North Carolina Newspapers

Sb Metrtlle fafte THE ASSOCIATED PRESS DISPATCHES LAST EDITION 4:00 P. BL Weather Forecast: GENERALLY FAIR. VOL. XVII., NO. 151. ASHEVILLE, N .0., FRIDAY AFTERNOON, AUGUST 2, 1912. 3c PER COPY MONROE NOT IK- Lodge Says Magdalena Re solve Rests on Ground that Every Nation May Pro tect Its Safety. WOULD MAKE CLEAR NATION'S POSITION Declares It in Interest of Peace That Nation Do So Session Is Exec utive. Washington; Aug. 2. Before the senate had proceeded far with the Magdalena bay resolution today, the discussion began to touch so close to government secrets that the doors were closed and consideration went on in executive session. Senator Lodge, calling up this resolution framed to re cord the disapproval with which the United States would regard the acqul sltloni of any property by foreign in terests on the western hemisphere, which might eventually become mil itary or naval bases, declared Its pas sage was In the Interest of peace. The committee on foreign relations believed It wise that the United States Should make Its position known and should not let a situation arpje In which It might be necessary to urge upon a frleridly nation to withdraw when that nation could not do so without humiliation. Said he: "This is merely a statement of policy to make clear the position this nation will take under such circumstances." "What Is .the real meaning of this resolution as It effects the Monroe doctrine?" asked Senator Simmons. "Is It an extension or further applica tion of that principle." "The declara tion rests on much broader and older ground than the Monroe doctrine," replied Senator Lodge. "The resolu tion rests on the general accepted principle that every nation has right ,to protect Its own safety, and if it ! ''Is the possession of anr given har bor or place prejudicial to Its safety It Is Its duty and right to Intervene." Lodge said the Monroe doctrine did not touch on the precise point Involv ed In the Magdalena bay case. "In this particular case," said ho, "It became apparent that no govern ment Is engaged In trylr.ig to get hold o Magdalena bay. But it did appear that certain people were trying to dis pose of iland about the bay to a for-' elgn corporation. While the govern ment take? no possession of the place itself, possession may be taken by a foreign corporation that would be un der the control of the government." As the debate proceeded behind closed doors, many Joined In the de mand to know what effect might fol low a pronouncement by the United States that It-would guard Its ap proachea to the extent of keeping for eign corporations from acquiring iand at advantageous points. Lodge cited the Instance of England protesting against Germany acquiring a naval site on the coast of Morocco, and the acts of other nations. After three hours' debate behind closed doors the senate today adopt ed the Lodge resolution, Dl to 4. WILSON TO STAND CLEAR OF LOCAL DEM. FIGHTS Declines to Take Part in Fac tional Strife in New ' York. Sou Olrt, N. J., Aug. 2. Oovernor Wilson made clear last night his In tention to take no part In factional luarrols and to keep hnnds off In any disagreements democrats of any state may have among themselves. He was asked particularly about the situation m New York and said his answer would apply not only there, but to all "titer localities. " I do. not Intend t Interfere In any tat where state fights are concern ed," he said. IThat Is the program "t only In New York but all along the line. It to the only proper thlnglthan 1100 delegates In the Coliseum r mo to do. The governor made his announce ment after Senator O'Oorman had called on him and told reporters that he had discussed the situation In New York with Cover i r Wilson. Senator ''Herman said neither the governor nor his friends would Interfere In any roubles among democrats In New York. Senator O'Oorman was sure of New vork for tho democratic ticket. The 'bird party tkiket, he added, has made the result doubly certain. CONDITION REPORT Criming Cotton Crop In the United Males TM per rent of Normal on July SB. Washington, Aug. 2. -The condition 'f the growing cotton crop of the I'nlted Hlatos on July tl wag 71.1 per normal, according to a de- rnport puiied tlona by state "lav. Com) It irth Cur POLICY SOLVED IK NORTH STATE Delegates Selected to Chicago and Instructed to Vote for Colonel. Gazete-News Bureau, Dally News Building, Greensboro, Aug. 2. A new political party was born in North Carolina yesterday afternoon when fully 50 citizens of the state, formerly connected with the republi can party, met at the McAdoo hotel, renounced allegiance to the old re publican party; formed a new party to be known as the "national progres sive" party; adopted resolutions and selected delegates to the progressive party convention in Chicago August S with instructions to vote for Col. The odoro Roosevelt a the presidential nominee. The resolution adopted pn vldes for a- call for a state convention at a later date and for the selection of a district and state executive commit tee. Prominent among the partlcl pants In the new party movement were; 8, S. McNlnch. W. S. Pearson, of Charlotte; V. B. Carter of Nash county; T. E. Owens of Sampson, 11. J. Petree of Stokes, J. N. Williamson, Jr, E. A. Holt, J. W. Brown, W. L Dameron of Alamance. R. J. Mills of Korsryth, O. C. Cox of Rockingham, J. M. Allen of Randolph. A. A. Holton, W. E. Snow, John Shults, J. A. Groome of (luilford, Price Easley of Orange. Mr. Wllllam5ion was chosen chairman of the meeting and Col. Pearson, secretary. Later they were elected permanent chairman and sec retary, respectively. Following are the delegates selected to attend the Chicago convention: J. N. Williamson of Alamance, S. S. McNlnch and W. S. Pearson of Mecklenburg, R. H. Riggs bee of Durham, E. A. Holt of Ala mance, Iredell Mraree of New Han over, T. E. Owens of Sampson, W. S. Bailey of Nash, A. H. Adams, J. L Pitkin of Guilford, N. W. Brown of Orange, J. N. Burgess, Charle? A. Jones of Lincoln, J. B. Sumner of Buncombe. The conference remained In session from 3 o'clock In the after noon until 6 and was very harmoni ous. The resolution adopted follows; "Resolved, That the chairman of this meeting be authorized to appoint a committee composed of one member from each congressional district and four from the state at large, the chair man and secretary of the meeting to be members of this committee, for the purpose of naming a time and place for a state progressive convention and employing whatever means they think best to aid in the election of Theodore Roosevelt to the presidency; said con vention to meet at the call of the chairman and secretary of this meet ing. "Second, Wi'h a view of being rep resented at the approaching conven tion of the progressives at Chicago on August 5 this meeting voicing, as It believes, the wishes of many thou sands of voters of both the old par ties In North Carolina, name persons to represent the state at suld conven tion." The chairman and secretary were Instructed to sign the credentials of the delegates chosen by the meeting. The officers of the Jefferson Stand ard Life Insurance company of Hul elgh, were formally moved from that city to Greensboro yesterday and offices opened here In the Benbow Aicade. It was stated that only the stock book area other official books, papers, etc., were moved at this time and that the clerk fore, fixing etc . will be moved here In about two weeks. The office secured for the Jefferson Standard in the Benbow Aicade are only temporary, the state ment being made that a committee was now making arrangements to se cure permunent quarters. GATHER FOR MEET Progressive leaders Hay More Than 1100 Dt'li-gatcH Will Attend the Chicago Convention. Chicago, Aug. 2. Men active In the progressive party cause arrived today Irom all parts of the country and leaders declared there will be more at noon Monday. Among the arrivals waa George W. Perklna of New York, who said that the progressive move ment Is what poople want and will support and that It had ample funds. Senator Dixon, director of the pro gressive campaign, said he did not believe the provisional national com mittee would have any serious trouble In deciding contests from Georgia, Mississippi and Florida. He said he did not believe there would he any pegro delegates from the south. t W. W.'s CONVICTED Six I .coders of Hie Symll" alhtls In I a Angeles I in hsiii; i m Many, Han Diego, Aug. 2. Six leaders of the Industrial workers of the world were found guilty of felony' last night. The convicted men are Attorneys Kirk and MrKoo. Jack White, H. Kls NEWPARTYFORMED police emu UN LEWIS Latest Arrest Is Put Through Third Degree in Effort Further to Impli cate Becker. TWO OTHERS SOON WILL BE IN TOILS Prosecutor Now Says He Will First Convict Slayers and Later Trail the Grafters. New York, Aug. 2. "Whltey Jack" Lewis, one of the four men accused of shooting down Gambler Rosenthal, underwent a third degree grilling to day, the prosecutor aiming to glean Information that will supply corrob oration of the confessions of Roe, V'allon and Weber, In which they de clare Police Lieutenant Becker sought the death of Rosenthal, Lewis, whose real name is Frank Seldenshue, was picked up yesterday at Fleischmanns, N. Y.. as he was just about to board i train for the west. A band of ea-t side gangsters met the train bringing Lewis back, but fell away when they spied headquarters detectives. "Whltey" Lewis, one of the four gunmen wanted by the police as the actual murderers of Herman Rosen thal, the gambler, was arrested in the CatskIM 'mountain yesterday after noon and was late last night taken to Kingston, N. Y., to be lodged In the county jail. This was announced at police headquarters here by Inspector Hughes, who said three of his detec tives had located Lewis at Flelsh manns, New York, a summer resort 4fi miles from Kingston. After searching the region for nearly two weeks the detectives found Lewis working on a farm, Inspector Hughes said, and ar retted him ju t as he was about to board a train at Flelshmanns to make his escape. It was reported at polce headquar ters that "Lefty" Louis and "Gyp the Blood" two of the alleged murderers still at large had been tracked to the same vicinity and that their arrest would come soon. The news that a; least one of the fugitives had been trapped was received with great ela tion at police headquarters because of the criticism that has been directed toward the department for Its failure to arrest the fugitives charged with the actual killing. With the arrest of Lewis the police now have In custody two of the four alleged assassins, the other being "Dago" Frank, who Is now In the Tombs and a fellow pris oner of Police' Lieutenant Charles Becker, who 1? charged with Instlgat Ing the gunmcnt to kill Rosenthal In order to stop his exposures of alleged blackmail levied by the police upon the gamblers. Detective Harvey, one of the men who arrested Lewis, in a report made to Inspector Hughes over the long distance telephone said that the pris oner refused to talk about the assas sination of Rosenthal nnd denied all knowledge of even the slightest details of the murder. To lrfw Murder Charge. While District Attorney Whitman has confidence that as a result of his Investigation Into the murder of Ro enthal he has obtained evidence point ing strongly to the existence of a well organized system of police graft, he announced that this phase of the In vcsllgation wquld be subordinated un til he had convicted the murderers or the gambler and all Involved In the plot to kill him. "Murder." said Whitman last night "Is a graver crime than the levy of blackmail by the police department and police grafting until these mur dera have been brought to justice. am endeavoring to prosecute to con viction all the murderers. They should have been arrested at the scene of the crime. The fact that they are still at large Is a very serious reflection upon conditions in the po lice department." The prosecutor took pains to add however, that the Investigation Into the graft system was In his view a recondary consideration only for the time being and seld that he had dele gated Assistant District Attorney Moss to carry It on. Mr. Moss expects to See In his cell "Jack" Hose, self-confessed graft col lector for Charles Keeker, the police lieutenant who l charged with lnstl gating Rosenthal's murder and will go over with him again his sworn statement that Becker had told him that the annual blackmail levied by the police upon gambling houses and other Illegal resorts amounted to 12 400.000. These ilgures the district at torney believes to be no exaggeration Mr. Moss expects to get from Rose and also from "Bridgle" Weber, the men who confessed to paying the murderers of Mown thai for their work, a Hat of gamblers who paid tribute and also a list of graft colree tors. These all will be summoned before grand jury and from them It Is hoped to gain clues Indicating to whom Mill up" the graft came and how It waa distributed. Following out this policy of a two fold prosecution, Mr. Whitman hnt ContioueO aa page two. WILSON WOK T Will Retain the Governorship of New Jersey While Mak ing Campaign for the Presidency. IS NOW ORGANIZING NATIONAL COMMITTEE Senators Hoke Smith and Cul berson and Representative Clayton Confer With the Nominee. Sea Girt, N. J.. Aug. 2. Three southerners vtaitod Gov. Wilson to day. They were Senators Hoke Smith of Georgia and Culberson of Texas and Representative Clayton of Ala bama, chairman of the house judi ciary committee. It Is said Culberson, who is a member of the national cam paign committee, discussed with Wll- on ponding legislation in congress re lating publicity before the election of all campaign contributions. Formal announcement was made today by Governor Wilson that he would not resign the governorship of New ejrsey during his campaign for rtie presidency. The governor had kept his mind open on the question of resigning ever since the Baltimore convention. Leading democrats in tho state, however, turned him to follow the precedent of Grover Cleveland, who was nominated for the presidency ut continued in office as governor of New York. The governor Is keenly interested n the prospective results from the ommlttee investigating the tax prob lem and the efficiency of state affairs n New Jersey and promlnenit demo crats asked him not to resign office unless called to a higher one. Governor Wilson today gave atten tion to the problem of organizing the national democratic committee. The governor said the delay in organisa tion was due to H: committee's earn est desire to make thorough prepara tions for a division of campaign labor. ROOSEVELT TALKS Says Neither of Did Parties Has Met Negro Issue Fairly. Oyster Pay. Aug. 2. The attitude of the national progressive party to ward the negro is taken at length in careful statement Col. Roosevelt has completed and which he will make public In a few days. Neither of the old parties. Roosevelt asserts, has met the negro question fairly and honest ly. The democratic party, he said, is openly against Hie negro and the re publican party bud placed him on an artificial basis so far as his relations with the party are concerned. The colonel declined to discuss the policy proposed in his statement, but he was determined to do all In his power to prevent a repetition of conditions, which he said exist In the south In the republican party. The republican convention at Chicago, Roosevelt said, Illustrated this point and showed the republican party had been ruined by the charocter of Its southern repre sentation. CLOSED SHOP MOVE IN STEEL INDUSTRY Amrrh an Kcd ration of Labor Plans to Bring Greatest sn-i l Mills llllu l lit- Colon. Washington. Aug. 2. A circular here today am nces a campaign by the American federation of leaner to bring the greatest open shops In the steel Industry In the country Into the union. It Is punned to hold meetings simultaneously in every town where a steel plant Is located. WHITE SLAVER HELD Rhliard J. lbmlUtg Jailed at Macon on Charge of Transporting Uirl III '"IIAHI'lllll. Monroe, La., Aug. 2. Richard J. Dowllng, ullas 1). J. Wilson, R. J. Logan and other names, waa today jailed here on I ha charge of white Slavery. Bpcclllcalty It la alleged that thev carried ICthi I Conlev of New Or i kM lo I'ensneola for Immoral pur pores. Dowllng, It is reported, wanted 'In Florida and T. nn us u for an alleged swindle. Mexican Indiana Revolt. Mexico City, Aug. 1. Alleging that they Me victims of treachery on the part of the government In the recent animosity grant, the Btarra Juarea In in um iviiii noslty grant, tl Sported' mainland. 40 dians ii nd of the stat PIT POSITION OF IE PSI1 BAILEY SPEAKS FOR SIMMONS In Speech at Goldsboro He Points to Senior Sena tor's Long Record of Success. DEPLORES MUNACE TO PARTY HARMONY Candidates Clark and Kitchin Criticised for the Meth ods Employed in the Campaign. Special to The Gazete-News. Goldsboro, Aug. 2. Hon. Joseph" William Bailey made a great speech last night in Goldsboro In behalf of the candidacy of F. M. Simmons for the senate. The speech was delivered i in bis characteristic style, and was very effective, although he treated (.., - .'IlllllUUE, 1 1 I j I . HI ' I manner, oolntpd out. thai rhp v I . JT l.rnl'.i 1 - t ... ......... :.. ... y s " -. i i-i 1 1 1 1 tin- 1 1 , u i in dii efforT. to gen e sell'. The speech was I an absolute vindication of Simmons' ' record, and every criticism directed toward him was answered convincing ly. A large and enthusiastic audience greeted his remarks throughout with applause. Mr. Bailey said In part: I do not believe that in calling the senatorial primary the democratic party intended that any of the candi dates should so conduct his campaign as to divide or impair the efficiency of the party in the midst of a cam paign against the republicans. And yet here is Governor Kitchin attacking the democratic state con vention, and attempting to read out o the party as good democrats as ever lived. And Judge Clark In his Greensboro speech proposed to divide our happily united democratic camp into reactionaries and progressives with c. new definition of prostressivism made just to suit his candidacy. And his manager is openly attacking our state chairman. if we are to have this sort of cam paign, I would like to know what sort of party we will have at the end of it. Will the party be weaker or stronger, undivided or divided',' I regard the welfare of the democratic party as more important to our commonwealth Just now than tlie ambitions of any of the candidates. And I hold that It Is the duty of good democrats to see to It that these movements to upset the party are promptly rebuked. There Is abundant room for the candidates to make their campaigns on the mer its of their claims and not at the ex pense of the party's harmony and of Its welfare In the coming contest, as Governor Aycock set forth In his great speech read after his death. He loved the democratic party. Contrasts Simmons' Conduct. I call attention to Senator Simmons' career in these matters. Have you heard of, him attacking anybody? Have you heard of him reading any body out of the party? On the other hand, consider how faithfully he has stood at his post In the senate, not turning aside for any of these attacks but going right on in his great work of forcing the republican president and senate to an Issue on tariff revi sion on the verge of the campaign. Mr. Kitchin has left his post as gov ernor, Judge Clark has descended from his seat as chief justice (al though he bus not resigned) each of them with a decisive program to pro mulgate, while Mr. Simmons notwith standing the attacks made upon him. has remained at his post of duty. The course of which of them commends it self to you ? 1 submit to you. my fellow demo crats, which of the three presents the hitler spectacle from any standpoint? Which Is standing to his post, and which Is not 1 Which Is dividing the party and which is not? Which is maintaining his candidacy on a high Vlunc, and which Is not? Senator Simmons' services this sum mer to his nation and nis party eclipse not only the records of his rivals, but In the light of them their promises and criticisms grow pale and punv. II is one thing to talk, criti cise and boast; It Is quite another to go ahPHil and do things, as the Bena tor Is doing. Senator Simmons has risen to lond- ershlp In the I'nlted States senati more rapidly thin any man that ever held a commission from North Oaro Una In congress. That he Is, and has for six months now, been floor leader of the democrats in the battle of tar Iff revision Is Indisputable. Every dally paper brings us news of his ac tlvity and of his success In this lead ershlp. The best his critics can do Is to ncrlbe his democratic leadership to republican favor a transparent false hood. The senate rules provide, as all Intelligent men know, that each pkrty In the senate shall appoint Its own leaders and name its representatives on the committee. Senator Simmons owes his high rank as senate demo cratic leader to his proved ability, to his party loyalty and to the unanimous vote of the democratic caucus. Senator Simmons has not only risen to the leadership of the senate, but he has dono a great work therein for North Carolina. Hla constructive ststesmanahlp and hla Influence shoao In the greatly Increased propria I Inns for public Improverr (.Continued on rage Two.) CONVICT LABOR QUESTION UP CLOSING SPEECHES IN GRACE TRIAL Defense Says Grace's Court room Appearance Is Due to Theatrical Plot. Atlanta, Aug. 2. The Grace case went to the jury at 1:17 this after noon. Atlanta, Aug. 2. The argument of attorneys in the Grace trial was re sumed this morning and is expected to be completed this afternoon, when the case will go to the jury. Attor ney Moore for the defense, charged the prosecution with bringing Grace into the court room on a stretcher in a theatrical plot to make the accused woman break down had f.iilorl but claimed it With her husband's face leering at her from the pillow of his' cot, Mrs. Dnlsv F. flraee vesrerdav related her i trv nt th. Khnntlno- to thA Inrv .. r. -- - ,. "I did not shoot Mr. Grace and he knows it; as God is my judge, that la , the solemn trutn, she exclaimed ura- inaticallv. and Grace's lins Darted In t..i t i " "mul 11 wa " - ...1.1 ;.. ., ...,,, , ,,;,!, atuij, luiu in a i , i 1 1 1 1 , evrii uicc, niui- out pause, as though it had been well rehearsed. Grace was revealed in black colors as a creature who had rewarded wifely love and generosity with the grossest cruelty and infi delity. Mrs. Grace occupied the better part of an hour in its telling. At Its con clusion she left the stand and the de fense rested its case. As she did not make the . statement under oath the porescution was denied the privilege of cross-examination. The state then put on one or two witnesses in rebut tal and rested finally. Five hours are to be divided by the two sides In summing up. Lamar Hill, counsel for Grace, occupied an hour of the prosecution's time before adjournment was taken. A bold stroke by the prosecution in trying to have Grace sworn to rebut the statement of the accused woman, did not succeed. Judge Roan ruled. that, under the Georgia law, a hus band was not competent to testify against his wife. Mrs. Grace declared in her state ment that Grace shot Himself during n scuffle with her for possession of a pistol with which he was trying to shoot her. It was not the first time he had attempted to kill her, she said. Last summer after she had made her will In his favor at his insistence, she testified that he tried to throw her overboard from a steamer on which they were making a trip from New mat wnen tney were in Atiannc cuy Hiie icauiieu mai ne inrew ner a.;.u the bed and held a pistol at her head declaring that he would kill her If she did not stop talking to him about go ing to work. She said that he had Continued on page two. M IV BIEJPLUBALITY Vote in Gubernatorial Contest 25,000 More Than That of Nearest Opponent. N'nshvllle, Tenn.. Aug. 2. Addi tional returns today from yesterday's primary swell the plurality of former Congressman McMillan for the gov ernorship. Ho carried not less than 80 of 9(i counties and his vote ap parently exceeds that of his nearest opponent, Thomas Preston, by 25.000. 'ongressman Garrett's renomlna- tlon in the ninth district over i .i hi well was by nt least 4000. D. J. CONFEREES AGREE Democrats Dim IiIp to PreHC.nt to Taft Wool Hill Identical t TYal He Vetoed. Washington, Aug. 2. An agree ment between democratic leaders of the house and senate to frame a com promise wool bill similar to the meas ure vetoed by Taft last summer was reached today at a meeting of con ferees. The compromise on the wool bill will be on the bases of a 29 per cent duty on raw wool, Instead of 20per cent as In the house bill and 25 per cent as In the LaPnllette bill. Rihtdy made clothing, women's dress go ods, knit fabrics and the like the hotise rates ranging from 35 to SO per cant and the IFollette rate be 55 per cittt will he compromised at 49 per cent. Representative Underwood ex pensed the expectation of pawing thva cotton revision bill today. Fighting Just Begun, Says Oroaro. El Paso. Aug. I. General Oron o, the Mtxlcsn rebel leader, today de- hired thnt he had not aaked for peace terms for himself or any of hla men. i "The fighting la Just beginning," he said today, "and you may deny tor all time to come that 1 have aaked for peace. There can lie no peace, as long as MaUuro Is president." , , HUN North Carolina Good Roads Association Convention Threshes our Subject Animated Debate. HIGHWAY BUILDING RECORDS ARE GIVEN State Aid to Counties in High way Building Advocated in Paper by Dr. Hyde Pratt. Charlotte, Aug. 2. A spirited di -cussion of the advisability of leasing convicts to railroads and corporations. in the course of which the state farm- ing operations were denounced as the competition of criminal labor with honest labor, was the decided feature in flip flrct da- nf thn atvt. anr,n.i .... . .... .. convention oi uie Aortn Carolina , , ., sion was precipitated by a talk of Superintendent Laughlnghouse of the stole penitentiary, in which he advo cated the employment of all able bodied convicts on the county roads under the county chaingang system and the employment of crippled, weak or otherwise incapable ones on the state farm. About 500 regular delegates and a large number of visitors were present in the city auditorium when President H. H. Varner of Lexington called the convention to order at 10:15 yesterday morning. Following the openii? prayer, Mayor C. A. Bland welcomed the visitors for the city. For the Greater Charlotte club Its president, C. O. Keuster, extended welcome and announced the entertainment program for the two days, C. C Moore, clerk of the court of Mecklenburg county, welcomed the delegates In behaJf of the county. President Varner responded first for the association and was followed by W. C. Felmster of Catawba, who in the absence of J. A. Wellons, on the formal program, responded to the welcome for the delegates. Interesting Reports Submitted. r'irst In business on the program was the submitting of annual reports by the officers of the assocltalon. Chief In Importance and Interest among these was the report of the secretary of the association, Joseph Hyde Pratt, who is also state geolo gist. Dr. Pratt reviewed the progress I In the state for the year in building , the gecretary, had during the year ls- 8Ued bondg tor approximately 600.- 000 for improving highways, while i many more are now contemplating similar action The association, he asrerted, had played a prominent part In securing these results by having addresses delivered In nearly every county In the state, and taking part In bond election campaign The speaker reported a total membership of the state, and county associations of nearly 1200 members. Dr. Pratt prosented, also the omy Informal paper at the morning session dealing with the subject of state aid for the counties In good roads build ing. This duty on the part of the state Is beyond all question said the speaker. Five hundred thousand do1 lars annually Is wasted In North Caro lina, said Dr. Pratt, and the tource ot much of this waste Is the maintenance of the roads after they are built. Highway Place For Convcts. Captain Laughlnghouse, superin tendent of the state prison, next rl statistics 'concerning convict labor. Out of 3500 state convicts all but about 730 are nt Work on tho count' ronds. and tome 200" ire at work in the counties In which Un y were con vlcted. "Vou know In Mecklenburg ho ls," said the speaker. "The strong, able convicts are sent to the county roadf, while the weak ard Incap ones are sent to the state penitent: These with a few who are convicted o the more serious crimes constitute tli :. clas at the state penitentiary. I I Heve the place for the convict Is on th public highway." By a new system of survelllan' -only 40 prisoners have escaped In three years against an average of 41 a yenr previously. Captain laughlnghouse also de fended the state farm against the city of convict farm competition with hon est labor, saying that the 1(100 bale of cotton raised on the farm was incon siderable In terms of the whole Drop A number of speakers took Issue with Captsln Laughlnghouse's posi tion. Solicitor Hammer of Asheboro csme out emphatically for using the convict on a system of state high ways, and suggested the Issuance by the state of ISO. 000, 000 in bonds if necessary to carry on the work. This speaker also took laaue on ths convict farm question, saying that he had never known of a. feeble convict be ing put off on thq farm, and assert ing that "the suspicion of favoritism In placing convicts with different rail roads Is not satisfactory to the people of the state." Pratt Against I.aatag Convict Dr. decided stand