Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 61, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 April 1898 — Page 3

A CITY ENGULFED.

Some Details of the Disaster at Shawneetown, 111., Are Obtained. The Liat of Dead Will Probably Reach Ono Hundred—Names of Sixty-Five Viotime. Gov. Tanner Issues a Proclamation Calling on Citizens of the State fer Aid. << . i A?. . i Streets of the Stricken Ot'.y Filled with Water to a Depth of from Ton to Twelve Foot. Sad Stoviee Are Told by hrrlT«r«— ReeoueM Work Hard to Save Imported Roaldaata. Shawneetown, 111., April s.—The suffering throughout Shawneetown is meet pitiable. The only direst communication is by telephone from a station first established two miles west of Shawneetown. So far St persons are known to be drowned. As yet no systematic attempt has been made to recover the dead bodies. Bight hundred people are being sheltered at the Riverside hotel. Two hundred are missing. The dead: Mrs. C. R Galloway, Mary Galloway, Dora Galloway, Mrs. Charles Clayton, Charles Clayton, Mil ton Clayton, Joeel* Clayton, Myrtle Clayton, Gertie Clayton, Brownie Clayton, Mrs. Paul Phelan and five children, Mary Phelan, Washington Calllcott, Mra Washington Callioott, Coi. John Calllcott, Mary McCallister, Ellon MoCaUleter, Noah Welch, Mrs. Noah Welch, Mrs. McLean, Tillie McLean, Frank Morrison, Ella Rlnaholt, Jennie Rtnabolt. Mrs. John Holly, Mrs. Edward Fletckand adopted daughter, John Fletck. Caroline Spaulding, Richard Fletcher, Jane Fletcher (colored), Mrs. Tany, Cora Shsrwood, Mrs. Charles Kopf and five children, Mrs. A. A. Hathaway, Miss Florence Evans, M. Salnelly and wife, Mrs. Webb, Fred Rlneholt, Mrs. Fred Rlneholt and three children, Henry King aad four children, six colored children. Two Hundred Houses Gone. The flood swept 200 houses from their foundations. Noble rescue work was done with skiffs. People were found clinging to housetops, trees and other debris. Many families are being sheltered in small houses. Seventy-five negroes have passed the last 24 hours In a small schoolhouse two miles from Shawneetown. So far J3.00C worth of provisions have been sent in from Carmi, McLeansboro, Mount Vernon and Nashville. A relief train was run over the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern and a steamboat load of provisions came from Evansville. Four hundred of the flood sufferers will be removed to Mount Vernon, Ind. Rain is coming down in torrents, adding ’ terror to the stricken town, although the relief expedition has been at work all day: Many of the citizens, especially the women and children, are suffering from exposure. Many corpses have been taken from floating homes where families were sitting around their supper tables when the flood rushed upon them without warning. The disaster is the worst that has occurred ■lnce the famous Johnstown flood. Appeal to the President. "The mayor of Shawneetown has appealed to President McKinley for aid, but It is thought assistance from the government will not be necessary. Three relief expeditions have arrived from Evansville, and the Louisville A Nashville and Baltimore A Ohio Southwestern railroads have ■ent special trains carrying provisions. The town presents an awful sight. Water stands over nearly every foot of the town, the business district being under from ten to twenty feet, and this varies to three and four feet. The entire business part of the city, It is believed, has been ruined, as In many of the stores the water reached the ceilings and is pouring Into the upper floors. Frank Robinson and Marshal Calllcott, in a skiff, rescued 87 people from floating debris and saw many drowned. Cyrus De verse rescued 13 people, among them three llttlg children floating on a house roes. The father and mother had perished. Had ffo Warning. Ridgeway, 111., April B.—J. T. Hogan, of Omaha, 111., left the scene of the flood half an hour before the dike broke. His brother-in-law, Sheriff Galloway, of Gallatin county, whose home was In Shawneetown, had the earns good fortune. The sheriff’s wife and two daughters were swept away, and their bodies have not yet been recovered. Hogan's story of the flood shows that ths townspeople had absolutely no warning of the disaster. “About five o'olook Sunday evsalng,” he said, “the levee on the north side of the town gave way at the north end es Market street, near the courthouse. An opening ten feet wide was at first made, but it quickly spread to 20 feet, and a wall of water ten or fifteen feet high poured through the main street, sweeping everything before it. About 50 small frame houses along ths line of ths levee to ths south were crushed like toys, and none of the occupants, most of whom wore poor colored folks, escaped. Those living in the more substantial houses managed to ollmb to second and third stories, where they clung for hours through the ohilly night. “Houses in the western part of the town did not st once feel the effect of the flood, and residents mads hasty steps for safety, most of them fleeing to the top of the levee on ths south side of tbs town. A large number also reached the little hills, which are a mils from the town, and from there saw their property crumble in the muddy waters. When daylight oamo the streets were full of water to the depth of ten or twelve feet. Only the most substantial buildings in the central business district remain standing. Water is everywhere and the relief work is being carried out under great difficulties.” Ridgeway, a town U miles from Shawnsstown, was made the basis of relief work. AU rail oommunioatlon being cut off for miles out, boats were constructed and a committee started to the scene. They reached Cypress Junction, half way to Btwwneetown, and found dry land extending toward the river. Following thia they arrived within two miles of the flooded town. More boats wers started and the rescuers crossed to Shawneetown. They found a sad condition existing In the Illfated town. Hundreds of those who escaped the rush of water were psrched on roofs, trees and along the top of,the levee They were taken from their dangerous positions as rapidly as possible. The Work of Rasoaa. Owing to the soarcity of boats the work was very slow, but over >OO persons, including many woman and children, wore takes to the roadway, two milss from Shawneetown, to Cypress Junction. Hert ths greater part of them are camped, wit I very little to eat and exposed to the drlv Ing rain and piercing wind. Cypress Junction la almost surrounded by water, whtah

has overflowed the banks of the Wabash and is covering the entire country. The ■overflow from the broken dike at Shawneetown has backed up twoenlles Inland, but Is slowly receding. It will be impossible to recover any bodies until the waters recede very materially., In fact, the rescuers are making very little effort in that direction, but are working to save those who escaped alive. Ths Riverside hotel and courthouse and the Ridgeway bank are Intact, and were found to have been used by the fleeing Inhabitants for shelter. The upper stories were crowded. Carmi Flooded. I The lower portion of Carmi, 111., on the Wabash river, is entirely flooded. The water reaches half way /to the second stories of the houses. Ths water is level with the floor of the Iron road bridge, but the railroad bridge is soil two Feet above at •as point on the Big Four. A mile north of Carmi the track is but one foot above water for a quarter of a mile. I A List at Missing. No attempt whatever has been made to get a list es the dead and missing. The following is a partial list that has been gathered up to midnight of those who are missing and possibly dead: Col. Calllcott, i Wash Calllcott, Mrs. Calllcott, Mrs. Galloway, Dora Galloway, Mary Galloway, Mrs. Holly, Mrs Greer, Mrs. Ed Flake, Charles Clayton, Mrs. Clayton, four Clayton children, Annie Rlneholt, Clarence Rlneholt) Mrs. Paul Phalen, three Phalen children, nephew of the Phalens, Mrs. McClain, Florence Evans, Ellen McAllister (colored), Mary McAllister (colored), R. B. Hooker, telegraph operator L. A. N. Ed Flake, whose wife was drowned, came to Cypress Junction Monday and said that there were 15 people In his house when the flood struck the building. Only himself and one other succeeded In escaping before the building toppled over. Mr. Flake was hysterical from grief and could not give the names of the 13 who wers lost. Tried to tav* Her Parents. Marsh Calllcott, the son of Wash Calllcott and wife, who perished, made an horolo effort to save his parents. He secured a rowboat and got within 40 foot of the home where his mother and father were imprisoned. The swift current prevented him from coming nearer. The parents stood In the yard In water to their armpits awaiting the arrival of the boat. Suddenly a wave swept them into the current and they were drowned before their son’s eyes. No effort has been made to recover the bodies. Every assistance Is busy providing food and shelter to the hundreds of homeless refugees. Sunday night the Catholic academy, the schoolhouse, city hall and the Riverside hotel, all situated on high ground above the water, were crowded with bomele&s people. Hundreds sleep on the river banks, under such rude shelter as th«y can construct from the floating debris. As Told by a Sarvlvor. Paduoah, Ky., April 5. When death swept down upon Shawneetown on the crest of a mighty flood there were a few who watched its progress and lived to tell the story. One of thase eyewitnesses has reached Paducah. The scenes he beheld and the sounds he heard will linger like a nightmare in his memory for many a day. Ed Walton left Shawneetown late Sunday night and reached hero Monday, .coming the latter part of his journey by rail. Possibly of all those In Shawneetown he had the clearest view of the disaster. Walton says the wall of water, 20 feet high, came without warning. The first intimation he had was when he heard a roaring behind him to the north as he lounged along the bank of the main levee. Then he saw the yellow torrent of rushing waters coming. He declares that it looked like a low hill, the spreading waters forming the sloping sides and the crest of the flood the top. Walton was near a wharfboat. Realizing what had happened, he ran for that and reached its decks as the waters , began to fill the streets and yards of the I well-kept place. Before the citizens of the ' community could realize their doom the yellow water was pouring into second-story windows. Whole families died together. Huebands went down to death with the cries of wives, and babies ringing in their ears. Children were swept from their mothers' arms into the whlrlffbol. Walton saw one man slide off a floating roof to help a child whioh clung to some floating wreckage and both perished before his eyes. A few strong swimmers saved themselves, but for the women and children and older persons there was no help. Some who gained pieces of drifting debris kept their heads above water for a little while, but most of them finally perished. Some of the folks seemed to go crazy and drowned themselves when they might have escaped. When the flood stopped there was hardly a dry foot of land anywhere. It was not long before skiffs and rafts were out picking up those on roofs and on the high ground. Out on the edge of town, where most of the survivors went, there was nothing to eat and no shelter. The women and children wore all crying and running around looking for their families. After it got dark it was worse than ever, becauee all the lights were out. Proclamation Appealing for Aid. Springfleld, 111., April s.—Gov. Tanner says the state is not in condition to take as much action as is necessary, therefore he has issued a proclamation calling upon the people of the state to come to the relief of the sufferers. It is as follows: “State of Illinois, Executive Office—To the People of the State of Illinois: It is my painful duty to announce that a terrible disaster has overtaken the citizens of Shawneetown, in this state, which, owing to the condition of the public treasury, I am powerless to relieve without the voluntary aid of the charitably disposed. “At 4:45 o’clock on the afternoon of Sunday, April 3, the levee which surrounds the city of Shawneetown broke and the city is under water and in the midst of a raging flood pouring down from the north. It is six miles to land and the current of the Ohio river is sweeping through the town. I am Informed by Mayor Carney, of Shawneetown, that approximately one-fourth of the population has been drowned, all the property destroyed and that the people are collected on the tops of the houses and upon what remains above water of the levee, exposed to the rain and without shelter and without one meal of food. "It would bo of no use to call tbs legislature together In special session to meet this emergency, because It would have no power to raise any money from whioh to pay any appropriation that might he made. I have sent the secretary of the state board of publie charities, as my official representative, to the scene of disaster, to assist In the organisation of the emergency relief work which requires to be done, with authority to*draw upon me for what funds may bo necessary, in anticipation of funds whioh will no dsubt be contributed by the public at large for this purpose. "I therefore make this urgent and Instant appeal for contributions to enable me to do what the people will no doubt wish mo to do under the existing circumstances. All contributions should be sent to Mr. W. 8. Phillips, president of the Ridgway bank, Ridgway, 111., which Is the nearest point from which the relief work can bo carried on. This disaster appears from what can be learned to be more appalling and immediate than the Johnstown flood. “Done at the executive office, Springfield, 111., this 4th day of April, A D. 18M. “(Signed) JOHN R. TANNER "Governor. “(Signed) JAMES A. ROSE. "Secretary of State.” Relief Train Starts. Springfield, 111., April 5. The special train on the Chicago & Alton railroad, bearing relief supplies for the sufferers at Shawneetown, left here at 3:30 o’clock Monday afternoon. Dr. F. H. Wines was in charge of the expedition, while Sergt. Batty had charge of the 3uo tents, blankets and other, supplies. Before the train left, word was received that there was a washout on the Baltimore A Ohio Southwestern railroad' at Cypress Junction, 12 miles north of Shawneetown, and that all supplies would have to be taken to the scene of the flood •-em Cypress Juhotloa bv wagons

THE DATE IS FIXED.

Senate Will Receive the President’s Massage Wednesday. / ' i . ■ _-,z..... SECRETART LONG SO ANNOUNCES. Karepenn Powers Said to Be Anxione te Mediate—Onr Government Not Disposed That Way—Latest Phases of the Situation. I I Washington, April 5. —Congress has but one more day to wait for the president to send in his message. At the conclueion of a long cabinet meeting Monday evening Secretary Long authorized the announcement that the message would be sent to congress Wednesday. The message will not be accompanied by the consular reports dealing with the state of affairs in Cuba, These will go to the committee on foreign relations of the senate for its private information and will not be made public just now. The diplomatic correspondence between the United States and Spain will not be submitted at present. The cabinet meeting lasted from eight until after 11 and was devoted entirely to the reading and discussion of the president’s draft of his message. Every member of the cabinpt was present. The document was gone over point by point and met with approval of the cabinet in every material respect. Character of the Measage. Secretary Long apparently had been deputed as spokesman for the meeting and gave the above brief statement. As to the character of the message he refused to speak. It was learned from other sources, however, that the message is in part a review es Spain’s course in the present and previous wars in Cuba. That it will contain some definite recommendations may be inferred from the remark of one member. “While I can say nothing explicitly concerning the details of the message,” he said, “I may sayl that it is a strong, explicit statement, and one with which congreee will be thoroughly in aceord.” It is understood that while the consular reports on Cuba are withheld from the public for the present out of regard for their authors, who are still in Cuba, their publication is notde-emed essential by the cabinet: From the fact that the diplomatic correspondence is not presented with the message it is inferred that its main features are touched on in the message itself, whether in the form of extracts or merely in substance. As Seen by tbe Wiuhlngton Post. Washington, April 3.—The Washington Post says that unless Spain within 4S hours yields all by surrendering Cuba war cannot be averted. It sum up the situation as follows: “President McKinley’s message to congress will be a ringing, vigorous document that promises to meet the full expectation of congress and the country. It will be a scathing arraignment of Spain, showing that she has. demonstrated her utter incapacity to govern; that her colonies have declined In population as the result of misrule and oppression; that Amerloan commerce has been damaged and American lives and property Imperiled, and that existing conditions should not and will not be tolerated by this government. The destruction of the battleship Maine and the slaughter of 26fl officers and seamen serving under the United States flag will be commented upon in strbng language, and Spain will be held responsible for that disaster. The president will make no direct recommendation, but his message will point clearly to the necessity of armed intervention to restore order and peace. He will not recommend ths recognition of the independence of the Island, for the insurgents have no established form of government, and the president and cabinet believe that a travesty would be presented to the world If, following the recognition of Independence, the United States should, as the result of war, take that Independence away by seizing or annexing the island. “The president’s message will be equivalent to a declaration of war and hostilities can now only be averted by Spain yielding all. Pope Leo XIII. is mediating between Spain and Cuba. The efforts of his holiness have already resulted. In an appeal from Spain to the insurgents, through the autonomic cabinet, for an armistice pending an agreement for peace and Independence. It is learned that his holiness hsu> represented to Spain that it is the part of wisdom to make every possible concession, even to surrendlng the island absolutely, rather than to go to war with the United States, whioh would Inevitably result la the loss of Cuba and other Spanish colonies, and at the same time endanger the dynasty. “The United States has ceased all negotiations, and will not accept mediation. “The administration and congress see no alternative but war.” The Latest Developments. Washington, April 5. —The two foremost broaches of the Cuban question in Washington Monday ware the president's message and European mediation, whioh now has taken an aotive form In tbs courts of Europa according to advioes received at foreign embassies here, though no proffer has been madi to the United States. Regarding the first it can be stated that it is fully expected by tbe administration that the message will be sent to oongross on Wednesday in all probability and certainly by Thursday. Members of President McKinley’s cabinet and his friends in congress stated definitely that it will deal vigorously with the question, will include the Maine incident and make definite recommendations to oongrese, one of whioh will be recognition of independence. As to the mediation of Europe or the pope, they declare that these material and moral powers must exercise their suasion on Spain, for this government will insist on independence of Cuba as an ultimate sine qua non unless tbe Insurgents themselves should oonaent to less, and this 1 hey have flatly refused to do. Uncle Sans Will Not Listen. Speaking on this point one of the cabinet officers said: "You can aay for me that all the powers of Europe and the heads of all the churches may propose mediation to Spain if they desire, but the United States will positively not listen to mediation of any kind that does not load to the acceptance of our condition, which is. Independence for Cuba" Notwithstanding tbe m.any rejKtrts of European mediation they assumed

their first tangible form Monday afternoon when at least two of the foreign establishments in Washington received official ir>formation tha’t an exchange of notes between the great powers was now in progress with a view to arriving at a basis on which they could make a joint proposal for mediation. It is evident that the exchange has not yet been productive of a common understanding, as the ambassadors and ministers st Washington have not yet received instructions to initiate the movement. Their only Information thus far is that ths, notes are passing by telegraph between the capitals of Europe. It had been understood that France and Austria were most active in bringing about this movement, and that Great Britain had held aloof from it, but it developed Monday that the British government was also taking part in the exchange, and that in case of concerted action by the powers Great Britain probably would net with the others. Spain Hopeful. What common ground the powers are geeking to reach can only be conjectured. The Spanish government seems to be hopeful of results from this movement, and this inspired additional ground for the belief that it will not be regarded with favor by the United States. The diplomats, however, think that if a common understanding was reached by the great powers of Europe such suggestions as these combined powers might make could not be lightly set aside. The general view of the diplomats is that the movement is not so much one toward reconciling the United States and Spain as it is to preserve the peace of the world by combined action. Tho Spanlih Argnm«»(. Spain’s policy in this matter is one of urging on the European powers that if Cuba was free from Spanish sovereignty the next move under the Monros doctrine would be to bring an end of European control over other West Indian possessions. Great Britain, France and Denmark have interests in that locality. In other quarters it was stated that the influence of the powers was more likely to be exerted on Spain, in urging her to the largest possible measure of concession. No Offer from the Pope. Washington, April 5. —President McKinley announced Monday to a leading member of congress who has the confidence of tihe administration that there was no truth in the reported mediation of the pope in the Cuban incident, and he (the president) had no knowledge of it whatever. He also announced that he was hourly expecting a cablegram from the Sagasta government notifying this government of the formal proposition for an armistice to the Insurgents. Has Not Offered to Mediate. Rome, April 5. —It was stated in Vatican circles Monday that, the pope has not formally offered to mediate between Spain and the United States, because he has not been requested to do so by those governments, it is true, however, that the pontiff has conveyed to Madrid his ardent wish for the avoidance of a conflict, and has asked Spain to arrange for a suspension of warlike measures or decisions. The Vatican refuses to publish the text of the communications which have passed between the. pontiff and Madrid, but the statement that his holiness has asked Spain to arrange for a suspension of hostilities in Cuba is confirmed. Spain Maneuvering for Time. London, April 5. —The Paris correspondent of the Daily Mail learns on excellent authority that the Spanish reply to President McKinley is regarded as a move to gain time and to avoid replying directlj’ to the American ultimatum. Spain will now find the means of yielding while saving her face. Emperor Refused to Take Part. Berlin, April 5. —The Berliner Post says: “The attempts at joint European intervention between Spain and the United States failed, owing to a divergence of views. Emperor William declined to mix himself in the affair. It is doubtful if the United States at the pope’s word would consent to have a fat morsel torn from its grasp.”

ELECTIONS IN OHIO.

Startling Democratic Victories Reported as Result of Voting for Municipal Officers. Columbus, 0., April 5. —Municipal elections Monday in Ohio resulted in some startling democratic victories. In Cincinnati the democrats swept the city. Senator Foraker’s candidate for judge of the superior court, John Galvin, being overwhelmingly defeated. Zanesville went democratic by a big majority. Newark has a democratic mayor, as has Upper Sandusky. The republicans of Springfleld, advocating a liberal local government, carried the day by backing ’the democratic candidate of a year ago. The Woman’s Political Equality club curried the day in the school election at Warren.

Mother and Daughter Perish.

Sistervllle, W. Va., April 5. —The residence of James Michaels, two miles from here, was discovered on fire. An entrance was forced by neighbors and Mrs. Michaels and her two-year-old daughter were found dead on the floor, almost burned to a crisp. The mother had her arms about the little one’s neck. Foul play is suspected. Michaels cannot be found.

Chicago Carpenters Strike.

Chicago, April 5. —Complying with instructions from their local unions, 5,000 carpenters on Monday laid aside their tools and walked out to join in a general strike. This means the opening of serious labor troubles and forebodes n repetition of the strikes and walkouts declared at the beginning of building operations the Inst two or three rears.

Failure in Chicago.

Chicago, April 5. Wolff Brothers Manufacturing company, manufacturers of sash, doors and blinds, assigned Monday. Liabilities,-$70,000; asst ta slightly larger.

TO ACT WEDNESDAY.

Opponents cf Delay Declare They Will Wait No Longer. STATESMEN SHOW THEIR IMPATIENCE 1 > Four Speeches Favoriaa Recognition and Intervention Made in the Senate—The House Paaaea a War Emergency Meaaure. Washington, April 5. —The leaders of the republicans of the house and senate who have been pressing for aggressive action on the Cuban question held several informal meetings during Monday afternoon looking to the arrangement of a programme for concerted action at both ends of the capitoi in case the president is not ready to transmit his message to congress on Wednesday. Senator Davis, Senator Foraker, Senator Cullom and others were seen by the house republicans, and as a result the committee appointed by the house republicans last Wednesday postponed the meeting of the conference, which was to have been held Monday night, until Wednesday at 11 a. m. At that time, if it is apparent that longer delay is to be asked, they are to proceed at both ends of the capitol. The senate committee on foreign relations has agreed informally on their resolutions and the republicans of the foreign affairs committee of the house are practically united. Both will be for armed intervention, and the blowing up of the Maine will be a feature of each. The house committee will call Capt. Sigsbee and other naval officers before it to-dai' and the committee expects to take strong ground on the Maine affa?r. Both committees being ready to act on Wednesday, the resolutions can be brought up in both houses on that day. Speaker Reed, it is positively stated, will not attempt to block any programme that has the indorsement of a majority of the republicans of the house, and when the conference meets on Wednesday, it is said, if the president is not ready to report, the committee will be able to convince the speaker beyond cavil that they are in not only the majority, but a large majority. Senate. Washington, April s.—lt was frankly and openly charged in the senate Monday by Senator Perkins (Cal.) in a set speech that Spaine was responsible for the Maine disaster, as it had been brought about by Spanish machinations and Spanish treachery. The speech of Senator Perkins was only one of four prepared addresses upon the Cuban question delivered in the senate Monday. Senator Clay (Ga.), while hoping for a peaceful solution of the problem the country is now facing, declared strongly in favor of independence of the Cubans and pledged to the administration the loyal support of the south, which in the event of war would have to bear the brunt of the conflict. Senator Perkins took substantially the same ground, and his vigorous treatment of the Maine disaster aroused the crowded galleries to enthusiastic applause. Senator Mantle (Mont.), while expressing confidence in the administration, maintained that the time for action had now arrived, and that action must be to the end that Cuba should be free. Senator Rawlins (Utah) entirely eliminated the president from consideration in his speech, holding that the case against Spain was already made up and that with congress rested the responsibility of declaring war. For congress to wait longer was only to invite criticism. He declared for the most vigorous action immediately. After the Cuban speeches had been delivered the senate resumed consideration of the sundry civil bill and finished 33 pages before adjournment. Hoaa*. Washington, April 5. —While there was no attempt to force consideration for a resolution regarding the Cuban situation in the house Monday, there was a brief outbreak, in the course of which the warlike temper of t lie crowded galleries was so manifest that Speaker Reed threatened to clear them if it was repeated. The outbreak occurred over a bill to authorize the president to erect temporary fortifications in case of emergency upon land when the written consent of the owners was obtained without awaiting the long process of legal condemnation. This led to a demand by Mr. Bailey, the democratic leader, for information us to the facts which warranted all these war measures. The particular statement which aroused the galleries was to the effect that while the democrats were willing to wait any reasonable time for the president to transmit a message that would meet the approval of the American people, they would not wait a minute for him to continue negotiations with the “butchers of Spain.” When the demonstrations in the galleries were rebuked by the speaker he declared that the galleries were the American people in mihiature. Mr. Cannon accused Mr. Bailey of “posturing” and playing to the galleries. The bill was passed, and it was arranged that the army reorganization bill should be taken up on Wednesday unless a report was made from the committee on foreign affairs. The remainder of the day passed without incident in the transaction of District of Columbia business. During the morning thousands swarmed through the corridors of the house end of the capital clamoring for admission to the galleries.

Railroad to Be Sold.

Toledo, 0., April 5. Taft’s decision in the Clover Leaf railway litigation finds $12,028,5(X) to be due on first mortgage bonds, and orders the sale of the road, the time of which is not fixed, at an upset price of $7,500,000, ITiram D. Peck and William A. Van Buren, of Indianapolis, are special masters to conduct the sa'e.

MICHIGAN VOTES.

Result of the ECleetion for Municipal > Officers In Many Cities of That State. Detroit, Mich., April s.—Municipal elections were held Monday in all Michigan cities excepting Detroit and Port Huron. Democrats allowed decided gains in most of the larger cities, but republicans retained control in a majority of the smaller ones. In Grand Rapids republican majorities were entirely overthrown. George R. Perry (dem.) was elected mayor'on the issue of “personal liberty” against rigid enforcement of Sunday and liquor laws. All the new city officers are democrats. The latter elected all the ward supervisors and most of the aidermen. Saginaw democrats swept the city ticket and elected 13 out of 15 aidermen. In Bay City the democrats elected the recorder and a minority of the aldermen. Republicans elected the entire West Baj- City ticket. Jackson reelected • democratic mayor and a majority of republican aldermen. The council, however, remains democratic. Benton Harbor elected a democratic mayor for the first time, with a republican council. Kalamazoo democrats elected their mayor and a majority of aidermen. At Marquette thecitizens’ mayoralty candidate defeated his silver-democrat opponent. Muskegon republicans elected mayor and five out of eight aidermen. Democratic or fusionist mayncn won in Manistee, Ypsilanti, St. Ignaee, Marshall, Albion, Sturgis, lonia anfl Owosso. Republican mayors were elected in Traverse City, Adrian, Coldwater, Stanton, Eaton Rapids, Battle Creek, Big Rapids, Sault Ste Marie, Hillsdale. Alpena, Holland, Cadillac and Menominee. Negaunee elected labor candidates. J. W. Milliken (rep.) was elected state senator in the Traverse district to succeed Covell, resigned.

IT WILL NOT DOWN.

Senator Mitchell, of Wisconsin, Saya the Maine Episode Was a Plain Case of Treachery. Washington, April s.—Senator Mitchell, of Wisconsin, who is one of the most conservative men in the senate and has never advocated intervention in any way until since the receipt of the report of the Maine disaster, received a letter from Paul D. Carpenter, of Milwaukee, l Wis., a son of the late Senator Matt , Carpenter, in which an argument tor peace is made and in which the report of the Spanish court of inquiry is cited r.B grounds for not accepting as conclusive the finding of our own court that the Maine was destroyed by an external explosion. To this letter Senator Mitchell replied: "I have never favored armed interference In Cuban affairs. I did not feel that we were bound to redress the wrongs of Cuba by resorting to war. But the Maine episode will not down. Over-refinement at argument is useless. It stands before the American people a plain case of treachery. Perfidy and cruelty run in the Spanish blood. There is little else in its history. Any nation that would permit such an outrage to go unpunished would not deserve to exist. There are some things worse than war. There are some things better than money.” 1

Big Strike Expected.

Pittsburgh, Pa., April 5.—A1l indications point to a general suspension of coal mining along the Monongahela river, WednesdaJ' it is expected 10,000 diggers will be on strike. The operators have been requested by tire miners to acknowledge the interstate agreement and comply with its terras. Thus far only a portion of tlie firms have acceded to,the demands, and the others propose to fight it out with their employes and the United Mine Workers* association. Nothing short of the operators complying with the conditions of the Chicago agreement can avert a general strike.

Heavy Claims Against Spain.

Washington, April 5. —Claims against Spain aggrcgatingsl6,o(X),ooo for injury and loss incident to the war in Cuba have been filed witli the state department by citizens of the United States residing in that country. They cover claims for personal injury, imprisonment, loss of stock, burning of sugar plantation, etc. All are properly indexed at the state department and then sent to Minister Woodford at Madrid, where they are presented to the Spanish government for adjudication.

Spain Bought Mines.

London, April 5. —Investigation here shows that Havana harbor was mined, nnd that. Spain purchased the terrible -engines cf destruction in thiscity. The patentee says that it was one of his contrivances that wrecked the Maine; that an accidental explosion of the mine was impossible, and that the manipulation of three keys was necessary to fire the terrible destroyer.

To Help Americans in Havana.

Key West, Fla., April s.—Acting under orders from Washington, Capt. Sampson, commander of the Unitafl States fleet in these waters, sent the survey boat Bache Monday from the Tortugas to Havana. It is assumed heee that she goes to afford a mode of safe egress for American citizens should a riot occur in Havana or war be declared.

Caused Heavy Loss.

Vicksburg, Miss., April 5. — Fire wbieh broke out at 1:30 this (Tuesday) morning destroyed-the Piazza opera house. Bitts’ drug store, Piazza harness factory and buggy warehouse. The loss will approximate $125,000, only partially covered by insurance.

Fatal Explosion.

Bellaire, 0., April s.—At the Wheeling iron works in Benwdod a boiler explosion killed David Gearry, of Old Hundred, W. Va., fatally injured Owen Tates, of Bellaire, 0., nnd badly scalded four others.

Fire in Louisville.

Louisville, Ky., April 5.—-The plant of the O. K. Stove & Kangc company, at Brook nnd A streets, was completely destroyed by fire Monday night, the total loss being about SBO,OOO.