davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The record-union., 1897-05-09
POSTAL CONGRESS.
Hatters Discussed by the Committee
on Registered Tails.

WASHINGTON, May S-The Com
mittee on Registered Mails of the Uni
versal Postal Congress held a meeting
to-day that lasted until late in the
afternoon. 1t was the only body that
was in session, and the various coun-
tries were we'll represented. M. An
sault, the senior delegate from France,
and a leader in the Congress, presided,
and Herr Fritsch of Germany took an
important part in the proceedings
The matter of indemnification for
letters of declared value and for jewel
ry packages in the mails occupied al
most the entire attention, and it was
practically decided to report to the
Congress that the present rules for the
exchange of the mails, with a few
notifications should be continued
The delegates have agreed upon a
plan to reduce the maritime cost Of
transportation of mails on sliding ba-
sis. In some cases the reduction
amounts to 10 per cent. in five years
and in others to 10 per cent.
The debate over the proposition to
reduce transit rates between interme-
diary countries has nearly reached a
gium have evinced their sanction of the
resolution. This means that they have
won their point as objectors to the
proposition. and that the report to Con-
gress on this, the most important point
of the propositions to come before the
postal officials, will be a recommendation
for the committee that the transit rates
remain in status quo. with possibly a
few modifying provisions.
The record-union., 1897-05-09
SAN PEDRO HARBOR.
Secretary Alger Preparing His Reply
to the House Resolution.

WASHINGTON, May S.-Secretary
Alger is now preparing a reply in ad
vance to the resolution pending in
Congress calling upon him for a state
ment as to why he has not yet taken
steps to carry out the project of the
special commission for the improve
ment of San Pedro Harbor. California,
for which the War Department was
authorized to make contracts to the
amount of nearly $3,000,000.
The Secretary viii take the ground
that both Acts of Congress and the
commissions plans are indefinite in
vital points, and some essential matters
accordingly conflicting. This is par
ticularly the case in the submission of
plans by the commission looking only
to the construction of a breakwater,
while the Act, by requiring the work to
be in the interest of commerce, as we'll as
a harbor of refuge, would appear to de-
mand the diversion of part of the funds
to the construction of docks and other
facilities for the transaction of COM
merce Probably Congress will be given
an opportunity to clear this conflict and
express its purpose more plainly.
The record-union., 1897-05-09
SENIORS ILL-STARRED FATE.
The Glass Day Festivities Abruptly
Terminated by Fire.

BERKELEY, May S.-The seniors of
the University are the inconsolate vic
tins of a hard and ill-starred fate.
Their magnificent class-day festivities,
begun beneath the trees in the natural
amphitheater of the college grounds
this afternoon, were abruptly terminal
ed by fire, in which NJ. H. Peck, a
senior, narrowly escaped being serious
ly burned.
The performance was farce, bur-
lesquing an Aztec funeral ceremony.
When the pyre was lighted the inflam-
mable bunting with which it was drap-
ed ignited, and in an instant flames
were shooting skyward.
A. w. Ransome, who was chief sacri-
ficer. pushed the burning pile off the
toned, but it fell among the soldiers
and the light costume of NJ. H. Peck
caught. His compaions ripped off
their own infammable coverings and
assisted Peck in his endeavors to dis
engage himself from the burning gar
ments. He escaped with a few slight
burns on the hands.
The performance was resumed in a
few minutes, but a second blaze en-
veloped the bunting of blue and gold
surrounding the large platform in the
center of the amphitheater almost i'm
mediately and there was a threatened
stampede of 800 or 400 onlookers
President McWade yelled that it was
''All in the play" and the crowd holted,
and the play went on.
The record-union., 1897-05-09
JAPANESE IMMIGRANTS.
Said to be Gaining Admission by
neans of Bogus Certificates.

SAN FRANCISCO, May S.-Commis-
sioner of immigration Stradley for this
port declares that japanese immigrants
are gaining access to this city by means
of bogus certificates. He has instituted
stringent rules to detect such frauds,
and he will hereafter examine all pas
sengers to prevent further irregular
practices in connection with immigra-
ton. Large numbers of Japanese ar
rive from home by way of steamers run
ming to Victoria where there is no quar-
antine service, but such immigrants
must now be examined here, even if
holding certificate from the Inspector
at Tacoma. A steamer arrived to-day
from Puget Sound and of the fifty-fve
japanese passengers, five We're held for
deportation because they had fraudulent
certificates from the Quarantine In
spector declaring the holders entitled to
entry to the United States.
The record-union., 1897-05-09
SACRAMENTANS BANQUETED.
The Chamber of Commerce Delegation
Who Went to Nevada City.

NEVADA CITY, May S.-A delegation
from the Sacramento Chamber of Com
merce arrived this evening, and was
met at the depot by committee from
the Nevada City Board of Trade. To-
night banquet is being given in it's
honor by the local board. Tomorrow
morning a committee of ten members of
the home organization will escort them
to You Bet where they will inspect the
Goodwin craven mine, against which
an injunction was recently issued by the
Superior Court of Sacramento County.
The visiting delegation consists of A
c. Hinkson, William Schaw, r. D.
Stephens, J. o. Coleman, T. l.. Enright.
The record-union., 1897-05-09
ALL PARIS IN MOURNING.
REQUIEM MASS FOR THE REPOSE
OF THE SOULS
OF the Victims of the Charity Bazaar
Fire Celebrated With Great
Solemnity.

PARIS, May S.-Requiem mass for
the repose of the souls of the victims
Of the fire in the Charity Bazaar was
celebrated at noon to-day in the Cathe-
dral Notre Dame. The square in front
of the cathedral was densely packed.
The interior was heavily draped with
black, relieved by silver embroideries,
and the main doorway draped with
a huge pail, spanning the building, sill
yer edged with ermine, and raised
either side by silver loops. Above the
doors were escutcheons with the ini-
tials "R. F." (Republique rancaise)
An imposing catafalque covered with
flowers erected in front of the choir
contained the remains of Comtesse de
Jallin and Madame Julian. Conspic-
uous among the floral tributes was a
magnificent wreath sent by the En-
peror and Empress of Germany, one by
the Russian colony of Paris.
Upon the arrival of President Faure,
who was escorted by a detachment of
cuirassiers, the troops presented arms,
and the bells were tolled. The Presi-
dent was received at the Cathedral by
the diplomatic corps, headed by the
Papal Nuncio, Mgr Clari, and the Rus
sian Embassador, Baron Won Mohren-
helm, who presented their condolences.
The Minister of the Interior. NJ. Bar
thou, delivered an grafton. He paid
glowing tribute in the name of the
Government and the country TO the
victims stricken on the field of honor
and of charity"
AT the close of the grafton President
Faure and the members of the diplo-
matte corps grasped the orators hand.
Prince and Princess Radziwill repre-
sented the Emperor and Empress of
Germany, Duke Eugene of Leuchten-
berg represented the Car, and the
Lord Mayor OF London, George Faudel
Phillips, and the Sheriffs of London. in
their State robes, represented the city
of London.
NJ. Hanotaux, the Minister of Foreign
Affairs, was afterwards conducted by
the clergy to raised platform on the
left of the choir. Behind the President
were ranged the families of the victims.
the members of the Government. the
diplomatic corps and other notabilities.
All Paris was in mourning to-day.
The majority Of the large stores were
closed and after the public funeral
there were numerous obsequies at vari-
Gus churches. Immense crowds gath
cred in their vicinity. and all respect
fully saluted the coffins.
The record-union., 1897-05-09

ex-Treasurer of San Benito County,
should be set aside. Montgomery was
charged with embezzling about S12, 900,
which amount was made good by him.
self and his sureties. Six indictments
were found against him.
The defense attacked the legality of
the Grand Jury. Among other grounds
it was claimed that the court had no
authority to select Grand Jurors in Oc-
tober, when January is designated by
law; that names of important witnesses
were not indorsed on the indictments;
that an outsider, who was not a wit
ness was permitted in the Grand Jury
room while the Grand Jury was in ses-
sion.
The court held these We're valid OBJ
jections, and set aside the indictments
1t is not believed that anything more
will be done with the case. The Judges
decision seems to meet with popular ap-
prOVal in HOlliSter.
The record-union., 1897-05-09
CONSPIRACY IN ECUADOR.
A BISHOP ARRESTED CHARGED
WITH TREASON.
The Government Secures Documents
duplicating Him in the Revo-
lutionary Movement.

NEW YORK, May S.-A dispatch to
the Herald from Panama says:
Information received from a CORE
spondent in Guayaquil, Ecuador, is to
the effect that Bishop Andrade of Rio
Bamba has been arrested, charged with
treason Since the rebel attack on Rio
Bamba a few days ago, in which sew
eral priests took part, the Government
has had cause to suspect Bishop An
drade. Now it is asserted by the au-
thorities that they have secured several
documents duplicating Bishop Andrade
in the revolutionary movement.
Following the arrest of Bishop An
drade came that of Father Rivadene
cira of Guaranda, who is charged with
conspiring to aSsassinate Captain San
tos, Commander-in-C Chief of the Gov
ernment battalion in Guaranda.
An alleged conspiracy to assassinate
Jose Luis Alfaro, brother of President
Alfaro and Governor of the province
of Los Rio, has been discovered.
Five of the principal plantation own
ers and merchants of the province are
now under arrest, charged with COM
plicity in the plot to murder Governor
Alfaro. Among the men is Senor Es-
caldron.
Information has reached Guayaquil
that Colonel Maroles Alfaro's troops
met and defeated a large band of reb-
els near Cruza Agnatea, in the province
of Chimborazo. After a short resist
ance the insurgents fed before the we'll
disciplined Government forces.
1t is asserted persistently on what
seems to be good authority that the
rebel leaders have sent a communica-
ton to the Government offering to sur
render if protection to life and property
is extended.
There have been no outbreaks outside
of the provinces of Canar and CHM
borazo, though steps have been taken in
other provinces by Government sup
porters to form volunteer corps to de-
fend themselves in case of an uprising.
The record-union., 1897-05-09
CALLERS AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
The President Received an Unusually
Large Number Yesterday.

WASHINGTON, May S.-The Pres
ident had an unusually large number Of
callers to-day. Among them was a G..
A r. delegation from New York to in
vite the President to take part in the
celebration on Decoration Day. Mr..
Mckinley said he would accept the in
vitation if he decided to go to the West
Point exercises at that time. The ex
ercises at the academy are in the morn
ing and those at New York in the even
ing.
Senator Deboe visited the White
House to-day for the purpose of urging
the President to appoint DR.. Hunter of
Kentucky to a leading foreign mission,
probably Chile.
The record-union., 1897-05-09
COLLEGE ATHLETES.
Stanford Students Defeated at Tennis
by the State University.

SAN FRANCISCO, May S.-The ath-
letes who fly the blue and gold of the
University of California secured their
third victory over Stanford this season
by winning the intercollegiate tennis
to-day. In addition, they
now hold the baseball and track athletic
championship for the year and affirm
that they will use every endeavor to win
the last of the series, the football game
in November
The tennis contest consisted of five
out of nine games and of these the Uni
versity of California secured two in dou-
bles and two in singles, Stanford in the
meantime scoring in but three matches
in singles. The ninth game not being re-
quired to decide the championship was
not PLAYED
The record-union., 1897-05-09
BIG SLAB OF REDWOOD.
To be Shipped to London to Decide a
Wager as to California Trees.

SAN FRANCISCO, May S.-A big
slab of redwood, a cross section cut
from a log fourteen feet four inches in
diameter with the bark peeled off, was
lowered yesterday into the hold of the
German ship Maria Hickfield at Long
Bridge. for shipment to London.
The big block of wood is consigned to
William Waldorf Astor, and is intended
to decide a wager. At a recent dinner
party given in London, to a select cir
Gle, some stories were told that were
favored with hyperbole. Astor was re-
sponsible for one in which the big
trees of California figured. A young
English blood doubted the existence of
such trees There were just forty
guests at the dinner and Astor, to
prove his assertion, offered to wager
that a table big enough to accommo-
date forty at dinner could be made
from a cross section of one of Califor-
MAS trees. The wager was accepted,
and the shipment on the Maria Hack
field is the result.
The piece of herwood was cut from
one of the many giant trees Of Hum
boldt County. There is not a knot or
blemish in the whole piece. Heavy wire
cables We're bound around its outer rim,
and heavy planks protected it from be-
ing split. It is about three feet thick,
and weighs about nineteen tons. 1t
was brought from the lumber woods
on the steamer National City. and the
ships hatchway just gave the big slab
a play of one inch as it was being low
cred into the hold.
The National City, in steaming along
side the German ship to deliver the red
wood slab from her deck to the ves-
sells hold, ran her stern on a mud
bank. Just as Captain Anderson gave
the engineer the bell to go ahead at
full speed to release her a tide rip
caught the steamer under the bow,
swinging her until her stem was point
straight for the German vessel. Just
then she left the mudbank. and before
the engineer could receive and an
swer the signal TO stop the engine and
back at fun speed, the steam schooner
crashed into the broadside of the YES
sell The National City was not in
jured. but three of the plates of the
ship were bent, a beam knee was
broken and several of the rivets of her
beams were torn loose. Several of the
desk timbers were also sprung. and the
master of the ship estimated that il
would require about $1,000 to make the
necessary repairs.
The record-union., 1897-05-09
HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA.
A Book to be Prepared to be Presented
to Visiting EndeavOrers.

SAN FRANCISCO, May S.-The State
Board of Trade is preparing a book
to be presented to visiting Christian
Endeavorers. 1t is to be a history
geography Of California, including all
that is most valuable in regard to cli-
mate. soil, resources, educational facil-
tiles and religious opportunities The
contributors are men eminent in the
subjects they treat. Their instructions
have been to write from the mental
attitude of answering the questions of
an intelligent stranger, who by rea-
son of his special interest in the sub
ject would be anxious to know how
this State compares with others, and
would find the comparative data laid
before him. There will be three col
ored maps. The front piece is to be a
large California poppy. with the sub
scription" CoDa de oro." There will
be no advertising matter in the book.
The editorial management is in the
hands of w. Fl. Mills.
The record-union., 1897-05-09
HOMING PIGEONS.
A Great Demand for Birds In the
Hawaiian Islands.

ALAMEDA, May S.-A stock company
recently organized at Honolulu for the
purpose OF establishing a homing pigeon
service between the Islands of the Ha-
waiian group has created a demand for
Belgium birds raised in local lofts. Nine
pairs of carrier pigeons have been sent
from this city. and it is believed that the
entire shipment viii number 400 birds.
The birds shipped are of the best i'm
ported stock, taken from the loft of II.
f. Whitman, Secretary of the Pacific
Coast Pigeon and Homing Society.
Honolulu merchants recognizing the
need of more frequent and speedy
transmission of messages between the
islands, decided to establish homing sta
tions at the different islands where hon.
ing pigeons will be housed. The young
birds will be trained for the carrier serv-
Ice.
The homing service will be of great
The record-union., 1897-05-09
WATERY GRAVE.
Two Men Drowned in a Lake Near
Stockton.

STOCKTON, May S.-Two men were
drowned in Mcleod Lake this
forenoon by strange coincidence. One
was a young man named John Robin
son, who left his home in Antioch a
day or two ago to go to work on the
barge Katie. AS he was unloading
cord wood from the barge this forenoon
he tripped on the gang plank and fell
into the water between the barge and
the wharf A piece of wood fell on his
head and must have stunned him, for
although a good swimmer, he did not
rise again.
Shortly afterward Chris Johnson
fireman Of the steamer Clara Crow
which towed the barge, jumped off the
boat and was drowned He was under
the influence of liquor, and it is sup
posed in his stupor thought he could
recover the remains of Robinson. He
was one of the oldest steamboat men
on the river.
The record-union., 1897-05-09
4 Biz French Tank Steamer Meets With
a MiShap at San Francisco.
Runs Into Wharf, and Her Hull
Badly Damaged.
The State Board of Trade to Issue a
History-Geography of California to
be Presented to Delegates and
Visitors to the National Christian
Endeavor Convention.

SAN FRANCISCO, May Sowing to
the engineers failure to respond
promptly to the pilots signal. the big
French tank steamer La Madeleine
crashed nearly half way through Beale-
street wharf to-day.
The La Madeleine came up from
South America about two months ago
and received a thorough overhauling,
including new engines and boilers. She
started out to-day in charge of Cap
tain Freeman, the veteran pilot, to test
her engines. They were found to work
satisfactorily. After a run beyond the
heads the steamer put back. She ap-
preached the dock slowly, and behaved
admirably. When about six lengths
away Captain Freeman gave the signal
to go astern, and the engineer repeated
the signal back, showing that he un-
derstood, but the propeller did not
move. Captain Freeman waited mo-
ment and again signaled full speed
astern. This time the engineer re-
sponded, but it was too late, and the
great mass of steel plowed through the
piles, stringers and pIanks as though
they were laths.
and caught the steamer on the star
board bow plate, making a dent fully
a foot in diameter and six inches deep.
Besides the dent on the starboard side,
two of the post plates are so badly
twisted that the steamer will have to
have all three replaced before she can
pass the inspectors. This will cost
from 81 500 to $1,000. If her frame is
injured, the cost will be much greater.
The dock from the line of Brannan
street to the end is knocked out of line,
many of the piles at a considerable dis
tance from where the steamer struck,
and even on the opposite side, being
broken off. 1t is more than probable
that the entire dock will have to be
rebuilt The blow was SO great that
the four-inch water pipe extending
along the center of the dock was broken
in two, while an immense coal hopper
blocked up near where the vessel struck
was careened partly over and is ready
to fall at the slightest jar.
The record-union., 1897-05-09
ODD FELLOWS ORPHANS HOME
The Cornerstone Laid With Impress
sive Services.

GILROY, May S.-The cornerstone of
the odd Fellows Orphan Home was laid
hereto-day, with impressive ceremonies,
there being large delegations of Odd Eel
lows and Rebekahs from San Jose. Hol-
lister and other towns in attendance.
George T. Dunlop made an eloquent ad-
dress of welcome, and was succeeded by
other speakers. Mrs. c. A Hoxett, Pres
ident of the Board of Trustees, making
a brief address. and Grand Master War
boys lengthy one. The exercises were
nterspersed with singing by the Glee
Club and music by the Gilroy Band.
They were followed by banquet in the
ample basement of the building, which
has now well advanced to the COM
mencement of the second story.
The record-union., 1897-05-09
Sunk by the Same Rock Within Few
Hours of Each Other.
The Passengers and Crew of One
Narrowly Escape Drowning, While
Nothing is Known as to the Fate of
Those on Board the Other-The
River Will be impossible Until the
Vessels Break Up and Float Away.

DENVER. May S-A special to the
Republican" from Helena, Mont, says:
The packet steamers Ruth and Gwen
doline, which piled between jennings,
Mont, and Fort Steele, British Column
bia, are lying at the bottom of the Koo-
tenai River about four miles from Jen-
ings, both sunk by the same rock within
few hours. Both were loaded with
Canadian ore for the Great Falls
smelter. The Ruth, besides her crew,
consisting of about twelve hands, had
twenty passengers. These all escaped
with their lives, after a hard fight with
the strong current.
AT the place where the steamers sank
the river is very narrow and full of
rocks. The warm weather during the
past week has caused the snow in the
mountains to melt, making the river
high at this particular point, and very
dangerous, owing to the swift current.
While going up the river she became un-
manageable, and was dashed against
submerged rock with sufficient force to
crush her hull The water poured in
through the aperture in such a stream
that the steamer Immediately began to
sink. All on board had just time enough
to launch her boats and push off, when
she settled to the bottom with a lurch.
1t took the skiffs some time to land,
owing to the temDestuOus condition of
the river, and at all times the occupants
were in danger of being upset by the
whirlpool current, or being dashed
against the rocks.
The steamer is a complete wreck and
is fast going to pieces. The ore she car
ried Will be a total loss Loss of ship
and contents, including passengers eff
fects. is estimated at several hundred
thousand dollars. with little insurance.
David G. Brown. Collector of Customs
at Great Falls received word this after
noon of the sinking of the Gwendoline
by running on the same rock which sunk
the steamer Ruth but a few hours be-
fore. Both boats are now lying at the
bottom of the river side by side.
The boat was chartered by the North
Star Mining Company of British Column
bit, and this was her second trip this
season. During the winter the boat
had been completely overhauled and
fitted out with new machinery. at a cost
of some $4,000 She was a British boat
and registered to carry 30 tons. The
Ruth was a 210 ton boat
The dispatch to Mr.. Brown did not
state how the accident occurred whether
she carried any passengers, nor whether
anyone was dTowend.
These two boats can never be recov-
cred and until they break up and float
away the river will be impossible.
The record-union., 1897-05-09
MGR. MERRY DEL VAL,
Refuses to Accept Responsibility of
Declarations rIade in His Name.

MONTREAL, May S.-The following
communication, dated Ottawa, May
7th, and signed by the Private Secre-
tary to Mgr. Merry Del Van, has been
received by Hon. Joseph Royal, editor
in-chief of La Minerve":
His excellency, the apostolic dele
gate, charges me to say, praying that
you may publish this dispatch in your
paper, that he has read the dispatches
in LIE Soliel,' and that he does not ac-
cept the responsibility of the declara-
tions made in his name. When his ex-
cellency has an opinion to express on
any question, he will endeavor to do it
himself. All his excellency wishes to
say for the present is that in an elec-
ton where questions involved are of
purely administrative character, each
one is at liberty to vote for the candi-
date he prefers