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BRYAN ULKS OF PEACE. <.iykn an ovation at conven? tion ha li j in charleston. In Address to Commercial Congress Commoner Suys That War is Idle I Vur- -\\ i Ii in in C. tiorgas Another Rtstlzigulshcxl S|K'aker. Charleston. Dec. 16.?William Jen? nings Pryan, leading exponent of tho forces in the Unltod States who are battling; with words against war and the general programme of defense, to ulffht brought his meaaave for univer? sal p< ice to the delegates of the Southern Commercial congress in the Oerman Artillery hall, which was tilled to caiaclty. Hundreds were turned away unable to gain admittance. Another distinguished speaker of the evening was William C. Gorgas, surgeon general. I". S. A., who won a worldwide reputation because of his conqu st of disease In the tropics. The title of the Commoner's ad? dress was "War or Peace." Ho has been delivering practically the same address at many points in the United States since his retirement as secre? tary of state in the Wilso:. cabinet. The address by Mr. I- ryan Injected a new element into the commercial congressfl, which has been giving se? rious consideration to the necessity of arming the United States to repel all in- aslon. In his address the for? mer secretary ridiculed the idea of a nation attacking tho United States, thought that the driving out of whis? key to preK ?' the citizenship physi? cally fit for a battle is better and scathingly arraigned what he termed the Jingo metropolitan press. Mr. Bryan was given an ovation to? night .vhen he entered the convention hall. More than 100 persons Jumped to the: r feet, cheering wildly. The Commoner was particularly eloque it and despite the fact that many in the audience were opposed to sons of the policies enunciated he received liberal applaut>c on every point jcored In favor of peace. The efforts of Mr. Bryan to secure pro fressl\e legislation and his constant light for measures to help the masses was the comment by Senator Duncan U. Fletcher, president, who introduced the fo mer secretary. Sem tor B. R. Tlllman was present at tha meeting but was forced to leave shortly af.er Mr. Pryan began his address. The senator assured Mr. Bryan that It was his physical con? dition that caused htrn to retire and said that he would read all that ho had to say. Upon being Introduced Mr. Bryan said fiat it was a great pleasuro to have the privilege of addressing the commercial congress. Ho called at tontlor, to tho fact that three United States senators were present to hear his address. 1 I am glad to present the subject to them and to you," he said at the outset of his address. "I am In hearty sympathy with all of the objects of your association." said the former secretary in discussing the alms of the commercial congress. In his address tonight Mr. Bryan did not advocate the dismantling of the fleet or the disorganization of the arm v. He did vigorously oppose the increase of these two fighting wings of the government services. At one tims in his address the former secre? tary said, "And I so much believe in the right of the people to have what they want that I admit the right of tha ecoble to go to war if they really want St but I feel as a North Caro? lina congressman expressed himself, that if we are to have war, it would be bettor for tho im n\,\r to vote it upon themselves than to have others vote It on them. "I believe that the women should vote on all questions but If they vote on only one It ought to be an election which decides the Issue betwoen peace and war." Mr. Bryan's references to President Wilson were In a very friendly tone. a<;ei> woman kiij i d Mm Lnla Comstock Desired to My More Before Retiring to Quiet Lire. San Diego. Cad., Dec. II?repress? ing the desire to "fly oner PSfOTS tiring to a quiet life." Mrs. Lula Corn stock, aged 74, of this city, arranged for a fli.-i.t v .th A'.Ifttsjf Antes Msy? erhoffer. Jr.. that ended today with the falling of tho flying boat in the waters of San Diego ha; and the death of the woman. Mrs. Comstock stated that she wished to be taken to a height of at least 1.500 f?-< t. Within a few min? utes after the flight had been started, according to Meyerhoff? r, Mr*. Cum stoek was seised with a fit, nnd reaching out, grabbed Um a\latSf in a firm grasp. Mi \ i-r?i..ff. r ?..iy \Y i* 1m- stnugled desp* r.iti ly to free himself, but be? fore he could release hlmsHf tin' fly? ing boat, which was about GO feet In the air. turned over and Nil into the waters of the nay. Meyerhoffer and Mrs, Comstock were hurled Hoar of the wreckage and fSjSjffSSj parties within live minutes had brought both to thore. Mrs. Comstoek, however, ws'. dead. Meyorhoff?t es? - a ped with a uw s'-ratrhea. REFUSES INJUCIION10 BANKS STATE Sl'PHEME COURT SAYS THAT THEKE AHE OTHER REMEDIES AT DAW. First Fight Agulnst Assessment Fixed by State Tax Commission Dost by Hanks Although Legality of Act is Not Brought into Case. Columbia, Dec. 17.?Holding that there is an adequate remedy in the statutes for the recovery of a tax un? lawfully paid, the supreme court, in a. decision handed down yesterday, re \ i rsed the restraining injunction and mandamus proceeding instituted aralnst the South Carolina tax com? mission. Tbe decision does not touch tbe constitutionality of the act creat? ing tbe commission. The orders of Associate Justice Watt* were reversed bj Chief Justice Gary and Associate Justices Hydride and Fraser. Associate Justice Gage dissented, "but not on constitutional or federal grounds." Judge Watts did not sit in the case, as ho had is? sued the writs granting a temporary injunction and mandamus. The cases, which were heard to? gether by the supreme court, were brought by the National Loan & Ex? change bank of Greenwood and W. T. Bailey against the tax commission and J. W. Canfield, county auditor, and by the Peoples National bank of Greenville "on behalf of itself and all the other banks in the State" against the members of the commission. Commenting upon taxes, the court says: "The funds derived from assess? ment and collection of taxes form the food supply of the government. The ability of a government to exercise its functions depends upon the collec? tion of taxes and it will not be sum? marily deprived of its power except in cases of abcolute necessity." In dissenting Judg. Gage reserved the privilege to state the grounds of his dissent within a reasonable time. The opinion in full is as follows: "These two cases were heard to? gether, the one is for injunction, the other is for mandamus. The one ob? ject of the two proceedings i3 to prevent an alleged unlawful assess? ment of bank property for taxation and so the unlawful collection of taxes so assessed. Roth aro extraor? dinary remedies, neither is available where there is any other adequate remedy provided. The statutes of this State provide an adequate remedy, i. e., a payment of the disputed tax un? der protest and a suit for recovery of the tax unlawfully paid. The consti? tution of this State gives the power to the courts to Issue writs of Injunc? tion and mandamus and the legisla? ture can not take it away, but the legislature can obviate the necessity for the issuance of these writs hy providing an adequate remedy it law as it has done in this matter of assessment and collection of taxes. "It is not necessary to state the questions involved, as it is held that thero is an adequate remedy at law in which all the questions may oe raised in due course and decided. "The funds derived from assess? ment and collection of taxes form tbe food supply of the government. The ability of a government to exercise Its functions depends upon the collec? tion of taxes and it will not be sum? marily deprived of its power excep* in "ases of absolute necessity. Many 6 tlzens are willing to contribute to the funds of the State and to pay a tax, although it Is not In accord with the forms of law. The policy of the law is to give these citizens an op? portunity to do so. "An adequate remedy is provided for those who pay undei protest and the orders of Injunction and manda? mus are overruled and the judgments appealed fron? reversed." The tax commission is composed of A. W. Jones of Abbeville, chairman; John P. Derham of Green Pond ai d W. G. Query of Woodford. The tax commission was represent? ed in the case by the attorney general, Thomas H. Peoples, and his SXBlsV nt, Pred H. Domlnlck. Counsel for the banks were F. D. Grler of Green? wood, T. P. Cothrr.n of Greenville and B, ll. Moss of (?rangeburg. The Uor was argued in the supreme COUli Monday morning last CO! K r TO HOLD I N BANC SES SION. SUaetltS Will he Made on Owens Against Hichland County. Columbia, Dec, 17.?There will be an i u banc session of the supreme court this morning at 10 o'clock to hear the Samuel H, Owens claim t gainst Richtend county. The last latun provided for u partial pay? ment to Mr. Owens and the session i d 13 s in be held t<> hear argumi nts "n this point The county is repre? sented by Ml attorney, W. C, McLaln, and Mr. Owens by J, Fraser Lyon. Appointed Minister to Mexico. Washington, Dec, 17. -Henry Fletcher, United States minister t?. Chile, has been appointed minister to Mexico. BRYAN EXPLAINS PLATFORM. EXPECTS TO REMAIN IX POLI? TICS MAN V YEAIIS. After First Consideration Stands for Woman's Suffrage and Prohibition Everywhere?Km Flank of Peace. Charleston, Dec. 1?.?William Jen? nings Bryan, who has been a national figure In polities for 20 years, re? sponding to a toast at a banquet given last night to the secretary of the navy told his hearers that it was his intention to remain in politics for the* next 20 years, and maybo 25 years. "What course Will you pursue and what measures will you advocate In the future?" was the question put to Mr. Bryan tonight. 'I expect to deal with such questions as may arise from time to time." he replied. "What Will you fight for during the next several years?" was asked. "I am for peace, I am for woman suffrage and prohibition in the States until they are ready lor national ac? tion,' replied the former secretary of State. j "Will you meet Mr. Ford and his peace party?" he was asked. "1 am expecting to go, but I am not absolutely certain," replied the Com? moner. "In addition to the economic ques? tions which Will be at issue next year there is the peace question. That is a great question just now. It is really the overshadowing question at thiH time. It presents three phases, keep? ing out of this war ourselves, avoiding a policy that will provoke future wars, and to do what we can to end the war. "After the peace question the next coming issue, and it is not far off, is the prohibition question. I do not ex? pect it to be in the campaign next year, but at the rate it is growing In the States it is likely to be in national politics by 1920. "These arc the three questions for the near future, at least that is the prospect at this time, but predictions are not certainties, because allowance has to be made for unexpected things which may hasten or retard coming reforms." WAR TAX BILL IN SENATE. Expected to Pass Without Opposition and Adjournment Will Follow Fntll After Holidays. Washington, Dec. 17.?The house resolution extending the war tax reached the senate today. Leaders in both houses expect the measure to be passed and the adjournment over the holidays will be taken this afternoon. .STjORM SWEEPS MERIDIAN". Twelve Known Dead and Numerous Others Inj urea. Meridian, Miss., Dec. 17.?Twelve are known to be dead and scores were injured by a tornado in this section today. Two were killed at Meridian, two women were killed at Giles, two at Millport, Ala. The town of Cullom was wiped oui where six are dead. DANIELS SEES NAVY YARD. . Secretary Accompanied by Senior Senator and Admiral McGowan Pays Insi>ection Visit. Charleston, Dec. 16.?Secretary JosephlM Daniels, accompanied by Senator B. It. Tillman and Rear Ad? miral Samuel M<Gowan, paid a visit this morning to the Charleston navy yard. All of the departments were inspected by the officials. Tho people of Charleston were very much pleased last night with the an? nouncement by the secretary that as soon as certain improvements are completed the government will begin the construction of gunboats and de? stroyers at the Charleston yard. "That Is all well and good, but wo want some real battleships built here," said a Charleston business man commenting on the promise of the sec retary of tho navy. GERMANY MAKES NEW MOVE. Prot eats Russian Invasion of Bulgaria by Massing; Forcen on Eastern Front and Threatens Invasion of Greece. London, Dec. 17.?The concentra? tion of fresh German troops on the cistern trout has caused a postpone? ment of the Russian invasion of Bul? garia. Dispatches from Rome state that Germany Is also concentrating 100,000 men on the Greek frontier, but it Is believed Germany will await the result of the Greek election before invasion in pursuit of the Allies. NO MARKET IN STATE. So L. I. Guion Sells l ino Cattle In Col? orado. Charleston, Dec. 16. ? L. I. Guloil of Lugoff, Kershaw county, one of tin most successful life stock breeders In the State. is among the visitors in Charleston. He said today that h< bad recently sold o car load of line Ilorofords lo a concern In Colorado I because he could not lind n uiarkcl ? in South ('arollna. CONTINUE EMERGENCY M. HOUSE MAKES THIS DECISION AF? TER LIVELY FIGHT. Democrats Pass Measure for Another Year in Spite of Opposition by Re? publicans and Progressives. Washington, Dec. 10.?The house tonight by a vote of 205 to 1S9 passed the joint resolution extending the emergency revenue tax until Decem? ber 31, 191G. The senate is expected to take like action in a day or two. The law is expected by administra? tion leaders to bring revenue into the treasury at the rate of $8 2,000,000 a year. Republicans, voting solidly against the resolution, were joined by the five Progressives and five Democrats: Callaway, Texas: Hillyard and Keat? ing. Colorado; Buchanan, Illinois, and WlngO, Arkansas. Several proposed amendments to shorten the period of j extension were voted down. Representative Kitchin of North Carolina, in his first speech as ma? jority leader, told the house that unless the law was extended the treas? ury would face a deficit of more than $81,000,000 at the end of the next fiscal year. "We Democrats know that no tax is popular in lime of peace," he said, "but we would be unworthy of the record of the Democrats under this administration and this congress if v.e did not have the courage and patriotism to arrange sufficient reve? nues to meet the government's abso? lute necessities." Minority Leader Mann urged that extension for a shorter period was preferable and Former Speaker Can? non suggested an issue of Panama bonds to meet the deficit. It is expected that a general pro? gramme of revenue legislation which may involve revision of the emer? gency tax law will be worked out by Democratic leaders soon after the holiday recess, which probably will begin Saturday. COMPROMISE LIKELY. Suit Against American Sugar Refin? ing Coinjwmy to Be Settled on Mone? tary Basis. New Orleans, Dec. 16.?Attorneys for both sides indicated in federal court here today that the govern? ment's suit against the American Su? gar Refining company, alleging fraud, will be settled by a compromise on a monetary basis, with the fraud charge eliminated. The suit filed several years ago charged the company defrauded the government of $120,000 between 1899 and 1907, by lowering its duty test on sugar imported through New Or? leans. The government sought to col? lect that amount with interest. When the case was called today an agreement signed by attorneys for both sides requesting a continuance was presented. The continuance wa3 granted. The terms of the proposed settlement were not disclosed. TRAIN IS WRECKED. C. &- N. W. Freight and Passenger Demolishes Trestle at Beaver Dam in York Comity. Chester, Dec. 10.?The Carolina & Northwestern railway's southbound mixed train, No. 7, was in a wreck this morning at Beaver Dam trestlo, two miles north of Clover, but for? tunately only one person experienced any injuries more than a shake up. It seems that a refrigerator car jumped the track and before the train could be stopped ran into and de? molished the trestle. Six other freight cars piled into the opening, but for? tunately the train was brought to a halt just as the combination passen? ger and baggage cat approached the brink. Some time will be required to repair the trestle avd remove the debris, but there will be very little interrup? tion in the service, as all trains will be transferred at the scene of the wreck until the damage is repaired. Engineer Lynn was at the throttle and Conductor Allen was in charge of the train. A negro passenger on the train was the only one to suffer any injury. Physicians say tonight that they think he sustained two broken ribs and there is a possibility of internal in? juries, although the latter is not probable. DIG AERIAL RAID. Italians Bend out Forty-eight Planes Who Make Destructive Attack on Austrians. Rome, Dec. 17.?In retaliation for the systematic destruction of villages along the frontier by Austrians, an Italian air licet of forty-eight ma- j chines flew over the enemy's lines in Chlapovano valley Wednesday, doinu deadly execution with bombs, arrows ur.d machine guns. This wai the largest aerial licet in action Bi'JCe the ; war began. The enemy's trenches at numerous points were swept clear by iairmen. All of the machines returned [safely. I a MASONS ELECT OFFICERS. I It. A. COOPER OF LAURENS CH08- I EN GRAND MASTER. rnstnllation of Officers at Final Sossion of (.l and I>odgo in Charleston?In? teresting Business Session. Charleston. Dec. 15.?With the election and installation of officers, appointment of committees, all busi? ness having been disposed of, the grand lodge of Masons closed its 139th itnnual session at the Masonic temple this afternoon, to meet In Charleston again next year on the second Tues? day In December. The following officers were elected: Grand master, R. A. Cooper, Lau rens. Deputy grand master, William W. Wannamaker, Orangeburg. Senior grand warden, W. A. Giles, Granite ville. Junion grand warden, S. T. Dan ham, Spartanburg. Grand treasurer, William IX. Prlo* leau, Charleston. Grand secretary, O. Frank Hart, Columbia. Grand chaplain, the Rev. W. P. Smith, Spartanburg. The junior grand warden, S. T. Lanham, the new warrant officer, was elected unanimously, the first instance of the kind In many years of the grand lodge records. After the elective officers had been installed, with exception of the senior grand warden, who Is not in attend? ance, the following appointive officers were named ir.d inducted into office. Senior grand deacons, J. P. Duckett, Anderson, and J. C. Bissell, Charles? ton. Junior grand deacons (to be named by senior grand warden and installed in their own lodges). Gradn marshal, J. C. Blackwood, Spartanburg. Grand pursuivant, C. A. Power, Laurens. Senior grand deacons, J. H. Fowles, Columbia, and F. B. Boland, Ware Shoals. j Grand tiler, W. A. Winkler, Char? leston. The most interesting and important business transacted during the session of the grand lodge was the approval of the policy of the relief committee in applying the income from the Ma? sonic home fund to individual charity in private station of deserving Masons and orphans of Masons. It is regard? ed as likely that this will become the permanent podicy of the grand lodge and that the project of a central insti? tution will be abandoned. No definite determination has yet been proposed of this important matter, however. The session of the grand lodge this year has been unusually well attend? ed and its deliberations have been most harmonious. Many of the dele? gates took advantage of their pres? ence to attend the commercial con? gress this evening and most of them found time to see the naval display and viewed the parade this afternoon. The warrant officers of the grand lodge were entertained this evening by the Fifteen Fellows of the Craft, held In the South Carolina hall. BRITISH STEAMER BAM AG ED. London, Dec. 17.?The British steamer Lavenpool under charter to the American Belgian relief commit? tee ha*1 been damaged and was beach? ed, according to Lloyds. It is believ? ed that it was attacked by a subma? rine. Official French Statement. Paris, Dec. 17 (Official).?Bomb lighting In Belgium, patrol conflicts at Qivanchy, Artols, Bomme and Oisa, and cannonading in the Champagne and Lorraine districts are reported in the official statement today. I Montenegrins Repulse Austrians. ; Paris, Dec. 1 7.?The Montenegrin [legation announces the repulse of Aus? trian attacks near Prevlje, Karljeva, and Mataroge. The Austrians lost heavily. Italian Liner Sunk. London, Dec. 17.?The Italian liner Port Said of live thousand tons was sunk by 0 submarine in the Mediter? ranean. It plied between Italy and A rabla. Vienna, Wednesday, Dec. 16 (via London, Dec. 16).?The Austro-Hun? garian government'i reply to the American note on the Ancona was transmitted at noon today to the American ambassador, Frederic C. Penland. The American note as pub? lished in the Vienna papers, resulted in a high state of public Indignation. Qov. Manning and Mrs. Manning yesterday visited Mr. and Mrs. Wil? liam Jennings Bryan at the Charles? ton Hotel, where the former Secretary of State is making his headquarters. Qov. Manning was absent from Colum? bia when the Nebraskan made an ad? dress there, and yesterday took ad? vantage of the opportunity to meet Mr, and Mrs. Bryan.?News and Cour? ier. UPENS SEASON ITH VICTORY. SUMTER Y. M. C. A. FIVE DEFEATS COLUMBIA MILLS 47 TO 10. Spcetaeular Rally In Second Half Brings Locals From Bcl?nd anil Gives Thenn tlie Game?Ballentine and Taylor Starred for Visitors, Wliilc Nash and Lcvi Did Best for Sumter. From Tho Daily Item, r>2c. 17. In a splendid rally in the second half last night the Sumter Y. M. C. A. five came out fr^m behind their op? ponents and by making- the large score ot thirty points in the half, won over the Columbia Mills Y. M. C. A. basket? ball team by the score of 47 to 40. The first half ended 24 to 17 in favor of the visitors and but for the splen? did work of Nash and Levi in the sec? ond half the visitors would have car? ried off the honors. The game was hard fought through? out and it was not the slackening of the play of the visitors in the second half, but the come-back of the lo? cals which changed the tide of victory. Eight fouls were made by the visitors in each half out of which Joe Chan? dler threw three and four foul goals, respectively, in each half. Eleven and fourteen fouls were made by the Sum? ter boys in the two respective halves, from which Ballentine threw four foul goals in each half. The other points were made by the players as follows: For Sumter, Chandler, 14; Cuttino, 8; Nash, 16; Lcvi, 2. For Mills, Wallace, 2; Ballentine, 12; Baker, 10; Taylor, 8. The game started off with a rush of the Sumter boys who went ahead only to be passed in the last few minutes of the first half by the visitors, who piled in several goals just before the time-keeper's whistle sounded. The half resulting 24 to 17 in favor of the Mills. During the rest the Sumter men got together and made prepara? tions for the second half which were successfully executed and put them ahead within two minutes after the second half opened. This lead was lost, regained and then kept and grasV ually made slightly larger until the end of the game. It was the passing of Nash and Levi which in this half gave the locals their scores, practical? ly all of which were made through the passes of Levi to Nash, who eith? er short or passed the ball to Chan? dler or Cuttino. Cuttino made three goals without missing a shot in less than two minutes, while Chandler made a beautiful shot from the corner in addition to his other goals. Both slues, however, missed many open shots, showing that the offensive of the teams was much better than the defensive, the large score on each side also indicating this fact. The game was well attended and Manager Itiehardson is pleased to have cleared all expenses. He hopes that the fans will come out to other games in future as well, for they are promised some interesting basketball. The game last night was extremely ex? citing and the fans were kept on their tiptoes up to the very end. The next game will probably be with the Co? lumbia Y. M. C. A. The line-up was: Columbia Mills, Wallace, rf; Ballentine, Capt., If; Ba? ker, c; Ta>ior, rg; Spigener, lg; Sumter. Chandler, Capt., If; Cuttino, If; Nash, c; Levi, rg; Chatham lg. Score, Columbia Mills 40; Sumter 47. LaMotte refereed and made an excel? lent official. TENNESSEE BANK FAILS. Announcement Mado by Comptroller of Treasury in Washington. Washington, Dec. 16.?Comptroller Williams today announced the failure of First National bank of Wartrace, Tenn., having a capital of $50,000, surplus of $26,000 and deposits of about $130,000. "The bank," said tho comptroller in a statement, "failed as a result of the discovery by the na? tional bank examiner of forgeries and defalcations for which the cashier of the bunk is responsible. It has not yet been ascertained whether the de? falcations and loss will exceed tho capital and surplus of the bank, o< what the losses to depositors, if any, will be." COLD RECEPTION AWAITS FORD. Norwegians Refuse to Enthuse Over Expedition. Christinnia, Dec. 17.?Scant prep? arations have been made to greet the Ford peace ship, owing to the belief that the expedition will accomplish nothing. Various organizations which were asked to participate in a for? mal welcome have refused to do so. EFFORT TO DYNAMITE FACTORY. Nail Keg?Third in Six Months. St. lvouis Plant Finds Explosive in St. Louis, Dec. 17.?The discovery of a nail keg containing 146 sticks of dynamite next to the boiler house of the St. Louis Independent Packing Co. led to the revelation that three packages of dynamite had been dis? covered there In the last six months. The plant is (llllni largo war contracts,