The Times-Picayune from New Orleans, Louisiana • Page 14

THE DAIl PIC THUKSDilY, DEOELIBEB 20, ICoD. HAZING OF CADETS AT WEST POINT. The War Departnjent'e Court of Inquiry Continues Ita InTestigation Into the Alleged Brutal Treatment of Oscar L. Boose, And Brings Out Some Interesting Tes- timony from the Students, Who Describe the Practice at the Military Academy Cadet Boose's Fight With a Classmate. West Point, N.

Dec. 19. Some very Interesting testimony was brought out to-day by the court of Inquiry which Is Investigating the alleged basing of cadets at the Military Academy here, in connection with the recent death of former Cadet Boose. Thirty-fire cadets were examined during the morning and afternoon sessions, and of these one was the brother- of Lieutenant R. P.

Hobson, of Merrlmac fame, another the son of General Phil Sheridan, and a third, Mark Brooke, of Pennsylvania, a nephew of General Brooke, the presiding officer of the court. All three told of the hazing they got dnring the encampment of 1898, at the time Oscar L. Boose was their classmate, and not one of them said that the treatment received or the things they had to do were either brutal or degrading. THE DAY'S PROCEEDINGS. The examination of cadets who were In the same class 'with the late Oscar L.

Boose, at the Military Academy here two years ago was continued to-day by the court of Inquiry appointed by the war department to probe the allegation that Boose was brutally hazed two years ago and died two weeks since at Bristol, as a result. Fourteen of Boose's classmates, who number sixty-eight, testified at veeter-day's proceedings, and each one of them denied that any brutality was practiced at the academy. The first fifteen minutes of to-day's session was behind closed doors. When the open sitting wsb begun. Cadet Raymond Lk Linton, of Michigan, was examined.

He said he knew former Cadet Boose in 1898, and" he seemed to be in good health. Be said that Boose was not hased or treated brutally, so far as he knew. The witness described bracing" as an exaggerated form of the position of a soldier. It was a drawing in of the chin and the throwing back of the shoulders at the same time. Captain Dean, the recorder of the court, asked: "if a fourth-class man Is unpopular is he subjected to more 'bracing' and 'exercising' than others-?" "On the contrary, sir, a great deal less," replied the witness.

''He Is let aloof by the upper classmen and members of his own class." In reply to questions by Colonel Heln commandant of cadets, the witness said: "There are positive orders against 'bracing' and exercising. and cadets have been severely punished for violation of these orders." On a blackboard In the rear of the hall the following was written: "To haze, to play miachevious or abusive tricks on, try the pluck or temper of, especially by physical persecution, lower-class students In a college or newcomers In any establishment of any kind. Century Dictionary." Cadet Stephen Abbott, of Illinois, the next witness, when sworn was asked to read this definition of the words, "to hate," and he said that was not his construction of the words, as applied to the hazinv by "bracing," which took place in the academy. He was not quite nivilK1tlnV thi TWHtlf IT'lt I.VF Jt UIO .1 He had been requested, as a fourth-class man, lo take some few drops of TOBASCO SAUCE out of a spoon, but was not forced to do It. He took it himself at the order of two upper-class men.

It was hot, but did him no barm. "Did you see Cadet Boose after the light with Keller?" asked the recorder. "Yes, sir; his left eye was blackened." The witness went on to say that be had never known Boose to be abused or ill treited, and denied that Boose was interfered with on account of his religloub practices. In reply to Commandant Hein, the witness said he had known cadets, as well as the commandants of the mess table, to be severely punished for permitting or practicing "restraint," "bracing." or othr exwHies on lower-class men. Cadet Albert E.

Dockery, of Mississippi, was questioned at length on military regulations prohibiting hazing. General Brooke Tea a an ex-tract from the United States military regulations prohibiting nearly everything which could be construed as hazing. Then the general "Yes, sir," replied the witness. On being questioned by Colonel Hill, superintendent of the academy, the witness said tobasco sance, If not on the table, can tve had by asking for It. "Do you know any other name for it?" asked atie superintendent.

After hesitating the witness replied: "Yes. sir: the cadets sometimes call it bell sauce." Cadet Charles M. Eby, of Pennsylvania, was asked about the hazing which usde be prevalent, but which he said was discontinued about two years ago. He described it as follows: "Bracing An exaggerated form of sol- dJerly position. "Wooden Willie Continuous iron drill.

"Football Lying on back and Talstag the legs to a perpendicular position and back again several times, probably for mix or seven minutes. "Bagling Standing on toes. "Hanging on Stretcher Suspended on hands from trar with feet not on floor." "Did you ever see a man faint while undergoing any of these exercises?" "Well. I have known a man to feign," was the reply. "Under what form of exercise?" Eagllng, I think, sir." "How long did he exercise?" "I can't exactly say; about five or six snlnrites, I think.

"Who was the man? ''Myself, sir." This reply caused laughter, In which the lady spectators Joined. Then you are arf authority on fainting?" said General Brooke. "No, air, I never fainted," was the re- 'He then, at the request of Superintendent Mills, stood ud and gave the court an exhibition of what Is known as "'bracing," which did not seem to be a very unnatural or PAINFUL POSITION. Cadet John Herr, of New Jersey, who was present at the fight between Kellei nd Boose, and who acted as one of the tatter's seconds, testified. The witness aid: "The men rrat on their bands and sparred.

Keller landed a blow on Boose's eye and the latter turned hJa head away. He tried to avoid Keller, who said: Stand up and Then Boose went down from a light blow and did not want to get ud. He was helped up, but went down again two or three times and want-to quit. He got a blow In the body, but not hard enouzh to knock him down. Boose flopped down.

He cried and said be would give up. He was not knocked out. He Just laid down." "After the figh." continued the witness. "I told Boose the his actions were cowardly and so regarded by the others and that he could remove the stigma by fighting another upper class man Ms own size or smaller, but he paid no attention tome. "Had he a mark on his body?" "Yes, he had a black eye." The witness.

In speaking of the treat-meat by of lower class men for offenses." was asked by Gen- eral Brooke what are considered "offenses." "Well, should they refuse to comply with an order from an npper class man. providing the order would not bring dU-credit on the lower class and also fl'st- w-slked In a slonchy manner." Ml was Us definition. 'Continuing he said that many fourth class mm on their arrival at the acad-lA-vemy wcts "full of conceit." which had to be taken' -out of "Describe the conceit." said General Brooke. The witness hesitated, after a sug ne eaia: of them are conceited on ao dlarges. Ws testa without palm, Ws aasas without ANY pats.

extract teeth without palm. We rurtitM to do this. Ws rsfer a number sf lepras tatlve psepls this city. Good Fflllais, 51 Gold Crowns, Psrceltio Crows, $3ip ArtiatU sets of teeth sa ths baaatl-fal Boston Csrallas base. BOSTON DENTAL St Charles Cor.

Washington An. count of wealth and others on social standing ar superior Intellect." "Then these are treated by the upper class men this way In order to bring them to a realizing sense of the fact that they are no better than anybody else?" suggested General Brooke. Exactly, sir," he said. Hiram Cooper, a cadet of the second class from North Carolina, said on one occasion he was compelled to take a cold bath. It was In the summer.

Cadet James B. Stubbs, of Texas, testified that he had seen Boose after the fight walking down the company street smiling. Cadet Adam F. Cassad, of Kansas, testified that Boose was unpopular on account of his cowardly conduct in bis fight. Cadet John A.

Cleveland, of Alabama, said he was hazed in 1897, when he first came to the academy. The ROUGH HAZING of that time was now totally done away with. Cadet Phillip H. Sheridan, of Illinois, said he did not know enough about Boose to form an opinion of him or have any feeling toward him. Asked if he himself had ever been hazed the witness replied: "1 was made to say 'turn, boys; turn, several times." "From what Is that taken?" asked General Clous.

"From -Sheridan's ride, sir," said the young fellow, proudly. "What else were you asked to do" "Ob, some foolish things, such as riding broom bandies aftd sitting in wash bowls In the company streets. Cadet Troup Miller, of Georgia, had to recite poetry or prose from memory. He had to do exercises, bracing, sitting up; and while he did not enjoy doing them, they had no 111 effects on him. Rigby D.

Valllant, of Arkansas, said he was hazed and had taken part In pillow fights and a "rat funeral' Cadet William Davis, of Georgia, said he had to go through exercises and was frequently tired by his efforts. "Did you ever drop from exhaustion?" asked General Clous. "Yes, I dropped, but I was not exhausted; I only pretended to be." "What else were you required to do?" "I had to sing songs, climb up the ridge pole of the tent and crow like a rooster," said the witness. Cadet Benjamin F. Miller, of Virginia, said hot candle groase had been dropped on his feet and the same was done to Boose.

It did not hurt. Samuel L. Frankenberger, of West Virginia, said he had been hazed but not hurt. "What is your religion?" asked Commandant Heln. "I am a Jew.

sir." "Have you ever been slighted or annoyed on account of your religion by anv of the cadets?" "No. sir." B. O. Mahaffey, of Texas, said he knew Boose, who was unpopular on account of his cowardice. Walter K.

Wilson, of Tennessee, had seen Boose the night of the fight. His eye was black, but he could not say what kind of spirits he was in, as he did not talk with him. James M. Hobson, of Alabama, a brother of Richmond P. Hobson, was then sworn.

He said be had to climb the pole of the tent, stand on his head in a bath tub with water In It. and other little ordeals. His classmates had to go through them. "Was anybody strangled by this practice of standing on his head In the bath tub?" "Yes, sir; I was slightly strangled myself, but not hurt." The court adjourned at 5 o'clock until 0.30 to-morrow morning. The Houe Inveattgravtlnar Commit tee.

Washington, Dec. 19. The special committee appointed by Speaker Henderson to investigate the circumstances connected with the death of Oscar L. Boose, who is alleged to have died as a result of injuries received from "hazing," while a cadet at West Point, to-day decided to enter upon the investigation immediately after the holiday recess. The committee has determined to probe the Boose case to the bottom.

The committee will Investigate the general subject of hazing sufficiently to make an intelligent recommendation to congress. Barsralm pianos. Terms to suit. Open misrhta. JUNIUS HART.

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. A Cat Case Ends In Conviction and. Appeal. Yesterday, In the second recorder's court, Hon. A.

P. Marmouget on the bench, the young man, Frank J. Tague. who was charged a short time ago by the police of the Fifth precinct with willfully and cruelly killing a cat by strangling it, appeared to answer the charge. Cerferino Rudriguee, who runs a grocery and barroom corner of Urquhart and Touro, testified that the defendant went into his place of business on the morning of the loth and asked for a drink.

As he was at the time under the Influence of liquor, and forgot to tender the price, he was refused. Sylvester Joseph, a young negro, aged 15 years, testified that a short time afterwards Tague went into the yard and was seen with the cat in his hands and dashing it into a hole. On the -animal making its escape, he again caught it, and the boy, Sylvester, further testified that on Tague demanding bim to clear out, he ran for a short distance, when, on returning around, found the cat was lying kicking and died immediately. Sylvester Joseph was the principal witness for the prosecution, whose testimony was evidently fully believed by the court. Two officers testified to the fact that when called on to arrest the defendant, they found him concealing himself behind a wagon.

The testimony of the special agent of the State Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals went to show that the animal died from strangulation, as one of the eyes was protruding from the socket. Three young white men appeared for the defense, but evidently the court took little stock in the story, and imposed a fine of $25 or an alternative of 30 days in the police Jail. An appeal in the ease was taken, and bonds fixed in the case at $250. Are yon Interested in art things? If you are, you cannot afford to miss the grand auction sale to-day at Curtis' Exchange, 629 and 631 Common street. CHRISTMAS LUNCHEONS.

A Practical Plan by the Ladles of Grace Chmren. The Woman's Guild of Grace church propose giving a luncheon to-morrow and Saturday. Dec. 21 and 22. at No.

912 Canal street, between the hours of 11 and 5 o'clock. Shoppers will be thus enabled to procure a hot plate of soup or gumbo, a cup of tea or coffee, roast turkey salad, bread and butter, all for the very reasonable sum of 25 cents. The ladles of the guild are much Interested In securing a fund for the necessary. work of their body, and this Is one of the mesne that they" adopt to reach this Walter p. Rogers Is one of the most earnest workers, as Is also Mrs.

Moore The iadles beg that holiday purchasers wilt find their scheme an attractive and heipful one dnring the long hours which they must devote to Christmas purchases, they unite In the hope that they will meet a liberal patronage. RPHIMfi wl jua a a a. a- the SCENES. Servian Bouquets Thrown at Queen Draga. 1 1 1 Bobbers in Borne to Go Uapan-:" ished.

The Duke Abnusi. oa His North Pole Hunt. Queen Marguerite and Her Future Besidenee. That Servla must not be judged by the ordinary standard of morality and respectability is apparent from the honors and distinctions which foreign sovereigns are now showering upon Qneen Draga, and no one need be astonished to learn ere long that she has been welcomed with royal honors as a most distinguished guest at St. Petersburg and other courts of the old world.

In spite of her stormy antecedents. European rulers probably take the ground that her conduct has been Infinitely less disreputable than that of Queen Isabella, of Spain, since the only man with whom her name was ever associated In a Questionable manner Is now her husband, and that If so eminently strict a sovereign can muster up sufficient charity to receive Queen Isabella with royal honors at Windsor and at Buckingham palace, thefre Is no reason whatsoever why the same indulgence should not be conceded to Queen Draga of Servla. It may be remembered that the czar caused his minister at Belgrade to act as best man to King Alexander on the occasion of his wedding, and within the last month the czarina, as grand mistress of the Order of St. Catherine, has conferred that rare and hlgaly prized decoration upon the Servian queen, addressing her as "sister." the ceremony of investiture being performed with a oonsiaeraoie aegree oi pomp ana ceremony by a special envoy dispatched for the purpose to Servla with a large suite. Following on this the German plenipotentiary at Belgrade requested an audience of Queen Draga, handed her an autograph letter from Kmpress Victoria Augusta, begging her acceptance of a beautiful diamond tiara as a birthday gift, while the envoy at the same time not only presented the good wishes of the kaiser, but likewise tne congratulations of the latter, as well as of all tne-uerman sovereigns, on the occasion of her marriage.

The sultan sent a special mission from Constantinople, headed by Nasar Pasha, to convey to Queen Draga a birthday present, consisting of his Order of the Chefkat. jeweled with large brilliants, while analogous tokens of good will have been received by the Servian king and queen, not only from the king and queen of Italy and from Queen Victoria, but even from the Austrian emperor. In fact, all the foreign courts seem to have come to the conclusion that the best thing to do is to accept Queen Draga as s7 bona fide queen, the more so. since King Alexander has probably, thanks to her influence, shown himself in an altogether new and advantageous light since his marriage. Certainly King Alexander enjoys at the present moment a greater degree of respect abroad and Queen Draga a larger share of popularity at home than any of their predecessors on the throne of Servla could ever boast of.

If the rumors be true that are now circulating at Rome, it Is probable that nothing more will be heard, at any rate during the present reign, of the recent robberies at the Vatican, amounting to several hundreds of thousands of dollars. It would appear that the thief Is now known, and that, although he Is neither a prelate nor yet a lay. dignitary, as had at first been asserted, yet that he is a personage whose arrest and conviction would prove even juore startling and sensational than If it were a cardinal who was brought to book. Some of the stolen securities have been recovered. That is to say, they were found in the hands of bankers and financiers of the highest fetftite and respectability at Genoa, enjoying the complete confidence of the Vatican, and who were able to give such an explanation as to the manner In which they came Into possession of the bonds as to completely clear them of all suspicion of dishonesty.

No attempt has been made to bring them to any legal account, or to subject them to any kind of legal Investigation. In fact, the Italian police have been re- a nested to abandon all further action In le matter. I will not mention the name of the personage to whom every finger at Rome pointed until he left the Eternal city hurriedly the other day. But I dare say that there are some of my readers who, recalling the references made to the extravagances and constant pecuniary difficulties of a nobleman more conspicuous than any other at the Vatican, will be able to guess his Identity, and to appreciate (vhe anxiety not merely of the members) of the papal entourage, but even of 'the royal government shield the aged pontiff from sbocV likely to prove mortal to a man so enfeebled by years as Leo XIII which would be caused by the arrest and trial of the titled culprit. One might add that the papal treasury will sustain no loss whatsoever, and that every cent of the money stolen will be restored, not by the thief ltls true, but by his relatives.

A picturesque ceremony took place th other day at the church of the Consolation at Turin, and in which the widowed Queen Marguerite figured conspicuously. When the duke of the Abruzzl sailed on board the Polar Star in search of the North pole. Queen Marguerite, much alarmed on his account, made a vow to present to the church a votive offering to be placed in the chapel of the patron saint of meu, if the prince returned home safe and sound. The ceremony the other day was the fulfillment of this Toyal vow, and the queen, accompanied by Dowager Duchess Letitla Bonaparte of Aosta and by Duchess Hel-ene of Aosta the one duchei as blonde as the other one Is black-eyed and raven-haired proceeded to the church, and there solemnly handed over to the clergy the votive offering, consisting of an exquisite silver model of the Polar Star, the ship being 3 feet in length, every detail, even the most minute, being perfect. The vessel is embedded in a silver sea, and on the front of the pedestal on which It stands Is a gold plate, bearing the dedication and the expressions of gratitude of the queen.

The chapel is filled with votive offerings. At the last moment, and after all the arrangements were believed to have been concluded, the negotiations between King Victor Emmanuel and Count BObrlnskl for- the purchase of the so-called villa Malta as a residence for Queen Marguerite at Rome, were broken off at the instance, it Is understood, of the queen herself, Influenced by the members of her household, who did not relish the Idea of living in the cramped quarters destined for their nse In the Malta palace. The ancient Italian nobility, from among A tl atursl MinsralYater, known for centuries and Imported .1 ONLY IN BOTTLES. For DIxartirBl Stomach and Hits value has been testi fied to by thotuands. So-called Vich in Syphons IS NOT- VICHY.

Get the Genuine. Yoar paysielaa- win recommend It, General Agency. 220 Broadway; IT. Y. I -Ft 1 j2 Will AIT It 5 aMw the members of which the queen's suite is recruited, have been accustomed from-their childhood to the lofty ceilings and spaciousness of the apartments of the eighteenth and seventeenth centuries' palaces, and feel stifled and unhappy In small rooms.

In the Plombino palace, which -the king has purchased Instead for his mother, and. which was occupied by United States Ambassador Draper throughout his stay in Rome, they wlU have all the room they "want. True. It is not an old palace. Indeed, It Is considerably newer than the villa Malta, having been erected since Rome became the national capital of Italy.

But It is built on ancient lines of limestone and red brick In the center of the new quarter of the Sternal city by the princely and ducal house of Boncompagnf. The latter came to grief in connection 'with building speculations, and In this way the palace, which is very imposing-looking, came into the possession of the Bank of Italy, from which the king has now purchased It for the "price of $600,000. It will have to be tarnished throughout. The king, by the by. finding that the negotiations between the city of Rome and the trustees of the princely bouse of Borghese, with regard to the purchase of villa Borghese and Its superb park, are still hanging fife, has announced his intention of buying the entire property himself, and of presenting it to the nation as a memorial of his father.

MARQUISE DE FONTENOY. "SOCIETY'S READY REFERENCE. A directory containing a list of selected and prominent names, with residence numbers and reception days; full roster of social and literary clubs; out-of-town addressses; officers of church and philanthropic societies; resident sugar planters, with post office addresses, compiled by Miss Amelia S. Pasteur, has been revised for 1900-1901. and Is now for sale 50 per copy.

All the changes in residences made since the 1st of October have been carefully noted, making the volume a reliable, guide for all those sending out Invitations for entertainments and for business houses wishing to distribute circulars and cards for commercial purposes. The book will prove very useful to the various carnival organisations that are now making out their lists for the balls, and can be obtained at the Picayune office; and at Holmes' and Hansen's. THE ARMF BILL. The Senate Committee on Military Affairs Completes the Measure. Tne House Canteen Provision Modified, and Several Other Important Chances Made.

Washington, Dec. 19. The subcommittee of the senate committee on military affairs has completed Its work upon the army reorganisation bill, and reported the result of Its labors to a special meeting of the fall senate committee this afternoon. The subcommittee reported a complete substitute for the house bill, and while much of the language Is the same as that of the house measure, there are numerous chsnges. Probably the most Important change Is In the provision regarding the artillery arm of the service.

The subcommittee recommends the retention of the present regimental organization of the artillery and does nob give its assent to the corps organization proposed by Secretary Root and accepted by the house. In the matter of the appointment of staff officers the bill follows largely the lines of the recommendations made by Secretary Root. The house canteen provision was amended so as to permit the sale of beer at the canteens. This exception was made by omitting the word "beer" from the prohibited articles. The maxtmum strength of the army is to be 100,000 men.

As amended, the canteen paragraph reads as follows' "The sale of, or dealing in, wine or any distilled spirits by any person in any post exchange, or canteen, or army transport, or upon any premises used for military purposes ty the United States is hereby prohibited." Senator Harris made an effort to have the canteen provision extended to the city of Manila, so as to prohibit the sale of liquors In that city, but failed. The provision of the new bill regarding the general organization and scope of the army is as follows: "That from and after the approval of this bill the army of the United States, including the existing organizations, shall consist of fifteen regiments of cavalry, twelve regiments of artillery, thirty regiments of Infantry, one lieutenant general, six major generals, fifteen brigadier generals, ah adjutant general's department, an inspector general's department, a judge advocate general's department, a quartermaster's department, a subsistence department, a medical department, a pay department, a corps of engineers, an ordnance department, a signal corps, the officers of the record and pension offices, the chaplains, the officers and enlisted men of the army on the retlTed list, the professors, corps of cadets, the army service detachment and band at the United States Military Academy, Indian scouts now authorized by law, and such other officers and enlisted men as may hereinafter be provided for. "Provided that when a vacancy shall occur through death, retirement or other separation from active service in the office of storekeeper, now provided for by law In the quartermaster's department and ordnance department, respectively, said office shall cease to exist." The cavalry, regimental organization. Is to consist of a colonel, a lieutenant colonel, three majors, fifteen captains and fifteen each of first and second lieutenants. Two veterinarians are allowed for each cavalry regiment.

Th president is authorized to Increase the number of privates in each troop of cavalry to seventy-six. All the house provisions In regard to the artiUery are stricken )ut and a provision substituted continuing the present regimental system and giving each regiment a colonel, a lieutenant colonel, three majors, seventeen captains and the same number of first and second lieutenants. The Infantry regiments are allowed the same general officers as tae other branches of the service. The enlisted force of the corns 6f engineers is to consist of three battalions of engineers. The appointments of chaplains by the president Is authorised at the rate of one for each Including the artillery service.

Post chaplains are abolished. The new bill continues the rank of ma- ior general to General Corbln. so that le may serve as adjutant general, but reduces the rank afterward to brigadier general. There are to be five assistant adjutant generals with the rank of colonel, seven with the rank of lieutenant colonel and fifteen with the rank of major. A female nurse corps is provided in connection with the surgeon general's The house provision for a separate veterinary corps is stricken out.

The heads of the ordnance department and of the signal corps are to be brigadiers. The maximum strength of the army 1s fixed at 100,000 men. and the figure is not mentioned until near the. close pt the bill. It Is then Inserted In connection with the provision, for the enlistment of the Filipinos.

The provision is as follow: when, tn his opinion, the conditions in the Philippine Islands Justify such action, the president Is authorized to enlist natives of those Islands for service in the army, to be organized as scouts, with such officers as he shall deem necessary for the proper control, or as troops or companies as authorized by this act for the -regular army, the total number of enlisted men In said native organizations not to exceed and the total ejllsted force of the line of the army, together with such native force, shall not' exceed at any time 100.000." tv The field officers of the native troops are all to be Americana for the present, bat whenever the Filipinos show fitness for command the president is authorised to make provisional selections from among them for the grades of 'first and second lieutenants. A native regiment of Porto BIcans also is authorized. The president Is authorized to maintain the' enlisted force of the several organizations of the army at their maximum strength as fixed by this act during the, present exigencies of the service or until such time as eongress may hereafter direct. The medical department provision: is the same as that of the house bill, except a slight change as to qualifications for head aurse. The full committee on military affairs met at 2 o'clock, and after a two-hoars' sitting adopted the recommendations of the subcommittee.

The bill will bo reported to the senate RAILROAD NEWS FROM ALL AROUND The Lafourche Branch Vfll be Beady in' January, And the Texas. aid Pacific is Preparing fer It. Passenger Chief Stone Delighted With Hew Orleans. The Southeastern Association's Next tteetlns; Will Take Place in Atlanta. G.

B. Harrison, superintendent of bridges and building of the Texas and Pacific- Railroad, was In New Orleans yesterday, accompanied by H. Chamberlain, assistant engineer In charge of the construction of the Lafourche branch, from Donaldsonvllle to Thlbodaux. Mr. Chamberlain was in New Orleans a few day ago.

when he said that the branch would be completed for ita entire distance by the middle of January. Yesterday he said he had no reason to change hit opinion in this regard. Mr. Harrison said that the new depots which were being put up along the branch were the finest things of the kind to be had. They are up-to-date in every particular and, for the first time iu Louisiana, metallic celling is being used.

The depots have already been completed at Belie Alliance, Plattenvllle and Napo-leonvllle. The site for the depot at Labadievllle has been picked oat and the material for its construction Is on hand. Work on it will commence within the next week. The road has now been completed a little beyond Labadlevllle, and the depot there will be pushed Into completion as rapidly as possible. About the depot at Thlbodaux, however, there Is some trouble.

The site has not yet been, selected. "As Mr. Chamberlain tells you," said Major Robert Strong, the general agent of the Texas and Pacific In this city, "we will be to Thlbodaux by the middle of next month, and we are very anxious to have the depot np by the time the road to put in operation. We have every bit of the material waiting, and the road Intends to put up a depot In, thorough keeping with the progressive spirit and commercial achievements of the town. For this reason every possible effort Is being made to get hofd of a suitable site, and It Is our sincere hope that the effort we are making in thio direction will be crowned wrth success in a very few days." Superintendent Harriaon and Assistant Engineer Chamberlain left last night for their respective posts.

PASSENGER MEN HAVE DEPARTED. The passenger men who came to this city to attend the meetings of the Southeastern Passenger Association and the New Orleans Passenger Bureau are, every one of them, either back at headquarters this morning or on their way there. The last one of them left last evening. General Passenger Agent C. L.

Stone, of the Louisville and Nashville, was a very busy man He took a Creole breakfast In the morning and spent the day taking in the sights of th city. He was very to see Superintendent Marshall yesterday, but Mr. Marshall was out of -the city. Before leaving the new chief executive of the Louisville anoV Nashville expressed himself, as delighted with all he had seen In New Orleans. He said that there were signs of prosperity on every hand, and that the evidence of spirit In the way of improvement was very manifest.

Mr. Stone is very anxious for the new Louisville and Nashville passenger depot to be completed. He says it will be an ornament to the city when Jt is. He left last night for Louisville. Chairman Richardson and Secretary Madison, of the South east era Passenger Association, left last night over the Louisville and Nashville.

On the same train were: Passenger Traffic Manager B. Wrenn, of the Plant system; General Passeng-er Agent G. C. Halle, of the Central of Georgia; General Passenger Agent S. D.

Pickett, of. the Atlantic, Valdosta and Western; W. C. Rlnearson, assistant general passenger agent of the Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas Pacific; General Passenger Agent W. L.

Danley, of the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis, and E. Harmon, general passenger agent of the Western Atlantic. General Passenger Agent C. M.

Sbep-ard, of the Mobile and Ohio, left Tester day monilng. Assistant Oeoeral Passenger Agent W. A. Kellond. of the Illinois Central, got away In the morning, too, while General Passenger Agent A.

H. Hanson left on last night's Illinois Central train. The next meeting of the Southeastern Passenger Association will be held in Atlanta. THE TEXAS AND NEW ORLEANS. Special to the Picayune.

Houston, Dec. 19. The contract for the first twenty-five miles of the Texas and New Orleans extension from Athens toward Nacogdoches having been let, and bids having been advertised for the next section of twenty-five miles it Is highly probable that by the end of the first six months of next year New Orleans will have another direct line to Dallas, and one which will tap a very rich country. The portion of east Texas through which the Texas and New Orleans will run has not been developed, owing to the lack of railroads, but with this new line the lumber and agricultural products will have a fine port at the end of a comparatively shun haul, and there- will be a boom In east Texas. The Southern Pacific people also Intend to nse the new line to handle cotton and wheat to New Orleans and Sabine, but the plans do not, as now understood, contemplate much use of Jls latter port, except in cases of emergency.

Work on the extension from Beaumont to Nacogdoches has progressed so well that trains will be operated over that portion of the road by March 1, at the latest. The bridge across the Angelina river has been completed, and the work of laying rails north of the river will begin Jan. .1. DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES. The work of figuring out the percentages shown by the recent Inspection of the New Orleans and Northeastern Railroad is going on rapidly, and It Is now pretty well understood that the winners will be announced by Saturday.

At any rate, every effort is being me.de to accomplish this result, for it Is desired to send the vouchers out in time to reach the lucky ones by-Christmas eve. So far the tabulating of the percentage has developed the fact thst there were some high ratings, and that the section man wno gets the first money for the best section will have to stand high. SOUTHERN PACIFIC NEWS. Traffic Manager C. W.

Bein, of the Southern Pacific, with headquarters In Houston, came over- yesterday morning on one of his regular trips. He will probably return to-night. The Sunset Limited which will leave this morning has an even larger number of passengers booked than did the last limited. There will be almost four score passengers, unless all signs fall. The limited, which Is due to arrive to-night from the west, also has a large passenger list.

RATHER FISHY. There was considerable discussion yesterday over the report current In railroad circles, to the effect that E. L. Russell was due to retire with the beginning of the new century. The report fs said to have emanated from Memphis.

It does not receive much credence here. Mr. 'Russell was in New Orleans but a week or so ago as a delegate to the southern Industrial convention. He has some very warm friends' In this and If be had any Idea of resigning he would certainly have given them some hint He was not only not so minded, however, but he was nil of plans for the future. FREIGHT TRAFFIC AFFAIRS.

President Russell, of the Mobile and Ohio, -reports a reduction of rates on grain from St. Louis to 18 cents, and from Cairo to 15 cents to all Mississippi points as tar south as Meridian. Flour Is if 8t These concessions were asked by the Mississippi railroad commission. The Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Road has canceled all through rates between East Louis and points on the Cairo division of the line (Cairo to Paris, I1L), which leaves only the sums of locals through some' junction point to reach local points on that Hne.

Such rates are high In comparison with the nates from Cincinnati and Louisville. St. Louis merchants hsve taken the subject np with the officials of the line and hope to get them to take some action that will protect St. Louis Inter-Mt-Vv BALTIMORE AND OHIO 8TATE- ment. The Baltimore 'and Ohio-atatement for the month of November, which Includes the B.

and O. S. shows: Gross earnings, 13,832,324: increase, expenses, increase, net earnings, SL254.260; From July 1 last, for the five months ending Nov. 30. the showing Is: Gross earnings.

S19.427.433; increase, 043: expenses, Increase, $1,784,157: net earnings, crease, $20,886. ln- G. A. B. RATE.

G. D. Bacon, of the Rock Island, was notified recently by General Passenger Agent Sebastian that the proposition for a rate of 1 cent per mile for the national encampment of the G. A. to be held at Denver next September, having failed to carry, joint notice was served by tm Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific snd BurHngton Route that they would make the rate, and, owing to the action of those lines, the rate will be made effective from all points In Western Passenger Association territory.

LIMITED EXPRESSIONS. The freight traffic department of the Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas Pacific Railway Company has Issued and Is sending out to friends a very attractive card, wishing them a "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Tear." The Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad has completed Its new extension to the Mississippi river, and trains' are already running into the new terminus namea joppa. j.ms mases a conunuuua line for this system through the entire length of Illinois, and makes a close connection with the cotton states Tla the Cotton Belt and the Iron Mountain. T. A.

Devlne, personal injury agent of the Illinois Central Railroad, was In New Orelans yesterday. W. F. Greaves, general southern agent of the Big Four route, was making the round of the local offices yesterday. Joseph Cabell, of the Baltimore and Ohio, with headquarters In Memphis, was one of the strangers within the gates yesterday.

The talk about the dissolution of the New Orleans Passenger Bureau does not bid fair to make good. The chances are that the organisation -will continue to do business at the eld stand. Faded hair recovers Its youthful color and softness by the use of Parker's Hair Balsam. Hlndercorna, the best cure for corns. 15 cts.

JULES A. GMASSER. Admitted to the Bar by tae 8s-prtme Coart. JULES GRASSER. Mr.

Jules A. Grasser, who has been In the employ of Mr. Bernard McCIoskey, the attorney, for a number of years, was recently admitted to the bar by the Justices of the supreme court, after a rigid examination, and now a full-fledged lawyer. Mr. Grasser is a son of Mr.

Ben Grasser, the well-known broker, and was educated at the Jesuits' College in this city. He entered the office of Mr. McCIoskey In 1892, and In. a short while became a stenographer. While In the office he studied law and prepared himself for the examination.

He successfully passed the committee of examiners, snd was congratulated by the justices of the supreme court on the brilliancy of his examination. Mr. Grasser is a bright young man. very Industrious and studious, and will certainly make his mark in the profession. He will remain with the firm of McCIoskey Benedict, and has the beet wishes of a host of friends for his future success at the bar.

A DROWNED BOY. His Body Floating; la the Claiborne Canal. The body of Tony Margareto, a boy of 9 years, was found floating In the Claiborne canal, near Third street, last afternoon. The boy disappeared seven days ago from bis home on Jackson avenue and Freret street, and since then a search was made for him without any. result.

When his body was found a rumor was spread that top lad had met with foul play, but this was investigated by the police, who found no foundation for tbe story. The body was claimed by the father, and- will be buried to-day. VITAL STATISTICS. Recorded yesterday at the office of the city board of health. BIRTHS.

Mrs. Oscar L. Villere. a boy. Mrs.

J. J. Hennesay. a bov. Mrs.

Edward O. Lesalle, a girL Mrs. George Fernon. girL Mrs. Joseph Rock, a zlrL Mrs.

Marius J. Rasas, a boy. Mrs. Patrick J. Doncan.

a boy. Mrs. Henry Ascbaffenborg. girL Mrs. Felice Pi cone, a girl.

Mrs. W. E. 8am, a boy. MARRIAGES.

George T. Rehage and Miss Adeline K. Boodreaux. Tbomas J. Clark and Miss Eola Winn.

Frank n. Kean and Miss Mabyn Gordon. John Mlddleton Hna-er and Mlu Tu Woesta. Kershaw T. Thompson and May Tnrpean.

Lnclna Smith and Fellcie Dormvy. Walter J. LeConte and Emma Matthews. DEATHS. Joseph L.

Jeneveln. 34 years, charity hospital. Miss Mary Pooler, 64 years. 162S Carondelat. J.

Herman Gosling. 74 years, 932 Maraslne. W. F. Stockmeyer.

40 years, charity hospital. Henry Fullmer, 55 years, 1817 St. Thomas. ''John Doberty, 81 years, 1658 Poydras. N.

D. Harvey, 64 years. Harvey. La. Victor Miarsna.

58 years. Hotel Died. Timothy Donovan, 48 years, 712 St. Lonls. Joseph Maaant.

65 years, Conti and Bonr-toon. Mrs. Elisabeth Sehawath. SI vmm vass. Henrr Josenh.

SI rears. 415 North William Henry, 2 boars. Tricon and De'ery. Mrs. Anthony Modlca.

25 years, 910 Bourbon. Gostave Vlnsanan. 5 days, Bernard parish. Adolpb Joseph Bernard. 35 years, St.

Bernard parish. ir Mrs. T. E. Sykes.

TJrquhart. Mary 3 years, 615 Hospital. Elisabeth Fortin. oT retra, 151S Henry J. Etlenne, 25 years, 2022 Sooth Rani- PSTt.

v. u. Mmr, as years. Tillers and St Ber- Cleanses the 5y Gently aiid Effect, when bilious orcc Jhesents in iAemcot acrr- Jen own to act most TO GET ITS BENEFICL'ir-BUY THE GENUINE CALIFORNIA FIG Sit SAN FRANCISCO, eju LOUISVILLE r. NEW OF CEIIi.

St-Ksrsm-Fsi One of the Koj elent and Interesting Ci: (From (5e "London UobeJ Sl-Xgaa-Fn whither the ea, ajrer and the emperor of Chins moved their court and the sett -ernment is one 'of the most ic-'' and ancient of the cities ef Cllx known by a number ef different t-or, to be more exact, differeat spelling the same name, as Er-Halanfu, Sianfu. etc. ItHei la jnost Inacessible mountain wa' of the Wel-Ho, at a distance miles from Pekin, and It is dlrJi novelty to be told that conrt tad business can be transacted json ditioualy there than at Tti-Tw which Is only abont a quarter uu: tance. It is true, however, Cut Fu is In better telegraphic eoaaa than Tal-Tuen-Fa with illtLj lnces of China. -Thence ae lete wire passes, via.

Tal-Tnen-Fa, Pet. another passes northwestward in province of Kansu. while tMrd a mnnk-ates via Klngchtw. wUi -southern, southeastern sad soatliirtr" provinces of the empire. 81-Xra-F becomes the heart, as it strategic center, tf China.

The nrst view of ai-Xrra-rt, t-crossing the mountains of their dangerous and difficult rt'wi obtained from a height some three t. distant from the city. Thenre It t-s loping up gradually from tbe tui the river, bo as to exhibit in trjc walls and lofty towers; its aouv palaces, at one view, like the interior an amphitheatre. The-city is iimw by a crenelated wall, built of bricU a some 36 feet In height, aud its toui; cult is about nine miles. Tier i if In the face of each wall; and ut wide street- leads to the center el city, where the yamen.

or sett ti ernment. lg situated. Here ilia site of the ancient palace of tie tzy of China. The population scco entire enciente. and presents b' geneons collection of xhibetaat, and Tartars.

The houses are mcstij of wood, -and In order to keep of fire" the southern jite o( city Is kept shut ordinarily. Tbrt i more life and -movement In the C-than In the Manchu city the latter largely occupied by parks sad Miles of faubourgs extend alone ti. and canals outside the city. Owiri position at the point, of costerr-o the trade routes between eenuii and China and to the fertility la low earth, Sl-Xgan-Fu for VUX) years has "been a city of the portance, both commercially cally. At the present day Iu iom filled with precious merchandise, it senses also a government arsenal, t-modern weapons of war are tarsed Si-Xgan-Fu has been taken andreu rebuilt and destroyed, since Ju n-tion In the twelfth century.

B. C. Wang, the "Mastral king. bot lu tlon has assured for it always ut trol of trade passing betwees tie and the west. giant; Kv C.

770. had revenged the Insults by the Tartars to the Emperor m' for his courage had been made Tsln-Chsw, Si-Xgan-Fn went br1 of Has-King. It was the of the Tsla frreat emperor; whose conquet -ntersected those of his cont7 Ptolemy Evergetes. Cader tj dynasty the city attained to the of its splendor and prosperity. as '-went bv the name of Chang-An it i lated of Liu Tsung, one of the leio-, the barbaric Huns, who maintain -sway in Shen-Se until A.

D. built a magnificent palace st tw and. having summoned all tat jects of hi kingdom, lived la 1otj splendor hitherto unknown In CHiri possessed a bodyguard of -Aauso" gantly dressed, many of -musicians, who accompanied hJ ever he went. When the hflBS had flrnily established itself laC1' Tal Tsung bad made his re the Greek JOinperor Theedosl ambassador to Chang-An carrrnj ents of rubles missionaries also presented theM. this monarch's conrt, snd were ejo--ly received by him.

He llstene4 leading tenets of their doetruw. a temple to be erected la hU ii caused tome of their sacred lju translated. The celebrated biar, let at Si-Xgan-Fu. In Syriae characters the most ancient writing yet discovered in s.er dales from the time of the Tang and shows that Christianity considerable progress among at that early date. During the Orst Pods ofue sovereigns of China Sl-XgaB-T the name of King-Tchao-Fa.

which Marco Polo Jamfu. and under which scribes the city In terms Notwithstanding its antianftr. 1 Fu possesses no very aacieai Th. lr famous DSlace dynasty, whose sovereigns the seventh century to the oe.fl.T. ine is siiu mTr sesses.

however, a 5'c cal museum containing a f-tablets and Inscriptions, 9Z being twenty. eTBturie olfc-J cloui antiauary and lzV horhood of this ancient ter field than any other twrtw Almost-the only actual knoso the three- great dvnastles-p Hia. Khsnjf and temple st Confuclns ftrin-f removed, thither from H2W- Ther consist a regularUf-shaped drums, with oinme mors ting a Krea," cj.v Wang be neighborhood abontjgC 827. At from -Sgan-Fn fc- datlng from tne fAr 1 corjUJniug a co th f.me as Xankinf P.tr. of thevyellow empire, ttf Mahomet rebels tf' -walls, and endeavored to Uon of ome- tbonaajU-' religionists within Jp1t-r, "aB.l thro wa; Into prlscn.

aru Ir-Jmlit waUs af the WTer too strong for them. 'nt after laving waste and t. orbs. The rotsl estimated at JW1. Buddha -56 feet In helg "r'.