Evening Star Newspaper, May 1, 1900, Page 2

2 CANAL BILL TAKEN UP! Its Discussion Begun in the House by Mr. Hepburn. POINTS OUT THE NATIONAL DEMAND Alaska Code Bill Passed by the Senate. _——— BILL DEBATED ——— ARMY Under the order made by the House last today and tumorrow were set aside teration of the Nicaragua bill. Before the special order was i up the Speaker announced the resig- £ Mr. Shafroth (Col.) from the com- ation, and the appointment King (Utah) to the vacancy; also ytment of Mr. Capron (R. 1) as a of Mr vice Mr. Olmstead (Pa.), re- Hepburn (Iowa), chairman of the committee on interstate commerce, in charge of the Nicaragua canal bill, then sought reach an agreement about the length of general debate and the division of time. Mr. Hepburn suggested that general de- bate should be cic d today. Mr. Cannon (ll.), chairman of the com- mittee on appropriations, thought that hait of the time should be controlled by those who were against any canal bill at this ses- sion. Mr. Hepburn thought that Mr. Shackle- ford (Mo.), who made the minority report, should control the opposition, as he bad a substitute proposition to offer. To this Mr. Cannon would not assent, as he said that Mr. Shackleford was under certain conditions in favor of a bill at this gession. Those who were opposed to any Dill at this session, he contended, should control one-half of the time. Mr. Fletcher (Minn.), a member of the committee, said he was opposed to the pas- sage of the bill at this session and he in- sisted upon an opportunity to be heard. Mr. Shackleford declared t no member dared, wr, to say he wa posed to the building of a canal at any time and under all circumstance Some temper was di el by Mr. Can- ph mon and Mr. Hepburn, and the House finally went f i e of th whole to con- sider r. Cooper (Wis. in the chair, witho y agreement as to the general detate or the division of Tength of with the understanding that a for debate should be held to- wil was then read. Hepburn then offered the amend- © committee substituting thi = £ ‘defer Mr. Hepbur ment In le the opening argu- bi The subj now before thi he said, had been eneaging the at of the coun for fty-four years. It was now almost ex- actly that number of years since the pro- Ject of an inter: C nal was first broached. Since then volumes had been ches had en some ome party in particular cular time. nd how twice committee had esition with appre then the ap unted off the lations main prop- for investiga- tions. “And. now again he continued. “we gee some of th men, notal Sentie who has twice before feated action, standing her this Is net the auspicious moment Mr. Hepburn reviewed the whole history of the canal project, the various examin ions and surveys of the route by the vari- ous commissions appoin Including the Walker commission of last year, which has made {ts ‘All the reports were practically unanimous in favor of the Nicaraguan route. Speaking of the Cl on-Bulwer treaty, and the objection raised to the project on the ground that {t was still in foree, Mr. Hepburn declared, amid a general outburst of applause, that the Interests of the Amer- fcan people in the canal had become so great that they would refuse to be bound longer by a barrier imposed by another generation half 2 century ago. Existing Franchises. Regarding existing franchises, Mr. Hep- burn said there had been a wonderful traffic in franchises by Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Whenev the treasuries were low those countries sold franchises. In all, twenty: seven had been granted during the last fifty years. The owners of these franchises always had something to sell. This bill rec- ognized and dealt with none of them. As to the Panama canal, Mr. Hepburn ex- Pressed the opinion that it would never be easible for the United Sta addition to the physical obstacles to its completion, loubied whether the United States couid it btain control ant,” said he, “and I think the Amer- fean people want, an American canal, which can, if nec minate in favor of our own our mmerce the advantag nmerce of ot tries. @ are ente! the most in the history of tim: and m of the American pew : i have their full share of the world’s comm war control. the canal, when completed, under I dv got want our hands tied ore We enter the contest.” f we pass this bill and t ifles thi y- unecefote treaty, the pro- visions of conflict with it,” Interrupt- ed Mr. Clark (Qfo.), ‘which ‘would take nate then Mr. Hepburn. the law woud at treaty cried xentiemen hall. from various ide to protect the canal the -Pauncefote treaty would give England ir. Clark. responded Mr. Hepburn, would be unfortunate for visions of my bill. But if the House i esentatives by an rwhelming Yote declares the policy of the American People to be for an Amertcan canal, un- frammeled by entangling alliances, no one in the States will dare to say ‘nay’ pplause). I do not think there ts any di position by the administration to thwart the will of the American people.” (Ap- plause.) 9 you think the same legislative body Would pass this bill and ratify the H: Puuncefote trea = asked Mr. Mann (ill). rtainly not. f it t the intention to press the ote treaty, why fs it not with- ed Mr. Clark. ot stop now for fear of some- in the future. d Mr. Hepburn, wil put that word ‘fortify’ back will paxe the unanimous vote r. . s the commit- nake in the interests of apposed, Bulwer treat: net Of Congress? bro- e doubt af legislation in- ain it by orate Mr. Shackleford’s View. When Mr. Hepburn concluded Mr. Shack- Jeford, who made the minority report in favor of an additional section providing ; that the canal should not be built if the Hay-Pauncefote treaty was ratified, took the floor. He was, he said, earnestly in |favor of a canal. He believed our com- Mercial necessities required it; that it would be of tnestimable benefit in time of war, and that the tolls would pay a fair interest on the cost of construction. But great as its benefits to the American people would be. there was one question dearer to the American heart—the Monroe doctrine. No exigency should compel! us to depart from THE EVENING STAR, TUESDAY, MAY 1, 1900-16 PAGxs. that doctrine, which would always be our shield against foreign encroachment. Mr. Shackleford charged that the lan- guage of the Hepburn bill had been so in- changed that diplomats could say conflict with the Hay-Pauncefote Ir B nd was to have the bene- canal, why should it be built an money? Mr. Lovering for the Bill. Mr. Lovering (Mass.) supported the bill. The time for discussion, he sal had pass- ed. The desire of the American people for the canal was unanimous. the feasibility of the route was proved. SENATE. THE A resolution offered by Mr. Tillman (S. C.), calling upon the Secretary of the Navy for information as to the tests made at Indian Head of Krupp armor was agreed to soon after the Senate convened today. Mr. Harris (Kan.) offered and had passed a resolution calling upon the Secretary of the Interlor for information as to the flow of the Arkansas river and as to conserving the waters of that stream for the benefit of Colorado and Kansas. The Alaskan civil code bill was then laid before the Senate. Mr. Carter, in charge of the measure, after referring to the long discussion of the pending amendments relating to the lo- cation of mining claims, said it had be- come evident, however necessary, just and fair the amendments were, that further ef- fort to press their adoption would result in the defeat of the bill. Either the bill or the amendments would have to be aban- doned. He pointed out the great necessity for the enactment of the proposed legisla- tion. Dispatches to the newspapers from northwestern coast points indicated that every available vessel was being employed to carry passengers and freight to Alaskan ports. The most elaborate and remarkable prepa- rations ever made for the development of @ new country are in progress in the district of Alaska. The absolute necessity for the enactment of civil laws applicable to Alas- ka was recognized by everybody who had given the subject the least attention. He was satisfied every senator felt it to be the duty of the hour to pass the bill without delay and he did not think the American people Would overlook the dereliction of Congress In not passing it. It was obvious, however, that some senators felt so deeply on the pending question that they would debate the bill to death. He therefore asked unanimous consent that section 72 and 73 of the bill and all amendments thereto, including his own amendment, be withdrawn. =~ : After some colloquy granted. Other efforts to amend the bill were made, including one by Mr. Bate, who pro- posed an amendment providing that cases of contempt of court growing out of in- junction proceedings should be tried by jury, but all were fruitless. Mr. Bate withdrew his amendment on appeal from his colleagues, who pointed out that it Would delay the passage of the bill. The Bill Passed. The bill was then reported to the Senate, and, after the amendments had been agreed was passed. Mr. Proctor called up the bill to increase the efficiency of the military establishment of the United States, better known as the army reorganization bill, and Jt was read in ‘The Senate then agreed without ob- fon to proceed with the cons sure. Mr. Proctor, however, had the request was \) aside and the Senate took up eration the army appropt it passed the House c As reported to the Senate bill for amendment Cables to Cuba. offered an amendment pro- = that nothing m what is known as ker amendment to the army ap- ion bill of 1809, prohibiting the . or concessions in to the the United military au borit $s never intended Mr. Stewart sald it w that the Foraker amendment should be construed by the War Department as a support of monopoly. body In the country, he saic to Congress to permit the landing in Cuba of additional submarine cables. Mr. Mason, in an appeal for the amend- ment, said that the business interests of the country were paying exorbitant rates for cable communication with Cuba. Mr. Foraker believed the matter ought to go over for more mature consideration, as this was the first legislation proposed’ for Cuba since the Spanish war, and it ought not to be considered hastily Debate was cut off by Mr. Platt (Conn.), who made the point of order against the amendment that it was general legislation. The chair sustained the point of order. Mr. Hawley, in charge of the bill, offered and secured the adoption of the following amendments: Appropriating $20,000 for clerk hire, furniture, stationery, etc., for the war college: increasing the appropria- tlon for paymasters’ clerks at $1,400 each, from $126,000 to $144,000, and fixing thelr fon on a service basis, thu Those who have served fifteen years, $1.8 fen years, 31.600; five years, $1,500: less than five years, $1,400; fixing traveling al- lowances for officers and men discharged in the insular possessions at 4 cents a mile. Sees ALLEGANY REPUBLICANS. Strong Indorsement of the Adminis- tration and Representative Pearre. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. CUMBERLAND, Md., May 1.—The re- publicans of Allegany county in conven- tion this morning elected a mass delegation of about 150 to the sixth district cong: sional convention, which meets here May 8, and twen seven delegates to the state convention, which assembles In Baltimore May 9 The resolutions indorse the admin- istration of President McKinley as “one of the bravest and most glorious and brilliant in the history of our country, In its prompt, vigorous and brilliant conduct and conclusion of the Spanish war and In its r atesman-Iike disposition of the nd difficult responsibilities by its sudden and important nlutions: Indorse Col. Pearre is “faithful, efficient al attention to his duth les of his part ed the convention, ex- tolling the republican party, saying ‘that democratic Inefficiency had’ been repub- ican opportunity and democratic failure had meant republican achievement. Justice J, Monroe Turner in an address predicted Col. Pearre’s re-election by a largely In- creased majority. John Story of Lonacon- ing presided o the convention, which ely attended and very enthusiastic, G orge A CHICAGO, May 1—Mrs. Frederick Petrie, widow of Judge Petrie, and for half a cen tury a promfhent figure in the Methodist Church, is dead at the home of her son-in- law, Rev. M. W. Satterfield. She was eigh- ty-five years of age. Mrs. Petrie when a child was a flower girl for Lafayette at a fete given in his honor when he revisited this country after the revolution. She was acquainted with Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay and other notable men of that period. She was per sonally acquainted with every Methodist bishop holding office during her life. —__~+<+<-___ Casualties at Johannesburg. LONDON, May 1.—A dispatch to the Dally s from Lourenzo Marques says: “Sixty-five bodies have been extricated from the ruins of the Begbie iron works at Johannesbur; ——_++<-__- Steamxhip Arrivals. W YORK, May 1.—Friesland, Antwerp; Friedrich der Grosse, Bremen. —+--—__ Consolidation of Chicago L Road: CHICAGO, May 1.—Charles Yerkes stated last night that the four elevated rallroads in Chicago will be merged into one system. He said he had disposed of practically all of his interest in the surface lines. —+++__- Destructive Wisconsin Fire. BEAVER DAM, Wis.. May 1.—Fire this morning destroyed the Beaver Dam malie- able iron works, entailing a loss of more than $100,000. The fire also burned the freight depot of the St. Paul railway and five loaded cars, with a loss of $10,000. N DANISH WEST INDIES Declaration of State Department as to Negotiations. TREATED WITH NO THIRD PARTY Instructions Sent to Mr. White on the Subject. | A REPORT NOT JSYOWN gee, The State Department has authorized the declaration that it has never recognized any individual in connection with the pro- posed acquisition by the United States of the islands of the Danish West Indies; that it has no knowledge that any private per- son has ever interposed in the negotiations on that subject, and, finally, that the ne- gotiations have never been influenced di- rectly or indirectly by unofficial persons. This statement is called forth by the pub- lecation of the details of what Is represented to be an attempt on the part of persons con- nected with the Standard Oll Company to force the Danish government to pay them a commission on the sale of the islands to the United States government. The depart- ment officials say that, of course, they are not competent to affirm or deny the truth of the allegations as to what passed be- tween any such parties and the Danish government officials, but for themselves, they are able to enter the broadest denial of any connection with or knowledge of such an intervention. The Secretary of State does not even know the person named Rogers, and represented to be connected with the Standard Oll Company, who initi- ated the attempt to intervene for the com- mission. Facts of the Case. The facts of the case, so far as the State Department Is concerned and is aware, are as follows: Following the publication of Tumors to the effect that the Danish gov- ernment was about to sell the islands to the United States last fall a Danish army officer named Captain Christian Dirkfeld appeared in Washington and sought an tn- terview with the Secretary of State. Sec- retary Hay heard through the press in ad- vance of his coming to Washington that this officer was charged with a mission relative to the sale of the Danish West Indian Islands. Captain Dirkfeld told a different story, however, when he saw the Secretary. He said that, while he was an officer of the Danish government, he had absolutely no authority to deal with the United States government respecting those islands, but he had for years been of the opinion that it would be for the benefit of the islands and of Denmark to make the transfer to the United States, and he had come to Washington, not to make any proposition, but to offer the State Depart- ment the benefit of his personal knowledge and experience, having made the condi- tions In the islands the subject of many years’ special study. Secretary Hay lis- with interest to Captain Dirkfeld’s entations, and, thanking him for his rT, promised to eall upon him whenever there should be need for his services. Instructions to Mr. White. ‘Then the secretary, acting upon the intl- mation that the Danish government might be thinking of selling, sent an instruction to Mr. White, the United States’ secretary of embassy at London, to run down to Co- penhagen and investigate. Mr. White per- formed his task with the ability and thor- oughness which always characterizes his work, and his report to the State Depart- ment is all that there is on file respecting the Danish islands of recent date, or, in . within the past five years. Touching the conclusions reached by Mr. White, the State Department officials say nothing. The report was communicated in substance to the members of the Senate committee on foreign relations, as well a5 to leading members of the administration party in the House of Representatives, and it is supposed that it contained a statement of the terms upon which the Danish govern- ment was willing to make the sale. But in any event it makes plain the fact that the negotiations were conducted exclusively between Mr. White and the Danish govern- ment officials, and that no unofficial per- gon or third party entered into them, and the State Department has no objection to that fact appearing at tals stage. Mr. White's appearance in the United States at this time has no connection whatever with the {sland project. according to the State Department officials. The secretary of embassy 1s here on leave of absence, having been steadily two years at his post without vacation. He has not even been in Washington since his return to the United States, but has spent his time in New York, though he is expected to pay a visit to the State De- partment before he returns to London. No Connection With Monroe Doctrine. ‘The officials are at a loss to perceive any reasonable connection between Mr. White's negotiations and the Monroe doctrine ref- erence made by Secretary Root in his New York speech. Whatever be the nature of Mr. White’s report, it is said that it does not disclose a purpose on the part of the Danish government to sell the islands to any other power than the United States, so that an objection to such a sale would be purely hypothetical at this time. Secretary Root himself was not accessi- ble today, being confined to his home by attack of illness. —— > +____ FAR FROM SATISFACTORY. The German Ame: d Meat Inspection Bik The amended meat inspection bill which the German government has prepared in lieu of the bill reported by the reichstag committee, as outlined in the dispatches re- ceived here, Is declared to be very similar in scope to the proposition originally sub. mitted to the reichstag by the imperial gov- ernment. The most important amendment is that striking out the total prohibition of meat imports Into Germany after December 31, 103, a provision that in itself makes the entire act obnoxious to this government. Now the proposition to completely prohibit meat importations is left to be adjusted when the present ect expires and not be- fore. namely, at the end of three years. ‘The amended bill is far from satisfactory to the American meat Interests, excluding, as It does, canned meats and smoked sau: sages. The requirement that fresh meats must be in the whole carcass with entrails attached ts also declared to be a condition difficult to meet. But on the whole the bill is belie to be a vast improvement over the reichsiag committee bill, from our point of view, and to contain within itself the basis of the possible agreement between the governments of the United States and Germany on this vexed question of meat im_ports. ——_ + 0+ —______ A NEW CHIEF CLERK. Mr. G. W. W. Hanger Appointed in the Department of Labor. Mr. G. W. W. Hanger has been appointed chief clerk of the Department of Labor, vice Oren W. Weaver, deceased. Mr. Hang- er was born in Virginia, but was appoint- ed from Mississippi, November 18, 1886, on certification of the civil service commission, at $1,000 per annurf. Ho has passed through all the grades and for some has been in charge of the force engaged on statistical tabulations. Hs has been ap- pointed chief clerk in accordanee with the civil service rules and principles, as he wa the ranking statistical expert ‘in the de- partment. ++ e+______ Coinage During April. The monthly coinage statement issued by the treasury shows a total of 13,532,100 pieces, valued at $16,974,480, executed by the mint bureau during April. By denomi- nations the coinage was as follows: Double eagles, $12,922,000; silver dollars, $2,922,600. haif dollars, $502,000; quarter dolla 000; dimes, $174,000; total silver, 5 930,000. Fivé-cent nickels, $79,450; \ one- cent bronze, $43,030; total minor, $122,480. + Charles Fischer's Will. The will of Charles Fischer, dated June 7, 1887, and bequeathing his estate to his wife, Minnie Fischer, was filed this after- noon for probate. PLEADING ,TAYLOR'’S CASE EX-GOVRRNORG BRADLEY BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT. ——. Claims That.thg,Republican Candidate War Unconsgitutionally Depriv- ed of His Office. f The Supreme. Gpurt resumed its hearing today in tie Kemiucky governorship case, W. O. Bradley, .gormer governor of that state, be!ng the only speaker. He appeared for Gov. Baylor, taking up first the claim the oppositiom that Taylor had never Possessed siny title to the office. He con- tended that Taylor's title was as good as that of any man who had ever held the office. This was the first contest that the state had ever had over that office, and this contest would never have occurred but for what he characterized as “the iniquitous election law,” known as the Goebel law. He argued that Paylor’s title was complete; that he was not only de jure governor, but de facto governor as well, and that every step that he had taken as governor was officially good under the law. On the point of jurisdiction he contended that the pending case is very similar to that of Thayer against Boyd of Nebraska, in which “jurisdiction had been assumed. He met the argument of Mr. Beckham's counsel that an office was not property, by qucting authorities to the contrary. Argu- ing this point, he sald that office was a species of property because it was a right of value—a privilege of citizenship of worth to any man. It was one of the rights or privileges coming-under the protection guar- anteed by the fourteenth amendment of the Constitution, and therefore subject to re- view by the highest federal eourt. No state could disregard the provisions of this constitutional provision nor could any State legislature assume to be superior to it, nor is a state legislature bound to grant due process of law, but state courts must administer cases under the same authority. In @ case like this of the governorship there was no such thing as an appeal to the people. The adjudication was neces- sary. “And why appeal?” Mr. Bradley asked. “If we appeal to the ballot box,"” he con- tinued, “is it not easier now to defy the expressed will of the people than it has been even in this caso when there has been such an open defiance of the ex- pressed desire of the electors of the state?” “Due Process of Law” Denied. Under the state constitution the legtsla- ture was nothing more than a board of contest. This was a special power and it was Umited by the constitution. If this limitation was transcended the act was tyrannical, and such the speaker claimed the act of the legislature in this case to be. He challenged the method ~ observed in drawing the board, as some of the mem- bers of it themselves had contests pending, while another had laid a wager upon the result. On this account, according to prece- dents, the decision of the board must bo held void—the members of the board being judges in their own cases. Furthermore, there had been no time for reasonable hear. ing nor sufficient notice. There also had been irregularities in the trial, and Taylor's friends had been refused the privilege of arguing the case. Seventeen hundred pages of testimony were taken, but there was not time allowed the legislature to read a word of it. Therefore, the legislature had never really and legally determined the case. All this, Mr. Bradiey concluded, was denial of the “due process of law” guaranteed by the constitution. The point also was made that the notice of contest had tailed to state the ground of contest under the law. Hence the legisla- ture had assumed a jurisdiction it did not have. Proceedings ‘of the Legislature. Mr. Bradley attacked the finding of the legislature’ In the case as Irregular and therefore void. ~ “And they have as much power,” he safd, “to bring baek todife the body of Mr. Goe- bel as it has to pat life into a transaction which 1s vetd.” ¢ * He close@With an-appeal for recognition by the court. Instead of bending the knee to the legislature, the court, he said, should investigate thetr’<proeesses and see: that they were in accord’ with the requirements of the Constitution. Whe occasion was a momentous one, he sald, for the people of Kentucky. fPhts was the first fight which had been made south of the Ohio for the preservation of civil liberty by the pro- cesses of the courts, “and if we fail,” he said, “it is Hable to be the last. The same bighting. influence of arbitrary power 1s sure to go farther and exténd to other states if there is not some supreme tri- bunal to which the people can come with assurance of such recognition as will guar- antee the. preservation of their privileges and immunities. If we fail here our condi- tion is pitiable, indeed, for an appeal to the ballot box will be in the face of that fall- ure more worthless in the future than it has. been in the past. Our bill of rights, though written in the blood of martyrs, will be worthless to us if the agencies given for our protection turn upon and be- tray us. We make our last appeal to you, but in so doing we look beyond to that eternal principle of Justice which we know should and does regulate the affairs of men.” When Mr. Bradley closed the court took @ recess until the 14th Instant. eg ge Site for Longfellow Statue. Mr. Wetmore, from the committee on the library, today made a reporé to the Senate on Senate joint resolution 48, directing the selection of a site for the erection of a bronze statue in this city in honor of the late Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. A sub- stitute was submitted by the committee for the bi!l as Introduced by Mr. Hoar, which excepts the Cupitol and library grounds from the places that may be selected as a site for the statue. The original bill appro- priated $6,000 for a pedestal for the statue, but the substitute appropriates only $4,000 for this purpose, together with such super- intendence, etc., that may be involved in the work. ———_—__+e+____. The McPherson at San Juan. Word has reached the War Department that the transport McPherson has arrived sufely at San Juan de Porto Rico. The importance of this news Mes in the fact ‘that the McPherson carried $500,000 in United States currency, gold, sflver and paper, which, isto be put into circulation on the island by the immediate withdrawal of a corresponding amount of Spanish money, which has heretofore been the circulating medium of Porto Rico. Another large ship- ment of United States currency will be sent to San Juan in a few weeks on the transport Crook, now fitting out at New York. ————— 2+ Against Crowding the Cars. Mr. Bell of Colorado has introduced a bill in the House (H. R. 11143) providing that no street Car Company, manager, con- ductor, grigman; motorman or other per- son In charge of-such car shall permit any person or pérson’ except such as can be seated or suth as’btand in front or back of the seats, and shall permit no one to stand between the seaté of such cars as are fit- ted up with‘beats°running across the same and generally used in open or summer cars, while ‘sueWi Seats are occupied by others. 8 ae Any person violating the provisions of this act shall be “subject to a fine of not Jess than $10 or:more than $300 for each offense, and the conductor, manager or street car company or any one or all may be prosecuted for any violation of this act. —____-+.+_ Artillery School Instructors. The following pamed officers have been detailed for duty as instructors at the United States Artillery School, Fort Mon- Va., and will report at that post July 1, 1900: Department. artillery proper, ballistics, seacoast and siege engineering — Capt. Frank S. Harlow, Ist U. S. Artillery. Department electricity, ‘steam mechan- ism, machinery, etc.—Capt. Henry C. Da- vis, 7th U. 8. Artillery Department chemistry, explosives, land and submarine mines, etc.—Capt. Erasmus M. Weaver, jr., Ist U. S. Artillery. Department general staff duties, military history, art of war, organization, ete.— ae ‘Victor H. Bridgman, 6th U.S. Ar- ery. Department special courses, etc.—Capt. Ira A. Haynes, 6th U. 8. Artillery. $2 Minneapolis Wood Workers Strike. MINNBAPOLIS, Minn., May 1.—The wood workers, 800 strong, at 2 o’clock this morn- ing decided to go on strike today. TWO CONVENTIONS Populist Gatherings to Take Place This Month. BOTH OLD PARTIES ARE INTERESTED Democrats “Are Uncertain About the Ohio Situation. THE PORTO RICAN TARIFF ‘The May national conventions are not en- tirely without interest. While the populist Parties cannot elect a President, they may assist to defeat one. On the 9th of May one populist convention is to assemble in Sioux Falls, 8. D., and another will meet at Cincinnati. It is difficult to foretell which will be the more important of these cenventions. It is conceded that the Sioux Falls convention wil place Mr Bryan in nomination. Beyond that nothing is defi- nitely known, though it,is expected that no vice presidential candidate will be nomi- nated. == What the platform will be, and how many things may be put into it- which Mr. Bryan might not care to make prominent in ‘the campaign, are matters of conjecture. While this set of populists are loyal Bryan men, it is quite possible for them to embarrass their candidate by making a platform which 4s too diffuse. Some very watchful men will be on hand, but experience shows that a Populist convention, of all political assem- Dlages, is most difficult to manage. The more radical and unruly, however, will par- ticipate in the other convention. The Cincinnati Convention. The Cincinnat! convention may nominate ‘Wharton Barker, or Debbs, or Dewey, or some one else who is picturesque but not likely to get many votes, but the thing they may be relied on not to do 1s to nominate Bryan. Their platform will probably be as picturesque as their candidate, whatever it may be and whoever {t may be, and what- ever votes their ticket sets in the national election will come almost entirely from 1aen who would not under any circumstances vote the republican ticket. The republican leaders are not blind to the use that may be made of this conven- tion, and it fs reported an effort will be made to lead the middle-of-the-road popu- Hsts into such a course as will be most hurtful to Bryan. The convention may be so manipulated as to become in a negative way a somewhat important factor in the election. Therefore, if it amounts to any- thing at all, it is Hkely to be watched with more interest by republicans and by demo- crats than will be the convention at Sioux Falls. The Two Contrasted. If the Stoux Falls convention does any- thing calculated to hurt Bryan it will be by accident or through enthusiastic ignor- ance of politics on the part of a goodly number of the delegates. If the Cincin- nati convention does not do something to the injury of the Nebraska leader it will be because of a lack of skill. It wili be a consolation convention as- sembled for the purpose of getting revenge for the treatment of Watson in ’96. Its importance depends upon how skiliful are the managers and how tractable are the delegates. It is likely to be a circus, as characteristic as was the one held in the same city when the people's party was born, at which Cyclone Davis, wrapped in an American flag, thrilled the assemblage with a song which called upon the govern- ment to ‘set the presses going” and turn out money for the people, every one taking up the chorus with wild enthusiasm. The Cincinnati crowd 1s expected to col- lect the scattered remnants of the populist party of the south, but under certain con- ditions they are liable to draw enough votes in the west to be of some damage to Bryan. These two conventions have an interest In the uncertainty of their action, which is not possessed by the conventions of the two great parties, and, Incidentally, both the old parties will watch them with close attention. With reference to the two old party con- ventions, the things of greatest immediate interest are, for the democrats, the situa- tion In Ohto, and, for the republicans, the indorsement by state conventions of the Porto Rican tariff. Democrats Uncertain About Ohio. The democrats are uncertain about what the Ohio democratic convention will do about Bryan. There 1s a very strong sus- Picion that if the way could be seen to se- cure enoug!: votes elsewhere to prevent Bryan from having the necessary two- thirds of the national convention the Mc- Lean influence would be exerted to prevent the indorsement of Bryan by Ohio. It is known that McLean does not take kindly to the idea of an instructed delega- tion, and though the democratic leaders did not at first believe McLean had any sympathy with the announced candidacy of his brother-in-law, there have been things which have led to a different opinion on this subject. It is quite possible that, while recognizing that Admiral Dewey can have no ground for hope that he might carry the convention, Mr. McLean might welcome the introduction of any element in the convention which would destroy Bryan's two-thirds and render it necessary to nominate some other man in order to break a deadlock. It is not generally believed that such a plan can be successful, yet if McLean can figure out a way to get a third of the con- vention against Bryan he will try to throw the Ohio delegation into the balance to bring confusion upon the Bryan forces. The Porto Rican Tariff. The interest in the indorsement of the Porto Rican tariff by republican state con- ventions Hes in the apprehension some re- publicans feel that there is serious danger in thus committing the entire party as an organization to a policy which is manifest- ly unpopular. S Republicans who voted for this tariff, re- turning from their state conventions, after laboriously securing an indorsement of thelr course, report with great show of confi- dence that the sentiment hostile to that measure is dying out rapidly, but it Is too apparent that their observation {s confined to the professional party workers who com- pose a convention, ready to do the bidding of their bosses. Expressions of opinion from sources outside of the mere machine poli- ties Indicate that public sentiment is stil! strongly resentful of the bad faith shown in the Porto Rican affair, and there is a feeling that in insisting upon these specific indorsements the party ts being sacrificed to a few of its leaders in a way that may prove dangerous in the campaign. ————__+o+______ ALIENS’ RIGHTS AT CAPE NOME. Debate in the Senate on the Alaska Bul. After The Star’s report of the Senate Proceedings was closed yesterday afternoon Mr. Hansbrough made an earnest appeal in behalf of the Carter amendment to° the Alaskan bill. He held that an alien had no rights on the public domain. If he was there at all it was merely by sufferance. The alien was, in such circumstances, a trespasser, and had no right to treatment better than that accorded a trespasser. ‘The American miners, he declared, “will not stand idly by and see claims usurped by men who have no right to them.” With the latitude of debate ordinarily al- lowed in the Senate, Mr. Elkins (W. Va.) then delivered a brief speech on the West Virginia senatorial contest in answer to that made last week by Mr. Pettus. He sald the result of the election preceding Mr. Scott's election as senator was a legis- lature that had a repuflican majority of seves: He declared there never was any fraud in connection with the election of Senator Scott and no founded charges had ever been made that there was. The depo- sitions which had been used by Mr. Pettus in his argument were, he said, ex parte statements of no value as evidence. The Alabama senator had made them the ground of his report and then had made his repont the ground of his attack upon West Virginia and her officials. He paid a high tribute to the character of the governor of West Virginia and other state officials whom Mr. Pettus had attacked and charged with conspiracy. Mr. Ross (Vt) made a legal argument against that no change should be made tn the ex- isting law. “I regard the amendment as wholly un- wise,” said he, “and believe it ought to be Tejected.” the pending amendment. holding Mr. Stewart addressed the Senate at length in opposition to the Carter amend- ment. Mr. Foraker presented the conference re- Port on the joint resolution amending the Porto Rico act ahd it was agreed to. After a brief executive session the Senate adjourned. —___-++-—__ — CASUALTIES IN THE PHILIPPINES. Latest List of Killed and Wounded Received. Gen. Otis has nottfied the War Depart- ment of the fdllowing additional casualties in the Philippines: Killed—Luzon Isiand: April 2i, Batac, “Troop A, 3d Cavalry, Charles A. Harri: April 15, Pasacao, Company H, 45th Vol- unteer Infantry, Wm. H. Stone. ‘Wounded—Luzon Island: April 17, Batac, Troop L, 3d Cavalry, Archie Black, wound- ed in shoulder, slight; March 28, Antimo- nan, Company K, 30th Volunteer Infantry Wm. J. Degnan, wounded in thigh, seriou: April 16, Batac, Company B, 34th Volunteer Infantry, Samuel C. Wells, wounred in neck, slight; Taisan, Company C, 35th Vol- unteer Infantry, John J. Miller, wounded in leg below knee. moderate. Panay Islands: February 12, Toilo, Company A, 18th In- fantry, Fred Smith, wounded in leg below knee, serious; Hugh Sparks, wounded in shoulder, sertous; March 31, Colsai, Com- pany A, 19th Infantry, Thomas J. Tangney, wounded in hand, moderate. Sam Island, March 23, Calbayog, Company 434 In- fentry Volunteers, Oliver M. Pendergrass, wounded in abdomen, serious; March ™, Calbayog, Company G, 43d lunteer In- fantry, Ridgley M. Laird, wounded in arm, serious. Leyte Island, March 29, Cebang, Company B, 434 Volunteer Infantry, Willis Quint, wounded in chest, slight. Tanauan, Company C, 43d Volunteer Infantry, Geo. H. Otto, wounded in arm, serious. a Last Day of Ecumenical Conference. NEW YORK, May 1.—The opening exer-- cises of the last day of the ecumenical con- ference drew a large attendance today. At Carnegie Hall when the hour for the reg- ular devotional exercises came the big hall was full of delegates and visitors. The ex- ercises were led by S. B. Capen, LL. D. ‘The regular meeting at Carnegie Hall was presided over by Dr. Edward Judson of New York. The general subject under dis- cussion was that of “Home Work for For- eign Missions.” —~+++—___ Death of a Union Veteran. Mr. Frederick Boettcher, an old and well- known resident of the District, died yes- terday afternoon at 5 o'clock at his resi- dence, 322 9th street southeast. Mr. Boett- cher was in the seventy-sixth year of his age. His death was unexpected. He had lived in the District most of his life. and during the civil war enlisted in the Union army, serving with Company A, of the Sth battalion of the District of Columbia Vol- unteers. He was a member of Eastern Lodge, No. 7, I O. O. F.; Calanthe Lodge, No. 1, K. of P., and John A. Rawlins Post, No. 1, of the Grand Army of the Republic All of these organizations will be promi- nently represented at the funeral services, which will be held at the late residence o: the deceased Thursday afternoon at 3 o'clock. The interment will take place tn Prospect Hill cemetery. Mr. Boeticher’a wife survives him. eae, Resolution Unnecessary. The House committee on the judiciary to- day acted adversely on Senate joint reso- lution 108, providing as follows: “That in all preliminary investigations of criminal charges by the courts of the states of the Union and the territories thereof and the District of Columbia the accused shall be permitted to testify in his own behalf and to introduce and examine any witness in his behalf touching the matter charged against him.” This legislation wou'd affect principally the District of Columbia, but the judiclary committee holds that the resolution is un- necessary as the case is already covered by existing law. eee Policy Promoter Convicted. Elijah Tolliver, colored, was given a jury trial in the Police Court today on a charge of promoting policy. He was convicted, and Judge Kimball gave him three months in jail. —_>——_. Guardian for Infant Defendants. Justice Hagner, in Equity Court No. 1, to- day appointed Edmund K. Goldsborough guardian ad Ntem for the infant defend- ants in connection with proceedings in equity instituted by Mary Farr Goldsbor- ough against Fitzhugh Coyle Goldsborough and eleven others, The suit is a friendly one, and by it the court is asked to appoint the American Securit¥ and Trust Company trustee under the will of Fitzhugh Coyle, deceased, the parties ap- pointed as such by the will not caring to assume the responsibility. The net amount now to be handled by the trustee is $108,- 222.79. —————— Senator Hoar Virtually Rebuked. At Framingham, Mass., yesterday the fourth congressional district convention showed no favor toward Senator Hoar, for the proposal of a resolution to express con- fidence in the senator's attitude raised a storm of protests, and a substitute motion expressing confidence in the administration was passed by what the chairman declared to be a unanimous vote. The convention chose as national delegates Arthur M. Lowe of Fitchburg and Charles G. Ban- croft of Natick, and as alternates W. M. Chase of Leominster and Walter Howard of Clinton. —_____+e+___. Jurors Excused. Those summoned for jury service during May in the criminal and circuit branches of the Supreme Court of the District of Co- lumbia reported at 10 o’clock this morning. For various reasons a number were ex cused in each court. Additional talesmen have been directed to be on hand tomor- row, when the juries will probably be com- pleted. ‘Those summoned for the jury in Circuit Court No. 2 were today excused for the term, as no cases will be tried during the month in that court. ———>—_ Representative Cannon Renominated. WATSEKA, IIL, May 1.—J. G. Cannon has been renominated for Congress by the re- publican congressional convention for the twelfth district. —__+.-___ Defines Term Resident Housekeeper. Mr. Clarence A. Brandenburg, the first assistant to the attorney for the District, has advised the Commissioners, in connec- tion with their recent amendment of the po- lice regulations relative to the location of circuses, that a resident housekeeper, with- in the meaning of the regulations, is a per- son who has a house, and has charge of and provides for a family therein. “In order to be a resident housekeeper,” states Mr. Brandenburg, “it is not neces- sary that a person should be a father, or husband, or mother, or wife, but the person must occupy the position toward others of head or chief in a domestic establishment. * © © If the family comprises a husband and wife, in my opinion, the husband would be the person whose consent is essential within the meaning of the regulation.” With reference to an inquiry whether squares 619, 711, 713 and 621 confront square 673, Mr. Brandenburg says in his opinion they do not. —— Baltimore Markets. ady': spot, 71 (A724; steamer No. 5 708 boshels: mouthern wheat by sample. lo. on grade, G7\a711 Corn firm; spot end 45; July, dtd: Rteamer mixed, 844: receipts, 176.162 bushels: ex- bushels; southern white and yellow Oats steady; better demand: No. 2 fe, BOaH0%G; No. 2 mized, 274a28i4. Rye dull: nearby, 5: . 2 western, a58. Hay . 1 timoths, $17a§17.50. Grain freights, not much inquiry, rates inclined to be easy: steam to Liverpool, per bushel, 44d. May; Cork for or- ders, per quarter, 3s. Gd. May, 3s, 44¢l. June. Sugar, cheese, butter and eggs firm, unchanged. No. 2 5 oat Bid. Asked. = 8 per cents, 3 per cents. 10 4 per cents, 1. 4 per cents, 11. 4 per cents, 4 per cents, 5 per cents, Fit New 2, FINANCE AND TRADE The New York Market Demand Was Exclusively Professional. GOLD EXPORTS WITHOUT EFFECT ———__-_ Review of the Influences That Governed Trading. _ GENERAL MARKET REPORTS Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. NEW YORK, May 1—The holiday in Lon- don and Chicago contributed to the natural dullness of the stock market this morning and prevented any significant movement in prices. There was no pressure to sell, and the demand was almost exclustvely profes- sional. Occasional covering advanced prices a few fractions and created a surface ap- pearance of steadiness. Missouri Pacific was advanced in spite of the dampening influence of yesterday's action of its di- rectors in providing for the funding of a floating debt instead of considering a divi- dend_ The pool in these shares has been re- markably successful In staying the effects: » and gives evidence of its ability to protect the stock. Pennsylvania direct- ors declared the regular sem!-annual dlvi- dend of 2t2 per cent, and the failure to Sanction a larger disbursement was passed over a8 a market factor. The price of the stock was quite as steady as that of its neighbors. The lower priced issues rallied moderately, but failed to hold the interest of the room long at a time. The engagement of hal ‘0 shipment on Thursday was aunsenton a ing the afternoon, but the outflow occa. sioned no new concern. Money loaned freely at 24 and 2% per cent, and the guld movement is not now considered as being sufficiently dangerous to make much of an impression on the borrowing rate. The steel stocks were irregular and mod- erately active. Federal Steel was op-ned high and held indifferently well at a price above yesterday's closing level. Repub- Ne Steel was weak under mixed selling. said to have been inspired by fears of ltl. gation. Competing orders in the preferred stock were responsible for a sharp break during the morning. American Sugar was weak during the opening hour, but rallied wu fruitless, ow n as to the value t. For purposes of @ market turn it will be in order tu an- nounce concessions in price within a day or two and a resumn: n- ferences betw. panies. W t uement of the sug actual achievement will be convince it that inside inte ed to such a commercial ne A further period of unimpor ; Would seem to be in store for the market. Leaders who are competent to lift the mar ket out of the rut are away or are pre- and this fact will make fur- paring to go, ess Inevitable unless the rail- road combinations are resumed. The pre- valling conditions encourage special opera- tions In a few stocks instead of In all, and of the two com- fident of a set- trade war, but necessary the to profits can only accrue to the discriminat- ing. —— FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL. New York Stock Market. Furnished by W_B. Hibbs & Co., bankers and brokers, 1419 F st., members New York stock exchange, correspondents Messrs, La- denburg, Thalmann & Co., New York. Open. Bich. . American Cotton O1 ng ase, “ony st ALS. Wire.. 40° 40%) Am. Steel & Wire American Sngar.... American Tobacco... . pia. BrooklynRavid Transit. Chesapeake & Ohio... C., CC. & St. Louls. B. & Q_..... Chic, & Northwestern Chicago G: ©. Bl. and St. Paul. Chicago RI. & Paciiic. Chic., St P. Chie.'& G. Western Colorado Fue! and Consolidated Gas... Con. Tobaceo..... Con. Tobacco, pfa_ Delaware & Hudson Federal Steet. Federal Steel. ofa General Electric. UiUnois Centra. Louisvilie & N: Metropolitan Traction._ Manhattan Elevated. Missouri Pacific... Re Pennsylvania R. it. Phila.& Reading, ist pid Southern Pacific. Southern Railway... Southern Railway, pia. Texas Pacific. Tenn. Coal and iron Union Pacific Union Pacifie, pfd.. U.S. Leather, 5. Leather, pid. UIs. Rubber. Wabash pid... Western Unio: Ed 3 abe Wanatah ae Sales—regular call, tion 43, $500 at 10% 106%." Washington Gas, at 544. Chesnpeuke and Pot ©. Mergenthaler Linotype, 10 at 192. at 192,10 at 1vl%, 10 at 191%, 10 at 19 To at 191 10 at 191%, 10 at 192, 19244, 10 at 19 io Pat w tis at 134 American Grapbopuone, After call—Lanston 100 at 1 pital ‘Trac W414, 20 at 104%, «20 at 1 oat 10H, 20 at 104, 2 at 10444, 20 at 10dk. 30 at 1044x, 100 at 144. 100 at 104%. Correction—100 Lanston reported sold yestertay 1B should have been 109 at 13%; Z share sold at 13%. District of Columbia Bonds.—6s. 1902. 80-year funding. 104 bid. 3.658, 1u24, funding, 12) bid. Miscellaneous Bonds.—Capital Traction 4s, 106% bid, 107% asked. Metropolitan Railroad Ss, 121 bid, 122% asked. Metropolitan Railroad cert. indebt., A, ilo bid, 115 asked. Metropolitan Ratlruad cert. indebt., B, 170 bid. 118 a: Columbia Katlroad Gs, 126 bid, 128 asked. Columbia Ratiroad 2d mert. Ss, 111 bid) Washington Gas series A. 6s, 116 bid. Washington Gas series B, Gs. 116 bi U.S. Elec- trie Light deb. imp. @s. 1105 bid, luv asked. U. & Electric Light cert. indebt.. 6s, 166 bid, 110 asked. Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone 104 bid. Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone con. Ss, 16H% bid, 105% asked. American Security and Trust is, 100 bid. “Washington Market Ist @s, 115 bid. Wash: ington Market imp. 6s, U5 bid. Washington Mar- ket extn. Gs, 115 bid. ‘Masonic tall Association Ss, 108 bid, 110 asked. American Graphophone deb. Ss, 100 bs National Bank Stocks.—Bank of Washington, 360 bid, 400 asked. Metropolitan, 600 bid. 650 asked. Central, 190 bid. Farmers an@ Mechanics’. 210 bid. Second, 160 bid. Citizens’, 160 bid, 180 asked. Oo- lumbia, 160 bid. Capital, 150 bid, 160 asked. West Bt 126, 100 wt 13h End, 118 bid. 121 asked. Traders’, 125 bid, 136 asked. Lincoin, 115 bid. 125 asked. Safe Deposit and Trust Companles. National Safe Deposit and Trast. 138 bid. 135 asked. Washington Loan and Trost, 157 id. 161 asked. American Se- curity and Trust, 199 bid. 1 Siocks.—Firemet I2W6 bid. IZ asked. <» a ple's, Gi bid. Gay asked. . Colonia, 11 lid. 8.—Real Bstate Tith Hy bid, 5 asked. Washins' . 4% asked. District Tithe, 34 bi ed. Railroad Stecks.—Capital Traction. asked. Capital Traction Serip, 106% ea. City and Suburban, 25 bid. Tenlestown, 15 bid. Gas Stocks.— Washington Gas, 54% bid, Si ask- ed. Georgetown Gas, 55 bid. ‘Telephone Stocks.—Chesapeake an@ Potomac, 6T asked. Pennsylvania, 36 bid. Miscellaneous — Stocks.—Mergenthaler Lino 191% bid, 192% asked. Lanston Monot 13% "asked American Gruphophone, 17 American Graphophone preferred, x12 13% asked. Pneumatic Gun Carriage, 20 2 asked. Norfolk and Washington Steamboat, 150 bid. x Br. dividend. —_.—_—_. New York Cotton Market.