Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, May 17, 1894, Page 1

BRIBING SENATORS Money Alleged to Have Been Offered for Votes Against the Wilson Bill. STORY OF SENATORS KYLE AND HUNTON Approached the Virginian Through the Medium of His Son. SAME PARTY TRIED SENATOR KYLE The South Dakota Man Turned Him Over to His Secratary. GENTLENMAN OF POT HOOKS TOOK NOTES Neither Senator Wil Make Pub the of the Man Who Made the Offer but Will Tell It to the Committee, Na WASHINGTON, May 16.—Senator Lodge soon after the senate met today introduced a resolution authorizing the appointment of five scnators to investigate charges of at- tempted bribery of senators in connection with the pending tariff bill, and also the charges in a long article published in the Philadelphia Press on Monday morning con- taining allegations relating to the influence of the Sugar trust upon the tariff legislation. He asked for the immediate consideration of the resolution, but Senator Cockrell of Missouri asked that it lle upon the table until tomorrow. Rumors of the use of money to influence action one way or the other on the tariff bill have been in circulation here at various times during the past few months, but heretofore have received little attention. It is learned definitely today that certain senators have received intimations that a money consideration could be secured for their votes agalnst the tariff, though whether the alleged briber had any author- ity for his promise is a matter of some doubt. The negotiations apparently have gone no further than intimations to the clerks of Senators Kyle and Hunton. These intimations came from a North Dakota man who s known as a lobbyist on several emes. He was formerly a member of congress from one of the southern states and was identified with the so-called carpet bagging. - The amount which It was intimated Sena- tor Kyle could receive was $14,000, and $1,000 was to be retained by the man mak- ing the negotiation as a commission. Mr. McFarlane, clerk to Senator Kyle, says the matter never went any further than an intimation. He promptly Informed Senator Kyle. The latter is now in South Dakota, and will return to Washington Saturday. The character of the man who Is said to have made the intimation stamps the whole affalr with the seal of condemnation. It is scarcely possible that any syndicate of per- sons who could control the amount of money necessary in order to make an attempt to purchase votes would entrust it to the man ‘Wwho made the intimation to the clerks of Senators Kyle and Hunton. BUTTZ WANTS IT INVESTIGATED. Ax-Representative C. W. Buttz of Buttz- wville, N. D., whose name was mentioned in connection with the alleged attempt to pur- chase the votes of Senators Kyle and Hunton @n the tariff bill, has asked a full investiga- tlon at the hands of the senate on the charges made against him. Major Buttz ealled on Senator Hansbrough of North Da- Kota late this evening and a:ked advice as to what he had better do. He made a gen- eral denial of the charges made against him nd said he wantgd a rigid investigation of them. He was not willing to rest on the possibility of the passage of the Lodge reso- Jution calling for an investigation of the bribery alleged and of the influence of the Sugar trust on the makeup of the tariff bill. He told the senator he wanted a personal investigation as speedily as possible. He said he had both reputation and inter- ests which were suffering and that he wished to have a chance to clear himself. In his Interview with the senator the details of the bribery charges were not gone over, but Major Buttz's denial was emphatic and absolute. Mr. Hansbrough finally advised the ex-congressman to write him a letter asking for a personal investigation and agreed to place it before the senate. This Major Buttz agreed to do. Senator Hans- brough expects to receive the letter and present it in the senate tomorrow. Senator Hunton talked freely today about the attempt made to bribe him (o yote against the tariff bill . The matter first came to his attention about a month ago through a letter from his son, dated at War- rentown, Va., the home of the senator and his son. He immediately laid the matter before six or eight of his most intimate friends in the senate, that they might know what was going on. The senator says that he uever saw the man who offered the bribe, and he declines to give the man's name, but sald that all the negotiations, if the proceedings may be called such, were conducted through his fon. The would-be briber, the semator sald, went to Warren- town early in April, carrying a lotter of identification from a man in Washington, whom Mr. Hunton did not know any betier than the men he introduced. He repre- sented that he wanted to employ Mr. Hunton as attorney in a land case he was interested in, and after talking a short time on this topic he brought up the tariff bill, to which he was opposed. He said then that the bill would never pass, that there was an argument to be brought against the bill which had not yet been used, but which would dispose of it cffectually. Asked by Mr. Hunton's son what the argument was, he said he would give it to him If he would send it to his father. He then proposed to pay Senator Hunton $25,000 for his opposi- tion to the tariff bill, and Mr. Hunton im- mediately informed his father of the propo- wition. “Did you think the proposition was made In earnest?’ the senator was asked. “My son is satisfled that it was, and furthermore, 1 am satisfied that $100,000 would be paid it it had appeared that that sum would secure the coveted vote.' Senator Hunton said that the negotiator did not say whom he represented. ‘“‘The money," he sald, “was not to be pald until the votes should be cast Senator Hunton _?al(l that he did not pur- pose making any Tnvestigation. IN THE HANDS OF FRIENDS. “1 have,” he sald, “placed the matter in the hands of my friends, but I had not intended asking for an inquiry, because I had supposed that my reputation was such as to need no support such as an investi- gation would develop. 1If, however, an in- vestigation Is undertaken, I shall be glad to furnish all the facts in my possession.’ Discussing the man who had offered the bribe, he sald that he had understood that he went to Virginia as a carpet bagger and attempted to secure a nomination for con- gress, but failing, had then gone to South Carolina, where he had been nominated and sent to congress, serving one term. He sald he had no objection to giving t! mame of the man except that if there w fo be an inquiry he thought it proper that 4t should be first given to the committee ot Investigation. It Is understood that Senator Kyle has a #ecord of the alleged briber's conversation and proposition. He was approached directly, but turned the fellow over to his private @ecretary with instructions to take full not upon all that he sald. Mr. McFarlan Benator Kyle's clerk, refused to say an. Shing further than to acknowledge that the IABLISHED JUNE 19, 1871, THE OMAHA DAILY BEE. OMAHA, THURSDAY MORNING, MAY 17, 189f offers were made and says that when the investigation is had he will tell all about it and will then give the name of the man offering the money, and what he said. The man told him he represented New York parties, but whether or not he gave their names cannot be learned. Mr. McFarlane refused to give any names The person to whom the description of the alleged would-be corruptionist best applies is Major C. W. Buttz of Buttzville, N. D He was once a member of congress from South Carolina and now foliows the occupd tion of farming. He has spent considerab! time In Washington In recent years lobby- ing. One of his principal efforts has been to reopen a contest over the townsite at Great Falls, Mont. CONGRESSMEN GETTING ANXI10US, le Conventions eld. Tied Up at Washington V Are Being WASHINGTON, May 16.—Members of congress are growing more restive every day. Word reaches them from home that congressional conventions are being called, primaries being held and delegates chosen. Many conventions have already been held and quite a number of the present mem- bers of the house have been renominated These include Representatives Clark of Mis- sourl; Fithian, Lane and Smith of Illinois; Johnson of Indiana and Layton of Ohlo. In the district of Representative Paynter of Kentucky the convention has been held and Rolla K. Hart nominated, as Mr. Paynter declined to be a candidate. Finis Downing has 1 nominated for one of the new districts of Illinois, Reports have been pub- lished that Representative Hopkins of Ill- inols had been renominated, and that Rep- resentatives McDonald of [linois and Cooper of Indiana have been defeated, but the districts of these three members have not yet held their conventions. Besides the conventions already held, many are set for the near future. The near districts _are particularily ~ active. Representative tion is next we instructions to him. Representative Heard's (Missouri) conven- tion is June 5 and his renomination is ex- pected. Representative Hall of Missouri is canvassing his district and is said to be sure of renomination. Representatives Bland and Hatch have little or no opposi- tion in their districts. In [llinois all the demecrat’c congressional conventlons at Chicago are set for July 10. The republican conventions have not been called. Representative McDonald’s convention s June 17. The conventions of Representatives Cannon and Hopkins are not far off. The other conventions have not yet been called In Indiana the conventions in Representa tive Johnson's district is the only one t has made a nomination. Several of the republican conventions have been called for June and July. It is expected that Repre- sentatives Holman, Bynum and most of the other Indiana members now serving will be nominated, Michigan has had no conventions as yet, nor are any called. Chairman Campau of the democratic state committee was here recntly and arranged to have an early state convention. The congressional nominations will follow scon after. In Ohio Representa- tive Layton's district is the only one in which action has been taken. Three of the republican conventions are set for June. In Kansas, where a number of districts are represented by populists, the populist conventions are being call:d. That of Representative Davis is on June 7 and the republican conventizn of the district Is to- morrow. _Th® conventions #f Minnesota and Wiscon- sin are far off, as gre other western states, Most eastern congressional conventions Morgan's (Missouri) conven- k and he has assurances the delegates will renominate will bo late in the summer or the early fall. The practice in New England districts and through New York and New Jersey is to hold the conventions only a few weeks before the election. Some of the Pennsyl- vania conventions are being called, bu the dates are late, that of Representative Erdman being August 20. Most of the southern conventions are also late, but the precinct contests are already proceeding activel In Texas Representatives Gresham and Crane have carried most of the precincts thus far contested. The West Virginia conventions are ex- pected to be in August and those of Louisi- ana in September, This activity in different states through- out the country makes members anxious to get home and attend to thelr Interests. They say the most effective work is done in the months leading up to the conventions, instead of immediately before the meetings. The recent practice of ‘“‘docking” salaries has made it very expensive to go home to attend to a canvass. These considerations are urging members to hurry along with legislation, complete the tariff bill and ad- Jjourn as soon as possible. BRYAN WOULD BUILD THE CANAL. Uncle Sam to Pay for it by an Issue of Legal Tender Notes. WASHINGTON, May 16.—A plan for the completion of the Nicaragua canal by the United States government, by a new sys- tem of financiering, was introduced in the house today by the author, Representative Bryan of Nebraska. While some features of Senator Morgan's profect are repeated, a great innovation iy brought forward by provisions intended to izcrease the circu- lating medium of the country by paying for the stock of the canal company by an issue of legal tender notes, modeled after the greenbacks of 1862, The plan is designed 80 as to mect favor from (he anti-bond men. According to the bill the stock of the canal company s to consist of 1,000,000 shares of $100 each, for which legal tender United States notes identical in character with those issued under the act of February 1862, are to be lssued, redeemable to the same extent and in the same manner as the notes of 1862 The secretary of the treasury is to purchase $70,000,000 of the stock of the company, and pay for it at par by the issue of the notes described, which™ are to be kept In circulation as a part of the currency af the country. Six million of the capital stoek is to be issue to the government of Nicaragua, $500,000 to Costa Riea and the remainder, $23,500,- 000, fs to be held in the treasury until the government decides whether to purchase or permit it to be sold by subscription, except an amount not to exceed $7,000,000, to be uscd by the company in taking up its outstanding stock. Provision is made for an immediate fssue of $2,000,000 as a working capital, and the issue of the re- mainder in qugrterly installments as may be necessary to*carry on the work of con- struction. THR Newly Appointed Land Ofice Ofcials Con- firmed by the Senate. WASHINGTON, May 16.—The senate in executive session today confirmed the fol- lowing nominations: Receivers of public moneys: Andrew J. Robertson, at Broken Bow, Neb.; Elmer Willlams, at O'Neill, Neb. Nichelas A Coverrublas, United States marshal in the southern district of California; C. H. Adams, register of the land office at Broken Bow, Neb. Postmasters: Colorado—Willlam T. Beans, at Glenwood Springs. Utah—A. H. Snow, at Box Bider, Labor Officials in Conveatlon. WASHINGTON, May 10s~The tenth national convention of the officials of bursaus of ‘abor statisties of the United States began here today. Carroll D. Wright, the United States commissioner of labor, was chosen president and L. G. Powers of Minuesota secretary of the convention. Deuver Wants & Miat. WASHINGTON, May 16.—A bill to pro- vide for coinage at the branch mint at Den- ver, Colo., has been Introduced by Represent- ative Pence. It appropriates $600,000 for the construction of the necessary plant. GALLINGER READS HISTORY Reviews Tariff Legislation from the Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers. DUBOIS WANTS THE TARIFF SETTLED Numerous Committee Amendments Adopted ~Reduction in Opinm Duty Caases Con- siderable Discussion—Present Kate & Premiom on Smuggling. WASHINGTON, May Mr. Allen’s reso- lution calling upon the secretary of the treasury for information as to the number of persons directly affected by the protective duties and by competition with foreign la- borers in the United States was discussed in the senate today until 12 o'clock, when the tarift bill was taken up. Mr. Jones having moved to Increase the duty on linseed, flax seed and poppy seed ofl to 20 cents, Mr. Gal- linger arose with a formidable appearing array of manuscripts and announced that he was about to give a history of American leg- tslation on the tariff since the landing of the Pilgrim fathers. From this he read until 2 p. m., when, saying he had brought the story down to 1346, he gave way to Mr. Dubois, who delivered a carefully prepared t portion of Mr. Dubois' speech de- manding immediate action upon the pending bill, eitler its passage or its defeat, as the quickest means of restoring at least tempar- arily commercial prosperity, created some- thing of a censation as indicating the atti- tude of the far western republicans. It did pitate a controversy, however. e Jones amendment fixing the rate of duty on flax seed ol at 20 cents was then agreed to. The rate on olive ofl, reduced on the original senate bill to 25 per cent, was re- duced to 35 cents per gallon, the house rate, and the house rate on peppermint oil, 25 per cent, was also restored. Mr. Perkins of California thanked Mr. Jone: for restoring the duty on olive ofl In the next paragraph, opium for me: purposes, the house rate was 25 per 3 The senate amendment made it 20 per cent. The latter was agreed to. The next Jones amendment was to place crude opium, not adulterated, containing 9 per cent or over of morphia, dutiable at $1 per pound in the house bill, on the free list. Mr. Palmer of Illinois demanded an ex- planation. He said he would like to see this damnable drug absolutely excluded. Mr. Jones replied thi< was unmanufactured opium, designed for manufacture for medi- cinal purposes. The duty on smoking opium was placed at $6. Mr. Sherman criticised the reduction of the duty cn_ oplum prepared for smoking from $12 to $6 per pound. He agreed with Mr. Palmer that this drug should be prohib- ited and he would vote for any rate. Mr. Mitchell of Oregon declared that to prevent smuggling this duty should be either reduced or its importation absolutely prohibited. Mr. Ve:t said the duty had been reduced at the suggestion of the Treasury depart- ment. The officials along the Pacific coast all believed a reduction of the duty, reducing the premium on smuggling, would tend to break up that practice and would furnish the government larger revenue. With such a long coastline it was impossible to prevent smuggling while the duty was at such a high rate. Mr. White of California testified to the truth of the impos:ibility of collecting the duty on opium as long as it remained at $12. Smuggling had become so common that opium_was offered for sale on the streets of San Francisco at $10 a pound, when the duty was § The amendment to transfer crude opium to the free list was agreed to. Mr. Sherman then moved to Increase the duty on smoking opium from $6 to $10 a pound. Lost, 20 to 31. At 6:50 the senate went into executive session and shortly afterward adjourned. MORE 8| S FOR CONSTITUENTS, Heavy Increase in the Appropriation for the Government Seed Bureau. WASHINGTON, May 16.—The house today passed the bill for the validation of afdavits made before United States commissioners in all land entries. The joint resolution authorizing an investi- gation of the industrial depression was re- ported from the committee on labor. Mr. Springer gave notice that early next week he will call up the bill to remit the 10 per cent tax on state bank efrculation. Then the house went into committee of the whole on the agricultural appropriation bill. Mr. Marsh of Illinois severely denounced the practice of the Agricultural department of collecting and publishing statistics of crops, upon which speculators were enabled to_manipulate the grain and cotton markets. Mr. Wilson of Washington offered an amendment, appropiiating $500 to enable the secretary of agriculture to continue experi- ments in the production of hemp and flax in the state of Washington. Agreed to. Mr. Coffeen of Wyoming offered an amend- ment, which was adopted, including the “sheep scab’ with pleuro-pneumonia, tuber- culosis and other diseases of animals which the secretary is authorized to investigate. Mr. Hainer of Nebraska proposed an amendment directing the president to enter into correspondence with the authorities of Great Britain for the abrogation or modifica- tion of the law which requires cattle im- ported into Great Britain from this country to be slaughtered at the port of entry and prevents them from being carried to other parts of the kingdom. Agreed to. Mr. Pickler offered an amendment increas- ing the appropriation for the purchase, propagation_and distribution of seed from $130.000 to $160,000. Agreed to An amendment was agreed to providing that after May 1 the secretary of agriculture should distribute all the seeds on hand, giv- Ing preference to those persons whose name: and addresses have been furnishied by sena tors and representatives In congress, and who have not bafore during the same season been supplied by the department. The com- mittee rose, and at & p. m. the house ad- Journed. Pope Wil Not Intervene to Settle Differ. ences in This Country. WASHINGTON, May 16.—The intimations published by the London Chronicle of an im- mediate and direct intervention from the Roman headquarters between Mgr. Satolli, the papal ablegate, and his American oppo- wents, met an emphatic denial at the resi- dence of the ablegate in this city today. Dr, Papl, private secretary of the ablegate, char- acterized the reports as untrue. “We have no knowledge of any such In- tention,” sald Dr. Papi. “The matter has not been broached to the ablegate and no in- formation whatever bearing on the subject has been recefved at the legation. The state- ment, 1 see, I8 also made that another na- tlonal syncd of the American hierarchy will be ordered with the plan of directing Cathol- felsm in this country. I think that is also untrue and without foundation. The lega- tion knows nothing of such a move., All these storles printed this morning Iack foun. dation so far as the legation has knowledge. The officlals of the Catholic university are also Incredulous of the accuracy of the state- ments attributed to the London Chronicle.” Republican Senators Stll Divided. WASHINGTON, May 16.--Republican sen- ators had a second conference today upon the policy to be pursued in regard to the tarift bill. No conclusion was reuched, but the majority showed a desire to let the bill come to @ vote as s0on s opportunity bad been given for reasonable debate. Du- bols of Idaho was the leader on that side, Gerwans Profit by the Fair, WASHINGTON, May 16, —United States Consul Monoghan at Chemnitz, Germany, In a report to the Department of State, warns American manufacturers against the pirating of their wares by certain unscrupu- lous European mantfacturers. He cites the case of a Chemnitz man who was attracted by a superfor pump exhibited at the World's fair, and bought six of the pumps under pre- tense of acting a8 an agent for the com- pany. But when they reached him he took them apart, and copying thelr construction, put on the GermAn market a number of imitations. The consul cites a similar case where an American knitting machine is imitated and sold for 30 per cent less than the price in the United States, and adyiscs American manufacturers to take out German patents on thelr products, Ruling on the Chinese Law. WASHINGTON, May 16.—Attorney Gen- eral Olney has ruled that Chinese merchants doing business in the United States on No- vember 13, 1863, whether under their own names or not, do not come within the pro- visions of the third paragraph of section 2 of the act of the date above given. All such merchants, it is held, as were here when the statute took effect may return to the country should they leave it Senators Must Work Longer Hours. WASHINGTON, May 16.—The democratic leaders In the senate decided today to call up Senator Harris' resolution for 10 o'clock sesslons after tomorrow. They have reached the conclusion the tariff bill is not making satisfactory progress, and think the time has come when they should extend the hours. The resolution is likely to lead to a spirited debate when called up. Utah Admission Reported. WASHINGTON, May 16.—The senate com- mittee on territories had authorized the re- porting of the bill for the adm of Utah, with an amendment fixing the date for the election of delegates to the consti- tutional convention at November 6, the con- vention to meet the first Monday in March, 1893, Grover Has Fishing gh. WASHINGTON, May 16.—President Cleve- land and his party are expected to return to Washington next Monday or Tuesday morn- ing from their fishing trip. ———— ALL CATHOLICS INTERESTED. Libel Suit Against Florence a Matter of Deep-Seated Concern SIOUX FALLS, S. D., May 16.—The two $20,000 damage suits instituted by Mother Superior Stanislaus and Sister Mary Clement of the Roman Catholic convent here against Miss Florence Kilkelly are the subject of no little discussion among local Catholics. As the matter is based on the trouble be- tween the church and the convent, so the members of the church have taken sides in this new matter. The members who have been antagonistic to the sisters heretofore still retain that attitude ,while the friends of the sisters heretofore arc still their friends. Miss Kilkelly, who is quite a talented young lady, spending her time in translat- ing French Catholic pamphlets into English, and writing descriptive articles for mag- azines, came to this eity about a month ago. She at once went to the convent, where she settled dewn for a visit. During her stay there she endeavored to secure all the details rgarding th church and convent trouble. She- apparently sided with the sisters in the matter. The weck before last the plaint!ffs in these damage actions went to St. Paul to see Archbishop Ireland, to whom has been referred the matter of the charges preferred the sisters by the local priest. -~ The arghbishop being away from St. Paul, the si‘ters were delayed there a week. While they were away Miss Kilkelly as- sumed the "hussm%" role at the school, run- ning things her "bwn way. She became angry becausé the sisters refused to tell her what their errand was to St. Paul, and that is the apparent reaton®for her turning against them. She went to Sioux City last Wednesday and while there wrote the libel- ous letters to the sisters and members of the congregation of the Catholic church. The sisters intended to keep the matter silent, but when they found that the reports were being circulated publicly they claimed the privilege given them by Mgr. Satolli, when they were before him with their grievances, to bring a civil suit against any one who attacked thelr charpcters. They, there- fore, secured a lawyér and the two actions, aggregating $40,000, were brought against defamer. In her letters Miss Kilkelly calls the sisters ‘‘boon- companions of disreput- able women,” ‘*‘black hearted hypocrites,’ and says their ** house is impregnated with vice.” This will bring to a head the church- convent trouble, and force a, settlement of that long delayed trouble. Sloux Falls in the Hands of Odd Fellows. SIOUX FALLS, 'S. D., May 16.—(Special to The Bee)—The Odd Fellows have the city. The grand lodge is in session here with the state convention of the Daughters of Rebekah. About 400 visitors are here and the city lodge is giving them a great time. The parade yesterday was a gorgeous one, the Odd Fellows appearing in uniform. Today about seventy dadets from the Brook- ings agricultural college arrived to add tane to the meeting. The initiatory degree was exemplified by contesting teams from Yankton, Mitchell, Madison and Sioux Falls. The prize, which is a gold medal put up by the Northwestern Odd Fellows' Review was won by Sioux Falls. This being the third successive victory for Sioux Falls, the medal is now permanently located. Madison won second prize and Mitchell third. The report of Ivan W. Goodner of Plerre, grand secretary, shows that the total mémbership in the state December 1, 1893, was 4,749, a net gain of 510 over last year. There are 941 past grands in the jurisdiction and eighty-five lodges. During tha past year twenty-threc brothers and fifteen wives of brothers were buri:d and 200 members relieved. Four new lodges were organized during the year and one lodge surrendered its charter. The total amount expended in rellef was $7.245.85. The total vec-ipts of the lodges were $45,605.83. The subordinate lodges have invested $77,486.29. | Therc are twenty-thre: Rebekah lodges, with a total membership of 892, | The grand lodge of the Odd Fellows today selected Yankton for the grand lodge meet- ing next year and ehose the following of- ficers: Grand masier, N. C. Nash, Canton; vice, C. J. Basch, Husley; deputy grand master, W. E. Bendet, Hot Springs; vice, N. C. Nash, Canton; srand warden, lvan W. Goodner, Plerce, wice W. E, Bendiet, Hot Springs; grand. secrotary, Hurvey J Rice, Huron, vice IvansW. Goodner, Plerre grand treasurer, L, L. Lostotter, Iroquois, re-elected; grand representative soverelgn to the grand lodge for two years, Abbott G. Smith, Deadwood, wide F. Emerson, Sloux Falls. Discovered u Boy. PIERRE, S. D., May 26.—(Special to The Bee.)—Charlie Moore,, asbalf-breed, who has been in the lockup forihorse stealing, fled one of his fetters off,also two bars of his window. He was d ed by a boy, who was playing around gmtside the jall. No threats nor bribes Kept the boy from telll the jailcr. Moore is ‘one of the toughest thieves that has ever heen in the county, —_—— Switchmen Gotting Along Slowly. EVANSVILLE, Ind., May 16.—The bien- nial conference of the Switchmen's Mutual Aid association s progfessing slowly, owing to the enforced absence of Grand Secretary and Treasurer slmnox by illness. His books and accounts arrived today, and it is expected business will progress more rap- idly now. Teday's business consisted of reading delayed reports.and the appojntment of standiug committees. There is very little gossip about any changes in the official roster, ————— Crane's Cottage Burned. Shortly after midnight, for the second time, the house formerly occupled by Lewis Crane, 1472 South Si.teenth street, now under arrest for eriminal assault upon Pearl Bovee, caught fre. It was destroyed, CONFUSION ~ OF TONGUES Lively Session of the European Miner's Con- ference in Berlin, SOCIALISTS BOB UP SERENELY THERE Looked for a Time as Though the Conference Would Break Up In a Row but Oil Was Finally Poured on the Troubled Waters, BERLIN, May 16.—Scenes of protracted confusion are witnessed daily at the miners international conference owing to the many different languages used by the deputations. The British deputation today elected Dele- gate John Wilson as the principal chairman, the GermaMs chose Struntz to preside over the German section and the French dele- gates selected Delegate Lamedin. Upon the latter'’s refusal to take a seat upon the platform Chairman Wilson called upon dele- gate Abraham to speak on behalf of the Welsh miners. Mr. Abratam was greeted by a storm of protests which rendered it le for him make himselt heard, rran interpreter, Ledebur, objected ruiing of the chair and resigned his position. Dele Christ of the club of election of Delegate e Waldstein, a member Catholic Workmen's Silesia, protested against the the German chairman of the day Struntz, on the ground that a socialist. Delegate Waldstein also tested against the spirit of soclalism valent among the delegates at the congr the men he represented were royal to peror William and to the pope. A great uproar followed, during which Delegate Cowey of the British contingent, shouted that if this sort of thing was to continue they had all better go home. This caused an additional uproar and the exchange of many bitter remarks. The Germans, whe desired a chairman of some other nationality than that of Mr. Wilson, proposed M. Lamedin, the French delegate. Herr Liebknecht, the socialist leader, act- ing as interpreter, succeeded in smoothing over the troubles and the congress adjourned for half an hour in which to consider the the latter was pro- pre- Bm- question. When the session was resumed, Principal Chairman Wilson declared the British delegation desired to further the general interests of the miners of Eurcpe. All were equal and the British delegates did not seek to monopolize the influence. Mr. Wilson proposed that the congress should elect a president for the day, each section choosing a vice chairman. M. Lamedin was chosen president for the day by unanimous vote and Interpreter Ledebur, after a satis- facctory explanation, resumed his functions. President Lamedin eulogized the British delegates for their frank declarations, and Delegate Abraham addressed the congress on the subject of the Welsh miners and their condition. Mr. Abraham asserted the miners of Wales were in favor of hav- ing the mines inspected by practical miners, and were also in favor of elght hours per day as a uniform day’s labor and of bank to bank to work. The present condition of the Welsh miners was 30 per cent above the standard of 1889, but there had been a great influx of labor this year. Several Prussian delegates described the condition of the miners of Prussia, which they said was wretched. This was par- tieularly o in the caze of the workers in the mining gistricts of Saxony, Al ex- pressed their belief in the superior orgun- ization of the British miners. Herr Schroeder, a German delegate, was elected president for tomorrow. TWO STORIES REGARDING SAMOA. You Can Pay Your Money and Take Your Choice. LONDON, May 16.—The Assoclated press learns that United States Ambassador Thomas F. Bayard has intimated to the British government the desire of the United States to withdraw from the Berlin agree- ment, provided all rights of United States citizens in Samoa are safeguarded. The representatives in London of the Australian colonies recently intimated that it was the intention of their governments to persist in the request that the present arrangement be terminated. The imperial government replied that steps were being taken to reconsider the Berlin act and that pourparlers with Germany were proceeding. It is stated in government quarters that the Anglo-German negotfations will be greatly influenced by the results of the Ot- tawa conference. . WASHINGTON, May 16,—Members of the senate committee of foreign relations of both political parties say they have no knowledge of the news .in an Associated press cable- gram to the effect that Ambassador Bayard was negotiating for a withdrawal of " the Samoan agreement. Senator Morgan, chair- man of the foreign relations committee, says he has only to reiterate what he had before asserted, that whatever is done in Samoa the harbor of Pago-Pago must be secured to the United States and permanently secured. 1t is said at the State department to be entirely improbable that Mr. Bayard, our ambassador at London, has made any state- ment to the British government that could be construed as committing his government to a desire to withdraw from the Samoan agreement. Secretary Gresham has not gone to the length of sceking to terminate the Berlin treaty, but has confined himself to bringing the disordered condition of affairs in Samoa and the unsatisfactory working of the treaty to the attention of congr and that is as far as the matter has gone Not un Opportune Time for Investigation. BUDA-PESTH, May 16.—There . was a heated debate in the Hungarian Diet today. The opposition members made an attack upon the premier, Dr. Alexander Wekerle and upon the minister of justice In regard to a statement that the government had secretly purchased (wo newspaper organs of the opposition in order to deceive the public by publishing in them articl favorable to the government. The two min- isters hotly repelled the accwsations, de- claring them to be a baseless slander. The opposition finally demanded a commission of inquiry be appointed in order to inquire into the charges. Premier Wekerle declared such an inquiry was inopportune and the house adjourned. Horrible Atrocities In Russia MOSCOW, May 16.—Six peasants living near the town of Ostrogoisky have recently engaged in wholesale thefts of wood from the forests of Peskowa, selling it and brib- ing the keepers of the forest with part of the proceeds. One keeper named Goworog informed upon the thieves, whereupon they seized and bound him and subjected him to the most horrible torture, tearing out his tongue, plercing his eyes with pins until his eyeballs were mere pulp, tearing off his finger and toe nails and finally trampling on his body until it was lifeless, New Zealand Still Wants Samao. MELBOURNE, May 16.—The premler of New Zealand has sent a telegram to the premier of Victorla expressing his opposi- tion to the suggestion originating in Ger- many that Great Britian be given control of the Tonga islands in exchange for the surrendepr of the Samoa to Germany. The New Zealand premier adds that the question will probably come up for discussion at the colonial conference at Ottawa, ———— Missonrl Rebekahs Elect Omcers. ST. LOUIS, May 16.—The Daughters of Rebekah of Missourl, who have been In convention here for several days, elected the following officers for the ensuing year today: President, Mrs. M. T. Baxter of St. Louls; vice president, Miss Rosie Gramer of Pat- secretary, Mrs. M. B. Young of St. assistant secretary, Miss Lens R. L. Conrades of Trenton; treasurer, Mre. Gunn of Trenton. At today's session of the grand lodge In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, Captain B F. Thomas of Carthage, Mo, was elected grand warden. The next annual convention will be held at BONDED WAREHO Early This Morning Fire Was Dis the Boston Costom BOSTON, May 17.—Fire five-story granite building in State street at 2:05 this morning. It was first discovered in the United States appraiser's office and rapldly to the bonded warchouse conn When the department arrived the flames had gained such head- way that a second, third and fourth alarms were Immediately sent in, 8:30 a. m.—The fire so far is confined to the appraiser's sampling and welghing rooms and the bonded warchouse started In the spread ed therewith, office, the in the upper stories of the building. Next door the firm of John M. Williams & Co., fmporters of liquors is situated. Thus far the flames have not reached their stock, but the firemen are of the opinion they can- not long keep it out. The building is owned by Mrs. Paran Stevens and is leased by the government. It is one of the finest build- ings in the city. 4 a. m.—Fireis under control; loss, § 000. BOSTON, May 16.—A stretch of smoking, cKened ruins, covering imore fhan a dozen acres, &hows the scene of last night's fire. Household furniture and property of every description litters the streets, and hun- dreds of those made homeless by the flagration are vainly scarching the ruins of their houses in the hope of finding some- thing of value remaining uninjured. About $500,000 worth of property was destroyed. One” hundred and thirty-seven buildings, over two-thirds of which were wooden structures, were consumed and twenty-two more were partially burned. For the most part they were occupied by the poorer classes, and 467 families, or about 2,300 per- sons, are homeless. The Boston Base Ball association and the city of Boston are the heaviest financial loosers. The property of the former was valued at §70,000 and is a total loss. The city's loss is over $100,000. But one fatallity has bien reported, a 3-months-old baby having been suffocated on Berlin street. About seventeen persons were injured, none of them seriously. Nearly a dozen invalids residing in houses now in ruins were conveyed to the hospituls during the fire. During the night fire started again in the top of a brick block on the west side of Cabot street and burned for an hour. The building was destroyed. Early in the day thirty-five children were reported as missing as a result of vester- day's great conflagration, but this evening the number is greatly decreased. Many of the little ones were in the homes of stran- gers, who cared for them until they were found by relatives. Several children are yet to be found by their friends, but they are undoubtedly safe in the keeping of par- ties in the vieinity of the fire, Depletina the Coal Supply PAWTUCKET, R. L, May 16.—The city is illuminated tonight by the blaze of fuliy 50,000 tons of coal consumed by a disastrous fire on the water front this afterncon. A conservative estimate of the loss is $500,000. The fire started from a spark wafted from a kettle to the barn of the Newell Coal and Lumber company, whose eutire property is in ashes. The flames commnuicated with the coal and lumber yards of Olney & Payne Bros,, and their stock and structures were wholly consumed. The flames next darted across the river, enveloping W their fold the coal and lumber yards of the J. T. Cottrell.company and the City Coal com- pany. Several buildings were also destroyed. The destruction is most complete, for there is neither a coal nor a lumber yard in the city tonight. S HOT TRAIL. He Promises a Sensation as the Result of His Little Investigating Tour. RUSHVILLE, Neb,, May 16.—(Special Telegram to The Bee.)—The trip of Senator Kyle, sub-chairman of the senate committee on Indian depredations, to the Indian reser- vations for the purpose of investigating claims against the government, is likely to result in some spicy revelations and indi- rectly affect certain prominent officials of the government. Semator Kyle has only been gone from Washington a fortnight, but in that time he has taken the testimony of a number of witnesses at different points in South Dakota. and accidentally ran across evidence that will in all probability lead to another government scandal. For some time past the senate committee on Indian depredations has had its attention called to suspicious claims filed against the government, and so rapidly were they ad- Judicated in the court of claims that at the bresent time they amount to over The evidence Senator Kyle has collected in reference to these claims is decidedly dam- aging to them, and the chances are that not one half of them will be provided for in the senate appropriations. What is more, an elaborate investigation is likely to follow and inquiry raised how judgments could be ob- tained in the court of claims on ex parte evi- dence. Indeed, this ex parte evidence is shown to have been manufactured out of whole cloth and could scarcely have been received as such except through the collu- sion and connivance of certain government officials. Among other things the testimony of some of the witnesses taken before Senator Kyle shows that prominent claim lawyers have visited the Indian reservations and have manufactured claims against the govern- ment which have not the shadow of a foun- dation. It was further shown that wit- nesses were liberally paid in these claims to swear falsely, and that in several cases the parties bringing suit were in blissful ignorance of any such suit, but neverthe- less it was boldly prosecuted by the surrep- titious use of their names, Owing to urgent business, requiring Senator Kyles' immediate presence in Washington, many of the claims cannot be fully investigated just now, but every one of them will be carefully looked into. Fully 50 per cent of those examined thus far are more or less fraudulent. - AT HER WITH A RAZOR. ©hris Connaugh Arrested for Assaulting Merchant's Wife. Chris Connaugh was arrested last evening for assaulting Mrs. R. Enewold with a razor. The prisoner says that five years ago he loaned Enewold $1,100 without security, taking his promissory note. All that he has reccived since that time has been $400, and recently Connaugh has made repeated Visits to Enewold's store, Twenty- third and Cumings streets to get Enewold to sottle, Lately he has usually found only Mrs. Enewold there, who would tell him that her husband was away. Last evening he called at the store and was told by Mrs. Enewold that her husband was in Council Bluffs, It 18 alleged that he then jerked a razor from his pocket and started toward the woman, saying: “Tell me where he Is or I will cut your heart out, 1 have been fooled long enough.” Her screams were heard by Enewold, who caused Connaugh's arrest. The prisoner denles that he had a razor in his hand, al- though one was found In his pocket when he was arrested, R Movements of Seagolng Vessels May 16, At Baltimore—Arrived—Darmstadt, from Bremen, At Southampton—Arrived—Trava, from New York; New York, trom Bremen. At London—Arrived—Alecto, from New York. At _ Glasgow—Arrived—Furnessia, from New York . At Moville—Arrived—Sardinian, from Montreal. At New York—Arrived—Lahn, from Bremen. SINGLE COPY FIVE CENTS FLOOD IN WISCONSIN Excessive Rains Raise the Rivers Far Ous of Their Banks, DAM BURST AT RVER FALLS Another Partly Destroyel by Dynamite to Save the Remainder, MILLIONS OF PROPERTY CARRIED AWAY Saw Mills, Bridges and Railroad Tracks Swept Away by the Flood, ONLY ONE LIFE REPORTED LOST SO FAR Chippewa City, River Falls and Black River Falls, Wis, and Stillwater, Minn, Are Among the Sufferers—Tele- graph Lines Demoralized. ST. PAUL, May 16.—Severe storms In the nature of a cloudburst extending over about 250 miles of territory with St. Paul on the western edge of the storm did terrible dams age last night. The amount of damage fs uncertain but ls very heay. River Falls, Wis., reports a dam burst and three bridges washed away, the damage om the dam being at least $25,000. New Rich= mond, Wis., reports trains unable to run on account of washouts. Mrs. William Brennan of Erwin Prairie was killed and others severely Injured by, lightning. Al Chicago roads suffered fe- ¥, no trains arriving on time and some are not expected to arrive. Washouts still hold yesterday’s train on the Omaha at Hudson and last night’s train at Eau Claire. A cut at Hudson has been washed full and the track is impassable. The Wisconsin Central trains cannot run on account of washouts. The Burlington got in very late by going around over the Milwaukee and that road also got its trains in by a round- about way. On the Burlington the wires are down near Prescott, Wis., and definite news of the trouble there is unobtainable. It is still close and threatening in this city, and it is feared the worst may not be over. Electric car lines were much demoral- fzed during the storm last night. Great damage was done to cellars throughout the ty. Flats are flooded and residents are compelled to seek high ground. RIVER FALLS, Wis.,, May 16.—A de-~ structive flocd is sweeping down Black river valley. A large number of dams, mills,« iron bridges and other properiy have been destroyed. / A special from Chippewa Falls also re ports great destruction to property. in the Chippewa river valley. All railwvays re- port washouts and no trains from the north or west will reach Milwaukee until this evening. g LIVES WERE IN DANGER. The wall of water struck this place at T o'clock this norning. The fire alarm belly were rung &g the people hurried from their homes to the aid of those living in the lower part of the city in the path of the flood. The dam of the Prairie m’ll checked the rush of water for a few minutes, but walls of wood and stone could not withstand the pressure and the dam ‘gave way. Two big bridges were swept frcm their fasten- ings and were earried away on the torrent, Several small buildivgs followed. A\lealay- starch factory was torn from its founda- tion and went down stream. Another large bridge went next. Foster's saw mill was in the path of the tide, and it suffered $2,000 damage. The damage at the Prairie mill is $2,000, and at Fortune's mill it Is $4 Railway lines suffered severely from wash= outs. All the families on the lowlands were rescued. At Bloomer, in the Chippewa valley, seve eral dwellings, a large planing mill, the city pumping house and the fire engine house are gone. The tmmense dam across Black river near Black River Falls was In danger, and the west wing was blown up to save the re- mainder of - the structure. This sent a ‘lf'n;llu flcod down the valley on Black River a The mill district of Glenwood is a scens of wreck and ruin. The big dam and sluices way over the Glenwood Manufacturing com- pany and several hundred thousand feet of logs were carried away. Every bridge on the entire length of Tiffany creek i: gone. Many dwellings in the lower part of the villaga are under water. The Wisconsin Central Chicago train s lald out by wash- outs and I& in the woods about a mile and a half from town. At Chiprewa Falls and north toward Bloomer the valley is under water. A ten- feet raise Is promised at Eau Claire, where the water is now very high, before 10. o'clock tonight. This may cause heavy losses to mill owners and others. Advices at the rallway offices in Milwaus- kee report washouts on all roads north and west of the city. No trains are arriving I‘ml:l)‘ from St. Paul or Minneapolis on any ne. Washouts exist on the Chicago, Milwau- kec & St. Paul, the Chicagy & Northwestern and the Wisconsin Central to a great ex- tent, tha complete extent of which cannot be learned by officials here up to noon today owing to the fact that the telegraph wires were down or badly crippled. LUMBER INTERESTS DAMAGED. The flood loss in the Chippewa valley alone Is estimated at $2,000,000, At Bloomer the dam, saw mill, planing mill, bridges, houses and 6,000,000 feet of logs were cairied away. No lives are reported lost. In Chippewa Falls damage was done to the extent of $1,600,000 to streets, bridg and railway property. The city suffers the logs of five bridges, cutting off traffic with the Omaha road, and the loss of the gas works. Bridgewater avenue, River and Lower Bridge and Spring streets are flooded, together with buildings on the street. Chip= pewa Lumber and Boom compay's office building, barn and mill are afloa also the American house. Box & Squire, Lang Bros, ¥, Martin, Hodge, Good Luck company, postofiice and Panier Wagon works; also the woolen mill, sash and door company and many small buildings and residences situated near the creck. Chippewa City, six miles north of Chippewa Falls, the saw mill, dam, barns, lumber yars, and in fact almost the whole city are completely washed out, together with 6,000,000 feet of logs. Chippewa et above low water mark, but the worst has not come yet, as reports are that Little Falls dam and Flambeau dam have given way, which, if true, will rals the river fifteen feet more, completely flood- ing the business part of the city, DENVER, May 16.—A gale is blowing § this region today that is Interfering seri= ously with telegraph and telephone lines BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis., May 16.— The west wing of the immense dam at the Dells has been blown out to save the rest of river is ten f it. The water 18 rising rapidly and the break s now 300 feet across MINNEAPOLIS, May 16.—A Stillwa special to the Journal says: Last night storm left this city in worse condition than any of its predecessors. Many streets were washed out badly. Several houses on Fourt street were undermined and let down into & gully thircy feet deep. The yard and shops of the state penitentiary were flooded with sand and water and the loss to the state will be heavy. At one time the water was six feet deep In the yard. The convicts are all at work clearing the sand out. The railread tracks are badly washed out, and there will be no trains in or out for several da; The