The Scranton tribune. (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, December 17, 1897, Image 1

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

    (f9 i&tS)S!
.
. 10
PAGES
1 o rtnrittit ByneM WBea
JVJ41JIIJLUIJL :mmS0WmmwSsi2sS L
i-hjl& - w-vvnt ms iymzmi
TWO OE.NTS.
HCRAOTOST, PA., I? Ill DAY MOANING, DECEMBER 17, 1897.
V
TWO CENTS
-. -.lA
WOLCOTT ON
BIMETALLISM
He is Unable to Report
Rapid Progress at the
Present Time.
FOREIGN CO-OPERATION
Seems to Have Been Difficult
' to Obtain.
Resolution Directing the Secretary of
Wnr to Send gU.'iO.OOO to Hit: Klon
dike SuH'ercrs I 1'asscil in tlio Son-ntc--Senntor
Stewart Hits No Faith
in the Administration.
Washington, Doc. 1C Mr. Wolcott,
of Colorado, chairman of tho commit
tee appointed liy President McKlnley
to secure, If possible, the eo-opuratlon
of foreign countries li an International
conference upon the silver question,
said in tne senate, today that the com
mission hiul not yet made a report to
Hi president and it was uncertain
when a report would be made. Nego
tiations for bimetnlllc conference, he
seld, are still pending, but Mr. Wol
cott assured the senate that th.j com
lnssion had no Intention of prolonging
i efiort hijyond the point where rea
sonable hope of success should exist.
Mr. Wolcott promised to explain fully
the work of the commission In a speech
to be delivered after the holiday recess.
A resolution directing the 3cr'tury
of war to send ifi.'iO.OOO worth of sup
1 lies to American and other sufferers
in the Klondike region was passed. Mr.
Prlteliard, of North Carolina, chairman
of the civil service Investigating com
mittee, delivered .a brief speech upon
the execution of the civil service law ah
developed by his committee.
After Mr. Wolcott had spoken, Mr.
Stewart (New) said that he had always
advocated Independent action by the
I'nited States to secure 'bimetallism
and he thought that the effort to yo
rure the co-operation of foreign na
tions would not only be unnecessary
but dangerous. He added that the ut
ti ranees ot the president and seeie
tary of the treasury proved that this
was. a gold standard administration.
This statement brought Mr. Chandler
(N. H.) to his fet. He said that Sec
retary Gape had never announced that
the present administration was in fa
vor of a gold standard and he did not
liellcp the senator from Nevada de
sired to misrepresent tho administra
tion. Mr. Stewart disclaimed any Inten
tion to misrepresent President McKln
ley or Secretary Gage but lie insist
ed that the words and actions of the
secretary established the truthfulness
of his statement.
IT IS A DllKAM.
Mr. Allen said he had always been
satisfied that International bimetallism
was a dream, but he was willing to
afford the commission all reasonable
latitude. Ho asked that the resolution
calling for Information go over until
the 15th of next month, anil It was so
agreed.
Mr. Galllnger called up the census
bill, for the purpose of replying briefly
to a statement by Hon. Carroll I).
"Wright incorporated in Mr. Lodge's
speech of yesterday, In which Mr.
"Wright was reported to have said that
$2,000,000 would have been saved If the
last census had been tuken by a force
under the classified service. Mr. tlnl
irnger stated that Mr. Wright's calcu
lation was based largely upon the
printed space occupied by tho census
reports as compared with the reports
of the labor bureau. He expressed sur
prise that so reckless a statement
should have been made by a man usu
ally so careful as Mr. Wright.
Mr Prltchard (N. C), chairman of
the committee on civil service, was en
gaged In a general Investigation of the
civil service system, said it was a
singular coincidence that it never oc
curred to Mr. Cleveland to make his
sweeping extensions of the civil ser
vice law until he readied thnt point
where it was obvious to him that his
party was to be repudiated by tho
American people at the next general
election, or until nearly all Hepubll
cans had been removed from ofllce and
their places illled with simon-pure
Democrats.
At ' o'clock tho bill went over to a
future day and on motion of Mr. Quay
the senate went Into executive session,
and adjourned an hour later.
Mr. Hannn. of Ohio, after uu illness
of a week, appeared In the senato to
day and was coidially greeted by his
colleagues.
HOt'SK PHOCEKDINGS.
The house today passed a bill appro,
printing $175,000 for the relief ot the
people who are in the Yukon river
country and also the bill passed by the
senate yesterday to prohibit pelagic
sealing by American citizens. The for
mer bill encountered practically no op
position. As passed tho sum carried
by It Is to be expended under the direc
tion of the secretary of wnr for the
purchase, transportation and dlstrlbu.
tlon of subsistence stores, it provides
that these subsistence storo.s may be
sold at prices fixed' by the secretary of
war, or donated where the people are
unable to pay for them. It enipowors
him to purchase reindeer and employ
drivers, not citizens of the 1'nlted
States, and afterward dispose of the
reindeer.
The bill to prohibit pelagic sealing
wus wnrnily antagonized by Mr. John
soy, of North Dakota. Mr. Loud, of
California; Mr. Hepburn and others,
and In the course of the dobute thoro
was some exceedingly caustic criti
cisms of the course of our Herlntr sea
negotiations, past and present. Mr.
Johnson made the statement that
while thf seal herd had brnusht $70,
C00 Into the treasury blno 1870, half a
million had been spent policing llerlng
sea and two million in negotiations
and other expenses.
An hour was spent on the legisla
tive, executive and Judicial appropria
tion bill without accomplishing any
thing. Tho bankruptcy bill was re
ported by the Judiciary committee and
an extension of time granted In which
the minority may flic Its report.
Tho house committee' on immigration
today decided to make a favorable re
port on tho educational test bill. It
requires all Immigrants, on reaching
here to be nble to read or write the
English or some other language.
Mr. Dnrtholdt, of Missouri, and Mr.
Louis Schnde addressed the committee
In opposition to the bill nnd the for
mer presented a protest from tho North
AmcrlcanTurner association ngalnst it.
DECLINED TO BE MARRIED.
A Prospective Ilridc Objects to the
(room at tlio Last Moment.
Chicago, Dec. lfi. When the guests
Invited to attend the wedding of Miss
Florence Shepherd to Thomns Lee Do
Shong alighted from their carriages at
the entrance of the Christ Kpiscopal
church of Woodlawn last evening, they
found an announcement posted on the
door to the effect that the marriage
ceremony was not to be performed.
Mr. !) Shong resides In Little Hock,
Ark., where his family Is said to be
wealthy. The proposed wedding was
a family affair and the young people
have been practically engaged since
Miss Shepherd was eight years ot age.
She had not seen her Intended husband
for several years and when he appeared
she declined to marry htm.
ASSASSINATED
BY A SUPER
William ''crriss ot the 'Secret Ser
vice" Company Stubbed to Death.
The Assassin Known at the Theater
as ".Had Archer"--Cnrcer ot the
Victim.
London, Dec. 16. William Terrlss.tho
wrl-known actor, was assassinated to
night, being stabbed with a knife, as
he was enterlns the stage door of the
Adelphl theatre. Ills assailant Is sup
posed to be a former super. The mur
derer rushed at the actor n he was
stepping across the pavement from his
cab and stabbed him Just below the
heart. As the actor fell Ills murderer
was seized by people who were outside
the theatre. The wounded man wns
carried into the theatre and doctors
were called from the Charing Cross
hospital, but Terrlss expired in fifteen
minutes.
William Terrlss has been playing In
London in the Kngllsh version of Wil
liam Gillete's American drama, "Seciet
Service."
Mr. Terrlss was placed on the land
ing of the stairway just Inside the the
after, where he lay groaning loudly.
Once or twlce he attempted to speak,
but It was Impossible. He quickly
succumbed, while surrounded by the
theater staff.
The murderer was taken to Dow
street police station, followed by an
angry crowd. Ills name was given as
Archer. It Is said that he had been a
"super" at the Adelphl theater several
years ago, and for some darn past he
lias haunted the theater. The motive
of the crime is not yet known.
A large audience had already as
sembled for the evening performance;
anil the manager came to the font
lights and announced that as Mr. Tor
riss had met with an accident no per
formance would be given tonight.
It appears that the assassin last eve
ning asked the keeper of the ordinary
stage entrance as to the whereabouts
of Mr. T.itIsh; and his behavior was
then so obnoxious that Harry Nlcholls,
one of the principal colleaguew of Mr.
Terrlss, was obliged to remonstrate
and to order him to leave the prem
ises. The scenes alone the strand at tho
hour when the theater closed tonight
were remaiknble. Uy that time tho
special editions of the evening papers
weie out and the newsboys were shout
ing around the theater exits that Mr,
Terrlss had been murdered. At first
the peoplp refused to place any cre
dence in the report, believing such nn
event Impossible; but when they found
it was true, horror and indignation
were painted on every face.
When Archer arrived at the police
station he still had the weapon, ap
parently n big butcher's knife, con
cealed beneath his cape. On being
charged with murder he Is reported to
have replied:
"He's done mo out of the benevolent
fund this morning and I am out of it
for lit.."
The murdeicr was placed In a cell,
and Is under a special watch for tho
nlcht.
The understudy of the deceased ac
tor tells a curious story of how last
night ho dreamt that he saw Mr. Ter
rlss lying on a landing surrounded by
a. crowd.
m
Charged Willi Minbezzleincni.
New York. Dee. 10. When Albert Scan
mers was arraigned and held in 52,0ui) to
day, on the ehcrgo of embezzling from the.
Ameiican-Kuropean llxpress company, ot
this city, It was staled that . H. lllsliop,
a misled enipiovo of the complainant
firm, had led i'ommers Into a conspiracy
to steal and, finding detection unavoid
able, hud killed himself and left Sommers
to take tho blame. The alleged embezzle
ments were said to amount to over $:;,W0.
Cull I'or 'In in m anv Piimnrlcs.
New York, Dec. 18. At a meeting of the
executlvo committee of Tammany Hull
today, Tuesday, Dee. "b. was set as tho
date for the primaries. A call for primar
ies will be submitted to a committee on
organization tomorrow night, and finally
to tlio general commltloo on Monday
night. Tho geieial eommitteo will meet
for organization on Junuury ID.
Sailing I'or Klondike.
New York, Dee. it Fltty-llvo passen
gers for the Klondlko nro on board tho
stciimshlp City of Columbia, which sailed
this afternoon for Seattle by way of tlio
Horn. One of the women leaves n sick
husband In lirooklMi, but she says sho Is
going to the Klondlko to prepare a home
for him no that It will be all reudy when
he gets thoro next year.
steamship Arrival.
Queenstown. Dec. 10, Sailed: MuJeetlc.
New York. Uenoa-Salled: Wnrru, New
York. Naples Arrived: ruldii. New
York. ChtrboiuK Sailed: Kaiser Wll
helm ile Urosse (frcm Bremen and South
ampton), Now York,
CARL SCHURZ ON
CIVIL SERVICE
Speech at Convention of National Re
form League.
FAVORS LIRE TENURE OF OFFICE.
The Speaker Hcllcves THnt All Dem
ocrat Should lie Kept in Their
Plncos--Ucpuhllcnns Who Aspire
to Appointments Should He
I'rowucd Upon--Praise for Presi
dent .McKlnley.
Cincinnati, O.. Dec. 1(1. The six
teenth annual meeting of the national
civil service league began n session ot
two days here today, with Hon. Call
Schurz presiding. The forenoon ses
sion wns devoted to a Joint meeting ot
the general and executive committees
with closed doors. Secretary McAneny
verbally submitted his annual report,
stating that President McKlnley hnd
consistently observed the civil service
law, but that a determined nssault
was being made against civil service
laws In congress. The secretary rec
ommended the extension of the civil
service rules to the congressional ll-
biary and the census bureau. The'
fourth class postmasters would proba
bly be reached by consolidation with
other postal affairs.
Clinton It. Woodruff, of Philadelphia,
reported that the work of the league
In Pennsylvania had been futile ow
ing to Senator Quay controlling the
legislature, which Ignored all the
pledges of the Ilepubllean state con
vention for civil Kervlee iforiu. So
far as public sentiment Is concerned,
Mr. Woodruff said, civil service re
form wns in n more hopeful condition
now than ever.
Tonight Odeon hall was illled to hear
the annual addres.s by Hon. Carl
iSchurz, piesident of the national
league; Judge William 11. Tuft, of the
United States court of appeals, pre
siding. President Schurz was frequently In
terrupted by applaUHe. especially In
the closing part of his address. At
the conclusion of the addiess there was
a rising vote of thanks to Mr. Sclnlrz.
CAUL SCHU1WS SPKKCH.
Carl Schurz, president of the asso
ciation, spoke, in part, as follow:
The American people have hardly ever
beheld u rus-i for spoils ot i-Uleo mote tu
multuous than that which followed Presi
dent McKlnley's accession to power. Nor
have wo ever lit aril a more lurious. anil,
I may add, a more disgraceful clamor
from party men for tho breach of party
faith than that of Republican politicians
demanding the repeal, cr at least tho
dlsembowulinent ot the civil service law
by a president and a majority In con
gress pledged to lis maintenance und ex
tension. 1 know the excuse that is given for this
amazing demand. It is tli.it President
Cleveland's administration bus illled a
great many positions which were not In
the classllled service, with Democrat,
and then covered them with th- civil ser
lce rules In order to protect the now In
cumbents against removal. The civil ser
vice reformers have not been spa ring in
criticism and remonstrance when un ba
the Cleveland administration rimovals or
appointments were made which appeared
Improper. I5ut I do not hihitato to say
that the objection to Mr. Cleveland's
great executive order made by the Itepub
Hean spoils politicians Is utterly tuiilo
That order did not protect tiny -ob lo
senant covered by it aginn.st :err,oi!.l
proof of which Is the simple fact th it ,i
i-o.i'dderable number of men hai actual
ly been removed. Tho effect of tbo on'or
Nimp.'y was that, if any of tr.'ee pmes
wet vacated tin y could not be nrbltrii.ily
llilee by way of political or pi-r.-omil fa
vif with Incompetent or otlievwse un
suM.iblr persons for the or I t nibjeeteu
cai eilates for such plncc.4 to competitive
eliminations. And this .. tne thlipj thnt
troubles those repiesentutic. of tbo
League of Ilepubllean clubs and other
spoilsmen of tho same kidney.
PUICSIDICNT M'KINLIJY PRAISMD.
True to his honor as a gentleman, to
his vows as a Ilepubllean, and to his duty
as president of tne rutted .States. .Mr.
McKlnley stoutly held his ground against
the llerce foray which was set on lout to
overwhelm him. lie Issued an executive
order on the l'7th 'day of July, by which
ho exempted from the competitive rules
certain classes of positions In tho revenue
service, exlendoii the rule over a very tew
others, and than directed that no re
moval shall be made from any position
subject to competitive examination ex
cept for Just cause and upon written
charges Hied with the bend of tho depart
ment or other appointing olllcer. und or
which the accused shall have lull notice
and an opportunity to make defense.
Tho part of President MoKlnlej 's order
which uttracted the most attention Is that
concerning removals. It Is no exaggera
tion to say that Its appearance was greet
ed with a round ot applaubo that re
sounded nil over the country.
It makes the reason assigned for every
removal as well us tho answer thereto a
matter of public record, and It will thus
render tho executive olllcer for every le-
inovut from a place under tho competitive
rule amenable to the Judgment of public
opinion as well as to the Judgment and
tho corresponding actions of his superiors.
Tho new rule, is curried out with fidelity
and firmness, will thus be well apt to rid
the service of a very offensive und dan
gerous abuse, and President McKlnley
fully deserves all tho pruito he has re
ceived for this achievement.
Nothing would gratify mo more than to
be nblo to add that tho president's order
hnd already borne ail the good fruit that
It Is expected to bear. Hut I regret to say
that so far It lias not. Many reports have
come to us from Washington as well as
from other parts of the country which
lepresent executlvo otllcers as making or
recommending removals or reductions
without assigning any Just cause, or any
cause at all. It Is conndently expected
that tho president, as such offenses e-otua
to his notice and tho facts tiro fully as
certained, will enforce respect for his or
der by duly punishing thu offenders.
PASS EXAMINATIONS.
A matter in which not only tho civil
service reformer, but the whole commor
elal community takes a lively Interest. Is
the Improvement of our consular service.
J'ukb examinations aro apt to denenerato
into a moro matter of form, In which as
il rule those tuccted who have the strong
est backing and those who fall huve none.
Pass examinations for the consular er
vleo have b"on tried at various periods
and they havo always taken that course.
Whether they hnvo or not in tho prevent
instance, I nm unable to tell, tho mnttnr
being strictly confidential. Hut this I
may say with assurance: If our commer
cial community wants a roul reform In
the method of appointment to consular
positions, It must Insist upon three thlujrs,
competitive examinations for admission
to tho lowest grade of the consular ser
vice, promotion only for merit, and re
moval only for cause.
The postmaster, too, is receiving prom
ising attention. It Is a hopeful sign that
tho postmaster general, n buslne-ss man
not suspecte-d of being n civil service le
form theorist, in.s from a niero business
point of view found It expedient to advo
cate the removal, by congress, ot thoro
restrictions by which tho consolidation of
minor ofllces with those which are cen
tral, had been h impered. And although
tho subjection to proper civil service rules
of tho fourth class postotllces, which so
fur have furnished the material for tho
most wltlcHiire.nl spoils scandals, may cs
yet seem ever so far away, still It Is ap
proaching nnd may be nearer than even
the most sanguine among us now appre
hend. The first onset ngalnst civil service re
form has been repulsed, but the light Is
not finished. The clnmor of place-seek-ers
still resounds with lusty vociferation.
In three Hepubllcnn state conventions
lesolutlons hao been ndopted hostile to
the merit system. An association has
been organized to ngltnte lor the repeal
of the civil service law, and Itopubllcun
memlK'rsof these'hatoof the l.'nlted Stutes
and of the house of representatives tiro
loudly threatening to bring the matter
to an Issue ut the next session of con
gress. Two of them, Hepreseiitntlvo
Orosvenor, of Ohio, and Senator (Jal
linger of New lliimp'dilre, huve already
been designated hy one of the spoilsmen's
organs ns the iintl-civll service reform
candidate fir the presidency and vleo
presidency, Mr. Orosvenor loudly pro
tests that the men who In 1W! marched
thousands and thousands of miles to hear
the words ot encoiiragetnen' and Instruc
tion from the president as he stood upon
the steps of his home In Canton shall not
be excluded from places In the depart
ment by troublesome civil service tests.
. I1ATTLK CRY OK TAMMANY.
Mr. Orosvenor says: "The battle cry of
Van Wyck (the Tdinmnuy candidate lor
mayor) Is a liberal political education in
the people of the t'nlted Slates, lie won
a victory unprecedented, and he gave out
but one great battle cry. and that thrilled
through tho hearts of a great body of
American people and an echo will he
hi aid." That batt'e cry wits' "I will
put none but Democrats Into olric In New
York."
Mr. Orosvenor admonishes tho Republi
can party to follow Tammany's example.
The battle cry from which political par
ties are to roel-lvo their strongest Inspir
ations. Is to be: "To the victors belong
the spoils, and overy government em
ployment shall bo spoil." Tho kindred
buttle cry: "To lull with reform" will
soon follow. And the result? A great
Democratic Tammany on one side alio a
great Republican Tammany on the other
iighthiK for plunder and casting lots for
the garments of the ciueilled republic.
Whoever still flfihts for the spoils system
Micrlllces himself for a lost cause. The
final victory cannot fall to be with sound
d mocratlc principles, reason and civil
SCORNS WEALTH
AND POSITION
The Son oT n Millionniio Driving a
Sprinkling (.'art--Abandons His
Wife lor a Lite Among tin; Toilers.
New York, Dec. 1C Declining an
offer of almost unlimited wealth If he
would return to his wife and former
mode of living, George W. Ruddy, Jr.,
son ot a millionaire brick manufactur
er of Woodbrldge, N. J., and a student
of Tolstoi, and other leading advocates
of advanced civilization, is living
among the- poorest residents of his na
tive town nnd is daily driving n sprink
ling cart part ills father's estates.
For tills alienation, the application
for divorce made by his wife, Mrs.
Amelia P.udijy, n talented daughter of
a wealtlo meichant. was tod'iy favor
ably pas-seel upon by Senator Voorhecs,
wl'.o will probably be netlnsr governor
upon the elevation of Gov. Griggs to
the I tilted States attorney generalship.
Young Ruddy is a graduate of Yale
and of two foreign universities unci is
a proficient linguist. He offers no ex
planation beyond declaring that he
wishes to live his own life.
His inurvingp was the result of a
love match, and, while refusing his
wife's pleas to return to her, praises
her unstintedly as a beautiful and ac
complished woman. Her friends say
that he bus become permeated with
the idea that wealth Is a horrible
wrong and that a man to live a true
life must pass his days among the
toilers and share their sorrows and
Joys.
MISSI0NARV ON TRIAL
The Rev. .'1. II. Houston's Idea ol
the Lord's Slipper nt Approved.
Louisville, Dec. lfi. The trial of the
Rev. Matthew Hale Houston, before
tho Louisville Presbytery, has been
begun. Houston wn.s formerly a mis
sionary In China, but the recent ses
sion of the missionary board at Nash
ville declined to re-appoint him lie
cause of his standing with the Louis
ville Presbytery, by whom he wus af
terward indicted and cited for trial.
Dr. Houston Is charged with holding
and te-achlng principles and practices
contrary to the Presbyterian confes
sion of faith.
It Is charged in the indictment that
Dr. Houston upholds and teaches that
the Lord's Supper Is a household ordi
nance also, and that It may be admin
istered by the head of a Christian fam
ily: that he has encournged the Chris
tians in Ling Wit district, China, to
practlco the administration of the
Lord's Supper by private members;
that he holds and teuches that there
Is no valid distinction between teach
ing and ruling elders, and that ho holds
and teaches views on the doctrine of
snnctillcatlon which are Inconsistent
with tho teaching of the confession of
faith.
Jongri'tk Respited.
1 larrlsburg, Dec. 10. A respite has
been granted Prank Jonglcs. of New
Castle, the dale of which will be fixed
when Governor IIihIIii& returns from
Virginia on Monday. Jcngrei's has ap
plied to tho board t-f pi.rdons tor u com
mutation of sentence and his cuso will
be heard January 1!. Ho wus rebplUd
two moiitlu ago until Jaruury 0.
A Port Christened.
Washington, Dec. 10. Sccrotiry Alger
lias christened ono of tbo two powerful
forts Juki elected at the mouth of tho
Delawaio river for tho protection uf
Philadelphia. A general order issued to
duy names tho one at Plnn's Point, Kort
Mott. in honor of tho late Major (len
eral Gershom Mott. 1'nlted Statos vol
unteers. Gun llulorlul l'lom Hellileheiii.
llethlehem, Pa., Dee, 10. Uun mnterlal
weighing many tons was shipped tonight
by the llethlehem Iron company to tho
Wus-hlnston navy yurd.
NATIONAL BOARD
OF TRADE ADJOURNS
Most Important Action of Yesterday's
Session.
POOLING MEASURE INDORSED
A Strong Sectional Diversion on tlio
Question---Resolutions Adopted
Urging Upon Congress tho Lstnb
llslimcnt ol n Permanent Tnrill
Commission nnd Another to Unity
()tinrnntlnc Regulations.
Washington, Dec. lfi. The national
board of trade adjourned after a three
days' session. The most Importnnt nc
tlon of today's session was the en
dorsement of n pooling measure- which
would place this fiuestton under the
supervision of the interstate commerce
commission. There wns n strong sec
tional division on the question, tlio
east for and the west ngalnst the mens
ure. In this connection Mr. Henry
T. Thutber, of New York, chairman
of the committee to which the matter
hail been referred, said:
"While there has been enrnest oppo
sition to a pooling bill by the western
forces, it is gratifying to note such a
growtli of Intelligent sentiment in fa
vor of tho measure during the past
two years ns to permit tho endorse
ment of the bill today by a two-thirds
vot' Pooling, under the careful sup
ervision of the interstate commerce
commission. Is tho only way to
bring order nnd equnllty out of the
present chaotic condition of railroad
affairs and to secure what no Just and
disinterested party oeiuld object to,
namely, equal compensation for ser
vices under equal conditions all over
the country. It Is to the best interests
of the majority of shippers and the
railroads themselves."
A resolution was adopted urging upon
congress the establishment of a perm
anent tariff commission, and another
to unify quarantine regulations.
Other resolutions ndopted favor the
passage of the anti-scalper's ticket
brokerage bill; a uniform classlllca
tion of freight; and deprecate all move
ments looking to government owner
ship of railway Hues.
After a visit to the White House
there was a short session at which the
report of the committee on reform In
the consular service wns adopted. The
report recommends such changes In
the administration of this service as
will secure permanency. Judicious pro
motion In accordance with merit nnd
adequate compensation.
The report from the committee on
foiestry wnK'OjKp!d-nrovldlng for the
conservation of forest lands, and the
encouragement of timber culture over
denuded areas. Another measure ad
vocated by the board was the passage
of a general law to substitute weight
for measure in the sale of all com
modities to which this regulation could
conveniently apply,
THE PENNSY'S ENTERPRISE
A New Depot is to lie Hrcctctl in
Pittsbmg.
Philadelphia, Dec. IS. President
Frank Thomson, of the Pennsylvania
Hallrond company, w-ns in conference
today with a delegation of business
men of Pittsburg in reference to tho
selection of a site for the new depot
which Is tfi bo erected there. Owing to
the many Interests wishing to consult
with the otllcers of tho railroad com
pany In regard to the selection of a site
nothing definite has been accomplish
ed. While the delegation from Pitts
burg was not n unit as to where the
new station should be erected, it re
ceived conslderalilo information, some
of which wns to the effect that some of
the suggestions were Impractlcablo.and
many of its members were brought
arrtund to the belief ot the railroad
oll'clals.
Tho delegation from Pittsburg was
in charge of Superintendent and Gen
eral Agent Pltcairn. From tho cliam
ner of commerce came President John
Ridley, Henry J. Heinz, John Katun,
William McConway and John It. Jack
son. The municipal committee was
Thomas G. McClure and George Wil
son' the city committee, K. M. Ulge
low, director of public works, and ex
Mayor Bernard McKennr ; citizens'
committee, James H. Reed, W. II. Self
and George W. Dllworth.
The otlicers of the Pennsylvania Rail
road company present beside President
Thomson were: John P. Green, first
lee president; Charles 12. Pugh, sec
ind vice president; 'Samuel Itea, as
sistant to the president; W. H. Drown.
i chief engineer, and a few others. The
meeting lasted from early in the morn
ing to late afternoon.
Some of the Plttsburgers thought tho
best site would be Seventh avenue,
where the depot wns thirty ye-ars ago,
but it was stated later that th'ls sluht
would not answer the jiurpoe, ns it
was not adapted to tho wants of tho
company.especlally as It would bo com
pelled to back a number of Us trains
into It, and furtheimore, when tho sta
tion was there, tho vPnn Handle" road
was not In operation.
The general belief, while nothing has
been decided, is that the new station
w'il be located ut about the same spot
where the present station stands, al
though no plan calling for tho build
ing of a station ut this site has been
approved The matter Is now in the
hantl3 of President Thomson, and he
Is endeavoring to meet the desires of
the business men of Pittsburg, and
at the same tlmo place the station In
such a locality as will be to the best
Interests of the rallioad company.
STATE TREASURY.
Ann nn I Statement for tlio Pi'sml Your
i: inline November JO, 1HD7.
Hnrrlsburg. Dec. 16. The annual
statement of the etnte treasury for the
fiscal year ended November SO, 1S97,
wn.s issued today by State Treasurer
Haywood. Tho receipts of the general
fund for the year were $12,175,070.17;
payments, $12,708,515.81.
The receipts Include tho whole
amount received as state personal tax,
three-fourths of which Is returned to
tho counties: personal fees, paid by
and returned to state ofllcers, fertiliser
licenses and fines jecelved from tho de-
put tment of ncriculture, the Insurance
on the old cnpltol building nnd contents
nnd one per cent, of the tnx on foreign
f.re Insutunce companies distributed
among the cities nnd counties of the
state ur tier the ct of lSflS.
Tho aggregate of these items Is S2.
155.118.44, which deducted from tho
gross amount received, leaves the net
amount, which wns available for the
payment ot appropriations, $10,319,931.
'3. There Is fltlll due to the common
school, training schools, reformatory,
vhnrltnble nnd Insane institutions on
quarter ended November 30. to counties
on state tax and sundry other items
about $fi,10).000. The balance In the
general fund nt the close of the year
wus $1,500,000.
(1. A. R. ENCAMPMENT.
September .1 to 10 Fixed Upon ns tho
Period of tho GutherltiK oflHOH.
Cincinnati, Dec. 1C Tho date for the
national encampment of the Grand
Army of th" Hepublle was lived lute
this afternoon for the week beginning
September 5, To come to this conclu
sion it requited n long conference.
The local eoi.itnlttee some lime ngo
hnd recommended the week of Aug.
20 to Sept. ::. This nvt opposition on
the ground that'll would come Just be
fore pension payment in Ohio, nnd
several other states. It nl.so was ob
jectionable because It lapped over from
ono mouth to the othr. The entire
day wns spent In consultation, und
when September 5 to 10 was selooto.1 It
met tho approval of the executlvo coun
cil ns well ns of the local committee.
ltef'le Genoinl Gnbln, accompanied
by Adjutant General Stewart and
Quartei master General Durroughs left
for Harrlsburg tonight It was decided
that General Gnbln nnd stalf would be
here again In February for a confer
ence with the citizens' committee.
PATTIS0N A CANDIDATE.
Tho .flnn or Destiny Will Agnin Seek
the Ollicc of Governor of Pennsyl
vania. Philadelphia. Dec. 1C The Press will
say tomorrow thnt ex-Governor Paul
son Is an avowed candidate for the
Democratic nomination for governor
next year. He has recently made this
known to stime of his friends In Phila
delphia and throughout tho state, nnd
his opponents In the party are so well
satisfied that he hopes to succeed, that
an organized effort looking to the sup
pression of his ambition and tho con
tinuance ot former Nntlonnl Demo
cratic Chairman Harrity In the politi
cal r.ecluslon to which he retired after
Hryan's nomination In 1S!)C, Is already
under way.
The article goes on to say that Mr.
Puttison's aspirations are not satisfy
ing to ox-Congressman Sibley, James
M. Guffey, Judge M. Gordon, of this
city; State Chairman Garman, ex
Congressman Kerr, ex-Congressman
Guntcher "and others now In control
of the Democratic organization."
It was expected that a conference to
decide upon a candidate for whom nil
the opponents of Paulson nnd Harrity
could unite would be held here today.
Chairman Joseph Hawloy, of the Pitts
burg Democratic city committee; J. Du
Koss O'Diien, ex-Senator Charles J.
King, William Nolan, of Heading, und
Colonel Rlckotts. of AVIIkes-Ilarre,
were among the prominent Democrats
who arrived here today and Mr. Haw
ley admitted that there might be some
news by tomorrow. It is said that tho
names most likely to be used In oppo
sition to ex-Governor Paulson's candi
dacy are those of Judge Gordon, James
M. Guffev, of Pittsburg, and ex-Congressman
Sibley, of Meadvllle.
Wheat Market I'inn.
Chicago. Dec. lfi. Some Indications of a
revival of the foreign demand for Ameri
can wheat had a good effect on the mar
ket today und at the close May showed la
l'dc. advance. December wns again
pushed above the dollar murk, closing at
ll.uoi;-, an advance of -Tic. Trading In this
delivery, however, wus exceedingly nar
row. Alpbonsc Dniidet Dend.
Purls. Dec. 16. Alphon.e Daudet, the
celebrated novelist, died suddenly at s
o'clock tonight. He wus dining with his
family, and was In excellent spirits, when
ho wus seized with a sudden syncope.
Physicians were summoned, but ho died
almost Immediately.
Wanted to Kill the Czar.
London, Dec . 10. A Uussian named
Hourtzelt Woodrof was remanded at How
street police court today charged with Is
suing a publication Inciting to tho as
sassination of the czar.
Pennsylvania Postmaster.
Wnshlngton, Dec. 16. 15. F. llrown has
been appointed postmaster ut Stras
btirg, Pu.
The llernld's Weather forecast.
New York, Dec. 17. In tho mldello
states and New Kngland. toelay, riilr
weather will prevail, except cloudiness in
the northern district In the morning with
flash and brisk westerly and northwest
erly winds, and Hourly stullonury. fol
lowed by falling temperature. On Sutur
day. In both of these sections, fair, cold
ei weather und fresh noitherly und
northwesterly winds will prevail, winds
be-coiniug variable, and followed In tho
western and northern districts of this
section by Increasing cloudiness und a
slight rise of temperuturo and possibly
by snow or rain.
THE NEWS THIS 310IJXING.
Weather Indications Today;
Pairs Cold Northerly Vt indi.
1 General Report of tho Interslato
Commerce Commission.
Wolcott on Illmetnlllsm.
National Board of Trade Trues a Per
manent Turlff Commission.
Call Schuiz Hpeuks on civil Service.
2 Interstate Commerce Commission lie-
port (Concluded).
11 Advertisements.
1 Kdliorlal.
Slglit-Seelng In the National Cnpltil.
5 Local Court Proceeilliifes.
0 Local Ninth Ward Hepubllcnn Nom
inations. John L. Will Fight No More.
7 Locul Dr. D. J. Stalford's Lecture on
"Hamlet."
important Huslness Transuded by
Councils.
S Local West Sldo and Suburban.
9 Lackawanna County Happenings.
10 Neighboring County News.
The Markets.
PRACTICES OF
CARRIERS
Shown in Report of the
Inter-State Commerce
Commission.
AS TO DISCRIMINATIONS
Evils Which the Commission
Has no Power to Correct.
As tlio Law Ifns llccn Interpreted
There Can lie Nn I'.ll'cctlvc Regula
tion oltho Inter-Stutc Carriers, ami
II This Is to He, the Act -Must Uo
Atniucndcd--Disnstrous Rate Cut
tiiiK"I,argc Shippers, Trusts anil
Monopolies Reap tlio Ilcncfit, While
Small Shippers Pny Pull Rates In
teresting Pacts for Consideration.
Washington, Dec. 1.". The eleventh
annual repot t of the Interstate Com
merce commission was made public to
day. Its salient fenturcs follow:
Sessions have been held during tho
year In many sections of tho country,
ns well as in Wnshlngton. Charges uiiil
practices of 510 carriers were Inquired
Into. Hindrances to regulation aid
checks upon enforcement ot the act havo
resulted largely, If not chiefly, from tni
discoveries and decisions of the conns
giving to the act an Interpretation .-
trnry to the gi nerul understundliiK ot ltn
scope and purposes.
The misunderstanding of tho commis
sion, the court ot appeals, ani In thu
Supremo court Itself, In regard to tho
ruling of the Supreme court In the so
cial circle case, as to the power of tho
commission to prescribe rates, is stated;
and the later decision of tho (Supreme
court, ono Justice dissenting, that thu
commission can only find and report
what was wrong In the pv,t and cai
not prescribe rates for future observan- o
by the carrier is wKscussod. The com
mission recites what tho no', provides us
to reasonable rates and whet duties aro
lold upon the commission, end say that
while the court of final determination
declares the law as found In th-j statute,
such recital shows why th,- public had
believed that n more satisfactory and
complete remedy for transportation
abuses was provided In the statute, why
tho commission had given a constriction
tc tlio law which the court decides to
be erroneous, und way neldltiouil leg
islation should bo enacted. Ca-riors may
now estuhllsh their own rates and Judg'o
for themselves what are reasonable and
Just, Independent of any regulating au
thority. Tho power of tho commission
over future discriminations and prefer
ences is also affected. Without author
ity to make tho llrst three sections of tho
law effective In tho future, practically
all the commission can do Is to Inqulro
Into wrongs done In the past and report
tho result to Itself. A suit to recover ex
cess over reasonable rates Is not an aib -quate
or equitable remedy. Prevention
by llxlng and establishing rcnsonublo
rates In advance Is the only practical
legal remedy for extortionate and un
just charges, and tho law should bo
miulo so plain that neither the commis
sion nor the courts can misconstrue or
misinterpret Its meaning.
.MAXIMUM RATK CASK.
l-'arther discussing the Supremo court
decision denying power In the commis
sion to prescribe maximum rates, the re
port states that It Is perhaps the most
Important since the uct wus passed. Tho
court referred to billions of dollars In
vested In railroad properties and the im
menso tralllc moved yearly. The commis
sion calls attention to tho public inter
est In freight charges paid by tho pcoplo
during the fiscal year of ISM, amounting
to $7SC,Ci;,S37, nnd that a very slight
change In rates on n staple artlclo
amounts to an enormous sum In tho ag
gregate. Tho railway tralllc manager
may decree whether an Industry shall
exlbt or a locality flourish. Tho question
Is ono of transcendent Importance both
to tho capitalist and tho humblest citizen.
Tho commission can no longer afford re
lief In particular cases as It bus in tho
past, for the Supreme court conllnes tho
commission to orders In respect only of
what has been done by the carrier. Reg
ulation governing futuro rates Is now un
authorized. Tho report shows that damages for
unreasonable rates can only bo recov
ered by the one who pays the freight
money, while the real loser Is generally
tho producer or consumer. Moreover, l(
tho party Injured could suo, his individ
ual Interest In tho particular caso would
usually bo small, and he frequently would
not do so. Ah Individual Is not ordin
arily a match for tho vast power ot u,
railroad corporation. Reparation has
only been awurded by the commission in
five cases. This shows how Insignificant
to those who suffer and complain Is thn
mere right to recover a portion of tho
freight paid. Cases Involving unreason
able rates have usually been brought by
a state commission, a freight bureau,
or by tho Interstate commerce commis
sion on Its own motion, with a view of
correcting the rate schedule to bo In
fiitute effect, but such bodies would not
conduct Investigations which could only
establish puiely personal rights. When
tho case for recovery of dumages gets
to tho court It Involves a Jury trlul. On
grain from Kansas City to Chicago, a
Chicago Jury may think 0 cents per inn
pounds reusonuble, while a Kansas City
Jury may think 13 cents enough. A cur
dluul purpose of the act Is to secure uni
formity of rates, but application of tho
remedy provided by congress produces,
under tho Supreme court decision, not
uniformity and equality, but the dln-st
confusion and grossest discrimination.
Claims based on unreasonable rates
muy come to bo bought und sold, prose
cuted upon speculation. In much tho same
way that personul dum.igo claims nro.
and Juries will give the like excessive
verdicts that they often do In suits of
thut nature. Dots the t'nlted Statos go
ernment desire to dellborately create that
condition of things which Is little hetti-r
than legalized brigandage'.' Instead of
saying that the commission can only n
gurd tho past, it would accord more wlih
the Intent of the not and be more for
tho Interest of the public und the cur
riers If Inquiries by the commission
looked mostly to the future, Tho power
to reduce u rato has been and will be.
If granted, a most important feat tiro of
the commission's work. Over one-third
of Its orders havo directed rnto reduc
tions. In thirty-eight cases now pending;
the main question is ono ot reduction lu