davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The evening times., 1898-12-17
Fifth Days Session of the
Baseball Promoters.
THE EIGHT.CLUB SCHEME
Discussing Radical Measures to Re-
kindle Interest in the Game.
Ten Clubs the Hope, Twelve a Stern
Necessity and Sixteen a Bliss
ful Possibility.

New York, Dec. lit was after II
o'clock this afternoon before the National
League magnates began gathering for
the fifth days proceedings of the longest
session in the history of that organiza-
ton. All the actual business transacted
so far could have been disposed of in two
hours. 1t is in trying to unite all the
club owners on some radical measure
that will at once startle the public and
so rekindle interest in baseball that time
is being consumed. 1t is announced today
that reducing the circuit to eight clubs is
the desideratum: cutting 1t to ten cities,
the hope: continuing the 12-club league
perhaps stern necessity, and a 16-club
organization blissful possibility.
At last nights meeting Rogers. of Phil
adelphia, and Hart, of Chicago, were ap-
pointed a committee TO revise the con-
stitution. They will report at the spring
meeting and their report is expected to
provide for one of the four propositions
now before the league. Col. Rogers ad-
mits that he will not get enough votes to
continue the arrangement by which he
pays visiting clubs u 1-2 cents for each
spectator.
By keeping continually at work until
midnight some of the magnaIes are hope
ful of winding up all routine business and
reaching final adjournment.
The evening times., 1898-12-17
END OF THE MILES TRIAL
NOT YET IN SIGHT
N0t Likely That Conclusion VIII
Be Reached before the
Holidays.

1t is very probable that the trial Of
Frank H. Miles. who is charged with M
bezzlelnent of the funds Of the D-str ci.
which is in progress in Criminal Corr
No. J. before Chief Justice Bingham
VIII be the last Of public interest which
viii take place in the Criminal Courts OF
the District during the present term The
hearing in this case has already Cccu-
pied three days, and although all posi-
bic haste is being made it is quite likely
that a conclusion will not be reached by
the end OF next week
Already forty Witnesses have testified
on behalf Of the Government These
were called merely to show the metho5s
OF doing business in the offices OF the
Assessor and Collector of the District
and also to prove the charge in the in
dictment against Miles that he had re-
ceivod moneys from various persons hav-
ing business with the latter.
When the court adjourned yesterday
Assistant District Attorney John z. Las
key announced that on Monday still fur
their evidence on this phase Of the case
viii be introduced. After this it is un-
derstood that one or more days VII be
taken TO present and elucidate the dOcu-
mentary evidence in the case.
The evening times., 1898-12-17
ViOiiBs.
From the cbic;po NewsA

'Why the old violins considered superior
to those of recent manufacturer is question
often asked by the amateur taking up the
study of the popular instrument We must un-
derstard something of the manufacture of the old
violins before We can answer intelligently.
The great violin makers all lived within the
compass of 80 years They chose their wood
from few great timbers, felled in the South
Tyrol and foated down in rafts-pine, maple,
sycamore, pear, and ash. They examined these
to find streaks and veins and freckles-valuable
specifically when brought out by vanishing.
They learned to tell the density OF the pieces
of wood by touching them; they weighed them,
they struck them, and listened to judge how
fast or how slow or how resonantly they would
vibrate in answer to strings
Some parts of the wood must be porous and
soft; some OF close fiber The right beam was
hard to find, but when found it used so that
1t may be traced all through the yiOlins of soma
great master, and, after his death, through those
of his pupils.
After the piece Of wood was selected it was
taken home and seasoned, dried in the hot
Brescia and CreDona sun. The house of Stradi-
varius, the great master of all, is described as
having been as hot as an even. The wood was
there soaked through and through with sunshine.
In this great heat the OILS thinned and sinlmered
slowly, and then penetrated far into the wood
until the varnish became a part OF the wood it.
self. The osd yioimmakers used to every
particle of the wood. when they found what they
liked. to mend and patch and inlay with it.
So vibrant and resonant is the wood of good old
vioiins that they mIrrnur and echo and sing in
answer to any sound, where number Of them
hang togethe- en- the WALL as il rehearSing the
the old music that they knew Il WIS
doubtless owing TO this fact that the people could
not account for Paganinis wonderful playing.
They declared that he had human soul i'm
and whispered even when all the strings were
of.
The evening times., 1898-12-17
WORK MAPPED OUT FOR
CONGRESS NEXT WEEK
Mr.. Mo MiiiaR's Proposed Substitute
for the Morgan Measure-Pco-
gram in the House.

AS Congress will take a recess next
Thursday for two weeks not a great deal
of business will be transacted during the
few days of the week the statesmen will
be at work
In the Senate each day after the con-
clusion of the morning business the Mic
aragua Canal bill will have the right of
way unless a majority of the Senators
should vote for Mr.. Turpie's resolution
to postpone further consideration OF the
measure until the 10th of January. 1t is
learned on very good authority that Mr.
Mcmillan of Michigan is in with a move
ment to have a new bill prepared and
substitute it for the Morgan bill. Mr..
Morgan, it can be stated, is emphatically
opposed to postponement. He wants the
canal built. and has repeatedly declared
that he did not care whose bill it was
just so that legislation was secured in
the near future for the project that he
has fathered all these years
Senator Mcmillan is reported to be very
much opposed to any bill that does not
give the United States the entire expen-
diture of the necessary money. In other
words his demand is that the United
States shall put up all the funds. control
the canal and have no side partners. The
vote upon the Turpie motion will proba-
bly, be taken Monday.
During the morning hour of Monday Or
Tuesday Senator Eikins will again call
UP the bill providing American registry
for foreign-built vessels. He considers
this an important measure for those in
terested in navigation.
Monday in the House will likely be devot-
ed to passing bills under the suspension of
the rules. unless the Indian appropria-
ton bill. in charge of Mr.. Sherman of
New York, and the agricultural appro-
priation bill, in charge of Mr.. Wads-
worth of New York, should be brought
in. The regular Appropriations Commit
tee have no bills ready. The members OF
the subcommittee are working hard on
the big legislative bill, but it will not be
completed until after the holidays.
SPEAKER Reed has promised to recog-
nize several members on Monday TO pass
local measures of special interest TO their
districts.
The evening times., 1898-12-17
ARRIVALS AT THE HOTELS,

Willard's- J. D. Cooper Ninnesota.
Riggs-T Rilloword, Kansas City; Miss /
Mitchwed, Kansas City.
Ar!ington-C W Phillips, New York; Mrs. r.
G. Laws and Miss J. Laws, both OF Cincinnati
Ohio.
La Norlu-rdie-H. c. Simms. West NirSinia; G..
II. Edwards, South Carolina; j. \. smtth, South
Carolina
National-w. W. Scott, wezt Virginia; W T.
Hobertzen Pennsylvania: NJ. Bush, Boston; j..
H. Hardcastle, New Jersey
Metropolitan-C G. Sterling, Baltimore; T..
Kcrr. North Carolina; Or. II. Mason, Tennessee;
Dr. +. =. Beverley, Tennessee; G. II. Martin,
Pennsylvania.
sho-ehaTH-Mrs C. L. and Miss C. II. Kones,
New jersey: H. A. Groesuck. New York; NJ T..
Harley New York; o. II. Guner New Norh; Mrs.
+. Il. and Miss. 5. A. Haskell. Boston.
ST. james,. s. Weller and wife. New York
J. NJ. Chapple, Boston; C.. Noble Pittsburg; G..
II. Needy and wife. New Jersey; II. B. Frazier
and wife, Virginia; c. b. Gaskell, New York;
T. :. Price and wife, Missouri.
Raleigh--s and Mrs. O'Meara, Boston; Miss
O'MeaTa, Boston, Mr.. and Mrs. 4. Hirsch, New
York; L. p. Slick Pennsylvania; :. Wallace New
Hampshire; Q. Jenkins. Pittsburg: J. Z. jenkins,
Pirtsburg; ID. L. Baumgarten, Cincinnati Ohio.
Ebbitt-J A. W. Smith Birmingham, Ala: f.
J. Anderson, Birmingham. Ala; II. s Bean.
Boston; II. Z. Lynch, Boston; W C. Brown. New
York; J. b. Holman, Rochester. " y: j. p.
Compton, Chester, Pa; ". c. Clark, Chicago: o.
III. Waite. Worcester.
The evening times., 1898-12-17
Disgnsted Anglers.
(From the Detroit Free Press,

Orom the Detroit Free Press.)
In the upper part of the State there is man
that has a virgin farm that was bought for no
other purpose than to secure hunting and fish.
ing preserve to the owner. Through it there runs
a stream fed by cold springs and flowing into
bay of an inland lake. With the aid of these
natural advantages, he constructed a large
tifcial trout pond, with just such accommoda-
tions the gansey fish enjoys.
He completed the work late in the season, and
the pretty basin of water was scarcely inelosed
when party Of Detroit sportsmen pitched their
camp upon his premises without leave or license.
As soon as he discovered the invaders he sent two
of his men out with orders to do nothing but
keep marching back and forth over the woodland,
firing fast as they could load driving the birds
away from their farorite haunt and causing the
rest Of the game to seek close cover The plan
worked so admirably that the Detroiters could
find nothing ard the whole outfit concluded to
from center to circumference, back again and re-
peat until darkness drove them in. Then they in
dulged fuently in that kind of language which is
said to prevent the catching of fish.
Early the next morning they Were informed by
man sent for that purpose that they were us
ing the wrong kind OF bait. and with child-like
creduity they put in another day industrioGsly
angling for trout. Then the owner put in an ap-
pearance and informed them that they had no
right to be catching fish on his private lake.
Catching fish, answered the Detroit spokes-
man, we've been doing nothing but feeding
them"
''Another little joke on you," laughed the
owner, ''for the pond has never been stocked and
You might as we'll fish in rain barrel''
The sportsnen left in the night.
The evening times., 1898-12-17
THE CASE AGAINST
WILLIAMS CONTINUED
The Prisoner Alleged to Have Stolen
Household Articles and Pnvned
the p1under

Detectives McNamee and Helan yester-
day evening arrested Turner Williams,
colored. twenty-nine years old, and lock-
ed him up on a charge of larceny The
complainant appears as George A
Meyers. of No. 3 Grant Place, for whom
Williams had been working as a driver
and helper about the house
Mr. Meyers reported to the detective
office yesterday afternoon that five sill
Yer spoons had been stolen from his
house and that he suspected some one
OF his servants of the theft He stated
that TWO of the spoons bore the engraved
name of William Il. Hyperion, while the
others had the name of Annie 7. HOPPER
ton upon them.
An examination of the reports from the
pawn shops by Inspector Tayman dis
closed that those spoons had been dis
posed of. Detectives Helan and McNamea
were assigned TO the case and Williams
was arrested The man admitted having
stolen three spoons, but denied all
knowledge of the others since then, the
detectives have located several other ar
ticles of value stolen from the Meyers
household by Williams which had not
yet been missed. In the Police Court this
morning the case against Williams was
continued.
The evening times., 1898-12-17
DAMAGES TO THE
BRITISH EMBASSY
THIS COUNTRY TO PAY THE BILL
Sir Julian Pauncefote Satisfied 1t
Was the Act of n Nadmau-Maj.
Sy1yester's Plans.

Sir Julian Pauncefote's bill for shatter-
ed glass, amounting to about 800, viii be
paid by the order of the State Depart
ment. This statement was made at the
department today. Sir Julian is now sat
isfied that Pearson was suffering from a
destructive form of insanity when he
bricks and cobblestones. and will allow
the incident to pass.
1t is understood that Mai Sylvester.
chief of police, will take steps TO have
the buildings occupied by foreign diplo-
mats more fully protected from madmen
and yandals in the future.
The evening times., 1898-12-17
CLEVER WORK OF
DETECTIVE HELAN
Goods Stolen From Local Dealers by
The GoIdbergs Recovered in
Winston. N G..

Detective Helan returned from VIM
stcn. y. c., Thursday morning, where
he had been for several days engaged in
tracing the goods stolen from the stores
of d. n. Walford and Reinhardt by the
Goldbergs. who are now under arrest
awaiting trial for the thefts.
Detective Helan has been the recipient
of considerable praise from his brother
officers and superiors for his clever work
in discovering the missing property He
recovered Is knives, 6 razors and / revol-
Yer, which have been identified by Mr.
Nalford as his property, and several
yards of valuable silk, which Mr.. Rein
hardt recognizes as having been stolen
from him. The capture of the Goldbergs
means the breaking up of a very c.ever
gang, and Will probably result in the de-
structfon of an heretofore unknown
fence in Winston. The Goldbergs con-
Quoted cheap department store at that
place. which, it now appears, was roth
ing more than a place where plund5r was
disposed of.
The evening times., 1898-12-17
DIR. John stiIIweu schanck.

New York, Dec. 17.-Dr. John StillweIl
Schanck. for many years professor of
chemistry at Princeton University. died
there yesterday, aged eighty-two
years. He was born in 1877. of Dutch
ancestry and traced his family back to
the sixth century. He graduated from
Princeton University in the class of 1910.
Then he entered the University of Penn
sylvania Medical School, from which he
graduated in 1S43. For several years
following that he practiced medicine in
Princeton. In 1S41 he took charge of the
museum of natural history in Princeton
University, delivering lectures on zoology,
anatomy and physics. In 1856 he took
the chair of chemistry. In 1850 he was
elected a member of the Association for
the Advancement of Science and received
the degree of doctor of laws from Lafay-
cite College in 1856. He continued as pro-
fessor of chemistry until 1892, when he
was created professor emeritus.
The evening times., 1898-12-17
GENERAL LUDLOW
TO SAIL TOMORROW
TO ASSUME DUTIES AT HAVANA
Prepares to ReOrganize the Entire
Public Service of the City-Re-
forms Contemplated.

Major General Henry W. Ludlow, who
was recently appointed military governor
of the city of Havana will start for his
post of duty tonight. He will leave New
York tomorrow on board one Of the
Ward line steamers which plies between
that city and Havana.
Gen. Ludlow's staff has not been COM
pleted, and with the exception of his
aides, will start his labors alone.
His first duties will consist of establish
ing semi military force to take of the
place of the orden publico and garde civ
lie of the Spanish police.
He will also reorganize the entire public
service of the city of Havana, which in
cludes the establishment of a new system
of sanitation and the reorganization of
civil force to restore order in the city
and to prevent crime.
Capt McCullagh, late superintendent of
police of New York city, has already
gone to Havana to look over the field.
and his knowledge of the situation will
materially aid Gen. Ludlow in this work
The evening times., 1898-12-17
CURRENT EVENTS
In GEORGETOWN
SUDDEN DEATH OF A CHEMIST
John Stevenson Expires of Heart
FaiIure-An Old Law Res
urrected.

John Stevenson, a chemist and drug
clerk. died this morning at the George
town University Hospital after an illness
of less than twenty-four hours duration.
Yesterday morning he went to O'Don-
nelrs drug store on the corner of Thirty
second and NJ Streets and complained of
feeling badly and was allowed to lie
down in the back part Of the store until
about o'clock in the evening when he
became so much worse that the Seventh
precinct patrol wagon was sent for and
he was removed 10 the hospital. When
he arrived at the hospital he was unable
to talk and shortly afterward lost con-
sciousness. Death was the result of
heart failure. Stevenson was well-known
in Georgetown, having been emp Dyed in
this locality for several years. He was
at one time a clerk in Cropley's drug
store. He came from an excellent Vir-
ginia family living near Falls Church
and was a grandson of the late James s..
Welch, sr.. an old and wealthy business
man of Georgetown.
Georgetown people have resurrected 4
law which IL properly executed by the au-
thorfties, will do much toward lessenin;,
the truancy from school that Is observed
among the representa- of Young
America. The law is said to be imperfect
in its wording, and il is perhaps for this
reason that Ii was never strictly enforced.
Ii provides that all children between the
ages of eight and fourteen shall attend
some public school at least twelve weeks
in a year. six of which shall be consec-
utive. In the State of Maryland 1t is as
| serted there is in operation a habeas cor
pus law, the effect of which is Ito en-
able judges in all cases involving the Gus
tody of children to proceed with sole re
gard to the interest of the child and to do
everything that a humane regard to the
interest of the child. ignoring every other
consideration" This law If properly OBJ
served by the officials gives to the District
OF Columbia compulsory system of edu-
alton.
Rev. Samuel Freuder, d. D., of PhiIa-
delphia. will lecture tomorrow evening al
$50 O'Clock at the Gay Street Baptist
Church, and will take for the subject
The Hebrews of Today" He win give
examples of the Jewish service, delivering
1 several chants and psalms in the Hebrew
| tongue. He will also give reasons why
the Christians should love Jews Rev
| Freuder was formerly an ordained rab-
| bi of the Jewish Church but is now a
Congregational minister
The pulpit of the Lutheran Church
Will be filled tomorrow both at morning
! and evening services by Rev. ]. Oscar
Moser, member of the senior class OF
/ the Theological Seminary, al Gettysburg
Pa. He is the guest of Rev. Stanley Bill
heimer.
The evening times., 1898-12-17
THE IMPROVEMENT OF
CONNECTICUT AVENUE
OPENING OF BIDS 'FoR THE WORK
Estimates Submitted by q Number of
Local and Out-Of-TOwn
Contractors.

Proposals for improving Connecticut
Avenue, extended west of Rock Creek
were opened at the District building by
Chief Clerk Lakeman. at noon today.
A large number of local and out-of-
town contractors were present and bids
were submitted as follows:
M. F. Talty-Grading, rs cents per square
yard; removing and repairing macadam.
60 cents per square yard; removing and
repairing cobble. 80 cents per square yard:
removing and resetting curb, 20 cents per
square yard; removing and relaying
brick sidewalk, 20 cents per square yard.
G. B. Mullin-Grading, "a cents per
square yard; repairing macadam, 20 cents
per square yard; repairing cobble, IS cents
per square yard; resetting curb, II cents
per square yard; relaying brick sidewalk,
II cents per square yard.
Crawford Paving Company-Grading. 81
cents per square yard; repairing macad-
am, 50 cents per square yard: repairing
cobhie, u cents per square yard; reset
ting curb, 20 cents per square yard: re-
laying trick sidewalk, q cents per square
yard.
E. G. Gummel-Grading, % cents per
square yard; repairing macadam, So cents
per square yard; repairing cobble, IS cents
per square yard; resetting curb. II cents
per square yard: reiaying brick sidewalk,
II cents per square yard
Washington Asphalt Block and Tile
Co.-Grading, IS cents per square yard !;
repairing macadam, Is cents per square
yard; repairing cobble, % cents per square
yard resetting curb, 20 cents per square
yard: relaying brick sidewalk, rs cents
per square yard.
Lyons Notwithstanding, 80 cents per
square yard; repairing macadam. 20
cents per square yard; repairing cobble,
81 cents per square yard: resetting curb,
20 cents per square yard; relaying brick
sidewalks, 80 cents per square yard.
The evening times., 1898-12-17
DISMANTLIDG THE
GONBOA4 POTOMAC
Change of a Fighter Into an
Ocean Tug.
EXPERIENCES In THE WAR
Took Part in the Blockade Service
Off Cuba.
Assisted I'm Raising the Sunken
Ships SandOval and Maria Teresa.
Goes Out of Commission.

The United States auxiliary guntoat
Potomac, named in honor of the historic
and picturesque river which flows by
Washington. Is now at the Kittery navy
yard. The Navy Department was in
formed today of her arrival there and
that the work viii begin at once of
changing her back from fighting craft
to an ocean-going tug.
The Potomac had an interesting expe-
rience in the war with Spain and since
the close of hostiites. She towed the
Spanish cruiser Maria Teresa, Cervera's
flagship, from Santiago Bay to Guanta-
namo Harbor before the Spanish cruiser
started on her fateful trip toward this
country
A naval officer stated today that the
history of the little gunboat Potomac
Is as great, according to her size. as that
of most of the vessels which took part in
the war;
Before hostilities began she was a
peaceful tug of commerce name the r.
w. Wilmot, and was at New Orleans
when on April last she was bought by
the Government and sent to Pensacola,
Fla, to be fitted out for sea.
The Potomac is 139 feet in length. has
displacement of SIT tons and a speed
Of Is knots an hour. Her armament is
two six-pounders rapid fire guns and one
one-pounder. She left Pensacola soon af-
ter the news had been received there of
Ceryera's entrance into Santiago Harbor
She was in charge of Lieut. Craven and
her crew consisted of thirty-one men.
The Potomac engaged In blockade duty
until after the defeat of Cervera on July
3, when she went to Santiago harbor and
assisted in raising the Spanish gunboat
Sandoval. which was sunk in the harbor
after the surrender. After that she was
engaged in raising the sunken Maria Te-
resa.
The Navy Department has instructed
the authorities of the Kittery navy yard
TO thoroughly overhaul the Potomac. All
her stores are to be taken out and her
guns removed. She was today placed out
of commission for repairs. Her behavior
when a. sea is spoken of as first class.
The evening times., 1898-12-17
Ladies PIC handkerchiefs. Sc.

Tonight you may have ladies' fine
handkerchiefs. in a great variety
of different styles. with lace edge,
sealloped edge, and hemstitched-
ard some with black mourning
borders-for &c which are the reg
ular u i-2c sort.