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I'HE MORNING news. J. H. ESTIL.U President. Uta^lsh** 5 1860. - - Incorporated I*BB. WITH EMPEROR ITO HAD A TALK GRIM war in the far east cO VTIM'BS to threaten be- TWEEN RUSSIA AND JAPAN. Eißhieen of the Representative p eer s of Jtipnii Are Ac-qualnted by ,|,o Ministers With the Pi-ogre** „f Events—Russia Believed to Be Massing Troops to Repel Fossi- Japanese Invasion—For East oru News. TuKio, Feb. *.—Premier Katsura and his associates in the cabinet gave a dinner to-day to eighteen representa tive peers, and communicated to them the nature and progress of the doplo matic negotiations with Russia. The Marquis lto had a private audience with the Entpetor, at which the sit uation was discussed. These and oth er incidents clearly indicate the seri ousness of the situation. it is generally believed that Russia is massing troops north of the Yalu river, so as to be prepared to resist a possi ble invasion by the Japanese. The cabinet, elder statesmen and commanders of the army and navy are in almost constant conference or com munication. There is, howevei, no in dication of the course they intend to pursue. The belief is prevalent that Russia is seeking to provoke Japan to take the initiative. The first break in the reticence of the Japanese government was the pub lication to-day of four of the dis patches from Manchuria and Siberia, whic h are significant, showing as they do the trend of events. The Japanese commercial agent at Vladivostok was notified Wednesday by the commander of the Russian gar rison that he might at any time, in accordance with orders from St. Petersburg, have to proclaim a state of siege. Consequently, he desired the agent to make preparations for the eventual departure of the Japanese residents. Should any wish to remain they will be ordered to repair to Hab arovsk. Japanese official reports confirm marked military activity in Manchu ria. Houses have been prepared at Liaoyang, Haicheng, Kaichow and other places for the accommodation of Russian soldiers. Carts also have been requisitioned to transport ammu nition and stores. Troops are steadily moving in the di rection of the Yalu. and the Chinese residents of Ying Chou are preparing for flight. • FEELING OF PANIC IN COREA. Europeans Preparing to Send Their Families to Shanghai. St. Petersburg, Feb. 4.—Advices re ceived here from Corea say that the feeling of panic is general there, and that depression prevails at all the sea ports, where massacres of foreigners eventually are apprehended. The Eu ropeans are preparing to send their families to Shanghai. Every steamer from Japan, it is added, conveys to Corea many Japan ese officers and soldiers in disguise, and their presence In such numbers is regarded by the Russians as being a secret occupation of Corea. RUSSIAN FLEET SAILS BACK TO PORT ARTHUR. Port Arthur, Feb. 4.—The Russian fleet returned here at 4 o’clock this afternoon. The fleet, under Admiral Stark, put to sea at dawn, Feb. 3. It has taken U P its anchorage outside the harbor. It was maneuvering, it is reported, against sixty Japanese warships off Wei-Hai-Wei. The quarantine against Chefoo has been annulled. all hope ofTeace HAS NOW DEPARTED. London, Feb. 4.—A dispatch to Reu ters Telegram Company from Tokio, savs: • “The general impression here is that all hope of peace is gone. “The elder statesmen had a confer ence this afternoon, at which the Em peror was present. It is believed a "'eighty decision was reached.” ANSWER OF RUSSIA HAS BEEN DISPATCHED. St. Petersburg. Feb. 4.—The Russian response to the latest Japanese note "as sent to Tokio to-night. It Goes to Alextrff. St. Petersburg, Feb. 4.—The Russian Ip piy to Japan was forwarded to Vice- AlexiefT. If he approves it, it will 1 illy reach the Tokio government on M' nciay. M. Petersburg Aiot Advised. Petersburg, Feb. 4.—Nothing is b . e known officially regarding the re- P"i ted departure of the Russian fleet ! in Port Arthur. The report is at ■llbuted to the fact that possibly a of the ships have gone on a short cruise. Mvans* Fleet to Be Neutral. Washington, Feb. 4. —Regarding the icnvoments of the American Asiatic ‘ “ L which is now in Philippine wa it is stated that no decision has '' n reached, except the irrevocable :ha l the fleet shall make no move ,f h can possibly be construed as a rarture from the Washington gov ment's policy of "complete neu •ty in the Far East.” •f.OOO Russians for Chemulpo. London, Feb. 4.—A dispatch to the r utral News agency from Seoul. Co r'- s ays that about <l.OOO Russia troops f ‘ uv * sailed from Port Arthur, and will Jlateitnal) iltiming endeavor to land at Chemulpo, the port of Seoul, to-morrow. Wnv Bisk* Raised. London, Feb. 4.—The ominous ru mors, circulating here of the immi nence of hostilities in the Far East caused the rates on war risks at Lloyds’ to bound upward to-day from 40 to 70 guineas per cent. Taknhlra Get* the News. Washington, Feb. 4.—Mr. Takahira, the Japanese minister here, has been informed by his government of the departure of the Russian fleet from Port Arthur. Russian Ships Sail. Suez. Egypt, Feb. 4.—The Russian battleship Oslabya and transport Sara foff and three torpedo boat destroyers sailed to-day for the Far East. Japanese Informed. Tokio, Feb. 4.—The government has been informed that the Russian fleet has left Port Arthur. Its destination is not known. AFTER EXPRESS AGENTS WHO SOLD WHISKEY. Wholesale Indictment*, Cooked for in the Southwest. Kansas City, Mo., Feb. 4.—Wholesale indictments by the federal grand jury of express agents in Kansas City, throughout Kansas, in the prohibition counties of Texas and of liquor deal ers who have been shipping liquor in to these prohibition states, are immi nent. • The local agents of three large wholesale liquor houses, it was an nounced to-day, were indicted yester day and arrested, but released on their own recognizance and additional bills will, it is said, be found against the agent of every express company in Kansas City, in the state of Kansas, and in the prohibition counties of Texas who have acted as agents for the liquor houses in selling whisky, as fast as the evidence against them can be presented. For years practically every express company in this part of the Southwest has acted for liquor companies who have sold liquor in Kansas and Texas, the express agents of the different companies acting nominally as agents at the various points, thus practically nullifying the prohibition law. To avoid the law, the whisky was sent in sealed packages addressed to ficti tious names and sold by the agents for "express charges.” SHAW IS^CALLJNG^IN DEPOSITS FROM BANKS. Want* the Money to Pay for the Caiiat Right of Way. Washington, Feb. 4.—Secretary Shaw to-day sent a letter to all national bank depositaries holding special gov ernment deposits, regarding prospec tive calls for funds on account of the Panama canal purchase, which says it will be necessary to withdraw at least $30,000,000 from depositary banks. The letter continues: "You are therefore requested to make immediate preparation for the payment on demand of 20 per cent, at New York. In the near future, possibly within ten days, you will be asked to transfei this amount to some of the New York depositary banks, to be used in set tlement for the canal right of way. “The department will surrender no United States bonds held as security fbr deposits with any bank until such bank has withdrawn all state and mu nicipal bonds now held as such secu rity. but securities of the District of . Columbia, Philippine Islands and, Ha waii will be retained, if desired.” PEONAGE AND CONSPIRACY Are Charged Against Farmers ol Oglethorpe County. Athens. Ga., Feb. 4.—Warrants were issued this afternoon by Judge E. C. Kinnebrow, United States commis sioner at this place, for Weldon P. Brooks, a well known Oglethorpe coun ty farmer, for peonage, and for Brooks and Ed and George Huff, charged with the offense of conspiracy. It is alleged that Brooks has kept in a state of peonage a negro woman named Mary Jackson, and that all she got for her work last year was $3. It is also alleged that she has been cruel ly treated. The defendant denies the charge of peonage and will defend the case. The committal trial is set for to-morrow morning at 10 o’clock. Assistant Dis trict Attorneys George B. Bell and M. L. Covington and Special Secret Serv ice Agent J. M. Wright will be here to represent the government. EXPECTS TO HAVE HANNA UP WITHIN A WEEK. Washington, Feb. 4.—There was no distinct change to-day in the condi tion of Senator Hanna, who is suffering from the -grip and great physical ex haustion. To-night, after the consul tation of the physicians. Dr. Rixey made the following brief statement: “There is no change in Senator Han na’s condition. He was resting well at 8 o’clock. A blood examination is be ing made and a report will be made at <, o’clock to-morrow morning. If everything goes all right from now on we will have Senator Hanna up in a week and send him away to recupe rate.” _ with bUllets inlum HE WALKED A MILE. Arlington, Ga., Feb. 4.—Jasper Brown, a negro barber of this place, made an almost successful attempt at suicide to-day at 11 o’clock. He went one and a half miles from town to Perry creek swamp and shot himself twice In the left breast Just below the that his attempt to take his life was unsuccessful, he walked up the railroad a mile to where passers-by saw him His coat and pistol and top shirt were found where he tried to kill him self. Dr. Sharp, the attending physi cian, says the shot is fatal. SAVANNAH. GA., FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 5. 1904 NEW ORLEANS DIDN’T MAKE GOOD BULLISH TIPS NOT TAKEN. TREMENDOUS SLUMP STRUCK THE COTTON MARKET. From the Talk That Had Emanatea from New Orleans a Rise Was Conn ted Upon—Heavy Buying Or ders Did Not Materialize. How. ever, and Down the Market Started—War Humors Helped tc Pound It—Prlees Off Over a Cenl New York. Feb. 4. —The utmost con fusion and excitement attended the opening of the cotton market again to-day. The bullish utterances from New Or leans yesterday and the report that New Orleans had placed unlimited buy ing orders in the local pit just before the close of business last night had led many to believe that to-day would witness a resumption of th& recent up ward trend of values. It seemed, how ever, that it was New Orleans against the world, for this morning Liverpool, instead of advancing as expected, re ported a decline of 20 to 26 points un der Egyptian and continental selling. This led to a weak opening here, with first prices at a decline of 47 to 59 points on the other and of 15 to 20 points on the new crop positions. After noon the market was much less active after it had rallied a little more than half a cent on the active months. The New Orleans crowd seemed ready to support prices on any signs of re turning weakness, but did not appear to be operating aggressively for a fur ther advance. Shortly before the close there was another violent break in prices, the May option selling down a price 116 points, or more than a cent a pound, below last night’s close. The late selling was precipitated by rumors that war had actually been de clared between Russia and Japan. This rumor caused the utmost confusion, and its effect showed the extremely sensitive state of the cotton market at this time. FAKE WAR RUMOR WAS SPRUNG IN NEW ORLEANS. It Sent the Market Ol* KUS to 180 Point* Over the Day Previous. New Orleans, Feb. 4. —About the worst break in the history of cotton future trading in New Orleans occurred to-day when, on vague war rumors, prices were sent down until they were 166 to 180 points lower than the close of yesterday, and May vMs $9 a bale cheaper. I Notwithstanding this break, there was little excitement about the Cotton Exchange at the close, and no fear was expressed that any of the local cotton firms would fail. At the opening, prices broke sharp ly, M'arch going off 106 points from yesterday’s close of 15.50 c. Prominent bulls supported the market and prices recovered. Toward noon the market became quiet and uninteresting and the general opinion was that the trend of prices would continue upward. Soon after the noon hour and while many brokers were at lunch, a tele gram was received from Chicago by a wire house, saying that cables had been received there telling of the dec laration of war between Japan and Russia. Values commenced to slide swiftly downward, and in five minutes time the ring was in a panic. Ttye genertU de sire was to sell, no matter what prfce the cotton offered for sale brought. The combination pit and ring at the Cotton Exchange was an amphitheater of struggling, yelling humanity, wild with anxiety, and their fears appeared to be ail the greater because they were not exactly aware of what they were afraid of. Hundreds of thousands of bales of cotton were thrown into the ring, and the sellers exceeded buyers ten to one. This mad scene lasted until well on toward the close of the market, when the ring finally had a sold-out appear ance. At this stage the bull leaders again took a hand in the operations, and by buying everything offered and by strenuous bidding,- quickly sent prices up 50 points. The market, how ever, had a weak undertone, and prices again sagged toward the close. At the closing, prices were from 14? to 168 points lower than the close of yester day. On the curb the weakness continued and at the close of the curb trading prices were again at about the lowest levels of the day. At the lowest levels March was 166 points lower than the close of yesterday at 14.90 c: May was 168 points lower, at 15.45 c, and July was 180 points lower, at 16.70 c. A RUSH OF SELLING. All the World Wanted to Del Go Cotton at Liverpool. Liverpool, Feb. 4.—After opening quiet to-day the cotton market began to give way under pressure of sellers. Selling orders came in from practical ly every part of the world, and a large and excited business was done. The greatest changes between the highest and lowest were February, 40 points; March and April, 43; April and May, 48; May and June, 50; June and July, 46; July and August, 49, and August and September 43. In the afternoon the market was at times lively and excited. Fluctuations were not so great as during the early session, but there was more excite ment. It was reported that 10,000 bales of May and June changed hands in one transaction at 7.89. In the late trading the market steadied, and ad vanced and closed very unsettled and excited, with prices 15 to 20 points lower than the previous day. Gfnniitfr Report Keb. I). Washington, Feb. 4.—Announcement was made to-day by the Census Bu reau that a cotton ginning report will be Issued Tuesday, Feb. 9. FOUND HILL NOT GUILTY OF THE MURDER OF BROWN. _____ Threw Hl* Arm* About HU Mother and Shouted "Thank God,’* LaGrange, Feb. 4. At 5:30 q’clock this afternoon the Jury in the case of Charles D. Hill, Jr., charged with the murder of Watt Brown of West Point brought in a verdict of not guilty. As it was read by Solicitor General Hall, Hill jumped from his seat and throwing his arms around his mother's neck, shouted, “Thank God." The trial has attracted much at tention and great crowds thronged the Court House during the arguments to-day. The verdict was not a great suroniso. Young Hill is a nephew of Solicitor General Charley Hill of Fulton Superior Court, and a grandson of the late Benjaman H. Hill. MARYLAND~SENATOR AIMS AT THE NEGROES. He Hn> a Bill to Eliminate Their Votes in His State. Annapolis, Md., Feb. 4. —In the State Sena-te to-day. Senator Wilson intro duced a bill, the acknowledged purpose of which is to eliminate the negro vote in Maryland. The bill provides for the submission to popular vote of a constitutional amendment which limits the right of suffrage to adult male citizens of the state who belong to one of three de fined classes, and the registrars of vot ers are directed to refuse to register all others. These classes are: First. Those who can real a section of the constitution of the state which the registrars shall submit to them and give a reasonable explanation of it. Second. Those who were, prior to Jan. 1, 1869. competent to register un der the laws of this state, or any other state; and Third. Lineal descendants of those qualified to register and vote under the preceding section. The bill was referred to the Commit tee on Constitutional Amendments. HAD A CRUM HEARING. None of Those Opposing Him Ap peared Against Him. Washington, Feb. 4.—None of the opponents of the confirmation of Wil liam D. Crum as collector of customs at Charleston, S. C., appeared before the Senate Committee on Commerce to-day and the matter went over until next Thursday, when former Mayor Smythe of Charleston will testify. Wil liam McKinley, an attorney bf Wash ington, and C. S. Smith, cashier of the Charleston Custom House, both colored men, and who indorsed Crum for the position of collector, spoke in his behalf. ADMIRAL DEWEY WINS ANOTHER NAVAL FIGHT. Washington, Feb. 4. Admiral Dewey's suggestion in favor of heavy fighting ships for the navy prevailed to-day with the House Committee on Naval Affairs over the recommenda tion of the general board, submitted by Secretary Moody. The Naval Appropriation bill was completed by the committee after a hearing granted Admiral Dewey. It carries aggregate appropriation of $95,- 000,000. The ships authorized are one battleship, two armored cruisers, three scout cruisers and two squadron col liers. The appropriation of $500,000 made last year for two submarine boats was reappropriated, the boats to be pur chased in the discretion of the Secre tary of the Navy. Provision was made for an armor plate factory to cost $4,000,000. which the Secretary of the Navy is author ized to construct in case he cannot se cure armor from private bidders at a reasonable price. An addition of 3,000 men Is author ized to the personnel of the navy. STAMFORFTOWN HALL IS DESTROYED BY FIRE. __________ • Stamford, Conn., Feb. 4.—Stamford Town Hall, one of the finest buildings of Its class In the state, and most of its contents, were destroyed by fire to night. The building cost $150,000 and the additional loss is estimated at $30,000. The postofflee and several stores oc cupied the ground floor. The mall was saved. The land records in the town clerk’s office are safe, but there is no certainty that the City and Probate Court records are intact as the safes in which they had been kept on the second floor had been declared to be Insecure. C H A R G EDWI TlTc RACKING THE ROCKY MOUNT SAFE. Roanoke, Va., Feb. 4. —Two men, giving the names of William Raymond and James Donohue, were arrested here to-night by W. G. Baldwin, pres ident of the Railway Special Agents’ Association of America and Canada, charged with cracking the safe in the National Bank of Rocky Mount, Va., two weeks ago, when $4,000 in silver was taken. Eleven bags containing $l,lOO in silver were found on the men. There is still $2,900 missing. The men had the money buried near Rocky Mount and went there from Roanoke last night to get it. TO PERMIT eVTdENCF TO BE GIVEN IN PRIVATE. Richmond, Va., Feb. 4.—A bill was introduced In the lower house of the General Assembly to-day providing that women victims of felonious assault or attempt at such aswault be permit ted to give evidence in private.. HAS SIX MONTHS TO GROW HER HAIR MRS. MAYBRICK NOT IN PRISON SHE IS RECUPERATING IN A RELI GIOUS HOME. Not Until July Is She to Be Re leased—She Is Now Under Surveil lance. hut Is Comparatively Free. Duehess of Bedford Responsible for This Concession Hnvinit Beeu r Accorded Her—Secrecy Mitiiituined by the Home Office. London, Feb. 4.—Mrs. Florence May brick is now in a home in a distant part of England, and under the care of the members of a religious sisterhood. She has riot been released and she is kept under surveillance, but to all in tents and purposes her life now, com pared to her existence in Aylesbury prison, is that of a free woman. She will remain where she is until next July, when her punishment will be ended under the special license, and she will be allowed to go free subject to the usual conditions governing ticket of-leave convicts. The transfer of Mrs. Maybrick from a penal prison to a quiet country home constitutes an almost unprecedented ac tion on the part of the authorities. It was due to the mediation of Adeline Marie, Duchess of Bedford, who as a visitor to Aylesbury prison for many years, has taken a keen personal in terest in Mrs. Maybrick, and finally succeeded in obtaining the mitigation of her punishment to the extent of be ing allowed to spend the last six months of her confinement outside the prison walto. The Home Office several months ago agreed to meet the request of the Duch ess of Bedford, although it imposed a pledge of secrecy. Therefore, in or der to permit her hair to grow out again and for the recuperation of her health, Mrs. Maybrick was quietly transferred to this private institution, where, although she is still actually a convict under a life sentence, she lives in a freedom that belies her real status. The mystery with which this change in Mrs. Maybriek’s situation was ef fected excited the keenest interest here, and gave rise to numerous stories that she had been released. These, as pre viously stated in these dispatches, are utterly without foundation. Her exact whereabouts is guarded with extraordinary secrecy, chiefly for the purpose of preventing criticism of the government for having taken the foregoing exceptional steps in her case. MENTIONS MRS. MAYBRICK IN HOUSE OF COMMONS. Report of Her Removal from Prison Conti rmed. London, Feb. 4.—Replying to a ques tion in the House of Commons to-day, Home Secretary Akers-Douglas con firmed the reports that Mrs. Florence Maybrick had been removed from Aylesbury prison to a convalescent home, where she will remain until summer, when she will be allowed her freedom, and said that she had been granted a license, under the penal ser vitude acts. “In accordance with the wishes of the authorities of the Home office and with Mrs. Maybrick’s own earnest de sire, which is, I think, entitled to con sideration,” added Mr. Akers-Douglas, “I do not propose to make public any further details as to the time or place of her release.” WOULD ADMIT HER _ TO THE UNITED STATES. Washington, Feb. 4.—ln view of the suggestion that has been made In the press to the effect that Mrs. Maybrick, when released from prison, will not be permitted to land in the United States on the ground that she has been a convict, it is learned that that Issue probably will be avoided by the sim ple device of taking out a passport from the United States embassy In London. While the doctrince is not absolutely settled, the State Depart ment practice has been to admit the right of an American woman, who has married an alien, to regain her citi zenship in America upon the death of her husband by a mere assertion of her desire to do so. So Mrs. Maybrick, being released, may come into the United States as an American citizen and as such would not be subject to the operations of the exclusion laws, which apply only to foreigner#. Heard Tobacco Men. Washington. Feb. 4.—The House Ways and Means Sub-Committee on Revenue to-day heard a delegation of Southern tobacco growers in favor of the pending bills for the relief of growers by allowing them to stem and twist their own tobacco for commer cial purposes without paying a gov ernment license. Those appearing in cluded C. E. Baker of Pembroke, Ky., president of the Farmers' Club of that place; C. H. Fort, president of the Tobacco Growers Association of Robinson County, Kentucky; C. P. Warfield of Claiksfield, Tenn.; C. B Cooper of Hopkinsville, Ky., and Rep resentatives Gaines of Tennessee, and James, Smith and Stanley of Ken tucky. No action was taken. Mission In Mnlro. Mexico City, Feb. 4.—The annual meeting of the Presbyterian Mission in Mexico n'd* satisfactory. Great activ ity in all fields of work, and especially in education, was shown. There are two normal schools for girl* in the re public. One is in this city for teaching as a profession. The college and semi nary of the Presbyterian Church is growing In Importance. There are some 500 good communicants. Four hundred additions were made last year. In many interior mission centers the peo ple meet weekly for Bible study. THE FLAG OF CUBA NOW OVER CABANA. Last American Troops Withdrawn from the Island. Havana, Feb. 4.—The lijst vestige of the American occupation of Cuba dis appeared this afternoon when the American flag was lowered from the Cabana barracks and the last battal ion of American soldiers marched to the Triscornia pier and boarded the United States army transport Sumner. The Sumner had brought the Seven teenth and Nineteenth companies of United States artillery from Santiago and these troops participated with the Twenty-first and the Twenty-second companies, who have been stationed here, in the evacuation of Cabana bar racks. President Palma and the members of his cabinet, Gen. Rodriguez, com mander of the rural guards; United States Minister Squiers, and the mem bers of the legation staff took their places facing the center of the parade ground. After the soldiers had pre sented arms the American flag was slowly lowered from the staff over the barracks, a salute of twenty-one guiu meanwhile being fired from the fort ress. The Cuban flag was raised in its place and also saluted with twenty one guns. President Palma then ad dressed Mr. Squiers and Maj. Brown, commander of the American troops, saying: “We are confronted by one of the most extraordinary facts recorded in the annals of universal history, the departure from our shores of the last troops the United States had kept in Cuba, after helping us to secure our independence and the blessings of freedom. They could stay longer, un der any pretext whatever, or an un just demand could bo imposed upon us, but on the contrary, the government of the United States, Identified as it is with the liberal spirit and noble character of tlie American people, wil lingly proves its disinterestedness and the sincerity of the aid it rendered us by taking these men away, and show ing us at the same time that we have as an independent people, the confi dence of one of the most powerful na tions on earth. “This action of the United States in withdrawing its troops from Cuban ter ritory reflects upon It everlasting glory and makes us proud of our deliverers. toy it means (hat nobody doubts our ability to govern ourselves or to main tain peace and order and guar'antee the rights of alt the inhabitants of this island. This new consideration shown us. together with the services we have previously received at their hands, will bind the Cuban people to the American people forever in a strong tie of sincere gratitude.” Maj. Brown replied to President Pal ma and thanked him for his kindness to the American officers and soldiers. He said he believed he voiced the opin ions of his comrades in saying that there were no better people on earth than those of Cuba, and expressed the hope that Senor Palma would serve many yt’ars as President, adding that the success of the first part of his ad ministration was a guargntee for suc cess in the future. After this reply ail the troops march ed past in platoon formation and boarded the Sumner. The Sumner will sail to-morrow, leav ing the Twenty-first and Twenty-sec ond companies of artillery at Fort Ba rancas. Fla., and taking the others to Fort Washington, Md. SILK CuTtUrFpIONEER CALLS ON ROOSEVELT. He Wn nt* nn lni*ren*cil Appropria tion from Congress. By R. M. Larner. Washington, Feb. 4.—S. B. Magld, the silk culture pioneer of, Tallulah Falls, was among White House callers to-day. being given an audience by appointment. He spent a quarter of an hour talking of the prospects of silty culture in the United States and the need of government aid. President Roosevelt was much inter ested and expressed his commendation of the efforts of the association of which Mr. Magid is the head, but said that anything in way of government aid must be authorized by Congress. Mr. Magid presented him with a bound volume of the paper he pub lishes. He will endeavor to have the appropriation for experiments along the line of silk culture increased by Congress. In a few days he will leave for England, France and Italy in the interest of his project. Mr. Magid, who is president of the Silk Culture League of America, an nounced that he had called a silk cul ture congress to be held next October at St. Louis, and that Secretary Wil son has promised to make an address. TENNESSEE DEMOCRATS Agree to Hold Their Stnte Conven tion at Nashville May 25. Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 4.—The State Democratic Executive Committee to day fixed May 25 and this city as the time and place for holding a state convention for the nomination of state officer* and selecting delegate* to th* National Convention, and for the nomination of electors from the state at large. Every member of the committee ex pressed himself in opposition to a re affirmation of the Kansas City plat form. Most of them favored the can didacy of Judge Parker and ail of them were pronounced against a one man domination. RAYNER ELECTED tF~ UNITED STATES SENATE. Annapolis, Md.. Feb. 4.—ln the Maryland Legislature to-day Isidor Rayner of Baltimore, who was nomi nated last night by the Democratic caucus, received the unanimous vote of the Democratic majority, and was elected United States senator to suc ceed Louis E. McComas. The Republican minority voted unan imously for McComas. Baron on Ellis Island. Washington, Feb. 4.—Senator Sim mons Introduced a bill to-day to au thorize the commissioner general of Immigration to establish an informa tion and display bureau on Ellis Island for the purpose of aiding In the distri bution of immigrants. DAILY. IS A YEAR m ® CENTS A COPY WEEKLY 2-TIMES-A-WKEK.iI 1 YEAR TREATED THEM WHILE SHE FISHED MRS. POST AND HER PATIENTS. THEY TELL HOW LONG DISTANCE CURES WERE EFFECTED. Government Ha* Closed in the Pres, rotation of Evidenee Against the Apostle of Mental Selenee—De. fense Introduce* Witnesses to Show That People Were Really Benefited Through the Treatment Given by Mrs. Post. Jacksonville, Fla., Feb. 4.—Mental science as a healing power had its in ning to-day in the trial of Mrs. Helen Wilmans Post in the United States court. The government charges that Mrs. Post’s scheme was a fraud and that in sending her 'advertising matter through ttie mails and receiving answers from her patients, she used the mails for fraudulent purposes. The government has been trying all the week to prove the fraud of the alleged treatment sent by transference of thought. To-day the government closed its case, and a half dozen witnesses from v*arious parts of the country testified to the benefits they and members of their families had derived from Mrs. Post's alleged treatment. Mrs. D. B. Ricker, of South Lake Weir, Fla., testified that she paid Mrs. Post $6 a month for two months to treat her sister, who lived in Cam bridge, Mass. The sister had lung trouble and was to be treated through the witness and without the patient’s knowledge. K. E. Starkey, of Chicago, testified that in talking with Mrs. Post at Sea breeze, Fla., he had heard her say that people liked to be humbugged. Mrs. Alice F. Mitchell, of California, testified that Mrs. Post treated her sister for lung trouble and that her sister was cured. Mrs. Sidone Guthrie, of Seabreeze, said she was out on the pier once when Mrs. Post was out fishing. She spoke to Mrs. Post and the latter told her not to talk as she (Mrs. Post), was treat ing her patients. This was to show th’at it made no difference where the defendant might be, she could carry on her treatment. D. G. Stephens, of Richland, la:; Dr. W. P. Fuert, of Proctorville, O.; Mrs. Helen M. Oliver, of Marblehead, Mass.: Col. John McWilliams, a banker, of Cdell. 111., and Mrs. Susan Silver, of Urbana, O.; testified to treatment and cures by Mrs. Post. COLLEGE BOYS’ PRANKS BEFORE THEIR BANQUETS. Kidnapping I* Sion the Proper Thing at Athens. Athens, Ga., Feb. 4.—To-night the freshmen of the university gave their annual banquet and to-morrow night the sophomores are to give theirs. All the afternoon the members of each class have been engaged in the work of carrying thet members of the other class into the woods and keeping them there. The president and treas urer of the freshman class were car ried out into the Compton woods, and policemen had to go and release them. The president of the sophomore class was carried to Whitehall, five miles from the city. The best of feeling prevails In all of this conduct. LORE*/. OX THE STAND. Tr*ll fled a* to Hl* Financial Rela tion* With Mnrhen. Washington, Feb. 4.—George E. Lo renz was on the witness stand in the postal trial most of to-day. He pro duced a number of drafts, checks and sight drafts which passed between Machen and himself, and declared that they were all in payment of his note for $25,000, which he gave Machen when the latter in 1893 assigned his interest in the oil properties. He produced an original entry book, covering a running account between himself and Machen, and pointed out various credits made therein on account of the note. Set tlements with Machen. he said, were made annually, the note fliVally being cancelled as paid on Dec. 16. 1903. All the money transactions, he said, between Machen and himself, referred to by the government related solely to this indebtedness to Machen. When the money commenced to come from D. B. Groff, in 1895, Mr. Lorenz said that he determined to turn over to Machen one-half of his profits in the fastener. This he did, he testified, un til he became pressed for money, and then he sent Machen only what he could spare, and when he became eas ier financially Machen again got his remittances, as on previous occasions. Hearting Rullnny Dividend. Philadelphia, Feb. 4.—The board of directors of the Reading Railway Company to-day announced that a semi-annual dividend of 2 per cent, had been declared on Reading first preferred. This action was taken at the October meeting of the board at the same time the H 4 per cent, semi annual dividend was declared on the Reading second preferred, but no an nouncement was made of the fact un til to-day. Receiver’* Bund* #50.000. Houston, Tex., Feb. 4.—The papers In the receivership eases of the Kirby Lumber Company and the Houston Oil Company were received to-day by the clerk of the Federal Coun from New Orleans and duly filed. The bonds of the four receivers were fixed at $50,- 000 each. These were made and the properties turned over to the receivers. Bankhnmt Acting Governor. Mexico City, Feb. 4.—Edm ind Bank hurst, the descendant of sn English family and a native of thl* country, has been nl9.de acting governor of the state of Zacateczs.