davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-12
A TAX ON COMMISSIONS.
An Appeal From It's Imposition Fails
to Bring Relief

WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE United
States supreme court to-day gave decision
in favor of the county fl the case Of Charles
L. Ficklen against the taxing district Of
Shelby county, Tennessee, brought here on
appeal by FiokIen from the decision of the
state court. Ficklen had an Office in Ten
nesjee at which he took orders for
goods. His business was entirely with
tirms outside the state and diff
fered from that OF ordinary commercial
travellers principally IN that he did not
travel about soliciting orders. but had an
office where he exhibited samples. a law
was passed imposing a license of $50 on
dealers in merchandise and also "a tax on
their capital. Where there was o capital
invested, as was the case with Bickten, it
was provided that a 81 per cent. tax should
be paid on all commissions received.
REFUSED TO PAY THE TAX.
Ficklen paid license fee and reported
his sales during the year 1887, but refused
to pay the commission tax on the ground
that the business done was entirely for firms
outside the state and that the act was VOID
as regulation of Interstate commerce.
When be applied for license in 1888 it was
refused because Of the non-paymeut of the
commission tax, and Fichlen sought by in-
Junction proceedings to compel its issuance.
IN an opinion Dy CnleI JubGlco ruler the
supreme court to~day held that the supreme
court Of Tennessee had properly deci led
against Ficklen.
RIGHT OF THE STATE.
The court in its opinion said that no doubt
can be entertained Of the right Of the state
legislature to tax trades, professions aud
occupations, and where resident Citizen en-
cages in general business subjectto par
ricular tax, the fact that be may be engaged
wholly or partially in negotiating sales
between resident and nonresident merchants
of goods situated In another state does not
necessarily involve taxation Of interstate
commerce forbidden by the con-
stitution. The chief justice said this
case was distinguished from the
well-known Robbins drummers' tax
case, for here the tax is not laid on
the business Of carrying on interstate COM
merce. but on the broker himself for car
rying on general business The Tennes-
see supreme court, IL was held, had properly
decided that the fact that Ficl1len had paid
his tax and made the returns required by
law, had prevented him from resorting to
the courts. What position the court would
have occupied il Hcklen had simply not
taken out a license, but had done business
for non-residents without one was another
question, which did not arise, and which
the court would therefore not pass upon.
Justice Harlan dissented.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-12
AFLAME AT HER DOCK.
An Old Colony Line Steamer Dan
aged at New Bedford.

An Old Colony Line Steamer Dam
aged at New Bedford.
NEW BEDFORD, MASS. April 1.-THE
steamer City of Fitohburg of the Old Colony
Steamship Company, which arrived from
New York yesterday morning with a mis-,
celIaneous cargo Of freight, was seriously
damaged at her dock this morning. When
the matches were opened the deck hands en-
countered mass of flames and smoke. The
entire forward hold was loaded with cotton
and the grain was IN flames, which spread
aft around both sides Of the engine room
aud into the after hold, where miscellaneous
merchandise was loaded. Working its way
to the upper deck, it gutted the forward
saloon and the officers rooms. The officers
lost nearly all their personal effects. The
crews quarters on the after part of
this deck was also damaged, and the men
lost much of their property. Two streams
were poured in from the wharf hydrants
and nine streams from fire engines. Be-
sides this, Assistant Engineer Thomas
Emerson was sticking at his pumps on the
F1tchourg, surrounded by burning freight
showered with burning embers, all escape
cut off, well nigh suffocated, yet stuffing
his wet handkerchief in his mouth and
laying it on his face, he remained at his
post until the blaze was extinguished. Two
tugs sent on powerful streams of salt
water. Freight on the wharf was rapidly
removed, and much Of the steamers cargo
was thrown overheard and picked up unin-
jured, except by water. The flames ragged
two hours, but finally succumbed after a
hard struggle. The steamer is insured and
it is thought that her cargo is also. The
damage Is heavy
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-12
RISE OF TIL o WABASH.

Crops In the Lowlands Ruined-The
Flood in the South
VINCENNEs. IND, April 1.-THE Wabash
river, which has been rising several days, is
now II feet in the channel aud Is still going
up. The low bottoms are Inundated. Much
damage has been done 60 bridges and
fences. Farmers are getting their stock 10
the high ground to save IL. Crops in th0
lowlauds are ruined.
THE SITUATION AT COLUMBUS.
New ORLEANS, LA. April 11.-A special
to the RcGyune from Columbus, Miss.
says: 1.-THE recent heavy rains have swollen
all the streams In this section OF the country
to a point never before known, and as a re-
suit the destruction OF life and property Is
frightful. All the farms along the Tom
bigbee river valley have bean abandoned.
houses Of all kinds washed away,
all the fencing is gone and
cattle and mules by the hundreds have been
drowned. Many floating houses have passed
down the river. Every available craft here
has been used day aud night in relieving
the sufferers, carrying out food and briuR-
ing in destitute people. On ono small
mound there were forty people and as many
more cattle and mules; ON aEo her there
were seventy people and cattle by the
hundreds. The negroes on all the lowlands
have lost everything on earth they had, and
by the city. The white people have been
unable 10 get the neg oes to do any kind Of
work toward rescuing other negroes with
out payment in advance.
TWELVE NEGROES DROWNED.
Twelve negroes have been drowned
within three miles of the city. AT points
on the river below here the loss of life is
very heavy. The railroads have abandoned
all their trains westward, and there are
many washouts. Trestles are swept away
and all the roads have large forces repair
ing the damages, but 1t will be a week be-
fore trains will be running. There has
been no communication before to-day with
the outside world since last Wednesday.
The waters are recedlnR, but IL is again
raining. One reseuing party was upset and
three negro boys were drowned three miles
above town. All the others climbed the
trees and were found. Another rescuing
party was upset and spent twenty-threS
hours In the trees.n
THE RISE OF THE ToMBIGBEE.
MOBILE, ALA, April 1.-THE Tombig-
bee has not since 1884 had so sudden and
great flood as at present Farmers on
the river were wholly unprepared, and
from Columbus, Miss, TO Fulton the loss OF
hogs, cattle, mules and cotton seed has
been unprecedented. Much fencing has
been swept away and many parsons rem
dered destitute. A great deal OF land
planted Ia corn and cotton is under water
Mules, horses and cattle are seen daily float
ing down the river. About eighteen feet
additional rise is expected. Reports OF
heavy loss of life come from Columbus.
Miss, on the Bigbee The number OF
drowned is placed at from twenty TO fifty,
mostly negroes Such reports, however, are
exaggerated, though there is no doubt that
several persons have become victims of the
flood
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-12
EXPLOSIONS AT STOCKHOLM.

Loaded Shells in a Falsely Labeled
Box-A Magazine Set on Fire.
STOCKHOLM, April 11.-Three boxes re-
Gently landed at Malmo, Sweden. labeled
machines" were found 70 contain 2,400
copper shells filed with powder and fulmi-
nate OF mercury. During an inquiry at the
custom house one OF the shells exploded,
wounding an official.
The dynamite magazine in this city was
maliciously set on fire to-day and exploded.
1t has so far been impossible 10 quench the
flames. The fire brigade had the utmost
difficulty in preventing the approach Of the
public to the scene OF the fire.
INCRNDIARIsM AT VIENNA.
VIENNA. April 11.-Unexplained and un-
accountable fires have been 30 numer-
GUS reoently that incendiarism is nm
doubtedly rife. Dispatches from Leon
felden say that place has been almost
totally destroyed by fire. The flames ap-
ously. One hundred barns and other farm
buildings were burning at one time. A
church belfry collapsed and the bell was
melted. Several persons we're injured aud
one man killed.
A forest fire is raging at Boskowisz, In
Moravia. A fireman was killed there.
A chest Of dynamite cartridges was stolen
from the Lunzant mine at Scheibbs, In
Lower Austria, to-day. The thief escaped.
Ten villages in Hungary have been
burned. The spread of toe flames was ass
sisted by dry aud windy weather. Large
stores OF corn and many head OF cattle have
been burned. Five persons were killed and
thousands are homeless.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-12
A LETTER FROM CLEVELAND.

He Says He Will Not be Disappointed D
If He IS Not Nominated.
MEMPHIS, TENN, April IA special
from Chattanooga, Tenn, says: "The fol-
lowing letter from ex-President Cleveland
was received to-day by a prominent demo-
crat in this city:
LAKEWOOD, N. J., April 8, 1892.
James n. BtbbIe, ChGttGnJ JOGI, Tenn:
Ny DEAR SIR desire to thank you for the
report OF the meeting at Chattanooga, which
you so kindly sent me, and for the friendly
words you Joke of me on that occasion. am
exceedingly anxious to have our party do ex-
acily the right thing at the Chicago convention,
and hope that the delegates wlll be guided by
Judgment and actuated by the true democratic
spirit and the single desire to succeed on pin
ciple. / should not be frank II l did not say to
you that often fear l do not deserve the kind
things such friends as you cay of me. aud
have freq qIent misgvings as to the wisdom Of
again putting me in nomination. l, therefore,
am anxious tuat sentiment and measured per-
sonal devotion should be checked when the
delegates to the convention reach the period OF
deliberstion. In any event there will be no dis
appointment for me in tee result. Yours very
truly, GROVER CLEVELAND.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-12
SUICIDE AT A DEPOT.
The Station Agent at Ellen -od Blow
Out His Brains


ATLANTA. GA. April IA. H. Arnoier,
who has been for years agent Of the East
Tennessee railroad at Ellenwood, station
few miles from Atlanta, killed himself
with pistol this morning. For some time
tho relatives of Arnold have noticed that
his conducewas exceedingly strange and a
watch has been kept upon bis movements.
This morning, just as the East Tennessee
passenger train was nearing the town. q
pistol shot startled the citizens aud passen-
gers. The shot came from the direction Of
the depot. and upon investigation 1t was
found that the agent had shot himself.
His wife and daughter were in the room at
the moment the shot was fired, but mad not
the least warning of his suicidal intention.
The ball entered his brain and death fol~
lowed almost instantly. Mr.. Arnold was
well known in railroad circles in Atlanta
and was for number Of years justice OF
the peace at Ellenwood. He has Two sons,
now in the employ Of the East Tennessee
road. No cause for his act can be assigned
but that of temporary insanity. He was
possessed of a comfortable for une, being
the owner Of two good plantations in Henry
county
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-12
AN OPEN 3 WITCH.

Narrow Escape From Serious Wreck
on the g. A. M. Road.
AMEBIcUs, GA, April 11.-There came
near being a serious wreck of the incoming
passenger train from Savannah on the
"Sam" road at 6:45 o'clock tonight. One
mile out there are side-tracks running into
the Americas iron foundry. Tho switch
had been changed, wnich turned the train
onto the side-track. The prompt action OF
the engineer and the fact that no freight
cars obstructed the side-track prevented the
wrecking of the train. The changing of
the switch was not authorized by auy of the
railroad officials. A freight train passed
safely over the itch only half an hour be-
fore. It is believed that the change was a
deliberate effort to wreck the train.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-12
WAR ON DIR. BRIGGS.
An Effort to Be Made to Have His
Case Reopened.

AN EuOrt to be Made to Have His
Case Reopened.
NEW YORK, April 11.-Rev. DR.. Briggs
was defeated to-day at the regular monthly
meeting of the New York presbytery, when
delegates were chosen 10 the general assem-
bly,. which meets in Portland, Ors., May 10.
The presbyters which iRrrayed them
selves against Rev. DR.. Briggs in
his recent trial for heresy we're
there il force, exerting themselves to
elect delegates favorable to their views. The
friends and supporters Of DR.. Briggs we're
there in force too, and Wed with their op-
ponents In skillful exercise Of eiectioneering
tactics The friends of DR.. Briggs wanted
delegates selected who would oppose reopen
ing of the trial, while the anti-BrigRs con-
tingent wanted delegates and alternaies
~ho would devote in the general assembly
to have the doctor put on trial on a charge
of heresy. The Briggs men had printed
tickets but an effort to have item
declared Illegal and not to be voted was not
successful, and the presbytery then pro-
ceedel 10 the election Of delegates. The fol-
lowing were elected: Drs. Shesrer, Bliss,
Ramsey, Sample. Lampe, w. d. Buchanan
and Elsing. or these The first six, all but
DR.. Ramsey, were auti-Briggs men. The
ministerial alternates we're also anti Briggs
men. DR.. Paxton said: The presbyt J
in October had voted u dismiss the case OF
DR.. Briggs and now you send a solid delega-
tion 70 the general assembly to hang him.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-12
A COLD SNAP.
The Temperature Lower Than Usual
ever Nearly the Entire Country.

The Temperature Lower Than Usual
ever Nearly the Entire Country.
WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE weather
bureau furnishes the following special bull
letin to the press: "The weather reports of
yesterday and this morning show the occur
renee of unusually oold' weather for this
season of the year over nearly the entire
country east Of the Rocky mountains. The
temperature throughout the region east Of
Mississippi, extending into New England,
ranged from 10 TO 15o below the average
for the season, and in New England from
80 TO 8" below. Freezing tempera-
lures were reported from as far south
as Central and Southwestern North
Carolina, Central Tennessee and
Illinois, Northern Missouri and South
ern Nebraska. A minimum temperature Of
23' was reported this morning from Park
ersburg, W. Va. Light frosts occurred as
far south as Charleston, s. c. Stationary
or slightly higher temperature lie predicted
for Tuesday for the country east Of the
Mississippi
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-12
MAY BE TRAIN ROBBERS.
A NEGRO MAKES A STARTLING
CONFESSION.

He Says He and His Pals Held Up the
Georgia Pacific Train at Weems
Station a Couple of Weeks Ago.
They Also Tried to Wreck Louis
vile and Nashville Train at BayleS-
BIRMINGHAM, Ala, April 11.-At Will
bite station, between Birmingham and De~
catur, on the Louisville and Nashville rails
road, I've negro men this morning broke
open a car of freight train that had
stopped for water, their purpose evidently
being to steal ride. Two brakemen saw
the men and attempted to drive them off,
but were unsuccessful, The train ran a
short distance and then stopped at the sta.
ton proper, and the men left the car and
ran Off into the woods. The matter was re-
ported to the officers of the law at Falkville.
and they started out in search Of the men.
FIGHT WITH PISTOLS.
They came up with them at 8 o'clock aud
fight occurred, the negroes opening fire on
the officers with revolvers. One OF the me-
groes fell mortally wounded Another was
captured and the others made their escape
but were subsequently arrested with the
exception Of one man. The man who was
wounded gave the names of Tom Headen.
Henry Williams, Jerry Posey and Tom
Rennell.
One Of the gang is still ab large, but HIS
capture is certain. Tom Headen. the first
man arrested, was put in Jail at Cullman.
The others we're taken to Decatur.
A CONFESSION.
Headen made a confession TO the effech
that he and his associates were the persous
who attempted 30 wreck a Louisville and
Nashville train at Bayles three weeks ago,
and who succeeded in robbing the Georgia
Pacific mail train at Weems station two
weeks ago. He says that Tom Rennell held
up the engineer while Tom Wright went
through the mail car aud he (Headen) stood
guard on the outside.
TRYING TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY.
They we're trying to leave the country
when captured. Owing TO the high water
In all the streams they had to keep to the
railroad and decided TO steal a ride on the
train. It Is believed that Headen has told
truthful story, though the names given
are believed TO be fictitious.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-12
IMPORTED CONTRACT LABOR
A Steamship Agent Fined $500 for
Failure to Return an Immigrant.

A Steamship Agent Fined $500 for
Failure to Return an Immigrant.
TRENTON, N. j.. April II What is said
to be the first conviction under the United
States law of March 3. 1891, against the
importation of alien contract labor occurred
here to-day in the federal court. The de-
fendant was R. J. Cortis, representing
the Hamburg American Packet Company,
who had been indicted for receiving
four immigrants at the port of New York
they having come in Septem Der last from
Hamburg under contract to labor in the
Thomas mines, in Virginia. He was or
dered to return them, and failed to do so.
Cortis to-day pleaded non vult, and Judge
Greene fined him $500 and costs. There
are other cases pending in the s,u-s2 court
against other steamship companes, inclu-
ding the White Star Line, bat hese, it is
said, will be contested and the law fought.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-12
DIsAPPROvED BY THE POPE.

A Special Note of Endorsement Sent
archbishop ireland.
ROME, April 1.-The jesuit organ, CIV
iltd CdttOlicd, having adversely criticised
Archbishop lreland's initiative in the Still
water (Minn.) affair, the pope has sent TO
Archbishop Ireland a special note inti-
mating his disapproval Of the Ciuilta Cat
toLfca's articles and urging the archbishop
to attach no Importance to them. This
action of the nope has caused much COM
ment here, as he rarely mixes in such dis
Dutes.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-12
IowA's SENATE CLEaK
The Supreme Court Decides Ia Fav
of the Democrats.

The Supreme Court Decides Ia Favor
of the Democrats.
DEs MONIES, IA, April 11.-Judge Con-
rad this morning decided a long pending
case growing out of the election Of tho sec
retary of the Senate. The republicans,
with the retiring lieutenant governor,
elected }. w. Cliff 70 the Office. When
the democratic lieutenant governor
came into Office the democrats
ousted Mr.. Cliff and elected
q man named Parsons. Mr.. Cliff enjoinei
the state auditor from issuing warrants to
Mr. Parsons. The decision h lids that tho
Senate has the right to oust any employe at
any time. This settles finally one Of the
most vexed legislative questions in Iowa.
II has given much trouble to the legislature.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-12

ROME, GA, April 1L-Frank McClelland
(colored) cut the throat of his young niu-
latto wife to-day. They have enjoyed
marriage felicity for only five weeks. Frank
thought her untrue to her marriage vows
and they qIarreled. Frank made run
for the county jail just after the deed was
accomplished ana surrendered to the sheriff.
The cash inflicted is a serious one, extend.
ing from ear TO ear.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-12
Venezuela AGAIN at Peace.

WASHINGTON. April 1.-The navy de.
partment is Informed that the United
States steamship Newark sailed for La
Guayra to-day for Curacao, West Indies.
This is taken to mean that peace has been
restored in Venezuela. As matter of pre-
caution, however, the Newark will return
to La Guayra in a few days.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-12
Arrantina,s Rlaction.

LONDON, April 1.-The Standards
Buenos Ayres correspondent says: "Owing
20 the radical absteution from the election
Sunday 1t was a mere walk over for the
ministerial candidates. 1t is too soon to as
sumo that the government will remain
masters of the situation. 1t is the general
impression that they acted arbitrarily and
unconstitutionally. / think the upshot
will be decidedly adverse to their pros
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-12
POOL SELLERS BAG9BD.
They Claim to Be Doing Only a Com
missl On Business.

4Iby '1IuIIII U Do lJOIIIg OIIy a OOIN-
missl on Business.
BUFFALO, N. Y, April 11.-Every man
connected with each of the five pool rooms
was arrested to-day while bettors we're COL
lecting on their winning tickets on the third
race at Gutenberg. The warrants were
carefully drawn, the time for serving them
admirably selected, and the dis
trict attorneys Office is conf-
dent of conviction. Each principal was
released on 81 900 bail and each subordinate
on $500. The pool men say they have been
doing only aeon mission" business and
upon this they base their confidence OF
escape from punishment The authorities
however, assert that the only differences be-
tween the commission" po, selling and
any other kind lies in the added cost to the
ticket buyer of the amount Of the commis-
eiDn
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-12
Mrs. Felton on the Rostrum.

JEsUP, GA, April 11.-Mrs. w. H. Eel
ton addressed a large crowd at the court
house here to-day in behalf of woman's
work at the worlds fair. She made an able
appeal to the people to show why Georgia
should be represented Mrs. FELTON, left on
the o'clock train for Brunswick. where she
will address the people Of that city this
evening.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-12
FEARS OF LYNCaING.
Militia Ordered Out to Protect Two
Murderers.

MuIOSTSLS'
PORTLAND, ORE, April 11.-Gov. PEN
noyer has received dispatch from the
sheriff of Malheur county, in this state,
calling upon him to order out detachment
Of the state militia to quell q riot at Vale
On Thursday last the Baker brothers laid
in wait fer William Humbert and without
warning riddled him with bullets. The
murder was the result Of a quarrel between
the men over the democratic primaries.
The Bakers were landed safely in Jail, but
the citizens OF Vale aud the surrounding
country are gathering in large numbers and
lynching is quite probable Gov. Pennoyer
has ordered out militia to assist-the sheriff.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-12
New Orlaans, Tick It.

NEW ORLEANS, LA, April 1.-THE
democratic convention to nominate city
ticket met to-day. Capt. John Fitzpatrick
was nominated for mayor and prominent
ward politicians received the nominations
for the other important offices.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-12
Driven to Suicide bv Bad Health,

n " DuIOINo Dy bau LIbaIIU'
NsrI NBIA, s. c.. April 1l.-Mrs. Jennie
pr,-,,lley, wife Of T. A. McConley, a
u ,1saarens county. committed suicide yes,
bs.s.ay afternoon by hanging. She had
act. ID Dad health for several years and the
duos5 taVtrlbuted to mental depressionin-
-'sl by her sufferings.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-12

MADRID, April 1.-Two more anarchists
who we're denounced by Munoz yesterday
have been arrested at Rens. The anarchists
informed the judge to-day that Delboche
and Ferreira were chosen by lot at "a meeti az
Of anarchists held near Madrid to blow uo
the Chamber Of Dapnties
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-12
Forest Fires in Prussia.

BERLIN, April II. - Several alarming
forest fires have occurred in Prussia. The
scene of one ls near here. Another has
caused immense damage near Werdohl. A
third at Niebeck has destroyed 1,750 acres
of foraat