Newspaper Page Text
the morning news.
ritab’rihed 1460. - Incorporated MSS
J. H. ESTILL, President
big brokerage firm fails.
PRICE* M’CORMICK & CO.'S LIABILI
TIES ARE $18,000,000.
fceurly All of tlic Creditors Are Se
cured— Firm Had Been Bulling the
Cotton Market, and the Recent
Heavy Urol* in Futures Was More
Thun It Could Stand—Market Be
came Panic Stricken But Recover,
ed Partially Before the Close.
New York, May 24.—Price, McCormick &
Cos., one of the largest brokerage hopees
In the city, failed to-day, with liabilities
estimated at $13,C0D,000.
The Arm is a member of the Stock, Cot
ton and Produce exchanges and of the
Chicago Stock Exchange, and has branch
office? in about thirty cities throughout
the United Stales.
The failure is ascribed to the fact that
the firm was long of cotton in the face
of a fast falling market. A notice on the
doors of the offices of the company re
ferred all inquiries to William J. Curtis
nd William N. Cromwell, assignees.
Mr.Cromwell paid late this afternoon that
it was impossible to make any statement
at this hour concerning the condition of
the firm; that its business is very extend
ed and covers several branch agencies.
The total liabilities, he said, are about
5’3,000,000, nearly all of which are secured.
He added that a statement would be sub
mitted to the creditors at the earliest
possible date.
The firm is composed of Theodore H.
Pri e, William G. McCormick, R. G. M.
St warc-Wortley and Walter W. Price,
with George Crocker of San Francisco, a
special partner, on an investment of $10),-
000. Mr. McCormick is of the well known
Chicago family of agricultural implement
fame, and Mr. Stewart-Wortley is a son
in-law of Rear Admiral Schley. The firm
was organized Jan. 2, 1497. Of the part
ners Mr. Crocker is now in Europe, and
M Stewart-Wortley is on his way back
from Eure •>?.
Caused By the Decline.
Early in the day rumors were current
that a prominent firm was in trouble, and
shortly before the official announcement
of the suspension was made, it was gen
erally understood that Price, McCormick
& Cos. was the firm referred to. Prior to
t: - formal announce-mrnt the cotton mar
ket had broken over twenty paints under
t rrltic selling for both accounts from all
dirc-iions. The* firm has long been re
garded as the Lading supporter of the
market, and at one time it was said they
were going to put August cotton up to 10
tents. The decline of the past month,
h wver, was against them, and despite
their efferts they could not hold the mar
ket up. Consequently to-day's develop
m nt dd not c:me as a total surprise,
though they had sufficient force to tem
porarily demoralize the trade.
The firm's bullish attitude was surmised
in the cotton market and it is thought to
have stimulated the recent activities of
cotton bears.
Following the announcement of the fail
ure, the cotton market became panic
stricken, and broke ID to 13 points. The ex
tent of the decline from the highest price
when the bull movement culminated has
been 122 points.
I.ater In the session the market be
came more quiet and recovered from the
extreme depression. Nevertheless, it had
its effect. There was a rush to sell that
carried prices down sharply. There was a
decline of about 1 per cent In the Stand
ard Railway shares and from 2 to 2!£
per cent In the balance of the list.
While the firm was also a member of
the Produce Exchange, the effect of the
failure there was almost wholly senti
mental.
According to the rules of the Exchange
the announcement of the failure was fol
lowed by the closing out of the suspended
firm's outstanding contraots on the floor
of the Exchange. Up to the close of the
Exchange the dealings for the firm’s ac
count footed up 33,950 shares.
Statement ly AMftlfpiecft.
Assignees William J. Curtis and Will
iam Nelson Cromwell made the following
announcement regarding the failure:
"To the creditors of Price. McCormick <fc
Cos.: Price, McCormick & Cos., have been
compelled to temporarily suspend pay
ment. We nsk and f*lvlse that creditors
holding stocks, bonds and other collateral
to Joans, and already weM margined, hold
the k>aus mttil reasonable opportunity bo
afforded the assignees to deal with the
fame, that unnecessary loss thereby may
te avoided.”
Price, McCormick & Cos., had an extend
ed wire service, and at times -were cred
ited with doing fully os large a business
fis any firm on the exchange. Their r**p
fes* motives on the exchange were R. M.
Sietv irt-Wortley, W. Cl. McCormick nnd
Oeorge Crocker. the special partner.
Much of the business of the firm was in
tho f'otton Exchange at first, and Its
member and organizer was formerly
thp Arm of Hubbord. Price Cos. At
t.iat time the <fldcr firm, had a largo
Southern business. The present firm' con
tro!]e,i much of this Southern stock busi
r"a? nn<l has been very active at times in
ks favored by Southern operators, al
though its lines of trade have been far
in volume than Its regular commis
*!on business obtained through Us wire
service to outside cities.
Brandies in .Mew England.
Boston, May 24.—Price. McCormick & Cos.
nave several branches in New England.
on ? ,imp they had a wire agency in
ins city, but of late the local business
* v ' < 'h transacted through various
• nike rs ’ houses, including the firms of
'.eorge A. Fernald & Cos.. Hayden. Sloan
1 0., Towle * Fitzgerald, I.*>a, Hlggln
* Ce, and others. The Fernald Arm
'ate.l this afternoon (hat Price, MeCor
. * Co.'s account with them was pery
•mall, ,
CI TI RES W EST TO PIECES.
"uch Long Colton Dumped While
Bear* Sold Heavily Too.
New York. May 24.—The cotton market
" aB one great sensation to-day. No ofll-
Ca| record of the transactions was kept,
"* conservative estimates placed the ag
f'aate of the day’s dealings at conslder
•lm above the million hale mark.
I iom the start to the finish of this mod
1,1 rdlnary session there was one enor-
J I" 11 ' outpour of long eotton supplemened
the most aggressive conduct on the
['■ ! of the bears who added lnrgeiy to
'hCr short Interest.
' nil# the primary cause of the decline
of*fe *** ,racr <l to the brilliant character
the i rr ° r ’ R< ' V * CP ® from the cotton belt,
* lm mtUiute icason for to-day's collapse
fpje ■ Jibfnittu
was the tremendous selling for the account
of a banking firm, originally very success
ful on the long side of the account, and
for months quoted as the leading factor In
the ups and downs of the market. This
concern, Price, McCormick & Cos., failed
to-day. The announcement of their ina
bility to respond to calls for margins
reached the exchange at 12:37 p. m„ and
immediately the market became a vortex
of excitement.
This firm had for months dictated the
price of cotton, the world Over, with at
tention directed chiefly to the summer po
sitions, and more especially to May and
August contracts. To-day May contracts
broke 78 points; they sold down to 8.48.
This was a decline of 120 points from the
high-water mark. August broke to 8.35, a
decline of 125 points from the best prices
current when the firm that failed to-day
appeared to be in absolute control of the
market. The decline on other positions
was generally '303143 points. There were
rumors pointing to other suspensions. The
close was at the lowest.
MACON FIRM FAILS AGAIN.
Talbot & Palmer Also Forced to the
Wall by Decline.
Macon, Slay 24.—Talbot & Palmer,
brokers of this city, failed to-day for
about $16,000. Several months ago the firm
failed for about $50,000. To-day Mr. Tal
bot of the Aim made the following state
ment:
”T2iere is nothing to say except we
could not continue without capital. Cot
ton broke 100 points the past week, and
we sank. Price, McCormick & Co.’s, fail
ure is really the cause of our disaster.”
A DARING BANK nOBBERY.
Thieves Got Over tfS.OOO nnd Elnded
Tlielr Pursuers.
Richmond, May 24.—The Peninsula bank
at Williamsburg was entered by robbers
last night, the safe blown open, and about
yio.ooo in money taken. There is no clue
to the robbers. ■
There were six explosions. These awak
ened a number of people, and the first on
the scene was William D. Powell of New
York. He hurried to the bank, and just
as he was passing the door, was con
fronted by a man who pointed a pistol In
his face, while another seized him from
behind. Mr. Powell was taken to the rear
room of the bank, securely bound hand
and foot and thrown on the floor, and the
burglars threatened to shoot him if he
mad# an outcry, and when they were
ready to fire the next charge Mr. Powell
was thrown out Into an alley, where he
lay until the robbery was done.
In the meantime others were aroused
and came upon the scene. They surround
ed the building and waited for the exit of
the cracksmen. There was a game of hid#
and seek. The night was very dark, and it
was hard to distinguish the enemy from
the friend. The robbers hurriedly gathered
up greenbacks, gold and silver, dumped
them into a bag and skipped out of the
rear of the bank. The besiegers closed in
only to find that 'he birds had flown.
Cashier Phni’pS slates that there was
In the bank $5 200 in cash. There were also
valuables, notes, bonds, etc., but these
are doubtless In the ruins of the safe.
There were also over SSOO worth of stamps
and about SICO in cash belonging to the
I ostofflee in the safe. Whether these are
musing is not known. •
The Peninsula Bank is a member of
the Bankers' Association. The safe and
contents were Insured in the Fidelity and
Trust Company of Baltimore for $5,000.
BRISTOW STARTS REFORMS.
Will Ben Month Before Cuban In
vestigation Is Finished.
Havana, May 24.—Mr. Bristow, acting
director general of posts, to-day abol
ished the solicitors' bureau, appointing
in its place a law clerk, with one stenog
rapher, and thus saving $2,700 annually.
Many other reforms ore promised.
The inspectors are still busy over the
postal accounts, and they say it will be
a month before their report will be ready.
In the meantime it is not likely that Im
portant developments will arise.
Gen. Wood has prdcred that every de
partment of the Island be thoroughly
overhauled. The auditors are now dealing
with the Treasury and with the North
American Trust Company. Latter they
will deal wdth the custom house. There is
no suggestion that frauds ore suspected
In connection wdth any of these depart
ments or Institutions, hut Gen. Wood
feels that the public desires the most com
plete investigation of all Cuban accounts.
Such n move had been contemplated for
several weeks before the discovery that
something had gone wrong in the postal
department. Gen. Wool’s order wdll be
executed quite Irrespective of the invest
igation that Congress Is likely to direct.
MOR TRIED TO GET GARDNER. .
Plans for n Lynching Thwarted hi
ll Clever Ruse.
Athens, f)., May 25.—At midnight a mob
attacked the jail where Richard Gardner,
the negro rapist Is confined.
The mob was outwitted by a clever ruse
arranged by Sheriff Porter, the prisoner
having been removed to the Court House
In anticipation of an attack upon the jail.
There was about 500 men in the mob.
which came from the western part of town
and surrounded the jail quickly.
While the crowd was battering the bar
red doors of the jail, Judge Wood pushed
his way through and assured them thur
Gardner was not in the Jail. A few min
ute* later a carriage was sepn to drive
away from the rear of the jail and the
mob rushed In pursuit, but the horses
galloped away qglckly. It was only a
ruse, however. Gardner was in the Court
House handcuffed to the sheriff.
LOWER RATES NOT GRANTED.
Frail Men Will Employ a Lawyer to
Fight Tlielr Cose.
Macon, Ga., May 24.—The railroads re
fused to grant lower rates for the fruit
shipments, and at the meeting to-day the
State Association of Fruit Growers took
s4cps to Incorporate and to employ n law
yer to fight their cause before the Rail
road Commission of Georgia, and the In
terstate Commerce Commission. It was
suggested that they employ Hon. Hoke
Smith 4o conduct the fight.
The complaint Is that the railroads to
the East charge one-third more than to
the West for the same distance, although
the Eastern roads get 75 per cent of the
business.
IS A VAN IN AH, GA., FIUDAY. MAY 25. 1900.
PROMENADE OF THE BRITISH.
THAT IS THE WAY THE ADVANCE
IS NOW LOOKED l PON.
British Troops in the Form of a
Crescent With Horns Thirty Miles
Apart Are Moving on the Vnnl
River— Boem Said to He “Bolting
Like Hares”— Bubonic Plague at
Durban—First Train to Matching.
London, May 25, 3:35 a. m-—Lord Rolv
erts' infantry advance is delayed at the
Rhenoster river for a (Jay or two, by tha
depth of the stream, which is not forda
ble. The banks, which are precipitous,
are forty feet high. A pontoon and tem
porary bridge constructions are under
way.
The railway has not been damaged to
any great extent between Kroonstad and
Rhenoster. The Transvaalers have of
fended the Free Staters by destroying
thetr splendid bridges when retiring to
Kroonstad. They refrained from doing
this on the retreat to Rhenoster, but now
they are destroying the railroad and
bridges almost completely north of the
Rhenoster.
The British troops are In the form of a
crescent, with horns thirty miles apart,
with Gen. French’s cavalry on the left
within twenty-three miles of the Vaal,
and Gen. lan Hamilton's mounted rnen on
the right, within thirty miles of the Vaal.
The center of the crescent is about forty
miles from the Vaal.
Seventy gr eighty miles to the left Lord
Methuen is advancing to the Vaal.
Boer telegrams say that 3,000 British,
with ten guns, are near Vredefort, which
is close to the Vaal and close to Parys.
Calls It a Promenade.
One correspondent refers to the advance
as a "promenade." Another describes it
as a '‘Boer hunt.” The Free Staters are
pictured as ‘ bolting like hares,” at the
first eight of the British. The latter, ac
cording to one writer, do not even find
women and Children, as the fleeing farm
ers take their families with them, in con
sequence of the reports current among tAe
Transvaalers that the British kidnap all
children over 12 years of age.
The Boer rear guard was composed of
Russians, to whom waa committed the tas*
of destroying the bridges. They also loot
ed freely.
The embargo of news out of Pretoria
for the last twenty-four hours has been
complete. The movement toward Lyn
denburg, however, continues and a refer
endum on the question of continuing the
war is going on among the Boer fighting
men. It may be a fortnight before the re
sults of this singular vote are fully be
fore the Transvaal government. If the
English view- of Boer discouragement is
one-half right the Boers will vote to quit.
Situation in Natal.
In Natal Gem. Dartnell’s volunteers oc
cupied Mount Prospect Monday. Lord
Dundonald's cavalry is at Firmstones,
near Ingogo. • His infantry rests nt
Schoenshoogte. The names are all of
fateful memory In the first Boer war.
The British face Laing’s Nek, where the
Boers, through the range glasses of the
British, are occasionally visible.
In the march across the Blggersberg all
the farms except one were found vacant.
A temporary bridge had been finished nt
Waschbank. Trains now go to Dundee.
Gen. Buller said the best way to celebrate
the Queen’s birthday was to repair the
railway at Newcostle, and every man was
put to work. i
Earl de la Warr, who was supi>osed to
have been captured at the time of (he
disaster that befell the squadron of
Bethune's horse, contrived to escape.
Case of Bubonic Plague.
An extraordinary Issue of the Gazette
at Durban announces the death of an
East Indian from the bubopic plague. The
government has put into force the most
stringent preventive measures, but fears
are entertained that the pestilence may get
among the troops.
The Transvaal National Bank has sus
pen ed gold payments, und r authorization
from the government, requiring the ac
ceptance of bank noUs. The institution
has large assets apparently in London.
One hundred and fifty thousand pounds
were eelzrd at Cape Town and 425,000 at
Durban.
The Birmingham Argus says:
"We understand that a g, election
will bo ordered as seen as lord Roberts
obtains an additional success and the
government wi'l aek the country what it
wishes to do with the conquered repub
lics.”
As Fnst ns They Con March.
London, May 21—Gen. French has
reached Prospect station, about live miles
north of Khenoster river. The Bosrs are
retreating st aight on the Vaal.
A dispatch from Hhenosier dated
Wednesday, May 23. 7:45 p. m., says:
"The general opinion Is that we will ar
rive at Pretoria as fast as we can mar h,
though the Boers announced to all the
country side that they intend to light to
the death.
"Gen. lan Hamilton Is co-operating in
the advance cn the right. Thus Lord Rob
erts, who, presumably, is a few miles be
hind Gen. F. ench. will r.ach the Vaal be
fore the <nl of the week.”
Natives r port that the Boers have
buried two guns in the Rhencs'er river.
In Natal Gen. Bnller's forces have
crossed into the Transvaal near Ingogo,
but are still held at bay at Laing’s Nek.
where the Boers axe entrenching them
selves. With the exception of this pass,
Natal Is clear of B-e s. Thev have a tig
gun posted, but It is doubtful if they will
be able to hold the position when threat
ened by a flanking movement from the
force that crossed the Ingogo river.
A dispatch from Pretoria announces
that the first train north, entered Mafe
king. May 22, ond that the first train
south is expected this week. It Is said
that the relief of Mafeking was due to a
blunder of one of the federal officers, by
which Gen. Delarey was foiled In his
plan to cut off the relief force, after
driving them away from the Molopo river.
To Defend JohHnnesliurg,
It Is added that the federals have re
solved to make a determined defense of
the city of Johannesburg. Klimke, the
state mining Engineer, has been given six
months’ lenve of absence, presumably for
protesting against the proposition to blow
up the mines.
A special dispatch from Newcastle, Nn
tal. says the Russian ambulance corps
with the (Boers, Is disgusted with their
conduct, and ha* requested the Czar to
recall It.
At a "stop-theswor" meeting in London
this afternoon, William Stead remarked
that the Boer delegates now in the United
States, told him they were prepared to ac-
cept peace on any terms compatible with
independence, and asked if it was any
good attempting to see Isjrd Salisbury, to
which Mr. Stead said he replied It was
useless to do so, unless they W’ere pre
paid to surrender their independence, so
the delegates proceeded to America,
"where they have met with such coldness
in officialdom as ha* excited the exulta
tion of thoso who are determined to throt
tle the little states to death.”
FIGHT AT SCBEEPEH’S NEK.
A Party of British Cavalry Lost
Twenty-seven Killed.
Pretoria, May 24.—An official bulletin is
sued here to-day, says:
"Sixty British cavalry came into col
lision May 20 wllh eighty of the Swaziland
commando at t3cheeper’s Nek. The fight
ing lasted an hour. The British lost twen
ty-,seven killed, twenty-five . wounded and
eleven were taken prisoners. Twenty-five
horses, two Maxims and a quantity of am
munition were also captured. The fed
erals lost one killed and one wounded.
They assisted to remove the wounded and
bury the dear!.
’’The advance guard at Heilbron retired
on the main body at the northern border.
“According to Free State advices, the
British yesterday were at Greyllng’s Drift,
on the Vaal river, twenty-five miles from
Wolmarnnstad, with a large force.
“On Sunday, Kalbe engaged the British
between Heilbron and Llndley. The fed
eral* had to retire before an overwhelm
ing force, losing one killed and seven
wounded."
BBITISH CROSSED BUFFALO.
Were Placing Heavy Cannon Near
the Boer Position.
Boer Camp, Volkrust, May 22.—The
British crossed the Buffalo river and were
within sight of our positions yesterday.
They are busy emplacing heavy cannon
at Schuinshovgte, near the scene of the
battle on the Ingogo river in 1881.
It is reported that fighting occurred at
Botha’s Nek, yesterday.
Chris Botha, brother of the comtnander
in-chief, has been* appointed assistant to
the commander-in-chief and has given
great satisfaction. He has revived the
fighting spirit in many of the federate.
In an ambush between Nqutu and Mount
Prospect, .eight British were killed and
thirteen wounded.
THE RELIEF OF MAPEKING.
A Delayed Dispatch Gives More of
the Details About It.
Mafeking, Thursday, May 17, via K mter.
ley.—The British relieving force occupied
this town at 9 o’clock. The garrison im
mediately moved out with twelve-pound
ers and pompons and attacked McMtllln’s
laager. The Boers resisted weakly for half
an hour and then fled in disorder, leaving
their tents, wagons and knefdtroont*. The
British train occupied all the. Bow posh
tlons.
Col. Baden-Powell gave the garrison an
opportunity of revenging themselves, using
the relief force as a reserve and as sup
ports.
Men and women swarmed to the house
tops, and Lady Sarah Wilson, on a bicycle,
accompanied the troops as far as the Boer
lines.
The town guard formed up in the market
square for the march past the relief
force.
There was immense enthusiasm ovejr the
fact that the relief of the place was ac
complished by colonials.
NVIII Defend Johnnriesbnxg.
Cape Town, May 24.—President Kruger,
it is announced here, has Issued a pro
clamation saying he will defend Johannes
burg, and calling upon all the Boers to
fight to the bitter end.
Gold Sent to l/onrenzo Marquez.
Cape Town, May 24.—Bar gold to the
value of $705,000 has been sent by rail
from Pretoria to Lourenzo Marquez.
State Secretary Reitz traveled on the
same train.
GLEEN VICTORIA'S BIRTHDAY.
Great Rejoicings In London and All
English Towns.
London. May 24, 10:15 p. m.—Under the
stimulus of the relief of Mafeking and
liOrd Roberts’ rapid and successful pro
gress. the Queen’s birthday has been cel
ebrated throughout the empire wilh unique
and almost unprecedented rejoicings.
The two-foid nature of the celebrations
gave the occasion unusual brilliancy. The
recent demonstrations oily whetted the
public appetite for displays of patrlotlo
feelings and, consequently, to-day was
chosen for all kinds of functions In con
nection with the war and Its funds.
In London r.nd in the provincial towns
there was a tri-color eruption. Every
private house was demoted with m ma
ture Union Jacks, and in a picturesque
carnival procession a mile long of cars
emblematic of the war paraded the north
ern suburb* of London. Torchlight prj
ces'lons and reviews in the gnrr.4o.-i towns,
etc., were witnessed throughout the eoum
try. The school children hsd a holiday
and at mo*t places there was a partial
suspension of business.
The West End of London to-night Is
brilliantly Illuminated and thousand* are
crowding the streets, wearing patriotic
favors.
In the House of Common* to-day the
government leader, A. J. Balfour, an
nounced that Lord Salisbury would con
sider a proposal to appoint a national
thanksgiving day, with a suitable form of
prayer, in ackrtawledgment of God's
vouchsafing victory to the British arms.
Congratulation* to the queen.
Washington. May 24.—Secretary Hay has
sent a cable message to Ambassador
Choate at London, asking him to “con
vey through the appropriate channel*, the
congratulations and best wishes of the
President, to Her Majesty, the Queen, on
(he occasion of her birthday.” Tha Queen
replied In a message of thank*.
Two Strikers Wounded.
St. Louis, May 24. A car presumably
filled with imported car employes was
stopped by a mob of strike sympathizers,
and In a fusilade of shots John 8. Hardin
and Donald Wain, striking motormen,
were seriously wounded.
Jeffries nnd Sharkey,
New York, May 24.—Jim Jeffries an l
Tom Sharkey were matched to-day to
fight on Aug. 23, before the club offering
the best purse
TO THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE.
FIGHT OVER THE NAVAL STATION
WILL BE CARRIED.
Friends of Savannah and Other At
lantic Coast Cities Will Oppose Ar
bitrary Selretion of Charleston.
Will Try to Down the Conferees
Who Retained Senate Provision.
Foster Snugestcd for Codifying;
Commission.
Washington, May 24’.—The fight for the
southern naval station is to be carried
to the floor of the House, and those who
are against the arbitrary aelection of
Charleston are organizing their forces to
make it as lively a fight as possible.
They are hopeful of success, but they
are not blinding themselves to the fact
that so far the advantage is distinctly
with Charleston.
The conferees on the naval appropria
tion bill which contains the item of so
much Interest to all Atlantic coast cities
have agreed to stand by the Senate pro
vision in favor of the South Carolina eity.
The majority of the conferees stood to
Charleston, but Mr. Cummings gave no
tice” that he would carry the fight to the
floor of the House and there would do all
he could to have it left so the Secretary
of the Navy may be allowed to make any
choice among the South Atlantic cities
that may seem to him best, and that he
be not restricted to Charleston.
Charleston's Advantage.
That city has, however, had a great ad
vantage from the start in this matter.
The amendment providing for the change
from Port Royal to Charleston was put in
the naval appropriation bill In the Senate,
and without anybody on the outside of
the committee knowing that such a pro
ject was on foot. Had it been agitated
when the bill was before the House the
Georgia and North Carolina members feel
certain that they could have defeated tilts
restriction of the Secretary to Charleston.
As it was, the matter was put through
the Senate Committee very quickly, and
•the first the people oit the outside knew,
was when it was proposed in the Senate.
Senator Butler, who is a member of the
committee, made an effort to have the
Secretary's power unrestricted, but com
ing, as It did, at the end of the exciting
debate on the armor plate which absorbed
the attention of the Senate for several
days, the committee provision was rushed
through.
Senator Tillman had been able to fortify
himself with letters from the naval au
thorities advocating the change to
Charleston, and toeing the leading Dem
ocrat on the commltiee, and one of Its
most active members, It was easy for him
to put his amendment through.
Will Not Be From Georgia.
Another Georgia aspirant for the vacant
place upon the codifying commission ap
peared to-day In the person of Col. Fred
Foster of Madison. Col. Foster is one of
the best known lawyers In Georgia, and
has had especial experience in the work
of codification, being the author of a cod
ification of the banruptcy laws Col. Fos
ter’s home Is In the Eighth district and
his name was presented to the President
by Congressman Howard who urg“d h's
appointment, speaking very hlgh’y of his
qualifications.
The suggestion of Col. Foster’s name
brought out the distinct statement of the
President that he had ro Intention of go
ing to Georgia for his commissioner. He
spoke of the prominent candidacy of Con
gressman Catchings of Mississippi, of ex-
Cljlef Justice of Samoa, Chambers, Mr.
Springer of Illinojs, and of several others
whose names are being urged—men who
happened (o serve with President McKin
ley in Congress The Texas del.gatlon Is
urging It as their right that the place go
to Texas, but the general Impresßton Is
that Chambers, Catchings or Springer
will be named.
TO HOLD TWO CONVENTfONfi.'
Democrat* of Kentucky Preparing
for the Campaign.
Frankfort, Ky., May 24.—The Democrat
ic State Executive Committee to-day Is
sued calls for two state conventions. The
first will be held at Louisville June 14, for
the- purpose of seletcing delegates to the
Democratic Notional Convention. The
other will be held at Louisville, July 19.
to nominate a candidate for Governor,
The committee was In executive session
over two hours, discussing the question
whether one or two conventions should be
held. Gov. Beckham’s friends, It Is under
stood. favored only one convention, this
to he he'd the last week in June, but the
proposition for two conventions carried by
a majority of one. The call will be wide
open, and will invite tho participation of
all known Democrats who pledge their
support to the ticket and platform in No
vember.
There was a great deal of discussion
among the leader a In regard to changes
In the state piaiform with reference to
the Goebel election law. but not enough
to give a definite Idea of what the State
Convention will do on this subject.
Gov. Beckham to-day signed the com
mission of Benator-eleict Blackburn and
that document was mailed to him at
Washington to-night to be filed with his
credentials, which are pending before the
Senate.
Gov. Taylor refused to sign Blackbu-n's
commission when the latier was elected
on Jan. 9.
BOX EH MOVEMENT GROWING.
Foreign Representative* Will Insist
on Its Suppression.
Shanghai, May 24.—The member* of
the Chinese secret society know a* the
"Boxer*” are now openly drilling at Pe
kin. and many high Manchus, Including
members of the Imperial clan, are joining
tha movement, which Is becoming so
threatening that the diplomatic represen
tatives are about to taka action.
11. J. deCologan. the Spanish minister,
and Doyen of the diplomatic corps, has
made a demand upon the Tsung LI Ya
men (Chinese foreign office) couched in
the strongest terms, for the Immediate
suppression of the "Boxers,” threaten
ing that otherwise all the Powers con
cerned would land troop* In China.
Advices received here from Corea say
Russian troop* now occupy Wasampho
and will prevent the passage of all com
er* over the territory In Corea claimed by
Russia.
BRITISH DINE IN NEW YORK.
Messages From tlic Queen, Chamber
lain and Rosebery.
New York, May 24.—The fifth annual din
ner of the British Schools and Universities
Club was given to-night at the Holland
House.
Letters were read from the Queen, the
Prince of Wales, Joseph Chamberlain,
Earl of Rosebery, the Duke of Argyll, Ad
miral Dewey, Admiral Philip and White
law Reid.
The president of the club proposed
toasts to the Queen, the President of the
United States and the Prince of Wales,
which were .drunk standing.
Tne Queen's message to the club was
as follows:
“The Queen sincerely thanks you for
your kind message and loyalty and good
wllh”
Joseph Chamberlain cabled:
“I regret that American opinion should
be divided on the subject of the war In
which we n:e now engaged, although I
hope the majority recognize In our policy
and proceedings the same spirit and object
which animated them during the Spanlsh-
Amoiican war.
“Our sympathy on that occasion was
freely given to our kinsmen in the United
states, and I find it difficult to believe
that it is not cordially reciprocated In our
time of trial."
Lord Rosebery wrote that "the cause of
the South African war la much miscon
strued in the United States by those who
seem to have forgotten that the Trans
vaal attacked us.
“The United States will benefit by the
war as- much as we shall, though wo
nlone have to make all the sacrifices.
We might, however, under the circum
stances at least hope for their gdod will
and moral support.”
Capt. Mehnn, replying to the toast,
"Elements of Empire,” said:
“I am opposed to formal compacts and
agreements between nations, for If the In
ner feeling Is not there the nations will
not abide by nny compacts, and If there
Is that Inner feeling then there will be no
need of compacts.”
“The British Army,” wns responded to
by Sir John O, Ford.
"The Mission of the Anglo-Saxon Race,”
was responded to by ex-Oov. James E.
Campbell of Ohio. He said:
"Something has been said nbout the
temper of this country In the present
crisis. I wish to say that here there Is
always a. tendency to sympathize with the
under dog, hut when there Is a crying
need In England, she will find that her
best friend Is the United States. While it
is true that England has no friends on
the continent, neither have we. Dewey
was anxious to sink our German cousins
at Manila, but he did not have sufficient
provocation, and if they wish to know
how wo really feel let them push their lit
tle affairs a little further."
TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
Claims for Property Taken or Dum
mied, Must He Sent.
Washlngtfc, May 24.—Person* who may
hove claimWagainst the government for
private property taken and used In the
military service during the war with
Spain, are put on notice that In order to
have their claims considered, they must
be presented to the Secretary of War prior
to the first day of January next.
This is provided In a Senate amendment
to the sundry civil appropriation bill,
which makes an appropriation of SIO,OOO
for investigation of just claims against tho
United States for private property taken
and used 111 the military service within
the limits of the United States during the
war with Spain.
Tho Secretary of War Is directed 10
cause to be Investigated all such claims
and to ascertain tho loss and injury, If
any, that may hnvo been sustained by
such claimants, and he shall report to
Congress what amount or amounts he
finds to be equitably due from the United
State* tr.tvch claimants, But they must
present tlielr claims before the first of
next January or they are to be forever
barred.
A good many Southern people, especial
ly those residing In the Immediate vicinity
of the camps oc -uj led by volunteer troops,
have claims and in order to get anything
out of them they must not lose sight of
the date.
The only distinctive Georgia amendment
to the bill Is that providing $5,000 for the
annual rental of temporary quarter* for
the accommodation cf government official!
at Macon during the Improvement of the
government building there.
DEFECT GF THE .MEAT BILL.
Its Essenlinl Hygienic Fentnres
Were Eliminated.
Berlin. May 24.—The meat Inspection
bill, which passed the Reichstag yester
day In the compromise form, had Its es
sential hygienic features eliminated, ow
ing to the Agrarian Influences at work In
the chamber. In its final shape it con
tains no provision for trlchlnoe Inspection,
and none for the Inspection of aimals
slaughtered for family use. These were
the two strongest hygienic features of the
bill <n It* original form.
Reinstated on the Tnrf.
Cincinnati, May 24.--Becretnry Hopper,
of the American Turf Congress, to-night
announced the reinstatement of Starters
H. D. (Curley) Brown, who was ruled off
at Newport last fall for assaulting D. T.
Murray, the turf correspondent. Jockey
Cash Sloan, ruled off two years ago for
bad riding on Abuse, at Oakland, wus also
reinstated.
Baptist Sente need to Death.
Richmond, May 24.—At Boydton to-day
the Jury on the case of Stephen Hnnt'.st,
for the murder of Mr. Peter Jonee, brought
In a verdict of guilty, and Baptist was
sentenced to be hanged on July 10. next.
Everything was reported quiet there this
evening, and the military guard was dis
missed.
Drowned In n High Creek.
Huntsville, Ala., May 24.—Mr. William
Swope, aged 35. and u negro nurse girl
of Rocky Hill. Were drowned to-day at
Courtland, while attempting to drive
across Big Nance creek, which was out of
Its ltnnk*. The 'bodies have not been re
covered .
Will Resume Operation.
Anniston. Ala.. May 21—The rolling mill
department of the Southern Car and
Foundry Company, which has been almost
entirely shut down for the past two or
three weeks, wfl! resume full operation
Wednesday and 300 men will havs been
returned to work.
IIAILT, St A YE AML
5 CENTS A COPY. "• * '
WEEKLY MIMES-A-iVEEK.iI A TEAS
NOT FOR CAMPAIGN CAPITAL
IIACON BAYS HIS RESOLUTION HAS
NO SI < II Pi ll POSE.
His Reply to Platt’s t bargee-Dnty
of Congress to Investigate—-Spoon—
er Continues Ills Interesting t’o—
lltleal Speech—Defended Otis From
Charge of Fa Islfy Ing AA’hat He
AAoulil Do AVltli the Philippines*
Bryan anil Imperialism.
Washington, May 24.—The duty of tha
United States towards Its "island poaseos
slotus" was the subject of heated discus*
flon in the Senate again to-day.
Soon after the Senate convened Mr. Ba
con of Georgia began an extended rcplyj
to the speech of Mr. Platt of Connecticut,
delivered yesterday. His speech was large
ly supplemental to that which he delivered
several days ago demanding an investiga
tion of Cuban financial affairs. His reso
lution, to which there is little or no op
position, under the rules, went to thd
Commutes on Contingent Expenses.
The remainder cf the afternoon was oc
cupied by Mr. Spooner of Wisconsin, in
concluding his speech on the Phlllppina
question. The debate which he aroused
took a turn decidedly political. He charg
ed the so-called antl-lmperlallsts withl
creating an issue which was not legiti
mate. Many of his statements were con
troverted by Mr. Allen .of Nebraska and
Mr. Pettigrew of South Dakota, and tha
controversy at times became almost per
sonal. i
A bill providing for the Investigation of
the historical archives and public records
of the several states and territories and
of the United States with a view to their
preservation by publication was passed-
The conference report on the Indian ap
propriation bill was agreed to.
Bacon's Reply to I'latt.
Mr. Bacon then called up his resolution
and made his reply to Mr. Platt. He said
the great purpose of the Investigation wai
to ascertain whether by fraudulent con
tracts or other devices of corruption tha
millions handled by the officials in Cuba
had been disposed of dishonestly. He said
there had been great looseness In the con
duct of Cuban affairs, and that the gov
ernment departments there showed most
enormous anil unparalleled salary lists.
He denied any purpose of making any
campaign capital and said tn view of
what had been disclosed it was unreason
able to ask that the investigation be left
to the postofflee department.
The construction of the military railroad
along the Havnna harbor, Mr. Bacon said,
had cost $312,611, an exorbitant sum, and
the mntter ought to be rigidly Investigated.
He said, too, that Robert P. Porter, as a
tariff expert, was paid a salary of SSOO a
month for five months, during which tlm*
he drew $3,100 as expenses, j He under
stood the money wns paid oi4t of the ssa,-
000,000 emergency fund. He Called atten
tion to the reported fact that what wo*
known ns the Van Horne syndicate had
been organized with a capital of $8,000,000,
In whose Interest, It was understood, Mr,
Porter had gone to Europe. Inasmuch as
the tariff on machinery nml equipment of
railroads had been recommended to bo
reduced from 40 to 10 per cent, by Mr.,
Porter, he believed the matter required
keen and Jealous scrutiny.
In conclusion Mr. Bacosi said:
"I would 1 Ice, before adjournment, tot
seo action taken that will allow the pa
t cn to tedeem Its ple’ge and to lpave tha
Island of Cuba In the presence of a f e,
and Independent govcrrnKnt.”
It was Gun agreed that the Senate to
morrow and Satu.day meet at 11 o'clock.
Mr. Chandler, chairman of the Commit
tee on Privileges and Elections mov. <J
that the resolution as to the Montana sen
a'or'al case be postponed until Wednes
day, the 30th Instant, and the motion waa
agree I to.
-vV.'lhe Itoortice of Mr Platt of Oon
n ctlcut, the iesolutlcn of Mr. Bacon waa
r -ferred to the Committee on Cont’ngent
Expenses.
Spanner Hesunic* Ills Speech.
Mr. S|>ooner then resumed his Philip
pines speech. He maintained that the fact *
proved tho attack upon the United Stan a
t oops was not only made by Aguinaldo-,
but lisd long been premeditated. Without
limit he declared, evidence could be p
-cumufated io establish the fact of Agui
n iklo's treachfry.
Mr. Spooner reviewed at length tha
events which led up to the hostilities on
Feb. 4. and declared that
but an antl-Imperlallst” who, by his
words and actions desired the dishonor of
his country and the making of campaign
material In a presidential year could
have so little of good faith as to make
the brutal charge against the President
of the United States that he had been re
sponsible for the precipitation of hostil
ities.
In discussing further along the respon
sibility for the continuation of hostllltle*
Mr. Spooner quoted the dispatch front
Gen. Otis, giving an account of an Inter
view he had had with Judge Torres, on#
of the Philippine commissioners, who
suggested that a. neutral zone be estab
lished between the hostile armies. Gen.
Otis Informed him that such suggestion
must come from Agulnaldo, and when
Torres sent Agulnaldo a request that an
armistice be arranged Agulnaldo sent to
Gen. Otis a copy of his declaration of war.
Gils' Sin iernen I Questioned.
“I received In the noon mail to-day,’•
continued Mr. Spooner, "an Insulting let
ter from the ch ef of the so-called antl-
Imperiallsts of Boston, in which he de
nounced Gen. Otis as a liar.”
Mr. Allen Interjeated the assertion that
an army officer—n friend of his—has In
formed him that that statement of the in
terview With Judge Torres was not true;
that Gen. Otis hud misrepresented It.
"An officer who charges falsehood
against his commanding officer,” reiottej
Mr. Spooner, "ought to make It In the
open. If he told the truth a courtmartlal
would take care of his case and that of
the commanding geneial .too. He would
not imperil his office in the army of any
decent government In the world.”
Mr. Allen: "The statement made by
Gen. Otis is not th* truth.”
"We hove had here," sold Mr. Spooner,
"a statement that the President of Aha
United States I* a liar: thot Admiral Dew
ey is a liar; ond now we are told that
Oen. Oil* is a prevaricator.”
"I’ll say simply (hot Gen. Otis Is mis
taken,” said Mr. Allen.
Brian nnd liuperlnllsm.
Continuing his argument, Mr. Spooner
said there had been an attempt to make
an issue of "Imperialism," where non*
actually existed. It was done merely
Continued o.i Fifth Page.