North Carolina Newspapers

4 44444444444444444 | THE WEATHER TODAY. 4 4 For North Carolina* 4 1 Fair; Colder. t VOL. LIU. NO. 72. Leads all Month Carolina Dailies in Mews and (Direniation HORRIBLE DEATH FOR FOURTEEN IN A FIRE TRAP, Penned in by Flames Several Leap From the Windows. OTHERS DIE IN FLAMES StiH Others Strangled to Death by the Smoke That Rolls in Dense Volumes Through the Blazing Hotel Lincoln in Chicago. (By the Associated Press.) Chicago, Dec. 4. —Fourteen persons among the scores crowded into the Lin coln hotel, at 17G Madison street, met death shortly before € o’clock, this morn ing in a Are which "will pass into local history as one of the most horrible Chicago ever has experienced. Death came suddenly to a few, but with awful slowness to others who were penned in the death trap and sufforated or burned to death. Some died in their rooms, some chanced all in jumping and lost, while others were found in the hallways where they had expired with their fingers dug into the cracks of the floor. All of the bodies were recovered as the hotel was not destroyed. The identified: M. M. HANDY, Janesville. Wis. EDWARD TONER, Milwaukee. H. K. WOOD, Lebanon, Ind. B. F. BOSWELL, Chicago. SAMUEL L. YOCUM, Davenport, lowa. J. C. YOCUM, Davenport, lowa. F. L. EWING, Marietta, Ohio. A. B. COON, Marengo, 111. T. V. SLOCUM, Waconda, 111. WARD LOWE, Minneapolis. C P. COWEN. St. Louis. F. W. CAREY, Bucyrus, Ohio. Two others, including one who died cn the way to the hospital, have net been identified. The victims were taken to Roolstons’ Morgue, and all day the place wa3 filed with anxious people interested in the dead or seeking to assure themselves of the safety of friends or relatives. The building was fire-trap of the worst kind, according to experts. There were but two exits, a narrow stairway lead ing down the four floors of the build ing, and an uncompleted fire escape in the rear. The fire started on the second floor, presumably from a lighted cigar dropped on the carpet. Guests occupying upper rooms in the front ; a. t of the hostelry, aroused by the screams of a woman, were able to escape from the stairway, and about thirty people reached safety by means of the fire escape. To add to the horSor, toowever, this gave way while others were attempting to escape, and three men were dashed to death on the pavement of the alley below. For the people still in the rear rooms, there was now no escape save by jump ing. The stairway was in flames and the lire escape gone. Horror-strieken faces appeared at the windows and cried franti cally for help. Firemen cried back to them to wait until nets or mattresses could be brought, and those who did in most cases escaped with slight injuries. But some, crazed with fright, jumped to the pavement and were either killed or badly hurt. With great difficulty, the fire, although comparatively a small one, was subdued, but it was some time be fore rescuers could penetrate the dense bank of smoke which filled the place. It was an awful scene which met their eyes. The dead or unconscious were lying stretched on the floor, or, in some cases, on their beds. Some had attempted to slip on a garment, before making for the street, but had been overcome, but most of them were in their night clothes. Stores and other hotels in the vicinity were filled with men and women who had escaped with only their night gowns. An investigation will bg made. A fire wall around the elevator and other precaution ary alterations had been needed some time ago, but the matter had been neg lected. Os the people injured it was necessary to take only three to the hospital. Others, suffering from slight cuts and bruises, or from the inhalation of smoke, were cared for at neighboring drug stores and departed without their names being re ported to the police. In one instance, a fireman of Engine Company No. 2 saved a woman from run ning to the rear of the building to cer tain death on the fourth floor, only to be forced to drop her from the third floor to the roof of the building at 178 Madison street. The woman held her seven-year-old son in her arms. She was Mrs. J. Sheppard and her son is named Frederick. She was then carried from the roof of the building to the Brevort House where a physician was summoned. It was found that their injuries were slight. E. C. Weber, the night clerk, was one of the first persons to discover smoke on the second floor. It is believed that the fire began in this section of the build ing. Weber refused to make any state ment and after he had secured posses sion of the hotel register he was taken to the Cent -al Station, where he is being detained. F. A. Smith, proprietor of the hotel, savs: “I am certainly not to blame for this awful catastrophe. Three weeks ago the agents of this building were notified to The News and Observer. place a stairway in the rear of the build ing, and also to build a fire wall around the freight elevator shaft in the rear. The contractors came and looked the building over, but nothing was done. Last night our seventy rooms were all filled and I should judge that we had about 12f» or 150 guests. From what I can learn the fire originated in the rear of the building on the second floor. This probably accounts for the escape of guests who occupied front rooms on the upper floors. They had an opportunity to reach the stairway before the flames reached that part of the building, but the occu pants of the rear rooms were cut off by the flames. Most of our guests last night were persons who came to Chicago to visit the stock show' and knew little of the building.” Chief Musham, of the fire department, said that in some ways it was the worst fire he had attended during his career as a fireman, and that so dense was the smoke that it was impossible to reach the imprisoned guests, who died like rats in a cage. When the firemen finally managed to make their way into the room the sight that met their gaze was appalling. Men and boys lay about the floors of the rooms and hallways where they had fallen in their eagerness to escape. ‘‘The building.” said the chief, ‘‘was one of the worst fire traps I ever have seen. The floors in places had cracks in them large enough to drop a penny through and the smoke lust sifted through and suffocated the inmates of the rooms before they had time to make their way into the hallways." A jury was impaneled this afternoon by Coroner Trager to ascertain the the causes of the disaster and to fix the gull', for i.egligence. After viewing the bodies of the victims of the fire, the jury went to the hotel, where an examination was made of the premises. The jurors were then dismissed to meet for the in quest, which will begin December 12. At the conclusion of the inspection, Coroner Tracer said: ‘‘The fire undoubtedly was caused by the explosion of an oil stove in the rear of the third floor. The building is very carelessly constructed, the fire escape is worthless, the rooms are outrageously small, and it is nothing short of a crime that such a building should have been used as a housing place for human beings. THE STATE GTJABJ. Election of Officers by the First, Second and Third Regiments (Special to the News and Observer.) Charlotte, N. C., Dec. 4.—The election of officers of the First Regiment at Statesville today resulted as follows: J. F. Armfield, Colonel; T. R. Robert son, Charlotte, Lieutenant-Colonel; Geo. E Butler. First Major; R. L. Flanni gan, Second Major, and J. C. Bessent, Third Major. H. C BKAGAW COLONEL. Election of Officers of the Second Begiment at Goldsboro. (Special to News and uObserver.) Goldsboro, N. C., Qec. 4.—The com missioned officers of the several com panies composing the Second Regiment, North Carolina State Guards, met in this city this afternoon and elected the fol lowing officers: Colonel, H. C. Bragaw, Washington Lieutenant-Colonel, T. C. James, Wil mington. Major First Battalion, C. B. Elliott, Edenton. Major Second Battalion. T. S. Pace, Wilson. Major Third Battalion, G. B. Sellars. Maxton. There was a full representation of all officers and companies of the regiment. These officers will be a credit to the regiment. They were handsomely enter tained by Company D, Second Regiment, and Company B. First Regiment, of this city. Resolutions were adopted expressing thanks to the militia of this city for hos pitality to officers. THIBD BEGIMENT OFFICEBS- J N. Craig of Reidsville ia Fleeted Colonel of This Organization (Special to News and Observer.) Durham, N. C., Dec. 4. —A meeting of officers of the Third Roegiment was held here .today for the purpose of electing staff officers of the regiment. Th; fol lowing were elected: Colonel, J. N. Craig, of Reidsville. Lieutenant Colonel; T. J. Winston, of Durham. Major of First Battalion, J. J. Bernard, of Raleigh. Major of Third Battalion, J. M. Al bright, of Greensboro. No election as to Major of second battalion. Johnstone Still Lingers. (By the Associated Press.) Philadelphia, Dec. 4.—Barry Johnstone, the actor, who, last Monday night shot and killed Kate Hassett, of Keith’s Bijou Theatre Stock Company, and then turned the weapon upon himself, is gradually dying at the hospital. During the day he revived slightly, but the physicians say his recovery is impossible. A consulta tion was held by the doctors today, at which it was decided that an operation to remove the two bullets which John stone fired into his breast would be futile, and they are now awaiting the end. The murdered woman’s body was today forwarded to the home of her pa rents at Aurora. Ills. Charles H. Dow Dead. (By the Associated Press.) New York, Dec. 4.—Charles H. Dow, founder of the Wall Street news gath ering firm of Dr. Jones & Company, died at his home in Brooklyn today. He was born in Connecticut in 1851. BALKIGH. NOBTH CAROLINA. FRIDAY MORNING. DECEMBER 5, 1902. LIGHT FLASHED ON COm MINE HORRORS Firemen Worked Fourteen Twelve-Hour Days. LIVES IN THEIR HANDS Their Last Shift Twenty-four Hours Lone- Should They Fall Asleep During That Vigil Fans Would Stop and Gas Gather, (By the Associated Press.) Scranton, Pa., Dec. 4.—At today's sessions of the Anthracite Strike Com mission, the representatives of the mine workers continued to call witnesses, mostly practical miners, who told their story of the conditions as they exist in the Hazelton or middle coal fields. The miners tried to show by their witnesses that the Coxe and other companies had violated the agreement entered into by both sides when the commission was ap pointed. that the strikers should return to work and be given their old positions back where they had not already been filled. Some of the witnesses called testi fied that they were not given back their od places and maintained that men prominent in the union in the various localities during the strike were dis criminated against. The commission has decided to invite the mine inspectors to appear before them, because the miners claim that the workmen fear to inform the mine inspec tors are usually accompanied by some representative of the company who may cause the man's.dismissal. This is a new point before the commission. Rumors of possible negotiations to wards a settlement outside the commis sion continue to be heard. Lawyers admit they have heard suen rumors, but say they know nothing about a possible settlement. Whatever is done will be first decided upon in New York, where those in authority to act are located. Several attorneys, among them W. W. Ross, of Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Company, have returned to the Metropolis. Whether or not it is in con nection with peace negotiations cannot be learned here. The opinion still prevails here, and rather strongly, too, that the operators and miners will agree on most points before the commission concludes its hearings. Jackson Ansbac-h, of the Hazelton region, was one of the most interesting witnesses because he is the first fire man to appear before the commission. He said he received $1.57 for a day of twelve hours, and his assistant sl-25. On every other Sunday when he and his as sistant shifted from day to night work, they were compelled to work twenty-four 'hours straight without relief. This statement caused a buzz through the court room and every commissioner straightened up and became more inter ested In answer to a question put by the commission he said he was off duty one day every two weeks, thus working six days one week and eight days the following week. ‘‘Supposing you should fall asleep when you work in the long shift of 24 huours, what would happenVa” asked Mr. Dar row. “Well,” he replied, ‘‘if I slept long enough the fans would stop, gas would accumulate in the mines, and if an ex plosion took place some men might bo killed: that’s all.” Rev. James V. Hussie, rector of St. Gabriel’s Roman Catholic church. Hazel ton, said he had lived in the coal regions practically all his life. ‘‘The conditions in this region,” he said, ‘‘are deplorable. The mine workers are barely able to exist. I have been in their homes. They are not homes, but merely a habitation, a resting-place. They are frugal, conservative, reasonable, and a God-fearing people.” Families cannot be kept together, ho said. The boys are sent into the mines almost as soon as ‘‘they are able to tod dle out,” and the girls are sent to mills in the small towns in the vicinity or drift into the large cities. He cited in stances of poverty and said that it took one man six years before he was able to pay off a funeral debt of S2OO. He ex amined the tax lists of Hazelton. he said, and in a population of which perhaps 70 per cent was made up of mine workers, only eighty mine employes out of 1,728 persons assessed owned their own homes. Andrew Mattey, a Slavonian, said he was the means of bringing fourteen Sla vonians to this country at the instance of a breaker boss at the Coxe*. mines. They were promised sl.lO a day, but re ceived only 65 to 80 c«nts a day. He told how he had been paid to go to Hazelton and meet the ‘‘green horns” who had been “shipped by his mother from Europe.” Judge Gray evidently thinking that the alien laws were being violated, became greatly interested, and, leaning toward the witness, said: “When was this%” “Seventeen years ago,” repliedu the Hungarian. “Oh.” said the judge, as he leaned back in his chair, and a wave of laugh ter swept over the court room. The com mission then adjourned until tomorrow. Today was set as the limit for the coal companies to answer the submission made by the miners, but thue Coxe Com pany's time was extended until tomorrow, the officials of the company being and not prepared to make answer. Besides the large companies which signed the re quest made to President Roosevelt for the appointment of the arbitration com mittee, thirty-nine companies have, up to today, signified their willingness to abide by the decision of the arbitrators. Services at the Tabernacle. There was a large attendance on the services at the Tabernacle Baptist church last night and interest in these services is steadily deepening. Last night there were two professions of faith. The services today will commence at 10:30 and tonight at 7:30. THE NAVALPROBLEM Program Made Public by War Department. Communication Willi Shore Ceases—-Movt m.ntsof the Enemy’s Fleet Cloaked in Mystery. (By the Associated Press.) Washington, Dec. 4.—The Navy De partment has made public the elements of the great naval search problem on which the combined fleets are to begin work tomorrow in the West Indies The rules which are to govern in this mimic warfare follows: “The White fleet includes vessels of commands of Rear Admirals Sumner and Crowninshield, combined under the for mer The Blue fleet includes vessels under Rear Admiral Higgiuson “In the afternoon of December 5, the Blue fleet learns that one of its scouts sighted the White fleet December 2nd in latitude 15 degrees north, longitude 45 est, a position about 900 miles to the eastward of Barbaloes. “The White fleet represents an ad vanced detachment of an enemy whose object is to secure a base in the Porto Rican waters between and including Mayaguez, on the west, and Great Har bor, Culebra, on the east; also to mine the main ship channel of the port seized before 6 p. in., December 10th, at which time the problem ends. “(a) If it enters the port selected and has worked one hour in laying mines be fore the arrival of a Blue force 50 per cent, greater than its on. it wins. “(b) If it enters the port and completes the mining of the channel before the ar j rival of a Blue fleet double its own, it i wins. i “White loses if intercepted by a su perior Blue force at sea or in less than one hour after it enters the port. “The Blue force to win must: (a) With a superior force meet the White fleet at sea or within one hour after it has an chored in the port selected, (b) If the White force has been at anchor mere than one hour but not long enough to plant all its mines the Blue force must be fifty per cent, greater than the White one.” With the Warship?. (By the Associated Press.) Port of Spain, Island of Trinidad. Wednesday, December 3. —Rear Admiral Sumner has issued an order with respect to the neutrality of Trinidad. With the departure of the gunboat Eagle this morning communication with the shore ceased, and from now the movements of the “enemy’.s” squadron will be cloaked in mystery. While Admiral Sumner has not indicated when he proposes to sail, the understanding among the officers of the vessels under his command and that the squadron will leave the Gulf of Paria at 5 o’clock tomorrow morning. There is a lighthouse at Boca Grande, the exit from the Gulf, and apprehension is felt that the keeper may communicate with the United States consul, who will telegraph to Rear Admiral Higginson, commanding the defending squadron, the course and speed of the “enemy.” Con sequently Admiral Sumner proposes when out of sight of land to change his course and speed, and then proceed to the port chosen for the scene of the attack. It is often the case that the course of j the warships is followed by boxes and other refuse thrown overboard. There fore, Admiral SKimner has decided that such debris be put to sink immediately when thrown into the sea, or that it be burned. New code signals for use day and night have been arranged in order to prevent their being read by Admiral Higginson’s scouts. Though his squadron is stronger than the one commanded by Admiral Cervera, Admiral Sumner declares that the prob lem before him is more difficult than that of the Spaniards, as the latter were able to chose ports in Cuba as well as in Porto Rico and Culebra. Moreover, the moved Jfjfom the Cape Verde Islands, while Admiral Sumner’s command is limited in regard to time. Ihe Enemy’s Squadron Sails. (By the Associated Press.) Pant of Spain, Island of Tjrinidad, Dec. 4.—The United States consul has ■ been authoritatively informed through j agents of the departure this morning ot I the “enemy’s” squadron. Its destination . is uncertain, but it is believed to be j Porto Rico or Culebra. The ships passed ! through Boca Grande going slowly. There j is no satisfactory indications as to the course the squadron will pursue. All the warships had a low free board, I which is evidence that they are well- \ filled with coal and ammunition. A col- ' lier carrying 2,5(M) tons of coal, dis charged ts cargo into the various ves sels, which also received provisions and ammunition from a supply ship. The enemy i s prepared to make a dash to seize a base and hold, and confidence j as to the final success of the movement prevails on board the ships. * FOE HARVEST WHIFF ROT LABORERS FEW Is Commercialism Sapping Our Spiritual Life? THE BISHOP’S QUESTION Nine out of a Claes of Eleven Deacons of one Year Advanced—Three Received on Trial Under Ques tion One (Special to News and Observer.) Wilmington, N. C., Dec. 4.—The sec ond day’s session of the North Carolina Conference opened today with devotional exercises led by Rev. W. C. Norman. After the reading of yesterday’s jour nal by Secretary Cuninggim, Bishop Smith called the seventh question, Who are deacons of one year, and nine out of the class of eleven having passed the required examination were advanced, while two were continued in the class of the third year. Rev. Jesse L. Cuning gim, secretary of the recently estab lished correspondence school of minis terial education at Nashville, Tenn., spoke interestingly of that enterprise. Rev. J. M. Rhodes, president of Little ton Female College read his annual re port which was referred. Rev. W. H. Kirton, of South Carolina Conference, was introduced to the body. Dr. T. N. Ivey, editor of the Raleigh Christian Advocate, read his annual re port, showing a prosperous year for that paper. The class of the first year numbering eight were advanced to the second year, except two, who were unable to complete the course of study on account of poor health. In answer to question nineteen, the names of R. J. Moorman and G. O. Green were referred to the Committee on Memoirs. Under call of question one, Wm. H. Brown, James E. Saunders and James H. Buffalo, all of Elizabeth City district, were received on trial. The bishop spoke of the small number es young preachers coming into the con ference and expressed regret at the dearth of ministerial students in other conferences, and ask if commercialism was sapping the spiritual life of our young men who ought to be coming into the ministerial ranks. An interesting discussion on the subject was participated in by Revs. Betts, Parker, Gibbs, Bishop and others, and at the suggestion of Bishop Smith, Dr. Kilgo led the confer ence in prayer that the Lord would send more laborers for the harvest. Conference adjourned at one o’clock with benediction by Bishop Smith. Rev. I>r. H. M. Haraill, of Nashville, addressed the Sunday school anniversary tonight at the conference room, and Rev. J. H. M. Giles preached at Bladen Street church. REPORTS OF PRESIDING ELDERS. The following reports were made by the presiding elders: J. T. Gibbs, Raleigh District—This has been a year of great prosperity in the Raleigh district. All the pastors’ salaries have been paid in full; and more than half the charges have paid all as sessments for conference collections in Tull, and there has beeii an advance along all lines. Good revivals and many accessions to the church. During - the past four years considerably more than $40,000 has been raised for building churches and parsonages. W. H. Moore. Durham District—This has been a prosperous year on the Dur ham district. All the salaries of pas tors are not paid in full, but we have had a better year than last; $3,000 has been subscribed for building a district parsonage. B. R. Hall, Fayetteville District—Our salaries are not all paid in full, but this has been a better year than last. There have been large accessions to the church, and some building done on churches. W. S. Rone. Rockingham District — During the year we have had heavy drafts to pay on last year owing to the failure of crops. Taking everything into consideration we have fairly good Re ports. t R. B John, Wilmington District—There has been good revival interest through out the district all during the year. Ah the preachers, with one exception, have been able for fair duty. The one who was disabled has been magnanimously cared for by his people. Collections are in advance of last year. One new parson age has been built. F. D. Swindell, New Bern District— We have made some material progress; several churches and parsonages have been improved, and debts on others paid. Some of the charges have in creased salaries of their pastors. We have had some good revivals, but not what we ought to have had. Altogether it has been a pleasant year. R. A. Willis, Warrenton District—The salaries are not entirely paid in full, but there is a very decided advance along all lines. We built some new churches, and had some good meetings, resulting in a number of accessions to the church. F. A. Bishop, Washington District— We have had good meetings on the dis trict and large accessions to the church. We report an advance in church and parsonage building and collections. Have not been able to meet all my appoint ments this year on account of personal afflictions. J. E. Underwood, Elizabeth City 7 Dis- trict —We report all missionary collec tions paid in full. Early in the year we had a missionary institute and every pastor who attended is able to report salary and collections for missions paid in full. We prayed for revivals in the beginning of the year, and our prayers 'have been answered- THE BED BIVEB BI*ING A Number of People Foroed to Leave Iheir Homes. (By the Associated Press.) Shreveport, La., Dec- 4. —Red River continues to rise at Shreveport and points above. It will go above the danger-line here before morning. The bottom lands inhabited principally by negroes, are rapidly filling with water. A number of families have been forced to leave their homes. The gap in the levee at Bleacher, twenty miles above Shreveport, is re jiortod to be widening. There appears to be no immediate danger of loss of life, though there will be considerable suffering and heavy crop and livestock losses. Snow and rain continue to swell the rushing waters. No fear is entertained for the safety of Shreveport. MONEOE GOES DRY. No Bar-Booms Will be Licensed and Dispen saries to Close. (Special to the News and Observer.) Monroe, N- C., Dec. 4.—The Board of City Aldermen have made Monroe a dry town. By a vote of four against ona they have declined to grant licenses to bar-rooms. The dispensary goes out cn the first of January and after that the town will be on the dry list. Five par ties applied for license and at one time it was thought licenses would be granted under strict laws with sunset closinf. New President of Lehigh Valley Road. (By the Associated Press.) Philadelphia, Dec. 4.—E. B. Thomas was elected president of the Lehigh Val ley Railroad Company and the Lehigh Valley Coal Company, in place of Alfred Walter, resigned, at a special meeting of the boards of directors of those com panies held today. Mr. Thomas makes the statement that the Lehigh Valley Railroad will be op erated independenty as heretofore, and in no manner connected with the opera tions of the Erie railroad or with any other cf the trunk lines. While main taining friendly relations with all of them, the property, he says, must be worked on its merits. Mr. Thomas is chairman of the board of directors of the Erie railroad. Knoxville and Bristol Road Sold. (By the Associated Press.) Knoxville, Tenn., Dec. 4.—The Knox ville and Bristol Railroad, of which H. J. Braker, of New York, was presi dent, was sold today to a syndicate head ed by Bird M. Robinson, of New York, who is president of the Harriman and Northeastern Railroad. The Knoxville and Bristol is forty miles in length, ex tending from Morristown to Corryton, Tenn. It wa3 built about twelve years ago in connection with an English syndi cate scheme to develop property at Mid dleboro, Ky., and along the route of the Knoxville, Cumberland Gap and Louis ville road, now owned by" the Southern Railway. It is not stated what amount was paid for the property. A. C. L. Stockholders May Subscribe, (By the Associated Press.) New York, Dec. 4.—The Atlantic Coast Line directors have issued a circular to stockholders, informing them that they may subscribe at the $125 per share to the $15,000,000 new stock to be issued in part payment for the $30,600,000 of Louis ville and Nashville stock, par value. Each stockholder will be entitled to sub scribe for an amount equal to 40 per cent of his holdings. To Reconstruct the Drydock. (By the Associated Press.) Washington, Dec. 4. —'Naval Construc tor Dubose has reported to the Navy Department that it will require $32,000 to reconstruct the dry dock, which re cently parted while in Havana harbor and was towed from there to the Pen sacola naval station. He estimates that $15,000 is needed to make certain im provements in the dock. Appointed Reporter of Decisions (By the Associated Press.) Washington, Dec. 4.—Gha»rles Henry Butler, an attorney at law, of New York, was today appointed reporter of the de cisions of the Supreme court of the United States. He is 43 years old. He has practiced law in New York for sev eral years past. * Holmes Succeeds Justice Gray. (By the Associated Press.) 1 Washington, Dec. 4.—Oliver Wendell Holmes was today confirmed by the Senate to succeed the late Justice Gray as a member of the bench of the United States Supremo court. There was no opposition, and the nomination was not discussed. Leaking Schooner Arrives. (By the Associated Press.) Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 4. —The schoon er John C. Schmidt, from Fernandina for Providence, which arrived at Savannah, November 22, leaking, arrived at Dela ware Breakwater today in tow of the tug William F. McCauley. ♦♦♦44♦444444 44444*4444 4 THE WEATHER TO-DAY. 4 ♦ For Raleigh: | Clearing; Colder. | PRICK FIVE CENTS. SIMMONS SHOOTS THROUGH THEWOOL m Ties up PritcharO in His Own Statements. THE PEOPLE ARE AMAZED If the Rtpublicars did not Kick out Negroes Because of Color, Then 1 heir Whole Campaign was a Miserable Pretense. (Special to News and Observer.) Washington, D. C., Dec. 4.—Senator Simmons today gave out the following statement: “Senator Pritchard’s‘statement, pub lished in the papers on Wednesday, will strike the people of North Carolina with amazement. If his statement that the ne groes were not excluded from the Repub lican State convention on account, of color be true, then the campaign which his party made in North Carolina this year was a miserable pretense, for the whole campaign was based upon the theory that the negro had been excluded because of his color, and that wa3 what the ‘Liiy White’ movement meant. “Senator Pritchard and his party made his re-election to the Senate the over shadowing issue of the campaign. Upon that issue the Senator and his party lost in the proportion of more than six to one, for he only has five votes out of fifty in the Senate and nineteen out of one hundred and twenty in the House of Representatives. “There tvas not a full vote in the State this year, except in the western part, where there was a sharp contest, both on the Congressional and legislative tickets. There the vote of both parties was brought out with reasonable full ness. Most of the white Republican vote is in this section of the State. "In the cast where the Republicans have very few white voters there was praetica ,,,r no contest, and as a result there W* many of 1 r'■ h <“' . had no i many of 'tv . ful of Vs over a sc a real contest all over me mate and there had been a full vote, the Demo crats would have had a majority of be tween eighty and ninety thousand. The majority in the State in 1904 will not fall below seventy-five or eighty thou sand. State is and will remain strongly Democratic. "Senator Pritchard deceives himself if he thinks he made any gains from the Democratic party in the last campaign. I know of no county in the State where it made gains in white votes worth men tioning, and in some sections it sustain ed substantial losses. “His asumption that there was only thirty thousand white Republicans in the State "prior to this year is without foundation. I have never heard any one estimate the white Republican vote, since that party obtained substantial permanent additions from the disintegra tion of the Populist party, at less than sixty thousand, while many have esti mated it very much higher The Senator must know that in the mountain districts of the State alone his party had more than thirty thousand white voters, else how could they have elected in recent years the Congressmen they have elected in that section where there are practi cally, no negroes. “There wore only about six thousand negroes registered in the State this year. They did not register because they were indignant at the manner in which they had been treated by their own party and, being unwilling to vote the Democratic ticket, they purposely absented them selves from the polls as the best way to rebuke Senator Pritchard and their : party. “Nearly all of these negroes voted the State Republican ticket but many of them voted against the Republican can didate for the Legislature because of their intense opposition to Senator Pritch ard. “Senator Pritchard’s best friends in North Carolina will regret exceedingly that he has found it necessary to make this apology which is humiliating in many ways. Proceedings in the Senate (By the Associated Press.) Washington, Dec. 4.—The Senate was in session today one hour and five min utes, most of which time was spent be hind closed doors. After the reception of a number of bills and petitions and the adoption of a concurrent resolution call ing on the President for the papers in the Pius Fund case, recently arbitrated before The Hague tribunal, Mr. Bever idge read the resolutions adopted by the delegates to the Oklahoma non-partisan convention favoring the admission of Oklahoma and Indian Territory as. one State and opposing the House Omnibus Statehood bill. On motion of Mr. Hoar the Senate then went into executive ses sion, and at 1:05 adjourned until Monday, The Simmons Bnrglary Case. (Special to the News and Observer.) Washington. N. C., Dec. 4. —In the case of Seth Simmons, for burglary, the defendant's attorney quashed the grand jury true bill and the State appealed. There were many flaws in the bill. Sim mons will be released on bail until Feb ruary court.