davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-10-06
Why We Have Been Slow to Discuss
"The Oansman.'

Why has The Landmark had moth
ing to say about the propriety
Of Nj Thomas Dixon's play, ''Thc
Clansman?" Before answering this
question, let US give space to the fol-
lowing letter from a friend whose
Judgment we esteem and whose ap-
prevail we greatly desire:
charlottesville, Va, Sept. 2S, 1905
7 the Editor of The Norfolk Land
mark:
Dear Sir-Wlll you allow an ex
preston Of surprise from a daily add
an admiring reader of all your
columns that no editorial criticism of
the 'Clansman. as put on the stage
has appeared in your paper?
1T slces not seem to me possible
that SO sensible a man as yourself,
and SO sensitive to the public
needs and the public good, could fail
to at least take note Of this play and
less and dangerous recollections.
it's obvious tendency to stir up need
"It goes without saying that the
Reverend Mr.. Dixon has the right /
produce any book that he can sell, but
equally true is it that the public can
and should say. what sort of plays
shall be presented to them.
But without discussing the ques-
ton of right. and remembering the
wisdom Of the great Apostle: "ail
things are lawful. but all things are
not expedient:' is it expedient-is IL
iustifiable money-making-to do any
thing to interfere with the friendly
relations now existing between US
and our colored population?
THE writer of this hurried note has
in his official capacity, been thrown
into almost daily contact with the col
ored people of Norfolk for the last
ten or eleven years, and he is of the
deliberate opinion that they are
(slowly) improving physically, men
tally. and morally. They are not only
respectful to the white people who
treat them properly, but. what is quite
as important, they are beginning (ald
with reason, too) to respect them
selves.
1T is not, then. to be profoundly
deplored that any such play as the
'Clansman' should be presented in
our city. and a we not hope taat
public sentiment will force it's with
one of the acts. and we thought it
drawal from the stage?
Respectfully,
"a. r. H"
Since the writer of the foregoing let
ter mailed it, he has possibly seen
paragraphs in our editorial indicating
our belief that THE Clansman" is
not a proper play TO present in the
south.
We have not haa more to say be-
cause the chief reason for our view is
one which is neither easily nor wisely
discussed in print. This reason would
keep us from going to see such a play.
If all the white people of the south
who are familiar with the plot of The
story would refrain from paying their
money to see it acted at the theatres,
the play would soon prove to be a fatI-
ure in this section of the country.
There are many things fit to be sug
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-10-06
AN IMPORTANT CASE.

There is another case in the courts
in which the supreme our will be
called upon to construe the franchise
amendment to the state constitution.
This is n friendly suit brought in Ire
dell county and its decision turns upon
the construction Of the permanent reg
istration clause in that amendment.
The suit is based on the following state
Of facts:
Last August an election was held in
the town of Statesville on the question
of voting a bond issue Of thirty thou
sand dollars. There was a new regis
tration or this election. Many voters
who are registered on the permanent
roll under the grandfather clause did
not register for this ELECTION. If their
names are not counted in determining
the number of Registered voters then
the bond issue was carried; but if they
are counted the number of votes cast
for the bonds does O equal a MAORI
ey Of the registered" voters and the
proposition is defeated.
The court will have two questions to
decide if it goes fully into constituting
this section of the constitution-wheth-
er a man who puts his name OF the
permanent roll, which is filed with the
clerk of the court of the county has
to register in his ~nrecinct inst as do all
others whose names are not on the
permanent roll, and whether in an
election which requires a majority of
the registered voters to carry the prop
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-10-06
THE CLANSMAN"
An Argument Against the Production
of This Pla i'm the South.
f(KinstOn Free Press.)


The Free Press has aiready/express-
ed the prediction that Tom Dixon's
"ClanSman," which is now making it's
way through the south. is a Droduc-
ton Out-Of-iOint with the times. not
called for by the circumstances of the
life of today. n one which will ap-
peal to the owe of sensationalism
rather than to the sober
sense of the American people. We
have said that there is no demand for
a thing of this kind. and we are glad
to quote SO BILE a contemporary as
the Richmond News-Leader to the
some effect. The other night the
"Clansman" was played in the Virginia
capital. and the News-Leader in 'ru-
minating" about the play. said:
But why should all these old hor-
rors of a long-forgotten crime be
paraded and distorted In fanciful garb
before the people of today? What good
can it do? Knowledge Of them. as of
any other historical episode. can be
found in various books. giving actual
facts and figures and not the fancies of
a playwright or of a novelist. Mr.. Dixon
contends that his book n play are
to Uncle Toms Cabin" but
Uncle Toms Cabin did it's work
fifty years ago and it is not regarded
as useful or instructive in this day.
IL I1IS. olOAe Sd" III TO 1HV6nI IdCIS
and to distort actualities hideous1y to
fire the northern heart for a political
what is the sense of southern
people encouraging a similar perform
ance now for no purpose at all but to
make some money for Mr.. Dixon and
some actors and theatrical specula-
tors?
1T NAV be that Mr.. Dixon's play
will be a great monay-maker. al
though We doubt it" Uncle Toms
Cabin" has been a gold mine these
many years. The CIansman" certain
" is drawing money now. Yet we
cannot congratulate Mr.. Dixon on his
vault from preaching to playwright
There are Baptist preachers humble
and obscure. living on very meagre
salaries. c~ontending with economical
d~eacons. backsliders. chronic critics.
women born to be bosses and women
born to be fearful and to confde their
roubles to their pastors. and with
divergent cheirs and depleted collec-
ions who could not afford TO ex-
change places with Mr.. Dixon. Opin-
ions as to heaven and the hereafter
may vary. but there a be no two
opinions as to the existence of CON
science and OF the realization Of the diff
ference in a mans own soul between
doing good and doing evil: and i'm our
opinion Mr.. Dixon has done a distinct
evil and is likely to do more"
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-10-06
ON OXEN.

Madagascar has a unique cavalry
force in its army. The soldiers are
mounted on long horned oxen instead
of horses. The oxen are trained to
charge with heads lowered and they
have a formidable appearance as they
90 dashing forward with their long
horns leveled at the party attacked.
The oxen are easily trained, show little
fear and have great power of endur-
ance. NJ. Glen Fling in The Technical
World Magazine gives the following
account of a practice drill Of this cav
airy which he witnessed:
Charging with heads lowered is part
OF the drill. and al exciting part toe
for the onfooker. Thitty mounted ma
tives mounted on their oxen stand at
attention some hundred feet apart from
thirty more natives similarly mounted
At the given signal they rush at each
other. the oXen with their heads lower
ed ready to strike. h natives with
their spears grasped firmly and ewes
fixed op the oncoming foe. They
come to a sudden halt about three feet
apart, wheel right-about-face and
make ready for the scon1 charge.
To one watching it seems AS though
the two corps must of Il certainty &C
crashing into each other. and this is
what sometimes does happen in the
early drills. These accidents never re-
suit in serious mishaps. hOwever. and
amid great yelling of natives, sound
ing Of bugles. snorting and stampinG
of oxen the cavalry is ALWAYS brought
back into position and order is once
more wrought out Of chaos.
The oxen are neither slow o easily
frightened. and they have proved mes
intelligent. learning their part Of army
life with remarkable rapidity and toH.
ing to it as naturally as a regular vet.
ran charger. They are powerful
beasts and possess great fortiJude AM
endurance. Lacking fear in battle an6
advancing with great speed upon ar
opposing army. their horns poirtina
forward. they would create grear
havoc among horse cavalry.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-10-06

The Durham Herald has the follow
ing to say as to the charges Of cruel
treatment of the prisoners at the New
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-10-06
Friday, October 6, 1905
ROOSEVELT STANDS PAT.

Washington dispatches say the pres
ident stands pat for legislation on gov
eminent control of interstate railway
freight rates. 1t is the subject upper
most in his mind and he is as deter
mined as he was during the last sas-
sion of congress. Those senator's VINO
have called at the White house in the
last few days to see him on other bus
mess found him more anxious to dis
cuss this subject than any other, and
he convinced them that he would stand
by his recommendations made to the
last congress.
Among those with whom the pres!-
dent talked on this subject was SEM
tor Burkett. of Nebraska. The latter
after leaving the White house said:
q discussed rate legislation with the
president and I found him as deter
mined as ever. Although thee will
be no special session the president will
take up railroad matters as soon as
congress cOnVenes. and will rive q
great deal Of attention to it throughout
the session.
Predictions have been made that Mr.
Roosevelt would not make an issue
with his party on this question; that
no matter how greatly he favored
such legislation he was too good a re-
publican to run the risk of causing a
division in his party on this or On
the question of tariff revision. he
may be opposed to doing SO and SILL
insist on congress carrying out his
ideas. feeling that he is strong enough
to force into line those of his party
who now oppose him on the question
He may be wiling, even to accept ne
cessary aid from democratic senators
and members of the house in carrying
his measure through congress, WIFE
the idea that his party will have &c
come to him though a majority Of its
members of congress vote against niU
This last proposition carries with il
the idea that he feels that he is strong
er than his party and that the latter
will be compelled. as a matter of self
preservation, to accept his terms. IL
do this he will have to secure the sup.
port OF democratic members of bOtl
houses of congl ess and we have tn
feeling that the presidents southern
tour has. in his mind. much to do witt
the carrying out of this scheme. Mr.
Roosevelt. with all his brusquencs:
and i~mpetuosity. is an astute polit1
clan and he will be pretty apt to have
his way in this matter without dis
rupting his party even though it's lead
lers are against him now.
There is another point which
STRENGTHENS Mr.. ROosevelt's position
There is no doubt that he will lot b.
a candidate to succeed himself. II
his actions as president he will not be
looking to his future political welfare
We believe he will do what he con
celves to be the right, no matter wha;
the effect may be on him personally
II he has made up his mind to carry
this measure through, believing it Il
be right. he would in our opinion be
willing 10 sacrifice his popularity will
his party by forcing a measure OH il
by the aid of democratic votes.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-10-06

Montreal. October 4.-The warrant
of surrender for Colonel Gaynor aid
Captain Greene was signed by the at
torney general at Quebec this after
noon, and promptly mailed to Sheriff
Thibaudeau. of Montreal. The papers
should reach the sheriff in the nrsr
mail delivery tomorrow morning.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-10-06

Bears The The Kind Yen flaEs Nsars Bougtt
''s' It N1z%


Schooner Schal Will be q Total Loss
Norfolk, Va, October 4-The schoon-
er Thomas B. SchalI, a small bay trad
er from Baltimore, which stranded on
rocks lear Old Point Tuesday night.
viii very probably be a total loss.
The tug j. NJ. Clark today ATTEMPTED
to haul her into deep water but gave up
the job after it was found that the
vessel would likely fall to pieces.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-10-06

1t takes a lot of money to run the
of New York city. Tam
many wants one hundred and twenty
two million dollars for the next year.
Besides, sixty million dollars are to be
raised from the sale of bonds.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-10-06

Break in House While Family are at
Church.

Sunday morning while the family
were attending church some broke
into the residence of Mr.. L. D. Ayd-
lette. who lives about Z miles north
east Of this city, and took about sos.
two pairs of shoes. ONE tobacco, snuff,
etc. There is 10 clue TO the identity
OF h guilty party or parties..reens-
boro Telegram.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-10-06
Vote in Florence VIII Favor Dispen-
Sary.
Especial to The Messenger,

Florence. S. c.. October -Four
TENN out of the eighteen precincts in
the county give a majority vote of 20
in favor of retaining the ~dispensary.
There We're $50 votes in favor Of the
~dispensary and $40 in favor of no dis
pensary. The remaining boxes will in
crease the majority in favor of dispen-
sary.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-10-06
hanover convict Carp

It seems hat the gentlemen who
mad the charges of cruel treatment
in the convict camps of New Hanover
stirred UP some fire as well as sc
much smoke.
SO, we see the attention Of the peo-
pie from other parts of the state is
drawn to this matter and the outcome
Of the Investigation will be awaited
with interest. For this reason, as
we'll as far more important ones, there
should be the fullest search possible
made for evidence. of any cruel prac-
tees. The INVESTIGATION should not he
superficial or hastily made.
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1905-12-15
REGAINs STOLEN
$500 PAINTING,
Edward Benjamin, son-in'Iaw Of H..
H. Rogers, Gets His Sir Joshua
Reynolds Canvas,

NEW YORK, Dec. 15.-After sew
eral months search Edward Benja-
min, Of ArdsIey, son.in.law Of H. H.
Rogers, yesterday had returned to him
$500 painting, "Cymon and Iphlgen-
Ia" by Sir Joshua Reynolds, which
was a part Of a large robbery which
TOOK place at his residence.
Alfred Richie, a son Of the care
taker of Mr.. Benjamin's house, was
sent to Elmira for committing the rob.
berry. He confessed that the painting
had been sold to Robert Jordan, q
dealer, at SixtIeth street and Licking
ton avenue. Mr.. Benjamin went to
Jordan. who said he had sold the
painting to Edward Hollender, Of No.
1888 Lexington avenue, who, 1t was al.
legged, refused to give 1t up, whereup.
on Mr.. Benjamin obtained a summons
for him. Hollender told Magistrate
Breen yesterday no evidence that the
painting was the property Of Mr.. Ben
jamin had been shown to him. The
latter then produced bills of sale and
Ritchie's confession, after which Hol'
lender said he would return the paint
Ing.
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1905-12-15
FAlRVlEW.

There will be services at the NJ. E.
Church, South, Sunday night at Z
o'clock by Rev. ]. NJ. Carter, D. D.
Sunday school at $3.50 A. NJ, superin-
tendent, c. W. Toothman.
Mrs. Robt. Cunningham, of st.
Clairsville, Ohio, was here Friday for
the funeral of her niece, Miss Eliza
beth Chambers.
w. Hunter Atha, Of Fairmont, was
a business visitor here Saturday.
Superintendent and Mrs,J. B. Greg
DRY and Mrs. and Mrs. W. T. Kode re-
turned from Wheeling Saturday, hav'
ing attended the Shrlners' banquet on
Friday night
Mr.. Harrison Martin Is expected
home Saturday from sclo, Ohio, where
he has been attending school, to spend
the Xmas vacation.
DR.. Geo. R. Miller returned from
Chicago Tuesday where he had been
attending lectures for few weeks.
Chas. Parrish was a business visit
tor at Fairmont Wednesday,
Miss Arlice Billingslea, who has
been attending the conservatory Of
mucls at Cincinnati, is expected home
to spend the holidays.
Married, Tuesday afternoon at the
residence Of the officiating minister,
Rev. ]. Engle, Of Walnut avenue, Mr..
Clifford C. Ward, Of Washington, Pa,
and Miss Myrtle Bussey, Of Mt. Nor
ris, Pa. Mrs. H. S. Basnett, sister Of
the bride, and her husband we're pres
ent at the ceremony. Mr.. and Mrs.
Ward are estimable young people and
have the best wishes Of host Of
friends,
Mr.. c. B. Fleming, Of FaIrmont, was
a business visitor here Thursday.
o. E. Morris, Teller of F, and NJ.
Bank, and z. T. Ammons wGre Fair
mont visitors Thursday.
Lawson MCNutt, who has been work
ing at BeallsYillc, Pa, returned home
Thursday
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1905-12-15
Returns to Us.

Rev. VIM. H. Wiley and wife, who
left us some time ago to spend the re-
mainder of their days among the for
mer friends Of his childhood home, re-
turned to us last night after three
months absence. In advance of their
coming, Mr.. Wiley let the contract tc
Stephen Van Glider for the building of
a new house in which to spend his last
years among the people where he had
lived and served SO long in the past
Aside from his wife's poor health
while away, we presume that with the
many changes wrought in passing
years, things did not appearthe same to
him nov as the picture left upon the
memory of his youth, and 80 had in +
treasure lost their charm to bind him
to what had :,een N the days gone
by, but now was notlhe,G.v Ills return
to US, for which we all JON In congrat.
ulatlons.
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1905-12-15

the postoGfces OF Chicago and New
York, which are the only ones so far
received, show hat the reform has re-
suited In the elimination from the sec
ond class Of approximately 100000
books a year at those two Offices. The
saving rr on so much Of this matter
as is no longer sent in the second-cIa5s
mails Is in itself. he says, not inconsid'
cradle, since It cost the government
between FIVE and eight cents a pourC
to carry such matter, although recetv'
ing but one cent pound.
In other respects he says the reform
If the abuses Of this privilege at New
York alone has eliminated from second
class rates approximately 16,OOO,OOO
pounds Of matter. He believed, how
ever, that the point has been reached
where, in the interests Of all parties
concerned, the law relating to second
class mail should be established upon
simpler and less ideal distinctions, be-
cause at present 1t requires too much
Interpretation, too much regulation
and too much executive discretion
Recommendation Is made for thor
ough revision Of all laws in relation to
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1905-12-15
PRESENT SYSTEM
is TOO COMPLEX,
Report of the Third Assistant Post
master Genera-Some Reforms
Accomplished.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.-The abol-
ishment Of the ranking privilege, the
work Of correcting alleged abuse Of
the secord-class mail privileges and a
revision of the laws relating to the
classification Of mail matter, are some
Of the features OF the annual report Of
the third assistant postmaster general.
In the former case he declares that the
best be subserved by requiring that
all government mail be prepaid at the
regular postal rates, which would At
once eliminate the annual postal def
eft.
In his effort to correct alleged abuses
Of the second.class mail privilege the
Third Assistant Postmaster General
says that while 1t necessarily Is an I'm.
avoldably slow process, there has been
no relaxation in the work. In the
book abuse alone, he says, reports from
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1905-12-15
VAINLY HUNTS FOR
HIS INDIAN BRIDE
REAL ESTATE DEALERS CATS
KILL ROMANCE ENDS WITH A
QUARREL AND THE sQUAW's
DEPARTURE.

NEW YORK. Dec. 15-Following q
romance IN the Catsklll Mountains
which eliminated in the marriage Of
a Canadian Indian girl to Rheinhardt
Schminke, a real estate dealer, Of No.
1 1923 Third avenue, was hearing In
the West Side Court yesterday in
which the husband hoped to learn the
whereabouts Of his wife, who left him
a few weeks ago,
His attempt was, however. failure,
for Mrs. Mary A. Rodman, of No. 23%
West Fifty-lrst street, whom he sum-
moned to court was unable to disclose
any trace of the Indian girl.
Three years ago, while at Pine Hill.
in the Catskills, Schminke met a young
Indian girl, whose name was Pcmela.
She was nineteen years old and Il
member Of the Abenakl tribe, which
has reservation seventy miles from
Montreal. She was weaving baskets
with several others Of her tribe.
ScAmlnke fell IN love with her and
they were married.
After the summer season In the
mountains they moved to Montreal,
where Trey oDOned 4 Otore ana sold
baskets and other articles Of indian
manufacture which members Of the
tribe made. They lived IN Canada for
several months and then moved to this
city.
After a quarrel about six weeks ago
schminke's wife left him, He traced
her trunks to Mrs. Rodman's boarding
house, lie tcld Magistrate Breen that
no sent notes 70 his wife which Mrs.
Rodman refused to deliver. Waiting
outside all day and night, he managed
to SEQ BIS indian bride at last and per.
suaded her to return home. She ap-
peared Contented and the old quarrel
was forgotten but two weeks ago she
again left and went to Mrs. RodmRnb
house.
sehminke then obtained summons
from the West Side Court and served
it on Mrs, Rodman, who appeared yes.
terday and stated that she was not &C.
conntAbio tor tia actions II a married
woman, and Magistrate Breen inform:
ed the husband that his wife was able
to take care Of herself, and no evidence
was produced that Mrs. Rodman knew
anything about her. The Magistrate
then dismissed the case,
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1905-12-15
Sad Death.

Egedlo, the little child of Mr.. and
Mrs. Fernando Todesco, Of Monongah,
who was badly burned by her clothes
catching fire the other day, died from
the results of her injuries at the Cook
Hospital yesterday morning. The In
terment was made at o'clock in the
afternoon, in The italian cemetery a:
Monongah.
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1905-12-15

Come ard hear the old time favoritcs
played by the companions of your
These times will help you
live over again the pleasures Of your
youth. Grand Opera House. Dec. 1Oth,
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1905-12-15

the classification OF mail matter, ex-
cept that of the first class, which is
composed of letters, postal cards and
private post cards.
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1905-12-15

Come in during our removal, sale
and buy your Christmas China" Some
good things cheap. Coal City House
Furnishing Co.
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1905-12-15

Grand Opera House, Dec. 10Th. X
Contest! What Kind FiddIer's,
When? Dec. s9th. Where? Grand
Opera House.
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1905-12-15

Hezeklah Moran, Of Burners Ridge
who has been typhoid fever patient
at the city Hospital for some weeks
past, has sufficiently recovered to be
dismissed and taken home to-day.
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1905-12-15

Yeager'sstore will be open evenings
from December II to Saturday, De-
cOnber 80.
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1905-12-15

Our Christmas postals are special
ly nice at sc each. Clifford KinkeGdS
store.
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1905-12-15

Don't forget the birthday reception
given by the Ladies' Aid Society to.
night at the Diamond street N. E.
Church. 1t is given in honor of all
your past birthdays and the ladies will
be there to receive you.
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1905-12-15

Something new. Manicure sets
ready for your travelling case. Cliff.
ford has them,