Nebraska Newspapers

    Semi
Weekly
SHAMED
1
THE NEWS. Establsbed N6v.5.189l. 'consolidated Jan. 1 1895
TUE Mb BALD. Established April 10. IS64. ( LOnsoiiaated Jan. 1.1895.
PLATTSMOUTH, NEB.. SEPTEMBER 7, 1900.
VOL. IX, NO. 86.
LOOTING THETREASDRY
Eold Work of Fusion Officials in the Sol
dier's Home at Grand Island.
THE COMMANDANT AND PHYSICIAN
la Charge Iadalge la Blgh-Banded Act
Inside Light on the Dissipation of
the Oras; and Other Fonda A Chain
of Scandals.
GRAND ISLAND. Neb., August 27.
The Soldiers' Home at Grand Island
adds another long chapter to the his
tory of gross mismanagement of the
state Institutions" under the Poynter
administration.
It is a story of fraud, debauchery,
criminal negligence, abuse of the in
mates and kindred offenses, in which
high officials at the Home are direct
ly involved.
The commandant of the Home is L.
A. Beltier. In hta efforts to replenish
his exchequer he has permitted no
opportunity to escape. Beltrer is as
soclitted with his son In the publlca-
tion of a weekly fusion paper known
- as the Polk County Independent. As
a result of this, nearly all the job
printing for the institution is done by
the Beltzers, for which they have
charged their own prices and drawn
hundreds of dollars from the state
treasury. In many instances the state
has paid money to the Beltzers on bills
that have not been receipted, and, 90
far as this evidence is concerned, there ,
is nothing to show that they have
ever been paid, aside from the fact
that the warrant record shows that
warrants have been issued on the state
treasury by the auditor. In many in
stances, too, claims have been allowed
the commandant and the physician in
charge, without any bill being ren
dered. Voucher B42182 is a voucher
drawn in favor of Dr. Swigart, the
- physician rn charge at the Home in
payment for a $7 truss which he
claimed to have purchased, but no
bill from the dealer showing that it
had been purchased has ever been
filed or presented.
In the last year the Beltzers have
drawn upwards of $500 for printing
material furnished the Home, most of
which has been paid out of the fund
appropriated for "express, telephone
and supplies" (see voucher B33342,
B33343, B34913, B34914. B36376, B36377,
B37532. B40297, B42186. B42598. B43446,
B44329. B44915, B45654, B46425.B47050.)
The Library fund has also been at
tacked by the Beltzers and some of
that fund has been diverted to the
cash drawer of the Polk County In
dependent. In all, about $20 was tak
en from this fund (see vouchers
B34916, B43445. and B47049).
The Beltzers not only conduct a
newspaper plant, but they also own
and conduct a nursery. It is charged
that the Star nursery, the one owned
-y Commandant Beltzer, supplied the
trees that were planted on the grounds
';of the Home last spring, thus provld-
ing the Industrious commandant with
another route to the treasury. In no
Instance has the state entered into a
contract with Beltzer for printing or
for nursery stock. He has had no
competition, no bids being asked for,
and the result Is that he has charged
the state outrageous prices.
One claim rendered shows that he
charged the state $18.75 for 5,000 en
velopes (of poor material), or at the
frate of $3.75 per thousand, a price
fully 35 per cent higher than is
charged by almost any other printing
office in the state to regular custom
ers. The same claim calls for $7.50
for 2,000 letter-heads (of an inferior
quality of paper), or at the rate of
$3.75 per thousand, a price 30 per cent
above the average charge.
Voucher B34914 for $37 was drawn in
- -r favor of Commandant Beltzer in pay
ment of a claim for printing itemized
as follows:
1,000 Morning Report Blanks $ 4.25
5,000 Envelopes (cheap quality). 1S.73
2,000 Pass Blanks 5.00
200 Commandent Reply Blanks 1.50
2,000 Letter-Heads (Inferior qual
ity) 7.50
In this Instance no bill was ever
rendered and none is attached to the
voucher on file. In fact there is no
evidence, beyond Commandant Belt
zer's naked statement, that the ma
terial was ever delivered.
Nor la Commandant Beltzer content
ed with drawing $1,500, furnishing
printed material at excessive prices
and unloading inferior stock from his
nursery upon the state. He has gone
farther, and has succeeded in placing
the name of his 19-year-old son. C. K.
Beltzer, on the payroll as hospital
steward at $30 per month and board,
-lodging and washing.
" SERIOUS CHARGES.
The official most under the ban of
suspicion at the Home Is the physi
cian In charge. Dr. H. M. Swlgart. His
record at the Home, as told by the in
mates and by documentary evidence, is,
to say the least, a shameful one. Apart
from dissipation and culpable neglect.
It Is charged that he is incompetent,
and, what Is equally as bad, that he
- - has played fast and loose with the
funds allotted to his department. Dr
Swlgart has been in office a little over
a year, and yet he has already ex
hausted the $1,500 appropriated for
drugs and Instruments, and bills of
this character are now being paid out
of other funds. The drug fund was
exhausted May 18th, or in less than
ten months after Dr. Swlgart took
charge. .
DR. SADLER TALKS.
Dr. Sadler, who is a fuslonist -and
who was physician in charge at the
Home for four years preceding Dr.
Swlgart, when asked to explain the
cause of the dissipation of the drug
fund by Dr. Swlgart said:
"There Is certainly something
crooked about it. I will guarantee to
run the department on $1,500 per year
for drugs and instruments'; and" have
$900 of that amount left over to put
In my pocket. I ran the Home four
years on $2,000, and I had money in
the fund and a large supply of drugs
on hand at the end of that time. When
Dr. Swlgart succeeded me I turned
over to him enough drugs to last the
Home for at least two months, and I
turned over the balance of money re
maining in the fund to the state. I
"ad $1,000 to run the Home two years,
" " jand, as I have said, at the end of the
two years I still had some of tbe
money left and a large surplus of
drugs. In ten months Dr. Swlgart has
used almost as much money for drugs
as I have used la four years, and that
In face of the fact that thare ha3 been
only a Blight increase in the number
of inmates "with practically no increase
In the number of hospital patients;
"Then, too, when I was at the Home,
the inmates got all their medicine
from me, wheieas I know of my own
personal knowledge that more than 30
per cent of the medicines now. used
at the Home are purchased ' down
town by the inmates themselves out
1-&lUdlUV.llLSl.VllC;AUUl4CT. A. 17 LULU,
is, on account of the amount of rned- I
ieines purchased in town at private
Mnr,CB tt.D i snn whtfh nr Kwiwrt
had at hlo rnmmand chmild liar Leon
more than sufficient to last the-two
years for which it was appropriated."
"How do you account for the short
age In the drug fund?".
"I will say frankly that I don't be
lieve that that amount of drucs was
ever delivered to the Homo. I believe
the state has been charged for drugs
It never received. It would be impos-
sile to use $1,500 In ten months for
drugs and instruments. Fully half the
amount has been diverted. There is
fraud somewhere, and that is all there
is to It.
"I know of my own personal know
ledge that Dr. Swlgart was absent
from the Home more than one-third
of the time in the last year. While
absent, his duties were attended to
by Dr. Kirby. Dr. Swlgart drew his
salary Just the same and Dr. Kirby
was paid well, if you ask him he
will probably tell but my opinion is
that he was paid out of the drug fund
and bills were rendered for drugs
never delivered, and the money paid
over to Dr. Kirby. I think this is
where a great deal of the dru? fund
went, and that this accounts for the
funds being exhausted."
DR. KIRBY EXPOSES THE DEAL.
By Inquiry it was ascertained that
Dr. Kirby had removed to Beatrice and
it was at the latter place that he was
Interviewed. When asked if he had
been paid for attending to Dr. Swi-
gart's duties at the Home while he
was away,-Dr. Kirby said: .
"Yes, I have been paid part of what
is due to me. Dr. Swigart was absent
during much of the last half of 1?99
and the early part of tffls year and I
attended to his duties during that time.
I usually made out my monthly bill
ana handed it to him and he would
go Into the drug store of Tucker &
Farnsworth and come out with the
money. He did this on eight or ten
different occasions. In all he paid me
in mis way ahout $600. I asked no
questions, but had a pretty strong
opinion how the deal was worked
This drug firm had the contniet at that
time for furnishing drugs to the Home
I still have $185 coming from the
Home for services rendered." . '
An investigation of the official ree
ords disclosed the fact that, for some
unaccountable reason, with the excep
tion of one-quarter, this same drug
firm (Farnsworth & Tucker) pr , l ad
the contract for supplying drills ever
since Dr. Swigart took charge. Dr
awigart has absolute charge of the
drug supplies, he orders what - he
pleases and he does his o .rn receiving
and checking. .No account h;ir; ; ben;
kept of drugs received at the Home ex
cept by him. Recently, as a result of
startling rumors. Commandant Beltz
er installed his son as Hospital Stew
ard, but, as he Is a young man with
no practical knowledge of medicines
or drugs, the change provides no safe
guard and amounts to nothing more
than an Increase In the income of the
Beltzer family of $30 per month.
NOT A FIT MAN. !
Dr. Sadler and Dr. Kirby both atrree
that Dr. Swlgart Is not a fit man .for
the position he occupies. Both felt
restrained by professional courtesy,
yet each was of the opinion that the
circumstances were such as to justify
an infraction of the established rule
among professional men.
Dr. Kirby said:
"Dr. Swigart is not a fit man Tor the
position. His professional knowledge
Is limited and he is addicted to the
use of liquor. He is not skilled, in
surgery nor has he much general
knowledge of diseases and medicines.
"I remember one instancewhere I
was called to attend an old soldier In
mate named Dye, whom he was attend
ing. On reaching the home I found Dye
great pain, and, upon examining him,
I discovered that in giving him an
enema a pile tumor had been punc
tured and (what would soon have
proven fatal) hemorrhage had result
ed. I upbraided him for the blunder
and he tried to evade responsibility by
saying that not he, but his brother,
did it. Dr. Swigart's brother was not
a doctor and the enormity of the
blunder was in no way lessened by
his attempt to shift the blame.
"An inmate named Henry Curtis was
taken down with small pox anl - Dr.
Swigart. when my attention was called,
was doctoring him for chicken pox. He
had Curtis in the same ward with
twenty other patients. I saw at a
glance that it was small pox and I
told Dr. Swlgart he should remove
Curtis at once to the pest house. ' He
said no; that it was simply chicken
pox. I told him if he did not remove
him at once that I would appeal to
the local authorities, get help. and do
it myself, as there was great danger
of the disease spreading to all of the
325 inmates. He then yielded and Is
olated Curtis. The poor fellow died
shortlv afterwards. I think, it was
about the latter part of May of this
year.
"Fortunately only one case resulted
from the exposure and I was called
and attended to that one and pulled
the fellow through.
"It is my professional opinion that
Dr. Swlgart is unfit for that or any
other position requiring any great
amount of knowledge of diseases,
medicines and anatoray."
It is a notorious fact, and it is the
talk about town, that a large amount
of liquor is bought, ostensibly for the
Home, but in reality for ' other pur
poses and reasons. It is charged that,
not only does Dr. Swlgart retire it
for personal use, but that he has sold
whiskey bought by the state to inmates
and made no report of the money.
One inmate has already made an affi
davit to the effect "that he purchased
whiskey at tha Home from Dr. Swi
aart and another that Dr. Swisart
refused to furnish liquor - on a pre
scription, but told him that any, time
he wanted to ouy whiskey to come
and see him. -Under the rule no one
is allowed to bring liquor Into the
Home from the outside except on the
written permission of the official phy
sician. This gives the physician in
charge a monopoly and it also affords
him an opportunity to enforce patron
age at the dispensary, an opportunity
evidently that has not Deen over
looked. FEASTING AT THE CRIB.
From the Commandant down, the
officials at the Home know a soft snap
when they see it. They are not over
looking anything. Those who have
relatives seem to take interest in hav
ing them live at the expense of the
state.
Commandant Beltzer Is there with
his wife and two sons. One of his
i
sons ,s on P? roll as hospital
sttLw",, , A. . A
John H. Powers is there as adjutant
t wh his W1I9, son and daughter.
Until recently the daughter had a
horse which she kept there at the
state's expense. His son is on the
pay-roll as farm hand at $17 per
! month. .
Dr. Swigart is there with his wife,
son and daughter, and, until recently,
hie brother and his wife. Both Swl
gart and Bertrer have private turn
outs at the state's expense. Dr. Swi
gart's brother has had his name on
pay roll In one capacity and another
until recently, when he was discharged
on account of brutality and dis
sipation. .
DISSIPATINGTHE FUNDS.
It would take an expert juggler to
keep track of the way the funds are
being juggled. Vouchers have been
drawn for drugs against the "main
tenance fund" (see Vouchers B47031,
and B45643), and repairs have been
paid for put of . the "fuel fund" see
Voucher B43946. The "telephone and
express" fund has been drawn on
heavily by the Beltzers for printing
material. The June salary voucher
of this year shows the payment of $25
to H. M. Swlgart as hospital steward,
though he is the regular salaried phy
sician (See Voucher B46725). There
is an abundanoe of other evidence of
this same character.'
SHAMEFUL TREATMENT OF IN
MATES.
Much complaint is made concerning
the mistreatment of the old soldier in
mates. One Instance is recited where
an inmate named J. T. Stewart sick
ened and died from a cancer in the
mouth. He was let go a whole year
without having his hair cut or his
beard trimmed, and during his sick
ness he was otherwise shamefully neg
lected by the physician and attend
ants. Finally, the old soldiers under
took to help him, and upon cutting
off his beard it was discovered that all
the flesh in the region of his neck and
chin was almost one solid mass of
maggots. One of Hie inmates counted
200
maggots which he removed from
the sick man's jaws and throat. This
same individual said that at one time
he was with Stewart continuously for
11 days and nights and that all that , ties to be thrown upon tbe market,
time Stewart neither received medicine ' Scores of business orders are already
nor medical attention. Dr. Swigart : recalled, a large number of manufac
was repeatedly requested to ' attend ; turing establishments have already
him, but Stewart, in a desperate effort
to conquer the dread malady, had
committed the unpardonable crime of
buying a bottle of some patent cancer
cure that had been recommended to
him by a friend, and Swlgart therefore
refused to minister to his wants. The
story of this man's suffering and neg
lect, as related by tbe inmates, is a
terrible one. Many other inmates
have been Tefused medical attention,
and the abuse has been carried to that
extent that more than 30 per cent of
the medicines used at the Home are
now being bought by the inmates out
of their private funds.
KILLING YOUNG STOCK.
For some reason, presumably to
make a better showing In the expense
account or to keep that account from
reaching enormous proportions, the
management is killing off young steers
and heifers for meat for tbe Home.
Those in position to know say that
this is false economy, as it will result
in the destruction of what was until
a short time ago a very nne and profit
able herd of cattle. Tbe old soldiers
say, however, that the young stock is
kiiled for toe officials only, and that
inmates have to put up. with sow
belly, bread and butter. This, they
sav, is their diet sick or well.
PET CONTRACTORS COLLAPSE.
The contract for constructing a new
hospital building at the Home was let
to Blake & Company of Lincoln for
$12,500. They are the pet contractors
of the State House ring, and in the
last two years they have been identi
fied with the construction of several
public buildings. At this point, after
absorbing much of the amount named
in the contract, they threw up the con
tract and their bondsmen are now
completing the building. At best It
will be a poor structure, as a large
quantity of second grade material has
been used and nearly all the .: wood
work is of inferior material., ..
L. W. Pomerene. another favorite
contractor of trie-State House ring.
who has had quite a monopoly of the
plumbing in new public buildings the
last two years, has cut off another
large slice of pie at . this place. His
vouchers call, for more, than $2,000,
bnt.if U stated that the work of set
ting the boilers and making the nec
essary changes and repairs, for which
he received over $2,100, could "have
been done profitably for 33 per. cent
lebs.- (See Voucher B43946.) . .,.
The 'superintendent 'of construction
of the new hospital is. J. iW.: Ember
son, a fusionlst earpenter from Lin
coln.. His knowledge, of. architecture
is limited and he has had little exper
ience with-brick-and stone work, yet
he is paid $5 per day and that,'Ttoo, out
of the money appropriated for the
cqnstruction . of -the building - proper.
Inmates of the Home say that he
spends much of his time playing cro
quet and-cards.,; Since October 1st,
1839 to .May 8th, 1900, be has drawn
out" of "this .fund $620. i 8e Vouchers
B37S25; B39178,rB40090. B40967, B42150,
B42654, B43077, B43491 and B43780.) .
The strange part of the whole mat
ter Is. tUat.not oneJ)lll has been aud
ited nor voucher made out at Grand
Island, wjiere . the material ' Is' being
delivered and the.'woTkla pelngdone.
All the auditing, all the checking and
figuring. has been, done at Lm coin. In
this respect "this in the , single excep
tion throughout' the state, and why it
is nobody : at Grand Island seems to
know, though some people . are doing
a great deal of abstract thinking. This
is scarcely less strange, however, than
the buildiDg of a barn costing $1,200
without advertising for bids, some
thing that was done here the last year.
ON STATE GROUNDS.
John F. Scott, a fuslonlst, enjoys
the distinction of being about the only
man in. Nebraska who has been set
up in business at the. state's expenses.
Scott, has a private store building,
owned by himself and situated on the
public grounds within 30 feet of tbe
main building, where he deals In to-
? diwo. cirars. cigarettes, xancy arocer- '
lea, pop, soda water, etc The building
was piped and furnished with radi-.
ators at the state's expense, and it is
lighted and heated now at the state's
!Ef itnrf 7ro ft.
DUiUUlCl IV! MOW a a aa aw - w - wa mv
supplies bought for tbe atate, and paysj
nothing for it. Scott has -been doing
business at this stand for about four)
- . . 1 1 . 1 dj I
years ana me state i yajiug m uu
aier.
One thing is strange about the bills
of expense of the members of the Vis
iting and Examining Board. Though
the distance traveled, the work done,
and the legitimate expense is the same
each time, not a single member in the
last two years has presented two bills
alike in amount. Each time the
amount differs, though why, is a mys
tery. The last legislature appropriated
$94,870 for the Home, but it is appar
ent now that there will be a large de
ficiency at the end of Governor Poyn
ter's term. Upon the whole, the man
agement has not only been extrava
gant, but it has been that extravagant
as to indicate unmistakably down
right dishonesty and fraud.
Not long ago an old soldier came to
Grand Island direct from Canada.
Under the law, before an applicant can
be admitted to the Home, he must be
a resident of the state at least two
years. The County Board of Hall terrupted with cheers and other dem
county refused to entertain his appli- onstrations. An overflow meeting was
cation, but he went back to the Home, ' held in Monument place opposite the
told the officials that he was a fusion- theatre. This was addressed by Addi-
lst and, not only received a suit of
clothes at the expense of the state,
but was put to work on a salary, an
act clearly Illegal.
BRYAN SFNONOMOl'S OF 81 LYE It.
In 1896 when Bryan got control of
the democratic party he made free
coinage of silver the paramount issue
and has since waged an unsuccessful
campaign along this line. He mis
judged the intelligence of tbe "great
common people," and it would seem
that he has not as yet been able to
get in touch with them, for in the
Kansas City platform made (made
public) last July, the silver plank is
reiterated and the country is again
threatened with the dire consequences
that would attend the enaction of a
free silver bill by a democratic con
gress and president. Referring to tne
election of Bryan in 1896 we repro
duce the following from Hon. Carl
Schurz. What it meant then It means
now, for Bryan and free silver are
again the issue.
"Tbe mere apprehension of a possi
, bility of Mr. Bryan's election and the
consequent placing of our country
upon the silver basis has already
caused untold millions of our securi-
1 stopped or restricted their operations,
' enterprise is already discouraged and
nearly paralyzed. Many works of
public utility by industrial or rail
road companies have already been
ordered off, thousands, of workingmen
are already thrown out of employment,
gold Is already ,belng boarded, capital
is already being sent out of the coun
try to be invested in Europe for safe
ty. And why all this? Not, as the
sliver men foolishly pretend, because
the existing gold standard has made
money scarce, for capital is lying idle
in heaps, scores upon scores of mil
lions, fairly yearning for safe employ
ment. No; ask those . concerned why
all this happens, and with one voice
they will tell you it is because they
apprehend serious danger in every
dollar ventured out through the change
of our standard of value in prospect,
through the debasement of our cur
rency threatened by the free silver
coinage movement. And IT these are
the effects of a mere apprehension of
a possibility, what would be the effect
of the event itself? There is scarcely
an Imaginable limit to the destruction
certain to be wrought by the business
disturbances that Mr. Bryan's mere
election would cause."
MARRIAGE WAS VERY SECRET.
Wealthy Young Han Takes a tVlfe and
Has No "Furs and Feathers."
Springfield, Ills., Sept. 5. A romance
culminated here Monday when Alex
ander T. Bragg, of Tuscola. Ills., and
Miss Dortohy Moore, of Washington,
were quietly married at the home of
Mr. and Mrs. T. C. Connor. Only Mr.
and Mrs. Connor and Miss Daisy
Compton, whom Miss Moore had been
visiting, witnessed the ceremony. The
groom is the son of A. W; Bragg, a
banker at Tuscola, and In bis own
right is Independently wealthy. Before
leaving borne to come to Springfield
young Bragg informed his father that
he expected to be married, but enjoined
his parent to secrecy.
The father was pleased with the
Idea, and Immediately offered the son
a place in tbe bank as cashier and a
large Interest In the concern. After a
wedding trip Mr. and Mrs. Bragg will
go to Tuscola to reside. The trip will
include Chicago, a tour of the lakes.
New York, and an extended stay in
Paris. Washington will be carefully
avoided by the young couple. Mrs.
Bragg formerly resided at Danville,
but went to Washington with her par
ents when her father secured a posi
tion there.
GEN. M'CLERNAND VERY ILL.
Old Soldier's Last Illness "Left Him Very
Feeble Cannot Fat
Springfield, Ills., Sept. 5. General
John McClernand is again dangerously
ill. He is suffering with malarial fe
ver and dysentery, and his friends are
considerably alarmed over bis condi
tion. General McClernand has been
in a feeble state since his last illness.
The attending physician. Dr. C. M.
Bowcock, says the greatest danger Is
due to the fact that he can take no
proper nourishment. The veteran sol
dier's temperature has reached 1(T2. He
has been unable to sleep and has con
tinued throughout the day in a restless
state.
Mysterious Death of Frank Ambrose.
Evansville, Ind.. Sept. -5. Frank
Ambrose, who died Sunday night at a
local hospital, was picked np uncon
scious in the street a week ago, and
he said, as he was being taken to the
hospital: "They threw me from the
window." When he recovered uncon
sciousness he refused to talk. Before
bis death he made a will in which he
left most of his estate, valued at $30,
000, to W. B. Bigsby. of Springfield,
Mo. When Ambrose came here be said
he was a bookkeeper from St, LouU,
and In search of work. Why ba at
tempted to conceal his identity is a
mystery to the police "
J.
1
Begin t Make
a Great Noise.
REPUBLICAN OPENING IN INDIANA
Bryan Swinging Hound In the Alle.
ffhenie New National Party
Ticket It. Named.
Indianapolis, Sept. 0. The Republic
an campaign in this city was opened
last night with a street demonstration
by the Marlon club and a meeting at
English's Opera House. The theatre
was crowded and the audience en
thusiastic. John L. Griffiths, candi
date for the nomination for governor
before the last state convention, pre
sided. George G. Tanner, of this city,
the first speaker, was a gold Democrat
In lSiKJ. At the conclusion of his ad
dress Griffiths Introduced Senator
Fairbanks, who delivered the address
of the evening. He was rt jientedly in-
son C. Harris, United States minister
to Austria.
Republican llooin Next Week.
The meetinjr last night, the Repub
licans say, is only preliminary to a
mucn greater effect about the middle
of the month, when a series of mass
meetings will be held throughout the
state. Senator Burrows, of Michigan.
will enter the state Monday, speaking
at ivennaiiviiie. He will try to keep
alive the wave of enthusiasm Roose
velt is expected to create Saturday at
South Bend. A telegram received at
the Republican state committee rooms
last night conveyed the information
that Corporal Tanner, of New York,
nas neen assigned to this state. He
will make his entry at Warsaw Sent
15.
Ir iio r ti- I,"t' Day.
Deer l'ark, MI., Sept. . Brjau
doubled upon his trat ks yesterday
and last night round 111111 again eujoy
ing the refreshing breezes of the sum
mit of the Alleghanie.x. He began the
nay In Jefferson county, the easter-
most county of West Virginia, aud aft
er leaving the tri-state gathering at
Morgan's grove in tint county, worked
constantly west warn. He made only
two speeches (luring the day. the iirsl
at Morgan's grove, near Shepherds
town, and the second at Keyscr. At
both places the crowds greeted -the
national candidate with enthusiasm
and lwth speeches were vigorously ai
plamled. There were large audiences
at both meetings, but that of the grove
was exceptional in size. Deer l'ark
was reached late in the afternoon but
'no meeting was held here. Brvan is
the guest of Colom-l MtOrsw and the
understanding ltefore his coming was
that he should have entire quiet and
rest while here.
GATHKKIXC OF POLITICIANS.
End of the New York Convention Nation
al Party Meets and Nominates.
Saratoga, X. Y.. Sept. 0. The Re
publican convention, which adjourned
at .12:32 yesterday, was so far as yes
terday's session was concerned simply
a ratification of what had already been
accomplished. The announced appear
ance upon the platform of such men
as former Governor Black. Depew aud
Governor Roosevelt. Insured sach a
feast of oratory that every available
seat In the great convention hail was
occupied when Chairman Stranahau's
gavel fell yesterday morning. The
ticket printed in these dispatches yes
terday was duly nominated. the oratory
heard and the convention adjourned.
Hardly was the convention adjourned
when the exodus of delegates began.
Governor Roosevelt left early In the
afternoon on his private car to resume
bis western speaking tour. Odell went
to his home-in Newburg. and all have
made way for the influx of Democrat
ic leaders which will begin in a day
or two In anticipation of the Demo
crat!'? state convention of next week.
New York. Sept. rt. The National,
otherwise known as the third psrty
ticket, assembled in Carnegie Lyceum
yesterday to nominate a national tick
et. T. M. Osborne, who presided at the
Indianapolis convention, was in the
chair. There were delegates present
from Kentucky, Indiana. North Caro
lina, Louisiana, Missouri. Connecticut,
Massachusetts, New York, Iowa and
Pennsylvania. The platform of the
party has four planks, favoring anti
imperialism, the gold standard, civil
service reform, and opiosing all spe
cial privielges. The convention nom
inated a national ticket as follow?:
For president, IKnaldson Caffery, of
Louisiana; for vice president, Archi
bald Murray Howe, of Cambridge,
Mass. There were no other candidates
for the positions ancL-the nominations
were received with hearty applause.
It was decided that the party be
known as a National party and that
Its mblem be the statne of liberty
on the Capitol dome at Washington.
A resolution was passed Instructing
the campaign committee. when it shall
be appointed to provide pasters for
voters who wish to cross out any
name on the Democratic or Republican
electoral ticket.
New Haven, Conn., Sept. 6. The
Republicans of Connecticut met in con
vention licit and nominated George P.
McLean, Simsburg, for governor.
Later Returns fr m Vermont.
White River Junc tion, Vt.. Sept 6.
Returns from 232 cities and towns
out of 246 cities and towns in the
state give the vote for governor as
follows: Stiekney (Rep.), 4f,.34: Sen
ter (l)in.). 15,494: all others, 1,208.
The same towns in 18!; gave Grout
(Rep.). 52.020: Jackson (Deni.), 14.55G;
all others. .1.581). The returns from
these towns give a Republican plurali
ty of 31.44 and a majority of 30,172.
The Republican loss is 9 per cent, and
the Dc'Mocratlc gain 15 per cent.
Banna Not to Go on the Stomp.
Chicago. Sept. 6. Senator Hanna
will not take the stump. This was
finally settled yesterday by a telegram
which Secretary neath received from
Senator Hanna. The message read:
It Is out of the question for me to ac
cept any invitations to speak." The
manager of tbe Republican national
campaign has received scores of in
vitations to address political meetings
throughout the west. A few days ago
It nas reported that Senator Hanna-1
GATHERING
STRENGTH
would make a few speeches at great
centers of population. Senator Hanna
may make one or two Informal
speeches In bis own state, but outside
of these possible addresses. Secretary
Heath wishes it finally understood that
he will make no speeches.
Nominated by Keferendum.
Springfield, Ills., Sept. 6. R. S.
Thompson, of this city, chairman of
the National Union Reform party com
mittee, has received word from A. G.
Eichelbarger, of Baltimore, chairman
of the national canvassing board, that
the official count of the referendum
vote was completed Monday night at
Baltimore, resulting in the nomination
of Hon. Seth Ellis, of Ohio, for presi
dent, and Samuel T. Nicholson, of
Pennsylvania, for vice president on the
National Union Reform ticket.
Wharton Barker to Begin Tour.
Cincinnati, Sept. 6. Hon. Wharton
Barker, nominee of the People's party
for president, will next week begin a
tour for the purpose of meeting and
conferring with leading Populists and
addressing the public. The following
is the itinerary as far as announced:
Detroit, Sept 10; Chicago, Sept. 11;
Indianapolis, Sept. 11 from C p. m. un
til the next day; St. Louis, Sept. 12
(night); Butler, Mo., Sept. 13; Nevada,
Mo., Sept. 14.
STEELE HOME FROM EUROPE.
People Over There Grudge Aujr Praise to
Uncle Ham's Troops.
Marlon, Ind., Sept 0. Representa
tive Steele and wife have returned
home from their two months' sojourn
abroad, in company with Representa
tive Payne, of New York, nnd Dalzell,
pf Pennsylvania. During the party's
trip abroad their time was spent
mostly in London and in Ireland and
France. They were pleasantly enter
tained wherever visited. When the
party sailed from New York the Chi
nese had begun war but si short time
before, and the representatives were
eager for news relating to it.
Steele says the foreign papers spoke
little of the l nited States troops' ac:
tion In China, and what little credit
was givn our forces was in a grudging
manner. He was iniuh elated when ho
learned of the Fourteenth United
States being the first to enter Peking,
It was with that regiment that Ma
jor Steele served ten years, with the
rank of first lieutenant. He does not
believe an extra sssion of congress
will oe necessary in settling the Chi
nese difficulties.
SEW ALL JOINS THE MAJORITY.
Democratic Candidate for Tiee President
In 189H Pastes Away.
Bath, Me., Sept. 0. Arthur Sewall
flled at 8:30 a. 111. yesterday at his sum
mer home, Smallpoiut. near this city,
His death was due to a stroke of apo
plexy which he suffered last Sunday.
Sewall had been ill several weeks, but
until a few cJiiys ago his condition was
not thought to be serious. Last June
bis physician advised him to take rest,
and he attended the Democratic na
tional convention against the advice
of his closest friends. Tbe Journey did
not seem to' weaken him. and be was
resting comfortably at bis summer
place when he was stricken suddenly,
He had been unconscious three days
when death came.
He was born in this city In 1836, and
was engaged in various successful
business enterprises until 1888 when he
became active in politics, but be was
little known nationally when he was
nominated for vice president at Chica
go In 1K1MI. He did not know It him
self, until he heard a street car pas
senger say he had been nominated. He
had left the convention some time be
fore the balloting commenced.
He leaves two sons, Harold M. and
William. Harold M. Sewall left the
party of his father in 1890 and joined
the Republican party. He was minis
ter to Samoa and to Hawaii under
President Harrison and was appointed
special commissioner to Hawaii by
President McKinley In 18U8, and Is
prom.nent in Republican politics in
Maine. Arthur Sewall's fortune Is es
timated at $5,000,000.
WHOLE VILLAGE STRUCK.
Thunderbolt Is Alt-Kmbraelng- Railway
Fatal! tr Ae -ldent Aboard Ship.
Coloma. Mich., Sept. 6. One of the
most peculiar freaks of exploding elec
tricity ever experienced occurred here,
the entire village being struck by light
ning at the same instant. A wire clothes
line post at Maple Point farm on tbe
6011th was shattered to atoms, a num
ber of persons and animals at various
points in the village were thrown to
tbe ground and the residence of E. A.
Hill in the south end. was struck, the
holt leaping to the pump and going
down the well, the water of which was
rendered muddy and is still unfit for use.
Escanaba, Mich.. Sept. 6. Martin
Dempsey, a brakeman on the Chicago
and Northwestern railroad, whose
home is in this city, fell from an en
gine at Iron Mountain, the wheels of
the locomotive passing over his body
and causing Instant death. Dempsey
was a single man. aged about 30 years.
Escanaba, Mich., Sept. 6. Charles
J. Olson, employed on ore dock No. 5.
slipped and fell down a chute into the
bold of a vessel. Ills right lee was
broken.
Standing of the Western League.
Sandwich, Ills., Sept. . President
T. J. Hickey gives out the following
official standing of the clubs In the
Western League at the close of the
season: Denver won rtl and lost 44,
percentage 581; Des Moines won, 59
and lost 45, percentage 567; Sioux City
won 50 and lost 50, percentage 500;
Omaha won 53 and lost 56, percentage
4S0; St. Joe won 52 and lost 57, per
centage 477; Pueblo won 42 and lost
63, percentage 3J2.
Iowa Miners Called Out.
Des Moines, la., Sept. 6. The union
miners, memlcrs of the United Mine
Workers, have been called out of the
Saylroville mine and tbe mines of the
Consolidated Coal company at Mud-
SaylorvIIIe mine and the mines of the
the only ones in Iowa that have not
signed the union scale. John P. Reese,
president of the United Mine Workers,
sent out a long notice in which he ex
plains the grievances against tbe
mines in question.
. Epidemic of Diphtheria.
Menasha, Wis., Sept 6. Residents
of Menasba are becoming somewhat
exercised over what promises to be
come an epidemic of diphtheria. Four
or five cases have developed within
tbe past two weeks, and although the
board of health has used all due pre
cautions, it is feared that a number
ot persons .have -been exposed.
POOR PARLERS GO ON
Trent! of Same i.x All the Waxh
iiigton People Could Iesire.
QUESTION UNDEBOALMDISOUSSIOi;
As to What Shall Be Done In the Chi
nese Difficulty ltusslan In
spired Kditorial Views.
Washington, Sept. 6. Within th?
last twenty-four hours the Unite.:
States government has received froD.
its representatives at foreign capital
much material information in regard
to the attitude of the powers on th
Russian proiwsal to evacuate Peking
These give the general nature of th.
responses made to Russia by certain
of the powers. It is stated authoritu
tivcly that if there was at any tim.
a prospect of a serious international
clash this has been very largely, it
not entirely, removed by the hai
monions character of the com nam lea
tions the several governments art
making. The exact nature of the r
spouses Is not made public by th -state
department, for there are ye.
some replies to be transmitted, an 1
nntll all of them are In the negotla
tions are considered in such an incoui
plete form that they will not be mad.
public.
Nature of the Keceived Ileplles.
It Is said, however, that the answer
go much beyond the tentative charuc
ter of those heretofore referred, t
and are of a conclusive nature so fa
as showing the purposes of the goveri.
ineiits, although they may not be re
garded as conclusive in accepting c"
rejecting the particular proitositlon a:
vanced by Russia. The responses ai
understood to be rather long an :
somewhat argumentative, similar i.i
this respect to the American responst
This very fact is a cause for congratu
lation among officials, as they pole:
out tlu.t there is no disposition t :
treat the proposal with terseness or !:
any manner to give offense, but rathe:
to bring the powers together on a com
mori basis.
Military situation Unchanged.
If there Is any change in the mil:
tary situation since General Chaffee'
dispatch, supiosed to be of the 3t!i
ultimo., no word of It bas reache !
Washington. It is understood that th
disturbances and outrages upon mb
sionaries continue In some of the dh -tricts
outside of Peking. It is 1m -lieved
here, possibly because of the
reports, that the foreign ministers i 1
Tcking probably will enter an earn
est objection to any withdrawal i
troops if their respective government -delay
action upon the Russian propo
tion until they have bad a chance u.
express their views.
ONLT DKSICK OF TBfc CZAR,
Aa Stated by the Official Journal da S..
Peters bourg. Is Peace In China.
St. Petersburg, Sept aThe offlcl:.;
Journal de St. Petersbourg, reiteratlx
the statement that Russia's only d
aire Is to end the disturbances in Chin :
to which the re-establishment of the
Chinese government Is necessary," con
tends that "military action beyond P
king would only arouse fresh compile.
tions."
The paper adds: "Nothing but tl.r
action of the lawful government .
China can accomplish lasting, salutar;
results. Therefore It Is necessary t
re-establish its authority at Pekln; .
and the withdrawal of tbe represent;,
tlves of the powers to TIen-Tsin wi .
be hopeful in this direction, as i
would be regarded in China as pro
that the powers have remained true 1
the spirit which Inspired the origin. .
programme.
The Journal de St Petersbourg co:
dudes: "However great may be tl
Just Indignation which events In Chli 1
have provoked in all civilized cou
tries, the Russian government, whi: -examining
with necessary calmness I
the questions raised by the recent o
currences, adheres unalterably to tl -
principle forming the basis of her pc-:
Icy, namely, tbe maintenance of pea
with all the powers who are solid:.,
united for tbe common good."
March Through the Forbidden City.
London, Scpt 6. General Sir Alfr. !
Gaselee, commander of the British L.
dian troops at the Chinese capit:
wires as follows from Peking. Aug. 2
to Lord George Hamilton, secretary .
state for India: "The allies march. ..
through the Forbidden City yesterda . .
The British had third place in the pi
cession, the Russians and Japanese I .
ing in greater strength."
Letter Looking at Coal Mines.
Oarbondale, Ills., Sept 6. Jose: '
Leiter, of Chicago, has been in co-.
eultation for two days with Sam Y.
Brush, president of the Big Mud.' .
Coal company, whose mines are sit
ated near Cartersville. The mln
have been the scene of a long a' i
sanguinary strike, and are operated 1
negroes and non-union miners. It 1
rumored that Leiter contemplates re
purchase of several shafts.
Two Plant to Resume.
.Toliet, Ills., Sept. 6. After an a!1
summer shut-down. It is announc
that the Phoenix Horse Shoe wori -.
employing between 200 and 300 nn 1.
will resume Monday. It Is expect ..
that the great Western Tin Plate co:.
pany plant, closed during the adju
ment of the amalgamated scale, w 1
also start next week.
Bis Wire Located Bis Heart.
Evansville. Ind., Sept 6. Jo' .
Koob. a wealthy farmer.aged 45 yea
who lived near here, committed sulci-
Tuesday by shooting himself In 1!..-
hoart He asked his wife u sne coi .
tell him the exact location of his hem
ne then went to the stable In the r
of the house and killed himself. Kr.
had to. pay a note for a friend a r w
days ago and brooded over me in ter,
fearing the loss would force L .
Into bankruptcy.
Tried to Rob a Chnn h.
Adrian. Mich., Sept: 6. Burgl .:
entered St Joseph's Roman Cath.- i.
church and made an unsuccessful :
temnt to break into the steel chest .1
which the silver service Is kept
Took Everything In Sight.
Houghton. Mich., Sept. 6. The pr"
office at South Lake Linden was robl t .
early Tuesday morning of fOoO i .
stamps and the entire supply of uioi. ..
order blanks.