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, JANUARY 16, 1908. S1.0OPer Yea THE GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE The Legislature Receives Advice From Stale's Executive On . Many Subjects STATE NOW PROSPEROUS Oml Wisdom Should Characterise the Deliberations of the People '? Representatives ? Some Chang ee Suggested In Existing Laws. T?tkih?i Hon?rabl?? *bc Member, of the General Assembly: The Constitution of this State .1 o0,y ?f ,he Governor to EI." J* ,'.he Oencnl Awemhly from tinie to time information of tho con ation of the State and to recommend ^ hi V.?.n8; ati0n- 8uch me?sures ? nf snail deem neccssary or exped ient. In obcdience to the duty thus required of me, I beg to submit, for moJageT rftt,?n' ,he. ,oll??* wJhJSTT me p.len8ure to **y that rre bmve been signally blessed the past year, at the hands of the Al =?*? W/th health? with pesce and people I,avc been spared from famine and pestilence S*?? storm and cyclone; and, th?l'l. thC PaSt feW l^Jr T 80,1,6 8carcit-v of mon ey, yet our barns and cribs are full and no panic is theatening The highest of ?H bono'? is to ? , e? ^vern the people. This honor has been conferred upon you by your constituents, and I beg, thai ?our b?r/V? ^ duty a88iRned yo? your best knowledge and judgment. State 'a Finances, u 18 no ^UC8ti?n with which vou Will have to deal that will require more careful attention than this. We ^?nny?r behJnd in th< ?ssessment and collection of our taxes, or rather I we collect the tuxes at the end of he year for the expenses of the btate government for tho year pcs|, hanrf\7V JUK? baVC the iaxcs in hand at tho beginning of the year to pay the obligations of the State as ??? inature-1 Tho condition of things frequently makes it necessarv for the State to borrow money be fore the taxes are collected to pay the running expenses of the State government and the appropriations made by the General Assembly. Dur ing this year the Governor, State L?, an^ Comptroller-General 1 borrow threo hundred fifty thousand dollars for these purposes, the authority for borrow ing the money having been granted at your last session. These conditions are likely to con tinue year after year unless provision is made to catch up. v I therefore, recommend that at leas an cxra two : J,-X for S1?'e purpoces be pro vided for r.t this session of the Leg wist ure, the same to be done for tho next two years, when we. will have in , h,nte treasury money sufficient to place us where we will not have borrow, but "can pay as we go " Another matter which I desire to call to your attention is that the ap propriations of last year exceeded the estimated revenue, on a 4 1-2-mill levy by several thousand dollars (see report of Comptroller-General). It |i very evident to every thinking business man that if an appropria tion is made the tax levy should be sufficient to meet tho same Our State Constitution, Article 10, Section 2 provides as follows: "The General Assembly shall provide for an annual tax sufficient to defray the estimated expenses of tho State for each year and whenever it shall happen that the ordinary expenses of the State for any year shall exceed the incomc of tho Stato for such year, the Gen oral Assembly shall provido for levy ing a tax for the ensuing year suffi cient with other sources of income to pay tho deficiency of tho preceding year , together with the estimated ex penses of the ensuing year." This ib the organic law of our State, and T remind you of its provisions in order that you may follow its commands. Sinking Fond. It was a wise provision of the law that established a Sinking Fund. It has been managed with ability and fidelity, and many of the eounties are borrowing money from this fund un der special Acts of tho Legislature. The assets of these several funds, on December 31, 1907, are as follows: Cumulative Sinking Fund (for re demption and payment of South Car olina Brown 4 1-2 per cent bonds), six hundred and thirty thousand four hundred and one dollars and ninety four cents ($030,401.04.) Ordinary Sinking Fund, sixty seven thousand three hundred and eifbty-three dollars and thirty cents (#67,383.30). Sinking Fund for insurance of publio buildings, thirty-six thousand, hundred and sovouty-five dollar* and ninety -three cents ($36,075.93). Assessment of Property. This is tho most difficult of all the Suestiona with which you will have to eal. The Constitution of the State provides the correct rule, and if all property were assessed according to Its provisions ibo tax levy would be law, And all property would b? con tributing its just proportion to the taxes of the State. By the Constitu ion, it is made your duty to provide /'for a uniform and equsl rate of as sessment and taxation, and shall pre scribe regulations to secure a just valuation for taxation of *11 proper ty, real, personal and possessory, ex cept mines and mining claims the pro ducts of which alone shall be taxed." All property should bear its just proportion of the taxes. Xta. ques tion arises, How is the Auditor to Hnd out what personal property the taxpayer hast I suggest the inquisi torial plan. Require the County Au ditor to publicly administer to the taxpayer on oath requiring him~ to truly answer concerning all his prop erty of whatsoever kind, and record it on his tax return with the valu ation he places on same which is to be aferwards equalized by the Town ship and County Boards of Equali zation. By this means the value of all the visible property, as well- as ali stocks, notes, bonds and money, can be arrived at, and much personal property which now escapes assess ment would be brought to light Labor Contracts. Since the United States Court lias held that the Act of the Legislature of this State entitled: "An Act to amend Section 357 of the Criminal Code of Laws, 1902, volume 2, relat ing to violation of labor contracts, approved February 25, 1904," ana now known as Section 357 of the Criminal Code of South Carolina, is unconstitutional ami void, much trouble and litigation have resulted between landlords and laborrt-s. It is, therefore, necessary for you to give special attention to the en actment of such law as will be con stitutional, and at the same time jtut to both landlord and laborer. I rec ommend that you pass a stringent Act which will punish both landlord ami laborer for a violation of a labor con tract, and make it a misdemeanor for one person to employ a laborer who is under contract with another. Tho Lien Law. Thi "lien law" has been a source of much discussion in and out of (he Legislature for many years. It was much discussed when I was a mem ber of the General Assembly move than twenty years ago. I think it has long since accomplished the pur poses of its enactment, and I recom mend its repeal. Too often the lien is "taken up" before the crop is planted, and often but little work is done after the lien is "taken up." I think it better for landlord and ten ant that it be repealed. Dispensary Law. After the enactment of the Carey Cothran Act, regulating the sale of liquor in this State, and in obedience to its provisions, I appointed County Dispensary Boards in all those coun ties that had not voted out the sale of liquor under the Brice Act For & short while, and until the county dis pensaries wero opened up, we had State phohibition, and I am informed that many converts were made to this plan during that time. Under that Act county dispensaries wore started in the said counies, and have been running ever since. I appoined an auditor, W. B. West, as provided for in said Act, who has performed his duties with fidelity and ability, and who has been diligent in seeing thai the law is strictly enforced by the County Dispensary Boards and by the dispensers. It is recommended that tho law should provide for prohibition where an election is held and a majority of the voters seem to favor "no dis pensary,' until tho matter is flanally determined. Registration Books. My attention hns been called sev eral times during the past year to the condition of the registration books in the several counties of the State and to the careless manner in which many of tho Boards of Registration have discharged their duties in revising the books as the law requires. Education. I am happy to report that great interest is being taken by tho people in all parts of the State upon the im portant subject of the education of their children. It is not necessary for me to speak of the very gre.it benefits that, flow to an educated peo ple. It is, however, gratifying to all to know that the common schools, the high schools, and the colleges of our State are constantly on the minds and hearts of all our people, and year after year ways and means are being devised for their better equipment and service. The average attendance in the common school* this year is greater than ever bafore. ? The various institutions receiving State aid aro mentioned, and each one is commended for the excellent work being doue by it. The Deaf, Dumb and Blind Institute This institution, under the wiae j administration of President Walker and the Board of Trustees, is one that appeals to all the people of the State. When we consider the many unfortunate children who are taught there, ud the gnat good reoolting from nek instruction, o?r doty is plain to do whatever tenOoeaaary to maintain and footer this school. I recommend all needed appropriations for thia inetitution. The Oolr-^d Vonal OoQago aft One* Hrg. Thia institution has been, and is, doing an important work for the col ored youths of the State. Ita indus trial and normal work is showing good results, and I respectfully call your attention to the report of the President made to the Board of Trus tees, as well as the report of the Bosrd as to the work done and its needs for the coming year. The Department of Agriculture, Com merce I? igtatiOB Much has been said and written of this department of t|ie State govern ment, but for a full history of what has been done by this department, I respeefully refer you to the re port of the Commissioner, Mr. E. J. Watson. I call your special attention to the handbook that he has publish ed, giving a full history of the State and her resources. We are primar ily an agricultural people, and yet we have made great strides in com merce and manufacturing. Beautifying the State House Grounds In obedience to the provisions of the Act passed at the last session of your honorable bodies, I appointed a Commission on State House Grounds, consisting of Messrs. A. E. Gonzales, Edward Ehrlich and B. F. Taylor. These gentlemen have been diligent in the work assigned them, and are improving and beautifying the grounds. The work being done is of a j>ermanent nature, and when com pleted our state house grounds will be a source of pride to both city and state. This is a labor of love by these gentlemen, as they receive no compensation for their services oth er than the "well done" of the peo ple. Statue of John 0. Calhoun. . . The commission appointed by your honorable bodies at their last session to provide a statue of South Caro lina's great statesman, John C. Cal houn, and have same placed in sta tuary hall in the Capitol at Washing ton, D. C., have had several meetings during' the past year and have en tered into a contract with Mr. P. W. Uuchstuhl, of New Tork City, to do Hi is work. He is now engaged in nmking this statue, and the hope of the commission is that it may be com pleted during the present year. The price we have agreed on for the mak ing of the statue and placing it in statutory hall is nine thousand dol lars. Supreme Court. I desire again to call your atten tion to the necessity of better ac commodations for the Supreme Court. A neat and commodious brick build ing could be erected on the state house grounds near the. corner of As sembly and Senate streets, of suf ficient size to accommodate the Su preme Court and the Supreme Court Library. - Confederate Veterans. South Carolina is justly proud of the valor and heroism of her Con federate veterans. She has provid ed by appropriations annually for the needy ones, and I hope the day may never come when her Legislature will decline to remember them in a substantial way. Report of the Adjutant and Inspec tor-General. I beg your careful consideration of the report of the Adjutant and In spector-General for the past year." The National Guard and tho Naval Militia of the State are an important arm of the government and their value to the commonwealth cannot ho over-estimated. State Hospital for the Insane. It is tho duty of every State to provide and care for those unfortu nate ones whose minds havo become weak and who can be cared for and successfully treated only in an insti tution of this kind. This State ha* always discharged her duty in this regard, and I hope the day may never come when we shall fail, in tho least particular, to do our wholo duty to these unfortunate people. Penitentiary. The penitentiary, under the wi*c administration of the Board of Direc tors and tho Superintendent, con tinues to he self-sustaining. The pris oners are humanely treated and are well cared for. The whole number of convicts now within the walls and at the State farms is 653. The State farms and the farm at tho reforma tory have paid well, and all tho veg etables needed have been grown. There are eighty convicts under the ago of sixteen years at the reforma tory on the Tjcxington County ?'arm. A new brick building has boon erect ed for tho safe keeping of these boys, and Also to make the building fire proof. They are well cared for, are made to work, and are also taught in Sunday school work by the efficient and capable chaplain with volunteer assistance. State Board of Health. This very important Board has labored wisely and well during the past year in looking after and per forming the various duties required of them by tho laws of the ptate. Their report made to mo will bo printed and placed on your desks. You will find many valuable sugges tions and recommendations in this report, and they have my most hear ty approval. The health of our peo ple is of the utmost importance. The JiMtm Brpoeitfon. Every South Carolinian who wtal to the Jamestown Exposition fell justly proud of the msgniflsMl ex hibit from this State theve display ed. It was second to none, sod to my mind was the bsst of alL Too mneh praise eannot be given to the gentlemen composing the commission from this State who providsd this ex hibit, and the thanks of the people of South Carolina are doe them for the superb work done. Their report will "be made to you at this session, when I shall hare something more to ssy with reference to the same. Sooth Carolina Industrial School. Nothing haa been done einee the last session of the Legislature to* wards the erection of the buildings for the Industrial School except the purchase of material. Recently the Board of Trustees has hsd a meeting and hss passed a resolution asking your honorable bodies to give to the trustees sn appropriation sufficient to begin this work on a comparative ly small scale. To provide at first for the care and maintenance of from twenty to forty children, as we de sire to demonstrate to the people the value and importance of this work. Salaries. Some years ago when the purchas ing value of a dollar was more than it is at this time, the salaries of the State officers and of the Judges of the Supreme and Circuit Courts were reduced. I desire to ask if the time has not come when these salaries should be raised again and your of ficers paid a salary commensurate with the work they are required to doTI have no hesitancy in saying that the salaries of all should be raised to at least what they formerly were. My accounts will show that it costs mc more than one thousand dollars a year over and above my salary to pay the expenses of living and of pro viding for such entertainments and receptions as arc necessary to the dignity of the position of Governor of this State. Governor's Mansion. The present mansion was erected more than fifty years ago, and has served the purposes for which it was built. Since 1880, it has been used as a home for the Governor. While jt is comfortable, yet it is deteriorat ing and will soon require many re pairs. The lot pn which this build ing stands is one of the best in the City of Columbia. A new mansion built in the center of the lot, front ing on Richland street with side en trances from Gadsden and Lincoln streets, would be an ornament to the capital city of the State and an ideal home for your governor. I recom mend that a commission be appoint ed to look into the matter and report to the next session of the General Assembly the probable cost and the feasibility of erecting same. Railroad Commission and Railroads. While other States have had much litigation with reference to railroad passenger rates during the past year, South Carolina has been free from this character of litigation, and I am glad to report to you that in a conference had with the President and other representatives of the Southern Railway, they stated to me that on or about the first of April, 1908, they will put on a flat passen ger rate of two and one-half cents per mile, and will sell mileage books at two and two and one-quarter cents per mile in this State. I have a let ter to this effect from President Fin ley, a copy of which I will place in your hands, with a special message ~?n the subject, setting forth their whole plan. The Commission for Winding Up the State Dispensary. As required by the Act of the Gen eral Assembly passed at yotir last session providing for tho winding up of the State Dispensary, I appointed five "well known business men," to wit, Dr. W. J. Murray, of Columbia, and Messrs. John McSween of Tim raonsville, C. K. Henderson, of Aiken, Avery Patton, of Greenville and B. F. Arthur, of Union, as members of the commission. These gentlemen immediately entered tip on the im portant and arduous duties involved in this work, and it will be my pleas ure to submit to you, at tho present' session, their report. I shall at that time have something more to say about the work of the commission. Good Roads. I am glad to report that in some of the counties of the State the au thorities arc moving forward on the good roads question. Machnery has been bought and much good work of a permanent nature is being done. Drainage. The drainage of our swamps and low lands is one of more than ordi nary interest to many of our people. It is estimated that there are in South Carotlna 4,780 square miles of overflown and swnmp lands, much of which could be reclaimed and made healthful and arable. Gentlemen, if South Carolina is to continue in her great prosperity much depends up on the laws you en act and the provisions you make for the advancement of all her interests. I beseech you, therefore, that you bring to the consideration of all mat ters which shall bo discussed by you, your best, thought <uad mature delib eration, and let the results of your work be those things that make for the peace and prosperity of all our people. May God guide and direct you in all things. M. F. ANSEL, Governor. U . MAKE-UP Of LEGISLATURE Fwwml of Oar Uv-Maldif Body Am Hoot OouUtnkei Abbeville ? W. N. Gray don, sena tor, Abbeville ; Frank B. Gary, Ab beville; P. B. Carwile, Abbeville; J. Q. Stillwell, McCormick. Aiken? G. L. Toole, senator, Aik en; H- E. Gyles, T. G. Croft, R. J. Wade, Jr., J. Cal Courney, Aiken. Anderson ? G. W. Sullivan, sena tor, Williamston; E. M. Rucker, G. P. Smith, J. A. Hall, Anderson; J. T. Cox, Belton, L. S. Clinkscales, Starr. Bamberg? J. B. Black, senator, Bamberg; C. W. Garris, Denmark; B. W. Miley, Bamberg. Barnwell ? George H. Bates, sena tor, Barnwell; J. Emile Harley, A. Bethune Patterson, Barnwell; B. F. Thomas, Fairfax. Beaufort ? Neills Christensen, sen ator, Beaufort; J. C. Bailey, O 'Katie ; W. H. Nevir, Port Royal; R. R. Le gs re, Beaufort. Berkley ? Jospeph A. Harvey, sen ator, Pinopolis; W. L. Parker, Enos E. Ballentine, Moncks Corner; John L. Wiggins, Holly Hill. ChaHeston ? Huger Sinkler, sena tor, Charleston; James Cosgrove, Donald McKay Frost, Arnoldus Van ierHorst, Albert W. Todd, F. N. Bryant, John E. Wallace, George F. VonKolnitz. Cherokee ? J. C. Otts, senator Gaffney; N. W. Harden, Blaclcsburg; E. J. Clary, Gaffney. Chester ? P. L. Hardin, senator, Bascomville; Paul Hemuhill, A. G. Brice, Chester; S. T. McKeown, Corn well. Chesterfield ? George K. Laney, senator, Chesterfield; B. J. Douglass, T. W. Scruggs, Ruby. Clarendon ? Louis Appelt, senator, Manning; I. M. Woods, New Zion; John R. Dingle, O. C. Scarborough, Sumerton. Colleton ? J. S. Griffin, senator, Walterboro; D. L. Smith, Walter boro; J. C. Goodwin, Smoaks; J. B. Dodd, Round. Darlington ? D. T. McKeithan, sen ator, Lumber; L. E. Carrigan, So ciety Hill; L. M. Lawson, Darlington; J. P. Kirvin, Doversville. Dorchester ? J. D. Bivins, senator, Ravenel; J. S. Wimberly, St. George. Edgefield ? T. G. Talbert, senator, Edgefield ; J. W. DeVore, B. E. Nich olson, Edgefield. Fairfield ? W. J. Johnson, senator, Ridgeway; T. S. Brice, Avon; W. W. Dixon, Winnsboro; C. H. Leitncr, Bookman. Florence ? Nathan S. Gibson, sena tor, Florence; Z. T. Kershaw, Tiin monsville; S. W. G. Shipp, Hartwell M. Ayer, Florence. Georgetown ? LeGrand G. Walker, senator, Georgetown; J. W. Doar, Olin Sawyer, Georgetown. Greenville ? W. L. Maul din, sena tor, Greenville ; T. P. Cothran, F. F. Beattie, Greenville; W. A. Neshitt, Traveler's Rest; John R. Harriosn, Fountain Inn; John G. Greer, Greer. Greenwood ? J. H. Broks, senator, Cambridge; William II. Yeidell, E. L. Richardson, J. M. Major, Greenwood. Hampton ? W. S. Smith, senator, Hampton; G. Geddes Dowling, Ju lius P. Youmans, Hampton. Horry ? G. J. Holliday, senator, Gallivants; R. A. Spivey, Conway; T. P. Rerham, Green Sea. Kershaw ? W. R. Hough, senator, Camden; John G. Richards, Jr., Lib erty Hill; D. M. Bethunc, Bethune. Lancaster ? T. Y. Williams, sena tor, Lancaster; George W. Jones, W. Pressley Robinson, Lancaster. Laurens ? F. P. McGowan, senator^ Laurens; J. H. Miller, Cross Hill; R D. Boyd, John M. Cannon, Laurens. Lee ? B. F. Kelly, senator, Bishop ville; C. W. Harris, Thos. II. Tatum, Bishopville. Lexington ? D. F. Efird, senator, Lexington; W. II. Sharpe, Edmund j J. B. Wingard, Lexington; N. B Wannamaker, Gaston. Marion ? James Stackhouse, sena tor, Marion ; Ben B. Sellers, Sellers, George R. Reaves, James Norton, Mullins. Marlboro ? T. I. Rogers, senator, Bennettsville; D. D. McColl, Jr., J Preston Gibson, Benetsville; J. J. Lane, Clio. Newberry ? Cole L. Blease, senator, Newberry; Alan Johnstone, ft H Aull, Newberry ; C. T. Wyche, Pros perity. Oconee ? J. R. Earle, senator, Wal halla; Coke D. Mann, West Union | E. E. Verner, Richland. Orangeburg ? T. M. Ra.vsor, sena tor, Orangeburg; Thorns F. Brantley, Andrew J. Hydrick, Jr., Orangeburg; L. A. Carson, Holly Hill. Pickens ? C. II. Carpenter, senator, Easley; James I*. Carey, Pickens; J. A. Hint on, Easley. Richland ? F. H. Weston, senator, Columbia; Porter A. McMaster, F. G. Tompkins, Fred Harmon, Columbia; Howell Morrell, Horrell. Saluda ? B. W. Crouch, senator, Saluda; G. B. Lester, Silver Street; J. A. Smith, Saluda. Spartanburg1 ? H. B. Carlisle, sena tor, Spartanburg; J. Wright Nash, J. H. Dodd, S. J. Nichols, Spartanburg, M W. Walker, Glendale; W. J. Gib son, Campobello ; H. H. Arnold, Woodruff. Sunator-^J. H. Clifton, scnatox Sumter; George W. Dick. T. B. FY a ser, W. G. Stubbs, 8umtcr. Union ? B. F- Townsond. sonator, Union; H. C. Little, Kelton; J. G Hughes, Union. ' Williamsburg? W. L. Bass, sena tor, Lake City; W. D. Bryan, Taft; W. P. Ganse, Cowards; R. H. Kella han, Kiugstree. York ? J. 8. Brice, senator, York villc; J. H. Saye, Shardon; W. T. Slaughter, Hickory Grove ; S. H Eppes, Sr., Fort Mill; J. 8. Glascock Catawba. Officers of the Senate. Thomas G. McLeod, Bishopville president and lieutenant governor. Cole L. Blease, Newberry, presi dent pro tem. Robert R. Hemphill, Abbeville clerk. M. M. Mann, Florence, assistant ilerlt. W. H. Stewart, Rock Hill, reading ;lerk. J. F. Sc hum pert, Newberry, ser jeant-at-arms. G. E. Moore, Honea Path, reading clerk. W. E. Cook, Scranton, secretary to the president. N. O. Pyles, Columbia, mail carrier. Peter Sanders, Centenary ; J. W. Ward, Spartanburg; James R. Boul ware, Newberry, doorkeepers. Officers of the House. Richard S. Whaley, speaker, Char leston. Tom C. Hamer, clerk, Bennetsville. | J. Wilson Gibbes, assistant clerk, | Columbia. John S. Withers, reading clerk, I Chester. i J. S. Wilson, sergeant-at-arms, [ Lancaster. Rev. R. N. Pratt, chaplain, Colum bia. Christie Benet, journal clerk, Col 1 um hi a. W. H. McCaw, bill elerk, Columbia. N. O. Pyles, mail carrier, Colum bia. James N. Pearman, speaker's sec retary, Honea Path. Gordon McLaurin, flag raiser, Dil lon. Floyd I). Bat son, J. M. Seay, W. B. Robinson, doorkeepers. Parker on the Panic. Kingston, N. Y., Special. ? Before an assemblage of 00 associates of his home county of Ulster, former Chief Judge Alton B. Parker, of the Court of Appeals, Democratic candidate for the presidency in 1904, spoke of the causes of t ho recent "credit panic'-' and of what he considered the dan gers of putting "untutored idealism ' in charge of the nation's affairs. The occasion was n dinner given by foui score or more Ulster county Demo crats, at which Judge Parker was tin i guest of honor. Negroes Not A!lwH to Vote in Pro hibition Election. Shreaveport, La., Special.? -The no groes of Shreaveport and Caddo par ish were notified by both tbo pro liibitionist? and anti-prohibitiqnists that they will not be allowed to A-otc in the election next Tuesday on the liquor question. Recently several thousand negroes adopted a resolu tion pledging to supp.irt prohibition Oolonel Andrews President of Tal lul ah Palls Railway. Raleigh, N. C., Special. ? Corpora tion Commissioner Rogers, who ar rived from bis home reports that A B. Andrews of the Southern Railway, is made president of the Tallulafc Falls Railway, from Cornelia, Ga., t( Franklin, this State. This was Goo Tj. Preston's road. It will be ope rated by the Southern Railway. Artillery Sergeant Shot and Killed. Pensacola, Fla., Special. ? Sergeant Oscar Gattling, of the Twentieth Company, Coast artillery, was shot and killed at Fort Barnacas by James- Hart, a negro. Hart made his escape but was later captured. Ac cording to reports from the fort, which is nine miles distant, the negro had a grudge against tho sergeant. Sergeant Gattling had been stationed at the fort for seven years and camc here from Atlanta, where he haa rela tives. Colonel Andrews President of Tal* lulah Falls Railway. Raleigh, N. C., Special. ? Corpora tion Commissioner Rogers, who ar rived from his homo reports that A. B. Andrews of the Southern Railway, is made president of the Tallulah Falls Railway, from Cornelia, Ga., to Franklin, this State. This was Geo. L. Preston's road. It will be opc lated by the Southern Railway. News of tho Day. Japanese in Vancouver seriously hurt a fireman who fell Against a storo window. The Bank of England put its dis count rate back to 0 per cent. The Russian police say they have discovered a plot to assassinate the Empress Dowager. Republican leaders are ready to unite to secure currency legislation, fearing that tho money stringency may defeat their candidate for Presi dent. _____ . Taper clothing is the latest, p?o founds the Atlanta Const Ration. No* If the president expects us to be presentable, kt him eqadeh the p* jot trust FLEET REACHES RIO American Fleet Joyously Re odved at Southern Port IRAL1LIANS' WELCOME HEARTY Wanlipa of the South American Re public, in Gala Attire, Meet tlie Sixteen American Battleships at the Entrance to the Harbor and Eecorte Them to Safe Anchorage. Bio Janerio, By Cable. ? The Amer ican fleet of sixteen battleships en tered the port of Rio Janero at 3 o'clock Sunday atfernoon, after a passage from Port-of-Spain, Trini dad, uiore than 3,000 miles, unmar red by serious accident, replete with interesting incidents and ending with a royal welcome from the thousands that had gathered to greet tho visit ors. The fleet weighed anchor at 4 o'clock on the afternoon of December 24th at Port-of-Spain and exactly at 4 o'clock Sunday the vessels were swinging at the anchors in this beau tiful harbor. All of the battleships are here, but the supply ships, Cul goa and (3 lacier, are still at sea, not having been ahle to keep along with the others. The fleet has now cover ed about 4, GOO miles, about one third the distance of the voyage to San Francisco. Crowds Welcome Ships. I Early in the morning tho crowds began to gather in the streets of Rio Janeiro, and long before the signal flags were hoisted announcing the approach of the American ships of war thousands of curious spectators had taken up the points of vantage on public buildings and the elevated quays. When the fleet steamed into the harbor, under the splendid moun tains that frame the bay, beautiful in the tropical sun, it was a spectacle incomparable to the eye. Word that the licet had passed Cape Frio, about 45 miles out, was received at 8:30 o'elock and imme diately scores of tujrc and other small craft crowded with spectators set out to meet the visitors and accompany them to the anchorage. Outlined against the horizon the great battle ships, stretched out in one long line, came slowly through the passago into the bay. The Connecticut, Hear Ad miral Evans' flagship, was in tho lead with the Brazilian cruisers, dressed in gala attire on either side. Pass ing the fortresses, ll.o Connecticut fired a salute of 21 guns, which was responded to by the Brazilian war ships, the German cruiser Bremen and the shore guns. The yard and figthing tops were manned and cheers upon cheers were given for tho splen did passage of the fjngship and her sister ships. Pearl Wight Confirms Report. New Orleans, Special. ? Pearl Wight confirmed (lie report that h? had declined the position of commis sioner of internal revenue, which wnj offered to him several months ago by President Roosevelt. Wight an nounced at that time that ho would accpet tho position if ho could ar range his business affairs in this city. He said that the financial stringency which arose made it necessary to give his cntiro time to his interests in Louisiana. Wife Murderer Sent to Penitentiary. Staunton, Va., Special. ? John F. Via, charged with (lie murder of his wife, Cora, at Craigville, October 10, last, was found guilty and sentenced to 6 years in (ho peniten'iary. Via, it is charged, had been drinking when he committed (lie crime. lie claimed his wife killed herself. IIo is 40 years old and his wife was 23. Montgomery Retires Certificated. Montgomery, Ala., Special ? Presi dent Baldwin, of the Mou(gomery clearing house association, issued an order for tho complete retirement of tho clearing house certificates which have been used in Montgomery and vicinity for the pnst two months. These certificates will he retired as rapidly as presented at the different banks here Monday morning. Operations of Subway Suspended. New York, Special. ? Orders were given by Deputy Commissioner of Po lice Bugher that in view of the great danger of falling wails of the Parker Building that tin- operation of the subway should be suspended. An or der was issued by ofiiciiils 'of tho company that until further notice no subway trains would be operated be tween 14th street and Grand Central station. It is feared by the police officials that should these big wall.? crumble the mass of brick and stone would plunge through the street into the subway below. The Brownson-Stokes Matter. Washington, Special. ? The IXouso is going to find out all about the Brownson-Rixey-St(d:cs affair and adopted a resolution calling upon tho Sccretac of the Nary for all letters reports and orders in connection with the assignment of Surgeon Stokes lo the command of hospital ship Relief. The House also asks for correspond ence in connection with the resigna tion of Brownson.