davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-06-01
ST. LOUIS lHIEyERY
CITY COUNCIL HoNEYcoMBED
WITH CORRUPTION.
Startling Disclosures Made by tbs
Grand Jury Report-$135, 900
Corruption Money in the
Hands of the Court.

ST. Louis, May 31.-The April grand
Jury, which has ben investigating mu-
nicipal corruption, made final report
today to Judge w. b. Douglas. In its
report the grand jury compliments Cir
cult Attorney John w. Folk and Assistant
Circuit Attorney W. Scott Hancock for
the manner in which they are discharging
their duties in connection with the mu-
nicipal investigation and the prosecution
of those indicted.
Indictments against the following, who
had already been arrested on bench war
rants and released on bond, were mace
public this afternoon: Fred w. Zlegen-
helm, secretary to former Mayor nleseh-
helm, charged in five counts with bribery
and obtaining money under Ialse pre-
lenses; Charles w. Kelley, ex-Speaker OF
the House of Delegates; Delegate Chdries
L.. Geraghty and Councilman Louis
Schnell. charged with misdemeanors
The grand jury made its final report
today to Judge Douglas. The report says
that while there may have been corrup-
ton in other cities as great as we have
here, vet in no place in the world ana IN
no time known to history has so much
official corruption been uncovered ana
the evidence shown so that all could see
and understand. These revelations have
be. n so appalling as to be almost beyond
belief and it will be years before the ex-
tent of the discoveries are fully realized
.If he affairs of St. Louis had been
propcrIy administered for the past tif-
"if the affairs of st. Louis had been
honest, there would today be enough
money in the treasury to put public build
ings in repair, pave streets that are now
unpaved, make sewers that are now I'M
made and build new buildings so much
needed. The high tax rate, the deplora BILE
condition of public institutions, the de-
pleted state of the city treasury are an
heritage left by officials who have proven
traitors to the interests of the people
and have trafficked in their votes, intiu-
ence and official actions to the citys det-
Timent.
These disclosures make plain that tax
PAYERS of St Louis have been merciless-
iy and pitilessly outraged: that the
money they have paid i'm taxes have been
instead of being used for the
public welfare it has. ben feloniously dis
sipated and benefited chiefly corrupt ON
clals who have grown opulent on small
1T is in evidence before us that for
who was afterward Mayor, received in
terest on public funds for his own
private account. The sum so received was
something over $1,000 with which interest
to date would amount to about $4,000.
ANY possible criminal charge arising
out of this action has been barred by the
statute of limitation. which. unfortunate
IL. is two wears. A civil action to recov-
er the money. however, can still be
brought. and. we understand, will be in
'The Secretary of the late Mayor made
a practice II selling permits and OF ex-
The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-06-01
CHEERED THE DUELLIsTs.
Negroes Fight in Presence of Bi
Crowd in Chicago.

Chicago. May 31.-Two colored men
fought a duel to the death with knives
last night at Twenty-second and Dear
born Streets.
As they slashed and plunged the weap-
ons into each others bodies, a crowd of
moro than fifty people formed a circle
around them and cheered the combatants
when one or the other drove the knife to
the hilt.
After ten minutes of fierce fighting, AL
exander Shirley staggered and fell with
his adver sary's weapon sticking in his
bCdy. The long, keen-edged blade had
pierced the heart. He was dead when
the police arrived. His slayer, Charles
Thomas. was bleeding from several
wounds. The police hurried him to hos
pitaI. and after his wounds were dressed
locked him up lie will be charged with
murder.
Shirley came to Chicago recently from
Mississippi He met Thomas last Mon
day. and. having known him in the South,
tried to borrow money from him. Thomas
refused To give him assistance and they
quarreIed Before parting Shirley, it IS
said. made the threat that when they
again met one or the other would die.
The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-06-01
MADE A MILLION.
Mayor Of Evanston Cleans Up Big
File on Oats.

Chicago. May 3I.-James A. Patten,
Mayor of Evanston and a prominent
Board Of Trade operator. today brought
a successful close to the corner In May
oats which has dominated the oats mar
ket since early last fall
The profits credited to Mr.. Patten on
the deal are estimated at nearly 81, 200, coo
About the time the prices in corn be-
gan to mount skywarcs last year on ac-
count of the crop shortage. 1t was learned
that some one was taking in all the May
oats offered on the Chicago market and
elsewhere. Prices began to advance
steadily and around SIC it was known
that Mr.. Patten was trying to work a
corner. On the big fiurrS on the Chicago
board last December. May oats were
pushed to AZ 5-Sc. Since that time reac-
lions occurred and when delivery day
came this month many spectators
thought the bottom had fallen out of the
corner.
1t was said that Mr.. Patten had 10000
900 to 100000 bushels of the May OPP
tons Everything that was offered to
him on deliveries he took. and In turn
sold practically all the contract stocks to
shippers at good inducements. These left
nothing for the shorts to acquire with
which to settle and prices accordingly
were pushed up by MIR. Patten personally
in the pit today. May oats closed yes
terday at 4s@4S To Today prices were
| jumped about cents and closed at 40 1-2c.
| There was. little furry of excitement
| a 1.-THE close, but the corner did not az
! feet the other options,
The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-06-01
Pauncefote's successor,

Washington. May 31.-The question Of
the succession to the place in the British
Embassy here vacated by the death of
Lord Pauncefote is attracting attention in
official circles to an unprecedented degree.
In the present case there has not been
the slightest hint or suggestion to indi-
cate the intention of the British Govern
ment in the matter. The names of the
persons mentioned in the Associated Press
dispatches of last night are all favorably
received by the officials here and it may
be stated on the highest authority that
the President will cheerfully receive any
Of them persona grata. The weight Of
opinion here is that Michael Herbert. row
secretary and minister at Paris will re-
ceive the appointment as Lord Paunce-
Totes successor.
The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-06-01
TORTURE OF NATIVES
INSTANCES CITED BY CIVIL GOV
ERNoR LIVINGSTONE.
Two Officials Of the Town Of Santa
Magdalena Killed and Another
Tortured by American
Troops.

Washington, May 31-The Secretary of
War has transmitted to the Senate Com
mittee on the Philippines copy of a re-
port made by ]. G. Livingstone Govern
or of the Philippine province of Sorsogin.
Of the killing by soldiers of two native
fficials of the town of Santa Magdalcna
Of that province. One of the men was
the Presidente of the town named Ysidro
Gallanosa and the other policeman The
secretary of the town, one Quinten Ga
nit, also was tortured for the purpose of
forcing confession from him.
Governor Livingstone says a native
who was trusted by tine American author
tiles was sent to the town to spv ont
men connected with the movement known
as the "Anting-anting movement; that
he arrested some such men and took
them with their papers before the Presi
dente. and that while all were there. a
detachment of troops under a corporal
entered and arrested all as insurgents.
They were then taken before Lieutenant
F. w. Harker of the 18th infantry, who
put them to work on the streets. The
report continues:
THE next day the Presldente and
CAN'T were taken out into the woods
and hanged until their feet were nearly
off the ground and we're asked if they
would talk to which they replied that
they would. They were returned to Mat
nog, where the secretary was again ques-
toned by Lieutenant Harker as to the
corCuct and character OF the Presidente
giving. according to his dhe secretary 81
statement satisfactory answers. He was
returned, to the jail and later he with
the Presidente and Ciriaco Func a police
man of Magdalena. were again taken to
the hills. being compelled to carry a rope
a pick and spade, and. on reaching II
certain spot, the Presidente was put to
work digging what would appear to be
a grave. Then the Preidente was bound
and shot in the back. The secretary
states that he saw all of this himself,
and also saw the policeman bouAd in the
same way and a little later heard shots
which he presumed were fired at the po-
liceman, as he was also killed
The report also says:
policeman attempted to escape, and the
soldiers concerned have made affidavits
to this effect, but I believe this to be alb
olutely untrue"
Colonel Livsingtone concluded by giving
his own opinion of the case, saying that
he was forced to the opinion that the
original order for the arrest of these men
was absolutely unwarranted.
The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-06-01
GIVES OUT STATEMENT
Will Work for Primary Plan In
Interest Of Harmony.
He Says He Has Talked With Candi.
dates for Reelection and Be-
lieves That They Agree
With Him.

In an authorized statement yesterday
Hon. j. Craig Smith, State Treasurer,
| announced that he favored Democratic
primary for the selection of State officials
at the forthcoming election. He says
after careful study of the situation he
has reached the conclusion that the peo-
pie desire primary and believing, as he
does. that the people are the sovereigns
of the State. they should be allowed to
conduct the elections as they see fit.
Mr.. Smith, who is a candidate for
denomination for a second term as State
Treasurer is one of the best informed men
in the public life of Alabama lie Is a
citizen of Dallas County where he has
lived throughout the years of his life and
no one is better informed on conditions
in Alabama than Mr.. Smith.
He is the first State official to publicly
express his opinion on the question of
primary or no primary and his state
nient is Significant.
The statement authorized by Mr.. Smith
Is as follows:
II have no fault to find with the con-
ventions of the Democratic party or with
that method of making nominations and
conducting the party organization. l
have no preference between the two
methods of making nominations so far as
my own political fortunes are concerned.
But | believe that the people want a
primary for this year at least. and / can
see no good reason why their wishes
should not be respected. The Democratic
party has given them constitution with
which they are delighted. 1t has In
creased the school fund and reduced taxes
All the whites are being registered and
the negroes are being eliminated. There
is no grounh of complaint anywhere
against the Democratic party or the
State administration and the prospect for
harmony is especially bright upless we
throw it away by refusing to give the
people an opportunity 20 make their
nominations direct. The people are
| SOW greiss~ = these matters and their
wishes 5il,e dz bssheeded. Unless pfi-
mary is ordered. fear the party viii
not escape the danger of division and
trouble here on the threshold of the new
era brought about by the new constitu-
ton. / shall do what L can to secure
a primary not because l personally have
any complaint to make against the con-
yention system, but as measure In the
interest of party harmony and welfare
"Of course, when / say primary mean
Democratic primary in which the
Democrats of Alabama can come together
and select their nominee. / would not
willingly see a Democratic primary IN
vaded by enemies who go in to make
trouble and then oppose the nominees
which they had helped to make.
Il have talked with other members oil
the administration for some time past
and [ believe all those who are candl-
dates for reelection favor primary ana
think the committee should give the peo-
pie what / am convinced they want.
The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-06-01
ARGUMENT FOR PANAMA
VIEWS OF MINORITY OF CANAL
COMMITTEE.
Claim Made That All the National
Advantages Are With the Pan
anna Route-Discussion
Of Earthquakes.

Washington, May 31.-The views of the
minority members of the Senate Commit
lee on Inter-oceanic Canals Oh the canal
Lii today was presented to the Senate
by Mr.. Kittredge. The report advocates
The substitution for the present bill of
the Spooner bill. leaving the selection OF
route for an isthmian canal to the Presi-
dent, hut 1t is devoted largely to the pur-
pose of showing that the Panama route
is preferable to the Nicaragua route. This
contention Is based upon the last report
of the Canal Commission. The claim is
made that all The natural advantages are
with the Panama rorte, 1ot the least
of which is the comparatively brief time
niece ssary to traverse the canal.
DOUBT is also expressed as to whether
a right of way can be secured from Mic
ardgua, while it is asserted that there
are no legal obstacles In the way of Sc
curing the Panama Company's right of
way.
1t further is contended that from an
engineering standpoint, the Panama
route is superior.
On the point of possibility of destruc-
ton or damage to locks or dams of the
canal from volcanic eruptions or from
earthquakes, the minority assert that the
Nicaragua route is directly in line with
numerous VOLCANOES more or less active,
which in the past have wrought great de-
struction to the surrounding country;
that the entire country through which the
Nicaragua canal route runs has been
frequently disrupted by violent earth
quakes while the Panama route has no
vlocanos. extinct gor otherwise nearer
than 200 miles, and that the official rec
ord of seismic disturbances in the last
two years Is about tenth in number of
those reported in the vicinity of the Mic
aragua route and practically nothing in
point of intensity of those felt at the
latter place.
The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-06-01

torting remittances of fines In criminal
CAGES. -,
.sThe charter OF the city provides that
no member of the assembly or st-y ON
cial shall be inter ested, directly or moi
rectly, in city contracts or in furnishing
supplies to the city. This beneflce1t law
Is, we find. most grossly violated py
In the report reference was made 70
the gigantic street railway franchise
bribery scheme, uncovered BY the pre-
s4so 1900 was put up BY two railroad conl-
panies to secure the passage OF biils CIV
ing valuable franchises. In one instance.
the report says $4,000 was divided am In
assembly. In respect to the other tuna
the report said: by prompt and ener-
setic action the corruption fund OF slsS,-
900 was caught between the lines ana y
new held subject TO the orders of the
court as evidence. A. number OF tnofct-
ments grew out Of this attempt to pur-
.aTwo ~ the defendants have become
fugitives from justice forfeiting large
bonds, and are now exiled IN roreign
land Two others have been brought 10
one being given three years In the peni-
tentiarv and the other two years. Anoth-
err Of the defendants Is at large In an
" In the trials the bribe money was pro-
duced in court.
members of the municipal assembly
have come before our body and brazeny
admitted that they sought seats III the
assembly, for the money they could make
selling their votes and It is apparent that
this spirit has governed for years and
no bill of consequence has passed unless
money has been paid to secure favorable
action.
I'VE have carried the investigation on
and although we were prepared. to some
extent by what has transplred to hear
of official misdoings. we have been
amazed at the vastpess of corruption
that has been common among members
of the assembly and other officials OF our
city.
ut seems to have been the highest aim
of some officials to rob the city when
ever opportunity offered.
They have regarded the holding OF Of
flee merely as a means OF making a liv-
lihood easier than they could in private
life"
The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-06-01
FARMER NAILED TO TREE
Highwaymen Treat John Hairless
Most Brutally-He Suffers
Most Excruciating Pain.

Huntsville. May I.-Aftcr holding up
John Hairless "a farmer who resides on
the Esslinger place near Berkeley ana
taking ali the money he had on MS per-
son, two robbers pushed him against
tree and nailed the loose folds OF nesh
on his sides and his hands to the tree
where he remained several hours help
less AMI suffering excruclatlng pam.
News of this outrage reached Huntsville
last night.
Hairless will carry the marks OIL ms
sufferings to the grave.
The farmer says he was eating his
lunch at IA secluded spring after having
pIowed half the day, when he was con-
fronted by two strange white mon who
held him up with pistols and took all his
money, a small sum, from his pockets.
They were angry because he didn't have
more and backed him against tree to
which they nailed him. He remained in
that position until sunset when farm
hand found and released him.
The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-06-01
REDUCING THE ARMY
STRENGTH WILL BE DECREASED
10,700 HEN.
Under New order Of Things 1t II
Intended to Keep one-third
Of Troops in Philippines
All the Time.

washington, May M.-By direction o.
the President, Secretary Root has ISSUED
general order decreasing the strength
Of our permanent military establishment
and changing the ratio Of its makeup. al
provided in the general order issued las
May to carry out the army re-organiza
ton law.
Under the general order of last May the
total strength of the army was fixed al
7.2s7 men. The order issued today re-
duces the figure to 66.497-a reduction OF
1880.
In the cavalry branch Of the service.
the old order specified twelve troops of
eighty-five men each to a regiment; the
new order establishes twelve troops Of
seyenty-five men each. This will decrease
the total strength of the fifteen cavalry
regiments from 15.si0 to 1900.
In the artillery branch, the coast con-
tingent will be kept at Its former strength
of 126 companies of 100 enlisted men each.
or a total of 1874. but the field artillery
will be reduced from thirty batteries of
100 men to twenty-eight batteries C25
light and three mountain) of 100 men each.
Provision is made in the new order for
two siege batteries, each with a strength
of l6o men, which. in addition to the light
and mountain batteries will give the ar
tillery corps a total enlisted strength OF
l7,742 as against the 1852 men provided In
the former order.
The new order reduces the number OF
men to an infantry company from 10f to
so and our thirty regiments OF twelve
The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-06-01
AFTER THE ENGINEERS.
Federation of Labor Desires Them to
Affiliate.

Norfolk. Va. May I.-Thr Brotherhood
Of Locomotive Engineers, at their session
today. adopted a resolution a. thanks u
James O'Connell President of the Ma
tional Machinists' Union, who delivered
an address favoring the federation OF the
brotherhood with the American Fedora
ton of Labor. Thus Ear no official atten-
ton has been given the proposition. Mr..
OConnell came to Norfolk as the repre-
sentative of the American Federation OF
Labor and upon the consent of Grand
Chief Arthur.
Assistant Grand Chief YounGson of the
Rrotherhood stated tonight that while
the sympathy of the Brotherhood was ex-
tended TO all organized labor, the fedora
ton of the order with the American Fed
eration Of Labor was an entirely differ
emit question and had not been considered.
Five thousand cape jessamine blooms
were received from Houston Tex, today
on ice They were intended as induce
ments to have the next convention held
at Houston. The delegates from Texas
declare with regret that the flowers We're
thirty minutes late.
The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-06-01
Pelaa in Eruntion.

Fort de France May 3l-Q p. m.)-The
United States steamer Dixie arrived here
from ST. Vincent last night and left early
this morning for New York. At $50
o'clock yesterday afternoon the subma-
rine cable broke again. and at o'clock
Mont Peiee was In violent eruption. Re-
ports received here say that the north
craters are pouring great torrents of mud
in the direction of 1--WE. Yesterday there
was an enormous eruption of steam ana
ashes. The Riviere Blanche is again the
course of torrents of intensely hot mud,
giving off steam and falling into the sea.
The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-06-01
ROSE NEARLY 10 FEET.
Washita River overfows and Fer
sons are Completed to Flee.

Anadarko. Ok, May SIN three hours
last night the Washita River at this point
rose nearly sixteen feet, carrying dozens
of tents and outbuildings on the low
lands and flooding the town to a depth Of
four feet or more. The persons in the
bottoms barely had time to escape to
high ground. and a number were forced
to climb trees. Boats were secured and
several persons in Terilous positions were
rescued, one woman with a three weeks
old baby being taken from the branches
of a tree.
1t is believed no lives were lost though
many are homeless. Today the water is
receding The Hood is the wost in TWEEN
ty years. One mile of track on the Rock
Island road was washed out, and the
Presbyterian Indian Mission grounds and
the government Indian school and farm
are under water.
The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-06-01
Bows, orphanage in Porto Rico.

Laredo. Texas May S1-A Monterey,
Mex; special says : Rev. \. c. Alder
man. pastor of the Christian Mission of
this city Will leave Monday for Porto Rico
to establish a boys orphanage on the
island. He has been commissioned to go
by the Christian Board of Missions and
the home will be opened and conducted
in the name Of that denomination. The
Christian Church has already success
full girls orphanage on the island. Mr..
Alderman expects to complete his assign
ment in about month and will then re-
turn to Mexico.
The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-06-01
Tornado at peadwOod, S. D.

Deadwood. S. D.. May 31.-A small tor
nado struck this city at 1 o'clock this
afternoon, ,demolishing about twenty
buildings and injuring three persons. none
of whom. however. are fatally hurt The
storm struck the town at the northeast
corner and swept everything in its path
The property damage in this city Is es-
timated at sl500oo. From here the storm
passed on 10 Terreville. a few miles dis
tant. where il demolished rve huiidings.
four of which were residences The
storm then struck Central City. where
great deal Of damage was dona
The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-06-01
Alabamians win Get Money.

The President has signed the, bill al
lowing claims under the Bowman and
Tucker act, and the persons who held
claims against the Government may now
draw their money. In Alabama. the fol-
lowing claims will be paid by the Secre-
tary of the Treasury: George p. CaId-
wen. administrator of Hamlin Caldwell.
deceased. s10,7ss: Francis =. Appiing Of
Tuscaloosa County $3.50; Hugh r. Bone.
executor of Martha III. Bone, deceased, or
Madison County, $2,544; Hugh III. Kirby,
administrator of James Bnndren OF De
Kaib County, $3.50; the estate of James
M. Campbell, deceased, late of jackson
County. 81 ,9S7, to be distributed as fol-
lows: To White B. Campbell. admins
traitor of James Campbell, deceased. $50;
to White B. Campbell, SON of James
Campbell. deceased. in his own right.
s4Os; to Joseph D. Campbell. son of James
Campbell, deceased. s4o3; to White =.
Campbell, as administrator of James y.
Campbell, son of Newton Campbell. de-
ceased. and grandson Of James Campoeil.
deceased. s4o3: and to John Holland, son
of Sarah Campbell Holland, and grandson
of James Campbell, deceased. s4O3; Adm l..
Hurd, administf ator of Robert NJ clark,