jJS' t- - ttT (" ' f t j i nJ '" su "V T VT "' V y T-r; i tribune Ssi omton C'T ggP TEN PAGES, ffi TWO CENTS SCRANTON, PA., WEDNESDAY MOHNING, TWO CENTS. TE7V PAGE'S. E2 8? S :gHBHSJpHbOQSisP8iN'S jfL. MARCH 7, 1900. TZ3&- HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVE MINERS PERISH Most Disastrous Explosion Known in New River District. FIFTY BODIES TAKEN OUT Number of Victims Will Beach 125. Not One Escaped The Explosion Occurs Near the Entrance of the Mine, Which Is Blocked by a large Amount of Slate Belief Parties at Work All Day No Use for Doctors or Nurses Scenes About the Mines. Fire Creek, AV. Va., Mai eh 6. The most disastrous mine explosion ever known In the New Hlvcr district oc- ctiried nt the Hert Ash mine shortly after the miners went to woik oiuly this morning. Although the most her oic work of the rescuing paity has been going on ull day it is Impossible tonight to estimate the full extent of the los of life and property. Alr-s.idy tlfty dead bodies have been taken out and the number of dead mav react seventy -five or mote. It is thought to night that nt least forty-live miners ate .vet entombed In the wrecked i Ine. The lied Ash mine Is n huge dilft and tho explosion at dined near the entrance, which was thus closed by the falling slate entombing a huge num ber of miners. The scene of the disaster lb between this place and Thuimond, on the South branch of the Chesapeake and Ohio laitroud, and eveiy assistance possible .as rcndeied by the railway company and by the adjoining mining towns. Hellef parties from gieat distance re plied us soon as possible. State Min ing Inspector Plnkey with a eoips of experts and many workmen lias been on the ground during the day, offering all assistance possible and devoting his attention more tow aid lellcf than to nn olllclal Investigation of the cause of tho disaster. J. Fred Efllngor. of Staunton, the principal owner of the mines, 'Spared no effort In the woik of rescue and relief, and his manager, Ferdinand Howell, had all the men available at work In trying to clear away the de bris and rescue the entombed men. The managers and bosses of all the mines In this district came to the scene as soon as possible and joined In the work of rescue. It is Impossible to describe the amount of work done by this concentrated army of men, but they were gieatly Impeded because of the extent of tho enormous blockade nt the entrance to the drift. The laige heavy slde-tlres of tho entrance weie blown out some distance, together with a lot of heavy timbers. Even mules Merc, blown out some distance. The force of such an explosion caused an Immense falling of slate and other de bits, so that the entrance was filled up for n gieat distance and the dlfll eultlrs In digging through It caused delay In the work of lescuc. As many men as could work at one time were digging away with all their might and were relieved In short i clays by other men, so as to expedite the work of rescuing as much as possible. First Bodies Becovercd. Tho first successful strike of tin rescuers was about in a, m when ten bodie.s were recovered. Seven of them were already dead and the other threi were dying. As the mlneis were lo cated at different places in the drltt and the explosion caused tho falling Hate to block all the rooms In different paits of tho mine, the workers of ics tuo met with one great obstruction after nnother. At the mouth of the- mine tho scene rvas beyond description, the wives mil shiyiien and the neighbors of these were Known 10 do cntomoea wero . .-e In full force, nnd the anxiety and IRt.'eps were most Intense. Vv'hllQ they were all seeking to help those vho were rescued nnd to get the mlnu opcned, yet there bereaved people jVere for the most part In tho way of he rescuers, and had to be held back i-om the entrance. The mine Is one , if the largest In West Virginia, and Was very heavily tlmbeied In tho dif ferent drifts. It was for this reason Wred that those who had not bjen tilled by falling debris at tho time of he explosion would be pinioned by iese connected timbers nnd suffer , ftth from suffocation. Air was fore. Into the mlno by engines on the ffaco which were kept woiklng nf , r the explosion, but It was found it air could be pumped Into the dilft only a short distance, an the coal, I he and earth shut off all possibility (reaching the Interior. The pumps f fa all other machinery In the mine ;fcre demolished ro that everything n,ld to be done through temporary ar rangements on the surface. Vfter the men got under headway In the work of rescuii they reached the first party In less than an hour. but they met great difficulty nftpr thnt time. It was then that telegrams were nent to Montgomery nnd Charleston and other places for physicians, nurs3 and caskets, but dining the greater part of the dnv theio was use only for the caskets. All woik was stopped In tho unrounding mine of the district, and the people withir, a radius of many miles ntsembled on the ground ftf th Red Ashe company, Had the accident oeciurcil an hour later many more would haw been entombed In tile mines. The estimates of the number In thu mines when the explosion oecuired nre based on the number who entered at 7 o'clock. The manager stated that by ' o'clock or S SO a. m. theie would have been twice ns many In the mines. The population or this mining vil lage Is rnly 500. All aie miners mid the cnVimlty will learh almost eery little house In the mining town. Nom of the people bete have been at their homes during the day, but they liavo remained mound the Heel Ash mln?. Some have not eaten e'uiliig the day. Food wns liberally suptllc'd to the re lays of woikmen In the rescuing paity. but many of the women who rmild net no wotd of comfort refused to eat or to go to their homes. Victims Number 125. At late hour tonight the most roll able estimate obtainable nut the num ber of the victims at 125. The capa city of the mine Is 17.", but theie hae been only 1H0 on the pay-rolls : far this month, mid It Is stated that ncai- ly nil of these weie In the mlno at j the time of the explosion. So far as could bo learned theio are thh ty-seven dead bodies In the village tonight tint have been taken out of the mine dur ing the day and theie aie also parts of human bodies at different places. These bodies, as a rule, aie so man gled as to be beyond recognition. Following aie the only names of the dead that me obtainable late tonight: H. 15. Long, flrebo'-s; Ilrf tt Long. Tom Long, Dodo Long, two bojs nnmed Loiv, James Snndeis: Charles Pouch, Novelle I)evvcs, Sam Slim.p, Chnilos Downey, Cult Downey, Andrew .7. 1'iell, John ('lull, two Hainbiiik biothrrs, N. ' K.iniMV, I'rlik htuarl, John Dav. lU'iiv Luikci. William Day (dying), Thomas Dav, Mutt eju.irrcls (jianvlllu Homos, Jnmcs Hiicknev, Sam Jackson, Mutt CalNblll, Will Sledge, Joe Klllott, Heirv Wilght, Daw Min, John Kane, Will Hill in r. Dill Jones, lt.iwson Holmes', nrnet Loj, Jnmcs Washington, Clinrles Peiferntor. The scenes mound the homes where the dead bodies nre lying hnv diawn some of th"j immer.se ciowd av.ay fiom I the woikmen nt the entrance eif the mine. Those winking on the lereue relays say thnt the secne be onus more terriblo a. ihey ret farther Into tlu mine. The men become almost faint of heart when they strike a place filled with dead bodKs. Mangled Beyond Becognitlon. Most eif the bodies that cannot bo identified or iccognlzcd have been placd in the largo blacksmith shop of the lied Ash Coal company, und that place reptesents tho appe-atimco of a hoirihle moigue. Although tlu bodies nre mangled beyond recogni tion, yet they mo surrounded by those who mo In distress and hunting their lost f I lends. The genein! belief is that tho explosion occuireel by con tact with dust when the Illinois, en teied this motnlng with their lights, and that it was not due to tire damp as has been cunently lepoilcd all das'. Nearly all the men employed In the mine wero white, only about r.ne-llfth being coloied, and most of the men weie man led and had families In tho little houses near the tipple ot tho gloat mine, A special train ni lived tonlcht fiom Montgomery filled with reporter, phy sicians, nurses and otheis, and one car contained thlity caskets. After tho ai rlval of the train an older was sent back to Montgomery for fifty moio e as kets. Another tuiiii nriived fiom Charleston with physicians, casketa and lellef supplies. Ftill another train cum In fiom Hinton. but there is no need eif physicians and nurses as the victims me dead. Theie Is a gieat need of undertake! s and expeit mlno w oik Ms. Tho woik of lescue is being continued during the night and will be kept up until the mine is clear. AMBUSHED BY FILIPINOS. Lieutenant Koehler, of the Ninth In fantry, Shot Near Tarlac. Manila, Maich C Lieutenant Hdgar V. Koehler, of the Ninth infantry, was shot In the abdomen and killed at a village six miles north of Tarlac, where ho went in search of some hidden lilies. A Filipino, inomlsing to pioduco the guns, led liim Into an ambush away fiom his command. Ills soldiers, In le venge, burned the vlllrue and killed twenty-four of the enemy Tho tiansnort .Sheridan will .sail to day with 120 soldiers and convicts and twenty Insane soldleis. WAGES OF POTTERS. Committees Arranging Scale Affect ing 40,000 Men. Plttsbuig, March C A confeienee of committees lepresentlng the United States Potters' association und the Na tional Hiotherhood of Operative Pot ters Is being held heie to at range u uniform sealo of wages. Tho sculo will affect 10.000 skilled and S0.C00 unskilled wotkinen. PACIFIC CABLE BILL APPBOVED Senate Committee to Report in Favor of Government Ownership. Washington, March 6. The tenate committee on naval affairs today or deied a favoiablo repoit on tho bill to const) uct a cable to Manila by way ot Honolulu, Midway islands and Guam. Tho cable Is to be under tho dlicction of tho navy department and to be a government cable. Tho General Lawton Fund. Vnhhlngton, March 6. General Coibtn today sent to Mrs. Lawton, widow of thu general, the fend subscribed by tho piople of th country. It amounts to ;, 432.07. GENERAL SHAW TO THE VETERANS AN INTEBESTINO ADDBESS DE LIVEBED AT NOBFOLK. Deeds of Valor of the Blue and tho Gray Are Behearsed A Olimpso nt tho Achievements of a United Na tionThe Fortunate Heioes Who Won Laurels in Two Conflicts. Norfolk, Va., Maich 6. Genoial Al bert D. Shaw, conim.indei-ln-cbh't of tho Grand At my of the TtepuW:, mad? his official visit to the Ginml Army organisation of Not folk. today and was lecelved with enthusiasm. In response to the demonstration of welcome Gen eral Shaw made an Interesting add! ess. General Shaw told: Comiudes, I.'iihcs und Gentlemen: It Is a gieat pleasure fur me as com-mnndor-ln-chlcf of the Gland Army of the Hepubllc. to meet and greet you I...-- .1.1.. t.-..- n..t r .. ii..f ' iil-iij nn hum wii'i'v iivi-.tKiuu "i i otllclal visit to this city of Virginia- 1 n state famous In the history of our na tion as being the "Mother of Presidents" und I thank ou ono and ull for this cordial reception. I eomo us tho otllcliit held of the Gland Army In whose peace ful tanks are found the uglng heroes of the Union armies of tho sKtles la a IMt of peaeo and conooul equal to the pieseut and leaching to the future. l'lo and thlity cirs ago tho great war practically ended In the surrender at Appomattox lifter four e.vr.s of an hciolc n struggle to break up tho Union, us vas ever Known In the history of itimlts. A divided current of popular sentiment crt IK d by dlffiiuit views of iUn trritttttiii mill M.) tit- nf fltltV llllfl f1(ri.()1.n.,llv i.-Milled in a conlllet o aims of iii.iiicccdcnted bitterness and bloodshed, on a colossal sc lie. Of that peilod of npp tiling t icrlllces bv the South mid by the North, It Is not my purposo to speak hen-and now, exeept to tay that thu soldiers of the Not tit and tho soldlcts of the South v ero i final lit honesty of their eonvletlons of duty, nael with equal vulor, nnd equal e outage pel lied their lives on cither ilde tor what they believed to bo light. t am one who his iihvuvs felt that whenever a man Is willing to offer his life all one has In the wen Id In derei.ee of nnv prin ciple or ut y cause, criticism as to his bravely e'ks, and the st.tl of lofty hero ism Is nt upon his patriotism i J viewed fiom Ills stitmipotnl of duty. The judg ment of the swoid t-hnulel be as saeied ns the judgment ot tho highest national tilhumil after Mich nrbltiaiiieut has been li soiled to In the settlement of questions which the pen hs.s fulled to compose. It Is tho true gloiv and nib lime of the issue of mil Meat war, that Its ekclslon hits bein wonderfully ne I'cptcd, In view of the extent und lletee1. neis eif the mighty tttncgle. Within the lllo of u single generation we have, seen tl10 dividing line of sections obllti'iatcl, lien e iitiiieus ,-ni' u. i" n ieiiUMiir . and as tho rival Hlais'and Dhis went ilown In biave dcleut, the Stais and Snipes hive; been laNed higher us tl beloved national emblem-inoiei precious now to all our people than ever before In the life of our republic. Tho glorious time has come lor us to n cosnlza fully th.it we nro now one as Anieilean citi zens, with happy conceit d from tho cen ter nil iQund to the sous and with boundless possibilities for good and for Clod before us. Under Ood the new birth of our imw destiny was t-oiiiulcd foith upon tho Cuban anvil bv the blows st nn k when the helre of the South nnd tin heirs of the North touches! elbows ngiln under the flng of Washington nnJ of Liiu'olu and of McKlliley In behalf of suffering and luhuin inly opprcssid peoples dominated and misgoverned by Old Spain Fortunate Heroes. I eomo at this tlmo to look mv on comrades in the f.ue, and to shako them b the baud, und to s y to lliem that they havo been Indeed fortunate to havo lived und had u part In two of the gieatest vii torlcs of the woild: (1) that of having s-aved tho 1'nlon nnd won lull Individual llbLity for eveiy sou nnd daughter on our soil, und (.') lo have seen those who jtiuck with dauntlcbs hciolsni nt the natlon'3 life with superb valor, peiil their ull feu tho dignity and honoi of tho I'nlon, and .11 .1., ! .. 1.1. ..I...I ... .1 ....It.-. ill the people with glnd acclaim unltet In tho sentiments: On" People,. Ono Flag nnd Ono Dcstlnv ! Comrades, tills Is u consummation of commanding glory for those living who fought either In tho Notthein or Southern armies In thu great war. I am not hero lo weigh In tho balance of riuht or wrong tho causes which led up to thnt conflict which rucked tho nation in the1 holocaust of war for bravo men abide bv the Issues of war and it is tho highest wisdom to let tho "dead past buiy Its dead." Hut I am he iu to advocate a bioiel brother hood baccd upon righteousness, among all our people nnd e speci illy nmong those- who heroically faced each other on opposing battle Une.s, with a lofty cour age iinec.uulliil. all In nil, In tho annals of war. It is lino as the poet sung: "Tho biavest are the tcndereM. the loving are the dnilng, ' nnd It Is natural for thoso who have receives! u bantjsni of tlio on the battle lino to nccoid tho full meas ure of frlendlv fellowship to bravo foes. And so 1 belle vo that tho survlvois ot the p.iuo and of tho Gray should culti vate the truest citizenship In the pres'ent. I was onco met with tho question by un Hngllsh friend In England to whom I had been descilblng the splendid light ing eiuulltles of American soldiers which I claimed were ulthuut an equal "Why did It tuko four long years lo overcome) the Soulli If you lnd such lino soldleis, with nil jour wealth ot men nnd mate rials?" Tor oncrt In my life my slow thoughts set ved mo and 1 iipltfd: "Hccuuse wo wero Americans lighting Americans, sir." This closed tho cpicsttontng, but the fact lemalns that wo can well leave to Im partial history the- just record ot Amcil iiin valor, us proved on both sides of the wnr, aiiet in tlio living present giasp hands In peaeo and Joy over a composed Issue ns itmplete ns It lie now worthy and promising for our vast future. Ami I am Impressi d with tho view tint eveiy true Ameilcun should do what Is possible to unify nnd develop tho sentiments of a common nnd happy C'hrletlan American eltUcnshlp over all our Intnl. As a re hUlt of Irieconclllablu dlffeiences over tlio iUestIoii of slavery v,o Joined In tho Irsuo of brutal war and In tho horrors of this hell of iiuutteiablo woe, we fought It out. und In one giavo nil tho sectional differences nnd all tho sectional prejudices should foiever bo burled out of sight. I know what this view nu-.tns, as applied to tho'o who made sacrifices In n final defeat, ns great and as un BClllHh as those who leturned from the front vlctntlous, but tho world will not soon forget what followed tho surren der of Lee's herolo army, within tho narrow cycle of thhty-flve years? It Is easy to bo proud In bearing In tho glnd hour of victory, but It la hard to face tho ngonv ot (i lost euusi). In defence of which the greatest nicrlden wero made In blood and ngony throinili long years of terriblo wur. Hut tho Crois pioeolcd , (Continued on Page l. MYSTERIOUS INOABCEBATION. The Imprisonment of Mrs. Mary Simpson Will Bo Investigated. Huntingdon, Pa., March 6,-Tho mys terious Inrareerntlon of Mrs, Mary Simpson, of this place, !n an nslum In Pittsburg yestciday, at tho Instance of William Clark nml Mis. George Clark, sister of Mrs. Slinpron, has led to a rhld Investigation Inaugurated by Hiram and Cicorge Dentin, Sin, Slmp.son'H biothen. Wllltnm Cl.uk, although having a family In Plttsbuig, hns paid devoted attention to Mlsa Carrie Wehuff, of this place, and finally established the Dehuff family In Ilur rlsbuig. It I alleged that Clark, frightened nt Imminent exposure, hut-. rledly summoned his son, Geoige, from Pittsburg', and had him many Miss Dehuff, although the two had never beforo met. The efforts of Mrs. Simpson, Mis Dehuff'H elder sister, to seek nn expla nation of the coinplexed matrimonial episode, It Is maintained by her broth er heie, has resulted in her forcible detention In ihe asylum nt the Instance of William Claik, who as alleged, de al, ou elmt lini llti? ahull lemnln Si'iilpri. .'."" ... - , - n.wi-v Hlritii Dehuff prmed with doc ?, " '.'J cl ' "Zi unients, among them a letter from Father Walsh, of the C'atheille church, pastor of Mis. burg, with the Simpson, v. ont to P't-' pitrpos,. ot having Chief i of Detectives O Maui Institute a searching Investigation Into Mrj. Simpson's enforced Incoicerallon. ALFRED C. HABMEB DEAD. The Well Known Congressman Passes Away. Philadelphia, Pu., Match C Con gressman Alfred, ('. Hatmer, of tho Fifth Pennsylvania district, and the "father of the house," died tonight nt his home In Oeimantown, n subuib of this city. . Alfied C. Hu uner was born In Oer nantovn on Aug. S, S."i. He was elected to congicss In 1ST0. and le elccted to every subseeiuenl congress with the exception of the fotty-fourth. The one break In his long eongiesslonal e'liieer was elue to u thtee-coinered light. Neither he nor his Republican opponent would yield and John Itob bins, a Dcmoci.il, .stepped In and cap tuied the plie by about 1,000 plurali ty. Mr. Ilnrnier was elected by a sub stantial majmlty In 1S70. and sliu e had nn dltllculty In letalning his seat. Ills nuijoilty was most constantly In cieased. He leturneel to the piesent congiess with 10,000 majority. Although not piomlneut for ability as a hpeakcr, Mr. Ilanner had been a telling worker on committees and throughout his long career as a con gressman attended closely to the duties of his oeike. Congressman Hatmer hael five chll-''-" Geoige W. Harmer. Miss Melllcl llarmcr, Alfred ''. Harmer, ji., Dr. J. H. Hnimer und "Irs. Heiwird A. Hee slele, of Washington. His second wife, whom ho married in lSSt, survives him. LOBD PAUNCEFOTE TO BEMAIN. No Change to Be Made in the Brit ish Embassy at Washington. London, Murch C. The Associated Pi ess leains that the British govern ment has deckled to retain Lord Pattn- j cefote as ambassador at Washington Indefinitely. Lord Pallsbuiy, pievious to last Fri day, had not consldeied tho piolonga tlon of Loid Pauiiccfnto's teim, but ap paiently ho was so impressed with the strength ot the arguments In the pres regal ding tli ambassadors knowledge of the matters pending bjtneen tho two nations that ho asked him If he wero willing lo remain. Lord Pauncefote leplled In the af firmative. No dellnlte period wns mentioned by Lotd Salisbury, so It Is probable that the doven of the diplomatic: corns will not leave Washington this venr. at nnv . ... -.... ' late, at the end of which time the Uiltlsh government hopes for .'. settle ment of tho vnifniiR eontioveislcs, The Associated Piess j3 Inform d that no communications ot any kind havo passed between the two govern ments In legarel to Lord Pauneefote. WILL RESIST EXTBADITION. Goslln Will Not Return Without a Struggle. Philadelphia, Pa., Muich 6. Alfied R. Goslln, of New Yoik, who was atiebted heie last night, chaiged with conspir ing with others to spiead defamatory lepoits designed to deptess the stock of the Hiooklvn Rapid Ti.inslt com pany, was today committed to await lequlsltlon papers fiom the- state of New Yoik. It Is understood he will re sist extradition. Hall was refused because he was a fugitive from Justice, and his attorney applied to the court of oyer and ter miner for u w rlt of habeas corpus In order to secure his lelease on ball. Judge Wilson will consider the appli cation tomorrow. Goslln. with otheis, was yesteiday Indicted by special grand Jury sitting In Now Yoik. Methodist Ministers Meet. Harrlsburg, March 0 A meeting of tho representatives of tho various preachers' meetings of tljo Methodist churches of Pennsylvania was held In this city today nt which It was declde-d to hold a Methodist convention hi Harrls burg ne.vt October beginning on tho 2Jd and continuing live days, lllshop Cyius D. Fish, of Philadelphia, presided, nnl delegates were present fiom Philadel phia, Pittsburg, Lane aster, Altoona, Will famsport and Wilkea-Hnne. Senate Confirmations. Washington. March C The senate to day confirmed the tollowlng nominations; II. U. Miller, of Oiegon, to bo consul at Chung King, China. Postmasters Penn sylvania, H. G. Halm, WUkes-llarre; J, II. Morrison, Mnrlonvllle, Pennsylvania Pensions. Washington, March 6. Increase of pen sions havo been grnuted tho following: Sam P. Slle. Now Huven, Columbia. jr.M to $17; Charles Gilford, Equlnunk, Wuyne, M to J8; Prancls L. Taltsee, Nicholson, Wyoming, JIG to 121. Suicide of a Professor. Hanger, Me., March C Professor P. L. Harvey, of the University of Maine, shot nnd killed himself at his homo in Orono, He had been suffering from mental trou bles resulting fiom overwork TO ADMIT FOOD DUTY FREE PBOPOSED CHANGE IN SENATE PUERTO BICAN BILL. Mr. Davis' Amendment Not Likely to Be Carried Republicans Stand ing Together Men from the Mid dle West Ignore Clamor Believe Thnt the Public Will Favor the Bill as Soon as Understood. Washington, March 6. In spite of the clamor against the Puerto P.'.cnn bill there la no sign In the Republican lines In the senate of a break formid able! enough to endanger the passage of the measure. The amendment pio posed by Senator Davis, of Minnesota, Is Intended to meet the objections of those Republicans who fuvor free trail with the Island. It leeognlzes the prin ciple that the constitution does not ex tend by Us own force to territories of the United States. The Democrats maintain that tho constitution fol- Davis, unlike Senatom Hoar. Mason and Wellington, who favor free traJe on constitutional grounds does not ex pect any aid from that source. .Va Democrat could consistently vote fo: an amendment which npplles only a portion of the United States constitu tion to a new possession. After his amendment has been iost Senator Davis will vote for the bill, but It Is not so certain that his col league will follow his example. Mr. Nelson Is inclined to free trade hle.n on gcneial pilnclples. He voted for the Mills bill in, tho fiftieth congress, and nobody will be surptTsed If he votes against the Puerto lllcan tariff bill at e'Veiy stage. Republicans from the middle wctit nte far fiom pleased with the Indie i tlons that popular sentiment In their states Is setting against the bill, but they betray no Intention of going with tho cunent. It Is believed that a ra olutlon In public sentiment Is sine tu come with a full discussion of the measure. Bepubllcaus Against It. Only three other Republican senators can be counted against the bill. They me Hoar, of Massachusetts; Mason, of Illinois, and Wellington, of Maryland. Tho defection is to be offset by tho votes of thre'e Democrats Caffeiy anil McHneiy. of Louisiana, and MeLaurln, of South Cmollnn. So thut the Repub-lle-un majority in the senate will piob ably mark the majority by which tho bill will he pu&sed. Other amendments to the bill are to be suggested. In order to give Individ ual Republican senatois an opportun ity to Dlace themselves on record us favoring i.ome modification. Senator Klkins, for examole, will offer an amendment proposing to leave the question of a tariff with the president, who has control of the subject under military" administration. That will b voted down, as will all others affecting radically the pilnclple of the bill. Ono proposition there Is, however, which seems to meet with much favor, and which. If It Is offered to the senate In the form of a motion, may be adopt- ed. It provides for fico Importation j Into Puerto Rico of such American pro- eiucts as me aumitieet nee under tne military oider of the president. Under buch an amendment Puerto Rlcaus would have the advantage of free entry for foodstuffs and many agricultural products. Tho change would temper the opposition to the bill on tho part of tho millers and farmers of the middle west. The head and front of tho Republi can disaffection In Minnesota Is ex Governor William D. Washbuin. who lepresents the milling Interests which have been sending flour to Puerto Rico free ever slneo the Island came under milltmy conttol. CELEBRATED HEB CENTUBY. Miss Pettit's Eyesight and Hearing Beturns to Her. Flemlngton, N. J.. Match G. Miss Sarah Pettlt eeiebiated her one hun diedth blithday at the home of 13. J Chambeilin, ou the outskltts of Plem lngton, yesterday. Up to ten months ago, when she fell and Injured her hip, Miss Pettlt has always been up and around tho house. Since her misfor tune she has been conllned to her bed In un almost helpless condition, belnsr unable to move heiself. Miss Pettit's hearing failed her about fifteen years ago and her eyesight alo became Initialled. At intervals her healing bus returned, so that she can hear ordinary tonveisitlon, and her eyesight Improved so that she can read the papers without glasses. Her sister, Margaiet Pettlt, who died a few years ago, lived to be ninety-two. SEIZED A FAMOUS PAINTING. Euben's "Holy Family" Didn't Pay Enough Duty. New Yoik, Mnieh G A special In spector of tho custom hous i nnd a spielnl agent of the treasuiy toc'uy seized tho Ruben's picture, "Ths Holy Family," at tho sallcry of a Fifth uvenuo art dealer. The painting was entered at the local custom house on Dee. 17 lant by Eu geno FIsehoff, tin art dealer. It was vtlued at $2R,00o, nnd was passed by tho United States appraisers nnd duty was paid In the lived valuation. It has since been nsoert.ilned that the painting was undervalued eomo $20,000, having born hoM at executors' t.alo of tin estate of sjlr Cecil MII's, Hart, In London last Slay for $43,O0u. Steamship Arrivals. Lizard, Match G. Passed: Spnarndum, for Rotterdam; H, II. Melr. from Hremcn for New York. New York Cleared: Southvvark, for Antwerp; Germanic, for Liverpool; New Ynilc, for Southampton, Arrived: Westernlond, from Antweip. Balled: Sa.ile, for llromen via South ampton. Liverpool Arilvcd: liovic, from New York for Antweip, Anlved Noord land, from New York. Whlttaker Arraigned. Prankfort, Ky, March C. Harlnnd Whlttaker wns today arraigned beforo Judge Mooro for the assassination of Governor Ooebel nnd was committed without gall for the action of tho April grand Jury THE NEWS TlllS MUKN1NU s$ . Weather Indication! ToJayi FAIR; C6LDEA. 1 General Fatal Mlr.o i:plosion In West Virginia. South African War News. Commander Shuw Talks to Not folk Vcternrs. Proposed Change In Puerto lllco Tar- Iff Hill. 2 Oenernl Northeastern Pennsylvania. Financial and Commercial. 3 General Whitney's Weekly News Budget. 4 Editorial. C Advertisements. 0 Local-Court Proceeding. Trial List and Jurors for Next Week s United States District Court. 7 Local New Telephone Company Plans. Special Meeting of Select Council. 5 Local West Scranton and Suburban. 0 Round About the County. 10 Local Llvo Industrial News. A Night In Scranton's Theaters. BAILBOAD INVESTIGATION. Industrial Commission Hears Testi mony in Beading Cases. Washington, March C Tho Indus ttlal commission today began hearing witnesses In regmd to the alleged clls chatge of employes by the Philadel phia and Reading Railroad company, because such emploves welo nfllllated with the Rrotherhood ot Hallway Trainmen. It was rtatcd that tho purpese of the commissioners Is simply to gain Information In legatd to Indus trial conditions, and It docs not Intend to take up the question of mbltratlon . In this connection. Mt. FItzpatrick, I of Columbus, Ohio, sketehel tne bis-j tiny of the Htotherhood of Railway I Trainmen and tho beneficial f ratines, i In reply to riuestlons, Mr. Kltzpat rlek said that some railroad compan- ' les hud "voluntary bone llclal assocla-I tlons." nnd Its momb'Mship In the as sociation was n condition of employ- ment on tho rallroadii and that due weie deducted from the v.nges of tlu employes. Mr. FItzpatrick said that another condition wns that employe) should accept the relief nffolded by this association In Hon ot it d imugj against the company. He believed the PhlUdelphla and Heading Rallioad company conducted such nn associa tion. Members of the Hriitherhood said ithey had been discharged bv the Philadelphia und Reading bocauso of their nmUatlon with that oiganlz.t Hon. No cnuae had been assigned by tho railroad olllcials in seme eases, while In others tho nimi weie In formed that It was liccatun they be longed to a labor organization. An other cause for tho ellsthaige of men .was the organlratlon by Reading men of a lodge at Shnmokln, Pa, Many rallroids make It u lule not to employ men unless they can piesent n recom mendation from theli last employers and for this reason, Mr. FItzpatrick B.ild, the men discharged hid difficulty in obtnlnlng woik. Other witnesses t be heard .ire: P. P. Motiis-tey, giani master of the Hrotheihuod of Hallway Trainmen; T. J. Forbes, Hoanok; Andrew .1. SlcGulte. Philadelphia: P. D. Bipnnan, Shamokln, Pa.; and H. E. Elliott, McKeesport, Pa. KANSAS CATTLE QUARANTINE. State Protects Its Dairy Herds from Tuberculosis. Topeka, Maich 6. A proclamation has bee,n Issued by Governor Stanly at tho solicitation of the live stock sanltaiy commission, declaring u iiuj.--antlno which practically excludes tho shipment of dairy cattle Into Kansas, The quarantine is established In otdv to prevent the further Introduction of tubeiculotis Into Kansas herds. It ap plies to dairy cattle nnd cattle use j In breeding and developing dally stock. C. A. Stannard, of Kmpoiln, protested against the application of the quaran tine against Illinois, because It Is from ! that state that most of the daily cat tle are lecelved. Tubeteulosls Is pte valent. however, In Illinois, and tho protest was over-tirled. The pioelainatlon makes the quaian tlne specific against the New England states and Now York, New Jeisey Del awaie, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and Colorado. GUARDING THE CZAB. Increased Vigilance on the Fart of the Russian Police. St. Petersburg, Match 6. The recent discovery of Russlun mi'd Polish Ni hilist plots have led to it-newed police precautions. On all tho Russian fron tiers the polite are exercising extreme vigilance, and are guarding the czai's movements. Tho cntlie loutcs of the czar's visits to barracks, theateis and public func tions lira doubly patrolled by the secret police, while the guards about the win ter palace and along the Neva Quay are particularly numeious. Murdered by Negro Bobbers. Uaxley, Oa., Maich C Dan Minima, a young farmer, living twenty miles from here, was murdered by two negro rob bers yesterday. Ho wns on his porch when attacked and when his wlfu ran out the robbers had killed him. Sho tiicd to escape with her biby, but the negioes killed tho child end beat tho woman so Fiiveiely thnt her life Is drspaltcd of. Tim munleiers escaped. They lived In the neighborhood. Aldrich-Bobbtns Case. Washington, Maich C Tho house spent the eutlio day In the cimslilciatlou ot the Aldileh-Robbins contested i lection ease from tho Fourth Alabama district. Mr. llobblns, the sitting member, niado a speech of un hour In his own behalf. Thu other speakers were Sti. Huikttt, Ne braska, In behalf of tho contestant, and Messis. fllenn ( New Yoik) und DeAl mond (Mo.), for the contest! e. No action was reached. m Fever nt Ladysmith. London, Mai eh 6 Surgeon Ticves ca bles from Lai. v smith that the condition of the town In most deplorable, und that thero are 800 rases of typhoid fever. Lav ish 'supplies if comforts are now ou the place, however. t l&'ATAf TTCAD filiiiL VjLum OF BOERS Roberts Allows Them to Concentrate in Front of Him. R ADY FOR A FINAL BLOW It Is Thought That the British Gen eral Is Willing That the Retreat ing Boers Shall Halt in Order That He May Have Another Chance at Them Tho Bound Robin in Favor of the Annexation of tho Trans vaal. London, Merch 7. 4.10 a. m. Lor Roberts still pauses In tho neighbor hood of Osfonteln, while stores, re mounts and ficsh troops stream to ward him from the cape. The British position also continues to Improve lit the minor spheres of tho campaign. Natal is clear of Eoers and Cape Col ony Is neaily so. The Boers seemingly are pursuing the course commended by tlio strate gists and are concentrating to resist the Urltlsh main army. Various mes sages from correspondents with Lord Roberts report that the enemy arc to creasing continually on hl3 front, ex tending, as ono correspondent wire's, clght'mlles, and, as another says.'elgh teen miles. The lowest estimate of their number gives tho Roers from 8,000 to 10,000 men, with smaller forces moving north and south of the British lines. Each army Is on flioth sides ot the Modder river. Although tho Roers have mounted eight guns on tho tops of kopjes nnd appear to bo too far away for Inspection, the British scouts leport that they are diligently using pick and shove. The opinion is that their present position merely screens more easily defended ones deeper In the legion. None of the military experts endeav or to fathom Lord Roberts' plans but it Is "tiggested that he is qulto willing to give the' Eoers time to assemble all their men in order to deliver a smashing blow moro effectively. The lound robin In favor of tho an nexation of the Transvaal nnd tho Fieo State, which Is being promoted unions the suppotters of the govern ment In the housc of commons, con tinues to receive signatures. Tho sign ers of the memorial to Mr. Ralfour af firm that the time has arrived for plain speaKIng Inside and outside of parlia ment, nnd that Iord Salisbury's words me beins construed Into a pledgo ugalnst annexation and Lord Roberts' proclamation Into a piomlse of no con fiscation of Boer property. The Transvaal agency at Brussels threatens a rising of tho Dutch In the event of annexation, though why th Dutch should rise then lather than now Is not explained. Mr. A. O. Hales, tho Dally News cor lespondent, who was cantured by tho Hoers on Febiuaiy 9, was released ut Bloemfonteln and put through the lines near Sterkstioom. He telegraphs that the Hoers me demoralized, and pays that they have been Heating tho Btlt Ish wounded splendidly. SENATE PBOCEEDINOS. But Little Interest Shown in a Great Measuie. Washington, Maich C Not probably In the history of tho senate was thero ever shown so little leal Interest In tho final vote on a gieat measure ns was tiianlfestcd todav In tho vote on tho confeienee report of tho financial bill. The lepott was before the senate for neaily two weeks, yet only four speeches were elellveied upon It, In cluding Sir. Aldrlch's explanation of tho chunges made In the senate bill by the confeiees. Today discussion ceased on tho bill llftten minutes befote tho tlmo fixed for the vote and tho senata actually began tho consideration oe minor bills on tho calendar to consume time. The conference report was agreed to by a. vote of 11 to 1!G, the leport thus having a majotlty of eighteen. Early In the fcesslon discussion of tho Quny caje'wus lesumed bv Sir. Simon, who leplled to the speech made yesteiday by Sir, Carter, of Montana. The speech pieelpltated a debate on Oregon poli tics, In which Sir, Simon defended Sir. Coibett trom tho attack made by tho Stontnna senator. Sir. Allen (Neb.) closed the debate on the financial bill In a characteristic speech, In which he denounced the measure as the moat vic ious legislation in his e.-epoilence. COBBUPTION IN JAMAICA. Mayor of Kingston and Members of Municipal Council to Besign. Kingston, Jumalca, SInrch 6. The members of the municipal council of Kingston are In open revolt, and tho mayor, w Ith n majority of the council, will resign. Municipal corruption Is said to be nt the bottom of tho trouble. The negro population Is excited, and possible dlstutbanees are feared. ' m To Oovein Philippines. Washington, Slaich i!, Senator Scott todav Introdui eel a John revolution mi. thorizlug tho goveinimnt of the Philip pines by the, president until congress shall otherwise provide. The bill em powers thu ptcsldent to exorcise nil mlli taiy, civil mid judicial powers through such persons as he may select to "prelect tho Inhabitant!! of tho said Inlands In tin full, full and tree employment ot their Illicit-, piopertyand rtllKluu." 4 -f-f-f-f-f 4 4- WEATHEB FORECAST. 4- Washington, Slarch 6. Forecast for Wednesday and Thursday: For c imte! n Pennsylvania, fulr, colder Widiiesduy: Thuiselay fulr; wlndi 4- becoming brisk west to north.vist. tttttft-rtt-ftttttt ilTt! 'tl r $
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers