Birmingham state herald., December 14, 1895, Image 1

About Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897

Image provided by: University of Alabama Libraries, Tuscaloosa, AL

                
BIRMINGHAM STATE HERALD.
■ ) .' "
VOLUME 22: BIRMINGHAM, ALA., SATCJRDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1895. NUMBER. HO. ,
REDUCED RATES TO ATLANTA
They Are Much Lower Than
Ever Before Made.
A CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL
Presents Will Be Distributed to All of the
Atlanta Orphans.
THE CONGRESS ON AFRICA CONVENED
Governor Atkinson Welcomed the Mem
bers in a Few Well Chosen Words, in
Which He Said That Slavery
Cannot Be Justified.
Atlanta, Ga„ Dec. 13.—Railroads south
of the Ohio and east of the Mississippi
river have just made, for the 19th to the
25th of December, inclusive, rates much
lower than any ever made before. The
round trip from Washington city to At
lanta, thirteen hundred miles, can be
made for $8.75. This Is but little over
half a cent a mile. Other rales are in
the same proportion. Round trip from
Richmond, $0.20; Nashville, $4.30; Knox
ville, $3.80; Birmingham, $3; Chatta
nooga. $4.60; Savannah, $4.20; Jackson
ville, $5.25; Macon, $1.75; Columbus, $2.
25; Montgomery, $3.1f>; Mobile, $5.30;
Selma, $4.05; Anniston, $1.85; Columbus,
Miss., $4.35; Louisville, $6.70; Cincinnati,
$7.15 ($4.30 lower than the previous ex
cursion rate); Lexington, Ky., $5.90; New
Orleans, $7.45; Brunswick, Ga., $4.20;
Augusta, $3.10; Athens and Home, $1.45;
Albany, $3.30; Norfolk, Vn.. $7.90; Ports
mouth, Va., $7.90; Ocala. Fla., $6.20; Fa
latka. $5.60; Hanford, $6.10; Charleston,
$1.65; Columbia, $3.80; Greenville, S. C.,
$3.50; Orangeburg, $4.55; Spartanburg,
$3.70; Rulelgh. N. C., $6.80; Wilmington,
$7; Charlolte, $1.40; Lynchburg, Va„ $7.
50; Evansville, Ind., $6.80. Tickets are
good to return in five days.
On next Wednesday. December 18,
there will be a children's Christmas fes
tival at the exposition. The fifteen pub
lic schools will each contribute twenty
boys and girls, each school representing
a nationality. The boys will represent
soldiers and the girls will be dressed in
the costume of the country. There will
be a float, with Santa Claus and twelve
Brownies to head the procession of all
nations, which will march round the
plaza. The parade v/111 terminate at an
Immense Christmas tree, where presents
will be distributed to all the orphan
children In the asylums about Atlanta. <
A committee from the woman’s board Is
co-operating with Superintendent Siatan
and the teachers of the public schools.
It is expected that an Immense crowd
will come to see the festival.
The congress on Africa convened this
morning at the colored Methodist church.
President Thierkleld of the Gammon
Theological seminary acted as chairman.
The opening prayer was offered by Rev.
K. S. Rust, D. D., of Cincinnati. Gov
ernor Atkinson welcomed the members.
Among other things, the governor said;
’’From the midst of pressing business
cares I come to welcome this important
gathering. Slavery was a hard lot. Sla
very, in my judgment, cannot be justi
fied. And yet, may It not have been a
part of God’s plan for the redemption of
your race, that you might put up a pray
er to God and man fof the redemption
of your fatherland? There are those who
said thirty years ago that you could not
learn (yet I believe even then they ad
mitted that you could sing). Let any one
who Is In doubt visit the commencement
of Clarke university, Atlanta university,
Georgia Industrial institute, then he
must say that what has been done can be
done. , . „ .
"These things,” he continued, should
lead you to a deeper Interest In the sal
vation of your fatherland. Each must
decide for himself whether he will go or
remain here. You are free citizens of
this republic. If you care to stay the
choice is yours; if you think best to cast
your lot among the people of your old
country no man may say you nay. The
question of duty presents Itself, and you
owe a duty to your fatherland, So long
as I have a voice In the affairs of Geor
gia I shall do my utmost to see that the
colored man has his rights."
Others who spoke were Bishop Duncan
Heli Catnlnin, the celebrated African ex
plorer and linguist; J. H.^Smlth, colored,
Richmond, Va.. and Dr. Alexa Crumell
of Washington. , . . , I
At the afternoon session the speech Dy
Orlshetukel Fhduma of the, Yambo tribe,
west Africa, was the feature.
Tonight Mr. Cyrus C. Adams of the
New York Sun lectured on “New Things
We Have Learned About Africa.”
PRE8IDENT CLEVELAND LOST.
He May Know Where He Is, But the Out
side World Don’t.
Norfolk. Va.. Dec. 13—President Cleve
land and his party have succeeded today
In thoroughly losing themselves to the
outside world, for no one knows where
they are at present- The Violet was to
have left Hatteras today, but whether
she did so or not is unknown, for a gale
has been raging over the North Carolina
sounds, and the wires between Kitty
Hawk and Hatteras are down. At Kitty
Hawk the wind blew at the rate of sixty
eight miles an hour and was probably
much heavier at Hatteras. No vessels
have arrived from North Carolina, and
It is the opinion of sailing masters that
the Violet could not have made the run
up Pimlico sound under the heavy winds
prevailing. Another obstacle presents
Itself to the president on his return. The
water in the Albermarle and Chesapeake
through which the Violet must pass on
her way to Norfolk, now measures only
6V4 feet, the lowest ever known In that
connecting link between Virginia and
North Carolina. It is probable 'that the
presidential party will have to go to
Elizabeth City. N. C.. and conte to Nor
folk hy rail. The storm today around
Hatteras is the worst so far this season.
THE SEABOARD TRANSFERRED.
All of Its Properly Now in Charge of an
Agent of the Trustees.
Mobile, Dec. 13.—(Special.)—Edward C.
Wright, representing the trustees) of the
Seaboard Manufacturing company, who
suspended operation of their extension
works in Washington county last week,
arrived in Mobile early this morning.
The trustees of the company are the
Lombard Investment company, Frank
Hagerman, Sanford B. Ladd and James
L. Lombard. He Is also representing
Frank Hagerman, receiver for the Lom
bard Investment company. Upon his ar
rival he secured the services
of Attorneys Russell and Drshon and
^ made a demand on Vice-President Mid
k
dleton of the Seaboard for a deliverance
of all the property of the Seaboard In
vestment company. Mr. Middljion wired
the substance of said demand to the New
York office and this afternoon received
a reply from the president of the com
pany requesting him to act in accord
ance with the instructions of said de
mand. This will transfer all. the Sea
board property to the possession of the
trustees, who are amply able to begin
operation again at once, and will doubt
less do so. All the employes of the com
pany have been provided for and will be
sustained during the time of suspension.
“ The Bird Has Flown."
Atjanta. Ga., Dec. 13.—A man supposed
to Be a most notorious crook quietly and
firmly, apd without any unnecessary
demonstration, slipped out of a window
at the police station this morning, and
has up to date eluded arrest. His name,
according to himself, is H. M. Rothery.
He was arrested in connection with a
big diamond stolen. Hp swore his inno
cence in great, heart-breaking oaths,
and requested to be permitted to remain
und^r guard of an officer, and not be
placed along with, low. vulgar men. At
lanta’s police department, always sus
ceptible, fell an easy victim to Rothery’s
guiles, and now it is another Instance
of the proverbial "Rird has flown.”
Ro.thery requested his guard to step out
side and close the door. The police think
he has gone td Conders, N. Y., from
where he claimed to have come.
Rothery was captured at Marietta, Ga.,
about twenty miles from here. He says
he escaped because he had a chance, and
does not fear a trial. His guard has been
suspended, and police officers are in con
stant fear of suspension, by the board.
An Egg Thrower Under Bond.
New York, Dec. 13.—Louis Silverman,
who threw a rotten egg at Herman Ahl
wardt, the anti-semite agitator, while
the latter was making a speech last night
in Cooper union, was this morning ar
raigned In the Essex market police court
and held for trial in $500 bail. Ahiwardt
was not in court, but was represented by
counsel. Silverman is an assistant of
City Marshal Gross of the Fifth district
court.
RED CROSS TO THE RESCUE
_ f
They Have Decided to Accept the Sacred Trust
of Endeavoring to Relieve the Starv
ing Armenians.
Washington, Dec. 13.—The following
official announcement was Issued from
the national headquarters of the Red
Cross today:
Owing to the unanimous and urgent
appeals from the friends of humanity,
representing nearly all of the people of
this country, the American National Red
Cross has decided that it must accept
the sacred trust of endeavoring to relieve
the starving Armenians in Asia Minor.
According to conservative estimates
there are 350,000 utterly destitute people
in that country who will have to be as
sisted six or eight months (until the next
harvest).
Fully realizing the difficulties and dan
gers to be met, the Red Cross will start
for Turkey as soon as sufficient funds
are placed at its disposal or guaranteed
to insure success. Funds may be sent
to Miss Clara Barton, president and
treasurer of the American National Red
Cross, Washington.
Authorized agents to receive funds and
materials will be published in a few
days.
The Red Cross also suggests that goods,
grain and other material may be sent
by chartered steamers.
AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS,
CLARA BARTON, President.
The final determination of the Ameri
can National Red Cross to go to the re
lief of the Armenians, though not wholly
unexpected, in view of the numerous ap
peals for such action which have come to
them from every direction in the past
few weeks, was not definitely reached
until today, when it became apparent
that if effectual aid was to be rendered
it must be commenced at once, and no
other benevolent organization in the
world was in a position to successfully
undertake It. The action of the society is
regarded by Its executive committee as
the most Important any organization has
ever undertaken. Nevertheless, never
before have so many difficulties been pre
sented or such extensive measures been
necessary. For the first time the field of
the famou Red Cross will be transefer
red to a foreign country, for from its
main base of supplies and abounding
with dangers, 'riie organization will be
hampered by an utter lack of facilities
for transporting food, clothing and other
supplies, by unfamlllarity with the land
and by a general state of lawlesness that
Is known to exist in that part of Turkey.
Notwitstanding the conditions, Clara
Barton, in spite of more than fifty years'
service in benevolent work, has de
termined to go in person into Armenia
and In person control the disbursement of
the funds subscribed for Red Cross re
lief.
The Red Cross in tne past rew weens,
ever since the pressure for it to under
take the responsibility became too strong
to resist, has been thoroughly consid
ering the character of the work required,
and Its estimate that 350,000 are abso
lutely destitute and starving is declared
to be thoroughly conservative. While it
cannot be determined until the field is
reached how much money will carry
these people over to ihe next harvest,
missionaries who are familiar with the
country and people think $5,000,000 a fair
figure. Of course all this will not be
needed at once, and the RedOoss offi
cials at Washington are confident that
whatever Is needed will be forthcoming.
They are In close touch with Benevo
lently inclined people throughout the
world and the appeals of which having
reached them no doubt the people gen
erally will evince their practical sympa
thy with the movement.
Miss Rarton and her staff will be ready
to leave for Turkey next week if success
Is assured through responses to the an
nouncement made today. It will take
her two weeks to reach Constantinople
and two weeks longer to initiate the ac
tual work of relief in Armenia. In the
meantime at least a month of suffering
and distress is inevitable. She regards
every mflhient lost as wasted and is now
engaged In perfecting every possible de
tail of work that can he done in advance
for announcement to the public In a few
days.
A Disastrous Fire.
Council Bluffs. Ia.. Dec. 13.—The most
disastrous fire in the history of Council
Bluffs visited this district this evening
shortly after G o’clock, causing a loss
of over $250,000. The estimated loss is
as follows: Deer Wells. $185,000; Combi
nation Fence works, $10,000; Wler Shu
gart company, $10,000 nil building; West
inghouse Rnglne company, $10,000;
Stoughton Wagon company, $4000: Ful
ler. Johnson & Co., $600; Molin Buggy
company. $5000; Warder, Bushnell &
C.lesner $5000.
Deer Wells & Co. carried about enough
4nsurance to cover two-thirds of their
less. On the Combination Fence works
there was only $2500 insurance. The oth
er losses are for the most part insured.
The cause of the fire Is hot known.
MB, CARLISLE'S REPORT
May Not Be Presented to Con
gress Until Tuesday.
WAGON MAIL CONTRACTS LET
Mrs. A, F. Warner's Profitable Business Stopped
by Mr. Wilson.
SHE GOT A THOUSAND LETTERS A DAY
Italian Oranges Will Be Shipped Hero This
Year in Quantities-The Famous Su
gar Trust Cases Have Again
Been Postponed.
Washington, Dec. 13.—Unless there Is
other unforeseen dejay Secretary Car
lisle’s report will be presented to con
gress on Monday next. That Is. if the
president should return in time to hold
a consultation over it before congress
meets on Monday. The dispatch which
Private Secretary Thurber sent to the
president two days ago stating that it
was the desire of the members of the
cabinet that a special meeting be held
not later than Monday next is under
stood to have met with a response Indi
cating that the president will be back
Washington on or before that day. It
would surprise no well informed official
if the presentation of the report were de
layed till Tuesday next.
Postmaster-General Wilson today de
nied the privileges of the malls to Mrs.
A. F. Warner of Jacksonville, Fla., for
conducting a fraudulent business. Mrs.
Warner adopted a novel method, in
which she reaped considerable profit.
She advertised in newspapers through
out the country glowing descriptions of
flowers, shells, etc., to be obtained in Flor
ida during the winter months, and stated
that upon receipt of a certain amount in
postage stamps she would send these ar
ticles. She failed to keep her part of the
contract.
The postmaster at Jacksonville report
ed to the department that her mall av
eraged 1000 letters a day, each containing
probably from 10 cents to 25 cents in
stamps. Mrs. Warner had previously
been denied the privileges of the mails,
but upon her promise to discontinue this
character of business the fraud order
was revoked.
Wagon mall service contracts were to
day awarded throughout the southern
states. The largest contracts were those
of the regular mall wagons. .1. P. Stew
art of Clinton, Mo., secured the contract
for Memphis, Tenn., at $5100, and E. A.
Chilton of London, Ky., the contracts for
Louisville, Ky., and Atlanta, Ga., at $6090
and $1880 respectively.
According to H. G. Huntington, United
States commercial agent at Castela
marre, Italy, Italian oranges will be ship
ped to America in large quantities this
rfhason. This has been brought about by
reports concerning the damage to the
Florida orchards. It is said in Italy that
Florida will supply only about 200,000
boxe3, as compared with from 3,000,000 to
5,000,000 boxes, the estimated crop before
last year’s damage by frost, and as a re
sult the Italian exportation, which usual
ly begins at the end of January, will com
mence during the present month. The
quantity of fruit exported from Sorrento
to the United Staes last season, says Mr.
Huntington, was approximately 22.
000 boxes of oranges and 30,000 boxes of
lemons, while for the present season the
amount will probably be 145,000 boxes of
oranges and 20,000 boxes of lemons. Mr.
Huntington does not, however, explain
the seeming discrepancy with his other
statements.
A report Just received at the depart
ment from Mr. Seymour, our consul at
Palermo, says that on account of the un
usually long drouth, which still exists,
the maturity of all fruits has been re
tarded.
At Palermo lemons for shipment com
mand a high price, and owing to the low
prices in foreign markets a majority of
the shippers are Idle, waiting for a more
favorable time to begin operations. The
lemon crop in the Palermo district is a
very large one.
The somewhat famous sugar trust
cases, the first of which, that of Elverton
R. CJiapman, the recalcitrant broker wit
ness, was set for trial on Monday next,
the 16th instant, have again been post
poned. District Attorney Birney has no
tified Chapman’s attorneys that owing
to the pressure of business upon the
courts It will be impossible to reach the
Chapman case at the date named. No
time has been fixed for the trial, but It
cannot now possibly begin before the
middle of January.
In the meantime the supreme court
of the United States may rule upon the
motion made by the attorneys for Chap
man a fortnight ago for an order from
that court,directing the district court not
to proceed with the trial of Chapman
until the appeal from the Judgment of
the district court of appeals denying a
writ of prohibition to the criminal court
to the same end has been heard and de
cided upon by the supreme court.
A WRECK ON THE SOUTHERN.
One Freight Train Collided With Another
With Fatal Results.
Charlotte, N. C., Dec. 13.—Thursday
night about an hour before midnight a
fatal wreck occurred on the Southern
railway at Thlckety, S. C. The freight
train running as third 42 ran into an
other freight, second 42, killing Engineer
D. M. Curiee of Charlotte, and nearly
demolishing the engine and two cars.
The first and second sections of 42, going
north, had side tracked at Tliickety
under orders, but third 42 had failed for
some reason to receive the same orders.
The flagman of the second 42 was sent
back to flag down the third section. He
left torpedoes on the track and when
third 42, under a full head of steam,
“struck the torpedo the engineer reversed
and blew for brakes, but too late. He
ordered his fireman to Jump, but himself
stuck to his post, while his engine crash
ed into the rear of second 42. The engine
was demolished and cars piled up so high
they broke down telegraph wires. En
gineer Curiee lived only a short while.
His remains were brought to Charlotte,
and will be buried tomorrow.
Strikers Return to Work.
New York, Dec. IS.—The housesmiths
who have been on a strike for nearly four
weeks against the iron firms of J. B. &
J M. Cornell and Milliken Brothers
agreed to go back to work at noon to
day. The men return to their Jobs un
der the same conditions as existed before
the strike was called, with the under
standing, however, that the employers
are to meet a committee of their work
men to agree upon a spale of wages
which shall be uniform among the mem
bers of the iron league.
THE INDICTMENTS QUASHED
Ex-Premier Giolitti Accused of
Stealing Documents
WHILE A CABINET OFFICER
_
The Matter Will Be Hushed Up to Prevent Po
litical Bitterness.
■
SERIOUS DISTURBANCES IN MADAGASCAR
The Christian Mission at Hamainandro De
stroyed by 6000 Hovas, But the Mis
sionaries Escaped—Britishers
Want Protection.
Rome, Dec. 13.—In the course of the de
bate in the chamber of deputies on the
report of the parliamentary committee
investigating the charges against Ex
Premier Glolitti of having stolen the doc
uments that were abstracted from the
Banca Romana and taken to the minis
try of the Interior while Glolitti was at
the head of the department, the ex-pre
mler contended that the charges were
not devised In the public Interest, but
had been formulated and brought for
ward solely for political ends. He defied
his accusers to produce proof that he
had been actuated in the matter of the
Banca Romana or the prosecution of Sig
nor Tanlongo, the governor of that insti
tution, by personal interests.
Signor Gallenda, minister of justice,
in reply alluded to the magistracy in
terms which cast doubt upon their integ
rity and judicial fairness. In an Instant
there was a tremendous uproar In the
chamber, amid which could be heard
cries of protest from all sides. The din
drowned the minister’s voice, and he was
compelled to stop. The excitement in
creased beyond the power of the presi
dent to control it, whereupon all of the
tothcr ministers filed out of the cham
ber, leaving Signor Gallenda the sole
representative of the government in the
house. The uproar was so violent and
protracted that the proceedings of the
chamber were temporarily suspended.
When the sitting was resumed Signor
Cavalottl, radical, declared that the
Chamber ought to deal with Prime Min
ister Crispl In the same measures It
might adopt against Signor Glolitti. The
feupporters of Signor Giolitti maintained
the. necessity of a direct inquiry into the
matter before the chamber, or, failing in
this that the ex-prime minister be sent
to the high court of justice. The gov
ernment supporters agreed that it would
be dangerous in the present situation to
awaken political bitterness by prolong
ing the inquiry in the high court. A ma
jority of the chamber finally voted that
there was no cause for sending Signor
Glolitti before the high court.
This decision Is tantamount to quash
ing the whole affair.
The Cause of the P&nio. —
Constantinople, Dec. 13.—Details of the
scare here and at Galata and Pera yes
terday Illustrate the Intensity of public
feeling. One of the two Armenians who
started the panic by engaging in a street
brawl discharged a revolver at his op
ponent. The Christians within hearing
immediately surmised that another mas
sacre had commenced, and the shops In
the vicinity of the disturbance were
closed with astounding rapidity. The
alarm spread, and the people, filled with
a vague terror, rushed aimlessly hither
and thither. The streets soon furnished
a scene of incredible confusion, hundreds
of people making their way as fast as
possible towards Galata and Pera, on
the northern side of the Golden Horn.
The dwellers In these suburbs, seeing
the fugitives wildly stampeding, either
Joined In the flight, making for the open
country, or barricaded themselves
strongly within their houses and shops.
The Armenian porters, who were work
ing about the streets as usual, hastily
dropped their loads, and with terror de
picted on their faces, fled, as they
thought, for their lives.
A number of English ladles were af
fected by fear and fled from their places
of residence to the British embassy,
where they claimed the protection of the
ambassador. Fifty Armenians sought
and were given shelter in the residence
of Hon. H. M. Herbert, the secretary of
the British embassy. ,
As soon as the authorities heard of the
trouble, and that was almost immedi
ately, many troops were summoned to
the Yildiz palace. The officials acted
promptly and well. The police were well
handled, and cavalry and Infantry were
detailed to parole the streets. The panic
lasted for some time, and then subsided
almost as quickly as It had started.
A report of the trouble was issued la
ter which attempted to minimize the af
fair It ascribed the trouble to Arme
nians telling the crowd that was at
tracted by the revolver shot that Mussul
mans were going to loot the shops before
the arrival of the British and Italian
guard ships. _
Cuban War News.
Havana, Dec. 13.—Colonel Rubin, with
a column of Spanish troops, arrived at
Zaza on December 10, after having had
an encounter with a rebel hand under
Quintin Bandera and other leaders at
z^iba The rebels were dispersed, with
hiavy loss In killed and wounded. The
Spanish force had three men killed and
tlrirtv wounded.
On December 10 three combined rebel
pirties under the leadership of Gomez
and Maceo passed Manaca Rodriguez,
marching in the direction of Manlcara
gOa. On December 11 the Spanish col
umn under Col. Oliver Panca passed the
stfme place.
Captain Conte of the Spanish army,
with a body of troops, was assisting to
repair the prostrated telegraph lines
when he was attacked by a rebel party
300 strong. The losses are not yet known.
, Capt.-Gen. Martinez Campos has ar
rived In Cienfuegos.
ToContinue the War on Socialists.
• Berlin. Dec. 13.—In the reichstag to
day Dr. Von Boettlcher. Imperial minis
ter of the interior, introduced a bill to
prevent Illegal competition in bourse
transactions. A majority of the members
who spoke on the measure expressed
themselves as being In favor of it. Tt
Is considered probable that the socialist
members will support the bill.
The cabinet council which was held
last evening, all thp members concurring,
decided to continue the campaign against
socialists upon the basis of the common
law. .The council sat five hours.
A Mission Destroyed.
Paris, Dec. 13.—Advices from Anta
nanarivo, the capital of Madagascar, un
der date of November 30, say that a mob
of 6000 Hovas have attacked and de
stroyed the Christian-rfiission at Ram
ainahdro, but that Missionary McMahon
and his family, occupying the mission,
succeeded in escaping unharmed. A
force of 6000 French troops were dis
patched to the scene to quell the dis
turbance and all Europeans were or
dered to the capital as a measure of
safety.
China in Possession of Port Arthur.
Londop, Dec. 13—The Globe publishes
a dispatch furnished by ihe News agency
saying that the Chinese officials resumed
possession of Port 'Arthur December 111.
General Sum. on behalf of China, taking
over the station iToni the Japanese of
ficers.
Britishers Want Protection.
London, Dec. 13,—A public agricultural
conference was held here today, at which
many influential men were in attendance.
•Tonies Lowther, ■member of parliament,
presided and stated the object of the
conference to be the establishment ot a
system of protection.
PATRIOTS OF AM ERICA.
The Objects and Constitution of Harvey’s
Society Made Known.
Chicago, Dec. 13.—'The new soml-seeret
order known as the Patriots of America,
organized by W. H. Harvey in the inter
est. of free silver, has made public Its
objects and constitution. These will ap
pear this week In pamphlet forni. The
temporary officers of the order are:
W. H. Harvey, acting temporary first
national patriot; C. H. McClure, tempo
rary national recorder; J. F. Adams,
temporary Rational treasurer.
McClure Is an ex-newspaper man and a
republican politician of Charolette,
Mich., and Adams Is a Missouri farmer
and merchant, who Is said to be a demo
crat In his political affiliations, and is
now a resident of Chicago.
Officers Re-elected.
Washington, Dec. 13.—The civil service
reform league today re-elected all its
present list of officers and approved the
budget of the finance committee for the
expenditure of $4500 during the ensuing
year.
THE TEXAS ALL RIGHT.
The Itinerary of Admiral Bunce’s Squadron
Doesn’t Include Venezuela—The Min
neapolis' Voyage Was Slow.
Washington, Dec. 13.—The trial yes
terday of the government-built battle
ship Texas, whose several misfortunes
have given rise to many conflicting opin
ions as to her capabilities, resulted in an
entirely satisfactory performance, ac
cording to Capt. Henry Glass, her com
mander. Captain Glass says:
"With moderate w^id and sea on bow
or quarter she is very steady, and a
speed of 18 to 17.4 knots was made with
engine revolutions from 115 to 124. At
these speeds the absence of excessive vi
brations in any portion of the hull is
very marked. The ship ‘handles’ at per
fect ease at any speed and possesses, X
think, great maneuvering power."
The engines of the Texas were run at
full speed for four hours, excepting sev
eral times when it was necessary to slow
down or stop them for a few minutes
because the Journals became overheated.
The trial was finally discontinued on ac
-eount of this, and Captain Glass says
that certain Journals of the main en
gines will have to be overhauled and
put In thorough order. He recommends
that as the Texas has had two days of
sea trials no further preliminary trial
be directed until the board of engineers
has been appointed to conduct the offi
cial trial, as in his opinion when the
work on the Journals has been completed
nothing further can be done to put the
engines as now arranged in condition
for service.
Orders were issued by the navy depart
ment this afternoon directing that the of
ficial trial of the Texas shall take place
on the 18th instant. The armored cruiser
Maine is practically ready for service.
A telegram to the navy department
dated at Newport, R. I., today from Cap
tain Dewey, president of the naval board
of inspection, says the Maine Is entirely
ready for sea and it will not be necessary
to send her to any navy yard for repairs
or anything of that nature. Had weather
has prevented her from leaving New
port. Captain Dewey says that the board
has completed the inspection of the ves
sel, including a successful full speed
trial, except obtaining her tactical diam
eter, figure the turret guns and testing
her hydraulic machinery. The telegram
leaves a doubt as to whether the torpe
does were tested, and Acting Secretary
McAdoo has wired Captain Dewey on
the subject. If the torpedo test has been
made the Maine will be ordered to coal
and Join Admiral Bunce’s squadron of
evolution at Hampton Roads without de
lay. The squadron is scheduled to sail
December 21.
The itinerary of the fleet, subject to
such changes as Admiral Bunce may de
sire to make, is as follows: Hampton
Roads, St. Thomas, Santa Cruz, St. Kitts,
Guadeloupe, Matlnlque, St. Lucia, Bar
badoes, Porto Rico, San Domingo, Port
au-Prince, Kingston, Jamaica, Colon,
Chlrlqul, Port Limon. Greytown, Dry
Tortugas, Florida Bay, Key West,
Hampton Roads, arriving at the latter
port on May 12.
Chirlqui and Port Limon and Grey
town, Admiral Bunce states, may be
omitted. Coal will be taken on at St.
Thomas, St. Lucia and Key West. Dur
ing the stay at Trinidad the squadron
will have a drill and target practice in
the bay of Parla.
Much attention has been drawn to this
squadron by rumors that its voyage to
the tropics hinged on the Venezuelan
controversy, and the warnings of the
British newspapers that a visit by the
squadron to any Venezuelan port would
be looked on with disfavor by Great
Britain.
The itinerary shows that Kingston will
be the nearest approach to the territory
in controversy. Admiral Bunce’s squad
ron will consist of the New Vork, the
Columbia, the Raleigh and the Cincin
nati, all cruisers, and the Maine, some
times described as an armored cruiser,
but more frequently as a second-class
battleship.
The cruiser Minneapolis, under orders
to proceed to Smyrna. Syria, in connec-.
tion with the protection of American In
terests. arrived at Gibraltar today.
The Minneapolis passed through the
Virginia capes, outward bound, on No
vember 27, and was, therefore, sixteen
days in making the voyage. As she is
considered the fastest ship of the new
navy, her low average rate of about nine
knots an hour causes some surprise, al
though the vesrel was not ordered to pro
ceed with dispatch.
Five Candidates in tho Field.
Washington, Dec. IS.—There are five
candidates for sergeant-at-arms of the
United States senate now In the field
and working energetically to secure their
election They are: Capt. G. A. Curtis
of New Hampshire, backed by Senators
Chandler and Galllnger; Smith D. Frey
of Iowa, Ex-Sergeant-at-Arms Valentine
of Nebraska, Mr. Shaw of Washington
and Major Grant of North Carolina.
WEEKLY TRADE REVIEW
The Price of Manufactured
Products Is Receding
FROM THE HIGH WATER MARK
n -
The put of Iron Is Much Greater Than the
V
^ Consumption,
-
PRICES HAVE AGAIN DECLINED
i -
jtroleum, Coffee and Cotton Were tlie
Only Staple Products to Show an Ad
vanoe in Quotations- Birmir.g
Lam Shows Improvement.
New York, Dec. 13.—It. Cl. Dun & Co.
will say tomorrow in their weekly re
view of trade:
Failures for the first week of December
show liabilities of $3,104,831, against $4,
036,806 last year and $4,761,400 In 1893. In
manufacturing $1,157,760, against $1,427,
415 last year and $1,730,044 in 1893, and in
trading $1,892,821, against $2,401,451 last
year and $2,591,365 in 1893. Failures for
the week have been 338 In the United
States, against 349 last year, and fifty
four in Canada, against forty lust year.
It has been a very quiet week without
anydlsturbances, prices of manufactured
products slowly receding from the high
water mark of speculation and no mate
rial increase in demand is now expected
until after tlie holidays, but there is gen
eral confidence that greater activity will
then appear.
Speculation in products is not very
brisk and Iri stocks decidedly inactive,
except in a few industrials. The outgo
of gold does not expand and the outward
movement of products is a shade less.
Clearings are 10.4 per cent more than last
year.
The government crop report caused
scarcely a ripple of interest though in
dicating less than 6,400.000 bales of cotton
and a larger acreage than had been ex
pected of winter wheat. The great sup
plies of cotton brought over from pre
vious years render it unimportant wheth
er the yield of 1895 was 7,000,000 or 6,000,
000 bales, except as affecting future
planting, and the extensive organizations
of planters to keep back their cotton de
prive small receipts of their natural In
fluence. Whether from that cause or not
receipts have recently been over 40 per
cent smaller than last year, but takings
of spinners and exports are also smaller.
Iron furnaces in blast December 1
turned out 216,797 tons weekly, against
217,306 November 1, with an increase of
8000 tons in stock unsold. But actual con
sumption is much smaller than the out
put at present and prices again declined
—No. 1 anthracite to $13.75, Bessemer pig
at Pittsburg to $12.60 and gray forge to
$12, Finished products are weak and sell
bplow quotations, (hough quoted prices
average about % of 1 per cent lower for
the week. Heavy orders by the Rocke
feller Interest for plates and other mate
rial to build vessels for transportation of
Mesaba ore next year have strengthened
the market somewhat, but the demand at
the east is very light and most of the
works have shortened force considera
bly, while at Pltsburg structural forms,
plates, sheets and pipe are In light de
mand, and some bnr mills in the valley
have shut down for want of otders.
Higher prices are expected for ore and
coke, and It Is believed this will cause an
upward turn in iron.
The shoe manufacture Is getting rather
more numerousrbusiness mainly In cheap
business by a reduction in prices, which
averaged nearly 4 per cent since the last
week of November.
Business in cotton has not gaiMd and
print cloths are lower at 3%c., while a
few more reductions are noted in prices
of other goods. The manufacturer has
had a highly profitable season.
Bradstreet’s Review.
New York. Dec. 13.—Bradstreet's to
morrow, December 14, will say: With
the exception of mild weather at cities
in Missouri, Kansas. Nebraska and Min
nesota, colder weather has stimulated
sales of seasonable merchandise at near
ly all points, but only by contrast with
preceding weeks. Wholesale trade is
dull, merchants preferring to reduce
stocks at the end of the year to make
ready for annual inventories. In rela
tions there has been a marked increase
in demand. Irregularity is shown in mer
cantile collections. The general trade
throughout the country is relatively most
satisfactory in the central Mississippi
valley. .
Bank clearings throughout the United
States this week aggregate $1,129,000,000,
a decrease of 9 per cent from last week,
which is not unusual. As compared with
clearings for the second week of Decem
ber. 1894. this week’s aggregate shows
an increase of 10 per cent.
The course of prices of staples contin
ues downward. Lumber remains steady
and without particular activity. Iron
and steel continues what appears to be^
regular weekly decrease, although re
ductions this week are fractional.
The only advance In quotations record
ed was among the more important sta
ples. petroleum, coffee and cotton. Phil
adelphia textile plants running on full
time are those at work on orders for im
mediate delivery. Philadelphia manu
facturers* of morocco have begun run
ning on short time.
There are 313 business failures reported
throughout the United States this week,
compared with 315 last week, 383 In the
like week a year ago. 337 two years ago,
and as contrasted with 298 In the second
week of December. 1892. Among the con
spicuous trade features are the disap
pointing Christmas dealings. Among
southern cities the single Instance of Im
provement is at Birmingham. Ala., al
though most distributing centers expect
an increased demand after January 1.
Cotton receipts are unusually ismall at
almost all southern points except New
Orleans, where they are liberal. Gal
veston reports the Christmas trade
smaller than one year ago.
A Cold Day in December.
New York. Dec. 13.—ThlF Is the coldest
December 13 the motropolls>»Jia.s expe
rienced In twenty-three years. In 1873
the temperature went down to 12 degrees
above zero, and at 4 o'clock this morning
It touched 1.3 degrees above the mark.
Not onlv was this the coldest day In
twenty-three- years, but It is the coldest
teo far for this winter.
Nixon Won't Vote for Blaokburn.
Frankfort. Ky„ I^sc. 13.—State Senator
Waiter C. Nixon, democrat, announces
that he will not support Blackburn for
the senate. The legislature being so even
ly divided this is believed to foreshadow
that Blackburn cannot be elected. ,.
*