davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Penn's Grove record., 1899-11-24

When a strigency in thfen1a all Street
money market for stockJTy oilers came
in Sp5tpmber Secretaryfaer& payed the
interest on goveinmentRS 0nds in ad-
vance. When IL came n few weeks
later he offered to pay government In
crest not due until next July IN ad-
vance. Now that the gamblers need
money to maintain the inflated value In
tIeir watered stocks Secretary Gage
again comes to their rescue by using
e55 GOO OOO from the U. s. Treasury to
buy bonds.
Treasury during every administration
to tbe present time. 1t controlled
Clevelapd;s Secretary John G. Carlisle,
who7made the bond deal withJ. L.
Morgan, who I NJ beefeer ~ardeu by DO
ing made an attorney for the banking
firm of J.. p. Morgan at a fat fee OF
several thousand dollars.
wall Street controlled the organiza.
tion Of the Democratic party until the
CHICAGO convention in 1896, and W. j.
Bryan was the first Presidential can
dfdate since the days of Andrew Jack
son 10 oppose it in the interest OF peo-
pie.
Treasury has been run IN ntereSto OF
the banker. broker and stock ~speculator
and never in the interest OF the mer-
chant. manufacturer nor farmer. When
con have seen the value of your factor
les. farms, corn, wheat, potatoes and
other products Of labor falling in price
did a Secretary of the U. S. Treasury
ever come to your rescue by furnishing
money or putting it where it would do
your business some good? Never. Nor
YOU never will as long IS Wall Street
owns the President and Secretary OF
the Treasury.
Mr.. Bryan is commenting upon Mr..
Cages action says;
s'The Republicans, have been say
ing all the time that there was plenty
of money in the country. When the
free silver people advocated an enlarg-
ment of the money supply they were
told that the circulation fully met al
the demands of trade.
"Now. when Wall street become!
short of money the Government Il
prompt to go to the relief of the specu'
lators. All we free silver people ask
is that Uncle Sam shall treat the farmer
and the laborer with as much considera'
tiOn.
THE gold men, claiming that there
is plenty of money in the country, new
er make the proper distinction between
a standard dollar and a credit dollar.
They assume that for all purposes an
ctual dollar and a promise to pay a
dollar are the same.
"This failure to make the distinction
between the money of final account
and the various forms of credit employ.
ed in the transaction of the country has
greatly confused the minds of those
controlled by the gold standard idea
On Cages action % speculative stocks
rose SAT, 921, $40 in price. How about
having a few more silver dollars made
and thereby raise the value OF your
farms? Gage pays Sill for a 500 bond
The Penn's Grove record., 1899-11-24
ADMINISTRATORS SALE
OF
REAL

SALEM COUNTY RPHANs' COURT TERM 1899,
on the application OF George II. Eikinton, Ad-
ministrator Of Richard II. Layton, dec'd for an
Fellows Hall, PENIS Grove, N. j., on
SATURDAY, DECEMBER %, 1899.
at 8 o'clock in the afternoon Of said day.
The order to show cause, made on this twenty
and published according to law and the court
having now on the day appointed heard and ex-
amined the allegations and proofs of the par
ties, and it appearing on full examination, that
the personal estate of the said Richard H.. Lay.
ton, deceased is not sufficient to pay the debts
of said deceased. and that the said Geo. II. e.
kinton hath applied all the personal estate that
has come to his hand toward the payment Of
said debts, and that there is still a deficiency
amounting to the sum of Three Hundred and
Seventy-six So 100 Dollars. 1t is ordered and
adjudged on this Twentieth day Of October A.
D., 1859, That the said George H. Elkinton, Ad-
ministrator Of said deceased, sell tie following
tracts OF land OF said Richard H. Layton, dc.
ceased, viz:
No. i. A lot OF land in the Borough Of PENIS
lands Of Charles Osborne, Clement b. tanning
and the Delaware River Railroad Of about AZ
feet front by about 125 feet deep, for the pay
ment of his debts, and after making such sale
report the same to the court for allowance and
II is further ordered that the said George II.
Elkinton shall first enter iato bond according to
the provisions OF the statute in the sum OF Two
Hundred Dollars with sufficient security TO be
approved by this Court.
Dated October 10th, 1899. Hast.
The Penn's Grove record., 1899-11-24

The surrounding OF Aguinaldo in the
Philippines has turned out to be a
vacuum. In the "hemming inn process
a few stitches has been dropped.
The Penn's Grove record., 1899-11-24

Important capture in the philippines
The lingerie department OF the
Aguinaldo outfit.
The Penn's Grove record., 1899-11-24

Hundreds for Men and
Boys. 7 h j 8
Of promises to be
an Overcoat
New year, and we
are ready for
0Vercoats it. Short, sty-
fish Box Coats
for Young Men, regular
lengths for plain dressers;
Storm Coats and REFERS
for rough weather. SIS to
$35 are the prices in Mems
sizes; So to So for Little
Boys, and So to SIS for
Young Men, sizes Is to 10
years. New styles and old
values in $S, $40, Sl2 and
SIS grades. We put our
SO Coats against any in
the market for style, cloth,
makeup and trimming.
New short Box Coats for
Little Boys; blue, drab and
brown smooth heavy fine
Kerseys, with velvet collars
at IS and Sc. Light heavy
Coverts, in Mems sizes, IS
to $24. Good values in
every one Of them, and big
assortment Of styles and
sizes, at 50, SO, $l2 and
SIS. Don't buy until you
see what we can do for you.
Open Tuesday and
Saturday evenings.
J. I. Mullin Sons,
cLorHrSe, 9TH & MARKET
HATS,
SHOES. WILMINGTON.
The Penn's Grove record., 1899-11-24
A.-,,,..,.tor,s Q. r. A. Notice.

Administrators Q. T. A. Notice.
,.,na.n Torton. ADM nistrator g; 7. A.. Of
Nsmonie Biddle deceased y ,e d,,eH eereby ~ gives
Surrogate Of the County 81 Nv sa saia Namonie bid.
ass .iec - J "a Is bring IN their debts, ., demands Gsnaa'
and Ind Claims against ne , sstSss q me w Win 1e nine
sni, n'vs 4, tss date hereof OF they VIII pe
forever barred q any action thereof aralh'' 'ne
aid administrator JAMES D. T0RT0N,
Dated october 4th. 1893. Aamln'sela'o--
The Penn's Grove record., 1899-11-24
Administrator's Notice

ADMINISTRATOR NOt1C0
William f. Yeager, administrator OF Joseph
C. Yeager, deceased, by direction OF the Surro-
gate Of the County OF Salem, hereby gives mo-
tice to the creditors OF the said Joseph G. Yea.
ger, deceased, to bring in their debts, demands
and claims against the estate OF the said de-
cedent, under oath or affirmation, within nine
months from the date hereof, or they will be
forever barred OF any action thereof against the
said administrator
WILLIAM F. YEAGER,
Dated October 9th, 1889. Administrator.
The Penn's Grove record., 1899-11-24

Building Lots For Sale

1OCS Z Oc SHI6
On Delaware Avenue and Penn Streets. All
these lets are high and water good. Can be had
at reasonable prices. For particulars apply to
7-Ttf. ASA q. TURNER.
The Penn's Grove record., 1899-11-24

The Upper Canal Bridge Wilt be taken up for
repairs on Monday, November 18th, 1893.
and remain up until further notice.
DANIEL V. SUMMERILL,
11-letf. Chosen Freebooter.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-09-09
SUMMER RATES.

Commencing June l and continuing
until September 80, 1899, the Queen %
Crescent route will place in effect from
all coupon stations regular summer
excursion tickets to all the principal
summer resorts in East Tennessee,
North Carolina, Virginia and northern
resorts. good until October 81. The
Queen 81 Crescent offers to the pubiic
excellent service. Train leaving New
Orleans daily al 7:S0 p m. arrives in
Cincinnati next evening a. ESQ, thus
giving a 24-hour schedule, carrying
Pullman buffet sleeper. There ia also
through Pullman sleeping car on THIS
train for New York, running by inc
way of Chattanooga, Bristol, Lynch
burg. Washington aud Pennsylvania
railroad, thus penetrating the yer,
heart of the summer resorts. iran
leaving Shreveport daily at $50 a. m
carrics through Pullman sleeper Il
Cha.tanooga, where change can b.
made into the Cincinnati or New Yorl
slsepers without getting of tho train
For detailed Information as 10 rates
routes, etc, apply to any ticket agen
or Il. NJ. Hunt, 7. P. A., Dallas, Tex
r. j. Anderson, A. g. P. A, 0
George Ii. Smith. g. P. A, New VI
leans.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-09-09

We are Informed that the killing OF
the negro d. S. Logan by VIM. Wal
ker, another of his race, at Goodrich's,
in the second ward, on Wednesday OF
last week, wss one of the most cold
blooded murders that has eyer taken
place In our parish. After the Killing
the murder made his escape aud the
special reward Of $4,000 offered by
Messrs. Rob,. Nicholson and G. A.
Voelker, members Of the Police Jury,
who took IL upon themselves to do this
IN tho abscncs OF tho other members
was what caused Lis capture by O
colored man iu Madison parish. Too
much praise cannot be said of these
gentlemen for their actions.
There have been entirely too many
murders lately In our parish, ano
eoeedy trials aud just punishment
should be mee,ed out 10 the murders
II this is not done. and crimes go IN
punished, il will lead to lynch law, a
the people will become dissatisfied an'
disgusted.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-09-09
Communicated

Communicated
Editor er-Democrat:--On last
Saturday evening petition numerous
". s;oped by the citizens of Providence
and vicinity was handed mo, asking
that . spec,al term of court be con-
vened at once to try Vim. Walker
charged with the murder OF u. ,
LOGAN at Goodrich's. The court VIII
con- eue in regular session on the hfst
Monday in October, now less than q
month off. had already determined
to chill the Grand Jury together at thai
term to investigate two other murder
cases and several smaller offences
Hinder the circumstances, l do mol
deem il advisable to order special
ses sion before that time. The holding
of special session, the summonlhe
and attendance of the Grand Jury ant
the drawing, summoning and attend
ance of the petit jury would necessari
IL result in considerable expense TO tn
parish. | cannot conceive that tn
DELAY Of a few days. till the regula
term, can cause any injury to the Stat
or the accused, and the additional OK
pense caused by special session Wi
thereby be avoided.
l am cure the signers that petition
when they come TO think OF the matter
will app owe my action In the premise
F. F. MONTGOMERY.
l District Judge.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-09-09

Now Just compare the two tables.
Under the white primary basis
Union has 5 votes and West Carroll
and East Carroll each have four
votes and Ouachita has twelve votes,
while under the population basis
Union has seven votes, just the same
that Ouachita has while West Car
roll has only two votes and East
Carroll has five votes. A compari-
son of the above tables will edify
the people considerably as to which
| is the better basis for US. We must
remember that all of our white PEG.
pie are not Democrats, while all
Those across the Ouachi,a are Demo
Gratis tried and true. On the popu
llation basis Union parish gets repre-
sentation for her negroes and Popu
lists too.
Union has II, 900 population, o
which 5000 are negroes. VI tn
remaining 5000 at least 1000 ar
Populists which leaves 5000 whit
Democratic population. Now yo'
see from the above facts that i've o
G our seven delegates are derived from
the $4,000 negroes and Populist
; and we only receive two delegate
from our 5000 white Democrat
G population. The swamp parlshe
n can. with just as good grace, say t
i us You are beating us over the hea
Is with your negroes and Populists
: We can:censure them for their negr
population. There are two sides
. this question which every consoles
u tious Democrat should carefully i
isl vestigate.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-09-09
announcements.
Eop REPRESENTATIVE.

We are authorized to announce MR.
+ x RARBER as candidate for Hep
rosen,ative from East Carroll parish III
Tho lower house of the General Assem-
bly of the State. subject to the action
of the Democratic party.
We are authorized to announce Mr.
~ Q WHY asa candidate for re-
election for Representative from East
Carroll parish in the lower house oil
tho General Assembly Of the State.
snbiect to the action of The Democratic
party.
We are authorized to announce MR
Ak. AMACKER rs candidate Io'
Representative from East Carfoi
narish In the lower house OF the GENERA
Assembly of the State. subject to Tn
action of the Democratic party.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-09-09

The center of population OF the
United States, which changes every
ten years under new census, Is
due in 1900 on or near the banks OF
the Wabash river, on its march west
ward. In 1890 it was near Balti-
more; In 1900 and 1910 near Wash
ington, ID. c.; in 1920 near Wood
stock, Va. in 1880, 1910, 1850, II
West Virginia; in 1880 in Kentucky
near Cincinnati, Ohio; in 1890 IL
Decatur county, Indiana.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-09-09

Yellow fever made Its appearance
in New Orleans last wcek-only one
case-and Mobile and the State OF
Texas went right off-crazy-and
established rigid quarantine. 1t is
gratifying to see that the State OF
Mississippi has waited for further
developments, and will not quaran'
tine until il secs that there Is more
than one case 10 the Crescent City
There is no cause for alarm, for til,
appearance OF fever IS so late that al
epidemic is not feared.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-09-09
THE BELLE OF THE BENDS AND
ANNIE LAURIE.

The Vicksburg & Greenvilie Packet
Co. have started their steamers out
under their winter schedule. Inc
Belle of the Bends leaves Vicssburg
every Monday aud Thursday and
Greenyille every Tuesday and Friday
The Annie Laurie leaves VIcksburg
every Wednesday aud Saturday and
Greenville every Thursday and Sun
day. Under this schedule we vii
have four trips each way, which VII
give US excellent service. Mr.. Vance,
| Bell has been appointed agent at ihi
| place.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-09-09
LOCAL NEWS.

The guitar and mandolin club was
ont serenading on Monday uigh. !
They make sweet music.
George Ashbrldge, the grocer, mas
received another large shipment o.
sour Daily Bread" -four.
The few cases of yellow fever
repor;ed in Now Orleans is mol gearing
any persons III these parts.
in. ilill s. nro's, will move TO their
new store next week. when 'hey WIN
omen uD their large fell stock.
George Asbbridge, the popular
young grocer, continues to build up q
large business.
Monday the Thermometer went 10
,hs 90 notch. Al night 1t was
so hot, tina, sleep was out OF The qnes-
lion.
II 10 too bad that the merchants
won't pull together IN getting ferry.
II would add TO their business very
much.
Hon. Phil Mcclure made quick
trip somewhere last week lis was
found at his place of business Mondhy
| morning.
Cant. Purdy reported that Tuesday
was the hottest day OF the season, .he
government thermometer registering
100 even.
The bottom of the river has abou'
dropped out. Steamboats, are having
q hard time in finding enough OF water
to navigate.
J There will be no services OIL TN
Methodist Church tomorrow. heV
Mfr. White will 60 to The nfss an'
second wards.
The pre,,y things selected for ID
ladies by Mr. White, can't be surpasse'
by any house in town. Call aoo &c
3 the large stock.
! MIR. Charley Beard, The popu'a
clerk down OF Henderson. canie U
Tuesday morning 10 spend the da
with bis parents.
Rosh Uoshonah, The b6oo auhisel
!sary OF the Jewish New Year, was Q
8 Tuesday last, and our Jewish iriene
). observed the day.
d Our Jewiah friends closed me
nloces OF business on Monday esenin
and kept them closed until ocio'
Wednesday evening.
Mira ]. w. Dunn aud three swc
Girls left on Saturday evening last
8. Greenville, Miss, where they are v
ie ;tinp Mrs. D. Ii. Parker.
$. We are glad TO reporttbat Mr. ! y
tn r. Montgomery continues to impro'
n His many friends hope to see niin a.
re 10 be out in . few days.
Id Siuce Sunday last the weather
10 becn dreadfully warm, aud Tor seve
dsys the THERMOMETERS has been nea
op 10 tho hundred notch.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-09-09

John r. Mclean, the Democratic
candidate for Ohio, is a wheel horse,
whose influence in the past has
he,ned to elect few Democratic
Governors that that State has been
blessed with. He is the owner OF
the Cincinnati Enquirer anu bis
noner has a commanding Influence in
politics. He is a millionaire. ana Is
not AFRAID to knock the bung out o.
the uborrsl" and let her roll. lie is
going to make it rather warm for 'ne
corrupt gang Of Republicans VINO
now have control OF thai State.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-09-09

The LIST of September edition OF
the Daily States was complete IN
every detail. The Daily States is
now the only Democratic paper in
the City OF New Orleans brsvely
fighting for the success OF the regu-
lar Democracy in that city, and we
would like 10 see it have more SUBJ
scribers 10 our town and parish.
When you take the Times-Democr
you only read one side of the ques
ton and biased at that; but ii yot
take the States you get TO see th'
other side Of the question, ant
straight goods at that.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-09-09
For CLERK.

We are authorized to announce MIR.
J. S. GUENARD as candidate for the
office of Clerk of the 9TH District
Court. subject to the action of the Dem
ocratic party.
We are authorized to announce Mr
GEO. i. BLACKBURN. ne a candidate
for the office of Clerk Of the 7th Dis
trict Court, subject to tho action OF tn'
Democratic party.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-09-09
Notice.

lam still in the ginning business
Have oyerhauled my engine and Eagle
outfit. / have added rain sheds 70
keep your cotton dry on wagons,
Good large seduction rooms, with
locks and keys Am ready to accom-
oda,e one and all. l guarantees entire
satisfaction. VIII put your COTTON
and seed on the landing. TO my oio
friends and new ones, will be glad Z
serve you. H. y. BUM
Prop, Eagle Gin on the river.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-09-09
Some Thoughts Suggested by the
Recent Democratic Primary.


The following communication
signed ga True Democrat" appeared
in the last issue Of the FarmerViiie
Gazette that is worthy the pernsai Oh
every Democrat in the Fifth Con
pressional District. In what DE
saws in his communication are facts,
and our "Hill" friends should PLAIN
Nv see that there is no "kick" COM
ing from them:
The recent Democratic white
primary election furnishes some food
for thought. -.
Where people are instructed in,
and hear only one side OF case
their Judgment becomes wrapped and
their minds prejudiced, so let us ex-
anime both sides of the primary cleo
ton. close. The recent primary has
demonstrated one fact and that Is
that the people in the "hIll parishes"
were not so enthusiastic over the
| new tangled primary fad as some
| would think. They were beaten all
along the line and have heard quite
a number express dissatisfaction at
the outcome. One great reason to'
urging a white primary was that the
people would turn out and vote,
especially in the hills, and thereby
we would strengthen the party
Have the subsequent facts warranted
the contention?
Most assuredly not.
Look at the vote. Union parish
polled 254 votes, being a little owe
one fourth of the registered vote
while Lincoln parish polled only 81
Votes. and each with a home ma
. for candidate.
: Another clap-trap argument ina
D was used to influence white prn
ary election was that it would II
: dnce the Populists to come back IL
TO the Democratic fold. Did the
!. do so? Emphatically no. The
% nominated a candidate by a httl
It mass meeting, that being the wor'
l. form of machine politics, and y
the "Pops" supported their ma
r. Nelson III preference to the viii
'e primary candidate, who received
B. majority of all the votes polled
70 the district.
The next contention was that
= white primary would give the hills
chance 10 elect congressman.
R. Did 1t do so? Why we had abo
ce as many candidates as we had h
he parishes, ana to use slang imprt
sion sthey were not IN 1t" 1
. hobby riders for a white primar
based their objection to a convt
lte ton on the basis of representa-
n in the convention, it being the pol
I'm lation basis according to the reoe
IN constitution. Now let us analy
u that proposition aud you will Fl
the hill parishes are not SO bat
h'' treated after all. / wish 10 draw
es, comparison between a convent
he based on the recent white prlm;
vote and one on the population ba'
Suppose we allow one delegate
every Fifty votes polled in the WI
bat primary that no one could object
INT and we have the following result
nj por,snes. Vote. ID
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-09-09
The Lafayette Gazette says tb'

The Lafayette Gazette says that
"thc reporter who wrote the account
OF the alleged poisoning OF Mrs. Full
len for the Picayune has made the
wonderful discovery that Miss Sadie
Buffers father was 'bully in recon-
struction times" A few more SEN
sational wrlte.ups like that and the
Picayune will have TO relinquish its
claims 10 respectable journalism.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-09-09
That speech of John Fitzpatrick

That speech Of John Fitzpatrick
last week at one OF the ward
meetings In New Orleans was so
hot on Denegre that he skip
ped out from the city and left the
bag of the Jacksonians to be held by
Charley Boatner and John Clegg.
1t was a tarter, and Mr.. Denegrc
will have to prove now that he was
not party to the job that he and
his kinsman tried to work on the tax
payers.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-09-09

1t is already evident, that in spite
of all that has been said to the con-
trary, the financial question will form
the leading plank in the platform
upon which Mr.. Bryan Is TO stand
aud that the antitrust movement,
together with several collateral, issues,
will occupy secondary place in the
coming campaign.
The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1899-09-09
yAzoO g. MISSISSIPPI VALLEY
RAILROAD 90.

SCHEDULE EFFECTIVE NOON.
NOVEMBER 18Th.
SOUTH BOUND.
No 6-Leayes Memphis S:25 p. M.
Arrives Vicksburg S:l5 am.
Leaves Vioksburg $40 a. IN.
Arrives New Orleans 1910 a. nj
No. 2S-Leaves Memphis 800 q. m
. Arrives Vicksburg Tao p. M.
No. 21-Leaves Vicksburg 7:50 a. m.
Arrives New Orleans 800 p. N.
NORTH BOUND.
No. 6-Leayes New Orleans 400 p.
m.
Arrives yicksburg 1880 p. m.
Leaves Vicksburg 1140 p. IN.
Arrives Memphis 6:55 q. m.
M 22-Leayes New Orleans 500 a.
u.
Arrives Vicksburg GOO p. N,
No. 24-Leaves Vicksburg 3:lo am.
Arrives Memphis $50 p. m.
No. 5 connects with No. 500 at Har-
riston. arriving at Natchez at 6:45 am.
No. 81 connects with 521 at Harris;
ton arriving at Natchez at 11:2O a. M.
No. 2I connects with No. 504 at Har.
riston, arriving at Jackson at 1890 pm
|. No. $40 due to leaye Natchez at 2:3l
D. m. connects with No. % at Harris
ton.
No. 500 due to leave Natcbez at 7:St
o. M. connects ut Harrision with No. o
Nos. 5 and q connects at New Or
leans for all points east and west. !.
Nos. "a and mako connection witt
II. C. train at Memphis for all points, ~
well rs with other lines.
! Nos. 20 aud "a haul elegant parlo
car between Memphis and Vicksburg
/ For further Information and reserva
ton of sleeping car accommodation
call on or write to Jour station agen
or the undersigned.
A. @. PEARCE,
G. P. & L. A.. Yicksburg. MISS
JNO A. SCOTT,
Diy'n. Pass'r. Ag't. Memphis, Ienr
WIN. ALFRED KELLOND,
Asst. Gent Pass'r. Ag't., Louisville
Ky.
, A. III. HANSON,
:. General Passenger Agent. Chicago II