Pittsburg dispatch. (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, November 22, 1892, Image 1

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FORTY SEVENTH TEAR
VIOLENT SCENES
Scandals Exposed in the Pan
ama Canal Scheme That
Make Deputies Mad.
A DUEL AND A DEATH
The Hesnlt of the Sensational
Charges of One ot the Senators.
Thousands of Franca Used to Bribe the
Members of the House Confusion
Keigcs Supreme When the Accusa
tions Are Made Passions Else and. an
Investigation Is Ordered Baron de
Beinach, One of the Compromised,
Dies Suddenly Suspicions Created
That He Committed Suicide to Avoid
the Shame of the Exposure His Fam
ily Refuse to Allow an Autopsy Two
Hot-Headed Statesmen Decide to
Fight OverThelr Dispute De Leasep's
Friends Say the Campaign Is One of
Calumny From Which He Will Emerge
Unsullied Arrests Likely to Follow.
Paris, Nov. 21. By a unanimous vote
the Chamber of Deputies to-day agreed that
a Parliamentary inquiry should be insti
tuted into the affairs of the Panama Canal
Company." There was an unusually large
attendance In the Chamber of Deputies to
day. The public thronged the galleries.
If early all the ministers were present
M. Argelies opened the Panama debate.
He said that his object was to defend the
interests of the shareholders ot the com
pany. He reminded the Chamber that it
had authorized the issue of shares in 1888,
under exceptional circumstances.
M. Kouvier. Minister of Finance, inter
posed to say that the Chamber's rote had
not pledged the responsibility either of the
Parliament or of the Government.
Jr. Argelies said that it was none the less
true that the action of the Chamber was
contrary to law and had therefore been in
the nature of a privilege. The mere tact of
granting it entailed moral responsibilities.
"I call upon the Government," said Arge
lies, "to mate a declaration reassuring the
small shareholders."
M. De Lahaye arose and declared: "This
is a question of public morality. I ask the
Chamber for the sake of my honor and of
your honor to order an inquiry into the
tacts I am abont tQ submit to you."
Refuses to Give Names.
There was a commotion in the Chamber
lor a minute. Then a moment of suspense.
M. De Lahaye then continued: "I will
pi re no names, as I do not wish to appear
as a denunciator." There was another pro
longed disturbance in the Chamber,
When quiet was restored the speaker
continued: "The scandals in the Panama
matter exceed those of the Wilson afiair.
The inquiry demanded is in the nature of a
general purification, to be effected in the
broad day light" '
Here the speaker was again interrupted
with an uproar among the Deputies. When
he was able to resume he said: "51. De
Lesseps in 1S90 had vainly traversed France
appealing Jor subscribers when an individ
ual, whom I shall not name, proposed to
the Panama directors a system of lottery
bonds. He was the evil genius of the com
pany. The directors duped the public; he
duped the director! He first asked for
5,000,000 francs, declaring that he conld
purchase therewith, all the necessary con
sciences in both Chambers of the National
Legislature."
There were renewed interruptions here
and cries of "Name him, name him."
Millions Given to the Deputies.
M. De Lahaye replied: "If you want
names, you will vote for any inquiry. But
I can say that the medium of these transac
tions was a man named Arton, who has since
fled the country to escape punishment for
embezzlement of a large sum from a dyna
mite manufacturing company, of which he
was a director."
M. De Lahaye proceeded: "There was a
sum of 3,000,000 francs distributed among
150 Deputies and a few Senators. (Violent
uproar among the Deputies.) But the
appetites thus excited grew greedier, and
the financier managing the matter was com
pelled to ask the Panama directors for
more millions of francs. The money was
demanded for election expenses in the De
partment of-Nord."
Intense excitement broca ont again in
the Chamber, and M. Floquet arose and
exclaimed: "I was Minister of the Interior
at that time and I desire to solemnly state
that I received nothing."
M. De Lahaye waited for the confnsion
which existed to abate and then continued:
"Three hundred thousand francs was spent
in buying three rapers. A Minister now
deaa asked 100,000 francs, another 200,000
frapes was paid for a journal of little
value, but behind which hidden influences
were worked. A foreign paper was bought
for 500,000 francs, a check for which was
signed at its office. I can name the person
who acted as messenger between the con
tracting parties." (Cries of "Name him.")
The Last and Greatest Scandal.
M. De Lahaye did not notice the inter
ruption, but proceeded: "Now for the last
scandal. The committee of this Chamber
charged with the duty of examining into
this lottery bond scheme comprised five
favorable to it and five opposed. The
eleventh member, before casting his vote,
offered his services to the company for 200,
000 Irenes. As the company Telused his
proposition he formed a syndicate, beine
aided by s banker and caused a (all in the
shares and compelled the company to yield.
The scheme -was then approved by the com
mittee. But the banker was not warned in
time. The shares recovered and he was
ruined. (Great sensation.) You ask me
for proof. Althousrh the authorities con
ceal evidence, there are 100 here present
ho know where it can be found. There
are two categories of deputies those who
received nioneyl those who did not
Indescribable uproar followed this asser
tion. M. Floquet, President ot the Cham
ber, intervened to say: "lou cannot
come into this House and accuse the entire
body."
There were renewed calls upon M. De
Lahave for names. He replied: 'Vote for
the Inquiry." M. Floquet asked him to
rive names, as tfuoh a course would be
more dignified than anonymous denuncia
tion. "I consider myself attacked." said the
0TB
RMC
presiding officer of the Chamber. "I am
npt only unopposed to an inquiry, but I
have demands therefor signed by our cl
leagues."
This announcemsnt was greeted with pro
'lpnged cheering,durin.g which M.De Lahaye
quitted the Tribupe. As he walked to his
seat there was an unparalleled scene of con
fusion. He was hissed and hooted, and a
violent dispute began at the same time be.
tiveen M. Hubbard and Deroulede.
Hereupon Premier Loubet ascended the
Tribune. He was unable to speak" for a
time, owing to the turaulf When fipally
.he was able te .make his voice heard he said
he would not renlv to.M. Te Lahaye's alle
gations, as he believed that the charges
arose from violent political passions. The
Government, however, could not Tefuse the
demand for ap inquiry, It was in the inter
est of all bat light sboult! be thrown upon
the matter. The Government had nothing
to hide.
The Chamber agreed that a committee of
33 should be appointed, with extraordinary
powers, to examine all the charges.
- A Searching Inquiry Demanded.
M. Delaunav uretd that the most search.
ins investigation be made, as the responsi
bility of the Government, the press, the
leading financiers and contractors were In
volved. jr. Cassagnac called upon M. Delaunay
to tell what he knew.
M. Boissy-D'Angks interposed that M.
Cassagnac's own name had been mentioned
in the lobbies.
II. Cassagnao indignantly protested,
whereupon M. Boiesy-D'Auglas remarked
that he bad not accused him. He only
wished to show how abominable M, De
Lahaye's charges were.
M. Germain, of tbe Department of Ain
jain and Manager of tbe Credit Lyon
nais, and M. Hely-d'Oissel, of the De
partment of Seine-et-Oise and a Director
of the Societe Qenerale, denied M. De
launav's statement that their companies
had loaned money to the Panama Canal
Company at 85 percent interest
The Chamber then, by a vote of 311 to
214, decided that the Investigating Com
mittee should be appointed at to-morrow's
sitting by Scrntin-de-Liste.
II. Deroulede moved that before adjourn
ing the sitting which had been so humiliat
ing to the Republic, they adopt a motion of
congratulation on the success of General
Dodd's expedition in Dahomey. This was
carried by a unanimous vote and the Cham
beranjourned. M. Deroulede and Hubbard afterwards
appointed seconds to arrange for a duel.
Itecalls Days of Ilonlanglsm.
After the adjournment of the Chamber
there was an animated disenssion in the
lobbies. The scenes of the debate are de
scribed as recalling the days of Boulang
ism, in the conduct of the Deputies and the
fiery character of De Lahaye's accusations.
M. De Lahaye's own friends blame him
for his wholesale eharges, while admitting
that he kept his promise to avoid person
alities. The latest news is that a clue bas been
obtained which is likely to result in the ar
rest of Arton to-morrow. The leaders of
tbe Bight and Lett parties are arranging to
night the nnmerical representation of those
parties on the Panama Investigating Com
mittee. The death of Baron de Belnacb, who was
one of the men compromised in the Panama
scandal, has caused considerable discussion
here and stories are afloat that rather than
stand prosecution he committed suicide.
These stories find credence in many quar
ters, This mornjng it was said his death
was caused by cerebral excitement, brought
on by discovery that papers showing that
be was compromised in the Canal seheme
had been stolen.
His family refuse to allow an antopsy to
be held and this is taken as confirmation
of the suicide theory, though his family
gave as their reason for refusing' that to, j
allow an autopsy is contrary to the lie.
brew religion. Baron de Beinach leaves a
fortune oi 75,000,000 lranes (515,000,000).
Defendlnc De Isseps' Honor. "
The Paris correspondent of the London
Times says: 'M. Loubet became so confi
dent alter Friday's vote that he relaxed the
acuteness of his vigilance. He has no idea
of Hip impending danger and has said noth
ing to avert it Unless the Senate annuls
the vote on the bill, the Government will
be left as powerless as before the bill was
passed. The form of thp bill is so different
fsora the original conception that it may be
said to be altogether another thing.
"The fresh campaign of calumny result
intr from the Panama Canal afiair seems to
be pure insanity unless it is a deep laid
scheme of reactionaries eager for office. A
protest is necessary lest foreigners be mis
led. When the case is tried much reckless
ness and waste will come to light, but cer
taiuly not this debauch of venality and cor
ruption that is alleged by sensatiopal
papers. M. de Lesseps was cruelly de
ceived and he deceived others, but he will
emerge pnre and unsullied from the ordeal
tuat grievously impairs the luster of Ms
name which would otherwise have gone
down untarnished to posterity. Franee
will be seen with Quixotio folly, mingling
sentiment with business, but we shall not
sue the rotten France depicted in Paris
newspapers."
FOOTBALL BEFORE SERlfONS.
A New York Pastor Will Hold No Thanks
giving Services.
New Tobk, Nov. 21. Sptdal Rev.
John It. Paxton, pastor of thp West Pres
byterian Church, announced from the
pulpit yesterday that there would be no
service Thanksgiving Day in his church,
as from previous vears"iie had lound that
religion invariably gave way to football
"I can get little or no congregation on that
day," said Dr. Paxton, "and ol the few who
do'atiend at least half leave early in order
to go to tbe great game." Under these dis
couraging circumstances tbe doctor declines
to hold services and has the courage of his
convictions in announcing his reasons there
for. That bis example will be generally
followed is scarcely probable, most of bis
brethren holding aa tantamount the ,time
honored observance of the day.
Eev. Dr. Parkhurst, when seen by a re-
Eorter, stated that he should most certainly
old services. "We have," he said,
"something still to be thankful for, and
changes of time should not bring any
change in our gratitude or its offering.
What will be generally done I do not know,
but I thtrik there will be few if any
other churches that will close their doors
Thanksgiving Day. As for myself, even if
the congregation Is small, I prefer to bold
services."
PITTSBURG ALWAYS LAST.
83,000,000 to Be Spent Elsewhere by the
r. B. B Our Torn Later.
Philadelphia, Nov. 21. At a meetfng
of the Eoad Committee of the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company to-day 2,000,000
was ordered to be expenaedi "for
the additions of tbird and fourth
tracks and the enlargement of the bridges
on the Philadelphia and middle divisions.
Nothing was done toward making any im
provements on the Pittsburg division, but
it is understood that the division will re
ceive the same, attention later on.
ax
MURPHY IN EARNEST.
Tho Troy Protege of Hill's Says He Is Out
for the U. S. Senate.
Titor, N. Y., Nor. 2L Chairman Edward
Murphy, Jr., is a candidate for United
States Senator to succeed Frank Hiscock.
This is authentic. When asked if he would
be a candidate this afternoon he
replied: "You can say that I am a candi
date and that X will continue to be a candi
date." Further than this declaration be
was disinclined to talk.
PITTSBURG, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22,
BUCK TO PITTSBURG,
'.""he Pinkerton InYestigators
" to Sit Here Thanks
giving Day.-
OIYIL SERVICE FOB POLICE
One of tlio foments Adyanced. hy
Cnfcf McClanghrey.
A DETECTiyE WHO WAS SWORN IN.
FoKderly Says the Homestead Affair YYas
Cflnseq" by Obstinacy.
TIJE 0fcP F, OF h OFFICERS BE-ELEPTED
SPECIAL TELZqEAM TO TOE PISrATCH.
Chicago, Nov. 21. The Chicago end of
tjie Senatorial investigation of the Home
sfead trouble and the Pinkerton system, was
about closed to-day, The first wftnes? for
Senatprs Gallinger and Pefler was Chief of
Police McClaughrey.
"Have you any suggestions as to the im?
provemant of the police forces in great
cities?" asked Senator Gallinger.
"I will say that the prime thing neces
sary is to take the police force out of the
field of politics and put it under the civil
service system. There would! result a body
of men efficient in the protection of public
rights, in which capitalists and business
men would have confidence, so that the em
ployment of private watchmen would be un
necessary." When asked why the polico forces of
cities and little communities were not able
to cope with strikes and similar disorders,
he said that the connection between the
police force and political deals was so inti
mate that the efficiency of the police was usu
ally not fully realized. "It is my opinion,"
he continued, "that it individuals as well
as bodies of citizens, whether trades unions
or other corporations, employing large
bodies of men, would apply to police de
partments in case of tronble.-aad give the
departments the same support, pecuniary
and otherwise, that they give to the out
side agencies, these troubles could be much
more easily and peacefully adjusted.
United States Marshal Frank Hitchcock
said he did not think it advisable to em
ploy private detective agencies in the set
tlement of strikes, and experience bad
shown detectives rather aggravated the
moderate troubles.
Frank Bnrnham, one of tho Pinker tons
who went to Homestead, testified that he
would npt bare gone if he had known the
mission. He testified that he was sworn in,
but could not say where the oath was ad
ministered. The committee adjourned to meet in tbe
Duquesne Hotel, Pittsburg, Thursday, to
continue the investigation.
POWDERLY AGAIN ELECTED
As Head of the Knlflit of Labor All the
' Otfier Old 'Officers Gq f p With Him A
Home for Aged' Knlglits "Sure to Be
feullt.
Sn ,IiOPl8, Nov. 21, Special' The
Knights ot Labor convention this morning
transacted httle business of general inter
est. Host of the forenoon was devoted to
a, discission, of the recommendation tQ
strike out of (he platform tbe demand for a
graduated income tax. Some of tbe dele
gates were in favor of aa inheritance tax,
abd If the income tax plank stands an in
heritance plank may be added. The dis
cussion was still in progress when the time
for the election of officers arrived and final
disenssion was postponed until to-morrow,
iTbe following pfficers were elected:
General Master Workman, T. V, Powderly;
Secretary and Treasurer, J, W. Hayes;
General Worthy Foreman, Hugh Cavan
augh; Eiecative Board, T. V. PQwderlv,
John Davis, T. B. Magnlre and A. W.
Wright.
A Home for Sick Knights..
The question of establishing a home for
aged aud dlsalIcd.,Knlghts ot Labor is be
ing generally discussed by the delegates,
although it has not come and will not come
before tbe convention at this session. But
it is proposed to commence agitation in
favor of a home immediately after adjourn
ment with a view of making it a leading
issue at the next annual convention.
T. B, Magulre said to day: "The Knights
of Labor are going to have a home for the
aged if it takes 20 years to get it and the
matter will be agitated during tbe coming
year."
"Where would you locate the home?"
"In the'West, somewhere. The East is
all built up now; it is the home of capital.
We must tollow the people, and the West
is the natural field for our wcrk. My idea
would be to have all tbe local assemblies
get up lectures on labor topics, or other en-
teriainroenps, $ay uuca u mourn, ana. ouarge
a moderate sum for a (mission 10 cents or
something like that for the benefit of a
Home fund. Plenty of money could be got
together in this way, and it seems to me to
be a very'slmple thing to do. I know it
could be done very easily when once we
have got tbe members of the order inter
ested in it. A college for the instruction
of the young conld be connected with the
Home and its beneScial results thus in
creased. I think the idea will become pop
ular when properly sst on foot."
More Aid for Homestead Promised.
The following resolutions were adopted
jnst before adjournment:
Resolved, That it is the snse of this Gen
eral Assembly of the Knights of Labor that
the ont com o of the recent tremendous strug
gle at Homestead Is deplorable, but it has
been of far-rmchlnz results In settling tem
porarily, at least, great economic questions.
Resolved, That in declaring off the st.-lko
at Homestead, and the discussion following,
wo Bhonld not lose sight or the thousands of
working people loft in Idleness, and on the
versa of starvation. Therefore he it ordered
that the General Executive Board ho in
structed to lssne an appeal tor aid for those
unfortunate people, and distribute tho" same
to the best advantage of those who need
help.
POWDERLY'S VIEWS.
He gays the Homestead Trouble' Was the
Result of Obstinacy Tho Labor Situa
tion of the Country Was Never Better
Besrrictlon of Immigration.
St. Louis, Not. 2L Terrence V. Pow
derly, General Master Workman' of the
Knights of Labor, has submitted to tbe first
interview he has given on some of tbe ques
tions that are agitating worklbgmen. He
was very emphatic in his statements, some
of which are herewith given verbatim;
"What is your opinion of the Homestead
troubles?"1
"The Homestead troablesare as much the
result of obstinacy and a desire to rule with
out qnestion as anything else. Mr. Frick
is overbearingand technical Mr. Carnegie
it iff Europe studying the conditions of
labor there, and reports bis findings to .Mr.
Prick with Instructions, no doubt, to go as
far toward establishing similar relations in
tnls .iqnntry. 1. regret. that the Amalga
mated Association does not constitute a
branch of (he Knights of Labor. Our rela
tions, however, are very iriendly,"
The Labor gltuiftlon Excellent.
"What do you think pf the labor situSr
tlon In the country to-day?"
"It never was better. The recent elec
tion proved that Both Harrison and
Cleveland were as good but no better than
in 1688. But the impression that Carnegie
and I speak of him as representing a
class was the real opponent of Cleveland,
caused hundreds of thousands who never
before gave a thought to such a question to
change their votes. That act demonstrated
that they are thinkine. They will continue
to think, arid In 11696 will have found the
Democratic party no better than the Re
publican party and will then turn to the
People's party the only friend that offers
relief. It now makes a Democrat mad to
coll him a tree trader. Tbe party stole into
power under1 false pretenses and the people
will oust them in 189&
'The statement made before the eloction
that I was a protectionist was a lie out of
the whole cloth,'1 added Mr. Powderly by
way of reflection.
Whom tho K. of L, Co-Opcrate Wth.
''Do the Knights of Labor co-operate
with the Federation aad other labor organ
izations?" "The Knights of Labor co-operate wth
the trades unions and all other legitimate
labor societies wherever and whenever the
interests of labor can be improved, but we
do pot co-operate with and recosnize the
fake, which affords an outlet for the per
sonal spite of expelled Knights, known as
tjie American Federation of Labor. If that
institution did not hare tbe Knights of
Labor to throw mud at, it would relapse
into a state of coma, or, as brother Cleve
land puts it, 'innocuous desuetude.' "
"What is the principal legislation the
Knights of Labor desire from tbe National
Congress?"
"Kestrictioo of immigration. Bestric
tion of rail and telegraph lines under the
right of eminent domain to the care of the
people. The initiative and referendum, so
fpr as it can bo applied, in national legisla
tion. The taxing of all lands to their full
value for use, and such other matters as the
General Assembly may direct."
A FATAL EXPLOSION.
i
Powder Takes fire at the Blanch Mine and
Kills Two Miners Nine Badly Injured
Some of Them May Die-Marrow Escape
of Many More,
Steubenville, O., Nov. 21. SpeciaW
At tbe Blanch mine at the west
end of the Panhandle Ballroad yard at Col
lier's, W. Va., 25 kegs of blasting powder
exploded with A frightful roar and deadly
consequence at 12:15 p. si. to-day. It was
providential that tbe explosion did pot PC
cuj ten minutes later or every home at the
Blanch mine would have been mourning its
dead to-night. The explosion was caused
by a fizzing fuse throwing fire into a miner's
powder can, the explosion of which fired
others until the whole stock of loose pow
der exploded.
Tbe scene that followed cannot be told fn
words. The women wUo bad husbands,
brothers, sons or sweethearts in the smok
ing pit were simply frantic Crowds came
swarming to the mine's mouth. As soon
as they had time to recover from the shock
the mine boss and a squad of brave fellows
took their chances on tbe "bad air" and
went in. Then the advance ot the rescue
party appeared, bearing among them tbe
scared and mutilated victims ot tbe explo
sion. Tbe following were dead: John Prasky,
Wesley Anderson, oolored.
The following were injured: Michael
Choker, (atally won.ded; William Ander
son, colored, legs broken, hip dislocated,
face torn; will die,-John Anderson, colored,
may recover; Lawrehes Campbell, burned
about the arms and head;- John ZagiugK
burned about tbe arms, back and head; sent
to Pittsburg to the West Penn Hospital;
Ed Cook, Cleveland, burned; will die; John
Gillespie, of Akron, O., badly burned about
the head; Matthew Wright, burned about
tbe arms, head and back; George Teeters,
burned and injured internally; John Bam
gey, badly burued about the body, but will
recover.
The explosion did comparatively little
damage, so iar as is known, to the mine or
its equipment.
FLOODS IN WASHINGTON.
Two Steamers Wrecked In the Jam on tho
Snohomish IUver.
Tacosia, Wash., Nov. 21. The high
waters of the Green White, Puyallup, Stuck
and Nlsquslly rivers still flood the valleys
between Pugetn Sound and the Cascade
Mountains. All travel on the Northern
Pacific is suspended except to Portland,
Hundreds of men are at work here or along
the line of road replacing washed-out
bridges and trestles. Beports to-day say
the water is receding and that the railroad
company expects to start a train to Seattle
this afternoon and to the East Tuesday.
The jam at Snohomish consists of over
3,000,000 feet of logs and debris which have
formed a hugh crush in the Snohomish
river at the Great Northern Railroad's
bridge. The railroad company have a large
force ofmen at work trying to break the
Jam. If the Great Northern bridge goes it
will take the Lake Shore and Eastern
bridge and the City "Wagon bridge with it.
Tbe steamers Mamie and Isabella were
forced to drift from their rnoorincs and are
now in tbe center ot the jam and probably
totally wrecked. The first latallty reported
is the death of J. A. Medora, a laborer, who
was drowned while trying to save stock
yesterday afternoon near Snohomish.
BETTORS TO BE INDICTED.
A Lancaster Judge Instructs a Grand Jury
to Tteturn Election Bisk-Takers.
Lancastee, Pa., Nov. 2L Judge Mc
Mullen, in his charge to the grand jury this
morning, referred to an offense against the
law to which little attention has heretofore
been paid betting on elections. He in
structed the grand inquest to present for
indictment all such persons known to them
who made wagers on the recent election, as
thousands ot dollars were won and lost in
thix county on the Presidental contest.
The charge created quite a sensation and
many bettors are alarmed. They fear that
the grand jury may indict them.
OHE VAT 10 SEITLB A 8IEIKE.
A Firm Receives So BIb a Hurry Order
That There's Plenty of Work.
CnJCIlfNATI, Nov. 21 Sptcial The
shipbuilders' strike, which has been on for
nearly three months, and which, after in
volving nearly all the members of the craft
in the Ohio Valley, threatened at one time
to become general, ended here to-day unex
pectedly to both sides.
A leading firm received from the Govern
ment a 5300,000 "hurry" order for model
barges, yawls and other floating traps for
Western rivers. All the ship carpenters in
the city were wanted, and they went to
work at their own figures.
SXBTJ0K A HEW LEAD.
The Borden Case Goes Over Until Decem
ber for Further Evidence,
Taunton, Mass., Nov. 21. The grand
Jury, which has been considering the
Borden case, has been dismissed until
Thursday, December 1. This action is a
surprise to the public. The assumed solu
tion is that the officers have struck a new
Jead, and that this brief adjournment is to
give them a "chance to gather evidence that
will result iu mors than one indlctmeut.
1892 - TWELVE PAGES.
COMINGRIGHTATUS.
Is the Oomet, According to
Prof, Young, Princeton's
Famous As'tronomer,
ITISSUEELY NOT.BIEU'S.
On That Point Nearly All Scientists
at Last Jigreo.
THIS 0KE IS SOMEWHAT CHEERING.
He Says the Comet Conidn't Hurt the Earth
If It Struck U,
ANT MOEB THAN A FEATI1ER BED WOULD
rPFZCTAL TILHOBAB TO TBE DISPATCH. 1
Princeton, N. J., Nov. 2L The an
nouncement made yesterday from the Dud
ley Observatory concerning the comet and
its present distance from the earth, brought
from Prof, Charles A. Young to-day the
results of his observations from the Hal
sted Observatory here. Prof. Young has
watched the comet from the time it was
first' noticed by Holmes on November 6,
and to-day he said:
"If Prof. Boss gave out fliese statements
himself I would not like to dispute him, for
I have known him for years, and know that
he seldom makes assertions without being
snre of their accuuracy. But from the ob
servations I have made I cannot
yet be certain tha$ be is right.
I am inclined to agree with
b.im that the comet is not BieU's, yet I am
qf the opinion that it is approaching the
earth, and that it is nearer than he says. Its
apparent motion has been so slight since its.
first appearance that we can hardly he sure
yet what its orbit is. II it were Biela'a
comet it should have worked a little to the
north. It has, on the contrary, been ork
ing toward the south.
Working In Biela's Old Orbit.
"My opinion is that it is working in
nearly the same orbit as one of the old
Biela comets, but I cannot see how it can
be either of Biela's'comets unless something
very, strange has happened to them within
40 years.
''Biela's comet was first recognized in
1826. Its period was found to be six years
and six days. Its orbit almost cuts that of
the earth. At one spot the two orbits come
within 40,000 or DO.OOO miles of each other.
If the earth were at the nearest point in its
orbit when tbe comet passed, it still would
not be struct by it, if the comet kept
straight to its proper orbit Frequently,
however, pertnrbatipns occur which mignt
allow the present comet, If traveling nearly
in the path of Biela's comet, to strike tbe
earth.
"A similar scare to the present one oc
curred in 1832, when the original Biela's
comet approached the earth in a similar
way. It passed by on its orbit without
causing any disturbance whatever. In 1838
it was not seen. 1842, however, it appeared
again, and this time was accompanied by a
strange phenomenon.' Shortly after it be
came visible- if split jn two and the two
parts moved apart several million of miles
from each other.
Accompanied by Qtranpe Sights,
"In 1852 the two pieoes came aronnd at
tbe regular time of tbe original comet. The
next poslllvefllght oHt was in 1872. .Then
it was accompanied by another strance
phenomenon. Three or four weeks after it
had passed there appeared on Thanksgiving
ve a shower of meteors. Another shower
was. seen in its path in 1683. The
impression prevailed that the comet
had broken to pieces and that
those showers were fragments of Biela's
comet. I was suspicious ot this belief. It
is more likely that the comet has lost its
power of shining, as sometimes happens,
and that these phenomena are other comets
following in its track, as often happens.
This explanation will suggest my theory tor
the present comet. 4
"Mela's comets should have passed by in
May and July, so unless they haye been
greatly disturbed, which is not probable, it
cannot be one of these. This comet is seen
in the same place as Biela's comet would be
if half a year inter, and I am of the opinion
that it is another comet following in nearly
the ,same path as Biela's, which ha? lost
it power of shining.
Why He Thinks If s Approaching.
"It has increased in size since I first saw
it, so, in my opinion, it is probably coming
toward us. ' It Is traveling 750,000 miles a
day, and as I observed it last night I calcu
lated it to be 5,000,000 miles from the earth.
As the earth is approaching the place where
tbe two orbits come together at the rate of
160,000 miles a day, the comet, if it travels
in the orbit of Biela's, will pass by the near
est spot to the earth's orbit eight hours be
fore the earth reaches it, and this will be
before next Sunday, probably Saturday
night.
"The appearance of the comet is much
different from tbe ordinary. At first its
edges were as clear as if cut with a pair of
scissors. Now, however, its tail has grown
much longer, and last night it resembled a
brush. Its spectrum is continuous, but
without the dark lines, so probably it is hot
a self-luminous body. It is now three or
four times as large as when I first saw it,
and last night I saw in many parts of it
little shining particles, which with the
telescope I recognized to be stars shining
through it. .
Coulda't Harm Us If It Tried.
"So itis agaseoussnbstance.and If it does
strike the earth will cause no great harm.
Its substance is extremely rare, cur air is
several hundred times more dense, and if it
does strike the earth it will do no more
harm to tbe Inbabitabts than a feather bed
would to the fish if it should fall on the
ocean. The greatest possible harm that
could come would be the falling of a few
hundred meteorio stones over the surface of
the earth and a slight disturbance in our
atmosphere caused by its gases mixing uith
our air.
"Its diameter is about 25,000 miles, so
tbe falling of as many meteoric stones ns it
seems to contain over such a surface would
spread them so thinly that not very many
would strike the earth, and these would do
little damage. Its effect on the tides has
been very much exaggerated. At most it
can raise them but 1-1000 of a loot If it
strikes tbe earth next Saturday night, all
we wilLaec is a nice display of meteoric
fire works."
THE COMET MOVING AWAY.
It Is Not Jllela'g, and Will Never Be Hearer
Than 30,000,000 Miles.
New Haven, Conn., Nov. 2L Spe
ctaJ. Prof. William L. Elktns, of tbe
Yale Observatory, to-day confirmed the
statement of Prof. Boss, of the Dudley
Observatory, that the mucb-talked-ot comet
'is not the Biela comet, and is rnovlng away
from the earth.
Prof. Elkins says the present cometwill
probably never come nearer than within
30,000,000 miles of the earth, and that noth
ing is expected of it. He character!ze3it
as a wanderer, and sajs that its orbit will
not oross that ol the earth again.
Prof Elkins predicts meteor showers
from, tbe 20th' to the 28th, as the earth
passes through the waker of Biela's comet
tbat time
, SAW JACK THE RIPPER.
TOUJfO GIBi TEJXS A STBA3IGE
BTQBTT TO LONDON POLICE.
Sho JHet a Mysterious Stranger Who ted
HeiSfviVhitechapel He 'Seemed fo
Knj2?--out the Haunta.of the
Br - lo'iflcant CanversatJon
Pali, J'rfiJ?o 7-
toNpON, Ntri lt'0 '.iei Emily
s-pojf, Ntr,i p.t0 ,,7"ied J1'
1 Smith, othrw0o, ''?A j9on,
lade the following ffyta the
jaun ss
has mad
London police
On .November 5, In the evening, as I was
walking down Clieapslde, near fit. Paul's
Ohurch, I was accosted by a tall man who
greeted me with "good evening, Nellie." I
did not reply, but tbe man followed me,
profferins, after wo had walked together for
two block's, to buy me a oup of tea.
I accepted his invitation, and toxether wo
walked up Cheapside to the Mansion House.
When ray escort turned Jnfo Imbard street
I asked him where tho tea shop was located
to which ho was taking mo. He replied eva
sively, sayln?, "JJttlefuitlier ways down."
After awhile we entered a common and low
Innl I... -nlnAs wl.a A .ha mi n OAAmO1 .ft 1A
well jtnown hut which I have nevftr-befSre
Bean, un leavme tuo manausBosieu wi
should accompany hluW his office In
Upfon Park. He tootfrny arm and conducted
me through several streets and byways, al
ways seeking the most unfrequented courts,
until I found myself somewhere lp tho
neighborhood of Aldgate. I was thoroughly
alarmed, and talclnj hold of his arm I said:
"Jly God! where are we?"
"Whltechapel," he said wtb a Iqw laugh
as If enjoying my tear.
"WbUoehapel!" I cried, "where so many
girls of my class were cut to pieces?"
"Nonsense." he answered, "Jack pever
killed girls only old women, and it's best
f r thorn to be out of the way."
I said: "I will never, never remain at this
place," and hearing the noise of a tram car
In the direction pf Commercial Road,
I ran over tliero, closely followed
by tho man. He kept at my slae, and when
we passed Leman street pointed with his
finger toward a dark spot and said: "That
is where 'Jaok tho Ripper' is. best known."
Ho seemed to be thorqughly at home in the
neighborhood.
PLAYING WITH THE CLOUDS.
General Dyren forth and Party Prepared to
Hake Bain In Texas To-Day A Couple
of Satisfactory Preliminary Experiments
Last Evening-
San Antonio, Tex., Nov. 21. riat
General B. G. Dyrenfurth and his party
of rainmakers will have everything in
readiness for beginning their experiments
here to-morrow. There was a little play
ing with the clouds done this aiternoon,
but it was merely a test of the power of the
new Roselite explosive, and was not in
tended as an effort at producing rain.
There were two ground charges fired.
The first was at 4 o'clock, when a 20-pound
stick of Boselite was exploded by means of
an electric battery. The concussion was
terrific, breaking window panes and crock
ery in residences within a half-mile radius.
At the time of the discharge there were a
few fleece clouds passing over. Within a
few minutes afterward a bank of black
qlouds gathered in the northeast and soon
overspread the entire sky, aad about 6
o'cloctr. another 20-pound stick of Boselite
was discharged, but beyond tbe loot that
there was a dense gathering of the clouds
no effect was produced.
General Dyrenfurth and Boselle were
highly pleased with tbe test of the new pow
der, and assert that all that would have
been required to bring down the rain was
the explosion of a, balloon jq mid-air, simul
taneously withlieavier ground discbarges.
The realVork will begin to-morrow, and
will commence with a balloon ascension by
Prof. John A. Ellis, who will take observa
tions as to the course of the air currents,
humidity of the atmosphere, etc. He will
ascend to a height of two miles, if the at
mospheric conditions are favorable.
PROF. SMITH'S HERESY.
One Phase of the Case Ended and Another
to Be Begun To-Day.
Cincinnati, Nov. 21. The preliminary
argument oq the sufficiency in form and
legal effect of the charges and specifications
against Prof, Henry P. Smith has ended.
Both sides, while confessedly considering
only the form of the indictment, have gone
pretty fully into the discussion of the guilt
or innocence of the accused. But inasmnch
as the real trial upon the indictment, the
production of testimony and the argument
UDon it is yet to come, it is strange that so
much time is consumed on the pre
liminaries. After Prof. Smith had concluded his reply
to tbe argument of the committee, fully
halt an hour was wasted in motions, sugges
tions and points of order concerning how to
take the next step. The prosecution wanted
a vote taken on the sufficiency of the first
charge. The other side wanted a vote taken
on a motion declaring tbe objections to the
first charge sustained and dismissing tbe
charge. Tbe Moderator ruled that the mo
tion to dismiss the charge could not be
goupled with the others, and finally it wai
agreed tbat the motion should be, that the
objections to the lull charge were sustained.
Argument upon that motion by members of
the court will be in order when Presbytery
meets to-morrow.
ROBBED IN PITTSBURG.
A Maryland Merchant Falls Into Bad Hands
In a Sinlthfield Street Saloon.
McKeespoet, Nov. 2L Special A.
M. Prey, a business man of Cumberland,
Md., arrived here from Pittsburg to-day in
a demoralized condition. He stated tbat he
had business in -Pittsburg and went into a
saloon on Smithfield street. Two young
men made his acquaintance, and they had a
dri nk together. The next thing he knew
he was in lower Allegheny. A good suit of
olothes had been taken off him aud a shabby
suit ot misfits hustled on him in their
place.
He had been stripped, he alleges, of
everything he had that was worth stealing,
including f90 iu money, his gold watch and
chain, and even his gripsack and its con
tents. A friend in Pittsburg gave him
money enough to bring bim here, and a
well-known aboteIkeeper staked bim with
enough more to take him home. He re
fused 10 state at what particular place he
made the acquaintance ot the men he claims
drugged him.
OHIO'S OFFICIAL VOTE.
As Anticipated, the Electors Are All Re
publican Except One.
Columbus, O., Nov. 2L- Special
The official abstract from Lucus county ar
rived at the Secretary of State's' office to
day, and the footings were made on Presi
dental electors. The official vote on Presi
dent is as follows: Daaford, Republican,
405,187; other Republican, electoral candi
dates, 402,711; Seward, Democrat, 404,113;
other Democratic electoral candidates, 401.
461; Prohibition electors, 28,017; People's
party electors, 14,648.
This makes the total vote of the State
850,165, an Increase of 0,804 over the Presi
dental vote ot four years ago. The vote
was estimated previous to the election, by
Chairman Dick, at 900,000, and some of the
election authorities estimate that there
were between 30,000 and 40,000 Toters who
failed to vote November 8.
THREE QENT&
AFTER AN ALIBI
i
The Defense TO Endeavor
to Establish a Case of
Mistaken Identity.
HOT SPEECHES BY COUNSEL.
Vigorous Attack Upon Carnegie
Officials and Their Methods,
Attendance Upon the Trla Falling Off
Tbe Commonwealth Closes Its Case
The Defense Opened by Attorneys
Argo and Erwin Questioning tbe
Equity of the Proceedings Against
the Homestead Workers Captain
Coon Testifies Tbat the First Shot
Was Fired by the Pinkertons Many
Witnesses Swear That the Critch
Iow In the Halyard Was Not the
One Now on Trial.
0
The Commonwealth yesterday closed its
side of the Critehlow case. The attorneys
fpr the defense, in opening, stated that they
expected to prove that the Critehlow on
trial was not the Critehlow identified as
participating in the battle of the barges
that it was a case ot mistaken identity. In
addition tbe defense will endeavor to show
that the defendant was not near tbe scene
of the shooting all day, '
There were not nearly sq many people at t
the Criminal Court doors when tbe CriUh
low case was resumed yesterday as there
were last week. It was noticeable like
wise tbat a very small proportion of tbe
spectators were workingmen, and the
Homestead delegation was notably absent.
The Court got down to business at 9:45.
lln. Qoyle, Wilms Who Wouldn't TeU a Lis,
The first witness called was Joseph Jlalley.
one of the Pinkertons. a very ?4road and
thick fellow with a big rpund face. He
Identified Crifchjow very positively as
one of the strikers who attacked
the barge, but Major Jfontooth with
a rapid sort of gattling gun cross
examination made the witness say he
had beard about all he testified to from
somebody else. The witness left the stand
without a pennyweight of self-possession.
With the examination of one or two wit
nesses of minor importance the Common
wealth's case closed.
Opening for the Defense.
Then the counsel for the defense solemnly
one by one trooped off into the Judge's re
tiring room to hold a final consultation be
fore beginning the cannonade on their side.
There they decided that the "Western con
tingent, Messrs, Argo and Erwin, should
lead the first charge for the defense. la
pursuance of this resolye Mr. Argo stepped
in front of the jury box and for something
less than an hour talked in a placid easy
going way upon their duty to
the defendant and showed them in
tolerably definite outline what the
defense proposed to prove. Mr, Argo
is a stout, well-fed, happy -looking advocate.
He did not attempt oratory and for the
most part confined himself to an exposition
ot the defense's case. The jury took kindly
to him and listened to him attentively.
It was a surprise to everyone except his
legal associates when Mr. Argo cut short
his peroration with the remark that Mr,
Erwin would finish his speech for him. But
Mr. Argo sat down there and then and Mr.
J. 21. Cdlgan, Who"Selped to Pme the Alibi.
Erwin took np the thread of his associate's
remarks and broke it at once. Mr. Erwin
is exactly and absolutely the antithesis of
his "Western colleague. Mr. Erwin is thin to
a degree; pale as parckment and ascetic and
cold in demeanor. Behind the chilly ex
terior he conceals a mind that thinks too
fast for utterance. At least that is the im
pression his speech left upon the courtroom
yesterday.
A Very Earnest Advocate.
Unlike Mr. Argo, Mr. Erwin aspires to
be an orator. He delivered most of his
speech at the top of his voice, and the per
spiration poured from bim in the close
atmosphere of the courtroom before be had
spoken ten minutes. His language, like
his manner, was fiery. The entire court
room was his audience; one hand this mo- ,
ment appealed to His Honor on the bench,
the other the next moment waved suppll
catingly toward the crowd of spectators,
and then both hands came together in
direct address to the jury. The roof rang
when he came to pay some delicate little at
tentions to Mr. Prick, and the lobby bad all
it could do to keep Itself from applauding.
The first witness called at the morning
session was Joseph Malley. He said:
I am a Pinkerton detective, I saw Criteh.
low on July C standing at the pump house at
rniTPU nw
Js