The Brooklyn Citizen from Brooklyn, New York • 2

1, THE BROOKLYN CITIZEN, FRIDAY. AUGUST 12, 16C3. nnd they are nil friendly to the United WATCHING SAN JUAN. RECEIVED WITH OPEN ARMS. had scattered.

Then they went away to get their auppm, oajjr return and ga upon these wouderful American, whav in th meanwhile, had captured awBber of volunteers and released them on pa rale. Although a doiea Spaniards could easily have taken General 8toue a prisoner, he wan not disturbed during the night. The Spaniarda had left the- town the day be. fore and were then live miles on tnwnrd Areeibo. TJwro were 100 in the garrlion at Adjuntas.

and while there waa no great bitteraeaa between them and the citizens, the welcome given the American i tcsti-mony beyond contravention of Ihe Porto Ricans' sincere desire to be rid of them. tohal Colon. They succeeded I her ashore, nnd when crew we they, found the deck itrewn nd the hiljnrlty of the men tu. On board were five live teer, a 1 cat. The men who were able made for the shore, and is th, towards shore the Cubans, used targets.

The pig wns taken on board the' A couple bf the steers were thro board; the remainder were killed an up where the crew took dice when. All the gun were deetroyed1 whj took out the breeches and threw tb. the sea. All this time the Glouces battling with the torpedo boats an ing up the officer nnd men. Tb York was not there while the tg going on.

She was nt Guantanani ing. and the heavy firing attracted teution. and she made for the fight was over when ahe arrived. We are all well aboard ship, ar cheerful despite the disagreeable nud monotony of blockade. We'll take Porto Rico, that'i certl we know no fail.

I long to see old lyn again, ami trust the time will long before I mingle with yon all With best regards. MICHAEL F. DWY NEW BRIDGE TOWERS, i i. As Soon as Corporation Cot Give Advice, Bid Will Be Ah The New East River Bridge Commi met yesterday afternoon and eonsidere! advisability of advertising for bids fo(. steel towers and end span Iimsmuc the tower foundations wil) be compl in a ninnih or six weeks, the Commit is desirous of getting bids for the towers nnd enrf spars, the next wor' done, as to avoid any possible Corporation Counsel Whalen' 1' requested to advise whether or Commission has the right to go this time and advertise for such I.

il was confidently expected that th ion from the Law Department wt forthcoming yesterday afternoon. Vv not received, however, and President Vie' Nixon left the meeting to consult with Corporation Counsel, When he said: "There has been no definite action in Corporation Counsel's office. The matt is just this: The Commission is anxious'' know if it has the right to advertise these bids, and if we find that we huve, '1 will go right ahead and push the work completion as rapidly as possible." This work will cost in the neigh borhoci of $1,000,000. Although the Commlssioi ers are assured that their title to ofecc they do not deaire to cam any possible and so are eeel': ing the advice of the city's counsel. Pa pers were served upon them yesterday lj the appeal of the old Commission from th' decision of the Appellate Division of thi Supreme Court, which a few weeks agi reversed the decision of Judge Garret-ion who held that the old commiieion had bee; illegally removed by Mayor Van Wycki Auother point to be decided by the Cor lioration Counsel is whether or not in the present state of the city's Indebtedness bonds cau be issued for the work conl templated.

Chief Engineer L. L. Buck reported progress on the work of finishing the tower foundation and anchorage on the JJrooklyn 'X side. This work on the Manhattan side 1 now practically completed. WILL IGNORE" M'CULLAGH.

Tammany Refuse Three Hundred Plaoe Under the Force BUI. Tammany Hall will refuse to give even tain peaks, with its cane and It coffee jrrowiug luauriantly on their sloping aides. It has mored placidly along th rren trabr of way with enly and thWn a word of gossip from travderif passing through 1U bumble' streets from Ponce the sonth wide to Areeibo on the north. Its people perchance have dreamed that some day the Spanish lords who owned the country nnd held their mastery by a garrison of soldiers would be driven from the land, but they let well enough alone and never sought to bring thnt loiigcd-for end the nearer. They were peaceful peopla.

War was abhorrent to them. The tierce ftv of the Cubans was lucking in their nature, and to the eltisena of Adjuntas the ap proaching trump of armed forces nnd tb- prospect of bloody deeds u-doing seem in deed momentous They realize now that Ihe end of Span lsu misrule is at bund, and in their simpl country way, like children, of the field and of the mountains, as they are, they hnve welcomed the American invader with a warmth and a genuiiienessi far sur passing all the pomp anil ceremony Ihn custom might hazard as essential for so important an event. There was no blurc of butyls, no sycophantic protestation of loyalty to the supplanting flag. It not a demonstration dictated by fear ton for the Amcn-an were hut a hand ful whom a score of men might easily have captured. But tliey were glad that those big strangers, with their Hue.

honest faces nou ii pome emong them. nnd. to express tbat sentiment, they gathered hy the road side and showered upon them the wealth of their (lower gardens. History some times, and romance often, tell of the march of conquering heroes along path ways strewn with roses and amid the loud acclaim of a grateful people: but certain ii no sucn scene oi tact or notion ever sur passed in appropriateness or beautv that which was witnessed yesterday along the rond to Adiuntns. Adjuntas is twenty mils from Ponce, on the road to Areeibo, thriving seaport on the norfli const of Porto Rico, about fortj miles to the westward of San Juan at present the city of all cities to the Amcri can Army.

It is of itseif of no imnurt.mre strategically, but owing to information which reached the American liuea to Uk ffect that the military road to San Juaii had been rendered impassable bv amines near and In Aibouito piss, it became nec essary to reconnoiter the road to Areeibo Hence fho fame of Adjuntas. General Roy Stone was the man who undertook the task, and he did it just as though there were not a hundred Spaniards on the island. There is a telegraph office at Ad juntas, and in order to repair the line to that point and to open an office Captain pf the Mgnal corps, was sent head to prospect his wire. He took onlv dozen men with him and started out. An hour later General Stone set out.

He rode in a carriage, for it was his intention to test the road for wagon trains. Only one orderly leading the General's horse ecompnnied him. For the first few miles tne road ran through the lowlands, hard and smooth as a floor, a perfect path for wheeling. The country about was beautiful, and beautiful, too, with the works of civilization. Pretty homes appeared among the dart green trees, fields of coffee and cane stretched out, and up into the hills cows grazed in the pastures.

Wealth appeared on all sides, and Spain's desire to hold this jewel of her crown was hardly a cause for wonderment. By and by the hills came and the smooth road became rough jagged. Up, up it went, winding and twisting ceaselessly, sometimes filled with great boulders, sometimes deep with mud. The horses sweated until they staggered with the loads. Still the ascent kept up.

ever higher and higher. Behind the party the sea flashed into team, with a score of American vessels lying in the harbor of the port of Ponce, each looking as tiny as the toy yacht of a child. Beyond was the crowning peak of the range hidden partly by little clouds of fleecy mist. Once over the divide progress was more rapid, for, while the road did not improve, it was at leat down hill, and Porto Rkan coachers drive with the recklessness of the devil. With whistles between their teeth they raced their horses down the steep iuclines, winding sharply in and out.

with great cliffs on one side and precipices on the other, whistling furiously all the time to warn any persons who might be driving in the opposite direction. Toward night the twenty miles between Ponce and Adjuntas was almost covered. With an approach to the confines of the town came the first intimation of the reception which it would be the fortune of the newcomers to meet. At the top of a little knoll, perhaps two miles from Adjuntas. stood a cottage, thatched and patched, apparently the home of an honest Porto Riean farmhand.

In the low doorwav which faced the road were a woman and girl, the latter abont 15 years of age. The rapidly whirling carriages might not have noticed the humble figurea, but jnst ai they were dashing by the girl raised both her hands and motioned for the car nage to stop. The drivers hauled the horsea hack upon their haunchea, and out from the doorway tripped the blushing young Porto Riean maiden. In each of her small brown hands she held great bouquets of roses, red and white, and fragrant as the choicest of greenhouse pets. "Wan los Americanos!" she piped, as she held one bouquet out to the forward carriage, and, repeating her salutation, she tossed her other prize to the trarelcra iu the rear, and then fled to the home of her father.

Tola was bnt a hint of what was to follow. Groups of women gathered at the wider spaces of the roadway each with flowers picked from the Porto Rlran fields with her own hand, and crying "Vitan Americano!" "Viva Porto Rico libre!" pelted the passers-by with" their token loyalty. The naarer the approach to the village propr tht thicker became the hail floral offerings. From the housetop, the balconies, the windows, the trt even, poured thia rain of flower. Th horn' hied and went tearing faster and falter, while the cochera howled profantly and gleefully.

By this time a perfect mob was trailing In the rear, and when General Stona drew up at the public iqaara the entire town surrounded him, cheering, dancing and atjlj raining their roei. And elbowing bn way through the throng came Theodore the Alcalde of Adjuntas, With the arnlla of a dapper dancing master and the- sweeping bow of a great patriot, Senor Figueroa raised aloft an American flag, which, he annonnoed, had been made by the wonn of the town. They begged the American General to do theei the honor to allow It to raled, a request he granted with great est and alacrity. The caremony took place amid more cheeri at the Town XXall, and here, too; General Stone made a brief speech tad bad read General Miles' proclamation a our purpose in Porto Rico. Thi ap-peared to please every one immensely, and i they "vivad" until the General had sought PXillCT.

of- ml few sojdjaj. rn of ii Mates. At the landing- of tb troopi drsed in their uniforms and armed with sie, drawn up in military order, they formally surrendered tojGeneral Wilson When our troops arrived In Ponce thay found the fronton guarding all the hastily abandoned public buildings and in'every nay making themselves useful and keeping oiuer. The police had mostly hidden themselves, but before night ou the first day they bega io appear, and on tne second day were all ou duty. To make sure that good order should be maintained, and particularly 1 see that none of our own troops should get into liquor stores or houses nnd make trouble, the port and city were put nndei command of Captain W.

B. Allison, provo.st officer on General Wilson's staff, and guards were stationed about the prin cipal streets and squares. But General Wilson was not content with simply re-establishing toe routine of civil government which existed previous to our coining. Although Tonce is far ahead most Spanish or Spanish-American cities in public improvements and in their mainteu ance, as well as in healihfulness and clean liness, there is yet too much of "manana among its people and olliehl to make it a safe place in which to risk ihe lives of thousands of troops in iropicni climate without more strict sanitation than any town in Spanish-America ever knew. Peo ple nmy keep clean if they like in these towns, hut if they do not like there is no one who is going to bother to make them no so.

iihin a lew days ronce is going to awaken to a knowledge of something new in this line. It has just got a modern Board of Health. Among the first icts of General Wilson was the naming of SnTgeon John McG. Woodbury of his staff as med ical of the Ponce district. Ir.

Woodbury inspected the streets, th jails, the market, the stores, and the stables, and concluded at once that there must be some organized hody in authority which could clean them and keep them ctm. He called together all the doctors in the city on Sunday morning. Wbeu they met him in the courtroom of the City he told them his plans. There were exactly two dozen of these physicians all line specimens of well-educated Porto Rie.v.is. Some had taken their degrees in Paris, some in Lon don, some in Philadelphia, and some in New York.

The president of the Board of Health, Major Woodbury announced, was to be a ohysician selected by those present from among their number. The Mayor and the Syndic of the city were to be es-ofticio members, and the Syndic, who is a sort of general chairman of local beards, to lie the secretary. The doctors gnve Major Woodbury their siippwt, and the Board was organized yesterday. The district, which includes the port, is divided into four sub-districts, and each of these has an inspector. To-day the rules of the Board were published.

As there is no fund out of which the expenses of sanitary work can be paid, it required considerable ingenuity to contrive the means in which to have the work done and to make the rules effetive. Major Woodbury has contrived these in a clever way. The cleaning of the streets is to be done by the short-term prisoners, who are sentenced to jail in default of fines for violations of minor sorts. Stallkeepers and storekeepers in the market must each keep a givenrea cleanon pain of forfeiture of their stands; the contractor who conducts the public slaughter house will forfeit his contract if he does not keep the place elxin. and the proprietors of hacks, stables, and such places are made subject, to the loss of li'vnsi-s if thy do not conip'y with the orders of the Board of Health.

All nuisances discovered on other premises are to he abated et the expense of the owners of the land. The importance of these regulations will be appreciated when it is considered that Ponce lies on a plain at the foo: of the hills and is nearly flat, and, although it has an ample nip-ply of running water, it has not a sewer, nor was there any system of cleaning the streets. Closets and bathrooms drain into cesspools, while nature cleaned the streets by rinsing them with Ttio and sweeping off the refuse through the brick gutters which line the streets on each side. As the streets are of fairly good macadam this is reasonably effective now when rain falls in showers every day. but in the long, dry season only the very dryness of the air would prevent the filth from breeding disease.

Today Major Woodbury has gone to inspect the watershed and the aqueduct which supplies the city with water. The water comes from the Rio Portugase, two nnd a half miles up the mountains, and Is brought here in an iron pipe. The jail has Tieen disinfected, the market properly cleansed, and much other work necessary to preserving public health is under way. To-morrow a work is to be done which Major Woodbury considers the most important of all. He is going to select the ground for a new cemetery and have It con.

seorated. Ponce is the seat of a Bishop, and its cathedral forms, with the hall of the firemen, the north side of the public plaza. Its cemetery is within the city limits, at the east end of the town, and surrounded by habitations. Here for hundreds of years have been buried not only the residents of Ponce, but those who hive died in all the territory for many miles around. Graves have been used over and over again, until corpses lie there now five deep in many parts of the ground.

Thus the coming of Americans into this ancient Spanish town Inject Into it a new life. In the train of these improvements will soon come the building of sewers, the adoption of permanent methods of street cleaning and public sanitation, the organized enre of the parks and squares, and the replacing of the rickety hacks that ran from port to city with trolley cars. With the St. Paul came a complete United States post office outfit under charge of H. M.

Robinson, of Atlanta, Ga. Mr. Robinson h'as wilh him as clerks E. H. Dawson, M.

n. Saul. S. W. Klnrsmore.

O. M. Hunt, and Edward Jifkins. Part of tie lower floor of the Custom House ha been set apart for the post office, and it will open to-morrow for the sending and receiving of all sorts of mail, including registered letters and money ordcra. The cable office, which had ben disabled by the Spanish by the smashing of the battery cells and removing the instruments, was refitted and opened for business yesterday, and the tele-graph lines, which had been dibahled in the same manner, have been repaired and are working from Uuanica to Pone gnd the port with signal service operatora, also Ynuco and Guflnilla on the railroad.

PORTO RICANS' WELCOME. Showered Rosea on the American Soldieri as They Passed. POXCE, Porto Rico, Aug. little village in this province which, for 100 years almost, has nestled quietly in a peaceful basin in the Cayey 'mountain range, unknown to the world at large, and entirely contented to be unknown. 8ur-touuded on all sides by green-tipped moun- a of to th found nt the harbor.

Without theae and the help of ttte ateatn launches lent by the nary tho landing of tbt troop and unload-Inf of the ship onld have taken triple the time or more. When afore and storehouse are ready, wagen trains distributed and Ihe expected lot of additional troops arrive the advance will begiu, which la not stopped until we are knocking for admission at the vcrj gatea of Snn Juan. A SAENGERBUND SAIL Member and Friend on aa Eaenr-alen to Boynton Beach. The Brooklyn Sneiigerbund held a highly successful and pleasant excursion to Boynton Beach, X. yesterday.

By 0 o'clock In the morning fully 1,200 members and friends of the organization were present on the pier nt the foot of Dock street waiting for the steamer. The Siriua, however, which hnd beeu chartered for the occasion, was caught up the Hudson by the tide, an tlicTnurus was finally substituted. Thi; change cnused considerable delay, but short ly after 10 o'clock the sail was well begun The steamer took the party down tho Nar rows, through the lower bay and around Staten Island Into the Kill von Kull to the beach, where a landing was effected nt ociock. lie time during the sail was passed oliiefly In daneing'Vnd singing. Thi presence of many member of the Ladies' Chorus connected with the Sneugerbnnd made the singing particularly enjoyable, Music was furnished by an orchestra led by Professor Henry Strack.

ai tne neaon mere was no nxed pro gramme oi entertainment, and many methods were found of occupying the time. The singing and dancing continued on shore at frequent intervals. Excellent oppor timities for barbing took a large crowd into the water, and this part of the doings of the day was found particularly nlensnnt Many family parties ha.d brought with them, and these settled down on the sand to enjoy the midday meal. At 5 o'clock the whistle aonurled for the return, and Hie steamer cast off rinon after, arriving in Brooklyn three hours later. Nearly all of the 300 members took part in the excursion, and the rest of the party consisted of the families and friends of the members.

The outings of the Sjeuger- bund have been found to be uniformly sue- cTOsuii. present arrnnaements are being made for a three-days' trin to Lake nopatcong, Sept. 3 to 5, inclusive. is expected that practically the full membership will attend. The officers of the organization, all of wDom were present yesterday, arc: M.

A Nebcl, president; Carl Moore, first vice- president; Herman Hoehn, second vice president; Eugene Schumacher, secretary Jheoriore Rohrberg, treasurer; Andrew Lynn, librarian. The Outing Committee was composed of Carl Moore. Theodore Rohrberg, Herman Koehn, Frederick Kie- mayer, k. Langennn and Eugene Schu macner. rrominent among the others present were Lonl Koemnicher.

ex-Pres- ident and Mrs. George Gunther, Miss Nebcl, -Mr. and Mr. A. Wlerl, John Welz, Charles Naegli, Mr.

and Mrs. Andrew Becker, Mr. nd Mrs. Herman Moeller. Lonis Mngenhelnier and family, Louis Rohrberg and family, Mri.

Seidler, Miss Seidler, Mr. and Mrs. Vogel. Mr. and Mr.

Rnbe, Mr. and rs. J. Harter. Mr.

and Mrs. Charles Kroll, Mr. and Mrs. J. Bielenburg.

Josenh Frey, Max Thlnnes, Joseph Loewey and family, Miss Julia Beyer, Mr. and Mrs. Morganthaler, Misa Lana. Miss Kunth. Mr.

and Mrs. Foelle. Mr. Kerever and son. Mr.

and Mrs. Rohrs. Mr. and Mrs. Colby, Mr.

and Mrs. P. Chappner. Mr. and Mrs.

lsadore Frank, Mr. and Mrs. FYcd Jaeoba, F. Erdmnn, Mr. and Mrs.

C. Laeger. George Rathgeber and familv, Hobart Eehmlg, Henry Scbmalli, Mr and Mrs. Adolph Mink. YELLOWSTONE PARK AND OMAHA EXPOSITION.

Personally-Condnoted Tomr via the Pennsylvania Railroad. The Yellowstone National Park is un questionably one of the most interesting regions on the globe, for within it is displayed the greatest collection of nature' manifold winders. Indeed, this mountain- bound p.atean, high up on ther summit nt the everlasting Rockies, is a veritable playground for the- world's giant forces. The personally conducted tonr nt the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, which leave New York on September affords the most satiafactory mean of vliting this wonaeriana ana viewing it marvelona feat ures, a top of two days will be made on the return trip at Omaha, affording an on- poriunity to viait tne ITana-Miaaissinnl Ex position. Tourist will travel hy special train of Pnllman smoking, dining, sleeping ana ooservuiion cam in each direction.

Eight day will be spent in the park. A stop wil: also be made returnina The ronnd-trip rate, $235 from New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and $230 from Pittsburg, covers ail necessary expenie. For detailed itinerarie and full tlon apply to ticket agents. Tonriat Agent. No.

1196 Broadway. New York, or address Geo. W. Boyd, Abstain General Pnuwn. ger Agent, Brand Street Station, rhiladcl pnia.

Hotel Arrlrals, Hotel St. George Mr. and Mrs. ft A Mills, Toronto; Mr. and Mr.

H. Greenlef. Middletown: Mr. B. Brown Whifo Mrs.

Robert Cann, Waterbury Mi G. Star. Hltchflold; C. 8. James A.

Heuessy, Anhurn; Geo. M. Bel or, city; H. Datta, Boaton; C. h.

Harding, city; Mark P. Wilbur, St. George; J. P. Coffin, G.

Hina. city. Clarendon Totel Mr. nnd Mr. J.

Wilton. Babylon: W. H. Hrnt. York; Mr.

and Mn. Seward Babbitt, Pitts-burg; W. 0. N. Ralney, cltys M.

B. Host, Paducat: B. B. Kelley, Chicago! Mr. and Mr.

H. Lanton, Hartford; C. W. Kern, ber, jtltyj W. a.

Cook, Waterbury; J. T. Kelly. New York; F. B.

Carman cityt B. Williams, city: D. Malloni. D. T.

Hlgglns, New York; Peter Fletcher! VAMlraaai career rora, city; E. h. Cal Clifton; A. B. Titt, New York: B.

"vr Jersey; Thomas Fltcher, P. M. Dyer, cltr: Mr. anif lfr Guest, Benonhurt. A Genuine Gem.

Mn. Parvnue-Tht nlotura In th mn. i. k. an old nuntr." Mrs.

8w.rtllth-In4(lI I waul tuetMd it. Mrs. Prvtnu-Ts, tk man I bou.hi it gv nil wrltun (Uirtntr that tht palnt.r waa New Cn "--Chlcaw Family Diversion. 'My wli. aisllkn to htv shop for her." cm iron DarmntT" "Wall, tart I can baat iha wnriii ae Uit work oj Fr Prtjs, we the to lay lyn A Brook yn Boy on the New Orleans Tells a Good Story.

ALWAYS ON THE ALERT. Capture of the divide Rodriqnet, of Havre How the Panama, With the Quartermaster Aboard, Was Saved-Tho Young Ninth Warder Louga to See Brooklyn Again. The following interesting letter was received hy Mr. John I''. Murphy, of No.

838 Mnrk'a avenue, the other day from a young nlxmrd the L'uiteil States ateaiunhip New Orleans. The writer was one of the most irapulor young men in the Ninth Ward during his residence there: V. S. S. New Orieans, Lying Off Snn Junn, Porto Rico, July 20th.

1808. Friend John Tho Cincinnati arrived here yesterday, bringing your letter of July 12th, and left agaiu this morning hurriedly, bound for Sun Juan Light, where they are landing troops from transports. We have been here now abont fifteen days guarding the coast in front of the Mono, and also to capture blockade runners. It is enough for three cruisers to do, let alone one. When we relieved the Yosemite they us that inside were two smnll cruisers, two gunboat and ttvo torpedo destroyers, nnd reported hnvlng fight with the cruisers nnd made them run under cover of forts, which are heavily mounted aince bombardment of July 12th.

We enn't go within fivP miles of them, as 1 suppose captain has orders to that effect. If he did not I believe he wouid not hesitate in tnckling them. The weather down here Is fierce. It is all the time raining, "with heavy winds, which make the sens rough. When the storm comes nt night we have to go out to sen.

for fear of torpedo attacks, as thnt is the time they choose for them. During two' hmirs of lookouts there are abont twelve men stationed over the bridge and poop nnd in top to guard against them. Men are stationed at searchlights nil night, nnd crews sleep and stand by their gups. We are sick of the place. Since we came here wc have destroved that Spanish troopship that the St.

Paul benched here. The commander of the Yosemite said ho couldn't do it, as it was under the forts' guns. It lay about six miles to westward of forts, and the forts carry 8-inch guns. Our captain said he would try it, and suceeded in his piiriiose. I guess forts were amazed and could not shoot, as they never fired one shot.

She burned completely up. He are continually overhauling schoon er and letting them go again with a warn ing. On Sunday morning, July 17th. nt 8 a. we smoke to westward We were then about ten miles east of forts.

and smoke was about eight miles west of forts. We went four hells to southwest to head her off. as she was making for San Juan with the smoke pouring out of her funnels. Our speed proved too fast for her, as log showed we were steaming nineteen and a half knots, with three boil ers gomg. We have four.

hen about two miles ftbeam of her we fired a fl-inch and kept on nntil we fired five 6-inch shells, when she hove to. She was the Olivide Rodriques, of Havre, and said she came from San Domingo for St. Thomas. Her captain could not account for her being off her course, as she was about five points to southward. When officers boarded her they found their log had been tampered with.

Our enptnin hnd already had ber name as blocknde runner, and gave orders to seise her. Her passengers said thnt they had paid their way from Hayti to Snn Juan, and could not account for blockade. Prize, crew went aboard and took her to Key West or Charleston, S. 0. We have warned several steamers of danger in coining too near const.

This Oli vide Rodriques was caught before the Yosemite trying to get Into this port. She was the steamer that there was so much trouble at Havana about in relation to their gunner. At night time is the worst, when we cap ture one of these fellows, as we have to look for torpedo boats, thinking it may be decoy, A few days ago during a heavy rain storm we observed steamer making for the fort, or Snn Juan. We steamed after her nnd fired a warning. She hove to.

To our snrprise it was an American steumer, formerly the Paiinmn, with S. Q. M. (United States Quarter Master Department) hi large letters on her how. She said that she wiis bound for San Juan, nnd mistaking it was the place where she saw the fort and city, wag going info the boy.

What would the Spaniards have done had she gone in so far- She was heavily loaded with clothing, and had large crew, wbo cheered when they realized the fate from which we had saved them. If abc bad gone iu a little further the forts, ao doubt, would have opened fire on her, as they twenty-eight 8-inch guns there now, with numerous sand batteries. Where she wanted to go was San Juan Cape, about forty mile east of 8n Juan City. So we have to use good judgment since this in cident. I hope it will not occur again.

Thi in tho second time ihnt we have saved our ships from destruction. The other wns the Machlas. We nearly blew her out of the Bouth Atlantic one night. She would not answer our signal, so the order to fire was given the forecastle gun. When the gunners asked the range this saved her from destruction, she had answered ber numbers while thi' wa In progress.

What a calamity would have happened? You can see by thhj that our captain is aim and active. From new I hear there bare started from the coast of Spain two troopship with sup. plies and ammunition, accompanied by two gunboita, hound for Ban Juan. If we run across them I tell you our thirty-eight gun will certainly make thrm stop. What a fine prlxe It will he If we are fortunate.

Now to relate the destruction of Cer-vera' fleet. I will tell yoq au I received it from the Oregon at Guentanamo, where they serenaded us with their band when were there prevlou to coming here. At the time Cervcrn't fleet came out Oregon. Brooklyn, Iowa and Gloucester were In front ef the harbor, It wa nt 0:27, before quarton, when a ahlp was teen come out it wa the Cristobal Colon, witn vizcaya, on ncr riant. They made a dash eastward, where Brooklyn wa stn tloned.

It waa customary for the thing to here with banked firea. But the Oregon was ready more than the others, so she steamed after the Vircaye, with the Brook, on her left. When about thirty minute ngnting the vizcaya "threw tin the looage." and tha continued olter the Cri. a J. Genera! Wilson Takes Possession I of Ponce Which Is Being Americanized.

BOARD OF HEALTH ORGANIZED. Hew Cemetery to Be Established for Sanitary Reasons Appointment of a Chief Magistrate and Regis trar by General Wilson Troops Welcomed in Porto Rico. PONCE, Porio Uioo, Aug. Con. Tamos H.

Wilson stepped ashore nt Port Ponce last Thursday morning and (ho peo- file caught him in thfir arms, hugged him, and shouted for joy. it was a fitting trihuto to the kindliness nnd friendliness of the man Who Is now their military Governor. How. Why. or in what, form the belief originated hmong the Porto Kioans that the Americans were coming to take Porto Rico from the Spanish it would he hard to tell, but ifeuch is and has been for months the firm conviction of the natives, and the secret Bread of the Spanish, and both have done What they could to prepare for it.

Porto iRieans in Ponce began to learn English over four months ago because of this ho'ief, While the Spanish either left the island or marie preparations for going at short notice. The manner in which the American forces assumed the reins of government, almost Immediately after landing, could hve left ho doubt lingering in any mind that it is our fntention not only to govern the island Wisely and well, but also to keep on tng it in the future, Gen. Miles took the first steps toward assuring the people fcpanish as well as Porto Riean--that law nnd order would be maintained and local traditions respected when he came, on the flay of landing, to Ponce, and. sending for the Alcalde or Mayor, assured him that he Hhould remain in power over the municipal unless he did some overt act our Government. After issuing a proclamation, in which he BRsured jhe people that we had come to make war only upon the Spanish Government and not against the people.

General Miles turned the control of all civil affairs for the district over to General Wilson. General Wilson's first act under this authority was to appoint Colonel F. A. Hill, of his staff, as collector, and to seize the Cus-torn House and its receipts. The Custom House is the place where ail the revenues collected in Porto Rico for the Spanish Government are kept.

Here Colonel Hill found hot only above $6,000 in Porto Rionn money, Jbut also a large amount of stamped paper which has to be used by the islanders in making various kinds of official If you want to write to one ofiVin' here, tOU must use a paper which has a "0-, entime (Stamp on it; if to another, paper with 25- irentime stamp; and so on down, the of stamp decreasing in proportion as the vliignity of the official decreases. TlKt was no business done nt the Custom House that day, and in fact the merchants and the three foreign ship captains were found in port were very uncertain v.nemer any ciuld be done, but the following trar they learned thnt the only change that had occurred so far as thpy were concerned was that Colonel Hill took charge tf their. money instead of the old collector, 'and they paid in more than $7,000 that day. The rate of duties, as with all other bpfore reguiatod h.y law. remain same as those levied by the Spanish, 'and no change will be made unless it is or- dened from Washington.

To-day General Wilson declared the port open for the vessels of all neutral nations. General Wilson also tiok the important etep of filling the offices of Chief Magistrate tf the city aud Registrar, and to-morrow he will probably fiil the places of the two magistrates and thnt of I'istal or Prosecuting Attorney. As soon as these Placed arc filled the courts for the trial of both elvil and criminal eases will he open. General Wilson had been engaged for everal days, during a considerable part of time, In determining who were the nest men to fill these important places. The four places had been tilled by Spnn- lards, but as soon as we took possession of city these men declined to serve longer.

After eonmlting with all the leading citi- lens nnd foreign residents, General Wilson selected for Chief Magistrate Roscndo Maflcnzo Cintron, nud for" Registrar Jose 'dc Benitez, both Porto Ricans. the oath of office wag administered these men each was required to jtake the provisional oath of allegiance "which was embodied in General Orders iN'o, 100. issued in 1863 by President "For the Government of the Armies iu the Field." Thi order was prepared by Dr. Francis Liober, and it marked au era of great ad- i vanee-in the rules of conducting modern 'warfare. The order has sinoo been adopt-' almost as it was issued by nearly all the countries of Europe.

The oath of allegiance exacted under it differs from the usual one for aliens only in that it begins: "During the occupaucy of the island of Porto Kico by the United States of America I renounce nnd abjure all nlle-giance to any foreign sovereign, prince, or potentate," nnd ends with: "And I do promise lo faithfully supoprt the Government of the United States as established by the military authorities of the same on "the island of Porto Rico." Theoatbt were prepared by Colonel Clous, Deputy Attorney General of the United States ou General Miles' staff. When General Wilson presented his commission to Mr. Cintron he said: "I hand you this commission as Chief Magistral, of. the Court of Ponce and hope that you will administer the laws justice and equity, and that you will continue to admiuislcr the otlke until the Islaud of Porto Rico becomes a part of our great Republic, nnd that after that, you may be appointed to fill the same place by the President of the United Suites or some other competent authority." According to the terms of the cartel for 'trie mrrendor of Tort Ponce and Ponce, there waa to be no disbandonment of either the police force or tho bitlnlion of firemen or "Bornbaa," at the latter are called, there was realty no, need of there hnv- ins boen any such provision. Both forces a re organized and would have been preserved under the plans which General U'Uioa la carrying out of simply superseding the power of the Spanish Government by those of the United States, The t'oujbas form the largest organization here at is WHY PONCE WAS FIRST TAKEN.

It la the Kay te Porte Rie auad to the Capture ef San Jaaa. POXCE, Porto Rico, Aug. might justly wonder, in glancing at the map of Porto Rico and finding that Pou- was fifty miles or more from the city of San Junn, why General Miles had begun lus campaign at this far-away point and nt the still further away port of Gunmen both on the opposite coast to thnt on which the capital city stands. It is only after a Muny oi to maps, and after getting a knowledge of the roads of the island, that one can realize thnt far-away Ponce ia really the key to Porto Rico, and that ioneia! Miles made no mistake in landing hero and at Guanlco. To-day the whole southern const of the island is virtually in our possession, nnd our advance to San Junn and the snrrrender of that city la as certain nuy event in war carf ever bc.

Looking from the sen toward the interior of Porto flleo, it seems as if an advance to be made iu that direction by military fr.rees were impossible. Mountains greet the eye at every point the entire length of Porto Itieo, and. although these are not high, they are of a moat formidable rug gedness. herever trees or underbrush enfi find earth they clothe the rocks, but these, broken by repented upheavals, are ao jagged that their bare ribs poke through in almost innumerable places and show gray and rugged In the snnshiue. Time has not smoothed themnnd thev are steep.

angular and sharp peaked. One could make a fair imitation of them by crum Ming up piece writing paper and tnen partially stretching it ont again only one roadway is found leading clear across the islnnd and that line Pouce at one end and Pan Juan at the other. That rond has been made into a well-built high way oy mo Spaniards, and now it will form the means of their downfall. That it could be defended by an adequate armv wnicn waa well supplied, is true, hot In the face of such a movement In force as General Miles apparently contemnlates "v'uiu eh-mii io oe no course ror tn fpaninrds to pursue except to fall back and fall back until San Juat, itself is all that they have behind them excent the sea uen. Miles movement thus far ha been perfect in its efficiency, and we are already holding this important town nnd territory in as much security, comfort and confidence at one would hme expected had we landed here 400 years ago instead of five davs back.

io day the troops which landed at Guanica a week ago are marching through Ponce on their way to join those of len. Rmf uigade on the San Juan road, and all the territory comprised between here and there, Dtteen miles in length, is ours, while our outposts to the east are ten miles away with only rumors of an enemy for miles further When Gen. Miles made his landing Guanica the few regular troop which were here, said to have numbered about 800, caught up their arms and filled their belt with ammunition and wenteinrth to meet us somewhere down the railroad line, which runs from Pome to Yuaeo, an iuland town four mile from Guanica. How far thev got we do not know. Five mile from here.

wnere the railroad skirts a rocky ledge nd hangs over the sea on the aouth side. they stopped to lay some clumsy miues and then went on. Some of the volunteers wefe forced to go along with them, but more of these deserted and hid themselves either in ouses or among the hills and fields. When Gen. Wilion's forces landed at Port Ponce the Spanish troops were caught between the two force and forced to beat a hastv retreat or else to surrender.

There was but one road to safety, and this they took This is a fairly good road which leads north to Adjuntas, from the rond from here to Yauco, about half way between the two cities. Adjuntas is among the mountains and sixteen mile from here. At that place the road end and is replaced by mountain trail only. Lp tbia road the regulara went nd they were heard of at Adjuntas for a while. Yeatarday it became known that they had disappeared from there.

Major Flagler and C'apt. Latrobe, of Gen. Wil sons stuff, were the first to get the new. They were riding up the Adjuntas road and met about a dozen men coming in, bearing two dozen rifles and an armful of swords. Some of the men trore the volunteer uniform.

When' they saw the two officers they called to them not to ahoot. and when they were questioned said they had been at Adjuntas, but that, the Spanish having left, they were coming back to give themselves UP- A hack man from Adjuntas also reported that the Spanish, bad left there yesterday morning, going through the mountains to Join forces on the San Juan road, and that as soon as they were gone the citizens had raised the American flag amid cheers. When General WiUon landed he had the troop of the Second and Third Wiscon sin and Sixteenth Pennsylvania, under General Ernst, pushed forward along the San Juan road at once, holding heck only enough of them in the port and city to do guard nnd provost duty. Even on tht rt day they, advanced Mferil xsile to the eastward ivithput meeting ny of tht enemy, although it waa known that there were a few Spanilh troop in that direction. Beyond the ford of the Ponce RWer Gen-eral Ernst established hi headquarter ia field, and covered the width of the alley with hi outposts.

Here the amp of the regiment still lie, but every day thi outpost are pushed a little more tor-ward. Yesterday these reacied the little town of Juan Diaz, eight mile away, where the American flat we run up by the citizens and the troop wero greeted with the tame welcome which they hat met elsewhere on the Island. Outpost have been pushed to (he sontntitt on the Et Isabel road to prevent any disturbance from that quarter, and in thi lituttion, With but (light advances, the army I likely to remain for several day more, while the work goes on ef preparing for rapid work the field. Thi is the work of the Commissary and Quartermaster Whole shipload of inpplleg and monition war, wagon and mule, hor and am-bulancea, tent and ill the other periplier-nalia of a modern army came with the troop or followed them; "and all of the stuff hat to be brought ashore in lighter. Fortunately til the bufijies of the port dqiu by thj anas ud tiit lifhters were so mticn assent to the Force bill a wonld ii he implied by its acceptance of a share of i the pctly patronage under it.

The law 1 provides for the apiiointment by Superln- tendent McCullagh of 700 deputies, 600 of whom are to be divided eqnnlly among 1 the Repnblicnn and Democratic parties. 1 Tammany will rofuse to recommend any persons for appointment as Democratic jl deputies, thus emphasising its objection to nnd detestation of a law which it holds to be an outrage on the home rule principle and tho constitutionality of which it pro- l' poses 'o test In the court. At the Tammany Executive Committee meeting yesterday the following resolutions, offered by Senator Grady and approved br Mr. Croker was unanimously adopted: "Resolved, That the Executive Commit- tee of the regular Democratic-Republican i Committee of Tammany Hall, believing the o-cnIled 'Elections bill' passed the recent extraordinary session of the Legislature to i- ne an unconstitutional enactment, recog- nUing it ns specialdegialation of the most reprehensible character, denying to the citl- bciis of the metropolis the right of self-government as enjoyed by every Republican community in the State, appreciating that it is a totally unjustifiable ind radical scheme devised solely for Republican par. tisan advantage, and a manifest intuit to the honesty, intelligence and patriotism of ihe citiacn of Greater New York, who justly pride themselves on the purity and fairness of their elections and the strict, ness with which the requirement of the General Election law are here enforced, and satisfied that this special measure wa framed and pissed only to emb.irraas, ifid, if possible.

Intimidate the voters of this Democratic constituency, through the arbitrary and Inquisitorial power thereby vest- ed in a totally irresponsible set of nartissn hireling to be appointed by th Republican agent selected to enforce it provision, therefore decline any participation in the political oppression and Injustice Intended, -nd refuses to submit any list of names for appointment as deputy commissioners." When told of the action of Tammany'i Ejecntlve Committee. President Quigg of the Republican County Committee said it wi the privilege of the Wigwam to decline to recommend the deputlo. It wis also the privilege now of Superintendent McCullagh to go ihetd ind appoint 800 Democratic depntiei of hi own selection. Xerrymen' Anociation Came. All the arrangement are completed for the annual games of the Kerrymcn'i Association, which take place to-morrow evening it Bulser'i Harlem River' Park.

Handicapper Boyle it-ranged th itart yesterday afternoon and there every indication of a number of cloic finishes. The 75-yard dash will be epecially Interesting, D. Duffy of the Paatlme A. C. will meet M.

Crcgan of the New Sido A. C. Bach Ii the champion (printer of bli ino-clntlon and ai there eslots a keen rivalry between the dubi of the East and TVeit Hide, the race ought to prove very Interesting. The events confined to tho member have drawn large fields, and these competition! In themaclves would form a good day'i sport, The event will tie-started promptly it 2:30 o'clock, and will be run off with the leatt tposiible deliy, Mr, E. Sullivan, scretary of the AmaV Athlete wiJJl't as referee.

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