Newspapers / The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, … / May 9, 1897, edition 1 / Page 3
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- r-; , DATLY CHARLOTTJB OBSERVER MAY 9, 1897. " - ..A-'?. fTHE BATTLE OF MISSLNLOXGHL GREECE'S BIRCGGLEjj IS TOE PAST. Ail Entertaining Sketch Fpon a Bnbject mt PersUu Iotemtal the Present Time Grecian History. ' The present crisis In Greece gives an added Interest to the modern battle fields of that historic country. Mara thon," Salamis, Cheronea, Thermopylae are more familiar to the average reader than Missinlonghi, Soule, Nevarino and Servenaki, and yet the battle of Mm- calonghi was as bravely fought, against ; tremendous odds as that of Marathon. ; and the defence of the Pass of Der- ivonaki deserves to rank with that of j Thermopylae. As the train from Kryoneri enters the handsome new brick depot at Missi jionghi, the stranger recognizes the place iby the name, MESSOL.OSSJON, writ ien in large Greek capital-?. This is not ,the case at all Greek way stations, for ome of the smaller towns retain the iname the Turks gave them. For in stance, the charmingly situated old city of Aegion, where the Achaian League first met. is known throuirhnut the Alorea as ostitza. But Missilonghi ihas no Turkish taint, except that htrr etreets nave been three times drenched v.ith the biod of the Sultan's soldiery. During last summer and fall I watch ed the sun set behind the olive proves and hiils of Messolonghi every evening for several weeks before I found it con venient to make a long-desired pilgrim age to a shrine, far more sacred in the eyes of every Philhellene than that of Mecca is to the Turk, and to place Wreath of flowers, gathered from the fertile gardens of the Morea, on the pedastal of the monument which marks the spot where the heart of Lord By ron is turiei. Mis oody was taken to England, excepting his heart, which at his own request, v. as interred in th land for which he died. It is appro prlate that the spot selected should have been about the centre of the great uaiue-ni ia or i::. tnis soldiers cem etery Is 1'P.e of the most interesting in the world. The monument to Byron was erecua m IbM. lht- figure of th poet and soldier is carved from a solid Ulock of white r.enti-lican marble. It is a coliossal in pizv. and stands on a ped astal on -which is inscribed a record of his services to Greece. The resemblance to the bust portraits of Byron is per fect, and over t!." uniform is thrown the grateful folds of a topa, which re lieves the traditional stiffness of all military statues. Around the monu ment oleanders, pepper trees, palms and cacti grow in tropical profusion, b'jt what one first notices are the burst canon, shattered shells and spent bails that are allowed to remain as they were found after the last awful fight. Tiic elfect is not inartistic, and it is very iggestive. At some distance to the left of Lord Byron is the simple, altar like tomb of Marcos Bozzaris, who fell Int the battie of Missilonghi, August iOjh, 1823. pn the other sine of Byron is a mau soleum erected to the memory of the thousands of Creeks who fell in the battle of April ::nd, 125. when hordes of Turks swarmed down from the mountains and reduced the Greek gar rison y famine. These three are the only notablemon urhents in the Ir.rgv ' oemeterv. It is singular, but it is u fact that this is the or4iy pla e in Mis!ioi.ghi that is clean arjd well kept. A iJr-.-r -r k-e,-.-r is inj constant att- rd j::. and. as .Missi longhi i one . f tin- ta-tin garrisons i f tht Kingdom, it is. the favorite ioung.rv T'lice of the so!di.rs when no; on duly. Gijoups of recruits -re drinking cif fe and playing games at llttie round tables under the Fh.-.de trees in one of the cemof ry. Three sides of this u.iiqu- burial p!ac are enclosed by a sub-tantial and hasndsome iron railing. The fourth en closure is nothing b ss than the w all of the famous fortifU at ions behind which tlip Greek heroes fought when two thousand On eks repelled an attack of twenty thousand Turks. The port holes for the canon are st:il there, and while one or two of the i,,:.g. old fahi-.n-d glins are still in their plac-s and pointed towprd Turku- in Europe many of them are lying pr. n- on th- irroitmi. rusty, half cov.-r.-d with gras and catti. The torn fragments of the wall as" well as the l,attn d cannon and "","rl1 !-o-us ail-si in.fiay in- Vlg" and the bravery with h hi h ihf breast OI KS W re ri. :-::,.-( naJ idea anil sink s culiarly Greek. One enters this eei; ful imn '.neivay that shaded. Il'uvor-li.nir most conspicuous ol, barely missed one shoal and had not rounded the Ions, dangerous point which stretches far out Into the A contrary wind was rolling mighty Ml lows against us, and as one sailor per sisted in taking bis siesta, we gave up the expedition to Missilonghi and turned our faces toward Kryoneri again. ,ln a short time we were once more under the shadow of the mighty mountains of Aetolia. v e were cordial ly welcomed at Kryoneri. and the rest dent population was reinforced by sev eral peasants from the mountains, who had heard during the day of the three "nabobs" sailing in the small boat fly log the American ensign. We dined at the same table with an increased au dience and drank to King George. Gro ver Cleveland, Greece and America with a lot of peasants, et cetera, in a gl of "Samian" wine. We had been invit ed to spend the night with the Greek commandant at Rhlon. Rhion and Anti-Rhlon are two castled towns that command the narrow entrance to the Cor-.nthian Gulf. The sunset was perfect as we set out. The mountains were radiant with that royal purple glow of wnich the old Greek poets neve tired of singing. The sky was "one un clouded blaze of living light." and the beacon fires of the shepherds of the Morea v ere lit on the hills as far as the eye could rear-h. But the wind had lulled and a strange calm rested on the darkenlr.g water. The Greek sailors had taken to their oars. Progress was too low- for a party over whose heads the Stars and Stripe fluttered, and the consul. Englishman and I almost simul taneously decided to adopt an obsolete method of raising the wind and "whis tle" for it. We stood up in th slow- moving boat and "whistled" lustily The Greek sailors strongly disapproved of the proceeding. It was almost sac rilege in their pyes. They preferred tc row all night to this trifling with the winds t aat swrpp around the Gulf of Patras in unbridled fury when they start to blow. e did not know this and we smslea at their fears as we whistled all the more loudly. Boreas l-.olus, Arcturus and Hesperus see.n to have heard the call fit m their caverv in th mountains, and by the time the blue in the west had been succeeded by th" sudcen twl light of the Levant, the waters around i1 were white with foam. The boat bounded over the con Rtantly swelling waves. A squall was upon us. Awe-struck and silent, we flew over the foaming water, prepared any moment to come in collision with one of the many currant steamers which throng the Gulf of Patras. for the Gif-ks - ! forgotten to bring their lamp. V,"hen the winds are hushed and the clea- sky of Attica Is reflected on Its crystal surface. I know of no body of water more placid than this roman tic Gulf but. when there Is a strong blow from the Corinthian Gulf orlcniar. sea. the uir or Patras, bounded on both sids by high mountains, forms a basin through which the winds career with tei ific violence. It forms a kind of natural funnel not unlike the shape of a cloud which bears the cyclone n Its bosom. The gale from the Corin thian G ilf became so fierce that to wards rrldnight we rel".Mavir- lifieii our prow toward Patras in 1 iust be fore the bells of th :ilr ul'1 ". 1 w nto-ed ,ta hospital. v breakwater alive, very muh to our surprise, f ir vo hd been In imminent danger fir six !! ais. The "Maid of Athens" .'.as a maiden of Missilonghi. There are many - -o-ies current among the peasants, of Lord Byron's chivalry and braverv and self- muinnd while he lived in this part of Greece. A Greek soldier of Missilonghi Id rre "hat it was worry and not ma laria that killed T.ord Byron. He made strenuous exertions to organize the Greek fo-ces, and when lving in his un pleasant quarters In the unhealthy place, the petty commanders intruded numbers into his bed-room and ac tually threatened htm with violence un- s he- should threaten to give them the prominence they desired. He order ed a grojp of Suliotes out of his room with rare self-possession, when he was -'ck in hod with fver and exhaustion. He loved thf Island of Cephalonia and the city of Patras. but cordially dis- ikfd the location of Missilonchi. He remamer there only from military ne- essitv. To-day he is idolized through out Greece. To-day he would be Kla.1 to know that he would have to retract he Sent ment. as an or 1-eing tery by a grar-e-oommands a long r-d avenue. The -Ot half Wn v T.oen mis avenue is the Byron monument. In the distant perspective is the bt . ken outline of the historic breast-works. Byron's eyes s-. in to be looking toward the mainland of the M..r-a. bet we.-n v. hi. h and Missilonghi is an arm of (he matchless blue loni:,r. Sea. Far-off tow ers the triple-p. ak-l Krymanthos. one of the most striking of the many moun tains the tourist sees throughout the Hellas. In the distance are Cepha Jonia, Zante. Ithaca and Leukas. Fur ther still gleam the marble towers of the busy and beautiful city of Patras. netled against a background of pic turesque mountains and made more at tractive by the quaint Venetian cat-tie on the highest hil'-tDp. This view ar.d the cemetery are all that tempt one to linger in Missilcnghi. The town is filthy In the extreme. The. location is on a marshy lowland and malarial f-vtrs are always epidemic. The soldiers who are compelled to remain here suffer greatly from these fevers, in spite of the constant exercise they take in long drills very day. There is no drainage, and dirt and dt nse ignorance, or utter disregard of the law.s of hygiene, are apparent everj where. The Journey fr-m Patras to Missi longhi in the orthodox way is v-ry pleasant. About 7 in the mor ning you board the little steamer "Cilydon" and In three hours you are across the beau tiful Gulf of Patras and in the an-i.-nt Kingdom of Caiydon. where a Queen Cieopatra reigned at the time of the Trojan war. The hamlet where you land is now called Kryoneri. It is at the foot of the mountain behind which the famous Kaledonia boar hunt of Meleager began. At Kryoneri you take the train for Missilonghi, stopping en route at Agrinion. The railroads of Greece are all good, and were built at the instance of M. Tricoupis. who com menced his career as a Member of Par liament from Missilonghi. where he was born. There Is a "Hotel Byron" in Missi longhi We tried to patronize it. but lacked the courag- after entering. A courteous officer directed us to the "best" restaurant in the town. Here we found good roast lamb and delicious wine, but we could net eat for the swarms of fii-g that besot us. Finally, we went to the cemetery, -n here, seated on a dismantle, t cannon, under the shade cf a fragrant pepper tree, we en joyed a biscuit and a bunch of grapes I have described above what was seen on a second pilgrimage to Missilonghi. The first was a failure in one sense but. although we- never got to Missiloni hi. it turned out to be a most interesting and somewhat dangerous adventure. One balmy summer morning, in company with the American consul at Patras an i an English gentleman who had spent the most of his life in the Levant. I started for Missilonghi in sail boat own. ed and managed by two Greek sailors frm Ithaca. We intended to spend several days fishing along the coast af ter we had visited the Byron monu ment. The Greeks did not have ballast enough in their boat, but we reinforced it with two big hamper baskets full of provisions and a two-gallon demijohn of wine. The wind was against us fr6m the start and we did not reach Kryoneri in time to catch the train for Miss.longhl. A three-hours' sail on salt water had made us hungry, however, and we found a table on which we spread an elaborate luncheon. Attend ed by the population of Kryoneri, six dogs and an army of fleas, we satisfied our hunger. We drank to the prosperi ty; cf Hellas in a glass of mastica with the population, fed the dogs, and on re turning to the boat, found that while we had been dispensing hospitality aqd good cheer to the several inhabitants of Kryoneri, our Greek sailors, the com patriots of the faithful Ulysses, had been further lightening our meagre bal lat by quenching their thirst too fre uently from the demijohn of wine we had left in the boat. But. as the train had long since left Kryoneri. there was no way to reach Missilonghi but to brave the waves and tack along the coast until we anchored in the harbor of the historic town. So, we unfurled the Stars and Stripes at our masthead, loosed the sails and tacked in vain for five hours- The sun of the late after nlop had hgun to gild the peaks of; Erymantha, we had struck one rock, I "Tis Greece. Hat living Greece no more." Even in Missilonghi, where the hard est battles were won. there are signs tevivai. i nrougnout the Peleponessos and mountain fastnesses, which a few years aeo echoed the shrill signal o lawless brigands, now thunder back th roll of the wheels of the Iooomotiv drawing long trains of cars fiiled with tourists and students from all parts c the worlri. The flag of rejuvenated H I las. striped like our own, but with blue w nere ours is red. ana a gopicn clown wncre our galaxy of stars cluster, floats proudly to-day from the Tliessalia frontier to the southern-most boundar of gallant and warlike Crete. CHARLES EDWAHD LLoYD THE SPRING IN WASHINGTON. CKVKS OF un AND ANIMATION. cans says that he does not really ob- DEPARTMENT. tain i per cent- oi ine omces ougni y him. This average undoubtedly holds rood, prrpnt In extreiru rues. There is no end to the tide of applicants, xney I uonmncsea j vn" Tfce Inflow ef the Office-Seeker Attracted to Washington Uk the Swamp Beetle to the Uleetrie Ufbt-Hon the Appli cants for Office Fnre nt the Vnrlonn De partment Slim Chances nt Ever Door The Office-Seeker Is Poor nod Fifty Cents a ight is A bant Ills Limit. Correspondence of the Observer. Washington. May 8. The long winter has gone. The month of blossoms has returned. Washington is again one great, bowl of vivid verdure. Its soft balmy atmosphere is once more ladened pour into the city with every train, their faces alight with fond anticipa tions. The same train bears back men with downcast features the army of the disappointed. Thus it is that spring opens in Wash- I ngt on. n at ure and politics keeping pace in excitement and animation. Over all stands the robust, if not majestic, flg- ureof Thomas B. Reed, resting its hand upon the gavel of the House. He treads the pathway of destiny, unruffled by the murmurs of his political opponents. and deaf to the plaintive wailings of a few partisans who disagree with him. with perfume. Its magnolia and tulip wlu apff,nt the committees of the apprehension. Charlotte Iter. MUNICIPAL. BONDS A STARTLING AND FAR REACHING DECISION. If we fully understand the import of the decision of the Supreme Court of North Carolina in the case of the city of Charlotte vs. Shepard, rendered last week, then we do not hesitate to say that no decision more important has emanated from that court in twenty years, and when the holders of munic ipal bonds issued b counties and cities in North Carolina come to a full reau zation of what has been decided by the court there will be some Just cause for MOODY'S TKIUUTK TO DSIllUtlMl The Great Thinker anil Writer l ived Con Mtaiitf.v in the Th i rf ceii t h of I. I'firinfltl nn A nelpr-il an. I Kind.'y Mn. i) I.. M. .! in H. .s.r.l of hrj-M,, v..tU It semftimes happens 'hat a man. ir. giving to the worli th-- truths lha hate most influenced his life, uncon sciously writes the trust kind of character sketch. This was so in in case of T-lenry Drummoml, and words of mine can better describe hi life or character than these In whi. 1 he has presented to us. 'The Oreate. Thing in the World." Peine men tak an ocras onal Journey into the 13th o I Corinthians, but I-nry Drummoi; lived there constantly, appropriating i blessings and exemplifying Its teach ings. As you read what he terms th analysis cf love, you find that all its in gredients were interwoven Into his laiiy lire, manmg him one of the most lovable men I have ever known. Was it courtesy you looked for? He was : perfect gentleman. Was it kindness h was always preferring another? Wr it humanity? He war- simple and n courting favor. It could be said o him truthfully, as it was said of th - early Apostles, "that men took knowl edge of him. that he had been wit' Jesus." Nor was this love and kindness onl shown to those who were close frier, ; His face was an index to his inner iif- It was genial and kind, and made him llKe his Master, a favorite w.th chil dren. He could be the profound philos opher or the learned theologian, but I know he preferred to be the sinir fiiend of children and youth NVv have I known a man who. in my opj un. lived nearer the Master or sought to -Jo His will more fully. I well remember our first meeting in Edinboro. 25 years ago. He was still a divinity student in the Univer sity, but he generously gave himself to aiding me in every possible way. There was nothing that he would not under take to do to h'-lp spread the evangel istic work among his friends in the University, and later on he began spe cial meetings for young men in various towns in Great Britain. The friendship thus begun has been strengthened ever since, not only by his lovable nature, but by the great blessing God has used him to be in my own life. Never have I heard Henry Drummond utter one unkind or harsh word of crit icism against any one. He was a man who was filled with love for his fellow men, because he knew by experience something of the love of Christ. He was one of the easiest men with whom to work, for he thought more of the common onject than of aught else. The news of his death has brought a sense of the deepest loss to all his friends in every part of the world. He was a man greatly beloved, and my own feelings are akin to those of David on the death of Jonathan. But although the life on earth is ended. God has call ed his servant higher to a sphere of greater usefulness. And when at last we meet again before our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, whom we both loved and served together In years gone, we shall no longer "see through a glass darkly; but then face to face. and things which we could not see alike here below we shall fully know in the light of His countenance, who brought our Uvea together and blessed them with a mutual love. A Progressive Bntse. trees are in bloom. Its newly leafed trees again shadow its smooth avenues and its parks and circles are freshened with roses and beds of rare flowers All is life and animation. Sparrows twitter in the marble plinths of the Corinthian columns adorning the cap itol, and robins dart here and there over the bright green sward below the marble esplanade. The aeollan notes of the red-winged black-bird lioa above the Botanic Garden, and the hoarse cawing of crows is heard as they wing their flight from their feeding grounds along the East Pctomac, to their roosts in Virginia. Grim beetles uglier than helgramites. fly to the city from the neighboring swamps and en circle the electric lights at night, cast ing ominous shadows over the pave ments. Nature s spring awakening spurs wheelmen to renewed activity. With 00 miles of asphalt and macadamized roads at their command, they shoot over the ground like swaliovs on tht wing. Girls and boys, women and men they troop around the corners in pla toons and divisions. At night, from the plateau at the capitol. their tiny lights gleam ir. ail directions. They sprinkl Pennsylvania avenue like fire-flies. It sidewalks are carpeted with shadow ret-worx by the brilliancy of the elec tric light: delicate tracery, limning ev ery fresh twig and leaf In the foliage above. Nor is Nature alone animated. Up from the South, East and West springs the office-seeker. Like the swamp beetle he has seen the effulgence of the electric lights reflected in tha sky. and he Is here, circling around the name singeing his wings. He makes fully as much noise as the crows and black birds, and is quite as active as tht robin and sparrow in gathering straws to thatch his nest. Vet his presence has not restored the era of prosperity. The imini-us sign. "Furnished rooms to let more thickly sown than evier. Th are more houses to let and for sale in Washington to-day than ever before. The ofnee-seeker is poor. Fifty cents night seems to be his limit. A few of he wealthy are quartered at the hotels which are full to overflowing, but the vast majority are seeking the cheapest odgings Most (f the choice places are already re-empted, and there appear to tie m others. The civil service law standn ike a stone wall in the way of the place hunters. The cannot get over it. under t or around it. They must drive them selves against it. At places the wall is weak, and appears to be giving away The most cf these weak places are said te :n the Treasury Department where favoritism under the late admin stration held high revel. The first ben tieiary is the I ninn soldier, who was ent to the rear montr.s ago, under v.i ious guises and pretexts. He is again marching I" the front and resuminc his place- in lin Things are different in the Navy I)e. larlment. There Governor Long, of Massachusetts, presides with true dig nity. attending trt the duties devolved upon him. unJ:st urbeU by the spiashm n the pool of politics. With the apostle f civil service as his assistant, th Mies .are -Hit apt to l.e disturbed he law violated. In the War Department. Governor Al ger. of Michigan, receives his friends with urbane smiles. He has a trustv ieu tenant in the Hon. George 1. Mei keljohn late a member of Congress rom Nebraska. A popular man in th ouse, Metkeljohn is particularly ac eptable to members of Congress win have dealings with the War Depart nent. The plums in this Department owever, are very few, and are mostl gathered by army officers. t(rim John Sherman, patient, tena- ous and brainv, sits upon the tripod the Stat-: Department. The smaller consulates, which us-! to be the per 'juisites of the Secretary -if State, ai now choice tidbits of civil service re l-.rm. Where vacancies oc ur. un-le President Cleveland's order of l -. thev are tilled either by promotion or trail ier. Aside m m this, persons who havi been in the service have prefereno N-w aj plieants are exaniin-d in th State 1 H-psuUment. with s-eeial refer nt e to their fitness for ofli e. It i un,lt i cover of these examinations that the spoilsmen may reap a small liar vest. In the Department of Justice sprini -pens brightly for Mr. Joseph McKeii n.i, the Attorney General. Here th piat-ts are very few indeed. Tin- nev Attorney General is, greeted by score f his late congressional associates, am 'hey always lea hiri with a cheer; fed ing- The spoilsmen beseige bin night and day, with varj ing results. - rr.t 'lus ?s. iiliss. w ith Tla-lstoniai 'nr.-. oi--jpies a i - rr.t. r of the Patent 'ITit e building, r-.s Secctary -if the In ttri- -. 1 in rush up--r. hi 'i for place -a- be n unpi t c-c 'e lie i. Uner his pre 1- - e -s- is Gp-.rnl.in:- had ovi ri un th Oopui t - rt. rnd wrre in a sti ng ma jorny, 1 he conditions, it is said, war- --finii-d extreme changes. A score of oi soldiers hove bi-tn restored and th. vedipg process still continues. Cain md th'Ughtfiil. i I to New York mer chant has proved a pat, ent listener. I-u he seems sadly out of plae-- in the D oas t ment of the Interior. The crowd o applicants, howetr. has been very ini portunate, and ho has been compel! -i ifi close his doors ut 2 f - m. Across the street. P- ttmaster Genera Gary is enthroned. He la the only cab met officer with four assistants, and lit n--eds them all. This is the business of all the Department?. Postmaster, thiouf.l-. ut the country, of every grade are 1-eing chp.nged quietly and expidi- tiou-dyt all under an oroer made under President Cleveland's first adniinistra tion. It gives each postmaster a four ars' tei-ni. from the lowest to the highest. The ante-room of the Post ter General is filled with. Congress men freni the rural districts, all f course, intensely interested in the su - ess of his administration. In an ad joining1 room will l.-e found the clerks copying the list -f the postmasters ir each district, paying spe.-ial attenti'-r the -late of their present appoint ment. The Congressman thus learns when the term of offic of each post master in nls district expires, and is in snape for a future campaign. Last of all, but not the least in im portanoe. Is the Department of Agrlcul ture. Here sits bluff and hearty James T llson.of Iow a. He contrasts strong! v with his predecessor. Wilson would never accept an office and say that h believed it was unconstitutionally ire ated. Office-seekers give him little an- noyanc1. I-sook sewers and seed pack ers are of the past and not of the present. All seeds are now packed and shipped by contractors. Mr. Wilson has begun his wo:k in a systematic-and vig orous way. He is earnest in his en deavors to develop the beet-sugar in dustry, and is turning his thoughts to ward the prevention of hog cholera. During his entire public life he has managed and directed his own farm. and has a practical knowledge of all farmers' needs and necessities. He believes in the distribution of seeds and will gladly further the efforts of Congress in this direction, instead of hampering them as did Secretary Mor ton. Every seed that Is distributed un der his direction will be a seed worth planting and husbanding. The old sol diers are being gathered under his wing. ana rapidly restored to their former positions. The Departments are the little eddies in which the office-seekers congregate. The great flood pours toward the White House. The irruption is simply appal ling. The President is the acme of kindness and urbanity. His bearing is always polite, and ho one leaves him without feeling that he has been treat ed fairly and considerately. Congress men and Senators are here in great abundance. They are the intermedi aries through whom offices are sought. and to whom the President listens. If the horde of office seekers themselves I House at his own time and pleasure. When they are appointed, and legisla tion resumes the usual channels. Wash ington will arise invigorated, and the old times may come again. AMOS J. CUMMINOS. 1JTTLK FEKT. Philadelphia Tl Two little feet so small that both may nestle In one caressing hand Two tender feet upon the untried bor der Of life's mysterious land; Those rose-white ieet along the doubt ful future Must bear a woman's load Alas! since woman has the heaviest burden And walks the hardest road Love, for awhile, will make the path for them All dainty, smooth and fair; Will cut away the brambles, letting only The wliu roses bloom there; liut when the mothers watchful eyes are shrouded Away from the sight of men. And these dear little feet are left with out her guiding. Who shall direct them then? Will they go stumbling blindly In the darkness Of sorrow's tearful shades Or find the upland slopes of peace and beauty, Whose sunlight never fades? Oh, who may read the future? For this sweetheart small We want all blessings sweet. And pray that He who feeds the crying ravens Will guide the baby's feet WHEN MORGAN SPEAKS. Chicago Times-Herald. Mr. Morgan then proceeded to ad dress the Senate Mr. Morgan an nounced that he would continue his re marks to-morrow A vote will be taken on the bill when Mr. morgan finishes his speech Mr. Morgan then proceeded to address the Senate. Daily press reports for many, many- years. When Mnifan speaks the Senate air Becomes impregnant with dispair. Ghosts of accomplishment deterred; Heart maladies from hope deferred; Waiting a hush of periods round; All axes must remain unground; Fatigue abounds in chunks and streaks When Morgan speaks. WhenMorgan speaks (when doesn't he?) Solis ail creation, "Woe Is me;" Time and again that same old spasm I've felt since I was protoplasm;" Gods take to tears and men to drink. All unstrung compeer in a wink, For refuge to the cloak room sneaks When Morgan speaks. When Morgan speaks (he never fails to) What w ind must nations set their sails to? ' Gauped by the length of what he saith Eternitv is but a breath; Insuch toppue-wiggle, bur-r-r. and tee ter. Job s saintly patience out would peter; Words, wor-ls. words, words, for wee.ts. weeks, weeks, en Morgan speaks. COMPASSION. With Phillis once in Arcady I lay- Along the grassy slope above a brook, And listened to the story from her book f treaoh'rous knave who basely- sought to slay. Edward, the King, as in his tent h- lav- Am! in his arm a poison d dagger struck. And how the good (Jue-en Elinor did suck With her own lips the venom all away. Then straight I did pretentl a liee nail stung Mine undorlip. and with sore pain was v rung A potent Plea for that sweet remedy might not ask of her. but which to me She offered with such charming diffidence That much did shame me for my base pretense. JOHN U. CARIUNGTON. OI K SOBKOWFl'L WAY. Uice IVttii hillard in ( lirlsliati observer. A street in Jerusalem, along whirl. hrist is said to have walked, hcirinis os cress, is still called via Dolorosa, Sorrowful Way." Dear Christ, becauss the "way" That Thou didst walk on earth was 'sorrowful.' And they that seek it find oft marked with blood Thy footprints, shall I say. Give me a sunnier path, more flowers to c ull. And all the things that this world calleth good? And turning from the sound Of Thy meek voice, whose pleading "Follow Me" Seems not so sweet as others' whis pering 'Come," And which so soon is drowned In earth's loud music, shall I say to Thee. I chose this world; here finds my heart its home?" The decision is in brief that no mu nicipal corporation has the authority to levy any tax to pay interest on bonds regularly issued, unless the authority to levy the tax has been conferred by a vote of the people. In other words, it is held that before a city or county can levy a tax to pay interest on bonds, it must not only submit the question of Issuing the bonds to a vote of the peo pie. but the people must also by vote authorize the levy of a tax lo pay the Interest on these bonds. The writer of this did not appear in the case of the City of Charlotte vs Shepard referred to above, but we learn from authoritative sources that tne iacts in that case briefly stated were as follows: Some time ago the City of Charlotte held an election and author ized the issue of bonds amounting to 30i).G0O, but no election was held at that time or at any other time upon the question as to whether the city shoula levy a special tax to pay tne interest on these bonds. The city contracted to sell fciuO.COO of these bonds to the de fendant Shepard, with the understand ing and agreement that Shepard was not to take the bonds, unless they were lid. and unless also the city was au thorized to levy a tax to pay the prin cipal and Interest. The matter was looked Into by Judge Dillon, or jsew Vork city, the author of the celebrated work on Municipal Corporations, and he gave it as his opinion that the City- Charlotte did have the implied au thority to levy a special tax to pay the merest on these bonds, but he suggest ed that the question be subm.tted to the Supreme Court of North -Carolina in rder that there might be no ciouot about it. Accordingly a "case agreed was made up. and v.ent by appeal from Judge Norwood to the Supreme dourt villi the result above stated. The decision is rendered by Justice Montgomery and he puts his decision upon Article i, section -, of the consti tution of North Carolina, , which reads as follows; "No county, city, town or ither municipal corporation shall con raci any debt, pledge its faith, or loan ts credit, nor shad any lax be levied jr collected by any officers of the same except for the necessary expenses .hereof, unless by a vote of tne major ly of the qualified voteis therein. Neither ihe act of 11?M nor that of i891 contains any provision allowing or authorizing the city authorities to levy- any tax or taxes to pay the interest or principal of such bonds as might be ssued under their provisions. In the course ot the opinion it is said: "If it should be conceded that the election which was held in the city on the question of the issue of bonds was regular and authorized (about which it is not necessary for us to ex press an opinion ) it w as only an election ncerning the issue of the bonds and not c-oncernititf the consent of the vot ers that the board of aid- rin--n might evy a tax to pay the bonds. That ques tion was not submitted to a vote, nor was it voted upon. The plaintiffs. however, contend that the question of the issue of the bond having been sub mitted to a ole. and the vote having been in the affirmative, the power to evy a tax f.-r the payment of the in terest and principal of the bonds was thereby c-.-nfeiied on the aldermen by the implication oi law, and that it was not necessary therefore lo have the power to tax expressly conferred on ihem. The defendants deny the cor- leetness of this view of the law, and nsist that while the bonds may have been properly issued, yet. that under the election the aldermen had confer red en them only the nak 1 power to sue the bonds and that they are not lothed with the authority to make the nils of the highest value by being a'-le in-lera power legally conferred of li'vy. ng a tax for their payment as was uu- lerstood should be done when the con tract lo purchase was mad- , and that therefore un-Ur the agree'. .ent of ptir- hase made between the de ondantsand the plaintiffs, the deft ndants are not impelled lo take any pay f.-r the lols. The question, then n-cessai if lis to decide is. dot-S tile power to issue i lii- bonus, without tic exppss Authority having 1 i-rii t onferr- d by law end ratified by a vi-t 1 of tie -inclined voters o. Ill-- city to levy : - a v to pay he bonds, i onler by nnplieat! -:i upon the alderman the pow er to ley y taxes for then- pay merit V We think iii alder men had no such authority by implica- ion. Sec. 7, article 7. of the constiii-:- m forbids the levy .f any tax by any unty. city, town or other municipal oi potation, except tor tit- nt-ossary expenses thereof, timers by a vote of a majority or th- qualified voters there- cents to meet the interest on the Meck lenburg county bonds. A similar tax has been annually collected by the board of commissioners of Mecklenburg county ror twenty-five years or ever since the bonds were issued. Under the decision of the Supreme Court this tax levy is illegal and void, and all the taxes which have been collected by Mecklenburg county, and by the other counties and cities In North Carolina under similar circumstances have been unlawful. If the reason of the decision is carried out to its legitimate conclusion, then there is no power vested in these cities and counties to pay the interest on their bonds out of either the general taxes or from a special tax. If the board of com missioners or the board of aldermen have not made the levy of taxes up to the constitutional limit, and should at tempt to insert as a part of the levy for general purposes, a sum sufficient to meet the interest on the bonds, the tax-payer could enjoin the collection of this part of the general taxes just as eaily as he could if It were levied di rectly as a special tax to meet the in terest on the bonds. In other words, what cannot be done directly cannot be done indirectly. W hat we have said above simply shows that this decision in the case of City of Charlotte vs. Shepard is neces sarily erroneous. When one reads the decision and considers its far-reach ing and disastrous results, he Is forced to the conclusion that the judges who rendered the decision did not contem plate the results that would follow a strict adherence to such a ruling. W have no doubt in our minds, but that the decision should be re-considered and we do not see ho v. it is possible, upon second thought, for th- Supreme Court judges to do otherwise than to reverse this holding. It will be observed that the ruling not put solely upon the ground that the act which authorizes the bond elec tion must also authorize an election on the question of taxation. The opinion of the court plainly says that the Legisla ture must not only authorize the bond ssue and the collection of taxes to mee the bonds, but both questions must be submitted to a vote of the people the question as to issuing the bonds and also the question as to whether a tax shajl be levied to pay the principal and nterest on the bonds. CONSTITUTION. ARTICLE 7, SEC TION 7. The interpretation which our jurt has put upon article 7. section 7, of our constitution is manifestly erroneous from either of two standpoints. In the first place, whenever a city or county y a vote of the people authorize bonds to be issued that means, if it means anything, that all the voters authorize he municipal authorities to contract a lebt whereby this municipality promt ses to pay to the bearer a certain sum of money. After these bonds have been egularly Issued, then It would seem t be a strange thing to hold that the -ayment of the bonds is not a part of he necessary expenses of the munici pal corporation. If the payment of debts regularly and lawfully contracted are not a part of the necessary ex penses of a municipal corporation, then would be hard to see what would onstitute necessary expenses. In the second place, it must be true hat when the voters authorize the is sue ot bonds, that they also give the mphed authority to pay the bonds, for any other conclusion would lead us o hold that the voters would authorize he proper authorities to promise to ay a debt, which they never intended hould be paid. - The provision of the constitution to -.hi h the court adverted in this case, ,iz: that no tax should be levied ex- ept for necessary expenses, unless by he vote of the majority of the qualified oters. refers very plainly to special axes such as taxes for the support of graded st hools and the like, where it is ought to levy a special tax not for the urpose of meeting obligations already noun- a. but to increase the taxes for ime special purpose to be'earried out n the future. e nope anri believe tnat this case til be re-heard and reversed, but In he meantime let the holders of munici pal bonds ix-sess their souls with pa- ieneo. as we have no doubt but that ome enunciation will come from our upreme Court that will modify in great leasure the plain meaning of the de- ion referred to . LIFE ESTATES AND ltKSIAINDKRS. . n. "The author it it s rel led iff to support its eont animation, are found rlicatjon i-i the fa.-t- - Hail:, vs. U. S.. pr. U. : said: 'It must b-- cor :led in this court that granted by the legislat' he government to a muni iubdivision of the State, ti extraordinary -lebt by the .n by tht-nti.-n. uj o have i f this ca .. T.'t, th- plain 'ii ex o ap-In com t si b rt w lien 1 as set -authority c branch of ipality, or a contrac t an issue of ne- Nay. tender, patient Friend' Though "sorrowful" that "way," take Thou my hand And lead me in it. Though I cannot see Through blinding tears its end. It matters not. 1 know 'tis to the land Where longing hearts meet face to face with thee. Twill otten lead. I know. Away from earth to many a lonely- height, From which the world will seek to tempt me by Thc many flowers that grow Beside its pathways, and which, to the sight. Are fair and gay. but. ah, so quickly die. And as I Journey on. know my feet must one day reacn tne gate Of some sad Garden of Gethsemane. Where I must kneei alone In darkness, as Thou didst, and pray that Fate Will take away some "cup" she pours for me. And if. O. perfect One. Thou say'st these trembling lips that cup must drink. Quiet their sobbing, till they say with Thee. 'Father. Thy will be done." And when I feel thee near I will not shrink. But to its dregs will drink it silently. Although this lonely heart May yearn, and listen long to hear Thee say. "T,hy work is done. poor, lonely child, come home, O, let me not depart Till I can show some wanderer the "way" To thy safe fold and loving arms to come. BUCKLEN'S ARNICA SALVE. The best salve in the world for cuts. bruises, sores, ulcers, salt rheum, fever , simply he swept off his feet and unable sores, tetter, chapped hands, chilblains. to no any ousiness wnatever. I corns, ana au uin eruptions, ana posi- WM- B A rrt Ittul h T. .1.. f 1 A j3u umjii uuuk oucnuau ui urn nave httA m raia Hm- mm r-on nH r V. I - " i co no any ousiness wnaiever. I mna, uu uiuuo, uu posi- morning and paid me 1Q I loaned him I The round of the Departments is a I tively cures piles, or no pay required. tne otner aay. (weary round for the CoBiitMiutiL Tt ! It is guaranteed to give perfect satis- Hillson Made a raise? WV11.I guess 1 mull- Mil th nr o-o. th. Phu-tinn nr imnn TotnnAmA TtHo 9e ne Old. tie DOrrOWea tSI iroin m last of civil a-(-l nhrm On rr tttm 1 rmrftm nr bo-r TPnr ula Yrtr th. Rnrs-oll l . " prominent of the New York Renubli-' & Dunn Company. ,-otiab'e securities;, the power to levy laxts sufficient to meet, at maturity. he obligation to In- incurred is conclu sively implied, unless the law which onfers the authority or some general aw m force al the time clearly mani- 'ests a contrary legislative intention.' in that case there was no such special imitation. In the case before us there such special limitation. Const. Art. sec. 7. This question was not in volved in Wood vs. Ox ord. i7 N. C. "The plaintiffs, however, further con- end that if their first position if law is not tenable, then the aldermen have power to levy a las for the payment of the bonds without submitting that luest:on to a vote because the furnish- ng of water to the people, which the aldermen are- empowered lo do under the act of SM. is a necessary city ex pense. If that last proposition were true, then there would be no difficuity about the matter, and the defendant WOUld te ComiK-llet to refeive the litis and ray for them. But we think that 1 he fuinishing of a supply of water to the people cf the c'f N not in itelf a necessary expense in the sense that the city must own and operate a system of water-works." If this decision is law, then the bar of North Carolina have bee-n verv much in error as to a proper interpretation the clause of the constitution re ferred to by Justice Montgomery. Elcc- iens have been held ail over th" Stare both in cities and counties up- n the question as to whether these cities and counties should issue bonds for build ing railroads, constructing water works, and the like, but it was never tie fore suggested so far as we are aware that at the same time an election should also be held authorizing the levy of a special tax to pay the interest on the lionds. It has gone in this State without question that where the vot ers authorized the issue of bonds, that they also by implication authorized the levy of sufficient taxes to meet the in terest on the bonds and also the princi pal at maturity. It will be observed that the decision of the Supreme Court in the case refer red to above does not hold that the bonds themselves are void, and so far as appears from this decision these bonds issued by the City of Charlotte are just as valid in every respect as the bonds which have heretofore been is sued and which are now in the hands of the purchasers. It has been understood that there are no bonds in North Carolina that are better securities than the bonds of Mecklenburg county, and they have been bringing a considerable premium, but it will be found upon investigation that while these Mecklenburg bonds, and likewise the bonds of -the other counties and cities in North Carolina, were issued upon the vote of the people, that in no case, so far as we know, has the ques tion ever been submitted as to whether these municipal corporations should levy special taxes to meet the interest on the bonds. In the county of Mecklenburg for in stance by reference to the last taxes levied, we find that the commissioners in making up the sum total of the taxes levied put in a special tax of 18 1-S The Formula By -Which Maj. Robbing J'reparea Mis I able ir e r.ver Oet An other Ki-glslature That in Any Account, rn tahiili a Kule on This Important Ouest ion. To the Etlitor -if the Observer: A discussion has been sturted in the l.nv. Department c of your paper con cerning the proper basis upon which to partition money ansing from land sales between ihe lift -tenant ami the remain der man: ami in this connection men tion is made of a table prepared by my self, some years ago, to facilitate cal cinations in such cases, and which was published in your columns not long since by some unknown, but doubtless well-meaning friend of mine. Question being raised now as to the. soundness of the principle upon which that table is based, i. c. : the allowance of con-pound interest in the calcula tions, it may not be improper for nie to say that the formulas by which that table was preparetjEfj-ero found by me in Minor's Institiire the 'only legal authority by w hich 1 had seen this subject discussed. Prof. Minor's" form ulas are similar to those numbered 5 am! 6 in It. L. Durham's article pub lished in th- Observer of May 2nd, and require the allowance of compound in terest in tht- computations. As heatl of the- law S' hool in the University of VIr ginia. I considered him high authority on this subject, and as a matter of mathematical diversion one rainy day, I tabulated the results of his formulas under our North Carolina statute of life expectancies. There is undoubtedly room for de bate on the point concerning how, and what interest, should be . allowed. shall not enter into that controversy now. Plausible arguments can be ad dueed on two or. three sides of the ques tion. It would not Ue amiss for our court or our Legislature (if we ever get another one that's of any account) to establish a rule on this subject. If that is done, then a new table, based on that neve rule, must be prepared by- Mr. Durham or some other expert for the benefit of our brethren of the bar who have learned only two of "the three TVs." Hy the way. I find that in the State of New Yrrk they have a peculiar rule on ihi-t subject, fixed by the judges. In the nature of a rule of court. They give ihe life tenant simple interest on the e. hole -u'n realized by sale of the land, t-unltd for the number of years of life expectancy, and at a rate of In terest 1 i-er . ent. I. low the ordinary legal rate; that is. the legal rate being now b per cent., they allow the lire-ten ant .. i-'-i- c.-nt. interest on the whole for the number -of years of his life exr-eetancy; and the remainder-man gets the remainder. For example, say the land brings J 1.000. and the life ex pectant v Is ten years: then' 5 per cent int.-rest on l."O0 for 10 years is $500. which is the share of the life-tenant; ami the remami'-r man gets just tne same In this case. 1 nis does not aiiier from th-- result obtained by Minor's formula very much. I have not the North Carolina statute before me to see how long sjnan 63 years old is allowed to live. I remember that a life-tenant of that age gets just half the money. and the remainder man the other half by my table. Pardon prolixity. With greetings to; all the brethren. Yours truly, WM. M. ROBBINS. Gettysburg, Pa., .May , ..897, CHARLOTTE, WEDNESDAY, MAY 12. The World's Largest, Grandest, Best Amusement Institution.- Barnum and Bailey, Greatest Show on Earth. plr ( AND DoG' J Deputy Collectors at of the Civil Service. gtatesvllle Landmark. As is known to the Landmark's read ers, the Republican leaders in Congress, or many of them, are moving heaven and earth to have the civil service laws amended or modified so that they can get more places for their hungry fol lowers. Senator Pritchard. who Is chairman of the civil service committee in the Senate, has been conducting an investigation into the civil service sys tem with a view to bringing it Into dis repute and thereby accomplishing the ends stated. The news from Washington is that the first step looking to the rail iflcatlon of the system is the restoration of deputy collectors of in ternal revenue to the unclassified ser vice, and that the civil service eomm-s-sion has authorized the statement tnat this will be done. Thinks Iti FoDBd Them. Wilmington Star. To the Charlotte Observer: "Here's your mule": The Legislature was the Initiative and Treasurer Worth Is the Referendum. Appoint to Keraember: If It's Stated Hut It's True. Everything uuvina Kzmctly as Advertised. I 3 CIRCUS RINGS, 3 ELEVATED STAGES, A RACE TRACE AND STUPENDOUS AERHIAL ENCLAVE. I. . NEW VAUDEVILLE ESTEETAIUfflMI In the Big Menagerie Pavilion, comprising a real potpourri of Mystery", Dances, Music, Juggling, Feats of Magic, Mathematics, Snake Charming and Fire Eating rrrv HORSES Performing at One Time I U in One King. j ALAR, the Human Arrow, shot through the air from a Roman Crossbow. JOHANNA, the Giantess Gorilla. " !: " CIRCUS Three full and complete Cir ens Companies in 8 Rings with, 800 Skilled, Expert Performers, j 1 :j HIPPODROME "With a Grand Series' of Exciting Events, tby , 60 Male and Female Jockeys. f I V M TOURNAMENTS. Grandest Kinds of . Equestrians, Ground, j Mid-air, Leaping, Tumbling, Athletic, Gymnas tic and Acrobatic Contests' and Trials. f IDGET, Great Peter, the Small, ItJ. weighing only 6i pounds. . MENAGERIES, the Most Complete Zoological Exhibit in the World, i wo Menageries in Wild and Trained Beasts. j - . .' STAGES, Three Stages for the Exhibi tion of Marvelous Olympian,Games. , CLOWNS, Actually 20 of the most re nowned Pantomimic Fun makers, besides 20 Animal Clowns in Queer Tricks, and Two Lady Clowns. 4 ERIALISTS, A Whole Congress of, V. the most daring and expert Mid air performers, Champions of the World, rip RAINERS, Hosts of Male and Female I Animal Trainers, performing Tronps of Wild and Domestic Beajts. RACING, all kinds of spirited and ex- ' citing turf struggles, events, su perb rivalries, bareback and side-saddle contests. , '!,-' J I- ACROBATS, the most expert on earth in the most thrilling and daring feats ever dreamed of. ' j t j W .. aY MN ASTS, Champions in every line from all parts of the world, in a series of wonderful performances. j " t LEPHANTS, Three Herds of 24 I Wisest and Most Intelligent Pachy derms, in novel tricks and posrs. . CAMELS, Two droves o Asiatio , Dromedaries, single and double humped, and all trained. : , ' t"1AGE9, Fifty Cages, containing Rare J Trained Wild Beasts, Birds, Mon keys and Carious. Creatures : j -. ' K ; 'pENTS, 12enormous whter-proof can 1 vases,-, the best and largest ever made, and seating the greatest number. HORSE FAIR, Containing! 400 su perb horses, worth $160,000. One of the greatest eights ever seenj j j ; 'I WINS, Radica and Doodica, the fa 1 mous Orissa twins. Greatest liv living human curiosity -on earth. STRANGE ANIMALS, Curious Ani mal Freaks, Hairless Horse, -Steer with 3 horns, 3 eyes. 8 nostrils; Dwarf; Zebns, Pacred Bulls, Buffalo, Eland, Tiuy Elephants and others. 1 j PONIES, Two droves of Educated Ponies, including the jumping wonder, "Joie," Jnpiter, Oxford, Jay- , hawker, ttc. I " - r- CHAMPIONS, 12 Champion iale and 1 Female Bareback Equestrians all there are in the country. ': I i i GIANTESS, the Tallest Woman-on" Earth, standing nearly nine feet high. The Cheapest and Greatest of Alt Shows. I ! I- The Only Show Kxhibiilng in the City of New Voiki The Only Show in Fact Worlh Vislling. It has no Rival ! It has no Peer! I There ate None to Compare with It! X7T BROTHEP. ACT. A GREAT NATIONAL INSTITUTION AN IQlJESTRIANTOliNA 4ENT of Expert High School Riders MIGHTY i KtW i MtLLlOH-DOLUR i STREET : PARADE. Reproduction of the Great Pageant in Honor of the Return of Colnmbns to Bar celona, Arabian Knights' Tales, Nursery Rhjines and Children's Fables, 24 Elephants and the "Wondrous forty-horse team, at 9 o'clock! - on morning of show. Everybody should see it. CHEAP ' . EXCURSIONS ON ALL RAILROADS. : ' ADMISSION TO ALL, 50 CENTS; Children Under 9. Years, Half Price. Two Exhibitions Daily, at 2 and 8 p. m. Doors Open an Hour Earlier. Reserved Seats at the regular price, and Admission Tickets at usual slight ad vance, at R. H. Jordan & Co. a, 2 North Tryon Street. Will Exhibit-in Greensboro, N. C, May 11; Greenrille, S. C.', May lS. ' ' y ' "1 UnrtFRM CYD9Y " ThriUtMsioryf rlrcntli;e.by th ml nent noTplist CHAS. A HUUCnn DlrOli THEODORE hCHRAT. nmfuMiv lllnatntari. titil(nl .!.- oredcorer. For sale in all book stores, on advaac adrwrtiain cars, and In the circus, rice only tt cents. I , -4 I f
The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
May 9, 1897, edition 1
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