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Weather To-Day: FAIR; COLDER. The News and Observer. TOL. XLV. NO. 145. Rebels Fight With Flame OUTBREAK OF FIRE BUGS IN MA NILA ; BIG PROPERTY LOSSES. Aguinaldo Issues a Manifesto Declaring That the People Will Perish Rath r Than Accept American Dominion Manila, Feb. 23. —7:30 a, m. —Last night was one of terror to thousands of the inhabitants of Manila, the rebels making good their ott-repeated threats to the extent of burning acres of build ings. wounding an officer and three men by firing through windows during the ex citement. At 8 o’clock an incendiary lire occurred in a block of brick buildings occupied by Chinese on the Calk* La coat e, in the .Santa Cruz district. A stiff breeze was blowing and the inflammability of the structure caused the blaze to spread with alarming rapid- i ity. The city tire department was hope- j lessly incompetent and the English vol unteer brigade from Santa Mesa was summoned and with a modern engine pumping adequate streams from the canal, succeeded after four hours work, in getting the blaze under control. Mean time the entire block and the greater part of two others across the street were completely gutted. Hundreds of inhabitant’s were render ed homeless. The Chinese and natives lined the adjacent streets, while hun dreds more, fearing a general conflagra tion, removed their furniture and other portabfle goods in every direction, with in a radius of a quarter of a mile, when the lire alarm was first given. General Hughes personally superintended the police arrangements. The whole city was thoroughly patrolled and guards were doubled. Every available man was despatched to the region of the lire. Impediments were placed in the way of the firemen and the hose was cut five times. This resulted in all the na tives being drivtm off the streets, those in the immediate vicinity of the blaze Iteiug corailed in vacant lots and guard ed until the excitement was over. In many instances the natives were inso lent and paid no regard to the orders given them, and the soldiers were com pelled to use harsh measures. The butts of their rifles and their bayonets were freely applied. The danger from live electric light wires necessitated the closing of the* circuit in the* burning regions; anel the only light in certain parts of the city was that furnished by the blazer. Shortly after midaught nnother big lire* was started in the* Tondo district, where the natives are thieke*st; and when the firemen and soldiers attempted to work it regular fusillade of rifle and re volver shots were fired from the windows and roofs of the buildings. Tlu* firemen, escorted by soleliers, pro ceeded to clean out the houses while the lire was unheeded. The Thirteenth Minnesota were reinforced by detach ments from the Third infantry, the Second Oregon, the Third artillery and the Tenth Pennsylvania. Bullets flew in every direction, in almost every street in the Tondo and Binondo districts, caus ing the most intense excitement. Captain Robinson of Company C. Thirteenth Minnesota, and three men were wounded. Many timid persons, thinking that the rebels had effected an entrance through the American lines and were advancing into the city, hurried from their hotels and houses, only to be stopped at the first corner bv a guard. The sounding of a native bugle call, immediately pre ceding the firing blit color to the story. Thousands of Chinese crossed the bridges and plazas under tire, hurrying with their bundles to tin* Chinese (..'(in sulate. All night long the fire sprea-l through the Tondo district, sweeping away rows of houses and devastating acres of territory. The damage is in estimable. With daylight punitive measures were deckled upon and the Americans, though tired after their sleepless night’s work, soon cleared tin* district of every native after a slight resistance. MANIFESTO BY AGUINALDO. Hong Kong. Fob. 22.—Aguinaldo has issued a manifesto accepting the situa tion caused by the “unexpected provo cation of the Americans” while lament ing the hostilities which, he says, ho “tried to avoid by every means” in his power, “making humiliating concessions, and tolerating insults and outrages of the army of occupation against the peo ple of Manila.” He adds that ho: is prepared to sacri fice everything to maintain the “integri ty of the national honor,” calls upon all “to witness the good faith and hones ty” of his intentions and complains that In* has been treated as a rebel “because 1 defended tlu* national interests instead of becoming the tool of the Americans’ preposterous pretensions.” The rebel leader further aubges that the country is unanimously In his sup port, that the people “will perish rather than accept the odious American domin ion,” and alleges that “even the cor rupt Spanish dominion is preferable." The I*hili]ypine commission is consid ered by Aguinaldo to la* a farce, and Otis, D nby, Dewey and Secretary Harden are classed as “pronounced an nexationists,” tin* latter being charged with having “maliciously defamed" the ILHIS Hi lira CAROLINA'MIES I lEIS ISTOMINiII. Filipinos in newspaper reports. He is classed as being “especially obnoxious so the Filipino Government.” Finally, Aguinaldo expresses the wish to “proclaim to the world and officially dispel the false rumors that Germany |or any other power has “rendered as ! sistanee. moral or material,” to the Fil- , ipinos, adding, “Nor have the Filipinos solicited it.” COMMISSION FROM NEGROS. Declare Themselves Ready to Accept Whatever Americans May Offer. Manila. Feb. 22.-12:45 p. m.—While the guns on the city walls and those on ; board the ships of Rear Admiral Dew- ' ey’s fleet in the Bay fired a salute in honor of Washington’s birthday, four commissioners from the Island of Ne gros had an interview with Major Gen eral Otis and informed him that the (American flag had already noon raisnd over that island and that its inhabi tants were ready, anxious and willing to accept any proposition the Americans might offer. The insurgents have been driven from the island entirely. - '■ Although the Iloilo rebels have given the people of Negros much trouble in the matter of financial assistance de manded by the rebel leaders, the inhab itants of Negros have persistently held j aloof, and now, through tne commis- I sioners, they announce that they want the advice and help of General Otis, i The latter assured them that the Am- | erica ns would provide an acceptable Government, and in the meantime, lie instructed them not to pay the rebels anything. The Negros commissioners were delighted with their reception. The United States cruisnr Charleston 'is coaling here, preparatory to starting on a cruise. The United State's gunboat Benning ton arrived here today from the Island of Guam. i The United States transport St. Paul has arrived here from Iloilo, but she did not bring any news of importance. WILL. PUSH THE CAMPAIGN. Washington, Feb. 22;—The authorities j here are giving close attention to the daily developments in the military sit uation in the Philippines and have de cided to push the campaign against the rebellious followers 'if Agmnal.l > with energy. Within two or three weeks, a forward campaign will begin and a nea * y blow be struck that will keep the in surgents quiet during tno rainy season, if it does not bring about their imme diate surrender. i 'NEVER TO BE TAKEN DOWN.* So Spokt Alger of the Stars and Stripes at Manila.. Detroit, Mich., Feb. 22.-" It has been a difficult year. We are landed on a new field. The Stars and Stripes are I planted in a place where they have ' never been before on AY ashington s birthday. They have never been taken down from where they had been planted but once before; and they never will be again.” Such was the characteristic utterance of General Russell A. Alger, Secretary , of War, on assuming the function of '[ toastmater to-night at the fourteenth an nual banquet of the Michigan Club. Ibe Secretary was introduced by Brigadier General Henry M. Dnft'ield. president of the club, who said: “Among the Secretaries who have held u)i the* hands of the President, none have done more difficult, more arduous or better work, and none have been bearing more heavily tlu* brunt of the tight throughout than has your own be loved fellow citizen. General Alger.” When the toastmaster arose he was greeted with enthusiastic cheers from the five hundred Republicans of Michi gan who sal at the hanquei table, ami from the crowd in the galleries. The Secretary said nothing specific in his brief introductory remarks about War Department affairs. He congratulated tin* citizens of flu* United States upon their intlligence. loyalty and patriotism shown the past year and upon the fact that tin* financial tide had turned so that the nation which was once a bor- I rower is now on top in a financial sense. He said: “We have some hard propositions to solve, but we have a solver in Wash- I ington.” General Duffield. in his opening ad ! dress, characterized President McKinley as “the peer of Wusnington and Lin coln.” In introducing Governor l’ingrec to deliver his address of welcome, General Alger raised a laugh by saying: “The Governor lias just been telling me he always dreaded to speak. I told him I thought I could get up a lib eral contribution if lie never would speak.” Hon. John S. Wise, who was to have spoken on “The Things Set tits l and | Unsettled by the War With Spain." sent regrets, as did also President McKinley ; and several others. j Patriotic songs were interspersed j throughout the evening. RALEIGH, N. C., THURSDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 23, 1899. A MONSTER PETITION. Asking for the Dispensary, Will Arrive From Charlotte Today. Charlotte. N. C.. Pel*. 22.—(Special.) —The largest petition ever sent by a 1 North Carolina county to the Legisla ture will he carried to Raleigh tomorrow by one of the largest delegations ever sent to the capital. The petition con tains 2,160 names of white voters, and so carefully has the list been secured that a rigid examination of the names shows only live or six doubtful ones or accidentally duplicated. Nearly half the names are from Charlotte township, but some of the country townships sent nearly as many names as there were votes cast for our Senator and Repre sentatives last fall. The people are tremendously in earnest. The delega tion leaves on a special train and will arrive a,t Raleigh at 11 a. m. Then* was a mass meeting at Davidson today and a delegation came down tonight. THE WILKES COUNTY BONDS. Bill Filed to Make Them Valid Judge Goff’s Injunction. Richmond, Ya., Feb. 22. —A bill was filed in the United States Court here to day by Mr. Charles Price, of North Carolina, representing Coler and Com pany. of New York, asking for an in junction upon the corporate authorities of Wiikes county, North Carolina, re straining them from disposing of the in terest on the bonds issued by the county in aid of the Northwestern Carolina Railway. Circuit Judge Goff granted the injunction and will hear the motion to make it permanent at Asheville in March. This bill is filed to validate the county bonds declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of North Caro lina some months ago. PROVES DREYFUS INNOCENT. And That the Crime for Which He Suf fers Never Existed. Paris, Feb. 22. —T i * Soi/ announces that M. Manau, th ■* Preeuratenr Gen eral. will submit his report in iln* Jhey fus affair next week. The icpmt will ask the Court of Cassation, it is said, to annul the conviction, with >nt order ing a re-trial. If this is coreet, it shows that the evidence before the court not only proves Dreyfus innoneent, but that the crime for which he was punished never existed, as the French law allows the Court of Cassation to quash a sentence without re-trial only when ‘.here is proof that the offense alleg * 1 was neve.* per petrated. RTJDYARD KIPLING ILL. lie is Suffering from Inflammation of the Lungs. New York, Feb. 22.—Rmlyard Kip ling is seriously ill in this city at the Hotel Grenoble. He is suffering from inflammation' of tin* lungs. His doc tors. however, hope that with his strong constitution he will be able to pull through all right. 'Tin* following bulletin was issued at 2 o’clock this afternoon by his physic ians, Doctors Janeway and Dunham: “Mr. Kipling has an inflammation of the right lung. This produces the usual fever. There are at present no com plications.” Dr. Jauewa.v left Mr. Kipling at 10 o’clock tonight. Dr. Dunham remained with him during tin* night. At midnight there was no change in Mr. Kipling's condition. ORLEANS MEDALS SEIZED. Precautions Taken by the Paris Police to Prevent Demonstrations. Paris, Feb. 22.—The police this morn ing seized in this city 10,000 medals bearing the head of the Duke of Or leans and five moulds for striking them. The medals are inscribed as follows: “I will only avenge my country's in sults. Philippe." And "1 will replace my country in the first rank of nations with tin* help of all true Freehmen.” In view of possible demonstrations tomorrow. upon the occasion of the fun eral of the late President Faure, the Prefect of Police has ordered the seizure of all seditious emblems, tin* arrest of their wearers the dispersal of all street gatherings and the arrest of anybody raising insulting cries against the Pres ident. members of Parliament or other State officers. MRS. HAYS, NEE DAVIS. ELECT EI). Richmond, Va., Eel>. 22. —Mrs. Hayes, the only living daughter of President Jefferson Davis, was today elected Hon orary Regent of tlu* “Solid South.” Room in the Confederate Museum, vice her sister, Miss Winnie Davis. Today was an anniverrasy meeting falling on Washing’s birthday, the anniversary of Mr. Davis’ inauguration, and third an niversary of the opening of the museum. Mrs. Davis sent the •museum 28 metal and four ribbon badges presented ♦•> Miss Winnie by Confederate organiza tions and Mrs. Hayes promised tlu* suit of clothes worn by Mr. Davis when he was captured. THE KHALIFA IS ON THE MARCH. London, Feb. 22.—According to a special despatch from Cairo, the dis quieting news hais been received here that the Khalifa, at the head of great ly augmented forces is marching on the Nile. It was announced on February 2tbh. from Onvdurman, that the Duke and Duehesse of Connaught had arrived there on the previous evening, had re viewed the troops, had visited the tomb of the Mahdi, and had inspected the Khalifa’s house and gardens and the palace at Khartoum. DR, DALY ON STAND His Charges as to’Chemicals Not Touched. THIS WILL COME LMER HE WAS SHOWN IDS EMBALMED BEEF REPORT. HE SAID IT WAS PERFECTLY ACCURATE Lieutenant Cole Tells of Beef Chemically Pre pared as an Experiment. General Fa gan Will Appear Before the Court To-day. Washington, Feb. 22.—T0-day's pro ceedings of tin* Court of Inquiry inves tigating the beef controversy developed little that was new. The testimony, with the exception of that of Dr. Daly, surgeon on the staff of General Miles during the war, and of Colonel Wood ruff', assistant commissary general, was generally in line with that of yesterday. The canned roast beef was generally condemned as unsatisfactory, while tin* refrigerated beef was commended, the chief complaint being that it often de composed eu route to camp. The testimony of representatives of i lie Subsistence Department was begun, that of Colonel Woodruff, assistant commissary general, being the most no table. lie purchased more than 800,000 pounds of canned roast beef and told of the method of purchase and the reasons that prompted it. Hi* took issue* with General Miles’ contention that beef on the hoof was the usual source of fresh meat supply to the army. • Another feature of the day was the introduction of Dr. Daly, who charged before the war commission that refrig erated beef at Chickumauga, Jackson ville, Tampa and in Porto Rico had been treated chemically. He was not examined, however, in regard to the charge, Colonel Davis announcing that the contractors win* were attacked were entitled to be notified of the examination upon this point that they might have ample time in v.'biek to appear should they desire so. The law required this, he said. Accordingly Dr. Daly was excused after a partial examination, and will be recalled later. The investi gation will proceed to-morrow, when General Eagan, Commissary General, is expected to appear and tell the story of the beef supply as viewed by his De partment. Dr. Daly testified that he remained in Porto Rico five or* six days after General Miles departed, being ordered to super vise the careful preparation of the trans port Panama for bringing convalescents north in a manner above reproach. This was because there had previously been considerable complaint as to the outfit ting of returning transports. He re ceived these orders about August 23rd, and after picking up a load of sick at various points in Porto Rico, sailed on September sth. and arrived at Fort Monroe September 10th, landing his pa tients in a greatly improved condition. He reported to Washington, where he was quite ill and was given sick leave. The Surgeon General was pleased with his work on the Panama, and wished him to remain wtui her. While still sick in Pittsburg, he re ceived orders from General Miles to go on an inspection tour of the new regi ments in the South, who were being fit ted out for tropic service. This was the trip on which witness became ac quainted with the alleged embalmed beef. There were several officers en gaged in this inspection. Reports were rendered after the in spection of each camp visited. These re ports in the course of regular routine, passed through tho hands of the General commanding the army. During this trip he became so ill that he was obliged to return home to Pittsburg, where, af ter remaining for some time on srek leave, he tendered his resignation. In all of this very detailed recital, the question of beef was not oncf* broach ed by the court, blit when Dr. Daly had been chronologically carried through his terms of service and out of the army, the recorder handed him the famous “embalmed beef” report and asked him if he recognized it. Dr. Daly said that In* did and it was all right, except per haps the date, which in tin* copy was September 21st. He said to tin* best of his recollection the exact date was Oc tober 11th. The date, however, he said, was not essential, the report being gen uine. and in tlu* opinion of Dr. Daly, perfectly accurate. Prior to leaving the stand. Dr. Daly was examined in regard to the Powell experiment with beef preservatives at Tampa. Colonel Davis pointed out that it was merely experimental and no con tractor was involved. Dr. Daly said Colonel J. F. Weston called his atten tion to a quarter of beef which was hanging in the open and he was wait ing to see what would eventuate. Dr. Daly did not recall anything of Colonel Weston's statement indicating the beef was other than a part of tlu* general supply or that it had been treated with n chemical as an experiment. He noticed that Hies would not remain on the beef and that no larvae were deposited. Witness finally cut a piece from the beef and later cooked and ate it. After riding horseback he became nauseated. He did not suspect preservatives on tin* beef, although his taste suggested an experience he had with preservatives on antelope some years before while hunting. Nevertheless, Dr. Daly said, lie remarked to no one about the mat- ter. Witness wanted it made plain that Colonel Weston had said nothing about the quarter of beef being expe rimental, and lie had no reason to sus pect the Government was conducting an experiment as to the efficiency of any chemical preservative. Replying to Colonel Davis, witness said he supposed the beef was a part of a consignment from the contractors, supposed to keep seventy-two hours in the sun and perhaps Colonel Weston was merely curious to see if it would stand the test. Recurring to the test of the beef as suggesting an experience with preserved antelope meat, witness said some years ago while <*n route to hunting grounds in the West In* secured in Chicago what was recommended as a preservative a white powder. It was used in camp, preserved tin* meat, but tin* latter when eaten, nauseated him. An analysis di vulged the presence of boric and sali cylic acids. In regard to the Tampa experience Dr. Daly said it did not arouse any sus picion, he did not look upon the inci dent as a government experiment, and did not ft*el called upon to report or take any official action about it. He gave it little thought then, and, replying to Colonel Gillespie, said he first consider ed his Tampa experience sufficiently serious to present to the Department when he had experience with contract beef on the Panama. Dr. Daly was then excused. Captain R. 11. Beckham of the Sub sistence Department of volunteers re ported as brigade commissary of the First brigade of cavalry at Tampa June 16th. 1898. IB* had no knowledge of any experiments upon beef at Tampa. He accompanied the expedition to Cuba and issued canned roast beef on the voy age and after the landing. On the transport Rio Grande, four quarters of fresh beef were placed he understood for the purpose of experiment, though he had no knowledge of any treatment, and knew nothing of its Origin. He was instructed to see how long it would keep. General -Stunner gave him Instructions to care for and watch it. Some of it was thrown over the second day out and the remainder on the third day out. None of it was eaten by any one. Lieutenant Cole. Sixth cavalry, who was also aboard the Rio Grande which carried General Sumner's headquarters and the four experimental quarters of beef to Cuba was much clearer in his recollection of the beef quarters than Captain Beckham. It was, he said, from some “firm of meat packers” and was sent expressly for experimentature by the soldiers with the knowledge that it was chemically prepared. The beef lasted only three days, after which it decayed and was thrown overboard. Some of it was cooked before it spoil ed. Witness saw the piece cooked but did not eat it. It looked well and the man who tasted it said, “it was all right.” The officers discussed it freely, but none of them knew how the beef had been treated, the process being secret. The beef that spoiled became very of fensive and exuded dark, coagulated blood. Lieut. Col. 11. H. Humphreys. Twenty Second infantry said canned roast beef was issued to his command in small quantity prior to the surrender of Santiago, but he had heard then no complaints about it. When refrigerated beef was furnished it was at first satis factory hut it spoiled in large quanti ties and the men finally ceased to care for it. Tin* canned roast beef was then used in a stew, but the men would not eat it. Witness did not know why. He attempted to oat the beef from the can. If did not taste right. It gagged him. He gave it up. Brigadier General J. F. Kent, who commanded a division in the Santiago campaign, said ‘complaints of canned roast beef came from the men—it seem ingly nauseated them—but he took no action, considering these complaints unavoidable incidents of the campaign. He understood much of the refrigerated beef spoiled on route from the docks to tin* troops because of the delay inci dent to transporting it. The canned roast beef was tasteless, In* declared, and often repulsive in ap pearance, and apparently had all nutri ment extracted. Colonel Woodruff testified that he bought a total of $2,256,01X1 worth of supplies in the first six months of tin war. All contracts for canned beef con tained clauses providing contractors should replace any beef that proved un fit for use without fault of the army officials. Each lmx contained a certifi cate of inspection and approval from an official of the Agricultural Depart ment, approving the cattle on hoof and after slaughter. Most of the beef was shipped to Tampa. The entire supply in New York and in the entire coun try, together with 350,000 pounds bought from Europe, where it had been chipped, was exhausted and the factories, Colonel Woodruff understood, were run night and day to meet the extraordinary de mand. Captain Daniel L. Howell, of the Sev enth infantry, said tlie canned roast beef was not palatable, but he believed was nutritious, and if cooked as a stew would have been satisfactory. The men generally complained about it. The re frigerated beef was good when not spoil ed and he had not suspected the use of chemicals. SENATOR JONES ILL. W ashington, Feb. 22. —Senator Jones, of Arkansas, is confined to his bed with an attack of pseudo angina pectoris, an affection of the lungs. His condition is not considered serious. People would have fewer troubles if they spent less time in talking about thorn. It's a poor kind of repentance that doesn’t insure against a repetition of the offense. A Tax On Dispensaries MUST PAY THE I PER CENTUM ON ALL PURCHASES. A Graduated License Tax is Also Proposed —Tim Crow Car Bill Passes on its Third Reading. Though it was a holiday, and other people were taking a day off yesterday, there was no rest for the House. In fact it turned out one of the best day’s work it has yet accomplished. It got down to its knitting early and stuck to it late, being in- session from 10 to 2:30, and from 8 to 10:45. The Jiui Crow Car Bill scored its final run. twenty odd sections of the Revenue Act were adopted and no end of local hills were enacted into laws. But it was last night’s session that made the hole in the calendar. Just ex actly fifty-two bills were disposed of. Half a dozen of them passed their third reading, and the others were put on their second reading. They will be finally passed to-day or to-night. The morning session was devoted en tirely to the two first-named measures — consideration of the Revenue Act and passage of the Jim Crow Car Bill. The number of new bills and resolu tions was the smallest known since the session began. It took but half an hour to dispose of them and receive the re port of Standing committees. It was therefore just 10:30 o'clock when, on motion of Mr. Holman, the House resolved itself into Committee of the Whole to resume consideration of the Revenue Act. Speaker Connor vacated tin* chair and Mr. Moore, of Jackson, presided. The bill was taken up at beginning of schedule B, where consideration was left off Tuesday. Most of the sections were adopted without discussion, but over the whiskey tax. slot machine taxe there were quite spirited debates. MUCH WHISKEY TAX TALK. The Dispensaries Must Pay 2 Per Cent Purchase Tax. Over the whiskey tax, as applied to dispensaries, the debate was especially hot. The matter came up first in section 24, which provides that “every person JOHN B. HOLMAN. OF IREDELL. Father of the House and Chairman of The Finance Committee. who shall buy for the purpose of sell ing spirituous, vinous or malt liquors, shall, in addition to ml valorem tax on his stock, pay as a license tax 2 per centum on the total amount of his pur chase.” Air. Julian, of Rowan, thought 2 per cent a burdensome tax and amended to make it 1 per cent. He argued that as tlu* law now stood many persons con sidered the tax too high and so consid ered it not wrong to evade it. He thought a 1 per cent tax would yield more revenue. Mr. Holman didn't think so. and want ed to know if it was proposed to carry this principle through the whole bill— tin* lower the tax the greater the rev enue. Mr. Overman favored the amendment. He said 1 per cent was the old Demo cratic tax, and he considered it suffi cient. “Already the whiskey men are com plaining that this Legislature is against them. We are establishing dispensaries around over the State and running them out of business and I think we nud bet ter reduce this license tax. I hope the amendment will prevail." It did not prevail, however. The vote was 36 for and 39 against. But this had not settled the section. Indeed, it had only prepared it for the following firebrand which Air. Winston, of Bertie, now tossed into it: “Provided that nothing in this section shall be construed as exempting dispen saries front taxation.” This brought Mr. Robinson, of Cum berland, to his feet. "Certainly the gentleman from Bertie doesn’t understand the principle on wbbdi dispensaries are based.” lie be gan. "lias the gentleman from Cumberland at last arrived at an understanding on that question?” retorted Air. Winston, amid laughter and applause. Air. Hart sell—'“How much profit did your dispensary make last year?” Air. Robinson —“Four thousand eight hundred dollars.” Air. Gattis—“Did it pay any tax?" THIRD EDITION* <CE FI V E CBN TH. Mr. Robinson—“No, and it ougut not to have done so.” Mr. Leatherwood—“Why not?” Mr. Robinson—‘'Because the profits go since whiskey is to be sold anyway that to the school rand. It is nothing in the ’ world but a police regulation of the sale of whiskey with a philanthropic object in view. A community simply decides it will get the profit instead of allowing it to go into the pocket of the bar keeper.” Mr. Leatherwood—“l’m for the prin ciple of equal rights to all and special privileges to none and if individual bar keepers are to be taxed, I see no reason why the community, when it goes into the whiskey business should not likewise be compelled to pay a tax.” Mr. Robinson —“Do 1 understand the gentleman to favor taxing the Stale school fund?” Mr. Leatherwood —“I think it's time to put an end to these special privileges.” Mr. Robinson—“A dispensary is simp ly a local police regulation and taxing it would be like taxing a court.” Mr. Clarkson —“We up in Mecklenburg county haven’t had the pleasure of one of these dispensaries, but if we do I don’t see any reason why we shouldn't pay for the privilege.” Sir. Winston's amendment was adopt ed by an overwhelming vote. PRIVILEGE LIQUOR TAX. A Proposition to Make Dispensaries Pay That Also. i And still the matter wasn't settled, for i tin* liveliest tight was yet to come. | And it came when section 34 was struck. This section fixes the license tax on 'bar-rooms. To this Mr. Winston proposed an amendment. inqiosuig a license tax on dis pensaries. as follows: On county dispensaries, SSOO. On dispensaries in towns of less than 500 inhabitants, On dispensaries in towns of more : than 500 and less than 2,000 inhabitants, S2OO. On dispensaries in towns of more than 2.000 and less than 4,000 inhabitants, SBOO. On dispensaries in towns of more than 4.000 inhabitants, SI,OOO. On township dispensaries, S3OO. Speaking to his amendment Mr. Win ston said it was an eiU.ort to get back part of the revenue that is being taken from the State by the establishment of dispensaries. Every bar-room closed up, lie said, meant a loss to the State of SIOO. "In Charlottte there are 18 bar-rooms, and in Greensboro 8. Now the closing of these* means a total loss of $2,000 to the State Treasury. "Where are you going to get money to fill up this hole? The tftx rate has not been increased. Suppose it were, tin* people of tlu* whole State would simply be taxed for the benefit of these towns and counties having dispensaries.’ Mr. Boushall opposed the amendment. “I take it.” he said, “that the gentle man is not after revenue but after the dispensary. His amendment I consider an effort to accomplish by indirection that which he coahl not do directly. ’ Mr. Winston —“I'll state for the benefit | of the gentleman that it is not my way of doing business, and there's nothing in my life to justify tin* charge. When I want to do a thing I go directly at it. If 1 want to defeat a dispensary I dive straight at it: if I want revenue I go for tin* money.” Mr. Boushall—“Why then do you strike out the discretionary power given the commissioners and make it manda tory to issue license?” Mr. Winston—“l’ll answer that when we come to it.” Mr. Boushall “I'm willing to impose a purchase tax on dispensaries as provided for in an amendment already adopted, but I'm opposed to a burden some license tax." Mr. Ray said In* eouldu t see any jus tice in taking the revenue from tin* State and applying it to tin* counties. He favored Mr. Winston's amendment. Mr. Robinson was glad to see tin* Legislature at last coining to its senses. They had violated the will of the people in Cumberland county by refusing to submit the dispensary question to a vote of tlu* people. Air. Ray "1 signed a nice little docu ment to set tlu* gentleman (Mr. Robin son) right before his people. If he doesn’t mind I'll take it back. Mr. Robinson-—‘Tin willing for my dispensary to pay $ 1,260, the amount paid when the town had its twelve bar rooms, but I’m not willing for it to pay twice as much, as this amendment pro vides.” Mr. Foushee "Where does Pa* Slate tax on the bar-rooms now go?" Mr. Thompson, of Onslow D> the school fund of the count) in which it is paid,” Mr. Foushee- 'vVhat will be the e.tert of this amendmentV ' Mr. Thofbpsoii "I’m ttunbie to an swer that question.” Mr. Foushee- -"Do all the prof is of (Continued ou Second l’age-)
The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.)
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Feb. 23, 1899, edition 1
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