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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (May 24, 1900)
H c v wwm XStyfflXUXfo VOL. XL. 2s O. 12,307. PORTLAND, OREGON. THURSDAY, MAY 24, .1900. PRICE FIVE CENTS. V lnf !I "CRACK PROOF" "SNAG PROOF" PURE RUBBER MINING BOOTS ALL KINDS OP RUBBER AND OIL GOODS FOR CAPE NOME. Goodyear Rubber Company B. H. PEASE. President; F. M. SHEPAHD, JR., Treasure; J. A. SHEPARD. Bocretaxy. 73 and 75 First Street, Pertland Oregon. Blumauer Furs! Furs! Furs! Manufacturers of Exclusive Novelties In Fine Furs, ALASKA OUTFITS In Fur Robes, Fur Overcoats, Caps, Gloves, IVfoccasIns, etc. Highest price patd for raw furs. Q. P. RUMMEUN & SONS Orcsoa Phone Mala -401 HOTEL PERKINS Fifth and Washington Streets . . PORTLAND, OREGON EUROPEAN PLAN First-Clans Check Restaurant Connected With Hotel. JEFF. C TAYLOR Red, White and Blue Star Its purity andvhlgh standard will be maintained, because the "handlers have an enviable reputation "which they mean to sus tain. ""ESSE". . . BLUMAUER & HOCH no fourth st. J-F.DAVIES.Prcs. St. Charles Hotel CO. (INCORPORATED). FRONT AND MORRISON STREET5 PORTtXNDTtmEQON . American and European Plan. FREE! FREE! FREE! ,, Beautiful Portrait In colored carbon on porcelain (regular price $3 DO each) vrill be given away with every dozen of our best cabinet. TbU is not to be confounded with any cheap photo .scheme, but merely to serve as an Introduction for our carbon work in Portland. Offer limit ed to but one person in each family. Come early; this offer expires June 15. KRAUCH Turkish Baths best; in the city Good Beds for the Night if desired, all for $1.00 3d Floor, Oregonian BIdg. king & compton Studebaker Traps ABSOLUTELY THE VERY BEST In style, material, workmanship and general ap pearance. Fitted with solid rubber, cushion or pneumatic tires. CARRIAGES WAGONS HARNESS ROBES, WHIPS E. C Godaara fc Co., Oregoalan Bids. : SMOKE THE BEAU BRUMMELL BEST RVE-CENT CIGAR MADE - Frank Drug. Co. Wholesale Distributers 126 SECOND ST., near Washington Established 1B70. Rooms Single 75c to J1.G0 per day Rooms Doubla H.00 to $2.00 per day Rooms Family JL50 to 53.00 per day C T. BELCHER. Soc and Treas. American plan... European plan... .. . .11.25. SLfeo. n. .... 50c. 75c J1.W Portland's Progressive Photographer Successor to Hyland Seventh and Washington Sts. Studebaker 320 TO 338 ' EAST MORRISON ST. A Good Photograph 96 Is largely due to the excellence of the lens used. "Without a good lens clear-cut lines are Im possible. In spectacles it's ex actly the same. Poor lenses dull and deaden the lines, to say nothing of their Injurious effect on the eyes. When you buy our celebrated CROWN lenses you are getting the very beet that can be hod. Not expensive, either. WALTER REED Ey Specialist 1S3 SIXTH STREET OREGOXIAX BUILDXXa ROBERTS' ADVANCE British Army Nearing Transvaal Frontier. the CAVALRY FORCES OVER THE-RIVER Pretoria. Prepared for a Year's Slese More About the Relief ef Mafe- kins Operation la Natal. LONDON. May 24.-3:40 A. M. Lord Roberts Is drawing near to the frontier of the Transvaal. His Infantry masses are 33 miles north of Kroonstad, at the Rhenoster River. Somo thousands of cavalry are already across the river. The Boers are retiring towards the Vaal, with their heavy baggage. They are reported from Pretoria as already across that riv er. .Twelve thousand men and four guns compose the retreating army. Trains con tinue to run from Vereenlglng, at the Vaal, to Pretoria. The War office late last evening pub lished the following from Lord Roberts: "South bank of the Rhenoster River, May 23. 1:30 P. M. We found on arrival here this morning that the enemy had. fled during the night They bad occupied a strong position on the north bank of the river, which had been carefully entrench ed, but they did not think It advisable to defend It "when they heard that Ian Hamilton's force was at HeUbron, and that our cavalry, which had crossed the "Rhenoster some miles lower , down the stream, were threatening their right and rear. "The bridge over the Rhenoster, sev eral culverts and some miles of railway were destroyed. Ian Hamilton's force drove the Boers under Ret Dewet before them from Lindley to HeUbron. The pass age of the Rhenoster was strongly dis puted. Our loss might have been heavy, but for a well -conceived plan, which brought Smlth-Dorren's brigade on the enemy's flank Just 'at the right moment. "The officer commanding at Boshot re ports that upward of 350 Free Staters have surrendered during the last few days, and that they have given up 360 rifles, 100 horses and a large amount of ammunition. "Kelly-Kenny reports that three com panies of Teomanry, who were sent to re pair the telegraph lines and to clear the country between Bloemfonteln and Bosh of, have returned to Bloemfonteln, having performed the duty exceedingly well." Foreign engineers assert that Pretoria Is able to stand a year's siege. Accord ing to advices from Lourenco Marques, the Pretoria fortifications are described as complete, but Johannesburg has not yet been placed entirely fn a state of de fense. The Transvaal Government pa pers and the war chest have been re moved to Lydenburg. Foreigners continue to leave the Re public The Dutch cruiser Frlesland Is at Delagoa Bay, so It Is reported, to furnish an asylum to the fleeing 'Hollanders and passage to Europe. The Boer forces continue to dwindle. Some of the CQmapflndents&sfierX, that probably only about 24.000 of the hardiest fighters, yet remain although there, are, ueiacnea parties in various parts of the Transvaal. One of the, curious pieces of gossip sent from Lourenco, Marques is that several women tried to sjambok" President Kru- ger, wno was rescued by his body, guard. He rarely leaves the Presidency now, but worics incessantly, holding councils at daybreak and during the night. It was announced at Pretoria Sunday that, the government proposes removing the Brit ish prisoners from Pretoria. Stories From Mafelclner. Mafeking dispatches continue to pour Into London relating to events immediate ly preceding the relief and the entry of the troops.- The correspondents ajrree that the Canadian artillery, , Major En don's seven guns, did splendid work. Some of them assert that the Canadians did "the absolutely .essential work m the flghtinr." About 7 In the evening of the day be fore the relief, after Colonel Mahon and -Colonel Plumer had defeated the Boers nine miles, from Mafeking, Major Karri Davis and nine scouts entered 'the town. The Boers -were then retreating. At 4 the following- morning 1000 men, including the Canadians, arrived. With them were 29 wagonloads of food, which were received with wild demonstrations. The armored train and a detachment then pushed for ward to Gametree Fort, the scene of the unsuccessful sortie in December. The Boers were pressed, and the correspond ent, telegraphing Thursday afternoon, closed his dispatch thus: "We caught up with the retreating Boers and have them now surrounded." Lady Sarah Wilson has managed to get through a message from Mafeking dated Thursday and announcing the entry of the relief column. She saya: "The fighting before the relief was very hard. A severe struggle proceeded yes terday (May 16) from 2 P. M. until dusk. The Boers were forced slowly to retreat, contesting every Inch. At sunset they still held the last position. Colonel Mahon entered the town In the brilliant moon light. The Boers were as tired out as we were, and they never guessed that an attempt would be made to force an entry before morning. Therefore, their sur prise was complete. They deserted their laagers, leaving a lot of 'food, which was divided up among the people of Mafe king." A Dally Telegraph correspondent, de scribing the march of the relief column, says: "The morning before the little force started from Klmberley General Hunter wrote Colonel Mahon: 'Thlsls the most dashing exploit of the war. Every man In the column has been especially select ed. I wish you Godspeed.' "The action opened at 1 P. M. Wednes day with Maxim Are, and this soon told upon the enemy, who surounded us. but who had not hindered the forward march. The value of the Boer methods of war fare when used In flat country may be estimated by this action. Little cover was afforded the enemy, with the result that they fled as soon as our guns were turned on them. The fight raged most fiercely on the left, but our suns soon silenced the enemy, who were seen flying In all directions. Those on the left bank, find ing that their comrades In front bad abandoned their positions, ran helter skelter. "Then ensued the finest Boer hunting during the war. The dismounted British piled the enemy with rifle Are. while the pom-pom hustled" until not a single Boer was left in front of us. The Canadians kept busy on the right, replying with their seven-pounder to tho enemy's blgsest gun until darkness fell on the scene." Tlie Boer Ambascade. The ensnaring of the squadron of Beth uen's Horse appears to have .been quite as bad as was at first reported. Colonel Bethuen. thinking there were no Boers at Vryheld. determined to go that way to ward Newcastle, as a short cut. The ad vance squadron was hunyiDg to make Vryheld before dark. It left the main body and trotted Into the ambush. The Boers had Maxims, and the British, see ing that they had no chance to retire, dashed forward to a point within 20 yards of the Boer rifles. Five officers and 63 men were killed or wounded. Bethuen or dered his four other squadrons to retire. Tho damage to Lalng's Nek tunnel Is capable of repair. The strength, of the Boers at that point is not known. Prob ably they have from 5000 to 6300 men. Dr.. Leyds, according to the Brussels correspondent of the Dally Express, has quarreled with the Transvaal Government. A representative of President Kruger la alleged to have demanded an accounting respecting 500,000 (J2.5O0.0O0) that has passed through JDr. Leyds hands. Dr. Leyds is said to have replied that the money had all been expended, and to have expressed Indignation when asked for an itemized statement. President Kruger's emissary is described as showing to Dr. Leyds. certain ante-war letters. In which Germany and France said they would in tervene; and Dr. Leyds, according to this account, grabbed the documents and threw them Into the Hre. having a bodily strug gle with the emissary. The "Lourenco Marques correspondent of the Times says: "Mrs. Reltz, wife of the Transvaal State Secretary, and her children baye gone to Europe on the Bundesrath, which Is be lleved to have taken a largo quantity of bullion, and possibly several Important Boer politicians. A popular fecllrg against Presidents Kruger and Steyn la setting In heavily. Every newspaper ar ticle is censored, and the people aro In dignant at discovering what rubbish and falsehood have been given them." CAPTURE OF ELOFF. Events That Preceded the Reacae of Mafcldng. MAFEKING, May 18. The whole town is animated with a keen sense of exulta tion over yesterday's victory, which was complete, decisive and far-reaching.' All the outlying works of the town were in tact; the British had lost hardly any'men, and yet three bodies of Federals right In side the British lines, had ben surrounded, cut off and given an opportunity to sur render, which they had declined. -Commandant Sarel Eloff did not realize that his supports had been drhen back; and he informed a messenger that the town was at hts mercy. Toward noon there was a lull in the fighting. Everybody tit headquarters went to breakfast, and the commissariat requisitioned for horse sausage, bread o.nd water- for the men on the fighting Une. There was no thought of half-rations. Everj one got all he could eat. The British In the Statt, moving from rock to trock, gradually drew In their circle around the Federals, whom they corraled like cattle in a compound Short ly after 4:30 a white flag -was hoisted by the enemy, and then, amid ringing cheers, the first batch of Boers was disarmed and sent to the town. The erstwhile besiegers furnished fn Inspiring spectacU to the townsfolk, themselves so longA cooped up. As the hungry, dirty, battle - stained Boers marched between the gleaming bayonets of the British, the British population re ceived them respectfully, but the Kaffirs gavcfull rein to their enthusiasm In hoofs; yells and 4 similar expressions of delight. The prisoners seemed glad the fight was over. As the afternoon advanced the crackle of musketry begaatteal.eitl&tfipg,'fintll nearly 7 p clock, when Captain Singleton shouted "Cease fire." A message hod -come from headquarters to the effect that Eloff, his officers and men had surrendered and had laid down their arms uncondition ally to Colonel Hore, who, with a' handful of men, had been a prisoner of Eloff dur-lng-most of tho day. Shortly before tnls a .fusillade was heard. It was Eloff and the men who stood by him, firing on their own deserters. 0 of whom fled. The news spread by telephone to the gar risons of the various forts, and cheer upon cheer resounded. .In the town some ere shouted "God save the Queen," and the strains of the National anthem mingled for a few minutes with the hoarse shout ing of the natives. Soon Captain-Single ton and Colonel Hore approached, acoon panled by Commandant Eloff and his of ficers. The meeting between Colonel Baden-Powell and the' Boer Commaiier was dramatic. ""This Is Commandant Eloff, sir," said Captain Singleton. "Good evenlns. Commandant," said Colonel Baden-Powell. "Welcome, and have some dinner." As the Briysh had already captured 124 prisoners, about all they could handle. Colonel Baden-Powell sent word to Lord Chase Bentenek to open the way nml to allow the scattered remnants of thdFcV erels to be driven from the Staat. In half on hour everything was over, and m the messroom at headquarters the three Boer officers were fining. Nearly every mess In tows raked up somewhero a hid den store of liquor, a bottle of champagne In one place, a flask of whisky Jn.anothrr. Tno whole town Joined In the Jubilation, singing "God Save the Queen" and other patriotic songs all night long. The rank and file of the Boer prisoners were lodged at Masonic HjiIL. Most of them are Johannesburg Horse. They seemed In excellent spirits, scrambled lor the blankets issued, wrote tetters to their friends, and grumbled at General Snym&a. AFFAIRS IN HONOLULU. Not a Case of Plague For Forty-six Days. SAN FRANCISCO. Mav 23. Tfiesteamer Australia brings Honolulu advices to May 16. At mat date were nan not been a case of the bubonic plague for 46 days, and business had resumed Its former ac tivity. Alexander Young, Minister of the Inte rior In President Dole's Cabinet, who has announced his intention of resigning, ar rived on the Australia on private business. The plantation agencies have all united in a committee to make contracts for the sale of sugar for the next three or five years. The present contract with the sugar trust expires with the present crop. The reform element of the Chinese In Honolulu Is rejoicing over the n'ews that Lau Hock Sun, the scourge and Pharaoh of the reformers in China, is dead. It was he who recently arrested the families of two California Chinese merchants near Canton. He was active in the effort to apprehend the reformer, Kwang Yu Wei. BATTLE IN CATUBIG. French Dispatch Rcportii American Lest SOO. PARIS, May 24. A special dispatch re ceived here reports a stubborn fight on tho Island of Catublg, one of the Philip pines. The American losses are reported as 500 killed or wounded. The Theatrical Syndicate. NEW YORK. May 23. The differences between the members of the .theatrical syndicate, of which Al Hayman Is the president, have been harmonized. Tho disruption that seemed Imminent only a short time ago has been avertel and an agreement has finally Treen . reached, by which the organ'zatlon will be continued Intact for five years, after the conclusion of the present contract at the esJ of next season. .Nlxon and Zimmerman Trill, not withdraw. OFFFOR POLAR GOLD The Nome Fleet Will Reach One Hundred Vessels. BIG PROPORTIONS OF THE RUSH PaascBsers for First Trip Nnmber ,15,000 Bearing1 Sea Ice Trouble at the Landing. SEATTLE, Wash., May 23. It Is a strange and wonderful experience to pass along Seattle's water front these days. It Is choked with traffic, thronged with people, littered with the various belong ings of the "many thousand gold-fever vlc- HON. MARTIN J i in i i i 1 ' APPOINTED. BY GOVERNOR S3IITH, OF MONTANA, TO REPRESENT THAT STATE IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE. Lllma hurrying, to Cape Nome. Vessels of all sorts are Jammed, together In all kinds of ways, against twharves, at the ends, In the slips, anywhere that an opening Is offered. Some places they are two or three- deep. The craft range from small two-masted schooners to the finest type of large ocean-going steamer. They rep resent, too, 'all stages of seaworthiness. Some are mere cockle-shells; others are comfortable and,even elegant steamships fitted for accommodation of many pas sengers and much 'freight. For the past week they have been leaving at the rate of two and three and even four a day, loaded In every Instance below the water line with material and supplies and re cruits for the land of fabulous golden stories and (probably) meager golden re alities. The rush Is comparable to the Klondike excitement In dimensions and lavish expenditure of money for prepara tion. Indeed, It is probable that more north-bound argonauts have been in Se attle during the past 10 days than for any similar period two years ago. There Is more concentration about It. Then people wero leaving all during .the Winter and early -Spring for Skagway and Dyea; and there was no serious congestion here at any time. Now Seattle Is the temporary ultima thule; tho Nomers come here, or to Portland or San Francisco, and stay until the day of debarkation. The first vessel left Vancouver, B. C... April 6, and it was followed by intermittent depart ures of sailing craft; but It' was not until the Robert Dollar left, on May 15, that any perceptible diminution was made in the crowds of eager speculators and pros pectors. She was followed rapidly by other steamers with many hundreds of passengers. Th& first great rush will continue by means of various steamships until May 2C, when the Charles D. Lane turns her prow to the north. (No better Idea of tha gigantic movement can be given than by printing a schedule of craft that have departed or are to depart, with numbers .of passengers. All not especially desig nated as steamers In the following are schooners or other Bailers: V Pas- Sailed eengers. Steamer Alpha, April 6 300 j Northern Light, April 26 22 lAUy ju, April zs ii Ecljpse, April 29 se. Anril 29 M .Emma and Louise, April 30 10 P. J. Abler. April 3U so Francis Alice, April 29 26 Fischer Brothers, April 29 15 General McPherson, April 29 30 Steamer Bertha, April 29 CO Ivy. April 30 30 Mercury; May 2 Steamer Dora, May 6 42 R. It Richardson, May 6 44 Casco, May 6 Steamer Bear, May 6 42 Steamer Excelsior, May 7 250 Laurel, May 9 10 Nellie Coleman: May 9 10 Toll-. T Mow Q 1(1 Theobald7, May 9 20 Discovery, May 13 63 Steamer Robert Dollar, May 15 4ju Steamer Corwln, May 15 43 Steamer Fulton. May 15 38 Wlnslpw, May 15 20 Skookum, May 17 52 Spokane, May 17 Falcon,' May 17 Annie M. Campbell. May 17 Steamer South Portland, May 17 170 Steamer Cleveland. May 19 195 Steamer1 Oregon, May 6C0 Steamer Senator, May 20 500 Steamer Alliance, May 20 250 Steamer Aberdeen. May 20 250 Joseph Lcvlston, May 20 Steamer , Lakme. May 21. 200 Steamer Ellhu Thompson, May 21 ISO Steamer Charles Nelson. May 21 ISO Steamer Olympla. May 21 COO Steamer Utopia, May 21 250 Steamer Garonne, May 22 750 Steamer Elibu Thompson, May 23 ICO Steamer Brunswick, May 23 60 Steamer Santa Ana, May 23 SCO Steamer Olympla, May 23 SCO Steamer Centennial, May 23 500 Steamer Utopia. May 23 250 To call May 24 Steamer Ohio 700 May 24 Steamer San- Bias 4C0 May 24 Edith 100 May 25 Steamer Roanoke 5C0 May 25 Steamer Tacoma 500 May 26 Steamer Chas. D. Lane. 400 Totals 10.0SS The roster of tho Nome -fleet numbers 55 vessels. A few steamers have left San Francisco direct for Dutch Harbor or TJnalaska, but most of them came to Puget Sound, and are Included In the above list. So with Tacoma. The Elder, Nome City and Despatch are scheduled to leave Portland In a few days. A number of other sailing craft, too, are now on their way from San Francisco and Puget Sound, and it is probably not an over estimate that the size of the Nome fleet as a whole approaches 100, with a total tonnago of. say, 100.000. Tho bulk of pas nenger traffic has been from Seattle, or from San Francisco via Seattle, and tho numbers going In this peaceable armada will probably reach 15.000 altogether. This, it must be remembered. Is for the first voyago. Second trips are already being advertised, and bookings made. It Is now perfectly obvious that the early estimates that the goldhuntlng crowds Nome-bound during tho Spring and Summer will be from 25.000 to SO.OOO, and probably even more. The population of Dawson at no one time exceeded 15.OQ0. But all these people, or nearly all, will land first at Nome, at practically the same time. The confusion bound to result from this as tonishing lnpourlng upon the poorly- MAGINNIS. equipped town of Nome City cannot now be even pictured. 'What will be the course of the formida ble concerted advance upon the Arctic? What the experiences and fortunes of the great army that accompanies It? The first destination of nearly all vessels Is Dutch Harbor or Unalaska. which are practically one. the former being the orig inal rendezvous of the North American Transportation & Trading Company, and the latter of the Alaska Commercial Com pany. There will be a great assembling of steamers and sailers at these points for coal or water, if they need either; and. If they do not, they will call anyway for new s and to make preparation for the sec ond and really serious stage of the Jour ney. There is a singular conflict of testi mony as to the condition of the Ice In Behring Sea at this time of year, perhaps because there Is a great variety of experi ence. It Is not tho rule that the ice fields break up so as to admit uninterrupted passage of vessels until about the middle of June; but the rule Is not Invariable. Therefore, unless unfavorable reports reach Unalaska, and make departure from port impracticable. It is likely that each vessel will sail forth pretty much on its own account, and seek an opening. It is related as a fact that the Ice field once opened up as early as March and gave a venturesome schooner a chance to slip through before It closed up again. But, even. If this story Is .true. It was an ex perience not likely soon to be repeated. It is probable Indeed, It Is almost certain that the break-up of the Ice fields will oc cur at such time and In such way as to give all the vessels opportunity to go In at about the same date, and their arrival will be practically together. From 50 to 103 vessels will be off Nome at the same time, all discharging cargo. The task will be stupendous altogether beyond the In adequate facilities at hand. As every one knows, there is no port at Nome. The beach fronts on the ocean highway. The water Is shallow, and the sandy bottom gradually sloping, so that vessels, for safety's sake, must He at anchor one to two miles distant and unload by lighters or by rafts. The old transportation com panies have a fleet of lighters, hut the great multitude of new companies have none. Therefore, every steamer leaving iort Is equipped with unloading apparatus of some kind. It will take time to fit them out upon arrival, and even then the Job of carrying goods ashore will be at tended by great difficulties. Last season much freight was lost, and It will be a miracle If the water this year does not swallow up many thousand dollars of val uable freight and precious llvei. If a storm arises, unloading must bo suspend ed, and the vessel put to sea. But, despite the meager equipment,, certain Interrup tions and Inevitable excitement and con fusion, an enormous volume of material will be dumped ashore. The contract of every snipper reads that his goods must be delivered above high-water mark; but If he gets them there he will be in great luck. And when they are there, he Is pretty sure to be In a mlx-up with thou sands of others. It is easy to foresee that tho goldbearing' beach will for days be an Improvised wharf strewn with thousands of articles of all kinds for many mile:". All the King's horses and all the King's men will be needed to restore order from chaos. And, by the way, horses will bo at a premium In the early days, though doubtless there will be more than enough later. The "cheechawkers" will, however, have one advantage: It will be the season of continual daylight. There Is no real darkness from June 1 to August 1, and the weather Is usually not severe. Every vessel leaving Seattle Is loaded to the limit, and some are overloaded. It Is the common opinion In seafaring circles that the Government Inspectors do not perform their full duty, perhaps because they do not know It, perhaps because they do not try. Indeed, their "methods have occasioned something of a scandal, even fn Seattle, and have led to serious charges affecting their competency. Steamers notorious for their unseaworthiness and for the Imperfect condition of tieir ma chinery have before this been permitted (Concluded on Third PaceJ FUND FOR THE JETTY Sundry - Civil Bill Provides $250,000 for Columbia AS REPORTED TO THE SENATE Other Appropriations for the North west Political Speeches la . Both Houses of Coasress. WASHINGTON, May 23. The Portland Chamber of Commerce had quick action on its telegram asking for $250,000 for the mouth of the Columbia River, as the sun dry civil bill was reported soon after tarrying this appropriation. However, this was obtained by the persistent work of the Oregon Senators. It provides for the repair and Improvement of the Jetty, including repairs to wharves, approaches, tramways, plank, quarters, and buildings and contingent expenses. There will be some difficulty m holding this appropria tion in conference, as Chairman Cannon, of the House committee on appropria tions, will fight It bitterly. Other provisions In the sundry civil bill for the Northwest are $24,000 for a light and fog signal at Desdemona 'sands, in addition to the appropriation of $11,000 of 1S96, which then provided for a light and fog signal station at Fort Stevens. Columbia River; $7000 was appropriated for a fog signal at Slip Point, on Clallam Bay, Washington; for a launch for tha customs service at Astoria, $2500. m addi tion to the same sum appropriated last year; fl3h culturlst at Clackamas,. "$900, and fish hatchery In Idaho, $10,000. The subcommittee Inserted McBrlde's amendment relating to the wagon road and railroad land grant Investigation In Oregon, but the full committee struck it out. All for Political Purpose. Everything that Is done in Washington has a political purpose behind it. Every speech has reference to politics. The Democrats are making the most they can out of the refusal of the Administration to recognize the Boers, and out of the Cuban scandal, and as much as they can out of the conditions In the Philippines. The speeches which were made today on the Cuban question by both Republicans and Democrats were for use In the cam paign. The action ot the Administration In re gard to the Boers Is being commended In stead of condemned, however, and the Democrats will find It a, decided boomer ang. The sober sense of the people, as -voiced In the press of the East, Indicates that the country is not ready to see the United States entangle Itself with Great Britain. Lieu Land Selections. The public lands committee today au thorized a favorable report on the bill which prescribes that when lieu selections are made for lands relinquished in forest reserves, the lieu selections shall be on surveyed lands, thus cutting, oft the wholesale selection of unsurveyed lands wBich has grown so objectionable. "No Philippine Scandals. "There will be no scandals In the ad ministration of affairs In the Philippines," remarked a man who has been Intimately connected with the military government of those islands, and who has been very close to General Otis. "We have had a man. out there," he continued, "who has been as straight and honest and as careful as a man could be. An Intimation was given that General Otis could have had a double salary as Governor-General of the Philippines, and he at once gave an In timation In reply that he would not ac cept any such salary or Increase to be paid out ot the Philippine revenues, but that he would perform his duty on the salary allowed him as Major-General of Volunteers. More than that, he has had a very close watch kept on everything con nected with the management of .affairs In the Islands, and when the accounts are Investigated It will be found that there has been no such scandal as oc curred In Cuba."' This will be worth a great deal to the Administration, which has stood so stead fastly by General Otis In his entire career as Governor-General and commanding offi cer in the Philippines. Criticisms wero hurled at Otis 'thick and fast, and many complaints made of his failure to grasp the situation, and his administration of af fairs in the islands. t it turns out that there ras been no peculation, no robbery of the Philippine revenues, and that the United States Government has adminis tered the affairs of the Philippines in an honest manner, it will be a great credit to the Administration for keeping General Otlsthere, especially In view of the fact that" so much robbery was practiced taj Cuba. When Congress Adjourns. The present session of Congress will ad journ leaving a great deal of legislation undisposed of, legislation which will also fall In the short session of Congress be cause of want of time to consider It. Yet It Is more than likely that almost the en tire press of the country will say when tho session comes to an end that the coun try Is glad to have. Congress off of Its hands. It Is probable that the adjournment of Congress will be one of the acts that will be approved generally by the people as a whole, through the public opinion molded by the press of the country, which Is almost always hostile to sessions of Congress. For some reason or other, tha fact that Congress is in session is often considered a menace to the peace and business of the country, and a detriment to the best interests of the people. It is for this reason that Congress can adjourn at any time, leaving a great deal of busi ness undisposed of, unless It happens to be some measure In which the people are vitally Interested, and In that event public opinion Is powerful enough to keep Congress In session to perform that spe cial act. The fact that public opinion, on the other hand, approves early adjourn ment, affords Congressmen an excuse to adjourn and leave legislation high and dry, with no possibility ot Its passing dur ing the short session. For this reason there has been no attempt to get through a proper Army reorganization bill, that Is, a bill which will supplant the present provisional Army provided for at the last Congress. Several other matters which people would like to see accomplished will hang up and die the usual Congressional death. But the verdict of the country will be, when Congress adjourns: "We ara glad. of It." Fire in a Dynamite Car. OAKLAND, Cal., May 23. A train of box cars, laden with merchandise. Includ ing a large quantity of dynamite and black power, caught fire last night in the railroad yards here. There was a scarcity of water and. though facing- almost cer tain death, the firemen and train hands coupled the cars to switch engines and, drawing them under the tank used for filling the locomotives, succeeded In ex tinguishing the flames before an explo sion occurred. The roof of a cU? contain ing, several tons of dynamite was burned through. X