davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-09
TIMBER LANDS ABLAZE.
Fierce Fires Raging in the Forests
of Pennsylvania.

WI
BOLIVAR, n. Y. May s.-Fierce forest
fires have ragged along the Buffalo and
Susquehanna Railroad, in Porter County,
Pa. since yesterday. This morning the
lumber town OF Corbett was surrounded
by fire and all but five houses and the
five hundred population
A special train on the Buffalo and Sus-
quehanna Railroad took part of the people
to Galeton this morning and returned
after the rest. but the flames drove the
rescuers back. Many of The rescued we're
badly singed and everything in their homo 3
burned. leaving them destitute. An d
couple, George Letke and wife, who lived
just out of Corbett, were burned to death.
The big sawmills at Galeton. Austin, and
Cross Forks. and the railroad machine
shops shut down and sent the men out to
fight the fire. The railroad officials are
directing the men. The big acid factory
at Corbett was wrecked by the fire that
swept away the town. The damage to
timber lands in Potter County will amount
to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
a light shower fell this afternoon at
Galeton, but did not lay the dust. The
smoke over the burning region is binding
At Galeton it is not possible to see thirty
feet away. In all directions from Galeton,
the hills are ablaze. There have been
no heavy rains this spring. The leaves
have hardly started. and the woods are
as dry as finder. Famed by strong
wind today. the flames swept unimpeded
through the forests.
F. II. and C. ". Goodyear. of Buffalo.
own thousands of acres of hemlock lands
in Potter County, and their loss is already
nnnrmnms
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-09

Just as the undaunted Rough Rider
comes to the Capital the frequent Wee
Presidential candidacy of the Hon John ID.
Lonr is revived, as If to show the New
Yorker that though he may be much, he
is not all. A local Republican paper
declares that Mr.. Long is regarded as an
ideal running mate for Mr. Mckinley We
have always said so. Two birds with but
single feather could not better flock
together. Such a ticket would be a dream
of joy to Mark Hanna if it could be
elected Certainly we have 10 objection
to it. Mckinley and Long would repre-
sent everything that is bad or Indifferent
in the present Administration, and would
be too logical to talk about
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-09
THE ORDNANCE CONTROVERSY.
Secretary Root VIII Take No Action
Unless Charges Are Filed.

Secretary Root VIII Take No Action
Unless Charges Are Filed.
Secretary Root and Major General Miles
had a conference yesterday afternoon re-
garding the controversy between the
Board of Ordnance and Notifications and
Ordnance Bureau of the Army. General
Miles called upon the Secretary of War
and explained that he was not in any way
responsible for the publication of the let
tiers written by himself General Buffing-
ton, and General Wilson en- the subject OF
disappearing gun carriages. Secretary
Root assured General Miles that he had
| not officially considered General Buffing
tons complaint. and hoped that the whole
matter would adjust itself in the board
OF Ordnance and Fortifications.
1t Is certain that Secretary Root has de-
termined to take no action unless formal
charges OF some kind are filed by officers
! OF either side OF the controversy General
huntington today reiterated his assertion
that ne proposed to tell in his annual re-
port all the facts involved in the charges
| against the Ordnance Bureau. He insisted
that he would stand by his statement as
made in The Times yesterday morning
General Burlington declined again yester-
day to tell what his annual report will
| say regarding the matter. but Office rs of
the Army who have been following the dis
cussion on ordnance questions sa,' the
charges have been freely made about in
ventors not receiving proper treatment by
the Ordnance Bureau.
| General Buffington's position en- this
matter is that the records of the Ordnance
Bureau will show that every considera-
ton has bean shown inventors who have
possessed inventions worthy of any at
tention. The ordnance officials deny the
statements OF Captain Lewis. of the Board
of Ordnance ard Notifications. who testi-
fled before the Senate Committee that
proper treatment was not accorded DR..
futile, the inventor Of thorite. On the
other hand officers OF the Board OF Ord
nance and Fortifications say that it is a
fact that when DR.. futile approached the
Ordnance Bureau regarding the discovery
Of his explosive they almost refused to
listen to- him. 1t is moi. until he pre-
sented the matter to the board OF which
General Miles Is president that thorite
was given any attention. Even after the
experiments were conducted and It was
proven perfectly satisfactory the ordinances
officials were not inclined to adopt it.
General Miles last evening declined to
discuss the controversy. He exp aimed his
position on the subject Of disappearing
gun carriages, saying that he did not tank
the Government should be bound 10 cre
type Of gun carriage. The war with Spain
had demonstrated the advantages of the
barbette. and he behaved that baIbettes
should be contracted for as we'll as disap.
pearing carriages.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-09
WEDNESDAY. MAY 9, 1900.


II rests with the Democratic members Of
xill accept the issue offered to them by
.he Administration on the proposition for
an American Isthmiau Canal. They have
not created the issue. If they had strug-
sled for years they could not have evolved
one anything like as great; for upon their
handling of it may easily depend the cleo
ton OF Mr.. Bryan to the Presidency. If
s.hey meet it squarely and bravely, the re-
suit of the November election will not be
in much doubt.
1t is now the announced intention CT the
Administration to prevent legislation favor
able to the American canal. The challenge
should be gladly accepted and the battle
Joined at once. We believe that there is a
majority in the Senate which will vote
for the Hepburn bill just as it came from
ne House. We believe that its friends
can force vote which will result in secd-
ing it to MIR. Mckinley for his approval
or veto. Assuming that we are right in
this, we know, and every honest Senator
knows, that If President Mckinley were TO
exercise his prerogative against the VIII
Of the people. he would actually court de-
s5sat.
But, supposing that the majority We be-
;ieve in does not exist. or that the Repub-
Ican portion of it can be coerced CT "pla-
ma plans of the Administration. what
then? II still remains within the ability
of the Democratic Senators to force vote
cnd put the Administration ard its henth-
men in the Senate on record. If the latter
lave the nerve and strength to prevent
consideration of the Hepburn bill or 10
6efeat it with Republican votes: in either
case the doom of the Mckinley candidature
--Gtil be sealed. In either case, the fact
so often alleged, OF secret understand
ling between the Administration and the
British Government will be fixed irrev-
Ucduis III lHe puuilC Ulnu, ana national
conviction will be surely registered at the
polls next autumn.
Will the Democrats in the Senate achieve
what is within their power for the peo-
pie. not TO speak CT their party? Or
will they. by idle optimism. and a halt
Ing. perfunctory enthusiasm. without
Fixed purpose or a determined fight, allow
the opportunity to go by default and so.
In effect, lend themselves to the work Ct
Hanna. the British Foreign Office, and tie
Administration Panama syndicate? II
they choose they can compel vote. They
can force action which shall give tie
American people the inter-oceanic water
way they demand, or, failing in that. they
ran stop the clock of legislation from this
day to that of adjournment whenever that
may be. !.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-09
A WINDsToRM At CANTON.
Several Ncnrby Ohio Towns Visited
by Damaging Fires

CANTON. Ohio, May s.-Heavy winds all
day spread fires that threatened destruc-
ton of two nearby villages and eliminated
in damaging windstorm in the city this
evening. In one part OF the city two new
houses nearly ready for occupancy were
blown over. In another two otter bui. :
ings were RACED. One tall smCkestack
was blown down and chimneys, trees, and
fences were damaged in all parts of ,uv H..
Similar damage was also experienced in
the county. AT West Brookfeld fire start
ed in the west end of the village from q
defective flue and wiped out fifteen resi-
dences with the contents OF most of them.
Cisterns and wells were nearly dry.
Scarcely any water was in the little creek
near the town owing to the drought Flrs
apparatus was called from Massillon and
Canton. but lack of water prevented relief.
Other buildings were being dynamited
when the course of the wind changed.
At Navarro six buildings were burned.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-09
Existing Circumstances.



General Otis is a lucky mortal He is sailing
on the briny deep. where disquicting cables
from Manila cannot reach him. But his Com.
mandarin Chief in Wsstington last satur-
day, in a formal War Department Order returned
the thanks OF the President and the country to
our late commander in the Philippines not
50 fortunately situated Mr.. Mckinley cannot
get away from facts which would be depressing
even TO a President who is not seeking reuominl-
ton and reelection. The "insnrection' is not
sibdued. the Fiipinos arr not beaten into sub
mission. AguinaIdo is not running in terror from
our gallant soldiery. Tn fact. the war is still
on the Republican National Convention is not
more than a month off. and the election will be
held in November.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-09
LACK OF AUTHORITY.
Com III issioncrs Cannot Allow Extcn-
sion Of Electrical COntiuits.

Com III issioncrs Cannot Allow Extcn-
sion of Electrical COnduits.
Andrew b. Duvall the Attorney for the
District. has transmitted to the Commits
sioners an opinion upon the legality of the
Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Com
pany laying a conduit in Sixth Street be-
tween d and G Streets northwest. The
opinion was called forth by a recommen-
daticn of the Electrical Engineer. who
urged the granting of a permit for the
construction in order to extend the under
ground cable system of the District.
Mr.. Duvall cites the District Appropria-
ton bill of 1899. and says that it would
not authorize the construction of the de-
sired conduit. He says that the same ap-
Precipitation bill gives the Commissioners
authority to grant permits for repairs. en-
largement. and extension of conduits. but
the authority is expressly limited to "ex-
isting electric lighting conduits.
Mr. Duvall. therefore. gives ii as his
opinion that the Commissioners are with
out authority to grant permit for the
construction of the conduit IN question.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-09
THEoBALD's ANSWER FILED.
He Replies to Charges Recently
Brought Against Him.


The answer Of Special Employe" Theo-
bald to charges made against him concern
ing his methods of detecting smugg' ag
was submitted to Secretary Gage yester-
day by Collector Bidwell of New York,
who arrived in Washington early in the
morning. Neither the charges nor Theo-
bald's answer will be given out at present.
The Treasury Department is engaged in
investigating the evidence with which
Theobald offered to sustain his denial. 1t Is
said that this evidence refuting the
charges would acquit Theobald in any
court of law. and there is the greatest
wonder in the Department that the en-
quiry was ever lent the dignity of
special investigation by the Senate resolu-
ton asking for the report in the case.
II Theobald is found to be innocent OF
such charges as were made against him
it is said an investigation will be made
into what Theobald's friends call a con-
spracy to drive him out Of the service.
The nature of the charges against him are
said 20 be largely hearsay.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-09
KILLED BY LIGHTNING.


INDIANAPOLIS. May S-Northern In
diana was visited by severe storm last
night. In the Montpelier oil region nearly
all the derricks were blown down and sew
eral power houses were badly damaged.
Operations were suspended throughout the
district today. William and Frank Ringen.
farmers living near Winamac, were killed
by lightning
Near Peru, several farmhOuses were
blown down. A freight car was blown from
a siding on the main track and passen-
ger train on the Lake Erie and Western
crashed into it.
:. The town of Waterloo suffered severely
Three houses were unrcofed and a school
building was demolished. At Huntington.
the Lake Erie roundhouse was unroofed
and several persons were injured by the
falling slate
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-09
vEsuvIUs GROWING VIOLENT.
The Famous Volcano in State OF
Eruption.

ROME. May S.-Vesuvius has been in
state of violent eruption for the past
two or there days. Streams of lava have
been pouring down the side of the noun
tain, and great masses of rock have been
thrown out OF the crater by the force of
the explosions. The authorities are doing
all they can to quiet the people living in
the vicinity. and experts have expressed
the opinion that they are in no great
danger. The station of the funiculare, or
cable lire, has been destroyed.
Four Englshmen. who made the ascent
of the volcano. vehtured too far. notwith-
standing the warning of their guides. They
were overtaken by the lava and seriously
burned.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-09
OUR FLAG OVER TUTUILA.
The Samoan Island Reported Occu
pied by the Americans.

AUCKLAND, n. e., May S.-A steamer
has arrived here from Samoa bringing ad-
vices to the effect that the American flag
has been hoisted over the Island OF Tu-
tuila. which fell to the United States in
the division of the group by the powers
signatory to the Berlin Treaty. The event
was marked by great native reioicings
and the chiefs formally handed over the
island 10 the Americans.
The people of Manuas want to cede their
island to the United States. and have asked
the Americans to hoist their flag there.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-09
Io,yn,s Sterling Democracy.

TFIUIII INT FHIVdSV VHTUHTCIC.J
In no State of the Union has any party pur.
sued a course more determined consistent, and
faithful in all things than that which the Dem
ocrats OF Iowa lave followed In victory and in
deicat-thOugh in many years their victories
have been few.-they have kept the unadulteratsd
Democratic faith. There has been no wavering
nor shadow OF turning in the steady lines which
the Democrats of Iowa have observed throughout
the political history Of the State Conserva-
tive when conservatism needed, progressive
when new departures required by the de-
mands of the times, patriotic dlways-this is
their record.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-09
Violating the smoke Law.

To the Editor of The Times:
Is the smoke nuisance law dead letter? Il.
vould seem SO from the conditions that exist
daily in the vicinity OF Fourteenth and + Streets
From about p. III. on Sunday till nearly Il
o'clock the chimney at Wizards Hotel belched
forth the vilest Of black smoke filling the neigh
horhood witt, SCOT and cinders. Again the greater
art of today the same conditions exist II the
law governing this nuisance is unconstitutional
why not repenl t2 Ii it is all right. why can
it not be enforced? w.
WASHING tpn Nav T.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-09
Cannot Deceive the waters.



Republican newspapers which assert that III,
Porto Rican question will have sunk out OF sigh
before the election comes oil are performing ibt
ostrich act the mere resort TO which is an evil
dence CT fear In this campaign Of 1900 Ohio
evasions and Philadelphia ''timidi,y' will no,
avail to deceive the voter. There never was d
time in our history when he was, map ana con
situtions in hand so intently studying the RICH,
and wrong OF things
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-09
TAYLOR AGAIN IN WASHINGTON
The Kentucky Gubernntorinl Chi i'm
mt Arrives From Indianapolis.

mt Arrives From Indianapolis.
w. S. Taylor. Republican claimant for
the governorship of Kentucky, arrived in
Washington yesterday afternoon. He went
directly from the railroad station to the
Raleigh. where he registered and was as
signed to a room. He repeatedly declined
to see reporters during the evening. He
came directly to Washington from Indian
apolis, where he spent Monday.
While there he was in consultation with
the Attorney General CT Indiana regarding
the authority of the Governor of that State
to refuse~io honor acquisitions. Governor
Mount is said to have assured Taylor that
no acquisitions from Governor Beckham
would be recognized until all the questions
involved in the Kentucky gubernatorial
controversy had been settled by the Su-
preme Court of the United States.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-09
And There Are Others.

(From the Birmingham Age Iieraid.)
Mr.. Quay rises to remark that he is still in
politics. So Mr.. Ingalls, thought, and 50
no doubt our own Governor Johnston thinkS
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-09
PoLITICALIN0TEs AND GOSSIP.
Canal Dill Tied up.-No nroeress

Canal Dill Tied Up.-No progress was
made yesterday with the Nicaragua Canal
bill. Senator Morgan is still buoyed UP
by his delightful optimism. despite the at
titude Of stubborn resistance assumed ty
Senator Hanna. the Administration S rep
.esentative on the fnter-Oceanic Canals
Committee. Mr.. Hanna has bluntly in
formed Mr.. Morgan that all canal legsla-
ton must wait on the Hay-Pauncefote
Treaty. 1t is not considered at all likely
that the Senate will take definite action
on the treaty at this session. Hence, the
conclusion seems inevitable that the Hep
burn bill will linger in the Senate along
with the Hay Pauncefote Treaty until the
Presidential election is over. Senator Nor
gan and other optimistic advocates NJ the
canal enterprise insist that the bill VIII
be reported favorably by the committee,
but even this is seriously doubted by Vari-
Gus members of the Senate who are not
particularly committed to either side oil
the waterway question. If the bill Should
be reported by the committee it is thought
Senator Morgan could manage to get
test vote on the measure if he would press
his advantage with the view of develop
ing beyond peradventure the Administra-
tons exact position on the canal question
in its relations to the tranScontinental
railroad interests that are known to be
opposed to it, and at the same time TINS
vote would expose the Administration
understanding with Great Britain. 1t Is
strongly believed that the Hay-Paunce-
fote convention is only link in the chain
being secretly welded By the Adminstra-
ton to bind this country up with England
in international relations the world over,
and for that very reason the Republican
leaders cannot afford to have test vote
taken on the canal proposition. The cam
paign is too near at hand for the Admins
tration to risk the dangers that would
ensue from such an exposure. Then. TOO
the Hanna Payne ship subsidy scheme,
upon the success of which it is suspected
d large contribution to the campaign. fund
depends. has been pushed ahead of the
canal enterprise by the shrewd manipuia-
ton of the Republican managers in both
the House and Senate. and until Congress
concludes to permit that legislation TO go
through it is not considered at all likely
that the Hannaites will consent to the
canal enterprise being brought to the fore.
And SO it is confidently expected that
Senator Morgan soon will discover that
something more than optimism on his part
is essential to the success of the Hepburn
bill.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-09

Peck Against Otjen.-The Hon. Theo-
dore Often, who now represents the Mil
waukee district in Congress. will have to
struggle for reelection against the com
bnation of humor. craft. and wide polit-
ical experience in the Hon. George w.
Peck, whose nomination by the Democrats
is assured. Governor Peck is considered
the strongest Democrat in Wisconsin, and
though he attained fame as a humorist
before he essayed craftsmanship his po-
ltical opponents have always found him a
very serious proposition &c deal with. The
district is one of the closest in the West.
Mr.. Often was elected two years ago by a
plurality of less thar 200, and If the OPP
position had been united he would have
been defeated by more than a thousand.
Il is said that Governor Peck will have
the solid support of all of the elements
opposed to Republicanism. including the
PoDulist and Socialist, both of which ele-
ments are pretty strong in milwaukee,
With this combination at his back. added
to his great personal popularity and the
disaffection among the German Repub-
licans. it is believed the father of "Pecks
Bad Boy will be able to lay low the
naughty and eXultant Often.
The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-09
/. Projected confcrence.-vague and

Projected COnfcrencc.-Vague and
various rumors continue to reach Washing
ton concerning a projected conference in
New York, at which it is intended to out
line a programme of obstruction to the
will of the majority at the Democratic Ma
tional Convention. This story is that the
conference will be participated in by W. Z.
Whitney, Daniel S. Lamont, David b. Hill.
and numerous other Statesmen OF that ilk.
who bloviated much four years ago about
their intention to control the Chicago Con-
vention. which nominated Bryan and put
16 to / in the plat form. 1t is said that one
of the most interesting, il not instructive,
features of the conference will be letter
from Grover Cleveland. telling the breth-
rem how to proceed so as to force conces-
sion at Kansas City from the Western and
Southern elements on the financial question
in the platform. The alleged plan is not to
antagonize the denomination of Bryan, but
merely to write the platform on which
Bryan is to make the race. Just where or
when the proposed conference will be held
are not vouchsafed by those who claim to
know all about it. 1t is limited. however.
that Brooklyn will be the site and about
the 25th of May the date. The return of
the puissant Richard Croker is scheduled
for the Goth. and 1t Is presumed that the
conference has been so timed as to permit
his attendance. 1t is recalled that when
Croker declared for Bryan nearly year
ago he did not commit himself In favor OF
the reafIirmation of the Chicago platform.
and hence it is believed that he can be in
dured to join In the effort Of the deiuded
New Workers. to devise some means by
which to force Bryan on platform made
by the Eastern boilers. II Is believed by
the advocates of the reafhrmation of the
Chicago platform in Washington that If
the gold element should be able to develop
sufficient strength to hamper the Will of
the dominant element at Kansas City in
July the Credentials Committee would see
to it that every free silver contesting dele
CATION was seated over the claims OF the
monometallist delegations. 1t is said that
in New York, Maryland, New Jersey. and
other States, where there is danger OF the
gold men controlling the delegations the
free silver men will elect their own dele
cations with the view of checkmating
through the favor of the Credentials Com
mittee whatever scheme of opposition or
obstruction may be devised by the forth
cop,inp conference in New York.