Evening Star Newspaper, August 2, 1898, Page 11

THE EVENING STAR, TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1898-12 PAGES. — AGAINST A CHANGE Commissioners Reappoint the Board of Assistant Assessors, MESSRS, BATES, JOBNSON AND MORSELL Action Taken After Exhaustive Dis- cussion of the Candidates. REASONS ADVANCED —__+—__—_ THE James A. Bates, J. Harrison Johnson and S. T. G. Morsell, the board of assistant assessors of the District, were today re- appointed by the District Commissioners for a term of four years, beginning August 15, 1888. The reappointment of the board was made after a meeting of the Commis- sioners which continued for an hour or more, during which the question was thor- cughly discussed in all its phases, and the James A. Bates. decision, which was predicted in, The Star veral days ago, was an unanimous one. has been explained in ‘The Star, quite @ number of applications for appointment on the board were received by the Com- and m of the applican highly indors me cf the applicants werc per- strongly indorsed by men prom- political life than by the citizens t, yet not a few of the app mgly by the peonle it will probably ply interested in ‘d than are those in issioners, political Political Aspect. It was urged by some that when the board was appointed four years ago it was proper to place two democrats and but one republican on it, because the admi tien was then democratic; but the admin- istration now being republican, it would be mest proper to reverse matters, and make the board consist of two republicans and , again, it was no way ence their ac- tion in the maxeup of the new board, but that the qualitications of the men alone, should be sidere a All these matters, it is understood, were fully considered by the Con ting tod: and th the result that mined that the qualifications of the mem- bers of the present board and those who" J. Harrison Johnson. @esired to succeed them should be the sole determining influence upon them. That point settled, the next question was the competency of the existing board. As was Yemarked at the meeting of the Commis- sioners, {f it appeared beyond doubt that had performed their duties intelligent- ly, honestly and to the satisfaction of the ple of the District, the Commissioners would not be justified in making any change whatever in the personnel of the ard. Satisfactory Showing. It appearing to the Commissioners that the work of the assessors answered these Questions in the affirmative, and this be- ing the view advanced in num-rous and very strong indorsements of the present board filed with them, it was thereupon de- termined by the Commissioners that not only did there exist no reason for any change, but that, on the other hand, there were very strong reasons why its members should be reappointed. Hence it was unan- y decided that the board should be reappointed, and the following order was drawn up and signed by the Commission- view of the satisfactory services ren- dered by the t board of assistant as- sessors in the assessment of real estate and as an excise board and in consideration of indorsement of their work by the f the District, coupled with the change be made in the id board, it is ordered that Bates, J. Harrison Johnsen and Morsell be, and the same are here- das the board of assistant as- for the term of four years begin- ning August 15, 1898." Commissioner Wight's Explanation. Speaking of the action of the board of Commissioners to a Star reporter ‘after the meeting had adjourned,Commissioner Wight explained that in view of the good work performed by the present board and be- cause their reappointment hed been urged by the representative men of the District ir- respective of party, the Commissioners felt that they could do nothing else than con- tinue the members of the board for another term of four years. Very many competent @nd excellent men had applied for appoint- ™ment on the board, said Mr. Wight, men S. T. G. Morsell. @trongly backed politically and men strong- Jy indorsed by the taxpaying people of the District. But the members of the present board, he stated, were no less strongly in- dorsed by the taxpayers of the District, Who urged that there should be no 5 Not only were members of the existing board strongly indorsed for tment through petitions filed with the Commis- sioners, said Mr. Wight, but their Teap- eimtment had been asked by mang citi- zens who had both written to and called upon them to make such a request. It was because of this apparent practically unan- imous desire for the reappointment of the board that the Commissioners took the ac- tion they did, said Mr. Wight, and there- fore those very competent and excellent men who had applied for appointment were in nowise reflected upon by the step taken, for the Commissioners simply did what in their humble opinion was best for the whole people of the District. Appointees Well-Known. The men reappointed today are too well known to aeed any extended introduction to the people of the District. All three have long been citizens of the District, and all have been engaged in business here for many years. Mr. Bates, the chairman of the board when it sits as a board of as- sessors, is the republican member, and re- sides in Eckington. Mr. Johnson, who is the chairman when the board sits as the excise board, and who resides in South Washington, and Mr. Morsell are members of the democratic party, the tormer being a silver man, while Mr. Morsell is said to be a gold democrat. Mr. Morsell is a resident of the northwest section. The board, sitting as assessors, is charged with the duty of making a general assess- ment of real property in the District every three years, and the board is at present en- gaged in making its second triennial as- sessment, having nearly completed the southeast section and having only the county and the Georgetown district to com- plete. Sitting as an excise board, it dis- poses of applications for liquor licenses. The news of the reappointment of the board was received with much satisfaction at the District building among the employes and those citizens having occasion to call there, and the Commissioners also received many messages of approval when their ac- tion became known outside of the build- ing. ——— CHESAPEAKE BEACH RAILROAD. Section From This District to Marl- boro’ Practically Completed. The work on the Chesapeake Beach raf!- road is being rapidly pushed forward. Al- ready the road is in operation from Dean- wood to Marlboro’, a distance of about twelve miles, and within a few weeks the line will be extended through the farms of Judge George Wilson and Dr. M. D. Hume, thereby bringing it to its terminus. An official inspection of the road took place last Saturday. The party consisted of Theodore J. King, Nathaniel Wilson, J. Weaver, T. J. Lockhardt, Otto Mears, John L. Neal and John Murdock. The run was made on the construction train, and the journey from Marlboro’ to Washington was covered in thirty-two minutes. The members of the inspection party ex- pressed themselves as being highly pleased with the work. Pending the building of the eastern ex- tension of the Columbia railroad to connect with this line, there is some talk of a plan by which a connection will be made at Deenwood over the Alexandria branch of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad to Hyatts- ville, and thence into Washington over the Washington brarch of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. The new road when completed will open up a country that is now almost entirely destitute of railroad facilities. In order to reach Marlboro’, the county seat of Prince George's county, residents along the line o? the Baltimore and Ohio railroad are now obliged first to come to this city. It is then necessary to take the Pennsylvania railroad as far as Bowle, and to change there to Pope’s Creek line. The journey cannot be made in less than a day, and a trip to New York city is far less tiresome. The terminus of the new road will be eat Chesapeake Beach. SOLDIER'S LAST WILL. Trooper Ross Leaves Property to His Adopted Mether. The last will of Edward J. Ross, a pri- vate of Troop G, 6th United States Cav- alry, formerly staticned at Fort Myer, who was killed at the front recently, was filed teday for probate with the register of wills. The instrument is dated April 16, 1898, and was made in anticipation of war with Spain and the trooper’s probable éeath in that event. By the terms of the testament ft 1s pro- vided that after the payment of his just debts and funeral expenses all of per- sonal and real property, life insurance and whatever moneys were due him at his death is bequeathed to Mrs. Harriet L. Dunn, his adopted mother, The document !{s_ wit- ressed by W. W. Worner, Julia A. Hanna and Robert A. S. Dunn. == BURNS PROVE FATAL, Bessie Turner Dies From Eficets of Injuries Received. Bessie Turner, colored, seventeen years old, who was so badly burned at her home, No. 3110 6th street extended, yesterday af- ternoon, as published in yesterday’s Star, died at Freedmen’s Hospital this morning. Her young sister, Alice Turner, who was burned at the same time, was better this morning. She was able to be taken home. As stated in yesterday's Star, the acci- dent resulted from the use of coal ofl in starting a fire in the stove. In addition to the injury to the children the house was slightly burned. ee ¥F STREET OFFICE BUILDING, A Modern Structure to Take the Place of an Old-Time Residence. The tenants in the building 1331 F street have moved, and today the place ts de- serted and the front doors closed. It has been one of the busy office buildings on F street, and the change occasioned consid- erable inquiry today. It was learned, how- ever, that the owners have made an ugree- ment to sell the property, and one of the conditions exacted by the purchaser was that it should be turned over to him at the begining of the month empty. It is understood that the new owner is a New Yorker, and it is his intention to tear down the present building and erect on the site a new four-story office structure. The property belonged to the estate of the late Dr. Miller, but for the past fifteen years has been under lease to the Riggs Fire In- surance Company. About two years ago the company moved into the new building which it had just erected on 14th street above G street, and since that time the Miller building has been sublet. The lease, however, has just expired, and now the property bas “been sold ‘and a modern Structure will be erected in its place. ee ge WIFE SUES FOR DIVORCE. Arthur W. Harrison, Patent Attorney, the Defendan Mrs. Leila C. Harrison has entered sult for divorce against her husband, Arthur W. Harrison, a local patent attorney, in which she asks both temporary and perma- nent alimony and the custody of har minor children. The papers in the case, as soon as filed, were locked in the big safe In the clerk’s office by order of the court, and neither the charges brought against the defendant nor the denials of the husband are known. That the suit was not unex- rected is shown from the fact that an an- sSwer by the defendant was filed almost simultaneously with the original bill. Th3 answer was likewise locked up. The court passed an order in the case for an immediate hearing, and directed that testimony be taken before John A. Sweeny as examiner. — MAY ISSUE CERTIFICATES, Order of Court in ‘Washington Light Infantry Case. A new term of Equity Court was begun today, Associate Justice Cole sitting in Di- vision No. 2. One of the first orders pass-~ ed was in the receivership case of O. G. Staples against the Washington Light In- fantry Pats bear gate A the receivers to is- sue certificates of indebtedness during th administration of the property. 3 HORSFORD’S ACID PHOSPHATE relieves nervous: disorders, exhaustion, as Fonte eld ca in botten |FEVER 1S EPIDEMIC|ELECTIONIN ALABAMA Second Division at Camp Alger Or- . dered to New Camp. SUSPECTED CASES GREATLY INCREASED Bad Situation in General Butler's Camp at Dunn Loring. THE MISSOURI ADJUTANTS Special Correspondence of The Evening Star. CAMP ALGER, Va., August 2, 1898. ‘The continued spread of typhoid fever occupies the attention of every one con- nected with Camp Alger. Yesterday's re- ports of fifty-three new cases for Saturday and Sunday made clear the fact that the disease is now a positive epidemic, and that radical, drastic measures would have to be adopted to arrest its ravages. In con- sequence Gen. Graham directed Brigadier General Davis to change the camping grcund of the regiments in the 2d Division at ence. An order conforming to Gen. Graham’s direction was immediately prepared by Gen. Davis’ adjutant. It was issued this mcrning, and reads as follows: “HEADQUARTERS, 2D DIVISION, 2D ARMY CORPS. “CAMP RUSSELL A. ALGER, Va., “August 1, 1898, “To the Commanding Officer, —— Brigade. “Sir: I am instructed by the division com- mander to say that the present camp of your brigade will be immediately aban- dored on account of unhealthfulness, and the regiments will be encamped on the Brvsh and Acherson tracts, that lie to the south of these headquarters. “The preparations will be immediately made, sinks dug and the tents pitched at the earlicst moment possible. “Until rew wells are bored, the old ones will be used and the water hauled. “Only cne trading booth for each regi- ment will be permitted to be established. “Very respectfully, “R. H. Van DIEMAN, “First Lieutenant Infantry, Assistant Ad- jutant General.” The Dunn Loring Situation, Gen. Butler, who took the bit in his mouth and arranged to have his division transferred to Dunn Loring on his own ac- count, was supposed to have comfortably rrovided for his men. Today, however, it appears that the camp at Dunn Loring presents almost as many objectionuble fea- tures as the old comp. All the wells but one sunk so far have been condemned. The exception {s that used by the 8th Penn- sylvania. It follows, therefore, that seven regiments of infartry, including the 3d Virginia, 1st Connecticut, Ist New Jersey, 7th Ohio and Sth, 12th and 13th Pennsyl- vania, must all rely on one artesian well for drinking water. The situation Is fur- ther complicated because one of the drilling machines is now disabled. Finally, word has been received at corps headquarters that some of the regiments at Dunn Loring are on unkealthy ground. It is impossible to dig sinks, for instance, for the Ist Con- necticut without striking water. Today's typhoid record includes two deaths and forty suspected cases. The dead men are both from Pennsylvania—Privates Archibald W. Stockholm, Company G, 13th Pennsylvania, and Fred. Fay, Company G, 12th Pennsyivania. Both died this morning at Fort Myer. Fay’s father came to the camp from Williamsport yesterday in order to be near his sick son, but the authorities at the hospital would not permit him to enter the ward. Funds were subscribed by the associates of the two boys sufficient to Gefray the funeral expenses. Suspected Cases of Fever. Included in the list of suspected cases are the following names: Seventh Illinois: Sergeant John O'Con- ner, Company K, and Privates W. 8. Krause, Company K; Charles Wilsey, Com- pany F, and Peter Seanlan, Company B. One Hundred and Fifty-ninth Indiana: Corporals William McCormick, Campany A, and Percy King, Company K, and Pri- vates P. Clayer, Company A; William Kel- ly and Frank Hyatt, Company D; John Payne, James Whitaker and M. Creech, Company H; H. Sanner and John Smith, Company I; Jesse Rogers, Walter Alvis and Albert Parke, Company K. First Rhode Island: William Maguire, Company A, and F. Wyng and William Garin, Com+ pany I. Third New York: Sergeant James Lamborn, Company F, and Privates Robert Link, Company A; H. L. Clark, Company C, and A. R. Frazer, Company H. Tw2n- (secret Kansas Private Reynolds, ‘company E. Fourth Missourl: Privates Demarer, Company F, and W. R. Wilson, Daly and Dallum,’ Company K. “Second Tennessee: Privates Sherman Kennedy and C. A. Weston, Company A; P. J. Jay- sen, Company H; W. C. D. Brumright, Com- pany I, and A. O. Embry, Company K. Thirteenth Pennsylvania: Private B. P. Cockley, Company G._ Twelfth Pennsylva- nia: Captain Edward H. Taylor and Pri- yates Clarence Mills, Harry Green and W. P. Sheesley, Company G. Seventh Ohlo: Private W. W. Ross, Company K. Sixth Pennsylvania: Privates Arthur Van Shickle, Company D; H. J. Parker, Com- pany F, and Benjamin Snyder, Company M. In addition to those named in this list, fifty men in the 159th Indiana have been set aside as indicating slight symptoms of ty- phoid. Of the 106 men in Company G, 12th Pennsylvania, only forty-eight could report for duty this morning. Nothing definite has yet been decided con- cerning the road march into Washington and the revieW which is to take place there, It is certain now to be delayed until the question of new quarters has been disposed of and those rew quarters prepared for oc- cupation. ‘The review In honor of the Sec- retary of War will wait on both. Somebody's Mistake. A curious mistake on the. part of the mustering officer came to light in the 4th Missouri yesterday. It seems the state law does not provide for a battalion adjutant. When the Missourl regiments were being sworn in a telegram of inquiry was sent the War Department asking whether the state law would affect the appointment of battalion adjutants for volunteer service. ‘The answer was that it would not. Now the battalion adjutants have been informed that their muster was contrary to law and that their services are no longer required. ‘The four adjutants of the 3d Missouri will possibly have to leave the service in con- sequence. Those of the 4th Missouri have been mustered in as first or second lieuten- ants of the line. spies ES HOME IN THE COUNTRY. Mr. A. M. Lothrop Has Purchased a Place Near Falls Church, Va. Mr. A. M. Lothrop has returned to the city from the Adirondacks, where he has been for some weeks past, with his family, He expects to remain in the city for a few days, and then will return. to the woods, where he hopes to enjoy some hunting as soon as the open season begins. At pres- ent he is occupying a cottage near Paul Smith's, but he owns a camp site in the same vicinity, and it is his intention to build a cottage there. Recently Mr. Lothrop purchased a place of some fourteen acres in Virginia near Falls Church. There is a large, old-fash- joned house on the property, which Mr. Lothrop intends to improve and remodel for his use. It is his purpose to spend there the early spring and fall months of each year. The property has an elevation ot 420 feet, and comprises the rising ground which is krown as Upton Hill, which during the war was the site of ane — forts which made a girdle about the city: As an illustration of the changes which have been brought about by the electric railroads, Mr. Lothrop can reach the Boston store in huif an hour after leaving home, ajthough the latter is between seven and eight miles away. mocap! Burned by Live Wire. W. Kuhn, an electrician, living at Bright- wood, was painfully burned on his hands Partial Returns “Inditate a Large Democratic Majority. GOVERNOR JOBNSOK RE-ELECTED Populists Mastef$ of the Nebraska Fusion Gonvention. BRYAN TALK SQUELCHED BIRMINGHAM, Ala., August 2—Sixty out of sixty-six counties in the state have been heard from as to yesterday’s election, though the returns from none are as yet complete, owing to the slow method of counting and returning. Reports from the partial returns re- celved indicate a democratic majority of between fifty and sixty thousand. Jefferson county gives a democratic ma- jcrity of about four thousand. In the city of Birmingham two thousand votes out of a@ registration of 3,500 were polled. Of these the democrats received 1,800. The independent county and legislative candi- dates in this county were badly beaten. Reports from over the state show that the populists have lost heavily in all their strongholds. The Quietest Election. MOBILDB, Ala., August 2—The latest re- turns show that Johnston for governor and the entire democratic ticket are elected by a majority of about 1,200 in this county. Kramer and Leonard, republicans, and Bolton, populist, legislative candidates, were snowed under. It was the quictest election in history and not one-third vote polled. The Nebraska Fusionists. LINCOLN, Neb., August 2.—A night of caucusing and conference has failed to en- tirely clarify the political atmosphere in- cident to the fusion state convention, which meets this afternoon. It developed emphatically today, hew- ever, that the populists are masters of the situation, and can dictate terms to the other two parties to the tripartite agree- ment, which in all probability will be on a basis of giving the lieutenant governor to the free silver republicans, the attorney general to the democrats and the balance of the state ticket to the populists. As to the head of the ticket, around which the greatest interest centers, Gov. Holcomb is more frequently mentioned as a poasible compromise candidate, but it 1s doubtful if he would accept, with his knowledge of Populist opposition to a third term. A story was started connecting the name of W. J. Bryan with. the gubernatorial nomination, but it was as quickly denied as absurd by delegates who claimed to be able to speak for Mr. Bryan. A feature today has been the surprising strength developed by J. H. Edmiston, the present state ofl inspector and chairman of the populist state Central committee. It is generally conceded that the choice for head of the ticket liés between Edmiston, Thompson, Gaftin ahd ‘Weir, with the chances slightly favoring Judge Thompson. The three conventions will be called to order at 2:30, and if'the program to take a recess following organization is followed prospects are good for an all-night strug- ale a ee LATE ARMY ORDERS. The following-named officers have re- signed: First Lieut. Will J. Miller, Battery A, Ist Artillery, Iltwots Volunteers; First Lieut. Harry G. Roéat, 9th Pennsylvania Volunteers. entor Major Nathan. 8.) Jaryis, surgeon, has been ordered to duty inthe department of the east. < ZA The following-naméd officers of ‘the pay department hav2 been ordered to Cuba on the steamer Breakwater, and upon the com pletion of their duties at Santlago will then proceed to Ports, Rico to pay the troops on that island: Majors Francis S. Dodge, John P. Baker, Eugene Coffin, George E. Pickett, Robert S. Smith, Samuel R. McMillan, Geo. B. Guild, Samuel S. Harvey, John H. Town- send, George D. Sherman, George H. Fay, William H. Thrift, Samuel D. C. Hays, Henry B. May, John W. Fogler. Capt. Benj. Munday, assistant surgeon, has b2en ordered to report to Major Gen. Lee, at Jacksonville, for assignment to duty. Col. W. H. Forwood, assistant surgeon general, U.S.A., has been ordered to Mon- tauk Point, L. I. to establish a temporary tent hospital of 500 beds, to assist in select- ing a camping site and in the location of walls, and to generally act as a sanitary ex- pert in providing for the health of the troops to be sent to that point. Capt. R. S. Woodson, assistant surgeon, has been ordered to report to Major Gen. Shafter, at Santiago de Cuba. Capt. S. R. Stafford, 15th Infentry, and First Lieut. C. P. Elliott, 4th Cavalry, have resigned. Officers of the army have been assigned to duty as follows: First Lieut. L. P. Smith, assistant surgeon, to Fort Hamilton, N. Y.; Capt. E. B. Fenton, commissary of sub- sistence, to Jacksonville; Capt. F. H. Bur- gher, assistant quartermaster, to Fort Hamilton, N. ¥.; Major 8. C, Mills, inspec- tor general, to Washington, D. C.; First Lieut. W. H. Simons, U. 8. Infantry, to Camp Alger, Va.; Capt. Chas. D, Palmer, assistant quartermaster, to Philadelphia. Brig. Gen. E. B. Williston has been or- dered to duty at Camp George H. Thomas, Georgia. Officers of the army have been assigned to duty as follows: Major William Williams, C. of 8., to New- port News; Capt. J. C. Baldridge, C. of 8., to Jacksonville, Fla.; Major Seaton Nor- man, 3d Volunteer Infantry, to Santiago de Cuba; Major Waliace Neff, surgeon, to Ft. McPherson, Ga.; Lieut. G. F. Barney, 2d Artillery, to Tampa; A. A. Surgeon C. C. Marbury to Chickamauga; A. A. Surgeon J. R. Shannon to Santiago de Cuba; Capt. J, C. Sanford, Corps of Engineers, to Fort Yellowstone, Wyoming; Lieut. Sedgwick Rice, 7th Cavalry, to Join his regiment; Lieut. J. F. James, 7th Volunteer Infantry, to Chickamauga; Lieut. Victor Shepherd, Signal Corps, to Tampa, for duty with the balloon company; A. A.’ Surgeon J. J. Re- ttl, to Chickamauga; A. A. Surgeon J. M, jewell to Santiago; Capt. C. M. Rockerfel- ler, 9th Infantry, to accompany Gen. F. D. Grant, to Porto Rico; A. A. Surgeon T. T. Dessez to Tampa; Lieut. H. M. Merriam to duty as aid-de-camp to Brigadier General Chas. King; Capt. W. B. Barker and Capt. W. 8. Scott, assistant quartermaster, to Santiago; Lieut. H. A. Eaton, Ist West Vir- ginia Infantry, has been appointed second Heutenant of infantrylin the army. leutenant C. H. Weaver, Ist Rhode Is- land Artillery, and Major Charles E. Ruth, brigade surgeon, have. rasigned. Lieutenant Colonel Edward Burr, 2d Vol- unteer Engineers, has ‘yeen relieved from duty with the battaliowsof engineers at San’ de Cuba ahi onfered to join his regimeht at Fort Sheridan, Ill. Captain H. H. Ketehuin, 22d Infantry, having been found By ancexamining board physically unfitted for promotion, has been relleved from further treatment at the perenne hospital: for the insane and or- lered to proceed horhe ‘and await retire- ment. 19:5 Major Walter Reed, surgeon, and Major G. H. Hopkins, assistant:adjutant general, have been ordered to proteed to Camp Al- ger, Va., Fbrt Thomas,: Ky., Camp George H. Thomas and Fort»M¢Pherson, Ga., and Fort Monroe, Va., to»make a thorough in- vestigation of the “administration of the United States general hospitals and division field hospitals located at those places and then to return to their proper stations in this city. > ‘ Major Willoghby Walke, 8d Volunteer Engineers, now on recruit duty in this city, has been ordered to v@it Atlanta, Au- gusta, Savannah and J; nville on busi- ness connected with the recruitment of his it. utenant W. C. Babcock, ‘8th has been ordered to report to General REDUCED TO THE RANKS. Col. Culver Takes Action Against His Non-Commissioned Officers. ' CHICKAMAUGA - CHATTANOOGA NA- TIONAL MILITARY PARK, Tenn.. August 2.—The two main subjects of interest at Camp Thomas at present are the expected arrival of the paymasters tomorrow and the expedition which, it is reported, is be- ing arranged in Washington for Maj. Gen. Wade. The pay rolls of ail the regiments are now complete, and there will be little delay in making the payments. The total to be paid will be near $1,500,000. Nothing has yet been heard from Wash- ington in regard to Gen. Wade's expedition. The impression prevails that Gen. Wade will take with him the regiments best fit- ted, ne matter to what corps or divisions they may belong, and every regiment is now attempting to impress its fitness and its right to be included im the expedition. Gen. Breckinridge, the new commander of Camp Thomas, is expected to arrive tonight and take charge tomorrow. Brig. Gen. Franks’ assuming command temporarily, did not necessitate his giving up his division for any time, and he will be in command at beth corps and division headquarters until Gen. Breckinridge ar- rives to ralieve him. Recently the boys of the 5th Illinois had their fun, and now Col. Culver will have his inning. He has announced that every non-commissioned officer who took part in the demonstration last week after the regi- ment was recalled will be reduced to ranks. ‘This work is to be commenced at once, and new men appointed in their places. Col. Culver says his regiment has had a good reputation for ycars, and he intends to sus- tain it. He added: “I have ordered all of these non-commissioned officers reduced— that is, those who were absent without leave. I judge there were about a dozen of them. The other men who are guilty of being absent without leave will be fined by the field court.” eS BACK FROM THE KLONDIKE. Return of Men Made Rich by a Few Months’ Work. SEATTLE, Wash., August 2.—On the steamer Discovery, which has arrived from Alaska, was C. E. Downey of Seattle, who had about $15,600 in dust. C. Ward, with $125,000, is the owner of a claim on Bonanza creek. He was formerly a member of the mounted police. His home is in Nova Scotia. C. M. Johnson, who comes from Rose- burg, Ore., has $80,000, which he recely2d for his claim on Hunker creek. Most of the arrivals were traders who went in early this spring with small out- fits which they disposed of at a good profit. It is predicted that about 500 of these traders will soon be on their way out after new stocks. No river boats had arrived at Dawson from St. Michaels for some time, and the people were becoming apprehensive that lower river navigation was about over for the season. The situation of the Idle men, of which there are a great number at Daw- son, is becoming a matter of serious im- port. Some have about exhausted the small store of such supplies as they took in and are unable to do any prospecting. A great exodus of this class will soon begin. SAN FRANCISCO, August 2.—A special to the Examiner from Dawson of July 17 says: “Within the last twelve months the Can- adian government has taken from the Yu- kon miners more than $2,500,000. The cost of maiftaining.the mounted police in Daw- son and the salaries of the district officials have been reported to the Canadian parlia- ment to be in the neighborhood of $400,000, leaving a net annual gain to the govern- ment of cver $2,000,000. The largest indi- vidual amount that goes to make up this total is the royalty, which has been con- servatively estimated to be $800,000. PORT TOWNSEND, Wash., August 2.— Letters received here state that many pros- pectors between Copper river and Cook's Inlet, Alaska, have abandoned their search for gold-and are locating coal claims. The country is said to be one mass of coal of excellent quality. Near Graham’s bay W. A. Moore found a deserted coal mine with appliances that had evidently been worked by Russians before Alaska was ceded to the United States. 2S OLDEST LIVING VETERAN, James Walsh, Living Near Frost- burg, Claims the Distinction. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. CUMBERLAND, Md., August 2.—Just a week ago today, July 25, James Walsh, re- siding near Frostburg, this county, on the road leading to Mt. Savage, celebrated the one hundred and third anniversary of his birthday. It is confidently asserted that Mr. Walsh is the oldest living veteran of the late war. He served three years and three months on the Union side, despite the fact that he was then an old man. Old Baltimore and Ohio camelback en- gine No. 92, which was connected with one of the most interesting bits of civil war history, has been consigned to the scrap pile at Parkersburg, W. Va. At one time during that stormy period there was an urgent need of locomotives on railroads in the contending confederate states, Thom- as R. Sharp undertook to supply this want and several locomotives, among them No. 92, on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad near Martinsburg, W. Va., were selzed and haul- ed across the country by horse and ox pow- er to Staunton, Va., where they were put into service. Se EES NAVAL ORDERS, Lieutenant Commander E. D. Taussig has been detached from the Norfolk navy yard and ordered to command the gunboat Ben- nington, which is under orders to proceed to the Hawaiian Islands, relieving Lieu- tenant Commander J. F. Moser, who is or- dered to command the Albatross. Lieutenant Commander C. K. Curtis has been detached from command of the Alba- tress and ordered to the Bennington as executive officer. Lieut. W. D. Rose has been detached from duty at the naval proving grounds, Indian Head, Md., and ordered to the Chi- cago. Lieutenant Commander B. H. Bucking- ham has been ordered to tempBSrary duty at the navy yard, Portsmouth, N. H. Lieut. W. B. Diehl has been detached from the bureau of equipment and ordered to the Buffalo. Lieutenant Commander W. H. Reeder, now on lighthouse duty, has been ordered to command the Marcellos. Lieut. C. T. Warren has been ordered to duty on the Lancaster. ey Imsurance Agent in Trouble, John Murdock, who claimed to be an in- surance agent, was today sent to the work- house for sixty days by Judge Taylor as a vagrant. —_>+——_ Departure of Mrs. Breckinridge. Mrs. Louise D. Breckinridge leaves this evening for a visit to Warm Springs, Va., General Breckinridge having left the city Monday under orders to take command of the troops at Camp Thomas, Ga. Mrs. Breckinridge will be accompanied by her ‘son, Lieutenant Ethelbert D. Breckinridge, who served with distinction as a voluntecr aid on the staff of General H. W. Law- ton during the Santiago campaign. Lieu- tenant Breckinridge has been very ill of malarial fever, brought on by constant ex- posure during his services in paign. i SE SS, Asks for Independent Alimony. Mrs. Annie Poole has entered suit against John H. Poole, asking for independant all- mony. Mrs. Poole declares that since De- cember 13, 1897, her husband, who is em- that cam- Jumped From Hotels Tenth Story. NEW YORK, August 2—George Tod, a wealthy resident of this city, committed HILL AND CROKER Both Were Visited by Many People Sunday, AN INTERVIEW WITH THE BOSS Says That All He Wants is a Har- monious Democracy. JUDGE DALY’S POSITION Special Correspondence of ‘The Evening Star. NEW YORK, July 31, 1998. As plein “Mr. Richard,” like a king, in- cognito, came Richard Croker to his braves and wigwam, on the good ship Lucania last Friday. There was the expected love feast down the bay; a drive to the Savoy, where the Democratic Club has headquarters dur- ing a course of repairs, and on Saturday the “boss” left for the Jersey coast. It ‘was expected that there would be a mighty Pow-wow by the seashore, but there was no pow-wow, at least if one can believe the repeated assurances of important repre- sentatives of the parties who were expect- ed to participate therein. David B. Hill is at one end of the north Jersey resort country and Croker is at the other end. Up to the present writing they have not had a meeting and it is not prob- able that they will come together, for Croker will leave about Tuesday for Sara- toga and the Adirondacks. Hill will spend his summer, as is his custom, at Norman- die-by-the-Sea. Mr. Hill's Visitors. Hill today is being visited by the up- State leaders, chief of whom are Chairman Danforth of the democratic state commit- tee, Frank Campbell, New York's member of the democratic national committee; George M. Palmer, member of assembly from Schoharie county, and John B. Stanchfield, former democratic leader in the assembly. Among the democratic lead- ers from New York city stopping at Nor- mandie-by-the-Sea is Willis J. Abbot. Ab- bot was regarded as Bryan's representative here in the east in the never-to-be-forgot- ten campaign of two years ago. in the Henry George campaign Abbot framed the platform for the democracy of Thomas Jef- ferson. Abbot has been doing consider: ble talking to Hill, and the latter, breaking his accustomed silence, is said to have ex- pressed to Abbot the view that, owing to the mistakes of the republicans in New York state during the past year and a half, tory is certain te perch on democratic banners. The presence of Abbot at Nor- mandie-by-the-Sea is material around which to weave many bits of imagination. The silver men, who are outside the breast- works of their own party, say it indicates that the Bryanites and ihe Henry George men will support Hill in the event of a struggle for supremacy between Hill and Croker in the next democratic state con- vention. AM Conferences Denied. Croker, during Saturday and Sunday, has vibrated between Senator Murphy's cotlage at Elberon and the Hollywood Hotel, the headquarters of the Tammeny leaders. Sat- urday Croker, with a number of the Tam- many leaders, went to Pleasure Bay, at the head of navigation of the Shrewsbury river. Of course this was a pleasure trip, no con- ference about thi: ‘oday, in company with Senator Murphy, Croker visited Deal Beach and examined the improvements being made at that new summer resort; and there was no conference about this. Hill, Croker, Murphy, Danforth and, in fact, all of the democratic leaders now in the vicinity of Long Branch emphatically Geny that any conference is now going on. They assert that they are at the Jersey re- sc¢rts for rest and recreation and that poli- tics is a subject far from their thoughts at the present time. However, to a man up a tree growing somewhere in this vicinity, the control of the next state convention would seem to hinge upon Kings county. The question that is everywhere being asked is whether Hugh McLaughlin is for Hill or Croker. In case he is for his old-time friend, Hill, the secondary question occurs, can he deliver the goods or the votes of Kings county to Hill? There are plenty of aggressive leaders in Kings county, includ- ing “Barney York,” who received a fat prize from Tammany’s appointment store- house, who would be glad to wrest the con- trol of the Kings county democracy from McLaughlin, and, backed by Croker and lecal patronage, a man like York could probably split the Kings county delegation and deliver a large part of the votes to Croker, no matter what Hill and McLaugh- lin might say or dog. In this connection an interview obtained with Croker is of interest. It was secured by a person who has in the past evidenced a strong leaning toward Hill. A Talk With Croker. “What are your plans for the future,” Mr. Croker was asked. “Well, I will go to Saratoga for a short vacation,” said Mr. Croker. Then he add- ed: “After that I have nothing for some time to do but rest.” “Will you make an effort to control the state convention?” “I doh’t think so. At any rate I haven't any such intention now. I believe the state ccnyention should be a harmonious gather- ing, and I am for the best man who can be nominated for the office of governor. The democracy this year can win with a good candidate.” “What becomes of your preference of Sen- ator Murphy for state leader?” “That preference as strong today as the day it was utter I always believed Murphy the state leader and have always recognized him as such. My recognition of Murphy, how2ver, does not mean that Iam against a harmonious convention. A man can recognize another as leader without be- ing always fighting. But I never did recog- nize anybody but Senator Murphy as the democratic leader in this state.” “Then you have no desire to control the ecnvention?” ‘Not in the least. New York has no can- didate for governor or any other place on the ticket. Whether, when the convention comes around, New York will or will not hav; candidates I cannot now say. One thing I am sure of, and that is that we will be for the best men for the nominations.” “What are your views with reference to an early or a late state convention?” asked the reporter. “I believe most certainly in a late con- vention. I think we ought to have a late convention. For my part, I favor letting the republicans first show their hand. That has been the custom, and I belleve in it.” At this juncture Mr. Croker was inform- ed that it was said on reliable authority that the republicans had fixed September 27 and Saratoga as the date and place for holding the convention, and that the date was the latest at which a convention could be held. “Well, then,” broke in Croker, “df that is the situation, I am in favor of letting the republicans first show their hand. That would be my policy.” Judge Daly’s Retirement. ‘What may prove to be one of the bitter- est contests that Tammany Hall ever ex- perienced is threatening to divide that or- Price surprise you? It will surprise you More when you see the Chiffonier, for it is uadoubtedty the best value ever offered. Large sine, with five drawers. Made of selld selected oak, well finished and finely carved. A really handsome piece of furniture. Wed- Resday only can you buy one at $3.46. “Cash or Credit.” Mayer & Pettit, 3. 415-417 Seventh St. SD eremeetectentetecteaieiecdenteeecteeetecdentecdendeaiettentendediecdeed Langl ta. 53°59 ““Welted” Foot Forms for $2.00 —A double purpose in offering this bargain. We want you to know what welted shoes are. You'll say it isn’t worth while to buy any but welted shoes hereafter. We're convinced of what we say, and a trial will convince you of the comfort, ease, satisfaction-giving quali- ties of welted shoes. They hold their shape—won’t spread. The temptation to know these shoes is strong. We're offering you the equals in quality and work- manship of any shoes $5 will $2.50 $2.50 $2.50 Hood | SEMI Oded Peters Rosie tir tiotto dine LLL LLL ME A A OQ A OM AAMAS and finish. Always $3.50. ing August......... Foot Form Oxford, No. 555—Full round Da Always $3.50 ing August. Foot Form Oxford, Always $3.5) ing August aS Foot Form Oxford, No. 509 — Medium ronnd — toe—welted. Always $3.50. Dur- ing August......... aetentess F St., Cor. 13th. % S. ELECTRIC COMPANY, Preparing for the Expected Contest at the Next Annual Election. An active canvass is in progress among the stockholders of the United States Elec- tric Light Company for the purpose of se- curing proxies to be used in the annual election of the company, which will be held those next November. It may seem that interested are making a rather earl: in the preparations for the annual ele but as there is a contest in progress it is the intention of one side not to allow the other side to get ahead of them and bag all the votes. It is claimed that the opposition to the present management is reaching such pro- portions that it has now a majority. On the other hand, this is denied, and it s as- serted that the gossip is based much on the revival of the hostility which has been manifested in a variety of ways for sev- eral years past. It is belleved by some that the present management will try to gather in all the votes possible, and now those who wish a change have decided to take the field early and enlist the co-opera- tion of the stockholders before they are ccmmitted to the policy of retaining in office these at present in control. According to the current gossip, two names are mentioned prominently in con- nection with the presidency of the company in the event Mr. Thomas is retired. One is Mr. James L. Norris and the other is Mr. Charles C. Duncanson. pe Accidental Drowning. William Winslow, a colored man who lived in Burk’s alley. southwest, was drowned in the river near the Long bridge yesterday afternoon by the capsizing of a beat. His body was recovered by the crew of the police boat and sent to the morgue. Acting Coroner Glazebrook today made au investigation of the case and gave a cer- tifeate of accidental death. Se sonia Receives a Horrible Wound. A colored boy, whose name up to @ late hour had not been ascertained, was this afternoon treated at the Emergency Hos- pital for a horrible wound in hir left leg below the knee, which, it was stated, was inflicted by @ man at the bathing beach with an ice pick. The boy's leg was cut in a shocking manner, and his condition Was regarded as critical. It was stated that a man at the beach, who was being teased by a crowd, threw the pick and struck the boy as stated. As soon as the injury was inflicted the lad was placed in & Wagon and conveyed to the hospital, but the parties who left him there did not re- main long enough to permit the physicians to ascertain his name, > Decision Expected Thursday. It is expected that Justice Hagner will hand down his decision in the Manning telephone case Thursday next. This is a test case brought for the purpose of re-