Evening Star Newspaper, January 24, 1899, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED D-ILY, EXCEPT SUNDAY, AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Pennsylvania Ave., Cor. 11th St., by Ne r Company. the Brag rman erase Rew York Office, 49 Potter Building, The Event Star ts served to subscribers fn the elty by carer on thelr own account, at 10 cents Der week, or #4 cents per month. at the counter. 2 cents each. y mal)—answi in the United States or Cunada—postage prepald: cents month Saturday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year, witt daca, $3.08. pe Che £Zvening Star. 1 petite Entered at the Post Oftice at Wasbington, D. ©., as second-cinss mail matter.) | subs riptions must de patd tn advance. ertising made known on appli«ution. Na 14,323. WASHINGTON, D. C., TUESDAY, JANUARY 24° 1899-TWELVE PA GES. TWO CENTS. ‘The sole measure of valine to an advertiser is the number of read- d probable customers bis an- nouncement will reach. Judged by inflexible standard, The Kven- nda pre-eminent, mywhere, marke @ percentnge of its ong the homes, mens circles of the city where printed. In no ether Washington paper, there- ALGER TO TESTIFY Invited to yoni Before the War Commission. + HE MAY GIVE EVIDENCE TOMORROW Interesting Test of a Sample Can From Porto Rico. a. FURNISHED BY -_—- MILES A’ger has been invited by the ar be- concerning The Secretary has ssion, but it is and tomorrow commissary be- He detatled mp Black, New ‘ampa, Montauk and He was meted and mea” the Beet. e meat De whi “wa Capt s fed It tastes Dr. Ma wr Was CHIca 1899. I a. Tam noi Have scarce ns of canned beef nonly know from same us that sent ad Cuba. tter to General Miles was d based on these examina- my own option; but they as to result, but not closely were correct connected with supplies furnished army to be evidence. The manner of preserving, however, did show borle acid, nitrate of potash and some salicylic acid. This, how- ever, not being from the rations sent to the front under my knowledge, would only be laughed at when offered in evidence. Hoping this explanation will excuse me, and wishing to obey orders when abie, as T did in 1864-5, I am, Very Truly Yours, (Signed) E. P. MURDOCK. other i | of the former staff of the committee, in- } other p! HAWAIIAN GOVERNMENT Perplexing Condition Confronting the People of the Islands. Chances for the Consideration of the Bill Pensling Before Congress Seem to Be Remote. The supporters in the Senate of the gen- eral bill for the government of Hawail.as a territory of the United States are grow- ing sumewhat anxious over the prospect. In view of the crowded condition of the calen| 1 the apparent indifference to- watd Hawalian legislation, they express a var that the bill may not receive attention ¢ adjournment, and they say if It does not there will be a most perplexing condi- tion of affairs in the islands, which be- came a part of the Union by the adoption of the } nds resolution in July last. The decisiva of the supreme court of Ha- ail in the matter of the landing of Chi- ese immigrants in the islands is the im- cause of the present apprehension. he full text ef this decision has now been received In Washington, and it is found to be very fa. 1 its effect. eals not on in Hawaii, but also incidentally la ne that it as a court, n jn construing laws of dealing with other than ration qu ion. Peopie in a Predicament. this phase of the Hawailan ator Cullom, who has charge bill, sald today that the de- cision left people of the islands in a most unsatisfactory predicament. ‘They do not know where they stand,” he said, “nor what to depend upon in the enforce Ment of the fa Important legal que tions are time, and naturally know where th uing, Senator ne would up the Ha- iil as soon as there seemed any bility of “(ting consideration, but so sce treaty maintained its it was impossible for him would be. the fact that there will its tors hesitate 5 , and some s to act in this matter until there are further developments with reference to Cuba, Por- to Rico and the Philippin Both Sides of the Question. 1 Teellng among senators of this ny legislation in the interests i be taken as u precedent for other islands, and that hence the Ha- question should be postponed until ation for all the w acquisitions wail w atian advoe contend, how- that that territory constitutes a class its cwn, and they are urging action at the present session as a right which Hz wali sert now regardless of any on. Thi contend that the Chinese decision accentuates this right and makes the questioh one of such urgency that it cannot be postponed. The point is made that under the decision of the Ha- Waiian court it could not take cognizance of questions arising under our constitution nor of admiralty ¢: and hence that great confusion is prob: until our laws are extended to the islands. + o+—______ A POLYGAMY. AINS' A Bill Affecting the Eligibility of Mr. Roberts. Mr. Clark of Iowa has introduced a Dill the House (Houte bill 11735), providing follow ‘That no person Hving In or practicing 1} be eligible to be a member of the Congress of the shall such person be pon its 7 rred to the 5 APPLICATIONS Librarianship FILED. Candidates Not Formally ing Themyelves. Thomas G. Alvord, chief clerk of the Congressional Library, filed his ap; om at the White House today fi te ppointment r tions hav, hold- in- Not many ed. The candid »plications back tes are for more tive Marsh of Iinols has pr Joseph Robbins of Mbra- ‘ominent men in bis own throughout the country. — es WAYS AND MEANS. Old Stat’ Retained and Several Sab- committees Recast. The ways and means committee met to- day, with Chairman Payne presiding for the first time. He announced the retention mos ng Edward N. Dingley as clerk and Everett B. Norton as assistant clerk. The subcommittees were recast by adding . Russel and Richardson to that on Hopkins and Richardson on ternal revenue, Dolliver on customs admin- istration, Dalzell and Richardson on reci- procity and Payne on the pubile debt, The ces remain as before, Mr. Payne moving up to the head of the more impor- tant subcommittee: The committee indefinitely postponed the bill relating to the greater America expo- sition at Omaha, which was designed to show the resources of Cuba, the Philip- pines, Porto Rico and the Ladrones. Favorable action was taken on the bil! permitting spirits to be shipped in tins, which ts designed to secure a larger trade ta Japan. ++ Well-Known Officers Discharged. The following named officers of the yolun- teer army have been honorably discharged the fervice of the United States: Maj. G. Creighton Webb, inspector general, U.S.V.; Maj. John P. Kirk, 31st Michigun Volunteer Infantry; Col. Eugene GritTin, ist Regiment, U.S.V. Engineers; Capt. Thomas H. Cava- naugh, assistant quartermaster, U.S.V.; Capt. Stewart M. Brice, commissary of sub- sisteuce, US. Second Lieut. John E. Nichols, 2d U.S.V. Infantry. ———_—_—__+«+__ His Resignation Withdrawn. Mr DeCaindry, chief clerk of the office of the commissary general of subsistence, has withorawn his resignation, which was sub- mitted during the excitement over the testi- mony given by Gen. Eagan before the war investigating commission Friday week, and has resumed his official duties at the War Department. RIGHTS OF MEMBERS Appointments to Commissions Con- sidered by a House Committee. GEN, WHEELER'S VIEW OF THE CASE Why He Did Not Send in His Resignation. THIS MORNING’S HEARING The inquiry ordered by the House of Representatives as to what members were holding outside offices—originally intended to determine the status of Major General Wheeler and other members in the army— was begun today by the committee on judi- ciary. The inquiry was public, and besides the members of the committee there were present General Wheeler, Representative Hitt of Mlinois, the member of the Hawali- an commission, Representative Moody of Massachusetts, a member of the postal commission, and Representative Otjen of Wisconsin, a member of the industrial com- mission. Representative Gardner of New Jersey, a member of the industrial commission, sub- mitted a brief as .o the right of members on that commission to hold their places. Representative Bailey of Texas, who inau- guraied the inquir: ‘as nut present. The main interest attached to the statement of General Wheeler, which was formally pre- pared, and was in part as follows: Wheeler's Statement. “i concur with th committee that the question before them js or of very grave importance. If the extreme view 1s taken that the clause in the Constitution is man- datory, and that it aplies to all members of Congress who accept offices of a tem- porary c ‘aracter, which may be terminated at uny moment, then the government will frequentiy find itself embarrassed in select- ing men for certain duties. For instance, it Gen, would have been unfortunate if me Presi- dent bad been inh ted from appointing Senators Davis, Fr. and Gray on the peace commission. “It would have been detrimental fur him to from appointing and Repr en inhibited tt on the Hawa commiss.on, und it would have been equally unfortunate had i. been mbibited from ap- poir Mr. Dingley and Senators Fair- d Faulkner on the Canadian com- it would also have been unfortu- ad he bee such a d inhi from appointing uished and able man as Sen- ator Mor, on .he arbitration court in Paris. It hus frequenuy been the case and will often be hereafter that members of the House and Senate possess knowledge with regard to important matters which emi- nently fit them ‘or holding offices or per- forming duties of vital importance. So thoroughly have Congress the execu- tive been impressed with th that, during the 110 years of the ‘istence of our go ernment, many hundred members of the Senate and of the House have been ap- pointed to offices. Why He Did Not Resign. “The committee will readily understand my embarrassm-nt In a matter of this character. There are three other memb ef this House who have accepted military commissions and some twenty-eight othe: who have accepted civil positions. It would be very unjust to them for me to have a: sumed to decide this question by attempt- ing to resign, as it has been urged that such action on my part would be used as an argument against their right to retain their seats In Congress. Again, I have re- An {ceived continucd and urgent appeais from my constituents not to r have come from mer. who have successfully supported nr in ten primary elections and in ten elections as a member of this body. “In deference to the views of the dis- tinguished members of Congress who are insisting upon my seat being vacated, I have studiously refrained from taking an active part in the proceedings of Congress, sign, and these and since the day of my appointment on M 4 1 have refr ed from voting. It fs true that af first I entered the hall a few times to see “ome of my fellow members, but since learning that this was distasteful to one or two of my old friend frained from even availing myself of this privilege. I have congr sional pay, mileage or clerk hire since May otwithsts that I have been com- pelled to employ clerks at my own expense rform rou gY Wheeler the man then ¢ members of Ca on the b names of rying on AriQUs BOV- itutions. After an exhaustive review of the law and past cases fn Con- ss, Gen. Wheeler concludes: “I know members of ommittee ad s of the whom 1 am my tr ill decide th believe to be in accorday irit of the Constitution. who contend th should have re- d my seat I will at I was urged not ta do so by per: > requests and recommendations I could not ai it has also been urged that for me to have done so would have been quasi an expres- m of my judgment on the matter, and us in a measure have prejudiced the case of some thirty other members of the Hoi are in the same position as myself. Mr. Hitt's Statement. Mr. Hitt said ne had nothing to volunteer as to the right to serve on the Hawaiian commission, beyond what was clearly known. The original resolution annexing Hawail called for commisstoners to frame the legislation necessary to complete the work of annexation. He had been desig- nated by the President as one of the com- ion; there was no pay attached; the y duty was to ald Congress in perfect- ing legislation. In response to a question, Mr, Hitt said he regarded it as strictly legislative work performed at the request of the President, and {t was mm response to an express man- date of Congress in the original resolution annexing Hawaii. Mr. Hitt stated in re- sponse to inquiries that the Senate had egard, and ; Rot yet confirmed the President's nomina- tions of himself and other members of the Hawaiian commission. To inquiries from democratic members, Mr. Hitt recalled his appointment by Speaker Crisp as a member of the mone- tary commission Mr. Terry made the point that as Presi- dent Dole and Judge Frear of Hawall were on the commission, {t showed that the work wis not a vart of the legislative work of Congress. Mr. Hitt stated that Messrs. Dole and Frear were Americans after the Hawailan flag was lowered-on July 12, and they served as Americans, not Hawaiians. Mr. Otjen Heard. Mr. Otjen was heard on the right of mem- bers of the House to serve on the tndustrial commission. He pointed out that the ser- vice was under special provision of law creating the commission, and that the sen- ators and representatives on the commis- sion received no salary for commission work, beyond certain expen He main- tained {t was not an office In the sense of the Constitution, but was a duty of gather- ing information for Congress, “ ir. eee one Lore Lie ie Re to the congressional mombers of the coramtaafon, holding ¢ it was Pag ci performed for Congress just ae an ordinary. Committee performed the work of Congress, | lease of the The members recetved no pay, beyond ac- tual expenses. Numerous inquiries from Chairman Hen- derson and members of the committee in- dicated that much weight attached to the legal meaning of an “office.” Representative Robbins of Pernsylvania, who was a major of volunteers, presented a statement on the lines of Gen. Wheeler's, maintaining that he had not forfeited his seat by accepting a commission, Gen. Wheeler's verbal hearing and ex- amination will occur at 10:30 tomorrow. DEMAND FOR REFORM Senator Gallinger Wants the Washington Asylum Investigated. Accommodations for Inmates Said to Be Inadequate—Conditions De- scribed as Disgraceful. Mr. Gallinger in the Senate today, intro- duced a resolution, which was passed, di- recting that the committee on the District of Columbia make a careful investigation of the Washington Asylum with a view of ascertaining whether or not the accommo- dations now furnishe. are adequate for the proper care of the inmates of that institu- tion. Mr. Gallinger spoke vigorous!y upon what he said was a disgraceful condition existing at the Washington Asylum. “I am astounded,” said Mr. “at receiving the information, v Gallinger, ich I think is entirely trustworthy, that in this Wash- ington Asylum ther all re $26 people at the the departments, and are 286 present time in that in the ma bunks and 318 inmates, and the institution is so crowded that they have had to aban- don the hospital dining room and use it for the purpoxe of accommodating patients at night time. If my rmation is correct, and L bel it is, it strikes me that th is an institution which is a disgrace to the city of Washington and brings reproach upon the Congress of the United States, which legislates and mak for the District of Columt son I think this investig. made, and I am hoping that it will result in reform so far as taking care of these people is concerned, whied is loudly for by all considerations of ju- manity.”* DROWNED | Ss appropriations Por this rea- tion ought to be + e+ —_______ N THE HUDSON Young Man and Girl Companion Skate Into Open Water. NEWBURG, N. Y. January 24.—Walter Watts, aged seventeen, and Miss Mary Sin- clair, elghteen, of this city, were drowned last night in the Hudson river near New Windsor. With six other young people they had skated to Cornwall, four miles distant, and were returning. On the way down the party crossed a crack in the ice a foot wide, without diffi- culty, the tide being ebb. When they re- turiied, the tde in the meantime having rd, the ice floe was sepatated from the main body, leaving a wide space of open water, Watts and Miss Sinclair were some distance ahead of the others. They open water, but supposing it to be “Liack ice” they skated into 1t, and in a moment Were struggling for their lives. The othe made desperate efforts to save them, by forming a line on the {ce and passing a coat to young Waits, who was holding onto the girl. He might have saved himself had he released his hold on her, out he refused t do this, and as he became benumbed, Was unable to retain aold of the coat and bot! sank. Watts was a student in the a leader in athletics in the Christian Assvciation. —_——- MANY BLUEJACKETS DESERT. Academy and Young Men's Philadelphia's Crew Complain of Not Having Shore Liberty. SAN DIEGO, Cal., January 24—Since the arrival of the cruiser Philadelphia at this port about thirty members of the crew have deserted, and of these eighteen have been tured. The men are in a bitter frame of mind They say that they were denied shore leave while at Central American and Mextean ports, but promised It when they hould reach American port, but sinc arriving here very few have been permitted to come asho: Admiral Kautz nas recei tice from Washington of hi commission dating from De nat ‘HECHO DEAD. offic EX-GOV, PAC Spanish-American Who Was Promi- nent in California Politics, OAKLAND, Cal., January 24.—5 tomualdo Pachecho is dead of Bright's ease. for some time, but regarded as serious few weeks. Mr. Pachecho was one of the be: and most brilliant California. He serve ture and Congress, as lieuter: and as governor of the state. His wife, who survives him, is known as the author of al s ——. NOVEL USE OF A BRIBE. Home for Children's So- elety In Montana. HELENA, Mont., January 24.—Senator Whiteside yesterday introduced a bill pro- viding that the $30,000 turned over to the state treasurer by the joint investigating committee and alleged bribe money be made a fund out of which to build a home in Helena for the Children’s Home Society, over the door of which, cut in granite, are to be the words “Dedicated to Purity in Politics in Montan: He had suffered from this compla not last his condition was within the in the legis To Build ——_— BAD CONDITIONS AT BALABAC, Steamer Labuan Confisms Reported Marder of Spanish Officers. LABUAN, ISLAND OF LABUAN, BRIT- ISH BORNEO, January. 24.—The steamer Labuan, Captain Pfort, which has arrived here, came from the Island of Balabac, thirty miles south of Palawan, Philippine Islands, and not from Palawan, as pre- viously cabled. The murder of the Spanish officers which she reported occurred at Balabac. The Labuan brought sixty-five women and children here, Ehey had been yoppea of everything, but otherwise had not n ill-treated. The Sulus assisted the Balabacs in kill- ing the Spanish officers, The Spaniards have left Palawan, where the natives were fearful of the Sulus. Stores had been loot- ed, business was at a standstill and the natives were armed and ready for mischief. A dispatch from Madrid on January “3 said General Rios, the Spanish commander in the En ppines had abled from Manila confirming the report ‘that all the Span- fards at Balabac hnd been massecred with the exception of the wgmen, whose release was asked z 4 The Madrid correspandent of the Dal Mail of London to! hed from Madri the same day that tn rebellion at Bal- abac Naval Lieut. Bollamy was beheaded and that the rabela aino murdered a doctor and several other Buro A gunboat Waa algo said to have tired on the rebels. Its commander wag unable to effect the re- THE MODE OF TRIAL A CRISIS IMMINENT? General Otis Expects the Filipinos Are About to Foroe an Issue, Commissary General Eagan Will Plead Not Guilty. Manila and Not Noilo is Regarded as the Danger Point at THEN OFFER PLEA OF JUSTIFICATION Present. Judge Advocate Davis Expects Proceedings Will Be Brief. ed A FEW WITNESSES The advices trom Manila which have reached the War Department are far from reassuring. It is understood that Genera! Otis reports an expectation on his part that the insurgents are about to force an issue, and {f this snould be so the result cannot be foreseen. Manila itself, and not Lolo, as might at first be supposed, is regarded as the danger point just now. While the instructions to General Otis have been to avoid any hostile clash with the natives, 8o far as that plan ts consistent with tne maintenance of his position, it ts realized here that It Is within the power of any ex- cited or intoxicated person to precipitate a battle between the two opposing forces. For it must be understood that there 1s nothing in General Otis’ instructions to prevent him from most vigorously defend- ing himself and the interests confided tu his charge. Peaceful Settlement Hoped For. General Otis ts so sure of his ground that the officials here feel no doubt ax to the ONLY The court-martial of Commissary General Eagan will begin at 10 o'clock tomorrow m.orning {n one of the parlors of the Ebbitt House, unless there is a postponement not now in contemplation. It is not believed that the trial will be of greater duration than a few days, possibly not more than two or three. Military trials are very much simpler than trials by jury. The court meets, and the order convening it is read, so as to verify the composition of the tribunal. Then the accused is intro- duced, and the charges and specifications are read to him. These correspond to the indictment in a criminal case, but they are not technical in character, much simpler] outcome of a hostile collision between the and not so open to objection. A plea | Americans and the ineurgent forces under the nature of a legal demurrer ts permitted, | aguiraldo, particularly as General Otis but this usually applies only to alte would have the euormous advantage of the want of jurisdiction, which will Tuil co-operation of the American feet un- urged in the Eagan case. There are no} der Dewey. But it is particularly desirabie opening addresses, and no time is lost in} that even a battle jing In victory ve matting Gown tone Issn avoided just now, for the Vresident hus by = = ho Means surrencered his conviction that of Justification, the misguided Filipinos ean be brought to General Eagan will plead not guilty in a] an understanaing or the real objects of the United States and peacefully accept condilions sought to be imposed. Much is hoped from the Philippine com- mission recently appointed, and this hope only gces to make the officials more anx- fous thon before to postpone a collision, at ul the cc ission has had an op- portunity to reach Manila and confer with Bees halves. Lopez at State Department. Agreeably to the intimation conveyed yesterday, Senor Lopez, secretary to Agon- cillo, the Washington representative of Aguinaldo, called at the Btate Department at 1 o'clock this afternoon and lodged with the chief clerk a communteation, which according to the common expectation marked the critical stage in the Philippine general way, and th probabi the enter the plea of justification. This is customary im cases of this character, but it rests with the court alone whether or not the plea will be a It is not likely t it will be denied Genera! Eagan, h event ke may then go ahead and that his brought about by by General Miles. t for him to swear excited and perturbed by as to be thrown off his tal balance. ie expectation tion by him would open up the and drag into it 1 founded. the plea of ju lowed. It would be compete! that he wa these sta it not w If the court allow ifica- not General Attlee made ioe | question. ‘This is the third attempt imate : accredited to him. ‘he tact | BY the Futpino representatives to secure that he has rot up to the present time pemmeants eygenaes from the United States made any denial of therm will be taken in- | S0VeTDIsent. Secretary Hay was attending to consideration. a meeting of the cabinet at the White House at the time the paper was presenied, ®0 that all that Chief Clerk Michaei couid do under the circumstances was to receive reporter today that he expects to have no | t @8 he would any other handed in to him, difficulty in proving that General Eagan Se es a made the statements in the specifications EXFERT FEMALE NURSES. | before the war commission, even if he cannot produze the original typewritten Statement read by the accused or obtain one of the copes of 1t given out by Gen- eral Eagan. “The war commissioners have ears,’ he, “and heard the statement read.” Col. Davis said that he would call very few witnesses, because there Is no necessi- ty for a larger number. He said he did not apprehend that Gen. Eagan would pro- duce more than the prosecution, and there- fore he believed the trial will be of b-ef duration. The Members Arriving. Several of the members of the court- martlal arrived here today, and the others fire expected to come tonight or tomorrow What the Judge Advocate Says. Judge Advocate Davis stated to a Star Surgeon General Sternberg Recom- mends Their Employment tn Army. Surgeon General Sternberg has taken the initial steps toward the formation of a corps of expert female nurses. The reason for this and the purposes to be served are set out in the following letter addressed by him to the Secretary of War today: “Our experience during the war with Spain has demonstrated the fact that the services of trained female nurses in the care of serious cases of typhoid fever and other diseases requiring skiliful nursing are indispensable. I have therefore the honor to recommend the enactment by Congress of a law embodying the follo’ 4 provisions: “That the surgeon general of the army ts said morning: The members now here are Gen. | hereby authorized to make contracts with Wade, Gen. Butler, Gen. Young, Gen. | female nurses not exceeding it e Combs and Gen. Randall. The last three sO GutiEd Berio. per cent of the army of the United States, and as many female chief nurses as, in bis judgment, Lhe service may require. “Nurses shall be paid at a rate not to ex- ceed $00 per month and chief nurses at a named who are stationed in the south, re- ported their arrival to the adjutant general at the War Department this morning. + 0+ MISSING CONTRACTOR. rate not to exceed $75 per month. Hach nurse and chief nurse shall recetye one ra- Speculation as to Whereabouts of | ion in kind or commutation therefor and Justin MeCarthy. The whereabouts of Justin McCarthy, a Norfolk contractor who lived for a long time in this city and who has been missing vera: wecks, Is as yet not known. The police of this city were requested by the Norfolk authorities to find him, and, al- though he was in Washington during and subsequent to the holidays, he eluded the vigilance of the peace guardians. A Wash- ington woman who knows him well saw him, it is said, in New York a few days before Junuary 14, and talked with him, He did not then indicate his future inten- tions. He was seen on West street near the foot of Clarkson street, and as the Cunard steamship dock {s at this point it has been concluded he took passage on the Umbria, which sailed the Mth. He may have landed in Queenstown or Liverpool several days ago. He had been nself in this city and other or number of weeks and called al a@quaintances here, but to them he did not intimate his plans. McCarthy was awarded a contract to build a di n the York river by the en, be provided with- quarters and medical at- tendance, and when necessary may be granted such leaves of absence, with pay, as the surgeon general of ce army may authorize. = = i “Such nurses and chief nurses shall be graduates of training schools for nurses, provided that when employed to nurse yel- low fever eases cr to perform duties as dietists or matrons they may be exempted from this provision.” ————__+e+— MERRIMAC TO BE REMOVED. Hobson’s Sunken Collier wil Blown Up in Sections. The Navy Department has finally decided to remove the collier Merrimac from the edge of the chan in Santiago harbor by means of explosives. Lieut. Blow, who was in charg> for a time of the wrecking oper- ations there, has reported that the vessel is worthless, or at least c ertainly not worth the sum of money it would cost to raise her, and has proposed the destruction of the hull by explosives. His Plans provid> for cutting up the hull into sec ions by e of ploperly placed charges of dy Be er division of the War Department. The | n. » and the removal of these sections contract was let to him Au 12, 1808, | from the channel. and the amount involved is 3. Lately —————— — the tme for the compiction of the work “CUSE ys ‘ was extended to April 1, 1 The superin- Sern a ptt oe na tendent of the work is a civilian employe : i of the War Department, and if the con- | J#mc* M- Schaeffer Had Many Jewels in Hix Bett. NEW YORK nuary 24—A man who described himself as James M. Schaeffer, and said he was a steamship passenger agent for all the continental lines, with h > headquarters in Cleveland, was arrested at tract has been abandoned he has not so ad- vised the engincer’s office. Should this be the case, the bondsm2n of the defaulting contractor will be required to finish it. The department makes monthly settle- ments with contrectors, paying 90 per cent of the completed work.’ When ths contract ie finished the last payment would be a | Hoboken last evening on suspi considerable sum, 10 per cent of the full SSE ay aioe ees ao icion of amount and the payment due on the last se! z the steams part of tha work. ———___. Legal Adviser for Gen. Wood. Herry M. Hoyt, assistant United States attorney general, has been ordered by the Department of Justice to go to Santiago and advise with General Leonard Wood on legal questions which may arise In the ad- ministration of that department, to repre- sent the legal department of the United States there. Mr. Hoyt is a son of ex- Governor Hoyt of Pennsylvania. i Mr. Vanderlip Has a Relapse. ‘Word has been received at the Treasury Departmen: that Assistant Secretary Van- derlip attempted to leave his home in Chicago to take the train for Washington, but the effort produced a relapse, and Mr. Vanderlip had to return to bed. He is now suffering from intercostal neuralgia. a Major Twombly in Town. Major H. H. Twombly, paymaster United States army, who is stationed at Savannah, Ga., is in the city on a brief leave of ab- sence, His many friends here will be glad to know that he is in excellent health, and will not be surprised to learn that his rec- ord as paymaster ranks high In the official reports cf the War Department. i Deaths of Soldiera in Cuba, General Brooke at Havana reports the following Geathe to the War Department: John B, Foster, civilian employe with 49th Towa, at Havana, from pleurisy, and Pri- vato'Bimon Peters of Oth iilincla, wt dao tlago, from typhoid fever. Staatendam, on which vessel he had come from Rotterdam. In a belt around Schaeffer's waist were found two diamond rings, one torquoise and pearl ring, one diamond bracelet, one dia- mond brooch, one watch chain, three dia- mond fockets, two gold neck chains wi‘. diamonds and four diamond stickpins. Five pairs of ladies’ kid gloves were also in the walst belt. He was held in $1,000 bonds for examination before the United States com- missioner at Jersey City. — STREET FIGHT WITH PISTOLS. Lively Fusilade in Itallan Quarter of Brooklyn Today. NEW YORK, January 24.—A street fight with pistols occurred in an Italian quarter of Brooklyn early today, in which two men were badly wounded, one of them having small chance of recovery. What caused the fight or who fired the shots fs not known. Gsetani Chinolotti_re- ceived three bullets in the chest and Gul- seppe Desatra was wounded in the groin and in the thigh. Three Italians are in cus- tody. —_.—_—_ BIG FIRE IN WILKESBARRE. Osterhout Building in Ruins—Loss Placed at $225,000. ‘WILKESBARRE, Pa., January 24.—One of the most destructive fires in the his- tory of the city broke out in the Oster. hout building, a four-story _ brick eg cs tha corner = erento] ket street morning, befor the were under control the building in ruina, The fice ia ‘placed at" $225,000. -_ AT THE WHITE HOUSE ae Matters Discussed at the Cabinet Meeting This Morning, paca es PROTEST AGAINST THE HAVANA BANK re What Secretary Gage Says a Bank Director Told Him. SOME TREATY GOSsIP ‘The cabinet today discussed the protest from Havana ay { the Heveng Bank continuing the colicetion of taxee in Cuba. Secretary Gage stated that when tbe direc- tor of the bank was in V n Fecent- ly he talked with him about the manner of tax collections. ‘be representative of the bank said then tat Sb per cent of those engaged in the collection of taxes in the island were Cubans and were not obnox- fous. The director stated that practically all the commursion allowed the bank was pald to collectors, the bank recetving about 1 per cent for the responsibility put upon it. The cabinet did not arrive at any con- clusion, it is said, and the motter will be left with the Prevident aud the Secretary of War. Ii ts sutd that so:ue of the cabinet are of the opinion Lanai to meh: a change at this time would ve both troublesome and dangerous. The Protest Arrives. The protest of Gen. Brovke against the employment of the Spanish Cor. of Havana as ap instrument for the cotivction ef the Cuban taxes reached the War Department this morning and ts now under coumdera- tion by the authorittes. Jt ts tkely that the existing arrangement wi another scheme bared un | tion of the taxes by gover: this cese preferabiy Cue.» of insisting wpen tb hen of the ar- ears of taxes, amounting i» a coustéerable sum, is also open, berg more or jess inthe mately comnected with Ube her tion, The subject of tax © vee von in Cx as a whole Was under cons ver tion By the cabinet today. The Phittpsines. It $s stated thet there wos : Semon and that there the Philippines to talk abous Two cabinet officers wete intel today If it is porsibie that the Pres ten: has sald to any one that he ts eppoced to the re tention of the #h Sate ae torr tory of the Untied Siaics oth oMfetais expressel themaeives as 2?! certain that the President hes mo: pot himself on record to any They mut cain that the was President ts undetermined w et he thinks sbouid be done with the telarnis. == are will net also conf¥lert that the Prosit authorize Senitor Davis or esy make — Woah 4weaty in the way c! . will citimarely oppose Keepi-g the stands. Some of Teday’s Caticrs. The President did not g» inio bis office this morning until after » cciock The cabinet met at Ul, and there was conse quently little time to confer with vistors Senator Baker of Kanes introduced Judge Hook to the Preskt sodge Hook will be nominated this weck (o a vacancy in the federai district bench ¢ Kansas. He is Senator Baker's taw par ner. Senator Pettus of A‘abem. calied om the President to urge the nou ~atior of Mr. Shelby as a judge of the ith creuit Senators McBride and Simm of Oregon and Caffery and McEnery of Loutsiana were also callers. Senator Carter called with Dr. Philip Jaisohn of Japan, who has traveled much in the east and is famifter with conditions in the Philippines. Dr. Jaisvhn told tbe Presidemt something of bis observaisons. 2+ — THE ISTHMIAS CANAL Expression of Gptmion by the Howse Commerce Committee. The Nicaragua canal question was con- sidered by the House committee on com- merce today. The Senate bill was received and read, but no motion was made to agree to it The purpose of the committce had heretofore been pretty fully matured to re- port its own bill, with government owner- ship as the essential feature: The matter was considered in connection with the bill of Chairman Mepburn and certain general propositions of Mir. Hepbura, which took the following concrete form: “Resolved, That in the opinion of this committee, “First, @ canal aud waterway from the Atlantic to the Pacihe sould at . constructed by the United Buates. ““Third. That it should be constructed upon territory over which the United Bistes has ownership and sovereignty. “Fourth. That it shoud be constructed as works of river and barber works are, by a commission such as is charred w h the improvement of the Mississippi river. No votes were taken, but the Cisposition of the commitice was toward & weasure giving the President authority to scquire from Nicaragua and Costa Rica the right to build a government canal pees NAVAL PERSONNEL BILL. The Measure Under Conxideration by the Senate Committee. The Senate committee on naval affairs had the naval personnel biil under consid- eration today and made such heedway es to load several members to conclude that a report could be expected soon. Several minor amendments were offered and will probably be adopted, but these were only for the purpose of reconciling apparent in- consistencies and did mot effect the main purpose of the bill. Senator Butver was the only senator who opposed the principle of amalgamating the engineers with the line ofscers. He based his objection largely upon the fact that the greater Kuropesn powers had not made the change. "The members discussed the point at con- siderable length, but the conclusion was quite genera! that recent improvements hed so enhanced the importance of the engi- neers #3 to justify a higher recognition of this office than ih the earlier days. COL. WESTON LL. Be Able to Come Here for Several Days. Col. John F. Weston, who has been ap- pointed acting commissary general of sub- sistence, pending the result of the Eagan court-martial case, is reported to be fll in bed in New York city. His liness, though not serious, may prevent his assuming his duties in this city for several uays yet. In the meantime Col. George B. Davis will continue in charge of the commissary geu- eral’s office. ——_————_2+—_____- International Commercial Congress. The State Department has been notified by the Italian embassy that an interna- tional congress for commercia! instruction will meet at Venice May 4 next and remain in session four daya. The objec: of the con- ts to continue the studies initiated at meetings, held at Bordeaux, Toulon sine Autormcps be previous yess: May Not