The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, March 8, 1895, Page 3

THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, FRIDAY, MARCH &, 1895. 3 -— e = ASSILING THE TAX Why Some Corporations Oppose the New Law. IT HAS NO UNIFORMITY. Lawyer Guthrie So Argues Be- fore the Supreme Court. CERTAIN CONCERNS FAVORED. Companies in New York Exempted Purposely by the Wording of the Act. ‘WasningroN, March 7.—The Supreme Court did not reach the income-tax cases until 3 o’clock to-day, when W. D. Guthrie was recognized to open the case for the ap- pellants. He appeared especially for Messrs. Pollock and Hyde, who appealed their cases against the Farmers’ and Conti- nental Trust companies of New York from the decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the southern district of New York. Mr. Guthrie devoted himself to an outline of the argument proposed to be made by the counsel for the appellants and had not concluded when the court at 4 o’clock adjourned for the day. He stated they would depend principally upon show- ing that the present incom x law was e of its want of uni- at length from the o show that the tax itut juoted the law t m, contending that Congress formity no right 1 the constitution to a tax for excise or import, h was variable or I in uniform- ity as to individuals and corporations, be- cause it was the fundamental rule that burdens in these respects should be equal Guthrie said the two cases against the trust companies were very similar, but that he would devote himself principally to the Pollock case, because in that case the in- terests involved were greater than in the other, but while this company conducts an immense business its business is one which might be carried on as well by a private p as by a stock company, in ase it would be exempt under the laws from the income tax. He said Pollock was a shareholder in this company, the net income or profits of which during the past year, subject to the income tax. exceeds $300,000, of which 00 represents rents of real estate and bout $60,000 investments in municipal bonds, which latter investment could not, he claimed, be taxed under a former de- cision of the Suprem purt. Guthrie asserted that the provision of the law ex- empting all incomes under $4000 would cause it to fall upon less than 2 per cent of the population of the United States and the law was therefore class legislation. He also showed that the tax was not uniform as regards corporations, of which a favored 1 were exempted, as, for instance, cl mutual insurance companies and building associations, as well as partnerships and religious and benevolent institutions. As to the exemption of churches, benev- olent concerns, etc., counsel would have nothing to say, as there was enough in the other exemptions in cases where the ex- emptions were in the interest of share- holders, though called by another name, to afford sufficient text for all they could say. As illustrative of the effect of the operation of the law he pointed out that an individual owning real estate bringing an income of $8000 would pay $80 in taxes, while a corporation would be required to pay double that amount. He also in- stanced the case of a partnership of five persons doing a business amounting to $50,000 a year which would be required to pay no tax, while a corporation composed of the same persons would be compelled to pay $500. In a word, he said, the applica- tion of the law would vary according to ownership. The corporation was only an aggregation of individuals, and in moskeorporations a part, at least, of the stock, was owned by the middle classes. Guthrie dwelt upon the exemption in the interest of the build- ing and loan associations, who were, he said, relieved of the annual payment of $600,000, and - whose assets, it has been asserted, were greater than the combina- tion of all the national banks. All men would have to do to evade the operations of the law would be to organize building and loan associations. He argued if the present law should be held to be constitu- tional, Congress could levy a duty of 25 per cent on the imports of individuals and of 50 per cent of those of corporations, or if the sentiment in Congress should change, it could as easily reverse the process and favor the corporations. The principle would be the same. Referring to the exemption made in the interests of mutual insurance companies, he asserted that in the United States there were 1900 such companies and that of these 1600 were doing business on the mu- tual plan, and he said in New York alone the wording of the act exempting such companies would relieve a thousand mil- lion dollars’ worth of property fromgits op- eration. The leading mutual insurance company would secure the benefit of an exemption on its income amounting to $200,000 per year, while its rival, organized on the stock plan, would have to pay its income tax. This advantage was given in the law, he asserted, simply because some one wanted to favor some particular mu- tual company. Taking up the provision of the constitu- tion requiring uniformity in levying im- ports, taxes, etc., he refuted the argument that the word uniformity was meant to have only a geographical application to prevent discriminating in favor of one State as against another, but contended it was meant to secure equality of taxation. Guthrie will resume his argument at 12 o’clock to-morrow. LUBIN’S PLAN Remedies for the Depression in the Price of Farm Products. ‘W asHINGTON, March 7.—Last December a resolution passed the House requiring the Committee on Agriculture to investigate and report what is the cause of the depres- sion in prices of farm products, detrimental to farmers’ interests generally. A majority of the committee have filed a report in which they say chief among the causes of depression were the demonetization of sil- ver, the high tariff and food aduiteration, and that the remedy lies in the adoption of the plan proposed by D. Lubin of Sacra- mento, Cal., when he appeared before that committee last December, viz.: a bounty on certain agricultural products. Then INDORSED. there must be anti-option :mdl pure-food bills passed by Congress and silver must be remonetized before there can beany sub- stantial relief for farmers. ——e— BUYING AMERICAN CLOTH. New Market for Woolen Goods Found in England. ‘WasHINGTON, March 7.—Anomalous as it may appear, American cloth is being sold in the English markets and right in the center of the English cloth-manufacturing districts. United States Consul Meeker, who has reported the fact to the State De partment, says this seems to justify the predictions made at the time of the pas- sage of the Wilson {tariff act. He states that a representative of an American house has been buying English cloth in England and has at the same time been selling cloth there. The American cloth is woolen stuff suitable for coating and men’s suiting, selling from 50 to 60 cents per yard.” The glish merchants pronounce it to be superior cloth for the grade, made of short wool and cannot see how it can be produced and sold for the price. —_—— NO FREE SEED FOR FARMERS. An Item Left Out of One Appropriation at Cleveland’s Request. ‘W asHINGTON, March 7.—It transpired to- day that the ag; Itural appropriation bill as passed by Congress omits the usual ap- propriation of $300,000 for seeds, to be dis- tributed to farmers by members of Con- gress. The conferees on this bill received aquiet tip from the White House that President Cleveland would veto the bill if this provision for seed distribution was in- cluded. The conferees eliminated this item, but made no report of the same to the House and Senate for fear of raising a row that might endanger the bill’s passage. There is now some talk among membe elect of holding an investigation into th matter in the next Congress and to place the responsi where it belongs. CIVIL SERVICE AMENDMENTS SOME IMPORTANT PROVISIONS ARE APPROVED BY THE PRESIDENT. Goobp CHARACTER AND FAITHFUL WoRK TO FIGURE IN PRo- MOTIONS. ‘WasuiNGroN, March 7.—The President approved sundry amendments of the 1 service rules. These amendments were largely formal and were made neces- sary in consequence of the recent exten- sion of the classification in the depart- mental service to include messengers, as- sistant messengers and watchmen and classification of the internal revenue ser- ice. One of the amendments gives the Civil Service Comm on authority in its discretion to reject the application or to refuse the certification of an applicant who has been guilty of a crime or of infamous or notoriously disgraceful conduct. Prior to this amendment the commission onl had the power with reference to certifi tion in such cases. Age limitations have been prescribed for the new classes brought within the classi- fied service by the recent extension. These limits are for messengers or assistant mes- sengers not under 18; for page or mes- senger-boy not under 14 nor over 18 years of age. A further amendment provides for trans- fers from the internal revenue service to a bureau in the Treasury Department in which business relating to the internal revenue is transacted and from such a bureau to the internal revenue service, this amendment being in all respects similar to the provision now existing with reference to transfers from the customs service to the Treasury Department, and from the department to the customs service. A proviso has been added which authorizes transfers from one department in Wash- ington to another without examination. This amendment has been made in view of the fact that the service law has now been in operation in departmental service more than eleven years, and that a large propor- tion of the employes now in these depart- ments have entered the service through the civil service examinations, and the further fact that those who have not been so appointed have had long experience and have acquired valuable knowl- edge mnot only of the business of the department in which they are emplpyed, but of the public service generally. In view of these considerations, it was believed the time had come when transfers from one department to another, where the transfer is to be to a place and a class of duties similar to those performed in the department from which the trans- fer is made, might be without examina- tion and without detriment to the public interest. A further amendment to the rules provides that persons appointed as messengers, assistant messengers, watch- men or in any other subordinate capacity below the position of clerk and copyist, may be transferred after completing the probation of six months, if not debarred | by agelimitations, to any other like sub- ordinate positions. But they may not be promoted to the position of clerk or copy- ist, or to any place the duties of which are clerical. An exception is made with re- gard to printers’ assistants in the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, who are only eligible to transfer to the grade of opera- tives in that bureau. REV. MR. BACHE DISAPPEARS. There Is Much Mystery Comnected With the Missing Man. NEWw York, March 7.—The disappearance of the Rev. John Owen Bache, New York financial agent of the Union Central Insur- ance Company of Cincinnati, is still unex- plained. President Pattison of the com- pany, who is in charge of Bache’s office here, said to-day: ““The more thought I give to this unfor- tunate affair the more perplexed I become. Our company has all confidence in the in- tegrity of Mr. Bache, and we believe that all things will right themselves before long.” President Pattison attributed Mr. Bache’s disappearance to illness. Mr. Bache's pri- vate box in the office safe has not yet been opened. Mr. Bache was born in this city. His father was a wealthy coal merchant. The son inherited considerable property from his mother. He was assistant rector of Holy Trinity Church under the Rev. Staple King’s pastorate. He left the min- istry to engage in the life insurance busi- ness. Bache was related to Bishop Burran of Trinity Church, who, it was said, is a descendant of Benjamin Franklin. —_— To Close a Texas Bank. ‘WasHINGTON, March 7.—The Comptroller of the Currency has ordered Bank Exam- iner Johnson to close up the First National Bank of Texarkana, Tex. The capital stock of the bank is $50,000 ana the liabili- ties are $40,000. The stock, however, had become impaired and on the failure of the stockholders to make good the order to suspend was given. MR, DANA IS INDICTED. With Publisher Laffin of the “Sun” He Will Be Arrested FOR A CRIMINAL LIBEL Vindication for F. B. Noyes of the Associated Press. THREE COUNTS IN THE BILL. There Was Evidently No Ground for the Bitter Attack on the Wash~ ington Editor. ‘WasnINGTON, March 7.—The Grand Jury of the Supreme Court for the -District of Columbia has returned an indictment for criminal libel against Charles A. Dana, ed- itor, and William Laffin, publisher, of the New York Sun. The presentment was formally made to Judge Cole, presiding, by the foreman of the jury to-day. Itisa formidable document of many pages, set- ting forth the malicious motives of Messrs. Dana and Laffin in criminally libeling Frank B. Noyes, proprietor of the Wash- ington Evening Star and one of the board of directors and of the executive commit- tee of the Associated Press, The District Supreme Court is a United States court, and according to the proceed- ure of such courts District Attorney Birney will transmita certified copy of the indictment to the District Attor- \\(| ney for the Southern )/ District of New York, in New York located City. It will be sub- mitted to a United States Commissioner, who on satisfying him- self of the formal reg- ularity of the indict- ment will issae a crim- inal warrant for the arrest of Messrs. Dana and Laffin. | The Commissioner also fixes the amount of bail. The accused have the right of applying for a writ of habeas cor- pus to contest the prima facie sufficiency of the procedure before being arraigned on the merits of the indictment. It is ex- pected the transmission of the indictment to New York and the arrest of the two accused will be accomplished within a day or two. The indictment, as returned, contains three counts setting forth different circum- stances of criminality on the publishing of the libel. The proceeding is according to the common law, which, as modified by certain acts of Congress, constitutes the jurisprudence of the District of Columbia. Before specifying the three criminal counts the indictment sets up the circumstances and motives leading up to them. It states that the Associated Press isan incorpor- ated news agency for the wide distribution of news. with branches in New York, Chi- cago, Washington, St. Louis, San Francisco and throughout the country. Itsaffairs are conducted by a board of directors, of which Mr. Noyes is a member. The indictment statesthe international organization of the United Press, which has Charles A. Dana as president and Wil- liam A. Laffin as vice-president. Mention is made of the two rival associations to show the animus of the subsequent acts charged against Dana and Laffin. Italso gives the organization of the Sun Printing and Publishing Association, with Charles A. Dana as editor and William A. Laffin publisher. The three counts of criminal libel are then given. The first count states that on February 22 last the New York Sun published an editorial, from which following is an extract: The corporation (meaning the Associated Press) is organized under the Illinois State law, and the provisions of the statute respect- ing the personal liability of directors are amus. ing. We commend a careful study of them to the unfortunate newspaper managers who have been roped in. They may see their way to making such a thoroughly dishonest direc- tor as F. B. Noyes of Washington, for instance, refund to them the amount of the extra assess- ments out of which they have been bunkoed. The indictment, after stating that the foregoing libel was circulated in New York City, charges also thaton the same day Messrs. Dana and Laffin sent 300 copies of the paper to Washington afd thereby pub- lished the libel in Washington. The two Charles A. Dana. accused are charged with full knowledge of what appears in the editorial columns of their paper and with responsibility for the same. The second count refers particularly to the publication of the libel in Washing- ton. The third countis general in terms— accusing Dana and Laffin of composing and publishing a criminal libel without specifying the sum or detailed circum- stances of the charge. The first count is the most specific and gives the gravamen of the charges on which the Grand Jury acted. Besides the foregoing there are features of libel set forth and there is the usual for- mal and severe language of the law in specifying an allegation of crime. The proceedings have been under the direction of District Attorney Birney also, he has assigned Assistant District Attorney Tag- gart to conduct the case before the Grand Jury. Beinga criminal and not a civil case, the prosecution is conducted by the public officers as an offense against the public rather than as against an individ- ual, the theory of the law being a libel against Mr. Noyes or any other citizen is an offense against the peace and quiet of the community to be prosecuted in the same manner as any other disturbances of the public peace. ‘When the warrants are issued Messrs, Dana and Laffin will have three courses open to them. They may submit to ar- rest and decline to give bail, in which case they will be brought to Washington to stand trial. If they give bail it will insure their coming to Washington at the time the case is called in the United States court. In the meantime they may test the sufficiency of the face of the indictment, without going into its details by applying for a writ of habeas corpus. The action of the Grand Jury in indicting Messrs. Dana and Laffin will undoubtedly add another celebrated case to the-annals of American criminal law. While the indictment is one in behalf of the public against the libelous course of Mr. Dana and his coadjutor, Mr. Laffin, yet it incidentally protects the reputation of Mr. Noyes and others who have been maligned by this source. It is assumed these persons are willing to at- tempt to jusiify in- court this publication against Mr. Noyes, and such an effort at justification is welcomed. Itis fitting that the case should be triedfin Washington, where Mr. Noyes was born and has always lived, and where his reputation is best known. It has been a source of gratification to Mr. Noyes and his friends that many United Press papers have risen above the bad feeling engendered by the contest be- tween the Associated Press and the United Press to severely rebuke the Sun’s attack. This has been particularly noticeable at Mr. Noyes' home here in Washington, where the two United Press papers, the Post and the News, have taken occasion to express their high regard for him and their contempt for Mr. Dana’s libel. The Wash- ington Postin aleader editorial deplores the violent and rancorous controversy and the unfortunate tone and temper of the New York Sun. It says of the Sun edi- torial of February 22 that Mr. Noyes is one of the directors of the Associated Press and as such had incurred the animosity of the Sun. Itadds: We are very sure, however, that the Sun’s accusations against him will not bear inquiry, and, for our part, we take pleasure in saying of & fellow-townsman, albeit a competitor in busi- ness, that ne one who knows him as well as we do will be in the very least disturbed by the Sun’s extraordinary attack. The Washington News, also a United Press paper, speaks of Mr. Dana’s pro- pensity for saying “a bitter thing now and then for the pleasure of saying it,’’ and adds: “The business integrity of Mr. Noyes has never been questioned by those who know him best.” The Washington Times also editorially referred to Mr. Noyes’ high character, and deplored the ‘‘vials of Billingsgate'’ of the Sun. Similar expressions have come from papers throughout the country. AN EXTRA SESSION LIKELY. CLEVELAND MAY CALL CONGRESS TOGETHER AT VERY SHORT NOTICE. It Wourp ALL SEEM To DEPEND oN THE CONDITION OF THE GoLp RESERVE. ‘WasniNGToN, March 7.—A Cabinet officer is authority for this notable statement, the accuracy of which would be questioned were it not for the source from which it comes: “There is a general assumption that it is definitely decided there will be no extra session. The decision is erroneous. Whether there will be an extra session or not depends upon circumstances. The public is not aware of the fact that the President almost decided last Sunday that there should be an extrasession. The sub- ject would be considered by the Cabinet. “The immediate cause was the sundry civil and deficiency appropriation bills. The President was very much disposed to veto both of them. At one time he had nearly decided to do so, but he concluded that it would be better to allow the country to have a rest for a time, and to await the progress of events and not to call an extra session now. “But if there shall be & run upon treas- ury gold and the treasury reserve shall be depleted in spite of the arrangement which has been made to protect gold, the Presi- dent unquestionably will convene the next Congress as soon as that fact shall be made clear or provable.” This statemeat is of much significance. The result will be that the people will watch the treasury gold reserve with in- creased interest. IMPORTATION OF BOOKS. An Interesting Question Involving a Copyright Law. ‘WasuiNgtoN, March 7.—An important question relating to copyrights has been raised by a well-known publishing house and is now under consideration at the Treasury Department. The old copyright law made it illegal to bring into the United States foreign copies of books copyrighted in this coun- try. The law of 1891 amended the old in some unimportant particulars, but ex- pressly stated it was not to go into effect until a subsequent date, July 1, 1891. The question involved is whether the new law, not being retroactive, did not release from the importation prohibited all books of American authors copyrighted prior to July 1,1891. Should it be held that the new law took the place of the old, foreign editions of all American books written and copyrighted prior to 1891, might hereafter be imported free of duty and without re- gard to American copyright laws which would necessarily interfere with the pub- lishing business in this country. amae o DENVER'S WOMEN BURGLARS. Charges Against Mrs. Shaw and Mrs. Pike Dismissed. DexVER, March 7.—The case against Mrs. Bertha K. Shaw, charged with receiving stolen goods, was dismissed to-day and the defendant discharged. Mrs. Shaw, with Mrs. Henrietta E. Pike, was arrested De- cember 26. Mrs. Pike, it was claimed, en- tered the residence of Mrs. Ives, in a fash- ionable quarter of the city, and dnring the family’s absence carried away valuables and household articles, a portion of which she stored in her room at Mrs. Shaw’s house, near by. % Mrs. Pike was the wife of a former gen- eral manager of the Denver and Rio Grande, and Mrs. Shaw’s husband was a wealthy liquor-dealer in Denver, but now in Montana. Mrs. Pike is now in Califor- nia, where she is living with her husband. —_——— RE-ENTERS THE REBELLION. Da Gama Back in Brazil With a Big Following. MoxtevipEO, March 7.—It is reported that Da Gama, leader of the recent rebel- lion in Brazil, has re-entered Brazil and taken up arms against the Government in the province of Rio Grande do Sul, with a force of 3200 men, comprising a naval bat- talion with twenty-two naval officers. Lispox, March 7.—Advices received here from Rio de Janeiro say that diplomatic relations between the Governments of Portugal and Brazil, which were inter- rupted at the close of the recent rebellion in Brazil, as a result of the escape of Ad- miral da Gama and some of his adherents from a Portuguese vessel on which they had taken refuge, will shortly be resumed. —_— Fire on the Transport Fern. BostoN, March 7.—Fire broke out on board the United States transport Fern during her trip from Philadelphia to the Boston navy-yard, where she arrived last night, and it was only by hours of bard fighting on the part of the officers and crew that the flames were kept from the maga- zine where 500 pounds of powder were stored. P Cause of the White Ash Mine Horror. DEexver, March 7.—The Coroner's jury has found that the gas explosion in the ‘White Ash mine, February 27, which killed twe nty-four men, was due to lack of air, one air-shaft being obstructed by water, Heavy damage suits will be instituted against the company by relatives of the ctims unless a compromise is effected, - A3 CANNON'S WISE WORDS Vividly He Points Out the Blunders of the Democrats. VERYBAD FINANCIERING Telling Comparisons of the Work of the Past Con- gresses. EXTRAVAGANCES OF THE LAST. Work of the ‘ Billion-Dollar Con- gress” Outdone by the Cleve- land Followers. WasHINGTON, March 7.—Representative Cannon of 1llinois, on behalf of the Repub- lican minority of the House Committee on Appropriations, has prepared a summary showing the total expenditures of the Fifty-third Congress and comparing them with the expenditures of the so-called “Billion-dollar Congress,” in which Mr. Cannon was at the head of the Appropria- tions Committee. The statement will be published to-morrow as a part of the Con- gressional Record. It says: : Iavail myseli of the opportunity to present for the information of the public and of the country & statement of the aggregate of appro- priations made by this Congress—the first half of Cleveland’s administration—as compared with the aggregate of the appropriations for the Fifty-first and Fifty-second Congresses, re- spectively, under Harrison’s administration. For this purpose I insert a comparative state- ment, which has been carefully compiled and is correct. From this statement it appears the appro- priations of the Fifty-first Congress, when Reed was Speaker of the House, and the Presi- dent and the Senate were Republican, were in round numbers £988,000,000, while the appro- priations for the Fifty-second Congress, when the House was Democratic and Crisp was Speaker, was in round numbers $1,027,000,000, and the appropriations for this Congress, with the President, House and Senate all Democratic, are in round numbers $990,000,000; moreover, the late sale of thirty- year 4 per cent United States bonds—the pay ment of interest upon which is permanent— swells the total appropriations for this and the next fiscal year by £2,900,000, making the grand total actually appropriated by this Con- gress in round numbers $993,000,000. This exceeds the appropriations made by the Fifty- first Congress, called by our Democratic friends the “billion-dollar Congress,” in round num- bers by $5,000,000. This Congress furthermore in addition to the actual increase in appropriations has author- ized public works to be done under contract, leaving the next Congress to make appropri- ations therefor as follows: By the fortifica- tions act $325,000, by the sundry civil act $6,385,000, by District of Columbia act $261,- 764, by the naval appropriation act $13,715,- 000. Total, $21,686,754. Thus the appropriations and authorizations of this Congress are seen to be in round num- bers .015,000,000. The appropriations for the public service as a rule make dry reading, but to the careful student of public questions they tell more of the policies of administrations and parties than can be gathered from volumes of words and protestations. I call attention to the fact that appropriations of pensions to the defenders of the republic in war and to their widows and orphans, by this Congress under Cleveland, are $42,129,616 less than those made by the Fiity-second Congress, the last two years under President Harrison. This $42,000,000 decrease gives in figures the tangi- ble result of an unfriendly—I will go further and say unjust—administration of the pension laws under Cleveland. The condition of the eountry was far differ- ent under Harrison’s administration from what it has been and is now under this ad- ministration. Then there was universal pros- perit: Now there is universal adversity. Then,ounder wise revenue laws, the people cheerfully contributed to the support of the Government from their abundance, and were glad when the treasury poured from its full coffers the necessary money liberally and wisely to carry on the Government, and after all there was done a surplus still remained to anticipate the payment of the war debt. Now our peopleare out of employment, values are shrinking and the people pay their taxes into the treasury with great effort and find such payment oppressive. The surplus has disap- peared from the treasury. The debt of the Government, instead of decreasing, is increas- ing, and increasing not to maintain resump- tion, as it is claimed, but to pay current ex- penses. This administration has issued and sold United States bonds time and again for the avowed purpose, it is true, of maintaining re- sumption, but in point of factit has taken the proceeds, it is taking the proceeds and will continue to take the proceeds to pay the cur- rent expenses of the Government. This Con- gress has wholly failed to provide sufficient revenue, while it has increased appropria- tions. In the mean time the administration has rejected every practical effort to assist in remedying the evils that beset the treasury. This is a Government of the people, through parties, and there can be no true relief in the l strike is complete with the few exceptions mentioned. TrextON, N. J., March 7.—Six hundred of 7500 employes of S. K. Felton’s wool mill have struck for a restoration of a sec- ond 10 per cent reduction made in wages last summer. They claim the promise to restore wages on January 1 has been vio- lated. Des Morxgs, Towa, March 7.—The session of coal miners and operators here broke up in a disagreement. The vote taken by the operators taken on the 80 per cent scale carried by 43 to 23. The miners refused to abide, claiming they represent three- fourths of the coal output of the State. They then entered into a conference with flhc operators, but nothing was done to- ay. ONE CASE IN WHICH LOVE DID NOT LAUGH AT LOCKS AND BARS. PRETTY DAlsy GARDNER'S IN- TENDED KEPT IN A VAULT TO PREVENT MARRIAGE. Crrcaco, March 7.—The breach of prom- suit of Daisy Gardner, a telegraph ope- rator, against George W. Stone, son of a wealthy Board of Trade operator, has de- veloped a romantic story, in which stern parents, big iron vaults, an imprisoned bridegroom and disappointed wedding guests are mingled in charming confusion. Daisy Gardner is a very pretty girl, who takes stock quotations and the like in an office very near the Board of Trade, where young Stone is employed in his father’s office. The young people met often. and Cupid PAPA STONE CHEATS CUPID. did the rest, or would have done it, Miss Gardner says, if the senior Stone had not interfered. The wedding-day was fixed, | so says the court bill; the guests arrived and the bride was ready, but the necessary groom did not come. The guests went | home, and the next day, so Miss Gardner | declares, young Mr. Stone came to her with a peculiar explanation. His father, | he said, had discovered the proposed wed- | ding, remonstrated, and, finding the young | man obstinate, had pushed him into a | large office vault and kept him locked up until the wedding-hour was safely passed. | Miss Gardner could not see the joke, and | has sued young Stone for $10,000 breach of | promise, in the hope, she says, that her | former father-in-law apparent will have to | foot the bill. Stone senior, in an inter- view to-day, admitted that he had pre- vented the marriage, but emphatically denied that he had locked his son ina vault. s Japanese Treaty Ratified. WasHINGTON, March 7.—The Emperor of | Japan has formally executed the ratifica- | tisn of the new treaty with the United | States, and the document is expected to ar- | rive here March 20. President Cleveland’s ratification is'expected to reach Japan { about the same time. e Suicide in Contral Park. | New York, March 7.—A man who from | papers found on his body is supposed to | have been William S:imon, a guest of the { Vanderbilt Hotel, committed suicide in front of the Museum of Arts bunilding in Central Park to-night by shooting himself in the head. AR B A Fullerton Man Dies of Lockjaw. | Fuoierros, Cal., March 7.—George Meh- ler, a well-known German of Fullerton, died suddenly this afternoon with lock- jaw, caused by running a nail through his boot. He was 30 years of age and married. W.&J.5L0 NEW TO-DAY. ANE & (0. SPRING IMPORTATIONS RAL CARS N URNITURE JUST ARRIVED! NOW BEING PLACED ON SHOW Beautiful ODD CHAIRS and DAINTY DIVANS Suitable for Parlor Furnishings. Artistic Stylesin BEDROOM SETS, CHIFFON=~ {ERS and DRESSING TABLES. Magnificent Display of DINING-ROOM, LI- BRARY and HALL FURNITURE. The above lines are all of the very latest im~ portations and are offered by us, until further notice, at a reduction ranging from 20 to 50 per cent LESS THAN REGULAR PRICES. We urge intending purchasers to compare stock and prices before purchasing. Special attention cailed to our window dis= play. MOQUETTES $1.00 per yard SEWED AND LAID. AMINSTERS $1.20 per yard SEWED AND LAID. TAPESTRY BRUSSELS premises until the people correct the error | made in 1892. by giving the Republican party full power in 1896, thereby enabling the party to write its policy on the legislation and ad- ministration. STRIKE OF COAL-MINERS. IT EXTENDS THROUGHOUT THE BIG PITTSBURG DISTRICT. So FAR ONLY ONE FIRM CONCEDES THE DEMANDS MADE BY THE MEN. PrrrssurG, March 7.—The strike of the miners of the Pittsburg district is on in full force, and it is expected that to-day will see a general suspension of work, except by less than 1000 men. It was estimated that before night 15,000 miners would quit work. Reports received at the miners’ head- quarters up to noon showed a general sus] pension of work throughout the district. From the report of the Commissionor of Labor, it is estimated that the number on strike is over 21,000, and the number em- ployed at the mines, where there is to be no strike, is about 1300. Considerable uneasiness was caused the operators to-day by the Hackett Coal Com- pany at Findleyville, controlled by Boyle Bros., posting a notice that their mines will resume to-morrow at 69 cents, the rate demanded by the men. William Flore- sheim’s men in the same section asked a similar concession, but were refused. The Boyle Bros. were asked by the operators to rescind their notice under promise of having their orders filled from the mines at work for 55 cents, but they replied that it was their intention to con- duct their own business. The men at Catsburg, on the Mononga- hela River, have returned to work, the company having conceded the scale. Reports from all parts of the district to- ni;hgzonfim the earlier reports that the 75 cents per yard SEWED AND LAID. THE NAIRN CARPETS! A superb line of private patterns made ex= pressly to our order in high class designs and colorings. These goods are absolutely controlled by us. We are enabled to offer the consumer an immense and unrivaled range of high class patterns, that cannot be obtained elsewhere. The best quality manufactured, and lead the market in design and colorings. We call special attention to the great va= riety ofiered from which to make selections. LINOLEUIL PERFECT WATERPROOF FLOOR COVERING ARTISTIC! DURABLE?L SANITARY! 1000 Square Yards. 1500 Square Yards. 2500 Square Yards, 5000 Square Yards. 5000 Square Yards. THE LATTER THE BEST QUALITY MADE, Regular Price. Reduced Price. $ .50 »40 lald .65 .50 laid 75 +65 laid 90 »80 laid 1.00 .90 laid Upholstery NEW GOODS NEW PRICES NEW DESIGNS. Department. Magnificent Assortment of Irish Point Lace Curtains at half former price. 1 Large Line of TAPESTRY PORTIERES, fringed edge and bottom, reduced to $4 50 per pair. PLAIN and FIGURED DENIMS at 30 cents per yard. Immense Line of RICH TAPESTRIES, commencing at 50 cents per yard and upward, 50 Inches wide. LARGE LINE BLANKETS AND COMFORTERS AT REDUGED PRICES. W. & . SLOANE & (0, 644, 643, 645 and 647 Market St., 5. E, NEXT PALACE HOTEI. @