"WP
THE OMAHA DAILY IJEK ; SUNDAY. FUIWUAJIY 20. ISM-SIXTH EN PAGES.
plrod , n.i they any that tt I * Impossible to Introduce -
troduco n bill nt any tlino during tlio
RMston. Their plan 1 * to amend A bill
already Introduced by striking out nil after
tlio enacting clause , and substituting any
f thing also that they please , and then by
amending tlio title ttiey will 1m vo an entirely
now bill , with nothing but tlio number and
place of the old one. They claim that this
course cnn bo followed at any tlino with a
bill that Is certain to otherwise bo In
definitely postponed.
Kuclld Martin , W. D. McIIugn.and several
other Omnhans were In the city today In the
Interest of Mortonlsm. Martin's mission
was to hold a conference with the cloven
'Allen democrats in the legislature and sea
If arguments could nat bo made to deliver
them Into the Morton camp.
' ItiillilltiKn itpvr Dj-imnty.
As stated sonic time ngo a new dynasty Is
being built up under the lendcrshlpof Casper ,
and Martin's visit was for the purpose oJ
seeing If this faction could not bo placated.
> and added to the Morton forces. The Casper
crowd propose to gohbla an ofllco or two , and
it is atatcd that Cnspor hlmsolf Is aspiring
to the postoflleo ut David City. The now
secretary of agriculture wants to bring them
into his fold that they may seek for what
they want through him , rather than through
the populist senator who was elected by their
votes.
Governor Crounso will have another In
stallment of appointments ready for submis-
slon to the senate early next week , and it Is
stated that Dr. Martin Clark of the Sutton
Advertiser Is slated for the superlntcndcncy
of the Asylum for the Incurable Insane at
Hastings.
Another Interesting development that la
expected within the next few days Is the report -
port of the special committee that has been
investigating the condition of affairs in con-
ncutlon with the penitentiary contract and
now cell house. It Is whispered that the
committee has been honing to the line , ro
gardlcss of whcro the chips tumbled , anil
that thoru will bo weeping and gnashing ol
teeth in the Immediate vicinity of iho Board
of Public Lands and Buildings when the report -
port la submitted. It is stated that , Irrogu
laritlcs have been discovcred.that cannot be
explained away , and that no guilty parti
will bo spared. _
INTIli : llOUSi : .
ItciioliiUoii Introduced Ordering nn Investi
gation i > f tlin Lincoln Anyltim.
LINCOLN , Nob. , Feb. 25. [ Special to Tim
BnR. ] This was the fortieth day of the scs
slon , so far as the house was concerned , and
members who had bills still on tap availed
themselves of the last opportunity to Intro
duce thorn. The result was a larger numbei
of bills on first reading than on any dnj
since that feature became a part of the reg
ular order of business.
The standing committees reported on r
number of bills and n number of resolutions
"wero introduced. Among thorn was the fol
lowing by Fclton :
Whereas , Hectlon 24 of iirtlrlu vof the stall
constitution provides Hint tlio statu ofllcers
shall not receive for their own use any fees
costs , Interest upon pnhllc moneys In theli
hands or under their 'control , perquisites ol
ollloo or other compensation ; and
Whereas , Section 21 of chapter x. of the
Compiled statutes provides that any such olll-
cor shall be. responsible upon his olllolal bom
for any funds belonging to the state vhlcl
limy come. Into his possession ; und
Whereas , It Is currently rooortort that the
various state treasurers of this stuto hnvo at
various times received from various banks ,
corporations , firms and Individuals sums ol
money as Interests fees and compensation foi
the loan or deposit of state funds and monoyt
with them , which Mild Interest fees land com
pensation have not been accounted to ant
paid over to tlio state ; therefore bo It
Unsolved , That thu attorney general bo re
quested to at once commence proceeding
against and upon the bonds of tlio varlou :
Htato treasurers who have held olllco wlthli
the period of the statute of limitations to recover
cover of tliem whatever sum of money the ;
shall or may have received from any and nl
sources wliiitover as Interest fees ana com pen
Button for tlio loan or deposit of state fundi
and which they have not oaccounted to am
paid orur to tlio Htato.
The point was raised that the attorney
' general could not institute legal proceedings
on rumors , and the resolution was laid 01
the table.
For Free Transportation.
Cooley Introduced n free pass resolution
vrhlch road as follows :
Wliorons. This state und the United States Ii
behalf of the people and for t heir especial ben
oflt have granted creat and .special corporati
and financial privileges to railroad corpora
tlons operating their railroads within thi
state ; and
Whereas , All state , executive , Judicial am
legislative ) ofllcors and their assistants liavi
freauont aim urgent necessities for rapli
transportation over said railroads that thoj
may thn more faithfully perform the sovera
ofllclal duties Imposed upon them as such olll
ecru , deputies and employes , to this end
therefore t > o tt
Itesolvcd. the senate concnrrhiR , That al
said railroad corporations , through their olll
cors and employes so operating said railroad.-
within this state , be and nro herciby requlret
to furnlsTi.to all said ofllcers , deputies and em
ployes , curds , tickets or passes of free trans
portutlon over any of the railroads of thl
stuto upon demand ; iftid that every refusal ti
so do shall bo considered ami Is hereby made i
misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not los :
than 850 nor moro than Slot ) and cost of tin
prosecution , ano-hulf of tlio flno to RO to tin
complainant. And this act may bo enforce !
In any court of competent jurisdiction In tin
stato.
The resolution was hold to bo out of order
and was not considered.
Will Make Inquiry. ,
Rhodes' then tried his hand In the resolving
solving line , and submitted n lengthy resolu
tlon , in which was incorporated a copy o
the editorial in THE BEB of this mornini
relative to the cuso of alleged unjust doten
tlon nt the Lincoln Hospital for the Insane
The resolution called for the appointment o
n committee of ilvo to investigate the case
and "empowering It to send for the necessar ;
persons and papers to cover the ground ver ;
carefully ,
A motion'to lay the resolution on the tabl
did not prevail , and It was then adopted.
Chairman Scott of the committee on pub
Hollands and buildings then preferred th
following request :
Your coiiinilttco on public lands and build
Jugs bollovInK It absolutely necessary before 1
can act IntnlUKontly that It should visit tin
asylum at 'Hastings , respectfully request per
mission of this house to make said visit at tin
earliest possible moment It asks this that I
may bo. bettor Informed as to tlio needs of salt
.asylum before hquso roll No , 301 Is considered
It was granted so readily that the elite
clerk .was moved to ask that his bookkeeper
W. F. Wright , bo promoted to fourth as
slstant clerk In recognition of the falthfu
manner in which ho had performed hi
duties. The desired promotion was made
and Mr. AVright was booked for a pretty In
crease In pay.
llewlck ( lot Loft.
Dlckcrson then saw fit to ask for some
tiling nico-for a friend , and sought to acconi
plish it by asking the adoption of the fol
lowing Joint resolution :
Unsolved , by the house of representative
the Hunatc concurring , That E. O.iliowlek , csc
Is entitled and shall .receive at least 10 pe
cent ot ull moneys which hu may recover to th
Btato of Nebraska from frauds practiced uno
Bald Htuto by persons In the employ of the slat
at the Lincoln Insane asylum or In other pine
of trust when any company or person has re
celved the fundi of this state under false pro
tenso. by thu u o of fraudulent vouchers , or b
any Illegal means.
Woods saw nothing wrong with It , am
moved Its adoption , but Kixkloy amendei
with it motion to table , and to the table i
went with n suddenness that nearly unba !
nnccd Mr. Dicker-son's nerves
On motion of Porter the use of the hall o
representatives was given to Louis V. Pos
Jfor the evening of March 1 , on which occasio
no desires to enlighten the people on th
good points of the single tax theory.
n lillhi ,
Among the bills on which reports wor
submitted were the following ; No. 131
Hlckctts' civil rights bill , which was reconi
mended for a place on the general lllo. Nc
273 , Ix > ckncr's bill prohibiting any indlviduii
from holding moro than ono lucrative oftlc
nt the same time , was recommended for In
definite postponement , und the report wn
concurred in. No. SKW , Gosa' bill offering -
$10,000 bounty for the discovery nnd de
velopment of 11 coal mine with a tbroo-foo
vein in this stuto , brought forth n majorit ;
and minority report The majority rcpor
was adopted , nnd the bill was placed on th
general tlio. No. IS. Jensen's bill oppropn
ntiug money for the Increase o
the geological nnd chomlc.il d"pirt-
mcnt In order to Investigate mineral
waters , nnd cement nnd gypsum beds , "and
Mmllar subjects , was recommended for In
definite | K)4tponmcnt. No. 1M , Ames' bill ,
amending the election law , was recommended
for passage ns amended. No. 1 1 , Sodermnn'fl
bill , providing for the covering Into the
county treasury of nil the fees of county
Judges , treasurers , clerks nnd sheriffs , In
excess of f 1,500 ; provided that In counties
with n imputation of > ,00 ( ) these officers
shall have a salary of ? J,000 and a specified
amount for clerk hire , wns placed on the
general lllo. No. 13 , Van Houseif s bill , pro
viding for n supreme court commission , wns
Indefinitely postimnud , notwithstanding thu
report to the contrary. This wns Cone be
cause Watson's bill , providing for practically
the s.ime thing , had been previously acted
upon favorably.
I.tut Call on llllli.
Id-use sought to fix the time of adjourn
ment to Monday afternoon , but the idea was
unpopular , and the following bills were then
read n flrsl time nnd ordered to n second
rending : ,
By Suter For the relief of the holrs of
Frederick Aechenhrouner , deceased.
By Woods To provldo for the payment of
bounties for the destruction of wild animals
In the state of Nebraska.
By .lensciir-To prevent deception In the
manufacture nnd sale of oleomargarine. .
Bv Irwln To provide for the sale of drugs
In n pure state , to prevent the adulteration
and mlsbrandlng thereof and their sale when
mtsbranded or adulterated , providing- n
pure food commission and defining Its duties.
By Sohelp To regulate option rooms
wherein options in round lots of the Chicago
Board of Trade , speculative trades of grainer
or ] Kirk nro solicited , bought or sold , and
dealt in , nud wherein the fluctuating prices
for such options on the Chicago Board of
Trade nnd other places of like character are
bulletined.
BySoderman A Joint resolution to sub
mit to the electors of the state of Nebraska
for their approval or rejection , n proiwsition
to repeal section 15 ofoaHlclo v of the con
stitution of the state of Nebraska of 187S en-
'titled "Veto Power. "
By Watson Kepo-illng n bill for an act to
provide for a stuto Inspector of oil , and dep
uties , and to define their duties und provide
fees for the same nnd prescribe penalties for
violations thereof nnd to repeal nets und
parts of nets in conflict therewith.
By Cornish ( by request ) To amend sec
tion 4230 of chapter xlvi of the consoldi-
dated statutes of Nebraska.
By Johnston For the safe keeping of the
public funds of the state of Nebraska , and
repealing act of 1801 , session laws , chapter
1 , entitled an act to provide for tlio depositIng -
Ing of stale and county funds in banks , and
so mucfi of section SUUO , consolidated stat
utes of Nebraska , referring to the amount of
state nnd county treasurers' bonds.
By Sodermau To prevent damages on
bridges und culverts on public highways , entitled -
titled , "Steam Engine on Public Highways. "
By lihodes To amend sections of the ses
sion laws of 1SU1 , entitled , "An act to estab
lish a slate board of health lo regulate the
practice of medicine in the stale of Ne
braska , " und to repeal sections 1 to 11 in
clusive of chapter lv. , of compiled statules of
Nebraska , enlillod , "An act to regulate the
practice of medicine , " approved March il ,
1881 , and amended in 1883 , and all other acts
inconsistent herewith , and provide n penalty
for the violation of this net and provide pun
ishment for malpractice.
By the Committee on Claims Appropri
ating for the payment of miscellaneous in
debtedness owing by the state of Nebraska.
The house then adjourned until 2 o'clock.
Onlyu I'owl.elt.
There was n dismal nrray of empty seats
when Speaker Gaflln called the house to
order at t ! o'clock this afternoon. But llfty-
sovcn members responded to their names
when the roll wns called.
The speaker announced the following com
mittees : To serve on the committee author
ized by Howe's resolution yesterday ,
Messrs. Higgins , Kesslerand Gerdes ; ns tlio
committee to investigate the charges made
by "Nemesis" In Tun Moiixixo BEU , Messrs.
Rhodes , Jensen , Johnson of Hall , Ellis and
Nelson.
A largo number of bills were introduced
nnd road the first time , and the usual num
ber rcud the second time.
Church Howe asked unanimous consent to
have house roll No. 807 engrossed for third
reading. It is the bill providing for a com
mission to revise the conslllution , the
commission to consist of three members , ono
from the three leading parties. Within ten
days from their appointment they are to re
port back to thn legislature such amend
ments as are in their Judgment advisable.
If the report of the commission Is nccepted
the nmcndments so reported are to bo sub-
milled lo n vote of Iho people at the general
election in 1804.
Scheln was inclined to interpose an objec
tion. Ho thought to undertake what the
bill provides woula bo a little moro than the
legislature could handle nt the present ses
sion. Ho did not Insist upon his objection ,
however , nnd the bill was engrossed for
thira reading.
In Committee of the Whole.
The house then resolved llsolf Inlo the
committee of the whole with Scholp In the
chair.
House roll No. 78 was taken up for brief
discussion. It was offered by Horst and pro
vides that section CO of title 4 of the code ol
civil procedure be amended so as to read ns
follows :
Every ether action must bo brought In the
county In which tlia defendant or some of the
defendants reside , or may bo summoned , pro-
vlilcd , however , that actions on promissory
notes must bo brought In the county where ono
or moro Initial makers of Midi promissory
notes resides or may bo summoned.
The committee voted to recommend the bill
for passage.
House roll No. 1 , by Church Howe , was
recommended for passage. It provides for
the submission to the voters of tiio state the
following amendment to the constitution :
"All funds belonging to the stale for edu
cational purposes , the Interest and income
whereof only are to bo used , shall bo deemed
trustful and held'by Iho slate and shall not
be Invested or loaned except on United
States or stale scourllles or registered
county bonds or registered school dislrict
bonds of this stale , olc. "
House roll No. 81 , by Crane , providing that
every order appointing a receiver shall re-
qulro the applicant to give n bond conditional
to pay all damages which the other parties
lo the suit' may sustain , etc. , was recom
mended for passage.
House roll No. 153 , by McKesson , appro
priating nud jelling aside ccrlain lands in
Wyuka cemetery in the city of Lincoln as a
burial place for deceased union soldiers , was
also favorably recommended.
Hells Nos. 103 and 90 were laid over on ac
count of the absence of the authors of the
bills.
Oakley's Itullrouil 3Iouau.ro.
House roll No. 131 , by Oakley , was recom
mended for passage. It provides that It
shall bo unlawful for any railroad company
doing business In Nebraska to not as agent
for the minors of coal and to provide for the
purchasers or consignees recovering from
such railroad company any moneys so do-
mnndo'J , collected or received.
An animated debate arose over the consid
eration of Rhodes' bribery bill , No. 181. Tlio
bill provides lhat in all cases where a bribe
has been offered or received the party that
makes complaint llrst shall be exempt from
Dunlslimcnt under the laws of the stato.
The committee finally voted to , recommend
that the bill do pass.
Hells No , 63 , 1 < J5 and 55 were laid over
owing to the absence of members interested
In the bills.
House roll No. 85 , for Iho relief of George
Mauor , was unanimously recommended for
passage. The beneficiary was a member of
company E of the First regiment of Ne
braska National guards , and Is permanently
invalid from cxiwsuro In the Pine Kldgo
campaign two years ago. Ho lives In Fre
mont.
House roll No. 200 , by Burns , was recom
mended for passage after lengthy debate. It
is a bill to assist the agents of Iho Humauc
soclely In preventing cruelty to animals nnd
confers upon such agents the power to make
arrests.
The committee ro o and its sovcral re
ports were adopted.
Hliurlilnu I'nlljKxonvrateil. .
A spirited parliamentary struggle then
arose over the report to the house of the ar
rest of a reporter for the Stale Journal by
the investigating committee. The roiwrter
had been arrested for the reason that ho re
fused to divulge the source of ihe informa
tion that bo used as the basis of the state
ment that Hoprescntatlvo Sheridan lost
something like fciOO In a game of poker at the
Llndcll early > n tlm present month.
Cornish offered a resolution directing the
discharge from arrest of the - re
porter ,
McICosson , chairman of the Investigating
committee , opjiosod tbo resolution , saying
that If thocomml icc-roiiM no ! compel wit
nesses to am W ( r q icsUons thi wlulo in
vestigation ml lit nt well bo dropped.
.Sheridan vigorously nti > I with considerable
eloquence opposed the resolution It wns
then discovered that ihe chief clerk had
never Included Ihi' original resolution of
fered by Coolcy , requiring th Investigation
of Shorldnn's inker hal its ns a part of the
records of the house. learning this fact the
committee announced that the reporter had
been discharged.
Sheridan still Insisted that the results of
Iho Investigation bo spread nt largo upon the
records of the house. Ho claimed that his
reputation had IScen blackened , mil that
nothing but the widest publicity to his exon
eration would satisfy him. Finally the
whole matter ended with the adoption of a
resolution offered by Porter selling forlh
that It was the sense of the house that Mr.
Sheridan was fully exonerated from the
charges brought against him by the Stale
Journal , and asking lhat paper to make nn
editorial retraction of its statements.
The house then adjourned until Monday.
MOUTH DAKOTA'S PU1IMU I.ANDH.
How the School Hj-dtnm ol the -Uito : Will He
1'rovldnd 1'or.
Piniuin , S. D. , Feb. 'Jo. [ Special to TUB
BKK. ] During the month of April .the com
missioner of schools and public lands will
sell about 50,000 acres of school lands. Com-
mlssionor Huth und Auditor Hippie will
start out early next month to visit the vari
ous "localities nnd in connection with the
county superintendents appraise the lauds.
They inquire into the value of the neighbor-
lug real estate nnd put n value ns near as
lhsslblo equal to the market price. Unless
that sum Is hid the lands are not sold.
Major Uuth declares his belief lhat thnTip-
praisemcnt will bo raised fully 2 an acre
over that of last year. This will tie a gain of
SiOO.OOO for the school fund. The principal
increase , ho says , will bo in the counties of
the northeastern part of thu stato. Ucucl ,
Grant , Day and their neighbors , while every
ixirtlon of South Dakota shows an advance.
The lands to bo sold are ns follows : " All in
Mlnnehnha , Grant , Codlngton , Bonhommu ,
Lincoln , Hutchinson , Turner , Brook ings.
Moody , Lake. In Hanson , six sections , Day
seven , Brown twenty , Splnka nine , Clark
eight , Kingsbury four , Hamlin ten , Duuol
eight , The appraisement has notj yet been
made , but Major Huth estimates it at an av
erage of $15 per acre , or n total of $750,000
for the increase of the funds. Up to this
year the fund amounts to tl,400,000 and that
will bring it to moro than J'J.OOO.OOO.
Details of the Work.
April 1 the selling commission , consisting
of Messrs. Uuth , Bowman nnd Gibson , will
visit the vnrious counties nnd conduct the
sales , finishing the work by the 13th. When
the leasing of the balance will bo douo by
the county auditors. The sales are gen
erally made on time , the purchaser paying
one-fourth down nnd the Interest In advance
for ono year. Ho receives a contract ot sale ,
which matures In live , ten or fifteen years ,
nccording to his payments , The interest is
0 per cent , and is invariably paid in ud-
vnnce.
Very few who have not looked into Ibis
matter personally realize how much good
this sale of school land brings to the stato.
In the first place ] the commissioner Is anxious
to raise as largo u sum us possible , and there
fore puts his appraisement high. His confi
dence and the fact that he is publicly selling
many thousand acres at these high prices
docs more to create n boom in farm lands In
Ibis state and to atlract settlers ttmn any
other ono thing. The advertisements arc
spread broadcast and the accounts of the
sales nre generally read. The increase in
the appraisements from year to year also
have the best sort of tendency to make an
Increase all along the line of land values.
Moreover the sale of these lands helps tea
a settlement of Iho country and the break
ing up of the soil. Nearly nil the purchases
are made by actual farmers and for Imme
diate use. The land is also brought under
taxation and helps lo bear Iho burdens of
the county.
This money is all loaned out as fast as re
ceived. For a time there wns dlQlculty in
Inducing the county ofllcers through whoso
hands it goes to take hold of the matter. Jt
required extra woik without extra compen
sation and they naturally did not favor it.
How It Helped IJilHlncss.
But when the people began to find that
they could got money for 0 per cent they
demanded iho work of the ofllcers and it
was forthcoming. A year ago very litllo of
the money was loaned. Today it is all out
and there are loud demands for. moro , The
loans are made llrst on school nnd county
bonds , then on real estate , to the amount' of
ono-third of the value. The Interest is paid
in advance invariably. Loaning on this
small valuation secures the fund in the best
possible way none but farmers financially
sound can afford to take it. But oh the other
hand putting out so largo an amount at so low
a rate tends to the immediate reduction of
inlerest.
There is now loaned out $1,400,000 , and -tho
Interest realized amounted this year to
$77.000. This was dfstribulod to the differ
ent counties in proportion to th number of
children in their schools. Next year there
will boat least $125.000-and this sum wilt
probably increase at the rate of f uUy.$50.000
per year for many years. The state re
ceived from the government 3,000,000 acres ,
and none of this cnn bo sold for less than ? 10
an acre. Consequently , when all Is sold it
will produce a fund of at least $30,000,000 ,
and oven at the present average rate of
fully $ -15,000,000.
As fast ns the land in any locality passes
the ? 10 point it is offered , nnd yet it will require -
quire more than ono gencralion probably to
dispose of it all. With a fund of $45,000,000
drawing a revenue of $2,700,000 to bo devoted -
voted entirely to tno support of the public
schools , South Dakota will , in the near
future , have the most magnificently endowed
"
educational system In the world. She "will
pay no moro school taxes , and yet will have
the best schools under the sun , .
It is interesting to note some of the prices
paid for the school lands last year. Union
county takes the palm with $50 paid per ucro
for ono tract , while ono section in Miniiohaha
brought $50. Land also sold in Hutchin
son for $25 , in Bon Hommo for $20 , in Grant
for $18 and in Brown for $15.
I.Utcnmiui Concert.
Tlio Bernard Listemann concert announced
for March 0 at the Young Men's Christian
association promises to bo a musical feature
of the present season. The company Is com
posed of Listemann , the violin virtuoso ; G.
B. Honconl , flutist ; TrltzGIeso , vlollncclllst ;
Tritz Listemann , violinist and pianist ; Jac
ques Benavento , viola and clarionet player ,
and J. M. Flockton , double bass player. The
instrumental program will bo relieved with
vocal selections by Miss Nannio Hands ,
prima donna , nnd G. U. Uonconi , baritone.
The eastern press bus praised highly the
company , collectively and Individually , and
there Is litllo doubt that those who attend
will enjoy a musical treat.
o
Killed by u Itejuctoi : Suitor.
GALVESTOX , Tex. , Feb. 25. This afternoon
Frank Gllbough shot and killed Miss Dora
May Washam , then shot nnd killed himself.
Gilbough was 20 years old and at ono time
employed in Iho Gulf , Colorado & Santa Fo
general ofllces. Miss Washam was 17 years
of ago , n daughter of n resident physician.
The cause of the tragedy was the refusal of
Miss Wnsham's parents to consent to their
daughter's marriage to Gllbough , which
caused the young man to become insane from
despondency.
rjsitsox.tr. i utA < ut.ii'/is.
B. Roscnthal is expected homo today from
his extended business trip cast.
I. It. Andrews nnd family have removed
into their now homo , 3810 Charles street.
Fred Loowo , shoo buyer for the Boston
Store , bus gone lo Boslon lo consummate a
great shoo deal.
Atlantic : .Mrs. J. P. Meehan and Miss P.
Kelley , Oakland , Cat ; W. P. Watson , Lin-
cola ; J.W. Love , Fremont ; II. H. Wallace ,
Tekamah ; Frank Reynolds and daughter ,
Florence ; E. L. Flor nnd wife , Valley ; B. C.
Kowley , Sioux City.
NKW YOUK , Feb.25. [ Special Telegram to
I'liB .BEE. ] Omaha ; F. A. Fitzpatrlck ,
Muza. Beatrice : F. A. Cowc.ll. St. Denis.
CHICAGO , 111. , Fob. 25. [ Special Telegram
to TUB BKE.I Nebraska arrivals Grand
Pacific Charles C. George. A. 1C. Storm ,
Omaha ; J , H. Hosmer and Miss Hosmcr ,
Lincoln. Great Northern . C. Moses and
wife , A. Blgler and wife , Omaha. Welling
ton Hanly A. ICorap und wife , Ouiahu.
Palmer J. C. Corvin , Oigaha ,
IMTiMCM P7 FlMM > tTMMMP11
KANSAS CfcUiBRATED CASIi
< ii i
_
Decision of Iba BJipwno Court Hcco nizlng
tin Reulican House.
ASSOCIATE JUS ALIEN DISSENTS
Trxt of tlio ncrUJat lrnilrrcd liy Chief . I in-
. tlco llortcni Nejr. | ilm I'rprodc-nt Oltrd
IlrTort Upon ,1 ( Sitcc .MnrtUi'n lilcetlon
us I'nlU'if ' Vatrn Senator.
ToruKA , Kun. , Feb. 25.- Thc supreme court
this morning , Chief Justice Ilorton render
ing tlio decision , Justice Johnson concurring
and Justice Allen , populist , dissenting , sus
tained the Douglas or republican house us
the legal and constitutional house of repre
sentatives of the Kansas legislature , und
Incidentally declared that the acts of the
Dunsmoro , or iwpullst houso. had * no stand
ing In law. The oplhlon of the chief Justice
was given orally and occupied nti hour and
forty inlnutcs In delivery.
The decision was ot the case known ns the
Gunn habeas corpus caso. The republican
'houso ' caused James O. Gunn to bo subpcu-
naei1 to testify in u contested election case.
Gunn Ignored the summons , claiming that
the republican house was not the constitu
tionally organized house of representatives.
The republican house ordered its sorgeant-
ivt-arms to arrest ( .hum nnd tnko him before
the bar of the house to receive punishment
for contempt. Gunn nt once Instituted ha
beas corpus proceedings" " In the supreme
court. In Its decision today the court denied
the application for a writ , deciding that the
republican house was legally and co.nstltu-
tlonally organized , and that it had the right
and power to enforce Its mandates.
Chief Judtlco IIorton'8 Opinion.
Chief Justice Ilorton In delivering the
opinion started in by reviewing the well
known fact connected with the organization
of the rival houses nud declared , that upon
the allegations made the court had before it
matter to decide. Judicially. Ho said the
evidence showed that the republican house
was organized by sixty-four members hold
ing certificates o' election from the secretary
of state ; that the populist , house was organ
ized by fifty-eight members holding certifi
cates and twelve contesting members , nnd
that three members took no part in tlio or
ganization of either house. The chief Justice
then went into a rovlow of the manner in
which legislative bodies arc organized nnd
cited McCnxyou election to show that the
proper persons to org.uilze n housc\ were
those holding certificates , and in support of
MeCrny read passages from Cushing's
Manual. Tlio supreme court of Nebraska ,
no longer ngo than January 17 of this year ,
had taken that vltiw of the question. In
support of this . .Jfiijvy , " ho declared , the
scenes lately witnessed in the Kansas capl-
tel fully Justified sficli , a rule.
In the case novyjbeforo the court , the
chief lustlco continued , no showing had
been attempted tnntHhcro was fraud or bad
faith on the part o | the state board of can
vassers. There I/ad/ / , been presented a "re
vised Journal" of tliit Dunsmoro house , evi
dently carefully prepared , ami that Journal
day after day seem'cU- recognize that only
members holding certificates had authority
to elect. For several days it sot forth that
fifty-eight motnboj . .responded to roll call
and others were cpiinjed in as present , but
not voting in order , to rnako , n quorum ; the
other members of tlie house were charac
terized ns contc'slSiTls. Tills record was
kept up until tha oitiostanVi WerO formally
taKen in by a votc'ofdfljo 'house. Then the
Journal showed thtVt'Vlio1Dnnsmore house ac
cepted the precedents lnid.-down In tho'book
ns correct. '
Tom Kcuil'H Jtulnj.
Much had been said about tlieRcod federal
house , the court went on. In support of the
practice of counting in morhbors , but the
Heed house had a rule , formally adopted ,
upon which to base the speaker's ruling.
The Dunsmoro house .has adopted no. such
rulo. Moro than Ilvo persons who were
counted In by the Dunsmoro house had never
recognized it ns suchf-.but were carrying on n
house of their own. 'Speaker Ueed never
counted In any persons who had not recog
nized him ns speaker. Now there could bo no
question that the Douglass. house was organ
ized by ttio votes of sixty-four members who
held certificates.
It was claimed , the Justice went on , that
there were some Irregularities In the organ
ization of the Douglass house because It did
not receive the roll of membership from the
secretary of state , but it had n duplicate of
that roll. The secretary of state's failure to
lay before the house ix roll could not prevent
an organization.
It was urged , Mr. Ilo'rton declared , that
the court could not Interfere In the contro
versy botwcen the rival bodies , but the supreme
premo court could not pass by a question because -
cause it was an unpleasant ono. It had no
moro right to decline the cxerciso of a Juris
diction than to nssumo a Jurisdiction that
was not given .to it.
It was claimed that the Douglass bouso
was destroyed when the senate and governor
recognized the Dunsmoro houso. If that was
the law the governor and senate two years
ago might have destroyed the populist house
and created a republican houso. And two
years hence , nnd so on through future his
tory , other legislative bodies might bo over
turned to accomplish partisan ends. If the
Douglass house had voluntarily dissolved
when the governor and senate recognized
the rival body the question of do facto gov
ernment would have been n strong force in
the case , but it did not dissolve , nnd It was
still in oxistcnco.
In the course of his opinion the chief
Justice Incidentally endorsed the notion of
.Tudgo Hnzcn of the district court in making
permanent the injunction against State
Treasurer Biddlo restraining him from mak
ing payments out of the state treasury upon
the authority of appropriation bills passed
by the populist houscv.
. In conclusion the court pronounced n
formal decision on the habeas corpus case
and announced that Justice Johnston con
curred fully In the court's opinion.
Jtintlro Allen Dissents ,
Mr. Justice Allen delivered n dissenting
opinion , holding that the'supremo court had
no Jurisdiction of tho. case and that , as the
populist house had been recognized by the
governor and scnato' It was n do facto organi
zation and its act's wOrU good in law.
The decision of th-c court puts nil end to a
condition of nffatrsimrfro unique nnd exciting
than anything wtilqhicjias thrilled Kansas
since the border waj ? . The rival houses ,
which have been struggling for the mastery ,
sometimes by parliamentary moans , some
times by force , und nt'last ' through the Judi
ciary , will now protafhly unlto in ono body
and transact much1 needed business. The
nets of the popullstrliouso liaving been de
clared to bo Illegal ) tall the appropriation
bills will have to bpppsod , over again.
The republican , (1,0,1)30 ( , ) has passed many
bills , nud they wlUjbuL sent to the scnato at
the first opportunity. , '
The present session bf the legislature ex
pires by limitation p'nttIarch-8 , nnd it will bo
necessary to hold am dttra session in order
to transact the nuceasary business. The
constitution provittpsjthat members may
draw per ( Horn dueB , ) for only thirty days of
an extra session , nnd ' v\ effort will bo tnndu
to close up tho'lms'luess within that time.
It seems to bo the general decision of thu
populists to respect the decision of the court ,
and the populist members will probably
moot with the republican house on Monday.
The leaders all declare that the Court's de
cision is wrong nnd that they Will appeal
from it to the people ut the next election.
KllVct on the SamilorJal Election.
The effect of thooplulon upon the election of
John Martin as senator seems to bo nn un
certain quantity , Judge Martin was elected
by a Joint session of .tho populist house and
senate. The ] > opullst house having been Il
legally organized , It is a question whether
Judge Martin's election would bo recognized
by the senate. The republicans and stal
wart democrats have decided to make no
election , ami there being no contestant for
the sent und Mr. Martin's credentials , being
regular ui > on tlio fac&.tnlght bo accepted by
the senate. It may bo that n Joint conven
tion of Iho house und scnato may be held
later to choose a senator , and in that event
the democrats would doubtless Join the twp-
ullsls und ratify Mr , Martin's election ,
Will Abldo by thn Court' * Dceliiloii ,
The members of the populist house went
Into caucus this evening to consider what
action to take In view of the supreme court's
decision upholding the legality of the organl-
xntlon of the republican houso. After much
discussion It wns decided to nnino n coinmlt-
too of three to wait \jnoti the governor nnd
consult with him ns to their future course
nnd to report to the house Monday. The
general sentiment of thn caucus was to nbldo
by the court's decision nnd to Join the repub
lican house forthwith. The governor In nn
Interview took that view of the situation.
The coiiinilttco will mtiko a report to that
offe-ct Monday nnd the populist house will
then dissolve and Its member ! ) will Join the
rival organization.
s or
Indiana I.cRlstntorH Hnld to Ho In tlio Power
of thu Natural tins ltln ; .
iNmAXAroi.t * , Ind. , Fob. 25. Ono of the
most powerful lobbies over known Is that
which is striving to gain absolute control of
the gas llfld of Indiana. For weeks , there
have been. evidences of n combination of nil
the forces nnd Interests that have been oper
ating in the gas bolt. The first evidence
that this mighty combine , backed by Its
millions , was determined to manipulate the
legislature In Its Interest , appeared In the
Haggard bill , which was well on to eimroas-
incut before it was discovered. The bill hud
the motor measurement feature stricken out
on second reading , nnd such was the storm
of Indignant protest nirainst thu bill from
every section of the gas belt when It came
up for engrossment that n motion to In
definitely postpone It was carried by n de
cided majority.
This was supposed to bo the end of the
matter , but the lobby came to the front with
reinforcements and last evening the effect
iveness of its work became apparent. Shortly
before adjournment Representative Forlow
of Madison county made u motion to recon
sider the vote by which the bill was indefi
nitely postponed. Speaker Curtis nt once
put the motion and , although in the opinion
of nearly every one , the "nays" were in the
majority , the motion was declared curried ,
nnd the bill Is again open for considera
tion ,
Even with n majority ngntnst the bill the
natural gas lobby with Its millions has hope
that It may bring to bear such persuasion
as will swing a majority uround to its wny of
thinking.
The scheme which the gas combine has on
foot has millions in it , nnd as was remarked
by n gentleman who has watched the move
ment from Its inception , the gas combine
could well afford to nay $1,000,000 to buy the
Indiana legislature If It comes that high.
There are wild rumors .illoat ns td the fabu
lous sums of money nt the disposal of the
lobby to secure the legislation that the com-
bmo is determined to havo. Ono sensational
prediction made is that If the pending gas
legislation is enacted into law the exposure
of n carnival of bribery will follow.
SOUTH DAKOTA UXJISLATOllS.
Jack Cray of Doiidwood Dnplim-s That lie
HUH HPCII 1'iilsuly Itcprcsmti-il.
PiEitin : , S. D. , Fob. 85. [ Special Telegram
to Tun Bnc. ] Jack Gray of Dcndwood is
hero looking nftor his chances for appoint
ment as mine inspector. Ho claims that a
flood of fraudulent letters have been sent to
the governor from Lead City and other
points in the Hills greatly maligning him
and proposes to ferret the matter to the
bottom and punish his nccusers.
Today the senate passed a bill appropriat
ing ? 10,000 to reimburse the military com
panies that took the field two years ago
under M. II. Day of Uapid City to fight
Indians during the Pine Hidgo trouble. The
bill will probably go through the house also
and bo signed by tlio governor.
Both the senate and house passed n bill
making the Forty-first senatorial district
cover Custcr nnd Fall Hivor counties. The
bill was introduced by Thornby yesterday.
The somito'ycstfcrday passod'u bill giving
women the rlttht to vote at all municipal
elections. Many senators believed it ap
plied only to school elections , and when they
found out the truth there was weeping and
gnashing of teeth. Sol Star nnd other Hills
members were particularly angry , as all hud
voted yea. Today the senate had a long
wrangle over the matter , and finally decided
to recall it from the house. It will now
doubtless bo reconsidered.
The scuato today in compliance with the
VQ.to of last night's republican caucus
indefinitely postponed the bill giving the
railroad commissioners power to fix rates.
This makes it evident that the legislature
will not pass any restrictive laws.
Governor Sheldon today appointed the fol
lowing committee to visit Chicago and
appraise the state fair building before it is
purchased by the state : William Laird
of Plcrro , Vf , 11 , Sterling Thomas II. Rush ,
II. J. Uice , Huron , and W. B. Gillette , Pierre.
They will leave at onco.
.5 . SPKAKI2II.
Leading Tcnncasco f < cjlilator Scathingly Ar
raigned by a Circuit Court Judge.
MEMPHIS , Tenn. . Fob. 25. Judge Kates of
the circuit court "this morning , In a scathing
opinion , disbarred Ralph Davis , speaker of
the Tennessee house , for the misappropria-
lieu of funds of a client.
NASHVILLE , Tcnn. , Feb. 25. The news of
the disbarment of Speaker Davis has
created a painful Impression In legislative
circles. It is believed ho will resign.
Davis is only 28 years old and heretofore has
borne n high reputation.
Counsel for iho defendant took an appeal to
the supreme court , but it is the opinion of
lawyers that the supreme court will grant
Davis no relief.
In sotllhig Iho costs of a case in court
Davis is said to have collected $2,250 from a
client when the court required tlio payment
of only $1,000.
Senatorial Contents.
OLYMPIA , Wash. , Fob. 25. On the eighty-
first ballot for senator Allen received 41 ;
Turner , 17 ; Griggs,21 ; Knox , 0 ; ,4 scattering.
HELENA , Mont. , Feb. 25. The vote for
scnalor was as follows today : Mantle , DO ;
Murks , 15 , Dlxon , 8 ; Hall , republican , 1 ;
Mitchell , 11 ; Kleinschmtdt , 2 ; Toblo , I.
Kli'Ctml Otllcers.
CINCINNATI , O. , Feb. 25. The deaconess
conference of the Methodist Episcopal
church elected the following officers : Presi
dent. Bishop Joyce of Chattanooga ; first
vice president , . J. N. Gamble , Cincinnati ;
recording secretary , E. II. Cipplo , New York :
corresponding secretary , Lucy Ilider Meylo ,
Chicago : treasurer , W. A. Korkhpff ,
Chicago.
Weavers on a HtrlUn.
DANIELSONVJLLE , Conn. , Feb. 25. Sixty
weavers in the woolen mills of the S. T.
Sayles company have struck for nn advance
of price per piece ,
T.OUAI , JIHKI'ITIKS.
Oue minor permit wns issued yesterday by
Inspector Tilly , and the amount of the re
pairs to bo made were placed at $100 ,
George Cohen and Jim Vnnnors wore nr-
rcsled lasl night and charged with stealing
some clothing from Charles Colcmun ,
Twelfth and Dodge streols.
A mcoling Of crickelcrs will bo held in
rooms 21-25 , United Stales National bank
building , Saturday at 8 p. m. All Interested
In the game of cricket are cordially invited
to attend.
John Benedict , who claims to bo n stock
man , was arrested last night fordlsK | > singof
two palp of now shoes to n pawnbroker at
1111 Douglas street. Olucer Kussell com
pelled the second hand man to give up the
property and sent it. uUmg with Benedict to
tbo Jail.
Itov. Dr. Slcphcn Phclps , pastor of the
First Presbyterian church of Council Bluffs ,
will occupy the pulpit of the First Methodist
Episcopal church this evening at 7:45 : ,
Chancellor Crulghton , who was announced
to preach being ill. There will bo no services
In the morning. '
People in North Omaha nro again com
plaining about the use of explosives on the
big sower. A few days ago the use of dyna
mite was prohibited nt their demand und
then the contractors resorted to giant lew
der. Residents in the nclghl > orhood allege
that largo chunks of frozen dirt are hurled
hundreds of foot on cither side of tlio ditch , ,
LIFE IN FAR OFF HONDURAS
Bertutlftil Scenes in the
Somt-Troplcal Cen
tral Ainorlcan Republic.
LUXURIANT AND , FRAGRANT FOLIAGE
Wlioro ColuinliiiH 1'irnt l.Hiuloil on Mm Conti
nent Tlio Now Moimco und \Vlirro It
AVI1I Ho IiOcatKit Kntortnlnlng
Word
Oil the northeastern coast of Honduras Is
the town of Puerto Cortes , n straggling
Httlo place of perhaps 1,000 Inhabitants
extending along the shore of n pretty Httlu
harbor , ono of the best on the coast of this
republic. The main portion of the town Is
built on n narrow peninsula , running out _
Into the sea nbout four miles and so low is it
the houses are set on posts above tho- water ,
which , in the rainy season , U always under
them. Yet , swept ns this narrow strip Is
by the salt breezes on three sides , In spite of
Its want of drainage and sewerage. It Is
comparatively healthy. History states that
this Is the place where Columbus first put
foot on the mainland of this continent , landIng -
Ing hero In 1WJ on his fourth voyage. The
situation Is admirable for a maritime city.
The climate Is generally delightful , ns the
heat Is always tempered by the sea breezes.
Back of the port n high range of mountains ,
called the Cerro do Guyumel , contribute n
grand nnd Interesting character to the
scenery nnd tno coast assumes an nnpcar-
nnco of grandeur nnd beauty that moro than
realized my ideas of tropical regions. Be
yond the llrst range nro lofty mountains of
perpetual green , some Isolated und ( others
running off into ranges , higher nnd higher ,
until tlioir summits tire lost In the clotuls.
A Now Monaco.
This coast is destined soon to become much
better known than nt present. Considera
ble attention will soon bo paid to n point not
moro than fifty miles from this port. I refer
to the island of Bonnco , which was conceded
to a lottery company last month , and who
propose to establish their lottery plant
there , but , further , will proceed to lay out a
1iow Monte Carlo ns well. The ox-president
of the republic , Louis Bogran , nnd Mr. Mor
ris were Riven a concession after paying the
sum of fcJO.OOO. This concession has been
ratified by congress. The island is only too
well adapted for this purpose It possesses
a fairly good harbor , which at n little ex
pense could bo made excellent. It is high
nnd wonderfully fertile und has n climate
unsurpassed for healthfulness and delightfulness -
fulness ,
Tlio Intcroroaiilc Itnllrimd.
Puerto Cortes , besides having n line har
bor , enjoys the distinction of being the onlv
seaport In Honduras having n railroad ,
There nro railroads , there have been nnd
probably will bo railroads , but no American ,
bo ho drunk or sober , sane or insane , can
with the loftiest nnd grandest Illcht of Im
agination do justice to this railroad. It is
simply something to wonder nt. Built by
English capital und engineers some thirty
years ngo , it was originally sixty-live miles
in length , but the washout of a bridge ten
years ago shortened it to its present length ,
thirty-seven miles. The road has n bonded
debt of fl0,000,000 ! and interest for thirty
years , not ono cent of which has been paid.
Its roiling stock consists of two English en
gines , wood burners , the "Bogran" und the
"Morazon , " the latter being n genuine curi
osity that would draw well at the Columbian
exposition ; ono passenger coach , which is
really n plain box car of extremely uncertain
ago and minus springs ; a car whosawindows
will not open , or if open will not close , and
whoso shaky sides and lloor ; > ro held together
by strands of vines ; ono box car and live
Hat cars , ono water tank and a dozen buckets ,
two engineers , two conductors who are also
brukcinon , fourteen firemen , nil colored.
This includes everything , I think , except the
numerous mahogany-colored lasses along the
road , that Jerry , the engineer , is prone to
"chin" nt every stopping place.
The Intcroccaiiic railroad was projected to
connect the coast of the Pacific nt Amapala
with 'this port. After following the surveyed
line of this croad almost its entire length
across the republic , I am surprised that it
was never completed. It can bo built for
less money than any line ncross Central
America , nnd its route would ho through the
most beautiful land In the world. ' To show
the distance saved to travelers ,
were this line completed , I submit
the following figures , comparing with the'
present route via Panama , and the projected
route via Nicaragua : From Liverwol to San
Francisco , touching at Jamaica , via Panama ,
r.'OSO milesNlcnragua,7,720 ; ; Honduras , 7,320.
Distance from Now York to San Francisco ,
via Panama , 5,221 miles ; Nicaragua , -1,700 ;
Honduras , 4,121 a saving in favor of Hon
duras route of from eight to ten days as com
pared with Panama , between the Atlantic
ports of the United States , as well uc F.uropo
and California. Oregon , China , Jupix" , and
the whole Pacific.
In this enlightened ngo of progress nnd in
vention , when the toot of the locomotive is
echoing around the Mount of Olives , nnd thu
festive brakemnn is Juggling with the famous
names of biblical history , it is strange that n
railroad such as the ono at this point should
exist. It belongs to a decade past and for
gotten , with the steamboat of Fulton nnd
the locomotive of Stophenson. My own ex
perience will Illustrate the manner in which
it Is managed. 1 loft the steamer Tues
day evening , und had my lug
gage transferred to the Hotel Ameri-
L-ano. Wednesday morning I made enquiries
concerning the train , and was Informed that
It would not go up before Friday. I imme
diately started lor the "Ollciiia del Tele-
grafo" to wire my Chicago companion , Mr.
Forsyth , who was at San Pedro , waiting for
mo. Ourconsularagent , Mr. Alger , informed
mo that the operator was celebrating his
birthday nnd had forgotten to provldo a sub
stitute. I waited until Friday morning for
the celebration to conclude , but up to the
time of the train's departure the appearance
of the operator was not announced. I neg
lected to state that the train makes two
trips a week , some weeks. Other weeks It
does not run so often. Friday morning
dawned bright nnd beautiful and nt 8 o'clock
found mo with my luggage nboard the train.
Aftura prodigous amount of whistling und
blowing wo wore off. It was the beginning
of a remarkable rldo. This road , in the allo
pathic dose I took , would furnUh Bill Nye
with subject matter for ten lectures. Our
train consisted of ono engine , the Morazon ,
ono Hat car loaded with wood , one box.car . of
freight nnd the passenger coach. Our pas
sengers were numerous and of all complex
ions three Americans , Mr. Morlan of New
Orleans , Ma1. Sully of the Port and myself
while the balance of the crow consisted of
Honduranian negroes , Caribs und Indians
Mr. Morlau , nn old traveler In this country ,
had thoughtfully taken possession of one
corner of the cur for us und mad : ) it comfort-
nblo with blankets and valises. The scats
nrranged us in the old-fashioned horse cars ,
DII the sides , were plain boards , extending
the entire length of the car and without the
semblance of u cushion on them.
Tlilrty-Soven Mllm In Twunty Il'ourg.
Without any mishap , but with a great
leal of nolso , wo reached Laguna , ono mlle
from our starting point. Hero wo stopped
for water , which was supplied to the engine
by our Ilvo firemen , who passed It up to the
lank in buckets. VVo replenished our lunch
basket , to bo. on the safe side , u suggestion
) fMr. Marian's , and n wise ono it proved to
M. Once moro wo started. Smoking not
: > ojng forbidden , wo lighted our cigars und
> rcpared to bo comfortable. A senora , with
i complexion of antique oak , very politely
asked mo for n light In the soft tongue ofl
Ciistllo , nftor revolving which she smoked ]
her clgnrro with grace nnd evident sails-
faction. ,
Well , to continue , wo reached San Pedroi
the next mornlrg , nt 4 o'clock , twenty hoiira
In going thirty-seven miles , Think of It !
\\oraiioITlhetrack four times , but that
only delayed us flvo hours , At Clieloinii.
after u mighty effort tlm train was pulled
almost to the top of a big grade ami then the
steam gave out. Owing to the fact that our
conductor nnd brakeman was asleep nnd
nllod to place u log tin lc > r tin wh < ! s of our
inch , the twin slippjl b.u ! c ujtvn the
r.idonn.i wo mvlo splomllil tlnu , the bnat
time on the trip , going the wrong wny An-
nroachlng each village It ! the' custom to
blow the whlstlo until the town Is readied
It Invariably happened that when \\o ar
rived the steam was exhausted ami we would
have to Avail until It was supplied. Wo had
nmple time to pick oocoanius nnd flowers by
the wayside , and when riding grow tiresome.
It was perfectly safe to get out and walk ,
providedrun moderntod your pace. The
files and mosquitoes , and the lions which our
native passengers worn well supplied with
and generously donated to us.mado the night
one of horror , never to bo forgotten. In splto
of thedlsi-emfurts nnd the pests , the scenery
w passed moro than repaid us for thu
misery we suffered. For miles the
ro.ul is through u tropical swamp and forest ,
where the foliage Is indescribably luxuriant
nnd beautiful. Mlle after mlle wo paused
under nrchwnys of bonding palms nnd eorozu
trees , gigantic in size , The hitter may
justly bo considered the most perfect retire. . *
Ncnlallon of the picturesque In tropical
vcgatiou. Its trunk is clad in the richest
nltlre of parasitic life ; Its wonderful
feathery leaves , thirty or forty foul in
length , bending In elegant and graceful
curves by the weight of thelruwn tuxurlaitcu
or the burden of ornamental vines. Beneath
this mass of tropical richness , hanging llltn
uu immense'cornucopia , maybe distinguished
one or moro clusters of its fruit , the delicious
cahoon nuts For n distance the road passes
bo.Mdo the Chamlllcnn river , a swift , deep
ami narrow stream , Mowing for miles through
this wild Jungle , In the eternal shadows of
the gigantic ceiba , cedar anil rubber trees ,
between whoso moss and vinechul trunks
grow palms of every description , All
along the route are banana plantations , for
Iho banana and the plantain nru to the
people of this country what the wheat Is to
us. This little line of railroad carries fully
half the bananas which supply the markets
of the north through the port of Now Or
leans. In this dense forest , which extends
along the coast for miles , abound mahogany ,
Ignum vitii- , cedar , sllvllia , India rubber
ireos , morn , San Juan , logwood and other
valuable woods and dyewoods. Mahogany
is common hereabouts and nnny of the ties
of this road nro of mahogany and rosewood.
I noticed several mahogany trees which
wore being made to servo as telegraph poles.
A native residing at Laguna has a line fence
made entirely of hewn mahogany boards ,
which , with ttio extreme good taste that U
characteristic of the race , ho has adorned
with a generous coat of whitewash.
Howtliti Hiumim ( ! ro a ,
A few words about the bairina may prove
of interest. Some of my ideas were changed
after 1 cot here. It was my impression the
banana grow on a tree , but this is not true.
The banana Is a species of gigantic lily ,
which , while it growsto the height of twenty
or thirty feet , as it does In cloven month's
tlino , has no truu stum. Its trunk is formeit
by the sheathing of Its immense leaves.
Each stem produces ono bunch of bananas ,
after which It Is cut down and loft where It
falls , to decay. A now stem springs up to
replace it , and in eleven months is treated
the same. So year alter year the process of
growth goes on. There is no replanting and
very little cultivating. Some of the Hunches
weigh nearly n hundred pound : * nnd contain
150 to00 baitanas. A thing to bo remem
bered is thai the banana is not allowed to
ripen on the plant , but is picked green and
hung indoors to ripen. The productiveness
of the banana Is something wonderful. Huni-
Iwldt calculated that as compared with wheat
It was lifii to 1 , nud as against potatoes-14 tol.
The plantain , u larger fruit of the same fam
ily , is the manna of the tropics. It Is fried
baked , boiled , dried into flour , made Into
wine , and eaten raw. The natives seldom
eat It or the banana uncooked , believing It
causes fever.
Such of the natives ns wo have met thus
far seem inoffensive , evidently very imlnlent
nnd not overparticular us to thd Kind or
quantity of clothing they have on. Somo.of
the costumes I have seen hero have about
the same amount of cloth in them as Is
usually placed in a Ixmg Branch bathing
suit. I remark one thing , and that is the
remarkably small hands and feet the native
Honduranian has. The features are not
displeasing , but certainly they are not beau
tiful. Their manners are extremely polite
and respectful.
A Volunteer Army.
Puerto Cortes has not recovered from the
shock of the revolution of last August and
is under martial law. Some two hundred
soldiers nro quartered there and It is Im
possible , without u permit , to pass from one
part of the town to the ether after 8 o'clock , i
The army Is u siirht. Such n gang of halfi i
dressed hoodlums were never gathered
gothor before. Under the laws of tnc
country every citizen must servo a portion' of
the year In the urmy. The pay is 8 ,
reals per day , noout iiO cents In !
our money. The soldier feeds himsulf ]
and family out of this , the government
very generously donating n pair of overalls
and a gun. The method of getting together
a volunteer army in Honduras is extremely
original. Mark you , I said a volunteer army
This Is thoestablishcdHonduranian molhod
An olllccr , with a squad of soldiers , quietly
unters a town in the early evening und pro- -
joods to enter each houso. If there Is un
iblo-bodltul man within ho la marched to the
iabildo und a guard placed over him. Thu
> nicer and his men proceed on their rounds
jntil n sufllelcnl number of men has boon
) btalncd , or until the supply of natives runs
) ut , or , in the Honduranian language , until a
iufllcient number have volunteered , It Is
true , however , In spite of the meager salary-
many young men volunteer. How they con
duct themselves in time of battle I shall
liavo , occasion to toll you later.
An American In I'rl-on.
During the revolution of last August , the
insurgents captured the town of Puerto
Jortos without bloodshed , I believe , and ]
Hold It for several days. The rebels were <
: ommanded by a son-in-law of the president
uul u nephew of the minister of the Interior ,
lamed Nuila , a brave but foolish young
nan , who took up arms against the govern-
ncnl because he had not received HOUIU
lollUcal olllcu which had been promised hint.
\mong those who Joined him was un Ameri
can , Captain Phnrcs B. Brnb.ikcr , a Pcnn-
lylvanlan by birth , but later a resident of
. Wo , N. D. With his unerring Win-
; hcstcr , ho succeeded in kilting n goodly
lumber of the government soldiers , HO there
, vas some blood shed In this revolution.
A'lieu Nulla was captured , as ho was later ,
laving been seized wlulo sick with fuvor , h (
vus placed In n chair with bis bai-k ug.iliiBt
.ho wall of n church nnd a lllo of Kolillori
ihot him. Brub.iker was captured at tlio
lumo time and sentenced to imprisonment
it Omoa for novoii years. In an interview
vlth him in prison ho states his roasoiis for
; oing into the fight where ho supposed ho wus
iclping the government und protecting his
> roi > erty. IIu know but little of the aitalr. "
if the government , und still loss of the
anguuge. He know Is'ulla ns n relative of
.ho president und un oftlccr In the urmy , and
t Is oxcocdlnzly probable that ho was do-
'eived by Nulla , who i-ccoirulzed how valua-
> lo n man to him Brulalter would pruvo
Sir. Brubaker Is u Mason In good * stand-
ng nt Furgo anil I believe u little effort on
ho part of the Masons of the country would
ifTect his release. Thu prison wherein hu Is
oiiflnod Is n terrible hole und his treatment
s unnecessarily sovcre. BLANCH.
Hood's Sarsap.irllla iwsltlvely cures even
vhcn all others fall. It has a record of sue *
esses unequalled by any other medicine.
Highest of all in Leavening Power. Latest U. S. Gov't Report.
PURE
