Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, January 3, 1888, Page 1

"THE OMAH SEVENTEENTH YEAR. A DaILy OMAHA, TUESDAY MORNING, JANUARY 3. 1888 NUMBER 199 THE CRUSADE AGAINST LAMAR Senator Ingalls Will Lead the Oppo- sition to His Confirmation. A FIERCE WAR TO BE WAGED Ex-Land Commissioner Sparks Also Interested in the Fight—The Head of Navigation Bureau Reports. Ingalls Opposed to Lamar, ‘WasniNGToN Bureau mite Omana Bee, 513 FOURTEENTI STRERY, Wasimxaros, D, C., Jan. 2. $anaz)r Ingalls intends, when the nomina- tion of Secretary Lamar comes before the senate, to oppose his confirmation on the grouads that he is unfit for the exalted ofiice for which the president bas selected him. It iswell known that Mr. Ingalls is always hunting for masks and that he enjoys nothing better than to expose those who masquerade. He is also one of the hardest fighters in the senate and always makes it ‘very interesting for those whom he chooses to oppose. He takes the ground that the supreme benchis now weak, both in capacity and in the ability 1o dispatch the business before it, by reason of the fact that at least three of the justices have reached the age at which they should retire, and that Secretary Lamar will in- crease the incapacity of the court by adding one to its number who is not only indolent but indifferent in ability. Mr. Ingalls holds that Lamar's entire public life has been one of indolence and that the bent of his mind is not judicial and that he is not qual- ified in any respect for the services to be per- formed. Ex-Commissioner Sparks is also in- teresting himself in opposing the confirma- tion of Lamar, and, while ordinarily the: would be little reason to consider this fact of any weight, it is said that Sparks has behind him some influence that will be effective. A gentleman who is well posted explains the dituation as follows: ‘“The casus belli upon which Mr. Lamar as secretary of the interior and General Sparks a8 Land Comiissioner had an open rupture was the refusal of the latter to sanction the issue of patents to the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha railroad. This corporation has for its presi- dent Marvin Hughitt, of Chicago, who is also mnow president of the Chicago & Northwest- ernsystem. For some months this corpora- tion had sought to secure patents to lunds which y claimed had to be earned under the origival grant. Mr. Sparks stood in the way of their issue, and it may be proper to add just here that when Mr. Cobb, of Indi- ana, was chairman of the committec on pub- lie lands he introduced a bill in the house of representatives to forfeit these very lands to the United States on the ground that the cor- poration had fe ed them because of gross violation of their chartered rights. As to the ustice or the injustice of the position taken y Mr. Sparks or Mr. Cobb, it is_not neces- sary to analyze in connection with what did follow the removal of General Sparks. Hardly Liad he been dethroned ere President Hughett, with Mr. Phipps, who is the iand cominissioner of the Omaha system, turned up in this city. Upon the day following their arrival the patents which had been in contro- versy were issued and with such expedition on the part of the interior department of- cials that & working force was employed upon them night and . Now, the part this railroad corporation bears to the confirmation of Mr. Lamar becomes somewhat significant. The lands patented to the railroads are largely in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Dakota and Nebraska. Even be- fore the nomination of Mr. Lamar was pub- licly made to the senate it was claimed that ‘both Senators Sawyer and Spooner, of Wis- consin, following the announcement of the removal of Sparks, had declared that they would vote for his confirmation. Scnator Spooner, before he entered the United S senate, was the general solicitor of the ') railroad which became the beneficiary of the Sparks was gotten out” of the / gely by him the Omuha system was devised and the legislution to perfect it enacted by the Wisconsin legislature from time to time was watched and actually guided by him. There is reason, moreover, to be- lieve that Mr. Vilas, before becoming a mem- ber of Mr. Cleveland’s cabinet, had the in- terest which exists between attorucy and client with the railroad corvoration. Aud, to still further add aggravation rather than ex- tenuation, the report is ecirculated here th pl ary Lama wrofe Sparks ove n to the lands of this railroad, he was visited by a democratic lawyer of prominence wlh name was actuaily balloted for convention which nominated G land for the presidential offi ‘Whatever then of influence this railroad may exert in behalf of M samar's confirma- tion naturally would in itself be subtle rather than dir Before congress adjourned for the holidays the friends of Mr. Lamar claimed his confirmation by the votes of five republican _senators, viz: Sawyer _and Spooner of Wisconsin, Evarts of New York, Stewurt of Nevada and Mitchell of Oregon. The delay, however, has been to Mr. Lamar's rejudico.” Mr. Spooner in the seuate now valmw e cannot vote for him. Being in his first term in the senate, he feclsdoubtless that such a vote would be antagonistic to his future, as the sentiment of the republicans of Wiscousiu is against the appointment., Mr. Evarts has likewise shifted his position. ‘While willing and a trifle unxious to vote for Mr. Lamar, he will excuse himself on the ground that it is lable to shatter his chances of a presidential nomina- tion. He found that Mr. Shermun was taking advantuge of his position and he readily changed front, solely for self-intevest. Mr. Sawyer still clings to his announced inten tion to support the appointment. been elocted to se ere its six years pe ; od has clapsed he ' will have attuined an o which will preclude oven the desire of further political prefer- ment. Mr. Miteiell, of Oregon, is in doubt Ha was elected by a coulition of democratic votes, and is inclined to make payment of the obligation in part, but he is by no wmeans de- aded. SMALL MATTER According to a Waterbur; in to-day’s New York World, G ard’s son, J. W., is visiting in the city with his flancee, “n Russian Princess.”” The young lady is quite well known in Omaha, where she resided at the general’s house, in the person of a very sweet and unassuming German girl. Senator Paddock will vigorously oppose Lama’s confirmation. The senator will again take up the fight on behalf of Nebraska for the refunding to the state of the 3 and 5 fer ceat olaime on account of sales of public nds. Mr. W. A. Carter, of Fort Bridger, Wyo., de, (nee Miss Kate Chase, of Owabia, ) who were married in Atlanta, Ga.,on Tues- day, are stopping at the Arlington. They will be at Ithaca, N. Y., during the winter, where Mr. Carter is uttending lectures at the law . 8chool, Mus, Senator Paddock assisted Mrs. Sen- ator Reagun in receiviug guests at the Dixie Cotillion club last Wednesday evening. WA CALLERS, Representatives Holmes, Fuller, Struble and Conger, of lowa, made calls together to-day. They were @ happy quartette and received a hearty welcome everywhere, Representatives Henderson, of Dubuque, and Mr. Clarkson, of the Des Moines Reg ter, called together, accompanied by the two sons of the latter. The young men are at- tending college in the east. Ex-Governor and Representative Meade calls alone. None of the Ncbraska delegation were here to enjoy the New Year festivities and none of the ladies from the state kept open house, Senator Paddock is in New York, No Halt in Land Reform. Wasningrox, Jan. 2.—[Special to the Bee.) ~There is a good deal of disappointment among the land jobbers over the coutinued , despatch ioral How- Gear rigid enforcement of the laws by the general land ofice. The howls of joy which went up over Commissioner Sparks' retirement h: died away in the face of the grist of decisions which his successor, Acting Commissioner Stockslager, continued to send out touching bogus claims and violators of the law. The corporations and individuals who found the new administration of the land oftice vigilant in_detecting and inflexible in exposing the schemes for the robbery of the public domain are beginning to discover that a change of men at its head does not mean a change of policy. Commissioner Stockslager has given even' less grounds for ctiticism thun his predecessor. He has changed in some re- spects the methods without ¢ ing the tone of his department and while m-mm}mslr ing the same results in the protection of the ments interests he has done so with- ing himself open to the complaints of manner and of means which attained against Mr. Sparks. But the et y of the gen- cral land office remains unimpaired. What- ever else Mr. Clevelund’s administration has done or has left undone, it deserves and will reccive the credit of having given to the country for the first time in long years, an inflexibly honest and a rigidly impartial con- duct of the affairs relating to the public domain, The attempts which have been made to prejudice the public mind against land reform and to picture the whole west as up in arms against the policy of the administration have very properly failed. Corporation attorneys who have been faced with the proofs of the gigantic steals by which the nation has been swindled out of millions of acres of land intended as free homes for the people, have filled columns of purchased papers with their protests. Money loaners whose decp interest in the welfare of bogus pre-cmptors and cowboy homesteaders has wrung their 2-per-cent-a-month hearts with anguish at seeing the titles to claims on which they had mortgages called into ques- tion, o denounced investigations set in mo- tion by the land department as inquisitions. Byt ‘the mass of honest western scltlers who have redeemed the prairie from a wilderness by making it their homes, and farme: found nothing to dread in a icy directed only at the land grabbers and upported the efforts of the land ofice to srve the people’s land for bona fide occu- s of the public do he offects of the sy t of the land law S i be; es in Nebraska in cupancy of the frontier, Pre-emptors have discovered that a residence of a month and an absence of five will not be accepted as compliance with the law touching residence, Cattle syndicates have found out to their disgust that they will no longer be permitted to monopolize the streams and to fence in miles of territory by purchasing the oaths of employes and suborring perjury for the pur- posc of securing thousands of acres of the most uvailable farming regions of the west. Companies formea of alien speculators have Jearned t there is a power more efficient, than money when evoked for the people's in- terests. The whole tone of the land office has been changed in the last three years and the west has reaped the benefit. So far from entries having been retarded they have increased in number. The population of the frontier has grown in greater proportion than ever before. Premptor and homesteaders have become actual instead of constructive settlers and the adjacent country has reaped the benefit of bona fide occupancy of the land. The speculator has been relegated to the rear aud the settler has come to the frout. L. Q. C.'s Confirmation. WAsHINGTON, Jan. 2.—[Special Telegram to the Bee.)—The nomination of Mr. Lamar for justice of the supreme court will be taken up by the senate as soon as the committee on judiciary is ready to report on it. All the members of that committee have taken their position—the republicans against and the democrats for confirmation—except Senator Evarts. How he stands on this matter re- mams in uncertainty, even to his colleagues. It has been thought that he is in favor of con- firmation and will cast his vote that way, but he may yet vote the other way. The only two republican senators besidos Riddleberger who are pretty certain to vote for Lamar's confirmation are Sawy isconsin, and Sabin, of Minn iy should do is o myste their “friends here. 1t is probable, however, that they committed themsel to Lan “s support. before the nomination and before they had been unable to learn how objectionable’ Mr. Lamar is to the great mass of their constituents. A third republican senator,who is claimed for Lamar, is Don Cameron, of Penusylvania, Cameron s the close friend and associate of Butler ud Hampton, of South ¢ and of other ible_he has gid_enforce- inaugurated by Gen- nning to show them- much incllned to vote tion, is reported to hav and would vote the oth If only Rid- dleberger, Sawyer and Sabin vote with the democrats for confirmation, then My, Lamar will take a seat on the bench of the supreme court by a scratch, but he will be satistied to got there even that way, and it is reported that Mr. Cleveland will share the satisfac- tion, mind Needed Naval inprovements, WasninGrox, Jan. 2.—The report of the commissioner of navigation sets forth in detail the various aids and advantages enjoyed by the shipping of other nations, and concludes that it is impossible without a change of present conditions for our nation to re its lost supremacy in foreign trade. He s our vesscls must be put on equality or grad- ually be forced out of the contest with foreign ships. Bounties or subsidies is paid by Spain, Italy, France, etc., and British v sels have been and are aided under one guise oranother. The report alludes to v facts relating to the West Indiun and South American trade which natura belongs to this country, but is almost monopolized by uropean ships. With regard to the coasting trade the case is different and the shipping employed, amounting to 3,000,000 tons, without ing many crafts not documented, is reason- ably prosperous, especially upon the where the coastwise trade is developing rap- idly, the increuse in American tonnage there during the year ended Junc 30, 1887, being 21,161 tons. The non the Pacitic const was 8,701 tons, and was about the sume on western rivers. The total documented tormage of the United States is 4,105,544 dis- tributed as follows: Atlantic' and Gulf, 2,608,872; Pacific coast, northern o8, 22, wostern 405, Foreign registered tonnage is 1,015,52 tons. The commissioner recommends that the coasting trade be relieved of its burdens, for pilotage fees, He speaks of the impolicy of ocal taxation of vessels and its tendency to drive the ownership to places where they are not taxed, as well as the fact that it weights them in the contest with forcign vessels, He the expense of state antines should paid by the parties interested, that is by the general public, and that the fees for the support of stations and the sajaries of ofticers should not be exacted of vessels, The commissioner is of the opinian that American sailing or steam vessels should be allowed to transport goods on which dutics have been secured without furth bonds. An amendment of the laws relating to the tonnage tax is recom- mended so that steam vesscls may pa same relatiy i present tax diserimina vessels, The report refers to the lack of any system of jurisdiction on the lakes as regards the punishment of crime there vessels of the United States, and recomiuends an extension of adwiralty jurisdiction, etc., include such cases. He also makes various suggestions as to the inspection and hundling of steam vessels on the waters of a state, and regarding steer- ing gear uniformity, et He describes the many lmnhhl[‘m encountered by ship owners by reason of the contract change going on in navigation, from sail to steam, from wood to iron, and from iron tg steel, and also by rea- son of foreign bounties, subsidies and aids granted to foreign ships competing with our vessels, both in the merchant, marine and fisheries. He expressed himself strongly fa of & naval reserve and concludes his re- port with u draft of a bi'i embodying. his ideas of the necessary legislation, WILL FIGHT TO A FINISH. Employes of the Reading Koad Adopt Vigorous Resolutions. DETERMINED TO STAND FIRM. The Company 1ssues a Circular to the Scabs Thanking Them For Their Allegiance to the Corporation Resolved on a General Strike. Suavokiy, Pa, Jan. 2—A meeting of Knights of Labor and railroaders was held here to-day, and as a result a general strike of miners and railroaders will be made to- morrow throughout the Anthracite region, except in the Wyoming valley. The miners strongly condemned the course of the rail- road company and the Brotherhood of Loco- motive Engineers, and made an appeal to the men who contemplate coming into the region to scek work to remain away until the strike is settled. They also advised hotel and board- ing house keepers not to_entertain “scabs,” and declared their intention to fight to & fin- ish aemv Trafic Almost Blocked. READING, Pa., Jan. 2.—The coal and freight traffic, while in full operation on the Reading railroad, is not as brisk as it was before the present lubor troubles, It is apparent that the new men are not able to move trains as rapidly as the old ones. The majority of the coal mines are idle and this likewise has its effects on traffic. There is now no fear by the business community that the shop hands in this city will strike. It is an as- sured fact that they will not do s0. A circular was issued by Super- intendent Cable aud distributed among all employes here, thanking them in the name of the company for their loyalty and_faithful- ness and promising that their good conduct should not be_forgotten. Men in this city. while not tuking any officiat action at_their assembly mectings generally speak in denun- ciation of Sharkey, Lee and other leaders 0, they say, having now been_ discharged by the company, try to foment trouble and 1éad old and fuithfui employes who have no grievance, to strike. Advices from the north of Reading to-day say that at G Plane a_full complement of hands is af W Snuperintendent Lawler, of Shamokif; reports that he is well supplied with men and really hus more now than he requires to handlo trade, At Mahoney Plane the strike is more serious, but with the collicries all idle the officialg have not _oxperienced much trouble in handling its busincss. At all other points on the Shamokin division everything was re- ported quict. All the iron industries in this vicinity are preparing to shut down if a coal strike takes place. There is not enough coal on hand in this city to supply private con- sumers more than several weeks, and prices are going up. —_——— Reading Receivers Retire. PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 2.—The Reading rail- road to-day passed out of the hands of the receivers and the officers of the road assumed full control, this action being taken in acord- ance with an order from the United States court. e ELECTRIC SHOCKS. A New York Street Blocked by Broken ‘Wires. NEW YORK, Jan. 2.—[Special Telegram to the Bek.]—People about the corner of Four- teenth street and Fourth avenue at 8 o'clock last evening watched the blue and white flames which at times sputtered from wires intersecting above the middle of the street. Suddenly one of the wires parted, and the ends dangled in the street. A man who was the street came into contact with the wire and was thrown to the ground. The snap- ping and crackling fag ends lay unguarded in middle of the street, imparting their elec- ¥y to the rails on the car track. A line of impromptu fireworks was set up, and by- standers looked on in amazement. Several persons had their feet entangled in the wires, but escaped without injury. ~A moment late a Fourth avenue car reached the spot. team got full effect ofthe powerful cur The horses reared and plunged, and their cries could be heard for blocks. A man rushed outjto distangle the wire with his bare hands, but a policeman seized him in time to save his life. The wire got fastened into the harness of one of the horses. As the animal stood on wet ground a perfect current was established, and the brute fell dead. The re- maining horse tore away from his prostrate mate and ran up the street. The policemen was kept busy restraining the curious, but for three-quarters of an hour the dangerous obstruction lay in the street, blocking traffic +| and_ menacing life. At last alineman came cquipped with rubber gloves and cut t wire. A continuation of sparks along the un- broken wires led the spectatorsto fear further trouble would ensue, The kept themsclves at a distance, and awaited developments, but none occurred. e R Wrecked on the Beach, New York, Jan, 2.—During the fearful storm which raged along the New Jerscy coast yesterday the steamship Towanda, o coaster engaged in the southern trade, was wrecked off Brigantine beach. After a_ gal- Jant struggle with the waves & boat which was launched from the steamer and which contained the mate and two seamen, was cap- sized near the shore. The mate and one sea- man_were drowned. The steamship To- wanda was built in Philadelphia in 1364 and was of 845 tons burden. ool U A Triple Killing. oGALES, A. T., Jan. 2.—An account is given of the killing a few days ago of Santiago Rokas, his son and grandson near Rancho de Nevajo, on the road to Venturos, by a band of Bernuls bandits. The dead bodies were rifled of £1,500. A report from Valparaiso, Zacatecas, says that Bernal has been seen in that_vicidity, and Governor General Arec has left the capital with 300 cavalry for that point. e Better Quarantine Needed. NEW Youg, Jan, 2.—Mayor Hewitt sent a letter to the governor to-day in which he states that neither this city nor stato nor any other portion of the union is free from the spread of contagious discases under the pres- ent quarantine regulations at this port. The opinion of the mayor is based upon the re- port of the board of health of this city. He recommends that the governor submit the matter to the legislaturve for action in im- proviug the arrangements at quarantine, — ians Sentenced. Los A s, Cala, Jan. 2.—A general cour: maurtial order has been issued from the headquarters of General Miles, fixing the sentence of the five regularly enlisted In- dian scouts, who mutined at San Carlos last Juune and fled to the mountains, where they remained until captured. They are sen- tenced from two to twenty years each, = ALk The Miller-Weir Fight. MixNEAroLis, Jan. 2.—The fight between Mike Weir and Tommy Miiler, the Omaha bs winally announced to be fought at Omaba, January 11, will occur in Minne- wpolis The contest has been whan, small Mutinous st gloves the law will allow, —— . Made an Assignment. MixNEaroLss, Jan., 2—F. L, Martin, owner of the Mortimer apartment house which was destroyed by fire 4 few woeks ago, made an assignnent to-day. The assets consist of real estate to the amount of $50,000 aud, in- ksumnu.-“ S00, Liabilities, $40,173, SCHMIDT RESPITED. —— The Fayctte Cotnty Murderer Gets a New Lease of Life. (—] Des Moixes, Ia., Jan 2. —[Special Telegram to the Beg.]—Governer Larrabee announced to-day that he had granted arespite to Henry Schmidt, the Fayette county murderer, who was sentenced to be hung next Wednesday. He has postponed the date of the hanging at least to the 13th and may postpone it until longer or commute the sentence to imprison- ment for life. A strong effort is being made todo it. Severalof the leading business men of Fayette county, including two or three ministers, court officials and other prominent men, have urged him to do so from the pecu- liar condition of the crime and its conse- quences. Much sympathy is expressed for Schmidt, who was a young German boy of eighteen and had been in this country but a few months when he committed the crime. He confesses that he was hired by his employe, @ Mr. Smith, to kill Mr. Peek, that he went 10 the house for that purpose accompanied by Mr, Smith and shot Mrs. Peek through the window, not recognizing her. Many believe Smith 18 a8 guilty of the murder boy Schmidt and some think Leanard, who was wounded but not fatally, was really shot by Smith. Certain it is that Mr. Peck was found dead with a bullet hole in him. Mrs. Peek was found dead likewise shot and Mr. Leonard, who was a guest of Peek’s that night, was found badly wounded. This tragedy oc- curred in September, 1886, and there had been & very bitter feeling between Smith and his neighbor Leonard, as also between Schmidt and his former employer, Peck. Schmidt was tried for the murder of Mrs. Peek and found guilty, and although it is generally believed that he shot the other two persons, yet he has’ not been tried for anything except the killing of Mrs. Peek. Smith was tried for his part in the tragedy and acquitted, but the impression prevails, to some extent, that the boy Schmidt, who certainly shot one person and possibly three, was hired, as he says, by hislemployer Smith, to commit the murder. Many say in TFayette that if both Smith unj Schmidt ~ could be hunf they would not object, but they feel that it would be unfair to visit all the penalty, and that the death penalty, on the boy Schmidt. The goy- ernor has the case under advisement and_is receiving constant appeals for clemency. He has not yet decided whether to let the law take its course or commute Schmidt's sen- tence to imprisonment for life, He says that the hanging will not_take place before the 13th, at uny rate, and he is not prepared as yet to say whether it will take place then or not at all. —— A Sioux City Shooting Affray. Stoux Crry, Ia., Jan, 2.—|Special Tele- gram to the Beg.]—John King, one of the parties alleged to have been cmployed to whip the witnesses in the Haddock case, shot several times at H. McKenzie in a dance house last night, one ball striking him in the forehead the other in the fleshy part of his arm. As McKensie made through the door King shot again but missed his victim. ‘When McKenzie reached the outside he fell in the snow. His wounds are not considered serious. King was immediately placed in jail upon a charge of assault with intent to commit murder. —— ‘Woodbury County Officers Installed. Siovx Ciry, Ia., Jan. 2.—[Special Tele- gram to the Bem.]—The county officials elected last November took charge of their respective offices to-day. Sheriff Don Me- Donald is succceded by D. A. Magee, after seventeen yearsofgérvice either as deputy or principal in the cdive, D..L. Hedges suc- ceeds Ed H. Atidngon as treasurer; J. J. Jordon, W. C. Hutchins, as auditor; W. W, McElrath, W. L. Jenes, as supervisor and Prof. Palmer, Prof. Shoup, as superinten- tendent of schools, The retiring ofticers out with the best of records and lcave the county’s affairs in good shape, A Small Blaze. L Souvx City, Ia, Jan. 1.—[Special Tele- gram to the Bee.]—Just at noon to-day a fire broke out in the basement of the New Security National bank building, but was ex- tinguished before @ great amount of damage was done. The fire was traceable to a new heating furnace. county Drank Concent ated Lye. Siovx Ciry, Ta,, gram to the Bez.J—The in liam J. Walker drank a large guantity of con- centrated lye to-day and dicd soon after- wards, K/ ey SAS KUKLUX. Arrest of a Desperate Gang—Their Treatment of a Homesteader. Toreka, Kan., Jan. 2—A gang of Lane county kuklux has just been broken up by the arrest of all but one. There are cight of them and they were brought to the city and lodged in the county jail. The charge against them is conspiracy to intimidate a home- steader named Hoover, with a view to forc- ing him to abandon his claim for the supposed purpose of one of their number jumping it. Fiye of the defendants gave bond for their ap- pearance to answer an indictment in the United States district court and the others were taken to jail to await the sitting of the next term of cowrt. The defendants, who were masked, entered Hoover's house near Dighton. They set upon Hoover and beat and kicked him unmercifully. An attempt was made to tar ‘and feather him, but he fought desperately and the tar was scattored over the room and furniture. Mrs. Hoover came to her husband’s assistance and with a heavy wooden chair felled three of them to the floor. In the gerimmage the masks were torn off, disclosing the identity of the parties, who then retreated. Not long after this oc- currence Hoover's dwelling was burned to the ground ome might, leaving his family homeless on the prairie. The matter was presented to District Attorney Perry, who brought it before the grand jury, which re- sulted in the guilty persons being arrested. —— Discharging Workmen. St. Louis, Mo., Jun. 2.—(Special Telegram to the Bee.]—There is much suppressed feel- ing among employes of the Gould South- western railrosd system here and other points along the line, because of an order to at once reduce the working forces to 10 per cent. The officials claim tne reduction is the result of the dull scason and will not last longer than 1. ‘The men claim the re. duction is not jusyified by the labor situation on the system is rm%;'d 10 as u substi- tute for cutting ;wages. Fourtecn hundred men will be ue‘!mm work. - Roumania's Military Preparations, Bucnakest, Jan. 2.—A decree has been published fixing the number of recruits for the coming year at44,000. This is a notable increase and is rdgarded as a proof that Rou- mania is pn-p;ui.? for coming events. Ar- senal and state railway factories are working night and day apd their hands have been doubled. Premibr Bretanio states that Rou- mania if obliged to enter the field, can do so With 300,000 men, Berwiy, Jan. 2~The North German Ga- zette, in the course of & political reyiew of the year just closed, says the publication of the forged documents recently sent to the czar is, without doubt, the most iinportant event of recent hi; Ixry. and affords eloquent proof of the loyal intentions of the czar im paving the way for a modification of the ex- isting situation, e Steamship Arrivals. New Youg, Jen. 2.—|Special Telegram to the Bee.]—Arrived—The Ethiopia, from Glasgow. PuiLApeLruys, Jan, 2 § - Arrived—The In- diana, from Liverpool, ' CALLING ON THE PRESIDENT. The New Year's Reception at the ‘White House. SOME OF THEHANDSOME DRESSES Danger That the Blair Bill Will Be Strangled—Secretary Whitney Not Pleased With Cleveland's Civil Service Methods. The White House Reception. ‘WASHINGTON, Jun. 2.—New Years came in with & brilliant and beautiful day in Wash- ington. The sun shone warmly in the cloud- less sky and, with the exception of the ice- covered sidewalks in the early morning, which made walking dificult, the day was all that could be desired. The white house waus the main point of interest to the ofticial world and public to-day, und long before the beginuing of the president’s annual recep- tion the great iron gates closing the Penu- sylvania avenue entrances to the grounds, were surrounded by people who gazed with curiosity at the brilliant costumed throng of diplomats and ofticers as it filed through the executive mansion. The interior was taste- fully, but not lavishly, decorated with potted plants, flowers and vines, All the shades were drawn and the gas burned brightly] in crystal chandeliers, which were festooned with smilax and other graceful vines. The vestibule was almost filled with the scarlet coated marine band, which dis- coursed pleasing music as the ceremony pro- ressed. A few minutes after 11 the band n to play “‘Hail to the Chief,” and the reception an.v descended the staircase and entered the blue parlor. Marshal Wilson and Lieutenant Duval, U. S. N., led the party, followed by the president and Miss Jayard, Sceretary Bayard and Mrs. Cleve- land, Sec 'y Fairchild and Mrs. Whitney Secretary Endicott and Mrs. Fairchild, Post: master General Vilas and Colonel Lamont. Secretary Whitney came late Marshal Wilson took a position at the west door of the room and introduced the official and the public to the president, who stood at is ri Lieutenant Duval performed ce for the officiuls of the army Mrs. Cleveland stood near the president and was assisted by Miss Buyard, Mrs, Fairchild and Mrs. Whitney. Mrs. Cleveland wore a princess of olive green plush, trained and cut pompadour at the neck. ‘The skirt was gathered full at the waist and the rich train of plush was without a single break. On either side and to the front were up-und-down stripes of ecru etrascan silk lace, the only trimming upon the skirt. Thesame kind of lace was u»m\ to edge the square neck for the epauléts upon the shoulders, and down the elbow sleeves and for the cuffs turned at the elbow, and down the front of the bodice on either side of the fastenings. Her right hand was bared and on her arms were gold bracelets in lace. On the side of her corsage was a coil of gold wire, an_her left hand was a grey-white glove and closed fan, and in her hair, which was in a clytic knot, was arranged & neck- lace, caught with two diamond stars. Her neck was without ornament and outlining the ‘waist line was a white silk cord, knotted in front and falling almost to her feet, ending in two tassels, Her slippers were bronze leather, embroidered with bronze beads. Miss Bayard wore a high necked dress of black dotted tulle, short skirted, trimmed with black lace, and open V shaped at the neck, veiled with black tulle, There were rows of white pearls about her throat and a great bunch of American beauty roses in her corsage. Sheheld a black fan and wore black gloves. Mrs. Fairchild wore a white toilet of white satin. It was half high in the neck, had o trqin of ivory white brocadeand the front fastened with white gauze over small falls of plaited gauze and lace. She worea large pear] pendant from white ribbon that encir- cled her throat. Mrs. Whitney wore a French dress of an- tique blue brocade with rows of silver em- broidery upon the folding panels. The train was full and plain and the corsage was V shaped, draped with silver spangled tulle and at the point she wore an immense dis- mond star. In her ears she wore solitaires. The space in the rear of the reception party was filled with persons prominent in \("unlb ington official society,among them being Miss dicott, Mrs. Lamont, Miss Vilas, Miss rland, Mrs. Sheridan, Mrs. Stevenson, Mrs. George Knott, Mrs, FLS, Thompson, Mrs, Colonel Wilson, Mrs. A. A. Wilson, Miss Wilson, Miss George Bancroft and Mrs.Steb- bins. When the party had taken its position and exchanged greetings with the members of the cabinet, the diplomatic corps was re- ceived, The supreme court next paid its re- spects to the president, all of the members being present. It was followed by the judges of the courtof ciaimsand members of the district judiciary. Then came the senators and representatives and their ladies. Speaker Carlisle did not enter with the members of the house, but came nearly half an hour later. The cflicers of the army and navy, who had assembled at their respective depart- ments, reached the doorway just as the last of the represcntatives pussed through e blue room. Lieutenant General Sheridan ahd Rear-Admiral Janett led the army and navy contingents respectively. Next came the regents and secretaries of the Smithsonian institute, the commissioner of agriculture, the civil service commissioners, the inter- state commerce commisgion, the assistant secretaries of the departments, the assistunt postmaster generals, solicitor general, assist- unt attorneys general, heads of the bureaus of tha several departments and the president of the Columbia institute for the deaf and dumb. A notable break in the programme at this point_was the non-appearance of the Asso- ciated Soldiers of the War of 1812, Last year they numbered but six, but to-day not one made his appearance. The Grand Army of the Republic with alarge number of mem- bers and the Oldest Inhabitants’ association of the District of Columbia were the last organized body to exchange greetings with the president amd party, and it was 12:30 before the general public was admitted. | people were presented in large num- he crowds were hardly equal to those of previous years, The reception terminated 2 o'clock, having passed off successfully in every particular and without incident, Strangling Legislation. WasHINGTON, Jan. 2.—[Special to the Brg.]—“Speaker Carlisle has made a com- mittee on education and a tommittee on labor, which are prejudiced against the Blair educational bill, and should the meas- ure be sent to either, it will be smothered,"” said an old republican member from the west to-day. *You will remember,” he con- tinued, ‘‘that when the Blair bill came over from the seuate in the last congress there ‘was a scramble over its reference. The ma- jority in the house at first wanted to send it to the committee on education because that committee was known to be opposed to the measure, and it was notorious that the ad- ministration and the majority in the house wanted the bill strangled, as its passage would mean defeat to tariff’ reform, which is the paramount desire of the party. Subsequently the bill was taken from educa- tion and sent to labor, which was not known to be “set up” against the bill; but the screws were brought to bear on that commit- tee and the bill reposed there to the end of the session of congress. Hoth of these com- mittees are cocked against the measure, and should it go to either one it willbe strangled in. There is no use of talking about the wl:lr educational bill or a general bill for edudational purposes of any claracter us long as there is uny possibility for tanff re- form or free trade and there is a majority in either brauch of congress democratic, . Sy Will Secretary Whitney Resign? WasHINGTON, Jan. 1.—[Special o the Bee.] ~—1It has come to me in three ov four differcut forms during the past two weeks that S tary Whitney iutends leaving the cabinet. It is now known that while the secrotary was in New York for a month or more during the campnign this fall that he was not sick, as was reported. Mr. Whitney was working in politics while he was absent from his oficial duties, and the work he did and the things he heard led him to conclude, 8o the reports say, tht he would like to relinquish his con- nection with the administration before the campaikn for the nomination fully opens, and before he is committed. Mr. Whitney does not like to do things politically by halves. He wants no civil ser- vice reform or presidential headstrongness to stand in his way. Both have operated against his purpose. president has probably heeded more of the advice of Mr. Whitney than any other man in the cabinet but the secretary of the navy has wiclded very little influence. He has been unable to reward any of his friends or make himself strong before the country. He prefers to be in the practice of law in New York, and to be in a position to make a dash for the presi- dential nomination himself or select his own man for the race. It was only to satisfy a momentary per- sonal ambition that Mr. Whitney entered the cabinet. His millions of wealth and im- mense schemes in New York brought him in such a large and sure income that he rolled 1n luxury, was @ power in business, politics and society, and since he has had the experi- ence and the change which nearly three years in the cabinet have given him and he finds himself less potential and less contented than before, and the novelty of the thing having completely worn off, it is stated that he will very gladly step down and out next spring at the close of the society season and lym flcmundu of congress, aud go buck to New ork. Parcel-Post Agitation. ‘WasniNgros, Jan. 2.—[Special to the Beg.] —The somewhat severe construction of the postal laws by Postmaster-General Vilas, taken in connection with the fact that during the last two weeks a great many packages of merchandise sent through the mails have been charged at full letter rates of postage, because the word “Merchandise” appeared on the outside, has stirred up the advocates of cheaver parcel-postage. 1t is asserted now that the rates of postage upon merchandise are 8o heavy that poor people are compelled to use the express companies for small pack- ages in this country, while in every other civ- ilized nation postal facilities are so much bet- ter in this respect that there is no use what- ever for express companies. Every attempt which has been made in _the past to reduce postage on merchandise has been vigorously opposed by the express companies, who have fortificd = themselves agminst legisla- objectionable to their _interests by supplying every member of each house with franks enongh to send away all of his own packages, The postal laws are now such that the weight of a package which can be sent by mail is limited to four pounds, and the rate is fixed at 16 cents per pound for such package. We have a postal treaty with Bermuda which provides that a package my be shipped in San Francisco to that island of early vegetables. It will travel clear across the continent and be shipped in New York by steamer. 1t may weigh eleven pounds, may be four feet long and a foot thick and the prepaid postage upon it will be but 13 ceuts per pound. If that same package should be posted by the same man and destined for New York it would be thrown out as unmailable, because of its size. If, however, it was below four pounds in weight it would be carried, but the owner would be compelled to pay 16 cents in- stead of 12 cents per pound. The government now carries newspapers from the office of publication at the rate of 1 cent und. It is said that this i done’ With ioss; merchandise of all descriptions is charged at the f sixteen times a8 high as_nowspapers, 1f the govern- ment can carry newspapers through the mail attherate of 1 cent per pound, there 18 no reason why it should not carry merchandise atarate not exceeding 4 centsat the high- est. The pnr(‘elJ)nst in every other country is well patronized and is a blessing to ali poor people who are unable to use the high-priced express companies, and one of the reforms that could be advocated in the postal service with more promise of benefit to the many than any other which las been mentioned is the uction of postage upon merchandise to a somewhere commensurate with the vice performed. The Democratic Convention. ‘WASHINGTON, Jan. 2.—[Special to the Bee.]—Although the democratic committee does not meet, in this city to select a place for holding the next convention till the 22d of February, there is already a great deal of talk among democratic politicians as to the. probability of the selection of one city or an- other. All this preponderance of sentiment seems to be in favor of New York as the best place. There is a decided feeling among many in favor of San Francisco. A member of the cabinet, in discussing the question informally among some of his friends the other evening, gave his views about as fol- lows: ““The selections of 1887 practically settled the question of New York's place in the election of 1888. New York will go demo- cratic no matter where the convention is held. In 1884 Blaine carried the F slope, and there is a chance that he ma, 80 again. It cannot be denied that the Pa- cific has been rather unfairly treated, and it is evident that something must be done to make the people of California understand that they are still in the union. Now, if we hold our convention there next year, the Californians will meet democratic leaders from all over the ry. The result cannot e other than beneficial to to the party, and for this reason 1 think it would be wise poli- ties to select San Francisco as the place for holding the next democratic couvention.” Accident to Mrs. J. H. Gear. WasniNGro, Jan. 2.—[Special Telegram to the Ber.]—Some ten days uge Mrs, Gear, wife of Gov. John H. Gear, representative from Burlington (Towa)odistrict was visiting at the Ebbit house. In stepping from the eleyator m one of the upper corridors she stimbled in the dim light over a pile of baggage _and_reccived @ severe sprain in a teudon of the hip. Since then she has Been confined to her apartments at the Portland, with no immediate prospect of recovery. MEXICAN BAD FAYIH. The Arizona Indigns Grossly Cheated of Thei NooALEs, Ariz, Jan. 3=-Strange news developed during thopast 8w duys in ‘the Yaquiriver campaign,, The, Yaqui war has been carried on with the undérstanding that at its close the land between the Yaqui and Mayo rivers was o be_divided” fh severalty among the Indians, and by making them be- lieve this, the majority surrendered, It has now come to light that the Mexican gunboat, Democrata, hus gacretly removed at various times fiftcen ndred or more of the Indians to the state of Colima, where they are dying of fever and other diseuscs. It is stated that Chief Cajema, who was reported killed in accordance with' the military laws of the country, was really assassinated by Mexicaus. Its asserted that land grabbers are gradually absorbing all the tillable land in the valley and that the remainder of the Tndians are becoming greatly dissatisfied, Open war is looked for again soon. it ol Lo L Injunction Denied. S1. Pavr, Jan. 2.—-The motion of H. Stone for an injunction against the M nesota Thresher company came on for hear- ing in the United States court to-day before Judge Nelson, and at the close of the hear- ing a motion for au injunction was denied and refused, The formal transfer of the great property will now be made and possession taken at once, mre— Farthquake 8hock in Mexico, CiTy o¥ MEXICO, (via Galveston) Jan. 2 A sharp shock of earthquake was feit h this morning ut 7:40 cclock, During the last three monthis there have been seiswic dis turbances throughouttlie country, |A SCORING FOR SULLIVAY. Mitchell and Kilrain Reply to Hig Recent Attack. BOTH THINK THEY CAN WHIP HIM Baiting the Boston Boy—Several Peo ple Shot By a Mysterious Stranger in London—Jdamison and the Cup. Pugilistic Gossip. LCopyright 1857 by James Gordon Bennett,] Loxpoy, Jan. 2.—[New York Herald Cable —S8pecial to the Bee.]—Pugilism was agais to the fore to-day. Kilrain and Mitchell cons versed at the Sporting Life ofice about Suls livan, Jem Smith had a complimentary sup- per in Spitalfields, and Jem Carney was wels comed home to Birmingham with an effusion in its kind greater than greeted Mr. Glad- stone in Florence. When Kilrain was asked to-day to state his relations to Sullivan he substantially said: “I have only set-toed with him tw Once when he was trained to fight a Providence (Rhode Island) man, who did not turn up, 1 was asked it I would give three exhibition rounds with Sullivan and consented, 1 sparred three rounds with him. In regard to our second meeting it was a friendly sctto, terminating with honors equally divided. Why Sullivan shoula allow his signature to be put to untruthful garbage bafles my comprehension, us it only tends to make him ridiculous in the eyes of the pub- lie. It is well known in the States that Sulli- van sneaked out of a match with me after blowing what he would do in the ring. To conelude I will answer him in his own language. Ishall have no use for a beaten man, which he will surel, anless he crawls out of the match with Mitchell.” Mitehell sai e public in America and England know well that I have been on Sulli n's track for the past four years appearing before 10,000 people on June 16, 1884, He saud, ‘T am not well enough ta fight Mitchell to-night and I won't meet him.* On some of his adherents shouting out, ‘Go, on, John. You can do him,” he shook his head and answered, ‘No, not to-night, but I will never meet anybody else until I have de- feated him.! None knows better than Sulli- van that T shall be ready on the day ap- pointed, and I will say what 1 have never said before to any y viz: T will meet him and beat him. No more notice will be taken by either myself or Kilrain of anything Sullivan may say through the press as he has had enough cheap adver- tising alre: Kilrain has done what he never dared to do, viz.: fight a man whom he never saw, who had a world-wide reputation as a wonder,and left his own country to do it and with nobody at his back to make a win, tie or wrangle of it. He came over and trusted to the honor of Englishmen to give him fair play and he has not been deceived® Kilrain has not filled the papers with a lot of rotten gush a la Sullivan, and believes in deeds, not words, as he has proved to every honest thinking Englishman throughout the world. 1will say no moreas I think this ought to satisfy the Sullivanist. Letus end this now controversy and settle our accounts in the ring.” When the two left the ofice of the Sportin; Life, where the above conversation thflet{ an immense crowd in Fleet street mobbed them with ploasant attentions, pursuing their carriage past the Herald building a little to the westward. ong the Sports. LCopyright 1855 by Jumes Gordon Bennett.) Loxpoy, Jan. 2.—[New York Herald Cable—Special to the Bee.|—Fleming al the Pelican club to-day, announced that i was not his intention to fix a date for the Suliivan-Smith match’ until Sullivan haé fought Mitchell, The latter had yesterday & large attendance of sports and fricnds at Al nts echiurch, were his infant son wag christened, and a “Poney” Moore supper fol lowed. This afternoon Carney was welcomed home at Birminghum by an immense crowd. Not its own Joe Chamberlain, if he should return with a fisherics treaty in his pocket, could receive a more r ng welcome than. Carney got. To-night Jem Smith gets a coms plimentary dinner at Ballard's sporting taye ern, numed after the merry monarch, situe ated in Spittals Ficlds, Kilvain saw the old year out at the Horse Shoe tavern, in Totten= ham Court road, surrounded by a crowd of admirers. To-morrow night Editor Harding will receive numerous gifts at the Canterbury musie hall, Jamieson and the American Cup. [Copyright 1885 by Jamics Gordon Bennetl.] DunLiy, Jan. 2—(New York Herul Cablo—Special to the Bre.|—I have jus secn Jamieson about the American cup, He positively refuses to give information, Every« thing is being kept durk. He would not deny an intention to challenge. There is no chale lenge from any other quarter. HUMAN TARGE A Man With a Pistol Creates Cmuler‘ nation in London. N [Copyright 185 by James Gordon Bennett.] T.oxpoN, Jan. 2.—(New York n(-mA Cable~Special to the Bee]—Late Sunday night a man of independent means named Richardson, was quictly walking the streetd of Ramsgate, 8 watering place ncar Dove when he suddenly uctosted u young \\'umu: with: “You're the girl ! J He fired two' shots from a revolver at hey Both shots missed their aim. Then he met member of the Sulvation army, and fired shots at him. The man had anarrow escay as the butlets whized close to his head, considerable crowd pursucd Richardsor who, fluding himself hard pressed, turne and fired one shot, which struck lad named Pellow. The boy fol and was conveyed to an infirmar; A police constable joined in the chase, bu Richurdson escaped to his house. He wi next seen at an upper window with a doubl barrelled gun, both barrels of which he disy charged at the crowd. One shot struck @ young man damed Moddy in the head, whilg a policeman named Fox. Bof were removed to an infirmary. Finally te policemen broke into the house, and after @ ere struggle Richardson was removed to the police station. The police found twd guns, two large pistols and a revolver, witha quantity of ammunition in his house. He was cent and not at all excited, but he could give no explanation of ks conduct, naf could his fumily, LoNDON, Jan. 2. k Lano express, in its weekly review of the Ivitish graid trade, suys: English wheat is firmer, In the provincial markets the supply is small and quotations are Gd@ls higher. In London prices have advanced 6d. Sales of English wheat during the past week were 41,550 quarters at 3s@9 against 84,766 quarters af #5s for the corresponding last yeam Forcign wheat is stronge. luodian, Russiay