j: TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION.; X One Year, by Mall, $5.00j uaranteed Bona-rwe, circulation Larger Than That Of Any Other Daily News paper Published in , Wilmington. X ORNING x ,K on mtDUi, " S.DV , X Three Month, m , 1,25 Two Months " 1.00; Delivered to Subscribers In the T pity at 45 Cents per Month. . I I TUB STATE. X VOL. LXVIL NO. 101. WILMINGTON, N. C, SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 1901. WHOLE NO. 10,428 h . n 7 f 1 I HE Star OUTLINES. Lesident McKinley is steadily re L: t.nm hi recent sickness. Ti .-. t tmt the British lernment will return the amended Pauncefote treaty with amena- - The Naval ropriation bill, as reported to the ,e, carries $77,016,635. .The Ltu Hprttl the greater pari or EW 11 w v-w B - Urday to eulogies upon the late ttor Gear of lowa. ioic r,. frnm tobacco erowing States fthe Senate Committee on Finance l A iducethetax on tobacco to eigui. nnnnil. Relations between irTr,it states and Venezuela have V:- A disDatch from fes. Isle of Wight, at midnight, Queen Victoria was striCKen who lysis and .lying at death's door; p,inr of Wales has practically lined the regency. Germany offer no obstacle to .Ktitsia seiz Manchuria. Gen. Lee s birth- DTODriately observed yes- hy in many Southern cities. four-masted schooner ashore near es. Dal, is the Wm. J. Lipsett. Nw York markets: Money on easier at lb per cent ; cotton dull; j-m 1 ling uplands 10c; nour nominal nrnalr- wheat SDOt dull : No. 2 pc; corn spot steady; No. 2, 47c: dull; strained common to goou ; spirits turpentine dull at .40 WEATHER REPORT DEP'TOB" A.GRICULTCRE, . weather Bureau, Wilmington, N. O., Jan. 19. ) mp-jratures: 3 A. AL, 29 degrees; M., 40 degrees; maximum, 48 de ls; minimum, 27 degrees; mean, 33 tees. infill for the day, ; rainfall 1st of the montlv up to date, 1 30 es. A age of water in tsCap9 Fear river 'ayetteville, N. Q, at 8 A. M , 12.2 FORECAST FOR TO-DAY. jFashixgton. Jan. 19. For North. folina: Fair Sunday; warmer in ern portion; diminishing north terly winds, becoming southerly; nday, probably rain. Port Almanac-- January 20. Rises 7.03 A.M. Sets 5.15 P.M. 's Length 10 H. 07 iL & Water at Southpj-i.79 P. M. fb Water Wilmfcr b"7 u.JteP. M. he detectives have come to the elusion that Pat Crowe is also a ratory bird, and are hunting for in in .Louisiana. iThe town of Warren, Ohio, came kr having s colored inceneration a Vr days ago when an angry crowd fire -to the jail to burn a negro o had beaten a white boy. iVilliam Woolsey, of Hartford jinty, Maryland, departed some lat from the usual order in mak- bis will. He left 553,000 to be Id for the improvement of tho Ids in that county. A. Massachusetts horse thief who a served fifteen years in the peni- ptiary, and got out to enjoy a for te of 15,000 which he inherited, pldn't resist the force of habit and nt to horse-stealing again. rThe kisser3 and huggers come to ef occasionally. " A few days ago tis3 snatcher out west was jabbed the arm by a girl with a hat pin, kl died, and a few nights ago a low in .New xoric who unaertooK hug all the girls at a party, struck e kicker who snatched a table ife, jabbed it in Whim, and he died. You couldn't persuade Milton Combs, of Sharon, Pa., that fere is nothing in dreams. He nt to the Klondike a couple of rs ago and pegged away without king more than enone-h to buv " j hash. Then he went' to dream , DreamM where he could grab nuggets, went there, grabbed jhile and then sold hi3 stake for p.000 cash, and like a sensible ow came home. There now in Asheville two Texas Ins, visiting relatives. They stand feet three inches in height, are lit in proportion and are still wing a3 they are only 19 years lhere are thirtebn children the family and the dwraf of the hily measures six feet. Their ents are North Carolinians who ked to Texas, where all the chil- n were born. This shows what tth Carolina stock can do when las plenty of room to elongate. O. Armour, who has taken management of the business be hi3 father's death, contradicts eport that he i3 goiug to with- w from business and devote him- f to society. He iys when ha 3 readv to r)ATnt$.;monir J . , . fcninocn bU ething besides business, it will It be "society " on wbih ii more stuck than his sire was. A to with as many millions as J. 0. can te ms name for wouldn't have to much devoting to become a king in society. PERSONAL PARAGRAPHS. Mrs. J. Kohn and son arrived yesterday from Atlanta. 'Ticket Agent J. D. Edwards, of the A. C. L., is on the . sick list. Franklin McNeill, Esq., and wife returned last night from Raleigh. Mr. C. E. Gause arrived in the city last night on his way to SouthporL Miss Sadie Sloan has returned to the city after a visit to friends at Garland, N. C. 4 Mr. F. J. Dempsey of Acorn Branch, was a pleasant caller at the Star office yesterday. The Stab is glad to announce the rapid convalescence of Rev. P. C. Morton, and that he will fill his ap pointments to-day as usual. LOCAL DOTS. A white prisoner named Rod erick, who escaped from the county chain gang some time ago, was cap tured last night by Constable Sheehan and remanded to jail. The morning service at St. Paul's Episcopal Church to day will be conducted by Rt. Rev. Bishop A. A. Watson; the evening seryice at 7.45 P. M. by Rav. F. H. T. Hors field. NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. Myers & Co. For sale. N. F. Parker Look in. S. P. McNair Seed potatoes. Geo. O. Gay lord New goods. A. Mavronichols Fancy fruit. Masonic Meeting Concord Chapter. D. L. Gore Co. Fox River butter. VonGlahn & Gibson Silk worms. A. D.Brown Spring goods arriving. J. H. Rehder & Co. Walking hats. BUSINESS LOCALS. Wanted Cotton sails. P. EL Hay den Buggies, wagons. Notice Positions under government k BOY ACCIDENTALLY SHOT. Harry Keen Received a Ballet la His Side at Wrlghtsvllle Yesterday. Harry Keen, the twelve-year-old son of Mr. John T. Keen, who resides at No. 715 Grace street, was accidentally shot about 5 o'clock yesterday after noon on Wrightsville Sound by Clar ence Craft, son of Mr. T. C. Craft. Young Craft was trying to load a 33 calibre pistol when it went off, the ball entering Harry Keen's right side just above the hip. The wound is not considered dangerous. Six young boys Harry Keen, Clar ence Craft,. Harry Stanland, Sam Pen ny, Will Dunham and Walter Wood cock whose ages range rom eleven to fifteen years, went to the Sound yesterday afternoon in a surry. The boys were standing on the gangway in front of the Atlantic View Hotel when Clarence Craft tried to load a pistol which he claims to have found, and it went off, the ball entering the side of young Keen, who was standing a few steps away. Capt. Oscar Grant was near by at the time of the accident and brought the wounded boy up to the city on a special train over the .Seacoast road. Dr. T. S. Burbankwas notified by tele phone and met the train at the station. The boy was taken home and his wound Pressed. The physician didn't probe for the bullet but said be thought it was only a flesh wound. The young fellow was doing very nicely last night. The other boys drove back to Wilmington in post haste, all more or less frightened. This is"Chirity Sunday." The Stab is asked to remind its readers that to-day will be observed, it is hoped, in all the city churches as "Charity Sunday." It is expected that a collection will be taken at all the services to-day for the "Associated Charities," the great work of which in stitution is so well- known throughout the entire length and breadth of Wil mington. Crescent Stock company. Patrons of the theatre are reminded that on to-morrow eyening the Cres cent Stock Company will begin its Southern tour with a week's engage ment at the Opera House here. The cast is one of the very best that has visited here this season in a popular priced attraction, and the plays are all new, bright and admirably interpreted. The prices are 10, 20 and SO cents. Daughters of the Confederacy. Cape Fear Chapter, Daughters of the Confederacy, will hold its regular an nual meeting at 3.30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at the W. L. I. armory. The annual dues will be collected at the meeting. The president expects to receive written reports from the vari ous committees and it is urged that every member who can possibly do so, be present Schooner Wm- P. Campbell. The schooner Wm. F. Campbell, Capt. Strout, which has been coming to this port regularly for the past seven years and which arrived several days since from Porto Rico, has been mak ing some remarkably good time since she left here last The schooner sailed from Boston to Porto Rico with a cargo of lumber and then arrived at this port within 33 days. Mrs. Meares' Tribute Yesterday. - Therewere many moist eyes in the Opera House yesterday when Mrs. Gaston' Meares read her touching tribute to the Confederate veterans. rears, (die tears; I know not waat they mean. Tears from the depths of some drrlne despair. Bias from the heart and gather in the eyes. When th-HUng of the day that are no more," 94TH ANNIVERSARY. The Birthday of qen. Robt. E. Lee Splendidly Celebrated in Wilmington Yesterday. ORATION BY E. S. MARTIN, ESQ Mrs. Qaston Meares, in an Admirably Written Address, Presented Crosses of Honor to Veterans The Military Parade. Ail the conditions yesterday were highly favorably to an auspicious celebration of the ninety-fourth anni versary of the birthday of General Robert E. Lee and it is safe to say that never before was the occasion more generally observed in Wilmington or was there manifested such a commend able sentiment among its people to do honor to the Confederacy's beloved hero, than on yesterday when the streets were lined with people to wit ness the long and imposing military parade in honor of the event and when the Opera House was filled to over flowing with military and civilians to reverently do homage to the one, who among all others, lis worshiped as the idol of the Southland. The parade formed at 3 o'clock in front of the Wilmington Light Infan try armory and the line of march was identical with that given in yester day's Stab. It was in charge of Capt. James I. Metts, chief marshal, with his aides, Messrs. C. McD. Davis, George P. James and D. D. Barber. The order observed was also practically the same, as follows : Platoon of four policemen. Messrs. C. E. Wood. J. J. Moore. W. H Bar den, and E. L. Smith. Drum corps, consisting of Messrs. Will Rehder, Frank Turrentine and W. L. BurKhimer. Third North Carolina Infantry As sociation, with twelve men, com manded by (Jot. Wm. U. DeKosset. Cape Fear Camp No. 254. United Confederate Veterans, with 52 men in ranks, commanded by Col. F. W. Kerch ner. George Davis Camp No. 50. United Sons of Confederate Veterans, with 23 in ranks, commanded by Col. Walker Taylor. Wilmington Light Infantry, with 2i men in frank, commanded by Capt. Alex. P. Adrian. Wilmington Division, Naval Re serves, with 20 men in ranks, com manded by Lieutenant A. B. Skelding. First Battalion, Boys .Brigade or America, with 24 men, commanded by First Lieu ten aut James A. Price. Howell's Military Academy cadets, with 20 in ranks, commanded by Capt II. M. Durant The exercises at the Opera House commenced with a very fervent prayer by Rt Rev. Bishop A. A. Watson, who was introduced by Capt Metts as one ever in the thickest of the fight, administering to. the sick and wounded things earthly and spiritual. Eugene S. Martin, Eiq.t the orator of the day, was also presented by Capt Metts as one among the first to volunteer for service at Fort Caswell in 1861 and as a soldier and scholar of distinction. The address by Mr. Mar tin was, in the 'main, historical and full of pretty thought and interesting reminiscences for those who followed the intrepid and great and good leader, General Lee. He closed with a splen did eulogy of Lee's life and character and was given a round of hearty cheers. Capt Metts next read the famous "Farewell Address" of General Lee, so familiar to students of Southern his tory. It was listened to eagerly and the final words were greeted with feel ing applause. Mrs. Gaston Meares, who was chosen by Cape Fear Chapter, Daughters of the Confederacy, to present to the veterans, the Crosses of Honor, was presented by Capt Metts as a true daughter of the Confederacy and the widow of as fine an officer and as gal lant a soldier as ever marched to taps of a drum. Mrs. Meares read in an impressive and dramatic manner her address as follows: ' Veterans and heroes of our war for Southern independence; In the name of the Cape Fear Daugh ters of the Confederacy, I bid you wel come on this our Confederate holiday the birthday of Robert E. Lee: Just forty years ago our quiet land was stirred by a great uprising of its people. The tyranny of might had forced upon us an unnatural and un welcome war. Submission had ceased to be a virtue, and at the call of their sovereign States, from every section of the South there poured a mighty host of men going forth to meet the foe. Saying good-bye to peaceful homes and all else that men held dear, thy set their faces to the front and never faltered; going out, they knew not whither, but trustful and strong in the rightousness of the cause for which they were to fight Four years later, with hearts quiver ing with woe and eyes blinded with tears, we saw the broken remnants of that great army coming back in strag gling squads, to ruined and desolated homes. Scarred and maimed by battle wounds, hungry and sick and destitute, branded with the crue'ties of prison life, their hearts crushed and bleeding, the "Bonnie Blue Flag" trailing in the dust of conquest, our noble President in hopeless captivity, with kidgly dig nity wearing for his people a felon's chains in a prison cell. Ah I those days of bitter anguish Can they ever be forgotten? Can we wonder that , our people's hopes were dead? The memories of the golden deeds of those four heroic years were all that was left to us; and while you men, with greater heroism than even war had called forth, took up again the battle of life's duties and fought it out to glorious success, we women gath ered up those memories, enshrined in our hearts, gloried in our heroes, treasured as a sacred trust the noble army of martyrs who never came back to us; and still with unswerving devotion to the cause for which they fought, we honor all who followed the banner of the Southern Croat till it was furled forever. (Applause.) Let me show you a memento of those times you well remember. I have here a pair of silver cuff buttons mounted on a card for preservation and thus inscribed: "These buttons were made from the two identical silver quarters paid to a Confederate soldier at the Goal distribution of specie, just prior to' the surrender of General Joseph E. Johnston at Durham. N. C. in 1865. They represent four years hard earned pay to a weather beaten 'Con- fed.' who had them decorated with the colors he fought under." Ah, what a tale they tell ! Such was your guerdon and reward, but 'twas all your country had left to give. Ap plause. And there is another (pointing to a tattered old flag full of bullet holes) a pitiful relic, but we "treat it gent ly for 'tis holy" 'tis the tattered frag ment of the once beautiful flag of the Third North Carolina regiment of StateJTroops. That was one of our own home regiments the one I knew most about in which I had great per sonal interest. Its officers, some cf whom had been members of the old Wilmington Light Infantry, were all meuQpf the "Free City on the Cape Fearr' Its companies wre recruited from New Hanover and neighboring counties. It was a gallant band and we were very proud of it, and it is something now for me to tell my grandsons (and they are "Sons of the Vet- rans" too) how I took their fath ers, little boys then, and went with too Third to Virginia. J ust too late for the first Manassas, but reaching Richmond iu time to hear that the cannon were booming in the distance, while we waited with baled breath for the hourly dispatches from t; e battle. Those were the early days the halcyon days of hops! and when the news came of Beauregard a hrst great victory for the South it was hailed with joy and acclamation, and we hoped the happy end was near at hand. But, sad omen of sadder days to come, the glad news was dashed with the inevitable war note of sor row, for Bee and Bartow had fallen in the strife and hundreds of the men who wore the grey lay dead upon the battlefield ! , The Winter followed, and with the early Summer came the advance on Richmond, and the seven days fight for its defence, and when the sun set upon that fatal field of Malvern Hill the light of many of our hearts and homes was1 quenched in a horror of great darkness, for Virginia's soil was watered with the precious blood of many of Carolina's noble sons. The years rolled on. Chancellors ville and the Wilderness, Sharpsburg and Gettysburg, and scores of others wrote in letters of blood their stories of unrivalled bravery and heroism, of victory and sometimes of defeat, but never of cowardice or treachery. At last the scene shifted to our own North Carolina coast Fort Fisher, our watchful sentinel upon our out posts the fortress we bad deemed im pregnableadded Us chapter of superb defence and final fall and the gates of Confederate supplies were closed. The end soon followed at Appomat tox when Lee, our &n immortal Lee, surrendered to overwhelming forces his good sword stainless as his own pure sol unsullied as his own bright honor ! Our peerless Lee ! My friends you bore an honorable part in the making of that wonderful story of the Southern Confederacy, and for that we owe you a debt of gratitude and are proud to do you honor Flashing across the pale of history like a meteor athwart the sky, but glorious as the splendor of the noon tidesurJl too soon the young repub lic went own in the darknes of disap pointmeul nd defeat. The Sun of Peace ind never risen upon its moun tain top, its fertile valleys could never laugh and sing with fruitful harvests, for there were none to till the land. FDm first to last the men were at the front, fighting for "their homes, their altars and their sacred rights" for the freedom they could not win 1 (Applause.) But "in eong and story it will go sounding down the ages" as one of the greatest war records the world has ever known. Unequalled and unique in many respects during its brief continu ance, the story of the Confederacy would not be complete without its epi logue for it stands alone in the world's annals for the loyalty and de votion which after nearly half a cen tury of humiliation and subjection of injustice and insult, still flow in the heart of every true son and daughter of the South. (Applause.) Can any other country tell of a band of conquered soldiers so tenderly be loved and cherished by the people for whom they foaght and failed? Other nations have had their conquering he roes and welcomed them with trium phal processions and built their tem ples to victorjk; but our monuments are inscribed only to "The Confederate Dead" bur processions are the yearly pilgrimage, of Memorial Day to the thousands of sacred spots that dot the land, where rest the braves who fought a goodlght, and gave their lives for the cause that was lostl TApplause. Ah, dearly do we love the cold, dead hands that bore the banner of the Stars and Bars aloft conquered indeed it was, but stained never, save by their own life blood. And no less do we love to honor the battle-scarred veterans who are with us to-day; sole representatives of the glo ries and the sorrow of the dead past. I regard it as a crowning honor of my long life that the Cape Fear Chap ter of the United Daughters of the Con federacy have chosen rne their rep resentative to bestow npon you this Southern Cross of Honor. Simple bronze badges they are unostentatious and of little intrinsic value but wor thy of your acceptance, and a fit inher itance for your children's children, as symbols of Confederate endurance and valor and as tokens of woman's undy ing appreciation of all that is grand and:heroic in men who. great in action, have proved themselves greater in de feat Wear then these badges proudly on your breast as gifts of the women of the South who are proud to be called "Daughters of the Confederacy." Soon life's long warfare will be ende d and with yourkown Stonewall, the good and great, you too - must "cross the river and rest under the shade of the trees." When the last revielle shall wake you from that sleep, may each one of you find an immortal crown of true victory awaiting him in the sweet and blessed country of everlasting peace! God bless you all. Amen. .Upon the conclusion of Mrs. Meares beautiful presentation, Captain Metts stated that it was deeply regretted that Col. Jno. D. Taylor was confined to his home by illness and would not be able to respond in person to the grace f ul act upon the part of the ladies, but that he would ask Col. W. J. Wood ward to read his manuscript: Col. Taylor referred in highest terms to the courage and devotion of the noble wo men of the Southland; their part in the great conflict between the States, and their assistance to the men re turning from the battlefield with shat -1. tered hopes and fortunes. It closed with grateful thanks for the tokens of appreciation presented and invoked theblessing of God upon each of the ladies. After the reading Capt Metts read a partial list of names of those entitled to wear crosses and they were invited to the stage, where a cross was pinned upon each by Mrs. Meares, Mrs. J. J; Hedrick, Mrs. W. M. Parsley, Miss Mary Sanders and Mrs. C. E. Steven son, who had seats on the rostrum, which was beautifully decorated with United States and Confederate flags and relics of the Ciyil war. After these exercises the entire as semblage, led by Col. Woodward, sang "Carolina" with great spirit and enthusiasm. By request, when the singing of "Carolina" was concluded, Capt Metts sang "I'm A Good Old Rebel" amid much applause and feel ing. After these exercises the military; Veterans and Sons of Veterans and other organizations repaired to the City Hall, where a splendid collation was served by the ladies of Cape Fear Chap ter, Daughters of the Confederacy. The hall was beautifully decorated with flags, bunting and evergreens and the scene was indeed a pretty one. The following committees had charge of the affair and performed their duties with signal ability, as attested by the success of the occasion : Refreshments Mrs. W. L. Har low, (chairman), Mrs. Owens, Mrs. T. E. Sprunt Mrs. W. G. Pulliam, Mrs. J. W. Carmichael, and Mrs. Hi G. Smallbbnes. Decoration Committee Mrs. W. L. Parsley, (chairman,) Mrs. J.T. Rankin, Mrs. Jas. Carmichael,' Mrs. Jno. C. James, Mrs. R. D. Cronly, and Miss Belle Anderson. Table Committee Mrs. Gabriel Holmes (chairman,) Mrs. D. H. Lip- pitt, Mrs. James F. Woolvin, Mrs. D. O'Connor, Miss Mary Calder and Miss Sarah Kenan. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, i Both Houses Adjourned Early in Honor of Qen. Lee's Birthday A Number of . Bills Passed Third Reading. Special Star Telegram. Raleigh, N. C, Jan. 19. The Gen eral Assembly adjourned early to-day in honor of Lee's birthday. Neither branch was in session more than an hour. The resolution for the Senate recess was presented by Mr. Morton, of New Hanover. . A number of bills passed a third reading. Among them the following: For the relief of the Clerk of Court of Robeson county ; to allow commission ers of Wilson to issue fifteen thousand dollars in bonds and levy a special tax ; resolution inviting Dr. J. L. M. Curry to address the joint session. Senator Gudger voted against the invitation to Dr. Curry. He said Dr. Curry lob bied in Congress against the seating of Crawford and favored Pearson in the contest from his district. On motion of Senator Foushee, two hundred copies of Brown's anti cigar ette bill were ordered printed. Notable bills introduced in the House : By Carlton, ! to incorporate Rose Hill ; Thompson, ; to protect deer in Onslow county; Thompson, to amend charter of the Onslow Navi gation Company ; McNeill, to prohibit the sale of liquors near the Baptist church, Brunswick county ; McNeill, to allow the commissioners of Bruns wick to levy a special tax. Bill passed final reading to provide pay for a stenographer to the joint Committee on Public Roads. A resolution was introduced by Mr. Connor to provide for a joint session, February 1st, for the election of a State Librarian. : The Assembly reconvenes Monday at noon. j Public Schools. The State Association of Superinten dents of City Schools met in session here yesterday, and to-day elected the following officers for the ensuing year: President, J. I. Foushee, Golds boro; Vice President, J. A. Matheson, Durham; Secretary, W. O. Lane, High Point The attendance was large and the meeting was the most successful in the history of the Association. The feature of the programme to-day was an address by Prof. J. J. Blair, of Wilmington, on plans for school room decoration. Electrical Wire Workers. Local Union No. 123, International Brotherhood of Electrical Wire Work ers, with a charter membership of twenty persons, was organized here last night in the Mayor's office at the City Hall by Mr. E. C. Yarbrough, of Lceal Union No. 84, Danville, Va. The following officers were elected for the ensuing term: J President E. B. Burkhimer. Vice President W. B. Savage, Recording Secretary, Financial Sec-; retary and Press Secretary Jno. T. Yates I Treasurer E. C. Yarbrough. Inspectors R. S. Hughes and J. A. Kelley. Foreman J. W, Reilly, Jr. Trustees E. B. Burkhimer, D. B. Holland and W. A Lawrence. The new organization starts off well. Its object is mutual assistance to mem bers, and has accident, sick and death benefit features. It in no way tends to nromulsrate anything but the sand est relations between employer and employe, and the new order in this light eminently deserves to succeed New Hanover Superior Court. The January term of New Hanover Superior Court, Judge W. A. Hoke presiding, will be convened ;to-mor row morning at 10 o'clock. The suits for trial on th opening day are Mrs. J. R. Strauss, executrix, vs. City of Wilmington, and Laura G. Hales vs. J. W. llarper. ; - U BACK TAX MATTERS. City Attorney Meares Has Pre pared Very Comprehensive Annual Report. FIGURES ARE INTERESTING. Pronounced Views and an Able Exposi tion as to Listing of Personal Property-Review of His Work Dur ing Present Administration City Attorney Iredell Meares yes- I terday finished his annual report for iccarporation in the forthcoming mes sage, which will be issued by Mayor Waddell. The Star cannot publish the entire report, but gives below such information contained therein as re lates to tax matters, with which his branch of the city government has so much to do. The report i3 as follows : To the Mayor and Board of Aldermen: Gentlemen I have the honor to submit my report of the conduct of the City Attorney's office from the first day of April, 1899, the com mencement of the term of the present incumbent, to December 31, 1900, both dates inclusive. The City Attorney has attended the meetings of the Board of Aldermen, as required by the Ordinance, and ad vised when called upon the city om- cials with relation to official business. The drafting and execution of the va rious contracts from year to year have been under the supervision of this office. Appended to this report will be found a series of statements show ing the civil actions, State prosecu tions, and tax suits, pending and dis posed of, as well as statements show ing the collection of back taxes and the present condition and value of the tax books. Tax Suits. On taking charge of the for ciiita nandinw in thft flnnainnv Court, it Vas ascertained that there were 66 cases of that character on the docket These suits had been insti tuted chiefly in 1896 and in 1897; some few in 1898. In the 66 cases pending, instituted by former city attorneys. complaints had been filed in only five cases, in two of which judgments had been taken. Four of these are now pending. It became necessary to non suit many of these cases, because, in some, service had not been obtained on the defendants, in others, proper par ties were wanting, and, in a few, the tax appeared on the books as having been settled. Perhaps, in these cases so settled, counsel had overlooked non suiting them. In straightening out these old cases, a number of orders had to be obtained to issue alias summonses and to join new parties as defendants. The present City Attorney has filed in these cases ii complaints, and has non suited 15, for different ajauses, and 19, because the tax had 2eeu paid either to him or the former city attorneys. He has instituted 40 new cases in which the complaints have been filed in all except one. Of these new cases 19 have been non suited or retraxit en tered, because of the settlement of the tax. Statement ''A" will show in de tail that within this term 53 tax suits have been disposed of in the Superior Court; 38 because the tax was settled, and 15 for other causes. It will be seen from Statement "B" that theJe are jow pending in, the Superior Court firy three cases for the collection of back . taxes. Of these suits, twenty-four are in judgment; twenty-nine are at issue; judgment not having yet been obtained. Complaints are filed in all of them except eight The amount involved in thes9 suits will be seen to represent $10,882 36. Many of them are in course of settle ment These tax suits cannot be brought properly without first examining in each case the title, in order to get the description of the property and the proper owners. Each of them involves considerable professional labor, both in the examination of title, and in the drafting of the complaints. It has necessitated the employment, at the City Attorney's own expense, both of clerical and professional assistance, but the status of these suits is at present in a satisfactory condition. Statement of Back Taxes Collected It will be seen from Statement "F" that the present City Attorney has collected since April 1st 1899, to De cember 31st 19,00, $23,743.63, of which $21,354 13 represent the actual tax col lected and $2,388. 5C represent the costs and interest collected. Value of Tax-Books. In order to ascertain the present worth of the back taxes due to the city of Wil mington, the City Attorney has pre pared, with the assistance of his asso ciate and an intelligent accountant, the statement appended and marked "G." It will be seen from this state ment that the nominal value of the tax-books for the years prior to 1900 in $154,131.23. The uncollected personal and poll tax for the years 1894 to 1899. txsvh inclusive, amounts to $9, 796.11, which two items aggregate and represent an uncollectable tax on these books of $73,376.91. Taking from the nominal value of the tax books the estimated uncollectable tax, leaves a balance due this city on De cember 31, 1900, of $80,752.32, which it is believed fairly represent the present worth and collectable value of these back taxes. These estimates do not include the tax books for 1900, which are regarded as the current tax books and are not at present in the hands of the City At torney. Taking the estimated uncol lectable tax, as above given, which includes the years from 1Z7V to 189a, both inclusive, it will be seen that there has been an average loss to the citv in the collection of taxes of $2 445.06 for each year. Remarks There is a great deal of sentimentality attempted to be aroused in this city over the collection of these back taxes. My observation is mat the ereat bulk of the back taxes here tofore collected has been largely col lected from people, who could have paid their tax at the proper time, but who were indifferent to it, and after a long delay were disposed to resist their collection. The smaller tax payers, even when "much behind with their taxes, show a disposition to pay in smallpayments. The city has certainly been negligent in not enforcing the collection of taxes in the past It ought to be pursued with the utmost vigor. It is easier for the average man to pay his taxes when due than to abide the consequences of a long de lay. Appreciating always the diffi culty that men nave to meet their tax obligations and having for those who have gotten behind in this duty the ut most sympathy, I think, nevertheless, that the in just wrought even upon the small tax payer, who does pay his tax oftentimes with a struggle. is overlooked in the indulgence of the non-taxpayer. Every man who does not pay his tax simply imposes upon mis fellow, citizens an additional burden to bear. There ought, too, to be a more vigorous' policy pursued in the collection of per sonal tax. Every citizen ought tolbe made to realize, if his poll tax or per sonal tax is not paid, his personal prop erty will be levied upon and sold. These books show thousands of dol lars that have been lost to the city i by men, eminently able to have paid their personal tax, simply by the negligence of psst city officials in indulging them. lhe poll tax to-day shows numbers of people in this city who though they have not personal property, have yet sufficient income to well meet at least their poll tax. It is not alone the poor laborer, who does not pay his poll tax. but it is evaded often by a class; of men who are holding clerical or pro fessional positions, though having little personal property. j As to Personal Property. An ex perience of two years, involving; an intelligent study, of the tax-books of this city, convinces me that by proper action upon the part of the city officials, with efficient machinery, a large amount of personal property, which now evades the payment of taxes, could be placed upon the pro perty list, -with the result of a reduc tion in the tax rate of at least -a half of one per cent, or to a one and a quar ter rate. I am well aware that a per fect system of taxation will be reached only when the millenium of honesty is attained. One who examines the tax books of this city will find nbt a condition of inequality, but an omis sion of men to list their property at even a minimum value. Whether! through the Board , of Equal ization, as provided in the recent re-; draft of the city charter, or whether under the direction of your Board of! Aldermen, the publication annually of the personal tax lkt of this city would! lead to a laree increase given in of per-) sonal taxable propey. This publicity will accomplisn two results: (1) Mens who now list improperly or fail to list! their property, because they think'that; their neighors generally do not know; the amount, when they find that the; list is to be published, so it may bej called to the attention of their families,! friends and neighbors, will hesitate to place themselves in an attitude before his wife, children, churchmen, and! citizens generally, as having commit-! ted an act of periury for the sake of th Almighty Dollar. (2) The publica tion of this list will lead to discussio of this wrong and out of that discus sion will come a moral pressure am an aroused conscience among the tax payers about tax listing. i j I have before me two instances, one a man of wealth, whose taxable prop! erty, I know, is given at a ridiculously absurd value, and his act in thusjevadt ing taxation casts the burden upon others, as, in the second instance I have in mind, an old woman piferf ing to sell her bureau and bedstead; savmer she could sleep on the floor, in order to pay a trifling tax upon a little shackling homestead left by her dej ceased husband. This necessity she was relieved of by the charity of an other, who paid her tax. ' j 1 recommend to the Board of Alder men, therefore, whatever the cost, as a common justice to every citizen alike, to put the pressjye of the law, however severe, troon every man alike and force him to contribute his pro rata share to the burdens of govern ment. j Some respect may be had for a high wayman who stops me on the high way and robs me of my purse, for he at least does it boldly; but for the man who, in order to save a few dol lars, deliberately perjures himselfrun der the solemnity of an oath in wrong fully listinghis taxes, and by that act indirectly robs the other tax payers by imposing upon them a greater bur den, deserves without amelioration the censure of all men. Publicity will not injure the man who correctly lts his property. Conscious of his own rectitude of purpose, he will not fear criticism. As to the man who evades his taxes, he ought to be exposed. It is not inquisitorial. It is a means jof exposing violators of the law and tin effort to correct a shameless Wrong upon all citizens. I L I have written thus strongly in making this recommendation because I think this community, while I it should enforce the collection jof ijhe back tax due the city, should with equal vigor arouse its conscience, its sense of justice and equality, and com mand others to give in their taxes, j in regard to personal property, with sonde aproximate regard to equality, j Anlin telligent system of taxation should contemplate as low a rate as possible on general property, and where especial improvements are made, as sessments against the property so ilm proveM. Thus, if the personal property wereksted in this community with anythiC like fairness, the general ratecoud be reduced, and when streets and payments are improved, a pro rata asslstment should be made upon suchimfjoved property. Respectfully submitted. Iredell Meares, City Attorney E. H. SCOTT & SON. Skilled Mechanical Painters, Frescoers and Decorators Located Here E. H. Scott 8c Son. of Baltimore. Md., who are skilled mechanical painters, frescoers and decorators, with the best facilities, have perma nently located in Wilmington and are to be found at the office of the Pannill Paint Co., 114i Princess streetj 'They come highly recommended as reliable and efficient gentlemen, and whether plain or high grade work, their patrons may rely upon the best material the market can produce and the very best workmanship. One 'trial will con vince the most skeptical of this fact. To succeed in establishing a permanent business they realize that they icanBot afford to use spurious material ior poor workmanship. Try them and you will not resrret it Their rates are; as low as possible consistent with high grade material and labor, whJ0h is al- t Satnrday Afternoon Kecitai. The usual Saturday afternobn reci tal by pupils of Miss. Cannie Chasten's piano classes was given at 4.30 o'clock yesterday in Schubert Hall, during which the following programme Was creditably rendered : "Sonatina in D Major" (Clemen ti), by Miss Bertie Hansen. I "Venetian Gondolied" (Mendels sohn), by Miss Sue Boon. i "Polish Dance in E Plat" (Schar wenka), by Miss Nellie Corbett "Spinnliedchen" (KllmereiCb), by Miss May McMillan, "Ginsv Rondo" (Haydn), by Miss Irene Peterson. . For Whooping: Obu grn use CHENEY'S PEOTOBANT. EX- NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. Concord Chapter No. 1, R, A. H. p O MP ANIONS The regular Convention will be held Monday evening at 8 o'clock. jn 80 it w. A. MARTIN, Secretary. cmmIncing Monday, Jan. 2 1 . THE CRESCENT STOCK CO., Including HISS CABBIE LOUI8, H. GUY WOODWARD, and the LADIES' SYMPHONY OR3HE9TBA. Pricae ..10, SO, 80 oenis. Ladles Free Monday night If accompanied by an escort holding a Dald 303 ticket. Ma "FORGIYEN." jan 18 tf 1 FOX RIVER BUTTER. SHALL TUB9FOX BIVEB BUTTER LABGE TUBS FOX RIVER BUTTER. BUSHELS VIRGINIA HEAL. CAB-LOAPS CORN. CAB-LOADS OTHEB GOODS. 50 15 1,300 5 175 D. L. GORE CO., 130, 122 and 134 North Water street, jin23tf WUmlngton. N. C 1 car Seed Potatoes. EABLY BOSE, PEERLESS, HEBB'tNS and BURBOUK8. 1 car Nails. COFFEE, SUGAR AND MOLASSES, AND AJFULL LIKE OF Heavy Groceries. For Sale at Close Prices. S. P. McNAlR. jan 20 tt LABGE SHIPMENT OF 3JANCY FRUIT Has jJust Arrived. Bananas, Oranges, Oocoanuta, Apples and Fears. . Our Candy Factory lslln full blast. The Palace Bakery. Supplies before examining- onr jine. Andrew Mavronichols, 70s North Fourth street. Bell 'Phode 846. Inter-State 191. t 119 Market street. Bell 'Phone 261. Inter-State 25. Look In ! My Show Windows for Daily Reduction Bargains. N. F. PARKER, Furniture and Furniture Novelties, ill Market street. Bell 'Phone 613. jan 80 tf Inter-Btate 431. For Sale. TO HOUSEKEEPERS AND INVESTORS. OS EASY TERMS. Desirable Lots and Hou'es at Lambert's Point; the Industrial suburb of Norfolk, Vlrsinia. Five large Factories, and the N. & W. Rail road Shops, give employment to a large number of men and women, and are constantly calling for additional hands. Two electric ear lines afford transportation to all points In the city for 5 cents fare. Values o' property in this section are con stantly advancing and offer opportunities for profitable investments. Norfolk county is growing rapidly; its popu lation, with the cities of Norfolk and Ports mouth, embraced in it was by census of 1890, 77,038; by census of 1900, 114 831. Foririces.termS,etc.,app1yOBa & Jan SO lw 140 Main street, ftorfolk, Va. The Best Silk Worms Are constantly employed, by us. We demand their choicest, silkleet and finest work. That is the foundation of every Necktie in this store that makes any preten Ion of being silk. It is silk aU the way through. terms and you'lfflnd that it's entirely made of noneec matemu. neuuue wo ynvca uu u uuu they are as low as the goods. VonGlahn & Gibson, janSOtf ?o. S North Front street. Choice and Exclusive. Naming a price without regard to quality does not make a continued successful business. You may put on the public an inferior goods one time and maybe two times, but not all the time, we are in the Cigar business to win; and knowing It to only a ques tion of quality that counts with a dis criminating pnbilo, we have made It a question TofQuaUty first, Quality last, aad Quality all the tune. We posi tively claim ; that "Rnownf" "Cuban Blossom" Cigars ABE THE BEST VALUE FOR THE MONET sold on any market. Ifyour grocer won't sell them because of the small margin of profit to nlm, we can tell you who does. V0LLERS & HASHA6EN, Cigar Manufacturers', Agents. janetf x