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( ; if VOL.. XVII.. NO. 4. WILMINGTON N. " C. TUESDAY- JANUARY 5, 1904. FIVE CENTS ) ! HALLSGLOSED Churches and Lodge Rooms are all that Es cape the Order FIRE DANGER OTcr 460 Dance and Public Halls Have Been Closed in Chicago and They Will Not bo Allowed to lie Open Till Every Requirement That Affords Protection From Firo is Fulfilled Theatre Managers Again Make a Vain Effort to Have the Order Closing Their Houses Re scinded Later Developments in the Situation. Chicago, January 4. As a result cf the IroQUois theatre Are and panic in which G90 persons lost their lives, Build ing Commissionr Williams tonight is sued an order closing all public halls, dance halls, and all similar - places of public assemblage until an inspection has shown that they are complying with' all provisions of the building or dinance. All the theatres have already been closed. This leaves Chicago churches and lodge halls alone open for public gatherings. As there are upwards of 400 halls in Chicago, ranging in size from those that will accommodate fifty persons to those with a seating capacity of 500, this or der will affect probably as many per sons as the theatre closing order. Pro tests were numerous, but the building commissioner -was inflexible. said: "Many of these halls are worse than any theatre in Chicago, some of them are put up with no restrictions such as govern theatres and many of them are fire traps of the worst kind." Two years ago a general inspection of .balls was made before the beginning of Building Commissioner Williams' ad ministration. Notwithstanding this, the commissioner declares that he will take no chances and that every bail must satisfy the requirements. Ieputy Building Commissioner Stan bo ie made another inspection of the Iroquois ruins today to prepare for che i questions which will beasked by the coroner and jurors when the inquest begins. Mayor Harrison and seven aldermen who have been appointed members of the city council committee to control legislation in relation to theatres met this afternoon with theatre manages, every play house excepting the Great Northern being represented. The man agers asked if they could not open their houses and sell seats on the lower floor only but the mayor and aldermen re fused this request. It was declared that all places must remain closed until the ordinance requirements had been fully met. This afternoon attorneys for the fire department secured from five witnesses corroboration of the charges that a wrecking crew of the Fuller Construc tion Company had destroyed the stage skylights on the day after the disaster. Fire Inspector Fulkerson said: "It was the intention that those sky lights should open automatically to al low the escape of .heat and smoke an 3 create a draft which would draw them upwards instead of allowing them to pass over the audience. But from the information I have I am positive that the opening of the skylights was impos sible, 'because over each section of the lights had been placed pieces of scant ling which remained there until re moved by employees of the Fuller Con struction Company on Thursday after noon." - It has been said by Powers and Da vis, managers of the Iroquois theatre, that the house was not filled on Wed nesday afternoon at the time of the "fire. This assertion was contradicted this afternoon by Manager Edwin II. Price of the "Blue Beard" Company. "I should say," said Mr. Price, "that between SO and 100 tickets were sKli after the theatre ivas niied. The day's receipts amounted to something mor that $1,700." Little result followed the examination of seven men of the double octette which was on the stage when tha fire broke out. nVe kept on singing and dancing and did not even know that there was 3 fire until sparks fell on the stage and two girls of the double octette fainted." said William Sleek. "It is the rule of the stage that we are fined if we turn our faces for an instant from the audience. Ail I know is that we stuck to our work until we had to run for our lives." The story was corroborated by the other six men. The police today arrested George M. Dusenberry, chief usher of the theatre on a charge of manslaughter. Dusen berry declares that he tried to hold feack the rush of spectators and help to save thirty women from the jam med front exits He is held to furnish evidence on the statements made by many people in the theatre that the ushers closed the doors and that thv at first refused to allow people to pas out. Benjamin Solomon a boy who rented opera glasses in the upper bal cony, today declared that all the ushers and attachees closed the doors and shouted to the spectators to remain seated as there was no danger Coroner Traeger is looking for the chief scrub woman of the theatre who, it is said, carried all the keys to the doors and exits of the balconies. She will be arrested when found. In addition to the managers of the theatre. Will J. Davis and Harry J. Powers, every employee of. the theatre has been summoned before the inquest Thursday morning and many members of the Blue Beard Company, who were not permitted to depart for New York yesterday, will also be called on to testify. John R. Thompson, proprietor of a restaurant which adjoins the Iroquois theatre, has lost the greater portion of his business since the fire. On the day of the disaster Mr. Thompson threw open his restaurant for the bod ies of the dead and wounded. His- ser vices were widely advertised in the pa pers, driving nearly all his patrons away. DR. R. E. CALDWELL DEAD AX OPERATION PERFORMED IX BALTIMORE PROVED FATAL.. Dr. Caldwell Was Pastor of the Pres byterian Church in Winston and lie Was Widely Known in the State. s (Special to The Messenger.) Greensboro, N. C, January 4. At the Presbyterian church yesterday, while services were in progress, a message was sent to Rev. Dr. Smith,, announc ing the death of Rev. Dr. Robert Ern est Caldwell, for ten years the pastor of the Winston-Salem Presbyterian church. iHe left Winston last Monday for Philadelphia, to have an operation performed for appendicitis, stopping in Greensboro to see his sisters here Mrs. J. Sterling Jones and IMrs. J. W. Fry. iHe was as usual in the 'best of spirits, and little did his friends realize whers they shook his warm' hand good bye that it was for the last time. The oper ation was performed Thursday, and the last news from him was that he was getting on remarkably well, his physician saying he would be in his pulpit again in thirty days; alas in less than thirty hours, he was in his shroud. The news of bis death was phoned to his sisters here from Winston, where his mother resides, and one of his sis ters who was at church heard it for the first time when it was read from the pulpit. Dr. Caldwell, was greatly beloved here, where he was raised, his father being Hon. Walter Caldwell a prominent lawyer in his day, and his mother being a Weatherly, one of the most highly respected of Guilford's old families. The funeral services will be held in his church at Winston tomor row, the sermon beijig preached by Rev. Dr. Egbert Smith, pastor of the First Presbyterian church here, and a life long friend a'nd companion of the de ceased divine. From Winston, the remains will be brought to Greensboro, to be interred by the side of his father in Green Hill cemetery. Dr. Caldwell was about 48 years of age, and had accomplished a great work in life, as well as in the pulpit. His death has caused wide spread sorrow throughout the State, no where more than here, where from his boyhood he was always a favorite with everybody who knew him. He was un married Nominations by the President. Washington, January 4. The Pres ident today sent to the Senate the fol lowing nominations of postmasters: Georgia Lizzie Hamilton, Buford: North Carolina Edwin H. Lorris. Mockville; Mary A. Timberlalo, WaKe Forest. Tennessee Wm. C. Caj.s-udy, Lenoir City. Feared That Two Coal Barges Are Lost. Newport News, Va., From advices received by shipping men here to night, it is feared that two coal barges, with their crews, which sailed from this port Friday night for Prov idence, R. I., in tow of the tug Navi gator were lost in the storm Saturday. The barges were the Liberty and New Jersey. During the storm their hawsers parted and both were carried out to sea. All day yesterday the Navigator has patrolled the coast near Hog Is land in a vain effort to locate the missing vessels. On board the Liberty were Captain Peter Schipp and four men and. on the New Jersey, Captain Elmer Hamel and a crew of three. Each barge carried 5,000 tons of coal. Schooner Bound for Wilmington Suf fers an Accident. New York, January 4. -The schoon er M. C. Haskell, of Rockland, Me.. Captain Wingard while outward bOUnrt tndflV fnr Wllmino-tnn "NT r went aground in the lower bay. After! being fast for several hours a tug sue-' ceeded in pulling her clear. She is anchored here. LAW MAKERS Senate's Proceedings Devoted to the Pan ama Situation FOR AND AGAINST Great In Iciest Manifested in the Read ing of the President's Message Members Then Discussed the Situa tion, the President Coming in for Quite a Good Deal of Criticism, While Ills Policy Also Had Its Warm Supporters Rev. Edward Everett Hale Offers His First In vocation as the Senate Chaplain. Washington, January 4. The Senate's first session following the holiday recess was devoted entirely to the Panama situation. President Roosevelt's mes sage on this subject was received and rad with great interest. Discussion continued throughout the day, speeches being made both in defense of and against the policy which had been pur sued. Rev. Edward Everett Hale, the newly elected chaplain of the Senate, clad in flowing black silk robes, offered a stir ring invocation. His prayer wras a plea for the wisdom of Heaven- in the affairs of the government. He referred briefly to the Chicago disaster. His invoca tion was preceeded by a short scriptural lesson and concluded with the Lord's prayer. . j , j Mr. McComas, strongly defended the President's action in the Panama mat ter. He maintained the President's recognition of Panama would be up held by the courts. Mr. Culberson questioned the riht of the executive to make such recognition, but Mr. MdComas maintained positively that the executive had such authority, and he could bring to the attention of the Senate two instances in which the same power had been exercised. Mr. Tillman wanted the instances cited and Mr. McComas promised later to present them. "But I want to know," broke in (Mr. Tillman, "whether the 'Senator contends that the executive without instruction of the Congress can employ the army and navy to de fend his executive action by warring away and preventing Colombia from asserting her supremacy,' anywhere except on the Panama railroad?" in answer Mr. McComas referred Mr, Tillman to the closing statements of the President's message. Mr. Bacon asked several questions in an effort to bring out how long the new republic would last, should the sus taining power of theUnited States oe withdrawn. "For many years," replied Mr. Mc Comas. " He added "but for the re straining power of the United "States the independence of Panama might have been established long ago. ""Will the Senator state the respective populations of Panama and Colombia' asked Mr. Bacon. "Panama has about 300,000 and Co lombia 4,500,000," was the reply. "And yet the Senator thinks the 300,000 could maintain themselves against the four and a half million," again injected Mr. Bacon. j "Such things were frequent in his-! tory, was the reply. Pressed bv Mr. Bacon for instances. Mr. McComas mentioned the success ful contest of Japan with thirty five million population against China with four hundred million, also Monteria gros successful contest of two cen tune's. Senator Stewart endorsed the course of the administration and severely criticized the Bogota government for its selfish action in preventing the con struction of the canal, referring to It as a "band of robbers." Mr. Morgan said that his colleague frcm the south could not fail, to see that the President's attitude was in TO AVOID BUT IT Malta, January 4. Five Russian torpedo boat destroyers sailed from here today in an eastward direction. St. Petersburg, January 4. The Associated Press has the authority of the foreign office for the statement that the Russian reply will be trans mitted to Japan in a day or two. The reply will not be merely "yes or "no"; but will be made up of reasonable pro positions. The general basis of this communication is already complete; but- the details are being elaborated. The Japanese minister, here, M. Kurino, has authorized the Associated Press to saythat he had a cordial 1 conference with Foreign Minister Lansdorf on Friday last and that he TRYIInG tended to force them to vote for the Panama route. As (for himself be wa mot opposing the present onslaugnt ground, but because he believed the course of the President to, be such as to threaten the integrity of the United States. He argued that according to precedents, the defacto government of Panama has no right to transfer ter ritory. but he declared that the Pres ident knew that by his recognition of Panama a'lone could he acquire a con cession there. Indeed. he asserted that the prospects of securing this ac quisition was found the only motive for the President's recognition. Ha declared that President Roosevelt's interference in Colombia's affairs on the isthmus was unjustified by the con stitution. For one he would not voiv to ratify the wrong done by the Presi dent. The President, he said, desires this ratification to justify what he and the Panama junta have done. "And for that purpose," said Mr. Morgan lie wants the assistance of three Dem ocratic Senators, to do wrhat he, and his party cannot do." He assured the Democrats that they need not feel bound to follow the course desired by the President. The only question at issue was whether there should be, a canal at all for he did not believe chat a canal would ever be built across the .isthmus at Panama. He predicted that a. canal would ultimately be built aioag the Nicaraguan route, because of its eminent feasibility. - "If there are Democrats who think that the best way to defeat the Repub licans is to follow their lead?" he said. "I must still remain an obstinate man of one idea, as I have been charged and stand' by that rather than be led or driven into commercial practices in politics or into political gamblng with the laws, as pawns on the chess boarrt. to be moved back and forth at the will of the player with the use of the army and navy in unlawful " war to give spectacular effect to the leader of a campaign for the Presidency." The senate adjourned until tomor row. THE HOUSE. " Washington, January. 4. 'With th-3 reassembling of Congress today after the recess, the chaplain of the House in opening the session of that body prayed that war between Russia and Japan might be averted by a peaceful adjustment of their differences. A privileged resolution, offered by (Mr. Hav (Democrat of Virginia) re- cited that certain statements contain ed in the Bristow postoffice report re flected upon the membership of the House. It provided for an investiga tion by a committee of five, to be ap pointed by the speaker. The resolution recites that the Bris tow report charged that long time leas es for postoffice premises were cancel led and rent increased upon the recom mendation of ' influential representa tives; . that Beavers allowed increases in clerk hire on the request of member of Congress,: regardless of the merits of the case; and ttaT"B cavers made contracts with members of congress for rental of premises. The resolutions as serts these charges and others reflect on the integrity of the members of the House. A point of order made against t'.ie resolution by Mr. Gardner (Republi can CNew Jersey,) was overruled, and the previous question was moved by Mr. Hay. Mr. Payne (Republican New York,) desired to move its reference to the postoffice committee for considera tion, but this was declared not in or der. The vote on ordering the previous question resulted in a tie, the minority supporting Mr. Hay and developed no quorum. At this point the House adjourned. STATE BANK BELL VETOED. ) Governor Montague Says the Law is Not in Accord With Sentiment or Policy. Richmond, Va., January 4. Governor Montague sent to the Assembly his veto of what is known as the State Bank bill. He says in part: "I do not think it in accordance with public sentiment or business policy to withhold from our state banks the privilege of the issuance of notes of cir culation. It is true that privilege has not been exercised for many years by reason of the very large tax imposed by the national government. Yet no one can foresee when ,it may ba most desirable or urgent to exercise such authority. i would suggest that if the present statute authorizing state banks of circulation be incompa table with any existing law, the statute be not repealed but rather perfected to preserve the full power of issuance." For Secretary of War. Washington, January 4. The Pres ident today sent, to the Senate the nomination of Wm. H. Taft, of Ohio, to be secretary of war. WAR DRAWS CLOSER is convinced by the latter's sincere conciliatory attitude that the Russian government is disposed to seek a peaceful settlement. An official note published today an nounces that instructions have been sent to Viceroy Alexieff as to the re ply to be given to the last Japanese note. According to the Novoevremya, the Russian government is trying to avoid war because it is peacefully disposed and the Japanese government is do ing the same, because it does not de sire bankruptcy and the British and French are doing everything possible to maintain peace. "Nevertheless," the Novoevremya continues "War approaches nearer and nearer." A LOVE FEAST Prominent Democrats Outline Plans for Party Policy mile gale of wind that whipped up ex f tremely rough aid dangerous sects,, tho ACT HARM0NYsallant of smith's nf0 The Leaders Assembled at a Dinner Complimentary to Mayor Geo B McClellan, of New York A Letter From Grover Cleveland Was Read. Speeches Were Made by Mayor Mc- Clellan, Hon. Richard Olney, David B. Hill and Others The Republi can. Party is Severely Criticised New York, January 4. Democrats of prominence from the city, 6tate and nation assembled here tonight at the dinner at Sherrys in honor of George B. McClellan, the newly in stalled mayor of New York city. among those present being Richard Olney, of Massachusetts, ex-Governor David B. Hill, of New York; Con gressman David de Armond, of Mis souri, Charles A. Towne, ex-Senator from Minnesota, ex-Governor R. E. Patterson, of Pennsylvania, William A Gaston, of Boston and Charles F. Murphy, now leader of Tammany Hall; Judge Alton B. Parker, Senator Arthur P. Gorman, of Maryland, and Senator John P. Morgan, of Alabama. sent letters of" regret. The following letter from Grover Cleveland was read: "I very much regret that a vexa tious indisposition prevents me from attending the dinner' tendered by the citizens of New York to their newly elected mayor, Hon. George B. Mc Clellan. As a former resident of the city, still interested in all that pertains to its welfare, I would be pleased to participate in an event which will give opportunity for the expression of a well grounded anticipation of the civic benefits which should result from the triumph of the New York Democracy. "While the assumption of the duty involved in the government of th greatest city of our country creates grave responsibilities, the impressive thought cannot be evaded, that the manner in which the Democracy of the city shall meet its municipal re sponsibilities, will In a large degree determine the extent to which our fel low countrymen, in every part of the land will be willing to trust the Dem ocracy of the nation in bradeif fields of governmental rule. "Those far beyond the limit of New York who love the Democratic party, confidently expect that the methods of the new municipal administration will be so clean and efficient and its high, purposes so manifest in all things, as to impress the entire coun try with the purity and peace prom ised by the national supremacy of" a safe and conservative Democracy." The speakers included Mayor Mc Clellan, Richard Olney, David B. Hill. Charles A. Towne and Congressman De Armond, Ex-Congressman W. Bourke Cockran, who acted as toast master, introduced as the first speaker Mayor McClellan, in an address in which after referring briefly to ques tions of national policy he took up political conditions in New York city, declaring that Democratic government had been abolished in New York so far as law could abolish it, but that the Democratic population of New York city had made New York Dem ocratic, not through the laws, but in spite of the laws. Mr. McClellan introduced as "the Hlustrious son of an illustrious sire," said: "I ask you to join with me In send ing from this Democratic gathering, in the great Democratic city, the glad news to our brethren throughout the land that we Democrats of New York are resolute in our purpose to wrest the state and nation from Republi can misrule. Because we are capable of much, much Is expected of us; because much has been given to us, much will be required. " Let us then, at the beginning of the presidential year, present to the country the spectacle of a united and loyal party, striving earnestly to be worthy of the name of Democrats. Wherever there are tonight, in the east in the west, in the north or in the south, let all Democrats hear our avowal. Sinking every sordid, selfish and unworthy motive; united for a common object and in a common cause, as were our forbears in the days gone bv, we sfnd for right and justice within and without the boun , aries of our country, that we may re store the rule of the people in its truest sense and insure too ourselves and to posterity the blessings of lib erty." Richard Olney was then introduced as a diplomat who had never follw ed the policy of wandering around the world seeking quarrels with weaker nations, and as the "pride of New England, but enthroned in the hearts of all his countrymen." Mr. Olney said in part: "In matters of foreign policy, the Democratic party will stand for in ternational morality and decent in ternational conduct; for continuing our traditional role as the defender of the weaker states of this hemis phere, instead of becoming their spYil- (Continued on Serentb Page.) RESCUED FROM THE SEA TH KILLING. ACCOMPLISIIMBNT OP Bit AVE LIFE SAVERS.. A Tli roe Masted Schooner Was Belnir Battered to Pieces Smith's Island Crew Battled With the- Ponderous Seas and Finally Iandcd the Crew Ashore. Norfolkt Va,. January 4. Inv a fifty oa.vi"S siauon. in tnd riflrlrneR. early Sunday morning, rescued the crew of the stranded three j mas tel schooner Joseph J. Pharo. wfrlch was blown ashore on Carter's bar during: the height of the severe etorm that' Lswept up the coast. It was one of the most thrilling rescues of the season. Captain Berry was beating his way along the coast from New York bound to Richmond when he ran Into the howling blow that struck the Atlantic seaboard about midnight Saturday. The craft which was unladen became, unmanageable and was driven aground not a great distance from the life sav ing station. She was sighted shortly oftex she struck and the life savers hurried at once to the assistance of the crew of six men. The tremendous seas broke over the helpless craft at every ponderous roll. In a short t ma it was very evident that vessel was doomed.. With the aid of the breeches buoy, the life savers succeeded in bringing Captain Berry and his seamen safely ashore-. The rescue was one of the quickest and cleverest executed per- iformances in the recent history of thv . 2 f I . nte saving service.. It was reported here that the Pharo will prove a total loss. The ve33el was a frequent trader at this port, and is owned by a New York shipp.ng firm. MOU11NING IX GAINESVILLE. Business Will we Suspended on the Day of General Longstreet's Fu neral. Gainesville, Ga., January 3. Tho funeral of General James E. Long- streerwill be held here Tuesday. All the civil military organizations of tho city will attend in a body. Comradea in arms of the distinguished dead will act as pallbearers. Over the grave In Alta Vista cemetery sons of Ing street's old brigade will fire a salute. Mayor Thompson will tomorrow is sue a proclamation caning upon tho citizens to suspend business during the hour of the funeral and asking all lodges and business and military or ganizations to patrlcipate. The remains will -be carried from the home of General Longstreet's daughter to the court house on Tues day morning at 9 o'clock. There they will be in state until noon and be viewed by various organiaationa ami citizens. Shortly after noon the fu neral services will be begun. At the conclusion .of these services a. line of march to the cemetery will be formed and the. interment will be with full military honors. The funeral rites will be conducted according to the formula of the Catholic Church, of which Gen. Longstreet was a member. Among the honorary pallbearers will be Governor J. M. Terrell, Mayor Howell of Atlanta; John B. Gordon, ex-Governor Candler, Chief Justice Simmons, Adjutant General Harris. General C. A. Evans. General W. A. Wright and Capt, John W. Lindsay. Charters by the State. (Special to The Messenger.) Raleigh, N. C, January 4. The State charters the Heborn Industrial Home at Montreal, Buncombe county. W. II. Worth, of Raleigh, and J. G. Lee, of Ohk, being among the incorporators. The purpose of the home Is to receive and correctly educate orphans and In digent children. Another charter granted is to the Shamrock Hosiery Mills, of Winston. with a capital, stock of $100,900, Mrs. Anna H. Hanes and other members of that family being stockholders. i TO INCREASE OFFICE FORCE. Greensboro is Headquarters of Whole Southern System New Street Car Line. (Special to The Messenger.) Greensboro, N. C, January 4.- The street cars made regular trips yester day for the first time over the new mile and a half extension of the line from Revolution to White Oak Milla Large numbers of people went out to the immense mills now in course of construction, for "the flr3t time. De spite the cold weather the cars were more comfortably hea ted than many homes, and they' have always been heated since the car line was complet ed in Greensboro, 18 months ago. General Manager of the Southern railway Ackert, of Washington, has been here since Saturday in conference with General Superintendent McManus, the new Superintendent of the whole system since the Eastern and Western Districts were consolidated It is learn ed this morning that there will be no practical change whatever in the two office forces at Birmingham, Ala., and at the general headquarters in Greens boro, except that the force at Greens- . boro will be Increased. Mr. MicManus family reside in Atlanta, but will move to Greensboro this spring, as eoon as the schools there close, his five chil dren now being in attendance a there
The Wilmington Messenger (Wilmington, N.C.)
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Jan. 5, 1904, edition 1
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