davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Gilpin observer., 1900-03-08
Railroad workmen In Peril.

Brazil. Ind. March ca miners
train carrying 400 workmen employed
at the mines north Of here to their
homes in this city, was run into by n
local freight train on the g. II |. at q
this evening and the caboosc and two
cars were shattered. Melvin Ester
ana Charles Cropey Were instantly
Killed and more than forty persons
were severely wounded, several of
whom will die.
Gilpin observer., 1900-03-08

A Delaware woman who went away
with another man while her husband
was out doing the milking left note
saying: Dear John-I have gone away
with the man l Loves and we will live
happy. Don't hunt for u.s." But Johr
is hunting for them with gun, prob
ably to prove that she was wrong for
once. Some men take such a mean
delight in robbing women of innocent
peace.
Gilpin observer., 1900-03-08

In addition to the known wealth of
the Philippine islands 1t is pointed out
in u monograph Just published in Ger
many that they are among the few
places on earth where the trees from
which gutta-percha Is procured will
flourish. This material is lndlspensa-
BILE for covering submarine cables and
electric wires and for many other uses,
says the Army and Navy Journal. No
substitute has been found. and the sup
ply drawn from Sumatra and Borneo
is almost entirely exhausted through
the wasteful methods employed In
gathering 1t.
Gilpin observer., 1900-03-08
Army of Boer. I. Les. Than 1000.

Berlin March l.-'rhc Post asserts.
ON the authority OF n private letter
from the Transvaal received nt Ham
burg. that the Bocr republics. January
18th. had issued altogether IG5OO lden-
tiiication cards to Beers In the field.
The writer of the letter claims that
these figures represented the total fed
eral forces ut that time.
Gilpin observer., 1900-03-08

first English general who has earned
promotion in South Africa Is French.
Gilpin observer., 1900-03-08

Old man Joubert is adhering tena-
ciously to his promise to fight ito the
last ditch, the last gun and the last
man"
Gilpin observer., 1900-03-08

Nearly 100000 valentines passed
through the Chicago postoffice this
year, and yet Chicago has been called
city with no sentiment above corned
beef.
Gilpin observer., 1900-03-08
CONDITION AT LADYSMiTH.
Garrison and City Had Suffered Terribly
From Famine and Disease.

FRO" Fhmtne anu DsehSes
London, March 2.-Colonel Rhodes,
the brother of Cecil Rhodes, describing
in the Times the entry into I-adysmith
of Lord Dundopald and 300 men of
the Imperial light Horse and Natal
Carbineers. February 2Sth, says:
General White and his staff met the
troops in the center of the town. He
was cheercd with heartfelt enthusiasm.
He addressed the civilians and thanked
them and the garrison for their mag
niticcnt support through trials which
we alone can realize. We could pos
Sibly have hung on for six weeks lon
ger, but the privations would have
been great and sickness and the pau
city of our ammunition would have
limited the number of assaults we
would have been able to resist. We
started the siege with l2,OD troops.
1000 civilians and 1900 natives Be
tween casualties and sickness 5000
soldiers passed through the hospital
1t is impossible to over emphasize the
privntions OF me sick. Since the middle
of January II man once down was prac-
tiCally lost. The reduced rltionS of
the soldiers Just Sutliccd for their sub
sistcnce. Daily thirty old horses and
mules were slaughtered and We're con
vertcd into soup ana snusngcs. From
January 10Th To now there have been
over 2OO deaths from disease alone
The last fortnight saw the majority of
the field batteries unhorsed and the
guns permanently posted in our do
fenscs. The cavalry and drivers We're
converted into infantry and sent to the
trenches. \ line of dcfcnscg had been
constructed with the view of II posi-
blc final contingency. II the outer
works should he carried.
General Bullors casualties among
his officers during the lighting of Feb
run"y 27th were: Killed, Colonel
D'Lcary of the I.ancashircs: Major
Lewis. Captain Sykes and Lieutenant
simpson of the Scots fusllicrs: Lieu
tenant Morilycnn of the Warwickshircs
aud Lieutenant DAILY of the Irish Fu.
silicrS.
Wounded General Barton. Colonel
Carr of the Scots FuSiliers. and TWEEN.
ty-thrcc others.
| Lone Robbcr Holds up Stage In California
cnliStogn. cal. March 3.-Thc Calls.
togn and Clear Lake stage was held
up to-day by lone highwayman on
Mount 81. Helena. six miles from this
city. The robbcr secured $50 In cash
aud Wclls-Fargo n CO.'S express box,
| which Is said to have contained little
of value. The stage contained four
passcngprs. three women and one man.
| nn Italian gardener, who contributed
| the Sl.JO. The ladies were not molcst-
ed. officers with II bloodhound are Oh
| the track of the bandit.
New-York tribune., 1900-04-05
THE BIDS KEPT SECRET.
ATTORNEY GENERALS ACTION ON PUB
Lie BUILDING CONTRACTS
CRITICISED.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. !

Washington, April 3-The innovation made by the
Attorney-General in the method of contracting for
certain public buildings under his direction is caus
ing such dissatisfaction among builders and ma
te-ial supply as may lead to disagreeable de-
Veiopments In Congress. II has been the
uniform practice of all departments of the
Government to secure the widest wholesale COM
petition for the erection of National structures and
to encourage publicity in all such matters. Under
the statutes public advertisement is required for
many contracts. bids opened in public and all
senblance of concealment is scrupulously avoided
In the Army and Navy particularly the officials
are careful to dspe. any impression Of favoritism
by hiding absolutely nothing. For batteships
projecties. barracks. fortifcations any other
essential work advertisements published
by the War and Navy departments for at
least a month plans and specifications are given
or loaned TO every responsible applicant, bids are
canvassed in public, and the freest possible compet-
ton is encouraged. Under such circumstances
scandals are exceedingly
The Attorney-General received bids last week for
the erection Of a Federal prison to cost about
N'0C0,0Oo at Atlanta. Six firms had been privately
invited to bid this large contract. no adver-
tsement having been issued and general COM
petition permitted The bids still regarded as
official secrets. all Information regarding them
until the final award is made IL will be impossible
to learn whether all the proposals were excessive
ton and what influences are operating in the in
terest Of certain contractors.
1t is said to-day that the contracts for the new
s1cc0o Department of Justice Building, which by
the action of Congress is TO be erected under the
direction Of the Attorney General. to be made
in similar manner. According TO this information
which is Of undoubted trustworthiness: the archi-
OF the building, George B. Post of New-York.
whose design won in the competition of arcn-
tects March % sent copies of the plans and
specifications ten builders selected for the char
of their work by whom IL does not appear,
calling for bids to be submitted on April r. The
question is raised by local contractors whether II
viii be possible for builders TO make careful es-
mates on million dollar in the unusually
brief period of two weeks and whether the speci-
dcations actually called for competition on the
building as required by the statutes.
New-York tribune., 1900-04-05
OUTSIDE THE CONSTITUTION
STATUS OF NEW POSSESSIONS DEFINED
BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

Washington April 4-Solcitor- General Rich
ards, of the Department of Justice, has filed
a brief in the Supreme Court which fixes the
attitude of this Government the question OF
whether the Constitution extends TO the new
possessions Of the United States. The Depart
ment OF Justice says 1t does not without act of
Congress.
The case is that of Ramon Baez a native born
inhabitant OF Puerto Rico who applies for
leave to file petition for writs of habeas corpus
and certiorari, his release from fur
ther Imprisonment, under a judgment of the
United States provisional court Of Puerto Rico
sentencing him to two months imprisonment
for Illegal voting at a municipal election held
under the military order. The prayer is that
the writ of habeas corpus be directed to Samuel
c. Boutwell, marshal of the provisional court
at Humacoa, Puerto Rico commanding him to
produce Baez before the Supreme Court, and
that the writ of certora-i issue to the Provi-
sioEal Court Of Puerto Rico commanding it to
forward to the Court transcript of its pro-
ceedings in this case
After reviewing the the Solicitor General
makes the following argument:
Is this military court and its trooper marshal
within the territorial Jurisdiction Of this court?
Both are in Puerto Rico. While that island has
been ceded 10 the United States, Congress has
as yet taken no action toward organizing the
territory or applying TO II the Constitution and
the laws Of the United States The island has
been acquired under the power conferred by the
Constitution on the Government of the Union
making war and making treaties (Marshan.
z. j., in insurance company against Canter. l
Peters. 511 DAD. The ultimate disposition and
government of territory thus acquired rests with
Congress under the power granted ito dispose
of and make all needful rules and regulations
respecting the territory other property be-
longing to the United States. (Article ", Sec
ton 81
Congress has not yet acted The President is
therefore still in control, acting through the
War Department. The occupation is a military
occupation. The so-called courts are the mere
agencies of the military power. Everything is
provisional and temporary The Department
of Justice of the United States is not in opera
tion in Puerto Rico. The Court has juris
dictiOn of the case presented
New-York tribune., 1900-04-05
SWEEPING NAVAL INQUIRY.
CALLED FOR BY THE CHANDLER
RESOLUTION

Washington. April tSpeciaD-The officials OF
the Navy Department are wondering what Sem
ator Chandler expects 10 develop from the sweep
ing resolution OF inquiry which adopted BY
the Senate yesterday on his notion and which. IN
stead OF the customary form OF requesting infor-
nation peremptoriIy directs the Secretary OF the
Navy to transmit practicable "a state
nent showing tabular form the condition
March 81. 1850. OF the various navy yards and sta
tions embracing items each yard and sta
ton as follows. The number OF commissioned off,
GERS on duty. the number OF fOrsmen and leading
men other than WOrkmen, the number OF work
men. the amount OF wages. according 10 the pay
roll other vouchers. for either the week. fort
night month preceding. and the number OF ves-
sells at the yard undergoing repairs; and. in addi-
ton, separate list OF the names OF all the ships
the yard station within the harbor with
memorandum to each showing its condition,
whether undergoing awaiting repairs. or in COM
mission out OF commission. or about TO go into
commission out OF commission, laid up for
any other purpose than repairs
IL is complained that this resolution IS
prehensive that the limited clerical force or the De-
parument. which is already OverWOrked. will have
TO be diverted from important and pressing rou-
tine business 10 cCllate statistics which hardly
prove of practical public value, but which Sem
Chandler with his well known familiarity
possible dispense with. II il is desired 20 show
the Senate what enormous amount Of work is
being done AT navy yards. with a view 20 fore
Stalling any LABOR increases Just prior 20 a Ma
fcials atisfed that viii be found TO
assail these facts which generally well known
Senator Chandler made no explanation Whatever
TO the Senate OF his purpose in making the IN
mir
New-York tribune., 1900-04-05
ARMY AND NAVY ORDERS.

Washington. April 4-The following Army and
Navy orders have been issued:
ARMY
Major HAMILTON s. WALLACE, paynaster. will pay
the troops Washington Barracks 10 March 81
Major WEBSTER vINSON. paymaster. will pay the
troops at Fort Myer March 81.
Captain LORENZO P. DAWSON, 5th Infantry; in this
city viii proceed to Fort Sheridan and join his COM
Captain EAT0M ERw4RRs 6 2 Besn5y % .. w in 6ePS5s 3Ss
city, for examination by the Board.
The following assignments regiments of officers
are announced;
" ssdo58 Lga enenaa 6 Il aTa to ts "a cavalPg
Troop l. vice Wallace deceased.
" ec65d eenaa "a &s 70 hs esh
auarfeTmaster.
The following transfers are made:
First Lieutenant JOHN WADE from, the 9Th Cavalry
the % Gayairy Troop l. First Lieutenant @ a., E1yiN @
airy Troop A Lieutenant Heberg will join hts troop.
The et;Tesnt from active W ssgee of Maj0T
The following changes of officers OF the Medical
Department are ordered:
I4eutenan-coloneI CALVIN DE WITT deputy surgeon
general relieved from further duty chief surgeon
Y5ri f'T and report for further orders
Ma19r yLEY HAxARR h 2e6 sen is 1sfa Of T1
report fer duty as chef surgeon
Maqr Mai11 i N @ :, chief irgeon pepartent Of Havana
and VIII proceed Santiago and report for duty as
chief
Acting Assistant Surgeon THOMAS ". JACKSON is re
lieved further duty at Pinar del Rio Barracks
ana viii proceed NewYork and report for further
First Lieutenant BENJAMIN J. EDGER, Jr. assistant
surgeon IS further duty the Military
Academy viii proceed 10 San Francisco and
report for duty.
First Lieutenant MORRIS E. LOCKE. Puerto Rican Regi-
uent recently appointed will proceed to Governor
Island and report for further orders.
NAVY.
Commander F. COURTS detached from command Of
Essex. april 10. ordered home TO await orders.
Commander r. G DAVENPORT, detached from Hydro
g-aphic Of1ce. Navy Department Washington, April
Is command cf Essex.
Passed Assistant Surgeon \. y. CARPENTER, commits
passed from october "a 1890
l8ustcn yardJ
Surgeon JOHN F URIE. commissioned from Oc-
%. 1888 dolphin
Passed Assistant Surgeon NJ. WHEELER. commits
ned passed assistant surgeon from May u, 1888
fVermonr)
Passed Assistant Surgeon T. L. PLEA DWELL. commits
passed assistant from October u 1888
Bureau Medicine and Surgery
Pay Inspector J. R STANTON. commissioned pay in
sp-ctor January ~ 1900.
Captain W MAYNARD commissioned captain from March
.. 1900 Second Lighthouse Dlstrict)
Second Lieutenant THOMAS H. BROWN I. s ST. @.
appointed
Major c. A DOYEN. L $. n. c. commissioned major
from January 81. 1900.
Second Lieutenant WILLIAM H. PRITCHETT, L S.
~ Q. appointed
New-York tribune., 1900-04-05
BTNCM NOT YET CONFIRMED.
FREE SILVER SENATORS KEEPING Up THEIR
FIGHT AGAINST HIM

Washington April 4-The Senate held an execu-
tive session to-day devoted 10 the consideration of
the nomination Of ". D. Bynum for the office OF
Appraiser Of Merchandise at New-York. Senator
Fairbanks made strenuous efforts TO secure con-
frmation but the opposition pleaded for time TO
allow further consideration of the nomination. The
statement made that Bynum was opposed by
all the Democratic, Silver Republicans and Popu-
list Senators, and the arguments in opposition
which have heretofore been made were repeated.
The Democrats charged again that the selection
was contrary TO the spirit of the law providing
for the distribution Of the members Of the Board
of Appraisers among the different parties and said
that If the President desired TO take care of Mr.
Bynum ne should be appointed to office a Re
publican. the President having many such places
al his disposal They charged that before recelv,
ing his nomination Democrat Mr.. Bynum nad
been a candidate for appointment on the RepubH-
side of the Board.
AIr Fairbanks defended Mr.. Bynum warmly. He
contended that Mr.. Bynum q Democrat, in
proof of which he said BynUm had voted the
Democratic ticket in the municipal campaign in
Indianapolis last summer The question was post
poned until tomorrow. the Senate deciding by
vote of % TO % to open the doors and return 10
regular legisla tive work.
New-York tribune., 1900-04-05

Mr. GalIinser should speak on the resolution -
that time.
MR.. LODGE ACCEPTS THE OLIVE BRANCH
Mr. Lodge made few remarks. and the incident
closed pleasantly. He began by saying that at
O'Clock he would take up the Spooner
Philippine bill. but said that he would not do
that with any view OF obstructing consideration OF
the Quay resolution. He only desired that the
Philippine matter should have the position on the
ca alenaar TO which il entitled
Referring TO the incident Of yesterday Ar Lodge
said that no explanation from Mr.. Wolcott was
necessary 20 assure him that Mr. Wolcott had
marks Of yesterday As for himself. whatever ne
had said in the heat Of conroversy wnicn ssen~ me-
sent agreement OF 70 indicate an opinion p as ,nse
anv other Senator desired 70 break tnat asrse-
ment had been uttered uniutentionaly. he vas
convinced that there was a general desiIe 20 lxs
up TO the agreement and was quite sure tnat SUCH
At Mr. Carers request the Alaskan Code bill
Mr. Morgan made an effort to have a day set ror
Ing that he had !, call TO be absent from Wash
ington fer several days. and did not want 20 savs
the city until day. however distant eouid De h1eo
for taking UP the canal question ..
Mr. Mason objected, saying thar ne r5Vorel snS
canal bin. but did not want the time determined
until the fate OF the Hay-Pauncefote treaty vas
ally would want the canal ar all II il TO De
constructed under the terms Of the treaty
Mr.. Morgan's request. and the consideration Of The
A1ask,as % o was res5I.,e s On ne re 7 rcI,,sson ~
alien miners from the mines OF Alaska Mr. Hans
complaining OF the mining regulations or the Ca
madam Government unjust and oppressive. The
writer said that he had addressed letter 10 Sec
retary Hay deEounCing the Canadian retroactive
law highway robbery
Mr. Platt OF Connecticut. suggested careful IN
quiry into the Canadian laws before taking action
the Hansbrough amendment, saying that -
ITALIA ton the part OF Canada might follow
Action the amendment was postponed.
At o'clock Mr.. Lodge moved that the Spooner
Philippine bill be made the unfinished business
This motion agreed and the Philippine
measure was then temporarily laid aside in order
TO permit consideration OF the Alaskan bill 70 con-
tnue.
Mr.. Berry suggested an amendment providing for
the opening mining and prospecting Of the sixty
feet Of land along the PehrinE Sea coast reserved
under the law for roadway.
Pending action II eighty-One pension bills We're
passed. pensions OF $50 a month being granted TO
the widows OF Rear Admirals Calhoun and Meade,
Commodore Inch and Colonel Lyster
The Senate then adjourned
New-York tribune., 1900-04-05
TAFT CONFERS WITH ROOT.

FINAL INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN TO THE PHIL
IPPINE COMMISSION.
Washington, April 4-Judge Taft. president
of the Philippine Commission. had long con-
ference with Secretary Root at the War De-
partment to-day and received the final nstruc-
tons to the Commission. The preparation of
these instructions occupied the time and atten
ton Of Secretary Root nearly the entire day.
The necessity for haste was due to the fact
that Judge Taft obliged TO leave Washing
ton this afternoon in order TO complete some
business in Chicago in time TO accompany the
other members Of the Commission from San
Francisco on the transport Hancock on April
10. If 1t becomes necessary to modify or add
TO the instructions to the Commission the
changes will be forwarded by mail or telegraph.
If necessary, to Judge Taft, a. San Francisco.
Secretary Root says that the instructions will
not be made public until after they have been
finally submitted 10 the Commission in COM
plete form.
New-York tribune., 1900-04-05
RELIEF FOR SUFFERERS IN INDIA.
A NAVAL VESSEL AVAILABLE FOR CARRYING
SUPPLIES.

Washington, April 4-The Controller Of the Treas
ury has received from the Secretary OF the Navy
comuluniCa ton addressed the Navy Department
by the Rev. DR.. T De Witt TaImage. requesting
information whether the Navy Department is au-
thorlzed to transport contributions for the relief
of the suffering poor in India under the act Of
Congress approved April T. 1887 and amended on
June l. 1887 DR. Tamage has taken personal in
terest in this matter. and conferred with the Con-
troler Of ne Treasury whether the appropria-
ton then made Is available, the naval officials
having decided that they unaware OF the avail
ability
The Controller says ,hat the resolutions fix no
limit OF time within which the object provided for
shall be- executed. and the appropriation is not
made specifically for the service of any particular
fiscal year. If, therefore. the famine existing in
India April, 1881 is still IN existence. and the
the appropra ion is still available. If, however the
famine then existing has in the mean time ceased
the appropria ton is not available He also thinks
that If the provisions made in the acts have been
complied with the authority granted by the bill
mas been exhausted and the appropriation IS no
Nj Taimage informs the Controller that the
famine in IEdia in 1897 has continued and still
exists and that only of the two vessels pro-
vded for in the bill has been employed in carry
ing out the object OF the resolution Under this
Department IS authorized now 10 employ second
vessel to carry the object provided for, and
that the amount of the appropriation manning
unexpendod Is available for the purpose
New-York tribune., 1900-04-05
ference 80 - iiOusc OF III coh-
JORGE CRUZ ALLOWED To LAND
ohpER OF SECRETARY GAGE IN THE CASE
OF THE IMMIGRANT FROM PUERTO RICO

"dshington, April 4-Secretary Gage to-day
passed upon the case of Jorge Cruz a native of
Fuerto Rico, who detained at Ellis Island
Ne"- ork and ordered deported, on the charge
that ne had violated the contract labor laws In
'iiS telegram to the Commissioner of immigration
aC ork, Secretary Gage said:
- fou Will allow Jorge Cruz TO land the Depart
reserVing the right TO deport him at any time
asaLnsI the person : or corporation assisting en-
Gouraglng or soliciting him TO come under contract
~ appears that Cruz came without knowledge that
, le was N violation OF the law. IL he be here in
was brought here to make a moot case and not
IN good faith, a contract aborer. This being
an isolated case, public interests are not affected
Ly allowing him TO land subject further deporta-
change the present status. The Department prefers
10 test the question by bringing suit 10 recover
penalty imposed by law upon the person who
brought Cruz into this country under contract The
matter will be referred 10 the Department of Jus
ice with request take such action in this direc-
uon as the case may justify.
Cruz was recently brought TO this country test,
II is said. the question whether a citizen of
Puerto Rico is a citizen of the United States. A
contract TO work trucknan for a New-York con-
cern was signed by Cruz in San Juan When he
arrived here a representative of organized labor
protested against his admission under the contract
labor law, and Commissioner OF immigration
tltchle after a hearing by the Special Board OF
Inquiry. ordered Cruz be deported.
In accordance with the plan arranged. ex-Judge
Abram J. Dittenhoefer. counsel in the case,
cured yesterday from Judge Lacombe. Of the
United States Circuit Court writs of habeas corpus
and certiorarI in the This TO be the
first step toward bringing the ultimately
before the United States Supreme Court.
New-York tribune., 1900-04-05
Government House, Agana, Guam.
NOuINATI0Ns BY. THE PRESIDENT.

Washington, April 4.-The President sent the fol-
lowing nominations 10 the Senate to-day:
For appointment In the Volunteer rmy-squadron Philip
pine Cavalry. o major. First Lieutenant NJ. A
BATSON 4th cavalry. L. :. A
To be assistant surgeon. OF eaptain-MAX
WELL. $. SIMPSON. OF New-Jersey acting assistant
L s A
To be captains-F1rst Lieutenant J. c CASTEER, An
Infantry [. 5. A; First Lieutenant WILLIAM {.
CIEIGER 14th Infantry L = A, Second Lieutenant
JAMES y MUNROE 4th Cavalry. L. ). A, First
Lieutenant F. II. CAMERON Jr.9 3%th Infantry,
L. s V.
To be rrst eutenants-seco Lieutenant D. H BIDDIE
3Cth Infantry. : V. Second Lieutenant ID. P
QUINI4AN 11th Cavalry, [. $ v; Corporal JAMES
CONWAY. Troop l. Cavalry T. :. A; CLAIR
ENCE 9. CULVER, Of Nebraska
n,svy-Captain sII.As " TERRY be admiral.