tt0Hp9v tribune. ttmttott Gli'iri Ou '1' 01 lijL TWO CENTS. SCRANTON, PA., TUESDAY MORNING, MAY 23, 1899. TWO CENTS. Accused of robbing THE DEAD Startling Is the Testimony Brought Out at the Reading Inquest. PENNINGTON'S CHARGE A Witness States That Ho Saw Men in Uniform Rifling the Pockets of Dead Victims of the Wreck at Ex eterPlacing the Responsibility for the Awful Slaughter It Is Proven Beyond Question That There Was Not Over Two Minutes Between the Running Time of tho Trains. Heading, Pa., May 22. Important facts wore established today ut the opening session of the coroner's In quest over the Heading railway wreck at Exeter which will go far toward fix ing the responsibility for the appall ing list of twenty-nine deaths in that disaster. While the most important witnesses are yet to be examined, It Is already proven beyond question that there was not over two minutes at Ex eter between the running time of the fated cannon ball express and the sec oml section, which crashed Into it. Ac cording to the statements made on the witness stand by Engineer Wildemuth and Conductor Hrommer, who were In charge of the cannon ball express, "If the company's tule of live minutes be tween trains had not been violated the accident would not have happened." That this fact Is realized by the offic ials of tho road Is evidenced by an order which has been Issued since the Exeter wreck, making It Imperative that there shall be at least live min utes liftween trains by obliging tower men along the line to display danger signals for that length of time after the passage of every train. It was testi fied today that bad this rule been en forced before May 12. the calamity at Exeler station would have been pre vented. Heretofore It has been cus tomary for signalmen to display red lights only as long as the passing train Is In sight. One of the secondary causes that led to the wreck and tho responsibility therefore, was apparently unearthed In th- examination of Telegraph Operator Swart, as to the reasons for the delay of the coal train at Hlrdsboro which led to the orders holding up the can non ball at Exeter. Swartz declared thai tin.- coal train stood on the tracks twelve minutes without moving or doing any ot the switching that It was stopped for. Thi unexplalnable delay, be sild. was becau.se the engineer of the coal train claimed he did not see the signals of his conductor and brake man. Apparently, had this delay not taken placi, the coal train could have ni'ived away in ample time to leave a clear trick for the express. It was not until some time later that tho breakage of a brake gear on one of the cars of he coal train which de layed It ten minutes more, was dise coered. Violation of Rules. While the testimony taken today seemed to exculpate the train crew of thr cannon ball express, from any blame for the accident, the point was brourht out that It was a technical violation uf the rules of the com pany lnr the .-ngineer to back his train after being stopped at Exeter, although both he and the conductor claimed jus titration for It. Had the express not been run back a distance of over 200 to 300 feet lvtweeen the cunve In the mil load and the second section would have had a bettei chance In which to stop lt rate ot speed which was so great that even with the brakes on so hard that lite (lew from the trace wheels, Its speed did not mateilally slacked befoie striking the rear of the cannon ball. Another point of considerable Import -nnce that was developed was that there was no necessity to stop the can non ball express at Exeter When the train was held up by a red semaphore light and tan back to tho station the telegraph operator gave a "clearing" card to the engineer on which was stated that there was no ttrdeis for the train, the order to stop having been countermanded. The express could have been allowed to proceed, It was testllled, without any danger, as the engineer was on the lookout for tho coal train that bad been delayed at Hlrdsboro. Hud the coining of the rocond section been delayed I'.O seconds the express would have a?.iln been In motion and the accident would have been averted. Twenty. one witnesses were examined today. Many more are on the list nnd the examination will In all likeli hood continue until Thursdaj. Opinions as to Speed. Conductor Edwaid Sontmnii. Kngi neer William II l.ongeleker and Hrukemen John Nyiin, John Meeker and John J. Kennedy, the crew of tho freight train that was on tho siding a Exeter when the collision oecunv. , were examined as to the speed of the second section of the express train. Thel" testimony ngreed on the point 'hat It was running ut a speed of from 10 to BO miles an hour and that the brakes were applied so hard that lire Hew from tho wheels of the train They were all positive that the llrst section of tho train weio at a standstill at Exeter and that ilrakeuian Miller ran back on the tra k waving n led and v hi to lantern. William Lutz, hotelkeeper at Kxo ter, and James Toal, who was stand ing on the depot platform at Kxvtor. deyi-ribed the scene of the wreck. Thny conllrmt-d tho ctutcmentu of the crew of the llrst section In reference to tho train being at a standstill after It had hacked, Itobcrt Jackson, of Norrls tuwn, who was a passenger on tho third car of tho second section, and Mahlcn Is'. Kline, of Philadelphia, who was a passenger on tho Pullman car of the first train, described their ex periences. Engineer Wlldemuth and Conductor lirommor, of the llrst section of the ex press, each made the statement: "If the Ilve-mlnute rule between trains had not been violated by the second sec tion tho nccldent would not have, hap pened." Chatles E. Miller, rear brakeman on the llrst train, testified that he Jumped off the backing train and ran up the track, waving a red and white lantern. Ho heard tho whistle of the second sec tion, and in less than thirty seconds tho headlight flashed around the curve. Fireman John Kemmerer, front brake man: Oscar Fair mid Haggagemaster Frank H. Wagner, the other members of tho train crew, gave testimony cor roborating that of the engineer, con ductor and rear brakeman. Testimony That Conflicts. Testimony that conflicted with that of tho trainmen was given by Major Henry Pennington, of Philadelphia, and Mr. Sander"!, a traveling salesman, of New York. They both declared positively that tho llrst section was stllll hacking when struck by the sec tion. They testified that after the collision they had a dispute with the trainmen over this point. Major Pen nington said that Ilrakeman Miller declined that he had no chance to get off the train to run back and signal, for It was backing too fast. Miller denied having made this statement when he was called to the stand. Ma jor Pennington testllled that he saw men, some of them In uniform, at tempting to take off finger rings. San ders also stated that he saw at least a dozen men rifling tho pockets of the dead. At first he thought they were friends of the victims hut was convinced later that they were stealing valuables. There was considerable Interest In the testimony of tho members of the crew of the coal train that wax detained at Hlrdsboro and caused the stoppage of the c ross nt Exeter. Conductor Wil liam I x and Engineer John II. Longel testified that the coal train left Head ing at 7.33 o'clock us an extra freight, with only ono stop to make at Birds boro, before reaching Philadelphia. They told of the switching that was done at P.lrdsboro, tho breaking of a brake gear on ono of the trains, the efforts that they made to get the coal train to Monoeacy siding 'in time to allow the oncoming express a clear track. Operator John Swartz, of Hlrdsboro, who was also examined In reference to the movements of the coal train at that place, created a stir when he said that for n period of twelve minutes the train stood Idly on the track. "It arrived at S.ll o'clock." he said, "and until 8.24 It laid without doing nnythlng, because, as the engineer claimed, he could not see the signals of the conductor and brakeman." The operator told ot the reputed meswiRe.s that came fiom the train dispatcher nt Heading ordering him to "hurry the coal train awy," and finally It was moved at S.4S o'clock, just on the express train's time. VERY LIVELY DAY AT THE ASSEMBLY Democracy Asserts Itself Colonel Hitchcock's Report to Reduce Rep resentation Is Frowned Upon. Minneapolis. May 22 Democracy as serted Itself in the Presbyterian gen eral assembly this afternoon. With a shout the assembly voted down two caiefully considered and ptepared plans to reduce the membership, one ly a third and the other by more that a half. The committee on reduced representation appointed a year ago wits scarcely given courteous treat ment, so pionounced was the feeling against getting farther away from the people. Two members of the committee pre sented the tto proposed plans, one making the basis of representation 0,000 communicants and the other mak ing the basis 36 ministers In the pres byteries Instead of 21 as at present. Colonel F. L. Hitchcock, of the com mittee, argued for the representation by synods according to membership and declared that there was no doubt that f.r.7, tho present membership of the genernl assembly was far too large. It was plain from the Interruptions that Colonel Hitchcock was on the un popular side and when he sat down expressions of the democratic spirit came out strongly and piofusely. Several brief speeches were made again reducing the representation and when a motion was put calling for tho discharge of the committee and tho Indefinite postponement of the mat ter there was a mighty "yes" and n feeble "no." The decision against another pail of the senate committee's report was closer. Ry a vole of IS! to lcs the ns smbly decided not to Increase from fi to 10, the number of ministers neces. sary to constitute a presbytery. Dr. W. P.. Klrkwood. of Empoiln. Kansas, presented tho report of tho committee on the board or education. The report held that the expense of the board was not undue and that It could not be reduced without consoli dation of boards, which was not wise. The standard of ministerial education was declared not to be declining and the day of shrinkage In the numlter of candidates for the ministry was said to he In the past. The re-election of the members of the board whose terms txplio this year, was recommended. Tho report was adopted. Heforo the popular meeting tonight ot the Freedmen's board the largest of the meetings held under the auspl res of the assembly, the Uev. II. W. Ilulbert. of Cleveland, originator ot tho movement to raise the 40,000 Indebted ness of the board, announced that sub scriptions and apportionments will root up $50,000 or Ju.l.OOO. For the first time In a generation all departments of tho Presbyterian church nro free from debt. It was announced, how ever, that every presbytery Is expected to pay tho portion of debt apportioned to It. as all excess above the quota which any presbytery gives will bo do voted to opening some of the schools which have been closed for lack of funds, SOME COUNTY CONVENTIONS PREPARATIONS MADE POR TIIE STATE GATHERING. Northumberland Republicans Elim inate the Quay Eight Monroe Democrats Condemn Governor Stone for Cutting School Appro priations Other Conventions. Sunbury, Pn., May 22. At the lie publlcan convention of Northumber land, county hold hero today, the fol lowing ticket was nominated: Pro thonotary, Gilbert S. Burrows, of Sun bury: treasurer, Daniel D. Helm, of Shamokln; commissioners, J. It. Sharp less, of Hushtown township, and George Rausenbush, of Mt Carmelj auditors, J. M. Snyder, of Shamokln, and E. II. Reed, of Chllllsququo township; coro ner. Dr. Isaac Goodman, of Mt Carmol; state delegates, Harry A. Heed, ot Sunbury; II. C. Taggart, of Northum berland, and A. G. Haas, ot Shamokln, Resolutions endorsing the administra tion of President McKlnloy and Gover nor Stone, and declaring In favor of the expansion policy were adopted, The Quay tight was eliminated from the convention, but the delegates to tho state convention, although unln structed, are friendly to the ex-senator. Stroudsburg, Pa., May 22. The Mon roe county Democratic committee at Its regular May meeting today elected as delegates to the state convention ox 'Congressman John T. Storm. C. H. Staples and John D Hrodhcad, with In structions to vote for Judge Albright, of Allentown, for Supreme Justice. Resolutions were adopted condemning Governor Stone for cutting down the school appropriation. Gettysburg. May 22. The Adams county Republican convention today named George D. Thorn, chief clerk In the olllce of Secretary of the Common wealth Griest, as a delegate to the state convention. FOR HOME MISSIONS. Grants Made nt the Meeting of Presbyterian Board. Philadelphia, May 22. Today's ses sion of the board of home mission and church extension of the United Pros bytnrlan church were devoted to. tho consideration of the remaining appli cations for aid under the l.'-year limit and receiving the reports of the sub committees. The following grants were made: Manspeed Presbytery, Dalton, $200; Mercer Presbytery, Sharon, $200; Mus kingum Presbytery, Caledonia, amount asked for ."CO. amount granted $250, The One Hundred and Nineteenth street church, New York, was refused aid after discussion, The decision of the committee on special missions and special work, the committee on reso lutions and the committee on now work weio also brought In and dis cussed. Tonight there will be an open paillnment to discuss the fcOfcle ques tion of the 15-yenr limit. PEACE JUBILEE. The Return of Peace Will Be Cele brated at Washington. Washington, May 22. The national peace Jubilee with which Washington will celebrate the return of peace will begin tomorrow and continue for threo days. Incoming trains nre bringing many strangers to the city, particu larly from the south. A national salute at 7 o'clock to morrow morning from the despatch boat Dolphin, the Washington bar racks and Fort Meyer, the ring of chimes and church bells and the toot ing of steam whistles will start the three days' celebration. The chief feature of the day will be the military and naval parade, which will move from tho peace monument at 2 o'clock and be reviewed by the president and his cabinet. In the evening there wllj be a display of fireworks ut the monu ment grounds. TRYING TO SAVE WIREBACK. An Effort to Introduce the Insanity Dodge. Lancaster. May ::2.-rCouiise; for Ualph W. Wireback, sentenced to be bunged June 7 for the murder of it. ink President D. n. Lnndls, this afternion made application to the court for the appointment of a commission In luna cy under tlv net ()f a-smbly ot May, 1SS3. The petition stated that nine physicians, Including several promin ent experts, had examined Wireback and found him Insane The commonwealth objected and the court dismissed the petition. Wire back's counsel took an exception and will take a writ of error to the su preme court and also ask the state board of charities to Intervene. m MR. BUCKALEW'S FUNERAL. Services Held at Bloomsburg Yes terday Afternoon. Hloumsburg, Pa., May 22. Funeral sendees over the remains of Hon. Charles Hollln Huckalew, whose death occurred on Friday last, were held at his late residence In this city this af ternoon. The leliglous services were conduted by Rev. II. C. Connor, of tho Methodist Episcopal church, and were of a very simple character. At tho conclusion of the services the body, followed by the relatives and a large cortege of sorrowing friends. i among them being many prominent men from this and other states,' was conveyed to Itosemont cemetery and placed in its tinal resting place. - The Immunes Will Parade. Washington, May 22. Arrangement were completed at the war department today for tho participation of the Fourth regiment of Immunes In the military pa rade of tht penco Jubilee hern tomoirou. They will leave Camp Memle near .Mid dlctown In time to arrive In Washington tomorrow. Pennsylvania Pensions, Washington, May 22. Pension coitlll cites: HcIshuc Emerson Sweet, Far. toryvlfle, $17. Holteue nnd Increase Snbln Rurrott. North Jackson, Susque hanna, Jt! to $12. SIXTY DAYS FOR METCALFE. Convicted of Using U. S. Mail for Fraudulent Purposes. Philadelphia, May 22. George II, Met calfe, of York, Pa., who last week was convicted of using the United States malls for fraudulent purposes was to day sentenced to sixty days Imprison ment from the date of his conviction, .Metcalfe advertised In newspapers for parties to send him 60 cents and he would tench them a new method of darning, nnd when the work was done satisfactory the parties would be em ployed by him, and could make from $7 to $0 n week, There was the testi mony of a number of young women that they sent CO cents and samples of the work, but that they were not employed. Metcalfe carried on the scheme at York, Pa. M'KELWAY'S ENTERTAINED. Editor of tho Brooklyn Engle a Guest at tho White House. Washington, May 22. President and Mrs. McKlnley entertained nt dinner at the white house tonight Mr. St. Clair McK.Iway, of the Brooklyn Eagle and Mrs. MoKelwny, who are visiting the city for a few days. Invited to meet them were the cabinet circle and Mrs. Hobart. Th-j table, set in the pri vate dining room, was beautifully dec orated nnd n section of tho Marine band played during tho evening. The president escorted Mrs. Hobart to tho table and the secretary of state, Mrs. .McKlnley. the other guests In cluding Mrs. Jluy, the secretary ot the treasury, and Mrs. Gage, Secretary and Mts. Alger. Secretary Long. Attorney General and Mrs. Griggs, the Postmas ter General and Mrs. Smith, Secretary and Mrs. Hiiehcock and Miss Wilson and Mr. and Mrs. MoKelway. MANGLED BY A TRAIN. Terrible Fate of Joseph Patrick at Forest City His Body Torn to Pieces. Special to the Scrantou Tribune. Forest City, May 22. Joseph Patrick, a Lithuanian, about nineteen vears of age, met a terrible death In front of the Erie depot about 4 o'clock this af ternoon. He and some companions wero ubout to board a north-bound freight train when the accident oc curred. While In the act of getting on. the unfortunate young man had a hold of the car anil was running utong tho track, when he came In contact with one of his companions who had stooped to pick up his hat. Patrick rolled under the trucks and four freight cars, a caboose and an engine passed over him. His body was dragged for some dis tance alone the track, and, with the exception of the head and shoulders, was literally torn to atoms Undertaker Holmes gathered tip the fragments of humanity, and this morn ing they will be Interred In St. Agnes cemetery. Patrick came to this coun try about one year ago, and was em ployed as laborer In the Clifford mines, CRUSADE AGAINST BOB VEAL. State Agricultural Department Seize 150 Carcasses. Albany, Mny 22. The state agricul tural department Is carrying on a live and fruitful crusade against persons found with bob veal In their posses sion, and as a result there have been 150 carcasses seized and destroyed alonge the line from Utlca to Now Yoi k. Of that number of violations. Assis tant Commissioner Flanders has sent forty-eight cases to the attorney gen eral to prosecute and recover the pen alty attached, which is fixed at $23 and not more than $100. Heretofore the penalty was not applicable, but un der the new law, as amended, which the governor signed April 26, the pen alties can be sued for. - TWO CONSULATES CLOSED. No Funds to Maintain Those at San Juan and Manila, AVnshlngtnti, May 22. The state de partment has cabled to United States Consul Hnntin at San Juan, Porto ltlco, and to I'nlttd States Consul Wil liams at Manila to close up their of. bees on July 1. After that date neith er ot those oIMclals will bo in the ser vice of the United States and the con slilates will be abolished. Congress omitted appropriations for their maintenance owlmr tn the nn. ! qulronient of Porto Rico and the Phil ippines as a result of the war, and the state department has been retaining the ollicers at their posts for some time past in the cauarity (Jf special agents. DEATHS FROM SICKNESS. Washington. May 22. .iener,tl Oils re ports the following deaths: l)j senary. May 7, Stephen lliuclall, private M, First California; 1::. William Fahrenwald. private, u, First South Da. kota; typhoid fever, 14. John U. Ellicott, private, A, Twenty-second Infantry; diphtheria, 16, Herbert I,. Keeler, private, C, Thirteenth Minnesota; nephritis, will luni Hast, corporal. H. Fourth Infantry; suicide. 17. Chilstof Lost, G, Twentieth Infantry; erysipelas, Frank Hassaurck, Second lieutenant. K, Seventeenth In fantry. O-tr. p. m May l!i, ut Manila. Second Lieutenant Frank Hussaurek. Company K, Seventeenth Infantry, was an attorney and a member of the cell torlal staff of the Cincinnati Vulksblitt, of which his uncle. Colonel L. Markbivlt. Is propi letor. He was appointed second lieutenant by the president last year an I assigned to the Seventeenth Infantry, 'lis father, the late Frederick lliissuuivk. was widely known as nn editor ami politician. Fitzsimmons-Jeffries Fight. N.-w York, May 22. The Fllzsimmonp Jeffries tight is to take place at nlfiht in stead of hi the afternoon of June 9. The directors of tho Coney Island Sport lug club held a meeting today and de elded on this change. Mr. Brady siild today that M'ty-three boxes had been sold, the total sum paid for them hieing $7,!'.".rt. Frank Dwyer has received $3,000 to hit for westerns on Fltzslnunons' odds of 8 to S. Mob Ready for Business. Palnesvllle. (J., May 22.-A mob of ISA people has collected here and threats are heuid of lynching Jefferson Kelly, col. ored, who U charged with assaulting Mr. Wllhelmlna Nicker, of Cleveland. The sheriff Is Bwearlnff In deputlos to guard thu Jail. STEAMER PARIS IS STILL FAST POSITION OF THE BIG VESSEL IS UNCHANGED. Cargo Being Discharged from the Forward Hold High Tide About Threo O'clock This Afternoon No Attempt Made to Pull Off tho Vessel Passengers to Be Brought Here in the Kaiser Wllhelm der Grosse That Steamship Leaves for Now York May 23. Covernck, May 22. The situation of the American Line steamship Paris, Captain Wniklns, which went aground early yesterday morning, Just off Low lands Point, two miles east of this place, while on a voyage from Southampton, via Cherbourg, for New York, remains unchanged this morning. The weather Is fine and clear, the sea smooth and a light Off-shore breeze Is blowing; and everything Is favorable for salving op erations. The cargo of the steamship Is being discharged rapidly from tho two for ward hatches. It was high water In this vicinity nt 4 o'clock this afternoon, but no attempt was mnde to float the vessel Salvage tugsi from Liverpool are ex pected at tho scene of tho wreck to night. It Is believed an attempt to float the Paris Is to be made on Wednesday. Everything at present seems favorable to success. Falmouth. Cornwall, May 22. The North German Lloyd steamship Bre men, which left Southampton on Sat urday, arrived Riere this morning under instructions to embark for New York the saloon pat'.sengers ot the Paris, which Is ashore nenr Coverack. But the passengers are not ready to pro ceed on their voyage, mnny of them still suffering fi-om shock, so the Bre men continued on her passage west ward. A fleet of ex-urslon steamboats Is taking holiday-makers from this port and Plymouth to see the wreck. Many passengers of the 'Paris took the train for Sotathampton this morn ing, where they -will await tho sailing of the North German Lloyd steamship Kaiser Wllhelm der Grosse, which Is scheduled to sail from Bremen for New York on Mny 2.1, touching at South ampton on the following day. Divers who were employed to Inspect the wreck ot the Mohegan have been examining the Inside of the Paris for the purpose of ascertaining the extent of the damage dome. They discovered four or live large holes. TOBACCO BOARD OF TRADE. The Cigar Leaf Dealers Organized at Philadelphia. Philadelphia, Mnu 22. Delegates to form a leaf tobotlco board of trade met hero today, Willi the following leaf cigar dealers In attendance: Now York, Frank Argulnbau, Harry Roths child, S. J, Gans and Aaron J. Bach; Lancaster, M. M. Fry and M. Rosen thal; Elmlra, H. T. Armstrong and F. Instater: Cleveland, Charles Semon and S. Schlesslngeif Chicago, Joseph Mendelsohn, E. Hecht a'nd J. L. Fried man: Baltimore, William A. Boyd; Cincinnati, John Oborholmau and John Staun: St. Louis, Jiihn Oberhaus and John G. Hummel; Boston, Albert F. Kuffenburgh: Dayton. J. P. Wolf, Hart -rord, J. I!. Hans; Milwaukee, George J. Engelhart; Philadelphia, Walter G. Wilson, Felix Eckeiron, A. C. Isen lower and William Dohan. M. P. Kahl berg and W. A. T. Agard are en route from San Francisco. John It. Young, president of the loca.l board of trade outlined the origin of the movement. Messrs. Mendelsohn, Wilson, Arguln bau, Boyd and Englehart were ap pointed a committee on organization. The meeting then adjnurned until later In the day, when the constitution and bylaws were presented by the com mittee Late this afternoon the constitution and bylaws presented (by tho commit tee on organizations were adopted by the delegates. The organization is to be known as the Cigar Leaf Tobacco Board of Trade of thw United States. Its object Is to foster and maintain closer and more friendly relations among Its members; tin secure such legislation (by congress, or otherwise) as may be beneficial to the trade and the repeal of laws uiijunst or Inimical to the Industry; to secure from tho commissioner of Internal revenue prop er rulings on the leaf tobacco business and to adopt such rule and regula tions as shall tend to bring about a unity of notion in the conduct ot tho business throughout the country. The following ollicers were elected: President, John H. Young, Philadel phia; vice-president, Charles Semou, Cleveland: secretary, Walter G. Wil son, Philadelphia; treasurer. E. Hecht, Chicago; directors. W. A. Boyd, Balti more; Joseph Mendelsohn. Chicago; M. M. Fry. Lancaster: F. Irikstnter, Kl mlra, N. Y.; John Oberhelman, Cin cinnati, The dues of the delegates to the annual meetings of tho board of trade were Avert at $25. The bourd of directors, consisting of the ollicers and directors, is empowered to appoint special committees. The legislative committee, comprising five members, and the conference and llnanco committees, three members, am provided for In the constitution. After adjournment the delegates wrre driven through Falrmount park. Another business meeting will be held tomor row. Kicked to Death by a Horse. Bethlehem, Muy 22. Kicked to death by a vicious horse which he was driving to work William DcnVr wus dragged halt a mile before tils lifeless body fell Into the load. The crown of his head was cut off by the horses hoofs. Deceased, prior to locating at Ilellertowu, nuar bore, drove on the grand circuit. He was 50 years of ago and married. Charters Granted at Hnrvisburg. Harrlburg. Muy 22. A charter was Is sued by the stale department today to tho Colonial lion company, of Biddies burg. Uedford county, capital $13,000. A charter was also issued to tho Kconomla Electric company of Wilkes-Banc, capi tal $73,000. THE NEWS THIS BIORNINU Weather Indications Todiyt QENERALLY PAIR. 1 General American Plan for Governing; lag tho Filipinos Steamer Paris Still un tho Hocks, 2 Itnse Ball Carney of a day. , Yesterday's County Convention. Financial and Commercial. 3 Local-Buffalo Bill's Show a Big At- traction. Norman Wheeler Attempts Suicide. i Editorial. Comment ot the Press. p Local Selcat Councils Adjudged In Contempt. Mention of Men of tho Hour. 6 Local West Scrnnlon and Suburban 7 News Round About Sornnton. 8 Local Court Proceedings. ROOSEVELT'S MESSAGE. His Views Upon tint Improvements to tho Ford Franchise Taxation Bill Lines of Improvement Sug gested. Albany, N. Y., May 22. Governor Roosevelt's message in tho state legis lature, which met In extraordinary ses sion this evening, gives his views up on Improvements to tire Ford fran chise tax bills and suggests linen of Improvement. Concerning the equity of the proposal to tax corporations, the governor says: "At present tho fnrmenl. the market gardeners, the mechanics and trades men having small holdings are paying an Improper and excessive portion of the general taxes, while ut the same time many of the efforts to remedy this state of affairs, notably in the direction of taxing securities, are not only unwise, but lnetllclent and often serve merely to put a premium opon dishonest. There Is evident Injustice In the light taxation of corporations. I have not the slight sympathy with the outcry against corporations as such or against prosperous men of business. To drive out of a community the men of means and tho men who take the lead In business enterprises would probably entail, as one of its first re sults, the starvation of a considerable portion of the remainder of the popu lation. "But while I freelv admit till this, It yet remains true that a corporation which derives Its power from the state should pay to the state a Just percent age of Its earnings as return for the privileges It enjoys. This should be especially true for the franchises be stowed upon gas companies, street railroads and the like." Relative to the proposition to place the determina tion of the tax In the hands of the state board, the governor says: "I deem It wise that the power of levying and assessing the tnx on fran chises should be left with the state authorities, not the local authorities, this being In my view desirable both for the sake of providing against dis honest favoritism or of discrimination against corporations by the local au thorities and also for the sak" of working equity as between the fran chises in different localities." The governor bellevi s that he can count upon the help of the ''orporatlons in seeing the bill put into proper form, instead nf, as heretofore, count upon the opposition of some among them to any and even scheme for inn king them pay rheir lust shaie of taxation. It Is learned on good authority that the Ford bill, Incorporated In the pro posed new bill, Is to be changed so that tho bill will read that special franchises shall be taxed as well as local, the governor believing that un der the term local franchises, soni'f coiporatlons might technically escapo tho tax. A WONDERFUL BUSINESS. The Billion Dollar Mnrk In Life In surance Passed. New York. May 22 It has been as certained that the Mutual Life In surance company of New York has been issuing Insurance since Match II In excess of $1,000,000,000. Some years ago a bill was Introduced in the New York legislature limiting tin; insur ance to be Issued by any company to that amount and the same would prob ably have become a law except for tho opposition of tbe "Three lilunts." The Mutual Life has practically mnde tho passage of any such law hereafter Impossible. LAST OF BUFFALO STRIKE. It Is Thought That the Trouble Will Be Over in a Few Hours. Cleveland, Mny .'2. Tho lake cur rier' executive mmmittec accepts to day's news from Buffalo as nn Indica tion that tbe grain shovvl'H' strike will soon be settled. Harvey D. Goulder. attorney for the ni.soelatlon, said this evening that be expected the strike) to be end-.I within a few hours. He thought that all tho grain cargoes w In llufl'ulo haibor would he unloaded before the end of the wet k. Buffalo, Muy 2.!, 2 a. m. A sub-coin-mlttee of the striking grain shnvelers and Contractor Connors have Just signed an agreement: which, if signed by the full committee of the strikers, will end the present dock troubles Tho sub-coiuinlttee is now on lis way to rn. port to the full committee. Cubans Barrtd Out. Hurrahing May 2. Major ilenenil Jo-M-pli Winder, resident of ili Cuban National Ediicitloiml .locldllon, has em 1'ny Sli (rilitiuiloat of Hchuoln Fouie, u I. tie n which be asks lluu ar langenients he made for tin. education for two or more Cuban youths In the schools of tfte city. The school laws of Pennsylvania do rot ri.able the dlstikts to enter Into thh wtik, a It Is totally foreign to the aim and purposes of the public school HvHtin ojkI Professor Foose has written General Wheeler to Hint elf.it. Steamship Arrivals. New Vork, May 22. Cleared: Kaiser Fiiedrlch, Hp'iuen via Southampton and Cherbourg. Liverpool Arrlwd; I'unrla, New York; Tuurlc, New Vmic. Ant werp Aril vert: Fileslaud, New York. Xaplei Sailed: Kaiser Wllliidm II, New York. RULE FOR FILIPINOS American Plan Submitted to Representatives of Aguinaldo. PROF. SCHURMAN'S PAPER A Governor Genernl to Be Appointed by tho President, with a Cabinet. A Popular Advisory Council to Follow General Otis Reports Con tinued Disintegrating of tho Rebels General Luna's Forco Much Diminished The Natlvo Commissioners in Manila Enjoy ing Themselves. Manila, May 22. .1.15 p. m. Prof. Solturnian, head ot the United State Philippine commission, has substituted the following written propositions to the Filipinos: "While the final decision as to tho form of government is In the hands of congress, the president, under his mili tary powers, pending the action of con gress, stands ready to offer the follow ing form of government: "A governor general to be appointed by the president, n cabinet to be ap pointed by the governor general, all tho judges to be appointed by the presi dent, tbe heads of departments and judges to be either Americans or Fili pinos or both, and also a general ad visory council, Its members to be chosen by the people by a form of suffrage to be hereafter carefully determined upon. "The president earnestly desires that bloodshed cease anil that the people ot the Philippines, at an early date, enjoy the largest measure of self-government compatible with peace and order." The United States commission pre pared the scheme and the president cabled his approval of the form ot the document. The Filipinos have made no dellnlte proposition, except for a ces sation of hostilities until they can pre sent the question of peace to the people. Prof. Schurnian told the Filipinos they had no means of gathering the people together, as the Americans control most of the uorts. He also reminded them that a liberal form of government was offered them and pointed oub that It was better than the conditions exist ing under Spanish rule. Gozaga, presi dent of the Filipino commission, re plied that nothing could be worse than Spanish rule, and admitted that tho form of government proposed was lib eral. Filipinos Decline. The civilian members ot the Filipino commission have declined to co-openito with the other members of that com mission, as the former consider Aguln aldo's latest demand to be preposter ous, lifter Major-fleneral Otls's refus al of an armistice, referring to his wish tor time In o.der to consult the Filip ino congress. fter a conferenci! tomorrow with tb United States commKslnneis, the Filipino commissioners will lunch with Professor Schurnian and will after wind visit the vessels composing tho Amellean Meet. In spite of the presence Jf thi Fil ipino commissioners In Manila, the military operation continue with un abated rigor. The visitors are appar ently oblivious to the true condition of affairs and are eutoylug their visit beie. They were immediately Inun dated with Invitations, day and night, and express sin prise at the stat, ot affairs within our llns. They were led to believe that everything was chaotic and ar" delighted in the reception ac corded them Reports received from persons who have arrived from the In t"il'ir show that no troops are left in the iioiilieru piovlin e". They were all di uftcd "uiiih after Hi- outbreak of war. Tile villages In the west 7'oast I are almost deseiled and the lloennns. especially, ai- desirous o mining the American-'. If only for the purpose C clashing the Tngalmjs. Many natives of Jtlngiiet and Tlocos said that If the Americans had not in rived civil war would necessaiily have ensue 1, owing to tin friction b-twi-en tho Tagalogi and tin Inh.tMiiinls of olli-r provinces. It is added that the only Filipino Hoops now left are 7,ouO men, under General Luna, a Tarlac, and about LOoO under General Pin del Pilar. liven these ale demoralized and short ot arms nnd supplies. Many ot their rllles ure disabled and the Filipinos are unable to teyair tliein. owing to the lack uf mechanics ami material for doing the work. A coasting steamer which has ar rived here reports thut the Spanish garilson ai X-ainboanga. Island of -Mindanao, is holding the rebels In much the same muimei' uh the Ameri cans held them while tliey were In the vicinity of .Manila. livery night the Spaniards are subjected to an ineffect ual fusllade and If they are iiot soon relieved they will In- reduced' to the condition ol the Spanish garrison at Hollo Just picvlous to Its evacuation of tho place. Died at Santiago. Wushhiyinii. Mm 22.-liciioral Brooko today reported from lliiviinu the dnath on the nth, at .Santiago, of Jesse M. Dnmfard. Company (!. Fifth Infantry, from aleohi Usui. Snow in England. London. Miij 22 - The weather today U much colder in Kimliind, snow has fallen in the north ,u Vmkshlre and the Westmoreland hills are covered with snow. -t- WEATHER FORECAST. 4 4- f Washington, M,o 22.--Forecast -f for TiickIiiv: For easlern Peim. sjivanla, generally fair Tuesday -f f and probably Wednesday; variablo -f -f wlrils. t t tt ttt t.1!
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers