Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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ffiOID?TiNS TBE WORLD'S F?IR. "international Day" of the St. Louis Exercises-French Em bassador Speaks. St Louis, May 1.-Like a calm after a storm was "international day" at the exposition, compared with "dedi? cation day," which preceeded it. The day's programme was carried ont as originally planned, bat? there were numerous delays that bronght the con? clusion of the exercises abont three hours later than originally intended. 'The chief procrastinator was the committee which had the welfare cf the foreign representatives under its immediate control. The fact that re? presentatives of eastern nations cannot . be moved about as energetically as can ~the ]>resent active president of the United States aided a little in retard? ing the exercises. The weather out of doors today was il. Within the Liberal Arts build it was uncomfortable, chilly and and but for the fact that the me band played constantly during two hours' wait that proceeded commencement of the prgramme, audience that heard the addresses the foreign represetati ves would re been far smaller than it was. It Lot large at best, there being only it 1,200 people in the hall about one-twentieth of the number which heard the President yesterday. The speeches today were haard by everybody in the hall and it is hap? pened that nearly all th? speakers had stronger voices, perhaps excepting President roosevelt than the men who vere compelled to talk against the noise created hy the crowd that filled the bnildi ng yesterday. The French ambassador, M. Juss? ?d, made a distinct hit with his iience today and was frequently in ipted by appplause. Senor Ojedo cheered to the echo as he advanced make his address. Former Senator M. Thurston, as president of the alluded in a pleasant manner, as se introduced the minister, to the late trouble with Spain, declaring that all iii feeling against that country- had passed away and the warm greeting that met the Spanish minister went far to prove his words. NW -Wizard Edison's Scheme. Thomas A. Edison has a scheme for extracting the untold billions of cellars' worth of gold that lie in the immense "low grade" quartz beds in flower California, New Mexico, Arizona and northern Mexico. These cannot now be worked because the old fashioned placer hydrultic system is ? lacking and the gold runs in too -small a quantity to the ton to make mining it profitable under other sys? tems. An air blast is employed by Mr. Edison in his solution of the problem 10 separate the gold particles f rom the mass. The system, it is claimed, has now reached a working basis. Experiments on the desert near Santa Fe by Floyd UL Chapman, one of Mr. Edison's as .'?stants, have enabled Mr. Edison and Mr. Chapman to produce a* ma? chine which, they declare, will re? claim 98 per cent of the gold from the gravel. In hydraulic mining it was thought remarkable if 75 per cent of the gold was washed out. ^ One man, it is claimed, can run scores of separators. The gravel is first dug oat of the ground, with a steam shovel that separates it into par? ticles to uniform size. Each separator 11 designed to handle gravel of a cer? tain size and the gravel is automatical? ly distributed to the hopper of its proper machine. The gravel falls -through a narrow slit before a rotary Jt?ower, which drives full a blast of air against the falling gravel. The gold Irsing heavier, falls to the bottom of the machine, but all of the lighter gravel and sand is blown into a separate compartment-Chicago Record Herald. Hore Safe Robbers Convicted. Greenville, May 1.-James Lang, Charles Bogers, Walter Wood and H. J$. Wilson, alleged members of the famous Nolan gang, were convicted in the Federal Court today of robbing 4&e Greer's pcstffice on the night of January 16. Judge Brawley this af? ternoon sentenced each prisoner to ixve years' imprisonment in the Atlanta priejn, and three hundred dollars, iine. The attorneys for the defence Jsate made a motion for a new trial and the execution of the sentence is postponed until arguments on the mo? tion can be heard. Fire at Honea Path. Hfl??a Path, May 2.-Fire broke out in the kitchen of Mrs. M. A. Brock, proprietor of the Ladies' store, at ll o'clock tonight, and had gained considerable headway before assistance could arrive owing to the lateness of the hour. In a short while the flames iiad spread to the storeroom, which -was situated only few feet away. A zstiff wind was blowing and all efforts to save the building were in vain. By this time a general alarm had been sounded and hundreds of willing hands frere at work to save the adjacent buildings. A portion of the goods -were removed, but the loss will fall feeavy on Mrs. Brock. At one time it seemed that the entire business portion of the town would be -destroyed, but by heroic work thc flames were checked. Mrs. Brock's loss on storeroom and on goods will amount to about $8,000 or $9,000. Railroad Across the Andes. "Washington, May 2t- In a report to She State department Consul Mansfield, at Valparaiso, says that during the last session of the Chilian Congress, which adjourned in February, a bill was passed which provided for the con? struction of a railway over the Andes JCountains, to connect Buenos Ayres with Santiago and Valparaiso. This will be the first line to cross the Con? tinent of South America. The Argentine Government is build? ing a railway from Buenos Ayres, which it to connect with the line from Talparaiso. Work is being pushed on. l?th sides of the mountains and it is ?rpected that the line will be completed within a few years. ?n enormous ?nnel is a part of the project. HESTER'S STATEMENT. The Movement of Cotton for the Season Shows Increase. New Orleans, May 1.-Secretary Hester's Cotton Exchange statement, issued today, covers the monthly move? ment to the close of April and the weekly movement to May 1, inclusive. Compared with last year, it shows an increase for the month in round figures 118,000 bales, compared with year before last a decraese of 10,000. The totai for April was 478,457 against 360,693 last year. The amount of the crop brought into sight for the eight months from Sept. 1 to April 30, inclusive, is 257,000 ahead of last year and 655,000 ahead ot year before last. The movement from the first of September to the close of April shows receipts at all fj. S. deliverv ports 7,369,629 against 7,208,099 last vear and 6,833,693 year before last; net overland movement by railroads, across the Mississippi, Ohio and Potomac rivers 1,004,063 against 1,037,324 last year and 977,580 year before last; southern mill takings, exclusive of consumption at southern outports, 1,543,500 against 1,373,896 last year I and 1,116,815 year before last; in? terior stocks in excess of those held at the commencement of the season 98,931 against 141,662 last vear and 434,916 year before last. The total amount brought into sight during I eight months ending at the close of April is 10,018,123 against 9,760,981 last year and 9,363,244 year before last. Foreign exports for the first eight months of the season have been 6,208, 925 bales, showing an increase over last season of 2S0.124. Stocks at the seaboard and the 29 leading southern interior markets on April 30 were 502,415 against 846,134 the same date last year and 1,155,788 the year before. Including port and interior town stocks left over from the previous sea? son and the number bales of the cur? rent crop brought into sight during the eight months, the supply iias been 10,233,197 bales against 10,120,66s last year. King Edward in Paris. Paris, May .1-King Edward arrived here this afternoon and was accorded a hearty reception by republican France. His majesty's welcome at the Dau phine railroad station by President Loubefr and the chief officers of state and his drive through the avenues, the Bonis de Boulogne and the Champs Elysees presentee! a succession of bril? liant spectacles. Everywhere the popu? lace gave the king an enthusiastic re? ception, the demonstrations at the Place de l'Etoile and the Place de la Concorde becoming tumultous, King Edward showed the keenest apprecia? tion of French good wilL Only scat? tering shouts of "Fashoda" and Kruger" were heard and they were lost m the tremendous volume of de? monstrative approval Sal?nica in a State of Siege. Constantinople, May 1.-A state of siege has been proclaimed at Sal?nica and extraordinary military precautions have been ordered everywhere in the Empire, as it is anticipated that anarchistic outrages similar to those j perpetrated here yesterday may be at? tempted at Constantinople and else? where. The greatest indignation has been aroused. The action of tlie Macedonian committee in directing at? tacks on foreign property was evident? ly with the view of provoking the in? tervention of the Powers. It is feared tho outrages may lead to massacres of Macedonians and Bulgarians by Mus sumans, who are in a state of danger? ous unrest. "O - ? - - - . Investigating Machen. Washington, May 1.-Postmaster General Payne said today that the re? signation of General Superintendent Machen, of the free delivery system, had not been asked for by either Fourth Assistant Postmaster General Bris? tow, who is conducting the investiga? tion of the department, nor by First Assistant Postmaster General Wynne. He said that Mr. Machen should not be removed unless such action should be requested by the fourth assistant Postmaster General or positive evi t dence of the commission of some un? lawful or improper act should be pre? sented. Mr. Payne added that no facts have been presented to him in the form of any proof. There is nothing except assertions and, therefore, re? moval or suspension is not under con? templation. -m>- .???? - New Orleans, May 1.-Judge John H. Rogers, of Fort Smith, Ark., has been selected as orator at the Con? federate Reunion. He is considered one of the most distinguished speakers in the South. The committee lias in? vited an additional speaker, who is one of the best known Southern orators, but his answer has not yet been re ceived. West Point, Va., May 1.-A fire of unknown erigin, which started short? ly-after 1 o'clock this morning, burn? ed over four blocks and destroyed prac? tically all the business houses. Among those burned are the express office, the postoffice and the Pemberton House. The structures were mostly wooden. About thirty families are homeless. Madison, Wis., May 1.-The joint .resolution looking to the election of United States Senators by direct vote was killed in the Assembly today. The woman suffrage bill was killed in the Senate by a vote of 14 to 12. Ennins, Tex., May 3.-News has reached here today of a triple tragedy occurring this morning at Bristol, an inland town 10 miles north of En? nis. Mrs. Lineburger, a woman of about 60 years, and her son Vestus, 22 years old, were found dead, both having been chopped to pieces with an axe. The husband and father, W. C. Lineburger, aged 70, was subsequent? ly found on his farm four miles north of Bristol, with his brains blown out with a shotgun. Cincinnati, May 1.-The Times-Star has received telegrams today from all parts of Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia, reporting that the frosts of last night have killed all kinds of fruit and seriously affected some crops. THE IRISH UNO SILL. Read the Second Time and Pre mier Balfour Speaks in Its Favor. London, May 4.-Today the Irish secretary, Mr. Wyndham, formally moved the second reading of the Irish land bill in the Honse of Commons. . John Redmond, the Irish leader, supporting the motion, said never before since the act of union had an English minister liad such a chance as Mr. Wyndham now had. The land? lords and tenants were in complete agreement on almost all the essential points. The Irish party had returned to Westminster with a mandate from the people upon this bill, and forti? fied by a vote of confidence. If Mr. Wyndham refused the reasonable amendments sanctioned by both the landlords and tenants, the Irish party washed their hands of all responsibili? ty. If the bill was rejected the Irish people would be driven back into the "old hell of warring passions and con? flicting hopes."" With his heart he prayed that such a state of things would not arise. Premier Balfour spoke in support of the measure. He maintained that State-aided landed purchase had been the principle of the Unionists for twenty years. They-had resisted Mr. Gladstone's bill because it was inex? tricably bound up in home rule. The security for the loan was ample, and the idea of the Irish repudiating their obligations was imaginary. The bill was not intended to make people loyal or to make them home-rulers or union? ists. lt was simply intended to substi? tute a good system of land tenure for a bad one and to cure a festering sore. Mr. Dillon impressed upon the Government that the amendments drafted fcby the National Convention were the minimum of the Irish popu? lar demand. The Attorney General for Ireland, John Atkinson, said the Gov? ernment had no reason to be dissatisfied with the debate, and that it was pre? pared to give fair and candid consid? eration to all amendments. Long May Day Walk. London, May 1.-Eighty-seven mem? bers of the London Stock Exchange started at 6.30 o'clock this morning from Westminister Bridge on a May? day walk to the Brighten Aquarium, a distanca of 5214 miles. Great in? terest had been excited in this contest, for which the competing members had been training for weeks. Handsome prizes were offered to the competitors and considerate sums of money were wagered on the rseult. Before five miles had been covered one-third of the men had a woe-begon appearance and their numbers had been reduced nearly one-half by the time they pass? ed Red Hill, twenty miles from the start. .E. F. Broad won, arriving at Brighton at 4.30 p. m. Apologizing to Russia. Washington, May 1.-Secretary Hay has made a graceful acknowledgment of Russia's statement of her purposes relative to Manchuria, involving her repudiation of sinister designs in that quarter. The Secretary's note, ad? dressed to Count Cassini, expresses re? gret that there should have been even a temporary misconception or doobt as to Russia's position in the matter and seizes the opportunity to return the thanks of . this Government for the frank and satifactory declaration of Russian principles. Incidentally, of course, the note serves to make a per? manent record of Russia's position as verbally explained to the United I States. ... ? .?*?<>- cm w - The Sal?nica Outrages. Constantinople, May 2.-The acting German consul at Sal?nica had a nar? row escape at the time of the dyna? mite outrage which destroyed the Ottoman Bank there. He was at an adjoining club, which was wrecked by the explosion of the bombs. The consul extricated himself from the debris and was only slightly injured. The German charge d'affaires here has made vigorous representations to the Porte on the subject and is also holding the Government responsible for the damage done to the German school at Sal?nica. The consuls at Sal?nica report that fifty persons were killed or wounded on both sides as a result of the bomb throwing, incuding three Germans and four Italians wounded and one Swiss killed. Turkish official circles are inclined to advocte inflciting a sharp lesson on Bulgaria, which is considered to be responsible for the outrages, but they fear the Powers would not per? mit it. There have been no disturbances at Sal?nica since April 30. Russian Statements Contradicted. Washington, May 2.-It is learned that Mr. Conger's original statement of the Russian demands has very re? cently received further support in the shape of several reports from different sources-all officials-but the State de? partment feels bound to accept without question the explanation of the Rus? sian Government, as made through its ambassador here and through Count Lamsdorff in St. Petersburg, and does not feel called upon to make any further repr?sent?tes at present upon this subect. Thc Japanese minister, Mr. Taka- j hira, called at the State department today, although this was not diploma? tic day, and discussed at some length the :-ubject of Manchuria. Goebel's Assasin Wants a Fourth Trial. Frankfort, Ky., May 2.-The at? torneys for James Howard today filed three sensational affidavits in support of their motion giving their reasonsffor ashing for a fourth trial. The affi? davits are made by W. L. G rad ly, A. J. WorFord and H. J. Johnson, and charge that prior to the trial they heard both jurors Renshaw and New say that they were convinced Howard was guilty and that if summoned and accepted as jurors they would vote to hang them. The jurors in question when ex? amined for qualification as jurors both stated that they had neither formed or exprssed an opinion. The prosecution will make answer to the motion later. IMP88??N? T?X OEG?S?ON. Delinquent Taxes Must be Paid to the Sheriff- Unlawful tor Treasurer to Receive Them. Columbia, May 1,-Tho Attorney General's office has rendered au im? portant decision with regard to the payment of taxes. The point is that back taxes cannot be paid to county trasurers, but must be paid to the county sheriffs. Heretofore many treasurers have been accepting taxes after the time for the closing of books and before the executions were in the hands of the sheriffs. The Attorney General's office contends that this is wrong, and that the treasurers cannot legally accept taxes after the time spccificed by law. The opinion of the Attorney General's office reads as fol? lows : "Answering your inquiry, whether a county treasurer can refuse to receive taxes and pealties tendered him by a 1 taxpayer after the expiration of the time limited by law for the payment of taxes, J. beg to say that he can and should, so refuse. The supply bill fixes the time dur? ing which the county treasurer is authorized to collect taxes and penal? ties. The Code of Laws, 1902, Section 406, says tliat when not paid within the time limited by the supply bill taxes shall be treated as delinquent and be collected by warrant of distress or execution. Section 421 of the same Code requires the warrant or execution for the collection of delinquent taxes to issue immediately on the expiration of the time limited by law for the col? lection of taxes. Construing these provisions of the /law together, I think that the county treasurer has no authority to collect or to receive pay? ment of delinquent taxes; and the pre? sumption of the law is that the execu? tion or warrant to enforce their col? lection immediately issued to sheriff, who alone can receive or collect them from the taxpayer. CHILD L?808 LAW IN FORGE. The Columbia l&Wte Prepared for the Change-Only Twenty Chil? dren Affected. Under the Marshall law the child labor bill went into effect throughout South Carolina today Under its pro? visions from this date no child under 10 can legally work in any cotton mill. There were so few of such employees that the enforcement of the law did not create a ripple so far as Columbia is concerned, and the same is likely true in the rest of the State. In the Granby, Olympia, Richland and other mills in the southern section of the city there were about twenty chil? dren affected. They, reported for work as usual this morning and were promptly turned back and not permit? ted io work. Some of the operatives had forgotten that the law took effect today and there was some surprise when the youngsters were turned back, but there was no special feeling shown in regard to the enforcement of the law. An exception is made in the law in cases wh?re the labor of children under the prescribed age is absolutely necessary to support a widowed mother or helpless father, but no case of that sort arose in Co? lumbia today so far as could be learn? ed. What may develop along that line later remains to be seen, for the his? tory of ail such laws is that the age limit is circumvented to a very great extent. However, the mill managers here intend to strictly observe the law and will not permit its violation know? ingly. The Columbia Duck Mill never did employ children to any extent and the eforcement of the law made no notice? able change in the personnel of the employees. Children under 10 years of age were employed here mostly as helpers to their parents or older rela? tives in the mills and their labor was light. Practically the only difference now is that operatives who employed such help will now have to help them? selves. All of the mills have required cer? tificates as to age, and the mills here had a careful inspection made of all help liable to come under the pro? visions of'the Act. Snake of the Stinging Variety. Special to The State. Anderson, May 2.-Mr. Jep Wilson, foreman of the brick work at the Bro gon mills, killed two snakes near the mill building yesterday which belong to a species hitherto unknown in this latitude. They are called stinging snakes for want of a better name. He says that each of the serpents had a sting in the end of its tail like a wasp and would sting the object of its wrath instead of biting it. One of the snakes was sent to Evans' pharmacy and was placed in alcohol. It will be kept on exhibition for the benefit of the curious. No Wine at Masonic Banquet. San Francisco, May 2.-The Grand Commandery of the Knights Templar of California has decided by a unanim? ous vote that hereafter no wine shall be served at the Templar banquets The innovation has been introduced, it is claimed, so that the Order on this coast might fall in line with a general move? ment of the same kind in the East, and because The use of wine in the lodge rooms for all of the functions is con? trary to the principles of Masonry. It is said that the Grand Lodge of Masons, at its annual meeting next October, will take the same decisive action and order that all banquets given under the auspices of any Masonic Lodge of the State, be strict? ly temperare. - i-i . ? ? - - Georgia's Fruit Crop Injured. Columbus, Ga., May 3.- Fruit growers throughout this section of the fruit belt state that they will have from one-third to one-half of a crop. In the l?uena Vista region, 30 miles south of here, the crop is expected to average fully 50 percent. The general opinion, however, seems to be that the fruit growing section of southwest Georgia will not average more than one-fourth of a crop. Many fruit trees were kill? ed by the rec int cold snaps. i REUNION Filil? i HHS BEEN ANNOUNCED. ,--_ The Veterans1 Tiros Will Bs Thor? oughly OcGupisd. i BE!??N B?LL ON FRID?Y HIGHT. ! ?Over I.?50 Veterans Invited to j Visit Private Homes-Applica? tions for Accommodations are Still Pouring in. From The State, May 3. From every spot in South Carolina the veterans of the war of 1861-65 will come to Colmbia for the State reunion on Tuesday, ?vednesday and Thursday the 12tb, 13th and 14th of this month. The Chamber of Commerce has already been notified that 1,164 of these old soldiers will be entertained in private homes and in this nmber are included j only those whom people had invited I to attend long before the homes were canvassed for accommodations. Be? tween 600 and 700 applications for ac? commodations are now in the hands of the secretary of the Chamber of Com? merce and they are coming in daily in more increased numbers. These ap? plications are from veterans who have not before received invitations to visit in private homes, but the Cham? ber of Commerce will see that all are housed and entertained free of charge. The cards assigning the veterans to I homes in the-city were sent out yes? terday afternoon and will continue to be mailed for several days. These cards read : 11 Upon reaching Columbia to attend the reunions go to the home of-, No.-street, where you will be entertained free. Apply at the depot at the executive commitee's headqarters for directions and come to the bureau cf information for badge and programme. Keep this card." The official programme has bien pre? pared ancl was announced for the first time yesterday afternoon by the ex? ecutive committee. It is particularly full and has been designed with the intention that every one of the veterans may enjoy the reunion to the fullest. Almost every available minute in the three days has been utilized. It fol? lows : TUESDAY, MAY 12. 3 p. m., to 8 p. m. at intervals Band music on Main street. 7 p. m.-Electric illumination of Main street.. 8 p. m.-Assembly of all who will occupy seats on the stage at the con? vention hall, in the city council chamber. This includes all specially invited guests, the mayor and aldermen of the city pf Columbia, participants in the programme, members of the re- j union executive and reception com mittees and the auxiliary executive committee of ladies, the commander of the Army of Northern Virginia and i staff, commander of the State division and staff, brigade commanders, com? mander of the State division Sons of Veterans and staff, president of the State oragnization of the Daughters of , the Confederacy and the department j division brigade and regimental sponsors of the U. C. V. 8.30 p. m.-Opening exercises of the annual convention of the State division, United Confederate Veterans. ' Programme as follows: Overture-Columbia orchestra. Doxology. Convention called to order-Capt. ' W. D. Starling, commander of Camp Hampton. Opening prayer-Rev. W. B. Gor- ] don, of Camden. Singing-" Bonnie Blue Flag." Address of welcome on behalf of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce and '. subscribers to the reunion fund-Presi? dent W. A. Clark of the Chamber of Commerce. m , Orchestra. Address of welcome on behalf of the ? city 'of Columbia-Hon. F. S. Earle, mayor. Orchestra. , Address of welcome by a daughter of a Confederate-Miss Elizabeth Lumpkin. Orchestra. Address of welcome on behalf of Camp Hampton-Capt. Angus P. Browne. Orchestra. Response on behalf of the South Caro? lina division, U. C. V.-Gen. Thos. W. Carwile. Orchetsra. * Convention formally opened. Ceremonial tribute of respect to Confederat dead by the convention. Song-"Tenting on the Old Camp Ground." Address cf welcome to the "private soldier" of the South Carolina Divi? sion-E. J. Watson, secretary Colum? bia Chamber of Commerce. Response for the "private soldiers" -Hon. J. Rice Smith of Georgia. Presentation of credentials and call? ing of roll of camps. Announcements. Adjournment. 4 to 6 p. ni-Trolley ride far veterans. 6 p. m.-Reception to the sponsors at the parlors of Wright's hotel. 10 p. m.-Receptions to Sons of Veterans at Elks' club. WEDNESDAY, MAY 13. 10 a. m.-Convention assembles for business. 11 a. m.-Visit of children of the city schools; (1) drill: (2) recitation, "The Blue and the Gray" by Miss Gwendoline Brown ; (3) songs, "Bon? nie Blue Flag" and "Dixie." 12 m.-Delivery of annual address to the division by Gen. Ellison Capers. 5 p. m.-Annual veterans' parade, headed by military and flower chil? dren. Line of march, from postoffice to State house. 5.30 rx m.-Address of welcome to the Confederate veterans by his ex? cellency, Hon. D. C. Heyward, gov I ernor of South Carolina, from the I capitol portico, followed by electric illumination of the city and rendition of "Dixie'-' by band and choir. 7 p. m.-Trolley ride for sponsors and maids of honor. S.30 p. m.- Presentation of sponsors at the theatre by Col. James Arm? strong. Address by Major C. I. Walker, commander department of thv Army of Northern Virginia, U. C. V. Song. THURSDAY, MAY 14. 10 a. m.-Convention assembles. I Busirre? session. Addresses by pro rainent men and visitors. 5 p. m.-Grand reunion floral carni? val parade, sponsors and veterans par? ticipating, followed by address from capitol portico by Andrew Crawford,. Esq., and illumination of rhe city. Line of march from Main street (cap? itol), to Elmwood avenue and return. 8.30 p. m.-Convention reassembles. Business sessions. Addresses by prom? inent men. Song-"Boys of the Sixties." Brief anecdotes from veterans of the several camps. .'Auld Lang Syne."' r inal adjournment. 9.30 p. m.-Annual reunion ball at Craven hall in the Berkeley building. GERMANS BUILD SUPERIOR SHIPS. Remarkable Rise of Germany as a Naval and Maritime Power. Philadelphia, May 3.-"The rise of 'Germany as a naval and maritime power during the last three years has surprised the world. I believe that her b?ttleships for their tonnage are thebes afloat," said Rear Admiral' George W. Melville, chief of the engi? neering bureau of the United States navy, in a paper read by him last night before the Engineers' club ci" this city. Admiral Melville said this was "because they had a triple screw installation of machinery, this giving the motive power of large battleships economical, structurial and tactical advantages over similar high'powered vessels of rival nations." "The success of Germany," he con? tinued, "can only be accounted for by recognizing the fact that stndy,*re search and reflection must have been expended in the preparation of plans in the building up an organization of the ship yards, and in laying cut and carrying' on the work of con? struction. " THE BRIBERY OF NEGROES. Not a Crime Punishable Under the 15th Amendment. _ Washington, D. C., May 4.^The United States Supreme Court in an opinion by Justice Brewer has deliver? ed an opinion in the case of United. States Marshal James, of Kentucky, versus Henry Bowman, involving the validity of Section 5,507 of the Revised Statutes respecting the bribery of per? sons protected by the fifteenth amend? ment. The opinion affirmed the decision of the United States District Court for the Western district of Kentucky, de? claring that statute unconstitutional. Bowman was indicted for bribing negro voters in connection with the Congressional election in the 5th Con? gressional district of Kentucky in the election of 1900. Being arrested he sued out a writ of habeas corpus on the ground that the statute was in con? travention of the Federal Constitution. The District Court thereupon dis? charged Bowman, and the Government brought the case to the Supreme Court, which armed the opinion. Justice Brewer said that if the con? stitutionality of the section in question could not be sustained the indictment must fall, and referring to the statute he said: "On its face the section pur? ports to be an exercise of the power granted to Congress by the fifteenth amendment, for it declares a punish? ment upon any one who by means of bribery prevent another to whom the right of suffrage is guaranteed by such amendment from exercising that right But that amendment relates solely to action "By the United States or by any State, and does not contem? plate 'wrongful individual acts.' " He quote authorities to show that a statute which purports to punish purely individual action cannot be sus? tained as an appropriate exercise of the power conferred by the fifteenth amendment upon Congress to prevent action by the State through some ene or more of its official representatives, and that an indictment which charges no discrimination on account of race, color or previous condition of ser? vitude is likewise destitute of sup- . port by such amendment. Justice Brewer added that tho Court is fully sensible of the great wrong which results from bribery at elec? tions, and said ?hat it does not ques? tion the power of Congress to punish such offences when committed in respect to the election of Federal offi? cials. At the same time it is all-im? portant that a criminal statute should define clearly the offence which it purpose to publish, and when ?o defined it should be within the limits of the power of the legislative body enacting it. Congress has no power to punish bribery at all elections. The limits of its power are in respect to elections in winch the nation is direct? ly iuterested, or in which some man? date of the Constitution is disobeyed,, and the Courts are not at liberty to take a criminal statute, broad and comprehensive in its terms, and in these terms beyond the power of Con? gress, and change it to fit some par? ticular transaction which Congress might have legislated for if it had seen fit." Vicksburg, Miss. May 3.-Bob Ery ant and Will Morris, the assassins cf W. H. Legg, were hanged to the ?azoo bridged at Hayne's Bluff, just before daylight this morning. Bryant had made a confession early Saturday evening, implicating Morris, whom he accused of firing the fatal shot. At ll o'clock last night Deputy Sheriff Frank Scott and four other deputies started for town &ith the prisoners. At a point four hundred yards, south of the Legi place two hundred farmers armed with rifles and shotguns stopped the officers and demanded that they give up the negroes. Deputy Scott pleaded that the law be allowed to deal with the murderers, but ti^e leaders of the mob gave the offieeis their choice of surrender their prison? ers or sacrificing their own lives in a useless resistance. After a final pre? test, the mob closed in, took the two blacks and disppeared in a nearby thicket. Their bedims were found swinging to the bridge this morning. Shreveport, May 3.-Miss Evelyn Hodge, Miss Ingersoll Minge and Samuel Williams, three promin-nt young society people of this city, were drowned m Twelve mile bayou, four and a Half miles from this city this afternoon. The party were in a skiff fishing in the bayou.