North Carolina Newspapers

CHARLOTTE NEW THE ONLY EVENING ASSOCIATED PRESS NEWSPAPER IN CHARLOTTE. - j VOL. XXXV NO; - ?53 JURY FINDS HASTY GUILTY OF MURDER . IETT After Being Out for More than 12 Hcurs, the 12 Men Find George Hasty Guilty of the Crime Charged in the Bill of Indict ment, Coupled with the Verdict of Guilty was a Recommendation for Mercy. Judge Memmirger Sentences Prisoner to. Life Im prisonment in Penitentiary. Special to The News. Gaffney, March 6 George Hasty, the young man who killed Milan Bennett and Abbott Davidson, the actors, has passed from the hands of the jury with his life. That's all. According to the sentence of the ccm t, lie will have to spend the re maining years of his life within prison walls. The opinion here is that the young man has much to be thankful for, even though he has been sentenced for life in the State prison. The jury's recommendation for mercy, was the only thing that saved Hasty from a death sentence. It is understood that one member of the jury held out for a light sentence. He agreed to vote "guilty" with the under standing that the jury recommend the prisoner to the mercy of the court. The prisoner's counsel gave notice of an appeal and the case will now be fought over in the highest tribunal of the commonwealth at Columbia. The charge of Judge Memminger was concluded shortly before "six c'clock yesterday afternoon. The jury retired and the case was under discus sion by the 12 men nearly all of the night. At 6:15 o'clock this morning an agreement was reached and a verdict ol guilty was announced.. Promptly at 9:30 o'clock this morn-' ing court reconvened. There was a Inge crowd present, all eager to hear the last words in this now famous trial. Counsel for Hasty, after the verdict of the jury was formally announced, made a motion for a new trial but no argument was made to sustain this motion. Judge Memmington' then sentenced the prisoner to life imprisonment in the State penitentiary at Columbia. During the time the court was sen tencing the prisoner, the young man sat motionless. There was not a single sign of emotion nor did he seem to be in the least disturbed when the fate ful words of the court were pro nounced. A few minutes later, one of the local ministers wene over to Hasty and ex tended his hand. This seemed to com pletely unnerve the man. His large, expressive, eyes, filled with tears and for a few seconds he wept like a child. . Despite the fact that Hasty has been convicted of one of the blackest crimes, there were several who were touched by the pathos of the scefie. Sitting there in the strength of his vigorous young manhood with a life sentence in the penitentiary staring him in the face, Hasty, the murderer, became Hasty the boyish, man again. Just for the moment, those gathered in the court room, lost sight of the ter rible crime that had been committed. Their thoughts were with the doomed young man and those nearest and dear est to him. But, this thought "of tenderness and sympathy for the prisoner was soon overcome by a still more touching and pathetic sight the tragedy enacted in the little hotel not far away there where two souls had been ushered into eternity, neither, ft is feared, ready for the great change. There where the stalwart youth, with his gold-mounted pistol and his nerve of iron, fired with such deadly aim as to end the lives of two men strangers it is true nevertheless, two human beings who loved life and no doubt feared just what Hasty brought them death. - With this in their minds the crowd, at least a majority, took another look at Hasty and this time the verdict of the jury was admittedly, a just one. ' Judge Memminger then gave "notice that court would adjourn until tomor row morning at 9:30 o'clock. . The crowd filed out and George Hasty, in the custody of officers, marched back to his cell in Cherokee county jail. It cannot be said that the- verdict was much of a-surprise to the people f Gaffney. They expected that -a ver dict of guilty would be announced. A terge majority would have been disap pointed had another verdict been arriv ed at. - '. - ' r f . The case against Hasty , for the kill of Abbott Davidson, was continued, Pending the final disposition: of the Bennett case. . - ' : . Miss Bishop, one of . the eye . 'wit nesses to the tragedy, will leave tomor row morning to join her company, wrnch is now on the road. Miss Sheridan, another . member of ine 'Nothing But Money Company," OF MILAN BEI and the other eve-witn edy, leaves Gaffney this evening for New York. Verdict Returned. By Associated Press. Raleigh N. C. Mar. 6 The jury in the Hasty case at Gaffney, S. C. return ed a verdict of guilty at 6:15 this morning. The prisoner was recom mended to the mercy of the Court. Hasty was tried for the murder of Milan Bennett and Abbot Davidson members of the, "Nothing but Money Company." The killing of Bennett and David son occurred on the morning of Dec 15 last in the Piedmont hotel, at Gaff ney S. C, of which George Hasty was the proprietor. The theatrical companv appeared in the opera house at Gaffney on the night of Dec. 14 and after returning to the hotel Miss May Bishop and Miss. Verne Sheridan, two actresses complained to Davidson about the at tempt of Hasty to enter their roms. The following morning Davison went to the proprietor to demand an apology. A fight ensued in which both actors were -shot and killed. Hasty's plea was self defense. At the trial Hasty answered to the joint indictment and plead not guilty..The jury took the case last night at 7 o'clock. Hasty was sentenced to the peniten tiary for life, but it was announced that his counsel would appeal to the Supreme Court. . BODY WAS PETRIFIED. When Body of Lady Was Taken Up Near Gaffney Was Almost Entirely Petrified. Special to -The News. Gaffney, March C. Last Friday, Mr. G. W. McKown, E. P. Macomson and Kenyon McCraw had occasion to take up the remains of a lady relative who was buried in the Service grave yard about seven miles from Gaffney, and move it to another grave in the same cemetery. When they dug down to the box and attempted to move it they found it too heavy for the help at hand to move. They opened .the coffin and to their amazement they found that the body was partly petri fied. The head and feet had decayed but the rest of the body was perfect. The body was re-interred as was at first planned. This lady was one of Gaf feney's most highly respected and best beloved ladies. FRANCO-GERMAN DEADLOCK. Positions of Delegates at Algeciras Diametrically Opposed Little Hope of Reconciliation. By Associated Pi ess. ; Algeciras, March 6. The positions a defined before the conference show that the Franco-German deadlock is practically the same in the open con ference as it was during the private exchanges cf views. The positions are so diametrically opposed that the delegates see little hope of reconciling them unless Em peror William personally intervenes. FIRE DESTROYED HOTEL. Spring Hill Hotel Swept Away by Fire Loss $50,000 Guests Lost Most of Their Effects. By Associated Press. Mobile, Ala., March 6. Fire destroy ed the Spring Hill Hotel, a winter re sort, seven miles west of Mobile. The hotel was filled with guests from Northern cities, and many had narrow escapes. Nearly all lost their effects, including: jewelry and diamonds, ine damage is estimated at $50,000. Miss S. B. Anthony Very III. By Associated Press. Rochester, N. Y., March' 6. Miss Susan B. Anthony is seriously ill of pneumonia. POLICE CiPT Bomb Factory With 120 -loaded Bombs Captured by Police in Lodgings of Druggist, Twenty Revolutionists were Captured. Terrorist Arrested. By Associated Press. St. Petersburg, March 6. A whole sale bomb factory was captured by the police at the lodging of a druggist. One hundred and twenty loaded bombs were seized. ' ' The apartemnt had been the rendez vous of students and revolutionists, 20 of whom are captured. Another terrorist who was arrested in the street had a bomb in his pocket. SHONTS BEFORE COMMITTEE. When Asked if He Intended To Re main President of Clover Leaf Route He Sa-d the Pres-dent Told Htm There Was No Objection. By Associated Press. , , -r, Washington: Mar. 6. Theodore P. Shonts, chairman of the Isthmian Ca nal Commision, resumed his testimony before the Senate Committee on In teroceanic canals. . The witness was asked if he intends to continue as president of the Clover Leaf Route. He said he hadtalked with the President who thought there could be no objection to him holding the nlace if he served without salary. . V Dr. Bomar Tonight. Rev. Dr.. E. E. Bomar will preach to night at Tryon Street Baptist Church. The hour, for service will be 8 o'clock. Dr: Bomar's subject for tonight will be the "Meanness, Hypocrisy and Cruelty of Sin." BOMB FACTORY CHARLOTTE, N T M. IN THE MATTHEWS TRIAL Evidencewas Concluded at Din-) ner Recess. Argument in Famous Case Begins. Mor phine Insanity Expert .was Introduced. He was Emphatic in his Opinion that the Prisoner was Insane, Gave Interesting Discussion of Effects ot Morphine on Sys- tern. y Special to The News. Greensboro, N. C, March 12. The evidence in the Matthews murder trial was concluded at the dinner recess today and the argument began at 2 o'clock. The testimony of Dr. Crothers, the morphine expert, from Hartford, Conn., consumed most of the session. He was emphatic that the prisoner was insane and gave interesting discussion of the effects of morphine on the sys tem saying i tdeterioiated all the tis sues but most "prominently the higher nerve centers known as those acting on the reasoning powers which con trolled the will, conscience and man's relation to man, its constant use in evitably producing dementis or paral ysis. He was not shaken on the cross ex amination. The -prosecution occupied but three quarters of an hour in a very inconsequential rebuttal of the view of the strong expert testimony introduced by the defense as to the prisoner's sanity. Experts of equal reputation would be introduced by the prosecution. The Matthews murder trial does not flag in interest, after five days of prog ress. Possibly the longest question ever fired at a witness was the one pro pounded -yesterday afternoon by Major Guthrie for the defense to Dr. James McKee, superintendent of the North Carolina Hospital for the Insane at Raleigh. Dr. McKee was sworn as a witness for the defense and the -first hypothetical r questions asked, " took Major Guthrie exactly one hour and twenty-five minutes , to complete. The prisoner stood it for an hour and twenty minutes, when showing signs of collapse, . Major Guthrie suspended until he could go into the lawyers room and take a dose of medicine and the interrogatory was completed in five minutes after his return to the bar. The proceedings of the afternoon were interesting throughout. BERTHE CLAICHE'S TRIAL. Policeman Martineau Was Recalled and Identified His Handwriting On "Report Made After 2ffair. By Associated Press. - . New York, March 6. When the trial of Berthe Claiche was resumed, Po liceman Martinueau, one of the offi cers who had Emil Gerdron in custody when he was shot by Berthe, was re called. He identified his signature to the report on the Gerdron affair which he made to Police Commissioner McAdee, shortly after the shooting. -, In this report Martineau wrote that on the evening of July 8, Berthe Claiche approached him on the street and said: . ' ' - " "I want you to arrest Emil Gerdron for assault and vagrancy." . The report continues: '.'Ten minutes later Officers Scanlon and myself were arresting Gerdron, when the defendant came up and Gerd ron, turning his head toward her, said: "You have me pinched and I will kill you when I get out." Immediately after that three shots were fired." : . . . SHE PLEADED GUILTY. At Resumption of Trial This Afternoon Berthe Claiche Pleaded Guilty of Manslaughter in First Degree. By Associated Presi. New York, March 6. Berthe Claiche pleaded "guilty to manslaughter in the first degree at the resumption of the trial this afternoon. , . . Confessed, Then Fainted. This action was' the result of a ser ies of secret conferences between rep resentatives of District Attorney Je rome and -'"."the defendant's counsel. There was an intensely exciting scene when the girl' pleaded guilty to the manslaughter charge. ,: Scarcely had she uttered the word "Guilty" when she fell back in a faint and when revived became hysterical. She was carried from the court room to the Tombs prison, where physicians were oailad to attend Jier.: I Justice T avis discharged the jury.1 He announced that the sentence will be pronounced March 29. ; . FIRE AT DAVIDSON. - Several Buildings. Totally Destroyed by ' v the Flames. . . There was a destructive fire at . Da vidson last night. The postoffice build ing, Dr. E. Q. Houston's residence,, the Brady house and : one or two store buildings were . totally consumed by the flames. - The origin of the fire, is not known. ARGUMEN G AT 2 P C, TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 6, 1906. , GREENSBORO NEWS. Inter-Urban Line Between Greensboro and High Point May Be Built Other News Items. . I ( Special to The 'News. . Greensboro, N. C, March 6. Before the Board of Highway Commissioners yesterday afternoon, State .. Senator Webb, representing the , bond broker rage firm of, C A. Webb & Co., of Asheville, had the satisfaction of se curing acceptance of. his first bid for the third $60,000 bond issue for Guil ford macadam road. fund. There were eleven competitors, the Asheville firm making the highest, bid of $66,325 for the bonds. When this money is 're ceived the "good roads fund will have received about. $200,00 of the $300,000 bond issue authorized by a vote of the people for good roads in Guilford county. ... For several years there has . been much talk of an inter-urban electric car line from. High , Point to Greens boro and High Point . to Winston. It has been mostly on paper and in news paper correspondence. There is every probability now that a trolley line will soon, be constructed ; from High Point to Greensboro. The Board of County Commissioners yesterday afternoon granted to a syndicate represented by E.. J. Justice, of Greensboro, a fran chise over the road from High Point to Greensboro for a trolley line, provided work, begins in thirty days. . A large delegation from Greensboro will go to Salisbury Saturday to see Sarah Bernhardt; in "Camille," and to visit Salisbury. ?. FEDERAL QUARANTINE BILL. House Committee ' Considers Mallory Wiliams Bill-rNo, Amendments So . Far.. . .. Washington, March 6. The House Committee on Inter-State and Foreign Commerce considered; the Mallory Williams Federal Quarantine Bill. . So far. no amendemnts have been agreed upon, but many members of the com mittee feel that the bill centers too great power , in Surgeon General Wy man, of the Public Health and Marine Hospital Service, and it is not unlikely tnat tne measure will be amended. BIG COMPANY CHARTERED. Charter Issued For The Hannah Pick . ett Mills at ?200,000. Capital Amendment to Another Charter. Special to The News. Raleigh, North; Carolina, March 6. A charter was issued for the Han-nah-Fickett Mills (incorporated) at a capital cf $200,000,-for the operation of cotton mills at Rockingham, Rich mond county.' The principal incorpo rators are R. A. Little, of Arkansas; R. L. Steele, W. R. Colle and others, cf Rockingham. . The Albemarle. Ice Co. secures from the Secretary , of ; State an amendment to itg charter conveying the authority to add electric power and lighting plants and a wa,wks j)lant fqr, the town of Albemarle. ; SAYS REPORT IS FALSE. President of Sloss Sheffield Steel and Iron Co. Says Report of Merger Is False. By Associated Pres. . Birmingham, Ala., March 6 J. C. Maben, president of the Sloss Shef field Steel and Iron Company, gave out. this statement regarding the story that this company is to..be included in the report of the general merger of the Southern Iron and Steel interest. with the United States Steel Corporation: "There is absolutely no indication that a control of the Sloss Sheffield Steel and Iron Co. has changed . hands, nor do I apprehend any in the near fu ture. I can hardly believe the United States Steel Corporation will make an effort to get the . Sloss Sheffield Com pany through John W. Gates." . DEATH OF A.-A. McLEAN. County Treasurer.: A. A. McLean Died Yesterday Afternoon Was Confed erate Veteran and Prominent Man. Special to The News. Maxton, N. C, March 6. Mr. A. A. McLean, of this place, died at 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon after a long illness. . He was a Confederate veteran and was aged 62 years. He leaves two brothers, one sister, a wife, two daughters and three sons. CLOSING OF GRADED SCHOOL. Indian Trail. Graded School to Close March 9. Programme. Special to The News. Indian ; Trail, N. C, March The closing exercises of the Indian 'Trail Graded School will be held- Friday evening, March 9th. The programme will consist of a Dec. and Rec. contest for gold medals, also other appropriate exercises by the school. , . Music -will be furnished by the Indian Trail String Band. Exercises beginning at 7:30 p. m.. TRIAL OF KOBRE AND PLAIN. Preliminary Hearing, of -Sam - Kobre and William Plain. Charged With Murder of Henry Kobe to Come Off Tomorrow. Fire at Davidson. Special to The News. Winston-Salem, ;N... C, March 6. Trial of Sam Kobre and William Plain in jail charged; with the mysterious mourder of Henry Kobre here' Sunday night; January 21, will be given prelim inary hearing tomorrow. Solicitor Graves will represent prosecution. De fense has employed, able .counsel. KING AND PRINCESS TO WED. King Alfonso and Princess Ena Arrive Together Tomorrow's ; Ceremony. - r San Sebastian,; Spain March 6. King Alfonso, and . PriDcess Ena; of Battenberg- arrived here together to day preparatory to the ceremony to morrow at which the King will for mally ask' for te hand, of the Princess and ; receive, the assent of King Ed ward. A ' vast " crowd - accorded the King and Princess an enthusiastic wel come. . . ' EDICT ORDEBS THE PROTECTION OF ALL FOREIGNERS Chinese Much Perturbed Over the Reports in Their Papers of the Hostility in America Against China. Our Unfriendly Policy Causes Uneasiness. Official Gazette Published Edict Reproving Chinese Students and Charging Officials to Pro tect Foreigners, Under Pain o Severe! Punishment. tsy Associated Press. ; . .. .. Pekin, March 6. The principal topic in the Chinese press relates to the re ports coming from America that the United States is making complete pre parations to send a military expedition to China. Thexnewspapers . regard these reports as the manifestation of an unfriendly policy. The imports of New Chwaner for 1905, exclusive of military supplies, was the largest recorded. . The total was $53,000,000 gold,v of which $22, 000,000 came from America, $9,000,000 being in cotton. . The Chinese Government is greatly perturbed bv the reDorts of the anti- foreign movements printed in the American and European press. An edict published in the Official Gazette reproves the Chinese -students for cmciais, nigu ana low, to tnorougniy protect, the lives and property of for eigners, specifying missions, under pain of most severe punishment. DOG WINS EXECUTIONER. Performs Amusing Tricks as . the Poundmaster, Advances on Him. Denver, March 6. Among the tax notices sent out in Denver was one calling for payment on a fox terrier owned by Mrs. Pearl Louis, of No. 2324 Washington avenue. The terrier, in spite ot ms advanced age fourteen years could perform an unusual num ber of tricks. The Louis family, . after taking everything into consideration, concluded to take the dog to the pound and have him killed. . Mrs. Louis trotted the trick dog out to the killing, grounds; and requested Louis Wolf to put the little fellow out of his misery. Wolf assured the woman that this was an easy matter, saying that he would take a club and knock the dog. on the. head. Wolf picked up the club and wandered over in the direction of Fido in a very threatening manner.. Fido, not appreciating the ..serious nature of the poundmaster's attentions, thought it was some sort of a game in which he was to play a leading part With his doggy brain filled with such intentions he astounded Wolf by stand ing, on his hind legs, placing his paws in front of him and dancing toward the man in a most comical manner. The sight disconcerted Wolf, and, he stop ped in astonishment. The dog then be gan to jump over the stick which was meant to be his death weapon, and did amusing stunts for the benefit of his intended executioner. . Wolf gave it lip and, with an "I'll be hanged if I'll kill that dog," , he drop ped the stick and disapepared from view, leaving doggy to wander home ward. ONE RESULT OF LAW. Tarheel Distillers Remove to Norfolk, Virginia. Norfolk, Va March 6. The string ent State laws against distillers and whiskey- people . in general haying driven out practically all the small dis tillers from Eastern North Carolina, many of them have come to Virginia, and this section has suddenly come in to prominence as a corn whiskey dis tilling district. .... . Two distilleries have been establish ed at Bower's Hill, Norfolk county, and one on the old Gosport road, near Portsmouth, where still another is soon to be established. ' A fifth has begus operations near the Mary Balientine Home, in Norfolk county, on this side, of the, river,, and still another has. been established in Huntersville, where a seventh is short ly to begin operations. An eighth dis tillery has started in Southampton county. . . . . . - The largest of the. new, distilleries is the Porter . Works at Bower's Hill, where both rye and corn whiskey are made and many hands are - employed. The other distillers only distill com mon corn whiskey. There are intima tions that, still other distillers of this kind are to start at an early date. HARDSHIPS ENDURED. Captain, and Crew of Nine Tell of .Four Days of Terrible Hardships at Sea. By Associated Press, - - j- ' - A - Boston, March :6. A. story of hard ship at sea was told by Captain . Elias Barr and crew. 6t.. nine men of the schooner Mary Manning., who were landed . here ; by the ' British steamer Casilda; from South America. , : ' t The Manning's men.we're taken irom their water-logged,- and sinking vessel Sunday night.. after they hadVeadured more than four days of violent storm, clinging to the af terhouse of their ves sel, and . almost wholly deprived of food and' waterrVThe Manning was bound from Fermandina,; Fla., for New York, with a cargo of yellow pine rail road ties. A $10,000 ADDITION. St. Peter's Home and Hospital in Need . of More Room. At a meeting of the Vestry of St. Peter's Episcopal Church last night it was unanimously agreed that : the Board of Managers of St. Peter's Home and Hospital erect a $10,000 addition to the hospital buildings . ,. For some months past St. : Peter's Hospital has been crowded with, pat ients. There are not enough rooms to accomodate those who would like to enter ., the . hospital. : To relieve the crowded condition and to make the hospital more efficient, if possible, this new addition will be erected. St. Pet er's Hospital is one of the most widely known institutions of North or South Carolina. A standard of excellency has always been maintained. . With an im proved . building . and more rooms for would-be patients, this excellent insti tution will be capable of still greater good. , The News learns . that the addition will be erected at once. HUSBAND SENTENCED TO DEATH. Sued For Divorce. Dr. Harle and Other Americans are Awaiting Their End. Roswell, N. M., March 6. Mrs. Nora Wiggins Harle, of Roswell, and for merly a reigning belle of El Paso, Tex., has instituted divorce ; proceedings against Dr. Charles S. Harle, who is now, with two other Americans, under sentence of death in jail at Chihuahua. Mexico, for alleged murder of two men for insurance money. In the notice caused to be published by . Mrs. Harle announcing her inten tion to sue for divorce, Mr. Harle is notified that unless he makes his ap pearance in the Fifth Judicial District Court on or before March 29, 1906, a decree pro, confess will be rendered against him. It is a foregone conclu sion that Dr. Harle will not be able to enter an appearance. He will be lucky if he succeeds in having his sentence commuted to life-imprisonment. Dr. Harle's two companies, who are also under death sentence, are Mason and Richardson, who were engaged by a California life insurance company to solicit business. It is alleged that these agents insured the lives of two men, Dr. Harle acting in the capacity of ex amining physician. Some time later the victims , were decoyed across the river, into Mexico and murdered and their life insurance collected. CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS. Grand Jury Say : Officers' of Corpora tions Have Contributed to Political Funds May Take Steps. By Associated Press. 1 - New York, March 6. The New York county grand jury today made a pre sentment reciting that the grand jury had been informed by the District At torney that - there is reasonable grounds to believe that within the statute of limitations the officers v or trustees of large corporations have contributed money to political cam paign funds.- The grand jury asks the advice of Justice O'Sullivan, of the Court of Gen eral Sessions to whom the present ment was made as to the future course to be pursued by the jury. The presentment is accompanied by a long statement of the facts setting forth it can be shown by lawful eveidence be yond a reasonable doubt that such pay ments of money have been made. Hale Opposes pill Introduced and in Connection Said it was the Purpose ofW General Staff to Invade China Which Meant War. By Associated Pre'ss. Washington, March 6. A bill pro viding . for an "increase ,of the - effi ciency : of the medical department of the army','- was called up in the Senate and Mr. Hale spoke in opposition to it. He said that the general staff had prepared .plans for. the invasion of China by, the American army, but he added that he did not mean to go into that subject, "for with the Secretary of State sitting on the lid I do not be lieve we are likely to have war." - i Mr. Hale said it was the purpose of the general staff to ; invade China, which , would be a declaration of war. Indian Appropriation Bill. : The House passed without objection the bill relieving the tobacco growers from all taxes in the sale of leaf to bacco.. The Indian Appropriation Bill, carrying; $7,785,528; was taken up. Troops To Philippines. ? Hale was replying to the question of Tillman who asked how many troops had been sent, to the Philippines, with the view of their being sent to China and Hale said: "I: don't know how many troops have been sent there, but I think several thousand. .The purpose of the General Staff is that they be used. if any. emergency either arises, or can be made, to invade China'which of course would be a declaration of war while Congress is in session." , "Small Fire This Afternoon. : The home of Mr.. Ross Blackwood, on North Smith street, between Sev enth and Eighth; was slightly damaged by fire this afternoon. : The blaze ori ginated: from a .defective flue. - The chemical apparatus was the only thing used in extinguishing the blaze. . FRICE: 3 CENTS BlpoSIk ELECTION LAWS , . - , f Almost Every Section of Country Represented at Opening of Big Conference for Reform of Prim ary and Election Laws and Cor rupt Practices Acts. Is Under Auspices of National Civic Federation. Oscar S. Straus, President of Conference,' Delivered Address. Horace E, Deming Also Spoke, By Associated Press. New York Mar. 6.- The delegates : from nearly every section of the coun try were present at the opening of the second National Conference for the reform . of primary and election laws and the corrupt practices acts, under' the auspices of the National Civic Federation. I Oscar S. Straus, president of the Conference, opened the meeting with an address on, "Reform of the prima ries and election laws." Straus introduced as the presiding officer, Josiah Quincey, former Mayor of Boston. Horace E. Deming, delegate of the City Club of New York, discussed "The elective office in a representative Democracy." GREEN GAYNOR TRIAL. Judge Speer Rendered Decision Re garding Admissibility of Testimony By Associated Press. ' Savannah. Mar. 6. Judge Speer ren dered his decision admitting in the Green and Gaynor trial the testimony given before Commissioner Shields in New York by witnesses now deceased when the removal of the defendants from that jurisdiction to the jurisdic tion of this court-was sought. Concerning Payments. The Grand Jury finds itself in doubt as to whether the making of these pay ments constitutes the crime and it is upon this point .-especially that.advice is asked. - -: - ' : . Testimony Read. General Thomas F. Barr read the testimony of the deceased witness, that of Thomas J. Agnew. He said Edward H. and John F. Gaynor had offered him $500 not to bid on the Cumberland Sound contract. -- The testimony of the late W. H. Ven able of Atlanta, ishowed how Carter had endeavored to "Chill" Venable's determination to bid on the Cumber land sound work. CASE OF RICHARD IVENS. Work of Selecting A Jury Begun Detectives Scattered in Court Room. By Associated Press. - Chicago Mar. 6. The work of select ing the jury in" the case of Richard Ivens charged with the murder of Mrs. Bessie Hollister began. , Detectives were scattered about the" court room 1 and several sat close to Ivens, it being feared that Frank C. Hoilister, husband of the murdered woman, would make ..an attempt to kill Ivens. ' ' - MR. J. S. B. THOMPSON HERE. He Came to Look Over the Depot Sit . uation. , Mr. J. S.B. Thompson general agent of the executive department' of the Southern Railway, .is in the - city, aboard his private car. This morning Mr. Thompson held a short conference with Mayor McNinch in regard to the new pasenger depot. Another, conference will probably be held this afternoon. -Mr. Thompson's visit to Charlotte at this time is for the purpose of straight ening out matters over which the city aldermen and the Southern are at outs. He deplores the fact that the alder men, at least some, of them, have seen fit to criticize the new station building and he hopes L to see all hands mu tually agreed before long. Mr. Thompson is one of the ablest of the official family of the Southern. He has not been to Charlotte recently. His friends here, hope that he will come often and stay longer. COUNTY TAX DISTRICTS. Candidates Are Coming Forward An xious, For, the Race. . : From present indications there will be a warm , fight in both the First and Third districts for th tax collector. : Mr. W. O. Cochrane; the present tax colector of the First district, will not be in the race this year. The avowed cadidates so far are Messrs. W.'.C. Mc Auley, L. B. Sloop, Samuel Austin and Sidney Abernethy. . - ., ,". In the Third district, Mr. W. N. Peo ples the present incumbent, will be opposed by Mr. Parks Kirkpatrick. They do say this will be a" race worth watching. .