Democratic Sentinel, Volume 21, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 March 1897 — AT THE WHITE HOUSE [ARTICLE]

AT THE WHITE HOUSE

M'KINLEY GETTING AFFAIRS INTO SHAPE. The Public Buaineai Benina to Bun More Smoothly—Mails Are Enormous —Hitherto Unknown Facilities for the Frees Have Been Provided. President Lays Down Rules. Washington correspondents say that business begins to run more smoothly at the White House. The mails are enormous and the clerical force is heavily taxed to keep up with the rush, yet there is a system about the proceedings that facilitates the transaction of a great deal of business in a short time. Facilities for the press heretofore unknown at the White House have been provided by Secretary Porter. A commodious table and comfortable seats have been placed in the lobby of the Secretary's office in such a favorable position that the reporters for whom places are reserved are enabled to sec for themselves all the President s visitors and to talk with them if they desire, and there is a general air of welcome in the place. The President also is settling down to a prudent set of rules for his own health and comfort. In office hours he is a hard worker, but hereafter the White House is to be closed to official callers at 4 o’clock, and at that hour’the President will retire from his office and after a brief rest in the private portion of the White House in company with Mrs. McKinley, he will go out of doors and take exercise, walking or riding, according to the state of the (leather. In the evenings the White House loses its official character and becomes a social center. The President is fond of company and scarcely an evening passes that half a dozen friends do not sit down at the President's table for dinner.

BLOCKADE FOR GREECE. Foreign Admirals Ordered to Cloae the Principal Porte. All the admirals, except the French and Italian commanders, have been ordered to immediately blockade the principal Greek ports, especially the Pieraeus (the port of Athens), Syra and Volo. An ultimatum will forthwith be addressed to Greece by the admirals of the foreign fleets. The proposal of the i»owers thut France and Italy occupy the Island of Crete with a mixed force of 25,000 men has been declined by the Governments of those two countries on the score of expense. The occupation of Crete, therefore, will be undertaken by the forces of the six powers, although Germany and Austria will only nominally take part in the occupation in order to show that they are agreeable to the measure. A dispatch from Heraklion. Island of Crete, says that owing to the excesses of the Mussulmans the consuls have asked the admirals to laud detachments of marines there. GOVERNMENT CAN RECOVER. Pensioner Must Return $0,847 Secured by Al’eged Fraud. The judgment of the United States Circuit Court, at St. Louis, in awarding a verdict allowing the government to recover $9,847 from Francis M. Rhodes of Hannibal, Mo., which, it is claimed, he received by fraudulent representation, was affirmed by the United States Court of Appeals. The government alleged it had been induced to pay Rhodes this sum as a pension upon his representation that he contracted catarrhal ophthalmia, a disease of the eyes, while engaged as a soldier, while, in fact, he was so afflicted before he entered the service. Rhodes was a private in Company K. Forty-second Regiment, Missouri Volunteer Infantry.

ELEPHANT CHOKED TO DEATH. Tip Strangled by Mean* of Block and Tackle. Tip, a monster elephant which has been shown throughout the country for many years past, was put to death by strangulation at Bridgeport, Conn. While the brute's feet were chained to stakes firmly driven into the ground, men with block and tackle drew a rope taut about his neck until he was dead. The operation was completed in thirteen minutes. Tip had developed vicious tendencies, and his death was determined upon in order that he might have no opportunity to kill his keepers or people visiting the show. He had been given poison, but without marked effect. Place for John Hay. The President Tuesday sent to the Senate the names of John Hay of the District of Columbia for ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the United States to Great Britain and General Horace Porter of New York for United States ambassodar to France. Henry White of Rhode Island was nominated for secretary of the embassy of the United States to Great Britain. Mistreated Veterans. The board of managers of the Soldiers’ Home at Leavenworth, Kan., have been called to meet in special session at Washington, when the report of the congressional committee, which recently investigated the home, will be acted upon. Maj. W. B. Shockley, treasurer of the Leavenworth home, has tendered his resignation, and it is said that the resignation of Gov. A. J. Smith will be tendered.

Will Profit by Floods. Business men of Blackburn and Osage City, towns on the Arkansas River, are building half a dozen large barges or boats, and during the rise of the river will ship corn to New Orleans on the Arkansas River. They buy corn at from 6to 12 cents per bushel and get good prices in New Orleans. Many Homeless Negroev. Nearly 2,000 homeless and half-starved persons rescued from the overflowed districts of Eastern Arkansas are being eared for in Memphis, Tenn. The refugees are mostly negroes of the lower classes, who show scant appreciation of the charity extended. Fire Destroys 1,500 Houses. In a fire at Mandalay, in India, 1,500 houses were destroyed. Three persons were killed. The damage done is estimated at $2,000,000. Quaker C>abier Skips. John F. Pierce, chief accountant and cashier of the Reading Railroad Company’s business at the Port Richmand co*! wharves, Philadelphia, is missing and $5,000 intrusted to him to pay the employes is not in the company’s safe, neither nave the employes been paid. General Alford’s Fon Disgraced. At Los Angeles, Cal., Allen W. Alford, son of Gen. Alford, of Texas, has been convicted of forgery and sentenced to two year* in San Quentin. Young Alford placed to his credit in-the First National Bank a forged draft for SI,OOO, drawn on * Philadelphia Bank.

GUN WAD THE CLUE. Piece of Paper Found in His Victim’s Brain Led to Matthews' Arrest. George Matthews, the murderer of James J. Irwin, was hanged in the jail yard at La Plata, Md., Friday. James J. Irwin, a prosperous farmer, was found, dead in his bed on the night of Aug. 2, 1896, his brains having been blown out with a shotgun. The alarm was given by his wife and investigation disclosed intimacy between the murdered man's wife and George Matthews, an oyster’ dredger, living a few miles away. Em-1 bedded in the brain of the murdered man was a scrap of newspaper, which had been; used as wadding for the load, and in Matthews' cabin was found the newspaper from which it had been torn. His arrest and that of Mrs. Irwin followed. A verdict of murder in the first degree was secured against Matthews. He then made, a confession implicating Mrs. Irwin as an, accessory. The woman secured a change of venue to Baltimore, but when she was put on trial Matthews refused to testify against her. He being under sentence of death, there was no way to punish him for contempt, and the woman's acquittal followed. Matthews was removed to Baltimore for safe keeping. He maintained a stoical demeanor to the end, and steadfastly refused to further implicate the woman. CRESPO'S MESSAGE RECEIVED. Olney-Paunceforte Agreement a Surprise in Venezuela. The text of President Crespo's message to the Venezuelan congress, which has just reached this country, shows that the subject of the boundary controversy was treated at great length, as befitted its importance. For one thing, it was made clear that Venezuela knew officially nothing of the arrangements made between Secretary Olney and Sir Julian Pauncefote for the submission of the boundary question to arbitration until the whole matter had been closed up. It is evident that the Venezuelan president did not like this method of arranging the affairs of his country without consultation with him, for his message shows that he was not altogether disposed to accept the arrangement. However, in deference to the kindly interest shown by the United States in this matter, he indorsed the treaty and pressed it upon the attention of the Venezuelan congress to the exclusion of all other business.

PRESIDENTS’ SONS WANT JOBS. Grant, Arthur, Haves, Garfield, and Logan Seek Places. A Washington dispatch says: The son of President Arthur is a candidate for secretary of legation, France preferred. Col. Fred Grant desires one of the European missions. He began with Berlin, but is now willing to take something less. One of the sons of President Hayes and one of the sons of President Garfield have let the President know that they are willing to accept something. John A. Ixtgan is openly a candidate for minister to Austria. Mrs. Lognn, his mother, is doing all that she can for him. Young Logan holds an appointment on Gov. Bushnell’s staff. He wears a captain’s uniform, and displays upon the breast of it the array of medals conferred upon his distinguished father. Robert T. Lincoln, son of President Lincoln, was minister to Great Britain under President Harrison. He is not seeking anything from this administration. INDIANS KILL A WITCH. Oklahoma Reds Deal Summarily with the Woman. In the vicinity of Stonewall, Chickasaw Nation, there has taken place a most peculiar incident for these civilized times. Mrs. Mary Gilcrest, a daughter of Judge Collins, died a few weeks ago. It was charged that her death was caused by witchcraft, Lucy Factor, a woman of the neighborhood, being spoken of as the witch whose magic spells had done the evil. Mr. Gilcrest, the husband of the dead woman, and a friend went to the home of Lucy Factor and shot her to death. AH parties are Indians. Gilcrest •nd his companion were arrested by the tribal authorities, but were soon released, not even being bound over for trial.

State Feels Elated. The Topeka Capital publishes an elaborate statement of the reduction in mortgage indebtedness in Kansas during the past seven years, showing a decrease of 45 per cent, or over $105,000,000, since Jan. 1, 1890. The comparison is drawn between the figures of the Federal census of 1890 and reports to the Capital from the registrars of deeds of thirty-eight counties, showing the recorded mortgage indebtedness on Jan. 1, 1897. In 1890 these counties had a mortgage indebtedness of $63,158,631, and in 1897, on the same basis, $34,620,138, or a net reduction in the seven years of $28,538,493 over 46 per cent. If the same percentage holds good for the entire State, which the Capital’s figures show to be true, the total reduction in Kansas for the seven years amounts to $105,068,208. This reduction is very much greater if settlements by deed and foreclosure in the western third of the State be considered. Careful estimates of the same figures show that ouly $40,000,000 of Kansas mortgage debt is held by persons outside the State. Of this, $15,000,000 is held by insurance companies doing business in Kansas, and, therefore, but $25,000,000 by individual foreign creditors, as compared with $85,000,000 in 1890. In 1890 the total mortgage debt of the State on farms and lots was reported by the census to be 27 per cent of the actual value of all taxed real estate. To-day it does not exceed 15 per cent. The statement shows that Kansas has been diligently and successfully paying out, and is to-day probably freer of debt than any other Western State. It could pay its present foreign obligation of $25,000,000 from the proceeds of a single crop.

Cattle Thrown Into the Sea. The Beaver line steamer Lake. Winnipeg, Capt. Taylor, twenty-five days out from St. John, N. 8., has arrived in Liverpool. Capt. Taylor reports having had a terrible voyage, during which the vessel had such a large quantity of water in the engine room that the passengers had to be called upon to assist in clearing and righting the cargo, which had shifted during the heavy weather. The fires of the Lake Winnipeg were out for more than a fortnight, and 307 head of cattle, twenty-two horses and seventy-four sheep had to be thrown overboard, owing to the scarcity of drinking water and the inability 1 of the engineers to work the condensing apparatus. Plunge to Death. A number of people were plunged to death early Wednesday morning in one of the worst railway accidents that has ever occurred in the State of Indiana. The engine and two cars of the Nashville limited on the Chicago and Eastern Illinois road plunged into the White river at a point neat' Hazleton. The iron bridge over the stream had given way to the weight of the train. The engineer and fireman and the passengers in the smoking car and day coach lost their lives. Banavalona 111. Exiled. Ranavalona 111., the Qiteen of Madagascar, who has only held her position nominally since the Island was made a French colony, June 20, 1896, has been exiled to the Island of Reunion, a French possession near the Island of Mauritius. Victoria Wants a Fortune. The following advertisement, which was printed in papers at New York, is the last of many efforts which have been made i

by Queen Victoria of England, through her agents, for twenty years or mere to acquire possession of the estate of an old cotton trader, long dead, and which, under a curious and ancient law, belongs to her: “To stockbrokers and others —Information wanted as to purchases of railway or other stock or shares tn American companies on behalf of John Robert Turner, of Charley, Lancashire, England, cashier (for some time resident in the United States), who died in England in 1873; date of supposed purchases uncertain. Any person affording information which will lead to discovery of such (unrealized) investments will be suitably rewarded. Address Messrs. Hockmeyer, 127 Green street. New York." John Robert Turner, who was born in the opening year of the century, is aup|>osed to have died ]>ossessed of American securities valued at from $150,000 to $200,000, but thia fortune mysteriously disappeared at his death and no trace of it has even been found, though before it was learned that the sovereign had the first claim upon it, others who believed themselves heirs made a thorough search.

WANTS WEYLER’S MEN. Spain Needs Troops to Suppress the Philippine Rebellion. Havana dispatch: The news of Spanish reverses in the Philippines, and the repulse of Polavieja before Cavite and his resignation in front of the enemy, added, if that were possible, to the gloom and depression that prevails in official circles in Havana. Now it is understood why Gen. Wewler received telegraphic instructions on the 9th inst. not to embark on the 10th. Primo de Rivera, who was to' have succeeded him in the hopeless task of subduing Cuba, is designated for the supreme command in the Philippines. Six thousand troops that were to have sailed from Cadiz for Havana this week will be sent to Manila, ami General Weyler has been asked to send as many troops as be can spare to Spain. These 6,000 recruits were raised by offers of bounty, as in the present state of public opinion in Spain it was not deemed safe to exercise the draft. General Weyler has stated that he enn only spare 10,000 men, and these will shortly be embarked for the peninsula in the guise of invalids and men whose time has expired.

WHOLESALE GROCERS SUFFRR. John A. Tolman Company of Chicago Arc Burned Out. Fire destroyed the five-story brick building at Lake and Michigan avenue, Chicago, occupied by the John A. Tolman Company, wholesale grocers, Friday night, causing a total loss of over $400,000. Spectators who thronged the narrow streets in the vicinity from 6:45 to 10 o'clock were treated to a fusillade of small explosions, due to the bursting of thousands of cans of preserved fruj|s. The losses by fire are approximately as follows: John A. Tolman Company, wholesale grocers, $300,000; Chase & Sanborn, coffees. Boston, Mass., stock damaged $50,000, principally by water; McCormick estate, building, $50,000; Joseph A. Kohn, building, $5,000. All fully iusured. Tracks Being Repaired. The Baltimore and Ohio Southwestern Railway has 1,000 meu at work repairing its track. It has resumed through train service between Louisville and Cincinnati and St. Louis. The through trains between Cincinnati and St. Ixniis will now be run by the way of Louisville, leaving Cincinnati on the Baltimore and Ohio Southwestern tracks, entering Louisville by way of the Big Four bridge, leaving for the west over the St. Louis Air Line, and resuming Its own tracks at Fairfield, 111. The Monon has fully restored its service and the Pennsylvania is nlso making schedule time. During the flood all these roads used the track of the Big Four in and out of Louisville. The damage to the railroads done by the floods is estimated at $3,000,000, and the damage to individuals hi the flooded district is estimated to be $3,000,000 more. At Memphis, Tenn., the Mississippi river registers 34.2 feet, and the danger line is 33 feet. The most serious feature of the present rise of the river is the possibility of its cutting out a new bed for itself through Crittenden County, Arkansas, ami leaving Memphis high and dry, or, nt least, leaving her on n shallow lake.

Pullman Company Loses. The Court of Civil Appeals at Galveston, Tex., has affirmed the decision of the lower court in the case of the Pullman Palace Car Company versus Thomas W. Cain, a negro minister, who purchased a first-ciass ticket from St. Louis to Galveston but was compelled to ride in a “negro” ear. The Appellate Court held that where a ticket is sold for a separate coach, like a Pullman, a negro is entitled to passage in that kind of a car, or the company is liable for damages. Alaska Treaty Reported. The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations has agreed to report the Alaskan boundary treaty with Great Britain without amendment or change. Crowds Melting Away. Affairs at the White House are fast assuming their normal aspect and there is a marked falling off of the crowds of public men and of the general visitors. Crushed by a Wall. By the collapse of part of the old walls of the town of Fez, Morocco, 180 workmen have been killed.