The Weather Today FAIR The News and Observer. VOL. LI. NO. 100. Leads all M©Fth Carolina Bailies in Mews andCireulation A MAJORITY FAVOR THE PANAMA CANAL i Isthmian Canal Commission in Session. MAY FILE REPORT TODAY The Commission Divided on Every Proposition Submitted. WALKER DESIRES A UNANIMOUS REPORT He Hopes That by Carrying the Matter Over Until Today He May be Able to Har monize Differences Amontr Members. (By the Associated Press.) Washington, Jan. 17. —When the Isth mian Canal Commission of which Rear Admiral John G. Walker, is chairman, met today, and it was with the under standing that the session should con tinue until a majority at least had reached a definite conclusion respecting the nature of the recommendation, which will bo sent to the President, and that that recommendation would in all proba bility be submitted today. It is learned upon the highest authority that the com mission is not a unit on any one of the propositions which have been submitted. A member of the commission today said to a representative of the Associated Press: “The fact that there is a discussion, shows there is a diversity of opinion among the members of the commission regarding the selection of a canal route.” Although no positive information was given out regarding the feeling among the members of ihe commission, it is learned that the acceptance of the offer of the Pananm Company will be urged by a majority o» the members. There were no witnesses at today’s session, it having been agreed »that sufficient data had been presented to enable the commission to reach a decision. Admiral Walker late this afternoon, announced that the commission would be unable to file their report with the President until sometime tomorrow. It 1 was stated on excellent authority that Admiral Walker is desirous of present ing if possible a unanimous report to the President and hopes, by carrying the matter over until tomorrow, to harmonize the differences known to exist among the members of the commission. DISCUSSED BY THE CABINET. Formalities to be Observed on the Occasion of Prince Henry’s Visit (By the Associated Press.) Washington, D. C., Jan- 17.—The time ol’ the Cabinet meeting today was large ly occupied in the discussion of the for malities to be followed upon the occasion of the visit of Prince Henry, of Piussia- It is the desire of the President to show the Prince every honor befitting him as a Prince of the royal blood and as the personal representative and kinsman of the German Emperor. But a: the same time the program is io be as simple as possible. As far as agreed upon it is as follows: Upon the arival of Prince Henry in New York he will be met by a squadron under command of Rear Admiral Evans, and national salutes of twenty-one guns will be fired both by the warship.; and the harbor batteries. Visits of courtesy will be made upon the Prince by the commander of the department of the East and the ranking naval officers at New York and Assistant Secretary of State Hill probably will also formally, welcome the Prince as the special rep resentative of the President. When the Prince reaches Washington he will be come the guest of the German Ambas sador. Acording to precedent, it will be the duty of the Prince to call upon the President who will return the visit. A dinner will be given at the White House in the Prince’s honor. It was decided that all arrangements for Prince Henry’s reception should no confined to a special committee, com posed of Dr. David Jayne Hill, repre senting the State Department: Major General Henry C. Corbin, representing the United States Army; Hear Admiral Kobley D. Evans, representing the Navy,‘and Count A. Von Quadt-Wyk radt-Isny, the counsellor and first secre tary of the German Embassy. During the afternoon Count Quadt came to the State Department tc see Dr. Hill and the latter having meanwhile communicated with General Corbin and with the local representative? of the railroad companies, some progress was made toward arranging the program. It was decided that the members of the Committee on Reception above named should proceed to New York in time to welcome the Prince on his arival there about noon, February 1:2. He probably will be brought to Washington that night, arriving here Sunday morning and will rest quietly at the Embassy that day. An effort is being made o arrange mat ters so that the Prince shall be present at the capitol when the Senate and House I meet on February 27th to hear Secretary Hay deliver his memorial address in honor of the late President McKinley. There is little doubt that the Prince will be atye to accept some of the invi lations that have come to him from va rious cities. The committee here will * arrange a program which will take the visitor as far west as St. Louis, and it is possible that Charleston will be in cluded in the return trip, as the exposi tion authorities have made a strong plea for his appearance. Niagara Fails also may be taken in on the outward trip. The State Department has been notified that the Prince’s American visit will last but*sixteen days in all. as he will sail for German on the Columbia on March the Bth. EXPLOSION IN POSTOFFICE Clerk Injured bv an Explosive Sent Through the Mails. (By the Associated Press.) Knoxville, Jan. 17. —J. W. Martin, a rostoflice clerk, was injured today by the explosion of a package of powder, nitro glycerine or an infernal machine. While stamping letters and packages with the receiving stamp, a package addressed to a local hardware house, exploded when struck with the stamp. Examination re vealed on it the name of a New York smokeless powder concern. The interior of the parcel showed a tin box in which the explosive had been packed. The local hardware firm disclaim having or dered such a package or having been Milled of its shipment. The postal au thorities have begun an investigation. Ar rests may follow. For Public Building at Jacksonville. (By the Associated Press.) Washington, Jan. 17.—The House Com mittee on Public Buildings and Grounds today decided to make a favorable re port on the bill appropriating $300,000 for a building at Jacksonville, Fla. A STARTLING CHARGE Minister Incarceratedin Asy lum for Fighting Whis key Traffic. (By the Associated Press.* Richmond, Va., Jan. 17. —Unusual in terest was aroused this morning at the session of the Anti-Saloon League State ’ Convention. Rev. Dr. H. E. Johnson, u£ this city, requested Dr. J. B. Hawthorne to eliminate the sentence in his speech last night which is to be printed in pam phlet form, in which he said: “We have no need of the Prohibition party.” Dr. Johnson said Dr. Hawthorne’s re marks were misleading. A sensational statement by the Rev. James Suddith, of Longdale, Va., in whielV grave charges are made against certain persons, was the chief feature of the convention. Some time ago Mr. Suddith was ar rested, charged with lunacy, and was sent, tc the asylum at Staunton, Va. At pres ent he is out on furlough, and declares | he is still being watched and forced to | nomise not to viist certain sections of the State under threat of further in carceration in the asylum. He charges that he never suffered mental derange ment, that he is now and has always been in his right senses, and that he was the victim ol a conspiracy. The occurrence, said Mr. Suddith, took place a month ago from last Novem ber in Fredericks county, Va. He had been fighting the whiskey traffic arid had thereby aroused the ire of a num ber of the residents of the community. According to Mr. Suddith’s statement there was no examination whatever. Emnhatically he declares that the com mitment papers sending him to the asy lum were forged. Naturally the declara tions made by M. Suddith excite great interest. THE GREAT FAIR AT 8T LOUIS One Year's Postponement Advocated to Secure Notable Foreign Exhibits. (By the Associated Press.) Washington, Jan. 17. —Since arriving in Washington ex-Governor Francis, presi dent of the Louisiana Purchase Exposi tion, and Adolphus Busch, chairman of tin Committee on Foreign Relations of the exposition, have become convinced that f the exposition is to secure a really notable collection of foreign exhibits that will eclipse the exhibits heretofore sent from European nations to other ex positions there must be a postponement of the opening of the great fair to be hold at St. Louis from 1903 to 1004. The gbntlsmen named made an admission of this fact today iu the course of a con versation at the White House, where they had called to interest the President in efforts they are making to urge on for eign governments the desirability of full and complete presentation at the Sl- Louis exposition. Prior to this call they Lad seen a number of the ministers and ether representatives attached to the for eign legation? and embassies in Wash ington and as a result had become con vinced that elaborate foreign exhibits could not be counted on for an exposition in this country during the year 1903. They find for instance that a great Jap anese fair is to he given under govern ment auspices in 1903 and if the exposi tion is postponed until 101 everything of interest exhibited there can be brought to St. Louis the following year. "In 150 S we can make the exposition as great as any ever given,” said Governor Francis, “but if we postpone it a year it will surpass anything in the exposition line ever attempted. We be ready in 1903 but it is questionable whether w« can secure what wo want from abroad by : hr. v Dmc." The banks of the city will be closed on Monday, January 20th, iu honor of Gen ii. E. Lee's birthday, which falls on Sun day, the 19th. RALEIGH. NORTH CAROLINA. SATURDAY MORNING. JANUARY 18, 1902. QUESTIONS OF PARTY POLICY DISCUSSED Democratic Representatives Meet in Caucus. NO DECLARATION IS MADE Pending ttuestions Should First go to the House. DECLARATION OF POLICY MAY FOLLOW This Seems to be the Sentiment at the Meeting. Representative Henr/s Resolution Touch ing a Democratic Caucus De fining Policies. (By the Associated Press.) Washington, Jan. 17. —The special com mission of Democratic Representatives appointed at the last caucus to consider numerous resolutions defining party policy, held an extended session today with a view to framing a report for presentation to another caucus. Repre sentative Henry, of Texas, proposed a resolution, declaring that it was beyond the province of a Democratic caucus to define policies in contraventiop of a na tional platform, and that the policy de fined by a national convention was bind ing until the next convention was held. The meeting lasted about four hours, and at its close Representative Richard son, of Tennessee, the chairman, stated that no final results has been reached, and pending an agreement no announce ment would be made. It is understood, however, that the sentiment at the meet ♦ APPALLING LOSS OF LIFE BY THE EARTHQUAKE IN MEXICO Fi*om Three to Six Hundred People Are Said to Have Been Killed in the City of Chilpancingo, (By the Associated Press.t * Mexico. Jan. 17.—Details from Chil poncingo are still meagre. It is known that the State capitol. the parish church and many houses are in rums. The estimate of lives lost is now three hun dred ar.d the injured even greater in number. The shock alsc was very sewe at Chilapa, also in the State of Gu- rrero. That region always has been the focus of seismic disturbances. Laredo, Texas, an. 17.—A telegram,’ from the City of Mexico says a telegram ♦ ing was opposed to a strict' declaration of policy on pending questions before such questions actually were presented for consideration in the House. Another meeting will be held to continue the dis cussion of today’s meeting, and after that a caucus of all Democratic members will he neld. The McKinley Memorial Association, •By the Associated Press.) Cleveland, Jan. 17. —The following bul letin was given out today from the Mc- Kinley Memorial Association headquar ters in this city: 'Hon. James A. Gary, chairman of the Executive Committee of Maryland, re ports to the McKinley National Memorial Association that the member? of the Me morial Association of Maryland have al ready begun action and there is every prospect of gratifying results.” Governors Hunt, of Idaho, and Candler, of Georgia, write, saying that the day will be generally observed in those States. Governor Jennings, of Florida, says an appeal will be published through out the State. There is aa active auxil iary of twenty-five members in Florida. Governor A. H. Longino. of Mississippi, in replying, says: “President McKinley was not only a great and noble man, but possessed such a rare combination of all the Christian virtues that his name deserves to be fittingly and enduringly commemorated, ana in your noble undertaking you will have the sympathy and support of the South, which has recently remembered him with the mom profound gratitude and reverence." Last Day of Court. In tK court yesterday, the last day of this term,, the following eases were disposed of: Robert O. King, vs. Raleigh and Au gusta Air Line. Defendants allowed fif teen days after adjournment of court to answer. J. W. Hardin, Jr., et al. vs. Morehead Banking Co., and others. Non suit as to J. W. Hardin, Jr., and the National Bank of Raleigh. John Lucas & Co., vs- Zachary and Zachary. Judgment against plaintiff for costs. Junius Booker, assault with deadly weapon, thirty days on roads. Henry Horton, affray, thirty days on roads- THE SHIP SUBSIDY BILLON THE ROAD Senator Frje’s Measure is Favorably Reported. OPPOSED BY DEMOCRATS Vote Solidly to Strike Out the Sub sidy Provision, SEVERAL AMENDMENTS MADE TO BILL Frye Summarizes the Report, Arguing That no Shipbuilders’ Trust is Possible Under Bill and Estimating Cost of Ocean Mail Service. (Bv the Asociated Press.) Washington, Jan. 17. —The Senate Com mittee on Commerce today authorized a favorable report upon Senator Frye’s Ship Sudsidy mil. The report will be made by Senator Frye. The Democratic members of tin* com mittee voted against reporting the bill. They also voted solidly for a motion of fered by Senator Mallory to strike out the general subsidy provision of tbs bill. The committee made several amendments to the bill. The most important were: Allowing mail carrying vessels under the bill to be either iron or steel in stead of steel only, as originally pro vided, and another reducing to the thousand gross registered tons the ves sels receiving a bounty under the bill. Senator Frye furnishes the following summary of the report: “The establishment of this complete has reached this city announcing that the City of Chilpancingo in 'the State ot Guerrero suffered severely from yester day's earthquake shock anil that six hun dred persons were killed. The shock of the earthquake la.si even ing was felt in many cities and towns oi the republic, the duration generally be ing fifty-five seconds. The seismic dis turbance was from the northeast to the southwest. Beyond a f -v\ cracks in buildings no damage Was done in the City of Mexico ♦ American ocean mail service, involving much ship building, will require several years. It will vender the United States as independent of foreign powers for its ocean mail service as is Great Britain. The cost of the American service by- American mail steamers will be $4,700,- 0C0; the cost of the British and Colonial service bv British mail steamers is $4.- 700,000. Receipts from ocean postage by the United States are now estimated at $3,000,000. The annual deficit under the new American system proposed, includ ing minor services, will be about $2,000,- 000. The annual deficit under the British colonial system is $2,188,000. “The postal subsidy provisions enable the postmaster general to establish an American ocean mail system superior to the systems of Great Britain, France and Germany. "The American ocean mail system out lined contemplates on the Pacific weekly the mail services to Hawaii, the Philip pines, Japan, China and Hong Kong, and a fortnightly service to Pago-Pago, New Zealand, Australia. The maximum cost would be $2,335,000. "On the Atlantic the bill contemplates semi-weekly mail services to Jamaica. Havana and Europe, weekly to Mexico, once in ten days to Venezuela and fort nightly to Brazil, at a maximum cost of $2,365,000. “It will give the United States forty two auxiliary merchant cruisers, com pared with Great Britain's fifty. “Tlic second part of the report deals v ith the general subsidy to all Ameri can vessels steam and sail, except mail steamers. It quotes President Roosevelt’s message, showing that the cost of bufld ing American ships is greater than abroad that American wages on ship board are higher and that the Government should remedy these inequalities. Discriminat ing duties, export bounties and subsidies based on export chargoes are in violation of' our international obligations, so di rect subsidies is the only practical meth od. The subsidy proposed is net. a naked bounty, for it is based on public services to be rendered iu return. “Americans have absolute free trade in foreign-going ships, and no ship build ers’ trust is possible under the bill. Ship builders can import now free of duty materials for ships for foreign trade, so no combination to raise prices of mate rials is practicable. "The average cost of building ocean steamers, mainly for cargo is $lO2 per ton iu the United States and $76 in Great Britain. Average monthly wages on ocean steamers, mainly for cargo, are Ameri can, S3O: British. $26- German and Scan dinavian, sl7. “The general subsidies proposed equal ize American and foreign ec u's on thes* l bases. “Baaed or actual navigation of Amer ican vessels in foreign trr.de in l')00. the subsidies proposed would amount to sl,- 072,000 divided as follows: Steam (exclud ing mail vessels), $559,000; sail, $513,000. Geographically: Atlantic ocean, 3144,- 000; Pacific ocean. $467,000; square riggf d ships on both oceans, “Full compliance with all requirements for th<> bill would fix the initial expen ditures at between SBOO,OOO and $ )00,000. “Under the general subsidy increase in expenditure depends on increase in ship building. The compie*'O lof 200,000 tons ot ocean steamers for foreign trade in one year, involving $1,309,000 in subsidies, will place the United Sta-.e? in advance of Germany as a ship-'o.iilditig nation.” Telegraphers Get a Raise. (By the Associated Pres?.) Roanoke, Va., Jan. 17. —The general committee of the Norfolk and Western Railroad branch of the Order of Railway Telegraphers has been in session h Dinkins, the man struck by Dave Smith, is dead. Smith has not beencaptured. The State Superintendent of Education of Alabama has been informed of the ar rest of eight negroes in Henry county, who appeared for an examination with a full list of the questions and answers as prepared secretly by the board of ed ucation. County Superintendent Espy had them arrested and they claimed that they had received the questions trom a negro preacher named Brooken. paying him $5 each. Investigation show ed that Brooken had procured the papers from Oscar Hall, a negro, teacher of Troy, Ala., paying sls for them. All of the parties are under arrest except TLV, who has escaped into Georgia