Evening Star Newspaper, March 31, 1900, Page 1

—————————— THE EVENING STAR. — PUBLISHED DAILY, EXCEPT SUNDAY ‘Temporary Busisess Office, 1109 Peansylvania Aveizs. The Evening Star Newspaper Compaay. S H. KAUPFMANN, Pres’t New York Office: 126 Tribans Bulllinz. Chicag> Office: Boyce Builliaz Londen Office: Trafaizar Baildiazs, Tralalrar Square. The Eveniag Star ts served to subscribers In the eity by carriers, on thelr own acceun!. at 10 cents per week, or 44 certs per month. Coples at the counter, 2 cents By mafl—anywhere in the United States or Canadsa—postuge prepald—S0 ceats ber month. Saturday Quintuple Sheet Star. #1 per year; with The Even ig Star. forelen pstage added. $3.08. ® 3 ‘All mall subscriptie: aA Smade known op apnil WASHINGTON, D. ©. SATURDAY, MARCH 31, 1900—TWENTY-SIX PAGES. was any blast at all, and if there was they could not tell its direction. 5 A piece of cotton wool placed in the for- ward slit of the middle of the sighting hood was drivn into the hood, but on either side it remained undisturbed. Contrary to predictions, there was no dnaculty in maintaining the four guns in the superimposed turrets in parallel; the shots were delivered almost in one spot. Owing to a fault In the 2lectrical connec- tions, which can easily be remedied, it was not possible to discharge more than three of the guns together, but the three shots at 1,000 yards dropped in the same plac> in the water. No trouble was experienced with the turning devices and other mechanism; everything worked with perfect smooth- ness. The same was true, according to Ad- miral Sampson, of the Kearsarge as a whole: everything, boilers, engines, steer- ing gear, functioned perfectly. BOUND TO THE PHILIPPINES ROBERTS’ LOSSES ———— British Commander Sends in Ad- ditional List of Casualties, ——<———— BOERS MADE A STOUT RESISTANCE Retreated When They Found Cav- alry on Their Flank. FROM MAFEKING NEWS LONDON, March 31.—The war office has | REASON WHY PORTO RICANS MUST posted the following dispatch from Lord Roberts, dated at Bloemfontein, March 30, evening: “Reports point to the enemy's leaving Brandfort and proceeding in a northerly direction. The casualties in yesterday's en- gagement were more numerous than at first reported. “Officers killed. 2: wounded. rank and file, killed, 10: wounded, 159; missing, 3.” Even the details of the engagement yes- terday at Karee siding station, a few miles south of Frankfort. fail to instill much in- terest. It appears to have been a one- Sided affair, although the Boers stoutly held their ground against a force three or four times thefr size for three hours, when, foreseving the danger of the British cavalry enveloping their flank, the burghers with- drew in good order on their main body at Brandfcrt, which, according to Lord Rob- erts, they seem later to have de linquish, with the view, doubtles cu a prepared position further north. ‘There will probably be a general shifting of camps on the part of the British, the new position being made the base of a further advance as soon as the railroad is prepared. SUFFER INJUSTICE. Speaker Henderson Writes Another Letter on the Subject to a Friend. CHICAGO, March 31.—A special to the Times-Herald from St. Paul says: “Speaker Henderson has followed up his letter to an Iowa constituent, scoring the Senate and the opponents of the Porto Rican tariff, with a second communication on the same subject, this time to a friend in Minnesota. The Speaker alludes to ‘The 10,000,000 savages in the Philippines’ and makes plain the assertion that the main thing the tariff men are fighting for is to establish the power of Congress to rule the so-called colonies outside of the Constitu- tion. He writes: ‘It is very important to have established the doctrine that we can treat our new pos- sessions in such cases as may seem best to the government, consulting its interests and the interests of the possessions that we are News From Mafeking. bound to take care of. The fighting against Lord Roberts teday reported to the war] the Porto Rican bill comes from greater in- office that he had received news from Col. | terests, that are not disturbed so much by the trade with Porto Rico, but who want free trade with the 10,000,000 of savages in the Philippines.”" Baden-Powell, at Mafeking, up to March 10, when the general health of the garrison and its spirits were good, the locally made gun, search light and ammunition were working WON BY THE LIGHT BLUES. well, the food was holding out well and the =: paper currence which The British com-| Cambridge Beats Oxford Easily In An- mander had ued was satisfactory. nual Boat Race. From Cape Town it is reported that Presi-| PUTNEY, England, March 31.—The fifty- dent Steyn has gone to Pretoria after, ac- seventh annual boat race between crews representing the universities of Oxford and cording to re all ugees British burghers refusing to join issuing an order that the Boer armies shall be shot. The storles of | Cambridge was rowed today over the usual however, are notoriously unre-| course, from Putney to Mortlake. Cam- ; cnere ix meager, | PTidge won most easily in 18 minutes 47 tee Se Thoma Natal lear. | Seconds, official time, Oxford being much cated the speedy clashing of the opposing | distressed and about twenty lengths be- armies. hind at the finish, Boer Story of the Fight. The race was favored by magnificent cROONST! me Free State, Fri- The bright sunshine attracted eg eaile oem heat ra ae erowds, which from an early hour , March 30.—Gen. Smuts today engaged Ri hed eee aces : Mafetkop, south of Brand on the bridges and on the build- them at bay for six hours. | ings overlooking the scene. Every point of = fought well. The casualties | Vantage was crowded, in spite of the gen- ee wes | eral belief Unat it would be a one-s raad will assemble at —_—_+<<-__ ~~ READY FOR GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE IMPORTANT VIRGINIA DECISION. Great Falls Power Bill Passes Mary- land Senate Today. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. Supreme Court Decides Valuation Commissioners Law Invalid. Special Dispatch to The E STATE HOUSE, ANNAPOLIS, M4d., RICHMOND, Va., March ‘1.—The su-| March 41.—The bill to extend and enlarge Pe of appeals of Virginia de- | the pow2rs of the Great Falls Power Com- cpinion yesterday morning, | pany of the Potomac passed the state sen- ugh it Chairman Judge Keith declaring | ate today and will now go to the governor for approval. This is known as the Gor- man bill and Its passage was contested by law The case that was chosen obnoxious valuation commissioner tonal t wat for te that of Lambert vs. Barley of | the friends of the Montgomery Power Alexandria. In this case, Mr. Lambert, who | Company. is stant cashier ef the Citizens’ Na-| The bill to grant a licens» to sell liquors tional Bank of Alexandria, declined to] to the hotel at Cabin John bridge, which answer questions propounded by Mr. Bar- | has already passed the house, was reported hey, the newly sioner for A 2 standing of an account of a customer of the bank. Mr. mbert was arre and on habeas corpus pro: leased on an order from the favorably in the senate today and will no doubt pass and be signed by the governor, as strong influences ar» exerted here for it. Senator Bouic of Montgomery county 1s opposed to the bill, but this opposition will doubtless prove unavailing. ++ < __ ted vr tefere that tribunal - aq . a TEhia’ declsto: OF conn PLANS OF SECTION IV. work the board crea’ Considered at a Meeting of the Dis- appoint ioners, ar office y about eighty- trict Highway Commission. ee ee Eas The District highway commission, of —_—~+--_____ which the Secretaries of War and the In- terior and Gen. Wilson, chief of engineers, are members, held a meeting at the War Department yesterday afternoon for the consideration of plans submitted by the District Commissioners for the extension EX-SENATOR SAWYER'S FUNERAL. Will Be Laid in Cemetery at Oshkosh, Win. Wis., March 31.—The funeral nator Sawyer will be held Sunday OSHKOSH of ex-' afternvon at the residence of his son, Ed- | 0f highways in section 4, comprising that gar P. Sawyer. The remains will lie in| portion of the District south and east of te from 1) a.m. to 1:% p.m., then the | the Eastern branch. Secretary Root was services will be conducted by the Rey. E. | elected chairman and Gen. Wilson acted H. Smith of the Congregational | a8 secretary. It was decided to have a Chureh. public hearing of all persons interested in the proposed improvements on the 14th y next, in order to hear and consider er objections there may be to the proposed plan of street extenstons. ee AN INVESTIGATION The Masonic and Odd Fellows order: which Mr. Sawyer was a member, wil! All the stat of at- officials will attend. and special trains will be run from Madison, Milwaukee and Marinette. The remams will be laid in a magnificent m: soleum that Mr. Sawyer erected some 3 ago in Riverside c this city. ORDERED. Contraband Liquor Alleged to Be Con- cealed in the Custom Houae. Secretary Gage has directed special agents of the treasury to make an investigation of the charges that Collector To!bert is concealing contraband liquor in the custom house at Charleston, in viola- tion of the dispensary law of South Caro- lina. Governor McSweeney telegraphed Secretary Gage for permission to have the custom house searehed by constables, but instead of doing this Secretary Gage or- dered an investigation. State constables are standing outside of the custom house to veize the whisky if it should be sent out. The South Carolina state officials claim that Collector Tolbert has long permitted evasions of the state laws. SSS PANA SURRE S TO KOBE. Chinese General Who Hax Been De- ing Province of Panay. MANILA, March 31.—The Chinese gen- eral Pana, who has been terrorizing and devastating the province of Panay, has sur- rendered at Legaspi to Brig. Gen. Kobbe, who is bringing him to Manila. CHICAGO, March 31—A special to the Record from Seattle say: Switzerland Hills, in the Philippine province of Tayabas, has given to the orient a veritable Joan of Arc. Castilian blood flows In her veins. Particulars of the little heroine's attempt at the Mberation of 700 starving Spanish soldiers, hemmed in the mountain fast- c xT! 3} - nesses held by the rebel general, Malvar, EAS FM Beses TERE WORK were received via the United States trans- art. port Garonne, which reached this port from | Recommendations as to Navy Depart- ment Employes. Secretary Long has recommended to Con- gress that the employes of the Navy De- partment be paid for their excess time in office from January 1, 1898, to January 30, 1800. This is In conformity with the rec- ommendations made by the Sccretary of War and the Secretary of the Treasury as to the employes in their respective de- partments. The Secretary of State will make a similar recommendation. The Sec- retary of War led the way in this matter, calling the attention of Congress to the extra labors imposed upon the employes of the War Department during the Spanish war through the necessity of keeping many of the bureaus open for most of the twen- ty-four hours of the day, and tt has been urged that Congress will make suitable pro- vision for the reward of these employes. In the case of the Navy Department the estimate of cost is placed at $40,000. ——_—_-o+______ To Clean the Statues. Mr. Roberts has introduced in the House joint resolution 219, providing that the sum ‘of $10,000 be appropriated, out of any mon- eys in-the treasury not otherwise appropri- ated, for the purpose of cleaning and other- wise renovat.ng the statues and busts in and a®ut the United States Capitol build- Manila. ‘This heroine was Senora Pedro Gamunil, wife of a second Ifeutenant, who fought by her side. Angered and tormented beyond further endurance, she planned the assault end led the charge herself. With sticks for ‘weapons they charged their keepers, cap- tured their guns and were about to regain their freedom when overwhelming numbers ©f their tormentors caused them to give up. ——_++ DOUBLE TURRET SATISFACTORY. Admiral Sampson Reports Regarding the Ran of the Kearsarge. Admiral Sampson, who was aboard the Kearsarge during her last run out to sea, arrived here this morning from Fort Mon- foe on his way north to Boston. The ad- miral witnessed the test of the double tur- ret, a feature of naval architecture pecu- liar to the United States navy. The test settled complecely all doubts as to the prac- ticability of that idea. According to Ad- miral Sampson, none of the predicted faults of the sysiem developed. It had been con- tended that tke blast of the S-inch guns superimposed above the big 12-inch guns would make it impossible to operate the latter, and that no man could live in the lower turret. As a matter of fact the blast was so light that two officers stationed in the two sighting hoods on the lower turret Were unable to agree as to whether there AROUSED A STORM Commissioner Wigh«’s Statement Be- fore a Congressional Committee. REFERENCE 0 IRISH AND NEGROES A Circular Being Distributed Broadcast in the City. QUESTION OF APPOINTMENT —————— The topic of general conversation today was the attitude of District Commissioner John B. Wight regarding the colored peo- ple of the District and the Irish and Ital- ians as well, which was taken to be indi- cated in some of his statements made recently before the subcommittee of the House committee on appropriations having in charge the District appropriation bill for 1001. ‘The pub‘icity given the matter was due to a circular issued yesterday containing Commissioner Wight's remarks, and it is believed the discussion in progress and to follow, and which, it is stated, will be vigorously participated in by the colored, Irish and Italian citizens and the social re- formers as well, may have an important bearing on the question of the commission- erships which the President must shortly settle. The utterances for which Mr. Wight is being criticised by the classes mentioned were made February 20 last before the sub- committee which is composed of Repre- sentatives W. W. Grout, H. H. Bingham, J. T. McCleary, John M. Allen and M. E. Benton. The section of the bill relating to the metropolitan police was under consid- eration. On page 49 of the printed report of the hearing occurs the following: Refore the Committee. Mr. Wight—“I say it with all kindness, but I state it as a fact, that the %),000 eclored people here are equal to the crimi- nal conditions in any city. They regard life as of no value whatever.” The chairman—“But they are not safe crackers. : “They are wors vester—*We had eighteen mur- st year. We captured some of the most notorious criminals in the United States in tne District. We had rests.” Mr. Wight—‘And to handle these 90,000 colored people, with the Irish and Italians s a and other class that here and in considerable numb: speaks well, I think, for the police department, and I will defy any city in this country to show better handled prostitutes than is shown here. You never see these women flaunting themselves on the street. You never of men being solicited on the stre ew York and other cities. confined to one section; the ed and are cared for in in London, so as not to be a disgrace to the city or disagreeable in any and that fs done in the first district with vi few men, and the women are kept from going into ular alluded to has been widely s, it is said, having intention of the people to circulate petitions to the dent against. Commissioner Wight's ntment, and calls have been already ssued for indignation meetings, the first of which will be held tomorrow at the Second Baptist Church, and be conducted by R. W. Thompson. Mr. Wight's Explanation. Referring to the statement made by him before the House committee on appropria- tions during the recent discussion of the District appropriation act, in which he said: “The 90,000 colored people here are equal to the criminal conditions in any‘city. They regard life as of no value whatever,” Dis- Commissioner John B. Wight a renorter of The Star today aking the statement, he referred criminal classes, and not to the . Wight, for an increased e statement refer only to the criminal class r ored population, and not to the race as a whole. Any other construction the statement made by me is wholly unwar- ranted, and tl explanation also true as to what I said about our Irish and Italian population.” Mr. Calvin € Mr. W. Calvin Chase expressed his views on the subject of the circular to a reporter for The Star this morning, and in the course of his conversation said: “Mr. Wight has made an unwarranted at- tack upon the 90,000 colored people in this District. We have some of the most re- fined and cultured people of color in this city that you can find anywhere in this country. We pay taxes on over $12,000,000 worth of property. We have the same five senses that the white man possesses. We assist In paying the salary Mr. Wight and his family enjoy. He has never had any fair estimate of the colored race. He show- ed this in a speech he made at Shiloh Bap- tist Church, when he described the negro's record as driver, bootblack and coachman. Mr. Wight will not deny this. “The negroes of this country have the highest respect and consideration for Pres- ident McKinley, continued Mr. Chase, ‘and are faithful to him and to his admin- istration, but in view of Mr. Wight’'s attack upon us the question now fs, does the Pres- ident want the negro or Mr. Wight? “Mr. Wight does not only livel the negro, but the Irish people, who are good and loyal citizens, and the Italians as well. Does the President want the Irish or Mr. Wight? Does he want the Italians or Mr. Wight? e's Views. Races Aroused. Mr. Wight’s reference to the colored, Irish and Italian population of the District was the subject of general discussion in the vicinity of the District building and the city hall today, and the members of the three races made no concealment of an in- tention to take the matter before the Presi- dent. It was stated by more than one Irishman that the Ancient Society of Hibernians intends to take official notice of the Commissioner's reference to the Irish local population, and it {gs said this will be done at the meetings of the various branches of this society tomorrow. The organization is looked upon as the most powerful of its kind in the country, it being claimed that fully nine-tenths of the Irish-Americans hold membership therein. It is in close intimacy with the Catholic Church, and It is claimed by its members that it has the entire approval of the church, and that it will have its sympathy, if not active co-operation, in the society's expected movement against Mr. Wight be- cause of his alleged reflection against Irish- men. "Dhe cotored people are said to be no less insulted because of Mr. Wight’s remarks, and today they did not hesitate to declare that they will use every endeavor to defeat his renomination. If nominated for a sec- ond term by the President, they assert, with every degree of confidence, that they will bring such influence and pressure to bear upon the republican members of the Sen- ate as to sevure his rejection. This is said by them to be not the first time Mr. Wight has reflected upon the negro race, and it is contended by not a few of the local colored men that he has done not half as much for them as has his democratic assatiate, Com- missioner Ross. In this connection they point to the fact that not one colored man has during Mr. Wight's term been appoint- ed a membe- of the fire department, and that he recently expressed his satisfaction with the present sule regarding appoint- ments in this department. This rule, the colgred people assert, is to prevent the appointment of a negro, and they declare that during the past ten or twelve years but one colored man has been made a member ef the fire department, and that he resigned in less than a year. Whether the ItaHan-Americans of the District will take action tn the movement against Mr. Wight,@s a race, does not ap- pear so certain, but it is said that these people feel that Mr. Wight has not treated them with as much consideration as he might have shown.them, claiming that he has been particularily severe on the Italian and Greek fruit venders. It was difficult to obtain any direct expression from these people today in the matter, although they did not hesitate to say that Mr. Wight's allusion to them was neither warranted nor called for. Attorney Sillers. Attorney Albert Billers, in discussing Commissioner Wight's utterances,:talked to a Star reporter as follows: “I am proud to say I am Irish, and since my birth have resided in this city. I was greatly sur- prised to learn that Mr. Wight had classed so many representative eitizens as law- breakers, for a great many such citizens are Irish and negroes, and Italians as well. I would like Mr. Wight to tell the public how many ‘Irish’ murderers are now in our jail, and if within his recollection one Irishman has been convicted of an infamous crime. The Irish are a law-abiding people and a credit to every clig in which they Iccate. And as to the negroes, I will say, what every intelligent man will say, that they have made wonderful advances since the war, and full credit should be giyen to them for their efforts. Gur departments are full of them, and those who are Inwyers and in other professions here compare fa- vorably with the whites. “Mf. Wight’s as- persions are as unwarranted as they were unwise.” _ Colored Men's Opinions. E. M. Hewlett said today: “If what ap- peared in the public press this morning concerning a statement alleged to hav2 been made by Commissioner Wight before a committee of Congress be true he has insulted all of the respectable colored peo- ple of the District and is not a proper per- son for reappointment asa Commissioner. Attorney Thomas L. Jones, colored, said today of the question: “It would seem to m2 that there is no other alternative or course for the President to.take than that of removing Commissioner Wight from the position that he new; occupies. The libelous, false and outragedus charge that he has made against the 90,000 colored peo- pl> of this District, without any exception, and his unjust arraignment and crimina- tion of the Irish and Italians is beyond ex- cuse and is reprehensible in the extreme. These false statements deserve the rebuke of the administration by his removal forthwith. To permit him to remain in the high position which he now occupies would give seeming credence to his utter- ances and the people thus libeled would be branded as worse than safe crackers and the colored portion as- murderers. “The colored people of tnis Distriet are, as a general rule, law-abiding citizens. Like all other races, we have among us the good and the bad. I say without fear of succes ful contradiction that the negroes of this District for intelligence, progress and de- votion to law and order compare favorably with any other race. Sofas I have been uble to observe L have seen nothing in the life of the Irish or Italia that would war- rant such a broad charge.” f — ee DEATH OF DAVID H. BOUIC. Prominent Citizen of Rockville, Md., Pasnen Away Today. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. ROCKVILLE, Md., March 31.—David H. Bouic, a well-known merchant of this place, died here about 1 o'clock today, in his seventieth year. He had been {ll about & week of a complication of pneumonia and other troubles. He is survived by three grown daughters. Mr. Boule was a native of this and for the past forty-eight years dent of Rockville. In politics he was a democrat and many years ago held the po- sition of justice of the peace and post- master of Rockville under that party. For many years he was a cosststent_ member of the Baptist Church, county a resi- —_>+ > TAXATION OF OLEOMARGARINE. Hearings Continued Before a House Subcommittee. The subcommittee of the House commit- tee on agriculture :s continuing its hear- ings on the Grout bill to further tax oleo- margarine, colored in imitation of butter. Today the opponents of the-bill were heard. During the discussion Mr/"Bailey of Kan- sas, a member of the committee, sald he had recently vssited the Center Market in this city seeking for oleomargarine passing for butter. : . He had found butter. selling for 40, 35, 28 and 25 cents a pound, but no oleomargarine. Below 25 cents he had found the oleomar- garine, which was sold as such. He yen- tured to say that no butterine-was being sold in Washington as pure &s butter. “That's because a couple of such dealers are in the penitentiary,” said Mr. Lamb of the committee, “for violating the law against i WILL BE DELAYED. Instructions to the Philippine Com- mission Not Ready. fgr Publication. Secretary Root said today that the in- structions to the Philippiné commission will not be made public at present, as it is de- sired to keep them open for possible change or addition untt! the last ‘moment. Conse- quently the final written instructions to the Commissioners will not be delivered until the day of their departure from San Fran- cisco for Manila, Apwil 15. » ——__—__+ e+_____- CHIEF CLERK GADSDBN DEAD. Wax Connected With, Maney Order System, P. 0. Department. Edward Miles Gadsden, chief clerk of the Postal money order system, Pest Office De- partment, died at his home, 4737 Corcoran street, this morning. He was appointed from Georgia to a <lerkship through the civil service in 1884 €nd was promoted from grade to grade until, under the late demo- cratic administration, Be was made su- perintendent. In 1999 he was a member of a commission sent to Cyba te.organize the money order service fer that island, and upon his return was sent on a similar neis- sion to Porto Rice. it his official life he has been held inthe highest esteem by his assoctates. 3 —_—-__ Dr. Hans Richter Resigns. VIENNA, March 31.—The high chamber- lain has accepted the resignation of Dr. Hans Richter, director of: the imperial opera, and has appointed Prof. Hellmers- befger as his successor. © ——++s—_—_ British Ships at Taku. TIEN TSIN, China, March 31.—The Brit- ish second-class cruiser Hermione and third-class cruiser Brisk have arrived at Taku. Bs oF Win Enforce Russian Demands. YOKOHAMA, March $1.—The Japanese press asserts that the Russian squadron is still at Chemulpo, and that it_will probably proceed to 10 to enforce the de- believed that in the mands made. It event of Corea yl Japan will demana imilar the Corean coast. TWO CENTS. THE FORTUNE BRINGER.. Frequent and constant advertising brought me all I own.—A. T. Stewart. HE FAVORS A TARIFF Senator Fairbanks Supports the Porto Rican Bill. BEST METHOD OF RAISING REVENUE Declares That Sugar Trust Wants Free Trade. HE ISLAND’S FUTURE Senator Fairbanks said in part, in speak- ing on the Porto Rico bill in the Senate to- day ‘Mr. President, there are two principal questions which lie at the very foundation of the pending bill. One is a question of congressional power and the other a ques- tion of national policy. So much attention has been devoted to the constitutional ques- tion that scant consideration has been given to the question of policy, and the urgency of the situation as respects relief for the Porto Ricans has been very largely over- looked.” Mr. Fairbanks presented some generaliza- tions with respect to the power of Congress over Porto Rico based upon what he re- garded as “the overwhelming weight of au- thority and sound reason.” . “Tne necessity of providing revenue for the support of the island was more mani- fest the more familiar we became with the actual conditions prevailing, and with what was needed to rehabilitate it. Upon a closer and more minute inquiry it seemed impossible, or at least inadvisable, to at- tempt to raise the entire amount required to support the insular administration by a direct tax upon the people. Adverting to the provisions of the pend- ing bill, Mr. Fairbanks said: “4ue statement has been frequently made that the duties were modified and imposed at the dictation of the sugar and tobacco trusts. Those on the opposite side of the chamber have frequently referred to the action of the committee as having been inspired by some mysterious, occult influ- ence for 4n obvious purpose. “Let us briefly analyze the situation. The interest of the trusts—if interest they have —is limited to the two articles—sugar and tobaco—which are exported to the United States. Interest of the Sugar Trust. “The sugar trust, as we are advised, is interested chiefly, if not exclusively, in the 1efining of sugar. “Is it, therefore, interested in the ques- tion as to whether raw sugar purchased in Porto Rico shall be admitted into the United States free or with a tariff of 15 per cent of the Dingley rates imposed upon it? “The least observant mind must perceive that it is interested in the absolute free ad- mission of raw sugar, and that ft is, in the very nature of things, opposed to the im- position of any duty whatever. It is incon- ceivable that it would advocate the impo- sition of a duty ‘upon its raw product,’so as to increase the price thereof to ftseif, unless we attribute to it less sagacity than it is supposed to possess. “It 1s estimated that there is at present in Porto Rico some ten thousand tons or more of raw sugar uwaiting shipment to the United States upon the reduction or entire removal of the Dingley rates. “If a duty of 15 per cent of the Dingicy duties is paid upon this sugar and other sugars which, are purchased by the trust and those in like interest, who will be the beneficiary; that is to say, for whose bene- fit is the money paid at the custom house? It will not go into the treasury of the United States, but will be used for the ex- clusive benefit of Porto Rico. This contri- bution for the support of the insular gov- ernment will not be n-ade by the masses of the people, but will be contributed, in a very large measure, by the sugar trust, or by the wealthy Spanish importers. Gen. Davis informs us that: ‘A large part of the mercantile and exporting houses are owned and conducted by Spaniards, men who, un- der the treaty, prezerve their Spanish na- tionality.” “What is said with respect to the sugar pest applies with equal torce to the to- acco trust. It is interested, if at all, in the absolute free admission of tobacco. The removal of the entire duty and unrestrietcd free trade would undoubtedly meet with its cordial and enthusiastic approval. Can there be the remotest possible ground to doubt this? Sugar Trust a Plaintiff. “A few weeks ago a suit was brought against the collector of customs In the city of New Yori to recover some $2,000,000 col- lected on imports from Porto Rico, upon the ground that the Constitution extended to Porto Rico and that the duties could not be lawfully collected. The plaintiffs suing are Lawrence, Turnure & Co., Amierican Sugar Refining Company, L. W. & P. Arm- strong, Muller, Schall & Co., John Farr and Melchor, Armstrong & Dessau. One of the principal parties, it will be seen, is the American Sugar Refining Company, which is the corporate name of the sugar trust. Of the amount collected, 90 per cent, or, some $1,900,000, represent the duties paid on sugar and tobacco. “To maintain the suit, the sugar trust de- nies the constitutional power of the United States to collect any duty whatever. The opposition would have us believe that while the trust was in the courts denying the constitutional power of Congress to impose any duties upon the raw sugars imported by it at New York it was in Washington advocating before Congress the imposition of a duty upon sugar. I do not believe that any one will fail to understand how utterly contradictory and absurd the proposition is. “Tha only legislation suggested in the present Congress which was in the interest of the sugar and tobacco trusts was pro- posed by the senior senator from Arkansas (Mr. Jones), who introduced an amendment proposing to refund to those who had paid it the $2,000,000 collected on imports from Porto Rico. Ths money, if the senator's amendment had been adopted, would be returned to the sugar and tobacco trusts and other importers now suing the gov- ernment. Interests of Porto Ricans. “The money collected from the trusts and importers in Naw York has recently been appropriated by act of Congress and will in a few days be sent to Porto Rico, to be expended in public works, in the cause of education and in granting relief to the poor people requiring it. “For one, I would r2gard myself recreant to the trust committed to me and false to the best interests of the people of the United States if I did not by my vote com- pel these trusts and their allizd interests to pay some part of maintaining the Porto Rican government, which they do pay un- der the duty upon their raw products, rather than increase the direct taxes upon the peopl In the island, or, in the alterna- tive, appropriate it from the treasury of the United States. “Mr. President, it has not escaped public attention that a lobby from Porto Rico has been maintained here during the con- sid2ration of the pending bill. It is headed by a British subject who has been insistent for free trade between Porto Rico and the United States and who Is one of the largest producers of sugar in the Island, over $800,000 invested in his prises. It is quite natural that desire that his product should reach the See market without any duty what- ever.” The Istand’s Future. tistics After pointing out that the proposed tariff {| south. shall cease absolutely on March 1, 1902, and that as soon as the Porto Rican as sembly shall have put into operation a sys- tem of loca! taxation the commerce between the island and the United States shall be free, Mr. Fairbanks concluded: “We should consider the subject before us in no flliberal or dogmatic spirit. No matter what shades of opinion there are with respect to the best course to be pur- sued and the wisest measures to be adopt- ed with respect to Porto Rico, there is per- fect unity of purpose among all parties GREAT ACHIEVEMENT —— Chairman Hitt on the “Open Door” Negotiations. here to provide the most liberal form of government and just laws under which may be promoted in the very highest degree her we'fare. “It is not given to finite mind to read her future, but we may believe that, under the inspiration of republican laws and under the impetus of American example, her peo- ple will grow in knowledge, strength and power and forever bless the great republic.” AT THE WHITE HOUSE SENATOR ELKINS TALKS ON THE —PORTO RICAN BILL. In Satisfied That the Amended Meas- ure Will Become Law. Senator Elkins was at the White House today talking for a long time with the President about the Porto Rican tariff measure. The senator is heartily support- ing the amended bill and ts sanguine of its passage by Congress. He said today that only six republican senators will vote against the bill, and that it will pass the Senate Tuesday by a majority of from eight to twelve. He predicts that it will go through the House in less than two days and become law by next Thursday or Fri- day. The President is. represented to be fully pleased with the amended Senate bill, and will sign it immediately on reaching the White Hous Senator Foraker was with the President a few minutes, probably for a short confer- ence on the Porto Rican bill. About 200 members of the Library Asso- ciation of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and this city were received by the President in the east room. There were numerous other visitors. oflicial and unofficial. Representative Weaver of Ohio saw the President about Ohio affairs. Mr. Weaver's renomination is being contested, but it is said he will win. The Presid opinion of Mr. Weaver, and i him kindly in his contest. Representatives Morris, Dolliver, and others saw the President. Today's Nominations. The President today sent the following nominations to the Senate: Regular army—For promotions, first lieu- tenants to be captains: Chas. Miller, 16! Infantry; John R. Seyburn, Sth Infantry; T. O. Murphy, 10th Infantry. Kahn Second lieutenants to be first lieutenants: C, E. Morton, 22d Infantry; V. Wills, 12th Infantry; E. L. D. Breckinridge, 7th in- key Gustave Moret of Porto Rico, late acting assistant surgeon, United States army, to be assistant surgeon, with rank of first Heutenant. ———-e- WRECKED SPANISH VESSE: Secretary of the Treasury Has Au- = thority in the Maiter. Attorney Géneral Griggs has given an opinion to the Secretary of ihe Navy to the effect that the Secretary of the Treasury | has complete authority in the matter of the dispbsition of the wrecks of the Alphonso XI and other Spanish vessels along the shores of Cuba. The opinion of the Attor- ney General on this question is of more than ordinary importance from the fact that it Involves primarily the question of United States jurisdiction over the terri- tory in question. se CONSPIRACY IN BRAZIL. Army Officers Planned to Overthrow the Republic. An official of the State Department has furnished some interesting details in re- gard to the recent attempt of a clique of Brazilian army officers to incite a revolu- tion and establish monarchial government in Brazil. The plan of action, the official says, was to create a military riot in front of the president's palace, during which President Campos Sellas was to be assassinated, an officer of the revolutionary band declared ruler and Brazil proclaimed a monarchy. It seems, however, that, owing to informa- tion furnished by an army officer fully cog- nizant of the brewing conspiracy, the pres- ident was at all times fully aware of the plans and progress of the reyolutionists. Two very prominent generals of the Bra- zilian army were involved in the plot, but, except for their small following, the army stood firm for the president, and the pro- ject came to naught but punishment for the conspirators. ————e+—______ New Consul to Santos. Dr. J. J. Girimondi, who was yesterday confirmed as consul to Santos, Brazil, is of Italian birth, but has been in this country for a number of years, and has done excel- lent service among his countrymen in be- half of the republican party. He had the support of the entire California delegation in Congress, both in the Senate and House, of Senator Davis, chairman of the commit- tee on foreign relations, of Justice Mc- Kenna and of many influential men throughout the country. Dr. Girimondi is @ gentleman of fine scholarly attainments and a master of several languages. It is said that he is the first Italian-born Ameri- can citizen to be intrusted with such an important post as Santos, which is one of the main ports of Brazil, its exports of coffee and rubber giving it great prom- inence from a commercial standpoint. The Health Officer's Bi Mr. McMillan today introduced in the Senate a bill to amend the law relating to the disposal of certain refuse in the Dis- trict of Columbia. It is the bill prepared by the health officer and approved by the Co! loners. 2+ ______. Ordered to Duty as Fleet Surgeon. Medical Inspector J. C. Boyd, who has been chief assistant to the surgeon general of the navy for several years past, has been ordered to duty as fleet surgeon of the North Atlantic squadron, and will joint the flagship April 25. He will be succeeded as assistant to the surgeon general of the navy by Surgeon J. D. Gatewood, who formerly served in that bureau. ——— Capt. Munson Wins a Prize. Capt. B. L. Munson, assistant surgeon, has been awarded a prize of $100 in gold for the best discussion of an ideal ration for an army in the tropics. The contest was open to regular and volunteer officers. The board of award consisted of Gen. J. F. of the subsist en Ticat, Col, Charles Smart of the medical department and Lieut. William E. Dougherty, 7th Infantry. $+ To Gather Sugar Statistics. ‘The director of the census has appointed Alcee Boucheredu of New Orleans a special agent of the census bureau to gather sta- concerning the sugar industry in the POSSIBLE ONLY 10 A NEUTRAL POWER Fair Field Assured for Our Trade in China. SHOULD GREATLY INCREASE ———— The transmission to Congress of the cor- respondence relating to the Chinese open door negotiations has not aroused the inter- est which the importance of the matter might warrant. The fact that the infor- mation conveyed to Congress has all been anticipated, except as to the exact purport of some of the letters of commitment from the powers, and that there was nothing threatening nor dramatic attending the ne- gotiations, has led to the matter passing without much comment. Yet men who make a study of international questions look upon the successful negotiations of the open door as perhaps the greatest triumph of this administration. Mr. Hitt of MIllino's, chairman of the House committee on foreign affairs, says he regards it as the greatest event of the year. What is Secured to Ux. By this negotiation,” he said, speaking of the matter today, “is accomplished what none but a great neutral power lke the United States could bring about. It ts a matter of greatest importance to the whoie world, and opens to us a fair field for de- velopment of our trade in the east and will inevitably result in the building up of a great commerce for us on the Pacific, With- out sacrificing anything, without paying any price, we are assured the continuance of all the commercial privileges granted in early treaties with China, and we are guar- anteed the recognition of equal privileges with other nations within the so-called spheres of influence acquired or to be ac- quired by the several powers, and the en- joyment of whatever privileges are granted other nations in the future. It is a broad ‘favored nation’ clause with reference to oriental trade, guaranteed to us by the great powers. It is not like a mere treaty with some weak government which might not be able to maintain its own independ- ence of action; it is a compact with the great powers of the world. Equal Tranxportation Facilities. “The guarantee of equal trans facilities, without discrimination, T the lines of transportation into tbe interior ts of immense value. It means the opening up of that vast field to our trade. The magui- tude of the thing accomplished ts hardly appreciated, on account of theapparentease with which it was done. It was not at- tended with hostility or contention, but was brought about with no more shock of er lion than attends the rising of th; is a mighty movement upward. nation could ha for the other powers are rtation ov P tide, It No other ve secured the agreement, contending for spheres of influence and eagerly watching each otner lest one should sec tage in the struggle for possesst a neutral power like the Unite could propose such an agreement witho: exciting suspicion and doubts as to the motive, and Mr. Hay has managed the mat- ter with great ability. The reserve and caution with which the several governments committed themselves is merely an ev! dence of the magnitude of the question and the great consequences involved, and the agreement was possible only because of the confidence the other powers have in the frankness and openness of purpose of this government. “I remember John Russell Young to me that being admitted into the council of the Chinese government the Chinese of- ficials said to him that they could discuss ith him and frankly disclose their an advan- ine policy, because the United States was not seeking to find something of value in China to seize and claim possession of. Checked by Own Legisiati “At one time our trade with China was developing rapidly, and we had a valuable commerce, bftt this development was check- ed by our own legislation. It is again re- viving, and through the operation of this agreement a vast trade should open up to us, and the commerce of the Pacific be- come of great value. Hawaii ts the half- way house. The possession of this island and of the Philippines should give us com- mand of the eastern trade. There has been a considerable development of our Pacific commerce since the acquisition of Hawaii. The growth of Honolulu since the islands were annexed to the Untted States has been phenomenal. The plague has re~ tarded it a little for the moment, but a recent census showed that that little city hed grown to 43,000 population. The im- petus given to the Pacific commerce and the guarantee of equal commercial privi- leges in China, secured by the assent of the powers, should give us a trade in that quarter of inestimable value. —____-++—_—_ STATE DEPARTMENT PROMOTIONS. Changes Resulting From es a a Several important changes were made to- day in the Department of State, as the re- sult of the resignation of Mr. Frank A. Branigan, disbursing officer and chief of the bureau of accounts, who has been ap- pointed disbursing officer of the Philippine ccmmission. Mr. Thomas Morrison of New York is appointed chief of the bureau of ac- counts, Mr. Charles H. Campbell of the District of Columbia is promoted from $1,600 to $1,800 per annum, Mr. James R. O’Bryon of the District of Columbia from $1,400. to $1,600, oe ee Mary Greer of Ohio from $900 to ,. All these promotions were based on strict civil service principles. Mr. Morrison, the new chief of the bureau of accounts, is a ity ever since, mostly in the u of ac- counts. He is the senior clerk in his grade and in length of service in his bureau.