Newspaper Page Text
ESTABLISHED 1884
MAIL BOBBED
BV NEGROES.
Extraordinary Nealect of Ma
con Postal Authorities.
ALL OUR MAIL UNGUARDED. •
I
For the Lack of Transfer Clerks the
Letters of 45,000 People Glu
en OVer to Plunderers.
The astounding neglect of the govern
ment in the matter of mail sent to? Macin
has just been revealed.
The trouble does not lie with the Macon
pOHtoffice, but with the failure of the gov
ernment to provide transfer clerks.
Again and again have petitions gone up
io the department for such a clerk but
'without avail.
'Now, the folly of this government’ in
difference is being shown.
Two negro men engaged by the railsoad
companies in transferring the mail at the
eta Hon were yesterday sentenced
to prison. Last night another
one, Charles Spikes, wagon driver,
was arrested and after an investi-
gation, held in Postmaster Hertz's room,
• was sent to the barracks. fit is now be
lieved that a big combine of thieves has
been working at the mail sacks for a long
t ime.
The present system or lack of system
is this: The government having refused
to provide a local transfer clerk, the mail
■pouches, on being brought to Macon by the
railroads, are intrusted to negroes in the
employ of the company. The negro drivers
have the keys to the wagons. When a
pouch to be robbed is selected It is usually
one which appeal's to have been one worn
by hard service. The strap, if weak, is
seized by two strong negroes and broken.
Tne contents are then examined and let
ter taken out that appear to have money
in them. As soon as the selection of let
ters has been made the negroes pick up
another of the many sacks lying around
and put the rest of the letters back, snap
a lock, of the many locks lying around,
■upon the new strap, and. toss the old
pouch into a dark corner among many
other pouches. It may be weeks after
ward brier* a consignment of damaged
pouches with “broken straps" ie> seat to
the government.
About a year ago Postmaster Hertz was
asked by the department why it was that
h< had returned so many damaged pouches.
He replied that he bad returned none;
that if any had been returned they had
probauly had been sent back by the rail
road companies. He was, therefore, re
lieved of responsibility. He made, how
ver, a quiet investigation and advised the
department that the pouches had probably
been tampered with at the railroad station
and again renewed his request for a trans
fer eJerk.
The request was ignored, but the thieves
go: wind of the danger and they desisted
until about the first of August, when the
department began to receive more dama
ged mail sacks. A few days ago inspectors
were sent here and hence the arrests.
There is no telling how much has been
lost by this thieves’ combine.
Another warant for a negro named Ar
thur Jenkins was issued this morning.
The people of Macon are not so much
interested in the apprehension of the
thieves as they will be astounded on
’earning from The News that the mail of
45.060 people has been, in the dark hours
of the night and in the dark places of hte
city, intrusted to the entire custody of ne
groes, who have not been appointed by the
government and who are absolutely irre
sponsible.
IVstmaster Hertz says there should be
a day and a night transfer clerk, each
with a key to be used at the depots, while
he holds the key at the postoffice end.
This would seem to be the right plan.
At any rate the department wil probably
hear the complaints of Macon now.
r GRADE OF ADMIRAL.
Resoluiions Introduced in Congress to Re
vive it.
l|v Associated Press.
Washington. Dec. 6. —The session of the
senate today was mainly devoted to rou
tine matters, the introduction of bills and
the presentation of reports.
Senator Morrill presented a petition
from the legislature of Vermont, asking
for the revival of the grade of admiral and
the recognition of Rear Admiral Dewey.
Mr. Hale, presented a bill to revive the
grade of admiral and vice admiral.
Senator Vest, of Missouri, introduced a
joint resolution declaring under the con
stitution that the United Slates has no
power to acquire territory tobe held and
governed as colonies.
The house held a brief session today
and adjurned out of respect to the mem
ories of Representatives Northway, of
Ohio and Love of Mississppi.
Smoking Jackets for Xmas. Phillips.
THE MACON NEWS.
CLEVELAND’S YACHT,
Had a Collision With a Transport Float
this Morning.
By Associaled Press.
N» w York, Dec. 6. —The steam yacht
Oneida, having on board her owner, com
modore Benedict ahd ex-President Cleve
land, was in collision with the transfer
float off .he battery wall in the upper bay
today. The yacht which sailed yesterday
from Norfolk, had her bowsprit carried
away. Messrs. (’leveland and Benedict
land* d at the battery and the yacht con
tinued on her way up East river.
THE FARMERS’ CONGRESS.
Governor Culberson of Texas, Made an Ad
dress of Welcome.
By Associated Press.
Fort Worth, Tex., Dec. 6. —The Farmers’
National congress began its annual ses
sion here today with several hundred dele
gated present. After addresses of wel
come by Governor Culberson and others
the president of 'the congress, ex-Governor
Hoard, of Wisconsin, delivered the annual
address.
A ROYAL DEATH.
By Associated Press,
Stuttgart, Dee. 6. —Pricess Frederick of
Wurtemburg, mother of William 11., king
of Wurtemburg, is dead.
AT THE HUNTSX VILLE CAMP
By Associated Frees.
Huntsville, Dec. 6. —Major Clarence R.
Edwards has been announced as the ad
jutant general of the Fourth corps. Brig
adier General R. Hall assumed command
of the division. Lieutenant Thomas
'Campbell with fifteen men and company
17 of the signal corps were ordered to
Anniston, relieving company 16. Private
Mitchalm, .troop H, Tenth cavalry, died
of 'typhoid fever.
FIERCE BICYCLE RACING.
All Contestants Close Together—Making
a Heartbreaking Contest.
By Associated Press.
New York, Dec. 6. —A few minutes be
fore 7 o'clock this morning every, man
was still in the six day bicycle race -on the
Madison Spuare Garden track. There are
twenty-three in all. Rafferty decided to
quit during the night. The average pace
had dropped to about ten miles an hour,
and every competitor has been .able to
leave the wheel for a short rest. Miller
was off seventy minutes during the night
and Waller sixty-two. There was a elo-se
tight tetween these two during the night
in spite of the let up and the heart-break
ing speed. Pierce was six miles ahead of
Miller's record of last year. The snore of
leaders at 10 a. m. was Pierce Milter
592, Waller 589, Stevens 565, Albert 564,
Ginn 551, Nawn 556, Lawson 54G_
ENGINEERS
FOR CUBA.
Government Orders Gen.
Bates to Send One Batal
lion at Once.
Gen Bates received word from the war
department today to send one battalion of
engineers to Cuba at once.
The particular battalion will be the
first of the Third Engineers under rhe
command of Major Walker.
This wil be exciting news to the boys of
the Third now encamped in Macon.
They are to sail on December 10 from
Savannah.
A HARD STORM.
Lake Country Badly Injured by tne Recent
Blow.
By Associated Press.
Cleveland, Dec. 6. —A heavy storm,
which has raged throughout this- section
for nearly forty-eight 'hours, has subsided
and the weather today is clear and cold.
There has not been such a general pros
tration of telegraph wires in years as dur
ing the past two days. The wind reaches
a velocity* of sixty miles an hour.
Detroit, Dec. 6. —The storm of Sunday
and Monday has been succeeded today by
another heavy snow storm. A big fleet of
freight steamers is tied up near the lower
end of the Detroit river waiting for higher
water to enable them to get across the
shallows. Heavy northerly winds have
I lowered the water.
INDIAN TREATIES.
Cherokees and Creeks Willing to Enter Into
Negotiations With Ik.
By Associated Press.
Washington . Dec. 6. —Secretary Bliss
. has received a dispatch from the Indian
. Territory indicating a change of senti
ment on the part of some Indian tribes
1 with whom the Dawes eommisision has
: been negotiating treaties. Dispatches said
the outlook was-'more favorable and that
j another meeting of the Cherokee council
was about to be called to frame a treaty.
The Creeks are also said to be preparing
to negotiate another treaty.
AMMONIA EXPLODES.
Kills One Man and Injures Fifteen
Others.
By Associated Press.
New York, Dec. 6. —An explosion of am
monia on board the marine hospital ship
Bay State today, as she was lying at the
slip on the Brooklyn side of the upper
bay, killed Robert Twiss and serious in
jured 15 others. The accident occurred in
the ice making plant aboard the ship,
Twiss being charge of the machine.
MACON NEWS TUESDAY DECEMBER 6 1898.
RULE OWII,
Legislation Proposed for a
Territorial Government.
NEW OFFICES CREATED.
All Resident Portugese and Africans
to Become Citizens of the
United States.
By Associated Press.
Washington, Dec. 6.—The president to
day transmitted to congress the report of
the Hawaiian commision, consisting of
Senators Cullom and Morgan, Representa
tive Hi'tt, President Dole and. Justice
Frear, of Hawaii, together with the text
of bills drawn by the commission far the
government of the islands as a portion of
the United States. The preliminary por
tion of the report mainly is descriptive of
the Hawaiian Islands, the inhabitants, the
existing institutions, public domain, pro
ductions, climate, harbors, and shipping
facilities, and the various conditions of
general interest. The remaining portion
is mainly devoted to a discussion of the
legislation proposed by the commission,
giving in an appendix various reports of
sub-committees and copies of bills sug
gested. Three bills have been formulated
for the consideration of congress. The
first and pricipal one outlines a general
plan of government and the other two
deal with subordinate questions. The
main bill provides for the conversion of
the islands into a territory of the United
States, to be styled the Territory of Ha
waii. The bill contains provisions for the
government of the territory, giving it
executive, legislative and judicial officers,
governor, secretary of the territory, Unit
ed States district judge United States dis
trict attorney and United States marshal,
to be appointed by the president and an
internal revenue district and customs dis
trict rented The offices' of president,
minister of foreign affairs, finance, pubi c
instruction, auditor general, deputy aud
itor general, surveyor genet .1 and mar
shal are .abolished
Probably the most important portion >f
the bill is the section defininh citizenship,
which provides: “All white persons in
cluding Portuguese and persons of African
descent, and all persons descended from
the Hawaiian race on either pate/aai or
maternal side who are citizens of the re
public of Hawaii immeditely prior tc the
transfer of the sovereibnty thereof <o the
United -States are hereby declared to
citizens of the United States.'’
MADE AN AMBASSADOR.
Powell Clayton, Our to Mexico
Elevated.
By Associated Press.
Washington, Dee. 6. —The president to
day sent to congress- the nomination of
Powell Clayton of Arkansas to be ambas
sador t o Mexico. Senor Romero, the for
mer Mexican minister, having been raised
to the rank of ambassador. Clayton’s
promotion followed under the act of con
gress.
AS ENGLAND SEES IT,
Britishers Express Satisfaction With Mc-
Kinley's Message.
By Associated Press.
Landon, Dec. 6. —The afternoon news
papers express satisfaction with McKin
ley’s message with, the exception of his
allusion to the Nicaraguan canal, which
to the minds of the editors does not show
sufficient appreciation of British treaty
rights.
UNLUCKY WEDDING.
The Husband of Sibye Sande r son is dying
of Liver Complaint.
By Associated Press.
New Y'ork, Dec. 6. —Antonio Terry, the
Cuban millionaire, and husband ot Sybil
Sanderson, the California prima donna,
according to a private letter received in
this city, is dying of liver complaint -at
Nice. France. Mme Terry, who was
stricken with paralysis several months
ago. is reported to be improving in health,
~ WILLIAM OF'GERMANY.
Indorses the Czar and Said He Had Acted
Fair Between U. S. and Spain.
By Associated Press.
Berlin. Dec. 6 —The Reichstag was open
ed today by Emperor William, who, after
announcing the introduction of a series of
social and labor bills and the completion
of the organization of the army, said Ger
many's relations with all foreign powers
continued friendly and that the principal
object of his policy would be to contribute
to the maintenance of peace. Therefore,
his Majesty hailed with warm approval
the Czar’s magnanimous proposal for the
furtherance of that object. Alluding to the
war between £pain and the United States
hie Majesty said that Germany's neutral
ity was conscientiously and loyally ob
served towards both belligerents.
Men’s Odd Undershirt-.
Half price. Clem Phillips.
BOSSJCB
Asks to Be Relieved, Pending
an investigation.
WIDOW OF MR. BARBOUR,
Accuses Him of Driving Her Hus
band to Death by Political
Persecution.
By Associated Press.
Atlanta, Dec. 6.—Henry A. Rucker, rev
enue collector cf Atlanta, who has been
charged by Mrs. Barbour with being re
sponsible for her husband’s suicide be
cause of alleged political persecution, to
day asked the 'Washington authorities to
make a full investigation and he wants
to be relieved of his duties as custodian
of the building during the progress of the
investigation.
Mr. Barbour was a white man employed
as janitor and was appointed from Wash
ington. Rucker is a negro.
TREES TO SOUTH AFRICA.
A Georgia Nursery Fills a $2,000 Order
For the Dark Continent.
■Atlanta, Dec. 6. —Prof. Scott, the state’s
entomologist, was telegraphed for yester
day to go at once to -Marshville to inspect
a large shipment of fruit trees just re
ceived from Alabama. There were 80,000
trees in the shipment and the orchard men
wished to have them examined for scale
and other insects before accepting them.
-California does not allow any fruit trees
u enter the state untl they have been ex
amined by the state entomologist. This
is because California has suffered from the
San Jose scale which was introduced from
Australia. After immense damage had
been done the pest was discovered and
now the state is using every endeavor to
stamp out the insects which destroy the
fruit and shade trees.
Georgia has had a similar experience.
The scale spread from California to the
eastern states and was brought from the
North down here. The loss to orchard
owners in Georgia amounts to away above
s■loo,ooo. Since the state employed an en
tomologist the orchard men have learned
how to detect and fight the pest. All fruit
growers in the state are constantly on the
watch for the insects. A bill is now pend
ing before the legislature to authorize the
entomologist to destroy trees and shrub
bery found to be infested with the scale
or other insects which kill or weaken the
trees.
Prof. Scott returned a few days ago from
Berckman's nursery near Augusta, and he
stated that while there Mr. Berckman
shipped $2,000 worth of fruit trees to
South Africa.
Several years ago Mi-. Berckman gave a
fTieiwl who was going to South Africa a
plum tree. The tree was carried there,
was planted, and when it grew larger it
produced fine fruit. Such plums had never
been grown, in South Africa. In the course
of time Mr. Berckman received an order
for some fruit trees from that distant
country The Georgia trees yielded abun
dantly and the fruit was large and finely
flavored. Mr. Berckman has since re
ceived numerous orders from Africa and
last week filled one for $2,000 worth if
trees. (It is a long trip and the trees will
be two months making the journey, but
with careful packing they will stand the
trip very well. 'At this season tree life
is dormant and if kept in a cool place the
tree will live.
It seems that the fruit trees from a
Georgia nursery- are beter adapted to the
South African climate than any other
trees. Trees from England and the Euro
pean continent do not produce such fine
fruit.
The entomologist has proved to be a val
uable state officer. He has been the means
of saving money in many an orchard. If
taken holtf of in time the pests can usual
ly be kept in check and prevented from
doing much injury to an orchard.
The fact that Georgia is sending fruit
trees half way around the >.6rld shows the
possiblities of the nursery business in
this state.
The agricultural department is running
on short rations this month. There is no
money for the entomologist’s expenses and
' he has to pay his own way or It has to be
I paid for him. The railroads are so
I greatly interested in his work that most
1 of them furnish him with free transporta
i tion. The fruit crops furnish the rail
■ roads with a great quantity of freight and
it is to the interest of the roads to do what
they can to save the orchards from the
insects.
ANOTNER SNARL.
Spaniards Continue to Complain Because
We Draw the Lines.
By* Associated Press.
Madrid, Dec. 6 —The Correspondencia,
semi-official, says the American commis
sioners insist upon the discussion of mat
ters which are not connected with the
treaty of peace, namely* the extradition,
commercial and literary conventions, etc.
The Spanish government, it adds, is un
able to yield and determined that such
matters shall be discussed between the
cabintes of Madrid and Washington. In
conclusion the Correspondencia remarks:
“The Americans are seeking profit by their
victory in order to improve their own con
dition.”
A DELIGHTFUL TREAT.
Promised Those Who Attend the M Fer-
Straton Lecture.
A delightful entertainment is promised
those who attend the lecture of the Miller-
St rat on combination at the Academy of
Music December N Mr. Polk Miller will
entertain with story and song on “The Old
Times Down South.” Mr. Miller is one of
the best delineators of the old-time plan
tation darky who has ever been heard in
Macon, and in his description of hi<s boy
hood's happy days down on the farm, he
introduces the most side-splitting stories
and reproduces in a realistic manner those
old plantation melodies, accompanied by*
the banjo, which carry the older genera
tion back to the days of their youth. The
entertainment is in no sense a lecture, but
rather an evening of story* and song.
The other half of the evening will be
occupied by the gifted orator. Mr. John
Roach Straton. That Mr. Straton is a most
•successful entertainer, the thousands who
have heard him will testify. He blends the
practical, poetic and humorous in an ele
gant manner.
The entertainment is for the benefit of
the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Macon Hos
pital Association to provide funds to equip
the Gresham Memorial. The object is one
that appeals to all and the -Academy* should
be packed. Prices to orchestra floor 75c.
to balcony 50c. which will be reserved.
Seats can be secured commencing tenor
row morning at Harry L. Jones Co.. '366
Second street.
r GRAND JURY STILL OUT.
Probably Superior Court Will Not Sit Un
til After the Hollidays.
The grand jury are still in session at the
court houee and it is not known when they
will complete their work. Judge Felton is
in the city' waiting on the jury before he
begins his session. It is probable, how
e\ er, that he will not hold court again
until after Christmas as it is only a few
weeks off and it is thought thjt it will
take the grand jury until that time to
complete their work.
All of the criminal cases are being
brought before the grand jury and they
will dispose of everything in the jail be
fore making their report. Nothing has
been done in regard to the case of Abner
Taylor, who is under sentence to be hung
and he will no doubt be hanged on the
16th.
MERCER'S
GYMNASUM
Is Ready For Use —Fra-
ternities to Meet this
Afternoon.
Mercer University has completed her
gymnasium and will organize l regular
classes this week lo be led by Mr. W. C.
Mansfield and Mr. C. T. Turner
The partitions have been taken out of
the building in rhe rear of the college
campus, which was formerly used for the
summer school.
Through the work and influence of the
1 oung Men’s Christian Association it has
been well equipped. The students are
taking every advantage of the gymnasium
and expect to reap great benefit from it.
However, this gymnasium is only the
beginning of the gymnasium Mercer ex
pects no have next- year. .Most of the
funds have been collected for a $15,000
gymnasium.
I't is to be erected just below the new
building on the east side of the campus.
The building wil be la three story brick
one. The boys will have a running track
on -the uppef floor and the second floor
will be for the bathing room, while the
first floor will be filled with 'the various
kinds of gymnastic apparatus.
The boys expect rhe building of this
gymnasium to begin eoon and to be com
pleted by the beginning of the fall term
of next year. The friends of Mercer are
glad to see her prosper and feel quite sure
that she will soon rank formost among
the colleges of the south.
The fraternities at Mercer w-ill hold a
. joint meeting this afternoon in the Y. M.
C. A. room at the university to elect the
editor in chief of the Kinetcscope, the
college annual.
The Alpha Tau Omega and the Kappa
j Alpha fraternities have already furnished
I their editors, so the fraternities contest
• ing for the prize are the Sigma Alpha
Epsilon, Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Sigma
and Sigma Nu. It has been previously ar
’ ranged by the fraternities that egch one
shall furnish an editor in chief by drawing
for.prize Mr. W. C. Man-sfield has been
elected" to represent the Alpha Zeta chap
ter of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity at
their congress, whieh convenes at New
, Orleans on the ?Bth, 29th and 30th of De
cember.
JUDGE ROSS’S SUCCESSOR.
Judge Nothingham Sworn in for the City
Court Bench.
In the ordinary’s office this morning
Judge W. D. Nottingham was sworn in as
judge of the city court of Macon. Ordinary
Wiley administered the oath of office.
Those present in the office at the time
were Judge J. P. Ross, the present judge
of the city court, Solicitor General Robert
Hodges, Hon. Hope Polhill, Mr. Thomas
Ayer, clerk of the city court, Mr. Robert
H. Smith, Mr. Emmet E. Barnes, and Mr.
C. A. Ells.
Judge Nottingham will assume charge
of his duties on the first of January. Judge
Ross will be in charge until that time.
After taking the oath Judge Nottingham
received the congratulations of the gentle
men present.
Stunning Bareains.
In men’s underwear. Clem Phillips.
PRl'f i FIVE CENTS
TO SltfflßlT.
Remarkable Facilities of Ma
con's Weather Station.
FOR WHOLE FRUIT SELT,
Observer Gratified at the Advantages
Macon Enjoys as a Distrib
uting Point.
•
Weather Observer Collins is at a loss to
know what will be done in regard to the
observation platform that is to be built
so that he can send out weather
He has written the treasury department
several times in regard to the matter, but
has heard nothing from them. He also
saw both of the representatives at Wash
ington before tiny left and they promised
to have things arranged on their arrivaJ.
While Mr. Collins is unable to send out
any reports yet he is making out a list of
all the places that he wil have to supply
with weather maps, and will have every
thing ready for the work when hs plat
form is built. Weather mans will be
placed at different places over the city
and wil be sent to all surrounding towns
provided that they can reach the places
by 7 o’clock at night.
Mr. Collins says that he will be glad for
the people to visit his office and that he
will take pleasure in explaining the work
ings of the different instruments. He say*
that he is anxious to begin work, but that
he will be unable to do so as long as the
platform is not put up.
Mr. Collins also says that Macon is one
of the very best locations in the United
States for a weather serivce, because the
trains leave Macon for so many different
points at 11 o'clock in the morning. Be
cause of this fact the 10 o’clock predic
tions can be mailed so as to reach all
points iri all directions on the Southern.
Central, Southwestrn and Georgia South
ern, that a train may reach by nightfall.
This will be an immense boon to the fruit
and other farmers who will not need to
consume money in telegraphic inquiries.
As .Macon is the heart of the Georgia fruit
belt the advantage of the station is ob
vious. Mr. Collins was not aware of the
true importance of a Macon station, nor
did he realize the exceptional railroad fa
cilities for the quick and wide distribution
of weather reports until he came here and
investigated the • situation. He is now
most enthusiastic and wants to begin the
work at the earliest possible moment so
that he can prove to the people the advan
tages they will enjoy from a well
equipped station.
RECORDER’S COURT.
Macoi Continues to Be Very Free of Disor
derly People.
The police court brought out nothing of
importance this morning and the cases on
the docket were of the usual kind. Annie
Walton was bound over to thee ity % court
under a SSO bond on the charge of larceny.
Calvin Cook was up on the charge of driv
ing on the sidewalk, but was dismissed.
Henry Harp and James Ray were arrested
yesterday on thee harge of vagrancy, but
when thee ase was tried this morning they
showed up to be all right and were dis
missed.
W. C. Brown was fined $2.50 for being
drunk. Bailey Bryant was given the
same fine for the same offense. Charles
Spikes, the man who is charged with rob
bing the mails is held at the station
house for safe keeping.
COUNCIL TONIGHT.
Probably that Friendless Home Appropria
tion May be Shut Off.
The city solons will hold their -regular
meeting tonight. Up to the present not a
petition has been filed to be presented and
it is thought that nothing of importance
will come ur».
It is anticipated by some of the citizens
that the annual appropriation to the Home
for the Friendless will be taken aay by the
council when the appropriations are made
out in January. At present there is only
one inmate of the home, and it is deemed
a useless expenditure to appropriate over
S7OO a year for the home when it is only
benefitting one person.
ELECTION BETS.
The Exact Figures for the Benefit of
Stockholders.
It seems that a large numebr of election
bets were made on the number of votes
cast and the size of the majority. In or
der that settlements may be made the
News gives the figures:
Anti 2,729
Prohi 1,426
Majorityl,3o3
DEMOCRATS SUSTAINED.
By Associated Press.
Columbus, Ohio, Dec. 6. —The supreme
court today sustained the Otis law. under
which the republican board of city affairs
was ousted in Cincinnati and a partisan
board appointed in its place by the Demo
cratic mayor.
Bath robes for Xmas. Phillips. T J
I