Evening Star Newspaper, December 30, 1897, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR, PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT TRE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, Cor. 11th St, by The Evening Star Newspaper Uompany S. H. (avrrMan Ny Pres’ x 49 Potter Building, ening Star fs served t inscribera fn the an coe, on their own account, at 10 cents week, or a4 cents per month. Copies at the feunter 2 cents exch. By wall—anywhere in the United States or Canada—postage prepaid—50 cents per month. ‘<fth Saterday Quintople, Seeet star. $1 per year foreign ts add 5. (Sutera «the Port Office at Washington, D. O., as _secend-class matl matter.) 7 All wail subscriptions must be paid in advance. Rates of advertising wade known on applicaticn. Che Eve ny Star. No. 15,988, WILL RESIST RUSSIA|MONTANA'S GIFT To CUBA Great Britain Preparing to Mass Troops at Esquimault. CANADIAN PACIFIC NOTIFIED —— Made to Handle 10,000 Troops at Short Notice. Preparations > RUMORS SOME DENIED — CHICAGO, December Minneapolis says: Advice A special from from Ottawa i dicate that the British government is pri Paring to actively resist Russian occupa tion of Port Arthur and Russian influence in Cor o that the co-operation of th in is tled fact. ived from an wa governmen notified the Canadian Pa ago, als to be in readiness for the im- portation from Montreal to Vancouver and Esquimault of : men, the 7 g of engineers, gun- pers and ¢ : Ready to Transport Troops. & to information at hand, the for this five trains being held in readine servic : luded in the d to reinforce t ich is said to be very and defici adds that a s een concluded between first co! sian s in Corea to be over- come and Russian aggrandizement in Asia permanertly checked. Capi. Rolfe's Views. Capt. Ronald Rolfe, R. N (retired), on in- spection service, just returned from the west. acd on his way to England via New York. says that, in his opinion. the f above referred to is intended to incre the effici of the forts at Esquimau and re 2 crew rth Pacifie to enforce any t i have to mak : hat ther probability ¢ apanese alllance, remarking tha rombining with # confession of weakness ist. would by S Not € Not te Reinforce Japanese. fe as rts with pos: ent to BW sent we reinforcemen eness tis not but rather to ects in operd from the tions in the ¢ jen 4 for Merchant Vessels. LONDON, December * The of Is of the Can 2 Pacific railroad here oy have no pw le Ush admiral- ty b three of the em- s belonging to that com- in they cial dispatch from ve the statement and - without ndation. Seizure of Hai-Non Diseredit. PARIS, December ¢ French ministry of marine regard the re- Port of the occupation of the Island of Hai-Nan, off the uth coast of China, by the French fleet tn those waters, as being @n invention. During the a The officials of the there was issued a set pficial centrad ction of the report that the r flag had been hoisted over the Is- Jand of Hai-Nan. = For Cuban Sufferers. Evening Star Newspaper Company. .$100.00 GB : Loo 4 Friend, z & W. Farrel we 1.00 ++ $152.00 WEYLER IN HIS OWN DEFENSE. eels That He is Honorea by Presi- dent Meck ‘s Criticinm, MADRID, December 30.—Gen. Weyler, the former captain-general of Cuba, in his me- jal to the queen regent on the subject of t McKinley's message to Congr that conduct as was that of a nd patric Rov- oldier animat- Such attacks, will do him no tt him, he asserts, his dui sage contained it to be his duty 1 St to the crown. Gen. Wey- t the s i sifleos whom HIS TERMS. Fight Corbett After Latter Whips Peter Maher. NEW YORK, Dec — Tom O'Rourke has wired ssociated Press from Fort Wayne, Ind foliows: “Juli and Fitzsimmons have named Joe Wolcott at the middle-weight limit te meet Met er Maher to meet “ tt If MeCe win from Wolcott and Maher Fitzsimmons will mest beth of them afterward. These are the only cenditions Fitzsimmons will make with M and Corbett.” ——— CHOPPED HIS WIF Bratal Butchery of a Young Colored Woman. TO DEATH. KANSAS CITY, Mo., December 30.—Net- tie Johnson, a young colored woman, was chopped to death with a hatchet last night in an alley near 10th and Wyandotte streets. Her husband was the murderer. Each of the eight blows upon her head spht the skull, and her hands were liter- ally chopped to pieces. Near by stood a horse and express wagon, in which there were ropes tied to a heavy stone. It had evidently been the intention of the murderer to throw his victim into the rive ve large. d this being done. Johnson is still at -__ INSURGENTS AT ESPERANZA. Fire Volleys Into Houses — Mayor's Daughter is Hit. Secretary Sherman Notified That $800 Has Been Subscribed. It Will Be Invested in Condensed Milk—Ward Line Steamers Will Carry Supplies. Free, The Secretary of State has received a telegram from the Anaconda Standard of Anaconda, Mont., through Senator Mantle, saying that he could draw on the National Park Bank of New York city for $800, the um already subscribed and paid in by citi- zens of Montana for the relief of Cuban ufferers. More money is promised from the same source January 1. All of the money previously received at the State De- partment, amounting to $5,005, has been ent to Consul General Lee for immediate use in alleviating prevailing distress, Invested in Condensed Milk. Mr. Roose, the dispatch agent of the De- partment of State at New York city, was morning directed by the Secretary of © to draw the $800 contributed by the people of Montana to the Cuban relief fund and to invest the money in the purchase of nsed milk, which, he is further in- hipped to n. Lee at Ha- the Ward line of steamers, free of The purchase of condensed milk s ordered in response to a suggestion b Consul General Lee that it is specially d sired for the benetit of invalids and chi dren. Will Carry Supplies Free. Assistant Secretary Day telegraphed the superintendent of the V » of st ers at New York, inquiring if the Depart- ment of State could announce that that lit would convey supplies to Cuba fer the 1 f of suffering people, free of charge. The perintendent promptly re “Will be pleased to cept supplie uban sufferers, free of cost. me y will be consigned to Gen. In reply he was informed that all supplies would be consigned to Gen. Lee. — CRITICISED THE COUR Major Gen. Merritt's Comment on Re- cent F ings. Maj. Gen. Merritt commanding the De- partment of the East, has found it nec sary to mish the court-martial before Which was tried Private John D. Donovan, Company H, h Infantry, found guilty and sentenced to three months’ hard labor and to pay a fine of $10 on conv: conduct to the prejudice of ge itary di “In this c: “the stion of d order and cipline. ays Gen. Merritt, in his mer, among other things st article of war with ‘having received a lawful com- mand from his superior officer, Capt. J. C. Ch 3th Infantry, officer of the day ognized, did wilfully dis running away.’ court ng found the prison guilty of the speci and not guilty of iolation of the twenty-first article of war, same uilty of ‘conduct to the prejudice of good order and mili pline,’ the rec- ord of the proceedings was returned to the court for rec eration of its findings this respect, calling attention to the thai the specificatio! charge, Uhat a sul article for the spe resorted to in ¢ legat:on in the s ustain the charge as laid. pon reconsideration the court e: findings the word jtutin, therefor the fact sustained the original itution of the general ific article could only be where the material al- found, did rept ‘wilfully disob words ‘fail to and adhered to its former findings In the opinion of the re- y the evidence adduced es- the specitication as originally viewing author! ablishes found. The wilful disobedience in this case Was exhibited by the soldier by simply not doing what was required of him. A failure to obey an order under such circumstances is a wilful disobedience, and the court, in the opinion of the reviewing officer, should have so found. Subject to these remarks and in order that the prisoner may not es- cape well-merited punishment, the sen- tence fs approved and will be duly executed at Fort Niagara, N. Y.” —+ ELECTRICITY IN THE POST OFFICE. The Lowest Bid for Installing the Plant Was $41,000. The Treasury Department {s engaged this afternoon in opening proposals for install- ing an electric and power plant in the new city post office. There are thirty or forty bidders, and each bid frequently contains a number of separate proposals. Of the bids already opened the lowest for install- ing the complete plant is $41,000. The bids range from that to $52,000, Royce & Marean are among the local bidders. It will be some time before the contract is awarded, owing to the multiplicity and complicity of the bids. The shortness of funds won't delay awarding the contract, as there is sufficient money on hand to go ahead with that —_—_+oe+_____ NAVAL COURTS-MARTIAL. Secretary Long Favors Legislation Making Them More Effective. The naval authorities have long regarded the provisions of existing laws relating to the administration of justice as defective in that naval courts-martial are not em- powered to ‘ure the attendance and tes- timony of civilian witnesses. It often hap- pens that important facts are exclusively known by civilians and their testimony is required before almost every important naval court-martial. It rarely happens u witne '$ that can avoid so doing are willing to appear in such cases, Secretary Long says from an examina- tion of le lation on this subject it does not appear by any means clear that Con- gress intended to leave courts-martial in such a position. He has submitted to the House naval committee a draft*of a bill to remedy these evils without giving the naval courts undue authority. The first section involves only an extension to the judge advocate of naval courts-martial and courts of inquiry of power now possessed by judges advocate of army courts. The section has been drawn in conformity with the similar design to meet precisely the same difficulty which had arisen in the British service, providing for certification for contempt, if necessary, to the nearest United States court for punishment. ———- co. Personal Mentio: Capt. James Fornance, 12th Infantry, is at the Ebbitt on leave. First Lieut. James Brown registered at the War Department this morning. He is in the city on leave of absence. Arthur Bovee, a student at Pennington Seminary, in New Jersey, is spending his holiday vacation with his parents, Dr. and Mrs. J. N. Bovee. It will be pleasing to his but the woman's outery had pre. |™any friends to know that he stood at the head of his class for the first term. Mr. Francis B. Loomis, United States minister to Venezuela, is in the city on of- ficial business, and is at the Cochran. Mr. Leomis expects to return-to his post next week. Mr. John L. Nolen of Nashville, Tenn., who has been in the city for the past few HAVANA, December 30.—According to a | days, stopping at the Raleigh, returned to report from Spanish sources at Esperanza, province of Santa Clara, a party of insur- gents fired into that town on Saturday night. Bullets struck a number of resi- dences, and one bullet went through the sleeve of Senorita Valdes, daughter mayer of the town. of the | Breokiine, Mass, visiting Mrs,.C, S, Whit- his home last evening. Rev. J. J. Dillon of St. Joseph's Catholic Church has gone to Frostburg, Md., on a short vacation. Among the Harvard students who are in the city is Mr. A. of man, AT THE WHITE HOUSE Many Tourists Call at the Executive Mansion. SENATOR TELLER INTRODUCES A FRIEND Efforts in Behalf of Another Illinois Man. THE NEW YORK JUDGESHIP ——EE Senator Teller cf Colorado seldom visits thes White House, and then the visits are simply tor the purpose of introducing con- stituents. The silver senator makes no recommendations and asks for nothing. His personal relations with President Mc- Kinley are cordial and pleasant, but be- cause his visits might be misinterpreted, he rarely goes to the Executive Mansion. i. ls are of the most formal nature. enator Teller was at the White House y, remaining just long enough to usher a friend in and introduce him. The senator said that he had not spoken to the Pres- ident on the subject of the nomination of Ckarles Page Bryan as minister to China. I have nothing to do with whom the President nominates to a position,” said Senator Teller, ly business is to vote after the nomination is made. My objec- ticns to Mr. Bryan are that he is too inex- perienced and too little acquainted with diplomatic affairs at this juncture to serve this country properly in China. The indi- ions now are that China is to be divided ween the European nations. Our inter- will be greater than now seems, and our minister there should be a man who can cope with the trained diplomats of the other countrie: vors Hawalinn Annexation, Senator Teller is an ardent advocate of the arnexation of Ha i to this country. “The islands should be annexed without dal he said to a Star reporter who talked with him on the subject. “It would blunder not to do so. I see that Is now some chance of the comple- ion of the Ni ‘aguan canal. This makes call the more important that the islands s juntry and should become our property without delay. As a matter of fact, it has been the intention of the United tes for years to annex Ha- vail. From 1820 to thjs day we have al- rays insisted that no other country should © the islands. During President Pierce's tration the iskinds would have been aunexed but for the death of the king. The old king had made a deed of the islands to this country, and $ ary of State Mare of the grea of democratic stat was preparing to take steps to ann islands. The old king died, and the 1s opposed to annexation. Ha- js now offered to us, and we must take ome other country to step in. Senator Teller said that there were sev- 3 of government suitable for the ‘The territorial form “I lived under a sen- be admin one men, the t this time. one, he said. is a good territorial gevernment six years, ator said. ‘Hawaii will be only fifteen min- utes from Washington when a cable t.ne Js built, and that will not be far away. If the territorial form wouldn't suit, the country could be attached to California or Oregon as a county. It is said that California wouldn't ailow this, but I think there are states which would permit it without re- sistance os ‘The general impression around the White House is that the Senate will not lose much time in getting down to consideracion of the annexation treaty. A number of sena- tors who are strong advocates of annexa- recently seen and talked with the President. What has been determined on has not leaked out, but the probability is that there will be little delay in push- ing matters after the middle of next week. Some Political Visitors. Senators Cullom and Mason lose no op- portunity to land a good place for Illinois constituents. They have had opportunity to talk often with the President recently and have taken advantage of it. They were at the White House today talkiig over the outlook for Illinois people. State Senator Cook of Lake county wants a good place, and the two senators are doing all they can to get it for him. They urge his appointment as a member of the Missis- sippi river commission or as commissioner of navigation. Senators Cullom and Mason have landed more gcod places for constituents than any other two senators. It is thought that the quota for their state is nearly full, but they hammer away, and whén they see a posi- tion likely to need filling they put up a man for it. Senators McBride, Geer and Hale, Repre- sentatives Johnson of Indiana, Hitt, Bing- ham, Tongue, Newlands and Graffeureld were in the list of visitors of the day. The New York Judgeship. Senator Platt of New York is expected here soon to have a talk with the President regarding the nomination of a federal judge to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge Tenny. There is considerable inter- est in what the senator may do. When Judge Tenny was appointed, a few months ago, the candidate of Senator Platt was John Allen, who is a close friend of ex- Secretary Tracy, and the latter desires to see something done for Mr. Allen. The President, however, declined to appoint Mr. Allen and give ihe place to Judge Ten- ny. Mr. Ailen is still said to hold Senator Platt to his former recommendation, but it is not known what the senator will say when the time comes. He may feel that he is now released. The most strongly backed man in the field is Representative Fischer of Brooklyn. He would like to have the judgeship, and is indorsed by eyery republican representative from New York. His friends have put before Senator Platt the fact that for fifteen years Mr. Fischer supported him under all circum- stances, sticking to him when his political star didn’t look very bright. It would not be surprising, it is said among New Yorkers, to see Senator Platt finally give his indorsement to Mr. Fischer. Crowds in the East Room. A number of excursions have been run to the city this week, bringing many peo- ple. The first place the visitors start for is the White House. All this morning the big east room was filled with sightseers. All of them wanted to see much more than the east room, but the new rules prevented viewing the red, green and blue rooms. “What rooms are those?” asked a party of young ladies. “The red, blue and green rooms,” said the White House attache. “Can't you give us a peep at them?” two or three pleaded. ‘The attache explained that these rooms couldn’t be visited without orders from Secretary Porter. ie ———__-e-—____—_. JUROR SUED FOR SLANDER. tion have Litigation Growing Out of the Dur- rant Murder Trial. SAN FRANCISCO, Cal., December 30,— Mrs. Isabella M. Durrant and William Dur- rant, mother and father of Theodore Dur- rant, have brought suit for slander against ex-Juror Smyth, and demanda§30,000 dam- ages from him. The complaint was sworn ‘he a Bea: of remarks made b; Smyth about Durrant, whom he accy of being a mora! monster, - NEW YEAR RECEPTIONS, Lists of Those Receiving or Not Re- ceiving to Be Published Friday. The Star will publish Friday a list of those receiving or not receiving New Year day. Persons desiring to arnounce that they will or will not feceive can do so with- out any charge by sending notices to The Star any time prior to 9 o'clock Friday morning. The notices should contain only the announcement that there will or will not be a 1eception and the names and ad- dresses. Every notice must be properly authenticated to insure publication. ———_o+_____ WILL CHOOSE NEW OFFICERS. Reorganization of the Democratic Congressional Committee. Soon after the reassembling of Congress the democratic congressional committee will be organized. A great deal of Politics is involved in their action. There is to be a reorganization. Both Senator Faulkner, the present chairman, and Lawrence Gard- her, the secretary of the congressional ex- ecutive committee, are to be replaced, ac- cording to the plans thus far developed. It is understood that Mr. Faulkner does not want to be retained in the position. The reorganization will place the manage- ment of the campaign more thoroughly in the hands of the most ultra Chicago plat- form men of the democratic party. Representative Richardson of Tennessee and Representative Hinrichsen of Illinois are the candidates mentioned to succeed Senator Faulkner. Richardson contem- plates being a candigate for Speaker of the next House of Representatives if the demo- crats should carry the next House. It is likely, therefore, that he will not be placed at the head of the committee, where it might be felt that he would have an ad- vantage over other candidates if the demo- crats were successful in the campaign. It is thought that Hinrichsen will be chosen, as he has very powerful support in the party and is one of the most radical silver men. It is entirely uncertain who will succeed Mr. Gardner. The one main feature of the reorganization of the committee will be the purpose to hold the democratic party to the Chicagé6 platform in its entirety and to endeavor to keep the silver forces together and to yield nothing from the platform to the gold element of the party. 2+ POST OFFICE THIEVES. Successful Operdtioms of a Gang in North Curelina. Post Office Inspector “Gregory of North Carolina has issue a ctrcular to the post- masters throughout North Carolina notify: ing them of a gang of professional post office thieves who have lately made their appearance in North Carolina after having Successfuily operated in‘Virginia and West Virginia. The circular sets forth that five men are believed to be IN the gang, one of whom, the old man, acts as advance agent. Then follows a deseriptton of the men, to- gether with the detatls of recent robberies in North Carolina. ‘The-tircular states in conclusion: “Postmasters should look close- ly after the protectieg of their offices, con- fer with the local authorities and keep them posted: as to thee mien and other robbers, ‘These meu are likely to tap any office at any time, but usually have a care- ful survey of the ground made, by some oue who may play in almost any role, but is shrewd and observing. In view of the great shrewdness and natural ingenuity of the advance agent of this gang of burglars (notwithstanding his feigned drunkennesd, ignorance and variety ef roles that he plays) in becoming thor- oughly familiar with local people, their names, habits, etc,, as well as locai affairs, Surroundings, arrangements, night occu- pants of buildings, etc., a great deal of cau- tion as to expesing this circular will be ary to prevent their getting the ——_—__+e AFTER CHINESE MARKETS. Rich Rewards for Those Who Extend Trade Into the Empire. Some facts of value to business men con- templating an extension of trade into China are afforded by United States Consul Covert, at Lyons, France, in a special re- port to the State Department. The consul had Wefore him some of the conclusions reached by the French com- mission, which has just returned to France from China, where {t had been sent to dis- cover means of extending French trade. Because the results of a former commis- sion, through publication, had been of more value to British manufacturers than to French, the present commission does not publish its report in full, but retains the detafled information for communication pri- vately to French merchants. Meanwhile a brief report has been made to the Lyons chamber of commeree, and this sets out in concise form the rWonderful opportunities for trade extension in populous China, the undeveloped mineral resources of the coun- try and the progress already made by the Germans—now become redoubtable rivals of the English im China. The consul says that while the great na- tions of Europe are grasping for Chinese territory, it is probable that the most de- sirable conquests may be achieved by peaceful methods.’ Civilized nations have equal interests in opening the trade of China to the world; and the powers that attempt to accomplish it by war and con- quest do no more than strengthen the Chi- nese wall, ae ees IN PERMECT HEALTH. Report of Gov. Shepherd's Ines Au- thoritatively Denied. As stated in The Star of yesterday, the yellow journalism accounts of Governor Alexander Shepherd’s serious illness are absolutely devoid of truth. The governor is at Batopilas, Mexico, in his usual good health. The following telegrams received by The Star from Dr, FD. Merchant, Goy- ernor Shepherd’s family physician; the Banco Minero, higrfinameial agent at Chi- huahua, and Mr. ‘Li. H. Stevens, his repre- sentative in New York, should finally set at rest the senSatfenal and 1l-advised pub- lications in this city which have given the governor's many {fiends so much uneasi- ness: BATOPILAS# Mextco, Dec. 20, 1897. The Evening Star, Wastington, D, C.: Report entirely falses ‘Governor Shep- herd and family are in perfect health. FRANCIS D. MERCHANT. CHIHUAHUA, Mextco, Dec. 29, 1897. The Evening Star; Washington, D. C.: Governor Shepherd enjoying the best of good health. BANCO MINERO. NEW YORK, Dec. 80, 1897. The Evening Star, Washington, D, C.: Just received the following telegram from eves yale Spay eeeoune for falsehood; am weil, and have no sickness.” L. H. STEVENS. — pe AT SAN BERNARDINO. BIG FIRE Valuable History Colléctions Go Up : im the Flames. SAN BERNARDINO, Cal., December 30. —The overturning of a lamp for heating glue in Whitney's planing mill yesterday afternoon _aigrted. a-fire which destroyed property” at including four residences, an ps @ skating wi store. history, coliections of W. G. now. fo solontists : RAILROAD SALARIES A Petition Sent by Mr. Grunwell to the Capital Traction Directors, SOME. OF THE CURRENT GOSSIP Mr. Phillips Also Thought Expenses Might Be Reduced. ACTION OF THE BOARD The most recent bit of gossip in local railroad circles is that which relates to a petition signed by a number of the stock- holders of the Capital Traction road, which Was recently sent.to the board of directors. It stated that in view of the great ex- pense which the road is subject to, owing to the change in the motive power, and as it would be necessary to pass the next two dividends, that it would be well to reduce the salaries paid to the officers of the road, so that the officers ayd the shareholders would be placed on the same footing. It is stated that this petition was cir- culated by Mr. A. B. Grunwell, who, with his wife, owns about a thousand shares of the stock. Mr. Grunwell is also the vice pres- ident of the Metropolitan Railroad Com- pany. The petition was presented at the last meeting of the board of directors, and soon thereafter Mr. G well received a letter, aung that the petition had been received and that the matter refe! d to Was under consideration by the board. Subject of Free Discussion. A number of thos ho signed the peti. tion discuss the matter very freely, and it ioners that the resenting $1,- ization of the signers own 15,000 share 500,000 of the total It is also stated by some who signed the r that not more than 10,000 or 11,000 shar wel repr mted by the signers. Among the signe ntioned Mr Samuel L. Phillip: » former peesident of the Metropolitan road, and 1 new a member of the building committee ot the Capital traction road. that an effort was signatures of the N helders to the petition, the about $3,000,000, but they made to ob- ew York stock- holdings being efused, and it fs mong some of e Who did sign that they would not attached their signatures to the-pa- had they not been informed that t approval of the New York stocknolde would be secured. It is said by these who are in a 1 to form 2 competent judgment that the small number of signatures obtained to the petition, as well as the small holdings of stock which the names représent, shows ve conclusively that the opposition io the present management of the road is now very small, and is much less than it was at this time la In fact, it progressive spirit shown by the management, and the manner in which it is carrying on the werk of installing the new motive s: resulted in bringing to its sup] cally the entire number of holders. a matter of common talk the An Inquiry Made. It is said further that before this petition was received by the board a committee had been appointed for the purpose of making an examination of the management of the affairs of the road, with a view of deter- mining whether any changes could be made with advantage. It is said that an economical administra- tion will be one of the features that will especially occupy the attention of the com- mittee. It is expected that this report will be made at the annual meeting of the stockholders, which will be held on the 2th of next month. It is also claimed that the administration 1s not only intelli- gent, but is carried on with a proper re- gard for economy, and that it is believed when the character and scope of the busi- ness which is conducted by it is consid- ered, that the administrative expenses can be looked upon as being not more than is absolutely required. It may not be generally known, but it is a fact, that a reduction has been made in the pay of the directors, which,of course, was done by the action of that body, and that the members receive $25 a month in- stead of $50 per month. According to a report made a year ago the annual salaries paid to the principal officers of the company are as follows: President, $15,000; vice president, $7,500; five directors, $1,500; secretary and treas- urer, $5,000; chief engineer and superintend- ent, $4,000. SCOUTS NOT PENSIONABLE. Assistant Secretary Davis Decides a Claim Adversely. Mr. Webster Dav! assistant secretary of the interior, today rendered a decision in an appealed pension case which estab- lishes a precedent in the department, as it decides the question whether men who acted in the capacity of scouts during the war of the rebellion are pensionable. The claim is that of Joseph K. Boone, scout. On January 18, 1890, claimant filed a declaration for pension, alleging therein that he was employed in the military ser- vice of the United States in the capaci of a scout in the war of the rebellion; that he wes employed and sworn into such ser- vice about the 11th day of September, Is at Brookfield, Mo. ) and re mained continuously in the military service as such scout thereafter until the close of the war, in the year 1865. The disability alleged as a basis for pen- sion is disease of the eye, incurred in the service and line of duty. In his decision, Assistant Secretary Da- vis says: “This matter has been referred to the War Department, requesting information touching the service of the claimant, and the record and persion division of that de- partment replied that ‘the quartermaster general may have a record of this man's service as a scout. He appears to have been employed solely as such.’ “Upon a like request being preferred to the office of the quartermaster general, tkat office, without giving any information, returned the communication, requesting that the names of the quartermasters by’ whem Joseph K. Boone was employed, and the dates of his service under each, be definitely stated. Upon receipt of this com- murication the same was called to the at- tention of the claimant, who, on August 12, 1890, replying thereto, said: ‘I state that I was not at any time during the war at- tached to any branch of the quartermas- ter’s department. My service was all the time under the direction of and connected with general officers in command in central Missouri, commanders of regiments and pests. And my duties were that of scout, guide for troops and bearer of dispatches, and what little compensation I received was puid me by svch officers as employed me.’ < “The claimant having been employed by various officers of the army in the capac- ity of guide and scout merely, is not in- cluded within any of the classes of persons mentioned in the pension laws as benefic- faries thereunder. The claim is therefore rejected.” os Rifaat Bey Goes to Athens. , CONSTANTINOPLE, December 30.—Ri- eon appolntog Pertis aineter st ai been appointed Turkish rat Athens, WASHINGTON, D. ©., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1897-FOURTEEN PAGES, has}, TWO CENTS, Advertising is not an expense, It is a business investment. If you want to invest your money profitably you will doacere put your advertisements in such a paper as The Evening Star, that is read regularly and thoroughly by everybody ‘worth reaching. The Star is the recognized household and family journal of the National Capital, and has no rival as an advertising med- ium. WILL SETTLE HANNA'S FATE Cancus of Republican Legislators on Satur- day Night. Rumor That the Cincinnati Delega- tion Will Support Gen, Jeptha Girard for Senator, Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. COLUMBUS, Ohio, December 30.—Cnarles L. Kurtz has drafted into service in the fight against Senator Hanna his force of deputy oil inspectors from all over the State. With the well-known Foraker re- Publicans of the state, these men are here working in the anti-Hanna organization. On the whole, the organization maker quite a formidable appezrance. While Col. Dick maintains that there is no cause for alarm on the part of the Hanna managers, he admits that the fight against Senator Hanna is an earnest one. Ex-Representative A. C. Thompson arrive? from Washington last night to work with Col. Dick in the interest of Senator Hanna. At the Hanna headquarters this morning it is annourced that Senator Shepard of Prebl> and Representative Smith of Dela- vare, two republican members that the nti-Hanna members’ manag claimed, i pledged themselves to vote for Hanna. The fight is evidently to be made in the organization of the two branches. The publican caucus will be held next Saturd night. The strength of the Kurtz organi- ion will then be developed. If the ian- na slate for that organization can be im- periled by absenteeism it wili show that Nurtz’s organization is strong and firm. The plan of the anti-Hanna managers in regard to this, is to remain away from the crganization caucus. They will in this way not bind themselves to support the caucu nominees, and will join with the democrats in tixing up a slate which will divide the offices between their friends and demo- crats. This being done the anti-Han: members and the democratic minority will be ready to unite in the more serious mat- ter of electing a United Siates senator. A special from Cincinnati announ that the ten representatives from Hamilton county will vote for Gen. Jeptha Girard of hi that city a silver republican for United States senator. The story is not believed here. ——.__ ARMY AND NAVY. Commodore Howell to Succeed A miral Selfridge on European Station. Rear Admiral Thos. 0. Selfridge has been detached from command of the European Station and ordered home to w He will be retired February 6, 1 been de- ached from duty as commandant at the gue Island navy yard and ordered to smmand the European station. Capt. S. Casey has been ordered to be eee at the League island navy yard Lieut. J. J. Knapp has been ordered to the San Francisco. Lieut. R. L. Russell has been detached from the San Francisco and granted three months’ leave. . Lieut. J.J. Hunker has been detached m the San Francisco and granted two nths’ leave. snsign A. H. Scales has had his unex- pired leave revoked, and been ordered to Pens hydrographic office at Cleve- nd. d Assistant Engineer J. S. MciXean has been ordered to the Norfolk navy yard. The resignation of Capt. John Baxter, jr., istant quartermaster, of his commission first Heutenant, 5th Infantry only, has en accepted. Sergeant Benjamin Blue, Company 5 Battalion of Engineers, Willet’s Point, N. ¥., has been retired upon his own appli- cation. Se T OF ALASKA, GOVERNM Congressional Committees Preparing the Way for Legislation. The Senate and House committees on public lands and on territories are at work on legislation for Alaska, preparing th« way for action by the two houses. The matter has been talked over in committees and there will be some decisive action shcrtly after the holiday recess. The chief problem is to provide for a better gov- ernment. Secretary Bliss recommended in his an- rual report that Alaska be made a regular organized territory. The sentiment of the committee is that the time is not yet ripe, that the population, practically dependent on the rich mining strikes, is a roving one, and that even towns having a large population today may be abandoned to- morrow. It is probable that there will be some enlargement of its present gov «pment as preferable to a general sy: of local legislation and territorial or zation. there may be e increased. idging The jurisdiction of federal offic: <tended and their number This is to be a temporary over of the problem until the feature of the population is largely elimin: As to the extension, in toto, of the gen- eral land la the sentiment now is that the Lacey bill, providing for this, is tc sweep. The rignt of way act for rail- ways, &c., carried by the Lacey bill is likely to be modified, while there will be me special legislation for the protection of timber. The homestead laws will be extended. Mineral and town site laws al- ready are in furce. A prime difficulty is the absence of surveys, and it is said thai in sll probability there are some portions of Alaska that never will be surveyed. This interferes with the operation of the pub- lic land law extension. eo MANY POINTS AGREED ON, Adjournment of the International Union at Brassels. A dispatch received at the State Depari- ment from Minister Storer at Brussels re- ports the adjcurnment December 15 of the International Union for the Protection of Industrial Property. The union, which had been in session for some time, was com- posed of representatives from most of the European countries, the United States and Brazil. here was a general discussion on the subject of patents, trade marks and other matters pertaining to the protection of industrial property. The union reached an agreement on a number of recommenda- ‘tions that had been submitted. As to others, some of the delegates felt they were without power to act, and negotiations re- garding them will be conducted between the governments interested. The next meeting probably will be held in Washing- ton. ————qcq«38©-— DISMISSALS TO BE RECORDED. The Civil Service Commission to Adopt a New System. ‘The civil service commission has decided to institute a new system of bookkeeping in connection with appointments under it. Heretofore the commission has“ kept a record of appointments by states, thus apportioning the appointments so as to pre- vent some States getting more than —_ THE SYSTEMOPPOSED Commissioner Evans Wants Pension Attorneys Abolished, 10 THAT END CONSIDERING A BIL! all al Would Be Considerable Saving. Fewer Frauds ang HIS VIEWS IN DETAIY eee, The commissioner of pens consideration a bill pension attorney ernment attorneys, claims. In recent interviews the commissioner has scored pension attorneys for the very questionable methods adopted by many of them in obtaining pensions for old diers, His utterances in this connection have n tae subject of attacks from dif- ons has under designed to abolish and to substitute gov- to prosecute pension sol- ferent sources, and an ex-commissioner of pensions has lately seen fit to score him. Commissioner when asked by a reporter of The Star this afternoon what he had to say regarding the attack, said: Why, I have not even read it. I have been informed, however, by some of my friends that there is nothing in it and so there is nothing for me to answer. never condemned all the pension ¢ In their ranks 1 have many good men abeve suspicion and of the nighest in- tegrity, But there are a great tant torneys who literally stop st moth: get a pension. The System Wrong. Tt tem is all wrong. Years ago the government should have taken this subject in hand and dealt directly with the pen- sioners and not through attorneys. Sena- Pritchard expresses the situation very ibly in a recent interview, when he ad- mitted that there was consider skull- duggery in this pension attorney business, and expressed the belief that the govern- ment would do better by dealing directly With the veteran and not through attor- neys arrang Look at the advantages of such an ment. of all, under the supervision of the ernment the liability to frauds would reduced to a minimu We would have direct control of the atte s, whose busi- ness it would be to that all hone claims were promptly and intelligently pre- senied. If one of these attorneys failed to do his duty or was found incompetent it would be an easy matter to remove him. Then it would be a great saving to the government. Why, just think of it, $13,- F been paid out in the past thi teen years to pension attorneys. This cnormous sum has been taken from the peor pensioner. This present system is wrong. It is unsatisfactory to the old pen- stoners. How? Well, first of all they do not’ relish having part of their pension withheld and paid over to an attorney. Then there are cases where soldiers suffer- ing from practically the same disabiliti receive different pensions. ©: receives, say, $6 a month, while a friend of his for the same cay obtains $12, How does it happen? Sharp and unprincipled attorn and incompetent medical examiners. There's the secret. This is a fraud, but low are you going to reach it? A Sample Cane. “Here comes an old soldier for examina- tion for ircrease. He is already pensioned for one disability, and now pleads for an incres t he is deaf, The ° him, enough, the regular experiments for pe hearing show a deficie ‘There is nothing to do but certify to the ditional disability. I remember a good 4 lustration of how an increase was worked through n attor who endowed with little conscience. The client was draw a- ing a pension for some slight disability—I ferget exactly what it was—and applied for an incre y asked him a great 1 . in the hope of find- ing some excuse for basing a claim, and finally learned that the applicant at times suffered from diarrhoea. His advice to the soldier was to make the application through him in the usual way and wait for an at- tack before presenting himself for exam- ination. “Then there are cases where the old sol- dier is illiterate, and a shrewd attorney prepares almost any kind of an affidavit he wants and directs the soldier to sign it. He does it, many times unconscious of what it contains, These are only a few illustra- tions of the sharp practices the depart- ment unearths every d: To have the system entirely under governmental con- trol would break up such things, and re- dovnd to the good of the government and the advantages of the old soldie Swelling the Rolls. The New York Herald says today regard- ing the swollen pension rolls: There have been many and varied rea- scns for the extravagant growth of pen- sion expenditure. The most prominent one, of course, is to be found in the efforts of politicians to pander to the “soldier v« and this reason is most potent in opposition to any movement to expose the pension freuds. quest d tittle to do with th lists made under statute There = the soldiers has increased ponsion passed sin of revenue eh 2, was still 7 in 1890, and the ity of disposing of occurred to various un- it the surplus. scrupulous leaders that they could increase their political power by giving the surplus to the soldiers. The pen: consequently, not only disposed of the sur- plus, but the receipts of the government have not equaled the expenditures since ISM, ‘The pension mill continues to grind under this law. For the first half of the present fiscal year, ending this month, the pension eapenditures amount in round numbers to $76,500,000. If this rate is kept up the total for the year will be $153,000,000—alout $11,- 0000,000 more than last year. Might Save Eighteen Mill It has been urgently asserted that these commissions accomplished nothing, and the cry of fraud raised in 1893 was without any result. There was a steady increase in the amount paid for pensions from 18é4 to 1893, when it amounted to $159,357,557.87. Taen act of 1890, came the cry of fraud and the invesiiga- tion whjch resulted In the pension roll be- ing decreased to $141. 254.96. If the pro- posed investigation would do no more than the last, the saving of Rae Seat fully justify the publication of the list. Coagremaeonl influence has not only been exerted to prevent the discovery of frauds, but it probably has often helped undeserv- ing applicants. There are several repre- sentatives who devote their whole time while in Washington to procuring pensions. They go to the pension office with their clerks at 9 a.m. and stay until 4 p.m., urg- ing clerks to pass upon cases, or, if the clerks find objection, persuading the com- missioner to issue orders for pensions, While these are perhaps exceptional cases, probably every representative and senator who has old soldiers in his district occa- sicnally brings pressure to bear.