Newspapers / The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, … / Jan. 16, 1909, edition 1 / Page 1
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WatterTq-fcy 7 RAIN ' 12 Pages Te-Dayl rcrriAii 1 J ONE SECTION J SUBSGRIPnON PRICE: $8.00 A YEAR. CHARLOTTE, N. C, SAT URDAY MORNING, JANUARY 16, 1909. PRICE FIVE CENTS. NO EXEMPT BOxND ISSUES HOUSE OPPOSES THE PRACTICE. IlrpreseiitaUves Look With Disfavor Upon Exemption or Local Bona is sues I Tom Taxation Several Bill of Mtste Interest introduced Yes terdayMeter , Inspection Measure - Reported Favorably by Senate Com. niiltee Oyster ImlbsLry DineuBHed br committees or JtJotn iiouses a- - aoutaUon of County Xmmlssloner Proposed Seuate Spreads 1'oetn ou Ita Journal Appropriation to Be Asked For Exhibit at Seattle Jt position. Special to The Observer. Raleigh, fan. IS. The House does not seem to look with much favor up on the practice 'of exempting local bond issues from county and munlcl pal taxes. A bill authorizing the commissioners of Robeson, bounty to issue bonds came up on Its second reading, and the exemption section of it brought forth a serious protest from Mr. Currie, of Cumberland chairman of the committee on agri culture, who declared that no such precedent ought to be set by the Htouse. People ought not be encour aged to Invest their money in. bonds by this inducement of freedom from taxation. Mr. Currie even believed tUate bonds and United States bonds should not be exempted from taxa tion. "If money is Idle " said he, 'let it stay idle rather than be brought from hiding by any sucn means as this." Mr. Rascoe was of similar opinion, but Mr. Turlington thought it was all right "If Robeson wants to do that. the. other counties have no reason to dollar out of the State Treasury." Mr. Shepherd, of Robeson, assur ed the House that the bonds would be taken up entirely by Robeson county people, and Mr.-Koonce suggested an amendment to that effect. In reply to a question by Dr. Cox, of Pitt, the Speaker thought the bill would not exempt the bonds from State taxes. Mr. Doughton questioned the right of the House to pass such a bin un der the law, and the bill was Anally re-referred to the Judiciary commit tee. BILLS OF STATE INTEREST, Several bills of State Interest were introduced this morning. One by Mr. Connor would amend the law as to pensions of widows so as to admit those marled prior to January 1st. 18 79, instead of April 1st, 1865. This is according to a resolution adopted by the Jesse 8. Barnes Camp of Vet erans in Wilson and concurred in by a number of camps In different parts of the State. The State boundsaw line In the Smoky , mountain region -comes Into notice- again through a bill by Mr. Weaver to allow the Governor to prosecute suits over the disputed oeundary directly in ' the Supreme Court of the United States, so that Jhe whole matter in every such case could be settled finally, Instead of Merely the individual rights. ' To perfect the organisation of the State Association of County Commis sioners and give It State sanction Is the object of a bill by Mr. Koonce. The expected bill -'embodying the Republican platform declaration In favor of a 1240 exemption from tax on personal property instead of $50 was Introduced by Mr. Grant, the young Republican member from Da vie. Mr. Bowie, of Ashe, gets the chair manship of the committee on Federal relations, and Mr. Cook, of Camdett that of the Joint committee on libra ries. POEM ON SENATE JOURNAL. The unique procedure of having a poem spread upon the Journal of the Senate of North Carolina was a fea ture of the session to-day. Senator Godwin, of Gates, sent forward a poem which he stated was written by Miss Bettie Freshwater Poole, of Kllzabeth City, and to encourage this high art he asked that it be read to the Senate and spread upon the Jour nal. The reading elicited great ap plause, the poem being strikingly pa triotic, and the order to spread on the Journal was made. METER BILL FAVORABLY RE PORTED. , A favorable report Is decided upon by the Senate commlttse on proposi tions and grievances for the-Manning bill empowering aldermen of cities and towns to employ inspectors of meters for water, gas ana electricity 4nd nx their compensation. ' Great complaint by the people of Irregu larity In volume - of service through meters brought about this bill for official Inspectors to test the accuracy of meters. The bill as introduced made employment ofthe Inspector mandatory, and the committee amended to make It optional. The Htarbuck bill for allowing .State' and defendant each twelve peremptory - challenges in capital trials and four In trials for lesser offenses was' discussed with con siderable favor by' the Senate Judiciary committee.' - However, other lawyer members Of the Assembly signified their intention to offer bills bearing on this question, and report is deferred for probable drafting of a "composite" bill a little later. OTSTER INDUSTRY CONSIDERED The Senate and House committees en oyster Interests Informally dis cussed the needs of the oyster in dustry and set' next Thursday for a hearing on the two bills to be sub mitted by' Dr. J. If. Pratt. State .geologist, for the cultivation of the .oyster fit-. North Carolina waters and for the preservation of the oystee on the- natural . rock., These bills will embody the reports of the Convention f oystermen and fishermen at More head City ; last' summer, at. which there were some , sixty delegates elected by the, oyster and flsh men of eastern North Carolina. -The bills, it is claimed, eliminate any friction between eystermen on public grounds and the cultivators fof the oyster. FOR ? COMMISSIONERS' . ASSOCLt- j THs House committee on propost-, tlons and grievances this afternoon considered the bill introduced to-day for creating the North Carolina As sociation of County Commissioners and giving the - organisation Stats sanction,, considerable opposition to the bill being developed during ,the meeting on the part of several in fluential members. However;- friends .of the measure insist that all this opposition will be- cleared away when the bill is explained y Its f renters, among whom are C"E, Foyfof New born, president bf the association which was formed 5 dnrmg the past summer and fall, A feature' of the (Continued' on Psgs Three). THE " WATERPO WEB JKUSl' PRESIDENT VETOES HOUSE BUJi Chief Executive Pots His Veto to the Rill to Construct: a Dam Across James River in Missouri, Declaring That the Movement For the Control of Waterpower HlrouUl Be Taken In Hand and a Monopoly Prevented Such a Trust Would Be More Dis astrous lor the-People Than TIuU f the Oil Industry Congress Has the Power and Should Impose Con ditions For ttoe Protection of the , Country's Natural Resources. i Washington, Jan. IS. President Roosevelt sent a special message to the House to-day with his veto of the bill providing for the construc tion of a dam across James river, in Stone county, Mo., the purpose of the dam being to get water to create elec tric power. He declared that the movement to secure control of the waterpower of the country is still In Its Infancy but that "unless controlled the history of the oil industry will be repeated in the hydro-electric power Industry, with . results far more op pressive and disastrous for the peo ple." "I consider myself bound," he con tinued, "as far as exercise of my ex ecutive power win aiiow, to ao lor the people, in prevention of monopoly of the resources, what I believe they would do for themselves If they were in a position to act." The measure was presented at the closs o,f the day and was received in-, differently. After its reading It was referred to the committee on inter state and foreign commerce. THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE. The President's message In Us es sential parts was as follows: To the House of Representatives: I return herewith -without my ap proval House bill 17707 to authorize William H. Standlsh to construct a dam across James river, in Stone county. Mo., and divert a portion of its waters through a tunnel into the said river again to create elsotrio power. My reasons for not signing the bill are: The bill gives to the grantee a val uable privilege, which by Its very nature Is monopolistic, and does not contain the conditions essential to protect the publio interest. The fact that the proposed policy la new is in itself no sufficient argu ment against its 'adoption. As we are met with new conditions of indus- try'serlously affecting the public wel fare, we should not hesitate to adopt measures . for the protection of the public merely because those measures are new. When .the public welfare is Involved, Congress should resolve any reasonable doubt as to Its legislative power in favor of the people and aglnst the seekers for a special privi lege. CONGRESS HAS THE POWER TO IMPOSE CONDITIONS. My reason for believing that the Federal government, in granting a license tea dam a, navigable river, has the power te. Impose any- conditions it finds necessary to protect the pub lic, including a charge and a limita tion of the time, Is that its consent is legally essential to an enterprise of this character. It follows that Con gress can Impose conditions upon its consent. Believing that the national govern ment has this power, I am convinced that its power ought to be exercised. The people of the country are threat ened by a monopoly far more power ful. because In far closer touch with their domestic and Industrial life. than anything known to our expert ence. A.elngle generation will see the exhaustion of our natural resources of oil and gas and such a rise in the pries of coal as will make the price of electrloally transmitted water power a controlling factor In trans portation, in manufacturing, and in household lighting and heating. Our water power alone, If fully developed and wisely used, fes probably sufficient for our present transportation, Indus trial, municipal and domestic needs. Most of it is undeveloped and is still In national or State control. To give away, without conditions. this, one of the greatest of our re sources, would be an act of folly. If we are guilty of it. our children will be forced to pay an annual return upon a 'capitalization based upon the highest prices which "the traffic will bear." They will find themselves face to face -w. 1th powerful interests in trenched behind the doctrine of vested rights" and strengthened by every defense which money can buy and the ingenuity of able corporation lawyers can devise. Long before that time they may and very probably will have become a consolidated in terest, controlled from the great, fi nancial centres, dictating the terms upon which the cltlien cap conduct his business of earn his livelihood. and not; amenable to th wholesome check of local opinion. COMBINATION ALREADY START- - " ED. The total water-do war now In use by power plants in th United States estimated by the bureau of the census and the geological survey as .IOQ.000 horse-power. Information collected by the bureau of corpora tions, shows that thirteen large con cerns, of which the General Electric Company and the Westinghouse Elec tric and Manufacturing Company are moat important, now hold water-pow er installations- and advantageous power sites aggregating about 1.041.- 000 horse-power where the control by these concerns 1 . practically admit ted. This is a Quantity eauai to over per cent of the total now In use. jrartner evidence of a very strong nature to additional inter corporate relations, furnished by the bureau, leads me . to the conclusion that this total should be Increased to 4 percent., and still other evidence. though less conclusive,, nevertheless affords reasonable ground "for en larging this estimate by per cent, additional. In other word It is probable that these thirteen concerns directly or indirectly control develop ed water-power and - advantageous power sites equal to more than IS per cent, of the total water-power ADMINISTRATION WOULD " MAKE CONDITIONS. '- xThs great corporations ars acting with foresight, singleness of. purpose, and vigor to control the water pow ers of the country. They are demand ing "' legislation '' for ' - , unconditional grants Jn perpetuity- o land for reservoirs.- conduits,, power houses and transmission lines to replace' the ex isting statute which authorizes the administrative officers of the govern ment to Imoose conditions to nroteet thefpubllcwhe any permit is issued. J refer to the fact with gratlfie Several bill for that purpose are now J Hon . and congratulation that to-day Continued en. Page Ninaji , 1 ATLANTA WELCOMES TAFT ALL FORMER, EVENTS OUTDONE. After "Talking Through Georgia," Making a Half Dozen Speeches, the President -Elect is Greeted at the Georgia Capital in Tue Atlanta, "Style Locomotive Whistles Are Tied Down and Thousands Crowd . the Station and Line the Streets,. , sneering Until Mr. Tart Disappears From View at His Hotel Did Not Come to Capture the South, But Has Been Captured by It Future Policy or His Administration Brie ly Discussed. Atlanta, Ga., Jan. 15. President elect William H. Taft has been in the cordial and hospitable embrace of Georgia all day. Recognizing the climax of the varied and continuous demonstrations in the brilliant and Imposing scene presented at the ban quet here to-night, he exclaimed with evidences of great feeling: "I had not hoped to win the South, but the South has won me. The banquet was the most am bitious event of its kind the city has ever undertaken. -Though partici pated in by more than 00 of the city's representative men, it was gloried in by the entire population. It, and the preceding eloquence of welcome extended to Mr, Taft In his reception at the Capitol and at the Piedmont Hotel, where he was sought by thousands, constitute - a brilliant chapter in his record of achievements south of Mason and Dixon's line. TALKS ALONG THE WAY. 'Talking through Georgia" Is a literal description of his trip to-day from Augusta to Atlanta. ' And wher ever the special train, which Atlanta provided, came to a halt there were cheering crowds evidencing their cor diality by floral tributes, by cheers, bands and speeches in -which the President-elect was told that he was respected, admired, loved. . A little bunch of violets plucked from the grave of Alexander Stephens and presented by a grandnlece of the distinguished Oeorglan, touched a tender cord and brought forth a warm tribute to the memory of Stephens at CrawfordsvlUe. The young men of Emory Cbllege were cheered on their way at Coving ton and the girl students of Agnes Scott Institute at Decatur were ad dressed as "My Girl Friends" and talked to pleasantly. When Mayor Butler, of Madison, predicted "a term Of eight years for Taft" the big Ohloan responded by saying he hoped the mayor was a true prophet. Atlanta's welcome to Mr. Taft be gan In the railroad yards where all locomotives tied open their whistles and ceased only when he had retired for the night at his hotel. Thousands were at the station, thousands fol lowed him through the streets as he was drawn by four cream-colored horses to the Capitol. Governor Smith and- -a committee- f seventy , gave him a formal reception, after which the Governor presented him to the tremendous crowd and Mr. Taft once more voiced his reciprocity of cordiality and good feeling at his re ception. He was at once escorted by a squad of mounted police to the Piedmont Hotel, where he was ten dered a reception by the chamber of commerce, the Ohio Society and Yale alumni. SPEAKS TO NEGROES TO-DAY. Governor-elect Brown came with Mr. Taft, Governor Smith received him and the officials of the city arid State generally participated in hi welcome. Mr. Taft will speak to the negroes here In the morning, go to Athens to make an address at the State Uni versity and return for the reception of the Capital City Club to-morrow night. On his trip here he made speeches at Tnomson, CrawfordsvlUe, Greens boro, Madison, Social Circle and Decatur, The features of the banquet includ ed not only the striking appearance of the high, pillared room, with Ita white walls, and flag scheme of dec orations, but a quaint programme of om-tlme negre songs illustrating the primitive lire and tastes of slavery aays, sung as solos by preachers, doc tors and Judges. The tables were the streamers ef two huge flags, the field ef each being iormea oy tne speakers' table set be fore a forest of palms and ferns. Di rectly behind the guest of honor was an electric flag which not only waved but flashed forth a likeness of Mr. Taft when the President-elect arose lu -a at.. A ."BILLY POSSUM." After the 'possum, 'taters and 'slm- mon beer had been served, and the' many other courses of the feast, the guests, led by the orchestra, broke In to song. Judge Taft Joined heartily in the merriment. He was presented with a "billy 'possum" constructed after the manner of the "teddy bear" to be the emblem, of his administra tion.. He was also made the recipient of a silver pocket water flasks bearing the coat of arms - of Georgia, the gift Of Mrs. James Longstreet. ' Besides Mr. Taft, the speaker were, Asa G. Candler, toastmaster; Governor Hoks Smith, Mayor Robert F. Maddox and Judge Thomas G. Jones, of Alabama, of the Federal bench What was taken as the most la tins- and satisfactory feature ef Mr. Taft's speech was 'his expressed desire to appoint to Federal positions In the South only such men as stand high as citizens in the localities In which they Judge Taft had given care to the preparation of his banquet speech. regarding It as his Important' utter ance of the day. and la its delivery he followed his manuscript 'closely. HO had eons Bouth for rest to tired nerves after . a strenuous political campaign ' he began,, but .when he realized he had' fallen Into the hands of strenuous Atlantans he began to riously broken. Mr. Taft said with feeling that he was proud to-have been the. first Re pnbllcaa candidate -for the presidency who had - carried bis canvass south 1 of Mason and Dixon's line, , . . "In the presence of-Democrats and Republicans here at V aon-partisan i banjuet expressing' the welcome of the .whole . community. It would neither be courteous nor appropriate for me to go into a partisan discus sion, nr. Tart continued. "I can us expression or any political view la the South la possible .witflout In- BLOODY CLOT Hi Mi FOUND LOQKS LIKE MURDER MYSTERY Ghastly Discovery Made at Karri fe rtile by Section Master, Pointing to Terrible Murder Bloodstained Cktthiiifc of Man Found, But No Body Papers in Pockets Indicate Owner as Being Asa Eddie Skinner, Jr. Negro Wearing Trousers Matching Coat Arrx-sted, and It is Believed That He Knows Something of the Mysterious Affair Is Sent to Roads For Vagrancy, and the Police Go to Work on the Case. Special to The Observer. Fayettevllle, Jan. 15. A ghastly discovery that seems to point to a terrible murder has been made here, and by a strange coincidence the po lice have In their custody the man who, they are certain, knows some thing of the affair. ' Yesterday morning Capt. F. Mur ray, section master of the Atlantic Coast Line Rallrdbd, found near the A. C. L, coal chute, In the southern outskirts of the city, lying by a pool ot blood, a mans shirt with collar attached to the neck bund. The col lar and shirt were covered with fresh bloodstains, while not far away was a heap of other clothing, consisting of a coat, the collar of which was stained with blood, two pairs of trou sers, a white vest, some socks1 and un derclothing. NEGRO IS ARRESTED. On being notified the police took possession of the clothing a.nd insti tuted a thorough search of the Bur rounding district, but no trace of any thing suspicious could be found, until the officers were notified this morning that some one had attempted last night to enter a shelter house of the Atlantic Bltullthhj Company. The tracks led from that place to the Washington Hotel, a negro establish ment on upper Hay street, and the officers arrested a negro who gave his name as Paul Vinson, of Atlanta. Ga., and who when searched was found to be wearing two suits ot clothes. One of the pair of trousers match the bloody coat found at the coal chuta. A comparison established the fact be yond doubt. Bloodstains were also found on the right sleeve of the can vas coat he wore. Vinson, though closely questioned, would say nothing but that he bought the trousers In Blshopville, S. C. PAPERS IN POCKETS. A bundle of papers found in the pockets of the clothing found at the coal chute tend to prove that their owner was Asa Eddie Skinner, Jr., a coal-passer on the United States ship Franklin. Among the papers were a pension certiflettle signed - by Jtfmes R. Garfield and Ijated May 18th. 190T, according to fcblch Skin ner was discharged owing to an af fection of the ears; a notification that tnere was a special delivery letter at the Savannah postoffice addressed to A. K. Skinner, 410 West Barron street. Savannah, Ga.; a pension voucher dat ed, December, ,108, inclosed in air envelope addressed to A. E. Skinner, Box 16, Blshopville, S. C, which had been forwarded to 700 Jackson street. Augusta. Ga.; and a check on the Parkton Mercantile Company. Park ton, N. C, payable to S. B. Tlmmons and endorsed by Tlmmons. for 14.15 The polrce. who are hard a work on the case, are certain that Vinson knows something of the affair. He was tried by the mayor to-day and sentenced to SI days on the roads for vagrancy. National Militia Board Meets. Washington, Jan. 15. The national militia board created under the pro visions of the bill amending the Dick act and consisting of Brigadier Gen erals Henry, New; York; Oran, In diana; Boardman, Wisconsin; Drain, District of Columbia, an Graves. Alabama, met here to-day to discuss questions respecting the needs of the organized militia oi the States and its relation to the general govern ment. By the latest legislation of Congress the national guard was made a second line of defense and as such will receive greater considers tion at the hands of the War De partment and of Congress than ever before. Duke and Duchess Entertain Officers. Malta, Jan. 15. This evening Rear Admiral Potter, 'Captain Beatty, of tne Wisconsin, and Captain-Hutching, of the Kearsarge, Lieutenant Com manders Vogelges and Twlng, Consul and Mrs. Gale and BO other guests were entertained at dinner by- the Duke and Duchess of ConnaughC The British sailors tomlrtit enter talned the American labkles at the Canteen, and the warrant officers feasted the American warrant officers at the gymnasium. Snoots His Wife, Then Kills Himself, Alliance. O.. Jan. IS. Albert Lazlnwood, 50 years of age, a farmer living near Bergesols, shot and killed his wife, (5 years old. and then him self on the road near Annapolis last night. Jealousy Is supposed to have been the cause. Lazlnwood and his wife had been estranged and living apart for several months. voMng social ostracism or any of the penalties with which it might have been In earlier times. Time has jnade a great difference in the atti tude wmcn the controlling people of the South occupy towards the North and-the government." CAUSES OF THE CHANGE. The President-elect then sum marised the causes which had work ed and were effecting this change the Spanish war; the attitude of Mc Klnley, his lovable character and the principles he stood for In his cam paigns; the succession of Roosevelt with his Georgia mother: and finally the wonderful business development of the Souths . "I am a Republican but I concede fully the great advantage to the country of having, a Democratic party sufficiently powerful at times to win the presidential elections and al ways o. put the Republican nartv. when In control. In fear of a possible or probable defeat. And so in the Sowh avaai-aay. the .advantage that will arise In local and State governments when there Is a sub stantial and ' intelligent minority which may become a successful ma jority m punishment for the abuses that are likely to grow 'out of the long continued -and undisputed con trol ef one party. Added to that, the uncertainty which may r attend thAi result of national elections' In a Sxats is certain to give it additional importance In the councils of the ostion.- - - -v ! "1 observe that among soma nroml- nent members of Congress there la a disposition' to charge mrf with an attempt- V win the' Bouth ever; to (CosL-auea on Page ;NIn). TIIOILNTO-N HALNS SET FKEE JIHY OUT TWENTY-TWO HOURS After Long Deliberation the Halns Jury At quiu the Defendant of the Murder of William K. Aimis DemonHtratioii Follows the An nouncement of the Verdict and the Judge Orders the Court Room Cleared Defendant's Eyes Fill With Tears and He 8hakea the Hands of tlx Jurors Mother Nearly Faints From Joy Verdict Means That Captain Halns Will Never Be Tried, say County OfU cials. Flushing, N. Y.. Jan. 15. After reviewing the evidence for 22 hours and taking fifteen ballots before all were agreed, the Jury In the trial of Thornton Jenkins llalna this after nbon found the prisoner not guilty as a principal with his brother. Captain Peter ('. Halns. Jr., In the killing of William E. Annls. For the second time In his life Thornton Halns has been found not guilty of the charge of murder, as he was acquitted of murder in shooting a companion named Edward A. Han nlgan In an open boat In Hampton Roads 17 years ago. Thornton Hains had an affecting greeting with Captain Halns In the Long Island Jail, whither he hurried In a motor car after the verdict to take his brother the news. Old Gen eral Halns and his wife, who had been anxiously waiting to learn the verdict In the Hotel Astor, In Man hattan since the Jury went out at 5 o'clock last night, had the news from their son. Thornton, who telephoned his parents as soon as he left the court room. Mrs. Halns nearly faint ed from Joy. is VERDICT GREETED WITH CHEERS. After spending nearly an hour with Captain Halns in the Jail Thorn ton Halns went to the Hotel Astor. where he remained through tho evening and night with his father and mother. The verdict came unexpectedly and at a time when Justice Crane, belWvtng that a disagreement was likely, had sent for the -Jurors to learn what progress had been made toward a finding. The former de fendant smiled, and tears filled his eyes, and. hurrying to the Jury box after Justice Crane had discharged the Jurors, he seized their hands and thanked them for their verdict. Rarely in any court of law has such a demonstration been witnessed as that wilch occurred when the Jury made known Its verdict. Tb,e packed court room ot spectators rose as one man and cheered and applauded with such mighty vigor that the gavel falls of Justice Crane on his desk could not be heard. Before proceeding further, Justice Crane ordered the trial . chamber cleared, and the spectators put out In the street. After telephoning his mother and father, Thornton was escorted to a local hotel, while a throng of towns people gave him a continuous greet ing en route. MAY BE END OF CASE. Jurors stated that the first ballot stood to 4 for acquittal, and early this morning the ballot showed gain 'of one for acquittal. Jurors Hecker, Johnson, Richmond and Boenlg voted for conviction of mur der. Juror Boenlg held out until the final ballot was taken Just after Jus tl;e Crane had sent for the Jurors, and then changed his vote to ac quittal, making the Jury unanimous. Officials of the district attorney's office in Queen's county are quotod to-night as saying that the verdict in their case probably .means that Cap tain Halns will never be brought to trial and that he will-be surrendered Irit.t thA rant nf his fam II v nr th Federal government. Under this verdict Jt is perfectly safe for any person who is ingenious enough to frame up a defense to gq out and kill. Private vengeance seems to have taken precedence over the people's law," was the only com ment that Prosecutor Darrln had to make on the Jury's -return. OFFERS LAND TO SUFFERERS. Duke Pom pro Lltta, of Paris, Wants to Colonise 20,000 Earthquake VK--J Urns In Florida Controls 200,000 'Acres and Ills Terms For Securing Homes Are Mont uberal. Paris, Jan. II. Some details were given to-day by Duke Pompeo Lltta concerning his offer to donate a por tion of an extensive tract of land In Manatee county. Florida, to victims of the earthquake In Calabria and Sicily. He said the land was owned by a syndicate of which he was the head and of which his brother-in-law. J. Lamb Perry, of Charleston. S, C, was a member. In Florida, the Duke said, the Ital ians would be given five acres of land liy rbelr own right, but would be asked to develop a second farm tor tn benefit of the syndicate, re celvlng, however,' wages In payment tor tne work done on the latter. He expected that a scries of co operative stores would be established at which the colonists might buy their material, rood, clothing, live stock, machinery, etc., at low prices and upon easy terms, or pay lor them In labor If they so desired. Duke Lltta claimed that he was a practical so cialist. He says the Florida lands cover an area of 200.000 acres, and that he plans to colonize there 5.000 families or 10,000 Individuals. -He expects inai ins Italian government' will en dorse the movement England Fm-niahes Greatest Number . of Immigrants. Washington, Jan. 15. For the year ended October list, last, the number of aliens arriving In this country was &6,ZI. while the departing aliens that ' same period number, 701,839, a net loss to the country of 48,578, according , to- a statement made . by Secretary Btraus. leaving the Cabinet meeting to-day. Another Interesting fact to Secretary Btraus, who spoke to the President regarding It, was that in the month of October, HOD. the- Immigration to' this -country was Utrger'frdtrr Oreat "Britain than-from any " other" country of the world. Sn-vinting. tsr' 1,124. From British Nowth -America there came the sec ond largest - number, - f.501. Mr. Straus thought these figure indicated a tendency toward new arrivals of the best clsss for. soma time to come. ; 1 To Manufacture .Paper, From .Pine . Mumps, ? Gainesville.' Fla Jan. 15. Eastern and English capitalists nave-bought a sits herp and will invest 12,000,000 in mills for the manufacture Of paper . from: the 'fibre 'obtained from uina stomps,, thousands of- which may be' naa in tne immediate neighborhood. PALMETTO STATE NEXT FOR STRAIGHT PROHIBITION. BUI to Make South Carolina "Dry" After July 1st Will Be Introduced In Afwembly To-Day Indications Are That It Will Be IaMMd Strong Combination of Former Op ttonlstM and Dispensary Advocates With the prohibitionist No Out standing Leaders Yet on Opposing Side Prohibitionists Have Strong Force to Pilot BUI Through Both House Big Fight Now Begins In Sandlapper Commonwealth. Observer Bureau, 1230 Berkeley Building. Columbia. 8. C, Jan 15. It now seems practically certain that this present Legislature will swing this State Into lino for State wide prohibition. Drafts of a prohi bition bill given to the engrossing department tn-day will be presented to-morrow. In the House it will be fathered by ex-Speaker M. L. Smith, of Camden; Mr. C. A. Smith, of Tim monsvllle, for many years moderator of the State Baptist Convention; J. P. Carey, one of the authors of the present Carey-Cothran t local option dispensary act, and J. P. Richards. Jr. Messrs. M. L. Smith and J. P. Richards are old State dispensary leaders, and both are understood to be grooming for Governor to succeed Mr. Ansel. Mr. C. C. Featherstone, of Laurens, avowed "state-wider" candidate for Govefcior, was here last night and this morning In conference with his friends in the Legislature. Indications at present point to a strong combination between former local option leaders, old State dis pensary leaders and simon-pure pro hibitionists. The proposition, how ever, will be vigorously fought by the delegations from those counties which are satisfied with the present system on account of its relieving the tax situation so well. It Is a curious fact, which the coming' annual report of the dispensary auditor of the State will show, that more dispensary liquor was sold last year with half the State "dry" than was sold at any time since the old bar-room regime. The gross sales amounted last year to something over three and a half million dollars, about the same as it was the first year of the county dispensary system with less than a third cf the State "dry." BILL COMES UP TO-DAY. The new bill which will be pre sented to-morrow calls for absolute (V,l!,,t, e T1v In, n thla year, the deferred period being made to allow for the disposition of pres ent stocks of liquor. Druggists may sell alcohol or wine, but only on the certificate of the person buying stat ing purpose for which he desires it. Alcphol may be used In the arts and wine for sacramental purposes and, sold only to ministers. All certifi cates go on file In tho county clerk's office. The penalty for violation, of any of the provision of the new law is 1100 to IS. 000 for the first oirenae, but imprisonment only for a second offense. The plan advocated by the State anti-saloon league as urged by State Sunerlntendent Harley, of that league, to have a special election on the subject in the spring appears to have been entirely abandoned. The old prohibition leaders have not look ed kindly upon Mr. Harley's promi nence and activity. The fight la to be made clear and straight. So far no leaders appear to have developed for the anti-prohibitionists. THE PURCHASE APPROVED. Southern Commercial Congress Pleas ed With the Office Building Site in Wellington Ilan Laid For the Promotion of the Souths Interests. Atlanta. Ga., Jan. 15. To vivify the business of the South by an organiza tion embracing 15 States and backed by an almost lnexhaustlbla fund, con tributed by leading business men of those States, was the proposition laid before the executive committee of the Southern Commercial Congress In session hers to-day. State organiza tions were mapped out and the mil lion dollar office building In Washing ton approved. A call was Issued to one thousand men of the South to contribute 1 1,000 each to a fund for permanent invest ment to carry oh the work. Methods for raising the balance of the necessary fund of $1,000,004). were considered and it was unanimously de cided to add to and to strengthen tho executive committee by -the appoint ment of representative men from vari ous sections, who are willing to con tribute their time, energy and money to the furtherance of the purposes of tho congress. In a statement to-night the com mittee says: The plan of the Southern Commer cial Congress Involves tta practical establishment at Washington of a Southern department of commerce j and labor, managed by practical busi ness men, directed to tho development of the South's resources rather than j the exploitation of localities; dlrei t Ing immigration to a whole section rather than to a single community and bringing to the attention of in vestors from other sections of our country and abroad the magnificent opportunities awaiting them, all to be done by concerted action." For the site of the proposed build ing the Southern Commercial Con gress has obtained one of the most magnificent locations In Washington with the northeast coiner of Fif teenth and H streets, o the czest of the hill, overlooking the Treasury building one block away, and the White House two blocks away. Adventlnts of Ashevllle Complete Church Building; Special to Tho Observer. Ashevllle, Jan. 15. The congrega tion .of. the Church of the Soventh Day Adventlsts of this rtlaeo has Just completed a handsome new church and Sunday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock will occur the dedication exercises. The sermon- will be preached by Rev. Dr. W. A. Went worth, presi dent of the Southeastern Union Con- TeWhce;'"whoe-tetrttot r hTerndeshe- States of North Carolina, South Car oline, Tennessee, Georgia and Flor ida. Rev. D. A. Parsons is pastor of the Seventh Day Adventlst church here and the congregation has grown rapidly during, the past few years, Colonel Tucker to Be Examined. Washington.. Jan. 15 CoL William F.v Tscker, assistant paymaster gen eral, s son-in-law of the late John A. Logan, has been ordered before an army retiring board at Chicago for examination to determine hi fit ness for further active duty. Colonel Tucker -is stiU at Hot 'S&rinra. Ark where he was ordered for treatment. SAYAN.N Ail ANDNEAE-BEER DEALERS MUST PAY STATE TAX. Defiant Attitude of savannah's Ne Beer Dealers May Lead the trov er nor to Declare Martial Law, Though Such a Course, It is Be--lleved by Many, Will Not Be Neces sary Public Sentiment is Against ' Prohlbitiou and Few Attempt Have Been Made to Enforce the Law Dispensers Will DooMles Pay the Tax Without Being Forced and Continue to Deal Out Intoxl cants Bonds Have Served For Licenses. Savannah, Ga., Jan. IS. Upon the refusal of the dealers In near-beer . In Savannah to pay the State tax of 4200 rests the blame for the present agitation in Georgia and elsewhere w hich has caused the prediction that Governor Hoke Smith will send troops from other portions of the Stats into, the country and declare martial law! In effect In Chatham county to' en force the observation of the Georgia prohibition law here. Few citizens of Chatham believe that troops will be sent or that the Governor wilt be driven to thla last , extremity in an effort to collect 'the ' near-beer tax of which the '- State stands so much In need. Rumor that martial law would be declared is regarded merely as a means to cause, the speedy paying of the tax..- It will very probably be paid and will amount b 125,000 Or $30,000, and the -result will probably be that liquor of the sort that is tabooed under tfi prohibition law will be sold as before,' in Savannah, with probably greater concealment. Savannah's geographical position that of a sea port renders her con-' dttion dissimilar to that of other Georgia cities and is In part respon sible for whatever laxity ' there has -been In rounding up, punishing aad -ending the activities of sellers of liquor. Sentiment here is very large- -ly opposed to prohibition and is prob ably but little decreased by the statute that makes the sale of liquor' the act of an outlaw f .. ' INTOXICANTS ARE BOLD. ; t Should the question be continually agitated and 'the local dealers con tinue in their refusal to pay the near beer tax a condition 'that It Is not believed will exist then it Is believed fat Governor Smith will send troops and enforce the collection of the tax and, it possible, put an end to the sale of liquors, outside the, weak variety provided for In the prohibition law. ' , It has been reiterated In local newspapers, has not been denied and la generally known to' be true -that with the full cognisance of city of ficials, a plan has been followed that while it pours a revenue into (Me city a treasury, ooes not stop me sate of. Intoxicants. - The city has received already many thousands of dollar from the plan that the alleged "blind tiger" operators have agreed to will ingly and that has left In existence a hundred or more regularly appoint ed saloons In the city. ; . I This plan was inaugurated ' many months ago. The police department In a quiet raid notified scores of the alleged liquor dealers that they must report at police headquarters. ' There they were freed after depositing a bond of 100 for their appearance in police court the following day. They failed to appear and the bonds, were forfeited to the city. ' It -as understood, and has proven to be fact, that for a period, probably com mensurate wtth a period covered under the old regime by a license tax of $100, the operators would be allowed to sell during week days without Interference by the police. This plan has been followed since- CONFIRMATION DOUBTFUL. H. F. Seawell's Appointment May Be Held Up For Bosesaljfteason Set tic Hopes to Be Appointed by Taft. Observer Bureau, Congress Hall Hotel, ' t Washington Jan. Iti , It develops now that H. F. Seawall may not be confirmed by the. Senate ' for the Judgeship of eastern North Carolina. This comes from several ' reasons. He Is said to bo too young and inexperienced; he was a Populist; he got damages from a railroad fog being rotten-egged by bad boys. The Senate is not anxious to confirm any mora of Mr. Roosevelt's appointment than It can help, and several others would like to have the Job. The ap pointment. Mr. Loeb said to-day would not be made until Monday. The friends of Mr. Thomas Settle believe that If the confirmation of Seawell can be blocked until Mr. Taft a inaugurated. Settle will be appoint ed. No one has thus far said anv- thing sgatnst Seawell's character. o ability. Republicans in the Senats are talking about defeating the con- . firnjiation. ' - Representative Poo, Who Is OA the ways and means committee, ha bees given two Important subjects for the tariff discussion. He will study - the subjects and discuss the tariff on them from a Democratic standpoint H. E. a B. k President Is Considering- Several Names For the Judgeship. ; . Washington, Jan. IS. At the White House to-day it was stated that the President Is considering the names of several men which have, -been presented to htm ' before send-' tog to the Senate the nomination for Federal Judge of the eastern district of North' Carolina, No action- will be taken on the matter until Monday or Tuesday. It was expected the President woujd send the nomination, ef H. F. Seawell. of Carthage, N. C to the Senate on Thursday. v Three Negroes Killed In Roller Ex plosion. . 1. Laurens. S. C. Jan. 1 5. Three negro men- and mBte-wer tnstan; ry J killed to-day. by a boiler explosiot which occurred at Barnes' saw mill, four mile from this city. . Theengln used in the operation of the nvit had been out of repair and John Woody, a machinist of this place, was employed In-mending it when, the explosion occurred, killing him and two others. .The bodies were horribly mangled. - - - J i: Rockefeller Arrive in AacnstaC : Augusta, Ga., Jan. 15. John r Rockefeller 'and party, numbcrlr? fourteen persona, arrl'.-ed to-day fx a stay of several weeks. "Tj j .-. r -. t include! Mrs. S.- L. teUmsa ail iliss McCorrcick, ' "" 7
The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Jan. 16, 1909, edition 1
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