davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-16
Attorney-General Griggs and the Sale of the
 Kansas Pacific.
Replies to the Questions in the Senate Resolution of
 Inquiry.
Property Will Be Sold to the Hioh est Bidder and Government
 Claims Paid in Full.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

Call Office, Riggs House,
 Washington, Feb. 15.
 Attorney-General Griggs replied to- day to the Harris resolution, which passed the Senate. The Attorney Gen. eral says that the Government has al- ready compiled with the decree of the court which entitled it to become a bidder. If the sale was allowed to pro- ceed upon the adjourned day, with no chance of bid equal to the amount of the principal of the Governments debt it would be incumbent upon him to bid on the property for the Government This would have been attended with difficulties, which would be mainly that the Government was not author ized to operate the railroad in its own name or through its agencies, and seri- ous doubt existed as to whether the court would, after the sale, appoint and continue receivers for the mere purpose of operating the road on behalf of the Government. He then refers to what took place in St. Louis when the reor- ganization committee offered to bid the amount of the principal of the Govern ment debt. In conslusion he says:
 Answering specifically the questions contained in the resolution of the Sen ate, I would say 1 have not authorized any agreement by which the property is to be sold for the face value of sub- sidy bonds, nor has the Government agreed not to be bidder at the sale. The only agreement made was to dis continue the motion for postponement, a redemption and the appointment of a receiver, upon the guarantee that the minimum bid by the reorganization should be the principal of the Govern ment debt. The property will be sold at public sale in open competition to such party as may offer the highest bid subject only to the stipulation ob tained in open court on Saturday last that the minimum bid will be $6,303, ,000 instead of s2.5OO,O00, as formerly fixed by the court
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-16
REORGANlZERS TO
 BUY THE PROPERTY.
To-Day Uncle Sam Will Foreclose the Liens on the Kansas
 Pacific Property.

TOPEKA, Kan, Feb. 15.-To- morrow w. D. Cornish of Omaha, special mas ter, will sell the Government lien on the Union Pacific Railroad in Kansas. The upset price of the Government lien is s6, ,3O3 900. A. W. Krech of New York will make the purchase for the reor- ganization committee, which Is the new Union Pacific Company. Special Mas ter Cornish will sell under a special mortgage the eastern division of the Union Pacific-140 miles. The upset price Is to be 4,500,0 ,000. Krech also will buy this property for the new com pany.
 On Friday Cornish will sell under a special mortgage, and Krech will buy for the company, the middle divi- sion of the Union Pacific-254 miles. This sale will take place at Salina. The upset price is to be $5,300,000.
 On Saturday, the entire line, from Kansas City to Denver, will be sold under the consolidated mortgage. This sale will be made in North Topeka. The upset price is to be SS,000,000. the Alton would make an effort to get hold of the Union Pacific road in Kan sas, but nothing has been heard about it lately. The reorganization commit tee will have a clear field.
 In the advertisement for the sale of the Union Pacific road in Kansas, the property has been referred to as the Kansas Pacific, that being the name of the original company-the company with which the Government first did huSiDeSS
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-16
blowing up of the Maine. De Lome ap-

blowing up of the Maine. De Lome ap- peared extremely agitated.
 This is dreadful, awful,' he said. T pray God this news Is not true. 1 pray God that it is a mistake. Why, l have many dear friends on board the Maine men that I know intimately in Wash ington. I should feel their loss more than would most Americans.
 Tt cannot be the result of any Span ish agency at all. The Spanish min istry and the Spanish people have been greatly misunderstood In this country. They all desire peace; they all want peace with America and Americans, not only from motives of policy, but be- cause they love America.
 "I am forced to say now by this ter rible affair what I should have been precluded from saying before. Spain cannot afford to have war with the United States. If only from motives of policy they are determined not to have any war. There can be no war between this country and Spain. Such a thing is out of the question.
 If the Maine has been blown up in Havana harbor it Is the result of an accident. That is absolutely certain. There will be war"
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-16
THE EXPLOSION IN THE
 FORE PART OF THE MAINE.
Not in the Powder Magazines, Which Captain Sigsbee Says Were in
 Perfect Order.

NEW YORK, Feb 16.-The World S Havana correspondent says: The ex- plosion was in the fore part of the yes sel, and not in the powder magazines, which Captain Sigsbee says were in perfect order.
 Captain Sigsbee although badly wounded in the face, was very cool in giving orders to officers and :--cn.
 The officers also showed great cool ness and valor in giving orders to the men. They were in their shirt sleeves, having been hurled from their hunks At this moment they are bringing in the wounded to the land Some are mortally wounded and will probably die.
 Five minutes after the explosion the Spanish warship Alfonso Doce had lowered her boats, and was picking up those who were swimming.
 United States Consul General Lee Is at the Governor Generals palace con- ferring with Captain General Blanco.
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-16
PAY DIRECTOR BILLINGS
 IS OUT OF THE NAVY.
Dismissed From the Service for Tell ing an Untruth to Secretary
 Long.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 15-Luther G. Billings, pay director in the United States navy, has been found guilty by court martial which has been in session at the Washington navy-yard for the past few days of falsehood and scandalous con- duct, and has been sentenced to dismissal from the navy. The result of the trial caused the greatest surprise in naval circles.
 The accused held the highest rank in the naval pay corps, has host of friends and has never before been suspected of misconduct. The offense charged against him was in connection with the supply to the navy of an emergency ration. It was shown that he, as patentee of such ration, had turned it over to a stock company, in which he retained an in- terest, although he had officially denied the interest, and that he had been instru- mental in selling the ration to the Gov ernment. The amount of profit at stake was so small as to make his conduct in applicable to the department, but Secre- tary Long, after thorough investigation himself, decided that court-martiaI wa e necessary, as it was desirable to have if understood in the most formal fashion that under no conditions should naval officers enter into connections that might place their integrity under the faintest suspicion. It Is felt that this result has . now been attained as the result of the conviction of the accused pay inspector.
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-16
AMERICANS VIE
 WITH MEXICANS
Meeting of Two Governors at the International Boundary
 Line.
Reception and Banquet to McCord O. Arizona and Ramon Corral
 of Sonora.
snec,a, D,spatch to The Call.

Special Dispatch to The Call.
 MORALES, Ariz., Feb. 15.-For weeks past extensive preparations have been under way for the reception by citizens of Nogales, Sonora, and Nogales, Ariz., to Governor Ramon Corral of Sonora, Mexico, and Governor M. H. McCord of Arizona, who now are guests of the twin cities on the border. The Mexican exec utive, accompanied by the State officials and members of the Sonora Legislature arrived from Hermosillo last evening. The hospitality of Nogales was rendered the visitors, who stood on Mexican soil to receive the welcome extended them by the Anglo -Saxons standing on American territory, and escorted by Company G First Infantry, National Guard Of Ari- zona, and fully half the population of both cities.
 The southbound train to-day brought Governor McCord, his family and staff from Phoenix The two Governors to- day exchanged calls, and many toasts were proposed in honor of Mexico and the United States.
 Much good is expected to follow the meeting of the two executives. This evening magnificent banquet and ball were given. Tomorrow they go to Her mosillo, the capital of Sonora, where elaborate preparations have been made for their entertainment.
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-16
WILD EXCITEMENT
 AT THE CAPITAL.
Nearly Everybody in Washington Is of the Opinion That Spain
 Has Proven Treacherous.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 15.-News of the disaster at Havana spread rapidly over the city and the hotel Hobbies and all public places were crowded with people eager to hear and discuss every particle of information as fast as 1t was received.
 The widest reports were in circula- ton, both in regard to the number of fatalities and the cause of the explo- sion.
 Nearly every one seemed to suspect treachery on the part of Spain or its over-enthusiastic friends in Havana.
 Few would believe the explosion was the result of an accident, but cooler heads expressed 8 willingness to wait for later news before forming any con- clusion.
 President Mckinley was greatly agi- tated when he heard the news and he expressed the hope that 1t was an acci- dent, making no reference to treachery in his conversation.
 It was stated by person who came from the White House that the Presi- dent received the news with perfect coolness, but that he expressed deep sorrow for the sailors who lost their lives.
 At the Army and Navy Club there were groups of deeply interested off, cers, some of them showing their deep sorrow in every word and look for their acquaintances aboard the Maine.
 Meager information concerning the cause of the explosion prevented any intelligent discussion of the probable outcome. and none could be found by the correspondent of The Call willing to venture an opinion.
 There is much conjecture as to what course is being or will be pursued by the Government.
 Among laymen abroad at this hour a strong jingo spirit is manifested. and it is feared this feeling will be so intense throughout the country that the con- servatives will be swept off their feet when the day dawns, unless it is made unmistakably plain that the disaster was the result of an accident and not of Spanish design.
 Long after midnight the telegraph of fees were besieged by friends of those known to be on board the Maine. Many of the officers and men have friends, some families, i.- this city, and some of the latter were in a state of excitement better imagined than described.
 They were almost beside themselves when they learned that 100 lives were lost. But when news came later that over 200 had been killed they wrung their hands and begged piteously for the names of the lost.
 There were no crumbs of comfort for any one, every new report picturing the disaster as more terrible than the one preceding it.
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-16
FIND 4 CACHE OF LEGAL LORE Selma's Alleged Firebuq Placed in a Bad
 Light. Officers Discover Accused At torney Robinson's Law
 Books.
Removed From His Office Before the Fire and Buried Near His
 House.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

FRESNO, Feb. 15.-The officers of Selma worked all last night and un- til II o'clock to-day searching for evil dence against Edward J. Robinson, the young attorney who was arrested on a charge of arson, and who is now in the County Jail here awaiting trial. The lawyer was arrested for an attempt to burn the building in which his office was located in order to get $o00 1nsur- ance on about $100 worth of law books, and it was ascertained that nearly all the volumes had been removed from the office before the fire was started. The officers made a diligent search to find the books, believing that Robinson had secreted them. This forenoon they made the discovery, and obtained very damaging evidence against the young attorney. Deputy Constable I. A; Burns searched Robinson's home and found several of the books, but most of them were found buried deep in the ground near his house. The find was made by Constable E. Vandergrift, who noticed some loose earth and leaves. He made an excavation and 149 vol umes were found buried in a hole three feet deep, two feet wide and four or five feet long. The hole was care fully lined with papers, and the DOCKS were covered with sacks. All the books had the attorneys name on them, so there can be no mistake as to the ownership.
 An effort was made to attach them by the insurance companies to equal ize the loss on the building, but they were found to be exempt from execu- tion. Robinson will not make any statement, but merely exclaims that 1t is all like a dream" He affects mel ancholia in jail, and is evidently feign- ing insanity He is a step-brother of the Ruggles boys, who were lynched at Bedding some time ago.
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-16
FOUR NEW COMPANIES
 ARE MUSTERED IN.
An Illinois Militia Regiment Is Hur- riedly Placed on a War
 EnntinC

CHICAGO, Feb. 15-One of the signs of the times was the hurried mastering tonight of four new companies to raise the Seventh Regiment, Illinois National Guard, to it's full strength. The order was received from the Gov ernor early in the afternoon, and though only circulated by word of mouth and mail by officers, more can didates for enlistment presented them selves at the armory tonight than would have filled twice as many com panies as were needed. Though noth- ing was said that would give the official color to the belief the order was given in anticipation of call by the Govern ment for troops for service in a Cuban campaign, yet it was noticeable that every officer addressing the men re- verted to the possibility of being called upon for Cuban duty, and was heartily cheered by men.
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-16

ship nearest to this port was the ar mored cruiser Brooklyn, which was in Hampton Roads, $50 miles away. It would take eighteen hours of record steaming for the Brooklyn to reach here from the Virginia shores.
 Naval men say the Vizcaya could de- molish the greater part of Greater New York in less than two hours. There are no warships in the Brooklyn navy yard which could be made ready for service in less than two months. The cruisers Atlanta and Chicago are there, but they are at present nothing more than useless hulks. Their engines, fun nels and boilers are stripped of arma ment, and in a fight the ships would not be as serviceable as a ferry boat. The dispatch boat Dolphin, the Presidential yacht is also in the navy yard, in the stone dry dock, being refitted with new boilers. She could not be made ready for a sea trip inside of two months.
 In an engagement with the Vizcaya's type she would be as impotent as a baby against Sandow. The Vizcaya comes here ostensibly on visit of courtesy.
 Captain Gilmour, chief aid to Com mandant Bunce at the Brooklyn Navy yard, was asked to-day what protec- ton the people of New York would have against the guns of the ViZcaya If war with Spain were begun while she was anchored in the harbor, and all the American warships at distant points.
 This country would not declare war under such conditions" said the cap- tain.
 But suppose Spain should take ad- vantage of the opportunity and declare war;"
 Why, the Vizcaya would be invited to leave the harbor," replied the cap tain. At any rate it would be sui cidal proceeding for her to lombard the city, She could never leave the har- bor The forts would see to that. But there is little doubt that when the Spanish warship arrives there will be an American man-of-war close at hand to take care of her. It Is not likely she will be long in the harbor unat- tended :"
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-16
THE MAINE DESTROYED IN
 HAVANA HARBOR
Continued from First Page.

few vessels here available. There were the torpedo boats Cushing and Fries son and the supply boat Fern, which arrived yesterday from the fleet at Dry Tortugas. All the other naval vessels had been scattered at different points in the gulf.
 Then came the report that the bat tleship had been blown up. This news was first received by the commandant of the station, who in turn communi- cated the information to the several officers in command. A telephone mes sage was sent the commanding army officer at the barracks.
 Meanwhile the news rapidly spread over the entire city, and the cable of flee became the center of attraction. The fact that the two torpedo boats were getting up steam and would be ready to sail added to the excitement.
 hurried conference was meanwhile being had between several naval off, cers present, and a line of action promptly decided upon.
 The torpedo boat Ericsson was first to get under way. She steamed out with open throttles and headed for the westward. While it is not positively known where she has gone the inn pression is she has been dispatched to the Dry Tortugas to notify Admiral Sicard of the disaster to the Maine
 The Cushing is puffing at the wharf ready to steam out and apparently only waiting orders to proceed to Havana.
 AS l write this dispatch, at 3 a. m., the quartermaster of the supply boat Fern is sitting in the cable office wait ing to receive any message that may come for the general.
 Every Government vessel in the har- Dor Is getting ready to sail for Havana as soon as orders are received.
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-16
THE MAINE PRACTICALLY
 A NEW BATTLESHIP.
Was Built in 1890 at New York, and Had Complement of
 S74 Men

The second-class battleship Maine was built at the United States navy yard at New York in 1890. Her dimen- sions are as follows: Length, BIO feet; breadth, 57 feet; draught 211a feet. The Maine was of 6648 tons displacement She was provided with engines of 5000 horse power, and could maintain a speed of seventeen knots an hour. She carried twin screw engines, vertical and with triple expansion. Her armor was eleven inches in thickness. The fight ing machinery of the battleship con- sisted of four 10-inch and six 6-inch breech-Ioading rifles. As secondary battery she carried fourteen rapid-fire, four revolving cannon and four Cat lings. The cost of the battleship was s2.5SS,000. She had a steel hull and complement of STA men.
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-16
BROOKLYN.

The armament Is light-one S-1ncn breech-loader, two 6-inch quick firing, eight finch twelve pounders and six torpedo tubes, but they can outsteam anything in the Spanish navy, and de- stroy any vessel lighter armed-gun- boats and protected cruisers-with practical impunity.
 The armor of the American is much heavier, the barbette being protected by fifteen inches, and the turrets by only ten inches. In addition, the American quick-firing guns are protected by A. inch shields
 The last in the battle line are the
 protected cruisers. Of these there are three classes-over and under 5000 tons and under 5000 tons-G, H and J. Spain has one of the first class co and the United States has two, the Minneapo- lis and the Columbia
 Of the second class GID Spain has two Alfonso XIII and Lepanto, carrying four I.S-inch B, and six 4.7-inch B. The United States has eleven-Olyr,pia, Philadelphia, Chicago, Newark, San Franclsco, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Ra- leigh. Charleston, Atlanta and Boston
 Each one is better protected than the Spanish type, but while some are more heavily armed, the majority of them are less heavily armed. The Olympia carries four S-inch and ten 5-inch guns, the Baltimore four 8-inch and six G. inch, but the Chicago carries only four teen 5-inch guns, the Newark twelve 6-1nch and the Raleigh one 6-inch and ten 5-inch guns.
 Of the third class CD, under 5000 tons, Spain has purchased one built for the Japanese Government at Kiel. It has not yet been named or armed. The United States has the Marblehead, De- troit and Montgomery, each carrying nine 5-inch quick firing guns
 In addition to several light-draft gunboats building, the United States has thirteen torpedo boats in various stages of construction, but most of them will be ready before the close of the present year.
 Spain has under construction in her own yards at the present time, in ad- dition to the vessels named, four ar mored cruisers, four protected cruisers, four gunboats,, four torpedo-boats and three battle-ships, to be equipped with armament and motive power in France
 From this brief review of the fighting strength of the two navies it will be seen that the United States has a great advantage over Spain in every respect.
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-16
ADVERTISEMENTS. FREE TO MILLIONS.
A Valuable Little Book Sent Free for
 the Asking

Medical books are not always inter. esting reading. especially to people en- toying good health, but as a matter of fact scarcely one person in ten is perfectly healthy, and even with such, sooner or later sickness must come.
 It is also a we'll established truth that nine-tenths of all diseases origin ate with a breaking down of the di- gestion, a weak stomach weakens and impoverishes the system, making 1t easy for disease to gain a foOthOld.
 Nobody need fear consumption, kid ney disease, liver trouble or weak heart and nervous system as long as the digestion is good and the stomach able to asSimilate plenty of whole some food.
 Stomach weakness shows itself in a score of ways and this little book de- scribes the symptoms and causes and points the way to cure so simple that any one can understand and ap- ply.
 Thousands have some form of stom- ach trouble and do not know it. They ascribe the headaches, the lan- guor, nervousness, insomnia, palplta- tion, constipation and similar symp- toms to some other cause than the true one. Get your digestion on the right track and the heart trouble, lung trouble, liver disease or nervous debtl- ity will rapidly disappear.
 This little book treats entirely on the cause and removal of indigestion and it's accompanying annoyances.
 It describes the symptoms of Acid Dyspepsia. Nervous Dyspepsia, Slow Dyspepsia, Amylaceous Dyspepsia. Catarrh of Stomach and all affections of the digestive organs in plain lan- guage easily understood and the cause l~Eemoved.
 Mt gives valuable suggestions as to diet, and contains table giving length of hrne required to digest various ar ticleS< of food, something every per- son with weak digestion should know.
 No pfice is asked, but simply send your name and address plainly writ ten on postal card to the F. A. Stuart Co.,, Marshall, Mich, requesting a lit- tie book on Stomach Diseases and 1t will be sent promptly by return mail
The San Francisco call., 1898-02-16
HYDROPHOBIA WITHOUT
 BEING BITTEN BY A DOG.
Strange Case of Swedish Servant Girl Who Died in 4(ew York
 HnSnital

NEW YORK, Feb, 15.-It appears from the history of Ellen Callson, the 19-year- old Swedish girl who died in Roosevelt Hospital, that person may become in- fected with hydrophobia without being bitten by dog. An autopsy upon the girls body made to-day revealed the fact that her death was caused by hydro phobia, although so far as can be learned no dog ever bit her.
 The girl was employed as servant by a family at Congers, N. Y. She was brought to the hospital on Sunday after noon, apparently suffering with a vio- lent attack of rabies She seemed to be suffocating and had the Authorizations usual in such cases. Where she was foundland dogs of which she was very fond. One of the dogs died on November 20, second on November 30, and the third on Jaunary 20. A veterinary who attended them found no trace of rabies in any of them. yet to them is traced the fatal malady of the girl. The presumption is that the germs were com municated to her by dogs licking her hands which were badly chapped.