control of Spain. The suggestion that Senor Moti the new Spanish minister of the colon! is _a recognized exporent of recipro who concurred with Mr. Blaine in the p tion that statesman took when the Kinley bill waz being framed by Congress, has very much the aspect of an attempt to bribe this government by the temptation of commercial advantages and to transfer the Cuban question from the field of prin- ciple to that of commerce. It is believed that Mr. Moret’s selection for this pesition was made for the purpose of appealing to the commercial side of the American character, and at the same time that Mr. Moret’s devotion to reci- procity is recited it is adroitly suggested that he was the author of the law liberat- ing the negroes in Cuba, who are, the Span- ish say, largely involved in. the CuLan re- bellion. The suggestion that the Cuban insur- gents are a class of people that the Ameri- cans should not feel any special interest in, and that it would be to our commerciai advantage rather to take sides with Spain, is one that the Spanish minister here and ether Spanish officials elsewhere have from time to time put out In various forins. It is believed that Senor Sagasta flatters him- self with the idea that by this suggestion and various excuses he can pacify the United States for an indefinte time yet. It is well understood, however, by the administration that Congress cannot te held in restraint during another session and it is not the purpose of the President to permit the present condition of affairs to run on through another season. Minister Woodtord’s Advices. The State Department has received ad- vices from Minister Woodford at Madrid concerning recent developments in the Spanish situation, but declines to make them public in advance of their submis- sion to Congress with the President's mes- sage. Full details of the proposed measure of autonomy for Cuba of the present Spanish cabinet will be fully known by that time, and it will then be seen whether it 1s likely to prove acceptable to the Cuban insur- gents or to their sympathizers in this coun- try. Until the position of the Sagasta min- istry has been officfally communicated, it is extremely unlikely that the administra- tion will make any change in its present policy of non-interference in Cuban af- fairs. What it may do in the future will depend entirely upon the character of the expected reply of Sagasta to the diplomatic request of this government for informa- tion as to the probable duration of hostili- ties in Cuba. Nothing is known here as to the succes- sor of Mr. De Lome as Spanish minister at Washington, and it is impossible at this time to confirm the report from Madrid that the selection lies between Muruaga and Almordova. The Spanish legation here is absolutely deserted, both Minister De Lome and Secretary DuBose being out of town. Both of the gentlemen named act as though there was no doubt of their speedy recall. This is especially the case with Mr. De Lome, who has gone to the extent of giving up the premises formerly occupied by the legation. Delay May Cause Irritation. The £tate Department has not yet been officially informed of the purpose of the Spanish government to dissolve the cortes in December, as indicated in Madrid dis- patches. It was expected, however, that it would be found necessary for the cab- inet to go to the country in order to secure the support of a majority for the liberal policy toward Cuba, inasmuch as the pres- ent cortes has a clear conservative major- ity whenever that party’s elements can be brought together. Disappointment felt at the remote date set for the convening of the new cortes, for if is presumed that any new program for the settlement of Cuban affairs must be ratified by the cortes, d if this is not to meet tntil next March, the long delay, it is feared, will give rise to irritation, and perhaps he beyond the powers of endurance of the present administration. It is possible, how- ever, that by a prompt declaration of policy toward Cuba, couched in such terms and made public in such fashion as to bind the: government beyond doubt, the de- lay will not be sericus in results. --——_____ » Geld Tides Sets This Way. NEW YORK, October 8—Gold to the amount of $1,300,000 has been engaged in London—$500,000 by Ladenburg, Thalman & Co., and $800,000 by Kuhn, Leeb & Co.— which makes total gold engegements for import since September 30, $5,100,000. It Was in the Possession of Gen. D. G. Swaim for Years, The Whereanbouts of the Weapon Since the Trial No Longer z a Mystery. The mystery of the whereabouts of the pistol used by the assassin Guiteau, which was yesterday returned to the police of this city after a disappearance of many years, has been solved. That weapon lay during all this period in the house occupied by the late General David G. Swaim, for- merly judge advocate gereral of the army. General Swaim was cne of President Gar- field's most intimate personal frieuds. He was one of those summoned immediately after the tragedy of July 2, 1881, and was practically a continual attendant upon the wounded President through the many weary weeks of suffering. General Swaim wa8, in fact, in charge of almost all of the arrangements for the care and comfort of the distinguished patient, and when the President died at Elberon he was at the bedside. S Naturally General Swaim took: a deep In- terest in the course of the trial of the assassin, which was conducted by Colonel Corkhill, then the district attorney. In fact, General Swaim, it 1s said, lent con- siderable alu to that official in the prepara- tion of the government’s case and was a steady visitor at the counsel table through- out the long ccurse of the proceeding. Gift to Gen. Swaim. After the trial and conviction of Guiteau, Colonel Corkhill, largely out of his per- sonal regard for General Swaim, it is be- lieved, and actuated, perhaps, by the thought that General Swaim would appre- ciate the gift, presented the pistol to the judge advocate general. It is not known positively whether General Swaim ex- pressed a desire for the pistol or not, but at all events it was turned over to him as a personal possession, and was pre- served by him with great care during the remainder of his"Tife. When Gen. Swaim died late in the past summer the members of his family and ex- ecutors made the usual search among his papers end personal property, and in the attic of the house at Mount Pleasant was discovered this old rusted, partly rotted pistol, on which a tag was fixed notifying the astonished searchers that this was the long-lost weapon used by Guiteau. A briet note told how it had come inte Gen.Swaim’s pcssession. Steps were immediately taken by the members of Gen. Swaim’s family to restcre the weapon to the possession of the police, for it was known that this im- pcrtant relic was legally the property of the pclice department of this city, and that it was carried on the books of that depart- ment as missing. The actual restitution was not made until yesterday, as was told in last evening’s Star. Col. Corkhill’s Impression. It Is thought that Col. Corkhill, in turn- ing the ptstol.over to Gen. Swaim, per- haps acted in the belief that the judge ad- vecate general of the agmy was the proper custedian of such property. The pistol with which Booth killed Lincoln, and other similar articles which have figured in cases tried by military courts, are now, it is un- derstood, in the possession of that branch of the War Department, and it is surmised that Col. Corkhill may have taken it for granted that the weapon used by President Garfleld’s assassin should be disposed of in the same way as. that which caused the death of Lincoln. This difference, how- ever, existed between the two cases: The Lincoln conspirators were tried by a mili- tary court, while Guiteau was tried under the criminal laws of the District of Colum- bia, and the case was wholly outside of the jurisdiction of the War Department. _ THE MONEY ORDER SERVICE. It Will Be Greatly Extended During the Present Administration. ‘The Post Office Department has adopted the policy of a general extension of the money order system. First Assistant Post- master General Heath believes that any post 3ffice wanting money order facilities should be given them. Complaints have been constantly filed by business houses that their corresporidents at villages are unable to send money orders because their post offices have no. such facilities. Dur- ing the past fiscal year almost 27,000,000 money orders were issued, amounting to a little less than $200,000,000. .The interna- tional money orders issued during the year, purchased principaliy by workmen sending money to friends or relatives in foreign countries, amounted to $15,000,000, while the amounts drawn on the United States by foreign countries did not exceed $5,000,000. During the Harrison administration, it is stated at the department, there was a large extension¢of money order offices, abcut 10,000 having been established. Dur- ing the last four years the number was in- creased by only 1,600 on the theory,it is said, that there were too many post offices. The total number of money order offices now in operation is about 22,000, and the number probably will be inereased to 30,000 before the next fiscal year. General Superintendent Metcalf of the money order office said today that the cost to the department of maintaining the money order service at a post office is less than 5 cents a year, even if the office transacts no money order business. If it issues orders amounting to. $10 it is a source of revenue and helps pay the general postal expenses. The money order business now brings to the government a gross revenue of a million dollarg in fees, mostly net, and accordingly the more orders issued the more revenue. . The Russian enspire, which has recently established a money order service, has just submitted to this.government a proposition asking for a conyention, or agreement, for @ money order exchange between Russia and the United States, similar to the money order exchanges now.in operation between this government and thirty-seven other countries. The details of the arrangement are now being perfected, apd it is probable that money orders can pass between the two countries early in the coming year. The only difficulty in the arrangement is the payment of the balamce, as the ex- change Issued here is only in paper roubles, which differ in value from the gold roubles. This obstacle, however, will be satisfac- torily adjusted. ——__—_--._.—_ MAJOR ROGER’ RETIREMENT. in the Army That Have Been Caused. — Major Benjamin H..Rogers, Sth Infantry, has been retired on his own application under the thirty years’.service clause. His retirement has resulted_in the promotion of Capt. Casper. H. Conrad, 16th Infantry, to be major of the 8th Infantry; First Lieut. James A. Maney, 15th Infantry, to be captain 15th Infantry, and Second Lieut. Wm. Bertsch, 15th Infantry, to be first Heutenant 15th Infantry.” Capt. Maney will be remembered as the officer who shot and billed Capt. Hedberg at Fort Sheridan near Chicago a few years ago. PRESIDE CRESPO -WELL, False Reports of His Dangerous. m1- mess, -— In view of lished reports that Presi- dent Crespo of Venezuela’ was dangerous- sap bric Teceived. = “President 4 resggingertees puns ‘slight indisposi- P. 4: FIVE MILLION SHORT Big Discrepancies Discovered in City of Brooklyn's Accounts. CREDITED 10 BAD BOOKKEEPING Officials Deny That There Has Been Any Malfeasance. REPORT OF EXPERT'S Se NEW YORK, October 8.— Controller Fitch's expert accountants who have been at work investigating the records and ac- counts of Brooklyn, preparatory to consoli- ation, having found discrepencies in ac- counts amounting to $5,000,000. The details of the experts’ report are as follows: The records of the towns of Flatlands, Flatbush, New Lots, New Utrecht and Gravesend, which the officials of these towns say were turned over to the con- troller and corporation counsel of Brook- lyn when they were merged into Brooklyn, cannot be found, and their absence inter- feres materially with a proper investiga- tion. There are disagreements between the books of the controller of Brooklyn and those of the registrar of arrears. Confusion in the Records. In the department of arrears is the ut- mest confusion in the records. The ledgers are some 225 in number, containing over 200,000 accounts, are not in balance, and apparently have never been balanced, and while on January 1, 1697, the balance to the debit of the register are in arrears on the books of the controller was $8,415,128, the balance carried by the registrar of ar- rears’ as representing taxes and assess- ments in arrears was $3,714,826, and while the general ledgers shows that arrears of taxes prior to 1803 have been overpaid $17,253, the ward ledgers disclose many items of unpaid taxes. The experts allege that the books of ac- count of the city of Brooklyn and of the county of Kings sre extremely faulty in method and inaccurate in detail and do not truthfully set forth the assets and Mabili- ties of the city and county. Discrepancy in Bonded Debt. The experts also report that, upon the basis of this assessed valuation of real es- tate in 1896, the net bonded debt was on October 6, 1897, as set forth in the books of the controller uf Brooklyn, $481,907 less than the constitutional limit of indebted- ness, and that, based on the assessed real estate valuation of 1897, it was on October 6, 1897, including awards made fer bonds not yet issued, only $914,167 less than the constitutional limit of indebtedness. The city of New York is now $49,624,182 within the constitutionali limit of its in- debtedness. Officials Deny Malfeasance. Officials of Brooklyn deny that there is or has been any malfeasance, and allege that the discrepancies reported by Con- troller Fitch’s experts are due in large part to the defective system of bookkeep- ing followed in the towns which were re- cently annexed to Brooklyn. es WANT LAY REPRESENTATION. Methodists of the Baltimore Confer- ence Discuss the Proposition. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. BALTIMORE, Md., October 8.—Methodist Episcopal laymen, representing all the dis- tricts in the Baltimore conference, are holding a convention in the Eutaw Street Methodist Episcopal Church this afternoon, at which resolutions will be adopted favor- ing the efforts of laymen throughout the country to induce the general conference to grant them lay representation at the an- nual conference and equal lay representa- tion at the general conference. The con- vention was called together at 3 o'clock, with Mr. J. S. Rawlings in the chair. This evening Mr. Alexander Ashiey of Washington will deliver an address on the history of the Methodist Episcopal Church respecting lay representation in the general conference. ——— SUCCESSOR TO SENOR DE LOME. Reported That Duke of Almordova Will Be Appointed. MADRID, October 8.—Among the diplo- matic changes reported here as being imminent is that the Duke of Almordova ot Senor Muruaga will replace Senor Dupuy de Lome as Spanish minister to the United States. 2 ——.__ GEORGE MORGAN HANGED. Convicted of Murder of Eleven-Year- Old Ida Gaskill. OMAHA, Neb., October &—George Mor- gan was hanged today for the murder of Ida Gaskill in November, 1895. Morgan died protesting his innocence. His victim was but eleven years old, and had been outraged and choked to death. Evidence against Morgan was mainly circumstantial, but was very conclusive. He was given two hearings in the supreme court. — ARRESTED THE BRIDEGROOM. Sensational Ending of a Wedding at Pomeroy, Ohio, POMEROY, Ohio, October 8—Charles Hysell and Bert Wines, two members of a gang that has been terrorizing the inhab- itants of Meigs and surrounding counties, were arrested near here under sensational circumstances. Hysell was standirg by the side of Miss Georgia Mansel at the home of Squire Long awaiting the words that would have made them man and wife, when the offi- cers appeared on the scene and made pris- oner of the would-be bridegrcom before any resistance could be offered. Wines, who was a guest at the intended wedding, started to run, but was captured after leading the officers a spirited chase. Rewards aggregating $2,000 have been offered for the capture and conviction of these two men. ———.___ MAY GO NOW TO HAWAII. The Adams Put Back to Land the Il Surgeon. The Navy Department has been in- formed by telegraph that the U. 8. 8. Adams, which ieft San Francisco a day or two ago on a cruise, had returned to that city in crder to land and place in the hospital the surgeon, Dr. Stone, who had been taken suddenly ill. TWO CENTS. The Evening Star is the only afternoon paper in Washington that receives the dispatches of - the Associated Press. It is therefore the only one in which the reader can find the complete news of the world, directly trans- mitted by telegraph, up to the moment of going to press. CANADA'S PROTEST JUSTIFIED English Press Severely Oriticises America a Giating Gass Accuses This Government of Bad Faith and Calls the Proposed Conference a Trap. LONDON, October &—The St. James Gazette, this afternoon, referring to the formal announcement of Great Britain's declination to take part in the Bering sea conference, to which Russia and Japan might be parties, says: “There will be a feeling of relief that Great Britain, in behalf of Canada, has finally declined to walk into the trap which was being arranged at Washington. Amer- ica has never paid the damages for the il- legal seizure of Canadian sealers, and has exhausted every dipiomatic artifice to evade the award, finally demanding a fresh confer- ence. The Marquis of Salisbury consented, whereupon America calmly proposed that Russia and Japan should have seats at the conference, with the obvious intention cf outvoting England and upsetting, a side wind, the Paris award” ey. The Globe, commenting on the same sub- ject, this afternoon says: “As a mere matter of business it is time that a firm check was put upon the policy of the United States in dealing with this country. There is no cause to adopt the theory that the Marquis of Salisbury al- most regretfully refuses to participate. In the interests of Canada it is well to let the United States understand that no settle- ment of the question will satisfy Great Britain which sacrifices one jot or tittle the just and equitable rights of the loyal Deminion of Canada.” INTERIOR DEPARTMENT CHANGES. Announcement of Reinstatements, Ap- pointments and Promotions. The foliowing changes in the Department sof the Interior have been officially an- nounced: Pension office—Reinstatements—Asahel H. Alderman of Ohio, Harry L. Williams of South Carolina, Anson C. Harding of Ok- lahoma, Thomas L. Matchett of Pennsy vania, William W. Pierce of Ohio, Benton Halstead of Ohio, William H. Woodward of Nebraska, Jesse J. Temple of Kentucky and Lewis F. Hanson of New Hampshire. copyists, $900. Promotions—Raymond L, Ferd of New York, principal examiner, $2,000, from clerk, $1,800; George W. Ha- vell of Tenressee and William R. Frisbie of Arkansas, clerks, $1,800, from $1,400; Latimer B. Stine of Mlinois, clerk, $1,800, from special $1,300; George P. Meyer of New cierk, $1,600, fro:n $1,400; Mrs. Edith E. L. Lawrence of Kan- sas, clerk, $1,400, from $1,200; D. Le Roy Topping of New York, James B. Haydea of Minnesota, Elra C. Palmer of Ohio and Thomas B. Felter of Indiana, clerk $1,200, from $1,000; David Spitzer of tt District of Columbia, Charles T, Hein of Illinois, Calvin S. Hardy of Tenne Miss Virginia Fletcher of Louisiana, Jz P. 5. Cowan of Kentucky and Mrs. Fra: ces F. Cougle of the Disiriet of Columbia, ‘clerks, $1,000, from copyists, $k". Resig- nutions—Irvine Dungaf of Ohio, special examiner, $1,300; Louis E. Johns of Penn- sylvania, clerk, $1,200; Albin P. Ingram of Illinois, clerk, $1;200; Miss Theresa G. Houghton of Massachusetts, clerk, $1,000. Otice of Indian affairs—Appointments: Mrs. Blanche M. Lang of Virginia, clerk to superintendent of Indian schools, $1,000. Reinstatement: Charles H. Dickson of In- diana, clerk, $1,000. Promotions: George D. McQueston of Utah and Joseph L. Dodge of the District of Columbia, clerks, $1,200, from $1,000. Resignation: Fred HE. Fuller of Pennsylvania, clerk, $1,200. The general land office--Promotion Frederick P. Metzger of Kansas, clerl $1,80° from $1,400; Besjamin F. Sparhaw of Pennsylvania, clerk, $1,400, from $1,000; Arthur J. Leonard of Michigan, clerk, $1,200, from $1,000; William H. Richards of South Dakota, and James K. Mock of low: clerks, $1,000, from $000. Resignatioi Frederick L. Neville of New York, clerk, $1,000, Patent office—Promotions: Johnston of Illinois, copyist, $00, from model attendant, $ Elmer Zerkle of Ohio, modei attendant, $3, from copyist, Miss Etta F. Miscellaneous appointments — Frank M. Conser of Ohio, supervisor of Indian schools, $1,500; Allison L. Aylesworth of Minnesota, secretary of the commission to the five civilized tribes, $1,800, vice Henderson M. Jacoway, resigned; Howel Jones of Kan- Sas, commissioner to investigate and make report of the title of the individual mem- bers of the Chippewa and Christian Indian reservation in Franklin county, Kansas, to the several tracts of land therein which have been allotted to said members, under the provisions of section 9 of the Indian appropriati6n act approved June 7, 1897, with compensation of $10 per day; Charles C. Knelsley of Iowa, trustee for townsite entries of lands in Oklahoma, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved May 14, 1890, with compensation of $5 per diem, vice John B. O. Landrum, removed; Frank W. Clarke of the geological survey, member of the board of control of the ‘Transmississippi and international exposi- tion, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved June 10, 1896, which is to be held in Omaha, Neb. Benton Halstead, reinstated to a place in the pension office, is a brother of Murat Halstead. ——-e+_____ MAJOR LIYERMORE SELECTED. Appointed Member of the Nicaragua Canal Commission. Major Wm. R. Livermore, corps of en- gineers, has been selected for duty as member of the Nicaragua canal commis- sion in place of Capt. O. M. Carter, corps of engireers, who asked to be relieved in order that he might devote his time to the investigation into his accounts while in charge of engineering works in Georgia. Major Livermore stands very high profes- sionally, and is regarded as one of the ablest men in th2 scientific branch of the army. He is now acti: g as engineer of the New England light house district, with headquarters “at Boston. In response to a summons from the Secretary of War he came here today and had a confereace with Fim at the War Department. He made known his entire willingness to ac- cept the assignment with a full under- stending of all the attending hardships in the fever-stricken district of Nicaragua, and said he would arrange his affairs, pub- lic and private, so as to accompany the commission to Greytown in the gunboat Newpcrt about the end of the month. It is expected that the President will an- mounce the appointment of Major Liver- more in @ day or two. —_—_ o——_____ SUCCEEDS E, W. OYSTER. Capt. Ramsey Regains His Old Place in the Government Printing Office. Captain W. R. Ramsey has been ap- pointed chief of the specification division of the government printing office, vice E. W. Oyster. having been appointed to that place by Public Printer Benedict. = if foreman of the navy branch ernment printing office. ~ AN AWFUL TRAGEDY Foul Murder Followed by the Mur- derer’s Suicide, SAD SEQUEL 10 DOMESTIC TROUBLE William Timmons Kills William Hinton and Shoots His Own Wife. PURSUED, KILLED HIMSELF An appalling tragedy was en: J near Ednor post office, about three miles from the well known town of Sandy Spring, Montgomery county, Md., between 3 and 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon, and as a re- sult William Hinton, a well-known citizen, who was a well digger by occupation and who had reached the venerable age of eighty-five years, is dead; his wi step- daughter, Elizabeth, the wife of William Timmons, is lying in a precarious condi- tion with a bullet in her head, and the wite of John Hinton, a son of the dead man, is suffering from a serious wound in her back, The murderer of the old man and the as- sailant of the women was William Tii mons, the husband of the woman who is now at the point of death and who had separated from him on account of his con- tinued ill-treatment to her. To co this ghastly story the lifeless William Timmons was found to: Frederick road near Ellicott lying behind a school ho rate man had fired a bullet through his from the same weapon with which he had committed his crimes y« sterday An inquest is being held this afternoon over his remains by the authorities of Baltimore county. Timmons was married about twelve years ago to the w n he tried to murder yesterday and resided with her at Forest Glen. At first her domestic life was happy, but Timmons abuse her and continued this t until further living with him became her unbearable. to Mrs. Timmons Leaves Her Hush: Timmons was a laborer, but was a man of good apearance and good address. He was of slender build and had an intelli- gent face. He recently moved with his wife and the two children bern of the marriage, whe are boys aged respectively eleven and five years, to Kensi where he had been empioyed t 5 Warner, and more recently by Mr. G Peter. ‘His ill treatment of nis wife tinued after the removal to Ken! and as a result of it M week wrote a letter to old W who had married her step whom she has always m light of a father, stating tha’ had threatened to kill her with an ; begging him to come and take her and children away from Kensington. Old Mr Hinton accordingly went to Kensington Saturday and took Mrs. Timmons and the two children to his home, which is lo- cated in a secluded spot a short distance from the Ashton pike, near Ednor post office, Mentgomery county. When Tim- mons reached bis home at ngton last turday evenini rom his longer live affect him proceeded to take s thought he might secure the retur children. He went to Rockville torneys Edward Peter and requested them to go with him to the Hinton house and assist him in prevailing upon his wife to return to him, stating that in case she declined to do so he take legal me to regain i sion of his ct The Ri heys were too busy to underts and Timmons then saw 3 tt of Linden, ter len, who ational Union build- and the latter 'N this cit ing, @IS F street, agreed to do w to reunite the family. An Interview With Mr. Keys. Yesterday morning, according! Mr. Keys accompanied Timmons from Linden to the home of old William Hinton, near for > is in Ednor, where Mr: refuge and protec! a secluded spot and off the line of travel. The tory of the day from the depariure for the Hinton house until the terrible co clusion of the trip w sited this aft noon to a Star reporter by Mr. Keys. “Timmons came to see me last Wednes- day, and was very much affected. He told me about his domestic trouble: nd uc- kKnowledged that he had fussed qvar- re‘ed with his wife, but declared tha: he loved ber devotedly and could not live without her. He cried very bitterly while talking to me, and reiterated again and again that he would rather be dead than to live without her. He asked me if I would rot go with him to see his wife and try to persuade her to return to him. He said that he was sure that she was Mr. Hnton’s house, and that he kn@w he would not be able to see her unless some one went with bim. In accordance with his reques:, I undertook to help him in the matter, and together we left Linden yesterday inorn- ing about 9 o'clock and drove to Hinton'’s house, near Ednor post office. Timmons Seemed Repentant. “All the way over Timmons cried and steadily talked about his wife and his de- vetion for her. He said that he knew that he had treatd her »adly, but that if she would only give him one more chance he would never cause her sorrow again. It was a twelve-mile trip, and during she time the man was profuse in his expressions of love and devotion to his children, and sor- row for his conduct toward them in the past. His entire conduct showed apparent- ly deep repentance for his past actions, and there was not the slightest hint or in- dication of any animosity on his part to- ward his wife or toward Mr. Hinton. “He seemed to be entirely controlled by a passionate Gesire to get his wife to him. I securing my services he had led me to understand that he desired to use every possible effort to secure the return of his wife and family, and that.if unsuccessful Hinton Expected Trouble. “While on our way to our destination we Hinton had shown him the letter Mrs. Tim- mons had written, stating that her husband had threatened to kill her with an ax, and asking Mr. Hinton to come and away. Deputy Sheriff Jones said told Mr. Hinton that if he had on his errand as iy Recet ellis Af our 3 Ff F : E i hy Es 4 : Ht HH i iH is F i i t : 4 Ly g 4 EF g Z | i |