davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-08-05
CIVIL SERVICE AMENDMENTS.
President Mckinley Takes n Decided
Forward Step.

Washington, July 2S.-President Me
Kinley has promulgated the following
amendment to the civil service rule:
"No removal shall be made from any
position subject to the competitive OK
animation except for just cause and on
written charges filed with the head of
the department appointing, and of which
the accused shall have full notice and an
opportunity to make defense
He has also amended rule ) so as to
make it include the classified service of
employees of all custom house offices with
out regard to the number of employees.
Hitherto the classification was used in
custom offices where the number of en-
ployes was five or more. This order
brings into the classified service sixty
five hitherto unclassilied customs Offices.
The president has also amended rule
G, making exceptions TO examinations, so
as to read as follows:
Custom House Service-One cashier in
each customs district. one chief or prin-
cipal deputy or assistant collector in
each customs district, one principal dep
uty collector at each SUPPORT or station.
internal Revenue Service-One en-
ploye in each internal district. who shall
act as cashier or chief deputy or assist
ant collector, as may be determined by
the treasury department; one deputy col
lectOr in each internal revenue district
where the number of employees in the of
flee of the collector is more than four,
one deputy collector in each stamp Tor
branch) office.
Appointments to the positions named
in this rule in the custom house service
and internal revenue service shall be
subject to an examination, to be pre-
scribed by the secretary of the treasury,
not disapproved by the commission. equal
to the examination held by the commits
sion for positions of like grade. Such cx-
aminations shall be conducted by the
commission in accordance with its rcgu,
lations.
Assistant Secretary Vanderlp, in
speaking of the amendments, said:
These amendments to the civil service
rules by the president are the most ad-
vanccd steps forward that have been
made in the civil service regulations
since the passage of the original law.
Up to the present time nearly all the
regulations have been aimed ut throwing
safeguards around the method of entry
into the service. There has been almost
nothing looking toward the enforcement
of the entry rules. Civil service reform.
crs believe the regulations inforcing
proper observance of the spirit of civil
service reform within the service would
he of much greater Importance than any.
thing that could be formulated in regard
to the entry into the service itself and
in this direction the amendment which
has been signed by the president is
aimed
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-08-05
Statement by Debs.

Wheeling. w. Va. July 2S..E, v.
Dcbs made public an open letter II Whl ei,
he reviews the works of the Wheeling
Labor conference. Re says. the proceed
ings were harmonious. emlnently satisI
factory and the declaration ana a APP "a
issued is an admissible presentation Oh
the i grievances of the strikers. Il is the the
voice of united labor. he says. ana II no .h
mo else results from the conference me ms
,,, NV v'1 horne Of the needs of the hour Will
me- a mighty boon. He calls attention 10 10
August 3, which has been set apart AZ
"Niiners' day." and calls on peop Pr,
.t Mn,,e The country to assemble ana
nrotest against oppression.
He says: ~. ,..o,,bla,, 30 and
FREQ speech, which has been supp ,I sisel
nv Injunction in West Virginia ana nao eis.
u oH ,r will be demanded in thnndefo ol,
tones The time has come to can d h'''
on 81 Of the masses everywhere come IoT I,n
On August and reaftirm their inal ia apn.
p pights and swear that they snail oe pre-
served"
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-08-05
MAJ. M'K|NLEYS VACATION
THE PRESIDENTIAL PARTY is EN-
ROUTE FOR THE SHORES OF
LAKE CHAMPLAIN.
THE ARMOR PLATE PROPOSITION
Secretary Long Appointed Two
Members of the Board to Investi-
gate and Report to Congress
in November.

Washington, July 2S.-President Nc
Kinley left here today for vacation,
which will take him away from the city
for six weeks. He was accompanied by
Mrs. Mckinley, Secretary and Mrs. Al
ger, Mr.. Porter and Executive Clerk
Cortyelon.
At the Pennsylvania depot crowd of
spectators had gathered, and through
two lines, the president, with Mrs. Me
Kinley leaning on his arm. passed to his
car. the Hazlemere, greeting the crowd
with smiles and dofing his hat.
Secretaries Gage and Bliss and Attor-
ney General McKenna saw the party
off. Mrs. Mckinley was in excellent
spirits and evidently anticipated much
enjoyment from the trip. There was
just tinge of color in her cheeks.
Promptly at noon the signal was given
and the train pulled out on its long run
to Bluff Point. Lake Champlain. The
train is Il special. splendidly equipped.
At Jersey City it will be transferred to
the West Shore Railroad and then run
over the Delaware and Hudson and will
reach its destination about 6 o'clock to-
morrow morning.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-08-05
OPERATORS AGREEMENT.
Future Troubles to He Arbitrated.
The Strike Not Recognized.

pittsburg. July 2S.-The coal opera
tors, with few exceptions. want IT us
tinctly understood that the passage of an
agreement whereby all operators are 10
adopt similar system and are TO pay
the same relative price for mining mas
nothing to do with the great strike. lhcy
wish the miners to disabuSe their mlhuS
of any such theories.
The operators have also shut out the
miners leaders from taking part in any
conference that may take place through
questions arising between the operators
and miners. by inserting clause III the
agreement stating the commission snail
he composed of wOrkmen employed by
the subscribers. Heretofore the miners
officials have represented the miners, mn
now the miners are to grapple with the
question in dispute alone.
Ii was decided that present contracts
could not he made the basis for arbitra-
ton. Many of the firms have taken con,
tracts for a stipulated period at hXed
pricc. II is understood that these shall
have the right to supply the product ia
fill these contracts at the rate OF mining
on which the contracts are based. Here
is where the miners and operators VIII
separate.
The attendance ut the session was not
rs large as the day previous. Operators
from plSnlE-INc I;ill anu liN'i hi."'
agreed to take part in the convention
which is II larger percentage than it was
hoped to get together. The operators
worked smoothly. and few objections
were raised to the agreement as written.
There was Il close vote on the question
whether the commission to be appointed
should he privileged to tamper with the
diffrrcntial in the thick and thin vein
regions. 4 motion was made to let II
stand rs usage and custom had made IT.
But Mr.. De Armitt argued that If the
diffcrcntial was fair and just none shoIid
fear the have the subject arbtratcd. the
vote on the question resulted in IL to
have il settled by commission. and ii
10 have il stand as at present. The vOt-
Ing was light on all questions brought
up. ,-.
Mr.. uoosac almost broke mp the meet
iuy when he. moved 10 make the agree
mrnt operative when signed by % per
cent of the operators.
Objections were raised to this notion
and Chairman Soerbe hcsitatcd to put
the motion. He said the whole agree
mcnt would he rendered void. and in any
went the motion was an obstructive on"
The vote was then taken and resulted III
6 TO make it - per cent and IA to make
il ~ pCr cent.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-08-05
INSPECTED THE BAYOU.
Government BOARD Made the Trip
From Houston to Galveston.


Houston. Tex, July 2S.-(Special.) Col
II. Nj. Robert. Maj. A. NJ. Miller and
Capt. George McDerby, composing the
pointed for the purpose of acting III the
matter of the proposed establishment of II
25-foOt channel from the Galveston jettics
down the proposed water way today. They
were accompanied by delegation of
prominent Houstonians, and during the
day they absorbed an immense amount of
information in regard to the matter under
consideration, furnished them by their
hosts.
While, of course. none of the members
of the board will say anything as to the
nature of the report they will make 10
congress, their conversation during the
trip indicated that they do not think that
the dredging of channel all the way mp
TO Houston and the establishment OF a
basin for sca-going ships at the foot OF
Main street is feasible. owing to the fact
that the banks of the bayou for some miles
below the proposed harbor are so hiSn
that an immense amount OF money ana
labor would bc necessary to remove them.
They appcarpd much impressed. however.
with the appcarancc of the stream III ali
other RESPECTS. The steam yacht Boston
and the government steamer Anna were
used in making the trip. which consumed
eleven hours, a visit to the Galveston le'-
ties being added. Meals were served on
board and during the afternoon speeches
were made by Col. Robert, Major -. W:
cave. w. ID. Cleveland. T.. Raphael and
Tom Richardson. the latter four being
from Houston.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-08-05
NOTHING TO CAUSE TROUBLE.
EnGInnd's Seizure of IA Rock Pile in
the Pacific VIII Not he Disputed.

Washington. July 2S.-State depart
mcnt officials say that no issue is pre-
scented by the seizure of Palmyra islands
by the British. for Great Britain has
maintained claim to the island for the
past nine years. The island is said to
he in the Polynesian group, and although
Hawaii has asserted claim to its posses
SION our government has not been
strongly impressed with the validity of
the claim. Meanwhile the British. it is
said. not oaly have asserted a claim to
it, but have actually occupied the island
for some years past. IN view of the
probable annexation of Hawaii by the
United States, the matter doubtless will
receive closer attention in the future at
the hands Of the state department. but
it is not expected that the subject will
prove to be difficult of adjustment, par
ticularly in view of the fact. as stated
by naval officers. that Palmyra island
is nothing more than barren rock in
the Pacific, distant about 1000 miles from
Hawaii.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-08-05
AGREEMENT OF OPERATORS
hohG DISTRICT NINE OWN
hRs AGREE AS TO A UNI
FORMITY PLAN.
THEIR TROUBLES 70 Be ARB|IRA1ED
IA" IL hatifed-Miners in the
f't'shurs District Are Discour-
"Sed-iiiinois Governor Re-
fused to Send Troops.

,, n;,s9nrg, Pa July 2S.-The true mi
tbo p;. conference of coal operators Of
.ie ilttsDurg district concluded it's wori,
Snt at 9:l0 O'Clock after n two days'
,h OF close and persistent work The
aMenty-one sections of the uniformity
nSSreement were thoroughly discussed and
1u9pted section by section. The host of
iieehng prevailed throughout the meet.
'ns, inc only exception being the boltins
Vi ool' W. /. Rend at yesterdays session,
'ust previous to adjournment. however,
=. w. owens announced that Col. Rend
iau authorized him to say that any agree
lntnt me conference presented would re-
ceVe ms hearty cooperation, and he would
sign it if %, 80 or even 20 per cent, Of tha
operators were sincere in their sanction Of
II: Inc conference appointed n committee
Vi I'VE TO secure the signatures of the 3D.
era.Ors to the agreement This committee
VIII DeSln Its work tomorrow. 1t will he
a aI,d by the Ohio board of arbitration.
When the requisite number of names have
heen secured meeting will be held to rat
ny the agreement. Speeches were made
by ID Armitt, Dempster, Little Seerbe
and others, all expressing satisfaction
over the result of the meeting and predict
ing the success of the plan.
ne agreement as adopted provides for
cash payment of wages, 1000 pounds to
the ton, checkweighmen on the tpples.
miners to be credited with the full ouan-
tlty of coal contained in the mine car,
abolition of company stores, semi-monthly
pay days, uniform price for pick mining in
the thin and thick vein districts, and
screens not exceeding l IL inches. 1t
also provides that in case of the violation
of the provisions and terms of the agree
ment penalty of 10 cents per ton on the
total output of coal mined by the violator
will be charged, which penalty is to be
paid to commission subject to the right
of either arbitration or appeal. Said pen
atty, when collected, is to be distributed
among the sgners of the agreement pro
rata in proportion to the total amount of
tonnage or output made during the year.
the commission to be chosen annually and
shall be known by the name of the uni
formity commission. 1t shall be COM
posed of nine members, the thick and thin
vein operators having proper representa-
ton. The members shall be sworn to im-
partially perform the duties of their office.
and will he authorized and empowered 10
enforce the adjustments of awards. 1t
shall also be empowered to subpoena wit
nesses with the same force and effect as
hoard of arbitrator duly appointed under
the act of the assembly of the state of
Pennsylvania relating to compulsory ar
bitration. The agreement shall not be-.
come compulsory unless it has been signed
by 95 per cent. of the operators.
After 80 per cent have signed the
agreement if any fifteen operators shall
he of the opinion that enough have signed
TO consider it effective a meeting shall be
called TO declare it in force.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-08-05
PRELIMINARY STEP TAKEN.
Two Members of the Government
ArmOr Plate Board Appointed.

Washington. July 2S.-Secretary Long
has taken the preliminary steps towards
the creation of board of naval officers
to ascertain the cost of government
armor plate factory. Two members have
been Embellishments Howell,
commandment at the League Island navy
yard, and Capt. Mccormick of the Nor
folk navy yard.
Both of these officers are possessed of
much technical knowledge and may he
said to rank high as experts upon the
subject of armor. The field work of the
board will he extensive. They must not
only ascertain the cost of modern
armOr plant, but must also take into ac-
count the prOpriety, or rather the neces-
sity, of establishing in connection with
it complete plant for the production
The experts are of the opinion now that
il is probably necessary in making armor
to begin with the ingot at the very mo-
ment it is forged and before it has cooled
once. This is done in the best practice,
and should it be found to be absolutely
necessary the government will be obliged
to establish a steel plant alongside its
armor plant if it embarks in the bust
ness Of armor making. The board is to
report to congress at its next session.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-08-05
sTRTK ERS DISCOURAGED
disappointment at the wheeling
Mectfng-Big Meeting Today.

Pittsburg, July 2S.-The general strike
situation is less encouraging from the
miners standpoint than it was Il week
ago. Breaks in the ranks of the river
men and a great feeling of discourage
mcnt over the West Virginia situation
have combined to weaken enthusiasm III
Il remarkable degree. One prime FACTOR
in bringing about this condition OF a.
fairs is thought to he the inactlon or the
Wheeling convention in devlSinS ways
IN sion coal shipments from the disputed
territory. On all sides the conference
was confidently looked upon by the men
MS presenting Il speedy solution OF the
West Virginia problem and Il means OF
making the tie up general. The lssu-
ancc of long resolutions instead was In
the nature of Il boomerang.
Tomorrow morning will witness one OF
thr most interesting, and some predict
the last meeting of the present strike.
All efforts have been concentrated on De
Armitt's mines. and labor officials are 10
cethcr from all over the country. hu
gene " Debs and President katGnlorn
of thc United Mine Workers VIII be
,monc the chief speakers. while there
will be host of lesser officials ana or,
ranizers. The demonstration is planned
rs peaccful one and with the idea OF
making one last effort to bring ont the
working miners by the strongest kind OF
moral suasion. The men will hold the
meeting near Plum City. Miners Will
march to the place of assemblage from
all nearby mines.
All sorts of rumors are in circulation
tonight concerning the meeting. One Is
that force may be used should moral sna-
sion fail in bringing the De Armitt men
out. In support of this il was reported
late tonight that at least 800 strikers are
at Turtle creek now. and small parIIIl,rs
nrc arriving to augment the crowd. The
mon carry clubs and have provisions for
a two or three days outing.
4 number of deputies are i'll readiness
10 take hand should their services be
needed. The miners officials say posi-,
tiyely that there will be no. trouble; and IN!
thcy believe the working miners; VIII rs
ten IN reason and Join their brethren.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-08-05
- =
A LINEMAN INJURED.
Fell Fro;. "a Telephone POle-He.
May Die.

Paris. Tex. July 2s.-Specidl.) J Ben
jamin +. Wilson, lineman for the
Southwestern Telephone and Telegraph
company. fell from telephone pole this
morning and received serious II not fatal
injuries. The accident occurred in front
Of the residence of George ii. Williams
No. 6O3 Pine Bluff street. The injured
man had assembled the pole at that point
to nut a wire in, and was out on the plat
form, when he lost his balance and was
precipitated below, distance of fifteen
or eighteen feet. In falling he struck
an iron pole step. and three ribs on his.
left side were broken. 1t is feared thar
he also received internal injuries. He.
was removed to his home, where he was
given medical aid. Wilson had been iifi
The employ Of the telephone company for-
the past Eve years.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-08-05
4 BAD WRECk.
Six Indians Killed i'm ~ Union Pnrih"
wreck in Nevada.

Reno. New. July 2S.-One of the worst
wrecks in the history Of the Union IA
citic Railroad occurred this morning on
Twenty Five hill. about six miles west
of Reno. The engine was overturned
and thrown on one side of the track inc
tender on the other. and the road was
Uttered with debris of baggage, express
and mail ears reduced to kindling. wood.
OF fifteen Indians who were riding ON
blind baggage cars, six were killed and
nearly all the remainder were more or
less injured Fireman Rawlins was in
jured about the head Engineer Free
man was unhurt. except slight sprain
on his back
Mail Clerks O'Brien and Ross. EX-
press Messenger Burke and the other
train hands escaped serious injury. The
wounded were brought to Reno early
this morning. The track was torn up
for 300 yards or more.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-08-05
Labor Leaders Will BE There.

Pittsburg, Pa, July 2S.-D. B. Black
burn, river operator, says the Coal Elk
change can not take action on the uni
formity plan. as it is not composed en-
tirely of coal operators. The river OPP
orators. he says, generally favor uniform
ity and will sign the contract.
The striking miners are preparing for
the big meeting at De Armitt's mines to.
morrow. 1t will be held in McCrea school
house, about equally distant from the
three mines. With the assistance of
Debs, Gompers, Ratchford and others, the
officials hope to induce the men to join
the strike.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-08-05
Struck Under Protest.

Marrssa, H.. July 2S.-Strikers ar
rived here last night and got the men
of the four mines here 10 come out to-
day under protest. Three years ago the
Marrissa miners, through sympathy,
went out and were left to hold the
bag" They were doing well again and
protest against striking Merchants and
business men threaten to close up bust
ness if the miners strike.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-08-05
EXTENT OF THE CRAZE.
Fifteen Hundred Dollars Paih.for, ~
Passage to Alaska.

San Francisco. July 2S.-The steamer
Excelsior left here this afternoon for Sc.
Michncls. This is the last of the Alas
kan Commercial companys steamers that
will leave this season in time to connect
with the Yukon river steamers.
For hours before the departure of the
steamer the wharf was thronged with
people. Three times the original price
was offered for tickets. One passenger
changed his mind after receiving an offer
of $500 for his ticket, for which he paid
hut $50. Over 1000 people witnessed
the departure of the 100 passengers for
the KlOndyke region.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-08-05
,L. . shaver with Him.

Manor, Tex, July 2s.-Rev. Abe Null
kew arrived here yesterday and held his
first service last night. A large crowd
assembled under the tabernacle while, a
heavy rain cloud was rising in the
north. Notwithstanding the rain and
wind the preacher was listened to with
intense interest. and when the rain be-
gan 10 come so heavy that he could not
he heard, the crowd started for home,
praising God for the refreshing shower.
The meeting will continue for ten days.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-08-05
Kyle Crops mud Politics.

Kyle. Tex, July 27.-Ycsterday was
the hottest of the season. The hot sun
and want of rain is hurting cotton-
the second crop of sugar cane and
grass. A little corn of the new crop
has been marketed here at 10 cents. II
is likely mt gathering timerto drop to
lower figures.
There is no interest manifested here
in the pending election on constitutional
amendments or Blakes Waco rally. Mai.
Sayers is a great favorite here for gov
crnor. Governor lester is sometimes,
mentioned favorably.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-08-05
cANADNs PREPARATIONS.
Customs and Police Posts TO Ne Es-
tabIished Along the Alaskan
boundary.

Ottawa. July 2S.-At the meeting Of
the ministers last evening, Minister Pat
terson was authorized to send two more
customs officers to the Alaskan boundary
by the Islander, which sails for the
north Tomorrow. The officers will be
taken from the Victoria customs house
and will be accompanied by couple of
provincial police. They will open sta,
tions. as outposts of Victoria, beyond
the head of Lynn canal. which ~ in DIS
puted territory, and at present IN the
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-08-05

out has fixed that point to certainty.
L. II. Morrissey of the Railroad Fire
mans union opposed the suggestion of
RatchfOrd to place the West Virginia
campaign in the hands of Debs. He said
that while he had deep regard for
Debs, the corporations and the courts
are prejudiced against him, and he be-
lieved his pathway would be hard one
The naming of man to manage the
West Virginia campaign was postponed
by President Ratchford. who said he
would make the appointment III Il day
or so
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-08-05
Appointments.

Washington, July 2S.-The president
has made the following appointments:
State-Daniel Swaney of Ohio, consul at
Cork. Ireland.
Treasury-Charles H. Maris, collector
of customs, Brazos de Santiago, Tex: An
drew w. Francisco. collector of customs,
Los Angeles. Cal.
Interior-Charles s. McNicholas, agent
for the Indians of the Colorado river
agency in Arizona: Edward w. Fox, reg
lister of the land Office in Clayton, n. NJ.
The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-08-05
DOWNFALL OF SILVER
A New Low Record of Prices In New
York and London.

New York. July 2S.-The silver market
was very unsettled and showed new
low record for prices in response to the
price in London mt 26 3-8d. Bar silver
was quoted here at 81 3-Std57 1.Sc, de-.
cline from yesterday. and Mexican dol
lars were down to 45c. The quotation
for bar silver represents the price at
which II can he laid down in London, so
that If freight charges and Insurance..
were deducted it would make the real
value of bar silver fractionally lower
The decline today is merely CONTINUES
ton of that which began on July lor
when silver bars were quoted Mt 90 l-4eti
since which there have been daily frpc'-
tional declines.