The herald. [microfilm reel], August 06, 1898, Page 4, Image 4

About The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900

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4
MAYOR TO BE MASTER
CHARTER MAKERS GIVE HIM
EXTENSIVE POWERS
FREEHOLDERS PROGRESSING
Reports on Legislative and Executive
Departments Received —Change
in Construction of Council
The members of the board of freeholders
who are charged with forming a charter
for the city are making considerable prog
ress, though a visitor to their meetings
would not be apt to think so. for they do
a great amount of talking all around every
point that comes up, but manage always to
finally get back to the starting point and
do execution. The various committees to
which were referred the different divisions
of the work have been assiduous In their
labors, and very soon the document will
assume definite shape, though it does now
seem a bit incoherent.
At Inst night's meeting Messrs. Cohn,
Graff. Groff, Hazard, Millard, Morgan.
O'Melveney, Stephens and Chairman Lee
were present.
Mr. Graff, chairman of the committee on
the legislative department, read a most ex
haustive report of sixty-three typewritten
pages. Its chief points were: The council
tc. consist of twelve members, seven to be
elected from seven wards, one from each,
and five members to be elected at large,
each to receive $1000 yearly. The powers of
the body arc largely the same as now ex
ist, with the exception of the removal from
It of the appointing of the various boards,
which is given to the mayor. The terms of
office are to be four years, so arranged that
half of the council go out of office every
two years.
It was first provided that the council
should rely on the county assessor nnd tax
collector to conduct that portion of the
city's business, but this was changed, after
considerable discussion, on motion of Judge
Stephens, so that the city will continue to
do that work, but will have an assessment
of real estate once only ln five years, the
council to equalize this every year as may
be found expedient. Provision Is also to
be made that property cannot be trans
ferred without due notice to the. assessor,
so that it may always be assessed to the
proper owner.
Chairman O'Melveney of the committees
on executive department and officers then
read his report, which was partially acted
upon. The officers and their method of se-'
lection are ln this report set forth as fol
lows:
The officers of the city of Los Angeles
shall be a mayor, twelve members of the*
council, city attorney, city treasurer and
ex-offlclo city tax collector, city auditor and
ex-offlclo city assessor, city clerk, city en
gineer and i x-oftirto superintendent ct
streets, superintendent of city schools,
chief ot police, board of park commission
ers, consisting of three members; board of
library It.:ttees, consisting of three mem
bers; board of health, consisting of three
members: board of fire commissioners, con
sisting of three members; board of police
commissioners, consisting of three mem
bers, board of public works, consisting of
three members; board of civil service com
missioners, consisting nf three members;
board of education, consisting of five mem
bers: chief examiner, superintendent of
buildings.
The following officers of th" city shall be
elected by the people: Mayor, city treas
urer and ex-nfliclo tax collector, city au
ditor and ex-officio city assessor, twelve
councilmen. In the manner in this charter
prescribed; board of education, as ln this
Charter prescribed.
The mayor shall appoint: Hoard of park
commissioners, board of library trustees,
board of health, board of Are commission
ers, board of police commissioners, board
of public works, board of civil service com
missioners.
The city council shall appoint the city at
torney and the city clerk.
It was proposed tn the report to have the
mayor's salary fixed at $5000 a year, but
there was so much difference of opinion on
this that action was deferred. The portion
of the report determining the mayor's du
ties was adopted, as well as that giving
him the appointive power of the officers
and boards as named above.
A change was also made, on motion of
Mr. Graff, who Introduced a section provid
ing that the first appointees made by the
mayor be for one year, and that on the ex
piration of this term they are to be reap
pointed for four years. During the one-year
term of the llrst appointees under the char
ter their rotation as one. two and three
year men :s to be decided by lot, and thus
the next mayor will have a majority of all
boards to appoint after he has been one
year in office.
Mr. Hazard made a strong plea for the
appointing power of the council to be used
ln selecting the various city boards, the
mayor to be a member of them all, as at
present; but this was not supported.
The clerk of the freeholders. Major No
lan, has copies of all the reports acted
upon, so that citizens Interested in all of the
details can obtain such information by
calling on him at his office In the I.aughlin
building. The matter is entirely too vol
uminous to be treated in extenso here.
CERVERA VISITS HIS MEN
The Admiral at the Hospital in Nor-
folk—Affecting Scenes
NEW YORK, Aug. □.—An Evening Post
special from Norfolk, Va., says:
Admiral Cevera and his son, Lieutenant
Cervera, arrived here this morning from
Baltimore. They left Annapolis, where
they have been prisoners of war for sev
eral weeks, on parole yesterday afternoon,
having been granted special permission to
visit Captain Concha, commander of tha
Admiral's flagship Maria Teresa and the
other Spanish sick and wounded at ths
Naval Hospital here.
The steamer flew her bunting in honor
of the Admiral and a launch lay at the pi ;r
to receive the distinguished prisoners.
Lieutenant-Commander R. A. G. Brown,
retired, met the Admiral and his son as
they stepped off the steamer and it was
■with difficulty that they pushed their way
through the crowd.
At the Naval Hospital the Spanish Ad
miral was received by a guard of honor
and at once conducted to Captain Concha's
room.
This was the first time they had met since
the fatal dash out of Santiago harbor. The
meeting was a pafhetle one, the Admiral
and Captain embracing like children. The
Admiral then visited Lieutenant Noval of
the Pluton, who lost a leg. Doctors Nlcoli
and Augustl of the Vizcaya, and the scenes
w. re equally affecting when their former
chief entered the ward where the Spanish
sailors are. Their faces lit up and they
embraced him as best they could, their Joy
being plainly visible. The Admiral took
lunch with Medical Director Clehorne and
It Is said he will remain here several days.
To Raise the Colon
NEW YORK, Aug. s.—The Merrltt-
Chapman wrecking tug. William E. Chap
man, and the Central Railroad of New Jer
sey's ocean-going tug Plymouth, which
has been chartered, are at the Stapleton
dock of the wrecking company ready to
proceed to Cuba with the pontoons from
Boston, which are to be used ln an effort
to save the Cristobal Colon.
j The pontoons arrived ln the harbor by
| way of Hell Gate last night and the fleet
j will start this morning. As It leaves here
lit will consist of the Chapman, Plymouth,
I two pontoons and the barge Fred B. Sharp.
I The latter is loaded with diving and wreck
! Ing apparatus of the same capacity as was
1 taken when the effort was made to save
i the Maine. Much of the apparatus has
never left the ship since It was loaded on
her last spring prior to the start for Ha
vana. The tugs will coal at Norfolk and
will pick up two big pontoons there.
DEMOCRATS, RALLY!
TO DEFEAT THE TRANSPARENT
PLOT OF THE PUSH
A Call Issued for a Meeting of the
County Central Committee This
Afternoon
Yesterday Loui6 Heraog, the secretary
of the Democratic county central commit
tee, published a notice stating that, as 23
members had called a meeting of the cen
tral committee, "for the purpose of car
rying out the directions of the state central
committee relative to the determination
of the manner ln which delegates to tho
state convention sh«l be selected," and
reciting that the chairman of the commit
tee had refused to call the committee, he
requests all members of the committee to
meet ln Turnvereln hall at 2 oclock today,
to carry out that purpose and to arrange for
a county convention and other business.
Dr. Hill, the chairman, at a meeting of the
executive committee last Monday after
noon, called a primary election and con
vention. At that time a petition from M. W.
Conkllng was presented, asking that the
whole committee be called to act on the
matter, and Mr. Innes made a similar re
quest, but both were voted down.
Herzog's move is believed to be In the
Interests of the anti-fusion element of the
party and la expected by its promoters to
result in two delegations' being sent to Sac
ramento, with the idea of introducing a
clash at the start. It Is also believed that
the hand of the Southern Pacific company
Is to be seen In the plan, resulting from the
company's desire to do all in its power to
Injure the candidacy of James G. Maguire.
All members of the county centra! com
mittee are urged to attend this afternoon.?
meeting and defeat the scheme.
WANT ANNEXATION
The Cuban Army Anxious ta Have the
Island Ceded to United States
SANTIAGO, Cuba, July 23.—(Correspond
ence of the New York Tribune): Among
the American citizens of Cuban birth, and
perhaps generally among those who desire
annexation to the United States, the rift
between the American and Cuban forces
has been a source of concern. What hns
made this breach of especial moment Just
at this time Is tho surprising sentiment
in favor of union that has grown ln the
Cuban army Itself. Not that the men of
General Garcia's troops are giving any
particular thought to the political future of
this island,for they are chiefly negroes, of
limited education and intelligence, who are
more interested in filling their stomachs
than in questions of government, but
among the officers there has been a re
markable shift of feeling.
Most astonishing and significant Is the
change In General Garcia himself. He has
been known as an uncompromising foe to
annexation. Nor was this strange. As
one of the most Important leaders of the
Insurgents, he would naturally prefer as
the fruition of his labors and risks the es
tablishment of an Independent govern
ment, to the merging with a larger country.
In a Cuban republic the rewards of all mili
tary heroes would be more glittering than
a state of a union with only a smull voice
ln national and International affairs. With
in the last few days, however, Garcia has
expressed his opinion that the welfare of
Cuba dependent on her Joining the sister
hood of the United States. Partly on ac
count of his attitude, and partly on ac
count of the same reasons which led to
his conversion, many of his officers now
side with htm.
In General Garcla's army there Is ap
parently no line between the white and
black troops. They stand side by side In
the same regiments. Several of the most
Important generals are negroes. To the
stranger, therefore, this revelation about
race feeling comes as a surprise. But an
intimate knowledge of the conditions leads
to assurances from various persons that
the possible ascendancy of the blacks, and
especially ln Santiago province, is al
ready the cause of uneasiness. They are In
the majority there under the leadership
of shrewd men of their own race who had
won distinction as soldiers. They would
surely become important factors.
It might Fpcm that under a democratic
government negro domination here would
be equally likely, whether the single star
of Cuba remained ln her flag or was added
to the blue field of the American ensign.
While Cubans who hove studied the ques
tion believe that independence would make
the danger greater, under it. they say, the
country would have an army of Its own,
in which the negro element would be
strong. The race would then be organized
under its own leaders, and would act more
or less as a unit. T T nder annexation there
would be no army save that of the United
States, and no aggregation of colored men.
As Individuals, the negroes would he easily
managed by the superior intelligence of
the white people.
Then, too, there would not be the same
Incentives to political activity on the part
of their leaders. In a single State of the
Union, the prizes to be won at the polls
would he almost wholly local. In a nation
they would appeal much more to the dis
play-loving negroes. To he Commander-in-
Chief of the Army or Minister to France
would be vastly more attractive than to be
Mayor of a city.
Cubans seem to predicate their opinions
with the belief that the I'nltcd States
would gladly welcome their rich domain
into sisterhood. Of the feeling In the larg
er country against adding to Its political
problems they will hear nothing. They are
convinced that an era of land greed has
set in, if it has not always existed, and
that, with the consent of the island, union
will be speedy.
LOS ANGELES HERALD: SATURDAY MORNING, AUGUST 6, 1898
VICTIMS 0E EEVER
(Continued From Page One.)
fever than by typhoid fever in any camp
of the same size in the United States."
Shafter Gets the Order
SANTIAGO DE CUBA. Aug. 4, 11:45 a.
m., (delayed in transmission.)— Major-Gen
eral Shafter has received orders to move
his entire army north at once. The six
transports here will take the first ship
ments and the embarkation will begin to
morrow. Thpre Is great rejoicing among
the troops.
Orders for the Removal
SANTIAGO. Aug. 4. 4 p. m., (delayed ,n
transmission.)— From the moment Secre
tary Alger's cablegram was received this
morning ordering the immediate removal
of the army north, everything has beer,
bustle and activity at headquarters. The
transports here, six In number, have been
ordered to discharge their cnrgoes and to
get ready without loss of time to take on
board the first shipments for home. Other
transports, are expected here shortly, and
It Is expected that eighteen transports will
soon be conveying our soldiers back to Un
united States. The Yale and Harvard,
among others, are understood to be on the Ir
way here.
General Shafter's orders for the move
ment of his command provides the follow
ing program:
The embarkation of the Third and Sixth
Regular Cavalry; the First Regular Caval
ry and First Volunteer Cavalry (Rough
Riders) will be embarked. These regi
ments have been ordered to be ready to go
on board ship the aay after tomorrow. For
the present the Ninth and Tenth cavalry
will remain in camp.
Only the private horses of the officers will
be taken. The other horses will be turned
over to General Wood, who remains here
as Military Governor.
Bedding to Be Burned
All the tents will be left standing and all
the extra worn clothes and bedding which
may possibly be Infected will be destroyed.
The First Brigade of General LawtOn's
division, under General Chaffee, will go
next.
All the men able to ride will be put on
ponies and taken to the wharf. The others
will be conveyed there ln wagons. All the
men who are suffering from yellow fev-r
or Infectious disease will be left h°re. Every
precautlon will be taken to provide for the
safe and healthy arrival of the men north.
The volunteer regiments will next be
shipped ln the following order:
First Illinois, First District of Columbia.
Seventy-first New York, Ninth Massa
chusetts, Eighth Illinois, Thirty-third
Michigan, Thirty-fourth Michigan.
No fnting or surplus baggage will be
taken back to the United States.
Captain McKittrick and Dr. Goodfellow.
of General Shafter's staff, left here this
afternoon by the Berlin for New Orleans.
Gathering Transports
WASHINGTON, Aug. s.—The War De
partment has ordered the regular fleet o!
transports at Ponce to proceed to Santiago
to Join with the transports already there,
in bringing General Shafter's army to this
country. There are ten large transports
with the fleet at Ponce, some of them, liks
the Mobile, having a capacity of one thous
and men. All the rest have a capacity of
6540 men. This, with the ships already at
San'iago will give a carrying strength of
over 12.000 men at a trip. In addition to
the transports announced by the War De
partment yesterday as being ready at San
tiago, it now appears that the Orizaba,
capacity 650 men, is also available. The Yale
will also be brought ln the service In tho
course of a week or ten days. At present
she Is to be utilized In taking Genoral
Grant's brigade to Porto Rico, after which
she will return by way of Santiago and
take on a load of Shafter's men.
The press dispatches from Santiago, say
lr.s that the troops were greatly elated on
the prospect of beginning the homeward
movement to day Is accepted with satisfac
tion by the war officials here. They say
that the embarkation has already begun and
the Louisiana, which left day before yester
day with cavalry on|board, is now well on
her way home.
The Fever Expert
PHILADELPHIA, Pa., Aug. s.—John
Gulteras, the famous yellow fever expert
and one of the Cuban advisers ln this coun
try, arrived at his home ln this city from
Santiago de Cuba, where he had been en
gaged In yellow fever work under the direc
tion of the government.
Dr. Gulteras was decidedly averse to dis
cussing the conditions existing In and
around Santiago. He also declined to make
any comments upon the efficiency or al
leged lack of ettlciency of the medical and
hospital corps of the army. Concerning the
yellow fever which has attacked the
troops. Dr. Gulteras said:
"The yellow fever cases thus far have
been of a light order and mortality among
the troops has not been heavy. The most
serious source of trouble at present Is from
typhoid fever and malaria. Most of the
men 111 in the hospitals are suffering from
one or the other of these diseases.
"As the season draws on, however, the
yellow fever will become more serious,
and then it will be worse than the typhoid."
Continuing, the doctor said:
"For reasons apparent to all. I cannot
discuss the affairs of the army In public.
I shall make an official report of my obser
vations direct to Surgeon-General Stern
berg. Most of the troops now ln Santiago
1 suppose, will be brought to Long Island
to recuperate. It will be an admirable
place for them."
Action Just in Time
WASHINGTON. Aug. s._Army officials
are greatly relieved to know from the San
tiago dispatches that what appears to have
been a great danger to the American army
has been safely passed by.
The reports of the American commanders
at Santiago, including all the major-gener
als, division and brigade commanders,
which were made public ln the news dis
patches yesterday, gave for the llrst time
to the public news of the terribly demoral
ized condition of the American army.
If this state of arTaris had been known
a week ago. the most serious results must
have followed. The Spanish government
must have been excited to refrain from
making peace overtures, and to prolong
their resistance. The publicity given to
these reports Is most strongly deprecated
by almost every official of the administra
tion, but the American army at Santiago
Is being loaded upon transports ns rapidly
as possible, and It Is hoped that within a
few days the bulk of the army will be at
sea bound for Mcntnuk Point. L. I. In the
place of these weary and battle-worn
troops will be five regiments of lmmunes.
now due at Santiago, supposed to be proof
against yellow fever, and at any rate
gifted with a fresh store of energy and
health to draw upon.
General Miles has with him In Porto
Rico a force probably equal to the actual
demands of the campaign there, so that
the heavy reinforcements now on their way
to that Island or about to be displaced can
be safely diverted to Santiago or any other
Cuban point at short notice if occasion
should make it necessary. With a know
ledge of these facta the officials feel toler
ably safe as to the future conditions at
Santiago. It is supposed that the govern
ment censor at New York made an effort
to prevent the communication of the facts
stated in the Santiago dispatch to Europe,
but It is unlikely that he succeeded, Inas
much as the same news, being froely
given out at Santiago, undoubtedly must
have reached Kingston. Jamaica, and have
been transmitted to Europe without cen
sorship at the hands of our government.
It Is said to be overstating the case to say
that General Shafter was rebuked for al
lowing publication of the "Round Robin."
for the Secretary of War confined his com
munication to a simple Inquiry as to
whether the General had given puhliolty
to the Roosevelt letter and the "Round
Robin." but It Is entirely a fact that hence
forward the effort will be made to guard
such information more closely from the
public.
WILL CASE SETTLED
A Widow Fairly Wins Her Case in
Two Trials
SAN JOSE, Cal.. Aug. o.—After being out
since late Wednesday afternoon, the jury
ln the George H. Parker will contest came
Into court at 9:30 this morning with a ver
dict for the contestant, Mrs. Emma Park
er, breaking the will. This was the third
trial of the suit. In the flrst the Jury was
unable to agree. In the second a verdict
was returned for the contestant. A new
trial was granted.
Mrs. Emma Parker Is the widow of Ed
ward Parker, the only child of George H.
Parker. The marriage was bitterly op
posed by Parker, Sr., and he cut his son
off with only a life estate. The widow
sued to break the will on the grounds of
undue influence and Insanity. All agreed to
this but one. If the verdict stands the con
testant becomes the heir of the whole es
tate, which is valued at between a quarter
and half a million dollars.
Old Rip Defends a Widow
CINCINNATI. Aug. s.—Joe Jefferson, the
actor, has come to the relief of an aeeocl
ate here on the stage. Mrs. McCarthy
drew a pension on account of the death of
her flrst husband. Frank Grlerson. who
was a brother ot Mrs. Allen. Afterward
Grlerson's wldiow married McCarthy and
continued illegally to draw the pension.
Mrs. Allen continued to live with Mrs. Mc-
Carthy and signed her pension papers,
certifying to Mrs. McCarthy being a widow.
Both women were arrested. Mrs. Allen
played with Jefferson for years and has
been supported by him. He has had ball
secured for her and retained attorneys for
her defense.
Immunes Start at Last
SAVANNAH, Ga., Aug. 5.— Five thou
sand troops are on the way to Savannah
today to embark on the transports for San
tiago to relieve the troops there. Troop
ships Rio Grande. Leonn and Mlnnewaska.
which left New York yesterday, are ex
pected to arrive tomorrow. The troops, all
Immunes, are the Third Georgia Regiment
from Macon, and Third and Fifth Regi
ments from Columbia, Miss. The Missis
sippi regiments will arrive tomorrow.
Sacramento Democrats
SACRAMENTO, Aug. s.—The Demo
cratic county central committee met to
night and appointed delegates to the coun
ty convention, which is to meet on the 12th.
No definite step has yet been taken regard
ing fusion, except that the Populists and
Silver Republicans are to meet on the same
day as the Democratic convention, with a
view to arriving at an understanding as to
a division of the county offices.
Roosevelt's Letter
WASHINGTON. Aug. s.—lt Is calculated
that Roosevelt's letter will do much toward
ending Its writer as a possible candidate
for any office ln the Empire State. It was
suggested that Alger might be playing into
the hands of Senator Piatt ln thus wrecking
Roosevelt's military reputation, but the
theory did not hold long.
College on Fire
BUFFALO, N. V., Aug. 5.—A special, to
the News says that fire broke out ln the
chapel of the Nicaragua University, a
Catholic institution near Niagara Falls,
early today. The chapel waa almost com
pletely destroyed. The loss is estimated at
$70,000. The Are Ib attributed to an Incen
diary.
Lieutenant Steele Dead
WASHINGTON, Aug. 5.-The following
has been received at the War Department
from Santiago, via Haytl:
"Adjutant-General, Washington: First-
Lieutenant James B. Steele, Signal Corps.
U. S. v., died of yellow fever at 2 a. m., this
hospital, this day. LA GRADE, Surgeon."
Bank Clearings
NEW YORK Aug. 5.-The following ta
b.c compl ed by Bradstreet. shows the
bank clearings at the following cities for
™ w f ,k , A "J"?' »• with thepercent
'iSfi, fti ' ase <"»<! ('--crease as compared
with the corresponding week last year:
Percentage
I n c dec
New York 1783,826,089 23.9
Boston 99,369,469 11.3
£5? a f° ,-• 70,103,869 .... 5.0
Philadelphia 63,191,687 11.6
gt. Louis 23.ii15.ii92 .... 3i 1
rittsburg 17.895.409 .... 4 9
Baltimore lfi.2oi.twij .... i 0 4 !
San Francisco 14,865,606 5 1
Cincinnati 10.933.730
Kansas City 10.313.343 ii.'jj
New Orleans 6,226,157 '3
Minneapolis 5.42«!59S ..!. Vi
Detroit 7,480,878 20 4
Cleveland 7,922. i<3 39.3
Louisville 7.'197.2. r ,<) jo
Providence 4,620 200 ... 4's ■
Milwaukee 4.209.0X0
| l - Paul 8,808,201 27.9
Buffalo 3.710,194 .... 11.5
Omaha 6.683.491 28.8
Indianapolis 5,664.164 21.6
COIUmbUS, 0 3.564.700 .. fi
Savannah 1.986,240 28.9
£ f ' ny ,? r - 3,066.497 15.8 ...
Hartford 2.4M.7H3 12.2
Richmond 2.296.197 33
Memphis 1.010.212 7.9 ,
J ashlngton 1,285,988 . 2 1
P p "rla 1.470,202 .... F9
Ruchester 1,337.129
New Haven 1,384,688 . .'. iij'2
Worcester 1,470,749 . 2 8
Atlanta 1,056.633 ....
Salt Lake City .... 1,248,880 24.8
Springfield, Mass... 1.493,098 29 0
Fort Worth 1,354,95S 'H
Portland. Me 1,505,860 6.9 '""
St. Joseph 2.821,913 139.3
Los Angeles 1,249.0* .... 1;,
Norfolk 888,847 . 3 5
Syracuse 925,072
Dcs Moines 953.216 '4 3
Nashville 836.47 a 25 8
Wilmington, Del 755,052 "is' 7
Fall River 629,.v98 2 6
Seranton 861.445 14 4
Grand Rapids 859.426 10 0
Augusta, Oa 442.415 .... 'j'7
Lowell 578.261 73
Dayton, Ohio 745 403 26 8
Seattle 1.134.513 2L5
Tocoma 708.028 66.5
Spokane 697,432 . 45
Galveston 5.343.300 42 4 " j
Houston 3.988.754 4.4 \\\\
Totals, U. S .31,187,619.574 "3! ~ :
Totals outside of
New York .... 461.813.305 2.4
DOMINION OF CANADA
Montreal $13,686,643
Toronto 7.443.896 13.7
Winnipeg 1,248,866 «... 19.5
Totals $25,136,949 lil 7TTT
Baroness Harden Hlckey, who Is at pres
ent stopping at Riverside, Is in the city.
SPAIN STILL SILENT
(Continued From Page One.)
and Secretary Day, the French ambassa
dor has brought out dourly the great task
before Sagasta. It seems to be the general
view here that If the premier and his min
istry were untrammeled an acceptance
would come at once and that the prelimin
ary peace arrangement would be now
closed. But ln preparing the Spanish pub
lic and In guarding against political agita
tions hereafter by public men of other par
ties, the Madrid officials are taking their
time for missionary work, not only among
themselves, but among all the populace
and secret elements.
Mondny the Time
The best informed persons tlx next Mon
day as the time when the United States
government Is likely to receive Spain's
final answer, but this Is simply conjectural,
for there Is not the slightest means for
knowing the tendencies at Madrid. It
might come tomorrow, but in the event
of Its coming late ln the day or on Sunday
the. response would not be communicated
to the government until Monday. There Is
the same confident belief among officials
that there has been from the first that
Spain's answer will be a reluctant but none
the less conclusive acceptance. At tlie
same time. It was suggested today in some
quarters that there was a possibility that
the disclosures made by the American
generals at Santiago concerning the seri
ous condition of our troops might be a
straw at which the Spanish cabinet would
grasp. This is quite- doubtful, however,
aB there Is a question whether the state
ment of the American generals ever got
outside the borders nf the United States,
owing to the strict censorship imposed last
night. Moreover, all evidence reaching the
officials here Indicates that Spain is weary
with the conflict, and is convinced beyond
the slightest question ot the hopelessness
of further opposition.
Sagasta's Note
LONDON, Aug. 6.— The Madrid corre
spondent of the Stand;f|-d says:
Senor Sagasta has prepared'for submis
sion to the leaders whom he. has consulted
a most interesting sketch, not only of the
preliminary negotiations and soundings,
but also of M. Cambon's efforts to Induce
President McKtnley to leave the Porto
Rican question, open for future negotia
tions and to get better conditions for Spain
ln the Philippines, where he was more suc
cessful, as well as to Induce the president
to select soma neutral European capital
instead of Washington for the meeting of
the peace commission.
Senor Sagasta also submitted reports
from all quarters bearing on the question.
General Weyler ln a curt note declined to
enter the conference, but proposed to re
ply If Sen-or Sagasta would put his queries
in writing.
General Weyler's Views
MADRID, Aug. s.—(Special to The Her
ald.) General Weyler was among those who
were invited to call upon Premier Sagasta
today and give the government their views
upon the advisability of concluding p. ace.
The general sent a letter pleading illness
and declining an interview. He writes that
under the circumstances he prefers to have
, the premier put In writing what he de
sires; then he. the general, will reply, al
though he must say he is astonished to be
consulted on peace, since his opinion had
not been asked before or during the war.
General Weyler reminds Senor Sagasta
that the Spanish nation wanted to go to
war because It had 1 a right to believe that
the government was prepared for it, but
having been disappointed ln its expecta
tions it now Inclines toward peace. The
general has read Romero Robiedoe-s' dec
laration upon the subject of peace, which
he complains areless vigorous than his own
would be.
Laws for New Lands
WASHINGTON, Aug. s.—At this point
peace negotiations are In a state of quie
scence. This statement was made by a
member of the Cabinet at the close of to
day's meeting. Nothing has been heard
from Madrid directly, or through M. Cam
bon since yesterday, and at the session of
the Cabinet today the matter was not men
tioned, except Incidentally, the session
being taken up with administration details.
The Cuban customs tariff was discussed
at some length, particularly the tobacco
schedule, and It was agreed that the rates
of internal revenue taxation now In force
In the United Stutes should be made the
customs rate for Cuba.
The question of revising the list of port
charges at Cuban ports was also under
discussion, and it was decided to leave the
matter to the Secretary of the Treasury.
Under Spanish rule, the port charges were
$1 per registered ton, regardless of whether
the vessel was loaded or In ballast, and
these charges were Imposed on entering
the port, und also on leaving. Secretary
Gago will make a very material reduction
In these rates. It Is his present purpose
to recommend to the President the Imposi
tion of a tax of only twenty-five cents per
registered ton, on entering and when leav
ing port, provided the vessel has a cargo on
board. On the event that she Is in ballast
no charge whatever will be made. If she
enters the port with a cargo and after dis
charging It leaves In ballast, only one
charge will be made and this rule will ap
ply to a vessel entering ln ballast and de
parting with a cargo. As the registered
tonnage of a vessel Is only about half of
her actual carrying capacity, the tonnage'
dues will be only about ten cents a ton on
her actual tonnage.
The question of customs tariff for Porto
Rico also was discussed and it was the
opinion of the President and members of
the Cabinet that as soon as the Islnnd passed
into the possession of this country, the cus
toms laws and regulation now In force ln
the United States shall be made to apply to
Porto Rl< 1 without notification. This is the
view now entertained by the administra
tion and unless some unexpected change
occurs this statement will be put into ope
ration.
As to the situation at Santiago, it was
said that four regiments would be em
barked for the United States tomorrow and
others would follow as rapidly as practi
cable. Everything possible Is being done
to hasten the departure of the trocps and
It Is expected that before the close- of the
coming week nearly all of the trocps will
have left that part of the island. A message
from General Shafter was read at the Cabi
net meeting which reported that dlschargs
from the hospital were over 200 In excess of
the number of sick admitted. This leaves ths
officials to believe that the seriousness of
the situation may have been overestimated,
but this fact will not in the least interrupt
the prompt departure of the troops.
Sagasta's Belay No Surprise
i WASHINGTON, Aug. 5,-With a realiz
! ing sense of the grave political problems
that must be solved by Senor Sagasta, the
Spanish Premier, before he can tinally as
sent to the United States' demands, the.
administration Is not surprised that the
answer from the Spanish side has been de
layed. It Is believed the Premier himself
has made up his mind to accept the condi
tions, but while ln that decision he Is sup
ported by a majority of his Cabinet, be
Our new store, 317 to
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finds It necessary to secure the adhesion of
leaders of other parties In order to guard
against disaster ln the future. Spanish
methods never have been noted for rapidity
and It Is said that the present is the first
case of record where the Spanish Cabinet
(jas acted within a day or two on ai mat
ter so important as the presenting of the
peace proposal. Therefore It Is scarcely ex
pected that the last and decisive answer
will be forthcoming immediately. So far
ns can be learned there has been no further
communication between the State Depart
ment and the French Embassy since Wed
nesday noon.
Assuming the report that Sagasta is
seeking minute explanations of the dp
tatls to be adopted under each head of the
President's note. It Is probable that these
explanations are being furnished by M.
Cambon himself. At any rate he has made
no further application to the State Depart
ment for information and It Is said there,
that he has been so fully advised now of
the President's Intentions that there is no
occasion for him to do so.
Another Madrid Report
NEW YORK, Aug.s.—A dispatch to the
World from Madrid says:
The explanation of Its peace terms asked
from the government at Washington, es
pecially regarellng the Philippines, is ex
pected today.
If It is received then, Spain's final answer
tc the United States will be made on Satur
day.
After the Cabinet council the Ministers
declined to furnish any information con
cerning the dispatches received from
abroad. It is rumored, however, that the
two governments are sure to come to an
understanding for the suspension of hostil
ities this week, as ln reality the only ques
tions now at issue are unimportant.
The independent press and the opposi
tion organs are fuming because Sagasta has
shrewdly persuaded the Regent to summon
to Madrid the wisest of her statesmen and
generals In order to commit them irrevoc
ably to the peace policy, appealing to their
patriotism and loyalty, asking their co
operation In preserving order throughout
the peninsula and requesting a frank ex
pression of opinion on the advisability of
mnklng peace with the United States, after
showing them successively all the aspects
of the situation.
With his usual plainness Sagasta tell*
th"m he Is quite willing to hand over the
reins of government if they convince the
Regent and the country that they are pre
pared to propose a better solution than
peace on the conditions Imposed by Presi
dent McKinley.
The Liberal advises the Queen and Pre
mier to consult also the lenders of the
Radical parties, brcnuse they have had no
share ln or responsibility for the short
comings which caused the colonial crash.
The Impartial censures Sagasta violently,
winding up by saying that he plnc.es the
personages consulted in the dilemma of
having to condemn the course he recom
mends or identify themselves with a policy
which, if It fails to command national re
spect and support, may overwhelm them al!
ln a common political ruin.
Puhllc sentiment, however, a majority
of the press and the financiers approve Sa
gasla's course.
Too Much Talkee
MADRID, Aug. 5. noon.—The conferences
between the political leaders on the subject
of peace terms continue. Senor SUvela, the
Conservative leader, acting ln behalf of
Senor Castelar, the Republican, who was
prevented by illness from being present,
has conferred with the Premier, Senor Sa
gasta, on the subject. He said Senor Castil
lo, although an advocate of peace, was of
the opinion that in negotiating its councils
the government "should remember the Vir
ginius affair, when the energy displayed by
Spain In dealing with the United State*
saved Spanish interests, and thought every
effort should be made to preserve Spanish
sovereignty over Torto Rico."
Benor Sllvela added thnt hp personally did
not favor any change of policy.
The Liberal today publishes an interview
with Martinez de Campos, who is quoted
as saying: "I openly favor peace. Every
thing that has happened in this war could
have been foreseen, but the most pessimis
tic could not have Imagined that our mis
fortunes would be so great—the destruction
of Montflo's and Cervera's squadrons, tho
surrender of Santiago and the rapid and un
resisted occupation of Porto Kico.
No one could have imagined It, even tak
ing into consideration the superiority of the
United Stutes. Neither the present govern
ment nor any other can change our situ
ation. It would be madness to think of re
jecting President McKlnley's terms. The
Liberal party can bring about peace, but
Sagasta should not be asked to sign it, and
another Liberal Cabinet should be con
structed."
Martinez de Campos, It is pointed out, evi
dently referred to Senor Gnmazo as the
man who should succeed Senor Sagasta.
Senor Gamazo Is the present Minister of
Public Instruction. His name has been
frequently mentioned recently ln connection
with the Premiership ln the event of the
formation of a new Cabinet,
HE WAS ELECTROCUTED
SUDDEN DEATH OF LINEMAN M.
S. BINKLEY
Was Engaged in Soldering Some Con
necting Wires and in Some Way
Received a Shock
M. S. Binkley, a lineman for the Edison
electric company, was electrocuted yester
day afternoon while at work on the corner
of Adams street and Menlo avenue. He was
on a pole about twenty-live feet above ths
ground soldering some electric wires lead
ing from the main line Into the resident!*
of William T. Bishop Jr. So far as known
no one witnessed the accident, but Mrs.
Bishop saw the man as he was falling to
the ground.
In company with Elmer Nelson, Binkley
had been directed to cc>mp'.ete the work of
running the wire's into the Bishop residence
from the main line on the street The wirea
had already been connected and all that re
mained for Binkley to do was to solder the
joints. He climbed the pole anel In order
to secure himself from falling placed a strap
around his waist and the pole, enabling
him to lean out from the pole in any direc
tion. He was given the lighted soldering
lamp by Nelson, who then went into tha
house to complete the work there.
It is supposed that Binkley threw his
light arm over one of the two main wires
and crooked his elbow, to hold on better,
and with the left hand placed the lamp
close to the wires to solder them. Prob
ably through Inattention he touched the
other parallel wire from which the connec
tion with the Bishop residence ran, and In
this manner formed a circuit, the entire
fores of 2,000 volts passing through him. It
was also said that perhaps he might have
lost his balance and thrown out hia hand
'involuntarily, and caught the other wire.
In any event the Inside of his right elbow
and left hand were badly burned by the
current.
Being rendered unconscious he slid to the
ground, the strap preventing him from fall
ing headlong, and Mrs. Bishop looking out
the window saw him lying lifeless on ths
pavement. She called Nelson, who went
to the assistance of his companion. Dr
Paul Bresee was summoned and endeavored
to revive Binkley with artificial respira
tion, but the man did not regain conscious
ness and died within an hour after the acci
dent. The remains were removed to the un
dertaking rooms of Bresee Bros., where an
Inquest will be held today. Binkley was
married, but he and his wife had been di
vorced and she is said to be living tn San
Bernardino. They have one child. Binkley'a
sister is a Mrs. Brown on East Fourth
street, but she is very ill and It is feared
that the news of her brother's unfortunate
death will prove too muoh'for her.
A BRAKEMAN KILLED
L. C. Dale Fell Off a Box Car and Lost
His Life
The body of L. C. Dale was brought to
the city last evening on the Southern Cal
ifornia' railroad. Dale was employed as
a brakeman on the Tomeoula branch. Near
Murletta yesterday lie was knocked or fell
off a box car. Both of his arms were
broken and the wheels passe d over his left
leg below the knee. He was alive when
picked up, and was taken to San Bernar
dino. He was placed on a Los Angeles
bound train for the purpose of sending him
to the Sisters' hospital In this city, but
he died en route. Dale was employed In
the railroad yards In this city up to a few
weeks ago, when he left to take a regular
run.
Return of the Nimrods
Captain of Police Roberts, Clerk Hens
ley and Officer Harris returned yesterday
from a hunting trip to the Tehachapl
mountains. They willed two deer and
caught a big e.agle. which Captain Roberts
will take charge of and keep around the
police station. There were plenty of tracks
but the men were unable to see any bear.
Detective Auble remalnded a few days
longer ln hopes of redeeming the party's
reputation.
Officials Apointed
"WASHINGTON, Aug. s.—The President
today made the following appointments:
Register of Land Office at San Francis-
CD—Aaron B. Hunt.
Receiver of Public Moneys at San Fran
cisco—Sargent C. Morton.
Substitutes
There are none for Schil
lings Best tea. There is none
other fresh-roasted. _