davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1905-09-25
sAMpLEs o. TAE JOKE LIVE.

"oh." said Mr.. snappy. who was
proud of himself and his family. Tvs
got a younger brother who knows
more than | do. Hes
Going to the kindergarten pretty
soon, 1 suppose. put In Miss Pepprey.
Philadelphia Press.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-21
DROPPED DEAD SUNDAY.
Midshippan Samuel Wcstray Battle
Stricken With Heart Failure.

Annapolis, Nd, Feb. 19.-Midship-
man Samuel Westray Battle, of the
second class at the Naval Academy.
and a son of Surgeon Samuel Westray
Battle, United States Navy, retired, Of
Asheville, N. c., dropped dead as the
brigade of midshipmen were called
to dinner formation shortly after IL
o'clock today. He had just taken his
place as third petty officer of the Sec
ond battalion's ninth company when
he was stricken with heart failure. lie
fell before any one reached him, and
was dead when picked up by his
mates.
Young Battle entered the academy
In August, 1902, from Asheville, and
was 81 years old. He was popular
with his class and schoolmates and
stood well in his studies. He was an
oarsman and pulled stroke in last
years varsity eight at the academy.
but did not become n candidate for
the crew this season. He was also
member OF the acedmy hop cor>s>i'
tee and was r'roIQfe1nt 60etallr1 lis
pa~ents have been notified by the au-
tnoTtfes, but no arrangements have
been made yet regarding the funeral.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-21
OVER A HUNDRED
DEAD
(By the Associated Prcss.)

Birmingham, Ala, Feb. 2O.-
Meagre reports reached this city this
evening OF terrible disaster in Nir-
ginia's mines which are located about
rs miles from Birmingham. One hum
drcd and five men are entombed in
shc mine and it is believed that all
are dead. Relief trains carrying ply
sicians and labOrers have been sent
to the scene OF the disaster from both
Birmingham and Bcsscmcr.
Reports 10 the Agc-IIcraId at 10
o'clock tonight state that every effort
is being made to reach the men, but
that they cannot possibly succeed be-
fore tomorrow morning.
The mines belong 10 the Alabama
Steel and Wire Company and are
leased by Reid & Company. Both
white and colorcd miners are employ
cd and only recently union miners
went TO work. The mines are con-
sidcred models of their kind.
The slopes are well located and
there has never been any trouble from
gas heretofore. 1t Is stated that the
accident was caused by IL caye-in. due
to the giving way OF the timbers.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-21

was SO we'll begun in 1897, and to
see that it is placed in hands equally
capable. The field is the most inVit-
ing one that the world has to offer
today. because the results attending
Its thorough investigation may prove
of untold value, and will certainly
have an interest for no people Sc
profound and far-reaching as they
have for our own, Central and South
America used $4,000, 900 of our goods
last year. They being our nearby
neighbors our trade with them should
be largely increased. From corre-
spondence based on consular reports,
1T will be seen that the Mediterranean,
Red Sea and Pershian Gulf regions
are clamoring for our goods and for
reasons removable cannot obtain
them. Mr.. President. we believe
these markets can be so developed
ular users of our goods. We there
fore respectfully request that you OBJ
tain authority from Congress to ap-
point, to begin this work at once
special commission to take steps for
the extension Of the EXPORT markets
for cotton products in China, Central
and South America, the Persian Gulf,
the Mediterranean and Red Sea reg
ions"
III Co.lttuoioiL tilc c'oui $50 N~LiiNN "N-
tention to the fact that In half CEN
tury from 1850 the value of cotton
products has grown from $12S,769.-
900 III 1850. to 1921, $4,000 in 1900,
and that If we add to these figures
the value oc the products of the linen,
jute. hemp and bagging mills of the
country, there 10 ~ additional pro-
duct or s413,0o2. 900. making lNc to-
tai value OF the products of our tex
tile mills, when they finally reach the
market, $i,1S4.371,77s. This, if ad-
ded does not ''inciuie our great cot
ton seed industry, which represents a
value Of about s60,00o.000, and which
under the influence of the Grout bill
Is selling it's oil today at five cents
gallon under it's relative value to
other oils and greases.'
The committee later conferred With
Secretary of Agriculture Wilson.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-21
TO ACCOMPANY BODY HOME.
DR.. S. Westray Battle in Annapolis to
Take Body of Son to Asheville.
(By the Associated Press. }

Annapolis. Md. Feb. 20.-The medi-
cal authorities at the Naval Academy
this afternoon performed an autopsy
upon the body Of Midshipman Samuel
Westray aBttle. to determine the cause
of his sudden death yesterday. Theil
examination revealed the fact that the
youths heart was not orSanically
weak, syncope or heart failure having
been due to excessive fatigue caused
by his running to reach his place in
the ranks. At the same time it devel.
oped that the fatigue was brought on
by a blood clot on his brain, due to
an old wound. This wound on the
head appears to be a year or more old,
but it is not known how he received
it. His father, Surgeon s. w. Battle.
u. s. N, retired. viii arrive here to-
morrow. to take the body to his home
at hsheville, n. G.
The remains VIII be taken from here
tomorrow but the exact time has hot
been determined.
Military honors will be accorded the
dead youth, the whole brigade of mid
Shipmen and all of the officers and
professors at the academy attending
the body to the station. While here
Surgeon Battle will be the guest of Su-
perintendent w. H. Brownson OF the
Nacal Academy
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-21
NEWBERN STIRRED
"Riyerside" Would Be
Only a Suburb.
Adjoining Village Receiving All The
City Conveniences, Petitions Leg.
isIaiure in Order to Escape
the City Tax.
Especial to News and Obscryer.)

especial TO News ana ODScfyeF.)
New Bern, y. c., Feb. 20.-Our city
is much stirred up and great COM
ments are heard on our streets today
regarding several petitions that are
circulated for signatures. The object
Of these is to petition the Legislature
to strike out that clause of the amend
ment to the city charter which incor-
porates an adjoining village known as
Riverside" which receives the priyi-
leges of water for family uses, as well
as fire plugs in case OF destruction OF
property by fire.
The United States government sends
their mail carriers out in this district
to deliver and collect mails, also many
school children reap the benefits OF
an education without paying city taxes
"Nhy should our Senators and Repre-
scntatives entertain any such petition
signed by some peiple of our city after
two mass meetings were held and the
people adopted the bill that is III the
randS of Mr.. w. w. Clark, who is in
Raleigh to present the bill to the Leg
islature?" has been asked by many
opposed to the petitions. He was sent
there by this mass meeting of New
Bern's citizens. If the Legislature will
override q mass meeting of town s
citizens and cut their bill to suit few
then this community says cut out the
whole bill.
The question is not only q local one
but the entire State has to act on IT
through the eneral Assebly. Citizens
in other parts of the tSate, rs well as
citizens in other tSatcS, arc much in
terested in New Bern's growth and en-,
tel.prises. SO our people say extend and
invite capital to the great old State OF
North Carolina.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-21
FIRED FOUR SHOTS
Two Negroes Fight Over
Ten Cents.
Rev. C. ]. ]. Parker, of Durham's Sec
ond Baptist Church, Receives
.'-~aa Can From Ports
mouth.
Especial to News and obsc,ver.)

Durham, ~ c., Feb. 20.-.tr an
early hour yesterday morning there
came very near being homicide in
the northern part of the town the
quarrel being over an account OF ten
cents William Dickerson and another
negro known only as KID, got INTO
a dispute over ten cents. IheT had
been to a dance in the country ana
the trouble started while at the dance.
When the matter came to show
down the strange negro known as
kid backed off few feet and af-
ter saying watch out fired four
shots. One of these shots took ef-
feet in the shoulder OF Dickersoa and
was located about four inches from
the place where it entered. The one
using the gun has made his escape.
1t is not thought that the wound will
be of serious nature.
1t is reported that the condition of
Washington Duke is improved. His
son, J. B. Duke. and bride. who have
been here attending his bedside, have
returned to their homo in New York.
They are in close touch with Durham.
however, and will return upon notice
that the aged sufferer is growing
weaker. His condition is much bet
ter today however, than ii WAS a week
ago.
Rev. J. d. Parker pastor OF the
Second Baptist church, this city, has
been called TO the pastorate Of the
Fourth Street Baptist church, Ports
mouth, Virginia, and he now has tue
matter under consideration This
week he will go to Portsmouth for
the purpose of looking over the field.
After his return to this city he VIII
announce what he viii do about &C.
cepting-the call. In the meantime his
membership in this city has decided
TO raise his salary from $50 To ST.
900. this being in addition to the i'ar-
Sonagc. The Portsmouth church Of
fers $1,000 and parsonage Rev. Mr..
Parker came here Immediately after
leaving school and has been pastor
of the Second Baptist church for
seven years. His church here is now
making preparations for additions 20
the church that will cost some $4,000
or SO 900
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-21
NO HOTEL WH|SKEY
Citizens of Morehead City
Protest Against the Sale
of Liquor in Summer.

Especial to News and Observer
Morehead City, n. c., Feb. 20.-The
churches Of our city united Sunday in
u mass meeting at the Baptist church
TO head off the efforts of a. j. Cook,
recent manager of the AtlanStic Hotel,
10 allow liquor to be sold there, three
months in the summer. Talks were
made by Rev. Il. L. Walker, Rev. Il. II.
Willis, Charles S. Wallace, w. NJ.
Webb and Il. f. McCullen.
Prof Walter l.. Beacon presented
the following resolution, which was
unanimously adopted:
Whereas, q petition requesting the
General Assembly of North Carolina to
enact a law granting to the manage
ment of the Atlantic Hotel the privi-
lege of running a bar in oMrchead
City during certain months in the
year; and,
Whereas, We are told and believe it
to be true, that a considerable number
OF men have been led to sign said Pc
tition through II misunderstanding
who would not have signed it had ali
the facts in the case been made known
to them; and
Whereas, We are informed and be-
lieye it to be true, that men who are
not citizens OF MOfeneau CllN nave
placed their signatures to said petitions
therefore be it,
Resolved, That it be the sense of
this melting, the people OF Morehead
City, in mass meeting assembled, that
the said letter should not be regarded
as embodying the wishes of Il major
ity of The qualified voters of the town,
and we pray our Senators and Repre-
sentatives and through them the Cen
eral Assembly, should it become ncces-
sary, to weigh these facts in considcl-
ing said petition.
The sentiment against summer no.
tel bar or the sale of liquor In any
form by anybody is strong, as evil
denced by the signatures of two-thirds
of the qualified voters in this city.
Morehead City does not want liquor
sold there and will not have it, This
pe tition will be forwarded to the
towns representatives Tuesday
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-21
SMALL S BILL GOT
FAvORABLEREPORT
Two Terms of Federal
Court For Washington.
FOR MACES PARDON
Best Citizens of Burke County Inter
ested in Securing a Pardon For
Tar Hee! Soldier DishOnorabIy
Discharged From the Army
and Imprisoned.
Especial to News and obserycr.)

Especial to News and Observer
Washington, d. G.. Feb. 2Q.-Sen-
ator Overman today secured 4 fevor-
aDle-TsDort 19n Rep esentatie tSmall1 S
bill, svl2ien has already passed tne
House. TO provide for two terms of
the Federal district and circuit courts
at Washington, these courts TO begin
on the second Monday IN April and
October OF each year. The clerk at
Raleigh will be clerk and will have
a deputy at Washington. The town
IS to provide at its expense b..ild-
irS in which the court will be held
doubtless the county court house.
Senator Oyerman also secured IA
yoIable reports on the bills which
have passed the House to Increase
the pension OF W. A. Moore, a MeXi-
can War veteran. Of Surry county.
from eight to twenty dollars a month,
and granting q pension to Enot h
VoyleS, OF Burcombe, at twelve dol
lars a month.
AS result Of a competitive eX
animation Representative w. w
Kitchin has appointed Eley 2. Den
son, of High Point, cadet TO West
Point and Walter G.. Jerome, of Dur
ham and Alvis A. Pleasants, of East
Representative Webb has returned
from Wake Forest. His little girl
is much improved. Representative
has been appealed to by a large num-
Der of the best fcitizens OF Burke
county to interest himself in secur-
ing a pardon for Gus a. Mace. of
Burke county. who was dishonorablv
discharged from the army and SEN
fenced to two years at hard labor
for violation OF an article of war.
Mr.. Webb secured an endorsement of
the petition from our entire delega-
ton and filed it this morning with the
Department of Justice. He hopes to
have favorable action taken soon.
Wp. II. Pope, Esq, of Fayetteville,
iS horc
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-21
wATEn-woRMs FOR SPENCER.
Extensive Street Improvements and
Electric Light Plant Proposed.
Especial to News and Observer.

Especial to News and Observer
Spencer, y. c.. Feb 20.-At meet
ing of the board of aldermen of Spen-
Ger, held last night, a franchise was
granted Mr.. William p. Lockwood.
of Washington, ID. c.. for the, install
lation and maintenance of Il water
works plant for the municipality. The
board has had the proposition Of the
above named concern under advise
ment for some months and the deal
was closed last night by Mr.. *. y.
Pressey. of Washington. representing
the applicants for the franchise. The
firm proposes to cXpend about sac
900 in the construction of the plaGt
which will be adequate to the needs
Of the town for number of years.
In addition to the installation of
the waterworks plant the municipal
ity viii construct a sewer system al
the same time and also make eXten-
SiYe improvements on the streets.
Electric lights will likewise be in
stalled during the next few weeks aild
q commodiouS graded school build
ing will be erected this year besides
many other public improvements Tor
which $4,000 of bonds have already
been authorized by the present Leg
islaturc Spencer is now having
phenomenal growth and it is conli-
IDENTIFY expected that the town viii
have population of 5000 10 1000
within two years. Nearly $t,000.000
have been expended in buildings and
improvements in Spencer during the
past year.
The meeting of the aldermen last
night was a very prolonged one and
adjournment was not taken unl;l
about two o'clock this morning. There
were many propositions before the
body aud it is believed that the one
finally agreed upon is q good one fpr
the citizens of the town. 1t is uI-
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-21
Burial Probably 1T Asheyille.
Especial to News and observer.l

Especial to News and Observer.)
AshCville, n. c., I'eb. 2N..-The
news of the sudden death OF Samuel
Westray Battle, Jr., was received here
yesterday afternoon in message to
Dr. Battle from ANNAPOLIS. The
message contained no details, SIM
ply stating that young Battle had
died suddenly, presumably of heart
failure. Dr. Battle and his son. Bel
knan, left on this mornings train for
Annapolis.
Although the funeral arrangements
have not yet been made, it is proba-
Bile that the remains will be brought
here for interment, and laid TO rest
beside those of his mother. who died
several years ago.
Mr.. Battle was in Asheville last
September, where ne spent q months
furlough.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-21
RoosEyELTs Personal ESCORT
Rough Riders to March by President
Roosevelt i'm Inauguration Parade.
(By the Associatcd Press.)

Washington, Feb. 20.-General Will
son, chairman of the Inaugural Com
mittee, has been advised by Colonel
Higgins, of the Seventy-fiirst regiment
of infantry of Virginia, that that en-
tire command is anxious to march in
the parade as the personal escort OF
President Roosevelt or as part of that
escort. General Wilson. has thanked
Colonel Higgins and his men, but ex-
planned that General Chaffee, the
grand marshal of the parade, has al
ready assigned the company of oRugh
Riders and squadron AZ of New York
as the Presidential escort.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-21
Leads all North Carolina Daies i'm Nca md Circulaton

derstood that work on the water
works plant will begin next week and
that same will be pushed to rapid
completion. The firm of William p.
Lockwood, to whom the franchise
granted, has just completed q water
system at Morganton and has other
plants under way at Mebane, oxford,
and other points in this state.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-21

ent and a more delightful afternoon
was never spent.
The guests prizes were won by Mrs.
Platt D. Walker and Mrs. b S. Skim
ner. Mrs. Walkers prize being a
beautiful vase, while Mrs. Skinner
who won the consolation was awarded
a piece of statuary. The club prizes
were won by Miss Hinton and Miss
Mordecai. Delightful refreshments
were served during the afternoon and
altogether Il profitable club meeting
was held
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-21
ROOSEvELTS SOUTHERN TRIP.
He Will Visit Richmond, Atlanta,
Montgomery and Jacksonville.
(Rv ala Associa.c0 rress.,

Jacksonville. Fla. Feb. 20.-Presi-
dent Garner of the Jacksonville Board
of Trade has returned from Washing
ton, where he went to extend to Pres
ident Roosevelt an invitation to visit
Jacksonville. The President assured
his acceptance of the invitation, in a
tour to include Richmond, Atlanta.
oMntgomery and possibly some other
Southern cities but fixing no definite
time for the visit.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-21
MItS. CORN IVES DEAD.
Death Comes Suddenly From Heart
Trouble.
Especial to News and Observer.

Smithlield. n. G., Feb. 20.-NeWs
has been received here of the death
of Mrs. Cora Ives. wife of Mr.. Walter
Nj. Ives Her death was Il surprise.
She had some trouble with her
heart four or five hours before her
death but physician had visited her
and it was thought her condition was
much better Mr. Ives had gone to
his work and Miss Susie, their
daughter, was looking after breakfast,
neither of them thinking that Mrs.
Ives was in any immediate danger
until one of the smaller chil1ien
found that she was again having
heart trouble. After this attack be-
gan she lived only a selv minutes.
She was nearly thirty-Scvcn years
old and the mother of nine children.
two of whom are dead. She was ii
true and devoted wife and morjlar a
kind and accommodating naighbo'.
and lady who was mighty es.ccmcd
by all who knew her.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-21
SANS SOUCI CLUB.
\ Delightful Afternoon at the Resi-
dcncc of Mrs. j. NJ. Turner.

The Sans Souci Club met with Mrs
j. NJ. Turner yesterday afternoon on
North Wilmington street. SiX-handed
euchre was PLAYED to the delight OF
all present and those who participated
in the game evinced great interest as
it progressed.
There were forty.tWo guests press
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-21
FIVE MEN ARE KILLED.
The Ealt of Mass oil Rock Works
Disaster ut the Little Mine.
(By the Associated Press. }

Pottsville, Pa, Feb. 1S.-Five men
were killed aud thirteen injured IN
an accident on No. = slope of No.
collicrv Of the Little operation to-
day by fall of top rock while
"5un boat" loaded with eighteen men
on their way to work was going down
the shaft. Three Of the killed were
foreigners, while the clher two were
Americans and were prominent in the
localities III which they resided.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-21

The Joint Committee on Insane yes
terday by a vote of to gave q. fav-
orable report on the Cover bill for
the establishment of home for epi-
loptics and feeble minded. An appro-
priation of $4,000 is called for.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-21
FIELDS ARE INVITING

China, Central and South America, the
Mediterranean, Red Sea and Per.
sian Gulf Regions Are CIamoring
For American Goods, and Cannot
Obtain Them. We Are Producing
q
More Clothing Material Than We
Need For Home Consumption, and
Production Must Be CurtaiIed Or
Outside Markets Found For the Sur
plus. Ex-senator McLaurin Speaks
For the Committee From the New
Orleans Cotton Growers Convention.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-21

The heavier the load man is carry
ng the lighter his head is apt to be.
Indiana tribuÌˆne. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1878-1907, 1905-01-24
Mms Dem Staotratbe.

Im seiirigen absnoe beriammelte
f9 Der Stabtratb pisberum auf grius
den bes ghrssrmsiiters 6olbman in
@rtra.SiBung, um bic vWafa4uietts
apenue Srad @lebation Oroinance"
euoli9 jur @rlsbi9ung 81 brinsen.
l9 Stabtbdtsr lsiitstsn benz Rufe
5Olge.
@lsi9 nod grOffnuns Der Sisuns
bura ben prdfibenten 8iainssles nabm
oisfslbe sinen 3eitweiie duBerf fiirmi-
i9sn @srlauf. Die @e9ner Der Oroi.
nan; ma6tsn in Der Sauptiaae earauf
aufmertiam. bab bic euentueQe In-
nabme berislbsn bic Stabt au elmer
adn3li9 unn6tbisen uuO bOben @elbs
aussabs auinesn miitbe.
Sn Der 2esislatur ldsen ndmlid 3ur
3sit 9eeignete @eieBesDorla9en Dor,
beren Mnnabme bon unieren &eprdier-
tantsn als 3meifeQos erildrt worben
fei unb bic Der Stabt bas Redt 3u=
iprdden, bic betrsffenoen giienbabn.
@eisni9aftsn our grri9tuns BON Sod-
babngeleiien, 8iabueten etc. auf ibre
llnfofen on sefdbrli9en uuo notbwen'
big srf6einenoen Bahniibergdngen su
3min9en.
Die 0erfe1ter Der Srbinans iuisien
,unddft auf ben 8eri9t bes Staot.
Sngenieurs bin, Der Die 8eiammtfoffen
Der Sur6fh6runa ber WahaduIetts
Nbs. 9o9babn-O Oroinan3 auf $2S. 500
peranfdlast babe.
Ssrnertin wurbe mitgetbsilt, baB in,
Gane Der Nnnabme berielben bie Stra.
Benbabn @eienidaft ii9 perpfidtet
babe, $4,000 bon ben eniitsbenben un=
totten 3u tragen, bic ytem @aftle Srac-
tion SO. bdtts beriproden our 8eruirts
li9ung bes proiettes $4,000 bei3u-
feuern. Ssmsufolee miirben bon Der
Stabt nur $40, 800 au sablsn isin.
ginen fi9tbaren ginbrud madten
bic pielen 9inweiie auf Die entiebli9en
Opfsr an Meni9enlsbsn, bic eeraoe an
oisism gabntibersanse erfol9t ieien.
Sisies idredli9e Worosn t6nne Der-
binbert merbsn unb perlange gebietes
rii4, baB friiber ooer fpdter etmas aum
beHeren S9uBe bes meni9liden 2ebens
gef9dbe.
Nad ben beinabe 2 Stunben ndbrens
ben, itelsnmeiie bibigen Debattsn wurbs
bic WaKa9uietts abe. Srad @lepation
Orbinans nit Is 9egen 4 Stimmen
angenommen.
Indiana tribuÌˆne. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1878-1907, 1905-01-24
Sbpbns &ranfer ipurlos bers
i9wmnoen.

Na6bem er erit ebsn bonn 8 Wonate.
langen Sppbus 3ranfenlager aufgs=
itanben. berlieB glpooo 8. 2rause am
Wfittmod feline WObnun9 7O8 0olmes
Mbe. uno muroe bisber nidt mebr ge=
ieben. Seine 5rau. iouis audi Die 6a=
milie oes 9ermlbten iinb bsereiRissr
gBsiie In er6bter auiresuns uno be-
fardten.. BOB &rause pisllsi9t einen
&adfaa e,litt uno baB er in geiies OBJ
meienoem 3uifanbe in Der &dlte umber.
iirte. 4rause 1T Elm Wann bon etua
43 Sabren, 5 SUB 9 3on 9roB, btin-
neg, lsi9t nit srau oermiidtss 6aar
unb trd9t, ba er fi9 pdbsnb ieiner
Srantbeit nidt rairts, 9oabart unb
Sdnurbart. VT iit our9 feline 3rant.
belt iebr abgemasert.