Evening Star Newspaper, October 9, 1897, Page 1

— THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 3101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th St, by i N Com oe ae E: sorrmann Preste Kew York Office, 49 Potter Building, ‘The Evening Star served to subscribers In the eity by «.rriers, on their own account, at 10 ecnte per week, or 44 cents per montk. Copies at the feunter 2 cents each. By tail—anywhere in the Ucited states or Cenada—postage prepald—50 cats month. Peatcrday Qrintuple Sheet Star, $1 per ear, with foreign postage added. (Entered at the Post Office at Washington, D. C., as seccod-cliss mail matter.) ‘TF All mail subscriptions must be paid In advance. Rates of advertising made kno on application. Che Evening Star. No. 13,918. WASHINGTON, D. ©. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1897—TWENTY-SIX PAGES. 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. PLAN CONSOLIDATION Rumored Intentions of Well-Known Street Railroad Men. ONE GRAND MONOPOLY AIMED AT Inwardness of S. L Phillips’ Return to the Traction Company, A REVIEW OF THE GOSSIP Business circles continued to discuss to- day the various phases of the conditions which are believed to surround the selec- tion of Mr. Samuel L. Phillips as a member of the building committee having charge of the construction and equipment of the Pennsylvania avenue and 14th street lines of the Capital Traction Company with the underground electric system. The opinion was expressed today by men whose judg- ment in street railway affairs here is un- | questioned that the renewal of the rela- tions of Mr. Phillips with the Capital Trac- tion Company was one of the preliminaries to a plan now under consideration for the consolidation of the latter company and the Metropolitan Railroad Company. It was said on very good authority that Director Manice, who represents the New York in- terests in the Capital Traction Company, nd Vice Presideat Charles C. Glover had @ consultation recently with this end in view, and that the result of it was that Messrs. Phillips and Glover were brought together. This was due, it is said, to the alleged fact that Mr. Phillips, infmediately after the power house was destroyed, set to work to secure a report of the majority of the stockholders who favored the introduction of underground electricity on the disabled lines, and that he succeeded in making a powerful combination, which, it was fear- ed, might open fire on the present manage- ment. It is also declared that an examination of the conditions confronting the Capital Trac- tion Company shows that a sum approxi- mately between $1,750,000 and $2,000,000 will be needed to pay for the contemplated re- habilitation of the road. Endeavoring to Reach a Plan. To secure this, therefcre, it would prob- ably be necessary to issue bonds to the amount of $2,000,000. Persons familiar with such things say that if such an issue is made the Traction Company would not be able to pay a dividend for five or six years. Accordingly, it is said, that an attempt is being made to secure an equitable plan of consolidation between the Capital Traction and the Metropolitan companies on a basis that would assure dividends to all the stockholders of both corporations. The par value of the stock of the Metropolitan Railroad Company is 50, and the last sell- ing price quoted was 118. The par value of the stock of the Capital Traction Company 10, and the last selling price quoted was although it has been freely declared on streets since the fire that sales of it have been made at 45. It is a consideration of universal inter- est among the brokers and other well-in- formed men in financial life as to how the desired consolidation of the two companies will be brought about, providing that the rvmor that Mr. Phillips and Mr. Glover are working toward this end 1s true. The Met- ropolitan Railroad Company is now on a Prosperous basis. It was making large profits when the disaster occurred which so seriously affected the earing capacity of the Capital Traction Company, and owing to seriously affect the earning capacity of the politan have become even greater. The Men in Control. ‘The majority interest in the stock of the Metropolitan Railroad Company is com- monly understood to be controlled by Mr. John Cammack and Mr. Robert D. Weaver. Mr. Weaver personally does not own a very large number of shares, but he has con- trol of a great many. He does not own or control any stock of the Capital Trac- tien Company as far as known. He is a large holder of the stock of the Columbia Railway Company. Mr. John Cammack owns a very substanual portion of the of the Metropolitan and is a heavy der of Columbia. It is understood that he was not possessed of Capital Traction stock until within the last few days, when it is said he became the purchaser of a bleek. While Mr. Weaver could not sell a large amount of Metropolitan stock that he con- treis, he could temporarily dispose of its use by proxy if so inclined. Messrs. Nath- aniel Wilson, William B. Gurley, John Joy Edson and C. A. Spence, the latter of Bal- timere, who are, like Messrs. Cammack and Weaver, directors of the Metropoli- ten Company, do not own any Capital Trzction stock. The other two directors, Messrs. S. Thomas Brown and A. B. Grun- well, own, however, a larger quantity of the Capital Traction stock than they do of the Metropolitan, and Mr. Phillips himse!f, who, while not a Metropolitan director, has been coramonly regarded as the chief in- fluence in the management of the com- pany, also possesses more traction stock than Metropolitan. Therefore, it is stated by those who are considering the possible consolidation and all its phases, that if Messrs. Cammack and Weaver join their voting power in the company with that of Messrs. Phillips, Brown and Grunweill, a new board of directors could be chosen and the consolidation brought about. A law governing the Capital Traction permits its purchasing other lines which intersect its own, and, so far as the actual carrying out of a plan fs concerned, it it is matured there will be no trouble. Uneasiness Over the Probabilities. Representative citizens who are not financially interested in either company, but who have learned of the rumors which are noted above, express great uneasiness at the probability of the plan being car- ried Inte execution. They take the ground that the existence of two great rival street car railway companies {ni this Dis- triet will assure excelient service to the public, which will naturally profit by rea- gon of such rivalry. Any consolidation of the two companies, however, they think, would lead, perhaps, to a discontinuance of some ortions of the two systems now in peration and possibly to the disregard of public convenience and comfort, that is characteristic of monopolies. =a GEN. MILES’ RETURN. Aatters of jerest to the Military Service. Gen. Miles, who has. just complete a tour of Europe, has~telegraphed the Sec- retary of War from New York that he will arrive in Washington this evening. Sec- retary and Mrs. Alger will give a reception in honor of Gen. and Mrs. Miles, but the Gate has not yet been fixed. The Secretary of War has issued a gen- eral order making certein changes recom- mended by the paymaster general tn the method of paying the army. Seeretary Alger approves of the use of federal troops at state agricultural fairs. He has ordered Troop A, 6th Cavalry, at Fort Myer, to participate in the fairs at Hagerstown and Frederick, Maryland, and another troop of the same visit the Virginia state fair at next week. ent to f the aoa The expenses o! troops be borne fair i F ILLEGAL WIRESTAKENDOWN | SPAIN TQ FIGHT ON Inspector Allen Removes Those Strong Across D Street Northwest. ‘The Officers Muke the Discovery That an Excavation Was Made Without Authority. The illegal overhead wires said to have been strung by the Potomac Electric Power Company across D street near North Capi- tol street came flying down this morning shortly after 11 o’clock. Inspector Allen of the street lighting service, supported by three policemen and two firemen with a long ex-ension ladder, visited the location this morning and in the name of the Dis- trict cut down the wires, no one protesting. The work was short and thorough. Made a Discovery. While Inspector Allen was on the roof of the brewery cutting the wires he made a startling discovery and unearthed some- thing which will result in an investigation and put the cfficers of the sixth precinct in the unpleasant position of explaining certain shortcomings on their part. He found that, contrary to general belief, the wires did not supply the brewery with power, but simply ran over its house and then down the side to connect with an un- derground conduit, which had been laid right behind the police station without a permit, Inspector Allen says, across two 20-foot alleys, to supply power to the big mill of George A. Meyers & Co., 325 New Jersey avenue. This could hardly be be- lieved by the inspector, and he surmised ghat the worlg.was done in the night. But the digging of the trench occurred in the daytime, so a boy named Noonan stated, and he pointed out to the insptctor the course of the conduit. He said he could not remember the day the work was done, but was positive it was between 3 and 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Lieut. Kelly Surprised. Lieutenant Kelly, in charge of the pre- cinct, said to a Star reporter that he did not see how the excavation escaped the police. The blacksmith who occupies the alley said the work was done in the night, but this was disputed by the Noonan boy, who said a big gang of workmen had hus- tled it through in an afternoon. The Heu- tenant said he had sworn out a warrant against the company for stringing over- head wires. He had looked into the case himself, and found the wires were the property of the Potomac company, and were intended to supply power for running the new machinery in the Meyers mill. He did not think they had ever been used. Engineer Commissioner Black has issued positive instructions to the lighting depart- ment to pay strict attention to overhead wires, and if any new ones make their ap- pearance to report them at once. ————— THE SEAL CONFERENCE. Japanese Delegates Expected About Next Friday. ‘The Japanese delegates to the Bering sea conference are expected to arrive at San Francisco today or tomorrow. With them will come ex-Secretary of the Treasury Charles S. Hamlin, who, with ex-Secretary John W. Foster, has had charge of Bering sea affairs in behalf of the United States. Mr. Hamlin has been at Tckip, in confer- ence with the Japanese authorities con- cerning seal matters, end it was through his visit that the Japanese delegates were named. The party will come directly to Washington, reaching here about next Fri- he officlals here are advised that the Russian delegates will arrive in this coun- try on the llth instant. From this it is ex- pected that all of the interested parties, save those of Great Britain, will be here by the end of next week. Sir Julian Paunce- fote has engaged passage on the St. Louis, from Southampton, the 23d instant. Prof. ‘Thompson, the English expert, has not, it is understood, left London. The Japanese delegates are Mr. Fujita, chief of the bureau of agriculture and sea products, and Professor Mitsukuri of the Uriversity of Tokio. The latter is a grad- uate of Johns Hopkins University, and is one of the scholarly men of his country. Mr. Fujita is regarded as a seal expert, as the control of Japan’s seal industry 1s un- der his bureau. The industry has developed of late in the Chishima Islands, where seals and sea otters are abundant. The last available official publication from Mr. Fu- jita’s bureau, giving in detail the products of Japan, does not enumerate seals, but urder the head of furs the total product is given at 100,000 yen ($50,000). More re- cently the industry is said to have ex- panded, so that a Japanese warship has been sent annually to the Chishima seas. It is said, however, that the regulations have not been severely restrictive thus far. ee PLEAD FOR EQUAL RIGHTS. The Methodist Laymen Want Repre- sentation in the Conferences. A lay association of the Baltimore M. E. conference, similar to that which has been in existence for several years in the central Illinois conference, and whose ob- jects have been highly indorsed by Bishop Hurst and several others of the house of bishops of that denomination, was formed last night at Eutaw Street Church, Balti- more, as was anticipated in The Star of last evening. The meeting was largely attended by representative Methodists. Speeches were made by Prof. Joseph S. Whittington, a leading educator of Baltimore; Mr. E. F. Simpson of Washington and others. The concensus of opinion was that while the laymen did not propose to rebel against the church in any sense, they be- Heved that changes could be made in its polity which in a general way would re- sult beneficially. The changes desired are: Lay representation in the annual con- ference, equal representation in the gen- eral conference, a modified method of sta- tioning the pastors, and a new method of selecting the presiding élders. A permanent organization was effected by the election of the following oitticers for the ensuing year: President, J. S. Raw- lings; vice presidents — Baltimore district, Summerfield Baldwin; East Baltimore dis- trict, Wm. A. Leech; West Baltimore dis- trict, John W. Adams; Washington district, Alexander Ashley; Frederick district, D. P. Miller; recording secretary, Walter Kirwan; corresponding secretary, A. R. Cathcart; execufive committee, the above-named of- ficers and L. M. Bacon, Dr. D. H. Carroll and E. F. Simpson. er WHEN ENTITLED TO FEES. Controlier Tracewell’s Decision Re- garding Clerks of Courts. Noble C. Butler, clerk of the federal courts for Indiana, won a victory today as the result of a decision by Controller ‘Tracewell of the treasury, who overruled his predecessor, Bowler, and decided that Mr. Butler, clerk of the federal courts, was entitled to collect fees where he attended the federal courts, 0! lly, when those courts were opened by the judge, even if ro business was transacted. ‘The case is one which affects all federal court clerks. Mr, Butler’s case is a test one. ————-o+_____ Appointment of a Chief. D. G. Fairchild was today appointed to have charge of the seed and plant impor- tation division of the Department of Agri- culture, No Idea of Relinguishing Force in Cuba. WEYLER RECALLED TO SPAIN Gratification Felt in Official Cir- cles. HANNIS TAYLOR’S ARRIVAL A dispatch from Madrid at midnight last night says: The cabinet has decided upon- the immediate recall of General Weyler from Cube. A decree will be issued ap- pointing Captain General Blanco y Arenas, Marquis of Pena-Plata, governor general of the island. The queen regent will sign the decree tomorrow. General Blanco will be accompanied by General Arderino, as vice governor of Cuba; by General Gonzalon Pairals, as chief of staff, and Generals Pando, Ber- nal and Canolla. According to El Heraldo 20,000 reinforce- ments will accompany General Blancos to Cuba. Among the diplomatic changes reported here as being imminent is that the Duke Marshal Ramon Blanco. of Almordova or Senor Muruaga will re- place Senor Dupuy de Lome as Spanish minister to the United States. General Weyler yesterday gave an em- phatic and absolute denial to the reports that he w«uld resist removal from his com- mand in Cuba, and in certain contingencies might espouse the Carlist cause. Officials Reticent. Officials of the State Department posi- tively decline to discuss the Cuban situa- tion in any of its phases, and the most persistent inquiry today failed to induce any one of them to commit himself as to the probable effect of the recall of General Weyler and the appointment of General Ramon Blanco y Arenas as captain general of Cuba. Notwithstanding this studied reti- cence in the foreign office there is a gen- eral understanding on the outside that the administration finds very little encourage- ment for a substantial improvement in Cuban affairs in the present attitude of the Sagasta ministry so far as known. ‘The announcement that General Blanco will take 20,000 reinforcements to Cuba is taken to mean that Spain has no present intention- of changing its policy of sup- pressing the insurrection by force of arms, and that, while the change of commanders may indicate a different plan of campaign, the purpose of the new captain general, Uke that of his predecessor, will have for its main object the subjugation of the Cu- bens struggling for freedom. It is ad- mitted on all sides that the change must result to the advantage of the insurgents, for the reason that the condition could not possibly be worse than it was under the administration cf Weyler, generally known as “‘the butcher,” because of his brutal methods of warfare. Gen. Blanco's Record. Gen. Blanco is one of the best-knowa corps commanders of the Spanish army, and has a much better record for humanity than his predecessor. He has had his chief administrative experience in the Philippine Islands, which have lately been the scene of more active military operations than Cuba. He became governor general of the Philip- Pines in 1804, and because of his services there was raised to the rank of marshal in May, 1895. During the insurrection jast year he narrowly escaped assassination. A plot to surprise the garrison at Manilla and murder Gen. Blanco was discovered uae in time to be prevented. Nearly one undred persons engaged in the conspiracy against the life of the governor general were arrested and punished. Notwithstand- his best efforts he was unable, however, to suppress the rebellion, which, instead, grew in strength, and he received a hint from the Madrid authorities that his methods were not sufficiently severe. The rebuke hurt his dignity, and he resigned his office, being succeeded by Gen. Polvieja, who was sent to the Philippines with instructions similar to those which have made Gen. Weyler notorious among military men. Marshal Blanco enjoys the personal friendship of the queen regent, and was made chief of the military household, which is his present duty. He is a soldier of the Campos order, and has been called “the softest-hearted soldier in Spain.” If it wasn’t for the sending of reinforcements it might be hoped that he will intre- duce a more merciful form of warfare into the Cuban campaign than that of his pre- decessor. Ex-Minister Taylor's Arrival. Hannis Taylor, late United States minis- ter to Spain, has arrived in Washington. He called at the State Department today and was in consultation for some time with First Assistant Secretary Day, setting out such phases of the conditions in Spain, as they existed at the date of his departure from Madrid, as had not been touched upon in his official reports before being relieved by Minister Woodford. Mr. Taylor will also see President McKinley, and, it is presumed, will advise him of the probabili- tes of the recent cabinet change in Mad- rid, effecting a change in the Cuban policy of the Spanish government. Gratification in Official Circles. The recall of General Weyler is received with general gratification, both in official circles here and among Cuban sympathiz- ers. It is not assumed that Blanco, his succeszor, will necessarily satisfy the de- mands of humanity in dealing with the Cuban insurrection, but the condemnation of Weyler’s policy of cruelty which is im- plied in his 1 is regarded either as an awakening of conscience in Spain or as an indication of a realization on the part of the Spanish government that the policy which has been maintained as to Cuba can- “whatever the fact may. be, jatever the may the step is regarded as one in the progress toward the liberation of Cuba. It does not, 5 belittle the question by any means, nor is it accepted without reserve as an evidence of sincerity on the part of Spain in the suggestion in Cuba. Another Possibility of Trouble. The escape of Senorita Cisneros from the Spanish prison in Cuba may lead to further complications. Should it develop, as it is expected to, that her escape was planned and executed by Americans sent from this country for the purpose and given powerful assistance here, it is quite possible that the Spanish government may make com- plaint to the State Department, and if she lands in the United States her surrender to Spanish authorities may be demanded, as well as the prosecution of those en- gineering her escape. Such a demand would most likely lead to trouble. Public sentiment in this country would never consent to her surrender, and if Spain chose to make a serious matter of it with this government the consequences would have to be accepted. MORGAN TALKS ANNEXATION U. 8. Senator Addresses a Large Andience at ‘ Honolulu. Told His’ Hearers the United States Would Not Permit Foreign Ag- gression.in Hawall. HONOLULU, October 4, via San Fran- cisco, Cal., October 9.—United States Sena- tor Morgan of Alabama made his first pub- lic appearance before the Hawaiian people on the evening of September 30 at Kai- waiaho Church, on which occasion, at the irstance of several prominent Hawaiians, he delivered an address to the natives upon the benefits of annexation. Between 700 and 800 persons were present, of whom fully 300 were native Hawaiians. Among other things Senator Morgan said: “I suppose no American senator had a more important duty to perform than I have. Since I have been in Hawaii I felt as if it were a part of America to which I had never been before. This is an Ameri- can country, it 1s not an European coun- try, and when annexation takes place its own people will be merely coming to their own. We are not anxious to recruit soldiers from the 50,000 or 60,000 people here. We are not anxious to secure their land. We are anxious for only one thing— to secure you from aggression from for- eign powers. Almost every island in the south Pacific is now in the hands of either Germany, France or Great Britain, and my opinion is that the only solution for the Hawaiian Islands is in the annexation to the United States. The 75,000,000 people in the United States are not going to permit foreign aggression in these islands.” SSS es AN EXCITING SESSION PREDICTED. Quilook for Financial Legislation in the Coming Congress. Apparently but little thought is being given by the public to what the coming session of Congress may bring forth. With one session of the’ Fifty-fifth Congress gone, still there is a whole Congress left, with its two session$ of time and an al- most endless possibiltty of strife and ef- forts at legislation. The ‘special session dis- posed of one great question which demand- ed immediate attention, an@ now the road is left clear for what may come. Talking with men of affairs who will be called upon to support. the policy of the administration at the eoming session, it is found that there is a wide difference of opinion as to what ‘will be attempted or what ought to be attempted in the way of financial legislation, ~ Many declare that it’ would be useless and unwise to attempt anything. Others hold that something must be done. But under all there is the strong indication that the subject cannot be ignored. It goes without saying that if anything is at- tempted it will be in the direction of giv- ing stability and soundness to the currency, as those terms are understood by the peo- ple who voted to put Mr. McKinley in the White House. It will be thoroughly under- stood by the administration, too, that such legislation cannot be had, under existing circumstances, without a hard struggle, and the attempt will not be made without preparation for such a struggle. The administration will not propose to make the attempt and then to fail. Fail- ure will be guarded against in every pos- sible way in advance. Both the strength and the weakness of the opposition is un- derstood, and how the weakness is to be availed of to the best advantage is not problematical. The leaders of the opposition, with a thorough knowledge of their own condi- tion, have no doubt that there will be an attempt to put ‘hrough Congress a financial measure with the sanction of the administration, and they say that the at- tempt will be made with an inflexible de- termination to succeed. Believing this, soine of the most conservative of the rec- ognized leaders of the opposition predict that the coming session of Congress will be one of the most exciting in many years more so even than the session at which the so-called force ill was pressed and was beaten. This anticipation is so much @ reality with them that they are counting over their forces und preparing for the fight. They are marking out those of thelr num- ber on whom they can depend, and those who may be of doubtful reliability, either for sincerity or for courage. The possibil- ity that some of the opposition in the Sei ate, where the only danger to such propos- ed legislation lies, may be shaken, is recog- nized by them, and they are figuring on re- sorting to any method known in parliamen- tary practice to prevent any administra- tion measure on finance going through the Senate. They are counting even on the contingency of a radical departure from the Senate rules and practices in order to force a vote, and are prepared to meet even that. One of the best-known democratic lead- ers, a man not usually inclined to be sen- sational, said the other day that it was his opinion that this session would develop a fight as fierce as that over the force bill, and that it might last through the Con- gress, THE SALE OF THE U. P. Position of the Government Stated by the Attorney General. Attorney General McKenna today issued an official statement announcing that the government had decided not to appeal the Union Pactfic foreclosure suit, but to allow the road to be sold om November 1, in con- sideration of the Union Pactfic reorganiza- tion committee raising its guaranteed bid from $45,754,059. to $50,000,000. The road, he added, is to be sold’ to the highest bidder, but zo a minimum bid guaranteed, as stated. « ——____-.-._____— COMMISSIONER MILLS. ’ 5 Axgument Heard as to Validity of His = Appo! District Attorney Davis’. contention that Justice Samuel C. Mills was, the ist of last July, unlawfully appothted & United States’ commissioner by the District Supreme Court, heretofore fully explained in The Star, came up today for juditial determina- tion before Judge Cole, District Attorney OUT OF DEATH'S JAWS |GEORGE DICKER DENIED|GREAT MARSH FIRES Almost Miraculous Escape of Six- teen Sailors in the Arctic, FOURTEEN STARVED 10 DEATH Horrible Experiences of the Crew of the Whaler Navarch. BELONGED AT NEW BEDFORD SAN FRANCISCO, October 9.—The Chronicle says that the fate of the crew of the steam whaler Navarch of New Bedford, which was wrecked in the arctic on August 1, is no longer in doubt. As is already known, the captain, his wife and the first and fourth officers, who succeeded in es- caping from the vessel after she was caught in the ice, were picked up by the United States revenue cutter Bear. The other thirty men on board the ill-fated vessel were supposed to have perished. The news of the death of these men and the rescue of the other sixteen was brought to this city by E. M. Dias, one of the sur- vivors, who came down on the steam whaler Bonapza from Point Barrow. Harrowing Tale of Suffering. Dias, who is a Portuguese, relates a har- rowing tale of suffering and starvation in the icebound north. After the Navarch had been nipped by the icebergs and the captain, his wife and two of the officers had been fortunate enough to reach open water in the gig, the others stayed by their vessel as long as possible. The food sup- ply rapidly became exhausted, fourteen of the men died, and finally the vessel went to pieces and sank. The sixteen survivors tried to make their way south over the ice, but soon found themselves adrift on a fice. For twelve days they floated with the ecean currents, suffering the most intense torture from hunger. They were redu to the verge of starvation, and craving for food ate skins with which the were clothed. Finally, after all hope of rescue had been abandoned, the castaways were sighted by the steam whaler Thresher and quickly rescued. .They were taken to Point Barrow and given every care and attention. Dias was brought to this city on the Bonanza so that his eyes might be treated by an oculist, his sight having been seriously affected by the glare of the sun on the ice. He was the third mate of the vessel. List of the Saved. The names of the members of the crew of the New Bedford whaler Navarch who were saved are: First Mate Blaine, Second Mate Egan, Third Mate Dias, Fourth Mate Reed, Boat Header Peter and Steerers Peter, Cora, Santos, Andrews, Silva and Holmes. Charles ‘Brewer, agent of the North American Fur Company, was also among those rescued. oe following are known to have been jost: W. W. Whiting, steward. John Hanjis, cook. Thomas C. Lord, fireman. John Sands, chief engineer. M. J. Scanlan, assistant engineer. Charles Thrasher, fireman. Ten sailors. ‘Those who were lost stayed by the frag- ments of the ship, drifted beyond human aid and were never picked up by any pass- ing ships. ——__. EXPECT MORE GOLD SHIPMENTS. London Bankers Not Anxious to Take Bills—Cecil_ Rhodes Sick. LONDON, October 9.—Bankers are not yet inclined to take bills freely, in view of the probability of further shipments to New York and the expectation of an early rise in_the bank rate. South African securities opened today in a very depressed condition, owing to the report of the serious illness of Cecil Rhodes. ee FLEET COASTWISE STEAMERS, Contracts Will Be Let in Few Days for Two or Four. PHILADELPHIA, Pa., October 9.—With- in a few days a contract will be awarded to Delaware river shipbuilders for the con- struction of two and possibly four of the fleetest coasting steamships flying’ the American flag. The ships will be built to the order of the bidders for the United States mail contract between New York, Havana, Cuba and Tuxpam, Mexico, and an expenditure of $1,200,000 will be involved. Each ship will be at least 4,000 tons reg- ister, and about 48 feet beam, 21; feet deep and from 370 to 400 feet long. ‘These new craft are to be built under special in- spection, so as to comply with the reguia- tions of the United States government as laid down {gr auxiliary cruisers. a HORATIO C. KING NOMINATED To Succeed Francis H. Wilson in House of Representativ NEW YORK, October 9.—Gen. Horatio C. King has been nominated for Congress by the Shepard or indeperdent democracy of | the third district, where a vacancy exists in consequence of Francis H. Wilson's resignation to accept the posimastership of Brooklyn. ° a RUSSIA AND JAPAN AT ODDS. Protest Against Russian Drill bi structors Being Employed at Seoul. SAN FRANCISCO, Cal., October 9.—Re- ports from the crient indicate strongly that the relations between Russia and Japan over Corea are greatly strained. A protest has been entered at Seoul, the cap- itat of Corea, against the engagement of Russian drill instructors, but at Yokohama it is expected that the Russians will carry their point. eee EX-JUDGE CUNNINGHAM DEAD. Prominent Lawyer Who Was Connect- ed With Some Famous Cases. WAKEFIELD, R. L, October 9.—Ex- Judge Augustus M. Cunningham of New York died suddenly from heart failure at the “Bungalow,” his residence, in South Kingstown, last evening. — Judge Cunningham was a son of the late John Cunningham, pay director in the United States navy. He was a graduate of Yale in the class with ex-Postmaster“Gen- eral Bissell and studied law in the office of Sree Tracy of rn. Cunningham was associated with Gen. Roger A. Prior in the famous Tilton- Beecher suit, and also with Gen. B. F. Butler in the controversy in this state. He was forty-five years of age. Citizens’ Union Committee Repndiates a Rumored Deal. It Was Alleged That George a Would Fase on Co: Tickets. ty NEW YORK, October 9.—There are de- cided indications that th deal arranged be- tween ex-Congressman Tom L. Johnson, representing the Henry George democracy, and James B. Reynolds, representing the Citizens’ Union, will be repudiated by the latter organization. Reynolds gave out the statement today that there would be a mecting of the ex- ecutive committee of the Citizens’ Union this afternoon to discuss the proposition of putting the names of the New York county candidates of the Citizens’ Union on the Hienry George ticket. The executive com- mittee met according to announcement, and after a brief session adjourned, giving ovt the significant statement in effect that the allegation of “an agreement between Tom L. Johuson and James B. Reynolds on the basis stated above was absolutely unirue and without foundation.” The deal which was projected contem- plated tne acceptance by the Citizens’ Union of the George democracy county tickets in Kings, Queens and Richmond. It was not proposed to make any deal as to the mayoralty, the controllership and the presidency of the council, the intention being to keep both Seth Low and Henry George in the field. Leaders of the democratic alliance, which organization accepted the nomination of George for mayor, said today: “The pro- posed deal with the mixed element of the Citizens’ Union would force us to support a combination of republicans, gold demo- crats and coloriess people, and thus thor- ovghly change the political effect of our action. We cannot give it our support.” The united democracy. another of the organizations pledged to George's candi- dacy, addressed a letter today to Wallis J. Abbott, chairman of the campaign com- mittee of the George movement, on the subject of the alleged deal. They received a reply from Mr. Abbott, deploring the fact that the united democracy had put a full ticket in the field, referring to the situa- tion as menacing, and asking them to with- draw their ticket wholly and leave it to the committee of perscnal representatives of Mr. George to make such neminations as shall best advance his candidacy. ee ee NEWS OF THE NAVY. Whereabouts of the Warships—Re- cent Orders, . The dispatch boat Dolphin arrived at Provincetown, Mass., yesterday, and the mcnitor Amphitrite arrived at New Bed- ford. These vessels will assist at the an- niversary celebration of the launching of the Constitution at Boston on the 2Ist in- stent. Lieuteaant Commander Duncan Kennedy has been ordered to duty as assistant in- spector of the eleventh light house dis- trict, Detroit, Mich., Nevember 1, and to be inspector when Commander Folger is actached. Lieuter.ant Commander B. H. Bucking- kom has been ordered to his home at Corn- well, Pa., on six months’ sick leave. Ensign 8. P. Fullinwider has been de- tuched from the Marion and ordered to the Aaams. Assistant Surgeon J. C. Pryor has been detached from the naval hospital, Mare Isiand, and ordered to the Adams October 17. Assistant Surgeon A. Farenholt has been etached from the Vermont and ordered to the New York navy yard. Ulysses G. Ammen has been appointed an assistant paymaster in the navy. ——$_—__——_— STUDYING METALLIC CURRENCY. The Monetary Commission to Recon- vene Monday. The monetary ecmmirsion will reconvene in this city Monday. During the recess the subcommittee cn metallic currency, con- sisting of C. Stewart Patterson of Phila- delphia, Prof. Laughiin of Chicago and Mr. Garnett of California, Fave been in session and have embodied the result of their pre- liminary work in a report which will be submitted to the full commission. The ‘re- port is not in such shape, however, that it can be made public. Ex-Secretary Fairchild of New York, who is cizirman of the banking subcommittee, has been at headquarters this week. —_—____e.___ A SOLDIERS’ PAY SACRED. Decision of the Treasury Accounting Officers, ‘The treasury accounting officers have de- cided that no commanding officer of the army hes the right to apply the pay of a soldier to the payment of post exchange dues. The case came up througa the de- sertion vf Private Chas. M. Clifford of Light Battery F, 4th Artillery, leaving $10.15 duc to the post exchange. His com- marding officer deducted this cmount from the pay due the soldier and credited it to the exchange fund, but the treasury officials have required him to make the amount good. ‘The decision in general holds that a soldier’s pay is sacred against all liens. ——___e-______ DISMISSED THE SERVICE. Lieut. Morford Convicted of Du eating His Pay Accounts. Second Lieut. William H. Morford of the 3d Infaniry, stationed at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, has been dismissed from the army, to take effect on the 15th instant. This action was taken by the President to- day in approving the proceedings, findings and sentence of the general court which tried the officer on the charge of having cuplicated his pay accounts. The court found the officer guilty of the charge and sentenced him to dismissal. The Presideat approved the sentence without comment, and directed that it take effect on the 15th instant. Lieut. Morford rose from tke ranks. He erlisted in the army as a private in Jan- uary, 1889, and after being promoted cor- peral and sergeart, was commissioned sec- ond ileutenant of the 3d Infantry July 4, as a result of competitive examina- tion of privates and non-commissioned of- ficers. He is a native of Ohio. e+. REAR ADMIRAL CLITZ DEAD. Had Been a Patient at St. Elizabeth's for Several Years. Rear Admiral John B. Clitz, United States navy, retired, died this morning in the hospital at St. Elizabeth’s Asylum, where he had been a patient for several years. ‘The Navy Department has been informed Secgateees ae a oan Vast Areas in Indiana Swept by De- vouring Flames, DROUTH IN SOUTHEAST KANSAS Tonawanda Swamp in New York Also Suffers Severely. — FELT IN ILLINOIS ee CROWN POINT, Ind., October 9.—One of the most diswstrous marsh fires that ever occurred in the county is raging in the Kankakee marsh, which covers twenty sections of land twelve miles south of this city, and by tonight thousands of tons of hay and farm buildings will no doubt be destroyed. and. So quickly Gid tae flames trav ward that Robert Met; Suuth, who lived on the isiand, were forced to flee to the pasture land with their fam- lilies, where they watched the of their houses by the flames, as well as all their other buiidings cn the islands. From this point the fire traveled two miles east, and for 4 time it looked as if many farm Iouses on the Lowell road would be corsumed, but luckily the wind changed and turned the fire southward, in which di- rection it is now rapidly traveling. eison Morris’ big ranch, where thou- ds of ci ttle are being fattened for his slaughter house, is in immediate danger. vig one of when $200,000 was lost. Hundreds of men have fcught the flames all day, but high winds are keeping the upper hand. Shelby and Thayer are in great danger. Serious Loss at South Bend. SOUTH BEND, Ind., October marsh fires that have been raging i county have done unusual dama many huckleberry marshes, as well as burned much hay, many fences, ete. In some cases the woods have burned. On a 300-acre marsh tract, a few miles south of this city, the marsh muck has beer burned down a distance of three or four feet to the underlying clay. ALBION, N. Y., Swamp, on the south border county, is on fire. Farmers have quit work to fight the flames and save their buildings. Hundreds of acres of farm lands have been swept by fire and great damage has been done. Two lumber camps in the swamp have been utterly destroyed; mills and huts and huge stacks of timber being licked up by the fire as if they were tinder wood. The Drought in Kansas. FORT SCOTT, Kan., October %—In scutheastern Kansas the drought that has continued unbroken for over two months ts unprecedented. In Cherokee, Crawford and Mcntgomery counties not half an inch of rain has fallen in three months. For a month or more the stock ponds have been dry and the stock feeders and farmers generaily have been compelled to drive their stock to the rivers for water. With a large per cent of them this means a drive each day of from three to ten miles, The pastures are burned up and most of the stock is being fed. - MILK Scare in Chicago. CHICAGO, October 9.—Chicago is threat- ened with a curtailment of her miik supply in consequence of the drought which has almost entirely destroyed the pastures of the surrounding country. For the past seven weeks the milk dealers here have been compelied to pay winter pri for all of the product that was not pr: ccntracted for. The farmers say t are keeping their cows on winter fodder. ——_——__ STEAMER E. B. HALE FOUNDERS. Sinks in Lake Moron, With Cargo of Steel Billcts. PORT HURON, Mich., October 9%—The steamer E. &. Hale foundered in Lake Hu- ron yesterday afternoon. Her crew, who were all picked up by the steamer Ne- braska, landed here this morning. The Hale was bound from Lorain, Ohio, to Mil- waukee, Wis., with steel billets. Half way across Saginaw bay she encounicred a southwest gale. The breaking cf a steam pipe left the steamer helpless in the trough of the cea. Firally she filled and sank. The Nebraska attempted to tow the hapless boat, but the lines parted. The Hale was owned by M. A. Bradley of Cleveland, and was valued at $30,000 and was uninsured. — A NEW TRIAL REFUSED. Judge Kimball, in the Police Court, today overruled a motion for a new trial in the case of Mr. Silas S. Daish, who was de- clared guilty by a jury several weeks ago of assaulting Miss Estelle Sherwood. The latter was employed in Mr. Daish’s office. Mr. Mullowny announced that he would move the court to impose sentence on Mr. Daish at noon Monday. In denying the application for a new trial, Judge Kimball said: “If I should set aside the verdict it would be placing my opinion above that of twelve sworn men on a question of choosing be- tween the credibility of two witnesses. I have krown Mr. Daish for years, and if I could, under my oath as judge, set aside the verdict that has been returned I would be mos: happy to do so, but I cannvut con- sistently take such action, The motion is therefore overruled.” —_——_ TO INCREASE GERMANY’S NAVY. Bundesrath Votes 410,000,000 Marks to Carry Gut Von Tirpits’s Plans. BERLIN, October 9.—The bundesrath to- dzy adopted the naval bill, introduced by Admiral Von Tirpitz, the secretary of the navy, providing for an expenditure of 410,000,000 marks, to extend over a. period of seven years. apne. Capt. Halleck Reinstated. Captain Walter F. Halleck has been re- instated as captain of the watch in the Interior Department building. —_—_——_-2-____—— Government Receipts. Government reecipts from internal rev-