CHARLOTTE NEW
THE ONLY EVENING ASSOCIATED PRESS NEWSPAPER IN CHARLOTTE.
- j
VOL. XXXV NO; - ?53
JURY FINDS HASTY
GUILTY OF MURDER .
IETT
After Being Out for More than 12
Hcurs, the 12 Men Find George
Hasty Guilty of the Crime
Charged in the Bill of Indict
ment, Coupled with the Verdict of Guilty
was a Recommendation for
Mercy. Judge Memmirger
Sentences Prisoner to. Life Im
prisonment in Penitentiary.
Special to The News.
Gaffney, March 6 George Hasty, the
young man who killed Milan Bennett
and Abbott Davidson, the actors, has
passed from the hands of the jury with
his life.
That's all.
According to the sentence of the
ccm t, lie will have to spend the re
maining years of his life within prison
walls.
The opinion here is that the young
man has much to be thankful for, even
though he has been sentenced for life
in the State prison.
The jury's recommendation for
mercy, was the only thing that saved
Hasty from a death sentence. It is
understood that one member of the
jury held out for a light sentence. He
agreed to vote "guilty" with the under
standing that the jury recommend the
prisoner to the mercy of the court.
The prisoner's counsel gave notice of
an appeal and the case will now be
fought over in the highest tribunal of
the commonwealth at Columbia.
The charge of Judge Memminger
was concluded shortly before "six
c'clock yesterday afternoon. The jury
retired and the case was under discus
sion by the 12 men nearly all of the
night.
At 6:15 o'clock this morning an
agreement was reached and a verdict
ol guilty was announced..
Promptly at 9:30 o'clock this morn-'
ing court reconvened. There was a
Inge crowd present, all eager to hear
the last words in this now famous
trial.
Counsel for Hasty, after the verdict
of the jury was formally announced,
made a motion for a new trial but no
argument was made to sustain this
motion.
Judge Memmington' then sentenced
the prisoner to life imprisonment in
the State penitentiary at Columbia.
During the time the court was sen
tencing the prisoner, the young man
sat motionless. There was not a single
sign of emotion nor did he seem to be
in the least disturbed when the fate
ful words of the court were pro
nounced. A few minutes later, one of the local
ministers wene over to Hasty and ex
tended his hand. This seemed to com
pletely unnerve the man. His large,
expressive, eyes, filled with tears and
for a few seconds he wept like a
child. .
Despite the fact that Hasty has been
convicted of one of the blackest crimes,
there were several who were touched
by the pathos of the scefie.
Sitting there in the strength of his
vigorous young manhood with a life
sentence in the penitentiary staring
him in the face, Hasty, the murderer,
became Hasty the boyish, man again.
Just for the moment, those gathered
in the court room, lost sight of the ter
rible crime that had been committed.
Their thoughts were with the doomed
young man and those nearest and dear
est to him.
But, this thought "of tenderness and
sympathy for the prisoner was soon
overcome by a still more touching and
pathetic sight the tragedy enacted in
the little hotel not far away there
where two souls had been ushered into
eternity, neither, ft is feared, ready
for the great change.
There where the stalwart youth,
with his gold-mounted pistol and his
nerve of iron, fired with such deadly
aim as to end the lives of two men
strangers it is true nevertheless, two
human beings who loved life and no
doubt feared just what Hasty brought
them death. -
With this in their minds the crowd,
at least a majority, took another look
at Hasty and this time the verdict of
the jury was admittedly, a just one. '
Judge Memminger then gave "notice
that court would adjourn until tomor
row morning at 9:30 o'clock. .
The crowd filed out and George
Hasty, in the custody of officers,
marched back to his cell in Cherokee
county jail.
It cannot be said that the- verdict
was much of a-surprise to the people
f Gaffney. They expected that -a ver
dict of guilty would be announced. A
terge majority would have been disap
pointed had another verdict been arriv
ed at. - '. - ' r f
. The case against Hasty , for the kill
of Abbott Davidson, was continued,
Pending the final disposition: of the
Bennett case. . - ' : .
Miss Bishop, one of . the eye . 'wit
nesses to the tragedy, will leave tomor
row morning to join her company,
wrnch is now on the road.
Miss Sheridan, another . member of
ine 'Nothing But Money Company,"
OF MILAN BEI
and the other eve-witn
edy, leaves Gaffney this evening for
New York.
Verdict Returned.
By Associated Press.
Raleigh N. C. Mar. 6 The jury in
the Hasty case at Gaffney, S. C. return
ed a verdict of guilty at 6:15 this
morning. The prisoner was recom
mended to the mercy of the Court.
Hasty was tried for the murder of
Milan Bennett and Abbot Davidson
members of the, "Nothing but Money
Company."
The killing of Bennett and David
son occurred on the morning of Dec
15 last in the Piedmont hotel, at Gaff
ney S. C, of which George Hasty
was the proprietor.
The theatrical companv appeared in
the opera house at Gaffney on the
night of Dec. 14 and after returning
to the hotel Miss May Bishop and
Miss. Verne Sheridan, two actresses
complained to Davidson about the at
tempt of Hasty to enter their roms.
The following morning Davison
went to the proprietor to demand an
apology. A fight ensued in which both
actors were -shot and killed.
Hasty's plea was self defense. At
the trial Hasty answered to the joint
indictment and plead not guilty..The
jury took the case last night at 7
o'clock.
Hasty was sentenced to the peniten
tiary for life, but it was announced
that his counsel would appeal to the
Supreme Court.
.
BODY WAS PETRIFIED.
When Body of Lady Was Taken Up
Near Gaffney Was Almost Entirely
Petrified.
Special to -The News.
Gaffney, March C. Last Friday, Mr.
G. W. McKown, E. P. Macomson and
Kenyon McCraw had occasion to take
up the remains of a lady relative who
was buried in the Service grave yard
about seven miles from Gaffney, and
move it to another grave in the same
cemetery. When they dug down to the
box and attempted to move it they
found it too heavy for the help at hand
to move. They opened .the
coffin and to their amazement they
found that the body was partly petri
fied. The head and feet had decayed
but the rest of the body was perfect.
The body was re-interred as was at
first planned. This lady was one of Gaf
feney's most highly respected and best
beloved ladies.
FRANCO-GERMAN DEADLOCK.
Positions of Delegates at Algeciras
Diametrically Opposed Little Hope
of Reconciliation.
By Associated Pi ess. ;
Algeciras, March 6. The positions
a defined before the conference show
that the Franco-German deadlock is
practically the same in the open con
ference as it was during the private
exchanges cf views.
The positions are so diametrically
opposed that the delegates see little
hope of reconciling them unless Em
peror William personally intervenes.
FIRE DESTROYED HOTEL.
Spring Hill Hotel Swept Away by Fire
Loss $50,000 Guests Lost Most of
Their Effects.
By Associated Press.
Mobile, Ala., March 6. Fire destroy
ed the Spring Hill Hotel, a winter re
sort, seven miles west of Mobile. The
hotel was filled with guests from
Northern cities, and many had narrow
escapes. Nearly all lost their effects,
including: jewelry and diamonds, ine
damage is estimated at $50,000.
Miss S. B. Anthony Very III.
By Associated Press.
Rochester, N. Y., March' 6. Miss
Susan B. Anthony is seriously ill of
pneumonia.
POLICE CiPT
Bomb Factory With 120 -loaded
Bombs Captured by Police in
Lodgings of Druggist, Twenty
Revolutionists were Captured.
Terrorist Arrested.
By Associated Press.
St. Petersburg, March 6. A whole
sale bomb factory was captured by the
police at the lodging of a druggist.
One hundred and twenty loaded
bombs were seized. '
' The apartemnt had been the rendez
vous of students and revolutionists, 20
of whom are captured.
Another terrorist who was arrested
in the street had a bomb in his pocket.
SHONTS BEFORE COMMITTEE.
When Asked if He Intended To Re
main President of Clover Leaf
Route He Sa-d the Pres-dent Told
Htm There Was No Objection.
By Associated Press. , , -r,
Washington: Mar. 6. Theodore P.
Shonts, chairman of the Isthmian Ca
nal Commision, resumed his testimony
before the Senate Committee on In
teroceanic canals. .
The witness was asked if he intends
to continue as president of the Clover
Leaf Route. He said he hadtalked
with the President who thought there
could be no objection to him holding
the nlace if he served without salary.
. V Dr. Bomar Tonight.
Rev. Dr.. E. E. Bomar will preach to
night at Tryon Street Baptist Church.
The hour, for service will be 8 o'clock.
Dr: Bomar's subject for tonight will be
the "Meanness, Hypocrisy and Cruelty
of Sin."
BOMB
FACTORY
CHARLOTTE, N
T
M. IN THE
MATTHEWS TRIAL
Evidencewas Concluded at Din-)
ner Recess. Argument in
Famous Case Begins. Mor
phine Insanity Expert .was
Introduced.
He was Emphatic in his Opinion
that the Prisoner was Insane,
Gave Interesting Discussion of
Effects ot Morphine on Sys-
tern. y
Special to The News.
Greensboro, N. C, March 12. The
evidence in the Matthews murder trial
was concluded at the dinner recess
today and the argument began at 2
o'clock.
The testimony of Dr. Crothers, the
morphine expert, from Hartford, Conn.,
consumed most of the session. He
was emphatic that the prisoner was
insane and gave interesting discussion
of the effects of morphine on the sys
tem saying i tdeterioiated all the tis
sues but most "prominently the higher
nerve centers known as those acting
on the reasoning powers which con
trolled the will, conscience and man's
relation to man, its constant use in
evitably producing dementis or paral
ysis. He was not shaken on the cross ex
amination. The -prosecution occupied
but three quarters of an hour in a
very inconsequential rebuttal of the
view of the strong expert testimony
introduced by the defense as to the
prisoner's sanity. Experts of equal
reputation would be introduced by the
prosecution.
The Matthews murder trial does not
flag in interest, after five days of prog
ress. Possibly the longest question ever
fired at a witness was the one pro
pounded -yesterday afternoon by Major
Guthrie for the defense to Dr. James
McKee, superintendent of the North
Carolina Hospital for the Insane at
Raleigh. Dr. McKee was sworn as a
witness for the defense and the -first
hypothetical r questions asked, " took
Major Guthrie exactly one hour and
twenty-five minutes , to complete.
The prisoner stood it for an hour and
twenty minutes, when showing signs of
collapse, . Major Guthrie suspended
until he could go into the lawyers room
and take a dose of medicine and the
interrogatory was completed in five
minutes after his return to the bar.
The proceedings of the afternoon
were interesting throughout.
BERTHE CLAICHE'S TRIAL.
Policeman Martineau Was Recalled
and Identified His Handwriting On
"Report Made After 2ffair.
By Associated Press. -
. New York, March 6. When the trial
of Berthe Claiche was resumed, Po
liceman Martinueau, one of the offi
cers who had Emil Gerdron in custody
when he was shot by Berthe, was re
called. He identified his signature to the
report on the Gerdron affair which he
made to Police Commissioner McAdee,
shortly after the shooting.
-, In this report Martineau wrote that
on the evening of July 8, Berthe
Claiche approached him on the street
and said: . ' ' - "
"I want you to arrest Emil Gerdron
for assault and vagrancy." .
The report continues:
'.'Ten minutes later Officers Scanlon
and myself were arresting Gerdron,
when the defendant came up and Gerd
ron, turning his head toward her, said:
"You have me pinched and I will
kill you when I get out."
Immediately after that three shots
were fired." : . . .
SHE PLEADED GUILTY.
At Resumption of Trial This Afternoon
Berthe Claiche Pleaded Guilty of
Manslaughter in First Degree.
By Associated Presi.
New York, March 6. Berthe Claiche
pleaded "guilty to manslaughter in the
first degree at the resumption of the
trial this afternoon. ,
. . Confessed, Then Fainted.
This action was' the result of a ser
ies of secret conferences between rep
resentatives of District Attorney Je
rome and -'"."the defendant's counsel.
There was an intensely exciting scene
when the girl' pleaded guilty to the
manslaughter charge. ,:
Scarcely had she uttered the word
"Guilty" when she fell back in a faint
and when revived became hysterical.
She was carried from the court room
to the Tombs prison, where physicians
were oailad to attend Jier.: I
Justice T avis discharged the jury.1
He announced that the sentence will
be pronounced March 29. ; .
FIRE AT DAVIDSON. -
Several Buildings. Totally Destroyed by
' v the Flames. .
. There was a destructive fire at . Da
vidson last night. The postoffice build
ing, Dr. E. Q. Houston's residence,, the
Brady house and : one or two store
buildings were . totally consumed by
the flames. -
The origin of the fire, is not known.
ARGUMEN
G
AT 2 P
C, TUESDAY EVENING, MARCH 6, 1906.
, GREENSBORO NEWS.
Inter-Urban Line Between Greensboro
and High Point May Be Built Other
News Items. . I (
Special to The 'News. .
Greensboro, N. C, March 6. Before
the Board of Highway Commissioners
yesterday afternoon, State .. Senator
Webb, representing the , bond broker
rage firm of, C A. Webb & Co., of
Asheville, had the satisfaction of se
curing acceptance of. his first bid for
the third $60,000 bond issue for Guil
ford macadam road. fund. There were
eleven competitors, the Asheville firm
making the highest, bid of $66,325 for
the bonds. When this money is 're
ceived the "good roads fund will have
received about. $200,00 of the $300,000
bond issue authorized by a vote of the
people for good roads in Guilford
county. ...
For several years there has . been
much talk of an inter-urban electric
car line from. High , Point to Greens
boro and High Point . to Winston. It
has been mostly on paper and in news
paper correspondence. There is every
probability now that a trolley line will
soon, be constructed ; from High Point
to Greensboro. The Board of County
Commissioners yesterday afternoon
granted to a syndicate represented by
E.. J. Justice, of Greensboro, a fran
chise over the road from High Point to
Greensboro for a trolley line, provided
work, begins in thirty days. .
A large delegation from Greensboro
will go to Salisbury Saturday to see
Sarah Bernhardt; in "Camille," and to
visit Salisbury. ?.
FEDERAL QUARANTINE BILL.
House Committee ' Considers Mallory
Wiliams Bill-rNo, Amendments So
. Far.. . ..
Washington, March 6. The House
Committee on Inter-State and Foreign
Commerce considered; the Mallory
Williams Federal Quarantine Bill. . So
far. no amendemnts have been agreed
upon, but many members of the com
mittee feel that the bill centers too
great power , in Surgeon General Wy
man, of the Public Health and Marine
Hospital Service, and it is not unlikely
tnat tne measure will be amended.
BIG COMPANY CHARTERED.
Charter Issued For The Hannah Pick
. ett Mills at ?200,000. Capital
Amendment to Another Charter.
Special to The News.
Raleigh, North; Carolina, March 6.
A charter was issued for the Han-nah-Fickett
Mills (incorporated) at a
capital cf $200,000,-for the operation
of cotton mills at Rockingham, Rich
mond county.' The principal incorpo
rators are R. A. Little, of Arkansas;
R. L. Steele, W. R. Colle and others,
cf Rockingham. .
The Albemarle. Ice Co. secures from
the Secretary , of ; State an amendment
to itg charter conveying the authority
to add electric power and lighting
plants and a wa,wks j)lant fqr, the
town of Albemarle.
; SAYS REPORT IS FALSE.
President of Sloss Sheffield Steel and
Iron Co. Says Report of Merger Is
False.
By Associated Pres.
. Birmingham, Ala., March 6 J. C.
Maben, president of the Sloss Shef
field Steel and Iron Company, gave
out. this statement regarding the story
that this company is to..be included in
the report of the general merger of the
Southern Iron and Steel interest. with
the United States Steel Corporation:
"There is absolutely no indication that
a control of the Sloss Sheffield Steel
and Iron Co. has changed . hands, nor
do I apprehend any in the near fu
ture. I can hardly believe the United
States Steel Corporation will make an
effort to get the . Sloss Sheffield Com
pany through John W. Gates." .
DEATH OF A.-A. McLEAN.
County Treasurer.: A. A. McLean Died
Yesterday Afternoon Was Confed
erate Veteran and Prominent Man.
Special to The News.
Maxton, N. C, March 6. Mr. A. A.
McLean, of this place, died at 5
o'clock yesterday afternoon after a
long illness. . He was a Confederate
veteran and was aged 62 years. He
leaves two brothers, one sister, a wife,
two daughters and three sons.
CLOSING OF GRADED SCHOOL.
Indian Trail. Graded School to Close
March 9. Programme.
Special to The News.
Indian ; Trail, N. C, March The
closing exercises of the Indian 'Trail
Graded School will be held- Friday
evening, March 9th. The programme
will consist of a Dec. and Rec. contest
for gold medals, also other appropriate
exercises by the school. , .
Music -will be furnished by the
Indian Trail String Band. Exercises
beginning at 7:30 p. m..
TRIAL OF KOBRE AND PLAIN.
Preliminary Hearing, of -Sam - Kobre
and William Plain. Charged With
Murder of Henry Kobe to Come Off
Tomorrow. Fire at Davidson.
Special to The News.
Winston-Salem, ;N... C, March 6.
Trial of Sam Kobre and William Plain
in jail charged; with the mysterious
mourder of Henry Kobre here' Sunday
night; January 21, will be given prelim
inary hearing tomorrow. Solicitor
Graves will represent prosecution. De
fense has employed, able .counsel.
KING AND PRINCESS TO WED.
King Alfonso and Princess Ena Arrive
Together Tomorrow's ; Ceremony. -
r San Sebastian,; Spain March 6.
King Alfonso, and . PriDcess Ena; of
Battenberg- arrived here together to
day preparatory to the ceremony to
morrow at which the King will for
mally ask' for te hand, of the Princess
and ; receive, the assent of King Ed
ward. A ' vast " crowd - accorded the
King and Princess an enthusiastic wel
come. . . '
EDICT ORDEBS THE
PROTECTION OF
ALL FOREIGNERS
Chinese Much Perturbed Over the
Reports in Their Papers of the
Hostility in America Against
China. Our Unfriendly Policy
Causes Uneasiness.
Official Gazette Published Edict
Reproving Chinese Students
and Charging Officials to Pro
tect Foreigners, Under Pain o
Severe! Punishment.
tsy Associated Press. ; . .. ..
Pekin, March 6. The principal topic
in the Chinese press relates to the re
ports coming from America that the
United States is making complete pre
parations to send a military expedition
to China. Thexnewspapers . regard
these reports as the manifestation of
an unfriendly policy.
The imports of New Chwaner for
1905, exclusive of military supplies,
was the largest recorded. . The total
was $53,000,000 gold,v of which $22,
000,000 came from America, $9,000,000
being in cotton. .
The Chinese Government is greatly
perturbed bv the reDorts of the anti-
foreign movements printed in the
American and European press. An
edict published in the Official Gazette
reproves the Chinese -students for
cmciais, nigu ana low, to tnorougniy
protect, the lives and property of for
eigners, specifying missions, under
pain of most severe punishment.
DOG WINS EXECUTIONER.
Performs Amusing Tricks as . the
Poundmaster, Advances on Him.
Denver, March 6. Among the tax
notices sent out in Denver was one
calling for payment on a fox terrier
owned by Mrs. Pearl Louis, of No. 2324
Washington avenue. The terrier, in
spite ot ms advanced age fourteen
years could perform an unusual num
ber of tricks. The Louis family, . after
taking everything into consideration,
concluded to take the dog to the pound
and have him killed. .
Mrs. Louis trotted the trick dog out
to the killing, grounds; and requested
Louis Wolf to put the little fellow
out of his misery. Wolf assured the
woman that this was an easy matter,
saying that he would take a club and
knock the dog. on the. head. Wolf
picked up the club and wandered over
in the direction of Fido in a very
threatening manner..
Fido, not appreciating the ..serious
nature of the poundmaster's attentions,
thought it was some sort of a game in
which he was to play a leading part
With his doggy brain filled with such
intentions he astounded Wolf by stand
ing, on his hind legs, placing his paws
in front of him and dancing toward the
man in a most comical manner. The
sight disconcerted Wolf, and, he stop
ped in astonishment. The dog then be
gan to jump over the stick which was
meant to be his death weapon, and did
amusing stunts for the benefit of his
intended executioner. .
Wolf gave it lip and, with an "I'll
be hanged if I'll kill that dog," , he drop
ped the stick and disapepared from
view, leaving doggy to wander home
ward. ONE RESULT OF LAW.
Tarheel Distillers Remove to Norfolk,
Virginia.
Norfolk, Va March 6. The string
ent State laws against distillers and
whiskey- people . in general haying
driven out practically all the small dis
tillers from Eastern North Carolina,
many of them have come to Virginia,
and this section has suddenly come in
to prominence as a corn whiskey dis
tilling district. .... .
Two distilleries have been establish
ed at Bower's Hill, Norfolk county, and
one on the old Gosport road, near
Portsmouth, where still another is
soon to be established. '
A fifth has begus operations near
the Mary Balientine Home, in Norfolk
county, on this side, of the, river,, and
still another has. been established in
Huntersville, where a seventh is short
ly to begin operations. An eighth dis
tillery has started in Southampton
county. . . . . . -
The largest of the. new, distilleries
is the Porter . Works at Bower's Hill,
where both rye and corn whiskey are
made and many hands are - employed.
The other distillers only distill com
mon corn whiskey. There are intima
tions that, still other distillers of this
kind are to start at an early date.
HARDSHIPS ENDURED.
Captain, and Crew of Nine Tell of .Four
Days of Terrible Hardships at Sea.
By Associated Press, - - j- ' - A -
Boston, March :6. A. story of hard
ship at sea was told by Captain . Elias
Barr and crew. 6t.. nine men of the
schooner Mary Manning., who were
landed . here ; by the ' British steamer
Casilda; from South America. , : '
t The Manning's men.we're taken irom
their water-logged,- and sinking vessel
Sunday night.. after they hadVeadured
more than four days of violent storm,
clinging to the af terhouse of their ves
sel, and . almost wholly deprived of
food and' waterrVThe Manning was
bound from Fermandina,; Fla., for New
York, with a cargo of yellow pine rail
road ties.
A $10,000 ADDITION.
St. Peter's Home and Hospital in Need
. of More Room.
At a meeting of the Vestry of St.
Peter's Episcopal Church last night it
was unanimously agreed that : the
Board of Managers of St. Peter's Home
and Hospital erect a $10,000 addition
to the hospital buildings .
,. For some months past St. : Peter's
Hospital has been crowded with, pat
ients. There are not enough rooms to
accomodate those who would like to
enter ., the . hospital. : To relieve the
crowded condition and to make the
hospital more efficient, if possible, this
new addition will be erected. St. Pet
er's Hospital is one of the most widely
known institutions of North or South
Carolina. A standard of excellency has
always been maintained. . With an im
proved . building . and more rooms for
would-be patients, this excellent insti
tution will be capable of still greater
good.
, The News learns . that the addition
will be erected at once.
HUSBAND SENTENCED TO DEATH.
Sued For Divorce. Dr. Harle and
Other Americans are Awaiting Their
End.
Roswell, N. M., March 6. Mrs. Nora
Wiggins Harle, of Roswell, and for
merly a reigning belle of El Paso, Tex.,
has instituted divorce ; proceedings
against Dr. Charles S. Harle, who is
now, with two other Americans, under
sentence of death in jail at Chihuahua.
Mexico, for alleged murder of two men
for insurance money.
In the notice caused to be published
by . Mrs. Harle announcing her inten
tion to sue for divorce, Mr. Harle is
notified that unless he makes his ap
pearance in the Fifth Judicial District
Court on or before March 29, 1906, a
decree pro, confess will be rendered
against him. It is a foregone conclu
sion that Dr. Harle will not be able to
enter an appearance. He will be lucky
if he succeeds in having his sentence
commuted to life-imprisonment.
Dr. Harle's two companies, who are
also under death sentence, are Mason
and Richardson, who were engaged by
a California life insurance company to
solicit business. It is alleged that these
agents insured the lives of two men,
Dr. Harle acting in the capacity of ex
amining physician. Some time later the
victims , were decoyed across the river,
into Mexico and murdered and their
life insurance collected.
CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.
Grand Jury Say : Officers' of Corpora
tions Have Contributed to Political
Funds May Take Steps.
By Associated Press. 1 -
New York, March 6. The New York
county grand jury today made a pre
sentment reciting that the grand jury
had been informed by the District At
torney that - there is reasonable
grounds to believe that within the
statute of limitations the officers v or
trustees of large corporations have
contributed money to political cam
paign funds.-
The grand jury asks the advice of
Justice O'Sullivan, of the Court of Gen
eral Sessions to whom the present
ment was made as to the future
course to be pursued by the jury. The
presentment is accompanied by a long
statement of the facts setting forth it
can be shown by lawful eveidence be
yond a reasonable doubt that such pay
ments of money have been made.
Hale Opposes pill Introduced and
in Connection Said it was the
Purpose ofW General Staff to
Invade China Which Meant
War.
By Associated Pre'ss.
Washington, March 6. A bill pro
viding . for an "increase ,of the - effi
ciency : of the medical department of
the army','- was called up in the Senate
and Mr. Hale spoke in opposition to it.
He said that the general staff had
prepared .plans for. the invasion of
China by, the American army, but he
added that he did not mean to go into
that subject, "for with the Secretary
of State sitting on the lid I do not be
lieve we are likely to have war." -
i Mr. Hale said it was the purpose of
the general staff to ; invade China,
which , would be a declaration of war.
Indian Appropriation Bill.
: The House passed without objection
the bill relieving the tobacco growers
from all taxes in the sale of leaf to
bacco.. The Indian Appropriation Bill,
carrying; $7,785,528; was taken up.
Troops To Philippines.
? Hale was replying to the question of
Tillman who asked how many troops
had been sent, to the Philippines, with
the view of their being sent to China
and Hale said: "I: don't know how
many troops have been sent there, but
I think several thousand. .The purpose
of the General Staff is that they be
used. if any. emergency either arises,
or can be made, to invade China'which
of course would be a declaration of
war while Congress is in session." ,
"Small Fire This Afternoon.
: The home of Mr.. Ross Blackwood,
on North Smith street, between Sev
enth and Eighth; was slightly damaged
by fire this afternoon. : The blaze ori
ginated: from a .defective flue. - The
chemical apparatus was the only thing
used in extinguishing the blaze. .
FRICE: 3 CENTS
BlpoSIk
ELECTION LAWS
, . - , f
Almost Every Section of Country
Represented at Opening of Big
Conference for Reform of Prim
ary and Election Laws and Cor
rupt Practices Acts.
Is Under Auspices of National
Civic Federation. Oscar S.
Straus, President of Conference,'
Delivered Address. Horace E,
Deming Also Spoke,
By Associated Press.
New York Mar. 6.- The delegates :
from nearly every section of the coun
try were present at the opening of
the second National Conference for
the reform . of primary and election
laws and the corrupt practices acts,
under' the auspices of the National
Civic Federation.
I Oscar S. Straus, president of the
Conference, opened the meeting with
an address on, "Reform of the prima
ries and election laws."
Straus introduced as the presiding
officer, Josiah Quincey, former Mayor
of Boston.
Horace E. Deming, delegate of the
City Club of New York, discussed
"The elective office in a representative
Democracy."
GREEN GAYNOR TRIAL.
Judge Speer Rendered Decision Re
garding Admissibility of Testimony
By Associated Press. '
Savannah. Mar. 6. Judge Speer ren
dered his decision admitting in the
Green and Gaynor trial the testimony
given before Commissioner Shields in
New York by witnesses now deceased
when the removal of the defendants
from that jurisdiction to the jurisdic
tion of this court-was sought.
Concerning Payments.
The Grand Jury finds itself in doubt
as to whether the making of these pay
ments constitutes the crime and it is
upon this point .-especially that.advice
is asked. - -: - ' : .
Testimony Read.
General Thomas F. Barr read the
testimony of the deceased witness, that
of Thomas J. Agnew. He said Edward
H. and John F. Gaynor had offered him
$500 not to bid on the Cumberland
Sound contract. --
The testimony of the late W. H. Ven
able of Atlanta, ishowed how Carter
had endeavored to "Chill" Venable's
determination to bid on the Cumber
land sound work.
CASE OF RICHARD IVENS.
Work of Selecting A Jury Begun
Detectives Scattered in Court Room.
By Associated Press. -
Chicago Mar. 6. The work of select
ing the jury in" the case of Richard
Ivens charged with the murder of Mrs.
Bessie Hollister began. ,
Detectives were scattered about the"
court room 1 and several sat close to
Ivens, it being feared that Frank C.
Hoilister, husband of the murdered
woman, would make ..an attempt to
kill Ivens. ' ' -
MR. J. S. B. THOMPSON HERE.
He Came to Look Over the Depot Sit
. uation. ,
Mr. J. S.B. Thompson general agent
of the executive department' of the
Southern Railway, .is in the - city,
aboard his private car.
This morning Mr. Thompson held a
short conference with Mayor McNinch
in regard to the new pasenger depot.
Another, conference will probably be
held this afternoon.
-Mr. Thompson's visit to Charlotte at
this time is for the purpose of straight
ening out matters over which the city
aldermen and the Southern are at outs.
He deplores the fact that the alder
men, at least some, of them, have seen
fit to criticize the new station building
and he hopes L to see all hands mu
tually agreed before long.
Mr. Thompson is one of the ablest
of the official family of the Southern.
He has not been to Charlotte recently.
His friends here, hope that he will
come often and stay longer.
COUNTY TAX DISTRICTS.
Candidates Are Coming Forward An
xious, For, the Race. .
: From present indications there will
be a warm , fight in both the First and
Third districts for th tax collector.
: Mr. W. O. Cochrane; the present tax
colector of the First district, will not
be in the race this year. The avowed
cadidates so far are Messrs. W.'.C. Mc
Auley, L. B. Sloop, Samuel Austin and
Sidney Abernethy. . - ., ,".
In the Third district, Mr. W. N. Peo
ples the present incumbent, will be
opposed by Mr. Parks Kirkpatrick.
They do say this will be a" race worth
watching. .