The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, January 21, 1896, Page 1

| " VOLUME LXXIX .—NO. 52. HUNTINGTON HAS A NEW SCHEME, Statesmen Being Sounded on the Debts of Pacific Railroads. LOBBYISTS GROW BOLD. Advocating Measures to Extend the Time of Payment Fifty Years. VARIOUS PLANS OF EVASION, | California Congressmen United in the Fight Against the Funding Bill. WASHINGTON, D. C., Jan. 20.—The | Huntington lobby has at last shown its hand. The CaLL correspondent learned | to-night that John Boyd, chief lobb: the Southern Pacific, is “sovnding”’ ators and Representatives on a proposi that will be sprung soon. The railroad will have several measures, and will put them forward one at a time. The first will be to extend the debt for 100 years. The second will be to pay in- stallments of principal and interest at stated ~ periods unti] both principal and interest are I paid (as under Reilly bill). these measures fail, or it shall appear that they kelv to fail, atter being proposed to , they will come forth with their osition. Their last resort will in brief be a proposition to give the Govern- ment a first mortgage on both the Union ntral Pacific, the bonds to run for r perhaps 100) vears at 3 per cent in- present first mortgage bond- Id then hold the second mort- places with the United ¢ railroads believe that ge bondholders will be willing to dot A United States Sena- tor with’ whom John Boyd talked to-day says that they base their belief on these premises: First, the | the If bonds are not scattered among “Tom, Dick and Harry,"” but- have been gathered into the hands of a few men—a synaicate of foreigners—who have got to- gether for their own protection. They are fearful that in a suit at law it might be de- cided that their frst morigage isnot to have precedence or prior rights (in fore- closure proceedings) as against the Gov- ernment’s second mortgage. They may be and probably are willing to take @ second mortgage, the Southern Pacific Railroad of Arizona, on behalf of the Central Pacific, becoming surety for the payment of the principal and interest of these second mortgage bonds, and the branch lines of the Union Pacific (Kansas Pacific and others) guaranteeing their payment on behalf of the Union Pacific. They believe that the earnings of the Unionand Central Pacific in fifty (or 100) vears’ time will be sufficient to meet the i t and principal on both the firstand ond mortgage bonds. It is believed the Southern Pacific and nch lines of the Union Pacific will ng to become sureties and that the ent first mortgage holders will accept proposition rather than risk losing their money by decisions of the courts. The Senator said: “I am pledged to vote against any ex- tension of this debt, and shall do so. At the same time I must admit that this lat- est proposition of the Pacific roads will ap- veal to Congress as a most business-like way out of the difficulty. It is certain that Congress will pass no Government ownership bill. The Democ:ats are almost a unit against it, and many Republicans also will argue that if we can secure a first mortgage on the roads, even if we must extend the debt for another period of ¥ or 100 years, we should do so rather than | run the risk of sacrificing a large part of the whole. The railroad’s proposition is certainly a plausible one, and I predict that it will meet the approval of Congress.” Many members of Congress are greatly incensed against Ma) Sutro for sending circulars here insmuating that Congress- | men might be influenced by Huntington’s sack. They are all asking about Sutro. One member said if the Mayor was here he would break his cane over his head. Members of Congress from California dif- fer as to the effect Mayor Sutro’s circulars are having. Some contend that they make the funding-bill opponents appear as soci aud ‘‘sand-lotters,” while others deciare that the Sutro literature is attract- ing general attention to the subject, and in this way will accomplish good. The House Committee on Pacific Kail- roads to-day considered two propositions presented vy representatives of the Union Pacific Company, and decided to hear arguments on both propositions Monday nex Those desiring to be heard on any vroposition relating to the Central Pacitic are invited to be present on that day. The committee will fix the time for hearing such further arguments as may be pre- sented by both companies. The commit- tee will hold daily sessions after next Monday. Representative Maguire was present to- | day. He states that several members of | the California delegation, including him- sclf, desire to be heard on that occasion, and also other citizens of Califernia. Grove L. Johnson stated that ex-Con- gressman Thomas J. Geary of California had expressed a desire to address the com- mittee Monday. Mr. Johnson understood that both the Union and Central Pacific companies’ propositions would be heard together. Maguire asked Chairman Powers if any proposition by or on behalf of the Central Pacitic Company had been presented. Mr. Powers said the Committee on Pacific Railroads had not received or heard of any such proposition. Maguire then said it bad always seemed to him that the Union PRICE FIVE CENTS. aid: “Judge Maguire, before you came in I suggested to the committee that citizens of California, and particularly of San Fran- c1sco, in addition to members of the dele- gation, would like to be Leard on this mat- ter. Isay this to show that I have not overlooked their wishes in this matter. According to some of the newspapers in San Francisco it would seem that you were the only member of our delegation here who is looking out for these Pacific road matters.” After the meeting of the committee Maguire, Barham, Bowers and Hilborn had a consultation and decided to appear before the committee Monday next and ask that before any action is taken on any measure for settlement of the Pacific roads debt they shall be heard. Maguire was seen later and said: “‘Messrs. Barham. Hilborn and Bowers are outspoken in the matter, and expressed their determination to do everything in their power both before the committee and on the floor of the House to prevent the passage of a funding bill or any like meas- ure. I will certainly be glad to co-operate with them in all that may be done. The difference in our politics will make abso- lutely no division in our efforts. Upon this quesuon we are Californians fighting for California.” P St P LE AS TO REORGANIZATION. Chairman Powers Enlightenod on the Union Pacific Plans. WASHINGTON, D. C., Jan. 20.—Repre- sentative Powers of Vermont, the chair- man of the House Committee on Pavific Railways, has received a letter from Louis Fitzgerald, the chairman of the reorgani- zation ccinmittee of the Union Pacific Railway Company, in which he says his | committee now presents a substantially single representation of all Union Pacific | first mortgage bonds in circulation, as well as of all issues secured by liens junior to the lien which secures the.debt to the United States. Continuing, Mr. Fitzgerald says: *‘This union of security-holders relieves the matter of voluntary reorganization from every difficulty except that of defin- ing the relatively fair provision which should be made for the claims of the Gov- ernment. ““While the necessity is pressed upon the reorganization committee to enforce the rights of the first-mortgage bondholders in pending foreclosure proceedings, the committee believes that it will be its best office in carrying into ef- fec such proposal for the creditabie and just settlement of the Government claim which may be approved or made by the Committee on Pacific Railroads as may be carried into the form of proper legislation by Congress. I will be glad to have the advantage of submitting the further views of the reorganization com- mittee and of affording any aid in our power to your committees in the constder- ation of this matter at such early time as | you may be pleased to fix.” CAMPOS LEAVES HAVANA, Much Feeling Displayed as He Bade Farewell to His Troops. Cubans and Spaniards Fought Near San’ Felipe — Deserters to Be Shot. HAVANA, Cusa, Jan. 20.—The depar- ture of General Campos from Havana has quietly followed his recall from the captain - genesalship of this is- land. At 3 oclock this after- noon he left the captain-general’s | palace o0 go on board a steamer in the har- bor. He was accompanied by General Ma- | rin, who will have charge of tiie civil and military administration until the arrival from Spain of General Weyler, the newly appointed captain-general, and by other military and civil officials and by the Gov- ernor’s guard. The party proceeded on foot through the streets to the mole, its route being lined by volunteers and regular troops. Much feeling was displayed as General Campos bede farewell to those who had servea under him. About 2000 persons assembled at the mole to witness the departure of the retir- ing captain-general, the crowd standing silent as he embarked. After he had gone many expressions of regret were heard. The railroad across the island of Cuba, having for its termini Havana on the mnorth and Batanaba on the south, was opened yesterday. At the stations along the line the resi- dents had assembled and greeted the first train upon its arrival with much enthu- siasm. At Bejucal the station building was found in ruins. The company esti- mates its loss by fire at $50,000. All the stations of the road are now occupied by Government troops, who are prepared to prevent fur- ther injury to the railroad company®s property or of persons residing along the line of the road. An unimportant encounter between rebels and a detachment of Govern- ment troobs is reported to have occurred near San Felive yester- day. Two of the soldiers who were wounded in the encounter were brought here. Eleven rebels are reported to have been killed. Five * prison- ers, two of whom were Spanish soldiers who had deserted, were brought here. They were still wearing the uniform of the Spanish army when they were captured, and they will proba- bly be shot. The insurgent leader, Maceo, with his command is said to be west of Quivican. General Sabos Mari is going to Porto Rico, having been appointed to succeed General Gamir, Governor of that province, who died of yellow fever yesterday. e Will Demand Restitwlion. RIO DE JANEIRO, Braziv, Jan. 20.— Dr. de Carvalho, Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs, will demand from Great Britain the immediate restitution of the island of Trinidad, which was recently oc- cupied by her for the alleged purpose of making it a landing station for a cable, but which Brazil ciaims as her territory. MR L Cardinal Meignan Dead. PARIS, Fraxce, Jan. 20.—Cardinal Wil- Pacific questions were essentially distinet and ought to be considered and heard sep- arately. { Jobnson then turned to Maguire and liam Ronato Meignan, Archbishop of Tours, was found dead in bed ut his palace at Tours, this morning. He was born in 1817 and created cardinal in 1893, RUBBING IT IN ON THE STATE. GREAT BRITAIN'S FLYING SQUADRON. No Information Given Out Re- lating to the Fleet's Destination. THE CUBA STORY DISCREDITED. No Communications on the Subject Have Yet Been Sent to This Country. LONDON, Exc., Jan. 20.—The United Press has the authority of the Admiralty for the statement that no information whatever regarding where the flving squad- Ton is going or where it is not going has been given to anybody. The Loadon newspapers to-morrow morning will print the following commu- nication, which has been issueda to them by the ¥oreign Office: “With reference to a report from Washington of alleged telegraphic correspondence between United States Secretary of State Olney and Lord Salisbury respecting the movements of the British fleet, we are officially informed that no communication has passed between her Majesty’s Govern. ment and the Government of the United States upon any naval question.” WASHINGTON, D. C., Jan. 20.—Major- General Nelson A. Miles, commanding the United States army, states that he has heard nothing of the extraordinary rumor telegraphed from Florida that the State militia had been ordered out at the request of the President of the United States, as préliminary to the probable recognition of the Cuban insurgents. Any such order would necessarily pass through General Miles’ hands. Secretary Lamont had not reached the War Department up to noon to-day, therefore no authentic denial could be ob- tainea from him, but all the other leading officials of the War Department united in discrediting the sensational rumors sent out. The statute of the United States which empowers the President to call upon the militia of the States in certain emer- gencies was passed the 28th of February, 1795. Its leading provisions were incor- porated in’ section 1642 of the Revised Statutes, as follows: *‘Whenever the United States are in- vaded or in imminent danger of invasion from any foreign nation or Indian tribe, or of rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States, it is lawful for the President to call for sucha number of militia of the State or States most convenient to the place of danger as he may deem necessary.’” Inasmuch as this section requires the President to be first informed of “im- minent danger of invasion” before taking action, and inasmuch as no official of the War Department through whom the orders must be sent has received the slightest intimation of anintention on the part of the President to call on the Florida militia or to request that they be held in readiness, the whole siory is set down as an imaginary production DEAN ON THE WAY TO EUROPE. Escapades of the Dariug Forger While in the East. BOSTON, Mass., Jan. 20.—A. H. Dean, alias Holmes, the forger who raised a $12 diaft to $22,000 and secured $20,000 from the Nevaas Bank in San Francisco, is believed by Chief Inspector Watts and local detectives to be on his way to Europe. Dean came to Boston the first of the week and his first attempt to raise money failing he kept under cover and successfully eluded the detectives. A man answering his description is said to have sailed Sat- urday on the steamer Sylvania for Liver- pool, and the police feel certain it was Dean. The first of the week he entered the office of a tourist agency and offered a London draft for £360. It was made out in favor of D. V. Esmond and indorsed in favor of H. Dean, and to prove his identity he produced a letter purporting to be signed by the business manager of a San Francisco newspaper. The agent desired to verify the draft and asked Dean if he would permit him to telephone the Chicago agent before honoring it that there should be no mistake. He said that as he intend- ed to go to Chicago the next day he would ‘take the draft and present it there, After he had departed the Chicago agents were apprised of the call and they answered that the draft was procured with a forged check. e SUES FOR HEAVY DAMAGES. Actor Nat Goodwin Objects to a Story That He Successfully Bucked the Tiger. CHICAGO, IrL., Jan. 20. — Nathaniel Carl Goodwin Jr. of New York City, known on the stage as Nat Goodwin, filed a suit in the United States court this morning against the Chicago Tribune for $50,000 damages, alleging the publication of a false, libelous, wicked and malicious statement. to the effect that the comedian had gambled at-faro and won $2500 last Saturday night, and so violated the law of the State and ordinance of the city. Mr. Goodwin accuses the defendant in the bill of “greatly injuring the happy state and condition of said plaintiff,” and charges intent to bring him into public scandal, infamy and disgrace among all his neigh- bors by its story of his ““bucking the tiger.” ‘The sportive language of the article com- plained of is interpreted, and the state: ment that the actor “‘did.not feel yery welf” the ne«t mornine -is defined as meaning ‘‘he had dissipated to excess.” A THOMAS MAGUIRE DEAD, Was the Pioneer Thealrical Manager of California. | NEW YORK, N. Y., Jan. 20.—Thomas McGuire. who was known among theat- rical people as the pioneer man- ager of California, and who was at |one time reputed to be worth | | $600,000 and to be the richest manager in | the country, died of debility due to age his morning in this city. | Maguire went to San Francisco in 1849. He became the controlling manager of the Western coast and built Maguire’s Opera- house, the Academy of Music and the old California Theater. During the years of | his successes he took West all the great actors, singers and other attractions that were in this country or came here from Europe. He had been living in this city about a year. FATALFIRE IN A THEATER Flames Discovered During the Performance and a Fearful Panic Ensued. At Least Fifty Lives Were Lost by the Burning of a Building in Russia. | ST. PETERSBURG. Russia, Jan. 20— A dispatch from Ekaterinoslay, capital of the government of that name in South Russia, gives the details of a fire that oc- curred in a theater, causing a large loss of life. The fire was discovered while a per- formance was going on. The spectators became panic-stricken, and made a wild rush for the exits. Many of them were knocked down, trampled under foot and rendered unconscious. The building was of wood and the fire spread with great rapidity. Before all the terror-stricken people could get outside the theater was a mass of flames. The scene outside was terrible. Those who had relatives and friends in the theater rushed about wildly crying for help to save them. Every effort was made to save those in the burning building, but the heat was so intense that for some time it wasimpos- sible to approach the structure. Even had it been possible to approach, the efforts to save those inside would have probably been fruitless as they were probably suffo- cated before the fire reached them. After the ruins had cooled off sufficiently a search was commenced for the dead. Forty-nine bodies have already been taken out. A number of persons who were known to have been in the theater are still missing and there are scarcely any doubts that their bodies will be found later in the ruins. —— POISONED AT THE BANQUET. Guests of the Emperor Suffered From Eat- ing Oysters. BERLIN, GERMANY, Jan. 20.—Tt has transpired that after the imperial banquet given Saturday night in the White Hall of the Schloss on the occasion of the celebra- tion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the proclamation of the German empire, a number of the guests showed symptoms of poisoning. They received medical atten- tion and subsequently recovered. It is supposed that tkeir illness was caused by eating oysters, which it is presumed were { Bot fresh, HAMMOND'S FRIENDS ARE VERY ACTIVE, Appeals for Assistance of the Californian Come From Many Sources. COAST SENATORS SATISFIED. Consul Knight Instructed to Proceed at Once From Cape Town to Pretoria. ‘WASHINGTON, D. C., Jan. 20.—Jack Hammond and other Californians impris- oned at Pretoria seem to bave good friends | in every part of the country. Telegrams are coming from every section in their behalf. Ladd & Co., bankers of Portland, Ore., wired Senator Mitchell. Ex-Repre- sentative Tom Johnson of Cleveland, Ohio, telegraphed Senator White. New York friends are urging Hill' and Murphy. Dubois is receiving dispatches from Idaho, and Representative Catchings is being wired daily from Mississippi. Senators White and Perkins called at the State Department this' morning and saw Secretary Olney again. The Senators said to THE CALL correspondent to-night: *“‘We are satisfied that Mr. Olney is doing everything that can be done. He told us that he had received a cable mes- sage from Consular Agent Manion at Johannesburg, saying that Hammond was incarcerated and separated from the other prisoners, but he was being treated considerately. Mr. Olney defends Consular Agent Manion from at- tacks made upon him by Mr. Wiltzie of London, who asserted that he was incom- petent because of ill-health and for other reasons, and was neglecting American in- tecests. Olney said when he read the cable from Wiltzie he looked up Manion’s record and found that he was indorsed by ex-Mayor Grace of New York asan excel- lent man in every way qualified to verform the duties of Consular Agent. He is at Johannesburgas agent of a large American firm dealing in drills. Secretary Olney considers him as an excellent officer, but, in response to urgent requests from several quarters, has cabled Consul Knight at Cape Town to go to Pretoria. It is forty- eight hours by rail, and he should arrive there to-morrow. His presence, should, we think, quiet any fears that summary action may be taken againet the, prisoners without our Government being\informed some days in advance. Mr. Olney does not consider the Americansin any immi- nent danger.”. Senator Perkins says that Wiltzie of London also wired Olney that he should have communicated directly with President Kruger of the Transvaal republic instead of corresponding with Bayard and the British. Senator Perkins is rather inclined to think Wiltzie 18 right about this, but Sena- tor White contends that Secretary Olney’s course was eminently proper. Mr. White says the British evidently havea *‘strong pull’” in the Transvaal country, for the British prisoners have been sent home for trial. > i SRR AT FATHER SHERMAN'S WORK. Asks Washington Authorities to Act in Hammond’s Behalf. DENVER, Covo., Jan. 20.—Rev. Father Sherman, who is here temporanly, at the head of the Jesuit mission, has been in telegraphic communication to-day with Secretary of State Olney, General Miles, Senator Shernman, his uncle, and other statesmen, urging official action in behalf of Hammond, the American engineer, who is to be tried this week at Johannes- burg for high treason in connection with the troubles in the Transvaal, Father Sherman has been urged to act as spokesman for the Yale class of 76 of which Hammond and Sherman were both prominent members. The intimacy be- tween the two men has continued from childhood, when Hammond’s father and Sherman’s father, the late General W. T. Sherman, were friends and business asso- ciates in San Francisco. When young Sherman went into church young Ham- mond became an engineer, and isnowa ‘mining expert for an English syndicate in South Africa at a salary of $60,000 a year. Father Sherman, speaking of Hammond toa United Press representative to-night, said that he was one of the most generous, Whole-souled and truest Americans that ever lived. He was loyal and manly to a degree, and that to have the life of so brave a man, so true a gentleman, placed in jeopardy for a political offense without a tolemn protest from this Government would be lamentable indeed. But he felt that the State Department at Washington would act promptly. Father Sherman did not say what assur- ances be had had to this effect, but it is known that leaders at Washington have become interested in the case through the priest’s vigorous intervention. e POLITICAL PRI RS RELEASED But John Kays Hammond Remains in the Pretoria Jail. CAPE TOWN, Sourr AFRicA, Jan. 20.— A telegram from Pretoria states that a majority of the political prisoners have been released on giving bail in the sum of $10,000 each. The writer of the dispatch gives the nawmes of twenty-three men who are still in custody, including that of John Hays Hammond, the American mining en- gineer. The names include no others of known Americans. Dr. Jameson and the officers who accompanied him on his raid have started under an escort for Natal, where they will be turned over to the British authorities for trial. S o VICTORY OF THE BOERS. They Had Not Been Warned of Jame- son’s Invasion. LONDON, ExG., Jan. 20.—Mr. White, the Consul-General here of the South African republic, has made public infor- mation he has received from the Gov- ernment at Pretoria, which places a somewhat different aspect on the trouble in the Transvaal from that given in the dispatches from English sources. It has been asserted that the Boer Govern- ment knew that a rising of the Uitlanders was intended at Jonannesburg and also of the proposed raid of Dr. Jameson, and took measures to have an overpowering force ready to quell any disturbance in Johannesburg and to meet Dr. Jameson. According to the advices received by Mr. White, these statements are untrue. The Government only learned.of tke scheme of the Uitlanders and Dr. Jame- son’s movements on December 30. The Government believes a majority of the people in Johannesburg were notaware that a rising against the authorities was mooted, and that the proposed movement was confined principally to the members of the reform union. As to the number of Boers who defeated Dr. Jameson, the Consul’s advices show that instead of there being from 1500 to 1800 of them there were only 400 at the be- ginning of the fight. These were gradu- | ally joined by small parties until there were about 800 Boers in the immediate vicinity when the fighting stopped and the English surrendered, but many of these were unable to take part in the fighting. Actually about 400 Boers compelled the English to lay down their arms. Only five Boers were killed, and two of them were shot accidentally by comrades. Three Boers were wounded. A R e MARK ELLIOTT LIFVES. The Report That He Diied in the Trans- vaal Was False. SANTA ROSA, Car., Jan. 26.—The re- port of the death of Mark L. Elliott in South Africa proves to have been false in every particular. McDonald Ellictt of this city, a brother of the man reported dead, received to-day a cablegram from the manager of the Saulsbury Reef Mining Corporation of London, by wiich company Mark L. Eiliott is emyloyed, saying that late dispatches from South Africa declared Mr. Elliott alive and well. The letter received by the Postmaster here announcing Elliott’s death was for- warded last evening to R. P. Hammond, who, in a telephone dispatch received at noon to-cay, declared that the signature of John Hays Hammond to the letter isa rank forgery. Letters and telegrams of condolence from all parts of the State are being re- ceived here to-day by the relatives of the reported dead man, and they are naturally very indignant at the cruel attempt ata hoax. >~ PLEADED FOR “UNCLE JACK.” Hammond’s Lifttle Nephew Sent a Lefter to the President. VISALIA, Car., Jan. 20.—When the | news that Jéhn Hays Hammond was in prison in South Africa reached Visalia W. H. Hammond (John’s brother) was alarmed and the matter was discussed at home in the presence of the children. His son Willie was very much interestei in what he heard anc came to the conclusion that the only way to help his uncle was toappeal to the President. Consequently he got a pencil and a piece of paper and wrote to Mr. Cleveland, setting forth his reasons why the distinguished prisoner should be released. Mr. Hammond found a copy of the letter, and upon inquiry found out that Willie had mailed the orig- inal to the President the night it was writ- ten. He showed it to no one except the girl who works for Mr. Hammond, whom he asked to direct the envelopeto Mr. Cleveland. ' The letter was as-foilows: Visalia, Cal., Jan. 14, 1896—DEAR Str: Willy ou please make the men that have my Uncle Jack in jail set him free? I think you will, won’t you? If you willl will be very much pleased. They might kill him. You may be a very stern man, but I think will be kind enough to set my Uncle Jack free. If you were alittle boy like me you would not like your uncle in jail, and if 1 were you I would set him free if it caused a war. My Uncle Jack isa good man, 8o, will you please set him free? Write 10 me soon. I am the nine-year-old son of W. H. Hammond. My father is County Clerk in Visalia. Yours truly, BILLY HAMMOND. AFTERMATH OF A BIGAMY. Strange Robbery of the Daughter of @ Man Who Committed the Crime., NEW YORK, N. Y., Jap. 20.—The Her- ald special from Binghamton, N. Y., says: Mrs. Lorina Belle Twitchell, the invalid, is recovering from the effects of a remark- able experience, the details of which have just been made known by the police. While alone in the house on Tuesday she was bound, assaulted, chloroformed, gagged and robbed of valuable papers by a strange woman, who, in company with a strange man, it now turns out, has been shadowing her home for weeks, apparently wlniting for a chance when she should be alone. Mrs. Twitchell's father deserted her mother many years ago, and, going to Kansas City, committed bigamy by mar- rying again. When Mrs. Twitchell learned of this second marriage she gathered to- gether what proof she could collect to show that she was her father's rightful beir, and it was of this docnmentary proof that she was robbed. She believes that the woman concerned in it was the sec- ond wife, | of this character. SEEK FRIENDLY CO-OPERATION, Venezuelan Commissioners Desire Aid of Nations Interested. SUGGESTED TO OLNEY, Representatives Might Appeay and at Least Act as Ami- cus Curie. CLAIMS COULD BE RESERVED, New Englanders Promised Safe Cuss tody of Any Documents Fur. nished Investigators. WASHINGTON, D. C.,. Jan. 20.—The members of the Venezuelan Commission met to-day at 11:30 o’clock in their hand« somely appointed quarters in the building partly occupied by the Interstate Com- mission, Justice Brewer presided. Tha selection of 8. Mallet Prevost of New York: as the executive officer of the commission was formally ratified. Mr. Prevost was not present, but it was stated that he would take hold of his duties on Wednes- day next. The commission gave out for publication the following letter addressed to Secretary Olney last week, inviting co-operation from the two Governments chiefly in« terested in the boundary controvers; OFFICE OF THE V % « SSION, ‘WASHINGTON, D. C. Jan. 15, 1896. Hon. Secretary of State—DEA 1 have the honor to state that the commission appointed by the President of the United States to inves- tigate and report upon the true divisional line between the republic of Venezue!a and British Guiana has organized by the election of tha Hon. David- J. Brewer as its presidert, and ig entering upon the immediate discharge of itg duties. In so doing it has,after careful consideras tion, concluded to address you on a questiom of securing so far as possible the friendly co- operation and aid of the two nations which N BOUNDARY | are directly interested in the now pending boundary dispute. It must have suggested itself to you, as it no doubt has to the President, that this commis sion, thus authorized to ascertain and report the boundary line between the two foreign na- tions, bears only a remote reserablance to those tribunals of an international character of which we have had several examples in the past. They were constituted by or with the consent of the disputants themselves, and were authorized by the parties immediately concernied to pronounce final judgment. Tha questions at issue were presented by the advos cates of the various interests upon whose dilis gence and ekill the tribunal might safely rely for all the data and the arguments essential to the formation of an intelligent judgment. Their iunctions were, therefore, confined to the exercise of judicial powers, and they might fairly expect to reach a result satisface tory to their own consciences, while it come manded the respect of those whose interests were directly involved. The present commission neither by the modg of its appointment nor by the nature of it duties may be said to belong to the tribunals. Its duty will be discharged: if it shall diligently and fairly seek to inform the executive of certain facts touching a large extent of territory, in which the United States have no direct interest. Whaiever may be the conelusion reached, no territorial aggrandize- ment nor material gain in any form can accrua to the United States. The sole concern of our Government is the peaceful solution of & con= troversy between two friendly powers; for the just and honorable settlement of the title to disputed territory and the protection of the United States against any fcesh acquisitions i our hemisphere on the part of any Europeam state. It has seemed proper to the commission, une der these circumstances, to suggest to you tha expediency of calling the attention of the Governments of Great Britain and Venezuela to the appointment of the commission and ex- plaining both its nature and object. It may be that thev will see a way, eutirely consistent with their own sense of international pro- priety, to give the commission the aid that it isno doubtin their power to furnish in the vay of documentary proof, liistorical narra unpublished archives or the like. Itis scarcely necessary to say that if either should deem it appropriate to designate an agent or attorney, whose duty it would be to see that no sueh proofs were omitted or overlooked, the commission would be grateful for such evidence of good will and for the valuable ree sults which would be likely to follow theres from. An act of either Government in the direction here suggested might he accomplished by am express reservation as to her claims, and should not be déemed to be an abandonment or ime pairment of any position heretofore expressed. In other words, and in lawyers' phrase, each might be willing to act the part of an amicus curize and to throw light upon difficult and complex questions of fact which should be ex amined as carefully as the magnitude of the subject demands. The purposes of the pending investigation are certainly hostile to none, nor can it be of advantage to any that the machinery devised by the Government of the United States to secure the desired 1nformation should fail of its purpose. DAVID J. BREWER, President. To this communication Secretary Olney replied, stating that he had communicated the suggestions of the commission to Sie Julian Pauncefote, the British Embassa« dor, and to Minister Andrade, the Venee zuelan representative, for transmission to their respective Governments. The commission then adjourned until Friday next, it being the understanding that Friday is to be the business day of the commiission. The only employes so far determined upon are the secretary (or ex- ecutive officer), one stenographer and a doorkeeper and messenger. The commission finding that in New England and elsewhere there are collece tions of ancient maps desire it to be under« stood that any documents of this kind intrusted to them for their information will be care ully preserved and retuimed to The Mackays Coming. NEW YORK, N. Y., Jan. 20.—A cable« gram was received in this city to-day from Paris, stating that Mr. and Mrs. John W. Mackey will leave Havre on the nexg steamer for New York, bearing with them the remains of their son, John W. Mackay Jr., who was killed by being thrown fromy his horse.