Evening Star Newspaper, December 13, 1898, Page 2

2 THE. EVENING STAR, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1898—14 PAGES. THE CIVIL SERVICE Annual Report of the Commission's Chief Examiner. REASONS FOR FAILURE CF APELICANTS The Matter of Temporary Appoint- ments Discsused. - CE CLAIMANTS PREFERI The mission for in the jerven, operations of the civil service the past y are fully set annual report of Chief Ex- submitted to the commi: com- forth aminer s report is regarded us one of the most ever issued, and matters of vital Importance to the service are discussed at leng Durir ferent times and p.aces. nt i p this number 782 were partmental service, 1,580 for office service, 244 for the customs - and 156 for the internal revenue Applications for these examina- receive. from 46 person: is called to the questions asked uminations, and Chief Serven criticisms that have en made n with the following: the eexaminations are frequently because the seholastic tests tain, it appears that the general in- telltge © of the competi s, which these tests are d gned to draw is a very iable indication of their value in_ the eat majority of classified positions. When tests combined with an examir nto the practical experience which the competitors have had aloug lines of work z the year the commission held 203 Of this number times ae for de ry serv tions wi Attentio at these ¢ for which they are seeking best results seem to be ob- While it is true that the educated 1t practical experience is of lit- t in many positions, yet it is equally true that the man who has the practical ex m is so educa- e and valk a trained mind because of h tion. For if on is not correct, then our system of public instruction in the \ usted States is ali wrong. The practic of local examining boards is discussed at length, and the dis- t under = which He says in - United s could larger or smailer and joint boards . Most of the ards may be over- » criticisms of the com- deubt that the work of the is many times criticised, and Ss not meeting the demands upon better facilities for understanding te nis, the commission would be » remove most, if not all, of the unfavorable criticism.” ven, liscussing the reasons pa: nin ng as the principal caus Why Appl the competit ns gives thej ants Fail, rs are not quali which th ed have er had the work re- ¢ in many in- natural 1 when wrtal exam tests appointed through the examinations of the commission. But few persons entitled to this preference compete in the examina- tions. During the past year there were only 109 for all branches of the depart- mental and government printing services. Of this number 71, or over 65 per cent, passed the examinations with an average In excess of 70 per cent, and but 10 passed with an average between 65 and 70, whi-e but 28, or 25 per cent of the whole number, failed to obtain 65 per cent, notwithstand- ing that among the number were several competitors in scientific or technical ex- aminations. The highest average attained by any of these preference claimants was 94.40 per cent, which is an exceptionally nigh mark. Of the 109 preference claimants who competed in examinations during the year 12 made an average of over ®% per cent. This compares very favorably indced with the result In the general competition among those who are not preference claim- ants. It should be-remembered that the prefer- ence claimants are not necessarily old men, the yourgest prefer=nce eligibie during the past year being 19 years of age, and 16 of them less than 35 years of age. The aver- age age of all the preference eligibles dur- ing the past year was 46.2. ASUPREME COUR COURT BUILDING Bill Provided for Buying a Site Passed by the Senate. Necessity for Providing for the High- est Judicial Tribunal Pointed Out by Senator Morrill. The Senate today, for the third time, passed a bill providing for th> purchase of a site for a United States Supreme Court building. This site is located east of the Captiol and north of the Congressional Library building, being boundéd by East Capitol street, Ist, 2d and B streets north- t. The site contains 226,172 square feet ground, exclusive of avenues, streets aud allys. In calling up the bill for this purpose Senator Morrill said that the recent fire in that portion of the Capitol occupied by the Supreme Court and th> Law Library was a striking demonstration for the neces- sity for the highest judicial tribunal in the land to have better accommodations. He said that Congress could well afford to give some att2ntion to the comfort and dignity of the Supreme Court, and he paid a glowing tribute to the high character of that body throughout its history. Demand for the Building. Mr. Morrill said that the bill he proposed had been passed by the S>nate unanimously on two occasions. The first time was June 6, 1888, and again April 26, 1890. Since that time it has had the approval of the committee on public buildings and grounds of every Congress, but it had been thought well not to urge its passage until the com- pletion of the Congressional Library and post office buildings. These buildings now there could be no reason urged against pro- viding the Supreme Court with a° suitable building. He said that the owner of the land on the site indicated had reques:ed that Congress should indicate whether or rot it was Its purpose to purchase this lanJ, as the constant expectation that it migat be bought acted as a cloud upon it, pre- enting its sale or its rental to advantage. Senator Morrill said the acquisition of this land was necessary in order to complete the symmetry of the grounds east of the Capitol. Mr. Morrill said it would not be necessary to build_a great and extravagant structure for the Supreme Court. though it would ca! being completed, for a large and elegant building, as the United States could hardly afford to build any other tof a structure. He said it would wlso be doubtless desirable to locate in this building the Court of Claims and the Court of Appeais of the District of C lumbia, whil> the al's office and ail rovided th The res rm « fa Prospect of Appoi Many ries received fr applicants as to what exa fons take in or to be sure of % It should be rem red r of an exam H does Ire appointm: I i carefully H se sco} haracter of the different ex- offic would be provided for He said the room now used by the Supreme Court is not large enougn to accommodate coun: in Important cases. In such cases members of nd House who de- sire to be pre te do se on ae- count of the lack of sp Wixdom of Selecting This City. The senator spoke of the genial and healthy climate of the city of Washington, said that comes more 8 the city grows older it b nd more apparent how wisely the fathers acted in selecting It for the seat of government. The chief blunder which bad been made was the failure to fully ap preciate the necessities of the government by providing large buildings for the various lepartments. He room now ¢ Mr. Mort % that the that Congress itself ne the -cupied by the Supreme Court. juded his remarks by ask- te vote on the bill. Should Not Buy a Site. pass ally other eligibles, orary lise Appointments. S at length the ques- necessary from. C ce of the commis- appoint- where tem- > tem- no ad- h ability is + i from years « ontemplates Series of examinatic all competitors to quali lines of wor ity shall be most epared ons for a ably be ex pected to eccur in the public service Preference Claimants in Examina- tions. ‘In accordance with the provisions of section 1 U. R. S., and clauce civil rule vii, the names of all com- petitors in examinations who were honor- ably discharged from the military or naval service by reason of disability resulting from wounds or sickness Incurred in the line of duty, who attain an average per- centage of 65 or better, are placed, in the order of their average percentages, at the servic Mr. Vest 1 that while this bill had been pa the Senate on two former ee had uot opposed it becaus he was satisfied that it would no} through the Hous entative sald he was oppc H becaus! believed that the government should u property it now owns befcre investing in more land. He said he thought the site upied = b the office of the Attorne General was a gcod one for the Suprem Court building. ‘This sie, at the corner of Pennsylvania avenue ar n plac was located in the busines: r of the at been pu eighte the Free 3 ne paid § and ft the best purchase of “aud nt had ever made. Formcrl dl advocated the purchase of j the Blaine and ron property to be ided to this site, it is now, he said the government had plenty of ground the or ch to erect a building for the preme Court. For these reasons, he he was opposed to Mr. Morrill’s bill. Cockrell said he desired to bill by allowing nirety inst as the y al Sen th mend ad of thirty period during which the At- eneral might pure e the land at private sale, after which condemnation pro. ceedings were to be begun. He was afra the time was too short, and i's experien‘e had shown him that it frequently happens that the government can buy at private sale cheaper than condemnation sale. |The amendment was accepted The bill was then passed without di- vision. SC SAGASTA AND THE TREATY. Hope That United States Senate May Not Confirm It. MADRID, December 13.—It is asserted here that the premier, Senor Sagasta, wi!! eltain a royal decree dissolving the cham- bers before the ratification of the peace teraty. The semi-officiel Correo announces that Senor Sagasta, before asking the cortes to ratify the treaty, will confer with Senor Montero Rios, president of the Spanish peace commission, and it is further a! serted that, owing to the existence of opp: sition to the treaty, the United States Sen- ate will not confirm it A dispatch from Iloilo, Island of Pana: Phillppine Islands, reports the situation there unchanged. Gen. Rios, the Spanish commander there, Is preparing to remove his troops to Mindanae. SS GEN. DAVIS AT PINAR DEL RIO. un Troops Cordially Received by the Cuban People. PINAR DEL RIQ, Island of Cuba, De- cember 13.—General Davis, accompanied by his staff, a signal company and a battalion of 400 men from the 202d New York Regi- ment, arrived here by special train from Havana at 730 last night. They were greet- ed at the railroad station by almost the en- Ure population of the city. The American troops are now camped om the site previously chosen for their accom- modation. The headquarters of Gen. Davis is at the Globe Hotel. The ceremony of formally raising the stars and stripes over the city hall here will take place at about noon today. —- > Verdict Against Railroad. A jury in Circuit Court No. 2 this after- noon returned a verdict in favor of th> Ame! head of the proper register of eligibles. Ap- p'icants who ar entitled to this preference » also exempt from the requirements as to age limitations.” During the year 256 persons were rein- ated under the milftary proviso of rein- ement rule 9, of whom but 23 had been plaintiff for $1,000 in the case of Marian E. Hall against the Metropolitan Railroad Company. The suit was brought to recover $10,000, the plaintiff claiming to have been thrown from a car of the d2fendant com- pany some time ago at the intersection of Connecticut avenue and N street. MR. TURPIE OBJECTS| WORK oF Speaks in Opposition to the Morgan Canal Bill. IN FAVOR OF THE PROJECT ITSELF House Passes Bill for Protection of Seamen. eel LIEUT.GENERAL’S RANK =e In his opening prayer in the Senate today Chaplain Milburn made touching allusion to the death of Mrs. Bright, wife of the sergeant-at-arms of the Senate, Invoking the divine blessing upon her husband and children. Upon the request of Mr. Gallinger, chair- man of the committee on pensions, the Sen- ate passed a Dill increasing the pension of Eleazir Smith of New Hampshire to $30 a month. Mr. Gallinger said that Mr. Smith was over 100 years old and one of the three survivors of the war of 1812. Mr. Berry gave notice of an amendment he will offer to the Nicaragua canal .bill providing for the direct appropriation of money for the construction of the canal and limiting the cost to $115,000,000, The amendment provides for the construction of the canal by the Maritime Canal Company, and gives the government a lien upon the propert to be foreclosed under circum- Stances fully enumerated. Mr. Berry stated the object of the amend- ment to be to eliminate the bond feature of the bill. Another was to deprive the Maritime Canal Company of any shares of the stock as in the present bill, leaving the United States, Nicaragua and Costa Rica the only stockho.ders. He said he under- stood Mr. Morgan to be willing to have-the bill amended so as to abolish the bond pro- vision of the bill. Mr. Rawlins also gave notice of an amendment to the Nicaragua bill, providing that the act should not go into effect until the United States should secure by treaty the right to,fortify and garrison the canal, to send arméd vessels and munitions of war through it in time of war and to cose it against any other nation with whom the United States may be at war. Mr. Morrill, in accordance with previous notice, addressed the Senate on his Dill authorizing the purchase of a site east of the Capitol grounds for a building for the United States Supreme Court. He spoke from manuscript, and notwithstanding Fis advanced age he handled the subject with exceptional vigor and effectiveness. At the conclusion of his speech the Sen- ate passed the bill. A bill was passed authorizing the Choc- taw and Memphis Railroad Company to construct bridges over the Arkansas and other navigable rivers in Arkansas. Mr. Simon, the new senator from Oregon was placed upon the following committee: Mines and mining, irrigation; revolutiona: claims; Potomac river front, and tresspa: ses upon Indian lands. Bills were passed as follows: Granting right of way to the Kettle River Valley Railway Company of Washington through the Colville Indian reservation. For the relief of homestead settlers in Florida who were driven from their homes the storm of 1896; amending section 4766 of the Revised Statutes, relating to pensions, providing that in cases in which pensioners desert their wives or children one-half the pensions shall be paid to them. The bill reviving the grade of lieutenant general was reached on the calendar, but was passed over at the request of Mr. Cockrell, Mr. Turpie on the Canal. At 2 o'clock the Nicaragua canal bill was taken up, and at the request of Mr. Morgan a communication was read from Minister Merry transmitting the remonstrance of the United States to the President of Nica- ragua against any change in the status of the canal matter, and aiso a statement from Mr. W. R. Grace, chairman of the exec’ tive committee of the syndicate which has recently obtained an option on the right ef way across Nicaragua in opposition to the Maritime Ca Company's enterprise. Mr. Turpie addressed the Senate upon the Nicaragua bill, saying that no one could excel him in zeal in advocating the isth- mian canal, but while he saw the vast ac Vantage of the proposed waterway, he also was fuily aware of the difficulties. in the Way of putting the plan for a canai into execution. While not opposed to the canal as such, he was opposed to the scheme of a maritime canal company, and he de- nounced that company as the most ven- omous and effective opponent of a real He did not believe it pos- company to construct the canal, and he held that the Maritime com- pany should get out of the way of the gen- uine canal enterprise. HOUSE OF RE RESENTA VES. When the House met today question had been ordered on the prévious the sage of the bill which was under consideration when the House adjourned yesterday, to amend tne laws relating to the shipping of seamen, and the vote was taken by a and noes. The amendments were disagreed to, 105— nd the bill was passed without di- On motion of Mr. Hay (Va.) a resolution was adopted calling upon the Secretary of War for information as to what towns in Porto Rico, Cuba and the Philippines are required to be garrisoned, how many troops will be necessary for that purpose and how many soldiers will be needed for the United States proper. Another re upon the Sec as the all olution was adopted calling ary of State for information ged" outrages upon Bishop Pekin, China, in Septem- ber last, ana as to what, if any, step had been taken to secure suitable redress. The House then went into committee of the whole and took up the District appro- priation bil. The bill did not contain any items that were controverted, and passed without amendment, after which, at ) p.m., the House adjourned. PING BL CLEVEL December 15 Trains from the east are arriving from one to two hours late today, owing to the heavy snow storm of last night. The high wind accompanying the snow has caused big drifts to be formed along the railroads east of this city. There has, so far, been no de- lay to trains from the south or west. The wind is blowing thirty-six miles an hour from the northwest, and the temperature is falling rapidly. WEST SUPERIOR, WI Last night was the ‘cold 28 below being regist>red . December 13.— t of the winter, pr the night, and at 8:30 this morning it was 1s below.’ The weather Is clear and no wind, SARATOGA, N. Y., December 13.—This 13 the coldest morning so far in Saratoga and the Adirondacks this winter. At Blue Mountain lake the mercury dropped to 10 degrees below zero. oe POWDER MIL EXPLOSION, Several Workmen Reported Killed at Moosic, Pa., Works Today. SCRANTON, P: December 13.—Several workmen are reported to hav2 been killed and a number injured by an explosion in the coining mill of the Moosic Powder Com- pany at Moosic, Pa., gear here this after- noon. A series of explosions are said to have followed that in the coining mill. Telephone wires were disabled by the explosion, and it is difficult to obtain par- ticulars. Great damage was done through- out the village by the terrific shocks. —————_—_ Recess Appointments Sent In. The President sent to the Senate today a long list of recess appointments, including the members of the industrial commission, a number of judges, district attorneys, marshals, collectors of customs, surveyors of customs, promotions in the marine hos- pital service and the revenue cutter service. -- Appropriations! Secretary Ai Rivera\and Harbors. Rha The House }eommittee at its meet- ing today decideg reau-for the pury and directed Chi create a separate bu- of taking the census n Hopkins to draw a substitute for thé Benate bill. The Senate bill provides that-the census office shail be included in the Department of the Interior. Some data will atso be collected by the committee regarding several provisions of the bill. Some of :the points upon which inquiry will be mae relate to the number of persons to be employed and their sal- aries, the work of expert statisticians and how the census can best be taken, whether by counties, townships or congressional districts, or whether this shail be left to the superintendent ef census. Nothing was suid as to whether the bureau should be placed under the civil service. The committee adjourned subject to the call of the chairman, and the time when the committee will again meet depends up- on how long it will take to draft the sub- stitute bill. Money for Indian Schools. Representative Bingham and. Superin- tendent Gibbon of the Lincoln Institute, Philadelphia, appeared before the House committee on Indian affairs today to ad- vocate the retention of an appropriation for that place as an Irdian school, ‘The Interior Department decided that Lincoin Institute was a sectarian school and there- fore not entitled to government aid. ‘The question was not decided today. It was decided to increase tie appropria- ton for Carlisie Indian schcol from $121.00 to $150,009, pon the understand:ng that at seast 1,000 Indians will be provided for and a number of improvemen.s made to the school. This was done upon the recom- mendation of Superintendent Pratt. Tams Bixby, the chairman, told of the contemplated prececdings of the Dawes commission, and asked that $70,000 be made available for work during the balance of the year and $123,000 be apjroprateu for work under the provisions of the Curtis act next year. The commission is ready to make the Seminole allotment ‘They will soon take up the work cf identifying the Mississipp! Choctaws in order that the Choctaw allotments can be made. The Choctaw census will a'so be taken and necessary surveys made. The appropriation for the pay of secre- tary and traveing expenss cf the citizen commissioners having supervision of some branches of Indian business had been stricken from the proposed bill, but, on of Mr. Barrows of Massachusetts, restored. Appropriation for the Army. Secretary Alger, Assistant Secretary Meiklejohn and Chief Clerk Tweedale were before the Senate subcommittee of appro- priations committee, giving some informa- tion concerning the estimates carried in the ar deficiency bill. The hearing was brief. cretary Alger wants immediate action on the bill which he had prepared appro- priating $3,000.00 ta meet pressing con- tingencies following the war. Rivers ana Harbors, The river and harbor committee of the House today gave a bearing to a delegation which urged che importance of deep water at Miami, Fla. Yin view of the prospective growth of our shipping e: gaged in the West Indian trade. 4 newline of steamers is to Tun from Miami to Havana. The water there has beem increased from eight to twelve feet, at 2 Of about $160,000, ail expended by pmivate. Individuals. | About twenty feet is desired, and for that pur- pose about $500, will be required. resentative, Tongue of Oregon also ap- pea’ before the committee in behalf of the Willamette Falls project. Protection to Photographers. The House committee on patents today agreed to report favorably the bilP {ntro- duced by Representative Mitchell of New York, to give additional protection to pho- tographers. The. bill was pushed by lead- ing photographers in various parts of the untry. Terms of Courts in South Carolina. The House committee on judiciary today agreed to report favorably a bill to change the times for the terms of the United States courts in South Carolina. The bill was in- dorsed by the United States judges in South Carolina. = MR. BLISS Parely Private Reasons for Leaving the Cabinet. It Is very probable that Secretary Bliss will tender his resignation within a short time to the President. He has had the step under consideration for some time, deeming it necessary that he should be free to de- vote more time to“his large business in- terests. ‘The resignatio: be due in the leaSt to the President or his oth i Mr. Bliss’ reluctance for purely private per- nal reasons to continue longer in office as cretary of the Interior. At the time he entered the cabinet It was said semi-officially that he did not intend to serve out the term of four s, but would retire at some fitting opportunity. It is presumed official announcement will not be made until the President has chosen Mr. Biss’ successor. SS SWINDLING. ted, will not y differences with but to Ss ALLEGED Colored Man’s Advertisement Leads to His Arrest. Sprigg Hebron, a colored man who gave his age at twenty-nin2 years, and occupa- tion as waiter, was arrested this afternoon by Policeman Stenhouse on a charge of ob- taining $1 under false pretenses from Kate Fantroy. It is alleged that Hebron had in- serted in one of the morning papers an ad- verlisement stating that the Post Office Department wanted to employ thirteen col- ored women at $30 per month; applications to-be made at ® certain number. In re- sponse to this there were, it Is said, a num- ber of women who called at the place des- ignated, and several of them paid the 7 “is- oner $1 each for the prospective job. Upon applying at the Post Office Department they were informed that Hebron had no right to employ them, and no women were wanted there. ——_>—_—_. GIDEON W. MARSH SE} Imprisonment for Twelve Years and to Pay Fine of g50¢ PHILADELPHIA,, December 13.—Gideon W. Marsh, former ptesident of the wreck- ed Keystone NationaBank, was today sen- tenced by Judge!Butttt In the United States district court to,an imprisonment of twelve years and three;months and to pay a fine of $500. 1 The Keystone bank failed in March, 1891, and President Marsh and Cashier Lawrence were placed under arrest charged with con- spiracy in making false entries in the bcoks and issuing false reports to the con- troller of the currency. ‘The cashier stood trial and was fforiyieted and imprisoned, but Marsh disapbearpd and his bail of $20, 000 was forfeitel —_—_—_>—___ UNION cLoryys FOR ARMY, Resolution Introduced in Convention of A. F. of L. KANSAS CITY, Mo., December 13.—The eighteenth annual convention of the Amer- ican Federation of Labor had hardly begun business today when a recess was taken. A flood of resolutions touching a wide range of subjects was intrdduéed by various dele- gates. In each case, without discussion, the resolutions were referred to appropriate committees, to be acted upon by them later. One resolution of particular interest was that offered by Delegate Samuei,Autlers of New York, general treasurer of the Na- tional Garment Workers’ Union. It called upon the United States government to give clothing to union ‘shops’ for manufacture instead of sweat shops. The resolution was given to a committee. ~It is sald it will without doubt be adopted, and a telegram Was sent at once to ‘ashington making the demand set forth in the resolution. COMMITTEES | | EAGUE MUST DECIDE Rival Claims of Chris Von der Ahe and Muckenfuss, NO ACTION BY THE BOARD “Buck” Ewing Wants Some of New York's Players. BASE BALL MAGNATES MEET ——_+—___ NEW YORK, December 13.—The annual meeting of the National Base Ball League representatives began today. ‘The principal topics discussed were the change in the manrgement of the New York club and the proposal to sell or trade Pitchers Ruste and Meekin and Second Baseman Gleason by the loeal organization. Among the first to arrive at the hotel was “Buck” Ewing, manager of the Cincinnatis. When asked as to whether he would make an offer for any of the three New York Players, Ewing said: “I would like to get one or all of them, but I cannot talk further on the subject just now.” All the presidents of the twelve clubs comprising the National League are here, with the exception of Freedman of ths home club, who has placed his proxy in the hands of A. H. Soden of Boston. ational League Director: The board of directors of the National League met at noon. The members of this board are: N. E. Young, president and sec- retary; Al Reach, Philadelphia; H. Vonder- hotst, Baltimore; Earl Wagner, Washing- ton; W. W. Kerr, Pittsburg, an Pulliam, Louisville. St. Louis is also en- titled to representation: on the board, but whether Von der Ahe or Muckenfuss will be recognized will have to be decided at the meeting. The business to be transacted consists of the awarding of last season's cham- pionship, adoption of the treasurer's report, some routine matter and the settlement of the case of First Baseman Decker, whose services are claimed by the St. Louis club for the coming season. Chicago disputes the point saying that the player was only loaned to St. Louls for the season of 1898. Contention Over St. Receiver Muckenfuss says he represents everything connected with the St. Louis club, but Von Der Ahe emphatically de- clares that Muckenfuss only has charge of the buiidings on the St. Louis ball grounds and that he has nothing to do with the franchise. Von der Ahe claims that the franchise belongs solely to him, and that it cannot be considered as an asset. The meeting of the board was adjourned Indefinitely after a few minutes’ session The directors were unable to decide which of the St. Louis representatives should be recognized, as they said it was not in their province to decide the point. The meeting will not convene until the matter is decided by the league at the annual meeting t afternoon. Among the base ball men about during the mecting of the league, but not repre- Louis Clab. senting clubs in that organization. were the following: John T. Rogers, Philadelphia y. Conant, Boston; F. A. Abell, Brook T. Powers, president of the East- n League; Ben, Johnson, president of the tern League; Arthur Irwin, Washing- Edward Barrows. president of the AL lantic League the New F Cincinnati; Patsy Donavan, Pittsburg, and a host of players of more or less note. See STATION AT HAVANA, Commodore Cromwell Assigned to Its mmand. The Navy Department has taken steps to- ward possessing itself of the navy yard at Havana, and orders just issued assign Com- modore B. J. Cromwell, now a member of the examining board, to duty as command- ant of the new naval station there; also Chief Engineer C. P. Howell, Lieutenant J. H. Glennon, Pay Director J. A. Smith and Surgeon J. D. Gatewood to duty at the same station, making a complete step for a navy yard. The Navy Department has just learned that the Spanish government is about to sell the fine floating dry dock, which was brought to Havana from England just be- fore the war at a cost of $650,000, Admiral Sampson, the naval representative on the evacuation commission, made a most deter- mined struggle to have the dock passed to T. H. Muri NAVAL the United States with other property of a permanent character, but he was overruled by his colleagues on the comm Gen- s Wade and Butler, who accepted the Spanish contention that the dock should be regarded as a ship and not as stable property. ‘The dock is to be sold, therefore, by the Spanish officiais next Friday, and al- ready there are signs that private parties are preparing to bid for it. The Navy De- partment contemplates with the greatest xation the prospective loss of this spicn- a ructure, for a dry dock of large pro- portions will be an almost absolute neces- sity in Havana as long as an American naval force is to be maintained in those waters. It is possible that the attention of Congress having been attracted to the subject an attempt may be made to pur- chase the dock on the part of the United States, or, rather, on account of the gov- ernment of Cuba that shail eventuaily be established. A New Bill Exempting Church and School Property From Taxation. Mr.Catchings of Mississippi has introduced a bill in the House (H. R. 11127) providing that from and after the passage of this act all cemeteries, churches and schoolhouses, and all buildings, grounds and property ap- purtenant thereto and used in connection therewith, and all grounds owned by any religious denomination, society or church and held for the sole purpose of erecting church buildings or houses for places of public religious worship thereon in the Dis- trict of Columbia, shall be exempt from any and all assessments of every kind, and all taxes, national, municipal and county. So much of the act of Congress approved August 7, 1804, entitled “An act making ap- propriations to provide for the expenses of the government of the District of Columbia for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1895, and for other purposes,”’ as has been construed to repeal prior acts of Congress exempting church property from assessment for spe- cial improvements where such property abuts the improvement, be repealed; and the Commissioners of the District of Co- lumbia be authorized and required to re- fund to the trustees or other proper officers of any church or churches which paid such a ments as may have deen assessed st_ the property of such church or churches for the improvement of streets or alleys or sewers upon which the property of such church or churches may abut, the amount or amounts so paid by such church or churches under that act. Referred to the District committee. Extension of New York Avenue. Rey. W. E. Parson, president of the Na- tional Lutheran Home for the Aged, has written to Senator McMillan commending the bill introduced in the Senate yesterday and providing for the extension of New York avenue eastwardly frora Florida ave- nue. This avenue, he say needed in order that there may be a venient way of communication between the Lutheran Home and the city. Overhead Wires. The Secretaries of State, Wer and Navy have joined in a request to Senator MeMII- lan asking that the bill lately introduced in the Senate to abolish overhead wires in the fire limits of the District of Columbia be amended to permit such wires as connect the State, War and Navy with neighbor- ing buildings occupied by the government to be maintained. These wires now supply electric current for lighting neighboring buildings — Skating on Rock Creek. Senator McMillan has received a letter from Commissioner Wight saying the Com- missioners are willing that during the time ige may be formed on Rock creek the gates for the of the caral be kept closed, to allow the free use of the creek for skating. Three Bills Passed. The Senate today passed House bil! 9068, Yo authorize the Commissioners of the Dis- trict of Columbia to extinguish the alley in square 465. Senate bill 4626, to change the proceedings for admission to the government hospital for the insane, was also passed. This legi: lation is necessary to pe mit indigent insane from being brougut to tne District of Co- lumbia from neighboring states and sent to the asylum at the expense of the District. The Senate also passed House bill S370, relating to negotiable instruments in the District of Columbia. This bill conforms to legislation in force in New York, Colorado, New Jersey, Florida, Virginia, Maryland and Wyoming, and has been recommended to legislatures in other states. Its purpose is to make legal practice in regard to ne- gotiable instruments simple and uniform throughout the country, and it has had the Indorsement of the American Bar Assocla- tion. oe AMERICAN UNIVERSITY Semi-Annual Meeting of Board of Trustees Begins Today. Two Plans for Raising Funds—Minis- ters to Collect $1,000,000 and Women's Guild $1,000,000, The semi-annual meeting of the board of trustees of the American University was held today at the Arlington. In the absenc of Mr. John E. Andrus of Yonker: i e. president of the board, who wrote a letter explaining his absence, Representative Wm. Connell of Scranton, Pa., was chosen to preside. Rev. Charles W. Baldwin, the sec- retary, was in his place. The members pres nt were Bishop C. C. McCabe, Fort Worth, Tex.; Bishop John F. Hurst, the chancellor of the university; Rev. Dr. C. H. Payne the corresponding secretary of the board of education of the M. E. Church; Rev. Dr. J. O. Wilson of New York, Rey. Dr. D. H. Carroll of Baltimore. Md.; Rev. Dr. W. H. Milburn, chaplain of the United States Senate; Mr. Geo. P. Nukiil of Oil City, Pa.; Mr. C. C. Glover, Mr. M. G. Emery, Mr. Thomas W. Smith and Judge Charles Scott of this city; Prof. Wm. W. Martin, secretary of the university; Rey. Albert Osborn, registrar of the univer: Rey. Dr. ; Rev. J. Rev. M Henry Ives ity George W. Beatty of California; Re’ 8. F. Dimmick of Harrisburg, Pa. Wesley Hill C. of Fostoria, Ohio; Beale of Boston and Mr. ‘opp. Minister! Alliance. One of the important subjects discusscd was the organization of a ministerial alli- ance, as proposed by Bishop McCabe, for the purpose of raising a million doliar en- cowment fund for the university. It is Proposed to find 1.000 ministers who will agree to raise $1,000 each for the univer- sity. After discussion a resolution was unanimously adopted in favor of this pro- posal. In line with this nd from the same source was a proposition to organize a woman's guild for the raising of another million for endowment. This proposition also met with the he indorsement of the board. The initial steps toward the crgan‘zation of the ministerial alliance was taken by the election of Bishop Charles lf. Fowlcr of Buffalo, N. Y.. as presideat and Bishov McCabe as secretary. The organization of the woman’s guild was referred to a com- mittee with power to act Prof. W. W. Martin, the secretary university, was chosen profe semitic langua, Dr. W. L. Dav retary, and will rty ef the Json was elected field sec- ve in his special care the raising of funds for the Ohio College of Government, one of the buildings to be next erected on the grounds of the universi- ty. Preparatory Work. Announcement was made that the uni- versity site was being prepared by careful grading for the building, which, it is hoped, will be erected in the near future. An explanation was made by Henry Ives Cobb of a water color sketch which he has made of the grounds and the proposed buiidings. The members of the board were greatly interested in the clear description ot the architectural features of the build- ings. Shortly after 1 o'clock a recess was taken for lunch, and at 2:30 the board reassem- bied. It is expected that a final adjourn- ment will be reached at the ciose of the af- ternoon session. gets Charges Dismissed. In forwarding today the findings tn the of Policeman J. Fitzgerald, who was recently found not guilty of intoxica- tion, neglect of duty and conduct unbecom- ing an officer, Chief Sylvester of the police force made the recommendation to the Commissioners that the charges be dis- missed, which was approved. in the case of Policeman J. T. Bassford, found not guiity of negiect of duty, the charge has also been dismissed. Opinion of Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeais late this afternoon hended down an opinion in the case of the Anglo-American Savings and Loan Asso- elution and Thomas H. Pickford, appellants, against Wm. D. Campbell, Allen S. Johnson, the Julius Lansburgh Furniture and Car- pet Company, George M. Landon and Harry S. Merriam, trading as Landon & Merriam. ‘The original suit was to enforce a mechan- ic’s en. The Court of Appeals, in its opin- ion, written by Mr. Justice Shepard, re- mands the case with directions to modify the decree so as to relieve the principal and sureties upon the undertaking. In all other respects the decree of the lower court is affirmed, with costs to the appelie —S— Arguments in Conspiracy Case. Arguments in connection with the de- murrers to the indictments in the Knights of Labor conspiracy cases were heaid to- day by Judge Bradley in Criminal Court No. 2. Messrs. J. H. Ralston and Jere Wilson spoke in support of the demurrers, while District Attorney Henry E. Davis case and Assistant District Attorney D. W. Baker argued in defer:se of the validity of the indictments. The matter consumed more than two hours. Judge Bradley will announce his Gecision later. Sa Grain, Provisions and Cotton Markets. ’ Furnished by W. B. Hibbs & Co., bankers and brokers, 1419 F st., members New York stock exchange, correspondents Messrs. La- denburg, Thaimann & Co., New York. CHICAGO, December 13.— Grain: Open. High, ow. Jo ware er 5 Re os to “ss z 6% 6iy GE Corn— May. Pttid ae tid July... Bis at, 34g p Cats—May. - 26 26iy 26 CHICAGO, December 13.—Provisions: High. Low. Close, - 2. 9.35 9.35 + 9 9 9.60 2. $3 6.25 5.17 5.22 + 542 547 B3T 5.43 : 467 470 402 aez May. ....2). 487 4.90 480 4187 NEW YORK, December 13.—Cotton: n. High. Low. Close, Ja 59 559 5.52 5.58 59 5.59 5.54 BG G4 5.68 5.61 5.61 74 5.75 5.70 5.71 Baltimore Markets. BALTIMORE, December 13.—Flour dull, unchang- ed—receipts, 23,904 barrels; ex ‘3.768 barrel, Wheat duli—spot and month, 70%a71: J: a71%; May, 70; steamer No. 2 red. FINANCE AND TRADE American Sugar Sustained a Sharp Bear Attack Today, animate aati SUFFERED A LOSS OF 3 1-2 PER CENT Market Rallied at Close After Heavy Realizing Sales. GENERAL MARKET REPORT Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. NEW YORK, December 13.—The demand for stocks during the opening hour morning was again decidedly enthusiastic, but subsequent trading was directed to- ward realizing on a large scale. The irreg- ularity in the railway depertment was Scarcely surprising, ‘n view of the various degrees of improvement reflected che standard shares. The higher-priced issues suffered most during the profit-taking period, but the de- cline in prices has detracted nothing from the almost unanimous belief tn the und sr- lying merit of the situation. React produce support of a ve qua. tty almost invariably, and the only stumbling biock in sight is that which might follow extensive trading on narrow margins. The success of the upward movement ‘n Atchison issues has attracted attention to in ons the entire group of low-priced issues, Atch- ison preferred, well above 51, after a con- siderable delay in the and again ten points higher, is an indication of what can be done with low-priced issues after the customary paths become too well worn. The common stock of the Atchison com- pany has not maintained its relative gnar- ket position, and in some quarters an equa!- izing process is considered probable in the very near future. Norfolk and Western and practt y all of the southern and southwestern roads are reied upon to move up in sympathy with the growing popularity of the low-priced shares. The standard of low-priced issues advanced from those selling 1 der 50 to those selling under or SH. The reported demoralization in the sugar trade, especially in the west, furnished a background for an attack on the price of that company’s shares. Selling of round amounts resulted tn a decline of 3% per cent from the opening leve A reduction in rates for the granulated product to meet a similar cut on the part of the independent compantes lends new life to the disastrous rate war rumors. The selling was called professional, to a consid- erable degree, and followed the discovery that the ent short interest had been pretty thoroughly eliminated. In a small way the decline in Sugar encouraged a moderate recession at all points, refle ne profits on long stock. In almost every in- stance the buying on deliveries was supe- rior in every way (to the selling which forced them The afternoon's market was strong and buoyant in tone. During the final hour the activity in the iron and steel issues was re- ble vigor. The buying al Steel was on a Iberal scale and ned to come from sources originally identified with the property. The movement in these shares has been something of disappointment to holders who bought on the th that a sharp advance would pe immediately undertaken and sustained. The {ron business is good, but in the midst of a busy season the commercial side rather than the speculative side is being given the moré attention A day or two of realizing is regarded as the logic: outcome of the last three days of almost uninterrupted advance. ——— D COMMERCIAL, newed with consid of FINANCIAL New York Stock Market. Open. High. Low. Close. American Spirits 1B 18 13 American Spirits, pfd ces American Sugar..... 18B3y BBY 128g American Tobacco. Ma” 140 140 ¢ Ide 18 pid Big Atchison Adjustments . cory Baltimore & Onto... ro Brookiyn Rapid Transit. 2% Canada Chesal puthern . “axe & Ohio. . . C. & St. Louis Chicago, B&Q se Chicago& Northwestern Chicago Gas. 4 ast. Paul . Chicago, K. 1. & Pacific Delaware & Ludson.... Den. & Kio Grande, pfd ine liinois Central Lake shore... Louievitie & N < Metropolitan ‘iraction.. Manhatian Elevatea Mussouri Pacific. M. . & T., pid... National Lead Co. New Jersey Central New York Central. NortLern Pacit Northern Puci Pacitic Mail... Pha. & weading Southern tailway Southern Ky. Union Pacitic, U. 5, Leataer, U 8. Kuvver } Rubber, pra | Wabasi. ptd..2"> Western Union ‘iei Federal pteel... Federal Sieel, pd. Americau Cotioa 4 BIB. Wines... <5-cs Am. Sieei and Wire pra. ES Washington Stock Exchange. Sales—regular call tered, $3.000 at 111%. vertible Ge, $1 100 at 10% at 140, 0 atl 153%. 100 at we S. 4s, regis tropolitan Railre t 14. Li ive An 140, t 15s American Grapho- Poeumatic Gun tar is, 100 at mat cents, 100 at 35 cents, 100 at 34 conte, 100 at cents, 100 nts, 100 at 31 cents. After call % at BOR. “Lanston Monotype, 29 Capital Traction, 100 at St rict of Columbia Bonds. fs, 30-year water stock, 110 bid. Miscellaneous Bonds. 2 bid. Metropolitan year funding, und.ng. bid. 7s. lini, 65s, funding, 117 bid. M Ratiroad + 68, Lal bh Dt. It it id, 50 asked. series A, Gx, 124 bid. ny series B, Gs, 1 b. imp., 106 bid. phone 5s. 103ig bid. American Sec and ‘Trust 5s, 100 bid. Washington Market Ist Os, 115 bid Washington Market Washington Market ¢ sonic Hall Assoctat ophone deb. 5 66," 115 bid. Ma imp. bid. Farmers and M ond, 145. bid. bid! Capital, 125 01 nd, 0 bid, 98 ek bid West End.’ #0 bid.’ 9% ask- ed.” Traders”. 1 Lincoln, 109 bid, 114 asked. Safe Deposit and Trust Compantes.— National Safo Deposit and Trust, 110 bid. 1 Loan and ‘Trust, 12814 bid, 1 Security and Trast, 160 bid. posit, 50 bid. Insurance Stocks.—Firemen’s, 28 bi. Franklin, 28 bid, ake. Metropolitan, 76 bid. Corcora: 56 bid. Potomac, 00 bid. 65 asked. Arlington, Did, 183 asked. "German-American, 200 bid. tonal Union, 10 bid, 12 asked. Columbia, 10% 11% asked. Riggs, bid, 8 asked. Peopl 10% bid, 10% asked. bids @ asked. Lincolu? mercial, 4 bid. Tithe Insurance Stocks.—Real Bstate ‘Title, 80 bid. Columbia Title, 5 bid, Si asked. District ‘Tide, & asked. Railroad Stocks.—Capital Traction Company, bid, 87 asked. Metropolitan, 140 bid, 1 50% asked. rie Light, 125 lephone Stocks.—Chesapeake and Potomac, 51 bid, 5s asked. Pennsylvania, 38 bid. Miscellaneous — Stocks.—Mergenthaler TAnotype, 190% bid, 192 asked. Lanston Mono’ pss, 1 a ° 16 asked. American G x aked. America aphopboat praterse 13% ‘bi 14% suked. Paeumatic Gan Cal Pars Nae 1 sked. Washington Market. 12 1 asked. Great Pulls Toa, 130 bid 133 anked, Norfolk and Washing Steamboat, asked. Washington » asked. Ameri Washington Safe x86%; ‘asked. ington Gas, Georgetown Gas, 50 bid. Hi HRUREEEEEY HUE