davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-01-08
STORY OF PIANOS
FOR N0TH|NG--N|T!
Aftermath of a "Grand Voting
Contest" That Happened.
HOW A NEWSPAPER PULLED THE PUBLIC LEG.

The Victims Thought They Were Going Get Christmas Presents but
They Paid High For Em0her Victims Paid Hgh Too, and Got
Less Than NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and Advertisers Were Fooled
AONow They Getting Their Eyes Open and Rage Dis
gust Are Everywhere -Demoralzng Effects of Vicious
SchemeMOe Than 900 Put in by the Guess and The
Part Of Was Thrown Away.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-01-08

tins OF it that its immense costliness was
entirely chargeable TO the fact that the
Telegram made IL so particularly easy To
get votes-not by buying newspapers ana
cutting them out, but by buying the
coupons outright. The same bunco game
from which the newsuealer ard the easy
advertiser suffered is also responsible for
the tremendous expense that contestants
who were In earnest we're put To. The
schs me made possible what the Telegram
announced ms grand finish. But
while II was all very fine for ths Tele-
gram that, il It's own figures ara TO be be-
lieved got several Thousand per cent.
profit out of its something for moth
ing" scheme tho victims paid heavily
TO make the grand finish" Had the
voting been restricted TO the usual
method pursued by reputable newspapers
who go into such enterprises 10 boom
themselves, namely compelling every
voter tn buy paper anu cut out his vote,
II l, safs to say that rot one-half as
many votes would have been cast, not
one-half the appalling loss OF money
would have been risked on the venture
by the victims. The pianos would have
been disposed of at "a reasonable price
and profit and hundreIs of unfortunate
victims OF the Telegram's duplicitv
would not now be bewailing the fact that
they were inyeiRled into such scheme.
They now realize that their dollars and
dimes have vanished TO make "a brief and
fictitious fame for n constituencies news
paper. The Telegram had the grand
finish " The folks who played its game
paid the bill.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-01-08

There is one phase OF this outra geous
transaction that will occur TO every one
who stops TO consider the far-reacb ing
damage that ono touch of evil may ever
be counted upon 20 do and that is the
position OF the piano trade In the matter.
While the reputable piano dealers are
above reproach, yet thers Is evidence OF a
public feeling that the good name OF the
trade barely escapes smircbing by the
simple reason of their associationiwith the
scheme. Or course, they are not in any
way to suffer disoredit by reason OF the
conduct of the transaction nv the Tels-
gram. They sold their pianos to the lei
egram in good faith, received only their
legitimate price for their wares, and in
every phase oil it their part in the trans
action was straight and legitimate busi-
ness with which no fault can be found.
Provprbally, however, 'evil communi-
cations corrupt good manners, and ac-
cordingly tho hundreds OF honest folk
who have come TO realize how badly they
have Deen iooleu NAV be pardoned III
thsir too hHsty expressions OF disgust,
oondemning some Of the piano men as
part of the whola conglomeration that
has aroused their scorn and SindiQnation.
How strong this feeling is Is illustrated
10y the familiar rumor going the rounds
since the result was declared to the effect
that bribes were offered the winners to
select particular makes OF pinpos for the
sake of the advertising value that would
attach TO the choice. or course, acquain.
taince with the men engaged iD the
piano trade and calmer/ Judgment would
be sufficient TO promptly reject such n
rumor. But that the trade itself recog-
niZed the public feeling in the matter Is
amply demonstrated by the fact that one
piano house felt called upon TO declare
unequivocaly that its piano was "se-
lected solely on its merits" and the re.
cipient took pains To state in n letter of
acceptance, evidently dictated by the
piano firm in recognition OF pablo senti.
ment In the matter that the choi was
IN ade unsolicited and of free wilt. -
And on the other hand, 10 is today
common talk In the piano trade that some
of the winners Of the grand contest
demanded moneg OF certain dealers In
return for selecting their particular piano
-.irstead Of the deslers bidding for .be
trade-and that tneso winners went from
store to store Co learn which would pay
tho highest price. That there should TO
even talk W such a hlackmailing propo-
sition shows the demoralizing effects ~
the transaction. though the winners ~
something for nothing might be eX.
cused Tor wanting 90 get some OF their
money back whom they considered the eN-
orhitnut price the pianos had COST them.
PLAINLY. che uiano trade feels the stig
ma .hst the Ielsgram trsDsAction leaves
Ia its trail But y 10 unfair ~ not un.
ressouabls. g. d. uuNthng bat place the
blame ~ tnc whole thing where " &c
longs 1o he sire the dsmornlizlng
Influence has been widespread. FrOm
tha newspaper 70 goes into ihr pinun
trade to-day lus', ne while ths cuntes :, was
on. 10 invaded TIC school and tho home
NE that toucheth vitch shall be delled
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-01-08

According TO the Telegram own state
msnt /, 050, 1876 votes were cast In grand
total.
Just figure for yourselves how much
money that represents.
Why even at an average OF only one
cent a vote. the Telegram, of its own
statement of figures, took in the mon
strous sum OF $40, 504 66-hard cash
Just think of that
Why faro. roulette, and races are mild
and harml, ,ss diversions by contrast to q
Telegram "piano for nothing scheme. -
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-01-08

Subscription rate. Daily News by mail carrier
e3 year. $3.50 for six months IS cents for
three months Weekly News. 30 cents per annunL
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-01-08

By sti1TiHT estimate ard sTcppting
the Telegram figures 40 correct, Miss Msrg
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-06-28
at Last a Bankruptcy Law.
Chicago ~Times-Herald.)

llNbS -
The conference committee which had
in charge the bankruptcy law have
agreed upon a report, and 1t is now
reasonably certain that a comprehen-
siv and judicious bankruptcy law will
be placed on our statute books. 1t is
a contamination much to be wished,
for strong and determined as the OPP
position to all bankruptcy laws has
been in many influential quarters
there can be no doubt that such a law
is demanded in a great commercial ma
ton like ours.
The old idea that a law of this kind
is a mere sponge to wipe out indebted
ness is utterly unworthy of considera-
ton. The real object of a bankrupt
Cy law is 30 give an honest debtor a
chance to begin life over again after
having given up all his property for
the benefit of his creditors, and also
to compel a dishonest debtor to sur
render his property when it is shown
that he is seeking TO defraud his cred
itorS.
The present law, as framed by the
conference committee, covers both
these points, and when it is thorough
ly comprehended will meet with the
approval Of the entire business COM
munity. When it is known that it has
the sanction on the one hand of Sen
ator Nelson. ON Minnesota, and on the
other by Senator HOar, of MaSsachu-
setts, both OF whom nave long mani
Tested an extreme interest in a bank
ruptcy law, though widely divergent
in their views as to what the features
of such a law hould be. it may be
taken for granted that it is a wise and
equitable measure. Another feature of
the bill which will commend it to
the mercantile community is that the
fees are reduced to a minimum, and
there will be no such harpies' feast for
government officials as there was un-
der the last bankruptcy law. We firm
~ believe this law will be acceptable
so all classes of our citizens and will
D$ lasting, as it should be.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-06-28
Association Of Merchants.

Louis Windmuller has an interesting
article in the current issue of Testers
Weekly on the d~esirability Of associa-
ton amongst merchants. He instances
the good derived from such co-opera-
tive work as hat carried on by the
Merchants Association, and concludes
as follows:
Merchants who come here have
advantages over those who rely on
correspondence or inland towns, and
on commercial travellers. In our mar
ket everything the world produces can
be seen; the dealer who does not can
vass it neglects his duty. 1t does
more than 40 per cent. of the business
Of the entire Union. and. next to Lon
don, ranks the first seaport of the
world. The population within the
present city limits numbering 3,000, 600
people, is more in touch with our Eng
lish cousins than any other American
community. Being able to see what
we have, the dealer can form a more
correct opinion Of the adaptability to
his wants Of the article he buys than
he can by merely seeing samples: he
can make his selection from a greater
variety than he can find anywhere
else. When he meets the seller in per-
son he can acquire a better knowledge
Of his standing in a few hours than
by the representation Of agents in a
lifetime.
The seller will have more confidence
in the buyer whom he meets face to
face; is better able to judge of the
credit he deserves, and can study and
care for his wants better.
The influx of visitors to our city
will not benefit the wholesale trade
alone. Places of amusement will profit
by their patronage. We have excel
lent restaurants and hotels. Excur-
sionists Of the Association will fill
them, as visitors Of Leipsic and
Nizhnee Novgorod fill those cities
when they come to their fairs. Rail-
roads will reap the benefit Of increased
traffic.
Seeing the advantages our city of
fers, some country merchant may de-
sire to establish agencies here per-
manently and hire rooms in our mag
nificent office-buildings; others may
n it desirable to keep accounts in
our banks, enabling them to borrow
money here when they cannot get it
at home. AS centre Of finance and
depository of the country's wealth,
New York has sixty-siX banks, which
form the Clearing House Association,
two members of which hold deposits
of more han 500, 600, 900.
"The New York Merchants Associa-
ton does not intend to confine itself
to the accomplishment of any single
purpose, but it means to further the
mercantile interestV our city, state
and country genera:.y: Entering as
we Go on an era Of widespread pros
perity, the time for concerted action
was we'll chosen. Wherever such ac-
ton may be taken the participants
will reap benefits to the extent which
their ability to take advantage of ia
circumstances will permit"
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-06-28
Governor August a Prisoner

London, June 17.-Senor Sagasta. re-
plying in the cortes today to a question
as to whether Manila had fallen, replied
In the negative, but he added that the
situation there was of the gravest char
acter.
The dispatches from Madrid agree that
this state, together with the report that
the rebels are attacking the walled city
had caused intense depression.
Japan, according to a spectil dispatch
from Shanghai, is sending additional war
ships to Manila and it is reported at
Shanghai that the American troops nave
arrived at Manila.
A special dispatch from Hong KONG
confirming the dispatches to the Associat-
ed Press from Manila confirm the rumor
that Captain August, wife and family
are held as hostages at Cavite. From the
same source comes the report that Ton.
do, the capital of the province of Tondo
on the Passig, nearly opposite Manila,
has been the scene Of a great fire, pre-
sumably from the ignition of the petro.
leum works there.
1t appears that when the German
cruiser Kaiserin Augusta entered Manila
bay she took the unusual course of salut.
ing the Spanish flag. This caused much
Another TumOr it that Cap
tain General August has resigned be.
cause of a disagreement with the arch.
bishops of Manila.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-06-28

Having used three bottles Of p. p. P.
for impure blood and general weakness
and having derived great benefit from
the same, having gained IA pounds in
weight in four weeks, I take great
pleasure in recommending it to all un-
fortunate like
JOHN MORRIS.
Office Of J.. N. McElroy. Druggist.
Orlando, Fla, April 20, 1891.
Messrs. Lippman Bros, Savannah, GA.
Dear Sirs:-I sold three bottles Of P.
P. p. large size yesterday, and one bot
tie small size today.
The P. P. P. cured my wife of rheu-
matism winter before last. 1t came
back on her the past winter and a half
bottle, 81 size, relieved her again, and
she has not had a symptom since.
I sold a bottle OF p. P. p. TO a friend
Of mine, one Of the turkies, a small one,
took sick and his wife gave it 9 tea
spoonful, that was in the even1n: and
the little fellow turned over like b Wa4
dead, but next morning he was hollow
ing and we'll.
Yours respectfully,
J. N. McELROY.
Savannah, Ga, March II, 1891.
Messrs. Lippman Bros, Savannah, Ga.
Dear Sirs:-I have suffered from
rheumatism for a long time and did
not find a cure until found P. p. P,
which com pletely cured re.
Yours truly,
ELIZA JONES,
IL Orange St. Savannah. Ga
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-06-28
WI 0~dificatiOn of Sales COntractby

1t is a very common practice of mer-
chants to attempt to modify a contract
of sale, or to introduce some new ele-
ment into the contract, by means of a
notice printed upon a bill or an invoice
sent to the buyer after the sale is made.
The courts have frequently refused to
give effect to such notices, upon the very
sound principle that a contract, once
made, is not to be modified except by the
consent of both parties to it. A recent
instance is to be found in the case of
pany VS.. Birkenfeld (1 pac. rep. 263). A
travelling salesman of the plaintiff sold
goods to the defendants assignor on May
9th. Shipment was to be made on Au-
gust 18th and the bill was to be dated
November 1st. These are all the ele-
ments of the contract that are material
to the issue. The invoices sent to the
buyer subsequently, after setting out
dates and terms, contained the following:
III bills become due when parties sus-
pend payment assign or sell out. All
goods dated ahead are merely consigned
and subject to replevin until dating has
considered acceptable of all the terms
hereon." The buyer received and held
the goods without objection, and prior
to the expiration of the dating he as
signed. The suit was brought against
the assignee for possession of the goods.
The court held, however, that the sales
man had entered into an unconditional
contract of sale. and that the condi-
tons contained in the invoice were an
which can be done only by consent OF
both parties thereto, and therefore said
matter Gid not in itself modify the abso-
lutte ale.'-Journa of Commerce.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-06-28

The following article was prepared
for Wednesdays paper, but vas un-
fortunately Crowded out" viz:
Mr.. John w. Reilly, who returned
the following from our boys of the
WILMINGTON Light Infantry, and we
publish it with pleasure:
Company K, Second Regiment,
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-06-28
A Clever Trick.

II certainly looks like it, but there is
really no trick about it. Anybody can
try II who a Lame Back and Weak
Kidneys, Malaria or nervou troubles.
we mean he car cure himself right
away by taking Electric Bitters. This
medicine tones up h whole system,
Gets as a stimulant to the Liver and
Kidneys, is a blood purifier and nerve
tonic. 1t cures Constipation, Head
ache, Painting Spells, Sleeplessness
and Melancholy. 1t IS purely vegeta-
BILE. a mild laxative, sgd restores the
system to it's natural vigor. Try Elec-
tric Bitters and be convinced that they
are a miracle worker. Every bottle
guaranteed. Only SOC a bottle at r. r.
Bellamy's drug store.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-06-28
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of Capital.

In Baily vs.. Hornthal t1A n. Y. 64s).
decided last month, the court of appeals
OF this state holds that The doctrine
that a partner who retires from an insol-
vent firm and withdraws from it a sum
OF money as his share of the contributed
capital is defrauding the creditors of the
flrm. applies with the same force TO a
limited as to a general partnership" II
ioIIoWk and was so held, that IF a limit
ed partnership was insoivent at its termi-
nation, and a succeeding general partner
ship n the general partners have been
since continuously insolvent, a special
parner cannot retain the capital that he
had contributed to the firm. when VOL
unfairly paid Back to him by the gem
eral partners after they had become in
solvent, as against Judgment creditors of
the general partners whose claims were
in existence when the payment was made,
at least in the absence of an agreement
made in good faith, in ignorance of the
fact of insolvency and without knowledge
OF such fact as would put a prudent man
upon inquiry" Of Commerce.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-06-28
Described by a Cuban
From the City.
AN UPRISING FEARED.
Regular Soldiers on Half RatiOns-No
Food Issued TO the Local Force-An
Absolute Lack of Drugs-PosftiOn Of
the Warships Changed The Two
Torpedo Boats DisabIed-New Guns
{ Being Mounted and Line Of Trenches
Made.

Copyright by Associated Press.)
In General Garcia's Camp Aurren
Deras, Santiago de Cuba, June %. per
the Associated Press Dispatch Boat
Wanda, via Kingston, Jamaica, June
23.-7 a, n. A Cuban who left the
city of Santiago On Monday night ar
rived at General Garcia's camp on
Tuesday morning with accurate maps
surrounding it. The ships Of Admiral
Cervera have moved from the position
they were in three days ago, and now
lie in almost a circle, surrounding,
a small island and lighthouse about
half way up the -four mile harbor. The
armored cruiser CristObal Colon,
which is uninjured, lies to the west,
commanding with her port battery the
narrow neck of the harbor, while the
Vizcaya, also uninjured, lies to the
east, her s%tarboard battery looking
down upon me same neck.
Both of the Spanish torpedo boats
are temporarily injured, one having
been struck by fragments of the shells
hat sunk the Reina Mercedes and the
other having her boiler tubes and en-
gines in course of repair.
The most important statement made
was, in substance, that the torpedo
boats have not, since their arrival
here, made any attempt to leave, being
unable to do so. The ships nave only
half their supplies of coal, although
some coal arrived by overland route
two weeks ago.
The shell that sunk the Reina Mer-
cedes was fired during the first bonn
bardment by the Massachusetts. Be-
yOnd this loss and the quite large loss
of life incident to it there was little
or no damage. The earthworks were
disturbed and one smooth bore gun
was dismounted on the west battery.
Seven new guns are being put up fac
ing the sea, three of which, CD the
west, the ships guns of the 6-inch
rapid fire variety, and automatic guns
of all descriptions, it appears, are being
dismounted from the ships and mount
ed on the ~earthworks surrounding the
city.
A new line of trenches has been dug
about a mile and a half from the city
The Spanish soldiers known as the
regular troops are on half rations anc
no supplies are furnished to the loca
Spanish forces, numbering about 5000
men. They are compelled to forage
for themselves.
The spirit Of discomfort, it also
seems, is very widespread among the
Spanish troops and an uprising IN
Santiago de Cuta is feared.
There is an absolute lack Of drugs
in Santiago and, finally, the crews o.
the Spanish warships are on half ra'
tons.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-06-28

The friends Of Mrs. Fannie K. Bios
som will regret to earn Of her death.
which occurred in this city yesterday
afternoon at AS o'clock. She was aged
81 years and four months. n leaves
n son, Mr.. Willie Blossom, OF Castle
Haynes, and two daughters. Mrs John
E Wood. of this city, and Mrs. Frank
W. King. of Forest City. The sad news
has been telegraphed to Mrs. King and
she is expected here today.
The funeral viii take place this af-
teroon at 4 o'clock at h Chapel OF
the Good Shepherd. on Sixth and
Queen streets, thence to Oakdale GEM
etery.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-06-28
BACK TO CAMP ID
Sergeant whitney sReeeives Order TO
Close His Recruiting Odice-He
Leaves for Raleigh This Morning.


Sergeant w. A. Whitney returns to
camp this morning. Yesterday morn
ing he received orders from headquar-
ters to close his recruiting Office and
report back to his company at once,
and so he will leave for Raleigh via
the Atlantic Coast Line at the time
specified.
His stay has been exactly a fort
night, and during that time he was
kept "hustling" after recruits at a
lively rate. He will return loaded
down with messages and best wishes
for friends and loved ones among our
gallant cohort.
Yesterday morning another. recruit
was sent from this city to the Light
Infantry. He was Mr.. Thomas Hobbs,
a young nan hailing from Onslow
county.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-06-28
The UNIVERSITY,

ARGEST PATRONAGE AND FULL
est equipment in its history. Faculty. IS;
Students. SOS: three Academic Coursesa
three Elective Courses: three Professional
Schools, in Law. Medicine and Pharmacy.
Advanced classes open 10 Women. Tui-
ton $50 a year; board s. a month. Ample
opportunities for self help. Scholarships
and loans for the needy. Summer School
for Teachers, "a Instructors. is Stu
dents. Total Enrolment, go. For Cata-
logue. address.
PRESIDENT ALDERMAN, &
Jun q. II Chapel HUI. d. C.E
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-06-28
mpany K, Second Regiment,
N. G. Volunteers, U. S. A,
Camp Dan. Russell.

Raleigh, N. T., June Il, 1873.
We the undersigned committee rep
%resenting the officers and men of Com
pany K, wish to extend our thankS
and express our appreciation to the
following friends III our dear old city,
for their kindness in remembering US
in the shape Of a box: Mr.. Eugene
Martin, Mr.. M. Rathjen, Capt. w. r.
Kenan, Miss Ruth Harriss, Mrs. AL
bert Gore, Mrs. J. w. Murchison, Mrs.
w. N. Cronly, Mr.. Geo. Honnet, Mrs.
S. T. Brice, Mrs. Jno. Cowan, Mr..
VIM. NESTLE, Mrs. r. b. Davis, Mr..
r. B. Davis, Mrs. Sellers, Mrs. Mary
S. Thomas, Mrs. Hugh MacRae, Mrs.
Thos. Meares, Mrs. Edward Wootten,
Mrs. Alice Everitt, Mrs. Gabriel
Holmes, Holmes & Waters, w. a.
Whitehead & Son, Mrs. DR.. Potter,
Mrs. P. H. McRary, Mrs. DR.. George
Thomas and Mrs. BOudinOt.
We certainly appreciated this act Of
kindness OF their part, n beg to as
sure them it's contents filled a long
felt want. Sincerely,
DONALD MacRAE, Captain
r.. H. COWAN, End. Lieut.,
j. r. WINDLEY, 5th Sergt.,
EUGENE FORSHEE, I'd Cor,
VIM. G. LEWIS, Private,
Committee
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-06-28

Freight train NC. 3 on the Cape Fear
and Yadkin Valley now leaves Whining
ton at 4:45 p. m; arrives at Fayetteville
1t ILLS p. m. Passenger a on this
train.
Connections at Fayetteville with At
lantic Coast Line, at Naxton with the
Carolina Central Railroad, at Red Springs
with the Red Springs and Rail-
road. at Sanford with the Seaboard Air
Line, at Gulf with the Durham and Char
lotte Railroad, at Greensboro with the
Southern Railway Company, at Walnut
Cove with the Norfolk and Western
Railway.
J. w. FRY, w. Z. KYLE,
Gen'l Manager. Gen'l Pass. Agent.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-06-28

You need Cod Liver Gil, you say but
think you can't take it? Try Nor
rhuvin" a perfected "Wine Of God
Liver OIL" You get all the virtue Of
the Oil, without h disagreeable eff
fects. Sold by ]. c. Shepard, J.. H
Hardin and H. L. Fentress.