The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-12-19

scription" is symbolical with outrag e,
polite plumber and other reprehenSible
means, in which might figures as a
solitary virtue.
One incident, the most notable among
the many that are generally known
and definitely authenticated, will serve
to illustrate the grotesque nature of
these voluntary subscription" schemes.
The revolution having been protracted
for years, and the Liberals having been
so thoroughly drained of money that
their resources were almost entirely ex-
hausted, Gov. Alban reached a point
where it was necessary for him to
raise Immediately a large sum of
money. Up to that time the whole
expense of the revolution, on both sides,
had been borne by the Liberals, who
were its instigators and promoters, and
who, by the voluntary subscription"
process, had been compelled to defray
the expenses of suppressing that move
ment for which they were themselves
responsible. In his last dilemma, how
ever, Gov. Alban had resort to the re-
sources of the Conservatives, the hour
having arrived when they could 10
longer escape extortion. The incident
can best be related in the words of a
Conservative who was one of the suf-
ferers.
Some twenty-five or thirty promi-
nent Conservatives of Panama gather
cred at Cow Adams residence one
morning in answer to an invitation
to breakfast with the Governor" said
this former Conservative in relating
the incident to your correspondent.
Breakfast was served in elaborate
fashion. The conversation was gen.
eral, the revolution being merely dis
cussed in a desultory way until coffee
and cigarettes were served At that
point Gov. Alban entered upon an
elaborate statement of the condition
on the isthmus. He detailed the prog
ress OF the revolution, praised us one
and all for the stanch manner in
which we had supported the govern
ment, and finally admitted that he was
exceedingly hard pressed for money,
declaring after an elaborate explana-
ton that he was compelled to raise
very large sum of money Immediately.
Entering then upon a circumstantial
account of how he had drained the
Liberals until they could no longer as
sist the government he led up in an
adroit way to the climax, which was
reached when he drew a paper from
his pocket and remarked:
Now, senoreS, l must have this
money, and / am compelled, much to
my regret, to ask you to assist me in
raising it. 1 have here subscription
list, which recites that the amounts
you will put down opposite your names
are given voluntarily. To show that
I have no desire to act unfairly,
have headed this list with my own
subscription for $4,000, and I trust
that you will not let me Guido you in
rendering the government generous
support incidentally, I may say that
you are all under arrest. The house is
surrounded by soldiers; none of you
can escape
And smiling suavely and bowling
gracefully, the Governor moved to-
ward the exit, saying as he withdrew:
with your permission l will retire
for one hour At the end of that time
I shall return, and during my absence
trust that you will arrange this vol
untary subscription among yourselves
with a spirit of such generosity that
my Imperative demands can all be
satisfied without annoyance.
An Army Made by Force.
The SEQUEL to the story is involved
in no mystery. The company of Con-
servatives was helpless. They ragged
and fumed; but Alban was not man
to be trifed with, and when at the
end or the hour he returned the vol