davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25
||NCLE SAM AND HIS NAVY.
A High Naval Officer Chats Upon Topic with Which He Ought
 to Be Acquainted.
FOREIGN BUILT SHIPS ARE HARD TO GET.
Ready, or Almost Ready, for Service Our Own Naval Needs If Anyone Gets the Gillian Crusier 0'Higgins 1t Will be the United States.

WASHINGTON, March 92-A high offf- ger of the navy, who has intimate knowledge of it's affairs said:
 The greatest difficulty is being ex- perienced by the government in pro curing ships from abroad but it is hard at work, and is making as much progress as could reasonably be expected under the circumstances. Spain IS pushing work on their war vessels. The Pelayo, its largest and best bat tleship, is practically ready for sea, and its second biggest ship, the Carlos N.. will be ready in q fortnight or three weeks The off cials of the navy department are doing for any possible conflict. Anything. however, which is gotten in the way of tugboats and yachts will be for d make-shift. and our people would do well to learn that the only way to prepare for any emergency is to see that the navy is put in first-rate shape long before the emergency arises, and this can be done only by building battleships and torpedo destroYers, by adding perma- nently to our naval lists of officers and men, and by immediately passing through congress the pending person. mel bill. which is absolutely necessary to the handling of the new navy. The results, however. of the prep afations. so far as made with the materials at hand. are cminentlv satisfactory. The greatest prepara- tion that has been made was the drill- ing of battleships and torpedo boats last summer, and as q result the navy is now doubly as efficient as one year ago The people of the United States may trust to the navy with absolute confidence that it will respond to our call with the highest credit to herself and the nation.
 The government has made 10 further purchases of warships but it's negotia- tions in that line have been productive of at least one important result. name lf. in establishing that unless the bat tleship c Higgins becomes the proper ty of the United States. it will not be sold at all. Spain 1t is confident ly asserted, will not be able to secure this war vessel. nor are her chances any better or as good as those of the United States. Practically the same condition prevails as to the Ar genuine armored cruiser San Martino. which will become the property of this government if 1t passes out of the hands of Argentina
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25
A CENTER OF CONFERENCES.
Secretary Longs ohce at the Navy De-
 partmcut a Busy Place.

WAsUGNGToN March 22- Secretary Longs office at the navy department was again the center of conferences Senator Hale chairman of the senate committe on naval affairs, was one of the early callers, and spent half an hour with Mr, Long senator Pritch- ard, of North Carolina. also had a talk with Mr. Long Alr Hale went from the secretarzs office to the White House and had q talk with the presi- dent. Within a short time he was fol. lowed by Secretary Long. who spent some time with thepresident. The sec retary carried a bundle of documents. which. however has bt-nm his usual custom. senator Hanna called at the seeretarys office during his absence, and learning that he was with the president, spent some time in confer cnce with Assistant Secretary Roose- welt.
 The Spanish mini ster called at the state department and presented Messrs. AnguIo Valera and CaIenas. who are the direct representatives ef the aatono mons cabinet in Cuba. With this pre- sentation negotiations toward a com mcrcial treaty will be opened.
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25
BLOODY KENTUCKY BATTLE
Three Men Killed and Two Wounded b,
 stray Bullets.

LOUISVILLE. Ky, March e9 A special to the Evening Post from Pineville ky. says:
 One of the bloodiest battles ever fought in the Kentucky mountains took place sunday afternoon on Puck. ette creek in Harlan county. in which three men were killed and tue two injured The killed are Thad Smelling, Jos LeRor and Mes Taylor. Thex were Ut a neighbor's house drink. ing when que rrel arose between Smelling and Taylor the former get ting in the first shot but missing Fay. Tor the opened fire. killing SneL ling. Leroy had been at the stable. but hearing the shooting rushed ta Snelling's defense. Finding him dead he opened fire on Taylor both shooting about the same time When the fracaS was over both were found to be stretched on the ground dead. I've men were wounded by stray bullets but vii recover
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25
STAINS oENlALs REBUTTED.
The Files of La Luchl Toll of the Mining
 of Havana IIarbar.


 NEW YORK, March 32.-t corresp1nd ent of the Journal at iilvlli writ.,.
 ..I was looking over the flies of La Lueha. and in an issue of th. latt,r part of August founl an interesting paragraph. IL says that thh hlrbof defen,s commission O. wli,h C1I. Ot- donnez was chief, aal Cap. Perll next in charge. haS left for S1asiag1 de CabI to ptePl"e thu hlrbpc against possible invasion. Tae article says that the commission hlt com. pieted the mining and torpedoiEg of Havana bay. an after putting Saatia- go de Cuba in proper condition, would proceed to other ports.
 Tnc publication Was san -tioaed by the SD lnish censor, anl WAS cable at the time to the United States It dots not agree with the stories now told by the Spanish, and the denials of Weyler Orloanez is the in ventor of the cannon largely used in the Spanish artillery. anl P,eaI is a naval off .er holding letter, pltent on a dalth-pro noting torpeio in govern maat use.
 Pera is member of tAe S3aaish bolrd of naval inquiry into the Maine disaster. Peral, with his fellows. has reported that the explosion was from the interior of the Maine. ani was ac- cidentaL He lsoreportel Havana bay gultless of mine or toFpada.
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25

NEW YORK, March 20.-The sorriest looking crew that ever sailed into the harbor of New York came in on the British bark Ancyra, 126 days from Hong Kong. Bruised, blackened, weak from lack of food, some having broken bones, and others touched by scurvy, they tell a story of hardship and bru- talty. They charge even worse against the captain of the craft, l. R. Morris. and say that as soon as they reach land they will make affidavits of the facts to the British consul.
 A reporter who went on board the vessel found several berths in the fore castle occupied by men who called piteously for doctor Most of them were covered with unhealed wounds and running sores, and several with the sailors signs of seurvv The men charge this state affairs to Capt. Nor ris the first mate. F. C. Robinson. the second mate, N Cuno. and the boat swain, Edward Shellnur
 Alexander MeCausland said: sFrom tie day that we left Hong Kong we have been strapped and beaten have, without provoeation, been struck again and again by the captain and second mate. Me have had no fresh vege- tables, onr daily rations being two sea buscuits and d little meat. If We asked for better food we were clubbed. | have seen. every sailor on the ship struck bY one officer or another.
 The implements used were a chain. long tamboo club, bucket, an oak club, the handle of a mop or broom. have seen as many as five men with black eyes at the same time. We did not dare strike back lest we be shot.
 Edward Simpson said. Peter Hanson was killed by brutality and starvation The second mate seemed to have a par 5ieular grudge against him, and so did the captain. They used to take turns knocking him about.
 Then they would do it together. Hansen finally got sick and feyerish. He was covered with black and blue marks, and was weak from lack of food.
 The officers said that Hansen was shamming. They went to his bunk md called him, but he was too weak to get mp. So the captain picked him up. ou te SICK, are you! ealing him vile names. D. you, I'll make you slcker. When 1 speak to you move, and move quick
 ..Fhen the captain slammed him down on tle deck, again. This he repeated thxsestimes, cursing violently all the whife. Hanson groaned t made no answer. In half an hour , was dead. This was iaNf SH1da,,
 The truthfulness of this narrative was youehed for by sailors Vim Smith. Edward Thompson Pierre Daniel, Fred Lap4strom and Fritz Streev. all of whom declared that they would swear to the facts as soon as they had an op- portunity
 Fred Landstrom, who was also one of the bedridden men, and whose right arm was in a splint, said T have got three broken ribs, and think my arm Is useless. l have been to sea for 40 years, and never saw officers so brutal as those on this ship We have just been bulIied and starved the entire voy- age
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25


 CmcAGo, March s2=At the meeting of the Methodist Ministerial associa- tion Rev. John Lee. chairman, read a report of the Committee on Religious Liberty for Protestants in South Amer iea. The report stated that the com mittee was greatly encouraged. It aims to accomplish three things:
 1. To secure religious liberty for mis. sionaries working in the republics of Peru. Ecuador and Bolivia
 9. To secure religious liberty for native Christians who dissent from the Roman Catholic faith.
 3 To secure in these south American republics the fullest civil liberty for foreigners and natige-born Protestants. especially by the leeaization of mar riages performed bF others than the clergy of the Roman Catholic church
 The committee if was stated. asks nothing more for the Rrotestants in these south American republics than is cheerfuliy accorded to Roman Catholics i'll this republic
 Letters had been addressed to promi- nent men in various parts of Christen- bpIls stating IhN dllllH oI Nit commit tee. and q large number of replies hao been received Among them was one from eN-PresideHt Cleveland. who wrote:
 Il am an advocate of the largest lib- ertX to alI people in our own land. and am strongly in favor of any movement having for its object the perfect secur- ity and absolute freedom in the south American states of people soiourning or residing there The demand for such freedom. 1t seems to me. is only reason able and just
 EN-President Harrison replied: Ger tainiy the religious liberty which is now universally given by Protestant countries b citizens and residents of the Roman Catholic faith calls forrecip- rocal treatment in Roman Catholic countries.
 Key. John ". B0tler.of Nexicoin his reply referred to q conversation he had had with President Diaz who said: "fhe clergy in my country are not all tolerant. hnt we intend ta be. end to maintain religious and civil liberty at all costs
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25

DETECTIVE WILLIAM PINKERTON
 the agency had never been employed for any such purpose, and under no consideration would 1t accept employ ment from the Spanish or any other government to furnish information re- garding any matter connected with the nited States government. As to the tilibuAtering expeditions, the employ. ment of the agency. he said. was for the sole purpose of gathering informa- tion for the United States government which would enable il to pre- vent the breaking of the neutral. ity laws. for which our government might be liable, as England Was held responsible in the Geneva arbitra. tion. The employment of the Pinller. ton detectives was known to the all thorities in Washington, and the eo operation of the PinI5ertonS was sought for bf United States district attorneys. United States marshals, commanders ol war vessels and other government agents who were on guard to stor these unlawful conditions.
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25
DEMOCRATS OF THE HOUSE.
Hon. Richard r. Bland, of Missouri, Says
 They Are Just Waiting.

NEW YORK, March 20 Representa- tive Richard r. Bland. of Missouri, die tated the following statement concern ing the Guban-S Spanish situation to Washington correspondent of the World
 1Weare waiting for the report of this commission of inquiry which is sup posed 10 be hard at work for the facts in the Maine disaster. When say so, mean the democrats of the house
 We are not pressing matters, be eaasc We want to hear what this board has to say. We want to know wheth- Pr it is going to find the Spaniards guilty or blameless, and we want to know other things in this connection.
 What the administration proposes to do, of course, do not know, but un- tess it drives the Spaniards out of Cuba, the people of this country are going to ask the reason why, and their demands will be strong and emphatic
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25
No AId for Johns unnLlns.

ANNAPOLIS, Md, March 19.-The bill for an annual state appropriation of about SlOO.000 to the Johns Hopkins university was reported unfavorably Wednesday by the committee on ways and means, and the house, by vote of 90 to IF, refused to substitute the bill for the unfavorable report. This will kill the measures chances in the senate. The opposition was chiefly because the university is a general educational institution, like Harvard or Yale. and not in any sense state col lncrn
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25
IIllI- -SI.
ANOTHER FIRE IN CHICAGO.
4 Repetition of Last Wednesdays Hoio.
 caust Feared.

CmcAGo. March 22. The siN-stor4 building, 3o3 3o5 Dearborn street. is burning, and a holocaust similar tc that of last Wednesday is feared. One fatality has occurred, the victim being an elevator boy name unknown.
 The Manhattan and old Colony build ings situated on either side of the burn ing structure. are threatened.
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25
Hunger Drove Him to Confess

SAN FRANCISCO, March i9 -Penniless and hungry, William Greenwood, who is wanted in Baltimore for embedding &, 500, has surrendered himself to the police of this city. About q week ago Greenwood arrived here and proceeded to have a good time, as he expressed it. He soon spent all his money and decidcd tn confess his rllilt
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25
HOLOCAUST AT BUTTE, MONT
Burning of the Hale House. and Many
 Live, snnpo.el Lost.

BurrE, Mont. March es The Hale house. a three-story building, used as boarding and lodging house for men in the employ of the Anaeonda copper mine wa, entirely destroyed bv fire. The building WAS on Easf Broadway. N then the fire broke out, short Y after three o'clock there were aao men in it. of these many are now in the hospitals, and others. who escaped almost with out clothes. are scattered atloycr town.
 Until the safe, now buried in the cellar under tons of debris, is removed aad the books examined, and a rolt called, it vii not bP known how many pcrished. The estimates of the dead, winch now run up to D may be cub down as the men report for duty or to the police
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25
kllIel nls sMccthcnrl nnn ulm.elf

WELLsvHLE. O.. March aa. White returning home from church Sunday night, oliver Reed asked Sarah Walton to marry him. and upon her refusal he drew a revolver and shot her through the heart He then turned the weapon on himself and blew out his brains. dy- ing in a short time.
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25
THE CHICAGO AGREEMENT.
Pennsylvania Miners Miu strike For II on
 Anrti [

CLEVELAND O. March 22 \ special from sharon Pa. saEs.
 Coal diggcrs in Mercer Lawrence and Butler counties threaten strike, toeommenee April l. Patrick Hoiau, district president and Am Harner, secretary of the nited Mine Workers. attended d meeting ut Mercer court- house. ThirtY-siz miners delegations were present and only one oPge1tTH- The miners resolved to join thg Ett- burgh district and enforce iae CHl.a- agreement, quitting work tprl E aH remaining ont until eoperatora agre to the schedule
 several thousand men will be Iu- volved in the strike.
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25
The spanish Inquiry A Farce

HAVANA, March The spanish in- luiry into the Maine disaster has gone to pieces in seeking 10 establish the accident theory This admission is privately made in government circles at Havana. but the nature of the report will not be changed.
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25
HAVE HER GUNS REPAIRED.
The Dynamite Cruiser yesuyius Arrives at
 Washington Navy Yard.

WASHINGTON, March 20-The dyna- mite cruiser Vesuvius, which has been ordered here to have her guns repaired, has arrived at the navy yard, having remained at the Indian Head proving grounds oyer night It is expected the work necessary on the vessel can be completed within l5 days Lieutenant- Commander John F. Pillsbury is in command.
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25
Caught After severa, Years.

CHuLICoTnE, Mo, March l9.-A man known in the northeast part of this county, where he has lived for year, as Robert Bragg, but whose real name is said to be Robert Johnson, was ar rested last night on the charge of hay ing committed a murder in Pennsyl- vania several years ago.
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25

HAVANA, March 29-Thc first am nouncement on authority that the Maine was destroyed by external ex- plosion, and that the court of inquiry 50 finds has been received here It came in the form of instructions from Washington to Capt Sigsbee that he is to bercturnod to active duty.
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25
Madrid Contradicts Proctor.

MADRID, March l9.-The publication of official returns showing that the re- ceipts of the Cuban customs for Febru- ary are more than double the same month last year are regarded here as throwing cold water on Senator Proc tors report that the general conditions in Cuba are worse.
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25
Alaska as a Land for Farmers.

TOPEKA, Kan, March l9.-In a letter to a Kansas friend, C. c. Georgeson, formerly professor of agriculture in the state agricultural college at Man haitian, now with the agricultural de, partment at Washington, says he will establish agricultural experiment sta tions in Alaska to find out what will grow there
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25
Ex-Congressman Dies Insane.

CHICAGO, March 9.-Ex-Congress- man Charles W. Woodman died in the Elgin insane asylum. Since last 0eto- Der he has suffered from paresis, brought on by the rupture of blood vessel in the brain. In 1891 he was sent to congress by the republicans of the Fourth district, serving one term.
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25
Germany Would be Neutral.

BERLIN, March 92-Germany has no inclination to inter fere in the Cuban question The Post says that Ger mauys complex commercial interests, as well as her regard for the German residents in the United States forbid .ny Interference.
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25

CmeAGo, March % Mir. William
 Pinkerton. of Pinlserton National De- tective agency, denounces as grossly malicious and tending to create an un- justifable prejudice the statements that employees of the agency were fer reting out the secret defenses of our government and furnishing the in formation to the Spanish. He said
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25
The Steamer Laurada Again.

WASHINGTON. March % Thc steam CT Laurada, of ffiIjbustering fame, which cleared from Philadelphia for Alaska with a cargo of 1000 tons of coal passed the Delaware capes sunday. and there is reason to believe that the ves sel is bound on another expedition to Cuba
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25
Secretary Long Changes His Tune.

HAsHNGFoN, March % Secretary of the Navy Long is quoted now as en- sertaining the grayest approximations for the future. He has admitted to personal friends that the situation con ains much to occasion alarm for the peace of this countrv and Spain.
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25
Uncle sam was Too Late.

LONDON, March 22 The Daily News Rome correspondent says that Spain has brought the cruiser Garabaldi from Italy. The Argentine Republic has bought the cruiser Varse The United States wanted to purchase both of these vessels, but was too late.
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25
Freight Rates Advanced.

SAN FRANCISCO. March 20.-The Pacific Mail Steamship Co and the Panama railroad have advanced freight rates 50 per cent on an average on east bound shipments from California tc New York via the Isthmub
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25
Mrs. Matilda JosIyn Gage.

CHcAGo, March 20.-Mrs. Matilda Joslyn Gage died, Friday, aged 70 years. Mrs Gage won an international repu. tation us one of the earliest champions pf womans rights in America having identified herself with that movement a 1852
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25
Preparing for Emergencies.

WAsHINeToN March % -Information has reached tine authorities that Spain is actively fortifying her home ports and those in the Philippine islands
 This k one of the many preparations which the Spanish government is mal1- ing for the emergencies of the future
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25
sons of Veterans Regiment.

PmApEIpHIA, March e2. 2.-The Sons If Veterans of this city have organized regiment of infantry. 1000 strong. seventy-four per cent of the members aave served in the state national guard and hold honorable discharges. They lre ready for service fl needed
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25
TIE WEEKS BANK cLEARlNGs.

Total CIcarings, with Increase and De
 crease f, the Principal Cities of the
 CoGHtry.
 NEg YORK March 1s-The following table compiled by Bradstreet, shows the bank clearings at s7 cities for the week ended Friday, March F, with the percentage of increase and decrease as compared with the corresponding week last year:
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25
Referee for Jackson and JefrrIes

SAN FRANCISCO, March 19-Peter Jackson and Jim Jetfries, who will meet in the ring next Thursday night have agreed on Jim MeDonald the baseball umpire, as referee.
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25
FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
tFIrst RegaIar session.l )
HOT SE

WASHINGTON, March 19-The bill for the free entry of guns, ammunition and other naval supplies and war material purchased abroad was passed without division.
The Monticellonian., 1898-03-25
COMMERCIAL CONDITIONS.
Bradstreet's Reports Business on the
 Whole Favorable. NEW YoRK. March 1q q-Rradstreefss
week. y review says:

weekly review says.
 The aggregate volume Of tbc country busi- ness continues sufficiently large to allow of fla yorable comparisons with past periods alike in this and preceding years. Aside from quiet ing demand at few leading eastern markets. where uncertainty to the outcome of foreign complications is advanced as 6 reason for un- Willingness to embark in new business, the situation Is one possessing nearly all of the ia yorable features noted for some time past. The best reports as to distribution in leading lines come from the central west and the northwest Favorable weather has i'm proved distribution of dry goods clothing millinery, building materials. agricultural inn plements and nearly all other products form ing staple articles of consumption among the prosperous farming community.
 The movement of iron and steel k specially large, but without effect prices, which are generally firmly held some slight advances in pig iron, in fact haYe been a feature oi the week at some mar ke!S, Southern iron manufacturers are tive, and fruit and vegetable shipments alike promise to be heavy. Distrbutive trade is re- ported increasing at the northwest, nav igation k practically open on the lakes and the lst of April will witness genuine movement of craft. Other favorable features ef the eean- try general trade situation summed up in liberal shipments of leading cereals. unprece- dented totals ofeXportS al New York fewer husi- ness failures and slightly larger bank eearings. Prices have moved irregularly during the week The position of print cloths s a depressed one, prices during the past week reaching the low est quotation on record. While laW-grade cot tons have been weak. the medium and finer grades have, however, maintained prices, as also coffee, sugar, molasses. iron and copper and raw wool
 Wheat exports are smaller than last week but considerably larger than in corresponding periods of preceding years, aEgregating 3 635,5s4 4 k lJ1. hgI TtSt Vaal- 1929 001 bushels last year 5g3O1l bushels in 1896 and ? 9gS 600 bushels in 1895.
 Corn exports exceeded those Of last week, az gregating 3,9ls 900 bushels, against 3.2850)1 bushels in the preceding week. .. .Q34 001 bushels last year, ls02 QUO bushels in ls96 and 4s6 600 buS heIS in lSq5