Jfl VOL. XXV- XO. 14,07T. PORTLAND, OREGON, FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 1906. PRICE FI3TE CENTS. BIGELOW PROVES UNRULY WITNESS Refuses to Give Names of Informants. SENATE MAY PUNISH HIM Canal Committee Disagrees About Its Course. BIGELOW RENEWS ATTACK Says Engineers Refuse to Go to the Isthmus, but Admits Informa tion Is Hearsay Gives Xamcs of Some. WASHINGTON", Jan. IS. Poultney BIgelow. the magazine writer, whose arraigflment or the Administration and management of the isthmian can.il af fairs in an article published in the Independent was denounced by Sec retary of War Taf t, proved to be a con tumacious witness before the Senate committee on intcrocoanic canals to m "day. and involved the committee in a controversy Svhich caused two execu tive sessions and must be considered again tomorrow before action can be taken. The recalcitrancy of the witness was shown as the rosult of a state ment by him that many eminent engi neers had declined to accept the em ployment of the Government because of physicial conditions on the Isthmus. The committee demanded the names of such engineers and Mr. BIgelow de clined to give them on the ground that to do so would be to violate contidencc and subject those persons to embar rassment. He Intimated that the dis pleasure of the Administration would be exhibited in such manner that their "reputations would be worth nothing after the official replies had been con cluded." Two opportunities were given to Mr. BIgelow to answer, but he persisted in' his refusal. Morgan, who conducts the. last examination, warned the witness in such manner as seemed to commit the committee to punishment, if he continued to bring, himself into con tempt, b.ut the advice was of no avail and the doors were ordered closed for n second time. Disagreement in Committee. In executive session it developed that the committee was agreed that the of fense of Mr. BIgelow was of such a na ture that there could be no doubt of the committee's power to have him dealt with summarily. Knox, Hopkins and Morgan favored a certification of Sits recalcitrancy to the Vice-President Xor submission of the case to United States Attorney Baker for the District of Columbia. This course met opposi tion from Gorman and Simmons, on the ground that it would prevent further examination of the witness on other subjects montioncd in the magazine ar ticle, which makjss charges against the canal management. Several members of the committee said that Mr. BIgelow's usefulness as a witness was at an end and urged 'and argued- so- vehemently against any delay in proceedings :i gainst Mr. BIgelow that Simmons de clared that their purpose seemed to be to interfere with the thorough Inves Igtttion of canal affairs which was or dered by the Seriate. When it was apparent there could be no action today, a motion to adjourn until tomorrow at 11 o'clock was car ried. This wss with the understanding that the records of today's hearing should be printed and In the hands of the committee at tomorrow's meeting. Mr. BIgelow was commanded to hold himself ready to appear tomorrow, if wanted. Bigclow Is a Quaker. On motion of Morgan, the oath was presented to the witness, but Mr. BIgelow said he was- a Quaker and therefore he was permitted to "affirm" rather than "swear." He was then asked to tell his story Jn his own .way, "I am embarrassed to appear in any capacity before a respectable body, after Jiavlng been .described as a sensation mon ger from an official source," said Mr. BIgelow. He asked .to be allowed to put himself light, and proceeded to tell of his public works, wiiercbftihad lectured and the re spectable bodies- that have done him honor. "He said he was not attempting to get advertising or sell his books by such testimony, but believed that. In the face of the attack upon him, such testi mony Is pertinent. In terms of great familiarity he referred to men of letters and publicists of high standing in an ef fort to set himself right. "As to what J saw .personally on the isthmus," said Mr. Bigelow, "I will say that I had the better part of two days, arriving at Colon at 3 in the morning." Refuses to eGlve Names. Going to a map of the isthmus, he pointed out that laborers were landed in an "oozy" swamp of a pestilential char acter.. He said that to use names would subject the persons who helped bim In getting his Information to embarrassment, and "make their names worth nothing by the time official replies were con cluded." In reference to his article ii the I4e ccadejrt. be J& that it bad. fewm-fecHfted by Harper's and Collier's weeklies be fore it was accepted by the Independent. Replying to an inquiry by Gorman, the witness said ho had not represented any American interests on the Isthmus. Returning to a discussion of his visit to the Isthmus. Mr. Bigclow said he spent most of the time investigating sani tary conditions. He thought he had been in grave danger there because of the fact that neither Secretary Taft nor Governor Magoon had been through those swamps, and that there must have been some good reason for their avoidance of those places. The executive session continued for an hour, when an adjournment was taken until 2:30 P. M. No decision was reached as to what action should be taken con cerning Mr. BIgelow's contumacy. Describing conditions, he declared that there arc no sanitary deposits. His testi mony was general, and on motion of Knox the witness was instructed to con fine It to stating the facts on which ho 'based his article on the mismanagement of canal affairs. He replied that his arti cle was based on hit personal viidt to 100 different shacks which Mr. Taft. Mr. Stevens and Mr. Shonts had pronounced to be in good, healthful condition and which lie found to be without water or sanitation. He was 'interrupted again and told that impressions were valueless and asked to give facts. Names Only One Engineer. "Well, hero is a fact," said he. "Many engineers of note declined to accopt Gov ernment employment in clearing up those sanitary conditions." "Name them," demanded Knox. "1 think it would be embarrassing to them to have thoir names made public," said lie. Upon Insistence being made, BIgelow gave the name of John F. Freeman, of Boston, and .aid tlioro were others, but he declined to give the names. Several members of the committee, not ably Hopkins, Knox and Simmons, urged that Bigclow be compelled to answer. "Mr. Roosevelt can toll you," said BIgelow. "Mr Roosevelt is not on the stand," said Knox, scvoroly. It was denied by Hopkins and Klt tredge that there is any controversy be tween the Secretary of War and the witness. Knox Brings Him to Point. After a long discussion, Knox finally moved that the witness be compelled to give the names of all persons who fur nished him Information concerning affairs on the isthmus, or to confine his testi mony to matters of which he was an eyewitness. The motion carried and the witness was Instructed to proceed. Beginning a discursive form of testi mony in which generalities abounded, Bigelow was brought to .an abrupt pause by several members of the committee. Knox said: "I insist. Mr. BIgelow, that you adapt yourself to the ruling of the committee and give the information as demanded." "You can put me on bread and water, or even condemn me to Colon, but you cannot make me disclose that which has been given me in confidence," replied the witness. His response was -cut short by a motion by Knox that the committee go Into ex ecutive session for the purpose of giv ing the committee an opportunity to con sider the situation. Mentions Several Names. At 2:20 this afternoon the doors of the committee-room were opened and Mr. BIgelow was Interrogated by Morgan. His attention was called to his statement that Mr. Freeman had declined to accept a position with the Government on canal work. The witness said he had not been told personally by Mr. Freeman that he would not take the place. He was asked to name others, but declined. He said, however, that he had conversations with Mr. Dunlap, editor of the Mining Journal, William Barclay Parsons and Mr. Free man as well as others. "Have any of these gentlemen said they would not be willing to go to the Isthmus to undertake engineering work because of physical conditions or other reasons of that character?" asked Morgan. "It would be very unfair to these gen tlemen for me to answer that question," replied Mr. BIgelow. Continuing, he de clared that he would not quote any of these gentlemen and he declined to dis close any conversations with persons who had not given him authority to do so. He said that Tracy Robinson and others he had mentioned in his article had been covered with mud by Administration of ficials, and that he would not think of embarrassing others. He offered to quote parts of a letter from Mr. Robinson, but would not put in the entire letter. "I would like to withdraw the names I have already given." said Mr. Bigelow. but he was told that ho could not with draw anything; that he had been called to tell the truth and would be expected to tell it on all matters on which he claimed to have knowledge. Morgan Lays Down Law. '"The law requires that you answer questions put to you by this committee," explained Morgan. "It requires you to answer, even though It might violate pri vate conversations or incriminate you. "Should you refuse', it Is our duty to re port your conduct to the President of the Senate and for him to proceed against you In a court of justice. Do you want any further authority on that point of law?" . "I accept your word on law questions," replied the witness, "but I should like to state " His .statement was cut short by Mor gan, who instructed the stenographer' to read the question, which was whether the witness would name any engineers who had declined to go to the Isthmus on ac count of physical or other conditions. "Do you refuse to answer without their consent?" asked Morgan. "I should like to appeal to the chair man. I was invited here to make a state ment concerning my experiences." Again the witness was cut short. Mor gan demanded an answer to the ques tion. "Do you refuse to answer?" he asked with great severity of tone. "Of course I do, for the reasons I have stated," replied the witness. He was not permitted to make any explanation. His Information Not Direct. Hopkins then inquired of the witness If he refused to give the names of any other engineers than the ones he had men tioned as declining to go to the Isthmus. BURTON IS READY TO HELP JETTY But. Sees -Obstacles to Appropriation. HETALKS WITH OREGON MEN Emergency Bill Would Be Swamped : by .Projects. ALL" HARBORS WANT SHARE Ilivcc and Harbor Committee Prom iscs to Secure Enough Money to Preserve Jetty if Possible to Carry It Through. OREGON1AN NEWS BUREAU, Wash ington, Jan. IS. Chairman Burton of the House committee on rivers and harbors today gave a hearing to Senators Fulton and Gcarln, H. W. Scott and J. N. Teal, of Portland, on the Columbia River jetty project. Representative Jones, of "Wash ington, who Is a member of the commit tee, was also present and took part In the discussion. Mr. Burton Is thoroughly familiar with the situation at the mouth of the Colum bia and is fully aware of the fact that It would be good business policy to make an appropriation this session, not so much to extend the Jetty as to protect the work that has been done during the past sea son. He realizes that, unless an appro priation is made, the sea end of the jetty, and particularly the unprotected tram way, will be left at the mercy of the heavy yeas and liable to be damaged to the extent of several hundred thousand dollars. Obstacles In the Way. But, while Mr. Burton Is in sympathy with the Oregon men and while he recog nizes the wisdom of an appropriation to protect the new portion of the Jotty, ho Is not willing to give any assurances that such an appropriation will be made. There Is to be no general river and liar bor bill this session, and . It is a serious question In-Mr. Burton's mind whether it will be possible to put through special legislation Jn the Interest of only a few emergency projects. Mr. Burton stated, and the Oregon dele gation agreed with him, that it would be utterly Impossible to pass a special bill making an appropriation for this one project. Such a bill would bo amended in the House and Senate by the addition of appropriations for Innumer able projects until in the end It would become a regular river and harbor bill, and under existing conditions a bill of that character would stand no show of passage. Emergency Bill Only Chance. But there are three' or four other pro jects of importance, where emergencies exist similar to that at the mouth of the Columbia. Unless appropriations are made this session for the preservation of these works, the Government will sustain a heavy loss. Mr. Burton Is considering the advisability of reporting an emer gency bill making appropriations for these specific projects only, but he Is not yet satisfied that such a bill could get through without being amended to em brace many other projects. The minute such a bill is loaded down with appro priations for projects that are not strictly emergency projects, the House leaders ATTORNEY-GENERA I, I IAD LEV OF MISSOURI. Herbert S. Hadley. MUsourla Attorney-General, lias become a Na tional figure through the examination of the officers of the Standard Oil Company in New York City, He is but 31 years old. a graduate of Kan sas University and the Chicago Law School. He' practiced law In Kansas City. yio.. became an active worker In Republican polities, and served two years creditably as Prosecuting At torney. He was nominated for Attorney-General two years ago without hls. consent, and reluctantly consented to make the -campaign, which re sulted in his election. Ks has ably supported Governor Folk fa the tat ter's reform policy and 1 mentioned for the Republican nomination for Governor in the next Missouri election. ! will seal its fate and it will stand no more show of passing than would a spe cial bill for the Columbia River alone. If, after further consideration, it be comes evident that special legislation of the type mentioned cannot pass, then Mr. Burton may take up the suggestion made by Mr. Fulton that an amendment be at tached to the sundry civil bill carrying sufficient money to continue work on the Columbia River Jetty until a river and harbor bill passes, a year from now. Will Get Money If Possible. Mr. Burton, because of the condition that exists in Congress and because of the difficulties that stand In the way of spe cial river and harbor legislation, will hold out no promises to the Oregon representa tives, though he freely admits his Inter est in Columbia River Improvement and expresses his personal belief that an ap propriation should be made without un- necessary delay. What Mr. Burton wants is some prac tical plan of legislation providing for a Tew emergency 'projects which are In real need of appropriations to protect them from the damage that would follow sus pension of construction. Whenever lut sees his way clear to put through such legislation, he stands ready to do his share, and he will see to it that the Col umbia River is provided for in any bill that may ultimately be framed. But that method Is not now apparent, and until he has studied the legislative situation more carefully and conferred with the House leaders. Mr. Burton will not com mit hlmsolf on any specific proposition. May Possibly Get S100,000. TIip Oregon representatives who attend ed the hearing today arc satisfied that Mr. Burton will do whatever he can to secure an appropriation for the mouth of the Columbia before this session adjourns, but they fully understand that It la out of the question to ask for sufficient money at this time to complete the jetty. An appropriation of J1.SW.000 cannot be had, but It is possible that 400.t may be procured. Mr. Burton explains that It would be Impossible to pass any bill which did more than provide funds to protect work already done. BILL BY IDAHO 3IEMBERS. Amend Law Regarding Shipment or Ijlvcstock. OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU. Wash ington, Jan. IS. Senator " Heyburn and Representative French today introduced bills amending the law regulating the shipment of livestock so as to require the unloading and feeding of stock at Inter vals of 35 hours, instead of 2S hours, as at present, and providing that where the 35-hours ride terminates In the night, stock shall not be fed until the following morning. The bill also requires that railroads transporting livestock shall make an aver age speed of 1G miles an hour. There will be a hearing on this bill next Tuesday before the House committee. Stockmen In Washington will bo heard. Mr. Heyburn introduced an amendment to the bill lor tho wlthlrawal of lands for townsltc purposes in connection with irrigation projects, which provides "that owners of permanent improvements which are substantial and not easily moved, con structed after the survey of town sites, may be given the right to purchase the ground at Its appraised valuation, ap praisal to be made by the Secretary of the Interior. Mr. Heyburn also Introduced a bill granting to Kootenai County for a public highway a strip of land on the east side of the' abandoned Fort Sherman Military Reservation. The public buildings committee today favorablyreported a bill appropriating fcoo for the Installation of an elevator in the Boise public building. liifc-SavIng Station at Flattery. OREGONIAN; NEWS BUREAU. Wash ington. Jan. IS. A favorable report was made today on Senator Piles' bills author izing the establishment of a life-saving station at Cape Flattery and appropria ting 51010 for the establishment of a fog signal at Ediz Hook. - Continue Black Sand Experiments. OREGONIAN: NEW3 BUREAU, Wash ington. Jan. IS. The urgent deficiency ap propriation, bill reported today carries $50,000 to continue the Investigation of mineral lands In Alaska: also C5.0CO to continue the Investigation of black sands at Portland! Two New Oregon Postmasters. OREGONIAX NEWS BUREAU. Wash ington. Jan; IS. Oregon postmasters ap pointed: Halfway. Baker County, George S. Gillett. vice Ruby C. Rogers, resigned: Haystack. Crook County. Alonzo W. Boyce, vlceaW. F. Hammer, resigned. APPEAL TO ROOSEVELT LEADING MEN" OP WORLD ASK HIM TO UNITE EUROPE. Peace and Qrdcr In Turkey Object Sought 1m -Request to Bring Nations Together. WASHINGTON. Jan. IS. Prominent European statesmen, educators, publi cists and citizens whose fame is world wide have joined In a petition to Presi dent Roosevelt to endeavor. In the Inter ests of humanity and civilization, by such means as may seem proper to him. to bring about "the concert of the powers of Europe with the view of securing for the subjects of the Ottoman Empire that condition of public peace and order, of which the absence has already ' drawn down upon that empire so many disas ters, menacing It with the catastrophe of its total annihilation." The appeal was presented today by James B. Reynolds, of New York, antl was prepared by M. Berthelot, ex-Secretary of Foreign Affairs of France, and Is sighed by scores of the distinguished pub- nUc men of every country In Europe. The President has made no response to the appeal, but promised Mr. "Reynolds to give it the Esost careful consideration, expressing. eaatlae, his appreciation of the honor done Mm as Precfdent and to America la fe&vi-Hg the pctlttM presented to ZION OVERSEERS DETHRONE DUE The - Leaders Ignore Orders of -Elijah. ATTEMPTS THEIR DISMISSAL They Continue to Run Finances ' of 'Holy City. BUSINESS BEFORE CHURCH Cables Prom West Indies Removing Triumvirate Produce No Errcct. Gladstone Dowie Coming lo Suppress Revolt. CHICAGO, Jan. 18.-Spccial.) Affairs at Zion City took a sensational turn to day. The followers of John Alexander Dowle were first shocked by the announcc- i John A. Dmle, Deputed Baler of ZlOB., t ment that the triumvirate appointed by the, first apostle to watch over Zion dur ing his absence in the West Indies had openly taken all the affairs of. Zion in its own hands, eliminating Dowie anil his wife and son from consideration. Imme diately after this announcement -it was whispered in Zion City that Dr. Dowie, striking back at this assumption . of au thority by his -followers,' had cabled from the Bermudas the dismissal of Overseer Spelcher, one of .the triumvirate, regard ed for many years as Dr.- Dbwle's most ardent advocate and most able supporter. With this report also comes the announce ment of the dismissal of Deacon 'Cotton, and his wife. Mr. Spelcher will neither affirm .nor deny that he has been dismissed. Mr. Barnes, another of the three rulers, said: "I would rather say. nothing Just now.' Another ' official would ""merely say that "There must" be a "leakage somewhere In Zion." "ViHIgnore Dowle's- Protests. It is declared by some in Zion City that, if Dr. Dowie has attempted the dismissal of Mr. Spelcher. his order will be Ignored. Gladstone Dowle is said to be hastening back from Jamaica to enforce' his father's orders, but he will not succeed. It Is cer tain that an attempt will be made to keep the business affairs of. the church WIIXING TO CHANGE HER NAME if paid stso.we. Mr. James Bravra-retter. Mrs. James Brown Potter, or rather . Mra. Cora 1'rquha.rt Brown-Potter, former wife of James Brown-Potter, of New York, who? e second wife, hav ing, of coarse, the same name, Is now seeklnr through leal means to have the well-known actress change hers because It conflicts. The actress so licitors, however, decline to accede to the arrangement unless their dleet. In exchange for her name, receives the sum of $250,000. holdlns that as sl trade mark it is -raiaable to that extent. Mrs. James Brpwa-Fotter the second" Is" cow.' considering- the propo sition, it hario been presented to her by cable. T out of Its founder's hands. At any rate, all the affairs of Zion City and of Zion throughout the world aro now entirely out of the hands of John Alexander Dowie and his family. Overseers Run All Business. The founder of the Christian Catholic Church in Zion, his son Gladstone and Overseer Jane Dowle have given way completely to the triumvirate, composed of Overseers Granger, Spelcher and Barnes. These three Zion leaders, long regarded as the wisest and most depend able of Dr. Dowle's advisers, began today the work of bringing order out of the financial chaos Into which Zion has admit tedly been plunged, largely as a result of Dr. Dowle's Inability to look after his af fairs because of long-continued illness. "AH the affairs of Zion City have been removed entirely from control of the Dowle family." said Deacon Arthur J. Ncwcomb. today. In response to an In quiry. "Overseers Spelcher. Granger and Barnes now have complete control of Zion throughout the world. This control will not be restored to Dr. Dowie until he fully regains his health and the affairs of Zion City arc in first-class condition." Means Industrial Revolution. The assumption of the complete rule of Zion throughout the world by Dr. Dowle's three leaders bring? an Industrial revo lution throughout this great religious or ganization. It means the abandonment for all time of many of Dr. Dowle's pet theories and most cherished plans, but It Is believed by those now In charge that the radical change will mean the finan cial salvation of the Christian Catholic Church. The new order of affairs means the end of Dr. Dowle's dream of a city In' which he alone should rule and which should be preserved perpetually for the sole advantage of the church which he founded, but of which he Is now merely the nominal head. The assumption of control by the tri umvirate means that: Zion Industries will be run on a profit-making basis for the stockholders, and not - merely to turn money Into the church. Outside capital will be welcomed into Zion City and the establishment of factories encouraged. Large expenditures of money will cease. No more debts will be contracted under any circumstances. J. Gladstone Dowle and Overseer Jane Dowle cease to be Important figures In Zion and their large salaries will probably cease. Until today the word of John Alexander Dowle has been both law and gospel to all his followers. Today his word counts for naught In the conduct of industrial Zion. He still remains the spiritual ad viser of his followers, but questions of business policy, Instead of being decided by him as heretofore, will not even be submitted to him. All Three Men or Ability. The men who are now responsible unless Dr. Dowle succeeds In dismissing them for the welfare of Zion have long been regarded as the greatest forces In the church. Mr. Spelcher has been Dr. Dowle's rlghthandman In the conduct vl his. e'pirjVBKtiifKirs ut iiion. xie is n man of" strong Character, Is a splendid orator and Is regarded by all Zion people as being more closely In touch with the founder of the church than any other man. Mr. Granger Is the financial man ager of Zion. He is a keen business" man and he is regarded as responsible for the plans for the organization of Industrial Zion. Mr. Barnes has long been the head of the law department of Zion. CONTENTS TODAY'S PAPER The Weather. YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature. 41 dec.: minimum. 30. Precipitation, none. TODAY'S Rain or snow. Winds mwtly westerly. Foreign. Scandal breaks out about Unionist cam paign fund in England. Page 4. Liberals' gains In Britain continue. Page 4. Fatal Socialist riot In HamburK. Paget 4. France expels Venezuelan envoy and wilt whip Castro, rage 4. .Moroccan conference agrees on suppression of contraband. Page t. Natisaal. BIgelow refuses to answer questions and Senate committee may punish him for contempt. Page 1. Burton will try to get cash for Columbia Jetty, but points out obstacles. Page 1. Tillman's resolution on Morris incident re jected. Page 3. Brutal! hazing charged against midshipman. Page 14. Roosevelt asked to bring, about peace in Turkey. Page J. Politics. Woodruff to be Republican boss of New York State. Page 3. Domestic. How Town Topics blackmails the rich. Page 3. Dowie deposed at Zion and his orders Ignored. Page 1. Trial of beef trust's plea in abatement be gins. Page 5. American arrested for aiding Russian rebels. Page 5. Explosion kills 18 miners.. Page 3. Attempt to kill Governor Teabody by poison; his daughter's life in danger. Page 1. Governor Vardaman beats negro convict. Page 1. Pacific Coast. Jurors are chosen to try Dora Jennings for murder. Page C. Portland colony In Seattle broken up at news of Richards verdict. Page 7. Assessed valuations in Oregon show heavy increase. Page 6. Orchard is put in Idaho Penitentiary for safekeeping-. Page T. Corap!alntto Washington Railroad Commla. alon of Joint wheat rate. Page 0. Oregon pilgrims at Midwinter California re sorts. Page 4. Commercial and M arise. Oregon woolgrowers refuse to contract. Page 15. Wheat closes firm and higher at Chicago.' Page 15. , Break In Amalgamated Copper unsettles stock market. Page 13. Pilots' will ask for another hearing; on appli cation for permission to build railroad bridge. Page 14. Norwegian ship General Gordon chartered to load wheat at Portland. Page 14. PorUtad aad Yklalty. Office-seekers visit Portland. Page 10. Bruin believed to have given the Mayor the doable cross in the Richards case. Page 18. Catholics honor fireman who rescued priest from burning building-. Page 10. Chamber of Commerce will advertise Port land. Page 12. Sheriff Word reports on personal and real estate taxes aet collected. Page 10. Convention of mission workers begins: Page 11. Council will probably grant rival company gas franchise. Page 19. Board of Trade encasraged over prospect of securing- smelter for Portland and steamsMp ltae to Alaska. Page 11. Scottish Rit, cob f era high degrees o XasK3. Jag 1L, PEflBODY FAMILY ALL POISONED Vengeance on Ex-Governor of Colorado. HOT FATAL TO ANY OF THEM Daughter Seriously ill, but is Likely to Recover. DRUG WAS IN BREAKFAST Governor and Mr.s. Pcabody Over come Effects Letters Threat ened Same Fate Which Overcame Stcuiicnbcrsr. DENVER, Jan. IS. A News special from Canyon City says that ex-Governor James H. Peabody, his wife and their daughter were poisoned by food eaten at breakfast Jam? IT. Peabodyi -GflTernor of . Colorado. this morning and that the daughter, illss Cora Peabody; is In a dangerous condition. The Governor and Mrs. Peabody. al though quite HI for several hours, recov ered sufficiently to devote their attention to their daughter. Physicians are in at tendance upon the young lady. and. unless a change fox. the .-wprsei comes tonight, they believe she-will escape serious conse quences. 1 ' Had. Received -Threats Mystery surrounds, the' affair.. 'Enough was gleaned from friends of the, family tonight to show that there Is a belief that an attempt was made to destroy the fam ily by poison. An Intimate friend of the Peabodys said that several letters had been received by the. ex-Governor within the past week or two, calling his atten tion to the manner of death of ex-Gpver-nor Steunenberg. of Idaho, and threaten- lng him wlth-.aslmllar fate. Will Xot- Accuse Anybody. Referring to-the Incident, Governor Pea body said: "I do not want to say-where I' think' the responsibility -lies until the results of . the Investigation now being made are known." Mr. Peabody was Governor of Colorado during the labor troubles at Cripple Creek and Tellurlde, when troops took posses sion of the two camps, and during which time the Independence depot dynamite dis aster happened. VARDAMAN KiGKS NEGRO GOYTSRXOK SEVERELY" CHAS . TISES KUXAWAY-CONVICT. Penitentiary. Committee Will Inves tigate Violation of Law by Its Chief Officer. JACKSON, Miss.. Jan. IS. Governor Vardaman's whipping of a negro convict employed 'as a-trusty around the execu tive mansion Is to be given a thorough in vestigation by the penitentiary Investi gating committee, according to assurances from members of that body. The Governor admits that he soundly thrashed the prisoner and further declares that he would do so again under similar conditions. The negro, it Is alleged, was at first knocked down by the Governor, a good kick administered and then a broomstick- was used in the chastisement. The offense that provoked the chastise ment of the convict was his leaving- the mansion grounds and his arrest by a po liceman, who found him prowling around in the Fourth "Ward one night. Th Government sent his private secretary to the jail this morning for the prisoner and' the whipping occurred shortly after his return to the executive mansion. The rules of the Mississippi penltetiary prohibit corporal punishment for ce vlcts. Although It has- be aa estab lished precedent for many years, the Gv eraor in reality has no- legal authority to uee coavlct labor arouad the executive massios. r j T 'v'SJJJJJJJJJJJLf K lllllllllllllll