The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-06-23

Washington, June 19.-The indus
trial commission has somewhat chang
it's plan for the work of the sub
commissions during the summer
months by revoking it's order for the
appointment of special commissions TO
investigate the elevator trust and the
mining industry west of the Missis-
sippi river, and instead authorizing all
the regular sub-commissions to sit
during July and August. Under this
arrangement the agricultural commits
sion will take up the elevator question,
going to the northwestern states for
this purpose, and the mining commits
sion will go west for the purpose of
looking into the conditions affecting
mining in that region. The latter
commission will hold it's first meeting
in Denver on the 18th of July. The
! sub-commission On manufa ctures will
make a tour of New England during
the summer.
| CONDITION OF AGRICULTURE AT
THE SOUTH.
James Barrett, vice president OF the
Georgia state agricultural society, was
the only witness before the commits
sion today. He spoke upon the agri-
cultural conditions of the couth, say
ing that they were worse today than
| they had ever been in the history of
the country. He said the cotton inter-
| est was especially depressed, prices
last year amounting to a little over 4
| cents a pound. At this price a man
| could not save himself if he paid wages
amounting to more thar So a month.
| Planters generally pay about S. a
month for wages and at such rates
| they could not prevent loss if they re-
| ceived less than 6 cents per pound.
Mr.. Barrett said that nine-tenths Of
the cotton grown YVES m~ortgagcd be-
fore it matured. Rates of interest and
commissions were high ard the mer-
chants were gradually coming into
possession of the land. The banks
charge 10 per cent. for money for
three months time. He advanced the
idea that the national bank act has
done vast damage in outlawing real
estate as security for money loaned
to these banks and that, all told, this
act was to the south the most damag-
ing legislation that had ever been en-
acted. The witness said that nSarly
all the plantation labor was done by
negroes, and that there was practical
ly no immigration because of the
cheapness of labor and the social
conditions. The railroad rates were
such as to render it impossible to
longer make watermelon growing prof
liable, and the same WIS true of other
garden products. THE railroads are
both the daddy and the nanny OF
the trusts" he asserted. Mr.. Barrett
said the census of 1890 has shown
that Augusta, where he lives, was the
most illiterate place in the United
States and he thought the fact was
due to the presence of too much poll
tics in the schools.
THE ADMINISTRATION ENDORSED
The following telegram was receiv-
ed at the war department today from
the two California senators:
"San Francisco, June II.
"Hon. H. G. Corbin, Adjutant Gen
eral:
Southern California supports the
| administration in it's efforts to sup
press the Philippine Instruction and
tenders the president for immediate
service a we'll organized and thorough.
ly disciplined regiment of infantry
Officers and men ready to embark at
soon as necessary field equipment car
be furnished.
GEORGE C. PERKINS,
"STEPHEN M WHITTIER"
1t is stated at the war department
that no action can be taken in thu
matter of the California regiment Of
tfered by Senators Perkins and White
The question of calling for volunteer.
has not been determined; beside it il
not intended to organize state troop.
if volunteers are called for.
DEWEY HOME SUBSCRIPTION.
The subscriptions received today b,
the national committee OF the Dewe!
home fund amounted to 1888, making
the total to date S9,140.
CAPTAIN COGHLAN NOT TO &C
WEST.
Captain J. C. Greer has been ordered
to continue in command of the Puger
sound naval station. Captain Coghlar
4 q O1oClCo W IA1S 0lliIO1
several weeks ago, but it having beer
found that Captain Green cannot be re
tired during the present year on hi:
own application, as he desired he will
be allowed to retain his post. Meal
while Captain Coghlan will continue
on the duty to which he has been as.
signed, of X mining torpedo beat con-
struction.
I THAT FAMOUS CONVERSATION
ON THE BROOKLYN'S BRIDGE.
The occurrences on the bridge of the
Brooklyn during the battle of July 3Id
having been the subject of a controver-
sy in the newspapers, the navy de-
partment recently undertook an inves-
tigation Of the various allegations.
Lieutenant Commander Hodgson and
! Lieutenant Comm adar Hpi1por who