The News and Observer. f OL. XXXIX. NO. 44. TTDDEE [LAOBOESTT ®F AKIV SW-TrOD GBAifiDOSm ©AO Os THECONSULftRSERVICE ir H ILL IN FUTURE HE INCLUD ED UNDER TIIE CIVIL SER VICE SYSTEM. HALF THE CONSULS AFFECTEB All Those Whose Salaries or Fees Raauc From SI,OOO to $2,500 are in eluded Under the Order—The Change Gained by Reviving an Old Order cl 1873—Vacancies Will be Filled by Promotion or Transfer-New Appoin tees Must Pass Examination. Washington, D. 0., Sept. 23 —The President, by an executive order issued to day, but d tted September 20, his ex tended the civil service system in a mod ified form to all consul ir officers whose compensation directly or through fees range from SI,OOO to $2,500. This will include about one-half of the total n Tu ber of consuls who receive more than SI,OOO. This charge has been gained by reviving in Bubttarce an 1 ES VLE AnsKOT G I ILT V. Hi* Trial for the Murder of Pi ozel Set lor October 28. Philadelphia, Pa , Sept. 23 Her mann W. Mudgett, alias H. H. Holmes, was arraigned before Judge Finletter in the Court of Oyer and Terminer to day on the indictment ebargiug him with the murder of Benjamin F. Piet**! on Sep tember 2, 1891 Upon the advice of his counsel, the prisoner pleaded not guilty. District Attorney Graham asked that Monday, October*2B, be fixed for the trial of the case, which was strenuously objected to by Holmes’ counsel. After a full hearing of both sides, Judge Finletter said he consklered that would give the defense sufficient time to prepare their case, and ordered that’the trial l>e set down for that day, with the understanding that when the time ar rived neither side could expect to come into court and obtain a continuance on paltry excuses. A $50,00.’) Fire at Hot Spring*. Hor Springs, Ark . sept. 23.—A 11 o here early this morning destroyed the Pacific Hotel, on Ceutral avenue, the Crescent House, adjoining the Valley livery stables, the Jewish synagogue at d five cottages in the rear of the Pacific Hotel, involving a loss of $50,00 >, which was only partly insured. NOW FOR THE REEF TRUST. It Will be Prosecuted by the Depart ment ofwAgricuiture. Washington, Sept. 23.—1 t has been determined on the part of the United States authorities- that is, by President Cleveland, Attorney General Harmon and Secretary Morton to turn over all the proofs which the Department of Ag riculture has been able to collect in its lata investigati >n touching high priced beef to the Attorney -General of the State of Illinois. These proofs will be accompanied by the suggestion that, in the judgment of the national officers, this proof shows conclusively that an illeg d combination exists in Chicago for the purpose of af fecting the prices of beef and other meats; that t his combination is a clear violation of the law of the State of Illi nois against trusts, and the Attorney- G.-neral and Governor of the State will be asked to go thoroughly over the proofs and specifications which the Unit ed States authorities have thus furnished, and, acting on it, procure the indictment in the State courts, particularly the Criminal Court of Cook county, of those whose names appear as violators of the iaw. Among the names prominent on the list are those of the members of the firms of Nelson Morris & Co , Hammond & Co., Armour iV Co. and Swift & Co. There are others besides these, and it is the understanding that the evidence collected by the Agricultural Depart mint during last summer and spring includes at least nine of the big packing and provision firms whose headquarters are at Chicago. Should the authorities of the State of Illinois decide to bring indictments against those persons—and it is the confident expectation of Presi dent Cleveland aud his two Cabi net officers concerned that they will then the United States attorneys for the Northern District of Illinois, as well as from the Department of Justice at Washirgton direct, will lend their aid. In fact, while the prosecution will be in a State court for the violation of a State law, it will be conducted by the attor neys of the United States and the State of Illinois acting in conjunction. I is said by those who should know the m st about it, and who would not be apt to entertain false hopes in a matter so im portant, that the proof in the ca«e is absolute so far as proving the guilt of the parti, s whose names will be given to the Governor of Illinois ami his at torney. THE CREW SET AT LIBER i’Y. But «he Steamer Commodore is Still Held iu Libel. Wilmington, N- C., Sept. 23.—The trial of the defendants in the Commodore case was resumed to day. The District Attorney represented the government and Judge Russell the defendants. Ir. was developed that the arms were received here in person by the consignee who shipped them on the steamer; also that the captain of the steamer had said he was to get seven dollars per hundred freight for delivery of these goods in Carthagera. Mr jFrank, manager of the Western Union Company, was summoned to produce telegrams by which the prose cu'ion hoped to prove that the Gommo dere was ordered direct from this port to the coast of Cuba. After hearing the evidence Commis sioner Bunting dismissed the ease against the defendants, captain and crew of of the steamship. Manager Frank of the Western Union produced the tele grams called for and they were in cipher. The ship is still in libel and is in Marshal Carroll’s hands. He will hold her until the next term of the United States District Court that meets here on the first Monday in November. Possi brv a special hearing may be provided, for. Commissioner Bunting says that he has no jurisdiction in case of libel. SERIOUS GUI TING AFFAIR. A Colored Husband Murderously As saults His Father-in-law. Special to the News and Observer. Weldon, N. C., 23. A serious cutting affair took place her Saturday night, the particulars of which are as follows: Ed. Williams, colored, and his wife were engaged in a play and from some unknown cause they got to fighting and Henry Parker, father of the woman heard of it and ran against the door and asked for admittance, which he obtained and ordered his daughter to go home. He then threatened to shoot or cut Williams when the latter knocked him out of the door with a chair and jumped on him. They were soon separated, but it seems that they got together again w hen Parker inflicted severe knife wounds upon the person of Williams which may prove fatal. A preliminary trial was had yesterday before Justices Gary and Pope, conduc ted by Solicitor W. E. Daniel. The character of the wounds are such that the court would not grant the defendant bail. This unfortunate affair is the re sult of a drunken frolic. Chief of Police Purnell who has been -irk for several days is at his post again. Rev. Richard Benedict preached two fine sermons here yesterday in Grace Episcopal church. Pasteur is in 111 Health. Paris, Sept. 23. —The report was cabled to the United States on Saturday that Prof. Pasteur, the discoverer of in occulation ;ts a cure for rabies is dying, is untrue. Prof. Pasteur, however, is in very feeble health and the paralysis of bis legs, from which he has suffered for some time, is steadily increasing. RALEIGH, N. C., TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24. 1895. MAIL OF THE MILLIONS ANNUAL REPORT OF FOURTH ASSISTANT POSTMASTER GENERAL. STATISTICS OF THE SERVICE There Are Now 70,004 Postofficcs in trie United States, 2,122 ot them Hav ing Been Established Durinsthe Past Year—ln the Matter ol New Post offices Oklahoma Leads and Virginia Follows—Remrkable Increase in the Number ol Tralu Robberies. Washington, D. (1, Sept. 23 The annual report of the Fourth Assistant Post master General shows that the cum ber of post-offices in operation in the United States on June 30, 1895, was 70,004 Os these 66,560 were fourth class offices and 3 504 presidential, being an increase over the last fiscal year of 259. During the year 2,422 post-offices were established and 2,163 discontinued. The total number of appointments for the year was 13,342 and the total number of cases acted upon 17,688. The num ber of changes made on account of deaths of postmasters was 769. During the year the greatest increase in the number of post-offices was in Oklahoma with 629. Virginia follows 66 and Indian Territory with 60. Nine teen States show a decrease in the num ber of post-offices, the greatest loss oc curring iu Kansas—s 3; South Carolina losing 44, and lowa and West Virginia 38 each. Fifteen other States show a loss of from 2 to 37 each. 59,546 complaints affecting the ordin ary mail were received during the year; 31,849 referring to letters and 27,697 to packages. This shows an increase of 2,669 over last year. Os the total of com plaints received, 46.481 have been inves tigated. No loss occurred in 7,-564 of these causes. Some special classes of cases to which the inspectors an• giving much attention are those of robberies of post-offices, burning of jwist-offices, wrecks of postal cars, and highway rob bery of mail messengers, mail stages and and railway postal ears; and the figures submitted in the report show that the de predations and casualtiet ins these classes of cases are gradually on the increase, al though the increase is not so uniform as during the preceding 3 T ear. A gratifying decrease iu the number of postoffice burglaries is noted, but highway robbery of the mails has increased somewhat. Train robbers have grown more bold and now do not hesitate to ply their vocations in the older States and near cities, one of the most daring of last year’s train robberies, the A quia Creek case, having >een committed within a few miles of the City of Washington. Under the head of foreign cases the report emphasizes the superiority of the registry system of the United States over that of most foreign countries. During the year there were 2,240 ar rests for offenses against the postal laws, of which 175 were postmasters, forty as sistant postmasters, fifty clerks in post offices, twelve railway postoffice clerks,’ thirty-seven letter carriers, fifty two mail carriers, and t wenty eight were employed iu minor positions in the postal service The concluding pages of the report are devoted to a series of sketches of important eases. Gen. Maxwell uses strong language in referring to the escape of Killoran, Allen and Russell from the Ludlow street jail, New York, their apprehension having been a matter of great importance to the department. IRISH SOCIETIES MEET. The Great Natiunal Convention Now in Session in Chicago. Chicago, Bept. 23.—The great na t onal convention of Irsh societies will be opened in Young Men’s Christian Asso ciation Hall at 10 o’clock tomorrow morn ing, with a large representation of Irishmen from all parts of the coun try. Today delegates were arrivit g upon nearly every train. The headquarters a; McCoy’s Hotel presented an animated appearance, conferences and the coming of new arrivals being the order of the day. John Keating, State Secretary of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Secretary of the local reception commit tee, estimates that there will be fully 1,500 delegates in attendance when the convention opens. The convention will last three days. The General object is the formation of a united open organization for the further ance of the Irish cause. Those who issued the call for the convention claim that it is not contemplated that pi ysi cal toree shall be used or advised in the attainment of the inde pendency of the Irish people as a nation, unless such means be deemed absolutely necessary and the object in view be very probable of attainment. It is believed the convention will serve to revive interest and infuse new life into the Irish cause both in America and Great Britain. A Gathering ol Governors. Washington. I). G., Sept. 23.— There was quite a gathering of Governors of the several States at the national capi tal to day. Among them were Gover nors Woodbury of Vermont, Werts of New Jersey, Dodge of lowa, and Mor ton of New York, whe, with their staffs, came north over the Southern Railway after attending the Chickarnauga Park dedication and the Atlanta; exposition, Gen. Schofield also returned to Wa ll ingion from Atlanta, traveling with the party of Governor Morton. FOR CUBAN FREEDOM THE INSURGENTS VICTORIOUS IN A NUMBER OF HARD FOUGHT B VTTLES. SPANISH SOLDIERS DESERTING Rovira Captured by ifie Spaniards, Court-Martialed and Sentenced to Receive 400 Lashes and Re Shot in Revenge for a Defeat at the Hands of the Rebels—He Died Shouting for Cuban Liberty—lnsurgents Making Effective Use ot Dynamite Bombs. New York, Sept. 23 —News of a bat tle, in which the Spanish were defeated by the Cubans and lost 300 men, was received to-day by President Palma. It came in a letter written September 14 by Pedro Rovira, a Cuban private who de serted the Spanish ranks at Pera Lemo when Campos was defeated. In a later engagement Rovira was cap tured by the Spanish, court martialed and sentenced to receive four hundred lashes and to tie shot. The sentence was carried out while Rovira was shouting for Cuban liberty Tne Spanish were greatly incensed against him, as he had killed three of their men before being captured. The letter says that all Santiago, where the execution took place, was in censed against the Spaniards ari l then goes on to describe a hard fought battle: “A man who was sick in a hospital at Casimbra escaped to Guantanin in August and told the Spaniards that Gen. Jose Maceo was siek in the Casimbra hospital and had only thirty men with him. On the thirtieth of August Maeeo heard that 1,200 men, one battalion corps, a squadron of cavalry with 2 pieces of artillery, were inarching on him. Maceo mounted his horse and from the moun tain of Santa Maria viewed the enemy’s position. He ordered eight of his men to keep up tiring from ambuscade to de ceive t he Spanish, and meanwhile he had word sent io his brother, Gen. Autonio Maeeo. “On August 31,the Spaniards captured Francis, and Gep Jose Maceo fortified his few men in a plantation house near the hospital. He wished to guard the right side of the road leading to Bacca lano, which skirted the hospital. The Spanish were slowly closing in on him when Gen. Cebrcco and a Cuban regi ment came to his relief and made the enemy evacuate their position. “A hot engagement followed in which the Spanish regained their position but were unable to hold it long, as Gan. An tonio Maeeo suddenly appeared on the scene and with Cebreco aud Col. Mieu ninit succeeded in wresting it from Oan alle and Garrido who commanded the Spanish. The Spanish now made a bril iiant charge and for the third time man aged to secure the position, but in the engagement the Spanish captamxff ar tillery wa3 mortally wounded and they slowly withdrew, the Cubans fighting them back.” This battle lasted from five o'clock a. m. to one o'clock p. m. It was resumed in the e ilv afternoon, however, and is described as follows: “Gen. Antonio Maceo cleverly turned the Spanish column and gained the pass of Baceano. He then massed his troops before.|the Spanish vanguard, while Gen. Jose Maceo got his regiment in the rear. “A very desperate encounter ensued. It raged until 9 o’clock at night, when it was discontinued until the dawn of the next day, September 1. The Spanish then commenced to retreat until they reached the Igubanabauo field, where they were able to use their cavalry, wbLh was impossible on the mountains of Santa Maria. “They did not gain any advantage, however, and after burning their provis ions they continued to retreat to Moun anin which place they entered in scat tered groups. “The Cubans had no cavalry hut made effective use of dynamite bombs which, the Utter states, struck terror to the enemy. “In the engagement the Cuban loss was 40 men wounded and killed. The Spanish loss over 300 men, 40 horses and a large store of provisions and muni tions of war. The Cubans are still cap turing stragglers and picking up arms near Monnanin. ‘ Antonio Maeeo r _turned to his camp i t Escandel. Three miles away at Caney, the Cubans can see their flag floating over his camp. »l -A ‘ ’Col Pegeda,at the head of 1,000 Span iard®. well provisioned, left Santiago for Combre to day, (Sept. 14.) “Spaniards are deserting every day and joining the Cubans. The Spaniards as ter the battle sent a cable to Spain headed ‘The defeat and capture of Jose Maeeo,’ and also asked for the re ward aud advance of the officers iu the engagement.” A Desperate Fight at Nett. Havana, Sept. 23 —News has been received at military quarters here of a desperate light at Nefi, near Palma Sela, Province of Santa Clara, between 300 in surgents, led by Bermulcz and Fieites and a detachment of government calvary under Oapt. Riestra. The vanguard of the calvary, consisting of a sergeant and seven privates, were first surrounded by the insurgents, and in the engage ment every one of the vanguard was killed. By this time Captain Riestra, with the main body of cavalrymen, thirty-five in number, came up and en gaged the insurgents, whom he forced to retreat, leaving three of their number dead on the field. Their wounded they carried off wi h them when they retired. It is reported that the Insurgent < ’hief, Joaquin Roque, has been wounded in an engagement with government troops. It is rumored that the Consul General of the Insurgent army has reached Santa Clara. Official reports have been received of an important engagement which is said | to have resulted disastrously to the in surgents. The columns commanded by Lieut. Col. Teruel and Major Zubia, numbering 300, by a series of combined movements penetrated into the thick forest and fought the insurgent band congregated there. The report says that they captured their field hospital and medicines, while the insurgents took to flight, leaving behind them twenty four killed. ; As a result of three days’ l operations the insurgents are said to have lost thirty.seven killed, fifty horses captured, forty five saddled horses and three prisoners. The forest is now clear ot insurgents and their camp has been destroyed. The loss of the government is reported as two tided and seven wounded, two captains and lieutenants being hurt. It is said that the prisoners state that trie insurgents lost more than one hundred wounded. Filibusters in Key West. Washington, D. 0., Sapt. 23.- Ca, t. Abbey of (lie revenue cutter Winona, which captured the schooner Lark on the 17th inst., in a report to the Treas ury Department, says he has no doubt that the party on the Lark were making for some rendezvous among the Florida keys, either to join other parties or wait for a suitable take them to Cuba. The Spanish [const! l'in.[V, sworn stateraent’rnadeJo.Capt. Abbey declares that to the.besteof-his w be!ief; there are 100 filibusters now in Key West pre paring to go to Cuba. Masso Elected President. Tampa, Fla , Sept. 33.—Letters re ceived to-day by prominent leaders here state that on the tenth inst., a coustitu tional convention was held at Najassa at which Bartola Masso was elected Presi dent of the Cuban Republic; Marguis of Santa Lucia Minister of Interior; Thomas Estrada representative of the government in the interior, and Maxime Gomez General in Chief. Some time ago when delegates were called, Santa Lucia was mentioned as president of the convention and the impression prevailed that he was the destined con stitutional President. Masso was born sixty years ago at Manzanillo. He is highly connected and thoroughly educated. He left Mar/inillo, February 24th, last, and is considered as the head of the revolution in the eastern department. Delaware Filibusters Acquitted. Wilmington, Del., Sept. 23.— Judge Wales in the United States District Court this morning ebarg -d the jury at length in the trial of the twenty-one Cubans charged with violation of the neutrality laws. It was noon when the charge was con cluded, and immediately thereafter the jury retired. After being out fifty minute?, the jury returned a verdict of “not guilty.” The verdict was receive with a round of tumultuous applause. As a result of the acquittal of the al leged filibusters to-day, there was a high demonstration of Cubans and Cuban sympathizers, in the shape of a parade to night. There were about 2,000 men iu line, and, with numerous bauds of music, th y enthusiastically marched through the city. ANOTHER CHALLENGER. The Cutter, “Distant Shore,” Will Try to win Back America’s Clip. London, Sept. 23.—Mr. J. L. Soper, the yacht designer, came to London to day and had a conference with Mr. Chas. Day Rose, regarding the details of the yacht with which it is proposed to challenge for the America’s cup. It was agreed to communicate with the Secre tary of the Royal Victoria Yacht Club and that official cabled to the New Y'ork Yacht Club as follows : “The formal challenge by mail will follow, and will read: “In behalf of the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, and in the name of C. D. Rose, a member, the challenge to sail a series of matches for the America’s Cup, against any yacht or vessel built in the United States. “The following are particulars: “Challenger’s owner, O. D. Rose; name of yacht, ‘The Distant Shore;’ length at lead water line, 89 feet; rig, eutter. “The challenge will te absolute’y un conditional.” The Challenge will be Accepted. New York, Sept. 23.—When a repre sentative of the Associated Press showed the cable message to ex Commodore James D. Smith, chairman of the Ameri ca’s Cup Committee, the veteran yachts man read the news eagerly aud said: “Tiffs, indeed, is a very sportsmanlike challenge, aud I am very glad to hear it. Os course our committee has nothing to do with it, but when the direct challenge arrives I have no doubt that a special meeting ot the New York Yacht Club will be called and a new cup committee appointed. In his preliminary cable, Mr. Rose s.4id that he begged to chal lenge for the America’s cup next year, tho race to lie sailed on conditions satis factory to the cup committoo. Iu the cablegram that you have just shown me Mr. Rose bears out his previous cable gram and leaves the conditions abso lutely in the hands of any cup commit tee that may be appointed. Whether I shall be a member of that oommittee or not, 1 cau now say positively that the very fairest possible condition will be adopted. This is good news, indeed.” PRICE FIVE CENTS. THE ETHEL WYNN WINS THE LITTLE DEFENDER EASILY DEFEATS THE ENGLISH YACHT SPRUCE. BY 7 MINUTESIANOI4I SECONDS The Englishman Accepts the Result in Good Nature and Acknowledges that He is Beaten—'Though the Ethel Wynn Crossed the Line First She Was Soon Passed by the English Itont--Itut the Yankee 1 acht Proved the Better Sailer Before the Wind. Oyster Bay, N. Y., Sept. 23. The first race of the match, tho best threo out of five, between the half raters Ethel Wynn, of tho Indian Harbor Yacht Club, and Spruce IV, of the Winima Yacht Club of England, was sailed to-day after Saturday’s fluke. Ethel Wynn won very easily. She beat Spruce IV by seven minutes forty-one second?, over a course that began with a run to leeward for three miles and included a beat back on the second leg, and a repetition of those legs to make the full distance of twelve miles. After the race Mr. J. Arthur Brand, owner of Spruce IV., said to a reporter of the Associated Press that he had changed his mind in one way, if not in others. He bad believed that Spruce IV. was more clever in a breeze that blew, bit he discovered to-day that the stronger the wind the better was Ethel Wynn. Mr. Brand had no possible complaint, he said, to make against tho steam yachts, excursion boats, schooners or sloops that were following the racers, except in one instance, when Mr. Col gate Herts’ steam launch got in his way just before the start and interfered with liis crossing the starting line. “But,” said Mr. Brand, “Don’t think for a moment that I am making a claim that the incident would affect the result. I was beaten and well beaten.” The preliminary whistle was blown at 12:30. A preparatory signal was given at 12:40, and after that the yachts had five minutes to make a start. It was a one gun dash start where the contestants had to figure on the time that the gun would be fired and get over the line as soon after the designated time as possi ble. This kind of a game always gives skippers a chance to jockey about the line and to outwit each other if they are smart enough. Ethel Wynn got over the line first aud went away on her business without waiting for her challenger. Spruce was not lazy and she came upon the weather side of the American boat before an eighth of a mile had beeu covered aud blanketed the yank. More than that the Britisher went by the Yankee, but that was the only time that England was ahead of America. On crossing the line aud running before the wind, both boats set their spinnakers. The breeze at that time was blowing about four knots an hour and the racers sped before it. Going down to the outer mark on the first round, Ethel Wynn overhauled Spruce IV aud made her turn at 1:39:40, or 17 seconds ahead of her antagonist. Coming up into the wind the boats stood away over to the Long Island shore under the point that is known as Lloyd's Neck. On the first tack over toward the Lloyd Neck sands, Spruce failed, but when the wind be gan to haul, as it did to the Southward and Ethel Wynn was enabled to ease sheets, the American boat ran away from the Britisher before the former passed out into the open water of Long island Sound. The boats turned the home buoy as follows: Ethel Wynn, 3:02:02; Spruce, 3:09:15. .On the second run out to the mark, Ethel Wynn was first turning that buoy at 3:36:38,whi1e Spruce did not get there until 3:42:03 After going round the outer mark the second time the contestants again stood in along the Dong Island shore under Lloyd’s Neck and there was a good deal of reaching in getting home, the wind having hauled well to the southward. Ethel Wynn passed the line first at 4:47 1 5. She was greeted with the usual shrieking aud tootings of the assembled fleet of observers. But the good game Spruce, who came along at 4:54 56, seven minutes and 41 seconds behind, received as royal a welcome as the win ner. BASEBALL YESTERDAY. At Washington: r. h. k. Washington, 0 2 0 0-20 i 0— I) 10 O New York, 0 2 0 2 2 1 0 0— 7 8 2 Datterles: Mercer ami McGuire; Kusio and Doyle. Attendance, 2,000. At Baltimore: r. h. k. Baltimore, 3 2 0 0 0 0 3 4—12 14 3 Philadelphia, 4 0000 00 0— 4 7 3 Batteries: Esper and Robinson; Lucid and Clements. Attendance, 5,100. At Brooklyn: r. h. e Brooklyn, 0 o*o 1 12 00— 7 12 4 Boston, 1 0 0 0 6 0 0 02— 9 18 fi Batteries: Nichols and Kyan; Gmnbert, Kennedy and Grim. Attendance, 2,100. At Louisville: r. h. b. Louisville, 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0— 4 10 O Pittsburg, 200 2 0 5 0 2—ll 10 1 Batteries: Inks and Warner; Hawley and Mack. Attendifnco, 489. At St. Louis; b, h. k. St. Loufti, 00 0 0 0 6 2 4 0— 0 12 -2 Cincinnati, 11 410 1 5 5 *—ls 20 5 Batteries: Breitenstein and Otten; Dwyer and Kelioe. Attendance, 300. A Dynamite Plot Discovered, Constantinople, Sept. 23.— Great precautions have been adopted for the protection of the Pa'ace of the Sublime Porte, owing to the discovery of a Mace donian plot to blow up the buildings with dynamite.