Evening Star Newspaper, December 8, 1897, Page 2

2 THE EVENING STAR, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1897—14 PAGES. LATE NEWS BY WIRE a Miller Holds the Lead in the Bicycle Race. HUNDRED MILES AHEAD OF RECORD Only Eighteen Riders Left in the Great Contest. Ae THE LATEST RESULTS =e NEW YORK. December 8—When the third day of the six days’ bicycle race opened in Madison Square Garden just half the number of original starters were contesting the honors. The frightful pace set by the leaders on Monday and yester- day had done its work well. Of the dozen and a half who were still straining every nerve to win fame and money it is prob- able that not more than twelve will finish out the r. Miller has a splendid lead with which to begin the last half of the contest. He was riding strong this morn- ing and covered about thirty miles in easy style between 7 and 9 o'clock. G. Rivierre, who was fifty miles behind, and the five men who were close upon Rivierre’s heels, were all in first-class shape. From this bunch it would be hard to pick the winner. France and Germany Rivals. The rivalry between the French and the German riders is one of the curious fea- tures of this great contest. Schinnecr. Mil- ler and Waller when on the track together a ‘s encourage each other and make efforts to get the better of and Stephane, while the French- men stick close together and coach each. ether in their mother tongue. Waller, al- though he has made spasmodic efforts to vain the lead he held yesterday, is not be a serious factor in the who probabiy receives more »€ the contestants, plods with terri energy. but seems un- to make any perceptible gain wien leaders. In fact. the plucky Irishman < given up hopes of winning, and. to- id that he would bet 10 to 1 on Mil- tice. the Wilkesbarre boy, showed as few signs of exhaustion as any of the old timers in the race, and held himself to- ter within easy ‘hailing distance of the ise than is During Night. ere two spills during the night ¥ morning. Miller's wheel slipped wv him as he Was about to dis- and he fell down the incline, put Was net hurt. Rivierre fell in the same without any worse result. Bea i off his waeel to the fie When picked up he was the nrst man of the rac his whe rand jay t asieep. S to fail tnere He is asic colored man, Gray, would have quit hg the migat had it not been for trainers ied upon his ke his whe early th h. urging nde at 9:15 a.m. (fifty-seven hours) ws G p of the race w Gray's trainers with on. mo an around the trac him to “ Rivierre, 941 chinneer, 88.8; Moore, > 85 Hale, Golden, S144; Enterman Gannon, n, K 7 56 Suliv Beacon, Hest Previous Record. vious record for the same Tace was $7 miles,made Washington in 189 At Miller completed his 1,000th was 1,010 miles— record at the same im any similar contest. . Was as follows: ere at 1:15 p.m. 1,06 er, Ri- laps: tephane, #40 and 6 Waller, vl4 and Golden, 865 track a A yon passed by Rice and Rivic follows 1.02: Look 4 Tre, himner laps; Bexcom, previous record for made by sixty-two hock at INSURGENTS AND CUBA aT. rmer Left Twenty-Five Men on the Picid. December 8—The Spanish mil- s here announced today that troops belonging to the mil! ancti Spiritus, provine been engaged, at the farm, with an insurgent force, un- eral Maximo ( vernment th it is furthe: insurgent camp and ammunition, and = quantity in of en gents, s it appears, nm killed on the field. s killed and three men wounc ———— DISCOVERED BY SPANIARDS. left The tw troops had two oifi- Ammunition the Cubans. eached here of the frustration tlempt to convey a store of muani- war to the Cuban insurgents just at the moment when it had apparently suc- fed. vut the middle of September a black ared near Clen- and landed a stock of ammunition ty men under the lead of Joseph rallzed Americ having t Hidden by n held in a Cuban jail for ariy a year was released by the Spanish govern last July. The expedition got infand, but a month later the Spanish au- ther discovered nearly 500 boxes of am- mn tion for Remington and Mauser rifles aied in a shallow creek and carried town, HER COND! TION GED. Mrs. MeKinley Still Unconscious and Growing Weaker. CANTON, December &—Mrs. Me- Kinley was resting quietly when the doc- tor called this morning, but was materially weaker than she was duging the greater part of yesterday. She rested very weil Guring the fore part of the night, but, as been the case nearly every night since sickness began, she grew restless dur- ing the small hours of the morning, and seemed to be failing quite rapidly. She has been unable to take any nourish- ment, the last having been taken soon after noon Monday. She has shown no evidence of consciousness or recognition of those about her since the greeting she exten:led to the President and Mrs. McKinley and those who came with them yesterday. ‘The President remained at the bedside of his mother until about 6 o'clock this morn- ing, when he lay down for a little sleep. He was up and in the sick room early in the forenoon, however, and is devoting Ohio, citizen, who | nearly every moment to attending to his mother. The doctor's announcement on-leaving the house this morning was that the patient was perceptibly weaker, but that she might survive the day: he could, however, give no strong hope of such a result. At 11:30 today it was stated by Mr. Ab- ner McKinley that there had been no de- cided change in the condition of his moth- er, save he thought he saw indications that she had grown weaker since the early morning hour. = The President has been near his mother all morning. No plans to the length of his stay have been made. OUR FOREST TREES Sixteenth Annual Meeting of American As- Facts Shown in the Report of the Executive Committee—Prominent Members Present. The American Forestry Association held the first session of its sixteenth annual meeting at the Cosmos Club this morning. The meeting adjourned at 12 o'clock, the memoers of the association going to lunch at the Hotel Wellington, at the invitation of the local members. The afternoon ses- sion began at 3 o'clock, and officers will be elected before adjournment this afternoon. Gen. Francis H. Appleton of Boston pre- sided over the morning mecting and aeliv- ered the opening address. The main part of the time allotted to the morning session was devoted to hearing reports of various committe2s and passing a resolution com- mending Gov. Black and the legislature of New York for the liberal policy dispiayed in the appropriations for the extension <f the state forests. The report of the executive committee, which was read by Dr. B. E. Fernow, chair- man of the association, and who is aiso chief of the forestry division, Department ef Agriculture, contained matter of. much interest to those whose sympathies are en- listed in behalf of the forestry movement. it was, in brief, as follows: Little Progress. “During the preceding year there seemed to be little tangible progress in the forestry movement, but in reality there was a quiet Lut determined interest making itself feit in all sections of the country, and the work of past years hs in many directions. and marked progress has been made during the past year. ‘the subject of federal legislation, which has occupied the attention of the association for the past ten years, is naturally one of great interest. President Cleveland in- creased the existing area of unmanaged forest reservations, to twice its size. ‘Ihe new reservaticns were annulled in a ciause inserted in * sundry civil appropriation bill, but did not become a law, as the P ident refused to sign it. In the Fifty-tifth Congress, extraordinary session, the amend- ment prepared by this committee was in- troduced in the Sonate, and, atter some changes, was attached to an appropriation of $150,000 for a survey of the re: ations: and was passed with the proviso: ‘That the lands embraced in such reservations (those laimed and annulled) not othe se disposed of before March 1, 188, shail agair become subject to the operations of aid orders and proclamations as now ¢x- or hereafter modified by the Presi- dent “The United States geological survey entered upon the survey of reservations, with the view of securing a more careful delimitation of the reservations in di pute. The general land office is attem ing to carry out in part the provisions of the administrative clause. If the forest fire legislation passed by the Fifty-fourth Congress, providing penalties for careless tiring of public timber lands, a most important step s appropriated this year one million dollars toward in- creasing its holdings in the Adirondacks. Pennsylvania has voted the purchase of three 16,000-acre reservations on the w: sheds of three river systems, and has made frovision for increasing these holdings by lands forfeited for non-payment of taxes. Pennsylvania has certainly made the most rapid strides in forestry, owing to pcr- sistent propaganda by its state forest com- wissioner and the State Forest Association, supported by its journal, Forest Leaves. Treasurer's Report. The report of the treasure read, and showed qui the credit of the as tary’s report showed membership, altoge ‘on is in @ flourishing cond good work may be expected then was surpl he si a larg ation large inert her, the owia- ion, and much the coming oo meeting were Associa- le of Los commerce ations for the summe: ved from the Stdte Fe { Florida, the bo, Cal; the chamber a, Neb., and the nee of Boston. In rciation will hold its of Association for all probabil | suramer meeting in Boston, and at the con- clusion of the sessions make a tour of the White mountain forests, under the a of the New Hampshire Forestry As- the association has in contemplation the publication of a monthly journal, to be known as the Forester, and devoted solely to the dissemination of forestry ideas and information. Among the prominent n in attendance H. members of the at the meeting secretary of the try commission; Wai the vice president of the association; Col. William F. Fox, superintendent of the state forests of New York; Gifford Pinchot of New Moses, rs New Hampshire for ren Higley of New York city, York, John Gifford of New Jersey, editor of the Forester, and Prof. B. Fernow of the Department of Agriculture; Fred- erick H. Newell and Harry Gannett of the United States geological ‘surve: Whittlesy and Edwin A. Hower: city. Geo. B. of this ee COMPLAINTS INVESTIGATED. Seeretary Gage Inquire Into the Justice of Clerks’ Claims. Secretary Gage established the policy in the treasury of investigating complaints of clerks as to small salaries, etc. The Secre- tary held that a dissatisfied clerk is not preductive of good work, «nd instructed the ofiicials under him to be careful in as te ig whether there was basis in the complaints made. A few days ¢go nine lady clerks employed at tracing in the draughting division of the office of the supervising architect complained collec- tively that their salaries were too small and work too hard, and asked for an in- crease No immeiiate attenzion was given to the complaint, but yesterday afterncon, about twenty minutes before closing time, Assistant Secretary Vanderlip walked down to the office to make a personal investiga- tion of the dissatisfaction for the purpose of passing upon the complaints. He found that two of the nine clerks had gone to their homes, five were preparing to do so, and were not at work, and only two of the nine were at their desks. The result is that pending a decision tne two clerks who had gone home have been suspended, and the five will probably be disciplined in The gold reserve at the treasury today reached the sum of $158,191,669—the largest amount since August, 1890, when it had touched the total of $185,897,581. Treasurer Roberta said today that he thinks the gold reserve will continue to increase. He sees no reason why there should be a decrease. ‘The country, he says, is in excellent shape as to its foreign balances. ©. Senator Platt’s Friend Chosen. The Secretary of the Treasury has re- ecived the resignation of Maurice J, Pow- ers as shipping commissioner of the port of New York, and has appointed J. M. Dickey to fill the vacancy. Mr. Dickey is a political friend of Senator Platt and Rep- sentative Odell, and was mentioned for several of the positions which were filled by the President some time ago. The po- sition pays $5,000 a year. Invites a Conference. . Commissioner Wight has issued invita- tions to a number of people interested in charitable work to f agp at his office to- morrow afternoon for the purpose of dis- cussing the distribution of funds for char- itable purposes during the present winter. at length brought fruition } | date HAIT! WAS HUMBLED Official Report Made to Berlin of Monday’s Incident, |FUSILLADE AT PORT AU PRINCE ‘United States Has a Similar Claim Against Peru. PRESSING FOR SETTLEMENT BERLIN, December 8.—The official ac- count of the collection of an indemnity from Haiti, accompanied by a salute of the German flag at Port Au Prince Monday, Says that after the ultimatum of Germany had been delivered to the Haitian govern- ment the German cruiser Stein cleared for action, and took up a position close to the Haitian war vessels. A diplomatic request for delay in the ex- ecution of the ultimatum was refuse.l, and half an hour before the expiration of the stipulated time all the demends of Germany were conceded and the sum insisted upon as an indemnity ($30,000 io be paid to Herr Lueders) was on board the Charlotte be- fore 4 p.m. The Haitian government's let- ter of apology to Germany arrived shortly afterward. Fasillnde at Port au Prince. PORT AU PRINCE, December &.--There was a lively fusillade here at 11 o'clock last night. No damage was done. News at State Department. The Secretary of State has received a cable message from United States Minis- ter Powell at Port au Prince, saying that Haiti has acquiesced in all the demands of the German government in satisfaction of the Lueders incident, and to that extent corroborating the press dispatches of recent events in the harbor of the Haitian capital following the arrival there of two German schoolships. As stated in yesterday's Star, the officials of the administration recognized the right of Germany in this instance to enforce its demands upon Haiti in any way short of the actual seizure of territory. Haiti was given notice that if the demands of Ger- many were not complied with within eight heurs, Port au Prince would be bombarded by its warships and the United States gov- ernment, tacitly, at least, acquiesced in the bombardment ir case of non-compliance with the ultimatum. Administration Criticised. The attitude of the administration in this case is bei:ig severely criticised in certain circles as a recognition of the right. of another government to resort to force in behalf of its citizens, while at the same lime, it is asserted, It never attempts to exercise the same right in behalf of its own citizens who may have been insulted or treated with contumely in a foreign Janda. ‘The case of Victor McCord is cited as a case in point. That case has already been pending twelve years, and appears to b very little nearer settiement than it ¥ when originally brought to the attention °f the State Department. McCord is an Am ican engineer who was employed on a Peruvian railroad during an insurrection in that country twelve years ago. On one occasion the insurgents seized a trair of which he was in charge, and com- pelled him by threats of death, in case of refusal, to take the train to a designated point. When the insurrection was subse quently suppressed, McCord was arrested and imprisoned, and was only able to ob- tain his release by the payment of about $40,000. This government has all along held that he had been unjustly treated and was entitled to damages. Pressing for Settlement. Acting under directions from Congress, the State Department has been pressing upon Peru for the settlement of his claim for illegal arrest and imprisonment, and a short time ago the department demanded the immediate payment of an indemnity Peru is not disposed to make ppt as an act of grace to thorities will it that zestion attic chann » of the adn us keen dragging along in however, until the istration is well nigh 1. The case {s still further compii- a complaint made to the State rtment tcday that McCord, who is in Peru, is the subject of coercion and daily in receipt of threatening letters de- manding that he relinquish his claim against Peru cr leave the country. One ot the letters to him fixes December 25 as the of his execution in case he refuses to leave the country. His personal satety require compliance with these de- aes THE YANTIC AT DETROIT. Possession of the Michigan Naval Militia, ‘The old Yantic arrived at Detroit about 1 o'clock this morning and thus completed her novel journey through the great lakes and connecting canals. She is now in the rossession of the state of Michigan and will be used by the navai militia of the state. The United States government maintains several man-of-warsmen aboard the ship as shiphcepers, to make sure that the Yan- tic Is properly cared for, but otherwise she will be completely at the disposition of the state of Michigan. Her engines are said to be in fair condition, as was shown by the fact that she made'a remarkably quick voyage home to the United States from South America. When her hull is restored to its original shape, she will doubtless be fit for pi tice cruising with the naval mi- lida, which will thus be more fortunate than most of the other state naval organi- zations, which possess nothing more than unserviceable hulks or monitors that can- not be moved. wo in Se BELT RAILWAY HEARI Question Whether or Not the Rond Shall Be Sold. A hearing was had this afternoon be- fore Judge Cox, Equity Court No. 1, in- volving the questions whether the Belt railway shall be sold, and, if so, whether by the trustees under a deed of trust in its entirety or in parcels; also, how the funds shall be distributed, the court to determine what creditors shall have pri- ority over the bondholders, and whether or not the receiver shall be permitted to borrow money on certificates of indebted- ness. ‘The hearing occurred on a cross bill filed by the American Security and Trust Com- pany, reysesenting the bondholders of the railway company, asking a sale of the road and a settlement of priorities. ‘She reading of the papers in the case oc- cupied several hours. The arguments were begun late this afternoon, and it is expect- ed they will be concluded prior to the ad- journment of court today. Judge Cox, it is thought, will not an- nounce his decision in the matter for sev- eral days. The Belt Railway Company and Receiver W. Kesley Schoepf were represented at the hearing by Attorney John Ridout, Messrs. Nathaniel Wilson and A. B. Brown looked after the Interests of the American Secur- ity and Trust Company; Attorney A. 8. Worthington was present in the interest of the bondholders; Attorney S. T. Thomas looked after the interests of S. S. Daish & Sons, and Attorney J. J. Darlington rep- resented M. Ament & Company of Balti. more. It {s claimed that the Belt Railway Company is indebted to Daish & Sons and to Ament & Company for goods received. ———————— GOVERNOR’S VETO SUSTAINED. Anti-Foot Ball Legislation for Geor- sia is a Dead Issue. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. ATLANTA, Ga., December 8.—Gov. At- kinson’s veto of the anti-foot ball bill was sustained by the house this morning by unanimous vete. Only two weeks ago the house passed that bill with only three gis- senting votes. Anti-foot ball legislation 4s dead hereafter. NOT READY TO TAKE IT UP| THE FIRST ATTACK Consideration ofthe Hawaiian Annexation Treaty Postponed. Peery Poll of the Sthate om the Question— Work of the Opposi- oa ot as 3 rs pinks “xe Senator Davis; chairman of the foreign relations committee, says he is not yet ready to with the Hawaiian an- nexation tyeaty and cannot now fix a time when it will be taken up, although he thought it would be considered before the holidays. Advantage of Delay. The delay decided on in taking up the Hawaiian treaty will give more time for a fair consideration of the matter by sera- tors who are in doubt or the question, and will enable the friends of annexation to determine exactly what is the best course to follow in the matter. It is a question whether it would be best to consider the treaty tn open session, and also as a mat- ter of policy and economy in time whether the treaty should be proceeded with or whether the annexation should be sought by joint resolution. These questions have Ss be determined by the friends of annexa- jon. Another important consideration is that delay will give time for a full development of the fact that the sugar trust is the party most immediately interested in the opposition to the treaty, and that its agents are engaged in an active lobby against the treaty. This ts, of course, apparent. now, but from present indications it is probable that the great activity of the agents of the trust in the matter will become almost a public scandal. It is quite certain that many who are in dcubt as to what stand they will take with respect to the treaty, and some who are row inclined to oppose it, will be disposed to resent the presence of a sugar trust lobby, and will favor the treaty when they become satisfied that the arguments fur- nished against it are manufactured by agents of the trust. The fact that Mr. Gorman, whose par- tisanship no one questions, {s in favor of the treaty is a great handicap to those democrats who are trying to make a party question of the treaty and to line up all democrats in opposition to it. Mr. Gor- man is recognized as the best politician the democrats have in the Senate, and his po- sition in favor of the treaty, though he may not take an active interest in the matter, is likely to carry weight with some of the democrats who are now in doubt. The Attitude of the Senate. The present poll of the Senate on the question is 54 in favor of the treaty, 19 op- posed and 16 in doubt. It is hoped that by next week enough recruits can be got to insure the ratification of the treaty. If this hope is disappointed, they will proceed with the consideration 9f the Morgan bill for annexation, and endeavor to pass it through both houses of Congress as speed- ily as possible. The opposition is doing all that js possible to back-cap this proposi- tion, and the-House is being worked upon by the sugar, trust as earnestly as is the Senate. The Speaker's. Position. Much ts being made of the fact that ker Rged ig opposed to, annexation, und this isiused as an argument that notn- ing can be Moné‘in the House. The fact is, however, that My. Reed's opposition is not apt to be ynore..perious to the annexation than that of any: other man of prominence, as it will vertaimly not extend to the use of his official power to prevent annexation. It is with Kim simply a matter of personal opinion and-wiltsnot be enforced as a mat- ter of party potty would be, by the Speak en's power! 3 The opposition! in the House will come chiefly from democrats and populists, ana while there is some republican oppositioi little doubtits fit that a considerable ma- jority of the House will vote for an annex- ation bill’ if} it Necomes-necessary to deal with the qacstion in that way. +L st we § CE. ervice her. A paper was circulated in the Hou: Representatives today with a view to bringing about a conference of those mem- hers favoring,a change in the present civil service system. The paper ¥ handled by Representative Pearson of North Caro- li The purpose, it is understood. is to make the conference non-political in char- acter, and to extend it outside of the mem- bership of the civil service committee, Some of the men most active in urging revision of the law are not on this com- Gen. Grosvenor of Ohio is among He approved the plan of a confer- of those interested in the subject, and it isikely to be held at an early day. THE ANACOSTIA RAILWAY. Bil Introduced to Authorize a Change of Motive Power. Mr. McMillan today introduced in the Senate, by request, a bill to authorize the Anacostia and Potomac River Railway Company of the District of Columbia to change {ts motive power, and for other purposes. The company is authorized to substitute the underground electric system for horse power upon its trunk or main line, beginning at the Washingion end of the Navy Yard bridge, along 11th street east to G Mreet south, along G street to 4th street east, along 4th street to E street south, along # street to Canal street lanog Canal street to B street south, along & street to iff street west, along 3d street to Missouri avenue, along Missouri avenue to 6th street west, along 6th street to B street north, along B street to ¥th street west, along 9th street to G street north, along G street to lith street west, along lith street to E street north, along E street to yih street west, chence returning to the Navy Yard bridge. This change is to be made within one year trom the approval of this act. —+e- THE GOOD TEMPLARS. Grand Lodge of the District im An- nual Session. 3 The Grard Lodge of Good Templars of the District of Columbia convened in the lecture room of the Mt. Vernon M. E. Church South this morning at 10 o'clock in its thirty-second annual session. Grand Counseior Jesse “C. Suter presided until the arrival of Grand Chief Templar Al- bert KE. Shoemaker, who was unavoidably absent when the meeting opened. ‘The following grand officers were present: Jesse C."'Sute¥, grand counselor; Miss Edith Hoffman, rand vice tempiar; 8. W. Russell, grand superintendent of juvenile temples; Amhur;W. Campbell, grand sec- retary; John C.,Daley, grand treasurer; R. A. Dinsmore, grand guard. ‘Pro tem @ppesytmeuis were made as fol- lows: Grant mggshal, Mr. H. E. Warren of Takoma; gtand,feputy marshal, Mrs. C. A. pnyder; grand assistant secretary, Mr. John C. Mgorg;,grand sentinel, Wilbur #. McDaniel. The chait appointed as a committee on credentials Arthur W. Campbell, Mrs, A. i. Shoemakergutd Edward H. Jones, and this bedy nubile its report to the meeting after a shdft ifitermission. "Phe Grand Lodge degree wis then con- ferred upom® Bedtie Frame, Maud Jamison, Ethel Flypa, Blanche Neff and L. H. King and Mr. 5g He:Barnes. Mrs. L. H. King was a former grand vice templar of the D:s- trict of Columbia, and was received back into the Grand Lodge and invested with ail of her former honors. The reports'of the grand chief templar, grand secretary, grand treasurer and grand superintendent of Juvenile Temples, re- spectively, were then read and referred to the proper committees, At 12:30 the Grand Lodge took a recess o'clock. Opening the Fight <i Merit System. GEN. GROSVENOR AND THE PRESIDENT Representative Brosius Speaks for the Committee. CHANGES IN THE —____e—____ ‘The debate on the civil service in the House yesterday afternoon attracted con- siderable attention. It was the first move in the direction of an assault upon the civil service system, which, ag is well known, certain politicians will attempt. Gen. Grosvencr led the attack yesterday. Gen. Grosvenor is supposed to be a friend of the President, and some people have even gone to the length of supposing that he might be taken es a reflector of the President's views. It was demonstrated yesterday, however, LAW H. V. Johnson (Ind.), “Mr. Speaker, I cannot keep my seat.’ that Gen. Grosvenor is not the mouthpiece cf the administration on the floor of the House. He made a direct issue with the President on the civil service policy and definitely and unmistakably announced that ne had parted company with the admin- istration in this matter. Mr. Johnson's caustic rebuke of Gen. Mr. “We ask nothing more and wil than the change in this law!!!! Grosvenor— take nothing less Grosvenor was published at length in yes- terda: ar. The remarks of Mr. Brosius of Pennsylvania were not published at that e, but are given today. Mr. Brosius said: “L will say to my friend from North Csrolina (Mr. Pearson), who is a me: of the committee on reform in the civil service (and I congratulate the committes vpen having him as a member), that that ecmmittee will carefully and dispassionate- ly consider every measure that may be referred to it relating to this subject. There are already se’ such bills, and the conmitiee will dispose of them as speedily 2s they can, and such bills as they decide to report to this House will come beck, I trust, at an early day and go upon the calendar for consideration by the House. “But, in the meantime, I want to sug- gest to my distinguished friend from Ohio that the President believes, with a great meny very intelligent American citizens, that the whole administration of the civil service law now upon the statute books is an executive function, that it does not require the interveniion of legislation at this time, that any errors that may. have been committed by executive action in the past can be rectified by executive action in the future. “Any improper extensions of the system or of the rules made heretofore by execu- tive order may be modified by executive or- der in the future. The President says with great distinctness that when he discovers that any mistake has been made by pre- vious executive action, he will speedily cearect it. So that, in the absence of any request from the executive branch of the government, it seems to me, while I admit the power of the House in the premises, The Tableau Which Followed. that any legislative action would be a mat- ter of some delicacy, and might be regarded as an Imdignity to the President of the United States and the executive branch of the government. “That, however, is a matter of taste, which I do not care to discuss. My point is—and I state it now that my distinguished friend from Ohio may have ft in mind— that the President of the United States, in my judgment, ts right in believing that the executive departments of this gevern- ment are capable cf administering the civil service law, capable of correcting any er- ror committed in the past, and of making any modifications in the classification that may, from the experience of the adminis- trative officers of the government, seem to be necessary. “Therefore, while they are making no request for legislation, while they who are . Mr. Walker Wants to Know Why. responsible for the administration of the civil service of the country are satisfied with the law as it stands, cognizant of the fact that they can make any corrections that experience may suggest for the bet- ferment of the service, I agree with the President that it is better to allow the matter to remain subject to executive ad- ministration and correction than to under- take now, after the lapse of all these years, either to repeal the civil service law or to make any material modifications in it. It is not my purpose at this time to enlarge up- on the subject or to contradict the ground- less statements made by illy-informed per- sons, but merely to suggest what I regard as the better view of the subject.” ———_o-___ UNSANITARY BUILDINGS Bill for Their Sondemnation Approved by the Commissioners, for a Commission to Ex- amine Structures Deemed Unfit for Use as Habitations. The bill which provides for the creation of a commissicn for the condemnation of unsanitary buildings in the District, which originated in the central relief committee and was prepared by Surgeon General Sternberg, today received the approval of the District Commissioners, and by them it will probably be soon forwarded to Con- gress, The bill provides that the senior assist- ant to the Engineer Commissioner of the District, the health officer and the inspec- tor of buildings shall compose the commis- sion, with jurisdiction and authority to examine into the sanitary condition of all dwellings in the District, and if, in their judgment, they find the same unfit. for human occupation, by reason of defective ventilation, damp walls, leaky roofs, im- perfect drainage or general decay from diiapidation, or because they are in a filthy or offensive condition, to condemn the same and to require the occupants thereof to vacate within thirty days from the order f condemnation. Commissioners Shall Give Notice. Before proceeding to condemn the said Commissioners shall give notice of ten days to the owner to show cause why the build- ing should not be condemned, such notice to be personally served in the case of resi- dents and by publication where the owner is @ non-resident. It ts made unlawful for the owner of any condemned building to allow the same to be again occupied after thirty days from the date of the order of condemnation, and the police shall eject any occupant who shall not vacate the premises at the expiration of the said thirty days. When the owner of a condemned building shall make such changes or repairs, in th opinion of the commission, remedies th ditions which led to its condemnation the commission is authorized to cancel the order of condemnation; provided, that buildings of wood, having an assessed value for taxation of not less than $400, which have been condemned, shall not again be occupied, but shall be demolished by the owner thereof within a period specified by the commission; and if the owner fails to do so, the same shall be demolished under the direction of the District Commission- ers, the cost thereof to be assessed against the premises on which the building was situated, and the tax to be collected in the same manner as other taxes are collected. Penalty for Violations, Any person violating any of the provi- sions of the act, or aiding or abetting in violating the same, shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than $10 or imprisoned in the work house not more than five days for each day during which such violation continues. The bill provides for the appointment by the District Commissioners of an inspector, at an annual salary of $1,200, whose duty, among others, shall be to examine into the sanitary condition of all dwellings in tae District, and wherever the same are found to be unfit for human occupation, to report the same to the commission. The bill also provides for an appropriation of $10,000 to execute the provisions there- of, one-half of which appropriation shall be charged against the revenues of the Dis- trict. —_—_——_ WITHDRAWING THE GREENBACKS. Republicans Claim That Desired Leg- islation is Not Necessary. The conclusion has been reached by some of the leading republicans of the House that legislation will not. be neces- sary to authorize the Secretary of the ‘Treasury to withhold from circulation, ex- cept when reissued for gold, greenbacks that have been redeemed in gold. Though the President asked for legislation to au- thorize this course, it is thought that he can do it just as well without authoriza- ticn whenever the revenue is sufficient. A prominent republican of the ways and means committee stated today that this Was the case, and that it was probable that there would be no attempt to secure the legislation the President suggested. In- stead of that, he said, the committee wouid probably endeavor to secure more revenue 8o as to enable the President to handle the matter without any special authority from Congress. It is certain that the tariff law is not now producing sufficient revenue, and what it will do in the future is largely specula- tive. There is sufficient money in the treasury to make up for some time to come any deficiency of revenue in meeting the ordirary expenses of the government, but a steady and certain abundance of revenue is nezessary to enable the Secre- tary of the Treasury to hold in the treas- ury the greenbacks that are redeemed. A policy of cutting down the expenses of the government, without regard to the estimates submitted to Congress is being urged, and has the approval of the admin- istraticn. The policy of the departinent is to save every expense possible and to try to reduce the deficiency to a minimum. While the responsible managers will nat- urally co-operate in such a policy it will cause dissatisfaction among the rank and file of Congress, and there is a strong sen- timent in favor of doing anything nec>s. sary to produce sufficient revenue at once without regard to what the present tariff law would do in course of time. The mem- | # ber of the ways and means committee above quoted said that he thought that considerable more revenue would be raised by legislation with respect to the internal revenue system. _o--—____ WANT DIVORCES. Marriage Was Not a Success in These Cases. Suit for divorce was instituted this after- noon by Virginia Fowle against George A. Fowle, the wife explaining that she was married to the defendant at the vestry of Epiphany Church, this city, April 25, 1892. She charges cruelty and unfaithful- ness. Mrs. Fowle asks the court to allow her alimony, counsel fees and permission to resume her maiden name, Virginia Tay- lor. J. J. Wilmarth is the solicitor for the petitioner. Petition for divorce was also filed this afternoon by Nettie E. Staples against Fauntleroy M. Staples. They were mar- ried in this city, it is stated in the petition, August 8, 1894, and lived together until May 16, 1895, when, Mrs. Staples charges, her husband deserted her without cause. In addition to a divorce Mrs. Staples asks authority to resume her maiden name of Mills. She is represented by Attorney Berry S. Minor. FINANCE AND TRADE Sharp Break in Sugar on Wall Street Today. ——_—---—-—_ DUE 70 THE DIVIDEND DECLARED Granger Shares Held their Own--- Demand for N.P. Bonds. ee GENERAL MARKET REPORTS Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. NEW YORK, December 8.—Transactions on the stock exchange today were a rm tition of yesterday with Sugar monopoliz- ing the greater part of the trading, and with prices continuing their upward move- ment, except for a break in Sugar, which caused some realizing In the entire list The decline was very slight, however, and although Sugar continued downward the rest of the market improved over yester- day’s figures. There was a noticeable weakening among the large buyers today, and, although the market was better in point of value, there was not that snap to it which is encourag- ing to speculators. That prices are a dis- appointment ix @ fact, and the realizing so noticeable after a small rise fllustrates the lack of dependence in prices. The first prices were made at an advance, after which there was some realizing on account of the rapid decline in Sugar but the tendency of the traders was b ish, and prices rallied y ery quickly. London aiso bought in the early trading, principally St. Paul. In spite of the realizing, prices, with few exceptions, are higher, On the report that Sugar would only pay its regular dividend of 3 per cent. the stock sold off very rapidly today and succeeded in losing its advance of yesterday and oring a decline. ‘The initial quotation ~14#2—was the highest for the day, after Which it declined to 140%, when the regular dividend announced and the price got better, The recent reports regarding grain and cotton caused the Grangers and southern stocks to continue upward, particularly the low-priced cotton shipping securities. The preferred stock of the southern road ad- vanced over a polut on some buying by a very large house. Northern Pacitic spicuous by its str today and vanced much closer to 60. The s of the Northern ifle road ar sought after at present, the bonds company being the feature in that mar! The bond market was again very active and a further advance made in all good securities. Some more good buying caused a further rally previous to the close, with the last quotations showing a gain over yesterday. —__ 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, members New York stock exchange. Correspondents, Messrs. Moore & Schley, No. 80 Broadway. 8: American Spirits... Cee American Spirits,pfd... 90 $14 2% lig American Sugar... "> 14435 14435 140 American Sugar, us us American Tobacco. 864 American Cotton Oil 6 Atchison . ct Balumore 12% Bay State Gas... 6 Canada Southern. -.2.. ~ Canada Pacific... ea Chesapeake & Ohio. 72° B24 C..C. C. & St. Lows. 8535 chicago, B. & Q.. Chicagoa.nortnwestern, Chicago Gas C. M. & St. Pant. Cc M. & St. Paul, pt Chicago, RL & Paci Chicago, St. Paal, M.£0 Consolidated Gas Del. Lack & W Delaware & Hudson Den. & tio Grande, ptd General Fectnie Dihneis Centrai. Lake Shore. Louisville & Nashvilie.. Metropolitan Traction. Manuattan Elevated. Michigan Central Missouri Pacigie. National Lead New York € Northern Pacific... . Northern Pacitle, pfd Ont. & Western.’ Pacitic Mau... Phila. & Keading’ Poliman P. C. Co Southern Ky., pfa Phila. ‘Traction ‘Vexas Pacitic ‘Tenn. Coa: a iron. Union Pacitic......1 C.S. Leatner, pid. Wabash, pid... Western Union tel sliver... Washington Stoek Exchange. Sales—regular call—12 o'clock m. 1, 8. Electr Light bonds, $300 at 102. Was: 46%. U Electric Light, 100 Tat 106; 5 at 106. oma: Fi 3. Mergenthaler Li . WO at 144; YO at 1agig, 10 at ia oat L8G; 10 at 14%: 10 at 143%; 10 at 143: 10 at 1 at 143; 10 ‘at 142%; 10 ar 142%; 2 10 at 142! By WO wt 1 iw atl pe, 100 at Insurance, 6 at 8. Metropolitan Railroad, re District of Columbia Bonds. , bid. 30-year fund 6s, gold, 1 is, 1 currency, 111 currency, 111 bid! 3.658, bid. Miscellaneous Bond: 1 bid. Metropolitan 126 asked. Mecrop btedness, A. ‘ates of ind s. 60 bid, |. Water stock funding, curren y. 13S n Ratlrond 5s, és, 133 1 Feiticates 120 bi oe Lil bid. . S. Blex Chesapeake and Potomac Te Me jerican Security and ‘Trust, 5s, ina. Security and Trust Ss, A. and O.. bid. American Se pid. Washington Market Company Ist 6s, 116 bid. Wasiunzton Market imp. 6s, 110 bid. Washington Market Company ext. Gs, 110 bid. Masonte Hail Association 5s, 106 bid. Washington Light Infantry Ist 6s, 90 bit, 100 asked. National Bank Stocks. Bank of Wast Merropolitan, Contra), 255) ibid, sararmers and bid. Second, 140 bid.” C.tizens’, 13 bis, 13 “pid. Capit 120 bid West End, lot bid, 106 asked. Traders’, 97 bid. Linevln, 10S bid; 110 asked. Safe Deposit and Trast C ind Trust ‘ational Safe Securit ton Safe Deposit, (Oxd Stocks. ed. Metropolitan, 67 asked. and Electric Light Stocks. Washington Gas, 46 bid, vee gee U. 3. Blectrie Light, 1055, O62, . vMicarante Stocks.—Firem-n's, 30 bid. Franklin, pita, o> bud. Corcoran, 36 ‘tomac, 64% id. Arlington, 125 bid, 150 7 Gurmancametican,, 185 bid: "Natlooal "Union, 10% 12 bid, 13 asked. Riggs, Te bid, bid, ed. «bid. : Tithe’ Laurance ‘Socks. iteal Eatate “Title, 90 bid. 95 asked. Columbia Title, 4% bid, 5% Washington ‘Title. 2% bid. District Title, 8 bid Tleproae Stocks. Pranspivanis. $8 id. Ch Potamac, : vad EI bid, asked. American Graphopbon: ferred, "10% % fe . 10% asked. Paeumatic Peter gr bid, 50 asked Miscel aneons Stocks. — Mergenthaler 1. 141% bid, 142 asked. Lanston Monotype, 10% bi 20 ‘asked. — Washi Market, 10 bid. Gre: Falls Ice, 108 bid, 112 asked. Norfolk and Was' ington Steamboat, 100 asked. Lincoln Hall, 90 asked. xEx div. 38 bid. Met Bly asked. oe Grain, Provisions and Cot) Markets Furnished by W. B. Hibbs & Co., bankers and brokers, 1427 F st, members New York stock exchange, ents Messrs, Ladenburg, Thaimann & Co., New York. BRSRY GEES