Indianapolis Journal, Volume 51, Number 96, Indianapolis, Marion County, 6 April 1901 — Page 4

THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL, SATURDAY, APRIL (5. 19J1.

fPTIT' TA IT r nTTD V I T

lUTi UAIIil . V7U IH SATURDAY, APRIL t 10('l. Tcienboiie Calls i.Olil ami ."Wit.) EuIne.s CiTkC J Editorial Rooms.. ..MU TERMS OF SI RSCRIPTIOX. ry CARKinn-iN'niANArous and sununcs. Daily. jJunOay l.-clu led. y cents pff ir.ontlu Dally. Kitiuu: Surf .xy, ) cnti per month, rundiy. wjth-.ut üaily. 2.i) pr year. bmcla cciiea: Daily. 2 cents; Sunday. 5 cents. uv A(;i:.Ts rverywueui:: Iily. jer week. 1) c,i!i. Daily. Sunday i:icluOni. j-?r week. 15 cents. feucJay, j).-r i?s.:e. 5 enta. liY MAIL. I'RKI'AID; Daily euttlcn. on yar '2'" DsUy an 1 Sunuay, j.t ytar lJ) tun Jay only, one ye-ar -yJ RCDt'CiiD itATKS TO CL.UUS. Weekly Edition. One rory. one year 60 cent Five cents ptr monti: for period Dss than a jtar. Nu iuticripuon taken Icr less than turte month. reduccd katiis to clui;s. d-bcrlbe vith any of cur numerous agents or ecu uLiicription to tas JOURNAL NRVVSPAPER COMPANY, Indluuuimlls, lud. Terpens sending the Journal through the malls la the L'nJte.j etate should put on i.n eUhl-iae taper a U.NÜ-CÜ.NT postage btamp; on a twelve vr slxtetn-page pupr a Tuo-CfclNT i-ostage tamp, ir'ortin postage i usually double tuts rate.. All communications Intended for publication In this j.apr must, la order to receive attention, te accompanied by the cams and address of tii writer. Rejectee! manuscripts will not be returned unless pontage i inclosed for that purpose. Enteral as second-clasa matter at Indianapolis. Ind., postorilce. . THE INDIANAPOLIS JOLRXAL Can be found at the following place3: X&W lOUK-Astor House. CHICAGO Palmer House. P. O. News Co.. 217 LKarborn street. Auditorium Annex HoteL CINCINNATI-J. R. Ilawley & Co.. 1S4 Vine street. LvL'isviLLE C. T. Deeringr, northwest corner of Third and Jefferson streets, and Louisville Book Co., ZJi Fourth avenue. BT. LOUIS Union News Company, Union Depot WASHINGTON. D. Cv-Rlggs House. Eboltt House and AVillard'a Hotel. It was sea reel j- ne cessary for Mr. Grower to declare that he was "in touch" with the affairs of New York city, when his touch Is the plague of the metropolis. It would not be well for Agu!naIdo to come to this country, since he might bo Inv.Igleel Into Joining the society of Erving "Winslow, in Roston, and thus make a spectacle of himself. Agulnaldo's forthcoming manifesto calling an end to the war and urging the insurgents to lay down their arms will probably be denounced by Eoston anti-Imperialists as a base abandonment of principle. The conflict which the politically wise !n Ohio predict between Tom Johnson and John It. McLean would be a fight which many would look upon with satisfaction. Indifferent as to the vanquished or the victor. Mr. Flynt, who lives with tramps and thieves, declares that the Harrison regime, of Chicago; is rather more popular with this class than i3 Tammany Hall, because the bosses in the latter insist upon sharing tho proceeds of "grafting." In any light that the city election in St. Louis can be viewed it is tainted with fraud. On Tuesday 21,000 more votes were polled than two years earlier, yet the Republican vote, after an active canvass with a first-class candidate, was 15,000 less this year than two years ago. A special from Denver says that General Fitzhugh Lee, who went to Colorado to cure an attack of grip, is threatened with a serious case of pneumonia as a result of rash exposure in a high altitude. His countrymen everywhere will Join in the hope for his speedy recovery. t Those persons who have been making caricatures showing Senator Hanna's surprise at the election of Tom Johnson will probably never see the charges made to the effect that Senator Hanna's friends defeated the F. publican candidate for mayor because he is a MeKissonlte. The fact that Tom L. Johnson is a native of Kentucky may give him strength as a presidential aspirant In the section of the country that makes Democratic Presidents. If he should be nominated he will be the first man of Southern birth named for the office since ante-war times. The Chicago Tribune gives figures showing that it costs $421 an acre to maintain Lincoln Park in that city tinder political conditions, while Washington I 'ark. with politics barred, costs only $22a an acre. Political parks, like other political improvement.-, are apt to prove costly luxuries. The officials in the Ft. Louis election of Tuesday in many precincts had already been twice indicted for lawbreaking in the management of the November election. yt those papers which claim to advocate a'! that is good and to denounce all that is tad seem not to have noticed the wickedness in 'the St. Louis election. Because General? Miles and Funston did rot graduate at "West Point, many ar taying that the Institution is not needed to make first-class soldiers. Such flippant persons forget that Grant. Sherman. Thomas. Sheridan. Hancock. Schofield and othcrj who were most conspicuous in the war of the rebellion sprr.t four rears at Wes: Feint. If the report proves true that Russia will throw an army of Z-).w men Into Manchuria by the end of May it wil! be a shameless repudiation of her assurances to the powers and a gage of war that Japan will be pretty sure to take up. Further, It wil! be another exhibition of the duplicity of the most treacherous and aggressive government on earth. The international honors paid to General Chaffee in China are exceedingly creditable to him as an individual, anil should be a cause of pride to all Americans. Under very trying circumstances and in a very conspicuous position where any serious mistake would have been a national disaster General ChanVe has conducted himself In such a way as to command unusual approval. Among the discouraging- reports from China thT- appears the gratifying stitenorit that the majority of the ministers representing the powers have agreed, upon earnest ;:ppal by tho representatives of thl government, to call a halt In the pulliV ff K V il i n t hrnvlrii'lil rtMir'i1. 1... - J v-4f., 'l ' ,,v iill Ulli' i I i I lf wholesale. At the present time but fovir caseM of Iwheuding are insisted upon, and the number of officials doomed to punishment has been reduced from 110 to l. It was to the credit of American oflice rs In fit loa that the soldiers did no looting and

that the Chinese desired them to continue In Peking. It is also as gratifying as significant that to the government of the I'nited States it Is chiefly due that what threatened to be a bloodthirsty policy of revenge has been materially modilied. The fact so significant will not be forgotten by the Chine se, who have had so few friends that they can count them. Russia was wiser than any European power in that it proposed tho early withdrawal of troops from Pe king and a cessation of hostilities. It was policy on the part of Russia, but humanity on the part of the United States. coupon atiovs i. ( rrv politics. The recent municipal elections brought to the front two possible presidential candidatesCarter Harrison in Chicago and Tom L. Johnson in Cleveland. The latter Is already an avowed aspirant for the ofF.ce, and made his race for mayo" openly as a first stepping-stone towards securing the nomination of his party. Mayor Harrison is not yet an avowed aspirant, but he does not discourage the use of his name in that connection and evidently feels the first buzzing of the bee. "With fair and clean political methods it would be a great honor to be three- times elected mayor of a great city like Chicago, and in spite of all that may be said it does undoubtedly give a man considerable political prestige. Harrison and Johnson are both men of ability, as modern politicians go, and both are unscrupulous politicians. Neither of them Is the klnel of man that the people would naturally turn to or willingly take up for President or Vice President, or that intelligent Americans would like to see elected to either of those high olJlces. They belong to the class of schemers who make a study of politics without knowing or caring anything about statesmanship, and who expect to succeed by fooling the people rather than by serving them in any useful way. It is a curious coincielence that both of these men owed their election largely to their attitude on the street-railroad question In their respective cities. Carter Harrison was electeel largely because of his alleged or pretended opposition to granting long franchises, and Tom Johnson to his specious aelvocacy of a three-cent fare. There Ls no similarity In their petitions except that they both serve to call attention to the growing lnlluence of quasi public corporations In municipal politics. It would be Interesting to know how many other municipal elections turned largely on the same Issue. Here are two mayors of large and important cities, both avoweel or possible candidates for President, who made effective use of the street-railroad question in their respective candidacies, anel it is probable If the truth were known that the same question figured in some form In a score of other city elections. In short, the influence of quasi public corporations In municipal politics' is becoming one of the important questions of the time. It Is bigger than a man's hand already and threatens in time to overshadow the wnole political sky. Our rapidly growing urban population makes cities an important factor In our ' elections. Municipal elections are always important to the cities In which they occur, and they derive aelditional importance from the leverage they afford for controlling national polities. There are several States whose vote in state and natlonal elections Is controlletl by that of one or two large citic?. If these cities are in turn controlled by an alliance of streetrallroad magnates and political bosses elections may become a farce. Corporations have very little conscience In any respect, but In politics they are utterly unscrupulous. Street-railroad companies are like steam railroad companies. All parties are alike to them so they carry their points. As between Republican and Democratic government It is only a epuestlon with them which party can be most easily and successfully "worked." Honest men of all parties are opposeel to boss rule in cities, but that Is exactly what street-railway and gas and electric light companies desire. As municipal politics are now conducted in all large eitles political bosses anl public corporations are natural allies. They gravitate towards each other as naturally as water runs down hill. Fach is useful to the other. Given an alliance between a well-organized political machine and an unscrupulous corporation and you have a combination that is almost beyond the power of the people to break. The evil is a serious one already and growing more so. It has not been many years since there was not a street railroael In the United States; now they enter largely into the politics of all our cities. In'some cities they are by their alliance with political bosses the controlling power. The evil is one that even now calls for reform, anel it will grow worse as time passes until some remedy 13 applied. MP.IilT SVSTHM IX. Tili: SKItVICK. The President has been sharply criticise 1 for the appointment ef ex-Itcpresentatlvej Rodenberg as civil-service commissioner. Ry many the President, because of thi appointment, has been charged with hostility to the competitive or merit system ot making appointments. Those who arc rearer the President say this is not the case, but that Mr. McIIinley has discovered that the civil service at Washington Is far from satisfactory. It is charged by those who do net assume that the present system is perfect that it Is filling tii3 departments with people who feel that they have life positions and censeeiuently do as little work as possible. Not long ago there was an outcry because clerks were compelled to serve full hours. A rebellion was incited because an auditor in the Treasury Department had an arrangement by which tardy clerks were marked and the time clock was discarded. In ex-Speaker F.eed said to a friend that a man in Con-

I gress was needeel wno wuld be bold enough to modify the civil-service system so far as it affects the elepartments. Mr. Reed expre-ssed a belief In favor of the competitive system, but he would have service? after appointment depend upon falthfulness. good conduct and eiTieiency. It was Mr. Heed's otservation at that time that the departments contained a great deal of i1-ad wood. This is naturally the result of indeterminate appointments, which are regarded as life appointments. In time a large part of the clerkships will be filled with men who are too old to rentier service, even If they desire to do so. It is elalincel that heads of bureaus protected by t lie civil service are not zealous and eflltient. Thore who are near the President say that he' proposes to have the system so modi!W-d that the1 merit system shall be applie-el throughout the- service as well as In original appointments for oflice, and that promotions shall be made upon merit rather than favor. He wants the heads of departments and bureaus to select enough

of their own subordinates to be able to administer affairs without being hampered by overimportant bureau men. It Is report ' that the President is trying to reorganize the Civil-service Commission upon a basis that will correct abuses in the public service. He has offered the position tj such men as Governor Allen. ef Portf Rico, and Henry Clay Kvans, who would rot undertake the task. He believes Mr. Rodenberg will be able to carry his views into operation. It is the purpose of the President te so modify the rules of the civil service that an employe who does not do his duty faithfully and efficiently shall be dismissed upon his record or examination. He will doubtless render the country a great service, but ho will be assailed by those who believe that the present system is perfect, and will be accused of bad faith and even worse offenses. Some time since the Journal expressed the opinion that clerks should be appointed for a period of years, and that at the expiration of that period. If they should not have shown any special capacity for the work, they should not be leappolnted. It yet hold3 the opinion that the Idea of life service, regarelless of efliciency, should be banished, and that all employes should be dismissed when they show they cannot do the work required of them. They certainly should be dismlsseel when they show any disposition to Insubordination or to be shirkers.

It looks very much as if the city authorities were preparing to grant another municipal franchise without exacting a fair equivalent or safeguarding the interests of the people. The proposition to allow interurban street railroael companies entering the city over the Indianapolis company's tracks to charge five-cent fares within the city limits is a long step backwards toward the era when public rights were systematically subordinated to private greed. No railway company that uses the streets of the city should under any circumstances be permitted to charge a five-cent fare within the city limits. For tho city authorities even to entertain the proposition shows them to be either behind the times or willing to ignore public Interests. If the report Is true that Mr. Bryan cabled Aguinaldo that he wished him to telegraph him at length how he feels and what he thinks about the situation so that he can elevote an issue of the Commoner to his views, his cable charges would wip? out the proceeds of his paper for weeks. This report is not denied, so that if no answer is made it may be assumed that Aguinaldo has not the confidence In Mr. Hryan that he had when he was In insurrection against the authority of the United States. An ofiTcial report to the Ottawa government states that the establishment of veriIled boundary lines shows that the valuable placer gold mining districts in what is called the Big Salmon river country are in Alaska and not on the Canadian side of the line, as has been supposed for the last two years. When a few more knotty points are solved the Alaskan boundary dispute will be practically settled. A dispatch from Wichita, Kan., says the Indians of several tribes are now there engaged in their spring gambling. This pastime follows regularly after they receive their annual allowance from the government of $100 per head "grass money," all of which soon finds its way into the pockets of cattlemen and cowboys. One of the few Indians who wins more thah he loses is Geronlmo, the once noted Apache warrior. Timo was when his chief delight was to pcalp white settles anel elude the government troops that pursued him. His present occupation may not be altogether commendable, but it is an improvement on the old one. If Aculnaldo comes to the United States he might call on Geronimo and learn from him how to cultivate the gentle arts of peace. FROM HITHER AND YOIT. Achieving; Grcntnc. Chicago Tribune. "And how elid your husband become so famous, Mrs. Wlckleham?" "Oh, whenever anybody did anything he always got Interviewed about it." Hi Reply. Judpe. Askinston I believe you havo a new Rlrl-baby at your liou?e, Pillsbury? Druggist (absent-minded, from 'orce of habit) Well, no; not exactly but I have something just as good. A Rail Sign. Puck. Clara I am cfral.l th.it Charley Stretcher Isn't going to make a pood husband for Sadie. Maud-Why not? Clara She tells me that when they came back from their wedding trip he had some mcney left. A Cultureil Clerk. Philadelphia Press. Mrs. Schoppen What's the price of this silk? The Salessentleman The price Is 'A cen's, madam, which you must admit 13 quite decollete. Mrs. Schoppen I) oollete? The Salcsgrntleraan Yps, madam. Cut low. They Were Healthy. Raltlmore American. Marketman Oh, yps, mum, thorn's younj; or.ions. Mrs. Puyzem But they have the odor of eld ones. Marketman Yes' m. They're strong for thlr age?. Mr. Hnrrynmre's Case. Philadelphia Inquirer. We see no particular reason why there shoulel be any prolonged consideration of the melancholy case of Maurice Barrymore. It points a moral, of course, far better than It adorns a tale, but both moral and tale are almost as old as the hills, and have been dlscovtreel to the public so often that they have beceme absolutely tiresom?. The stage loses a line actor in his going, but as his going preceded by a considerable time the elay of its announcement and the stage? elid not give way. there is reason to believe that it will survive his loss. To the extent that men are masters of their own destinies he chose his own career, not without knowledge of how it miRht clos The unfortunate phase of this subject in it general aspect is that he is only type of many who appear to have electe'd to go that way. Just I.Ike Ulm. Rrooklyr. Ragle. It was just like Funston to capture Aguinaldo. Funston was a solelier under Gomez in Cuba till he found the Cubans fought with their mouths. Then he was a schlier under Uncle Sam there till no more fighting was to be elone. The n he went to the Philippines ami led the charge eu: Agulnaldo's capital, and then In a raid ho catmht anel tenderly cared for Aguinaldo s mother, slste-rs and father, and now he 1ks caught Aguinaldo himself by a elevke whie h m ide. Aguinaldo think he was capturing l-'unston. Wherever there are" wars ir which nir flag is a factor Funston will be a brilliant figure. It is to be hoped that tlie' luster of his achievements will not oe e.imtneel by injuiücloua Indulgence in lyceum ketures er either forms ef mental lassitu.lo and lingual dissipation.

KNOX HAS ACCEPTED

1'lTTMll Hi; LAWVRU WIM. SI C CSIIID attokm:v (M:rdi.L ;uk;c.$. President 3!cKiii!cy Mnke's nit An ii ounce in out ut the Frlilny Meetin;; of the Cabinet. WAR AGAINST AMERICAN CORN IHRNC II A f ; R A It I A X S AS HAD AS TiiuiH gi:r.ma FKLLOWS. Want n Prohlhitory Duty on Import of Mnize Xerv Crnixer to lie Constructed nt San Francisco. WASHINGTON, April H. The President made the first announcement that Mr. Knox had accepted the post of attorney general to the Cabinet to-day. His commission, which is dated to-elay, was signed immediately after the President had informed his advisers of their new colleague's acceptance. Secretary Hay submitted to the Cabinet the Russian communication referred to In another dispatch, and the hews was accepted as an indication that the tension in the far" East would be relieved. The major portion of the time of the meeting was occupied in a diocussion of the civil service in the various department:!. This matter came up apropos of the President's conference with members of the Civil-service Reform League yesterday. Fach of the Cabinet officers gave his experience with the law. The secretary of the treasury said it gave satisfaction in his department and that it was being strictly complied with, although some difficulty was experienceel on account of the fact that under the law an officer selected for one position could not perform the duties of other positions. The trouble in the Agricultural Department is that there are no ellgibles for technical work on the Civllserviee Commission's list. Secretary Root reported that it was the Intention of the War Department to place semi-skilled laborers at arsenals and in the engineer department, under a registration system similar to that now in vogue in the navy yards. This was the original Intention when the President took these men. of whom there are several thousand, from within the civil-service rules, where they had been placed by the blanket order of President Cleveland, but the inauguration oi the new system has been delayed from one cause or another until the present time. In the other departments various suggestions were made looking to the better enforcement of the spirit and letter of the law, and each Cabinet officer will be asked to see that the law is not abused in his lepartment. No new regulations or orders by the commission are expected. There was an informal discussion by the Cabinet of the report that Governor Allen, of Porto Rico, is to resign upon his arrival here, but no one appeared to have any definite information as to Governor Allen's intention, although the opinion seemed to be that his resignation would cause no surprise. President McKinley took a long walk after breakfast this morning. He was aceompanied by Representative Meyer, of Louisiana, who hael called to talk with the President about his stop at New Orleans on the occasion ef his Western trip. Tho President is looking forward to the long tour through the West with great pleasure and speaks of it with enthusiasm. General Meyer told the President that the plans for his stop In New Orleans had been practically completed. An elaborate demonstration is being arranged. The city will be decorated appropriately in honor of tho visit of the chief magistrate. According to the present schedule the presidential party will reach New Orleans at 4:30 p. m. May 1. That evening a banquet will be given In the President's honor. At the banquet the Presieient will probably make a brief speech. On the following morning there will be a carriage ride through the city, which will include a stop at the Cablldo. the olel government building during the Spanish and French regimes. After luncheon the party will be given a sail along the river front. The departure from New Orleans will bo made at 6 p. m. May 2. AM CHIC AX CORX ATTA CK I'D. French Agrarians Want the Tresent Duty Almost Doubled. WASHINGTON. April 5. American corn is now the object of attack of tho French agrarians. United States Consul Tackaera, at Havre, makes this subject the basis ef a considerable report tc the State Department. He says, in brief, that the agrarians and some other interests became alarmed some time ago at the Increasing use ef foreign corn anel have succeeded in having two bills reported for passage, the first regulating the temporary admission of corn and the seconel fixing the duty on grain at Oti cents instead of cents per PX) kilograms, anel increasing the duty on Hour made from cern from 5 francs to S franes per 1"0 l:IIo grams. The committee which reporteei these bills made a meist searching investigation of the extent of competition of foreign corns with native grains and hearel statements from all the great interests involved on both sides of the questions, the result being an exceedingly interesting report, winding up with the committee's opinion that the conditions warrant the increased duties imposed. At tho hearing the possibility of reprisals by foreign countries was cemsitlered and on this the committee reports: "We have nothing to fear from reprisals from anyone inasmuch as tho co'antries which send us ceirn all have high protective tariffs, which we scarcely hope will be lowered in our favor. Xyhile we enjoy the treatment of the most Tavoreel nation, there is not much fear that these agreements will be broken for a ejuestlon so relatively unimportant." Changes in Duties of Army Ollleers. WASHINGTON, April 5. Major Ammon A. Augur. Twenty-fifth Infantry,, has been transferred to the Twentieth Infantry. Major Kugene F. Ladd, quartermaster IT. S. V., has been ordered, on the completion of his duties as treasurer of the island of Cuba, to proceed to New Hampshire for further Instructions. Major Morris C. Hutehins, quartermaster U. S. V., has been orelered to transfer his accountability relating to the transport McPherson to Major Chauneey B. Baker, quartermaster U. S. V., Cuba, and upon the completion of the transfer to proceed to New York to await further Instructions from the quartermaster general. Major Baker. In addition, will assume charge of the transport McPherson. and under his supervision place the master of that transport in charge thereof, pending further orders. Dlegnnn Made n Iloatsvrnln. WASHINGTON, April 5. The President to-day .made the following appointments In the navy: Rush A. Wallace, Jr., to be a first lieutenant in the marine corps; John S. Dodtlridge. to be a lieutenant; Thomas Lutz Stitt. to be an ensign; Conrad W. L. Jungquist, to be a gunner; Clayton P. Hand, a carpenter; Freelerick R. Hazzard. a boatswain; Arthur Smith, te Im a boatswain; Osborne Diegnan to be a boatswain. Osborne Diegnan, , who Is a proposed boatswain, l? one of the sailors who accompanied Naval constructor Hobson on the famous Merrimac expedition Into Santiago b;y while the harbor was being blockaded by the- American fleet. It was the elesire of the President to reward Diegnan for his bravery on that occasion by appointing him a naval cadet at Annapolis, but it was found that he was not eligible. May Xot Return to Porto Itieo. WASHINGTON, April 5. That the report that Governor' Allen, of Porto Rico, is to resign on his arrival In Washington Is credited la the Island In manifest from the

fact that the people of the island are already making-representations to the President regarding his successor. Wenceslao Rorda. who is chairman of the Torto Rican commission which recently came to Washington to protest against the Hollenden tax law. has written to the President in behalf of the commission suggesting Francis H. Wilson, the present postmaster at Rreoklyn. X. v.. as a succesor to Governor Allen. In offering Mr. Wilson's name to the President Mr. Rorda. who is in New York, says he is obeying instructions cabled to him by the executive committee of the merchants', planters' and bankers' association of Porto Rico. Mr. Allen arrived at ilampton Roads this morning, and will be here to-morrow.

The Petroleum Iteflnlns Industry. WASHINGTON. April 5. The Census Office to-day issued a bulletin on the industry of petroleum refining, prepared by E. W. Parker, of the Geological Survey, as an expert special agent of thecensus. It covers the calendar year 1S9D. It shows that to produce refineel petroleum to the value of ?12o.:t'2;e,Cv4. materials to the value of S10'2,5h":.341 were consumed, showing a difference in value between the raw material and the finished product much smaller thin is common in industries of a more complicated character. The value of the products of the establishments engaged in this industry has ,.icreased 43.S per cent. J during the decade?. Notwithstanding tnai there has been a decrease in the number of refineries there has been an increase of 7 per cent, in the number of wage-earners and 14.4 per cent, in the amount of wages paid. Reet Sugar Production Increasing. Special to the Indianapolis Journal. WASHINGTON, April 5. The rapidly Increasing share of the world's sugar consumption which is supplied from sugar beets is pointed out by a publication in thi Monthly Summary of Commerce and Finance. Just issued by the Treasury Bureau of Statistics. Under the head of "The World's Sugar Crop of W It shows that the total lvet sugar production of that ear was 5.J50.000 tons and the cane sugar crop 2.ST.O.OIK) tons, more than two-thirds of the world's sugar supply being thus produced from begets. Contract for .Xcw Cruiser. WASHINGTON, April 5. The Navy Department has awarded the contract for the building of the twenty-three-knot protected cruiser Milwaukee to the Union iron works of San Francisco. The contract price is $2.S25.000. The bid of the Union works is considerably less than four per cent, above the contract price on similar ships built in the East. The law allows 4 per cent, additional on ships built on the Pacific coast. MISCELLAXEOUS XEWS. Minister LooiuIü to Sil from Lnpjuayra on Easter Sunday. The eclipse observation party from the Smithsonian Institution has arrived at Padang, Sumatra, on the General Alava. Yesterdav's statement of the treasury balances in the general fund, exclusive of the 1150,000,1-00 gold reserve in the division of redemption, shows: Availably cash balance, $158,171,314; gold, $97,214.340. The State Department has been informed by Minister Loomis that he will sail from Laguyara on the Scorpion Sunday. This shoulel bring him at San Juan abejut Wednesday following, and at Hampton Roads about the ISth Inst., if he makes close connections at San Juan. The Navy Department recently supplied to Lord Pauncefote a photograph of the beautiful bronze tablet which it was about to place on the house in Santiago occupied by the late Frederick W. Ramsden, the British consul who exerted himself so benevolently In aid of the American residents and prisoners during the siege. The State Department has Just received a letter of acknowledgement from the British embassy. The first of the new type of five-inch naval guns designee! for cruisers of the Denver class was tested at the Indian Head proving greiunds to-day with very satisfactory results. A rrojectile weighing sixty pounds was tired with a powder charge of twenty-six pounds. The muzzle velocity reached the exceptionally high figure of 2.9M feet per second, showing a muzzle energy of 3.724 foot tons. This is 6) per cent, more muzzle energy than guns of the same type have made heretofore. It is sufficient to pierce seven inches of Krupp armor at the muzzle and five inches of Krupp armor at 2,000 yards. Secretary Long has appointed a board of naval officers to Inquire into the advisability of utilizing a large fresh-water lake in the State of Washington, not far from the Pacific coast, for the purpose of accommodating vessels of war. The board consists of Captains Perry and Burwell, Lieutenant Commanders Peters and Willet. Naval Constructor Hlbbs and Lieutenant Jensen, recorder. It is proposed to dig a canal, connecting the ocean with this lake, to be used for commercial purposes, but the board is to inquire whether thej pian should not be enlarged so so as to take Into consideration the needs of ths navy. The secretary of war has amended tho army regulations so as to provide a civilian not in government employ, duly summoned to appear as a witness before a military court, will receive $1.50 per day for each elay actually in attendance on the court and 5 cents a mile for going from his place of residence to the place of trial or hearing and cents a mile for returning; but in Wyoming, Montana, Washington, Oregon, California, Utah, New Mexico. Arizona and Porto Rico he will be paid 1". cents for each mile necessary to travel over any stage line or private conveyance, and in Porto Rico 10 cents for each mile over any railway in such travel. SEARCHING FOR ROBBERS. Armed Farmers Tilth Dogs Hunting for the Chardon Hank Ilurglars. LITTLE MOUNTAIN. O.. April n.-While the family of John Lemon was entertaining some neighbors last night three men, supposed to be members of the gang that robbed the Chardon bank Wednesday night, rapped at the door and asked for food. Upon being refused the strangers emptied their revolvers into the house. The occupants escaped through a rear door anel none was struck. At daybreak Lemon returned to find his house ransacked and $100, all the money he had, missing. The country for miles around has been aroused and a posse of armed farmers with dogs is searching for the robbers. Little Mountain is four miles east of Chardon. One May Confess. CHARDON, O., April 5. Two of the Chardon bank robbers, who were run down and arrested at Willoughby yesterday, were brought here In Irons. The older one, a heavy-set man. was recognized by Marshal Connell. of Painsville. as a notorious pickpocket and crook. The younger one has completely lost his nerve and Is expected to n.ake a confession implicating the rest of the gang, who escaped towards Buffalo. Blooel was found on the recovered papers, which would indicate that one of the gang was badly wounded by Officer Pomeroy. RESTS ON BED-ROCK. Cornerstone of the MtitnnI Life Insnranee Company's Ilalldlnir Laid. f-rclal to the Indianapolis Journal. NEW YORK. April 5. The beginning of a revolution in the architecture of lower New York city was marked to-day when Richard A. McCurdy, president of the Mutual Life Insurance Company, laid the cornerstone of the company's magnificent new building on.Ceelar street. The building will be fifteen stories high above the grounel anel will reach 100 feet. There will also be four high-studded stories below ground. This construction was made necessary by the geological character ejf lower Manhattan island. This Is the only building that rests on. absolute beel-rock. Such rigid censtructien is required for the immense vaults the building will cintaln, as the hast settling would cause their doors to bind. These undergrouml iloors will contain 5T,(J square feet. Sulclele of Col. l'nliiictler. KFNOSIIA, Wis.. April 5.-Col. Charles Palmetier. a wealthy resident of Kenosha, eeimmitted sulclele at his home tewlay by shooting himself In the head. Tho cause given by the coroner's jury is Intense melancholia.

KRÜGER TALKS AGAIN

DISCISSRS COXRITIOXS IX SOUTH AFRICA AT UK CAT LRXliril. Says There 7s X o Possibility of Peace. Unless the Roers Are Given Their Ineleiieiideiiee. HE IS WILLING TO ARBITRATE PROVIDING AN IMPARTIAL THintXAL COILI) UC SECURED. Rrltlsh, He Asserts, Are Misrepresenting the True Situation In the Ev-Rcpiihlics. PARIS, April 3. An interview with Mr. Kruger appears in the Matin. The former President of the Transvaal was seen in a modest little inn at Utrecht, where he 13 stopping for the moment. His eyes have been very much improved bv recent operations anl he can now dispense with spectacles. Sitting In front of a table, with a Rible under his left hand. Mr. Kruger delivered himself of an Important statement, to which further significance was given by the presence of the Orange Free State delegate, Herr Fischer. Mr. Kruger began by announcing that on Saturday next he proposed retiring Into the country for complete rest. The little village of Hilbersum, not far from Utrecht, has been selected for his abode. Nothing has j-et been decideel regarding his trip to America. Mr. Kruger will undertake the journey if his jgtrength permits and If there is any hope of gaining advantage for the Boer cause. Pointing to Herr Fischer, the aged President declared that the two republics were indissolubly united. "Herr Fischer," he said, "is fighting for the same cause as my heroic friend. President Steyn. The two Presidents and the two commanding generals, Rötha and De Wet, will share the same fate." . . On being questioned regarding the reliance he placed on the British official telegrams and statements In Parliament, Mr. Kruger, half rising from his armchair, declared: "The British government, British telegraph and British press always try to make this much" and he measured his little finger "look like this much" and be extendetl both arms. "I am persuaded everything' is going well out there, precisely because our enemies continue to dissimulate and travesty facts. As regards General Rotha's negotiations, the public knows from the blue book and by reading General Botha's last dispatch that it was the Rritish general who first made preposals. Never dtel the Roer generals refuse to listen. We do not fight except for peace. We are not conquerors, but. although General Botha listened to the British proposals, he never uttered a word of equivocation on the subject of independence. Independence is the only treasure we cherish, even if we have to sacrifice ail others to have our national inelependence. It is for that reason our citizens forsook their farms and sacrificed their lives, and our women anel children now suffer temporary servitude In the enemy's camp. WOULD ASSURE PEACE. "And." aelded the President, with still more emphasis, "if the English were not blind, if they considered their own Interests well, if they were not hopelessly tnslaved by error and injustice, they would recognize the Independence we demand, because in the hope of safeguarding it we shall be ready to make concessions and sacrifices, and, moreover, it would assure peace forever in South Africa." The subject of arbitration .being next broached, Mr. Kruger expressed his entire readiness to submit all questions to the arbitrament of an impartial tribunal, not even excepting the question of Independence. "We would sacrifice our liberty," he said, "If the verdict of arbitration decided that one or the other of the republics had done anything to forfeit it. But on that point we are at ease." Here the Bible was invoked. Mr. Kruger reading a passage from Psalms in which David calls upon the Lord and asks If there be any spot or blemish in him or whether he had committeel any misde-eel he or his people. "But. like David." he said, "we have known that we a.re less Impure than our aggressors, anel that our cause is holy anel Just. Therefore we fear not the judgment of the just and rely on the mercy of God." British atrocities was the next topic of conversation. Mr. Kruger readily expatiated on the terms of the recent manifesto issued by President Steyn anel De Wet. "I have myself witnessed the brutality with which the Rritish have waged war against us," he said. "They have acted like savages, and on their own confession have been asslsteel by savages whom they have armed. They have once more meriteel the reproach heaped upon their fathers by old Chatham at the time of the war of American independence. Our enemies have violated all the laws of war between civilized nations. They have outraged liberty without regard to the lives eif noncombatants anel pillaged and burned private property. They have treateel as rebels men who were known to be citizens of the belligerent country. They have not even spared women anel chiMren, those sacred beings who are eleclared neutral and inviolate by all international codes. They have slavishly Imitated the proceedings which exeited "universal indignation when practiced in Cuba by a Spanish general, for which Spain was cruelly punisheel. HORRORS NOT ALL KNOWN. "Everything that has been said respecting, the horrors of war as wageel by the English legions Is far below the truth. I declare anel history will bear me out when it ceases to be falsified that people will shudder when they learn the details of all the atrocities that we have suffered. The South African war has been, on the part of the English, a perpetual defiance of the Geneva conference. To a much greater extent than their refusal to accept any intervention is their defiance of The Hague convention." Referring to General De Wet's raid into Cape Colony, he denied that it was ever hoped to provoke, a general rising. "We knew perfectly well that this would be impossible," he said, "because rf the lack of munitions and arms, as well as the difficulty of comblneel action over such enormous distances. Rut the invasion demonstrated that the Afrikanders were everywhere favorable to our cause and ready to afforel help in their power. President Steyn anel General De Wet had, however, a different object in view and they attained it. They were able to obtain plentiful supplies of feod and horses. Moreever, these brave allies operated a diversion, which allowed General Botha to escape from a tlRht pesitlon in the east of the Transvaal. They compelled the English to spread their forces over the enormous distances and to recocnlze the fact that the ltoers were masters In the field. Thpse results are surely not to be despised. The Engli.h cannot be masters of the two republics; they are not even undisturbeel at the Cape and in Natal." Mr. Kruger next dealt with the question of the mines where wetrk is now said to have been resumed. He declared that so long as he was master in Pretoria the mines were safeguanleel and weirk waa continued. "It Is only since British occupation that preijH-rty has deteriorate! and that all work lias ee-ased." lie said. "Everybody should know that as long as we could we remaineel faithful guardians ef this iiiternatiemal trust, carrying our scruples so far even as te respect the mines which are the cause of all nur misfortunes." In conclusion Mr. Kruger elcclared tha far from being e-xhauste-d the Boer cetnmandees were able to go on fighting inelefinitely. "We have combatants, arms and ammunition in sufficient quantities It Is useless to hope to reduce us by lassitude er extermination." He ended by expre ssing thanks to Providence for the manifold complications with which the British, empire la now beset ut

other points of the globe, which one elay compel them te release their prey. HOUSES AND MULES.

Britain Has Purchnnrd Several Millions Worth In This Country. NEW YORK, April 5.-A special to th Times from Washington says: "At tht War Department much Interest is felt 1 the determination of the case brought la New Orleans to test the right : of Great Britain to obtain a supply of horses and mules fe.r South African service in th United States. The impression Is that tha view of the Department of State that t!. citizens of the United States may sell horses and mules to the citizens of Great Britain without subjecting the government to the charge of violation of the neutrality laws will prevail in the Ne w Orleans courtIf it does not the Immediate effect etf a decision favoring the argument of the Boer representatives would be to create a very decided eiifference in the cost of animala to the United States government and a great deal of dissatisfaction among dealers in heirses anel mules, who have been obtaining hierh prices for animals for two years or more. There were shipped from this country to Africa during the eight months ending with February, 21.312 horses, valued at $l.tt070. In the same period there were shipped, principally to Africa. ' 27.511 mules, valueei at J2.wiM.R In February alone the shipments of horses to Africa were 2,sry. and e.f mules to all points, assumed to be chiefly South Africa. 3.!v). It does not appear that anv of these horses and mules went to the Roers, but it la maintained that there would be no objection to selling to the Roers if they wisher, to buy and were willing to take" thances in having their cargoes captureei on the way out. The effect of these great shipments of horses anel mules has be-en to run the prices for these animals up far above the usual rates. The United States government has hael to pav the prices estalli.shed by the Rritish demand. The railroads and the elealers in horses and mulej are perfectly satisfied. The Illinois Central railroad Is reporteei as having sent to New Orleans during the year more than horses, and this was enly one of many roaels carrying horses for shipment te South Africa. It may be mentioned that the number of horses required by the British seems larpe to the War Department, which was staggered by the demand for 10,(100 horses to be sent to the Philippines." Roer Pompem Destroj-eS. LONDON, April 6.-Lord Kitchener, reporting to the War Office the finding of an abanetoned anel elestroyed pompon r.?ar Vryheid, says: "This accounts for all the enemy's guns known to be in the southeastern district." A elispatch from Cape Town says: "Gen. French cntinues to press the Roers at Vryheid, Transvaal Colony. The Roers abandoned a pompon, whieh the British found smashed at the bottom of a preclpiee" Lord Kitchener has presenteel the Red Cross medal to Madame Ferries, head of the French ambulance eletachment, for her services to the British wounded. Accoreliiifr to the Pretoria correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, the Roers have shifted their government from Pictersburg thirty-five miles northeast. RURAL FREE DELIVERY EXTENSION PROMISED FOR ELEVENTH INDIANA DISTRICT. Maj. Geeirgc W. Steele Endeavoring to Secure Change that Will Ilencllt Ilia Constituents. Special to the Indianapolis Journal. WASHINGTON, April 5.-Rcpr sentatlv Steele, accompanied by Mrs. Steele, returned to Washington this morning. He Is a member of a subcommittee of the national board of soldiers homes, and with his fellow-members visited Johnson City, Tenn., to Inspect several sites t5ffere-d to the government on which to erect suitable buildings for the soldiers' home at that point authorized by the last Congress. A meeting of the full committee of tho board will be held In New York city on May 1 to consider the reports of the various subcommittees that have been Investigating matters relative to soldiers' homes In all sections of the country. Major Steele expects to leave Washington on Monday for Hampton, Va., to Inspect the home located there before proceeding to New York t submit his conclusions to the full board. Major Steele to-day called at the Postoffice Department to look into matters looking to rural free delivery In his district. He said to-night that he learned there would be an early adjustment of rural free delivery routes in Grant county, where cemsielerable impatience has developed because of the tardiness of the government to fix the precise lines of reaites elesireel by the inhabitants anel reeommendeel by the special rural free delivery agents of the elepartment. "There will soon be many changes in the methods of delivering mail to the suburbanites in the Eleventh district." said he. "Innumerable applications have been received and lilotl at the department by me for rural free delivery in my district, and these are now under consideration, and 1 was to-day Informed that at an early date an adjustment of all differences would doubtless be reached and a comprehensive plan for an almost general establishment of rural free delivery of the mails placed in operation there." J. A. Grover, a carrier in the Wabash postofilce, has made applicatlem for a. transfer from his present duties to a position in the office. Major Steele thinks his request will be granted. Thomas L. Stitt was te-day appointed an ensign in the navy in accordance with an act whose passage was secured by Representative Steele and Senator Fairbanks. Mrs. J. C. Wright, of Indianapolis, has gone to New erk. Thr1" Seventh National Bank of New York (the Heath bank) has been approved as a reserve agent for the Delaware County National Bank of Muncle. The pestoflice at Heckton. Kosciusko county, will be supersedeel by rural free delivery from April 15 next. The bond of Louis E. Miller, as postmaster at Glezen, Pike county, and William Christian, of Oak drove. Jay ceninty, wer approved to-day and their commission ifsueel. Mrs. Earl Reeve, of Andcrsem. Is visiting her sister. Miss Louise Lovett, who is atteneling school here. Rural free delivery carriers were apfoIrtcd to-elay as follows: Albert G. Rjrll p.t New Haven. W. W. Davis at LoveM, Jcslah Emery at Salem, and George R. Wilson at Converse. . I CHLOROFORM FROM TEXAS. Valet Jones Snlel It Was Wanted to Make Toothnehe Drops. NEW YORK. April 5. It was announced at the district attorney's office to-day thtt an affidavit had been received from Win. L.. I Jones, of Texas, brother of Charles 1 Jones, saying that in July and August. 190. he sent bcttls of chloroform to his tr?trer. Wm. M. Rice s valet. The affidavit sa- 5 that Charles P. Jones said he wanted the chloroform for a friend to make toothache elrops. . District Attorney Osborne declared that he would produce in court the brother from Texas, if necessary, to hold Albe rt T. PatrickSurrogate Fitzgerald some elays aso issued an order directing Cantwell & Moore, attorneys for Patriek. to file with the surrc.gate the alleged assignment, dated Feb. 17. 11 0. by Rice to Patrick of the former's e?tat-, also the assignment of S pt. 21, 1. of the stock on deposit with Wall-strt bankers and letters ef Instructions, which Patrick is said to have rce-elv-d freim Mr. Rice. To-elay Cantwell & Moore filed a notice of appeal. The hearing on this application may not be had for two or three ninths. R. B. Rice, a ne phew, and Captain Bakrr. representing t-ther heirs, offered a rneitloa to-day to instruct Jeh:i P. O'Rrlcru, tt inporary administrated ef the Rice estate, te advance $5e'.on for the purpose of rebuilding the oil plant in Houston. Tex., ilestmvrel by. hre about two we ks befeire Mr. Rle'eUl. Patrick fil.d objections tf-elay threiiiRh Cantwell .St Moeire. static that the proposition Is hazardous and sineI illative ami if granted the estate would sus tain a serious ana irreparable loss.