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MONDAY EVENING. DEC. 5, 189S. It has already become apparent that a strenuous eflort will be made during the present session of Congress to pass the bill giving a Northern stock com? pany one hundred million dollars, as a starter, for the construction of an inter ocean canal through foreign territory, though there are three or four railroads connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans now in operation through terri? tory of the United States, and for the construction of which hundreds of mil? lions of dollars of the people's money have been appropriated. As the only beneficiaries of such a canal as the one referred to, except, of course, the stockholders in the scheme and their agants, will be a few Northern ship owners, how Sjuthern congressmen can support it, is what many people can't find out. A nkgko preacher in Washington yesterday told his congregation that if the white preachers and church mem bers who took part in the recent eflort to Americanize Wilmington and other parts of North Carolina, are Christian?, then he is not one, but that he believes them to be "liars, hypocrites, murderers and cowards." The first negroes that are to be deported to any of the recent? ly conquered provinces, or to the home of their ancestors iu Africa, should in? clude among tb*m all such preacher? as the one referred to, as they do a great deal toward stimulating their race to words and acts that provoke ill-feeling between them and the white people among whom they live. The third and last session of the fifty fifth Congress met to day. Its work will probably be confined to the passage of the regular appropriation bills for the support of the government and for pay? ing the bondholders their increastd amount of interest. Though Mr. Mc? Kinley was elected with the promise that there should be a reform in the currency, hardly anybody supposes that two sessions of Congress having been allowed to expire without any at? tempt to fulfill that promise, an effort to do tsO can well succeed in tnid, the re? maining short session, so much of tht time of which will be consumed in the consideration of ihn necessary appro? priation bills. Of this 3ession it may therefore be well said, blessed are those who expect nothing. FROM WASHINGTON. [Corraspondence of the Alexandria Gazet:c. Washington, Dec. 5. Tho letter of the Secretary of the Treasury transmitting estimates of ap? propriations for the year ending Jun? 30:b, 1900, was cent to the House o( Representatives this morning. Some of the larger sums are: For the legisla five department $4,470,000; for .the Treasury, $9,061,010; Agricultural $8, 127,722; Judicial, $27,492 000; MiliU-.rv Establishment, -*145,119,000; Navaf, $39,114,000; Pennons, ?145,2;? ,00O; Public Worke, $56.927,000, Miscel'lan' eous, $37,314,000; Permanent annuri appropriations $128 67S.000. The total estimates for 1900 are $593.04S,37S. The appropriations for 1898 including ing deficiencies and miscellaneous wei< $S02,S75.513. Peosiou Commissioner Evans this morning ordered to be disbarred from practice Luther C. Williams, of Nor? folk, Va. Minister Matras Remero of Mexico who returned to this citjrto-day called upon Secretary Hay and iuformally an? nounced that he had been made an Ambassador. This goverumout wi;l now reciprocate by1 raising Minister to Mexico Powell Clayton, to an ambassa? dor. This is the first, time that an American republic has been represented here by an ambassador. Adjutant General Corbin said this morning that a definite date for the de? parture of Major Genera! Fitzbuah Lee with his headquarters from Savan? nah for Havana had not yet been set, but he will undoubtedly get away the latter part of this week. The widow of Captain Charles Grid ley, of the U S. cruiser 0<ympia, is to get a pension of $30 a month. Captaiu Gridley died two or three days after the battle of Manila while on his way home. President Proctor, of the civil ser? vice commission, says the charge against Senator Galiioger will ho in? vestigated at once and would have been before "had the yellow fever not inter ferred with our examinations in the South. We have not dropped or for? gotten the matter/' The family of the late General Raw lings have written to Mr. Frank Hume to see if the government will allow them to remove the General's remains from the Congressional Cemetery to Arlington, at their own expense, to b i reinterred in a lot just north of the one in which General Sheridan is buried. General Rawlings's father wits a native of Culpeper county, Virginia. Mr. Hepburn, chairman of the Housa commerce committee, will give a hear? ing to-morrow morning to the pro? moters of the bill for the construction of a bridge across the Potomac from Observatory Hill to Arlington. 3lr. Hepburn is iu favor of the bill, and so are a majority and probably the whole of the committee. - A North Carolina democrat hero to? day says the negroes here and in tne North in attempting to disprove the danger of negro domination there, cite the fact that many of the republican of? ficers are white men. "Why," said be. '?that's the chief cs/'use of comDlaint. The white officers the negroes elect and j appoint are infinitely worse than the I negroes themselves. We can stand the ' latter, but the white men who obtain offices by means of their votes, are un? bearable." Senator Martin says he was misrepre? sented by a newspaper of this city in respect to bis position on the Philip? pine question. He does not know whether the treaty providing for the annexation of those islands will be rati? fied or not and in his reported inter? view only spoke of the support that treaty might receive from some Sena? tors by reason of the fear that a failure to ratify it might possibly provoke foreign complications, if not a renewal of hostilities. He never was in favor of the annexation of the Philippines as a direct proposition. A bill to increase the army to one hundred thousand men was introduced in the Houho to-day, and will be con? sidered by the army committee to-mor? row. Some of the democratic mem? bers of thatcommittee, Mr. Hay among them, will oppose it, on the ground that the present size, sixty thousand, is large enough. Congressman Hay says he thinks eight of the ten democratic members of the next House from Virginia will favor the leadership of Mr. Bailey in that body, and probably nine: also that he :h nks Mr. Man in will be his own succassor in the Senate. It is rumored at the State Depart? ment that to show her newly develop? er! nifection for the United States, Great Britain will demand of President Kru i;er of the Transvaal republic that he grunt American negroes there the same privileges and immunities that are al? lowed all the other people of thatcoun try. Congressman Lamb, of Virginia, says he has strong hopes of succeeding, at this session, with the bills for tho relief of Bichmond Col? lege, for the payment of rents for property in Richmond occupied by tho federal army after the cIojo of the war, aud for refunding the balance to tho accouut of tho Freodmon's Sav n;gs Bunk to the depositors in that bank or their heirs. Cjngr.-.ism in Jones, of Virginia, when ask? ed to day libjut the report that Mr. Bailey wcu'd resign his leadership of the democratic ?Me of the Houee, said he would advise against it. as he would sgsiust any other ac? tion that might tend to crcato differences in the party, and as it would do no harm to any body to allow tho matter of sticu leadership :n that referred to, to lay over until the meet? ing of tho next Cong'ess. The Comptroller of the Currouey is opposed to the proposition to allow tho National Banks o supply the country with its piper currency. The leeliug among the republican managers in Congress is in favor of lotting things go .-?long iu tbo conquered provinces as they are, ind not to interfere with them until th9 next Congress. NEWS OF THE DAY. Many persons in Paris believe that an army plot to seize the supreme pow? er of France has been formed. The American and Spanish peace oi mmisssioners say the peace treaty is likely to be signed within a we6k. President Iglesias, of Costa Rica, left Washington yesterday for New York, whence he will sail next Saturday for Paris. The Mexican government has ac? credited Senor Romero, for a number of years its minister at Washington, as ambassador to the United States. The War Department willl send a oumber of regiments of the regular army to Manila, among tbem :hree negro regiments now on duty in the west. The government of Nicaragua, as a result of the collapse of the republic of Central America, has published a decree declaring Nicaragua to be an inde? pendent sovereign State. Fire ia St. Agnes's Roman Catholic Church in Fifty-third street, between Third and Lexington avenues, New York, early yesterday morning dam? aged the church to the extent of $150, 000. The entire sugar crop of the Ha? waiian islands is reported to have been purchased by the sugar trust and fif teeu larue eailinp vessels were yester? day announced as having been charter? ed to bring the sugar to the Delaware Breakwater for orders. Arrangements are being completed at Savannah, G.*., for the departure for Cuba of the Second division of the Sev? enth corps which includes the Fourth Virginia regiment. The movement will begin to morrow with the depar? ture of the provost guard. Mrs. Samuel J. Colgate will be mar? ried to the Eirl of Straff jrd to-morrow ia quiet fashion at the home of her sis? ter, Mrs. Alfred Kessler, in New York None but Mrs. Colgate's immediate relatives will be present. Bishop Pot? ter will perform the ceremony. The bill for the government of the Hawaiian Islands has beeen placed in the hands of the President by the Ha? waiian commission. The bill deals with the islands as a "territorial colony," as a government official expressed it, and provider a comprehensive and popular form of government, which may be ap? plied to the other possessions later. The main pipe connecting the boilers with the steam chest of the Mallory Liner ALimo, broke Saturday night just as the steamship was about to warp out of her dock at New York. AH the men in the fire room, six in number, were killed by the escaping steam. One pas? senger who was looking through the grating over the 6re room, was badly scalded about the face and hands. Because Mrs. Dietrich, a widow, who .is said to be sixty-eight years old and who lives in Brooklyn, refused to marry her boarder, Louis Hutzler, yes? terday, he cut her throat with a razor and then cut his own. Hutzler is forty years old, and has lived in the house for nearly six years. He is a baker. Both may die. A committee of colored men, ap? pointed at a recent mass-meeting of colored people in Washington, on Sat? urday called on the President to pre? sent certain resolutions passed at that meeting in regard to the race troubles in the Carolinas. President McKinley reminded the visitors that this is the time for moderation. The committee also urged the appointment of Captain Ay res, of the Tenth cavalry to be brigadier-general. The Peace Negotiations. Madrid, Dtc. 5.?The foreign minis? ter, in an interview, says he does not thiuk that the treaty can be signed be? fore the opening of Congress, since the discussion was proceeding on several points. He added that further instruc? tions would bo telegraphed to the Presi? dent of the Spanish peace commission to day. The conservative organs de? clare that Prime Minister Sagasta's mis? sion will end with the signing of the treaty of peace. Sagasta thinks this is premature. He will not summon the' Cortes before January, or until the ne? gotiations with the United States are completely concluded and the evaoua tioc of the colonies is finished. THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE, j Washington, D. C, Dec. 5.?In his message read in Congress to-day the President said: Notwithstanding the j added burdens rendered necessary by | the war our people rejoice in a very satisfactory and steadily increasing de? gree of prosperity evidenced by the largest volume of business ever record? ed. Manufacture has been productive, ?igricultural pursuits have yielded abun? dant returns, labor in all fields of in? dustry is better rewarded, revenue leg? islation passed by the present Congress has increased the Treasury receipts to the amount estimated by its authors; the finances of the government have been successfully administered and it credit has advanced to the front rank; while its currency has been maintained at the world's highest standard. Mili tary service under a common flag and for a righteous cause has strengthened the national spirit and served to cement more closely than ever the fraternal bonds between every section of the country. The President then recites the events which led up to the war with Spain. The destruction of the battleship Maine, "while lying rightfully in the harbor of Havana on a mission of international courtesy and good-will'' he says was "a catastrophe the suspicious nature and horror of which stirred the nation's j I heart profoundly. The finding of the ; naval board of inquiry established that i the origin of the explosion was external ? by a submarine mine, and only halted, <! through lack of positive testimony, to fix the responsibility of its authorship." Even before the finding of the naval i court, the President says, a crisis in our relations with Spain was at hand, und it needed but a brief executive sugges? tion to the Congress to receive imme? diate answer to the duty of making in? stant provision for the possible and per? haps speedily probable emergency of war. Still animated by the hope of a peaceful solution and obeying the dic? tates of duty, he says, no effort was re? laxed to bring about a speedy ending of the Cuban struggle. Negotiation continued for some time at Madrid, re? sulting in offers by the Spanish govern ment which could not but be regarded as inadequate. The President then says, grieved and disappointed at the barren outcome of his sincere endeavors to reach a practicable solution, he fell it his duty to remit the whole question to Congress in his mes sage of April 11, with the result that the memorablejoint resolution was passed on April 19ch and approved by the Executive on April 20th. A copy was at once communicated to the Span? ish jmi?ister, who forthwith asked for his passportys, which were given htm. The Spanish minister of State at Madrid notified General Woodford that upon the President's approval of the joint re? solution the Madrid government, re garding tho act as "equivalent to an evident declaration of war," h?d order? ed its minister in Washington to with? draw, thereby breaking off diplomatic relations between the two countries anu ceasing all official communication be? tween their respective governments. "Spain having thus denied the de? mand of the United States and initiated that complete form of rupture of rela tions which attends a state of war, the executive powers authorized by the resolutions were at once used by me to meet the enlarged contingency of actual war. Our country thus, after an inter? val of half a century of peajo with all nations, found itself eDgaged in deadly conflict with a foreign enemy. Every nerve was strained to meet the emer? gency." The President then recites the call for volunteers, the response to which was instant and complete; the creation of the auxiliary navy; the precautions taken to prevent possible injury to our great cities lying along the coast; and tho passage of the war revenue act of June 13ch authorizing a 3 per cent, popular loan of whicn $200,000,000 were offered and promptly taken, the sub? scriptions so far exceeding the call as i to cover it many times over. He recites briefly the most salient features of the war. Of Dewey's vie I tory at Manila he says: "The effect of this remarkable victory upon the spirit of our people and upon the fortunes of the war was instant. A prestige of in ' vincibility thereby attached to our arms, which continued throughout the struggle. Reinforcements were hurrh-d to Manila under the command of Major General Merritt and firmly established within sight of the capital, which lay helpless before our guns. Only reluc tance to cause needless loss of life and property prevented the early storming and capture of the city, and therewith the military occupancy of the whole group. The insurgents invested Manila from the northern and eastern sidts but were constrained by Admiral Dewey and General Merritt from attempting an assault. No partition of the rights and responsibilities attending the en? forcement of a just and advantageous peace could be thought of." The sinking of the Merrimac in the channel at Santiago harbor by Lieut. Hobson arjd seven volunteers is refer? red to as an act which "thrilled not alone tbe hearts of our countrymen but the world by its exceptional heroism." The President then refers to the cap? ture of the outworks of Santiago on July 1st by General Shafter'e army; the oapture of El Caney and San Juan on July 2nd, and, following this brilliant achievement of our land forces, the de? cisive naval combat of the war on July 3rd, in which the entire Spanish fleet under Cervera was destroyed in less than three hours, and says: "Where all so conspicuously distinguished themselves, from the commanders to tbe gunners and the unnamed heroes in the boiler rooms.each and all contribut? ing toward the achievement of this as? tounding victory, for which neither an? cient _nor modern history affords a par allel in the completeness of the event and the marvelous disproportion of casualties, it would be invidious to sin? gle out any for especial honor. De served promotion has rewarded the more conspicuous actors the nation's profoundest gratitude is due to all of these brave men." With the fall of Santiago the occupation of Porto Rico became the next strategic i necessity. General Miles had previous? ly been selected to organize an expedi? tion for that purpose. He entered Ponce on July 27tb, and by August 12th much of the island was in our pos? session and the acquisition of the re? mainder was only a matter of a short time. The annihilation of Admiral Cervera's fleet, followed by the capitu? lation of Santiago having brought the Spanish government a realizing sense of the hopelessness of continuing a struggle now become wholly unequal, it made overtures of peace through the Frenoh ambassador, which resulted in the draft of a -protocol. Tbe negotia? tions of the Paris peace commissioners, the President says, have made hopeful progress, so that' he trusts soon to be able to lay a definitive treaty of peace before the Senate. The discussion of the government or the future of the new possessions will be aopropriate af? ter the treaty of peace shall be ratified. In the meantime and until Congress has legislated ntnerwise, the President says it will be bis duty to continue the mili? tary government which has existed since our occupation. With regard to Cuba, the message says: As soon as we are io possession of Cuba and have pacified the island it will be necessary to give aid and direction to its people to form a government for themselves. This should be under? taken at the earliest moment consistent with safety and assured success. Spac ish rule must be replaced by a just, be? nevolent, and humane government, created by the people of Cuba. Neither revenge nor passion should have a place in the new government. Until there is complete tranquility in the isl land and a stable government inaugu? rated, military occupation will be con? tinued. Three-fifths of the message is devoted to the relations of the United States with the nations of the world other than Spain. The President expresses gratification with the arrangements that have been made to settle the long existing dispute between the Argentine Republic and Chilli by a joint commis? sion upon which the American Minister at Buenos Ayres is to serve as umpire. The Argeutime government has been approached to remove differences of rate charges imposed upon messages over American corporation cables and iu this connection the suggestion of an international agreement regarding cablegrams similar to that of the world's postal union is developed. The year's events in Central Ameri? ca merit more than passing mention. A menacing rupture between Costa Rica and Nicaragua was happily avert? ed through a treaty signed on board the United States ship Alert through the good offices of her commander and the American miuister. While the rep? resentative of the Greater Central Americau republic was recognized iu Washington it wa3 not with the dis? tinct understanding that the responsi oility of each of the component sover? eign republics toward the Uni'ed States remained whollyun effected though no official notice has been received of the in s'rtllati jn of the new federation recently formed and which already seems weak? ened through tho withdrawal of its iDor? important members. The Nicaraguau Canal Commission has nearly completed its labors and the results will be laid before Congress. In view of the overtures made to Nica? ragua and Costa Rica by other parties . for a new canal concession predicated on the a.-sutned approaching lapse of the Maritime Company's contracts, the President has not hesitated to express conviction that considerations o.f ex? pediency and international policy be? tween tho several governments inter? ested in the canal require the mainte? nance of tho status quo until CoDgress shall pass finally upon the whole mat? ter durinn the present session. Never? theless, Nicaragua, as one of its last acts bsfore merging into the United States of Central America, was to grant an optional concession to become ef frfclive on expiration of the present grant. All these circumstances suggest the urgencj' of some definite action by Con? gress at this session, if the labors of the past are to he utilized and the linking of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans by a practical waterway is to be realized. That the construction of such maritime highway is now more than ever indis? pensable to that intimate and ready inter-communication between our east? ern and western seaboards demanded by the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands and the prospective expansion of our influence and commerce in the Pacific and lhat our national policy now more imperatively than ever calls for its control by this government, are propositions which I do not doubt the Congress will duly appreciate and act upon The United States has not been an indifferent, spectator of the extraordi? nary events transpiring in the Chinese Empire whereby portions of the mari? time provinces are nassing under the control of various European powers, but the prospect that our vast com? merce may not be prejudiced through auy exclusive treatment by the new oc? cupants has obviated the need of our country becoming aD actor in the scene. Tho territories leased to Ger? many, Great Britain and Russia will be open lo international commerce. A commission to study commercial condi? tions in China is urged. Our relations with Great Britain have continued on the most friendly footing. As enting to our request, the protection of Americans atd their in? terests in Spanish juris-untioo was as? sumed by the diplomatic and consular representatives of Great Britain who fulfilled their delicate and arduous trust with tact and zeal. It will give me especial satisfaction if I shall be au? thorized to communicate a favora? ble conclusion of the pending negotia? tions with Great Britain respecting Canada. It is the earnest wish of this government to remove all sources of discord and irritation in our relations with the neighboring Domiuion. It is important to both countries that all I reasonable facilities should be granted for trade development. Of the Czar's proposal for a general reduction o'f the vast military estab? lishments of Europe the President says: "His majesty was at once informed of the sympathy of this government with the principle involved in his proposal and of the readiness of the United States to take part in the confrrence. The active military force of the United States in time of peace is so conspicu? ously less than that of the armed pow? ers that the question can have for us no practical importance save the cul I tivation of peace and good will among the modern people; but in this view it behooves us as a nation to lend coun? tenance and aid to the beneficent pro? ject." Our envoy to the Ottoman Porte is specially charged to press to a just set? tlement our claims for indemnity for destruction of the property of Ameri? can missionaries during the Armenian troubles of 1S95, as well as the older claims. The President suggests that the ex? ecutive be authorized to correspond I with the governments of the principal \ maritime powers with a view of incor? porating into the permanent law of Dr. Bull's Cough Syrup cures croup. It has saved the life of many a child. Mothers, keep this medicine al? ways on hand; it will save you many restless moments. Price 25c. Late to bed and early to ri<e, prepares a man for his home in the skies. But early to bed and a Little Early Eiser, tho pill that makes lifo longer and better and wiser. Ed? gar Warficldjr., corner King and Pitt streets civilized nations tbe principle of tbeez- j emption of all private property at sea, | not contraband of war, from capture j or destruction by belligerent powers. The Secretury cf the Treasury esti? mates that upon the basis of present revenue laws the receipts for the vear ending June 30, 1899,will be $577, 874,047; expenditures, $689,874,047, re? sulting in a deficiency of $112,000,000. On the subject of redeeming United Stiites notes the President says that tbe present condition of the treasury amply justifies the immediate enactment of the legislation recommended one year ago, under which a portion of the gold holdings should be placed in a trust fund from which greenbacks should be redeemed upon presentation, but when once redeemed uhould not thereafter be paid out except for gold. Continuing tho subject the President says: "It is not to be inferred tfiat other legislation relating to our currency is not required; on the contiary, there is an obvious dooiauri for it. The importance of adequate provision which will insure to our future a money stan? dard i9 generally recognizod. Tho compan? ion proposition that our domestic paper cur? rency shall bo kept safe, and yet be so realted to the needs of our industries and intornal commerce as to be adequato and responsive to such uecds, is a proposition scarcely less im? portant. The subject, in nil its parts, is com? mended to the wise consideration of Con? gress " Tho annexation of Hawaii and the changed relations of tho United Statos to Cuba, Porto Bico and tho Philippines resulting from the war, tho President says, compel tho prompt adoption of a maritime policy by the United States. There should bo established regular and frequent steamship communication, en? couraged by tho Onitoi States under tho American flag, with the nowly-acquirod isl? ands. It will bo conceded that the present situation calls for legislation which sbull be prompt, durable and liberal. The part which American merchant vessels and their eoumon performed in the war with Spain demonstrates that this service, furnishing both the pickets and tho second line of de? fense, is a national necessity aud should be cn'ouraged iu every constitutional way. Tho Presidont says the recommendations of tho Secretary of War for a permanent increaso of the army has his unquH.ilied approval. Thero c.sn bo no question that at this time, and probably for some time iu tho futuro one hundred thousand men will bo none too many to meet the necessities of tho situation He says it is his purpose to muster out tho enti-e voluuieer airny as soon as Congress shall pro? vide for the iucroaao of the regular cs'ablibh* mcnt. The recommendations of the Secretary of tho Navy for an increase in the navy by the addition of threo sea-going battleships, tbrcu armored cruisers, three protected cruisers and i six sbeatheC and coppered cruisers is earnest-' ly approved. Tho jr/rosident joins with tho Secretary of the Navy in recommending that ' the grad-.s of Admiral and Vice Admiral bo temporarily revived to be tilled by officers who have specially distinguished themselves in the war with Spaiu. An appropriation for the colebration of the centennial anniversary of the founding of the city of Washington, which occurs in 1900, and tho appoin'meut of a committee from the respective buiies of Congross is recommended. The message do c- with recommending to the car.-fu! attention of Congress tho alien contract law, whiuh is shown by experience to need som-j amendment; a measnro provid? ing better protection for seamen; the rightful applica ion of the eight-hour law for tho ben? efit of labor, and-the principle of arbitration. YESTERDAY'S STORM". The enacts of yesterday's storm were marked in Baltimore and vicinity. The wind attained a velocity of sixty miles an hour and it is believed to have been the severest rain aud windstorm known . in that city in twenty years. Two hun? dred and fifty houses were unroofed, lelephoao and tel?-graph wires were wrecked and sewers and cellars wer-: fijoded. During the storm a gas tank containing 290,000 cubic feet ol gas ex ploded and caused tho greatest con sternation and alarm. What is known as the "big shop" of the blacksmith shops of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail? road, on Carey street, almost, opposue Ramsay street, was completely de? stroyed by tbe wind. The sacristy of St. Martin's Catholic Church, Fulton avenue and Fayette streets, was un? roofed. Monroe street Methodist Epil copal Church, Monroe and Ramsay streets, was unroofed, as was also Mt. Olive African Metnodist Episcopal Church, on Cleveland street, near Bay? ard street. The roofs of a number cf other churches were more or less dam? aged. Mrs. Hamilton Easter and Mrs. Joseph Wilkens had a thrillirjg experi? ence, their horses having been killed by a live electric wire. They were saved from injury by the prompt action of a coachman. The British steamer Angers arrived at New York yesterday, in distress, having encountered terrific gales on the Atlantic. She also brought eight ship? wrecked mariners, who were taken from the dismasted and waterlogged American schooner Hany B. Ritter, in midocean. Atlantic City and many other points on the Atlantic coast suf? fered more or less by the gale. Some damage was occasioned in Philadelphia by the elements, but nothing serious is reported. All yesterday terrific storms raged in Ohio, particularly in the northern part. Rain, snow and sleet caused considera? ble damage in Limn, Cincinnati, Toledo and other places. FIBE IN NEW YOBK. New York's downtown district Buffered ono of tho sovorest fire losses in years iast night from a conflagration which started in the six story building at iho c.ruor of Broadway und Warren street, opposite tho City Hall, and oc? cupied on tho main floors by tho big retail clothing housa of Eogors, Pcot & Co., and a score of other firms on the uppnr floors. The loss may reach $1,250.000. Tho hurricane which raged last night was then at its height and when the flames, which started in the basemont, from some unknown causo, at 9:40 o'clock, burst forth, tbe wind spread tho fire I to every part of the building with startling rapidity The building was ono mas3 of flames in t-m minutes and the lire leaped forth from the half hundred windows on tho Broad? way and Warren street sides, and shot across tho street to the eight-story Unitod Stites Life Insurance Building, nnd l oforo the fire nun had gotten their streams at work tho window framos of tho building from top to bottom were afiro. The Homo In-uranco Company's building, together with that of the Postal TeicgTaph Company, soon caught firo. The firemen worked heroically, but it was soon seen that their efforts would be fu? tile, and at haif-past ono o'eio^k this morning it was thought bost to allow the fire to bum out. Thero was no loss of life Remarkable Kescue. Mrs. Michael Curtain, Plainfield, III., makes the statement, that she caught cold, which settled on her lungs; she was treated for a month by her family physician, but grew worse. He told hold Bhe was a hopeless victim of con? sumption and that no medicine could cure her. Her druggist suggested Dr. King's New Discovery for Consump? tion; she bought a bottle and to her delight found herself benefitted from first dose. She continued its use acd after taking six bottles, fouud herself sound and well; now does her own housework, and is as weil as shn ever was. Free trial bottles of this Greu< Discovery at E S. Allen's and E. S. Leadbeater & Sons' Drug Stores. Only 50 cents and $1; every bottle guaraL teed. TO-DAY'S TELEGRAPHIC NEWS Foreign News. London, Dec. 5.?Mrs. Mills, the Christian scientist, who attended Har? old Frederick in his last illness, and Kate Lyon were again arraigned in the police court to-day upon the charge of manslaughter and both prisoners were discharged. Brussels, Dec. 5.?It is denied here that King Leopold wishes to buy the Canaries. He merely wants one island of the group to b? used as a health re? sort lor the inhabitants of the Congo Free State. Rome, Dec. 5.?The Voca Vonta, a Jesuit organ, confirms the report of the Carlist activity in Spain and says that important events will Bhortly take piace there. The Pope has written to the Jesuits in Spain urging them to maintain pea^e. London, Dec. 5.?The Exchange Telegraph Company circulates a rumcr that a British squadron commanded by the Duke of York will visit the United States in 1899. : ONOOsr, Dec. 5. ?The Birmingham Post says it is informed that the U. 8. government may soon raise the rank of its minister at CouHtantinoplo to that of an ambassador. Such a step, the Po3t declares, might be op? posed by soms of the powers, but England will probably approve it. Paris, Dec 6.?The report of the miu ister of commerce, just issurd. shows that the popu? lation of Franco in 1S97 increased 108,083, over that of 1896. This is due to a decrease in the death rato, tho birth rate showing no increase. Threatened to Shell the City. New York, Dec. 5.?A dispatch to the New York Sun from Havana says that Santago de Cuba and its 30,000 non-combatants, a majority of whom were invalids, or woman and children, only escaped extermination on July 3 by the diplomatic intervention of Eng land. The plan which was conceived by Admiral Cervera a du approved by Captain General Blanco was for Cervera to remain in the harbor, keeping on land tbe non combatants inside the Spanish lines, and shell Santiago with its women and children when Shatter should take possession of the city. Tbe protest of the British consul tnat if the city was bombarded by the Spanish fleet without previous notice to the women aud children to leave, would be considered as a wanton outrage against ' humanity, caused Blanco to back dowD ' and order Cervera to leave the bar bor, which was done the next morning. A Change of Government Desired. Sax Juan, P R., Dec. 5.?A Dumber of prominent Americans and Porto Ri cans met here on Saturday to discuss the situation. The opinion wan express ad that the laws are administered with little consideration for the business in terests of the island, the desire being principally to collect taxes. It was suggested at the meeting that a mem? orial be sent to President McKinley asking litm to appoint as Governor, not a soldier,but astatesman,to theend thai ui just, taxes be abolished and a rea? sonable time be given to those who aro unable to pay -before taking property for unpaid taxes. A military govern? ment in Porto Rico is not so important to the friendly relations between the islanders and the Americans as a just administration of the civil affairs of tbe country by statesmen. Alleged Spurious Record. Albany, N. Y., Dec 5.?Tbe trial cf of Mrs. Margaret E Cody, charged by tho Gnuld heirs with attempting lo blackmail, was resumed today. A baptismal record taken in the Coopers viile church record which had been se? cured by Mrs. Cody, showed that Jay Gould was the father of Mrs.Pierce. The original church record was produced in ! |-ourt showing that Mrs Pierce had been j baptized as the daughter of Mary Biown (now Mrs. Angell) and Jay Gould. The record was produced to show that it had been changed and the name of Jay Gould written in place of Mrs. Angell's real first husband. The change in the record was appareut on its examination. The Maine Disaster. London*, Dec. 5 ?Ono result of tho poaco agreemont between the United States and Spain is expected to bo a further search tor the culprits in the Maine disastet Ausweis to inquiries made at Paris and Madrid indi? cate that the Spaniards aro curious to know the solution of tho question ?s to who blow up tho Maine, and that they believe an investi? gation now will remove any lingering Ameri? can suspicion of complicity on tho part of tho Spaui3h government in the explosion. Tho Spaniards think that further inquiry will pos? sibly involve tho Cubans. However, they are not going to assist in finding tho parties guilty of the crimo, bo ieving such action be no?th their digDity. Spanish Garrison Defeated. Madrid, Fee. 5.?General Bios Governor of tho Visayas Islands, telegraphs that the rebols have again vigorously attacked the town of Capiz with heavy artillery. Thua far tlio rebels have lost 140 men, while tho Spanish !o3s is ssil to have been only two. A later report states that tho rebels, with eight omnou, have driven the Spaniard out of Capiz. Tho Markets. Nkw York:. Doc. 5.? Wheat?May opened 66 ; close! b'5~d. Coin?May opened 34LH ; closed 34' s Oats?May opened 2Gr\ : closed 26I4. Pork?May opened $9 45 ; closed $9 45. Georgetown*, Dec 5.?Wheat 6Ga71. Chicago, Dec. 5.?The market closed as follows: Wheat?Dec G5"y; May 65^*66: Julv 64V Corn-Dec 33^a33% ; May 34^ a34%; July 34.7g. Oats-Dec 26%; May 26>4. Dr. Bull's Cough Syrup cures all throat troubles. Why wear out your throat by incessant coughing, when this reliable remedy can be bought for only 25 cts a Dottle. Tho sooner a cough or cold is cured with? out harm to the sufferer tho bettor. Linger? ing colds are dangerous. Hacking cough is distressing One Minute Cough Cure quickly cures it. Why suffer when such a cough cure is within reach? It is pleasant to tho taste. Edgar Warfie.'d, jr., corner King and Pitt streets. Reduced Rates to Charlottesville. Account of meeting Virginia Horticultural Society, December G and 7, the Southern Bail way will on December 5 and G sell ti ko;s to Charlottea-i!lo at greatly reduced rates; tickets limited to roturn until December 10, inclusive. POBT OF ALEX AN DB IA, DEC. 5, 1893 ARRIVED. Sehr Thomas J Shryock, Nowberne, N C, shingles to J H D Smoot. NEW CUCUMBEB PICKLES just receiv ed bv _J. C. MILB?RN. NO-TO-BAC?Tho best cure for the tobsc co habit?50c and $1 a box. For salo by _e. s. lkadbeate;* & son a JgLANKETc and COMFOBTS at _A C. 8LAYMAKEB'S. AU)T OF 3HOBT ENDS of C.chico Calicos, fast colors, just received at A. a 3JUAYMAKEEU FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESs. Washington, Decem senatk. There never waa before su< play of flowers on the desks ol s as was visible to-day. Tbe di Mr. Foraker, of Ohio, and Mr. Sn of New Jersey, were almost hid flowers and ribbons. Chaplain Milburn gave thanks b God that American arms had been vie totious in war and that peace was sured. The roll haviDg been called, Mr. I lorn presented the usual resoiu the appointment of a commits upon the President. Then Mr. Simon was escorted desk and aworn in a.~ eeo Oregon. The new Senator is stature. T?o galleries were simply pa< overflowing. In the cham many distinguished visitors, Sir Wilfrid Laurier and the oth bers of the joint high comi Sir Julian Pauncefote, Erin h . dor, and the Chinese- and Ja ministets were among the pi people in the diplomatic gallery. At 12:15 the Senate on m<r: Allison took a recess for 80 mi receive any communication thi dent may send in. Wnen the President's in ;ssai ceived in the Senate Us rei commenced immediately. Js than a fourth of the Senat rs their seats at the time, as il hour. The disttuguished'Bri;i-.i v - remained in the chamber deeply interested listeners. HOUSE. The House opened nron;: il to-day, with Speaker K ted in Nearlyall the members were and the galleries were pack. . Joe Wheeler went quietly to seat iu civilian dre-:-, a: d for o his friends were shaking ban him. Genera! Gro.svenor rr sente Dick, of Ohio, as Nortr: sor, Congressman A len Thomas Spight as Bucceee of Mississippi, deceased, and 1 man Grow, of Pennsylvania, William H. Graham, as i< Mr. Stone, elected Govern were sworn in. On motion of Mr. Dingle} the Speaker named DIeesre Cannon, of Illinois.and Baile; a comraittte to meet ibe Sen mittee to inform tbePresid >nl was ready for buiiuees. The House then took a . til 1:30. The President's message ? the House as soon a? rece listened to attentively, not on members, but by the largecro ? galleries. _ MONETARY AND COM Nzw York, Doc. 5.?After a i and weak opening tbe stock mar^-. more active and irregular. At noun ket was strong and active. WHOLESALE PBICES ES ALE} Flour Eitra. 2 7"> a Famiiy. 3 50 Fancy brands. I 1 Wheat, longberry,. 0 69 Mixod. 0 68 FuiU:. 0 OS Damp and tonsil. U5<> Corn, white . 0 38 Yollow. o :r. Corn Meal. 0 40 Bye. 0 40 Oats, mixed. 0 White. 0 33 i Butter, Virginia, packed. 0 lu Choice Virginia. 0 1 i Common to middling... 0 9 Eggs. 0 21 Reef, hind quarters. 01U Foro quarters. 0 ?> Live Chickens (hens:. (; S Spring do. 0 Turkeys, livo. OS Dressed. <? 11 Hogs, small.O IK, a iarge. _. 0 I Potatoes. Va.,buah., large 0 6<1 Onions, por bushoi. 0 90 Apples, Dbl... 2 7". Driod Poachosrpeeled.... Unpoelod. 0 3 Dried Cherries. 0 Dried Apples. 0 FUcon. country haina. 0 9. '?.. Best sugar-curod ham:. 0 - Butchors' hams. 0 8 Breakfast Bacon. 0 Sugar-curod shoulders. D .V'v Bulk shouidors. 0 5 Dry Saltsidos. ? I Fat backs. 0 5^ ? Bellies. 0 6 Smoked shoulders....... 0 Smokod sidos. Lard. 0 I ? . Smoked Beef. 0 14 8ugars?Brown. 4 4 I Off A. 0 4'y Co:nf. standard A. I 2 Granulated. G :: ? Coffees?Bio. LaGauyra. Java. Molasses B. S. CB. 01' Now Orleans. 0 ' Porto Bico. 0 18 Sugar Syrups. 016 Herring, Eastorn nor bbl ': Potomac No. 1. 3 l Potomac lamiiy roe. 3 61) j Do. half barrel_. 1 75 1 Potomac Shad. 7 06 Mackorol, small, per bbl.. 15 IX No 3 medium. No. 2.24 00 Plaster, ground, pei ton.. 4 50 Ground in bags. 5 0(1 Lump. 3 50 Clover Seod. 3 7 Timothy. 1 -it/ Old process Linseed Meal 31 < 8alt?G. A. Fino. 0 90 Alexandria Market. Dei Tho market opened quitt w 1 ings of grain and we in iKo no chin tations. Country Produce is al iu price with a fair inquiry. Chicago Cattle Market, Cattle?There was a ?itlo betb cattlo than is usual at tho end i All efforings woro taken and tbi ed strong A few faucy cattle^'i The bulk of the cattle were $4.60*535. Hogs.?There livo demand for hogs aud pr. much change ; sales were und? prime lots at $3 20-3.471?,. h bogs crossing the seal's at $3 3 pii;s so:d principally a: $3.05*3. - Trade in sheep and Iambi was i Offerings were not large L>: . $3.66*5.60 and sbcep from r Yearlings brought $4a4-.75. Philadelphia Cattle Makke ?Beef Cattle were in good di advanced. Tho quotations werc ss Extra 5%h5Sjc. good 5',iS!s a5c, common 4:L4&4I^c per ' sheep were iu good demand ai I Vinced The quotations were Extra 4*4a5c good 4^a4%c, m? 4c, common Z^'-ify p r lb - per lb. Hogs were in fair dem er at 5*kC per lb for best 4%?5c per lb for other wore in l'ght deuiaml ?t - j Thin Cows wore bar iy steady p?r head Veal calves were 7^c per lb. Milch cows sol per head. Dressed Beeves were >' 8V per lb. vrs -