davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-02-22
THE AGRARIAN DEMANDS
G
EAR OF CONSTANTLY INCREASING AMER
lCAN COMPETITION.
TIE Deu,sche Zeitung Cares the United States
to Offer Germany any More yam
kee InsoIence.'

Copyright 1898 by Associated Press
Berlin. Feb. 19.-By far the most i'm
portant event Of the week, politically,
was the annual meeting of the Fedora
ton of Husbandry in this city. The
Conservatives, the week before, attempt
ed to make an amicablc bargain with
the Federation, whereby they would
wage a joint campaign IN the Reichstag
and Diet elections; but at the convcn-
ton. the leaders of the Federation
frankly declared they would not sup
port any candidates who were not pledg-
ed to support the aims of the Federation.
icrren Diedtrich and Hahn, prominent
members Of the Reichstag and intimate
friends Of Prince Bismarck. who are
known to be inspired from F'rederichs-
ruhe, boldly declared that the Fedora
ton must a%ntagonize the government at
the coming election unless precise
promises are given to satisfy the
Agrarian demands, especially in the di-
rectlon Of paralyZing or excluding the
constantly increasing American copeti-
ton in all products of the soil, which, if
it remains unchecked, will utterly ruin
German agriculture, which is equivalent
to running the whole country
The Deutsche Tagc Zeitung, the lead
Ing Agrarian organ, says:
w sincerely hope the Americans
will look thoroughly into these German
measures. Forone thing, they will ar
rive at he conclusion that Germany
has dealt rs lenicntly as possible with
them. Then, we harbor the hope that
the insolencc of these Yankees will be
SO increased by the discussion Of these
matters in Congress that Germany VII
not be able to do otherwise than follow
up the paper measures by more palDah BILE
ones. For this reason we do hone the
Americans VIII go it in great style
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-02-22
FREE PASSES AND HO1EL RAIES
Further Investigation Of These Matters
Indefinitely Postponed.

When the Commissioners met in at
ternoon session 1T 2:3O o'clock, the Sea
board system and Atlantic Coast Line
were asked whether or not they were
ready to make a report in regard to spe
cial freight rates to hotel men and
posses issued during the years 1897 and
1893.
Judge Leigh r. Watts, attorney for
the SeabOard. read a statement for Wee
President ST. John touching special hn-
tel freight rates on the Seaboard All
Line. acknowledging that soon after he
took charge of the o he found that an
order. dated January 18th. 1894, and
promulgated by his successor. Major
Winder. was in force giving special rates
to hotels st Southern Pines and other
points. Being satisfied that the privll-
eye was abused, the order was Tesclnded
and no special rates are o given or
nave been given since on the Seaboard.
\ statement in regard to passes issued
by the Seaboard system during the years
loJ1 and 1898 was also presented.
! Though in doing so Mr.. st. John sub
/ mitted that he should not be compelled
to surrender his records or that they
should be examined until the right Of
the Commission to DO so be finally pass
cd upon and settled.
"While the Seaboard Air Line sys-
tenn has nothing to conceal in and about
the premises, it insists that the delivery
and examination Of the list of passes
would. under the circumstances and
pending the determination Of the ques-
ton raised as to the power of the you:
Honorable Board to require the produc-
ton Of the same, be manifestly unfair
and place said system at a great disad
vantage. We would therefore request
that the order requiring the production
of said lists be suspended until the ques-
tons referred to are determined
The statement submitted showing the
number of passes used over the system
/ during 1897 and the miles travelled was
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-02-22
FERTILIZERS RATES AGAIN.
Railroads Complain That They Are Not
just and Reasonable.

The first real business that yesterday
claimed the attention OF the Commits
SION, was 4 rehearing of the fertilizer
rate question. This was asked by the
Seabodrd and Atlantic Coast Line. At
last meeting of the Commission it was
pointed out that the new rate was in
definite, and if literally construed would
work Il great hardship to the roads at
competitive points and especially where
there Is water competition. Because of
this confusion the roads interested have
had difficulty in agreeing on a construc-
ton of the new order.
The trouble, Mr.. Emerson. traffic
manager of the Atlantic Coast Line. ex-
planned, was that no standard tariff for
fertilizers has ever been liked for the
roads Of North Carolina. Had this Deem
done the recent order of the Commits
sion would have been easily interpreted.
He therefore urged that the matter be
now adjusted by the adoption of a
standard tariff, and Il basis be fixed for
competitive rates.
Traffic Managers Culp, of the South
crn, and Glover, of the Seaboard. agreed
with Mr.. Emerson that the best way
to adjust the difficulty would be to
adopt Il standard tariff for fertilizers.
Mr.. Glover said he had used class X.
rs Il basis, making up his fertilizer
tariff, and he thought this Il very fair
basis for a standard tariff.
"Ihe confusion came from the clause
III the order. the rates now in effect.
took that to mean local rates. some Of
the others, though, didn't so construe il
His made clear. the situation will b,
very much improved.
Maj. W. \. Guthrie appeared for tn,
Norfolk and Western Railroad. and ask
ed that his company be exempted from
the operation of the new rates on fer
. t~ilizers. Our plea is poverty, and WI
are prepared to prove accurately til,
truth of cur plea"
TO this end the Major read Il tab1
Lated statement of the earnings and ex
penses, showing that the Norfolk ant
Western was not earning enough on it:
branches in North Carolina to pay in
terCst on their bonded indebtedness
Last ear the earnings Per mile for tn,
year We're S1,oJi.GO, the expenses 81.
4S3.4e, leaving net earning S110.11.
The Lynchburg and Durham branch
he SAID, was especially bad off. IN.
promoters of it had only got back 6,
per cent. of what they put III it. 1t wa
first leased for % years to the Norfol.
and Western. Then that road went int
the hands of a receiver. Later tn,
L~ynchburg and Durham was sold to til
reorganized Norfolk and Western com
pany.
Mr.. Chas. E.. Borden. president OF tn
Navassa Guano Company, also asked t
/. be heard on the question. He urged tn
Importance OF reduction of freight rate
on fertilizers, for the reason that til
!. price of that commodity has been stead
: ~ declining IN the past ten years, Will
freight rates have remained the sam
, whether they are upon high grade gooC
: or for the lowest priced fertilizing IN;
o terial.
V Mr.. Borden suggested that a standal
&; tariff similar to that now in force
South Carolina be adopted. This tart
Il he said, was founded on common sen,
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-02-22

and works injustice to no ohI'
h.sal rnon a minimum sum 70 = {"
al nv tha railroads for a hdul " .eH
r,i1er ar less until the distance reaches
IN miles on one continuous route ne
Lon1 10 miles. the charge on II con-
+innons houl is reduced to > cents 1or
aacb ten miles additional until 2U5 mixes
,aacbcd when beyond that distance
rbn charge is again reduced TO > cents
for each additional twenty mnes. IN
io;nt rates. the sum of the two locals.
Issad ON the system above described,
los % rer cent. is fixed az the maxi
mum charge. :
rho advantages of such q system of
rates are many: First. their simplicity.
Given the mileage. the rate for the en-
tire State of North Carolina can be hg-
,red out in less than three hours. Sec
ond. such a system is just. for it lets
distance determine the rate. Also t
eliminates advantages that 4 few places
with good railroad connections have en-
loved over less favored points.
The three traffic managers, Emerson,
Glover and Cup, were asked to prepare
a standard tariff to be submitted to the
Commission for its approval on a basis
of the 16 23 per cent. reduction and III
accordance with the ideas suggested By
Nh. Borden. This tariff, as formulated
by these gentlemen, will be submitted
to the Commission when it meets this
morning.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-02-22

In reply to questions he said that our
mo the year 1897 certain express pack
ages had been transported for the Gov
ernor free of charge.
How often was this done"
Two or three times a month"; should
say"
Has it been your custom to extend
his courtesy to others:
YES sir. to State officers generally.
ITO Railroad Commissioners"
Yes, sir"
70 the present Commissioners"
Not since January LIST. $685.
Has this courtesy been extended to
officials IN this State alone:
No sir, the same is done in all the
States
How has Governor Russelfs ship
ments compared with hat of former
G~overnor's:'
Governor Russell has been very
modest"
It was stated by Mr.. Croswell that he
had his delivery sheets showing the ship
ments. but in view Of the fact that there
was some question as to the right Of
the Commission to the record he would
Ike to have that matter held in abey-
ance.
The request was granted.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-02-22

49, : ~ h't.''F
President Elliott, Of the Atlantic Coast
Line. appeared for that road and sal,
that, although he was ready to make
I showing concerning the matters desir
ed, still he hoped he would not be re
quired to do so until the right of TIL,
Commission to the information II
books was passed upon by the courts
Commissioner Pearson then moved
that in view of the fact the matter i.
now III litigation. the special hotc
of passes be indefinitely postponed.
This resolution was adopted and tht
fonowing order made:
Whereas +. st. John, vice-presiden
and general manager Of the Seaboar,
Air Line and w. G.. Elliott, presiden
of the Atlantic Coast Line, in pursu
ance of notice duly served on them. HAY,
appeared before this board and FLEE
their answer and signified their willing
ness to produce before this board all fire.
passes or dead head passes over sal,
lines. but have asked that such Droduc
ton of passes be postponed until th<
question of the power of this board
which is now pending with another
company is decided in favor of the ex
erciee of this power:
Therefore on motion it is ordered tha,
the production of such papers be post
roned until further notice by and or
der this board"
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-02-22

.bov had not. that they were Heiu -
- 7. roorast of Mr.. Pearson. 1h'esu7"
~ matter and had those suppoeH
- T,bat i the condition JUST 10"
- 7 cannot understand why lh-s Ie'
fl.;,r i iurroduced. If it Is nle PLp4
80 Gentlemen. or a majority Oh LIS
IA =, stop the Investigation aFn7
tha+ limo if that is what they deAle y
A. If course | am poEelieS"' ~
49, that il is not their desire
t'r-errr soc no other object III thls re-
ol,tion. | am frank 10 say, NJ
man. that l oppose II. 4o+od 10
commissioner Pearson here sIdteu -
the Chairman that he h7o ~
to make. "a, under-
stand it. no one outside OF ine Ca-nn,is.
- +ba Southern were before the oolfnIs-
sion on the question OF olsSLl u.s."
~ frnight rates upOn ITS roadS.
IL I5nissioner Abbott: i have noun
ing to say fornoar
Darirotion of the Southern RallWd!.
.La ova1nination was confined to olnc!a1s
~ 41a+ system. At a recent heafinS.
~. n,action as to discrimination Of
LI+a1s was driven directly into the lace
ar Mr. 81. John and he emphatlcaly, a
y : r1dnTstood it. stated that there was
va c1cb action upon h part OF Tue
goa boord Air Line, as he knew. 1Ilat
:. NV recollection Of his statement.
U-haf motives are behind this matter,
| am not here to say.
nr Abbott-"Does it require a reso-
h,tion TO have witnesses be
fore this Commission"
Mr. CaldwellH'Only officials OF the
Southern Railway were summoned ana
only officials of the Seaboard and Coast
Linz will be examined
With this Mr.. Pearson's resolution
was passed. Pearson and Caldwell Vot-
inc for it and Abbott against 1t.
Chairman Caldwell said the question
of paying the dismissed witnesses,
summoned by DR.. Abbott, would have
TO be Investigated. If their claim is
legal they will be paid.
DR.. Abbott-''If you are not allowed
the compensation usually allowed wit
ncsscs summoned before the Commission
Own pocket"
This ended the matter for the time
being. Later. and just before adjourn
ment for dinner Commissioner Abbott
said:
Mr.. Chairman, the ~subpoenas which
We have been issuing are for witnesses
to give evidence in a proceeding and
investigation for the purpose of procur-
ing the necessary information to enable
them to make just and reasonable rates
of freight and passenger tariffs and to
ascertain if such rules and regulations
are observed or violated. / move. Mr..
Chairman. that N tie issued to
Charles st. John. w. H. Day. ]. NJ.
Jameson, c. S. Allen, j. I. Patrick
fer that purpose
Commissioner Pearson: Il thought
that We disposed of that matter on the
adoption Of the resolution offered by me
this morning"
Chairman Caldwell suggested to Com
missioner Abbott that this resolution be
held up until after adjournment: THE
chair having voted on it once. I will
say that if you force the resolution now.
the chair, to be consistent. will have to
follow his first vote. / think after a
conversation with YOU CDR. Abbott that
there will be no necessity for putting
tbs on record"
Dr.. Abbott insisted on his motion and
the chair put it. the chairman and Com
missioner Pearson voting no and Com
missioner Abbott voting aye.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-02-22
STOLE 100000 ENVELOPES.
hey Were the Property Of the Repu,,-
Hcan Congressional Commitfe

Washington. d. c.. Feb. 19.-James
Nerser and Robert \. Mills, who were
connected with the Republican Congress
sional committee during the late cam
lalSn. were arrested today on the
charge OF stealing six million envelopes.
the property of the committee. which
We're stored in the old Congressional
'Iope building. The envelopes were
Soiu Tor waste paper at the rate of a
~ i lnolisand. Nerser is from Vir-
glnla and Mills from Texas. Yer;er ,s-
serts that he only took waste material
and that he is innocent Of any intent 70
defraud.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-02-22
IATTIMER CASE NOT CLOSED

N~Elke>barre. Pa, Feb. 19.-The &,
monWealth's side Of the Lattimcr @.
was not closed to-day. Owing to
absence Of two important witnesses
court, after being in session a 81
time adjourned until Monday. Two vs.
nesse> were examined this morning.
fhelr testimony developed nothing ID.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-02-22
GOVERNORS FRED EXPRESS.

Some Other People Have Been Tarred
With the Same Stick.
Next came up the question Of Gov.
Russelfs dead-head express. Mr.. w. 7
Croswell. division superintendent Of tha
Southern Express Company. was mt
upon the stand. -
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-02-22
THE CORN RATE DISCUSSED.
The Commission Reserved lis Decislo!
Until Today.

Until Today.
Exceptions to the corn rate having
been filed by the Atlantic Coast Line,
Southern. Seaboard Air Line, Cap
Fear and Yadkin Valley. Norfolk and
Western. Norfolk and Southern. ATTAIN
tic and Danville, Atlanta, Knoxville anu
Northern, Carolina and NorthWestcrrt
Railroads., the Commission heard argu-
ment on the question after the discus
sion of the fertilizer rate had been con
Guided.
The traffic managers of the three
nrincipal roads Of the Statc-the Sea
board Air Line. the Atlantic Coast Lint
and the Southern-declared that the new
rate was unjust. and asked that the Ole
rate be restored.
The matter was taken under advise
ment and will probably be decided By
the Commission today.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-02-22

he burlington News has changed its
form. 1t IS now eight pages instead Of
four. 1t is well edited and Il true ex-
pohent OF the live town III whica It is
printed.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-02-22
IRISH SINGER SEAMAN DEA

New York, Feb. 19.-Wm. j. Scuu
the singer and Irish character 70,
died last night Of paresis. in Bloom
dale Asylum for the Insane. aged fo
two years.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-02-22

Washington. d.. c.. Feb. 19.-Fu.
class postmasters appointed in \
aroma as follows: Elkton. \.
Moore; Estelle. \. u. Willis.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-02-22
FREE PASS MvEsTIGATI0N POSTPONED
The Seaboard, However, Hands in a State
ment Of the Passes Issued During the
Past Two Years--fertiIizer Rate
VIII be Modified To-day.
Fron News and Observer, l6th.)

from \ ' t+iIN' OD-D' '@NT -'
The Railroad Commission was III SEES
sion all day yesterday and took up many
important things. bat acted on none OF
them.
\ large number of railroad, telephone
and express company Officials and at
torneys were present. Among them
were: President Elliott and Traffic
Manager Emerson. of the Atlantic Coast
Line: Vice President Finley. Traffic
Manager Culp, General Passenger Agent
Turk and Attorneys Henderson, Harri-
SON and Busbee, Of the Southern: wee
President St. John. Superintendent Nc
Bee. Traffic Manager Glover and At
torney Leigh l.. Watts, of the Seaboard
Air Line: Traffic Manager Kyle
and Attorney George Vi. Rose, of the
Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley; Senator
John w. Daniel. General Me2ney and
Mr.. K. {. Strong. of the Southern Bell
Telephone Company; Capt. w. ]. Cros-
well, of the Southern Express, and sew
eral officials and attorneys Of other
corporations.
1t was quite Il lively session from
beginning To end. 1t began with some
rapid cross-tiring and fencing between
DR.. Abbott and Mr.. Pearson. and ended
in q blaze of brilliant oratory by Sen&-
tor Daniel.
The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-02-22
IT WAS 4 DAY
Of SENSATIONS
a Warm Time in the Railroad
Commission.
AB3OTT-PEARS0N AGAIN

\ BRILLIANT SPEECH By SENA-
TOR DANIEL.
The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1898-06-11

Total. .1O1 IS 1872 TSl
Of the American and British ships every
one is effective in the highest degree Of
it's type and class. There is grave reason
Of the French battleships. A French off,
c:al declared openely few weeks ago
that the channel squadron of the French
navy could not take the sea. 'Italy's larg-
est battleships We're built at a time when
naval constructors were entirely off the
track. They were working on the theory
of enormous size and huge ordnance,
which the British discovered was useless.
How they woodwork in heavy seas and
whether they could be used at all off a
stormy coast is an open question. Austria
Hungary's navy Is ancient. Its battle-
ships are arrncred enough and carry ord
nance enough to rate as such, but they
are not fit for active opera tons In any
except harbor waters.
AS far. as the cruisers are concerned,
America and Great Britain not only own
more than the combined powers, but 1t Is
doubtful whether the combined powers
could make single squadron of fifteen
vessels Or twenty that could compare in
force. speed and endurance with any
squadron that the two allied English ma
lions could send out In torpedo boats
the balance is very much IN favor OF the
powers. But Spain boosted of an enor-
nous fleet of these hornets, and when IT
came to the pinch she had only four or
five that were available Tor serious Work:
Gunboats and miscellaneous vessels need
hardly enter into the calculation at all,
for most of them are not formidable. AS
the United States has proved In this war
with Spain, there IT, hardly ~ limit t0s the
Il Sixe 81 I'll fleet Of auxiliarfess thSt@G he
lifted out. IN this the Angto xbns
~ tar ehsad of the p0y fhe
The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1898-06-11
SPANISH FIGHTERS.
NO WONDER SPANS NAVY IS IN
FERloR TO OTHERS.


THE spasdaA9s 90 not know how to
! !leIl thes.rasAs. u saiq a naval officer.
Levyey could have Sexchanged fleets with
the Spamards N Mania sharbor and then
nave gwen the "A almost as sound drub-
ping as ne did Win MS. own fleet
The same 4opinoin HAS been expressed
by large Number, OF American naval
officers who are familiar, with the princl-
pies upon which the Spanish navy is run
naval ofticers#of heaUnited States sery-
ice, in c,nataon with soficers Of the
sBritish navyS#have often rna1.yelled over
the lack ofssxperiness e5hibited by Spar
sish off5cerss}ins Handling modern suips
but they haveia ways dwelt particularly
upon the8apparsnt stupidity of the s. an
ism vars p:en forward. There is
moi EAing ashore era fioa declares a Wash
ingtonS corresp9ndent OF the New York
Sun, to equal sthe stolidity indifference
slouohiness, and generaleincapacity of the
Spanish b!uejacket.lyN Nor is the wonder
great that the Spanish Sbluei is so
poor seaman, soinferior gunner so
sluggish a peffornnerf Of the thousand and
one chores aboard chip Of which a good
man-o'-wars man las the knack, Four
ffths Of tho Spaf$ish bluejackets are men
who have never been at sea before being
Impressed intos@the Il naval service I'm
pressed is the WorGSfor the difficulty the
Spanish r.aVyshassexperienc during the
past decade OF. two II getting enough men
to man the Ships is we'll known to those
who make Al study CT naval matters I'm.
pressed Is almost too we'll sounding a
phrase with which to express the fashion
the Spanish naval recruiters have of GET
ting blueJackets. The term should rather
be shapehaied. The Spanish law, rorbids
che ic1A scrtpticn o. 'nava! recruits in time
The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1898-06-11

of peace. But If you ask any Spanish
mar wars man how; he happened to
take on in an outfit wherein he received
so little consideration, the reply Is apt
to be: IT was drunk 1T - Is asserted
that majority of the Spanish sailors are
men from inland Spain. The Spanish,
merchant Sailors the men living In Span
ish ports who are Of age for service
aboard warships: know. too well the cru.
elites and !hardships inflicted upon men
forward in their 'country's naval serv-
ice to put themselves IN the way of being
trapped into It,. The exact sum which
petty officers on Spanish warships receive
for bringing aboard their. vessels the
wine-befuddled lads whom, they pick up
ashore in Spanish ports and enchant with
merry tales of the glorious life led by
tars is, of COURSE only known to them
selves and to the manip1hators OF Spanish
shfpss budgets, but that the petty of
fcers are paid, and pretty well paid, for
this manner of work, which is nothing
short of shanghai e. Is certain. The
writer has frequently heard drunken
netty officers of the Spanish navy brags OF
the number Of landsmen they have bagged
for their ships and the money they have
made out of the business. Spanish petty
officers even within the past five years,
have been ambuscaded ashore and killed
by sklpmates thatsthey have thus shang-
haied A case of this sort occurred In
PerDambuco. Brazil. In 1875. A Lao VINO
had been filled with liquor IN Barcelona
by the chief gunner's mate Of a Spanish
roaE-oe-war and had awakened to find
himself at sea on = Spanish warship
boGrd for South America, went ashore
!: IN Perns mbuco. and on the main street
Of that town struck the gamers mate
| dead with asknife. He was court-mar-
tailed sent back to Spain under guard.
| and executed. Ii a*ss .sgiss25
Spanish sailors forward are jll-treated
habitually by their officers This 10 not
a prejudiced or exaggerated statement.
Spanish navy are for the most part young
er sons Of good fasniliss Who have GAINED
their biIlets not By ahelity nor Through
i competition. but throuslk the intercession
OF their people At The, conrt. The lncapac-
scrsslty iss motor i r<ln the ysfy Day
that & SpaaiSf9i iss eni aste44 Us GAAp'l
81 - q ~ -.