The morning times. [volume], December 21, 1896, Image 1

About The morning times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1897

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
53;& "5-",.
0s
f
ftimes
The Weather Today. J)
Partly cloudy; northerly
to westerly-winds; slight
change in temperature.
he
OQQ OQQ was Ilia TIMES' elrcu-
LLUjLuu laflon for las! waak.
Th3 STAR'S ciro'Jbil
(Of Ia3l W33l( 03 . ,
i&
,
VOL. IH. HO. 1,009.
WASniN"GrTOT, D. C, MODAY DUiGEHBEB 21, 1896 EIGHT PAG-ES.
OlsE GENT.
'.'.'.'.'.'.'M .i .i .!!! .!11
1ES OF WHITE SLAVES
ALL THE WORLD TALKS OF OLNEY, CONK ANO GUI
UKT CEHT BOUGHT P01S0H
h v gri? ? W.
j i
iiuiTi
Four Days
of Money Saving at
Bon Marche.
Special holiday goods have almost crowded out staple
articles, for we have filled every available space with
those things which, by their very appropriateness, sujr
gest Christmas gifts, and by their very cheapness suggest
a b;g money saving.
Everything from latest style cloaks and wraps at
half other people's prices, to toothsome Christmas candy
or beautiful holiday jewelry at half the real value, tempts
you to visit the Bon Marche "the people'sstore' before
deciding on your gifts. .
Boas and furs- make useful gifts, and here they cost
but little.
Silver mounted pocketbooks or card cases prove happy
gifts, and Bon Marche's variety is tempting.
Handkerchiefs of every style and at every price are
pleasing Christmas shoppers at the Eon flarche.
Nothing is wanting to make our holiday stcck equal to
others save the prices, and they have dwindled down for
the last four days into insignificance.
314-316
::!!-" !.! !i !.' ::::
REGARDS MURDER AS A JOKE
Richard Stewart's Conduct After
the Police Captured Him.
Xxx-lted Up for AttcmplhiK to Kill
111, Father and Mother The
', Man May Die.
Richard Stewart, who attempted to mur
der his motlrer and M op-fat her on Satur
day niclit, a? told m The Times yesterday.
Is locked hi at No. 8 police station, charged
with nraiult Willi iutent to kill.
The' boy's parents lie In a very serious
coiulition at Fieedman's Hopital. It is
doubtful ir Hie man recovers
Stewart was captured early Sunday
morning by Policeman Hayes, near the
Baltimore and Ohio det- Tlie patrol
man saw Stewart walking along Xew
Jersev avenue to.warJ ,i!;u ."Imion and
vKiepP'n? '"to -l doorway wailed until he
came up.
A the (Kill. -em:in sei7d him the boy
looked up and laughed.
"ltiss, 1 ain't done nothin'," be said;
"1'e jest looking for a bo'din' house."
'Well, J have one for you," said Hayes,
".you eau eorac to the station "
Stewart's coat and overcoat weie soaked
-with blood. His collar was stained a
deep red and ene hand was wrapped in a
bandage. He made no pretense of deny
ing his -milt and admitted that he had
attempted to kill his parents.
He said he did not know or career lie
bad succeeded and appeared to treat the
-whole affair as a joke Yesterday morn
ing the boy was removed to the Eighth
precinct station.
He rcfu.sed, when questioned, to give
any cause for Ill's act beyond saying that
lie dii'.asot get on well with the old people
und thought he would finish them.
Policemen Keerc and Bo.swoll, who have
been investigating the case, bay that there
Is no doubt that robbery was the motive
for the attempted murder.
Mrs. Perry, the officers say, had a small
mm of money concealed In a pillow and
Stewart knew of it. "When he came into
the room he told his mother goodby and
said that he intended to go to Philadelphia
In the morning.
Last night Stewart told the police that
after leaving the house he went to Garfield
Hospital and had the surgeons dress his
hand. He said four stitches were taken
In the cut. and that he informed the
physicians tliat the blood on his clothing
came from that "wound.
Large Cargo of Cotton.
New Orleans, La., Dec. 20. The Bnti-li
steamship American, of the West' Indies
and Pacific Line cleared from this port
with the largest cotton cargo on record
from any port. The cargo comprised -2,-T570
bales of cotton. In addition she
had 1.4S3 sacks of cotton teed and 54.S00
oak staves.
Oppose the Resolution.
Memphis Tenn., Dec 20. A petition
signed by the principal cotton growers In
this section was sent to Senators Harris
and Hate yesterday asking them to use
"their influence against the passage of
theCameion resolution.
Pope ltecelves Bishop Keane.
Home, Dec. 20. The Tope at noon yes
terday gave an audience to Bishop Keane,
late rector of the Catholic University at
Washington. D. C.
"Watch for a town. Congress Heights.
SliopperSo
If you want to know how big your DOLLAR is how'large its' PUR CHASING
power, 'bring it to US and
Measure Its yalue
by tbe number and quality of suitable gifts it will purchase for the Men and Boys.
Articles which EVERYBODY wants and which under the conditions of this
DISSOLUTION sale are yours at -a valuation which makes the purchasing
power of - to.
Your Dollar . : ' -
greater than ever in the WORLD'S. HISTORY. There are sf its, Overcoats,
Ulsters, for Men and Boys. Hats, Shoes, Fancy Slippers, Mackintoshes, Fancy
Vests, Canes and Umbrellas, Suspenders, Gloves, Mufflers, and Handkerchiefs .
HUNDREDS OF OTHER USEFUL ARTICLES, which would be APPRE
" CIATED by the recipient.
ROBINSON, CHERY & CO.,
)
ty
7th St.
FITZHOGH LEE WAS HERE
Cousnl General and His Family
Were Eu Route to Tampa.
In the Four Honrs.' Stop-Over He
Saw Mr. Olney nmd a
Few Friends.
Gen. Titzhugh Lee, consul general at
Havana, arrived in the city jester J.iy
morning, accompanied by Mrs. Lee and
his daughter, who have been with Mm
on a visit to New York.
This visit or Gen. Lee has been reported
from New York as being one of extraor
dinary im-tor'ance and with special rela
tion to the resolution rrom I he Commlt'ee
on 1 oieign Arfairs of the Senate, which
may be laid before the Senate today.
It was further stated that Gen. Lee had
intended to maka !!:- :." to Cuba by
steamer from New York, but that an
alarming dispatch from Mr. Olney l.ad
recalled 1dm to Washington".
The fact appears to be that the general
had originally intended to return to
Cuba over the Southern Railway and that
the shortest way to make connection .was
at Washington.
He came here with his party In the
private car or President Duval", or the
Florida Central and Peninsular Railway,
which arrived at 7:-10 a. in. Connection
for the South was to be made at 11 -30
o'clock jith the through southbound train
oer the Southern Railway.
Gen. Lee was in the city for about four
hours, but in response to inquiries he de
clinedlo speak on any matter referring to
the Cuban question. Nothing new within
his knowledge as to the status of arfairs
on the island had occurred since he left,
and what he had to say had been communi
cated to President Cleveland.
It was while in the rull possession of the
facts contained in the report that Mr.
Clcveland had prepared that part of his
message referring to the war on the island.
It was stated that In his drive in the
morning Gen. Lee had called on Secretary
Olney and bad a short talk with him. He
also called on a few other friends, but did
not return to the place where he stayed
when here a few weeks ago.
Gen. Lee expects to reach Tampa this
evening, -where he will take the steamer
for Havana.
JOY YET IN HAVANA.
Mac-en's Death Causes Patriotic Out
hursts on an Excursion.
Havana, Dec. 20. The demonstrations
of joy over the death of Mncco have not
yet ended. There was a largely attended
excursion today from Havana to Puma
Brava in honor of Major Cirujeda's column,
which killed the rebel leader.
The affair was organized by natives of
Gallcia, Major Ciru;cda's native province,
and was made the occasion for a great dis
play of patriotic enthusiasm.
Many speeches were made on the trip
predicting the speedy collapse of the re
bellion and exalting the performances or
the Spanish soldiers.
When the excursionists arrived at Punta
Brava they'were received by the of
ficers of Major Cirujeda's column and
there were further speeches and jubilatfon.
Gifts were presented to the officers of
the command and a banquet was given
to the men. Most of the prominent galle
josin of tiic city took part in the excursion.
Flooring, $1.50 for 100 Feet.
Kiln-dried heart, one width, one length-
Libbej & Co.. Cth st. and New York ave.
Four Bruised and Half-Starved
MeifCome Here.
WORKED ON OYSTER BOATS
Horrible Cruelty Practiced Upon
the Defenseless Men by Their
CaptnlnN-Nielcey Fortune "Was
Crazed by His Sufferings and
Drowned Ilhnself.
A tale of shocking inhumanity and
brutality to sailors was told" last night at
the Fourth precinct station by four of
the victims whose condition verifies the
j worst details of their story.
une or me original party is nuking and
the men believe that he was diown hllii
'.he attempt, half crazed by the outrages of
his captain, to escape after midnight by
plunging naked into the Potomac. The
unfortunate man was not seen uftor his
jump overboard as a relief from his mis
fortune. The four men are William Smith, Frank
Hcffman, Phil. Sheridan, and Otto G.
Tripp, William Smith being colored. The
two former are oystermeti of theboat
Collector, captained by Dick Mason or
Hackamack, Phil Sheridan and Olto Tripp
having been sailors on the John Neely, the
captain of which is John Dix.
Both boats are in the oyster trade in
the lower Potomac. Tripp is from New
York, Smith from Pennsylvania, Hofr-.
man from Baltimore and Sheridan from
Chicago. ,
They shipped with their respective cap
tains on September 17 at Baltimore un
der the regular rules of pay, treatment and
provisions. Every single detail of the
agreement, the men say, has been shame
fully violated.
They left Baltimore in cold weather, and
although they had been promised blankets
and coal, when they were out on the bay
making for the oyster grounds on the Po
tomac they discovered that they were to
have fire when they could get wood, an
impossibility and an outrage, as they wvre
at sea.
Remonstrance brought them the first in
timation of the subsequent outrageous
treatment. The captain"; swore at the men
and ran them with oaths down below,
where thc-y shivered the first i.iglit.
THEIR SUFFERINGS.
Their next experience was with the
food, which, they declared last night, was
only bread and blaek molases, and not too
much of that, although they had been
promieed good, healthy fare.
Hoffman is but a boy. He is already
thin and emanated rrom both hunecr, cold
and an unparalleled severity of treatment.
He, libs the others, i dressed in old
clothes which smell of the dirty hold and
a mocSh's accumulation of unsavory sur
roundflss. Hoffman's story is pathetic;
'I was told," he said, "that It was
hard work, but I never imagined that the
hard work would be under such terrible
condition". The first week they let me
alone and although the fare was bad and
we were cold, we suffered it as be.'-t we
could. But the next week was a terror
. "I was treated worse than a dog. I
was knocked around and knocked down at
the least sign or complaint I was kicked
from one end of the deck to the other
when I was almost frozen and too weak
to resist, if I dared.
"When I failed to work from the terri
ble treatment and the Hoggings or the
day berore the captain took a club and
"beat me with that unmercifully. lie
whipped me up and down the deck with
a rope, and one very cold night I remember
he beat me with a heavy rope, not only
over the body, but on my head and across
my raco.
"This thing went on nearly every day
and evening until we were dumped ashore,.
I don't know how far from Washington,
but it took a whole day, from sunrise until
dark, to get here. I suppose it was about
Torty miles from this place.
"We were put out on a bitter cold
morning wben the moon was all we had
to show us where we weie. It was in
a swamp and we had to wait until sunrise;-or
about that time, to set out on our
journey.-'
BEATEN AND BRUISED.
William Smith, the colored man. was
on the same boat with Hoffman. He was
a witness and participant in all the out
rages described bv the white sufferer. Smith
is beaten and bruised very badly. His
muscles arc swollen, his eyes are blood
shot, his feet are maimed, and his story,
while the same as that of Hoffman, Is not
so arrecting, because he is or was a
strong man before these frightful exper
iences. Phil Sheridan was on the "John Neelw"
He heard the relation or the facts in the
Hoffman and Smith cases and said that,
his treatment was none the less severe
and inhuman than theirs. He, too, he
said, was knocked down, dragged around
and beaten with ropes and clubs. He
was denied time to clean his clothes.
He and Tripp described their beds as
hard, cold and dirty. As stated, whatever
was the cause, these men have been
treatedworse than animals in an offensive
pen. It will take them some time to re
cover from their shameful experiences.
They say that even when payday came
Continued on Third Page.
12th and F Streets N. W.
Radical Sympathizers May Start
Debate in Senafe Today.
COUNSEL FOR COOL HEADS
Moderation "Will -Be Olrged by the
Conservative Senatdrs 'o Prob
ability That "Mr.Cnmeron's Resolu
tion Will lie Aotedjon Before the
Recess More Opinions.
The Cuba nquestionaiidSecretaryOlney's
statement of the Executive position may
precipitate a debate in tiic Senate today
'that will set aside the regular business as
signed for the two days that body will
still be in session before the holiday recess.
It1 is not improbable that some of the
more radical Cuban sympathizers will start
the discussion with the presentation ut
Senator Cameron's report shortly after the
morning hour.
Conservative Senators who have studied
the precedents are inclined to the opinion
that the talk about a serious difficulty be
tween the President and Congress has no
sound foundation.
Cool heads willrounselmodcration. There
is not the remotest ptobability' of Mr.
Cameron's resolution recognizing the In
dependence of the republic of Cuba being
acted upon in the Senate before the holiday
recess.
When the debate does begin it is evident
that Senators Morgan, Davis, Chandler,
Lodge, Cullum and Mills will take up a
position adverse to that of the Secretary
of State and the discussion may be pro
longed until after the -1th of March.
AFTER THE HOLIDAYS.
It was agreed in the Committee on For
eign Relations that the report on the
Cameron resolutions should be made today
and Hint the matter should not be called
up until after the holidays. This agree
ment will be carried out.
If the program of the Senate made
before the Cuban question took such an
acute form is permitted to be carried out
the .Senate will discuss the Oklahoma free
homestead bill, which is the unfinished
business.
The beginning of the holiday recess with
the adjournment on Tuesday gives but
two days for business in the House, and
there is small prospect of a quorum. Con
sideration of the legislative, executive
and judicial appropriation bill, which is
the unfinished business, will resume today
and the measure will probably be disposed
of, unless the advocates of the library
scheme proposed by the joint committee
as a substitute for the provisions reported
by the commit tec-should require the pres
ence of a quorum, In which case the bill
will go over unil after the holidays.
Senator Morgan, In speaking yesterday
of the Senate Foreign Relations Commit
tee's action, saiil the oopimittee acted
solely upon the facts in the President's
; message, and -these fully justified the
coarse they had taken. t Mr. Olney was
advicd of this act when he was before
the committee, and did not, Mr. Morgan
said, pretend to controvert It.
Ilefore the committee Mr. OIney's only
point was as to the? existence or a civil
overnment in Cuba controlled bv th.
people or the"isWnd, and Upon this point
he argued against the duty of the United
States to intervene for the causes sec
forth in the 'President's message.
Mr. Morgan sa'd that Mr. Olney insisted
that delay was better than action ror the
sake or preserving the good relations be
tween Spain and the United States.
OVERTURE TO INTERVENE.
Mr. Olney set before the committee no
fact that would tend to control its action,
in addition to those found in the message,
except that in April last he had made air
overture to Spain to intervene, but hud re
ceived no reply.
Mr. Morgan said that if the Preside-it
has misstated the facts, which he did rot
believe, the responsibility for the situa
tion .rests, only upon him. In conclusion
he said with emphasis that upon the facts
submitted to it Congress would claim its
constitutional right to a voice in control
ling this nation.''
Senator Call of Florida said: "I dis
agree with Mr. Olney on his view as to the
constitutional power of Congress. A joint
resolution, passed" over the veto, is the law
of the land, the same as any other en
actment by the same kind of a vote, and
the President would be compelled to
execute it. Congres-s is still the Mipieme
power In this country."
Senator Davis, of Minnesota, denied that
the power to recognize a State rested ex
clusively in the President. A joint resolu
tion had the same efrect when passed over
the Presidential veto -as any other enact
ment ot Congress and as supreme. Mr
clVis 1)ackC(1 his' argument with numer-
ous citations from authorities.
Representative Moody, or Massachusetts,
said: "I always thought that the orderly
administration or foreign affairs should
be left with the President, but Mr. OIney's
assertion that Congress has no constitu
tional power to'iecoguize the independence
of a State is going beyond any conviction
of my own. It raises n very grave con
stitutional question.'
TALK OF IMPEACHMENT.
Representative William A. Stone, of
Pennsylvania, holds that in matters ex
clusively within the jurisdiction ""br the
President and upon which he has greater
opportunities to obtain information than
the He use, the latter ought to be very care
lul in acting hastily.
'''The hew1 President will be inaugurated
on the rourtli of March and Congress ought
not to embarrass him before he has a full
opportunity to examine all the facts re
latingjbo .yie Cuban question." "
Mr. Livingstone, of Georgia, said: ".My
opinion, modestly expressed, is that if the
President should refuse totlo his duty as
expressed by this Congresin passing the
Senate resolution over hisivcto it would
lead.to Ecrious results to faf as the; Execu
tive is concerned. In other words, if the
Senate' and House pass a resolution recog
nizing the independence of Cuba and the
Tfesldent shduld vefo it tind Loth fcojies
should pass it over his eto and he would
still decline to carry it into effect, Con
gress would see that tome other man was
, pufrin his palace. He would certainly make
himself liable to impeachment."
Horses Burned to Death.
New York, Dec- 20. Fifty horses were
burned to death at a fire "which started
at 5:30 o'clock this morning in the brick
boarding stable occupied by Bernard Soy,
at No. 555 Carroll street, Brooklvn.
Three firemen; were Injured by falling
walls. The total loss is about .$18,000.
Ivy Institute Business College, 8th andK.
None'bettbr "525; afyeatvirlay or night
Spain Regards the Cuban Situa
tion as Grave.
SENOR CASTILLO'S VIEWS
The Prime Minister Will Shortly
Make a Declaration Concerning:
the President's Message Rec
ognition of Holllgercney In Not
Regarded as Casus lielll.
Madrid, Dec. 20. Scnor Ca novas del
Castillo, the prime minister, has received
the official texuof President Cleveland's
message to the American Congress, and
Will shortly make a declaration on that
part of the document which refers to the
Cuban question.
Conferences have been held during the
past few days between the most prominent
men in political life in Spain with the ob
ject of seeking a solution or the problem
which confronts the government and which,
it is possible, might cause a war with the
United States.
It is conceded in all political circles that
the situation is grave, but it is thought
that the willingness or Spain to grant re
forms in the Spanish "West Indies should
tend to avert any display or aggressiveness
on the part or tlte United States.
One point is sfettled upon and that is that
no rerorins shall be put into eriect in
Cuba until the insurrection shnll have been
suppressed, for it is held that to offer
reforms with the Cubans still in arras
would indicate weakness on the part of
Spain and would also be deiogatory to
her honor.
Though the popular indignation caucd
by the receipt or the 'news or the action of
the Committee on Foreign Relations of the
American Senate Mjows little sign of
diminution, there have been no manifes
tations against the United States or its
representatives anywhere in Spain.
GUARDED THE LEGATION.
That such manifestations were expected,
however, is shown by the fact that police
and gendarmes were detailed to guard the
American legation here, and precaution-,
were taken eNewhere to protect the vari
ous consulates of the United States should
the excited people attempt to make an
attack upon them.
Orders were sont to the governors of the
several provinces to prohibit any anti
American demonstrations, and from dis
patches received today from the piovin
cial capitals it Is known that the orders
were faithfully carried out.
Prominent politicians confirm the state
ments contained in yesterday's dispatches
to the United Associated Presses, that it is
the intention of the government, when the
opportune moment arrives, to put into
effect in Cuba political and economical re
forms which, it is said, will be wider in
their scope than those approved-by the
cortez last year.
The .death is announced today of -Scnor
Don Manuel Decerrara, former minister of
'the tolonies. He was 'very -popular, and
it is said of him that he at one time
hindered the sale of Cuba to the United
States.
The Epoca, the organ of Senor Canovas
and the ministerialists, in commenting upon
the situation says that Spain r.ccds at the
present moment much calm, tound judg
ment on the part or the public to
avoid greater dirriculties than thoe the
government is cow racing. As long as
prudence Is compatible with natlopal honor
Spam has nothing to do save to defend her
rights if they are attarkid.
NOT A CASUS BELLI.
A recognition of belligerency is not a
casus belli unless such recognition i. granted
by an Interested nation. Formerlj Spain
recognized the belligerency of the Southern
States of America, despite the protest of
the Federal government, which did Lot
regard the attitude or Euiopcan govern
ments in this matter as a casus belli.
If the act indicated by the Cameron reso
lution shall be consummated Spain will
protest, thereby greatly influencing th
relations between the United States and
Spain, but Spaniards must not forget the
attitude of the powers, which after Presi
dent Cleveland's declaration anent the
Anglo-Venezuelan dispute, abstained from
any intervention. Spain ought to keep
account of all these precedents.
Prime Minister Canovas holds that under
the framing or Senator Cameron's reso
lution there will be no armed interven
tion on the part or the United States in
Cuban territory. Though the partisans of
the proposal may obtain the necessary
votes to override the veto which he be
lieves President Cleveland will Interpose
and so make the resolution an obligatory
act of Congress, it would only affect a
recognition of the independence of Cuba
and lead to an offer of its good offices
by the United States to terminate the war.
SPAIN'S COURSE.
"With whatever officlousness the United
States may interpose. Spain will retain
the right to accept or reject the oifer
or the. American good offices. If the
United States recognizes the independence
ot Cuba she will then have to recognize
the laws of neutrality. It she recog
nizes the belligerency ot the Cubans Spam
will have the right to stop and visit Amer
icarrrpssels at sea.
Senor Canovas does not think that the
Cameron resolution need cause serious per
turbation. It will only make the relatious
between Spain and the United Suites more
strained, but need not cause a rupture.
lie will never consent to foreign inter
ference in what is a question of Spain's
domestic politics. Spain will regulate
her acts so that nobody will be able to
say that she made war upon anotherpower,
yet she will always repel aggression.
The tone of the newspapers generally
is more moderate today than it was yes
terday. They contain little to excite the
populace.
DIED FROM HEART DISEASE.
R. N. Quockenboss of This City Ex
pired In Newark Boarding Ilouse.
Special to the X"ies-
New York, Dec. 20. R. N. Quackenboss,
thirty-five years old, of Washington, D. C,
last night was found dead in his room
in Mrs. Jane Looges' boarding house, No.
275 Market street, Newark, N. J.
County Physician Washington held an
autopsy today and decided that .Quacken
boss died from heart disease.
The name of R. N. Quackenbos does not
appear in the directory ot this city. The
postoffice authorities reported last night
that his mall had been sent to 1007 Thir
teenth street northwest. Investigation
showed the house bearing the above num
ber to be vacant.
Secretary of State Acted With
Great Caution.
STUDIED THE SITUATION
Mr. Olney Went All Over the Same
Ground During the Ilawuiian
Diff lenity Questions of the I resi
dent's Prerogatives Determined
by Investigation TVith Precedents.
There is every reason to believe that
Secretary OIney's declaration that recog
nition is exclusively an Executive func
tion was not made until after that cau
tious and thorough deliberation which char
acterized his conduct ot the negotiations
with Lord Salisbury over the Venezuelan
controversy, and the other important offi
cial matters which have called for his
decisions since he entered President Cleve
lands Cabinet as Attorney General nearly
four years ago.
It is well known In the highest official
circle, especially in the Cabinet, that
questions of Presidential prerogative were
forced upon him by his colleagues among
the Executive's advisers at the outset of
this administration in connection with
the perplexities that arose in the Hawaiian
affair, when the Executive was placed
in direct antagonism with Congress.
The paramount mission ot Commissions
Blount to Honolulu was understood to have
been undertaken with the Attorney Gen
eral's full indorsement, and all the subse
quent acts ot the administration with re
gard to the mid-ocean republic were said
to have had his approval if indeed they had
not been inaugurated at his suggestion
In his orricial capacity Mr. Olney was
most intimately associated with the Presi
dent in the steps which were taken to
suppress the great railway riots by the use
ot Federal troops, and throughout his oc
cupancy ot the Department of Justice he
was constantly called upon to declare tli'
limitations of Executive power under the
Constitution.
HIS FORMER ADVICE.
The sharp demarkation of Congressional
and Executive functions, with repect to
purely international matters, was pre
heated to him as the legal adviser of the
President upon the adoption of the Hoar
Turkish re.-olutions, and at that time it
was understood that such instructions to
Jhe President by Congress, wheth'-r in
the foim of concurrent or joint resolu
tions did not require compliance. The
President neither signed nor disapproved
the resolutions, nor did he transmit them
to the Ottoman Porte.
The Cuban resolutions were similarly
ignored, though at the time of their adop
tion ic was generally understood that
Secretary Olney had reached'the con
clusion that their effect was exclusively
advisory, however mandatory frieir lan
guage might be.
This decision was due In- part at least
to the dictum that Congress could not
be expected to know as much about the
subject as the Executive, and was, there
fore, not in a position to judge what
ought to be done. Tiic information pos
seted by the administration was not of
the nature that could bf communicated to
Congress compatibly with the public in
terest, and this recognition of an Executive
prerogative in foreign matters which has
always received the acquiescence or Con
gress, is considered a fundamental point
against Congress in the controversy that
Secretary OIney's statement or yesterday
bas provoked.
There are some very Interesting pre
cedents citable in support of Secretary
Olney's- contention , their applicability being
dependent, however, on the Constitutional
stipulations as to the power or tongr.'ss
contained in Act I, section S, and as to
the Executive authority in Act II, sectijn
3.
POWERS OF CONGRESS.
It Is pointed out by State Department
orficials that Congress has never been
confirmed by the Supreme Court In its
assertion of anypowersnot expressly given
to It b the Constitution. Its only inter
national tunctions related to the present
question are "to regulate commerce with
toreigu nations." "to derine and punish
piracies and felonies committed on the
high seas and offenses against the law ot
nations," and "to declare war, grant
letters of marque and reprisal."
The President alone on the other 'hand,
according to the Constitution, is empower
ed to "receive ambassadors and other
public ministers." It is this provision
which is held to Rive him exclusive juris
diction in the recognition of other nations.
In the event of the recognition of either
the belligerency or independence of Cuba,
the first result would be the appearance of
an accredited minister or other emissary
or that island. The contention is that,
under the Constitution, the President is
the sole judge as to whether sncli emissary
shall be received.
Precisely this emergency-has arisen in
the past rew weeks. The Greater Republic
or Central America has come into existence
and its accredited minister. Mr. Roduguey,
has been in Washington a fortnight. He
has net been received by the President
nor has the American charge at Managua,
Nicaragua, been authorized to formally
recognize the new arrangement.
The President also took his own time in
recognizing the provisional government of
Hawaii, and also the Dole government.
Frequently prompt recognition o.f a for
eign government has taken place without
any thought of the possible approval or
disapproval of Congress, notably when
President Harrison acted oa the practical
termination of the Chilean revolution.
The same was also the cae upon the es
tablishment of the present republic of
France and the republic of Braril.
PRESIDENT'S AUTHORITY
Another recent case of the exercise ef
the President's authority in receiving and
dealing with foreign ministers occurred
in the dismissal of Sir Sackvlllc-Wcst, the
British minister.
"While this caused no disruption of our
relations with England, it Is held that It
showed the President's power to act alto
gether without consulting Congress, and
it was an instance of an Executive action
which might have led to war.
In this connection it is also pointed out
that while Congress can alone declare
war, it is clearly within the power of the
President, by his own action, to bring
about a war which, if declared by an op
ponent, would create a condition he would
be compelled to meet until Congress could
assemble and act, especially If hostilities
were provoked on. our coa?t.
As indicating that the procedure of the
Continued on Third Page.
William Wheeler, a Lawyer,
Swallowed Paris Green.
DRINK AND DESPONDENCY
Lived at No. 710 Twelfth Street
Northwest, livtt "Was In Financial
Srraltsi-Came From New York
and Little by Little Pawned His
Clothes for Liquor. -sS
William Wheeler, a lawyer, forty-two
years old and a widower, who has lived
for several riontfis at No. 716 Twellta.
street northwest, committed suicide yes
terday by swallowing a quantity ot parli
green.
Uewas foundin his room shortly after -i
o'clock yesterday afternoon. He appearejl
to be suffering great pain, and Dr. Mc
Keehan.who lives in the house, was sum
moned. The physician at once ordered that Mr.
Wheeler be removed to Emergency Hos
pital, and an ambulance was. sent for. Ee
died on the way to the hospital.
Beneath the bed in his room was found
a cup In which he had mixed thepolson.
.On a small pad of writing paper found on
the table was the following memorandum:
THE MESSAGE.
The words were hastily scrawled ia
lead pencil and had evidently been written
after the dose had been takwi. It read:
"George Spencer Hart, 26 West Fifty
sixth street, New York City. President;
Second avenue railroad. Henry T- Taber,
banker and broker, Mills Emitting;, New
York City. Firmer Taber & Halsey. These
are the names of two brothers-in-law.'
There was no note or message left by
the dead man stating any cause for hisaet.
But very little is known of Mr. Wheeler
in this city. He came here several months
ago and took up his residence in the house
where he ended his life.
Uewas somewhat reserved and made fev
friends. To those with whom he conversed
he gave his profession as a lawyer, but
he had no practice to speak of in this eity.
Among his acquaintances it was the ac
cepted opinion last night that despondency
over his financial condition had led him
to kill himself. He had been drinkiug
heavily Tor the past week, and had re
mained for the most part in his room.
Early yesterday afternoon Dr. MeKeehan
and Thomas W. Soran, or No. 610 Four
teenth street northwest, went to Wheeler's
room to see if thej could be of any assist
ance to liim.
Other boarders in the hoase said that
they had hearu the man moving about
in his room, and from the sounds thought
he must be ill.
The two gentlemen found Wheeler in
led and considerably under the Influence
of liquor. He talked in a rambling way
about his troubles and informed the phy
siciun that he had taken poison and wished
to end his life.
Judging from the manner in which Mr.
Wheeler made the fttenaent the gentle
men thought it was but the Idle taRcof'a.
drunken man, and no attention wss palil
to hi3 remark.
Later in the day Dc MeKeefcaa again
went to AVheelcr's room and offered Wnr
a cup ot coffee, teliing him tltac tc
would make him feel belter t dnn't
something hot.
CONFESSED. HIS ACT.
ne attempted to drlnkthecorree but was
Immediately taken very in. When qees-
tinned, by the physician l.e said he had
swallowed paris green and pointed to a
paper on the table which he said had
contained the powder.
Dr. McKcehan at once sent for an
ambulance and until it arrived did all
in his power to keep the man alive.
Mr. Wheeler was carried down stairs
and placed in the wagonnid a quick run
made for the hospital. He died, however,
before he could be placed on an operating
table.
1 he body was removed to the morgue of
the hospital and the man's friends noti
fied. Last night telegrams were sent to the
addresses given in New York, but up to
a late hour no replies had been recettW.
Coroner Hammett, who was notified ef
the death, ordered the body held at the
hospital until today.
This morning he wilt make an investi
gation. -
Policeman Bushall examined the effi-cts
of the dead man !at night in the hope
of finding some note or message. The
appenranceof the room occupied by Wheeler
indicated his straightened condition finan
cially. He had no money anil had ap
parently exhausted every means of obtain
ing cash.
On Friday be pawned his overcoat and
that was the last ot an extensive ward
robe. Everything he possessed had gone Car
drink, and with his last few penim" He
bought the poison which ended his life.
DTJRRANT'S FIGHT FOR LIFE.
Ills Case "Will Come fp iu the Su
preme Court Today.
San Francisco, Dec 20. The Dnrrant
case will come up m the Supreme Court
tomorrow. The Attorney General has pre
pared ids brief in answer to the briefs
Durrant's attorneys in anticipation of the
possible setting aside of the order of sub
mission of the court. The main argument
will not take place tomorrow in any event,
but the proceedings promise to be ir.ter
esting nevertheless. If the order ot "ib
mission is set aside the defense will have
ten days or more in which to file an.
answer to the Attorney General. Tli-n the
real and final struggle for a new trial
for Durrant wiirtake place.
The Attorney General has had the trief
of Durrani-; attorneys to consider. It
has not been filed, but is in the office ct
the clerk of the Supreme Court ready for
filing. The brief or the Attorney General
is long and all the Icadingpeintsmade for
the defense are met.
ESCAPED THE NOOSE.
Death Sentence of John Leintnons
Commuted to Life Imprisonment.
Chattanooga, Tenn.. Dec- 20 The sen
tence of John Lcmmons. under convic
tion for the murder ot Constable Lynch,
was tonight commuted by Gov. Tnrney to
life imprisonment. nc was condemned
to be banged tomorrow.
Lemmons shot and killed Constable Lynch,
from ambush, March 3, 1S95, while in the
discharge ot his duty. He no doubt owes
his escape from the death penalty to the
unconditional release of John Masscngnle,
a murderer, ot this county, recently par
doned. Thousands of well-known citizens peti
tioned trie executive "to ligUtcn the sentence.
' S.-V j-iNr, t, ?
v
'S-BsSl-
-. -t.j-.' t,wia f-fc: