The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-11-15

ms i1 ilOOhN 80
rioting in the Carolinas, it is altogeth-
er improbable that the government
will interfere by force or otherwise.
Attorney General Griggs had another
conference with the president this
morning in regard to the matter and
the conclusion was promptly reached,
that, as the demonstrations were not
directed against the collector of Gus
toms in the performance of his duties
as such, the government had no au-
thority under the constitution or laws
to exercise its federal authority. Col
lector Tolbert was shot While away
from his home and on business entire
Iy disconnected from that of his office, |
and under these circumstances the
government, it is said, has not a |
shadow of a right to interfere. If the |
collector had been shot in the discharge |
of his official duties, and in an effort |
to enforce the laws of the United |
States, the case would nave been very |
different, and the duty of the govern
ment would have been clear. In the |
| present case, however, it is said that
the lawlesS acts of the mob were not
directed against the execution of the
laws of the United States, but against
the ir.ividual. The case would have |
been the same had TOlbert been shot
on the highway by a robber. Admin
listration officials a V no sympathy
18th the Carolina rioters and regard
their acts with adherence, but up to
this time, it is said, there is no evil
dence that would warrant any inter-
ference by the government.
The attorney general late last night
sent the following telegram to the as
sistant United States attorney at An
derSOn, near Phoenix, S. c.:
Department of Justice,
"Washington, D. c., November II.
Ernest Cochran, Anderson, S. c.:
you will at once take energetic
steps, mourning the necessary expense,
to ascertain the exact situation in
Greenwood and adjacent counties, and
report the same Immediately by wire
to me, with a view of advising me
whether any such condition of insur-
rectiOn or disturbance exists as justi-
fies the federal authorities in interfer-
ing to suppress it.
JOHN W. GRIGGS,
Attorney General"
To the above the following response
has been received:
Anderson, S. c., November II.
The Attorney General, Washington:
My information is that there was
much riOting near Greenwood at Phoe-
nix Tuesday and Wednesday. Several
negroes killed and wounded. One white
man killed and several wounded.
TT ursday there was also some rioting,
bu, condition quieter. My information
is it is quiet there now. though the
community is very much excited. From
all information I have, I think federal
intervention too late now. 1t seems
the mobs were especially anxious to
get the TOlberts, and I am informed
| that thew are now all ga fe1V n1t of
their reach. Intense excitement still
prevails there. but no violence now.
Will wire further tomorrow.
"ERNEST w. COCHRAN.
"Assistant Z. S. Attorney
TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE MARIA
. TERESA.
The official report to the navy de-
partment of the finding of the Maria
Teresa was contained in the following
cablegram from Commander Craven,
of the wrecking tug Potomac, which
had been ordered to Cat island from
Santiago:
ITO Secretary of the NAVY. Washing
ton:
Potomac arrived. Maria Teresa near
Bird point, Cat island, one mile off
shore, in two fathoms of water. It'd
rising and FALLING inside. Temporary
: DECK broken up. Movable articles re-
, moved by natives. Vulcan not seen.
? Natives at work since Saturday."
l The Potomac was ordered at once
2 back to Cat island with Instructions
to Commander Craven to take posses
sion of the Teresa and drive off the
wreckers who are looting the ship. He
replied by cable that he would leave
Immediately and would arrive at the
: wreck in the morning. The fact that
the Teresa, a vessel drawing in trim
70 1oeC or water and wator1Op-
> ged as she was when abandoned and
probably drawing nearly thirty feet,
should have been driven in twelve feet
S Of water is regarded by naval officers
4 as evidence of the great strength OF
= the storm which caused her crew tc
Y leave her.
n SPECIAL CABINET MEETING.
!, A special cabinet meeting. which was
! called by the president this morning
:, lasted until l o'clock. 1t was devoted
almost entirely to a discussion of 6
cablegram received from the peace
commissioners at Paris. and the report
. of the evacuation commission at Por.
to Rico. which was personally present.
q ed by Admiral Schley. Owing to thu
fact that a abine meeting on Satur
, day is quite unusual. many conjecture
reports were afoat as to the ureen
E. and critical character of the subject.
considered; but the members of tn.
CABINET stated most pOltiVeiV at tn,
close of the session that nothing of
: critical or disturbing character ha.
developed at Paris. or had been unde
consideration The text of a cal BILE
l. gram to be sent to the peace commits
sion at Paris in response to one from
e Judge Day. was framed. 1t involve.
d no new or immediate crisis. n Span
Ie ism commissioners had asked until
, day next week in which to make ans
# wer to the note recently submitted b
le the Americans. Although the admins
l. tration is becoming somewhat impa
# tent of the delays to the work Of III
le commissioners. occasioned bv the pro
d c~rastination Of the Spaniards. the de
lay in this instance will not be oh
lc iected to. though it may meet with a
% intimation that the discussion Ia
- raachad a nnint nhoro daEnito rocrlt