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W The Press ani Banner. V BY HUGH WILSON. ~ Hr AniiKt'llJ.K. K. \ t "THOMAS JEFFERSON." r WILLIAM J. BRYAN SPEAKS TO THAT "OAST". A Notable Gathering of Dtmocrafs In W?nhli)ctnn to Ccltbrate JtfFeraon'a Itlrthday?Mr. Bryau'a Fine Speech. Washington. April 13 ?This was William JenniDgs Bryan's day in Washington. If ever a man received a sincere reception he did this night. At the Indian (^ueen tavern (the Metropolitan), where thousands of old j Democrats have spent pleasant hours ' while on their visits to the national capital; where Jefferson met and talked over his theories and principles of Democracy with nis hundreds of friends: where Calhoun and Clay could be seen ia pleasant conversation, a Jettersonian bacqiei, oamujBuiurative of the 154th anuiversary of Jefferson's birth, is being given. At the head of the spacious dining hall \ stands a large oil painting of the old I statesman surrounded bylUnited States V llags. There is here, perhaps, one of J the greatest gathering of Democratic ' statesmen that has been held for many years. Three long fables run from one end to the other of the halls. There are assemoled senators, CDngressmen, national committeemen and others of high standing from every State in the Union. Here they have met to raise their voices in praise of their idol, their leader, William Jennings Bryan. Governor Blaofc, of Pennsylvania, ; stated "whv we are assembled." j Benton McMillin was the toastmaster and introduced Mr. Bryan, the guest of honor, in glowing tribute at 11 o'clock. When Mr. Bryan began 1 speaking one could not hear his own voice for the cheers that went up. A band, concealed behind ferns, played the songs "ye heard in olden time," 1 among them being the "Arkansas Traveler," "Dixie," "Maryland, My Maryland," "Old Virginia"and many others popular to Democrats. ( The first celebration of the anniver- 1 sary of Jefferson's birth occurred at 1 the same hostelry, then known as the Indian Queen; April 30, 1830. President Jackson was the guest of honor 1 and the occasion was made memora- ! ble by the presence of Vice President John C. Calhoun and other Demo i cratic leaders of that clay. The toasts were briefly responded to, except in the case of Mr. Bryan, who spoke at length to the toast "Thomas Jeffer- j son." The order of the set toasts was , as follows: i "Thomas Jefferson"?We celebrate , the anniversary of his birth not in the 1 spirit of personal idolatry, but from regard and reverence of his political i principles?"William J. Bryan of Ne- , braska. i "The diffusion and arraignment of i all abuses at the bar of public reason" (from Jefferson's inaugural address) James K. Jones of Arkansas. "Equal and exact justice to all men, ( of whatever state or persuasion, relig ious or political"?Richard P. Bland, of Missouri. i umu_ i-? . t t_ j?? jluo J^euiaranuu ui mucpouucuuo ?An enduring monument of that devotion of liberty and abhorence of ty- : ranny which stamp the character and mark the whole course of the life of its author?Joseph C. Sibley, of Pennsylvania. " ! "Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none," (from the , same address) ?John J. Lsntz, of Ohio. "An aristccracy of wealth is of more harm and danger than benefit to society" (Jefferson)?Andrew J. Lipscomb of Virginia. "A iftalnns rjtrp r?f thfi ripht of elec tions oy the people; a mild and safe corrective of those abuses which are topped by the sword of revolution in countries where peaceable remedies are unprovided" (from Jefferson's inaugural address)?William Sulzer of New York. Mr. Bryan said in part: The Democratic party is strong just in proportion as it proves true to the teachings of its great founder. It is the mission of the Democratic party to crystalize into legislation the principles which he taught. The party applies Demo cratic principles "to the issue which arise from time to time. For many years, the tariff question was the paramount issue aud the party took a more advanced position each year until 1892, when it declared itself in favor of a policy which meant substantially a tariff for revenue only. But the President elected at that time instead of proceeding to carry out that portion of the platform, forced upon public attention an issue which had up to that time been considered secondary. Mr. Cleveland, more than any other person in this nation, is responsible for the prominent position which tlio mnnaTT nnpctinn nnnr nannies. Tt. was bis determination to complete the demonetization of silver and make the gold standard perpetual, that aroused the masse of tne United States to active resistance. Tne struggle for supremacy between the gold standard and bimetallism was recognized as a contest between the money power and the common people. The explicit declaration in favor of unlimited coinage of silver at the ratio of 16 to 1 without waiting for the aid or consent of any other nation was made necessary by the attempt of certain public men to evade the preceding platform. The party struggle which culminated in the Chicago convention of necessity alienated a portion of the party. The party was placed in the position where it was compelled to endorse the financial policy of the President or adhere to the doctrines and traditions of the party. Tne position taken by the Democratic party in 1896 will not be surrendered. If you doubt the permanency of the Chicago platform as a party creed, go among the rank and file of the paity and measure the zeal and enthusiasm which that platform has aroustd and you will realize the impossibility of ) taking a backward step. True, the \ present administration is seeking to * turn public attention to the tariff > question, but if our reasoning is well lounded, an increase of taxes cannot restore prosperity to the producers of wealth. If the Dingley bill brings general and permanent prosperity, the Democratic party will not be in a position to win a contest by opposing it. If, on the other hand, the Dingley bill proves a disappointment to those who advocate it, our position of 1896 will r rj , / be strengthened and public attention will be rivet*d upon the fact that the cause of financial depression is to be found in our monetary system. There is much in recent events to encourage the followers of Thomas Jefferson. The spring elections indicate a growing sentiment along the lines of the Chicago platform. In fact, the elec tions which have taken place show such great gains that the Republican party may now be considered a minority party. It has but one hope of escape from the wrath to come and that is to secure bimetallism by interna1' ' Vvafnwn nonrvlo nf uuuai a^i'ccuicut uciuic uiu v?? the nation have another opportunity to speak at the polls. While we who believe in independent bimetallism generally regard an international agreement as neither necessary or possible. We may well hops for success to any who may make the attempt to secure foreign assistance. If our opponents succeed in opening the mints of other nations as well as their own mints, we shall rejoice because the condition of the people will be im proved and they will be able to proceed with other remedial legislation. If, however, the Republican party after pledging itself to secure interna uonai Dimeiauism, uiius it to fulfill that pledge, its expressed preference for a double standard will rise up to condemn it if it attempts to continue longer the evils of the gold standard. Senator Jones, chairman of the Democratic national committee, in respondin? to his.toast, referred to the insults given Mr. Bryan at Yale college and the refusal of the students there to hear him during the last campaign. He said: "And this in New England, the proud seat of our learning, where men in the old days would have died to maintain the right of free speech." L'ne result 01 inoiuumuipai cicuuuua he said, showed that the cities which in the last campaign were the strongholds of the Republicans had regained their senses and had rallied to the standard of him who founded the Democratic party and whose motto was "Equal and exact to all." After the set toasts had bsen responded to, there were many impromptu speeches and it was after midnight before the dinner broke up. The bill of fare was strictly of the olden time. Chicken, gumbo, red snapper, Georgia potatoes, fried chicken, Virginia style; beef, asparagus, ferranin were the solid dishes, wnile the finest Haut Saute me, claret and champagne were the favorite bsverages and the assembly afterwards enjoyed the best Key West cigars.? dtate. Teachers of the State. The following circular letter about the coming annual meeting of the State Teachers' association to be held on Paris Mountain has been sent out dated from Greenville: Dear Sir: The execuave committee of the State PaoBliiiK.' ncnnni a Hnn VlOS Hfi.njdpd tQ xuauuvx o oogvvinvivu ? - ? hold the next meeting on Paris Mountain at Hotel Altamont, beginning June 30 and ending July 5. Tae committee is anxious to secure a full attendance. An excellent program of a very helpful, practical nature has been partially arranged and sent out. It has been arranged with special refurence to the needs of the teachers in their school rooms and deals directly with the work which is or has to be taught by them daily. Tae place selected offers many attractions?health frpftdom. informality, beautiful scene ry, low rates, comfort, convenience, inspiration. Low railroad rates will be secured to the mountain 75 cants for round trip, baggage included; boarj, $5 for five days, $1.50 per day for those who come later than Thursday, the 1st of July or leave before Monday, the 5th. Everything possible will be done to give the teachers a good time and a profitable meeting. Please do all you can to advertise the meeting through your county papers; read the letter to your teachers when they assemble for the examinations on the 16th; keep it before them until the time of meeting. Make your plans to come yourself and let's nave a great meeting. Full information will be sent out soon. Will you kindly send a list to your teachers so that circulars may be sent them to W.E. Johnstone, proprietor Altamont Hotel, or E. L Hughes, superintendent, Greenville, S.O. Found After Four rears. Los Angeles, Cal., April 14.?After a search of four years, Edwin R. Mohler, a millionaire lumber man of Minneapolis, has located his divorced wife, Loru Maude and their 8 year old - 1 1 T> .J VT~U1??. rru? CU1J.U, IdUl I\?ymuuu iuuaici. xuc woman was found yesterday afternoon in Pasadena, where she has been living for the past few months under the name of Austin. S^e was at once brought to Los Angeles and is now in charge of the sheriff. Tne history of her disappearance is a strange one. She and her husband were married in Minneapolis 10 years ago and in 1893, a divorce was granted Mrs. Mohleron the ground of incompatibility, she recaiving the custody of the child. Mohler, some months later, became suspicious of the health of the child and applied to the superior court of Hennepin county, Minn., for the custody of the child. After many hearings and a bitter fight he was awarded the custody of the child, bul his wife frustrated this by mysteriously disappearing with the infant son. She had given out that she was going to Florida, but really came to Califor nia, settling in Los Angeles. Datec tives scoured the country and finallj located her in Pasadena. She hac married again and was living undei the name of Austin. TYhlnksy and Wives. Wytheville, Va., April 15.?The Virginia conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, which has been in session here for a week, has made an effort to raise the stand ard of the colored ministry. The res olutions were passed condemning min isters for getting divorces from theii wives. Bishop Handy declared tha' no man in the connection in the dis trict would receive an appointmeni who had more than one wife. Thej also condemned the use of whiskey and several men who were fount guilty of using intoxicant drinks wen left without appointment. Rev. Jame; Minter was expelled from the connec tion for having two wives. The rul ing of Bishop Handy is regarded as t progressive step for the elevation ol the negro race. Not Yale Rowdies. Charlottesville, Va., April 14Mr. Bryan passed through here thi; afternoon and was met at the depot b^ a crowd of 500, mostly students of thi University of Virginia. The boy gave him the varsity yell and h made a few remarks. PHOSPHATE ROYALTY. I ~ t A DELAYED LETTER FROM CARTAS FRANK E. TAYLOR. ! He Argues for Certain Belief It the Com' panics are to Continue In Business?Th? Coosaw Company Going Oat. Columbia, April 16.?In the Char leston correspondence of The Registei yesterday was an interview with Cap tain Frank E. Taylor in regard to tht phosphate interests, in which he said he had written Gov. Ellerbe his view.' 1 and that he would not give out the contents unless the Governor did. Tht Governor yesterday gave it to the newspaper men, saying that although it had been written before the Beau fort trip, still he had not received it. The letter follows: Charleston. S. C., March 30, 1897. Hon. W. H. Ellerbe, Chairman Boaro of Phosphate Commissioners, Co lumbia, 8. C, Tina* Qim On nrtfinft Pvhpn KJl A \/U UllV %JJL IVi MWAVW ded to me it was impossible for me t: make any arrangements to leave th< city, as I had matters of great import ance at home which demanded my at teniion. I therefore, at the last mo ment, wired Inspector Jones at Ye massee that I could not join the par ty, and wrote him, confirming mj telegram, stating that I would com municate with you. The petition, under date March 6, signed by the Coosaw Mining Com pany and other companies, addressed to yourself and the members of thf board, has had my earnest considera tion. I have given the matter much thought and,as far as I am concerned, have reached a definite conclusion, which conclusion I will as briefly as possible state in this communication. First. I am in favor, in view of the depressed condition of the phosphate interests, resulting from the develop ment of the phosphate industry in other States, of extending such reliel AI?1/1 Uf* ii nMfl A/M a n i~1 of OO WUUiU UZJ J AOL OUU auvi nu the same time work no hardship to the State. Second. I am of the opinion that a royalty of 25 cents per ton is reasona ble, and that the increase in said rov alty should CDmmence at a figure nol certainly higher than $3 per ton. Third. I am of the opinion thai whatever royalty may be decided up 1 on should be fixed for a period of nol less than two years. Fourth. I have reached the definiU conclusion, in regard to the 49.00C tons or more of rock on hand, say about as follows: The Coosaw Com pany 30,000 tons, the Farmers Mining Company 14,000 tons, the Baaufort Company 5,000 tons, that the State if entitled to a royalty of 50 cents pei ton upcn this surplus product, which, at 50 cents Der ton on 49,000 tons amounts to $24,500, for which saic amount the State has a lien upon saic rock. I think, therefore, that the State should collect the 50 cents pei ton royalty upon this 49,000 tons oJ rock, but obligate and agree that a< the expiration of twelve months frorr the date of the action of the board, il these each minded an equivalent quantity of rock to that which thej now have on hand, then the State will rebate to them 25 cents per ton ol the 50 csnts per ton collected,and will charge 25 cents per ton royalty upon the equivalent quantity that will be mined during the time, viz: one yeai from the date of the action of the board. By pursuing this course the State will be assured of its $21,503, which is the equivalent of 50 cants par ton or 49,000 tons of rock. It will not do tc argue that because plants are valuable they are, therefore, going to be run. This is simply a business question thai is presented to us. No matter how sincerely we may sympathize with the prostrate condition of the phosphate industry, tnera is no just reason, ic my mind, why the commissioners should be at all philanthropic, and J take it that it is not the intention ol the mining companies to have tht board consider the question in any Qther than a business way. To illustrate: TheCoosaw Company has 30,000 tons of rock on hand, li pays a royalty of $15,000. At the expiration of tne year it shows that ii has mined 30,000 tons additional. I receives back from the State $7,500, and is liable for 25 cents per ton roy alty on the 30,000 tons mined during thisyesr. Suppose, for instance, thai the Coosaw ComDanv mined onl v 20, 000 tons then it would receive back 21 cents per ton royalty on 23,000 tons i and would be liable to pay 25 cent* i per ton on 20,000 tons mined. I do not see why the State shoulc i take any chances of any one of thesi ' companies shutting down. If th< plants are so valuable and the compa nies do not intend to shut down,then under the proposition I present, thej L will be perfectly assured that the} i will get this rebate of 25 cents pai ton. If, on the other hand, any on< company has no intention of going or ' and makes up its mind to shut down or produce a very small quantity o > rock,then the State of Soutn Carolim ' will have simply lost so much royalty ' if they make the reduction in royalty ' without agreement suggested by me i There is no quid pro quo or take it ir t its last analysis. Suppose all the com nanies should shut down and product no rock this year. The State woulc ; simply ba out $12,250 on 49,000 ton of rock, if they made a reduction o 25 cents par ton without binding th< r companies to an equivalent furthe; I production. It seems to me, therefore, under thi views I have presented we offer to ex tend to them in good faith on busines: principles all the relief that the] should ask. If they are going on t< mine and push the business, which ! understand they will do; they will, a [ the expiration of the year, be refund ed 25 cents par ton, provided they shal have each mined au equal quantity o " rock to that each now has on hand . or, if not an eqial quantity, then re bated pro rata. [ In my judgment the best guaran f tees that the comp mies are going t< run is to put them in a position where ! if they do not run, they will not ge the rebate on the royalty, and if the; , do run, in accordance with the rule 4 laid down by the board, they will ge 25 cents pjr ton of the royalty refund ed to them pro rata in accordanc j. with the rock mined by each the com ing twelve months. I do not know whether the views have expressed meet with the concur - renceof the board, but, at any rate 3 they embody the opinion I entertain j and I do not know, if agreed to b; a the board, whether they meet the ap s proval of the phosphate miners, but a e far as that is concerned, I am on th t board for the purpose of doing, as fa as lies in my power, what I believe to be justic9 to all parties concerned,and am not seeking ibe favorable opinion I of any class of individuels. I remain yours very respectfully. Frank E. Taylor. A VERITABLE FIEND. ' Mnrdern a Girl, Her Father and Mother, RurosThelr Bodies. Pascong, R. I., April 14.? News ' reached here today of a tragedy at Oakland, a small farming village a 5 few miles from Pascong, about 3 I o'clock this mornine. The house ocs cupied by Edward Reynolds, his wife > and an adopted daughter, was burned. > It was several hoi'rs after the fire was i discovered before those who were at i the scene could begin their search. At daylight a body was seen lying near the centre of the ruins, and as soon as possible this was removed. - - - - ' * * . v. J?_ iL.i. Although it was Durnea so Daaiy mm I it was beyond recognition, the appear ance iudicated that it was that of Sylyina Reynolds, the 20-year-old daugh ter of the family. A short time later > Reynolds1 body was also recovered, > the identification being a general one as the body had been frightfully burned. When the neighbors, who had been aroused by the fire, went to the Rey nolds house this morning, they found r that the fiames were confined to one part of the building. The placa was securely fastended, the doors being , bolted, and locked and every window closed tightly, so that they were comI palled to burst open the door to gain s admittance. The house ht.& been saturated with kerosene, and the l flames spread rapidly. The rescuers , attempted to reach the part of the , house where the family slept, but i were driven back, and only had time ta take Mrs. Reynolds' body out be> fore that section of the house was in a i blazj. Her head had been crushed in and the upper part of the body was i terribly multilated. Martin Mowry, ' who worked for Reynolds, slept in another part of the house, and the ? villagers hurried to his room 1,o alarm him. i The room was empty and from the - hasty examination that could be made it was evident that the bad had not t been disturbed. The bed clothing, as well as the floor leading to the door, t had been saturated with some liquip supposed to be kerosene. Mowry'a I trunk and a box belonging to him were opened and his clothing was s strewn about the floDr. Mowry was found in Leander Buffum's barn some distance from the scene of the fire, chattering and laughing like a : maniac. Buffum arrested the man ; and gave him up to the officer. Mo wry i is a bachelor, about 65 years of age. From the position of the bodies, it is believed that Reynolds was called , to his daughter's room by soma unI usal sound and that when he reached 1 the side of her bed he received his ' death blow. At that time Miss Rey nolds was Drobablv killed. The mur derer, it is supposed, then went to : Mrs. Reynold's room, and, afLer stabi bingher twice in the faci, battered her head ia with some bluat weapon. ; When Mowry left the houue ho went to the woods, where he shot himself in ? the head. The bullet only stunned him, however, and he did not repeat the attempt. He than went to Bat. fum's farm. The revolver, with two ' chambers empty, was found in his ' possession and an empty oil cai was found in Mo wry's apartments. Mowry was willing to talk after his arrest, but from his appearance and manner of expression it seemed clear that he I wraa insane. Ravnolds and his wife J ? were each about 50 years of age. Sylvina was their adopted daughter, the child of .Mm. Reynold^ deceased . brother. Raynolds had little money and hence it is thought robbery could not i have been the object of the crime. ) A 8torm Raised at Ann tpolis. , Washington, April 15.?Congressman Shattuc of Ohio yesterday nominated D. J. Bandy a colored, lad of i Cincinnati, to a cadets hip sit Annapolis. He has baen urged to withdraw the name but says he will stand by th3 appointment. Tnere have been t some murmers of dissapproval from . the naval academy and the cadets and students threaten to resign. [ "The boy earned the appointment fairly," said General Shattuc; today. ' "There was a competitive examinar tion and two colored lads, one of thom [ Bundy, outstripped their Caucasian . competitors. One of them, however, ; proved to be over 20 and was, there ; fore, disbarred. I had told them that 3 the competition was open to every eligible boy in my district. Buindy, who I won, is one of the handsomest boys I , ever saw. Yesterday I sent, his name 3 to the secretary of the navy and he . will be appointed. I have received no communications from the students at f Annapolis on the subject, but several , congressmen have told me that it was .. an unwritten law not to allow a col ored boy at Annapolis. They told me | if I persisted it would break up the school. That other students would | resign." "Let them resign and be it dammed," I said. "I shall keep his r appointment and see that he goes to Annapolis." General Shattuc says he has 7,500 negroes in his district." Beginning of the End, Washington, April 16.?According j to information received from trust| worthy sources here the withdrawal of ' at least a part of the great army that J Spain has maintained for several years past in the island of Cuba will begin when the rainy season set in within a few days. The militia movement will El be the departure of 10,000 Spanish troops from Habana for Spain, and [" within a short time after that 30.000 I troops, it is understood, will follow. Whether this movement is to b'con' strued in favor of or against the insur1 gents it is imppossible to say. The j Spanish insist positively that it means i only that little or nothing remains of 1 the insurrection; that Gomez has only about 50 or 100 followers, and that to watch these under the condition in which the campaign was necessarily conducted,a thousand men are quite as y effective as the army of 180,000 men > which has been maintained in Cuba. 1 The Cuban contingent, on the other ^ hand, insists that the Spanish linan? cial resources are exhausted, and that i the troops are to be withdrawn because of lack of money to keep theaa e in service. Lawyer Drops Uetd. I Washington, At?ril 15.?Judge - James J. Storrow, lawyer of Boston, i, dropped dead while at the Congresi, sional Library today. Judge Slorrow y took an important part in ttie proceed> ings incident to tbe arbitration treaty s between the governments of Great i Britain and Venezuela for the settlev ment of the boundary line dispute. THE CROP CONDITION. WHAT THE STATE BUREAU HAS TO SAY ABOUT THEM. The Weekly Ralletln Issued Tuesday by Observer Bauer?Of Interest to Farming Classes?The Outlook. Columbia, April 14?The following is the second weekly weather crop bulletin of the season issued jesterday by State Observer Bauer. It is of special interest to those watching the progress of farming operations in this Slate: temperature. The temperature for the week averaged three degrees warmer tnan normal, due to very warm weather during the first part of the week and cool weather on the last two days. The highest temperature reported was 87 on^he 8tb at Gillisonville, and the lowest 38 on the 10th 'at Liberty and Greenville. The lowest on the morning of theJLOth ranged between 38 and 45 over the entire western portion of the State. The State average temperature (beiner the mean of all reuorts received) was 64. RAINFALL. There were heavy rains over the western counties on the 5th, washing plowed lands badly and causing freshets, with loss of life, on some of the streams. There were also excessive rains over the northwestern portion of the State on the 8th. Other days with rain were the 6th, 9 th and 10th, general over the State; on the7th and 8th, local showers. Hail accompanied the rains of the 5th over the western counties, and the heavey rains on the 8th, with no damage to crop3. The rainfall for the week was very heavy, amounting to 2:23 at Darlington; 4:19 at Society Hill; 4 00 at Mont Clare; 2.50at Sellers; 4.75 at Walhalla; 4.77 at Loopers; 2.25 at Pleasant; 3.49 at Greenville; 2.58 at Greenwood; 4.75 at Liberty; 2 21 at Santuc. The average of 35 reports from all sections of the State was 1.78 inches, and the normal for the same period is approximately 0.70 inches. SUNSHINE. The sunshine was more nearly normal than during the previous week. The estimated percentage of possible sunshine ranged between 28 at Society Hill and 75 at Panola. The average of 70 reports is 50 per cent, of the possible, while the normal at this season is nearly 70 per cent. CROPS. Bat liLtle progress could be made in farm work during the week on account of the continued wet condition of the ground. Over the western group of counties, and including onethird or more of the entire area of the State, only from one to two days plowing could be done, after the ground became fit and before the work was again interrupted by rain. 0 rer this portion of the State farm work is very much delayed and the season iuny iwo weeas or more mier than usual. In the central counties and the extreme northeastern counties the farmers are about up with their work and planting is progressing rapidly towards completion, especially corn planting in Horry, Marion and Marlboro. Corn planting is general over the entire eastern and central portions of the State as far westward as Fairfield, Richland, Lexington and Aiken counties. To the west and north of these counties very little corn has been planted and lands are yet unfit for preparation. Scarcely any bottom lands have been planted, corn is coming up very satisfactorily, but in some localities replanting will be necessary. Cut and bud worms have done considerable injury to corn. In the western counties corn planting is from 15 to 20 days late. Cotton planting is fairly beeun, and will this week become general over the esatern half of the State. As yet, the area planted is quite limited. The early planted ia coming up to good stands. In the western half of the State, in the preparation of lands foi planting cotton, plowing, hauling of fertilizers and listing the^ame, scarcely anything has been possible, owing to the wet, sodden condition of the soiL It is reported from many localities that fields will not be as thoroughly prepared as usual. Tobacco beds are doing well, with plants plentiful and large enough to transplant, which work has been commenced in Marion and Florence counties. Melons nearly all planted and some up in Barnwell. Rice planting is delayed, as the lands cannot readily be drained. Some fields planted. There will be large acreage devoted to sorghum cane, if the seed can be secured. Seed being reported very scarce. Some has already been plant ed and coming up. Pastures growing well and afford excellents grazing. Cabbages, peas, asparagus, cucum bers and strawberries being shipped from Charleston. Peacnes very materially injured ir the northern and western counties during March, but this week's reports from those counties would indicate that not all were killed. In the central and eastern counties peaches were not materially injured, in places not at all. Apples are in full bloom and are safe, as also are pears anc grapes. Gardens are backward but generally growing well. The following extract from the Na tional Bulletin of April 5 shows the progress of corn and cotton planting in oiher portions of the country: ''Corn planting continues in the southern States and over the more southerly portions the early planted is being cultivated. Preparations foi planting are in progress as far north as Oaio. '"Cotton planting is in progressover the southern portion of the cotton bilt. In Texas tbe greater part of the crop has been planted, and where not damaged by heavj rains, is coming up uioelv. Some replanting in Texas Has been necessary, owing to excessive rains in March. In Alabama the early plunted cotton is coiniug up tc good stands." Upset by VutlDg for ? Negro. Ralkigii, N. C., April 14 ?Perric Gower, one of the wealthiest farmers iu this region, today committed suicide by drinking an ounce of laudnum. lie was a confederate soldier, and un til the last campaign a strong, intoler ant Democrat. He became n populisi last fail and voted a ticket composed ol populists and Republicans, includ ing a negro candidate for tbe legisla ture. Afterward Gower brooded over having voted for the negro, and his mind became unbalanced. INTERNATIONAL B'MSTALLISM. MoKlnley Named Kx-Vlce President Stevenson on the Commission. Washington, April 13.?The naming of three commissioners by President McKinley under the Act of the last Congress to promote bimetallism was the subject of considerable discus sion about the capital today. Almost without exception the selections were commended. Senators, regardless of party were pleased with the selection of ex-Vice President Stevens-on. It appears, that tnis selection was the President's own, no one appearing to urge his appointment. The President desired a Democrat who stood high in his party and who was an earnest silver man. He sent for Mr. Stevenson and after talking the subject over with him, decided to make him a member of the commission. President McKinley desired that the subject of international bimetallism should be above party politics, and that the men selected should be those who would work in harmony toward bringing about an agreement. Opposition to the scheme for internatisvnal Kimotolliom Via a ^arrolnnpH frnm bJLUUm ViUIVkUAiWIU M ll?> MV * WAVf WM > WM. | an unexpected source. Morton Frewen, of England, who has given a great deal of attention to the subject, and whb has visited this country several times in the interest, of silver, is now opposing an international agreement. and declares that the money question is one which each nation must settle for itself. Mr. Fre wen will oppose any agreement and use his influence against the new commission when it goes abroad. Senator Wolcott said that there appeared to be a mistaken impression that the commission is appointed with the purpose in view of having it represent the United States at a confer 1? ITTUM^ 4l> a tJUCt) only. wiiiie mo uumuiissiuu might be utilized ia that way, a conference should be held its first work is to be of a purely diplomatic character, looking entirely to securing Europen co-operation. Whether there shall b8 a conference at all will depend upon how the advances or the commissioners are received by the principal powers. Bloominqton, 111., April 13.?ExVice President Stevenson said today 1 when questioned about his appointment on the commission for the promotion of an international agreement: "I appreciate the compliment paid to me by the President, and I will cheerfully render what assistance I can to accomplish the object of the commission. " wnaiever our views may uc w> tu the ability of our government to main1 tain the free and unlimited coinage of silver without the co-operation of the leading countries of Europe, it may be safely assumed that every friend of silver in this country will welcome international bimetallism. As to the impossibility of the success of this commission, it is known that the trend of public sentiment in European countries, as well as our own, is undoubtedly favorable to bimetallism. "Many of the publicists of England and Germany are in earnest accord irri'tVi niiK rrr?T7?rnmf?nf linnn this OU6S tion. Should public sentiment in those countries justify an international conference, would undoubtedly be called and action taken that would be deemed proper." Two Women Murdered . Watertown, N. Y., ipriJ 17.? i Sometime Thursday night or during the afterRoon or evening George Allen, a steward of the Madison barracks hired a horse and carriage at a livery ' stable at Sackett's harbor and took two women out driving. One of his companions was a young lady of Sackett's Harbor. Miss Bailev. and the oth ' er was a divorced woman, Mrs. Crouch. At 2:30 this morning the i horse came back to the livery stable drawing the carriage, which, at first i the liveryman believed was empty, ' but on going up to the carriage he found the bodies of the two women in ' the bottom of it. He at once notified : the authorities. About this time Al) len came staggering into the barracks in a weakened condition and he, too, is expected to die. He has made an ante-mortem statement to the effect l that Crouch, the husband of the di* > vorced woman; assaulted the whole party, murdering the two women and threw him, Allen, into the creek. Crouch is under arrest. Destltntlon Great, , Vicksburg, Miss. April. 16 ?Captain Clark, of the Ordnance Department, who has visited the territory " ' ' i-L- iU | irom VlCKSOUrg 10 lao muutu ui bUO j Red River, arrived on the mail steam er St. Joseph to day and states the suf. fering and destitution of Davis Island great, and in his opinion there is [ great probability of further loss of life. This island is twenty-two miles long . and many places of it is not accessible, I except by small yawls or skiffs, and he fears that when the Hoods pass away [ that quite a number will be missing. Swallowed up by the Flood. , St. Louis, April 16.?A special from j Vicksburg, Miss., says: Refugees who i came here from Davis Island on the i government steamer Atlanta, report t thedrowningof 15 persons, all colored, [ on Davis island, on Wednesday evening. It was thought that all on Davis P island had escaped after the creevasse had been repaired, but 15 bodies have . been found around the old Bierfile j plantation, which was the homestead r of Jefferson Davis. The surviving in' habitants were huddled in tents on the j top of the levee. Murdored by Robbers, sommehsworth, N. EL, April 16.? t While resisting the entry of two desperate and determined robber* and during . a futile struggle to protect $150,000 or L more in money and securities in the j compartments of the open vault of the ^ Great Falls National bank of Somers. worth this afternoon Cashier Joseph j A. Stickney was murdered near the j desk which he had occupied for years. , After killing Stickney the murderers I ransacked tne vault and lied with all the cash it contained with the exception of a few #5 gold pieces. [ Tragedy at Breakfast. : Chicago, April 11.?While seated ; at breakfast this morning, Matthias Duster, 22 jears old, was shot and instantly killed by John Formillcr, his father in-law. Before hi? body t had fallen from the chair, Formiller [ placed the weapon to his own head aud lired. He was removed to St. Elizabeth's hospital, but died a few I minutes after his arrival there. The I shooting was the result of a quarrel which arose during the morning meal. ' -i MODERN DARIUS GREEN. A FOOLISH CONNECTICUT FARMER AND HUS FLYING MACHINE. He Started for Cuba Bat Came Down In His Barnyard a Dlamal Wreck?Took Compressed air Aboard to Use as Motor Power. The old-time experience of Darius Green and his flying machine has been double discounted by the adventurous invention of a Woodbridge | (Con) farmer named Dickerman, who for some time has had an idea that upon him alone devolved the duty of successfully solving the secret of aerial navigation. A few years ago his attempt to navigate a machine he had built to fly resulted in injuries to the inventor^tbat laid him up for six weeks with a broIrnn litvik Dn4 MA AAitnAM l'c Vl Ck Vtadl As) IV.Oil 11LIJLU. L>Ut UU QUUUC1 io UO uwuw from one shaking up than he is ready for another in the cause of science. A month ago he bought a wagon body and an electric battery storage system. He attached the wagon body to a quantity of canvass made in the form of an umbrella. This was supposed to inflate and hold the wagon in mid-air. He reasoned that if he placed his wagon on the top of the barn, with the canvas held aloft, spread in parachute style, and then, when all was ready, pulled the barn out from under it, Dickerman had some idea of an electric motor for his machine. A man in New Haven told him that compressed air was a powerful and cheap motive power. It came in cans, the man said, and when once he got to going the whole mif.^rtAva s?n?i1rl Ko iifilivo/i in fnrniA* VUU'UV/ViO VUUIU WV UUUIUUVt AM ?mmmmmmm ing power. Air could be compressed in the cans while in motion, ana would be a continual and limitless source of supply. Dickerman figured it out that after starting his ship with the aid of the electric motor, and obtaining a good velocity, the compressed air could be brought into play for additional speed, and then the ship would be speeding through the sky at a rate so rapid that with tbe cans enough compressed air could be captured to insure a continuance of the speed. Dickerman bought up all the windmill arms he could find and attached them to the outside of the wagon body, which he had propped up on the top of his barn. Cog wheels connected with the shaft of each with a rod that was to be turned by means of the electric motor. What compressed air was and how it was utilized Dickerman knew not, hut he had creat faith. He brought out his rusty fowling piece, bought two pounds of powder, half a dozen revolvers, a dozen sticks of blasting dynamite and a can-opener with which to open the compressed air cans, and he was ready to start, he said, to the aid of Cuba. A day or two ago he made the start. The ship was perched upon the top of the barn, loaded with the arms, ammunition and the can-opener and a feather pillow and provisioned for a """ioa imo onnil?Vl thn in WOC1X O VI UUW} W1UV vuwiAg ventor was satisfied to circumnavigate the globe. The start was to be made at 1.30, so that Cuba would be reached before dark. A gallon of oil and a lantern were stowed away under the motor, and Mr. Dickerman bade his sister good bye and repaired to the barn roof. Mike, the hired man, and half a dozen of Dickerman's cronies were present to boost the ship along on its i<M*v ninlranmavi flFAf. TT1 iriULUpUMUb blip. VWAuiumu &W. , settled himself down in the rocking * chair, which he had placed there to insure a comfortaDle trip, started the motor and waited. The canvas overhead lay quiet and the motor made but one dismal turn. The arms struck the roof and refused to go around further. "They'll go like sixty when we're clear of the barn," said Dickerman confidentially, "push there, Mike," The hired man and his aids exerted a tremendous leverage. Dickerman sat majestically in his chair, and shouted "Gtood-bye." The air ahip toppled over the roof. There was a thump and a crash that fairly shook the barn, and on the ground, piled up in a mass of debris,lay the wagon-box, covered over with a white pall of canvass. Mike pulled off the canvass. There sat Mr. Dickerman with the - - -L!-L 1 L.J chair irame, in wmcu uc uau oat, doubled about his boay to the armpits. Its cane seat, broken by the shock, had doubled the inventor up like a jackknife. Dickerman is at present under the doctor's care. His faith in his invention still lives, and he says he will yet fly. Gigantic Swindling Plans. Pittsburg, April 13.?The arrest of C. Lin wood Woods of C. T. Woods & Co., bankers, in his office here today charged with attempt at insurance swindling, was a sensation in insur ance circles. Chief Harper, chief of the revision department of the Mutual Reserve Fund Life insurance association of New York charged Woods with procuring policies with intent to defraud. When Woods was confronted by the arresting officer he fell in a dead faint. He made a written confession in which he gave the details of his scheme. His mode of procedure was to insert advertisement in the local papers for old men to act as collectors. He would ask the applicant for bond, but kindly .waived the bond if the applicant would sign an application for insurance on his life. This was generally secured and then Woods would get some irresponsible man to sign a proinisory note to the C. T- Woods Banking company, filled with amounts ranging from $10,000, to $15,000, so that consideration for the insurance policy at death could be claimed to be the debt established by the note. It is not yet known how the applicants passed the medical examination. In Woods'desk were found 65 policies with himself >s beneficiary, aggregating $200,000. Two Brothers Suicide. St. Louis, April 16.?A special to the Post-Dispatch from Fayettville, Ark., says: Two young sons of a Mr. Herson, living at Greenland, five mile south of Fayettville, age 9 and 15 years, committed suicide while their parents were at Fayettvile trading. The boys were angry because they were left at home. Both took a bath, dressed in their best clothes, wrote notes to their parents, pinned them on the door, took strychnine and went to bed. Both died before the parents returned home. The notes bade their parents good-bye and expressed the hope that they would meet in heaven.