North Carolina Newspapers

TIftife -VISITOR Ji JfTiiG 25 Cents a Month RALEIGH. N. C. SATURDAYJEVENING, MARCH 17, 1900. FIGHT OVER SALE OF THE CITY MARKET HOUSE WAXING HOT) j thing to any about the sale of the market Committee of Business Men Issue a Strong Statement Op v possing S?le MR. DREWRY ANSWERS MR. McDONALD house, but since I have been called out j by name iu Mr. McDonald's article, I feel I mat 1 vaouiil siuiu me wiieiiu uulu in iv- gard to his statements. He says some time ago "Mr. Drewry discovered that tho city owned 48" shares of Raleigh and Augusta Railroad stoc':, which was sold I for $6,000, whereas It is now worth $23,- U00 more, etc." The stock was considered worthless ond had- never drawn a divi dend. Very few people In Raleigh knew that the city owned it until Mayor Russ I found It among some cast away old pa pern. The title to the stock was cloudy I and the city authorities had never con- uMnpa,l it f,f nnv vnlnp. Even had the auditorium. City officers quarters are not tu It." See lb)'. Now everybody Willi sense enough to tell a buzzard knows that there will be but two words on every ticket, "For sale," ot "Against sale." and nil the rest of the Sale Committee's argument is rot. In deed ibis writer found at his residence today (where notoriously but one vote exists; two printed tickets, both "For sale." and a private circular In the namn o the mayor urging attendance al tho poJIs ;;nd voting, from which he infers a con piracy ot ihe Board of Aldermen tc force :i sale through the want of "Agalnsl sale" tickets at the polls, and other Im proper, if not unlawful expedients, just as the false cry of "no Increase of taxes. COL. JOHN S. CUNINGHAM WITHDRAWS He Believes That Each Member of the Party Should Yield His Own Wishes i.i the Interest of Harmony and Party Success. " tot i uise cry 01 nu inrrtiuf ui w,f. title lo tho stock been clear there j an(1 vmploymem of Idle labor" was used AND MAKES DECLARATION "FOR SALE"i or which . I was chairman, recommend, that the stock be sold If a reasonable 'A W. 8." 8aya Wanday Will be "the Last Chinee of the Bribe-Taking Negro and City Boodlers to Cross Palms" Other Hot flits AgaJnst Sale. Interest in the election to be held Monday on the sale of the market house is now at fever heat. It Is the sole topic of conversation on the street. Many business men hnvc been seen on the sub ject and they appear lo be aimost a unit against the (tale. Several communications, without the writers' names, have been received by this paper and were thrown In the waste basket. The writer's name must accom pany nil communications. j CIRCULARS ISSUED. I The following circulars have been sent out to the voters, white and eoloie-d. by the advoeateB of the sale: MARKET HOUSE PRIMARY. A primary election has been called by the Iloard of Aldermen of the city of Ral eigh, to he held- Monday, March 10. 1!0(, for the purpose of .getting an expression of Ihe people ou the sale of the present market house. It is earnestly desired that the entire vote of the city be polled, and you are hereby urged to go to the voting places in your ward on the day above mentioned, and by your vote express your views on the subject. This Is an important matter, and one which con cerns the interest of every citizen. The method adopted by the Hoard seems to he fair to all concerned, so do not fail to avail yourself of the opportunity now given. We shall expect and look for you at your voting place on election day. THE FOLLOWING ARE THE VOTING PLACES: First and Second Divisions of the First Ward, at the Capital Engine House- First and Second.. DivAeitus of. the, Sec ond Ward, at the Victor Engine House. First and Second Divislcnn of the Third Ward, nt Jones' Warehouse. First and Second Divisions of the Fourth Ward, at the City Lot. A. M. POWELL. Mayor. TO THE PUBLIC. The Joint Committee on Auditorium and from the Chamber of Commerce met this morning to consider certain objections urged by some of our citizens to the reso lution of the Board of Aldermen In regard to a sale of the present market tuse. and It was thought best to make a state ment to the public of the proposed pur poses in event the market house is sold. Tho Board of Aldermen have wisely or dered the primary for the l!Hh. and It Is provided in the resolution that no bid less than $50,000 she be received at the sale. The primary was ordered ta lake tho sense of the people of the city, and the purpose intended In the resolution Is to use the money in building an audi torium and a new market house. The money cannot be used for any other pur pose, and in the opinion of those who arc capable of Judging the amount to be rocelvcd from the sale of the market house will supply the city with a large and commodious-auditorium and nn up-to-date market. It is intended that the Board shall se cure options upon property In addltiwt to those already taken and when the loca tions are decided upon then the ,clly will proceed with the work. It was never in tended that the city should be for one moment without a market, and of courss the Board, 1n the event of sale, will re tain possession of the present market house until a new one Is erected. The thing that is uppermost In Ihe minds of all of us Is an auditorium as well as a new market, as It la a serious question whether we can longer retain public gatherings and conventions in our city. The thousands of people who would gath er hero each year, had we sufficient ac commodations, makes It a matter of first importance that we should at once pro ceed with this necessity. If the old mar tot House is sold It will tinea .upon tax list of the city large and va uab property, and the rents from the auditori um and the new market will necessarily amount to much mere than . ho : reoe dv ed at present, and therefore the sa le will not only benefit the public by hav ng an nudltorium and new market but It villi be from a financial standpoint, of con siderable Interest lo the city treasury, thus relieving e"MMITTEE. whatever njid Sin. Oil ner share was eon-1 lawful covenant, and both know city a mayor's office, a clerk . widered a big price for it on the New York There is not a particle of ihe pretended :tor's office, an office for Ihe ' and Baltimore stock markets. Mr. B. S. safeguard thrown around the proposed Jermnn. In behulf of a Baltimore syndl-, ai" oi .Metropolitan nan. ami ne ,ume-i ADDRESS TO VOTERS Business Me Calmly DIkbsb the Sale of . the Market The undersigned Committee appointed by a meeting of the business men of the" clty of Raleigh to give reasons why they oonose the sale of tho market house, de sire to call the attention of their fellow citizens to certain facta In connection wth ?he propoeed election, which induce them to protest against It and to suggest that all thoM who are In favor of conser iative and economical government to go to the poU yte a,nl,t B,e-' ELECTION ILLEGAL.' Tbe .dmlttedlT -ItieBW'-. ? - and cast their voles against it. IS $50,000 AN ADEQUATE PRICE? The market house paid the city last year in cash for the rent of stalls alone $3,200. This Income is over C per cent nn $.".0,000. In addition the building fur nishes to the and lax collect city surveyor, a station house, a loca tion for the town clock and a large base ment for the apparatus and hatterl-; of the fire alarm system. A very fair ami conservative estimate of the rent.il value of these offices 13,1100 per month or II. 2u0 per year. In addition thereto Metro politan Hall,, the last year It i run pr.ld $1,400. This makes a total Incom" from the building of $i.K0O, or U pel cent, on $!iG,666.6Gti. CERTAINTY VS. UNCERTAIN TT. The proposed sale means g'.vln; up a certain income of $.'1,200 -asli and the various aud necessary city offices for the uncertain returns from a new n'ai k.'t and nn auditorium. COST OF IMPROVEMENTS THROWN AWAY. During the past few year:) ni.it:' ex pensive Improvements have been put upon the building. The market ha 'teen re modelled and a new cemcnl floor laid; the station house has been rono'need and a large eoal tin and ohulc built: ,lelr. -nullum Hall has been refuted villi chairs: the mayor's otfi: ? has been over hauled nml a metal v;lin.' put up; the clerk's office has tioen remodel lc:. A sale would mean that the money spent fur all these iiuprn'. emerts would b" ab solutely thrown away. DEPRECIATION OK PROPERTY iNI) INCREASED TAXI'S. The removal of the market Iio.'i.e means a decrease lu vV.u-s of, all propettv fiom the Capitol to t'.ie po-itoh'ice and a proportionate deerea-te in 111" amount 'f taxes collected thorof :-o:.i, which deficit must be made good by an increased rUt of taxation on all . Iiv property. AMPLY LUCID?. The present building is large enough Though Raleigh has iner ;.re-l p. pope. li'tlon greatly In :h-' '.isi few yars. It has not held its iwn as .. pro pi. mar ket. If the present building w.-n larf.e enough when the cotton receipts were 7." (K!0 bales, it out;ht certainly to be. large enough now when ihe receipts of that sta ple are about one-fourth of the former amount. STALLS, RENTED WITH DIFFICULTY. It in well known that it Is with ditVirnlty that the city finds lessees for all of the stalls, ami, in order to retain the ten ants, finds it necessary to reduce the renis each year during the simian r months from 20 lo 25 per cent. EXCHANGE PLACE AND MARKET STREET RARELY CROWDED. It is also equally true, that will, H." exception of ihe brief period of t no melon season, the streets around and leailirf: to the market are never un-1'.il..' ero.Mie?i. - LITICATION CERTAIN. The proposed sale will unipiestior..iidy lead to long and expensive litigation, as adjacent property owners can hardly be expected to sit supinely by and sec tnoir properly and business irrpambly iajmv l and destroy Ml without resort to t he e iris. NEED OF AN AUDITORIUM. The reason given for the sale the ne.-d of nn auditorium is no reasoo at ijt An auditorium can and doubtless will be built as a private enterprise. If It appears profitable. If it not profitable, the city should not be empowered to sink public money in such a scheme so long as present high rate of taxation is neces sary. It la unwise to sell property for the specific purpose nf obtaining other prop erty until the cost and location of such ether property has been determined, for the Aldermen might not select a new lo cation that would lie convenient to greater number of our citizens.. It might be Impossible to obtain such a site. The money might not build the proposed build ings ulter the property owner lias ob tained a fancy price tor his lot. It might bo necessary to destroy expensive bulld i,i irs in order to obtain a proper location. We rught In be informed to vote intcl 1 llgently, where Is It going lo be built and what is It going to cost? Otherwise we are "going it blind." and for this reason alone should vote against the sale. CITY HALL VS. AUDITORIUM. If the present building Is a good Invest ment .Is large enough and is conveniently located, the need of an auditorium does not seem to be a sufficient reason for selling. , , Jas. H. Robblns, Jno. W. Cross David Berwanger. A. B. Hawkins. W. C. Hol man W. A. Myatt, Job P. Wyatt, A. L. Bailey, J. Hal Bobbitt, W. C. Stronach, E. V. Denton. Jas. A. Uriggs. Sam T. Smith. W. B. Mann, A. B. Stronach. C. M. Bus, u. n T. Johnson, Geo. W. Norwood, Julius Lewis, Jno. V. Smith, C. A. Hart, H. E. Caudle. J. D Ball, Committee. price could be obtained. Mr. McDonald j was a member of the Board and voted i for the recommendation, as the action of the Board was unanimous. The Finance j Committee, of which Mr. McDonald was , a member, look the matter up and I re member Mr. McDonald was very active In his efforts to sell the stock. I was also a member of the Finance Committee ami Mr. J. IT. Boushall was Its chairman. It un somen time before we got a bid. . I as there was no demand for the stock to carry the $:0,000 anil $100,000 appro prlatinns in the recent past. The first was Intended to silence the taxpayers, and the last was to enich the negro vote, and It did the business for both. The taxpayers staid at home and curses the tax collector whll" the negro took SJs bribe and voted a debt of $l".(i.000 upon the city, of which he pnys next to nothing but he hasn't yet seeu the promised employment. Both will probably do it again next Monday, but titanic goodness it will be Ihe last chance (if the bribe taking negro and the city boodlers to cross palms or mingle breath in unlawful t. cate finally offered us $12.T,0 per share t II was some lime before we go', a bid. j price at that time, and the Finance Com nilltee, of which Mr. McDonald was n member, decided unanimously to sell at that price. It seems unfair under these circumstances, for Mr. McDonald to at tempt to place all of the blame for selling this stock upon my shoulders. No one could look into the future at I hat time and see in advance the consolidation of the Oreater Seaboard Air Line Railroad, and the adoption of a more progressive policy by that road, which caused tho. stock to advance. It was ooc of those chances which every business man has to take in his own private as well as puhllc affairs. Mr. MeDcnnld states that I am presi dent of the company that bid $40,000.00 for the market house. That statement la true, but I do not believe any right-thinking man will contend Hint because I bold stock in a corporation It should not enter into open and fair competition wllh others in bidding on property to be Bold in the city of Raleigh at public auction. la regard to the proposition in general to sell the old city market house iu order j lo get a better one and build an audito rinm. I w ish to slate that It has not been I my purpose to do anything contrary to j the wishes of the people. I think the ! Hoard of Aldermen has demonstrated this fact very clearly In deciding to have the whole matter settled by a vote of the people. If ihe prople vote acainl the sale, that ends the mntter. If they vote lo sell, the Board of Aldermen 111 accord ance with Us action, will proceed to selec t a suitable site for another market, or two sites probably. One for a market In the northern part of the city nml one in the southern part but all these matters will be left to the people as near as the sentiment can be obtained before any ac tion is taken by the Board to sell the rreacnt market ho;:se. The Board of Al dermen Is representing the people and our desire is to protect the interest of the cily and register the will of the ma jority. Believing honestly as I do that the time tins come In the history of our city when the needs of the people demand a lar ger and a better market house. I am In favor of moving forward and think it would be good policy for the city to s:dl Ihe old market house in order to build a new one. I think it is the only way lo get an auditorium, and with an auditor ium and a new market house, it will be a long step forward in the progress nt our city. 1 did not want to have anything to say aboul the matter, and remained out of the city in order to avoid any active par ticipation, but for having been singled out personally I would have taken no part, always being willing to abide by the will of the majority of the people. The Hoard of Aldermen are supposed to be good business men and we are net going to act foolishly. We now have op tions on nearly every good site in Ihe city. I bellev that we can dispose of Ihe old market for enoitsh to buy sites and build two good market houses, both of which will be superior td the one we now have. I hope that all of the people will turn out and vote cither for or agalnsl Ihe sale. I want lo see a full and free expression of Ihe will of the people. JOHN C. DREWRY. March 17th, 1M)0. :nHfrufttOwSWOcslhhy ..C . 0 .. ..' Hen. John S the Democrat i Cunningham. Gubernatorial lb behind it do not merit the "vote of con fidence" so improvident ly solicited. They are the same parlies who called for a new registration on the street nppronvtoi tion because there was a recent full reg istration already, which they knew would defeat ihelr scheme, and they could carry It with a new registration because only the ntreet gang, bribed negroes and a lew taxpayers would register for a local election a majority of which determined the (iiiestinn. even though no taxpayers voted. If any taxpayer has not. already, let him now consider for a moment of the effect or the proposed sale of Metropoli tan Hall. It now contains the city market, the auditorium, mayor's oft ice. uoliee station, city Jail, office of chief of doIhc and health officer, lax collects and city clerk, rooms In ihe east end of the basement aud third story of west end used for storage, a clock tower aud two side streets all recently put in prime order at great expense. The market alone with now and then a pittance from an ill-managed auditori um, pays over $:;,D0. rents per annum. If we hell the building the side streets go with it and will be closed: the market youiil be lurneil out doers with all of the city officers so can-fully Ignored by the Sale Committee, and 1 defy anybody to show that the city ecu, Id provide for them furbished quartern for less than $fi,00n, aciOr wiping out the auditorium. It would take the annual interest on $1C",-O'-O of State bonds nt their present price to pay that sum for their quarters every year, aud il wiil scarcely be deulc-d thai if it costs $u, OuO per annum without the auditorium, to provide the quarters now furnished by Metropolitan Hall then Vi-Mwol'nan Hall is vorth to the tax payers nf the cily the principal sum which would be required to be invested in government bonds .to produce that amount annual Interest, lo wit. $105,000. Does any man suppose thai the city will be able to sell al half thai sum? But suppose we sell at half the sum. or the entire sum is It n drop in lb bucket of that which must Inevitably follow in natural sequence? A great new city hall for the city government MOO. 000. An elaborate auditorium to seat .1,000 people about every two years. $.10,000. A city market covering at least one acre. $50. 000. A cily police station and jail, $25. 0e0. Lfiw suits over the side streets. $5,000. Furniture, sundries, pickings and stealings. $2fl.oo0--tolal. $250,000. That is what we will come to in ten years. If you don't believe It-Jtist cut this out and keep it for thai time and If not true I I'll eat It. If we arc Itching for more debt and taxes, why not remodel cv rebuild the Metropolitan Hnll widen It out fifteen feet on each side put the stairway in the centre, move the market to the rear, or out of the building If you will; the city offices in front as now, and a great audi torium behind il as now 70x150 feet of iloor space large enough to seat every ihinir thin will enter It for the next hun dred years al $.;..otw it. who has been one of ihe two leading candidates for nomination, and who It is believed by many, might l..l.A . ... ,t,A rna tn th yet succeed In receiving that honor, nas neeiueci to :. interest of party success, and especially to aid the Constitutional Amendment, if such action on his part will have that effect. The letter of withdrawal, which was given out today, is as follows: TO THE PEOPLE OF NORTH CAROLINA: Cuningham. N. C, March 1C, 1S00. To the Editor: 1 believe the success of the Democratic- party this year is para mount to the ambition of any man. and that each member of the party ought to yield his own wishes in the interest of unanimous action. 1 think it is also Important that the candidate for Governor, who is rightly re garded as the leader of the party, should be selected as far as possible without contest and with practical unanimity. Holding these views and desiring always to do what it: besl for the party and the Slate, and believing what is the welfare of one is for the we lfare of the other. I have decided to withdraw from the race for Governor. 1 congratulate myself that in the contest which I have made. I have done noth ing to create any enmities, and that 'the friends of other candidates have been con siderate of me and of my frleDds. 1 have endeavored to conduct my campaign upon a high plane of political ethics, indulging in no unkind criticsm or harsh statements concerning any one. Every patriotic citizen must admit that Ihe success of then party In the coming campaign is more linportnut than Ihe triumph of any Individual, and that party success at this time should be placed highabove every other consideration. The Constitutional Amendment is nt Issue and 11 must be decided In favor of WHITE SUPREMACY. " My friends throughout the State have been loyal to me and they have labored In my behalf with effective earnestness and zeal. To them I am truly grateful, and It is to them that I turn with sincere pride and shall ever cherish their loyal support as the brightest page In the history of my life. They have waged a vigorous contest, and the assurances of support which I have received from many sources have been warm and encouraging. I deeply apprcinte every kind word they have spoken in my behalf and I feel they will understand my action in retiring from the race at this time, since I can assure then and the good people of North Carolina mai i am caaiuK cu.n s cause I believe thut it is in the interest of party harmony for me to do so. and be cause 1 think my retirement will in a measure simplify the situation and Increase to some extent our chances of party success. Every one who knows me will un derstand that my best services from now on. as they have always been In the past, will be at ihe command of the Democratic party, and I have never failed to enter Into the thickest of the fight whenever the principles of our party have been as sailed or white supremacy threatened. Very respectfully. JOHN S. CUNINGHAM. It was rumored this morning that such action would be taken by Col. Cuningham. col. Cuningham has many warm friends and supporters in this city and a number f these were spoken to regarding the inatier. One of his closest personal friends, speaking of the matter before the announcement of the. withdrawal, said: "If Col. Cuningham reaches the conclusion thai unanimous action. by the State convention would create more enthusiasm in the party ranks and would aid in the adoption of the Amendment. I know his unselfish and patriotic heart well enough to say this; "Even if he was certain lhal his chances of being" nominated were as good as those of any of his competitors, (and I believe ihey still are), he would not hesl- late to sacrifice his personal ambition on the altar of party success ana me puoi.e good. "Col. Cuningham loves his party and h is people with an intensity equalise, o, i . -3 ibi nkn lanos at una that uf few men In North Carolina, and you may rest au.c-c .....e, muvr... he takes in this matter, will be for Ihe public good and tho welfare of his par- . .... .. .. Amnnllm.,nC I tit whictl he iS SUCh Oil ty, as he sees It especially in o on .u m: - earnest advocatei, is concerned. 1 know that if he remained in Hie ra cc be would receive a vote on first ballot t if he was not nominated on that hallot . such as any son of .Norm i aro.tna mignt well feel proud to secure. But Col. Cuningham is for North Carolina aud the people ana ttieir Dest. in- -..i ,,,KU F..,n. ht,inc Rpcnndftrv matter terests first, his individuality mm mime,- e...... with him. and 1 can advise you to take that fact as the basis In crediting or not the report you allude to. Whatever course he lakes the people of North Carolina will not forget John S. Cuningham. in m y opinion, and tney can rei upon u.u. to work as he always has worked, for their interests and welfare." Then I'll vote t A. W. S. ZZ.-. . Aer aueh else- fnAvH no power w ' i emulation of election It u ie r - -;- ' tic NOT THE WAY Man Who Voles -For Sale" to Get Aud iloriun Throws Vote Away To the Editors of the Times-Visitor I was talking with a member of our Board of Aldermen on yesterday, aud told him that we needed nn auditorium, aud that I should vole for the sale of the market house If the Board would only let the people have knowledge of what was intended niter after the 'sale was made. He replied: "I have no light lo give on the subject. I do not know." I then informed him that 1 should do as many nthpia who were seeking light nna gei tincr n.m would do my vote would be ncrnlnst It. Alderman Gorman's reason for voting for sale was a clincher indeed. In his Interview he is reported as saying: The I people may vole for the sale if they wish i to, but the Aldermen win noi si-u em less thev think It advisable to dq so! Whoever heard of a Board of Aldermen "FOB SALE" OR "AGAINST SALE" "A. W. S. Answers Mr. Gorman and Stonily Opposes Sale. The Sale Committee of Ihe Board of Aldermen, over the signature of Maxwell Gorman, in tho mojjnlng papers of the 16th Inst, makes some startling announce ments anent the vote on the proposed sole of Metropolitan Hall, lo take place without a lawful reglstratiou of the tax- ; payers next Monday, of which the follow- I Ing is a just aud fair analysis, to wit: "(a) If a sale la ordered, the Hoard evlll do ns ihev nlease about obeying It. I (b) The question submitted Is not simply : submitting a question to the people to ...haihop ii ahitll bo sold hut whether It vnia imnn nml then snviug It don't HlN Carroll, Jesse G. DREWRY ANSWERS McDONALD Says Mr. McDonald Voted to Sell R. & A. ffi.l. E.. C.I I. to be HELD, howetef. a tU Tlme,.Vl.ltor: "."".r tto-Sli. :It was my purpose not to have any- shall be sold at public auction after wide advertisement, at a mlulmum price or $50,000, and more than any other man on earth will give for il. to secure a market house and auditorium building, which he believes tho proud, patriotic owners of sites will bestow upon the city free gratis any difference how - vJio: we shall do what we consider '..inn nesi iuierrai of the oily? Such ac'tion is unprece dented. There is a legal aspect of the audlto Hum question, which the man who votes n Mnnrinv should have in mine., auu -all of which Is aside and outside of the thai Is: Ha? a city the legal right to pending issue, and the rnly question Is (c.) a vote of confidence, whether you will trust the Board of Aldermen to disobey your mandate to sell what you don't want sold, (d) All those who are opposed ore a few silly, Trlvllous Incompetents, who fere beneath tho contempt of those In fa A'or of a sale! deserve no consideration and Will receive none, (c) We, the greaf. Selling Committee of the Board of Al dermen, lare the Immaculate Know-AUs, and we are going to do it that's flat! (f) What we want is a market house and huild n auditorium? Can It not be en Joined by a taxpayer from such use of Its money ? There can hardly be a doubt of this, at an auditorium is not a necessary public nvnntlM Th ntar therefore, who casts his ballot "for sale." with the expectation o hvln an auditorium built will more nice ly .he throwing his ballot away. At any rate he tflll vote to ge't the cily Into (Coatlnued on 8th Page ) KILLING FROST TOMORROW. For Raleigh and vicinity: Fair tonight: killing frost in the morning; Sunday fail, warmer. j The temperature has fallen considera bly throughout the Southern Maies easi of the Mississippi, and neiow ireeimg far south as Cent ral Georgia. I nc cold wave has not rearneit r iciriua. auu will not do so. As the area of high ba rometer Is now central over the Lint coast, whl'e a new depression exit e.-i Minnesota, the winds in the Ohio valley have shifted lo southerly with rising tem peratures. Fair weather continues in the South. Light snow is still falling al some northern stations. The lowest temperature was 2 degrees below zero at Marquctle. I HE LIKES TO WALK. I The Cape Fear Enterprise, which is published nt Holly Springs, in its issue of yesterday, has the following Item re garding the rector of the church of the Good Shepherd; "Rev. I. McK. Plltenger. D. D., ofRal eigh. was here Tuesday. There being no train at the right time, he declined the use of a horse, and walked to Apex." GREEN FLAG O'ER WINDSOR. London, March 17. Shamrock was every where In London loday. Every Englishman wears shamrock in his but tonhole. Omnibus drivers ride under Hie green flag. All for once turned red, white and blue into green. Every wher tribute Is being paid to Irish gallantry. The green Hag files at Windsor Castle. There was a great rush for CorvenJ. Garden this morning. The supply was soon exhausted. The sprays are bringing twenty-four to thiny shillings a doze It Is estimated during the week that MAFEK1NG RELIEVED? London, March 17. It is persistently re ported here that Mafeklng has been re lieved. The war office does opt confirm the report, but It conies from sources deemed authoritative. Dispatches from Burghersdorf state that Commandant Olimer evacuated his position in front of Ihe British, north of Orange River, and several Boer sur rendered. READY TO SURRENDER. London, March 17. The British "om maneler al Basuloland says that e Ight hundred Boers from llloeintonieln nrri,ect there. A big contingent from Aliv.al North is only walling terms of the Brit ish proclamation to surrender. It In also rumored that President Steyn is willing to surrender. London. March 17. The surrender of Lady Gray was due io a ruse of a few loyalists, who notified the rebels that Major Hook had ordered the surrender St the town by five o'clock. The rebels com plied. The loyalists immediately dispatch ed a messenger to Inform Major Hook of Ihe situation. Meanwhile the Union JacK was raised and the rebels were instructed to salute It. The loyalists were picketed in the town until the force of Hook ar rived. London. "March 17. In resporso to Rob erts' proclamation lour hundred Cv.iego Free Staters surrender y. sterday. London. March 17. -"r"i. IPil'.er's f iutK are in constant touch vSih the Haers ac an Beneu's Pass aud Dlggarsburg Range. They report toe liners In a strong force in that, neighborhood. London. March 17. I'. is credinly re I urted that three -innrters al Ihe Orange l'rce State troops "uavi- returned to their farms. The Orauge Free State burgbcra who are holding out ars said - no poor whites, who have nothing t lose. THILADONIANS ENTERTAINED. twentv tons of genuine Irish shamrocK and sixty tons of clover has been sold. New York, Marcn n.-i up - and Ea McGee enter. day was expected to exceeo aii pi -mou0- phtindoninn Club at their ones on St. Patrick s Days T, .? home, corner of Edcnton and Dawson was under the ead o the Ancient Orde . We of Hibernians. Street Commissioner Na- . 0amo" was played and. gle has cleared the entire route oi ne - Wnners. those guessing the heavy snowfall. The Sixty-nlntU lias me right of line. There are forty-seven other divisions. most bocks, were Miss Ethel Waltt and Mr. Early Hughes. They were presented with a beautiful volume each. Mr. Ed ward Cole won the booby, an A, 11, C COTTON. I Book. Mr. Miller Hughes won a prise New York, March 17. Cotton: March,' for drawing the best stork. Mlsa N. 57- April 9.57; May, 9.34; June, 0.46; Hutchings presented the pines, uencious August, 9.37. refreshments were served. (Be VRravi m""" t .'--.r- - - - - - - ...