davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-18
THE NAVY PERSONNEL BILL.

The bill which bears this title proposes
making many desirable changes in the
government and organization OF our
navy; but, as we are informed, it puts
an embargo upon the commissioning of
any enlisted man. No matter how
valiant. how trustworthy. how capable,
and how unexceptionable in personal
standing the enlisted man may be- ne is
TO have no opportunity given him TO be-
come a commissioned officer!
In the regular army the private may
rise 20 be a colonel, as not few have
done. but in the navy all that the most
ambitious and deserving enlisted man
can hope TO be is a petty officer. No
wonder that the forecastles Of all our
warships are filled in large measure with
foreigners and negroes. No wonder that
our young men hesitate TO ship aboard
Uncle Sans vessels.
In the United States army there are a
number of generals who were not trained
at West Point. and it is presumable that
with like opportunities given them some
OF the enlisted men OF the navy might
rise.
OF course, we concede the great value
OF the training given the young men at
Annapolis. No doubt II is a fine school
No doubt its standard is high, but It IS
un-American TO make of It's graduates a
favored class. If others can stand the
required examination. why should they be
excluded from the honors of our navy !?
Napoleon said that every French soldier
carried a marshal's baton In his KNAPP
sack. lie meant that the humblest SOL
dler who distinguished himself might
hope for the highest rank. II was his
policy 10 promote deserving young men
and surely such should be the policy of
our government. the greatest republic on
earth.
When the time comes when American
youths who have liking for sea life
are assured Of opportunities for advance.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-18
WILL THERE BE ANOTHER CALL.

The New York Sun gives credence 10
the report that the President will soon
make another call for troops. It's Wash
ington correspondent says the number
required may be as small as $1,000, or 1t
may be as large as 200 600"
II the President would enquire into the
matter he would find that our government
is not at this time able to equip the l25-
800 men that have already responded TO
his call. What II would do with 100000
more the Lord only knows The three
Virginia regiments now in camp here are
not half fitted out. And the like report
comes from other States. 1t is said the
troops will be completely equipped after
they have reached Tampa or Washing
ton. but. as matter of fact, the govern
ment has not anywhere the arms, uni
forms. etc, needed at this time.
Possibly it would be well for the Pres!-
dent to get the authority of Congress to
call out 10000 or 100000 additional men:
but we hope he will have no occasion TO
exercise the privilege if it is given him.
Certainly the volunteers under the $4,000
call ShOuld De armed ana equipped dc-
cording to law" and modern methods be-
fore the services of others are asked for.
Indeed unless we are TO have trouble
with some other European Power than
Spain. it would seem that our 600 vol
unteers and $1,000 regulars would be
amply sufficient for all our purposes.
We much fear that preparations for
second cali would be construed by the
world as recognition of the probability
of trouble between us and some one or
more of the great nations of Europe. OF
course, If any such probability exists
moro men ought to be gotten into the
field as rapidly as we can furnish them
with tents. cooking utensils, modern
arms. uniforms. wagons, medical stores,
&C, &c But at this hour not more men,
but more of the material and equipage
OF war is what is most needed. In
proof OF what we say, we find the gov
eminent stripping many parts OF the
country of all the arms usually availa-
Bile for militia purposes, leaving the civil
authorities without adequate help in case
OF danger from mobs.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-18
MECKLENBURG COUNTY.
Sentence OF Death Pronounced Upon
Hitc-Odd Law Point Raised, Etc.

BOYDTON, VA, May H.-(SpeciaL)-
The courtroom was crowded and jammed
yesterday to hear Judge Homes pronounce
sentence OF death on George Hite for
the murder Of William Bowers. The
Judge read the sentence and fixed July
5th for the execution. When he had
finished and the crowd had left the court
house, c. Il. Reeks, who had been APP
pointed by the Court as counsel for the
prisoner, and who was not present when
the sentence was pronounced. came in
hurriedly and moved for a new trial
upon the ground that II had developed
that one of the jurors was a minor, and
that therefore the verdict is void. After
some lively sparring between the Bench
and counsel, the Court set Saturday as
the time to investigate the matter of the
said jurors age. and also as to the
validity Of the verdict The juror in
question is said TO be only 10 years old.
He was taken from among the bystand-
ers.
4 recruiting officer from the Franklin
Virginia Military Company was here to-
day hunting five more men to make up
his cOmpany's complement. His success
was poor. Our small male population is
either too young or too old to suit Uncle
Sam.
Mrs. Peter Puryear, the mother-in-law
of Judge Homes, who has been I'm feeble
health for some time, in attempting to
get out Of bed last night about / o'clock,
fell and struck on her head. producing
conclusion of the brain. DR.. G.. II.
Carter was called in, and did everything
possible for her relief, but she remains
unconscious, and her friends apprehend
the gravest consequences.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-18
COLONEL GRANT WAS ANGRY.
Ordered Soldier Ont of Camp Who
Wanted to Visit His Dying Mother.
(New York HeraldJ

Camp Black.
Hampstead Plains l.. l.. Monday
Sixteen hundred and eighty-one men
and officers were mustered into the
United States service to-day. The entire
Second Provisional Regiment and two
battalions OF the Fourteenth swore allie
glance to the flag. The Second Battalion
Of the Fourteenth was sworn in last
week.
The camp of the Fourteenth has been a
storm centre all day. Colonel Grant. who
has been the idol of his men. developed
a streak of rigid discipline last night on
receipt of orders to take his regiment
South and it increased during the day.
The fact that his battalions were not
mustered in until late in the afternoon,
though it had been intended to have the
ceremony early in the morning, may have
rufiled him.
ORDERED SENT AWAY IN DISGRACE
Private John HEIGHT, of Company G.,
aroused Colonel Grants anger by re-
quest for leave 10 go home to visit his
mother who, he said, was dying. He APP
preached Colonel Grant in person, with
his sister.
Il cannot grant your request" Colonel
Grant said. do you know that l have a
margin Of only four men in this regi-
ment?"
IN join the regiment in two days"
pleaded the soldier land pay my own
railroad fare"
Colonel Grant was obdurate. HEIGHT
said:
81 must resign, then, sir, and go home
anyway"
step back three PAGES and stand at
attention" Numbered the Colonel. lie
sent for Captain Avery, of Company G.
When he arrived Colonel Grant said:
Take this man to his company, strip
him Of his uniform, and send him out of
the camp in disgrace. l intend to make
an example Of him"
AS HEIGHT left l asked Colonel Grant
what caused his sudden harshness.
"The camp is overrun with women beg
ging leaves OF absence for men" he an
swered. II am going 70 stop it,
/ found among the men entire SYM
patty with HEIGHT. Not a member Of the
drum corps would have consented TO beat
a note for his disgrace, and Captain
Avery, though he would not say so him
self would have left the carrying out OF
the order TO Colonel Grant. The Captain
sent Helchts sister 10 Brooklyn for his
clothes and left him in his tent during
the mastering ceremony.
NOT COVERED BY THE CODE.
officers of high rank. who naturally re-
fused to criticize Colonel Grants action,
said they knew Of no section OF the mill
tary code authorizing such measures
HEIGHT was not yet mustered, and could
not be forced TO enlist.
When the men returned from the mus
tering Captain Avery had talk with
Colonel Grant, and HEIGHT was allowed
TO go home in peace. Miss HEIGHT said to
me as she left that she had never been
so heartlessly treated I'm her life. She
said she had tried several times 10 ex-
plain matters to Colonel Grant, but he
waved her aside without giving her an
opportunity to say a word.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-18
WILLIAMSBURG.
Proceedings I'm the Circuit Court
Clerk Taken IlI-PersOnnls.


WILLIAMSBURG, VA, May I.-(spe-
ial)-Circuit Court Is in session to-day
Judge Blackstone presiding. The first
case on trial was a minor affair. large
rumber of attorneys are in attendance,
among whom are Hon. II. r. Pollard
John Lamb, Jr., and Barton Wise, Rich-
mond: Hon. Manley Barnes, New Kent
Hon. James ~ Stubbs Gloucester; Arthur
Segar, Hampton: c. A. Brand, Judge H.
b. Warren, James City; j. +. Hubbard
b. H. Evan, York, and A. G. Peachy,
Newport News.
Clerk of the Court Geddy was taken
suddenly i'll to-day, and had to leave the
courtroom and go home. His duties are
being looked after by his deputy, Mr.. Ed
ward Geddv.
The Regulars Of Williamsburg and
James City were in session to-day. An
adjournment is not looked for until the
last of the week Nearly every member
answered to the roll-call. The president.
vice-president. secretary and treasurer,
and legal adviser were all present at the
morning session.
Miss Ellie Hollyday. from Old Point,
is expected this evening TO visit Miss
Emile Christian and Miss Louise Henley,
who has been on an extended visit to
lTlenuS III tidHplou anu 4NoilOih' an" WIZ
will return home on the Norfolk train.
Mr.. w. +. Giffigan, chairman of the
Democratic Committee Of York; Mr.. L.
p. Barnes, chairman of the committee Of
New Kent. and r. l.. Carne, of Richmond
were registered at the Colonial Inn to-
day.
Thomas NJ. Dornin. a prominent citi-
zen of Syracuse. N Y, paid flying visit
here few days since. Mr.. Dornin was
accompanied by Major +. b. Townsend,
of Providence Forge.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-18
THE PHILHARMONIC CONCERT.
One of the Most Successful and de-
IightfuI Events of the Senson.

The initial concert" OF the Richmond
Philharmonic Association, which was
given in the Young Mems Christian AS
ISOLATION building last night, was as fgil
Of surprises as the cornucopia Of Punchi-
nemo. Those who heard the orAaniEation
1t the Wednesday Clubs festival ex-
ected that It would quit itself with dis.
tnction. but they must have been unpre-
pared for the feast OF good things SET
forth for their entertainment in that
most attractive programme.
Frankly, the association is 70 be hesft-
ly congratulated upon the result " IFS
efforts. Its work last night was polished
to a degree. and marked By a refinement
that betokened the great care and INTEL
ligence OF its director. and much harQ
work. 1t was the old story over again,
great effort led 10 great achievement,
ana the philharmonic concert Will bc
reckoned among the pleasantest expert
ences of the waning season.
The association was very agreeaby
supported by the Richmond Female
Ouartette. an organization which MADE
its first appearance in public. and fairly
carried the audience by storm II is
composed of Miss Adelaide Watkins. FIRST
Soprano Miss Maude Porter. second 500
prano: Miss Efie Aylett Golfer. first alto;
Mrs Horace Slater. second alto, and Mrs
b. NJ. Gwathmey, accompanist.
Miss Elizabeth Armistead Taylor ~
Norfolk. who is so well known here Tor
her talents and attachments. was heard
to great advantage. Master John Powell
played two selections with remarkable
skill. and Miss Dlllard n violinist q OK
ceptional accomplishment gave mucn
pleasure.
The programme was as follows. chorus,
what Care / How Fair She BE. BLU
menthal) the Philharmonic Association;
violin solo. "Preisied." CWagner) Miss
Dillard; quartette, GYPSY Life tSchu-
MANI the Richmond Female Quarteite:
song. simple Aveu," Crhome) MISS
Elizabeth A. Taylor; violin oblgato. hy
Miss Dillard; plano s0lo-a, Romance,
(Chopin,D b. Aufschuwng, tschumann)
Master Powell; chorus-a. Wind, Wind.
(Otto) b, Pilgrims Chorus. Tannhauser)
the Philharmonic Association; violin
solo-a. Allegretto Quasi Andantino, ?,
Allegro Motto Vivace. (Sonate %.
s. Grieg) Miss billiard; quartette-
a, Welcome. Pretty Primrose. PinsutD
b. Rock-a-By, (Niedlinger) the Richmond
Female Quartette: Cavatine. queen OK
Shepa," (Gounod) Miss Taylor. chorus.
1.-THE Word Went Forth" CFestgesangJ
the philharmonic Association.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-18
ORA TWO STRATEGY BOARDS.

There are two boards OF strategy at
Washington. One Is composed OF govern
ment officers. and the other OF special
correspondents. The latter are by Tar
the better and more accommodating set
OF fellows. They seek TO please, ana
every morning through the great metro
politan journals to which they are at
tached they give the world frankly and
honestly the result Of the strategic cal
culations they have made the night before
for the guidance OF our squadrons In
southern waters. They tell all they know
and more besides about the plan Tor
smashing the naughty admiral that Is
running the Spanish side of the naval
game OF II spy" and they tell 1t well;
they tell Il entertalningly.
The other board Is composed or a
erumpy. accommodating lot Of old fell
lows who not only won't tell much, tut
who are shrewdly suspected OF not
telling the truth when they DO tell
anything, and who would be con-
sidered fools IL they did tel
the truth. The special correspondents
Board OF Strategy is not constituted OF
fools. as we know. and II is not TO be
questioned that they think they are tell
ing the truth. But It so happens that
generally they are rewarded for trying
10 tell the truth by their strategy's not
materializing. while 1t seems probable
that the other board will be rewarded TOT
not telling the truth, not only by oppo-
site results, but by receiving the appro-
val of the people.
However. the members Of the special
correspondents Board Of Strategy can
lay the nattering JUNCTION to their Souls
that If Sampson and schley should follow
out the plan that board maps out Tor
them from day to day, the game they are
Playing might be prettier than the che
outlined by the rival board-thouSh II
might not be war.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-18
EXECUTION AT WARRENTON.
Jim Eskins to Hang for Attempting
the Usual Crime.

WARRENTON. VA, May f7.-(SpeciaL)
Tomorrow at $50 a. NJ. the sentence OF
death will be executed on Jim Eskins for
attempted criminal assault upon white
girl. aged II years, named Wagler. The
evidence in the case showed that some
time during March Eskins, who
was a tramp, went 10 the house of Wag-
Ter, the child's father. in the neighborhood
of Bealeton. in this county. He was en-
ployed by Wager as a farm hand stay
ing in the house, and on the morning or
the Goth made the attempt. Eskins fled,
but was overtaken at Elwood' Culpeper
county, the same day and brought to
Warrenton that evening. That night as
a precaution Judge White sent Eskins 10
Alexandria for safe-keeping. On the Fri
day following, April LIST, he was brought
back to Warrenton. jury was I'M
panelled counsel assigned TO defend him,
and in crowded courtroom the trial
begun at 1890 o'clock lasting until 80
that afternoon. The jury, after being out
one hour, returned a verdict OF guilty,
and the judge sentenced him to hang.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-18
UNIVERSITY FINALS.
The Proaramme-Thc New n"i'"'
fugs-visitors Expected.

The Inauguration OF the new University
buildings will be celebrated with proper
ceremony in connection with the hnal
exercises In June, which this year VIII De
OF especial interest.
The baccalaureate sermon Will be de-
llyered on Sunday evening, June l2th, Dy
the Right Rev. T. w. Dudley, ID. d.,
Bishop of Kentucky. Monday. the l5tn'
will be devoted to the literary societies.
At noon an address will be given before
the societies by the Hon. Joseph w.
Bailey. of Texas. In the evening the
medalists will deliver their prize orations.
On Tuesday the inauguration ceremonies
will occur. including an ode by the Hon.
A. c. Gordon, of Stanton. and addresses
by the Hon. James G.. Garter, of New
York, and the Rev. j. NJ. Carson. ID. D.,
of Lynchburg, the latter In connection
with the opening of the ROuss Physical
Laboratory. In the evening reception
will be given to the visiting alumni and
other guests. On Wednesday, at noon,
an address will be delivered before the
alumni by the Rev. Randolph McKim.
ID. D., of Washington, ID. c., and In the
evening OF the same day will occur the
comforting OF degrees and delivery OF
diplomas.
Mr. Mckinley will be present. II public
business will permit. Among the distln-
guished guests who have definitely prom
Used 10 attend are Governor Tyler ana
his staff. Hon. w T. Harris. Commits
sioner Of Education for the United
States; Hon. j. w. Southall, Commits
soner OF Education for Virginia; Senator
Martin; Chancellor McCracken, of the
~
dersleeve. Of Johns Hopkins University;
Congressman Hay; Messrs. NJ. r. In
gals, of the Chesapeake and Ohio. and
Samuel Spencer, Of the Southern railway
With Mr.. Spencer as his guests will be
the orator. Mr.. Carter. and large party
OF New York alumni. similar party is
expected from Washington, and many
other alumni will be present from all
parts OF the country.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-18
THE RICHMOND DISPATCH
BY THE DISPATCH COMPANY.

The DAILY DISPATCH is delivered to
ea,reribers at FIFTY CENTS per
month. payable TO the carrier weekly OF
monthly. Mailed at Sc per annum' -
for six months: sl.5o for three months'
80 cents for one month. Price per copy
cents.
The WEEKLY DISPATCH at 81 per
annum.
The SUNDAY DISPATCH at sl'So per
annum, or Is cents for six months.
Subscriptions in all cases payaoie :"
advance. and no paper continued aiter
the expiration OF the time paid for. seno
post-ofice money order. check, or regis
tered letter. Currency sent by man VIII
be at the risk OF the sender. Subscribers
wishing their post-office changed must
give their old as well as their new posi-
Office. Sample copies free.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-18
A PENSION SUGGESTION.

Monday ary-of-the-Treasury Gage
received letter from town In
Indiana enclosing 500 and an unsigned
note. which read: ITO help free Cuba
From an old soldier dividing his pension
II all the other United States pension
ers would follow the example of this old
soldier and divide their pensions for only
one year, ito help free Cuba" the sum
turned into the Treasury would amount
TO some s75.OOO,OOO. And according to
good authority, IL all those who are en-
titled to pensions refused to divide, but
those not entitled to pensions would di-
vide, the amount contributed TO the free
Cuba fund by the pension army would
be some s6O,OOO,OO0. Therefore, If all not
legitimately on the pension rolls would
agree to relinquish in full for year their
claims on the government, their
liberality and humanitarianism would be
represented by the sum of $l2O,0O,OOO.
What an opportunity is here presented
to make restitution, salve conscience for
a season, and strike a blow for Cuba.
The REIMBURSEMENT by the last named
class OF tnelr pensions lor d year "ouiu
not only aid materially in freeing Cuba,
but would render it unnecessary to put
such a heavy burden of internal taxation
on the necks of the people of their own
country. 1t would prove a special relief
to that section of the country that has
been drained ever since the war TO pay
a large share of the pension money, but
NJ hn Of
its distribution.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-18
BAPTIST YOUNG PEOPLE.
Meeting of the Stanton District
Convention Yesterday.

sTAUNTON, VA. May H.-(Special)-
The stanton District Baptist Young
Peoples Union convened here to-day,
with about 100 delegates present. The
services, consisting of addresses by
prominent speakers and preachers. were
held during the entire day. and tonight
a grand conservation meeting concluded
the work Of the convention.
The session opened with sunrise pray
err service. Among the most prominen;
men who took part in the meetings were
Revs. c. s. Blackwell, Birmingham, Ala.
Thomas A. Johnson, of Lexington Va.
f. l.. Grace, OF the University of Nir-
GINA; j. c. Moss, of Lynchburg, Va;
A. E. Dickinson, of the Religious Herald.
Richmond, Va; C. r. Cruikshaw. of
Singers Glenn, Va, and p. Swami, OF
Goshen Bridge, Va. The Rev. NJ. IL.
Wood, of Staunton. made the address OF
welcome, ard Rev. w. T. Jones, of Laurel
Hill, responded.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-18
Fourteen men were driven out of camr

Fourteen men were driven out Of camp
at Hempstead, n. Y, on Monday, amid
the boots and jeers of their comrades, for
refusing to enlist in the volunteer army.
In one case a man was pelted with eggs
until he was covered from head to foot.
The Herald says there has arisen a spirit
of relentless anger against "funkers." as
men who pass the physical examination
and then refuse TO enlist are called. On
the contrary, men who wish to fight and
ARE rejected by the surgeons are cheer
ed to the echo, and the sadness of their
departure is tempered by the enthusiasm
and good will manifested"
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-18
GAINING GROUND.

The conviction is gaining ground at
Washington that it will not do to count
too far on help from the insurgents in
the work of driving the Spaniards out of
Cuba.
A Washington special to the New York
Herald says that the officers of the army,
as rule, have not thought very highly
OF the army of General Gomez, and they
think still less of it since the failure of
the Gussie expedition. 1t will be recalled,
adds the special, that Captain Dorst
went into the island and arranged for
the delivery of a large supply of guns.
ammunition, and military stores to the
insurgents, agreeing with them as to the
point where they would meet the military
expedition from the United States; but
while the expedition went down accord
ing to the agreement and landed in Cuba,
no insurgents appeared to receive the
supplies. This and other Information,
says the special in conclusion, leads the
Washington authorities TO believe that
the insurgents will prove OF little prac-
teal value In the Cuban campaign.
And from this and other information,
II also appears that we will not only have
to land an army I'm Cuba sufficiently large
TO expel the Spaniards practically with
out assistance. but may. before pacifica-
ton is effected and free government is
established. have to deal with serious
questions growing out or political rival
ries, ambitions. and jealousies. In short.
the breaking OF the Spanish yoke In Cuba
may prove not the most difficult part Of
the work we have undertaken to accom-
plish for the Cubanss