ftMton
ribunfe.
TWO CENTS.
SCRANTON, PA., AlONDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 1, 1899.
TWO CENTS.
r.-; ... . hf
GENERAL OTIS
MAKES REPORT
Operations in the Philip
pines Reviewed.
THE NATIVES SATISFIED
Natives Gladly Accepting Ameri
can Rule Duped by Their Leaders
ns to tho Sentiment Here Thinks
That Agulnaldo's Uprising May
Be Fortunate Experience with In
surgent Troops xias Made Na
tives Weary of tho Rebellion Ne
cessity of Good School bystem.
Washington, Dec. 3. The report of
General Otis on the operations In tho
Philippines up to August 31 has been
made public by the war department.
It 13 n volume ot 273 pages, with an ap
pendix of minor reports nlmo.t as large.
The report Is a chronological recapitu
lation of occurrences In the Islands
since General Otis took command. One
of the most interesting features Is the
immense amount or detail Involved in
administration of the affairs of the
Islands. General Otis throws some light
on his Chinese exclusion act, declar
ing it a matter of public policy. He
goes at some length Into the racial dif
ferences between the Filipinos and the
Chinese, explaining that strong pre
judice against the Chinese prevailed
among the natives because of the suc
cess and unscrupulous dealings of the
Chinamen In all trade matters. He
says that in view of the race hatred be
tween the Chinamen and the natives,
as well as the factional differences
among the Chinamen themselves,
which broke out into open riot and
bloodshed, he deemed it expedient to
apply the American immigration laws
to the Island. This was done, and ar
rangements have been mude for identi
fying such Chinamen as have rights
of prior residence In the islands, so
that no unnecessary hardships may be
incurred.
Uprising at Manila,
The correspondence between General
Otis and Agulnaldo before the outbreak
of active hostilities occupies much
space, and more Is taken up with the
detailed accounts of the various en
gagements. In connection with the
uprising In the suburbs of Manila on
the night of February 22, General Otis
prints the translation of one of Aguln
aldo's proclamations which Incited this
demonstration. The paper fortunately
was discovered on the loth, and the
plans of t,he insurgents were check
mated. It called for the assembling of
the Manila militia In the rear of the
American outposts. At the sound of
attack from the outside the Insurgents
in the city were to fall on and butcher
the whole of the foreign population, re
specting nothing but native Filipino
families. All the prisoners in Jail were
to be released and armed to assist In
the massacre. The plan was success
ful in so far as about one thousand
armed Insurgents assembled behind
the American line. In the fight of that
night and the- following day about five
hundred of these were killed.
American Rule Welcomed,
In closing his report General Otis
says that it may prove fortunate that
Agulnaldo's insurrection was not
stamped out immediately on its incep
tion. He says that tho natives through
out the Island have peacefully and
even gladly accepted American occu
pation of their towns whenever tho
troops appeared, and that they have
learned by experience that the Insur
gents have made a specialty of mur
der, outrage and robbery under the
guise of establishing a free and inde
pendent government. They have had a
chance on the withdrawal of American
troops to see the difference between
American nnd ratlve methods of gov
ernment, and his opinion is that they
will gladly submit to the former as
soon as they can be protected from the
latter. A column of three thousand
troops, he says, could at any time dur
ing the insurrection have marched
from one end of tho Island to the other
without encountering serious difficulty,
but the Insurgents would Inevitably
have closed In behind them ns soon as
they pafsd, showing the necessity of
having sulllclent troops to hold the
country after it has been captured.
Relying on Anti-Expansionists,
General Otis dwells on the necessity
of establishing a good school system,
and says that the native population In
sist on the divorce of the schools from
clerical control. This was promised by
the Spanish government in the last In
surrection, but the archbishop of Ma-'
nlla has protested against its being car
ried out. General Otis says finally that
the insurgents are duped by their lead
ers as to the political situation In the
united States, and that the cry all
along has been to hold out until the
assembling of congress, when the views
of the antl-expansion party, whose lit
erature has been extensively circu
lated in the islands, would be sure to
prevail.
Mexican Veterans Want Increase.
Lexington, Ky.. lice. 3.-Genoral Wilbur
R. Smith, secretary of tho National ,s
soclatlon of Mexican War Veterans of
this city, has written letters to prominent
men all over the United Status unking
their assistance with consress for in
creased pensions fur Mexican veterans
who now number only 9,000, and are now
passing away at the .rate of almost ono
thousand per year.
Confessed His Crime.
Trenton. Dec. 3.-Edwnrd Williams, tho
negro arrested last night for the murder
of Minnie Eystey, at Yardvllle. and who
Is now In tho Trenton Jail, has confessed
to Prosecutor Crossley, but denies hav
ing attempted lo assault. He says he
tiad been drinking and In a iuarru'l with
MUs Eysley knocked hor down with lit
fist, and being crazed with drink, ho
ubtscquently struck her with u club.
"ANTI'S" HOLD A SESSION.
Expressions of tho Discontented at
Meeting of Reform Club.
Boston, Dec. 3. "Shall wc vote for
Bryan or McKlnley?" was In effect tho
subject mainly discussed at tho annual
dinner of tho Massachusetts Reform
club last night, Tho meeting was ono
of tho liveliest In tho history of the or
ganization. Tho report of Secretary Charles War
ren reviewed the progress of tho war
In the Philippines and likened the
proclamation of President McKlnley
regarding the Filipinos to the procla
mation of King George III. during tho
American struggle for independence.
Tho presiding officer, Colonel Charles
II. Codmnn, said that he was nn atitl
Imperlallst. The crimes of the present
administration have not been passed
upon by the people yet, ho said. The ;
country could not be blamed until the
people had voted. Rather than vote
for the present chief executive," ho
said, "I do not know who I would not
vote for." (Applause).
Charles Francis Adams said there
was only one course to pursue. Ho
knew that If ho did not voto for 'Mc-
Vlnn.. l. ..... 1.1 I....... 4n n4n. l.-t.
he said, nnd was applauded. "I sup
pose I know Mr. McKlnley as well as
any of you. He would be very likely
to bo a better president In his second
term than Mr. Tlryan in his first, it
we had Mr. Cleveland to turn to tho
result would bo different." (Tremen
dous applause).
Mr. Godfrey Morse said: "I did not
vote for Mr. McKlnley at the last elc
tion, but I have not thrown mud at
him. I would like to see a third candi
date nominated, who would stand for
free trade, a little less paternal gov
ernment and gold and nothing else."
(Applause).
Gamaliel Bradford said: "I bellevo
Mr. McKlnley Intends lo make this
country an empire. T believe ho
brought on the war with Spain fbr po
litical purposes."
Klehard N. Dana said he Fhould voto
for McKlnley on the money question.
He was an antl-expanslonlst, however.
WAR IN THE TRANSNAAL.
Scenes of Devastation Along the Line
of March of tho Boers Wanton De
struction of Property.
Frere Campa, Natal, Tuesday, Nov.
20. The reconnaissance made today by
General Hlldyard and Lord Dundou
ald's command, the fact of which has
already been cabled, gave an excellent
opportunity for studying the country.
On approaching Colenso the British
found on every side scenes of devasta
tion that testified to the thoroughness
of Boer looting. Farms had been ran
sacked from end to end. In some cases
the contents of every room of the
farm houses had been- destroyed. The
Boers had evidently burned what they
could not carry off. The property of
the Boer commissariat was testified
to by the corn husks that were to 5e
seen about the deserted camp llres of
the enemy.
The wreck of the armored train is
still visible and shows that the Boer
shells had broken an axle, which had
obviously carried the accident to one
car that lay on Its Hide. The other
car was upright, but both were com
pletely riddled by the enemy's bullet
and artillery lire. Two graves nearby
bore the Inscription 'To Fallen Sol
diers." Pretoria. Nov. 27. Via Lourenzo
Marques, Dec. 3. Commandant Deb-trey
has reported to President Kruger
that the burghers, In spite of their de
termined defense at Gras Pan, Novem
ber 2.1, wer completely surrounded by
the British and were compelled to re
tire. Pretoria, Monday, Nov. 27. The Boer
commander on the western border re
ports that twelve bmghers were killed
and forty wounded In the lighting at
Belmont.
Durban, Natal, Tuesday, Nov. 28.
Tho Natal Mercury publishes the fol
lowing dispatch from its correspondent
at Frere:
"The Boers have assembled at their
old position at Colensn, back of Crob
lc'a kloop, and everything points to a
determined attempt to prevent the
British crossing the Tugela river.
"The reports of wanton destruction
of property by Boer looters are con
firmed." STAND BY ROBERTS.
The Democrats of Utah Have Not
Repudiated Their Congressman.
Salt Lake, Utah, Dee. 3. A largo ses
sion of tho executive committee of the
Democratic state commlttoo last night
resulted In tho defeat of a prepared reso
lution declaring that committee had not
repudiated Roberts, that he was not
nominated nor ended by Mormon church
intlueuee and er.dorslng the statements
of Senator Rawlins, together with his
proposed resolution for tho senate. Every
gentile present opposed the jesolutlon.
Some members declared that It was
proper for congress lo Investigate the
charge that one of Its members was liv
ing in polygamy. The following substi
tute was then adopted, llvo Gentiles vot
ing against It:
"Whereas, It has been represented that
the executive committee of the Demo
cratlc party of Utah did, at a recent
meeting, repudiate tho Hon. B. H. Rob
erts, our duly elected congressman,
therefore be It
Resolved, By tho executive committee
of the Democratic party of Utah that
said statement Is fnlsu and we solemnly
declare that no such action has been
taken and Mr. Roberts was nominated
and elected by the Democratic partv of
1'tnh, and neither the party nor the com
mltteo of tho party has repudiated Mr,
Roberts."
i - -
American Record Lowered.
San Jose, Cala., Dec. 3. At the bicycle
races hero Saturday, George Fuller, of
the Olympic club, San Francisco, low
ered the American half-mile record to
5 1.5. The former record was 4S. E. v.
Runs, of tho same club, reduced the
American one-third mllo record of 32 2-3
to SO 1-3.
Hermandelsts Take Maracaibo.
Curncaa, Venezuela, via Haytlen cable,
Dec. 3,-After a fight lasting sixteen
hours the city of Mnracnlbo, cnpltal of
the state of X.ulla, Is In the power of the
Hernandelst revolutionary forces.
Spanish Prisoners Released.
Madrid, Dee. 3. The Spanish consul nt
Manila announces that thirteen HpanUh
prisoners have been released by the Filipinos.
SECRETARY LONG'S
ANNUAL REPORT
REWARDS ASKED TOR THE
HEROES AT SANTIAGO.
Tho Attention of Congress Is Called
to the Injustice That Haa Been
Done to tho Men Who Struck the
Final Blow In tho Spanish War.
The Manufacture o Armored
Cruisers Recommended.
Washington, Dec. 3. The annual re
port of tho secretary of the navy, Just
made public, Is a document of unusual
interest, dealing not only with tho
work of tho navy during the past
year and important arrangementu for
the future, but also discussing tho
more Important questions relating to
the navy, Including the authorization
of eighteen new warships, the impera
tive need of special legislation in tho
early days of congress for armor of
tho best quality that can bo obtained
and the proposition that the thanks
of congress bo given to the commander
in chief of the North Atlantic squad
ron and to the olllcers and men unacr
him for the part they took in tha
naval operations at Santiago. Tho
larger Items of the report receive i x
tended attention at the hands of Sec
retary Long. As to the increase of
navy he says:
The number of large, swift and power
ful armored cruisers of great coal endur
ance In our navv Is largely dispropor
tionate to the great naval establishment.
Tho experience of tho past year has also
shown the need of several smaller ves
sels usually clasped as gunboats. It Is
therefore recommended that congress ho
requested to authorlzo the con i action
of the following vessels:
First Three armored cruisers, of about
l..000 tons trial displacement tf a irn.
mum draft at deep load not to oxceeci 2"5
feet, canylng the heivit armor and
most powerful ordnance for vessels of
their clnss to bo shea lied in copper
and to have the hlrhest practicable
speed and great radius of action.
Second Twelvo gu.ibo-us of 1 !: f(Q
tons trial displacement, to be sheathei
and coppered.
Third As recommendcl a year firo
three protected crul-nrs of about S,W
tons trial displacement, carrying the most
powerful ordnance for vessels of their
class, to be sheathed and coppered, nnd
to have the highest practicable speed and
great radius of action.
The secretary adds in this connection
that the S,000-ton protected cruisers are
considered better adapted to the pres
ent needs of the navy than the 6,000
ton ships recommended last year.
He also asks that If satisfactory
bids cannot be obtained for the new"
ships authority be given to build them
at the United States navy yards.
Recognition for Heroes Asked.
The secretary's reference and recom
mendations as to who took part In tho
operations at Santiago are as follows:
While those engaged In tho battle or
Manila have been deservedly rewarded
and no men iver deserved reward mere
richly those who took part in the opera
tions nt Santiago, displaying the same
conspicuous conduct nnd extraordinary
heroism, have received no recognition
whatever for their great services except
the recommendations for promotion by
tho president which have lapsed, not tun
ing been acted upon by the senate.
The department believes It due to these
gnllant men to suggest to you that their
services bo recognized and equal justice
done them and that, In accordance with
the statutes In such occasions mado and
provided, you recommend that the thanks
of congress be given to the commander
of the North Atlantic squadron and to
the officers and men under such com
mander as they were given In tho case
of commander In chief and olllcers and
men of tho Asiatic bquadron. The North
Atlantic squadron was charged with
great and exacting duties, including tho
bloil..ide of Cuba, co-operation with the
army, and the pursuit, blockade and cap
ture or destruction of the Spanish squad
ron under Admiral Cervera, all of which
It discharged with elllclency. It was a
campaign of great scope and enormous
responsibilities, and was brought to a
successful and glorious consummation,
which terminated the war by the de
struction of tho Spanish sea power. It
was marked by unsurpassed precision,
brilliancy and vigor.
That the men, who by such achieve
ments earned their country's gratitude
havo received no reward from the gov
ernment Is nn omission which It cannot
be doubted will be cordially and gener
ously repaired.
If reward by tho present system of pro
motion Is abandoned, the department re
nows its suggestion embodied in senate
bill, that tho bill introduced nt the
last session of congress, which provides
for medals of three classes one for con-
splcuous conduct In war, one for extranr-
dlnary heroism, and one for general mer- i
Itorlous service tho tlrst to carry with It .
a percentage of Increase of payment to '
the recipient nnd calculated to take tho :
place of tho lnciease which would be the
result of promotion wcro thnt form of '
reward continued. It Is believed that j
such n medal worn, during life und
transmitted as an Inheritance, will be tar
more grateful to the deserving officer
than a promotion In rank at the expenso
of a comrade.
Concerning Armor.
Corning armor for warships the sec
retary says:
Tho question pertaining to naval con
struction at the present time, and one
that demands prompt attention, Is that
of the armor for vessels now building,
and for others authorized but not yet
contracted for on account of tho pro
vision In tho act of March 3, U99, pro.
hlbltlng the department from contracting
for the vessels therein authorized until
tho contract has been made fur the
armor therefor within $300 a ton. Tho
price fixed Is one for which even inferior
armor cunnot be obtained, nnd tho de
partment, therefore, bus beep ur.able to
Invite proposals for tho three battleships
and tho threo armored cruisers author
ized by the act of March I, 1899.
Tho secretary then shows that 7.35
tons of armor are needed for the bat
tleships Maine, Ohio and Missouri,
about 9,000 tons for the new battleships
not yet begun und ubout D,101 tons for
the armored cruisers already author
ized, a total of about 1.458 tons. He
says that $400 a ton probably will buy
armor made by tho ordinary process
of face hardening, which, though good.
Is not tho best and tho department
does not, therefore, consider It suitable
for vessels of the Malnu clnss. After
pointing out the features of tho new
process of making armor nnd Its adop
tion by leading maritime nations ex
cept tho United States, the secretary
says:
Tho department desires to mako uso
of such armor for tho vessels not yet
fitted with armor and for tho urmored
vessels authorized and not yet contracted
for. .
It Is urgently recommended that In
tho early days of Its next session con
gress enact ouch special legislation, by
Joint resolution or otherwise, as may bo
necessnry to cnablo tho department to
mako contracts enrly In tho coming year
for 7,338 tons of armor of tho best qual
ity that can be obtained' In this country
for the Maine, Ohio and Missouri.
And more Hint tho provision of tho act
of March 30, 1SD9, limiting tho price of
armor to $300 per ton and tho restriction
preventing the armored vessels therein
authorized from being contracted for bo
removed.
Whatever, therefore, Is contracted for,
by congrefs, regarding the establishment
of a government armor factory It can
hardly affect tho supply of armor for tho
Maine. Ohio nnd Missouri, ns It will un
der any circumstances be Impractlcablo
to obtain it from such n sourco in rea
sonable tlmo to complete tho vessels
obovo referred to.
Reference to Dewey.
Secretary Long refers to the return
of Admiral Dewey and his enthusias
tic reception from the whole country.
After speaking of the, New York re
ception and sword presentation 'n
Washington, tho secretary sums up
by saying It was the nation's tribute.
Among the other topics treated is
that for fostering the naval reserve,
tho consolidation of the naval bureaus
of construction, engineering and
equipment In tho Interest of more har
monious action; the construction of
barracks for enlisted men, and a re
view of the various bureau recommen
dations, tho desirability of changing
the material of the League Island and
Mare Island dry docks from timber to
stone and concrete. The warships
claiming bounty and prize money for
the many captures and engagement
during the war are set forth in detail.
The secretary says the survey of the
tranB-Padflc cable route Indicates that
It will bo entirely practicable. Tt Is
Intended also to survey a cable rout"
from Guam to Yokohoma. It Is pro
posed to supply all new ships with
smokeless powder. The 12-lnch gun
has been so greatly developed that it
has been designated as tho heaviest
gun for the latest battleships, insteal
of tho 13-Inch gun. Many Improve
ments in naval ordnance are undo.'
way. Including uniform cartridges 'or
small arms and machine guns. Wrork
on tho designs of gunboat No. IB ta
replace the Michigan on the great
lakes has been suspended pending -negotiations
with Grent Britain for a
modification of the treaty. Secretary
Long reviews also the various naval
incidents of the last year.
The secretary gives a table showing
naval construction going on abroad, as
compared with that In the Unite 1
States. From this It appears that only
Italy and Japan laid down less tonnage
than this country during the present
year and that Italy alone has less ton
nage under construction. Tho total
tonnage under construction is: Kng
land, 531, 6S0; France, 255,533; Germany,
148.235; Italy. 120,540: Japan, 130,000;
Russia, 222,976; United States, 123,236.
SIX-DAY BICYCLE RACE.
Twenty-Eight Ridersi Enter the Con
test at Madison Square.
New York, Dec. 3. Another six day
bicycle race was started at 12 o'clock
tonight at Madison Square Garden.
Thirty-eight men lined up ut the open
ing pistol shot, which was llred by
James J. Jeffries, tho pugilist. The
first relay of eighteen men rode for ton
laps. Positions were secured and each
man was warned that he must not at
tempt to gain a lap on account of his
temporary advantage until after the
llrst mile. The start was witnessed by
about 4,000 people. Tho thirty-eight
men nre divided Into nineteen teams
and include nearly all the well known
long distance riders.
The present race Is radically differ
ent from former six day contests, tlv
law passed at the Inst session of tho
legislature prohibiting continuous slv
day races. Each rider In the race will
ride twelve hours out of tho twenty
four. The garden record under tho old
system for six days continuous tiding
Is 2,100 miles. For twelve hours a
day It is 1,560 miles. The record of this
team race should be well up to 3,000
miles.
The prizes are: First team, $1,000;
second team, $700; third team, $100;
fourth team, $300; fifth team, $200;
sixth and seventh teams, $100 each;
total, $2,S00.
Individual purses First rider, $300;
second rider, $300; third rider, $200;
fourth rider, $100; fifth rider, $50; total,
$1,200.
Tho score at 1 o'clock was: C. W.
Miller, 23.5; Pierce. 23.5; Chevalier, 23.5;
Forster, 23.3: Ttirvllle, 23.5; Maya, 23.5;
Wnlthour. 23 5; Dlckorson, 23.5; Bab
cock, 23.5; Robert Millar, 23.5; Boako,
23.4; Julius, 23.4; Peabody, 23.2: Past
aero, 22.3; Michaels, 22.3; Dhierre, 22.1:
Aronson. 21.3: Runl, 21.2; Comoau, 20:s,
Aronson was the first man to leavo
the track. He went off nfter making
twenty-one miles, throe laps, and his
place was taken by his partner, Oeorgj
Creamer. Their team score at tho end
of tho first hour, 1 o'clock, was 23 miles,
5 lnps.
BID EOR THE CONVENTION.
Philadelphia Expects to Raise the
8100,000 Campaign Fund.
Philadelphia, Dee. 3. Within the week
every effort will bo made by the Citi
zens' Republican national convention as
sociation to orgnnlzo the city to raise
the campaign fund of $100,00 required to
Induce the Republican national committee
to select Philadelphia for tho convention
next year. The work of soliciting finan
cial aid will befln at once, and by Tues
day evening when tho financial commit
tee of tho association will meet at the
Manufacturers' club, It Is expected that
considerable money will huvo been pledg
ed. A letter which will bo sent to Chair
man Hnnna am", other members of the
national committee Is now being drafted
and will bo mailed Tuesday. It may bo
that members of tho genural committee
will go to Washington this week ami
visit Senator Ilunna. Efforts will also
bo mado lo ascertain tho preference
which President McKlnley may luive.
Tho Impression prevails that ho will bo
In hearty accord with tho movement to
hold the convention here.
Steamship Arrivals.
New York. Dec. 3. Arrived: Rotter
dam, from Rotterdam; Pretoria, Ham
burg. Qutenstown Sailed: Steamer Lu
cunlu, Now York.
P0SIAL ABUSES
POINTED OUT
REPORT OP POSTMASTER GEN
ERAL CHAS. EMORY SMITH.
A Plea for Congressional Action to
Stop tho Abuse of Second Class
Mail Privileges Which Result In
n, Waste of 820,000,000 a Year.
Tho Paper-Covered Book Scheme
nnd Bogus Trade Journal Mail
Facilities and tho New Island Pos
sessions. Washington, Dec. 2. Tho annual re
port of Postmaster Oencral Charles
Emory Smith was mado public tonight.
Its chief feature Is a plea for congres
sional action to stop the ubuse. of sec
ond class mall privileges, which he
says results In an annual waste of up
wards of $20,000,000. The financial ex
hibit for the fiscal year shows total ex
penditures of $101,632,161 nnd total re
ceipts of $95,021,354, the deficiency be
ing $2,422,747 less than last year. The
postmaster general says: The most
urgent need of the postal service la the
reUlflcatlon of the enormous wrongs
which have grown up in tho perversion
and abuse of tho privilege uccorded by
law to second class matter. There are
many Improvements and advances
waiting development and application;
opportunities for speedier transmission
and delivery, fields for broadening the
scope of the mall service nnd bringing
closer homo to the people, possibilities
of reduced postage; but above and be
neath this, beyond all these measures
of progress which experience and In
telligent thought ore working out Is the
redemption of the special concession
which congress granted for a distinct
and Justifiable purpose of checking the
fungus growth nnd the flagrant evils
that have been foisted upon It. For
this costly .abuse which drags on the
department and weighs down the ser
vice, trammels its powers nnd means
of effective advancement In every di
rection, involves a sheer wanton waste
of $20,000,000 or upward a year. The
postal deficit for the current year is
$6,610,776. But for this wrongful ap
plication of the second class rate In
stead of a deficit there would be a clear
surplus of many millions. It is not
proposed to restrict the privileges of
legitimate publications or to modify
the design of tho law but only to bring
back Its application to its original and
just scope. It Is believed that nearly
one-half of the matter mailed as sec
ond class, and paid for at the pound
rate Is not properly second class within
the intent of the law, and ought Justly
to bo paid for at the third class rate.
This gives the enormous quantity of
176,351,613 rounds which the depart
ment derives only a fraction of the
revenue to which It Is fairly entitled.
Paper-Covered Book Scheme.
The character of the abuses of the
pound rate, which amount to a prac
tical Infraction of the design of the
law, has been so often explained, and
Is so well understood, that a minute
exposlto seems unnecessary. But a
succinct statement of the different
kinds may emphasize the appeal for
reform. The first Is the paper-covered
books put out under pretence of being
serial publications. They have nothing
of the nature of periodicals. They do
not possess a single one of the attri
butes which congress meant to require
in publications that should he entitled
to the second-class rate. Their "con
secutive numbering is a travesty; their
Issuance at "stated Intervals" a par
ody; their "subscription list" a fiction:
their claim of being published for tho
dissemination of Information of a pub
lic character" a burlesque. There is
nothing to distinguish them In sub
stance from bound books, and the dis
crimination In their favor Is most un
just to the publishers of finer litera
ture. The law requires a legitimate
list of subscribers for publications
coming In the second class, Tho paper-covered
books under consideration
have few or no actual subscriber-it. The
scheme is to treat the orders of news
agents as subscriptions. The books
are mailed In bulk to a central locality,
and then remailed to other places.
When the possibilities of these books
are exhausted, there are other ship
ments, the same books being transport
ed again and again, and every time
the government loses 7 cents a pound.
A wrong so transparent and flagrant
ought not to bo tolerated.
The Second Abuse.
Tho second abuse Is connected with
the advertising "house organ" and the
so-called trade Journal. One of my
predecessors, Postmaster General BIs
sell, characterized It the "bogus trade
Journal." There aro many genuine
trade publications which are as legiti
mate as any periodicals and Justly en
titled to all their privileges. These ore
not included in the criticisms. But
the trade Journal described is simply
an advertising scheme. It Is not de
signed to disseminate information of a
public character and has no standing
as the exponent of any trade or In
dustry. It Is only a collection of ad
vertisements strung together, wltli
scissored reading matter to give It tho
guise of a publication. It does not
seek circulation on Its merits or
through subscriptions, but It mostly
given away on a pledge to advertisers
that so many copies shall bo distri
buted. The "house organ" is of the
same type, but limited to being the ad
vertising circular of a particular es
tablishment. These prints do not con
form In any Just sense to the require
ments of the law, but offer only a nomi
nal and technical conformity.
The third abuse grows out of tho
privilege of samplo copies. In its orig
inal und obvlouu intent this privilege
harmonizes with the policy under
which legitimate publications are
granted an oxceptlonal rate of postage.
The sample copy of a j-egulutiy admit
ted paper or periodical, counting for
support upon its merits, is presumably
designed to Induce a new subscription
by exhibiting Its merlta in now quar
ter. But. as a matter of fact, In nfuny
Instances, tho sample copy has be
come, not tho Individual exhibit, but
the potential cloak of a thousand times
multiplied distribution without regard
to subscriptions and solely us the plea
and pledge for advertising. This is not
tho object which the law had In view;
THE NL'WS THIS MOMINU
Weather Indlcatlous Today:
RAINl COLDER.
1 General-Otis Review of l'hlllpplno
Operations.
Forecast of Opening Session of Fifty
sixth Congress.
Report of Secretary of tho Navy.
Postmaster General Smith's Recom
mendations. 2 General Northeastern Pennsylvania,
Financial and Commercial.
3 Local Elks' Lodgo of Sorrow.
Two Horsemen Killed.
4 Editorial.
News and Commetrt.
C Local Funeral of the Craig Family.
Anniversary of Graco Reformed Epis
copal Church.
6 Local West Scranton and Suburban.
7 Local Round About tho County.
5 Local Llvo Industrial News.
Jurors Drawn.
it Is not directed In any sense to tho
benefit of the rending public; Its whole
purpose Is as an agency of advertising,
and why should the government fur
nish the means of this private adver
tising nt a great loss to itself Tho
sample-copy privilege Is tho life of tho
"house organ" and the spurious trade
journal, and In other cases it Is abused.
Why should it not be restricted to its
original purpose?
The department derived a rev
enue of 14.7 cents a pound for the
third-class matter mailed last year aird
on this basis tho department would
have received for this matter $26,011,S6'J
Instead of $1,763,516, while tho
total amount received In pos
tal revenues would have been
Increased by the handsome sum
of $21,24(:,37. Mr. Smith concludes that
over one-fourth of the entire Tulue and
weight of the malls pays as second
clasi matter when It should pay third
class, and that this furnislns only one
fifth part of the postal revenue and Its
carrying, reckoning at eight cents a
pound, costs tl4.10S.129, while revenue
from It was $1,763,516, thus causing n
loss to the government of over 112,000,
000 dollais. "If there Is to be a fa
vored class," Sir. Smith says, "let It
embrace all the people. With this
class paying properly even penny post
age, with reasonable limitations, could
be applied to letters without entailing
a deficit larger than that of the last
few years, and possibly with none at
all."
Regarding our new possessions the
postmaster general says:
"The presence of United States
troops In the new Island possessions
and Cuba in constant communication
with home, constrained the establish
ment of mall facilities for their need
and the practical obliteration if tho
old local postal system with the ex
tinguishment of Spanish authority
compelled a reconstruction of the
whole system for the requirements of
the native population."
RAILWAY MILEAGE.
Shown by the Reports of Major Isaac
B. Brown.
Harrlsburg. Dec. 3. The total mile
age of the steam railway companies
operating In Pennsylvania for the fis
cal year ended Juno 30 last, as shown
by the forthcoming annual report of
the bureau of railways, was 10.30S.9b
miles, while the number reported for
last year was 10,294.48. The increase in
mileage within the state as the result
of the new lines constructed Is 76,91
miles.
Major Isaac B. Brown, chief of the
bureau, says that the mileage of rail
ways in Pennsylvania, covered by re
ports made to the bureau, shows that
these corporations have an exceeding
ly large capitalization per mile of road.
This condition Is attributable t tho
fact that some of the lines havo sev
eral tracks covering a great deal of
Its mileage. A comparison of the mile
age returned for 1S99 as existing In this
state with that returned for a numbe
of years back will not show nny great
advancement In railway construction
In this state.
KENTUCKY CANVASS.
Election Commissioners Will Discuss
tho Situation.
Frankfort, Dec. 3. At noon tomorrow
the state board of election commission
ers of Kentucky will meet to convass
the returns from the last stato elections
and to decide whether Goebel or Taylor
M entitled to the certificate of election
as governor. There Is not much proba
bility that the matter will be settled to
morrow and It may be Wednesday r
later before a certificate is Issued. Both
sides exnress themselves as confident.
but no ono enn predict with accuracy
1 the decision which will bo arrived at
I by tho board.
The certificate returns from tho coun
ty hoards, now on file with tho secretary
of state, gives Taylor a plurality of 2,4.15,
but the Democrats declare thnt enough ot
theso votes will be thrown out and that
Goebel will bo awarded tho certificate.
Found in the Cannl.
Sunbury, Pa., Bee. 3. This morning a
man's line and blood spots wcro discov
ered on a flat boat at Northumberland.
Tho boat wns anchored In tho lock of tho
Pennsylvania canal about fifteen feet be.
low tho highway. This led to a search
and at noon the body of Edward Hum
mel, aged 05 years, was found lu tho
canal. The supposition Is that tho man
walked Into tho unguarded lock during
the night, struck the flut and then rolled
Into tho water.
m
Bicycle Denier Murdered.
Detroit, Mich., Dec. 3. John M. Rein
del, a bicycle dealir, was found djin'j
last night In his shop at 19S (Irlswold
street. Ills head was frightfully pounded
and ho died In a few moments after be
ing discovered. When found his cloth
ing was.atlro und smelled ot gasoline. It
is supposed that his murderer attempted
to burn the shop and body nnd thus cover
up hlb crime. Robbery is ascribed by tho
police as tho motive
Refrigerator Train Wrecked.
Chicago, Dec. 3. A train of fourteen
refrigerator cars, containing salt pork
Intended for tho British army, lu South
Africa, wns wrecked today near Kerul
worth, Ills., on tho Milwnukcu division
of the Chicago and Northwestern rail
road, Tho cars wero completely demol
ished, but It Is believed the greater part
of tho pork can bo saved. A serious do
lay In shipments, however, will result.
FIFIY-SIXTH
CONGRESS
Forecast of Events of the
Opening Sessions.
THE ROBERTS AFFAIR
Will Attract tho Attention, of tha
Country Protracted Debate Upon,
tho Financial Bill First Week of
the Senate Promises to Be Marked
by Lethargy Interest in the Quay,
Case.
Washington, Dec. 3. Tho opening
week of the session In tin houso pro
mises to be crowded with stirring
events. There is always a good .leal
of glamour lu connection with the as
sembling of a now congress, which Is
a social as well as a political event.
The galleries are always crowded
and there is Intense Interest In tho
election of speaker, the swearing In
of the members at the bar o tho house,
the reading of the president's mes
sage, tho biennial seat drawing, tho
introduction of bills und resolutions
Into the executive hopper and the gen
eral clearing of decks for action liter
on. But as the committees nro not ap
pointed until Just before tho holiday
recess, no actual business Is transatced
usually until after the recess. This
year It will be different. At tho very
threshold of the session will come the
contest over the admission of Repre-sentatlvc-clcet
Roberts, of Utah, and
later In the week tho house will plungo
into an Important and possibly a pro
tracte debate udpon the llnanaclal bill,
which was prepared by tho Republi
can leaders last spring at Atlantic
Cltv.
The Roberts case has attracted the
attention of tho whole country. The
Republican leaders have adopted a
plan of procedure which Is designed to
prevent Mr. Roberts taking fhe oath
of ofllce until after the charges In
connection with his alleged polygamous
practices have been Investigated by a
special committee. Mr. Taylor, of
Ohio, will mako the objection to th
administration of the oath o Mr. Rob
erts and will offer a resolution to re
fer his case to his special committee.
There Is considerable scattered oppos
ition to this method of procedure, on
the ground that tho refusal of tha
house to permit a representative-elect
bearing proper credentials to be sworn
In upon unprovea charges would creato
a bad precedent and might result In
chnos at some future tlmo when politi
cal feeling ran high. But there nr)
several precedents for this course In
the case of members churged with dis
loyalty after the war and these will
be used In support of the procedures.
Every member of the house has been
bombarded with petitions in tho Rob
erts case and there are undoubtedly
a large majority, without regard to
party lines. In support of the plan nut
lined by the Republican leaders, ow
ing to the time consumed In the dis
position of the Roberts case tomorrow
tho drawing of seats, which usually re
quires several hours, probably will ba
postponed until Tuesday. The an
nouncement of Vice-President Hobart's
death will be made protiably Imme
diately after the Roberts case Is dis
posed of and the house will adjourn
out of respect to his memory. TIip
drawing of seats and the reading of
the president's message will occupy
Tuesday. Tuesday night tho Republi
cans will caucus on tho financial bill.
In the Senate.
While tho session promises to bo
upon the whole a busy one In the sen
ate the first week will probably be
marked by considerable lethargy. In
deed It would bo exceptional if any
nctual work should be done. On Mon
day tho new senators will be sworn
In. but beyond this nothing will bo
done. Ordinarily the president's mes
sage Is received on the tlrst day of the
session, but Its receipt will bo post-"
tinned for a day this session out of
respect to the memory of the late Vice
President Hobart, whose doath Senator
Sewall will announce.
Tuesday little will bo done beyond
tho receipt of the annual message, tho
present purpose being to adjourn im
mediately after the reading of themes
sago to give the Republican senators
nn opportunity to hold a, cnucus over
the re-organlzatlon of the committees.
Wednesday and Thursday will be de
voted largely to tho Introduction of
bills. There probably will be no ses
sion either Friday or Saturday.
Among the first bills to he introduced
will be the financial measure prepared
by the Republican members of the fi
nance committee. It will bo offered by
Senator Aldrlch and will be referred
to the whole finance committee, In
cluding tho Democratic members.
While comparatively Utile time will be
spent In the senate chamber during the
early daya of tho session, much atten
tion will be paid to getting ready for
tho Important matters to receive at
tention later. These include the finan
cial bill, the policy to be pursued in
tho Philippines and Cuba, tho form ot
Government to be provided for Hu
wall and the tnrlflcatloir of the various
reciprocity treaties negotiated durlm:
tho recess. Porto Itlco und the seating
of senators appointed by governors ftp
to date only one renatorlal appoint
ment has been made. This Is in tho
case of Scatnor Quay, but if ho Is
seated there will be un effort to fill tho
vacant seats from Utah, California
and Delaware by tho same methods.
There Is unusual Interest In Mr. Quay's
case, and both his friends and oppos
ing senators are already working zeal
ously. Mr. Quay will make no effort
to bo seated Monday.
1- T
f
WEATHER FORECAST.
4-
f Washington, Deo. 3. Forecast 'for -
-f Monday: Eastern Pennsylvania
Rain Monday, possibly turning in- -4
4- to enow; colder. -fl
t .t -- -- 1- -
.