Evening Star Newspaper, March 16, 1900, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAY Temporary Business Office, 1109 Pennsylvanis Aveaue. The Eveaing Star New: Company. AL KAUrERAWN, Prev New York Office: 126 Tribune Building, London Office: Trafalgar Buildings, Tratalyar Square. ‘The Eveniag Star is served to subscribers in the efty by carriers, on their own account. at 10 cents per week. or 44 cents per month. Copies at the counter. 2 cents each. ‘By mail—anywhere in the United States or Canada—postage prepald—S0 cents Der month. Saturday Quintuple Sheet Star, $1 per year; with foretgn pst 08. ce . (Entered at the Post Oftice at Washington. D. Q. as secoud-class mail matter.) TAU mail subscriptions must be paid In advance. Rates of advertieng mde known on application, Che Lvening Star. — No, 14,679. WASHINGTON, D. ©. FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 1900-FOURTEEN PAGES. TWO CENTS. & LIBERAL EDUCATION, Whether or not you wish to buy anything the adver- tising columns of The Star amply repay the most care- ful perusal. ROBERTS IS RESTING His Recent Successes Are Very Grati- fying to Britain, NEXT MOVE WILL BE ON PRETORIA Promises to Lead the Army Into the Transvaal Capital. CASUALTIES AT DREIFONTEIN LONDON, March 16.—Lord Roberts’ suc- cess in handling the civil problams at Bloemfontein and the manifest equanimity with which the residents of the capital of the Orange Free State accept the British Occupation momentarily eclipse in interest the military situation. It is believed here that the commander-in-chief of the British forces In South Africa will soon pusn on to Pretoria, but Great Britain is quite content to Usten for a few days to the accalama- tions of tha people of Bloemfontein and permit the troops to enjoy a few days’ rest before expecting further success. Lord Roberts made a quaint speech to the guards at Bloemfontein today, whan, in his first congratulatory words, he expressed pride in their splendid march of thirty-eight miles in twenty-eight hours, and gave ampls as- surance of his ultimate design. “Through @ small mistake,” said Lord Roberts, “I have not been able to march into Boemfon- tein at the head of the brigade, as I intend- ed. I promis3 you, however, that I will lead you into Pretoria.” Gatacre Holds Rethalle. General Gatacre {ts holding Bethulie and the whole line of the railroad south of Bloemfontein is now in the hands of the British, and, General Brabant’s column having crossed the Orange rivar after a forced march at Aliwal North on Sunday, and General Clements’ column being across at Vanzyl, the three columns will form an army of 12,000 to 15,000 men, which is ex- ected to replace the forces of Lord Rob- erts at Bloemfontein as he pushes north- ward. Just where the Boers will attempt to op- ose that march is ant question, ut It cannot be easily ed until Gen. Joubert is more definitely located. Further news has reached the ide world from Mafeking, dated Friday. March 9, showing that, though the garrison was’ in hard straits, they were buoyed up by the knowl- edge that their plucky fight was appre- ciated at home. Casualties at Driefontein. It was officially announced today that the British ca’ sat Driefontein, March 10, were 62 men killed and 321 wounded, in- cluding dians, wounded. repe ts that he found seven and forty-three men wound- ital at Bloemfontein, and been well cared for. He 1 * wounded Boers by telling will be allowed to proceed to instead of being made pris- soon as they can leave the hos- Cape Colony, Thursd: ‘There was much enthusiasm at North when ¢ Brabant’s troops ‘ommandant Olivier, al the Boer commander, apologized for the ac- tion of t . during the last days of the occ ing he could not control his men. lack of artillery, nders. ser Powerful, ude which has been Boers In South Af- nd today. Cecil! Rhodes’ Suzgestion. ‘APE TOWN, Thursday, March 15.—In erview published in the Cape Argus 1 uoted as saying: hat we cannot have Africa so long as we have lying ground for dis- tion. To go further, I an safely federate ti!l we e years of crown colony gov- Personally, I have done with the - Staters Return to Farms. N, Tuesday, March 1 uth of here are report- idly returning to thes farm »belaar is attempting to He ape as a large command and ople antict- aters will offer no re- CHEERS FOR THE BRITISH. phic Story of Gen. Roberts Entry in joemfontein. March 13.— * conducted to deputation of of- t to meet him he crowds of people, erehiefs and dis- asm and cor- Roberts first entered the market . thence proceeded to thi from there to the © entered from the front. he late pre pretty house tly entered by the crowd, which out with tremendous energy he All stood rig remov their hats. Then the was renewed. Lord George Scott bent Lady Rober pretty union jack, with a four- leafed shamrock embr. in the cor- mer. to the hal ards, and us It rose over e. preside the crowd caught si of the grim-looking cavalr then and nus ¥ ro: my Atkins” Gen. Prettyman Made Governo: Immediately after the ceremony was over Lord Roberts appointed General Prettyman governor and then visited the jail, where he released four prisoners who had refused to fish nst the British. Then that por- tion h necessary to man the nort heights began to march through the town amid the cheers of the people. When the horse batteries passed the con- trast between the well-fed citizens and the ~exhausted and worn-ont gunners who sat thelr horses and caissons without a sign of emotion was most striking. By this time the plain outside the town was gradually filling with infantry regi- ments and immense transport convoys which. seemed to overrun the ground like water. Gradually out of the chaos order emerged, each brigade and transport es- tablishing itself in its proper position in Jong straight lines miles In extent. From the higher kepje near the town to far bee yond could be seen a long yellow serpent Fepresenting regiment after regiment of khaki-clad troops marching on the tows. Joubert Was Expected. General Joubert was expected here early in the morning, but the blowing up of the Une north of the town prevented his com- and troops ing. He remained at Brandfort with 2,000 Natalers. General Prettyman is sugceeding admir- ably as governor of the town. He Issued a proclamation today requesting the burghers Within a radius of ten miles to deliver up their arms, assuring them they would be paid for the confiscation of their property. Lord Roberts is about to issue fresh proclamations, which, it is belleved, will have the effect of disarming further oppo- sition upon the part of the Free Staters. Mr. Collings has been appointed Land- drost, vice Pappenfus, deposed, and Mr. Fraser will act as mayor. . Great quantities of stores captured at Wasserfall have been recovered. As the result of Hunter’s and Weston’s line cutting the British have secured twenty-six en- gines and the Mne has been cleared to the Kaffir river. Rumors are current that Forrher Presi- dent Steyn is willing to surrender. Much unrest exists among the Dutch population. The burghers described the soldiers as locusts, saying they were innumerable and of identical color with them. —_~+-+_ REJOICING IN CAPE COLONY. Report of Capture of Bloemfontein Arouses Enthusiasm. CAPE TOWN, March 16.—There was great rejoicing throughout the colony upon the receipt of the news that Bloemfontein had been occupied by the British. The first intimation of the fact at Port Elizabeth was the firing of twenty-one guns at 11 o'clock in the evening. The inhabitants hastened to the streets and the mayor was carried on men's shoulders to the town hall, where a demonstration was made. Today will be observed as a general holiday. There ts great rejoicing at Bloemfontein, where the women and children have been shut off for months. Great complaint is made of the harsh treatment by the Boers during the occupation. Rebels are coming in daily with their arms from the south. A number of cther rebel leaders have been ar- Tested. When the British forced the passage of the Orange river this morning they sur- prised the Boers. The British troops occup!ed a position on the north side of the river with little oppo- sition and are now building a pontoon. —__+ + +___ REITZ REPLIES TO SALISBURY. He Justifies the Action of the Boers in Fighting. LONDON, March 16.—The Pretoria cor- Tespondent of the Daily Mail, telegraphing Wednesday, says: “Mr. Reitz’s statement has been publish- ed throughout the republic, but will not be forwarded to Lord Salisbury. “Conversations I have had with the high- est state officers show that the republic was prepared to grant substantial reforms and concessions, until the receipt of Lord Salisbu telegram. As one of the high- est statesmen remarked, ‘Better half an egg than none, but better none than a rot- ten egg." Following {s Mr. Reitz’s statement: “The British government, after the Bloemfontein conference, endeavored to en- force by threats certain changes igthe in- ternal government of the Transvaal Repub- lic, contrary to the London convention. They also imported troops in great num- bers, and broke off negotiations with a threat to take their own means to remove the grievances of their subjects. “After waiting a fortnight, while an army corps was prepared and the reserves were being called out by the British, President Steyn asked the reason of these proc Sir Alfred Milner refused to reply nwhile Mr. Chamberlain, in his speeches, showed the world that England had decided on war. Accordingly the Transvaal Republic addressed to the Brit- government a demand for the with- drawal of their troops, as otherwise t would accept the presence of the troops as a declaration of war. That was not neces- sarily intended as a message of wa Concerning the armaments, Mr. Reitz says: “These were bought openly in England and in Europe, and the high commissioner boasted full knowledge of them at the Bloemfontein conference, and also full de- scriptions of these armaments were found among the officers’ papers at Dund “Both the army and the ultimatum were protective mea: subs‘ quent to the raid and to the di . through concealed cables, that British cabinet ministers were implicated in the attempt to filch away the independence of the republ: Now all doubt is removed by Lord Salisbury's tele- gram. The burghers must fight for their national existence, trusting that God will defend the right.” —__+-<-____ AT MOHAWK, N. Y¥. FIR Hotel Bloek Bur Entalling a Loss of $100,000. UTICA, N. ¥., March 16.—The Mohawk Valley Hotel block at Mohawk was burned early today. It was erected in 1876 at a cost of $50,000, and contained besides the hotel five stores, the post office, the offices of the town clerk, justice of peace, insur- ance office, Masonic Hall and opera hor Little except the mail was saved from the building. All the town records were burned, as were also the records and char- ter of the Masonic lodge. There were forty boarders at the hotel, all of whom escaped without Injury. One fireman was slightly injured by the falling of the wall. The proprietor of the hotel was Graham Bel- linger, whose loss ts $10.20, The total losses are estimated at $100,100 SS CHURCH AGAINST FAITH HEALERS. Southern Kansax Methodist Confer- ence Ex is a Member. WICHITA, Kan., March 16.—The com- mittee on church conduct of the southern Kansas Methodist eonference has taken de- cided action against faith healing, and upon recommendation of Bishop Vincent expelled Rev. S. D. Osborne, pastor of the First Methodist Church at Pearyville, Kan. Last fall Mr. Osborne went to Chicago and studied faith healing, received a di- ploma and took up the practice in connec- tlen with preaching. He so informed Pre- siding Elder Martindale, who read his let- ter to the committee and recommended that he be relieved from dui eg THE CARNEGIE-FRICK CASE. Little Prospect of a Trial Before Next October. PITTSBURG, Pa., March 16.—If the re- marks of Judge E. H. Stowe of common pleas court No. 1 indicate anything, the equity sult begun by H. C. Frick againat Andrew Carnegie and other members of the Carnegie Steel Company, Limited, will not be called for trial before next October. Attorney W. L. Scott of Dalzcll, Scott & Gordon, part of the counsel for Mr. Carne- gic and his assoctates, who haye been. sued, presented a motion to ihe court when It conveneé today for a further extension of fifteen days for the defendants, excepting Henry Phipps, jr., who have not filed their answers. Judge Stowe remarked as he took the at- torney’s papers, that he did not see any reason why the motion could not be grant- ed, as he did not think the case would be cailed for trial before next October. Mr. Scott reylied that most of the defendants’ answers were already on file and that all of the attorneys in the case hoped to have the action on the equity trial list at an early date. To this reply Judge Stowe simply smiled knowingly, indicating that there was little hope that there would be a speedy trial of the famous suit. —~+->—__ Sidney Pointer Brings $6,500. OGDENSBURG, N. Y., March 16.—sia- ney Pointer, the oldest colt by Star Pointer, the world’s fastest pacer, has been sold by W. H. Moffatt of Kempville, to McLar of Ottawa for $6,500, foes ac THE STORM OUTSIDE Heavy Snowfall Extends as Far South as Louisiana. TRAFFIC IMPEDED IN NEW YORK Business Paralyzed in the Shamo- kin, Pa., Mining Region. SOUTHERN FRUIT KILLED NEW YORK, March 16.—Nine inches ot! snow and sleet cover the streets of New York today, and 4,000 men are battling with it in Manhattan. Three thousand more are at work in Brooklyn. Traffic has been par- Ually paralyzed in some sections of the city since early morning. During the early hours the Brooklyn bridge traffic was practically blocked. The sleet on the third rail supplying electric power to the bridge cars cut off the current, and a general blockade was the result. The trolley lines over the bridge were not much better, and thousands of persons were forced to walk across the structure in the face of a cutting wind and sleet. Surface traffic was, of course, everywhere delayed, and the 5th avenue elevated road, which uses the third rail electric system in Brooklyn, was al- most completely tied up after midnight. In the crowded streets ‘down town fallen horses and stalled drays and trucks greatly impeded business, causing many block::des. Heavy Snowfall in Jersey. In the outlying districts of the boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx similar condi- tions prevailed. The fall of snow in Jersey was heavier than in this city. Mail trains were delayed by the storm, and the mails were several hours behind in their delivery. On many of the suburban lines in Jersey the trolley wires broke under the weight of their coating of sleet and ice, tying up several lines completely. A number of horses were killed by contact with the live wires. No fatalities from the cold are reported in the city. The station houses and char- itable institutions were crowded with the homeless. Superintendent White of the genaral de- livery department of the post office said the northern and eastern mails are between one and, two hours late, the western from an hour and a half to three hours late, while the southern mails are not delayed to any great extent. Snows In Louisiana. NEW ORLEANS, March 16.—Special dis- patches to the Picayune report snow storms at the following points: Loutsiana— Columbia, Bonita, Arcadia and Shreveport; Mississipp!—Aberdeen, Columbus, Grenada, Helly Springs, Oxford, Oklona, Eupelo, Water Valley, West Point and Utica, doing much damage to fruit trees and vegetables. CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., March 16—The mercury dropped to twenty-four degrees in easiern Tennessee and north Georgia last night, and everything is frozen over that tion. Fruit growers will lose heavily. Johnson City reports nine inches of snow, which has done much damage. Seventeen Inches at Shamokin. SHAMOKIN, Pa., March 16.—Snow began falling here yesterday morning, and when the storm ceased at 4 o'clock this morning the ground was covered to a depth of seven- teen Inches, and this place is now com- pletely snowbound. Over 6,060 men and boys residing between here and Mt. Car- mel, and employed at the various collieries, are idle owing to the blockade. The trol- ley lines In this city and between here and Mt. Carmel are at a standstill, while trains on the Reading, Northern Central and Lehigh Vailey railroeds are many hours behind tim In a number of mountain P 3 traversed by trains snow drifted from five to fifteen f The storm was ally severe in the coal (regions the snowfall being the heavi- ‘of the season. Steamer Lodged in the Ice. DETROIT, Mich., March 16,—A spectal to the Journal from St. Joseph, Mich., says: ‘The steamer Louisville of Graham & Mor- ton Comp: Chi ny, which ts due to arrive from ago early today, Is lodged in the tce ds about five miles out. When last seen he was entering the ice to the southwest. Four short blasts of her whistle were heard. signifying need of a tug or In distress. The steamer cannot now be seen owing to the heavy snow storm prevailing. In reply to the signals the tug Andy was or- dered out to render assistance. The tug di vppeared in the snow storm on the scuthwestern course and is constantly blow- ing ef whistle, to which the lodged steamer fails to reply. Danger of Flood at Plattsburg. PLATTSBURG, N. ¥., March 16.—A snow storm set in over the Adirondacks last night and still continues, about ten inches of snow having fallen already. A strong northwest wind is piling it up and filling the cuts on the rallroads so that all trains are delayed from three to five hours. There is now about four feet of snow on the level in the open country and between five and six feet in the woods, making lumber- ing almost impossible. There is great dan- ger of floods if a sudden thaw sects in. ATLANTA, Ga., March 16.—Freezing tem- perature was reported today as far south as a line running east and west through the center of the cotton belt. Killing frost is reported at Fort Smith, Ark., near Mo- bile and at Maeon. The rain and snow of yesterday in many parts of the south was followed by clearing and much colder weather. Fruit men say the trees cannot stand a continuation of cold. The recent Warm weather had advanced the trees rap- iy. ——>+>—__ GEN. RANDALL AT SEATTLE. He Talks of His Proposed Military Policy in Alaska. SEATTLE, Wash., March 16.—Gen. Geo. M. Randall, commander of the department of Alaska, and staff arrived here last night. Temporary headquarters will be estab- lished here until June 1. Five companies will be sent north, which, with three now there, will form the command. In an inter- view General Randall said: “It is too early to say what will be oug policy in Alaska. We will protect life and property, assist in the development of the country and work in harmony with every citizen that goes there. With the completion of the telegraph line from St. Michael to Valdes, via Eagle City, the next move will be a cable from Valdes to Seattle. ——_+<2—___ Big Sale of Mining Property. DENVER, Col., Mareh 16.—The consol- idated Stanley mines of Clear Creek coun- ty, owned by John York, Chicago; James T. King, Jacksonville, Ill.; Samuel Cregear, Philadelphia, and Charles Gehrman, have been sold to Montreal capitalists for an amount variously estimated from $1,000,000 to $1,500,000, and a large deposit has been made to bind the agreement, pending the formal transfer, which will not be com- pleted for ten days. The mines have been worked for nearly twenty-five years, the air a workings measuring nearly six NOT . GIVER (UR — It in Believed Our Offér for Danish Went Indies Wilt Finally Be Accepted. It is learned that’the purpose of the gov- ernment to acquire. the island of St. Thomas for a reasonable eonsideration from Den- mark has not been abandoned, owing to the statements attributed to the Danish min- ister, Indicating 2 decision not to part with the island. While it is not contemplated that any pressure should be brought to bear upon Denmark on this matter, it is still believed that the last announcement in the case is perhaps only an evidence of a pur- pose on the part gf the Danish authorities to secure a higher price for the island than the United States had regarded as proper. It is probable that no active effort will be made by our government to hasten the negotiations on this subject, but, having learned that the: finances of the island showed a deficit last year of $75,000, in spite of the most rigid economy in the adminis- tration, a sum charged up against the home government, it is believed that our terms will ultimately be accepted, if reduced to a concrete proposition to pay $3,000,000 for St. Thomas and St. Craz. a A NAVAL POLICY BOARD. Its Organization With Admiral Dewey at the Head Under Consideration. Secretary Long has under consideration the organization of what will probably be known as a naval policy board, with Ad- miral George Dewey at its head. The board will consist of nine members, and Its duties will be the corsideration of questions tend- ing to increase the efficiency of the navy and to improve its condition for offensive and defensive operations in case of war. The admiral of the navy, the chief of the bureau of navigation, the chief of the office of naval intelligence and the president of the Naval War College will be members of the board ex-officio. The incumbents of these officers are Admiral Dewey, Capt. Crowninshield, Capt. Charles D. Sigsbae and Capt. Charles H. Stockton. The remaining five members of the board have not yet been selected, but there is an impression in naval circles that the number will include Rear Admiral Sampson, commandant of the Boston navy yard; Rear dmiral Barker, commandant of the Norfolk navy yard; Capt. R. D. Evans of the board of inspection and survey; Capt. Henry C. Taylor, commanding the receiving ship Ver- mont, and Capt. F. E, Chadwick, now on wailing orders. It is possible, however, that either or both Chief Naval Constructor Hichborn or Engineer-in-Chjef Melville may be substituted for the others named. The board will be advisory in character, and its actions will be subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Navy. + e+ ____ THE VICE PRESIDENCY. Woodraft’s Candidacy Net Popular With National Leader: The continued New York booming of Lieutenant Governor Woodruff for the re- publican vice presidential nomfnation has lent no enthusiasm to his candidacy among national leaders here, it ts asserted by sev- eral prominent enough to know the general feeling. One of these, a man of undoubted position In his party, said a few days ago that he didn’t believe there was any proba- bility that Mr. Woodruff would be nomi- nated. “For our vice presidential nominee we want a man big enough to be President in e of anything happening to the chief executive,” was what he*sald. He did not believe, he said, that Mr. Woodruff was big enough to measure up to these mits. The New Yorker is too young and too inexperi- ed, he declared, for the position, al- though he is growing In statesmanship and popularity each day. The same man believes that a New Yorker will be nominated, but is of the opinion that the nominee will be either Secretary Root or ex-Secretary Bliss. Either of these Is big enowgh in fact and in name to lend strength to the republican ticket, he says. Both of them have de- clared that they will not be candidates, but it is said on excellent authority that neither would refuse the nomination. The greatest trouble will be in giving the place to some other New Yorker if Woodruff goes to the Philadelphia convention with the delegates of the state pledged to him, ee ge PRICE OF ARMOR PLATE. Naval Affairs Committee Fixes It at $545 a Tog. Representative Wheeler of Kentucky, a member of the Housé naval affairs commit- tee, s: that the decision of the House naval affairs committee yesterday fixing the price of armor plate at $45 a ton was much more far-reaching than was an- nounced at that time. Yesterday a state- ment was authorized to the effect that this price was fixed for only» what Is known as the emergency armor for the battle ships Maine, Ohio and Missouri, which are now building. On account of the threatened suits for damages resulting from the fail- ure of the government to provide the ar- mor for these vessels, because the armor- plate concerns refused to furnish it at the authorized price, the committee were unani- nously In favor of acceding to the de- mands of the armor plate factories so far as the armor for those ships was con- cerned. But the action of the:committee yester- day, according to Mr. heeler, went fur- sr and authorized contracts for the ar- mor for all the ships héretofore authorized and to be authorized tn-the present bill at 3545. This action was taken, he says, after a specific proposition te Mmit armor plate at that price to the “emergency armor” had been voted down. Mr. Wheeler says that all the members of the minority voted against the proposition. to authorize armor at that price for other ships. He announces that the fight will be earried on to the floor * the House. ee TAKING OF TESTIMONY SUSPENDED. Executive Session. of the House Mili- tary Affaire Committee. The taking of testimony in the Coeur d'Alene investigation péfore the House mil- itary committee was suspended this morn- ing In order that the committee might hold an executive session to determine how far the official record of the:proceedings should include the speeches amd personal contro- versy which has occurred of Iate. Representatives Lentz and Sulzer con- tended that everything should be included, with a record vote, imeluding names, on each division. It was decided, however, by a vote of 9 to 5 on party lines to keep the record down as far as possible to the actual questions, answers and votes: Subsequent- ly this was amended) So that all that has heretofore occurred will stand, but here- after the committee will determine as cir- cumstances arise wheter arguments and controversies shall be imcluded. During the discussiow eensiderable feeling Was manifested, and intimations were made by some of the members that they would. withdraw from the investigation because of the proposed ‘imitation of the record. No such action was taken, however. The open session went over until 2 p.m. eg eee House Committee on Commerce. The House commitiee om commerce today heard an n by John W. Ela of Chicago in favor rie bill to establish the department. of amgrce and industries, He supported the re in its amended form as reparted to’ the Senate by Senator Nelson. The committee olered a favorabie report-on the bill appropriating $20,000 to supplement the commercial exhibits gath- ia export museum, an ies “ the United Staten” pee KENTUCKY POLITICS Appointment Clerk Langley Talks Tu- terestingly on the Subject, GOEBEL LAW DID NOT WORK Election Machinery Could Not Be Manipulated Rapidly. AN ABSURD CHARGE —_+—_—_—_- Mr. John W. Langley, appointment clerk of the census office, and a life-long resident of the “blue grass’’ state, talked interest- ingly to a reporter for The Star today on the subject of polities in Kentucky. Mr. Langley comes from the mountains in Ken- tucky, and is familiar with the people and their political affillations. He said: “When all of this excitement shall have subsided, when the crimination and recrim- ination, now being indulged in by both pa: ties, shall have ceased and the truth ascer- tained, the facts can be summarized as fol- lows: The Kentucky elections of 95 and ’96 indicated that democratic supremacy in the state was permanently endangered. A tem- porary advantage in the legislature gave an opportunity to ‘fix’ the election law, so that the minority might rule. Hence the pas- sage of the Goebel law. Those who were back of this movement were over-contident of their power under the law, and there- fore some of the old and most popular lead- ers in the party were cast aside. Machinery Could Not Be Manipulated. “This caused such a revolt in the party that the election machinery, being new, could not be manipulated rapidly enough to overcome the large majority cast against the democratic nominees. Hence the move- ment to override the will of tne people by legislative action. The contest was based upon technical grounds, facts being alleged that did not influence the result of the elec- ton. For example, in the county of John- son, which is near my home, the same re- publican majority was cast for Gov. Taylor that was cast in '9} for President McKin- ley, and this majority is conceded to be the normal vote of the county. “Notwithstanding this faot, the vote of that county has been disregarded, because, it is alleged, the ballots were not printed on paper of sufficient thickness. The vote of several of the republican counties was challenged upon the same grounds, and th fact that in the democratic counties like ballots were used was disregarded by the legislature and by the contest board. The republicans naturally felt outraged at this proceeding, and many of them _ went to Frankfort to protest against {a During the excitement that followed some one who wanted Mr. Goebel's life took it, the con- ditions then prevailing affording the mur- derer an opportunity to escape punish- ment.” An Absur@®Charge. “What do you think of the charge that prominent republican officials and other leaders in the state were parties to a con- spiracy to assassinate Mr. Goebel?” | “I do not believe a word of it. The charge Is absurd on the face of {t. What political advantage could sane party lead- ers hope to gain by it? That the assassina- tion would do harm to the republican cause no man of common sense could have questioned. If Mr. Goebel, while living, had a chance to win the contest for the govern- orship his death under such circumstances would necessarily increase the chances for the success of the rightful political suc- cessor to his claims. If there was a conspi- racy, why should it have involved only the assassination of Mr. Goebel? There stood Mr. Beckham ready to take his place. Yet he walked the streets unmolested and un- guarded. A political conspiracy with any brains at all to guide it would certainly in- volve at least the possibility of some politi- cal advantage. The democratic contention is an absurdity, unless it be assumed that the alleged conspirators were idiots.” “TI believe your home fs in the mountains, which section appears to be receiving a large share of the blame for the present trouble in Kentucky.” Libel on the Mountain Region. “Tt 4s, sir, and I am proud of it. I want to say right here that all of this stuff that is being printed, reflecting on the mountain people, fs a libel and an outrage. In John- son county, to which I have elready re- ferred, there has only been one or two homicides within twenty years. The people in that county have always been accus- tomed to an honest ballot and a fair count, and are naturally incensed when it ts pro- posed to disfranchise them; but they are not lawless savages, as one would infer from reading the public press. On the contrary, they, like the baiance of the people in that section of the state, are a God-fearing, law-abiding, industrious, in- telligent, educated, Christian people, who are loyal to their state and jealous of their liberties. That country is dotted all over with school houses and churches, and every county ts filled with progressive and cultured young men and women, who would be a credit to even the capital city of the nation. It is true that there is an occasional crime committed in the moun- tain counties, but there are no more crimes there than in the average city, and not half so much immorality. There have been murders here in Washington since I have been here which, if they had occurred in the mountains of Kentucky, would have afforded sensational headlines in the yel- low journals about ‘the usual Kentucky murders.’ I do not assume the attitude of attempting to offer a defense for all that has happened and is happening in Ken- tucky. A Deplorable Condition. “It is, Indeed, in a deplorable condition, and all true Kentuckians deeply regret the situation. Neither do I desire to cast any reflection upon one section of the state in order to defend my own, but I desire to call attention to the fact that the cruel and outrageous manner in which the dis- tinguished young secretary \of state was treated, In open defiance of the law, when arrested the other day, did not occur in the mountains, but in the center of the ‘blue grass’ region. I sincerely hope that most of the trouble has already passed, and that Kentucky will soon show that much injustice has been done her in these critt- cisms in the public press. I, perhaps, should not have said anything to you for publication upon the subject, but being a mountaineer myself, and knowing the gross wrong that is being done the mountain people, I felt that I could not, in justice to myself and to them; remain silent while these things are going on.” SUSPECTS TAKEN TO FRANKFORT. Men Charged With Complicity in Mur- der of William Goebel. LOUISVILLE, Ky., March 16.—Officers started for Frankfort this morning with Secretary of State Powers, Captain John W. Davis, W. H. Culton and Harland Whit- taker, the four prisoners who are held as alleged accessories to the assassination of Governor Goebel. The men will be given a preliminary hearing at Frankfort. The de- parture was without. incident. As a result of mestings held by a number of prominent citizens of Louisville, it is an- nounced that ex-Goyernor John Young Brown has accepted the employment as chief counsel for the men arrested for the murd2r of -the late William Goebel. With him will be associated George Denny, W. C. P. Breckinridge and several others. —~ FRANKFORT, « Ky., March 16.—Caleb Powers, John Davis, W. H. Culton and Har- land Whittaker were brought here from joining his regiment in the Philippines. He Loutsville today in charge of Sh-riff Suter and deputies. A special detail of police and deputy sheriffs met them at the train and they were marched to the jail through the streets, which were lined with people, who anticipated their coming. There was no Gisorder and the prisoners greeted their friends pleasantly as they went to fail. The prisoners wer? arraigned before Coun- ty Judge Moore at 11 o'clock, and after some argument between the attorneys Haz- Up was released on $10,000 bond. Judge Moore set the 2xamining trials for Monday. County Attorney Polsgrove said he aid not think the state could get ready for trial by that time, and in case they did not he would ask a continuance of two days. ——++-____ GUARANTY COMPANIES. Mr. Jenkins’ Report Recomme: the Bill's Passage. Mr. Jenkins of Wisconsin, in his report on House bill 9143, to authorize the forma- tion of guaranty companies in the District of Columbia, says: “Under an act of Congress approved Oc- tober 1, 1890, corporations may be created in the District of Columbia to do a security, guaranty and indemnity business, but with a capital of not jess than $1,000,000. “This bill is to permit any company now authorized, or which may hereafter be au- thorized, by act of Congress to do an in- surance business in the District of Colum- bia, to engage in a security, guaranty and indemnity business, having a paid-up capital of not less than $250,000. “The reasons are many in favor of the passage of the bill. Parties now desiring bonds, or compelled to give security, have to ask for personal favors or take time to go outside of the District to obtain the necessary bond. It will be a great con- venience to parties doing business In the District and no harm or injustice can be done by conferring the power. The pas- sage of the bill has been urged by differ- ae oases of Anaiase and no objections atever have been presented to the com- mittee.” “ “ ARRANGING TO EXTEND TIME. Ratification of the West Indian Reci- Procity Treaties Has Been Delayed. Arrangements are being made for the ex- tension of the time allowed for ths ratifica- tion of the Jamaican reciprocity treaty and the other reciprocity conventions applying to the British West Indian Islands. These conventions contain about the same condi- tions as the French reciprocity treaty rela- tive to ratification. The time limit allowed for ratification expires at about the same time. So far as can be learned by the State Department, there is littl or no opposition to any of these British West Indian treaties, with the single exception of the Jamaican treaty, and opposition in that case is rap- idly disappearing as the actual scope of the trzaty becomes known, The fact that the French treaty has precedence on the Senate calendar over these other arrangements makes it necessary to extend the ume in that case If they are to be saved for further consideration. WILL COAL AT HONOLULU. Army Transports Will Stop on the Way to Manil Arrangements have been made by the offi- cers of the quart2rmaster's department whereby army transports on the line be- tween San Francisto and Manila will here- after touch at Honolulu vo take on coal. There are several vessels lad? with coal belonging to the government ahchored in the harbor of Honolulu and it has been de- cided to utilize this coal on the transports of th2 Pactfic fleet. The coal will be trans- ferred from vessel to vessel in the harbor, so that there will be no necessity for com- municating with the shore. The surgeon general of the marine hospital ssrvice ha: notified the army officials that the transfer of coal in the manner indicated will not his opinion, be attended with any dange: infection from the bubonic plague prev ing at Honolulu. Since th? appearance of the first case of plague at Honolulu the trans-Pacific transports have avoided the Hawaiian Islands and have crossed the Pacific without stop. The transport Meade, which will leave San Francisco tomorrow, probably, for Manila, will make the trip by way of Honolulu, where sh3 will take aboard about 1,000 tons of coal. OVERRUN WITH WORK. Applications for Exchange of Bonds and to Organize Banks. Treasury officials are overrun with extra work as a result of the passage of the financial bill. Applications for exchange of bonds for the new 2 per ce! are coming In rapidly. Since Wednesday the applica- ticns reach from $15,000,000 to $20,000,000. Nearly all of the applications are from na- tional banks, which find a profit in the ex- change. Private holders, however, are not in a hurry about an exchange. Many peo- ple persist in asking the question whether they are compelled to exchange their bonds whether they desire to do so or not. The law does not compel an exchange, and holders of old bonds can keep them as long as they desire. In the currency division of the treasury the banks are fast making application for the additional 10 per cent circulation pro- vided by the new law. There is likewise a Tush of applicants for permission to or- ganize nationa! banks in small towns with a capital of $25,000 or more. Co: Dawes is giving these careful attention, and is granting authority as fast as p7 ble. He granted authority ‘today for the organization of “first national banks” in the following places: Hennessey, Okla., $25,000; Newman Grove, Neb., $25,000; Assumption, IIL, $25,000; Ikast Brady. Pa., $25,000; Stonington, Ill., $25,000; Marlinton, W. Va., $25,000; Lumberton, N. C., $25,000; Brunswick, Md., Spring Valley, Minn.. $3.003; Dayton, towa, $25,000; Bellevue, Pa., $50,000; Montpelier, 1nd., $50,000, Applications to convert state banks to national banking asscciations were approv- ed as follows: “The State Bank of Carlyle, Il First National Bank of Carlyle, capital of $40,000. “The Farmers’ Bank of Weeping Water,” Neb., to “The City National Bank of Wee: ing Water,” with a caplial of $25,000, 2 BIG TORPEDO ADRIFT. to “The with a But the War Head Has Bcen Removed So It is Not Dangerous. A big whitchead torpedo is adrift some- where in the Potomac river between Fort Foote and Fort Washington. It was the one discharged from the bow tube of the Holland the other day, but, fortunatel; the war head was removed before the toi pedo was emitted. A reward has been of. fered~by the Holland company for the re- covery of the torpedo. Senate Steering Committee. Senator Allison, chairman of the repubil- can caucus of the Senate, today announced the steering committee on Porto Rican leg- islation. It is composed of Senators For- aker, Hale, Davis, McMillan, Spooner, War- ren, Kean. Cel. Davis Here on Leave. Col. Wirt Davis, 3rd Cavalry, is in the city on ‘leave of absence preparatory to is at the Ebbitt. ee Lieut. Blue to Be Fing Lieutenant. Lieut. Victor Blue, one of the heroes of the naval West Indian campaign during the Spanish war, has been selected as flag lieutenant to Rear Admiral Kempf, who is to have command of a division of ihe Asi- atic squadron. AT THE WHITE HOUSE The Briefest Cabinet Session in This Administration, NO BUSINESS WAS TRANSACTED None of the Members Had Any- thing to Submit. SOME OF TODAY’S CALLERS The shortest cabinet session ministration was held today. thirty-flve minutes and really was not @ session at all, for no business was trans acted. The absentees were Secretary Root, Attorney General Griggs and Postmaster General Smith. Each of the five members Present was asked if he had anything to submit. There was nothing, and, after talking a while, the members left the cab- inet room. Secretary Hay, who has been sick, was closely wrapped in a fur-trimmed overcoat. He had his dispatch book with him. Secretary Long had his well-known green bag, but the contents of both were harmless and uninteresting. Going to the Longfellow Exercises. President McKinley, accompanied by sev- eral members of his cabinet, will attend the Longfellow memorial exercises at the La- fayette Theater this afternoon. The Pres- ident has taken a warm personal interest in the efforts to erect a monument to Long- fellow. The Indian band of the Carlisle Indian Schoo! will compliment President and Mrs. McKinley with a concert at the White House tomorrow afternoon at 4 o'clock, This band will play at the exercises this afternoon, Some of the Preside: Visitors. Senator Cullom had a long“talk with the President this morning, going over a good deal of the political field with him. Senator Cullom ts from a state which is showing the strongest kind of opposition to a Porto Rican tariff. Republican leaders and news- Papers of Illinois are making dire threats, and nobody knows the situation better than Senator Cullom. He has received hundreds of letters and telegrams from his constitu- ents. Senator Spooner introduced two prominent Wisconsin citizens to the President. Thi were J. B. Treat, chairman of the republ can state central committee, and W. H. Froelick, secretary of state. Today's Army Nominations. The President today sent the following nominations te the Senate: War—For promotion in the volunteer army—Lieut. Col. T. R. Hamer, 37th In- in this ed- It lasted fantry, to be colonel; Maj. Charles T. Boyd, 37th Infantry, to be leutenant ; Capt. Benj. M. Koehler, 37th In- to be major; First Lieut. C. H. Sleeper, 37th Infantry, to be captain; See- ond Lieut. A. K. Baskette, 37th Infantry to be first lieutenant; Second Lieut. Wm. E. Utterback, 40th Infantry, to be first lieu- tenant. To be surgeon with the rank of major— Capt. A. D. Ghiselin, assistant surgeon, ith Caval To be assistant surgeon, with rank of captain—First Lieut. 8. O. Beasley, assist ant surgeon, i]th Cavalry. For appointn in the Porto Rico Regt- ment of Infantry—To be first lieutenant Second Lieut. Wm. W. Bessell, Porio Rico Rattalion: Lou . Bennett, late majo! 4th Illinois Volunteers; A. O. § n, late first licutenant, 4th Illinois V. s E. Locke of Ohio, John O. ginja and W. W. 1 la. To be second lie! nants—First Sergeant Terence Hamill, Troop L, Sth Cav United States army Oakee of Oh late sergeant Company F, 2vist New Ye Voluntee For promotion in th y of the United States: Caval ntenant Elvin R. Helberg, rst Heuten- ant. Navy: Marine Corps GOVERNMENT E Mr. Gallinger’s Rexolution of Inquiry in the Senate. Mr. Gallinger today introduced Senate a resolution, which was passed with- out debate, calling on the heads of the va- rious departments for information regard- ing the ages of government employes, aod calling for the number of those who ted for service. Th resolution fol- in the “Resolved, That the Secretary of State the Secretary of the Trensury, the tary of War, the Attorney General, retary of the Navy, the jor and the Sceretary y directed to communicate ate, at the e ments showing the ployed in the bureaus as clerks, messengers, following ages: Numb and nineteen, ine ty and twenty-nine, thirty and thirty-nine, tween _ forty forty-nine, sive; between fifty and fifi inclusive; between sixty and sixty-f clusive: between six betw inclusive; four, eighty, Inclusive, and abov number now on the rolls departments and bure: respective rma- her physics ot nently incapacitated, e: mentally, for the performance labor, in whole or in part Raise Hix Voice. The reading of the Alaska cod taken up by the Senate this morn o'clock, when there 109 of pages of the mammoth bill left Bate, who has undertaken to sce t entire bill is read, was in a seat front row early, and followed word for word. For a long time he was the only sena- tor present. After awhile Senator Tillman came in and occupied himself his desk. Stull later, Senator Bacon came in. The clerk was proceeding laboriously and in a low tone of voice. “Mr. President,” said Senator Bacon, “as the present function of the Senate is the reading of the Alarka code bill, 1 suggest - that it be read loud enough for senators to hear it” The clerk then raised his voice and Mr. Bacon retired to the cloak room. ——————— MR. WADSWORTH SELECTED. bill was re Senator the the the reader ed on the House District Com- mittee. Mr. Wadsworth of New York has been appointed to fill the vacancy on the House District committee occasioned by the death of Mr. Harmer of Penncylvania. Mr. Wadsworth is chairman of the com- mittee on agricu'ture amd is serving his seventh term in Congress. He came here in the Forty-seventh Congress, rema!ned during the Forty-eighth, and came back in the Fifty-second, serving continuously since then. He represents the thirtieth New ‘York district and lives in Geneseo. Appot