davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-01

TRACY TESTIFIES
BEFORE COMMITTEE
Chief Witness Before Mazet's
investigators.
RAMAPO WATER COMPANY
Entire Session Devoted to Probing Into
Affairs of the Corporation-Can-
didate Gray Letter Rath-
er Sensational
RAMAPO WATER COMPANY

New York, October S1.3The Mazet inves-
tigating committee resumed its hearings
today. General Benjamin f. Tracy was
the Chief witness called, and he was ex-
amined by Counsel Moss, Committeeman
Hoffman and President Grout OF the bor-
ough of Brooklyn. General Tracy said in
answer to Mr.. Moss questions that he had
been connected wih the Rampo Water
company since 1887; that he was It's presf-
dent dn 1895, and 'tllat he had never received
any compensation except sixty-seven shares
of stock Wliol ne has since sold. The
general went on ito say that he was presi-
dent of the charter committee and Was an
ex-ohiclo member of the committee on
drafts. He had nothing TO do, however.
with the drafting of any part of the CHAR
ter relating to water supply.
Committeeman Hoffman questioned Gen.
eral Tracy regarding his relations with the
Ramapo company in the way of cross
examination, and as to his returns as q
shareholder with other companies. Cen
eral Tracy answered all the questions, but
protested against them.
In order to ascertain just how much mon
ey the firm of Platt, Boardman & Tracy
naQ received ITOH city cOrpoFdtiOuS, pupHC
departments and city officials, Mr. Hoffman
requested that Mr. Tracy produce the
books of the firm. This General Tracy said
he woulud not do unless the committee re-
quested it, and Chairman Mazet refused
to make such a request.
One of the features of the session today
was a letter which was read from John M.
Gray, democratic candidate for registrar Of
Kings county, who declared that he would
not testify before the committee before
election day because it was evident to him
that he had been summoned solely because
he was such a candidate. and because, he
added, the committee hoped "by this I'M
paralleled action to aid in some way the
candidacy of his republican opponent"
All the testimony developed today was
devoted to the Ramapo Water company.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-01
WHITES INEFFICIENCY
Feared That He is No Match for Beers
in Cunning

London, October 31.-It is feared that Sir
George White is no match for the Beers in
that cunning way by which the Boer tac-
tics are conceived, and it is pointed out that
If the British commanders continue to lead
their men into obvious traps further disas-
ters must be looked for.
Sir George Whites honest admission of
full responsibility and the terms of his dis
patch are regarded in some circles as yir-
tually placing his case in the hands of the
home authorities, and 1T is even rumored
late this evening that the war office has
already decided to supersede him. The re-
port, however, is discredlted in well in
formed quarters.
About 5000 fresh troops will arrive at
CapeItown on Sunday next from England,
and will be available to reinforce Sir
George White. Transports will arrive there
daily after Sunday, and by the end of next
week 2S,000 troops will have been landed
in South Africa. These men are intended
for Sir Redvers Buffers army, but they
will undoubtedly be detached to Natal ii
the situation should become perilous.
The British army will eventually reach
the huge total of SO, ,634, of which 1854 will
be regulars and 10000 miscellaneous, with
colonial troops.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-01
PRESIDENT SEES
SHUBRICK LAUNCHED
Mckinley and His Cabinet at
Richmond, Va.
CHEF EXECUTIVE SPEAKS
He Says That the American People Can
Look Backward With Pride and
Forward With Confidence
and Courage
CHEF EXECUTIVE SPEAKS

Richmond, Va, October 30.-The torpedo
boat Shubrfck was launched here today in
the presence of President Mckinley, many
members of his cabinet, Governor Tyler, OF
Virginia, and an immense outpouring OF
people. The demonstration was maTred IN
some of its features by heavy rain storm.
The civic carnival parade had to be aban-
doned until tomorrow, owing to the
weather and the decorations of the build
ings presented a bedraggled and woe
begone appearance. But the people, resi-
dents as well as visitors from other Vir-
einia cities and points outside the state who
came to witness the launching and the the
president, were enthusiastic. When the
presidential train arrived in the suburbs
of the city the Howltzer battery fired a
presidential salute. At Elba station, in the
west end, where the president debarked and
took a carriage, Gne was formally welcomed
by Mayor Taylor.
In his speech the president said in
part
"Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen:
am glad to meet my fellow-citizens of Rich
mond and to join with them in this inter-
esting celebration in honor of the launch
ing of the torpedo boat Shubrick, built in
this city of American material by the labor
of American workingmen for the use of the
American navy. l congratulate builders
and workmen upon this evidence of their
skill and industry. so credftable to them
and so highly commended by the officers
of the government. This is not the first
contribution which Richmond has made to
our splendid navy. She equipped the war
ship Texas with all her machinery, boilers
and engines, which were tried and tested
with entire satisfaction in the brilliant ma
val engagement in the harbor of Santiago,
when that gallant vessel SO gloriously as
sisted in the destruction of Cervera's fleet,
winning memorable victory and hastening
an honorable and enduring peace. 1 heart
lily rejoice with the people of this great
city upon its industrial revival and upon
the no table prosperity it is feeling in all of
its business enterprises.
"My eountrymen, the sacred principles pro-
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-01
DROWNED DURING
HIS INITIATION
Student at Cornell Meets Death
While 0beying Instructions
from Classmates.

New York. October 31-A special to the
New York World from Geneva gives the
details of the death of Edward Fairfox
Berkeley, of st. Louis, a Cornell university
student, who was drowned while carrying
out instructions of the members OF the
University Kappi Alpha society in the
course of his initiation as a member of that
society. The death of the young man has
caused something of a sensation, as 1t IL
lustrates the nonsensical custom of the COL
lege societies in torturing applicants for
membership.
The coroner's jury decided the drowning
an accident.
large number of students came over
from Ithica to do what they could for the
afflicted family. The townspeOple here are
Indignant over the death Of the young man.
They started the story that he was blind
folded and that Gnis hands We're tied behind
his back when he went into the canal.
This Is untrue. All of those who saw him
run across the field and who were present
when his body was recovered, some ten
persons, say that he was not blindfolded
and that his hands were not tied.
The students provided a $500 casket for
the body of their comrade.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-01
WAS SIMPLE REPETITION
Disaster Near Ladysmith Much Like
That at Majuba Hill

London, October 31.-From the scanty ad-
vices received up to II o'clock 1t seems tol-
erably certain that the disaster near Lady
smith was a simple repetition of the battle
OF Majuba Hill, though on a larger scale.
The two regiments were allowed to march
into trap set for them. 1t Is simply a
case of the Boer spider and the British
fly. In fact, the whole engagement Of
Monday seems to have been brought on by
Comma ndant General Joubert, who skill
fully conceived a gigantic trap, out OF
which, as the official dispatch shows, Sir
George White only escaped with difficulty.
General White advanced with the idea Of
driving iuhe Beers from 1.-THE hlla seven miles
out, where General Joubert made am osten-
tatious show of fortMying on Sunday. The
Boer commander left a force sufficient to
draw General White on, while the mobs
of the Beers moved stealthily around the
British right to deliver a flank attack and
to endeavor to cut off General White from
Iadysmath. The Boer commander succeed
ed in beating off the attack, but only with
great difficulty, and during the turning
movement his troops suffered from flank
dng fire Harsh things are said in military
circles Of the British tactics which have
made possible the ambush OF the Eigh-
teenth Hussars at Glencoe and now the loss
of two fine regiments.
Public anxiety here was increased by a
special dispatch from Ladysmith, published
in the late editions of the London afternoon
papers, to the effect that before darkness
yesterday the Beers reoccupied the old po-
sition held by their heavy artillery, which
General White had reported silenced by
the guns of the naval brigade from the
Powerful, and had opened fire again.
The dispatch further says:
1.-THE enemy are again closing In, and the
situation is one of grave anxiety. Beyond
doubt the Boer retirement yesterday (Mon-
day) was a ruse to draw General White in
to the hilly country and away from the
British camp"
This last sentence is significant, and con-
firms the opinion of many experts here that
General White is allowing himself to be
out-generaled by Commandant-General
Joubert.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-01
NEGRO MURDERER
QUICKLY SWUNG
Killed a White Bartender and
Judge Lynch Gave Him
Instant Trial.

Weir City, Kan, October 31.-Weir City
was THE scene last night of a double
tragedy. Gus McArdle, a bartender in
Berry James saloon, was shot and killed at
10:30 and in less than two hours his sup
posed murderer, George Wells, a negro
miner from Scammon, was swinging to a
telephone pole, the victim of a mob which
had forcibly taken him from jail.
Earlier in the evening McArdle and Wells
had some words in the saloon, after which
the negro left. Shortly afterwards a shot
was fired from across the street, the bullet
striking McArdle in the forehead. He died
in half an hour.
A few minutes later Wells came up on the
crowd that had collected, and inquired the
cause of the commotion. spectator
identified Wells as the negro who had
quarreled with McArdle, and he was at
once arrested. A mob formed quickly and
marched to the jail. Securing Wells with
out much trouble they dragged the fright
ened negro from the Jail, and strung him
up to the nearest telephone pole. Before
the rope was placed about his neck Wells
admitted he was the man who quarreled
with McArdle, but denied that he had done
the shooting.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-01
THE WIDOW OF EX-SENATOR
SPENCER WILL GO ON STAGE

rare. Being a shrewd man, he succeeded.
Spencer became United States senator
for Alabama, he being elected by the car
petbag legislature in November, 1868.
John Anthony Winstont, sometime gov
ernor of Alabama, had been elected sena-
tor in 1866 but was not allowed to take his
seat Two years later Spencer was chosen
for the term expiring March 4, 1873.
In 1870 the democrats carried the state
under the leadership of Robert Burns Lind
say. the venerable former governor no"
living at Huntsville.
Those were the days that developed the
great powers of leadership of John L. Nor
gan, James L. Pugh, James H. Clanton o.
w. Pettus, Thomas II. Watts and others,
whose very names spell the political histo-
ry of Alabama for thirty years past.
In 1872 the republicans regained the con-
troll of the state, electing David T. Lewis
governor over the democratic nominee,
Thomas H. Herndon.
The general assembly chosen that year,
and recognized by the federal power, re-
elected Spencer to the senate, and he serV-
ed as senator until March A, 1879, when ne
wa succeeded by Governor George 5.
Houston, who lived but few months, and
was succeeded by Pugh. Senator Morgan
had been elected in 1876 and remains sena-
tor.
spencer never really resided in Alabama
after his first election to the senate ana
after his reelection in 1873 he probably dld
not three times visit the state.
After the expiration of his last term he
formally took up his residence in one of the
western territories.
The democrats organized the legislature
in Montgomery in 1872; but the "bayonet
rule'' prevailed, and it was without power.
In 1877 Spencer, who was then spending
most of his time in New York, married
MAY Munez, an actress. Nobody in Ala
barna ever knew her, and the interest that
attaches to her now is merely that Which
attaches to the memory of George e.
Spencer, the carpetbag sutler of Alabama S
darkest days, the days when negro domina-
ton and the law of the bayonet reigned'
ruled and ruined!
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-01
STREAM OF CALLERS
The English Public Anxious for War
News

London, October 31.-There was continu-
Gus stream of callers at the war office until
a late hour, everybody inquiring regarding
yesterdays casualties. but the war office
declared nothing had been received since
Sir George Whites dispatch communica ting
the news of the capture of the Royal Irish
Fusileers and the Worcestershire regiment
This delay in getting further intelligence
is attributed in part TO the breakdown of
the east coast cable, but 1t stands to rea-
son that the war office must be possessed of
further news, which 1t Is probably not
thought advisable should be published as
yet.
The disaster has caused a feeling akin
to CONSERVATION. ana IN Gloucesrershire
and the north of Ireland, where the captur-
ed regiments were recruited, the utmost
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-01
HOBART'S CONDITION
Last Report Says There is No lmme-
diate Danger

Paterson, N. J., October a.-At O'Clock
this evening it was announced that vice
President Hobart has passed a very COM
Portable day. He has taken an interest IN
affairs and has been very cheerful and en-
joyed a natrual sleep. He himself says that
it has been one of the best days he has
passed. in week.
Paterson, N. j., November lat midnight
Vice President Hobart was sleeping rest
fully, with every prospect of good nastht
He is weak, BIT holding his own. No relapse
is aaisfcipated tonight.
Paterson, N. j., November 1.-Vice Presi
dent Hobart's condition was favorable al
2 O'Clock this morning. There is no i'm
mediate Danger" is the latest bulletin.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-01
WAR OFFICE CENSURED
FOR LACK OF FRANKNESS


it
csm he conduc O
proof of blum
division regard the Glen
ebusines sanother Of
to
of
the
with know
the eopnion Of many
having pmatuy allowed the su-
of prompitude
the reports"
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-01
THREE NOT INCLUDED
Count D'Alemenas Springs Sensation in
Madrid

Madrid, October s1.-A sensation was
caused today by the declaration OF Count
D'Alemenas that. owing to the ignorance Of
the Spanish-American peace treaty COM
missioners, three islands of the Philippine
group, the two Batanes and Calayan
islands. both north of Luzon. were not in
cluded in the scope of the treaty.
These islands. he asserted, ought to be
made the basis OF negotiations for the lib
Grafton of the Spanish prisoners.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-01
More Troops for Manila

Washington, October 31.-Headquarters
and ten companies of the Forty third vol
unteer infantry, now on duty at Fort Ethan
Alien, VT, have been ordered ito proceed ito
New York CITY, and there embark for the
Philippine Islands on the transport Meade,
November To-
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-01
President Kruger's Men Win the
Greatest Victory of War.
BLAME SEEMS TO REST ON WHITE
'Afrikanders May Advance and Force
English to Surrender or Retreat
Great Crowds Throng Lon
don Office for News.

London, October 31-The British have
suffered a great disaster near Ladysmith.
The Beers have captured the Royal Irish
Fusileers and the Worcestershire regiment,
together with a large supply of guns and
ammunition.
The British which have fallen into the
hands of the Beers may number 1000.
Among them are nearly half hundred Of
fcers.
The disaster has caused shock almost
unprecedented throughout England.
General White. in command at Lady
smith,, cables that 1t was his fault, and he
assumes the responsibility for the great
disaster.
It is now expected that General Jouberts
Boer forces will advance on Ladysmith and
force Whites army to surrender or retreat.
The. Beers have won the greatest victory
of the war.
General Sir Redvers Butler has arrived at
Capetown.
A second army corps may be called out
by England at once.
There Is great sorrow in London today
No such defeat was expected. The Boer
victory may result in the complete control
by them of Natal, which would seriously
cripple the English plans.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-01
NEWSPAPER COMMENTS
Majority Seem Exceedingly Glad o
English Reverse

London, November 1.-The Irish national
list papers are quite gleeful The Dublin
Evening Telegraph, John Dillon's paper,
says:
"a big bully triumphant is no lovely
spectacle; but big bully beaten is the
very acme of Disgrace"
The Dublin Evening Herald ridicules the
idea of Great Britain's menacing Russia
after Sir George Whites message.
Rome, November with the exception
of the organs of the vatican, the Italian
newspapers sympathize with England in her
misfortune
Berlin, November 1.-The Berlin papers
have had very little to say SO far regard
ing the British disaster at Ladysmith, but
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-01
Distins uished hunting Party

Springfield, Mo-, October a.-General
George H. McCann left for the Tanry coun-
ty game preserves owned by st. Louis and
Springfield tobacco men today, to supervise
the preparations at the club house for a
distinguished party of visitors who will
hunt at the preserves the middle of next
month. The party will include w. ]. Bryan,
w. ]. Stone, M. C. Wetmore and about
twenty others of national reputation in
democratic circles.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-01
Cold winds "a t,Iessin g

Vera Cruz, Mex, October 31.-The cold
winds that have come up during the past
few days have stopped the progress of the
yellow fever and there Is much rejoicing.
The epidemic, however, has not effeceed The
volume of imports and stores are large 1t
is considered remarkable THAT while tlne fe-
Yer here abates it continues at Orizba, out
is expected to disappear from that city
soon.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-01
Receivers Appointed

Boston, Mass, October a.-Receivers
nave been appointed for the Heaton Pc
ninsula Manufacturing company of South
Boston, makers of shoe machinery. No
statement of liabilities has eeen made.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-01

New York, October 31.-(Special.)-
E. Spencer, former United States senator
for Alabama, announced last evening that
She would make Cher debut on the stage
within the next three weeks. Moreover, she
one the managers of the theater refuse to
permit her to say at present.
Mrs. Spencer, twenty odd years ago, as
May Nunez, was popular actress in Au-
sustin Daly's company, but since 1877,
when she married General Spencer, she has
not been on the stage. Before her mar
riage Mrs. Spencer played in a number of
cities and in Washington, where she met
the senator from Alabama. They became
engaged and were marrded in New York.
Mrs. Spencer is a cousin elf Vice President
Hobart, and great friend of Mrs. Senator
Frye.
The story that the widow of the late
George E. Spencer has determined to go
upon the vaudeville stage in New York
serves to recall to Alabamians many traits,
none of which it were best to forget. In
terest here in this st tie in Mrs. Spencer Is,
as a matter of course, in political history
but secondary. George Spencer came to
Alabama in 1866 the suter to a regiment
of the federal army of occupation. He was
from somewhere up north. He knew how
to drive a bargain. He became a sutler,
sold all sorts of things to the federal sol
diers-was a sort of army shopman of va
rieties.
in the tragic winding up of the war be-
tween the states he found himself at Mont
gomery. The white people practically dis
franchised, and carpetbaggers, Adventures
and plunderers rising to power upon the
shoulders of the then recently freed slaves,
Spencer saw that his opportunity to enter
profitable politics had come. He did not
neglect the marvellous chance so unexpect-
edly come into his life.
Spencer Immediately became a dealer in
politics in the most corrupt time that has
ever been known in the history of the white
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-01
THE WEATHER.

WEATHER FORECAST: FAIR ON
WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY, WITH
VARIABLE WINDS.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-01

vUUEnE TnERE'sA WILL THERE'S \
k5 sEzs8RE wAy-tI reach tue public. aud the
way Is through Tho v-HerIid Orna mont
your adverti semea. th facts aud The A.e=
Herald will do the rest ........... .............
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-01
The Arrangements

The subcommittee of the committee on
plan and scope met yesterday at State fair
headquarters to arrange as far as possible
the details of the celebration, and will re-
port to THE committee of the whole this
morning. The programme as outlined by
the subcommittee Us as follows:
y . .
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-01

Continued on Second Page.)
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-20

A MARVELLOUS IMPROVEMENT n SAM
TARY CONDITIONS SINCE AMERICAN
OCCUPATION BEGAN

Washington. Feb 10 (SpeciaD Gratifying re-
ports e the improved health conditions In Cuba
as one f the benefits Of American occupation
resulting from the enforced cleanliness de-
manded by Army officers in charge continue 10
reach Washington from various sources. sur
geon- General Wyman Of the Marine Hospital
Service made public yesterday official returns
from the sanitary inspectors at Santiago and
Havana. which show a marvellous improvement
in those cities. Until few weeks ago the deatn
rate at Havana had exceeded 100 per l.p" f0i
many years and never more than day passed
without at least one death from yellow fever
In strong contrast is the following from Dr.
Drummer the United States quarantine officer
al Havana. under date of February ..
Two weeks have elapsed since death from
yellow fever was recorded and ] do not Know
that there is case nov existing III me c.Is .
The mortality has steadily decreased Tor the
last few weeks until il makes the present Weeh :
death rate the lowest fOs over year. posS'piS
for over two years. Under the present cohul
lions 1t cannot e much lower before u asalh
rises The decreased death rat" Is due 10 th'
presence Of Americans and food 10 large tA-
tent but he diminuton Of material must enter
largely into the decreasing death rate.
From Santiago. which for years had most
unenviabe notoriety as a veritabie pesthoiT'
comes the following from Dr.. Caminero. the
Governments medical representative at tha'
port
have the honor TO inform You that no deaths
from either infectious or contagious disease
have been reported during the week ehurG "a
I'D. January y The total number OF deaths
has been nfty-four. If which ten We'e rom
tuberculosis malarial fevers follow and me res
from different diseases Of non-contaslouS cIla'
acter our sanitary condition Is HHP' "' lI-
dailv Both the civil and military hospitals are
now in splendid sanitary condition ana per
fectlv well attended 20. The pupHc no" pa
more attention 70 hygiene. and the streets ana
hnuses are kept clean. Where disinfectoh Is
needed II is Immediately pracus"G