davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The age-herald., 1900-03-23
THE COMMISSION
 NOW AT MEMPHIS Prominent Planter Discusses the
 Negro LaborerS ARE THE BEST FARM HANDS He is of the Opinion That They Are Not as Good as in Slavery
 Time-Education Don't
 Hurt Them
ARE THE BEST FARM HANDS

Memphis, Tenn, March 22-The sub-com- mittee of the industrial commission, which is on a tour of the south, gathering infor- nation concerning the industrial conditions, arrived here this morning and will spend several days in the city. Three of the five members of the subcommittee are here.
 They are United States Senator Kyle of South Dakota, M. Ratchford, president of the International Mine w orkers union, and Captain Elliston Smythe, prominent cot ton planter of South Carolina The other two members of the party, Sol Livingston, a member of congress from Georgia, and J. c. House of North Carolina, were unable to come to Memphis. The subcommittee is accompa nied by Captain Purcell, disburs- ing officer, and several stenographers.
 The purpose of the commissions visit is to gather information upon all industrial subjects.
 A number of Memphis expert cotton men testified before the commission this morn- ing.
 J. E. Kyle, lawyer and planter and eX- member of congress from Sardis, Miss, was introduced. In reference to the cost of growing cotton he said that when mules anu HdIuWdIG were CHSdpi COllOH Coulu Dt grown at between and cents but he did not think 1t could be grown that cheap with the increase in the farm neeessaries. He thought the demand for stock had in creased the price of mules. In answer to a question of Mr Ratchford as to whether the increase in cotton also carried with it an increase in wages, he said that where they worked on shares it did.
 The Negro Laborers
 The committee then asked questions as to the condition of the negro lalsorers in the south. It was the opinion of MT. Kyle that the negroes made the best farm laborers the south had ever had. Some of the plan ters had worked aliens, and while they made excellent farmers, they only remain ed iong enough to get a start, when they generally left for the city, but the negroes remained. It was his opinion that the edu- cation of negroes had not uniitted them for farm work except in cases where the education was of such character as to make them give up work entirely. Some of the better educated negroes practfced pro fessions, but they were not well patronized by their own race. He thought the future of the negro, If he had any future at all, was in the industrial line. The negro, he said, was an efficient farm hand, but he could not say that he had Improved since the war. He was not as good a farm hand as he was in times of slavery. \ MT. Kyle was questioned with reference
The age-herald., 1900-03-23
GAS COMPANY WANTS
 FIFTYJYEAR CONTRACT
Willing to Make Liberal @ Concessions in Considcration-DoilarG Gas Ordinance
 May Stand in the Way.

The judiciary and the light committee -f the city council have under joint consider ation a proposition from the Birmingham company which in effect is new contract between the city and the gas company.
 The proposed new contract is for fifty years, beginning on April 1, 1900, and per petuates the company's franchise and al- lows it to extend it's mains to every DOT tion of the city hereinafter to be included in the corporate limits, and also to the burbs.
 Under the proposition the company agrees to furnish gas for cooking and mercantile purposes at s1 per thousand feet, and for Illuminating purposes at the following rates:
 From April 1, 1900, to April 1, 1910, $1.50 per thousand cubic feet.
 The next ten years the price shall be $1.40.
 Next ten years, $1.30
 Next ten years, s1.20.
 Last ten years, S1-1o
 1t is generally believed that the proposi- ton will be rejected, the council some time ago adopted a resolution fixing the price of Illuminating gas at $1 per thousand feet,
The age-herald., 1900-03-23
sharp Artillery Du I

Kimberley, March 22.-There was a smart artillery duel near Warrenton yesterday morning The battery under Major Blewitt supported by the Kimberley lighthouse, .lo- cated the Boers, who employed four guns, two, of which used acordite, but ineffectively. The British battery replyed with effect, and sileneed the Boer fire. The Boers sent two shells near the railroad station, which, however, was not damaged. A scouting par ty got too close to the bank of the river. and encountered a hot fire. The men were unable to get away, and it was impossible to relieve them without loss, the party be- ing obliged to wait for darkness in order to escape.
 The reconnaissance started and Major Ble- witt retired with only one wounded. This morning brisk firing was resumed at War renton about 6:S0. but it has now slack ened up.
The age-herald., 1900-03-23
British Want Boer Soldiers

London, March 2S.-The Standard in its principal editorial today indulges the hope that the Boers may yet become British sol diers. T. says:
 ''Fhe Boers are proved to have a remark able turn for soldering and there must be many young Boers who will be reluctant to return to a humdrum pastoral life after the excitement of campaigning. If they are willing to adopt military career we can find room for them in safer and more satisfactory enterprises than armed re- oellion We may yet hope to see some flu ture Cronie or Joubert leading British troops on the battlefield side by side with generals of Irish, Canadian and Australian origin.
 Army commissions are to be given to Australia. Similar privileges must be granted to the other colonies, including those of Southern Africa"
The age-herald., 1900-03-23
The f,eiagon. Bay Award

New York, March 22-George ". Van sicklen, president of the American Coun- cil of the South African Republics and ad- vocate in America for the Transvaal, today sent the following official letter to the Por- tuguese minister at Washington:
 Dear Sir: I am in a position to offer ito you as do to tender the government of Portugal the sum necessary to pay the ward known as the iDelagoa bay award which has just been made by the Geneva arbitration tribunal, say $6,000.000 Fair and satisfactory terms to be arranged.
 The offer is regarded as a movement on aEle part of the Boers to offset any offer which England may make to Portugal, thus embarrassing the Lisbon government, and thereoy at the same time closing the rear door to the Transvaal and Orange Free State.
The age-herald., 1900-03-23
BRITISH DOUBT a.s THE BOER VICTORY Gatacre Heard from Since Re- ported Date of Battle NO REPORT FROM WATERING War Office Said to Have News of Re- lief, But if So Announcement is
 Withheld-Are Many
 RumorS
NO REPORT FROM WATERING

London, March 23.4 a. m.-Again there is persistent rumor that Mafel1ng has been relieved. It is even asserted that the war office has received dispatch positively announcing the relief, but that is withheld because the form of the message admits the possibility of a mistake. The war office, however. declares that there is no confirmation of the rumor and that no fur ther news on the subject is at hand. No attention is paid in any quarters to the wild Boer rumors of Commandant OMever's victory over General Gatacre, which are only designed to revive the dropping spirits of the burshers.
 It seems certain that Mafeking's only chances lie in relief by the column sup posed to be advancing from the south or in the possibility that Colonel Baden-Powell lis stiA strong enough to attempt a sortie with a view of capturing the Boer guns at a time when Commandant Snyman has withdrawn his men to oppose Colonel Plumer's advance All the reports regard ing the British operations in the Free State continue most satisfactory Nothing alas developed regarding General Buffers S intentions, but it seems hard to believe that he is again embarking General Warren's division. O
 It is reported from Lourenzo Marquez that Pretoria Is prepared to stand siege of two years, and that tkle Boer women. frantic at the reverses to the Boer arms. are entreating to be allowed to shoot the British officers imprisoned at Pretoria. It is also announced from the Transvaal cap dta that the Italian government has de- clined to intervene.
The age-herald., 1900-03-23
German Cruiser. Launched

Berlin, March 22.-The German cruiser launched today at Kie received the name Prins Heinrich. and was christened by Princess Henry of Prussia She is belt ar mored with plate 100 milimetres thick at the water line She has an indicated horse DOW CT of 15000, and triple expansion engines, and is capable of 20la knots an hour. She carries two 24 centimetres guns in two re- volving towers, six 15 centimetre guns in casmates, four 15 centimetre guns in re- volving towers, and numerous smaller guns, together with four torpedo tubes. Her dis placement is $500 tons.
The age-herald., 1900-03-23

to the schools in Mississippi and the rela- tive facilities of the whites and negroes. He said the negroes were granted equal privileges with the whites in proportion to their attendance, the only difference being that the white teachers were better paid because they held higher certificates and taught higher grades. On the subject of the condition of cotton he said the planters were in better condition this year than they were last year. This was due to the advance of the price of cotton and the good demand for it. The cattle industry had also been good and this had helped out a good many farmers. He thought the gen. erol condition of the people was good.
The age-herald., 1900-03-23
Officers Attending Fetes

Madrid, March 22.-The officers of the Argentine school ship ,Presidente Sarmi- sento. now visiting Spanish ports, are at tending a series of festivities organized in their honor in Madrid. They have been abanqueted by the queen regent, the pre- ,mier Senor Silvela, and the Ibero-Ameri- can society. The speeches delivered were strongly in favor of Hispano-American un- lon.
The age-herald., 1900-03-23
BOpr Vacafe K'indom

Warrenton, Thursday,e March 22.LTh Boers have vacated KDipdam and Windsor ton, which are almost deserted. Their wives and families have fled with them. They sank the ponts, or ferry boats, at Riv- euon and Windsorton. The Vas -.ver can only be crossed by swimming. The coun- try this side of the river is well patrolled by the British.
The age-herald., 1900-03-23
BoER VICTORY REPORTED
General Divers Men Said to Have. De
 feated Gatacre fgi

Kroonstadt, Orange Free State Tuesday. March 20, via Pretoria, March 22-The Boers commanded by General Oliever have en- gagged British troops under General Gata- ere, in the vicinity of Bethulie, repulsing the British with heavy loss, and capturing many of them
 Burghers are arriving here in great num- bers. General DeWet arrived today.
 Desultory fighting with Colonel Plumers column has occurred near Gaberones
The age-herald., 1900-03-23
Connter Proclamations

London. March 23-A special correspond ent of the Times at Bloemfontein tele- graphing Thursday says: ls
 "Yesterday Mir. Kruger issued a procla- nation anneXing the Free State to the Transvaal MT Steyn Immediately issued a counter proclamation declaring the Free State intact"
The age-herald., 1900-03-23
Krugerand steyn VIII Meet.

London, March 2S.-'The Daily News has the following from Boemfontein, dated Wednesday,: +e
 Ut Is rumored that MT. Kruger and MT. Steyn will meet at Kroonstadt in the Or ange Free State, on April f. to discuss the future programme. The feeling between the Transvaal and the Free State is very bitter" s
The age-herald., 1900-03-23
- John Iarshail.in Washington

Washington, March 22.-Hon. John Mar shall, the republican lieutenant governor of Kentucky, who is in the city, said tonight that his visit was not in connection with the gubernatorial contest now in progress in his state.
The age-herald., 1900-03-23
The Poundrof Flesh

London, March 23.--Winston Churchill teleyraphing from Ladysmith Thursday pleads for mercy in dealing with the rebels He says:
 ''We must not try flor our pound of flesh No real conqueror ever lost by clemency either in this world or in tine next We have by no means @ monopoly In right in this quarrel, and our African record does not entail on us to judge harshly."
The age-herald., 1900-03-23
Both Are Improving

City Treasurer George Eustds, who has been i'll with gnp for a week, will prob- ably be well enough to be out by tomor- row or Sunday His clerk, Walter B. Car rell, who has been seriously ill with bron- chfal pneumonia, was reported out of dan ger yesterday.
The age-herald., 1900-03-23
Gatacre at sprIngfonte.n

London, March 23.-A dispatch to the Daily News from Springfontein, dated Wednesday morning, March 21, says
 "General eGatacre and his staff are still here. He Is most strict regarding the pri- vate property of the Boers. Some Kafirs who had footed Boer farms have been tried and severely punished"
The age-herald., 1900-03-23
Still Alive

At an early hour thds morning Eph Mar lin, the negro who was shot by Officer Nix on Wednesday night, was still alive. A .snessage from St. Vincent's hospital was ito the effect that ale was sinking rapidly.
The age-herald., 1900-03-23
Notice to Builders,

Sealed proposals will be received at the office of D. A. Helmich Architect, Bir- mingham, Ala, until o'clock D. m April % 1900, dor the erection and completion of our-story brick store building for the Milner & Kettig company as per plans and specifications prepared by said architect. Each bid must be accompanied by a prop erly certified check of s1O0 payable to the Milner & Kettig company, to be forfeited in case the bidder to whom the contract is awarded fails to enter into contract or execute the required bond of $1000O within the stipulated time. The right Is reserved to reject any or all bids. 3-21-1w
The age-herald., 1900-03-23
Fo CUKE A COLD IN ONErDAY

Take Laxative Promo Quinine Tablets. All druggists refund the money if 1t fails to cure. E. W. Groves signature is on each box. 25c.
The age-herald., 1900-03-23
TRAIN LOAD OF
 STEEL BELIEFS Big Shipment from Ensley to
 Massachusetts MEANS MUCH FOR DISTRICT The Local Iron Market Shows Great Strength Under Offer from Oonti- mental Europe-Advance in
 Prices Looked For
MEANS MUCH FOR DISTRICT

The first practical demonstration of the supremacy of the Birmingham district as steel market was the handling yesterday by the Southern railway of solid train of twenty-one cars loaded with steel billets, consigned to the American Steel and Wire company at Worcester, Mass.
 The shipment was made from the big m.ll of the Alabama Steel and Ship Build ing company at Ensley, and consisted of -four hundred and siNty-two tons of billets made from Alabama iron.
 En route to Worcester this shipment of steel will practically pass through the vania, which, up to few months ago, con- trolfed the steel markets of the world, and when 1t reaches Its destination it will have been transported nearly fifteen hundred miles.
 The plant of the Alabama Steel and Ship Building company at Ensley has been in operation since November 30, 1S99 the first heat having been run on that day Since that lime three furnaces have been con stantly in operation. The other seven fur naces will be started up as soon as prac- ticable.
 Iron Market Strength ened
 The local iron market has received a strong impetus toward higher prices from the continued foreign demand and an early advance is not at all improbable.
 Up to a short time ago German buyers have offered from 8 to 8 below the Birm- ingham price, but yesterday a bid was re- ceived by cablegram from a continental market offering within 10 cents of local quo tatons, which practically means that all iron will be taken f. 0. b. at ruling prices.
 A strong tone was given the market, and but for the fact that the heads of several of the large producing companies were out of the city, prices might have gone up.
 The local agent of Bradstreet's took cog nizance of the German offer, and wired the facts to the main office in New York, and the local iron situation will be made a feat ure of the weekly financial letter to be sent out by that concern today.
 The domestic demand for pig iron con- tinues firm, and local furnaces have no trouble in dqsposing of their entire output In fact, nearly all of the companies have sold their product for several months in advance
The age-herald., 1900-03-23
THE WEATHER
Office of Station Agent,

OIIce or 5tatI0n ABeht,
 Birmingham, Ala, March .22. Local observations during the 2 hours ending z D. m., Central time:
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-06-07
WILL HAVE A NEW JAIL.
1t is Pretty Well Assured That New
Council VIII Work for 1t.

CounCi VIII work lOr II.
The new City Council. which meets
in It's first session on Monday night. July
list, has already much work mapped out
Among the import work to be- done is
TO provide an appropriation for q pure
water supply and the building OF a set
Ting basin /: may be some time before
this work can be accomplished, but 1t is
the purpose of the new council to have 1t
done as early as possible.
\ great deal of work will be done In
behalf of having granolthic pavements
put along Franklin. Grace. Main, Broad
and other principal streets of the city.
il is pretty well assumed that Grace and
Franklin Streets will have granolithic
sidewalks, as well known Councilman
is already estimating the cost Of having
the work done. The appropriation for
the building of the great roadway to Full
ton is also likely to pass both branches.
There is movement on foot to have
also public park in Fulton.
The most important work that the new
Council will do will be in behalf of having
a new city Jail built. which will probably
be built in the central part of the city
and easily accessible to all the police
stations and the City Hall. 1t is quite
likely that Mr.. Marx Gunst will offer
resolution TO appropriate the money, as
he has been urging the necessity Of build
ing new jail for some time. He VIII
have the support of nearly everyone of
his colleagues and there is little doubt
but what Richmond VIII have a. new jail
before another election for municipal
Offices takes place.
The election of officers takes place at
the first meeting of the new Council.
There will not likely be any changes in
the men already nominated for the posi-
tons. The new president Of the body,
Mr.. +. c. Ebel, takes the chair at the
next meeting.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-06-07
NO HOGS IN THE LIMITS.
Hcnrico Supervisors Set Date for Re
moval-County News.
On a petition presented by residents

On petition presented by residents OF
Henrico county the Board of Supervisors
has decreed that by July list
all hogs be removed from the territory
bounded by the corporation line of the
city of Richmond on the east, by Ninder
Street or the south, by Meadow Street on
the west and by Lee District on the
north.
On information received from Constable
T. H Samuels, a warrant was sworn out
before Justice James T. Lewis, charging
Lawson Goode, coored. with selling whis-
key on the first day of April. 1900 without
license. Goode was arrested yesterday
by Constable Samuels and was given
bail in the sum of $500 for his appearance
next Saturday morning al II o'clock before
Squire Lewis.
Squire James T. Lewis yesterday morn
ing tried Nellie Hall tcoloreO, charged
with cursng and abusing Liza Lewis
(colored). She was fined 81 and costs.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-06-07
STOCKTON'S ENGINES TESTED.
Satisfactory Preliminary Trial Was
Giycn-Ncws of the ShiDyarLs

Satisfactory Preliminary Trial Was
Giycn-Ncws of the ShiDyarIs.
A highly interesting occurrence took
place at the works OF the VIM. r. Trigg
Company yesterday. The engines OF
the United States torpedo-boat Stockton
pressure, for the purpose of demonstrating
their fitness for operating under steam.
when they shall be installed on board the
vessel.
Much interest attaches to this prelin-
nary test, for besides the novelty of the
trial, testing the machinery with air pres-
sure in place of steam, accuracy CT the
work and the quality of the workmanship
were the points most eagerly noted, and II
is safe to say that nothing was left to
desire when TIE machinery made the flrst
revolutions in obedience to the manlDu-
lation of the engineer in charge.
A noteworthy point in this unusual eA-
psrience was the freedom from vibration
shown by these engines, notwithstanding
the fact that no unusual safeguards had
been made to prevent the exhbit of
this phase of the trial if present. AS
matter of fact no vibration was noted dur
ing the test and with speed OF some
thing over two hundred revolutions per
minute. the machinery remained as solid on
its temporary foundations as though Sc
cured in the vessel.
Preparations will be at once made for the
installation of these engines on board the
Stockton, when q steam trial will be given
them of several days duration. for CRIT
ical examination OF every detail, that the
first official trial at sea, in free route,
NAV be the complete success which TO-
days experiment foreshadows.
After the completion of the work OF
charging the William r. Trigg ship-build-
ing yards, the plant will be enabled to
build the finest vessels used in the United
States navy. 1t is probable that num-
Der OF other vessels. such as gun-boats and
cruisers. will be built here. The TriSG
plant has been assured that it will receive
its share OF the contracts. which VIII
include those for gun-boats and other YES
sells from the Government.
The dedication of the missionary boat
Samuel n. Lapsiey will be the most inter-
esting occurrence in religt0-s circles in
this city this month. The exercises take
place on June 23d at o'clock.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-06-07
THE BJOU is SOLD.
Il is Bought by the Bijou Company.
Another Big Sale.


A deed of sale of the Bijou Theatre pro-
perry by e. Harvie Spence and Bessie O.
Spence his wife, TO the Bijou Company,
was recorded in the Chancery Court yes
terday afternoon The consideration Of
money paid for the property was S22,50o.
The property is the lot, with improvements
thereon, situated at the northwest corner
of Broad and Eighth Streets formerly
known as ..Fords Opera House" fronting
80 feet on the line of Broad Street and
running back between parallel lines and
along the west line of Eighth Street 126
feet, more or less, to an alley, being the
same real estate conveyed to said Spence
by deed from Edgar Allan, Preston Cooke
and others, special commissioners, dated
October g. 1897.
The said Bijou Company has reserved
out OF the purchase money the sum of
$500, which is to be paid NJ. S. Quarles
and II. Seldom Taylor for deed of trust.
In addition 10 assuming the unpaid notes
the Bijou Company Will pay for the pro-
perry through six principal notes-viZ.,
$3.50. payable at two. three. four. five,
six and seven years after date: twenty
eight interest notes for the interest on the
sum of sl7,250, payable quarterly. and also
execute a deed of trust on the above
mentioned property and the personal pro-
perry of the said company to secure the
purchase money, principal and interest.
Mr.. Jacob Wells is the president of the
Bijou Company and Mr. Charles l. Mckee
is its secretary.
A deed made between the Richmond
Perpetual Building. Loan and Trust Com
pany and Ann c. Davenport, wife OF
Gideon A. Davenport. conveying to her the
property Of No. 203 West Franklin Street,
for the sum of $29,S00. was filed in the
Chancery Court yesterday afternoon. The
properly is all that lot of land, with inn
provements thereon on the south side o.
Franklin Street between Jefferson and
Madison, fronting on south line of Franklin
Street "A feet and 10 inches and back be-
tween nearly parallel lines 155 feet 10 an
alley on which il fronts IS feet ! IL inches.