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EDITORIAL PAGE
WE
U/ye SUNNY SOUTH
Published Weekly by
Sunny South Publifhing Co
Bustnefs Office
THE CONSTITUTION BUILDING
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
Subfcrlption Terms :
To those who subscribe
to Gibe Sunny South only
Six Months, 25c * One Year, 50c
LESS THAN A PENNY A WEEK
£ntcr*4 it tto fMtoflce A tlaata, Ga.,aa SaeaaS-da— atail atattar
March 13,1S01
JO '
The Sunny South U the cUnt meekly paper of literature,
Romance, Pa A and FlAlen In the South A It Is mem re*
Jlered to the original shape and mill he published as for*
meHy every meek ^ rounded In I Bid It gram until IB99,
mhen, as a monthly. Us form mas changed as an export*
meat # It nem returns to Its original formation as a
meekly mlth renamed vigor and the Intention of ectlps*
leg Us most premising period In the past, f
The Fretful Scholar and
Cecil Rhodes 9 Bequest
N the first page of this issue is pub-
1 lished under the caption of “An Ox
ford Viewpoint on Rhodes’ Munifi
cence” a serio-comic, wholly cynical
protest from one who purports to be
an undergraduate of that university
against the “colonial, American and
German invasion” of the sacred pre
cincts of the famous old English in
stitution. The tone of the article
would be irritating did it not demon
strate so amusingly the deplorable
ignorance on the part of Englishmen
of the actual customs and conditions
governing people outside their own
domain. /
The undergraduate contemplates with terror the
influx of the colonials, “filled with th.eir native snap
and energy; of one hundred and four Americans,
some studious and obedient, but others, perchance,
from the ‘wild and wooly’ western states,” whose
freedom with the revolver causes the peevish Eng
lishman sleepless nights. He dreads the invasion
of the Germans also, who, he believes, will be
chosen for their proficiency in duelling. With
these murderous factors to be considered, -the un
dergraduate is convinced that human life will be
cheap on Oxford’s campus.
The tendency toward snobbery already existing
in Oxford is bewailed, and it is predicted that
American love of tradition and fondness for the
formation of cliques and societies; the German and
colonial similarity in this respect, and the much-
vaunted American independence will introduce
discord into the present rules and unrest among
the well-disciplined students of the university.
What more tearful than the apprehension that
vigorous young America, chafing under the tradi
tional restraints of the institution, will form laws
unto itself which will utterly subvert discipline
ind the hoary usages of the university ?
There is no answer to be made to this miserere
which will prove convincing. The complaint it
self is found on unknowledge of facts, and the
only remedy is that fulfillment of the will which
is so earnestly dreaded. The sturdy manhood of
America, and Germany and the British colonies,
may safely be depended on to find a common-sense
solution to every problem with which it is con
fronted, and its individual representatives to com
port themselves as gentlemen under any circum
stances. We may be a trifle crude and breezy
from our very energy and newness of life, but it is
this wholesome, life-giving, decay-delaying force
which the far-sighted Rhodes wished to graft on
the more solid, effete British subject. We may ben
efit from the advanced learning and proven meth
ods of the English university, but in return we will
inject this intangible, indefinable spirit, fresh-dis
tilled from the alembic of a novel, intelligent civ
ilization, into the veins of a nation which, recent
events would sustain the fear, is bordering on an
era almost moribund. So it may come to pass that
England, in her full-fed maturity, will use as props
the foundlings whom she nourished and taught so
well how to grow.
Thus the subject has its serious side after all.
The gloomy Briton may take heart of grace and
console himself with the reflection that adaptability
is the strongest characteristic of people from
“new” nations, at the same time learning the
American adage that it is never too late to learn.
His country is not yet out of the world’s post
graduate course.
True Humanity and the
Sunny South Household
ARER and more precious than the
periume of sweet flowers is that
charity which unostentatiously steps.
Am in at the proper moment and offers
balm and tangible assistance at a
time when the heart cries for sym
pathy, and we need very present
help in the daily scramble for bread
and butter. This sentiment has been
instanced in The Sunny South of the
last two issues in a manner which
undeniably supports the contention
of its management that it is, pri
marily, a “family” paper. It has ever
been the aim of The Sunny South to
enter right into the homes of its friends, and get
as close to the hearts of its individual readers as
any outsider can. Much has been accomplished in
this mission through the aid of “The Household,”
a splendid feature of the woman’s page, edited by
Mrs. Mary E. Bryan. This Household is a kind
of open court, or cheerfully burning fire, round
which genial souls may gather for the frank discus
sion of general or personal topics. Here matters
of current interest are discussed * the various mem
bers, under their own names or others assumed for
good reasons, exchange views on the many books
which they may be reading; give each other the
benefit of experiences gained-; the older advising
the younger, and all taking courage and fresh in
spiration from the cheerful communion between
lively arid sympathetic minds.
It was formerly contended that such a depart-'
ment as this coufd not be conducted, without -verg
ing: on maudlin sentimentality or the selfish chron
icling of minus* details in the lives of its members
SOUTH
MAY 3, 1902
Details of funny (South $250
Short Story Contest
|ITH this announcement The Sunny South inaugurates a* short story contest
which we believe, in all its details, to be not only absolutely original in south
ern literature, but one which is calculated to draw out r&te best of that literary
talent which we have always insisted is so plentiful in the south. Great care
has been taken in working out the details of this contest; and its conditions
are infinitely broader than and radically different from those in previous
competitions held by The Sunny South. Care has been taken to open the
lists to every class of writers, and the original pla'ns amended to place every
one who enters the contest on an equal footing. The prizes which are here
with offered are so arranged and graded that the humblest may feel an incen
tive to earnest effort, supported by the assurance, which is now given, that
every manuscript will be given conscientious consideration, and ample' time allowed every
contestant in which to complete and forward to this office his or her entry in the
competition.
Following are the cash prizes which are offered. Those contemplating entrance
into the contest are requested to note them carefully, then read with an attentive eye the
explanation presented in the paragraphs following:
First Prize-——.———— — ■■■» M . w .^..troo OO
Second Prize — - 50 OO
Third Prize - 40 00
Fourth Prize—* ■■■•—- 20 OO
Fifth Prize — (5 OO
The Position of Woman In the Eyes
of the Law
5 00
6 OO
5 OO
5 OO
6 OO
Five iSpecial Prizes:
Neatest Manuscript* *
Clearest Style
Most Unique Plot—— .
Best Local Color — —
Strongest Character
CRAND TOTAL OF CASH PRIZES $250.00
CONDITIONS OF THE CONTEST:
The following conditions, which will be rigidly adhered to, will govern the
contest. A close reading by contestants is requested, as details are elaborated here with
a clearness which is intended to obviate the necessity for correspondence on the subject:
1. —The contest opens from this date.
2. —Manuscripts are not expected before June 1.
3. —The contest closes August 1, and no manuscript will be received after
. that date.
4. —Maximum length of stories, 6,000 words; minimum length, 4,000 word*
5. —Decisions in contest, with'names of prize winners, will be published
in The 8unny South as early as practicable.
6. —Manuscripts must be written on only one side of a sheet not larger than
8 by 11 Inches. If not typewritten, stories must be legibly written.
Typewriting is preferred where possible.
7. —Manuscript must be sent flat, not rolled or folded.
8. —Stories must be fully postpaid, and sufficient postage inclosed to insure
return in case the manuscript is not accepted for use, even if it does
not win a prize. If so used it will be paid for by The Sunny South.
8.—The real name and address of the writer must be plainly written on the
upper left-hand corner of the fist page of the manuscript proper.
10. —No winner of any one of the principal prizes can participate in any of
the five special prizes.
11. —Not more than one of the special prizes can be won by any one person.
12. —While the south and many phases of ante and post bellum southern
life offer splendid opportunities for story telling, contestants are not
restricted to this field. Plots may-be laid in any country, under any
natural conditions; but the stories must be in the English language
and must be original with the contestant, no translations being ad
mitted.
13. —Any one may enter the contest, whether or not a subscriber to The'
Sunny South.
14—Stories not winning a prize, but otherwise acceptable, wilt be retained
for publication, unless the author designates to the contrary- Unsuc
cessful manuscripts will be returned if stamps are incloeed.
The progress The Sunny South has made since its first short story contest,
and the confidence its management feels in the results of the one now announced,
is shown hy the manner in which the prizes exceed in amount and varfrM those pre
viously .offered.. The first prize is double the amount of tjjMMBBH^t contest; the f
second prize eqdals the first prize in the former contest;- the th^pr^^ratwice as large
as the third prize of the first contest; the fourth prize is the same amount as the third in,
the opening contest, and the fifth is only $5 less than the former third prize. The special
prizes are in the nature of lagnappe—so much added to increase interest, encourage all
classes, and develop talent of a special nature.
It is needless to dwell on the object of the contest. We have so often reiterated our
confidence in the richness of the south as a literary field, and the ability of its people to
develop these resources, that there is nothing to add to our statements. We have taken
the course best calculated to establish both these facts. There is every reason to believe
that, as the former limited contest brought out nearly five hundred manuscripts from
every portion of the southern states, and in some instances from the extreme east and
northwest, the one opened today will result in the submitting of four or five times
as many, from fully as extensive a territory.
Contestants are given every opportunity for brilliant and original work. They
are not restricted, save in the length of their stories, and the maximum has been placed at
figures which any careful writer should be able to respect. Jnst here we cannot refrain
from offering a suggestion. Write about those things with which you are familiar. In
the commonplace lies buried frequently the richest treasures of character, thought and
philosophy. Many of the contestants in our previous contests have gratefully acknowl-
eged the help they derived from active competition with the keen brains of others
in the race, and we believe that this same benefit, in larger measure, is in store for those
entering this contest. We believe the results of former contests will be seen in more con
servative, practical and brilliant work, and that when the publication of the prize win
ning stories is begun, there will be a rare treat in store for the readers of The Sunny South.
The cooperation of all the contestants with the editor of the contest is earnestly
asked. The tusk of both will be lightened by the careful observance of the con
ditions outlined. On the other hand, the management promises that the manuscripts
submitted will be carefully read, and decisions rendered by only the most competent and
experienced authorities. '
Manuscripts and communications relative to the contest should be addressed to
“Prize Contest Editor, The Sunny South, Atlanta, Ga.”
By Hall Caine
Written for She Sts nay Souths
E may speak of the present
Jra as the reign of King
Edward, of King Victor
Emmanuel, or of the Em
peror William, but in a
still broader and better
sense it is the reign of
woman.
Never has the civilised
world lived under a sov
ereign so absolute as wom
an is at this moment. It
is a sweet and benevolent
despotism she exercises,
and her subjects aite obviously content,
but the extraordinary fact about her
sovereignty is that her r\le, which is so
unlimited, has been so short.
No doubt she had always exercised a
certain absolutism in the courts of love,
but in the courts of law her rights have
only recently been recognized.
Even as late as sixty-odd years ago,
when Queen Victoria came to the throne,
woman's position in England was one of
more or less honorable servitude, 'if she
was married, the law regarded her as one
with her husband, but with the slight
anomaly that all that was hers was his,
while all that was his was his own. If
she was unmarried, she was still in the
eye of the law a grown-up Infant in
swaddling clothes.
Woman's place in England was almost
entirely dependent on her agreeaibleness
and usefulness to man, and for many
centuries there had been no idea in the
heads of legislators that she possessed
any legal rights • except those of marry
ing and giving in marriage, and of ruling
over the cooking and the kitchen and
the nursery.
There was, perhaps, no conscious cru
elty in all this, and it was probably
based on a theory of the utter helpless
ness of woman to take care of herself
under any circumstances—the old idea
of her incapacity for business and of
the general inferiority of her talents.
So much for her condition as a reputable
member of the state, but, as a criminal,
her position was even worse.
All this is changed. Women are now
practically on an equality with men, and
the legal subordination of one sex to the
other is gone. The idea died hard; it
would be amusing if it were worth while
to tell how hard.
There is next to nothing that a woman
may not be and do in England now. She
may be a guardian of the poor, te. church
warden, a sexton, a medical officer of a
work house or a member of the Lon
don school board. She may practice med
icine and take academic degrees.
Some of Her Advantage*
She may go to law and maintain an ac
tion against her own husband and he has
even lost his ancient legal right of beat
ing her. She may trade on her own ac-
- count and enjoy the distinction of being
a bankrupt without the penalty of going
to prison under the debtors' act.
She may vote for a municipal council,
if not for parliament. She may be a dea
coness of the church, if not a decon. She
may be a juror in certain cases, if not a
Judge. Thus the old idea that man and
wife are one is practically exploded, and
it is not impossible that future legislation
may decree that under certain circum
stances the woman is both-
One limitation of the legal rights of
woman still exists in England—she is not
yet admitted to the franchise. That this
is a right' desired by all women is not
quite certain, but that it ought to be
aimed after is a conclusion that only
those will question who have not fully
considered the altered needs which the
altered condition of woman has brought
about.
By virtue of what superiority can man
withhold from woman, as she now is. an
equal right with himself to control the
management of her own affairs? Is her
brain less active?- Is her education low
er? Is she more liable to be swayed by
unworthy motives, or even more subject
to the bribery and corruption of an eter
nal will?
The noble and magnanimous being,
man, if he knows himself, and if he
knows woman also, knows perfectly that
he can claim none of these points of
superiority. And if the franchise is to
be long withheld from one-half of the
human family it Can only be by virtue
of the last surviving spark of the old
barbaric idea (however disguised and
beautified) the woman is not a separate
being, but merely the creature and prop
erty of man.
If Byron is right that the true touch
stone of desert is success, then the suc
cess of woman is the Justification of
their emancipation. No six centuries in
England have produced so many eminent
women as the last sixty years. Miss
Florence Nightingale among the heroines
of the hospital; and in literature, art,
music and the drama. George Eliot, Mrs
Browning, Mrs. Gaskell, Charlotte
Bronte, Emily Bronte, Jean Ingelow,
Christina Rossetti, Mrs. Carlyle, Mrs.
Siddons, Fanny Kemble, Sarah Bern
hardt, Bleanora Duse, Mme. Ristori, Ellen
Terry, Mrs. Humphry Ward, Mrs. Craigie
and Mrs. Clifford, not to attempt to call
up more of the long roll of distinguished
women still happily among us.
The altered condition of woman is, no
doubt, having its effect on the character
of the sex. Every reader of the novels of
Jane Austen—in which the most striking
characteristic of woman is that of being
without character—must realize that the
old types are passing away. Woman, at
the loginning of the twentieth century,
may be open to criticism at certain
points, but it cannot be said that she is
characterless.
. The necessity to fight the world on its
own terms, to compete with men in pro
fessions hitherto controlled by them. Is
developing a type of woman that is im
mensely Interesting and attractive. The
little armor of mannishness which is be
ing put on in the same way, and for
much the same reason, as Rosalind dons
the doublet and hose, “let lie within
what woman’s fear there will,” is in it
self a very touching and beautiful char
acteristic.
, I think If I were a woman it would be
the most delicious exercise of my pride to
be absolutely dependent upon the man
loved, but the greater part of girls in
England cannot indulge t|iat feeling,
more’s the pity, and so many of them are
beautiful nowadays that, unhappily,
girl can no longer expect that he*' face
will be her fortune always.
There are more Marthas than Marys
in the world now; the time has gone for
ever when singing and dancing were
woman's only accomplishments, jnd even
a charming daughter of Herodius cannot
quite dance a man's head. off.
When the law has done its best, and so
ciety its utmost, there is yet something
unfair, or at least difficult, in the position
that woman holds in the world by nature.
Great numbers of English women have to
come out into the world in competition
with men, and some of them have a hard
and cruel time of It. On the fate of our
women, especially cur working women,
the future of our country, I truly believe,
depends, and it is amazing that parliament
and the press, and, above all, the church,
have hitherto given so little attention to
so great a problem.
Admiral Watson.
XDhen Our People Had Money to
'F Burn 4*
By the "Old" Colonel
Written for SM« Sonny Sooth
The financial history of the confederate
states will never be written.
The story of the unsuccessful effort of
the southern republic to create and main
tain a currency would read like a romance
in this practical, cold-blooded age.
At the beginning of our civil war the
south had Just closed a decade of excep
tional progress and development, and her
cotton product alone was in such general
demand that it would have been easy to
utilize it in a way that would have
strengthened the new government and
given it a fair start.
According to experienced financiers, the
cotton stored on southern plantations and
in the warehouses in the fail of 1881 might
easily have been purchased by the gov
ernment for 6 per cent confederate bonds.
It could have been shipped to Europe be
fore the federal blockade became efficient,
and during the following three years *t
would have yielded the enormous sum of
$1,000,000,000!
And this money, mind you, would have
been gold, the only currency that is worth
anything to a new nation forced to fight
its way from the very first.
•4
The southern people were patriotic and
unselfish, as a rule, throughout their long
struggle for independence, and in the
early days of the confederacy all classes
gave it their encouragement and support
in every possible way.
The first confederate currency was
shabby looking stuff, printed on inferior
paper, and the work of the engraver was
so badlv done that unscrupulous persons
in the rorth found it easy to turn out
counterfeits, which soon flooded the entire
south.
But the people welcomed it because rt
which, however interesting to the individual, con
tained no help, no solace or benefit to the general
reader. It has been conclusively proven, under
Mrs. Bryan’s tactful guidance, that a feature of
this nature may not only be operated on sensible
lines, but present unusual attractions to many
readers of The Sunny South not in touch with
either the different members or the editress.
It is nothing more nor less than the weekly as
sembling of a large number of people with active
minds, many of them totally, unacquainted with
each other personally, at which bright ideas are
advanced, and troublesome problems treated from
a homely, straightforward standpoint. In passing
we would like to inform the casual readers of The
Sunny South that here they may gain a wonderftll
amount of helpful experience, and learn new facts
about people and things which are contained in no
encyclopedias or in the archives of no library with
which we are acquainted. Personalism is at a dis
count in The Sunny South Household, and while
there is sufficient individuality to make the differ
ent contributions distinctive and entertaining, the
margins of sensibility are widely observed.
With this somewhat discursive preamble, we
wish to relate a recent incident which goes to
prove the truth of these assertions. A contributor
to The Household, writing under the name of In
cognito, outlined a sad personal experience full of
significance and warning. She had become en
gaged to a young man, nameless in the narrative,
and/to please his peculiar ideas had abandoned the
work of preparing herself for the profession of
teaching. lithe midst of happiness, and when her
mind was full set on his fidelity and love, she was
informed that he had married another woman—one
whose long purse had provep more attractive than
a humble home and modest living with the unpre
tentious little school teacher. He still loved her.
He admitted this as an inestimable consolation to
the woman whose life he had entered only to leave
bare and desolate. And in this gray and cheer
less twilight she found the burden of living and
helping others to live thrust back on her with an
awful newness of force and monotonous pain. Ah,
you will say, a very commonplace story, and one
that is being repeated in the lives of other people
every day. True, but the aggregate does not make
the single instance the less pathetic or more bear
able.
Wisely hiding her identity, the forsaken woman
turned for help to her friends of The Household,
whose leady sympathy she had noticed on happier
occasions It is well that Providence supplies that
one “touch of nature” which softens asperities and
binds together hearts which, occupied with their
own cares, might grow callous to those of others.
By this simple qarrative the many men and women
who contribute to The Household were inexpress
ibly touched. A lady, whose name and address
were given last week to attest her earnestness, of
fered the unfortunate “Incognito” a home and posi
tion and others were quick to extend soothing sym
pathy.
It is with pride and gratification that the man
agement notes these humane developments.
Viewed in a bread light, there is no reason why
The Household should not be a means for immeas
urable self-help and enlightenment among its mem
bers. -• ^
Frank R Stockton
George Cary Eg
gleston, on his way
from Frank R.
Stockton’s funeral,
said, at Philadel
phia, last week:
“Some one asked
me today why your
two judges, William
Ashman and James
T. Mitchell, were
pallbearers of Stock
ton’s. and I wa’s
glad to be able to
answer that ques
tion. Back in 1851
or 1852, in the
Athenaeum, a lit
erary club of some
forty or fifty lads
met on cert ain
nights to study
Shakespeare and
Milton and the other
classics, and, occa
sionally, to read to
one another compo
sitions of their own
The boy Stockton
belonged to this
club, and the boys
Mitchell and Ash--
man belonged to it
man. Stockton
as well. Stockton
wrote then rather
somber and cynical
things—can you im
agine that cheery
and kind soul writ
ing thus?—and he
was not thought to
be nearly so promis
ing as some of his
fellow-members. All
the lads were good
friends, but Stock-
ton, Ashman and
Mitchell were par
ti c u 1 ariy good
friends, and their
affection lasted to
the end. That is
why the two judges
were pallbearers for
the dead author.'*
was the money of the confederacy. They
knew very little about Mr. C. G. Mem-
minger, the secretary of the treasury,
but he had been selected by President
Davis, and that was enough for them to
know.
So there was a currency craze from the
beginning. Everybody wanted the new.
crisp bills, and the prophets of evil kept
their forebodings to themselves.
For some time the new money held its
own. During the early months of 1881
those who came from the north and from
Europe spent their gold and silver freely
in Richmond and other confederate cities.
If anybody anticipated the rapid de
preciation and collapse of the currency he
wisely held his tongue.
♦
In 1861, from January 1 to May 1, it
depreciated 5 per cent; by October 1 10
per cent, and by December 1 it had lost
20 per cent.
In 1862 it took $2.50 In this money to
buy $1 in gold on the 1st of September.
In 1863 it was down to three for one
February 1, and twenty-one for one De
cember 15.
In 1864 it went down to twenty-three for
one, September 15, and after Atlanta's
capture and destruction it depreciated
rapidly until the shoppers during the
Christmas holidays found that $51 in con
federate currency was only equal to one
little gold dollar.
In 18® it went down in a hurry. Jan
uary 1 it was 80 for 1; April 1 it was 80
for 1. By April 28 tfe cause was hopeless.
A dollar In gold then commanded $500
In confederate bills. On the 29th of the
same month it stood $800 for 1. The next
day it was $1,000 for 1. and on May 1 a
dollar in gold brought $1,200, the last
actual sale.
♦ - '
Shortly after the fall of Savannah in
December. 1864. the month's pay of a
confederate private soldier would buy
him only a pound of meat. A decent
hat was worth $200; a nice suit of clothes
$600; a bushel of wheat from $40 to $60; a
drink of good whisky, $10, and a horse
several thousand dollars.
Before the final collapse of the curren
cy, in Richmond, beef, pork and butter
sold for $35 a pound, and flour brought
$1,400 a barrel.
Just before the surrender at Appomat
tox a private soldier's pay for a month
was equal to only 33 cents in gold.
The mistake was made, all through the
war, of turning out confederate currency
in vase quantities.
The people could have done without
hundreds of millions of dollars in this
money, if the government had found
more satisfactory way of distributing
Cnptaln Wynne.
Gfto Week in a Busy
World
Rear Admiral John C. Watson, who hat
been nominated by President Roosevelt
as special naval representative of th 9
United States to
King Edward's coro.
nation, has a fine
record as a naval
officer from the time
he served as Farra-
gut’s flag lieutenant
during the civil war
down to his work at
commodore during
the closing days of
the late war with
Sipaln. He Is a de-
scendant of the fa
in o u s Crittenden
family, several of whose members dis
tinguished themselves. Personally, Ad
miral Watson is very popular with naval
oflicers and has also many friends abroad.
4:
It is understood Clement A. Grisconi,
president of the International Navigation
Company, the parent organization of the
new $170,000,000
steamship combina-
tion, will be placed
at the head of the
combined companies,
Mr. Griscom has
been vice president
and president of the
International Navi-
gat ion Company
since 1871, assuming
the greater office in
1S88, and *has been
Clement A. Griscom connected with
steamship lines since
1S63. He is familiar with every’ phase of
the business and is possessed of much ex
ecutive ability. The new company will
merge many of the concerns nc*v operat
ing under separate charters.
♦
Captain Wynne, of the marine guard on
board the cruiser Chicago, who has been
sentenced to prison with several other
American officers at
Venice. Italy, for his
part in a fracas in
the town, was one
of the officers
recommended for
gallantry at Tien
Tsin, China, in 1900.
He was then a lieu=
tenant and attract
ed the attention of
the commanding
officer by his "stead
fast courage and
encouragement o f
bis men,” the words used in the official
report to Washington. Captain Wynne has
been in the marine corps since April, 1899,
and has served on the cruiser Chicago
since September of last year. He was
born in the District of Columbia and ap
pointed 'from Pennsylvania,
♦
General Jacob Smith, of the United
States army, is just now the storm center
around which is revolving a fierce hurri
cane from congress
and in thd press. He
is charged with
butchering men,
women and children
in Samar, the Philip
pines, burning vil*
lages, torturing na
tives and employing
Weylerlan methods
in their extremest
horror.. He is now.
being tried by eotirt?*
Gen. Jacob Smith, martial In Manila,*
one of the witnesses
being Major Littleton W. Waller, who
was lately acquitted on practically the
same charges, and whom, it is claimed,
received orders to "bum, kill and devas
tate” from General Smith. Both republi
can and democratic members of congress
have bitterly denounced Smith as a bar
barian and "slayer of babes,” comparing
rim to Herod. There also seems to be a
tendency to trace the responsibility to
higher circles. From present indications
it will be exhaustively probed and many
sensations are expected.
♦
J. Sterling Morton, secretary of agricul
ture during President Cleveland's second
term, is dead. For years the former secre
tary of agriculture
had been a national
character. When a
youth he chose to
devote his attention
to agriculture' and
was one of the pio
neers who settled in
the Nebraska terri
tory in the days be
fore the war. To his
reputation as an au
thority on agrlcul-
Sterllng Morton tural affairs he ad
ded that which ho
made as a politician and an executive.
He was the first territorial governor of
Nebraska and served it after it became a
state In various capacities.
When chosen to fill the position of secre
tary of agriculture by President Cleve
land he was already one of the most
prominent men in the country. As a secre
tary he showed remarkable ability, and
won the esteem of both parties. During
his term of office he saved the government
$2,000,000 and at the same time increased
the efficiency of his department.
4-
Sol Smith Russell is dead. America’s
greatest comedian, whose name was a
household word in every city and town be
tween
it.
When the currency became more worth
less every day the speculators were more
active than ever.
They sprang up suddenly everywhere
in the south—a gang of greedy, heart
less fellows, and through their extor
tionate methods they accumulated im
mense fortunes.
A remarkable aristocracy of the newly-
rich leaped to the front.. Many of these
speculators were without money or cred
it in 18®. In 1861 they were rolling in
wealth. Georgia alone had fifteen mil
lionaires, according to confederate val
ues.
4-
The greed of the speculators caused in
describable suffering among the masses.
Articles needed by every household and
by the soldiers in the field were purchased
in great quantities by sharp traders, who
ran prices up to fabulous figures. They
tried to get hold of all the salt in the
confederacy and fix the price to suit
themselves.
In Georgia their scheme was not suc
cessful. Governor Joseph E. Brown was
Continued on fifth page
the Atlantic
and Pacific, where
his winning person
ality and genial na
ture had won.' for
him hosts of friends
and admirers, de
parted life last
week.
Mr. Russell died
of alovta paraple
gia, from which'he
had beer, a sufferer
Jot Smith Russel, since January 6, 1900.
when he was
stricken at the Grand opera house, Chica
go. Mr. Russell was popular in all parts
of the nation, east and west. He himself
is said to have been unable to classify the
country in this respect, though it has
been supposed he was best liked in the
middle west. He always drew immense
bouses in Chicago, and was especially
fond of Chicago people. He had many
friends there and often referred to the
unvarying flattering receptions given him
in the west.
Mr. Russell was born in Brunswick,
Mo.. June 15, 1848, and received his early
education and training in St. Louis and
Jacksonville, 111. He prepared himself for
a university course, but when the war
broke out between the north and south
he determined to be a witness of at least
a small bit of the conflict He joined as a
drummer boy, but his natural inclination
for mimicry and fun-making caused him
to be a leader in regimental theatricals.
Once started, he achieved the success
with which every theatergoer la