The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, March 15, 1901, Page 5, Image 5

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THE CANAL OUTLOOK the prospect noav NOT VERY E6V COCRAGING. MR. MORGAN IS DISGUSTED. WILE RESIGN AS CHAIRMAN OF CANAL COJIMIITEE. %o Secret Made of the Immense Pott er and Influence of the Hnilronds and Their Allied Corporations With Conisress—They May Choke Ofl the Bill in a Dozen Ways—The rnnnmn Canal Houle Notv at the Front Attain and Being Actively Pashed. Washington, March 14.—Simultaneously with the receipt of Great Britain’s an swer relative to the Senate amendments to the Hay-Pauncefote treaty, there comes the very positive announcement from sig nificant quarters that we are farther away from an inter-oceanic canal than we have been at any time In a great many years. To those who have studied the trend of events during the past two or three years, the question very naturally arises, will the much-talked .of canal to connect the Atlantic and Pacific ever be built on any routs. Senator Morgan who is naturally opti mistic, says he beleivee that the next Congress will clear the way and pass a Nicaragua Canal bill. At the same time he speaks so optimistically, he does not attempt to conceal his belief that the fail ure of the measure up to date, is due ;o tiie hostility of influence which control the Republican i*arty and administration. So strongly does he feel this that'he has announced a desire to be relieved from the chairmanship of the Inter-Oceanic Canal Committee, which position heretofore it has been his greatest delight to hold. While that committee, made up as It Is of a majority of Republicans, has ostensi bly been in favor of a canal project, Sen ator Morgan has known that Republican senators, who voted with him in the com mittee, have outside the committee room, been influential In helping create the different obstacles which have stood In the way of canal legislation. This sort of half-hearted l or no-hearted support has completely disguested Sena tor Morgan and he has accordingly an nounced It as his desire that he be not continued in a position where he was practically humiliated. Power of the Corporation. Whether Senator Morgan persists In this position or not will probably make very little difference so far as the ultimate re sults in canal legislation are concerned. The new Senate Is more strongly Repub lican than the old one, and whatever steps are taken toward canal construe t ion— whether they be positive or negative—will be absolutely dictated by the administra tion and the influences which control it. It is not misrepresentation in any sense to state that the great railroad corpora tions of this country and the greater Interests allied with them are very powerful, not only at the White House, but in both branches of Congress. This can be asserted without leaving one open to the charge of anarchy or pessi mism. It is a fact which everybody must recognize. Now It Is also a fact that the enact ment of legislation providing- for the con struction of the Nicaragua canal was for a good many years prevented by the in fluence of one man as the head of a great railroad system. That was, of course, the late Mr. Huntington, who was absolute master of the Southern Pacific and Union Pacific lines, and in that capacity had a practical, if not absolute, monopoly of transcontinental traffic. Theorists are able to show very clearly how the Pacific railroads would not be injured, but in the end would be helped by the construction of a canal between the oceans, but the practical men who have been in charge of these railroad enterprises have never seemed to see It in that light. Mr. Hunt ington was openly and frankly opposed to the construction of a canal, and while in his argument against it he very nat urally refrained from saying that the reason for his opposition was that he be lieved his railroad properties would be in jured by canal competition, that was his real reason. Huntington's Power In Congress, Mr. Huntington was a wonderful old man who hod made his fortune through his ability to make the majority in Con gress do what he wanted in the matter of Pacific Railroad legislation, and It Is doubtful if any other man, occupying the same position in a business sense, could do aa much; but in considering wfiiat these Pacific Railroad interests are able to ac complish, it must be born in mind that we have now to deal with not one man or one system, but the greatest railroad combination that this country has ever known. And if George Gould, who is on the in side, knows what he is talking about, even greater combinations can be expect ed in the near future. ff then, Mr. Huntington was able, prac tically single handed and alone to bring such powerful influences to bear upon Congress as to prevent the necessary steps being taken for the construction of canal, what can not -this vaster combi nation which includes not only Pacific lines, but lines reaching Into all parts of the country, accomplish? Jt hos been demonstrated very clearly that the old saw about there being more 'Ways to kill a cat than to choke it to death, applies to legislation as well ns anything else. It is not necessary for the allied railroad interests to announce to fhe world that they would like to keep “f* indefinitely the construction of a canal. It has already been demonstrated that the Injection of a commission idea et the right time or the insincere support ot sincerely conceived treaty amendments at another time, furnished Just as effec 11a means of staving oft action as could be desired. •intUiolt for Csnfll Ontinons. now and the regular session Congress, a good deal of quiet work >an be done by those who oppose the < obstruction of 11 cunal - I" my humble 'Pinion, the Nicaragua canal project > me nearer reaching a successful cul mination when the Hay-Pnuncefote , e , j negotiated and the way was paved for the construction of the canal J, this government, than it will reach tvuu tlmu * n the neat future—lf ever, with the non-acceptance of the Sen , ? f men ' i mentß to the treaty which was evitable, and with the necessity of be inning all over again so far as legls on Is concerned, the Nicaragua project u ln by no means good shape, 'llie Old Treaty Revived. . BlC V' r force there ha * been In the yton-Jlulwer treaty ut uny time since * negotiation. It possesses now. If there .. “by doubts as to Its complete force , t 1 doubt was removed by the negotia ***' Huy-l’auncefote treaty anil •Wieideratlon on the part of the > onsiXl V"’ H **h*t, by giving it formal , , i*tlon and by Its amendments, in* Vi? * *** part toward revlv ridn a* 01,1 ''irtrument. If as has been ■ ini... | t )la<l | rJM any 0( )|i( v , u |, ljr Rial"*™ elalms advanced l>y Mr, " n * and Mr, Frellng huyasn that it waa min* b| # n •* * *“y ,o,, "Mulwsr treaty in eslalence, ‘ *• either be aupt receded by anew treaty or formally abrogated by nego tiations between the two governments. I am speaking, of course, of the practioal methods of procedure. We could go ahead and declare It abrogated, by an act of Congress or by the enactment of legislation In defiance of the provisions of the treaty, but that would be a breech of the international amenities which It is safe to say, will never be realized. We have the physical power to do this, but the United States is not going to take any such step. There must, therefore, follow negotia tions of some kind. What these will be has not yet been determined. They will, however, take time and they will also open the opportunity for the opponents of a clanal to further postpone legislation. The Panama Canal Project. 4- Just now the Panama canal project iB coming to the front because of the strong Indications that there is nothing in the Nicaragua scheme. It is said that a num ber of the men high In the council of the Republican administration are interested in this Panama project and would like to see such arrangements between this gov ernment and the men owning the Panama concessions as would make it possible for the United States to take over the Pan ama canal and Complete its construction. Senor Silvela, minister of foreign affairs of the government of Colombia is here as is also M. Hutin, president of the New Panama Canal Company. They have had several conferences with officials of the State Department, and it is understood have made proposals with the idea that they may serve as a basis for negotia tions. The Panama people would, very naturally, like to see this government do anything that will save their property, and the Colombian government is equally anxious to see the canal, If there is to be one. built across the Isthmus of Pan ama, because that would mean much business to Colombia. The construction of a canal by the Nicaragua route, would, of course, mean the death of the Panama canal project and of the Panama railroad. Tlie Panama, People Active, In the meantime, however, that these negotiations—lf they can be said to have reached the stage of negotiations—are go ing on between Senor Silvela and Mr. Hay, the Panama people are actively at work endeavoring to Interest American capital in short to unload their concessions upon American capital. They have the very ac tive assistance of some very astute Ameri can business men who seem convinced that there will be no canal at all unless it is built by private enterprise, who are also convinced that the Panama route is the more feasible. As is well known, there has been incorporated under the laws of the state of New Jersey a com pany known as the New Panama Canal Company of America. It is given out that all of the holdings of the old company have been transferred to this new corpor ation which is an American concern. There is some prospects of American cap italists taking hold of this company. The negotiations, I understand, are in the pre liminary stages, but there is substance to them. In view of all these facts, there seems warrant for the statement that there is practically no chance for the enactment of legislation providing for the construc tion of a canal over the Nicaragua route by this government and that if we are to have any canal at all in the very near future, it will be over the Panama route, and wili be built by American capital. A DEFICIT IN PRISON FUNDS. Maj. W. H. Martin, Ex-Clerk of North Carolina Treasurer’s, Arrested for Embezzlement. Raleigh, N. C., March 14.—Gov. Aycock to-day sent a special mesage to the general assembly stating that a deficit has been found in the accounts of state’s prison ini the Treasury Department, amounting to about $4,000, so far as has been ascertained to the present time. The deficit appears to have begun early in the year 1900 or possibly before then and has continued until about the last of November of that year. The books have been changed so as to force bal ances. This morning State Treasurer Lacy sent for Maj. W. H. Martin, who has been a clerk in the office, until the 10th of March, 1901, and confronted him with the changes in the books. Maj. Martin admits the changes lr the books and confessed that he took the money. He says he did not use it in his personal expenses, but gave it to the church and in charity. This afternoon he was ar rested on a warrant charging embezzle ment. He waived examination and was bound over to court in a bond of $4,00). Being unable to give it he was sent to jail. Maj. Martin is 60 years old. He came here from Harrisburg, Pa., in 1865. THE PROTECTED CHITS HRS. Only Six to Re Sheathed and Cop pered. Washington, March 14.—Under author ity conveyed by the naval appropriation act, Secretary Long has upon the recom mendation of the board on construction, decided that only six protected cruisers of the entire number of vessels author ized by the two preceding naval appro priation acts shall be sheathed and cop pered. The effect is to necessitate ar rangement with the contractors for the building battleships and armored cruisers of the sheathed class, recently let, by which a drawback will be retained by the government on account of the omis sion of the sheathing. WILL RHVPPOINT INCUMBENTS. Most of the District Attorneys Have a Sure Tiling. Washington, March 14.—Attorney Gen eral Griggs talked with the President to day about a number of places under the Department of Justice, the terms of the incumbents being about to expire. This includes a large number of United States district attorneys and marshals. Except where charges have been made against incumbents and where the senatorial status has changed there will be no new appointments. The present Incumbents will bo reappointed as their terms expire. AN ENGLISH EVANGELIST. Will Conduct Services in Atlnutn and Other Cities. New York, March 14.—Rev. F. B. Meyers and his wife of England, arrived here to day on board the steamer Majestic. Mr. Meyere comes here to conduct evangeli cal services. He will go at once to Rich mond, Va., where he will begin his work. He will conduct services in Atlanta, Cin cinnati, Louisville, Birmingham, Indian apolis, Chattanooga and Omaha, sailing for homo on April 17. HIGHER IIATEN ON COAL. Freights Advance 10 Cents n Ton, llcglnnlng April I. New York, March 14.—A Joint notice ad vancing the freight pates on bituminous coal from the mines to tidewater Max bean Issued by the Pennsylvania Railroad, by the Baltimore and Ohio, the Cheoapeak and Ohio and the Norfolk and Western. The advance will be 10 cent a per ton and It will take effect on April 1. Trade Paralysed In tkilan. Kingston, Jamaica, March 14.—The Brit ish steamer Teian from Liverpool, via Colon reporta that Irade la lately para lysed In Colon In consequence of rebel ac tivity In the neighborhood. Fighting la going on In aevaral quarter*, but without important result*. THE MORNING NEWS: FRIDAY. MARCH 15. 1901. COL SANGER APPOINTED. Takes Oatb as Assistant Secretary of War—Wky Mr. Melklrjoha Gave I p the Office. Washington, March 14.—C01. William Carey Sanger of New York, was to-day appointed assistant secretary of war and immediately entered upon the discharge of the duties of his new office. His com mission was made out at the War De partment this morning, and was signed by the President during the forenoon. Soon after Col, Sanger appeared at the War Department and teas immediately usher ed into the private office of Secretary Root. There in the presence of Lieut. Gen. Miles and Chief Clerk Schofield, he subscribed to the regulation oath of of fice to support the constitution. Accord ing to an arrangement made in the morn ing, Col. Sanger at once took formal pos session of the office of assistant secre tary and was introduced to the bureau chiefs and all other principal officers of the department. The following announcement was made at the War Department regarding the ap pointment of Col. Sanger: "Sometime before the expiration of the last administration and before the reap pointment of the cabinet. Assistant Secre tary Meiklejohn notified the President that by reason of his candidacy for the Senate, the long t-anvass attending It and the necessity that there should be an as sistant secretary who could be present at Washington to perform the duties of the office, he was unwilling to permit his name to be considered for reappointment. Mr. William Carey Sanger has accord ingly been appointed." Prior to the appointment of Coi. Sanger, Senators Platt and Depew had a confer ence with the President and withdrew their opposition to the nomination. GEN. MILES TO VISIT CUBA. Will Pass Through Savannah With Party To-night In Private Cor Over the Southern. Washington. March 14.—Gen. Miles and Mrs. Miles, and their son, Sherman Miles, Quartermaster General and Mrs. Luding ton. Col. H. H. Whitney, artillery corps, aide de camp to Gen. Miles; Col. Albert A. Pope of Boston, Frank Wiborg of Cincinnati, and Gen. Miles' secretary and orderly, left here for Cuba to-night at 9:55 o’clock in private car No. 104 over the Southern Railway, traveling via Sa vannah, Jacksonville and Palm Beach. After spending about two days at Palm Beach, Fla., the party will embark at Miami for Havana. It is the purpose of Gen. Miles and Gen. Ludtngton to inspect the principal army posts In Cuba It is expected that the party will start back from Cuba the latter part of next week. Although Gen. Miles has been commis sioned to look into certain military mat ters for the secretary of war, It Is stated with the utmost positiveness at the War Department that Gen. Miles’ visit has no connection whatever with the political affairs of Cuba. TO PUNISH DRUNKARDS. Lord Salisbury Supports the Bishop of Winchester Bill. London, March 14.—1n the House of Lords to-day Lord Salisbury warmly sup ported the Bishop of Winchester's habit ual drunkards bill. He said he was en tirely in sympathy with the measure, whidh fixes higher penalties than in the case of simple drunkenness, especially in the case of a person drunk when ln charge of a child. The bill provides that habitual drunkenness should be treated as persistent cruelty and entitle a wife to dlvoroe. The sale of liquors to inebriates is forbidden. Lord Salisbury said he hoped that he or the government might succeed in passing the bill. The bill passed its second read ing. WILL NOT GO TO AIKEN. Senator Depew and Miss Paulding to Remain at the Capital. Washington, March 14.—Senator Depew and his niece, Miss Paulding, have aban doned their proposed visit to Aiken, S. C. The Senator and his niece expected to leave here the latter part of the week to join the social colony at Aiken for two or three weeks. In view of the de lightful weather here, and the social at tractions at the capital, occasioned by so many prominent New York society people deciding to linger at the capital until the middle of April, Senator Depew concluded to remain here until he Is ready to sail for Europe the latter part of April. BAD OUTLOOK FOR THE MILLS. Thousand* of Spindle* May Be Ren dered Idle Soon. Boston, March 14.—The unsatisfactory market for print cloths and other coarse goods made by many of 'the cotton mills in the New England states, which has compelled Fall River manufacturers to attempt to bring about a general curtail ment in that city also in causing some uneasiness among officials identified with interests in other mill centers. The feeling in mill circles here seems to be that un less the situation shows Indications of an early improvement, many thousands of spindles other than those in the great print cloth center will be idle for some time. TO CURTAIL PRODUCTION. To Shat Down 1.N00.000 Spindles for Twenty-four liny*. Fall River, Mass., March 14.—Rapid progress has been made toward curtail ment of production by the cotton mills and to-day jt was considered almost certain that it would take place as desired by the selling committee. "From all that can be seen now," a member of the committee said to-day, "the curtailment agreement will go Into effect 1 In a few days. It wilt affect 1,500,- 000 spindles for twenty-four working days." LYNCHED A CANADIAN. Nine Hlsalssippluna on Trial at Scranton. Mobile, Ala., March 14.—The trial of the nine men charged with the lynching of John Knox, the Canadian, for shoot ing and killing his stepsons, began at Scranton, Miss., to-day. The chief wit ness, Jeff Larson, was brought Into court. The case was heard all afternoon and con tinued to to-morrow. There was much talk of trouble from the friends of th* accused, but none occurred. THE HEARING POSTPONED. Examination of Patrick to Begin March Stli. New York, March 14.—The case of Albert T. Patrick, charged with the murder of William Marsh Rice, was called before Justice Jerome of the Court of Special Stations, spring aa magistrate, to-day. As sistant District Attorney Garvin appeared for the prosecution and oast the report of Prof Wltthaue, lb* chemist, hod nos yet (Men received. Ho naked for an ad : journment and Justice Jerom* postponed j Die examination until March Jt, J ~ Rest your arms a. little: V ItTg 1(1 iv*3t bl week or Inm • two. Wash with PEARLINE soak, boil, rinse the clothes—just as directed. Then go bwck to tho old way—soap and hard rub bing on wa.shboard. if you are willing. In any case you are better off—you are rosted. and the life of the clothes is spared lust thivt much. 040 MARYLAND’S BALLOT LAW. Passed Senate by Slrlet Party Vote. The Klglit Being Directed by Ex-Seuator Gorman. Annapolis, Md., March 14.—The Demo cratic majority in the Senate, after a te dious session, lasting from 11 a. m. until 8 p. m., aided by the action of the cloture rule, succeeded in passing the "disfran chisement" bill to-night by a vote of It to 11, a strict party division. The session opened with a spirited squabble over the engrossment of the bill, the Republican members of the en grossing committee claiming that the committee had not been called together by its Democratic chairman, and insist ing that they had not been afforded an opportunity to compare the engrossed copy with the original. A motion to re commit it to the committee was lost a3 was also a motion to make the bill t!he special order for 4 o’clock this afternoon. Then just as the president of the Senate was about to declare the bill on Its final passage and order a call of the roll thus shutting off debate, Senator Wilkinson of St. Mary's county obtained recognition and proceed ed to discuss the provisions of the bill at length. He was followed by several other Republican senators, with the evi dent Intention of wearing the Democrats Out, but at 7:30 p. m. the president cut off further debate, and the hill was passed It now goes to the House for concur rence in the Senate amendments. There has been some talk to the effect that the Democratic leaders in the House will non concur in sbme of these, in which event the passage of the bill In that branch may be delayed,' but the consensus <f opinion is that no further obstacle will be placed In its waj, and that it will go to the Governor to-morrow night for his sig nature During the fight in the Senate to-day ex- Unlted States Senator Gorman sat in the private room of the president of ta Sen ate, adjoining the Senate chamber and di rected the Democratic forces. CUBANS SEEK INFORMATION. And Gel Into Contr-wersy cut Once Over Reported Statements of American ConaresNincn. Havana, March 14.—Gen. Wood and his staff to-day accompanied the Congres sional party now here, which Includes members of the River and Harbor Com mittee to Aguacate, to inspect a sugar estate. The Cuban delegates to the Con stitutional Convention- are eagerly seek ing information from the American con gressmen regarding the possibility of a reconsideration, by Congress of the Platt amendment. A controversy in the local press over certain statements alleged to have been made by some of these con gressmen has already and La- Patria on the strength of these allega tions, strongly urges the delegates to refuse to accept the Platt amendment, but to wuit until the next Congress as sembles. This afternoon the committee on the Platt amendment held a private session In the convention hall and discussed the amendment at great length. There was considerable diversity of opinion and it was decided to hold another meeting to morrow, at which each member will sub mit a written opinion. The various writ ten opinions wilt then be amalgamated in a final report to be mnde before the con vention. The committee expects to finish its work Saturday, but definite action by the convention is not looked for wdthin a week. THE POLYGAMY BILL VETOED. Gov. Wells Sec* Thnt It Would Prove n Boomerang mid Telia Why Till* Is So. Salt Lake, Utah., March 14.—Gov. Wells has vetoed the Evans bill, relat ing to the making of complaints and commencing of prosecutions In criminal cases. In hts veto message Gov. Wells said; ■'ln my opinion nothing can be clear er than that this bill, If passed, would be welcomed and employed as a most effective weapon against the very classes whose condition It Is intended to amelio rate. Furthermore, I have reason to believe Its enactment Would be the sig nal for a general demand upon the Na tional Congress for a constitutional amendment, directed against certain so cial conditions here, a demand, which under the present circumstances would /wfiircply be complied with. While it may be urged that in every event the poor could be made to suffer ,1s it not an odious thought, repulsive to every good citizen of whatsoever creed or party, that the whole state should thus be put under a ban? Surely there Is none so selfish and unpatriotic as to argue that this 1* preferable to the endurance of a few Insulated Instances of prosecution unbacked, as they are, by either respec table moral support or sympathy.” RICH STRIKES IN ALASKA. A Rich Bar Discovered Beneath Bering Sea. Victoria, B. C., Murch 14. —News has reached here from Cape Nome that dur ing December a rich bar was staked, which is beneath Bering *ea and paral lels the coast for about 100 miles up from Snake river. Those who located the claims had to cut through five feet of ice to reach the sand and gravel, which was very rich. In summer the claims will be to tally submerged. Stampedes have occurred from Nome to American creek, ln Kougrock and Norton sound, where rich strikes have been made. CHARLOTTE OFFERED *20,000. Mr. Carnegie Attaches the I anal < <>n<Hlinn* of Maintenance. Charlotte, N. C„ March 14.—Andrew Carnegie, the Pittsburg philanthropist, has offered the city of Charlotte 123,05) with which to erect a library building. The offer Is based on the conditions that the city will donate a fro* alt* and es tablish an annual fund of J2,fSS) for the maintenance of the library. The offer will douMleaa be accented. (apt. Mellee'a Mother Dead, Charlotte, N. C'„ March 14.—A Colum bia, M C., special to the Observer to night announces lha death of Mrs. Mr- Bee, mother of Capt. V. K. McHee, gen eral manager of th* geahoard Air Line Railroad Mrs McKee* body will la buried at litr old bouts, UrecuvtU*, U. 0., •alwidag. CRECELIUS-SPEER. Pretty Wedding at Judge Speer’e Suburban Home Near Macon. The Bride Ills Youngest Daughter. Macon, March 14.—James Forder Crece llus of the government engineering corps was married to-night to Miss Lulie Speer, youngest daughter of Judge Emory Spoer of Macon. Rev. F. F. Reese, the bride's pastor, performed the ceremony at "The Cedars," the beautiful suburban home ct Judge and Mrs. Emory Speer. Dr. Cro celtus, brother of the groom, was best man, while Miss Marlon Speer, sister of the bride, was maid of honor. Immediate ly after the ceremony the couple left for a tour through the West. A wedding re ception was tendered at the residence to several hundred friends of the family. The groom Is located for the present at St. Louis, while he is engaged in some engineering work in Yellowstone Park. The couple will make that city their tem porary home. Among the distinguished visitors were Mrs. Dearing and Mrs. Speer of Athens, grandparents of the bride, and Mrs. Howard Burr of Annapolis, sister of the bride. RICHMOND. Tlie Big Tourist Lines Combine for the Joiut Ownership of the Shortest Houle. Philadelphia. March 11.—Tho Press to morrow will say: An arrangement has been entered into between the Pennsylvania, Southern Rail road, Chesapeake and Ohio, Atlantic Coast Line, Seaboard Air Line and the Rich mond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Rail road Companies for tho joint ownership of the railroad from Washington to Rich mond, V This road Is now owned by the Pennsylvania Company from Washington to Quantlco and by the Richmond, Fred ericksburg and Potomac from Quantlco to Richmond. It is said that the Pennsylvania Com pany agreed to sell Its line from Wash ington to Quantlco. ami all the companies are to have an equal share In the road from Washington to Richmond. Anew company la to he formed and a value is to be placed upon both the Pennsylvania railroads and the Richmond, Fredericks burg and Potomac Road. Each company is to have a sixth Interest. SHOULD HAVE KEPT FAITH. Cubans Should Have First Been Grnnted Tlielr Independence, Says Senator Teller. Chicago, March 14.—“1 think the na tional administration should have kept faith with Cuba and granted the people of that Island their Independence," said Senator Henry M. Teller of Colorado,who passed through Chicago to-day en route to Colorado. “As I said," continued the senator, "the Cubans should have received Just what was promised them—their lndeiiendence. Then after that had been done this gov ernment could have taken up the con cessions demanded of those people through diplomatic relations. Asa mem ber of the Cuban Relations Committee of the Senate, I did not vote In fnvor of the demands on the Cuban Constitution al Convention, nor did I vote for them in the Senate. The people of the island did not have an oportunlty to demon strate what they can or cannot do. “I do not look for any trouble down there, however, as they seem to be re conciled to their fate, for the time being at least.” NEW TRIAL FOR* MRS. BOTKIN. Woman Who Was Convicted of Mur der for SenillnK Poisoned Candy Through the Mails. San Francisco, March 14.—The State Su preme Court to-day granted anew trial to Mrs. Cordelia Botkin, who Was con victed of the murder of Mrs. J. P. Dun ning in the summer of IS9B and sentenced to life imprisonment. The trial resulting in the conviction of Airs. Botkin was a toted one in criminal history. Mrs. Bot kin was tried on the charge of sending through the United States mails from this city to Dover, Del., a box of poi soned candy which caused the death of Mrs. Dunning, to whom it was addressed. THE. MINERS CONVENTION. To-duy the Date for tlie Conference With the Opirators. Hazleton, Pa., March 14.—The miners convention did little work to-day. Pres ident Mitchell to-night Issued the follow ing statement: "To-morrow Is the date selected to hold a Joint conference with the mine owners, and while I have not heard officially that the operators would either attend or re main away, I want to have It understood that if a peaceful settlement Is not ef fected, and the mine workers are com pelled to suspend work, the fault and the responsibility will rest solely upon the shoulders of the operators." WILL BE MOVED TO tt.AVANNAH. Stock holders of C., It. A S. R. It. to Meet May 15. Atlanta, March 14.—A Rome (Ga.) spe cial says: President Wilburn has called a special meeting of the stockholders of the Chat tanooga, Borne and Southern Railroad for May 15, to consider the sale and convey ance of that property to the Central of Georgia. It Is understood here that the headquartere of President Wllburn'a road will be removed to Savannah. The price paid for the Chattanooga, Rome and Southern Is announced as $4,- 500.000. lit is 138 miles long and extends from Chattanooga, Tenn., to Carrollton, Ga. Cl BANS NOT INTERESTED. Take Little Stock In Doing* of Their Con yen lion. Washington, March 14.—Private advices received here from high authority In Ha vana are to the effect that the Cuban people as a whole are manifesting very little Interest In the proceedings of the rcnalltutlonael convention, and that It Is not possible for any person at this mo ment to forecast knowingly the action of the delegates upon the pending proposi tions touching relations with the, United State*. THE ACTION NOT DROPPED. Mill Knight'* Suit Against Vlnnrhes ter la Proceeding. London, Morch 14.—Counael for Miss Portia Knight have written a letter to the papers denying the statement pur* porting to have been made by the Duke of Manchester to the effect that he con sidered the action taken to he quite un justified and that he believed It had been dropped. According to counsel, th* breaon op promise suit is proceeding and the courts will deck!* whether It 1* justified er not. Roosevelt Goes to Oyster Uny, Washington, March 14.—Vie* President Roosevelt left Washington id-day for Oyster Bay. A half-hour before Ills de parture la called at the White House to aa/ good bye to McKinley. SALE OF |% U Muslin Underwear.fJwl To those interested in I/lliil fine, well made garments flf . J * we can truly say that |TJj J 1 /lj the line we offer has no equal in the city. Only the best Laces and Insertings are used in the ELK BRAND, and while we claim superior garments, /M\ our on them are only / )Ls\ \ a trifle more than the or lyihlSfc ****** S ar,ncnts usually on cheap sales. Our motto is to see how good for the low est possible price. See display in our window. Also a sy/nk. ' \ large line of Baby j^A\ Caps and Dresses, Infants' Outfits, B. H. Levy & Bro. SHERIFFS DISCUSS FEES. FLORIDA OFFICIALS THINK THEY AHE BADLY TREATED. Do Not Get a Square Deni From the Comity Commissioners They Claim. Will Seek Legislation to Improve Their Status In the Matter of Fees. gIOO Raised for the Willow of the l.nte Sheriff Mwtthls. Jacksonville, Fla., March 14.—The con vention of sheriffs and police officers of Florida met this morning In a room of the Criminal Court of Record. A large number of counties were represented. One of the most Important things considered was the sheriff’s fee bill, which Is alleged by these officers to be entirely too small lit the state of Florida. Prior to the meeting a large number of sheriffs gathered and discussed with much earnestness the changes necessary. The sheriffs will make a systematic ef fort to get the L< glslature to change the fee bill, and they are sanguine of suc cess. Several ln general conversation stated thnt certain legislators had ex pressed themselves favorable to an In crease. bf fees ln many Instances. U. C. Herndon of Baker county, was chosen chairman, and W. T. Leslie of Hlllsborougth, was selected secretary. A call of the roll showed the following present: Jno. Price, Sheriff and G. W. Thames Constable, Duval county; R. C. Howard, Putnan; J. R. Turner, Volusia; J. J. Stephens, Fort Brooke, Hillsborough; H. S. Sutton, Levy, J. W. Hankins, Bu wanee; D. S. Sweet and E. T. Prest, Cit rus; J. H. Lane, Sumter; A. J. Higgin botham, Nassau; 8. F. Edward*, Gads den; W. A. Cone, Columbia; E. 8. Arm strong, Madison; J. S. Bennett, Bradford; L. W. Fennell, Alachua; E. E. Johns, Bradford; W. H. Lyle, City Marshal, Live Oak; P. H. Nugent, Marion; E. T. Pre vatt, Osceola; ft. L. Kilpatrick, Jefferson; Jno Trohark, Dade; J. D. TIUIs, Polk; T. R. Johns, Hamilton; U. C. Henderson, Baker; W. F. Leslie, Hlllsborought. P. H. Nugent of Marlon was chosen assistant secretary, and the temporary organization was then made permanent. Sheriff Cone of Columbia said that tbe most Important thing was legislation that would protect the sheriffs. He stated that ln many counties the County Commis sioners were antagnostlc to the sheriffs and frequently cut down the amounts Justly due these officers. He thought thnt some organized effort should be made to Induce the Legislature to give them pro tection. Chairman Herndon addressed the con vention, slating that the sheriffs were constantly risking their lives ln defense of person and property and were entitled to consideration. A general dlsctisslon followed in regard to the best method of procedure, and it was finally decided to turn the matter over to a special com mittee to formulate plans and to report at the afternoon session. The chair, upon motion, appointed the following committee, upon legislation: Hawkins, Priest, Price, Turner. Cone, Fro hack and Howard. This committee will consider the best bill to be urged for passage by the Legislature. A general discussion again followed, 4n which the County Commissioner* ln vari ous counties were severely rousted. Some contends,: that the laws at present gava the commissioners too much power. Others defended their commissioners, stating that they had never had a deduction made of 1 cent from the sheriffs’ fees. Several favored the plan of having the Circuit Court Judge Indorse all bills and to .nuke It compulsory for the County Commission era to pay the same, other* still non* tended that the law gave certain fee*, und that the same could be rol lened In full by suit. This statement brought out more talk, and the Supreme Court was censured, It being staled that if th* ootnmiasloner* were sued the mat ter would get Into the Supreme Court, mi and If the sheriff* aiiould win they would not receive any benefit therefrom, as It would take too piuny years for the Su preme Court to determine the matter. It mo sugarsfet], however, tliat some of the gtand children of these official* would be Ilia L rieficlsrte* liebn adjourning till* morning the aberlffs raised Jjnu for the widow of the late Sheriff Matt his, of Suwon#* county, who was killed by a negro a short tlm* ago. At 3 o’clock a number of the delegates assembled, but owing to tbe bad weather, and the fact that some of the officers were sight seeing, no regular session was had. Those present discussed several matters among themselves in an Infor mal way, and deliberated on measures to be brought before the meeting to-morrow. CHURCHES CLOSED A MONTH. Wnycro**' Scnrlet Fever Scare fhtb eldln* and Her Citizen* Will Soon RoMiunr Their Devotion*. Waycross, Ga., March 14.—The Board of Health announces that if no new case* of scarlet fever develop before Sunday, M#irch 24, the churches of Waycross will be allowed to re-open for services, only adult members to be admited. The Sunday-schools and public scoole ; will bo held In suspension a while lon ger. This will make five Sundays in our city without the sounding of a church bell or any sort of public gatherings be ing held. The theaters,military companies, lodges, etc., will be allowed to open after the 24th Inst. The few oases of scarlet fever that have caused this cessation of public services in town, are about well. There has never been more than six or eight cases at (Hie time, and probably not more than a dozen or fifteen cases in all. The disease Is of a very mild type, no fatuities being reported, except one lit tle child that died with something sup posed to be scarlet fever last December. Rev. TANARUS, M. Christian and Col. W. W. Sharpe went to Brunswick, this morning to extend an invitation to Sam Jones to come to Waycross next month and hold a series of meetings. Sharpe, Youmans and Miller have closed ihe contract for the presped brick for the outside walls of their brick house on their triangular block near the Plant System depot. They propose to make the struc ture three stories high. The city tax books will be open for the reception of tax returns during the month of April In the office of Mr. B. H. Crawiey. Capt. J. D. Smith Is the tax assessor. Messrs Jordan and W. W. Shape, Jr., have formed a company, known the Waycross Poultry Company. They have leased the K. E. Cannon place, south of town, and will put Ju a number of hatdb eriea, and expect to reap a rich harvest. J. M. Harvey A Bro. have bought out Guilford's restaurant near the postoffiee. Bud Harvey will be In charge ot the bualness. • The remains of Mrs. Emma Cannon were laid to rest In Lott Cemetery this afternoon. The funeral services were con ducted by her pastor. Rev. J, M. Glenn, of Trinity Methodist Church, assisted by Rev. R. A, Brown, pastor of the Presby terian Church. The pall bearers were Warren Lott, C. C. Buchanan, J. A. Lott, F. W. Bibb, B. H. Thomas, J. H. Bibb, Joel Lott and D. B. Sweat. The fire department was called out this afternoon about 2:30 o'clock, to extinguish a blaze in McKay’s barn on Parallel street. Some boys were playing with lire near the stables and In that way It caught. The stables were consumed, but the department stopped the fire before further damage resulted. NEGRO LAWYER INSANE. Hus Figured Pnmlneatly In Repnfril can Politics In Florid*. Jacksonville, Fla., March 14—John Mitchell, a well-known colored lawyer of this city, was adjudged to-day to be in sane. Mitchell is about 45 years of age, and has a wife end several children residing here. He came here about ten years sgo and has practiced his profession. He 'is a native of Gadsden county, but long lived ln Tallahassee. He Served Leon county once In the Legislature, und aa a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. Mitchell haa figured prominently in Florida u a Republican politician having been u menu her of the statu and county commute** and a delegate to national oonvrnMon*, He will lie sent to the State Lunatic Asylum Gllck tIH 1 .earls. Philadelphia, March It.—Th* fourteen men left In the six days' go-tlrfisj-ylusi* match are ■till wearily grinding but m|i.,*. Gllck. with UT miles, and HegtimaJk with Hh, are la th* lead, 5