Evening Star Newspaper, December 3, 1897, Page 1

————— THE EVENI G STAR. ERs PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Ferrsylveria Avenue, Cor. ue &t., by ‘The Evening Star Rewspaper mn 8. H. RAUPFMA IN Prest Few York Uiiioe, 49 Fowter Building ibers in the ety ber cean Thal wo ocr Ww eats Peter cents egch "By alls ansekers tn the counter 2 cents ea 7 so United States or Conade—postage cents per month. Sheet Etar, $1 per sear, with | | N 0. 13,965. WASHINGTON, D. ©. FRIDAY, DECEMBER ee ¢ Lvening Star. 1897—SIXTEEN PAGES. TWO OENTS. 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 hews of the world, directly trans mitted by telegraph, up to the moment of going to press. END DRAWING NEAR es President McKinley’s Mother Gradu- ally Sinking Under Her Affiiction. HER DISTINGUISHED SON ARRIVES eee Thinks His Mother Recognized Him at Her Bedside. —— ALL THE FAMILY PRESENT CANTON, Ohio, December 3.—This morn- ing Mrs. Nancy Allison McKinley was re- perted sinking rapidly and the end ap- peared near. All night long the little group around the bedside of the venerable woman anxiously watched for news of the train which was bezring her distinguished son from his post at the nation’s capital to her humble cot- tage. Before she relapsed into unconscious- ness she was given to understand that her son had started for Canton from the capi- tal. The train bearing the President reach- ed Pittsburg at 7:15 a.m. At each stop dur- ing the night word had been flashed to Cantor of his progress, and at each stop a yellow missive told him that he was still in the lead in his thrilling midnight race with the grim reaper. President Went to Sleep. “ Finally tired nature asserted herself and the President retired to sleep. As soon as Pittsburg was reached Judge Day accepted the offer of the railroad company, and a special engine was attached to the car. The Presidert et that time was still asteep. Without the loss of a moment tie special engine dashed out of the smoky city. All trains on the route were put on side tracks, and the last 101 miles were recied off in less than tw? hours. At 8:35 a.m. the President reached Can- ten. His mother was still alive. Upon his arrival at the home of his mother Prest- dent McKinley entered the sick room and knelt by the bedside. She was unconscious. The Httle family group was complete. Ali that now remained was to wait for death and te hope before it came the mother would be able once more to recognize her leving children. Unconscious All Day. As the day wore on Mrs. McKinley re- mained apparer.tly in the same condition as at early morning. She was unconscious and showed no evidence of suffering and seemed to be passing quietly into the sleep of death. The President and other mem- bers of the family were at her bedside, in- tent on deing everything possible to con- tribute to her comfort, and hoping almost without faith for a rally and for a sign of recognition. There was no encouragement given them by the attending physician, Dr. Philips, w ho seriously doubted ‘hat the patient would revive. He feared the end Was very near at hand, but said there was a possibility of her lingering for several day Of her four living children, three were at the bedside, and Mrs. A. J. Duncan of Clevelard, ‘who has been visiting her eaughter at a Chicago school, will bé here at 1:30 p.m. His cousir, Charles R. Miller, Judge T. T. McCarty and Editor George B. Frease of the Repository met the President at the station with a carriage, which hurried him to the home of his mother, and he has since been almost constantly at her bed- side. Thinks He Was Recognised. The President believes his mother recog- nized him as he knelt at her bedside when he arrived this morning. His sister Helen announced his arrival by saying: ‘Here, mother, is William. If you recognize him, hold up your hand.” Mrs. McKinley did raise her left hand slightly, and the fam- ily believe it was in recognition of her de- voted son. He grasped her hand fondly, and says he seemed to feel a slight pres- sure from the mother’s effort to return his greeting, but the pressure was almost im- perceptible, and was possibly imaginary. This was the only incident of the sick room today. Tne family continued about the bedside, but except a continued weakening could note no charge. The present plans of the President are to remain here until 2 o'clock tomorrow, when he will return to Washing- ton to look after some of the official cares, which made it almost impossible for him the capital at this time. "clock Dr. Phillips visited the pa- There is no great change m Mrs. condition,” he said. “She is gradually sinking away, and the end may come ina few hours. _It is barely possible thet she may survive several days Mrs. Stewart Bowman, Mrs. McKinley's and wife of Editor Bowman of Ely- ached the homestead shortly before Train Awaits the President. The train which brought the President to Canton will remain at the Pennsyl- Vania station at his disposal. The President showed traces of deep concern, but all the way from Washing- ton to Canton he showed implicit trust in those who had charge of the train. He was not the least moved by the rapid run- ning made and preserved the mien that is characteristic of the man. —_+>—_—_- BARBER FOR U. Eastern Shore Re Boom Representative From First District. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. BALTIMORE, Md., December 3.—The tern shore republican members-elect of the xeneral assembly held a conference at the Ccrrolton Hotel today and decided to suppert Representaive Isaac A. Barber of the first district for United States sen- ator. It is also determined to back State Sen- ator A. Litcoln Dryden of Somerset county for the presidency of the senate. Mr. Dry- cen said that his vote and the Somerset yctes in the house would be cast for Bar- ber. Senator Dryden hes been identified with the Lowndes-Wellington faction all along, and his change to Barber eccasions con- siderable comment. Congressman Barber was jubilant at the conclusion of the cau- cus, and says he will be Senator Gorman’s successor. © —— LAWYER BLODGETT sHoT. Mortally Wounded by a Burglar at Schenectady, N. Y. SCHENECTADY, N. Y., December 3.— George R. Blodgett, head of the law de- partment of the General Electric Company, was shot by a burglar and mortally wound- «d today. Mrs. Blodgett was awakened by the burglar, and, calling to her husband, he rushed out into the hall, where stood the thief. The burglar called to Mr. 't to hold up his hands, and at same take started to back down the stat Mr. Blodgett followed and the burglar on him. The shots were returned by Mr. ag MAY DELAY THE MESSAGE Effect of the President’s Absence From the ity. Congress Likely to Adjourn From Day to Day Until He Returns Prom Canton. If the Prestdent is at Canton Mor “ay his annual message will not go to Conjress on that day. The message will not go to Con- gress until the return of the President, and in all probability Congress will adjourn from day to day until the President is back in the Executive Mansion. Should the condition of the President's mother warrant, the President may return here so as to be in his office Monday, when the usual committee from Congress will wait upon him and inform him that that bedy is organized and ready for the trans- action of business, together with any com- mtnication he may have to make. Imme- diately upon receiving the committee and dispatching his message to Congress the President cot return to Canton. Even with this, the transaction of any business by Congress would probably depend entire- ly on the result of Mrs. McKinley's illness or her condition. The message could be legally transmitted to Congress without the presence of the President. The message {s complete in every respect, and it is doubtful if the President has a word to change. It has already been put in type, and last night, just before the departure of the President the full set of proof sheets was carried to the President at the train by Secretary Perter. The President went over some of the sheets without desiring to make any change. He took the proof sheets to Can- ton with him, and probably went over the whole message last night. He could easily order any correction by telegraph or long- distance telephone. Therefore, it is not 2 question of the completion of the mncesace that will prevent Congress going on with its sessions. £ The President left the city at 7:20 o'clock night in the Pullman car Davy Crock- brs The ‘only person who accompanied him was Judge Day, assistant secretary of state. Secretary Porter remained here. It was not until late in the afternoon that the President was advised that his mother condition was growing worse, and that a decided to go to Canton. From the middle of the day he had been waiting for news which would decide his immediate depar- re for Canton. @, ‘Nurs. McKinley did not go to Canton with the President, the latter thinking it better that she should remain here. Beyond baer ural anxiety on the part of the poisere sey the White House, her health has ae gone no change. She did not go out rid ns today because of the inclemency of the eather. ae i “Word was received at the W hite he today from Canton that there was little change in the condition of Mrs. McKinley. oo — WESTERN ARMY POSTS. Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn Talks of His Recent Tour. Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn of the War Department talked with a Star report- er today in regard to his recent tour of inspection of western military posts, ex- tending to the Pacific coast, and embracing twenty states and territories. He said that most excellent conditions were found to prevail at all army posts visited, with one exception, and that has been abandoned since his inspection. He was enthusiastic in praise of the officers and men, and doubts if their equal exists in any foreign army. He says the superb discipline and military spirit everywhere conspicuous re- fect great credit upon General Miles, who, as commanding general of the army, is re- sponsible for its military control. ‘Mr. Meiklejohn made a thorough inspec- tion of the high-power guns and mortar batteries at the Presidio of San Francisco. He is strongly impressed with the wisdom of the recommendation of the Secretary of War, in his annual report, for an additional force of artillerymen to care for and han- die the guns belonging to our fortifications coast defenses. sascretacr Alger, he sald, put the whole thing in a nutshell when he said that a visit to any of these batteries must con- vince any practical mind of the necessity for immediate action in this matter. In speaking of his chief, Mr. Meiklejohn said that Secretary Alger’s military experi- ence and business capacity were being felt in his administration of the war office, where, in his conduct of public affairs, he exercises that sagacity and good judgment to which his success in private life has been due. He says that the policies of Sec- retary Aiger are liberal and broad-gauged, without being extravagant, and that in the measures inaugurated by him he is prac- ticing economy without being parsimonious. During his absence of about six weeks Mr. Meiklejohn sought in all possible ways to ascertain the condition of business throughout the country. He is optimistic in his views on the subject, and says there cannot be the slightest doubt that we have already ertered upon a period of great national prosperity. BENTON AND BLAIR. Ex-Gov. Fletcher an Ardent Admirer of Both the Missourians. Gen. Thos. C. Fletcher, ex-governor of Missouri, who is now in Washington, when en by a Star reporter today was rejoic- ing in the delivery of the statues of Benton and Blair at the Capitol. He is a great ad- mirer of “Old Bullion,” knew him in the days of his power, and calls him “the great Missourian.” Gov. Fletcher said: “In my last message. as governor to the legislature I urged the appropriation for the Benton statue, and at every session of the legislature since that time have appealed to the leading’ members to make the appropriation.” | He is fond of recounting interesting anéc- dotes of Benton, and ranks him not the least among four very great men, the others being Webster, Clay and Calhoun. He was a devoted follower of Benton from his boy- hood up. Gov. Fletcher is full of recollec- tions of Benton in the days when he did tattle against the intolerant pro-slavery democracy in Misscuri. Blair, too, was Gov. Fletcher’s intimate and loved friend; fought by his side and followed him as lis leader in the early days of the free soil and republican par- ties, ard was the senior colonel of Blair’s celebrated brigade, raised by special per- mission and order of President Lincoln, and served with him in the Army of the Ten- nessee. There is no limit to his admiration for the character of both Benton and Blair. Gov. Fletcher said: “There is a statue of Benton in Lafayette Park at St. is, but it is so unsuggestive of ‘Old Bullion’ that I always choose another path so as to avoid passing {t. There is also a statue of Blair in Forest Park at St. Louis. It is better, in fact, reminds one of Frank in the days when he made the hills and the valleys of Missouri resound with his brave utterances.” The statues are the work of Sculptor Alexander Doyle of New York, and are the gifts of the state of Missouri. —__-+ e+ ____ New BPourth-Class Postmasters. The following fourth-clags postmasters were appointed today: Maryland—Double Pipe’ Creek, Carroll county, Frederick J. Short; e, Car- roll county, Jeseph Formwalt; Whayland, ‘Wicomico county, AA epheal fo Augusta county, George MORE OPIN LON S| EXTENDING OUR MARKETS Expressions of Senators and Repre- sentatives Now Here. THE PROBABLE WORK OF CONGRESS Hawaiian Treaty and the Cuban Question Most Discussed. BUSINESS CONDITIONS Representative Curtis of Kansas, who has just arrived here, brings a glowing report of the presperous condition of affairs in his state. He says there is increased ac- tivity in every branch of work in the state; that many millions of dollars of mertgages have been paid off during the year, and that with another such year in- debtedness in the state of Kansas will be almcst wiped out. Discussing the outloolc in Congress, Mr. Curtis says he believes there is no doubt of the ratification of the Hawaiian annexation treaty. “As to Cuba, I am in favor of the Senate resolution,” he said, “but I believe the men of the party should act in accord with the aaministration. The republicans sheuld work in harmony with the Preési- dent, and if he states that circumstances do not warrant interference of this govern- ment at this time, as stated in the forecast of the message published yesterday, then they should sustain him in this position and give Spain ther time to demonstrate the workings of her new scheme of auton- omy. “It will be a mere waste of time for the House to take up the currency question. It will be a needless disturbance of business ecnditions, for ev one knows the atti- tude of the Senate und the difference of views between the Senate and House makes the agitation of the subject worse than useless.” jenator Berry's Views. Senator Berry of Arkansas arrived here yesterday afternoon and has taken up his old quarters at the Metropolitan Hotel. Mr. Gerry has spent the recess at his home in Arkansas, with the exception of a month, which was occupied in inspecting the Mis- pi river as a member of the Senate mmittee, which was required at the last Session to inspect and report upon the con- ditions and needs of this waterway. The committee ‘expected to go over the entir length of the river, but yellow fever in th south caused them to end their investiga- tions at St. Louis. They went from St. Louis to the headwaiers of the Mississip, making the trip in October. Senators Nel son, chairman; Gallinger, McBride and Berry composed the party. Business Conditions in Arkansas. When asked ri rding the business con- ditions of his state Mr. Berry replied: “Do not ask me to talk about that. We have had very good cotton crops, but cot- ton is selling for 4% cents a pound, which is less than the cost of raising it. There is ho prosperity in such a condition.” Oi the condition of the state in political n.atters, he said: “The state is for Bryan and silver. The people of Arkansas afe as strong for sil- ver as they have ever been, and expect te be £o until they get bimetallism. I do not suppose any one expected the commis- sion that went abroad to confer with other governments regarding the opening of the mints to silver to accomplish anything. I certainly did not. Independent free coin- age is the only thing we can look for.. We must establisa bimetallism ourselves and not ask other people to do it for us.” —-°-_____ GEN. PANDO NOT DEAD. cu Dr. Congosto Wires a Denial of the Report. Minister Dupuy De Lome has received a cable dispatch from Dr. Congosto, the sec- retary general of Cuba, stating that the reports of the death of Gen. Pando, com- irander of the Snanish forces in the field, are false; that Gen. Pando fs in excellent health and is striking some decisive blows against the insurgents. This statement disposes of a rumor, which, if it had proved to be true. would have been of serious consequence to the Spanish forces, as Gen. Pando is second only to Gen. Blanco, and is directing all field operations, while Blanco remains at Havana inaugurating the new political sys- tem which has been adopted for the island. Information was received here today from Havana that the organ of the autonomist party of the island, El Pais, had issued a formal circular declaring, in behalf of Cuban autonomists, that they were satis- fied with the plan of Cuban autonomy now extended to Cuba as a realization of the policy they had urged from the beginning of the century, expressing the. greatest hopes in the new regime, and declaring that with the fulfillment of ail the aspirations of the Cuban people there remains no fur. ther reason for continuing the fight in t field. The statement closes with a patri- otic appeal to the men in arma to return to the peaceful homes of their regenerated fatherland. This declaration from the autonomists of Cuba is said to be an important feature in the present situation, as the success of the autonomy plan granted by Spain is de- pendent largely on the attitude of the Cuban autonomists. ——__-—_-e CUBA’S INSURGENT GOVERNMENT. ‘The State Department Advised of the Election and Inauguration. Consul General Lee at Havana has fur- nished the Secretary of State with the fol- lowing Mst of insurgent officials, elected and installed at Yaza, Porto Principe, Cuba, October 20: President, Bartolo Maso; vice president, Domingo Mendez Capote; sec- retary of war, Jose B. Aleman; secretary of treasury, Earnisto F. Stoarling; tary of foreign effairs, Andres Moreno de la Terre; secretary of interior, Manuel R. Silva; general-in-chief, Maximo Gomez; lieutenant general, Calixto Gracea. ——_-e—___ PREPARING TO RETIRE. Admiral Selfridge to Leave the Active List in February. Admiral Selfridge, commanding the Eu- ropean station, is making ready to retire early in February. It is believed at the Navy Department that the admiral is about to take all of his ships to the eastward and have them at Genoa, Italy, when he hauls down his flag in that port February 2 and turns over the command to Commodore Howell. Admiral Seifridge will sail immedi- ately for home, and, as he does not retire until February 6, that date may find him on the water on his way by private steamer to the United States. a RECITATION HALL DANGEROUS. Secretary Leng Wants Reconstrac- tium or a New Building. Secretary Long has prepared a the chairman of the House ; Senatorial Opposition to Reciptocity Agree- ments Looked For, The Adsbiaistration Cordially sup- porting the Negotiations of Ex- Minister Kasson, Some difficulty in the Senate with the reciprocity arrangements*which are in pro- cess of acgotiation at the State Depart- ment is feared by the administration. Pres- ident McKinley 1s developing into a good deal of at advocate of liberal. trade rela- tions and 1s cordially supporting ex-Minis- ter Jonn A. Kasson of Iowa, who is con- ducting the negotiations on behalf of the United States, Agreements relating purely to argols, brandies, champagnes, still wines, paintings and statuary may be made by the President without the approval of Con- gress, but those involving a reduction of twenty per cent upon other classes of arti- cles require the approval of both houses in order to give them authority. Several such agreements will be made and submitted to Congress, but none will probably be ready for some weeks after the opening of the session.The work of perfecting such agreements 4a a slow one, and none of the representatives of foreign powers fs willing to affix hfs final signa- ture until he has transmitted the text of the agreement to his home: government. ‘The negotiations with Frarice were sup- Posed at one time to be fairly well ad- vanced. M. Patenotre, the French ambas- sador, was priding himself fpon the com- pletion of an agreement Tegarding the Mmited list of arucles named above he- fore he left Washington for his new post at Madrid. Offers Do Not Justify. Careful investigation by the United States experts leads to the beljef that the privi- leges offered by France ~were not suffictent io justify concessions by ‘this country. France has a maximum tariff, but the min- imum tariff has already been granted to many of her important nelghbors. Nothing more than this was offered to the United States, and ft has been felt that we should secure important concessions regarding live animals and canned meats before making a discrimination in favor of Arench wines and works of art. The nexgtiations have accordingly come to a partial halt, pending the arrival of the new French ambassador. A similar delay has taken place in the case of Germany, where the new ambassa- dor 1s awaiting specific instruetions from the foreign ofce at Berlin. » The negotla- tions ure farther advanced with European countrieg'-in” most cases’ than with thé South American dnd Centfal American re- publics. Some of the latter.are a little dis- satisfied with the Dingley law and are not ready to negotiate, but It ls believed at the State Department that they will be in a more tractable mood within a: shert time. Finds Enough to De. Mr. Kasson is finding enough to @o in studying the facts regatding the Europeaa counties Whi are ready to negotiate, without having a number ef independent Propositions thrust upon ,him. “It requires considerable research to ascertain the ex- act'situation in any given case, because it is Necessary to know the entire impoftation and eonsumption of an article from ali countries ss well as the importation from the United States alone. These statistics are not all readily accessible, it-spite of the great assistance given the State De+ partment by Mr. Worthington C. Ford, the chief of the treasury bureau of statistics. The mere statistics, moreover, aré not suffi- cient sources of information, but a know!- edge is required of the trade conditions which make it likely or unlikely that the United States can wrest the market from their rivals with slight tariff discrimina- tions in their favor. u + The influence of the administration will be thrown in favor of liberg] concessions, where an adequate return is recelved, and this influence will probably be sufficient to carry such concessions through the House, in spite of the opposition of jJocal interests. It also hopes that the Senate will in- dorse liberal agreements which promise an opening for American trade, but the ab- sence of a republican majority there is causing some anxiety among the friends of the administration policy: —_-e+__,___ THE DISTRICT MARSHALSHIP. A Local Man to Be Appointed. at the Proper Time. It is stated cn the beet authority that the President will appoint a District man as marshal of the District when the time comes to make that appeintment. Mr. Hakn of Ohio, who has been viewed as slated for the place, is po longer under consideration. No encouragemert, how- ever, has been given by the President to those who have advecated the appointment of any conspicuous local candidate for the Fosition, and the belief is entertained that the President, while intending to recognize the “home-rule plank” and appoint a resi- dent, wil make, or has made, his..own selection of that District man, viewing the marshalship in accordance.with the tradi- tions concerning the offtce as in the nature of @ personal appointment. 8 < < REGISTER BRUCE SWORN IN. He Will Begin His New Duties Next Monday. Ex-Senator B. K. Bruce went to the Treasury Department today, took the oath of office and qualifted as-aggister of the treasury. He will enter upon the diseharge of the duties of the office Monday, when Mr. Tillman will be ready te turn over the Office. No bond is requifed ¢rom a register and no time will be lost. tm@naking up one. Mr. Bruce knows the remtine @f the office so well that no instructions will be re- quired. * The new register received the congratu- lations of many friends whén Be appeared at the treasury today,.*He mms also re- ceived many congratulatogy. telegrams from prominent men in all sections ef the coun- try, one being from Governor McLaurin of Mississippi. —_—___e-_____ AT HIS OWN BEQUEST. — Chief Dana Given a Aoywer Position in the Treasary. Severs] changes Fave Been made in the internal revenue buregu of the Treasury Department. At his own request, Oscar F. Dana, chief of the law divis'om of the bu- reau, has been reduced from a salary of $2,250 to $1,200. Mr. Dana is oue of the oldest and most faithful..employes of the treasury. He has been in-the service of that department over thirty years. Be- cause of his advanced he preferred a position requiring lees In accord with a policy which is forming in the TO DIE IN THE CHAIR|4 JO'!NT Commission Judge Maddox Pronounces Sentence on Martin Thorn Today. PRISONER PRESERVES HIS NERVE Execution to Take Place in Week of January 10. ee GOES TO SING SING TONIGHT ——_- ___ NEW YORK, December 3.—Martin Thorn, or Torceswisky, convicted on Monday of the murder of Willlam Guldensuppe, was today sentenced to be electrocuted 1n the week beginning January 10, 1898. Wher, Thorn was brought inte court in Long Island City, walking between two officers, he stepped as ‘Driskly as he had done on the days when he was on trial. He preserved the same calm, tmperturbable expression of countenance that he had worn at every crisis in the working out of his fate during the trial, and when, as a pre- liminary to the passing of sentence of death, Justice Maddox put the customary questions to him, he responded promptly, collectedly and without outward evidence of emotion. “My true name,” said the murderer, “is Torceswisky. I was born in Germany and am thirty-three years old. I am a barber, and have never been in prison before. 1 was brought up in the religious beliet ot the Roman Catholic Church. I can read and write. My father 1s living. 1 am not married.” Judge Pnasess Sentence. Then Judge Maddox proceeded to pass sentence, solemnly and impressively. He ‘Thorn, you were indicted charged with having premeditated and deliberately de- signed and caused the death of William Guidensuppe. You have had a fair trial, in the course of which you were defended by the ablest and most astute counsel. They could not have done more for you. Every effort was made by them to save you. After that the jury found you guilty of murder in the first degree, and the pun- ishment for that is death. “Reflect upon ft. Reflect upon the death of him whom you slew. It 1s the duty of the court to fix a time for the execution— the law pronounced the punishment. I shall give you a reasonable time—the law permits me to do that. It is. needless for me to state anything touching the facts in this case, more than to say that the evi- dence justifies the verdict. Must Die in January. “The judgment of the court is that you shall be taken hence to the state prison at Smg Sing within a reasonable time, and that there you shall be executed in the form prescribed by law, in the week be- ginning January 10, 1898.” Thorn listened without moving a muscle, nd when the judge had finished he inclined his head slighty forward, as if bowing to the court. The prisoner's lawyers then handed up an affidavit applying for an ap- peal. Justice Maddox took the affidavit and’ will7pass on ft later. Thorn-was then led to the jail below. It is likely that the condemned man will be removed to Sing Sing this afteriiocn. “SENATOR HANNA IMPROVING. Still Far From Well — Will Leave Home Sunday. Special Dispatch to ‘Ibe Evening Star. CLEVELAND, Ohio, December 3.—Sena- tor Hanna will not leave for Washington before Sunday. His condition this morning ts slightly improved, although he is still quite sick. The senator has not been to his office for a week. He.is in constant communication with Canton and is kept advised as to the condi- tion of the President’s mother. ———— INSURES BOXWELL’S ELECTION. Leland Out of the Race for Speaker of Ohio Legislature: Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. COLUMBUS, Ohio, December 3.—Charies A. Leland, representative from Noble county, announced this morning that he had withdrawn from the contest for the re- publican caucus nomination for speaker of the house. This leaves Representative Alexander Boxwell of Warren with no op- pesition and insures his election. Both Box- well and Leland are Hanna men. — DROUTH IN SOUTHERN KANSAS, Town of Emporia Almost Entirely Without a Water Supply. TOPEKA, Kan., December 3.—Owing to the extremely dry weather this fall, water was never so scarce in the history of Lyon ccunty as it is today. Emporia is at the junction of the Neosho and the Cotton- wood rivers, and for weeks not a drop of water has been flowing in either. In many places the beds of both rivers are as dry as a sandy desert. So meager is the supply above the dam in the Neosho, from which the city receives its supply, that the city council has taken the most stringent methods to curtail the use of water from the hydrants and has entirely stopped the supply to all users of water motors. Mayor Addis is digging a big well above the waterworks, from which — he hopes to obtain a supply. a ALASKA BOUNDARY QUESTION. Canadian Minister of the Interior Dis- cusses the Matter. OTTAWA, Ont., December 3.—Clifford Sifton, minister of the interior, has re- turned from an extended trip to the Klon- dike. Speaking of the Alaska boundary question, he said: “There are certain phases of the ques- tion which have to be looked into care- fully, and Mr. King, our chief astronomer, went out with me for that purpose. As to whether there will be a commission on the question, appointed by the United States and ourselves, I don’t know. The subject Oe eatin wotle oaiee the mounted police force in the Yukon district to be increased, the present contingent not being sufficient. es NEW CURE FOR SPRAINS. Injured Member Baked at a Tempera- ture of 200 Degrees. BERKELEY, Cal,, December 8.—E. B. Hinman, a sophomore in the University of Cslifornia, has had his leg baked in an oven at a temperature of 300 degrees Fah- rerhelt to cure a sprain. This is 88 Je- Plan to Consider Currency Reform Passed by the House, Now im Senate Committee—The Presi- dent's Recomme tions for Its Adoption, Chairman Dingley, in an interview in The Star yesterday, telegraphed from Lew- iston, Me., said, in discussing the outlook for currency legislaticn, that the House resolution for a joint committee to con- sider and report on needed currency legis- lation, which is now in the hands of the Senate finance committee, might be re- ported back d considered by the Senate 28 soon as Congress reassembles. This resolution, it will be remembered, Dassed the House toward the clcse of the extra session, upon the President's recom- mendation. It was not reported to the Senate, es the finance committee had its hands full with the tariff bill, and there Was an indisposition in the Senate to enter Upon financial discussion, which would pro- long the session of Congress. The Proposed Commission. The resolution provided in part; “First—That the President is hereby au- thorized to appoint a monetary commis- sion of eleven members, who shall be per- sons specially fitted, by experience, train- ing and study, for the consideration of subjects coming before said commission. “Second—Sald commission shall investi- gate and report what changes, if any, are necessary and expedient in our present banking and currency laws, and what further legislation, if any, is desirable rela- tive to our national banking system and our government paper currency of noter and certificates, and may in connection therewith report a coditication of existing 1 on these subjects. ‘hird—Said commiesion may take tes- timony and Hsten to arguments, in their discretion, and may require, and shall be entitled to receive information from any department or officer of the government on any matter within its or his special Jurisdiction and coming within the scope of their investigations.” The sum of $100,000 was provided for ex- penses, and it was contemplated that the commission would be ready to report to the President by November 15, 1807. It will undoubtely be urged against the passage of the resolution at this session that the duties contemplated by the com- mission have been performed by the mone- tary commission organized by the conven- tion of business men at Indianapolis and which commission has been holding ses- sions in this city during the fall. This argument will be met, however, by sce with the statement which has heen advanced froia time to time by congress men in interviews that the business men's commission could not fill the requirements ef a government comumiesion, but could be of use only as reflecting the views of a portion of the buginess community touca- ing their own interests. The President's Recommendation. President McKinley, in recommending the Passage of the resolution, said: “Our financial system needs some re- vision; our money is all good now, but its value must not further be threatened. It should all be put upon an enduring basis, not subject to easy attack, nor its stability to doubt or dispute. The several forms of our paper money offer, in my judgment, a constant embarrasement to the government ond imperil a safe balance in the treasury “Nothing was settled more clearly at the late national election than the deter- mination upon the part of the people to keep their currency stable in value and equal to that of the most advanced nations of the world. “The soundness of our currency is no- where questioned. No loss can occur to its holders. It is the aystem which should be simplified and strengthened, keeping cur mcney just as good as It {s now, with less expense to the government and the people. The*sentiment of the country is strongly in favor of early action by Congress in this direction to revise our currency laws Es remove them from partisan conten- ion.” ———o____ ARMY AND NAVY. Matters of Interest to Both Bra; ches of the United Service. The order which relieves Additional Sec- ond Lieutenant Thomas Q. Ashburn, 25th Infantry, from temporary duty with Com- pany G of the 25th Infantry at Fort Custer, Montana, and orders him to duty with Company A, 25th Infantry, has been re- voked. The unexpired leave of Lieutenant H. K. Hines has been revoked and he is ordered to the branch hydrographic office at Cleve- land, Ohio. Passed Assistant Paymaster T. H. Hicks has been ordered to the New York navy yard as assistant storekeeper. Paymaster T. Q. Benton of the navy is at 1435 K street, Lieutenant Alex. T. Dean. 4th Cavalry, is at 1736 I street on leave of absence. The Navy Department has been notified of the arrival of the gunboat Petrel at Amoy, and of the departure of the coast defense vessel Monterey from Mare Island tor San Diego. ‘The Navy Department has sent orders to the U. 8. 8. Alert, now at San Francisco, to Proceed to Brito, Nicaragua. This Place is at the western terminus of the Proposed Ni canal, and the vessel will be Kept there in readiness to co-operate with the canal commission, which is about to start for Greytown, the eastern terminus, in a few days on the gunboat Newport. —_—-e. LIKE THE PRESIDENT’S FACE. The Shadow That Fell on a White House Pillar Yesterday. A coincidence at the White House yes- terday is commented upon today by sever- al employes there. Shortly before noon one of the attaches was attracted by a shadow near the top of the northeast pitlar ef the portico. On observing it more close- ly"it assumed the form of a face, and then the outlines began to so closely resemble the features of President McKinley thet general attention was directed to the phe- nomenon, with the resut that a number of attaches and visitors saw and ndered at the shadow, which soon passed away. No serious impression was made upon the minds of those who witnessed the sight, as at that time no news had arrived as to the illness of the President's mother. Forecast for the North Atlantic. The branch hydrographic office hag sent cut the following ferecast for the north Atlantic gcean for December, as follows: “Frequent storm areas, moving from the American ccast to the northward of the British Isles. These areas are followed by ,clerkship, agency or employment, he ESO DAN WILLIAMS FREE Justice Bradley Grants Motion in Ar- rest of Judgment, DEFENDANT RELEASED FROM CUSTODY Local Policemen Are Not Deemed: Municipal Officers, TEXT OF THE DECISION Ex-Policeman Dan Wi‘liams, who was convicted in Criminal Court No. 2, last month, of the embezelement of fines col- lected by him for the District of Columbia {n the Police Court, is again a free man, Judge Bradley having morning grant- ed the motion In arrest of judgment filed by Attorneys Tracy L. Jeffords and R. Newton Donaldson, the defendant's counsel, In granting the motion ead discharging Wil- jams from custody, Judge Bradley held that the ex-policeman was not, as the indtct- ment charged, such an officer or agent of the District of Columbia es is contemplated by the statute relating to the offense of embezzlement, under which Statute Will- jams was indicted and convicted, Bowed His Thanks. Williams, who had been confined in jail since his conviction, bowed his thanks when Judge Bradley ordered his release, and quickly left the court room with his attorneys, Whether he will be reindicted ¢ cannot yet be determined. District Attor: ry Davis will, however, examine into th matter, and, {f a new indictment is possible, will secure one. The presentment on which Williams was convicted was returned while Mr. Davis’ predecessor was in cifice, The Judge's Opinion. The decision of Judge Bradley, which fully states the case, was as follows: “In the case of the United States agt. Daniel Williams, the motions which have teen filed, raising, s: they did, important questions, have necessitated some consid- erable examination of the statutes and au- thorities on the part of the court, and some delay in reaching a conclusion, owing the coneideration of the character of the offense developed by the testimony, {ts gravity and the importance to the pubile of the outcome of this motion, as well as the importance to the defendant of tts outcome. “The indictment contains seven coun each count covering a distinct offense o} embezzlement. It charges that the defend- ent at the times of the several acts was ‘an officer in the service of the District of Columbia, a body corporate for municipal purposes, to wit, a private of the police force of the metropolitan police district of the District of Columbia;’ that he was as- signed by the major of police to duty at the Police Court, to collect fines by it im- posed for violations of municipal laws, or- dinances and regulations; that the moneys embezzled came into his hands by virtue of his employment, and were moneys ‘belong- ing to the District of Columbia.’ Grounds for Motion. “The jury returned a verdict of guilty on the third count and not guilty on the others. A motion for new trial and a mo- tion in arrest of judgment were filled, and both have been fully argued." The prin- cipal ground urged in support of the mo- tion for new trial was that it appear®d by the evidence that the defendant, on the 22d day of August, 1896, paid over to the District of Columbia a sum of money on account of fines collected between June 1 and June 15, 1896, the period covered by the third count, that was much in excess of the amount of fines actually received during that period, and that therefore there was no embezzlement of those moneys. “The testimony showed that prior to the year 1896 it had been the custom of the defendant to turn over to the District of Columbia moneys collected by him for fines and penaities semi-monthly; that this custom was departed from in that year, and that instead of accounting for and paying over to the District at the end of each half month the collections made for that period, there were delays of a greater or less extent, and that for the first half of June the delay was until August 22. The testimony of the defendant's confessions, made after his arrest, was to the effect that during this period, and for some time previous, he had been using the moneys col- lected,or some part of them,for his own pur- pose and to such an extent that his defalca- tion would exceed the sum of $4,000. It ap- peared by the evidence that the money paid over to the District on August 22 was collected during that month. It was, there- fore, clear tnat, while he appropriated it to the account of June 1 to 15, it should have been acecunted for as August moneys, and that the collections of June 1 to 15 were wrongfully converted to his own use. ‘Lhe jury rendered a proper verdict upon the third count, for the fact, if such it were, that he had settled that account, and nad paid over the full amount of a previous embezzlement, would not affect the ques- tion of his guilt. Not an Gficer. “Ocher grounds of this motion are that the defendant was net an officer of the District of Columbia within tne intent and meaning of the act of Congress of Febru- ary 4, 1878; that the fines collected by de- fendant did not come into his possession by virtue of his cmpicyment as a private of the metropolitan police, and that the fines collected by h:m were not the property of the District, but in his hands were in the custody of the law. “The first cf these is also one of the grousds of the motion in arrest of judg- ment, and the others, being questions af- fe the sufficiency of the description of the offense contained in the indictment, properly belong to the consideration of that tion. motion. “The firet question presented by that motion is whether the defendant, being a private of the metro tan police force, war an officer of the rict of Columbia. ‘The statute u:der which he :s indicted, so far as it is material to this case, provides (nat “If any oucer, clerk, agent, or em- which shail come into his possession, or, under his care, by virtue of such office, upon conviction thereof, be fine not ex organization and history of the po- lice force, with an abstract of the erning said force. S Continuing, Judge Bradley sa‘d: “The District of Columbia was consti-