Nebraska Newspapers

    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