davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-07-07

MI. and Mrs. f. II. Lawrence of Ban
gor we're among the visitors, Saturday
in this city.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-07-07
DailV kennebec Journal
LOCAL BRIEFS.

Mr.. and Mrs. NJ. L. Jewett of Cam
den We're visitors, Saturday, in this
city.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-18
Henderson Has Studied the Needs of Alabama

by the 'hocus pocus' of a new reve-
nue. bill with new ideas of further
and other sources of taxation?
"If the remedy is to be as it should
be, less expense, we'll and good, pro-
vided, the work is well performed.
Instead of seeking for reform
methods of taxation, let us look for
sane methods of escaping unreason-
able and unnecessary taxation.
Recommends Appropriation Cut
Instead of giving instructions for
the drafting or a new revenue bill
to increase the revenues of the state,
$1,0UU,UOO per annum, let bills be
introduced that VIII cut the annual
appropriation at least $300,0U0 per
annum.
Can this be done? That depends
upon the effort made, and how SER
iously our officers regard their re-
sponsibilities.
mo one can scan the long list of
appropriations of the last session,
without feeling secure in the asser-
ton that sufficient amount could
be saved from these, without i'm
pairing the service of the state gov
ernment. to materially reduce each
year, the deficit, which, at the pres
ent time, is increasing alarmingly.
This is the only kind Of legislation
that can relieve the burden Of taxa
tion.
II think l can safely say that this
amount of 100000 annually can
easily be saved by the abolishment
of useless state positions and the
proper reorganization whereby re-.
strictions of expenses of the various
departments will be brought about.
The time has come when some
one should speak in behalf OF the
taxpayer.
"He has cheerfully met the calls
of the tax gatherer for his annual
tax. for his special tax, for his privf-
lege tax, for his license tax and for
his local tax; but he Is now becom
ing restive when some new method
is being sought to raise more reve-
nue. from his property that is al
ready burdened to the last straw.
Let our lawmaking power lay
aside, in all matters pertaining to
the expenditure of money the prac-
tice Of senatorial courtesy which is
but degree above the practice of
the ward politician. We all know
what this practice has done for the
cities and towns. Brought them the
slough of financial despondency with
a clamor for the commission gov
ernment, the referendufns and the
recall. The same practices will pro-
duce the same results In the state
government.
1T would appear that. inasmuch as
1t has been said that He Is a public
benefactor who makes two blades OF
grass where one formerly grew that
some of our officials have reached
the conclusion that he who makes
two officials flourish where but one
flourished before is a statesman
that the magnitude of our state is
to be judged by the size of it's pay
roll.
LET us introduce into our state
government that good business rule
The highest efficiency with the
least expense
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-18

government that good business rule
tho highest efficiency with the
least expense" is the plea OF Mr..
Henderson"
Interview In Full
The interview with Mr.. Henderson
Is given in full below
What do l think of the probable
ity of an extra session of the legisla-
ture being called. and what are my
Views as to the real demand for such
session?
when the legislature is called in
special session, as provided by the
constitution, it must be upon extra
ordinary OCCASION therefore, the
probability of the call must be based
upon the hypothesis of, whether or
not there is an extraordinary Occa-
sion,' demanding such call. The calls
for previous extra sessions have been
severely criticised upon the grounds
that no extraordinary occasion ex-
listed, that would demand or justify
such call. / think it was probably
stated in criticism of these previous
calls, that nothing but war or pesti-
lence, or some such unexpected hap
pening, could justify an extra ses-
sion; however, the depleted condi-
ton Of the state treasury, as 1t now
exists, it may be, will be classed in
he openings, as Is war and pestilence,
and Justify the call: and indeed, this
condition of our state treasury Is
alarming.
"The advisability of the call. IL
such call is made, could more readily
be determined, did one but know
what would be done. The action OF
the Legislature in special session is
not confined to the subject matter
of the call, neither is 1t compulsory
upon it, to act favorahly upon such
subject matters.
Unrest Preceles Sessions
1--WE are all familiar with the un-
rest that prevails in our business
life and activities, preceding the as
sembling Of our legislative bodies.
This unrest is directly attributable
to the uncertainties Of legislation.
The constitutional convention recog-
nized this when 1t limited our regu-
lar legislative session to four years.
The citizens of the state recognized
this and afterwards specifically ap-
proved this action Of the convention
by vote, declining to amend the con-
stitution SO as to provide Tor biennial
sessions, therefore, with the uncer-
tainty of legislation and the cer-
tainty of the expense attending such
session. unless the benefits assured
are largely in excess of the fixed
liability, a special session could not
be justified
"If. however. the condition of the
state treasury be made the basis for
an extra session. the question that
naturally presents itself to the
thinking mind, is, what should be,
and what will be accomplished? Ev-
eryone knows that there are but two
remedies, viz: More revenue. or less
expense Which shall we have?
Shall we remedy the condition now
existing by cutting out appropria-
tions and useless expenditures. or
shall the remedy be brought about
The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-18
LESS Taxation" Was His
Appeal to People Of the
State More Than a Year
Ago = Interview in
Full

An interview of Charles Hender-
son given out May II, 1912, and
published throughout the state,
shows him student of the states
needs, end suggests some remedies.
The Montgomery Advertiser Of that
date, commenting on Mr.. Hender-
sons interview, says:
Proper reorganization and the
abolishment of useless state posi-
tions, will save Alabama $y00,00O a
year, declares Charles Henderson.
president of the state railroad COM
mission. He further insists that the
time has come when some one should
speak out in behalf OF the taxpay-
ers.
These pointed statements came
from Mr.. Henderson Thursday while
he was en- route to Mobile, and in
answer to a question put to him not
long ago with reference to prob
able extra session of the Legislature.
Declaring that 1t Is not question
that the state wants, Mr.. Henderson
asserts that some OF our. Officials
have reached the conclusion that he
who makes two officials flourish
where but one formerly worked. is
a statesman; that the nfaKnitude OF
our state is to be judged by the
size of the payroll"
1t is against heavy expenses that
the railroad commissioners strikes.
and he says emphatically that the
taxpayer Is becoming restive when
some new method Is being sought 10
raise more revenue from his, prop
erty that Is. already burdened to, the
last straw
Not new bill increasing the rev
enue of the state .11.000,OOO. but \
bill that will cut the annual apron
riation at least 100000, is what M.
Henderson wants. He believes this
can be done thereby giving an
amount to materially redIice each
year the deficit, which at this time is
increasing alarmingly."
Mr.. Henderson urges the In wn,al<-
ing power to lay aside "Senatoria,
Courtesy in all matters pertaining q
to the expenditure of money. beiiev-
ing that this practice Is responsible
for the clamor for commission rov-
ernment. the referendum and re-
CALL
Let us introduce, into our state
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-07-17

the attorney-general's office then is
sued formal certificate that title had
been explained, showing that the
states title had failed. This was
taken to the auditors office, a pay war
rant secured, and carried to the treas
ury, where Watkins endorsed it, AZ,
L. Tolbert, by NJ. A. Brown" Investi.
cation shows that the name ]. L. Toll
bert, was fictitious.
Discovery of the embezzlement was
made Tuesday by State Auditor D. L..
Thompson, who Immediately reported
the matter to Gov Brewer. Watkins
was given twenty-four hours in which
to make good the amount.
Auditor Thompson Greatly Surprised.
81 cannot conceive of anything that
would give me a greater surprise, "
said Auditor Thompson. Watkins
and myself worked side by side for
over four years, and l regarded him
as the very soul of integrity. The poor
fellow was deeply in debt, chiefly due
to his wife's long illness, and was get
ting deeper in the hole all of the time
1t was simply cause of pressing debts
making the temptation stronger than
he could stand"
During his residence in Jackson
Watkins has been quite prominent in
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-07-17

was an American. At first he acted
as an agent for a London firm that
manufactured musical instruments
and he became the first dealer in
musical instruments in the United
States, By degrees he worked into
the trade with furs, serving apDren-
ticeship with Quaker in the bust
ness. Then began his difficult and
trying journeys to buy furs, and his
conflicts with the strongly establish
ed. Hudson's Bay company. He Ell.
tended his trade to the western
coast of America and sent his ship
to all parts of the world. He in.
vested his profits in national securi-
ties and in land in New York city
and its immediate vicinity. His in
Vestments brought him large returns.
His fortune at his death in 1S4S was
trust and faith in his adopted country
and in the future greatness of New
York city.
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-07-17
AN AsToR ANNIVERSARY.

New York, July 17-One hundred and
fifty years ago today there was born
at Waldorf, near Heidelberg, Germany,
the son of a lowly butcher, who lived
to stand before kings, and to acquire
the largest fortune ever accumulated
by single individual In America up
to his time. The butchers son was
John Jacob Aston, the founder of the
Astor family in America lie cross
ed the Atlantic at the age of 20
and from the day of his landing he
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-07-17
Smith GIVEN FIVE YEARS
Continued from Page one.)

flowing with spectators. 1t was the
first time in many years that state
official has been arraigned for prison
sentence, and the crowd was eager to
see this notable act of the drama.
Motion For New Trial.
A motion for new trial filed by the
defense was argued for more than an
hour by State Senator Clayton D. Pot
ter and Hon. George Butler, former
Assistant Attorney-General. Both at
torneys were earnest and insistent
pointing out numerous alleged errors
in rulings on evidence and the admis-
stability Of testimony. Attorneys for
the prosecution were in the court room,
but remained silent They did not
even offer the Formally of reply.
Smith occupied a seat within the
railing directly in front of Judge Hen
ry One hand was clasped to the top
of the chair behind his head. The
other held half-burned cigar. His
face was flushed, but otherwise he
showed no emotion. Doubtless he had
steeled himself for the ordeal, knowing
full we'll what it would be. For sew
eral days powerful personal and politi-
cal friends had been beseiging Judge
Henry, for him to impose the mini
mum sentence, either heavy fine or
term in Jail. None of them had re-
ceived satisfactory assurances. Smith
himself made trip from the county
jail to the executive mansion, and,
with tears in his eyes, implored Gov.
Brewer to intercede with Judge Henry
in his behalf. The Governor replied
that he would not attempt to advise
any judge as to the line he should fol-
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-07-17
LAND OFFICE DEPUTY
CONTINUED from Page one.)

heavy expenses incurred during the
long illness of his wife, which made
necessary a surgical operation. His
specific crime was the issuance of a
bogus refund on a state land patent In
the sum of $3.50 He took the re-
fund certificate to the auditors office.
obtained pay warrant, and drew the
cash from the treasury The crime was
discovered several days ago. Gov.
Brewer first gave Watkins opportunity
to make good the amount. 1t Is under
stood that he borrowed the money
from his brother at McComb City.
Forged Bogus Name to Warrant
In order to get the money on the
warrant Watkins forged bogus name.
He first made out the certificate for
the bogus refund, alleging that the
states title had failed. and signed it
IN. A. Brown, Commissioner. by Leigh
Watkins, Deputy On this certificate
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-07-17
low in the discharge of his duty.
Smith Had NOTHING to say.

Have you anything to say, Mr..
Smith, why sentence should not be
pronounced?' asked Judge Henry.
mo sir" said the prisoner, in a low
voice, without arising from his seat.
Judge Henry then briefly reviewed
the several points urged by counsel
for defense in motion for a new trial.
told of the pressure that had been
brought to bear upon him in the effort
to secure a light sentence, reminded
Smith that he had betrayed a sacred
public trust, and had been convicted
of grating from an institution whose
property is worth more than a million
dollars, and whose farm products are
annually marketed for more than a
half million dollars.
After announcing that the sentence
was five years at hard labor in the
penitentiary, Judge Henry informed
Smith that the sentence also carried
removal from office. A tense silence,
occupying several moments, ensued.
Then Judge Henry said:
+ Mr.. Sheriff, take charge of the
prisoner"
Smith rose slowly from his chair.
His face was expressionless. He
reached for his hat, placed the half
burned cigar between his lips, and fol-
lowed the deputy from the court room.
A dozen or more personal friends &C
companied him to the gate of the
county Jail.
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-07-17
AUSTIN'S FRIENDS
Are DISAPPOINTED
HAD HOPED AND EXPECTED HE
WOULD BE NAMED TO sue.
GEE TRUSTEE SMITH.

The failure of |. V. Austin of Hat
tiesburg to secure the appointment
from Governor Brewer to the office of
state prison trustee, made vacant by
the conviction of c. C. Smith, is a
matter of regret to Mr. Austin's many
admirers and friends in this city and
section. This regret is all the greater
because of the very good reasons they
had to expect the Governor to recog-
nize Mr. Austin's superior claims and
confer upon him the honors of the Of
fee.
AS to Mr.. Austin's ability to admin
lister the duties of the office there
was no sort of doubt. His integrity
was unquestioned. AS an expert cot
ton classer he would have been able
annually to earn his salary many times
over In the mere supervision of the
classification of the states cotton. AS
a cotton buyer his knowledge would
have been of inestimable value to the
state. Mr.. Austin was Smiths only
opponent in the last election and is
believed by many that he would have
today been honorably filing the Of
fee had he entered the race even as
much as two weeks earlier than he
did.
The regret felt because Mr.. Austin
was not chosen will not, however,
keep Mr.. Thames from carrying into
the office the best wishes of the tax
payers of south Mississippi for his
successful administration of the office.
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-07-17
TO DETERMINE If FEDERAL.
EMPLOYEES LIABLE FOR TAX

pay the street tax assessed In that
municipality. A controversy has been
raging for some time at Laurel ovr
the question, the city attorney having
asked Attorney-general Collins for a
ruling on the matter and the latter
gave an opinion that Federal officials
are not exempt from street tax; that
the statute provides that only volun-
teer firemen can claim exemption.
One of the Federal employees at Lau-
rel will be placed under arrest after
his formal refusal to pay the tax, and
the case will then be fought through
the municipal, circuit and supreme
courts of Mississippi before being car
ried to the nations highest tribunal
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-07-17

The new member of the board is
understood to be a man we'll qualified
for the position to which he has been
elevated by the Governors appoint.
ment.
Mr.. Austin, while disappointed that
he did not receive the appointment, is
nursing no grudge~ against anyone for
his failure to secure the place, and
expresses his appreciation of the in.
terest shown by the many friends, who
urged his appointment.
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-07-17
TO OBSERVE JUAREz
FoRTY-FIRsT ANNIVERSARY

City of Mexico, July 1.-THE forty
first anniversary of the death OF
Benito Juarez, who holds the fore
most place in the list of the patriots
of Mexico, will be observed tomorrow
in the customary manner Exer-
cises in celebration of the day will
be held by Jaurez societies through
out the republic. President Huerta
and other high officials of the pres
ent government are expected to at
tend the anniversary exercises to be
held at the tomb of the patriot.
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-07-17
KILLING OF NEGRO, AARON
HAMPTON, NOT UNEXPECTED

'ly to occasion by his attitude and in
forming Hampton that he had been
sent on a peace mission, the latter
replied They better send you to see
the other fellows; they don't need to
send you to see me-" Coroner Nc
Kenzie, from whom this information
was obtained, explained that by "the
other fellows" the negro meant six
white men whom he charged with
having shot into his house one night
several weeks ago
Deputy Sheriff Cahal who accom-
panied the coroner to the scene of
the homeocide, stated to The News
representative, upon his return to
town, that Hampton had reported to
him some time ago that six men had
shot into his house at night, and asked
for protection. He says he went out
to Hampton's home with the negro
and offered to arrest any one against
whom he would make an affidavit,
but this the negro said he would not
do, but that he wanted the officer to
make them" let him alone. Asked
if he said who they" were, Mr.. Ca
hal said he did not. Again last Satur-
day Mr.. Cahal was at the negros
place and then advised him to dis
continue the carrying of a gun, as it
was sure to get him into trouble, but
the man insisted that he must carry
his gun.
When the negros body was found
Wednesday morning he was lying
across a Winchester rife, the maya
zine of which contained eleven load
ed shells. His gun did not have an
empty shell in it nor was there any
other evidence that he had fired his
gun when attacked
The wife and daughters of the dead
negro stated that they heard fully
ten shots shortly after Hampton left
home for Hattiesburg early Wednes-
day morning. When asked why he
carried his rife with him the negro's
widow said 1t was because he feared
trouble. There home is about a half
mile from the scene of the killing.
Aaron Hampton was living on
small farm situated about s miles
northeast of this city, the property
being owned by j. E. Davis. While
the mans family attempted to farm
in small way, he was generally en-
ployed in making cross ties or at
public work. For the past thirty days,
it is said, he has not attempted any
work, but is known to have been nurs-
ing what he claimed were grievances
against certain whites, and many pre-:
dictions were made that he would kill
some one or be killed himself. After
the inquest the mans body was turned
over to his family.
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-07-17

The killing OF Aaron Hampton, the
negro found dead near the Gulf and
Ship Island Railroad track just above
Rawls Springs, which was reported
in The News Wednesday, it now ap-
pears, was by no means an unexpect
ed occurrence.
The jury of inquest summoned aft
er arriving at the scene of the kill
ing was composed of Elijah Purvis.
w. H. Ramsey. Elisha Purvis, j. ].
Steele, j. NJ. Hudson and j. S. Cum
ningham, who returned the following
verdict: I'VE the jury of inquest, sit
ting on the body of Aaron Hampton,
find he came to his death by gun
shot at the hands of some unknown
rarty"
T. f. Prime and E. IFS Ward work
ing at Lees Mills heard the shooting
which resulted in the negro's death
and they were the first parties to
reach the man after he died.
The coroner and jury found the
tracks. apparently Of two men lead
ing away from where the man was
killed into the woods nearby. 1t was
also clearly shown that a "A Win
chester. a .32 Winchester and shot
gun had been used by those who did
the killing and as the testimony was
that s or 10 gun shots were heard, it
was decided that every shot fired must
have entered the mans body, as
eight wounds were found. all of them
being apparently from the front. An
empty shell from shot gun, two
empty shells from a .44-caliber Win
chester and one from a .32-caliber
winchester were found near the scene
of the killing.
1t appears from physical evidences
on the ground that the negro was
shot while crossing trestle on the
railroad. that he walked across to
the embankment beyond, and that
when he fell he rolled down the bank
and there received several shots while
lying on the ground 1t was stated
at the coroner's inquest that Hamp-
ton had threatened John Lovelace, a
young White man in the neighbor-
hood. and the fact that the negro
was constantly carrying around with
him a loaded Winchester rife had
been discussed among some of the
older. citizens at an informal meet
ing held at Providence church last
Sunday morning. Feeling assured
that serious trouble would result if
the negro continued his threatening
attitude, Mr.. Lem Boyce was detailed
to go to Hampton's home and per
suade him either to leave the neigh
borhood or discontinue the carrying
of his gun and the making of threats.
Mr.. Boyce reported that when he
approached the negro's house and
called him to the door he was slow
to respond. and when he did come out,
he had Winchester in his hand
After Mr.. Boyce talked to the negro
about the possible trouble he was like
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-07-17
Special to The EeDs.

July 1.-THE question of whether
Federal officials are liable to Missis-
sippi's street tax law is to be tested
in the Supreme Court of the United
States.
District Attorney R. C. Lee, of the
southern Mississippi district, has re-
ceived instructions from the attorney
generals office at Washington, to car
ry the case through the state courts,
as preliminary to having the matter
brought before the nations highest
tribunal for decision.
The test suit will be instituted at
Laurel, where several Federal Of
ficials and employees have refused to
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1913-07-17

religious work. He was treasurer of
the First Presbyterian church, and
member of the board of deacons, TAX
ing an active part in all the work of
that congregation. 1t is positively
known that he never drank or gambled
and he has always been a man of ex-
emplary habits.
The Ordway new era., 1913-10-03
RULES AND REGULATIONS

For the first 30 days the will coupon
be voted free for any lady contestant.
Contest less than 80 days Closing of
announced advance closing The
closing is reserved sufficient should
The contest shall close day which will be
days closing contest judges will carefully lock
ballot box take where the will be voting
be done during business locked night
when the judges will take
nounce the young ladies winning in their turn.
The last ten days all voting be
bank. If not wish voting
place together with
which will be furnished
will give everyone fair and square deal