ii
r......
3
'PRO VE ALL THINGS ; HOLD FAST THAT WHICH 13 GOOD."
VOL. V.
DUNN; N C, DECEMBER 16, 1896.
NO. 51.
mm LAST MESSAGE
Go!d Notes Must Be Retired ' and
Our Financial System Reformed.
ENDORSES THE WILSON TARIFF
Recommends That This Country
Maintain Its Present Attitude To
ward Cuba Toe Pension List Must
Be a "Roll of Honor' This Con
gress Should Inaugurate a 8ystem
of Retrenchment and Economy.
Last Monday the Fifty-fpurth Con
gress re-convened, and President
Cleveland's last Message to that body
was read, and below can be found the
most important parts of the same:
To the Congress uf the United States:
As Representatives of the people in
the Ieg;alativo branch of their Gov
rnment you have assembled at a time
when the strength' and excellence of
oar free institutions and the fitness -of
oar citizens to enjoy popular rule have
been again made manifest. A politi
cal contest involving momentous con
sequences, fraught with feverish ap
prehension, and creating aggressive
ness so intense as to approach bitter
ness and passion has been waged
throughout our land, and determined
by the decree of free ard independent
suffrage without disturbance of our
tranquillity or the least .sign of weak
ness in our national structure.
When we? consider these incidents
and contemplate the peaceful obedi
ence and manly submission which have
succeeded a heated clash of political
opinions we discover abundant evi
dence of a determination on the part
of onr countrymen to. abide by every
verdict of the popular will, and to be
controlled at all times by an abiding
faith in the- agencies established for
the direction of the affairs of their
government.
Thus oar people exhibit a patriotic
disposition which entitles them to de
mand of those who undertake to make
and execute their laws such faithful
and unselfish service in their behalf as
ecu only be prompted by a serious ap
preciation of the trnst and confidence
which tho acceptance of publio duty
invites.
In obedience to a constitutional re
quirement, I herein submit to the con
gress certain information concerning
national affairs, with the suggestion of
such legislation as in my judgement is
necersary and expedient.
I do not believe that the present
somber prospect in Turkey will " be
long permitted to offend the sight of
Christendom. It so mars the humane
and enlightened civilization that be
longs to the close of the nineteenth
century that it seems hardly possble
that the earnest demand of good
people throughout the Christian world
for its corrective treatment, will re
main unanswered.
THE SITUATION IN CUBA..
The insurrection in Cuba still con
tinues with all its perplexities. It is
difficult to perceive that any progress
has thus far been made towards the pa
cification of the Island; or that the sit
uation of affairs as depicted in my last
annual message has in the least im
proved. If Spain still holds Havana
and the seaports and all the' consider
able towns, the Insurgents still roam
at will over at least two-rtbirda of the
Island country. If the determination
of Spain to put down the insurrection
seems but to strengthen with the lapse
of time and is evidenced by her unhes
itating devotion of largely increased
military and naval forces to the task,
there is much reason to believe that
the Insurgents have gained in point of
numbers, and character.
The spectacle of the utter ruin of an
adjoining country, by nature one of
the meet fertile and charming on the
globe, would engage the serious atten
tion of the government and people of
the United States in any circumstances,
in point of fact they have a concern
with it which is by no means of a whol
ly sentimental character.
It k reasonably estimated that at
least from S30.000.000 to $50,000,000
ct American capital are invested in
tJantations and in railroad, mining,
and other business enterprises on the
Island. The volume of trade between
the United States and Cuba, which in
18S9 amounted to about $64,000,000,
rose in 1S93 to about $103,000,000,
and in 1894, the year before the pres
ent insuriection broke out, amounted
to nearly $96,000,000. -
The message treats length of the con
ditions of Cuba, the acts of Cuban
sympathizers in this country and the
attitudo of Spain.
It would seem that if Spain should
offer to Cuba genuine autonomy a
measure of home rule which, while
preserving the sovereignty of Spain,
would satisfy all rightful require
ments of her Spanish subjects there
should be no just reason why the paci
fications of the Island might not be ef
fected on that basis. Snch a result
would appear to bo in the true interest
of all concerned. It was intimated
by the government to this government
of Spain- some months ago that if a
Eatisfactory measure of home rule
were tendered the Cuban insurgents,
and wonld be accepted by them upon
"guarantee of its execution, the United
States would endeavor te find a way
u vujttnuuuio j opaia ox iurmsn
ing such guarantee. No definite re
sponse to this intimation has yet been
received from the Spanish govern
ment. While we are anxious to accord all
dne respect to the sorer eignty of Spain
we cannot view the pending conflicts
in all its features, and properly appre
hend our inevitable dose relations to
itt and its possible . results without
considering that by the course of event
we may be drawn into such an unus
ual and unprecedented condition, as
will fix a limit to our patienUwaiting
for Spain to end the contest either
alone and in her own way, or with our
friendly co-operation. When the ina
bility of Spain to' deal successfully
with the insurrection has become
manifest, and it is demonstrated that
her sovereiegty is extinct in Cuba for
all purposes of its rightful existence,
and when a hopeless struggle for its
re-establishment has degenerated into
a strife which means nothing more
than the useless sacrifice of human life
and the ntter destruction of the very
subject matter of the conflict, a situa
tion will be presented in which our ob
ligations to the sovereignty of Spain
will be superceded by higher obliga
tions, which we can hardly hesitate to
recognize and discharge.
Until we -face the . contingencies
suggested, or the situation is by other
incidents impressively changed, we
should continue in the line of conduct
heretofore pursued, thus in all circum
stances exhibiting our obedience to
the requirements of public law and our
regard for the duty enjoined upon us
by the position we ocenpy in the fam
ily of nations.
T&SZZXTEZJlX CONTBOVEBSY.
The Venezuelan controversy is
briefly reviewed, and a treaty of gen
eral arbitration recommended.
nunoBATiox.
The number of immigrants arriving
in the United States dunng the fiscal
year was 343,267 of whom 340,468
were permitted to land and 2,799 were
debarred on . varioui grounds pre
scribed by law and returned to the
countries whence they came. .
THE FOSTAXi tSXSVICX.
Our postoffiee department is in good
condition, and the exhibit made of its
operations daring tho fiscal year ended
June 30, 1896, if allowance is made for
imperfections in the laws applicable to
it, is very satisfactory. The total re
ceipts during the year were $82,499,
208.40. The tatal expenditures were
$90,626,296.84, exclusive of $1,559,
899.27, which was corned by the Pa
cifio railroad for transportation and
credited on their debt to the govern
ment. There was an increase of re
ceipts over the previous year of $5,
516,080.21, or 7.1 per cent and an in
crease of expenditures of $3,836,124.
The deficit was $1,679,956.19 less than
that of the preceding year. The de
ficit for the last year, although much
less than that of the previous year,
emphasizes the necessity for legisla
tion to correct the growing abuse of
second class rates, to which tho de
ficiency is mainly attributed. The trans
mission at the rate of one cent a pound
of seiial libraries, advertising sheets,
"house organs," sample copies and the
like ought certainly to be discontinued.
A glance at the -revenues received for
the work done last year will show
more plainly than any other statement,
the gross abuse of the postal service
and the growing waste of its earn
ings. The free matter carried in the mails
for the departments, offices, etc., of
the government, and for Congress, in
pounds to 94,480,189.
It thus appears that though the seo
ond class matter constituted more than
two-thirds of the total that was carried,
the revenue derived from it was less
than one-thirtieth of the total expense.
The average revenue from each pound
of first-class matter waas 93 cents,
from each pound of second class 8 1-2
mills. I recor-mend that legislation
be at once enacted to . correct these
abuses and introduce better business
ideas in the regulation of our postal
rates.
Experience and observation have
demonstrated that certain improve
ments in the organization of the post
office department must be secured be
fore we can gain the full benefit of the
immense sums expended in its admin
istration. This involves the following
reforms which I earnestly recommend:
There should be a small addition to
the existing inspector service to be em
ployed in the.supervision of the carrier
force which now .numbers 1,800 men
and performs ifa service practically
without the surveillanoc exercised
over all other branchesof the postal or
pnblio service. Of course such a lack
of superision and freedom from
wholesome disciplinary restraints must
inevitably lead to the imperfect ser
vice. There should also be appointed
a few inspectors who should assist the
central o file 3 leases, post office sites,
allowances for rent, fuel and lights and
in organizing and securing the best re
sults from the work of the 1,400 clerks
now employed in first and second-class
offices.
I especially recommend snch a re
casting of the appropriations by Con
gress, for the postoffiee department as
will permit the Postmaster General to
proceed with the work of consolidating
post offices. This work has already
been entered upon sufficiently to lailj
demonstrate by experiment ancT expe
rience, that 'such consolidation is pro
ductive of better eervice, larger reve
nues and less expenditures to say noth
ing -of the further advantage of gradu
ally withdrawing post offices from the
spoils system.
cmxt sxnvics bxfosv.
Progress in civil service reform is
reported, and it is stated that more
than 84,000 places are now included in
the provisions of the act, all that prop
erly come under the civil service ex
eeat fourth class postmasterships. The
extension to the last named class is
recommended. -
"THX WTLSOjr TABITT BILL.
He refers to the Wilson Tariff bill,
and says: ''Whatever may be its
short-comings as a complete measure
of tariff reform, it must be conceded
that it has opened the way to a freer
and greater exchange of commodities
between us and other countries, and
thus furnish a .wider . market for our
products and manufactures. The only
entire fiscal year during which this
law has been in force ended on the
30th day of June 1896. In that year
our imports increased pver those of
the previous year more than $6,500,
000, while the value of the domestic
products we exported and which found
markets was nearly $70,000,000 more
than daring the proceeding year. Our
tariff laws are only primarily justified
as sources of revenue to enable the
government to meet the necessary ex
penses of its maintenance.
Considered as to the sufficiency in
this aspect the present law can by no
means fall under just condemnation.
During the only complete fiscal year
of its operation it has yielded nearly
$8,000,000 more revenue than was re
ceived from tariff duties on the pro
ceeding year.
THX JMtnCTT Uf THX TS.KASVKT.
There was, nevertheless, a deflolt between
our receipts and expenditures of a little more
than $23,000,000. This, however, was not
unexpected.
The situation was such In December last,
seven months bolo: the close of the fiscal
year, that the Secretary of the Treasury fore
told a deficiency of $17,000,000. The great
and Increasing apprehension and timidity in
business circles and the depression in all ac
tivities intervening since that time resulting
from causes perfectly well understood, en
tirely disconnected with oar tariff law or its
operations, seriously checked the import we
would have otherwise received, and readily
account for the difference between the esti
mate of the Secretary and the actual deficien
cy, as well as for a continued deficit. Indeed,
it must be confessed that we could hardly
have had a more unfavorable period than the
last two years for the collection of tariff reve
nues. We cannot reasonably hope that our
recuperation from this business depression
will be sudden, but It has already set tn with
a promise of accelerity and continuance.
X5D0BSES raxsixT Txairr law.
I believe our present tariff law it allowed a
fair opportunity will in the near future yield
a revenue which with reasonable economical
expenditures will overcome all deficiencies.
In the meantime no deficit that has occurred
or may occur need excite or disturb us. To
meet any snch deficit we have in the Treasury
In addition a gold reserve of over one hun
dred millions, a surplus of more than one
hundred and twenty-eight millions of dollars
applicable to the payment of the expenses of
the government and which must, unless ex
pended for that, purpose, remal a useless
hoard, or if not extravagantly wasted, must
In any event be perverted from the purpose
of its exaction from our people. I suppose
it will not be denied that under the present
law our people obtain the necessaries of a
comfortable existence at a cheaper rate than
formerly. This is a matter of supreme im
portance. -
axroBJc or thx cvuzxct waxtkd.
This reference to the condition and pros
pects of our revenues naturally suggests an
allusion to the weakness and vices of our
financial methods. They have been frequent
ly pressed upon the attention of Congress in i
frevious executive communications and the
nevitable danger of their continued tolera
tion pointed out. Without now repeating
these details I cannot refrain from again
earnestly presenting the necessity of the
prompt reform of a system opposed to every
role of sound finance and shown by exper
ience to be fraught with the
gvest peril and perplexity. The terri
ble civil war which shook the founda
tions of our government more than thirty
years ago brought In its train destruction of
property, the wasting of our country's sub
stance and the estrangement of brethren.
These are now past and forgotten, even tho
distressing loss of life the conflict entailed is
but a sacred memory, which fosters patriotic
sentiment and keeps alive a tender re&ard
for those who nobly died, and yet there re
mains with us today, In full strength and ac
tivity as an incident of that tremeLdous
struggle a feature of Its financial necessities
not only unsuited to our present circum
stances but manifest a disturbing menace to
business security and an ever present source
of monetary distress.
WITHDRAWAL OF GOLD KOTKS AJSD OBIIX
BACXS. Because we may be enjoying a temporary
relief from Its depressing influence this
should not lull us into a false security nor
lead us to forget the suddenness of past visi
tations. I am more convinced than ever that we
can have no assured financial peace and safe
ty until the government currency obligations
upon which gold msy be demanded from the
treasury are withdrawn from circulation and
cancelled. This might be done, as has been
heretofore recommended, by their exchange
for long term bonds bearing a low rate of
interest or by their redemption with the pro
ceeds of such bonds.
Even if only the United States notes known
as greenbacks were thus retired. It is proba
ble that the treasury notes issued In payment
of silver purchases under the act of July 4,
1890, now paid In gold when demanded,
wonld not create much disturbance, as they
might, from time to time, when received in
the Treasury by redemption in gold or other
wise, be gradually and prudently replaced
by sliver coin.
This plan of issuing bonds for the purpose
of redemption certainly appears to -be the
msl effective and direct path to the needed
reform. In default of this, however.lt would
be a step In the right direction if currency
obligations redeemable In gold whenever so
redeemed, should be cancelled instead of be
ing rei sued. This operation would be a
slow remedy, but it would be Improve pres
sent conditions.
National banks should redeem their own
notes. They should be al'owed to Issue cir
culation to par value of bonds deposited; as
security for its redemption and the tax on
their circulation should be reduced to one
fourth of one per cent. In considering pro
jects for the retirement of United States notes
and treasury notes issued under the law of
1890, 1 am of the opinion that all have ilaced
too much stress upon the danger of .con
tracting the currency and have calculated too
little upon the gold that would be added to
our circulation if invited to us by better and
safer flp''i methods. It is not so much a
contraction of our currency that should be
avoided as Is unequal distribution. .This
might be obviated, and any fear of harmful
contraction at the same time removed, by al
lowing the organization of smaller banks and
in less populous communities than are now
permitted, and also authorizing existing
banks to establish branches In small com
munities under proper restrictions.
The entire ease may be presented by the
statement that the day of sensible and sound
methods will not dawn upon us until our
government abandons the banking business
and the accumulation of funds, and confines
its monetary operations to the receipt of the
money contributed by the people, for Its sup
port, and to the expenditure of such money
for the people's benefit. , , '
Our business Interests and aU good citi
zens Ion? for rest from the feverish agitation
and the Inauguration by the government
of a reformed financial policy which will en
courage enterprise and make certain the re
wards of labor and Industry. Another topic
In which the people rightfully take a deep
Interest may be here briefly considered. I
refer to the existence of trusts and other
huge aggregations of capital, the object of
which is to secure the monopoly of some
particular branch of trade, industry or com
merce and to stifle wholesome competition.
When these are defended it Is usually on the
ground that though they Increase profits
they also reduce prices and thus may benefit
the public. ' - . ,
Remember; however, that a reduction of
J rices to the people is not one of the real on
sets of these organizations nor Is their ten
dency necessarily in that direction if it oc
curs in a partlcolar case. It is only because
it accords with the purpose or lnlerestof
those managing the scheme. - .
Such occasional results fall far short of
compensating for the palpable evils charged
to the accounts ol trusts ana monopolies.
Their tendency Is to crash out individual la
dependence and to hinder or prevent the free
use e( human faculties and tho full develop
ment of human - character. . Through them
the farmer, the artisan asd the small trader"
is in danger of dislogment - from the proud
position of being tils, own master, watchful of
all that touches his country's prosperity, in
which he has an individual lot and interested
in all that off-sets the advantages of business
of which he is a factor, to be- relegated to the
level of a mere appurtenance to a great ma
chine, with Utile free will, with no duty bnt
that of passive obedience and with little hope
or opportunity of rising in the . scale of re
sponsible and helpful, citizenship. "To the
instructive belief that such as the inevitable
treDd of trusts and monopolies is due the
widespread and deep-seated popular aversion
in. which they are held asd the not nnreaso
able insstance that, whatever may be their
incidental economical advantages, their gen
eral effect upon personal character, pros
pects and usefulness can not be otherwise
than injurious. Although i ctgress has at
tempted to deal with this mat.er by legisla
tion, the J laws passed for that pur
pose thus far have proved In
effective, not because of any lack
of disposition or attempt to enforce them,
but simply the law themselves as interpreted
ty courts do not reach the difficulty. If the
Insufficient existing laws can be remedied by
further legislation it 6hould be done. The
fact must be recognized, however, that all
federal legislation on this subject may fall
short of its purpose because of inherent ob
stacles and also because of the complex char
acter of our governmental system, which
while making the federal authority supreme
within its sphere has catefully limited that
sphere to metes and bounds which cannot be
transgressed. The decision of our highest
court on this precise question renders it
quite doubtful whether the evils of trusts
and monopolies can be adequately treated
through federal action, unless they seek di
rectly and purposely to Include in their ob
ject! transportation or intercourse - between
the United States and foreign countries.
It does not follow, "moreover, that ibis is
the limit of the remedy that may be applied.
Even though it msy be found that federal
authority is not broad enough to fully reach
the case, there can be no doubt of the power
of the several States to act effectively in the
premises, and there should be no reason to
doubt their willingness to judiciously exer
cise such power. In concluding this com
munication, Its last words shall be an appeal
to the Congress for the most rigid economy
in theexpenpiture of the money it should
hold in trust for the people. --
Thf way to perplexing extravagance is
easy, tut a return to frugality is difficult.
When, however, it is understood that those
who bear the burdens of taxation have no
guaranty of honest care save in the fidelity
of their publio servants, the duty of all possi
ble retrenchment is plainly manifest, .when
our differences are forgotten, and our con
tests of political opinion are no longer re
membered, nothing in the retrospect of our
public service will be as fortunate and com
forting as the lecojjection of official duty
well performed and the memory of a constant
devotion to the interests of cur confiding
fellow-countrymen. .
Gbovxb Clbtelakd.
Executive Mansion, Dec. 7.
FIREMEN'S ADVANCE GUARD.
Motor Carriages Used by the Berlin
''Fire Department.
The Berlin Fire Department, trhlcb
Js considered the rooel re deps
ment of Europe on accoau'c of its ex
cellent organization, Irs great atten
tion to the Improvement of apparatus
by carefully watching the progress of
science, has but recently Introduced
for-some purposes the Ganswindt mo
tor carriage, which Is propelled by
foot power. The apparatus, after hav
ing been thoroughly tested, has been
found to be very efficient, and is now
being rapidly introduced into the fire
departments of all the German cap
itals. A squad known as the advance
guard, consisting of six men, Is mount
ed on one of these motor carriages,
which is always ready fit the door
of the fire station. The men are in
their places ready to start at the first
signal. The two first ones attend to
Its girding, one to the steering and the
other to ringing the bell. The six.
men stand In pairs upon long treadles,
and by alternately raising and lower
ing their feet the movement Is trans
mitted by means of strong belts upoD
a horizontal mechanism, the; active
power being considerably increased by
spiral springs and . ratchets attached
to the axis and by a very clever ar
rangement of the leverage. The en
tire motor carriage is built as lightly
as possible of steel tubing and hick
ory wood.
The -machine was for more than a
month sent out with the regular firo
patrol, and It was found that the car
riage rides very easily and safely; that
It proceeds faster than the patroVevag
on, drawn by horses," and that if the
distance Is not entirely too great the
men arrive at the fire In excellent
condition for the.Ir arduous duties. T
AFeycn6IogicaT Cure. .
The small boy had been requested to
do some errands, but insisted that' he
was feeling badly. A the family phy
sician happened to call he felt the boy's
pulse and looked at his tongue, and
said: " , '
"You had better make's strong mus
tard plaster." ' :
The boy looked depressed and left
the room.
"When shall I apply the plaster?"
asked the mother. '. " ,
Don't apply It at alL Hell get well
before that stage of the treatment Is
reached. ; ;
Wheat grown'ln northern latitudes'
o reduces much mora ased than gxsla
rjoxia farther sotjUl r : I . . .j
FIKEME2T OJT WAT TO A FIBK.
fflflClffllfflS.
RAILWAY AND TELEGR APIT.
The State Railroad Commission
Blakes Its Annual Report.
In their letter to the Governor the
Commissioners state that the t jtal
main line mileage in North Carolina is
3,445.43 against 3,305.98 one year ago,
says the News and Observer. This is
an increase of 39.45 miles. Since the
last report the mileage in the State has
increased as follows: Caldwell and
Northern, 10.60 miles; Henderson and
Brevard; 21.60 miles; " Aberdeen and
West End, 7.25 miles.
The taxable property was increased
during the year $1,491,549. Prior to
the organization of the Commission as
a Board of Appraisers the valuation of
the railroad property in the State was
placed at 812,424,540. The valuation
for the year 1896 is $26,576,096.99 an
increase since the establishment of the
Commission of $14,151,556.99.
From this it appears that about one
eighth of the taxes of the State is paid
by the railroad companies.
The Atlantic Coast Line operates 26
Pullman cars valued for taxation at
$26,964.18. The Southern Bail way
has 36 Pullman cars valued at $36,
240.54 and the Seaboard has 8 worth
$20,T77.75. The total value of Pall
man cars - running over roads in this
"State is $83,982.47. . J '
"The Western Union Telegraph Com
pany has 3,224.60 miles of line in the
State worth $88,926.60, and 8,650.99
niles excess wire valued at $75,188.08,
while its batteries and office furniture
are assessed at $8,138.12, making the
total valuation for the 'company's
property $182,252.80.
The Postal Company has 1,350.23
miles of wire valued at $20,459.68. The
total valuation of its property in the
State is $31,270.48.
Property of miscellaneous telegraph
companies in the State is valued at
$3,371.21. T
Against State Colleges.
Several of the college presidents in
this State met in Baleigh and formed.
"The North Carolina Association : of
Christian Colleges." Wake Forest,
Trinity, Catawba and Guilford col
leges were represented. It is said by
some of the members that the chief
purpose of the association is to aid
common schools; that the organization
is permanent, and that it will be ex
tended to all Christian colleges, in the
J?tate,v twenty in number; that it will
demand from the Legislature, early in
the session, the carrying out of the
constitutional requirements that State
publio schools be kept oi-n four
months in each year. It is clso the
purpose of this association cut off
all State aid to higher education, as
they contend that publio spools are
paramount.
The Annual Repot t ...
The annual report of the Institute
for the white blind and for colored
de&f mutes and blind shows that there
are 'of the white blind: ?! ilea, 79;
females, 74. Colored deaf mutes: Males,
47; females, 42. Colored blind: Males,
-38; females, 33. Grand total, 313.
There aro said to be over 1.000 deaf
mute children of school age, v?d over
2,700 blind. There are also ct er 2,000
imbeciles. For the latter there is no
place to go. ecl-ere is no school for
feeble-minded children in the State.
Wilson's Tobacco Sales.
A special from Wilson says: .During
the month of November this market
sold 1,713,000 pounds of tobacco,
which makes the record fcot tip since
August 1st, 6,123,193 pounds, more
than any oiher market in the State,
so far. Tobacco men think , that this
market wiil sell 10,000,000 pounds this
season.
Salisbury is to vote oh a proposition
to issue $100,000 worth of bonds to
purchase tho city water works arc1 put
in an electric light plant.
Eighteen Thousand Visitors.'
The Bosrd- of Agriculture, which
met in Raleigh recently, added the
names of Henry Fries and H. E. King
to its Legislative Committee. 1 he re
port on the State Museum showed that
daring the year it has had 18,000 vis
itors. These were from nearly every
State.. The museum is to be enlarged.
Street Begging Prohibited.
The Raleigh board of alderman some
time ago adopted an ordinance tha
bar-rooms should, after January 1st
close at 11 p.- m. The board now post
pones the effectiveness of the ordi
nance until March 15. The aldermen
have also prohibited all street begging.-
, v-: .- - "'' "":
The Mecklenburg Democratic Coun
ty Executive Committee has given no
tice of contest to State Senator-elect
Alexander and Representative-elect
Craven, Populists, who were given the
certificates of election. Dowd and
Clarkson, Democrats, claim to have a
strong case, which will be presented to
the Legislature. ' J
Deputy Collector E, A. MofSt, ex
Sheriff of Randolph county, was shot
and killed by Lee Torner sear Pen
nirgton'a ferry, Montgomery county,
while searching Turner's bouse under
a warrant for blockade whisky. Two
deputies were with Moffit, and one of
them shot and killed Turner.' -
;The report on Raleigh's publio
schools is that 1 J 91 -pupils are, en
rolled, -".!"
DECEMBER CROP ESTIMATE.
Cotton i Figures North. Carolina'
. Showing Other Statistics. ;
The December returns to the statistical di
vision of the Department of .. Agriculture
shows a considerable improvement In' the,
condition of the otton crop as cam pared
with the Department's last report. This ap
plies especially to North Carolina, Florida
and Georgia, where the conditions have
been favorable to the maturity of the top
crop. Many reports say the yield has ex
ceeded expectations, owing to the large acre
age of this year, and tbe late- and dry fall
favoring the maturation of late crop. Frosts
are reported to have done some damage to
the top crop in Arkansas," Louisiana, Miss
issippi and Texas. The weather as a general
thing has been exceptional for gathering;
crops. The following Is the reported yield
by States, as compared with last year: -. Ala
bama, 116: Arkansas, 112;' Florida, r.JlO;
Georgia, 110; Indian Territory 118; Louisi
ana, l26; -lhclssippi,;112r, Missouri. 1105
North Carolina, 109-, Oklahoma, 130; South
Carolina 105; Tennessee, 113; Texas, 123;
Virginia, 118. The general average is 116 2.
" The Department's final estimate of tbe
crop of 1835, tassd on complete and revised
reports of the movement from each State, is
as follows: Alabama. 663,916; Arkansas,.
520,860: Florids - 88,722; Georgia, 1,087,877;
Indian Territory, 63,668; Kansas, 152; Louisi
ana. 513,843; Mississippi, 1,013,323; Missouri,
11,816; North Carolina, 14,103; Kouth Caro
lina, 764.700; Tennessee, 172,560; Texas,
1,905.807; Utah. 104, and Virginia 7,864 bales.
Total crop, 7,161,094 bales. -
The returns to tno statistician of the De
partment of Agrleult ure, for the month of
December, relate chiefly to the aversge
farm price of the various farm products
of agriculture on the first day of tbe month.
The farm price of corn.os indicated, aver
ages 21.4 against 25.3 cents last year; average
price of wheat is 72.7 against 50.9 last year;
of rye, 0.3, against 44 last year;f oats, 18.6,
against 10.9 last year; of buckwheat, 39.1,
against 45.2 last year; of Irish potatoes, 28.7,
against 26.6 last year; leaf tobacco, per
pound, 6.0 cents, against 6.9 last year; hay,
per ton, f 6.54, against 8.35 last year; cotton,
6.6 cents, against 7.6 last year.
- Tbe condition of winter wheat on Decem
ber 1 averaged for the country, 99.5 percent.,
against 81.4 in 1895 ; 89 in 1894 and 91.5 in
1693. .:
. Id the principal winter wheat States the
percentages ars as follows: Ohio, 101; Michi
gan, 90; lodianfl. 100; Illinois, 99; Missouri,
101; Kansas, 103; Nebraska, 93; California,
97, ;. . " ' ...
The returns make the acreage of .winter
wheat just sown 105.2 per cent, of the area
harvested In 1896. This estimate, which Is
preliminary to the completed estimate of
June next, makes the area sown for the har
vest of le.97, 23,986;470 acres.
Conditions for Tall wheat seeding through
out Europe, except in France and Southern
Russia, reported generally favorable. .
Increase In acreage probably net great.
CLEVELAND'S FUTURE.
Pennsylvania Railroad Will Put On
fast Flyer to Accommodate Him.
Grover Cleveland's plans for tbe future
when he retires from office and enters private
life gain have been settled definitely. Con
trary to the reports, - he will not give up his
law professlcn, but will resume the practice
of it soon after he leaves tbe White House. . "
For some time it has been known among
his more intimate friends that he has accepted
the offer ol a well-known New York firm to
act as its consulting member, and that his
name will become identified with it soon
after March 4. '
A queer thing in this connection Is that
that great corporation, the Pennsylvania
railroad, is to put on an extra fast train jest
as soon as Cleveland takes up his residence
in Princeton. -This train will pass through
Princeton Junction in the morning and will
leave New Y-.-rk in the afternoon early enough
to land the ox-l'resident in Princeton in time
for dinner. Just why a new train is neces
sary is not clear. There 1 a fast train now
which leaves Princeton Junction at about ' 9
o'clock in the morning and reaches Jersey
City shortly before 11. In the afternoon the
Fast Flying Virginian, one of the best trains
in the Pennsylvania system, leaves Jersey
City between 4 and 5 ".'clock and reaches
Princeton an hour and a balf later. But
there will be a new fast train just the same.
One of the chief reasons in selecting
Princeton as their future home was its near-,
ness to New York and tbe railroad facilities
for reaching it. This fact, coupled with Mrs.
Cleveland's preference for the town, decided
the President in its favor.
Cleveland's migratory habit has been far
mt re pronounced than Is .usual among the
Presidents. For the last twelve years his of
ficial life has run in periods of four years,
and for every tour of his natural 60 years he
has had a new abiding place. That is the
way his migrations average. If three re
moves are equal to afire, according to tbe
old saw, then he has had the equivalent of at
least fi?e fires. , r :
The Committee Named.
In accordance with tbe instructions of the
Republican caucus Senator Sherman has
named the following Senators as tbe special
committee of five to devise legislation for
action by this session of Congress looking to
an international monetary conference: ; Wal
cott, chairman: Ilcar. Chandler, Carter, G?ar.
This is regarded a conservative committee
with a majority friendly to International bi
metallism. A canvas has been made among
the Democrat?, and Republicans say they
have enough votes in sight to pass a bill in
the interest of international bl-mctalllsm.
,Small Pox and Yellow Fever
. The Marine Hospital Service at Washing
ton has received reports of small-pox and
yellow fever in the Cuban seaports. ,1 he
United States sanitary Inspector at Havana
reports 220 new cases and 87 deaths from yel
low feve. and 54 deaths from small-pox dur
ing the week ended November 26. Eighty
three of the 87 deaths from yellow fever dur
ing the week ended November 26, . were
among Spanish soldiers in military hospitals.
In the eight government military hospitals in
the city and suburbs there are over 0,000
sick and wounded Spanish soldiers.
To Reduce the Acreage.
The Aueusta Chronicle says: "Texas cot
ton planters are taking steps to bring about
a reduction of the cotton acreage throughout
the South. Mr. J. 3L Patterson, correspond
ing secretary of the Farmer's Club, Thorn-
ton, Tex., requests, farmers throughout the
South to organize farmers elubs. He solicits
correspondence. ' A general reaueuon oi we
urrf ni tvn rrnn mn be brrmcht about bv co
operation. If this is done better prices will
prevail. Tbe planters of the 8outh should
- ... . a 1 1 .i-i... :it
raise tneir own iooa auppiw. lomoii wm
then be certain to command higher prices.
By making cotton s surplus erop 'Southern
firmer can become prosperous. In that
event they would become . finally indepen
dent." . ::'::--;...''-..--;'':':
Methodist Prize it Highly. ; .
An original copy of the first printed "rules
for the society of the people called , Metho
dists' has been unearthed at St. Louis, Mo.,
at d as it was published by John and Charles
Wesley over their own signatures, in 1743,
and contains the first neuclus of tbe litera
ture of the Methodist . church, which now
nubers over 6.000.000 members In the XJaited
States, worshipping in religious
edifices of their own. It is a most Interesting
document, not only to followers of that f-'.th,
but to students of religious history. The
circular is of four pages, and is tiillzs to
pieces with age and handling; This paper is
yellow and the print unread at! 3 in places
roa the stains of tigs
!
dins o;i mam
Vhat the Foreign Press Say About
".the Cuban Question. -
THE SPANISH CONSUL PLEASED.
The-Losses or Americans on the Island
of Cub Have Been Confirmed
. Business In Havana at a Stands? LIU
The Temps, of Paris, commenting on Pre
sident Cleveland's message,' says it Is worthy
of his administration, which has always
borne the stamp of honesty. Treating of
tbat part cf tVj ,rC tK.iJ .iiw
Cuban question, The- Temps deolares that
the President's attitude will satisfy neither
Spain nor the rebels and expresses doubt as
to the efficiency of the offer to guarantee the
aotouomy of Cuba. Spain, it says, would
never think of. agreeing to an arrangement
that would make the United Slates the sover
eign power In Cuba, whilo on the other hand
tbe insurgents will not be satisfied unless th
island is made independent or annexed u
the United Statw. With reference to Vene
zuela, The Temps declares that the settlement
of the question on tbe lines proposed by the
United States It a triumph for President
Cleveland, but that it gives an unexpected
extension to the Monroe doctrine. The
Madrid correspondent of The Temps tele- ' .
graphs that part of tbe message referring
to Cuba has caused widespread commenr
and much adverse criticism. Ihe dl? patch
adds that everywhere an unfavorable im
pression has been produced by the preten
sions of the United States and their attitude
towards Spain. x
Tbe 8panish newspapers publish bitter
articles on the subject In which they attribute
the attitude of tbe United States to self-importance,
springing from concessions by
Great Britain in the Venezuela matter.
A BTBADOLK TBTVK TUX XNOLIBH.
Commenting upon the message of President
Cleveland to the United States Congress, the
London Pall Mall Gazette says that with re
gard to Cuba, the message will not please
either the Insurgents or the Spanish govern- ,
ment; but there is nothing in the document -to
displease Great Britain. Tbe Globe sees
the usual amount of "Munroism in the mes
sage and says it believes that the incoming
President will not be thankful to Mr. Cleve
land for leaving to him the work of bullying
Spain. ..
The St. James Gazette compares the tone
of the message to the threatening one last .
year In regard to a like subject, and says:
"Theconditiensin Cuba undoubtedly givei
the United States tbe right to call upon -Spain
to enforce her authoity speedily or ac
knowledge her inability to suppress anarchy
has deprived her of her right to be consider
ed as governing the island."
TH QEEMAH VIEW.
The BerUn Vossicbe Zeitung says in Its .
comments on President Cleveland's message .
to Congress, that the document does not '
justify either fears or expectations as regards .'
tho Cuban Insurrections. The policy of Presi
dent McKlnley, the paper adds, will, how
ever, probably be different.
The Cologne Gazette expresses hope that
the proposals made by President Cleveland
will be approved by tbe Spanish government
before a change in the United States adminis- -
tratlon shall take placA, and adds that fJ is
possible that the United States and Spain
will reach an agreement which will pacify:
Cuba, The paper further says the President's
suggestion in no" way tends to lessen Spain's .
honor. . . . ,
- BPAXISH COKSrL PLXASED.
Senor Pedro Soils, consul of Spain, is1 as
well pleased with the President's message as
the most enthusiastic Cuban. He would not '
speak officially, but unofficially said: "It is
a masterpiece of diplomacy, one of the best
state papers I ever read, and its, fair treat
ment of the Spanish-Cuban affair will excite
the administration of all nations. It is very
delicately expiessed, and exceedingly diplo
matic; and I look upon President Cleveland
and tho members of his Cabinet among tbe
greatest men of the world. I am sure aU
Europe will demonstrate Its approval Jn tele
grams of indorsement."
KOT XXEABIXa TO 8P1.IV.
The message of President Cleveland to
congress wherein he treats of the Cuban '
quest! -,n, has created a . bad Impression In "
no.itical circles at Madrid, and depressed the
bourse. In government circles great reserve
is maintained, none of the officials displaying
any willingness to discuss tbe question at
any length though some satisfaction is ex
pressed that the message does not in any
way advocate the absolute independence of
Cuba and does not support tbe proposal to
recognize tbe insurgents as belligerents. The
opposition papers are greatly irritated by
the threat of inteiventlon on tbe part of tbe
United States unless 8pain speedily suppress
es the rebellion. They declare that Spain is
fully able to avert such action.
- - LOSS TO CUBAN PBOPZ&TT. - ,
That portion of President Cleveland's
mesrage referring to the losses of Americans
on the Island of Cuba, owing td the war has
been confirmed by Frank 3feKinney, an au
thority on engineering and machinery, who
arrived in New York last week. He went to
Cuba twenty-five years ago. His investment
were successful and before tbe present war
broke out bo . had large- business Interests
throughout tbe island. Today he Is ruined.
Everything bo possessed has been swept away,
and be has been compelled to return to be
gin life over again Business In Habana is at
a standstill.
How many take a wrong view of lift
and, waste their nervous system in en,
deavorlng to accumula' i wealth with
out thinking of the present happiness
they are throwing away! It Is not
wealth or honor that makes a man
bappy-r-many of the most wretched be
ings on earth have botb-but it Is a
radiant sunny spirit which knows how;
to bear little trials and enjoy little com
forts, and thus extract happiness from
every incident In life - :
J it .
CCCL'JTOY
p. ' n . m.
AMD
SAVE1
I H Lw t
- fete -
MADE
MONEY
Van maehlifea cheaper than yonc 2:1
get elsewhere. ThsREW lionUli
ourfcVltweiaAUechea9r Uia ,
other lllzU Arm Vail nuM riaU4
Sewtas natUlnes far $15.00 and up.
Call an ocr escat or write us. .
Trait yonr trade, If trrm
ilu-q-re cteaiios xvi 11 win. y III
haveit, S7d challenge the xvorld Xr
XXachlne for $ 50.CO, or better f 20.
CewinsnacHlnefar f20.C0 ticn yoa
can hoy frca txa, cr our Acents.
ron cals cy
BAINET 6 jOJfUAN Dura, tff &