Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, December 8, 1894, Page 1

- o - ¥ TWELVE PAGES. e i ESTABLISHED JUNE 19, DAILY BEE. s ol B i > 1. SATURDAY MORNINGy DECEMBER 8, 1894. MOSHER'S CONTRACT Eminent Jurists Hold it to Be Null and Void at Law. CONVICT LABOR AND CELL HOUSE JIB Power of the Legislature to Transfer the Contract Seriously Questioned, TERV.S OF ORIGINAL CONTRACT VIOLATED The Btate Has Paid for Bighty Cells that Were Never Euilt, PROBLEM FOR LEGISLATIVE SCLUTION Brief History of the Convict Labor Con. tract from Bil Stout Down to Bill Dorgan, Who Clalms to e the Present Assignee. LINCOLN, Dee. burly burly incid Capital National .—(Special )—In to the failure bank in January, and the trial and conviction of C. Mosher, now in the Sioux Falls, S penitentiary, there is one little matter, in- volving some §$25,000, that has been swept under the current of events and lost to sight. In view of the near approach of the lative sessfon, it fs pertinent that the de- tails of the matter be given to the public The alpha of this affair dates back to Feb ruary 26, 1879, and the omega is not ygt in sight, The agreement entered Into by the state of Nebraska and Willam H. B. Stout, by virtue of which the latter leased the con- vict labor of the state, was made on the 224 of September, 1877. The Board of Pub- lic Lands and Buildings at that time com- prised F. M. Davis, land commissioner; Brino Tzschuck, secretary of state; J. C. MeBride, state treasurer, and George H. Roberts, attorney general. The terms of the lease of the convict labor were for six years from the 1st day of October, 1877. To Stout this contract was a most valuablo one. It rained money into his individual treasury. No one ever heard him claim to be a loser by the deal. Under this liberal contract the state leased to Stout “the state penitentiary of the state of Nebraska, and all the grounds, yards, shops and outhuild- ings connected with the same, and prop- erty belonging thereto.” It agreed to pay Slout “60 cents per diem per capita for each and every convict in the peitentiary for the full term of two years, from thc 1st of October, 1877, and ‘the sum of 55 cents per diem per capita for each and every convict confined in the penitentiary for the full term of two years from October 1, 1879." Fifty cents per diem per capita was to be paid Stout for each convict for the full term of two years from October 1, 1881, and until the conclusion of the lease, And the state agreed-to “hire, set over and convey to sald Stout as fully as by law they are empowered to do so, all the labor, services, earnings and wages of each and g} convicts that now are or hereafter shall be confined in sald penitentiary or sentenced thereto during and at all times for the term of six years.” In consideration of this Stout agreed to board and clothe all such conviets, pay all expenses incurred in the maimtenance of the penitentiary, Including salaries and com- pensations of necossary officers and guards for six years from October 1, 1§77, and re- store the buildings, shops, yards and grounds at the end of his term as contractor in au good condition as they then were, In this agreement there is Inserted a clause which has no little significance in connection with a subsequent default in the construction of eighty stone and fron cells, estimated to cost about $800 aplece. It is as follows: ““The state reserves tho right to make any and all temporary or permanent improv ments and buildings pertaining in any man- ner to the penitentiary, or any part or por- tion thereof, and the right to use the grounds and buildings during the time of construc- tion.” In 1879, when Stout discovered the pecu- liar richness of his contract, the legislature enacted a law extending this contract for a period of six years, from 1883, the date of the termination of the original contract. The conditions of this extension were that, in consideration thereof, Stout “shall build and erect In a good and substantial manner, at his own expense, for the use of the state, and turn the same over to the state free of charge October 1, 1886, two hundred and forty stone cells, clghty of which cells shall be gompleted within nine months” from February 26, 1879, and the remainder, or one hundred and sixty cells, to be compieted by the 1st of Oceober, 1883. There was an- other change in the original conditions that provided that Stout should recelve only 45 cents per day for each convict for the first three years of the extended lease, and but 40 cents per day for the second three years, and that after January 1, 1880, there should be provided “for each and every Nebraska prisoner one cell.” On February 27, 1883, the leglslature passed an act extending the time within which these cells should be completed. It s short: “Be it enacted by the legisiature of state of Nebraska: “Section 1. That tho time within which the lessee of the state penitentiary shall com- plete 240 stone cells {n said penitentiary is hereby extended to a time not longer than the first day of October, 1885, Provided, that 160 of sald 240 cells shall be . com- pleted on or before October 1, 1883, “Sec. 2. All acts and parts of acts incon- #istent herewith are hercby repealed.” On March 2, 1887, the prison contract run- ,ning to Stout was transferred to C. W. Mosher by a leglslativa act approved on that + date. Tho contract was then extended for the perlod of ten years, from the first day of Qctober, 1889, “to sald C. W. Mosher, sub- ject to all the conditions and pro- visions contained in said original con- tract”” On August 1, 1887, Mosher entered into a bond with the state in the sum of $100,000, which was duly approved! The Doard of Public Lands and Buildings com- prised at that timo, John Steen, land com- missloner; G. L. Laws, secretary of state, and William Leese, attorney general. One hundred and sixty of cells only have been completed der the provisions of Stout's contract, Its numerous extensions and transters. Pighty cells have been virtu- ally puid for by the state of Nebraska, and they are not visible, The east wing of the penitentiary is completed, .but It Is useless in default of the cells. In direct confliet with the provisions of the act making the contract, convicts In the west wing are com- pelled to double up in their cells, It Is #aid by prison atteches that the conviets pre- fer to do 5o, as they are lonely without a roommate. But the facts remain that there 15 not sufcient cell room In the prison, and tho eighly stone cells bargained for by the steto in 1879 have not been bullt and are badly needed. Six years aftor the transfer of Stout's con- tract to Mosher, carrying with it all the obli- gations Incurred by Stout, the deluge came, nd Mosher was swept under. The terms of the transfer of “dosher's coitract to Willlam Dorgan _are srabiguous. So far it has not beenr offielally veeoguized by the state. But the bondsmen of Mosher would certainty seem lable for the gross and hitherto unexplained default In the completion of these elghty cells. . The clanse n the agreement between Stout and the state, whorcby the latter re- serves the right to wake all temporary and e thd 1893, w. D, of legis- the these un- original permanent inprovements in the prison not certainly form a bar to enforcement of the contract and extension. One hundred and sixty cells have been already bullt under its provisions. In granting an extension the state practically makes the improvement by hiring Stout, or his successors, to do the work for a valuable consideration. So far Stout has evaded this work, Mosher has slipped out from under it, and Dorgan, while enjoying all provisional benefits, appears to be the least responsible for its fulfillment of any of his predecessors. The state is entitled to the us> of the east wing of the penitentiary, now practically valueless by reason of (he neglect of prison contractors {o live up to the letter of thelr bond with the commonwealth. There is a good deal of speculation at the capital as to what position Governor Crouns will take regarding this contract in his vale- dictory to the legislature, It is held by many of the ablest lawyers of the state that th> existing penitentiary contract, or rather the extension of the Bill Stout contract by the legislature, Is void in law. The constitution of this state gives tha legislature power to make provision for public buildings and pub. lic institutions, but contracts must be awarded by the respective state officials or their deputies in due form upon proper ad- vertisement Inviting bids or competition, Th legislature, it is contended, had no right or power to transfer the contract and extend it at the same time. If this be a correct ver- sion, then Mosher's contract is a dead letter and the state should have taken possession of the penitentlary long ago. If this ver- sion is not correct, the fact that Mosher has gone to the pen himself would probably can- cel the contract, because he Is in no condition either to supervise it or fulfill the obligations tho contract imposes. er's name has been signed every month quarter by Willlam H. Dorgan and voue have been issucd to Mosher through Dorg Dorgan himself claims that he is the right- ful contractor and that Mosher had made an assignment of the contract to him, but in asmuch as the state of, Nebraska is a party to it and has never recognized or ratified th assignment it cannot be valid. The subject presents some difficult knots which the coming legislature ‘must untie or cut, even If Governor Crounse does not show the way or tak> the Initiative. ~— TORTURED BY RED BRUTES, does or Horrible Tale of Brutality from the Indian Territory. KANSAS CITY, Dec. 7.—A special to the Times from Guthrie, Okl, says: A story of atrocity, smacking of the usages of a barbaric country, comes from David, a small town in the interior of Indian territory. As stated in these dispatches at the time, Colonel A. J. Blackwell, well known in the west, was arrested for selling land, and, according to the Cherokee laws, sentenced to death for high treason. Blackwell, when the territory first opened for settlement, founded the town of David and started a new sect, pre- tending to be a prophet sent of God. ~He engendered the ill will of a number of Chero Kees, who, it is now said, hatched up a con- spiracy to put him out of the way. At any rate, two weeks ago Blackwell was taken from the midst of his family by order of the Cherokee council, and being brought to Claremont, was placed in.close confinement Since then he has not been allowed to even communicate with the outside world, and has been fed upon bread and water. On Mon- , the story goes, Blackwell, after being clean shaven and stripped of hix clothes, was brought before Chlef Ohaha, who was then holding a sub-council, and asked to confe:s. Blackwell answered that he had no confes sion to mak:; that he was the victim of a malicious conspiracy, and asked to be re- leased. Instead, ho was carried off bodily to the “Needles,” a place of torture adjoin- ing the prison, where he was subjected to treatment horrible in -the extreme. Ten bucks, dancing around their victim, and each wieldfng a steel used for the purpose, jabbed the naked flesh of Blackwell. Their terrible cries of “ki yi" and torture were kept up till Blackwell, blezding and faint from the dozens of punctures in his flesh, sank to the ground. In this condition he was finally taken back to his former cell, and stfll re- mains in_irons, hand and foot, notwithatand- ing the fervent appeals of his relatives and friends. What makes the case more complicated is the fact thet Blackwell is a full fledged American, and has no Cherokes blood in him, as has been stated. His trial has not been set, and what further indignities await him remains to be seen. e PAINTERS AND DECORATORS SPLIT, rouble Between the Faotions Causes tho Formation of a New Union, CLEVELAND, Dec. 7.—The painters and decorators’ convention adopted a platform for compulsory education, direct legislation, a legal eight-hour working day, sanitary in- spection of workshops, mills and home: liability of employers for injury to health, body and life; abolition of the sweating sys- tem; municipal ownership of street cars, gas and electric lighting plants for public dis- tribution; nationalization of telegraphs, tele- phones, railroads and mines. Local organizations must now act on this. It was decided to remove the headquarters of the association from Baitimore. New headquarters have not been determined upon, but Cleveland and Cincinnati® have made bids. J. B. Allen of Philadelphia was chosen o5 delegate to the American Federation of La bor. Officers will be elected tomorrow and the convention will adjourn. INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 7.—Articles of in- corporation of the Brotherhood of Painters and Decorators of America were filed today with the secretary of state. The objects of this organization are given as being for mutual protection and benefit and to aid members to become more skillful and efficient workers. The general office and headguarters will be at Lafayette, and the directors whose names follow all live in that city: John W. McKinney, C. W. Pritch- ard, John L. Riffenberick, Frank E. Ry- lander, Joseph Ricks, John H. Eldred. The organization of this association grows out of the differences in the Painters and Deco- rators’ Union of America, By a special con- vocation the convention met on Monday of this week at Cleveland, and the previous con- vention held at Buffalo was’ declared ir- regular, because of a lack of a sufcient number of delegates. J. V. McKinney, whom the Buffalo convention selected for general secretary and treasurer, was voted out of office and this has caused many of the western unions to regard the Cleveland as- sembly as illega —_—— Campaign Committeo Will Not Interfes WASHINGTON, Dec. 7..-Chairman Bab- cock of the republican congressional cam- palgn committee says the report sent out from Washington that the committee was sending circulars to intending republican contestants in the next house, telling them their cases will be considered only on their merits, 18 a fake pure and simple. *The campalgn committee has nothing to ‘do with contests,” sald Mr. Babcock. ‘“They are matters to be dealt with by the next K«)llfl-'. It would be presumptuous for the committee to undertake to dictate to any man what he should do. Republican leadérs in the house who are members of the committee say that the matter has nev been talked among them, and they have not considered it as their business to make suggestions to men who were contemplating contests, i Killed by White Cans, SPRINGFIELD, Ky., Dec. 7—Two masked men forced an entrance into the house of Thomas Edgington between 12 and 1 &'clock this morning and in the presence of his wife and five ehildren shot him dead. Bdg- ington jumped out of bed when he discov- ered the men in the room and was grabbed by one of them while the other put a bullet in his brain. Edgington had been anony- mously warned by white caps about abusing his family. It is thought ‘that the white caps’ intention was to give Edgington a severe thrashing, but upon meecting with Tesistance they Killed him for fear of being recognized, . There 18 no clew to the perpe- trators, - Barbers Amend Thelr Counstitution. ST. PAUL, Dec. 7.—The international con- ference of the Barbers union today adopted a number of minor amendments to the constitution, Up to this date Mosh- | DEATH OF COUNT DE LESSEPS One of the Greate:t Engincering Careers in the Worlds History Ended. BUILDER OF €U:Z AND PANAMA CANALS Career of the Man Who Lived to Shorten the World's Circumference and Gave Us a Short Route to the Orlent, PARIS, dead. De Lesseps was born at Versailles, France, November 19, 1805, In 1828 he entered the diplomatic service as an attache of the con- sulate at Lisbon, and subsequently served in | ke positions elsewhere. He was consul at | Barcelona in 1842 when that city was bom- barded, and was zealous in the protection of | the lives and property of French eitizens, | and afforded an asylum to Spaniards on board the vessels of the French Hleet. He was among the first to urge the expediency of constructing a canal across the Isthmus of Suez, connccting the Mediterranean sea and the Indian ocean. After unremitting effort for many years he obtained a firman from Said Pasha in 1854, and enlisting French and nglish capitalists undertook the work, which was vigorously prosecuted to completion de- spite many obstacles that would have dis- couraged a less resolute man. The viceroy of Egypt granted a concession |in 1856. The practicability of the project was questioned by many of the most eminent engineers of the world, and he was ridiculed all over Europe, and especially’ by the English engineers. The work was begun in 1850. It soon commanded the attention of various governments, which subscribed liber- ally to the undertaking as the work pro- gressed and its practicability became assured The Turkish government tendered substantial help, but this was construed as an attempt to strengthen the political power of the Porte in Egypt, and was resisted by the other powers interested, principally Great Britain and France. Work was suspended for a time on account of these complications, but finally the matter was submitted to arbitration and satisfactorily adjusted. A canal of sufficient depth to admit of the passage of small steam vessels was opened August 15, 1865, and by degrees the channel was deepened and enlarged so that small ships and schooners were enabled to pass through in March, 1867. August 14, 1869, the waters of the Mediterranean mingled with those of the Red sea, and the formal opening of the canal was celebrated with great pomp and rejoic- ing at Suez, and on November 18 the canal was formally opened to Port Said. Repre- sentatives of all the principal governments of Europe were present on this occasion and the fetes were among the most fmposing eve witnessed in modern times. A grand pro- cessional fleet consisting of forty vessels successfully made the passage from Port Said to Ishmailie. A few days after this event M. de Les- seps married Mlle. Antard de Braggard, a young Creole of English extraction and con- siderable wedlth, He received honorable decorations from nearly every government of Europe. Queen Victoria's gift was his nomination as an honorary knight grand commander of the Order of the Star of India. The freedom of the city of London was also presented to him. In 1873 he wad chozen a free member of the French acad- emy. He published a history of the canal in 1875, In 1881 fie elected president of the French Geographical society. The Eng- lish government endeavored to secure his services in cutting a second canal, but the negotlations feil through, owing to opposi- tion in the House of Commons, and the sub- sequent absorption by English capitalists of a controlling interest in the existing canal. Turning his attention to the new world M. de Lesseps undertook the construction of a canal across the Isthmus of Panama. The original capital of the company, 600,000,000 francs, was exhausted, when the subscriber. refused to advanee more money, and the en- terprise was abandoned. M. de Lesseps’ private fortune was also absorbed in the undertaking, and he was left comparatively poor. He continued his efforts to procure means with which to prosecute the work, but capital was timid. In 1886 the Panama company, finding that its credit was becoming weakened with the pub- lic, became convinced that, in order to at- tract new shareholders, it was necessary to have something better than mere promises, in which the subscribers began to lose faith. It started an issue of bonds to which was to be attached the irresistible attraction of a lottery. But for operations of this sort the speclal permission of the government was necessary, and this had to be preceded by the sanction of Parliament. The object was to obtain that sanction. The first advances in this direction were received very coldly The solicited permission carried with it the danger of giving to the enterprise of M. de Lesseps an official seal that had been re- fused up to that time. The Council of Ministers, the Senate, the Chamber, and the majority of the press were not disposed to favor it. In spite of this almost general indifference, the company succeeded in obtain- ing the introduction of the bill in conformity with its desires. The disclosures made re- vealed that the presentation of this law was obtained through the then minister of public works, M. Baihaut, who demanded a million of francs as the price of his services. Not- withstanding this first success, paid for so dearly, this company was obliged to admit the impossibility of carrying out its entire project. It withdrew its request temporarily, and once more tried the chance of a direct appeal to public subscription. Falling finally in this, it returned fn 1888 to the plan of issuing bonds to be drawn by lot, Under the new form, and thanks to the abil- ity with which it was presented as a prac- tieal measure, the request for authorization was finally granted. It was during this last phase of its exist- ence that it scattered money among the depu- ties with the view of securing at any cost the vote in which it expected to find its last chance of safety. The investigation discoy ered the names of the 100 or 150 members of the Chamber, who, it is sald, trafficked in their votes. As the result of these disclosures, In 1893, De Lesseps and others were brought to trial and the count was convicted and sentenced to seven years imprisonment. After he had served a short portion of this wentence he was pardoned, as it was seen that his days were numbered. Dec. 7 rdinand de Lesseps is EUGENE KELLY DYING, Had a Paralytic Stroke Last Tuesday and His Candition Now Precarlous. NEW YORK, Dec. 7.—Eugene Kelly, head of the well known banking house of Eugene Kelly & Co,, is in a precarious condition at his home on West Fifty-first street. He was stricken with paralysis on Tuesday last. Up to that time he had been in good health, Owing to his extreme age his physiclan and friends fear he may not live until night. Mr. Kelly was born in Trillick, county Tyrone, Ireland, in 1808, and came to this country at the age of 20, landing in New York with only $3 in his pocket. His Interest in home rule and his gift of $20,000 to the Irish parlia- mentary-fund are well known, as is his hon- orary aj intment of ‘“Camerier de Cape et d’Epee” In the pope's household, At the age of 83 Mr. Kelly retired from active business. Hs is estimated to be worth from $10,000,000 to $15,000,000. Thoma octor. HOSTON, Dec. 7.—Thomas Proctor, presi- dent of the United States Leather company, dled today. General E. K. Scammon Dead, NEW YORK, Dec. 7.—General B. K. Scam- mon died today at his residence in Audubon Park. General Scammon was graduated from West Point in 1837 and afterwamds served in the military academy a8 professor of ethics and mathematics and was tutor of Generals Grant, Rosecrans and Newten, and a room mate of General Brags. Mrs. Walter Lock- wood of Chicago is a daughter of General Scammon. Funeral of Governor Ledn Abbett. JERSEY CITY, N. J., Dec. 7.—The remains of the late Judge Leon Abbett were removed at 9:30 this morning from the family resldencs on Montgomery street to Greenwood ceme- tery. Only the member# of the family and a few Intimate friends of the judge acocmpanied the remains to the cemetery. The funeral service was held last night at the house, Rev. George S, Bennett of Graeé Eplscopal church officlating. 3 Sudden Death of the Earl of Oxford. LONDON, Dec. 7.—The sudden death of the earl of Orford is announced. He will be suc- ceeded by his nephew, Robert Horace Wal- pole, who in 1888 married Miss Louise Melissa Corbin of New York, MEAT EMGARGO MUST BE RAISED. Moen Very Much Over the Matter. ST. LOUIS, Dec. 7.—The delegates to the seventh annual convention of the National Live Stock exchange gat down to serfous work today, though at a rather late hour, be ing delayed by the time taken for the prepa- ration of the report of the executive com- mittee, which is the basis of the conven- tion's work and was not finished until the day was well advanced. 'The reading of thé voluminous minutes éf the last con- yentjo held in Kansas City in December, 1803, alsd took some time. = The repor the executive committee was read by Secre- tar; ker. The recommendation of the 8t. Louls exchange that cpngress be asked 1o establish national bureau for the keep- Ing of statistics was reported by the ex- ecutive committee withouti its enda nent. On motion of Frank Campbell of Kansas City the convention deciied to s0 mem- orialize congress. A strong measure looking to the raising of the embargo on meats and the obtaining of convincing evidence to show foreign nations that our cattle are not diseased was recommended. Improve. ment of the consular service and the cur- tallment of free daily market reports were touched on, but without re mmendation, The question of uniform governmental in- spection was also urged, The abolition of live stock solicitors was suggested, The subcommittee which has charge of the ques- tion of the responsibility’ of commission men_asked, through Frank Cooper of Kan- sag City, for further time. 1t was decided to memariglize congress to improve the consular system by making the tenure of office more cértain, requiring the consuls to furnish statistics and other- wise ald in_the establishment of commerce with foreign nations. After further consid- eration and discussion of the executive com- mittee’s report the convention ook a recess. The time at the afternoon and evening sesisons was taken up with the discussion - of three cases. The first of these was the embargo of for- elgn countries on Amerlcan live stock and meat products. It was deelfled to petition congress and the departments.to take such action as will tend to Lift tlié embargo. In regard to the second question—govern- ment inspection—it was ll!l:&dw to address a set of resolutions to Becretary J. Sterling Morton of the Department of Agriculture, requesting that the system (of government inspection of meat products bé uniform as far as conditions will permif, fnd appoint- ments be made only with. regard to fitne and removals only for cause (icompetency and negligence), and that the system of in- spection be extended to all slaughter houses within the jurisdiction of the @epartment. The subject of chiattel, ges on cat- {16 Wwas sabmitted n the SRABE. Of & report from a committee especially” appointed to consider the matter. 'This' repart, which was adopted withcut miuch discygsion, fa- vored the amendment of the laws relating to _the subject ot the. Mext session of the difterent state legislatiires, § At tomorrow's session the improvement of the consular service will be the subjeck r duscussion, Live Stock in Earuest DR. FRAKER INSURANOE CASE. St | g Evidence Introdueed to Shéw the Doctor Was Drowned as Allegeq. KANSAS CITY,Dee.'7.-Only one witness was examined in the Fraker insurance case and one deposition read up to the noon re- 58 today. Captain from Liberty, the formation point whet Gustave Dyes, a civil engineer Mo., gave testimony as to of the river bank at the > Dr. Fraker is said to have met his death. The attorneys for the insurance companies tried to show by cros#=examina- tion that the water was not deep enough to drown a man, and that Dr. Fraker had walked out of the water and disappeared in a wheat fleld near by in the darkness. At the conclusion of the examination Judge Sandusky offered in evidence the deposition of Harry Harries. On the point of llhu accident Harrles' deposition was as follows: “The bank was constantly falling in about us. A part of it slipped ip, carrying the doctor with it. I was twelve feet from the doctor when he fell in, The noise caused by the caving bank and the doctor's ery attracted my attention, T tried to jump Into the river to rescue the doctor, but was restrained by Triplett and Croley. 1 dis- tinetly saw Dr. Fraker fall into the river.” A boy named Dice, who is an important witness for the plaintiffs, and who was re- lied upon to testify in the case, has disap- earad and cammnot be found. . Dice was an ntimate acquaintance of Fraker and made several trips with him. The plaintiffs pro- posed to prove by this witness Fraker's rea- son for carrying heavy life insurance. Henry Harfies, the most fmportant witness in the case, 18 also absent. He is said to be in New Mexico, Harries Is a relative of Fraker and *is also distantly related to Triplett. Triplett, Harries and Croley, the old negro, are the most important witnesses of the defense, TACKEED THE WRONG PARTY. Drunken Rowdies Get the Worst of it from n Party of Deputies. GUTHRIE, Okl, Dec. 7.—Two killed, one maimed for life and two badly wounded is the result of a pitched battle fought be- tween cltizens of Alva and Eagle and start- ed by & number of drunken rowdies. James Brown, Frank Brown, J. R. Knight, Charles Kitchen, Sam Wescott and a man called One-Eye Taylor, while drunk, met Sam Crockers, a deputy marshal, and three rangers enroute to Alva. Without provoca- tion or a moment's warning, the drunken en opened fire on the other party. A gen- eral fusilade followed, lasting several min- utes. Kitchen and James Brown were killed outright, Wescott had his legs shattered, but ‘will'live, while Taylor, the deputy mar- shal and one of the rangers were seriously wounded. After the battle Frank Brown and Knight escaped, though given chase by the two remaining rangers. The latter returned and cared for victims. A de- tachment of United State uties has been dispatched in search of Knight and Brown e General Booth ut Kansas City. KANSAS CITY, Dec, Zi—General Willlam Booth and his retinue of Salvationists ar- rived In the city this mealeg. They were met at the depot by an edthusiastic band of 300 or more local: Sglvationists, Wwho, headed by a brass band, escorted the party to thelr hotel, The general was much im- proved in heaith since leaving Chicago, and, although tired, sald he felt very well At the Auditorium this afterngon and again this evening General Booth addressed sev- eral thousand people, and was most heartily recelved, sl i Wyom Murderer Hanged. RAWLINS, Wyo., Dee. T—(Special Tele- gram.)—Frank Howard was hung at 10:34 this morning. His neck was broken and heart action ceased 4n seven minutes. How- ard shot and killed' Charles Horn, a cow- boy, at Dixon, in the southern part of this county, on the night of December 31, last year, 'In a_quarrel over a Wworman. The gov- ernor reprieved Howard for two weeks, but refused further exeeutive clemency. 'The county jail is now empty, Howard being the only prisone R R Clothes Found but the Woman Missing MACON, Mo, Deé, 7.—In the woods in Richland township, this county, & party of hunters found a bundle of woman's wearing apparel, the dress being covered with blood. It Is belleved a migeder has been gommitted and the victim's' body was destroyed to cover up the traces. of the deed. -A search- ing party is investigatin ! o S Joining the Assoclated Press. WASHINGTON, Dec. T.—The Augusta, Ga., Herald, an afternoon paper in that city, has withdrawn fram the Bouthern As- soclated press and signed a ninety-year con- tract with the Assoclated press. TRUTH WILL SO0N COME 0UT Commission Forming to Investigate the Alleged Armenian Outrages, UNITED STATES WILL BE REPRESENTED President Cleveland at First Refased to Mix in the Affair but Reconsidered the' Matter at the Request of ngland and the Porte. WASHINGTON, Dee. ment made exclusively by press in a cable dispateh from Constanti- nople that President Cleveland had recon- sidered his original intention and decided to send an Amierican delegate with the Turkish commission to examine into Armenian out- rages was shown to Secretary Gresham today. The department has been much in the dark officially as to the Armenian troubles, but at last information was re- ceived that warranted action, and this has been announced. The course of the United States has been marked with great prudence and a desire to refrain_as far as the tates of humanity would permit from any entanglement in Ruropean politics, As the signatory powers of the Berlin treaty at the close of the Turko-Russian war had bound themselves to look after the welfare of the Christians in Turkey, it would have been unwarranted interference by the United States in the affairs of those countrics had we taken any steps without any solicitation from one or more of these powers, beyond caring for the interests of United States citizens in Turkey. So when Turkey re- quested United States Minister Terrel to name a_member of the commission of in quiry the request was, for politic reasons declined. Turkey had naturally turned first to the United States as the only Christian power whose conclusions would be likely to carry welght with the Christian world upon whose absolute disinterestedness she could rely.. The great Christian powers of Europ were all under suspicion of having designs upon Turkish integrity, yet it was n sary, in order to stem the tide of rising in- dignation, to place a Christion on the com- mission of inquiry if its findings were to b conclusive upon Europe. PORTE COMPELLED TO YIELD. The United States having declined to join in the commission, however, the porte was obliged to yield to the extent of permitting the European governments to name commis- sloners. Up to this point the government had been in doubt as to the reality of the reported outrages. The Turkish government had declared positively that the Armenian affair was nothing but a rebellion, and that it had been suppressed in a legitimate man- ner. There had been a battle, some sixty or seventy Turkish soldiers had been killed, and the rebels had lost about 500 or €00 men. But at this juncture came reports from trusted agents discrediting the official re- ports of the Turkish government and afford- ing reason for the belief that the Armenians had “ been terribly outraged. Then Great Britain appealed to the United States in the interest of justice and to secure a report above suspicion and above contravention by the Turks themselves to appoint a member of the committee of inquiry. Th's appeal turned the tide and induced the president to reconsider his decision. But to avold any danger of entangloment with other powers, which might sresul.-in the end in making tho United States an active party to a con- troversy with which it is contended we have properly nothing to do, the American repre- sentative should, while accompanying the commisston, act with absolute independence, should hear what he could in Armenia, and instead of joining in the conclusions of the commission should make a separate report to the State department. Probably because of his nearness to the scene of the trouble and also his antecedents, Milo A. Jewett, United States consul at Sivas, was selected to act as the representa- tive 0 the United States in making the in- vestigation. Mr. Jewett was born in Turkey, of American parents, his father being a missionary. He. came to the United States in-his youth and was educated in Massachusetts. He became a physician and was_for about eleven years attached to the Danbury insane asylum. He was appointed consul to Sivas by President Harrison in 1892, and is regarded as pecullarly fitted for the inquiry with which he is charged LONDON, Dec. 7.—The Westminster Gazette, commenting upon the dispatch to the Dafly News from Constantinople, saying that the sultan invited President Cleveland to send a delegate with the Armenian com- mission, and upon the Advertiser's Con- stantinople dispateh saying that President Cleveland had declined to do so, and that Turkey in consequence had requested Eng- land to nominate a consul to accompany the Turkish commission, remarks that the in- vitation of the sultan looks like ‘“pure dog- gery and President Cleveland had properly refused to be hoodwinked by the sultan’s profession of confidence in the upright char- acter of the American diplomats. We may regret that circfmstances make it impossible to intervene. At the same time had Presi- dent Cleveland complied, the susceptibili- ties of certain great powers might have been touched, and there is no doubt that a con- sideration of the feclings of Great Britain influenced President Cleveland's action.” REFUSED AND THEN CONSENTED. CONSTANTINOPLE, Dec. 7.—President Cleveland has eent a cable message here saying that he has reconsidered his decision not to send an American delegate with the Armenian commission appointed to inquire into the Armenian outrages. The president adds that he will allow the American lega- tion here to nominate a delegate to accom- pany the Porte's Armenian commission. The Turkish government is manifesting a grat desire to show the powers that the United States government was the first asked to send a delegate with the Armenian com mission, but the United States declined. The earl of Kimberley, the British secretary of state for foreign affairs, was also requested to nominate a delegate and he immediately assented. Nobody here seems to know why President Cleveland at first declined to send a dele- gate with the commission, and it is under- stood that the United States and Great Britain are still in communication upon the subject. The final arrangements are as yet incomplete. Turkish authorities say they be- lieve no such murders and excesses as those described by the Armenians were committed by the regular Turkish soldiery, although they say It is possible in their operations against the rebellious villages people may have been killed. They claim this trouble was seized upon by the Armenians in order to get up a political agitation. ANOTHER SIDE OF THE STORY. The Porte In support of its reply to state- ments of the Armenians, placed great re- liance upon an article written by Dr. Cyrus Hamlin, LL.D. formerly president of the Roberts college here, a distinguished Ar- menian_scholar, who is thoroughly familiar with the situation. The article referred to was published in the Boston, Mass., Con- gregationalist of December 28, 1893, and coples of it in documentary form are now being sent to the powers interested in the Armenian question. The article referred to above, upon which the Turkish government places s0 much rellance in establshing its case against the Armenians, is as follows, nd is headed: “A Dangerous Movement Among the Armenians:" “An Armenian revolutionary party is caus- ing great evil and suffering to the missionary work and to the whole Christian people of certaln parts of the Turkish empre. It 13 @ secret organization, and is managed with a skill In decelt which ls known no where else on earth. “In a wid:ly distributed pamphlet the fol- lowing announcement is made of the Hunt- achaglst revolutionary party: ‘This is the only Armenian revolutionary party which is leading the revolutionary movement in Ar- menia, Its center is in Athens, and it has ~The the announce- Associated dic- THE BEE BULLETIN. Weather Forecast for Nebrasia — Fair; Cooler; North Winds xt of Mosher Penltentiary Contract. Ferdinand, Count de Lesseps, Dead. Another Chapter of the Armenlan Story. Fatriotsin Pursuit of Plums. Condition of 'Frisco Securitie Behind the Scenes at Biack Crook. Banqueted at Billings. Eckels' Flan and Carlisle's Compared. Discussing the New Forestry Bill, Editorial und Comment. State Banks in Nebraska. fowa Trayeling Men Moet. Council Bluffs Local Matgers. Affalrs at South Omaha. Supreme Court Syllabl. . City Council Proceedings. Morris In Jall Just the Same. Mayors of Bottitort, erclal and Financlal News. Features of the Live Stock Trade. Dun and Bradstreet on Business, Progress of the Great Northwes! e ———— branches menia founders those ma. in_every Ni<han village and Garabedan, one of the of the party, is in America, and desiring to get further information communicate with him, addressing Nishan Carabedian, 156 Fountain street, Worcester, Mass., or with the center, M. Beniard, poste restante, Athens, Greece.' “A very inteliigent Armentn gentleman who speaks fluently and correctly English as well as Armenian, and {s an eloquent de- fender of the revolution, assurad me they have the strongest hop:s of preparing the way for Russia's entraice (3 Asia Minor to take possession. In anxwer to che question how, he replied: ‘The Huntschagist bands organized all over the empire will watch their opportunity to kill the Turks and Kurds, set fire to their villages and then make their escape into the mountains. Then the Mussul- mans will rise and glaughter them with such inhumanity that Russia will arise in the name of humanity and Christianity and tak possession.” When I denourced the scheme as atrocious and infernal beyond anything ever known, he candidly replied: ‘It appears so to you, no doubt, but we Armenians are determined to be free. Europe listened to the Bulgarian horrors and made Bulgaria free. She will listen to our cry when it go:s up in shrieks and blood of miliions of women and children.’ REVOLUTIONISTS DESPERATE. urged in vain that this scheme will make the very name of Armenia hateful to civilized people. He replied: ‘We are desperate; we shall do it But your people do not want Russian protection; they prefer Turkey, as bad as she is. ‘Yes' he replied, ‘and for such stupidity they will have to suffer.’ “I have conversed with others, who avow the same thing, but no one acknowledges he Is a member of the party. In Turkey the party alms to excite the Turks against Protestant Armenians. All the troubles at Marsovan originated in their movements. They are cunning, unprincipled and cruel. They terrorize their own people by demand- ing contributions of money under threats of assassination, a threat that has often been exccuted. I have made the mildest possible disclosure of only a few of the abominations of this Huntschaglst revolutionary party. It is of Russian origin, Russian gold and craft governing it.” % HAMLIN UP TO DATE. LEXINGTON, Mass, Dte, 7.—Dr. Cyrus Hamlin of this city, ‘whose article in the Congregationalist’ on tie *Armenian troubles a year ago has becn translnted by the Turk- ish government and sent out to the Burepean powers as a defente of the recent atrocities committed upon the Armenians by the Mos- lems, was scen by an Assoclated press re- porter. Dr. Hamlin was for many years a missionary in Turkey, and knows some- thing of the temper of th Turks regarding Christians. He had, moreover, a seven years' contest with the Turkish authorities over the building of the famous Roberts col- lege in Constantinople, but finally carricd the day. He said “I have always said that the revolutionary movement is of Russian origin. Russian gold and craft govern it. That Is my opinion still. The Turkish government is wholly in- excusable for the recent atrocities. It has been published in the newspap:r reports that word was sent from Constantinople to sub- due the rebellion., It would be just as reasonable to guard the wolves of Kurdistan from the attacks of the lambs from the plalns. The Turkish government shows that it knows the weakness of its position by its frantic cfforts to hide the truth from Rurope. It will not even allow persons -to travel from the region of the existing troubles to the capital, and many Armenians who have at- tempted to reach Con:tantinople have been captured by the authorities and sent back. I have a strong suspicion that the Turkish minister at Washington is In league with Russia. He belongs to the Greek church and he is in natural league with Russia. 1 cannot see why the Turks have sent a Greek to represent them in America. Yenl has represented to the Turkish goverdment that tho Armenians in this government are send- ing arms through Persia into Turkey for revolutionary, purpo:es. This is childish. 1 venture to say there has not been a rifle or a pound of ammunition sent to Turkey by the revolutionists of America, ALL EMANATES FROM RUSSIA. “The whole of this emanates from Russla, and is merely a subterfuge to give good oc- casion for Russia to march into Armenia and take control, and if the Turks are to be so easily fooled let Russia go in and teach them a lesson, although I am strongly opposed to having Russia do so, because her government will be much worse than the government of Turkey. I am profoundly disappointed in the folly and wickedness of the Turkish govern- ment, and its action in using what I have written for purposes for which it was never intended is exactly opposed to my views. That is evident to people who read the whole article. You may depend that the Turkish government has not produced it in full. Iam still opposed to the revolutionary movement, because it s silly and foolish and the Turk- ish government can never exculpate itself from the atrocities by refernnce to any pro- posed revolution by the Armenians. The Ar- menlans have perhaps 2,600,000 to 3,000,000 unarmed peasants scattered through 20,000,050 Moslems well armed. I had hoped that in the present horrors the public reports had been greatly exaggerated, but later advices only seem to show a greater degree of barbarity. The Turkish government has sent a commit- tee to Investigate the affair, and at the head is a shah who is known to ba an enemy of the Armenfans. Of course that committee will not make a truo report. It will be ut- terly unreliable. I feel that the Christlan world ouglt to protest against the horrors emphatically, and also feel that the signa- tories of the Berlin treaty are under obli- tions to take up the question. The Turks, knowing the existence of a sccret revolution- ary party, take the facts as an excuse to open an attack on the Armenians. The idea that the Turks fear the Armenians or a rey- olution among them is utterly absurd.” - Army Officers Looking for a Rumpus. DENVER, Dec. 7.—There is a feeling at military headquarters in this city that if the governor of Utah intends to arm set- tlers and cowboys in southeastern Utah to drive out the Ute Indlans who are pastur- ing ponies and cattle in San Juan county there will be a first-class rumpus. RAND JUNCTION, Colo., Dec. 7.—Dis- patches received here today announce that 118 boxes of arms and ammunition have been recelved at Thompson, Utah, sixty miles west of here, shipped by Governor West of Utah. The settlers are arriving an propose to move against the Indians in San §uan county and drive them back over th Colorado line. SALT LAKE, Dec. T.—-Governor West today received the following dispatch from neral McCcok at Denver: “l have or- dered Lieutenant Colonel Larstore, insp:ctor general of this department, to proceed at onee to Monticello and Blue Mountain, Utah, to investigate and report upon the condition of Indlan affairs there, Governor West left tonight for Monticello for a col ference with Lieutenant Colonel Larstone, city In Ar- iy SCRAMBLING FOR THE PLUNS COandidates for Preferment at the Hands of the Governor and ‘Legislature, SOME VERY PRETTY FIGHTS ON THE TAPIS Judge 1 as a Full Hand from Which to Select Appolntees—Plenty of Timber for Law Makers to Make a Cholee, It is somewhat of an exaggeration to say that Governor-elect Holcomb has received moro applications for appointments than the total number of votes polled for him, but there has been such a rush of place hunters in his direction to warrant placing the number up in the thousands, With all theso applicants before him, Judge Holcomb has plenty of material to choose from, and he will probably take his time about making his selections, So far as known, only one man has been offered an office by the ine coming governor, and he was not an ape plicant for the place, As already announced by The Bee, James N. Gaffin, the defeated candidate for lleutenant governor, has beem tendered the position of private secretary, to the governor, but he has not as yet signie fled whether he will accept. In case Mr. Gaffin does not accept tha place, there are plenty of men who would Lke to attend to the governor's private afs fairs for the coming two y First on the list is Benton Marat, the young man who had chargs of the Omaha branch of the populist state committee during the came puign. He has been with Judge Holcomb since the close of the campalgn attending to his enormous mail and acting in the ca- pacity of private secretary. He is sald to be thoroughly fitted for the place. Anothen man who wants the place is W. D. Oldham of Kearney. He will be remembered as the chairman of the democratic state cone vention, who could pound hard with a gavel and wear a smile at the same time. There are a dezen other applicants for the situation, but so far as heard from they have received no_encouragement. There has not been such a scramble for the position of private secretary as thero has been for gome of the other plums in the gift of the governor, in which there is con= &idered to be more “‘emolument” than honor. In this list the office of chief ofl inspector easily leads. Fifty men with petitions are out in various parts of the state, securing signatures in (he hope of capturing the situation. And to supplement these fifty, thero are 300 or 400 who have been prom- sed deputyships out hustling for the man who made them the promise. Douglas county, has one man who is out after ace with a vengeance in the person of Sam P. Brig- ham of South Omaha. He has secured mile or more of signatures to his petition and is_adding more names every day. An= other Douglas county man who would take the place is D. Clem Deaver, late popullst candidate for congress. Chairman Edmiston of the populist state central committee is also credted with looking on the job with longing eyes, and J. R. Dodds, editor of the Wymore Arbor-State, wouldn't refuse the place if it were offered to him, even if It didn't come on a silver platter, « WANT TO GO TO THE PEN. { The next attractive situation scems to ' the wardenship of the penitentiary. There is one application for the position from Judge Holcomb's own county. -Ex-Sheriff J. B. Jones of Broken Bow thinks he could handla all the bad people in the pen and keep Bill Dorgan straight at the same time. He has been a populist ever since the party was started, and he wants to be recognized in spite of the fact that Broken Bow has al- ready furnished one governor and a congressa man. It is also said that Mayor Weir of Lincoln is down on the list of applicants for the place. Willam Daily of Nemaha f8 another who is hustling hard for the privil= ege of caring for the convicts and teaching them the ways of righteousness. Mr. Daily has had considerable experience with bad men, by the grace of the republican party, when he was United States marshal, and he wants to see how much difference it would feel to deal wi'h the same class as a popullst offical. Then there is I. A. Sheridan, who this year is not “the gentleman from Red Willow county.” Another candidate is Jim Dahlman, mayor of Chadron, the man who wouldn't ‘run for auditor on' the democratio ticket against a one-armed unfon soldier, in spite of the fact that he was a southern man, All the candidates so far named are either populists or democrats, but there is one re= publican who wants the job. Th's is Al Beemer, the present warden, and his friends claim for Lim that he would make just as good a warden under a populist governon as he has made under republican rule. Even the convicts themselves are for Beemer, They are not exactly “‘out” for him, but they, are 'in becausc they can't get out. In case D. Clem Deaver cannot be ofl in= spector, he might take the deputy commis- sionership. But there are other people who want that job. Honest O'd John Powers would be satisfied with the place so long as he cannot be state treasurer, and 8. J, Kent would take the situation as a salve for the wounds afflicted In his unsuccessful fight for commissioner of public lands and build- ings. Another defeated candidate who would like a place is Judge Wilson, Judge Wilsom is a one-armed veteran of the late unpl antness, and as commandant of the Soldiers’ Home he thinks he would be in the right place. Mart Howe of Lincoln would also like the berth, and there are a dozen others in_the same predicament. Dr. Mackay is the principal candidate for the superintendency of the Norfolk asylum. Ho is also the editor of the Madison Re- porter, and he wields a very sharp pen. As a consequence he has made enemies, and these men are now trying to prevent him from securing the prize. They have even gone so far as to crculate a petition praying Judge Holcomb not to appoint the doctor, and in this they are being backed by some of the Majors roustabouts of Madison county. In the meantime Dr. Mackay is telling them what he thinks about them in very vigorous language, at which he s an adept. Another newspaper man, A. F. Enos, of the Stanton Picket, wants to be steward of the same asylum, and is being strongly backed for the place. A petition 18 being circulated at Hastings to have Dr. Johnson retained as superinten= dent of the Hastings asylum, but Dr. G. M. Shidler of York wants the place, and o do a number of others, W. H. Letson of Hast- fngs is also out with a petition trying to secure the stewardship of the institutién, There {sn't much money In the adjutant gereralship, but there is quite a bit of honor, and so the applicants for the place are num erous. The latest applicant for this place 18 Captain N. P. Lundeen of York. The title of captain is not high encugh for him. STRIFE FOR THE SPEAKERSHIP, From the governor's office to the legislature 1s but a step, and Interest will be divided between the two when the state government changes hands in January. The speakership contest will be the first matter of moment in the legislative end of the capitol. Tem men have come cut openly and announced thelr candidacy, and five times ten are quietly, walting for the opportune moment to holst thelr lightning rods. The ten men cpenly in the race are: John A. Davies, the hustling young representative of Cass county, who was one of the leaders of the last session and s found on the right side; W. O. pman, editor of the Crete Vidette; John y, member-clect from Buffalo county; Munger of the Lancaster county delega= Randolph McNitt, the boy representas tive from Red Cloud; J. 0. Cramb, who foun years ago represented Jofferson county im the lower house; C. L. Richards, Thayes county's new representative; J. €, Burch, one of the Gage county delegatfon, whose home 15 at Wymore; A. L. Sutton of South Omaha, and John J. Lamborn, the Red Willow county man who defeated Pugllist Sheridan. After the speakership fight is ended there will be another pretty struggle to see whe