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8
CARTER’S PRIVATE PAPERS.
COL. BARII WILL SEEK TO INTRO
DUCE THEM AS EVIDENCE.
Capt. Carter’s Counsel AVIII Enter n
rroteat, anil un Argument W 111 En
sue Tills Morning—Snlil They W ere
Turned Over to tlie Hoard of In
quiry in Confidence to Be Restored
to Him. und H ere Sent Ann; W Ith
out His Knowledge or Consent.
Defense Scores a Point In tlie In
troduction of Testimony.
The question of the introduction In evi
dence of some of Capt. Car.er's private pa
pers will come up before the court-martial
this morning. An account of the exam
ination into these papers by the Judge Ad
vocate, and the protest against it on the
part of Capt. Carter, was given in the
Morning News at the time it was made on
Jan. 17.
In spite of the protests made at that
time the examination of the papers was
made, and in the presence also of Maj.
Henry M. Adams against which a second
protest was entered. These protests and
Col. Barr's reply were entered on the rec
ord yesterday. Capt. Carter’s attorneys
Will object to the introduction of the papers
before the court, and the result will be
an argument on the subject this morning.
Considerable evidence was introduced
yesterday with reference to the channel
near the quarantine station and the rea
sons for changing the harbor lines there
In 18911. After that Col. Barr endeavored
to Introduce a report of a hoard of en
gineers, of which Capt. Gillette was one,
and the action of the war department on
that report taken in October. 1897, chang
ing those harbor lines again, but the court
ruled these papers out as they related to
a matter which came up after Capt. Car
ter was ordered away from Savannah.
When the court opened Mr. Blair made
a personal explanation. Saturday he made
the remark that he understood that the
court had ruled that it was not bound by
the rules of evidence. When Witness
Cooper was formerly on the stand and his
examination had proceeded to a point
where the questions were by the court,
Mr. Charlton having objected to a certain
question, this statement appears in the
record as having been made by the pres
ident of the court:
"The court is not now strictly bound by
the rules of evidence, and the court adopts
the question."
Mr. Blair said he and other counsel had
been under the impression which he con
veyed in his remark of Saturday, that the
court had ruled it was not bound by the
rules of evidence, hut he had overlooked
the fact that it was a question by the
court. ,
"The court regrets that there has been
any misapprehension," Gen. Otis said.
"What the court intended to convey was
that questions by the court or adopted by
the court and not objectionable, cannot
be objected to under the rules of evidence.
The witness had passed to the court which
adopted the questions asked by counsel,
and as all these questions are asked by
the court they cannot bo objected to on
the ground of rules of evidence."
' Assistant Engineer A. S. Cooper was put
on the stand again to make a statement
of an estimate for dredging the proposed
new channel near the quarantine station.
He had estimated the total cost at about
$48,600 provided the channel had been
changed.
, On the cross examination Mr. Cooper
was asked for a statement of his engi
neering experience and training, which
was given. Mr. Cooper considered that he
was an expert on harbor worjt to a i #-
son able extent, though he did not consider
he was at the head of the profession. Mr.
Blair questioned the witness upon several
propositions In hydraulics, chiefly as to,
the formula for computing the velocity of
a stream. Mr. Cooper could not remem
ber the formula, saying when he wanted
It he always looked it up in engineering
books.
"I am not prepared to stand a civil
service examination. I will have to study
for that," the witness said.
“You are under examination and will
have to answer the questions.” Mr. Blair
Bald. "You are a hydraulic engineer ami
yet you go to books for the fundamental
formula of hydraulics?”
The witness replied that he did. Mr.
Blair questioned him extensively on tech
nical points with regard to the channel
near the quarantine station, and also as
to the soundings by which the hight of
the breakwater was determined.
Mr. Cooi>er said In answer to Col. Barr
that Capt. Carter called him back here
in 1893 as an hydraulic engineer, without
his having made any application for the
position. He had made a number of esti
mates for Capt. Carter, all of which had
been adopted. More technical questions
were asked.
Maj. C. S. Hardee, city treasurer, was
called and asked to produce certain vouch
ers which were copies of receipts given
to parties at the time the money was
turned Inio the treasury. Four of these
receipts were dated In 1889 and three
others in 1896. Mr. Blair objected to the
Introduction of those dated in 1889 be
cause he said Capt. Carter was in no
wise connected with those transaetions.He
also said it might require an entrance into
collateral matters and would therefore
consume much lime.
“We have all the time that lies before
us," Col. Barr said. “I want to show
what the city was paid for ballast rock
In 1889 when it was not in a dilemma nor
forced to give in to the schemes of greedy
men.”
The specification charges that this was
• species of extortion. Col. Barr said, and
he held It was entirely pertinent to intro
duce the vouchers.
The court retired and after some de
liberation decided not to sustain ihe ob
jection of the accused. The vouchers
showing what had been paid for stone in
1889 as compared with the price paid in
3896, were then read to the court and intro
duced in evidence. These papers showed
that at that time something like $1 a ion
was paid for stone, whereas in 1596 this
material was bought in a lump at much
smaller prices.
Col. Barr then offered In evidence the
orders of the war department changing the
harbor lines at the quarantine station so
as to remove the restrictions there. To
this Mr. Blair objected on the ground that
It was based on a report of a board of en
gineers made some months after Capt.
Carter was relieved from duty here.
Col. Barr said he supposed the same ob
jection would be made to the report of the
board upon that subject and be also offer
i ed it, that the court might rule upon it at
the same time.
Mr. Blair objected to that report on the
grounds that it was made long after the
accused was relieved from duty in Sa
vannah: that it contained an opinion of a
board of engineers as to wha! should have
been done, and that a member of that
board, Capt. C. E. Gillette, was the main
prosecuting witness in the case against the
accused. For these reasons he h* Id that
the documents In question Wore irrelevant.
Some correspondence was then read
(Continued on Third I’ase.j
NEWS OF THE SCHOOLS.
Prof. Glenn at tlie School Board
Meeiing-Nledoi for a Lee Essay.
The Board of Education held its Febru
ary meetuig last night. The board met
at 7 o’clock owing to several members de
siring to attend the annual meeting of the
Georgia Historical Society. The business,
however, was attended to with the usual
care. There were present: Col. Mercer,
president; and Messrs. Saussy, Tattnall,
Stovail, Meyers, Blun, Meldrim and Es
till. ITof. G. R. Glenn, state superintend
ent of education, was present and was in
vited to a seat with the board. Just be
fore adjournment he made a few remarks
in which he said he had noticed in the
reading of the report of the treasurer that
the board had to borrow money to meet its
annual expenses. That should not be the
case, he said, when there is money in the
state treasury to the credit of the educa
tional fund which ia only draw
ing 2 per cent. Interest. He said
he hoped the members of the legislature
would see tiiat a bill was passed authoriz
ing (he payment of amounts due for edu
cation in advance instead of waiting until
the end of each quarter and sometimes
longer.
Supt. Ashmore presented his monthly re
port. in which he stated that the schools
are in their usual condition. The High
School tuition fees so far, he said, - amount
to 11,430. The superintendent called atten
tion to the notification of the chief fireman
in regard to tire escapes for three school
buildings. Ho also referred to the propos
ed school house at Bloomingdale which it
Is stated can be built for $4.30. The May
or’s communication in regard to the city's
claims against the board for paving ad
joining school property was referred to.
Mayor Meldrim from the special com
mittee on the latter subject, reported that
the board was not liable for the assess
ment levied for paving Oglethorpe ave
nue. The report was received.
President Mercer reported that he had a
petition from the residents of West Sa
vannah (o establish a school there, and on
motion of Col. Estili, the petition was
referred to the committee on school build
ings to report the cost of a suitable build
ing and other particulars.
A letter from Fire Chief Maguire re
garding lire escapes was also referred to
committee on school buildings.
A letter was received from Principal
O’Hara of St. Patrick's school calling at
tention to the fact that the janitor is un
able to care for the school building, and
asking for additional help. The matter
was referred to Superintendent Ashmore
and the committee on school building"
The Savannaii Chapter of the Daughters
of the Confederacy, by letter, informed the
board that It desired to present a medal
for the best essay on Gen. R. E. Lee writ
ten by a boy or girl of the High School,
and naked its approval. On motion, the
approval of the board was granted.
On motion of Mr. Meyers the superin
tendent was authorized to have the six
complete sets of the printed proceedings
of the board from its organization to the
present year,which he had succeeded in
gathering, bound.
On motion of Capt. Plun, Superintendent
Ashmore was authorized to attend the Na
tional Association of School Superintend
ents, to be held in Chattanooga on the
22d, 23d and 24th insts.
After reading the reports of the commit
tee on accounts and the treasurer, the
board adjourned.
DAUNTLESS AGAIN OFF.
Ilolleved to Have Gone on Another
Filibustering Trip.
The tug Dauntless, which has been en
gaged in towing at this port during the
past month, Is suspected of having gone
on another filibustering expedition. She
had been at Taggart’s wharf for several
days taking on coal, and left Sunday,
presumably to go In search of mGre bus
iness off Tvbee bar.
On her way down the river she was
searched by officers of the revenue cutter
Boutweli and Colfax, who have attended
to that duty persistently, during the en
tire lime the Dauntless has been here.
The Boutweli was anchored at Fort
Oglethorpe and the Colfax at Venus’
point. The officers found nothing of u
suspicious character on board the tug and
allowed her to proceed. The fact that sev
eral filibustering expeditions afb reported
to have left the Northern ports, and the
circumstance of the Dauntless having tak
en a full supply of coal, gave the Spanish
authorities here ground for suspecting
that the famous filibuster had gone to
meet some vesSel and take on board am
munition and arms to be transported to
Cuba.
A telegram yesterday stated that the
mate of the Dhuntless had left Tampa,
Fla., with a party on an expedition to
Cuba,' presumably to meet the Dauntless
off the coast of Florida. Tills was an
other suspicious feature connected with
the departure of the tug from Savannah.
The Spanish officials became very much
exercised over the matter and yesterday
communicated with the treasury officials,
stating that tlie Dauntless had succeeded
In eluding the vigilence of the officers
here and had passed out of the harbor to
sea. Tlie treasury department was also
informed that the Dauntless had a cargo
of arms, ammunition and other supplies.
The treasury department at once notified
the custom officers and revenue cutters
along the coast to lie on the ulert and de
tain Ihe supposed filibuster.
A Fernandlna, Fla., dispatch last night
stated that a tug. supposed to be the
Dauntless, arrived there at 10:30 o'clock
the night before and proceeded at once
to take dn boxes and supplies, supposed
to be ammunition. Seventy Cubans ar
rived about 12 o’clock by special train
and immediately went aboard. Col. Nunez
was said to be in command.
The Spanish consul at Fernandlna ex
pressed doubts whether the exjiedltion left
that port. The report of a tug with three
barges in tow, having left Bridgeport,
Conn.. Sunday, with munitions of war,
intended for Cuba, also gave grounds for
suspicion that the Dauntless is connected
with that expedition.
Funeral of Jno. M. Sheppard.
The funeral of the late John M. Shep
pard took place from his residence on
Henry street yesterday afternoon and was
largely attended. Rev. E. F. Morgan of
the Seventh Street Church officiated at the
house and at Laurel Grove. The pall
bearers were chosen from his former as
sociates in business.
Hussars Ladies’ Coni in it tee.
The ladles' committee of the Georgia
Hussar's fair held an enthusiastic meet
ing yesterday afternoon, Mrs. P. \y. Mel
drim presiding. The ladies have taken
great interest in the fair which augurs
well for its success. The fair w'ill be held
the first week in April.
As a Simple yet Effective Remedy f or
Throat Affections. Brown's Bronchial Tro
ches stand first in public favor. They are
absolutely unrivaled for the alleviation of
ail Throat Irritations caused by Cold or
uae oi the voice.—ad.
THE MORNING NEWS: TUESDAY. FEBRUARY 15. 1898.
TO STRAIGHTEN ITS FINANCES.
GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY HAS
HI’S BEHIND.
Committee of the President and Two
A'iee Presidents to Look Out for
Subscriptions—Officers Elected for
the Ensuing Year—Col. Mercer
Made Second Vice President and
Mr. John M, Bryan Treasurer—Dr.
Head Donates Some Interesting
Relics.
The annual meeting of the Georgia His
torical Society was held at Hodgson Hall
last night. The society's finances were
the principal topic of discussion, and the
result was the appointment of a commit
tee of the three leading officers to look
after the matter of soliciting subscriptions
to aid In straightening them out.
The other important feature was the
election of officers for the ensuing year.
Col. George A. Mercer was unanimously
chosen second vice president to fill the va
cancy created by the death of Judge Will
iam D. Harden. Judge A. H. MacDonell
w r as nominated for re-election as treasurer,
but declined the nomination, and himself
nominated Mr. John M. Bryan, who, he
said, had consented to serve. Mr. Bryan
was unanimously elected.
The election of Col. Mercer as second
vice president, and the announcement by
letter from Mr. Charles N. West that he
could not serve, left two vacancies on the
board of curators, which were filled by
the unnnimous selection of Messrs. B. A.
Denmark and W. L. Clay. The other
officers were all re-elected, the list as re
vised being as follows:
President—Gen. Henry R. Jackson.
First Vice President—Col. John Screven.
Second Vice President—Col. George A.
Mercer.
Corresponding Secretary—Otis Ashmore.
Recording Secretary—H. W. Johnson.
Treasurer—John M. Bryan.
Librarian—William Harden.
Board of Curators: B. A. Denmark, Dr.
R. J. Nunn, Col. J. H. M. Clinch, W. L.
Clay, H. P. Smart, J. R. Saussy, and
Capt. H. C. Cunningham.
A resolution was adopted providing for
the appointment by the chair of a com
mittee of three to prepare suitable resolu
tions relating to the death of Judge Har
den, the society’s second vice president
There were twenty-five members of the
society present. First Vice President John
Screven was in the chair in the absence
of Gen. Henry R. Jackson, who is con
fined to his home by illness.
Upon the annual statement of Gen.
Jackson’s account with the Telfair Acad
emy read by Col Screven there arose some
discussion as to the amount that is due
to Gen. Jackson for the sum loaned to the
academy by him some years ago. Col.
Mercer said he would show that in the re
port of the finance committee. The
amount now due Gen. Jackson, he said,
is $7,100.76.
The treasurer. Judge MacDonell, then
rendered his annual statement, showing
that the total receipts of the society
during the year were $2,407.63, and the bal
ance on hand at the beginning of the year
was $439.55, making a total from ail sources
during the year of $2,847.18. The total dis
bursements during the year were $2,754.28,
this including the commissions to col
lecting agent and special canvasser, be
sides the salaries of the librarian and oth
er' employes. The ba’ance on hand is $02.90.
Judge MacDonell stated that the society
now owes $274, as shown by the bills which
he now has in hand. He spoke of the fact
that when he became treasurer the society
had quite an Indebtedness and it was
necessary shortly after to sell 2 SI,OOO city
Savannah bonds for the purpose of clearing
up the indebtedness then due. After that,
he said, a balance of $439.55 was brought
over. The expenses of the society had in
creased from year to year, he said, beyond
the receipts. His conclusion was, he said,
that it was either necessary to keep out
of so much debt, or to devise some bet
ter scheme for meeting the annual ex
penses.
The report of the library committee,
read by Mr. William Harden, contained
some interesting - statistical information.
It showed that there are now 21.721 vol
umes in the library, as against 21,352 ac
cording to the last annual report, the in
crease being 369. The number of pam
phlets in-the society is now 4.123. The
number of vttfumea taken out since the
last annual report was 12,222. Of these
8,911 were novels, 662 histories, 557 books
of travel. 450 memoirs, 338 literature, 207
religion, 760 magazines, 109 science, 35 art,
130 poems and 63 drama. The number of
visitors during the year has been 26,606.
Mr. Cuyler Smith of Atlanta, a member
of the society, made a few remarks upon
some interesting colonial records, now in
the office of the Secretary of State in At
lanta, and said he intended to n)ake copies
of certain important papers, wills, etc.,
and present them to tlie society. Col.
Screven thanked him heartily in the name
of the society for his kind offer, which
he said, would be accepted with much
gratitude.
Dr. R. J. Nunn referred to the
fact that the society has been
falling behind in funds for some
time. He said a gentlepian who did not
want his name known had agreed to guar
antee the expenses of the society for the
present year, provided the society would
pass a resolution providing for notice for
an amendment to the constitution requir
ing each member to pay $lO instead of $5
a year after the present year, and also
that a committee, composed of the presi
dent and two vice presidents be
ap|K>inted to solicit subscriptions to make
up the deficit.
Though the amendment would not come
up for action until the next annual meet
ing. there was some opposition to the res
olution on the ground that it would
obligate the members present to pay $lO
a year after that time. Col. J. H. Estili
said the society ought to encourage mem
bership by throwing open the doors of thd
Telfair Academy to the members of fam
ilies of those who belong to the society.
It is wrong, he said, to have to pay any
one 15 per cent, for securing new mem
bers. He was opposed to such res
olutions.
Col. Mercer said the point had been
reache-1 where either subscriptions would
have to lie secured, or salaries would have
lo be reduced. He objected to Ihe plan of
reducing salaries, as it is impossible to
get a good man for small pay. He favor
ed (he subscription method.
Judge MacDonell advanced the idea that
the society being the trustee for the Tel
fair Academy, might be- entitled under
the law to Ihe usual compensation aliow
' ed trustees, administrators and guardians,
which is 2V4 per cent, for receiving and
the same for disbursing funds. He sug
gested as a substitute that the society look
Into the matter of charging this fee for
handling the fund of the academy.
This proposition was warmly opposed by
Capt. 11. C. Cunningham, who said it nev
er was the idea of the donor that the so
ciety should charge ti e academy for hand
ling the fund. Both he and Col. George
A. Mercer opposed such a plan, because,
they Bald, the interests of the two si>cie
ties are too closely interwoven and it
would be manifestly improper for such
action to be taken.
It was suggested that Judge MacDonell
had not offered his proposition seriously,
(Continued on Sixth Page.)
FIRE INSPECTOR APPOINTED,
Frank 11. Thompson of No, 4 Engine
Cos. to Look After Complaints.
The Are department now has a fire in
spector, whose business it is to inspect
buildings and investigate all reports of
unsafe fire risks.
A complaint book has been placed in the
chiefs office, where the inspector will
have hia headquarters, at Indian and
West Broad streets, where all parties who
have any knowledge of dangerous viola
tions of the clty’9 fire ordinances, or of
the ordinary rules of safety in such cases
are requested to come and enter their
complaints in order that these complaints
may be Investigated by the inspector.
Heretofore the fire inspections have been
conducted by men detailed for the purpose
from the different engine houses, and for
mal inspections of business buildings have
been made two or three times a year. This
system has not given good results. The
fact that a storekeeper was made to re
move waste paper and other combustible
material from under his cellar gratings
was no guarantee that the place would not
be in the same condition a week later and
remain so until the next inspection.
Fireman Frank H. Thompson of No. 4
engine company has been appointed fire
inspector and has already begun his work.
Several complaints have already been in
vestigated with good results. The inspec
tor will spend a part of his time in the
office for the purpose of receiving com
plaints, but complaints can be made at any
time by entering in the complaint book.
The Innovation is one which will doubt
less bring good results.
FIRE BIGS’ UGLY WORK.
A Charles Street Tenement House
Set on Fire.
The detectives think they have some clue
upon which to work now In locating the
firebug who has been causing so much
damage in Savannah recently. An at
tempt was made to fire a house on Charles
street In the section known as Roberts
ville early yesterday morning, and the fire
bug was almost caught in the act.
The firemen at No. 4 engine house were
called out shortly before 6 o'clock. When
they arrived at the fire they found the
house occupied by Peter Blair (colored), in
a biaze and the one adjoining it, which
was unocoupied, also on fire. The flames
had made little progress and were quick
ly extinguished.
There were evidences that coal oil had
been freely used before the fire was set
and an empty oil can, which had recently
contained oil, was found near by. The
firemen were informed by parties in the
neighborhood that a man had been seen
acting suspiciously in the neighborhood of
these houses and the minute the flames
flashed up ran off. He was not recog
nized, but was thought to be a negro. The
section in which the fire occurred is thick
ly built up with small frame houses and
with favorable circumstances a very dis
astrous fire might have resulted. The
matter was reported to the police and the
detectives visited the scene and secured
such information as was to be obtained.
PRANKS ON ST. VALENTINE’S NIGHT
Merriment Led to Mischief in Many
Instances,
St. Valentine day was not quite co
busy a day for the postoffice people os
they had anticipated it would be. A con
siderable falling off in the nuipber of val
entine letters was noticed. There were
enough, however, to make the mail car
riers wish old St. Valentine had never
lived.
'There were the usual carryings on last
night of prankish boys and girls. The
prankishness was in many instances car
ried too far and resulted in the breaking
of window’s, damaging of flow’er gardens
and Injury to property in various ways.
Crowds of boys, maifiy of them mischiev
ous lads, gathered in almost every section
of the city. Front gates were carried off,
doorsteps and piazzas were piled up with
brickbats, window blinds were pulled off
and,in .some instances,flower gardens were
trampled upon and flowers were pulled up
and destroyed.
The police kept a lookout for any dis
orderly acts, bbt they were not able to
keep up with the lx>y, who made the most
of their opportunities.
AN INCENDIARY FISH GLOBE.
Came Near Setting a Refrigerator on
Fire.
A curious incident was narrated to a
Morning News repofter yesterday by a
w’ell-known business man. He recently in
vested in a few gold fish with the accom
panying globe.
A day or two ago the globe wa? set out
on the back porch on top of a refrigera
tor. Some time later a member of the
family noticed that the top of the refrig
erator was smoking. An investigation re
vealed that the sun's rays, shining through
the glass globe, had been focussed upon
the refrigerator top a few inches from the
globe and had slightly seoroed the wooden
surface. -
The incident is of interest in showing the
many unexpected ways in which a fire mav
develop. If the focussed rays had fallen
upon some inflammable material, a blaze
might have resulted. It would seem to be
possible for even a fish globe to start a
file under favorable circumstances.
GERMAN FRIENDLY’S OFFICERS.
Gustave Fox Succeeds M. G. Helmken
n* (’resident.
The annual meeting of the German
Friendly Society was held in Knights of
Pythias hall last night. There were about
forty members present, and officers for the
present year were elected, as follows:
President—Gustave Fox.
Vice President—A. Kessel.
Secretary—A. Heller.
Treasurer—J. 11. Immcn.
Stewards—Joseph Roos and J. h. Van
Newton.
Mr. M. G. Helmken, who has served the
society faithfully three years as its presi
dent, declined to serve longer when the
office was again tendered him.
The finances were reported in the best
condition, and much good Work has been
done by the society during the past year
Tho object is to aid the sick and to carry
out the other designs Lest expressed in u
name.
GOING OVER THE SCHOOLS.
Slate School Commissioner Glenn
Here for That Purpose.
State School Commissioner Glenn
arrived in the city yesterday
and is n guest of Superin
tendent Otis Ashmore. Commissioner
Glenn, as stated iri the Morning News,
is here to make an inspection of the public
schools. He will be In the city several
days and will visit all of the Savannah
schools and possibly some of the country
schools. He went over one or two of the
schools yesterday with Supt. Ashmore and
will continue his inspection to-day.
THEY WANT RATES RESTORED.
SAV'AWAH MERCHANTS CAN’T SEND
SALESMEN TO FLORIDA.
Withdrawal of .Mileage Book* Said
to Be Made on Account of Impos
ter* Baying Them, Unt Merchants
Think There Is Another Reason.
An Agreement Possible by Which
Photographs of Salesmen Will Be
in Books nnd Full Amount of Fare
Paid—A Rebate Will Then Be Giv
en by Hoads—Passenger Associa
tion Discussing Withdrawals of
Mileage Tickets In Georgia.
The withdrawal of 1,000-mile rates in
Georgia is said to be before the South
eastern Passenger Association now in ses
sion in Washington. If such ac
tion contemplates continuing the
recent withdrawal of Florida mile
age rates in to Georgia, the matter will
likely entail war between the Merchants
Association of Savannah and merchants
elsewhere, and the roads behind the
movement.
There is considerable dissatisfaction
among the wholesale merchants on ac
count of the withdrawal of mileage tick
ets in Florida, which went into effect Feb.
1, for the reason they canndt
send drummers into that state at the pres
ent high railroad and hotel charges. The
rates have yet been withdrawn only in
Florida and all mileage tickets issued by
the Plant System and the Florida Central
and Peninsular roads, are said to specifi
cally state that the tfansportation is only
good over these ilr.es outside of that state.
The reason for the action was not made
public and no information was obtainable
from the passenger agents of the roads
because of the matter being entirely with
the executive officers, by whom the tick
ets, or books, were ordered withdrawn.
Probably the first Intimation of the with
drawal in Savannah was when a drummer
representing one of the large wholesale
grocery houses wrote that the books were
withdrawn and asking what action he
should take in regard to continuing his
route and paying the regular fare. About
the same time another Savannah house
received similar communications from
its traveling men in Florida. After a brief
consultation the merchants decided that
action was necessary because the pay
ment of such rates by drummers rendered
it absolutely impracticable for Georgia
Jobbing houses to solicit business in that
state.
A meeting of the Wholesale Merchants
Association of Savannah was at once call
ed for the purpose of considering the mat
ter and ascertaining the cause
of withdrawing drummers rate. As
no one knew anything concerning the
facts and could not therefore discuss the
matter, it was decided to refer the inves
tigation to a special committee of mer
chants. and Mr. Herman Myers, presi
dent of the Savannah Grocery Company,
was made chairman of the committee.
Correspondence was at once begun by Mr.
Myers and the first thing learned by him
was that the matter was the action of the
executive officers of the roads and all in
information must come from them. Mr.
Krwin, vice president of the Plant Sys
tem, was seen by Mr. Myers, but before
any positive information was obtained,
Mr. Erwin was called away on business.
It was stated, however, that the reason
for withdrawing the tickets was that the
roads tvere being imposed on by swindlers,
who represented themselves as traveling
men for the purpose of obtaining books
and selling them. It was also stated that
other methods were being employed to
defraud the ronds through the mileage
books, and particularly in Florida. The
object in withdrawing the rates, it is
said, was for the roads to adopt some
way by which they could shut out illegiti
mate handling of books and establish a
way whereby they would only get into
the hands of legitimate and reliable sales
men. To the merchants the object was a
good one, and they say they are ready
to assist the roads in every
way. While it is said the
drummers were not aware of there being
such an imposition on the roads the mer
chants do not seem to consider that fact.
They do not regard the reality of such a
state of affairs as one for them to decide
and feel that if the roads think it exists,
they will join them in ferreting out the
guilty, heartily indorsing any meas
ure calculated to restore legitimate traffic
In mileage books. The railroads Intimated
it would be a good plan to have each
man's photograph in the book issued to
him and the merchants agree that this
would probably be a successful way of
curing the trouble and express themselves
as willing to eo-operate in its enforce
ment. The railroads would charge the
full rate for the books so issued, but
would give the purchaser a rebate. In
fact, everything suggested by the rail
roads in connection with the matter meets
the approval of the merchants and why
the books should be withdrawn and pro
duce inconvenience and confusion, in or
der to accomplish the result, is not ap
parent to them.
“I cannot believe the roads will refuse
to rectify the Florida withdrawal,” said
a leading Bay street merchant. "Just
why the tickets were called in is a mys
tery. I cannot see why it was necessary
to withdraw them simply to stop the
alleged imposition. We and our men are
willing to help the roads In that particu
lar. There must be other reasons, or, 0:
least, I would not think the roads would
adopt such extraordinary methods to ac
complish the purpose.
"Encouragement to traveling salesmen
is a matter of prime importance to all
railroads. They profit by shipments, and
if we cannot sell goods, of course we
cannot ship (hem. I th.nk thfe Florida
withdrawal will be settled by re-issuance
of mileage books containing the photo
graphs of the men lo whom issued. The
roads will probably then demand full pay
ment of fare and give the proposed re
bate. Either this or some similar arrange
ment will be made to continue our sales
men in Florida. No doubt there are mer
chants there who would like to see us
kept from the state in this manner but
I am satisfied the matter will be adjust
ed."
The opinion prevails, however, that (he
roads were actuated from other motives
Recently the Florida Legislature passed ari
act prohibiting railroad companies from
Issuing free passes to those holding public
trusts, which included all judicial and
other public officers. Reports have it that
the free pass was not relegated to the rear
by this legislation. It is said It did rot
take large squads of public officers long
to learn that the law applied to "free
passes” alone, and that the issuing of
mileage books to them was not an in
fringement. The consequence is said to
be that the railroads were called on for
mileage books to such an extent that it
was necessary to restrict their Issuance
altogether. When It is considered they
were called on for hundreds of thousand
mile books, and that the act was giving
them no relief whatever from the f.te
pass demand, it may have been determined
to subdue the mile-book outbreak by
withdrawing them altogether. The action
of the roads in Florida may therefore be
a strike more at this than the traveling
pm
&4KINO
POWDER
Absolutely Pure
men, which theory Is rather strengthened
by the fact that the executive officers
deemed the matter of sufficient import
ance to give it their personal attention.
Should similar action be taken by the
Southeastern Passenger Association in
Georgia, as rumored in railroad circles, the
effect would be disastrous to Savannah’s
Jobibng interests. The merchants are not
inclined to give the report credence and do
not believe such a serious move is being
considered by the association. The com
mercial Interests would not suffer as much
however, as the roads which entered into
such a deal. In the first place the Geor
gia and Alabama Railroad is not identi
fied with the Southeastern Passenger As
sociation and would not, therefore, be
bound by the withdrawal. This fact would
make it altogether impracticable for the
Central Railroad, a member of the associa
tion, to adhere to the withdrawal on ac
count of the close competitive relation it
occupies to the Georgia and Alabama.
Each line reaches competitive points and
were the Central Road to withdraw
mileage tickets, the business would go
glimmering to the Georgia and Alabama.
Then, again, it is said such action by the
association would necessitate the mer
chants of Georgia calling a convention for
the purpose of bringing the matter before
the state Railroad Commission and possi
bly asking for a lower standard rate.
OLD GIN FOR THE GUARDS.
Presented to the Ilnttnlion l,y Mrs.
Lettle \V. Dupont.
At the February meeting of the Savan
nah Volunteer Guards’ Battalion last night
a number of new members were admitetd.
With those admitted at the special meet
ing the Monday night before this makes
forty-three new members received by the
battalion this month.
A feature of the meeting was the pre
sentation by Lieut. Davis Freeman, in be
half of Mrs. Lettle W. Dupont, of a gun
of curious make and workmanship, being
an old style blunderbus, about two feet in
length, with a brass barrel about one foot
in length and the old flintlock attachment
of revolutionary days.
The blunderbus was the property of the
late Wirt Dupont, for several years a pop
ular member of the battalion. It had been
the property of his great-grandfather and
is said to have been used at the battle of
Blandensburg In 1814. Lieut. Freeman
stated that Mrs. Dupont had requested
him to say that she knew her son would
be pleased for the battalion to have the
gun if it were possible for him to express
a wish on the subject.
Lieut. Freeman referred elo
quently and touchingly to
young Dupont and the feelings
which prompted his mother in making the
gift. The gift was accepted and a resolu
tion of thanks to Mrs. Dupont expressing
the appreciation of the corps for her in
terest in it and regard for the memory of
her son was adopted. The weapon is in
good condition, and will make an inter
esting addition to the collection of the
corps.
At the meeting of Company B, held after
the battalion meeting, resolutions were
adopted expressing the sense of loss
and regert of the company on account of
the death of the late Edward L. Patton,
Jr., for several years a n active member of
the company, and prominent in all its
affairs.
Company D held itssformal election for
captain, to fill the vacancy caused bv the
resignation of Capt. Mackall. Thir
ty-five votes were cast, all for First Lieut,
W. Trenholm Hopkins, who had been pre
viously selected by the company. Capt.
Hopkins will receive his commission after
undergoing the usual examination. The
election was presided over by Lieut.
Wright Hunter, J. Randolph Anderson
and Walter C. Hartridge, all of the Guards
battalion.
HOW LANDS GO Ul* IN PRICE.
Of 24 Acres Once Sold for $l,lOO,
Four Recently Brought $25,000.
The increase in value of suburban real
estate in and near Savannah can be es
timated by an investment made by a
well known citizen in 1877. He bought
twenty-four acres of land for farming
and gardening purposes and also as a
place of public resort.
The price paid was $4,400. The purchaser
kept the land intact until the city began
Opening streets in the extension, when he
sold the street ways through the property
for about $15,000, and recently he has sold
building lots to the amount of SIO,OOO. He
still has about twenty acres left, a great
deal of which could be disposed of at
even higher prices than those named for
building purposes. This is Irrefutable evi
dence of the value of and profit in land
interests in and about the city.
If the entire net work of projected
streets south of Anderson was opened and
a few of them paved and others harden
ed and sidewalks put down on some of
them, there would be doubtless another
building and development movement,
such as has occurred whenever the au
thorities afford modern city conveniences.
Matron of the Home.
Savannah, Ga„ Feb. 9, 1898.—Mary E.
Lewis, Matron of the Louisa Porter Home,
23 East Charlton street, this city, makes
the following statement: “Asa general
tonic and building up medicine I have
found nothing as good as Hood’s Sarsap
arilla. I have taken several bottles, and
it has been of great benefit to me. I take
pleasure in recommending it to others
ad.
REDUCED RATES TO AUGUSTA, GA.,
Account of Laying Corner Stone ot
the Sacred Heart Catholic Church,
Feb. 20.
The Centra! of Georgia Railway will sell
tickets Saturday evening, the 19th, and
Sunday morning, the 20th, to Augusta and
return at rate of $3.96 for the round trip
Tickets will be good returning Monday
following.—ad.
Notice.
I desire to inform my friends and the
public generally that I am at present
with Mr. Charles Marks, where I will
be pleased to meet one and all. Thankin'*
my friends for past favors and soliciting
a continuance for same, I beg to remain
very respectfully, John F. Tuberdy.—ad.
8 ’. 6HOTTER President.
J. F. C. MYERS, Tice President
DIXIE OIL GO.
BUY
Anti-Monopoly
OILS,
And have the satisfaction of
knowing that the light you
read by is not of the kind
that would have made the
signers of the Declaration of
Independence blush.
DIXIE OIL GO.,
SAVANNAH, GA.
•
Patronize Home Industry,
Ladies
Love
Cut Prices—
Vide—-our Ladies’ Department.
The VALUES in our Clearlng-
Out Sale DWARF THE
PRICES.
Winter
DRESSES, SKIRTS. WAISTS,
BICYCLE COSTUMES, HO
SIERY and UNDERWEAR.
“Value" blushes for "Price*."
Coal, Coke, Wood
A large supply of all
grades and sizes. Consult
us before making your pur*
chases.
Just received a cargo of
Foundry and Domestic Coke,
nice and clean. Just the
thing for grates.
An enormous supply Do
mestic Lump Coal.
Office and Yard Foot Lincoln Street.
PHONE 63
C. 11. DIXON & CO.
The fall of coal made the public smile,
but when it used "Montevallo" it was
tickled almost to death and will now buru
no other. Stearn coal and hard coal al
ways on hand.
T. F. JOHNSON & CO.,
TELEPHONE 500.
COAL.
Best quality. Promptly
delivered.
Anthracite .... $5.50 per ton
Domestic Lump 5.00 per ton
Phone 507. Office 14 Bull rt.
BOND, HAiIRIiON & GO.
D. R. THOMAS & SON
Jeliico lip Col 35 Pi Top.
Telephone 00. Office 19 Hay.
JOHN G. BUTLER.
DEALER IN
Paints, Oils, and Glass, Sash Doors,
Blinds and Builders’ Supplies, Plain >“ 1
Decorative Wall Paper, Foreign and Do
mestic Cements, Lime, Plaster and llalr.
Sole Agents for Asbestine Cold Water
Paint.
20 Congress street, west, and 19 St. Julian
street, west.
LOVELY FLOWERS
Beautiful designs, bouquets, plants an 1
cut flowers. Leave orders at office, •
Abescorn street, at Nursery, or telephoi.s
240. KIESLING. Take Belt Line Bail
way for Nursery on While Bluff road.