Weather To-Day: COLD WAVE: RAIN. The News and Observer, VOL. XLiV. NO. 99. nates HE BORTIB CMOLMA DAILIES ■ KWB HD CRCUUTHN. DEATH OF ROMERO Mexican Ambassador to the United States. AN EMINENT STATESMAN BEST KNOWN DIPLOMAT OF ALL IN WASHINGTON. HE CAME HERE FIRST IN THE YEAR 1857 Has Held Positions of Trust and High Hono for His Country Here and at Home. His Wife a Washing ton Lady. Washington, D. ('.. Dee. 30. —Senor Don Matins Romero, the Mexican Am bassador to the United States, died aji the Embassy here at 4:10 o'clock this morning. On Wednesday an operation for appendicitis was performed upon the Ambassador, and although the operation was entirely successful the resulting shock proved greater than he could bear. Up to 1:30 o’clock this morning, however it was thought that he was in a fair way to recovery, but at that time a high fever set in, and he sank rapidly until his death. The death of Mrs. Romero, which oc curred sometime ago, was n great shock to the Ambassador and on liis return from Mexico whither he had taken hei remains for interment, his friends re marked that he was greatly broken and showed unmistakable signs of fail ing health. While in Mexico at that time Mr. Romero was stricken with fe ver and although he was soon able to return to the United States, he never fully regained his health. Senor Romero probably was the best known member of the Diplomatic Corps in Washington and was for some time its Dean. When Great Britain raised her mission to an Embassy the added rank placed Sir Julian Pauneefoto. the British Ambassador, at the head of tin corps though a junior in years of ser vice to Senor Romero, who was raised only recently front the rank of Miuister to that of Ambassador. A sketch prepared by the Bureau of American Republics and published in its bulletin for the month of December 1898, after revision by Senor Romero himself gives the subjoined biographical review of the dead Ambassador: “Senor Romero is one of the most eminent statesmen, writers, and diplo mats of Mexico. lie was born in the city of Oaxaca, February 24th, 183 V. He received his first education in his native place, and finished it at the capi tal of the republic, where he received his diploma as a lawyer. In 1855 he first entered the Foreign Office, although still pursuing liis legal duties. Tn 1857 when President Comonfort made his eoup d’etat, forcing President Juarez to leave the capital, Senor Romero accom panied him to Vera Cruz where he con tinued in the service of the Department of Foreign Relations. In 1857, he came to Washington as First Secretary of the Mexican Legation, and remained here in that capacity until August, 1860. when, in the absence of the minister, he be came charge d’affaires. He returned to 'Mexico in 1803 to take part in the war against the French and was appointed colonel by the President. General Por tirio Diaz then appointed him chief of staff. Soon after that, President Juarez accredited him as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Wash ington. He remained at this post from October. 18t‘»3. until January, 1809. hav ing rendered most important services to his country. “On his return to Mexico, he was ap pointed Secretary of the Treasury, but was obliged, on account of ill health to give iij) that office in 1872. From 1577 to 1878 he was again Secretary of the Treasury. In 1880 lie served as Post master General. In March, 1882, he came back to Washington as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipoten tiary, and has remained in that-capacity ever since, with an interruption of only ten months, in 1892. when, for the third time, he was called to serve as Secre tary of the Treasury. As representative of his country in the United States Se nor Romero has shown himself a Viost efficient and able diplomat. Ilis ef forts have been most successful in strengthening the friendly ties between the two nations, and with this object in view he has written a great deal, his productions always receiving the highest encomiums from the press of th« United States and other countries. “Senor Romero was a member of the International American Conference and in that body served" with great distinc tiob, having been one of its two vice presidents.” Senor Romero married a Washington k woman many years ago. and their home lon I Street, off Franklin Park was a Bociul centre and tin* scene each season ■f brilliant society functions. A large Pf.art of resident, as well as official so cictv always attended these affairs. Mada roe Itomero died not long ago. She and her husband enjoyed the friendship and confidence of the lenders in national events immediately succeeding the war. The intimacy between Senor Romero and I General Grant was especially close, lie also was on intimate terms with Pres ident Lincoln and Secretary Seward. In 1808 when he returned to Mexico, was sent by Secretary Seward as a Lurk of distinction in a United States Government vessel. The Legation was, by a concurrent arrangement of the two Governments, within the last month, raised to the grade of an Embassy, and next Tuesday had been fixed upon as the day when Senor Romero was to present his credentials to President Mc- Kinley as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. Beside liis diplo matic duties he was a frequent contribu tor to the magazine literature of this country, mainly confining his labors to articles relative to Mexico. During the last few months the first volume of a valuable work from liis pen appeared, entitled “Mexico and the United States.” being a study of subjects affecting their political, commercial and social relations. TROOPS LEAVE CHARLESTON. Nearly Three Thousand Set Sail For Cuba. Charleston. S. C., Dec. 30.—Nearly 3,000 United States troops sailed from Charleston to Cuba tceday. The trans ports Minnewaska and Manitoba went out on the morning tide, and the Ward Line steamer Saratoga went to sea later in the day. On the first named ship there were General Bates, his headquart ers, the brigade hospital and the Sixth regiment of Ohio volunteers, bound for Cienfuogos: the Manitoba carried Gen eral Sanger, his 1 headquarters and the Twelfth regiment of New York volun teers. while the human eargo of the Sara toga consisted of 450 of the First regu lar infantry. In addition to the troops each vessel carried an immense quanti ty of supplies, provisions, baggage, lum ber. etc. The Saratoga goes to Havana, 1 while the Manitoba takes General Sang er and his staff to Matanzas. of which city and district he will have military charge. MATTERS IN DURHAM. Durham, N. C.. Dee. 30.—(Special.)— Fire about 1 o’clock this afternoon do-' stroyed a dwelling house in Hayti, the southeastern suburb of Durham, be longing to W. I). Pegram, colored. The contents of the house were saved. The loss on the building will amount to about .$l5O. The fire was out of reach of the fire department. Enjoyable Christinas exercises were held at the Presbyterian, the First Bap tist and North Durham Methodist churches last night. The North Dur ham Mission Sunday school held their entertainment to-night. Col. ,T. S. Carr is in receipt of a mes sage from Secretary Alger, stating that two more mem be ns of the First North Carolina regiment, have been honorably! discharged. They are Privates Willard; Sherron. of Company I>. and Frank Goss, of Company I. It is also learned that Private Jim King, of Company I, j has been honorably discharged. The Board of Aldermen have granted! liquor license to the following parties for six months* from January Ist: A. J. Kllis. L. W. Whßesell. Jesse Johnson, I W. S. Vestal. J. G. Patterson. T. 11. j Scoggins, 11. M. Coble, A. T. Fowler. Proctor & Co., Green Andrews, John Harris, William Mangum, Jr., and J. J. Laughlin, Jr. & Co. Deputy Sheriff John F. Harward and (.'has. E. Christian carried to Raleigh to-day Miss Nancy Pegram, who had lost her mind, and placed her iti the asylum. INCREASED STOCK DEALINGS. New York. Doc. 30.—Transactions on the New York Stock Exchange for the year show a decided increase in all branches over those for several preced ing years. The total number of listed stocks dealt in during the year, aiynunt to 85,820 911 shares, unlisted stocks 27,049.472 shares. Sales of State and Railroad bonds amounted to $847,054.- 000 (par valued unlisted bonds $40,- 203,500, and government bonds, $24,- 129,210. In 1897 only 77,248,347 listed and un listed shares were sold: in 1890, 54,490,- 043 shares; in 1895, 00 440,570 shares, and in 1894, the poorest year in many, 49.275.733 Shari's. The business of the Consolidated Stock and Petroleum Exchange was much larger this year than last. Rail road stock clearances amounted to 03.- 402,000 shares: bond sales $21,037,000, and 924,520 shares of mining stocks were dealt in. Wheat clearances through the exchange aggregated 740,210,000 bushels. THINKS 11E KNOWS MURDERER. Detective Promises to Have Cornish’s Would-be Murderer Within 12 Hours. New York, Dec. 30. —The World says: “Captain George McClusky, chief of the detective bureau, firmly believes that he the mystery surrounding the mpt to f kill Harry Cornish, phy sic.-,. fctriietor of the Knickerbocker Athlete '» Club, by sending him poison through the mails. "At 9 o’clock last night Captain Mc- Clusky stated that he would hive the, culprit in custody within twelve hours. "The name of the suspected murderer is withheld from publication lest i(s an nouncement should defeat the ends of justice. “The man under surveillance was for merly a member of the Knickerbocker Athletic Club. He was at one time a man of high social and financial s*/itid ing in this city. In later years, through evil habits and evil associates liis descent was rapid.” PENALTY FOR MRS. BOTKIN. San Francisco, Cal., Dee. 30. —Tin* jury in the Botxin ease has* returned a ver dict of murder in the first degree with penalty fixed at life imprisonment. Messrs. Claude Dockery, of Rocking ham, and Thomas Settle, of Greensboro, were here yesterday on business con nected with Col. Oliver Dockery's cim j test for tile seat of Mr. John I>. Boll.t --| my in tin 1 next Congress, Mr. Settle is: | one of Col. Dockery's attorneys. 1 HALKItm, JS. <}., SATURDAY MOKNINO, DECEMBER 31, 1S»8. BANQUET TO BRYAN People’s Champion Lunges at Imperialism. HE RESPONDS TO A TOASi BOAST OF OUR NATION. RIGHT MAKES MIGHT. SHALL WE REVERSE TH-S SENTIMENT? “Imperialism Finds its Inspiration in Dollars Not in Duty " The True Mission of Cur Nation to Liberate those in Bondage. Lincoln, Neb., Dec. 30.—A complimen tary reception and banquet to Colonel W. J. Bryan was tendered tonight by the Nebraska Travelling Men’s Bryan Club at the Lincoln Hotel. Invitations were sent to 250 admirers of Mr. Bryan, which were with few exceptions accept ed. The only notable absentee was Con gressman Bailey, of Texas, who was to have responded to the toast “Democ racy,” but who telegraphed from Wash ington his inability to be present. Mr. Bryan responded to the sentiment. “Am erica’s Mission; Let Not the (Trim s of the East E’er Crimson Thy Name; be Freedom and Science and Virtue Thy Fame.” Mr. Bryan insisted that a colonial policy was wrong in principle and unwise and he predicted that it would prove un profitable in practice. He said in part: “You have labored diligently to prevent foreign financiers from disregarding the rights of the American people, now you are called upon to use your influence to prevent the American people from dis regarding the rights of others. .Self re straint is a difficult virtue to practice. “It has been the boast of our nation that right makes might. Shall we abandon the motto of the republic and go back a century to the monarchical motto which asserts that might makes right? “Be not carried away by the excite ment incident to war; it will soon sub side. Oiir people will turn again to the paths of peace; justice will resume her reign. “Be steadfast in the faith of tin fathers. Your tight is for yourselves as well as for your country. In the words of the distinguished Georgian. Hill: “ ‘Who saves his country saves him self, and all things saved do bless him. Who lets his country die, lets all things die, dies himself ignobly—and all thiugs dying cimse him.’ “Imperialism finds its inspiration in dollars, not in duty. It is not our duty to burden our people with increased taxes in order to give a few speculators an opportunity for exploitation; it is not our duty to sacrifice the best blood of our nation in tropical jungles in an at tempt to stifle the very sentiments which have given vitality to American insti tutions; it is not mu* duty to deny the people of the Philippines the rights for which our forefathers fought from Bunk er Hill to Yorktown. "Our nation has a mission, but it is to liberate those who are in bondage— not to place shackles upon these who are struggling to he free. “We rejoice in the marvelous victory won liy Dewey in Manila Bay; we would give to him a sacred place in his tory. and crown liis memory with bless ings. To us lie is a hero; to the Fili pinos he can be a savior. “Let him be known to posterity, not as the subjugator of an alien race, hut as the redeemer of an oppressed people— not as a Lord Olive, but as a La Fayette. The gratitude of a people is better than u jeweled sword.” A number of other speeches were made. NOTHING HEARD FROM ILOILO. Washington, Dec. 30. —A cablegram was received at the War Department to-day from General Otis in command at Manila, but to the disappointment of the officials he announced that he bad not yet heard of the result if the laud ing of General Miller’s forces at Iloilo. Provision has been made by the Navy Department for the establishment of a mail service between Manila and Guam, our new naval station in the Pacific Admiral Dewey lias been instructed that after the Yosemite arrives at Manila he must send a mail to the Island of Guam at least on nee in every two months, using any vessel of the fleet available for the service. TRIED TO (’FT HER THROAT. Charleston. S. C\. December 30.- John Peters, of Company I, Third Connecticut regiment, stationed at Camp Marion, near Summerville, yesterday attempted to out the throat of the wife of Parson Beluiny. at Lineolnville, a negro village about five miles from the camp. She dodged and lie cut her in the right cheek, lie is supposed to be crazy. lie was found preaching to an illiterate congre gation near Camp Marion recently. He is now under treatment at the brigade hospital. WEEKLY BANK CLEARINGS. New York, Dee. 2rt!—The total hank clearings in the United States for the week were $1,409,502,659; per cent in crease. 18.7. Exclusive of New* York, 8522.690,195; percent increase, 17.5. ODOR OF A CORPSE More Light Thrown on the Beef Scandal, POISONOUS CHEMICALS THESE WERE USED TO PRE SERVE THE MEAT. INVESTIGATION BY FXPERTS ASKED Report of Surgeon Daly Made Public. For the Saf:ty of his Patients he Had to Throw All the Beef on Board the Sh