, y 6 : tmtttat 10 PAGES. PAGES $- V1 -i ssS&SJ fVd"CENTS. SCRAJXTON. PA., WEDNESDAY MORNING. MARCH 2, 1808. TWO CENTS. qVA THE MAINE Chief Interest Centered in Statements of Secretary Long REGARDING RESPONSIBILTY The Secretary's Remarks Were Misunderstood. Explanations Aro Given Concerning tho Reason lor Attaching ttio Maine to a lluoy in Ilnvnnn Ilurbor-The Cabinet Still In tbo Dark a to tho Evidence Given Doforo tho Uonrd ol Inquiry--Difficulties Encountered Securing Bodies That llavo Uoon JJuricd on Spanish Soil. Washington, March 1. The chief In terest today in connection with the Maine Inquiry centered in a statement by Secretary Long following the cabi net meeting, that In his personal opin ion any official participation by the Spanish government In the blowing up of tho Maine was now practically elim inated from the situation. This state ment was not of a formal or official character, and was made by Mr. Long as he walked away from the White se. As usual the various cabinet ;rs were besieged with inauirles as to-tho questions before the meeting, and In response to these importunities the secretary summed up the situa tion in a few words, stating that moat of the time had been given to the out rages on colored postmasters In tho south. Naturally the Cuban situation had been gone over, he said, but there were no actual developments and he felt that public excitement over the subject had materially abated. Then he added the statement In the same passing way, that any participation by the Spanish government in the blowing up of the Maine was practically elimin ated in his judgment. This last re mark was speedily given wide circula tion. It Immediately started much comment and discussion, and when Mr. Long returned to tho navy department after lunch he found that what he had intended to convey was given the force of an official declaration that Spain's responsibility for the disaster had been eliminated. In order to make clear his meaning as a personal expression of opinion Mr. Long dictated the follow ing statement: "The main things we talked about in tho cabinet were the outrages on the postmasters, one white man in Geor gia and one a colored man in South Carolina. "In regard to the Cuban situation I said I thought things were growing quieter every day and as far as my judgment went I was inclined to think that an official participation on the part of the Spanish government In the disaster was now practically elimin ated." The foregoing conveyed all that Mr. Long desired to say on the subject and this much .was given only to offset en larged versions of what he said. Per sons occupying the closest relations with the secretary said that the opin ion expiessed wus such as any one might give with the facts now nt hand. It was not in any sense, It was ex plained, a conclusion drawn from new evidence not made public either from the court of Inquiry or any officer now concerned in the inquiry. Neither facts nor Intimations have come from such sources, It is said at tho depattment, which would servo as the basis for an opinion. Tho official declaration of Senor du Bo.sc, the Spanish charge d'affaires, that no mines or submaiinc defenses exist In the harbor of Havana had come to tho attention of Secre tary Long and this statement from the authorized representative of the Span ish government was felt to have been given weight in the opinion expressed by tho secretary. REGARDING RESPONSIBILITY. It was pointed out by persons bear ing close relations to the secretary that tho language used was "official par ticipation" on the part of the Spanish government. This it was said had no bearing on the question of Spain's re sponsibility. Tho "official participa tion" of Spain was one thing; while the responsibility of Spain In case the disaster proved to be of external origin was quite another thing. The secre tary's statement was restricted, It was explained, to exculpating Spain from direct official knowledge and partici pation In the affair. In case it was Bhown that the act was due to some fanatic or person connected with the government, then the question of Spain's responsibility would be still open. Mr. Long was surprised that so much attention had been given to his passing allusion. Aside from this in cident the day brought forth few de velopments of Importance relating to the Maine. No dispatches of any char acter from Key West, where the court of inquiry is sitting, were given out during tho day, and as the rule of pub llclty is still In force, presumably noth ing came from that quarter. The ves sel movements announced during the day wero devoid of significance. Orders went out from tho navy de partment late this afternoon to put the ironclads Mlantonomoh and Katahdtn Into commission on the 10th Instant. They are now at the League Island navy yard, where they havo been laid up for a day or two past. The Mlan tonomoh Is a formidable double tur retted monitor, carrying four ten-inch guns. In addition to her main battery she carries a good secondary battery of rapid fire guns und her turrets are clad with ll'.i-lnch armor. Her commander has not yet been definitely selected, but the remainder or her officers will bo &8 follows: Lieutenant Commander Wilson, execuUve officer; Lieutenant Underwood, navigator; LleutenantB INQUIRY Hogg, QUI and Ensign Colman, watch officers; Past Assistant Surgeon Weaver, Chief Engineer Patks. THE KATAHDIN'S POWERS. Tho Katahdln, otherwise known ns the Atnmen ram, Is a freak in naval architecture, and although opinions are divided as to her qualities, there is little doubt that her presence in any harbor would make an enemy anxious. She lies mostly under water, with a turtle back of steel varying in thick ness from 2& inches to C inches. The theory of her designer, Admiral Am men, was that this armor plate could not bo struck directly by a shot from another vessel and that such shot would be harmlessly dollected by the sloping steel deck. In action the con ning tower and smoke Btack aro about all of the ship that would present a mark. The former Is made of steel IS Inches thick. The Katahdln is a jam pure and simple, having In the way of weapons nothing except her sharp steel back and a few small rapid-fire guns to keen off torncdo boats. When she was designed her speed was placed nt a very high mark, but she did not re alize expectations, owing to her peculiar obstructive under water model. The two vessels have crews lespectlvely of 150 and 90 men. It was learned nt the navy depart ment today why the Maine was tied up to a buoy In Havana harbor instead of anchoring, a fact that has been the base for some of the theories as to the cause of disaster. It Is stated that not only la a man-of-war at buoy in much better place for quick service than when anchored, but it appears that if a ship casts her anchor in Havana harbor that the mud which clings to it on being hoisted to the deck la so foul and polluted with yellow fever and other disease germs that tho ship must go into quarantine upon her return to any Florida port. its. FUNERAL OF VICTIMS. Unburicd Demi ol tho Mill no Will Do Interred nt Key M est. Key West, March" 1. A good part of time of the naval court to-dav was devoted to verifying the testimony given, stenographer reading the official transcriptions of evidence of the wlt nesse and confirming their correctness. Apparently but few vital questions were asked this morning being seem ingly devoted to routine work. Among those examined were Past Assistant Engineer Morris, Assistant Engineer Bowers, cadets engineer dl vlson, Washington; and Crenshaw, and enlisted men of the Maine. An adjourn ment was taken alout four o.'clock until ten to-rnorrow. Admiral Slcard has requested Dr. Maloney, tho mayor ot Key West, to prevent a local de monstration when tho funeral of the Maine's dead occurs. He has asked In the event of a parade being formed by the residents only American Hags shall be displayed. Mayor Maloney has promised to car ry out Admiral Sleard's wishes as far as possible, but doubts whether the strong Cuban and anti-Spanish tenti ment can be suppressed. All of the funeral arrangements will be under the direction of Commander McCall, of the Marblehead. As now planned small details of marines will be landed from the vessels here and at the Tortugas and the artillery barracks will join in paying the last honor. The coast purvey steamer Bache will return here from Havana to-morrow nlsht or Thursday morning bringing all the unburied dead and the wounded men who have been in the hospital at Havana. Th'e wounded will be left at the Tot tugas for nbout five days quar atine, and four wounded men who were left nt the Tortugas on Saturday last will bo brought on here. Captain Slgsbee reported last night that only one unidentified body was ready for shipment but It Is expected that beveral more will ba recovered from the wreck betoro tho Bache Is ready to sail, Fun eral sen Ices over tho remains will proliablj be held on Thuisday and the intet ment will take placa In the city cemetery. The second day's sessions of the court of Inquiry are over and nothing new Is known regarding the fate of tho Maine at all events outside of the mem bers of the court. Some who confi dentially declared a week ago that the court had already found that the ves sel was Intentionally blown up have modified this conviction and for tho most part admit that such reports must have been based largely upon specu lation. Even naval officers are appar ently as much In the dark as the civil ians as to what the court's opinion Is nt the present moment. Excellent preparations have been made for ex aminations and court will probably finish Its work here tomorrow, when Its members will be taken back to Ha vana on the Mangrove. Interest In the proceedings flagged somewhat today, owing to utter futil ity of attempt to gratify curiosity. The correspondent of the Associated Press placed before one of the members of the court the letter signed Maqulnlsta (Machinist), giving alleged details of the filling of Maine's torpedo holes with dynamite cartrldces and their subse quent explosion by electric wire. The members of the court said that neither the letter nor its developments had been officially before the court. Tho Cubans here are constantly receiving mysterious missives from Havana pur porting to reveal the method by which the Maine was sent to destruction, but as there are as many suggestions or theories as letters, little reliance is placed on them. The fleet has not moved, although there are signs of activity which gave rise to rumors that an Important naval step Is contemplated. Admiral Slcard, when questioned on this point this af ternoon, merely reiterated his remark of yesterday: "There will be no move ment today." Tho ships havo steam up always and they can go anywhere. The report that remnants of a sub marine mine alleged to have been raised by the United States naval divers at Havana, with tho electrical wires in which they had been entangled were brought here on Sunday by the Mangrove and are now in the ware house of the lighthouse department, is denied in high official quarters, DOINGS OF THE DAY IN CONGRESS Resolutions to Honor (he Memory of the Dead of Ibc Maine's Crew. LOUD DIU. DISCUSSED IN HOUSE Committee on N'nvnl Affairs Acroo Upon Items of 81,000,000 lor tko I'ltrohnsa ot SmoUulass Powder and Smaller Sums for Arms and Equipment!. Washington, Match 1. In the t-enatc to-day a motion by Mr. Hoar (Mass.) to non-concur In the house amend ments to tho Bankruptcy bill diewii speech from Mr. Stewart (New) 'In which he vlgotously denounced tho mcatutu passed by the house. He de clircd it was an atrocious measure, dial elloal in Intent and could onlv re sult in grinding the poor debtor the more deeply into the financial mire. The Alaska homestead and railway right ot wny bill was under dlrcusslon dur ing the greater patt of the session, Mr. Rawlins (Utah) concluding his speech begun yesterday In opposition to the measure. The resolution of Mr. Bacon (Ca.) providing for a btonze tablet to be erected In the cunitol In memory of the officers and sailors who lost their lives In the Maine disaster was pabsed. IN THE HOUSE. Tho house to-day entered upon tho consideration of the Loud bill relative to second clabs mutter. The bill Is Identical with the bill passed tit the last congress but Mr. Loud, Its author, gave notice of an amendment permit ting th'e transmission at pound rates of bample copies up to ten per cent, oi the bona fide circulation of tho news paper periodicals. This amendment removes much opposition to the bill. Onlj three hpecches wete delivered to- day. Mr Loud made an exhaustive speech In its favor, claiming that the government practically paid a sub bidy of $40,000,000 to pioprietors of pub lications which now sot uccebs to the mails at pound rates us the cest of transporting mails and its handling averaged eight cents per pound. Mr. Moon (Dem. Term.) spoke In op position to tho bill and Mr. Petkins (Rep. Iowa) In favor of It. The de bate iill continue until Thursday when the vote will be taken at four o'clock. FOR ARMY EQUIPMENT. The house committee on naval affairs this afternoon agreed on items of $1,000,000 for the purchase of smokeless powder; $92,000 for tho erection of buildings on government ground for the manufacture of smokeless powder with the necsrary machinery and equipment and $60,000 for nrmlng and equipping the Naval Militia. The lat ter item Is an Increase of sio.uuu over the estimates of Secretary Long and provides for th'e arms, nccountrements, signal outfit boats and their equip ments and the printing of the npces earv books of instruction for the Naval MUltla of the several states under navy department regulations. The Item for the purchase of smokeless powder Is identical w.th the estimates. Several other Items of less Importance also were passed upon. CABINET MEETING. Government Still Without Definite News oi lln Mninc liiq'iiry. Washington, March 1. The meeting of the cabinet to-day nt which nil of the members were present disclosed the fact that the genernment is still without news regaidlng the caute of the disaster to the Maine. Vv to this time tho court of Inquiry has not In dicated In any way tho trend of In vestigation. The president and the members of the cabinet are as com pletely In the datk an to what the evi dence so far adduced discloses as they were on the day after the explosion. The truth of this statement Is vouched for on authority not to be questioned. It Is explained that under the peculalr circumstances of the case Captain flgsbee would not communicate his theoiies or knowledge of tho facts to any one except the court conducting the inquiry, Consul Gneral Leo would be guided by yie same considerations. In any event neither ot these officers has comunlcuted to tho government bearing upon the vital question at Is sue. The court Itself has been equally uncommunicative and nothing Is ex ppcted from this source until th'e in quiry is completed and the findings sent to the secretary of the navy. Nor hrs any lntimntlon been received as to the probable time which the Inquiry will consume. At to-day's meeting tho cabinet discussed a number of theories which have been advanced as to the cause of the oxploslon but nothing up- ptoachlng a definite conclublon was leached. Conbul General Leo has made a further explanation of the difficulties In tho way of relatives who seek to secure the lemovnl to tho United States of remains of such victims of tho ex plosion as hnvo already Won Interred. Senator Fairbanks, of Indiana, re quested the state department to ob tain permission for the exhumation and remoal of the bodies of young Keyes and tha request being submitted to General Lee called forth tho following response: "Most bodies buried some weeks ago unrecognizable. Against SpanUh law to exhume until expiration of five years. Neither steamers nor authorities permit Bhlpmcnt of bodies unless nt onco embalmed and In me tallic cases. Cost of embalming and encasing from $000 to $S00 each." SAQASTA LOOKS FOR NEWS. Spain Decides 6 Itodaco Import Duties on Grain. Madrid, March 1. The Premier Senor Sagasti Is quoted In an Interview as saying that he expects very satisfac tory news from Cuba before April. In the course of the same interview Senor Sagasta said: "In view of the in creased price of grain In Spain the government has decided to reduce the import duties." A decree on this subject Is momen tarily expected. A meeting of tho cabinet has leen ar ranged for to-morrow. It Is.bellevd this step Was taken owing to receipt of more rassurlmrews from the United States. VISCAYA AT HAVANA. Tho Spanish Cruiser Wnrinly Wcl cnmr(l--l,roclor Calls on lilunco. Havana, March 1. Tho Spanish crui ser Vlscnyu arrived oft Morro Castle nt 0 o'clock this nfternoon, after a good voyage from New York. Sho was met by scores of steam launches and gaily decorated yachts with bands, and as sho steamed up to her moorings welcomes wero shouted from the quays, which were lined with thousands of people. Tho streets and plazas were gay with bunting, rockets wero dis charged and there wa3 continuous che6rlng from all the boats. The mayor of Havana, Marquis do Estaban, ns director of the festivities, was the first to board the vessel, go ing out in General Blanco's launch. Tho officers of the Vlscaya will call first upon Admiral Manterola and then upon tho Spanish general. The Almlr anto Oquento Is expected from the Canailes at an early day and she also will be given a public welcome. Senator Proctor with his friend, Colonel Parker, and Consul-General Lee made a call of courtesy by appointment today upon Captain-General Blanco. Secretary Congosto accompanied the party and acted also as Interpreter. General Blanco received his visitors with cordiality and a pleasant talk on general matters ensued. Senator Proctor said he was glad to visit tho beautiful Island and hoped to see some of the Interior. General Blanco referred to a visit he paid to the United States when he was a young man and could speak more English than lie can now, though, o he said, his greater fluency then was probably due to the opportunity ie had of conversing with the hand nome American women. To a sugges tion by Senator Proctor that he ought to repeat his visit General Blanco smilingly replied that he feared he was too old now. The captain-general thanked the Americans for cnlllng and said he would return Senator Proctor's visit upon the return of the latter from the Interior. Thus ended a pleasant Interview. The divers nre much disappointed at not recovetlng any bodies today but hope to be more fortunate tomorrow. The Spanish divers to whom Captain Slgsbee has furnished plans of the Maine will begin their work tomorrow rinrnlng. The steamer Bache left late this evening for tho Tortugas with the wounded. 0LE0 FIENDS IN TROUBLE Uilklns nnd Untler Convicted of Vio lating Laws Ilcgulnting tho Snlo ot Hoarding House Uuttcr. Philadelphia, March 1. Joseph Wil klns and Howard Butler, wholesale and retail dealers in oleomargarine at Washington, D. C, were today con victed In the United States District court of violating the laws' regulating the purchase and sale of oleomargar ine. The defendants have been fre quent offendets against this law and have a number of times been arrested by revenue offlcets In various sections of the country, but this is their first conviction In court. They were today found guilty on all of their counts on which they were Indicted, viz.: Re moving the manufacturers' labels from packages of oleomargarine; the re moving of the internal revenue stamps and removing the brand of the word "oleomaigarlne." Sentence was de ferred and Judge Butler refused to grant the request of the convicted men's attorneys that they be admitted to bail pending argument on demurrer which was filed. They were removed to prison to await sentence. Tho sections of the law under which Witklns and Butler woie convicted fixes the minimum penalty at thirty days' Imprisonment and a fine and" tho maximum at six months' Imprisonment nnd a fine for each package from which the labels or stamps have been re moved. They admitted having In this iiibtance removed the labels nnd stamps from 120 packages containing 7.9S0 packages pounds of oleomargarine. The defendants when arrested on previous occasions, with one exception, had compromised on an amount of fine to be paid the government and to which the authotltles acquiesced, owing to the difficulty in obtaining a conviction in oleomargarine cases. In Washington on December IS, 1890, the defendants were acquitted in the United States District court on a technicality, and on the following Saturday they were caught In Philadelphia by Agent Bow,en in tho act of removing the labels and stamps from a large consignment of oleomargarine. They were then ar rested and since thnt time have en deavored to compromise with the gov ernment. They offered as high as $8, 000, but Commissioner of Internal Rev enue Scott and United States District Attorney Breck have steadfastly re fused all offers of compromise and the case was brought to trial today. The jury agreed upon a conviction without leaving their seats. CARPET COMBINE. Tho ainnulncturors of Ingrnin Hnva Oruuu'ied. Philadelphia. March 1. The etate- ments contained In a despatch from Boston to the effect that all the in grain carpet manufacturers purposed to combine were confirmed today by Thomas Bromley, of the Bromloy Brothers' Carpet company, of this city. The union of manufacturers, he said, was necessary In order to assure fair profits. When all the manufacturers havo been heard from a meeting will be called In either New York or Phila delphia and a permanent organization effected. Tho present intention It Is said Is to make tho capltnl stock $10,000,000. This city with its 3,500 looms, Mr. Bromley said, would contribute the largest membership ns there are only about 1,200 looms in the rest of the country. Gen. Cobln nt Atlnntn. Atlanta, Oa., March l.-General J, P. 8. Gobln, commander In chief of tho Grand Army of tho Republic, arrived here this morning to attend tho state encampment which takes placo tomor row, ho was mot by a recoptlon com mittee of the -local Grand Army ot tho Republic. WIP Inspect Indian School, Washington, March 1. Tho members of the house committee on Indian affairs havo arranged to go to Carlisle, Pa., to morrow to Inspect tho Indian school there. AMERICAN MAIZE PROPAGANDA Organization to Promote tbc Use of Indian Corn. TUG PUBLIC WILL BE EDUCATED In Order Thnt tho Pcoplo May Uo Drought to a Jtontlzntlon of the Vir tues oi Indian Corn tho Propngundn Will Conduct Immcuso Corn Cook ing Schools at Various Expositions. Philadelphia, March 1. Meetings of sub-committees on organization, legis lation and finance of the American Maize Propaganda, a national organ ization to promote the larger use of Indian corn In tho United States and foreign countries, were held in this city today to perfect the organization nnd mature plans for further action. Among those pieseut were Colonel Clark E. Carr, president; B. AV. Snow, secre tary, both of Illinois; Andrew Lang don, of Buffalo; Herbert Merrick, edi tor of the American Agriculturalist, New York, and W. W. Glbbs, ot Penn sylvania. Plans were formulated by which it Is expected to secure the co-operatlon of every farmer In the country, especially In the great corn belt, who produces corn, and of the manufacturers, who, by all known processes, corn and stalks for consumption and commercial use. The endorsement already from press and people encourages the committee to believe that the consumption of corn will be gteatly augmented and add to a large percentage nn increased crop. One of the things which will be asked will be an adequate presentation of corn nnd its products before the peo ples of the world at the Paris expo sition. This Is in addition to the spe cial purpose we havo In view In con ducting a propaganda at home to edu cate our own people ns to the virtues of corn In Its manifold forms. To this end our first object Is to hold a great corn exposition cooking school, etc.. In connection with the trans-Mississippi exposition at Omaha this summer or fall, followed by some work at the Pan American exposition at Buffalo next year and a still larger enterprise at Paris in 1900. In addition to this, more over, we are now considering arrang ing a circuit of corn cooking schools and corn food expositions in all the principal cities. We believe that in this way we can bring the virtues of this crop directly to the knowledge of the masses who most need It. Information has been receded that state organizations in Indiana, Illinois and Nebraska are already being per fected and are well under way In other states, and will be extended through out the country. The national organ ization will be Incorporated under the laws of Illinois with Its general office In Chicago. WOMAN BRUTALLY MURDERED. 1Il Annio L.. Edwards' Ilend Is licatcn to n Shapeless Mass. Doylestown, Pa., Match 1. Miss An nie L. Edwards, of Jamison, this coun ty, was brutally murdered last night at her home. Her body was found in a bed loom. The head had been beat en almost to a shaptness mass while about tho room there was every evi dence of a struggle. There Is no clew to tho murderer and no evidence as to the exact tlmo of the crime. The motive Is believed to have been rob bery. Miss Edwards lived aloue In the house and was last seen alive on Fri day night. From the appearance of the room It la thought the weapons used wero a chair and a water pitcher. Both of these were found covered with blnod and matted hair. The news ot ',";:, ,, .,. it is tho fTf" ,." ll0"" h " " ', J'1 ji u...,inn linn nvantatl nnnalHordllln the murder of Deputy Constable Mon deau, by Adam Weaver, at Burson ville. The county commissioners today offered a reward of $1,000 for the ar rest of Miss Edwards' murderer, and increased the teward for the arrest of the Weaver from $300 to $500. m TRIAL OF QENTNER. Tho Ilngus Citizon-.Wnkor Is Iloioro United Stiilps District Court. Philadelphia, March 1. The trial ot Charles It. Gentner, ex-member of tho state legislature nnd well-known Dem ocrat politician, on charges of con Rnlracv with Richard W. Merrick and Eusene J. Lindsay to Issue fraudulent naturalization certificates and aiding and abetting Richard W. Merrick In Is suing 'the same, was commenced this afternoon before Judge Butler In tho district court. The contention of the United States Is that defendants last autumn took a number of aliens to city hall whete Lindsay made out first pa pers in naturalization for them. That a week or ten days afterwards tho aliens went to Gentner's saloon and up on payment of a balanco Gentner was furnished naturalization certificates. The amount paid for naturalization by aliens in some case It is said run as high as $25. Sonio of these people who were naturalized Bald that they wero never In tho postofllce building and therefore had never appeared in tho United States court to be properly natural ized. Engineer Rutherford Dead. Harrlsburg, Pa., March 1. William II. Rutherford, retired chief engineer of the United States navy, died here today. Ho entered the navy in 1S19 and served through tho Civil war and until 1874 when he was retired for disability Incurred during tho war. Ho was born In Phila delphia In 182S. Noted I'rencher Dead. Reading, Pa., March 1. Rev. Dr. Z. Welser. aged CO years, pastor of the GOS' benhophen Reformed church at East Greenville for 30 years, and ono of tho leading preachers pf the denomination, died this nfternoon. Ho was well known as un author. m Conl Compnny's Receiver, Now York, March 1. Samuel S. Sinter was appointed receiver for the Natallo Anthraclto Coal company today by Jus tlco Prlco In tho supreme court. A Judg ment was obtained against tho company by George W. Mark on Jan. 0 for $9,454. THE NEWS THIS MOltNINU Weather Indications Todoyi fair; Variable Winds. Gcneral-Tcplcs of tho Matno Inquiry. Sheriff Martin Testifies. Amerlcnn Malro Propaganda. Work of National Legislators. General Sheriff Martin on tho Stand In tho Lnttlmer Trial (Concluded.) Loral-Ministers Meet in Wyoming Church. Editorial. Comments of tho Press. Local Poor Board Candidates to Tako Action Looking to tho Ousting ot tho Present Board. Local Receiver for Grocery Finn of GUmoro & Duffy. Wyoming Seminary Dedicates a New Oymnastum. Local-Methods of Adjusting City Finances A Real Law Suit. Local West Sldo and Suburban. Lackawanna County News. Whitney's Weekly News Budget. Tho Markets. REPRESENTATIVE FORD'S OFFER Is Willing to Scrro Without Compen sation nt nn Extra Sassion of tho Stnto Legislature. Pittsburg, March 1. The Pittsburg Dispatch will tomorrow publish a spec ial telegram from Harrlsburg, which says Representative Thomas J. Ford, a leader of the- last house, has sent a letter to Governor Hastings which will vanish the idea that the capltol mud dle Is in such a shape that an extra session of tho general assembly to straighten out mutters would bo de sirable. Realizing that the cost of such a session would be a principal ob jection to It, he expresses tho belief that the legislature would agree to serve for a few days without salary and makes an offer to that effect, set ting the example. A constitutional au horlty for nn extraordinary session of legislature sa'u that Harrlsburg esti mated that an extra legislature session would cost the state X3OO.00O, and such nn expense could of course be justified only by a very extinordlnary circumstance Indeed. But If a sebslon could be arranged for at a. cost much less than the figure named would not the extra ordinary and complicated situation in regard to tho construction of the state capltol justify such a session. It was provided by an act approved April 14, 1807, that a commission be appointed to erect a new capltol build ing and said that commission should consist of the governor, auditor gener I al a..d state treasurer together with the president pro tern of the senate and the speaker of the house of repre sentatives. The commission was committed to the expenditure of $350,000 for the erec tion of a building which was to be ready for occupancy not later than Nov. 15, 1S9S. Without calling to your attention details with which you aro more fa miliar than myself I think it is en tirely safe to say that It Is now the general opinion that the purpose of the capltol building act will not be real ized within the time set. If the situation in your opinion Jus tifies action, I believe the problem of expense Is one that would be solved In a patriotic spirit by the members them selves. Meeting with but one object In view, and that already thoroughly dlscubsed tluoughout the state, an extra session called for the purpose of arranging for capltol construction should not be a lengthy one. Speaking personally, I am ready to agree to servo time as may be necessary without compensation. There are 254 members1 of the general assembly. Full salary for each one for nn extra session would be $183,000, ex clusive of mileage, and there would be other expense making a latge sum. If each one will serve for nctual ex penses, a session might be held for less than $30,000. I would therefore respect fully suggest to you the advisability of an extra session if it appears that the state capltol cannot be completed within the time limited by the act aforesaid and from an inquiry major ity of each house is In favor of repeal of the Act of April 14, 1897, and if they will serve the necessary time for actual expenses Incurred. Very respectfully youts, Thomas J. Ford." Governor Hastings has not as yet ex pressed any opinion concerning Mr. Ford's letter. An effort is to bo made to ascertain the feeling upon the sub ject among the senators and represen tatives throughout the state. SQUADRON AT MONO KONO. U. S. Worship in Position to Attack the Philippines. London, March 1. A special dispatch from Shanghai says: "The United Stntes squadron Is con centrated at Hong Kong with a view of active operations against Manila, Philippine Islands, In the event of an outbreak of war between the United States and Spain. The United States squadron, which is powerful, includes the cruisers Olympla, Boston, Raleigh, Concord and Petrel." Steamship Arritnls. 'New York, March 1. Cleared: La Brotngne, Havre; Germanic, Liverpool! Noordland, Antwerp; Purls, Southartp ton. Sallod: Trave, Bremen via South ampton. Liverpool Sailed: Nomadl;, New York. Antwerp Arrived: Western. land. New York. Brow head Passed: Ma jestic, Now York for Liverpool. Ilnrrr Mrcdllh Dend. New York, March l.-Harry Meredith, the nctor who hns played In all the pilnclpal cities of the United States, died hero today, aged CS years, of paral) sis. The Hornld's outlier I'orocnst. Now York. March 2. In tha Mlddlo States nnd New England today fair to partly cloudy weather will prevail, with Bllbhtly lower tcmper.ituio and frosh northerly to easterly winds, followed In some soctlons by bnow or rain in tho afternoon. The wind on tho couBt In in creasing decidedly In force tonight. Oi Thursday in both or tnese sections paruy cloudy to cloudy weatner and lower tern pernturo will prevail, with snow In the northern and rain In the southern uls tikts und brisk easterly, to northerly winds high on tho coasts, followed by clearing in tho western oar ' ''" 'action. MARTIN TELLS HIS STORY The Sheriff of Luzerne County on the Wit ness Stand. TELLS OF THE TRAGEDY An Interesting: Story of Events at Lattimer. the Detailed Account of tho Gathering of tho Deputies nnd Efforts on Part ot tho Shcriirto Kocp tho Ienco--IIo (Snvo tho Deputies Expross Ordori Not to Shoot Unless Tholr I.lvci Wero in Dmigor--M hon thn Ollicor Was on Ills Knees, Doing Roughly Handled by tho Mob, tbo Shooting Uognu. Wilkes-Barre, March 1. Lewis Mcli sow, a blacksmith at the Ilurwood breaker, waa tho llrst witness in the. Martin trial today. He testified thai there wus no work at the blacksmith shop from Sept. 3, when the Harwood men were driven out, until Sept. 10 tho day of the shooting. Thomas Har ris, jKiymaster for the Calvin Parde company at Lattimer, said that he was sworn In as a deputy and armed with a Winchester rifle loaded with llfteec ball cartridges. On Sept. 7 he, togethei with William Kulp, was guarding the railroad approach to the breaker al Lattimer. When thostrlkers approached Kulp fired his gun In the air and the strikers broke and ran, at tho same time a striker fired a revolver and shouted: "You've got us today, but we'll come back tomorrow several thou sand strong." Continuing, the witness said: "Some nine or ten of us followed the fleeing strikers," and ho added on cross-examination, "shooting and yelling and making more noise than did tho strik ers." "We chased them back to the road," said tho witness, "and they then went home." The witness did not see the shooting on September 10, being stationed some distance away from the general line of deputies. Ho ran up as soon as hu heard tho shooting. Tho cross-examination was quite lengthy and brought out tho fact that Mr. Harris had se cured -his rifle: at Mr. Pardee's office. He could not tell, however, how many ifles had been furnished by that com pany or where they were obtained. Asked If the Pardee men were paid anything extra for their work on that day he said: "Not that I know of." George Thompson, superintendent ot the Lehigh Traction company, told how he had run a special car to West Hazelton for tho deputies and taken them from there to Lattimer. At West Hazleton he said the strikers seemed determined and violent. He also said that ho understood that deputies Hess and Pi Ice acted as captains under Sheriff Martin. The witness did not see the shooting at Lattimer, but when it was over he helped to placo the dead and wounded on the cars and saw them taken to Hazleton. The defense for the purpose of con tradicting some of the prosecution's witnesses submitted some of their evi dence delivered at the preliminary, hartng before Judges Lynch and Ben nett last September. Sheriff Martin wns not put on tho stand as soon as the afternoon session opened. Instead a witness for the commonwealth, Dan Cleary, and one for defense, Bensberger, occupied half an hour in contradicting each other about an alleged statement relative to the road tho strikers took In march ing to Lattimer. Thomas Hall and William Shoemaker employes of the Pardee company nt Lattimer, said that they did not know ot any dissatisfaction among the men there or any demand for an Increaso of wages. Each said ho had been driven from work by tho strikers but on cross-examination admitted they had left work when they heard tho strikers were coming. SHERIFF MARTIN CALLED. Then Sheriff Martin was called and as he entered the witness stand thero was a tustlo of excitement. It was Just ten minutes to three. Ho was rather nervous, coughed frequently; and could not keep his hands still. Ho was asked the usual questions about his position and said he was elected In 1893 and took office the first Monday In January, 189C. His commission ami proclamation wete read and placed In evidence. He then went on to tell his story nnd opoko for an hour without Interruption. "I was at Atlantic City on Sept. 4." he said, "when I received a telegrnm from Deputy Sheriff lraie saying I was needed at home. I came at onco and met Mr. Fred Chase, General Superin tendent W. A. Lnthrope, of the Lehigh Valley Conl company and my attorney, Mr. George 8. Ferris. I was told by Mr. Lathropo that tho Hazleton strik ers had damaged the company's prop erty and interferred with the work men, and he would hold ma responsi ble for any further trouble. "I suggested that General Superin tendent Lawall, of the Lehigh and Wllkes-Bnrro Coal company, bo called In, and when ho came I suggested that he arbitrate the differences between tho men and thus settlo tho strike. Ho agreed. "Mr. Fen Is, my lawyer, then sug gested getting out a proclamation and this was dono Just beforo I went to Hazleton on the sixth. "At Hazleton I met Superintendent of Lehigh Valley Coal company Mr. Piatt and Thomas Hall. They told mo there had been much rioting and that It ought to be stopped. I asked if they could get me up a possee, as I did nut; V 4 1
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