Newspaper Page Text
THE MORNING NEWS. 1
t ESTABLIsIIZD 1850. INCORPORATED 1888. >
■ J. 11. ESTILL, President. \
A HORROR IN HIGH LIFE.
SECRETARY TRACY’S WIFE AND
DAUGHTER DIB BY FIRE.
Another Daughter and the Secretary's
Granddaughter Saved only by Leap
ing from a Second Story Window—
The Secretary Dragged from the
Building in an Unconscious Condi
tion.
Washington. Feb. a— A terrible calam
ity visited the household of Secretary Tracy
this morning, whereby three persons lost
their lives and three others were badly
injured. It is impossible at this writing to
state exact details. The house, a three
story and basement brick, is situated on I
street, between Connecticut avenue and
Seventeenth street, and has recently under
gone extensive improvements. Persons
passing the house at 7 o’clock this morning
saw smoke issuing from the front windows,
and at once raised an alarm of fire. The
fire and police departments responded
promptly. The premises were almost con
cealed by dense smoke, which was thickened
by a heavy fog, which was just lifting.
ALL ABLAZE ON THE INSIDE.
It was soon discovered that the house was
all ablaze inside, and that the main stair
way was burned, thus cutting off communi
cation with the sleeping apartments on the
second and third floors. Several streams of
water were played on the flames, and every
effort was made to check the fire and rescue
the inmates. A scene of wildest confusion
ensi.ed when it was known that alt the
memb. rs of the family were in the housa.
the firemen behaved like heroes iu the
emergency, and went through fire and
smoke in searching for them in the different
apartments.
LEAPS FOR LIFE.
Mrs. Wilderming, the secretary’s daugh
ter, and Miss Wilderming forced their wav
through the blinding smoke and jumped
from the second story window in the front.
Ladders were raised for them, but iu their
excitement they failed to see them. Mi s.
Wilmerding broke her left wrist and was
severely bruised. Her daughter was badly
injured about the lower limbs, but broke no
bones. They both suffered severely from
the shock. They were taken at once to the
residence of Dr. Baxter, near by, and res
toratives applied. While this sad scene was
being enacted in front of the house, firemen
were engaged in the sad task of removing
the other members of the family from the
rear.
MRS. TRACT’S ATTEMPT TO SAVE HERSELF.
Mrs. Tracy endeavored to escape by drop
ping herself from her bad-room window,
and in her effort to decrease the distance to
the ground she grasped the narrow window
Bill and lowered herself as far as she was
able. Those who saw her in this perilous
position shouted to her to hold on, but either
she did not hear, or her strength failed her,
for, after thus hanging a moment between
life and death, she fell forty feet in an area
way. She was immediately taken to the
house of her neighbor, Dr. Rbeem, and
placed upon a lounge in the sitting room.
She was perfectly conscious and did not
seem to suffer pain. Occasionally
she complained of oppression in
the neighborhood of her heart and found
difficulty in breathing. She talked awhile,
coughed slightly, and the 1 became silent.
The physicians looked at each other signifi
cantly.' Mrs. Tracy was dead. The imme
diate cause of her death was supposed to
be from injuries to her heart, sustained in
her fall from the window, which flooded her
lungs with blood. She was soon removed
to the residence of Attorney General Miller,
on Massachusetts avenue.
FATE OF MISS MARIE AND THE MAID.
Almost at the same time two bodies were
taken from the burning building. One was
the Secretary’s daughter, Miss Marie, a
young lady, and the other was that of a
French maid named Josephine. That of the
former was found by Chief Parish lying on
the floor in the second floor hall
at the head of the stairs. Tho body
was not greatly disfigured. She had
evidently died of suffocation. The chief
lifted the lifeless body in his arms, and,
although tee staircase was ablaze, he
brought it safely into the street. Of the
French maid little is known, save that her
dead body was found in her room, on the
top floor of the house, burned beyond recog
nition. Both the bodies of Miss Tracy and
her maid were taken to an undertaker’s
establishment in the vicinity.
SECRETARY TRACY’S NARROW ESCAPE.
Secretary Tracy himself had a most
miraculous escape. Like all the others, he
was overcome iu his sleep by the smoke
which filled the house, and rendered com
pletely helpless. He was discovered in
this condition, and, with considerable diffi
culty, was removed to a place near one of
the windows. Cries for a ladder were
quickly auswered, and many willing hands
were raped to assist him t > the ground. He
v s at once removed to Dr. Rheem’s house,
and was soon surrounded by physicians,
iucludi g Drs. Wales and Ruth! He was
suffering from asphyxia. The doctors
applied artificial means to induce respira
tion, and succeeded after an hour’s work in
restoring him to semi-consciousness. It
"as then thought safe to remove him to the
residence of Judge J. C. Bancroft Davis, on
“, hear Eighteenth street.
REGAINING CONSCIOUSNESS.
He improved slowly from that time on,
and soon regained consciousness, recogniz
ing friends who called to inquire in regard
his condition. Among these were the
'’reside it, Vico President and several mem
bers of the cabinet. The full extent of his
terrible affliction was withheld from him.
His first inquiry, upon recovering con-
U3ness, was in regard to the safety of
the family.
Ihe house was completely gutted by fire,
the walls are standing, but the interior
presents a picture of ruin and desolation,
lhe residence of Judge W. S. Cox of the
® lß triet supreme court, which adjoins it on
t Jfl left, was badly damaged by water.
THE CHIEF TELLS OF THE RESCUE.
Chief Parris of the fire department, when
mterviewod this morning, said: “I paid
ho attention to the fire when I heard there
were people in the house. I felt my way
though the smoke to the second floor and
r? nad a man in bed in a room. I tried to
I* him up, but he was almost too heavy,
t managed to drag him into a back room,
here there was more air, and then I broke
i w ini b" v out and called to Low, who was
n the alley, to run up a ladder. Then they
l,| c the man out and it proved to be the
I couldn’t move him any fur
•" r , f r I was exhausted, and full up to
i 6 hock with smoke. Then I went back
smoke and fire azain and found a
ft la< ty. Miss Marie Tracy they tell mo
lift l ß ' au< t us I caught hold of her wrists to
U., l ' lpr up the flesh came off of her burning
out i . !She had Heen burned. I got her
ot ‘t, but she was dead.”
Dr D EXAMINING THE CORPSES,
vigi. ■,uth, at the solicitation of friends,
iilereifl' J® undertaker’s establishment and
't‘ 33 Tracy. He made a hurried
•Uffocatiom 1 ,* n< * * oun< * died from
tv/! 8 - ! ra °y was found to have died from
a! P .T of bloodvessels.
ir> h,? i, 1 f t ‘, rn , an w ho saw the fire said never
leiUd he see or hear of such a sight.
Hb* JHafning ffrtoA,
“It seemed,” he said, “as though hell had
broken loose and sent its fiery tongue to
eartm The whole budding seemed oie
seething mass of flames, bursting from
every point. Bcreara followed scream, each
one more horrible and blood-curdling than
the other, from the interior of the building.
u “jy a * ew P®ople were passing at the time,
and they seemed lost and bewildered. The
engines soon arrived. You know the rest.”
STORY OF THE FOOTMAN.
H- C. Turner is the footman at the Tracv
residence. He was an eye-witness of part
of the fire. He was up and dressed before
7 o clock, and was prepared to go upstairs
to clean the silver. He slept in the base
ment. “Just as I was starting upstairs,”
said he, “a colored man rang the bell and
told the butler, who answered it, that the
house was on fare. The butler ran upstairs
and immediately rushed back, shouting:
‘My God, the house is on fire.’ The entire
first floor was in flames. We ran out of the
front door. Mrs. Wilrnerding and her
daughter were at a front second story
window screaming for help. Both ladies
jumped. Neither fell on their feet, but on
their side.”
DEATH OF MRS. TRACY.
The house of Mr. Rhoem, No. 821 Seven
teenth street, itself almost captured by the
fire, was thrown open for the reception of
the dead and dying. Mrs. Tracv, still alive,
was brought in by a couple of firemen, and
was placed on a sofa in the dining-room.
Here she lingered for about an hour, fully
conscious and apparently suffering but
little. It was a little after 8 o’clock when
she spat up a little blood, hardlv enough to
be termed a hemorrhage, closed her eyes,
and, without a moan, ceased to breathe.
The cook, scorched a id blackened until sho
did not resemble her usual self, but not
seriously injured, was next brought in. Sho
was provided with an upstairs room.
THE SECRETARY BROUGHT IN.
Secretary Tracv wis the third sufferer
to be sheltered under Mr. Rheem’s roof. Ho
was placed on mattresses in the kitchen,
whither he was taken through the alley, for
it was not deemed proper to bring him
through the room in which his wife lay
dying.
President Harrison walked over from the
white house a3 soon as he heard of the trag
edy. He'was weeping as he came out of
the house where the secretary lay uncon
scious, and where Mrs. Tracy was dying.
ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.
It is believed that the fire originated in
the parlor near the open fireplace. Whether
it originated from the grate or heating pipes
is not known, as no one could be found who
could tell whether there was a fire iu the
grate last night or not. The frame work
adjoining the mantel was where the fire
started, and it no doubt burned some time
before it was discovered. The furnace is in
the basement directly beneath where the fire
started, and the hot air pipes leading to the
upper stories pass iu rear of the woodwork.
The firemen generally think the woodwork
was ignited by overheated air pipes.
THE REMAINS IN THE WHITE HOUSE.
The remains of Mrs. Tracy and Miss
Tracy he to-night In caskets in tho center
of tho east room of the white house, beneath
crystal chandeliers whose light less than
a week ago shone upon
them as they gaily greeted their
numerous friends at the last presidential
reception. The death chamber is now
dimly lighted, and is somber, gloomy, and
quiet, with no one within it save the dead
and one of the doorkeepers, who will keep
watch over the remains. The bodies were
brought to the white house about 6 o’clock
by order of the President, who has taken
charge of whatever arrangements for the
funeral it was necessary to make at pres
ent.. The caskets are covered with
black, and the mountings are of silver.
Upon each casket are long-leaved palms,
with sweet peas and lilies. No final arrange
ments for the funeral have been mode as
yet, and none will be made until the arrival
of Secretary Tracy’s son and Gen. Gatlin,
his brothar-in-iaw, who are expected ou a
late ti ain to-night.
THE INJURED IMPROVING.
The injured are improving. The Presi
dent visited Secretary Tracy again this
evening, and found him regaining his
strength, though still hardly able to realize
the great loss he has sustained. To-morrow
the President will have the secretary re
moved to the white house.
Owing to the deplorable calamities which
have befallen the householders of the Secre
tary of State and the Secretary of the
Navy, a large number of invitations for
receptions, dinners and dancing parties, to
have been given during the present week by
prominent society people, have been re
called. Among them were those of Sir
Julian and Lady Pauncefote for Wednes
day evening next.
HARRISON GREATLY AFFECTED.
President Harrison is greatly moved by
the calamities of his Secretary of the Navy
and his Secre ary of State. He feels in a
sense responsible for them, having made
Secretaries Tracy and Blaine members of
his official family, and the drain upon his
sympathies is very great. He really looked
five years older when he came out from
telling Secretary Tracy the news about his
family this afternoon.
TEST OATH FOR MORMONS.
The United States Supreme Court
Affirms Its Constitutionality.
Washington, Feb. 3.—The supreme
court of the United States to-day rendered
an opinion affirming the constitutionality
of the Edmunds-Tucker Idaho test oath,
intended to prevent Mormons from voting.
The case comes up on an application for a
writ of habeas corpus made by Samuel D.
Davis, who is in jail in Idaho, having been
sentenced for unlawfully taking the test
oath when he was a member of the M rmon
church. The court denies the application
for a writ of habeas corpus, holding that
polygamy is a crime, and that the constitu
tional provision guaranteeing fredom of
religion is not intended to prevent the pun
ishment of any person who, in the name of
religion, commits a crime iu the eyes of the
law.
NEGROES IN CONVENTION.
The Recorder of the General Land
Office Arraigns Both Parties.
Washington, Feb. 4.—The colored men’s
convention began its session at noon to-day
in the Metropolitan African Methodist
Episcopal church, with many representa
tive, colored men present. Perry H. Car
son, president of the national bureau of
relief, called the convention to order. P.
McCall was chosen temporary president,
and Galvan Chase, of the Washington Bee,
temporary secretary.
J. M. Townsend, recorder of the general
land office, delivered an address of welcome,
in the course of which he denounced the
treatment of the negro by both political
parties, attacked Senators Morgan ad
Butler for their course in seeking the de
portation of the negroes from this country,
and predicted a brighter future for the
colored race.
Buck at Waabinsrton.
Washington, Feb. 3.—C01. Buck arrived
Saturday to look after his accounts os mar
shall, and to sea to the Athens and other
postofflees. Owing to to-day’s tragedy, he
has so f*r done little.
SAVANNAH, GA., TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1890.
CARLISLE SHOWS UP REED
THE GREAT WRONG IN CONGRESS
LAID BEFORE THE PEOPLE.
The Precedents of a Century and the
Intention of the I ramers of the
Constitution Clearly Violated—A Re
view of the Fight in the Houae-The
Dangers for the Future.
Washington, Feb. 3. — Representative
Carlisle has prepared for publication the
following statement of the present position
of the democratic members of the House,
which is to be signed by all of them:
The present situation in the House of Repre
sentatives is so anomalous and unprecedented,
the decisions of the speaker are so full of dan
ger to the integrity of future legislation, that
we consider it our duty to submit a brief state
ment of the facts, in order that the propriety of
the course we have taken may be fairly deter
mined. The House met on the 2d day of De
cember, 1889, and immediately organized by the
election of a speaker and other officers. On
the same day, by a resolution of the House, the
speaker was authorized to appoint a committee
on rules, and the rules of the last
preceding House were referred to that
committee. The committee, consisting of the
speaker himself and four other members,
was appointed on Dee. 5, and on Dec. 9 made a
report authorizing the speaker to appoint all
the other committees, and delining their juris
diction. The committee on elections, to which
was referred all cases involving the rights of
members to their seats, was appointed ou
THE DELAYED REPORT.
Although nearly two months have elapsed
since the committee on rules was appointed, it
has made no report upon the matters referred
to it, except a partial one made on Dec. 0, and
conseuuentiy the House has been comoelled to
conduct its business without any rum or system
except general parliamentary law, as construed
by the speaKer. There have been no calendars,
no order of business, no fixed time to receive
reports from committees, or for the considera
tion of bills or resolutions: and, in fact, no
regular methods whatever in tho proceedings of
the House.
The American House of Representatives has
been during all this ti ue, and si 111 is, so far as
rules for its government are concerned, in pre
cisely the same condition as a popular meeting,
or political convention in which tae chairman
and his partisans have absolute control of
all the proceedings. No measure can get beforb
the House for con-ideration unless the speaker
choose to allow it to be presented, and mem
bers have no means of knowing in advance
w hat they are to be called upon to discuss or
decide.
NOTHING LIKE IT BEFORE.
This is the first time in our history that a leg
islative assembly, or even a public meeting has
attempted to transact business for any con
siderable period without a regular code of rules
prescribing the order of its proceedings, and
the inconvenience and injustice resulting from
such an attempt have been forcibly illustrated
in the present insiance. The speaker has re
peatedly during these extraordinary proceed
ings refused toentertain parliamentary motions
that have been recognized as legitimate ever
since the government was estaulished. and
when attempts have been made to appeal from
his decisions he has refused to submit
the question to the House. By his arbi
trary ruliugs, sustained in some instances by
less than a quorum, he has subverted nearly
every principle of constitutional an l parlia
mentary law heretofore recognized in the
House. This personal and partisan domination
of the House was submitted to, though not
without repeated protests, until we became
convinced that it was the deliberate purpose of
tbe speaker and his supporters to proceed with
out rules to oust democratic members whose
seats are contested, and admit tbeir republican
opponents, whether elected or not.
FOUGHT TO THE DEATH.
On Wednesday, Jao. 29, the committee on
elections called up a contested election case,
and the democratic members determined that
in the absence of rules it should not be con
sidered, if they could prevent it by any proper
parliamentary proceedings. Accordingly, they
raised the question of consideration, demanded
the yeas and nays, and, on the call of the roll,
refrained from voting. The result was that less
than a constitutional quorum voted;
but the speaker, in violation of the uni
form practice of the House for more than a
century, proceeded to count members who were
present, but not voting, and declared that the
House had decided to tak ' tho case up. From
this decision an appeal was taken, and on
motion to lay this appeal on the table the yeas
and nays werejtaken, and less than a quorum
voted, b it the speaker again counted the mem
bers not voting, and decided that the motion
was carried, and his ruling thereby sustained.
WHAT THE CONSTITUTION PROVIDES.
The constitution of the United States pro
vides that a majority of each house “shall con
stitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller
number may adjourn from day to day, and
may be authorized to compel the attendance of
absent members in such manner and under
such peualties as each house may provide.”
Auother clause of the constitution requires
each house to keep a journal of its
proceedings, and provides that when
one-fifth of the members present desire it the
yeas and nays shall be taken ou any question
and entered on the journal. Since the begin
ning of the government under the constitution,
more than TOO Tears ago, the House of Repre
sentatives and th; Senate have uniformly con
strued the first clause of the constitution
quoted above tonneau that a majority of/all the
rnembers-elect must be present and actually
participate in the transaction of businesss,
and that whenever, upon the call of
the yeas and nays, it appeared from
the journal, which is the only official record,
that less than a constitutional quorum bas
voted on any proposition, the vote was a nullity,
aud no further business could be done until the
requisite number appeared and voted.
PREVIOUS PRECEDENTS.
Every presiding officer in the Senate, and
every speaker of the House, except the present
one, has held that when less than a quorum
voted ou a call of the yeas ami nays, no matter
how many might be actually present, it was
his duty to take notice of the fact
and declare that the pending bill or motion
had not passed. When a vote is not taken by
yeas aud nays it is not entered upon the jour
nal, but if any member makes the point that no
quorum has Toted, t ie proceeding is a nullity,
and the vote must be tak n over. The pre
sumption of the law is that when nothing
appears to tbe contrary, the proceedings of the
legislative body are regular and valid, and
therefore when the official record does not show
that less than a quorum voted, or attention
is not called to tbs fact in
such a way as to furnish legal
evidence of it. the question cannot be made
afterward. Many bills have been passed when
there was no qderum voting, and it is equally
true that many have passed when there was no
quorum actually present, but this does not
prove that the proceeding would have been
valid in either case if the official record had
shown the fact.
ONLY WAY TO SECURE STABILITY.
In order to secure certainty and stability
In the administration of the law, it
is the rule in our jurisprudence
that when a particular construction of
the constitution or statute has been for a long
time acquiesced in not only by those whose
duty it is to execute it, but also by those whose
personal and property rights are affected by it,
the courts will recognize it the true construc
tion, a..d enforce it accordingly. Even if this
were an original question it would not be diffi
cult to show that the practical construction of
the constitution, whica Ims prevailed in
tho House and Senate for over 100 years,
is the correct one. Speaker Reed himself, when
in the minority on the floor of the House, stated
the true meaning and true philosophy of the
constitution w..en he said: “The constitutional
idea of a quorum is not the presence of a ma
jority of all t'up members of the House, but a
majority of tho members present and partici
pating in the business of the House. It is not
the v.sible presence, but tbeir judgment and
votes, which the constitution calls for.”
OTHER REPUBLICANS ON RECORD.
Gen. Garfield, Secretary Blaine Congressmen
Hawley, Conger, Robinson, and other protni
nent republicans have taken tbe same posi
tion, and their arguments have never been
answered. If any legal or political question
can be settled in this country by long acquies
cence of jurists and statesmen of ail parties,
certainly this question has passed beyond the
domain of discussion. "When, therefore, the’
present speaker repudiated tLis set
lied construction of the constitution
and decided that when the official rec
ord, which the constitution requires
the House to keep, shows on a call of the yeas
and nays that a quorum has n t voted, he can
count members present and not voting, and
thus by his own act, outside of the recorded
Tote, determine that a measure has passed, we
considered it our duty, as part of the repre
sentatives of the people, to enter our protests
in every form available to ui under the circum
stances.
WHAT THEY ARE CONTENDING FOR.
We are not contending for the right of the
minority to govern, as the supporter* of the
speaker have endeavored to made the country
believe. On the contrary, we are denying the
right of the minority to eject members from
their seats or to pass laws for the government
of the people. Under the constitution a major
ity of the members of tbe House constitute a
quorum to do busiuess, and we are simply in
sisting that less than a majority shall not
do business. We are contending that the majority
shall take the responsibility which properly
belongs to them aud shall come to tbe House of
Kepreseutativos aud vote if they desire to con
trol its proceedings; an l we are protesting
against tneir right to carry their measures by
counting us when we do not vote The wlaiiu
of the majority that they have the right to gov
ern the House without attending its sessions
and taking part in the conductor its business,
is too preposterous to require refutation.
DEMOCRATS DOING NO HARM.
It must be evident to every one who under
stands tbe position taken by the democratic
minority in the House, that Tt cannot possibly
result in any injury to the country, or iu any
injustice to the majority. Its only effort will be
to compel the Republican majority, elected by
tbe people, to assume the responsibility im
posed/upon them. On the other hand, no one
can foresee the evils that may result from the
inauguration of the practice of counting votes
not cast, in order to make a quorum.
Under it a Jminority of the members
elected to the House and Senate may pass most
tyrannical laws for the oppression of the peo
ple. and most corrupt laws for the spoliation of
the public treasury. Whether so intended or
not. its direct tendency is to break down the
barriers heretofore existing for the protection
of the citizen against the encroachments of
power and the spoliation of the treasury by
destroying the limitations which the constitu
tion has wisely imposed upon tho legislative.
The debarments of the constitution are made
to restrain majorities, and protect minorities.
A majority ruling without limitation or re
straints upon its power is pure despotism, and
is Inconsistent with our scheme of government.
QUADRO-CENTENNIAL FAIR.
The House Committee Talks, But Ac
complishes Nothing.
Washington, Feb. 3.—A meeting of the
House committee on the world’s fair was
held this morning. It was intended to
finish the world’s fair bill, ten sections of
which had been completed at the previous
meetings. The members of the committee,
however, were slow in getting together, and
some of them had pressing engagements
that called them to other committees, so
that it was difficult to got the
members, all together. Tho meet
ing, therefore, assumed merely an in
formal character, and discussion, relating
mostly to the chances of getting a bill
through tho House while that body is pro
ceeding without rules, was indulged in at
some length. It is understood that the
opinion was expressed that the chances
we e very precarious for the bill getting
through while the House was in its present
condition. No attempt was made to dis
cuss the uncompleted sections of the bill,
aud this work was left for a future meet
ing.
THE BILL OF NEW YORK.
Albany, N. Y., Feb. 3.—ln the Senate
this evening Mr. Cauton attempted to have
the assembly world’s fair bill taken up,
stating that the press of the state demanded
speedy action on the measure. His motion
was defeated by a party vote.
Government Bond Purchases.
Washington, Feb. 3.—The bond offer
ings to-day aggregated $140,000. All were
A CLERGYMAN GOK3 INSANE.
Hia Condition First Discovered While
in the Fuipit.
Pittsburg, Feb. 3.—Rev. S. R. Frazier,
pastor of the Second Presbyterian church
at Youngstown, 0., formerly stationed in
this city, and well known throughout the
United States for his lectures on Japan, has
suddenly become insane. On Saturday,
while ou his way to Courtland, 0., to fill a
brother minister’* pulpit, he became be
wildered at Leuvittsburg, but continue l
his journey, aud when ho ascended tho pul
pit at Courtland talk and to tho congregation
in such a rambling way t at ho was brought
home to Youngstown. From the train to
his residence he was assisted by two men.
wanted to waltz. t
When he reached the house he wanted to
waltz, and requested his (laughter to play
the piano for nim. He waltzed for a few
minutes and then fell to the floor exhausted.
The lamily aud community are greatly
shocked. His first wife was a daughter of
John A. Binghatn of Ohio, and when the
latter was appointed minister to Japan,
Rev. Mr. Frazier accompanied him as his
private secretary. His second wife is a
Pittsburg 1 idy. He was very eloquent.
Whether his affliction is temporary or per
manent is unknown.
INMAN PUT3 IN A DENIAL.
The Charges of tho Tennessee Coal
and Iron Company Answered.
New York, Feb. 3. — The answer of John
H. Inman to the action recently brought
against him by the Tennessee Coal, Iron
and Railroad Company for profits he made
when the Tennessee company bought the
Pratt Coal and Iron Company of Alabama
in 1886 was filed to-day, Mr.
Inman specifically denies all the
charges brought against him. From
his answer it appears that the Pratt pro
perty is the most valuable property owned
by the Tennessee company, and Mr. Inman
claims that he and bis associates would be
better off to-day if the sale by tlie Pratt
company of its property to the Tennessee
company had never been made. Instead
of $4,000,000 represented by the hill,
his whole profit only amounted to
$145,000. He expresses a willingness to re
scind the whole trade. It also appears that
the amount of outstanding stock of the
Tennessee company in 1888, was $3,000,000,
tho value of which at that time was only
about 5 cents on the dollar, and that the
then existing stockholders received $3,009,-
000 of increased stock. The stock is selling
to-day at 85%.
WEST MUST GO TO JAIL.
Judge Grlnnoll Refuses the News
paper Man a New Trial.
Chicago, Feb. B.—Judge GriuneU this
afternoon overruled the motion for anew
trial for James J. Wert, and imposed a
sentence upon the one-time president of the
Chicago Timet company in accordance with
the verdict, five years in tbe penitentiary
and a fine of SI,OOO. The chatge of which
th>> prisoner was convicted was fraudulent
overissue of Timet stock to the extent of
nearly $13,090.
France's Finances.
Paris, Feb. 3. — M. Bouvier has announced
that the total government revenue for 1889
was $614,200,000, aud the total expenditures
$631,100,090.
SMITH IN A STOLEN SEAT.
THE FIRST ELECTION CONTEST IN
THE HOUSE AT AN END.
The Republicans Secure the Treaence
of a Quorum of Their Own Party for
the Vote —None of tbe Democrats
Voted—Reed as Autocratic as Ever.
Washington, Feb. 3.—ln the House this
morning, the journal having been read in
extetiso at the dotnan Is of the democrats,
Mr. O'Ferrail of Virginia and Mr. McKin
ley of Ohio were upon their feet, the former
with a motion to correct the journal and
the latter with a motion to approve that
document. The speaker recognized Mr.
McKinley, but subsequently, ou Mr. O’Fer
rall’s statement that he was acting iu good
faith, recognized that member, who staled
that the journal contained no reference to
the fact that the speaker, on Saturday last,
would not allow him to rend the evidence
in the election case as part of his remarks.
The speaker said that that was exactly in
the form of tho ruling, hut that the journal
would be amended to show the fact.
Mr. McKinley then demanded the previ
ous question on his motion to approve the
journal.
The vote resulted: Yeas 101, nays 0, and
the speaker, following his precedent of
ordering, entered upon the journal the
names of a dozen democrats present and not
voting, declared the previous question or
dered.
THE MOTION DECLARED OAUItIKD.
On tho motion to approve the journal the
same practice prevailed, the democrats re
fraining from voting, and the speaker
declaring a quorum present, and tho tno
t on carried by a v >te of 158 yeas to uo nays.
Although Mr. O’Ferrail did not rise to
claim the floor the sjteaker declared that
that member was recognized to proceed to
discussion of the election case.
Mr. Crisp said that if the speaker himself
declared that the election case was taken
up, ho would raise the question of consider
ation.
The speaker said that there bad been an
understanding Saturday night that the
gentleman from Virginia had the floor.
Mr. Crisp disputed this statement, saving
that while there was an understanding ns
to what tho length of the debate should be,
there was no understanding as to when it
should lie considered.
Mr. Bynum moved to adjourn. Tbe mo
tion to adjourn was lost by a vote of 130
yeas to 157 nays, and the sfieaker declared
the question to lie on the contested election
cases. Tho usual formalities wore indulged
in, as follows:
Mr. Crisp—l raise the question of consid
eration.
The Speaker—The chair declines to enter
tain the question.
Air. Crisp—T hen I appeal.
The Speaker—And tue ohair declines to
entertain the appeal.
These formalities having been disposed of,
Mr. O’Ferrail was recognized to continue
his argument m support of the claims of tho
contostee in the Smith-Jackson election
case.
STATE OF AFFAIRS IN THE HOUSE.
After arguing the case, Mr. O’Ferrail
made an allusion to the state of affairs
with which the House found itself con
fronted. He did not beliove, he said, that
the timo had yet come, and God grant that
it might never come, when tho American
people would tolerate autocratto power,
whether wielded by the President of tho
United States at the other end of the
avenue, or by the speaker of the House of
Representatives of tho United States
at this end of the avenue.
* * * “Lot it go out,” ho said, “and let
all give ear to the declaration that neces
sity, the tyrant’s plea, was offered as the only
excuse for this unseemly, unprecedented and
unconstitutional proceeding of him who for
a brief season would preside over the de
liberations of this body. He said ‘brief
season,’ for as sure as tho souse of judgmont
still dwelt in the breast of the American
people, as sure as the citizens of this land
were still jealous of their rights and looked
with alarm ou tne slightest encroachment
upon them, just so sure would the demo
crats return to power in the Fifty-secjnd
congress, and there would be no usurper,
autocrat or dictator occupying tho speaker's
chair.’ ’’ [Applause on tho democratic side.]
A CAMP MEETING HARANGUE.
Mr. Greenhalgo of Massachusetts said
that after the diatribe of the gentleman
from Virginia it might be well to consider
the question before tho House, involving the
right of a member to his seat. He then pro
ceeded to present the claims of the con
testant, and in conclusion said that if the
voice of the people was the voice of God,
then the voice of God gave to the contestant
from tne Fourth district of West Virginia
his rightful place iu this House. [Applause
on tho republican side.]
After speeches by Messrs. Outhwaite of
Ohio, iqpx-y of lowa, and Moore of Texas,
Mr. Wilson of West Virginia, while not
addressing himself especially to considera
tion of tho election case, made an entirely
good-humored speech in criticism of the
tho recent rulings of tho speaker, which
elicited great applause and laughter as wed
from his political enemies as from his
political friends, and tho speaker could not
himself repress an occasional smile.
The question then recurred on ordering
the previous question—the adoption of the
report of the committee on elections—and it
was ordered fay a vote of 160 yeas to 0 nay .
This is the first time since the meeting of
congress that the republicans have had a
quorum voting, and the result was received
with applause. The only absentees on the
republican side were Messr>. Caswell aud
Wilber, both of whom are sick.
Four roll calls were required before the
vote came finally on seating Mr. Binith,
the contestant; but at the end he was
declared entitled to the seut by a vote of
106 yeas to 0 nays, amid republican ap
plause.
Mr. Smith appeared and took the oath of
office; whereupon Mr. (-Springer sarcasti
cally inquired whether this was the proper
time to make a motion to adjourn.
With a similar intonation of sarcasm, the
speaker replied in the affirmative, and the
House accordingly adjourned.
A LO6T SCHOONER
Part of the Crew Brought to Galves
ton, but the Captain Lost.
Galveston, Feb. 3.—The schooner Fair
wi.id arrived here late last evening, having
on board part of tbe crew of the wrecked
schooner W. W. Hungerford, which went
ashore on the breakers off Tampico Jan. 15
and went to pieces during a hurricane.
The schooner wua lying off Tantpico
bar, when she dragged anchor
and drifted down the coast. Her
foremast and mainmast were carried
away. The captain was knocked over
board and drowned. The crew jumped
from the vessel when sinking, and with the
aid of a lot of wreckage floating about,
made their way to the shore, about a mile
distant. Tbe vessel was lumber laden, and
hailed from Pearlington, Me: She wag
owned by Capt, William Eaton of Pearl
iugton, where he has a family residing.
Death of a Distiller.
Lexington, Va., Feb. a— John M. Gib
sou, founder and proprietor of the Gibson
distillery, is dead.
PARNELL COMPROMISER
The Times Pays Him £5,000 to With
draw His Suit for Libel.
London, Feb. I— The trial of the suit
for libel brought by Mr. Parnell against
the Times was to have begun to-day, but
when the case was called the counsel an
nounced that the suit had been compro
mised, the Times paying Mr. Parnell £5,000
damages. The withdrawal was also an
nounced of the acti'>n brought by Mr.
Campbell, Mr. Parnell’s private secretary,
ngainst the Times for dauinges for state
ments aifecting Mr. Campbell made by Mr.
Webster, counsel fertile Times, in bisojieu
ing speech iu the case of O’Donnell against
Mr. Walter, proprietor of t ie Times, and
for charges made against the plaintiff in an
editorial published by tbe Times, in July,
IStiS. The court room was crowded. Mr.
Parnell was present. He looked well. The
announcement of the results of the actions
caused a sensation in tu# court-room. It is
stated that the Times will pay Mr. Camp
bell £3OO damages, besides meeting ail the
costa
WHAT THE PRESS SAYS.
London, Feb. 4,3 a. m.—The Post says
on the Parnell case:
While it was not doubtful that the Times
would lose its case, yet the array of counsel
had raised li<>i>es that some extenuating cir
cumstances would lie brought out. As tiiis
course was not taken, wo are compelled to
admit that the result is a shock to public
confidence.
The News understands ttiat Mr. Parnell
will receive not only the costs
legally recoverable, but reimbursement of
the whole expense he lias incurred in the
matter. The conclusion is as satisfactory
as it is startling. The public now only
awaits a ministerial apology, the making
of which common courtesy should dictate.
The Chronicle says the acceptance of
smaller damages than a jury would have
awarded is proof of genuine moderation,
for which Mr. Parnell is entitled to credit.
The Telegraph says it is impossible not to
condemn the negligence of the Times iu
becoming the dupe of a disreputable rascal.
The settlement is satisfactory, and should
be token to heart by both parties, and the
coming session might afford dignified dis
cussion of tho groat question without
descending to personalities.
The Daily News states that tho Parnell
case was settled .Saturday, and that tuo
counsel for the Times suggested tho oourse
which was adopted.
WHAT THE TIMES SAYS.
The Times says upon the case: “After
our withdrawal of the letters it was clear
we had no legal defense: therefore no alter
native was open to us but to coma to terms
or abide the verdict of a jury. As we bad
at the outset challenged such action, we
cannot complain at being taken at our
word. Tbe result, however, in no way
affects the larger question. It is most de
sirable that the parliamentary commisdon
should report, aud whea its report is pre
sented, it is equally desirable that It may
be placed in the hinds of the public with
the least possible delay."
FRANOO-QBKMAN RELATIONS.
Why France Has Not Accepted the
Result of the War as Final.
Berlin, Feb. 3. —Tho National Zeitung
gives a good deal of attention to a pamphlet
upon the relations of France and Germany,
and in the course of its comments says:
Germany’s relation to Austria after the
battle of Sadowa was entirely different
from her relation to France after the battlo
of Medan. Forbearance with Austria was
jiossible and wise, for victory had settled
definitely at least a long dispute, and
Austria showed herself inclined to
accept the result. Forbearance with
Franco would, on the contrary, have been
useless, for France did not perceive and
w uld not recognize the difference that
the union of Germany had made in Europe.
For centuries Germany, parceled into
small states, had been tho victim of the
attacks of her Gallic neighbors, and, ac
customed to easy victory over feeble ene
mies, France regarded the results of the
great change only as the accident
of a campaign. It is probable
that in coming centuries also the only
remedy against Gallic assaults will bo for
Germany to keep her military force at such
a point that that a! ne may always guaran
tee safety for the country. The question of
the protection of Berlin is not so important
as that of guarding Southern Germany
against invasion.
BISMARCK’S RESIGNATION.
How the National Zeltung Accounts
for the Chancellor’s Action.
Berlin, Feb. 3.— Tho National Zeitung
explains as follows the action of Prince
Bismarck in resigning the post of minister
of commerce. Tho prinoe, it says, has for
years felt the growing necessity of restrict
ing the sphere of his activity. Recently,
on account of strike! aud various difficul
ties related to the cause of strikes, the du
ties connected with the ministry hod be
come excessive and burdensome, aud the
prince did not feel himself equal to the
work of that department. He there
fore recommended that the emperor
should appoint, to the post llaron Von
Burlepsch. For the same reason he also de ;
sires toe appointment of a minister of the
colonies, but he finds it at present impracti
cable to form an independent colonial office.
BULLETS FLY AT SOCIALISTS.
German Police Make It Hot for the
Overflow from a Meeting.
Berlin, Feb. 3.— During a socialist
electoral meeting at Staasafut, while
Deputy Heine was s eaking, an overflow
from the meeting collided with the police
and a free fight followed. Knives and
stones wore used. Tho police fired with
blank cartridge > without effect, and then
used ball cartridges. Four were wounded,
one woman was killed, and several police
men were stabbed.
ENGLAND AND PORTUGAL.
The Czar Booking Fuller Information
Concerning the Dispute.
London, Feb. 3.—The Vienuucorrespond
ent of the Times says that the czar has
summoned to St. Petersburg Baron do Staal,
the Russian ambassador in London, to re
port upon the Anglo-Portugueso dispute.
The Portuguese consul in the Transvaal
has published a proclamation declaring
Portugal’s absolute sovereignity over
Northeast Mnshoualand.
Dissension in France's Cabinet.
Paris, Feb. B.—There is a little dissension
in the cabinet. M. Tbevent wants to prose
cute tbe bankers who engineered the col
lapse of tbe Socie e des Metaux and
Comptere d’Esoouipt, but M. Rouviere
thinks It best not to prosecute, for toe
bankers will take revenge by cornering the
state securities.
A Cretan Firman.
London, Feb. 3.—The Standard's cor
respondent at Constantinople says the Brit
ish minister at Athens has sent a protest to
the port* against tho Cretan firman, inti
mating that the powers are disposed to in
terfere.
I DAILY, $lO A YEAR. 1
- - 5 CENTS A COPY. V
( WEEKLY. 1.25 A YEAR. )
OHIO’S BALLOT-BOX HOW.
THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE
HOUSE RECONVENES.
Republican Grosvenor Takas Ud Ed
itor Halstead’s Criticisms on tha
Committee's Proceedings—Foraker’a
Excuse for Producing No Witnesses—
Gov. Campbell Shows That He Had
No Interest in the Scheme.
Washington, Feb. 3.—After a race a of
two weeks, the special House committee in
vestigating the Ohio ballot box forgery
assembled again this morning to continue
its inquiry. Representative Grevenor
opened with a statement that since tbe ad
journment the committee aud himself had
been unpleasantly criticised by the Com
mercial Gazette because of the conduct of
the investigation, and because certain wit
nesses had not been cross-examined, and
because Gov. Foraker bad been deprived of
cross-examination.
Gov. Foraker interrupted to deny that he
had had anything to do with the criticism.
“I should hope not,’’ said Mr. Grosvenor;
“you are a lawyer.”
Continuing, be asked the committee to in
sist upon the regular order of examination
and cross-examination, so that the public
would understand that ho was not to be ex
pected to cross-examine his own witnesses.
The chairman said he did not core what
criticisms were passed upon the committee,
and he did not propose to allow newspaper
editorials to influence his judgment.
vokakkk’h slim excuse.
Gov. Foraker said ho bad produced no
witnesses hero. This was an effort on tho
part of tho c mimittee to get at the truth,
and he had aided the committee, at its re
quest. in getting witnesses. If this was to
tie an adversary pr eceding, ho wished to
know it at onoe. He had seen an editorial
in which Mr. Hals sad criticised him for
not or as-examining Wood. But Wood had
so utterly destroyed the value of his own
testimony that there was no necessity, to
his mind, for cross-examination.
Mr. Grosvonor said he represented no
adversary proceedings, and did not propose,
by newspaper sneers, to bo drivou into the
attitude or a prosecuting attorney. His
clieuta suffered from tho public belief that
there was mother ballot-box contract, and
ho was called upon to bring out tbe facts,
and not to be criticised for treating a wit
ness so gingerly.
WOOD WAS CROSS-EXAMINED.
Mr. Turner, a mem tier of th committee,
said that the committee had called Wood
and had cross-examined him; he (Turner)
had taken part in it.
Mr. Cogswell said the committee should
ignore newspaper gossip and carry out tho
order of the House, nothing more or loss,
and the committee assented to this view.
Representative Butterworth, who was
awuiting an examination, said that there
was nut a scintilla of truth in the statements
that tha persons mentioned iu the forgery
wore afraid to go to the bottom of this cnee.
The committee would realize the effect, of
having it said daily that they were palling
the coat-tails of members of tho committee,
saying: “Bo careful."
Mr. Wilson, a member of “the committee,
replied that it would appear from the
record that the committee had folly cross
examined Mr. McKinley and Wood.
Representative Whiting of Michigan was
put on the stand, and denied the genuine
nosi of his signature to the ballot-box con
tract. His testimony, and that of three or
four witnesses who succeeded turn on the
stand, was further damaging to Wood.
THE CAMPBELLS ARB COMING.
Gov. Campbell of Ohio then took the
stand. The chairman handed him tho
forged papers, aud ho declared be had
never seen the paper until that minute;
that he had never signed it, and never
signed his name as it appeared on the
paper. He always wrote his'name in full—
" James E. Campbell.” When he sent a
short note he occasionally signed "J. E. C.”
The newspaper accounts of now Wood got
the signatures did not account for his signa
ture; but after he heard Wood’s
statement that he had gotten hold of a letter
signed “J. E. C„” he made up bis mind
that Wood used the initials and filled in tbs
name in making the forgery. The wit less
was shown the contract head, aud said he
had never seen it before, but had soon it
published several hundred thousand times
In newspapers. He never was interested in
ballot-boxes or in any contract bearing
upon them.
WHY HE INTRODUCED THE BILL.
He had introduced the ballot box bill at
the request of T. C. Campbell, and be
lieved that that gentleman spoke to itepre
seutative Grosvenor about it. He remem
bered nothing now about the bill. T. C.
Campbell brought one of tho ballot boxes
to Washington before July, 1833, and
brought it to the witness’house; it might
lie in the ba emeut of the House yet. Mr.
Campbell said that the elections committee
was going to deal with the subj >ct of the
ballot box, and ho wanted to get his box
before them. He had spoken, be said, to
Mr. Grosvenor, and now came to him, as a
democratic introduction would give tho bill
a better standing. After the adjournment
the witness asked Mr. Campbell why be
had not looked after bis bill, and he had
replied that the committee was not going
into the subject, and they were also im
proving tbe box, which they hoped to bring
before the next House.
A DENIAL FROM M’LBAN.
The witnesi was ab >ut to make a speech
in Cincinnati oa Oct. 4, and having seen
intimations in tho Commercial Gazette.'
that himself and Mr. McLean had bean
involved in some ballot-box trust
which would not be a good thing
for an anti-monopoly candi
date, he tolgraphed Mr. McLiean
aud received an absolute denial of any
knowledge of such a transaction ; and that
was tho last he iiad bad to say to Mr. Mc-
Lean on the subject. J ust before the opera
house speech a Cincinnati Post reporter
showed tbe witness a card from Mr. Hal
stead reflecting upon him, and he bail
replied: “Halstead is a liar; aad if be oan
prove anythlug of that kind 1 will get off
the democratic ticket." At Germantown,
the witness saw the publication in
the Post , and also beard that Gov.
Foraker had charged him with
complicity in a bill having a $1,000,000 fee
in it. lie was pretty warm, and ordered
suit to be brought against the Post, and
also spoke as he did in the heat of the mo
ment at Germantown. The witness hera
road editorials from the Commercial*
Gazette, and the published account of big
Germantown speech denouncing the state
ments made as lies.
The committee here adjourned.
lowa's Legislative Deadlock.
Des Moines, la.. Feb. 3.— ln the House
this afternoon voting for permanent speaker
began with the forty-ninth ballot, which
resulted: Hamilton 80, Wilson 30. Aftev
taking eleveu ballots, the House adjourned
until to-morrow.
A German Meeting Prohibited.
Frankfort, Feb. B.—The police have
prohibited a meeting of Germau liberals an
nounced to be held here, and at which Hen
Richter was to speak.
