North Carolina Newspapers

The Weather Todays HSKSBEI FAIR. The News and Observer. VOL. LIV. NO. 72. [Losi'iOs ©DO R!l®D Q ftllD ©SQCP®USons] DBsqßDv lP®[p®[p© Bod K]@m© ®odgD (BDQ D ®DDflaiilß®[fQ CONDEMN MOB SPIRIT AT TRINITY The North Carolina Press Association Denounce the Action of the Students of that lustitution. TO MUZZLE THE PRESS The Lawlessness Shown in Hanging One Who Had Done Nothing More Than Exercise the Right of Freedom of Speech is Denounced as a Blow at the Liberty of the Press. (Special to News and Observer.) Washington, D. C., Dec. 3.—Today the North Carolina Press Association, in ses sion in this city, after due deliberation and with only one dissenting vote, passed a resolution condemning in the strongest language the recent display of lawlessness and mob violence on the part of the stud ents at Trinity College, Durham, N. C. Following is the text of the resolution, which was voted for by every member of the association present, except H. M- Blair, editor of the Greensboro Christian Advocate: “Whereas, the papers of today inform us that a brother member of this associa tion has been hanged inefTigy by the students of Trinity College, one of the leading educational institutions of our State, for the apparent reason that he exercised the right of freedom of speech in his paper; “Resolved, That this association regret the said action as an attempt to abridge the freedom of the press and condemn it in the strongest language as contrary to he true spirit of our people.” Shortly after the association met this morning Editor Z. W. Whitehead, of the North Carolina Truckers’ Journal, offered a resolution calling for the appointment of a committee of three to prepare a suitable resolution expressing the senti ments of the association regarding the action of the students and trustees of Trinity College on the Bassett matter. He wanted a prompt and decisive con demnation of it, as he thought no lan guage could be too emphatic in deprecate ing the refusal of the trustees to accept Bassett’s resignation or too strong in de nouncing the outbreak of lawlessness that his teachings had inspired among the students, as manifested by their hanging in effigy one who had dared oppose such dangerous doctrines. Editor London, of the Pittsboro Record, deplored greatly so unfortunate a situatiw* as had developed at Trinity, but he did not think the action proposed by Mr. Whitehead wise. He did not think the association ought to go on record as de nouncing the action of the trusters of a private institution, but to condemn the act of lawlessness on the part of the students in attempting to degrade one, who had done nothing more than exer cise the right of freedom of speech and of the press, he regarded as properly in the province of the Association. Moderation was urged by Editors Man ning. of Henderson Gold Leaf: Farriss. of High Point Enterprise; Beasley, of Mon roe Journal, and perhaps others, but all of them took occasion to express emphatic disagreement with the views of Bassett, and the strongest condemnation of the spirit of mob violence displayed by his students. Mr. Farriss and Mr. Beasley doubted whether it were not beneath the dignity of the Association to be condemn ing the act of a lot of irresponsible boys in school. But Mr. Hartness, of the Statesville Mascot, pointed out that the act of the students was not the act of boys, but of men. that it was a blow at the freedom of the press by attempting to degrade and humiliate one who, in the exercise of that freedom of speech guar anteed him by the Constitution, had dared disagree with them. He considered it an act that called for prompt action and one that could not be passed in silence by the Association- Elder P. D. Gold, Editor of Zion’s Landmark, spoke to much the same effect. He deprecated the necessity for any dis cussion of a matter which related to a policy of a great denomination or its government of a great educational institu tion of that denomination, but he did favor the condemnation by the Association of an act of unprecedented indignity launched by any body of citizens against a reputable citizen. Tn the case in hand, an honored member of ’ll” 1 Press Associa tion of North Carolina had been attacked, and ha believed that this act should be condemned in no uncertain tones by the Association. He could not see how those who had been pleading for tolerance of thought and speech could now object to the strongest condemnation of this dis graceiul spirit which would destroy the constitutionally guaranteed liberty of the press. Editor Blair, of the Greensboro Chris tian Advocate, said he had condemned Bassett and he might do so again, but he could not conjure tliis up as an excuse for such action bv the Association as was proposed by Mr. Whitehead, nor even the more conservative action proposed by Mr. London. Barring the views of Mr. Blair, the only point of difference seemed to be as to the form the resolution of condemnation should take. Finally a motion to tabic Mr. White head's resolution, on the ground of its condemnation of the trustees of Trinity College. The motion, however, was lost on a standing vote, Mr. Whitehead having asked tlie president to have all members in favor of tabling the resolution to stand, so that the other members could see what kind of men they were. Major London then presented his plan for modifying the resolution of Mr- White head, which involved the appointment of a committee of five, which would invesi gate and report on the effigy incident only. The resolution was put and carried. The committee was appointed by the chair and included Major London, Rev. P. R. Law, of Lumberton; J. A. Hartness, of States ville; J. A. Thomas, of Louisburg, and R. C. Beasley, of Monroe. During the afternoon the committee met and discussed the proposition for the as sociation to take. It early developed that Messrs. Hartness and Thomas were in favor of a more sweeping resolution than Messrs. London and Beasley, while Mr. Law seemed to occupy a sort of mid dle ground. The views of Messrs. London and Beas ley are expressed in the resolution finally adopted by the association, and which was drawn by Mr. Beasley and concurred in as a compromise by the other members of the committee. The views of Messrs. Thomas and Hart ness are expressed in the following reso lution. which they offered in committee, but which failed of adoption: “Whereas, it is published in the daily press, of the country this morning that the students of Trinity College early yes terday morning hanged in effigy Hon. Josephus Daniels, editor of the Raleigh News and Observer, and an honored mem ber of this association, and; “Whereas, said indignity was heaped upon our brother because he. in the ex ercise of the constitutional right of free dom of the press, criticized in his paper a member of the faculty of Trinity Col lege for publishing an article totally re pugnant to Southern traditions and de grading to Southern manhood; “Therefore, be it resolved, by the North Carolina Press Association, in convention assembled. “First That we denounce the indignity offered to our brother in the proper ex ercise of his constitutional right as an editor of a free newspaper. “Resolved, second. That a copy of these resolutions be sent to Hon. Josephus Daniels. ’’ The association met at 4:30 to receive the report of the committee, but it was nearly six o’clock when it completed its labors. The report was made by Major London, who read the resolution printed at the head of this dispatch, remarking that it was the result of a compromise and he hoped it would be adopted without discussion. President Vainer expressed a like hope, and was about to put the question when Mr. Whitehead arose, saying he had some views on the subject and he wanted to express them. He then read the follow ing resolution, which he proposed as a substitute to the report of the commit tee: “Whereas, the North Carolina Press As sociation stands for all that affects the weal or woe of the best interests of the old North State, and especially for those principles that underlie and have for their object the maintenance and existence of the Anglo-Saxon race inviolate and in corruptable; and. “Whereas, we regard the tenets and teachings of social equality, or any doc trine or act bordering thereon, as destruc tive of the morality and integrity of a race that has been foremost among the nations of the earth in planting the flag of civilization on the highways and of every land upon which the sun shines to day; and. “Whereas, one, J. C. Bassett, a member of the faculty of one of the leading and foAemost educational institutions of the South lias unwisely seen fit to give ex pression and publication to such senti ments and principles as are repugnant to Southern manhood, and as can have but one disastrous ending to all that we of the present and our forefathers of the past have held as sacred and dear to the peace and happiness of our families and firesides; now therefore. “Be it resolved by the North Carolina Press Association, in convention assembled at the city of Washington, December 3d, 1903, that we condemn Prof. Bassett’s dan gerous teachings and writings as destruct ive of that peace and good order which has so long existed between the two races and point to the lawless action of his stu dents at Trinity ollege in hanging in ef figy Josephus Daniels, one whose writings in opposition to lawlessness is well known throughout the State as a vindication ot our action here today—condemn alike said conduct and deprecate the action <>f tii --.e responsible for failure to accept Bassett s resignation, as a rebuke to his teaching, that he might, like the Arabs of old, si lently fold his tent and seek the atmos phere around Tuskegce, Alabama, where he would doubtless find the environments and surrounding- more congenial to his tastes and inclinations. It is further resolved that this associa- HALEIGH, NCKTH CAKOLIMA. TUI DAY MOKNING, DbCttMBKK. 4, IHU3 tion disclaims any purpose or design what soever of waging warfare on or antagoniz ing Trinity College, but on the contrary, only seeking to eradicate an evil in its in ception that will, and must inevitably bring about untold misery and woe and humiliation to the present and succeed ing generations if left to take its course unchecked and unrebuked, and unhappily we are called upon to deal with a doctrine that if persisted in and carried to its logi cal ending will undermine and ultimately pull down the pillars upon which the foundation of this country is resting.” Speaking to his resolution Mr. White hea dreferred to the certain had effects of Bassett's views on race relations in North Carolina and expressed the hope that the men who voice public sentiment and are looked to guide public opinion would be brave enough, while speaking out in their own behalf, also to go on re cord in condemnation of such doctrines as Bassett had proclaimed. Several members rose to say that as to Bassett’s views they had so gone on re cord in their papers, but they did not think this was a proper time and place for do ing so. Editor King, of the Greenville Weekly, thought the issue was Bassett, as Bassett was at the bottom of the trouble and not to condemn him was to endorse him. Ho like Mr. Whitehead would vote for the substitute if they were the only two to do so. Mr. Johnson, of Charity and Children, hoped they would have the pleasure of being the only two. He thought the asso ciation would be in poor bu-ine-s when it went to condemning Trinity, or any other college. Mr. Blair, of the Greensboro Christian Advocate, wanted to repeat his objections to any action whatever and asked permis sion to file later a protest. The permis sion was readily granted. On the vote for his substitute, Mr. Whitehead demanded a rising vote. Three voted for it: Mr. Whitehead, Mr. King and Mr. Cobb, of the Morganton Herald. “Let these three votes be recorded on the minutes by name,” demanded Mr. White head.’’ “Yes,” added Mr. Cobb, I’d'like to go on record on it.” Having received only three votes, the substitute was lost, and the report of the committee was then adopted by an aye and nay vote, every member in the hall voting “aye” except Mr. Blair, who voted “no.’’ FRED L. MERRITT. Sad Death of a Talented Young Woman. (Special to News and Observer.) Kittrell, N. C., Dec. 3.—Our while com munity is deeply grieved at the death to day of Miss Olive Allen, one of the most estimable and gifted young ladies ever reared in Vance county. Highly educated, amiable, too gentle to have ever made an enemy, but beloved and admired by all for her high qualities of head and heart. Her death is a distinct loss to this com munity. Miss Allen held a position in the Dur ham graded school and came home only yesterday. Rapid consumption is reported to have been the cause of her death. It seems that her people, who live near Kit trell, hardly knew of her illness till her arrival. The suddenness of her demise adds sadness to a sad occurrence. She was just in the flower of a splendid young wo manhood, being scarcely twenty-five. Great Dam at Buckhorn Falls. (Special to Nows and Observer.) Fayetteville, N. C. t Dec. 3. —Nearly two hundred men are now busilv at work on the huge dam at Buckhorn Falls, the pur pose of which is to utilize power to op erate vast dynamos for the of electrical currents to various manu facturing towns within reach of the plant. The dam is being constructed of crushed stone and cement, the rock used being torn from a granite precipice within a few feet of the abutment of the dam by means of dynamite and carried to its place in the river in cars operated by a draw en gine. The dam when complete will be twelve hundred feet long by fifteen high. Came Back and Killed Him. (By the Associated Press.) Roanoke, Va., Dec. 3. —John Zagle was shot and killed by Chester Peoples, in an alleged gambling place at Wytheville, Va.. today. The men quarrelled and Peoples left the room, threatening to return and kill all of those in the place. When he again appeared he had a shot gun and fired on Zagle, killing him instantly. Pee ples claims Zagle attacked him with an axe. The coroner’s jury returned a ver dict of murder. Peoples was arrested. The Strike at Charlotte. (By the Associated Press.) Charlotte, N. C.. Dec. 3.—About half the usual number of ears were run over the lines of the Charlotte Consolidated Con struction Company, on which a strike was declared yesterday by the conductors and motormen. because of the failure of the company to provide heat for the cars. There has been no disorder, although efforts are made at “guying” the strike breakera. What They Say Everywhere. To the Editor: Plenty of money behind Trinity College. Put Bassett on the pen sion roll and put a sensible. prudent man in his place to instruct the youth of the church and State or else give him a place under his Ideal Booker Washington. W. N. PRITCHARD. Chapel Hill, N- C.. Dec. 3. 1903. To Announce the Committees. (By the Associated Press.) Washington, Dec. 3.—Speaker Cannon will announce the committees of the House at the Saturday's session. BEATEN BY WAVES Submarine Boat Strands Off Our Coast. Life Savers of Currituck are Standing by Ready to Lend Assistance. High Wind. Heavy Sea. (By the Associated Press.) Cape Henry, Va., Dec. 3.—The sub marine torpedo boats Moccasin and Addei were reported in distress off Little Island life saving station today. The tug Peoria succeeded in getting a line aboard the Moccasin, but lost it later. Both tow' and tug drifted rapidly southward. The gun boat Yankton passed out Cape Henry at 2 p. m. to their assistance. The government tug Peoria succeeded in getting a line to one of the torpedo boats and headed toward Norfolk at 4:30 p. m. The Yankton arrived upon the scene at about the same time and after making several unsuccessful attempts to pick up the other boat, followed in tin* same direction, leaving the torpedo boat drifting slowly southward. The wind is from the northwest and is blowing at the rate of 36 miles an hour. There is a heavy sea on. It is not known which ot the torpedo boats was towed into Hamp ton Roads. Later. —The submarine boat previously reported as drifting southward stranded four miles south of Cumtuck Life Saving Station at 8 p. m. The life savers arc standing by, ready to lend assistance. The wind continues high and the sea is heavy. Newport, R. 1., Dec. 3. tne submarine torpedo boat Moccasin, reported in dis tress off Little Island Life Saving Station, Cape Henry, was on her way from the torpedo station here to Annapolis in company with the submarine torpedo boat Adder. Both were in tow of the tug Peoria. They were to be used by the naval cadets in training for submarine warfare. Lieutenant Pinney, U. S. N., and Gunner James Donald, U. S. N., were in charge of the submarine boats, and each had a crew of six men. On the voy age from Newport to Annapolis, ho»>- cwr, the complement of each torpedo boat was on board the Peoria and the vessels in tow were not manned. ATKINSON IS NOT IN IT. So Declares Coolidge Speaking of the Seaboord System. (By the Associated Press ) Tampa, Fla., Dec. 3.—President John Swelton Williams and Directors James A. Blair, of New York, and T. Jefferson Coolidge, Tr., of Boston, and J. M. Barr, Vice-President and General Manager of the Seaboard Air Line Railway, arrived here tonight, having come direct from Richmond. They are on a tour of inspec tion and will visit the Manatee section. Mr. Coolidge depied a statement that the Old Colony Trust Company, of Bok ton, had acquired a controlling interest in the Seaboard Air Line, and that H. M- Atkinson, of Atlanta. Ga., might succeed Mr. Williams as president. Mr. Coolidge stated that the Boston in terests in the Seaboard Air Line Railway are co-operating with Messrs. Blair and Ryan and Mr. Williams and his friends, and that it has never been contemplated that Mr. Atkinson ishould be made an active officer of the corporation. Mr. Blair and Mr. Coolidge expressed themselves very well pleased with what they had seen of the system. The new directors are greatly interested in the development of the South and stated that, in their judgment, the development of this section in the next few years will be greater than in any other part of the country. Funeral of Dr. Lindsay. (By the Associated Press.) Boston, Dec. 3.—The funeral of the Rev. John Surnmerfield Lindsay, I). D.. LL. 11.. who, for fifteen years was rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal parish in this eityj was held today, attended by several bishops and hundreds of priests and rominent lay. men. Bishop Lawrence officiated. Dr. Lindsay before coming to Boston was rector ot churches in Virginia, his native State, Washington, D. C., and Bridgeport, Conn. For two years he wa chaplain of the National House of Repre sentatives. He was twice elected a bish op, but declined to accept on each occa sion. Three Men Killed in Collision. (By the Associated Pres 3.) Westerly, 0., Dec. 3.—Three men were killed, two seriously injured and two slightiv injured in a collieion between a hand car and a freight train today, at Sargents, a few miles below here on their way to Sargents to make repairs on a bridge, when they ran into a freight train on a curve so short that neither the en gineer of the train nor the men on the nand car were aware of each others pres ence until the moment of the accident. The three dead men were bridge car penters and the injured men were their assistants. Anti-Chrisfian Rising. (By the Associated Press.) London. Dec. 3.—A dispatch from St. Petersburg says a report is current in Port Arthur, originating in Chinese quar ters. of an anti-Christian rising in the province of Szechaun. UNDER THE AUDUBON LAW. Deatb of Mrs. Otfo Budd. New Card Game Invented by Ashevillv Lady. (Special to News and Observer.) Asheville, N. C., Dec. 3.—At a special meeting of the Audubon Society it was announced that several new members had been enrolled since the last regular meet ing of the society. The most important question discussed was as to whether non resident hunters had the right to hunt any game here. This came up in connection with the Asheville school boys; the ma jority of whom are from Northern States and other students who are residents and who wish to hunt rabbits, bear, deer, and other game not included in the Audubon law. Dr. Ambler presented a letter in this connection, in which the Sccretai’y of State stated that the State’s Executive Committee had decided that according to the laws non-resident hunters could not hunt any game in North Carolina without license. A letter was read from the State Secretary extending the authority of the Asheville branch over Transylvania coun ty. This was done in order that the so ciety might control the hunting in and around the Sapphire country. News has been received here of the death of Mrs. Otto W. Budd, which oc curred in Texas. Mrs. Budd had suffered with Bright's disease for several years, but friends here w-ere not aware of the fact that she was seriously ill. Mrs. Budd was formerly Mrs. Warren Manning, and was the daughter of R. H. Southgate, the well known Chicago hotel man. Mrs. Manning’s former husband died in Ashe ville about two years ago. Mrs. Manning was married to Capt. Budd. Capt. and Mrs. Budd left Asheville for San Antonio over a year ago. Congressman J. M. Gudger left yester day afternoon for Washington, where he has private business to attend to before the convention of Congress Monday. Mrs. Gudger and Miss Kate Gudger ex pect to leave tomorrow to join Mr. Gud ger in Washington. A new card game has been invented, the name of which is “Zero.” Mrs. F. T. Meriwether, of this city, invented the card scheme and has secured a patent. Not to Marry Divorcees. (Baltimore Sun.) New York. Dec. 3. —Opposition to Chris tian ministers, solemnizing the marriage of divorced persons is extending to such an extent that the Protestant Episcopal Church committee on the subject is re ceiving assurances o\ co-operaticn from other denominations. Support was first pledged to the move ment m a meeting held ten days: ago in St. Bartholomew’s Parish House, at which were present delegates representing the Protestant Episcopal, Presbyterian, Bap tist, United Presbyterian, Unitarian, Con gregational and Lutheran churches. The secretary was instructed to send invlta tions to other religious bodies to join in the crusade, and it is expected that at (he next meeting, on February 10, at least twenty religious denominations will be represented. More Wood Here. There has been an increase in the quantity of wood received in Raleigh in the last three or four days. The railroads are furnishing cars and much is coming in by rail, while the high price of wood is causing the farm ers of this section to haul from their farms here. The prices for eight-foot wood on tht streets ranges from $2.75 to $3.25 a cord, while the wood dealers are charging $1 a cord for wood cut ready for use. The principal trouble now met with in the wood line is that the farmers say that labor is scarce and that they have not a sufficient force with which to get wood cut ready for the market. Big Fight in House Over. (By the Associated Press.) Richmond, Va., Dec. 3.—The greatest fight of the present session of the Vir ginia House of Delegates ended this af ternoon, when what is known as the Jor dan bill, which breaks the B.iyior oyster survey and authorizes the State to lease barren and depleted oyster areas, won out by a vote of 43 to 42. The measure now goes to the Senate for action. INDICATES A OROP OF LESS THAN TEN MILLION BALES- The Government Report on the Production of Cotton Says it Will be 9,962,059, Weigh ing 490.8 a Bale. (By the Associated Press.) Washington, D. C., Dec. 3. —Preliminary* returns to the Chief of the Bureau ot ; Statistics of the Department of Agricul- 1 ture indicate that the actual growth of cotton in the United States in the year 1903-4 will amount to 9,962,039 bales of an average net weight of 190.3. The area picked or to be picked is a estimated at 28,014,860 acres, a reduction i of 892,495 acres or 3.09 percent from the acreage planted. The total production of lint cotton is estiinated at 4,889,796,267 pound.-, an aver- 1 age of 174.4 pounds per acre. The cstimu ted production by States in pounds of lint cotton per acre is as follow*; 1 Virginia, 180; North Carolina, 210; South Carolina, 178; Georgia, 138: Florida 142; Alabama, 161; MissisAipi, 211; Louts- j iana, 223; Texas, 143; Arkansas, 196; ;i (‘KICK KIVH CKNTB. GOT IT AT TRINITY? Idea That the Negro Should Hold Office. Student Says He's Thankful He Had Chance to go to Man who Teaches History as it is. J During the Constitutional Amendmenfl campaign a student of Trinity son of an old-time Democrat, was hee*B to remark in a Western county: “V haven’t got any patience with this ofl prejudice. If a negro has the education and natural stuff in him I don’t see wlivi he shouldn't be allowed to hold office as well as a white man.” A Methodist layman standing by re marked “For heaven’s sake what an ex pression to come from ’» son. My dear boy, where on earth did you get that from, from Trinity? “Well,” remarked the Trinity student. "I am thankful that Trinity is farther advanced than other Southern iastitu tions, and I'm glad I have had the chance to go to school to a man who teaches history just as it is.” INDICTED FOR FORGING. James L. Blair, a Prominent Attorney, Now in a Hospital. (By the Associated Press.) St. Louis, Mo., Dc. 3.—James L. Blair, the attorney, has been Indicted by the grand jury on the charge of forgery in the first degree. The indictment was returned this afternoon. Blair was formerly gen eral counsel of the World’s Fair and for several weeks has been confined In a hos pital. The indictment is the result of charges tiled by James T. Roberts an attorney at one time employed in Blair's law office. Roberts who bad been familiar with Blair’s private affairs secured certain pa pers and records in which he afterwards based his charges that Blair was juggling the finances of large estates committed to his trust. That was more than three years ago. The story, however, did not become public until the present grand jury began investigation- Roberts fol lowing his appearance before that body publicly charged among other things that Blair forgisl deeds of trust aiul mortgages on which $63,000 was obtained from the estate of the late Peter Blow, of St. Louis, and that lie counterfeited and used the notarial seals of the Recorder of Deeds of St. Louis and frequently em ployed “Walter F. Jenkins,’’ a purely fic titious personage, to attest the documents. Blair characterized Roberts’ accusation as a “tissue of falsehood woven around a few grains of fact.’ ’ Varying reports of Blair’s condition have been given from time to time to the public. He is n»w reported t.o almost iully recovered. A bench warrant will be issued for Blair’s arrest and he will be required to give bond. The indictment is based specifically on the alleged forgery by Blair of deeds of trust given to secure purported loans from the Blow estate, of which Bidr, as one of the trustees, has charge. The Indictment contains two counts, each devoted to the alleged forgery of a deed. One deed of trust is for $20,000 end was made in favor of John D. Wycr. The other is for SB,OOO in favor of Michael O’Laughlin. Both deeds, it is alleged, were forged in 1896. New York, Dec. 3.—At the meeting of the Board of Review of Nati mal Trotting Association today the application of R. L. Davis, of Columbia, S. C-, for the removal of himself an., the bay mare Quick, and the bay stallion Manaloa from suspension imposed July, 1903, was granted. Tennessee, 200; Mi*-ouri, 232; Qklahoma, 223; Indian Territory, 231. In addition to the reports of its regu lar correspondents, the Bureau of Stari-- tics has had the benefit of an investiga tion of the effect of the boll weevil upon the cotton crop of Texas for 1903 con ducted under the direction of the chief of division of entomology. The results of this investigation have been given due weight in the present report, and the de tails will be published later by the divis ion of entomology. Through the courtesy of the official: of the Census Office the department has al-o had access to the estimates made by the Census agents as to the amount of cotton remaining unginned. These es timates were turned over t othe depart ment too late, however, to receive full considration, and they were, therefore, not used in making the present estimate.