davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
DRAMATIC CLIMAX
 IN TRIAL OF HANS
PittSbu1g COunciIn1en
 Are Put Under Arrest

common council, and charges them with conspiracy to secure by corrupt and un- lawful means, and by bribery the meas ures enumerated in the first charge, and also to control and dominate the com mittees and ehairmen of committees in charge of the measures. It Is also charged that they did control the vote ard support of other members through bribery and other corrupt practices.
 With the exception of the San Fran cisco graft cases, said q member of the league tonight, there has never been in this country such a sweeping and such al important proceeding against muni- clpal officers as is involved in this case.
 Attorney A. Leo Well, president of the Voters League, said tonight:
 .1nformations were also made against other parties, whose names at this time l do not feel at liberty to give. They were not members of councils, but are charged with giving bribes, and warrants have been issued for their arrest
 The councilmen involved were arrested tonight and gave bond for preliminary hearings Wednesday morning, when Vot- CTS League officials promise to present sensational evidence.
 Later in the night W. w. Ramsey, president, and A. A. Vilsack, cashier of the German National bank. were ar rested on charges of bribery in con nection with establishing a city deposi-. tory They immediately gave bail.
 Charles A. Pagan, vice president of the German National bank, in a state ment announced that the directors inn mediately upon learning of the charges had discharged the officers and that the bank is not affected by their alleged acts
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
BLOOD CURDLING OATH OF
 NIGHT RIDERS IS REVEALED

Pittsburg, December 21.-Seven members of councils were arrested tonight at the instance of the Voters League, a civic reform organization, charged with con- spiraey, corrupt practices and bribery in connection with the municipal legislation during the past two years
 Alleged acts in connection with the es- tatlishment of the Repositories for the funds of the city are enumerated in the complaints against the councilmen and it is said a number of persons occupying prominent positions in local banks will shortly be arrested.
 Following a series of yelled charges and iruendo references to couneilmanic acts the Voters League several months ago employed detectives and the arrests are based upon the reports made by the de- tectives. The complaints were signed by Tenard de Wolf, secretary of the league. Three of them, against J. c. Wasson, chairman of the finance committee of the common council, and John F. Klein, of that committee, and William Brand pres- dent of the common council, charge each of these men with giving and offering to give money and other rewards and bribes to influence the votes of other members of councils, in favor of ordi- nsnces and resolutions designating de- positories for the funds of the city.
 Another complaint names the three above men mentioned, together with T.. o. Atkinson of select council; Jacob Soffel. W. H. Melaney and Hugh Ferguson, of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
BRYAN SAYS PARTY
 MUST STILL FIGHT

JJniontown, Pa, December H.-With "a battle over, the war begun" as his text, William Jennings Bryan tonight an ncunced that the democratic party, Tn ms belief, must continue its fight for reforms, the abandonment of which would be both destructive and dishonorable, and said he would not give up the principles for which he has fought nor the fight for their adoption in the national government.
 MT. Bryan spoke at dollar dinner arranged by prominent democrats of the coke region, following the delivery of his lecture on "The Prince of Peace for the benefit of the Uniontown hospital. The theatre where he lectured was filled to overfiowing and nearly seven hundred plates were provided for the banquet at Lyceum hall, where the banquet was held Besides the diners, hundreds secured seats in the gallery to hear the speaker.
 The speaker took up the various things for which the democratic party has con- tended during the last twelve years, and pointed out the vindications that have come to the democratic position. He said that the republican party would not meet the expectations of the people and the voters would find relief only in the al plication of democratic principles.
 Concerning his continued leadership of the democratic party, MT Bryan said that leadership had come to him without effort upon his own part, and as long as the party wanted him to continue such leadership he did not feel he could re- linquish such leadership.
 Of the late election he said MT, Taft had been elected through a combination of financial, commercial and industrial interests of the country, and that he would rather remain private citizen than be a president and be subservent to these interests, as MT. Taft must be, under the conditions that elected him. MT. Bryan said that President Roosevelt had degraded his high office by making |; the football of party politics during the recent campaign.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
CANNY OLD SCOT
 IS LAIRD OF SKIBO
C0StrO'.S GOUer71mepfs.
 Is Our Of Bus SsseSS

Port of Spain Trinidad, December 21.- Vice President J. Vincente Gomez, to whom Gen. Cipriano Castro handed over the presidency on his departure for Eu- rope, has established a new government in Venezuela. He has replaced the old ministry, the leader of which was Dr. Jose de Jesus Paul. the minister of for eign affairs, who has been the one figure outside of Castro himself, in the nego- tiations that eliminated in the busting of Minister de Reus and the severance of diplomatic relations with Holland with new body of men who represent various factions in the state, and who have fig ured prominently in various ways in the political history of the country.
 Not only has Dr. Paul disappeared from the counsels of the nation but Dr. Baldo, who is now travelling in Castro's suite abroad also has been removed from his official position minister of education. Gen. Digeo Ferrein, the minister of war, who also was war minister in the cabinet of Acting President Gomez in 1906 has been superseded by Gen. Regulio Oli- wares, who took a prominent part in
 
 The New Cabinet.
 The new cabinet is composed as fol- lows
 Minister of education Linares Alcan- tara
 Minister of foreign affairs, Gonzales Guinaud.
 Minister of finances, Munoz Tebar. Minister of war Gen. Regulio Olivares. Minister of fomento (patronage), Ra- fael Carabano Obreas.
 Minister of public works, Roberto Var gas.
 Minister of public instruction, pr. Nal donado.
 Secret advices received here from Ca- i racas where the strictest censorship is being observed, indicate that the whole of Venezuela has been in a foment ever since President Castro sailed, and that the crisis was reached a few days ago when it became necessary for Acting President Gomez to take decisive steps, which he did by eliminating from his cabinet those who were closely affiliated with the Castro rule and under the Cas- tro domination.
 The revolutionary factions which gained strength with every hour of Castro's ab- sence, played a prominent part in the demonstrations against the absent presi- dent which took the form of rioting and incendiarism.
 Expected Has Happened. The establishment of a new government in Venezuela has been expected daily, and 1t is probable that it was the out come of anti-Castro, anti-Gomez demon strations.
 Before leaving Castro. in proclaiming Vice President Gomez his temporary sue cessor, said to the nation:
 Surround him and lend your co-opera- ton in the fulfillment of his mission as
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
FELTON WILL QUIT
 MEXICAN CENTRAL

Mexico City, December H--Samuel M. Felton will retire from the presidency of the Mexicon Central within the next few days, according to a report orig mating from an authoritative source.
 His retirement will be the continuation of the great railway merger by which all of the important roads of the re- public with the exception of the Hartman interests will come under government control, although their operations will be in the hands of men not connected with the government. The report that Felton will go to the Erie as vice pres- ident or as chairman of the board Of directors is said to be untrue It Is declared that MT. Felton will not leave the republic for some time, at least, but will remain to look after the interests of H. Clay Pierce of St. Louis. MT. Felton is on his way to New York where he will hold a conference with MT Pierce who will be the controlling power in the merged systems of Mexico. S. N. Brown, now president of the National lines. will be the active operating head of the mer- ger system.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
CASTRO'S VISIT
 CAUSES TROUBLE

Berlin, December 21.-The German gov- erEment resents the statements attributed to the American press indicating that Germany has shown an unduly friendly attitude toward President Castro. The foreign office says that it has been merely obeying the dictates of international cour- tesy and points out that Castro did not co me incognito, but as president of Ven ezuela in which capacity he sent a tele- gram of homage to Emperor William and left a card for Foreign Minister Von Schoen, whereupon both the Emperor and the foreign minister sent representatives to thank the South American visitor and inquire about his health.
 These are the only official visits talk ing cognizance of Castros presence in Berlin. No political subject whatever had been preached at these meetings and moreover the German government has no intention of approaching the Venezuelan president with any political proposals nor does it expect to utilize his coming to secure commercial advantages in his country. Meanwhile Castro keeps him. self in the background; taking no step toward opening relations with the Ger man government. The foreign office has fully informed the Netherlands concern ing the two visits referred to.
 Conjectural reports are circulating in the press here t.-at Castro is negotiating with German ship yards for the construc- tion of several war ships to repel such action as Holland is now taking. These reports have wide range, one saying that Venezuela has asked for two bat tleships and another that sha desires six o,.,,isara If 6 further stated that Castro intends ordering artillery in Germany for the Venezuelan army
 The imperial ministry of marine flatly dc nes the report that a German squad ron will proceed to American waters in the spring.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
IS ROUNDLY
 SCORED BY JUDGE

Albany, Ga., December 21.-Because a jury acquitted Deputy Sheriff Radney and E. Adams of Miller county, at Newton. Baker county, on the charge of attempt ing to lynch an inoffensive negro man. and of unmercifully beating his wife and daughter. Judge W. N. Spence, before whom the case was tried. expressed his opinion of the F men as follows:
 Your verdict is a disgrace to the coun- ty and to civilization. A man was con victed in this court for shooting at a preacher on the street on Sunday morn ing and was fined s25O. I do not hesitate to say that you jurors are worse citi- zens than that defendant"
 Most of the jurors are well-to-do farm CTS and among the best known men in Baker county.
 The case to which Judge Spence re- ferred was that in which D. E. Taylor was punished for shooting at the Rev. E. Morris of Milford, after charging the minister with an attempted assault upon Mrs Taylor.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
sssssses

if it were I myself oSbu will have done your duty z
 In the same proC ion President Castro gave utterance what might be taken as a farewell message:
 'The Venezuelan nation is already on the road to true prosperity and great ness because of the fulfillment of obliga- tions and sound condition of the revenues and because of the state of peace which we enjoy and which is our duty to main tain, that my work may endure"
 Gomez himself in the position of act ing president, was far from secure. It was brought forcibly home to him that he must either withdraw from that office or cast aside those of Castros ministers who still were trying to force the Castro rule upon the people, Apparently he chose the latter course He first de- clared the country in state of defense, thereby securing control of the army and then appointed a new cabinet, has mem bers of which represent diversity of fac tions.
 Gomez In Line.
 On several occasaoin swhen Castro has turned the government over to Vice Pres ident Gomez 1t was freely predicted that Gomez would succeed Castro as president of the republic. He had many support CTS in the anti-Castro camp, chief among those in favor of his candidacy being General Arango, the former minister of war, who worked earnestly to place Co., meg in power. While seemingly Gomez has been an ardent supporter of Castro, he has maintained time and again that he did not favor the foreign policy of the government, declaring that the treatment accorded the United States and France was III advised and that he was not in sympathy with the conduct of the inter- national affairs He even has expressed the opinion that he was not trusted by President Castro, although the latter gave denial to this by appointing him to fill the office of President while he himself was absent.
 President Castro, who is now in Dr. Israels hospital in Berlin, has persist ently declined to believe the reports of the revolutionary movement in his coun- try He has admitted receiving dispatches daily from his government but has de- clared that these contained no word of internal disturbances. His mission to Flu rope was for treatment of malady from which he has long suffered, but on oc- casions he has said that he was on diplomatic mission as well, the settling of the differences between Venezuela and France and those of the other powers that would meet his proposals.
 venezueIa's Trouble.
 The Venezuelan situation has been the object of lively interest on the part of the power during the last two months. The aggressive course taken by the Meth erlands government in sending out it's warships to sequestrate and capture Ven ez1elan naval vessels has seemed to bring the entire situation to a focus. Holland has been acting, If not with the assist ance of the other powers, at least in full agreement with them and her first acts have been directed toward preventing communications between the Venezuelan ports, having already captured two of the Venezuelan naval vessels.
 Acquiles Sturbe has been appointed governor of Caracas by acting President Gomez
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22

New York, December 21.-The Times to- morrow will say:
 In important banking circles in Wall street as well as among others versed in financial affairs, something very much like sensation was created yesterday by the discovery in a financial weekly published in Paris, L'Eeonomiste Euro pean, of letter written by Senator Henry M Teller of Colorado, a mem Der of the Aldrich currency commission, to Morton Frewen, the well known bi- mettalist of London, in which Senator Teller seems plainly to indicate that the commission has under consideration a plan to issue circulating notes secured by silver if the government of India will cooperate
 In his letter, which was published De- cember 4, Senator Teller is quoted as saving that he is personally in favor of the issue of small notes of limited legal tender secured by silver, but that since the purchase of silver to secure such notes would advance the price of the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
BAD NEGRO KILLED.
He Is Shot to Death for Attempt at
 Criminal Assault.

Albany, Ga. December 21.-A dispatch from Milford, in Baker county, says that John Bell. a negro, was shot to death there Saturday night by Deputy Sheriff Buck Ethridge while attempting to escape after having been arrested, charged with criminal assault.
 The negros crime was committed Sat urday afternoon several miles from Mill ford, his victim being & girl of his own race under ten years of age. When the arrest was made by Deputy Sheriff Ethridge, Bell gave no trouble. but while the officer, accompanied by Ben Sanders, was on his way to Newton for the purpose of placing the prisoner in jail, Bell attempted to escape. It Is alleged by the officer and Sanders that the ne- gro's attack was so vicious that 1t was necessary to shoot him in self defense. He was instantly killed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
RELIEVED FROM OFFICE.
Official Is Dismissed on Account of
 Adverse Criticism.

Washington, December 21.-By order of President Roosevelt, Maj. Jay J. Morrow the engineer commissioner of the District of Columbia was today relieved of that office and transferred to succeed Maj. Spencer Cosby, in charge of the Wash ington aqueduct who was immediately assigned to duty as engineer commis- sioner.
 There have been controversies between the engineer commissioners office and various local interests regarding construc- tion of public school buildings and other matters and his defense of the inspector of buildings, upon whom repeated at tacks have been made, led to severe criticisms from some quarters. The letter Which Major Morrow is reported to have written, making what the authorities deemed indiscreet criticisms, figures as an immediate reason for the action.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
SURPRISE TO LIFE
 INSURANCE MEN

New York, December 21.-Something of a surprise was sprung in life insur- ance circles today when another change in control of the Prevalent Savings Life Assurance society was announced dealing with the issuance of state ment that at a special meeting, E. E. Rittenhouse commissioner of insurance of Colorado, had been elected president of the society to succeed Arthur G. Langham of Louisville. The control of the company it was announced had passed from MT. Langham's hands to those of Judge Nash Redwood of Saratoga Springs, N. Y. Commissioner Rittenhouse on Wednesday, it is stated, will resign his state office and take charge of the affairs of the prov ident about August 1, 1909.
 It was through the action of the Colorado insurance department under Commissioner Rittenhouses administra- ton that an investigation of the Prov ident Savings Life Assurance society was first taken up nearly year ago.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
Big Sensation Sprung
 I1 Financial Circles

metal to the figure where the govern Inent of India might decide to melt down its rupee and sell the metal, it is nec- essary for the currency commission here to know what the attitude of the Indian government would be. He says on this point: "Will that government Gndia) in- terest itself officially in our inquiry into a question of the highest importance to an entirely informal way; we will make the proposal officially if you learn that it will be well received but wo do not wish to expose ourselves to an absolute refusal"
 Inquiries made by bankers to ascertain witS wRS'aF Mr FTsJ sS the sanction of the entire Aldrich' commission developed the contrary to be the case From members of the commission with whom these bank CTS got into touch, the following state ment was obtained: "The commission knows nothing of Senator Tellers cores pondence with Mir. Frewen MT. Teller IS acting independently and alone. No proposition to issue such notes has ever come before the commission. If it had it would not have been entertained"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
INDEX OF ToDAY's NEWS
Page i.

Page i. Oath of night riders revealed. Carnegie appears before tariff commit tee. Mrs. Annis testifies in Hains case Castro's government is upset. Pittsburg councilmen arrested. Big sensation In banking circles.
 Page 2. Ground broken for new industry at Wylam.
 Page 3. Governor makes convicts happy. Failure of case Is disappointing.
 Page A. Editorial comment.
 Page 5. First blow at heart of King bill. New directory has been issued. Hyatt seriously shot by Stephens. Will exhume body of John Taylor this afternoon. Social items. Dolly Dalrymple.
 Page g. Parliament is brought to close.
 Page 10. Parliament is brought to clase
 Page II. Stock market again declines. Wheat and corn are firmer. Cotton declines a few points.
 Page 12. Committee inquires into Louisiana charge. Merchants ready for big business at Bessemer. Prominent citizens basketball enthus ia
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
SamueIs Murder Trial.

Danville, Va, December H.-The clos ing arguments were begun in the Samuels murder trial this afternoon and 1t is likely that the case will go to the jury tomorrow. Attorney A. D. Ives of Leaks vile, N. C., who was retained by rela- tives of Sheriff Flanagan, who was Killed, opened for the prosecution and was followed by Attorney w. T. Harris or Danville for the defendant. There are three more attorneys to speak.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
wriqht Goes to Memphis.

Washington. December H.-Secretary and Mrs. Wright left here tonight for Memphis for the Christmas holidays They will return to this city in time to assist the President and Mrs. Roosevelt at the New Year reception. 4
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22
Bishop McQuaid Very III.

Rochester. N. Y, December 2.--Bishop Bernard J. McQuaid of the diocese of Rochester is very low this evening, and it is said that he may not live through the night. The strength of the aged prelate has been slowly decreasing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-22

CONTINUED ON PAGn aS
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1908-12-03
PRINTED KANSAS FIRST PAPER.
Rev. G. M. Myers Set the Type Under
an Old Elm Tree In LeavenWorth.

Atchison, Kan, Nov. 30.-Rev. g. M.
Myers, 70 years old, died here Satur'
day at the home of his son. He is
survived by q widow and four chill
dren. g. M. Myers assisted in the
work OF establishing the Kansas Her
aid, the first newspaper In the city Of
Leavenworth and the territory Of Kan
sas. September is, 1854, he and his
uncle, william H. Adams, published
the FIRST humber Of the Kansas Herald.
Mi. Adams was the proprietor and
editor Of tile paper and g. NJ. Myers
was 4 printer who assisted him.
when, in the early part Of septem-
Der. 1854, Mr.. Adams determined to
start q newspaper In Leavenworth ne
could not find a single vacant build
ing in the town, but he was not dis
couraged and called on his nephew,
Myers, for assistance. The two then
placed several type cases under an old
elm tree that stood on the Leayen-
worth levee and there printed the first
number Of the Herald.
A number Of years ago g. M. Myers
was the general evangelist of the
Church Of God in Nebraska, Kansas
and Missouri. In 1860 he edited pa
per in Atchison. He is the author OF
a number Of Biblical works.