THE REAL DUTY OF. A NEWSPA
PER MAN.
vve nave for the past few lays
thought upon the real work of a news
paper man, that Is the work that real
ly counts for most.. Shall it be the
purpose of the newspaper to build up
cr tear down, to discourage or to en
courage people to make the most of
their opportunities?
Answering the question from the
broad standpoint of the highest devel
cpment and the greatest good to the
greatest number, which we feel is the
correct premises, we say unhesitating
ly that the newspaper should be above
Ell things optimistic in its construe
tion and a constructionist along safe
end conservative lines. Again, some
cne will say that it is the duty of a
rewspaper man to "knock" whenever
. the necessity requires. We can't see
it that way.
Does the carpenter straighten
plank by knocking it into shape? Not
much. If he hammers on one end and
there is much spring to the board'the
chances are the other end will spring
up and hit him in the eye. But he
does try to straighten the board by
planing and dressing and putting it
into a vise until he gets it straight.
Of course now and then he finds a
board so warped he cannot straighten
and so, under these circumstances, the
only course to pursue is to throw the
board aside. And so it is with some
other propositions in life. If after ta-
tient handling you can do nothing, you
simply have to quit the job; and yet
alter an now many or us let up be
fore we have done the best we could?
But think of the spirit of optimism
the editor of a paper must be able
to maintain to keep the affairs of the
community in good shape. Since ex
ample i3 better than precept he must
above all things set a good example.
Ke must not be selfish in order to
encourage liberality in others. 'He
must always be an optimist in order
to encourage in others a spirit of op
timism. No matter how many clouds
hover above his own horizon, or how
much difficulty he finds in keeping
himself or his own affairs in a proper
state of equilibrium he must at all
times be hopeful and faithful in order
to encourage a spirit of 'hope and
trust in others.
"Wilson has the reputation of pos
sessing the most hospitable people in
the State, and strangers love to come
here because there is something in
the very air and a genial personality
surrounding the folks that invites and
holds.
The Times desires to encourage this
spirit among our people for we want
Wilson to be the best town in the
State and its people the happiest,
most contented and most progressive
of all people.
A MUNICIPAL OBJECT-LESSON.
Considerable interest attaches to
the 1911 budget for the city of Colum
bia which has just been issued by the
council. The commission form of
government, as is well known, is in
force in Columbia and the experiment
is being watched with closest atten
tion by many cities in this section
which are considering similar changes
in method of municipal administra
tion. When Columbia's present com
mission took charge of the city's af
fairs they, faced a deficit of approxi
mately $65,000 bequeathed by previous
administrations. "By the end of 1911,"
reports The Columbia State in are
nf the huderef. "Columbia will be
out of debt , besides having spent a
large sum for permanent improve
ments. In detail the ordinance esti
mates the income for 1911 at $449,455
and the appropriations at $330,750,
leaving a -reserve fund of $118,705
which will be available for permanent
improvements such as street paving,
a new jail, an incinerator, etc."
This gratifying' reserve fund has
not been created by undue parsimony,
as is evidenced by -appropriations of
$4,500 for new fire apparatus, $6,000
for extension, of waterworks and pro
portionate amounts for other steps in
advance. It Is due chiefly to the ex
cellent business sagacity which has
been devoted to municipal finances.
Credit should .be given to the com
missioners as well as to the system
under which they are 'working but
even when this has been done that
S11S.705 Temalns asian attractive object-lesson
for communities which
still retain the outworn aldermanic
form. Charlotte Observer.
If you will carefully count your
expenses you will seldom have occa
sion to ask the bank to discount youi
note.
THE DOG QUESTION.
We are very glad indeed that the
Farmers' Union has taken an ad
vanced position on the dog question
and that the organization will advo
cate the enactment of a State dog tax
by the General Assembly.
The dog question has been hard of
solution in all ages of the world, for
the reason that man loves his "purp,
and In lonely hours has frequently
found him the only source of comfort
when all the rest of the world had
turned its back on him. What must
have been the feelings of "Rip Van
Winkle" when even poor old Snyder
wno naa most liKeiy lain out upon
the mountain in cold and rain unti
famished from hunger felt he could
remain by the side of his master
whom he loved so well, no longer and
then wended his way home, failed to
recognize him?
Rip expected a scolding from his
wife because he had been used to that
but when Snyder, who failed to recog
nize him, because of the lapse of
years and the covering of hair upon
his face, and the wear and tear of
the elements, shrunk dismally away
with every stamp of unrecognition,
that was the straw that broke the
camel'y back and poor "Rip" wept.
And so it is today, there are so
many who find a solace with their
dog. We have a man in mind who
actually talks to his dog and tells him
all his troubles, and who is there who
will not say that the dog knows his
master's feelings, and even though he
can not speak, there is an expression
n his face or by the wag of the tail,
responsive touch that carries satis
faction and acts as a soothing balm."
But there are two sides to every
question. The dogs are here, and as
such have their rights,' and the sheep
and. goats are here and also have their
rights. The no-fence law says that a
t?t onnot let his sheep and goats
run at large, ar? vby should an
bnery purp" that is worth not'na-
except the measure of affection thai
his master has placed upon him, be
allowed to enjoy more privileges than
the cattle who are of real value to the
community and especially to their
owner who is keeping them where
they belong, where everything should
be kept.
The Editor of The Times was sub-
ected to some criticism last summer
when he advocated the shutting up of
the dogs for fear that they might run
mad and bite, some sweet little child
or person who . are of greater value
than all the dogs in Christendom,
though we are aware of the fact that
there are some human beings upon
whom it would be as hard to place a
financial value as some dogs, for un-
ortunately we have dropped into the
error of measuring values by the
money standard.
Now we can look at this question
absolutely unselfishly, because there
are three grown dogs at our house
and four more that arrived there a
short while back. So you see we are
seven and that is some dog, ain't it?
But we keep them all on the premises,
notwithstanding the fact that our
friend Killette and our alderman, too,
n response to the pleadings of those
who wanted more liberty for their
canine property, had the law changed.
We really believe that the dogs of
the country should be amenable to
the same law as the cattle, and should
not be allowed to run at large ex
cept in company with their masters,
and not always with their masters un-
ess they are in condition "to restrain
them. We have a case in point that
illustrates the last utterance for ah
animal-imbibes the spirit of the man
to a large extent. .
Just before Christmas, and you
know a, negro usually takes About a
week holiday at that time, some ne
groes from Wilson went hunting in
the pastures of Mr. J. D. Farrior, near
this city, and having partaken of
Christmas cheer, they ran over the
pastures looking for rabbits. The rab
bits were not there, but the goats
were, and thinking they had as much
right to have some fun as ther mas
ters, and not being able to understand
why there was no game coming to the
bag, for results only count, and under
standing is the only thing necessary
in order to handle any . proposition, the
dogs went after the goats and destroy
ed the entire flock.
Now we believe In the largest meas
ure of Uberty. to bojh man and dog,
provided neither hurts himself or his
neighbor. We, are in favor of shutting
up a man if he Injures some one else,
and so are we in favor of shutting up
the dogs if they injure the property
of others, and we cannot raise sheep
unless dags are prevented from run
ning at large.
in Virginia, a great sheep State,
there is a law that provides a tax for
every dog. This money is kept sep
arate and apart from other funds and
is known as the sheep fund, and from
this fund sheep owners are reimburs
ed whenever they lose as the result
of incursions from dogs.
IT'S ALL IN THE MAN WHO TRIES.
Charles H. Markham, who was re
cently elected president of the Illi
nois Central Railroad at forty-nine
years cr age, heads what many peo
ple believe to be one of the, best rail
roads in the world, something over 7,-
000 miles of track, an army of 40,000
employes; the only double track
route between Chicago and the Gulf,
and a maker of 7 per cent dividends.
Mr. Markham has educated himself,
In fact, it is not recorded that he ever
attended school. In 1881, not very far
back, this cool surveyor of results and
prospect was swinging a pick and
shovel and putting ballast under the
track of the Santa Fe road. While he
worked he was studying the railroad
situation, and his start literally at the
foundation enabled him to figure the
ame out from the place where many
railroad men say the railroad shows
its strong or wealk points the track
and roadbed.
STILL ENLARGING THE HOUSE.
(Charlotte Observer.)
Never but once has the House of.
Representatives voted for a diminu
tion in its membership. That was in
1841, and such, was the aggrieved
feeling among States which lost rep
resentation that the House has been
consistently increasing its member
ship ever since. After the census of
1900 the House census committee op
posed enlargement, but .the House
itself over-rode this report, States like
Maine and Virginia, which would have
ost representation, combining with
States which had much to gain. The
census committee or the present
House will report in favor of the en-'
largement from 391 to 435, with the
avowed desire to prevent loss by any
State. Whether this Congress or its
successor undertakes the work of re
apportionment, the result will doubt-
ess be about as here indicated. . But
the time cannot be ' distant ' when
either continued enlargement will be
come impossible or- the desks which
already make the House hall exces
sively large will have to yield place.
A NEGRO BANK.
We have before us a nicely printed
pamphlet concerning the Mechanics
Saving Bank of Richmond, an institu
tion owned and operated by colored
men.
The building is a handsome affair
and the deposits aggregate nearly a
half million dollars.
GOING UP SOME.
Arch Hoxsey, the intrepid American
avitor, belonging to the Wright team,
recently recaptured the world's auti-
tude record. During an exhibition at
Los Angeles. Hoxsey soared to a
height of 11,474 feet, breaking the re
cord made by the Frenchman, Legag
neux, who recently attained a height
of 10,499.
Wake county certainly takes a fore
most position on the "Good Roads"
proposition. As a result of a confer
ence of prominent men from every
section of the county, the Legislature
will be requested to make an appro
priation of $300,000 to macadamize all
the roads of the county.
FAMINE IS SEVERE.
Thousands of People Suffering Pangs
of Hunger. . I
Washington, Dec. 31. An affecting
picture of the ravages of the famine
In China is afforded by a report to the
State Department by the American
consul at Nanking, inclosing extracts
from the Shanghai newspapers. The
consul savs that the famine is even
worse than that of three years ago,
since it affects a larger, territory 1
Xseven - counties in the northern part
of the province of Kiangsu), and a
greater population, in this case num
bering 2,50.0,000 persons.
The famine is owing to. serious
floods last summer, which utterly de
stroyed the autumn crops. The roads
are filled with refugees, who in many
cases, In their' desperation, are rob
bing and plundering the villages
where food-stuffs and money are to be
found. '
Mexico Enthusiastic Over Cotton Ex
periments.
u ashmgton, Dec. 29. Experiments
in cotton growing in the State of
Tamaulipas, Mexico, have resulted so
satisfactorily that planters there arc
very enthusiastic over the prospects
of cotton becoming one of the most
profitable crops of the State, accord
ing to United States Consul Clarence
A. Miller, at Tampico.
In the vicinity of Columbus, Tamau-
hjjqo, tuuuu was grown this season
for the first time. Special seed was
imported from Georgia. The produc
tion was one bale, and in some cases
more, ier acre. No trouble was ex
perienced with the boll weevil, hut
some damage was don hv the QrmV
worm.
- ' m - m, a ill J
Plans are being made for planting a
much larger acreage next vpar .ind
year,
more seed will be imported from the
United States. Experienced cotton
planters from Oklahoma and other
States express great faith for the suc
cess of cultivation of cotton in this
district.
Chases Rabbit, Kills Companion.
Lexington, S. C, Dec. 30. Another
name was added to the list of Christ-
mas hunting fatajities with the death
of Cleo Price, aged twenty years, ac
cidentally shot by Quinton Oxner,
aged sixteen years, on Monady. They
were chasing a rabbit down hill, when
the hammer of Oxner's gun caught in
his clothing, discharging the weapon.
Price was in front.
WILL A COMMISSION PULL THEM
OUT OF THE HOLE?
We regret to note the division in
the ranks of the Democratic represen
tatives in Washington. Selfishness
and desire to boss seems to pre-domin-ate,
and the result may end in disas
ter to the party because the country
has its eye upon our leaders and will
give them a trial between now and the
next Presidential election. Tf they are
found wanting the Republican scheme
of selecting a commission to handle
the tariff, which is merely a subter
fuge arranged to profit by i-ie differ
ences among the Democrats will be
accepted by the people who naturally
desire to be relieved as early as pos
sible from the burdens that afflict
them.
We hope the Democrats in Congress
will be able to arrange their differ
ences and get to work and do some
thing of real value besides fuss among
themselves, fearing one will gain an
advantage over the other. "
You must be unselfish if you ac
complish anything for your country
or your people.
WE WANT SOME OF IT.
To Prof. Paul Ehrlich, of the fa
mous institute at Frankfort-on-the-Main,
Germany, credit belongs for the
discovery of a new substance which
will drive from the human being every
known disease. Dr. Samuel W. Lam:
bert, dean of the New York College
of Physicians and Surgeons, noted
physician and leader in his profession,
made known to the public the new
find. Dr. Lambert says:
"This new substance which has just
been brought into existence, will drive
from the human body all germs of
every known disease. Its quality was
discovered by accident by Prof.
Eitner, while experimenting with the
famous "606," a specific which Prof.
Paul Ehrlich discovered this year."
INTERNATIONAL. RAILWAY COM
MISSION.
The railway traffic between the
United States and Canada is becoming
so complex and intricate that it. has
been found necessary to recommend
the appointment of an International
Railway Commission. As the result
of a lone series of conferences be-
tween Judge Martin A. Knapp, chair-
J man of the Interstate Commerce Com-
I mission, and the Hon. J. P. Mabie,
chief of the Railway Commission of
Canada, an agreement has been reach-
ed to recommend , to the government
of the United States and the Dominion
of Canada, the creation of an interna
tional railroad commission which
shall have supervisory authority over
the railway rates in operation between
the two countries.
Athens, Greece, Dec. 30. There
was a violent earthquake in the Pro
vince of Elis yesterday, causing heavy
damage Jto buildings. The government
has dispatched troops.
LOEB IS NOT A JEW.
But If He Were He Would Be Proud
Of It.
New York, Dec. 30. William Loeb
Jr., collector of the port of New York
and former secretary to a President of
the United States, practically admitted
that he had been denied membership
in that most exclusive of ultra Repub
hcan clubs, the Union League.
While Mr. Loeb is not discussin
this phase of the situation for publica
tion his angry friends are saying that
one or another of these three reasons
is responsible for the snub:: The be
i i
nei tnat Mr. ixen is of Jewish de
scent; a desire to hurt Theodore
Roosevelt by hurting his man Friday;
resentment against Loeb because o
ms rigorous treatment or rich men
and women caught smuggling.
A reporter called to Mr. Loeb's at
tention the fact that several years ago
one of the Seligmans was refused ad
mission to the Union League, and at
once several prominent Jews resigned
as members on the ground that racial
prejudices were being invoked to
make the club all Gentiles.
"It has been said," added the re
porter, "that you were of Jewish an
cestry. Do you think that report may
have had anything to do with the at
titude of the membership committee?'
"That is about the only reason that
can assign," said the collector. "If
were of Jewish blood I would be
proud of it. But I am not. I am of
pure German blood, and I am proud of
that, too."
"Bath Tub" Trust Wants Mercy.
Washington, Dec. 30. Pleas for
clemency, it is reported, will be made
to the Department of Justice by the
indicted members of the so-called
"bathtub trust" through their attor
neys at a conference here today
Frank H. Watson, United States At
torney at Detroit, where the indict
ments were found, has been notified
to be present. Edwin T. Grosvenor,
special assistant to the Attorney Gen
eral, who : cbnducted the civil suits
y
which have resulted in practically put
ting the trust out of business, will
represent the government. A small
battalion of lawyers representing the
nearly 40 of the defendants also will
be present.
THE SOUTH THE BEST PLACE AF
TER ALL.
At the banquet of the "Greater
Charlotte Club," and by the way, Char-.
lotte is a great city and her enterpris
ing folks are a fine example to follow
Mr. Richard Edmonds uttered a
beautiful sentiment.
Remember that as Mr. Edmonds
truly says, we are only husbandmen
here below and trustees of what is
put in our hands by the Great Giver
of every Perfect Gift whose servants
we are. Shall we be unprofitable
servants like the one who kept his tali,
ent in the napkin, or shall we go for
ward and make the most of the ma
terials in hand and our opportunities
as they present themselves?
"Men who have studied the weath
creating resources of the world," said
Mr. Edmonds, "great engineers, great
geologists, great authorities on agri
culture, on climatology and on pomol
ogy, will tell you that nowhere else
on earth is there a region so wonder
fully endowed by nature as the land
we call the South. Here are riches of
minerals, of timber, of waterpowers,
of . agricultural potentialties and of
climate combined into the harmon
ious whole, which give to this section
advantages of which earth has no du
plicate. As Southern men we are
trustees for the world for this rich
heritage. Unless we utilize these re
sources for the creation of employ
ment, for the turning of these buried
treasures into living wealth, bringing
blessings to mankind, we shall prove
false to the trust committed to us.
"Who saves his country saves . all
things,
And all things saved shall bless him,
Who lets his country die, lets all
things die.
And all things dying curse him."
New Bern, N. C, Dec. 30. John
Weddell, the seven-year-old son of Al
derman J. H. Weddell, was run over
yesterday afternoon on Hancock
street about 5:30 by an automobile
owned by Mr. C. W. Munger and
driven by a colored man. One wheel
passed over the- boy, who was placed
in the machine at once and taken to
a doctor's office, where it was found
that the left leg was broken between
the knee and ankle. .
'CSE-HE-BANGED-AT-'EM.
(With apologies to the author ot
Casabeanea.)
By G. W. Belk.
I.
The dog stood by the single bird.
For all the rest had fled;
The gentle breezes scarcely stirred
The broom straw near his head.
Yet silently and still he stood.
Awaiting the command,
For he was trained from puppyhood
Thus motionless to stand.
III.
"Hold, hold," the youthful sportsmaa
yelled,
As he puffed up the hill;
His brand new Hammerless he held.
And vowed that bird to kill
IV.
Hie on," he cried, the dog stood
there
As motionless as brass,
His keen nose pointing straight to
where
The bird hid in the grass.
i
V.
A step or two the sportsman took,
So eager for a shot,
And then a bunch of straw he shook,
But still the bird moved not.
'1
VI.
Hie on." impatiently he cried,
And fiercely stamped his boot.
The dog moved on as if he tried
To give him time to shoot.
VII.
A flutter then a thundering sound!
That bird oh, where was he?
Ask of the woodlands far around,
But, please, sir, don't ask me.
Wilson, N. C, Dec. 24, 1910.
CRAZED BY BROTHER'S DEATH.
Disastrous Termination of Christmas
Celebration in Bedford County.
Roanoke, Va., Dec. 30. Edward
Roy, aged forty, is dead, and his
brother, John Roy, aged forty-three.
is said to be mentally unbalanced and
n a serious condition, at their bache
or home in a remote section of Bed
ford county, as the result of a Christ
mas celebration. The two brothers
ived alone, and were inseparable.
After drinking a quantity of whiskey,
the men built a roaring log fire in
the wide fireplace of their home and
went to sleep while sitting In chai
near the hearth. Edward Roy fell into
the fire during the night and was hor
ribly burned before his brother was
aroused sufficiently to rescue him
from the flames. Edward Roy was
treated by Dr. A. Thurman, but died
of his injuries. John Roy, upon see
ing his brother's corpse, is said to
have lost his reason, and is being
cared for by neighbors.
E. B. Novill Appointed Enrolling Clerk
Raleigh, N. C, Dec. 30. Secretary
of State J. Bryan Grimes has apppint
ed E. B. Novill, of Cherokee county,
as enrolling clerk for the approaching
session of the General Assembly. He
has served as enrolling clerk now for
a number of sessions, and his experi
ence and efficiency have come to be
regarded as almost indispensable.
The work of the enrolling departmemt
has been under the immediate super
vision of the Secretary of State sine
1901, and this change has developed
quite a saving for the State, it 13
said, in addition to bringing about a1
system that has brought the work of
the department to a high degree of
accuracy. In economy the State Ifl
said to be getting the bills enrolled
n duplicate and with much greater
accuracy and more accessible vol
umes than ever before.
Schooner a Total Loss. '
Norfolk, Va.t Dec. 30 The four-
masted schooner Martha E. Wallace,
rom Fernandina, to New York, which
stranded near Lookout Inlet on the
North Caroiina coast, has proven a
total loss, and wreckers are stripping
her.
ginia has 51.1 people to the square
mile, according to census figures. Tke
figures for other Southern States fol
low: Kentucky, 57; Tennessee, 52.7;
West Virginia, 50.8; South Carolina,
49
7; North Carolina, 45.3; Georgia,
4; Alabama, 41.7; Mississippi, 38.8;
Louisiana, 36.5; Arkansas, 30; Texas,
14.8: Fflorida, 13.7.
-