davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The news & observer., 1897-02-20
ANOTHER OUTRAGE.

But while this story Us running, let it
all be told. Listen. VIII it be believed? :?
Read the following bill:
A bill to be entitled "an Act to amend
the charter of the city Of Wilmington"
The General Assembly of North Caro-
lima do enact:
Section i. That an Act, entitled IAN
Act to Amend the Charter OF the City
of Wilmington" ratified the 9th day Of
March, A. d. 1895, be and is hereby
repealed and all laws and clauses OF laws
concerning the City OF Wilmington ex-
stfng at the time OF the ratification of
said Act are hereby declared to be in
full force and effect, except so far as
they are amended by this Act.
Sec. 2. That there shall be elected by
the qualified voters Of each ward one
Alderman only and there shall be APP
pointed by the Governor one Alderman
for each ward, and the Board of Alder
man thus constituted shall elect a Mayor
according to laws declared to be in force
by this Act.
Sec. g. That all laws and parts of laws
in conflict with this Act are hereby re-
pealed.
Sec. A. That the present Police Board
SuaIl UUEu OIlc1 ultLL Lue CiSSeAVu anu
qualification of the Aldermen herein
provided for.
Sec 5. That the Mayor may be i'm
peached by the Board Of Aldermen for
drunkenness, or for physical or mental
inability to perform the duties of his Of
flee and upon conviction by the Board
shall be removed by the order of the
Board provided that a majority OF the
full Board Of Aldermen shall be neces-
sary to convict and remove. In case of
removal, the Board Of Aldermen shall I'LL
the vacancy.
Sec. 6. That the Mayor shall be entitled
10 such fees as Justices OF the Peace in
criminal actions in additional to the sala-
ry paid by the City.
Sec. 7. That this Act shall be in force
from and after its ratification.
This bill passed its first reading and
was on the calendar for second reading.
1t was reported favorably from this
same committee on cities and towns
Capt. Walters never heard Of it until he
saw II on the ealendar, nor did any Demo
cratic member Of the committee. Neither
Cathey. Pagan Smith, Eddins, or Wal
ters, of the committee, ever saw it until
it was reported favorably. 1t seems
nothing less than Internal imposture, and
an unheard-of one at that-that the GOV
eronr of the State should be appointing
the board Of aldermen for any communi-
ty of people who come together in the
form of a city.
The light should be turned on this un-
The news & observer., 1897-02-20
pINGREE SCORES A VICTORY.
Resolution to Investigate Railroads
Passes Michigan Legislature

Lansing, Mich, Feb. 19.-Advocates
of Gov. Pingree's reform ideas as to rail-
road rates won a victory in the House
to-day. Yesterday IA resolution went
through by n vote of 26 to 6 providing
for committee to investigate alleged
illegal freight rates and discrimination
in favor of large shippers. 1t was really
the beginning of the Pingree programme
against the railroads, and the committee
was given power to subpoena witnesses,
examine books, &c. To-day a strenuous
attempt was made to obtain a reconsid-
GRAFTON of the resolution, but after
long discussion the motion to reconsider
failed by vote Of SO to AZ.
The House committee on State affairs.
to whom had been referred a bill to make
the apple blossom the official State flow
er, to-day recommended bin in which
the "Pingree peaehblow potato is sub
stituted for the apple blossom. Amid
shouts of laughter the substitute was
referred to the committee on railroads,
upon whom will devolve much of the
Pingree proposed reform legislation.
The news & observer., 1897-02-20
THE LARGEST CIRCULATION OF NORTH CAROLINA DAILY PAPER

tabling motion. The vote on tabling
was > TO ., Sutton giving the casting vote.
The vote was as follows: Ayes, Sutton,
(chairman), Roberts, Williamson, Black
burn, Freeman, Hancock. Noes, Wal
ters, Cathey, Pagan, Morton, Eddins.
And this after Capt. Walters had pub
licly charged that one of the proposed
Police Board, Cheek, had been before the
city authorities, when he was a butcher
here, for an immoral spectacle in the
public market.
But the original proposition in the
Eighth section is enough to give good
citizens pause.
FROM THE BILL.
Section 6. That the Police Board here
by created SHALL mt their first meeting af-
ter qualifying. or as soon thereafter as
may be possible and every police board
hereafter elected under this act, shall pro-
ceed to levy all taxes, poll property,
license or otherwise, pass all ordinances
and fix the penalties thereto all rules and
regulations, elect or appoint all officers,
and to do and perform the same and all
other duties now performed and done by
the Board of Councilmen of the town of
Greenville.
Sec. {. That after the passage of this
act there shall be no election held in the
town Of Greenville or any ward thereof,
for the Board Of Counclmen, or any per-
SON to constitute member Of the Board
of Councilmen Of said town of Greenville,
nor shall the Board of C0uncilmen as
now constituted, undertake to levy any
assessment for taxes or fix the amount of
any license tax, privilege tax, or any
property or poll tax for the said town OF
Greenville. And any action herein by
the present Board OF Councilmen is here
by declared null and void.
Sec. s. That the Police Board hereby
created, and any police Board hereafter
elected under this act, are hereby author
lied and empowered to negotiate loans,
issue bonds, and TO otherwise fix and bind
the said town and its credit to any obi
CATION, contract or contracts for the
purchase, erection and operation Of suit
able place for a market house and a town
hall, for water works and electric light
plant, and to charge such prices for cleo
trio lights and water supply as
they may deem fair and reason
able, to regulate, manage and
control the market house and town
hall to the best interests of the town.
They shall have power and authority TO
raise such sums by taxation, license or
| otherwise as may be necessary 10 pay off
and discharge the interest and principal
| Of any such contracts or obligations made
and entered into by said Police Board as
hereinbefore recited in this section: Pro-
vided that no bond. obligation or con-
tract authorized and entered into by this
section and act shall bear more than @
| per cent. per annum, and the same shall
not be issued or entered into less than at
| par: Provided, further, that any bonds
| issued under this act and section shall
| be in denominations Of S100 each, nego-
| table not less than ptr value and re-
| deenable within not less than twenty, nor
| more Than thirty years.
The news & observer., 1897-02-20
\ PARDON AND A CoNMUTATION.
Executive Clemency Exercised Yesterday
in Two Cases

Governor Russell yesterday granted
one pardon and commuted one sentence.
The pardon was granted to Dee Wea-
yer, who was convicted of receiving sto-
len goods at the fall term, 1894, of Yad-
kin Superior Court
In this case the pardon was recon-
mended by the trial judge, Bryan, the
solicitor, Holton OF the Eighth Judicial
district, and by the prosecutors from
whose store the goods were stolen; and
it appearing that the prisoner has already
suffered two years and four months im-
prisonment, and that the pardon is asked
for by numbers of good citizens, and
by Senator III. H. Shore, Of Yadkin coun-
ty; and it further appearing that there is
a suffering wife and child dependent upon
the labor Of the prisoner, this pardon was
granted.
The sentence of Robert L. Moore, CON
victed at the February term, 1896. Of
Halifax Criminal Court, OF manslaughter,
and sent to the penitentiary for four years
was commuted TO four months in the
county Jail.
1t appears in this case that the prison
er's counsel consented to conviction for
manslaughter under an agreement with
the prosecuting counsel, Capt. w H.
Day, who represented the friends Of the
deceased, that he would consent to the
minimum punishment of four months in
the county Jail. The court declined to
consent to this, and sentenced the prison
er TO four years in the penitentiary. An
out and out pardon was recommended
By every man who was on the jury, ex-
cept one, and he is dead; and also by
Hon. Thomas N. Hill, and every other
member of the Halifax bar who was pres
ent at the trial. The pardon was also
recommended by various prominent citi-
zens of Halifax. 1t was also claimed that
there was no evidence of antecedent
malice. and that none in fact existed
Upon these considerations, Governor Rus
sell declined to grant a pardon, but has
commuted the punishment to four months
in the county jail.
The news & observer., 1897-02-20
NEWBBRN FAIR MARsHALs.

Newbern, N. c., Feb. 19-(SpeciaT-
There have been appointed 3S5 fair mar
shals for the 10Th exhibition of the East
Carolina Fish, Oyster, Game and Indus
trial Association, to he held in this city
during the present mcnth-February %.
90, a, %, 26 and q. This is the largest
number of marshals the fair has ever APP
pointed, and should they all attend they
will be warmly received.
There are several cities outside the
State represented in the list. Those ap-
pointed from Raleigh and Durham are as
follows:
Raleigh-Dr Norwood Carroll, Will
Snow. Sam Hinsdale. Tom Ashe. Sam
Ashe, Henry M. Miller. Henry Iitchford
Henry Mckee, Joe Marshall John Stron-
ach,, Tom Denson, J. G. Drewry, Alex.
Andrews and George Snow.
Durham-Wm. M. Yearly. Buck Guth-
rie. Fred. Green, w. b. Guthrie and VIII
Roland
The news & observer., 1897-02-20
RECEPTION TO GOV. REYNOLDS.
Given Last Night by Raleigh Council
Of the Jr. O. Il. A. NJ.

The Raleigh Council of the Junior Or
der of United American Mechanics ten
dered a reception to Lieutenant Governor
Reynolds last evening, to which many
visitors were invited.
The Lieutenant Governor is one of the
Grand Officers Of the fraternity, and is
prominent in the National councils.
The exercises were begun in the hall
Of the order in the Pullen building. Mr..
Y. T. Sale, presided, and introduced
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Reynolds in n
speech that was eloquent, happily eX-
pressed, and well delivered.
Lieutenant-G Governor Reynolds object
was two fold: TO explain the principles
Of the order to non-members, and to give
an account of his trip to Denver and
Salt Lake City last June at the meeting
Of the Grand Council
The name of the order is misleading
1t is not composed solely of mechanics
though it originated among them, just
as the Masonic fraternity is composed oil
men of all trades and professions. The
Junior Order of American Mechanics be
Iieye in and promote especially three
principles:
a. The protection of America from il
literate and criminal immigrants
(2) The education Of all the people.
90 The separation of church and State
1t is especially an American order, anC
believes in teaching patriotism, and ser
vice to the country, and holds that thi
can best be done in the schools; and tha
nopular education is the salvation Of th'
country.
His account of the great West, thr
plains, the Rocky Mountains, Denver
Salt Lake City, etc, was exceedingly in
teresting. The Lieutenant Governor il
a ready talker and an entertaining man
After his address the company adjourn
ed to the Hotel Florence, where an oys
ter supper was served, and short post
prandial remarks We're made by Messrs
Lacy, c. T. Lumsden, Mayor Russ
Prof Bryant Parker, J. b. Mason, o
Chapel Hill; Superintendent Howell, an,
Secretary Sale.
The news & observer., 1897-02-20
TARBOR0 CONyOCATION.

Weldon, N. c.. Feb. 19-(SpeciaD--
The Conyocation Of Tarboro was called
order yesterday. Rev. w. J. Smith,
OF Scotland Neck preached the morning
sermon and Bishop J. b. Cheshire
preached at night. After the sermon
the Bishop confirmed a class Of six per.
sons-two young ladies and four gentle
men.
A business meeting was held this morn
ing at $3.50 o'clock, and morning prayer
was read by Rev. Mr.. Mckenzie and
sermon followed by Rev. Mr. Baylus, of
Wilson. This afternoon there was a
meeting Of the woman's auxiliary socie-
ties Of the convocat.on, and some inter
esting papers were read Rev. Mr.. Nc
Kenzie preached the evening sermon.
All services are largely attended and
much interest is manifested
The news & observer., 1897-02-20
UNION IS AGAINST THE LEASE
They Think a 99-Year Lease Amounts
to a Sale.

"And how is Union county on the 90
year lease question:
In response to this point blank ques-
tion Mr.. K. e. Britton, or Monroe, who
was in Raleigh yesterday said:
Union county is almost to a man in
favor of the passage of the act now pend
ing looking to the annulling Of the lease.
In making a personal canvass Of the
town Of Monroe | found but two men
who were in favor of the lease standing.
The fact of the North Carolina road be-
ing leased to the Southern so many years
before the expiration of the present
lease does not strike them as being just
They regard the 80 years as being equi-
valent to sale, and a sale at such
ridiculously low figure, taking into con-
sideration the constantly increasing
value of the property should
be tested in the courts. If the opinion
! find in Union county is an index of the
views held in other portions of the State
the Senate of North Carolina will not
truly represent the wishes of their consti-
tuents unless they vote to open up the
matter from the beginning and allow the
Southern and Seaboard systems to come
out in the open and bid for the use Of the
road. In no event do our people believe
in lease for 80 years Twenty or thirty
years is long enough.
''i'he News and Observer has made a
gallant fight to save to the State Millions
of dollars, and the people, the plain
every day neople, bid it God-speed in its
heroic fight"
The news & observer., 1897-02-20
JUDGE SEYMOUR DEAD.
He Died in New York, Where he Had
Gone for Treatment

Newbern, n. c., Feb. 19-(SpeciaD--
Augustus Sheriff. Seymour died in New
York at 6 O'Clock this morning, in the
61st year OF his age.
The funeral will be held at his residence
at Newbern on Sunday by the pastor Of
the Presbyterian church, DIR. G.. L. Ley
burn. His disease was stomach trouble,
from which he has suffered greatly for
two months, having gone to New York
some weeks ago for treatment He was
a native Of Ithaca. N. ", and moved here
during the war. He first practiced law
in New York. He leaves a wife, son,
John Barton Seymour, Of Newbern. and
daughter, Mrs. William WEIGH, Of Eng
land.
The news & observer., 1897-02-20
THE AMENDMENT

Amend section By inserting in line ID,
after the word plant" and before the
word ''and," the following; But that be-
fore any debt is created, or bonds issued,
the question shall first be submitted to the
qualified voters of the town, and if ma
jority of said electors vote in favor of
said debt; and provided further, that the
entire taxation levied shall not exceed
one dollar on the one hundred dollars val
uafiOn -
The news & observer., 1897-02-20
PROMINENT CITIZEN DEAD.
The Wife of Late Associate Justice
Davis Stricken With Appoplexy.

Oxford, N. c., Feb. 19.-(SpeciaD-Mr.
J. b. Parham died at his home a few
miles from Oxford to-day. lie was one
of the most prosperous and influential
farmers of the county. His death is
greatly deplored. He was about fifty
years of age, and leaves a family.
Mrs. Joseph ]. Davis, widow of the
late Judge Davis, was stricken with ap.
poplexy last night Her condition was
very alarming. She is better to-day.
The friends of Maj B. S. Royster will
be pleased to learn that he was to-day
rendered the appointment Of Inspector
General of the State Guard. He will
probably accept.
The news & observer., 1897-02-20
AND sTILL THEY COME.

Another candidate has entered the race
for Railroad Commissioner in the person
Of Mr.. 9. A. Bingham. of Rowan county.
Mr.. Bingham is prominent Salisbury
merchant and nack-necked Republic
can.
The news & observer., 1897-02-20
THE NEWBERN FAIR WILL BE
GREAT

Newbern, n c., Feb. 19.-(Special.)-
Splendid Fair prospects in exhibitions,
attractions, races, etc, and weather.
The finest race horses in the State will
be entered, there being 102 entries. Sew
eral States are represented. Numerous
visitors arriving.
The news & observer., 1897-02-20
BRADsTREETs REVIEW.

New York, Feb. -Bradstreets to-
morrow win say:
General trade shows more improve
ment, features Of which are the ad-
vances for Bessemer pig iron, steel bil-
let's, steel rails, some grades of wool,
raw sugar, Indian corn, pork and lard,
and for print cloths, with an upward
tendency for leather, together with a
number of metal and textile industrial
establishments which have re-opened
within the week and an improvement in
recent railway earnings.
Among more important staples for
which prices have decreased are wheat,
flour, oats, coffee, cotton, rosin
and turpentine. The unexpected weak
ness in wheat and wheat -four prices
forms the best evidence of the lack Of
confidence by the trade and general pub
lie in official reports of the size of the
domestic wheat crop last year.
Total business failures throughout the
country have increased. numbering 325
this week, compared with 301 last week,
276 In the third week Of February, 1896,
327 in the like week Of 1895. 235 in the
corresponding period in 1894 and 202 in
the like week of 1893. There were 1877
suspensions and failures of banks, bank
ers and loan and trust companies in the
United States, as reported to Bradstreets
last year, compared with 1875 in 1895,
only 50 in 1894 and contrasted with sos
in the panic year 1893, when the total
of estibated liabilities amounting to
more than $170,00000O than total indi-
Gated assets.
Only one third the number Of banks
(National, State, Savings, Private and
Trust Compan;es) failed or suspended
last year that were reported embarrassed
in 1893, and the reduction in total esti-
mated liabilities was in the same proper
ton. But that such embarrassments
were in one sense more serious in 1896
than in 1898 is plain. as total indicated
assets of embarrassed banks in 1896
were $9000,000 smaller than the total
estimat ted Liabilities.
The news & observer., 1897-02-20

New York, Feb. 19-Total bank clear
ings for the week were 1892. Ola 465:
per cent. decrease, 1876. Exclusive Of
New York, S40S, ,6s906S; per cent. de-
crease, A.
The news & observer., 1897-02-20
Dissolution of Steel-Rail Pool
Helped Things Along.
OTHER THINGS GAINING
BUT LITTLE INCREASE IN DE
MAND FOR COTTON GOODS.
INCREASE OF FAILURES "a
Prices Have Decreased IN Wheat,
Flour, Oats, Coffee, Cotton, Rosin
and Turpentine-- Bank Failures
More Serious.
More Serious.

New York, Feb. 10.-R. G. Dun & Co.'S
weekly review of trade tomorrow will
say:
A large increase in the iron and steel
business on account Of covering eight to
twelve months production of the largest
works, better demand for wooden goods
and slightly better for cottOns, gain
which may prove lasting in boots and
shoes, slightly better prices for wheat,
cotton, wool, iron, and money market
well adapted to encourage liberal pur-
chases against future improvement in
business, have rendered the last week
more hopeful than any other since early
in November. The heavy excess of mer-
chandise exports over imports in January,
the continuance of exchange rates show
ing that Europe is still largely indebted
to this country on current account and
the prospect that Congress will adjourn
without amy disturbing action, all have
their favorable influence upon the money
market and upon future undertakings.
In nearly every branch, the great iron
and steel industry feels the upward inn
pulse supplied by purchases of steel rails.
Nearly all the great railroads of the
country have seized the opportunity to
supply themselves with rails for one or
CW0 years requirements.
Other industries are gaining also,
though less conspicuously. The recent
decline and subsequent rise in raw cotton
have not materially affected the manufac-
mre, which is gradually getting rid Of
its accumulated surplus, though there
seems to be but little increase as yet in
che demand for goods
The heavy exports in January, follow
ing the Unprecedented excess of exports
over imports of merchandise in the four
previous months, are largely due to the
fact that neither the wheat nor the cot
tom markets have been materially con-
trolled by speculation. Wheat dropped
to 1918 cents, but rose to 1925 cents,
with no important impulse except the con-
yiction that recent prices have been low
enough. The Atlantic exports, -four in
cluded, were only 1.235.375 bushels for
the week, against 1,S10.304 hast year, hut
for three weeks have been 5,090,471
bushels, against 5,44S, ,429 last year. The
Western receipts are still small for the
week, only 1.507, ,S45 bushels against p
E5,55S last year, and for the past three
weeks only 4,699,24 bushels, against
S,32S771 lest year. Meanwhile the
Western receipts Of corn have been we'll
nigh double last years, and for three
weeks the Atlantic exports have been
6,317 PA bushels, against 1924, 800 last
year. Evidently this movement is dis
placing many million bushels of wheat
in foreign consumption.
Failures for the past week have been
305 in the United States, against 2S9 last
year, and So in Canada, against GO last
year.
The news & observer., 1897-02-20

One Pr, ps,- S to Pur Greer vile
TTud-r Il Police Board.
ONE UNDER GRAVE CHARGE
A PART ABANDONED BY REASON
OF IT'S OWN STENCIL.
ANOTHER WILMINGTON SNEAK

Governor to Appoint Aldermen--F avor-
ably Reported and on Calendar
Neither Walters, Cathey, Smith
Eddins or Fagan Ever Saw It.
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1897-08-09
J. s. FREEBURGER
NEW M ARKET

State street, near railroads.. Freshest and
best meats. My patrons say keep the best
meats in town. 22S
Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1897-08-09
domestic rrotrption.

One day i'll the Cum borland moun
tains, as rode up tho b4Dch of hill,
came to house with a genuine cy.
clone pit in the front yard at first ]
thought it might be springhouse or a
cellar, but little closer inspection Oh y
confirmed the original conclusion. II
was cyclone pit and nothing else, but
what was it there for? The man of the
house was hoeing corn i'll the field ad
joining, and | hailed him. by the
way" l said to him after asking how
far it was to my destination and the
nearest way there, sis that a cyclone
pit there in the yard?"
He gave a queer little nod of affirma.
hon.
"You don't have any cyclones up here
in the mountains, do your" ] asked in
evident astonishment.
"Well, no, mister, not perzackly."
"Then, if you please, I'd like to
know what the dickens you have the pit
for. 4"
He came over to tho fence and put
his hand up to his mouth as q sort of a
speaking trumpet.
II reckon you never see my wife,
mister" he said and lodged back to
the row he was hoeing as if somebody
had thrown skillet lid at him.-De-
roit Free Press.