Evening Star Newspaper, February 8, 1898, Page 11

THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY. AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Pennsylvania Aveaus, Cor. 11th St, by The Ere Sop ATP Coney. Few York Office, 49 Potter Building, ‘The Evening Star ts served to subscribers I the eity ty carriers, on their own a-count, at 10 cents per week, o- 44 certs per month. at the counter 2 cents each. By mail—e: im the United States or prepaid—0 cents per menth. Saturday Qcintuple Sheet Star, $1 year, with foreign daca. “ Part2. Che Foyening | Star. Pages 11-14, WASHINGTON, D. C., TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1898—FOURTEEN PAGES. The Evening Star is the only afternoon paper in Washington that receives the dispatches of the Associated Press. It is therefore the only one in which the reader can find the complete news of the world, directly trans- mitted by telegraph, up to the moment of going to press. SWEARING AT TELLER Tammany Democracy “Smoked Out” by His Silver Resolution. BELMONT IN 16 70 1 BAND WAGON His Gold Standard Birthright Bar- tered for Gubernatorial Pottage. MORE TAMMANY GRABS ene Special Correspondence of The Evening Star. NEW YORK, February 7, 1898. Orders have gone to the Greater New York democratic leaders at Albany, when the resolution censuring Murphy for his vote on the Teller resolution comes up, to “vote for Murphy, but don’t talk free silver.” Trese orders, issued by Richard Croker, Will, of course, decide the policy of the Tammany Hall members of the state legis- lature. But the democratic members from up the state may perhaps break away from the state organization and “talk free sil- ver." It is understood, however, that the state democratic machine has the members of the state legislature well in hand, and there will be no “scenes” likely to stir p strife and creaie a still more bitter feeling in this state between the gold and silver wings of the democratic party. Senator Teller is the man most damned in New York state today. Many demo- cratic politicians consider that his lately defeated resolution means the defeat of the state legislature and congressional tickets in this state this fall It certainly must mean a revival of the discussion of “16 to 1 and all that.” And the mere prediction of anything of this nature ts enough to send cold chills down the backs of some of the professional democratic politicians. St. Clair McKelway’s Announcement. St. Clair McKelway announced to the peo- ple of Brooklyn the other evening what Senator Vest of Missouri discovered years ago—“that we have come to the Parting of the ways.” McKelway ranges himself on the side of the gold standard, while Senator Vest is pronounced for bimetallism. Me- Kelway, however, is of the opinion that from this time henceforth the republican party will be known as the party of the gold standard; the democratic party as the party of the silver standard. And speaking of the “trimmers and opportunists,"” the Brooklyn editor is of the opinion that av: Janches are not arrested by the feet of little rds. This “parting of the ways,” though pot new to the people of the south and west. is new to the people of New York city. The political leaders in the democratic ranks have been clever enough to carry water on both shoulders. Now they are undergoing the process which State Chairman Eliot F. Danforth calls “smoking out.” And the ‘Teller resolution is responsible for driving the politicians out into the open. Even Perry Belmont, who was a “bolter” and an anti-Bryanit2 of the most pronounced type, is out with a letter in defense of Senator Murp This letter was written to Leader Donnelly of the democratic minority at Al- bany. In this letter Mr. Belmont claims that eminent repubheans have voted for resolutions similar to the Teller resolution Without being denounced as: enemies of mankind. This letter of Belmont's is re- garded as a direct bid for the silver vote. Perry Belmont’s Dilemma. Strange as it may appear, this latter day conversion of Belmont will not help him greatly in his fight for the governorship. Belmoat’s fences today are in a worse shape than a month ago. Belmont as the eandidate of the conservatives; Belmont the friend of Hill and the patron of Croker would be logical and consistent. But Bel- mont as the candidate of the Bryanites; Belmont after the governorship on a 16 to 1 platform; Belmont as the defender of Murphy and the Teller resolution is - litical absurdity. It is, of course, possible that his money will win the next state convention, but his money will hardly win the support of the 16 to 1 people. And many of the Bryanites have said they will vote for a republican rather than vote for ® bolter like Belmont. One thing is sure; the free silverites have called a halt on the state organization since the Murphy vote. They are disposed to regard his action as a ccnciliatory one, and as Croker has dubbed the senior sena- tor from New York the leader of the dem- ceratic party in the state, they are inclined te make capital out of his declaration by claiming the democratic party, Tammany and all, will be for free silver. Meetings in secret are being held daily. Tammany jobs and grabs are moving ight along. They are so numerous it would be wearis»me to recount them every day. One in particular should not be passed and its significance can best be shown by “quoting a political authority on the subject. That “Exhibition” BI Said he: “If any bili ever bore the sem- blance of a political job it is the bill in- troduced at Albany by Senator McNulty providing for an ‘exhibition of the arts and sciences to commemorate the creation of Greater New York.’ The exhibition of course would have to be under the man- agement of a commission, and so the com- mission proposed is to consist of twenty- four members, twelve to be residents of the new city and named by the mayor and twelve to be residents of the state at large, named by the governor. In other terms, the commission would be a huge bi- partisan machine, with the lever mainly in the hands of Tammany, for the twelve non-resident commissioners would neces- sarily be figureheads more or less. This body is to have power to saddle the city with a debt of $2,000,000 to run not less than ten years nor more than thirty years, and also to issue scrip certificates to the amount of $5,000,000 to be paid out of the receipts of ‘such exhibition after the ex- penses are paid.’ How these certificates uld be paid in case receipts fell below expenses can be readily surmised. Note, too, the date of the proposed exhibition. “It is to be held during ‘such period’ in 1901 as the exhibition commissioners may determine. In the fall of 1901 another city election will take place in New York, and In the year preceding, when work ‘upon buildings and the like would be probably Initiated, a presidential and state campaign will be in progress. > -—— Alleges Desertion. On the ground of desertion, suit for ai- verce has been fustituted by Nina Eliza Pinchback Toomer against Nathan Toomer. ‘he couple were married March 29, 1804, it is stated, and lived together until Sep- tember, 1895-when, the wife alleges, her husband left her; saying he was going on a business trip. He never returned. Ali- meny and the custody of an infant son are aiso asked.» 4, ——_——— Lecture a Success. The lecture of Rev. Dr. A. G. Rogers last evening at the First Congregational Chureh, in which there were shown large number of views, illustrative ‘of ADVANTAGES OF ANNEXATION. Senator Teller Discusses the Proposed Treaty With Hawall. The four hours’ executive session of the Senate yesterday afternoon was occupied by Senator Teller of Colorado in discuss- ing the Hawaiian annexation treaty. During the course of his speech Mr. Tel- ler took occasion to say that he should have been glad to discuss the treaty in open session, and to this remark he added the opinion that the time had almost come when the question of annexation should be debated upon a bill looking to legislation by both houses of Congress rather than upon the basis of the treaty. While he thought there might be a bare possibility of securring the sixty votes necessary to ratify the treaty he conceded that under the present circumstances this was exceed- irgly doubtful, and he thought the sooner this fact should be recognized and a change of front made the better it would be from all points of view. There was some interruptions at this point, and it was suggested by some sen- ators after the close of the executive ses- sion that the committee on foreign rela- tions would consider the advisability of making this change of policy at its next meeting to be held on Wednesday of this week. The statement was, however, made by Senator Davis, chairman of the com- mitte on foreign relations, that there Rad been no intention of attaching the treaty to one of the appropriation bills as an amendment, as had been stated was the case in some of the newspapers. He made this statement in reply to a question put by Senator White of California. In the Interest of Our Commerce. Senator Teller advocated the ratification of the treaty, basing his reasons for this position upon the grounds that the an- nexation of the islands was in the interest of our commerce and in line with our national policy for the past half century. He devoted himself very largely to reply- ing to the objection that has been raised to acquiring the islands because of the dcmination of the native race. He un- dertook to show that there was no founda- tion for this criticism or if there was such foundation now it need not, he said, long continue to be an essential factor of the situation. He based this statement upon figures which he produced to show that the natives or Kanakas were rapidly dying off as result of their commingling with out- side races. He contended that the island- ers could not long remain to dispute the supremacy of some other race, and what race that should be would depend largely upon the present action of the United States Senate. If we should elect to make the islands a part of the United States the American people would at once become the controlling element of Hawaii, but if we should fail to take advantage of the opportunity now offered some other people would in all probability assume the posi- tion of control which naturally and tra- ditionally belongs to the United States. Popular Sentiment. Taking up this line of argument he said that ever since the days of Webster and Marcy a majority of the people of this country had believed that the Hawaiian is- lands should and would some day become an integral part of the United States. With the fierce struggle that $ to begin in the orient for the possess rew territory among the European powers it was indeed a_ shortsighted man, he stated, who would contend that Hawaii, occupying so important a location it does in the middle of the great Pacitic ocean, would be left untouched by some of the land-grabbing nations of the old world. Under the present circum: ces it was absurd for this government to try to main- tain a system of control without taking actual possession. He controverted the position of Sena- tors Pettigrew and White that the Ameri- can could not labor in the Hawaiian Is- lands. He quoted weather statistics to show that the temperature of the island coasts ranges from 56 to 88 during the year, which he sald was far from being an oppressively hot climate. Farther inland it was still cooler, and on the mountains frosts were not frequent. If the white man of this country should not be im- pressed with the islands, Mr. Teller thought they would make an ideal location for the colored people of the United States who might desire to leave the present ter- ritory of this country, and who would find congenial employment in the sugar plan- tations and coffee fields of Hawail. Mr. Teller also discussed the contention that the Hawaiian group was not on the most direct line of travel between the western hemisphere and China and Japan. Any vessel which might come around the Horn or cross the Isthmus of Panama in of the construction of a canal would almost certainly take these islands in on its way to Yokohama, Shanghai, or any other far eastern port. Furthermore, the isla were a grfat convenience as a coaling and general supply point to vesseis plying the Pacific ocean. Defense of the Islands. Taking up the question of the necessity for the defense of the islands and of the maintenance of a large fleet in their waters in case of annexation, he said that this was a mere bugaboo and was without foundation in fact. All that would be necessary would be to fortify Pearl Har- bor for the protection of coai and military stores in times of hostility. With all of our stores of this character located at one spot, as they could easily be and that par- ticular spot strongly intrenched and well armed, there would be no need to guard other portions of the islands, for it was not to be supposed that any hostile nation would for mere sentiment send a fleet thousands of miles across the waters in order to attack and destroy any defense- less communities there simply because they were subject to the government of the United States. Mr. Teller went extensively into the his- tory of the islands from 1830 to 1850 to show that both Englishmen and French- men had forced treaties of concession out of the rulers of the islands. Senator Teller was frequently inter- rupted during the delivery of his speech by Senators White, Pettigrew, Gear and others. The Senate adjourned at 5:05 o'clock. — —-o-+—____ BALM FOR BOXWELL. Defeated Candidate for Speaker Here Looking for an Office. Representative Ashford of Ohio, accom- panied by his colleague, Alexander Box- weil, who was Senator Hanna's d2feated candidate for speaker of the house, and former Representative Harry Daugherty, who has represented Senator Hanna's in- terests in the recent investigation of al- leged bribery in connection with the elec- tion of a United Siates senator in Ohio, have been in Washington since Saturday. They registered at th2 Raleigh, but the greater portion of their time has been spent at the Arlington, where Senator Han- na lives, and at the headquarters of th3 republican national committee, in consul- tation with Col. Dick, the national secre- tary, and Jake Donaldson. Ashford ts from Columbiana county,where Senator Hanna was born. It is understood that Daugherty can have anything he wants within reason in return for his ser- vices during the senatorial fight and in the subsequent investigation. It was Daugh- erty who instructed the witnesses called by the senate committee to ramain silent. Daugherty is a sagacious lawyer and an experienced legislator. It is not improbable that Boxwell may be given something pretty ‘good. It will be ‘hi the nature of a balm for his wounded feelings. Ashford 1s said to have applied scenes along the Southern Railway, was for a consular position tor a triend. Ash- @ great success. to attend the lecture were unable to gain admission to the building. Although admission was/ ford is also a warm friend of President by card, hundreds of persons who desired McKinley, and it will probably not be diffi- cult for him to land whatever he sets his heart upon. CURRENCY OF CHINA) ?™™cns Mexican Dollars Used in Business Transactions, AT A PREMIUM RECKONED Se IN TAELS Former Consul at Ningpo Claims Loss in Exchange. MR. TRACEWELL’S VIEW Controller Tracewell of the treasury has been called upon to render an opinion as to what reimbursement a United States con- sul in China is entitled to for his actual loss in discounting his drafts on the treas- ury. In the course of the opinion the con- troller finds it necessary to discuss Chinese money and its value compared with our money, and the value of the Mexican dol- lar, which circulates to a large extent in China. : John Fowler, late United States consul at Ningpo, China, had applied for a revision of the settlement made by the auditor for the State Department February 9, 1897, of his accounts for loss by exchange for the period from July 1, 18094, to June 30, 1896. In these accounts the auditor charged the consul with $224.92 as overcharge on loss by exchange; with $5.61 gain by exchange, and credited him with 90 cents under- change, making a net difference of ‘The decision says: Mexican Dollars Valued in Taels. “The consul at Ningpo received payment in Mexican dollars when discounting his drafts. China has no money excepting the copper coin called the ‘cash,’ about 2,009 to one United States dollar. Mexican dol- Jars circulate in all the ports and are used in all business transaction. ‘The Chinese ‘tael’ Is a weight of silver, and is net a coin. There is the Shanghai tael, the Amoy tael, the Canton taei, etc., the value of thirteen or more being quoted by the di- rector of the United States mint. “The consul claims that when he draws a draft for $100 and receiv therefor 180 Mexican dollars his loss is $10 in United States gold if the Mexican dollar is at the time quoted at fifty by the director of the mint. It is admitted that this calculation would be correct if the consul were in Mex- ico. But in China the Mexican dollar is at @ premium as compared with the money of account of that country. “If, in this example, the commercial value in Shanghai of a Mexican dollar, as com- pared to the Shanghai tael. is 75, then the consul received for his draft the equivaient of taels. If that tael was they worth 70 cents in United States gold (U.S. mini estimate), the consul received 1 70, or $94.50. His loss was, therefore, $5.50, and not 310. he difference arises from the fact that the Mexican dollar is at a premium in China; that is, it 1s worth more than its bullion value. If the bullion value of the tael is 70 cents in United States gold, and the Mexican dollar at the Sharghai bank is worth = compared to the tael, it fol- lows that the Mexican dollar is, at that place, really worth 52! s in United States gold. instead of 50 cents, its bulli value at the market rate of stlver. ‘0 charge the consul with that value instead of the bulllion value gives to him the real value of United States gold in Mexican doi- Jars at Shangha!. Gold Without Value in China. “In the present case the difficulty is that United States gold does not circulate in China, and has no commercial value there. In the absence of such commercial value the estimated value furnished by the director of the mint must govern in fixing the real value of the foreign money, as compared to United States gold, and, as heretofore stated, the director's’ estimate of the value of a tael (a weight of silver) must necessarily be very accurate, for it is an estimate of its value, according to the silver bullion market of the world. “It 1s not denied by the consul that the Shanghai tael is in fact worth the amount stated by the director of the mint. The bankers in the Chinese ports certify the relative value of the Mexican dollars and the taels. Having thus the commercial value of the Mexican in taels, its value in United States gold is easily ascertained “Auditor Holcomb, in writing to thi - sul, said: ‘While what is commonly known &s the intrinsic value of the Mexican is the same in China as in Mexico, the com- mercial value is not necessarily the same, and, as a matter of fact, is not the same, nor is its commercial value the same all over China, but varies in different parts. The tael is not a money in circulation, but it is a money of accorrt, and a standard money of account, by which the commer- cial value of other money, Mexican, for instance, in use in China can be establish- ed. It is necessary to have a standard, or yerd stick, if you please, by which’ to reasure the fluctuating commercial value of the Mexican dollar, and it appears that the tael is the standard which will ac- complish the object desiré It is a money of China, and has an intrinsic value com- pared with the gold dollar of the United States, which is now given in the treasury valuation, and it also has a relative com- mercial value to Mexican dollars, which is known to @nd can be given by banks and bankers: If, therefore, you will make your transactions in Mexicans, and .give their relative value to the tael, py certifi- cate of your banker, it will be all that is desired.” ~The Auditor Sustained. “The accounts rendered by the consul show a loss by exchange of large amounts, frequently as much as 16 per cent of the face of the draft. The auditor’s method of calculation indicates that the rate is less than 6 per cent. It does not seem reason- able that the rate of exchange between the principal ports of China and the United States should be as high as 16 per cent. Mr. Fowler appears to have negotiated his drafts on the most favorable terms anu is entitled to be reimbursed for the actual loss and expense incurred. As the money of the United States is not in use in China, the cons... cannot directly state his loss in that money. In connection with his banker, he certifies the number of Mexican dollars actually received for a draft and the cur- rent commercial value of such dollars in taels. The so-called intrinsic or real value of the fael is then ascertained from the most relable authority—the estimate of the director of the m‘nt—and the difference is the loss by exchange. “I am clearly of the opinion that the method of calculation adopted by the au- ditor in this case allows the consul reim- bursement for his actual loss. The settle- ment will therefore be affirmed.” ——_+ e+ —____ ‘The Military Academy Bill Passed. The House passed the Military Academy appropriation bill yesterday with only one unimportant amendment. The debate on the measure was desuitory and touched a variety of poiitical topics. As passed, the bill carried $453,540, being $26,082 less than the amount carried by the current law. The bill to limit the period for the refund- ing of the certificates of deposits of 1879 to December 31, 1890, was passed. - ——————e—___ Coachmen’s Ball. ‘The annual ball of the Coachmen’s Asso- ciation was held last evening at National Rifles’ Armory. The hall was ‘tastefully decorated for the occasion, and the at- tendance was unusually large, rd DEPUTIES MUST GO. An Important Decision by Judge Kirkpatrick. Judg> Andrew Kirkpatrick of the United States district court ‘yesterday at Tren- ton, N. J., rendered.a decision which will hav2 the effect. to campel the democratic United States depaty dnternat revenu: col- lectors to relinquish their offices to the re- publican deputies selected by Isaac Moffet, recently appointed by President McKinley collector of internal mevenue for the dis- trict comprising the lower counties. He dismisses the*tnjunction that they ap- Plied for, and deci#ed that the courts have no jurisdiction. It was thought that this opinion would not be r2ndered for some time, because there 1s now pending im the United States Supreme Court an‘appeal from the decix‘on of United States Distriet Court Judge Jack- son of Wost Virgimia, who decided that the democratic collectors now in office could not be removed but for cause. The decision-given by Judge Kirkpatrick makes the third decision given. The one in West Virginia, sustaining the demccratic ircumbent, and one in Indiana, sustaining the newly appointed republican deputies. The case was brought into the court on a rule to show cause why an injunction should not he issued restreining the n2w republican collector, Isaac Moffet, from removing Harry Page, W. J. Caspar and B. B. Worthley as deputy collec:ors. They ccntended that they were subject to civil vice rules and regulations, The Decision. In discussing the contention of the com- plainants that they are protected by the civil service law, “it will aid us,” said the Judge, “in determining the foree and effect to be given to these presidential rules and regulations to look at the po’ which is vested in the President by section 1733 cf the Revised Statutes, and the civil service act under which they were professedly is- he former authorizes the President to prescribe such regulations for the admission of persons into the civil service of the Unit- ed States as may best promote the efficien- cy thereof. It nowhere makes mention of removal. The civil service act merely pro- vides the machinery for full and suitable examination by which there may be pro- cured a list of persons properly qualified to perform the duties of the several offices of the government, and from which those in- trusted with the duty of appointment should make their selections. Its object was to make more efficient the public ser- vice by limiting the power cf appointment to a class of qualified applicants to take away the right or privilege of any one to nominate persons whose fitness is purely political; to provide for each vacant office for the public service as it occurred, some person, who had, in a competitive examina- tion, shown himself best adapted to the discharge of its duties, that having so ob- tained his office this person was not to be obliged to contribute to any political fund cr render any political service, nor to be subject to removal because he failed to do so. Nor because he refused to make con- tribution of money or other valuable thing for any political purpose. No Restriction on Removal. “The act puts ne restriction upon the power of removal, it leaves the appointing power as free as befere its passage to make removals at will, save only for refusals to contribute to political funds or neglect to render political service. “In prescribing regulations to promote the efficiency of the public ice the Pres- ident may, no doubt, promulgate rules re- laung to the remoyal of persons in office, which should be observed by his subordi. nates, in order that there may be har- money of action throughout the several de- partments of the government, of which he is the head, and he may in various ways compel obedience ta these rules by hig sub- ordinates. He may make these rules accord with his own views of the proper administr tion of the law. He may modify or even revoke them today, amd he may change them from time te time at his pleasure. They cannot therefore be regarded as laws which can only be repealed by the joint a tion of the legislative and executice de- partments of the government. While these rules and regulations may have force and effect of law upon subordi~ rate administrative officers they cannot give to officeholders vested rights in their office, nor can a court of equity regard them as conferring property rights which it is with- in their province to protect. “The restraining order heretofore grant- ed will be dissolved, and the motion for an injunction denied and the present {ncum- bents| must vacate the offices held by them.” PLUMS FOR ARKANSAS. Republican State Chairman Cooper is Here Looking After the Offices. Henry M. Cooper of Little Rock, chair- man of the republicah state committee of Arkanscs, is in the city to confer with President McKinley regarding the distribu- tion of appointments from his state. “The campaign in Arkansas this fall will be an interesting one, despite the proba- bility of democratic success,” he said to a Star reporter at the Arlington last night. “We shall elect a governor and a full state ticket. The democrats have already called their convention for the middle of May. The republican convention, though not yet called, will be held not later than June. “The populists have a strong following in Arkansas. A large majority of them are ‘middle of the road’ populists, who are not disposed to affiliate with the democrats. In fact, they are pronounced in their oppo- tion to the democrats. There is no indica- tion that there will be any different atti- tude of the parties than in the campaign of 1896. However, I believe that the demo- cratic plurality will, if anything, be re- duced. In that year the republicans polled about 40,000 votes, the democrats 90,000 and the populists 9,000. “President McKinley's policy thus far has bgen eminently satisfactory to the re- publicans of Arkansas. We have no con- tests over the distribution of federal offi- ces, and there are not the factional dis- turbances that are to be found in some of the states of the south. The republicans are united. The appointments are recom- mended by the republican state committee. In other words, the state committee settles all contests at home. This is a great sav- ing of time for the aaministration, and it also relieves the administration from em- barrassment in some case: “How do the people, of Arkansas regard the Cuban question?’ Mr. Cooper was asked. 3 “I think that, generally speaking, the Cubans have the sympathy of our people. The people’ feel that the Cubans should have all the assistante that the United States can properly render them.” “And as to Hawaii?” “There is a division of feeling on this question. While there is no pronounced sentiment one way or the other, ¥ am firm in the belief that a majority favor the anr.exation of the islands by the United States.” Mr. Cooper is a very warm friend of Geh- eral Powell Clayton, the present United States minister to Mexico. He accompa- nied General Clayton and his family to that country when they went there to take up their abode a few months ago. He has received several lett from General Clay- ton, in which the latter expresses his ap- preciatton of the cate and the pleasing relations existing between ‘him and the officials of the Mexitan. gov ent. Gen- eral Clayton also writes that much improved-there. 3’: health is American Theater in Paris. A dispatch from, Paris to the New York Journal says: It is now certain that an American theater will be built in Paris for the exhibition of 1900= The concession has not been formaily: granted, but Commis- sioner General Picard has given his prom- ise to do ra. ; Fi WISTFULLY WAITING. The Zoo Family Anxious for the Flowers to Bloom. THEY PINE FOR THE OUTDOOR LIFE Dunk and Gold Dust Wonder at Scarcity of Peanuts. THE COLONY IN GENERAL It is not alone the ground hog, the native Hawaiians who are visiting Queen Lil in her exile, nor the young people who go down the river in the summer, who are anxious for the bright days of spring to put in appearance. The children of the capita! do not look forward with greater longing to the blooming of the crocuses in the White House yard, the tokens that Easter is near, and spring, therefore, no longer in the dim distance, than do their four-footed, furred, feathered and fanged friends in the na- tional reservation out on Rock Creek Parx. While some of the animals in the zoo are delighted with winter's chilling blasts and all of its accompaniments, the majority of them are anxious for spring to arrive, so that they may have more liberty than can be allowed them at present. The Zoo Park presents a desolate ap- pearance just now. The visitor can no lcnger be delighted with watching, as oc- casionally happens on the perspiring days of summer, Dunk and Gold Dust waliow- ing their huge hulks in the cooling waters of Rock creek. Instead, these gentlemen of the massive frames are safely housed in tneir quarters with nothing but a stove for a play thing. There is nothing for them to do just now but eat, sleep, pass the time of day and watch the thermoi eter, which hangs on the wall in their quarters. No doubt Dunk and Gold Dust think that the crop of peanuts is exceed- ingly small during the winter, and that is the son, or at least one reason, why they wish the summer days to come again. Watching the thermometer, except. the lookers be weather bureau officials or there is liable to be some extraordinary change in the mercury, is at all times dull work and nobody finds it more so than Dunk and Gold Dust. Dunk’s Plaint. “We don’t even have a chance to bet a bunch cf hay or an occasional peanut as to how the thermometer will stand at dif- ferent times,” Dunk confided to a Star re- porter, who visited him recently. ‘The goldurn thing is a fake, I believe. It’s one thing all the time. Strikes me it ts a kind of a dummy.” , H> was wrong in this respect, for it is the business of Head Keeper Blackburne to see that the mercury remains at or about %5 degrees in their house. hoy would be the first to kick if it should go very many degrees below that. The Zco Park and the surroundings pre- sent rather a desclai appearance just now. When the place was visited a day or so ago by a Star reporter, the expanse of the park was covered h snow, and it was hard to imagine, at first signt, except for som> animals which were seen stra} ing about inclosures, that inside those bounds were animals large and small frum the tropics, to whom exposure in freezi weather would mean death in a short tim Such is the cas>, however. Some of the occupants of the Zoo are from locali where snow and ice are unknown quan‘i ties, and where a frost would create mo: consternation than if the earth would ris up and pull down huge trees and other eb- Jects inte tts capacious maw. One of the first sights which met the eye of the visitor, hi s the denuded tree up near the 's’_ hoi which Was filled with living fruit. The * not seem to care whether the alr wa chilled and their surroundings snow-co: ered or not. They were out in full force with their thickest furs on, and as ma rings in their tails as usual. They out all day, too, and only at night do th id go into the straw-filled trunk, where thi repose untii next morning. They about as lively as usual, and did not s to care whether it was summer or winter, as long as they had plenty to eat. Young Strangers. Inside the main animal house are three creatures of the feline tribe, which have lately atrived, not only at the Zoo, but in this world. These are three panthers,which were born the night of January 31. For the lives of them, they cannot te!l whether it is summer or winter, whether they are in the temperate zone or the tropies. In fact, they have net gotten their eyes open y and will not for several d They are arm and ccmfortable, and so far as the e concerned the all-around temperature might be %) degrees in the shade. These little spitfires arrived with the cold wave, but they were fully protected from it, and the mother seems determined to keep them under cover in every respect. Head Keeper Blackburne opened a door on top of the cage in which they are at present, although the mother objected strenuously to the proceeding and threat- ened to cause trouble in the household. The little ones could be seen, however, ly- iug partly underneath her body, mewing and spitting just like cats. They are about the same size now as ordinary cats. They are spotted something on the order of leopards, and have large claws. They will be ready to leave the side of thelr mother in four months, when the summer is near at hand. They ure pretty little creatures, but it would hardly do for anybody to un- dertake to pet them at the present time. The mother is evidently afraid that under the circumstances they might be frostbit- ten. Pelicans Hold a Reception. The creatures in the main animal hous> which appeared to be having the best time were the Americar pelicans, the white birds kept in their inclosur2 with the tank. They were holding a sort of reception or dress parade with themselves, and appeared to-heartily enjoy the function. When they finish2d with this they ventured into the tank, and gave an exhibition of the white squadron on its way to Cuba, summoned by Gen. Lee to protect American interests. The water in the tanks in the building is heated to a temp2rature of about 75 or 80 degrees, s0 that if they had been asked what was the difference between summer and winter th2y could probably have given ro answer except that winter was indoors and summer was all outside. The alligators were soused down into their tanks, some of them completely sub- merged; others with only the tips of their ncses sticking out. They must have been alive, however, for, after close scrutiny for some minutes, a slight ripple was ob- served on the turfac2 of the water. ‘The anacondas were fast asleep, in their glass-covered compartments, coiled among themselves that it must take them all winter, studying constantly, to discover how to entangle themselves. This is prob- ably the way they amuse themselves until summer arrives. The other snakes were in much the same condition. Several crea- tures, which are evidently too devilish to lose any time planning an opportunity for devilment, are the Gila monsters, from Arizona. One of the members of the tribe licked out its tongue with a horrible sug- gestivertess. These twelve or fifteen inches of concentrated venom appear to be ex- ceedingly alive under all circumstances. The big cats were also about as usual. It was noticed, however, that Old Stripes, the tiger, appeared to lick his paws a great deal. Whether this was a trick which Old Eph, the him, #0 Settttt ttt. hob, except Jenness Miller For women with pebbled bedded tecteetecteebectedbediedbe diode oe deter De de See Se se a ey bbb “SMALL FEET” Wanted. Final “clearing up” is going on! The smaller the lots, the smaller the prices! what they cost us. Every Shoe in the house reduced $4 and $5 Shoes, in different styles,in black and russets, sizes 1, 13, 2 and 2}. Will be closed out in the morning at... Spring Shoes for Men. These Shoes having arrived during our Clearance Sale and our having advertised all Shoes at reduced prices except the “Jenne: cut their price to be consistent. They are Spring-weight “Russet” Willow Calf in spring style toe. Our regular $4 Spring Shoe a) i Will sell during this sale .. ‘Grocker’s, We give no thought to Shoes. small feet w have a lot of $3, ODc. Miller” Shoes, we have even Shoes Shoes Shined Free. 939 Pa. Ave. EEEELEE SALT ITTAEEA TEL EES | that he might hibernate, for such a thing is unknown in the tiger's own country, could not be told. However, he licked the bottom of his front paws for a few min- utes and then went off into a profound slumber, opening a mouth, before doing so, which might have been mirtaken for a railroad tunnel. The lions were alive and full of ginger, as were the panthers. The latter are ac- customed to cold weather and storms. An Even Temperature. The temperature in the animal houses is 58 or 60 degrees continually, so that it is actually real summer time for them. One of the monkeys expressed surprise that so few people have come out to the Zoo late- ly, showing that he knew little about the cold weather. The porcupines appearea to be too stuck up to let it make any dif- ference to them what season of the year it was. The hyenas were as lively and re- pulsive as ever, and the monkeys chattered with one another just as they did last sum- mer when the sun beat down warm on the Rock creek village Up in another house, especially built for winter accommodation, were the kanga- rces, the ostrich, who has apparently gained flesh during the winter season, the Indian deer and a group of ibis. The kan- garoos appeared disconsolate that they had no green grass to hop around on, as they had a few months ago, but otherwise appeared at peace with themselves and their surroundings. Of necessity their ex- ercise has to be somewhat curtailed, so they can no longer measure their leaps by the acre. A yard or so is about all they can take at a time now. The zebu has re- cently been added to the occupants of this house, for reasons best known to her- self and Head Keeper Blackburne. By this ume she has found the floor of her quar- ters is not as good a place for browsing as she has been accustomed to, but has turned her attention to the hay provided or her. tne peacocks are still outside and make a most pleasing effect as they strut ab the snow-covered plots, with their bril- liant plumage. They neglect, however, to how it to their fullest extent at the pres- nt season. Dogs Are Not at Home. The prairie dogs im the fall must have determined to dig through to the other side and pay a visit to the fowery king- dcm, for they have disappeared. They have been blotted out of existence, so to speak, for the entrances to their homes have been covered with the snow. They have gone in their holes and pulled the entrances in after them, for all the signs they have left behind them. They will oob up later on, however, from below, when the sky bove is clearing and the clouds are dis- appearing. They nibernaie in their holes, and their attractive persons must be dis- pensed with by the childr2a until warmer days come. The ground hog has gone back into his hole, and, according to traditions, will not be seen again for six weeks, so that visit- ing cards for this important personage should be left with Head Keeper Black- burne, to be preseatel when the animal comes out again. ifr. Blackburre says two gentlemen of color wh») were out at the Zoo Wednesday anxiously inquired for him, but arrived too late 19 catch him on his flying visit. Some of the animals like nothing better than a good old-fashioned snow storm, Mr. Blackburne says, and they manifest great delight at it in their own peculiar way. These, of course, are animals accustomed to this country and this climate, which re- main out of doors all the year round. The buffalo are in this category and the eik. They were seen during the visit standing outside of their shelters in the snow, as if they enjoyed the experience hugely, and it reminded them of old times on the prairie, when the norther came down in its fury or the west wind howled through the primeval forests. Weather Suits These. The buffalo seemed to be a little less dense than usual. The elks stamped and sniffed the air as if the very smell of win- ter was pleasant to their nostrils. They love this season of the year and are prob- ably at their best in jt. They are allowed to roam about a part of the Rock creek reservation at their will, coming to their feeding places at the proper time. The Mamas are used in cold weather, as they come from the Andes mountains. The only difference between their appearance now and during the summer season is that they have donned their winter coats and look much more shaggy than at any other time. They stay out of doors a large portion of the time, only going into their winter quar- ters when the storm is raging or the wind is blowing the snow too keenly about their ears. They have nice thatched quarters, where they can stay at such times. The wolves, foxes and such animals are greatly pleased with this sort of weather. A snow storm is a picnic for them, and they make thefr little modern Rome howl when there is a premenition of it in the atmosphere. They do not need to look at the forecast of the weather bureau, either, in order to know — it = — The foxes are particularly enthusiastic over its approach. Their appetites are sharpen- ed, and they are ready for treason, strata- gem or spoils when the frost has sharpened treir wits. The squirrels were having an “at home” when seen, and were evidently parsing the compliments of the season among themselves. “It's all right, it’s all right,” one of them said, as he cracked a sunflower seed and threw the hull at the visitor. “This is the kind of weather when we know what our tails are good for. Talk about your ceal- skin secques. I wouldn't trade my caudal appendage, with Whether the wind Geet: ao aeae ae Br with me. I don't blows ve ulster along deter Basten run any risks of having somebody it, either.” The Bear Contingent. The bears are only partly hibernating, / They are fat, without being at all saucfy and manage to pass the cold days and long winter nights without difficulty. If anys, body thinks they are asleep, this person should be warned beforehand not to mix’! up with any of them just because it is wing} ter time and they are supposed to have! journeyed into the land of Nod. Hi The big owls in the Zoo like nothing bet+ swipe ter than a long, cold winter night, and anybody who happens to be passing out{ near the Zoo some night when the the mometer is close to zero can hear tnem asking “Who? Who?” in the tone that! thrills, i it is an ill wind that blows nobody good. If the truth of this adage is w to be proven the Zoo should be visit this time. While some of the animals ar not used to cold weather, they do not know the difference between this and sumr. en the alligators their warm in spite of t ensations of sc which come upon them at this time! r, could be easily persuaded that | the Fourth of July period iustead of midwinter. in > NEED FOR CURRENCY REFORM. Tenor of Letters Received by Repree sentative Capron of Rhode Island. Strong evidence that the business men @f Rhode Islend are awakening to the necege sity for currency legislation this winter 1s found in the letters which Representative Capron of that state is now receiving. Mr, Capron is one of the republican members of the House committee on banking and currency, and the men who write him urg-! ing a change in the monetary system are among the most prominent business men of Providence and other parts of the state, In the majority of cases these g>ntiemen prefer the monetary commissi bill Which is now before Mr. Capron’s commite" tee. ; One of the writers is Gov. Dyer, who res quests Mr. Capron to stand by the general principles of the commission’s bill, and) adds that the business men of the staie! approve it, and will indorse him in support, ing the gold standard and the demand fo! thorough currency reform : Ex-Gov. ‘Taft writes: the business men of this of the monetary com forming the currenc The large dry goods firm of Callendar, McAuslan & Troupe Co. earnestiy “hope, and pray you will support th> plan for mcnetary and currency reform outlined at the monetary convention recently held ty | Indianapolis Mr. Samuel P. Colt, a leading att Providence writes that the busin ntls | ment of that city is decidedly for the gold} standard, and urges Mr. Capron to stand | by the monetary commission’s report, “by , all means.” j Mr. R. G. Hazard writes as follows from Peacedaie, R. L: “Just returned trom Int dianapolis. Real unanimity upon monetary 4 commission report very apparent and grate ifying. Hope you will hold firm to that rée=4 port. The spirit of ths convention was overwhelmingly in its favor.” 4 The Providence board of trade, the Woonsocket Rubber Company of Provi+ dence and the Fletcher Manufacturing Company ef Providence all send lettsrs | containing similar sentiments. 4 Mr. John Nicholas Brown of Providence urges Mr. Capron to use his best endeav- ors to secure the adoption of the commis- sion’s report, and asserts that it is absoe, lutely essential that we should have legi lation on this subject of such vital interest to the business men of the country, SRAM AES OE Ca NOMINATIONS CONFIRMED. °. he sentiment of; State is in favor sion’s plan for ree) ney of Favorable Action Taken by the Sen< ate in Many The Senate yesterday afternoon confirma ec these nominations: ‘ Robert Carson of New Jersey, to be cole lector customs district of Perth Amboy, N. J.; W. 8. Viele of Indiana, surveyor of evetems, port of Evansville, Ind.; H. Saunders of Maine, marshal district of Maine; A. L. Morrison of New Mexico, col-4 lector of internal revenue, district of New! Mexico; D. Jarvis of Florida, appraiser of merchandise, district of Tampa, Fla.; Dj L. Sheets, receiver of public money: Durango, Col.; J. W. Ross, receiver of pub‘ Ne moneys, at Glenwood Springs, Col.; Je] F. Thompson, receiver of public moncys, at Humboldt, California; J. W. John- scn, register of the land office at Lincoln, Neb.; T. A. Lake, collector of internal revenue, district of Connecticut; H. Bailey, | receiver of public moneys at’ Lakeview, | Ore. Postmasters: ‘ Illinois—T. M. Crossman, Edwardsville; 8. B. Roach, Mason City; W. 8S. Pitma: Jerseyville; J. H. Pierson, Carrollton; H. Norris, Carlyle; W. A. Mussell, Gray! ville; G. A. Lyman, Amboy; E. F. Ledoy’ Sandwich; R. F. Lawson, Effingham; T. Jewett, Oregon; W. F. Hackman, Staunto: H. H. Buhrman, Nashville... my Algbama—G. 8S. Lee, Anniston. a New York—E. H. Bemus, Jamestown, Nebraska—H. M. Bushnell, Lincoin, Colorado—G. Seaver, Pueblo. Georgia—T. = Ray, Valdosta; J. 0" nell, Bain! a Iowa—A. M. Beymer, Corning; A. Wy Lee, Ottumwa; C. M. Elder, Rockvalley; H. E. Bollinger, Afton; W. H. Tyrrell, Way: erly. Texas—H. A. Cady, Ballinger. ie Also J. H. Dawson of California, to bé ‘ases. i thick hair, for any cf | special examiner of drugs and chi es don’t care district of San Francisco, and Commod Cc. S. Norton, to be a rear admiral, some minor army appointments,