North Carolina Newspapers

Weather To-Day: COLD WAVE: RAIN. The News and Observer, VOL. XLiV. NO. 99. nates HE BORTIB CMOLMA DAILIES ■ KWB HD CRCUUTHN. DEATH OF ROMERO Mexican Ambassador to the United States. AN EMINENT STATESMAN BEST KNOWN DIPLOMAT OF ALL IN WASHINGTON. HE CAME HERE FIRST IN THE YEAR 1857 Has Held Positions of Trust and High Hono for His Country Here and at Home. His Wife a Washing ton Lady. Washington, D. ('.. Dee. 30. —Senor Don Matins Romero, the Mexican Am bassador to the United States, died aji the Embassy here at 4:10 o'clock this morning. On Wednesday an operation for appendicitis was performed upon the Ambassador, and although the operation was entirely successful the resulting shock proved greater than he could bear. Up to 1:30 o’clock this morning, however it was thought that he was in a fair way to recovery, but at that time a high fever set in, and he sank rapidly until his death. The death of Mrs. Romero, which oc curred sometime ago, was n great shock to the Ambassador and on liis return from Mexico whither he had taken hei remains for interment, his friends re marked that he was greatly broken and showed unmistakable signs of fail ing health. While in Mexico at that time Mr. Romero was stricken with fe ver and although he was soon able to return to the United States, he never fully regained his health. Senor Romero probably was the best known member of the Diplomatic Corps in Washington and was for some time its Dean. When Great Britain raised her mission to an Embassy the added rank placed Sir Julian Pauneefoto. the British Ambassador, at the head of tin corps though a junior in years of ser vice to Senor Romero, who was raised only recently front the rank of Miuister to that of Ambassador. A sketch prepared by the Bureau of American Republics and published in its bulletin for the month of December 1898, after revision by Senor Romero himself gives the subjoined biographical review of the dead Ambassador: “Senor Romero is one of the most eminent statesmen, writers, and diplo mats of Mexico. lie was born in the city of Oaxaca, February 24th, 183 V. He received his first education in his native place, and finished it at the capi tal of the republic, where he received his diploma as a lawyer. In 1855 he first entered the Foreign Office, although still pursuing liis legal duties. Tn 1857 when President Comonfort made his eoup d’etat, forcing President Juarez to leave the capital, Senor Romero accom panied him to Vera Cruz where he con tinued in the service of the Department of Foreign Relations. In 1857, he came to Washington as First Secretary of the Mexican Legation, and remained here in that capacity until August, 1860. when, in the absence of the minister, he be came charge d’affaires. He returned to 'Mexico in 1803 to take part in the war against the French and was appointed colonel by the President. General Por tirio Diaz then appointed him chief of staff. Soon after that, President Juarez accredited him as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Wash ington. He remained at this post from October. 18t‘»3. until January, 1809. hav ing rendered most important services to his country. “On his return to Mexico, he was ap pointed Secretary of the Treasury, but was obliged, on account of ill health to give iij) that office in 1872. From 1577 to 1878 he was again Secretary of the Treasury. In 1880 lie served as Post master General. In March, 1882, he came back to Washington as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipoten tiary, and has remained in that-capacity ever since, with an interruption of only ten months, in 1892. when, for the third time, he was called to serve as Secre tary of the Treasury. As representative of his country in the United States Se nor Romero has shown himself a Viost efficient and able diplomat. Ilis ef forts have been most successful in strengthening the friendly ties between the two nations, and with this object in view he has written a great deal, his productions always receiving the highest encomiums from the press of th« United States and other countries. “Senor Romero was a member of the International American Conference and in that body served" with great distinc tiob, having been one of its two vice presidents.” Senor Romero married a Washington k woman many years ago. and their home lon I Street, off Franklin Park was a Bociul centre and tin* scene each season ■f brilliant society functions. A large Pf.art of resident, as well as official so cictv always attended these affairs. Mada roe Itomero died not long ago. She and her husband enjoyed the friendship and confidence of the lenders in national events immediately succeeding the war. The intimacy between Senor Romero and I General Grant was especially close, lie also was on intimate terms with Pres ident Lincoln and Secretary Seward. In 1808 when he returned to Mexico, was sent by Secretary Seward as a Lurk of distinction in a United States Government vessel. The Legation was, by a concurrent arrangement of the two Governments, within the last month, raised to the grade of an Embassy, and next Tuesday had been fixed upon as the day when Senor Romero was to present his credentials to President Mc- Kinley as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. Beside liis diplo matic duties he was a frequent contribu tor to the magazine literature of this country, mainly confining his labors to articles relative to Mexico. During the last few months the first volume of a valuable work from liis pen appeared, entitled “Mexico and the United States.” being a study of subjects affecting their political, commercial and social relations. TROOPS LEAVE CHARLESTON. Nearly Three Thousand Set Sail For Cuba. Charleston. S. C., Dec. 30.—Nearly 3,000 United States troops sailed from Charleston to Cuba tceday. The trans ports Minnewaska and Manitoba went out on the morning tide, and the Ward Line steamer Saratoga went to sea later in the day. On the first named ship there were General Bates, his headquart ers, the brigade hospital and the Sixth regiment of Ohio volunteers, bound for Cienfuogos: the Manitoba carried Gen eral Sanger, his 1 headquarters and the Twelfth regiment of New York volun teers. while the human eargo of the Sara toga consisted of 450 of the First regu lar infantry. In addition to the troops each vessel carried an immense quanti ty of supplies, provisions, baggage, lum ber. etc. The Saratoga goes to Havana, 1 while the Manitoba takes General Sang er and his staff to Matanzas. of which city and district he will have military charge. MATTERS IN DURHAM. Durham, N. C.. Dee. 30.—(Special.)— Fire about 1 o’clock this afternoon do-' stroyed a dwelling house in Hayti, the southeastern suburb of Durham, be longing to W. I). Pegram, colored. The contents of the house were saved. The loss on the building will amount to about .$l5O. The fire was out of reach of the fire department. Enjoyable Christinas exercises were held at the Presbyterian, the First Bap tist and North Durham Methodist churches last night. The North Dur ham Mission Sunday school held their entertainment to-night. Col. ,T. S. Carr is in receipt of a mes sage from Secretary Alger, stating that two more mem be ns of the First North Carolina regiment, have been honorably! discharged. They are Privates Willard; Sherron. of Company I>. and Frank Goss, of Company I. It is also learned that Private Jim King, of Company I, j has been honorably discharged. The Board of Aldermen have granted! liquor license to the following parties for six months* from January Ist: A. J. Kllis. L. W. Whßesell. Jesse Johnson, I W. S. Vestal. J. G. Patterson. T. 11. j Scoggins, 11. M. Coble, A. T. Fowler. Proctor & Co., Green Andrews, John Harris, William Mangum, Jr., and J. J. Laughlin, Jr. & Co. Deputy Sheriff John F. Harward and (.'has. E. Christian carried to Raleigh to-day Miss Nancy Pegram, who had lost her mind, and placed her iti the asylum. INCREASED STOCK DEALINGS. New York. Doc. 30.—Transactions on the New York Stock Exchange for the year show a decided increase in all branches over those for several preced ing years. The total number of listed stocks dealt in during the year, aiynunt to 85,820 911 shares, unlisted stocks 27,049.472 shares. Sales of State and Railroad bonds amounted to $847,054.- 000 (par valued unlisted bonds $40,- 203,500, and government bonds, $24,- 129,210. In 1897 only 77,248,347 listed and un listed shares were sold: in 1890, 54,490,- 043 shares; in 1895, 00 440,570 shares, and in 1894, the poorest year in many, 49.275.733 Shari's. The business of the Consolidated Stock and Petroleum Exchange was much larger this year than last. Rail road stock clearances amounted to 03.- 402,000 shares: bond sales $21,037,000, and 924,520 shares of mining stocks were dealt in. Wheat clearances through the exchange aggregated 740,210,000 bushels. THINKS 11E KNOWS MURDERER. Detective Promises to Have Cornish’s Would-be Murderer Within 12 Hours. New York, Dec. 30. —The World says: “Captain George McClusky, chief of the detective bureau, firmly believes that he the mystery surrounding the mpt to f kill Harry Cornish, phy sic.-,. fctriietor of the Knickerbocker Athlete '» Club, by sending him poison through the mails. "At 9 o’clock last night Captain Mc- Clusky stated that he would hive the, culprit in custody within twelve hours. "The name of the suspected murderer is withheld from publication lest i(s an nouncement should defeat the ends of justice. “The man under surveillance was for merly a member of the Knickerbocker Athletic Club. He was at one time a man of high social and financial s*/itid ing in this city. In later years, through evil habits and evil associates liis descent was rapid.” PENALTY FOR MRS. BOTKIN. San Francisco, Cal., Dee. 30. —Tin* jury in the Botxin ease has* returned a ver dict of murder in the first degree with penalty fixed at life imprisonment. Messrs. Claude Dockery, of Rocking ham, and Thomas Settle, of Greensboro, were here yesterday on business con nected with Col. Oliver Dockery's cim j test for tile seat of Mr. John I>. Boll.t --| my in tin 1 next Congress, Mr. Settle is: | one of Col. Dockery's attorneys. 1 HALKItm, JS. <}., SATURDAY MOKNINO, DECEMBER 31, 1S»8. BANQUET TO BRYAN People’s Champion Lunges at Imperialism. HE RESPONDS TO A TOASi BOAST OF OUR NATION. RIGHT MAKES MIGHT. SHALL WE REVERSE TH-S SENTIMENT? “Imperialism Finds its Inspiration in Dollars Not in Duty " The True Mission of Cur Nation to Liberate those in Bondage. Lincoln, Neb., Dec. 30.—A complimen tary reception and banquet to Colonel W. J. Bryan was tendered tonight by the Nebraska Travelling Men’s Bryan Club at the Lincoln Hotel. Invitations were sent to 250 admirers of Mr. Bryan, which were with few exceptions accept ed. The only notable absentee was Con gressman Bailey, of Texas, who was to have responded to the toast “Democ racy,” but who telegraphed from Wash ington his inability to be present. Mr. Bryan responded to the sentiment. “Am erica’s Mission; Let Not the (Trim s of the East E’er Crimson Thy Name; be Freedom and Science and Virtue Thy Fame.” Mr. Bryan insisted that a colonial policy was wrong in principle and unwise and he predicted that it would prove un profitable in practice. He said in part: “You have labored diligently to prevent foreign financiers from disregarding the rights of the American people, now you are called upon to use your influence to prevent the American people from dis regarding the rights of others. .Self re straint is a difficult virtue to practice. “It has been the boast of our nation that right makes might. Shall we abandon the motto of the republic and go back a century to the monarchical motto which asserts that might makes right? “Be not carried away by the excite ment incident to war; it will soon sub side. Oiir people will turn again to the paths of peace; justice will resume her reign. “Be steadfast in the faith of tin fathers. Your tight is for yourselves as well as for your country. In the words of the distinguished Georgian. Hill: “ ‘Who saves his country saves him self, and all things saved do bless him. Who lets his country die, lets all things die, dies himself ignobly—and all thiugs dying cimse him.’ “Imperialism finds its inspiration in dollars, not in duty. It is not our duty to burden our people with increased taxes in order to give a few speculators an opportunity for exploitation; it is not our duty to sacrifice the best blood of our nation in tropical jungles in an at tempt to stifle the very sentiments which have given vitality to American insti tutions; it is not mu* duty to deny the people of the Philippines the rights for which our forefathers fought from Bunk er Hill to Yorktown. "Our nation has a mission, but it is to liberate those who are in bondage— not to place shackles upon these who are struggling to he free. “We rejoice in the marvelous victory won liy Dewey in Manila Bay; we would give to him a sacred place in his tory. and crown liis memory with bless ings. To us lie is a hero; to the Fili pinos he can be a savior. “Let him be known to posterity, not as the subjugator of an alien race, hut as the redeemer of an oppressed people— not as a Lord Olive, but as a La Fayette. The gratitude of a people is better than u jeweled sword.” A number of other speeches were made. NOTHING HEARD FROM ILOILO. Washington, Dec. 30. —A cablegram was received at the War Department to-day from General Otis in command at Manila, but to the disappointment of the officials he announced that he bad not yet heard of the result if the laud ing of General Miller’s forces at Iloilo. Provision has been made by the Navy Department for the establishment of a mail service between Manila and Guam, our new naval station in the Pacific Admiral Dewey lias been instructed that after the Yosemite arrives at Manila he must send a mail to the Island of Guam at least on nee in every two months, using any vessel of the fleet available for the service. TRIED TO (’FT HER THROAT. Charleston. S. C\. December 30.- John Peters, of Company I, Third Connecticut regiment, stationed at Camp Marion, near Summerville, yesterday attempted to out the throat of the wife of Parson Beluiny. at Lineolnville, a negro village about five miles from the camp. She dodged and lie cut her in the right cheek, lie is supposed to be crazy. lie was found preaching to an illiterate congre gation near Camp Marion recently. He is now under treatment at the brigade hospital. WEEKLY BANK CLEARINGS. New York, Dee. 2rt!—The total hank clearings in the United States for the week were $1,409,502,659; per cent in crease. 18.7. Exclusive of New* York, 8522.690,195; percent increase, 17.5. ODOR OF A CORPSE More Light Thrown on the Beef Scandal, POISONOUS CHEMICALS THESE WERE USED TO PRE SERVE THE MEAT. INVESTIGATION BY FXPERTS ASKED Report of Surgeon Daly Made Public. For the Saf:ty of his Patients he Had to Throw All the Beef on Board the Sh<p into the Sea. Washington, Dec. 30.—The war inves tigation commission held a brief execu tive session today and at noon adjourned until Tuesday, January 3d. There was no important action at today’s meeting, and the matter of recalling Commissary General Eagan, Major General Shatter and General Miles as a result of the agitation over the beef issued to the army in the war remains undetermined. A decision probably will be reached next Tuesday, when it is likely there will lie a full attendance of the commission, ab sence over the holidays of a majority of the members resulting in making the past week’s proceedings of an unimpor tant. and routine character. The com mission today made public a report, omit ted in the statement given out yesterday, bearing on the beef controversy. It. is from Major W. 11. Daly, chief surgeon at army headquarters at Tampa, prior to the sailing of the Shatter expedition, and is as follows: “Washington, Sept. 21, 1898. “To the Assistant Adjutant General, “Headquarters of the Army Washing ton, D. C\: “Sir: I have the honor to report in the interests of the service that in the several inspections I made in the various camps and troop ships at Tampa. Jack sonville, ('hickumuuga and Porto Rico, I found the fresh beef to be appa rently preserved with secret chemicals, which destroys its natural flavor, and which I also believe to be detrimental to the health of the troops. “While on duty at the headquarters of the army at Tampa, at the time of the embarkation of the Shatter expedition. Colonel Watson, the efficient chief com missary, showed me a quarter of beef, that had already as a test been sixty hours in the sun without being pereep tibly tainted, so far as the sense of smell could detect. It, is impossible to keep fresh beef so long untainted, in lh“ sun in that climate without the use of delete rious preservatives, such as boric acid, salycilic acid, or nitrate of potash inject ed into it in quantities likely to be harm ful to the health of the consumer. At Ponce, Porto Rico, much of the beef I examined arriving on the transports from the United States was also of the same character, being apparently preserved by injected chemicals to aid deficient cold storage. “Where efficient cold storage is impos sible, transporting beef alive is the method that should receive the fullest consideration by the Government, as be ing safest for the health of the consumer. When detailed to take charge of the transport Panama for conveying conva lescents to the United States I obtained two thousand pounds of fresh beef from the commissaiy at Ponce. If looked well, hut had an odor similar to that of a dead human body after being injected with preservatives, and tasted when first cooked like decomposed boric acid, while after standing a day for further inspection it becomes so bitter, nauseous and unpalatable as to be quite impossi ble for use. I was therefore obliged, owing !n its condition, and the just com plaints of the sick about it, and the dis gustingly sickening odor it emitted when being cooked and its mawkish flat taste when served, and for the safety of the patients, two hundred and fifty-five con valescent soldiers on board, to organize a board of survey, condemn and throw fifteen hundred pounds, till wo had. over board. Consequently the convalescents were entirely without much needed fresh beef, making the duty of bringing the men to the United States in an improv ed condition a serious matter. “In my inspection of the Fourth Unit ed States volunteer infantry at Jackson ville recently I observed the same odor and taste upon the fresh beef, but not so marked; and at) the camp of the Sixth Un'ted States volunteer infantry at Chiokainauga l also, at several in spections, observed it markedly. I there inspected a lot of beef just issued to that regiment and while it looked well, it was of a sickening odor like a human body dead of disease and injected with preservatives, and when cooked it was quite unpalatable; consequently it was likely to prove an efficient cause of ill health. The men complained of its insipid and mawkish flavor that high seasoning could not conceal. “Believing that the commissary depart ment. had been imposed upon by the mis directed commercial spirit of persons fur nishing fresh beef. I respectfully recom mend that the matter Im* investigated b.v experts, making a quantitive and quali tative chemical analysis pi the several preservatives suspected to be used by getting samples of the beef furnished for export to Cuba and Porto Rico. “If the question arises that a report should have been made by me earlier, I lieg to say that I have endeavored with all my opportunities to first inform my self by observation of the conditions above noted sufficiently to warrant my drawing the attention of the Adjutant General at headquarters of the army to the matter. “Very respectfully, (Signed) “W. H. DALY, “Major and Chief Surgeon U. S. A.” THE CAUSE OF SICKNESS. Cleveland. Ohio, Doe. 30. —General George A. Garretson, of this city, who commanded a division in Porto ltico, agreed to-day with General Miles that the canned beef furnished the army was. to a large extent unfit for use. The General said to-day that a large amount of the meat had to be thrown away by the commissary officers of his division. “The condition of affairs,” said Gen eral Garretson, “was every hit as bad r.« is reported. Considerable canned beef totally unfit for the use of human beings was discovered by the commis sary officer of the division 1 command ed. “When the matter was reportou to me I ordered all meat unfit for use to be destroyed. “I had previously seen to it that a large number og beeves had been taken with the division. These were slaught ered as they were needed. In this way w had as much fresh meat as possible and used as little of canned stuff as we could possibly get along with. There its no doubt that this bad meat was the cause of a large part of the sickness among the men. In several instances whole lots of the stuff had to be de stroyed.'’ MRS. BOWES’ SUDDEN DEATH. She Passed Away at Her Home Here Yesterday Morning. Mrs. Lora Ann Fields, wife of Mr. M. Bowes .died suddenly at her home on East Lenoir street at 4 o’clock yesterday morning. She was slightly unwell Thurs day, but her death was entirely unex jK'eted. She was lying down when she turned from one side to the other and expired. Mrs. Bowes was a native of Herkimer county, New York, but has resided in Raleigh for upwards of thirty years. Mr. and Mrs. Bowes were married Jan uary 24th, 1849, and would have soon celebrated their golden wedding. One son was born to them, but he died iu his 20tli year. i A devoted wife and mother, true and faithful to her friends, Mrs. Bowes will be sincerely mourned. The funeral will be held at the Presby terian church at half past three o’clock this afternoon. SPANISH GARRISON KILLED. Manila, Dee. 30.—The British schooner Esmeralda, just arrived from La drone Islands, reports that after the cruiser Charleston left the Island of Guam, in June last, the Spaniards refused to rec ognize the authority of Francis Portu saeh, who was verbally authorized by Captain Glass to continue his former regime as Governor, and Jose Sisto, a former pub'ie administrator, was de clared Governor. He armed part of the native guard, collected a tax of six dol lars a head and secreted fifteen tons of powder ami a small stock of ammuni tion when the island was taken by the Americans. The schooner reports the massacre of tin* Spanish garrison by tin* combined forces of the natives with those of the Caroline Islands. Henry Naoti. an edu cated chief, has been selected to be the ruler. He is reported to be favorable to Americans. The British schooner Buenaventura lias gone to Iloilo to protect British interests there. The Spanish steamer Romulus, which has just arrived here, confirms the re port that the insurgents at Iloilo are in clined to surrender that town to the Americans if satisfied as to the form of government which will lie accorded them. BRYAN’S REGIMENT OFF. Savannah, Ga., Dec. 30.—The trans port Obdam sailed for Havana this afternoon with the First battalion of the Third Nebraska regiment. The march of (ho battalion of the late Colonel Bry an's command to the transport was an enthusiastic one. The troops were re ceived with cheers as they passed through the city. The hand played “Dixie” between the camps and the transport, and was loudly cheered. Re sides the Nebraska soldiers, the Obdam carried a number of nurses and surgeons for the Havana hospitals. The transports Roumanian and Michi gan arrived to-day and will take the re maining battalions of the Nebraska reg iment and one battalion of tin* Ninth Illinois regiment. The hospital ship Mis souri also, arrived to-day for a eargo of medical supplies. — ‘a»„ BANQUET AT FltA N KLIN TON. Franklintou, N. C., Doe. 30. —(Spe- cial.) —Last evening at the Merrill Hotel, a banquet was given complimentary to the Misses May Woodard, of Durham Emma Johnson, of Raleigh; Lizzie Allen and Mattie Dunn, of Wake Forest, and Minnie Thompson, of Scranton. Pa. The following couples were present: Mr. Claude L. McGhee, with Miss Bessie Green; Mr. A. S. Joyner, with Miss Annie McGhee; Mr. W. F. Joyner, with Miss Eleanor Ballard; Mr. A. 11. Vann, with Miss Lizzie Allen; Mr. A. R. Win ston. with Miss Irene Mitchell: Mr. Joe Cheatham, with Miss Emma Johnson; Mr. R. A. WinstoA, with Mattie Dunn: Mr. L. I*. Mitchell, with Miss Kate Bal lard; Mr. 11. 11. Harris, with Miss Cecilia Joynes; Mr. J. B. Cheatham, with Miss Wheeler; Mr. C. A. Conway, with Miss Jennie Joyner; Mr. W. R. Hunt, with Miss Mabel Vann: Mr. J. W. McGhee, with Miss Maybell .Tones; Mr. W. J. Ballard, with Miss M. Strange; Mr. S. C. Duke, with Miss Mary Dovan; Mr. Marvin Herman, with Miss May Woodard; Mr. E. A. Long, with Miss Thompson. “Why, Bridget, this is i very small egg.’’ LAST EDITION: PIIICE FIVE CENTS. TURBANS YIELD They Will s Postpone the Great Celebration. PEOPLE MUCH EXCITED PATRIOTIC LEAGUE THINKS IT CAN QUIET THEM. SECOND ILLINOIS REGIMENT MUTINOUS Assignment of General Lee. In Command of Province of Havana. Two Military De partments Created. Ludlow to Hotd Havana. Havana. Dee. 39. —The Cuban pa triotic committee, consisting of 150 leading Cubans, doctors and business men, at a meeting which lasted until 4 o'clock this morning, decided to yield without reservation to the wishes of General Brooke and General Ludlow iu the matter of postponing the six days celebration and lias approved a mani festo to the Cuban population of Ha vana, on the lines of General Ludlowvs reply on the subject of the. proposed celebrations, quoting some portions Jot it and paraphrasing others. ( The Cuban citizens of Havana and Abe Cuban soldiers outside the city any* in tensely excited, hut the patriotic /Com mittee and the military chiefs of the Cubans think they can quiet this/ feel ing and prevent violent incidents, j TROOPS WERE MUTINOUS. Second Illinois Made Bad Record \on its Way to Cuba. Savannah, G., Dee. 30.—Captain T. Barker, assistant quartermaster* in charge of the transport Michigan, which arrived here to-day, sent to Washington to-night an official report in which tKy* Second Illinois regiment which the Mieh\ igan carried to Cuba on her last trip, was charged with mutinous conduct, and it was stated that Colonel Hotchkiss, in command of the regiment, had to he threatened with a report to the com manding major general. It is intimated in the report that an investigation and possibly a court martial will be demand ed. Previous to the sailing of the Michigan it had been that tihe ship was in bad condition. This Captain Baker denies. He asserts that she was in good shape and in support of this, he transmits a letter to that effect from a number of well known army officers, including Major Richard Henry Savage (the novelist) of the second engineers. C’atain Baker says: “The two battalions came abroad e'gh teen hours before we left port. During that time the wildest confusion pre vailed. No one assumed to be in com mand. “Shouting, yelling, hurrahing and dis order generally continued throughout the entire time the animals were being loaded. There were a ifumber of acci dents and it is only a wonder that several of the horses were not thrown from the gangway and killed. The regulations provide that no smoking be permitted between docks and no soldiers be permitted in the life boats. These regulations were not complied with and no effort made to enforce them. “On the first inspection,” says Captain Baker, “we found fifteen or more of the men smoking between decks.” The captain in command of the trans port complained of the action of the soldiers to the quartermaster and he notified Colonel llotehKfss that the sol diers must quit their mutinous conduct or a report would be made to the major general commanding. “The vandalism they are practicing,” wrote Captain Baker to Colonel Hotch kiss at the instance of the captain of the ship, “seriously endangers the safety of tip* vessel.” It transpired that the Michigan was without adequate fire ap paratus. Had a conflagration at sea oc curred from the smoking between decks, the consequences would probably have been serious.” Notwithstanding his remonstrance to the colonel commanding, the mutinous conduct of the men continued. Captain Baer’s reports says: “With a thorough knowledge of their dangers, the men of the Second Illinois refused to obey every order issued against smoking between decks. In the troops’ quarters the elm ice lamps were smashed to afford the men amusement. This vandalism was practiced to such an extent that the chief engineer found that it was impossible to ,supply the necessary light. Life preservers were torn down and scattered throughout the ship. One night about 8 o’clock the man on the bridge was ruth less'v horWl from his watch by soldiers. The chief officer went forward and by main force compelled the soldiers to disperse. There was no such thing as keeping the men from tin 1 hatchways until one fell and came near being killed.” MI LIT ARY DEPARTMENTS. Formation of Two Places Ludlow iu Command at Havana. Washington. Doe. 30.—The War De partment to-night issued an order estab lishing two deportments in and about Havana, viz.: The Department of Ha vana, comprising the city proper, sit (Continued on Second Page.)