The Philadelphia Times from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page 7

THE PHILADELPHIA TIMES. AUGUST 10. 1899. THURSDAY MORNING. RATTLERS ESCAPE AND KILL RESENTS INSULT WITH BULLETS BRAIN REELED AT SIGHT OF VICTIM'S BODY A DOG AND SEVERAL BIRDS THE West End Trust WAR CLOUDS LOWER AGAIN ON TRANSYAAL Military Circles in London Consider That Hostilities Are Simply Inevitable.

OUTLOOK RATHER GLOOMY AND SAFE DEPOSIT COMPANY WILL OCOUPY ITS NEW BUILDING BROAD STREET AND SOUTH PENH SQUARE ON AND AFTER MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 1899 INDIA DEALS A BLOW TO SILVER Found It Necessary to Adopt the Gold Standard or Lose Its Foreign Trade. WE REAP SOME BENEFIT EXCITINQ EXPERIENCE WITH TWO RATTLESNAKES ON NORTH NINTH 8TREET Motorman. Demented After Seeing a Woman Crushed Under the Wheels. THE CONDUCTOR FAINTED Unfortunate Woman Attempted to Pick Up Her Hat and Was Killed. The shock of having accidentally run over and killed an aged woman yesterday morning caused Motorman John Kane to become temporarily Insane.

Conductor Harry Parker, who was on the car at the time, beard the bones of the mangled body being crushed under the iron wheels and fell unconscious on the rear seat. Both men were taken to the Methodist Hospital for treatment. Parker was released shortly after his arrival there, but the motor-man was In such a highly nervous state that he was fored to remain under treatment until late last night. As each man left the hospital he was arrested and taken to the Twenty-fifth district station house, but upon the representations of Division Superintendent M. M.

Ryan they were released upon their own recognizance. Victim Was Insane. The victim of the tragedy was Mrs. Tlllle Lord, a supposed demented woman, who was employed as a servant by Mrs. Margaret O'Connor, of 1141 Winton street.

She had a mania for keeping the street In the vicinity of her home clear of dust, and It was In the performance of this Imagined duty that she met her death. It was Mrs. Lord's dally custom to sweep all the refuse of Wlntou street Into a big dust pan and empty it into a culvert on the west side of Twelfth street. At that point there are two lines of tracks, the cars run--nlng north and south for a distance of several squares. Mrs.

Lord is described as having an absent-minded way of doing things. Her neighbors frequently warned the woman that the thoroughfare was a dangerous one, but the fact seemed to mane no Impression upou her. At 0.30 o'clock yesterday morning she had Just completed her first round with the dust pan and had emptied Its coutents In the culvert and stepped to the sidewalk. Then she remembered that she had dropped her hat In the middle of the south bound track. Car No.

721 was coming down the street at full speed, but she paid no attention to it. Motor-man Kane had seen ber leave the track, which at that point runs within a few Inches of the curb, and thought that she was safely out of the way. When the woman stepped out to pick up her hat the car was but half a doien feet from her. She did not seem to be aware of Its proximity until It struck her. The motor-man reversed the lever with all his might, but without avail.

As the car ran over the prostrate woman Kane sprang from the platform shouting like a wild man. A moment later he returned to the car and fainted. When he came to the man was absolutely uncontrollable and seemed to be crazed with a horror of what he had done. One wheel of the car passed over the wo- Negro Champion Searches Out and Shoots Assailant of His Sweetheart. MAN WITH GUN ESCAPES South street, shortly after 8 o'clock last evening, between Seventh and Eighth streets, was the theatre of incidents of the most exciting nature.

A deliberate attempt at murder, with its accompaniment a fusillade of revolver shots, the subsequent flight of the would-be assassin and his escape, aU went to make np the excitement. The cosmopolitan throng of pedestrians which nightly makes that busy thoroughfare its promenade, was terror stricken at the firing and general excitement. That several persons were not killed or fatally injured by the flying bullets is regarded a nothing short of miraculous. The affray was the sequel to an altercation which occurred In the forenoon at Seventh and Perth streets. On that corner John Evans, colored, of 1213 Kster street, and John Turner, also colored, were talking.

A dusky belle of that neighborhood, Mnggle Anderson, happened along and became Involved in a dispute with the two men, both of whom she knew well. During the war of words which ensued Evans held Maggie, while Turner, according to her story, struck her several times with his fist. Her Knight Appears. Maggie broke away and secured a champion In the person of "Kkl" Doyle, of 1033 Kltzwater street. The latter suddenly appearing on the scene then and there would have shot Evans.

His revolver was already drawn, but the latter drove blm away by pelting blm with glasses snatched hastily from a lemonade stand on the corner. Sergeant Duffy, of the Eighth and Lombard street police station, arrested Turner, Evans and Maggie Anderson. They were later released on ball for a hearing this morning on the charge of disorderly conduct. "Kid" Doyle, however, was obviously determined not to forget the affront of his sweetheart. He roamed all the afternoon among the favorite haunts of Evans and Turner.

On South street, west of Seventh, be met them last night. Persons in the neighborhood say that the man began firing from the south side of South street. His aim was good. Three bullets took effect on Evans, two In tu'i right arm and one In the right side. Ho fell groaning to the sidewalk.

The sudden firing caused a wild stampede of the crowd. In the twinkling of an eye the street was cleared. A trolley car stopped near the Seventh street crossing, the conductor aud motorman taking refuge under the seats. After all was over three more flattened bullets were found In the street by some boys. They were taken to the station house.

Acting Special Roach ond Policeman James Brown, of the Second and Christian streets police station, who were walking out South street, singled out Doyle and gave chase. The latter, however, ran down Alaska street and Jumping fence made good his escape through a maze of Intersecting alleys. lp to a late hour last night he had not been arrested. Evans was removed to the Pennsylvania Hospital, where the physicians do not consider his Injuries of a serious nature. HIS CONSCIENCE PAINED HIM Special Cablegram to THE Times.

(Copyrighted, 189, by the Chlcngo Record). London, August 9. A horse was sold at Tattersalls yesterday for forty-five guineas which has a L-AW BKtAKe-PS must SUFFER Trlfc PENALTY tlon aroused, especially as the lunk-headed board voted to Instruct the police to enforce the said law. The police force has kicked. He says be doesn't feel like Interfering with family customs, especially as the force has a wife of his own.

Now it requires a knowledge of Winsted to accurately understand the deprivations resulting from enforcement of this law. If there Is any visible method of recreation in that place on tbe week-day, It Is not visible to the most naked eye. There is a solemn pesce over this village In the Nutmeg State for 365 days in the year, and this is why the citizens hate leap year, as adding one more solemn day. The mildest form of recreation has been found by the young swains who, on Sabbath evenings, take their sweethearts to church and kiss 'em good-bye at the front gate, out of reach of the watchdog. The poor youngsters look forward to this for a week, and to have this- moment of ecstatic bliss plucked from their Hps, as It were, by framers of laws long gone to their musty and unklssable deserts, la pretty tough on WInstedltes.

Then the closing of the drug store, next to the bank, on a Sunday, will be In the nature of a calamity. The hissing and spluttering of the soda fountain carried Joy to many maidens' hearts, as they cleverly walked curious history. He was the property of a well-known East Anglian clergyman who, feeling that he was living more luxurlous'y than he ought, presented the horse to the church to be sold and the proceeds applied to the Society of Work In Prisons and Workhouses. The money hitherto devoted to the yearly keep of the animal Is to be devoted to foreign missionary work. Horace Townsend.

Conversions at Camp Meeting. Special Telegram to The Tikes. Koyersford, August 9. The camp meeting of the Mennonlte Brethren In Christ drew large crowds at the services to-day, which were unusually Interesting. The principal speaker to-day was A.

C. Gabeleln, of New York, who spoke at morning, afternoon and evening services. Revs. W. G.

Gehman and J. H. VonNelda also addressed the meetings. Several persons have professed conversion and some sanctiflcatlon. Children's day will be observed on Saturday.

WIVES MUST NOT KISSED ON Special Cablegram to The Times. (Copyrighted, 1VJU. dj tbe Chicago Kecord). London, August 1). it Is generally considered here that the South African situation Is to-day exceed Ingly grave, although as stated by Mr, Chamberlain In the House of Commons today, no official Intimation has been received stating that the Boers have refused to agree to a Joint Inquiry Into the val.ue of the franchise concessions proposed by I he Boers.

But little real doubt exists that the tenor of that reply will undoubtedly be that while refusing the Invitation the Transvaal Government Is willing to con sider In a friendly way any suggestion made by the English Government, that Is If the scope of the Inquiry Is merely to report as to the effect of the proposed franchise law, as originally suggested by Mr, Chamberlain In the House of Commons. Even Kruger's warmest admirers here consider that his refusal shows a lack of judg. ment. But, as shown by recently published cor respondence, Mr. Chamberlain went further than this, claiming that English delegates should be free to make suggestions calculated to Improve the measure In ques tion.

This Is supposed to be the stumbling block in the way, as the Transvaal Gov ernment persists In refusing to submit strictly domestic affairs to the debate and tinkering of British representatives. The question remains what steps will this government take If the Transvaal offl daily refuses the request for a Joint in quiry. Such a refusal can hardly form a casus belli, and this lends color to the state ment made here in some quarters that the recent ostentatious movements of troops Is not meant seriously, but Is merely In tended to act as a menace on the Boer Gov ernment. Military circles here, however, have taken It almost for granted that war Is Intended and Is bound to be the ultimate outcome of the negotiations. Horace Townsend.

CHAMBERLAIN MAKES ANOTHER THREAT England, lie Says, Will Not Draw Back From Its Attitude Toward the Transvaal. London, August 9. Replying to various questions In the House of Commons to-day, Joseph Chamberlain, the Secretary of State of the colonies, said no official confirmation had been received of the report that the Transvaal had declined to agree to a Joint inquiry Into the effect which the franchise reforms will have on the Ultlnnders. Several regiments, he added, were about to be dispatched to South Africa for the defense of Natal, In response to the request of the Natal Government, and preparation was being made for all contingencies. Later, replying to T.

P. O'Connor, Irish Nationalist, member for the Scotland divi sion of Liverpool, Mr. Chamberlain deprecated a resumption of the debate on the Transvaal situation, which, he pointed out, 'while serious, still remains doubtful. The Colonlnl Secretary added that he sincerely hoped that the report saying the Inquiry proposal had been rejected was untrue. While he regretted the necessity of answering Mr.

O'Connor, It would be a fatal mistake to allow the hitter's views, that a war was entirely needless and that the gov ernment ought to express willingness to wait, may be tweuty-five years, for a re-dressal of the grievances of which tbey complained to be considered. He added: "The representative opinions of even the small minority In the House of Commons or anything but the most Insignificant minority In the United Kingdom, on the government's policy, have been clearly expressed. We recognize the grievances of the Ultlanders and have said that these grievances are not merely themselves a serious cause for interposition, but are a source of danger to the whole of South Africa. We say our predominance is menaced by the action of the Transvaal In refusing to redress the grievances or give consideration to requests hitherto put In the most moderate language of a suzerain power. We say that this state of things cannot be tolerated.

We have put our hands to the plow and won't draw back. With that statement I propose to rest content." While the members of Parliament and officials present In the House of Commons at the prorogation of Parliament to-day expressed hope of a peace settlement of the Transvaal difficulties. It was evident that uneasy apprehension was prevalent and that an autumn session might be necessary to vote war supplies. The gravity of the Trausvaal situation Is generally regarded to have been Increased by the latest news and the tone of Mr. Chamberlain's statement on the eve of the prorogation of Parliament adversely affected prices on the stock exchange.

THAT SOUDAN BRIDGE CONTRACT English Engineer Says Philadelphia -Firm Did the Work Thoroughly. London, August 0. A parliamentary paper has been Issued, dealing with the Atbara, Soudan, bridge contra, awarded to a Philadelphia firm. The contents are already known, but Colonel Gordon, engineer of the railway, adds an Indorsement In regard to the thorough manner In which the construction of the bridge was carried out by the Philadelphia concern. The fifth span of the bridge was completed July 17.

1IARCHAND OFFERED A POST Paris, August 9. The Evenement to-day says it understands that Major Marchand has been offered the post of Governor of the French settlement ou the Somali const anil Envoy Extraordinary to King Menellk, of Abyssinia. Condensed Cablegrams Three Venezuela bine books were Issued In London yesterday, giving respectively the case, counter case and British argument before the tribunal at Washington. President McKlnley'g former secretary, John Addison Porter, and Solicitor General John K. Richards visited the United States Embassy yesterday and were afterward introduced to Speaker Gully.

They witnessed the prorogation of Parliament. The Republican and Socialist parties have agreed to organize a campaign demanding the expulsion from Spain of all the religious orders. Senores Snlmeron and Igleslns and other socialists are prominent In the movement. Telegrams from Greytown report the arrival there of fourteen members of the United States Canal Commission, and forty more are expected In a few days to study the proposed canal routes across Nicaragua. METEORS FALL IN SHOWERS August Phenomenon Clearly Observed in This City Last Evening.

FOLLOWED BY HARD RAIN Throughout the entire world scientists and astronomers for many months past have been looking forward with great Interest to the nights of the 9th and 10th of August its occasions on which, according to an estab-Ilshed precedent, they would be given oppor tunity to study the character and flight of meteors or "shooting stars." When the earth reaches a certain position in Its course around the sun these meteors are encountered In Immense numbers and, usually on either one of the nights men tioned, the display Is brilliant In the extreme. Last night every observatory of Importance in the country was crowded with enthusiastic astronomers, who with the naked eve and also with the assistance of the In struments at their disposal, carefully noted the character and appearance of the meteors, The display, however, was not unusual, it Is hoped that to-night the atmospheric con ditions will be more propitious. Meteors' Gala Night. O. W.

Hewitt, one of this city's most noted and enthusiastic astronomers, viewed the heavenly fireworks from his private observa torv. To a reporter for The Times be stated that though meteors may be seen on any clear night, nnd, therefore, belong to the regular order of things, the nights of the 9th and 10th of August are always considered "red letter events" in the astronomical almanac. "At this time," he said, "special observations are always taken from the Lick. Flower and Cambridge Observatories. The meteors or meteorites, as they are some times called, are little bits of stone or metal, rarely larger than an ordinary cobble tone, and freanently as small as a pea They exist principally In the neighborhood of the sun and are subject to Its attraction.

They are seen in streams and when the earth SUNDAY WHY NOT MAKE HIS PUNISHMENT FIT TH Rir-lfe- their young men within hearing of the seductive sounds. As a result of this law husbands who preferred kissing other men's wives have begun a little osculatlor In the home circle, while several stern vlsaged elders have announced that they will press tobacco-scented, leathery Hps to the patient mouths of their wives seven days each week not because It's a pleasure, but a duty, by dern! But stop! There's one class In the village that halls the law with glee. It comprises the "also rans," the vinegary old maids. They don't think tbe minister Is a "kid-der;" nay nay. They revel in the new-old law.

"Why," said one at a meeting of the directors of the Disabled Cats' Home, "It makes you real sick, It does, to see those old fools of men s-huggln' an' a klssln' of their wives Jest as If they win young girls. Why, mercy me, it's time they should have gotten over slch like foolishness. I'd like to see a man kiss me." All the rest said they'd like to see a man kiss tbem, but there is no probability of such a calamity. As matters now stand bicycles will not scorch, trolleys will not "trol," and WInsted will be sealed up uutll Monday maybe. Nothing but the kissing bug will be allowed, and the Insect defies Nutmeg as well as Wolverine and Hootler laws.

encounters them the speed with which they enter the terrestlal atmosphere creates a resistance which heats the air to a melting point, with the result that usually In less than a second after their appearance the meteor flourishes In a streak of splendor. It Is a recognized fact that the falling of meteors Invariably Is followed by rain. Last night was no exception to the rule, and about 11.45 o'clock the rain began, and for nearly an honr the water fell In torrents. fr'ty Hall Happenings The rooms of the Department of Publlo Works yesterday. In City Hall, were crowd, ed with contractors, who are desirous of getting a chance to do some work for the city.

Bids were being received by the department for constructing various buildings and works which come under Director Haddock's Jurisdiction. Summer School Work. The pupils of the Miller Summer School, Howard street, above Diamond, will have some of the'r work for the last six weeks on exhibition to-morrow, from 10 to 12 A. M. went about their dangerous undertaking with unfaltering nerve.

While Cugley held the bag ready for Instant use, the policeman rapped with his billy on the door to arouse the snakes, so that they might be located exactly. Almost Instantly the rattle sounded again, and a second later a snake glided swiftly from under a shelf to the right and sped to the further end of the store, where It was seen to coll alongside Its mate. Cugley and the policeman approached cautiously. The snakes were mad all the way through and the two rattles sounded in unison. In danger of being struck every Instant by the deadly fangs the two men still advanced, each holding an end of the bag.

Just at the moment when the snakes, with uplifted heads and gleaming eyes, were about to strike Cugley gave the word and the bag shot down over the dangerous prisoners. A few seconds more and the reptiles were safely encaged and the crowd outside, which had watched the operations with breathless tnterest, cheered the captors. Dob Fought for Life. An Inspection of the store showed that the dog must have made a fierce fight before succumbing to the poisonous weapons of his assailants. Several bird cages and wired boxes containing pups and rabbits were knocked from their places In the dog's frantic efforts to escape from the snakes.

Several pigeons had been killed and three canaries, which were missing, must have baen swallowed by the reptiles. The snakes must have escaped through the top of the glass cage, the covering of which may have become loose through the vibrations caused by trolley cars and heavy vehicles passing on the street. Policeman Stein-brumm, though prond of his part In the exciting capture, Is not anxious to repeat the experience. He says he will be content with prisoners of the human variety In the future. four quarters of the globe giving details which would astonish even the lawyers.

Theodore; Stanton. IN SECRET SESSION AGAIN Dreyfus Assists the Court by Translating Documents Written la German. Rennes, France, August 9. The secret session of the Dreyfus court-martial to-day lasted from 6.30 A. M.

until 11.45 A. M. General Chanolnc nearly completed his part of the explanation of the dossier. He will be heard to-morrnw for about a couple of hours, and then M. Paleologue, of the Foreign Office, will take np the task, which, It Is understood, will be completed Friday next.

A public session, therefore, will take place Saturday morning. The dossier consists of about 400 documents, of which 50 were disposed of yesterday. Several of the documents are written In German. During the proceedings to-day a German dictionary was sent for, and the correspondent here of the Associated Press learns from a sure source that when certain words and expressions could not be exactly understood, even with the aid of the dictionary, Drey fus, who la a perfect German scholar, volunteered a translation and was allowed to give explanations, which were of valuable assistance to the memoers or the court. The precautionary police measures to-day were much more stringent than yesterday.

Strong detachments of Infantry, Instead of gendarmes, cordoned the streets leading to the Lycee. Gendarmes alone performed this duty yesterday, and the public, who were much less numerous, barely mustering 300 persons, were pressed still farther back. Persons standing Inside the entrance hall of a house within view of the door of the Lycee were even compelled by gendarmes to retire Into the Interior of the house and the front door was closed. Absolutely nobody but police nnd soldiers were thus within 100 yards of Dreyfus when he crossed the avenue de la Gare. The police authorities explain the rigor of these measures on the ground that yesterday a few cries against the prisoner were raised while he was crossing the avenue.

Not a discordant note was heard anywhere to-day. GALLIFET DENIES A RUMOR Soys That Prince Von Munster Did Not Visit Him About Dreyfus Trial. Parts, July 0. The Ministry of the Interior hns issued a note saying the story that Prince Von Munster-Ledonburg, the German Ambassador here, has visited General the Marquis de Gallifet, the Minister of War, and Insisted upon a guarantee against Indiscreet disclosures prejudicial to Germany at the Rennes court-martial. Is absolutely false.

OLD "LAMPS" DEAD A Friend of Dickens and One of His Characters Passes Away. Special Cablegram to Thb Tikes. (Copyrighted, 1S99, by the Chicago Record). London, August 0. An old friend of Cbarles Dickens has Just died.

His name was John Chinperfield and he held the post of lampman and subsequently lamp Inspector at the Tilbury Railway Station. Dickens, who was a frequent traveler from London to Tilbury on the South End Railroad, made bis acquaintance and spent many an hour with him. He Immortalized Chlpperfleld as Lamps In the Christmas number of All the Year Round, entitled, "Mugby Junction." Chlpperfleld, who occupied the same cottage at Tilbury for forty-five years, had also another friend in General Gordon, who was an ardent admirer of his principles and devotion to duty and conversational gifts. He gave him his portrait, which, until Chipper-field's death, formed, bis chief treasure. HORACE TOWNSEND, Oyster Hucksters to Combine.

Special Telegram to THB Times. Brldgeton, August 0. The oyster hucksters and shippers of Maurice river are forming an association, and will meet at Maurice River, August 17, to make arrangements for the coming season. There will be a big crowd from Philadelphia, as tblrty-elght of the Philadelphia shippers have already Joined this movement to protect themselves in the prices of oysters this fall. Several hundred people witnessed yesterday morning the recapture of two venomous snakes that had escaped from their glass prison during the night In the animal and bird store of Cugley 42 North Ninth street.

While the rattlers wre at liberty they were not idle, for tbey had killed a briuJIe watch dog that slept In the store and several birds. Including three canaries. The store was still closed at 8 A. M. yesterday when the extraordinary commotion Inside nttiacted the attention of pedestrians on the street.

The fiutterlns of terrified birds that dashed themselves against their wire cages, and the shrieks of frightened animals could be heard plainly outside and those who peered through the gloss doors and windows of the darkened store sow that a reign of terror existed within. Po liceman Stelnbrnmm, of the Sixth district, was summoned and he arrived Just as one of the proprietors of the store reached the door. Cautiously the two men entered and raising the window shades, looked around to see what had caused the commotion among the birds and animals. They were not long In doubt, for suddenly they heard from the north side of the store the warning rattle of snake. The Battlers Loose.

The sound did not come from the direction In which the glass prison of the two big rattlers stood, and advancing a step or two to get a better look Into the cage, Mr. Cugley was horrified to find that the reptiles had escaped. The snakes were loose about the floor, and he could not tell from what direction they might strike at any moment. He quickly made his resolve, and seizing a large bag, kept for Just such emergencies, Instructed the policeman how best to aid him In recapturing the deadly reptiles. Both men displayed great coolness ana FRANCE DETERMINED TO KNOW THE TRUTH Facta Must be Laid Bare In Dreyfus Case, No Matter Who Suffers.

Special Cablegram to The Times. (Copyrighted, 1899, by the Chicago Record). Rennes, August 0. Though I can pretend to give nothing defin ite about the actual proceedings In tho Dreyfus trial to-day I know that General Chamolne continued his presentation of the select military dossier. Paleologtie will begin to-morrow to explain the diplomatic dossier, but the business will not end there.

The document discussed In secret by the tribunal must be reproduced and discussed In public. There is no escape from this. The public conscience will no longer suffer any obscurity of the real Issue to remain and not only Dreyfus and bis lawyers mast know all the charges formulated, but all France and the whole civilized world must see them clearly. The public at large Is going to examine and examine critically this fantastic dos sier, composed of documents which do not affect Dreyfus, but which have been left there to confuse the mluds of the Judges. These false documents and abominable ly.

lng obscurities were Invented to dishonor foreign officers whom Dreyfus is accused of having aldtd. There lies the whole purpose of these closed doors with the hope to thus cover up the shame to which the War Office has condemned ns. The three forgers of the general staff are, alas, still powerful, yet they fear that the people are at last aroused and will vomit them forth with utter contempt. But this will not saw them. The purifying torch must be carried Into the most unhealthy, the most hidden corners in this affair, uo matter who gets burned.

Bernhard Lazabe. CORRESPONDENTS GUESSING Most of the News Sent Abroad About Dreyfus Trial Is Pnre Imagination. Special Cablegram to THE TIMES. (Copyrighted, 1899, by the Chicago Record). Rennes, August 0.

In some quarters here It is said that yes terday's session of the Dreyfus court-mar-tlal must have been unfavorable to Dreyfus, because his counsel, Demange.and Laborl, looked vexed when they left the Lycee. Others, however, assume that all must have gone well, because Demange bad a most sunny countenance when he walked home. Certain Paris Journals report that the Dreyfus family are giving gay dinner parties In the Godard house every day. When one of these festivities was declared to be in progress I happened to pass through the Rue de Chatlllon, and at that moment Dreyfus' wife and her father went to pay their dally visit to the prisoner. I could discover no Blgns of gayety in them; quite the contrary.

The chief reason why it Is Impossible to get any reliable Information of what Is occurring In the secret sessions Is that for the last two days the sensational papers of Paris gave pretended news on this point, which Is cabled to America by sensational correspondents here. But if you read the statements to be found In the pro-Dreyfus sheets you find they flatly contradict the anti-Dreyfus sneets, and vice versa. Not the slightest reliance can be placed on these statements. A very close friend of the Drey fus family said to me this morning that the only persons who know what happens in the Lycee are the members of the court-martia', two representatives of the Foreign and War Offices, Dreyfus and his four lawyers. Dreyfus cannot speak; his lawyers will not, and for obvious reasons the others are equally silent, so that anything published on the subject Is the purest Invention, and In most cases absolutely false.

Nevertheless scores of telegrams leave Rennes every ay to the iw fifrfS flt- mwm nvWrn Mill jgsiS Mp if FT' i 11 I Washington, August 8. Commenting upon the report of the committee on the Indian currency, placing India on a gold basis. Director of the Mint Roberts said to-day: "The report does little more than reaffirm nnd declare the permanency of the policy adopted In 1893, when the mints were closed to the free coinage of silver. The mints were closed originally because the decline In sliver bad become so great as to em-barrass the Indian Government, which received its revenues in silver and bad to make a large share of Its disbursements In gold. The government makes Its remittances to London by selling bills of exchange on the London market, these being bought by people who desire to make remittances to India.

Before the mints were closed the public could either buy these 'council bills' or send sliver, but by closing the mints the government Hoped to force the purchase of the bills at a higher rate. Hard times followed In India, attributed by those who criticised the government to the closing of the mints, but attributed by the government to the famine and other causes. There was considerable agitation In favor of reopening the mints and the business world was in no little uncertainty about the future. It was considered highly desirable that the government's future policy should be definitely assured, and, accordingly, something over a year ago a committee of eleven was appointed by the Indian office in London to investigate the whole subject. Will Not Give Gold for Sliver.

"It is unanimous In finding that the mints should not be reopened to silver. The committee says: 'Even apart from considerations affecting the Government of India It Is not in tbe interest of India that ber foreign commerce, over eighty per cent, of which is with gold standard countries, should be tampered with by the restoration of silver "The committee pronounces the efforts of the government to hold the value of the rupee at 16 pence a success, and holds the sale of council bills at that figure to be proof that India already has the gold standard. It hesitates, however, to recommend the final step, namely, that the Indian Government shall give gold In exchange for the silver rupees current. "This has been the puzzling question In the Indian situation. The government has no gold reserve, nor has it the means to obtain a stock of gold at once.

It could only be done by the Issue of bonds, or In Installments through taxation, and It Is not practicable to Increase the taxes of India to any considerable degree. The committee concludes that the acquirement of a reserve may be left to the future, and that the present silver currency of India may be maintained at a fixed value to gold by supplying such quantities of gold as are needed for foreign remittances. Where We Are Benefited. "That, they say, they regard as the principal use of a gold reserve. In fact that Is precisely the service performed by the gold reserve of the United States.

The Indian committee refers to the example of the United States. It Is recommended that the Indian mints be opened to the unrestricted coin-age of gold and that the British sovereign be made a legal tender upon the theory that gold will flow In as more money is needed and that eventually a considerable share of the currency will thus come to be of gold. The significance of the report Is In the de. termination not to re-open the mints. The policy of India may now be presumed to be settled." Being asked If there was any reason to expect such a movement of gold to India as might disturb money markets In the world's centres, Mr.

Roberts replied In the nega-tlve. "Does the final adoption of the gold standard by India have any bearing upon our foreign trade?" "It puts the wheat producers of the two countries on a common monetary level," replied Mr. Roberts, "and disposes of the old argument that the Indian farmer has an advantage over the American farmer because he receives his pay In a falling currency. Whatever Intricacies there once were In the subject have been cleared up, for the Indian farmer, like the American farmer, is now paid by the gold standard. The alleged advantage was an illusory one, for he only held It while the currency continued to fall.

This committee agrees with the Indian Government that the Interests of that country as a whole demanded that the depreciation of its money should cease, and that Its financial system should be linked to that of the other Important nations ot the world." Wagon Wheels Toar Child's Soalp. Special Telegram to The Times. Lebanon. August 9. While st play to-day Charles Beamesderfer.

a young son of Conrad Beamesderfer, fell under the delivery wagon of Butcher William W. Brooks, and was perhaps fatally Injured. The wheels passed over the boy's head, tearing the scalp almost completely off and lacerating his face. Slight hopes are held out for bis recovery. Barn Burned During Electrical Storm.

Special Telegram to The Times. Bloomsburg, August 9. During a Iocs! .1 -I 1 hH 1 drew Hunsinger and Mrs. Jacob Bryerly, coin in neaver townsuiji, nne blui lightning nnd entirely consumed, together with thtftr contents. Loss about 7,000, Insurance $3,000, WHAT THE STARS SAT AUGUST 10, 1899.

By tbe Enerllsh Astrologlst. Raphael. Be careful tad do not quarrel In the morning. Beware of law and quarreling ami keep yourself cool. Young women may hare offer -of marriage.

A child born on this Any will quirk, active, fond of trnrel and should keep In employ. It a girl, she will wed an elderly man and be unhappy. MASON HAMLIN I HAMLIN r.v;.'.,PiAN0S AT FISC 1710 Ch IT IS AtAIMST THE LAW TO KISS ON 3UNOAY Some men do not know what a privilege It Is to kiss their wives until they find a disposition In other men to fill the bill aud use the franchise conveyed to them by their marriage certificates. This wife kissing business will be a serious question In WInsted, on Sunday next. It Is safe to say that men who have forgotten the love laden flavor of wifely Hps will have an aching to once renew a custom, forgotten for years, but always sweet to a loving wife, no matter whether she still wears the bloom of youth or carries the shriveled marks of age.

All this Is due to a clergyman by the name of B. F. Kidder. He has been digging In the cemetery of dead customs nnd somnolent laws and disinterred an old blue law, which has been lying In a cataleptic state for nearly a century. This old law with the Indigo complexion has been galvanized Into life through a petition headed by the Rev.

Mr. Kidder funny name upon the occasion who headed a llt of 110 citizens asking the Board of Wardens and Burgesses to enforce the old, disused law concerning tbe closing of places of business and recreation on Sunday. As this law rigidly prevents any pleasure In any form on Sunday, Including the klsslug of one's wife, there Is considerable Indlgna- man's head, crushing It Into a pulp. One leg also was terribly mangled. Death must have been Instantaneous.

A half articulated cry as the fender struck ber was tbe only sound that tbe woman made. It was twenty-five minutes before a wrecking car arrived and removed the body from Its position under the wheels. When this was accomplished the body was taken to an undertaker's a square distant. The ouly passenger on the car at the time of the accident was a marine, who refused to give his name. When he saw the mangled body of the woman, so terrible was the sight, he became 1)1 and afterwards fainted.

Deputy Coroner Neff viewed the woman's body late In the afternoon. An Inquest will be held this morning. The dead woman's one living relative, a sister, was notified of the tragedy aud will be present at the funeral, which will take place from the undertaking establishment on Saturday. Tbe Interment will be made in the Philanthropic Cemetery, Twelfth and Dickinson streets..