Evening Star Newspaper, December 7, 1897, Page 2

2 THE EVENING STAR, TUESDAY, DECEMBER eS 7, 1897-16 PAGES. banking laws, were to come under J diction of ways and means committee the committee on banking and currency might as well be dissolved. If it was to be shorn of its responsibilities why con- tinte it? He avowed that in the last Congress his -ommittee had been steadily disregarded. Its members had cooled their heels In the Speaker's lobby, he said, and when at last they were allowed to bring in a bill the previous question had been demanded with- t permission for debate, and he had been siowed only to address the House by unanimous consent. Mr. Cox (Tenn.), the senior democratic member of the currency committee, meied the protest of Mr. Walker. The Presi recommendations as to tional circulation, he said, were xtricably Interwoven with the proposi- lion to retire the greenbacks. if the banking and curreney committee < to do anything he submitted that its sec- Gen. Wheeler (Ala.) Not Interest ,ands should not be tied. He expressed the opinion that the object of the resolu- tion was to so divide the subject that noth- ing radical would result. Mr. Wheeler (Ala.) at this point got the floor and used a few minutes in a plea for » government armor plate plant in Ala- ami: ivil Service Law Attacked. He = followed by Mr. Grosvenor (Ohio), whe diverted the whole course of debate by a) attack on the civil service law, which w veral times enthusiastically spplauded, beth by mem ‘Ss on the floor snd spectators in the galleries. At the cutset he repudiated tne idea that oppos tien to the civil service law involve affront to the President. Congre: em red to deal with the subject the President had referred it to Cong He heartily agreed with the President “there were places in the classified s ought to be 1 am glad,” said Mr. G that far with the Pre svenor, “to zo dent, even if I am art company from him when compelled to bir says the civil service system has the sction of t opl Mr. Grosvenor declared that he had ke in touch with the sentiment of the countr that if the question were submitted to the people west of the Allegheny mountains it woukl pe buried under their overwhelm- = condemnation. His remarks in denunciation of “life ten- ure in office” were met with uproarious ap- plause in feries, in which many meinbers on the floor heartily joined. This was a government for the people and by the people, he deciared, and no man yuld be excluded from participation in xecutive branch of the government by ee -cident of birth, or the misfortune of ear lucation who was otherwise qualified. io, he said, had repudiated the civil ser- laws, which proposed to build up an class in this country. Mr. Brosius (Pa.), the chairman of the nmittee on civil service, defended the law, and the President's interpretation of 4. It was for the executive to admini s “Silver Dick” Bland Taking Notes. takes that had been made, and he thougat {ts administration shoud be left there. He ight any attempt to legislate upon the question mist be regarded as indignity to Mr. Bailey (Texas) commended Mr. Gros- ors utteran ainst building up an viding class in this country—a doc- he said. which was almost literally 1 the Chicago platform (demo- ppla it is the orm,” ejac amid laughter o: enly good feature of that ated Mr. Steele (ind), the republican side. “I am glad to relieve the other side of the total depravity,” retorted Mr. > this thrust. airman Walker Satisfied. After a sharp debate on the civil service @ estion t ker as to inake it agreeable to Mr. Wal- and others of the currency committee, © which it Was agreed to without fur division and the House adjourned. THE SENATE. invocation at the opening session of te today was delivered by the Rev. A. Berry, D-D., of Wolverhampton. He prayed th Almighty StS of n may ema- and. nation, that from this nat nate such feelings of brotherhood as would be a blessing to all mankind. Mr. Walthail of Mississi «ccedentiais of H. Des. Mississippi, to suc randler (N.H.) promptly to the werd of the ed » Which was that tor should “have and hold su his authority should be competent authority.” called attention to the ntials wer He had no wly appointed senator be in his credentials, but ne fact notgin constitu- reafter he would object to tt n of any senator whose cre- «ls Were not in proper form. Walthall said that the point rsised senator from was 3 tecanieal and nope t would not t He nse joint r . Chandler, that accredited senator was a good’ man, that his credentials were bi Hi that before the conciusion et the pres on of Congress a rule prescrib- f ite forms for all appointments upon 1 the Sens is! Mr. had to pass would be es- ed Allen (Neb.) challenged the statement ef Mr. Chandier that the credentials ot Mr. Money were not in proper form. He held that there was no prescribed form, and that there was no use caviling about the matte Teller (Col) contended that the ere als co ed more than was neces- vt jutely all that was required. Mr. Walthall asked that the oath of office lw administered to Mr. Money, as there were no objections. Mr. Money was then escorted by Mr. Wal- ‘hall to the desk of the Vice President, where he was sworn in. A ficod of bills and joint resolutions was poured into the Senate, Mr. Morrill, the senator from Vermont, having the distinc- tien of introducing the first. providing for the “gilding of the statue of Liberty on the come of the Capitol.” Among the bills introduced, the greater number of which were pension bills, was one by Mr. Quay (Pa.) for the relief of the children of a soldier of the revolution. Mr. Turpie (Ind.) asked that at 3 o'clock Friday, December 17, exercises be held in memory of Wm. 8. Holran, late a repre- sentative in Congress from Indiana. The order was made Mr. Tillman pregented a resolution, which was adopted. fixing Tuesday, January 18, Gent > Mr. Dingley modified the resolu- | at 2 p.m., as a time for memorial services for the late Jos. S. Earle, a senator from South Carolina. Mr. Pettigrew (S.D.) secured the passage of a resolution cating upon the interstate commerce commission to furnish the Senate a list of the railroad companies which have complied wholly, in part or not at all with the law of Congress providing that safety appliances be affixed to railroad cars. The resolution also calls for the number of per- sons killea by the railroads during the past year. , The contest between the friends of the immigration bil! and those who favor a prompt action with reference to the sale of the Kansas Pacific ratlroad developed at this juncture. Mr. Lodge (Mass.) moved to take up the immigration bill and proceed with its con- sideration. As soon as the import of the motion was realized, Mr. Gear (lowa) was on his feet with an objection. Mr. Lodge called attention to the fact that he had made a motion to take up the immigration bill and had not asked unani- mous consent for its consideration. Mr. Gear adverted to the importance of giving prompt attention to that part of the Presi- dent's message in which Mr. McKinley had asked that Congress confer upon the execu- tive by legislation full power to buy in the Kansas Pacific railroad. He said he would tomorrow introduce a measure conferring upon the executive authority requested. He hoped that neither the immigration bill, to which he was entirely friendly, nor any- thing else would be permitted to interfere with prompt consideration of that proposed legislation. Mr. Morgan expressed his gratification that the President had requested Congress to confer upon the executive power to act at the sale of the Kansas Pacific road in such manner as would best protect the in- terests of the government. Pending the consideration of the Kansas Pacific matter, Mr. Carter (Mont.), chair- man of the census committee, requested that the measure providing for the federal census of 1800 reported to the Senate at the last session, be recommitted to the com- mittee. To this Mr. Chandler, the author of the bill, objected, but after some explanation by Mr. Carter the bill was recommitted as requested. Mr. Lodge then gave notice that he would call up the immigration bill at the conclu- sion of the present unfinished business. Mr. Gear announced promptly that he would contest that motion Mr. Allison, in the hope, the gentlemen might reach an amicable agreement moved, at 1 p.m. that the Senate adjourn, and the motion prevailed. —__—___-e-_______ SALVATION ARMY COLONIES. he said, that FOR Commander Booth-Tacker Will Peal to Chiengo for A CHICAGO, December 7. Commander Booth-Tucker is in Chicago making ar- rangements for a mass meeting of busi- ness men and philanthropists at Central night v9 consider project for farm the American Ap- Music Hall next Monday the Salvation Army tim ts Chicagoans to take up the work begun at the Carnegie Music Hall meeting in New York c week ogo. Luther Laflin Mills and others will participate in the meeting. ————— SUICIDE OF JUDGE BUCK. Montann Justice Shoots Himself on Account of I Health, HELENA. Mont., December 7.—Judge Horace R. Buck, associate justice of tne supreme court of Montana, shot himseit through the right eye about midnight at his heme in Lenox, a suburb of Helena. He had spent the evening with a party of friends at a neighbor's house, seeming very cheerful. After chatting for a while with his family he went to his room and soon afterward the shot that ended his life was heard. His wife ran up staiis and round him lying on the floor dead. The judge had been breaking down In health for some time, and it 13 expected he was seized with a sudden impulse to end his uneasiness. He forty-four years of age. a native of Vicksburg, Miss., and a gra:tuate ot Yale. He came to Montana in 187. WANT MORE AUTHORITY. lowa Railway € pixsioners Submit ‘Their Annunt Report. 23 MOINES, Ia., December 7.—The an- nual report of the Iowa railway commis- siorers some radical ré new legislation to rehabilitate laws that have been supposed until very recently to give ample power to the commissioners to regulate rates. In the case of Barris against the Chic go, Burlington and Quincy Railway Com- pany, the Iowa supreme court decided that the rate fixed by the commissioners was ot prima facie evidence of a reasonable ‘ate, thus in effect holding that ali rates are subject to review by the courts, and gives the railway companies, the board thinks, the right to wholly disregard the commissioners’ rate. just filed with the governor, makes ommendations, calling for to BARON MOHRENH EVED. Russian A at yrernment. Paris Re- axnador ed by Hix G ST. PETERSBURG, Decemixr 7.—Baron Ven Mohretheim, the Russian ambassa- ror at Paris, has been relieved of his post, but he remains a member of the council of the empire. Perhaps the cause of the recall of Baron Ven Monrenheim may be found in the dis- patch of the St. Petersburg correspondent ef the Lon n Daily Telegraph, published on August U1, saying: he diplomatic iatrigue against the visit ident Faure to Emperor Nicholas ult, I understand, in the dismissal of Baron Vou Mohrenheim, Russian am- bassa‘lor to France, and Count Lannes De Montebello, the French ambassador to ———_ EB” TO RETIRE. “UNCLE ANS Management of Chicago Club May Go to Tom Burns CHICAGO, December 7.—The Record to- day says: Adrian C. Anson's retirement from the managership of the Chicago Base Ball Club has at last been practically de- cided upon and a means found whereby it e done satisfactorily to all concerned. teran player, captain and manager given a berth in the club whicn will carry with it few duties, but a liberal sal- ary, and which will also permit the captain, if he so desires, to branch out in the minor league busine Details of the agreement will not be given out until the Chicago captain's contract expires next February. President Hart can now go ahead and engage a manager for next season, and the man in view 1s ‘tom Burns, the ex-Colt, about whom there was so much talk during the Philadelphia meet- ing of the league. The rumors current that if Anson was released by Chicago he would probably manage Philadelphia are entirely unfounded. —— COAL MINER STRIKE. to Removal of Seales From ‘leersheim'’s Mine. PITTSBURG, Pa., December 7.—-The 500 miners employed in the Nottingham and Germania coal mines of Henry Floersheim on the Wheeling division of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, struck today because of the refusal of Flcersheim to weigh coal before it is screened, in accordance with the act passed by the state legislature last winter. Last week Judge Frazier of the county court declared the act unconstitutional, and Flcervheim at once removed the scales from the mines. A mass meeting of all the miners employed on the Wheeling division has been called for tomorrow, to consider the question of refusing to work if the other operators follow Floersheim's ex- ample. Object —__—_ Steamship Arrivals. At New York—Mobile, from London; Au- guste Victoria, from Naples. At Quecnstown—Catalonia, from Boston for Liverpool. _—— Murderer Pays the Penalty. AUBURN, N. Y., December 7.—Charies Burgess was electrocuted at the prison at 10:04 o'clock this morning for the murder ef Henry V. Whitlock, at Sterling, this county, in August, 18%, ’ TRADING STAMPS|A RAIWROAD SALE/AFTER A PLAN OF ACTION Court of Appenls Decides Their Issue is Hegal. UPHOLDS THE LOWER COURT A Severe Arraignment in Justice Shepherd's Opinion. BETWEEN BUYER AND SELLER The Court of Appeals this afternoon, in an opinion written by Mr. Justice Shepard, affirmed the judgment of the Police Court in what is known as “the trading stamp case."’ The opinion of the court, which was an unanimous one, says that, although most shrewdly planned, of the many de- vices to obtain something for nothing, the trading stamp enterprise could hardly have come more clearly within the scope of the Statute prohibiting gift enterprises, had it been well known and expressly stated in the contemplation of Congress at the time of its enactment. Further on, the court says “the Washing- ton Trading Stamp Company and its agents are not merchants engaged in business as that term is commonly understood. They are not dealers in ordinary merchandise engaged in a legitimate attempt to obtain purchasers for their goods by offering fair and lawful inducements to trade. Their business is the exploitation of nothing more or less than a cunning device. “With no stock in trade but that device and the necessary books and stamps and so-called premiums with which to operate it successfully, they have intervened in the legitimate business carried on in the Dis- trict of Columbia between seller and buy- er, not for the advantage of either, but to prey on both. They sell nothing to the person to whom they furnish the premiums. They pretend simply to act for his benefit and advantage by forcing their stamps upon a perhaps unwilling merchant, who ays them in cash at the rate of $ a thou- sund. * * * There iz not « shadow of rational foundation for the stamp com- any’s claim that it confers a benefit upon Luyers by procuring for them an actual discount.” The Cane. The case, it will be recalled, was insti- tuted in the Police Court, where Joseph A. Sperry, the manager of the Stamp Com- pany, and Gustave Lansburgh, a local merchant, were convicted of violating ihe Statute prohthiting gift enterprises, they having admitted participation in the trad- ing stamp schem They were each fined $100, whereupon they eppealed to the Court of Appeals, where the s were fully argued last month, Mr. A. S. Worthington represent ing the defendants and Messrs. §. . Thomas and A. all appearing on behalf of the Dist Ee The readers of The Star are familiar with the scheme and the prosecution of the de- fendants, and the Court of Appeals says that the defendants were lawfully convicted of an offe clearly within the prohibitive po ‘s of ingress, ¢ plea of Mr. Lansburgh that ne was convicted merely of offering a discount or premium to his customers in the giv:ng of the trading stamps to them, the Appellate Court holds, is not disclosed by the record in the case, and he must, the court a abide by the result of his co-defendant's conviction. The defendant, Mr. Lansburgh, the court further says, made himself the accomplice of the otrer in an active way in the promo- tion of the unlawful scheme of the Stamp Company. The court holds that there was no error committed in the case by the Police Court and that the judgment below must, there- fore, be ufflirmed. As there is no appeal from the judgment of the Court of Appeals in criminal cases its decision in the matter is, therefore, a final one. —_——— ARE APPOINTED. COMMITTE! Alexandrians Get Prominent in Virginia Legislature. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. RICHMOND, Va., December 7.—The house and senate committees were an- nounced today. Col. Louis Barlly of Alex- andria put on the committee on courts of justice. enator Mushbach of Alexan- 4 was made chairman of the committee on counties, cities and towns, and was also put on the committee on courts and gen- cral laws. Places —— PEACEMAKER WAS KILLED. John Reed Shot by Jim Family Row. Special Dispateh to The Evening Star. FORT GAINES, Ga., December 7.—Lum Dozier and his brother, Jim Dozier, while on their way home last night engaged in a Dozier in quarrel. Lum forced Jim to leave the buggy, while he proceeded home. Jim borrowed a mule from Peter Garri- son and proceeded to Lum’s ho. A friend of the brothers, John Reed of Texas, went out to pacify Jim, carrying a Win- chester with him. On opening the door Jim shot at him three times, two shots tak- ing effect, the first in his neck, the second in the hip, killing him. Jim escaped. es LIST DI OF HIS INJURIES, Croot Killed by Jimmy Barry. LONDON, December 7.—Waiter 00% of Newcastle, Eng., who was defeated for the bantam weight championship of the world at the National Sporting Club last night by Jimmy Barry of Chicago, died this morning of the Injuries which he received during the contest. The knock-out blows consisted of a se- vere punch over the heart, and then a crushing right-hander on the jaw. Croot remained unconscious so long that medical assistance was called, and he was re- moved to an apartment on the premises of the club. It was found that he had sus- tained a severe concussion of the brain. He never regained consciousness, and ex- pired at 9 o'clock this morning. Barry, who was arrested shortly after the death of Croot, was taken to the Bow street po- lice court. The affair has caused great excitement in boxing circles. ——— UNCH BOWL FOR THE ANNAPOLIS. w iter B pw oof Formal Presentation at the Historic “City This Afternoon. ANNAPOLIS, Md., December —The weather was all that could be desired for the presentation of the punch bowl to the gunboat Annapolis by the citizens of An- napolis, which took place at 2 o'clock this afternoon on the deck of the vessel. James M. Munroe made the presentation address, referring to historic Annapolis. Comman- der J. J. Hunker responded for the ship's officers. After the ceremony the committee, Gov. Lowndes and others were invited to the cabin, when the bowl was used for the first time. —_———_ ROMANTIC STORY DISCREDITED. No Truth Alleged Mysterious Dis- pearance of Col. Tribetta. JACKSON, Miss., December 7.—The es- tate of Colonel W. H. Tribetta, who died at Clifton Springs, N. Y., and whose re- mains were recently buried at Terry, Miss., is valued at $300,000. His friends state that he did not mysteriously disappear, nor did his family think him dead, as he sent to Indiana years ago for“his nephew, and had long since turned over his business to him. —EEE Baronet Convicted of Forgery. SAN FRANCISCO, December 7.—“Str’ Harry Westwood,Cooper was yesterday convicted on the first of several indict- ments for forgery. He was charged with attempting to cash a draft of $50 pur- porting to have been drawn by the Bank of New South Wales, limited. It was proved that no such bank existed, Clearing Up the 'fitle ‘te the Columbia and | Members im Both Wings Trying to Find Effect onthe Two Lecal Street Rafl- wayn Now Coatrolled by a Syndi- cate—A Capital Traction Rumor. As stated.in The Star, the principal mem- bers of the, syndicate that recently secured @ controlling interest in the Columbia and Maryland railroad and other railroad prop‘ erties held a meeting in this city Saturday and inspected the Eckington road, which is one of the properties acquired in the deal. Mr. John E. Searles, the well-known capitalist of New York city, who represents the largest holding in the syndicate, spent the day in the city, returning to New York on the 4 o'clock train. It is expected that another meeting will be held at the end of the present week in New York city, when the plans for managing the various rail- road properties wil be further considered. The Saturday conference was the first held since the purchase of the properties. It is claimed that the condition of the va- tious railroad corporations now controlled by the syndicate is so complicated that the easiest and readiest way of getting out of the maze and securing a clear title to all the properties will be to offer them at auc- tion. As the ownership of all the roads is practically vested in the corporation known as the Columbia-Maryland, into the treas- ury of which all the stock of the various Toads was placed, the Columbia-Maryland will be offered for saie. and will, of course, be purchased by the syndicate, which now owns the controlling interest in the stock of the various properties. Ans to the Belt Road. This transaction will not affect the pro- ceedings now pending for the sale of the Belt road, as they were instituted on behalf of the bond holders, the interest on the bonds being in default. After the proposed sale the control of the stock of the Belt road will still remain in possession of the syndicate. Recently the interest on the Eckington bonds were paid, so that after the public auction the title of that road will be vested in the present holders subject to the bonds, which is exactly the present situation. It is understood that Congress will be asked to grant to the Eckington road an extension of time in which to equip that road with the underground system, as it ig claimed there is not sufficient oppor- tunity for the new management to make arrangements for installing this system. It is also said that certain extensions will be asked from Congress for the Ecking- ton road. fe Some Current Gossip. There is an interesting bit of gossip go- ing the rounds tothe effect that Mr. John E. Searles was recently approached with the view of interesting him inthe Capital Traction Railroad Company. According to this authority, Mr. Searles was informed that the control of quite a large block of stock could be turned over to him. It is stated that this proposition either came from or was made in the in- terests of the present New York owners of the stock, and’ that the purpose was to increase the New York holdings, which, as is well known, are in hearty sympathy with the present, management. It is also said that Mr. Searles declined to invest. —_ DISTRICT IN CONGRESS. First Meeting of the Senate Com- a mittee Friday. The District committee will hold its first meeting next Friday morning, when it 1s expected work on all bills before the com- mittee will be actively begun. There is a’ vacancy on the Senate com- mittee on the District of* Columbia, which, It is expected, will he filled in a few days. The vacandy wa caused by the death of Senator Harris’ of Tennessee, and will be filled by ia democrat. Chairman Babeock of the House District committee is expected to reach Washing- ton tomorrow, accompanied by Mr. Bar- ney, the clerk’ of the committee. on RESTAURANT BAR. Sale of Wine and Beer Authorized. Wine and begr will be dispensed in the Senate restatfant as usual from today. During the iecss of Congress the sale ot all Nquors in the Senate restaurant was prohibited, and the order had not been revoked yesterday. Consequently no liquors vere dispensed in the restaurant, but yes- y afternoon ssary ‘action by » committee in charge was taken, to go into force today. The sale of liquor is strictly confined to wines and bee ees SENATE Has Been WOULD T DISTRICT ESTIMATES. Secretary Gage Favors Adoption of rrent Appropriations. It was found today in examining the copy of the estimates of appropriations sent to Congress that the Secretary of the ‘treas- ury made the. following note in connection with the District estimates: “The Secretary of the ‘Treasury being un- able to indicate the several items of the es- timates for the expenses of the government of the District of Columbia in whicn changes should be made, disapproves ot the total amount aa submitted by the Com- missioners and recommends that the total appropriation for said expenses for the next fiscal year be limited to the amount appro- priated for the current year for that pur- posi This is not the first time the Secretary of the Treasury has followed this course. It was done the estimates for 1893 and for 1895. The effect of the Secretary's recom- mendation, if adopted, would be to reduce the appropriation in the sum of $1,91 Se eas E WHITE HOUSE. AT TH Secretary Porter Received Those Who Called Today. Secretary Porter remained at the White House when the President and members of his family went to Canton last night. Mr. Porter received those who called today. One of the callers was Rey. Dr. Charles A. Berry of Wolverhampton, England. He ex- pressed regret at not having seen the Pres- ident to tender expressions of sympathy. ‘TRUE BILL FOUND. Frank Johnson Indicted for Murder of John D. Marshall. Frank Johnson, the colored tramp who shot John D, Marshall, a Maryland farm- er, early in the morning of the 23d of last August, the, wounded man dying the next day, was today indicted for murder. His trial will probalJy take place some time this month. The shootiig took place near the end of the Pennsylvania avenue bridge, Marshall being shot in the'thigh. Johnson was cap- tured a day!'or ‘¢wo later, just as he was about leaving theictty by the Long bridge. In a pistol found on him was an empty shell. in which the bullet taken from Mar- shall’s wound fittéd perfectly. _ = > Figet Cuban Petition. The first Cuban petition submitted to Congress at this session was presented in the Hcuse today. by Mr. Payne of New Ycrk. It came from twenty-nine voters of Ontario county, including the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Canandaigua, “deprecating the devastation, wholesale on sunment, starvation and slaughter in Cuba,” and asking Congress to “put an end to these inhumunities in this island by granting its inhabitants belligerent rights.” <-——____ ‘Treasury Promotion: Promotinns ere announced at the Treas- ury Department as follows: Office of the auditor for the State and other depart- ments, Francis C. Long, Connecticut, $900 to $1,000; office of the auditor for the War Department, Geo. W. Street, New York, $1,600 to $1,800; office of the auditor for the Post Office Department, Thos, B. McCarthy, Ohio, $840 to $900; Thomas Ellis, Maryland. ee ie ee ; Wm, Waring, Ohio, $1,400 to $1,600. . i Tee Basing. The Hawaiian Treaty the Matter of First Concern Among Senators—Fi- mance and Civil Service in House, Today was occupied by the Congressmen in both wings of the Capitol in trying to settle down to some plan of action. In the language of the gentleman from Alabama, they are trying to find out where they “are at.” The matter of immediate concern among the Senators is the Hawalian treaty. The fight against it is so bitter that it becomes necessary that the subject be approached with more than ordinary circumspection by the friends of annexation than at first appeared. It was reported that the Pennsylvanta senators had changed their position and would oppose the treaty, but inquiry proves this not to be true. It is true, nowever, that Mr. Hoar is opposed to annexation, and.a good many senators who were in doubt at the close of the extra session are still in doubt. The attitude of some of them has yet to be determined by the force of the arguments in debate, while it is thought that some who are doubtful will resolve the doubt in favor of sustaining the administration. The treaty is likely to gain strength from debate. The injury that has been done it has been by ex parte arguments that have been versistently pressed on the quiet dur- ing the recess, while the friends of annex- ation, confident of their strength, have been less active. Now the supporters of the administration are alive to the situation and will probably recover whatever ground has been lost At the same time, there is Sreat anxiety about the fate of the treaty, 89 large a vote being necessary to ratiti- cation. The succession of Mr. Money to Mr. George in the Senate strengthens the treaty, but it js yet to be determined whether this vote will make up the neces- sary two-thirds. Friends of the treaty will confer this evening and tomorrow members of the committee will decide upon their plans. It is likely that they will decide to go ahead at once with the treaty rather than to pro- ceed by the other method of annexation— that is, by joint resolution. Civil Service and Finance. In ihe House the bone of contention is civil service and finance. The motion made by Mr. Dingley to refer a part of the finan- clal matter of ihe President's message to the committee on ways ard means was con- strued to Indicate a determination to avoid having a lot of corflicting bills clamorous for consideration, as there would be if the matter were in the hands of the banking nd currency committee. It does not nec- arily signify that a measure will be re- ported from either committee, but if one is reported by Mr. Dingley, it will be of a con- servative character. having the approval of the Speaker and his lieutenants, and it will be disposed of with promptne: ‘The Speaker being opposed to a fr attempt at financial legislation, as it is un- derstood he is, it is probable that the ways and means committee will hold the ques- tion Gown unless some plans can be devised « te get some action out of the Senate. Representative Grosvenor led his little civil service lamb into slaughter in the House today, and made some very vicious swipes at it with the knife he nas been sharpening since last session. The law was very ably defended by Mr. Brosius, and there were many flings made at the law in sage remarks by members. All this came up on ine question of the reference of the President's message. With respect to the reference of the financial part Mr. Dingiey explained that he did not intend to take anything from the jurisdiction of the banking and currency committee, and his motion was afterward amended xo as to satisfy Mr. Walker, lea’ ing with the banking and currency com- mittee the entire banking and currency question, as ustal. It is still, however, construed to be the purpose of the managers of the House to hold this question in control, and to useless and scattering agitation, LL BE RESUMED. w The Investigation by the Senate Civil Service Committee. ‘The Senate committee on civil and retrenchment will resume investig: tlons of the practical operations of the civil service law in a few days. To a Star re- perter, today, Senator Pritchard, chairman of the committee, said he hoped to continue the investigation so that a report to the Senate night be made by January 15. He will be here during the Christmas holidays, and in order to facilitate the busi- bf of the committee wili probably take testimony throughout the holiday: AS all the testimony 1s reported stenographically absent members can avail themselves of the records of the testimony. ‘The operauon of the civil service law, as applied to the internal revenue service, will be the first subject for investigation by the committee when it resumes its session. It is expected the committee will give an expression of opinion on the question of the application of the law to deputy reve- nue collector, which is now pending be- fore the Attorney General for his opinion. Senator Pritchard is of the opinion thai the civil service law does not include dep- uty collectors in its scope, but the views of the entire committee on this subject | are to be developed. Before the investigations are over the civil service commissioners will be given an opportunity to testify and will be re- quested to give the committee a statement regarding the cost of the commission and the conditicn of the public service under civil service reform. eS = ‘EW CHICAGO'S BUILDING. Changes Discussed at a Trensury Conference. There was a conference at the Treasury Department today respecting the proposed change in the plans of the first floor of the new Chicago public iding. Secretary Gage, Postmaster General Gary, Postmas- ter Gordon of Chicago and Architect Cobb of the new building participated. It 1s de- sired to alter existing plans so that about 40,000 additional feet more of space than was at first contemplated may be acquired. Postmaster Gordon said the conference was entirely satisfactory, and that the pro- posed changes probably would be approved by all officials interested. —————— AUTHORITY SUSTAINED. District Supreme Court May Appoint United States Commissioners. The District Court of Appeals today handed down an opinion dismissing the ap- peal taken by District Attorney Davis from Justice Cole’s decision in the matter of the appointment_of United States commission- ers. ‘he effect of this opinion is to sus- tain the power of the District Supreme Court to make such appointments. United States Commissioner Mills was selected as the one upon whom to make the contest. — Democratic Caucus Called. A call for a caucus of the democratic members of the House has been issued, to be held Saturday, when a policy of opposi- ticn to the repubtican plans relative to Cuba end finance will be considered. —_-e.____ A Local Petition Presented. A petition from the Columbia Typograph- ical Union of this city, condemning the Senate and House bills making railroad ticket brokerage unlawful, was presented in the House today by Mr. Fitzgerald of Massachusetts. —_——__-o+_______ The Pension Appropriation Bill. ‘The subcommittee on pensions of the House committee on appropriation agreed upon the pension appropriation bill today, and will report to the full committee to- morrow. The bitl carries a total of $141,- 218,830. It gives $140,000,000 for the payment of pensions proper, these figures being identical with the estimates submitted by the Secretary of the Interior. For clerk hire at the various pension agencies throughout the country the bill appropri- ates $400,000, a decrease of $30,000 from the estimates. : Ma, mm One 3 od January, 138,570 a DISPOSAL OF CHARITY FUND | FINANCE AND TRADE Report Made by Thief Clerk Sylvester of Police Department, The Practice in Other Cities—Police Force a Neeessary Agent—Ni merous Depende The following statement in reterence to the distribution of charity by the police au- thorities of this and other cities was this afternoon submitted to Commissioner Wight by Chief Clerk Sylvester of the Police department: “When the situation becomes extreme during the winter season in most of the large cities the police are required of ne- cessity to aid in sheltering, feeding and warming the poorer classes. “In St. Louis the Provident Association, which affords a means for the reception of contributions of all kinds, calls into requi- sition the police when united and prompt action ts necessary to save the poor from immediate distres “Last winter the mayor of Chicago is- sued a proclamation soliciting aid, an designated the police force as a temporary agency for its distribution. In New York when the poor become helpless, especially during heavy falls of snow, all agencies are employed to rescue and sustain them. “Yet more northern cities, naturally, are more fully equipped to meet with such emergencies than Washington, if for no other reason than that they have colder and longer continued cold seasons than this locality. Neither North Nor South. “Washington is neither north nor south, with a southern nativity among residents far in excess of any city situated in a latt- tude so far north, who are largely depend- ent_upon dry winters. When the snow flies and the wind blows a large proportion of these are caught in summer clothes, as it were. Mostly col- ored, they succumb easily to the cold There are many families residing here without husband and father; widows who came here after the war: families of the men who found employment here in former years, but who have died and left them without support. There are many women formerly in the departments, now at other work, who barely eke out an existence. “In the District, though it may not be generally known, there are more female than male residents, and of all the poor re- Heved by the police in the past dozen years fully G0 per cent of the cases were t women. Police Force Employed. “The police force of the District has since its organization been used as a distributing agency for the-poor in winter. It has been established that in the course of their tour of duty policemen meet with cases of dis- tress. Strangers first appeal to them; the imposter is not apt to do so; the profes- sional tramp will not do it successfully. Familiar with’ their beats, they know the indigent, and where they live all the time where they suffer in winter time. Many of those who ask aid of them practice the asking each cold season. The poor house would not accommodate the hun- dreds of poor women with families, mothers who would rather die than be separated from their children. Sometimes these women get a little sewing, but hard times affect them. A thinly clad boy may sell a few papers to help along when the weather will per- mit him to get about, but this kind of de- pendence does not keep this class from needing and repeatedly asking for relief. “Many of the negroes depend on the dumps for fuel. The snow puts an end to that expectancy. ‘There are many young girls at times out of employment, who must pay room rent, and who provide their own food. To these add the old and dependent classes, and you make up an army of those who must have relief or starve or freeze. The Method Employed. “These are the classes with whom the police come in contact. If the applicant is not known to an officer, he learns who he is and enough about him to enable him to report for or against the cry for relief. If favorable report is made to the Heu- tenant of the precinct, the latter, if au- thorized by headquarters to aid the poor, and this depends upon the means in hand, issues an order from a record in» which he writes name, address, ete., of the per- son assisted on a stub, and the original he fills as an order on a nearby grocery or coal yard for food to the amount of say $2, and fuel to the extent of a quarter of a ton. At the end of each month the merchant to whom such orders are given renders his account against the department, accom- nying it with the lieutenant’s orders as iven. ‘These are again approved by the lieutenants and by the superintendent of police, and paid by the chief clerk. The vouchers are then forwarded to the audi- tor of the District for settlement. “When the department has but a small fund at command only the most urgent cases ure helped, where taere is sickne babies or other special reason. All diph- theria, scarlet fever 2nd contagious di ease Cases have heretofore been assisie by the police. To them the health officer and many physicians refer the poor in whose families such cases prevail. Many times the police officer, in time of sore affliction, where immediate assistance had to be rendered, put his own smali pocket money to the use of charity. Another Class. “There are other persons who avoid the uniformed officer—women and men whe would rather perish than make known their distress. A great many such come tc headquarters and make their appeals ‘quietly... There are others who never make known their troubles, who some- times are accidentally learned of or who may be discovered by some good-hearted person through the Sunday school, church or charitable association. “Where there is delicacy to be considered, the department adopts means to save the feelings of the distressed. When great snow storms prevail, and goods and provi- sions are sent to the station houses, the packages are inventoried and dealt out where deserving persons apply. A ton of coal is often dumped in a siation house yard and the poor line up and carry it away in small basket lots. “The interest on the centennial inaugural fund of $33,000 is available by the District in this connection. —————— To Reinstate Major Wham. Mr. Baker of Illinois introduced a bill in the House today authorizing the President to restore Maj. Jos. W. Wham, paymaster United States army, to duty, his former rank and status in the army. Maj. Wham was tried by court-martial in 1895 and re- duced in rank. ee Grain, Provisions and Cot: Markets Furnished by W. B. Hibbs & Co., bankers and brokers, 1427 F st, members New York stock exchange, correspondents Messrs. Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co., New York. GRaIN. Open. High. Low. Close. 285% Boa, 4 By seek -gereh * Baltimore Markets. BALTIMORE, Decetaber 7.—Flour easy, unchang- fai SS 90a Wn stthay ape 5 rel te month, 90%; Janney OORT: ay, 328, fs shels—soutaern wi any de, 92097. Corn ent sf be . firm—spot, 38a33' ;_ December, new or old, month, 82432! 56; 313032; steamer imix 4, 31a3/%—receipts, .-—— 3 stock, 411,200 bushels: 67,600 a Y we Short Covering Sends Sugar Bound- ing Upward Today. os BULL TENDENCY IN WHOLE. List —_>—__—_ London Was a Seller of Americans Because of Message. eee On en ERAL MARKET REPORTS Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. NEW YORK, December 7.—Transactions on the stock exchange today were quite active and consisted principally of Sugar, which was the leader for the rest of the market, and scemed to control the entire lst. This strength in the market was un dcubtedly due to the good feeling prodnc over wight by the President's message. which was more conservative on points of foreign diplomacy, and more of currency reform, than Wall street had an- ticipated. The opening quotations wer positive m: higher range of prices, and it soon bee: apparent that the large interests were again at work in the market from the w: ¥ prices were bid up around the noon hour. Thi caused the shorts to run and the whole market rallied. London cables reported lower prices for our stocks and a tend to sell, but this Was not reflected in the local market, which steadily continued upward. This continu selling for London account was due to the President's reference to international Wb metallism, The good feeling and tone of the early trading continued throughout the day with the buying very gooa, and the ¢ as regards speculation, entirely in the street. Sugar transactions today were the lane » time, and the price of the very materially increased. It open 142 and it soon became evident that there was a large block of shorts trying to cover, which they did, with the result that the price was marked up to 115'y continued talk regarding exira « same good buying which has be rent in the grangers of late was again very noticeable today, and these stocks continued their advance to the extent of about one point. There is plenty of good talk concerning the reurities around th street. Northwestern directors today de- clared the regular dividend of 2% per cen on the common stock and 1% on the ferred. Jersey Central continued weak today and sold off during the early trading, but the price rallied later on some covering of shorts and closed about the opening quota- tion. The reports of railroad earnings for the month of November continue more than n- couraging, and it is expected that reports of the Burlington and St. Paul roads for the same period will be enormous. The foreign exchange market today was steadier, with rates about yesterday's clos- ing. There is a fair demand, but the sup- ply, particularly of grain bills, is not as large as yesterday. The high range of prices in the market continued up to the close with the last quotations, with few exceptions, the best prices for the day. — FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL. The following are the opening, the high- est and the lowest and the closing prices of the New York stock market today, as re- ported by, Corson & Macartney, member New York stock exchange. Correspondent Messrs. Moore & Schley, No. ) Broadway. American Spirits... American Spirits. p American Sugar. American Sugar, pf American Tobacco. . American Cotton Oil Atchison eS Baltimore & Onio.. Bay State Gas. Canada Southern Canada Pacific. Chesapeake & Ohio.” C.C.C. & St. Lows. ago. B. & Q.... Chicagoan Chicago C. M. & St. - CM. & St. Paul, a. Chicago, St. Pai Consolidated Gas. Del, Lac 5 Delaware & Hudson Den. & itio Grande, pd Erie Severpece etre Mhnoie Centrai Lake Shore. 5 Louisville & Nasnviie, Metropolitan Traction Manaattan Elevated. Michigan Central.. Missouri Pacitic. National Lead iunal Lewd Co.. pl New Jersey Central... New York Centrai.. | Northern Pacitt Northern Pacitle, pf UDL & Western... Facife Man.. Phila. & keading. Puliman F.C. Co. Southern Ky., pfa. Phila. fraction ... ‘Vexas Paci : Tenu. Coa a iron Cnion Pacitie. U.3. Leatner, pf Wabash, pid. Western Unici sliver. Washington Stock Exchange. Sales—regular call12 o'clock m.— Electrte Light, 10 at 106. Riggs Fire Insura: D at 7%, Aterican 140 at Pheamati cents; Wo at rgenthaier Linotype, 10 at 144: 11 at 14 Lansion Movetype, 10 at 20: 25 at 20; 100 at 100 ai 25; luo at 10 at 20; 2 t of Columbia Bonds. W-year fund Gx, go Art ind, 8.658, funding, currency, 1S Misce.laneous Bond.—Metr pilitan Railroad & 119 asked. ropoutan Ratlroad 68, 123"bid. Metropolitan Raliroad cert inde:-teduess, certificates road Ss, 60 bis SS bk, "100 asked. Washington G. fs, series A, i1T%y I Gas Company Gs, series B) 112 trie Light debenture and Potomac ‘Tei an Security and Trust, 5 Amcrcan Security and ‘Trust 100 bid. Washington Market Comp ba. Washington Market Company imp. 6s, 110 bid. Washington Market Company ext 140 bid: Masonic H ociation Os, 106 bid. <Wash'ngton, bid, 300 sek d. a bid, asked. Central, 253 bid. Farmers and Mechanics’, Iso |. secod, 140 bid. C.tzens’, 135 bid. Colum- . 130 bid) Capital, 1. bid. bid, 106 asked. ‘raders’, 97 bid. bid) 110 asked. Safe Deposit and Trust Companies. Deposit and Trust, 120 assed. W and Trust, 120 bid, 125 axked. Ameri and Trust, 145 bid, 148 asked. Wa Deposit, Sy bid. Railroad >tocks. Capital Traction, 63% bid, 65% asked. Metropolitan, 115% bid. Columbia, G3 bid, Gat Gnd Electste Light Stocks.— Washington Gi Gas Electric i 1. — Wash 0 iol A5%6 bid. 46is asked. U.S. Electric Light, 105%, bid, 106% asked. . Insurance Stocks.—Firemen's, 30 bid. Franklin, 38 bid.” Metropolitan, 65 bid: Corcoran, 56. b Potomac, 61 bid. Arlington, 125 bid, German-American, 185 bid." National Union, bid. Columbia, 12 bid, 13% asked. Riggs, bid. People’s, "5% bid,’6 asked. Lincoln, 9 bid- Commercial, 4 bid: ‘Title imsurance Stocks.—Real Fetate Title, 90 bil, 9% ask.d. Columbia Title, 5 bid, 6 asked. Wasi on Title, 2% bid. District Title, 3 bid. *Felep.n: Stocks —Penn-ylvanin, 39 bid, 45 asked. Chesapeike and Potomac, 65 bid, 6s ase. Amerl- atonal B. West End, 1039 Lincoln, Ww7y ington Sate can Grapropbone, x9% bid, 9% asked. American , preferred, 10% bid, 10% anked. Paekmatic Gun Carriage, 60°bid. 50 asked bid, Idd acted. Lavston Monotype, is . a 2 ‘pe, asked. Washington Market, 10 bid.’ Great Fails Ice, 105 Miz asked. Norfolk and Washington Steamboat, 100 asked. Lincoln Hall, 90 asked. div. ———_e——_ Government Bonds. :)