Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, November 5, 1893, Page 1

4 amelioration of th - 5 PART ONE. I ONSTROUS RAL omprehensive NE 19, 1871, Review THE OMAHA SUNDAY BEE. PAGES -8 L) OMAHA, SUNDAY MOR ) [NMASKED of the Methods of the Burlington Volunteer Relief Department. PLUCKING EMPLOYES FOR THE COMPANY'S BENEFIT A Cunning Device to Relieve the Railroad from Liability Incurred by Injuries to Person. Men: Compelled Funds for the to Contribute Their Own Protection of the Company. SOME STRIKING SAMPLES OF BOGUS LIBERALITY Men Forced to Sign Away Their Rights or Lose Their Situations— .Test Cases in the Courts—A Pliant Judiciary Needed to Afiirm the Robbing Scheme. Taxcory, Neb,, Nov. 4.—[Special to Tur Bee.]—There is no branch of railroad work less understood by the employes and the public generally than the operation of the Burlington Volunteer Relief department. Avtirst blush the department commends itself to the employe and to the human- itarian gencrally as a most commendable effort uvon the part of the Chicago, Burling- ton & Quiney Railrond company (o protect {ts employes from the effects of sickness and Injury, and to relieve the distress of those dependent upon them when death resuits from @ catastrophe. The relief department 1s pointed to as a beneficent society for the condition of r ployes. The company gets the credit for garing for its men and of relieving the necessities of their families, But when the facts are sonce understood the Burlington Volunteer Relief department fails to carry out the popular apprehiension of its usefulness. It is the purpese of Tue Bee in this article to show up in their true light the facts concerning the operation of this much vaunted department. Disclaiming In advance any purpose of creating a breach In the relations between the railroad and its employes or of injuring the small amount of good work actually performed by the de- partment, it is the purpose of this article to show to railway emvloyes and to the general pub'ic that the organization which upon fts face purports to be an association for the ro- lief of sick and injured employes is in reality a deyice of the railroad companies to pro- tect itself against the liability which the laws lay upon them and to prevent employes from collecting what would really be sdue them for injuries received while serving the company. It is also the purpose to prove to employes that the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road company uses the relief department as a protection to itself; that it practically com- pels the employes to contribute their own + funds for the protection of the company; that it is in truth a mutual insurance com- pany operated by the railroad company for its own bonefit and suvported by the em- ployes; that it has no legal existence as a corporation and that It therefore has no standing in the courts; that iv can defraud the employe and leave the employe without redress; that it is an insurance company doing business outside the laws of the state; and finally that its contracts which it re- quires the employes to sign before they are entitled to draw the mouey contributed by themselves are void and illegal upou the grounds of public polic; History of the Department, The Burlington Voluuteer Relief depart- ment was organized but a few years ago, its fnception dating from June 1, 1880, It was organized, uot by the employes, but by the Chicago, Burlington & Quiney Railroad com- pany and the several railroad companies associated with it, as follcws: Chicago, Burllugton & Quiney, including the B. & M. lines in Nebraska, the Chicago & lowa, Hannibal & St. Joseph, Kansas City, Bt. Joseph & Council Bluffs, St. Lows, [Keokuk & Novthwestern, Chicago, Burling- ton & Konsas City. The ewployes of the above roads con- tribute, *‘voluntavily” of course, toa com- mon fund kvown and desiguated as the wellef fund.” This funa is supplemented by the contributions of the company for the payment of expenses and for making up any deficlency. The rellef department. accord- {og to the terms of tho agreement drawn up by the railroads interested and to which every applicant for membership must sub- seribo before he can be entitled to benetits, {8 under the general churge of the Chicag Burlington & Quincy Railroad company. The officers and agents of this company deduct the dues from the monthly wages of the contributors to the fund, take chargeof the funds and pay out the money upon the written orders of the proper authoritics, Kailroads Maintuln Control, ‘The oficers of the relief dopartment con- sist of & superintendent, assistant superin- tendeut, medical director (who may be the superintendent or assistaut) and a corps of medical exuminers. All ofticers, ete., are appointed by the railroad company. There is also an advisory. board of twelve mem- Lers, to whom all disputed questious, ete., are veferred. The contribuling ewployes elect six of the members of the advisory board and o even up watters the railroad company appoints the other six. But the company has provided an additional safe- guard for its own interests by providing in the rules that the general superintendent of the Chicago, Burliugton & Quincy railroad shall bo an ex-ofticio member of the advisory board and its permauent chairman. Thus the compary guards its own interests by as- suwieg the authority to cagh the deciding vote in the event of a tie. still another safeguard by providing that the rules and regulations drawn by itself shall never be exchanged eecept by a majority of the of the whole advisory commit- te, Tnasmuch as the contributing mer bers have but one-half of the mem- vers of the committee it may be readily understood that any amendment to the rules and regulations of the department will never be made unless the amendments meet with the full approbation of the Chi- ago, Burlington & Quincy railroad. M Ithas adopted votes bership Entirely “Voluntary ' “No mem- Rule 200f the regulations provides: employe shall be required to become ver of the relief fuad.” In spiteof therule quoted above it is a well known fact that the company does everything in its powerto iaduce its em- ployes to become members of the relief fund. 1tis known that they employ men for the sole purpose of soliciting employes to make application for membership. They distribute books, leaflets and circulurs. Every omploye is furnished with blank ap- plications for membecship and as a matter of fact every member is given to thoroughly understand that in order to maintain his prestige with the company it will be to his interest to become a contributing member to the fund. “The zeal of the railroads in ranks of the members of the relief fund may perhaps be explained by an innocent little paragraph in the application tor member- ship, which reads as follows ““Ialso agreo that in consideration of the amounts paid by said company for the main- tenance of the relief department, the accpt- ance ot benefits from said velief fund for injury or death shall operate as a release and satiy recruiting the action of all claims for damages against said company arising from such injury or death which could=be e by me or my legal representatives, Sole Furpose of the Department. The above paragraph, innocent as it seems to the employe when he hurriedly makes his application for membership, contains in a nutshell the object and solo purpose of the railrond company in orgapizing the Burling- ton Volunteer Rehef devartment. The aver- agoe death benefits are from #500 to §1,000, although they may in certain instances run up as high as £,000. 1he switchman who is run over and maimed for hife is entitled to draw 50 cents a day as accident benefits as long as he remains in the employ of the com- pany, but there is nothing in the terms of his membership to prevent the railroad com- pwny from discharging him whenever it pleases after he has been injured, and there is now on file with the clerk of the supreme court a case in_ which the railroad company did discharge a man after he had been in- jured, even when tne superintendent had given hiis word that the man should remain in the employ of the company as long as he desired, and then practically violated the agreement by tendering the man a place which he was not qualified to fill, Good Investment for the Company, It will require but a few figures from the official records to prove that the relief de- partment has been a paying investment for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad company and its associate lines, According to the sworn testimony of J. C. Bartlett, genoral superfhtendent of the department, the employes contributed to the fund during the first three years of its existence the sum of $350,030.96. Out of this fund there was paid in that period for sickness and death $187,885.50. For accidents and death by ac- cidents there was paid during that time the sum of #$193,070.85, making a total of §380,- 455,85, leaving a deficiency of §20,275, mado up by the cowpany. The expe the aepartment for the same period were $03,736.53, which awount was pad by the cowpany, together with the sum of 1,040, nterest on mouthly balances. Thus the total ivestment of the railroad company for a period of three years was $114,012.08, In other words, by the payment of 38,000 per annum the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad snd all its associate lines insured themselves against possible outlays for dam- ages to thelr employes. Cousidering the fact that these systems omploy nearly 25,000 wen, aud that a frightful uumber of ac deuts are reported every year, the insurance cowes dirt cheap, How ihe Company Saves Money, The quotation of a few more facts and figures from oMicial records will open the eyes of the members of the relief depart- weunt to the manner . which the railroad company has saved itself thousands of dol- lars every year under the guise of support- ing a department *“for the relief of its em- ployes.” Iu order to briog the watter more [CONTINUED ON SECOND PAGE. | . OCCUPIED AT HOME Frenchmen Looking Over the Local Situation in the Light of Russia's Visit. PRESIDENT CARNOT IS THE GAINER His Re-Election Next Year is Now Assured Beyond All Reasonable Doubt. SALVATION FOR THE MINISTRY ALSO Fato of the Oabiuet, Which Hung in the Balance, is Decided. POLITICAL EUROPE IS NOW TRANQUIL England's Probible Course the Only Dis- turblng Feature—Austriu's Now Policy Slowly Evolving — May Change the Dreibund's Composition. [Copyriyhted 1893 by James Gordon Bennett.] Paws, Nov. 4.—(New York Herald Cable Special to Tk Bee.]—The Russians haviog taken their departure, home politics again begin to occuvy the public mind. Russian influence continues, however, to be felt. For example, the re-election of President Carnot, whose seven-vears term of oftice ex- pires in December, 1504, was doubtful before the visit of the Russian fleet, is now doubted by no one. The president represented France worthily. Hehas pleased the czar by his great uprightness and hones'y. To replace him would produce s vad effect, and there- fore he will be re-elected next year. The Russian visit has also benefited the rresent ministry, whose fato might have been doubtful. But for the fact that it has profited by the present outburst of popular enthusiasm, the radical members of the cabiuet would be got rid of even before the ovening of the Chambers, and M. Dupuy and ail the moderate winisters will form a cahinet, which is quite capable of retaining power for a long time, The political situation in Europe is calm, The events in Morocco are not disquieting, unless England should intervene, which is not at all probable. The only interesting feature is the slow evolution of Austria’s policy, which I pointed out a long time ago in these dispatches to the Herald, We are still in the preparatory period, and the work is still confined to the chancellor, but it is not possible to doubt that before spring certain changes will have taken place in the Triple Allianc JACQUES ST € PLEASED GERMANT. Its Press and People Glory in the Part that antry Took In the World’'s Falr, LCopyright 1593 by the Associated Press.y BenLiy, Nov. 4.—The close of the World's fair at Chicago has been made the occasion for a number of articles in the German press referring to the satisfaction of the German exhibitors at the manner in which the fair was managed. That the German scction was a complete success and fully justifiea the expectations of the managers is every- where admitted and it is regarded as a foregone conclusion that it will have im- mense influcnce over American-German re- lations in the future. Reichsanzeiger tonight prints prominently a cordial dispatch from the airector general of the fair to the German commissioner. This dispatch was sent on the closing day ot the fair, and says that although a tragic oc- currence has thrown a shadow over the close of the proceedings German participution in the exhibition has caused the liveliest satisfaction, and the dircctor general will always be grateful to the German empire and its august vuler for the exhibits made by Germany. Swore in the Recrait There was a large gathering this morning at the Potsdam barracks to witness the re- cruits of the Potsdam arrison take the oath of allegiance in the presence of the emperor and emvress, who were accompanied by theirsthree eldest sons. The function wi purely formal one, Emperor William ing from making any significant remarks upon the duty of the soldiers, as he indulged in upon a previous memorable occasion. After leaving the parade ground Emperor William and staff proceeded to the club of the officers of the First regiment of foot guards, where the emperor and his party were entertained at luncheon. ‘The Hanover trial has been the sensation of the week; the heavy sentences met with universal approval, In military circles something approach- ing to exultation is felt at the fact that jusfice hus at length been meted out to the so-called “human vultur who have victimized an immense number of young and aristocratic oficers who preferred to suffer in silence rather than have the names of their families dragged before the public gaze. Severo in Thelr Commenta. The press comments upon the trisls are especially s and demand a purification of the army from all those who are suspected of being implicated in the scandals, The ultra-conservative Kreuz Zeitung sug- gests that all the officers who have been compromised in the gambliug scandals should be cashiered, ‘I'he National Zeitung proposes that gam- bling be considered dishonorable and entaii- ing dismissal from the army. One of the results of the trial, according 10 the Cologne Gazette, will be a probable heavy increase in the tax on tolizator, This system is tolerated by the government with a view to diminishing gambling by taxing gambliog transactions, but instead of dimin- ishing betting the receipts of the agencies show that the vice is thriving well under the shadow of the law. The authorities of Berlin are now considering the advisability of increasing this tax by 1 per cent. Sequel of an Army Seandal, The sequel to another army scandul, em- bracing charges of brutality to private sol- diers.is the cashiering of Lieutenant Schrag- Multer of the Thirty-ninth regiment of in- fantry, stationed at Dusseldorf. Tho lieu- tenant has just served two months in prison for the brutal mauner in which he treated young Westphalian teachers, who did wpot complain until their six weeks training was finished, when they com- plained to the commander of the army corps. They added the warning that if he did not attend to vhe matter they ,will submit the case to the civil courts. The result was that & military inquiry was ordered, and Lieutenaunt Schrag-Multer was sentenced to two months imprisonment, and this has been followed by cashiering him from the army, Emperor William has conferred the de- coration of the Ked Cyoss upon President 5, NING, NOVEMBER 1893—TWENTY PAGES. Haulkrengor ¢ African republic. United States minister to Russia, Hon. A, D. White, after passing a couple of days in this city, and visiting his family at Dresden, has returned to St. Petersburg. Furzies the Secientists, entific circles in this city and olsewhere throughiout Germany, are interested in the exhibition of the so-calledt #blue man” who has attracted thousands of visitors for some time past. Curiosity th see the ‘‘blue man” has now reached such & piteh that Prof. Virchow and Privy Coun- cillor Lewin, made a scientific ex- amination of this mteresting freak today with the result that they have failed to ex plain the man's blueness and have decided to make u furthor and elearer examination. Acitizen of Berlin named Schmidt re- cently bequeathed 1,500,000 marks to the city in order to found a foundlirig hospital. Two heirs of Schmidt have made a futile contest and it isnow anuounced the emperor has sanctioned the city's aceeptance of the money, requesting the building 1o be erected and be known and conducted as a children's hospital, and not mereiy a8 a hospital for foundlings, the Transvaal, or South Prize for a New Opera. instance of the prince regent of Bavaria the royal opera house of Munich has offered a priz of 8,000 marks for a new German opera, the conditions of competition for the prize being that the composers must be Germans or Austrians and that they must choose subjects of their own and it is pre- sumed the subjects must be cither German or Austrian. The leading German and Austrian theater managers are to form a committee which will pass upon the merits of the overas submitted in competition for the Munich prize. Lembach, the famous portrait painter, who is residing at Munich, has been robbed of a hundred sketches made for portraits, and including sketches of the leading per- sonages of German Among the sketches stolen are thirty made of Prince Bismarck. The thief is a Bohemian and was formerly employed by Herr Lembach. He has been arrested. The Cologne Gazette announces that Don Antonio, the husband of the Princess Eu- lalie, who rvecently received permission to take part in the campaign in Mellila against the Moors, took leave for Madrid today in order to pay his respects to the queen re- zent before leaving for Morocco, In the Bavariah Diet. The Bavarian Diev at Muuich this after noon discussed a motion toabolish the B rian legations at St. Petersburg and Paris, Premier Crailsham declared it was impossi- ble for him to advise the regent to sanction the abolition of such an important preroga- tive of the crown. A debate on Germany's position in Europe followed, during which Deputy Raitzinger deciared that but for the war in 1886/ the policy of blood pursued in 1870 might have been avoided and in place of the present lLimited sGermany an empire compassing all the German race might have been created with the Danube remaining a German river. Inreply the premier said Germany’s posi ‘| i now allied to Austria was better than at any time since the union of the Ger- mun race. The hereditary prince of Baxe-Meiningen has been appointed to the command of the Twenty-second division of thie army. Germany's New Financinl Schome, The Associated press correspondent re- ceived from the finance minister tonight the copy of a bill embodying the new finan- cial scheme of the empire and which will now be submitted to the Bundesrath. The bill provides that the federal contributions to the imperial treasury, apart from the special sums payable by the individual states, shall be limited each year to a sum at least 40,000,000 marks below the total payments to the states out of the imperial revenue from customs and from tobacco, stamps, exclse and spirit auties. If the difference between the federal contributions and payments to the states exceeds that amount in any year the empire will retain such surplus, and the payments on account of the o toms and the tovacco tax will be correspondingly reduced. the balance is the other way a corresvonding amount of federal contributions will be r mitted. Any surplus in the imperial budge which may remain after a balance has been struck will be pzid intoa special fund, which will be used for meeting deficits in subse- quent years. Should this equalization fund amount o 40,000,000 marks further amounts will be devoted to the redemption of the imperial debt. The fund will be managed by the imperial chancellor, and a report in regard to the fuud will be submitted to the Reichstag and Bundesrath early, In the event of a deficit in the ordinary imperial budget the taxes on articles of consumption may be increased. A special luw, however, will be required to determine which taxes shall be increased and the amount and dura- tion thervof. At the TROUBLE IN TURKEY, Rector of an Albaniau Seminary Murderod by Arnuts Who Domand Autonomy, BELGRADE, Nov. 4.--It is reported from Prisrend today that the rector of the semi- nary there has been murdered by tne Arnuts, who are in possession of the terri- tory after having driven out the Turkish rrison and given an ultimatum to the sul- tan demanding the coniplete evacuation of the troops by Wednesday next and the granting of autonomy to the pashalik of Prisrend. # The Arnuts also Infoimed the Porte that should this ult‘matum ot be complicd with the Turkish troops would be expelled by force from the pashalik. Will Not e, Folerated. WasniNGToN, Nov. & —No official of the State department will admit the truth of the report that Germany or France or any other European power has given any intima- tion of an intention to wetervene in Brazilian affairs. There appears to be no doubt that the interference of any European power in Brazil will elicit u remonstrance from the United States government. Commander Picking, in charge of the United States naval forces at Rio de Janeiro, has sent the following dispatch to Secretary Herbert: “There is fiving daily between the rebel forces ana the government forces but without result. Am looking for ajsettlement. Thus far there has been no interference with our commerce.” Taafe's Successor, (Copurightea 1893 by Jaines Gordon Bennett.| Viexsa, Nov. 4.-[New York Herala Cable—Special to Tug Bee |—Emperor Frapcis Joseph has selected Prince Windish Graetz as prime minister of the Austrian cabinet to succeed Count Taafe, whose resignation has been accepted. -Minkster ard, [Coyyrighted 1893 by James Gordon Benuett,) Pass, Nov. 4.—[New York Herald Cable —Special to Tus Bee.]—M. Pierre Emuman- uel 'Lirard, ex-president of ,the ministry and ex-minister of flmarce, died in this city this wornlng. THOUSANDS KILLED Awful Boenes of Destruction and Death in & Epanish Beaport, CAHO MUCHICACO'S DANGEROUS CARGO It Explodes with Fearful Effect at the Quay at Santander, TONS OF DYNAMITE SET OFF BY FIRE Buildings Wrecked and Vessels Sunk by the Force of the Explosion, FLAMES COMMUNICATE WITH THE CITY Almost the Entire Piace Consumed—An Ap- palllng Death List—The Governor of tlie Provines Among the Num. ber—How It Happened. Mabriv, Nov. 4.—The city of Santander, onthe Bayof Biscay, was the scene last nightof a terrific exvlosion of dynamite, which killed the governorof the province and a large number of people, including several of tho leading citizens, and set fire to the houses, causing immense damage on all sides, This news w receivea hereat a late hour last might and created an intense sen- sation. But there was no means of verify- ing the report or obtaining additional iafor- wmation of any kind owing to the fact that the telegraph wires in the vieinity of the disuster had been blown down by the ¢ plosion and people i this city were kept at ahigh piteh of excitement until this morn- ing. Santander, which is the capital of tho province of the same name, i5 over 200 miles from hera. This morning the news was confirmed and further dispatches were received from the village of Bova, giving an account of a terri- ble disaster and one, too, which was most peculiar in its origin and its nature. Didn’t Know She Was Loaded. 1t seems that a Spanish steamer, the Capo Muchicaco,0f 870 tons register, which reached Santander from Cardiff, caught five yester- day afternoon to the intense alarm of the officiais, who feared the flames would cause further damage to the shipping and to the quay to which sho was moored and to the houses in the vieinity. The ofticials of San- tander, however, seem to have been unaware that the vessel was loaded with dynamite, for they sent all the fire department to the scene. The governor, the chiof municipal officers and many of the leading citizens were superintending the efforts to subdue the fire on board the steamer. Suddenly terrible es of ularm were heard from the vessel, and the alarming news spread with rapidity that the ship was loaded with dynamite and the flames were rapidly approaching tho cargo. Before the crowd had time to rush back there was a dull roar followed by a fearful burst of flume and a deafening explosion which blew the quay into fragments, set fire to & number of adjacent houses and smashed windows for miles around. Natives Badly Seared. The inhabitants, after the explosion, were reduced to a state of most abject terror and the most alarming reports were circulated as to the 10ss of life caused by the explo- sion. Some had it tha! hundreds and others that only a few were killed, The explosion shook the city and did an enormous amount of dumage. Many citizens were killed, including several ofticials of the municipal and provincial government. who were watching the efforts of the firemen and others to extinguish the firo, Among the promument people velicved to have been blown to atoms by the explosion is the governor of the province, who was las seen in the front rank of those fighting the fire. Mauy others who were upon the wharf a moment before the dynamite blew the ship up and the wharf into splinters are missing. he inhubitants were so duzed by the ex- plosion and by the rapid spread of the flames from house to house that fora long time afterwards they appeared to be utterly un- able to make any attempt to prevent any further spread of the fire, which, according to the dispatches from the village, was meanwhile eating house after house and threatening the destruction of the entire city. Alltowns and villages in the neigh- borhood of Santander havesent their fire engines to the scene, and 4 strong and com- bined effort is being made to save the property. Suntander 1s situated on a headland has a large port in the Bay of Biscay. the terminus of a railway from Madrid. It is the port of arrival and departure for many vessels engaged in the South Ameri trade. Tt supplies Cuba with corn for the Castiles, bringing back colonal produce, 1t has a population of between 30,000 and 40,000, Panie Provalls, Further details received here regarding theterrible dynumite explosion at Santander say that in addition to the ofcers killed, the president of the provincial council, and the colonel and chief officers of the civie guard of Santander were seriously wounded by the explosion. It is only announced that the whole city is likely to be destroyed, and @ large number of its population, Over 8),- 000 people will be rendered homeless, A dreadful panic prevails upon all sides. Fire engines have already arrived from many points aud the most determined efforts are being made to prevent any further desiruc- tion of vroperty. All those on board or near the dynamite steamer and all those on board the tug boat alongside of her, as well us the officers and crew of the transatlantic liuer Alphonse XII, were killod by the explosion. “The body of the civil governor, who was divecting the operations on the quay, has been recovered, as well as the bodies of a number of other oficials. Awmong those re- ported killed is the Marquis Pambo. Identity of the Steamer. It has been ascertained that the dynamite loaded steamer which caused this terrible destruction was the Cabo Muchicaco, be- longing to Bilboa, aud nov the British steawer, us was at first reported. The authorities of the Santander are highly censured on &ll sides for allowing the steamer to violate tho port regulations, which forbid the discharge of explosives at the quay side; on the other hand,iv is claimed the authorities were lgnorant of the daugerous nature of the steauer's cargo or they certaiuly would uot have been 50 fool- bardy. Every possible assistauce has been sent to Santander, where hundreds of doctors are already at work, A suwber of tempor- and Itis THE BEE BULLETIN. Weather for Omaha and Victnity— Fair; Colder; Westerly Winds. Page L. Great Corporation Fraud Unmasked. French Employed at Home Polltios. Terrible AfMair in & Spinish Port. Plattsmouth Has a Lynching Party. Yesterday on the Foot 1all Field, Trylng to Ralse the Revenue, Siiver Men Make n Last Appeal. Lust Week in the Socinl Realy Viewed by Omaha Women. Mosher's Cases Out of Conrt, Sloux City Capitalists Reviving. Chileago Counellmon Quarre Couneil BluMs Loosl Nows. Arkansas Traln Robbers Captared. Candldaates Chargeand Coantercharge. One Entertatning Letter. Kelly shows Up Slaughter's Scheme, . Griswold’s Weekly Grist, Editorial und Comment. Co-Operative Home Building. Fato of an 1liinols Woman, Omaha's Looal Trade Review. Financlal and Commercial, © Stock Trade. Vice Prealdent Stevenson at flome, How “the Kids" Did the Fair, Among Books and Perlodlol Woman: Her Ways and Hor Worl What Electricity Has Achleved. ole Sam's Great Library, —m ary hospitals have been organized in build- ings untouched by the flames, and thefr phy- sicians aro doing everything possible in this dire extremity. 1 troops sent to the spot are also rendering great service in blowing up buildings across the pathway of the flames and the districts still threatened with fire. All the inhabitants of the neigh- borhood have thrown open their houses for the reception of the wounded and homeless, No defiuite estimato of the loss of hfo has been received up to the hour this dispateh is sent, but thero has yet been no denial of the statements made in private and other dispatches that the death list will be figured by the thousands iustead of by hundreds, mpathy from Maria Theresa. Mapwin, Nov. 4.—The queen regent, as soon as she learned of the extent of the dis at Sant Andre, expressed a re to go there, but was dissuaded and the minister of finance was sent to represent the government and do all in his power to relieve the sufferers. The minister started for that place tonight. He was ac- companied by the senators and members of the Chamber of Deputies from the Sant Andre district. It is now oficially estimated the dead will number over 3%. The number of missing and injured is enormous. Many of the in- Jured are dying owing to the want of prompt medical assistance. Twenty-seven ecivie guards and all the members of tho police force but two were kille1. Among the other victims are the civil governor, colonel of the regiment, thre naval officers, the port ofcials and the Jjudge fiscal. A majority of the passen- gers of a train which arrived at the moment of the explosion were also killed. It appears the steamer which exploded car- ried 500 packages of dynamite, although the officers declared there were but twenty waich werelanded at the beginning of the fire, MELLO'S AGENT SPEAKS, He Declares that Brazil’s Rebels Are True to the Republic. Burxos Avres, Argentina, (via Galveston, Tex.), Nov. 4 —[By Mexican Cable to the ewYork Herald—Special to Tur Ben.]— Senator Ruy Barbosa, the Brazilian exile who s the representative on land of the revolutionary party of Brazil, has addressed another statement to the New York Herald that the position of the insurgents may be made known to the world. He denies the frequently published reports that the suc- cess of the insurgents means the restoration of the monarchy, and speaking directly of Admiral Mello and the navy declares that they are faithful to the republic and are not in sympathy with the alleged treason. The communication of Senutor Barbosa follows: Not Favorable to a Monarchy. “To e Evitor or Tue New York Her- AL From some telegrams lately published here I learn that it is the belief in foreign countries that we wish to restore the em- pire in Brazil, This is false and absurd, Brazilians are faithful to the republic, but will not consent to be governed by a military dictator. Admiral Mello is an honest man, and has never committed himself to the alleged treason. He is devoted to the re- public and the re-establishment of the con- sttution, He deciares that any attempt to found a republic will meet with decided re- pulse. The navy emphatically favors the republic. Where Pelxoto is Stron; “A telegram from Washington published in La Nacion today confirms my suspicions that the revolutionistsin Brazil lack the sympa- thy of the American government because of the belief existing there that Admiral Mello intends to restore the empire. This explains why Peixoto is able to procure ships only in the United States, It is also stated that the United States against its known tra- aitions will lend the protection of its flag to aid Peixoto’s ships inswreaching Brazil.” “1t is a pity such false romance should be credited by experienced and sagacious men in that country and particularly in Wash- ington ana New York. 1tis well known to us where such stories originated. The calumny was planned solely with the object of secur- ing the goodwill of the American govern- ment, Peixoto's Alleged Object, “Nobody 1s trying harder than Peixoto to restore the morarchy by a system of mili- tary oppressious, abolishing liberty and de- stroying the popularity of republican insti- tutions. “‘Americans will later on be convinced of the treachery of the Brazilian dictatorship which leads them to help the mostobnoxious regime known to the people and inimical to the constitution of the country. The revolu- tion 18 purely & republican movement, de- sigued 1o suppress & military dictatorship, Friends of Brazil are grieved at the attitude of the American government in aiding an oppressive and unpopular personal govern ment. Our natioual sentiment of friendship for the United States has been wounded., Ruy BanbExa.” When Senator Barbosa handed his signed statement to the Herald correspondent he fnquired anxiously about the fleet of ships which Peixoto is buying io New York. There 18 absolutely no news from Rio de Janeiro, The legatdn here denies having received any messag Nothiug confirming] the veport that the and Rio Janeirio,in which it was said ; 1,500 of Peixoto's soldlers had been drowned nhas been received. The report finds no credence here. 1t is said thatthe squadron at Lo is i inactive, alleged couflict between the Republica ana | "SINGLE COPY TFIVE | train i CENTS. SAVED THEIR NECKS Prompt Action of the Oounty Attorney Pre« vents a Lynching at Plattsmonth, AFTER MATT AKESON'S MURDERERS Friends and Neighbors of the Dead Man Eagor to Avenge Him, CAGED THE PRISONERS AT OMAHA Deputy Sheriff Tighe Bronght the Men to the Douglas County Jail, DETERMINED MOB WAS DISAPPOINTED Hundreds of Cass County Farmers Bent on Vengeance Walted for a Train thas Brought no Viet An Ex. clting Tate. Had it not been for the ciutiousness dis played by the oficials of Cass county, Tum Bee would this morning contain a full and detailed account of the lynching of two men, Hurry Hillfalias George Rowers, and John Benwell, the accused muvderers of Farmer Matthew Akeson, Had it not been for the cautiousness which the oficers displayed, the souls of these men would now be journeying on to mees their maker and the murder of an oid man, one of the most respected citizens of the castern part of the state, would have been avenged by a mob of men who have hitherto known 1o harsher sounds than the bleating of the herds of the prairics As is well known, Hi.l and Benwell were arrested in Lincoln Friday night and locked in jail, where they were kept until the ar- rival of the deputy sheriff, a brother of Sheriff Tighe, and Tom Akeson, a son of the murdered man. Then they were identified by young Akeson, who unhesitatingly de- clared that they were the men who shot down his father last Wednesday night and cruelly beat his mother until sensible. After that, and at an y hour yesterday morning, they were hundeuffed and taken to the train, the in- tention beiug to remove them them to Platts- mouth to there answer to the charge of murder. While the train was enroute the devuty sherif changed his plans, for at Ash. 1and he received a telegram from Platts mouth informing him that a mob congregat- ing and that his men would be lynched it they were taken to that place. Then it was that the ofticer decided to bring the men to Omaha and keop them in the Douglas county jail until the excitement had subsided and it was considered safe to remove them to Plattsmouth. Yesterday morning the deputy and his men arrived at the Mason street depot and entering a close carriage, were driven to the county jail, where Hill and Benwell were locked 1 separate sells, Sheriff Bennett and his brother trying to suppress ali informa- tion concerning their presence in the city, wers Eager for Vengeanoe. At Plattsmouth there was intense excite. ment during the entire day, and early yes. terday morning there was & movement on foot to string the two men to a telephone pole as soon as they left the train. People in town were iu communication with the farmers in the vicmity of Weoping Water and the country adjacent to the home of the Akesons, kedping them posted as to the de. velopments. As early as 10 o'clock the streets of the little city had taken on a lively appearance and were crowded with the men who come prise the best and most respectable element of Cass county. tiourly the crowd was ine creased by the rrival of farmers from oth sections of the county, and when the train due at 11 o'clock rolled in it I8 safe to es- timate that there wero fully 1,000,cfarmers gathered about the door. Sheriff Tighe Takes Precautions, It was with feelings of alarm and dire forebodings that Sheriff Tighe looked out over this crowd. He knew most of the men, and he knew that while they were the best of citizens, they were determined and ready to take the law in their'own hands and deal with the two murderers, Hill and Benywell, without giving them the benefit of clergy or jury. Having anticipated acts of violence, the sheriff had taken the precaution to swear in twenty deputies, all of whom wore gathered about two hacks which were in. tended tobe used in conveying the pris. oners from the station to the city Jail, The train was on time, and as it rollad up 10 the station the conductor looked out from the door of the baggage car and, calling to the crowd, remarked, “Boys, they are not here.” This statement, however, did not satisfy the crowd, and hustily appointing a commit. tee of a dozon men, it was sent through the train to investigate and make suro that there was not being an altempt to secrete the men in some of the closets. Having made the investigations, the committee re- ported and the train went on its way, The crowd dispersed and spread out upon the streets, Duly Charged with Murder, In the meantime County Autorney Travis had gone before Justice Archer, where fig had filed two lnformations, one charging both Hill and Benwell jointly with murder i the first degree, while the other charged Benwell with murder and charged Hill with aiding and abetting, It was his inteution te have the warrants issued and served as 800 as the men stepped from the train, but, as he looked from the window of his ofiice, he concluded that If he waited for the men to arrive there would be a job for the coroner instead of ome for the sheriff. Having reached uhis conclusion, he at once went to the telegraph ofice, and, without consulting the ‘sheriff, telegraphed to the deputy to ave the murderers at Omaha until the ex- citement had subsided. This telegram reached the ofticial while the train was at Ashland, and instead of the officer taking his men to Plattsmouth, he went over the cut-off and & few hours later turned them over to the authorities of Douglas county, In Plattsmouth this information was nof given to the public and the people were lef 10 believe that the wen would reach town on the noon frain. Consequently during the entlre forenoon large crowds of men contin. ued to arrive, congregating in stores and shovs, w the line of action to be pursued was discussed. Now and then & party of from 100 to 200 would visit the city jail, ook at it and march away with the remark: “I§ may be strong enough, but it could not stand agaiust a battering ram.” All Went to the Depot. Just before noon, as by one common im- pulse, the great throug, which numbered fully 2,000, marched to the depot to meot the “The sheriff, who was also ig igno- rance of the disposition which had beom made of Hill and Beuwell, was also on the ground with his deputies, prepared 10 pros