Semi-weekly Express, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 9 February 1897 — Page 2

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DE LOME PBAISES IT

XHS FKEAMBLB AOOFTED BY SPAIN ,^f MADE PUBLIC.

AP ^Explanation of It By Spanish Minister t'e'f' ',, v'

i^ene—The Reforms i»

SllfSll

Porto Bico.

"Washington, Feb. 8.—"No colony 'in the world, with the exception of Canada and New South Wales, will have as large measure of liberty as Cuba will have when the new reform scheme is fully developed," •aid Senor Dupuy do Lome, the Spanish minister, last night. The minister had before him the full project of the reformation of the systeni'of government of Cuba, as gazetted In Madrid, and had made an analysis xr$

the document, with the result that he ar--j"(f rived at the conclusions indicated above. Senor Dupuy de Lome also gave out the jictssg- preamble to the proposed scheme of Cubin freforms. It records the political history of !f! the insurrection, which from it» very beginning, it says, had a secessionist character. One of the causes of the insurrection has been the false idea of Spain's weakness, which the insurgents thoujght would present her subduing it, and another was a distrust of being able to achieve administrative autonomy by peaceful means.

The preamble says that th© war, with all its errors, has been rich in severe lessons, showing that in the end peaceful and constant progrss is preferable to a violent triumph by whomsoever obtained.

It *ays in several paragraphs that, althougn Spain has been obliged to delay the application of ample reforms in the administrative rdgime, she has never abandoned the idea of establishing reforms

voted

by the

cortes, nor has she failed to understand the necessity of enlarging them in a form that will cuit both Spanish and Cubans, giving to the island an administrative and economical personality of a local character, which will make explicit the total powers of the country to govern its own affairs, although maintaining intact the right of sovereignity and the indispensible conditions for its maintenance.

What Spain Desires.

Spain has wished to satisfy the need that Cuba feels of experimenting with what thd English call "self-government," which, in Spain, is termed "large decentralization," ind which will give to the country the greatir part of the administration of its own affairs and will lay upon it the responsibility »f its doings.

This document also recalls the promise made in the speech of the throne and that of the president of the council i^, the house of deputies, and at the same time it fulfills the loyal fulfillment of those reform by all the governments that cannula Spain, and as a warrant also, of the loyally of''the actual government it cites the history oi its president, who was the first to take measures for the suppression of the slave ¥tad%, and who, triirtyyeftri'^gp^callfid^0 an assera

bly of delegates from th© Spanish West Indies, ta modify in those islands the administrative regime and to suppress slavery, and who introduced in Cuba, soon alter the capitulation of Zanion, the political rights of the constitution, and who on March 19, 181)5, aided the voting by the cortes of the reform, laws.

The preamble continues, saying that with the present decree the government will have completed what Spain has to do to hasten th© termination of the present misfortune of Cuba. The material application of- the reform only depends upon the insurgents. If convinced of the futility of their attempt they should grieve over, the ruin and desolation of their native land, then it is time for their mother Spain to show her generosity, disposed, as she always is, to open her arms to them. It further says that if the insurgents should not only appreciate these concessions to the island of Cuba, the actual government will not cease to maintain the war in defense of the sovereignty of Spain with the same energy it has done up to the oresent. .Thp Government's Position.

The government, it says, takes the responibiiity of assuming the functions of the gislative power, and announces that it 11 ask the cortes for a bill of indemnity, -also says that'thb only point reserved for le further resolution of parliament will be he determination oCthet'imperial expenses, he organization of the/judiciary and the I?ctoral reform.

This important document ends with the llowing paragraph: "The government has ot sufficient motive to judge of the time jefore the application of reforms' in Cuba ind Porto Rico will be short or long, although all the news is satisfactory, and the forecast of the incoming peace general. But whatever thf conditions may be, the government thinks that it nrnst. be prepared to apply them without the slightest delay,when the opportunity shall arrive, and for that, the advice of the council of state will be urgently sought, notwithstanding that the government will not apply the decree until the indispensible conditions favorable for the peace that Spain desires, and will never cease to desire and the civilized world hopes for, shall arrive."

SYLVESTER SCOVEL ARRESTED.

ANew York Correspondent Taken In Custody in Cuba. New York, Feb. 8.—News has been received her© of the arrest at Tunas, Cuba, of Sylvester Scovel, the correspondent of the New York World. Scovel is the only New York newspaper correspondent who has been for any length of time with the Cuban army in the-field. He has had considerable success in eluding the vigilance of the Spanish troops and getting his dispatches out of Cuba. He is well educated and an all-round athlete, a man of splendid physical proportions, an expert horseman, and a good swordsman. Scovel was manager of the Cleveland Athletic Club when the Cuban rebellion broke but. In a spirit of adventure he determined to join the patriots, and iu October, 1895, he left Cleveland for Cuba!

Scovel is a son of President Scovel of Wooster (O.) University, and has been in Cuba a little over a year as an officer in the insurgent afmy, and is a correspondent for the New York World and Pittsburg Dispatch. He fought in Maceo's staff, and carried dispatches to Goiyez. He interviewed the latter several times. Two or three times Scovel left :tbe Cuban ranks and .entered Havana. ?.

Some months ago, because of this, Geu»»ral Weyler offered a" reward of $10,000 for him. He has been flitting back*and forth 'rom Key West and Jacksonville to Cuban ttolnts. and probably no other correspond »nt is more cordially hated by the Spanish military authorities.

REFORM IN PORTO RICO.

rhey Will Hither Amplified Or Made 1 m-oiHtUlouitl. New York. Feb. A dispatch to the Herald from Sail Juan de Puerto Rico says The government has received a cable message from Madrid stating that a royal decree in relation to Porto Rico has been issued. The decree commands the council-of state to reconsider the reforms in ali their btarhigs and report upon the advisability «»f further amplifying tbcm or of applying them unconditionally.

It it believed that the home government

has taken into -consideration th© protest of fha autonomist party and th© criticisms which, have been made upon, th© measures of political relief. The report of the cgunctl will be awaited with same impatience here. The Spanish party In the Island has issued a. manifesto counter to that promulgated by the autonomists. The autonomist party is strongly censured for its attitude in refusing to accept the reforms .and the government is assured of the adherence and unequalifled support. ofTtheKlpyal citizen* rt. the island.

A Forbidden Entertainment.

St. Augustine, Fla., Feb. 8.—Preparations have been going on for some time for a ball to be given by the rifles, one of the crack militia companies of the state for the benefit of the Cuban cause. An order has been received from Washington for bidding the giving of an entertainment for the purpose named. The order is the result of requests on the part of the Spanish consul at Jacksm,vlu'-

NOT READY TO SUBMIT

MUCH OPPOSITION TO APPORTIONHGNT BILL IB 8HOW».

Those in Cbarge Are Disinclined to Xleld |e tfie Demands of BecaleAtrant Members.

amendments and

then

cape

amendments

the bill can es

upon second reading, with

the vote of Mr. Thomas, they can pass it in spite of Messrs. Babcock and Butler. Time of Township Officers Kxtonded.

At the afternoon session both houses took up th© onler of third readings and passed a number of bills. Many of these were of a minor nature but some were of importance. Th© senate was to have decided upon the Shively bill putting the state prisons in the hands of non-partisan boards, but it was postponed until next Thursday. It took up and defeated Senator

Collett's

ing a method for the

PARTISANSHIP

Special to the Ejpress.

Indianapolis, Feb. 8.—The fight over the legislative apportionment did not come up in the house this afternoon, though the Democrats were prepared for an active struggle. It had been made a special order on second reading, but during the noon hour a. conference of the Republican leader® was held in the speaker's room and those members on the Republican side who object to th© bill in its present form were present. They were unable to com© to an agreement and it was decided to postpone action upon the measure until Wednesday. Accordingly when the matter came up a motion to postpone was put by Mr. Nicholson and carried. The leaders of the majority are still opposed to amending tjie bill so as 'to give LaGrange and Steuben separate representatives. They maintain that if'this were done they would have to give separate representatives to Dubois, Pike, Washington, Hancock and one or two other counties now taken care of in joint districts and would have to give two representatives to counties like Tippecanoe and Wayne with large excesses of voting population over the unit. There are but tliree members, Messrs. Babcock, Thomas and Butler, that have threatened to vote against th© bill upon passage, though six or seven Republicans have been counted upon to vote for an amendment. Mr. Thomas has stated that he intends to offer an amendment as to the Rush county senatorial district, but if it is defeated he will vote for the bill. The leaders hope by Wednesday to get other members in line so as to vote against all

bill provid

re-adjustment

of.

school districts. Senator Duncan's bill authorizing boards of county commissioners to vote aid to educational institutions was passed. Such a bill was defeated in the house two years ago. Senator Early's bill extending the term of township officers fifteen months was passed arid a couple of minor amendments Were made to the Fort Wayne charter. Senator Gilbert's, bill providing for the method of constructing joint ditches by boards of county commissioners was passed, as was that, of Senator Shively requiring assessors of one county to ilotify the assessor of any other county of the existence of a mortgage held by a resident of another county and recorded in the first county.

Special Verdict Law Repealed. The bouse passbd Mr. Wair's bill for the repeal of the special verdict law of 1895. It was claimed that the 1895 law made it practically impossible to obtain a verdict in a damage suit. The Wair bill provides for interrogatories along with a general verdict. It also passed Mr. Hall's bill enabling the trustees of incorporated towns to levy a special tax of 50 cents on $100 for the purpose of constructing water works or purchasing water works already constructed. The bill by Mr. Kratz providing for the construction of flood gates in ditches \0.s passed, as was that of Mr. Brown providing for the establishment of allotments for cleaning and repairing ditches where the full requirements of the law of the last session in malting such allotments had not been carried out by county assessors. Mr. Linck's bill was passed joining Jefferson and Switzerland in the same judicial circuits. Half an hour was spent by the house in a jocular discussion of the Fornsheil bill imposing heavy penalties for wearing high hats in theaters and it was defeated by a heavy vote. The strongest point made against it was that the members could never explain the thing to their wives.

POSTMASTER GENERAL WILSON.

Probability That He Will Accept tbe Offer of a College Presidency. Special to the Indiananolis News.

Washington, Feb. 8.—Postmaster-General Wilson's friends admit that an informal offer of the presidency of tbe Washington and Lee university o£ Lexington, Va., has been made to him, as stated some time ago in these dispatches. They expect a meeting of the Washington and Lee trustees this week, followed by a formal tender of the office. The postmaster-general will find himself among old and congenial associates if he decides to accept, which is not certain yet. He is pleased by the ofreras he was once a student of tbe university, and as he is an ex-Con-federate soldier and atypical Southerner, he will feel a pride in sitting in a chaii1 once Occupied by Robert. BJ.^Lee^ani} jjjs 7!"'

The Lee family and its influence^followed the gold standard cause in th» late eampaigh in Virginia, and there will te no hostile political sentiment to chill th/e ardor of the prospective president in his new field.

Pensions For IndlanNas.

Washington, Feb. 8.—Among other pensions were, granted the following lndianians:

Original—Smith Faucet, Terre Haute. Original Widows, etc.—Harriet Branson, Marshall Sarah J. McCietlan, Terre Hau.'e.

Increase—John K. McGregor, Oaklaud City John E. I'ayae, 'Martlngvill*.

Mrs. Henry Ward BeeeJiPr'n Condition. Stamford, Conn.. Feb. 8.—Mrs. henry Ward Beeoher was attacked with another sinking spell tonight and her condition is again very critical.

Vafc

a Cold la One

TaV* laxativ* Brosjio Quinine Tablets. All dTUSKl*ts rsfuptl tb« money if it tails to cure, "ic,"

TERRE HAUTE EXPRESS, IPESDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 9,1897.

2 {f

CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION DOIKO HUGH TO ERADICATE IT. A

It to tbe Commission's rnrpoM to Fat Fourth Class Pastnaasters UmIm cwu BstvlM'

Washington, Feb. 8.—Tbe thirteenth «o* nual report of the civil «ervi,ce oiommiHUj^ covering the past fiscal year has been BUfcr mitted to th© president. It reviews t^e growth of the government's civil service, the efforts of the commisson. to eradicate partisanship in federal offices and important civil service reforms and Extensions contemplated. During4he year the commission conducted! investigations Into charges of polito&l assessments, potitoal or teligous discrimination, illegalappointments and removals and alleged frauds and unfairness in cenn&rtion wKh examinations said appointments. In a number of cases of charges of political assessments it vma found there had been no technical violations of. th© law.

One iaveetifljatlon whtrati report is still uiider consideration was znade at the Columbus (0.) postofflce over a year ago. It developed the fact that for years it was the practice of many employes, wlthdtft regard to their party affiliations, to contribute to th© campaign fund of whatever party was In power. In all oases where there was the slightest evidence of fraud or unfairness the commission requited the re-examination ot the competitors. The most serious case of violations ol^th# civil service law, the report sayipWM Bfrift, Pa., where the secretary of the postal board was found to have furnished the questions to a competitor, an employe of the office, in advance of examination. Both were removed from the service,' and are now held for trial. At the Toledo (O.) postoffice an employ© was shown to have made false representations to injure the prospects of appointment of certain other eliglbles. Action^ in this case is still pending. t"-

During the last four years the: removals from competitive positions in the classified departmental service at Washington haye been less than 2 per cent for all causes. 'In the unclassified and excepted service *ait Washington the removals are "believed "to have aggregated in the last four yearsj^tt least 50 per cent.

The total approximate number of positions in the civil branch of th© government4^ 178,73.7. 2.'

The aggregflits compensation paiu W9. executive civil 'service of the United States, during the last fiscal year was approximately $100,000,000.

The new civil service rules, the report says, gives the commission sufficient auth», ority to

regulate

promotions as well as to in

vestigate cases where discrimination- .is charged in making removals or reductions. Within a short time satisfactory regulations are expected to be in operation in all the de-,' partments, so that promotions may be made wholly on merit, and removals and reductions be made only for satisfactory causes without regard to personal, political or religious considerations.

There are nearly 10,000 persons In the public service commissioned by' the president, and this number is growing every year. At this rate of increase, says the report, in a few years it will be physically impossible for the president and cabinet officers to examine the papers and hear arguments and complaints relating to the large number of persons to be commissioned, and the repeal of the four year tenure laws will be absolutely necessary. The commission is of it$9„ opinion that the fourth-class poetofflces be included ,in the classification by executive order. When these extensions of th© classifications have been mad© and the four year tenure of office acts are repealed, and regulations are in successful operation in all the departments requiring promotions to be based on the efficiency of employes the reforms in executive civil service, it is said, will be practically complete.

The commission is now making a card system to show certain information regarding every person in the executive civil service. The whole number of persons examined f-or the five branches of the classified serv]?9 during the yiear ended June 30, 189S, wats. 31,270. The whole number of appointments was 5,084, an Increase of 292 over -the previous year.

In reviewing the growth of civil service, the report says that under President Arthur there was a growth of 1,649 classified places^ making a total of 15,000 at the close of Jjjs administration 7,000 added by Presidgnl:, Cleveland during his first administration and contemporaneous increase of about peaces by natural growth 8,000 added Dy" President Harrison by executive order, a^d' a natural growth of nearly 7,000 blaces at the same time, and at the present time thqre are over 87,000.

CHARLES W.

16 1

BROOKE DEAD.

The Noted Criminal Lawyer of ..New York —Other Deaths. New York, Feb. 8.—Chares W. Brooke, tbe noted criminal lawyer, died yesterday at the Smith Infirmary at New Brighton, States Island. Mr. Brooke was taken ill on January 26, while conducting the Freeman trial in this city. An examination by his phyilcians showed that he was suffering from a cancer in the intestines, and that his condition was critical. An operation was perforformed a few days later, and the patient gave encouraging signs of recovery until yesterday, whe a rapid decline set in* A further examination showed that septicaemia had begun and that the cancer had eaten its way through the peritoneum. His condition was then declared hopeless and his 6on, Charles Lex Brooke, and his brother Alexander Brooke, was summoned. The latter did not arrive in time, but Charles Brooke was at the bedside of his father when be died. Mr. Brooke remained conscious to the last and suffered greatly. Mr. Brooke was born in Philadelphia and was 61 years old. ..V-

I JiA.4

.^'jGeorsre N. King.)

Wabash, Ind., Feb. 8.—George N. King several days ago contracted an acute attack of the grip, which terminated fatally on Saturday afternoon. He was one of the oldest, wealthiest and most prominent men of th© county.

For many years he was a large

tockholder and vice-president of the Wa bash National Bank. He was born in Akcon,: O., in 1833. He leaves a widow and ftWo» children—Mrs. Will K. Snavely and George N. King, Jr.. Mr. Snavely is clerk of the ways and means committee of the house at Indianapolis.

TaVcott H.- Camp.

Watertown, N. ^Y., -Feb. S.—-Talcott H.Camp, president of the Jefferson County*' National Bank and also president of the Jefferson County Savings Bank, and the oldest bank official in Northern New York, diedyesterday after a brief illness at his resi-i dence in this city. Mr. .Camp at the time of bis death was a'trustee of Hamilton college.. Tlf bad just passed his -80th birtft.l.i"C ii

William 11 Hadio J'

1'lainttelii, Ind., Feb. 8.—William R. Hadley. son of Harlem Iladley, ex-president of the local bauly, is dead of consumption. For a time he engaged in business, in Indianapolis. He was 31 years old.

M. B. Leonard.

M. B. Leonard, superintendent I graph on the Chesapeake & Q,fcjQ,

pf tel«.djefl. at

Eickmani, Ya.» last night. He had bsoo with that read for many years and began work with that roa4 as a telegraph operator. He is well an* tawrafcly kmrnn Maong indianapelis railroad men, a number of ^riwm will attend the funeral.

Mrs. Alien MoPaoald.

Jasper, Ind., Feb. 8.—Mrs. Allen McDonald, wife «f th* Erst white man born in Dubois county, died last night. She wan for weeks protected from the scalping knife of fl^e Indiana by tha walls of old Ft. McDonald near this city.

Mlctiael GrtflSn.

Lafayette, Ind., Feb. 8.—.Michael Griffin, an'old soldier/ was found dead yesterday niornlng in bed^ He was a member of the yifteenth lndia^ha Regiment. Death was supposed to be due to natural causes.

Albert M. Billiags.

Chicago, Feb. 8.—Albert $1. Billings, president of the Home National Bank and a millionaire, died yesterday aged 83. He was lather of C. M. Billings, president of the Chicago gas companies.

Chief Engineer W. S. Smith. Philadelphia, Feb. 8.—Chief Engineer •ypilliam S. Smith, XJ.-S. N., died suddenly yesterday at Txis apartments at the Gladstone.

LEGISLATIVE BUNGLE

JVTMAN ABBOTT NAT BS REMOVED

fSjFROM HIS PPL*IT.

State Iaw Discoverti lBy #h|e(T'the Gen

Special to the St. Louis Republic. New York, Feb. 8.—The dlsoovery of a state law, passed by the legislature ia 1895, to regulate the government and property of church corporations, has oaussd a profound stir in at least two of the great denominations. The law appears to open the way for the confiscation pf church property by the governing body of the ohuroh if the church is not conducted "in accordance with the customs and usages pf said governing body."

In the case of the Congregational and Baptist denominations such authority to seise individual church property is not recognized, and the state law is therefore In conflict with he common law of these denominations. Atefition was first called to this state law by rofesaer Shearman of Plymouth Church, rooklyn, after the Congregational TJnlon of ew York had censured the Rev- Lyman Abott, after his treatment of Jonah- and tho Whale. The Congregational Union is the governing body of the church, and under this newly discovered law could seize Plymouth Church and oust Dr. Abbott.

Dr. Abbott himself concedes the gravity of the situation. "The provisions of the act," he said, "are Absolute perversive of the fundamental prinfciple of Congregationalism. The first principle

Congregationalism is that there is no genral governing.body each church is complete itself. "The American Congregational Union is a voluntary society organised to aid in the Erection of places of worship and to assist fqeble churches. I see no reason to suppose that the American Congregational Union had anything to do with the passage of the law which seems to me probably to have been a piece of legal blundering by some legislative committee which knew nothing whatever about church affairs."

The Rev. Dr. William Lloyd, pastor of the Central Congregational Church, of this city, said that the existence bf such a law seemed incredible. "It is opposed to the fundamental principles of the denomination," he said. "The essence of Congregationalism is independence Such a law would of course destroy the independence of the churches. None of the Congregational general bodies assumes judicial or executive power over the individual churches. The Manhattan association and the Manhattan conference are both merely advisory and voluntary helpful organisations. As to the American Congregational Union, to which seems to have been given these extraordinary powers, it is an organization for church extension purely..and its' president, secretary, treasurer and board of directors are merely servants of the denomination, whose duty it Is to expend the money raised by the churches to extend the general work of the denomination, The union has no power whatever and it is but fair to say that it has never claimed any power to interfere in the affairs of the established churches."

This view is generally held and while some members of Dr. Abbott's congregation might wish to embarrass him by invoking the state law, such a course is considered highly improbable.

The Rev. Dr. D. Mlnot J. Savage preached today at the Church of the flesiah on "What is Christianity "It happens somewhat curiously," he said, "that .my theme chimes in with a great controversy, which is at present disturbing the churches and newspapers of this city and Brooklyn. The Rev- Dr. Lyman Abbott of Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, has been giving some sennons in which he has been dealing with questions of revelation, the bible and the higher criticism. "He has raised! a storm of protest on the part of many of his brother ministers and on thfe part of manv of the newspapers of the time. One ne'rapuper, for example, had the other morning, a Ion*, clear, strong, editorial discussing the problem as to whether Dr. Abbott himself was a christian, and it decided that instead of beiftg a christian he was an infidel. "From the old point of view: from the hard and fast orthodoxy of t.he creeds, the judgment Is an accurate one. If It be necessary to believe in the infallibility, of the bihle. the infallibility of the old creeds, the Westminster confession and others, in order to be a christian, then Dr. Abbott is an infidel—the decision is perfectly logical if you grant the promises."

Dr. Abbott's Sermon.

New York, Feb. 8.—In his sermon tonight in. Plymouth Church, Dr. Lyman Abbott said: "Reality is always better than falsity, and those who honestly doubt the things that are. are better than liars for God. There arp some problems too great for our understanding. There is therefore divine truth in some phases of agnosticism. The drama of Job is the dark background on which is shown the luminous cross of Christ"

Dr. Abbott, commenting on the voice that spcire to Job from out the storm, said: "It put asdde the contentions of theologians, who set up their theology against fact."

TO PROTECT SANK DEPOSITORS.

Provision of a Bill Introduced In the North Dakota Legislature. Bismarck, N. D., February 8.—Senator T. F. Marshall, himself a banker, has Introduced into the legislature a bill for the greater safety of depositors in state banks.

It is made obligatory for every state bank to place in the state treasury each year a sum equal to one-half of 1 per cent of the deposits of the bink. When any bank falls, after the affairs of tho bank have been made public, the receiver of the bank shall be empowered to draw upon the stale treasurer for a sum sufficient to make up the loss of the depositors in this bank, provided that this sum shall not be in excess of the sum in the treasury. In this state the amount which will thus be a trust fund will be about $15,000, and will be ample to meet all probable contingencies.

The bill will certainly be passed, and !t is predicted that it will become in favor In ?ill states.

..." A Household Necessity.

Cascarets Candy Cathartic, the most wonderful medical discovery of tbe age, J)easaqt and i^freshing to the taste, act gently •and positively on kidneys, liver and bowels, cleansing the entire system, dispel colds, cure headache, lever, habitual constipation -and biliousness. Please buy and try a box Of c. C. C. today, 10. 25, 50 cents. Sold and •guaranteed to cur© by all druggists.

A sau I ted.

Memphis, Tciin.. Kf-'o. 8. TLis uioi uiug in Union street, Hugh Brlnkley, a"'ealthy and prominent, citizen*:and at present one of the police commissioners, assaulted with a cane and seriously injured ex-Congress-man William R. Moore, a prominent merchant and a widely known Republican. The trouble grew put of the issuance of a "sally" circular by Colonel Moore in" which the honfjE jf Mn.,t Brlnkley was brought Into j.W,,, h-

MR. SEARLES ON HAND

Hi SUBMITS TO TBE UfQCIBIES OP TBE TRUST OOWIlffSk.

Is Not Able lo "Recall" Certain Facts Abomt Which Mr. Lexew Waats to Knew.

New York, Feb. 8—J. E. Searles, secretary and Treasurer of the Sugar Refining Company, wa^ on fiend today wh«n the Joint legislative committee on trust* met in this city. Mr. Searles lett him home in Brooklyn for Canton, O., last Thursday evening, after baying been served with a subpoena, and the committee was disposed at its setting on Friday to declare him !h contempt and take steps for his punishment Mr. Searles was warmly greeted by the members of the committee.

Lawyer Edward M. Sheppard, attorney for tbe sugar company, arrived soon after and immediately entered into a conversation with tbe prospective witness.

Before taking the stand, Mr. Searle, at Senator Lexaw's request, made a statement that he only received the subpoena as he was on b4a way to take the train and that be felt it was bis duty first to attend to the business on band at the time. Senator Lexow reprovingly told Mr. Searles that a subpoena of the committee could not be ignored by the millionaire or. by tbe poor man. "At tbe ctose ot your testimony, Mr. Searles," added Senator LexoW, "the committee will pass on tbe question of contempt."

Mr. Searles said bis occupation was the sugar refining business and that of bank president and president of several local corporations, secretary and treasurer of the American Sugar Refining company.

Mr. Searles said that be purchased and held all the stock of the North River Refining company. Th© purchase was an individual purchase, he continued, and bad no relation as to the value of property to the sugar refining company. Their circumstances were somewhat peculiar, and, he added, the whole transaction was ventilated in the court of appeals.

Searles Says "I Can't Recall." Mr Searles gave the, sterotyped reply I cannot recall" to a series of questions propounded by Senator Lexow in regard to the purchase of the North River Refining company, including th© inquiry if the price was not about $325,000.

Asked as to th© whereabouts of the present company's books at about that time, witness said that it was his opinion they were in the archives of the subsidary companies over which he had no control. 'Now you might as well tell us what wis paid in the North River Sugar Refining company case. We are going to havc it- if it is in this world 'I have no figures at ttie present time by which I couiu give you th© exact figures, the witness said, who recalled that the price paid in for the stock of the North River Refining company was $700,000. 'Is it not true that you made $350,000 over night on the transaction?" 'It is not true. I did not make $350,00 over night in the transaction." "Do you dispute that?" .?%ft "I do." "Did you not consider when you were taking the $700,000 worth of certificates that you were taking their equivalent in value? "It would be their value when they became a part of the consolidated stocks. It was my faith in their ultimate value that induced me to take them."

Wants Cash Bather Than Certificates. The witness said*that th© North River Sugar Refining Co. -was anxious to get cash instead of certificates and In order to accommodate th© company witness took the certificates off its hands}:

Witness further said that the transaction had the acquiescence of the directors and stockholders of the sugar trust. The witness finally admitted that instead of receiving $700,000 worth of stock certificates from the North River Sugar Refining Co. he only received $595,000,

At this staige Stephen Little, the expert accountant,'who had been subpoenaed, announced himself and on explaining to Sena^ tor Lexow that he in ho wise was concerned in the corporation upder, investigation was excused. 7

In reply to Senator Lexow, Mr, Searles denied that his purchase of the stock of the North River, Sugar Refining Co. was to crush out the company as a competitor in the sugar market.

In retfly to another question witness said he could not say definitely whether or not the actual values of all the stocks talien into the amalgamated trust was less than $20,000,000. "Is It not a fact that the $50,000,000 worth of stocks In the sugar trust are only a third of that figure in actual value'' "By actual value do you mean bricks and mortar?" Inquired Mr. Searles. who finally stated that his mina was not sufficiently clear on the subject.

Witness said he had not known the figures in the case and on being asked by Senator Lexow if they were available, Mr. Searles said he presumed they could be supplied from the books of the company.

Valuation to Sugar Trust Property. Mr. Searles said the capital stock did not represent its intrinsic value, and that the public only suffered in case of overcapitalization. "Companies first representing the sugar trust were Kavemeyer & Elder, with a capitalization of $500,000 Dick & Meyer, $200,000, and others entered on a basis of $100,000," the-witness said. "Then the valuation of the property," said Chairman Lexow, "was not correct as represented in the certificates, or else the capital stock was false?"

Th© witness djd not think so. "Do not you, as a business man, think that the issuing or capital stock at figures that do not represent real value is the principal vice in corporations?" "I hardly think that is the truth for the reason that the corporation law is availed of by many parties associated in business simply to provide for. the distribution of interests in the settling of business." "Was the actual cash value of the various companies that comprise the American Sugar Refining Co. $12,000,000 and was not there $50,000,000 in certificates issued?" "There was no cash appraisement'of th'e actual value of the companies." "Will you swear that the actual cash value represented more than a total pf $12,000,000?" "I should, most assuredly."

Trnst ContruJn 1* roil not But Not Price., Witness said that out of a total of 2,000,000 tons of sugar produced annually in the United States the American Sugar Refining Co. controls 80 per cent of the product annually, but denied the company controls the price. "When we are not in the market our competitors are, and buy and sell at their owii fixed prices," the witness said. "Do you agree with Mr. Ilavemeyer, who stated that 'the principal object 5n consolidation was to stop competition?'^. "So, sir.

Asked by Chairman Lexow it any refiueries had been built since the amalgamation in ISO!, witness answered in the affirmative, saying that two had gone up In this stale slone. "Wo are obliged to fldlify yoirforroally to jjroducft.at ihe next meeting ot this commlt-

ie* the minute book ef (k# eempany a&J any other data in reference te tbe fotir PbO^ adelphia companies and other transaction*^ in the amalgamation," said tbe chairman. ''Personally, I bav© no objection, but I cannot do so without tbe consent of tha board of directors," tbe witness responded^

In reply to another question, witness Mid. be disagreed with any statement implying that the American Sugar Refining Co. een3 trolled or fixed the price ot the product 9l. the United States, "Is it not a fact tbat where you baWcompetitors you cut down tbe price in tbi| particular locality and force them to thd wall?" "Nb, sir It is not. We only control tb( -'price of our own sugar." "The policy ot the American Sugar Refine ing Co. is to produce the largest quantity possible and always in advance of (the de* mand that tbe consumer may obtain th{ product at a fair standard price," added Mft Searles.

Claims Wages Have Been Increased." In reply to another question the witnesf said (that since tbe consolidation the wagesof the employes of the company In this state* were increased 10 per cent, "What was tbe capital stock of tbe Havemeyer Refining Co. at the time of the con« aolidatlon?" "One million dollars." "You have a factory that could furniali the entire demand of the United State®?" "We could do it very easily."

At the time of th« organization of thrf trust tbe witness testified there were only 4 few hundred sockholders. "How many are there now?" "Well, there were 9,000 dividend checks sent out on January 1st."

Witness said he was not positive aa to whether or not the majority of the board of directors held the largest number of shares in the compimy. "Have you not been a self-appointing body since the organisation?" "No, sir the directors are elected by the stockholders." 5!?

This ended the IxaMTnation of Mr. Searles? who promised to fdrntsb the books of tbe company when the committee reconvenes on Saturday next.

Before the members of the joint committee separated Chairman Lexow said to them that if tbey could so arrange their affairs he would like to have them sit all next week, when an investigation of tbe American Tobacco Co, will be made.

Beyond tbe proposed investigation of tha tobacco company next week the chairman declined to state what the future pro-. gramme of the committee would be,

DROWNED IN A GALE

CNClB

SAM'S BLOCKADING SQUADRON HAS A STORMY VOYAGE

Decks of the Battleship Mala Swept By the Seas. SI* Men Being Washed Overboard. "W(\. &

VsL:'

Charleston, S. C., Feb. S-Admiral Bunce blockading squadron reached port today after a disastrous voyage from Hampton Roads. Three men were lost overboard from the battleship Main© during th© gale on Friday, and on© man was crushed to death on the cruiser Marblehead, another was fatally injured and six others were so badly hurt that several may lose limbs. Tbe details of the accident on th© Marblehead ard not obtainable, but It seems that the cruiser made bad weather of the blow. Tonight a3 she lies off the jetties sh© presents a dismantled appearance. Hor forecast is stove in, a portion of her superstructure and twa hatches carried f.way. The heavy seas that swept her decks also carried away her search light, lower port boom, smasned the raili and swept overboard the life boats. Carpenter Shawbert was crushed to death in thJ forecastle when it,was wrecked by a monster wave and Plumber Hickey had his skull Crushed.by the wreckage and will probably, die. The six seamen, who. were injured ar« believed to have been hurt at the same tlmej but the officers the vessel are* reticent to th details of the accident. It is understood that thq injured men will be brougbU ashore for treatment tomorrow. Carpenter Shawberl was buried at sea. The other ves-« gels of the eet show marks of their rougl] voyage, their upper works and deck liampeJ being damage^- .......

The squadron weighed anchor inf the Roads on Thursday morning and put to sea. Friday evening the weath-r thickened and by night was blowing a. gale. The Indiana returned to the roads owing to the condition of her turrets. The rest of tha fleert, however, poked their noses into tha storm and headed south. When about llfty miles off Hatteras, the fleet encountered ths full force of the blow. Open squadron formation was maintained, and the vessels were put in order for a seige of weather. Tha battleship Maine rolled in the big seas, tha water washing her decks at every plunge. It was late Friday afternoon when the accident occurred which cqst three seamen their lives and three, others were rescued onlj by prompt and heroic work.

A gang of men were ordered forwarc. ^o make more secure the yashings of the big guns. The deck was deluged and the wind was freshening every moment. The men were at work with the lashings when an unusually heavy sea curled over her bows and swept aft. Six of the gang were picked up and carried overboard before they could escape the wave. When the cry of "man overboard" was carried back there was a scene of momentary confusion but in an instant the splendid discipline of the crew was apparent. A boat's crew, under Naval Cadet Walter "Oherardi, son of Rear Admiral Gherardi (retired), was finally lowered, excellent seamanship alone preventing tbe frail craft from being crushed against the sides of the big battleship. Tha ship's crew watched the rescuers as they pulled manfully in the heavy seas, tha wavefe running so high that at times the little boat was hidden from the vessel's deck./ Meantime, the drowning men fought brave-' ly and three of them managed to keen afloat until their mates hauled them out of the water. They were Seamen Hassel. Cronin and Freeman. The remaining three. Brown, Nelson and Kogel were not to be' seenc.

They had given up the struggle and met^ a sailor's fate. Friday night the fleet made heavy weather* of it, but managed to keep within signalling distance of one another. Towards morning the squadron hove to and weathered out tha rest of the gale

•^RECEIVER APPOINTED ..

Oue For the Central Bell Telephone Com-* pany of Venezuela Chicago, Feb. 8.—Today the Circuit Court of Cook county appointed William J. English receiver for the Central Bell Telephone Co. of Venezuela, which is otherwise knowiv as the Caracas. Valcnlia & Interior Line. Upon receiving his sppoiiiuneut Air. Eng-. lish qualified and will start immediately foi* Caracas, where he will take possession of the property of the defendant company.

The defendant company is an Illinois cor-^j poration, organized in August, 1814, bjn^ William L. and Charles E. Russell. ItsfJV capital stock was fixed at $400,000. John V. Clarke, who is interested in the company, alleges mismanagement of lis at-/ fairs.