Evening Star Newspaper, January 13, 1898, Page 11

——— = THE EVENING STAR. ae PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenus, Cor. 11th St, by The Evenin; Sitemane creo 8. H. Few Yost Office, 49 Potter Building ‘The Evening Star fs served to subscribers fn the ty by carriers, om their own account, at 10 ccnta per week, o- 44 certs per month. lew at the counter 2 cents each. By mail—any’ im the United States or Canada—pestage prepaid—50 ecnts per aenth. Saturday Qcintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, with foreign pestage added, $3.CO. (Entered at the Post Office at Washington, D. C.. second-clx. 3 mail matter.) 57 All mail subscriptions must be paid in advance. Rates of advertising made known on application. ee. Che £oening Slav. oS SsSa————aan"eSe SS 11-14. WASHINGTON. D. C., THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1898-FOURTEEN PAGES The regular permanent family circulation of The Evening Star is more than double that of any, other paper in Washington, whether published in the morn- ing or in the afternoon. As a medium for unobjec- tionable advertisements it there- fore stands unequaled and un- approachable CAR WITHOUT FARES Eckington Railroad Trying to Save a Franchise. a TWO SQUARES ON NEW YORK AVENUE Merchants Want the Long Unused Tracks Torn Up. MAY HAPPEN —————— wi AT has developed in the effort Sckington and Soldiers’ Company to remove New York avenue between northwest, that have andoned since the ov was discontinued were recently taken ney General remove the tracks throu ution in the Di and as the case stood morning there seemed ss of the endeavor. he business men and 7th strests, fighting the for over two years, the presence on the an Eckington horse car, running hetween the curve at Sth York avenue and the ier- street in by to compel Your londay t of the suc ns, however on the block between 6th this company and its corporate It road, even the two an- for rapid transit that he entire of the But the presence of two ot demanded by the exigencies 1 accommodated by the car. As . the car has not yet car- the patronage consist- of gamins, who have ed in the luxury of gra- rack and forth. The car was and of a driver, but boasted for obvious reasons, there . no transfers no particular exct sal beys off the platform, inas- constituted the sole need, on he presence of the car on apologies service to collect, for this a ed in his hands by the al a few weeks ago, with cecuting the corporation for cet by maintaining use- ravel on the Eckington eastern and northern terri- ibutory to the line has for many diverted from the New York s by way of the 5th and G all too apparent that the company in now car in service on this hithe abandoned track is to save the franchise covering this s' of two squar © Do Nothing Po n the putting the When the Eckington company orig- inally chartered by Congress in June, 1888, to construct its line privilege was given te run cars by horse. electric or cable power from the corner of New York avenue anc Tth street, along New York avenue and by Way of 3d street to and through Eckington of extending to Brook- approved April 30, 1890, Congress granted certain extensions, stipu- ing that those constructed in the ci should be operated by underground el tricity. if by that power at all, and ally commanding the abandonment of with the privilege land. By an act the overhead wires within the city limit< by the Ist of July, 1893, or three and i quarter years thereafter. No effort wi made by the company to comply with th provision, although experiments were con- ducted for a time with storage batteries the hope that that form of motive powe would economically supplant the overh system, and thus avoid the heavy expense of the underground construction. —Thes experiments, however, were not. satis tory, but after the determination to that t was reached nothing practical was abandonment of the le the city, and Feb- months and a half by trolley privilege expired. an act »proved extending the overhead wire > for two years, in other words vntil July 1, Notwithst this further grant of time not ny sort was undertaken by the which had changed in Personnel the zation—durinz the interval within which the trolley ser- -vice was to remain legal. During spring of 18% further ort was m: by the company to obtain still another verhead trolley tim 1 Was greatly aroused in antagonism ress refused to grant the plea itted the law to stand terminat- trolley privilege until July 1 of that but publ When that date arrived the com- }any refused to comply with the request of the Commissioners to remove the poles and Wires within the city Hmits. carrying the case into court on an unfounded plea that d to permit the wires to nut the courts held decisiv entrary, and, after a few wee nd out of court, during inst the S roused to a high point. the poles and wires were removed under direct Pressure fr District building the entire city service was placed 1 car basi an of operation from the Florida and own New York avenu th to the le avenue from ¥ purpo: alf years the ateve the termini w ¥ Sth street nd » tracks on New Sth to 7th streets unused Thus fer about two and » tracks have been put . but have been main- company in a bad condition between rails are paved with . and thus the greater part of is occupied by an obstruction to been found by the m s along those blocks and by the horse of the ork ave- tion, ving t As horeughfare to be a seri- even a source of danger. » about the worst in the f roughness, and bicyclists ain that it is hazard at the lowest possi- r the orders of the months ago some t the intersection of York avenue, but the tracks on this stretch Ww of the rt auling along h end 7th, sort that obstructive three livery #tables on the north side other accounts it is in the city. The merchants of the orth side of the street have been practicar ly a unit in urging the Secretary of the In- terior and, thrcugh him, the Attorney Gen- eral to take action for the removal of the tracks, and they are now chagrined to find that the ny has sought to evade prosecution by resorting to a palpable sub- terfuge. This morning a Star reporter call- ed upon Mr. George M. Barker, whose place ef business is on this block, and asked him how the merchants feel with reference to the com: chise without abating the nuisance. A Trick to Save a Franchise. “This car,” said Mr. Barker, “carries no Passengers and is not even switched, being run back and forth on the same track, ap- parently for the accommodation of the any’s maneuver to save the fran- small boys of the neighborhood. There seems to be no regular schedule, but the driver takes the car back and forth as it pleases him. It is all too plainly a trick to maintain the right to use this plece of track, and we hope that it will not succeed in _pré venting the removal of the rails that have interfered so seriously with our use of the street for many years. We are grateful to The Star for its efforts to enforce an obedi- ence to the law, and we hope that it will continue to work in behalf of the citizens for the rights that they should be given in the use of the street.” The new move on the part of the com- pany is regarded as the more interesting because of the fact that the road is in the hands of a receiver, who is therefore under the orders of the court. Inasmuch as the operation of the car on New York avenue requires the service of a man and several horses, costing at least $12 a week, it is questioned by those who have inquired into the matter whether the receiver is possess- ed of any authority to incur such an ex- pense. Jt is an expense that was not in- cluded within the range of the receiver's duties at the time he was appointed by the court, and there may be a disposition on the rt of creditors of the road to enter a pro- test agains n so small a drain upon the income Th *kington read has recently changed in fact, although the receiver ap- pointed during the ownership of the pre- vious holders ef the charter is still in ice. It is suggested that perhaps is leventh-hour effort to save the franchise along New York avenue is due to a de- sire on the part of the new company to hold the vizht to reach the Capital Trac- tion road at 7th street and New York avenue. In this conection it is remembered that April 30, 1862, an act was passed amending the charter of the then Rock Cree Railroad Company, extending the line from the terminus then established at th and U streets by way of U street and Fiorida avenue to the corner of Flori- renue and North Capitol street. The Creek company, now the Capital fraction company, utilized only a part of this privilege, extending the line no further than 7th street. The privilege to go to North Capitol street and Florida * lapsed under the terms of the ex- s uet. But this act also contained the following section: Rock Creek Railway Company kington and Soldiers’ Home Company shall have the power any contracts or agreements that ssary to enable the said com- Rock to make may be nec panies to run the cars of each or cither company company the power of each or either compan: propel the cars of the other cempany. Possible Interpower Service. It is thought that there is no doubt that all unlapsed privileges granted the Rock Creek Company passed without impairment to its successor, the Capital Traction Com- The change in name on the part property was, so far as the law . a change in name only, not- tanding the fact that the change mmated under the act authorizing ‘hange of name was of the most far- ing material consequences. If this over the tracks of the other alse to contract for and use to ositi be well founded, it is plain there is today possible an intercar or between the Eck- 7th street road. It ally forecasted that the Zth street roud wili be placed on an elec- trical basis within a comparatively short time, and it is thevght to be barely pos- sible now that the desire to preserve the hitherto useless franchise_on New York avenue between Sth and 7th streets m be due to an intention on the part of the new t owners of the Eckington road into an arrangement with the Cap- 1 Traction Company at 7th street and ew York avenue, by utilizing the quoted of the act’ of April 1 oft . if such a connection were desired, it would be possible to effect it at the corner of 7th and G streets or at the cor- her of 7th and B stre the latter beiug the terminus of the Eckington line. The terminus at New York avenue, however, offers certain advantages for power sup- ply purposes for either the Eckington or the 7th strect road that the other points do not possess. In view of the many po: ities of the situation, therefore, the de- lopments of the ejectment suit now in ‘ess of preparation are awaited with rest by the street railroad public of the pr No Effect Court Proceedings. District Attorney Davis stated to a Star reporter today that the placing of a car in service by the Eckington company on the tracks uleng New York avenue between Sth and 7th streets, would have no effect en the proceedings in court, to be insti- tuted by him within a few days, in the Girection of compeling the company to re- move the tracks. In opinion of Mr. Davis, if the right to ntain the tracks has been forfeited by a long period of disuse, that status of affairs will not be altered by the placing of a car in service, after the institution of proceed against the company has been edin, Girected by the Attorney General, Se a Breadstafix of Germany. wing Moore, United States com- mercial agent at Weimar, has made a r port to the State Department, which is published in the daily consular reports, upon Germany's consumption of bread- stuffs, in the course of which he recites the efforts that are being made to increase the production of these staples to a point where Tho: thi will supply the home demand. At present, he says, from one-eighth to one- ninth of the amount of breadstuffs con- sumed is imported, and Prof. Dellruck of Be rlin has expressed the opinion that by ng the soil with nitrogen it will be sible to increase its fertility to the nec- ary degree. Mr. Moore also quotes from other authorities a contrary view- based upon the fact that consumption is increas- ing much more rapidly than production. ~~ Question of Armor Plate. ‘The Senate committee on naval affairs has decided to ask the Secretary of the Navy to appear hefore it at its regular meeting next week in relation to the ques- tion of armor plate. The committee de- sires especially to secure his advice as to what course should be pursued in meeting the immediate demands of the government for plate. —+-e+—____ TO GIVE BOND, Affecting Po: Jerks Favored. The Post Office Department will recom- mend to Congress that legislation be en- providing that clerks and other em- ‘s in post offices handling government finances be hereafter required to give bond to the government, and not to the post- master as now. This will relieve the post- master from all responsibility regarding his employes except as to their conduct. There is said to be some question as to whether a bond given by an employe could } be collected, as it is held that a postmaster cannot delegate financial responsibility im- imposed upon him. Another recommendation which will be made to Congress is that the government be permitted to make leases for post office stations for ten years instead of five as now. Legisiat Office -+—_____ To Retmburse Wyoming. Senator Warren has introduced in the Senate a bill to reimburse the state of Wyoming for mcney expended by the ter- ritory of Wyomirg in protecting and pre- serving the Yellowstone National Park curing the years 1884, 1885 and 188¢. DEFICIENCY BILL PASSED. Animated Debate Over the Soldiers’ Home at Danville, Il. After The Star’s report of the House pro- ceedings closed yesterday, consideration of the urgent deficiency appropriation bill continued. Mr. DeArmond (Mo.) moved to strike out the paragraph appropriating $100,000 for the construction of barracks at the soldiers’ home established at Danville, Ill, and lim- iting the total cost to $525,000. He said this was chapter 3 in the history of this soldiers’ home to be established at the home of the chairman of the committee on ap- propriations. He called attention to the fact that when the sundry civil bill was passed at the last session carrying $150,000 for the establishment of the Danville home it was then stated that that was all the money which would be asked for. Mr. DeArmond was exceedingly caustic in his criticism of Mr. Cannon, who, he said, after ising his power on the appropri- ations committee to get that soldiers’ home located at his home town, is now trying to take half a million more out of the. treas- ury. He charged that the original appro- priation of $150,000 would never have been made except under the pressure of the then existing circunstances. Alone, he de- clared, it could never have commanded a majority of the House. Mr. Cannon, in his reply, castic as his adversary. It scold, he said. How praiseworthy practice was, was another question. In the old days common scolds such as the gentleman from Missouri were aucked at the town pum Mr. Cannon called attention to the fact that that this was the third time Mr. De Ar- reond had attacked him on the score of this soldiers’ home. He explained t in the last Coagress the committee on military affairs had unanimously reported in favor of establishing a new home at Danville. There was great necessity for it, as 18,000 soldiers were sleeping in corridors, cella and attics. The appropriation committee, after an exhaustive investigation on the merits of the question, had reported the appropriation contained in the last sundry civil bill, Mr. Cannon asserted that there were enough old soldiers inmates of poor houses io fill the new home. The personal side of the attack made by Mr. De Armond, he said, was hardly worth reply During twenty years’ service on the appropriation committee, in charge, as he bad been, of appropriatiors covering mil- ions in every part of the country, he said, this was the only time any intimation had ever been made that he had a personal in- terest in an appropriation. “The gentleman must not measure his corn in my half bushel,” said he, with emphasis. “I am glad that this home is located at Danville, but any intimation that this home is not needed comes from one who spevks without knowledge and indicates that his desire to scold has run away with his judgment.” (Applause.) Mr. DeArmond pressed Mr. Cannon to tell why the appropriation for the home was to be increased half a million, but M Cannon said he had made sufficient expla nation and was willing to leave the con- troversy to the House. Thereupon Mr. De Armond said he would himself answer the questicn. “The home at Danville,” cated by virtue of the gentlema as chairman of the avpropriations com- mittee and by the suppression of debate in this House, was, I will not say a legis- lative outrage, but enough of a legislative performance and acquisition at that time. Tf $750,000 had been asked at that time there would have been such sense of s would ha said he, “lo- s position a ve left Dan- trea) looting. ville beactifui village of the plains, entirely without 2 soldiers’ home.” said, sumed that he He could make no de- Mr. Cannon, he needed no defense. fe asserted M DeArmond. He had sed his position, which should have been used for tne public good, to help the ople of Danville, whe we! interested in tia 16a And when such things ar not allowed to go uscommented upon,” tinued Mr. DeArmond, “he terms criticism scolding. He refers to his record. Does he regret his lost opportunities? (Laughter.) He appeals to his friends who know him to testify to bis singleness of purpose and his patriotism, when, methods he da not and cannot defend, ke gets a soldier: home located at his home, and now asks for half a million more. I am willing to be a scold if denouncing such things con- itute a scold.” “Mir. Cannon replicd briefly, with a good deal of feeling, but in good temper. He asserted that this appropriation was Justi- fied from every standpoint of the public service. “I thaik God,” said he, “that 1 haven't the heart to pose here and act the demagogue. ‘This whole attack is made because perchance I happen to live at Dan- ville. I will take my record in this and past Congres: and I will stand or fall on it. I will leave the ques-ion to the House. If it were possible, I would leave it to that slde of the House, and I should not fear e verdict.” (Applause.) eyenera: (Frendarsons (lowa) and. W2 Au Stone (Pa.) spoke briefly of the testimony showing the necessity for a new soldiers’ home in the Mississippi valley and the pro- priety of le ing it at Danville. Mr. DeArmond’s motion was ed withc ut division. , When the item appropriating $50,000 for ir of dry dock No. 3 at New York nched, Mr. Bennett (N.Y.) said it had been his intention to oppose any further appropriation for this dock, but he had been assured by the Secretary of the Navy that a thorough investigation would be made, and on this condition he bad with- ‘awn his opposition. re Gaanon a iso said tnat the Secretary of the Navy would order a court-martial to probe this scandal. The appropriations committee, he said, recommended 350,000 pecause Naval Constructor Bowles believed the dock could be completed with that sum. Without further smendment the bill was ed. passed. itt, from the forelgn affairs com- mittee, reported the diplomatic and con- sular appropriation bill, and at 4:45 pn. the House adjourned. = ee ALASKA MAIL ROUTES. then de- Proposals Invited by the Post Office Department. Postmaster General Gary has issued ad- yertisements inviting proposals for carry- ing mail on several coatemplated new routes in Alaska. The first is for letter mail only to the route from Juneau via Dyea, Dawson City, Canada; Forty-Mile, Canada, and Circle, Alaska, to Weare, Alaska, near the mouth of the Tanana, 1,638 miles and return, two round trips a month, for four years from July 1 next. The next route, on which letter mail only is to be carried, is from St. Michael's, Alaska, along the Yukon via Kutlik, Kos- erefsky, Anvik, Nulato and Novikakat to Weare, near the mouth of Tanana river, 900 miles and back, one round trip a month, for four years from July 1, 1898. The same route may also be bid’on for one year. The bids will be opened on Feb- ruary 10. JOAQUIN MILLER DLY FROZEN. The Poet Reaches Dawson Minus a ‘Toe and an Ear. A letter from Dawson City, dated Decem- ber 9, says: “Joaquin Miller arrived at Dawson from Circle City December 4, at 11 o'clock. He was very badly frozen, hav- ing lost a part of the great toe of his left foot, his left ear was sluffing off and both cheeks were frozen. He left Circle City thirty days before, in company with Har- old Canovano of the coast survey. They started from Circle City without dogs, having been unable to secure them. They pulled their outfit on a sled. “Mr. Miller brings a story of great suf- fering all along the river by parties caught in the ice on thelr way to Yukon. He re- ports also the death of Charles Anderson, young man from Brooklyn, N. ¥., who accidentally shot himself while in a boat about fifty miles above Circle City. (OEE OE EE EE EE EEE eee TEACHING THE DEAF Annual Report of President Gallaudet of Columbian Institution. FORTY YEARS OF’ SUCCESS Results of a Tour Among the Schools of Eurepe. A STUDY OF METHODS The annual report of Dr. Edward M. Gal- laudet, president of the:Columbian Institu- tion for the Deaf and Dumb, for the past fiscal year has been submitted to the Sec- retary of the Interior and, together with certain valuable appendices, has just been given publication in pamphlet form, Par- ticular interest attaches to the document from the fact that it is the fortieth annual report of the affairs of the institution, as well as from the fact that it contains ref- erences to a visit by Dr. Gallaudet to the European schools for the deaf and dumb during the past summer. This journey was undertaken by special authority of the board of directors, and in the course of a letter to that body Dr. Gal- laudet outlines the results of his tou which was for the purpose of securing in- formation that might be of assistance i confirming or modifying the conciusions that have been reached by those in charge of the Columbian Institution as to the rela- tive methods of educating the deaf. Schools in Europe. Dr. Gallaudet goes on to say: “It will be remembered that in 1867 I made, under your authority, an extended examination of schools for the deaf in Europe, a full account of which was pub- lished in connection with the tenth annual report of this institution. “In the forty-four schools then visited essential differences in the methods of in- truction employed were observed, which led to the following classification and desig- ation, viz: 5 anne ‘The natural (manual )method, found- ed by the Abbe de I’Epee in France in ‘based on a free use of the natural lan- guage of the deaf mute, that of pantomimic gestures; employing this, however, as a means only to the end in view, which is the induction of the mute to society by mak- ing him acquainted with the vocabulary the grammar and the idioms of his vei nacular, thus erapowering him to read un- derstandingly, and write correctly, the lan- guage of the country where he resides. The extent of education which may follow this great aim of the natural (manual) method depends, of course, only on the means, dis- position and talents of the pupil. (2) The artificial (oral) method, founded nearly simultaneously by Samuel Heinicke in Germany and Thos. Braidwood in Scot- land about the year 1760, which ‘has for its principal aim the development by un- natural processes cf the power of speech, and the training of the eye of the mute to perform, as far as possible, the part of the palsied ear, by discerning the meaning of spoken words from the changes in position of the vocal organs. The natural language of the mute is, in schools of this class, sup- pressed as soon and as far as possible, and its existence as a language capable ing made the reliable and precise vehi the widest range of thought isagnorec extent of intellectual culture opened to mutes under this method is less within a given number of sears than that afforded by the first methed. 5 (3) The combined system, Under this head were classed ‘those institutions which are endeavoring (1867) to combine the two methods just described, recognizing the utility of the sign language at every stage of the course of instruction, and st the same time including a greater-or less degree of attention to spoken language. Here will be found many ools where the value and practicability of teaching articulation was once wholly denied and the system of “artificial speech’’ vehemently denounced; while, on the other hand, institutions or- ganized and for many years conducted on the principles laid down by @ man who declared “that all other methods than his own (that of articulation) were uselcss and pernicious, and no less than delusive folly, fraud and nonsense,” are now found recog- nizing and employing the natural language of the mute to a degree which assigns them a place in this third classification.” Superiority of the Combined System. “A comparison of results attained in the schools visited compelled me to give a de- cided preference to the combined system, and the recommendations I was led to make at that time (1867) were for the gen- eral adoption of such a system in the schools of our country. “Satisfied as I am of the unquestionable superiority of this system over either of the single methods employed separately, it was with no little regret that 1 observed in the course of my recent investigations in Europe that few schools took a decided and open stand in favor of a combination of methods. The effort was general on the part of officers of schools to maintain that ascendency of the oral method which has been secured on the continent of Europe within the last twenty years. “But opposed to this, there was brought to my notice the most remarkable una- nimity and earnestness of opinion on the part of the educated deaf mutes of that the best education of their ¢ not secured by the practice of the cral method, they having themselves been train- ed thereunder, but that the combined sys- tem, as perfected in America, should be universally accepted and employed. “A number of teachers, also, working in oral schools, expressed opinions favorable to the combined system, but said they did rot feel themselves at liberty to make such views public as long as the policy of the management of their schools was for the single oral method. he interesting interviews I had with large numbers of adult deaf mutes out of school for several years and with teachers actually engaged in their work, will be found fully described in the‘ papers trans- mitted herewith. “This testimony of the educated deaf— the most competent witnesses to be found where methods are on trial—deserves, I think, to be aecepted as conclusive. That it will exert an effective influence on the adjustment of methods in Eugope, sure to take place in the near future, I have no doubt. “In my recent investigationg in Europe I met with nothing which leads me to differ- ent conclusions as to methods from those reached thirty years ago, with the single exception that my estimate as to the prac- tical value of speech to the deaf after leay- ing school is modified by the testimony of the deaf themselves on this point. “I was more than a little surprised that many intelligent deaf mutes, who seemed to me to speak fairly well, should say that their speech was really of small practical service to them. “I would not be led ‘by this to advise any diminution of effort in our scho#s to im- part speech to our pupils, butsI should certainly recommend that a hig! stand- ard of success be set, and that with chil- dren falling below that stardard oral in- struction should be abandoned. “At many points in Europe great interest was manifested in gtir college, and the wish was expressed in all the couniries visited bale they might have schools of similar “The effort for a gpllege for the deaf in Great Britain is § definite shape, and there Is good reason to hope for success at an early day. Speech at a Banquet. Appended is a report of a speech deliver- ed by Dr. Gallaudet at a banquet in Lon- Gon during the latest meeting of the Lon- don cengress of the deaf descriptive of his continental observations. A more de- tailed account of his journey and the views he had of European deaf-mute instruction was published in a recent number of the American Annals of the Deaf and repro- duced as an appendix to this report. In the course of this article occurs the fol- lowing passage concerning certain phases of his tour, which is worthy of present re- production: “The day before I left London I was very courteously received at the house of commons by William Woodall, M. P. a member of the royal commission on th «education of the deaf and dumb, &c. nd was able to interest him in the scheme for a college in England for the deaf. “Through the courtesy of our American ambassador at London, Col. John Hay, an interview was arranged for me with Sir John Gorst, M. P. and member of the privy council, vice president of the com- mittee on education. I presented to him copies of the ‘Message of the officers and Gireciors of the Columbia Institution to all interested in the education of the deaf in Europe,’ and of our college cataiogue. 1 spoke at some length of the project for a college for the deaf in England, and believe I sowed some good seed for the cause. “Through the courtesy of our acting affaives at Rome, Consul General Jones, I had pleasant in- the minister of public in- struction for Italy, Prof. Emanuele Gia: turco, presenting ‘to him copies of our ‘Message’ and college catalogue for dis tribution in It Mr “S was kind enough to have our ‘M. : lated n by cne of the assistants of Yy and to arrange for the priat- translation. “Our distinguished ador at Ber- lin, Anarew D. White, vresented me to the minister of public instruction for Ger- many, Dr. Bosse, who received with great interest and attention the documents I had to present and the statements I made concernirg the education of the deaf in cur counuy. Mr. John B. Jackson, sec- sy in Berlin, courteous and helpful to me in retary of the American emba: most was ‘is I was not successful in obtain- ing an interview with the minister of pub- the epartment, the in lie instruction, nor with Mr. Monod, bureau officer of the interior d who has charge of matters concerning deaf, for he w ill during my stay Paris. All I was able to do w to pl documents in the hands of his secretary. “Through the courtesy of the rep’ sentatives of our government at Rome, Berlin, Paris and London, copies of our ‘Message’ and college catalogue have been forwarded to the governments of Austrt Russia, Greece, Turkey, Sweden and No: way, Denmark, Holland, Belgium, Spain, Portuga! and Switzerland. Attitude Entitled to Respect. “My only comment on my _ interesting interviews with the educated adult deat all over Europe, after an gra urance of my eful appreciation of their cordia! hos- pitality, is the expression of a gratified surprise at finding them urging with una- nimity and enthusiasm the general adop- tion of a combined system of education for their class. Their attitude in this matter unmistakable, and who will venture to s it is not y entitled to the fullest respect’ Those whose names I have given are the most intelligent and best educated deaf men to be found in Europe today. Who can set aside the friendly criticisms of these men and the societies they represent of the method under which they have been do trained? They not suggest the aboli- tion of speech teaching, nor its relegation to an inferior position in the general scheme of education. But they do declare that the practical value of speech to the deaf in active life greauy overestimated by many teachers; that many deaf children are incapable of success in speech; that the intellectual development of all the deaf is quickened by a judicious use of the sign language, all of which considerations lead them to demand that a broader and more elastic system shall be adopted than can be found in any single method. I am con- fident the aspirations of these men and women who have discovered the insuf- ficiency of the single method in their own disappointing experiences will command a widespread and hearty, if not univ hy on our side of the vcean.”” Message of the cfficers and directors of the Columbia Institution to all inte in the education of the deaf in Euro, which Dr. Gallaudet refe of his narrative, w: last April and w William McKinley, det, John B. Wight Edward C. Walthall, Joseph D. Si Henr, R. Hawley, Byron Sunderland, John W. Foster, William L. Wilson. Some Statistics. In the course of this “message” statistics of deaf-mute instruction in America are given, with the following comment: fhe manner in which the oral teaching of the deaf has become general in our country is deserving of special notice. The purely oral schools, the first of which were established thirty years ago, have not be- come numerous. Out of the 55 public schools of the country only 5 sustain the pure oral method, and these 5 contain but 567 pupils out of 10,086 in all the public schools. But speech is taught in every one of the other schools, in connection with a greater or less use of features of the man- ual method. In the 50 public schools in which a combined system prevails, with a pupilage of 9,519, mere than 4,000 pupils are taught speech. From these statements two conclusions may be draw () That in the public schools for the deaf in the United States all the pupils are given the oppor- tunity to learn to speak; and (2) that with those who cannot attain substantial suce instruction in speech is not continued. The present attitude in our country, after thirty years of effort to supplant the manual method by the oral, is, therefore, unmi: takably in favor of a combined system, in which the best effects of both methods may be secured.” — + Improving the Mississippi. ‘The House rivers and harbors commit- tee concluded its hearing yesterday on the projcet for the improvement of the Mississippi river from the gulf to the port of New Orleans. Ex-Secretary of the Interior Francis was the principal speak- er. Other speakers included Thomas J. Woodward and A. K. Miller of New Or- leans and Capt. L. Bryson, Davenport, Towa. 2+ _____ PENSION FOR. EX-SLAVES. Negro Preacher at Macon, Ga., Im- * poses on His People. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. MACON, Ga., January 13—A negro preacher, named Kegler, is in Macon, rep- resenting to ex-slaves that Congress in- tended paying them pensions. The negroes are becoming greatly inter- ested and excited over the matter, and meetings are being held nightly. Kegler's plan is to get all ex-slaves to register, and he proposes to take the lists to Washing- ton and have pensions paid to each one registered. He claims that Congress has already ap- propriated money for payment of such pen- sions. His meetings are being largely at- tended, and negroes, mostly of the ignorant class, are coming from surrounding coun- ties to hear Kegler. Subscriptions are taken at meetings to help buy books ana defray expenses of registering. Kegler is said to have come to Macon from Atlanta. Some of the more intelligent class of ne- groes speak of running Kegler out of town. ARMY AND NAVY. Matters of General Interest to Service, Ensign W. A. Moffett has been detached from the Enterprise and ordered to the Mobican. Ensign Y. Stirling, ir., has been ordgrea to Newport News as Lieut. R. H. Galt’s assistant. The general court-martial appointed to meet at West Point, N. ¥., October 4, 1897, is dissolved, and a general court-martial is appointed to meet there for the trial of such prisoners as may be brorght before It. The following are detailed for the court: Major William F. Spurgin, 234 In- Capt. James L. Lusk, Corps of En- th department; Capt. John B. Bellinger, as- sistant quartermaster; Capt. Francis A. Winter, assistant surgeon; First 1 ant Thomas H. Rees, Corps of First Lieutenant John T. Thompson, nance department; First Lieutenant Walter A. Bethel, 3d Artillery; Second 1 Palmer E. Pierce, 6th Infantr; Lieutenant Jay E. Hoffer, 3d Second Lieutenant Julian R. Lindsey, Second Lieutenant \ ir., 4th Cavalry; Sec tenant Jens Bugge, 3d Infantry; Si Lieutenant George Blakely, 2 Judge advocate. The } of absence granted First Lieu- tenant Arthur B. Foster, 19th Infantry, is extended three months. Capt. Charles H. Grierson is granted six months’ lea’ . William W. Gibson of the ordnance department has been ordered to visit th works of Pratt & Letchworth N. Y., and the Kilby Manufacturing Com- pany, Cleveland, Ohio, for t inspection and test of steel castings for 12-inch mortar carriag The leave of absence granted Capt.George A. Zinn of the Corps of Engineers is ex- tended one month. Capt. John Baxter, jr., assist master, is relieved from dut eral department, Jeffersonville, ordered to Fort Riley, Kan. The leave of absence grant tenant Harris L. Roberts, extended one month, Capt. George Ruhlen, assistant quarter- master, has been ordered to report to the commanding general department of the Columbia for a: nment to duty as quar- termaster of the Alaska relief expedition. The leave of absence granted First Lieu- tenant George W. Kiricman, Sth Infantry, is extended one month. Lieutenant Colonel William A. Marye of the ordnance department fas been ordered to the works of the Tredegar Compan: Richmond, Va., for the inspection of pro- jectile The nt quarter- at the gen- Ind., and ed First Lieu h Infantry, is leave of absence granted Major Egan A. Koeper, surgeon, is extended tw months. Capt. Peter R. Egar, assistant surgeon, ieved from duty at Fort Hamilton, N. Y., and ordered to Fort Hancock and ‘th Sandy Hook proving grounds, New Je: sey, but will be stationed in New York y until suitable quart for him Fort Hancock. ear Admiral L. A. I can be prepared « ptired Fi Pritcha ector A. J. will be MeCarthy has master on the Maine. The ignation accep) been appointed pay- put. 1 Washing: ment. Ensign V. St! to New York for instruction in electricity. Lieut. H. H. Burroll has been ordered to examination at New York. Passed Assist- ant Surgeon A, W. Dunbar has been tached from the Vermont and ordered to the Nashville. +--+ _____ OSTMASTER HICKS’ CASE. The Department Satisfied With His Explanation, No further inquiry fs expected in the case of Postmaster Hicks of Philadelphia, charged with violations of the civil service laws. At the hearing Tuesday before the first ssistant postmaster general Post- master Hicks made a concise and satisfac- tory statement of the case, and it is under- stood the department is thoroughly satis- fied with the explanation. It has developed that Mr. Heath, when the new roster of the Philadelphia post office was sent to hii, dispatched Inspector Beavers to Philadelphia to investigate on his own account. Everything was found to be in accord with the law and displayed great executive ability on the part of Post- master Hicks. When the ch the case came up for offi Mr. Heath said to a reporte: Afternocr. thai nothing was developed a* the hearing Tues but what was complimentary to Postmaster Hicks. He had demonstrated in the reorgini [ his office rare beyond expr: ter had effected : d the office three-four-hs the clerks were democrats, and it was t to be supposed that any changes could made without causing unfavorable com- mi When he ent of b ment. He was convinced, however, that the reorganization was eminently fair end made for the best interests of the gov- ernment and upon a non-partisan basis. —————— 2. ae A ernment .Monor The State Department is informed that the Nicaraguan government, in order to increase the public revenues, ha lished a monopoly of the sale of | and cartridges. Deb has transmitted to the Secretary of State a decree of the Nicaraguan government, which makes pre editors of per- planters to thinks YW oprove 2 0 for- eigners who hol] moitgeges c P tations and tend to further compli iness conditions in Nicaragua. ——— Bishop Satterlee Spenks in New York. The annual convention of the Church Temperance Society opened in New York Tuesday. At the even.rg session Bishop Henry Y. Satterlee of W: ington spoke on the “Parish House and Its Functions,” as one of the counteractions of the saloon. Following on the same subject. namely, “Counteractions to the Saloon,” Rey. Wil- lis B. Holcomh poke on “The East Side House and Its Uses. ++ Came te Fight Annexation. Dr. Mary Walker was at the Capitol yes- terday and spent considerable time ‘in the lebby of the Sevate. Dr. Walker wears the satne style of gentlemen's clothing that has been scen on her person for so many years. She said she was not here in re- gard to any matter concerning herself, but “like all other American citizens,” she was much concerned lest the Hawaiian treaty weuld be approved by the Senate. Dr. Walker proposed doing all she couid to defeat the treaty and was sure it would destroy the government in a reasonably short time if it should be adopted. Dr. Walker isthe latest enemy of the treaty who has shown up about the Senate, o- Personal Mention. Captain George N. Zinn of the corps of engineers {s in the city. Second Lieutenant J. B. Watson, 19th In- fantry, has registered at the War Depart- n.ent. He is at 986 New York avenue. Ensign Frank Marble of the New York is in the city for examination for promo- tion. He is at the Army and Navy Club. Lieutenant N. J. K. Patch was at the Navy Department today. He is at the Raleigh. * .|RAM’S HORN HANDLES Test of the New Police Regulations Governing Bicycles, >—__ MR. FRED W. MOORE THE DEFENDANT The Witnesses All Disapprove of the Ordinance. ———_+--__ THE HEARING ADJOURNED oe A large number of bicycle riders were in the Police Court today to hear the case of Mr. Fred. W. Moore, an employe of the Eciipse Bicycle Company, who was ar- rested Saturday last on the charge of rid- ing a bicyle which was not made to comply with the police regulations The facts as admitted at the partial hear- ing Monday by the counsel for Mr. Moore were that January 8, 1808, the defendant was riding al on one of the streets of the city of Washington; that the low erd of the handle bars of the bicycle was on a@ plane lower than four inches pelow the iop of the saddle at its center: that the rider was tn all other respects complying with the police regulations. Before the introduction of any testimony Mr. D. G. Mackall, counsel for Mr. Moore, asked the court to rule, “as a matter of that section 30 of the Police Regula- at least that portion thereof on which the prosecution in this case is based, is un- constitutional and void.” Judge $ 4 overs ruled the motion, and counsel noted an exe ception. Mr. Mackall then requested the rourt to rule as a matter of law that the Commis- sioners of the District of Columbia have no Power to enact any such regulation at all; and even 1f they have such power, that that portion of said regulation for t al- leged violk.tion of which the defendant is prosecuted is unusual, unreasonable, unjust and oppressive, and deprives the di lant of the use and enjoyment of his private property. Judge Scott refused this request also, and counsel again noted an exception. sted the court to rule, even if said sc be valid. usual and reasonable, th fendant, under the evidence intrody District, is not guilty of the viol of. r of law. th: tion t request of Mr. Mackall was like- refused by the court, and counsel again noted an exception. Defendant the First Witness, Mr. Moore, the defendant, was then call- ed to the stand, and in reply to questions from Mr. Mackall Mr. Moore stated that he is an expert rider on a bicyele; has heen riding Meycles for ten years, Mr. Pugh objected to the statement of Mr. Moore that he is an expert. This was, he said, a matter to be settled by the courts He m ined that man might say he pert rider, when, as a maiter of | » he might not know anything about a ed between Mr. M&ckall and Mr. Pugh, at the conclusion of which Mr. Moo’ wag permitted to resume his direct testimony. He claimed that with a pair of ram's horn hand he could ride much more through a crowd and could ah than with handle bars made so as to comply with the regulation on the sub- tly promulgated by the District joners. Mr. Moore said that at his bicycle, owing to the regula- tion, was useless, and would continue to be unless he got a new pair of handle ba Se The Wheel in Court. At the request of Judge Seott Mr. Moore brought his wheel into court and demons strated to the court how, in Mr. Moore's judgment, it was safer to ride a drop bar bieyele than one of an upright eter, Mr. Moore gave as his opinion that twoe thirds of the best riders in the District use the drop bar, which had been in use for seme seven or eight years, and had found that they gave entire satisfaction. It was also, he said, much easier to climb hills with a drop bar wheel than with the other, On cre amination Mr. Moore said ders do not object to the usa Us, and he did not think any riders who would pre= er to have is without handle 5 Mr. F. J. Marble, the next witness testimony corrobe ing that of Mr. farther present in reference to the safety both to. and riders of whecls having drop hand) b He also stated that in his opinion the height of the handle bars had no effecc en the distance which a rider could see ahead of him. Mr. Marble was cross-examined by Mr. Pugh, but his testimony was unchanged. Mr. Jolin M. Manning satd he had been a bieycle rider for twelve years, and pre- Hey ram's horn handle bars to any other ind. Mr. Pugh asked the witness if he di not think that bicyclers were able to regulate themselve: that they did not need made by the Commissione sponded that he thought there could be nothing better for the riders themseives than wise regulations made by. the Commissioners. Mr. W. J. Prince, any. The who said he was 2 clerk, corroborated what the preceding wit- nesses had said on the subject of the safee! ty of ram's horn bars. Ram's 1 m the Best. t on the stand and ed himself an expert ride: and felt sure that a wheel was more easily controlled by the use of ram’s horn bars 1 by any other sort. He did not see any necessity for the new regulation. Mr. Frank C. Potts said he had been a bicycle rider for fourteen years, and re- garded the ram's horn bar as absolutely safe. Mr. Pugh asked Mr. Potts if he could not regulate his wheel without a handle as well as with one. To this Mr. Potts answered: “No, I don’t think I could; 1 do not think I would Like to ride a wheel without a handle bar, but I would have my handle bars shorter than they now are.” At this point the further hearing of the case was postponed until Monday. eee TO CULTIVATE tw SUGAR BEETS. Syndicate With $15,000,000 Formed ta forn! SAN ‘CISCO, Cal., January 13.— The Call says: A cablegram from London announces the success of the mission of Willard E. Green, who recently left for Europe in the interest of the bect sugar syndicate, which has been negotiating for lands in the Sacramento valley. Satisfac- tory arrangements have been made, and all that remains is to secure the proper persons to cultivate the beet. Contracts have been signed by which 150,000 acres of land near Chico, Marys- ville and Red Bluff has been secured, an@ the work of erecting three immense sugar fectories will be started at once. The ey: dicate has a capital of $15,000,000, intends making the venture a succes: money and experience can do it. The secured embodies tracts from the Glenn ranch, the Bidwell ranch and the Phelay estate and the Stanford estate, with other tracts in smaller quantities,