davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Weekly orb., 1899-01-01

MANY changes are looked for in the Nick finley cabinet after the first of the year. Wolcott, of Colorado, is still considered a possibility.
The Weekly orb., 1899-01-01

THE doings of congress are even unin- teresting, and there is really nothing since the Paris commission adjourned.
The Weekly orb., 1899-01-01

TEE fellow who says Santa Claus is a myth never played the part of that old man at Christmas tree for poor chil- dren.
The times., 1899-12-03

of the above facts and figures for they are
very significant.
They mean that capitalists who have
spent eleven billion dollars ($l1 900 OO0, ,O00l
in building the railways of the United
States, large portion OF which are
trunk lines 10 the seaboard, and the rest
tributary thereto, must when they reach
the sea, turn over the lions share Of their
freight to the tender mercy of foreign car
riers. who are commercial rivals in the
markets of the world
That the producers, merchants. and man
ufacturers, who have ever been the earnest
advocates OF cheap transportation routes to
the seaboard by river, rail. and canal must
rely upon the merchant vessels of CONNER
cial rivals to haul their cotton, corn, wheat,
and other products 10 foreign markets.
That the officers and sailors of said for
eign merchant vessels are by instinct, as
well as training commercial drummers for
their respective nations.
That these foreign vessels carry our
products into the great seaports of the
world under the flags of their respective
nations, and that the American flag is sell
dom seen by the foreign people, who are
dependent upon our food supplies.
That the Government Of the United
States, which has, in the interest or the
people, also spent many millions OF dollars
in the Improvement of rivers and harbors
to provide cheap transportation 10, and
adequate terminal facilities at. the sea
board, al that point abandons its care OF
the peoples products, and sees them leave
The times., 1899-12-03
ASp

In the United States it will. among other
things, b. the development OF automobiles
IS an equipment of commerce. the devel-
opment of liquid air as a motive power,
the further improvement OF our great riv-
ers and harbors. the extension Of cur rail-
way. telegraph and telephone systems, and
the development of many other equipments
which the marvellous inventive talent of a
marvellous age will doubtless place at the
service of American commerce.
But FIRST and foremost. should be the
construction OF an American merchant ma
rine for the purpose Of cur great and grow
ing foreign commerce.
Nicaragua Ship Canal.
The practical Importance Of a ship canal
across the American isthmus, and the COM
merclal absurdity of its neglected construc-
tion. may be illustrated by comparing it
with 4 railway bridge across the Misslss-
ippi River. There we're. in 1891 in the
whole United States $780, 600 miles OF rail-
way. Of which about l02, 600 were east, and
Is 00G west OF the Mississippi. Sup
pose that there was but one point, st.
Louis, where a bridge was feasible, and
that all the railways or the east and west
conyerged at that point Suppose also that
the construction OF q bridge had been neg
lcctcd; THAI there were no ferries ade-
quate for the transportation OF cars across
the river, and thai al! freight from The
The times., 1899-12-03

countabIe reason, been left for the coming
century.
2Oth Century Equipments.
In marked contrast the 20th century viii
omen profusely endowed with all the mar
velous equipments of its predecessor, pre-
pared TO make mary important additions
ard most rapid progress in material deyel-
opment. and the expansion Of commerce.
In Asia il viii be the early completion
across that continent. OF The Russian rail-
way from Moscow 20 Port Arthur on the
Pacific; the construction OF rail highways OF
commerce in China or a scale so compre-
heusive that they viii soon transform the
ancient civilization OF hat great and
wealthy nation. into ghe modern and pro-
gressive civilization OF the western world.
In Africa it VIII be the early construction
Of a great trunk line railway lengthwise,
through the Dark Continent, from Cairo,
Egypt. to Cape OF Good Hope thereby
opening up long neglected but inviting and
enriching fields OF commerce.
In South America it viii be the building
OF an equally important trunk line railway,
lengthwise across the continent from Gen.
tral America 10 the Argentine Republic.
The official survey of this great highway
has just baen completed by the United
States Government. assisted by the com-
tries through which ii is projected. Its
early construction will help transform the
country intsrsecJed into great industrial
and commercial continent.
In Mexico the closing years OF the nine
teenth century under the magic touch of
American railway builders, anticipated The
requirements OF the twentieth, by the CON
struction Of steam highways of commerce
across the length and breadth of that mar
velously wealthy, and rapidly growing re-
public
In Central America it viii be the early
construction Of a ship railway uniting The
Atlantic and Pacific thereby providing
what has appropriately been termed the
bridge CT the commerce of the world. f."
The times., 1899-12-03

of transformation, preparatory to a mate
rial development more rapid and compre-
hensye than anything the world has here
tOfOre witnessed.
The great trunk line railways now un
der construction, in both China and Asiatic
Russia, are transportation routes to the
seaboard that faces America and the Pa
cfic termini OF our great transcOntinen-
tai railways.
Their development will create new,
large, and permanent demands for railway
iron and supplies. cars and locomotives.
telegraph wires and supplies, agricultural
and mining machinery. cotton goods food
supplies, and thousand and one ether
things which We have to sell.
With these facts in mind, glance again
at the map and see what small portion
tonly 3.7S per cent? of our annual exports
go in that direction. This, then, is the one
conspicuous weak spot in our commercial
relations with the outside world that re-
quires immediate attention and intelligent
and comprehensive action.
How open the field is may be seen by a
glance at the following statement OF the
per capita imports OF merchandise from the
United States. during the calendar year
1898. by the various countries of the world
The times., 1899-12-03

speedy construction of the much needed
gateway between the two oceans.
American Merchant Marine
In 1913, when Napoleon I sold the PROV
ince of Louisiana to the United States, he
predicted for her brilliant maritime fu-
ture as a rival in England. At the same
time be gave this warning:
Leave commerce and navigation in the
exclusive possession of a single people, and
the globe will be subjected to their arms,
and by the gold which occupies the place
OF armies"
But his valuable advice was neglected,
for We have left the ocean carrying trade
mainly in the hands, and to the profit of,
the very nation from whom he expected
us to wrest the maritime primacy.
The past neglect of the subject, may, how
ever. be excused owing to the heretofore
paramount Importance of internal devel-
opment and commerce, and the attractions
of railway building for the investment of
surplus capital But now that the United
States has become a world power, and is
entering upon it's international era, the
ocean an-carrying trade. AS the leading ma
terial feature of the 18th century
was the building of rail highways of COM
merce across the length and breadth of
the interior, so the conspicuous and lead
The times., 1899-12-03
To CANADA
TO ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
TO MIGUEL ON, LANGLEY, Ere,
Experts of Merchan disc.

lCae ndsr year 1898.
To Europe S9SIf54,tiO
Canada 9o,454S66
d" Asia 46,95o,72o
South America 35.io2,408
West Indies 27,478,tS3
Oceanica 24,9SLi63
Mexico 25.io6,OiS
Africa iS,fo2,S63
" Central America 5,64lfS7
" All Others 2,542,S40
The times., 1899-12-03

IT wil b. the magnificent mission OF the
Congress that meets this week to shape the
future foreign and commercial policies Of a
World Power Republic, 10 consider and
formulate measures appropriate for the iu-
JerlationaI era upon which the United
Saics has just entered, and TO help in
sugursta lha Twentieth Century Of the
Christian Era. now near at hand.
No parliamentary body in this OF any
other country. ancient OF modern. ever had
before il questions Of such far-reachihg and
worldwide importance as those the Fifty
sixth Congress viii have for consideration.
Il has a rare opportunity to contribute to
American history, a record OF practical and
constructive statesmanship Of the broadest
and highest order-a record that viii leave
ills imprint upon the history Of civilization.
II is. therefore. an appropriate time to
invite attention 10 a few facts relating to
Jhe defects in our foreign commerce. ana
lis requirements for the coming century.
As there is no better way TO judge the
future than by the past a brief review Of
some peculiarities and defects of the for
eigu commerce OF the closing century may
be useful
18Th Century Commerce.
AS may be seen by glance at the ac-
companying diagram. our 18th century for
eign commerce Is one-sided-oyer three
fourths Of the exports being in one direc-
zion. The percentage eastward, to Europe,
has always been that high, and usually
higher. in colonial days it was nearly 100
per cent. and in 1900 the beginning of the
present century. nearly all went in the
same direction. for We had then developed
no trade TO speak of with Canada on the
north and Asia on the west, and but a
small amount with the various Spanish
colonies lnow American republIcs) en- the
south
There has since been slight decrease
il the eastward percentage, ana cor
responding increase in the other direc-
lions. but even now, at the close Of the
century the record stands as follows, as
shown by our exports of merchandise for
the calendar year 1898:
The times., 1899-12-03

our shores under foreign flags, and in the
care of foreign carriers, and foreign com
mercidl rivals.
Such a state of affairs is neither good
business nor sound public policy 1t may
nave been necessary during the nineteenth
century when home affairs and home mar
kets required the first attention but il is
not suitable for world power republic
which must, hereafter, participate I'm the
affairs of the world
The requirements of our goth century for
eign commerce are on broader and more
progressive lines
The American flag, floating over we'll
equipped American merchant marine, on
every sea, and in every foreign seaport, is
more in harmony with the spirit Of the
times.
Asiatic Markets.
New and enlarged foreign markets for
surplus products and manufactures are
matters OF transcendent practical impor-
tanee to the people of the United States.
To find and develop them, and to reach
as many as possible OF the !, 500, 600 600 con-
sumers in the markets of the world. will
be the first important work of the twen-
tieth century.
To provide ways and means to reach
them viii be the mission of the new
American merchant marine
To help promote their development in
the interest OF this country will be the
duty OF the officers and sailors OF the
American merchant marine who will act
as commercial drummers, thereby follow
ing the example of the British merchant
marine which has been a most efficient
pathfinder and promoter Of trade for our
chief commercial rival.
I As will be observed by glance at the
map, So. .000 900. or over half Of the total
f,500. 900, eco consumers OF the world, are
in Asia. mainly in the countries resting
upon the Pacific and directly opposite our
Pacific seaports
Their Industries, commerce, and even
their civilization, are at present in state
The times., 1899-12-03

Carried in British vessels .S7sj QS3 22s
Carried in German vessels ....-........ Ii6O26 $50
Carried in cars and on land. 77l52, ,670
Carried in American vessels ........ 7j4sl se4
Carried in Norwegian vessels ...,..... p 927 G35
Carried in Dutch vessels ..........-.. 27,TO5. .466
Carried in French vessels .......... l6 73s, ,2Sl
Carried In Belgian vessels -.......... H. 49I S0I
Carried in Italian vessels ............ Gsl3, ,96l
Carried in alt other vessels ........... 1881 043
1t is we'll to study carefully the meaning
The times., 1899-12-03
Its One-sded Nature as Shown by the Direction of Exports

East and West had to be unloaded on one
side OF the river and reloaded on the other;
the capitalists who had spent over S11 G0O,-
600 600 in the construction of said rail-
ways, and then neglected 10 build the con-
Meeting link, or bridge, would be consd-
cred fit candidates for the insane asylum
The situation at the American isthmus
is an exact parallel. On the two sides of
the Three Americas, North. Central and
South, nature has, at her own expense,
built over 100, 600 miles of navigabIe wa
terways, rivers and coast lines, which are
just as valuable to commerce as if built
with private capital.
Part OF these navigable waterways are
On the east, or Atlantic, side of the conti-
uent and part on the west or Pacific, side
But this is not all; for. in addition. there
are thousands and thousands of miles Of
ocean waterways to the seaports of Eu-
rope on one side, and those of Asia and
Oceanica on the other.
The steamships on the two sides, carry
ing large portion of the worlds foreign
commerce must go around distant Cape
Horn, or, If they converge at the Isthmus,
unload their freight on one side, and re-
load 1t on the other.
A glance at the accompanying map is
sufficient to show the absurdity of the sit
uation.
It was evidently the intention of ma
ture to build the connecting link herself,
as shown by the existence of Lake Mica
ragua, which nearly unites the waterways
above mentioned, but for some good rea-
son, probably to test the enterprise of the
American people, she left her work in-
complete
A due appreciation Of what she has al
ready done for the Western Hemisphere in
the construction of free navigable water
ways. and a due regard for the require
ments of a great and rapidly growing COM
merce, should prompt the nineteen Ameri-
can sister Republics, all OF whom have a
business interest in the removal of the
narrow isthmian barrier, to unite In the
The times., 1899-12-03

speedy construction of the much-needed
gateway between the two oceans.
American Merchant Marine.
The times., 1899-12-03

ing feature and important mission of the
Goth century will be to supplement
those transportation routes TO the seaboard
by covering all seas with a we'll equipped
American merchant marine. The accom-
panying map of the world illustrates the
requirements in this respect of our future
or 20th century commerce. The su-
preme Importance of the subject may be
further seen by a glance at a few facts
and figures.
According to the recent report of Mr.
Chamberlain. United States Commissioner
of Navigation, the sum of $175, ,00O. 00O
may be taken as reasonable approxma-
ton of the cost paid for transporting by
salt water exports and imports, passengers
and mails, from and to the United States,
during twelve months at the present
time
He further states that "one-th third of our
ocean carrying trade by steam is thus car
ried on by British steamships plying be-
tween this country and the United King
dom, earning, as estimated, from that trade
$50 600 coo"
But these are simply the figures relat-
ing to Great Britain Other European ma
tions. also control a large portion of the
transportation of American commerce, and
the profits accruing therefrom.
During the last fiscal year ended July 50,
1899, our total exports Of domestic mer-
chandise were, in value, 81, 203, 93I 222. OF
this total S1,05l. 277 us, or 81 per cent was
carried in foreign vessels, and s75, 4Sl S64
or only per cent. IN American vessels.
The balance 81, 152, ,619 in value. was car
ried in cars and other land vehicles.
Stated in detail, the figures for that
year are as follows:
The times., 1899-12-03

rs calling for Heuricbs Maerzen Beer you rili
drink the pride OF Washington" Phone G34,
Arlington BottliEg Co. fer 4 csse.
The times., 1899-12-03
THE THIRTEEN CLUB.
Members Given supper ut the
Raleigh Hotel.


Raleigh Hotel.
The members of the Washington branch
of the Thirteen Club were entertained at
supper by S. H. Agnew. OF this city, on
Wednesday evening in the new Raleigh
Hotel Dr.. Lewis r. Klemm of 9Ig B.
Street northeast, acted as chief ruler. aud
presided at the end OF the table The ether
members present in order from the right of
the chief ruler were Miss Lille Ray. Mr
d. A Ray. Mrs. Della Shsehy. Mr. Fill
more Harrison. DR.. William A. Jack. Vice
Ruler: Mrs. Rosa Lewis -Townshend, Mrs
William A. Jack Miss G. Metcalf. Mr.
Charles A. Metcalf. Mrs. MetcaIf. and Mr..
S. H. Agnew, Scribe.
A number of appropriate to3sts were pro-
posed by the chief ruler and fiJting.y re-
sponded to by the several members Sup
per was commenced, in accordance with
time-h -honored custom. at thirteen minutes
past eleven and the club adjourned
promptly at thirteen minutes past thirteen
o'clock Q:l3 a. M, to meet again on the
thirteenth of the present month.
rs calling for Heurichs Maerzen Beer you vili
drink the pride of Washington Phone gs4,
Arlington BottliEg Co. fer case
The times., 1899-12-03
10Th CENTURY COMMERCE.
lis Equipments, Rrquirtm mis-. and
Unlimited Possibilities.

The Re,i.aI of the American Her-
chant Narfne-The Construction of
the Nicaragua ship Canal-Nev
aud Inviting Trade Fields in the
Countries Surrounding the Pacific.
Interesting Facts and Figures Re-
hitting 80 the Asiatic -sarIscts.
The times., 1899-12-03

possibilities Of our twentieth century for
eign commerce will be practically unlim-
tied. ALEX d. ANDERSON.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-04-21

The Messenger mentioned last week
thai the colored people were continu-
ing to move away from Wilmington.
We learn that last week $50 took their
ternoon 81 men, women and children
left here by the Wilmington and New
Bern railroad for New Bern. From
there they are bound for Norfolk, Bal
timore and New York where they are
going to seek employment.
One OF our real estate dealers tells
us thai he has on his hands a hundred
tenement houses that have been vacat-
ed since the race troubles in Novem-
Der.
Under the policy adopted by our bus
mess men to give white labor the pref
erence, hundreds of negroes have beer
thrown out OF employment and they
are forced to seek homes elsewhere.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-04-21
singular Phenomenon

A representative of The Messenger
witnessed a singular phenomenon yes
terday. 1t was no less than a natural
kaleidoscope. 1t is a wonderful sight
and is to be seen daily at the store Of
Messrs. S. & B. Solomon.
The end of an annex to the brick
building in which the Messrs. Solomon
have their store has been torn down
to make way for their new building
which is being erected on Front street.
The end Of the building has been tenn
pOrarily weatherboarded with yellow
pine and there are several knot holes
in the Oards Early in the morning
and up to about 9 o'clock a. m, when
the sun is shining, a complete NOV
ing picture is reflected through a knot
hole and is thrown On the wall inside
of the me Yesterday there was a
fine photograph of the buildings occu-
pied by Messrs, S. Behrends, The ]. c..
Stevenson Company and Mr.. w. c.
VonGlahn, and pedestrians, drays,
street cars, etc, in turn were thrown
into the picture as they passed along
the street. The picture shows the
colors of dresses and all objects are
brought out plainly on the wall. Peo-
pie on one pavement appear as walk
ing upright, and on the other hey are
head down.
1t is a peculiar sight and the phe-
comenon perhaps will offer the oppor-
tunity of al important discovery To
some one who is of an inventive turn
of mind. Mr.. H. E. Bonitz, the archi-
tect, who is supervising the erection Of
the MeSSrS. Solomon'S new building,
called u attention to it.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-04-21
Pennsylvania Bribery investigation

Harrisburg, Pa, April 1.-THE brib-
cry investigation committee this even
ing recommended to the house that
criminal proceedings be instituted in
the courts against nine persons
Inamed) for corrupt solicitation in cor
nection with the balloting for United
States senator and the consideration
of the McCarroll jury bill. The house
postponed further consideration of the
report until tomorrow. There were a
majority and a minority report.
Some of the men charged are demo-
rat and some are republicans. The
majority report is signed by five of the
nine members of the committee
Messrs. Fow, democrat, chairman;
Dixon, democrat, and Koontz, Ran
a and Young, anti-Quay republi-
cans The minority report is signed by
Tighe, democrat, and McClain, Kreps
and Voorhees,, Quay republicans. The
minority report reaches substantially
the same conclusions as the majority
report. 1t, however, relieves from cen
sure some Of the persons who were
named for rebuke by the majority re-
| port and it recommends that the tes-
timony of and against Messrs. Ccyle
| Costello SpatZ, Evans, Moyles, Kulp
| Byrne, Titus and Jones be referred tc
! the proper tribunal for determination
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-04-21
Glorious News

Comes from DR.. d. B.. Cargile, of
Washita, 1. T. He writes: -Four bot
ties Of Electric Bitters has cured Mrs
Brewer Of scrofula, which had caused
her great suffering for years. Terrible
sores would break out on her head
and face, and the best doctors could
give no help; but her cure is complete
and her health is excellent" This
shows what thousands have proved
that Electric Bitters is the best blood
purifier known. It's the supreme RENE
dy for eczema, letter. salt rheum, ul-
GERS, boils and running sores. 1t slim
ulates liver. kidney n bowels. ex-
pels poisons. helps digestion, builds VI
the strength. Only so cents. Sold by
r. p Bellamv.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-04-21
Leg Crushed Off BY a Train

Mr.. J. w Booker, Waterman for the
Clyde Steamship Company in this city,
received the distressing news by wire
on Sunday, that his son, Mr.. John W.
Booker, Jr., had his leg so badly
crushed by a train at Charlotte, that
it was necessary to amputate it. He
resides at Blacksburg, S. c., and is ed
itor of The Cherokee Investigator. He
is % years of age, and is married. He
went to Charlotte Saturday to see his
sister, Mrs. w. c.. Wilkinson, and
intended to return hat night. He
was belated while doing some shopping
and when he reached the depot, the
train was pulling out on the Air Line
railroad. He had a number of bundles
and put them under his left arm and
caught On the railing with his right
hand to swing onto the train. It was
then running at good speed, and he lost
his hold and fell between the platforms.
The train was stopped a few feet from
where he fell. The wheels of the
trucks horribly crushed his leg. 1t was
amputated just below the knee.
Mr.. J.. w. Booker left yesterday af-
ternoon for Charlotte to be with his
son..