The Weather Today: Fair; Colder.
The News and Observer.
VOL. LI. NO. 136.
LeadsailMorthCJarolma Bailiesin Mews and Circulation
IRETRACTNQTHiNG,
DECLARES WHEELER
I Am Ashamed of Our Offi
cials’ Book-Licking,
I SPEAK ONLY FOR MYSELF
Many Letters From ihe North Com
mend His Stand.
GILLETT HAD SHARPLY CRITICISED HIM
Robinson and lhayer Opposed His Utterance.
Talbert Said Those Who Think With
Wheeler Should Avow it and
not be Infernal Cowards
(By the Associated Press.)
Washington, Feb. 18.—The speech of
Mr. Wheeler, of Kentucky, in the House
last Friday when he bitterly assailed
Secretary Htsy aud Lord Pauneefote and
criticised the official preparations for the
reception of Prince Henry had a sequel
in the House today during the debate
upon the ludiau Appropriation Bill. Mr.
Lillett, of Massachusetts, , brought the
eubject forward in a speech of half an
hoar. He declared that the intemperance
of .Air. Wheeler's language carried its
own condemnation. Luring the course of
his speech two Democrats—Robinson, of
Indiana, and Thayer, of Massachusetts, —
disclaimed any sympathy with Mr. Wheel
er’s utterances. Mr. Wheeler himself
subsequently replied, to Mr. Gillet rtAif
faming what he had said and declaring
that he would stand-by his words wheth
er they were disci eet or not. The inci
dent was the feature of the day.
Earlier In the session Mr. Hill, of Con
necticut, and Mr. Shafrotb, of Colorado,
discussed the former’s bill to redeem sil
ver in gold and Mr. Burleson, of Texas,
criticised the President for changing his
position on trusts. The other speakers
were Messrs. Reid (Dem., Ark.), Suther
land (Rep., Utah), Padgett (Dem.. Tenn.),
Poll (D*m X. C.), and Robinson (Dem.,
Ind.)
The Indian bill itself was not touched.
Mr. Gillet criticised Mr. Wheeler for
making the charge that the Secretary of
State was a “pitiable flunkey” who should
bo booted out of the State Department,
and for making fun of the German nation
and saying lie did not care for the good
will of the German people.
The more disgraceful such utterances
were the more notoriety they achieved,
he said Such remarks addressed to a
foreign country, he said, naturally made
an ititpressiou abroad. People there knew
nothing of the man who gave utteranco
to them. They only knew of his official
position as a member of American House
of Representatives. On tHat account he
said, he stigma of the gentleman’s speech
attached to all of the members here.
At this point two Democrats arose and
disclaimed sympathy with Mr. Wheeler’s
remarks.
Mr. Robinson (Dem., Ind.), amid Re
publican applause declared that the Dem
ocratic party should not be held respon
sible for his statements.
*T have made no such charge.” obser
ud Mr. Gillett, “but if uio gentlemen
on the other side do not agree with Mr.
Wheeler they should say so.”
This brought Mr. Thßyer (Mass.), to his
'cel with another statement that Mr.
Wheeler spoke only for himself. It was
unjust and unfair, ho declared, to charge
the Democracy with being in sympathy
with his utterances.
"One after another," observed Mr. Gil
lett with an amused smile while his col
leagues were convulsed with laughter.
Then Mr. Talbert (Dem , :>.C.). jumped
up ’ I want to say,” he cried, “thac I
desire to take my share of the responsi
bility for that speech. 1 endorse every
Word he said and am sorry he did not go
farther. I think these who believe as
he does should say so and not be inler
,nnl cowards about it.” >
Continuing, Mr. Gillett. said, the good
nil* of every nation was valuable to the
United States and that it was unwise to
fling a taunt in the face of a great peo
ple. Personally he said, he himself was not
in sympathy with the worship of royalty.
There were, he sa'd, only two classes iu
this country who regarded the birth. One
was the aristocratic class of the great
cities and the oj.her the class which re
fused to recognize refinement, culture or
education if it was tainted with color. But
he had believed that the visit of Prince
Henry was a proper occasion for a suit
able demonstration of good will. Our re
lations with Germany recently bad been
almost strained aud here was an oppor
tunity *o disc-lav our friendship. Beside
it would be churlish and inhospitable not
to welcome properly the representative
of the German people. Just at tilts time
also, ha believed that It was proper to
tend embassies to England and Spain to
attend tim coronations although he was
not in full sympathy, generally speaking
with such displays.
Mr. Wheeler replied to Mr. Gillet. He
disclaimed any Idea that on last Friday
he had spoken for any one except him
self, hut nevertheless he said he believed
that many people believed as he did. He
said he had had innumerable letters aud
telegrams from different parts of the
ooum ry containing unstinted praise of his
speech.
For himself, he said, ho preferred to
tell the truth, no matter how uuoalata
lle It might be. He said that ho had
never objected to receiving a distinguish- 1
cd foreigner with proper consideration.
What he objected to was the spirit of
truckling and sycophancy that had char
acterized this and the preceding admin
istration, especially in the conduct of the
State Department. Referring to the
communications he received, he said that
nine-tenths of them were from Northern
States, and a great majority of them
from Republicans. “Before the Ameri
can people,” he declared, “I say un
hesitatingly that I have not a word to
retract. I sincerely believe we are drift
ing t,> a position hostile to Republican
ism. I do not believe to occupy a great
position in the world that it is necessary
for us to sacrifice our traditions. I am
a son of a foreigner and my love of the
republic was boru ami bred in me. I
have been charged in the press with be
ing an ‘ignorant agriculturalist.’ I am
proud of being the son of a farmer and
the son of a foreigner, but I am ashamed
of the'boot licking that characterizes (he
official class in the republic today ’
Mr. Wheeler then began to read some
of the communications he had received.
Iu reply to a question from Mr. Borelng,
(Rep., Ky.) he said that few r of them
were from Kentucky. “Have you any
! thing from Edward Atkinson?” asked Mr.
Shattuc (Republican, Ohio.)
“No, not yet,” replied Mr. Wheeler
amid derisive leers on the Republican
side.
“Anything from Aguiualdo?” asked Mr.
Mercer (Republican, Neb.)
“To one who would be guilty of the
discourtesy of that question,” retorted
Mr. Wheeler, “I will say I had rather
number Aguinaldo among my friends
than such as he.”
In conclusion Mr. Wheeler stated that
he ment no disrespect to Prince Henry
or the German people, and he did not see
how what he said could be tortured into
such an interpretation. The incident
closed with a few remarks from Mr.
Boreiug, (Kentucky) who disavowed on
behalf of the people of his State any
sympathy wdth Mr. Wheeler’s position.
The Senate amendments to the Census
Bill were disagreed to and the bill was
sent to conference. The House then ad
journed.
WILL REACH A VOTE MONDAY.
The Senate Beaches an Agreement on Philip
pine Tariff bill.
(Dy the Associated Press.)
Washington, Fel>. 18.—It was agreed
by the Senate today that a final vote
upon the Philippine Tariff Bill and the
pending amendments should toe taken
next Monday afternoon at 4 o’clock. The
agreement was reached a few minutes
after the Senate convened today. The
only stipulation made by the minority
was that the last day’s debate should bo
devoted to speeches not exceeding fif
teen minutes in duration-
Two speeches were delivered toda I', 1 ',
tme by Senator Wellington, of Maryland,
in opposition to the pending bill, and
the other by Senator Stewart, of Neva
da, in support of the measure- Mr.
Wellington's address covered the Philip
pine question generally and he set forth
his well known views forcefully.
Mr. Stewart, spoke briefly, making a
legal and constitutional argument in
support of the authority of Congress to
hold the Philippines and to provide a
proper government for their inhabitants.
Mr. Wellington stated his points of
disagreement with the party with which
ha had been identified throughout his
life- He said he had been a Republi
can. a protectionist and a believer in a
gold standard currency. However, he
said, the Spanish war brought the part
ing of the ways. He was opposed to
that war, and believed that Cuban in
dependence could have been brought
about by diplomatic negotiations. Then
came the "imperialistic tendencies” of
the Republican party and with them he
could not agree.
Without the Spanish war, he said,
Cuba might have been free, might have
enjoyed indeed a larger measure of free
dom and independence than she was en
joying now or would enjoy in the fu
ture. The only thing Cuba had been
taught was how a postal official could
embezzle a half million dollars.
Referring to the bill under discus
sion, Mr. Wellington declared his oppo
sition to it on “the broad ground of the
minority’’ declaration that there was uo
right here to enact such legislation-
Mr. Wellington referred to the battle
of Santiago, where the American squad
ron, he declared, was under the com
mand of Rear Admiral Sampson, but
was led by “The Maryland hero, Ad
miral Schley.” (Applause in one of the
galleries.)
“From that moment,” he continued,
“the war was won. Admiral Schley
commanded the vessels of the American
squadron in that engagement. He stood
in the midst of that battle and won out
as no battle ever was before. But the
administration has been unjust to him
as it has been to the Cubans and Fili
pinos. He has not received that meed
of praise and credit that belongs to him,
but an effort has been made to be
smirch him and to detract from his
charactei and his truth and bravery.”
Mr. Wellington referred Incidentally
to his conferences with the late Presi
dent McKinley concerning the ratifica
tion of the treaty of Paris. He went
over the whole situation with the Presi
dent, he said, and made plain to him
that he (Wellington) never would con
sent to vote for any proposition which
contemplated the permanent occupation
of the Philippines by the United States.
He maintained that our victories 1n
the Spanish war had induced a reversal
of the policy of more than a hundred
years- He accused the administration of
having ao defintie Philippine policy and
Averted briefly to the Boer cause, to
which, he said, we would have extended
our sympathy had our own skirts been
clear-
After passing a number of minor bills
the Senate adjourned
RALEIGH. NORTH CAROLINA. WKDM-BDAY MORNING. FEBRUARY 10. 1902.
FLY 111 SCANT ATTIRE
Inmates Escape For Their
Lives From the Blazing
Kqjlog Sanitarium,
(By the Associated Press.)
Battle Creek, Mich., Feb. IS.—The Kel
logg, or Seventh Day Adventist, Sani
tarium here, which was located on a hill
at the highest point iu the city, was de
stroyed by tire early today and the prop
erty loss Is estimated at from $300,000 to
$400,000.
So far as can he learned there was uo
loss of life among the 400 people in the
sanitarium. Mrs. H. C. Daniels, of El
dorado, Ark., is the only person who ;was
seriously injured. She jumped or fell
from the fire escape at the third story
and sustained a broken leg.
The fire started in the bath room of
the sanitarium, probably about the fur
nace. An alarm was turned in, but the
first company of firemen called could not
cope with the flames, which shot up the
elevator shaft to the roof like rockets.
A general call was then sent in, but
the fire was beyond control. The water
pressure was low and this added to the
handicap of the firemen, as the sanitar
ium stood on a hill. In two hours the
building was in ruins aud the hospital
was nearly destroyed.
It is almost miraculous that the four
hundred sleeping inmates escaped with
their lives. Watchmen darted through
the corriders awakening them when the
fire was discovered. Few of them had
time to together any clothing,
escaping in their night clothing. The
corridors was soon filled with smoke, and
about half of the patients were compelled
to make their way down the fire escapes.
Mrs. H. C. Daniels, was on the fifth
floor. She was awakened by the cry of
fire and rushed to the file escape on the
fourth floor. She got down safely as Tar
as the third story, when she either
jumped or fell, she hardly knows which.
She is resting easily and is in no danger.
4
NORTH CAROLINA MILLS
MAY HAVE TO SHUT DOWN
Because Cotton Yarns Have Not Advanced in Pro»
portion to the Advance in Spot Cotton,
Says Dr. Me Aden.
(Special to News aud Observer.)
Charlotte, N. C., Feb. 18.—The recent
rise iu raw cotton has affected the mills
of the South to such an extent that it is
probable that the majority of the mills
of North Carolina will be compelled to
cose down. The mill owners of Char
lotte claim that without a corresponding
rise iu cotton yarns they will be unable
to continue business, as the profits are
all eaten up by the hands. Spot cotton
is higher in Charlotte than anywhere in
the country, and though th;r difference
is slight, mill owners state that it will
ruin the trade unti there is au equal rise
iq yarns.
“At the present price of spot cotton,”
said Dr. Jas. H. McAden, one of the big
gest mill owners of the South, this even-
The total insurance ou the sanitarium
is $148,500. In addition to the loss on
the building and its contents the loss of
| the personal property of patients is
heavy. Nearly all of them lost their
wearing apparel and many lost valuable
jewelry. The building will be rebuilt at
once.
Daughter of Morton Weds
(By the Associated Press.)
New' York, Feb. 18. —Miss Alice Mor
ton, fourth daughter of former Vice
President Morton, and Winthrop Ruth
erford were married today in Grace
Episcopal Church- Rev. Dr. Hunting
ton, rector of the church, officiated# The
wedding was simple in the extreme,
there being no bridesmaids and no de
corations in the church except two bou
quets of ascension lilies that filled the
vases on the altar. Teh ushers were
I Winthrop Chanler, Egertou Winthrop,
Jr., J- Borden Harriman, William R-
Travers and Herman Duryea,
Son of “Boss” Tweed Drops Dead.
(By tho Associated Press.)
Stamford, Conn., Feb. 18.—William M.
Tweed, aged 55, son of the late Tammany
chieftain cf that, name, dropped dead at
his home here to lay of heart disease. Mr.
Tweed was formerly proprietor of,a notei
in New York, but several years ago re
tired from business aud came to Stam
ford to live. His wife and daughter sur
vive him.
Small Fire at Greensboro
(Special to the News aud Observer.)
Greensboro, N. C., Feb. 18- —At 7:30
tonight fire broke out In Dr. Beall's
stables, in South Greensboro. Owiug to
the promptness aud efficiency of the
fire department it was soon extinguish
ed. tho damage being small.
Bev. Newman Hall Passes Away.
(By tho Associated Press )
' Loudon, Feb. IS.— Rev. L-r. Newm.i u
| Hal!, former chairman of che Congrega
l xional Union, died today He was born
1 May 22.' ISI-)
MISS STORE FREE?
A Constantinople Dispatch to
Paris Says She Has
Been Released.
(By the Associated Press.)
Paris, Feb., 18.—The Temps this even
ing, publishes a dispatch from Constan
tnople which announces that Miss Ellen
M. Stone has been released by the brig
ands who have held her captive since
September 3rd last and has been handed
over in good health, to the draggoman of
the American legation.
•The dispatch adds that the “F.ev.
Tsilka has been arrested on the charge
of complicity in the kidnapping of Miss
Stone.”
Keene Gives $1",000 to the Poor.
(By the Associated Press.)
New York. Feb. 18—The snow fall,
which began in this city soon after mid
night yesterday* ceased last night and
by this morning the streets had been
cleared fairly well.
Jas. R. Keene, today gave SIO,OOO for
the relief of the poor who suffered in
the blizzard of yesterday. It was the
duplication of a similar donation made
last winter by Mr. Keene, and was sent
to the United Hebrew Charity. Mr.
Keene also gave SIO,OOO to the charity
organization society.
McKelway’s Letter to the President.
(Special to News and Observer.)
Charlotte. N. C., Feb. 18.—Rev. A. J.
McKelway, editor of the Presbyterian
Standard, in a published card, states that
should anyone wish to publish the let
ter which he wrote to the President in
regard to Postmaster Mullin.they can do so
if they will publish it entire. Mr. Mc-
Kelway states that he wrote the letter
with but one object in view, the better
ment of the service in Charlotte. It is
ing,” it Is almost impossible for the mills
to come out as good as even ou their
manufactured goods. Our people are
getting the same prices now as they were
when cottou was selling arouud seven
cents. Cotton yarns have not advanced
like iu proportion to the advance in spot
cotton. Just how long the mills will
hold out under these conditions, I am un
able to say. Surely it will not be long.”
Other manufacturers were approached
ou the same subject, and they, with one
accord, corroborated Dr. MeAdeu'a state
ment. One went so far as to say that he
was afraid if conditions did not chango
at an early day a number of mills would,
of necessity, be compelled to shut down
uutil higher prices could be obtained.
thought that Mr. Mullin and his friends
will take up the gauntlet.
A telephone message from Waxhaw tills
afternoon states that Mrs. Allen Heath,
whose illness has been noted in this cor
respondence, suffered a relapse yesterday
and is now at the point of death. Little
hope is entertained for her recovery.
Drs. C. 1.. Alexander, E. P. Keeran, C.
A. Bland have gone to Atlanta to attend
the fifth annual meeting of the Southern
branch of the National Dental Associa
tion, and will read papers before the
body.
The twenty-sixth annual convention of
the Young Men's Christian Association of
North Carolina will meet in Charlotte,
March 8-11. Mr. E. O. Sellers, of Wash
ington, the well known finger, will have
the musical program for the occasion in
charge.
TAR HEEL POSTMASTERS
Tyre Glean Gets the Greensboro Office- Other
Confirmations
(By the Associated Press.)
Washington, Feb. 18.—Confirmations by
the Senate:
Postmaster.**—North Carolina: Tyre
Glenn, Greensboro; J. H. Ramsay, Salis
bury; J. F. Wray, Reidsville; J. W. C.
Long, Statesville; E. L. Ware, King'3
Mouutaiu.
Women Snffragists Heard.
(By the Associated Press.)
Washington, Feb. 18.—A number of
ladies representing the Woman’s Suffrage
Association, iu convention here, were
heard by the Committee on Woman Suf
frage of the Senate today. The meeting
was presided over by Senator Bacon, of
Georgia, who practically turned tho con
trol of the bearing over to Mise Susan
B. Anthony, who made the first address
of the day. She began by tailing atten
tion to the fact that for thirty-four years
or seventeen Congresses, the ladies have
been eornlug to Congress with their pleas,
but she said that only on one occasion
bad their proposed amendment to the
Constitution been awarded the honor of
being taken up in the Senate for dis
cussion. She therefore* made an appeal
to be heard by the Senate, expressing
tho conviction that women of the eoun-
tries arc as much entitled to be heard as
are the Filipinos, the Porto Ricans and
the Hawiians.
Another delegation appeared before
the House Judiciary Committee. Mrs.
Carrie Chapman Catt urged that tho
House investigate the results of Woman
Suffrage in Idaho, L’tuli, Colorado and
Wyoming.
SO TRUE BILL AGAINST TUTEN.
Negro Fractures a Companion’s Skull in an
Affray
(Special to News and Observer.)
Washington, N. C.. Feb. 18.— Stephen
B. Tuten was to have been arraigned at
this term of court, but the grand jury
failed to find a true bill against him for
the murder of John Caton. He was put
tinder S3OO bond for selling moonshine
liquor. He is now in Jail, having failed
to raise the security.
Julius Parmslee, colored, a laborer at
the Moss Planing Mill, became involved
iu an affray with another negro named
Joe Lane. Parmslee struck Lane ou the
head with an axe, fracturing the skull.
Dr. Loyd, colored, attended the negro
and said that the skull was fractured.
Parmalee was arrested.
The civil stilt of Samuel Boyd against
the John L. Roper Lumber Company,
came up this morning. Charles F. War
ren and B. B. Nicholson represent the
plaintiff, and Small and McLean and oßd
man and Rodman the defendant.
Mr. and Mrs. E. S. Simmons celebrated
their crystal wedding last night.
ORATORICAL CONTEST.
Leazar Literary Society and A A M. on Feb.
28th at Olivia Raney Library.
The following invitations have been
rent out to an oratorical contest of the
Leazar Literary Society of the A. and M.
College:
The Leazar Literary Society of the
North Carolina College of Agriculture
aud Mechanic Arts requests the honor oi
your presence at the Ninth Annual Ora
torical contest for a medal offered by
the Leazar Charter Class Memorial As
sociation, Olivia Raney Library’ Hall,
February 28th, 1902, at 8:30 o’clock.
President, R. B. Cochran, “02”; Secre
tary, W. L. Darden, “03”; Representative
of the L. C. C. M. A., E. M. Gibbon, ”93."
Orators: W. B. Reinhardt, “02”; J. P.
Turner, “02”; J. H. Shuford, ”02”; J. L.
Parker, “02."
Marshals: Chief, L. Moseley, “02”; G.
W.' Rogers, “03”; D. R. Foster, ”04";
E. G. Porter, “05”; W. F. Kirkpatrick,
“08”; S. S. Lockhart. ”04”; C. B. Hug
gins, ”05.”
FAVORS OBANTINQ THE DEMAND*""’
Tha Captain Genual of the Barcelona For a
Nine Honrs bay.
(By the Associated Prese.)
Barcelona, Feb. 18.—The city of Bar
celona is in control of the troops, but
isolated bands of strikers are still doing
considerable damage- Rioters today at
tacked a prison van and attempted to
release a number of strikers who had
been made prisoners. A striker fired on
the guard, who in return shot and killed
tlie man who fired ou him.
A large lumber yard as behen burned
by incendiaries and several stores, have
been pillaged.
The Captain Geno Val of Barcelona lia3
summoned a meeting of the proprietors
of the metal works, at which he will
recommend granting the strikers’ de
mend of nine hours work per day.
Guenther For Brigadier General.
(By the Associated Press.)
Washington, Feb. 18. —The President
today sent the following nominations to
the Senate:
Brigadier General. Col. Francis L.
Guenther, Artillery Corps; Jas. P. Platt,
of Connecticut, United States District
Judge for the District of Connecticut;
Thos. V. McCallister, Collector of Cus
toms, District of Vicksburg, Miss.; Geo.
Barclay Rives, of New Jersey, third
Secretary of the Embassy of the United
Btr.tos at Berlin.
Mr. Platt is a son of Senator Platt, of
Connecticut.
Lehigh to ►'lay Our Colleges.
(By the Associated Press.)
Bethlehem, Pa., Feb. 18.—Lehigh Uni
versity’s baseball schedule for the com
ing season includes the following:
March 27 and 28, University of Virginia,
at Charlottesville.
March 31 and April 1, University of
North Carolina, at Salem and Chapel
Hil, respectively.
April Trinity, at Durham.
The Dental Association.
(By the Associated Press.)
Atlanta. Ga., Feb. 18. —The Southern
tran-ch of the National Dental Associa
tion met here today in annual convention.
The attendance is large. During the
day a number of papers of interest to the
profession were read, and the President’s
address was listened to. Officers will he
elected Friday.
Grandson of Davy Crockett Dead,
(By the Associate 1 Press )
Little Rock, Ant.. Feb. 18. —Col. Bcb
Crockett, father of Secretary of State
Crockett, and grandson of Davy Crock
ett, hero of the AJmo, died at his home
iu St uttgart last night. AH'States offices
closed today. He was 70 y-.ars old.
Arrested For Robbing the Mails.
(By the Associated Press.)
Chattanooga, Teun., Feb. 18. —The Post
office inspector here has been advised of
the arreet of William Griffin aud Pierre
Aexander at Augusta, Ga.. charged with
robbing the mails.
PRICK Mv iw^TS.
MANILA A ROT BED
OF INSURRECTIONS
Gov, Taft Discusses Treason
and Sedition Laws.
IHE SECRET SOCIETIES
T hese Made the Chief Instrument of
Agitation Against Us.
FOR THIS REASON THEY ARE DENOUNCED
* ii . —■ .. ■■■• ■
Taft Endeavors to Jus ify the Suppression of
Free Sp-wcn. He Will go Further if
Need be to Put Down
the War
(By the Associated Press.)
Washington, Feb. 18.—Governor Taft,
of the Philippines Commission, today
continued his discussion of the ques
tion of tranquility in the archipelago
before the Senate committee. He said
that the recent massacre of troops In Sa
mar had a startlllng effect upon the
army and created suspicion and fear of
treachery in other sections. The Gov
ernor did not think, however, such ap
prehensions justified and said he felt as
safe In Manila as in Washington. Civil
ians seldom carry arms there.
With this remark Governor Taft
passed from the consideration of tho
question of tranquility to* a discussion
of the treason aud sedition laws. Ju
this connection he said that while Ma
nila is quiet and has been practically so
ever since the American occupation it is
still used as a center of agencies for the
promotion of insurrection- There was
always there a party of irreconcilables.
Nothing had, he said, been done for the
enactment of such laws until the estab
lishment of civil government. It then
became evident that the Filipino junta
was preparing to locate in that city,
making that point the center for their
ptepagauda. Gen. Wright was there
fore directed to prepare a law on the
subject aud had done so. The denun
ciation of secret societies had been in
serted, he said, because they had beeu
made the chief instrument of agitation
against the United States.
The commission had felt that secret
societies were one of the most fruitful
aids to the war and had taken the posi
tion that political agitation should bo
confined to open meetings and prevented
In oath bound societies. If the people
understood the question there would be
no objection to peaceable agitation, but
under the circumstances the commis
sion had felt that ‘the suspension cf the
right to advocate independence was not
such a deprivation of the right of free
speech as could not lie Justified by the
presence of war, when for the benefit
of the whole people it should be sup
pressed.” At least one of the societies
had for one of its main purposes assas
sination, being thus like the Mafia.
“In other words. It was a quasi-war
measure?” suggested Senator Bever
idge, and Governor Taft assented.
Replying to a question from Senator
Patterson, as to whether it was the in
tention to go further in this direction,
Governor Taft replied:
“We propose to do all that we can do
that is known'to civilized nations to put
down this war, which is suc-h a great in
jury'to the Philippine people.”
He said he had not given personal at
tention to the phraseology of the sedi
tion law® and he had no doubt, that
when peace should be restored section 13
would be repealed.
Speaking of Aguinaldo’s personality.
Governor Taft said that yhile his name
is probably known better than that of
any other man in the islands, his per
sonality was not familiar to the people.
“His capture,’ he continued, “In the
face of the genera! impression that he
was divinely protected against capture or
injury seriously affected his prestige.
Personally he is a man of dignity,
though of limited education. He knows
ho wto keep his own counsel and under
stands the failings of the Filipinos. Ho
knows how to reconcile the difficulties
of leaders and how to avoid arousing
jealousy of hftnself. That he has any
idea of civil liberty or of any kind of
liberty I have no reason to believe.”
The Machias Springs a Leak.
(By ihe Associated Preas.)
Pensacola, Fla., Feb. 18.—Iu drawing
up to the navy yard coal docks today the
United States gunboat Machtas was
caught by a heavy swell and driven with
such violence against the dock that one
of her plates below the water line was
loosened. She sprung a leak which will
necessitate her remaining here several
days for repairs.
Denies Discrimination Against Negro.
(By the Associated Press.)
Washington. Fob- 18.— Commissioner of
Education Harris was given a hearing
before tho Senate Committee on Educa
tion and Labor today. He denies that
there is any discrimination against the
colored race in the distribution of the
funds expended by tho government for
educational purposes as has been
charged in some places.