i HE OMAHAI DAILY BEE
NINETEENTH YEAE. OMAHA , TUESDAY MOBElkNG , MARCH 25 , 1890. NUMBER 274.
WIPED OUT BY THE FLAMES
Kearney's Big Hotel Midway
Burned to the Ground.fc
ONE MAN LOSES HIS LIFE
Harry Doming or Smith Omnlin Killed
by Jiuiiilnfc ] from a Kourth
Slory Window Mnny Very
Narrow Luenpcs.
I'lrc Dnrlnu n Hurrlcnnc.
KKIRKCT , Neb. . March 24. [ Special Tclo-
Kraui to Tun Bnii.1 The Midway hotel
was entirely destroyed by flro this morning
nnd Harry Dcmlng of South Omaha lost hi *
life. The flro alarm was turned In at 7:30.
A hurricane wus blowing a fearful gala from
the north west , filling the air with clouds of
dust nnd flying rubbisli. The flrp was ilrst
discovered between the roof and celling of
the fourth floor , and before water could bo
turned on tbo entire roof was in a forest ot
licking flamcf. From the peculiar construc
tion y ! the roof the firemen 'Woro ' almost en
tirely unable to flght the flames , and their
attention was directed to saving Ufa
nnd adjacent property. Flying embers
wcro carried ten blocks away and ignited
Leaps of rubbish ana in some instances roofs
of frame buildings.
It was thought for a tlmo that tbo bulk of
the city must go. Water buckets and lawn
sprinklers were brought Into requisition
and by watchful efforts no serious losses oc
curred.
The Grand Island flro department was
telegraphed for and reached hero at 11
o'clock.
The entire loss Is approximated at $150,000 ,
with partial insurance on buildings and fix
tures.
Several narrow escapes irom loss of life
occurred and only by heroic nfforts and
cool-hoadcd work on the part of Iho hotel
employes was a frightful holocaust avoided.
Two women and children were carried down
tbo fire escapes in their nlgnt clotbcs.
. Ainotig tbaguosls the loss was heavy. The
important losses wcro Moses Alexandersales
man for Joseph Forrester & Co. of Dubuque ,
fiainplos. $1,501) ) , nnd a n'lk salesman for aNew
Now York house , loss $ lSUO.
Harry Doming of South Omaha , property
man for the Warden dramatic company ,
jumped from the fourth-story window and
died nt Jl o'clock. A. Gordon Hoylo of the
name company escaped with his leg and
back Injured from a falling wall.
Dr. Mnrdm , the proprietor , is loft penni
less. Stops will bo taken to ut once re
build.
The Midway was one of tbo finest hotels
In the slate. The original building cost $ GU-
000 and was furnished in the most lavish
manner , and Iho annex , which had onlv been
occupied about thirty days , cost ? 10,001) ) ,
making tha total cost of the structure $100-
000. It was erected by Joslnh Kock of Cin
cinnati nnd furnished , owned nnd occupied
by T. C. Bralnard , ono of Iho present pro
prietors of the Paxton hotel in Omaha. A
year ago Mr. Bralnard sold out to Dr. Mar-
din of Boston , who baa since controlled it.
Mr. Bralnard is slightly touched by the loss ,
though lully covered by Insurance.
A largo public mooting was hold at the
opera houeo hero Ibis afternoon at the call
of Mayor JTinch to consider tbo situation
with reference to the loss of thn Midway.
First temporary relief was proposed for
the employes of Iho hotel who bad lost all
of their effects , many of thorn escaping only
with their nlcht clothes. About J200 In cash
was raised nnd as much moro subscribed ,
besides offers of clothing were promptly
ill ado.
A general howl of indignation has gene up
nil over this city nt tbo action of Ibc officials
of the Union Pnciho road in refusing a
orocial train to convoy the Grand Island
Uro department here. After repeated requests -
quests from Iho mayor of Grand Island , the
reply catno ; "Hitch on to 17. "
'Iho firemen report that they were side
tracked at different limes on ibo wav , nnd
thai ihoy were delayed ihlrty minutes while
n freight tram was being mudo up. The B.
& M. had special trains inado up at Lincoln ,
Hastings and Holdrcgo and hold with In
structions lo start with'lira coiupanys at a
minute's warning. Luckily no help was
needed , but Ibis move on the part of Iho B.
& M. will bo remembered by tbo business
men of this cily ,
Tlio Kursc Trlnl I'jndort.
FitEMONT , Neb. . March 24. [ Special Tolo-
Kram to TUB BBC' ] The defense In the
Furst murtior trial had its turn today.
Several witnesses were called to provo the
insanity of defendant's father , who com
mitted suicide , among those being physi
clans of the city who testified as exports , in
general lhat as n rule persons who' sulcldo
are insane ? Other witnesses wcro put on
the stand lo show that the defendant mani
fested peculiar traits , similar in some re
spects to these of his father. It was shown
tbat on ono occasion ho traded watches with
the manager of tba Fremont gas wanes ;
that afterwards Furst returned the watch
lie had received In tbo trade upon a representation -
sentation that ho ( Furst ) bad been made
manager of the gas works. Other potty
transactions were reviewed for thu purpose
of convincing the jury tbat the prisoner
was of unsound mind. Mrs. Furst , mother
of the defendant , was the last witness
called by the defense.
At G o'clock the defense rested. The
prosecution called two or thrco witnesses
for rebuttal ovldcuco to show that Furst is
i rational and of sound mind. Court then
uujourneu mini ( omorraw uiuriiing , wnun
thu attorneys will begin their arguments.
It Is expected u verdict will bo reached to
morrow morning. Many think ll will bo
murder in tbo second degree.
Knllrond Cnntrnotorx FHa'n Mon.
UEATIIICE , Nob. , March 21. [ Special Tola-
gram to Tnc BuE.l Klloatrlok Bros &
Collins on Saturday last filed a lion for f J7-
11SS.S3 against ibo Kansas City & Beatrice
railroad frith Intcrost , being tha amount duo
the firm for constructing said road , furnish
ing material , eta , from ibo Kansas slate
line through Pawnee nnd Gage counties lo
Virginia station and for certain work and
material furnished in this city. A Ilka lion
was tiled In Pawnco county. Tha Kansas
City , Fort Scolt & Memphis railroad has
also filed Ileus against tbo Kansas City &
Koutrlco in Pawnee and Gage counties for
material furnished ibu road , amounting.
with Interest , to $30,031,04. It is learned
hero this evening that the Kansas Cily ,
"WyandoUo & Northwestern , of which the
Kansas City & Beatrice is thu Nebraska ex
tension , went Into the bands of u receiver to
day.
Rout KI Ilia Homr.
BEATRICE , Nob. , March 21 , [ Special Tolo-
pram to TUB HEE. ] A young- fellow named
Sherman Morrow , who has bean confined m
jail hero since Saturday became of bis evi
dent Insanity , was today sent to his homo In
.Nebraska City. The chap cried nearly all
tlay yesterday and today , being apprehensive
thai bo was to bo banged for souiu imag
inary crlmo.
Veterans Have n MvcljDUoiiialnn. .
HKV.NOLUS , Neb. , March 34. [ Spool * ! to
TUB HEK.I Major Potter post No. 15
Graqd Army of the Republic , at Hoypolds ,
bad a very lively tlmo last evening in tbo
way of a debate on the questions ' "IJo-
molvcd , That free trade in tbo United States ,
would bo batter for the masses ot tbo pee
ple. " Tbo qijcstiou was Ilnally decided In
ho aftlruiativo , from which there was an
appeal , and an agreement to discus * the
question over attain at the next meeting of
the posU A majority of Iho members of Ibo
post are farmers nnd belong to the farmers'
iillluncc , which appears to bo strongly In
favor of frco trade , and In their argument
say there is no danger of making corn or
hogs or the products of Iho west worth-less
than they now arc. Nearly all the farmers
of this section nro alliance mon and they nro
working as they never did before.
Cnma to Kaypt for Corn.
Fnr.MONT , Nob. , March 24. [ Special
to Tun UEE.J The Nye St Schneider
company of this city today contracted a
largo supply of corn for tba South Dakota
sufferers. The soliciting committee now in
Chicago , among whom is Governor Moltotto ,
wired the company Saturday to ascertain
the figure nt which It could furnish 100 cars
of corn. A price was named uid today tha
offer was accepted. It will amount to about
nlxty-fivo thousand bushels and will bo
loaded at once at the different stations on
the Fremont , Elkhorn & Mlstourl Valley
road where Iho Nye & Schneider company
is doing business.
A lllnzo nt Clmdron.
Ciunitox , Nob. , March 24. [ Special Tclo-
gram lo Tun Bcu.j Fire broke out in tbo
rear of the Chadron house about 1 o'clock
ibis afternoon. A vary strong wind was
blowing from the west , and as the flro started
from a flue In that end of the building it was
rcmnrkablo tbat the building was saved.
The proprietor. M. O'llanlon , has tha fol
lowing Insurance ou the property : German-
American , 51 , 000 ; North British nnd Mer
chants' , 81,000 ; Pennsylvania lire , $1,000 on
building. The furniture was Insured In the
Orient for $1,500. Loss On building about
ei.aOO ; on furnlturo about SSOO.
Municipal Nominee1 : . ? 3
HASTINGS , Nob. , March 24 [ Special Tele
gram to THK Bnn.J The republican city
convention assembled nttho court house this
evening for Iho purpose of nominating can
didates for city offices. The convention was
called to order by Chairman O. D. Thatcher.
On motion of Fred Olmstead. W. P.
McCreary was plocted chairman of tno con
vention nnd M. L. Elsmoro secretary. Nomi
nations wcro then made for mayor. Charles
L. Slona was nominated by acclamation.
J. D. Miner was nominated for cltv treas
urer by acclamation. For city clerk H. C.
Hnvcrly wus unanimously nominated. J. H.
Fleming and A. H. Cramer were nominated
for members of thoschool board.
I'nnc.iH Klilnnu Tli"ir Children.
NiomiAiiA , Neb. , March 24. [ Special Tele
gram to Tin : UEE.J The Ponua Indians who
were refused the request of their children
attending the ovornment schools at Santco
agency , succe'eded in kidnapping four Satur
day evening. The Indians had ponies se
creted under the hill close bv thu traders'
sloro and they sent two boys to the teacher
and gained permission for Iho children to go
with them In Iho sloro for some article.
They then went from the store to Iho hldinc
place and all went over the hills to join their
pcoplo bound for Indian territory , fifty in
number. Agant Hill's police employes are
in pursuit. _
.lulln CrentcM a Sensation.
NKIIIUSKA CITT , Neb. , March 21. [ Special
Telegram to Tun Bnc. ] Julia Glbbs , the
frail youug womnn who recently made sev
eral desperate attempts to commit sulcldo ,
created another excitement last night in her
neighborhood by calling for n doctor and
declaring tbat she bad been poisoned by two
well known young men , who had forced her
to take the drug. A physician made an
examination , when sbo confessed tbat she
was in an Interesting condition and the
young men forced her to take thu tncdlclno
to relieve her nnd them of any possible
responsibility. Prosecutions are liable to
follow.
Darns Destroyed ut Huntings.
HASTINGS , Nob. , Marcb 24. | Special Tele
gram to TUB BEE. ] At 7:30 : p. m. flro broke
out in the Tyler barn , corner Burlington
nnd Third streets , spreading to three neigh
boring barns , nnd all wcro entirely con
sumed. Four horses wcro burned lo death. '
The cnllro city was In excitement , this be
ing ono of the largest blazes hero for several
years. Hastings , having sent a lot of hosa
to Kearney , was somewhat disabled itself to
Immediately conlrol lha flames. However ,
Ihe flromon fought bravely , saving a largo
number of frame buildings ut the tiro's
mercy. Great winds have been blowing
since .yesterday morning , but as they ceased
with tbo sunset the groaiest danger was
over.
Opponents of High License * .
BEATIIICE , Neb. , March 24. [ Special Tele
gram to Tun BEE. ] The auditorium was
Ihronged tonigbt on the occasion of thn pee
ple's city convention lo nominate a ticket in
opposition to Iho high license ticket placed
In tha field ona week ago. Hon. E. li. Fogg
was made chairman ot the convention and
George A. Murphy secretary. Tha follow
ing city ticket was placed in nomination :
For mayor , J. L. Tail ; treasurer , Augustin
W. Bradl ; cily clerk , J. T. Phillips ; school
board , George A. Murphy aud W. D. Nich-
olls. An interesting feature of tha pro
ceedings was a communication from O. H.
Phillips declining to permit the use of his
nnmo as a caudldate for mayor before tbo
convention.
A Farm Ilnimn liarnod.
Ai.mo.v , Neb. , March 24. [ Special Tele
gram to THE BEE. | At 11 o'clock today ,
while tha wind storm was ut its height , the
farm buildings of Merrill G. Curtis , u farmer
living thrco miles southwest or town , were
discovered lo bo on 11 ro. At the tlmo of Iho
discovery Iho lira had gained such headway
that it was Impossible to save anything. The
house nnd all the outbuildings with their
contents were destroyed. The loss Is esti
mated nt $1,500 , partly Insured. Tbo flro is
supposed lo have been caused by sparks
from tha kitchen stove. .
Nebraska , City Alunlclpul Ticket.
NEIIUASKA CITY , Nob. , March21. | Special
Telegram to THE BEK. ! The republican
city convention today nominated Paul
Schnilnko for mayor , David Goff clerk. G.
W. Bnrgert treasurer , and M. T. Johnson ,
Frank Faunce , il. H. Burlllng , Anlun Mm-
merer and Johu.Immorer for councilman.
The Ponder Town Ulcotlnn.
PCNDGII , Nob. , March. 24. [ Special lo Tnn
BEE. ] The town election whluh will toke
place ono week from tomorrow promises lo
bo ono of far moro Interest than usual , there
being an unrelenting tight waged by tbo
anil saloon element against the Issuance of
licenses the coming year , but it Is bollovad
thai license will carry by a small majority.
Hooked for n Penttcnllnry Torm.
BEATIHCE , Nob. , March 21. [ Special Tele
gram to TUR BEE. ] Charles Boyle and J. G.
Farrell were found guilty by the jury at 0
o'clock lust evening , after being out slnco
Saturday , of having burglars' tools In their
possession , and are consequently booked fern
n term in tbo penitentiary.
Mnuhtncry fur a 'Iwlnn Factory.
FHKMONT , Nob..i March 2J.Special 10
TIIK BEE. ] The directors of Iho Fremont
hemp mid twmu company have just ordered
the machinery for the now twine faciory ,
which coma * direct from Eneland. It U ex
pected to urrivo m time to bo ut up and the
factory ready for operation by October 1. '
Him Oror and Killed.
PAWNEE Car , Neb. , March 24. [ Special
Telegram to THE BEB. ] W. A. Shannon , u
prominent farmer living three miles west of
town , was run over aud killed this afternoon
by a B , & M. freight train.
Shot Himself In tlio Foot.
UEATUICB , Neb , , March 24. [ Special
Telegram to TUB BEE J Jluimlo McGuc , a
young son of J. I * McGee of this city , shot
himself through the foot accidentally while
hunting Saturday , The wound , though pain
ful , u not dangerous.
CUOOK'S FU.NKH.VU
Ills Henmlna Tcndarly Tjild to Itost
at Oakland , Md.
OAKt.AND , Md. , March 24. General Crook's
funeral tram on the Baltimore & Ohio road
arrived at 10:07 : this morning. Too day was
fine and the pcoplo of the town and from the
country around about were at the station to
receive the remains. As soon as the body
xvas romqycd from the car the procession
was formed and the march to the cemetery
taken up. Theio the exorcises wore
observed according to the programme.
The war department was represented by
the following officers : Lieutenant Colonel
HCCK , assistant adjutant general ; Captain J.
C. Bourke , Third cavalry ; Captain George
S. Anderson , Sixth cavalry and First Lieu
tenant Charles B. Schoflold , Second cavalry.
Gonnral Solionok's llurlnl.
WASHINGTON. March 24. The funeral ser
vices over tbo remains of General Schcnck
wcro held this afternoon and tonight the
body wus taken to Dayton , O.
Dropped Dead.
Noiints , March 21. Hov. K. F. Sblnn.
pastor of the Congregational church , dropped
dead In lha pulpit at life close of the services
last night. Heart failure was tbo cause.
S'lEUL-IO A GOOD OKFICEIU
The Testimony or Ills Superior Very
Klnttrrliiir.
CHICAGO , March 24. The court-martial
for tbo trial of Lieutenant Stcolc , charged
with harsb treatment of Private Wild , reas
sembled Ibis mornlnc. Lieutenant Strclo
took the stand in his own defense aud after
relating the story of his encounter with
Wlldu , as printed heretoforeCaptnln Phelps ,
his superior officer , testified as to Stcclo's
bearing toward tbo men under him. Ho also
testified that Wild was insolent nnd Insub
ordinate arid guvo moro troublu than any
other man In the troop. Witness had never
known in twenty years' exporicr.co a batter
officer of his age than Lieutenant Steele.
Captain Weeks ( retired ) testified lo Iho
good character and reputation of Lieutenant
Steele.
Colonel Townsend , commander at Fort
Yntcs , said n report ot tlio case was made to
dim by both Lieutenant Staolo nnd Wild.
Stecla admitted having struck Wild in a
moment of passion and regretted it. Townsend -
send rebuked him for it and told him that no
officer who could not control his own temper
could expect to control * Uior men. Private
Wild then came in and asked if Stcole had
any right to cull him n miserable doserlor
and lo strike him. Townsend replied that
hu had not nnd further told Wild the order
bo had refused to obey was a perfectly
proper ono and that ho was guilty of a grave
breach of discipline. Steele asked Iho col
onel if Wild should not bo tried
t > y r a garrison court-martial , ns
tbo punishment ho would receive tlioro
would be less than bo might get from a general -
oral court-martial. Colonel Towuscnd con
sidered Lieutenant Stcolo one of the best
young officers of the army. This ended the
testimony , and after arguments by Steelo's
counsel and Judge Advocate Murray the case
Cioscd. Thn finding of the court will not bo
known for some time. On account of Gen
eral Crook's death it will bo passed upon by
General Scbofield.
Thn McC-ilIn Inquiry.
NEW YOHK , March 24. In the McCalla
trial today moro testimony was heard re
garding punishments.
Private Sapford of the marine testified ho
know Fireman Walker in tbo Washington
navy yard , under the name of Proby.
McCalla's concsel offered in evidence
Proby'o record in Washington , showing that
ha had been in the house of refuge and had
a bad character ccnorally. During Iho
pendency of his trial for an offense Proby
skipped hU ball and enlisted.
Surgeon Herndon testified ibat no mon
suffered in health during the cruise from
commitment In straight jackets. The re
mainder of tbo proceedings of tba inquiry
will bo private.
THE OHIO STA'lIONAUY.
Apprehensions uf n Serious Flood
no Longer Felt.
CINCINNATI , March 24. Tonight the ap
prehensions of a serious flood hate been
dissipated. Reports from all points up the
river nro to the effect that It Is stationary or
falling , and tbc same is true of all us
northern tributaries as well as tbo Kentucky
river. If there Is no heavy rain in the Ohio
valley within forty eight hours the river
will not rise beyond sixty feet.
Along the water fronts of this
city the basements are flooded
and the first floors of some of tbo stores.
Merchants generally bavo hauled their goods
away to places of safety and liillo fear of
damage is entertained. The factories on
Water and Front strecls have suspended
temporarily on account of water in tboir cel
lars. All navigation Is slopped by the high
water und the swift cutrcnt. SoveraP coal
fleets are laid up and some coal barges have
been sunk In collision with bridge piers.
Covington and Newport are cdt off from
the city now os far as" street car traffic is
concerned. The ferries are also obliged lo
stop , as they cannot ilntt landing points.
Two men and a boy were drowned
back of Covicgton by the capsizing of a
skiff. Newport suffers moro than any olhcr
suburb by Ibo high water. ( June a largo
dislricl is already flooded and .Ibu residents
are compelled lo vacate their houses.
Ilislni ; Again.
Nfcjr OIILEANS , March 24. Advices from
various points along Iho Mississippi tonigbt
show thai iherd has boon no increase in any
of Iho levco breaks , but at the same tlmo
not-much headway has boon made towards
closing thorn. Water continues to pour
through Iho Offuis and Kalclgh breaks In
Mississippi and northern Louisiana , and all
Iho land In lhat vicinity is badly flooded.
Most of all tbo pcoulo , however , have been
able to inova out the larger part of their belongings -
longings lo places of safety.
At Arkanss City the river Is rising again
tonight and the water Is pouring down on
tha town rapidly from the Sappington
breaks.
At Wlincllnc.
WHEELING , W. Va. . March 24. The river
cama to a stand this afternoon. Some stores
on ibo low lands are flooded but no great
loss has occurred.
I'AX-ASIElUq.AN CONGRESS.
of * Government Aid lo
Strainers Advncitcd.
WASHINGTON , March 24. The Pan-Ameri
can congress today adopted tbo report of Iho
committees ou communication on the Atlantic
and Pacific , recommending the granting of
government aid to lines of sfoamors. The
monetary committee presented reports. Tbo
South and Central American delegates
on the oommitloo united In a report In favor
of an International silver com. Eslee , ono
of tbo United States members agreed in tha
genpral recommendation but differed iu de
tail. Ho recommended tbo coinage of a sil
ver dollar of 412 grains , 000 fine , and lha or
ganization of a monetary union under whoso
direction coinage would bo executed. Ho
and the foreign delegates are bi-motalllsts ,
but Mr. Coolldgo , the other United States
mornbor , Is a mono-metalllst.
South Dakota Honda Sold.
Sioux FALLS , S. D. , March 21. [ Special
Telegram to TUB UEB. ! State Treasurer
Smith this evening sold at auction { 153,000
worth of state bopds lo Iho Jarvls Conklln
morlgago and Irust company of New York
for llfJ. % . The bonds draw 4 per cent and
run for twculy years. It is the lint sale of
stale bonds In South Dakota and the prlco at
wblcb they sold is higher than any state
bonds have ever been sold west of the
Mississippi.
HIDES ON IH& FREE LIST ,
The Protest -of th'a Now Ensland
Shod Mob JProvalle.
r"
1
.TIN PLATE MUST PAY DUTY.
Oannern' Arguments Avnll Nothing
Tlio Susar Question Ileopcne'i
A Ijcadlna.Henufollonn on Xnr-
IfT Jjculslatlon.
.
BUREAU Tns Cbutii His ,
513 FouHTHXTti Sritsur ,
WASHINGTON. D. O. . March U4 .
The commlttoo. oirvfuys and means hold no
meeting today because the chairman , Mr.
McKmloy , Is In attcnhanco at the funeral of
General Crook , but It' will hold a meeting at
the treasury department tomorrow in con
ference with Secretary Windom and As
sistant Secretary TJchnor to discusss par
ticularly the sugar question , which has been
reopened. The administration is opposed to
nil valorem duties and Mr. Wludom Is urg
ing the commltto to change the form of as
sessment and to iihposa a spocIQo duty
amounting to 23 or 30 percent of Iho present
tax upon imported sugar.
Hides have been placed back on the frco
list to gratify tha shpomaucrs of New Eng
land , and the existing tariff on lumDcr will
be maintained in accordance with the de
mands of the lumbermen of Maine , Pennsyl
vania , Michigan and Wisconsin.
Tbo duty that haabeen imposed on tin will
remain , notwithstanding the protest of the
fruit and meat paakors. .
The duty on carpatf wools , which has been
increased fron 2 * tto OJf cents a pound is
still undecided , and tha carpet manufactur
ers of New England pnd Now York nro mak
ing a 'desperate cffor to have It restored to
tbo existing figures" .
Tlio lead ore question will also bo dis-
cussed with tbo sedn tary of the treasury ,
and ho is'in favor-'o taxing that Import'
the rate of 1 ? cents > cr pound , although the
smelters throughout .bo cntlru country nro
bringing nn enormous pressure to bear upon
the committee and-other members of con
gress. . J , "
A LOG-jrafcUNO HIM *
Ono of the fbromoftkleadcrs of the repub
lican party said t.odaV : "If I could wnto
the tariff bill I .would placa upon the frco
list every articlethat , does not absolutely
require protection to enable its manufactur
ers to compote with their competitors in
Europe and I im certain that tbo public sen
timent of the country- would sustain such 11
policy. If the republican party expects to
win at tbo next election it must do sotna
such thing. I am no talking for publication
for I do no * , want to lio'arrulgned ' lor heresy
by all tno party organs , out tbo time lias
coma for us to f Abandon tha prac
tice of catering tb little cliques and
rings of manufacturers in order
to increase , their proHts. I would levy cus
toms duties as heavilyJtia are necessary upon
all imported articles tlfcit wocan _ not produca
as cheaply hero u i they uro produced m
Europe. * 1 wpuld gi u such protection as
would prevent u reduction of wages among
our working classes , but I would place upon
the free list the thousand and ono little
aitlules wtiich rfoodInn protection , but are
taxed simply to gratify , members of congress
and the favored mauuiicturers ofjbejr .dis
tricts. Under suhh a boltcy the republicans
can win , but tbo' bill that is under considera
tion now has boenjarranged us river and
barber bills urcr1 tuaao dp. A" iot oHittbv
creeks and useless harbors are Included seas
as to got votes enough to secure appropria
tions that are absolutely neccssory. It is n
log-rolling Dili and the people are beginning
to recognize the 'act. We have got to have
some wlsa legislation or therois no use of
trying to elect the ndxt congress or a presi
dent two yean , henc . "
WOItUj'STAIIl BILL.
Within the next twenty-four hours the
flght over the worldfs fair bill will bo prac
tically settled , for the vote in the house of
representatives will bo accepted as an index
to public opinion , and it is not at all probable
that the senate will make any sorlous-nltoM-
tions in the plan. It may change tha data for
holding the fair and postpone it ayear longer ,
but will not disturb the question of location ,
and in fact if anything of the kind were at
tempted there are sufficient votes in that
body in favor of Chicago to defeat any other
city. f
A MEMOJUAI , < RCa.
The delegates to Iho International Amer
ican conference are Klill discussing the nlan
of erecting a monument or-prcb to commem
orate the first meeting of the eighteen Amer
ican republics andit , may bo decided to place
an arch over ono of the principal streets of
Wasblngton on the Colutnblan anniversary
in 1S92. Such a scbame has been suggested
by Miss Elizabeth Hryant Johnston of this
city and is received jvlth great fqvor. There
are now only four conspicuous , monuments
to Columbus. The ijandsomost is in Genoa ,
erected in IbGQ ; another in Barcelona , Spain ;
ono In the City -Mexico , which compares
favorably with any group in the now world ,
and another on the isthmus of Panama.
ORTT1SC. CNWIELDT.
The house of ropt spntatives Is composed
of 330 members and if Idaho and Wyoming
are admitted In HMVJ the next house will
comprise 355 members under the present ap
portionment. There Ifr a movement on foot
for an apportionment as soon as the figures
from lha now census are obtained , but it
will bo necessary * for a special session of
congress to carry out this plan in order that
the rcdistrlcting may bu done by the legis
latures of twenty-tiro states which meet In
January , IbOl. It tno bill Is passed as latu
as March 1 , 1S91 , thu legislature * of moro
than thirty slates would have to be ca'icd '
In special session in order to comply
with the provisions of the act before lha
presidential election in IffiH. It is generally
conceded1 on both Bides that tha bouso of rep
resentatives Is now too largo for convenience
and that its membership ougbt to bo cut
down to 250 or ' . ' 75 ulembets at the raodt-
The electoral collece pn the basis of 045 rncm.
bers would bo403 and the successful candi
date for president would have to have at
least " 03 votes. A respportlon merit would
bo of advantage toll bo republicans bccauso
the Greatest increase of'population has bean
in the northern nodnorthwestern states ,
which are puctty certain to co republican ,
while the population , 'fit the southern and
solidly democratic i xtstcs has almost re-
raainai stationary. Tbo matter has not yet
been brought to thu .attention of the presi
dent , but it is believed bo would call a special
session of congress tor the purpose of passIng -
Ing a reapportionment bill provided it was
the deslro of the leaders of his party.
MlaCfiI.l.ANCOl.3.
Tbo Now Yorlc Herald of yesterday con
tained u column and u half devoted to Mr.
Edward Kosowater's'startling testimony bo.
fora the committee on jiostotilces and post
roads , which It described as ono of the most
Interesting revelation * at tolcgrapb methods
which had over been presented to the public.
The New Vork Sun devoted an equal space
to an article copied from the New Yoric In-
dnpcndent upon thd cost of electric lighting
m various cities rigacd Victor Hosowstor ,
John Hopkins university.
A decision was not rendered by the supreme
premo court in tljo Uurrus habeas corpus
case today as wo * expected , but It 1s elated
that a decision will bo reached on next Mon
day.Tho
The secretary ot war has Issued an order
transferring Chaplain Orville J. Nave from
Fort Omaha to Korl-Niobrara , Caplaln John
D. Parker from Fort Hiley to Fort Omaha ,
Ch.iplaln Thomas \V. Uorry from Fort Sid
ney to Fort Sully.
Tbo Nebraska eonotors today presented
petitions from" the bricklayers' Kearney ,
North Pluttu and Lincoln urging tbo enact
ment of legislation to prohibit tbo employ
ment of alien labor upon government build-
logs.
logs.Petitions
Petitions siencd by nearly every ' citizen
of ttio cities ol Gutbfie , , Oklahoma City aud
KlngfUhor , Oklahoma , In favor of thn ap
pointment of Jacob Uoborts , late of David
City. Neb. , now register of the Kinijllsher
land onicc , to nno of the ] udgcshlps on the
supreme bench of tso territory have been
received by the Nebraska delegation , The
delegation will recommend htm to the presi
dent as soon as the Oklahoma bill Is finally
disposed of.
The treasury department , In rasponso to a
request from tha ocnato ilnanca commitloo ,
has approved tbo bill to increase tbo salary
of the surveyor of the port of Lincoln ,
Mr. Clark of Wnhoo , who wus removed
from his position In the treasury department
under President Cleveland , has been rein
stated under the amended civil sorvlco laws
at the earnest solicitation of Senator Man-
demon.
A board of pension examiners will prob
ably bo appointed within n few days at El-
wood , Gosper county.
A number of petitions have boon received
from Lancaster county against Iho reduction
of the duty on sugar. The Lancaster
farmers want to try their hand on beet
sugar.
John T. Spencer will probably bo charged
with the duty of paying the Omaha Indians
tbo second installment of S-To.lXJO duo them
from the sale of tbclr lands.
Thu bill providing for n public building at
Fremont was passed in tlio senate today.
Thli is thn first Nebraska bill to sccuro the
endorsement of both houses and it will go to
tbu president for his signature us soon us It
can bn slenod by the president of the sonata
and spoakcbpf the houso. It provides for a
building toflostSCO.OOO , but It will bo neces
sary to pliss the sundry civil appropriation
bill before , any money will bo available for
tbo purchase of a situ , as the apuroprlatioa
clause in the Fremont building bill wus
stricken out.
The declination of Mr. W. P. Gurley of
Omaha of the position of assistant United
States district attorney , offered him sonio
time ago , has caused the Nebraska delega
tion n great deal of trouble in the matter of
selecting some ono olsc. So many applica
tions have been received that at u meeting
of the delegation this morning It was de
cided to refer all of them to District At
torney Hakor , who is likely to know moro of
the legal abilities of the various applicants
Uian the senators or members. When Air.
Baker makes his selection the gentleman
will probably bo appointed on Iho recom
mendation of tbo delegation.
V. W. Davis was today appointed fourth
class postmaster at Jcsup. Buchanan county ,
Iowa , vice E. C. Urown , removed.
PCKIIV o. HEATH.
THE MONTANA SK.\ATOUS.
Majority Ropurt Mala by tlio Com
mittee on Ideations.
WASHINGTON , -March 21. The report of
the majority of the senate cornmitto on priv
ileges and elections upon the Montana elec
tion case was submitted today. The report
gives at the outset the circumstances sur
rounding the election of Messrs. Saunders
and Powers by tlio iron hall
or republican legislature , composed
of one-half of the members of
tto senate and the republican representa
tives claiming to bo elected ; and of Messrs.
Maginnis and Clark by the court house legis
lature , composed of half of the senato'and
democratic representatives claiming to bn
elected. None of tbo senators bad their
election calleJ in question , but there were
two sets of live representatives from Silver
Bow county claiming to bb elected. The
case , therefore , turned upon the question
which of these two sets of live representa
tives wore entitled to sit as such. The report
says : "Wo think the credentials of the iivo
republican members from Silver Uow are
fully supported by thu facts of the election
as they tire disclosed to us by tbo commis
sions of both sides and by the undisputed evidence -
idenco taken In judicial proceedings in Mon
tana and laid before us by Messrs. Clark and
. ,
The minorityroporl assorts that" the true' '
legislature of Montana wus the scnato ana
bnuso which mot at the court house is
Helena and was recognized by the governor.
"Neither the house nor members thereof
which met in Iron hall and elected Sanders
and Powers were over recognized by the
governor , nor was their election as scnatora
ccrtillod. Tbo cvidonco proved also that flvo
persons who acted as members of tbo bouso
of representatives In the Iron hall convention
wcro elected by the pcoplo of Silver Bow
county , whom they claimed to represent. They
only had certificates of election. Five per
sons elected by lha people and holding cor-
Olicates also sat aud voted in lha legislature
at the court houso. The United States
senate. " says the report , "in such n case
once before ( Sykes vs Sponcur , from
Alabama ) passed over any .mero question of
vurtlllcates and ascertained who were
actually elected. The returns from the
county made by tbo clerk on Octonor 1 , ISbD ,
under the law and made by the canvassing
board audclerlc on November 7 , 1BS9 , both
show very clearly that the 11 vo persons who
acted In Iron hall as representatives wcro
not elected oy the pcoplo of Silver Bow
county. The territorial board of can-
vusscrs on 'fovember ' 4 , 1SS9 , Issued cer
tificates to live persons not elected , by
throwing out the vote of precinct 34 , which
bad given a largo majority lo the democratic
candidate. This act of the board was dona
without any rlgbt or authority. Tboy had
the full returns of tbo true vote of the county
before them. Being republicans and anx
ious to Bcrvo their parly In what they
thought an olnorgcncy , they refused to counter
or to canva the real vote of tlio people and
certified to the election of llvo persons not
cnoscn , In the hops and with the expecta
tion that thcso spurious representatives
might In some way vote for partisans of their
own political faith as candidates for tbo
United States senato. "
The majority report is signed by all the re
publican members of the committee and the
minority report Is signed by all the demo
crats.
Nebraska and Iowa Pensions.
WASHINGTON- , March 24. [ Special Tele
gram to Tun BEL'.J Pensions have been
granted to Nebruskans as follows : Original
invalid Aaron F. Powers , Hausen. In
crease William M. McCracken , Junlata ;
Thomas T. Clark. Princeton ; O. M. Andrus ,
Andrusvillo ; John C. Wertz , PawneoCity ;
Simpson Grts , Loup City ; Leonard F.
Keuiplo. Klrkwood ; Edward Harold , Dakin ;
E. P. Oscood , Sidney ; Isaac A. Hull , Hast
ings ; Enoch Clark. Hay Sprlncs : George U.
Lewis , Hrownstown ; William Fisher , Cul-
bcrtson. Kcissue Jonn D. Houdcrshcldt ,
Shelby , issue of March 13,1S90.
South Dakota. Original Invalid John
Swunton , Monno ; Joseph Corlls , Ambcrst ;
George W. Niyler , Canton. Increase
George Luther , Canton ; Calvin W. Sprague ,
Faulkton ; Alpheus E. KInney , Estoll.
Iowa pensions : Original Invalid Lavern
Stanton. Aclcley ; George T. Dutton , Pllton ;
Gcorco D , Horax , Iowa City ; Aaolphus Car-
raway , Prlmghar ; John Campbell , Dysart ;
Geort-o W. Wallace , Bedford ; Gilbert U.
Haas , Marshalltown ; John S. El wards ,
Dunlap ; William T. Molnes , Ncmlo : John
Vln-cii , Bidwoll ; William S. Curry , Perry ;
George W. Smith , George ; C. Z. Bedford ,
Falrtiold ; John Abraham , Brooksvltlo ;
Samuel Lautz , Muscatino ; Samuel ICIttlo ,
Lean Jo ; Hunry C. Murkhaui , Mount Ayi ;
Halph E. Tucker , Audobon : Amos Mat
thews , Wuukegan ; William Hoff , Marongo ;
'
William II. McCuno , Hiulwon ; Goargo li ,
Handall , Irotown ; Lawrcnco Tlernoy , El-
'mIra ; William Henry , Eldora ; Thomas
Thorp , Moscow ; James Owens , Altoona.
Increase George O. Potter , Waukton ;
Charles P. Tripp , Masonvllle ! John 11. Gas-
kins , La Porto City : Bernard McCormlck ,
McCallsourg : John II. Lamb , Walker ; John
Campbell , Pilot Grove ; John M. D. Hunton ,
MaquoKoin ; Uobert S. Burnhlll , Onslow ;
Nathan Godwin , Stewart ; John Turgon ,
Bard ; Charles L. Jones , Hristow ; Charles
G. Curtis , Independence ; George W. For-
RVthc , Lamar ; Nathan W. Hull , Decorah ;
William H , Uracllolgh , Kollcrton ; Lawrence
Uouko , Argard ; Charles Willett , Dos
Monc : < ; William H. Culver , Richvillo ; Amos
W. Utggs , Spring Hill : Horace Wheeler ,
Algono ; Garrett B. Hubbell , Glonwood ;
William M. Dobson , ICnoxvillo ; David
Bunch , Drakosvllle ; Phlnoas A. Pearson ,
Pittsburgh Uestoralion and Increase Will
iam G , Habory , Avon , lio-i sue and increase
bamucl D. Cooper , ICnoxvillo.
i
.
XI1K OltAN % , t CASKS.
> \
Xlio Decision of t ) . * Mnncsaln Btnto
Courts ltd led.
\VAsniSMTON . March r-Tho supreme
(
court of the United Slatcv reversed tha
decision of the Minnesota1 * omo court in
what are known ns the Gr < * w cases. The
Minnesota decision WAS nguv the conten
tion of tbo railroad companies.
The issue was certain r.itcs proscribed by
the railroad commissioners which the rait >
road companies asserted were so low as to
practically amount to depriving the company
of us property without duo procois of law.
Justice Blatchford , delivering tha opinion of
court , says It must accept the construction
upon Iho state statue by the Minnesota
supreme court. "That court declared that
it Is tlio expressed Intention of Iho legisla
ture that tlio'rato.s fixed by the railroad com
mission nro not simply advisory , but tlnal
and conclusive. That law neither contem
plates nor allows anv issuu to bo mudu nor
any Inquiry to bo madu us to their equality
or reasonableness. In fact , In other words ,
although a railroad company is forbidden to
establish rates not equal and reasonable ,
there Is no bower In the courts to stay tha
hpnds of the commission if It chooses to es
tablish rates that are unequal and unreason
able. The statutu so construed conflicts
with the federal constitution In the particu
lars complained of * * * /The question of
Iho reasonableness of the rat" charged for
transportation by a railroiul company , "
says the opinion Is emlnoutly a question for
Judicial Investigation requiring duo process ,
of law lor Its determination. If the company
Is deprived of the power of charging reason
able rates In the absence of Investigation by
judicial machinery It is deprived of the law
ful use of Its property , and thus In substance
and effect of the property itself without duo
process of law and In violation lo Iho con
stitution ' , and whlla other persons are per-
mltte'd to rccolvo reasonable profits from in
vested capital Iho company is denied tbo
equal protection of Iho law. "
Justice Miller concurred with some hesita
tion In the Judguioot of the court. Ho was
of the opinion that the legislature or the
commission appointed by it had thu right to
establish rates , but whcro unjust rates wcro
fixed the parties aggrieved had the right to
appeal to the court. The proper mode of relief
would bo a bill In chancery. The railroads
should have the right to be hoard , and as the
supreme court of Minnesota refused this ,
the case , in his opinion , should be reversed
on tbo ground that this is a denial of duo
process of law.
Justice Bradley , for hlmsolf and Justices
Gray and Lauiar , delivered an oral dtasont.
It scorned to him the decision of tbc court
practically overruled tbo decisions In other
casosin which It had been hold that the ar
guments of rates was a legislative and not a
judicial prerogative. The courts should
never make issue with the legislative depart
ment where it was possiblu to avoid it. It
might bo asked if the public \\asattho
mcrc5f of legislatures. Ho answeied , yes.
There hud to bu n final tribunal souiewboro
to decldo every caso. The question was
which was the proper final tribunal. In his
opinion it was the legislature. Ho did not
mean that there mliht not arise circum
stances which would glvo judiciary power in
thu matter , but It was not so in this caso.
OAK TI11I2VI2S AKHKSTISD.
Ono of tlio Worst Gaiix * in the Nortli-
west Broken Up.
ST. JADIMinn. . , March SM. [ Special Tel
egram lo Tun JlEC.j The greatest gang of
railroad thieves that over infested tbo north
west is broken up , and five of thu culprits
languish in the Hondo street station. Their
queer work has been golnir on nil winter ,
and their stealings amoupt to many thou
sands of dollars. Ou March 15 a largo box
of goods bearing the marlr tot Lindekos ,
Warner & Shurmplr was found by a loam-
slur near the Great Northern tracks on Lax-
itfgton'"nvenno and brought to-the control
station for identification. The police ,
after a consultation with the rail
way officials , came lo the conclusion
that a car seal hud been broken and tbo box
of dry goods , with several other boxes of
merchandise , thrown out for ihe purpose of
plunder. Chief Clark detailed several
oRlccrs to look Into tha mailer , and James
Cuddlck and Daniel Uowloy were arresloa.
The pair gave parlial descriptions of several
oilier thieves , and a warrant was secured
for the search of the Swcnoy residence , on
tbe corner of Thomas street and Fttrrlngton
avenue. The ofllcors were refused admll-
laaca , but forced their way in nt the point
of revolvers and placed the Widow
Swcnoy and her sons. John and Edward ,
under arrest , The house proved a rich find ,
and silks , muslins , teas , carpets and other
goods were pulled from thu collar and gar
ret in great profusion. The boys Ilnally
yielded , and said that for several months
with two pals , Ed. Maloney aud Fred Mo-
Council , tboy bad bren in tbo habit of
boarding fruight cars near Hamlino , and
whlla they were moving near Lexington
avenue would "dump11 from them several
boxes of whatever they happened to con
tain. Their work was all done In ibo night.
"Now , " said John , "providing you make It
easy for mo I'll tell you where tl.OOU wortb.
of goods nro 'planted. ' "
The officers assented and went with tbo
prisoner lo the corner of Maryland and Far-
rlnglou avenues , where , with pick and
shovel , they unearthed box utter box of dry
goods , genls' furnishing goods , chosls of lea
and other things. The vuluo of the goods
recovered Is nearly $2,000 , all of which had
been consigned by Si. Paul merchants to
nortbwoetsn customers. The goods found ,
however , uro but n small part of those
stolen. Tin thieves operated on the Great
Northern lino. MM. Sweney is charged
with running a "fctico" and tbo men with
grand larceny. A regular arsunal of rifles ,
revolvers and bowlo knives was found in the
Sweney houso.
MTH. ICmvHmi'n Case Settled.
CHICAGO , March 21. [ Special Telegram
to Tnn BEE.J The noted case of Mrs.
Moilcicl Kawson against Stephen W. Kawson
was brought to public notlco again this
nftornoon In aii opinion rendered by , the
appellate court ! The opinion was us to the
irregularity of Judge Jamiespn's commit- ,
tnontof Mrs. Rawson to sixty days In jail
for contempt of court In shooting Henry C.
Whitney , her husband's lawyer , In the court
room. Wbltnoy became Insauo and is still
In an asylum. Mrs. Kawson subsequently
got a dlvorco from Banker Kawson , ho
making no dotonso , and Is now In
Italy , wboto she la said to bo
engaged to bo married a fourth
time. The sentence of Judge Jamicson has
been hanging over her head over since it was
Imposed. She spent belf u day In Jail , but
her lawyers took out n writ of error in
the nppollato court , which now Reverses the
decision of Judge Jamicson on lha ground
that Mrs , Huwson's commitment was
wrongly entitled , and also becausn Mrs.
Hnwson was not present In court when son-
lonca was Imposed. A further error maao
by JuQgo Jamloson , the nppollato court
holds , was * in not stating in tlio order of
commitment of what the contempt con
sisted. The order of commitment boiag the
whole record where the contempt Is com-
led in tbo presence of the court , it Is essen
tial that it should contain n statement of the
facts. Mrs. Kawson gets out of serving anymore
moro tlmo In jail by the decision.
Nominations.
WASIIIXQTON > March 21. The president
today sent to the senate tbo following nomi
nations : John F. Solby , United Stales at
torney for North Dakota ; Major Thaddeus
H. Stanton , paymaster , to bo lieutenant
colonel and deputy paymaster general ;
NalvinT. Spauldtng , postmaster at Brain-
ard , Minn.
Tlio Wenthur Forecast.
For Omaha and vicinity Fair weather.
For Nebraska : Colder , fair , northwest
erly winds.
For Iowa and South Dakota : Clearing
and fair weather , aorthwoslerly winds ,
lower temperature.
FOR THE POSTAL TELEGRAPH
Mr. Roaowtttor'g Strong Argument
* "
Fnvorlntr Government Control.
INTERESTING HISTORY HELA1 ED.
Ittnct Unlit by ilio Military
the Wnr Practically CJIvon Away
to ( lie Companies Hates
nn'il 1'rolUs.
Homn Uiuvrltton History.
The following U n portion of Mr. Hose-
water's argument and the accompanying debate -
bate be fora the Uouso coaunlttoo ou l > ostof-
Ileus nnd postrouds on \Vnnamnkcr postal
telegraph bill. Mr. Kosawatcr appeared be-
fora the cammlttoa m Washington , Mnrcli
IS. Ihero wcro present Mr. Blncham ,
chairman ; Mr. Evans , Mr. Montgomery , Mr.
Hcckwltu , Mr. llloiint anil Mr. I'urpm. com
prising ilia committee ; Hon. . .lonuVana >
maker , postmaster general : Hon. Chcadlo
M. Maroan , uiauiiKcrof tlio Western trnlou
telegraph company , Hon. Jntncs N Typor
and others. The following is the statement
of Mr. Hose Water :
Mr. Hlnghtim FIrst slvo to the commlttco
your mime , together with your relations to
the service.
Mr. Kosewater My name Is Edward
Hosowatcr. I ant now the editor and chief
proprietor of Tur : OMXHA UKG. I was for
thirteen years actively engaged in the tola
graph service ; for moro ( him two years in
tnu military tclograpu corp.s and part of that
time In the Held niul for nearly a year In the
war department. I was for seven years
manager of thu Western Union telegraph
company at Omnhn and for ono ye r manager
of the Atlantic & Pacific and Great Western
lines. For moro than twonty-llvo years I
have boon firmly convinced that thu safety of
this government demands the control of the
telegraph system by one of the branches of
the government wbotl.er It bo postal or
otherwise , is not so material.
In 1871 , on the first day of the cession of
the Nebraska IcgNl'itura ' , of which 1 was
then n member , I introduced the following
resolution :
"Kcsolved , That the congress of the
United States is earnestly requested to so-
euro as narly as nr.icticablo ttio full control
of the present telegraph system by pur
chasing or losing the lines now owned by
' '
the dlfferent't'clegruph companies , excepting
only lines used and owned by railroad coin-
panics for the legitimate business of said
roads.
"Kosolvod , That our representatives In the
United States senate arc instructed , and our
representatives llf tlio house of representa
tives are requested to vote for any bill Uc-
Blcrncu to secure the object sot forth in thm
memorial "
I am not hero to advocate any particular
bill , nor do I deslro to antagonize any par
ticular telegraph company.Ve uro the
imtrons of thu Western Union company to
the extent of over 315,000 a year for special
dispatches , and bold a membership in the
Associated press ; so that certainly my re
lations to the Associated press and the
Western Union arc not Inimical.
I believe for myself and for the pcoplo of
the country that it is of thu most vital im
portance that some step should bo taken at
an early day for this government to ncqulro
tbo Hues. At the outset thu question would
bo asked , in the language of Dr. Green : "la
It-true that In thifl country the pcopla need
to bo proto ted from the povornmtnU" My
personal observation U to the contrary.
I will recite briclly some auclcnt. telegraph
history. In IS'JO the United States and the
Dominion of Canada wore sub-divided
aud controlled bv what was then
Known as tbo - Six nations. These
telegraph companies had acquired , tcrrl- < ' '
toriully , the control in various Bcctionc of
the country , and had agreed among them
selves not to invade each , other's territory ,
but to protect and worlc with eacli other.
'Ihcso companies wcro the American .tclo-
graph company , the Western Union "tele
graph company , thu Magnetic telegraph
company , the Caton lines aud the Dominion
company. These companies bad an olTcnsivo
as well as defensive alliance with each other.
When the war broke out they actively co
operated to protect the Interests of each
other , regardless of the interests of the gov
ernment. I was then in the employ of the
Southern company at Nashville , ol which
company Dr. Green was'tho president. Tlio
headquarters of that company wcru at Louis
ville. When President Lincoln's proplamo-
tion was issued discontinuing all communi
cation between the north and south by wire ,
circulars wcro sent by the company to the
northern cities to parties who wcro
carrying on commerce with the south and
were in sympathy with the secession move
ment , to send their dispatches by mail to
Loulsvillo and thcnco they would bo for
warded by telegraph. The operations of
this and other companies In the southern
states were inimical to the government and
all their exertions were directed against the
government. When I xvas in the war de
partment in lsG'i-63. observing what wan
gomiron , 1 camn to the conclusion that the
government was not In eafo l mds. No
sooner had the war broken out than the
Western Union exerted its influence to acquire -
quire the control ol the military telegrapn of
the United States. To that end they had
their ccneral superintendent , Anson Stager ,
appointed to tuko charge of the military
lines of the United States. General Stager
held two ] > 08ltionH at tha same timu ihrouuh
the entire war that of general manager ol
the telegraph system of the Western
Union and that Qf commandcr-ln-chlcf
of tbo United States military tola-
craph corps. To show tha relation existing
between General Stager and his company , I
need onlv to cltu ono fact. Wu worn nlivnvn
on very good terms and only u few months
before he died ho told mo that tils salary as .
a colonel and assistant quartermaster In the
United States army during thu cntlrawar
was turned over to tbo Western Union com
pany , and that-ho navor got any part of his
salary as an army olllccr.
Mr. BtughamWhatllnos were they ?
Mr. Kosowutcr Ho tvas general superin
tendent of the Western Union telegraph ,
company at tbat time , Ha wus also chief of
tha military'telegraph corps of the United
Stated ut the same time.
Now when the war was over'what became
of the military telegraph lines 1 When I
catno to this city a fnw days ago I Him ply
had aiurnuso that tboHO wires , cables and
everything that wo had built during tha war
had been turned over as old Junk or sold at
so much a pound to the existing telegraph
'company , But upon ransacking tlio war de
partment in the quartermaster-general's
office , I found that a military order had been
Issued on the .37th day of February , 160(5 ( , by
wtiich the United States military telegraph
lines and appurtenances , within the states
south of tha Ohio river , were turned over to
the several commercial companies owning
the telegraph patent right within suld terri
tory , 'llils was In consideration of the ro-
linqulshment by thu telegraph companies of
all claims against the United States for use
of their lines and for the detention ol the
lines , and ns compensation to said companies
for tbo exclusion of commercial outmost In
that portion of ttiulr lines which had been la
lha possession of tha United States.
Mr. Hlnphain Do you know what lines
they uroI
Mr. Ilosowator Yes , sir ; the lines are
enumerated. It shows that thu government
at that time owned 14,211 , miles of laud Una
and 173 mites of nubmarino cablo.
Mr. Ulount What are you reading froml
Mr. llosewator 1 aui reading from the
annual report of the quartermaster general
of tbo United State * army for 1800 , page *
800 and 301.
Mr. Hlnitham If It will not Interrupt you.
and in order to inaUo your description of ;
this point perhaps somewhat inoro Int-jlUgl- '
bio , 1 will read thu loiter that I received
this mornlnir from Dr. Norvln Green and
which I will submit to the commlttoo tutor ,
wherein ho make ) application to bo hoard
again to answer loma of Mr. Hubbard's
statements. Tbat i * the point you
are now making. For Instance , Mr.
Hubbard taya that ono of the chief ob
jects for procuring the pan ago of the act 0 *