Evening Star Newspaper, December 20, 1897, Page 2

THE EVENING STAR, MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1897-16 PAGES. * recommendation of sena- tors and representatives?” pointed upon + Mr. Evans—“That would disturb the ser- vice very much. I believe you ougnt to have a tenure of office, and every year bring in about 10 per cent of new biood. That would do away very largely with the abuse brought by some clerks staying in the service too long a time. They now get into ruts, and they do ne themselves cor the bureau justice. We ought to bring im new ideas and these coming in contact with the experience in running the bu- eau would result beneficially.” Retiring Clerks. Mr. Lodge—“I had a suggestion made to me the other day by an officer in one of the de experi- h riments with deal of in ¢ should be il serv an beards of the navy estab- war, by which means in- ence there arran, droy ped out oceasion- suggestion Was made that a_re- rd in every department could drop » of the jeasi etn- ces So made to be got to do very large man upon entering nure of office My save some waile he would work bet- ter at me.” Mr 1 was told the other day that there wes a clerk in the pension office so broke ly and mentaily that ne way to the pension otfice like that the civil int t they could not, ple were kept im of sympathetic that the influence ike a Lottery Prize. Speaking of the general scope of the civil service law, Mr. Evans said ne would just as lief run a chance of drawing a prize in the Louisiana lotiery as to get efficiency through the civil service. “I like to look a man in the face.” said Mr. Evans. “before I empioy him. And you do, too. A man may pass a splendid Civil service examination, but when you put him a sk he may be imprac- tics wh to a ¢ 1 inefficient. Lodge wanted to know whether any difficulty in removing this of clerks after they had served their ienary period, which was supposed just Such conditions, and the com- wered there was not. s continued to say that he had more than two men from the rvice eligible list since he had been in office. He said that the best clerks he had in his office had never passed a civil service examination. Smce ne took charge of the pension office he had reinstated one hundred and five oid soldiers, who were dismissed during the last administration, and in doing so he had always considered their ability to do the work as a basis for reinstatement. Mr. Evans— Mr, there Every person seems to thin's he is the best clerk in the bureau. The result is everybody wants promotien and they get their senacors and representativ and use various methods of influence secure these promotions. There are other men who hold their positions just as men hold positions in business life, and that is because they are useful. I found the same condition in the Post Office Department when I was there.” Inefficient Clerks. Mr. Lodge—“The clerks who are unable to perform their duties, I presume, are mostly old men?” Mr. Evans—“Mostly old men and ladies who have been there a good while. But there are a good many others who are nuisances in the office because they cre quarrelsome and continually stirring up strife and trouble. In removing a clerk you do not like to charge incompatibility of temper against them. But such is the fact. They are everlastingly stirring up trouble among their neighbors.” Mr. Lodge—“There is very little pressure, I presume. to get people selected from the eligible list for appointment?” Mr. Evans—“The fact is the impression is quite general that if a man can pass the examination of the civil service ccm- on he will get an appointment. For reason I have a great many people coming to me to get ‘pointments after they have passed the examination.” Favors Exemption Mr. Pritchard asked Mr. Evans if he thought al examiners in his oflice should sified. Mr..Evans replied that they should not be, in his judgment. Sometimes, he said, it is net irable that it should be known what men are special examiners. This is the Case, especially, where criminal matters ow if Mr. be medical boards id be uppointed through the commis- Evans replied at they should not. He said that a man might be efficient as ai examiner might be personally obnox- icus to soldiers and for that reason would 1 ficient. How should the chiefs of the pension office. pying the special con- ad of the bureau. I never oe advisers So far as politics rned, there is noth- clerks are cor ing in ti can change quicker than an adcninistration. [ would protect by the eivil cvice law the charwomen and la- berers i h iepartments, and I would pro- tect all clerks up to $1,400 per annum, but alove t L would let them take their I understand you would not service, but that you would 1 would not aboli. h it, but T Would limit it and reorganize it. I’ would protect t poor charwomen and the la- berers, but I would not have it cover the higher positions.” Civil Service Commissioner Procter asked Mr. Evans a number of questions. Mr. Pritchard asked Mr. Evans whether, when he went into the pension office, he had not und a book or memoranda containing the hames of employes in that bureau, and in- dicating the politics of each. Mr 1 found such a book; inher- ited it fac in Mr. Proctor : ked the witness if it would have all the chiefs of di- not be better t . pension office of varied poli- ns in the not cert y intende the think’ so. n party to that that ernment « the commissioner would place upon of the govern- Bight Yeurs' Tenure. ns said he thought eight years’ be enough, and that the time d ten yes He thought system of life tenure tend- government from the peo- #* seneration felt that in this government. He at when a man gets into a public fice now it is harder to get him out of the service than it is to get an officer out of the army. Then, too, only the officers in th 4 life re of office, while in rvice the privat are put in for of them, he said, almost defy any one to get them out. Mr. Proctor wanted to know if young men, as a rule, did not make better clerks than oid men. Bir. Evans replied that they did. Mr. re er then re rted that since tne civil service was organized the aver axe a: men who passed the examina- tions was twenty-seven years, so that the eldest clerks coming to the servic xh that means could not be over ars of age on an average. ntative Baker of New Hamp- shire was present representing the Anti- Ciwil and desired to ask Mr. Evar ins questions, which he did in a limited way. His right to ask questions tnesses will be considered by the full committee at its next meeting, and the on on that point arrived at The investigation was then discontinued until Thursday, the 6th of January. —e——___ It matters little what it is that you want whether a situation or a servant—a “want” ad. in The Star will reach the person who can fill your need. ' | | American Cotton Grower: LATE NEWS BY WIRE American Cotton Growers’ Protectiv Association in Session. LOW PRICES CONFRONT PLANTERS Prest. Lane Says 5 Cents is’ Below Cost of Production, DECREASED ACREAGE URGED —— MEMPHIS, Tenn., December 20.—The Protective As- ciation was called to order at 10 o'clock this morning by President Hector D. Lane of Athens, Ala. Many delegates were pres- ent, including prominent planters from Arkan: ‘Tenn pe, Texa: Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia and Mississippi. Imme- Giately after the delegates were cailed to order President Lane delivered an address in which he explained why the convention had been c: Ned. “Cotton today is selling at less than 5 cenis,” he said, “and this means the in- significant sum of 1) cents a day for labor of the maa who is distinctively the cotton grower. I make this statement deliberate- ly and defy a successful contradiction. Sclow Cost of Production. Continuing, Mr. Lane said: “Under pre- vailing conditions, the product of our toil is no longer adequate to our subsistence. Prevailing prices are below the cost of production. With a surplus of several mil- lions annuaily, which is an able coadjutor of the-cotton “bear,” the !aw of supply and demand has been’ displaced and in its stead interposed the result attained by this commercial fakir and flim-flam artist. “Statis s show that there has been a great falling off in speculative gambling in ‘otton futures in the last several years, consequent upon the su crops, for as the Visible suppiy diminished the power of minipulation weakened.” ea to Reduce Acreage. President Lane made a strong plea for a reduction of the cotton acreage, saying that overproduction fosters manipulation. By destroymg the annual surplus the law of supply and demand will prevail; competition will intervene, and the cost of the production of this commodity, wh! is a fair standard cf its value, will be the basis of its market price. ; After the president had delivered his ad- dress the usual committees were app: and the morning session was dev the rezeption of delegates and to orguniza- tion. Among the prominent delegates present were Gov. Eagle of Arkansas, J. W. Pratt of Huntsville, Ala.; Capt. L. W. Levesque, Arkansas; Capt. Jerome Hill, St. Louis; Col. W. W. Stone, ex-auditor of Mississip- pi; Col. Charles Scott, Mississippi, and Mc- Neil Bond, Tennessee. — EMPLOYMENT FOR THOUSANDS. Window Gla: Factories Will Start Up in January. BRIDGETON, N. J., December 20.—Fires were put under the furnaces today in the Cohansey. Cumberland, Moore-Jones win- dow glass factories near here, and it is ex- pected that the works will start up in a week or two, probably on January 2. It is expected that 2,000 persons now idle will te given employment. feats DURRANT FAMILY IMPOVERISHED. Father of Condemned Man Makes an Appeal for Aid. SAN FRANCISCO, December 20.—The father of Theodore Durrant, the con- demned murderer, says: “We have not given up the fight for my son's life. We will try to get a writ of error from the state supreme court to the United States Supreme Court. If this is denied we can go to the latter court and make application—that is, if we can raise the money—for the expenses of this long litigation has impoverished us.” —_— MR. WIGHT ENTERTAINS. Reception Given in Honor of Board of Trade President. A reception was given Saturday evening by Commi oner John B. Wight at his residence, 1767 Q street northwest, in honor of Mr. Theodore V oyes, who was re- cently elected president of the board of trade. The gathering was a representa- tive one of the citizens of the District, and there were present members of both als heuses ef Congress who have to do with District. affairs, An opportunity was afforded for citizens and members of the ature to meet in a social way, ent proved to be highly enjoy- local legis! and the € able. The guests were received by Commis- sioner Wight and then presented to Mr. Noyes. During the evening a handsome collation was served. The decorations of the tah appropriate to the Christ- ma: they consisted of holly snd red ribbon. The guests to the reception were invited for 9 o'clock, and earlier in the evening the following were entertained at dinner: Senator Cockrell, Senator Gallinger, Rep- resentative Babcock, Representative Can- nen, Mr. Beriah Wilkins, Representative S. E. Payne of New York, Col. A. T. Brit- ton, Mr. W. F. ttingly, Comm: joner Black, Mr. W. Woodward and Mr. Theodore W. Noyes. Among those present at the reception were Senator Proctor, Senator Pritchard, Jehn Addison Porter, Justice Bingham, Justice Cole, Justice Hagner, Mr. Crosby S. Noyes, Senator Pettigrew, Representativ Adolph Meyer of Louisiana, Representative John J. Jenkins of Wisconsin, Mr. H. D. Walbridge, Mr. F. L. Moore, Mr. Archibald Greenlees, Mr. 8. H. Kauffmann, Mr. A. A. Birney, Mr. B.H.Warner, Dr. A. P. Fardon, Mr. Geo. Truesdell, Mr. John W. Douglass, Mr. C. C. Glover, Mr. Frank B. Noyes, Mr. Joseph Cranford, Mr. Louis P. Shoe- maker, William G. Moore, Mr. Sidney T. Thomas, Mr. James L. Pugh, jr., Mr. E. S. Parker, Mr. B. P. Mimmack, Mr. R. H. Gunnell, Mr. Lioyd B. Wight, Rev. Dr. Teu- amlin, Mr. A. M. Bliss, Mr. George . Mr. John Cassels, Mr. Rudolph d Burr, Capt. L. H. Harries, Dr. B. M. G: . Mr. A. S. Worthington, Mr. R. Ross | Mr. Frank Hume, Col.’ Haskell, Dr. m Tindall, Mr. W. B. Bryan,’ Mr. atson J. Newton, H. F. Blount, Mr. Geo. . Hamilton, Mr. W. S. Thompson, Mr. T. Lambert, Mr. John G. Hemphill, Mr. -w B. Duvall, Mr. W. H. Rapley, Mr. Moore, Dr. W. C. Woodward, Maj. } ne, Mr. W. Beardman, Geo. W. MecLanahan, W. V. Cox and others. See Fatal Fire at Pamplona, Spain. PAMPLON Spain, December 20.—Ow- img to the destruction by fire of an asphalt factory at E i ersons have been burned to death and thirty-six have been injure: ‘everal persons are still buried in the ruins. es Count Esterhazy to Be Tried. PARIS, December 20.—It is understood that the preliminary inquiry into the charges made against Count Ferdinand Walsin Esterhazy has resulted in his com- mittal for trial by court-martial. —— Cannot Establish the Grades. The Commissioners have informed Mr. M. F. Talty of 300 M street northeast, that they cannot undertake to establish grades on Michigan avenue, from North Capitol street to Lincoln avenue at this time. The Glenwood Cemetery Company, the Com- missioners say, claims to own the portion of Michigan avenue adjoining what were recently cemetery grounds, and has for- bidden the District to use the same with- out purchase. In that connection, Mr. Talty is informed, the attorney for the Dis- trict has given an opinion that there is some ground for the contention of the company. }Am Increase THE SUPREME COUR’ The Kidwell Claim Postponed Until April 11. In the United States Supreme Court to- day the case of M. F. Morris against the United States was postponed until April 11, 1898, when arguments will be heard. This is the cose, generaliy known as the Poto- mac flats case, or the Kidwell claim. The Supreme Court postponed argument of the Laclede Gas Light Company case un- til February 21. ‘The case of the United States against the Joint Traffic Association, involving the ap- plicability of the anti-trust law to the agreement between the great trunk lines between New York and Chicago, was re- assigned for argument on February 21. The case was set originally for January %, and, as it is desired to have a full bench hear the case, a postponement was made to await action by the Senate on Attorney General MeKenna’s nomination. The Supreme Court afirmed the decision of the lower court in the case of J. J. Hu- benks, a convicted murderer of California, its decision on that in the Durrant preme Court directed the imme- issuance cf its mandate in the case of Thomas Bram, convicted of murder in M achusetis, and awarded a new trial. sue cnly after thirty ys, but the court day acted specially in the case on request of the solicitor gen- eral, who desired the mandate to go down at once, for the reason that several of the crew of the vessel on which the murder Was committed are in jail as witnesses whose testimony is wanted at the next trial. The Supreme Court adjourned for the hol- day recess; today, to convene again on the 3d of January. Before adjourning, the chief justice announced the reassignment of several cases which had been set for the 5d of January, the more important of which are the following: To the 24th of January. the Illinois tax cases, the ‘Texas anti-trust cases, the Kansas cattle quarantine cases. o INTERNAL REV 1E RECEIPTS. November Over the Snme Month in 1896, The monthly staiement of the collections of internal revenue show that for the month of November the receipts amounted to $13 n increase as compared with November last year of $1,: For the however, to have been a decrease of 12. The receipts during November last from the sevéral sources of revenue and the creases or decreases as compared with No- vember, 1896, are given as follows: Spirits, 79, increase, $814,093; tobacco, $2,- increase, $438,068; fermented liquors, ,_ $69,091; oleomargarine, increase, $70,641; filled cheese, $2 209, increase, $1,651; miscellaneous, $34,700, increase, $1,963. Assistant Secretary Howell is confident that the customs receipts this month will exceed those of December a year ago. This, he thinks, will be the beginning of the real work of the Dingley bili. Should the receipts surpass those of a month ago it will be the first month since the Dingley bill went into effect that this has been the case. The receipts for November last were $100,000 less than for November a year ago. So far this month the total receipts have been $7,365,373, against $6,850,299 for the same period last year. Treasury officials believe that January will show a large increase over the same month of a year before. It is expected that there will be heavy importations of sugar in January. there is shown SS EVERY CHARGE DENIED. F. M. Gideon Before the Senate Pacifie Railroads Committee. The subcommittee of the Senate com- mittee on Pacific railroads today heard F. M. Gideon, the attorney who was charged by J. K. Reddington Saturday with having manipulated the land office records. Mr. Gideon denied every allegation made by Reddington and insisted that there was no possibility of manipulating the records 1 the manner charged, even if he had so desired. Alex. Britton testified that the books and papers in the land office had to go through 4 number of hands and four or five di- visions of the land office, making it im- possible for any one man to manipulate them in the manner charged by Reddington. COMMITS SUICIDE. Police Notified of Denth of Thomas Hanton. Information was received at police head- quarters last night that a pensioner named Thomas Hanton, sixty-eight years old, had commiite: suicide at the Hoffman House, in Lancaster, Pa. Coroner Shank, who notified Major Moore of the affair, asked that the man’s family be found. The dead man had been on a protracted spree and ended his life by taking opium pills and inhaling iliuminating gas. When Hantonr reached Lan aster more than a week ago he was well supplied with funds, which he spent freely. Saturday night his money gave out, and as he was suffering from an attack of nery- ousness he became despondent and bought the morphine pills. Then he returned to his room and turned on the gas. He re- tired scon after midnight, and the smell of escaping gas attracted attention to the room. He was unconscious and the author- ities removed him to the county hospital, where he died last night. 2 The local police made inquiries concern- ing the old man, but could find no one who knew him. ogee MEN MAY INTERVENE. Claims of Belt Railroad Employes Recognized in Court. . Judge Cox today, in Equity Court No. 1, granted permission to Attorney P. J. Ryan, representing the employes of the Belt Rail- way Company, to intervene on behalf of the employes, in the case involving the sale of that road. Attorney Ryan intends to file a petition tomorrow asking relief for the employes, setting forth that the money deposited by the conductors with the company to insure the faithful performance of their duties should be regarded in the light of a trust fund and should constitute a prior lien, over other claims, upon the assets of the com- pany; also that the employes hold a prior claim for wages‘due, by reason of labor performed. The court will be urged as en- ergetically as is possible to recognize the rights of the employes. As near as can be estimated by the con- ductors, $1,400 have been deposited with the company them. There is due the con- ductors and drivers as wages, it is esti- mated, 0; the stablemen, $682; the change boys, $162; the hill boys, $102 watchmen, $31; the blacksmiths, $1: the helpers, 2. This is a total due the men of $5,172.40 and the sum of $4,772.40 is for wages alone. The decree of the court directing the sale of the road will be signed tomorrow in all probability. A proposed decree drawn up by counsel for the trustee representing the bondholders has been submitted to counsel for the railway company, who will examine it today. It is stated that the paper will be ready tomorrow for the signaiure of the court. ———————— DINNER FOR A THOUSAND. Movement by Salvation Army in Be- half of the Poor. A thousand of the poorest children in Washington will be given a Christmas din- ner and entertainment by the Salvation ar- my in the Center Market Hall at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, December 29. If the charitable people of Washington contribute more than is required for a thousand chil- dren the army will invite additional gues:s, if permitted, up to the limit of the hall, which will hold several thousand. Tickets will be issued by the army, with the co-operation of the Associated Chari- ties, and charitable people. Major Ashley Pebbles, who is now in charge of the South Atlantic division of the Salvation Army, with headquarters at Washington, is direct- ing the undertaking, and has laid his plans in the Hight of his experience in giving sim- ler donners in other large cities of the country. Staff Captein Noble, commanding in Washington; the other officers and mem- bers of the three Salvation Army corps, and members of the Auxillary League and the Mercy League are personally assisting. Major Pebbles, at 928 R street, will ac- knowledg all contributions. to Veto the SELECTION OF GRARLES -P, BRYAN No Probability \That It Will Be Revoked. : MANY SENATORS CALL A large part of the United States Senate and many members of the House saw and talked with the President today. In ad- dition there were other callers who trans- acted business with the chief executive. The President heard a good deai on the subject of pelagic sealing today. Ex-Secre- tary Foster was an early caller at the White House, 2nd was with the President some time. Later Representative Johnston of North Dekota saw the President, tatking with him again on the subject of vetoing the bill passed by Congress a few days ago preventing pelagic sealing by citizens of this country. The President, of course, lis- tened attentively to what Mr. Johnston had to say, but it is not thought that he will veto the bill. On the other hand, he is ex- pected to sign it before the end of the week. Attorney General McKenna and ex-Rep- resentative Coombs, one of the directors of the Pacific railroa talked with the Presi- dent on the subject of the roads. Gov. Atkinson ct West Virginia saw the President in regard to an appointment in the navy. Gov. Atkinson said to a Star re- perter that nothing but a democratic land- slide would prevent the republicans of his state carrying the legislature in the elec- ticns next year. ‘I do not think there is much doubt that the next legislature will be republican,” said the governor. “It will elect a republican as successor to Senator Waulkner. That will place the state fuliy in the republican column, and I think it will remain there.” Senators McMiilan, Gear, Allison, Nelson, Davis, Hoar, Thurston, Baker and Hew- ley were among the senatorial contingent to see the President. Senator Hawley was accompanied by Gen. Rufus Saxton. Rep- resentatives McCleary, Taylor of Ohio and: Loud of California were among the repre- sentatives of the House. The Selection of Charles Page Brya The President has no idea of withdrawing the selection of Charles Page Bryan as minister to China. The nomination has not officially reached the Senate because the President has desired to ascertain the strength and motives of the opposition to Mr. Bryan. His investigation has not led him to believe that the oppbsition is suf- ficient to withdraw the romination. He will send it to the Senate when that body Teconvenes Mr. Bryan's friends, including those who were influential in securing the appointment, have no idea that the nom- ination will be defeated. They say that Mr. Bryan has no idea that he will be shifted to some other mission. They do not know any other, mission that he would care for. There is Be mission of anything like equat importance with that of China yet to be filled. CiviF'Service Changes. Representative Brpsius of Pennsylvania was with the President some time, talking with him on the subject of the civil ser- vice. As a friend of the civil service Mr. Brossius thinks that changes shouid be made in the way of exceptions. He does not say what the exceptions should be, but is satisfied the President can make changes in the law which will strengthen it. Senator Thurston taiked with the Presi- dent on Nebraska affairs. The senator did not meniion the subject of the civil service today, but he is one-of the adyocates of re- moving deputy collectors of internal reve- nue from the operation of the law. The senator says.{t is not. lega)~ that these places should’ Femain under ;the law. New Hampshire Appointments. Senators Gallinger and _,Chandler_ re- quested the President to hold up appoint- ments for New Hampshire tintil the dele- gation from that state has 'a' conference early in January" d decides upon the men for the positions tq be filled. Senators Mills of Texas and Money of Mississippi were silver democrats who saw the President. Guardsmen’s Commissions Signed. President McKinley today signed the fol- lowing commissions of officers in the Na- tional Guard of the District: Wm. Sisson Hodges, captain Company D, 4th Battaiten, infantry; Wm. Halstead Mellach, captain Company A, Sth Battalion, infantry; Duncan..Davenport, first lieuten- ant Company A, 5th Battalion; Edward H. Brian, second TMeutenant Company A, 5th Battalion; Samue Ward, second ‘lieu- tenant Company A, 1st Separate Battalion; muel C. Redman,-econd lieutenant Com. pany C, 2d Battalion, infantry, The District Opices, Col. Street and Col. Stratton today talk- ed with the President about the Police Ccurt’ fedgeship. “They are warm advo- cates of the appointment of Mr. O'Donnell, at present a justice of the peace. The President was interested in their state- ments about Mr. O'Donnell, and gave them considerable encouragement, it is said. It was at least settled by the interview that the President has not definitely determin- cd who shall be the successor to Judge Kimball. Mr. O'Donnell himself cailed later at the White House. The best information obtainable from White House visitors who have talked with the President about the judgeship is to the effect that the President is strongly pressed with the advisability of reappoint- ing Judge Kimball, tut that he has not given anybody the assurance that he will do this. His impression is from the in- dorsements of Judge Kimball which have been sent to his office and from talks with friends of the judge. Investigation fails to confirm the stories that the President has about decided to ap- point an outside man as Police Court judge. It is not believed that he has so decided or that he has ever had such an idea. In the matter of the marshalship the im- pression continues strong at the White House that the President has about made up his mind to appoint Mr. Aulick Palmer to the position. Mr. Cheatham, reorder of deeds, was a calier during the day, but had nothing to say as to District offices. Mr. Cheatham left this afternoon for Wiimington, Del., to deliver an address In that city tonight on the subject of’ ‘the “Intellectual and Physical Changes of the Past,” as applied to his race. He will show that each of these changes‘has béen for the best for the negro race. i a o~, The Lemon Pictures in Place. The Lemon gol'ection of pictures recently presented by ‘the legatees of the late Geo. E. Lemon to‘lthe Gerecran Gallery of Art will be exhibited together in the southwest room of the gallery floor. Eight of the works were delivered at the gallery Satur- day and were, immegiately hung. The col- lection is one of rare merit and will un- doubtedly prove to:become one of the most attractive fextures’ of the gailery. ge Grade Crossings Discussed. Tke Commissioners'today held a private conference with officials of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Company in reference to the abolishment of grade crossings and other matters in connection with the pas- senger and freight terminals of the road here. The railroad company wes repre- sented by Mr. John K. Cowen, one of the receivers of the road and its president; At- torney George E. Hamilton and Chief itn- gineer W. T. Manning. After the conference, which lasted for more than an hour, the Commissioners au- thorized the statement that it was merely @ preliminary exchange of views on both sides. was finally determined, it be Package of Coin Taken From Steamer City of Washington. 3 Thief Must Have Had a Skeleton Key er Have Stolen the Captain's. NEW YORK, December 20.—The reported robbery of some $3,000 in Mexican money from the steamer City of Washingion dur- ing her last trip from Vera Cruz to this Port was confirmed today. The City of Washington belongs to the New York and Cuba Mail Steamship Company. A. G. pric, secretary of that company, said to- ay: | “The City of Washington reached her pier last Wednesday morning and immedi- ately began discharging her cargo. Among other things there was a consign- ment of 103 cases of Mexican coin for a firm in Londen. iach czse represented about $3,000 Mexican money, equal to about $1,200 in our money, and weighed about 200 pounds. It was stored in the strong box, between decks, built for that purpose. After the rest of the cargo had been dis- charged, the door of the room was opened and the cases carried to the pier and piled in teirs, to be reshipped 10 London. On the counting, it was found that there were only 102 cases, and as the bill cailed for 108, it Was apparent that one had been stolen, either before the steamer sailed or since the arrival at this port. “A bundie of canvas, in which about $1u) of the coin placed, was found in the baggage room, and leads us to believe that the robbery was committed during transit, and that the bundle was left where it w found to throw suspicion in the wrong di- rection. The only keys to the strong room were in the hands of Capt. Burley and nis first mate, und as no violence had been used in entering the place, a skeleton key must have been used. “Captain Burley is one of .our most ex- Perienced and trustwoPthy officers. If the matter is not cleared up the company will have to stand the loss.”” — > ARMY AND NAVY J Detroit at Prince. The cruiser Detroit arrived at Port au Prince today and Capt. McCalla of the Marblehead, which has been stationed there, notified the Navy Department by cable that he would sail at once for Key West. At that place he will coal and then proceed to Navassa Island to investigate the allegations of inhuman treatment of the American laborers by the agents of the corporation controlling the island. Capt. McCalla would have proceeded directly to Navassa from Port au Prince, but was Short of coal, and deemed it imprudent to chance fever by coaling in the West Indes. The Cruise of the Helena. The little gunboat Helena, which left New York a few days ago, will carry the stars and stripes to foreign ports where they have never yet been seen on a war- ship. The bigger warships in their cruises to distant parts follow the beaten paths and stop only at the principal ports. The Helena being of extremely light draught, however. will be able to enter rivers and bays inaccessible to the larger fighting ma- chines. She was designed especially to visit Interior por wren she reaches the Chinese station, where she is bound, she will ascend the rivers of the celestial em- pire to a greater distance than was possible to any of the predecessors of the American navy. After a cruise around the Island of Boo- hia the Helena will enter upon one of the mest eventful side trips of the voyage—: trip to the famed city of Bagdad. To reach Bagdad it will be necessary for the Helena to enter the Euphrates river at its mouth in the Persian gulf ard cruise up to the point of its junction with the River Tigris. A voyage of about 50) miles up the Tigris will bring the Helena to Bagdad, which is 700 miles from the sea. The Helena will cast anchor at Bagdad d stay there iong enough to let every one so disposed take a look at her and the flag she carrie: @ then she will m down the Tigris again to take up her voyage for China and other eastern ports. Plans for a Battleship. In anticipation of authority by Congress for the construction of another battleship, Chief Naval Constructor Hichborn is en- gaged in the preparations of plans for a first class vessel of that type. It will be heavier in armament than the battleships of the same class now under construction and will embody all the latest improve- ments in naval architecture. The pians under preparation hip of not less than 16 knot reed draught, a length of un draught of isplacernent of 11,500 toas. rs call for twin s xpansion engin mum indicated horse power of not le: EWS, Arrival of the Port au feet on The plans in the two fore and aft caliber, which the ttled, is the proper ips, while a dl fire and m: ulong the br 3 of the deflect! and an interesting feature of the ship eneral usc of electricity, in- spliance of the power to the t- I terre ordnance type for th condary guns is to be side: type is the more cluding the vs igned for the The plans-have been drawn s in order t bids may be promptly asked should authority be given by Congre: Heretofore the completion of new ships has been delayed six months or more owing to the necessity of drawing en- tirely new plans, WILL GIVE HIS VIEWS. Secretary Gage Will Present at Length His Ideas on Civil Service. The Treasury Department has received the Senate resolution inquiring generally as to the operations of the civil service, and what, if any, changes would be advisabie. In response to this resolution a long answer will be prepared and is expected to be of great inlerest, as embodying the views of Secretary Gage on the subject of the civil service. Se Commixsioners {Wthout Jurisdiction. Referring to the case of Miss A. F. Drys- dale, an inmate of St. Elizabeth's Insane ‘Asylum, who claims that she was illegally committed to the asylum, the Commission- ers have written the Rey. Byron Sunder- land that they concur in the opinion of the attorney for the District that it fs a matter of which he courts, and not the Commissioners, have jurisdiction. ciate Amended and Approvéd. The Commidsioners have returned to Sen- ater McMillan, chairman of the Senate Dis- triet committee, Senate bill 1080, authoriz- ing the employment of day labor in the con- struction of certain municipal buildings and | works in the District, which was referred to them for examination and report, rec- cmmending a namendment to the bill. The amendment proposes to add after the word “manner,” in the tenth line of the bill, the following: “Sefd Commissioners are also authorized, in their discretion, to purchase materials in open market or by contract, whichever may appear to them to be the more economical and advanta- geous to the public interests.” ee gee Died in Jail. John Lines, colored, who was sent to jail by the Police Court the 13th instant for ninety days for carry concealed weap- ons, died at the prison at 10 o'clock last evening, death resulting from an acute at- tack of pneumonia complicated with kidney trouble. The man is said to have come here from Pennsylvania, and, so far as ‘Warden Leonard knows, has no friends here. He was about thirty years of age, and unless his body, which was turned over to Undertaker Harvey for burial, is claimed by his friends, it will be buried in potter's field. — It matters little what it is that you want servant—a —whether a situation or a Prices of Stocks Opened Fractionally Irregular at New York. COAL SHARES CENTER OF INTEREST Grangers Also Showed Strength-- Sugar Was Weak Again. GENERAL MARKET REPORTS Special Dispa*ch to The Evening Star. NEW YORK, December 2 ular, but the most significant favorable in comparison with s —Opening prices this morning were fractionally irr: wi Saturday's Spot and month, S8igaQ8\: January. Bay: Steamer No. 2 red, MalSiqervceipen, T6624 back. Cis; exports, none; stock, 1,249,566 iushele. salve, 104,000 buxbels—southern wheat Dy sample. Stn; ob grade, Si%gaH6'y, Corn strong—spot, S2\0 month. Bgask%: December, new 3. S2MaS2Q: Februmry. 32033; er inixed, 31\a34—receipte, 126,852 I Rone, siork, 783.547 bushels; sales, 27.000 bashels—swuthern white and yellow corn, 2ka:ts ts barely steady—No. 2 white, 2ya30: 2 d, 2274 —rceipts, 20.088 bushels: rte. a S29 bushels. Rye firm: 2 2 western, 58 bid—receipia, 12.808 none: “stock, 380.42 hoshele the better grades choice timer in fretgh!s quiet—steam to Lf 4d. December; Cork for arden Jannary. 38.4%d. February ted. 5.S0ty. Bntter aq + do. Imitation, ISal9: do. Indle, | S100 ck expool per bushe yer quarter. 3 ermment Bond s reported by Corson & Macart- bankers. Quotatio hey, 2 yer cents, 4 per conis, rect toned npen of 1% final figures. London cables reflected a = Gecreased inquiry and a slight shading off | Grain, Provisions and Cotton Markets concessions were conspicuous from time to | stock exchange. correspon © Messrs. time, but there were no sales from: source nburg, Thalmann & Co., New York. likely to command any considerable fol- GRAIN, lewing. Increased earnings and the pros- | wheat-May. hans maar. pect for more literal disbursements to shareholders continue to invite buying of a conservative nature. There are, however, many rumors of in are handicapped in distribuyng the first fruits | creased dividends on properties w of prosperity by reason of unfortunate debts incurred in less fortunate t While only a few of the rumo: of verification, there is suffic’ nt denee in the future. The coal shares continue to attract a good demand and respond easily to the buying. The eRading issues were prominent ‘o- of rumors ef a dividend on cay becaus the preferred stock has been forced into tion as possibie eve summer se: under its best level. t early in the new a better recerd will be m: time during the last twelve months. This particular aS attactive a higher priced anthracite coal s\ neighbors. in the granger ch are capabl permitted to culminate under p reflected the strength of their more ac ime: encour- agement in the present to inspire confi- since the busy mid- n, but at the present is weil 7 e than at an New Jersey Central was force) up an additional 1 per cent” on the covering of short con- issues Burlington was the feature, the price again being advanced to par. Around this figure there scems to Pork—M Lard - IN HOTEL CORRIDORS. Representative and Mrs. ay have been entertaining their fellow-townsman, Rollin A. Norton of Jefferson, Ohio, at the F Mr. Norton is a prominent citi- zen of Ashtabula county, and enjoys more than a local reputation as a raconteur. The First National Bank of Jefferson, of which he is vice president, adjoins the old law office of the late Benjamin F. Wade, for many years senator from Ohio. Je! ferson was aiso the home of the old anti- slavery war horse, Joshua R. who for twenty rr re erit ct in Congress Ben Wade are buried nineteenth Ohio “Both Giddings and in the village cemetery of Jefferson, Norton told a Star report y “Their memory is fondly cherishe people of our old district, too. lis be a trifle more stock than the present | Ol law office is also standing. It is a ome- narrow market is capable, of absorbing | StOr¥y Wooden building facing the ateect, Once the narrowness is $vercome the |22¢ in one corner of the front yard of principal obsticle to an advance will have | 8 old home. He built it himself more been tmaees than eighty years ago. As students, many The rapid transit decision, with its énor- | YCUNS Men who zfierward became distin- mous penalty for failure to perform the contract, is taken to be but an insignificant Manhattan and Metropolitan Traction were in.fair de- mand throughout the day at prices con- siderably higher than those prevailing at menace to existing city roads. the time of the decision. uud subsequent me its cf either position. Good judges of the financial situation are sed to refrain from active participa- czar was active, profitably for a time, opposition to this re- sult. ‘Two professional cliques are opposed io each other in determining the value of these shares, but there has not been a sufli- cient test of strength as yet to decide the tion in the market until after the holiday: Lut the same confidence in probable th likely to manifest issues. a interests express unusual results after this ear’s trades are all settled. Among the ecialties in which important interests are themselves none has a nore enviable position than the Panhandle FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL. The following are the opening, the nigh- est and the lowest and the closing prices of the New York stock market today, as re- members New York stock exchange. Correspondents, Messrs. Moore & Schley, No. 80 Broadway Open. Hizh. Low. Close. ported by Corson & Macartney American Spirits... American Spirits, pfd. by 18 an Sugar 1405, 188% American Sugar, pfd. Weg 112 American Tobacc SOY sig Bay hy da Southern canada Pacifie, Det. Lack & W . Delaware & Hudson . Deu. & i610 brie Missoun Pacific. ... National Lead Co. ew Lork en! orthern Pacific Northern Pacitle, pfd Ont. & Western acitic Matt... Phila. & keading. Yulman P. C. Co. Southern Ry., pfa. Phila ‘Traction ... ‘Vexas Pacitic....11 Tenn. Coai & tron... Cnion Pacitec U.S. Leather, pta.. ‘abash, pfd “Western Uniun Je Silver. *Ex-div. 14. tral... —_.>__. guished in the profession obtained the first rudiments of the law in this building, with Giddings as their preceptor. The interior of the office is just as Giddings left 1 even to the paper on the wall. All his law books are in the library and the furniture is the same as used by him. His son, J. A. Giddings, lives in the old homestead, and he spends many pleasant hours "with — and visitors in this rude frame offic “Wade's office 2 is a one-story wooden building, but was built many years later. Wade always took great interest in his village home, and when not engaged in his hington he could usually be seen working about his yard. Every sum- mer until his death he was visited by Sen- ator Zach Chandler of Michigan. They were bosom friends and were alike in a &reat many ways. All day long they would sit together on the wide veranda of the village tavern and intersperse the discus- sion of affairs of government by telling Stories, much to the edification of a little coterie of town folk who always gathered around. : ;‘We have many reasons for feeling proud of our town. It was in Jefferson that "Vill- iam Dean Howells set type when a boy, and the old paner is still run by brovher. The father of the Howells succeeded Gid. dings as consul at Hamilton, Canada. He died a few years ago.” The thousands who read W. D. Howells’ books do not know that th roe e type ia” | 1s set in Jefferson. However: this keen 139 | The proots are sent to him for revisal im 12 | New York and the pages are sent to the 85% | nearest electrotyper. In this way Howeils Washington Stock Exchange. Sales—regular call—12 o'clock m.—Capital tion, 15 at 63; 20 at @2%. U. S. Electric 102100. Lincoln Fire Insurance, 100 at 9%. mutic Gun Carriage, 100 at 48'cents. Mer; ler Linotype, 10 at 137%; 5 at 137%. Monotype, 30 at 19%. District of Columbia Bonds.—20-year fund 5s, Miscrilaneous Bonds.—Mitropolitan Railroad 5s Metropolitan Railroad cony. 6s, 124 bid, 125 asked. Metropolitan Kaflroad certificat plitan Railroad bid. Belt Rail- road 5s, 73 asked. Eckington’ Railroad 6s, 90 bid, 102% bid. 30-year fund €s, gold, 111 bid. funding, currency, 114 bid, 116 asked. 116% bid. of indebtedness, A, 125 bid. eMtroy certificates of indebtedness, B, 11 100 asked. Columbia Raitroad 68, 121 bid. Was! ington ‘company 68, series A, 112 bid. ington Gus Company 6s, series B, 112 bid. Electric it debenture imp..~ 103 bid. peuke and Potomac Telephone 8s, 102 bid. ican Security end Trust 5s, FP. ‘Tra Ligh Phe enth: ton ‘hes: Amer- and A., 100 bid. American Security and Trust Ss, A. and O., 100 owns his own plates. “The Tennessee centennial exposition was a great surcess despite the disadvantag and obstacles that were contended against,” said Colonel J. W. Baker of Nashvilie to a Star reporter at the Norma today. “The government, in the first place, refused to appropriate any morey, and then we fin got only $ 0. The same we true of the state of Tennessee. The legisla- ignored the project until it t the people of Nashville were in earnest and proposed carrying it to com: tien regardless of outside financial ai “If it had not been for the yellow fever Scere in the south, there would have been an attendance of at least more than 4,000,- 000, and there would have been enough money left in the treasury to purchase the srounds for a permanent park for our Our people are considering the advisability of cequ'ring the grounds anyway, and it is rot improbable that this will he accom- tished partly by private contributions. If Zone the Parthenon and the history “3 ding, and possibly the auditorium, will left standing. Tne grounds, which com- prise eS, are beautifully laid out, as every one can attest who has vtsited them. They are near the Vanderbitt Um- versity grounds, which cover seventy acres and poss all the attributes of a park. It speaks well fer our people that out of the Kwik) who attended the exposition there were cnly 400 ari ts, and these were for trivial offenses, such as picking flowers and ations of rules. There was not a single fight or row of any kind. “Tam e than ever proud of Nash- ville. Why, when the project of an ex- position was first talked of our town ‘was in the dumps.’ Nashville had suffered more than al other city in the country. At one time ali the banks were shut down, and it was imposstble to get more than $100 at any single time. The sellow fever didn’t come within 400 miles of Nash- ville, but it prevented hundreds of thou- sands of northerners from attending the exposition. Take Illinois and Chic The governor published that he come, and, if it had not been for rre- tary Gage, Senator Mason and Jude» Tut- hill, who took the matter up, there would hardly have been any representation from that state. As it was, several thousand came, and we gave them a sood iitme. “Bryan and the governor of Nebraska also wired that they couldn’t come because of the yellow fever on the day set anart to them, and we had to set a certificace bid. Washington Market Company Ist 6s, 110 bid. from the state board of health and the oth to mae SS om = --4 OP city authorities assuring them that Nash- Central, 260 bid. bid. Second, 140 bid. Citizens’, 135 bid. bia, 130 na. Saal 120 bic bid, 107 Traders’, 97 bid. Deposit, 50 bid. Hailroad Stocks.—Capiial Traction, 62 ma, St asked. Metropolitan, 119 bid. Columbia, 65 asked. Gag and Electric Light Stocks.—Wash! ton Gas. . 46 . U. S, Electric Light, x99% bid, 101 asked. Insurance Stocks.—Fir.m:n's, 30 bid. Franklin, bid, 164 7 47 asked. Georgetown Gas, politan, 305 bid, 307 asked Farmers ‘and Mechanics’, 180 ohun- West End, 103'5 Lineoln, 110 ed. American Security and Trust, 147 bid. Washington Safe ville was free of the disease before they would venture to come. Yuu see what we had to contend against. But the cx- position was a success, just the same.” di “Forty-one years is a long time to stay by one hotel, but I have been coming to Washington regularly since 1856, with the exception of the four years that I served in the army, and I have yet to sleep in ayy other place,” said Capt. K. F. Ma- lin, a veteran traveling man, at the Na- tional today. “Washington was not much of a place then. Pennsylvania avenue was unpaved, and at some times of the year 38 bid. Metropolitan, 65 bid.’ Corcoran, 56 bid. | W@S @lmost impassable. One of my early Potomac, 64 Arlington, 133 bid. 147 asked. | trips to Washington was just following German-American, 185 National Union, 10 bid, 12 asked. Columbia, 12 bid. Ri 8%’ asked. People’s, 5: bid, 6 accel” tltccta, 91; did, 9% asked. , Commercial, 4% asked. “iitie’ ieeurance “Stceks Real Estate Title, x85 the poisoning of so many guests at the National, and I well remember the ex- citement there was about i Capt. Malin is recovering from a severe shock to his nervous system, received in the wreck on the Chesapeake and Obio railroad at Charlottesvitle, Va., last month, Gin Carriage, 46 Wa, ae aaued. TPeMMAtC | TT ion seven people were killed and a Tee ee Lacsrnthaler Linotype | number injured. He is salesman fur a ee asked. W: ‘Market 36 Bx large firm that manufactures agricultural Great Ice, 107 bid, 112 asked. No and | implements, and Maryland and the Vir- Ws it, asked. Hall, | ginias are his principal territory. 0 “Times are exceediagly good in our busi- == > a ness, and a wore — e- said to a Star repercer ing a dis- Baltimore Markets. sling of the business situation. ‘For BALTIMORE. 2.—Floar several years the farmers were compel curtail in everything. Their stock, a: fab. $e ie aaee beat a9 eee, got ‘ow. Now : pm OG aieer ‘ex- | Plenishing, and they have the money with ‘ports, Gos; (900 bareels. "Wheat strong— | Which to do it’