Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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lilil? ii r-M Tr -'mi ?'???rririiTTiiiieiiriii SALARY HELO IIP. Treasury Department Rules That Appointment Was Illegal. THE SALARY CANNOT OE PAID. Dr. Crum Cain Hold on to Office But ii Will be a Purely Honor? ary Position Without Perqui? sites. Washington, D. C., May 3.-Dr. W. D. Crom, the colored collector of the port of Charleston, in whose appoint? ment President Roosevelt persisted, against the protest of the.entire white . population of that community and the implied opposition of the Senate of the United States, will not be paid . salary or fees, under a niling made by the treasury department today. The only chance he will have of ever get? ting any pay for his services will be the passage of a special Act of Con? gress. This is due to the fact that the trea? sury department has decided that the appointment of Dr. Cram by President Roosevelt after the Senate bad ad? journed without acting on the appoint? ment was contrary to law. There is nothing in the law which will prevent Dr. Crum from serving as collector, "but the law which will hold from him . ali the emoluments of the office is very explicit. The question came up - on the April accounts, which were submitted by the colored collector. This involved his fees. The depart? ment has written him that these fees will be withheld. His attention is called to Section 1,761 of the United Stteas Revised Statutes, which con? tains this language : ** No money shall be paid from the treasury as salary to any person apr pointed* during the recess of the Senate to fill a vacancy in any existing office if the vacancy existed while the Senate was in session, and as by law required to be filled by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, un? til such appointment has been confirm? ed by the Senate. ' ' This citation makes the history of tte Crom case very important. The Tracancy in the Charleston collector ship occurred last September. The President did not decide to appoint Dr. Crom until the Senate had met. If the appointment had been made when the vacancy occurred Dr. Crom would have been entitled to his salary. Jf the Senate had confirmed Dr. Crom when the appointment was made all would also have been well with Crum, but the Senate failed to act and the nomination did not even get out of the committee on commerce. When the extra session of the Senate began President Roosevelt persisted and sent in the name of Dr. Cram again. Once snore the Senate refrained from acting. "When the extra session of the Senate came to an end the President appoint? ed Crom a third time and he entered tm his duties. It is not likely that the Senate will confirm Crom at its next session, and even if it does Cram cannot draw salary and fees except from the time of favorable action by the Senate. The Southern Democrats who fought the appointment of Dr. Crom are de? lighted with the action of the treasury department, which practically re? pudiates the appointment as not being according to law. Washington, May 8.-Dr. W. D. Cram's fees and expenses aggregated only $56.89, and were included in the -regular account of the Charleston office. Hester's Cotton Statement. New Orleans, May 8.-Secretary Hester's weekly cotton statement, is? sued today, shows for the eight days jd May an increase over last year of 25,000 and an increase over the same period year before last of 23,000. For the 250 days of the season that Slave elapsed the aggregate is ahead -of the same days last year 282,000 and ahead of the same time year before last 678,000. The amount brought into sight dur? ing the past week has been 95,360 against 6S,710 for the same seven days last year and 75,908 year before last. The movement since September 1 shows receipts at all United States oorts to he 7.445,894 against 7,280,037 last year; overland across the Missis? sippi, Ohio sud Potomac rivers to northern mills and Canad? 1,021,421 against 1,054,627 last year; interior stocks in excess of those held at the close of the commercial year 69,0C9, agairst 95,188 last year, and southern mill takings 1,?584,000, against 1,409, 0)0 last year. The total movement since September 1 is 10,120,824 against 9,838,846 last year and 9.4-A2,703 year beofore last. Foreign exports for the week have been 96,960 against 64,231 last year, making the total tims far for the sea? son 6,305,415 against 6,004,313 lasi year. The total takings of American mills, north and south and Canada, thus far for the season have been 3,593,98s against 3,409,761 last year. Stocks at the seaboard and the 29 lading southern interior centres have decreased during the week 69,896 against a decrease during the cor? responding period last sason of 53,814. Including stocks left over at ports and interior towns from the iast crop and the number of bales brought into sight th as far for the new crop, the supply to date is 10,335,898 against 10,198,533 for the same period last year. Lexington, Ky., May 9.-A report reached Winchester from Jackson to? night that J. B. Ewen was assassinat *ed from ambush at sundown but the report cannot be confirmed tonight, as Jackson cannot be reached by tele? phone or telegraph. Ewen was stand? ing in the court house door with J. B. Marcum when the latter was killed last Monday and, it has been said, re? cognized the assassin. Spartanburg, May 9.-The Rev. G. H. Waddell, publisher of the South? ern Christian Advocate, purchased the Daily Herald, with the two weeklies ron with it, from James T. Harris jfcbis evening. He will take charge at once. It is his purpose to form a joint stock company with capital sufficient to establish a first-class plant. There will *e no change in the editorial de? partment or the business or mechanical Brooms for the present. MCLAURIN A EL B. PRESIDENT. Sale ot the Birmingham and Brunswick Railroad-Former Senator Probably Elected President. New York, May 8.-At the local office of the Birmingham and Bruns? wick Railroad it will be announced to? morrow that Col. Machen, of Georgia, president and builder of the road, has sold out his entire interests and re? signed his office. Probably the announcement will also include the fact that former Sen? ator McLanrin, of South Carolina, has been elected to the presidency. The deal was consummated today at the road's local office, 100 Broadway, in less than an hour. It gives Col. Mach?n a fortune and relieves him of all fnrther business cares. He is con? sidered in Wall street as one of the greatest hustlers Georgia ever pro? duced. He built the Birmingham and Bruns? wick on a shoestring. Today he re? ceived in cash an immense sum for his interest in it. The sale was unexpected. Col. Machen came to New York from Brunswick to attend a meeting of the other interests of the road. An exten? sion of two hundred miles is to be built. There was some discussion re? garding the, time in which this exten? sion could be constructed and the sum involved. Senator McLanrin, Bankers Fair? bairn and Humphreys and the two other "Wall street bankers interested stood ont against President Machen. "All right," said the latter. "If yon think you can do better than I then buy me ont" "Name your price," said McLanrin. Col. Machen named it. The five men looked at each other, nodded and then Banker Fairbairn wrote out a check. It was sent to the bank and certified. The remainder of the hour was spent in drawing up and signing papers. Col. Machen resigned his office, took the check, signed the pa? pers and walked out. The others held a reorganization meeting and, it is understood, elected Senator McLanrin President. All in? formation was refused. It was said an official announcement would be made tomorrow. McLanrin, in addi? tion to being president, will also be general manager. CoL Machen said: I .am happy. I will retire from busi? ness, bnt will continue living in Geor? gia." WHAT AILS MCLAURIN. Another Sudden Torn in the Ex Senator's Fortune. New York, 3Iay ll.-Special to the News and Courier: The reorganiza? tion meeting of the Brunswick and Birmingham Railroad, held at 100 Broadway today, developed a big sur? prise. When Col. Machen sold out last week those interested in the road were startled, bnt matters quieted down, when it was stated that a re? organization would be immediately effected, with former Senator John L. McLanrin, of South Carolina, as presi? dent and general manager. McLanrin was already vice president of the Mo? hawk Valley Steel Company, of Geor I gia, which is owned by the railroad. What transpired at today's meeting ' came like a thunder-bolt, it was so unexpected. Senator McLanrin went into the meeting slated for the .presi? dency. He came out an hour later without any interest in either railroad or sseel company. It was announced that McLanrin had accepted an im? mediate offer to purchase all his in? terests, had been paid cash and had resigned his offices in both companies. Robert Fairbairn, a New York bank? er, is acting president of the road, and it is understood will probably ac? cept the presidency. F?e is being urg? ed to take it. The following are the other officers elected : Douglas Green, New York, first vice president; E. fi. Mason, Georgia, second vice presi? dent; C. J. Bushnell, New York, treasurer; F. B. Chandler, Georgia, auditor, and F. E. Twitty, Georgia, general attorney. These gentlemen are all close friends of Col. Machen, especially Fairbairn. It was announc? ed that the road would be pushed along lines laid down by Machen. The latter, it is understood, has been re? quested to return to the road. None of the gentlemen interested would discuss the extraordinary moves of the last few days. Senator Mc? Lanrin was seen tonight at the Wal? dorf and asked to give a statement re? garding friction in deals. He said: Y*'ou can say that amicable arrange? ments were made by which Mr. Mc? Lanrin retires from both companies, resigning his offices and selling his entire interest. Perhaps I am better fitted to farming in South Carolina than to railroading and Wall street. I will return to Carolina verv short? ly." A Big Railroad Suit. Macon, Ga, May IL-Tomorrow there will be heard by Judge Speer, in the United States Court here, the petition of the Georgia Saw Mill As? sociation and a number of lumber firms, against the Southern Railway, Atlantic Coast Line, Louisville and Nashville, Chattanoga and St. Louis, Seaboard Air Line, Central of Georgia, Georiga Southern and Florida and the Macon and Birmingham Railway Company, and the Southeastern Freight Association, to enjoin these roads from putting into effect a two cents a hundred increase on lumber rates. The complaint is that each of the roads gave notice ol* intention to raise freights on yellow pine lumber to points at the Ohio River and beyond two cents per hundred pounds. They charge that these railroads are mem? bers of the Southeastern Freight As? sociation, which was organized and maintained for purposes in restraint of Inter-State trade. The roads have secured an order requiring the Georgia Saw Mill Assciation to produce all data on which prices on lumber are fixed, and the admissibility of this evidence may be stubbornly fought before the Court. Judge Speer granted the temporary restraining order April 14, but the cas6 was postponed until tomorrow to give both sides timo for preparation. A SUCCESSFUL AIR SHIP. Aerial Navigation in Dirigible Bal? loons is Now Practicable. Paris. May 8.-The air ship con? structed for the Labaudy brothers made a highly succeesful trip today under Pilot Jouhmes and Engineer Rey. The start was made from St.^ Martin, during a light rain, and with a brisk wind blowing. The dirigible craft passed over a number of suburb? an towns. At Nantes she made a cir? cle around the Cathedral spire and left that town, going diagonally against the direction the wind was coming from. Over Limay, Nantes and Rosny the air ship was put through a series of evolutions and answered her helm and manoeuvred to the perfect satis? faction of all interested in her. She then returned to her point of depart? ure, where she descended without ac? cident. The distance covered was thirty-seven kilometres, in one hour and thirty-six minutes, against San tos-Dumont's record for the Deutsch prize of kilometres in thirty min? utes. The Temps, says that in view of the rain and wind, the results obtained were notable, making aerial naviga? tion in diregible balloons appear to enter the domain of practical reality. Today has been a record day in the annals of French ballooning. In addi? tion to the successful trial of the Lebaudy air ship, Santos-Dumont made his first free ascent of the season in his new air ship, this afternoon from the balloon park at Neully, where the aeronaut has constructed a vast slied in which are several of his air ships The air ship manoeuvred half an hour. RURAL ROUTE MAGREN RETIRED. The Postoffice Investigation to be Pushed Vigorously. ' Washington, May 8.---The investiga? tion of the affairs of the postoffice de? partment, which has been dragging along for two months, took a sensa? tional turn late this afternoon when, by order of Postmaster General Payne August W. Macben, generalsuperin tendent of the free delivery system, and one of the most widely known Government officials in the United States, was relieved from his duties and Postoffice Inspector M. C. Fosnes was designated to take charge of that service. The change wrll take effect tomorrow morning, when Mr. Fosnes will assume charge of the free delivery service, and at the same time that service will pass under the control of the office of the fourth assistant post master. Heretofore it has teen under the jurisdiction of the first assistant. The action of the Postmaster General was taken on the written recommeda tion of Fourth Assistant Postmaster General Bristow, who is directing the investigation of the affairs of the de? partment, that the transfer of Mr. Machen's bureau to his jurisdiction and its administration by a postoffice inspector would expedite the investiga? tion. In ordering the change recom? mended the Postmaster General gave Mr. Machen leave of absence until the investigation is concluded." Mr. Machen promptly acquiesced in the decision of the Postmaster General, taking occasion to say in doing so that he courted the fullest investigation of his official conduct. MACHEN STILL UNDER FIRE. Mr. Machen has been under fire ever since the investigation began. Charges of various kinds have been preferred against the administration of the free delivery branch of the postal service. These included allegations of collusion with letter box manufacturers in the furnishing of boxes to postoffice patrons, particulraly in rural mail routes: the furnishing of advance in? formation regarding the selection of routes and the appointment of carriers, etc. There also has been a conflict be? tween Mr. Maclien and First Assistant Postmaster General Wynne ever since the latter assumed office. Mr. Wynne charged Machen with insuberdination. The strained relations between the head of the free delivery service and other officials resulted in an embarras? sing state of affairs, and for several months correspondence between the general superintendent of the free de? livery service and his immediate superior, the first assistant Postmaster General, has been conducted, on the part of the former, through one of his subordinates. Mr. Bristow all along has been of opinion that the best interests of the service would be subserved by the re? lief of Mr. Machen and has pointed ont to the Postmaster General that this action was imperatively necessary to the successful tonduct of the in? vestigation. Bubonic Plague in Peru. Gauyaquil, Ecuador, May 10.-Cal? lao and Piso, Peru, have been official? ly declared infected with bubonic plague. The banks and business houses of Guayaquil are subscribing funds for the purpose of cleaning the city. The Cosmos Line steamers Herodot and Sesostris, from southern ports, will be refused admittance here. Ecuado rean troops have been stationed in the Peruvian frontier to stop com? munication. The boa*-; of health at Pay ta, Peru, lias closed that port to vessels from Callao. The municipal council and the board of health at Guayaquil are in M s?-ion to discuss steps against the introduc? tion of the plague. LATEST FROM CALLAO. Lima, Peru, May 10.-There were no fresh cases of bubonic plague today at Callao. None of the five suspicious cases of yesterday lias developed into the plague. Charlotte, N. C., May 10.-A special to the Observer from Beaufort, *N C., says: More denfinite news was received today regarding the wreck of the Portuguese bark Vera Cruz III, at Portsmouth, on the south side of Ocracoke Inlet, sixty miles north of here. The only communication is by boat to this place, and the boat which arrived today brings intelligence that there were 251 passer ge rs, all Portu? guese, and a crew of fifteen. All were rescued by the Portsmouth life-saving station crew, bat one died a few min? utes after the rescue. A TALK WITH W. J. BRYAN. Mr. Bryan Does Not Think Mr. Cleveland a Posibility. Newark, N. J., May 9.-The News has the following from its Lincoln Neb, correspondent: William Jennings Bryan received the News correspondent very cordially to? day at his country residence, four miles from this city. A typewriting machine was clicking busily in the up? stairs room and the farm hands were at work in the adjoining fields. Mr. Bryans' red brick house is more modern and more pretentious than the some? what old-fashioned home of Grover Cleveland at Princeton. Mr. Bryan would not submit to an interview unless the questions were written and the answers recorded ver? batim as he spoke them "Is it possible for Grover Cleveland to receive the Democratic nomination next year, Mr. Bryan?" "There is not the remotest possibili? ty of devland Becoming the nominee. Even his stanchest friends would not risk him asa candidate," said Mr. Bryan. "But Mr. Cleveland has apparently come out of retirement and many sup? pose he is seeking renomination," re? marked the News man. "I am not in Mr. Clevleand's confi? dence," said Mr. Bryan, "and, there fore, - cannot give an inside explana? tion, but as an outsider I venture to say that his purpose is to positively refuse to be a candidate after awhile, and then allow his friends to say that he would have been nominated and elected had he not refused to run. This might afford Mr. Cleveland some satisfaction as a salve for the bruises which he has nursed since 1S96. There is a tail of the Democratic party which was very nearly pulled out seven years ago, that is just as monopolistic in its tendencies as the Republican party is. There are also a number of newspa? pers, calling themselves Democratic, that are as monopolistic as any Repub? lican newspapers, and I will name a ifew of them: The Chicago Chronicle, Nashville American, Louisville Couri? er-Journal, Boston Herald, Philadel? phia Ledger, New York Times, Brook? lyn Eagle and some others. "This class of newspapers can be relied upon to support any Republican policies the financiers of the country are interested in. They keep up an attack on minor things and sometimes attack individaal Republicans, but they are so closely allied to organized wealth that they simply deceive the people. If there were a law compelling these newspapers to carry the names of the men who dictate their polices at the top of the editorial pages the people would know that the supposed editors had little of no voice. These socalled Democratic newspapers can be depended upon to defend any Demo? crat who betrays his party and his con? stituents and abuse any Democrat who cannot be corrupted. "This class of newspapers represent as public sentiment that which they desire the people to think is public sentiment." Mr. Bryan said this in a way which made it plain that he thought this is just what was done in the extensive comments of the ovation given Mr. Cleveland at St Louis on dedication day. Mr. Bryan also made it plain that he did not consider the reception given Mr. Cleveland as being connected, so far as the people who made the noise were concerned, in the least with a Presidential boom for the sage of Princeton. "Who is to be the savior of the Democracy in 1904, and from what sec? tion of the country must he come?" Mr. Bryan was asked. "I cannot discuss any available in? dividual for the nomination, " lie said. "The geographical position of the can? didate will not figure in the advant? ages. . It matters not what State he is from. He must have the qualities if we are to win. He must be in sym? pathy with the masses of the people and possess the moral courage to de? fend their rights and integrity to resist temptation. " "On what issues will the Democratic party base its hopes for sucess next ye?r?" *A party-'platform cannot be out? lined so far ahead. Conditions are con? stantly changing and something is liable to arise to place an entirely new phase on the situation from what it appears today." "What do you think of the idea in some quarters that the powerful Wall street interests are to oppose Presi? dent Roosevelt as the Republican nominee?" "There is no evidence of it out of the news that is controlled by Wall street. The bureau of commerce and the Elkins bill, which is said to have been drafted by the president of the Pennsylvania Railway are an insigni? ficant response for anti-trust legisla? tion." "What do you think of President Rosevelts' efforts toward a settlement by arbitration of the coal strike?" "I think they were laudable. I have always believed strikes should be settled in that way." How do you feel about the merger decision in the Northern Securities case?" "It was a righteous decision and I hope it will be sustained by the Su? preme Court. But the merger decision scarcely touches the trust question. The fact that the people are paying tribute to a large number of trusts to? day is conclusive evidence that the present law is not adequate, or is not properly enforced." Mr. Bryan detailed one of Iiis chil? dren to show the correspondent his carriages, horses, cattle, hogs, chickens and the farm. Pointing to three fine specimens of the swine family the lit? tle guide said : "The name of that one is 'Sixteen to One,' the mother ol' this little, and the other, the father, is named 'Mark Hanna.' " Charleston, May 9.-A survey of Charleston harbor, just completed by Capt. B. G. Howell, U. S. A., who is in charge of tiie government work here, shows a minimum depth of water in the channel '^f 20.*2 at mean low water, or 31.4 at mean high water. Capt. Howell declares that this shows that not only has the work done been entirely successful, but that the deep? ening of the water in the harbor is now steady and continuous. The water in the harbor is already the deepest south of New York. SCHOOL BOY STABS FELLOW STUDENT. Knife Blade Punctures the Lung of Arthur Harvin-The Wound May Prove Fatal. Special to The State. Manning:, May 8.-An unfortunate cutting affair took place at the graded school here during recess today, in which Arthur Harvin, about 18 years old, was cut by Tommie Hodge, a boy in short pants, about 15 years old. Young Harvin is the son of W. Scott Harvin, a prominent citizen, and young Hodge is the son of T. T. Hodge, known as "Bing" Hodge, a farmer, who lives near town. The physician who attended young Harvin says one lung is punctured. It appears that the trouble started while the boys were returning from a baseball game a few days ago at Sum? merton. It was renewed this morning before school, when young Hodge took care of himself by drawing his knife, and again at recess, with the above result. It is hard to get at the details as the teachers knew nothing of the brewing difficulty and the boys who were pre? sent do not talk, but from street talk the small boy is not without sym? pathizers. THE BREATMTT COUNTY FEUD. Arrest of Curtis Jett, Charged ' With the Murder of J. B. Mar? cum, in Jackson, Ky. Lexington, Ky., May 10.-The cap? ture of Curtis Jett, charged with the assassination of J. B. Marcum in Jackson on Monday last, was accom? plished without bloodshed early Sun? day morning. He is now in the Clark County jail at "Winchester. Bearing a warrant which had been sworn out by Sam Jett, uncle of the accused. Sheriff McChord and a posse of seven men left Winchester at mid? night Saturday. Reaching Jackson's Ferry, ten miles distant, at 2.30 a. m., they left their buggies and cross? ed the Kentucky River to Madison County in canoes. They proceeded on foot to 'the home of Mrs. A. Haggin, Jett's mother, two miles from the ferry. Six of the posse were stationed around the dwelling and Sheriff Mc? Chord and Deputy Stokely approach? ed the front door and knocked. Jett's mother answered and after some parley admitted that Curtis was within. They were admitted and found Jett awake, but in bed. He shook hands ' with the sheriff and said he would give no trouble. Reaching under his pillow be drew out his pistol and turn? ed it over to his mother to keep. He made no show of resistance and was landed in jail at Winchester by day? light. Jett's step-father A. Haggin, charges that when Jett reached his house last night from Jackson he proceeded to draw his pistol on him and ordered him to get out of the neighborhood. Haggin went to Richmond and swore out a warrant charging Jett with breach of the peace by assault with a pistol. In the jail today Jett was com? municative on all matters save the killing of Marcum. "I'll getont of this all right," was the only statement he wouldd make, which is construed as a reference to the charge. He said he wanted to be tried in Breathitt County. He was bitter in denouncing his uncle, who had had him arrested, and said that the score would be even? ed np when he was at liberty. When asked about the statement that/five men would testify that he killed Mar? cum he sneered and said: "What's that to you?" To Sheriff McChord he was equally nen communicative in regard to the Marcum tragedy. Jett is 28 years of age, atlhetic in build, with deep set, keen eyes and has bushy red hair. That he submitted to arrest was an agreeable surprise to the officers, who feared an" encounter. Jett denied that he drove his step-father from home. He will be arraigned on Tues? day, and it is supposed he will be transferred to the Jackson district for trial. Guatemala's Disaster. Mexico City, May ll.-News brought here from Guatemala by people who have seen the ruin wrought by the re? cent eruption of Santa Maria volcano I confirm all the previous reports. The situation could hardly be worse. "All the coffee plantations in the vicinity of the volcano," says Manuel Hurtado, just arrived from Guatemala, "have been destroyed for all time. Ashes from ten to fifteen feet deep cover the country. In the neighbor? hood of the volcano ashes are so deep that only some of the tops of tall trees can be seen. Scoria and ashes cover 1,000 square miles of Jand to a depth of seven to fifteen feet, and 5,000 square miles to a depth of from one to five feet. One-third of the entire coffee crop has been destroyed. About 300,000 quintals of the very choicest coffee have been lost, and all land upon which it was grown is doomed to eternal sterility. As to whether or not the economic conditions produced by the natural catastrophe will tend to produce a revolution is a question I cannot answer. But I can say that President Cabrera has everything well in hand." Georgetown, May 9.-U. S. District Attorney John G. Capers was in Georgetown today, and, after com? pleting an investigation of the titles to the property here recently purchased by tue Government, upon which is to be erected a Federal building, paid Mr. Geo. R. Congdon 610,000, the price previously agreed upon. The Gov? ernment will now proceed to operate through the supervising architect's office in Washington, and it is boped that the work of construction will be? gin very soon. Raleigh, N. C., May S.-The Rev. Theodore D. Bratten, rector of St. Marys' School here, today announced his acceptance of the Bishopric of Mis? sissippi, to which he was recently elected. Dr. Bratton is a South Caro? linian, a member of an historic family and a son of a distinguished brigadier general in the war for Southern inde per dence. TWO THOUSAND HOMELESS. Destructive Fire in Ottawa, Ganada, Sunday Afternoon. Ottawa, Ont., May IO.-This after? noon and this evening a fire suspected of being of incendiary origin destroyed hundreds of houses and millions of feet of lumber in this city. John "White who has just been released from the penitentiary, after serving a term of imprisonment for arson, was caught near where the fire was first discovered. He was taken to the po? lice station and will be charged with starting the disastrous conflagration. The fire originated within a stoners throw of where the great Hull fire of April 25, 1900, was checked The Hull fire started on the opposite side of the river and spread to the Ottawa side, destroying millions of dollars' worth of property. lt burned out near where the Ottawa and Parry Sound Railway enters the western part of the city, and it was in the lumber yards near the railroad that today's fire originated. Two hours before the principal fire started two smaller blazes were dis cover?d and quickly extinguished in the lumber yards near the Canadian Pacific Railway. It was 3.30 o'clock when the third fire was discovered. When the brigade arrived at the scene it was found that the water main h<id been damaged and no water could be obtained. When the brigade did get wTater the fire was utterly beyond its control. It swept along over the same ground that the former fire had gone, the only difference being that it was going in the opposite direction. There is a large cliff, which extends from the Ottawa River into the corner of Margaret and Preston streets. The fire area was on the flats below the cliff. At two or three points it came very near getting over the cilff and had it done so nothing would have saved the city. At 9.30 tonight the fire was under control and was'con? fined to the following area: The Ottawa and Parry Sound Railway on the south, Division street on the "east, 1st avenue on the west and the Rich? mond road on the north. From the Parry Sound Road to the Richmond Road is about one mile, and from 1st avenue to District street is a quarter of a mile. While the fire was burning fiercely among the lumber piles, the whole brigade, which had been summoned, were forced to remain idle. For more than an hour not a drop of water was thrown into the flames. A stiff south? west wind was blowing and by the time the water main had been repair? ed the lumber yards were* a mass of glowing embers. From the lumber yards the flames spread to a group of frame houses on the outskirts of the city, formerly known as Roehester ville, but which is now part of the city. Every house in the little settle? ment was destroyed. Another lumber yard in a thinly settled section, northeast of Roches terville, was swept by the fire in an incredibly short time. This brought the fire to the more thickly settled section. After leaving the lumber piles, the flames swept over Pine street, which runs east and west, down Willow, Polar, Anderson, Eckles, Somerset, Spruce, Elm, Maple, Albert and on to the Richmond Road, or, properly speaking, Wellington street, where it was stopped a short distance from the Canadian Pacific Railroad depot. At 6 p. m. it was feared that the fire would get over the cliff, on the top of which is St. Jeanne Eaptiste Church. In the rear and a short dis? tance back from the church is the resi? dence of the late David Mills. The family began moving out at 6 p. m., and the hearse was in readiness to move the remains of the distinguish? ed Canadian should the necessity arise. The firemen succeeded in keeping back the flames. Fourteen million feet of lumber were destroyed. It belonged to J. R. Booth and was sold. The loss on the lumber will be about 8300,000. The buildings burned were principally dwelling hous? es and stores. They were all built since the last fire. The loss on the buildings is estimated at various figur? es tonight. Mayor Cook said that there were from 500 to 600 families homeless or about 2,000 individuals. All the parties are supposed to be well insur? ed. The mayor said the city would op? pose any aid being asked from outside Canada, and personally he thought that the city should grapple with the situation without any appeal for out? side help. Monthly Crop Bulletin. Washington, May H.- The monthly crop bulletin issued by the agricultu? ral department today says : Returns to the statistician of the department of agriculture made up to May 1 show the area under winter wheat in cultivation on that date to have been about 33,107,000 acres. This is 964,000 acres, or 2. S per cent, less than the area sown last fall, and 4,525,000 acres, or 15.8 per cent, in ex? cess of area of winter wheat harvested last year. For the area remaining under culti? vation the average condition on May 1 was 92.6, against a condition of 97.3 for the total area sown reported on April 1, 1903, and 76.4 on May 1, 1902, 94.1 at the corresponding date in 1901 and 82.5, the mean of the aver? ages of the last ten years, for the areas remaining under cultivation cn May 1. While there has manifestly been some deterioration of condition during the month, special fie.d agents, dispatched to the principal winter wheat States on the occurrence of the frost of April 30 and May J, report the wheat crop as practically uninjured by the cold snap. Monument to Gen. J. E. B. Stuart. Richmond, Va, May H.-A check was received tonight from Ex-Presi? dent Cleveland for the benefit of the fund for the erection of a monument to Gen. J. E. B. Stuart, the famous Confederate cavalry leader. Accompanying the check is a letter, , in which the Ex-President says that the counttry is now again one, and that all sections can join heartily and conscientiously in honoring the memory of an American hero, no mat? ter whether he belonged to the North or to the South, East or West. Tha amount for which the check is draws' is not made public. ^?