davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times., 1899-02-21
PLEADING FOR MRS. PLACE.
Rev. Henry Frank Would Have Her
Life Saved.

New York. Feb. 20-In his discourse
before the congregation of the Independent
Church in Berkeley Lyceum yesterday
morning the pastor, the Rev Henry Frank,
took for his theme the "Abolishment OF
Capital Punishment The remarks on
this subject preceded his regular sermon
He said in part
| do not hesitate to say that the killing Of
Mrs. Place will be a collective crime. committed
by the citizenship of the entire commonwealth.
The question that Sternly confronts is: Docs
the commission Of murder by an individual rx-
onerate society for numbering the individual?''
InhesitatinEly. | say Is society warranted
in numbering this woman murderouslv? Again
answer, no. Murder Is almost invariably the act
Of a diseased mind, mind really irresponsible
as that Of insane person. To kill such an un-
fortunate is atrocious would be the DELHI
crate murder of mere degenerate
Were | in Governor ROOscvelt's place I should
not fear for a moment to set the whole world
a moral example by refusing TO allow the es-
cutcheon of the Empire State to be blOtted by
foul a deed Whoever doe, not protest against
this crime is himself a criminal participant My
plea is that, Just because she is a woman, whose
oragnsm is 50 much more delicate and sensitive
than that of a man, she should not be ruthlessly
slain but that she should be given the opportu-
pitv OF continuing her life under proper institu-
tional care, in order that what is morally good
and pure In her may more be permitted
TO become paramount, and possibly rebound to
the honor of her sex.
The times., 1899-02-21
THE TREATY LAID ASIDE.
The joint High Commission Dis
agrees and AdjOurns.

The Anglo American Joint High Com
mission adjourned and suspended work
yesterday morning for at least five months.
The direct cause of the adjournment was
the Alaskan boundary question. This
clause of the proposed treaty has resulted
in a deadlock. and all attempts at coming
to terms have only developed new COM
plications. All other questions have been
satisfactorily settled, even that of reci-
procity.
The Canadian members, re-enforced by
several Canadian cabinet ministers. held
meeting yesterday morning and decided to
stop the controversy for a time. The
American members of the Commission were
notified of this decision, and Senator FAIR
banks, chairman of the American side
with Sir Wilfrid Laurier. acting chairman
of the Canadian side. finally agreed to ad-
journ, and issued the following taEement:
The Commission has adjourned to meet at
Quebec August 2, unless the chairmen of the re-
spective Commissions shall agree upon another
date
The Commission has made very substantial
/ progress in the settlement and adjustment OF
many OF the questions upon which it has been
earnestly engaged. But il has been unable 10
| agree upon the settlement of the Alaskan boun
dary. This problem has been complicated ana
difficult one, but the Commissioners acting IN
the utmost friendness and cordality have been
| unable to agree upon satisfactory adjustment
The difficulties, apart from the immediate de
| limitation of this boundary by the Commission
| itself arise from the conditions under which it
| might he referred to arbitration. The British
| Commissioners desired that the whole question
should be referred terms similar to those pro-
vided in the reference OF the Venezuela boundary
| line, and which by providing umpire would
! insure certainty and fnality.
! The United States Commissioners, on the other
! hand, thought the local conditions in ALASKA so
different that notifications OF the Venezuela
| boundary reference should he introduced. They
| thought the reference should be made to six
| eminent iurists. three chosen by each of the
high contracting parties without providing for an
umpire, they believing that inality would be Sc
| cured by a majority vote of the juries chosen.
| They did not any present prospect OF agreeing
| to a European umpire, to be selected in the man
| ner proposed by the British Commissioners, while
| the British Commissioners unwilling TO
| agree to the selection OF an American umpire in
| the manner suggested by the United States Com
| missioners.
The United States Commissioners further CON
| tended that the existing settlements the tide
waters of the coast should in any result continue
| TO belong to the United States. To this conten-
| tion the British Commissioners. refused to agree
! II was therefore deemed advisable to adjourn TO
! convenient date, in order to enable the respec-
| tive governments to further consider the subject
| with respect to which no conclusion has yet been
| reached.
The times., 1899-02-21

The Secretary of War directed by Senate
resolution agreed to at the instance OF Mr..
Cuckrel Yesterday. To submit a statement in re-
gard to the cost Of maintaining the army il
existed prior to April 90 ls9s, and the cost of
maintaining it under the proposed iiull-iiawley
bill.
An amendment was offered TO the Sundry Civil
appropriation bill yesterday by Mr.. Frye for the
Foreign Relations Committee providing for the
construction OF a cable to Hawaii and Manila, to
he built by private corporation, but under a
subsidy Of the United States.
An amendment to the Sundry Civil appropria
tion bill was proposed yesterday in the Senate
by Mr. Chandler appropriating SSiS2s to
enable the Public Printer TO pay an additional
sum OF Sl.jO per square foot to the owners OF the
lots which the new addition TO that office is
TO be erected. An amendment to the same bill
appIopriating S2IS,0UO for the purchase Of Wilson
Park was offered by Mr.. Quay.
The times., 1899-02-21
The Condition of France.


France is a Republic in name but not Re
public in fact Her President is not chosen by
the people, for the very good that the So
called French Republic could not stand the
strain ot a presidential contest One President
was compelled to resign in disronor; another
was assassinated and third has just died under
the fretting responsibilities he could not meet.
1t is evident that France Is today in most
cyconic condition and needs but start in revo-
lutionay action 10 throw the French nation into
anarchy. Her army is dcmoralized; her rulers
largely dehauched and the conflicts OF mean
ambition forbid tranquility TO the people or re-
spectcd power TO the government
A government that is not strong enough to
meet the Drcyfus manfuly and justly is not
strong enough to survive. Every approach to
the consideration Of the case produces convulsion,
and it is we'll known that this contest over a
single Hebrew officer Of moderate rank has Tor
some time threatened, and today threatens, the
overthrow Of the Republic.
The times., 1899-02-21
spunish Naval Officers.

1t is reported from Madrid that all the
surviving captains of the Spanish war
ships destroyed in the naval battles on
Santiago and in Manila Bay by the Ameri-
can fleets will be tried by court-martial.
Already army officers have been placed on
trial and one general condemned to death
though subsequently the sentence was
commuted TO imprisonment for life. That
the Spanish generals may be justly sub
feet TO investigation and punishment, no
body who is familiar with the history OF
the war will doubt. Still, even in their
ease. the fact that the army was without
pay for many months and poorly fed be-
cause Of corruption in the departments
that should have supplied their wants,
should diminish the measure Of their re-
sponsibility.
The prosecution OF the naval officers,
however, is rank injustice. The whole
purpose is 10 relieve the Madrid officials
Of the reproach OF having betrayed the ma
tion by maintaining an inefficient navy at
the cost of a good one. 1t is known that
although the government was compelled
to pay the highest prices for the vess lis,
they had been shamefully neglected until
they were unfit to meet respectable foe.
The naval officers were chosen by social
favor and not by merit and many were
lacking in character and training. The
warships were manned by conscripts,
among them criminals drawn from the
prison at Barcelona. They were not sail
ors and they knew nothing of gunnery.
They were without courage or patriot SIN.
To send such ships, officered and manned
as they were, TO meet the vessels OF the
American Navy was to condemn them to
destruction.
Against the easy mark OF Spain's poor
ships came the formidable vessels of the
new American Navy-superb craft mod
ern in construction and equipments, with
trained officers and with intelligent, pa
triotic, enthusiastic, and courageous gun
ners, sailors and firemen. The result was
not diftcult to forecast. The Spanish
ships went down without pretence o
fighting, the men behind the guns being
held in their places by the pistols Of few
The times., 1899-02-21

officers and so distracted by fear as to be
unable to iniure a single American.
1t is the government at Madrid that
should be placed on trial for the sruel
slaughter of the defenceless persons on the
proud warships that were a delusion. 1t
was the inefficiency and probably the cor
ruption OF the ministers of war and navy
that made these ships mere coffins for all
but the officers, most of whom were prompt
to escape, leaving the wretched conscripts
locked up TO drown. There can be little
sympathy for many of the captains who
have survived the shameful defeats but
they were the natural product of incOmpe
tence at Madrid.
1t has been determined that Admiral
Cervera and other high officials shall ap-
pear before the Cortes to make such de-
fence as they can. When Cervera was in
this country the magnanimity of Americans
was extraordinary. Nothing was too good
for him. He was under no actual restraint
and was the lion of social entertainments
Since then it has been learned that he was
a mere Spaniard, and, therefore, cruel,
base, and barbarous. 1t has been revealed
that it was his intention as soon as the
American army should enter Santiago, to
lombard the place without allowing the
women and children and other non-com
batants 10 escape. 1t was only through the
Intervention of the British Consul at San
tiago and the British Minister at Madrid
that he was forced to abandon his horrible
purpose. Still. to punish the officers of
the navy for their failure TO make a re-
spectacle showing against the American
ships would be the grossest injustice.
The times., 1899-02-21

>
The year has found the President capable Of
perceiving the change in our political relations
with the rest of the world. He admits the revo-
luton in trade conditions and advises assisting
its completion. He also perceived the growth
Of new natonalism and in brief speech to
the Grand Army he said that he would like to
see the patriotic men OF the North and Of the
South who had fought in the war against Spain
united in a great patriotic organization and he
declared that he knew none better than the
Grand Army. lie knows that the adoption OF this
suggestion would mean the admission of ex-Con-
federates, but he also believes that the men who
fought for what they believed Was right and lost
love their country today just strongly those
who fought and won. Men from both armies
have stood side by side in the trenches in Cuba.
II would be fortunate if this suggestion should
be accented
The times., 1899-02-21
TUESDAY. FEBRUARY 21, 1899.
The Presidents Opportunity.

President Mckinley wants an army re-
organization bill passed by the present
Congress in order that the necessity for an
extra session. which nobody desires. may
be avoided. There is not a proposition of
the kind before that body, the sidetracked
Hawley bill excepted, that is not offensive
10 military science and public policy. But
a bad system under the administration of
efficient and honest men might be oetter
than good law with a discredited
official in control of its operation. The
President under the advice and influence
of the War Department ring, has
been induced to promote the passage Of
wretched army reorganization law and to
make the intention plain TO place its ad
ministration in the hands of the most un-
acceptable Secretary of War who ever occu-
pied that Office. Mr.. Mckinley is credited
with willingness 10 make a compromise
with Congress in this matter. There In
one that is within his power and in offer
ing it he would do a great deal in the di-
rection of securing friends even for the
RuIl bill
II he will not or is not allowed to sup
port a decent measure for army reorgani-
zation, let him compromise on insisting
upon the Hull bill and agreeing TO the i'm
mediate dismissal of Alger,
To get rid OF Alger and all that Alger
and Algerism have involved TO the ridicule,
disgust, and modification OF the American
people, they and most of their representa-
tiyes would be eager TO accept almost any
thing-even the Cockrell bill TO equip a
Tagal army 10 drive us out of the Philip
pine Archipelago.
Algerism is the blot and blight on the
war record of President Mckinley and his
Administration. But for that he might be
today the popular hero of the country.
With it, and although he is not without
public admiration, he is the subject Of
criticism and of half formulated suspicious
that one day may become fixed opinions,
to his detriment.
Nj Mckinley is not blind or deaf. He
knows in his heart that the mass of Ameri.
cans regard the conduct of the war with
Spain. as far as the War Department is
concerned. as having been marked with
utter incapacity. favoritism. corruption
and direct nr indirect rascality. He is as
well aware as anybody else that public
opinion is unanimously convinced of venal-
ity in the selection of fever camps, in the
monopoly of military transportation by IA
vored railways, in the purchase or charter
Of yachts, tramp steamers, and other craft
for use as army transports, and in treas
enable contracts for inferior, diseased
and rotten meat for the use of troops HI
does not need 10 be told that all thes'
things are consolidated in the public mint
in the term ''Algerism-
He is sinbad the Sailor, and Algerism il
his Old Man of the Sea He is staggering
under the load Let him get rid of Alger
The Hull bill, the Cockrell bill, or NJ
bill, rather than anything with Alsei
in domination over it, The whole countT.
responds TO and echoes the jeers. cat-calls
and Kisses of the Boston populace.
The times., 1899-02-21
IN GRIDLEY'S MEMORY.
Proposed Monument to the Heroic
Captain in Arlington.

The Committee on the Library, to whom
was referred the House joint resolution to
erect a monument to the memory of Capt
Charles Vernon Gridley in the Arlington
Cemetery, has made the following report
Captain Gridley'S death was the direct result
Of severe exposure while acting as captain of
Admiral Dewey's flagship. the Olympia, at the
lSgs.
His record in that great engagement, which
did so much for speedily deciding the result of
the recent war, is peculiarly worthy OF the
nations recognition. Captain Gridley from
a sick bed and took command Of his ship on
Sunday morning. May l. 1905, and remained at
his post as one uf Admiral Dewey's faithful as
sistants in the destruction Of the Spanish fleet
To him Admiral Dewey entrusted the opening Of
the great naval engagement, saying to him
early in the morning, You may fire whenever
you are ready Gridley.' How well he fulfilled
his trust is shown by the results Of the battle.
He took his position in the coming tower,
whence he directed both the force of the ship
and the firing upon the Spanish fleets and forts.
The heat in the coming tower was intense and
this with a breach which he received during the
iav aggravated his disease, from which he was
at the time suffering, so that the 18th Of May
he was ordered To the United States, but the
results of the strain and exposure OF the battle
were too great To be overcome, and he died
at Kobe Japan, On the 9TH day Of June, lss's.
Before hrcathing his last he said: The battle
of Manila caused my death, but would do the
same thing again.
The times., 1899-02-21
VIRGINIA ENTERPRISES.
Large Purchases of Iron Furnaces
md COnI Lands,

Bristol, Va, Feb. 2O.-The permanent
organization OF the Virginia and South
western Railway Company and the Vir
ginia Iron. Coal and Coke Company, was
effected Saturday night. George L. Car
ter of Pulaski. was elected president Of
both companies. These companies repre-
sent syndicate of Virginia, Tennessee,
and New York capitalists. which has de-
termined on important developments in
Southwest Virginia. This syndicate has
purchased the South Atlantic and Ohio
Railroads the Briston, Elizabethton and
North Carolina Railroad. twelve iron fur
naces in Southwest Virginia, from Bristol
to Roanoke, inclusive, and 21, 500 acres of
coal and iron lands in Virginia and Tenn
essee The purpose is to develop these
properties as early as practicable ana put
the furnaces all in blast Most Of these
furnaces were built during the loom of
1S90-9l. and nave since stood idle. They
range in capacity from 100 to 175 tons
daily.
The times., 1899-02-21
TAKING CHARGE OF HIS POST.
The Oath of Omce Administered To
Secretary Hitchcock.

Secretary Hitchcock.
The Hon. Ethan Allen Hitchcock of
Missouri. the new Secretary Of the Interior,
paid his respects to President Mckinley
at the White House yesterday morning and
proceeded from there to the Capitol, where
the oath of office was administered to him
by Associate Justice Brewer, of the United
States Supreme Court. He was accompa-
MED by his predecessor, Cornelius n. Bliss.
who also accompanied him to the depart
ment and presented him to his subordi-
mates.
Secretary Hitchcock held a consultation
with his Assistant Secretaries and chiefs
and will hold formal reception today,
when he will meet all the employees of the
department. He has not yet decided upon
any plans for the immediate future, but
will probably pay a visit TO st. Louis be-
fore settling down here.
Secretary Bliss will remain in Washing
ton until Wednesday when he will leave
for his home in New York. He will be a
guest at the Cabinet dinner to be given at
the Arlington by Senator Hanna tonight in
welcome to Mr.. Hitchcock.
The new member of the Presidents Cab
met will make his first official appearance
at the White House today. when he will
meet his future associates. Secretary Bliss
will also be there TO bid them farewell.
The times., 1899-02-21
THE Y. M. C. A. IN ITS NEW HOME
Thousands of Friends In Attendance
at the Housewarming.

The formal opening of the new Y. NJ O.
A. home which occurred last night, was
attended by fully 5000 friends OF the or
ganization. Among those who offered con-
gratulations TO the board OF managers were
the pastors OF all the churches in the city
and many prominent Government officials,
including representatives Of the army and
navy
Early in the evening the handsome big
building in G Street formerly occupied by
the Columbia Athletic Club opened its
doors to the throngs OF visitors. who con-
tinued to come and go until nearly mid
night. They were met at the front en-
trance and directed through the entire
BUILDING by committees stationed in the
Railways. All the rooms were tastefully
decorated with cut flowers and evergreens,
and the gallery of the gymnasium was
draped with the colors OF the worlds na-
tions. those of the United States occupying
the position of honor in the centre Of the
balcony.
The rooms allotted to the various de-
partments of the organization were in full
working order thus giving the public an
insight into the comfort enjoyed by the
members of the association.
Several orchestras were stationed in diff
ferent parts of the building. The board OF
managers received in the central parlor
on the second floor. S. W. Woodward,
president of the association. was absent
owing to illness. which will conine him
TO his home for several days. Several very
handsome landscape scenes. which had
been recently donated by friends Of the
association. were on exhibition.
The board of managers OF the Y. NJ. c. \.
and a few friends have subscribed since
the burning of the old building in 1895 over
$4,000 toward the maintenance of the
work and the purchase of the new build
ing. More than s25, 900 of this has been
paid in. Now that the work is thoroughly
on its feet again, and there still remains
much in the way of financial support to be
rendered, the board confidently locks to
the public-spirited people of Washington
to second the efforts which they have been
making
The times., 1899-02-21
THE INSULAR BOARD.
Its Membership Completed by the Ar
rival of Mr.. Curtis.

Henry G. Curtis, of Iowa. who was ap-
pointed a member of the Board of Insular
Examiners TO succeed Col. Curtis Guild,
who declined the position, arrived in Wash
ington Sunday night and called at the War
Department yesterday 10 pay his respects
to Secretary Alger.
Later he Joined his colleagues on the
board, General Kennedy and Charles W.
Watson. and assisted them in the prepara-
tions for a tour OF Cuba and Porto Rico
The members of the board will probably
sail for the West Indies the latter part of
the week.
The work of the Commission in the ISL
ands will deal principally, for the present
at least, with taxation. public highways.
public schools, franchises to private indi-
viduals or corporations, all with view of
improving the systems now in vogue. 1t
will have executive power, but will
make report to the President OF the re-
suit of the work done in the islands.
The times., 1899-02-21
THE CANAL BILL.
The President Objects to Some of
the Amended Provisions.

Representative Hepburn was late in ar
irving at the House yesterday, having
been detained at the White House, where
he and several Senators had been called
by the President to consult over the Mica
ragua Canal.
The President is understood to object
seriously to the forms of the proposed
project, both in the House and the Sem
ate. He wants various amendments made
before the measure becomes law. One OBJ
lection is said to be to the purchase of
easements" authorized In the Senate bill,
The President is said to believe that no
payments should be made. either to the
Maritime Company or to the Grace syndi-
cate, but he does not wish the responsi-
bility of refusing to be placed upon him.
The Maritime Canal Company is prohib
tied by the express terms of its conces-
sion from selling Its rights to any gov
ernment while the alleged concession OF
the Grace syndicate is from Nicaragua
only, and not from Costa Rica, and is
therefore useless, even II II is valid, of
which there is grave doubt.
Mr. Hepburn yesterday set at rest doubt
as to his attitude in regard to the canal
by declaring that his traditional opposition
TO river and harbor bills would not pre-
vent him from voting for one carrying the
Nicaragua Canal. He said; Il would not
tread on spider ruthlessly," he said,
but If by SO doing ! could save human
life, | would tread on a dozen spiders. |
am opposed to river and harbor bills.
and have voted against every one passed
for the last twenty years, but | am in
favor of the Nicaragua Canal, and if can
save it by voting for the River and Harbo'
bill, | shall do So"
Mr.. Hepburn does not like the form OF
H. taE
to the words authorizing the President to
acquire the necessary territory, and such
rights. easements, or privileges therein or
connected Herewith may be desirable.
Under this he holds that private corpora
tions may be compensated for the failure
OF their speculative interests in the route
of the canal.
The times., 1899-02-21
ARIzoNA's GOVERNOR SUED.
Having Cleared Him of Charges the
Attorney Wants His Fee.

James Coleman yesterday filed suit
against Myron II. McCord for the coIlec-
tion of $500. claimed for legal services
rendered the defendant by the plaintiff.
In his declaration Mr.. Coleman states
that in April. 1897, Mr.. McCord was nomi-
mated by the President of the United States
to be Governor Of the Territory Of Arizona;
that charges of incompetency and unfitness
for the office were preferred against him,
and that the Senate committee to which
the charges were referred placed the mat
ter before the Committee on Territories.
The plaintiff then states that he was re-
tanned by McCord as counsel for prom
ised fee of 81 600, and that he successfully
defended his client against the charges
preferred. as is proven by McCord's con-
firmation by the Senate. Coleman also
claims $500 for services in bringing suit
against the Press Publishing Company Of
New York on behalf of the defendant.