Evening Star Newspaper, March 13, 1900, Page 1

—— = THE EVENING STAR. — = PUBLISHED DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAY Temporary Basiness Office, 1199 Pennsylvania Aveaus. The Evening Star Newspaper Company. SB. KAU IN, Pres’t tbaaz Balidia Chicago Office: Boyc: Baildiag. Londen Office: Trafalgar Buildings, Tralaigar Scuare. ‘The Eventog Star is served to subscribers In th city by carriers. ct thelr own account. per week. or 44 certs per month. . By mall—aoy: nada—postage preps ber month. Saturday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per sear; foreign px stage added, $3.08. (Entered at the Post Office at Wasbingion, D. ©.. a= second-class tall matter.) All mall subscriptions must be paid tn advance. Rates of advertis'ng made known on application. England Will Not Recog- nize Independence, ———~— SIMILAR ANSWER TO” STEYN Roberts May Not Reach Bloemfontein Today. ee FRENCH MEETS OPPOSITION ————— Reinforcements Sent to His Position at the Front. THE SIfLUATION ELSEWHERE LONDON, March 13, Bouse of lords today the premier, Lord Galisbury, read the British government's reply to Presidents Kruger and Steyn. The concluding sentence Is as follow: “Her majesty’s government can only an- swer your honors’ telegram by saying it Is not prepared to assent to the independence of either the South African republic or the Orange Free State.” ROBERTS MEF 4:47 p.m.—in the ‘S OPPOSITION, May Not Be Able to Take Bloemfon- tein Today. LONDON, March 13.—Lord Roberts tele- m Venters Vlei, at 5:20 o'clock as follows: nere Wi Bloem- from hi! he had to the ommand Bloem- yn has heen northward en up. 1 Cavalry from the 7th and the mounte cavalry of the division w quickly as possible.” war office has received the following 3 which I n near F to reinforc ralled ushe follow Lord Roberts at Venters rch p-m.: was ain unopposed. We are now xbout eighteen miles fentein. The cavalry division is astride owing to the ly used by DISTRESS AT MAPERING. Garrison Reduced to Horse Flesh— Natives Are Starving. LONDO A dispatch to the dated Monday, The garrison at that place were then feel- acutely the stress of the 2 reduced to the use of hc from horse fo feally contami and diphth while the ated. Ty- a were epl- phold, dysentery demic, but it was impossible to isolate the victims. The sufferings of the women and children were terrible, and there were s in the women's laager daily. The population was starving. military operations were favorably. They had been extended to the brickfields, whence the enemy had been completely expelled. HAD A HARD FIGHT. progressing Boers Made Sharp Oppo erts Last Sunday. DRIEFONTEIN, Orange Free State, Sun- day, March 11.—Gen. Roberts’ advance yes- terday across the scorching plains from Poplar Grove to this place was marked by the most severe engagement since crossing the Modder river. The Boers stubbornly contested every foot of ground, only fleeing at dusk, when Lord Roberts threw most of his troops ugainst the center of their weak- ened line. At the point where Col. Broadwood turned the Boer left he found himself under the fire of their nine-pounder. The Boers, how- ever, ultimately hoisted the white flag. When Col. Broadwood advanced he was surprised to find th beets /bad taken ad- antage e cessation of fire to e: the darkne: The ‘Transvaal’ prisoners showed they were entirely surprised by Lord Roberts’ tactics. ee A Free Stater whose house President Kruger occupied during the Boer flight from Osfontein said he complained to the President about the depredations of the Transvaalers, whereupon the President re- plied: “No wonder we are beaten. The burghers entered Into the war to fight for a right- cous cause, but now they have developed into horse and cattle stealers.” jon to Rob- Gen. Joubert at Glencoe. LADYSMITH, Monday, March 12—The main body of the enemy Is in position at Biggarsberg. Gen. Joubert {3 at Glencoe. There is reason to believe that few Boers are at Dundee, though the fortified. Place is well Gen. White Reaches Dar! DURBAN, Monday, March 12—Gen, sir George Stewart White has arrived here and embarked upon a transport for east London. FRENCH VIEW ON MEDIATION. Only Offers From Germany or America Would Avaii PARIS, March 13.—A representative of the Associated Press has secured from a respousible mouthpiece of the French gov- No. 14,676. TUESDAY, MARCIL 13, 1900-FOURTEEN PAGE A BUSINESS AXIOM, From Printers Money spent in continu- ous advertising in the daily press draws interest that is {O° conapounded daily, TWO CENTS ernment the following exposition of France's attitude in the matter of inter- vention in the Anglo-Transvaal war; which, n solicited by President . The official in question said: “We believe it i@§rue the Transvaal has sent a request to the powers for their inter- vention, though up to tsis morning Presi- dent Kruger’s message has not reached us. As far as France is concerned she cer- tainly wiil not take the initiative in offering England mediation, nor will Russia, for the dual alliance is naturally working to- gether in this question. We fee} that in the present excited state of public feeling in England, and especially as regards our- selves, any step taken by the French gov- ernment would defeat its own object and Instead of opening a way to honorable peace would act as oil on flames and probably only create fresh complications. We consider that overtures for mediation can emanate from some power whose cor- dial relations with England prevent such a suggestion being construed as an un- friendly act. The Emperor of Germany, for instance, might take the iniative, or Presi- dent McKinley, without fear of creating the friction which stands in the way of any such action on our part, and after this Is done full reHance can be placed on the unqualified support of France and Russia, whose only desire is to see the end of the bloodshed and who are eager to lend their 00d offices in bringing about this end. —_—_-»____ DECISION IN HARPER BROS. CASE. Application to Have Them Declared Bankrupt is Denied. NEW YORK. March 12.—In the matter of Albert Smith et al., to have Harper & Brothers adjudged a bankrupt corporation, Judge Brown of the United States district court (bankruptcy part) today handed down his decision denying the adjudication of the corporation. After re ng the legal steps which have been taken in connection with the Harper & Brothers affairs since the appointment of a receiver in December of last year, Judge Brown, in his decision, sa ‘he only question presented for decision is whether the proceedings instituted for the dissolution of the corporation and the appointment of a recciver thereunder con- stitute an act of bankruptcy as charged. Continuing. Judge Brown say “I think the petition should be at present denied. The case is one of very great im- portance; the property interest involved is very large; the administration of it for the best interests of creditors, as shown by pa- pers submitted, requires’ very exceptional care and competency. “Ninety per cent of the creditors, to the amount of $3,000,000, it is stated and not denied, approved of the state proceedings for a dissolution, the appointment of a re- ceiver and the management of the affairs under Mr. Harvey in the Interests of the creditors, as the best possible course for their benefit. No interference with the present administration of {ts affairs should be had b adjudication in bankruptcy unless it is reasonably certain that wind- ing up under the state law is an act of bankruptcy under the existing law. There seems to be much doubt on that point that ourse, I thi 3 f bankruptey at this time ing it to the petitioning creditot vised, to present the question to th pellate court upon appeal from thi cision.” i MR. SHELDON'S FIRST PAPER. Subscription List Kept the Presses Running Till Noon Today. TOPEKA, Kan., March Th © Sheldon edition of the t to press at 2:37 o'clock th twenty-three minutes earl: al s morning, an the usual ume. Mr. Sheldon stayed in the office until the pr-ss started, and carried home with him the first copy of the paper. All the malls were caught and the press was kept running until about noon to: printing something over 100,000 copies The rest of the edition will be printed in Chicago and New ch matric2s will be sent daily. The management of the paper says the mailing list and city circulation now contain 360,06 and that fresh order: are coming by Mr. Sheldon w: isfa papers have been bought freely to- ————— SMITH RELEASED FROM JAIL. Aged Frederick County Farmer Charged With Poixoning His Wife. teh to The Evering Star. DERICK, Mé., March 12—Henry Smith, the aged farmer of Wolfsville, this who has been in jail here sinc February 18 charged with poisoning his wife, Malinda Smith, was released from ody of t neriff last night. Smith n in jail awaiting the result of an is of the vital organs of the dead woman, which was conducted by Prof. Wm. P. Tonry, state chemist. Prof. Tonry reported to State's Attorney Worthington that he was not able to find y ison, except some traces of opium in the stomach, but this came from the paregoric administered to check the ex- ve vomiting. A clot of blood as large sa small walnut was found in the brain. This was due to a ruptured blood vessel. When released Smith wept like a child. He shook hands with all the jail officts and thanked them profusely, saying at th time tha: he had dreamed that he would be set fre ——++-—___ NO CHANGE IN CONVENTION DATE. Democratic Subcommittee Satisficd With Rate to Kansas City. KANSAS CITY, Mo., March 15.—After a se: on lasting until 1:80 o'clock this morn- ing, the subcommittee of the democratic national committee met again today at 10 o'clock, and resumed the discussion of plans for the national convention in July. It was decided that when the committee adjourns its meeting here, which will likely not oc- cur before tomorrow, it would be to some time in Ma: Discussing the subject with the local rail- road committee, the subcommittee decided that it could not change the date for hold- ing the convention from July 4 without the consent of the entire committee, and the opinion was expressed that no change of date will be made. The rate submitted by the railroad committee was passed upon as satisfactory. The rate is the same as that given the republican national convention at Philadelphia. Ex-Gov. William J. Stone, a member of the committee, when asked’ by a reporter regarding the possibility of Benjamin Har- rison contesting with President McKinley for the republican nomination, said: “That's all stuff and nonsense. McKinley will be renominated by acclamation. No other candidate will even be mentioned. Then we'll beat him. secon — Pantie in Austria Diet. BUDAPEST, March 13.—During the ses- sion today of the lower house of the diet a man named Stefan Lippert rose in the gal- lery, called out “Long live Hungary,” creat- ing a semi-pahic, and threw a petition in the midst of the members asking the em- peror-king to intervene in the South Af- rican war immediately. He was arrested and his sanity will be investigatea. ———_-7c7eo To Repeal the Horton Law. ALBANY, N. Y., March 13.—The house bill repealing the Horton boxing law was reported favorably to the senate today. ~~. Roland Reed Has Recovered. NEW YORK, March 13.—Roland- Reed, the actor, who has been sick for the past four months in St. Luke's Hospital, has been discharged, and is on the road to full recovery. HAS BEEN DECLINED as England’s Reply to the Offer of Our Services. TEEMS OF BOERSHAVE BEEN REJECTED Lord Salisbury's Response Given to Mr. White. VAIN EFFORTS FOR PEACE So LONDON, March 13—Thé United States government, at the request of President Kruger and President Steyn, has offered to the British government its services as me- diator, with the view of bringing about peace in South Africa. Lord Salisbury has not yet replied, but a representative of the Associated Fress learns that there !s little doubt he will de- cline the United States’ good offices. He will do so, however, in terms as cordial and polite these in which the offer was couched. ‘The representations made to Great Brit- ain were so put that they assumed nothing of a desire to intervene, but simply tran: mitted the communications made to United States Consuf Adelbert S. Hay, at Pre toria, with the accompanying assurances that anything the State Department could do in the interests of peace would be gladiy undertaken. The well-known aversion of the British government to any foreign in- tervention does not appear to have been aroused, and while Lord Salisbury will Goubtless say he is unabie to comply with the offer, he will also probably express his appreciation of the United States’ efforts in behalf of humanity. Vain Efforts for Pence. The offer of mediation springs from Pre- toria, where Mr. Hay, with the other con- suls, subsequent to Presidents Kruger and Steyn sending their peace cablegram to Lord Salisbury, were asked to endeavor to secure the good offices of their respective governments, apparently with the view of bringing outside influence to bear upon Lord alisbury Thes reply to the Boer overtures. seem to have been frultless, except instance of the United States con- repre; forwarded London, with the In- e Mr. White, ly presented them cor- ommitiing himself to definite e jon cf opinion. he Boer overtures had already been ed to the effect that no proposition & the retention of the republic in The » d'affaires, perso ly but wit ence could be cor the pre- of the Americ was al- late, but the parentls o put him , Which is now await tter of s + importane on record with a formal re- if » United States charge d'af- faires, Henry White, Lord Salisbury at the foreign ning and ernment, declining the good offic United States in regard to pe derstood asons the identic: already Assoc in confining himself to lination, without entering very brief, the premi courteous verbal de nto details. D uxxed at Cabinet Meeting. U of the two hours the cabinet on today was given to discu sion of the terms of peace offered to En) land by Presidents Kruger and Steyn of was In ses! Hay briefly re- aS near as can 1 toda that the United as transmitted to England a dis- the South African n propositions. In doing this tes shows to Ei from king ¢ United ngland and he rest of the world that if she could do so she would glad to si ce establish- ed in the country now at warfare. The cabinet discussed th troduc ution in- Allen yes. « for information as to what n taken to bring about peace i It was decided that no can now be made y do not prope ates, but to the two in the correspond- facts on public In: Lelong to the United § governments engaged ence. No Statement Made. Up to the time the cabinet meeting ad- journed no answer had been received from the British government to the representa- tions made through Mr. Choate touching the restoration of peace in South Afric In view of this fact it was decided by the binet, upon an explanation of the case by Secretary Hay, that it would not be proper at present to make any statement relathre to the part which the United States govern- ment is taking in the effort to terminate the war. This course of official reticence is said to be dictated by official propriety. It is held that whatever matter is to be made public touehing the peace negotiations must emanate from one of the principals—Great Britain or one of the South African repub- Nes—and the United States being nothing more than an intermediary is not justified in disclosing the secrets of the principals. Not a Mediator. It is stated again, on the highest author- ity, that in Its present capacity the United States goverrment is not a “mediator,” ‘but is simply a ‘“go-between"—a convenient channel of communication between two hos- tiles, who, having broken off all treaty re- lations, are consequently estopped from «i- rect approach, and are obliged to have recourse to a third party. This {s true, of course, enly as to purely diplomatic ex- change; there is ancther way, but only through military channels, whereby the bel- ligerents may come in direct communica- tion. Not a single proposition to serve as a basis of a peace agreement between Great Britain and the Boer republics was set out in the communication to Lord Salisbury. All that was ventured in this first overture was an inquiry as to what Great Britain was likely to demand as the price of stop- ping the war. To have gone further and have proposed terms on our own: account might have placed the United States in the Position of an uninvited mediator. Secretary Hay Suffering With Cold. Secretary Hay was almost speechless from a severe cold today, and when the cabinet meeting adjourned he was obliged to go home and go to bed. If any answer should be received during the next few hours it will therefore probably be dealt with directly by the President. What is Looked For. There ts a belief In some quarters here, founded on our own history, that the British reply to this overture will be a polite reference of Presidents Kruger and Steyn to Lord Roberts as a person fully au- thorized to make known to them terms upon which the British govern: will ing to cease hostilities. Tn ach ‘Gass the} renee ot Lord Roberts is o x ment in which the United States has taken so prominent @ part, that act at least marks the initiation of the effort to attain peace, and in a measurable degree makes easier the way fof a further and more suc- cessful attempt. = GERMANY WOULD MEDIATE. Huet First Wishgd to Know the Terms owed. BERLIN, March 13.—It is semi-offictally announced that. when the Orange Free State and the Transvaat addressed to a number of the larger and smail states a request for friendly mediation the German government replied that It would willingly participate provided the essential ‘condition of such mediation were present, namely, the cer- tainty that both belligerents Gesired it. WILL MEET IN CAUCUS Republican Senators to Oonsider Porto Bican Problem. Proposed to Admit American Goods Into the Island Free of Duty— Hope of Agreement. The republicans of the Senate are more hopeful than they were yesterday of reach- ing an agreement by which the Porto Rican bill can be put through the Senate. A cau- cus is to be held by the republican senators immediately after adjournment today. The proposition will be submitted for adoption by the caucus to substitute for the tariff provision of the bill the proposition to ad- mit American goods free into Porto Rico and to collect the proposed 15 per cent duty on Porto Rican goods coming into our ports, the duties so collected to be for the use of Porto Rico; and to adopt the civil government bill with omission of the pro- vision for a delegate to Congress. There has been a great deal of beating back and forth over this question, and it is still possible that the opposition to such a compromise may be tenacious and prevent @ caucus agreement. The senators have almost worn themselves out with confer- ences, and should this compromise fail there will be a strong disposition on the part of some of those supporting {t now to abandon all effort to collect a tariff from Porto Rico. It is sald that friends of Mr. Quay will try to avail themselves fof the caucus to- day to have a time agreed on for a vote on the Quay case. There/appears no prob- ability, however, of this meeting with any success. So far thgre has been no departure from amicable feeling among senators, and there is a noticeable disposition to reconcile all differences in the interest of party har- mon In this desire the President ts known to join heartily, but he told senators who have visited him that he was equaily anxious that certain principles should remain inviolate in the settlement. He urg morg other things the retention of the House principle of protection and the establishment of a civil government. ——+¢° CASUALTIES AMONG THE TROOPS. Deaths by Suicide and From Wounds rted by Gen. Otis, Gen. reported to the War De- partment the following edditional casualties among the troops in the Philippine: Deaths suicide—February 27, Daniel H. Collins, Company F, 17th Regiment, U. S. Infantry; March 6, William Parsons, Company C, 224 U. 8. Infantry; March 9, while mentally deranged> Second Lieut. Louis P. Weber, Company ¥, 424 U.S. Vol- Friday, 1 p.m. yunds received in actton— Friday, 2 a.m., First Lieut. Adjutant John B. Galleher, 40th Ue Infantry; February 3, ones, Company E, 30th U.S. Vol- ntry; March 6, Willlam Br Died fre February lion unteer In Company H, 46th Infantry, variola; Mar 1, Lewis Lille, corporal, Company G, 41 Antry ; ‘ch 2, Thomas M. : mpany } h Infantry; March ter J ae, Company F, arrhoea, March neute diarrhos Company D, ) Regiment In- fantry; multiple March 4, Wil- liam Wightman nt; Company E, 3d Infantry; typhoi er, March 4, Charles Lee, Ci th Infantry; Henri O. ‘ G, 18th Infantry; March I Company B, 6th Infantry March &, Fitzgerald, Company i, oth In: res, March 1, Charles F. ry G, 6th Regiment Ar- Ullery; 1, March 6, William J. Wood, , Gth Artillery, run over by truck; March 4, Earl C. Ward, corporal, mpany A, Soth Infantry, shot by sentry; ch 8, Albert Knitile, Battery O, 6th Ar- tillery, fell through hatchway; ‘malarial fever, Marca 4, Edgar J. Manning, Com- pany A. 9th Infantry; dysentery, March ¢, Leon W. Wiltshire, Company E, 9th In: fantry; March 9, David A. Ferguson, Troop I, 4th Cavalry; measles, March 7, Milton L. Smart, 38th Infantry; ‘appendicitis, March 10, James Thompson, Company D, 48th In- fantr Lieut. Louis P. Weber, of the 42d Volun- teer Infantry, whose death by suicide is ze- ported by Gen. Otis, was born in New York city October 5, 1863, and resided at 506 Bed- ford avenue, Brooklyn, at the time of his. appointment to the army. During the Spanish war he served in the 20ist New York Volunteers, first as a second lieuten- ant and afterward as a first lieutenant and regimental quartermaster. He held the lat- ter office when the regiment was mustcred cut, April 3, 1899. He was appointed a sec- ord Heutenant in the 42d Volunteer In- fantry August 17, 1899,,and accomparied that regiment to the Philippines in De- cember last. IN PORTO RICAN PORTS. — ee Vessels Entered and Cleared During American Occupation. The War Department gave out for pub- lication today the folfewing’ statement of the number of foreign vesséls, their ton- nage and the flags under which they salled which entered and cleared at the several ports of the Island of Porto Rico from the date of American occupation until Decem- ber 31, 1899 4 Vessels entered—Americgn, 443; tonnage, 398,085. Spanish, 254; tehnagé 496,512. Ger- man, 137; tonnage, 24s ao. mch, 114; ton- nage, 91,429. British, 204; tofmage, 114,485. Italian, 16; tonnage, 31,999. Norwegian, 24; tonnage, 14,900. Cuban, 10; tannage, 13,070. Dominican, tonnage, | Dutch, 17; tonnage, 621. Portuguese, 1;. tonnage, 485. Venezuelan, 6; tonnage, 410. Haitian, 1; ton- nage, 7. Danish, 9; tontiage, 78. Vessels cleared—Americgn, /399; tonnage, 384,171. Spanish, 151; t 318,290. Ger- man, 131; tonnage, 207,484-1 ich, 114; ton- nage, 100,578. British, tdnnage, 73,753. Italian, 16; tonnage, 31,808. Cuban, 16; ton- nage, 25,875. Norwegian, 16; tonnage, 10,734. Danish, 9; tonnage, 781. Dutch, 12; tonnage, 684. Dominican, 14: tonnage, 544. guese, 1; tonnage, 485. Venezuelan, 6; ton- nage, 410. Personal Mention. Rev. Frederie Doerr, pastor of St. Ste- phen’s Lutheran. Churehg: Wilmington, Del., is in the city, the gues: Dr. Charles F. Keim, 2024 15th street t : Klapp Mr.. Daniel N. 1440 18th street northwest {s quite ill @ severe attack of = He hag confined to his “Stes JH Recht been confinea vr. J. H. Kuehli te his bed, quite ‘i, at home near Mt Vernon, Va., ‘Wednesday. ‘kinson t_ home tomorrow 1125 13th stree! West, x MR. TURNER SPEAKS Denounces Proposed Tariff on Porto Rican Goods. : POOR RETURN TO THE ISLANDERS ee Senators Allen and Butler Explain Position on Silver. oes one CURRENCY IN THE HOUSE In the Senate today Mr. Kean (N. J.) re- signed from the committee on public lands, Mr. Thurston (Neb.) from the committee on railroads, Mr. Simon (Ore.) from the com- mittee on Potomac river front, Mr. Foster (Wash.) from the committee on woman suffrage and Mr. Wetmore (R. I.) from the committee on manufactures. President Pro Tem. Frye then appointed Mr. Bard (Cal.) to the several committees from which senators had resigned, in order to make committee places for him. At the conclusion of morning business Mr. Allen (Neb.), rising to a question of privilege, said he had been misrepresented by the Washington correspondent of a New York paper, who had reported that Mr. Allen had abandoned the free coinage of silver. Mr. Allen denied the correspond- ent’s statements. “Nothing that I ever said could by any kind of torture be construed as a lack of faith in my party platform, which declares for the free and unlimit2d coinage of both aa and silver at a ratio of 16 to 1,” he said. Mr. Allen read the colloquy between him- self and Mr. Aldrich, which, he said, was the basis of the report concerning him. “I want to repeat,” said he, and I want the public printer to put this statement in black-faced type—that I am a firm believer and always have been in the doctrine of the free and unlimited coinage of gold and sil- ver at the ratio of 16 to I, and I do not be- lieve in waiting for ary other nation.” Mr. Allen was procecding with an elabora- tion of his views when he was interrupted by Mr. Turner (Wash.), who had yielded to him, and reminded that it was a “per- sonal statement” for which he had yielded and not a speech. Mr. Allen immediately gave way, but was followed by Mr. Butler (N. C.), who desired to make a personal statement concernin; similar matter. i Mr. Butler's Position. Mr. Butler said that the report of the col- Joquy between himself and Mr. Aldrich had not correctly represented him. This revort stated that Mr. Butler evaded a direct answer to Mr. Aldrich's question as to whether or not he (Butler) was in favor of the free and unlimited coinage of s the ratio of 16 to 1. Mr. Butler th stated his position as given during the coi- loquy, but did not point out wherein he had been misrepresented. In closing said he wanted to make the statement the he was in favor of the free coinage of goid and silver at a ratio of 1 “IT ty The United States, Independent of any other nation, Mr. drich replied briefly, ing that the Associated Pres loguy was a fair of what occurred. mt of the col- nd accurate statement He had asked the North ght times if he nd unlimited Carolina senator six or ¢ = s in favor of the free age of silver at a ratio of 16 to 1 by th United States alone and had not received a direct answer. Mr. Aldrich said he was glad to get to statement from Mr. Butler that he was now in favor of such free coinage. The Porto Rican Bil At the request of Mr. Turner the Porto Rican tariff and government Dill was laid before the Senate. His speech was a gen- eral attack upon the policy and provisions of the measure. He declared that its enactment would result in the debauchery of our citizenship or of our Constitution. He presumed that the minor in Tongre: would be charged with favoring comp: tion of American working people with the underfed and underpaid labor of Porto Rico and the Phillppines, but in this con- nection, he said, it would have to be r membered that the minority had opposed sistently the acquisition of the island: en now he believes the United States ought to let the Filipinos go in peace. It ought to be the mission of Unis country to give them a start on the road to good government, and then permit them to pro- ceed for themselves, reserving such coaling stations and harbors as we might need. If the commercial interests, he ‘said, must have their pound of flesh, this country might make such treaties with the Filipi- nos, affording us such advantage as thelr sense of gratitude to the United States might prompt them to give us. Poor Return to Porto Rico. Mr. Turner thought the proposition of the bill to levy tariff on commerce between Porto Rico and other portions of the United States was a poor return for their ready acceptance of our institutions on the part of the Porto Ricans, and “no amount of su- gar-coating could disguise its evil smell or nauseating taste.” It was, to his mind, a Gesperate assault upon the liberties of the people, and no more preposterous measure looking to the grant of power to Congress had ever been presented in either house. The evident purpose was to break down the system which had stood the test of 123 years. The bill was clearly unconstitu- tional and it was repugnant to every utter- ance of the Supreme Court bearing upon the subject. It was denounced as a crime and as imperious and vainglorious, and Mr. Turner said he did not believe we coyld maintain such a system as was proposed without its being reflected upon our own institutions. He feared, indeed, that it was one of those innovations against which the fathers had warned the American people, and he considered it wise to stop and con- sider where we were dyifting. Supreme Court Quoted. He did not agree with Mr. Foraker that we have “passed. the law book stage,” and he quoted numerous decisions of the Su- preme Court to sustain his position, which was that the Constitution must apply equally to all portions of the territory of the United States, and that there could properly be no discrimination in favor of one section in the matter of taxation or otherwise in the interest of another section. THE HOUSE. At the opening of the session-of the House today the following bills were passed: To establish a light and fog signal at the southern entrance of the new breakwater at Buffalo, N. ¥., and for the relief of the heirs of Philip McCrasky and John Hogah of Mobile, Ala. denied that he had ever said in a news- paper interview that the Porto Ricar bill was an “‘oytrage and a robbery.” ‘Then, under the order previously made, street said that_every principie-contained peli pal laccimroriamranitiogs = tive to the taxation of national bank fran- chises. The establishment of the gold standard into law was = its all important and essential feature. ‘h's law would, he said, become the foundation of the business prosperity of the country. “Has the Secretary of the Treasury the power to redeem a silver dollar in gold under the amalgamated bill?” asked Mr. Shafroth (Col.). “He has not,” replied Mr. Overstreet, “and he did not have the power under the original House bill.” “Under this bill will pri be made payable in gold Snodgrass (Tenn.). “Under section 2 of the original House bill,” replied Mr. Overstreet, “public and private debis were mace conformable to the gold standard. That section is omitted from the report; first. because it is a question in law whether it would not be retroactive, and, second. because having fixed the gold standard and recognized it by converting all public obligations into gold obligations there will be no necessity to legislate con- cerning private obligations, as they will invariably reflect the character of govern- ment obligations.” Mr. Williams (I11.) asked whether it would not be impossible in case an international bimetallic agreement was reached to es cape paying the refunded thirty-year 2 per cent gold bonds in gold, and such being the case whether the bill could be considered aa encouragement to international bimetal- ism. te obligations inquired Mr. Effect on International Bimctalliam. he bonds could only be paid in gold,” responded Mr. Overstrect. “This bill holds out not the slightest hope of inter- national bimetallism under present condi- tions, I say frankly that this bill will make it practically and absolutely impossib!e ever to have international bimetallism at the ratio of 16 to 1." (Applause.) Mr. McRae (Ark.) followed Mr. Overstreet with a general argument in opposition to the principles embodied in the Dill. It was, he explained, a speech prepared by him for delivery during the consideration of the original bill. He was prevented from de- livering it at that time, owing to a severe illness. Mr. Lewis (Ga.) also spoke against the conference report, particularly against the imposition of the gold standard, the arbi- trary authority given the Secretary of the Treasury to sell the bonds and maintain the gold standard and the funding of the national debt. Mr. Fitzgerald (Mass.) spoke of the fre- quency of national bank failures and cited those recently occurring in Boston. He dwelt particularly on the condition of affairs in the Globe National Bank and asked what protection people had when the government bank examiner pronounced the institution all right at the time the irregu- larities wre going on. Mr. Hill of Connecticut supported the con- ference report in a carefully prepared speech setting forth the present financial conditions and the relief to b> expected from the bill. ——____+«.___ A SPIRITED CONTROVERSY. Dispute in Committee Over Idaho Min- ing Inquiry. There was a spirited controversy at the outset of the Coeur d'Alene inyestigation today, when Representative Lentz culled attention to telegrams given out by th> War Department in which capitalists asked for protection to their interests in the min- ing country. He sald that in view of these publications the committee ought to have th2 affidavits presented by Senators Carter and Heitfeld to the President, in which prominent officers of the mining and 1: Horganizations stated that martial law w unn ‘ary In the Coeur d'Alene district The committee finally went into ex-cutive session on Mr. Lentz's proposition and de- ided not to call on the President for the affidavits. At the tion of L. bor open hearing the J. Simpkins developed many addi- tonal incidents of the disorder, but in the main the witness held to the recital given on his direct examination. ———— A HALL OF RECORDS SITE. ‘amina- Bill Introduced for the Acquisition of Square 229. Mr. Teller has introduced in the Senate, by request, a bill to authorize the acquisi- tion of square 220, bounded by Ohio avenue. 14th, 15th and C streets, a site for a hall of records. This square contains 42.617 square feet of ground, for the purchase of which $275,000 is appropriated by the bill. This square faces 164 feet on Ohio avenu eS 110 feet _on 14th street and 8 feet on C street. The bill recites that besides the smaller buildings on this square fs the Cy- clorama building and annex, containi vg over 600,000 cubie feet of space, suitable for es immediate storage of government rec- ords. +--+. THE REFORM SCHOOL. Amendments to the Incorporating Act Proposed. Mr. McMillan introduced in the Senate today a bill to amend the act incorporating the reform school for girls of the District of Columbia. It provides for the following amendments: “That seid board of trustees shall have authority to appoint such officers, agents, teachers and other employes as may be necessary, and fix the rate of compensation of the same, subject to the approval of the Attorney General.” The board of trustees is also authorized to make all rules, &c., for the government of the institution. The board is given power to transfer temporarily to the work- house of the District for a period not ex- ceeding six months any inmate of the school who is over the age of eighteen years, but has not reached the age of twen- ty-one years, whom they may deem defi- nitely criminal or incapable of reform so as to endanger the discipline or morality of the school, or in case such girl has been committed to the school upon an order of court the board of trustees may, in their discretion, redeliver her to said court for such other disposition as the court may think proper. ‘The trustees now report to the Commis- sioners instead of to the Attorney General. One object of the bill is to reduce from eighteen to sixten years the statutory age mit for admission to the school, on the ground that the criminal character , of a woman often becomes indelible before the age of eighteen years is reached. 2+ ______ REAR ADMIRAL KEMPFF ACCEPTS. Will Be Second in Command on the Asiatic Statt Rear Admiral Kempff, at present com- mandant of the Mare Island navy yard, today telegraphed the Navy Department his acceptance of the offer of second in com- mand on the Asiatic station. As a matter of fact, Rear Admiral Kempff's command will very nearly approach an Independent station. Rear Admiral Remey, the nominal commandant of-the entire naval force on the Asiatic station, is expected to remain in the Philippines, while Rear Admiral Kempff will have a separate squadron cruising on the Chinese and Japanese coasts. The re-establishment of the force on the China station may be a significant fact in view of the repeated hints from European sources of hostilities on so large a scale that they threaten to Involve Asia. —___ ++____. ‘To Take Supplies to Porte Rico. ‘The transport Kilpatrick will leave New York tomorrow for San Juan, Porto Rico, with supplies.for the suffering poor in the island. She will bring back 2 squadron of the Sth Cavalry on her return trip. ———_+e+ An Assistant Paymaster. Ray Spear of Spokane, Wash., has been @ppointed anassistant paymaster in the mavy. [RIVERS ON RAMPAGE Serious Fnkhontagle Nortiiern Part of Illinois. VALUABLE PROPERTY DESTROYED Three Hundred Famities Take to Hills at Havana. TRAINS LATE AT VANCOUVER —_—_+——__ CHICAGO, March 18.—Reports received here today show that serious floods are pre- vatling in the northern portion of [linols _ by the overflowing of the Ilinols, Des Plaines, Fox, Sangamon and Kankakee ri ers. Much live stock and property have al- ready been destroyed. At La Salle the Illinois river and tribue tary streams are now fourteen feet above normal height and still rising. Not since 1892 has there been so much water in that vicinity, and if the rivers continue to rise during the next twenty-four hours the! damage to property will be enormous. One pump at the water works is already shut down, the engineers are working in :wenty inches of water, and Superintendent Walker says that one foot more of water , will mean the stoppage of the entire plant, | thus placing the city in jeopardy from fire. The fires in the engine room of the Dickin- son cement works were extinguished and the kilns flooded, William Chapin and fam- ily were driven from their home, and water” stands a foot deep on the floors of the sum-* mer cottages. Basements Flooded in Peru. At Peru Water street is flooded and store basements are filled with water, doing much damage to merchants’ reserve stocks. Fears! are entertained that the fires of the ble Ill!-j nols Zinc Company's works may be reached by the rapidly rising water, which already covers parts of the company’s premises. General Manager W. B. Brinton has taken every precaution against the inundation of the Peru plow works. If the water should! rise two feet higher 500 workmen at that factory will be thrown out of employment. At Peoria the Lilinois river is out of its banks and is doing considerable damage along the valley. It is still rising. This usually staid stream has risen more than! two feet in the last six hours, mostly caused i by the rapidly melting snows of the last few days. Today the floating ice formed a gorge, backing up the water to such an extent that families living along the river banks were in danger of their lives and some property was destroyed. At Havana the Herget levee, on the San- umon river, broke last night, compelling 4) familles to flee to higher ground. Much stock has been lost. Family on an Ice Floe. A family living on an fsland at the junc- tion of the Kankakee and Des Plaines riv- ers had a narrow escape. An {ce gorge formed above the fs:and and broke. The re- leased waters submerged the entire island and the family found refuge on a large cake of i Were carried several miles down stream before being res ed. The house and all the At Pontiac the than it has be Several negro cape from drow: ‘eave their re FLOODS 1 Vermillion river is higher n for the last twenty year: had a narrow es ing and were compelled to ences for safety. BRITISH COLUMBIA, No Trains Have Reached Vancouver ince Laxt Sunday. VANCOUVER, B. C., March 13.—No over- land train has arrived here s Sunda; all traffic being suspended mud snow slides in the interior. slides are reported from the tains, carrying down trees rocks, sweeping away the cut bank truss bridge. feet long, between Bear creek and Six Mile creek. From Sandon com more serious di nd Heavy snow Selkirk moun- and, immense the news of an even A landslide demol- ished six h in the lower part of the town, burying one of the tenants, Wm. McLeod, beneath the mass of debris, which crushed the houses as if they had been egg shells. Three other occupants of the dwelling were serious and half a dozen sustained lesser injuries. Delayed ov nd passengers will go through today, transferring around the break in the Mne. +e WILLING TO GRANT MORE TIME. French Government's Attitude Re= garding New Commercial Treaty. PARIS, March 13.—The French governs ment has not yet received a request from Washington to extend the time for the rat!- fication of the commercial treaty, but tt is willing that more time shall be taken If America wishes it. A representative of the Associated Press was informed by the foreign office that France fully appreciated the Senate's com- plete freedom of action, and did not see in the proposed reference of the treaty to the finance committee any step inimical to iis prospects. On the contrary, the French government was confident that the same good will would be shown In the finance as in the foreign relations commit- tee. Meanwhile. however, no action would be taken here because little doubt is felt that the treaty can be ratified in Paris In time if its ratification is assured in Wash ington. ——_++--—__ MAYOR HAYES SUMMONED. Maryland Legislature Appoints mittee to estigate Charge: Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. STATE HOWSE, Annapolis, Md.. March 13.—Mayor Hayes of Baltimore, having de- liberately charged that a corrupt lobby is operating at the state house to prevent legislation favorable to the city, the house of delegates today directed the sergeant-at- arms to summon Mr. Hayes to appear here tomorrow to tell all he knows to a commit- tee which has been appointed to investi- gate the charges. The charges made by the mayor have aroused great indignation among the mem- bers, who say that he must either prove what he has said or retract it before the bar of the house. All sorts of reports have been current here during the past few days about corruption in regard to the telephone bill and the measure to reduce the price of gas in Baltimore to $1 per thousand feet. Accusations of attempted bribery have been rife among the members, and the lead- ing men in both houses say that they in- tend to have the whole business investi- gated, and if any one Is guilty swift pun- ishment will follow. Up to the present time 750 bills have been introduced, of which about fifty have become laws. As only three weeks remain of the present session, it is probable that a large proportion of these bills will fail to pass. —++<—_—_. Cuba's Exhibits in Parts. NEW YORK, March 13.—Cuba’s exhibits for the Paris exposition reached this city today on board the United States transport Buferd, from Havana. The exhibits com- prised 100 Jarge cases, which will be for- warded to Havre by an early steamer.