Weather To-Day: PARTLY CLOUDY; RAIN.
VOIi. XLV. NO. io;s.
FEWER EMPLOYES
AND LESS PM
The House Begins Economy
at Home.
ALL SALARIES REDUCED
ALL DEPARTMENTS ARE TO BE
INVESTIGATED.
THE RESOLUTION PASSED LAST NIGHT
The Committee Will Probably be Appointed
To*day. The Work Will be Thorough
anJ Will Begin at Once.
Two Caucuses.
Though tli-e Legislature is only one
day old. two facts may be put down as
certain:
» It will cut down the number of em
ployes and otherwise reduce expenses.
It will investigate the public institu
tions and their conduct.
These things were decided upon last
night in caucus.
The first caucus was a joint one of
members of House and Senate. It was
called to order by Mr. W. B. Council, of
Watauga, and Senator Thomas G. Skin
ner, of Hertford, was elected chairman.
After considerable discussion over the
matter of enrolling clerk, it was de
cided to repeal the act of 181)7 providing
for two enrolling clerks, one to be ap
pointed by the presiding officer of the
Senate and one by the Speaker of the
House. The old law will be re-enacted
providing for one oLerk. and it was de
cided to elect Et B. NorveU, of Chero
kee, the Senate nominee, for the posi
tion.
The enrolling clerk matter settled. Mr.
Francis D. Winston, of Bertie, intro
duced the following resolution, provid
ing for an official investigation into the
affairs of the penitentiary and agricul
tural department:
‘ That it is the sense of this hotly that
the public interests demand that an in
vestigation be had of the conduct of the
various departments of our State gov
ernment. and especially the penitentiary
management and the department of ag
riculture since January Ist, 1897.”
The reading of this resolution was
greeted with applause, as was also the
statement that the party was not to be
bound by Russell’s appointments, sev
eral speakers plainly amending that no
quarter was to be shown in dealing with
this matter.
Before the vote was taken, though,
the following substitute was offered by
Mr. D. H. McLean, of Harnett, ac
cepted by Mr. Winston and unanimously
passed.
“Whereas it has been charged by the
press of the State and not authoritative
ly denied that various sums of money
have been paid out of the State Treas
ury as loans or advancements to some of
the public institutions of the State with
out authority of law and that gross ir
regularities if not transactions of a
graver type lire vail in other branches of
tlie public service; and whereas the truth
of these matters should be ascertained,
to the end that proper remedy be ap
plied thereto; whereby the interests of
the people shall be jealously guarded,
It is therefore the sense of this cau
cus that a thorough investigation be en
tered upon by the General Assembly of
all the deportments of the State, and that
legislation to that end should be enacted
at once if necessary.”
The House caucus which met after the
joint caucus e.ccted a steering committee
composed of Lee S. Overman, of Rowan;
E. J. Justice, of McDowell; I). H. Mc-
Lean, of Harnett: George Rountree, of
New Hanover; ,T. Frank Ray. of Macon;
Heriot Clarkson, of Mecklenburg, and
W. B. Connell, of Watauga.
The committee npj>ointed at the caucus
Tuesday night to fix the number of
House employes, clerks and laborers,
made the following report reducing the
number of House employes 40 per cent
and the salaries of those retained 20
per cent.
“That in view of the depressed prices
of all products and iu keeping with the
pledges made to the people, we recom
mend that the salaries paid all clerks,
assistant clerks, door-keepers and as
sistant door-keepers, messengers, labor
ers and all other persons employed by the
House in any capacity, except as pages,
be reduced 20 per cent of the amount
paid during the-session of 1897.
“We recommend that the number of
persons to be employed now be fixed as
follows:
“One principal clerk.
“Two assistants to be selected as is
now provided by law.
“Nine pages—one from each Congress
ional district.
“One laborer to look after the water
closets, to be appointed by the door
keeper after consultation with tin
Speaker.
"Throe laborers to be appointed by
the door-keeper after consultation with
Speaker.
“One laborer to look after the heat, to
be appointed by the door-keeper.
“One messenger, to be appointed by the
Speaker.
“Two assistants to the engrossing
clerk, to be selected as now provided by
law.”
The eommitee making this report is
composed of Francis D. Winston. 11. G.
Connor. W. It. Allen. Isicke Craig and
,1. Williams.
The report was adopted and the cau
cus adjourned.
The News and Observer.
lEMss 111 Hues S news mo okioiil
Its action in reducing expenses will
be heartily endorsed by the people of
North Carolina.
“The books will be unlocked.” So
spoke a prominent Senator last night
after the joint caucus of the Democratic
Senators and Representatives in Com
mons Hall.
The Democratic Senators had can
cussed in the afternoon, and it had been
the sense of the body that no time
should be lost in going into a thorough
investigation of the Penitentiary and
perhaps of other institutions. In the
joint caucus at night it was made clear
that the investigation would be imme
diate. sweeping and thorough. The in
vestigation will liegin at the top and go
to the bottom —to the bottom of the de
partments and of department.
The Democratic administration of pub
lic affairs, when it begins, v ill begin with
a clean bill of Health. The fusion admin
istration will have its workings sounded,
and any rottenness that may exist or lias
existed will be exposed. “The people
will take a look at the books.”
The ball will be set a-rolling in the
Senate to-day when Senator J. A.
Brown, of the loth district, will intro
duce a resolution calling for the appoint
ment of a joint committee to investigate.
The committee will be instructed to in
vestigate the management of all public
institutions and of ail the departments
of State. There will be no discrimina
tion. The penitentiary, the rotten man
agement of which has been a stencil in
the nostrils for this many a day. will
not receive the exclusive attention of
the committee. The opportunity will b<*
improved to look into tin* asst ~-s of all
the other institutions and. i:’ any reno
vation is needed, to renovate.
There was no difference of opinion as
to this. Senators and Representatives
are. apparently, unanimously and eager
ly for it. Said one last night: “Our in
structions from the jieople were impera
tive on this point. We were sent here
to investigate tin* conduct of public
affairs daring the past two yean-; as a
part of our work. We have no desire
and no intention to shirk it. My under
standing of the matter is that the in
vestigation is to bo thorough and impar
tial. I. for one, feel that to do loss)
would be to violate the trust imposed
in me by my constituents.” Others
spoke much to the same purpose.
Naturally, the personnel of the com
mittee was not discussed at the joint
caucus last night. That will be taken
up and determined after the joint reso
lution has been put through the House
and Senate, and the matter thus gotten
into formal shape. Much interest win
attach to the make up of this com
mittee. as it will be one of the most
important of the legislative session, and
undoubtedly some of tin* ablest members
of both Houses will be placed on it.
THE BANK GUILFORD
r HE DOO3S COSED AN T A RECEIVED
ASK'D FOR.
/
Ha Will Wind up the Business. Bank Losirg
Money for Some Time. Drp tsiicrs
Will be Paid.
Greensboro. N. 0., Jan. 4.—(Special.)
—The Bank of Guilford, of this county
closed its doors to-day. A notice was
posted stating that by order of the di
rectors a receiver had been asked for to
wind up the affaire; of tin* bank. The
hank has been losing money for some
time, and the announcement caused no
surprise. It is stated that deposits will
be paid in full.
RETURNED AS FROM THE DEAD.
Coming of Ten American Sailors Given
Up as Lost.
New York. Jan. 4.—The steamer Maas
dam. of the Holland-American Line,
which arrived today from Rotterdam,
brought as passengers ten American sail
ors who were sent by the United States
Consul at Rotterdam. Mr. Listoe. They
were* the captains and crews of the lum
ber schooner Bertram N. White and tin*
coal-carrying schooner barge Quinnebaug.
The crews in each ease, consisting of
five men. were picked up at sea by an
English sailing vessel and taken to Rot
terdam.
The men hailed from various ports on
tli American seaboard and are American
citizens. They proceeded to their homes.
The five* men from the Quinnebaug
returned as from the grave, for since De
ctmber 2d they have* been reported
among the lost. These men have twice
crossed the Atlantic and have undergone
experiences they scarcely looked for whin
they shipped aboard tin* schooner barge
Quinnebaug. bound from Norfolk to
Providence with 2.500 tons of coal
aboard. In the storm of November 27th
last which or ated so much havoc among
shipping the Quinnebaug. while in tow.
went adrift and reported to have sunk
with till on board. This occurred off
Scotland Lightship. At the same time
and in the same vicinity the Corsica and
Helicon, barges in tow of the tug Luck
enbaek, also sank and the cp.-w of the
Corsica was lost. The Quinnebaug was
built in 1877 in Philadelphia and was 970
tons register. Her home is New York.
She left Norfolk on November 23d.
The captain and crew of the schooner
Bertram N. White were picked up by
uhe British steamer Eric on December
~d last and taken to Holland. The
schooner was abandoned on that day
when about 350 miles southwest of this
port. She was bound from Jacksonville
to Philadelphia. Sin* was built in 1892
and was 392 tons and her horn.* port was
Jones port, Maine.
HOBART CONFINED WITH GRIP.
Washington, Jan. 4.—Vice President
Hobart was unable to attend the session
of the Senate today, being confined to
Experience teaches people a lot of
things they would rather not know.
KALEIOH. NTHURSDAY MORNING, JANUARY 5, 1891).
THE SEABOARD DEAL
It Will Doubtless be Consurr.-*
mated To-night.
BALTIMORE THE PLACE
S. A. L. TO BECOME PART OF THE
G. AND A. ROAD.
lOHN SKEL'O I WILLIAMS TO CONTROL
Price Agree d on S2OO per Share for 8,300
Shares of Slock par Value SIOO Each.
Syndicate Baltimore, and
Other Caiita'ists
Baltimore, Mil., Jan. 4. —The report
concerning the proposed purchase of the
Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad Com
puny, parent corporation of tin* Seaboard
Air Line system, is officially confirmed.
The syndicate which has bid for the
property, subject to the approval of the
owners of three-fourths of the stock
pooled with Messrs. Louis McLane and
Legli R. Watts, is composed of Unit i
more, Richmond and New York cap tal
ists.
John Skelton Williams, President ot
tin* Georgia and Alabama Railroad Com
pany, is tin* moving spirit in the transac
tion, and it is understood that he will
be president of the company when con
trol is transferred to the syndicate.
The price agreed upon is 8200 a share,
which is $73 a share more than was
offered for a controlling interest in the
property two years ago by Thomas F.
Ryan.
A member of the syndicate said to-day
that it is the intention of the new own
ers to continue tlu* company as an inde
pendent system, though ho admitted that
a line might ultimately be built from
Atlanta, the Seaboard’s Southern termi
nus. to Montgomery, where connection
would be made with the Georgia amt
Alabama. The distance between ihese
points is 175 miles. This would make
a through line from Washington to Jack- I
sonvitle.
ROAD’S OFFICERS IN THE D YRK.
Norfolk, Va.. Jan. 4.— I Tin: Associated
Press dispatch this morning, with re
spect to the deal of Mr. John Skelton
Williams, of Richmond, and associates
for a controlling interest in the Seaboard
Anr Lim* stock, fell lpon Norfolk 'vita
the startling effect of a thunderclap
from a cloudless sky. Both towns have
been stirred from centre to circumfer
ence all day.
A representative of the Virginian-Pilot
called upon Mr. E. St. John, Vice-Presi
dent and General Manager rs ihe S. A.
L., in the company’s building m Ports
mouth. He, too, was in searcti of in
formation. The dispatch was a gieat
surprise to him. Other general officers
were as much in the dark.
Later in the day the reporter ran
across a gentleman who does know. He
is largely interested in Norfolk enter
prises and vouched for the accuracy
of the statements made in the dispatch.
The syndicate lies offered s2o<) pot
share for $8,300 shares of stock of the
par value of SIOO each, and are abso
lutely certain of securing the system ot
roads and Bay Line. The syndicate al
ready controls the Richmond, Peters
burg and Carolina road, now m course
of construction from Richmond, Yu., to
Ridgeway, N. (’.
The S. A. L. will be merged with the
Georgia and Alabama Railway, of which
John Skelton Williams is President, and
a strong system will be organized.
The deal has been on hand for several
weeks and is exacted to la* consumma
ted in Baltimore to-morrow night. The
syndicate is much worried that the deal
obtained publicity before it was con
summated, but our informant says there
is now no danger of failure.
WANTS TO LOOK AT THE BOOKS.
Ryun Files a Petition for a Writ of
Mandamus.
Riehumnd. Va.. Jan. 4.—Thomas F.
Ryan, of New York, filed a petition in
the Supreme Court of Appeals here to
day, for a writ of mandamus to compel
\\\ w. Chamberlain, secretary, and John
H. Sharp, treasurer of the Seaboard and
Roanoke Railroad Company to allow
him or his agents to inspect the books
of the company.
At the tsaine time Chamberlain and
Sharp, through Win. A. Fisher, of Bal
timore, and G. Hatton, of Portsmouth,
their counsel, filed their answer.
The papers in the case are very bulky.
, Ryan’s ix'titiou recites that he owns
2.000 shares of stock, and at great length
tells of the affairs of the company. This
is an old light. Ryan and his associates
.have for a long time been seeking to ac
quire control of the Seaboard Air Line.
They have been fighting in the Federal
courts, and have certain causes pending
lin>r»* now.
The Court of Appeals will not render
its (leeit-iion for some time, as it will re
quire much time to examine the papers.
SYNDICATE’S FIRST MOVE.
The Completion of the Rond From
Richmond to Ridgeway.
Baltimore, Md.. Jan. 4.—The Sun to
morrow will say:
“The offer of S2OO a share, made by
the syndicate headed by the banking
house of John L. Williams & Sous, of
Richmond. Va.. |>r the pooled stock of
the Seaboard and Roanoke railroad has
Peon accepted by all persons living in
Baltimore who have stock in the pool. l
Assurances have been received that
out-of-town stockholders who signed the
pooling agreement will also accept, and
tin* necessary three-fourths assent tinder
the agreement, will, it is understood, be'
readily secured, t
“The offer of the syndicate to buy out!
the company, and with it the control of
the thousand miles ‘of railroad in the
Seaboard Air Line system, is one of a
number of offers for this property in the;
past three years. After Mr. Thomas F. j
Ryan, or New York, made his offer
about two years ago to buy the pooled:
stock at $125 a share, another syndi-j
cate made an offer.
“This second offer was the outcome of i
the stubborn contest waged for the oust
ing of the Hoffman management and
tin* proposition came from a syndicate
in which Baltimore merchants were
largely interested. The offer was partly
induced by tin* feeling held in some
quarters that tin* control of the Sea
board Air Line might fall into the hands
of the Southern railway or its allies un
less secured by strong influences not
identified with an existing Southern
ay.stem.
“The big rate war which was the cul
mination of the disagreement between
the Southern and the Seaboard', and the
subsequent litigation coming from the
Ryan syndicate iu its attempt to break
up the pool which held the control of the
system, kept things at a tension.
Criticism was shot at tlu* management
for not accepting the offer of $125 a
share made by the Ryan syndicate, and
the claim that the property was worth,
more was denied by some stockholders
signing the agreement.
“Considerable interest its manifested in
the plans of the syndicate, which in
cludes. in addition to Richmond and
Baltimore capitalists a number of New
York men. who are represented by the
Produce Exchange Trust Company of
New York.
“It is stated that the first move will
be to complete the construction of the
Richmond. Petersburg and Carolina
railroad from Richmond. Va., to Ridge
way. N. 0., where it meets the Seaboard
Air Line. Some time ago property was
purchased in Richmond to he used as
terminals for this new road. A connec
tion with the Georgia and Alabama will
not, it is said, be a thing of the near fu
ture*. although the fact that tin* syndi
cate has a controlling interest in that
road will induct* steps to connect the
two properties.
"It Is regarded 1 a* highly improbable
that such a connection, if made would
Ik* built from Atlanta to Montgomery,
as these two cities are the Western ter
minal of the two systems. The most
likely plan would be to build from some
point on the Georgia, Carolina and
Northern to Savannah. Gn., so as to se
cure a direct route to that city. The
Seaboard already bias a direct route to
Atlanta. A plan to establish a new di
re< t line from the national capital to
Florida, by building into Richmond and
securing a connection from there to
Washington, would take the road to
ward Savannah.
“The Seaboard has been anxious for
some years to reach New Orleans and
a connection into Washington made by
filling in the gap front Ridgeway, N. 0..
to Richmond, Va.. would put the system
in position to make satisfactory terms
for reaching the Crescent City. There
f.as been considerable talk in the past
of an alliance between the Louisville
and Nashville and the Seaboard Air
Line, and it is believed that such an
agreement would quickly follow if the
Seaboard was in a position to furnish a
satisfactory entrance into Washington.
“There would be but little difficulty in
arranging for through ears to Baltimore,
Philadelphia and New York from Wash
ington.”
THE DEBARAS’ HEARING.
They Are Positively Identified as Two
Clever Chicago Swindlers.
Jacksonville. Fla.. Jan. 4.—Baron and
Baroness Edgar Do Bara, alias George
B. Ilenschel and Miss E. Wilson, who
was arrested at St. Augustine on Tues
day charged with using the mails for
fraudulent purpose, were given a pre
liminary hearing before United States
Commissioner Goodell today. Decision
was reserved till tomorrow morning.
The case was very strong against them,
and they were positively identified by
Registered Letter Carrier Hogan, of the
Chicago postoffioe as Ilenschel and Wil
son. operating tin* Edison Phonograph
Company at 115 Dearborn street in that
city in November last. No testimony
was offered by the defense.
THE LEWIS RESOLUTION.
Providing For Rigid Investigation Into
the Beef Scandal.
Washington, Jan. 4.—Representative
Lewis, of Washington, to-day introduced
a resolution providing for an inquiry by
any House committee appointed to in
vestigate tin* conduct of the war. into
tin* beef contracts made by tlu* Govern
ment, whether the beef was in all cases
wholesome, and “whether tin* facts dis
closed should or should not demand the
(submission of tlu* subject matter, and
persons connected therewith to an ai>-
propriate grand jury of the United
States to enquire into and present such
indictment or presentment for obtaining
money by false pretenses or f&r the
cheat and swindling of ther United
States, or of any other departments.”
New York. Jan. 4. The application
for a certificate of reasonable doubt,
pending an appeal, in tin* case of Wil
liam A. E. Moore, who was sentenced to
19 years imprisonment for robbery, ex
tortion and assault in the first degree,
was argued before Justice Nash, in tlu*
Supreme court to-day. Decision was re
served
THETREHTY OF PARIS
Sent by the President to the
Senate.
TREATY WAS NOT READ
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
MEETING OF COMMUTES ON FR DAY
Res:luti)i then Probable for Publcdion of
Poth Treaty and Proceedings. House
Considers Bill to DGine end
Putvsh Crimes in Alaska.
Washington, D. C., Jan. 4,—The first ■
session of the Senate after the holiday
recess occupied only fourteen minutes, al
though in that brief time two open ses- ,
siotis and an executive session were
held.
Before the presiding officer's gavel
fell on to-day’s session, the Senatorial
members of the peace commission ap
peared on the floor and were given a
hearty greeting by their colleagues.
In the absence of the Vice-President, \
Mr. Frye, (Maine), the president pro tern
called the Senate to order. The chaplain
in his invocation made a touching refer
ence to the death of Senator Morrill,
rill.
Scarcely had the clerk begun to read
the journal of the last session of the
Senate when Mr. Day moved that the
further reading be dispensed with. Tin*
motion prevailed.
Mr. Frye who was in th# chair, imme
diately recognized Major Prttden, Assis
tant Secretary to the President, who
presented a message from the President
of the United States. The message con
tained the treaty of Paris.
On motion of Mr. Davis the Senate
went into executive session, in order
that the treaty might be referred to the
committee on Foreign Relations.
In a few minutes the Senate recon
vened in open session and Mr. Allison
announced the death of Senator Morrill.
In the course of his brief remarks Mr.
Allison said that Mr. Morrill had come
to the Senate at the opening of the ses
sion in December and had taken part ix
the proceedings until the day of the holi
day recess. Although he was enfeebled
in body, said Mr. Allison, his brain was
active and his mental vision undimmed.
The fact that his activity was undim n
ished led his colleagues to believe that
he was to remain with them yet a long
time, but an inscrutunhle Providence or
dained otherwise and he was called
away suddenly. Mr. Allison alluded
briefly to the funeral arrangements
which had been carried out and then
presented the usual resolution expressive
of the sorrow of the Senate. The reso
lution was adopted.
Then Mr. Allison presented another
resolution providing as a further mark
of respect that the Senate adjourn. This,
too. was adopted, and the Senate at
12:15 adjourned until to-morrow.
PROCEEDING IN THE HOUSE.
Washington, D. C., Jan. 4.—The
House spent to-day considering the bill
to define and punish crimes in Alaska
and provide a code of criminal procedure
for the territory. The bill was prepared
by the Commission appointed to codify
tin* laws of the United States and is a
voluminous measure of 232 pages. Sixty
seven pages were completed to-day and
tin* bill was made a continuing order
until disposed of, not. however, to in
terfere with appropriation bills or other
special orders. The only section of the
bill which promises to cause a contest is
that providing for the sale of ‘liquor in
Alaska. Upon this question considerable
difference of opinion developed. The
House adjourned out of respect to the
memory of the late Senator Morrill.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE READ.
Washington. I). C., Jan. 4. —When the
Senate went into executive session today
the peace treaty which had just been
received from tlu* President was laid
before tlu* Senate by Senator Frye,
who occupied the chair in the absence
of the Vice-President. The treaty was
not read but the President’s message ac
companying it, was. This was a simple
letter of transmittal without any word
of ivc; muiendation or suggestion and was
only a few lines in length. On motion
of Senator Davis the treaty was referr
ed to the Committee on Foreign Rela
tions and ordered printed for the use of
the Senate.
Senator Davis entered a motion to
day to make the treaty and the proceed
ings of the commission public, but upon
the suggestion of Senator Allison he
withdrew that motion for the purpose of
allowing the committee to act upon it.
A meeting of the committee on Foreign
Relations has been called for Friday,
and it is probable that tlu* committee
will then bring in a resolution for the
publication of both the treaty and the
proceedings.
Governor Roosevelt has establish
ed a code of rules to gov
ern his consideration or applicants
for pardons and commfltations of sen
tences. lie will not exercise executive
cleni ney in behalf of a man who lias
been convicted of murdering or abusing
bis wife, nor will he pardon any habitual
I criminal. His mercy will be shown only
j to those whose sentences seem to have
* been severe or whose commission of a
I crime was the result of influences.
A WEIRD WHISTLING CASE.
Man With Fractured Skull. Lying Uu
conscious, Whistles 95 Hours.
Buffalo. X. Y.. Jan. 4.—Charles Mem
bergrr. 27 years of age, who was found
lying by the New York Central track
last Friday with his skull fractured, :s
dead. On the evening of the day on
which lie received his injuries, Member-,
ger began to whistle, although he was
wholly unconscious and remained so to
tlu* last. lit* whistled all sorts of tunes
and without cessation for 95 hours.
TROOPERS ORDERED TO CUBA.
Washington. Jan. 4.—Orders were is
sued today for Troops D, E, F. H, Iv
and L, of the Eighth cavalry, now at
Huntsville, Ala., to proceed at once to
Savannah, Gn., for embarkation on the
transport Michigan to Nuevitas. '1 he
troops will be fully armed and equipped
for field service, and will carry rations
and forage for 30 days in addition to
what may be necessary for the 'iv,s.
The other troops of this regiment are al
ready in Cuba distributed between Nue
vitas and Puerto Principe.
CABLE COMPANIES CLAIMS.
Growing Out of Suspension of Their
Business By Our Forces.
Washington. Jan. 4. —Another dis
agreeable consequence of tlu* late war
has been the presentation to the Govern
ment of claims of cable companies for
damages sustained through tlu* suspen
sion, of their business by the I nited
; States military and naval forces. What
i tlu* aggregate amount of these* claims
I will Ik* cannot bo foretold. The com
panies iu eaqh case base their claims
upon the nuniber of days of interrup
-1 tion to business . estimating tlu* loss
I each day by the records of business
i transacted in corresponding periods in
1 farmer years. The State Department is
puzzled in dealing with these claims.
There is no exact precedent for them,
and it is realized that we must make
some new international law to meet the
| case. Tju* companies believe they have
a precedent for their demands in the at
titude assumed by tlu* United States in
the claim of the Central and South
American Telegraph Company, whose
, cables were cut off the coast of Chile
j by the Congressional party, which suc
ceeded in overthrowing the Balimtceda
party in Chile. The Chilean claims com
mission allowed the cable company about
j line-fourth of its claim,
i The principal argument against the al
lowance of the claims in the petfding
cases is based upon a denial that they
are parallel with the South American
i case. It is also asserted that at Manila
t for instance, the cable was being used
as a weapon by the Spanish garrison.
, and that the United States was justified
’ in destroying this weapon.
| TREACHERY AT PAN AY DENIED.
Aguinaldo’s Friendship for Americans
Makes Him Unpopular.
Madrid. Jan. 4.—The statement that
■ the Spaniards evacuated Iloilo in order
to render the situation more dificult for
tlu* Americans is positively denied here.
It is added here that the Spanish Gov-
I eminent, immediately after the signing
j of the treaty of peace, ordered the Phil
| ippincs to lie evacuated as quickly as
J possible, in order to avoid further blood
shed and “conform with the expressed
, wish of the Americans, who were very
exacting, especially in the case of Cuba.”
An interview with an ex-prefect of a
province of the Philippines was pub
lished here in the course of which lu> is
quoted as saying:
“President McKinley has shown com
plete ignorance of tlu* situation in the
Philippines. When the Americans occu
pied Manila there were only four insur
gent provinces. Tin* Americans en
couraged tlu* rebellion and now they ace
themselves tlu* victims of tlu* support
which they gave the insurgents, who
have become masters of tlu* entire areh
pelago, except Mindanao, where tlu*
natives, who are Mussulmans, have re
! fused to recognize American rule, al
though they have not revolted.
“Aguinaldo’s unpopularity is due to hts
friendship for tlu* Americans. 11 is treat
ment of Spanish prisoners has been hor
rible. Monks lunar been inarched through
tlu* streets, lijdf by cords attached to
rings tbrough/rheir noses, and others
have been employed literally as beasts
of burden. A thousand have died of ill
treatment.”
SIXTEEN TO ONE LEAGUE.
Steps Taken for Its Organization in
Denver.
Denver, Col.. Jan. 4.—Preliminary
steps have been taken in this city for
the organization of tlu* "United States
Sixteen to One Money League.” The
object of tlu* organization Is to assist in
the organization of political parties on
the basis of bi-metallism. It is expected
the league will take a prominent part in,
politics.
MORMONS CENSURE ROBERTS.
Declare Him a Violator of Law and a
Practical Polygamist.
Lamoni, lowa, Jin. 4.—The Lamoni
branch of the Josephite Church of Lat
ter-Day Saints in its regular annual
session adopted a resolution censuring
Congressman-elect Roberts, of Utah, “as
a violator of law and a practical polyga
mist” and objecting to bis living seated
iin Congress. The resolution was car
! ried by a vote of 17 to 14. regardless
! of the advice of the Apostle Wight, of
the Utah mission, on the ground that
no evidence had been submitted that
Roberts is a violator of law.
A lumber dealer may be in his office
and out of doors simultaneously.
THIRD EDITION;
„108 FIVE CENTS.
THE CURTAIN RISES
General Assembly Organizes
for Business.
JUDGE CONNOR SPEAKER
AND THE OTHER CAUCUS NOMI
NEES ARE ELECTED.
THE REUUCGON OF EXPENSES BEGINS
A Cut in f ala-ies the First Bill Passed. Reading
of Gcv rnor’s Message Takes Flace
lo day. A Bill ta Oust Public
Trinter Barres Introduced.
The curtain was rung up at noon yes
terday upon the opening scene of the
first Democratic Legislature since 1893.
Again the halls of North Carolina’s
capital are filled with men who have the
interest of the State at heart, and who
have sacrificed much to come here.
/The air was crisp yesterday, and the
sun was shining brightly upon the
white dome of the eapitoi when the
General Assembly of 1899 was called to
order. It was an auspicious day.
The halis hummed with life and the
staircase's were crowded with people,
hurrying to lobbies and galleries to wit
ness tin* assembling of another Denns
cratic Legislature- the first for many
years.
Judge Connor spoke truly when he
said, iu his speech accepting the Speak
ership, it will be a history-making ses
sion.
The elimination of the ignorant negro
vote is one of them any problems Flint
the Senators and Representatives now iu
Raleigh must solve.
'l'llis is only one of the many import
ant items of legislation which the people
of the State expect to see enacted at
this session.
The Democratic leaders at both ejp)s
of the capital realize the grave
bility that is upon them, as
doneed yesterday in their.
in the business-like methods in which
the work of the session was liegttn.
The Republican members havd not dis
closed their positions, but it u not believ
ed they will seek to obstruct legislation,
which they know must and will come.
Should there be a disposition to do this,
it is safe to say that such tactics will
result only to the hurt of the obstruc
tors.
Much interest is manifested in the Gov
ernor's message which will be rend to
day. It has been many a day in North
Carolina since a Democratic Legislature
listened to a message from a Republican
Governor. It is therefore safe to say
that the message to-da.v will be listened
to with great interest and curiosity.
The message is much shorter than us
ual and its reading will occupy only a
half hour or so.
Immediately after the reading of the
message, both House and Senate will
plunge into the work of the session,
though it is impossible to say what mat
ters of legislation will occupy the at
tention of . the two branches of the Leg
islature first.
For'these reasons the opening session
yesterday was of unusual interest and
importance. And yet. if truth Ik* told, this
opening day lacked in dramatic features.
Os course there was the element of in
terest in the swearing in of memliers,
tlu* election of a Speaker, and the choice
of new offices. But the first was rath
er tiresomor *he two last had been
determine/ Ys the night before
and every ' • iust who the offi
cers WOllllP\ v
There wh» „n picturesqueness,
though. There as the new member
from a back-country section making his
first essay in public life; there were dis
tinguished men from all over the State;
candidates defeated and successful,
their faces long or short, accordingly;
there were gaily dressed women in the
galleries lifting the occasion out of the
dull level of ordinary days.
Among the members there was gener
al good nature, 30 ill-feeling over the
result of the election being anywhere
discernible. This was especially notice
abb* in the House.
As nil instance of it several of the
Republican members always voted for
the Democratic nominee ns against their
own caucus nominee, and in one case
they did not even put their man in nomi
nation.
This was commenced by Isaac Smith,
the negro representative from Graven
county. He cast his vote for Judge
Connor for Speaker, and was loudly ap
plauded both by Democrats and Repub
licans.
OPENING OF THE HOUSE.
Officers Elected and Members Sworn in
by Judge Connor.
As the steel-blue hands oil tin* white
faced clock in the hall of file House of
Representatives pointed t/i the hour of
noon. Mr. E. O. Mnstei/ the principal
clerk of the House of 1897. on whom de
volved the duty or organizing the pres
ent House, rapped for order.
He announced that Rev. Jesse 11.
Page would offer prayer. All the Repre
sentatives. as well as visitors iu tlu* lob
bies, rose in devout manner while the
divine blessing was invoked:
“O Lord, our God, on this bright and
auspicious day we come into Th.v pres
ence with glad and grateful hearts.
Thou aft worthy to receive the idora
(Cpntinued on Second Page.)