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CHRISTMAS PRESENTS! Waltham Watches HAVE STOOD THE TEST OF TIME. 09 The Perfected American Witch,” in itlustrited book of interesting informition ibout -witches, free upon request. AMERICAN WALTHAM WATCH COMPANY, WALTHAM. MASS, “RIVERSIDE” grade , •specially recommended. REDUCTION PLAN IN BANK’S STOCK TO BE ANNOUNCED TO-DAY N IN LETTER FROM BOARD OF DI RECTORS TO STOCKHOLDERS. Change Suggested by Directors In the Interest of the Stockholders. 11ns Been In Contemplation for A hunt Two Years—Merchants Na tional Bank Will Make no Alli ance With Any Other Financial Institution, President Says. The plan of reducing the capital stock of the Merchants National Bank from $500,000 to half that amount, which will be submitted to the stock holders of the bank at a meeting to be held Jan. 10 is announced as follows in a letter that will be sent each of the stockholders to-day: The board of directors of this as sociation have decided it would be very much to the interests of its sharehold ers to reduce its capital from $500,000 to $250,000, at the same time distribut ing a portion of its surplus and undi vided profits. A considerable saving in taxes, etc., will thereby toe effect ed, and it is believed no material in jury to its business will result. At present there appears to be no reason why said reduction should not be effected on a basis of say slls per share (which is more than the market value of the shares for some time past). It is not deemed advisable to pay for said reduction in cash, there fore the following plan has been sug gested: Pay in cash sls 00 Issue certificates of deposit bear ing five (5) per cent, interest for the remainder, payable three months 25 00 Six months 25 00 Nine months 25 00 Twelve months 25 00 Per share slls 00 This reduction, if carried out, will be pro rata, each shareholder being treated alike. Fractional shares to be settled for in cash on same basis. Shareholders Will Meet. At a meeting of the board of direc tors held Nov. 30, 1904, the following resolutions were passed: “Resolved, That a meeting of the shareholders of this association is hereby called for Tuesday, Jan. 10, 1905, at 11 o’clock a. m., at its bank ing house, to vote upon the following resolutions: 'Resolved, That, under the provisions of Section 5143, United States Revised Statutes, and of the law amendatory thereof, the capital stock of this as sociation be reduced in the sum of $250,000, leaving the total capital, after said reduction, $250,000, when approved by the Controller of Currency. “Resolved, that the board of direc tors of this association are hereby au thorized to make payment for said re duction as follows: Fifteen dollars tsls) per share in cash, and the re mainder in four equal instalments, payable three, six, nine and twelve months from date. Certificates of de posit bearing interest at the rate of ii'e (5) per centum per annum to be issued for said deferred payments. “You are urgently requested to sign the enclosed proxy and mail to Mr. George J. Mills, Savannah, Ga. Do this, whether you expect to be present in person or not." Will Be no Alliance. Mr. J. A. G. Carson, president of the bank, in discussing the plan yes terday, said there is to be no alliance "ith the Savannah Trust Company, or any other organization. This action is taken entirely for the benefit of the Merchants National Bank, and was not inspired by the officers of any oth -1 r organization.” he said. The meas ure is deemed by the board of direc tors to be in the best interest of all the stockholders, and has been In con templation for about two years, though until recently the time for making the change did not appear to be propitious. "The reduction of the capital of the bank will increase the earning capac ity of the remainder of the stock.” said Mr. Carson. "This reduction, as shown by the letter of the directors, will be made by the Merchants’ Na tional Bank without the assistance of any other financial organization.” COURTHOUSE PICK T UPS. Through Attorney John E. Schwarz, Messrs. Frank K. Butler, William Pried and William Thornton yester day filed a petition in the Superior Court praying for incorporation as "The New York Social Club.” The objects of the dub are stated as be ing purely social and there will be no attempt to engage In business. The appeal In the case of J. F. Ad ams against the Savannah Electric Park Amusement Company was dis missed yesterday by Judge Conn. In the caae of the Wage-Earners Loan and Investment Company against L>. M. Pleasant, moker. and Katie Hi Ilea, indorser, judgment was ren dered in the Superior Court yester day In favor of the defendant. A new trial was denied yesterday In the ease of D. J. Morrlaon * Bros. • gainst Frauds Hart. The motion was argues in the Superior Court. * l#l vartiat vw seam ad ia tiu - vorce libel of Hector Brown against Julia Brown. Desertion was the grounds on which the divorce was asked. Judge Cann yesterday appointed George W. Owens a commercial no tary public. The case of Thomas Jenkins, appel lant, against J. Burroughs, an appeal from a decision of the justice of the peace, has been filed in the Superior Court. Answers have been filed by the Ger mania Bank in the cases brought against them and Grant Wilkins, con tractor, for alleged debts due the plain tiffs. The answers deny the essential portions of the liens and demand strict proof of the allegations made. Eugene Lucky, colored, was yester day declared sane by a jury in the , Court of Ordinary and released from further custody. Lucky had been suf fering from fever at the time of his arrest, but with the recovery of health his mental condition was bettered. The caveat filed to the probate in solemn form of the will of W. H. Stiles, colored, was yesterday over ruled by Judge McAlpin and the will was probated in solemn form. J \ P. c * rr yesterday filed his bond with the Ordinary and qualified as clerk of the Superior Court. J* mes Brown, a minor, yesterday filed a petition in the Court of Ordi nary praying that his present guardian. fi r - "• Dickerson, be removed and n^-H‘ e J moth Prof the Petitioner be appointed guardian in his stead. The jury trying the case of Geor gianna Beach against Jesse Beach yes- IS re '" rned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff, who was suing for ali mont'h. The am ° Unt Was fi xe< i at $5 per Argument was heard by Judge Cann fr.a.Tl ° n tho motion for anew trial in the case of Small an appeal from the decision o? Xe STATESBORO MEETINGS will Be Condncted by Rev. J. A. Copeland of Waynesboro. Statesboro, Ga., Dec. 6.—With the coming to-day of Rev. Mr. J. l. Copeland of the First Baptist Church of Waynesboro to the Statesboro Baptist Church to hold a series of meetings for the next ten days and with the assistance of their local pas tor, Rev. Mr. J. s. McLemore, exten sive plans are being made to make this one of the best protracted meet ings held here since the organization of the Baptist Church in Statesboro. Though comparatively a young man, Mr. Copeland is considered one of the ablest preachers in this section of the state. He is popular with all of the people here. Those closely identified with the church say a more oppor tune time for accomplishing good has never presented itself in Statesboro, and especially for such a man as they know Mr. Copeland to be. T. P. A. COMMITTEE MEETING. A meeting of the committee ap pointed from the T. P. A. to ar range for the national convention of the order will be held at the Cham ber of Commerce to-night at 8 o’clock. All of the members of this committee are urged to be present. Polaakl Farmer. Bine Over Cotton. Hawkinsville, Ga., Dec. 6.—The farmers of this county are very blue over the recent big slump in prices of cotton. Many of them were holding cotton for higher prices, and their losses will be heavy. SPECIAL DAILY SALE No. 3. Wednesday, Dec. 7, 1904. 88c The Price To-day for Ladies’ Kid Gloves, Worth SI.OO. I’i.KVN \ aniI'DIANA. Every pair guaranteed when titled at our eoun ter—till colors Including black and white. PERIIIN'B I.A MI RE $1.50 KID Inn GI/OVEB, nil colors, price for to-day I- / X only T ILU Levy’s j SAVANNAH MORNING NEWS: WEDNESDAY.DECEMBER 7. 1904 ROBBED CASH BASKET OF $2O MAN AT ADLER’S CONFESSED. THEFT DISCOVERED FEW MINUTES AFTER IT HAPPENED. L. Enraffrr, Employed aa Electrician and General Utility Man, Gnilty Party—Had Alao Taken Football, Which Waa Recovered—Clalraa Caah Baaket Stopped Jnat aa It Waa PaaalnK Him and He Could Not Realat Temptation. L. Escaffer. electrician and general utility man at the store of Leopold Ad ler, was arrested yesterday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock by Detective Frank Wall, charged with intercepting a cash basket in the store where he was em ployed and taking therefrom a $2O bill. At first Escafter protested his Inno cence, but after a talk from the plain clothes man admitted his guilt and produced the money. The robbery was committed some time during yesterday morning. Escaffer’s duties require his presence In the basement, and most of the time he is near the elevator shaft. The cash carrier wires run through one corner of the elevator shaft, and it was here that the basket was taken from the wires and robbed. Under a table near by was found the basket. The theft was discovered almost as soon as it was committed. A lady was making a purchase in the basement, and the salesman placed the bill In the basket, and started It on Its journey to the cashier. After waiting a rea sonable length of time for the change, inquiry was made of the cashier, and it was found that the basket had never reached its destination. Suspicion at once pointed to Escaffer, who was the only person in the basement located where he could have intercepted the basket without being seen. The find ing of the basket near the shaft, and the fact that he was the only man located there, made the evidence con clusive. After confessing be had taken the money, Escaffer said the basket stop ped as it was passing him, and he could not resist the temptation to take the money. Mr. Adler stated, however, that if the basket did stop it was the first time in the history of the cash carrying system which he was us ing. After his arrest, Escaffer was asked about a football which was stolen. He admitted taking this and told where it could be found. On going to the store where he claimed he left it. De tective Wall found the ball wrapped up. This, with the money, was turned over to Mr. Adler. Escaffer seemed deeply affected at his disgrace, and said he did not care what became of him. He left his home eight years ago, and has not seen his parents since. They live somewhere in New Jersey. On Saturday night, shortly after 8 o’clock, the lights in Adler’s store went out, and for nearly two hours the building was in darkness, save for 'a few lamps and candles, which were brought into use. It was thought Escaffer had something to do with this, as he was the electrician. When ask ed about this yesterday, he said the lights went out because a large num ber of additional lights had been placed, on the circuit and the current was overloaded. This proved to be the case. A GREATER MACON” Acompllshed by the Annexation ot Vine villa. iMacon, Dec. 6.—The decision of the United States Supreme Court in the case of Toney et al. against the city of Macon, by which Vineville, a sub urb, containing about 7,000 inhabitants, was annexed, has caused much com ment. While there were a few in the city and in the annexed suburb who were not in favor of the annexa tion movement, it is generally conceded that the majority of the citizens of the city and of the suburbs desired that which they believed would make a ‘‘Greater Macon.” TATNALL’S CONTRIBUTION TO STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. Reidsville, Ga., Dec. 6.—At the noon recess of the City Court to-day Jo seph W. Smith, trustee, raised enough funds to make Tattnall county’s sub scription so far to the State Normal School at Athens $5B. Mr. Smith is making quite an effort to raise funds for this cause and is receiving en couragement on all sides. Wayeross PytUlans. IWaycross, Ga., Dec. 6.—Wakefield Lodge No. 27, Knights of Pythias, last night elected the following officers: C. E. Dunn, C. C.: W. H. Buchanan, V. C.; J. H. Jones, M of W.; R. W. McCormick, prelate; 8. D. Pittman, M. of F. and K. of R. and S.; D. O. Morton, I. G.; Fred Flcken, O. (J.; J. S. Williams, trustee. ACTUAL WORK WILL START IN JANUARY. Constrnotlon of the G. P. A A. Ex tension Then to n<ln. Cuthbert, Ga.. Dec. 6.—lt is under stood that actual construction work of extending the Georgia, Florida and Alabama RalliViad northward from Cuthbert toward Columbus and At lanta, will begin early in January. It Is rumored that when this work is started, some, If not all of the head quarters of the line officers, will be moved to Cuthbert. It is also stated that Cuthbert occupies a very favora ble position geographically for the lo cation of the shops of the roa<‘ WAYCROSS CO’S CONTRACT Will Bntld non Freight Cars for the Central of Georgia Waycross, Ga.. Dec. 6.—The South Atlantic Car and Manufacturing Com pany has closed a contract with the Central of Georgia Railroad for the construction of 500 freight cars to be delivered early next year. To-day the office force of the car works are bus ily engaged preparing specifications for the material to be used In the con struction of the cars, and arranging for a force of car builders, foundry men and machinists to commence work about Jan. 1. Since the completion of the cars for the Mexican National Railroad and the Atlantic and Birmingham Railroad In the summer the car factory here has been running with a force of less than 100 men, and the people of Way cross to-day are jubilant over the fact that the plant is to commence again with a full force. It Is expected that the car factory will start on the Cen tral order the first of January with at least 400 employes. During the sum mer a lot of new machinery was In stalled at the plant, and it Is expected that ten cars a day will be turned out when It begins full operations again. Judging from the number of inquiries received by the car factory company the past few weeks the officers believe that there will not soon be a scarcity of orders. As there is hardly a vacant dwelling house In Waycross at present, It 1r expected that the city will have trouble in accommodating the large number of workmen who will be em ployed at the plant next year. NO BID FOR RAILROAD. The Texas SoaGiern Palled to Find a Purchaser at Marshall. Marshall, Tex., Dec. No bid was made to-day for the Texas Southern Railroad, offered for sale by the re ceiver. One offer of $500,000 was made by John Copeland, but withdrawn be fore a sale was effected. Protests were made by citizens of Marshall against any sale of the twenty-seven acres of land used for depot grounds and right of way from the city to Sabine river. All of the rolling stock of the road was bought for $22,500 by representa tives of the Continental National Bunk and National Bank of Chicago, which held mortgages on It to secure the sum of $27,800. IN THE RAILROAD WORLD. Mr. Cecil Gebhett, president of the Savannah and Statesboro Railroad, was In Havsnnsh yesterday morning. Ha left early In the afternoon for States boro Mr. Osbbett Is satisfied that the fftatesboro and Northern Railroad, far which a charter wea granted a ' abort time ago. will preva all that Is eapectsd of it Tae road promises In Holiday Attire Nabisco Sugar Wafers present the happiest gift-idea of the Christmas season. Originally created to add a touch exquisite to the banquet, luncheon or tea —Nabisco Sugar VVafers have won land-wide favor as delicious confections, their suc cess resulting in the pleasing idea of clothing them in Christmas form. For the holiday season, therefore, the original pack age of red, white and gold, always beautiful in itself, is now adorned with holly ribbon, under which you find a Christmas card with which to pay your compliments. Could anything be more appealing to those who most appreciate kindly remembrance ? For the distant friend, the school boy or girl, the Sunday School class, the teacher, the orphan and all your friends, what prettier token to show that you have not forgotten them than a gift of Nabisco Sugar Wafers? NATIONAL BISCUIT COMPANY HISTORICAL EVIDENCE OF JEWISH NATIONALITY Discussed by Mr. De Haas at the Synagogue of the Congregation B. B. Jacob. Mr. Jacob De Haas lectured last night at the Synagogue of the Congre gation, B. B. Jacob, on the "Historical Evidences of Jewish Nationality." It was the last of three lectures which Mr. De Haas delivered In Sa vannah. He will leave this morning for Augusta, where he lectures to night In the interest of Zionism, of which he Is one of the leading support ers in this country. His lecture last night consisted of a brief summary of the history of the Jews. He began even before the fall of Jerusalem, and from that event traced the history of the people down to the present time. In every century, he said, there had been some effort showing that the Jews formed a nation and not merely a religious body. He began by defining the word na tionality, taking the first definition given by Webster, a people bound to gether by common descent, language or customs. It was In this sense, he said, that he asserted the Jews formed a nation. In a political sense the Jews are, of course, not a nation, he said. Parentage more than place of birth determined nationality, he said. A chicken does not have to be born In a chicken coop, he argued. The fact that a person Is born on the soil of any particular country does not make hlin belong to that nation, he asserted. The Jews have been regarded through all the centuries as a people In exile, he stated. There could be no doubt that they were a nation when much for Savannah and this section of Georgia. Mr. J. N. Merrill, general Southern agent of the Burlington Route, with headquarters in Atlanta, was In the city yesterday. Mr. W. N. Ansley. traveling freight agent of the Western and Atlantic, was a visitor in railroad circles yes terday. Mr. Eugene H. Fell, traveling pas senger agent of the Central, with head quarters at Birmingham, returned home last night. Mr. Charles Patton, traveling freight and passenger agent of the Burling ton Route, with headquarters In At lanta, is In the city. Mr. W. B. Clements, traveling pas senger agent of the Ocean Steamship Company, headquarters Savannah, Is In Palatka. Mr. J. E. Schenk, traveling freight agent of the lxiulsvllle and Nashville, with headquarters ut Montgomery, vis ited the railroad offices yesterday. Mr. Wade H. Leahy, dlvision passen ger agent of the Atlantic Coast Line, and Mr. Charles K. Stewart, assistant general passenger agent of the Sea board Air Line, arw In Columbia. nruiliis'a Oild Fellows. Broxton. Ga., Dec. Broxton Lodge. No. ssl, of (Mil Fellows, elect ed officers last night as follows; W. j A. McCoy, noble grand; J. L. Culpep per, vie* grand; J. F. Ward, financial secretary; O. W. Burke, recording sec retary; T. C. Allen, treasurer Bros ton Idg# Is throe month* old and hae membership of 11, the Romans overthrew Jerusalem, and there could be no doubt they were still a nation on the first anniversary of that event, when the Jews were scat tered as slaves in Rome, Spain and other places. There were repeated ef forts after this to re-establish the Jew ish government, he said. There were rebellions, wars, plots and combina tions with other nations, all with the idea of again having a Jewish govern ment. The Jews were a conquered nation, and conquered nations, as a rule, dis appeared, but there have been excep tions. Because the Jews were de feated and driven from their country some supposed their nationality had been lost. He contended that such was not the case. He briefly outlined the attempts that had been made to carry the Jews back to Palestine and quoted from numerous eminent author ities, who had referred to the .Tews as a nation. He referred to Queen Vic toria having used the expression in granting to a Jew the right to use a coat of arms. Always considered an exiled people, efforts had constantly been made to regain Palestine and establish a Jew ish government there. The object of the present Zionist movement, he said, was to secure the establishment of a Jewish state there. He urged all to aid the movement. One could hope and work for this, he said, and still be loyal to this country. Just as persons born in a different country may be loyal to the United States, and still hope and work for the freedom of their native land. After the lecture last night, Mr. De Haas was entertained at the home of Mr. Julius Stark, at No. 414 Tattnall street. WAYCROSS NEWS. Waycross, Oa„ Dec. 9.—The ladles of the Kindergarten Association are arranging for a "spelling bee” to be held at the Rifles Armory in this city Wednesday night. Many of the most prominent ladles and gentlemen In the city have promised to spell. Mr. J. W. Clark, who for the last two years has been manager of the jSoiUhem Bell Telephone Company, has been transferred to Brunswick, and J. R. Haley of that city comes to Waycross. Post G, Travelers’ Protective Asso ciation, of this city, has elected the following officers for 1905; J. B. Thorpe, president, WaycrosH; W. E. Bates, first vice president, Waycross; J. C. Brewer, second vice president. Douglas; H. J. Benton, third vice president, Waycross; C. A. Fret well, secretary and treasurer, Waycross; board of directors, R. C. King, chair man; J. A. Jones. W. E. Hates, R. A. Young, L. L. Campbell. Waycross. Wiley's Delicious Candies Purr anil wholesome and parked In attractive packages. Our messen gers deliver bozes anywhere In (lie city. CIUCT PIIOTEt TO Its should lie worn now—we have them. Knight's Pharmacy Knight's Pharmacy Oglrtltorpr-Drayton. Duffy-Whitaker. Open All Night. Hnb. Poetofllo*. UNION PHARMACY. West Broad Street. REID KILLED THARPE. Thorpe Used Urn.. Knucka mid Then Reid Fired. Hawkinsville, Ga.. Dec. 6.—Dr. T. K. Tharpe, a dentist of Perry, was shot and killed last night by Bob Reid, a painter of Macon. It is said that the men were drinking and that Tharpe struck Reid on the head with brass knucks, when the latter fired the fatal shot. The weapon used was a shotgun loaded with No. 4 shot, the entire load tak ing effect In Tharpe's neck. The killing occurred on Judge G. W. Jordan’s place, one mile north of Hawkinsville, where the men were spending the night. Dr. Tharpe was a son of James D. Tharpe, one of the most prominent citizens of Houston county. Mnster Plumbers Met. Washington, Dec. 6.—The Master Plumbers' Association of the Atlantic Coast held Its closing sessions to-day. It was decided that hereafter all man ufacturers of plumbing materials should either stamp or label their products. The object of this measure was not only to show from whom broken parts should be ordered, but also to Indicate the makers of poor material. Walter D. Nolan of Wash ington was elected president and George W. James of Petersburg, Va., one of the board of governors. Statesboro Knights of Pythias. Statesboro, Ga., Dec. 6.—The States boro Lodge, Knights of Pythias, held Its election last night, as follows; J. A. Fulcher, C. C.; D. P. Averltt, V. C.; W. L. Kennedy, K. of R. and 8.; W. H. Ellis, M. of E.; J. G. Mitchell. M. of W.; W. C. DeLoaeh, M. at A.; J. M. Mitchell, I. G.; J. P. Jones, O. O.; F. N. Grimes, treasurer, to succeed W. H. Simmons, whose term expires. The lodge's membership is about sev enty-five. Since organizing here It hae bought and paid for a lot and building near Court House Square, and haa over SSOO In Its treasury. New Yorkers at New Orleans. New Orleans, Dec. 6.—Jacob H. Schlff, a New York banker with a party traveling In two special cars, spent the day here. They visited the business district and various points of Interest. They are on their way to Mexico and the Pacific slope. Those Included among the guests are Sir Ern est Cassell, Robert Fleming, Valentine Fleming and Mark Bonn of London and Gen. 8. H. Wilson of Washington. To Posh Jamestown Bill. Washington, Dec. Chairman Taw ney Intends to call a meeting of the House Committee on Industrial Arts and Expositions this week and take up for consideration the bill Introduced by Representative Maynard of Vir ginia. providing for the celebration of the founding of Jamestown and ap propriating $5,000,000 for that purpose. 3