The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-08-15
BY Parties to a Con-
gressiOnal Contest.
PEARSON Us CRAWFORD.
The Record I'm this Contest lust F'ubs
iished-Japanese Government Make
ing Heavy Purchase erT~baceo-Res
port On the Famine In Russia-Ntles
In Conference with Secretary Root.
Extradiuon With Our Foreign Pose
sessions

Washington. August i0.-The NOT
OF Richmond Pearson. OF the Asheville
congressional district in North Caro-
lima, TO unseat William 7. Crawford.
who holds the certificate OF election.
has resulted In some very plain talk
between these two gentlemen. Mr..
Pearson charges b a Crawford secur-
ed the election through intimidation.
violence. bloodshed. debauchery, cor
ruption OF voters. stuffing of balioting
boxes" and all other Kinds OF robbery.
while Mr.. Crawford retorts that Mr..
Pearson's political somersaults have
never inspired the people ~ the district
with confidence In his political integri-
~. Much more word singing To the
same effect Is found in the printed
| cop OF the testimony in the case.
which has just been issued.
OUR JAPANESE TOBACCO TRADE.
Minister Buck has reported TO the
state department that the Japanese
government has concluded
ments for the purchase OF tobacco
through agents and will obtain sup
plies generally from the United States.
This result follows inquiries set on
foot after conferences between Secre-
tary Hay and some OF the members OF
the Virginia delegation in congress. in
| Guiding Senator Martin and Represen-
tative Swanson. The latter were de-
sirous OF having the tobacco interests
protected against any determinations
which might follow the organization
Of a government monopoly OF the to-
bacco business. Japan has recently
established this monopoly as a means
of increasing her revenues and the
American tobacco interests nave fear
ed this might cut off the trade they
/ va hnrafnfnra nrfnxraA with shnf
country; but Minister Bucks report
seems to assure the continuance OF the
trade, as the government agents will
purchase supplies as heretofore In this
country.
THE FAMINE IN RUSSIA.
The state department has received
a report from Consul Heenan. at Odes-
sa, Russia, stating that the failure OF
the crops in many Of the provinces OF
European Russia is a much more seri-
Gus affair han is generally admitted.
The famine districts are divided up
and government aid is being given. ac-
cording to the extent OF the failure in
the several districts. Employment Is
! being given to a large number OF peas
ants on special lines OF work, such as
roadmaking.
MILES AT THE WAR DEPART
MENT.
Major General Miles had a confer
ence of more than half an hour with
the secretary of war today. Secretary
Root said that the conference was de-
voted to military matters, but would
not speak definitely as to their char
acter. When it was suggested that
there were rumors that he was con
Sulting Genera Miles with regard to a
change Of commanders in the Philip
pines, he said he had nothing to say
on that subject.
EXTRACTION WITH CUBA AND
HAWAII.
The state department has determin-
| ed upon a general policy OF extradi-
ton between this country and Cuba,
Hawaii, and other territory wholly or
in part under the direction of the
United States. A number of cases have
lately arisen in which fugutives from
justice nave claimed immunity by
going to Cuba or our other insular
possessions, on the theory that our re-
lations with these places were in such
transitory condition that the usual
processes of extradition would not ap-
ply.
PENSION COMMISSIONERS RE-
POHT.
The report of Commissioner Of PEN
sions Evans for the fiscal year ended
June 80 last, shows a total disburse-
ment OF $13S, 253, 1923, leaving a balance
Of 81, $751; SS in the treasury out OF the
S140,000E00 appropriated. The total
number Of pensioners on the roll June
Both was 991, SIG. a decrease OF 2,195.
There were 40,991 names added 10 the
roll and 43,1sS dropped. The report
shows the pension roll is decreasing. OF
those dropped 34,345 were because OF
death and s,s41 because OF re-marriage,
minors attaining their majority, fall
ure to claim pension and other causes.
The war with Spain brought a total
OF JIG. 1856 claims, Of which number but
295 ave been allowed.
TO IGNORE COMMANDER ST. JOHN
The war department will take no
~cognizance of the published interview
with Lieutenant Commander st. John,
OF the British navy, at Victoria, IN
which he criticised the management OF
the war in the Philippines.
Adjutant General Corbin, N reply 10
a question, a no notice would be
taken Of the matter by the military aus
thorities and IL any action were taken
at all IT would be at the initiative OF
the state department.