Evening Star Newspaper, March 11, 1898, Page 2

this way it would have been amusing; but several thousand people were talking and thinking the same way. Other warships may come and their enthusiasm will grow. The object lesson meant to be giver by Spain to its loyal subjects in Cuba is hav- ing the effect. The United States is not so fortunate in ving object lessons. If the Montgomery or torpedoes, the Columbia or the Indiana vuld be equally safe. The Havana popu- ‘culd never realize there is an Ameri- can Bavy until it sees that navy. The volunteers are keeping quiet this They are foremost in showing their Joy over the Vizcaya and the Oquendo, bet they ave not threatening in thetr demon- stration. It is not necessary. They have settled back inte a calm like that which fellowed the January riots, in which they joined the army officers in showing au- tcnemy was a failure. Having carried their po:nt, then they ceased rioting. The vol- nt having achieved their object by securing the official statement that the government does not iniend to disarm them, will be tranquil for awbile. Some people think this is a good sign. Those who have lived in Havana a long time do not. They believe the volunteers to be the st dangerous element in Cuba today— angerous 2like to Blanco and to the United States. Their power for evil can only be repressed by the exhibition of a mightier power for the preservation of lives and the maintenance of order. CHAS. M. PEPPER. —_ GOVERNMENT OBJECTS. n Plates and Printed Matter Seized by Seeret Service Agents. The secret service department of the treasury today confiscated a lot of printed matter and plates a= the establishment of Meara & Co., 2d and N streets south- . this city. The establishmenc handles glue, and has a printing outfit in connec- tion. They had been reproducing confed- erate currency with advertising on the back. In addition to using this for their own advertising, they had sold the imita- tion turrency to others to be used for the same purpose. Compiaints have recently reached the treasury of the extensive circulation of re- productions of confederate currency with advertising matter on the back of the rotes. The complaints came from this city and New York city. The treasury boids that the reproduction of these notes is m violation of sections 3708 and 5430 of the Revised Statutes, although it has been generally supposed there was no violation of the law in this werk. As a result of the complaints, the con- tions were made here and in New Yora ty today. In New York 100,000 sheets of the notes and eighteen plates were seized from a novelty company. The confiscation from Meara & Co. was of two tons of print- ed notes and twenty-eight plates. In both cases the printers of the notes greed to cancel all orders they have re- ved or might receive in the future for this material. The department makes no charge of bad faith on the part of the printers, as in both cases they believed it -gitimate to use the faces of the out Consequently no prosecution will yw and no reflection is cast on those fis m whom the property was seized. It is stated that one of the most objec- tionable featur fe in connection with this m of advertising was the offer, exten- vely circulated, to give varying large ams of confederate money for small sums of good money, an offer which might be nd tend to mislead those miliar with the facts. All ted material will be de- misunderstood — PLUCKED A PENSIONER. A Money Lender Charged $2.50 for a Loan of $4. The depositions of the pensioners who pledged their pension certificates with pen- sion attorneys and money lenders as col- lateral for loans have all been taken and the pension officials are engaged compiling them. When this is done the evidence will be laid before the United States district at- torney, and there is little doubt criminal Broceedings will follow. ‘The last witness was examined yesterday and his testimony was conclusive. He was an aged colored man, quite feeble, and told & straightforward story. He said he would the truth. It was true that he had dged his pension certificate to obtain money, and he told the examiner the name of the money lender. When pressed for details he sald he had been a laborer up to within a few months ago, when his health failed and he became practically helpless. It was duriag the summer that he applied to a money lender for a small loan. He wanted $4 to pay his house rent and get something to eat. The money lender told him he would iet him have it if he would promise to pay him $2 interest and leave his pension certificate He needed the money so bau- that he agreed to the proposi- left his certificate. But he the mo: n then. The money lender told him to come around the 35th of the month and he would fix him up. In meantime he obtained several small ums, and when the middle of the > onth arrived the money lender told him he want- €d $2.50 for the use of the $4. He was des- perate and had to have the money, and he #greed to pay it. The $4 was then handed out, and the money lender made him agree his pension voucher sworn to be- him when it became due. To ths he for the use of $4 fore also agreed, making $: for days. This perhaps the strongest case th gove t has, although it has been shown by a large number of witnesses that exorbitant rates of interest were charged for loans upon pension certificates as col- lateral. ee R F BILL CROWDED ovuT. Regular Order Demanded While Mr. Boutelle Was Absent. Th bill for the relief of the victims of the Maine disaster was to have been called up in the House today. Speaker Reed Teed, before the Hous> met, to recognize Mr. Boutelle, chairman of th2 naval affairs ccmmittee, for that purpose. The latter left the hall for a few minutes to summon Eis committee, who were in session, but before h> could return the regular order igd.been demanded and the House had wena into committee of the whole to con- sider the Bowman claims bill. It is ex- Peeted that Mr. Boutelle will be given an opportunity to call up the bill tomorrow. ee WILL OPPOSE CONFIRMATION. Senator Deboe Displeased With na Kentucky Nomination. There is a serious difference of opinion between President McKinley and Senator Deboe of Kentucky over the selection of Leslie Combs as pension agent at Louis- ¥ and it is the intention of Senator Deboe to make a fight on the confirma- tien of Mr. Combs when the nomination reaches the Senate. President McKinley decided on the nom!- nation of Mr. Combs a long time ago, and asked “the indorsement of the Senator. ‘This was given as a courtesy to the Presi- , although the senator did not relish ction. Since then the senator has i to withdraw the indorsement, and has so notified the President, at the Same time protesting against the appoint- ment. Senator Deboe holds that a G. A. RK. man ought to receive the place, and is backed, it is claimed, hy members of the organization. Mr. Combs is a young man, not over forty years of age. His selection is @ personal one with the President. —— May Assist Commander Brownson. It is probable that Naval Constructor Linnard will be ordered to Europe to assist Commander Brownson in the important duty of inspecting such foreign warships in European yards as may be available for purchase by the United States. —————_-e-______ Mr. Morton Calls on the President. Former Vice President Levi P. Morton made a brief call on the President this morning, just before cabinet meeting. TWO RAILWAYS Bills Affecting the Eckington and Belt Line Companies. UNDERGROUND ELECTRIC. SYSTEM How Purchase and Sale May Be Effected. REPORTS MADE + Chairman Babcock has written the re- Pert upon the substitute bill for thé Eck- irgton and Soldiers’ Home railroad exten- sicn, which was authorized by the House District committee recently. The report says: . “This bill was recommitted to your com- mittee undec date of February 14, 1896, with the instructions as follows: ‘Amend the bill by striking out all after the word “that” in the third line, and bring in a section or sections authorizing he Eckington and Soldiers’ Home Railway Company and any other corporation of the District of Columbia or any person or per- sons to become a bidder and purchaser of the property and franchises described in this bill, and to further provide that said committee shall also provide specific lim- itations and specifications under and by which said property shall be operated by any such purchaser, and with further in- structions that a period of Imitation be fixed in the bill for the exercise of the ccrporate rights and privileges granted.’ ‘In compliance with that portion of the tructions which locked to the enabling of all existing railroad corporations or par- ties who might desire to organize as such corporation to become bidders and pur. chasers in the pending foreclosure sale o the Belt railway, the committee has rec- ommended for passage an independent bill, H.R. S541. “In the case of the Eckington and Sol- diers’ Home Railway Company and_the Maryland and Washington Railway Com- pany, which are the two District corpora- tiors concerned .in this bill, there is no granting of new franchises, hence the ma’ ter of time limitation ‘covered by the i structions as applicable to any new fran- chise granted does not apply to this bill. “A separate bill having been reported covering the interests of the Belt Railway Compaay, all refererce to that company has been stricker. frcm the bill touching the interests of the Eckington Railway Company. Provisions of the Bill. “The bill now reported, therefore, pro- vides substantially as follows: In Section 1. That the Eckington and Soldiers’ Home Railway Company may pur- chase the extension of its own line, known as the Maryland and Washington Railway Company, which lies within the District of Columbia and wholly in suburban terri- tory, and also permits it to purchase the suburban line, known as the Columbia and Maryland Railway Company, extending from the terminus of the Maryland and Washington Railway Company into the state of Maryland. This portion of the line is to be operated as a suburban extension of the Eckington and Soldiers’ Home Rail- way Company in like manner as the ex- tension of the Chevy Chase line in the state of Maryland is operated as a suburban branch of the Capital Traction Company. Authority to purchase the portion of the Chevy Chase line lying in Maryland was several years ago given in like manner as it is here proposed to give authority to buy the suburban extension of the Eckington Railway Company. “The second section of the bill repeats the existing reauiremenis for the equip- ment of the lines of the Eckington com- pany outside of the city of Washington with the underground electric system, and varies fom the existing law’on the subject only in that it gives the period of nine months from the passage of the act within which the work may be completed, where- as, according to existing law, the work should be completed on the Ist of July, i898, a period considered too short as dat- ing from the passage of the act within which tu complete the work. “Section % provides for certain minor changes of route. These changes have been proposed only by the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, and they provide simply that in certain cases of rather nar- row streets, where the double tracks are new maintained, single tracks, separated by an intervening block, shall be substi- tuted for the double tracks on one street. “Section 4 gives authority for the issue of stocks and bonds to provide for the expgnd- itures required to be made in changing ‘the motive power. It was due to some over- sight evidently that this authority was not given by the act of June 10, 1896, which required the changes to be made. However that may have been, it is today true that the company has no means of issuing any kind of security in order to taise the money necessary for carrying out the previous and repeated mandate of Congress in respect to the equipment of its lines with the underground system. “Section 5 provides for a deposit of to be forfeited in case the equipment s not be completed. This section was pro- posed by the Commissioners of the Dis- trict and adopted by the committee. “Section 6 provides for a continuation for twelve months of the original power to in- stitute condemnation proceedings conferred upon the Maryland and Washington Rail- way Company, whose line, being built in the country, was built through territory not divided into streets; hence the right of way had to b> acquired by purchase or condemnation proceedings. The continua- tion of the power for a period of one year is asked for by the attorney of the com- peny in order to push to completion some legal proce2dings involved in the matter. Unsatisfactory Operations. “In conclusion, it may be stated that the Eckington and Soldiers’ Home Rallway Company is now operated in a very unsat- isfactory manner by horses. “This operation being in competition with e1ectric traction, is carried on at a con- tinuing loss approximating $100 per day. It will be impossible that the pergons in- terested in the property should for a long Feriod continue to meet these losses, and the passage of this bill is necessary in crder that they may provide themselves with the means needed to carry out the plans of improvement which have been de- n.anded by Congress and to complete which the company stands fully ready, provided only this legislation is passed. “The “committee is assured by respon- stble parties that all necessary steps have been taken to make the contemplated im- provements as soon as the securities of the company can be issued in exchange for the necessary cash. There will be at once secured to the public an important Lenefit, in that certain important sections of the city now having only the inefii- cient horse service will at the earliest pos- sible date be supplied with service simi- lar to that on the principal electric railway lines passing through the center of the city. g “Fhe lines which the Eckington and Sol- diers’ Home Railway Company is author- ized to purchase are lines now controlled by the parties controlling the Eckington company, and it is a matter of general con- venience and importance in the matter of financing or improvements that these parts of one system should be brought under one organization. “The Maryland and Washington Railway Company has no other connection in the District than with the Eckington company, and was built solely with respect to bring- ing in over the lines of tae Eckington com- pany the suburban traflic from the towns in Maryland, through which the line in that state 1s to run. These lines are now partially completed, and can be made of use to the neighboring public as soon as this legislation shall have been effected. “The Eckington and Soldiers’ Home Rail- way Company is now in the hands of a re- ceiver. The receivership will be discharged and the improvements carried out as soon as the parties in control of the stock ean receive, as by this legislation it is intended they should, the necessary authority for carrying out their financial and enginer- ing plans.” The Belt Rallway. The substitute bill (House 8541), which Mr. King of Utah today reported from the House District committee, defining the. rights of purchasers of the Belt railway, 0, i THE EVENING STAR, FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1898-16 PAGES provides that any corporation operating a street railroad within the District of Co- Iumbia be authorized to purchase the prop- erty and franchises of the Belt Railway Com peny under any sale by decrée of court or otherwise. The corporation purchasing may operate the property as a part of its system sub- ject to all rights and obligations imposed by existing legislation or by this act, so far as the same shall be applicable. In case the property shall be purchased by aby person or pers.ps under decree of court or otherwise, they shall possess and enjoy all the corporate rights, privileges and franchises heretofore conferred on the Belt Railway Company by the act of Congress, approved March 3, 1875, with supplemen- tary acts, as well as the right to be a cor- poration under this act. The incorporation provided shall be com- pleted whenever the purchaser shall file with th> recorder of deeds the usual ce tificate. The capitgl stock of the corpora- tion shall be divided into shares of a par value of $100, and any corporation purchas- ing is authorized to issue its bonds and capital stock either for cash or in exchange for the sfock, bonds, property or fran- chises of the Belt Railway Company. It is provided that th> total issue of bonds and stocks shall not in the aggregate ex- ceed the amount necessary for effecting the purchase and for the construction, recon- struction and equipment of the Blt rail- way. Before any bond or trust deed shall be executed the amount thereof shall be ascertained and fixed by the District Com- mission>rs, and for this purpose the Com- missioners are authorized to supoena and examine witnesses and take such testimony as may be necessary. An appeal may be taken from the decision of the Commis- sion2rs to the Supreme Court of the Dis- trict. All bonds or stock issued in excess of the amount authorized by the Commis- sioners or court or in violation of the pro- visions of this act shall be void. Underground Electric System. Within one year of the ratification by. the court of the sale the existing railroad com- pany purchasing the Belt railway, or the corporation created and operating here- under, shall put into full operation on the entire line of the railway as now construct- ed an underground electric system similar to the one now in use on the Metropolitan Company's lines. The Commissioners are authorized to require such slight changes of route along the streets upon which the Belt railway is now constructed as may be necessary for the public convenience, the expense incident thereto to be borne by the company. Congress reserves the right to require the owners of the railroad to widen the streets and change the route, the ex- perse to be borne by the railroad. A for- feit of $50 a day is provided for failure to cemplete the equipment within one year. Nothing in the act shall be construed to relieve the Belt Railway Company from any just liability or in any manner affect- ing any valid existing claims of any cred- itor. Congress reserves the right to alter, amend, or repeal the act. Mr. King has written a report to accom- pany the substitute bill, in which he re- views at length the history of the Belt railway and sets forth the advantages to the public of permitting the change in mo- tive power. A REPORT WITHOUT TRUTH That an Agreement on the Alaska Boun- dary Had Been Reached. Denial by the British Ambassador and by Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the Canadian Premier. It is sail at the State Department that the reports ‘that Great Britain and the Unied States have signed a treaty for the settlement of the Alaskan boundary dis- pute, are incorrect, no treaty having been signed as yet, and the matter still being a subject of negotiation. The department will say nothing regarding the details from Ottawa as to an agreement that the boundary line shall be computed from the shore line, following it in all its sinuosities, and that the tops of mountain peaks shall mark the limits of American territory, but it fs intimated that the Ottawa reports are a little strained. Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British am- bassador, through his secretary, Mr. O'Beirne, also authorized a complete and special denial of the reported perfection of a treaty. No convention of any character, he said, had been made, and the details given, he said, therefore were erroneous as a whole and ‘in detail. In the house of commons, after an all- night session, early this morning Sir Charles Tupper read a copy of a dispatch telegraphed from here to a New York paper, and transmitted back to Ottawa, stating that the Canadian ministry . had been notified that a conclusion had been arranged whereby the Alaskan boundary dispute had been settled. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the premier, stated that there was not a word of truth in thé story. Sir Charles Tupper suggested that the house should take action to. prevent the sending out of false reports to newspapers. —_—__—_.«. McKISSON CARRIES PRIMARIES. Cleveland Mayor's Victory May Re- sult in State Control. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. CLEVELAND, Ohio, March 11.—Mayor McKisson carried the republican primaries here last night against the Hanna forces. The factioaal lines were not closely drawn, but last night's results are clearly 4 McKis- son victory, and will probably enable the mayer to control the county convention. He believ7s that by winning in this coun- ty he can also control the next state con- vention, thereby placing himself in position to help ex-Committeeman Kurtz in getting th control of the republican party in Ohio. ‘The mayor's announcement of his intention to contest Senator Hanna's seat, coupled with his victory last night, have sent Hanna stock,in northern Ohio down several points. - et FIRST ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS. Proud Distinction of Col. T. L. Harti- wan’s Regiment. CHICAGO, March 11.—Chicago has a claimant for the honor of being called the 1st Illinois Volunteers in event of war with Spain. The full roster is in the hands of Governor Tanner, with the assurance that the regiment is ready at one hour's no- tice. Colonel Thomas L. Harttigan heads the list ef commissioned officers. A notable fact is that Colonel Hartigan, Major John Ryan, Captain Harry L. Beach and every other officer of the regiment has been either in the service of the regular army at West Point or in the militia of Illinois or other states. cere CORNER STONE TAKEN OUT, Relie of Building on 10th Street Erected in 1817, Considerable interest was occasioned this afternoon by the unearthing of the corns: stone of the old Columbian law building or. 10th street between D and E streets. A model office 1s to Le erected on the site. and a large force of werkmen has been engaged for some days past in tearing down the old structure, which, it is under. stood, was originally used by the membei of Trinity Churca as a place of worship ‘The corner stone is a cube, the dimensio of which are eighteen inchés. It wos found about two feet below the sidewalk at the northeast corner of the building. It is stated that the corner stone was laid in the year 1817, and the supposition is that i: contains decuments and other articles of historic value. Several parties called the site this afternoon aad cn = BY ELECTRIC POWER}TO MAN BATTERIES|FINANCE AND TRADE Fourteenth -Strest Gars to Run to Peas Monument. WILL BEGIN OPERATING TOMORROW Plans for Introducing the System on Sevénth Street. THE NEW ' POWER HOUSE The cars on the 14th street line of the Capftal Traction’ railroad are to be run to the Peace monument by the underground electric system beginning tomorrow morn- ing. At present the cars aré run from the norfhern terminus of this line down 14th street to New Yonk avenue and 15th street, and at this latter point the passengers are transferred to -horse. cars running over Pennsylvania avenue. The electricity is furnished by the Potomac Electric Power Company, and the.same company will sup- ply the adcitional power which will be re- quired to convey the cars to the Peace monument. Horse cars will continue to run between Georgetown and the navy yard, and along Pernsylvania avenue between 15th street and the Peece monument the two systems will be in operation on the same tracks, just as they are now on those portions of the Metropolitan railroad used by the cars of the Belt and Anacostia railroads. It is stated that what is regarded as the 14th street line, extending to the Baltimore and Ohio depot, as far as the electrical equip- ment {s corcerned, will be completed as con as authority fs given by Congress to ‘build the prcposei loop at the Baltimore and Ohio depot. It is not expected to operate any other Pcrtion of the lines of the Capital Traction Company by the new motive power until about the first of next month, when it is hoped the power house of the company will be so nearly finished that power can be secured from it to run the entire line. Seventh Street, Also. By that time, too, it is also believed that the 7th street road will be electrically equipped. Mr. Saxton, the contractor, has new a large force of men at work, and without interfering with the use of the cable system he proposes to make the necessary changes, so that the 7th street line can be run by electricity. This is re- garded as a rather novel undertaking. In fact, it is believed it was never attempted before. It has been the intention of the building committee of the road to stop the cable and put horses on 7th street while the change was being made, but Mr. Saxton said he was able to do the wcrk without interfering with the use of the cable system, and he was given au- ttority to go ahead. He is now having a trench dug between the two tracks on 7th street, beginning at the power house and going north, _In this trench will be placed the conduits which will contain the feed wires. While all this digging is going on and the workmen are swarming along the line, as is usually the case when such work is un- dertaken, the cable cars continue to move on both tracks without interruption. How this is done is an interesting exam- ple of the system employed. The trench is dug as near as possible to the east track, ard the dirt Is thrown by the workmen clear across the track, when it is at once removed by another set of men, who shovel it into wagons. At certain intervals large openings are made called manholes, and as the distance is too great for the men dig- ging to throw the earth all the way over the track it is thrown on the track, and men quickly shovel it off to the street space beyond, and thus a tlear way is left for the cable Cars., Putting) im the Equipment. This, however, is Comparatively a simple dctafl of the work, as the remainder of the electrical, equipment must be put into the cable conduit. Mr. Saxton's plan fs to work each night after the cable cars are stopped, continuing until it is time for be- ginning the running of the cars again in the morning. There is a great deal to be done in the conduit, and there is the great difficulty arising from the cable and the wheels on which the cable runs being in the conduit. When the electrical equip- ment was put in on the otker lines of the read the conduit was cleared of these ob- structions. However, Mr. Saxton’s men are going to place in the conduit the in- sulators and conductor bars, and will also rivet to the slot réils a drip bar, without disturbirg the cable or interfering with the operation of the road by that power. It is not known exactly when the 7th street line will be in readiness to be ran by electricity, but it is believed by the first of next month, when the rest of the road is to be operated by the new system, cars will be going up and down 7th street im- Pelled by the same power. - POISONING CASE. Investigating Circumstances of Ann Bean's Death, Inspector Mattingly has detailed Detec- tive Lacy to make an investigation_of the Folsoning case in Southeast Washington, which resulted in the death of Ann Bean and the illness of Mrs. Ferguson and her two sons, as published in yesterday’s Star. It ts the intention of the police to make a thorough inquiry into the case and bring the guilty parties to justice, if it develops that poison was put in the milk or coffee by some murderously inclined persons. The analysis of the milk, coffee and con- tents of the dead woman's stomach will probably not be completed before next week. This morning Coroner Carr swore a jury of inquest over the body of Miss Bean, and the evidence will be heard next “Grionds of the deceased woman had ar- ranged to nave the funeral take place at 8:30 o'clock this morning, but the swearing of the jury made necessary a delay until 3 o'clock this afternoon. Mrs. Ferguson ard her sons are thought to be out of dan- ger. Police —— = DAMAGES CLAIMED. Case of Charles N. Hammett Against Metropolitan Railroad. In Circuit Court No. 1 today, before Judge Cole and a jury, trial was begun of the suit at law instituted October 31, 1895, by Charles N. Hammett against the Metropoli- tan Railroad @ompsny to recover damages in the sum of $10,009. Mr. Hammetf*elaims that September 17, 1895, he was ih the ¢mploy of the Belt Rail- way Company a3 driver. At the intemfectiem cf 9th and P streets that day, he décleres, the car he was driv- ing was struck Hy! car of the defendant company, as thé result of which he was thrown to Bro lent and seriously ‘in- jvred. Mr. met claims the Metro- politan com: .,Was responsible for the accident, and, ‘ore, he asks damages. Messrs. Humilicn’ and Colbert are the attorneys for the plaintiff, Mr..Nathaniel Wilson representing the Metropolitan com- pany. —_s a Fats “sea! SQUADBON,,SAILS TODAY, 3 2 timent st. Madrid Against. Pro- co nating a Crisis. A special cable,to the New York Herald from Madrid yesterday says: The torpedo squadron, uniess the plans are altered, will start tomorrow for the Canaries, while the two torpedo destroyers leave England direct for Cuba. (Continued from First Page.) rine Corps, has completed arrangements for sending a detachment of ninety marines to Philadelphia next Tuesday for duty on the cruisers Minreapolis and Columbia, which vessels go into commission on that day. The marines will be divided in equal numbers between the two vessels—forty- five to each. Lieut. B. H. Fuller will have command of the marines on the Colum- bia and Lieut. E. R. Lowndes command of those on the Minneapolis. The colonel commandant has received an order from the Navy Department for the enlistment of 475 men to be formed into two buttalicns and prepared to move on short notice. The order also authorizes the purchase of tents and other necessary equipments suitable for soldiers in the field. Many of the recruits will be sta- tioned at the marine barracks in this city to replace those transferred to the Minne- apolis and Columbia. The new enlistments will bring the total enlisted strength of the Marine Corps up to 3,500. No Warships Secured by Spain. An officer of the administration known to be in the confidence of the President is authority for the statement that the Unit- ed States has not yet purchased any war- ships building in foreign countries, ani also that Spain has rot secured any addi- ticnal warships in that way. He is also responsible for the statement that Spain is not likely to secure any ships by pur- chese or otherwise, for the reason that that country ha; no furds available for that purpose. This latter statement is im- portant, inasmuch as it practically dis- Poses of the "theory that Spain recently borrowed a large amount of money, esti- mated at $40,000,000. Negotiations are proceeding for the pur- chase of the Brazilian cruiser Amazonas and her sister ship, the Barbozo, by the United States, but, so far as the Navy De- partment is advised, have not yet been closed. Increasing the Marines. ‘The House naval committee today placed in the naval bill provision for an increase in the number of naval marines of 473. This increase has been especially asked for by the Secretary of the Navy, and was not included in the regular recommenda- tions. This brings the total number of marines up to 3,073. Instructions to Bureau Chiefs. Secretary Long has addressed a letter to the assistant secretary of the navy, the colonel commandant of the Marine Corps and each of the bureau chiefs of the Navy Department as follows: Sir: Under the emergency appropriation of $50,000,000 made Wednesday you will in- cur no expense or lability except after written statement and estimate made by ycu and approved by the President and Secretary, all in writing. A special record must be kept of every stich requisition. If any such liability or 2xpense has been incurred by you by oral direction, make such written statement and estimate and submit it at once for such approval. By order of the President. Very respectfully, (Signed) " JOHN D. LONG, Secretary. Similar instructions have ben issued by Secretary Alger to all the bureau officers of the War Department. ——— oo ARE READY FOR DUTY. Retired Naval Officers Have the Secretary. In anticipation of an outbreak of hostili- ties between the United States and Spain many naval officers on the retired list have notified the Secretary of the Navy of their @esire and readiness to perform any duty in the line of their profession that he may deem suitable for them. There seems to be considerable misapprehension ‘on the part of the general public as to the availability of officers on the retired list for active duty in times of war. Section 1462 of the Revised Statutes bearing on this subject Provides as follows: “No officer on the retired list of the navy shall be employed on active duty except in time of war.” Under this section it is apparent that if war should break out all officers on the retired+ list competent to serve will be subject to the orders of the Secretary of the Navy. Another statute bearing on this subject is contained in sections 1463 and 1464, as follows: “In time of war the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, may detail officers on the retired list for the command of squadrons and single ships when he believes that the good of the service requires that they shall be so plac- ed in command. In making said details the President may select any officer not below the grade of commander and assign him to the command of a squadron with the rauk and title of flag officer, and any officer so assigned shall have the same authority and receive the same obedience from the commanders of ships of his squad- ron holding commissions of an older date that he would be entitled to receive if his commission was the oldest.” It thus appears that the President has power to assign retired officers of the navy to duty, during the progress of war, but that h2 can only assign them to the commani of squadrons or ships by and with the ad- vice and consent of the Senate. There are many officers on the retired list in the full enjoyment of health and niental vigor, despite the fact that they are over sixty-two years of age, whose ability ard experience would undoubtedly be of great advantage to the nation in case it proved necessary to go to war in th> de- fense of its honor and dignity. Notable among these is Rear Admiral John G. Walker, recently retired’ for age, and now engaged on special duty 2s pr2sident of the Nicaragua canal commission. € By many he is regarded as the best equipped flag officer in the United States navy, and there is no doubt that his serv- ices will be called into requisition in the cese of necessity. In the event of the re- lief of Rear Admiral Sicard from command of the North Atlantic squadron on account of his health, which bas become some- what impaired of late, it is more than prob- able that the President would detail Ad- miral Walker for that command. Such a detail is, of course, contingent en the ex- istence of a state of war. ————_-o-______ PREFER SEPARATION. Notified Two Wives Who Ask for Decrees of Divorce. Suit for divorce was today instituted by Mamie E. Doherty, through Attcrneys Darr and Leckie, agairst John E. Dokerty. The couple were married in 1887, it is stated, and lived together until January, 1895, at which time, the wife charges, she was de- sert2d by her husband. Shortly after their marriage, Mrs. Do- herty says, drink and to treat her with great and in- tolerable unkindness and cruelty. In addi- tion to a divorce the petitionar asks the custody of her two chil —_—> Baltimore Basket Ball Team Coming. The basket ball team of the Baltimore City College will come to this city tomor- row and will play the Washington Athletic Stock Market. Again Weak and Ir- regular Today. CONCESSIONS IN THE WHOLE LIST} ‘ The Yield Was Gradual and Free From Panic. GENERAL MARKET REPORTS ee Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. NEW YORK, March {1.—Fractional im- provement in the London market was passe? over as an incentive in the local market, irregularity and heaviness being the most conspicuous features of the day Liquidation was in progress in certain in- fivential circles, and on all sides the market showed weariness with waiting for good news. The probabilities, moreover, were con- strued to be favorable to lower prices as a condition precedent to higher ones. There was little that was definite in the day's news, but the impression is gaining ground that decisive developments are likely to occur prior to the middle of next week. This expectation is based on nothing more substantial than the fact that the court of inquiry will have done all that is possible in its efforts to locate tHe cause of the Maine's explosion. Many stocks have declined over ten per cent since the beginning of Spanish crisis, and yet few of them have attracted especial attention by their weak- hess on eny particular day. That Mberal declines have come about without panics in financial disturbances of any kind is one of the strongest commentaries on the inherent stability of the general market. The market has no buying power behind it except such as comes from the covering of short contracts. The opinion is almost unanimous that a gr2at opportunity for buying is being created, but few regard the Process as being completed. The decline today was as deliberate as on? of its proportions could well be, but there was practically but one direction to the activity. Throughout the list conces- sions varying from % to 2 per cent were general at the close of the noon hour. The annual report of the American Sugar Company was responsible for some confi- dent dealings in the shares of that com- pany during the forenoon. The figures sub- mitted, while covering accounts in which ali details were carefully eliminated or concealed, demonstrate a very strong finan- cial condition. The repert, like many of the best everts of the week, could not over- ecme the écminant tendency of prices. A good demand for American Tobacco Was noticable during the morning, strong inside interests buying the stock for pur- poses not wholly disclosed. The traction shares and the eranger group were both active, prices decreasing in proportion to the volume of business. The day’s net results were substantially lower, the markei closing rather weak. Inability to sustain its own weight was t, the declire not being forced by ‘ial effort. Washington and Havana are looked to for inceniive and until the former center sends out something cefinite buying will be a novelty in Wall street. A great deal that is bad has already been ciscounted, the worst that may happen will be prompt: ly reflected and permanently abandoned under the influence of gcod buying. = FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL. The following are the opening, the high- est and the lowest and the closing prices of the New York stock market today, as re- ported by Corson & Macartney, members New York stock exchange. Correspondents, Messrs. Van Emburgh & Atterbury, Wall st. American Sprite... American Spirits, pt Si cnicago, B. & Q.. . Chicagoa Nortawestern Chicago Gas... C, M. & St. Paul CM. St Pant, ofa i a & Pacifi chie St! P., M.&O.. Consolidate Da. -. Den. « Kio-Grande, prd Erie Generai Ziectry Ahnols Centrat. Lake Snore. ‘ Louisville a Nasnvuie.. Metropolitan Traction. Manhattan Elevated Michigan Central... Missouri Pacitic. National Lead Go National Leau Co.. pia. New Jersey Centrai. New York Centrai. Northern Pacific. Northern Pacific, pfd Ont. & Western Pacitie Mau. Phila. & kea Puliman P. c. Southern Ry... pfa Phila Traction ‘Texas Pacitic. Tenn. Coai & iron. Union Path 5 Union Pacific, pfa. Wabash, pfd. Western Umon Tei. Silver... S Brooklyn R. Transit. Chig. & G Western. 883g Wy eS Washington Stock Exchange. Sales—regular call—12_ o'clock m.—Metropoli Railroad certificate B, $1,000 at 113; $500 at 113. Lincoln National Bank, 7 at 115. Capital Trac- tion, 2 at 72; 19 at 71; 20 at 71; 30 at 71; 20 at 30 at 71;'8 at 71; 20 at 71; 10 at 71; 20 at 71. 8. Electric Light, 10 at 105. Pneumatic Gun , 100 at 33 cents; 100 at 53 cents; 100 at 100 at 52 cents;'1,000 at 50 cents; 100 at Mergenthaler Linotype, 10 at at 14) at Me pital Traction, 5 at'71; 5 District of Columbia Bonds.—20-vear fund 5s, 101i4 bid. Be-year fund Se, gold, Tio bid. 3.658, donds.—Metropolitan Rallroad 5s, certificates of Meti tan Railroad cer- . B, 110 bid. Belt Rail- id bid. 185 oe Union, 9 73, asked. bid, 6 taked. 3% bid. Estate Title. asked. Columbia Title, ‘ashington ‘Fitle, 2 bid. iDisttiet “Tithe? ol gaa alk nc? the present 4 2 red. O4094") receipts, hele; stock. 10 beshels—amtbern 4 vi s May. 34 ; steamer receipts, 179,634 bushels: export stock, 1,746,588 ty sal ern, S6%AKOK— receipts, 4.8% Rone: stock, 235,079 bushels. timoth; ‘$12. Dong13. “ unchanged. Sugar strong, unchanged. Exg® quiet, w unchanged. Lettace, Whisky unchanged. Grain, Provisions and Cotton Markets, Furnished by W. B. Hibbs & Co., banke! and brokers, 1427 F st., members New wank hanged. Ch se steady, $1.250$1.50 per * basket. Sew York stock exchange, correspondents, Messrs. Ladenburg, Thalman & Co., New York. GRAIN Wheat—aay.. iene oo r sy Quotations reported by Corzon & Macart- ney, bankers. 2 per cents, registered c 4 per cents, coupea of 1807 4 per cents, regist rp . registered Currency 6 per cents 13. peti GEN. W. S. ROSECRANS DEAD Famous War Chieftain Passes Away This Morning. He Was Born in Ohio d Geaduateg at Military Academy—His War Record, LOS ANGELES, Cal., March 11.—Gen. W. 8. Rosecrans died this mcrning at 7 o'clock at bis home tear Redondo. Major General William Starke Roscrans was born in Ohio, and graduate from the Military Academy July 1, 1842. He was Promoted brevet second lieutenant, corps of engineers, the same day, and 2d lieutenant April 3, 1843. He served on engineer duty at Hampton Roads, aig! as assistant pro- fessor of ergineering at the Military Acad- emy _until 1847, and then on various river and harbor duties until 1S+4. He was pro- moted to first lieutenant March 3, 185%, and resigned his commission in the army April 1, 1854. After leaving the army Lieutenant Rose- crans was civil engineer and architect at Cincinnati in 1854 superintendent of Canal Coal Company, Coal river, Va., in president of the Coal River Naviga- tion Company, 1856-'57, and manufacturer of kerosene oil at Cincinnati untii 1861, Services in the W He served during the war of the rebel- lion as volunteer aid-de-camp to Major General McClellan, commanding the do- partment of Ohio, in organizing, drilling and equipping “Home Guards,” and then Was made colonel on the staff and chict ergineer of the army of the Ohio June 1s61. He was commissioned colonel of the 23d Obio Infantry June 10, 1861, and placed in command of Camp Chase, Ohio, and then appointed brigadier general, United States army, and commanded a brigade in west- ern Virginia operations to July 2%, 1861, having been engaged in the battle of Rich mountain. He was in command of the De partment of the Ohio to September 21, 1861, and the Department of Western Virginia to April 7, 1862, having been engaged in the battle of Carnifex Ferry. He conducted Brig. Gen. Blenker's com- mand to Virginia, and was then given com- mand of a division in the army of the Mis- sesippl, participating in the siege of Cor- inch. In Command of an Army. - He commanded the army of the Missis- sippi, aad was engaged in the battle of Iuka, having been commissioned major general of volunteers March 21, 18 In September he was in command of the district of Corinth, and was en, battle of that place, Octover 3, 1862, af which he was in command of the Army of the Cumberland and in the Tennessee cam- paign, being engaged in the battle of Stone river. He was in the advance on Tullahoma; in the occupation of Bridgeport and Stev>n- son; crossing the Cumberland mountain and Tennessee river; in the battle of Chickamauga and occupation of Chatta- nooga, which he commenced fortifying, to October 19, 1863, when he was reli2ved and placed on waiting orders at Cincinnati to January 28, 1864. He was then placed in command of the department of the Missouri from January 28 to December 9, 1864, at St. Louis, from which point he directed military ‘opera- tions, terminating with the expulsion from the state of the confederates under Gen. Price. —_>——— + SITUATION AT HAVANA. _ Arrival of Congressional Pai Sampson's Health Better. HAVANA, March 11.—The weather’ con- tirues to be delightful, and: the’tity ## as tranquil as the skies are blue... apt. Sampscn seems to have Tecovered from his slight indisposition, and the Unit- ed States naval court of inquiry into the loss of the battle ship Mains, over which he presides, is pursuing its usual course. The relief work of the Red Cross Society, in the city and country, is daily becoming more systemized, eff2ctive and regular. Miss Clara Barton and the collector of customs have had most pleasant inter- views, during which Miss Barton assured