North Carolina Newspapers

V a 4 FPBUBHID At - WILMINGTON, N. C, $1.00 A YEAR IN ADVANCE. 88888888888888883 HiaoH SI 88888888888388881 8888888888888888S 88888888888888888 8288888888888888S 888888S88S8883888 .55a5SS88S888S 82888882S88888888 MM I .....Bga55.3,.8s8g.3 3S888S88S88SSS8S3 I 3 I M Ss 1 1 1 u i- j j t j ; Batered t the Peat OfBc at llmtgtoa, N. C, ai Second CUm Matter.1 SUBSCRIPTION P 1ICE. Th. lubtcription prica of the Weekly Star b i (ollnw : ilocla Copy 1 year, postage paid H 00 D montu I moataa COTTON IN CUBA. While Germany, England and France are encouraging the culti yation of cotton in their African pos sessions with the hope of ultimately becoming independent of this conn try for their supplies it seems that there is a possibility, perhaps a probability, of a cotton-growing competitor near by, and one that may become more formidable than Africa, even if the expectations of those who are giving their attention to cotton culture in that con ntry be realized. It has been a matter of some sur prise that cotton has never figured among the products of Cuba, al though both its climate and soil are admirably adapted to it. While it was known that it could be pro duced there in abundance and of fine quality and as cheaply if not more cheaply than anywhere else, it never became one of the crops, having been sacrified to sugar and tobacco, to which the land owners of the island became as much wed ded as many of the planters in the cotton belt of the South have to cotton, and for the same reason, probably, that they looked upon these as their money crops. Now, however, since with the production of beet sugar the profits in cane sugar have been so reduced the land owners of Cuba are looking to other crops, one of which is cotton, in reference to which we clip the fol lowing from an editorial in the At lanta Constitution: Just before the American civil war, when cotton was king, the governor general of Cuba established a cotton experiment station near Havana, with a seventy-saw gin. The report of the expert in charge of the investigation was worthy of a descendant of a long line of Spanish golden fleece-hunters. It read like a pipe-dream tale of Inca golcf. Senor Hose Maria Dan, the ex perl in question, officially declared that sra island cotton would produce an average of 500 bolls to the stalk in Cub, the average weight of lint co' ton derived from each boll being 60 grains.- He gravely estimated, on thi bsif , that a caballeria of land (33 acres), under average conditions, and given average cultivation, would pro duce 303,719 pounds of liut cotton, worth 10 ceo is a pound, giving a gross value of $30,371, or an equivalent to $911.13 per acre. Aod yet, to-day, Mr. John A, Floyd, an American cotton grower of experi ence, who has been making thor ough experiments with long staple cm too in Cuba, writes the Havana Post that he has seen and can show several stalks of cotton with over a thousand bolls each. However, Mr. Fioyd, while admitting having seen hundreds of cotton plants In Cuba con taining over 500 bolls each, declares that number to be preposterously high as an average. He dies the case of Mr. Truitt, of LaGrange, Ga.,' who some years ago produced four bales of sea island cotton to the acre in Cuba, An expert in this variety of cotton sent frqm the United 8tatea to investigate the possibilities of the island, recently, reported that in his opinion an aver age production of cotton of the long staple kind in Cuba would be two bales to the acre. Mr. Floyd quite agrees with him from his own experi ence, and declares that mere scratch ing of the soil will produce an average yield of a bale to the acre. Mr. Floyd concludes that an aver age acre of Cuban soil, planted in cot ton and given intelligent cultivation after improved methods, will yield a net income of from $100 to $150 per year. The planting, he adds, can be . done in either June or September, and the plant will produce and mature fruit for at least nine months in the year. The following quotation from Mr. Floyd's letter to the Havana Post, dated January 18, will interest many residents of the cotton belt: "Sr. Peralta y Melgaret, who resides . in Uuanabacoa, has, with what assist ance I have been able to render him, been carrying on experiments in cot ton and has planted almost all known - varieties. He has about two acres and a half of sea island cotton, planted in September; its bolls are just now beginning to open, which shows with what rapidity sea island cotton matures in this country. In the states short cotton would hard ly have matured so rapidly. Many of toe stalks in this little farm are actu ally breaking down under their loads of fruit, and still it is putting on more. It is blooming as Industriously as if It was the month of June instead of -January." Mr. Floyd's letter la enthusiastic, but at the same time it seems to bs very conservative. There is little doubt but Cuba bas a great future in long staple cotton, if she makes the most of ber natural blessings. Tbe concluding paragraph of tbe letter re ferred to is far from reassuring to the South: When it ia fully realized by the Cu bans what a splendid opportunity tbey have in the extensive production of cotton and tbey begin to plant mil lions of acres of idle lands in cotton, producing her several mUlionsof bales each year, tbe United States will find her a very dangerous rival, and rill either be forced to adml her sugar VOL. XXXIV. free so as to make it more drofltable to raise sugar than to raise cotton, as it formerly was, or to suffer disastrous consequences. It Is sure to come. Cuba i the moat wonderful cotton producing country on the globe to day, and will demonstrate the fact be fore many years go by. If Cuba had been under any other government than that of Spain, the probabilities are that cotton culture would long ago have been one of the established industries of the islands but Spain's policy seems not to have been to develop anything in her colonial possessions, but to pull all the taxes possible out of them on things in sight, and as a result she has practically lost them all. Assuming, to be on the safe side, that there may be some exaggera tion in the report of the Spanish ex pert ' referred to in the jirst para graph of the above extract, it seems to be corroborated to some extent by the reports of what Mr. Truitt, one of the most successful farmers and cotton-growers in Georgia, had ac complished; supplemented by- the experience of another American, Mr. Floyd, there can be little donbt of Cuba's ability to enter as a competitor of this coun try in cotton growing, if she makes a determined effort in that direction. With her marvellously fertile and practically inexhaustible soil, her climate making possible continuous growth and fruitage the year 'round, she has advantages equalled nowhere else on the earth, and with that proximity to our coasts which will give her practically speaking a home market for every pound of cotton she may produce. All she need do is to show the will and the determination to open up this new industry, and if capital and experience be needed she can easily secure these by inviting them to come and showing a disposition to welcome them and co-operate with them. The tendency in this direction might be checked for a time by liberal recognition' of the Cuban sugar planters by this Government that would enable them to continue in the sugar producing business, but if they be forced out of that they will be compelled to turn to some thing else, and cotton seems to be the most promising and inviting. But if Cuba becomes a large cot ton producer, why not also a great cotton manufacturer and thus be come a double competitor of the United States? CROWDING AMERICA OUT. Austria's new tariff largely in creases the duties on imports, some of which come principally from this country, and on some of which the increase is nearly double. This is also the case in the new German tariff, the object in both being to check imports from this country. The duties apply, of course, to imports from all countries, but bear most upon this country from which the bulk of the imports come. As far as the language of the acts goes there is no discrimination against this country, but in effect it is dis crimination because it affects this eountry much more than it does others, and was doubtless so in tended. The reason alleged for and the argument used in justification of these increased duties, is that they will help home industries, the same argument used by tbe advocates of protection in this j country for their high protective dutieB, but it is class legislation there, just as it is here, which entirely loses sight of the enormous burdens put upon the masses of consumers for the benefit of tbe favored few. On this side of the water there is objection by high tariff supporters to the high tariffs in those countries because they hurt us, forgetful of the fact that our high tariffs hurt them, and f orgetf nl, . also, of the fact that tbey justify their high tariffs on the very same ground that the protectionists in this country justify their work, the object of which was to keep foreign products out of this country, just as the ob ject of these Austrian and German tariffs is to keep foreign products out of those countries. It will be rough on the consumers in ' those countries, and it may be . rough on us, but we set the pace and we should not make wry faoes when offered some of our own soup The new Austrian tariff about doubles the duty on some things, especially manufactures. The con tention is that the benefits that Aus trian industries will derive from this will more than offset the increased cost to consumers. They are bor rowing this argument from the American protectionists, but they are more honest than these for. they do not pretend that the exporter pays the tax. Nik Tesla says that some of these days we will be able to communicate with Mars and other planets with the wireless system of telegraphy. If we ever do the system will surely be wireless. . iJ3 v SHOVEL OUT TH SURPLUS! . There is a statesman in Washing ton, in the Senate, who it is , need less - to say is a Republican, who agrees with Corporal Tanner, of shovelling fame, that the easiest and best way to get rid of a surplus in the Treasury is to shovel it out to pensioners, and to facilitate this he proposes to make every ex-Union soldier over 62 years of age a pen sioner, drawing $12 a month. No physical or mental ailments, or other causes that might incapacitate him from self-support the plea mainly upon which the wholesale system of pensioning has been justified are necessary, but simply the fact that the soldier has reached the age of 62 years, regardless of condition, whether poor or rich. The proposer of this new pension grab is Senator Scott, of West Vir ginia, who first came into , promi nence as a "revenue collector, and now aspires to fame as a revenue Bquanderer, a surplus exterminator. In his. speech in the Senate, a few days ago, in advocacy of that meas ure, he thus spread himself and dis pensed the "balm in Gilead." In this, our hour of financial triumph, when the oceans touch hands with arms of steel ; when every hill and valley is musical with the spirit of our national industry; when the breakers of the sea are bending beneath the burden of our exports; when our surplus is rising higher and higher day after day, until the very bars are bursting with its weight, let us do something else than turn the Uoion veteran from our door. When we have gathered the Union veterans from the hedges and high way, when we have provided a balm in Gilead for every one, when each of them sball live by a nation's gener osity, as evidence of a nation's grati tude and patriotism, we can told our arms and looking back upon duty well done, say, as did the Hero of Calvary, "It is finished." Whether he succeed or not in get ting his surplus shovelling bill through, he ought to rest' content with the glory achieved in this spurt of asinine oratory climaxed with the unique quotation from the "Hero of Calvary." But this talk of "turning the veteran from the door," after paying out in pensions over $2,000,000,000, with nearly a million pensioners now on the rolls, and an annual expen diture of about $140,000,000 is the extravagance of idiotic babble. It isn't coal that Scott needs, but ice on his head. A new industry has been discov ered in New York, where four chaps are under arrest for personating tax payers, doing the swearing for them and getting their assessments reduced. They lie and swear to it Tor a consideration. District At torney Jerome acted on pointers given to him by the Herald, and bagged four of the hustlers who were engaged in that business. He is now satisfied that this thing has been going on for years, and believes that millions of dollars of taxes have been lost by it. The Washington Post reminds firebrand Hayes and other colored chaps with grievances, that if they feel that they are not properly appre ciated in the South there is any amount of room for them in the Northern States, which can be reached in a few hours by rail. A Texas negro has sued a white man for $10,000 for driving him out of town. Will he have the nerve to go back to attend the trial of the case! Washington Post. Oh! yes. He will carry' Afro- I American lawyer Hayes along, with I sword and torch, and they'll have a hot time both "before and after." There is at least one man in Chi- . - a n cago who appreciates nonescy ana anxnnnorAll It. FTn Irtnt a wn.ll fit P.OTI- taining 36oo and he rewarded the poor man who found and returned it to him with a profusion of thanks and a whole dime and a nickel. There is little, in fact, no proba bility of any anti-trust legislation by this Congress. The Republican I leaders think that is a good thing to keep in soak to fool voters with. The New York Athletic Club has a high priced pitcher, and not one of the antiques, either. He is its base bail pitcher, who receives a a salary of $8,000 a year. A bill has been introduced in Con- gress . to increase me rresiaens s salary to $100,000. There is scram able enough for that office with the present salary. Alabama is coming to the front as an iron producer, now rauiug fourth among the States, her pro duction last year being 1,472,211 tons. The New York Sun daily throws its rays on the "trust busters" and shows a disposition to make it warm for them. The latest reported discovery in Virginia ia a well of corn whiskey in Pittsylvania county. Well, well. WILMINGTON, N. C, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, OYERMAN WINS OCT. Nominated for United States Senate by the Democratic Caucus Last Night. ELECTION TO FOLLOW TO-DAY Proloated Coatest for Hlf b Honor Ended ia a Love "Fesst Speeches ' front ; Overman, Cralf . aid Watson. - SIxtyone Ballots to Decide. Special Star Telegram. - " Raleigh, N. a, Jan. 29. Lee 8. Overman, of Salisbury, will succeed Jeter C Pr itchard in the United States Senate, Overman having; won out against Cyrus B. Watson, of Winston, and Locke Craig, of Asheville, in the fight before the Democratic caucus to night. The nomination waa on - the sixty -first ballot, when Overman re ceived 73, Watson 58 and Craig 11. B if ore the ballot could be an nounced members and spectators hav ing perceived that there was a noml nation, a. great yell went up' from every part of the hall and galleries. Pandemonium reigned for fifteen miDuteB or longer. In the midst of it all. Senator Webb, who through tbe long fight bas been recognized as man ager for Cralf, moved to make the nomination unanimous, and Eepre sentatlve Ooughton, manager for Watson, seconded the motion, which was voted as one. A delegation was sent to Overman's headquarters to bring him to the hall. It was a long time before order could be sufficiently restored so the sena torial nominee could be heard. When he could be heard, however, he launched upon one of the most impas sioned and eloquent speeches ever heard in the hall. "I would," said he, "that there were words to express my grateful thankfulness for this splendid honor." He said a great fight bad closed, a fight, though, between friends and Democrats. He regretted that the two great and gallant Demo crats, Watson and Craig, had been de feated. Eloquent tributes to both his late competitors followed. He de clared he was not unmindful of the responsibilities to devolve upon him, and he would enter tbe work owing no obligation to corporation or clique, but to fight for the welfare of the people and his party. - Watson and Craig were both called out. Watson expressing gratitude for the noble way in which his friends bad stood by turn, pledged bis con tinual service to the party and people, and urged all to uphold the handa of their new senator, Mr. Overman. Craig spoke much along the same line; both in a happy and cordial vein, and great enthusiasm was manifested during both. After Craig's speech. Watts, of Ire dell, offered a resolution expressing appreciation for the able manner in whxh Chairman Geo. L. Morton had presided over the caucuses during the past three weeks that the fight had been on. Then a motion to adjourn was made by Murphy of Salisbury, and the curtain went down on tbe great dram which has held the attention of the Stale for three weeks. (By Associated Press. ) Raleigh, N. C, Jan. 29. Lee S. Overman was 49 years old on tbe third of this month. He is a lawyer of ability, a native of Salisbury and in 1874 graduated from Trinity College. He waa private secretary to Governor Vance and has been a member of the House of Representatives five differ ent times, have been speaker once. In 1895 he was tbe Democratic candidate to succeed Vance. In 1900 he was the State Democratic presidential elector. He is of winning personality, of commanding presence, a skilled par liamentarian of high character and of great ability. His wife is a daughter or tbe late United 8tates Senator and Chief Jus tice Augustus H. Merrimon. Raleigh, N. C, Jan. 30. At noon to-day there waa the lastact in the Legis lative drama in progress the past three weeks, in selecting a United States Senator, the formal election of Hon. Lie S. Overman for the term from March 4, 1903, to March 3, 1909. The Hall of Rspresentatives waa crowded and the lobbies and galleries were packed. Mr. George L Morton, chairman of the Democratic caucus, nominated Lee S. Overman, as a man who would succeed the last vestige of radicalism that represented Nortb Caro lina, in the national legislative halls. Six years ago in the Legislature, one of the noblest of the8tate's sons was named for Senator, but was defeated by a combination of Republicans, Populists and turn-coats, and now he has come to his own, and the State, no less than himself, is honored at laat by having a Senator who will worthily fill the highest position in her gift. Great applause. J Seconding speeches were made by Morris, of Wake, Murphy, of Salis bury, and Hinton, of Pasquotank. Then a ballot was taken, Overman re ceiving 138 and1 Prltchard (Repub lican nominee and present Senator) 21 votes. When the vote was announced Sen ator Henderson moved to adjourn without a day, and tbe Senatorial con test was a thing of the past. The Baldwin bill, allowing both husband and wife to remarry in esses where either party obtains a divorce, passed final reading in the Senate to day, after an amendment by Hender son bad been accepted by Baldwin, abolishing abandonment as a cause for divorce after 1904. The bill was ordered engrossed and sent to the House. In the House a great number of sa loon and antt-saioon petitions were in troduced. Important bills were: By Scott, re lating to oculists and opticians; provid ing for State board of examiners; to establish a graded school at Graham. By Graham, to authorize the incorpo ration of electric plants under the gen eral law. By Uffman, to prevent the selling or offering to sell votes. Bills passed final reading; To amend the act of 1837, incorporating the Grand Lodge of North Carolina; to amend the law providing for the resto ration of estates to persons restored from lunacy by Including inebriates. After the joint session to elect a United Btates Senator, Hinton Intro duced a bill to Incorporate the Savings Bank and Trust Co., of Elisabeth City: Wooten, to establish a graded school at LaGrange; Harrington, to incorpo rate the Bank of Martin County. Raleigh, Jan. 81. Gov. Ay cock to day issued to Hod. Lee 8. Overman his commission aa United Slates Senator. The Governor signed It with a special gold pen which Private Secretary P. M. Pearsall. presented to Mrs. Over: man. SebaibV;Overman left for his home at Salisbury this afternoon. Gov. Aycock and his staff left this afternoon on a special ear for Southern Pines, where they will be guests of the Carolina Hotel for several days. liittle work of public interest was done in either branch of the General Assembly to-day, owing to the absence of many members, who obtained leaves of absence as soon as the Senatorial fight was over. In the Senate. Beasley introduced a bill creating a Historical Commission of five members, to be appointed by the Governor, to serve without pay and spend $500 per year in gathering and putting in permanent form State historical data. '. ; Many petitions on the liquor question were Introduced. - Among the bills passed were those toallow Greensboro to amend its charter, issue bonds and. useeartaln. funds for water works improvement.- A joint resolution was introduced to appoint three members to inspect the insane asylum. The bill to make drunkenness a misdemeanor was discussed an hour but failed to pass, reseiving only six votes In discussing it, Welboro, of Ashe county, declared he was kept awsket nigh In his, a prohibition county, by rowdies and venders of illicit whiskeys. Since prohibition was established, nineteen serious fights aud-two murders bad occurred inhis section, traceable to whiskey. He wanted drunkenness a mlsdemeaner to cast this away. The Senate failed to pass the bill ap propriating $3,500 to renovate and re carpet the Senate chamber and Hall of Representatives. Only a few local bills were intro duced in the House. The anti-cannon cracker and toy pistol bill was made the special order for next Wednes day. Bills amending charters of insurance companies in Greensboro were re referred to the Insurance Committee. A bill to allow the Faxaway Com pany to sell wines and liquors to guests in Jackson and Transylvania counties was made the special order for Tuesday. THE FRIES COTTON MILL MERQER. Oplloss Are Now Bezisnlni to Expire. No Steps for Renewal. Special Star Telegram. Raleigh, N. O., Jan. 31. The op tion of the Fries Cotton Mill Merger Committee on the Raleigh cotton mill expired to-day. C. G. Latta, presi dent of the mill and a member of the merger committee, said to-night that so far as he knew merger proceedings are still intact. Options are on nearly all principal mills in tbe ttoutn ana are for aix months from date. Options will now expire rapidly, however, un less there are some steps for renewal taken and none are apparently on foot. RICE STRAW GROWING IN DEMAND. Ssvssnsh Rice Mill Turned Town Order for 400 Tons at $9 75. Savannah News, 29th. Rice straw is acquiring a market value. Like tbe cotton seed, that part of a staple Southern product is no longer thrown away but is baled and sold to advantage. A few years ago rice planters would not take the trouble to bale the straw or bring it to market. Four dollars per ton was then its mar ket price. It is worth $7 now and there is a demand for all that can be supplied. The Savannah Rice Mill received an order yesterday from Philadelphia for 400 tons, at $9.75, freight prepaid, but the order could not be filled. Rice straw is used for a good many purposes. It ia used by fruit packers to a great extent, and a fine quality of paper is made of it. It is used princi pally for horse bedding, but it is now growing in favor as stock and cattle food in the North. Fayetteville's City Bosds. Fayetteville Observer, 81st: ''The Finance Committee of Fayettteville to-; day accepted the bid of F. L. Fuller & Co., of Cleveland, Ohio, for the re funding of the $13,500 Fayetteville and Florence bonds. There were eight bids in all. That of Fuller & Co. is at par, and with accrued interest from date, February 1st, to time of de livery, and a premium of $933.85. This is equal to the bonds bringing. $106.92. Tbe next highest bidder was at par, with accrued interest and a premium of $787.88. The old bonds expire February 1st, and the new ones are from that date, and to run SO years.' Cspe Peer River Stesmers. Fayetteville Observer, 81st: "Mr. T. D. Love,' of Wilmington, agent of the Merchants & Farmers Steamboat Company, and Col. W. 8, Cook, man ager of the Cape Fear & Peoples Transportation Company, met in this city this morning -and effected ar rangements for the joint management of these two lines and the Fayetteville! and Wilmington Steamboat Company, of which Mr. A. A. Lisman, of Lis- man, Lorge & Company, of New York, is president. OoL. Cook and Mr. Love have been made the joint managers of the several interests. " LOCAL DOTS. The river steamer Highlander is lied up here for a thorough over hauling. . ( License was issued during the past month for the marriage of IS white and 11 colored couples. License was issued Saturday for the .marriage of Mr. Thomas J. Tart, of Harnett township, and Miss Lucy G. ' Heath, daughter of Mr. A. K. Heatb, of Harnett township. Capt. Chas. Weasel will begin work this week on a new tug boat which he will put into commission on the Cape Fear. He has just returned from a visit to Charleston, Si. Augus tine and other Bouthern ports. . Siil 1903. SAD DEATH OF 0. R. McLEOD. Medical Stadent Who Was Poisoned at Davidson His - Remains Taken to ' Robeson Cosnty Yesterdsy. Speaking of the death of young Mr. McLeod, the medical student whose death at Davidson from a most extra ordinary cause was told of In yester day's telegraphic columns of the Stab, the Charlotte Observer says:" ' O. R. McLeod, of Robeson county, the medical student at Davidson, who bas been susering irom septicaemia or blood poisoning for a fortnight, died yesterdsy morning at 8:05 o'clock. The immediate cause of his death was asphyxia, due to multiple abscesses in tbe lungs. The final decline in McLeod's condi tion began 24 hours prior to his death, when he had great difficulty in respi ration, due to the abscess in the lungs and fluid in the pericardial cavity. It waa only in the last few hours of his life that he lost conscious ness. For two weeks the superb young irame bad catued with tb& ravages at the disease, and though the tempera ture was always high and sometimes reached 106 and .107, the mind re mained strangely unclouded. At the last, however, he became delirious, and with the instinct of a born fighter he spoke again and again of his battles on the football field. With ' McLeod at the end were his mother, his best friend, Mr. J. A. Brewin, and a few others. The body was taken yesterday morn ing to lecture room No. 1, which was draped in college colors. On the casket were many beautiful flowers, the testi monial of the members of the football team and of McLeod's fellow medical students. The body remained iu the lecture room until 4 o'clock when it was taken to the Presbyterian church, where a short service was conducted by tbe pastor, Rev. Dr. A. T. Graham. The church was filled with sympathiz ing people, who for many days have shown chief interest in the condition of the unfortunate 'young man and whose concern was based upon gen uln affection. The remaius were brought to Char lotte last evening and carried to the undertaking establishment of J. M. Harry & Co. To-day they will be carried to McLeod's home, at McDon ald's, in Robeson county, and in terred after a service in the Presby terian church at McDonald's. Those accompanying the body are Mrs. 8arah McLeod, the mother; Mr. A. J. McLeod, an uncle; Rev. William Black, of Davidson; Robert John ston, representing the football team; T. J. Eell, of the senior class; J. A. Brewin and Morrison Caldwell, rep resenting the junior class, of which McLeod was a member, and F. Faust, of tbe freshman class. Dr. J. P. Munroe, president of the North Caro lina Medical College,' and his niece, Miss Annie Belle Munroe, accom panied the body as far as Charlotte. SPIRITS TURPENTINE. Aberdeen Telegrvm: A spiri tine plant is now a certainty, with sev eral other things almost assured. Dunn Banner: Mr. M. R. Al len, of Bunuleve), informs us that Mr. Kirk Grady killed a hog last week weighing 590 pounds. Winston Sentinel : Hubbard Terrell, colored, is in jail awaiting a hearing before -Mayor Eaton at 4 o'clock to-morrow afternoon. He is the negro who has been annoying Miss Ellen Green, who works at the factory of Bailey Bros. Durham Herald: Early Friday morning Sargeant W. G. Crabtree and Policeman Proctor arrested a negro by the name of Norm Pendergrass,who is wanted in Raleigh .on the charge of shooting and seriously wounding a ne gro woman. The negro was arrested on Sugar Hill. Tbe crime was com mitted some two years ago and since then the negro has been on the run. Wilson Times: There is a dif ference of opinion here as to how the tobacco crop will be pitched. It is understood that some will reduce their crop one-third, while others are figur ing on a short crop everywhere else except in Nash county, and are going to plant all they can set out, hopiug to coin all the money this Fall and get ahead of all the rest. - Fayetteville Observer: Our es teemed townsman Mr. E. A. Poe, in commenting on the recent articles on oil in this vicinity, says that he re members hearing Rev. John Buie, a well known citizen, telling his father, Mr. Nathan Poe, that while digging a well near the Mile Branch several years after the war he struck a big vein of coal This goes to bear out the theory that there is oil in and around Fayetteville. Statesville Landmark: The Im perial Furniture Company of States ville, tbe new manufacturing concern to be organized here, has been granted a charter with an authorized capital of $50,000. W. W. White, Eiq., who keeps a weather record, reports that last year there were 284 days on which no rain fell. His record shows that in 1896 there were 209 dry days; in 1897, 284; in 1898, 271; in 1899, 270; in 1900, 292, and in 1901, 287. Mr. Kennerly tells about an egg that was about to be cooked at his house. The skillet had been heated and the lump of grease had floated to one side of the skillet. Mrs. Kennerly broke the egg and when the contents struck the bottom of the skillet she heard something rattle. It was a little egg, with a shell, well formed and complete, inside the larger egg. Goldabororgrua: Horses and mules are very high far too high for our farmers at the present price of cotton and tobacco. Wayne county could easily raise plenty of horses and mules and we have here in Eastern Carolina just as good country as the world affords. An accident of a very distressing nature occurred Tues day night about 9 o'clock at the plant of the Southern Cotton Oil Mill in this city. Mr. EL E. King, the super intendent of the mill, had gone home and left the mill in the charge of his assistant, Mr. E. O. Denmark, who found it necessary to examine the gin on account of a slight irregularity. While at work on the machine he got his right arm caught by the gin saws and had the flesh torn from his hand and arm Medical aid was summoned and the young man Is resting quietly to-day, but it is feared that the arm will have to be amputated. He Is the son of Tax Collector Willis A. 'Den mark. ' There were eisrht deaths yesterday from the plague at Mszatlan. . There are forty-four patients in the lazaretto. Tbe number of houses burned to date is 373. The owners have been indem nified in cash. NO. 15 SENATE PASSED IDE STAFF BILL. S An Amendment Provides for Re tirement of Officers Who Served in Civil War. STATUARY HALL EXERCISES. acceptance of Statues of Charles Carroll and John Hanson from the State of Msrylsnd Postofflce Appro priations In the House. sr Telegraph to sue Harnuuc Btar. Washington, Jan. 31. The greater part of the .time of the Senate to-day was devoted to exercises in conneo tion with the acceptance from the State of Maryland of statues of Charles Carroll and John Hanson, which will henceforth stand in Statuary Hall at the National capitaL The Statehood bill was not consider ed but it holds its -place on the cal endar. Among the speakers in the Mary land statue exercises were Senators Depew and Bacon. Mr. Depew said the time would come when the only persons connected with the civil war wbo would be remembered were Lincoln, Grant and Ijee. Mr. Bacon supplied the place of Mr. Daniel, who had been requested to speak. He said that not only now but at all times had the people of the Southern States which were Included in the thirteen colonies been loyal to the principles enunciated by the Dec laration of Independence. He sug gested that in addition to Statuary Hall there should be a "hall for the immortals," and said that such a hall should contain statues of all the fram- ers and signers of the Declaration of Independence. Tbe Senate adjourn ed until Monday. Tbe Senate to-day passed the House bill providing for the creation of a general staff of the army and added as an amendment the bill providing for the retirement with increased rank of officers who served in the civil war. The amendment is in the words of the retirement bill as it was recently re- Jorted by the Senate Committee on ilitary Affairs. The text of the staff bill proper was not changed, except that an amendment was added, pro vidingthat it shall not go Into effect until August 15th next. That is the date of General Miles, retirement, and the amendment was made in deference to his opposition to the measure. The bill already bad passed the House, and but for a notice by Senator Berry that he would ask to have the vote by which the bill was passed reconsider ed, it would now go to conference House of Representatives. When the House re-convened this morning at 10:30 o'clock it was still the legislative day of Friday, and the consideration of the. Claims bill, favor ably acted upon in Committee of the Whole, was proceeded with. There was not a quorum present and the sit uation was at the mercy of Mr. Payne, the floor leader. He allowed the bills to which he was not opposed to be passed, but every one to which he raised objection waa laid aside. Thirty two of the bills were passed. It then was agreed by unanmious consent that the remaining thirteen should be con sidered next Tuesday. Then at 11 o'clock, the House adjourned until 12 noon. After three hours of general debate unon the Postofflce Appropriation bill, which was made notable by a speech in favor of tariff reform by Mr. Williams, of Mississippi, who is a candidate for the Democratic leadereship of the next House, the House to-day suspended public busi ness and listened to an address on the life and public service of Charles Car roll, of Carrollton, and John Hanson, the signers of the Declaration of In dependence, whose statutes have been erected by the State of Maryland in Statuary Hall. , During the debate on the Postofflce Appropriation bill, Mr. Pou, North Carolina, discussed the trust question, arguing that the bill of tbe Judiciary Committee was inadequate. The death of the late Representative Crumple, which occurred this morn ing, in Chicago, was announced, the the usual resolutions were adopted and a committee was appointed to attend the funeral. Then as a further remark of respect, tbe House adjourned until to-morrow when a memorial session will be held to pay tribute to the late Senator McMillan, of Michigan. NEW RAILROAD DEAL Proposition for Leasing tbe St. Louis and Saa Francisco System By Telegraph to tbe Morning Btar. St. Louis, Jan 31. The Post-Dispatch to-day ia authority for the statement that at the meeting of the board of directors of tbe St. Louis and nan Wanftlaco railwav svstem in New York February 5th a proposition for leasing the road will be passed upon. There are four bidders at this time, the Pennsylvania, the Bouthern, the Chicago and Northwestern and the Rock Island. According to a local authority heavily interested in the road, tbe contest has narrowed down to the Pennsylvania and the Southern. u mm Willi ! Are you indebted toTHE WEEKLY 8TAR? If M, when you receive a bill for your subscription send us the amount you owe. Remember, that a news paper bill is as much en titled to your considera tion as Is a bill for gro Itap Caiot I Money THE STAIUS'flP THE PANAMA CANAL TREATY. Important Coafereace at the Whits Hoase. y Ubl 1UUB VinUHhUUU m VI ue treaty s stauuvauvn. - nv Teiaaranb to tna stornina Star. Washington, Jan. 81. An Impor tant conference was held at the White House to-day, the participants being the President, Secretary Hay and Sen ator Cullutn, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the 8enate. under discussion was the the Panama canal treaty. The situation with regard to the treaty as it has developed in the Senate is giving the administration and its sup porters grave concern. The President is exceedingly anxious that the treaty should be ratified at the earliest possi ble moment; yet the indications now are that serious obstruction may be placed ih the way of ratification. The conference held to-day was with a view of ascertaining, if possible, what could be done to hasten consideration of the treaty by the Senate. It is quite certain that the advices received by the President are not re-assuring. An effort is to be made to get the treaty out of committee with a favorable re port. That the effort will be succssful is reasonably certain; but then in its troubles, in the present view of the matter, will only have begun. Sena tor Morgan, chairman'of the Commit -fee on Inter-Oceanic Canals, takes the ground that the negotiations conduct ed by tlio State Department with Mr. Herrn, representing Colombia, aro not valid, as he holds that Herran did . not possess -''Ihe-neoessajry au thority to make a treaty binding upon his country, and it is understood that he will use his utmost efforts to defeat the treaty in its present form. Indeed, the Intimation has rescbed tbe President that when the treaty is called up for consideration in tbe Senate, amendments will be offered to almost every section of it. Such ac tion, it is well understood, will seri ously delay Hnal action upon it, even if it should not result in the defeat of its ratification. It is stated definitely that any amendment to the treaty would imperil the entire canal pro ject, as the government of Colombia might hesitate to accept amendments made to it, particularly if they in volved essential details or principles. FIRE IN U. S. ASSAY OFFICE. BoUdlng and Appsratus Damsfed Oov eminent Employes Saved Millions of Treasnre in Their Chsrfe. By Telegraph to tbe Morning Btar. New York, January 31. Fire broke out to-day in a laboratory on the sec ond floor of the United States assay office, which Is next door to the sub treasury, and destroyed a portion of the roof and upper story and some ap paratus. Chief Assayer Torrytaid the loss on the apparatus probably would not exceed $2,000, and that the loss on the building would be nominal. He thought the business of the assay office, which amounted to about seventy-five assays a day, would not be interrupted longer than three or four days. Mr. Torrey believed that nitric acid, which is used in testing bullion, was the cause of the fire. He said it might have eaten into the wooden flue which leads from the glass bssins where the gold and silver bars are melted and subjected to chemical ac tion. The flames which were first seen ia one of these flues soon got beyond control. An alarm was turned in-and the sixty-five government em ployes in the building hastened to save tbe millions of treasure in their care. There was about $4,000,000 in bullion in the vaults, and about $1,500,000 lying outside in various parts of the building. The $1,500,000 and about $100,000 in a melted state, as well as tbe books and accounts, and records, were hastily locked in the vaults. Then the em ployes hurried out of the building for their own safety. CONFEDERATE VETERANS. Thirteenth Annual Reunion Will Be Held in New Orlesns Betlnnlng May 191b. By Telegraph to tbe Morning Btar. New Orleans, January 81. Gen eral Gordon, commanding the United Confederate Veterans, announces that according to the custom heretofore in force which leaves to the command ing general and the department com manders the fixing of the date of the reunion, the thirteenth annual re union will be held in the city of New Orleans, La., on May 19th, 20th, 21st and 22ad, 1903, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, respectively, those days having been named, by thehost as satisfactory. With pride the commanding general also an nounces that,M90 camps have already joined the association and he hopes that many more will me applications before the reunion. SUICIDE BY STARVATION. Death of a Wealthy Inventor nnd Student of pcnltlsm In New York City. 1 Br Telegraph to the Morning Btar. New York, January 81 Joseph William Sheppard, a wealthy Inventor and student of Ocultism, died here to day of self-imposed starvation. Shep pard resisted all efforts or bis iamiiy and physician to induce him to take nourishment and Informed tbe 'latter that he had no intention of accepting his treatment and that he had only called him in so that his son might be protected in the the event of what he termed his "apparent death." How long he had been fasting is not known, but his son, with whom he lived, knew that be had for a consid erable time refused to take nourish ment, in the belief that he would thus bring about a perfection of the spirit. ' He was 64 years old. COPPER DISCOVERED. Larre Minis Enterprises Projected at Asheville to Develop the Find. By Telegraph to the Morning Btar. Asheville, N. C, Jan. 3L Cop per has been discovered on the upper waters of the Big Ivy Creek and large mining enterprises to develop it have been projected. It is understood that representatives of mining capitalists have taken options on several tracts of land on which the find is located. RUSH ORDERS ISSUED. To Ship 100,000 Krag Rifles to Arseials , Over the Country. By Telegraph to the Horning Btar. Spriugfield, Mass., Jan. SL Or ders have been received at the United ates armory here to rush the ship ment of one hundred thousand Krag rifles to arsenals over the country. The original cause of the oder was the passage of the militia bill, but the roih feature of the order apparently has a special cause. iV . .1 'V f . i. aVi 4: It -