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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 23, 1898)
THE OMAHA DAILY BEE ESTABLISHED JTJNE 19 , 1871 OMAHA , WEDNESDAY MORNING , FEsfroARY 23 , 180S TWELVE PAGES. SINGLE COPY JTIVE CENTS. SITUATION IS GRAVE Ontbreak Likely to Occur Any Tirao in Havanai LEE ADVISES AMERICANS TO GO HOME Mnny Tamilies Expect to Sail for America Tod&y. EXPLOSION THE RESULT OF TREACHERY Mine BolioYcd to Have Been Tired by Fanatic , DANGER WHEN TRUTH BECOMES KNOWN Jfavnl OIHcpr Pc-nr Tln-lr Inability to llvNtrnltt JPntille Scntlincut "VVlu-ii ( lie KnctN Conic to ( CopyrlRlit. 1SOS , by Vrcs Publlthlnc Company. ) HAVANA , Feb. 22. ( New York World Ca blegram Special fTelcgram. ) The situation tonight Is more grave than nt any tlmo since the Maine explosion ono week ago to night. Although the offlccra of the naval "board " of Inquiry preserve an Impenetrable reserve , the World correspondent learna that Home of the best naval experts now be llevo that the explosion wa the result of treachery. They do not believe the Spanish officials were a part ot tbo conspiracy. From evidence now In their possession they bc- llovo the Spanish government , General Blinco and all his military subordinates were guiltless alike of knowledge of or par ticipation In the crime. It Is believed to have been set oft ly a fanatic. Naval offlccra fear that when the facts are known It may bo Impossible to restrain public sentiment. President McKlnley and Secretary Dong are said , frankly , by ofll- clals who hive wired directly from Wash ington , to bo stienuougly for peace. Both hope that the naval iboard ot Inquiry will 'bo ' nblo to prove that no crlmo has been committed , even by a Spanish lunatic. But the American officers fear trouble when all the facts are known. They do not expect any public revelations 'or ' any radical change In the situation for a week. Consul General Lee today Informally ad vised Americans not necessarily detained hero to Jcave for home at once. Many fam ilies will sail "by " the Olivette tomorrow. This Is an Indication that those on the ground realize the possibility of trouble arising suddenly and their Inability to pro tect women and children If an outbreak occurs. SYLVK9TBR SCOVEL. 1 nni.vixo- THIS MAIXKS WUKCIC. DIvvrH Continue * to Ply Tlielr Ilnn- KrrotiM O < * eiiinlou. | ( Copyright , U98 , by 1'rrss ' PulillFhlni ; Company. ) HAVANA , Fob. 22. ( New York World Cablegram Special Telegram. ) If the 10- Inch and reserve magazines of the Maine were not exploded completely , the main deck and amidships annihilation came from some other immensely powerful force. This point Is Intensely Interesting and of the Jjlghcst Importance. The divers employed In the forward part of the wreck are working In very dangerous quarters. They have secured a powder case for the 10-Inch guns. It was full ot wet l > owdcr. Thtiy report that the forward part Is Jammed with bodies. Many of these have arms upraised and fingers clutched as If reaching -upward for the handles In the deck over head In trying to get quickly oiof the hammock. Tlio second great explosion camn too quickly for that. They are some what broken by falling anglo Irons and beams and arc very bady decomposed. Divers Reddln of the Maine and Schultor ot the New York recovered 10 silver plate throe pieces presented by the state of Maine and the big silver and horn handled loving cup resented on Mardl Gras day by Maine-born men of Now OHcann. They also baved several repeating rides , rescued cutlasses and miscellaneous articles. A bar lock typewriter works perfectly ; the ribbon nlono in useless. llcddln Is a man of wonderful nerve. lie was badly chakcn up by the explosion and had a miraculous escape thrown out ot the top of the main turret yet ho Is doing good work , notwithstanding ho Is without electric light , that having failed so far. Therefore lie can only go down to the submerged main deck. 'He woe almost killed by the captain's sideboard falling upon him nvlillo ho was groping In the captain's cabin. Ho rccov- nrod the rifles there , the mcchanlclsm. of which work perfectly. George Koehler of Brooklyn died In San Ambroslo hospital last night at midnight. Ho had been delirious for two daja. Holtzer has a chance ot living , he was slightly Litter today , Bvwi after the last sacrament was administered to him , ha said : "I am going to try not to dlo yet. " Sister Wllbcrforco , who was with Koehler while ho was dying , U doing a great and noble work. The United States vessels Fern , Mangrove nnd Bachc , dressed ship today In honor .of Washington's birthday , only from 11 a. m. until a p. in. , out pf deference to the Maine's dead. No national salute was fired , The Spanish cruiser ( Alfonso Xlt tlew an Ameri can Hag from I la main mast In compliment. Those officers who had uniforms wore scml- lull dress out of respect for the occasion. As tlio censor will not allow any mention of what tbo dlvera aacertaln about the causes of tbo Maine disaster , I shall have to merely mention tbo articles I saw aboard the Fern and allow readers ta put this and that together and draw their own conclu sions. ' Among those articled , In addition to tbo Jjooks , silverware , typewriter and Captain eigsbeo'B personal effects , taken from the after part of the wreck , I aw both loaded and unloaded six-Inch shells. A six-Inch empty powder case was found yesterday. H is now known that It came from the rc- eervo magazine , just next to the turret. The powder bolder was badly crushed ( ex actly aa If the force came from without In stead of from an explosion ot Us own con tents ) . After target practice the 'big ' powder canea were put bark Into the rack from which they came and the smaller sizes were itorcd empty In the rroerve room , The empty catci were carefully cared fr. Captain Slgabeo'a dliclpllno ba b tn 111- M ILtf Ort sioatat of the ti-rrlblu shock he was calm. He quickly ordered the magazines to be Hooded and by thUquick cool- ncBn he prevented the explosion of the for ward explosives. If they had gene al o , then no ono could have survived , from Captain Slgsbce to brave Marine Orderly Anthony. The Malno's discipline has been eupcrb under the strongest trial. No diving hap been done outsldo the wreck , being forbidden by order of the Spanish authorities. The position of the magazines Is ao follows : Under the forward turret Is the big magazine with 100 powder coses of 200 pounds each. Next to It , to ward the left elde , Is the shell room for the big gunp. Next to that Is the reserve magazine , containing only a few small sheila and 200 pound ? of saluting powder. Forward of this strip of magazines , which probably are Intact , cornea tlio nall arms cartridge magazine. Then , still further forward , comes the service six-Inch magazine. Very good steel was uted In the Maine , as Is shown by the manner In which the main deck folded over without breaking a beam , though of course It was not subjected to strain from the big powder holder. The bodies , or rather the unsightly lumps that were once hardy , healthy sailor lads , nro taken aboard the big lighters , examined by the devoted Chaplain Chcdwlck and hastily put Into cheap coffins , half full of llmo and creollno , to speedily finish decom position nnd deodorize the operation. One hundred and fltty-aevcn badlcs thus far have been recovered and six men have died In the hospital. Twelve bodies wore recovered today. Eight were very fragmentary. Chap lain Chcdwlck Is faithful In his awful task. The big wrecking tug has not arrived. A member of the court of Inquiry says the tug Neptune cannot ralso the heavy guns , as Its cranes are of only fifteen tons capacity , while the guns weigli twenty-five tons apiece. Captain Slgabee's pennant was also found today. Cablegrams from friends and families have about ceased. At first they came In a Hood. SYLVESTER SCOVEL. MAICU OFKIO1AI. CALI < O.V III.AXCO. fi on i'nil l.ou AcooiiiiianifN Xiivnl Court to thu I''ilnce , HAVANA , Feb. 22. Consul General Leo nnd the members of the United States court ot Inquiry Into the loss of the battleship Maine , called this morning on Captain Gen eral Blanco and Admiral Mantcrola. When these ceremonies were ended the court re turned to the United States lighthouse tender Mangrove and resumed Its sessions. It Is believed a number of bodies will bo recovered from the forward part of the Maine today. A majority at the remains are understood to bo those of firemen nnd many of them are said to have been mutilated In the struggle tor life , which the divers say must have been frightful. It Is announced that I COO Spanish regular troops arrived at Santiago do Cuba Satur day. The military commander of Guanabacoa has ordered the suspension of public festivi ties as a mark of respect to the memory of the Maine's dead. The prohibition will con tinue for three days. , Judge Peral of the Spanish admiralty court today has been taking the depositions of the officers of the Spanish vessels in the harbor on the subject of the disaster to the Maine. Captain SIgsbeo has 'been ' suffering from the great strain to which ho was subjected , but Is now much better , hiving been re lieved of h'ame of the responsibility by the presence here ot the court of inquiry. The court of Inquiry opened at 10:30 : and took a recess at 12:30. : Lieutenant Holmai , navigator and ccdnanco officer of the Maine , was examined at the morning cession. The court met for the afternoon session at 1:30 : and Lieutenant Commander Walnwrlght , executive officer of the Maine , was called to the stand. Lieutenant Walciwrlght IMS been In Immediate charge of the wreck since * he explosion. Four divers were at work , two In the fore- rart of the ship and the others aft. The tark is most laborious and the men are naturally extremely careful , as they have had to work In complete darkness and several have l.id bad falls. Electric lights from the Mangrove are now available and inuoli good ! s ex pected from them. Nearly all the possible salvage has now been made from : ho eobln aft. Tlie ceflorts to reach the word and mees rooms are frustrated by some unknown ob stacle. It Is expected to find bodies In those rooms. Two cases ot ten-Inch ammunition have been found , the ono having .exploded , Kio other full of powder. Theao were found forward. The work of securing the bodies under the hatch has been most difficult in the dnrk , but It Is hoped the electric lights will bo of great assistance. Tho. bodies are much irutl- latcd and some are partially burned. The officers of the court of Inquiry paid another visit to the wreck today. Captain Sampson , after the visit of the court to the captain general and Admkal Manturola to day , raid the reception extended them tiad been polite and cordial. The captain general and admiral had expressed deep sympathy and the hope that -joining would inii-rfero to prevent a thorough laveatlRatlo'i. They of fered to give any help In ituulr pawer. Cap tain Ssmpsra referred to the visits ca "tend ing to promote a better .understanding. " George W. Koebler of Brooklyn died to day at the military tiospltal. 11 the oilier Injured chow some Improvement. La Lucha , In an editorial today , comments upon the "unfalrncts of the United Slatoa in making Captain SIgsbeo the adviser and as- elstuit of the court of Inquiry. " Tbo edl- tcclal Is evidently based on lncorret Information mation from the United State. ) , aa naval officers hci-e way It Is Impossible , under the rules constituting naval courts of inquiry , that the captain comrecciJIng : he thlp de stroyed should have anything to Jo with the findings of the court , bi'lng In ono sense on trial tilmaolf. It ! s made Captain Slssbce'3 duty to give all tbe leatlmany as to the fact * In his possession. La Lucha .Ulojea else taat lto ! court of Inquiry Is not roiittliutcJ ns It would lo by any other of iho gropt rowers , but In this particular the IU.IK U evidently , abui- Ing under further misinformation , Ounncr Charles Morgan of the cruiser New York , who Is In charge ot the divers , will devote special attention to examining the ammunition In the forepart of the Maine's hull and to ascertaining the condition of the plates , liull and ammunition. He In a grad uate In gunnery and Is regarded as entirely competent , as Indeed 'aro all the divers un der his direction. He U under ftrlct orders not t ) give anything on the eubject of the result o'f hU Investigations except to the officers ot the Inquiry when called upon. The autonomist government has confirmed the appointment of Senor Manuel Rafael Angelo as delegate of the colonial govern- m < nt at Washington to prepare a commer cial treaty according < o Irstructlon * which ho will iccclvo from Senor Montoro and Senor Kodrlgucz , colonial ecrcUrfcB of ( he treasury an4 commerce respectively. It bai ( Continued OB. SweutU Page. ) TALK AT W Possibility of a Clash with Spain Quito Prcolj Discussed. FORMS CHIEF TOPIC OF CONVERSATION Conxcrvntlve Ktriurtit In In tlic Mn- jorlty , l > nt Thrrp' Arc Plenty of on llnnil to MnUe Lively * WASHINGTON , Feb. 22. ( Special Tele gram. ) Not In many years have the pcoplo of Washington discussed war with as much seriousness as they have done today. In the hotels , In the cafes and at teas and recep tions , talk of an Impending clash of arms with Spain has been uppermost. It was notable , however , that the conservative cle ment waa largely In the majority , but thcro were enough jingoes In all the assemblages to make the conversation decidedly pictur esque. The pas&agc of General Haw ley's bill by the senate today adding two regiments of artillery to the army complement lo being regarded as ( tie first real recognition of the ( Uinn.nO that lias been hoard for sometime that the artillery was entirely Inadequate to man the lortlficatlons , upon which con gress has epcnt many millions. Whether tbo bill will pass the house at this session Is a much mooted question , the leaders tea a largo extent b"lng opposed to any Increase In the army at this tlmo. Sentiment , bow- ever , may play n part In the matter nnd ttiould tbo developments of the next forty- eight hours show that the Maine was the victim of treachery nothing ccti hold the house from rushing the bill through. Tlmrston today reported from his com mittee on International expositions his resolution elution providing for a commission to su pervise the collection of funds among all the schools and colleges ot tbe United States for the purpose of erecting a monument to Lafayette In Paris , the same to bo pre sented to the government of Franco , un veiled and dedicated July 4 , 1900. The bill for the relief of Hiram H. Palmer of Omaha , carrying $30 per month , which has been pressed by every republican sena tor and member of congress from the Second end Nebraska district , has finally passed both houses of congrccs and went to the president today for his signature. Congressman Sttodo has gene to Nebraska , presumably to look after his fences. Randolph McNItt of Red Cloud leaves for dls homo tomorrow. QUIET AT NAVY DEPART.UENT. WASHINGTON , Feb. 22. All the govern ment departments were closed In Washing ton today save the Navy department , where a few officials assembled to receive aay dis patch that might arrlvo-and close the con tract with the wreckers for the recovery of the effects on the Maine , And the vessel Itself , if that bo practicable. The signing of the wrecking contract was the most Im portant event of the day , and this concluded , the officials closed up shop and went home to enjoy a respite from the rush ot the last week. Captain SIgsbeo was heard from In a dis patch which Indicates that close attention will be given to the coal bunkers by the navy court of inquiry. Washington officials unquestionably have been for some tlmo preparing for any emer gency that may arise , but appearances at the department today would Indicate that all necessary orders have already been given and that the situation was not ono calling for immediate activity at Washington. ORDERS TO VESSELS. The Cagtitie and Cincinnati , In accordance with orders made known some tlmo ago by the Associated Press , are to move much fur ther north to West Indian waters , and at Norfolk the monitor Terror has been or dered to bo In readiness and may bo sent to Now York later. The senate passed a bill to add two artil lery regiments to the strength of the army. This order has been considered for many months by officers ot the War department , who foresaw that while congress of late years had taken measures for the protection of our coasts by considerable appropriations for extensive work and guns , it bad not provided the men necessary to operate these engine ? of war. Should the house pass the bill It will enable the department to carry out plans It has long had In view. Criticisms lately passed upon the state of the army and our fortifications have caused increased activity In military matters , and to some extent this Is responsible for re ports arriving from various quarters of movements at army posts. A report was circulated trot General Miles , as commander of the army , had Issued additional orders for tioopu at all forts to bo on the alert and ready for Immediate action , but this was promptly denied by the general's chief ot utajf. Nothing whatever of a sensational charac ter occurred In Washington , and on the \\liolo Iho day was free of rumors by com parison with Its Immediate predecessors for the last week or more , WAINWRIGHT IN CHARGE. Probably Lieutenant Commander Waln- wrlght , the executive officer of the Maine , nov : In Havana , will be assigned to the duly of Inspecting the work as It proceeds. The officers ot the two wrecking com panies today said that after the expedition Wat assembled In Havana harbor a complete Inspection of tbo wreck would bo made and the exact line of work determined upon. The facilities will be BO ample that all of the divers will bo able to work at ono time on different parts of the wreck , CUost of the lifting will bo done by the smaller derrick , which Is cf sufficient capacity for the lighter upper worku of the Maine , but It will take the monster derrick Monarch to lift the hugo turrets of the Maine and the guns mounted within them. Captain Humphrey said the purpose was not to separate the big guns from the tur rets , but to lift them as a whole. This will be a tremendous undertaking , as the com- folned weight of each turret and gun Is ICG tons. Tbo Monarch can lift 2CO tons , EO there Is an ample margin of lifting power , The wreckers wcro loath to express an opinion as to their ability to raise the hull of the Maine. Mr. Cbapamn and Captain IIumplirejH said nothing but a close per sonal Inspection would permit a decision on that point. They are hopeful , however , that the ship can bo brought to the surface. The Iron barge Lone fclar will be used to rcceivo the turrets , guns and wreckage and as fast as loadi are made up It will be towed lo the Norfolk navy yard. As this waa \ legal holiday very few people were at the State or Navy depart ment * . Acting Secretary Day spent lomo tlmo at his office , but bad little newa to communicate. He had received only one d'a- patch ilnce yeiterday from Coniul General Lee. and that related to the shipment of Cuban tobacco to tbo Celled Statei. Tbo department has heard nothing of the re ported revival of the Wcyler edict prohibit ing the exportation ot tobacco from Cuba. On the contrary , General Lee'e reports show that the movements are In regular progress , or at least had not been checked up to the 19th Inst. Judge Day has received no news of the rumored capture of the Dauntless , and In fact the above telegram was all ho had had from Havana In the last twenty-four hours. NO NDWS FROM NAVAL COURT. In the Navy depirtmcn there wcro a few more officials who came down In the mornIng - Ing to look over the malls and open any tele grams that might have been received. Sec retary Long himself spent an hour In his office looking over his private mall. He said ho had' heard nothing from Havana and did not expect anything. The- naval regulations under which the court of Inquiry was pro ceeding nt Havana absolutely precluded the conveyance by any member of the court or the court ao a body to any person , oven tbo secretary of the navy , ot any facts developed during the progress of the Inquiry unless the action ol the department was necessary upon somouovelopment to further the Investiga tion. For this reason the secretary docs not expect to learn nnythlng officially or unoffi cially for several days from any of the mem- bore of the court , and as Captain Sampson , the president of that body , tias given notice at Havana that the proceedings would bo kept secret there , the officials do not see how any ono can know what the court Is doiog. AS TO NAVAL MOVEMENTS. The naval officers assert that the report to the effect that the movements ot the South Atlantic squadron , now under way , are with a view to the early assembling of the vessels near Havana , Is without foundation. This movement , they say , Is In direct accord with the plan outlined In December last by Captain Chester , of the Cincinnati , In com mand of the squadron , and approved by the department. This was about as follows : After the smaller vessels wcro docked at Buenos Ayres , he would assemble the squadron and proceed up the coast ot South America for squadron drill , visiting all the ports whcro American Interests exist , going as far as Para. Upon the return of the squadron from the north ho would make a long visit to Rio do Janeiro with all the vessoly. Near Rio Is the harbor of Isle do Grande , where the vessels will have target practice and other squadro.n exercises. This would also glvo the smaller vessels an op portunity for torpedo practice. In explanation ot the drdcr given yester day to the Norfolk navylfyard ] officials to hnvn the Terror In condition for service. Sectary l > > , wld' thU order had been given to" replace Ihe Ca'.ne , It 'being deemed desirable that the armor u. . . . . . e ii nof fall ibolow a certain number. There wis very little work to bo tJono on the Terror and forty-eight houra should suffice to fin ish it. The Terror Is our most powerful double ture-tcd monitor , nnd although not as effective a sea boat as a battleship , In the smooth -waters of the harbor Is would prob ably bo able , to hold Its town against almost any craft. . fv CALLS FOR SHIiyS PLANS. The following telcg'ram' .was received by the Navy department this afternoon from Captain Slgsbee : Send to Forsyth for Slgsboe transverse sectional drawing of Maine through for ward ten-Inch magazine and shell room , showing pocket coal bunkers. This request was immediately compiled with. It Is supposed that Captain SIgsbeo wants these drawings to assist in the work of searching the ship , as they would be of great aid to the divers. They will be use ful also as the basis for the testimony now being taken by the court of inquiry at Havana. The fact that It Is deemed es sential that the drawings shall show the pocket coal bunkers , which abut on the magazine , Is evidence that Captain Sigsbco has In mind tbo spontaneous combustion the ory , though It docs not follow by any means that ho Is committed to It. Some of the employes of the Navy de partment have been making estimates of the amount of money that will be required to meet the demands of the Joint resolution which Mr. Boutcllo proposes to introduce In the house , allowing a year's fcca pay to the families ot the dead Bailers and money for lost clothing and effects not to exceed a year's pay to the survivors. It fixes the sum at not to exceed $150,000. The Navy department received a message from Captain Slgsbee tills evening saying that fourteen more bodies had been recov ered from the wreck. All the remains are unidentified. It Is not thought any boilles will bo Identified hereafter unless by the clothing. Aside from the effect of the t > ub- morslon , the bodies ot the men were directly under the main deck , which waa blown up , and the explosion probably blow many out of existence , Tunum.n CAUSKO uv AUTONOMISTS. ItmlltMilH nt Hiiviiitn Mu'te tinMnilrlil flovcrnnii'iit llneiiKy. ( Copyrle'it , l'8M , by Preen Publlihlna Company , ) MADRID , Feb. 22. ( New York World Ca blegram Special Telegram , ) The Maine In cident Is quite cast In the background by Intelligence from 'Havnnfc concerning the at titude of the radical autonomists , headed by Govln Glberga Amblard. A majority of Span ish politicians , generals and the newspa pers are annoyed and alarmed to see a po litical committee thus' created outside the Insular government and despite Its resist ance with a view virtually to controlling elec tions nnd negotiations -with the Insurgents and Cuban refugees abroad. Heraldo , the or gan of Canalcjas , Imparrlal and the mili tary papers are as loud In criticising the radical autonomies are the conservative organs of every shade , from Ul Tlempe of Sll- vela to 'La Epoca and El Naclonal of Wey- lor and iRomero Itobledo. The Impression U that poncesslons to the extreme autonomists will .lead to making them masters of the _ situation , as moderates Ilko Galvea Montero will tbo tools In their bands or will have to , resign the mo ment It Is known that tfia Madrid govern ment will allow a free band to Govln Glberga Amblard as long as they secure prompt sub mission of a majority of'the rebels to avert foreign Interference and prolong again a struggle dltastroua for Spanish , finance. The people apprehend that Marshal Blanco may have trouble to keep the old Spanish party and volunteers quiet U the colonial cabinet Is reconitructed with radical autonomists sure to drift into some direct understanding with the rebel chiefs to secure pacification before the list of May. i The government , especially Sagasta Moret and tbelr organs In the Madrid prets , keep cool and say that they fear nothing and on the contrary bellevo the radical autonomists to bo excellent auxiliaries lor realizing the two principal alms liberal policy and peace in Cuba and friendly .relations with tbo United State * . * I can elate authoritatively that the rumor that United States Mlnlatcr Woodford la leaving Madrid la absolutely unfounded. ; HOCGHTON , GENERATES SOME WARMTH Session of Nebraska Exposition Commission Gets Bather Hot , SECRETARY CASPERDESCANTS ON EXPERTS 12iitltloyinrnt of .ViinieroiiN A AroiiNcn Hint to nn InillKimiit , lni < He In Oulvutctl iNt ( he Sninu , The Nebraska Exposition commission held n meeting last , night for the Mrs I time this month. There was very llttlo business transacted , principally 'because ' a good part of the. sccslon was occupied by a very ani mated and heated discussion. Sonic of the mcm1 > ciis claimed the others were getting more than their eharc of the soft jobs for their friends and there were some very sc- vero criticisms of the policy of employing alleged experts for the work to bo done , The warmth which pervaded the meeting ex tended to the lobby nnd a heated argu ment terminated In n fist fight between two employes of the board , The trouble started over n very Inno cent appearing motion made by CommlJ- sioner Whltford. Mr. Whltford la a horti culturist by cholco and the affairs of the horticulture department havp been regulated largely according to his suggestions , but when ho moved that the board proceed to select an assistant superintendent of horti culture Secretary Casper's hair stood on onil , The secretary entered n. most vigor ous nnd emphatic protest against the ap pointment of any more employes until some kind of an agreement was reached by which some of the districts which have no rep resentation on the pay roll should have a chance. As the usually placid and mild- mannered secretary proceeded his Ire In creased and ho demanded to know of the chairman If It was not a fact that the board had already appointed a superintendent of horticulture and an assistant. Chairman Nevlllo declined to be drawn Into what he eaw was likely to bo an un pleasant discussion and ho maintained a dignified nllcnce. Mr. Whltford's manner was gentle as a summer's breeze as ho Informed Mr. Casper In a tone "of gcntlo reproach that It was true that the beard had already employed the persons ho had named , but he reminded the secretary , still In the same gcntlo tone , that the care of the horticultural exhibit would require the greatest attention and It . necessary to employ experts to do the CASPElt 0. EXPERTS. The reference to "experts" wac 'Iko Ing a carmine undergarment la thVejM * < f an excited gentleman cow and ( urnli-h'ift a text for a dissertation by the secretary ifc t was a gem. Ho declared that he was tired of hearing about "experts. " "We arc told a'tjryery meeting , " said he , "that wo rauct have an expert for this and an expert for that and It always happens that the man who talks the most about experts has some friend who Is just the right kind of an ex pert to fill the bill. The result Is that we have got a lot of cxparts on our pay roll eating up the money and what do they amount to ? We have got two or three ex perts putting up our state building rnd or.s pert and orders the woik torn down cud done way end right after him comco another ex pert and orders the work torn dwon and done his way. I understand that the cornice on our bulld'ng has been torn off three times to please some of our alleged experts and the good Lord only knows whether fiomo of our other experts won't come alcag tomorrow and say It Is all wrong and must be done another way , Now wo are told we must have arj expert to wipe of ! apples and put them on a plate. I bellevo I could learn how to take ta npplo off a plate and wipe the dust off of It ecid then put It back again after I had been 'as'tructcd eight or ten times by the superintendent and I bellevo any other hayseed could learn to do It In time. T would like to know when we are going to agree cm the number of employes wo are going to put en the pay roll and have come understanding how the different districts are going to bo represented. I have not nomi nated a single man for a pcsttlcn under thin board , and yet I believe I have es many ap plicants for Jobs as any of the rest of you. I bellovo all the democrats la tlo state think they must como either to Mr. Boyds- ton or myself when they wont a Job under this board , and there are plenty of pops anj one or two republicans who have- made application to me. I alwaya tell them that we are not ready to hire any men and have not determined Just what we will do , but It makes me tired to corao hero one meet- tag after another and see other membora slipping their friends Into nlco soft Jobs when I have to go homo and be cut-sod by my friends for not having tense enough to get anything for my district. " EXPERTS IN A ROW. The remarks of Mr , Casper about the alter ations In the cornice of the Nebraska build ing caused a discussion between Assistant Fireman WaUon , ono of the numerous "ex perts" who has liecn In charge of the con struction of the Nebraska building , and Timekeeper E. W. Crane , an "export" en gaged to keep account of the number of houra put In by the expert carpcntere. ex pert laborers and the numerous other 'ex pert attaches who draw pay for their valu able services. Watson said Casper waa "mistaken" about the cornlco 'being ' changed three , times and claltr.ed It had only been changed twice. Crane forcibly insisted that Casper was right. This counter attraction diverted attention from the proceedings of the board and those who could not watch the performance In 1 > oth rings at the tumo tlmo turned their attention to the lobby. At tlila point the lie was psursed and Wat son Jumped to Ills feet and struck at Crano. The latter kept his seat tout threw out hLi feet In an energetic manner and kept Wat- eon at bay. Before Watson could break through this guard b > atanders separated them and attention was again turned to the proceedings of the 'board. Member Poyntcr sided with Mr. Capper. He said ho didn't like to vote against the men who hid been nominated , an they were friends of his , but he called attention to the fact that bo had named but ono em ploye of the board , EMPLOYS THE ASSISTANT , Mr. Wbltford bad sat silently through tbo Indignant speech of Mr. Casper , but he ald that in order to test the sense of the board be would nominate George Nownts of Sirpy countto ( be assistant superintendent of horticulture. This motion carried with four votes "yet" and rene In the negative , Meters , Casper and Poyntcr not voting. M ? . Uoydtton Hun essayed to pour oil on tbo troubled waters by moving the appoint ment cX o committee of three to determine THE BEE BULLETIN. Weather Iorcnst for Ncbr * k Knlr ; Cooler ; Northerly Wind * . 1. Affair * Are Critical nt llnvnnn , .n SniiirVnr Tnlk Hi AVinhlnRton. Nrbrnokn CoinniUnlnii Him n Hot Time , Colorado Cnpltiilntpa to Onmlm , 2. Story of tlio Mnltin' * I.nmirhliiR. 3. Htiito llouno nnlrlnt * In n Sto\r. Ornernl Nclinnkn Now * . ( lo < lp About Unto Unit In Oiniilm 1'roKrrt of the 7. < > l Trlitl. 4. IMItorlnl nml Commrnt. . Mcltlnlry Spnik * nt Orncntl llnrrlxm Hpruku nt Lively Tlmo In the Homo. 0. Couiirll HliirTu Ioril : Mnttor * Nou-H I'lcUril Up In town 7. Ocnrrnl Nu\r * of the I'urtl H. Oiiinhn'H Xcnv INntolllro > 'V Open. ClfMSlp ! t tllO llotdft. AITiiIrs nt South Onmlm 0. llrlgtit SUli'5 In the \ Vit I till oVnr Scrum to Ito Inovltnblo , DriiMTlti'i llooin Thutr City , 11 , ltovlv < of Hi-cent riibllciitloiK. Comiiiprcliil nml I'luniVclnl Ni < w f 12. "Joel llviuu-tt'8 I'linkln Ilnoil. " Tempi-ratlin' lit Oimilint Hour. 11 'K. Hour. . - , n. in ai i n. in : > * < U ii. Ill - - - 1 > . I" * " 7 n. in ao a i . i - ' : > 8 II. 111. . , . , . -I -I ! ' " 1 ' ' D ii. 111 a < > r. p. 111 lit 1O ll. ill J ! ! O ] > Ill -I' ll ii , 111. . . . . . : u 7 i' . in : t ia in : ti N P. in : IT it ji. in : to upon the number of employes to be perma nently employed by the board nnd to "ad- Just" the number between the several dis tricts of the state , taking Into account the number already appointed. He suggested that ho would favor allotting each member of the board to name the men to fill the po sitions assigned to his district. This was carried unanimously and the halr appointed Commissioners Iloydston , Poyntcr nnd Casper ns the committee. Before the storm nroso over the distribu tion of "plo" Mrs. Hcl2n H. Stlrcs of Colum bus , grand matron of the Order of the East ern Star , appeared before the board and re quested that the order bo given a room In the state building for headquarters or bo allotted desk room In the building. Chairman Nevlllo advocated delaying ac tion on this matter , but Secretary Casper was In favor of "doing something" at once and coming to some conclusion. This was dliscusi-cd for some time and re sulted In passing a motion Instructing the assistant secretary to notify all societies Hi the state who want ispacc In the Nebraska building for headquarters to make that fact known at once by an application in pcraan or by mall. When these arc received the whole matter will bo taken up and some definite' action taken , the nature of the action depending upon tbo number of societies > itch apply for space. If there are not ton many thev will bo accommodated , but If the number Is' & ! than. " can be accommodated 'all w'lll be refused. Contractor Klmball reported that the staff and plaster work on tlio Nebraska building will bo completed In abou a week if there Is favorable weather. The board will hold another session this morning. 1'i.A.ts von aiAisi.VG TUB MAINE. Mcrrltt Wroelilnw Company 1'rocccil with the Work. WASHINGTON' , Feb. 22. The pltis : of the wrecking expedition for the relief of the Maine were completed today after long con ferences between Secretary Lens and the representatives of the Mcrrltt and the Chap man company of New York nnd the Boston Towtoat company. The terms of the con tract as concluded and signed today provide for the payment to the wrecking companies of the sum of $871 per day for their regular pleat and a& additional payment of $500 per clay for the use of the Monarch while the latter la actually employed. Ai > express provision is made that the government may terminate the contract nt any moment. It Is also provided that the compensation thall not exceed the sum of money ( $100- 000) ) , appropriated by ocngress for this pur pose in the Joint resolution passed yester day. Finally It U provided that If the crewo succeed In raising the Maine and towing It to New York , they shall receive a bonus ot $100,000 , In view of the largo coat of the .Maine about $5,000,000 , and the desire that It shall bo raised , as evidenced by the prompt and unanimous action of congress upon the Joint resolution. Secretary Long believes that he Is fully Justified In making the above terms with the wreckers , though at first thought the per diem compensation seems large. It must bo berne In rahiil , however , ho said today , that this will constitute the largest wrecking1 expedition ever equipped In this country. Moreover , the wreckers expressed a willingness to go to work In the usual way that they servo underwriters , namely , to do the work and then take the award of a board of arbitration. This plan , however was not open to the government , which Is compelled by law to fix exact terms In ad vance , A clause of the contract requires the companies to proceed with all dispatch and In a businesslike manner with the work of wrecking and , though this h sto ( adds to the cast of the work , It IH believed to be. neces sary In view of the possibility of the early appearance of yellow fever at Havana harbor with the approach of the rainy season next month. Captain Humphreys and M. II. Chapman , representing the two companies wblch vill do the work , explained to the Associated Press the plans they will adopt In wrecking the Maine. In addition to the emergency work to be prosecuted by the Hlght Ann , the principal expedition will be made up of about 100 men , Including six skilled dlvcis ; the wrecking steamer Underwriter of Boston , of CCO-horsc power ; the wrecking steamer John G , Jones of Norfolk , of similar power ; the Iron bnrge Lone Star of Boston , capable of carrying 3,00 > tons ; the floating derrick Monarch - arch , capable of lifting 2CO tons , the larg est flc-itlng derrick In the country and an other derrick capable of lifting thirty tons. The forwarding of the boats , derricks and rcru will begin at once. Telegrams were sent today to begin the outfitting , the tak ing on of coal and the assembling of men and equipment. The boats are ready to start at any time , but It will take a day or two to get together the exceptional facilities required for this largo undertaking. Tbe wreckers say that It will be imposilblo to assemble this material and get It into Hav ana harbor ready for work for a week. They will make every effort , however , to expedite the work and on leaving Secretary Long at 1 o'clock they took trains for New York and Boston with the determination of rushing the work. AllOlltH llllllUIIUItUllM PI ( III HICHMONI ) , Va. , I'cfo. a. The Virginia Stale Hunkers' association , In unnuul c - Klon toduy , adopted the Indlur.apolla mone tary plun there being but two voteu In the negative. CAPTURES COLORADO Centennial Stnto Representatives Snlimlt to Exposition's ' Charms , DENVER'S ' DELEGATES ARE DELIGHTED Express Astonishment nnd Snticfaotion at Bnilding nnd Grounds. PROMISE TO MAKE A CREDITABLE SHOWING Business Mon Flcdgo Aotira nml EnnusS Fnitloipation of Stato. SENTIMENTS OF VISITORS FREEL/ SPOKEN Trip < o Kountr.o 1'nrk Vollnnnl lij liiiiu'liiMin , titVhlrU Mnuy Ivliul Mini , WoriN Arc S The TransmUsldslppI nnd International Exposition has no warmer supporters th.in the thirty-seven Coloradoans who arrived In the city yeUcrday morning to Inspect the exposition grounds and learn for thcmsclvra Just what Is being done to prepare for the great show they have heard tx > much about. The citizen of Colorado Is n boomer by In stinct , and those who were In the party In question admitted that they had formed a dim Men that perhaps the pcoplo of Omaha were subject to the same complaint , but they freely admitted , after they had visited. the grounds , that "tho halt had not been told , " nnd they were loud In their pralsca of the magnificence of the preparations and the remarkable progress which has been , made In getting ready for nu exposition which they declared will bo scccuil only la the great World's Fair. They promise that the Centennial ptatc will not be missing when the roll Is called on the opening day of the exposition , but will bo hero with an exhibit and the people will attend the show In great numbers. There were thirty-seven members In the party whkCi arrived yesterday morning , all but two of them being from Denver. The ex ceptions were Lieutenant Governor Jmt Brush , who lives at Greeloy , and T. A. Trlp- lett , n mine owner of Central City. The others making up the party are thcae : Mayor W. S. McMurray , VIcu President Ed ward R Bishop , capitalist ; W. N. Dyers , retired capitalist ; F. A. Keener , vice presi dent Denver Consolidated Tramway com pany ; William Church , capitalist ; S. M. Allen , manager Dradtrcets ; Max Kuner , president Kuner Pkklo company ; W. A. Hoover , -wfcolnnalo druggist ; S. .15. Roberts , transfer busfnewi ; TV. BvAVaril , mining ex tort ; Oeorgu Ady , geflaial ngcat Union Pa- Burlington ; llock Island at Denver ; W" , P. Bniloy , gen eral passenger agent Colorado Midland ; J. E. Preston , general agent Chicago , Mll- waukeo & St. Paul railway ; FItz Mac , Jour nalist ; J. M. Ward , city editor Peat ; Willis Thomj on , city editor Republican ; A. T. Macdonald. deputy city auditor ; S. N. Hast ings , : cal estate ; II. H. Hotb , Insurance ; M. Morris , national i-ccretnry Retail Clerks as sociation ; Colonel J. D. Fanning , proprietor Albany hotel ; T. A. Trlplett , mine owner , Central City ; J. II. Adams , capitalist ; Cobncl Goodcll , capitalist ; Warren Gilbert , sketch artist fJr Denver Post ; Ardlco Davis , plumber ; John D. Bradley , real estate ; C. W. Bishop , clerk circuit court ; Donald W. Campbell , engineer Board of Public Works ; J. J. Humphrey , architect Manufactures building on exposition grounds ; T. D. Boal , architect of Denver city building ; J. J. Jo'lln , dry goods ; 0. A. Rolnhardt , capitalist ; Henry J. Mayham , president Mayham Investment company. LOCAL RECEPTION COMMITTEE. The local committee which assembled nt the hotel to accompany the visitors to the exposition grounds Included these Omaha men. President Wattles , Mayor F. E. Moorcs , Major T. S. Clarksco , chief of the Entertain ment bureau ; Chairman William Novlllo ot the Nebraska Exposition commission ; Dr. S. 1C. Spaldlng , W , H. Robccson , Dudley Smith , W. S. Popplcton , H. B , Palmer , Rev. T. J. Mackoy , Colonel J. J. Dickey , II. J. Penfold , H. S. Wellcr , Judge W. D. McIIugh and W. P. Allen. After a short time spent In get- t'r.g acquainted a special train of trolley cars was brought to ttio hotel and m this the en tire party made a quick trip to the grounds. Leading the way to the head of the grandi court , President Wattles explained briefly , the names of the several main buildings la Bight and the general scheme of the grounds. The circuit of the court was then made by the entire party , each Imlldlng being entered In turn and the condition , sUe and general appearance of all carefully noted. The Gov ernment building was examined with Interest and the stiff flhop In Manufactures building proved a strong attraction for most "of the party. Emerging from the Machinery build ing , the party passed to the 'bluff ' tract and looked over the buildings In course of con- ctructlon In that portion of the grounds. To say that the visitors were surprised and pleased would 'bo ' to state a fact very mildly. They worn loud In their praUo of the evi dent magnitude of tbo operations and the magnificent plan which dominated the whole. They commented very freely on the grand scale on which preparations are 'being ' made and confessed that what they saw greatly Burpattcd their expectations , The genisral trend of the expretslonn heard waa U > the effect Hut Denver must have a building on , tbo grounds and that Colorado roust bo rep resented In a creditable manner , The location of the Denver building was examined and the general opinion wan expressed - pressed that Commissioners Ward and Mac donald had made a most excellent Bclectloa on their first visit to Omaha to make ar rangements for participation by Colorado and Denver , LUNCH AT miK MILLARD. After the Inspection of the grounds bad ! been completed the party returned to the city and were entertained at luncheon at the Mlllard. The west end of the main dining room waa * et apart 'or tbo party and tables were ar ranged to form three eldes of a bollowj square. The seats of honor were occupied ! by Governor HolconJb of Nebraska , Lieu tenant Governor Brush of Colorado , Mayor McMurray of Denver and Mayor Moorea ot Omaha , Vice President Bishop of the Colorado rado eommliifllon and Colonel W , N. Byera ot Denver , President Wattles cccuploj the cen. tor of the table , with Master of Ceremonies Clarkvon 4t hit uldo , and the executive com- rnlfeo vas represented by Manager