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ESTABLISHED 1884 " ALTON'S SALE >Cf Syndicate Os Bankers to Buy the Road. •’ 1 VERY BIG PURCHASE Vanderbilt and Gould Interests De cline to Reveal Their Inten tions. By Assomt-tfeed Preen. New Yerk, pec. 30 —The Tribute gays: Since th# return to Chicago about ten days ago of -fuihn J. Mitchell, president of the Illinois Trust and Savings Bank, who was In the city for several days: at that time and held conferences with various: finan ciers in regard to the sale of the Chicago and Alton railroad, the controlling interest )’n which he was believed o have been luthorized to represent in these negotia ions, little or nothing was heard about the Alton until Thursday when it was learned that Mr. Mitchell was again in New York, having arrived here on Wed nesday night and had resumed his confe!-- eneces with E. H. Harriman, v;ho repre sented important interests in the Union Pacific and is also identified with Vander bilt and Gould Interests, and who said at the time that the negotiations for the pur chase, of the road had been intrusted to himself. When Mr. Mitchell started for the West, it was geuer.alhy understood that the Alton road would in all probability be purchased by a syndicate of banks and , hankers, among them being mentioned the First National and Chase National banks ami the firms of Cuyler, Morgan & Co., and Kuhn, Loeb & Co. of this city; Hambleton & Co., of Baltimore, and Nor man 13. Beam. of Chicago. This syndi cate, it was added, was acting in the in terest of several Western roads, including the Missouri Pacific, the Union Pacific; the Illinois Central and possibly the Kan sas City, Pittsburg and Gulf, it being the plan to operate the Alton as an independ ent road in the common interest of all the systems named. It is known that after the conference Thursday at the Union Pacific offices between Messrs. Mitchell and Harriman, there was a conference there of lawyers representing the several interests involved and it is generally be lieved in Wall street that during Mr. Mitchell’s present stay in this city the negotiations for the sale of the Alton to the syndicate for account of the railroads referred, to, will be definitely completed and that the announcement of the trans action will soon be made. The Chicago and Alton has been re ported sold several times since it was first known to be in the market, five or six weeks ago. The Kansas City. Pittsburg and Gulf railroad was first reported to be negotiating for the Alton. Then the Van derbilts were said to be treating for it. Then the Goulds were said to be anxious to buy the road. The Union Pacific also in which the Vanderbilts have large hold ings was at one time said to be negotia ting for acquisition of the line. All these reports were denied, but the fact seems to be that of all the roads which have been severally mentioned from time to time as its prospective purchasers, the Illi nois Central has been associated with them in the transaction. MIDDLEWEIGHT HONORS. George Green and Dan Creedon to Contest Tonight. By Associated Press. San Francisco. Dec. 30 —George Green and Dasi Creedon will this evening contest for middleweight honors in Woodward's paVillion. Green rules slightly the favorite at ten to nine. Green’s weight is 152 pounds: Creedon's 158. ' BRITISH STEAMER WRECKED. The Captain and Several Officers are Miss ing. ‘ i Bv Associated Frees. Hong Kong. Deo. 30—The British steam- ' , er Glenavon. Captain Pithie. which sailed for London from here yesterday, was wrecked on a rock. Part of her crew was ® saved. The captain, the chief officer and . l€ the second and fourth engineers are miss ins. h;U £ MORE INDIANA LYNCHERS, ax u * Are After a Man Who Slabbed a Girl to Death. I By Associated Press. || Bedford. Ind.. Dec. 30 —The friends of o Lizzie Turner, who was stabbed to death k at Bloomfield by Dr. Gray yesterday, form w ed a mob and intended to Ivnch the mur- ] derer but was outwitted by the officers. ! iS Gray was spirited away last night to parts : " unknown. It is believed he has been taken I * to Jeffersonville for safekeeping. i ____________________ * A BRUTE HANGED. He Ruined and Murdered His Young Step a Daughter. By Associated Press. X Mass.. Dec. e Krathofski was hanged here today for the i murder of his step-daughter. Victoria ® Pinkus, 16 years-old, January 17,1807. as a result of jealousy and anger. Complaint J was made io the police by the victim. ’■ whom* he ruined, and subsequently was Treated with utmost cruelty. THE MACON NEWS. IMFIffICE Cubans Want That and Noth ing Less, $0 Mi COMMISSIONERS ’ Circular Letters Sent to Cubans Urging Them to Be Their Own Masters. By Associated Press. New York, Dec. 30.—-A dispatch to the . World from Washington says: The Cuban delegation to the United States has just prepared and sect to Cuba an elauora-te appeal in circular form to be widely distributed to all natives to re number that they fought for inde-pendence i and not for anmexatio-n. The manifesto review's the struggle to throw off Spain’s tyranny and recounts the glories of the victory and refers to the action of congress in declaring that a stable government shall be established. “If annexation were to be desired, it would be better to have it brought about now than later, aid for that reason it is I desired that the question should be .set ‘ tied finally at the present time. Yet it is i sufficiently known that the Cubans made I war and fought for independence, not for annexation and that all the precious blood that has been shed and all the hardships endured and all the suffering were to gain independence and nothing short of that. “It is ridiculous to try to answer the I accusations that, the Cuban people are un i educated, unfaithful and unable to gov : ern themselves. Their industry, labor and ; energy have made Cuba -n many respects i one of the most productive countries of I the world. ' “Their duty now is to stand by the Lone i Star banner which signifies indepdence and i liberty, the greatest blessings of heaven. i “Remember that Cuba has not fought I and endured for a change of masters, but ' that her people may- be their own masters. “We are none the less grateful to the i people of the United Slates for their aid I and support and in doing what* they have done to free Cuba from Spain they have but repaid the greart debt which they owed to humanity, justice and the right, for rhe tj'jd they received from Lafayette and France during their war for independ ence."’ TREATY WITH BRAZIL Extradition Relations Between That Coun try and the United Slates. By Associated Press. New York, Dec. 30. —A dispatch to the World from Rio Janeiro says that the Brazilian congress has approved a treaty of extradition with the United States. I COUNT ESTERHAZY. Still In Belgium, But May Sail F®r Amer ica. Bv Associated Press. New York, Dec. 30. —A dispatch to the | World from London says that a Paris dis j patch to the Standard says that a telegram from Rotterdam announces that Com | inander Esterhazy has been staying there ; since December 19. His departure for : America is regarded as imminent. I WHAT"ENGLAND EXPECTS Insisting That the United States Maintain a Phil ippine Government. By Associated Press. t New York. Dec. 30. —A dispatch to the ■ Herald from London says: The Morning Post, commenting on the latest news from the Philippines, says: Sooner or later the question of the posses sion of the islands will have to be faced. The Unital States will find themselves J obliged to assert their authority by force, for they have destroyed the only govern ment which existed. They cannot leave the island to- an anarchy. i The Daily News says: To leave the Philippines to anarchy would be too in consistent with the spirit of Lite declara tions and the obligations which the United States have incurred. VICTORIA ON FIRE. British Columbia Metropolis Threatened with Destruction. By- Associated Press. Victoria. B. C.. Dec. 30—Fire broke out in the business district and owing to the trouble experienced in getting water it has made rapid headway. It is not yet under i control. * | CLUE TO POISONERS. Silver Plated Trinket being Traced by the Police. By Associated Press. New York.. Dee. 30 —'Hope borders on ex pectation that the silver-plated trinket re : eeived by Harry Cornish may prove a con clusive clue tq the person responsible I the death of Mrs. Kate J. Adams and the poisoning of Cornish. It was not a bottle holder as represented but a toothpick holder or ash receiver. It was made by a Jersey City firm, who says that only fifty of that kind were manufactured and that ! one presented, they say. was sent to either i New York or to New Haven, Conn. i MACON NEW; FRIDAY DECEMBER 30 ioyii VERY EAST i!ME Train Schedule From the East to Omaha Reduced. —— I THEM HOURS SAVED . Run Will be Made in Thirfy-S’x Hours by a Lightning Vander bilt Express, By .Aesoc-iatefl Press. J i Omt.ha, Neb., Dec. 3(i—Ever *.:nce the ; Vanderbilt lines commenced figuring on 1 : their new fact trains between New York ilcity and Omaha the officials of the Amer ? icah Express Company have been plan- - i Hing io take advantage of the new ser ? vice and reduce their time on express shipments. The new schedule has just > beer completed and a copy was brought 5 bark to Omaha from the eastern office by ? I Superintendent Garner, of the American t ■ Express Company. The present schedule [Of forty-eight hours on shipments from t Boston and all New England points to i Omaha, will be reduced to thirty-six hours, s The Adams Express Company which - operates in the West over the Burlington s system has not yet made arrangements i to take advantage for the new fast mail train. For the month of January ‘the I ‘ Adams Company will not as the Burling ; ton to handle any express matter on «ixs i - new fast mail trains. NEWS CARNIVAL?EDITION BEING GIVEN AWAY — JTo Soldiers and Subscribers--Come at Once and Get One of These Beautiful Souvenirs of Macon. Although The News has sold and distributed over 7,000 copies of its Carnival -Edition, several thousand copies yet remain on hand. With a view to making everyone of these books an effective advertisement of Macon, The News proposes to give one to each subscriber who calls at this office during the next few weeks. In addition to this The News will furnish every soldier now enoamped in Macon with a Carnival Edition free of charge. This book contains more about Macon than any publication ever issued. It obtains several hundred half tone illustrations, showing .streets and points of interest in and about the city. It is a very valuable and attractive souvenir. Toe soldiers are invited to come in at once and secure one of these books free of charge. The supply will not last long, so come at once and get this magnificent pictorial review of Macon.. SENOR ROMERO i Mexico's Greatest Diplomatist J Dead In Washington, By Associated Press. W asmngton, Dec. 30. —-Senor Don Ma tias Romero, Mexican ambassador to the United States, dier at the embassy here at 4:10 o’clock this morning. Wednesday last an operation for appendicitis was performed upon the ambassador and al though the operation was entirely suc j cessful, the shock proved greater than he could bear. About the bedside were his sister, Mrs. Garcia, and aunt, the secretaries and other attaches as the embassy, his physicians and ex-Secretary and Mrs. John W. Fos ter. The death of Mrs. Romero, which oc curred some months ago, was a great i shock to the ambassador and on his reaurn from Mexico, whither he had taken her remains for interment, friends remarked he was greatly broken and showed unmis ■ takable signs of failing health. Senor Romero was probably the best known member of the diplomatic corps in Washington and for some time was its dean. When Great Britain raised the mis sion to an embassy the added rank placed Pauneefote at the head of the corps. , Senor Romero was one of the most em inent statesmen, writers and diplomats of j Mexico. He was born in the city of Oax ’■ aca in 1837. In 1855 he first entered the foreign office, although still pursuing his legal studies. In 1857, when President Co- 1 monfort made his coup d’tat, forcing President Juarez to leave the capital, Ro mero accompanied him to Vera Cruz, where he continued in the service of the department of foreign relations. In De cember. 1859. he came to Washington as the first secretary of legation of Mexico and remained here in that capacity until August. 1860, when hebecame charge de affaires. He returned to Mexico in 1863 to take part in the war against the French and was appointed colonel by the presi dent. General Porifierio Diaz then ap pointed him chief of staff. Soon after that President Juarez accredited him envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to Washington. He remained at his post from October. 1863, until January. 1868, having rendered most important service to his country. On his return to Mexico he was appoint ed secretary of the treasury, but was obliged on account of ill health to give up office in 1872. In March. 1882. he came back to Washington as envoy extraordin ary and plenipotentiary and has remained in that capacity ever since, with an in terruption of only ten months in 1892, when for a third time he was cailed to serve his country as secretary of the treasury. Romero was a member of the International American Conference and in that body served with great distinction. Romero married a Washington woman many years ago and their home on I street : was a social centre and a scene each sea , son of brilliant society functions. CHOICE Montana Beef Averages Five Per Cent Increase. VERY MODS (EUR Quantity of Cattle Gradually De creasing—Worried by Wolves and Coyotes. By Associated Press. iHelena, Mont., Dec. 30.—The price of Montana catle has averaged 5 per cent higher than during any sea-on previously in the history of the state, according to the report of the state stock commission, jus-i submitted to Governor Smith. The num ber shipped outside of the state during the season of 1898 was 178,285, and 60.000 were killed for home consumption, making the con-sumption of Mon-tana cattle this yesar 232,225. The -average price received v.us $39 a head, a material advance over last, year’s average price. During the year the -Mon tana inspectors recovered 16.058 strays, worth $636,000, of -which $287,943.90 was paid through the Montana Stock Growers’ Association. One of the special features of the busi ness in 1893 was the sharp advance in stock cattle. While the advance in stock cattle was 40 per cent over 1897, there was only an advance of 5 per cent in beef cat- j tie. The big advance in stock cattle was ; due to the demand for feeders that devel ; oped early in the season. Owing to the : high price of young stock fewer cattle were . brought into the state during last season I than ever before. The stock commission- ! I ers say that only 17,000 cattle were shiip j ped into the state during the year, a fall ing off of 75 per cent as compared with im portations in 1897. While the shipments of cattle fell short during the year, the board anticipates that t.i.e shot tage next year will be even more pronounced. The shipments were made greater this year from the fact that a number of large cattle outfits went out of business. For that reason shipments were | hi-a uer than they would ha\e been under I i natural conditions. The comm ssioners . recommend a change in the boun-y laws of | rhe state. They say that it is the unani- ■ | mous opinion cf the stock men that the i I bounty on coyotes should either, be taken j off altogether or materially reduced, as I I the coyotes are responsible for little loss i i The present bounty, they insist, is not I {’large enough for wolves and should be in- I t creased to $5 a head. While wolves do : practically all the damag- to stockmen. 75 ! !>er cent of bounty claims filed against the ; state are for coyotes. . HIS BROTHER’S PENSION. Curious Excuse For Swindling the Govern ment. 1 By Associated Press. j Portland. Ore., Dec. 30.—Silas Luttrell, i aged 60, of Wallowa county, Oregon, has ; been arraigned in the United States cir ! cun court on a charge of fraudulently en i deavonng a pension and was committed o jail on $2,000 bail. He has made appli cation to the United States court of pen l sions under the name of John Luttrell, who was first sergeant of the Ninety third regiment during the rebellion. Lut trell does not attempt to deny his guilt, but says that during the war his brother . was aken sick at Gauantana and he went iO nurse him. M hile so doing a revolver accidentally exploded, inj’uring his eyes. ■ In view of this Luttrell states that he does not believe he is doing wrong in ap plying for a pension. I KILLED BY NATIVES. French Soldiers Reported Massacreed in the New Hebridss. By Associated Press. Victoria, £. C., Dec. 30.—The R M. S Warr : mo has arrived from Hong Kong and Australia. She brought the crew cf the Uzy of Columbia, which ran from Seattle to Hilo. She had news from Suva that a report reached there that a lieu tenant and thirteen men of the French warship Eure had been killed in the new Hebrides by natives. OUR ADMIRALS I How They Will be Assigned to Their New Duties. SCHLEY TO BE SENT TO LEE Sampson to Command the North Atlantic Squadron-Not Enough Vessels. By Associated Press. New York, Dec. 30.—A dispatch to the Herald from Washington says: Rear Admiral Sampson Is to command of the North Atlantic squadron. Commodore J. W. Philip is to command the Brooklyn navy yard. Commodore H. F. Picking is to com mand the Boston navy yard. Captain Louis Kempff is to command the naval station at Guam and to be naval governor of the island. Rear Admiral Schley and Rear Admiral Howison are to be assigned to sea duty. These assignments were announced by a high official of the navy department | as having been determined by Secretary Long. Before Admiral Sampson' had his con ference with the secretary the report was current that he would be granted leave of absence in order that he might have a short rest, which his friends believe would materially aid him in recovering his health. During the conference, however, the admiral assured the secretary that he would prefer to remain on board. The New York will remain at Tomp kinsville for some time and Admiral Sampson will direct the affairs of his sta tion from that vessel. i Orders to Commodore Philip assigning ' him to the Brooklyn navy jard were is ; sued several days ago by the department, j They require his immediate detachment ■ from the Texas and he will assume com ! mand of the Brooklyn yard on January I 15. Captain Cook, commanding the Brook- Lyn, wil’l be left in Havana harbor as sen ior officer in command of the vessels j there.. Commodore 'Picking’s assignment to the j command of the Boston navy yard is not | regardeded as much of a surprise in naval circles. He was an applicant for the po ; sition and was only recently relieved of I rhe command of the receiving ship Wa | bash. i Rear Admiral Howison desired an op portunity to fly his flag before retirement ! and the secretary is willing to give it to ’ him. i Rear Admiral Howison will be retired I next October so that he will have only I nine months to perform duty afloat. It has not yet been determined what com mand he will’ have. Naval gossip has it ! that he will be assigned to command a division in the North Atlantic squadron, j hue inquiry develops the fact that that squadron 'will be so reduced in size that only a flagship officer will be required. In view of the intention of the depart ment to send Rear Admiral Schley and Rear Admiral Howison to sea it would seem as though the secretary proposes to make the South Atlantic squadron of such importance as to place a flag officer in command of it instead of, as heretofore, L leaving the senior officer in charge. Rear i Admiral Schley and Rear Admiral Howi son will therefore be available for thesf 1 two stations, but which will be assigned I to the European station is a question i which no one in authority seems able to answer just at this time. Rear Admiral , Sschley, it is reported, will be assigned to the European station, but it 'would not be ; surprising if Rear Admiral Howison should secure this assignment for the i short period he has to serve on the active list. SARAH’S EYEBROWS SINGED, Mme. ‘ Bernhardt Ventures too Near the Crater of Vesuvius. London, Dec. 30—The Rome correspond , ent of rhe Tall Mall Gazette b as sent by ! I mail an interview with Mme. Sarah Bern hardt, in which the latter describes her i j ' recent night ascent of Mount Vesuvius. , j She was accompanied by two attendants ! and a guide, and the ascent was made on i foot. i Mme. Bernhardt says: “It is dangerous . enough in the daytime, but at night it is i wellnigh impossible for a lady. It is. how ever, quite worth the trouble. We left af i ter the theatre closed and took the shortest route. My emotions increased as we as cended. I have climbfd many mountains of snow, but never one of fire before. As we proceeded the ground beneath our feet seemed to become gradually warmer. Then there were frequent clouds of vapqr and showers of ashes. The way became more difficult, and our feet left phnts in the scarcely cold lava, while the giant sighed occasionally, sending out a hot breath of flame, and the air became heavier and heavier until breathing was difficult. “I went on without a word to my com- j panions, feeling In my innermost being the grandeur of the earth and the littleness of man when face to face with the forces of nature. At last the guide said that we must go no further, as the lava was liquid at the mouth of the crater. I begged to go a few more paces, and the man gave way to my importunities. We went on for forty or fifty steps, when the others came to a standstill. I proceeded until I was stopped by a cry from the guide. I seemed to be in the midst of flame, and was hardly able to breathe. I lost one of my curls and my eyebrows were scorched. I felt as though the day of judgment was at hand.” SPAIN’S POOR SOLDIERS. More Money for Repatriation—The Philip pine Prisoners. By Associated Press. Madrid. Dec. 30. —The cabinet has agreed to send additional funds to Cuba for the repatriation of Spanish troops remaining there. The government considers the pros pects of the release of the Spanish pris oners in the Philippine Islands as discour- PRICE ChnTS TO BE FOuGHT OUT Suit Against the Southern to Be Prosecuted. WHAT US I CIT! BO? Courts to Be Made to Construe the Rights of a Community in Its Relation to Common Carriers. The suit against the Southern Railway Company, which was begun a year and a ‘ half ago, involving the question of the t ownership of corporations by corporations, I and the right of the city of Macon to en joy open competition among the roads centering here, will be pushed with all ■ energy by the complainants, and a hear ing will be had at the present term of the United States court. The loss of 20,000 bales which Macon j has suffered this season," said one of the [ complainants yesterday, “makes it abso lutely necessary that this effort to secure l justice by breaking the pool shall be made, i We cannot live under the present dispen sation. The law text books tell us that for every wrong there is a remedy, and Auely a remedy can be found for Macon’s wrong. Macon used to get cotton from seventy miles around, but this cotton now goes to smaller points and is compressed, in transit. It does Macon no good. The trouble is that this condition is not due to natural law. If it were we could not complain. But it is due to the fact that towns having competition which the law is supposed to guarantee, whenever two or more railroads are assembled, are able to outbid Macon which has no competition, out which is the victim of a pool discrim inating against her. The issue is very sharply presented in the case now before Judge Speer, and it will be fought to a finish, so that a city may have from the courts a specific definition of its rights.”' ' PROMINENT WRITER ■— - i Becomes 111 While In the!. Philippine Is- lands. By Associated Press. | London, Dec. 30 —Poultney Bigelow, who returned from the Philippine islands via New York, Saturday, is at his house dan gerously ill of dysentery contracted in the far east. THAT BAD BEEH ii - ■ ■ It is btill Worrying the War Investigatirg Commission. I •' By Associated Press. Washington, Dec. 30.—The war investi gating commission held a brief executive session today at noon and adjourned until Tuesday, January 3d. There was no im portant action at today’s meeting and the matter of recalling Commissary Ceneral I Eagan, Major General Shafter or Major General Miles as a result of the agitation over the beef issue to the army remains undetermined. A decision will probably be reached Tuesday, when it is likely that there will be a full attendance of the com mission. AGAINST UNIFORMITY. Southern Educators Take Po sition on the School Book Question. By Associated Press. New Orleans, La., Dec. 30—The closing session of the Southern Educational As sociation was held today. A resolution de claring uniformity of text books to be harmful to the best educational interests was adopted. It was decided to make the executive officers of the association an executive council to transact official business. E. O. Syte, president of the National Education al Association, delivered an address on the value of organization in education. The new* officers named yesterday were elected today. CUBA’S OPPORTUNITY Her Statesmen Agree She Must Behave Herstlf at This Time. By Associated Press. Havana, Dec. 30. —This morning the city and suburbs of Havana were absolutely quiet and last night there was not one instance of disorder. United States pa trols and officers are keenly on the alert, penetrating into every comer of the town’ Senor Frederico Mora, a prominent Cuban, said to a correspondent of the Associated Press today: lie are sorry we cannot execute our program, but we agree with General Lud low’s desire. He might have difficulty in keeping low people down, and restraining young people in the army, but we are sure only detached acts of disturbance would occur. Nothing will be done in combina tion against American wishes. Now is Cuba’s opportunity. If we go wrong now we shall never attain independence, never t reach national life and Americans will ’ never leave Cuba.” « , j