snKjsa KSTw- BENTERS TnLtFEID SPECIAL TO XJST LISTS Appear TO-DAY In THE IISPJV.TCI3CS classiyusd columns. SPECIAL TO LET LISTS IN THE J5ISPA.TCBC MONDAYS AND TIIOBSDAYS. ."ifOBs; "- " n w w FORTY-SIXTH TEAR ATORNADQOFFLAME Sweeps Away Haifa Million Dollars' Worth of Business Property IN THE HEART OF THE CITY A Natural Gas Explosion in the Wel din Block Just Before Mid night Started a Fire THAT SOOK GUTTED THE BUILDING. A Blazing: Arch Then Stretched Across Dia mond, and the Germania Bank Was an Easy Trey. HASTY EXODUS OF THE hEIGHBOES. Thrcisris ef Ftcple Tlmsgel Upon tie Streets toi Wttchid the right igifcit tie Frcgrascf tie Fire. IITaHS Or THE LOSSES AHD KSUBAKCK The business center of the city was at midnight visited by a fire, of such intensity and rapid action as, for fully an hour, threatened to merge into a conflagration ot unparalleled fierceness and destructiveness. As it is the Weldin Block, at the corner of "Wood and Diamond street, -was completely devastated, the Germania Bant building gutted in the upper stories and badly burned all through, and much damage caused to adjacent buildings, including Keineman's restaurant, and the houses on "Wood street. As far as could be estimated at a late hour the damage to property amounts to 500,000, Regarding the valuable papers in the Ger mania Bans: building, Government offices, etc, only a guess can be made. Weldin & Co.'s stock is insured for 566,000, but the building is uncovered. Discovered by Inspector McAleese. The fire was discovered shortly before 12 o'clock by Inspector McAleese. He Iras just stepping into his buggy and had said good night to Detective McTighe when, at tracted by a sullen roar, he looked around and saw flames issuing from the basement of the Weldin building. "An explosion I fire," cried McTighe, and the Inspector turned in an alarm without a moment's loss of time. Immediately follow ing an alarm was rnng in from box 14, quickly followed by three two's, calling ont three districts, an alarm from 11 again and then from box 9. Before the last alarm had ceased ringing, the fire had gained way with such extraordinary rapiditj that lurid sheets ol flame were shooting oat from the AVeldin building and reaching high above its roof before the department could reach the scene and get down to ef fective work. A strong breeze sweeping down Diamond alley fanned the flames into greater activity, and half an hour after the alarm had been sounded the double store of Weldin & Co. was enveloped in one con tinuous mass of flame, which leaped from window to window and spent its force sky ward with an intensity as if fed with oil. Fighting Wind and Xlame. The firemen worked well and strongly, but their efforts were powerless to cope with the hot haste of the flames. Between the wind and the want of pressure water could cot be thrown hightr than the third story of the buildingsat first, and even then tailed to stay the destructive element pitted against them. Later better pressure was obtained, and from street, ladder and house top a deluge of water was forced into the burning buildings. Very soon the free play the fire had gained told on the adjoining and neighbor ing buildings. The excessive heat from the acre of flame on the roof of the Weldin block set fire to the roof of J. B. Haines' premises opposite, but a stream of water quickly obviated any danger there. In a few minutes more the third store in the block, No. 429, occupied by the Pitts burg Shoe Company, was assailed by the flames, which swept through it, and then, in short order, had possession of No. 431, occu pied by C. B, Brothers, W. S. Brel & Co. and Schwartz & Cheswright. Maminoth Tongues of Fire. Wreaths of flames rolled out in grand but fierce effect, licking the ladders placed against the walls, and seeking to draw the little band of workers who lought them so stubbornly into their seething embrace. Heavy clouds of black smoke poured from the buildings as the water made its force felt, and hung overhead as a pall to the pyre consuming the wealth of years of toil. While the fire raged high above the roof of the corner stores there was much specula tion as to whether it would extend across the narrow alley and seize the Germania Bank in its grasp. Soon the cornice was seen to be smoking; then fire leaped forth, and inside of 0 minutes the demon of destruction had attacked the upper storiej of the build ings and took quick possession of the upper premises. Lines of hose were run upon the opposite roofs, and good work was done lrom the street, but the tire made steady headway, and traveling down the circu lar light shaft soon reached the lower floors. The Germania bank offices wero badly burned, as were the other offices in front, bat tiio greatest damage was done in the rear owing to its inaccessibility. No water could he brought to bear on the rear and the names rushed quickly downward, un uermininc the brickwork, which fell with beavy crashes into the alley and interior ot the building. Kcineman's restaurant, which is much lower than the bank walls, seemed almost to escape until a section of the rear wall of tho burning building fell on the roof and set it on lire. 1 ho restaur ant is four stories high, all the floors being uod by Mr. Reineman. Upstairs are several tleeimig apartments. The&o arc occupied by one ot the daughters ot the proprietor and two Fcrrant girls. They bad all retired for the night. Sating the Sleeping Women. One of the most extltlng incidents of the fire is told by Cleveland Lyons the colored porter employed in the restaurant, Lyons was standi ing near the bar when, as he glanced across the street, be saw a sheet of flame burst from one of the rear windows of the book store. He says it was hardly an instant before there was the sound of an explosion and the flames were shooting across the street. Tho report was loud and distinct. He at once saw the danger, and, rushing upstairs, broke open the doors of the rooms ocenpied by the women. Miss Reineman was so excited that it was with the greatest difficulty that he induced her to dress, and got her. together with the two girls, out of the building. The heat was then so intense in Diamond alley that it was a hard matter to escape. Hiss Beinemaa was taken to the homo of her father, on Troy Hill, while the girls went to the homes of relatives. There was practically nothing of any value saved from the Reineman building. It was rilled with everything that goes to make up a first-class restaurant where from S00 to 400 people dine daily. The restaurant building runs back to the rear of tho structure adjoining tho bank on WOOD AND DIAMOND the south. This Is also owned by the Merchants and Mechanics' Insurance Com pany and the lower floor ocenpied by their offices. The upper stories arp occupied by tho Americas Club. The loss there is hard to estimate. A great many burning brands fell upon the roof, but tho building at no time was on fire. The damage is by water only. Afraid the Flames Would Spread. For a time It looked as if the People's Bank building at the southeast corner of Diamond and Wood streets would also fall a victim to the flames. The roof and front were on fire several times but well-directed streams soon put out tho flames. When the fire was at its height in the mansard roof of the Germania Bank a line of hose was run to the, top of the Peo ples' Building, and a heavy stream thrown across the street. It apparently did the best execution ot any that was thrown upon tho Germania building, as when the flames struck it on the fourth floor there was not a stream that could reach It from the ground. The residents in the houses adjoining Reine man's had an exciting time. Ho one could form an iaea as to where the flamea would be arrested. While the Wledin building was be ing reduced to ashes willing bands were carry ing ont personal effects from the dwell ings and securing them in friendly quarters nearer the Market end. Fire broke out in tho old house at the corner nr the recessed portion of the alley, and gradually grew in volnme until fears began to be entertained that the block would be set aflame. A couple of lines of hose were, however, run down and reduced the second edition of tho big affair outside. The police did excellent work in keeping back the crowds which gathered to witness1 the unusual blaze. When the upper portions of the building began to crumble away, and fall into the streets, the onlookers were moved back to Fifth and Fourth avenues on the one side and the Market House on the other. The exciting time was unatteded by a mishap. STARTED OTHER FIRES. BLAZING CT5DEB8 THBEATEN TEE BUSI NESS DISTEICT. Awnings Ignited for Squares Around Firo men Kept Busy With Babcocks The Cornice of the Bnquesne Theater Ablaze Another Alarm Turned In. Several buildings at quite a distance from the fire were endangered by awnings which had been set on fire by red hot cinders alighting on them. An awning at a fifth floor window on the C. G. Hussey building was the first to become ignited, and burned without doing any further damage. Two large awnings at H. J. King's building, No. 29 Fifth avenue, and one at L J. Lynch's place, on He Masters' alley, were also totally destroyed. The cinders which Ignited the awnings were not mere sparks, but pieces of burning wood weighing several ounces, and in' some cases pounds. When the awning burned at 2) Fifth avenue tbo beat broke the plato glass window on tho second floor, occupied by Parcels A Jones, dtessmakers. The glass fell into a crowd on the sidewalk, but no one was hurt. The awning at bchaeferi Lloyd's jewelry store. No. 37 Fifth avenue, was also burned. Sparks set Are to the roof of 531 Liberty street, and the are spread for several feet. A detail of firemen took a Babcock down, put up a ladder to tho roof and extinguished the flames. Just above this, at Sixth street, the awning of the Pitts burg, Allegheny and Manchester Passenger Railway station was burned. Tho worst scare was caused by a spark that f augu'eu iu ius curuica or mo Duquesne 1 heater on 1'enn avenue, below Sixth street. The cornice commenced to burn and an alarm was sent in from box 9. The town had been so stripped of engines for tho Wood street fire, that No. 6 Company from Forty-fourth street, was the first to respond to the call from box 9, and by the tiins the long run was made the fire was going briskly. The foreman took in Babcocks and fought the flames from an upper window. The damage will amount to 50. The awning at the corner of Liberty and Market street b took fire from large sparks and set the cornice ablaze. It was extinguished with a Babcock. The awning or A. L. Sailor's store, No. 62 Sixth street, took fire and ran along for four doors. The only damage was to the awninc, whlcn soon burned out. The roof of the building occupied by Kornbluin, tho optician, at No. 60 Sixth street; was ignited., and a line or hose was run up and the flames extinguished. The Amoricnj In It. The Americus Club will sustain some loss, J not from fire, bdt water. Tbelr billiard hall is located on the third floor of the II. 4 M. Insur ance building ana was flooded with water. The janitor removed the pictures and such other pieces of property as he could handle to a place of safety. A 1TBED, BUT FEABLESS WOMAN. She Wanted to Go' to Bed in tho Houso Next to the Bank, j From the Market Honse side at 1:30 not much fire was seen, but the police kept back every body. Some of tho people who ocenpied the little honses on Diamond alley near the bank wore anxious to return to their homes. The lady who lived in the building next to the bank begged a policeman to allow her to go to bed. 8fie said she was tired and sleepy. Oh, Lord, ma'am," the copper replied, "it wouldn't be safe for you to go into the house." It was bard for him to make herunderstand that the heavy walls of the bank building might fall at any moment and crush her. Another woman had worked her way around STREETS AT MIDNIGHT. to Fourth' avenue, and was standing rtearthe old Lake Erie building, clinging lor dear life to a dirty, woolly spitz dog that was as badly frightened as she was. With the other tenants on Diamond street she was glad she had es caped, but that precious dog sbo prized above her home and furniture. It was ever so. ESTIMATED LOSSES. OVEE HALF A HILII0N D0LLABS WEST IN THE FDJE. Weldin & Co. Thought to Be the Heaviest Losers, With Dnnn & Co. Next Ger mania Bank Building Will Have to Be Rebuilt. The total losses as near as could be esti mated this morning were $553,100. These estimates include the damage by water. The list of the tenants and owners of the build ings together with the estimated individnal losses are as follows: The Weldon block, Nos. 425 to 429 inclusive, owned by David Gregg. Mrs. O'Hara, Edward McKee and William Morrison, occupied by J. R. Weldon & Co., books. Loss on building, 40.100; stock, 5125,000. No. 431, owned by David Gregg, occupied by Cain Brothers, boots and shoes retail. Loss on building 520,000, stock 530,000. No. 433. owned by James Herdman, occu- Eied by Wm. M. Laird, boots and shoes retail. toss on building $12,000: stock $45,000. No. 433, owned by Mrs. Denmston, occupied by Baltimore and Ohio Express Company. Loss on building and fixtures, IS 000. No. 437. owned bv Mrs. M. K. Coffee, occu pied br American Express Company. Loss on buildinc. $5,000; goods, $8.00C No. 4S9, owned by Mrs. L. Denniston, occu pied by Watt's bookstore. Loss on building, 51,000; stock, $10,000. No. 441, owned by Mrs. S. A. Sawyer, occu pied by Paulson Bros., bats and furs. Loss on building, $2,000; stock. $4,500, No. 443, owned by Mrs. Brading, occupied by McKnight's bookstore. Loss on building, $1,500; stock, $1,000. No. 445, owned by Mrs. A. H. Boss, occupied by Bennett's bat and cap store. Loss on build ins:, $1,000; stock. $2,500. Nos. 447 and 449, owned by Gerwlg & Hunter and occupied by the Baltimore and Ohio ticket office. Loss on building, $800; furniture. $1,000. Germania Bank building, owned by bank and occupied by bank, Robinson Sc Orr, investment brokers; Hea & Co., brokers; Morris Brown, stock brokers; Chamber ot Com merce, John D. Bailey, Custom House, HackettJ fc Smith, R. G. Dun i Co., Junction Railroad offices, Manufact urers' Gas Company, Chicago and Cleveland Gas Coal Company, and porter1 Shorthand fechool. Loss on building, $60,000; fixtures, S2U.O00, and R. G. Dun fc Co., records that cannot bo replaced, 100,000. Rear of bank, owned by George Reineman and occupied by owner as saloon and restaur ant. Loss on building, $2,O00: stock, $20,000. No. 417, owned and occupied by the Mer chants and Manufacturers' Insurance Com pany, Americus CluD rooms above. Loss to building and fixtures, $2,000. No. 415, owned by H. Palmer, occupied by Robinson Bros., bankers and brokers. Loss on buildings and fixtures, etc., $1,000. No. 413. owned and occupied by Boatman's Insurance Company. Loss ou building,fixtures, etc. $800. , No. 409, owned and occupied by the People's Nation tl Bank. Loss on building, fixtures, eta, JS00. Nos. 401 to 409, owned by Mrs. Mary A Rob inson, slightly scorched and wet, 34000. MOVED JUST IN TIME, Firemen With Engine Xo. S forced From Their Post of Duty. One of the first engines to reach the ground was No. 2, stationed on SmithficUt' street be. tween First and Second avenues. It took the plug ar the corner of the Germania Bank buildinsr, and soon had a good flow on the bookstore. It held its ground despite the falling firebrands and the awful heat from the Weldin building, and even until the flames bad got down as far as the third story. The mansard roof seemed to be a perfect tinder box and it burned with great fierceness. At this time tbo dangerous position of the engine was appreciated, and it was decided to get it to a safer place. There were plenty of volunteers, ana after a sharp tussel the machine was tushed up Diamond alley. And it was none to soon. It had not been moved away but a few minutes when a portion ot the mansard root began to fall. The supports were seen to be frail and the gal vanized iron covering was easily loosened. Continued on Sixth Page. PITTSBURG, THURSDAY, MARCH 12. 189L NO NEGRO SOLDIERS Allowed in .the Eanks of the District of Columbia Militia. TWO BATTALIONS MUSTERED OUT; Aroosing Great Indignation Among 60,000 Colored Citizens. CONGRESSMEN BACK OP THE SCHEME fFBOH A STAIT COEEESrONDEXT. . "Washington, March 11. The drawing of the color line in the Wimodaughsis Club caused much excitement in fashionable so cial circles, but very little among the colored people themselves, but another occurrence, an outcome of certain legislation, has caused a flurry and irritation among the people of that race in the District greater than has been known in many years. Congress refused to appropriate the usual amount for the equipment of armories, drill and encampment of the district militia. Tho annual sum was greatly reduced. How it appears it was a part of a scheme to get rid of the colored troops. At least it is an nounced by General Ordway, commander of the District militia, that the Seventh and Eighth Battalions, made up of colored com panies, will have to be dropped from the muster roll. The Colored Contingent Wildly Excited. A communication to this effect to the offi cers trom General Ordway to-day has caused intense feeling among the colored people, and a meeting of the colored militia is in progress this evening at which speakers de nounce the action of Congress andof militia officers ss a collusive scheme to drive the colored people from the District troops. These colored companies, excellently drilled and with good bands, were the pride of the 60,000 colored people of the Dittrict General Ordway's official notification to Majors Fleetwood and Bevells was the cause of a great deal of heated comment among those interested in the two colored battal ions. One officer, who has just resigned bis commission, talked with a number of those who wear shoulder-straps in the Seventh and Eighth, and as a result he prepared the follow ing criticism and requested its publication: "General Ordway has at last found a way to rid himself ot bis two negro battalions. It bag been rumored for a long time that the General was desirous of disarming the colored militia in order to appease The Wrath of Southern Congressmen who objected to appropriations for the support of the militia on the ground that they would be used in part maintaining negro trooj-s. The question now is, will the Secretary of War or the President permit this outrage T The negro battalions were among the first to re spond to the call, and are both old organiza tions. To disband them will be equivalent to saying that in the District of Columbia negro militia will not be tolerated, though the colored people comprise one-third of the popu lation and are to a large extent taxpapers. "Every indignity that could be heaped upon these battalions has been done alreaay. Iney have been kept at.tho tall end of the entire foot troop, though longer in service than many of them. Their officers have been snubbed, in sulted and ignored on several occasious, tnd the color line has always been completely drawn on them, but still they would not down, and now it is proposed to muster them out and take away their arms. We are not permitted to join the white companies, and now are not to be allowed separate companies. Even our white citizens, I am sure, will not approve this action." LIGHTNEB, A GUATEMALAN SUBSIDY For a Steamship Line Between That Country and Hamburg. WASaiseTotr, March 1L Tho Department ot State has been informed that tho Govern ment of Guatemala has entered into a contract with the Cosmos Steamship Company lor the establishment of a line of steamers between Guatemala and Hamburg, Germany. Tho company agrees to carry free of cost all em ployes of the Government and to transport for one-half the ordinary tariff agreed upon all articles Imported for the use or benefit of the Government; also to carry all immigrants from Europe to Guatemala at one-half the regular fare. The steamers are to carry free the mails from Guatemala and the other American Re publics on the west coast of South and Central America to the people of Europe and European mails. In consideration of this concession the Gov ernment of Guatemala agrees to pay the com pany a subsidy of $1,000 for every Bteamer of the Cosmo's line calling at its ports. BEFUSED A POSTPONEMENT. KIncald Will Have to Stand Trial on the ICth for Shooting Taulbee. Washington. March 1L In tho Criminal Conrt to-day. Judge Jeremiah Wilson and C. Maurice Smith, who, with General Grosvcnor and Senator Voorhees, are counsel for Charles E. Kincaid, under indictment for shooting ex Representative Tanlbee, called attention to the case, which is set for trial on the 10th inst Mr. Smith read a telegram from Senator Voorhees, who is under treatment for rheu matism at Hot Springs, Ark., stating that his physician bad advised mm that he would be In no condition to leave there for at least 60 days. Counsel therefore asked for a postponement of the case till some time in June. The District Attorney, 'however, objected, and Judge Hag ner declined to grant the request BRAZILIAN CONSULATES. Division of Those In the United States Into Two Groups, WASnrsGTOJT. Maroh 11. The Department of State has received a copy of a decree of the Provisional Government of Brazil dividing the consulates of that country in the UnitedStatei into two groups, that of the Consulate General at New York embracing the New England States, the Pacific coast, and the Middle At lantic States to the boundary of Maryland, and that of the consulate at Baltimore all tho other Atlantic and Gulf States from Maryland to Texas, inclusive. BAYNE NOT A CANDIDATE For the Japanese Mission Nor for Any Other Office, Tie Says. iraoM a btait coRr.isroNDEirr.l Washington, March 11. When Colonel Thomas M. Bayne was told to-day that the re port had gone out tnt he was to have the Japanese mission, lately made vacant by the death of Minister Swift, be smiled and said: "This Is news to me. I am not a candidate for the Japanese mission, nor for any other office; and what is more, I desire no office I expect to go abroad in June for a considerable time to get a much desired rest." NO IMMEDIATE DANOEB. Bepresentatlve Breckinridge's Condition Is Beported as Mnch Improved. Washington, March ll.-The wife of Rep resentative Breckinridge, of Kentucky, with her eldest ion, left Washington this morning for Pensacola, Fla., upon the receipt of tne news of ber husband's Illness. A private dis patch received bere this afternoon stated that Representative Breckinridge's condition was much improved. Blaine Says It's Settled. Washington, March 1L "There Is nothing further in the Bering Sea question," said Sec retary Blaine this afternoon. "It Is practically settled that we shall submit the question to arbitration." DEMOCBATS WONT VOTE, For by Doing So They Would Recognize Bulkeley's Authority. FrXClAL IILIOKIM TO TUB DISrATCIt.1 Danbury, March 1L Mr. Bulkeley has or dered a special election in the Danbury Pro bate district, to fill the vacancy which the death of Judge J. Howard Taylor caused. The order was duly served, and tho election will be held on Ihursday, March 19. The Democrats an easily elect their candidate bat U they vote .at tho election thov virtually recognize Bulke ley's authority to" order it, so they .will stav away-from the polls and the Republicans will '.have the field to themselves. ' The Democrats will appeal to the courts to have the Republican judce restrained from taking possession of the office, on tbe ground that his election is invalid. Of course that will involve a decision as to Bulkeley's authority to order tbe election. Both parties are determined to fight tbe case, and the State Central Commit tees will, no doubt, be called upon for financial aid. In tbe meantime a Democratic judge from another town will conduct Danbury's pro bate business. TAX ON MANUFACTURERS, A BITTERLY CONTESTED BILL PASSES THE OHIO SENATE. It Was Favored by tho Farmers, and They Fought Hard lor It The Measure Pretty Sore of Bcco mlng a Law After Insur ance Companies. sriCTAI, TILEQBAJI TO TnB DISrATCIT.l COLuaiBtrs, O., March 1L The measure which has claimed the greatest attention of any during the present session of the Legis lature passed the Senate this evening with a slight amendment, which will no doubt be cone irred in by the House and the bill be come a law. It is known as the Raw lings bill, and provides for the listing by manu fncti rcrs of all material and finished or un finis ied articles in their possession when the asse: sors call in April. The measure has bron :ht to the city the representative man ufac urers ot all'the cities in the State and large delegations from the farmers' organiza tion: in theintereBt of an equalization of taxes. Tl) i bill had an open discussion before com mitt e last night, and to-day was the only sub ject before tbe Senate. An amendment was agreed to, which stipulates that manufacturers shall not be required to include In their state ment to tbe assessor any finished manufactured protijuct wholly manufactured subsequent to the preceding January L It was claimed that tbe listing in April would find the manufact urers all loaded down with finished articles and would be about tbe same as requiring farmers to Hit their stock when their crops are on hand in Oftober. The farmers claimed the amendment would kill the bill and that the present Legislature had kilready authorized the cities of tbe State to expend over $1,000,000 to foster the different manufacturing enterprises. Tho amendment, in the faoe of strong opposition, was adopted by a vote of 17 to 13. Tho bill was passed by a vote of 23 to 9. It will go to the lloise tor concurrence in the amendments, and! from the temper and former arguments which was had in that body it is believed thoi bill in its present form will become a law before the week closes. Iills were introduced this evening for a Fed eral form of government for Columbus, and a new government fur Springfield on tho board plan., A bill has been introduced in tbe Senate requiring foreign mutual insurance companies doing business in the State to have actual cash assets in tho same amount and description as required of tbe mutual fire insurance compan ies of Ohio and to have contingent liabilities the same as tho companies in tbe State. A MYSTEBIOUS PEEIGHT SHIPMENT. It Was a Box Supposed to Contain Mangled Hainan Remains. Chicago, March 11. Tbe authorities of the Northwestern and the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroads are investigating the matter of a mysterious dox supposed to con tain the body of a murdered human being wbfch the authorities of Manitowoc, Wis., claim was sent there from Chicago in charge of a rough-looking man. The box reached Manitowoc yesterday after noon. It was called for by a man whom the baggage man described as a tramp. This fel low bad the box transferred to a livery stable, where be declared that tbe box contained glass. He bad previously removed the-death certificate and address. Later he called at the livery stable and, taking tbe box in his arms, he proceeded toward the river. Late in the day the box was found ou tho ice near a hole. Near by wero some old rags, to which clung pieces ot4at appeared to be human flesS- It looked as If the contents had been sunk in the river. Tbe man who accompanied tbe mys terious piece of freight could not be found, though search was made for him. It is be lieved tbe box contained the body of some per son probably cut up so as to fit into tbe re ceptacle. Inquiry at the railroad depots here disclosed the tact that no record of such a con signment to Manitowoc could be found in the baggagemen's books. AN ADMIEAL CALLED DOWN By Secretary Tracy for Disrespect to a Brother Officer. 'FrBCIAL TBLEQBAM TO TUB BTSPATCn.: San Francisco, March 1L Whon Acting Rear Admiral Brown, in charge of the Charles ton, the flagship of the Pacific squadron, re turned lrom taking King Kalakaua's remains to Honolulu and had reached the Mare Island Yard ho ran up the flag which corresponds to tbe rank of commandant of the yard. Rear Ad miral Benham, and fired 13 guns, the proper salute to his brother official. To his surprise and chagrin, however, the flag of a commiCw o and 11 guns, the salute for that rank, were T celved in reply. Acting Rear Admiral Brown wrote to Secre tary Tracy, detailing the entire circumstances. In reply the Secretary communicated with Rear Admiral Benham, announcing that Act ing Rear Admiral Brown was entitled to all the honors of tbe rank he held, ot which very im portant fact Rear Admiral Benham would here after please take notice and act accordingly. BIG ATTACHMENT SERVED On the President of tho New Steel Com bination Just Formed. rSTECIAI. TELEGEAM TO THE DISPATCH, New Yobk, March lL Deputy Sheriff Carraher to-day received an attachment for 118,129 against the Scranton Steel Company in favor of John S. Nichols, of Philadelphia. This is tbe company which has been absorbed in the new steel combination called the Lackawanna Steel and Iron Company. Deputy Sheriff Carraher served the attach ment on E. T. Hatfield, President of tbe Lacka wanna Iron and Coal Company, who Is also President of the new Lackawanna Steel and Iron Company, at his office, 52 Wall street, and it is said there is a large amount or money in his hands, which was to be paid over to the Scranton bteei company, and wblch tho at' tachment is expected to cover. A DANGEROUS PLAYTHING. Two Children Secure a Revolver With the Usual Result. SPECIAL TELEGRAM TO TUB DISPATCn. BuiDGEroBT, Conn., March 11, Lizzie Cook, i years old, was shot in the hoad by a boy playmate ot her own age last night, and the wound is likely to prove fatal. The children were playing in the bedroom ot Mrs. Ellen Cook, mother of the girl, and in a bureau drawer they found an old self-cocking revolver. The two grappled for its possession, and tbe boy got it. He pointed it at Lizzie's head, and the weapon was discharged, tbe 22-callber bullet entering tho forehead over the left eye. When Mrs. Cook came in from an adjoining room the little boy bold the revolver, which was still smoking. Last night Dr. Gllroy took out the flattened bullet, which was imbedded in the frontal bone. THE WINDOM FUND. Only 8800 of the Proposed 850,000 Yet Remains to Be Raised. rSPXCIAI. TELEQBAM TO TUB DISPATCH.! New York, March 1L Treasurer John Jay Knox, ot the Windom fund, announced to-day that all but $800 of the $50,000 bad been raised. He expects that the $800 necessary to complete the fnndlwlll be forthcoming in a day or so, certainly on tbe return of Stephen B. Kleins to town. Mr. Elkins IS now in Washington. He has devoted much time to the fund and is now in consultation with Senator Washburn and Rep resentative McMillan, who have had charge of the Washington end. European Yoyagors, 1EPECIAI. TELXOBAM TO TUE DISFATCU.l New Yoke, iiarcb II. Five hundred cabin voyagers sailed for Europe to-day on four steamships. On tbo Teutonic were J. W. Fos ter, ex-Minister. to Spain; Colonel W. J. Ander son, James R, Osgood and Mr. and Mrs. Ferdi nand Yznaea. On tbo Rnynland were Court landt Palmer and Hatry Schnmacber; and Henry Vlllard and W. L.-Bagot -went away-on tbe Latin, FOR BALLOT REFORM Republicans All Pull Together in the House for the Baker Bill. NUMBERS OF AMENDMENTS Suggested by Minority Leaders Yery Promptly Voted Down. SOME VERY VEHEMENT SPEECHES. Dnnhp Allow3 the Wharf Bill to Pass the Senate Unanimously. TUE INVESTIGATION OP THE TEEASDEI IFEOM A ETAVT COlUtESFOlTOEXT.l Habkisbubo, March 1L King caucus reigned supreme in the House to-day. Tho Republicans rallied in response to his call, and withont a break in their lines carried his decrees into effect. From the beginning of the two sessions until their-close the Democratic minority "wasn't in it." The contest was over the Baker ballot bill. "When it came up Mr. Lytle, of Hunting do n, arose and served notice upon the nnter rified that no monkeying with the measure would be tolerated. In his most exasperatingly incisive man ner, he informed them this bill was the ful filment of the Republican party's pledge to the people. Ballot reform was the child of the Republican party and it was perfectly able and ready to take care of its offspring. If the bill needed amendments those who had framed it wonld present them. But its passage must not be delayed. No dislatory tactics would be allowed. Tbe bill was go ing to go through in the shape the majority desired it. The Democrats Enter a Protest. The Democratic side looked at the gen tleman from Huntingdon, and then at each other. Their breath seemed to have been taken away. Then Mr. Wherry, trembling with repressed excitement, arose and said that with SO years of life behind him, 30 of them spent in public service and three terms in this body, he had never felt the humilia tion he endured now. To hear the party lash cracked over a measure so dear to the whole people, must be humiliating to every one. The amendments that would be offered were intended only to perfect the bill, and he implored the House lor God's sake to consider tbem. Tbe Republican side seemed if anything a trifle pleased that they should have given tbe gentleman from Cumberland a new sen sation, and even "laughed consumedly" when Mr. Bitter, of Lycoming, dramatically demanded to know whether the Democrats of the House had no rights the majority were bound to respect. Skinner, Gillan and Fow grew apoplectically eloquent over the out rage about to be perpetrated upon the minority, but the Republicans sat with determination on every feature, Speaker A Very One-Sided Contest. Thompson called Mr. Capp, Of Lebanon, to the chair and tbe battle began. It was one-sided from the start, and showed unmis takably that the Republican majority had at last settled down to a definite, united course and henceforth would run things. Amendment after amendment was sent up by Mr. Ritter, who bad them in charge, only to be as promptly rejected. If In desperation, the Democrats demanded the yeas and nays, a solid party vote was the result Only twice did the majority allow their caucus amendments to be incorporated in the bill, and thoso were two rather unimportant ones providing for three watchers instead of one, and allowing these watchers to keep a poll book and challenge list Mr.Fow on bis own hook was allowed an amendment giving tbe Court of Common Fleas authority to order County Commissioners to correct errors or omissions in tickets or to show why they should not, but when he tried to add a section prohibiting election officers from electioneering, on a plea that this was true re form, since "one election officer well in hand was worth a dozen voters on tbe half shell," it was unavailing. Mr. Baker, by whose side sat Horace Hinuey, Jr., of Philadelphia, representing the Ballot Reform Association, offered tbe amendments which were to go through and all were adopted. Among tbe most lmnortant was that to section 16 providing that" two copies of tbe assessor's list of voters shall be furnished, ono to be called tbe ballot check list for the use of in spectors or clerks in charge of the ballots and tne other to be called the voting check list and to be nsed In marking the names of thoss wbo have voted and the numbers of their ballots now required by law. Duties of the Commissioners. feection 19 was amenged to require the Coun ty Commissioners to provide for each voting precinct a room large enough to be fitted np with the necessary shelves and guard rail. If no such room can bo rented or obtained the Commissioners shall cause to be constructed a temporary room of adequate size to be used as a voting room. The consideration of the bill ocennied almost all of tbe two sessions. Mr. Capp, who presided in the forenoon, rushed things through withont any regard for tba lacerated feelings of tbe minority, and seemed to rather relish the title of "Reed No. 2" which they conferred upon him. But it was when the bill was ready for the final voto that tho oratorical pyrotechnics began to flash. Tho pent-up feelings ol tbe Democrats then found vent Mr. Gillan said that before he voted for the bill he desired to enter bis protest against the action of the majority. "He had honed to walk hand in band with them to bring about ballot reform. But when no one was allowed to be heard, and amendments offered in a spirit of patriotism were rejected, only mongrel reform could re sult. Henceforth he would labor for a consti tutional convention. Mr. Wherry added his protest Tho Demo crats bad bezged for a fair, candid considera tion of their amendments, but bad been met by a stolid, determined, whip-driven party, and refused a bearing. Mr. Capp said the Demo cratic party always tried to prevent free elec tions and an honest count But these lndis pensible conditions of freedom in all the States of the Union and the Democracy could not ex ist as a party. Mr. Baker closed tbo debate in a very temperate speech. He said the Repub lican party wanted ballot reform and wonld give it to the people. He had offered his amendments at the suggestion of the Ballot Reform Association, of Philadelphia, and had opposed tbe majority of those offered by the minority at tbe request of the same association. His action bad not been dictated by any cau cus. Last Wednesday he bad urged the House to consider this bill, and tbe Democrats had, by a solid vote, postponed it. Of all the men in tbe House Mr. Wherry had least reason to complain. He bad been put upon the sub committee in order that he might present bis Earty's amendments, and had utterly neglected is duty. Tbe Republicans of the Honse would allow no farther delay. The bill then passed second reading and tbe House adjourned, giving the Republicans a chanco to congratu late each other and tbe Democrats a chance to congratulate by telegram their brethren in tbe Illinois Legislature over the election ot Sen ator Palmer. That was tbelr only consolation. Henbt hall. THE NEW BE00ES SILL Fixing tho Wholesale license Fees to Bo Favorably Reported To-day. rrnon a staff cobbespoi-dest.i Habbisbubq, March 1L Tbe Brooks whole sale license bill will bo reported affirmatively from tho Ways and Means Committee to-morrow. It fixes the license fee in cities of the first, second and third classes at $o00, all other cities 300, boroughs $200, and townships $100. It was1 amended by fixing bottlers' licenses at the same figures as wholesalers, with the im portant proviso that distillers and brewers licensed. In this State, bottling their ownprod-J NO DANQER OF WAR NOW. nets, shall not be required to take ont a bot tlers' license and shall be permitted to deliver their products within tbe Commonwealth. Wholesalers shall not sell spirituous or vin uons liquors iu quantities less tban one quart as is now tbe law, tho original bill having fixed tbe minimum at one gallon. Applicants for license shall not bo pecuniarily interested in a business conducted in any other place in the county where any of said liquors are kept for sale, but tbe ownership of stock in an incor- fiorated company distilling or brewing said iquors shall not debar the owner from obtain ing a license. NOT A SOLITARY NAY RECORDED AGAUfST ELUTCTS WHARF BILL m THE SENATE, t Dunlap Suddenly Drops His Opposition to It and the Measure Goes Sailing Through by a Unanimous Tote Laying for It In tho Honse. rrnou A &XAr.OBBX8ToxnzirT.i HAKKlSBUBG;'ih 1L There. ,t genuine sensatlor Senate thi ing when benabW .."a.. Bewer, arose and said that he ihJj fa, further op- position to Mr. Fllt' Vf 'JtT. -Mil. Ee- So mem oering mat tna ocn; SfcjSfc. day talked nearly against the measur TL tors looked as ttiwttga they sincere; this cbangaSad come over him z? .rs sooneryrf: vote was then taken, ancrthe whsribill, over which so much time and talk have been spent, passed finally by a vote of 43 yeas to no nays, not even tbe Sen ator from Beaver raising his voice against it. Senator Dunlap said afterward that when Commodore Kountz, representing the citi zens of Allegheny, and Captain T. M. Reese, representlngtho Coal Exchange, arrived, they found that it was too late to do anything iu tbe Senate, and believing that tbe fangs of the measure had been extracted, tbey advised that no further opposition be made. Tbey propose, however, to follow the bill and its companion. No. Si. to the Houso and endeavor to compas3 their defeat there. lo-night Senator Flinn and E. A. Bigelow, Chief of Public Works, spoke for tbe bill be foro the Committee on Municipal Corporations, and Commodore Kountz spoke against it in behalf of tbe people of Allegheny City. He said that if the improvements proposed by Mr. BIgelow were made on tbe Pittsburg side it would throw tbe water of tbe river to the Alle gheny side and raise tbe water in that city about three feet higher than the same stage of water would raise it now. This was in com ment of the plans proposed by Mr. BIgelow to improve the wharf above the Exposition Building, for which Improvements he sub mitted drafts to the committee. Captain Reese spoke -or the river interests. And argued that the whirf ws necessary to the trade, and that bill Si proposed to validate what bad been done to injure tbe wharf as well as to allow the city to make a grade dangerous to the hauling of freight down to tbe nver. Both bills, 31 and 35, will be reported affirma tively. DEBATING THE BOAS BILL. A Long Discussion Over the State Appro priation Matter. I rilOM A STAFF COBKXSFOXPEJTT, 1 Haebisbuko, March lb The road bill came up on third reading in the Senate to-day, and was the subject of a debate which lasted until th'e hour for adjournment came and left the matter pending. Tbe discussion arose upon an amendment offered by Senator Hines, of Lu zerne. The bill provides that the State appro priation shall be divided among the townships in proportion to the amount of road taxes col lected and expended by each township for road purposes during the preceding year. Mr. Hines' amendment provided for its distribu tion on the basis of tbe number of miles of road in the respective townships. Tbe change was advocated by Senators Hines and Brown, and opposed by Messrs. Harlan and Gobin, the latter arguing that tbe method In tbe bill was the most equitable and satis factory. The State appropriation, added to the 25 per cent of the taxes levied for that pur pose, is intended to be applied to the perma nent improvement of the roads, and not to re pairs. To base tbe distribution upon the num ber of miles of road would remove all induce ments to the townships to Increase or even keep up their tax levy, and would simply result in the State's money being scattered along all the roads In repairs, which would work no per manent benefit. It is not likely that the amendment will be adopted. THE TEEASUBY IHVESriGATIOff. Treasurer Boyer and Auditor General Ho Camant Give Further Testimony, FBOK A STAFF COBRE3POSDKXT. Haebisbuko, March 1L The Joint commlt teo investigating the Treasury Department met aealn to-day. State Treasurer Boyer was examined and testified that only three of the State depositories were known as active de positories; those npon which drafts were drawn. The Farmers and Mechanics' Bank, of Philadelphia, was the depository upon which all checks for the payment of Legislators and the current expenses of tbe State were drawn. It bad never been the practice to enter up the indemnity bonds given to secure State deposits, but he believed that the committee should recommend that they be entered up against at least a part of the property of those securing the State. Auditor General McCamant testified that while his department was a check upon tbe Treasury, yet it was possible for the Treasurer, at any time, to obtain possession of 3,500,000 in convertible securities. To secure absolute safety, tbe Treasurer's bond would have to be fixed at 1,000,000 something be admitted to be impracticable. Both Messrs. Boyer and Mc Camant advocated a law requiring State de positories to make monthly statements of their financial condition to tbe State treasurer. HO HOPE FOB IT. The Antl-DIscrlmlnation Bill Again Ncga- atively Beported to the Bouse. rrnoM A staff coEnxspoxpiarr.i ' Habbisbubo, March 11. The House Judici ary General Committee held a special meeting to-day, to again consider the ill-fated anti-discrimination bill. There was a fair attendance, 14 of the 23 members being present Mr. Seanor appeared and spoke for bis measure, but to no avail, for the bill was again returned to the House with a negative recommendation, tbe vote standing 8 to 6. ' The bill seems to bave met tbe fate of every measure of a similar character introduced In the last 17 years. Secret Order Men to Appear. tSrSCIAI. TZXXOBAJC TO THB DISPATCH. I Habbisbubo, March 1L A delegation of Pittsburg secret society men, consisting of Thomas Maloney, J. M. McNair. S. A. Will, a A. Duncan, E. A. Endsley and V. R. Ford will appear before the House Insurance Committee on pending insurance bills. A Bill Against Tights. rFrECUL TH.EGRAM TO THE DISFATCFI.l Harrisbuko. March 1L In the House to day, Seyleri. of Lancaster, introduced a bill to prevent actresses from appearing in tights on .LContinutd on 8ith Eage.1 J THREE CENT& BULLETS AT A BALL. A Sudden Quarrel for the Smiles of a Kentucky Mountain Belle CAUSES THE LOSS OF SIX LIVES. About a Score of Men Waged a 'Pitched Battle for Some lime. 50 ATTEMPT TO MAKE AS I ABBE8TS rSFXCIAL TXLECKAM TO TUB DISFATCU.l Catlettsbubq, Kr., March 11. Ee ports received at this place this morning teU or a terrible battle with fatal effect at Kilgore, a small mining town on the Newport News and Mississippi Valley Railroad, about 20 miles west of this point, last night, in which six men are said to bave been fatally shot and several others slightly wounded. I"or several days the belles and beaus of the lit tie hamlet have been making preparation! for a grand ball to be given at the public hall. To make the occasion moro delight ful, tbe young men purchased gallons of Ashland 40 rod. Last evening the hour rolled round and also the jugs of red eye. The ball room was crowded with men, women and chil dren. Early in the evening tbe men began drinking, and as the night wore away began to show signs of in toxication. Exactly what led to the battle no one seems to know, more than that a quarrel arose between two of the dancers ovr a young lady present. Suddenly a sobt was fired and a panic ensued. Men, omen and children rushed for the passage to the open door. Tbe door became clogged with the jam of humanity, whose only ob ject was to escape from the shower of bullets being fired in the halL . The first man to fall was Sherman Lucas, a miner. As soon as Lucas fell his friends rallied to his rescue and a perfect battle was the result Between 10 and 0 men were en gaged on both sides, and it is esti mated that between SO and 150 shots were fired. The fighting ceased only when ammunition was exhausted. Dar ing the fight the lights were extinguished, which fact no doubt saved many lives. When tbe smoke of the battle cleared away six men lay on the floor fatally wounded. Several others were slightly wounded, but suf ficiently strong to call in medical assistance. The tatally wounded are: Sherman Lucas, Charles Bunting, Sam Bunting. Andy Howell, Jeff Waugh and David Waugb. During the day no one has been arrested and it will be a hard matter to fix tbe guilt where it belongs. The names of those connected with tbe fight could not bo obtained. No women or children wero injured further tban tight squeezes. THE SOUTHERN FLOODS. THE LOWEB MISSISSIPPI ABOVE THE DAHGEB MASK. The Tennessee River Beaches Its Maximum Height at Chattanooga The Tomblgbee Biver in Mississippi Begins to Tall Rain Still railing in Several Places. Geeexville, Miss., March 1L The rise in the river here continued at the rate of 2 to 2i inches in 24 hours. The water level at this point is 41 feet, 1 foot above the danger line, and 2 feet and 45-100 below the high water mark of last year. Tbe danger line here Is 40 feet, which means bank full. Behind this are the levees, which are from 5 to 20 feet in height in this levee district Foil confidence is felt in the outcome and in the stability of tbe levees to withstand the flood, even at a greater height than it attained last year. Major Williams, Chief Engineer of the Levee Board for this district returned this evening from a trip over the levees, and reports them as in good condition. A dispatch from Chattanooga, Tenn., says: Tbe Tennessee river reached Its maximum here this morning, making 33.9 feet on the gauge. There was a fall of two inches daring the day, but the rain is again falling, and tbe chances are that the 10-foot mark will be reached. All railroads are still hampered by submerged tracks, and the lower portions of the city aro still underwater. A spoclal from Columbus, Miss., says: The Tombigbee river has commenced to fall. The highest point reached was three inches below the highest point reached by the water in 1874. Tbe damage cannot at present be estimated, but will be considerable. The steamer Mary M came up this evening, and reports a lady and two children drowned near Pickensvllle, Ala., yesterday, while being taken from their home, wblch bad been overflowed. Their names could not be learned. A PBETTi PIOHT IH INDIANA. The Abolished Board or Agriculture Will Attempt to Retain Its Power. Indiasapohs, March 1L The Indiana State Board of Agriculture has decided to test the constitutionality ot the new law abolishing it and appointing a new board representing the agricultural, commercial, live stock, mechan ical and art interests. The old board declared that the new law Is unconstitutional, and has retained attorneys and will resist the attempt to displace it The new board has not been named by tne State officers wno have the appointing power. The legal flgnt that has been provoked will proba bly delay the removal of tbe State Fafr site another year, and perhaps longer. RIOTOUS BUSSIANS ARRAIGNED. One of Them Is the Axing Island Titrial Thrower at Jamaica. New York, March 1L Central office detec tives this morning arraigned In the Tombs Po lice Conrt Joseph Barondess and the 12 Russian cigar makers who were arrested late last night for having engaged in the attack on Herman Greenbaum and bis family at Jamaica, L, L, Monday night when Mrs. Greeebaum waajbru tally assaulted and ber 4-year-old son was cruelly burned with vitrioL The prisoners were sepaately identified by Greenbaum and then turned over to the police of Jamaica. The prisoners were handcuffed to gether and taken over tho ferry to Long Island City. A FORLORN HOPE. A Desperate Surgical Operation Falls to Save.lL Clay King's Victim's Life. Memphis, March 1L David Posten, the law yer who was shot yesterday by Colonel H. Clay King, died at 6J0 this evening. Tbe only chance of saving his life was taken at a lata hour last night and failed. It consisted in the catting away of SS inches of the lacerated in testines. Tbe operation is a most dangerous one nnder any circumstances, and in this case was ren dered doubly so by tbe previous laceration my tho bullet and tbe shock incidental to It It was, however, a denier resort Colonel King, in his cell at the jail, received the news of his victim's death in the same cool manner that has characterized his bearing since the tragedy occurred. THE COLUMBUS TRAGEDY. The Grand Jury Returns Two Indictments Each Against Two Participants. Columbus. O., March 1L The grand jury, after a session of over two weeks, in which time over 100 witnesses bave been examined in the ElUott-Osbome tragedy, reported this evening, returning two Indictments each against W.J. and P. J. Elliott for murder in tha firt degree. Trey are jointly charged with tha killing of A. C. Osborne, one of tho principals In the. tragedy, and W. L. Hughes, an innocent spec- tator, 1 '4 4 .&..
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