davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-03
CUBAN RAILROADS.

Acting Secretary of War Melklejohn gave
out some figures a day or two ago which
show that Cuba is recovering her pros
perity much faster than was expected, and
that if she is assured of stable and an
enlightened government she will have a
wonderful development. A great deal of
capital that was taken from the island
when the revolt against Spain began is
returning, and new capital is seeking in
vestment
What Cuba needs at this time is a rail-
road commissioner commission with au-
thority TO compel the existing companies
20 put their roads in first-class condition
and equip them with modern rolling stock
Having effected that reform, the commits
sion ought to compel a reduction of traf-
fic rates of at least one-half. Perhaps il
would be nearer right to reduce them two
thirds, if the stories about them are any
where near correct.
With the present rates travel is so ex-
pensive that only a few can afford TO
use the railroads, and the planters are
kept poor by the excessive freight charges
The military government now in force
may not have the authority to regulate
freight and passenger rates. If it hasn't
a government that can regulate them can
not be established too soon
There is need Of more railroads in the
island, aud they viii be built, but care
ought to be taken that concessions made
to companies for building railroads do
not contain provisions depriving the peo-
pie of the right to supervise the roads
and fix the maximum of the rates for pas
sengers and freights.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-03
TAXING FRANCHISES.

The Ford law which the legislature Of
New York has enacted, is the first step to-
wards taxing all franchises granted by
cities. The bill met very strong opposi-
ton, and it was said that the street rail-
ways and other corporation interests Of
the cities Of New York would pour out
mouey like water 10 defeat f. but it doesn't
appear that they did anything of the kind.
It seems to be the understanding that it
was chiefly through the influence of Gov.
Roosevelt that the bill became law
against the wishes of some of the pollti-
cal bosses.
The chief objection to the measure seems
20 be that ii is left to the tax assessors to
place the taxing value on the franchises.
1t is in their power, under the law, to in
jure the various franchise holding corpora
tons greatly. The wiser plan would have
been probably TO require the value Of the
franchises be estimated on the basis of
the gross earnings of the corporations own
ing them.
Il is apparent that there will have TO be
a readjustment of the bonded Indebtedness
hardly be fair to require the stockholders
to bear the entire burden of taxation. The
bonds do not pay taxes-that is, they are
not returned for taxation, and If the fran
chlses are heavily taxed it is probable
that 1t is not expected that they will be
returned. That being the case the cor
porations, if they can find way to do SO,
will probably require the holders of their
bonds to pay their proportion of the fran
chise tax.
We may expect, Il the Ford law stands
the tests Of the courts, that city franchises
will be taxed in all of the cities of the
country As a matter of fact, the cor
poratlons having the use of the streets of
cities have been having a picnic. Their
properties return a larger income for the
money invested In them than any other
kinds of property, and they are very light
ly taxed-that is, lightly when the value
of the franchises granted to them is taken
into consideration.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-03

Nearly all the claims arising from the
destruction of the Maine have been paid
by the treasury department. An act os
Congress provided that such claims sbouI5
be divided into two classes, the gratuit,,
and the indemnity, the former being thosa
of the families or relatives of the men
killed by the explosion. This act also
provided that a years pay in these GA sec
be granted in lieu of indemnity. So far
the total number of cases settled is on
aggregahng in payment $S7, 7O6. OF the IN,
demnity claims paid there have been nira-
ty-two amounting to S35696. The auditor
for the navy department states that many
of these claims are exorbitant. but tbs+
the treasury was compelled TO nav then,
as there was no way of disputing their
accuracy. Four or five minor officials s1h-
mitted claims for personal property de-
stroyed of between g 900 and $3.50 This
was for clothing, jewelry and personal ef
fects. Several of such cases were referred
to the controller, who holds that The
claims will have to be paid
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-03
A GoIdbug's Injustice.

The Memphis Commercial-Appea quotes
the following from the Hardeman Free
Press: Our usual good luck has DESERT
ed us, and we have suffered a reverse
We was in the grand stand at the Mem
phis races when the Luehrmann Hotel
Stakes was run and an excited gentleman
with pair of extended specs to his ewes
shouted out: 'One hundred to one Don
aldbain winsp OF course we are NOT no
gambler Again he said: Hundred dol
lars TO pin Donaldbain winsp We had
no pin, but happened to see one on the
floor. We picked it up and told the gem
tletnan we'd take his bet He looked ar
Us and remarked: You're on. Young fell
low We didn't know who won. but when
the race was over the man with the a1,-
tended specs said: Here's your hundred q,
handed US five twenties and started away
He returned and said: Gimme nv min +,
and we did. He looked at il and said
eurious-like: Young fellow, this is a ne
die; the bets off; cough up and he fool,
his money away from US. He was a mis-
cradle skinf1int goldbug or he would havo
maintained the parity of pins and needles
without waiting for the consent of any
other nation"
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-03
INDEX TO NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.

Special Notices-Suwanee Springs, Fla,
Those Bull Street Lots, C. II. Dorset,
Real Estate Dealer: White Mountain and
Arctic Freezers, at Silva's Crockery
House; Choice Lamb. VIM. F. Rendant;
Notice to Superior Court Jurors.
Business Notlces-New Style Slant Back
Show Cases, Henry Solomon & Son.
Good Luck-Byck Bros.
An NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Grocery Com
psny.
Extract of Beef-Liebig's.
How About That Straw?-M. S. Brown.
Choicest Importations From Europe and
Havana of Liquors and Cigars-Lippman
Bros,
Steamer Doretta Schedule for Bruins
wlck-Capt. Chadwick.
Coffee-Lion Coffee.
Bicycles-Monarch Bicycles.
Legal Notices-Citations From the Clerk
of the Court of Ordinary Of Chatham
County.
Sauce-Lea & Perrins Worcestershire
Sauce.
The Gas Range and Hot Water Heater
Mutual Gas Light Company.
Brass Founders-M Omara & Co.
Beers-Malt-Nutrin Anheuser- Busch
brewing Association.
Mineral Water-Hunyadi Janos.
Medicaf-Dr. Kennedys Favorite Rene
dy; Hoods Pills. Cutlcura Remedies; Cas-
tora; Ayers Cherry Pectoral; S. S. s.;
Mothers Friend; Railways Pills; Paine S
Celery Compound.
Cheap Column Advertisements-Help
Wanted; Employment Wanted: For Rent;
For Sale; Lost; Personal; Miscellaneous.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-03

The postotfice department uses annual,
something like $4,000 pounds of Irvine The
article ii has been using for several years.
is made of jute. Not one pound of jule is
grown in this country. The article is on
the free list, and pays not one cent of
revenue 10 the government There is there
fore no reason why the government should
prefer jute to cotton Irvine, the cos ard
strength Of the two articles beng eaunI
on the other hand, there are many rea-
sons why the government should be a
consumer of the native product In all OF
the departments al Washington 1t is prob
able that couple Of million pounds Of
Irvine are used annually. If cotton twino
were used, Of course the cotton inGustr.
would be benefited by precisely the extent
of the consumption. II as stated thai
American spinners have submitted to III.
postofice department samples of cotton
twines that are stronger and cheaper tnan
the jute twine nov em,qoyed. The Aq.er.
lean product ought y have the preference
IN the new contract.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-03

We feel certain that the American peo-
pie have less use for Edward Atkinson of
Boston since they discovered that he has
been engaged in an attempt to Influence
the volunteers in the Philippines not to
re-enlst than they ever had before, and
couldn't get along without him. 1t is all
well enough for a man to speak his opin-
ions on any subject freely. but to at
tempt to stab the government when it is
engaged with an enemy is something the
people viii neither forget nor forgive.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-03

II seems likely that we shall have a
crow TO pick with Honduras shortly. The
government of that country has of late
been guilty of innicjing many petty an
noyances upon American merchants and
citizens. Americans are COMPELLED 10 pay
biaekmail or leave the country,' is The
way Mr.. Pears, recently returned from
Honduras, expresses it, AS soon as the De.
troit has finished her business at Blue.
fields, she may be ordered TO Honduras &c
teach the natives there a proper respect
for the American flag.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-03
Registered at the pOs,omce in Savannah.

The MORNING NEWS is published
every day IN the year, and Is served to
subscribers in the city, or sent by mali.
at 500 a month. $500 for six months, and
5000 for one year.
The MORNING NEWS. by mail, six
times q week (without Sunday issue.
three months, 500; six months, S4-0o; one
year, 500.
The WEEKLY NEWS. 2 issues a week
Monday and Thursday. by mail. one year
500.
Subscriptions payable In advance. Remit
by postal orders. check or registered let
ter. Currency sent by mail at risk OF
senders
Transient advertisements, other than
special column. local or reading notices.
amusements and cheap or want column, AZ
cents a lIne. Fourteen lines of agate
type-equal to one inch square In depth
IS the standard of measurement. Con
tract rates and discounts made known on
application at business Office.
Orders for delivery of the MORNING
NEWS 10 either residence or place of bust
ness may be made by postal card OF
through telephone No. 2l0. Any Irregular
fly In delivery should be Immediately re-
ported to the Office of publication.
Letters and kilograms should be ad-
dressed MORNING NEWS" Savannah.
Ga.
EASTERN OFFICE, % Park Row, New
York city. C. s. Faulkner. Manager
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-03

Work on the new defender of the Ameri-
cas- cup has progressed so well that it has
been possible to fix a date on which the
craft will have a trial of speed against the
old Defender, The Defender herself, in
deed stands chance of being selected to
meet the Shamrock. The test race be-
July l, and besides the honor of being
chosen as the national representative, the
winner will receive a cup valued at $3.50.
October is set down on the programme
for the first of the International races. 1t
is thought probable, however. that an ear
lier day may be agreed upon hereafter.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-03

South America is closer to us than
South Africa. and it seems that our trade
with the former ought naturally to grow
faster tha0louB trade with the latter. The
fact, however, is that during the last ten
years we have lost in South American
trade, while, on the other hand. we have
made exceptional strides in South Africa
In 1888 our exports to South Africa
amounted to little more than 100000,
while in 1898 the amount had climbed up
to $17,5l5. 900.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-03

Another Andree rumor reaches civiliza-
ton by way of Copenhagen. 1t saws a
bottle containing message from the bal
loonist-explorer was some time ago found
in some floating polar ice near The coast
of Iceland The text of the message has
not been reported. .Audree rumors get into
the newspapers on az average of about
once in two months. Up TO this time there
aas not been one of any authenticity to
hold out hope that the during adventurer
Is sin alive.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-03

II is reported in the Philadelphia papers
that ex-senator Quay has offered the
state treasurership to Gen. David Mem.
Gregg" That is TO say. Mr.. Quay is stil
the Republican boss in Pennsylvania, and
can shake the plum tree" for whom So
ever he may please. 1t would seem, how
ever. from his recent experiences that 1t
would be better for him 10 let the people
run the state treasurorship, at least for a
time.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-03

The charge of bossism has often been
made against Senator Hanna. But sena-
tor Hanna himself says he does not be-
lieve in that sort of politics, and de-
nounces bossism. Possibly Senator Hanna
does not Ike the idea of being put into
the same class with Quay. Plat and Gro
ker,
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-03

Speaking of anniversaries, it was lust
about one year ago that the section North
of Cape Cod to the St. Lawrence river
was shivering and quaking from fear of
phantom Spanish fleets. Win Boston and
Portland celebrate in remembrance of their
deliverance?
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-03

Should Admiral Dewey ever desire to be-
come candidate for the presidency. he
could get all of the campaign material
that would be needed from the newspa-
pers of May ! and 2. 1899.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-03
CURRENT COMMENT.

The Columbia Is. c. State Oem) says:
''Mr. schurman il seems, has been en-
Tightening the Filipino envoy as to the
terms Grant gave Lees army. This is
very dangerous ground. Should Col. Ar
guelles study up on the subsequent treat
ment of chose people lately in rebellion
by the victorious United States govern
ment he would take to the jungle again
and throw himself on the mercy of the
wild tribes Brother Schurman should
carefully withhold from him all informa-
ton bearing on our reconstruction period. -
The Philadelphia Ledger Qnd) says:
1T is worthy of note that the immense
damage done to mine property at Ward
ner, Idaho was not caused by the men
who had been working there and who
expected to resume work there when
their trouble with the mine owners
should be settled, but by men from a
distance. who had no personal interest in
the quarrel and who were not cutting off
their own prospect of employment for
months my their ruinous work. They
were friends of the striking miners, of
course, but of a kind, one would think,
that the strikers would pray 10 be deliv-
cred from"
The Springhel (Mass) Republican Qnd.)
says: Now 1t is the West which is COM
ing into the field of cotton manufacture.
At least the first cotton mill known in
Kansas is being built at Independence,
where there is natural gas to furnish pow
er. The cotton win be drawn from Okla
homa and thereabouts. and some rs skilled
operatives win be drawn from New Eng
land 10 form the nucleus of a factory force
OF about 200''
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-03

There are reasons for thinking some per-
sons in Atlanta are having fun with Dr.
Broughton; and it may be that the boys
in the newspaper offices know good deal
about 1t.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-03

Three neutrality-suspicious., California
and South Carollna-have made May /
legal holiday in honor of Dewey's victory
a Manila,
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-03

DID anyone suggest that bicycle riding
was on the decline? If so, that person
ought to go out on any one of Savannah's
asphalted streets, or on any one of the
numerous fine highways that radiate from
the city, and note the great number of
whirring wheels coming and going all of
the time. There are probably twice as
many bicycles in Savannah now as there
were three years ago Reduced prices have
brought wheels within the reach of mod
crate wage earners, and it seems that
about everybody has gone a-spinning for
health, pleasure or business. During these
pleasant spring afternoons the nearby i'm
proved highways are scenes of animation
and high spirits with bicycle riders, of
both sexes. young and old, taking beneh-
cial exercise ana filing their lungs with
pure, fresh air laden with the fragrance
of the new foliage of the forests.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-03

It would be advantageous to the com
merce of this city, and of the section
south of it, If the waterway known as
Skidaway Narrows, which connects Skid
away river with Green Island sound were
deepened so that it would be navigable
az all stages of the tide. There is a large
feet of small vessels which use this pass
age, but they are compelled TO wait for
high water to get through. To large craft
the passage is closed at all stages Of the
tide. If it could be deepened, there would
be a considerable development of the Sec
ton to the south Of Chatham county. The
Narrows in former years was one of the
chief channels of commerce with the coun-
try south of the Ogeechee river.
By using the passage small craft
were saved tle dangers OF Os-
sabaw sound and the tortuous passage
through Romney marsh. The abandon
ment of the large plantations caused those
who interested themselves in keeping the
channel of the NaTows open to give up
that self-imposed task. Several years ago
this passage was surveyed by the gov
eminent engineers and the cost of i'm
proving it was estimated at $4,000, but
the appropriation which should have gone
for this improvement was diverted into
another channel. In the oyster season the
Narrows would he of greatest service to
the oyster fleet, and in all seasons it
would be of service to fishermen who catch
G-b in,
is to be hoped that the next approprla-
ton for this section viii contain an item
for the deepening Of Skidaway Narrows.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-31
COMPLAINT FROM A PRISONER.
Further Charge of Cruel Treatment
in Raleigh Penifentiary.

WASHINGTON. May 30.--One of the
United States prisoners in Raleigh On. c.
penintentiary has written a letter to the
Star, charging cruel treatment Of the
inmates OF that institution. The letter
Is written by a prisoner who is apparent
~ well educated. He says: Il wish to
call your attention again to the outrage
Gus treatment we United States prisoners
are receiving at the hands Of the brutal
State officials We have solicited aid
from the Department OF Justice hut have
received no assistance. Yet Major Strong,
Of the department. came here examined
the prisoners and found they had been
Brutality treated, and he promised to do
something for us. Yesterday poor de-
formed prisoner was taken and struck
twelve lashes on his bare back because
he could not do strong mans work
After he had been whipped he told the
officers he was going 90 report the mat
ter 10 the Acknowledgement. lie was
then taken ana struck ten more blows.
and when taken down was unable 10
stand. He was then told by the warden
that unless he did work assigned TO him
he would be dealt with In a seyerer way.
and that they were going to treat the
prisoners as they pleased. so long as the
government kept them here: that they
need not expect assistance from the De-
partment OF Justice. because they were
not running the penitentiary. As a re-
suit OF this inhuman treatment two pri.o-
ners who had been recently fiogeed ran
away from The clay pit. To-day they were
shot at several times by the guards. but
they were determined to leave this place
or torture. They succeeded ana have
not been heard from. Now, if there Is
no assistance 20 come from the United
States authorities. we are going 10 pro-
tect ourselves or die in the attempt.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-31
THE ORIGIN OF DIAMONDS.
Volcanic Action Both Made and
Placed Them.
Edinburgh Reyiew.)


The great Karoo formation spreads like
mantle over 100000 square miles of South
Africa-east and west from the Spltzkop
to the Red Heights above Middleburg
north and south from the Black noun
tains. to the Vaal river. It's component
beds were deposited at the bottom of an
inland sea during the Triasslc age, when
the Labyrinthodon, or monster toad
lizard, led the van of creation; but their
succession alternated with upwellings Of
molten basalt, which spread into level
sheets intercalated between the carbona-
ceous shales representing the lacustrine
ooze and the lacustrine vegetation OF an
all but endless epoch They appear TO
have proceeded in comparative tranquil
lily, those copious DETERMINATIONS We
hement volcanic action was delayed until
the complete stratihcation oc the Karoo
had been accomplished. Provoked, doubt
less, by water infiltrations to the smouI-
dering volcanic foci beneath, tremendous
explosions then took place. enormous vol
umes of gas were evolved, and, irresist-
IDLY expanding, perforated the superin-
cumbent rocks with ample channels of
escape. These did not remain empty. BY
spasmodic efforts most likely, not all at
once nor all together. they were replenish-
ed from below. OF genuine igneous erup-
lions no traces remain; the work was
done by mudrushes transporting upward
miscellaneous subterranean debris. large
~ intermixed with floating reefs"-frag-
ments. that Is TO gay. torn from the cir
cumjacent stata-the whole being agglu-
tinated by tufaceous stun into volcanic
breccia. This volcanic breccia is the blue
ground OF Kimberley. the indus OF South
African diamonds.
THE KIMBERLEY MINES INEXHArIs-
TIBLE.
Such apparently. Is the history of thesa
singular repositories. They are not. pro-
perry speaking, extinct craters. but rather
gigantic blow-hoies. excavated catastro-
phically, refilled gradually. The core ma.
terials in each pipe" represent several
''pours."
This blue" rock-named" Kimberlite, nv
Professor Caryill Lewls--is really OF a dull
green tint. due to its lmpregnation with
iron oxides. which appropriating an adj
ditional equivalent Of oxygen on exposure
to the air. turn yellow. and give to the
upper sections and subaerial fields their
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-31
THE CRAIG LAW.
An Interview with North Carofina's
AttOrney-Gc

RALEIGH. n. c., May 30.-(Special)-
Your correspondent specially interviewed
the Secretary OF State to-day as TO what
he proposed TO do with the request OF a
certain life-insurance company that he
return its charter filed last week under
the Craig law. He said he could not re-
turn II unless the courts ordered him TO
do so. and high courts at that, not lower
than the United States Circuit Court OF
Appeals or the State Supreme Court. He
was then asked If companies could file
charters for limited time, and replied
that he knew of no authority for their
so doing: that there was no authority for
latitude as to time; that this was a ques-
ton the courts would have TO pass on.
A case agreed is made up between John
w. Hinsdale, representing the Mutual
Reserve. and Attorney-General Walser,
but the courts will hardly pass on it be-
fore october. A Connecticut company no.
tilted the Commissioner Of Insurance that
it would withdraw, and asked that the
unearned part of its license be refunded.
This cannot be done: there is no law for
II. The Commissioner says he believes all
the fire companies save about twelve Will
domesticate. and expresses the belief that
In sixty days three fourthS Of the life
companies will do so.