Newspaper Page Text
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FIRE COMMISSIONS REPORT.
HARMONY with CITY COl M 11. di:-
SIIiED in THE DEPARTMENT.
ChanKfß Made lit Method of Promo
tion—Reference Made to Trinl of
Chief Maguire anil Ilia Acquittal.
Comntiaaion Doea Not Approve
CouneiPa Action In ChnrttlnK De
partment With Evpenae of Improv
ing: Engine Station No. — — Report
Goes* to Mayor Meldrlm To-mor
row,
The Fire Commission's report for tie
Past year will be handed Mayor Meldrlm
to-morrow, with the report of Fire f'l • f
Maguire, the substance of which has 1> < n
given In the Morning News. The repo t
Is rather voluminous.
Owing to the differences between the
City Council and the commission, it has
been expected the report would include
some salty allusions. While r. feren .• is
wade to the trouble which existed, it is not
such as would stimulate further discord,
or impair the harmony partially restored
The object, however, seems more to re
view the trouble with the idea of showing
the harm that unpleasant relations brinr
to the service and the importance of
guarding against future discord.
The commission's report comes largely
front that of Fire Chief Maguire, win h
took up matters of detail concerning the
fire department and Its conduct for the
past year. Considerable of the first part
of the commission’s report, therefore, con
sists of a resume of that of Chief Ma
guire, the substances of which appears In
generalis'd statements. The comments
contained throughout the report at once
disclose the satisfaction the commission
feel in the work of the department and the
Wanner in which fires have been handled
during the past twelve months. The dis
cipline among the men ahd the care which
has been given the stock, is among the
Watters to which the commission express
•special pleasure.
The supernumerary force has been abol-
Ished, and the cadet force substituted.
The services of eight supernumeraries
were dispensed with in making ibis
change, and the cadets occupy the s. me
positions as regular firemen. These cadets
are divided Into two classes, four of whom
receive S4O per month and the other feur
receive $35 per month. Appointments in
the regular force are made from the first
class of cadets, and these vacancies ore
then filled by promoting men in the second
Class. Promotions are made by recom
mendation of the foreman under whom the
cadet serves, subject, however, to the ap
proval of the chief. It is asserted in tiie
report that this change has made It pos
sible to secure the most efficient men for
the department by making merit the sole
standard of appointment and promotion
In the service.
Reference is next made to the chief’s re
port and to the fire loss for the year,
as compared with that of previous years.
The commission speaks highly of the serv
ices of the chief in the work he has dor-e
to promote the efficiency of the depart
ment by the selection of good men aid
the constant attention he has given to
his duties. The notable tires handled dur
ing the year are spoken of and reference
made to the damage sustained in each
case.
Following this appears a detailed reiter
ation of the charges against Chief Ma
guire and the result of the investigation
■which led to his complete vin
dication with regard to all the charges.
All correspondence passed between Conn
cil and the commission is given and the
action of the commission noted. The trial
of the chief required eight afternoons and
consisted of a close review of the chief’s
conduct during the time it was alleged he
was drunk, had proven incompetent, and
other things with which all are familiar.
In the investigation the chief was ably
represented by Mr. A. A. Lawrence and
the city by Mr. S. If. Adams.
“Before concluding,” the reiiort says,
“we feel it due ourselves to at least men
tion the lack of harmony that has ap
parently existed between Council and this
board. The numerous discourtesies shown
the commission during the past twelve
months, all of which must affect and ini
pair the efficiency and discipline of the
service, have been entirely unwarranted.
We have endeavored In every way to
faithfully perform our duties, and regret
that Council, whether intentional or not.
has seen fit to put so many obstacles In
our way, the result of which has been
’ the retarding of much needed improve
ments and causing you, as well as our
eelves, considerable unnecessary work and
expense.
The commission is not pleased with the
recent action of Council in charging the de
partment for the money expended in com
peting Station, No. 2, instead of charging
same to a special appropriation for “public
property." In regard to Council’s action in
this regard the report says:
“Entrusted, as we are, with the care of
an important municipal service we think
we are worthy at least of proper and due
consideration when we desire to be heard
from, and it is with considerable regret
that we note the recent action of Council
in the matter of charges for completing
new station No. 2. Prior to the election of
the present board of aldermen, this mat
ter had been properly and amicably ad
justed, it being understood that the first
Installment of the purchase money
should be paid from special appropriation
entitled "Public Property,’ ’and that all
subsequent expenditures, in the comple
tion of Fire Station No. 2, should be
charged to the same account.
"The appropriation of $5,000 for public
property was made for the specific inirpose
of defraying the expenses incidental to tlto
purchase of Colonial Park and station No.
2 of the Savannah fire department, ami
In support of this assertion we beg to quote
the following extract from a letter from
Col. William Garrard, who was chairman
of the finance committee under the former
administration. This letter Is dated June
19, 1897, and says among other things, "Up
to the time of the reception of your let
ter, I had not been approached by any
member of the present board of aldermen
on this subject; though when 1 went out
of office, I wrote a letter to Mr. Hamilton,
chairman of the committee on finance, of
fering to give any information in my pow
er at any time in regard to the city’s af
fairs, which might be of use to the mu
nicipal government. Some time ago I was
telephoned by Mr. Bailey, clerk of Coun
cil, who asked me what this $5,000 item
meant, and I answered substantially as I
have written above.”
The statement as referred to nhove by
Col. Garrard reads as follows: "As to the
Item in Savannah budget of this vtar of
$5,000 public property, the same was In
tended to cover property acquired by tlie
city other than streets. The finance com
mittee and the board of aldermen hod in
View a portion of this purchase money to
be paid on Colonial Park, a portion of the
purchase money to be paid on the Tynan
property, for a fire engine house, and also
money to be expended upon the latter in
a way of fitting it up for tin city’s uses."
This property was remodeled by author
ity of the former Council, under the (ii
rection of a epedal committee, consisting
of the fire committee of Council .and the
Board of Fire Commission. This commute'
met by appointment, and by resolution
-appointed a stib-commlttee to take up the
©f thia work. J. J. Cardan, Esq.,
airman of the fire committee, and W.
I. Grayson, Esq., chairman of Fire Com
i c-sion, were appointed for this purpose.
Fir Chief Alaguire was directed to tu
i ■ nntend the work. Some time after
clalph M. la-filer. Esq., succeeded Mr.
c.i rolan as chairman of the fire commit
and under the direction of Messrs.
I-’ tiler and Grayson this work was prv.c
--n illy completed. Mr. R. M. Hull, who
. t-ded Mr. Leffler, assumed, with Mr.
Grayson, the actual completion of station
No. 2.
’ It may seem, from the information you
are had, that the position taken by your
> ommktee and yourselves, was entirely
: -roper, but when Mr. Grayson, by direc
tion of this board, asked for an audience
b- fore your committee on accounts to
which this matter was referred, with a
vi* w of explaining why this expense
, u!d have been charged to public prop
> rtv, in all justice and fairness he should
have been accorded at least a hearing. We
varet that the charges made by you,
:n, h we cannot approve, will show on
the booas of the City Treasurer that thi3
hoar! fits exceeded the appropriation au
thoriz'd hv Council, which is a violation
of the laws, and which Is entirely incor
r t. there being a large amount to our
credit.
"We have endeavored In every way to
encourage a friendly feeling on the part of
■ ity Council,” the report continues," with
a view of encouraging discipline among
. ur subordinates, and promoting the wel
fare of our home and our people. We
are anxious that the public generally
should become possessed of a feeling of
security in the protection which this de
partment should afford them, and we sin
cerely trust that, during the coming year,
more harmony will exist and less discour
tesies will be shown toward this board by
Council. We have respectfully and earn
estly asked for the passage of certain
ordinances, which, If enacted, will mate
rially reduce the fire loss, and we trust
that In 1898 Council will be pleased to ac
cept our recomemndations and sugges
tions with more consideration than it has
so n fit to accord them In the past.
‘ This department is one of public safety,
which deserves the support of every law
abiding citizen, and we hope that, for the
best interest of the public at large, Coun
cil will in future bear this in mind. The
present condition of affairs, if continued,
will destroy the efficiency, demoralize and
disrupt an organization which we have so
earnestly endeavored to perfect.
"The recent reduction in the appropria
tion for the year 1898 has compelled us to
reduce the force for the coming year. This
is a very disagreeable duly for us to
perform, but tne law compels us to oper
uie for the amount authorized by Council.
“The services of this department for the
past year have been extremely satisfac
tory, and we regret that Council has seen
fit to practically demand that we decrease
the efficiency of the force by a reduction
made necessary by a decrease in the ap
propriation. We will endeavor to the best
of our ability to conduct the department
with I lie money given us, and have re
duced the force to an extent barely suffi
cient to meet the reduction in our means.
In all probability we will be compelled
to make a further reduction.”
WORK OF •CHARITY GOES ON.
Relief Association/Caret* for n Cu
ba u Family In Distress.
Since Jan. 1 the progress of the Char
itable Association has been entirely sat
isfactory to the executive board and It
is now moving with regularity. Contri
butions are made freely hnd the success
of the association is assured.
Relief Agent Mr. Wakelee is going slow
with the work, because he desires to fa
miliarize himself with the proper methods
and believes careless donations would be
equivalent to squandering the money.
There ,1s a Cuban family In the city
who have sought assistance from the as
sociation. They came to Savannah from
the North and are attempting to make
their way to Florida and then back to
the island. Attention has been shown
them by some of the King's Daughters,
as well as by Mr. Wakelee, and an attempt
will be made to get them railroad trans
portation. It is not probable any arrange
ment will he made for some days, during
which they will receive attention from
different quarters. The family cannot
speak English.
LOCAL PERSONAL.
Mr. H. A. Ford of Oeala,. Fla., Is at the
De Soto,
Mr. J. R. Cohen of Tallahassee, Fla., Is
a guest at the De Soto.
Mr. Gustave Eckstein of Gustave Eck
stein & Cos. Is registered at the De Soto.
Mr. VV. P. Brewer, tax collector of Lib
erty county, was over yesterday from
h!s home, at Hinesvllle.
Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Richmond and Mr,
E. D. Richmond of Chattanooga, Tenn.,
are registered at the De Soto.
Mr. and Mrs. D. Goldstein of Columbia,
S. C., are in the city, the guests of Mrs.
H. Cohen, No. 315 Pries street.
Dr. and Mrs. J. B. Read and Miss Ward
will leave Tuesday for Green Cove Springs,
Fla., if Dr. Reed is able to travel.
Mrs. Annie Burns and her little nephew.
Joseph C. McCarthy, left yesterday to visit
her niece, Mrs. John R. Crowley, of Tal
lahassee, Fla.
Mr. and Mrs. M. H. Raw of No. 119 West
Gordon street, entertained a party of lit
tle folks In honor of their son, St. Pierre's,
fifth birthday last week. Those present
were: Hazel Lemcke, Mary Weihrs, Bes
sie May Exley, Lueile Ex ley, Grade Rice,
Josie Dorlly, Willie Lou Cochram, Selma
Slurnshine, Eddie Carswell. Jake Bel
slnger, Tilton Brom, Sol Sheftall, Harry
Persse, Harry Exley, Joe Sternberg, How
ard Sternberg, Adolph Appel, Charles
Wakefield, Jr,, DeW'itt Jordon. Angalio
Maybaun, Julia Carswell. The evening
was pleasantly spent with games and re
freshments.
Among the visitors in town yesterday
was Mr. It. R. Bren of New York. Mr.
Bren is still remembered by his friends
of tw<Aity years ago, when lie was one of
the best-known citizens of Savannah. He
was tfie pioneer “down town” railroad
ticket agent in this city, and one of those
who was always Inaugurating some
scheme to push the town along. It wis
under his auspices and those of our pres
ent postmaster, Mr. Haines, that the fam
ous "spelling bees” at Isle of Hope, were
gotten up, ami it was also his enterprise
that transformed the Masonic Temple into
a theater: the remains of Ills work are still
to be seen in the stage, scenery, dressing
rooms and sounding boards. Like his
compeers of the early years after the war,
Mr. Bren is not as young as he was, but
time has dealt very gently with him.
CITY BREVITIES.
Policeman Jarreil loaded the patrol wag.
on with a gang of negroes last night, ar
rested for raising a disturbance on Mont
gomery street. Someone touched the
button and a fight was about to follow,
when the officer arrived.
Policeman Umbach arrested Eddie
Thomas, a 9-year-old negro, last night,
charged with taking a wagon from the
ast end of the market house, where It
was left by the owner. The matter was
reported to the officer and the lad caught
Bhortly afterward.
Sam Frazier (colored), charged with
having recently assaulted Tom Jones In a
saloon on Bryan street, was arraigned
tiefore Justice Nathans yesterday. Fra
zier was captured and allowed to go on
condition he* returned to the justice's of
ficer This lie failed to do and was, there
fore, rearrested.
THE MORNING NEWS: SUNDAY, JANUARY 23, 1898.
COMPANY DENIES LIABILITY.
S.. F. AND w. ATTORNEYS SAY P. S.
R. AND H. D. PAYS ALL DAMAGES.
What the Savannah, Florida anti
Western Answers to the Annie L.
Finney Suit for $23,000 I'lnintilT's
Husband, Engineer Finney, Died
From Injuries—He Was a Member
of the Relief Department—Receiv
ed Benefits and Attorneys Say He
Then llelrnseil the Company From
Further Liability—Conduct of the
Department—Other Suits in South
Carolina anil Florida.
The answer to the suit for $25,000 brought
in the City Court against the Savannah,
Florida and Western Railway Company
by Mrs. Annie L. Finney, shows some in
teresting facts with regard to the method
in which the relief and hospital depart
ment of the Plant System is conducted
and the claims of the railroad as to the
extent of its liability in case of accident
by which a member of the department
may lose his life or sustain serious inju
ries. It is held that membership in the
department relieves the company from
any suit of damages beyond the benefits
that would naturally follow through mem
bership.
It is not at all Improbable that the legal
ity of the hospital and relief department
may be tested by this case. The plaintiff's
attorneys, Messrs Barrow and Osborne,
will have to overcome the fact of the en
gineer, R. H. Finney, having accepted ben
efits from the department before his death
resulted from the accident that occurred
last February in Florida. The suit, ac
cording to statements, will turn upon this
question of the right of a company to
establish such an insurance feature in
connection with its business and run no
further liability in care of fatalities than
Its rules prescribe.
The railroad company says that
at the time Engineer Finney
received injuries in the ac
cident and at the time of his death he
was a member of the relief and hospital
department, the object of which is the es
tablishment and management of a fund
for the payment of definite amounts and
dispensing medical and surgical attend
ance to employes contributing to the
fund, who, under the regulations of the de
partment. shall be entitled thereto when
disabled by accident or sickness, and for
the payment of death benefits to theit
families.
The fund consists of contributions of em
ployes of the Savannah, Florida and West
ern and other companies constituting the
Plant System; contributions from the sev
eral companies themselves; the Income de
rived from investments, and appropria
tions made by the companies in order to
make up any deficit that may arise.
The answer says that the several com
panies constituting the Plant system have
assumed general charge of the relief ,-.nd
hospital department, guarantee the ful
fillment of its obligations and are the cus
todians of its funds, with full responsi
bility therefor. These companies contrib
ute to the fund, the Savannah, Florida
and Western to the extent of $12,000 per
annum, payable In monthly installments
of SI,OOO each. The membership in the re
lief and hospital department is limited to
employes of the companies constituting
the Plant system, and no person can be
come a member who Is not at the time of
his application for membership an em
ploye of one of the companies constitut
ing the Plant system.
The railroad company goes on to say, in
answer, that Engineer Finney submitted
his application for membership in the de
partment in due and proper form. It is
claimed that in this application he agreed
and consented to be bound by all regula
tions of the department in force, and that
might have been thereafter adopted. The
defendant says that when the application
was accepted by the superintendent and
chief surgeon of the department it would
constitute a contract between the engineer
and the companies of the Plant system,
and that, in consideration of the contri
butions of the companies to the fund, and
of their guarantees and the payment of
the benefits to which he would be entitled
in case of death or injury, should operate
as a release of all claims against the com
panies for damages, by reason of such
Injury or death, which could be made by
or through him.
The railroad company says that the reg
ulations of the department provide that
in the event of disability or death from
accidental injuries the benefits promised
shall not be payable or paid until a satis
factory release shall be filed releasing the
defendant or any of the other companies
from all claims for damages by reason of
the injury or death. The defendant says
the plaintiff has been paid benefits that
were due her upon the death of her hus
band and that her receipt for them and
her release of the company from all furth
er liability was duly executed and de
livered. It is claimed that the plaintiff,
when she received the benefits, elected
then and there to accept them in full dis
charge of any liability on the part of the
part of the company, and that she cannot
now claim further damages.
Two suits have already been brought
against the system in the same way. One
is still pending in Florida, while the other
has Just been decided in Charleston, in
favor of the defendant. It is said the
South Carolina case will be appealed.
Burpee's Farm Annual, 181)8, \V. Al
ice Burpee A Philadelphia.
This welcome harbinger of spring
comes to us as replete with
good things, horticulturally, fully
as interesting as any of Its predecessors,
and as fascinating to flower and plant lov
ers as ever. It is a handsome book of 144
pages, and "tells the truth about seeds.”
Among the novelties offered this year,
which is a prolific one in that respect, are:
In vegetables, besides the long-keeping
Australian brown onion, Introduced last
year, there are enumerated three new to
matoes, each of distinct character and
real merit; the Golden Eagle melon, a
new pepper from Japan, anew American
lettuce, and, for the first time, the won
derful extra early wrinkled Gradus pea
at a moderate price. In flowers, besides
Burpee’s Pink Cupid, which Is sold in
original scaled packets by all loading
seedsmen In the world, eight other new
sweet peas, which can be had only direct
from the firm. Among other exclusive
novelties are the White Defiance Balsam,
the giant-flowered Sunlight and Moonlight
Nasturtiums, and th*e beautiful new Pres
ident McKinley Pansy, as of surpassing
merit. In plants, besides the usual novel,
ties, there are the New Dwarf Gloriosa
Ganna, and the wonderful free-flowering
Burbank Rose—the best of seventy-five
thousand seedlings raised by the world
famous "Wizard of Horticulture.” A
very beautiful plate of six new sweet peas
offered by this firm Is a feature of the an
nual, as is the cover illustration of the
same flower.
—Brooklyn can boast of female barbers,
female railroad agents, a woman embalm
er, three female dry goods merchants, a
dozen skirted restaurant keepers, a bevy
of pretty foot ball players, n feminine gold
curist and several feminine real estate
plungers. To these have Just been added
a dozen blacksmiths in petilcoats. These
fair disciples of Vulcan can make the
sparks fly In the high school for manual
training. They work in bloomers and n
long leather apron and arc turning out
aome dainty forgings, ,
COl NTY JAIL'S NEW TOWER.
\\ ill Re Handsomer Than the One
Destroyed.
Pids have been called* for by the County
Commissioners for the erection of a tower
to the Jail. The new lower will replace
the one destroyed by the storm of 1893,
but will be much handsomer. Plans have
been prepared by Eichberg & Wlteover.
architects, and can be seen by intending
bidders at the office of the firm.
The plans call for the removing of the
ragged edge of the old tower, which stiii
stands at the southeast corner of the jail,
to a level line, from which base the new
tower will be built up. The hlgbt of the
tower from this base will be fifty feet
and the total hight from the ground 100
fe?t. The tower will be of brick and terra
cotta, with ornamental iron balconies sur
mounting the clock panels at the base.
The style is Venetian-Gothic, the shaft
of the tower being circular, with a six
teen-sldod convexing roof. Over each bal
cony will rise a tall, slender window,
crowned with an arch tapering through
the cornice and finishing at the roof line
in filiated finals. The brick work of the
tower will be rough castcd to conform to
the appearance of the main building.
The design Is a handsome one, and the
new tower will add greatly to the ap
pearance of the jail.
CITY LICENSE FEES DIE.
A Week Mure on Which to Secure a
Discount.
City Treasurer Hardee wants the tax
payers to understand that they have only
one week more in which to secure licenses,
and badges and obtain the discount al
lowed for prompt payment. Taxes have
come in fairly well this month, but there
are still a number who have failed to se
cure their licenses and badges. ‘Pay up
now and avoid the rush’ is the advice,
which Maj. Hardee gives the license tax
payers.
The penalty provided for persons failing
to take out license or badge will be strictly
enforced in all cases this year. Those who
desire to avoid the penalty should secure
their licenses and badges this week.
IN THE RAILROAD WORLD.
Mailers of Interest In Savannah nnl
Elsewhere.
The track forces of the northern divis
ion of the Florida Central and Peninsular
Railroad are busied now in filling in the
long trestles Just this side of Garnett, S.
C. These trestles were originally con
structed as a means of getting over the
low ground east of the Savannah river.
One of them is, or was, before the filling
was commenced, over two and a quarter
miles in length. This distance has now
been reduced about one-half by the fill
ing, while more yet remains to be done.
The filled sections are not continuous for
any great length, being not more than a
quarter of a mile at the most at any place.
Culverts of great width are left at in
tervals for the purpose of permitting the
waters, when the land Is overflown, free
and unrestrained passage. In addition to
these culverts, pipes of large size have
been laid under the fills, so that additional
outlets may be secured for the water. The
markings of high waters on. the trees and
piles of the trestles show that the river
gets on a tremendous boom at times, and
that wide openings must be necessary in
order to allow the water to pass. Suit
has been entered against the company by
property owners near Garnett for alleged
damages through the filling in of the tres
tles. It is claimed that the overflow of
the river’s banks is forced upon the prop
erty of the plaintlft’3 by its not finding its
former unrestrained passage under the
trestles. The outcome of the case is be
ing awaited with interest. The engineers
of the road consider that every precaution
has been taken for the prevention of any
damages to surrounding property, on ac
count of the trestles being filled in.
Among the out-of-town railroad men
who spent yesterday in the city was Mr.
W. H. Pleasants, general passenger agent,
with office at Jacksonville, of the Florida
Central and Peninsular Railroad.
Mr. J. F. Gray, superintendent of the
Millen and Southwestern, formerly, before
reorganization, the Millen and Southern,
was down yesterday from Millen.
The story from Atlanta of the contem
plated removal of the Central Railroad
shops from Macon to Hapeville, near At
lanta, has not met with very much cie
denee. From the first, the story was not
looked upon as having much the appear
ance of the course events are to take. The
Macon papers say that no one there seem
ed to believo that the rumor would be
substantiated. The Macon News came out
in an interview with General Superintend
ent T. D. Kline, who was in that city,
in which he said that the officials were
not contemplating such a removal, ar.d
that the story is contradicted in the fact
of the shops at Macon now being in course
of reconstruction. Soon after the fire
there a few months ago, in which the
shops were destroyed, the road began to
rebuild, and it is said that in some six
months the work will be complete, and
that the shops will be in a better equip
ped condition than they were before.
Vice President Egan of the Central rail
road, who has been in New York for the
past week on business, is expected to
return to-morrow.
The congressional committee on rivers
and harbors passed through early this
morning by the Plant system. Col. B.
,\V. Wrenn, passenger traffic (manager of
the system, is accompanying the party
In which there are some thirty-five per
sons. They are the members of the com
mittee with members of their families.
The party goes on through to Tampa. Two
private Pullman cars are being used.
The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe
is the first road to adopt on an extended
scale the method of lighting trains by
generating electricity from the revolutions
of tho car axle. This mode of lighting
presents several valuable features, chief
among which is the fact that the cars
ore always well lighted and the current
can be regulated so as to make the light
from any particular lamp either full,
moderate or very dim. This is advanta
geous on long night runs where it is de
sirable to have most of the lights turned
down low. All the regular coaches, chair
cars and dining cars are being rapidly
equipped, and this light will soon be in
use on all the through trains on the main
line.
Colorcil Odd Follows’ Exercises.
Memorial services will be held this after
noon at 4 o’clock by Myrtle Lodge, No.
1663, G. U. O. of Q. F., at Odd Fellows
Hall on Duffy street. The services will
be conducted by Bishop M. B. Salter. A
special programme has been arranged by
T. W. Reed, chairman of the committee.
New Drainage Committee.
At a meeting of the drainage committee
yesterday afternoon. Alderman W.
Smith -Wfts added to the committee by
Mayor Mcldrlm. The committee now
consists of Alderman VV. W. Owens, chair
man; T. J. Davis and J. VV. Smith.
BAILEY COMES OUT THE BEST.
QIOTES THE RECORD TO PROVE
CZAR HEED WRONG.
Mr. Hitt’* Speech in the Cuban De
bate Wound Ip With the Statement
That a lea nn*l Nay Vote Should
He Taken a* Claimed by the Texan
in III* Colloquy With the Spenkcr.
The Day in the House Devoted to
Odds and Ends.
Washington, Jan. 22.—1n the House to
day some odds and ends were cleaned up
by unanimous consent.
Mr. Hitt of the finance committee re
ported back a privileged report from his
committee recommending the passage of
an Inquiry requesting the state depart
ment, if not incompatible with public in
terest, to transmit to the public all infor
mation it may possess relative to the
execution of Col. Ruiz, a Spanish envoy,
in the Insurgent camp of Gen. Arranguez.
The resolution was adopted without divis
ion.
Mr. Hitt also reported back with an un
favorable recommendation the Lewis res
olution calling on the state department
for a drait of the Hawaiian annexation
treaty and for information as to what con
stitutional right the President had to pay
the Hawaiian debt of $4,000,000 out of the
treasury.
Mr. Hitt said that the resolution had
been offered at the last session and as the
treaty had been made public there Was
no necessity for its passage.
Mr. Bailey, Dem., of Texas, thought that
the latter part of the resolution broached
a question of importance, and one that
could be inquired into with propriety. Mr.
Hitt cut off further debate with a demand
for the previous question. The demand was
sustained.
Mr. Dinsmore, Dem., of Arkansas, the
senior minority member of the foreign af
fairs committee, stated that the report of
the committee was unanimous, and it ap
peared to them that the main purpose of
the resolution was to procure a copy of the
treaty, which had already been printed.
He would vote to sustain the committee.
Mr. Bailey declared that he was unwil
ling to vote to lay on the table a reso
lution which sought to ascertain the Presi
dent’s authority for contracting to pay
out $4,000,000 of the public funds.
The resolution was laid on the table
-124 to 105.
Mr. Alexander, Rep., of New York, se
cured the passage of a bill to suspend the
federal laws against the sale of spirituous
liquors to Indians, so far as they relate
to the Indians of New York state, and
substitute therefore the laws of the state.
He explained that the purpose of the bill
was to break up the practice by which
for years Indians had conspired to ob
tain witness fees and mileage to Albany,
where they were tried for such offenses.
At this point Mr. Bailey, the Democratic
leader, created something of a flurry by
rising to a question of personal privilege
in connection with his controversy with
Speaker Reed at the close of the Cuban
debate last Thursday.
Mr. Bailey said an examination of the
record showed that there was an agree
ment that a yea and nay vote should be
taken on the motion to recommit, so ex
plicit and distinct, that he felt it his duty
to call it to the attention of the country.
The speaker read at length the long col
loquy that took place between Mr. Will
iams, Dem., of Mississippi, Mr. Hitt, and
others, as to the close of the Cuban debate.
When he finished by quoting Mr. Hitt’s
last remarks, “and it is understood, Mr.
Chairman, that at 4'o’cloek to-morrow
there shall be but one yea and nay vote,
that on the motion to recommit,” the
Democrats broke forth in applause. “That
was precisely my statement,” continued
Mr. Bailey. “I don’t desire to impute mo
tives other than honorable ones to anyone,
for 4 am slow to charge falsehood or un
fair dealing, but I do affirm that there has
been either a misunderstanding or a mis
statement.”
A lengthy colloquy ensued on the parlia.
mentary points Involved in the disputed
question and at its conclusion the House
went into committee of the whole on the
Indian bill, with the understanding that
general debate should close at 5 o'clock.
During the general debate, Mr. Cum
mings, Dem., of New York, made an elo
quent pro-Cuban speech.
Mr. Eddy, Rep., spoke on the "free
homes" question.
Mr. Lewis, Dmn., of Georgia, submitted
some remarks m reply to Mr. Dingley’s
statements regarding the cause of the de
pression in the cotton industry in New
England, and Mr. Gaines, Dem., of Ten
nessee, on armor plate.
Other speakers were Messrs. Little,
Dem., of Arkansas, Mr. Kleberg, Dem., of
Texas,, Mr. Adamson, Dem., of Georgia,
Mr. Stephens, Dem., of Texas, and Mr.
Underwood, Dem., of Alabama. The House
at 5 o’clock adjourned.
Humors of a London Fog.
From the C dcago Times-Herald.
Americans are apt to think that London
Is always wrapped in fog, or at least in a
mist thick enough to be very much the
same thing. This is a mistake. Though
the atmosphere here cannot be said to pro
duce at any time the champagne effect
that Thackeray experienced when he pass
ed Bandy Hook, there are, nevertheless,
many superb winter days when a man
who is well buttoned up feels many ”a
crowded hour of glorious life.” Not long
ago, however, we had one of the real, old
fashioned fogs, during which the individ
ual makes his way along the crowded
pavements by keeping close to the illumi
nated shop windows, or If on the outside
by tapping the edge of the sidewalk with
his umbrella after the fashion of a blind
man.
While passing an hour In the Temple
chambers of a barrister who has more
friends than clients we looked out on the
darkness of 3 o'clock p. m., and a visitor
remarked that something might be done
to relieve tho gloomy monotony. What
should it be? "Wait till 6 o'clock,” said
the host, "and you'll see fun enough when
people are working their passage home to
dinner. Some lawyer friends of mine,
who are os idle as Eugeno Wrayburn,
have -what they call their business offices
In this building, though they reside in Bel
gravia. Ono of them is a hunting man and
keeps three or four beagles in town, for
the purpose of hearing them ‘give tongue’
when he takes them out for exercise In
Battersea Park on Sunday afternoon. But
his finest efforts are reserved for Just such
emergencies as tills.
"The dogs are brought up here at 5
o’clock and kept quiet for ah hour or so.
One of our men straps a red herring close
to his shoe and walks rapidly down the
Strand as far as Charing Cross, when he
turns over to Trafalgar Square and passes
the National Gallery on his way to Pall
Mall. He then goes on Piccadilly as far
as Hyde Park corner, where he crosses
the roadway under the Duke of Welling
ton's monument and comes back to Char
ing Cross o<i the other side of the street.
He then proceeds to Belgravia along Par
liament street Gind Buckingham Palace
road, and when he reaches his lodgings he
ties the herring to the railings, takes the
underground railroad and joins us here.
One man remains with the dogs until the
trailer appears and reports that all’s
rea'dy.
"Meanwhile about a dozen of us have
gone ahead and taken up positions at reg
Something
To Think About.
There’s lots of things included in
wearing apparel of men and children that *
can be bought at remarkably low prices
from us. All you have to do is to take a
glance at our goods and prices.
Men’s Suits at $4.65.
Men’s Suits at $7.45.
Children's Suits at $1.35.
All Wool Bicycle Hose, worth sl, at 35e.
Black Bicycle Hose, worth SOc. at 25c.
Men’s Fancy Colored Half Hose, worth 50c,
at 25c.
Children’s Fast Black Stockings, worth 25c,
two pair for 25c.
Men’s Fast Black Half Hose, worth 15c,
at Sc.
Men’s Alpine Hats, worth $1.50, at 75c.
The only original Klondike Hat at 50c.
The famous “Ciiainpion” Shirt Waist at 42c.
Special Sale of Fancy Bosom Shirts at
50c. 75c.
Metropolitan
Clothing Company,
121 Broughton St., W.
ular intervals all along the line, to watch
the effect upoh bewildered pedestrians. The
poor fog-buried citizens get out of the way
very quickly, I can tell you, but as they
hear the baying of the hounds a long wait
off they have plenty of time to clear the
road. If you wish to see the fun be sure
and turn up here before half-past 5 at the
latest.”
In due time my friends located me on the
etepa of the National Gallery, and as I
waited for the beagles it struck me that
this was somewhat of a dangerous practi
cal joke to play off on the queen’s sub
jects. The pavement was slippery and it
required the greatest care to make ordi
nary headway. Men with flaring torches
were walking in advance of omnibuses and
carriages, while pedestrians had the great
est difficulty in advancing safely from one
lamp-post to the next. The grumbling Brit
isher was in his grumpiest mood, and if
ever there was an occasion upon which
lynch law could be justified it was now.
While moralizing thus I heard afar off
the deep-mouthed music of the dogs. By
the hurrying to and fro of the torches I
could see that eastward as far as Charing
Cross the passengers had been seriously
disturbed. The fog grew thicker and mud
dier with the wild chorus of profanity.
Women rushed for safety u the steps of
public buildings, followed men, who re
moved comforters and lowered coat collars
for the purpose of expressing their senti
ments with more emphasis and exuber
ance.
“What on earth can this mean?” said a
burly traveler who stood next me in the
middle of a closely packed crowd. I ven
tured to suggest that it might mean blood
hounds on the track of escaped prisoners.
"Bloodhounds!" he repeated scornfully;
"why, these dogs are just ordinary beagles
who think they are on the trail bf a fox
or a hare. They must have broken loose
from some kennel, though, why the devil
they should make for Trafalga square
passes understanding.”
But on came the dogs at racing pace,
driving the people helter-skelter out on
the roadway. The scent was strong so that
the hounds kept their noses almost paral
lel with their shoulders and bowled along
as if this sort of hunting were the merest
frolic. They disappeared like a flash in the
crowd and the darkness, making night
hideous with their song of triumph.
We had arranged a rendezvous at Vic
toria station between 7 and 8 o'clock, and
when the men appeared they were all in
excellent spirits. The fashionable portion
of the city had been kept lively for an hour
or so, and. best of all, the dogs had had a
good bit of exercise. While watting for sup
per one of the conspirators wrote up an
account of mad dogs having broken loose
on Pall Mall, to the consternation of the
people and the obstruction of traffic. He
made a copy for the different morning pa
pers, but the item never appeared. The
story was evidently too much like a fake,
and as the evidence had not been sworn to
before a justice of the peace, notary public
or police magistrate, each manuscript was
put in the same basket. So it may be per
ceived that with patience, perseverence
and beagles you may find fun in a London
fog.
Voracious Appetite of ii Four-Legged
Pcttsloner.
From the Jxmleville Post.
“An old horse with an inordinate appe
tite is one of the curiosities I found on a
recent trip in Eastern Kentucky,” said
Col. Andrew Y’ates. ‘This ancient animal
was once ridden by a mail rider over in
West Virginia, and had to go in a Jog from
daylight till after dusk each day except
Sunday. But after long service ‘old Baw
ley’ was traded off to a farmer living over
on the Kentucky side of the mountains,
and he recently pensioned the animal, put
ting Bawley on the pasture and letting
him have all he craved morning and even
ing at feeding time. An ordinary meal
for Bawley Is two racks of hay, thirty
ears of corn, a two-gallon bucket of bran,
a gallon of oats, and all the stale bread
and meat In the house. Bawley is as fond
of meat and bread as of hay and corn,
and, in fact, will eat almost anything, not
drawing the line at fruit or sweetmeats.
The four-legged gourmand once broke in
the hog pen and emptied a large tough
of slop which’ had just been poured In for
the porkers. His owner said he once heard
the old horse whining in pain, and went
out and dosed Bawley, his imprudence In
devouring a bucket of new-made jam hav
ing superinduced serious illness, but the
horse was ready to eat the following morn
ing as usual.”
AMUSEMENTS.
fiAVaiSNfIfirVHIBaTER^
Seats can be secured through the tele
phone, No. 2195.
ONE NIGHT ONLY-MONDAY, JAN. 24.
ROLAND REED,
Accompanied by MISS ISADORE RUSH
/■ presenting the Brilliant Comedy.
“A MAN OF IDEAS,”
By Sydney Rosenfeld, pronounced one of
tho most delightful plays Mr. Reed
has ever presented.
Seats on sale.
Coming—Wednesday, Jan. 26, Primrose
& West’s Minstrels. Thursday, Jan. 27
Robert Ingersoll. Scats now on sale for
this attraction.
THERE IS ONE
LIVE BICYCLE STORE
IN' THIS CITY.
IT SELLS LIVE WHEELS!
WHEELS THAT GO!
WHEELS THAT STANTD UP!
WHEELS THAT MAKE YOU
SATISFIED! *
COLUMBIA WHEELS,
HARTFORD WHEELS,
VEDETTE WtHEELS.
No Other Wheels—
And Wheels Only.
AT ONE PRICE HO ALL.
A VEDETTE at S4O is better than
any wheel sold at SSO, except—
THE HARTFORD, at SSO, which
is In the same clats, but at the
head of any $75 wheKl on the mar
ket, save—
COLUMBIA®, at $75 —-the one wheel
unapproachable by other makers
and superior to all.
COLUMBIA CHALNLESS, $125.00.
The Perfect Wheel; nothing like
it manufactured.
This Line Will Please Any De
mand.
THERE IS NONE SO GOOD,
NOTHING SO VALUABLE.
We seek the best trade, and you
will find Columbia riders a repre
sentative class.
Do not go elsewhere for a Wheel.
‘Please remember a bicycle store
is the proper place to seek one.
We are exclusive wheel dealers,
and can fill your special needs
much better than a general
dealer.
CALCIUM KING LAMPS—We
were first to get them, and have
more In stock. The greatest light
made. Equal to any electric
search light.
M. & W. ’9B LAMPS—SoId 38 to
one customer. You wouldn’t
think it, but the fact Is, this Is
BICYCLE HEADQUARTERS! ! !
And people know where to come
to get what they want.
REPAIRS are always done here.
’Tis wisdom to come to us, and
not go’elsewhere and be sad. We
do not repair with an anvil and
a hammer. We repair with
brains, experience and the right
helps. Bring your wheel here and
it will be properly repaired.
T. A. BRYSON,
Columbia Agent,
243 Bull Street.
BUY
SAFE
OIL.
A lamp exploded In Savannah on Sun*
day which came very near causing a eert*
oua conflagration. The oil which was W
It DID NOT come from the
DIXIE OIL GO.
Protect your homes and possibly V ou *
lives by insisting uppn having only Dud*
Oil Company’s Safe Oils.
Patronize Home Industry.
REWARD.
2300 reward is hereby offered for Infor*
mation sufficient to convict the party
parties who set Are to our oil warehouse
at 3 o’clock on the morning of Jan. 13-
DIXIE OIL CO .
By S. P. SHOTTER, President.^
IF YOU WANT GOOD BIaTIGUAU
end work, order your lithographed and
printed stationery end blank books fro®
Morning News, Savannah, Go.