j -" " rE3 ? . ' - fjV'w ',' r " CiS "" TRIPLE NUMBER " FORTY-SIXTH TEAR. ROBERT M LIVES, One of Young Hamilton's Close Friends Makes a Posi tive Statement HE DIED FOR A PURPOSE, And That HaTins Been Accomplished Ee Has Come to Life Again and Will Ketnrn. EVA MANN KNEW STATE -SECEETS That Made Many Men Prominent in Keif lork Politics Eejoice at the Ke port of the Death. IT WAS rAETLI TO SATE THESE MEH That the Rise Wis, Gotten Up tzi Ktir AejaaiaUncej Wen Taken Into the Plot tna tie Start. A BEFORTED IDEKTinCATIOH FROM PARIS IFrrCIAl.TEI.EO RAM TO THB DISPATCH.! Philadelphia, Feb. 7. X. O. How ard, until recently an officer of the coast survey, and who was the playmate, school mate and collegemate of Robert Hay Ham ilton, in an interview with a Dispatch representative, Tuesday, January 27, used the following language: "Bobert Bay Hamilton is alive and in good health. He is in Sydney, 2few South "Wales. He is beginning life anew there under an assumed name. He has cast be hind him the past, and is looking hopefully forward to the future." This interview was printed in The Dis Tatch the Wednesday morning following and was variously commented upon by the press of the country. At Mr. Howard's re quest his came was not used in connection -with the article, and at a subsequent meet ing with the reporter, two weeks later, he Bald: "I most positively and emphatically reaffirm what I said last Tuesday night one "week ago, that Robert Bay Hamilton is alive and in good health. He is in Sydney, New South "Wales, where he is living quietly and Under an assumed name." tetter "Written In October. This assertion was made on a Pennsylvania Itailroad train which was bearing Mr. How ard to New York. He did not positively affirm that his visit thither was in any way connected with the affairs of Kobert Bay Hamilton, but, when pressed with the ques tion, he did not deny that such was the case. 'I have here in my pockets," he said, producing a bundle of letters, "several let ters from my old friend Hamilton. They were written after he went West. The last one that I received from him is dated at San Francisco, Cal., Friday.October 3, 1S90. In thil letter Mr. Hamilton apprised me of his intention of going to Japan and thence to Syaney, New South Wales. I have received no communication from him since that time, but allowing for leisurely travel ing, delays, sightseeing, etc, I would say that he has reached Australia by this time. His adoption of an assumed name is only to avoid notoriety and to keep his whereabouts a secret. "Would you object to my reading this letter?" asked the reporter. Will ot Disclose All. "I most assuredly would. When I first mentioned the fact that Mr. Hamilton was nlivel had no idea that you would print what I said or that the interview would provoke so much controversy. The letters that I have in my pocket are of a personal nature, and were written solely for my eves. Robert Bay Hamilton and I have been friends for years. I am the custodian of many of his secrets, to reveal and pub lish which wonld result in no good to him and would be of no public interest" "Will Mr. Hamilton make Australia his -permanent home?" was asked. "He may, or he may not; I cannot say positively, but I think that before many months he will return to New York." This morning Mr. Howard passed through the citv on his way West. His destination be refused to disclose. By appointment The Dispatch representative met him at the Broad street station, and, in response to numerous questions, he made the following statement: Not In Australia. "When I said to you in the latter part of January that Bibert Bay Hamilton was jihvc and in Sydney, New South Wales, I only partly spoke the truth. When I re iterated my statement before I went to New York I simply confirmed a matter of fact, a fact so iar as this: Mr. Hamilton is alive and welL He is not in Aus tralia, however, and if matters which are of vital importance to him move along in the groove which, he has rcarked out, he will return to New York within three months. His exact location I cannot make public. At least six of his friends know where he is and are in constant communication with him. My late visit to New York was to arrange some matters of business in which he is interested. "During onr previous interview last Tues day, you asked me why Bobert Bay Hamil ton would feign death, and under an as sumed name bury himself in the antipodes. In answering that question it will be nec essary fcr me to go back several years, beginning with his first acquaintance with the cunning and unscrupulous woman who, in a great measure, is responsible for his social, political and moral downfall. Eva Mann at Albany. "I think I made the acquaintance of JEva Steele, Brill, Mann or Hamilton at about the time that Mr. Hamilton first met her. If I recollect it, it was during the spring of 18S5, at a house on Forty-third street; New, York. Hamilton seemed to be infatuated with the woman from the first, and often v. sited her. He gave her large sums of laouey and paid all the expenses of her Eu ropean trip. At that time he was a member of the New York Assembly, and when that body was in session during the years 1887 And 1888 she accompanied him to Albany. "Hamilton introduced her to his legisla tive friends, and their house was the resort of many of New York's leading statesmen. Much champagne was drunk, and as men when under the influence of liquor say things which would otherwise remain un said, Eva Mann became acquainted with many State secrets, and, being a scheming woman, she hoarded up this knowledge to use for her advantage later on. Posed as a Reformer. ,'Bobert Bay Hamilton in his legislative capacity posed as a reformer, and was con sidered by the people of New York as the embodiment of all that was pure in politics. He had his vulnerable points, however, and the woman found them. I do cot attempt to defend him, and I do net blame her, as she is a born adventuress. The knowledge that she possessed herself during those nights of social pleasure in Albany was used afterward to good advantage. "Bay Hamilton was a proud man and a very sensitive man. He was conscious of his weaknesses and he regretted them. When he found how completely he was in the toils of his unscrupulous companion and listened to the threats that she made if he did not acceed to her demands, is it any wonder that he forgot his high social position and made her his lawful wife? New Yorkers Who Trembled. "It wes not altogether on his own account that he did this, for Eva Hamilton had in her possession letters and other documentary evidence which, if made public, wonld hum ble to the dust the heads of many New Yorkers who now stand before the world as the emblems of morality and virtue. I know that she used this information to coerce Ham ilton into making her his wife, because he is loyal to his friends, and while he might have denied her and faced disgrace himself, he would not bring disgrace upon those whom he esteemed it any sacrifice to prevent it were possible. "What these secrets are and whom they involve I am not at liberty to say, but many a man in New York breathed freer when he heard that Bobert Bay Ham ilton was dead It was because of a threat of Mrs. Hamilton's to make certain dis closures that would affect the prospects of a prominent New York politician that Bay took her to Lower California the February after they were married. Why He Went to Idabo. "On that fateful Monday in August, 1889, when the infuriated woman stabbed Nurse Donnelly, she and Hamilton had already been drinking heavily, and had quarreled. She had threatened, fie had defied her, and the result, had the Donnelly woman not interfered, might have been fatal to bim. No man knows how keenly he felt the disgrace that was brought upon him, and it was to seek oblivion that he went to that lonely ranch in Nezperces countv, Idaho. While he wac there he was, of course, in constant communication with his friends and with his attorney. "Through them he learned that Eva Hamilton had threatened to mate things hot for him and certain others high in New York politics as soon as she was released from the New Jersey State prison. It was in a moment of desperation that the simula tion of death was thought of and carried out. Of course his friends and relatives were prepared for the thing before hand. It was the fact that they did cot show the surprise cor evince the grief that would be natural under the circumstances that first led newspapers and aiterward the general public to question the fact of Mr. Hamilton's death. Tricnds Knew the Plot. "I am not violating any confidence when I say that he knew of all that was being said and printed about him. The purpose for which he simulated death has been ac complished. He was afraid that when brought face to face with Eva Hamilton in court she would either make a startling revelation herself or have questions put to him when he should take the stand that would add further to his own disgrace and bring disgrace upon others. It was not altogether a cowardly instinct of self-preservation that prompted Mr. Hamilton to do what he-did. He desired to save his friends. He has done so, and they know it. "It is probable cow that the whole wretched scandal will die out. Arrange ments have been made within the past few days which will eventuate in a settlement of the difficulty to the satisfaction of all parties. It may be possible that Mr. Ham ilton will for some time remain in bis pres ent biding place. - He may come back to New York, mingle with his friends and trust to time to live down the scandal." The Proffered Affidavit. "It is said that Mr. J. O. Green, son of Dr. Norvin Green, of the Western Union Telegraph Company, who is now in Enrope, will take affidavit that the body found by him in Snake river, Idaho, was Mr. Hamil ton's," said the reporter. "He will do nothing of the kind," was Mr. Howard's emphatic reply. "Mr. Green is a .gentleman of the very highest character, and he will not perjure himself. I am sure that he had never said that he had posi tively identified the body as that of Bobert Bay Hamilton. Anyway you can say Irom me that it was not his bod v." "Whose body was it?" " "That question I decline to answer; but it was not Bobert Bay Hamilton's," EVIDENCE FBOM EOBOPE. Hamilton's Brother Claims to Have a Dep osition Proving tho Death. Pabis, Feb. 7. A brother of the late Bobert Bay Hamilton was in this city Thursday last. He will return to New York in a short time having in his posses sion the evidence of a man who is cow in Pan, which establishes the identity of the body which was found in the river in the Western part of the United States. ' This man was in the West at the time of Mr. Hamilton's disappearance, and was present when the body was found. He was personally acquainted with Mr. Hamilton, and in his deposition he states that there is no doubt that the body was that of that un fortunate gentleman. A PITISBUBG STAB. She Engages a Company on Expectations and Then Skips Oat. ISTECIAL TXXEQBAH TO THE DISPATCH. Philadelphia, Feb. 7. There were several unhappy actors and actresses in the city last night who were anxiously looking for a leading lady and embryo star who has flitted off without paying them any salary. The flitting star is Miss Moilie Lawton, who is the daughter of a portrait painter at Pittsburg. Miss Lawton was stage struck at an early age, and she served her apprenticeship to the sock and buskin in Daly's Company, then with Madam Janauachek, aud later with Daniel Bandmann. With ripened experience Miss Lawton had stellar aspirations, and she engaged James Alexander, of this city, to get up a company and start her out on the road. The season was to have been begun soon, and Phconixville was to be the place in which "Vittoria" was to be tried. To-day a rehearsal was fixed for 10 o'clock, but on arriving there the poor Thespians found that the lady had flown. A BBIDE WON BY DICE. How Italians in New York Settle Love Dis putes Peaceably. New Yobk, Feb. 7. There is a great scarcity of marriageable girls in the Italian colony of this city, so much so that the future husband of a prospective bride is often determined by a toss of dice. Such a fa scene was enacted the other day in the case of a pretty 10-year-old new arrival. It was not long before Miss Nealia Diegeo found two or three of the young fellows to be more than usually interested in her. "The three youths told her of their intentions that she was to be the wife of the lucky tosser. The back room they used was dimly lighted by a candle, and the three, two of whom own fruit stands, while the third is a bootblack, tossed away. There was sus pense in that crowd until it was settled that the bootblack was the winner of the girl, who clapped her hands and threw herself in his arms. The other two congratulated him, and the party went to their homes. NEWFOUNDLAND ANGRY OVEE THE COLLAPSE OF BECIPBOCTTZ NEGOTIATIONS. Its Official Organ Publishes a Bitter Attack on the Dominion and Imperial Govern, menu for Their Interference Canadian Jealousy of Its Neighbors. rsraciAi. telegram to tub dibfatck.1 Halifax, Feb. 7. The Telegram, the organ of the Newfoundland Government, publishes a fierce attack on Canada and England in connection with the collapse of the reciprocity negotiations between that colony and the United States. It says a treaty was agreed to between Mr. Blaine and Mr. Bond, which only awaited the signature of the British Minister. The " Telegram concludes: "It seems that the mischief has been wrought at London, not st Washington. Canada has no influence with the American Government, not a parti cle, but with the Imperial Government it is different. Sir John Macdouald and Sir Charles Tupper, who are in effect the Dominion Government, have managed to persuade the Imperial authorities that a treaty between the United States and New foundland would be detrimental to the interests of Canada, and so Her Majesty's consent is withheld. We don't know on what principle of equity or fairplay Premier Salisbury justifies his anomalous condnctin this respect, but wc do know that the moral effect of the British Government's action In refusing its sanction to this trade treaty, after delegating to our commission full power to negotiate it, will have a damaging influ ence in the colonies generally on the reputation tor integrity and hon esty of English statesmen. 'What col ony will now care to trust the" British Government in view of the faithless manner in which it has acted toward us." MELVILLE LOST HIS GBIP. So Has Moody, and Mellette Seems to Be the Coming Senator. Pierre, S. D., Feb. 7. In the United States Senatorship contest, there was but one ballot to-day, the 27th. The result was: Moody, 22; Tripp, 26; Campbell, 41; Mel ville, 28; Mellette, 5; Clark 6; remainder scattering. The number necessary for a choice is 67. The falling off in Melville's vote ap parently indicates that the Bepublicass will not give him their further support, and that he will be dropped. It would also seem that Moody cannot recover his lost strength. Mellette is generally considered the strongest Bcpublican, but so far, it is said, h,e has been holding back.' A rumor was in circulation to-night that the dead Jock will be broken Tuesday. AN ELECTRICIAH'S DOWNFALL, A City Officer tf Peoria Pleads Gnllty to a Heavy Burglary. Peoria, Feb. 7. Henry Scearer, City Electrician of Peoria, was arrested to-day for the robbery of Bowe & O'Brien's safe one week ago. The arrest created intense surprise, as the prisoner has always borne an excellent name, and has been high in official circles for years. He has confessed the crime and turned over $500 of stolen money. In cutting out a pane of glass in the rear of the building he broke his knife and cut his hand; then climbing in the window, he dropped the knife, and these clews led to his arrest. Scearer assigns his downfall to drinking and gambling. SIXTEEN SAILOES MISSING. A Fruit Steamer on the New Jersey Coast Under IS Fathoms of Water. ISrECIAI. TZXEOBAX TO THE DISFATCB'.t New York, Feb. 7. The new Norwegian fruit steamship Simon Dnmois, which left this port on Wednesday afternoon forMatan zas, Cuba, lies in 15 fathoms of water off Absecom, N. J. She met disaster probably between 2 and 4 o'clock Thursday morning. She had a crew of 1G men, all Norwegians, none of whom has been heard from. Pilot Frank Kelley brought to this city to-day the first news of the wreck. Hopes are expressed that the men were picked up by some passing vessel. M'GEATH'S GOOSE C00EED. ThejWhitcwashing of the Farmers' Alliance Resident Doesn't Count. Topeka, Kan., Feb. 7. The exonera tion of Frank McGrath, President of the Kansas Alliance, by the various Alliance Presidents now in convention at Washing ton, announced in this morning's dispatches, will not have any effect on the war against him at home. McGarth has been in Washington several days. There was no one to appear against him, and on his own statement he was white washed. A Washington whitewash will not go in Kansas, where the facts in regard to the Alliance President are known by men who have the nerve to bring them be fore the public WOBLD'S FATE BOYCOTTS CONTAGIOUS. The Colorado Legislature Finds a Weapon to right for Silver. Denver, Feb. 7. The following resolu tion was introduced in the Colorado legis lature this morning: Whereas, We have learned that 79 members of the Chicago Board of Trade have petitioned the Congress of the United States cot to pass the bill known as tho free coinage act; there fore, be it Resolved, Tbatthe State of Colorado will take no part in the World's Columbian Exposition to be held in the city of Chicago In 1893, and we nrge the citizens of Colorado to divert trade, so far as possible, to some Western city other than Chicago, where some interest is mani fested in tire great industries of the West AN INSUEANCE CONSOLIDATION. A Rumor That Two Bis British Companies Have Become One. Chicago, Feb. 7. It is reported in insurance circles in this city, that the two great British insurance companies, the Liverpool, London and Globe and the Scottish Union, have been merged into one company. The agents of these companies admit that they have heard of a rumor of such a move, but have no private advice to that effect. A Proposed Anti-Gambling Law. Spetngfield, III., Feb. 7. Among the bills introdnced in thu RenntA tn-dav. wan one prohibiting poolselling and bookmaking within the limits of this State. It was referred. iWtatxg PITTSBURG, SUNDAY, A LITTLE PREVIOUS Are the Reports of the Calling of an Extra Senate Session. BLAINE NOT URGING THE THING. He Has an Inler-American Coinagfl Treaty Eeady, Hoffever, THAT MAI REQUIRE AN EXTRA SESBION rrnoit a stait coBBEsroNDKrr.i Washington, Feb. 7. The story printed in a New York paper to the effect that there would be an extra session of Congress, in order to consider the new treaties with the Latin-American Bepub lics, is a little premature. Following close on the statement, a number of specials were sent out from here this morning stating that Secretary Blaine had appeared before tbe Committee on Foreign Affairs and had had a hearing in this matter. The fact of the matter was that Secretary Blaine did appear before the Senate com mittee, but he did so merely to urge an amendment to the diplomatio appropriation bill, which will provide for a division of tbe Central American Bepublic into two diplomatio missions, with two separate Min isters, who shall have a salaryof 57,500 each per annum. The present Minister receives a salary of $10,000 a year. The Object Of Blaine. Secretary Blaine's object in doing this is to have a Minister stationed at both Guate mala and Salvador. The two countries have had a regular cat-and-dog time of It tor many years, and the Minister has been un able'to please both. Salvador is jealous be cause, although it is the most populous of the Central American States, the present Minister is stationed at Guatemala. The new Salvador Minister, who was sent here about two months ago, came for the esceoial object of having the United States legation removed to Salvador. Guatemala would, of course, regard a transfer as a alight, and either course wonld be fatal to any angling which the Secretary may be en gaged in for reciprocity with those countries. The solution offered by the Becretary of State is a lucid one, and one that would be acceptable to both republics. A member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, and who is perhaps the closest friend Secretary Blaine has in the Senate, said to-day that so far as he knew nothing was further from the mind of Mr. Blaine than urging an extra Eession. Another Extra Session Report. Another report that was in circulation to day Was to the effect that it is the intention of the President to issue a proclamation call ing the Senate together in extra session im mediately after March 4. Just whaj this is to be for is not definitely understood at this time, but there are reas ons to believe that Mr. Blaine has already succeeded so far in his international coinage plan as to warrant him in believing that very soon after March 4 he will be able to submit to the Senate the draft of a treaty or general agreement, signed by the United States on the one hand and by the bouth and Central American republics and Mexico on the other, lor the adoption of an inter national, or rather an inter-American, coin age standard, which will result in the pro duction of a silver dollar which shall pass current and be the recognized standard of value in all the conntries of America south of the British line. Mr. Blaine's plan has been very favorably regarded by all the South American repre sentatives here, and tier-mote than proba ble that this will be one of the reasons, if cot the only one, for calling an extra session. Reciprocity Treaty With Mexico. In this connection, it was learned to-day that a treaty ol reciprocity with Mexico is' almost reaov. There are one or two minor points of difference between the two coun tries to be settled, which require further consultation and further communication with the Mexican home authorities and the Mexican Minister here. Another treaty which is shortly to be ready will provide for a market for Ameri can products in Cuba, in exchange for tariff concessions on the part of tbe United States, in the matter of Cuban sugars and tobacco. The Cuban people feel the burden of the increased tobacco duty imposed by the McKinley bill more than any other na tion, and they are anxious to propose to come into closer relations with the United States than any of the Latin-American peo ple. Cuba at present has a tariff law which absolutely bars American agricultural products, the. tariff on flour being something like $8 a barrel alone, and it is very gener ally understood that Mr. McKinley was working in harmony with Mr. Blaine when he submitted the tobacco clause of the tariff bill providing for such a heavy increase of this great supply of Cuba. More Treaties Almost Ready. The Venezuelan and other treaties will also be ready very shortly, and it is under stood the President is now negotiating with Brazil for an amendment to the treaty pro claimed the other day, which will provide that the goods imported into each country from the other, in order to enjoy the tariff concessions, or the free list, must be carried in either American or Brazilian bottoms. Such a treaty is outside the scope of that which the President can negotiate under the reciprocity clause of the McKinley Pill, consequently the advice and consent of the Senate will be necessary, and it is probable that this will be one of the projects submit ted at the extra session of the Senate, if one is called. Ligqxneb. TO F0BCE THE ISSUE. Democrats Are Determined to Get at the Tree Coinage Bill. Washington, Feb. 7. Since the de feat of the attempt to have a free coinage amendment attached as a rider to the sundry civil appropriation bill, the silver men have been busy devising other schemes by means of which to compel a vote by the House on the question of free coinage. The vote yesterday was cot re garded by them as a test of strength, for the reason that it was complicated with a ques tion of parliamentary practice, and they were therefore nnxious to bring the matter up in some new form. The Townsend resolution offered to-day was the first effort in the new " plan of campaign. It does not of itself constitute a question of privilege, but it is believed by Mr. Townsend and other ardent free coinage advocates that it affords a basis on which to form a future resolution that will fairly be a matter of privilege under the rules. There is some speculation and comment among the Bepublicans with regard to a party agreement on a compromise measure, but it does not seem to have taken shape. The opponents of the free coinage bill will resort to every available means to seenre the attendance of absentees, who are known to be opposed to free coinage. POSTAL TELEGBAPH BILLS. Two of Thorn Introduced for the House to Take Action On. Washington, Feb. 7. In the House to day, Mr. Evans, of Tennessee, re-introduced the bill heretofore offered by him to estab lish a limited postal telegraph service. The section in the former bill making it nnlawfulfor the contracting telegraph conv I pany to engage directly or indirectly, or be interested in the sale of press or other re- FEBRUARY 8,. 1891 ports, market quotations, etc., beyond the service of transmitting them at uniform rates, is stricken out of this bill- Bepresentative Candler, ot Massachu setts, introduced a bill authorizing the Postmaster General to contract with any persons or companies for permanent tele erapA lines, for the transmission of tele graphic correspondence at rates to be agreed upon. LEEDS-A DEAD ISSUE. HE HAS BEEN VEEY SUDDENLY DE0PPED BY WANAMAKEB. All of Senator Quay's Arguments In His Behalf Are of No Avail Now The Post master General Ia Looking Oat for His Friends. tTKOM A STAFF COKBESPOKDSIfT.l Washington , Feb. 7. There is a big surprise in store for those who are backing William B. Leeds for the position of United States Marshal at Philadelphia, and unless President Harrison makes a great change in his present opinion, Leeds will be left entirely on the out side. The very fact that a few days ago Postmaster General Wanamaker took Leeds to the White House and intro duced him to the President, gave tone to the statement issued by Leeds' friends that he was to be appointed to the place. Since then, however, there-has been a high revul sion of feeling, and it is more than probable that Senator Quay's man 'frill not be in at the death. The reason for this rests entirely with the Postmaster General. Congressman Bing ham's committee yesterday laid on the table the postal telegraph bill, which is the pet measure of Wanamaker, and there are those who say that the prime mover in the case was Bingham himself. Since the visit to the White House, Mr. Wanamaker has dropped Leeds in a maencrthat is reconcilable with his con science and at the same time does not look offensive to Leed's friends. Instead of tak ing a personal interest in the matter, Mr. Wanamaker went to the President and said: "Mr. President, I understand that there is some talk of my opposition to a certain can didate on the ground that the postal tele graph bill was smothered in committee. Now, I ask you to leave me entirely ou$ of the question and upon no consideration con- suit my wishes regarding the matter. This looks all right on the surface, but when it is taken into consideration that the only chance Leeds had for the place was in the personal recommendation of Wanamaker, it will plainly be seen that Leeds is a dead issue. In other words, the Postmaster General has dropped Leeds and left the President free to choose a successor. This he will do, and all tbe arguments of Senator Quay will fall just as they did when Quay brought out Leeds for the postmastership, the Surveyor ship, the Naval office and the Collectorship. On the other hand Mr. Wanamaker is hold ing out the ark of promise to Captain Ben cysen, of Montgomery county, whose only apparent backing is that of Congressman Yardley. It is more than probable thai when the came of the successor to Marshal Dill's place is sent to the Senate the same sheet will contain the successor to District Attor ney Beed, and that the name will be Samuel B. Huey. This is one instance where the Postmaster General is looking for the first fruits. It is said that the cause of Mr. Wana maker's support is the fact that Huey is the the counsel for a number of corporations with .which the Postmaster General is closely identified, . DEM0CBATS IK CAUCUS. They Declare Strongly In Favor of the Free Coinage Bill. Washington, Feb. 7. Tho caucus of the Democratic members, of the House called for to-night at the suggestion of Mr. Bland was slimly attended, only Gl mem bers being present. The silver bill was the sole topic of consideration, and after several resolutions had been offered and withdrawn, tho following resolution, offered by Mr. Bichardson, of Tennessee, was unanimously adopted: Resolved, That it Is the sense of this caucus that the Senate silver bill, which was referred by the House to the Committee on Coinage, Weights and Measures near ly ono month ago, is, in our opinion, an important public measure, deserv ing due consideration by the House, and wo earnestly request tho committee to which the same was relerred to report to the House with out delay. The caucus then adjourned. AFIEE THE COMMITTEE, A Resolution Intended to Get the Silver Bill Before the House. Washington, Feb. 7. In the House to-day Bepresentative Townsend, of Col orado, offered for reference a resolution amending the rules of the House so as to provide that when four members of any committee shall make a statement in writing that after five hearings on any bill (other than revenue or appropriation bill), the committee refuses to make any report, favorable or unfavorable, it shall be in order to move to discharge the committee from tbe further consideration of the meas ure. This amendment of the rnles is directed especially toward the Committee on Coin age, Weights and Measures, having charge of the free coinage bill. A BEPUBLICAN THREAT. Holding a Force Bill Club Over the Heads of the Democrats. Washington, Feb. 7. It is threatened by Bepublicans of the House that if the Senate attach a free coinage amendment to any appropriation bill, they will amend it by putting on the force bill as a rider. If this were done and the bill sent to the President, it is said that he would probably sign the conglomerate bill, taking free coinage rather than veto the ap propriation bill and the force bill. This mav deter Democrats from entering upon the plan of putting free coinage on an appropriation bill. The Silver Pool Inquiry. Washington, Feb. 7. The silver pool Investigating committee met this afternoon, but no witnesses were present. It was de cided not to go to New York, but to sum mon to Washington any persons whose tes timony may be desired. . BEJ0ICING IN OKLAHOMA. Tho New Lands Acquired by Treaty to bo Speedily Occupied. Gdthbie, O. T., Feb. 7. The news that the Iowa and Sac and Fox treaties had been ratified to-day created considerable re joicing here. Bells were rung, whistles were blown and brass bands paraded the streets. The city is full of strangers ready to make their home in the new lands. CUBED BY THE LYMPH. A Former Consumptive "Will Leave a St. Louts Hospital Well. St. Louis, Feb. 7. W. A. Walters, who entered the Missouri-Pacific Hospital Jan nary 21, a consumptive, will leave this even ing or to-morrow morning cared by Koch's Jjniph, JWlKttc n twenty pages' ' BANKERS' OPINIONS, Given Before the Legislative Com mmission at Philadelphia. WANT NO STATE INTERFERENCE. Yarious Views of What Caused the Recent Failures of lianks. LAWMAKERS C0MIHG TO PITTSBURG rSPECZAZ. TELEGBAM TO TOE DISPATCH.! Philadelphia, Feb. 7. At the meet ing of the Legislative Commission to in vestigate the cause of the recent failures of private banking institutions, held at the Hotel Lafayette to-day, John B. Gest, President of the Fidelitv Trust Company, was the first wit ness called, and was closely questioned by Bepresentative Fladd, of Easton. Mr. Gest had prepared a long address in which he denied the right of a commission to probe into the affairs of private banking institu tions. He said: In my opinion, the cause of the failures of private banking houses were mainly their in vestments of other people's money in hazard ous or speculative or prospective ventures, so that when the stringency occasioned by tbe London failure occurred these houses could not meet their liabilities. As to State backs, they derive their powers from the Commonwealth, and should be subject to State supervision and examin? tion, and should be obliged to maintain a re serve equal to that required by the general Government to bo maintained by national i banks. The Case of Trust Companies Different. As to trust companies, these, by their char ters, are subject to examination by Commis sioners appointed by the courts. These examl cations have been very thorough and micuti and copious reports have been made to ure courts of them, which have been suchas to satisfy the courts that the inixltu tions thus examined were well conducted. It is needful that the courts should hve this power, because of tbe vast interestsentrusted to them by tbe courts, who have thjr control of estates both of the living and thedead. J. Dallas SanderSjPresidentof the Wayne Title and Trust Company and tbe Dime Savings Bank, stated that he was in favor of having the deposit accounts of trust com panies examined by State officials, and that while he did not believe that legislation could prevent a panic, yet awise law would prevent such losses to depositors as had oc curred in the failure of the Bank of America in this city and the disastrous Lawrence Bans case.. He furnished data showing that since the passage of the National bans: act, in 1863, nearly 4,500 banks had been organized and but three-twelfths per cent, of these had failed or been compelled to go into the hands of a receiver. A New York Law Recommended. Mr. Sanders also advised the passage of a law similar to the one in force in New York, which provides that I'it shall not be lawful for any bank, banking association, individual banker, firm, association, corporation, person or persons, to advertise or put forth a sign as a savings bank, or in any way solicit or re ceive deposits as a savings bank." Colonel O. C. Bosbyshell, Superintendent of the Mint, was next called, on account of his connection with the Philadelphia Bond and Investment Company. He said he did not think it was a wise thing for the State to inquire iuto the affairs of a private bank ing firm. A person who deposits funds in a private banking concern does so with his eyes open, and is supposed to know what he is doing with his money, and therefore takes his own risk; but he thought it would be a good tblng'to pan a law requiring such" institutions to have a large reserve fund. In regard to bond investment scheme and beneficial organizations, Ee thought all such corporations should be in a position to pay at any time they were called on every dollar they owe. Otherwise, in his judgment, they were insolvent. Baring Brothers' Failure tho Cause. Charles M. Swain, President of the City Trust Company, and G. Albert Lewis, President of the City National Bank, both protested against the right of the State to supervise the business of private individ uals, and testified that in their opinion the late stringency of the money market was caused by the Baring Bros.' failure and the subsequent unloading on the market of securities. Mr. Lewis also said: Brains are all that are necessary to conduct a safe and sound banking business. Some people ate successful In their line of business, while others are unsuccessful. It Is, after all, only a matter of competency. If a man invests in an unsalable article, when a tight money period comes along and can't disposo of it he must go to the wall. Over-trading was at the bottom of the recent troubles, and men who held unsalable invest ments were unable to realize on them. It was simply a form of financial Indigestion, which did not spread to tbe rest of tbe community, and, therefore, the rest of the community were cot sick. "It is a disease that becomes very conta gious, however, isn't it?" asked Bepresenta tive Ladd. "Very contagions, yes." Tho Pennsylvania System Denounced. . Bobert F. James, "Vice President of the Easton Investment Company, and a former National Bank Examiner, stated that he heartily concurred with and ap proved of the resolution under which the committee was conducting the inauiry, and denounced theaystem by which Pennsylva nia has conducted her State depositories as "positively disreputable." The State, he claime'd, had given the broad seal of its au thority to the control and manipulation of unprotected deposits until its delinquency in this respect had attracted universal atten tion, and that a system was now imperative that will place State banks on a plan of equal excellence with national banks. The committee adjourned to meet in Harrisburg next Wednesday evening. The latter'part of next week it is the intention pf the Iuvestigating Committee to visit Pittsburg, and some time during the suc ceeding week they will return to Philadel phia and complete their labors. BAB0N HTESCH'S MUNIFICENT GUT. Banker Sellgman May Draw on Him for 83,300,000 for Destitute Hebrews. New York, Feb. 7. Banker Jesse Selig man has received from Baron Hirsch a cablegram notifying bim that the trustees of the Baron Hirsch fund in this country may draw on him tor 52,500,000 to be applied to the relief of immigrant Hebrews who have come here and are destitute. - The income from this sum is to be devoted to ameliorat ing the condition of the poor Hebrews by giving them homes in fertile farming dis tricts where they can make their own living. If the trustees find it necessary to draw on the principal of the fund, they are author ized to do so, and Baron Hirsch has promised to make the deficiency good. During the past year the Baron gave an average of 510,000 a month for the relief of indigent Hebrews in this country. A BATTLE WITH NEGB0ES. A Sheriffs Posse Captures a Gang of Col ored Raftsmen. Louisville, Feb. 6. At Junction City this morning there was a fight between Town Marshal George Wells and a posse and ten negro raftsmen. Wells attempted to arrest the negroes for disorderly conduct. They succeeded in shutting him aud his brother-in-law, J. W. Sampson, in a room with themselves and locking oat the re mainder of the posse. A hand-to-hand fight with pistols fol- ifssrt&iin which 37ells was wounded, prob- ably fatally, and Sampson severely. Sev eral of the negroes received severe wounds. Help was quickly given from the posse with out, and the negroes, with one exception, were arrested. MILES ANSWERS AN ACCUSER. HE DEFENDS HIS TBEATMENT OF JEFF DAVIS, HIS PBE0NEB, The Grave Charges Contained in Mrs. Da vis' "War Storiea Why It Was Necessary to Keep a Close Watch on the Fallen Rebel Chieftain. Chicago, Feb. 7. General Nelson A. Miles was In command of Fortress Monroe, Va., when Jefferson Davis was confined there after his capture by the Union forces. In her recently published stories of his life, Mrs. Davis devotes considerable space to a denunciation of General Miles, alleging that the General sought out smallways in which to insult and annoy his-'prisoner, such as shocking him withbrutal force, keeping him in a vermin-infested cell, with holding his clothes and Ifnen, and making souvenirs of his possessions even of his hair when he had iUrcut. General Miles, speaking of these charges to-day, said: Of course tbe woafan feels bitter toward me, as she probably does toward many other North ern soldiers, andit is to be only expected that she shonld. I Jrad charge of her husband for a while alter jfis arrest, and I suppose she can never forglfo that. While caring nothing at all for anydflcg she may say or write, I would call attention to the fact that Jefferson Davis managed? to survive my cruel treatment and lived 2Qears after, finally dying of old age. That vbuld hardly have been the case, I think. oeen subjected to sucn nomme iVSn cbaTge of the district of Fortress Ifr "olx,8. months, and for a while Jeffer " Of nt a. nrisoner there after his rrc: tot" . . K -l-M- - - .-- y0 "Mho gravest kind of charges that cw h V a against any man pre Vb 'iV?he Government had ferred at. pro. Many of tbe ed. and President inateo. uercaimy there were reasons ev. i why a close watch should be kept upon the wader of the rebellion, that he might not escape. I had no immediate business with him, but of such as I had, I am cot ashamed of. There is not a particle ot truth In tbe statements made by his wife. Why, the fact Is, that Jefferson Davis never was in better trim than when be was liberated, and tbe time that elapsed before his death ia good evidence of it. A CITIZENS' ALLIANCE CALL. A Political National Conference to Meet in Cincinnati in May. Topeka, Kan., Feb. 7. M. F. Eight mire, who was chosen Secretary of the Na tional Citizens' Industrial Alliance, has issued the following call for a national con ference of reformers: "We, as friends of such a conference, hereby unite and call a general conference of reform ers, to meet in Cincinnati, May 19, 1891, to adopt a platform and, mate such arrangements for the conflict of 1S92 as the conference may deem fitting. . This call is in direct opposition to the wishes of J. D. Holden, of Emporia, Presi dent of the National Citizen's Alliance, formed at Ocala, Fla. The call for a con vention to organize a third party combines all of the alleged reform movements now before the people. There is a disposition to ignore President Holden altogether. The Kansas contingent of the Citizens' Alliances do not recognize Holden as the President of the organization, although the Ocala con vention elected him to that position. A PREACHES TUBNS F0BGEB. He Gave Two Bogus Notes for Jewelry as an' Agent. Wilkesbaeee, Feb. 7. Eev. George Cooper, of Wapwallopen, a local preacher, was arrested at the Lehigh Valley Bailroad station this afternoon on a charge of for gery. A short time ago he gave up his ministe rial calling and secured an agency from Davidow Brothers, jewelers, of this city. In payment for the goods received he gave tbe firm two notes, one for $200 and the other for S300. When they fell due, it was discovered that the notes were forgeries. KILLED IN A PEIZE EIGHT. A Local Boxer, at Seattle. Knocked Out Never to Recover. Seattle, Wash., Feb. 7. Last night John Shaffer, a local boxer, engaged in a seven-round contest with William Doyle, at a variety theater. In the seventh round Doyle knocked out Shaffer by a right hander on the jaw. Shaffer never regained consciousness, and died this morning. Doyle has thus far eluded capture. The proprietor of the theater has been arrested. SENAT0EIAL BBIBEEY CHARGES. The Evidence in the Washburn Matter to be Printed at tho Senator's Request. St. Paul, Feb. 7. In the Senate, Mr. Donnelly's resolution for the printing of the testimony taken on the charges of bribery in connection with the election of United States Senator two years ago, came up for action. John Dav Smith read a telegram from Senator Washburn, asking for the adoption of the resolution, and it was accepted with out objection. THE DISPATCH DIEECTOEY. Contents of the Xssne Classified for Readers Convenience. Tbe Issue of The Dispatch to-day oonslsts of 20 pages, made up in three parts. Tbe first part contains the local, telegraphic and cable news of the day with the editorial, musical and sporting departments. The features of the other parts are as follows: PART IT. Page 9. Cable News. The Valley Iron Trouble Resume of tbe Week Wilkie A Sketch or Uhlcago... Kudtacd Kiflimo Page 10. The Silver Fool Fbank G. Cabfeotzr Brazilian Railroading J. O. Keebet Gossip of Gotham Ciiablss T. Murray Page 11. Tbe Want Column. For Sale Column. To Let Column, Page IS. Tbe Society World. Dramatic News. Tbe Grand Army. Educational News. Page 13. Secret Society News. Electrical Talk, llartets by Telegraph. Local Trade News. Henry Clew's Lettsr. Page 11. Review of Snorts Pbtsole fage IS. The Bottle Imp Robert Louis SimajsoT The Kindly Simple Shirley Dare Funerals for Cash....: FAiraiE B. Wabo Late Scientific News. Page IB. The Beney Art Sale. Vereslchagln'a Pictures. Tbe Court News. PAKTDX Page V. A South Sea Letter.. ..Eobebt Louis Btzvznsok Shop-Glrli of London ...Fbaxk A. Bub a The Witch of Prague ..F. aIabiov Cbawtobd Page IS. Betting on a Fight ........HOWabd Fuxdino A Keal Kobln Hood EDGAR L. VVAKEVAJT Beaux and Belles .....'. J.U. Wsbb Page 13. The Young Musician PATSTE The Puzzle Department. E. B- Chadboubx Taking the Cross Bit. Gzobqk Hodges Eocmomy in Cooking Ellice Bersxa Page 30, -Calling on the Cabinet. Miss Gbundt. Jn. Hard Worked Women. .,. -..Blasts Beajcdlx. JTsncles fortneZ'slrr paid S100.00&V 0f. VI rebels had notv iK4 Lincoln nau ueei w m FIVE CENTS. FEW IITHE FIELD, Just 1,925 Applicants for Liquor Licenses, Against 1.960 a Year Ago. THE LAST DAY'S HUSTLING Hot Nearly So Many Double-Headera-as There Formerly Were. THE DOWN TOWN CHANGES IN YIEW Scarcity of Bondsmen Who Lira-in tha Easiness Districts. A NEW HOTEL HADE SURE IESTBEDAY The enrfew had sounded last night, and the wire had almost descended to the level that shut out hope; the manly forms of County Clerk McGunnegle and ex-Sheriff Ennter, Captain Dalgleisb, 'Squire Bryan and Councilman Treusch were envel oped in their togas, and a lawyer representing the 1,924th applicant for li cense to sell liqnor in the year of grace A. D. 1891, one Oeffner, of Home stead, had disappeared in the gloom, when Anthony Gnstburst, of 22 Ohio street, Alle gheny, winded and mud-bespattered, rushed into the fast darkening arena with a $5 bill in one hand and an application in the other, and pathetically pleaded that a win dow of the ark should be raised and he al lowed to pnt in his ante. He was told to be quick abont it, and he took the oath without sugar, so scant of breath that he almost choked on it, . Not as Many Applicants as Last Tear. Contrary to general expectation, there are not so many applications this year as there were last. Last year there were 1,263 appli cations for retail and 634 for wholesale license, making in all 1,947, while, all told, the applicants this year number bat 1,925 ' for both kinds, added, a decline of 22, but last year there were abont 175 "double-1 headers," or persons who applied for both ' wholesale and retail license, preferring tbe latter, but equipping their bows with two strings, under the impression that if the Court refused them retail license it must, ' nnder the decision of the Supreme Court in the certiorari cases of Mary E. Pollard et al., give the wholesale license, in any event. This idea has since been dis sipated by the failure of many applicants to force the granting of wholesale license, and allowing the License Court Judges some discretion, or rather, as some say, on ac- xcount of many of the applicants having omitted to set forth the three neces sary qualifications in their petitions, viz: Citizenship, good moral charac ter, and temperate habits, which allowed the License Judges to size up ap plicants on general appearance. The double headers this year will not aggregate more than 10 or 12, all told. Wholesale Applicants Not So Scarce. Last year there were 706 applicants for re tail license in Pittsbnr?, 234 in Allegheny City, 185 in the boroughs and 133' in the townships, making a total ' of 1,263, and 684 applicants for wholesale license. This year there are, ia round numbers, about 450 applicants for wholesale license, leaving 1,475 who want to sell by retail, which, aside from last year's double-headers, is an increase of 212 retail and a decrease of 234 wholesale, bottler, brewer and distillery applicants. This shows on its face a much larger num ber of applicants for wholesale license than were expected, but it is explained on the i ground that many of the wholesale appli cants are brewers who ask for license for agencies in various parts of the cities, bor oughs and townships in order to distribnte their product. Applicants' names hitherto unknown in the License Court are pretty well distributed oyer the county, in addition to those re ceived from the business part of the city. In Stowe township new names are Louis Boil, W. O. Clarkson, John Gallagher and Mrs. Joseph Priddy, and in Esplen, an embryo borough east of the mouth of Chartiers creek, William Cooney and William Eose. The clerks who receive the applications state that there has been a great improve ment in the appearance of the petitioners since the first year the Brooks law went into effect. Old avenue and slum applicants have generally given over, and have either abandoned the bnsiness or gone into the speak-easy line. They realize that tbey leave hope behind when they enter the License Court. So much, for Brook3 and bis law. Only Two Colored 3Ien on the List. Two colored men have expressed a will ingness to immolate themselves and will moisten Afro-American clay, if they make the riffle. One.is Charley "Preston, ot the Hotel de Preston. There was "hurrying in hot haste" for the last honr or two last evening. BeqnesU for reserved seats were telephoned from all parts of the citie3 and from several boroughs, and to each request reply was made that the gang-plank would be pulled in soon after 8 o'clock: and subsequently the yawl would not land for belated people. If trains or street cars were late there was donbtless some objurgation, for when 8:30 o'clock came the door shut with a bang and the officials dispersed as fast as their legs wonld carry them with de corum, glad to know that though the work: would last for months to come the big rash was over. "If at first yon don't succeed, try, try again," appears to be the motto of those who are enamored of the liquor bnsiness. The first year the Brooks law was operative there were 1,553 applicants for licenses, a great many people of shady character holding off to see now it would work. The next year there were but 1,360 applicants, the previous year's experience being very disheartening to some who felt that they were discriminated against. The third year Judge White slaughtered tbe list so savagely that some who were willing to pay $500 license decided that they were justi fied in running joints. Given Heart by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court decision in the Pol lard case put heart into 500 who picked their flints and tried it again last year, but the joint had in the meantime become popu lar, and some people who didn't mind im prisonment, reasoned Ithat 500 wonld go a long way in paying fines for doing a 500 per cent profit business. The Su preme Court wabble last year on the discretion featnre of the law has been discouraging, and is said to induced many who hadjtakenfout wholesale licenses to believe that the cake would be dongh this year anyhow, and that, in consequence, they might as well have retail profits on whole sale dealing, might as well be hung for si sheep as a lamb. So many had taken whole sale licenses that selling in bulk didnot payf 1 i i i