The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, January 4, 1897, Page 3

THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 1897. 3 TRUTORS A30ARD THE COMMODORE Every Indication That the Vessel Was Scuttled and Sunk. It Is Nw Koown That Ter Americans and Six Cubans Perished. Peri's of the Survivors, Who Fought for Many Hours Against a Terrible Sea. JACKSONVILLE, Fra,, Jan. 3.—All of the crew of the Commodore were not saved, as reported last night. Twelve are in Jacksonville, three alive and one dead at Daytona Fo arrived near Armond, but the report is not confirmed, and eight are at sea on a life-raft. Stephen Crane, the the cook, Murphy; C. B. Montgemery, Daytona th 1g. Their boat was | turned over in the surf, and Higgins re- ceived a wound which caused his death soon after getting ashore. The party on the raft are all Cubans. They left the boat before Captain Murphy’s party and nothing more has been heard of them. J. H. Barrs requested the Col- lector of Customs to secure permission for the Three Friends to go to the rescue of the Commodore immediately upon the pt of the news of the wreck Saturday afternoon. The Collector telegraphed to Secretary Carlisle at once, but no reply was received until this afternoon, when parmission was granted, and the Three nds left to-night. The beach is being Augustine to New Smyrna. It is reported there was treachery aboard the Commodore, but no details can be ded at Daytona cannot get ty to-morrow, as shere are no trains on the East Coast Railroad. that landed last night and »are: Major Ricardo A. Del- Rencamo, Franco Bianco, rry, Ramon Hernandez, party e Hernandez and Buene- Tivovu The following was received fram Day- tona at 11 o'clock to-night: t a suspicious fireroom ana Cap- phy immediately started the pumps, doubtediy had been tampered with order when Captai el watch at 8 0 The fires were extin edand the boat came to & standstill rteen miles from Mosquito light. ain Murphy took full charge of the I shi, while the first mate sup sunching of the boats. The Cu- bans took possession of the big boatand loaded baggage, so that only twelve men lest y reached the shoreat4 y left for Jucksonville. a boat was occupied by six Cu- the empty boat washed ashore at ight. The third boat to craf’s side was filled with Ameri- ng & ten-foot d Murphy, who ref 0 quit th ip tne were saved. C.B. Montgomery, Stephen Crane and William Higgins with the captain, and with him aunched the dinge; tug until ate, two englneers, six firemen and sail- ors were lashed to a raft, which Captain Mur- d 1o tow ashore two miles awa; ible sea and the northesst e: s m away. gey cccupied by the captain and ¢ was twentr-seven hours at ses, Mon and Crane holding Cuptain Murphy's tas a sail until the beach was sighted. as were breaking a Lalf miie from n, v 1 attendance. Higgins was rturning of the boat, which ericans and six Cubans k ubt that a traitor did the work nd then tampered with the e working perfectly at8 1 man was saved and tigation will be made to- - The Lourada Siils for Bome. GIBRALTAR, Jan. 3.—The American steamer Lau e report of the inten- tion of which to call at Valencia, Spain, caused such a commotion in that city— the Laurada hav it is said, been en- gaged 1n filibustering in Cuba—sailed to- day for the United States without having touched ata Spanish po — e Weyler Fiturns to Harana. HAVANA, Cusa, Jan. 3 —General Wey- ler reached Havana to-night on board the warship Loeazepi. He came from Mariel and was cordially greeted and was at once driven to the palace. General Weyler would not give his reason for leaving the field in Pinar del Ri - Diplomatic Conference at Madyrid, MADRID, Spary, Jan. 3.—Hon. Harnis Taylor, the American Minister, had a long conference to-day with the Duke of Tetuan, Minister of Foreign Affairs. subject of the conference has not been di- vuiged. AN OPER.TION IMPEKATIVE. The Wife of Ontario’s Lieutenant-Gov- ernor Summioned to London. LONDOY, Exc., Jan. 3. cable dis- patch has been sent to Mrs. Kirkpatrick, wife of the Hon. George A. Kirkpatrick, Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, sum- momng her to London, where her hus band is lying seriouslv in the South-street Professor Jonathan Hutchins, pre ident of the Royal College l £ ons, and Dr. Allingham, a spec istin the disease from wtich Mr. Kirk- patrick is suffering, have held a consulta- tion 1n the case and decided that in order to save the patient's life an operation is inperctive. Dr. Allingham will perform operation as soon as Mrs. Kirkpatrick ves. g Ths Queen Olga’s Leaky Condition. LONDON 2 Jan, e British steamer Olga, Captain Harris, from €an Francisco November 20 via Yokohama for Bombay, has arrived at Nagasuki in a leaky condition. An examination of the steamer shows that she has received ex- tensive damage. It has been recom- mended that her targo be discharged and the vessel placed in tne drydock for fur- ther examination. e L Had to Sacrifier Her Caroo LONDON, ExG., Jan. 3.—Tbe Ailan line sleamer Carthagenian, Captain French, irom Philadelphis, which ran aground in the Clyde, was compelled to discharge her cargo 1n order to get afioat. Ste sustained | are reported to have | 1 Higgins, a stoker, Jauded at | Santiago Diaz, Emilio s boat, | The | | | I | | rebels ! three priets. | and three min utes. considerable damage. She will discharge the carzo on board of her and will then go in dock to rep S BEBELS FOUGHT WITH FIRE. Sanguinary Conflict in_the Philippines in Which Thirteen Hundred Insur- gents Are Killed. MADRID, Spary, Jao. 3.—Queen Regent Christina and the Government have sent messages to General Polievieja, Captain- General of the Philippine Islands. con- gratulating him upon his great victory the insurgents on the heights of on, province of Bulacan. first enzagement the loss of the was 600 killed. The troops cap- tured quantity of munitions of war and a factory in which the rebels had been making cariridges. While the Spaniards were pursuing the fleein: rebels it was suspected that the latter, pursuing the method of warfare followed by the Cuban insurgents, would attempt to lead the troops into an am- buscade in the dense thickets through which the pursuit led. The troops were, therefore, ordered to set fire to the bushes in many places in order to drive out any rebels who might be lurking in them. The flames spread with great rapidity and it was soon learned that the suspiciou of an ambuscade was well founded. A large number of the insurgents were 1n hiding in the bushes, evidently waiting for tne troops to pass, when they would have at- tacked them at the rear. Many of the rebels succeeded in making their escape for the time teing, but 200 of them per- 1shed in the fire. In the meantime other Spanish columns had been hurriedly dispatched to out- flank the fleeing insurgents, and in this they were successful. The rebels were utterly routed, losing 500 killed. The total insurgent loss was 130), 200 in ex- cess of the number giver in yesterday's dispatches. These 200 were without doubt those who were burned to death. The Spanish loss was one officer and twenty-three privates killed. The victory, which it is believed will be proved a crushing blow to the insurgents, is hailed everywhere with delight, and General Polieviejo’s promptness in bring- ing about results favorable to the Spanish arms is compared with ex-Captain-Gen- eral Blanco's dilatory tactics, much to the disparagement of the latter. Genera! Polieviejo has confirmed the sentence of aeath imposed by a court- martial on eleven rebel chiefs, including They will be shot to-morrow ) th a lai at Manila. A court-martial sitting at Manila has commenced the trial of eichteen alleged rebeis. The evidence thus far adduced shows that the accused were in corre- spondence with patrons in Japan who were interested in formenting and aiding the insurrection. The prosecutor asks that sentenc: of death be passed on all the eighteen prisoners. The tnial of eighty other men accused of complicity in the revolt is impending and sentence of death will be asked in the case of each of them. The dispatches from Manila state that a | great sensation has been caused .thers by the revelations that have been made by conspirators now under arrest. One of the prisoners has stated that he knew that Japan intended to send a squadron of warships ‘to the Philippine Islands and that she would recognize the belligerency of the rebels in al! the provinces revolted. This confirms the belief that has been en- tertained ever since the outbreak of the insurrection that Japan is very anxious to secure possession of the 1slands and is re- | spousible for much, if not all of the trouble. ldia Death of a Cardinal.’ ROME, Irary, Jan. 3.—Cardinal Gug- lielmo San Felice di Acquavella, Arch- bishop of Naples, died to-day. He was | liberal and conciliatory and was very pop- He was, born at Aversa, April 18, | and was created a cardinal March 24, - A Gale Delays the Lucanin. QUEENSTOWY, Irenasp, Jan. 3.—The hard steamer Lucania, Captain Mac- from Liverpool, was delayed off this port to-day by a gale and, instead of sail- ing at about 8 o’clock for New York, as it usually does, did not take its departure until 12:30 . Tl Lord Fevrsford’s Condition Improving. LONDON, Exc., Jan. 3.—There has veen a decided 1mprovement in the con- aition of Lord William Beresford, who was badly injured Wednesday while fol- lowing the hounds at Dorking, MONEY ON A SPECIAL TRAIN. Novel Measures Taken to Prepare for a Run on the First National Bank of Cripple Creek. COLORADO SPRINGS, Coro., Jan 3.— The attempt to muke a run on the First National Bank of Cripple Creek yesterday was checked by quick action and in a novel way. A rumor had been stirted De- cember 3, or perhaps some days previous, that the bank could not stand the with- drawal of a good deal of money, and in consequence the bank would not open the day after the new vear. This report came to Presidant Parker of the bank and on New Year's day he came to this cily and arranged to get money to take to Cripple Oreek. He made these pr- rangements with the Frst National Bank of this city and they had their time locks s0 arranged that they couid be opened at 7 o’clock in the morning. Cashier Sutton was on hand at that hour and got the | money out for them, but how much money | 1s taken he refused tostate. In half an Lour a special train consisting of an engine and one coach was waiting in the Tejuan station of the Coiorado Central Railroad and President Parker and Vice-President Devereaux were taken on board. They left bere a: 7:30 o’clock promptly and made the fastest run ever made by getting iato Cripple Cieek in two hours The run from Divide to Cripple Creek over the Terminal, thirty miles of 3 per cent grade. was made in 54 minutes, and the delivery of the currency | occurred in the midst of the run. The First National] Bank of Cripple Creek in 1ts last starement showed over 54 per cent.of its deposits on hand, and there Wwas no occasion whatever for any attempt to make a run on the bank. — EDITOR McCULLAGH'S FUNERAL Simple Sercices, in «ccordance With the Licceased’s Wishes. ¢ 8T. LOUIS, Mo., Jan. 3.—Tne funeral of the iate Joseph B, McCullagh, editor of the Globe-Democrat, took place this after- noon st his late residence in West Pine boulevard. The services were conducted by Rev. Jobn Snyder of tne Unitarian church and Rev. Dr. W. W. Boyd of the Second Baptist Church. The services were exceedingly simple in character, in ac- coraance with the weil-known wisbes of the deceased. Among the visitors in at- tendance at the funeral was Hon. Henry Watterson of the Louisville Courier-Jour- nal. The active pall-bearers were co- workers of Mr. McCullagh on the Glope- Democrat, and the honorary pall-bearers were selected from men prominent in nearly every walk of life. The remains were interred in Bellefonraine Cemetery. WILD WEATHER IN WESTERN STATES Nebraska, Minnesota, Kan- sas and Missouri Buried in Snow. Railroads Blcckaded and Wires Prostrated in Every Direction. B inding Blizzards end the Mercury Out of Sight—Great Loss of Cattle Is Feared. OMAHA, NeBr., Jan. 3.—Nebraska is just now enjoying an old-fashioned bliz- zard, the most serious one of the winter. New Year’s day was springlike and mild, but Friday night the temperature began to fall and the mercury has continued its descent since. Last evening a snowstorm set in, which is general throughout the Biate, and which is still fallinz to-night. High winds are drifiing the snow, and if they continue through the night may make the situation on the plams alarm- ing. Omaha seems, so far, to have escaped the worst of the storm, but the trains entering the city during the day were all somewhat late. The streetcar lines are badly crippled and it is necessitating the use of extra forces of employes with snow- plows and sweepers to keep the lines open so that occasional cars may be run. At 10 o'clock to-night the thermometer at tle local weather bureau registered three degrees above zero, and the chances are that the temperature will fell several poinis below the zero mark before day- light. On the level tracts in the western and central portions of the State, where the wind has full sweep, it is much colder and serious suffering is sure to result. While the farmers have everything in fair shape for severe weather, the storm will berond doubt find much of the stock on the ranges and losses will be heavy. From every section of the State come reports of heavy winds driving the snow in blinding clouds beiore it, so that 1t is | dangerous for any one to venture out. At Meadow Grove the storm began about midnight Saturday night and a blizzard has been raging ever since, with no sizns of abatement. Drifts are over ten feet high and traffic is becoming b'ocked. LINCOLN, Nesr., Jan. 3.—Lincoln is almost snowbound to-night, a light fall which began early this morning increas- ing durir.g the day and developiug into a regular northwester bv night, with the wind blowing a gale. suburban lines was abandoned during the day and at 9 o’clock nearly every line was blocked. Trainson nearly every road en- tering the city are delayed. Specials from over the State indicate that the storm is general and that cattle on the range may suffer. 8T. LOUIS, Mo., Jan. 3.—The heaviest rainstorm of recent years has prevailed throughout Missouri, Northern Arkansas and Indian Territory during the past thirty-six bours. In many placesin Mis- souri the streams are overflowed and in some places railroads have suffered from washouts. Last night the rain turned to sleet and to-day a furious snowstorm is raging. The temperature has fallen 40 degrees in Missouri and Eastern Kansas in the last twenty-four nours and in the latter section & genuine blizzard is sweep- ing over the country. At Bagnell, Mo., the Osage River has risen fifteen feet and Warsaw reports a rise of twenty-two feét and a repetition of ITast winter's flood is feared. At Osceola the river is out of its banks and the bot- tom lands are submerged. At Fayette the electric light power- house is flooded and the city is in dark- ness to-night. A number of washouts have occurred on the raiiroads and traffic is badly delayed. : In the vicinity of Sedalia every stream is reported out of its banks and the rain- fall continued until this morning, when it turnea to sleet and later in the day a heavy snowstorm set in. At Lamonte and Kuob a small cyclone prevailed last night, many trees being uprooted, but no large damage to prop- erty has been reported so far. Webb City reports heavy damage to property by rain and wind. Clinton, Warrensburg and Shelbina suffered seri- ous damage from the downpour, the rain- fall being the greatest since the floods of 1895. 1n many places in Western Missouri the mercury has failen almost to zero, and this drop in the temperature will probably result in checking the flood. In St Louis a beavy rain has fallen during the past twenty-four hours, but at 7 o’clock to-night it was checked by a de- cided fall in the temperature, and at 9 o’clock the mercury had falien 35 degrees, and was accompanied by a high north- westerly wind. The indications are that the first snow- fall of the season will begin before morning. . TOPEKA, Kaxs., Jan, 3.—In Kansas the rain which began Thursday lasted until last evening, when a heavy snowstorn set in, which 1s still in progress. Traflic on the Larnet-Jetmore extension of the Santa Fe road is completely blocked. Travel overland in any directioa isalmost impos- sible. Abilene reports heavy snow, accompa- nied oy wind reaching the proportions of a blizzard. It is feared that loss of cattle will result from the storm, particularly in the western and northern sections of the State. In Northern Arkansas and as far west as Fort Smith rain’ fell during the twenty- jour hours up to noon to-day, when it turned to snow, accompanied by a drop of 30 degrees in temperat ure. Gauthrie, Okla., reports a drop of 60 de- grees since last evening, and a severe snow- storm prevails in the western portion of Indian Territory. ST. PAUL, Mixx., Jan. 3,—A blizzard is blowing to-night in this section over an area of 400 miles north and south and 600 miles east and west. Over most'of Minne- sota it has been snowing from fourteen to twenty hours, and there is from seven to sixteen inches of snow on the ground. The wind is blowing a gale from the north. The snow is damp and packs so solidly on the railway tracks that it is difficult for the snowplows to work through it. The snow has also made a wreck of the tele- graph wires to the north and west of St. Paul. All trains are moving, though some of them are late. Bouth Dakota dispatches say the storm extends as far west as the Black Hills. In Streetcar traffic on | the region along the Missouri River, from Cbamberlain to the North Dakota line, ilroad trains are having great difficulty in moving, some of them having been abandoned for the night. The tempera- tire iy from 15 to 18 degrees above. zero, though at 9 o’clock it was rapidly growing colder. There will be suffering among stock if the mercury drops to zero. L i CHICAGO FLOODED. Sewers Choked aud Much Damage Re- ‘aults in the Suburbs. CHICAGO, In, Jan, 3.<The rain- storm which has prevailed over Chicago and Northern Illinois uninterruptedly for three days has been the severest expe- rienced in this locality for two years. The observations taken at the Weather Bureau in this city to-night showed that the rain- fall was two and one-half inches since the beginning of the storm early New Year's morning. The temperature fell 20 de- grees in this city during the last eight hours and at 11 o’clock to-night the rain turned to snow. It is not expected by the Weather Bureau that the thermometer will reach the zero mark, althouch they vredict 4 temperature considerably below freezing before to-morrow evening. In Chicago great damage was done by the downpour of rain, especially in the suburbs, where the sewers were insuffi- cient to carry away the volume of water. Reports of flooded basements from the southern and western portions of the city were numerous, while at Grana Crossing and neas-by suburbs the streets were in- undated and the damage heavy. In low places it is impossible’ for pedestrians to nove without wading in aeep water and boats were brought into use. At Austin and Oak Park, on the west side, the conditions are annoying. Base- ments are flooded with several feet of water and furnace fires in many localities are extinguished. The pumping works at Bridgeport are being operated with great difficnlty. It was thought at one time this evening that the pumps would have to be shut down on account of the rapidly accumulating water, but the flond- gates were resorted to and the water shot on its journey down the canal. The rain continued steadily all day and at times the precipitation wasin the nature of a cloudburst. The downtown streets were deserted and the continuous shows and other resorts lacked many patrons. The concrete sidewalk surrounding the Lincoln Bank at Michigan and Clark streets coilapsed during the afternoon as the result of the rain. C. B. Roser, a bar- ber of Ravenswood, was the only person in sront of the building at the time. He was precipitated to the basement, a dis- tance of several feet, but rescued from his impromptu bath uninjured. A fence was bastily erected about the opening. A number of cedar block pavements in va- rious parts of the city were also more or less damaged by the water. In many in- stances the blocks have been floated out of position by tue water and the street leitin an impassable condition. Nearly all the large caich basins along West Madison street, Michigan avenue, Wells street and North avenue were stopped up and as a result large ponds of water filled the sides of the streets. Many basements were flooded along West Madison street and much damage was done to the occu- pants. AR Aol Cyclone Sweeps an Arkansas Town. BENTON, Ark., Jan. 3.—At 6:40 o’clock last night a cyclone struck this town, wrecking nearly every building in South Benton, and passed on in a northeasterly direction, damaging every huilding in its path. In an outhouse near the depota tramp was killed. Many families are homeless. The property loss will reach into the thousands. Freightcars on the siding at the depot were overturned and a wrecking crew has been at work all day. BLACK HILLS MINING DEAL. Eastern Capitalists Buy Many Rich Claims and Will Operate Them on an Extensive Scale. NEW YORK, N. Y., Jan. 3.—Sixteen bundred acres of gold mines, embracing 150 claims in the richest part of the Black Hills bave been transferred to a new mining and smelting company in whicn prominent New Yorkers and Philadel- phians are interested. The corporation, under the title of the Edgemont and Union Hill Smelting Com- pany, came into legal existence early last night at its general office in the Corpora- tion Trust Company building, in Jersey City, by executing its articles of incor- poration and electing a board of directors, which immediately selected the officers of the corporation. When this had been done the deeds to the property, which were previously executed, were formally delivered and conveyed the mining claims to the corporation. R. E. Pattison, former Governor of Pennsylvania, was elected president of the company; J. T. Searles of New York,| vice-president; J. Wesley Suppler, prest- dent of the Corn Exchange National Bank of Philadelphia, treasurer; Thomas Brad- ley of Philadelphia, secretary. These men are in the directory, together with J.T. Andrus, John Dawson, J. Edward Masten, William K. Kur'z of New York and G. A. Fletcher, Joseph F. Crater, W. W. Frazier, Pbitip 8. Horty, Davia Jonas, C. 8. Middleton and Francis C. Grable of Philadelphia. The capital stock of the corporation is $3,500,000, and is owned en- tirely by the men named. The cluims now owned by the company arein the Bear Buttes mining district, near the new town of Union Hill, about six miles from Deadwood and eight miles from the famous Homestake mine. Arrangements have been made for the beginning of mining operations on a large scale at once. Three hundred miners are already on the ground, a smelter to cost $300,000 has been ordered at Edgemont and the large smelter now at Galena—a few miles distant—has been contranted for. Besides this, a contract has been made for the construction of a 400-ton stamp mill at Union Hill, on the grounds of the cum- pany. For the lighting of the company’s town of Union Hill, sn electric plant is now being put in which will also furnish power for running the drills in the mines and ior operating a railway for the transportation of ore. This road is now located and will be completed before spring and form a connection with the Burlington system. All that was waited for before putting the arrangements into active operation was telegraphic notification ot the actual cor- poration. > e BTEEL WOLKS RESUME, Pennsylrania Concerns Will Start Up After Long Lying Idle, JOHNSTOWN, Pa., Jan. 3.—The John- son Company- Steel Motor Works, which have been idle for several weeks, will ro- sume in full next week. This means that several hundred idle men will be put to work. The Cambria Iron Company’s open hearthmill will resume operations to- morrow morning and the steel works, blooming-mill and billet-mill will start up Tuesday. Besides other work the com- pany has 1eceived orders for making 10,- 000 tons of finished rails for the Pennsyl- vania Railroad. CONGRESS" WORK FOR THE WEEK In the House the Loud Postal Bill Comes Up First. Three Days to Be Devoted to a ‘Discussion of the Refunding Scheme. But There Is a Prcmise of Stubborn Oppositicn to the Report of the Committee. WASHINGTON, D. C., Jan. 3.—Just be- fore the heliday recess the House of Rep- resentatives, upon the recommendation of the Committee on Rules, arranged the business of the House for the first week of the new year. On Tuesday and Wednesday the Loud bill to amend the postal 1aws 80 as to prohibit the transmis- sion in the mail of seral-novel publica- tions and “‘sample’’ copies of newspapers at the second-class rate will be the special order. Discussion under the gereral rule will continue from immediately after the reading of the journal of Tuesday, the 5th inst., until 2 p. . on Wednesday, and un- der the five-minute rule upon proposed amendments until 4 o’clock, when voting will begin upon pending amendments and the final passage of the bill. ‘When the bill was called up, rather un- expectedly, several weeks ago, it devel- oped surprising strength, but since then opposition has been active and the chances of its passage are now considered rather doubttul. After this bill has been disposed of the rest of the week—Thursday, Friday and Saturday—will be devoted to the consid- eration of the Pacific railroad funding bill, reported by Judge Powers, chairman of the Committee on Pacific Railroads. Two days will be given to general discussion and one day to debate and action in coni- mittee of the whole upon proposed amend- ments. The bill will be reported to the House at 5 o’clock Saturday and the vote on its passage taken on Monday, the 11th inst., immediately after the reading of the journal. The debate on this measure will doubt- less be interesting, owing to the opposi- tion which exists among members of the House to the action of the majority of the committes. ‘The bill proposes to extend the Government lien over all the physical properties of the companies, which it is claimed the present lien does not cover, and substituting for all of the standing obligations the new 4 per cent mortgage, the Government debts to be carried at 2 per cent per annum. In addition to this the Southern Pacific Company is required to pay the amount charged against the Central Pacific Company so long as it re- mains lessee thereof. The amount of the Union Pacific mortgage will be $54.731,000, and of the Central Pacific (net) $52,801,000. Hubbard of Missouri and Bell of Texas have made minority reports opposing the report of the committee, the former rec- ommending the bill drawn by Attor- ney-General Harmon and introduced by Senators Brice and Morgan to enforce the Government liens upon the property by proceedings in the Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia, and the latter that the debts of the companies be extended at 3 per cent instead of 2, secured by a first mortgage upon all their properties. They will probably lead the debate against the committee’s bill. By the terms of the orders making these measures the special business, considera- tion of any other matters is shut out, and it will take unanimous consent to act on anything else until the orders have been exhausted. The only exception is that on Friday night private pensions will be dis- cussed for two hours and a half, as usual without a quorum. BUSINESS OF iHE SENATE. Is Sald to Be Opposition to the Cameron Resolution. WASHINGTON, D. C., Jan. 3.—When the Senate meets Tuesday morning it 1s quite likely that the debate on matters per- taining to our foreign relations, and the position assumed by Secretary Olney for the Executive, will at once begin to take shape. Whether Cameron wiil call up the Cuvban resolution on the opening day of the session is not yet known, for that Sen- ator has not yet returned to the city and the subject is entirely in his hands. Itis hardly thought that he will seek to force the issue on the opening day, owing to the fact that there is not likely to be a quorum of the Senate present. During the morning hour, however, under any guise that may be put forward, the debate on the subject can be com- menced, but it must give way to the un- finished business at 2 o’clock, unless there are sufficient votes to disvlace the Okia- homa free . homestead bul with the more pressing question of Cuba. The home- stead hill, which is championed by Petti- grew, is not to have smooth sailing. A strong minority report by Plattis to be presented, and that Senator will lead the opposition to the measure on the floor of the Senate. Hale, who is looked upon as the leader of the anti-Cuban recognition 1n the Sen- ate, said yesterday that several Senators who had been heretofore silent on the sub- The: ject had come out against the Cameron | resolution, and there was not a possible chance for its passage. On the ot:er hand Cameron, Lodge, Chandler, Morgan and Mills assert that the sentiment favoring action by Congress is becoming more vigorous and that the fighting will be forced from the start. Hale, who in the absencs of Allison is act- ing us chairman of the Committee on Ap- propriations, expects to have the army | bill reported to the Senate Wednesday, and this will be put forward to antagonize the Cuban proposition. Two speeches are booked for the coming week—one by Peffer, probably Wednes- day, on his resolution for the appoint- ment of delegates to a National mone- tary conference and another by Proctor on the joint resolutions providing for the election of the President and Vice-Presi- dent and Senators by popular vote. —_— A RESULT OF DULL TIMES. Wages of Chicago Stesl Rail Workers to He tieduced. CHICAGO, IrL., Jan. 3—The employes of the Illinois Steel Company were noti- fied yesterday that their wages would be cut February 1. The notice was brought to the 3,500 men at the South Chicago mills early in the day. They were told that the amount of reduction had not yet] been decided, but 1t is generally believed that it will be about 20 per cent. President Gates said last nizht that every official and employe would be cut. The salary of every head of department which is now more than $100 per month will be reduced from 15 to 50 per cent. “This is simply the result of a poor busi- ness,” said President Gates. “During the past vear the price of steel raiis bas been reduced $3 per ton. and this of itself means a 1oss of over $1,000,000 to the Iili- nois Steel Company.” mare S STRANGE CELESTIAL PHENOMENON. Peculiar P.nkness in the Sky Gives the Earth the Appearance of Being on Fire. NEW ORLEANS, La., Jan. 3.—An ex- traordinary celestial phenomenon was visible heré about 7 o’clock this morning. Thick, heavy clouds were rolling and sud- denly the sky was overcast with a peculiar pinkness and the rays reflected gave the earth the appearance of being on fire, The remarkable display lasted perhaps ten minutes, but it was startling during 1ts brief existence. The Weatuer Burean explains that it was the sun’'s rays reflected through a certain cloud. It was followed by a heavy gale along the lake front. Persons resid- ing at West End declare that in eleven years they have not witnessed such a storm. The people there were much frichtened. The waters of Lake Ponchar- train were driven and overflowed Spanish Fort, and all the roads leading from the city to the lake, in some places reaching a depth of three fect. Nothing has been heard from Mandeville ana places on tbe other side of the lake. B PUOLING THEIR 1SSUES. Efforts of the Iig Steel Manufacturers to Continue the Combine. NEW YORK, N. Y., Jan. redson to believe that a report will be submitted early next week by the special committee appointed at the recent meet- ing of the American Bessemer Steel Asso- ciation, held in this city. to see what could be done toward smoothing over the seri- ous differences of opinion among some of the big steel manufacturers. Dispatches from the West intimate that arrungements have practically been made for a continu- ation of the combination, the dissolution of which was threatened by the with- :ifiuw-l of the Bellaire Steel Company of hio. The Carnegie, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Illinois Steel Companies were con- spicuously interested in the recent meet- ing, and it is believed that through their efforts a harmonious arrangement has been made with the Bellaire Stee! Com- pany. Some important developments are expected at the meeting which has been called for next week by Secretary Griscom. ‘Whether the meeting will be held in this city or in Pittsburg, has not been made public. Even though the breach in the ranks of the American Bessemer Steel Association be closed up, it is not considered likely that any attempt to advance the price of steel billets will be made. The present condition of the steel market is not favor- able to bigh prices, and the existing price of $17 per ton for steel billets is about all that the market will stand. The makers of steel rails are putting down their prices in order to get orders. AR e GENERAL SWAINS APPEAL, Seeks to Recover Puy Withhold as a Ite- sult of = Court-Martiol. WASHINGTON, D. C., Jan. 3.—The claim of Brigadier-General D. G. Swain, retired, formerly Judge-Advocate General of the Army, for the amount of his pay withheld under the execution of the find- ing of a court-martial will come before the Supreme Court of the United States this week for argument. he having aje pealed from the decree of the court of claims, which rejectea his suit. General Swain was tried by a couri-martial on charges preferred by Méjor R. N. Scott, acting under orders from the Secretary of War, and found guilty of conduct unbe- coming a gentleman and an officer, and sentenced to be suspended from rank and | duty for twelve years, and to forfeit half bis pay for each month of that period. He sued to recover the sums so withheld on the ground that t e court-martial which tried him was illegaly constituted; | that the charges against him were not | properly preferred, and that the facts proved cons.ituted no offense. General Swain has filed a lengthy brief in support of his appeal, but the Govern- ment law officers have not yet advised the court of their intentions in the matter. Sfg i e WrECK OF A FREIGHT TRAIN, The Locomotive Goes Orer an Embank- ment, Killing Three Men. HOLDEN, MO, Jan. 3.—To-day a freight train on the Missouri Pacific Railway ran into a landslide near this place. The lo- comotive toppled over an embankment and three of the crew were almost in- stantly killed. The dead are: Gomer Evans, engineer, married; Harry Hukop, fireman, married ; J. E. McQueen, brakeman, unmarried. The men lived in St. Louis. Two other members of the crew were slightly injured. The recent heavy rains caused a large mass of earth to slize down upon the track, and the train crashed into the ob- straction while running at a hizh rate of speed, derailing the engine and a dozen cars. Wrecking trains were sent from Sedalia and Jefferson City, and the tracks were cleared. ——— Suicide of a Theatrical Agent. NEW YORK, N.. Y. Jan. 3.—John ‘Wendall Smith, whose correct name is said to be Delmar Stockton and to have come from Kentucky, committed suicide in the Amnesty Hotel, 257 West Thirty- first street, iast night by turning on the gasin his room. e was at one time a theatrical agent, and worked for Edward E. Rice’s burlesque company and J. K. Emmett’s company. 3.—There is/ NEW COMBINATIONS A5 T0 THE CABINET All Selections Not to Be " Made Until the First Week in March. 1f Sherman Accepts the Sta‘e Portfolio Hanna Waants to Be a fenator. Major McKinl:y Will Treat the Coun- try to a Surprise if Allison and Dingley Decline. CLEVELAND, Omumwo, Jan. 3.—Major McKinley expects to set to work on his inaugural - address to-morrow morning and to finish it by the end of the week, if tbe office-seekers give him an opportunity. He feeis that the time between the present and inauguration 1s very short and said this eveninz there would be so much to do that the few weeks remaining to him would slip by very swiftly. Major M- Kinley wants to get the principal polt- folics in his Cabinet assigned within a fortnight or three weeks, but the Cabinet 48 a whole will not be completed till the first of March. During Major McKinley’s present visit to Cleveland it is probable that Mr. Hanna will come to some de- cision about his relation to the next ad- ministration, though his movements will to a considerable degree be regulated by Senator Sherman’s final determination in respect to the Cabinet. The impression grows that Senator Sherman’s friends in many parts of the country are urging him to accept the portfolio of State if it is offered him. Mr. Hanna apparently wants to go to the Senate, but if Senator Sherman does not go into the Cabinet the way is firmly closed against him. Senator S. M. Cullom of Illinois was here ,to-day and spent two hours with Major McKinley this morning. He said the opinion prevailed among Senators that Mr. Sherman, while perhaps not quite willing 10 go into the Cabinet, seemed to regard the proposition with less disfavor than formerly. Senator Cullom said he had no desire at this iime to leave the Senate and that he was not to be con- sidered a Cabinet possibility, It is his belief that Illinois may not be represented in the Cabinet at all. He discussed the Senatorial contest with Major McKinley and said to the President-elect that so much confusion existed it was impossible to forecast the result. Senator Cullom expressed the opinion that in the event of aprolonged and bitter contest the prize might fall to the lot of Governor Tanner himself. Senator Culiom said the im- pression existed among his colleagues in the United States Senate that Mr. Allison would not be inclined to give up his pre- sent career 1o accept a Cabinei portfolio, but remarked that he boped the Iowa Senator could be prevailed upon to be- come Secretary of the Treasury. If neither Mr. Allison nor Mr. Dingley should be in Major McKinley’s Cabinet a new quantity for Secretary of the Treas- ury will have to be found and the chances are that the President-elect will treat the country to something of a surprise. A good deal oi specuiation about the New England member of tue Cabinet has been heard in the last day or two, both here and in- Canton. If Mr. Dingley re- mains et the head of the Committee on Ways and Means another man from his section of the country will be invited to accept a Cabinet position, The names of Senators Proctor of Vermont and Lodge of Massachusetts are discussed not a little and the selection of either of them by Major McKinley should occasion no surprise. If a Secretary of State 1s not chosen from New York it may be set down as certain that Cornelius N. Bliss will be in Major McKinley’'s Cabinet. There has been no change in the situation so far as Mr. Bliss is concerned, noris there likely to be, save in the contingency just mentioned. Not a Vessel Coming Into or Leaving New York. QUARANTINE, 8. L, Jan. 3—During the past twenty-four hours the waters of the upper and lower bay have been envel- oped in dense fog. At 8 P. M. off Quaran- tine this dense fog still prevailed, with Lit- tle prospect of clearing weather. Nota single vessel had passed in orout of the Narrows since sunrise thismorning. Sev- eral steamers due to arrive in port to-day are no doubt detained outeide the Sandy Hook bar and Scotland lightship owing to the bad weather. ‘The Wilson liner Hindoo, which was in collision with the Cromwell line steamer Creole in the lower bay last evening, re- turned in the fog and anchored off Clifton, S. I. Her commander, Captain Douglass, reports that the Hindoo is leaking in the forepeak, some of her bow plates are cracked and as the damage is under water its exact nature cannot be ascertained un- til she reaches her dock. Nothing further has been heard from the Creole since the collision occurred. She is probably an- chored in the lower bay. NEW TO-DATY- Doctors, Firemen, Policemen, Gripmen, Merchants, Cab D‘rivers and all who have to be out in the Win- ter, wear Buckingham & Hecht’s Nova Secotia Seal Cork - Sole Shoes. warm and dry. lutely waterproof leather. Without Cork Soles. Ladies’ . conen o 1073, $125 8't0 1034, $1 50 and 5200 Kasts 738-740 Market St. c Full Tine of Buckingh: 7TV § Hooht’s Fine Shoos. & MAIL ORDERS PROMPTLY FILLED. Children’s... They keep the feet Made of abso- Every Genuine Pair Stampe:d BUCKINGHAM & HECHT. A Full Line of Buckingham & Hecht’s ¥ine Shoes Carried. Kasts 738-740 Market St.