The Topeka state journal. [volume], March 30, 1900, LAST EDITION, Image 1

About The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980

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Evening.
TOPEKA, KAXSAS,- MARCH 30, 1900.
FRIDxVY EVENING.
TWO CENTS.
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"BOBS'TRICKS.
London Is Hugging to Itself the
Belief
That Lord Roberts Is Deceiving
the Enemy
BY FALSE 3I0VEHEXTS
And Misleading Reports of His
Intentions.
Kruger Promises to Recapture
Bloemfonteiu.
London, March 30, 2:!!0 p. m. The re
ports that Lord Roberts will remain at
liloemfontein another month are prob
ably Intended for Hoer consumption,
and the recent movement of troops and
othir indications point to preparations
being well advanced for a forward
movement. The entire silence of the
cables this morning is regarded as sig
nificant. The tact that the F.oer telegrams an
nouncing the bombardment of Maftking
Monday and Tuesday do not claim any
success is accepted as proof that they
met with none, and hopes are enter
tained that it may prove to have been
the final effort to reduce the place be
lore raising the siege.
It is now suggested that the ap
parent inactivity of the British at War
rentown is merely designed to impress
the P.oers with the notion that they are
checking the Mafeking relitf column,
which in reality is advancing by a
western detour. Color is lent to this
view hy the announcement that a col
umn of 3,000 mounted troops, command
ed by Colonel Drunimond and accom
panied by three batteries, a pontoon
train and several wagons of ammu
nition, passed Barkley West March 26.
on an extensive march, the objective of
which is a strict secret.
KKUGEH'S BOAST.
London. March 30. The Bloemfontein
."orrespondrnt of the Morning Post, tel
egraphing Wednesday, says: "Presi
dent Kruger boasts his intention to re
take Bloemfontein .within a week, and
It appears probable that the Boers are
advancing in force southward."
The Boers are concentrating in force
about 15 miles north of Bloemfontein
in rear of (Hen. and Lord Roberts is
sending forward troons to engage them.
The seventh infantry division and part
of
nerat t-'reneh s cavalry have been
sent up to join the Fourteenth brigade
and the two cavalry regiments that are
holding (iien and its environs.
lr does not seem probable that the
Boers will give serious battle in the
iairly onen country north of Glen.
Still, their evident strength indicates
more than a corns of observation. - -
In small affairs the Boers are daring
ly aggressive in all parts of the field of
war. The Johannesburg mounted po
lice, esteemed by the Boers to be their
best mounted commando, are raiding
the country near Bloemfontein, harassing
the farmers who have given up their
arms to the British and carrying off
cattle: There is a Boer report from
Natal that a Russian soldier of for
tune. Colonel Ganotzki, with a hundred
horsemen, is operating close to the Brit
ish outposts on the western border.
The Boers have reoccupied Campbell
and are in strength near Taungs and
Baikly West.
They shelled the British camp at
Warrellton Wednesdav, but moved out
of range that night. Yesterday (Thurs
day) two British guns enfiladed the
Boer trenches, quieting their Mausers.
Lord Methuen and the forces that had
been operating in the Barkly district
have been recalled to Kimberley by
Lord Roberts. No explanation has been
given for this, but the mounted troops
are dissatisfied at having been ordered
back.
The Boers and disloyalists at Ken
hardt have been dispersed and caused
to retreat. General Parsons is about to
enter the town unopposed.
Lord Roberts is making extensive
preparations to police and safeguard all
the Free State towns in the territory
occupied. Dispatches from Mazeru as
sert that the Boers who returned to
Ladybrand from Clooolan have taken
up strong positions and sent pickets far
In every direction to watch Basutoland,
in the expectation that part of General
Kuller's army will invade the Free
Elate on that side.
According to Pretoria advices Mafe
king was bombarded for seven hours on
Tuesday.
It is reported in London in a well in
formed quarter that Lord Kitchener
will be offered the post of commanclr-ln-chief
in India, succeeding the late
Sir William Lockhart, so soon as de
cisive successes have been obtained in
the Transvaal and that General Sir
Archibald Hunter will succeed him as
Lord Roberts' chief of staff. The Indian
newspapers have been urging Kitchen
er's appointment.
QUEEN CONDOLES WITH MRS.
JOl'BERT.
London. March 30. Queen Victoria
has cabled to Lord Roberts, asking
him to convey to Mrs. Joubert. widow
of General Joubert, her sympathy at
the loss of her husband, and to tell her
that the British people always regard-d
the dead general as a gallant soldier
and honorable foeman.
JOUBERT'S FUNERAL.
Pretoria". March 2Tt. The funeral of
General Joubert took place this after
noon and was attended by all classes.
The foreign military attaches, in uni
form, were among those present and the
Riitish officers who are prisoners here
pent a wreath. There were universal
signs of mourning.
BRITISH EVAC1 'ATTON OF WAR
RF.NTON. Pretoria. Thursday. March 29. A dis
patch from Fourteeti Streams north of
Wurrenton says the Boers, March 2S.
opened a Inmibardment on the British
camp there and that the British replied
feebly and evacuated the place during
the night.
RECRUITS FOR BOERS.
Every Train From Lorenzo Marques
Is Loaded.
New York, March 30. A World cor
respondent, writing from Pretoria,
March i, says:
The Boer army has thus far befn
strengthened by about 3.000 men who
have come into the country through
Delagoa Bay since the war began,
three thonsand is a low estimate, but
th" exact number cannot be ascertained
even from the war office here, which is
w illing to tell almost anything concern
ing the conduct of the war.
This large body of men has been re
cruited chiefly in Europe, where sym
pathy for the Boers is second only to
BAD FIRE AT CHICAGO.
Iroquois Club' Building and Col
umbia Theater Destroyed.
Chicago, March 30. Fire which start
ed in the Iroquois club building this af
ternoon is spreading rapidly and
threatens the Columbia theater.
Fortunately there was no matinee on
when the fire broke out.
THE THEATER DESTROYED.
At .3:30 p. m. the fire burst through
the Iroquois building. The Columbia
theater was soon in flames. Four men
were injured by falling timbers and
three young women in an adjoining
building were rescued by hook and lad
der men.
The Columbia theater is situated on
the south side of Monroe street between
Clark and Dearborn streets, and is one
of the leading houses of the city.
The Iroquois club, next door, is a po
litical institution of the Democratic
faith and numbers among its members
many Democrats of national reputa
tion. Shortly before 4 o'clock the front of
the theater fell in. There were numer
ous rumors that several persons had
been buried in the ruins but the fire
marshal on duty discredited the re
ports.
At 4:15 p. m. the fire was pronounced
under control. The loss was estimated
in the vicinity of a quarter of a million
dollars.
the hate for England, but many men
have come from America, and even Aus
tralia. Ever since the war began this
steady stream of righting men has been
pouring into the Transvaal over the
Portuguese border, although the Eng
lish officials there have done everything
in their power to stop it.
Every train arriving from Lorenzo
Marques brings from ten to fifty re
cruits, and a short time ago such a
large number of men were clamoring
for transportation from the Portuguese
town that an extra train was run for
their accommodation.
It reminds one of the days in Amer
ica after the tight in Manila when
Dewey came into prominence. The
fight on Spion kop in the latter part of
January was the first of any great con
sequence, inasmuch as a British victory
would have been followed by the- raid
ing of the hiege of Ladysmith. A defeat
for the Boers would have changed tire
tide of the entire campaign in Natal,
and to guard against such a calamity
Ger.eral Joubert placed Gen. Botha in
charge.
To show how successful Botha was in
combating the British forces, it is only
necessary to say that seven days after
the battle there remained oft the sides
of Spion kop and in the valley below
more than TOO bodies of English sold
iers, while the total loss of the Boers
was 50 killed and 123 wounded.
The total Boer force engaged in the
fight was not more than 350. while the
British force was no less than 2,000,and
probably twice that number.
Botha did not seem to be proud of his
victory, but spoke only of the bravery
of the British soldiers and the injustice
of the war which made such slaughter
necessary.
"After the battle of Colenso,"the gen
eral began, "with the forces under my
command as a result of careful plan
ning of President Kruger and their own
prowess, I was preparing to return to
Pretoria for a short rest when I re
ceived instructions from the president
to go at once toward the Upper Tugela,
whither the British forces were advanc
ing to the relief of Ladysmith. They
had crossed the river at Trichardts
drift and were on the main road which
leads into" the besieged city when I ar
rived in Gen. Burgher's camp at 3
o'clock in the morning.
"I saw there was nothing to do but
prepare for an immediate attack, and
for four days we fought on a large
plateau to the right of Spion kop. On
the evening of the fifth day the British
forces suddenly retired toward Trich
ardts drift, but instead of recrossing
the stream they took up positions on
Spion -kop. This point was of great
strategic importance, and General
Burgher and I agreed that we must
have it. During the night we selected
our men from different commandos in
the vicinity, took our positions, and
waited for the dawn before beginning
hostilities.
"Only 350 men were in these positions,
but there were more near by to render
assistance if it became necessary. Dur
ing the day before we estimated the
British forces at 3,000, although there
might have been more.
"For a short time it was really amus
ing to see our men so close to the Brit
ish soldiers that at least 23 of them
were able to seize their rifles from their
hands. Finally, after very severe light
ing, we gained the day, and as night
came over the scene we had taken 200
prisoners. The British retreated during
the night, leaving many of their wound
ed and all their dead behind on the
mountain top.
"The following morning I personally
counted the dead bodies and found 650
of them scattered around the hill. The
wounded left on the hill all night were
300. and those I sent back the following
morning. On the other side of the hill
no less than 150 British were killed.
"The loss on our side was 50 killed
and 120 wounded."
VERDICT FOR (i 1-4 CENT.
In a Case Where $5,000 Damages
Were Claimed.
Pittsburg, Pa., March 30. The jury in
the case of Assistant District Attorney
AYalter E. Billows, colored, against Wil
liam J. McCarthy, a prominent restau
rant keeper, who refused to serve a
meal to Billows and his companion. Con
gressman George W. White, of North
Carolina, also colored, returned a ver
dict today, in favor of the plaintiff for
tli cents. Billows asked $5,000 dam
ages. Lake City Case Dropped.
Charleston, S. C. March 30. It was an
nounced today that the Lake City lynch
ing trial will not be called again at the
April term of the United States circuit
court. Thirteen white citizens, all prom
inent business men of Lake City, have
been tried for The murder of the negro
postmaster. Baker. The result was a
mistrial.. Attorney General Griggs has
instructed the district attorney to ask
for a continuation of the case when it
is called on Tuesday next.
Mr. Wilder Will Speak.
Edward Wilder will deliver an ad
dress on the park question at an open
meeting of the American Labor Union,
at the hall at 115 East Seventh street,
tonight.
THREE MONSTERS
Greatest Fighting Machines
Eyer Set Afloat
Have Been Arranged For by
Naval Construction Board.
SIXTY-SIX FIXED GUXS
To Be Provided on Each of New
Cruisers. California, Nebraska and
the
West Virginia.
New York, March 30. A special to the
Tribune from Washington says:
No warships of such fighting power
Jtave ever before been planned abroad
or at home as the three cruisers whose
details have just been practically com
pleted by the admirals of the naval
construction board. They are really
most formidable battleships, with the
speed and staying powers of an ocean
liner. Never has such a tremendous
battery been mounted afloat as the Cal
ifornia, the Nebraska and the West
Virginia will carry. Sixty-six fixed
guns constitute their armament, and
their magazines are to hold over 400
tons of ammunition.
The board has given these ships 13.000
tons displacement, 23 knots speed, and
with coal bunker capacity of' 2,000 tons,
a steaming radius of 7,000 miles. They
will be the only ships in the navy lit
erally armored all over, their protec
tion extending from -below the water
line above the entire superstructure.
In appearance they will mark a notable
departure from .existing cruisers and
battleships of their class, in that they
will stand much higher out of the water
giving better distribution of batteries
and quarters and making them most
impressivle.
Until congress gives the navy de
partment authority to contract for the
best possible armor for these vessels,
the final drawings cannot be made, nor
can shipbuilders secure all the informa
tion required by them to enable the
preparatton of alternative plans. The
general characteristics of the ships are
now settled beyond material .modifica
tion, except that triple screw machinery
may be substituted for twin screws.
The machinery is to develop over 22.000
horsepower to drive the ships 23 knots,
and this, with the standard naval water
tube boilers, must not exceed 2,000 tons
in weight.
The armored protection is to include
a water line belt of Kruppized steel six
inches thick abreast the engines and
boilers, tapering to 3V inches at. the
bow and stern. Above this belt there
will be a five inch casement extending
half the ship's length, to protect ten 6
inch guns. The 8-inch turrets will be
six inches thick, the conning tower 9
inches and the signal tower 5 inches.
The total weight of armor, including
the 4-inch protective deck, will be 1,427
tons.
Among the novelties, the lower decks
will be covered with linoleum, all wood
work reduced to a minimum and fire
proofed, the magazines covered with
non-conductors of heat, and cooled by
refrigerating apparatus; coal bunkers
arranged for extremely rapid filling and
emptying, automatic water tight doors
between all compartments operated
from several stations, fire main laid be
low the; protective deck, laundry for 75
men and a machine shop. Space is pro
vided for six months provisions, tanks
for S.000 gallons of drinking water and
an ice machine to make three tons a
day, and a distilling plant for ten thou
sand gallons a day. Electricity will op
erate the turret turning gear, blowers
for ventilation, mechanical bread mix
er, laundry, ammunition hoists, gun
rammers and air compressors for tor
pedoes. The armament will consist of 66 guns,
distributed as follows: Main battery,
four S-inch breech loading rifles of 45
calibres length: fourteen 6-inch rapid
lire rifles of 50-calibres length. Sec
ondary battery, all rapid-fire, eighteen
14-pounders, twelve 3-pounders, four 1
pounder automatic, four 1-pounder sin
gle shot, two 3-inch field guns and two
Gatlings. In addition the hand battery
will include 300 magazine rifles and 200
revolvers. The S-inch rifles will be
mounted in pairs in elliptical balanced
turrets, having inclined pouts, located
on the keel line of the ship fore and aft.
On the upper deck the tremendous tor
pedo boat destroying 14-pounders will
be located and at each corner of the
superstructure a G-inch gun with an
arc of fire of 145 degrees will be pro
tected in a sponson.
On the main deck in the casemate will
be placed the battery of six-inch rapid
fires in broadsides, five on each side,
with not less than 110 degrees arc of
fire, except the forward pair, which are
to be sponsoned so as to permit them to
aim directly ahead. The automatic one
pounders will go in the lower military
tops, and . the single shot of the same
calibre in the upper tops. There will
be two submerged torpedo tubes in one
compartment forward and six White
head torpedoes w ill be parried. The ag
gregate weight of this armament ex
ceeds 400 tons.
As indicating the rapidity of destruc
tive fire to be attained with this great
battery, provision is made for the am
munition hoists to deliver charges to
each gun at the following rates: Eight
inch, one every fifty seconds; 6-inch,
three rounds a minute; 14-pounders, six
rounds a minute: 3 and 1-pounders, ten
rounds a minute. The rounds and
weights of the ammunition fo be carried
on each ship are as follows: Five hun
dred rounds, S-inch complete, 91.6 tons;
2.S00 rounds, 6-inch complete, 227.5 tons;
4,500 rounds, 14-pounders complete, 51.7
tons; six thousand rounds. 3-pounders
complete. 1S.S tons: all others twenty
tons. Total 409.6 tons.
The construction board has also prac
tically completed the designs for the
battleships Pennsylvania. Georgia and
New Jersey, no material modification
from the original plans having been
made.
They w ill represent as distinct an ad
vance in their class as the cruisers do
over the New York and the Brooklyn.
The armament of the battleships is rot
to be positively decided until the double
turrets of the Kearsarge are tested.
Culton Denies Confession.
Richmond, Ky.. March 30. The Rev. J.
N. Culton. father of W. H. Culton. charg
ed with being accessory to the murder of
Goebe). is deeply incensed at what he
declares is an attempt to drag his son
into an alleged conspiracy. He has re
ceived from his son. a telegram saying:
"I have made no confession. I have noth
ing to confess."
Weather Indications.
Chicago, March 30. For Kansas: Fair
tonight and Saturday; variable winds.
AT MENELIK'S CAPITAL.
Americans Who Are Sojourning In
Abyssinia.
(Correspondence of Associated Press.)
London. March 21. The Associated
Press has received the following ac
count of the expedition under James J.
Harrison and W. Fitzhugh Whitehouse,
of Newport, R. I., who, according to
latest telegraphic advices, have arrived
at Menelik's capital, and have started
into the far interior of Abyssinia. The
last news comes from Zuquata, on the
Havnsh river, a point about 70 miles
southwest to Adis Abeba, and report
all well. It is not expected that any
further intelligence will be had until
the party, after having reached and left
Lake Rudolf, about 500 miles further
southwest, come out at a point on the
Sobat river or the Nile near Fort Nassa,
an old fort south of Fashoda and about
500 miles from Khartoum. From this
point they would proceed by water to
the latter place. The distance from
Lake Rudolf to the Nile is about 500
miles, through a country largely unex
plored, and the route extremely difficult
on account of natural obstacles and the
probable lack of both, water and sup
plies, as the country iias been so fre
quently ravaged by native raiding
tribes. The party, which consists of J.
J. Harrison, W. F. Whitehouse, Powell
Cotton, and A. Butter, left Seilla on the
Red Sea early in November with a car
avan consisting of a large number of
natives, a portion of them well armed,
and about 80 camels. They w-ere ac
companied by a competent surveyor,
who has had IS years' experience in
Africa and a taxidermist, while the
head man, A. Somali, is the one who
recently traveled with Captain Wellby
to Lake Rudolf. On leaving the coast
the party proceeded by an entirely new
route to Adis Abeba, the capital of the
Emperor Menelik, about 300 miles dis
tant, arriving on January 7. The rate
of progress was necessarily very slow.
About ten miles a day was a good av
erage, the march being largely made
before daylight, when it was bitterly
cold, to avoid the intense heat which
prevailed later.
The new route has been carefully sur
veyed and is likely to be of large ad
vantage. Four days after leaving the
coast, the party fell in with abundant
game and pome very rare specimens
were fortunately secured, while deer,
nntelope and hippopotami were found in
abundance. About four days before
reaching Menelik's capital, a herd of
about 100 elephants were encountered.
Twenty large bulls fell to the rifles of
the party, after an exciting and some
what dangerous sport, as the elephants
had been recently hunted by the na
tives and were exceedingly wary. Hun
dreds of natives flocked to the spot to
enjoy a feast and many insisted upon
shaking hands with the white hunters,
in appreciation of a general meal. The
valuable ivory was carried forward and
presented to the Negus, who, however,
courteously begged Mr. Butter and Mr.
Whitehouse to retain each a pair 08
tusks of their first, elephant spoils.
The caravan was left about 15 miles
from the capital, to which the party
proceeded and were most courteously
received by Captain Harington.the Brit
ish resident and his secretary, Mr.
Baird. The residence of King Menelik
is a two-story building with extensive
court yard:,, in tht; -tenter of a large
plain, through which are scattered an
immense number of crude huts, con
taining probably 20,000 pepple. The
party, attired in faultless dress suits,
but riding sorry mules into the court
yard, were received in audience the next
day. The king is described as a man
of about 58 years of age, of dark com
plexion marked with smallpox, with
a slight gray beard, and brilliant dark
eyes. He has a keen and thoughtful
face ard through an interpreter con
versed intelligently with his guests. He
inquired particularly from what part of
America Air. Whitehouse had come, and
remarking on the very great distance,
expressed the hope that they would
have a successful trip and carry away
a good account of his dominions, prom
ising them guides and a safe conduct.
The king invited the party to dine
with him on Christmas day, old style
January 8 when he entertained them
right royally with cooked meats, raw
meats, however being served to the
several thousand natives assembled at
the feat.
The Negus, who at the audience was
seated cross-legged on a divan with
pink satin cushions, was dressed like an
eastern potentate.
The party latter returned to the cara
van, when they marched south about
50 miles and after a halt for a day pro
ceeded to Zuquata. The caravan, which
then consisted of 62 camels and 60 na
tives, with the original party (except
Capt. Powell Cotton) will proceed by
the chain of lakes towards the Walalo
country, whose chief has been advised
of their coming. Along this route there
will be a serious work for the camels,
as the country is very hilly, but Lake
Stephanie should be reached without
difficulty.
The entire route is being surveyed,
including important hills as landmarks.
On the top of one of these was discov
ered the ruins of a city, which had been
well and closely buiit. with narrow
streets about three-quarters of a mile
in length, probably constructed by
Arabs many hundreds of years ago. It
is possible that a runner may bring in
later news to Adis Abeba. otherwise no
further intelligence may be expected
before the middle of May.
MAY SETTLE A STRIKE.
Chicago Carpenters Expected to
Straighten Out Building Muddle.
Chicago, March 30. The Times-Herald
tomorrow will say: Disruption of the
building trades' council and a conse
quent adjustment of all the troubles
in the building industry in Chicago
may be brought about through the
withdrawal of' the carpenters, w hich is
the strongest body affiliated "with the
council.
To secure a settlement of the troubles
in his trade, P. J. McGuire, treasurer
of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners of America, and first vice prs
ident of the 'American Federation of
Labor, arrived in Chicago last night.
Speaking with full authority from the
executive committee of his great order,
he will tell the carpenters' union to
either secure the abolishment of arbi
trary rules of the trades with which it
is affiliated in the building trades'
council or to withdraw from that bod v.
The withdrawal of the carpenters would
be practically the death blow for the
building trades' council.
MADE HIM AJMOURX.
Members of Italian Deputies Pelt the
President
Rome, March 30. On the president of
the chamber of deputies taking his seat
for today's session of the house, the
extreme leftists raised a tumult, shout
ing: "Go out." and pelting him with
balls of paper. As the intervention of
the ushers was fruitless, the president
was compelled to adjourn the sitting.
FOR FREEJRADE,
Senator Proctor of Yerinont
Addresses Senate
In Opposition to the Porto
Hie an Tariff Measure.
AGAINST COMPROMISE.
Civil
Government Feature
30 Temptation
Is
And Will Not Swerve Kim From
the Right.
Washington, March 30. Notice was
given in the senate today by Mr. Depew
(N. T.) that he would address the sen
ate on Monday next on the Porto Rican
bill.
Bills were passed as follows: For the
relief of the heirs of Lawrence D. Bail
ey; ratifying an appropriation by the
legislature of Oklahoma out of the Mor-
SENATOR PROCTOR.
rill fund for the use of the university
at Langston, for colored students.
Authorizing the secretary of the inter
ior to issue patent to - the city of El
Reno, Ok., for cemetery purposes.
A resolution offered yesterday by Mr.
Jones (Ark.) directing the .ecretary of
war to send to the senate a copy of the
proceedings of the court of inquiry
called to investigate the commissary
department of the army, was passed.
. Mr. Spooner gave notice that he
would address the senate next Monday
on the Porto Rico bill..
Consideration of the Porto Rico bill
was resumed at the conclusion of the
routine business. Mr. Proctor (Vt.) ad
dressing the senate. He spoke as an
unalterable advocate of the policy of
free trade between the island and the
United States and was accorded close
attention on both sides of the chamber.
PROCTOR'S ADDRESS.
In opening his speech, Mr. Proc
tor expressed his approval of
the civil government feature of
the pending bill and his regret
on account of the tariff provision that
he could not vote for it. He reviewed
briefly theihistory of the proposed Porto
Rican tariff, quoting the president in
his annual message, and the secretary
of war, in his annual report, as favor
ing free trade between the island of
Porto Rico and the United States. Then
he referred to the sudden change that
somehow had been wrought and said:
"Is it strange that some of us, in lack
of an official statement or apparent rea
son for this sudden shift should be slow
to give up a line of action which we be
lieve to be based on principle and jus
tice, which we believe to be the only
honest and consistent course? It is
charged I do not know with what truth,
if any thai this change was demanded
and brought about by the sugar and
tobacco interests, and also it is stated
by organized labor. I, however, have
failed to see that the representatives of
this latter interest appeared before the
committee.
"It is practically admitted that free
trade with Porto Rico does not harm
these interests materially, but they
claim that it creates a precedent that
may harm them if adopted in reference
to the Philippines and Cuba. It will be
time to cross those rivers when we come
to them, and. in my opinion, the cross
ing will not be difficult when the proper
time comes for action."
Mr. Proctor then quoted a long letter
written him by former Senator George
F. Edmunds, who dealt with some of
the constitutional phases of the pending
question. Here are some extracts from
Mr. Edmund's letter:
"Any such measure, if enacted, will,
I believe, be unique in our whole his
tory. It will imitate and parallel the
act of the British parliament which
forced our fathers to just resistance
and revolution and led them to establish,
a constitution which in studied and ex
plicit terms forbade any such discrim
ination.. "Congress is the creature of the con
stitution and not the reverse. A law
passed by congress is its creation, a
mere expression of its will, which it
may repeal or change at pleasure. If,
therefore, (assuming that the constitu
tion does not exist in Porto Rico) con
gress were to enact a statute declaring
that the present constitution shall be
extended over and be in force in that is
land.the constitution gets its only force
there by the virtue pt the statute. It is
a statutory constitution and nothing
else, and a repeal of the statute would
extinguish it. But the constitution as
such, I suppose all admit, is not sub
ject to the control of congress, either to
enlarga or to di:ninish, to expand or
contract, or to be applied to or with
drawn from any people or place. Is it
not a movable thing like the ark or the
covenant of the Israelites, to be set up
and moved here or there, as the tribes
might wander. It is the actual end and
not the executive will that must in the
nature of things determine the status
of a man or country under it.
"Porto Rico and its people came un
der the so-ereignty of the United States
by force of the treaty with Spain and I
think all will agree that if any part of
the people on the island levied war
against the United States or adhered to
our enemies, etc., they would be guilty
of treason. But treason is an exclus
ively defined constitutional crime and it
cannot exist on the island unless the
constitution that defines it is in force
there."
Mr. Proctor then continues: "We may
do many wrong and foolish things with
out violating the constitution but it
does not follow that we must do them
or ought to do them, and I claim, Mr.
President, That the plain, the sensible
people who look at this question from a
standpoint of interest, who are not su
gar men, nor tobacco men nor men who
have any commercial or class interests,
which it is claimed must be placated by
our action, are the best judges of what
is fair and right and honest, and that
their judgment in the end must and will
prevail. If we are not bound by the
letter of the constitution, we are bound
by justice and humanity to deal with
these questions in the spirit of Ameri
can institutions and American civiliza
tion. "The people, Mr. President, look upon
this as a matter of principle, a question
of good faith and common honesty;
and their moral sense has been shocked
and the national heart and conscience
stirred by the fear that this measure of
taxation will be adopted by congress.
"The people believe, as the president
did when he wrote in his annual mes
sage that 'Our plain duty is to abolish
the customs tariff between the United
States and Porto Ricp.' The people
know that sentence by heart and they
will repeat it millions of times within
the year from its deliverance unless we
perform what the president says is 'Our
plain duty." The people believe that this
is a question, not of mere policy, but of
principle."
Mr. Proctor had read by the clerk, the
proclamation of General Miles to the peo
ple of Porto Rico, in which it was prom
ised to bestow upon them "the immunities
and blessings of the liberal institutions
of our government." and the recent let
ter of President Schurman of the late
Philippine commission, in which he holds
that the obligation to give the Porto Ri
cans free trade is moral, not constitu
tional: and that the American people will
not tolerate any faltering with solemn
obligations.
Continuing, Mr. Proctor said: "We levy
this tribute upon a people who are in
the direst poverty and distress, resulting
in a large part from our very action in
taking possession of their island and de
stroying the existing markets for their
products and opening no other; and to
this is added, by the hand of the Al
mighty, the terrible destruction of the
tornado, so that they are now in the ex
treme of poverty and destitution border
ing on starvation. If this bill becomes
a law, it will stand greatly in the way
of the development of that little island.
It leaves the future In uncertainty, for
if we levy a tax of 15 per cent, the next
congress may levy tax of 50 per cent.
If we adopt free trade, it will be accepted
by everybody as a definite policy towards
Porto Rico. Business interests will know
what to depend upon, and capital and en
terprise will go there, and soon change
the deplorable conditions now existing..
Uncertainty will paralyze industry
The constitution may or may not follow
the flag, but the good faith of the Amer
ican people must stand unquestioned
wherever the Stars and Stripes are seen.
There is no way to successfully govern
or deal with people who are in our power,
or are inferior to us in advantages and
opportunities, except to be strictly just,
to keep perfect good faith with them.
"The plea of harmony in the party ap
peals to me strongly. But this is a ques
tion higher than party or policy: it is a
question of principle, and it is better that
even a small minority of the party should
be right than that we should all be
wrong.
"It is of vital consequence, Mr. Presi
dent .that this, our first important step
in legislation for our new possessions
should be such as to commend itself to
the judgment and conscience of the Am
erican people."
PETTI-S RIDICULES BEVERIDGE.
At the conclusion of Mr. Proctor's
speech Mr. Pettus (Ala.) addressed the
senate on some of the constitutional
phases presented by the Porto Rico bill.
"I will attempt to show," said Mr.
Pettus, "how a majority of this senate
has quit the public road the road
pointed out by the law of the land, and
will show how the result of it will be.
"In discussing this question, we will
go back to the very foundations. The
great error of those in the majority here
is that they are in violation of all our
notions of justice and common sense.
They take their departure in the sense
that the United States is a sovereign
in the sense that some European na
tions are sovereigns. It is not so, and
can never be.
"We are governed in our relations
with these territories by the law of na
tions, so far as they are applicable.
When we took these islands we took
them with the limitations of exercising
only such power over them as was .pos
sible in the conditions of the United
states."
He referred to the ignorance of law
manifested by Mr. Galiinger (N. H.)
yesterday in quoting certain judicial
decisions and thn adverted to - "the
wonderful declamation we had yester
day from the orator of the senate."
(Mr. F.everidge).
"When you get a genuine orator he is
absolutely absolved," said he, "from all
rules of logic and common sense."
Mr. Pettus said the senate or the
president pro tern or the senator from
Iowa (Allison) would have to take some
action as to "that orator. You'll have to
have a caucus on him." (Laughter).
He then said that when the Master se
lected a leader for the Israelites he did
not choose an orator. He even chose
a stuttering man. His name was Moses,
but he was not an orator.
NOT GUILTY,
Jury In Horlocker Case Returns
a Verdict of Acquittal.
Hastings, Neb., March 30. The jury
in the Horlocker poisoning case was
charged and retired at 10:30 this fore
noon and at 11:40 returned with a ver
dict of not guilty.
TOPI LIST CON VENTION.
Interesting Contest For Delegate to
National Convention.
Tho Populists of Shawnee county will
have a county convention on April 7. H.
C. Root and F. S. Stevens, of Topeka,
and 3D. M. Howard, of Rossville, are can
didates for delegate to the national con
vention at Sioux Kails, and each one of
them is trying to get his friends on the
delegation to Clay Center. Judge Foote
and Ed Hewins would like to go to the
Fort Scott convention, but as everybody
Is fdr Breidenthal there is not so much of
a race for places on the Fort Scott dele
gation. The precinct primaries will be held Sat
urday evening. March 31. In the city
they will be from 8 to 9 p. m. at the
following places:
. First ward First precinct. 117 East Nor
ris; second precinct, 701 North Kansas
avenue; third precinct. 1124 North Kansas
avenue; fourth precinct, 1318 North Har
rison Second ward First precinct, 114 Quincy;
second precinct. 5ol East Fourth; third
precinct. 324 Klein; fourth precinct, Vil
Fast Eighth; fifth precinct, 30& East
Eighth.
' Third ward First precinct. 827 Kansas
avenue; second precinct. 1326 Taylor;
third precinct, llfi4 Buchanan.
Fourth ward First precinct, election
commissioners' office: second precinct,
Weber's hall; third precinct. 500 Folk;
fourth precinct. West Sixth.
Fifth ward First precinct. 1701, Euch
anan second precinct. 1432 Quincy; third
precinct, Washington.
Sixth ward First precinct. 328 Haw
thorne; second precinct, fclS Morris.
A FIGHLFIBST.
Construction of the Nicaragua
Canal Is Likely
To Be Delayed by a Central
American War.
WARSHIPS GATHERING.
United States and England to
Be llepresented.
Three and Perhaps Four States
"Will Be Involved.
New York, March 30. A dispatch M
the Journal from Managua, Nicaragua,
says:
There is no logger room for doubt
that an outbreak of hostilities may oc
cur at any moment between Nicaragua
on the one hand and Costa Rica and
Salvador on the other. An offensive
and defensive alliance exists getvveen
the latter Erovernments. and Nicaragua,
by attacking one republic would be
forced to fight both.
Extraordinary preparations on the
part of the Nicaragua government for
months has seemed to portend war
with Salvador and Costa Rica. The
arival yesterday of the United States
cruiser Philadelphia and the report that
the British cruiser Psyche has sailed
from Kingston in response to a request
from the British consul indicate that
the consuls -are well aware of the
strained relations between the republics
an i are exerting all efforts to protect
British and American interests.
The attitude of Honduras in the crisis
between Nicaragua and the neighboring
republics is uncertain. The effect of u.
war upon the' construction of the Nica
ragua cana! and the relations between
the government and the United States
is problematical. A complete overthrow
of the government might result from
hostilities.
It is understood that President Zelaya.
while most friendly and cordial in his
reception of Americans, has declined to
commit the government until the Unit
ed States are fully prepared to act. No
terms have been stated relative to the
right of way and the right to prote t
and fortify the entrances to the canal.
ELLIOTT SENSATION.
Troy Editor Placed In an
tounding Situation.
As-
Troy. March 30. Latest developments
in the Elliott assailant case go to prove
that Elliott is his own assailant. Th?
revolver fo.und near the scene has been
traced to. a pawn shop at St. Joseph,
and the description of the purchaser
given by the pawn dealer tallies with
Elliott Exactly.
It hardly seems reasonable that a
man of Elliott's standing would do
such an act. Some think he did it t
create public sympathy, but the story
is discredited by a good many people
and opinion is held until further de
velopments. After the revolver was found ntar thi
scene of the shooting Sheriff Larzalere
of Troy took possession of it. . He went
to St. Joseph, and with the officers there
made an investigation.
St. Joseph has a license ordinance
which requires that all pawnbrokers
must make daily reports of the sales
of property. From Rosenfeld's reports
on file with the city clerk, a descrip
tion of a revolver exactly similar to
the one found in Troy appeared. The
officers went to Rosenfeld's place, so
the story goes and he was asked to
describe the purchaser. The descrip
tion is said to have been reasonably ac
curate of Mr. Elliott.
Roscnfeld was quite positive, it is
said, claiming that he had sold to Mr.
Elliott, a year and six months ago, a
revolver of the same pattern. It was
reported at the time of the shooting
that the gun with which the assault
upon Mr. Eiilott had been committed
was a counterpart of the one which he
carried.
Inspector Shea went with Rosenfeld
to Troy to identify Elliott. The wound
ed editor was not at home. Mr. Shea
says, or is reported to have said:
"We returned to St. Joe on the Grand
Island train. We did not know where
Elliott was. Passing through the Union
station, Rosenfeld pointed out a man
in the crowd and said: 'That's the fel
low who bought the gun.' "
After the shooting Mr. Elliott shaved
off his moustache. When seen by Ro
senfeld in the station he was not wear
ing, according to Rosenfeld's state
ment, the overcoat which he wore when,
the revolver was purchased and the one?
which he had on at the time of the
shooting. Rosenfeld said the man w h
bought the revolvtr wore at the time
a blue-black, heavy chinchilla coat.
There are thousands of such coats
worn, but a garment similar to this
was worn by Elliott when he was shot.
Troy is now very much excited.
Elliott Is charged with having wounded
himself to create public sentiment in
his favor. The Republican politicians
against whom Elliott has been making
bitter war are making the charges, and
say they will prove every word of what
they have said.
OVER THE FALLS.
Man Wades Into Niagara and
Shoots Himself. -
Niagara Falls. N. Y., March 30. A
sensational suicide occurred today on
Goat Island near the spring. A man
waded out as far as he could, shot him
self three times in the head, pitched
forward into the water and was swept
down between Goat Island, going over
the falls at the Cave of the Winds.From
Tetters left behind he is thought to be
Hippolyte Schneider, of Chicago.
Letters in French were found ad
dressed to Madame Lillian Russell. In-'
Ifanta Dahlia and the Westinghouse
company of Pittsburg. In one letter he
blames the woman, Lillian R. Russell
for his death, and leaves her all his
property. The letters were rambling
and indicate that the man was insane.
Naturalization papers were found oa
him dated March S, 18S2, at Pittsburg.