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ninth year CON VIC’ FARM t'apt. K. R. Foster Elected Su perintendent. TAKES CHARGE AT ONCE And WIH The Building of Stoekades And Superin tendant's House. Capt. K. R. Foster, of Lyerly, Ga., has been elected superin tendent of the state convict farm. The many friends of Capt. Foster will receive this information most gladly, not only on his personal account, but on account of the state as well. It is a position which imposes important respon sibilities, calling for a cool, level head, sound judgement and dis cretion, and above all, honesty and humaneness of disposition and spirit. That Capt. Foster possesses all these “very neces sary qualifications,” none who know him will for a moment question. The farm contains between three and four thousand acres of land, upon which will be about 200 convicts —men, women and boys. Only such men will be placed there as are too old or infirm to serve out sentences in harder places. The women and chil dren, as we understand it, will be placed upon this farm, where by judicious and proper manage ment they at least can be made to some degree serviceable. It will require about 40 mules to run this mammoth state farm, and her ce with such a force to overlook, and such an extensive farm to properly till, calls for a man at the head of it, who in ad dition to being a good farmer, must possess fine executive abili ty. We believe and so all who know him well, that Capt. Foster will fill the bill, and that the high trust will be faithfully guarded and looked after. Capt. Foster will take charge right away and commence at once the building of stockades and the construction of a super intendent's home. The election of Capt. Foster is not only a high and deserved compliment to him, but demon strates that those who have this very important matter in hand, were wide awake and careful to select the best man. We thank them, and congratulate Capt. Foster. •t< Sleb —. I am sitting calmly and serene ly under the table writing this loi tear that some turbulent spirit will next ruffle my peaceful feathers, tor I am a peaceful wan. My mind reverts back to the good old days before the war "the days of musters, of gander pullings, of pitching horseshoes, 11 the old time hustings and liquor Mainly, when the editor in chief t°hl me the following story *hich occurred there, or there abouts, and told me that I could 6° and do likewise if the emer gency ever arose. * * * Gid Bill Skillet was a well k n °wn old time fighter, and had reputation of licking every "’‘ogthat tackled him. Regular duster was to convene on the THE ROME lIUSTEER-COMMhiU /At. next day, when Old Bill’s nephew, John, came over from an adjoin ing township to pay him a visit and attend the muster. * * * “That night Old Bill enter tained his nephew with how he was going to lick everything at the grounds the next day, and young John was keyed up to the highest pitch, for he knew Uncle Bill was “a fiter from Fiters ville.” * * * “The next day all the fellows from anywhere, everywhere and nowhere, gathered at the muster ground, tanked up to a considera ble extent on Georgia corn of the purest variety, made at home, distilled in the mountains and sold in tin cups. * * * “Finally, Uncle Bill got up a fight and John was excited and capered around like a two year old in a fresh, green pas ture. * * * “A ring was made, Uncle Bill and the other fighter, a big, brawney, muscular mountaineer, stripped to the waist. It was de cided that none should interfere with the fight or even enter the ring till one or the other of the combatants hollowed “nuff,” and guards were posted around to keep the crowd back. * * * “The fight commenced and fur flew, blip, blick, bling, with the fists of first Uncle Bill and then the other fellow. * * * “John was in high glee and capered around the ring, jump ing high in the air, hollowing, “Go it Uncle Bill! ” “Give him another one Uncle Bill 1” “Go it Uncle Bill!” when, directly, he stepped into the ring. No sooner had he lit than one of the big guards give him a lick—“with a get out of the ring’’ sound to it and knocked John about fifty eleven feet and when he hit the ground he hit it with hat in hand and running.” * * * “On reaching the top of the old red hill leading from the grounds he stopped, turned around and roared, “Fight ding, your fractious skins, fight.” * .■ * * I considered that good policy and so from my Bohemian head quarters cry with uncle Bill’s nephews, “Fight, ding your fractious skins, fight.” * * * In the meantime the Hustler- Commercial will give you all the news. The Idler. L ■ ■FF ,l i—T SPREADS LIKE WILDFIRE You can’t keep a good thing down. News of it travels fast. When things are “the best” they become “the best selling.” Abra ham Hare, a leading druggist of Belleville, 0., writes: “Electric bitters are the best selling bitters I have ever handled in my 20 years’ experience.” You know why ? Most diseases begin in disorders of stomach, liver, kid neys, bowels, blood and nerves. Electric Bitters tones up the stom ach, regulates liver, kidneys and bowels, purifies the blood strengthens the nerves, hence cures multitudes of maladies. It builds up the entire system. Puts new life and vigor into any weak, sickly, run-down man or woman. Only 50 cents. Sold by Curry- Arrington, druggists, guaranteed. ROME, . ECRGIa. THURSDAY EVENING, JANUARY 12, 1899. ROWS The Caustic Editorials Regarding Clerk Smith’s Salary CAUSES MUCH TROUBLE. City Attorney Underwood And Editor Knowles- Fight Holmes Smith Canes Col. Sawyer. Rome has witnessed two of the most sensational encounters within the past twenty-four hours that she has had in quite a number of years, and it is feared by some that it is the commencing of a feud that will exist for quite a while and may result seriously as all of the parties concerned are known not to back down. It is hoped however by mutual and conservative friends that all differences will be settled amica bly before any other trouble occurs. The whole matter is the out come of attacks made in the Rome Tribune and the Daily Argus on the mayor and council on account of re-electing City Clerk Smith a few weeks ago with an increased salary after he had tendered his resignation. The Tribune stated a warm fusilade against the present city administration some time ago, and when the Argus was re launched into the sea of daily journalism on January 2nd, they rallied to the support of the Tribune in its antagonism of the council’s action regarding Clerk Snath’s salary. v At the meeting of the City Council in December that body requested a legal opinion from the city attorney as to their action on the salary of Clerk Smith. On last Monday night City Attorney Underwood handed in his opinion, which was to the effect that the action of the coun cil was legal. The city attorney’s opinion was a very exhaustive document dealing with the case in every detail. On yesterday morning the Rome Tribune printed as a lead ing editorial, a rather severe criticism of the opinion of the city attorney and said, “It may be good law technically, but it is bad moials, vicious and dishon est.” The editorial proved to be of fensive to Mr. Underwood who went to the office of the Tribune to have certain parts of it correct ed. In the conversation which fol lowed the lie was passed between Mr. Underwood and Editor Knowles, and a lively scrap en sued. The combatants were finally separated with little damage. Mr. Underwood receiving several cuts about the head from a ring on Mr. Knowles hand and Mr. Knowles had a thumb dislocated in the melee. The fight proved to be quite a sensation and was the talk of the town last night as much feeling pro and con exists between the two factions in the city. Today Mr. Underwoad was seen at his residence, corner of Seventh avenue and West First street, but said he preferred to make no statement at present. Mr. Knowles was seen in his office in the Tribune building ahd furnished the following state- , ment for publication: “City Attorney Underwood came to the Tribune with his friend, Lem Early. He had in his hand an editorial clipped from the Tribune which commented on his legal opinion in reference to the increase in the city clerk’s salary. I told him I would publish any statement he would write and give me. “He replied that he demanded a retraction. I refused, stating that I supposed he and his friend came up for a difficulty, and said the editorial was a just and fair criticism of his opinion. “He called me a liar and I struck him several times with my fist. We were then separated. This is all I can say about the matter.” Thus matters in this case stand, though as stated above, mutual friends hope to adjust the matter. ANOTHER FIGHT. But there was another person al encounter this morning that, if anything, may prove more se rious than the one of yesterday evening. It was a fight between Col. B. F. Sawyer, of The Daily Argus and his son, Mr. Robert Sawyer, on one side and Messrs. Norris and Holmes Smith, sons of City Clerk Smith, on the other. This difficulty., like the Knowles-Underwood affair, is the result of certain sensational editorials. It is known that the Argus and Tribune both have offices in the Tribune building, and Col. Saw yer was until recently leading ed itorial writer for the Tribune, and Editor Knowles, of the Triburfe, was until January Ist, proprietor of the Argus, and the policy of the two papers in local politics is very similar. It seems that some time ago Col. Sawyer wrote a rather caus tic editorial on Clerk Smith, and the action of the council, and was warned by Mr. Smith’s sons not to do so any more. Yesterday afternoon the Argus sent broadcast a number of cir culars announcing to the public that there would be “hot stuff” in yesterday evening’s issue. When the paper came out it was found to contain an editorial headed “Due Warning” which was another severe criticism of Clerk Smith and also stating that the editor had been notified by Mr. Smith’s sons to desist from publishing such scathing comments. This morning about 7:30 o’clock Col. Sawyer and his son, Mr. Robert Sawyer, were met by Messrs. Norris and Holmes Smith near the Fifth ward abutt ment of Broad St. bridge, and while Mr. Norris Smith and Mr. Robert Sawyer were having a bout, Mr. Holmes Smith, his younger brother aged 18, pro ceeded to ply a walking cane vigorously over Col. Sawyer’s shoulders and arms. The only witness to the fight was Recorder M. B. Eubanks, who happened to be passing and who refuses to make a statement regarding the matter until he is called as a witness on the trial. After Recorder Eubanks suc ceeded in stopping the row, it was found that Mr. Robert Saw yer cut Mr. Norris Smith several times on the head, none of the wounds being serious, how ever. Dr. Garlington dressed Mr. Smith’s head and he is able DINGLEY IMPROVES The Republican Leader is Much Better And His CONDITION IS ENCOURAGING. Unless Unlooked for Complica- tions Arise he V/i’.l In all Probability Get Well. Washington, Jan. 12. —Greater encouragement for the recovery ot Representative Dingley is felt by his physicians today than for some days. This is based on the wonderful manner in whieh he has kept up in his desperate ill ness and the remarkable vitality shown. Save for new complica tions which are not now looked for, the family feel very hopeful that the worst is past. The pa tient has been fairly comfortable today, has taken nourishment freely and is resting well. to be out this afternoon. None of the other combatants were seriously hurt, except Col. Sawyer received several painful bruises on the shoulders and arms. Col. Sawyer was seen at the office of the Daily Argus this morning and made the following statement: “The Messrs. Smith called at my residence night before last and demanded authority for cer tain things that I had published in an editorial. I told them that Mr. R. A. Denny was my authority, or rather that Mr. Denny told Mr. Knowles and Mr. Knowles had told me. They said they came to inform me that this thing (referring to criticisms of the raising of the clerk’s salary) must be stopped. That inspired the editorial in yesterday evening’s Argus and this morn ing the trouble came. “I was advised by friends to arm myself, this I declined to do, as I think it is a reflection upon the city of Rome if a fellow can’t walk its streets without being loaded with ordnance. “I came along this morning at my usual time and in my usual way without even a stick in my hand. “I came through the cemetery to avoid the mud, as is also my custom. “When I got in sight of the shanty near Broad Street bridge I saw two men. I passed along in my usual way when I was accosted and was struck by one of the men with a cane with a steel head on it. “I made a grab at the stick, but he backed out of my way and continued to frail me, “I threw up my arm, and the first lick disabled the left hand. Then as I would rush on the young man he would back and continue to strike, saying noth ing. “I told Mr. Eubanks who had come up to stop my son Robert, and the other man and take that man’s pistol from him, but it seems that they had stopped of their own accord. “This is all I have got to say.” City Clerk Smith was seen at the city hall and made the follow ing statement: “The official action of any mu municipality is open to legitimate 1 criticism by an editor, but per- IO CENTS PER WEEK sonal insult and billingsgate must be resented by a gentleman. I, however, did not know my sons were going to see Colonel Sawyer day betore yesterday to request him not to use personal abuse, not having ev£n- read the article in the Argus of the 10th. Col. Sawyer’s paper said he was warned, and it looked like a de liberate insult to persist in per sonal abuse.” Neither of the Messrs Smith made a statement, preferring to be heard at the trial, which will probably occur before Mayor Seay tomorrow. Both sides have engaged emi nent counsel and the outcome of the aflair will be watched with interest. LOCAL NEWS. Items of Interest Gathered From The Street Corners. Yesterday afternoon Judge G. A. H. Hasris granted a new trial in the case of the state vs. Annie Maples. So much depends upon the purity of the blood that by taking Hood’s Sarsaporilla many differ ent diseases are cured. The young men will give a dance at the Armstrong tonight in honor of Miss Wofford, of Cartersville, who is a guest of Mrs. G. H. Rawlins. This morning at 10 o’clock Ordinary Davis heard the heabeas corpus case of Ed Harris, Arthur Bryant and Joe Horton, an ac count of which appeared in yes terday’s Hustler-Commercial, and dismissed the case against them. Hustler-Commercial, please inquire through your columns, what has become of the Roser monument fund. I understand that his children gave in cash sixty dollars toward it. C. N. Brann. Jan. 12, 1899. There was a quiet home wed ding near Foster’s Mill last night, the contracting parties being Miss Sarah House and Mr. Charles Bryant. The mar riage occurred at the home of the bride’s father, Mr. Henry House, Esquire J. M. Latham officiating. RECORDER’S COURT. Judge Marcus Disposes of Four Sinners This Mornining. This morning at 11 o’clock Recorder Eubanks disposed of four cases at recorder’s court. Chas Compton,, a “Weary Willie” who mends umbrellas for a pass-time, was fined $5 or 10 days for being drunk and disor derly, but sentence was suspend ed thirty minutes, to give the “Weary” time to leave town. And he left. George Jones, another sinner of the same trade and profession, was fined $3 or 6 days for being drunk, and was given a like op portunity to “git.” Poly Hunt, a young white man well-known in police circles, was fined $lO or 20 days for breaking down the door of a house occupied by a Mrs. Sparks, on “Morphine” street. Bill Beard, another young white man, was fined $5 or 10 days, for being as sociated with Hunt in the dooi breaking. Rlpana Tabules: lor sour acM.