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''i V The Reform Campaign IN Merriweather County. By MAX ADELER (Author of Out of the Burly-Burly," &c.). 1 have no objection" (writes William. ercival Latimer to me from a remote mining in jyjexico) to giving you the whole story of my unfortunate experience as a par- tlc'panfc of the Reform campaign in Merri- County. My fate may perhaps servo as Warning to others, and at any rate i am Entitled to have my version of this pamtui.and 'lone sense shameful, case presented to the Public. You have known me for many vears. I eed not tell you that L have never participated la Dor had any taste for public affairs. J have "a,J no acquaintance with politics, but in a Eenerai way. 1 have not coveted office. I am a quiet, retiring. 1 fear shy, man, used to de- moting rnv time to my work in the Rubicon ■National Bank, to my Church, ray family and tny somewhat narrow social duties. 1 have liever been able to speak while upon my feet excepting before my Bible class and at the Church meetings, and 1 shrink so ^uch from publicity that have always felt a *i»d of nervous shock if ray name happened to in a newspaper. When the Reform movement wa., begun in plerriweather County, McWhirr, the County J Chairman, came to mc and informed me that he Coionei. who really directed tIw aflairs of Reform party, insisted that I should be placed upon the ticket as candidate lor the Position of Supervisor of Fences and Telegraph Poles. He said that the Colonel, who was to the nominee for Sheriff, would represent brains whilst I would represent respectability. Indicated to lch hlrr that thera was tut "all a. compliment, and that of a cloudy char- ?-ter, imbedded m this proposition, and then said that the Colonel, with his record and deputation, seemed to me to be a queer person- deputation, seemed to me to be a queer person- age to direct a Reform campaign. Mc Whirr said that the Coionei had been thoroughly reformed before he was permitted to engage "in the movement that he was a -hanged man. The fundamental principle play,' continued McWliirr, 'is that re- pentance must be accepted as obliterating the I fast,' and the Colonel's very familiarity with the evil practices of politicians made his services "Yajuatle to reformers who were proposing to defeat the politicians. Would you shut the tates of mercy upon a penitent sinner? be ked; and when I said that I should hesitate 4o engage in such a proceeding, he answered Very well then, give the Colonel a chance. We put him to the front as a practical politi- cian, who knows all the tricks of the business 8.nd who will give to the sacred cauQc of Reform the advantage of his vast and divei sifted ex- Perien ce. vVhen I urged that I did not want any Public office, and indeed could not accept this Particular place if I should be elected, Mc Whirr tesured me that I need not worry about that, It is part of our scheme,' he said. to de- feat you. The Colonel's plans work out that *a.y. He's ",3 level-headed thev make'cm, It-Li you. Far-sighted and keen." That man's JUst a wonder.' Then, of course, [ insisted that I could not Perceive how the sacred cause of Reform was to be promoted bv defeat of the Reform candi- dates, but McWhirr said —' That's because never been in politics. It s the Colonel's J5ame. If von want subtlety there you have ft- That man is deep. You don t want to elected? Verv well. The Colonel puts t1p, knocks vou" down, and with you as the tecrifice sweeps all the rest of the ticket to glorious victory.' j t Well, you can Toolicvc ttint tbis kind ol did not go far to reassure me, but Mc- Whirr stayed for an hour or more and talked nd argued. At last he half-convinced me that ^he verv foundations of the Republic were un- dermined, and if I wouldn't consent to run the Reform ticket for the Supervisorshin of fences and Telegraph Poles, our institutions üllld totter to their ruin, and the whole sacred heritage of the Fathers would be swept to irretrievable destruction. You know the result. I was weak enough to yield and to consent that my name should be placed upon the Jteform ticket. IvJ y ings were t o some extent removed my wife, who. when McWhirr had gone v^ck to report to the Colonel, assured me that j^ad "done my duty. You. had no rieht. tu s4id, to refuse such a nomination. It is 6 dutV of every citizen to try to serve his f°**Htrv Your fellow-citizens summoned you their-ervice and, like Cincinnati of old > relinquish the handles ot your plough and ° <?ypthc cail" jie raeant well by that JZtoWCiS»S°. Sd I 5°Qiforted and encouraged me, ° ([don't Cincinnati, I am neany certain (1 dOL t Member the particulars of his ent.re case), J'ever ran on the same ticket witn a man like Colonel.. —j+i, The Colonel began the campaign with v'gour. On the night of the day of the adjourn- ment of the Convention he had the orass band [rom Angel Bluffs up to serenade me. the "and paraded all about Rubicon, playing m a most vehement manner. McWhirr, who on me early, said I ousht to have le- *r°shmenb? of some kind on my front-porch for "he visitors and so, when the band had played til every one of my neighbours had become he malevolent, enemy of the Reform move- ment, Mrs Latimer invited the musicians to Partake of ice cream and cake. It was clear enough that there was disappointment at the ^ature of the refreshments, and the snare- drummer was openly ribald. I suspect him of Connection with the disappearance of two of oUr spoons. The fat German who played the saxophone ^ew me into the hallway and told me plainly that the cause of Reform was lost if ice cream as as far as my moral principles would permit to go Then he asked me to go with him Illto the library, where after closing the door 8.nd pulling down the window shades, he whis- pered that he recognised me. 1 said to him that I did not understand him and he then said 1:¡e knew my real name was Obermann, that I "as a native of Eichenberg, Germany, where I still owed four dollars to his father, a shoe- maker in that town. He said I had fled to avoid Military service and to cover my tracks in transactions of a shady nature, but that e Would not give me away because he had left Germany under queer circumstances himself. *t)d two dollars and a quarter would close his •"ps for ever. Then the hand stood out in the front grass Plot and played, Columbia, the gem of the Ocean," the German saxophone player staring Siedly at me and winking at me whenever he canae to a minim rest. The band could be heard 11.11 through the night in various parts of Rubicon extinguishing the enthusiasm for Re- form by original and reckless interpretation of Popular selection?, and I understood that it Cached Angel Bluffs at dawn in a condition exhaustion and semi-inebriation. McWhirr said, when he met me at the bnk, that he feared the thing InJ not been 'large success; that ice cream was hardly 'he right material for imparting fervour to Political enthusiasm, and that my unfortunate banner bad given offen co to the snare-drummer, ibo controlled thirty-four votes in his prccinct. 1 offered to resign, but McWhirr said, Not 5jy»vour life the Cnlonelwillfix that fellow •jV'-u McWhirr asked if I would not go over to ^wicher's Corners on Wednesday evening to *h'eet the O'Flaherty Club and give a chalk- the O'Flaherty Club and give a. chalk- *9:Sk, something like those I gave in my Bible tlass. He thought if I could take for my 8t(bject the well known fact that the Regulars erc trying to steal the Penitentiary Cora Club ftouse for the Y dong Men's Invincible Club I could strike a telling blow for the glorious cau.se. But I insisted upon refusal, because I Pever saw a man trying to steal a. penitentiary I could not imagine how to draw such an ^institution on a blackboard. I pass over many painful things. I looked *°p them, of course, but I hardly thought the Susanville Times would be so indecent as to lJg(,3t that I gave my baby ipecac to check its appetite. It cut me to the heart. The Rubicon had always been a favourite in my family.. and I used it 'whenever we wished 'to advertise for a hired girl. It was, therefore, feelings of indignation and dismay that I Ound in it one morning a cartoon representing me as a reonkey, with, a horrible grin upon^ my *Vce, banging by a long curly tail from the iimb a tree, while I tossed cocoanuts down to the M^lonel. I hid the papec from my wile to save j^ei' from pain, but when the children came ^Qrae to lunch I felt, that they had seen it. My ^Jdest boy looked queerly at mo all through t,qC oieai, laughing in a strange way from time 0 time, and at last his manner became so dis- respectful. and set such a bad example to liis lounger brothers, that I called him out into the Pahtry, cuffed him severely, and sent him off *o his'grandmother's to stay for a week. Much is to be said for a free Pres3, I know, it seems to me that many^of the news- papers are mere instruments for debauching he public conscience. There would be a if I had my way. It is little less ,uan an outrage for a man who is trying to do 5,s duty in very much the same way in which h IQCJonatus did his to be exposed to obloquy being represented in print as a grotesque animal. "'Ot the delegationa that visited me to obtain ? uoiinition of my principles upon various sub- fcts, I shali not attempt to speak at length. may, however, allude to the embarrassment ^hich I was subjected by the committee sent C FC me by the Vegetenarian Society of Honey j'Peek. Wthout committing myself in set terms ° the doctrine of the rejection of all animal ood, I spoke in language of warm eulogy of j"e well-known refining effect of vegetable °odupon the physical system, and I even went far a, intimate t'at the slaughter of ■4Pnng lambs had always been an incident that Ppealed strongly to my tenderost ieelings. I Some of the members of the committee seemed to consider me sound, if I could judge l by the smiles upon their faces, but the Chair- t man looked sternly at me, and, with the air I of a man who is not to be deceived by soft words, demanded if I ranged myself with the Under-grounds or the Above-grounds. I In casting about for an explanation of his meaning, I learned from the whispers of a friendly member of the delegation that the Vegetarians who favour potatoes and other subterranean products are regarded with scorn and hatred' by the Vegetarians who approve only of tomatoes and peas. The theory I think is that the vegetables of the subsoil appeal only to the lower nature, while those that grow in the sunshine tend to mike men more spiritual, It was a dilemma, but how could I tell which theory found favour in Honey Creek? So I tried to compl omise the matter by dwelling at some length upon the uplifting influence of celery, which, i believe, is first grown in the air, and then buried in the soil. But the Chairman saw through the attempt, and shaking his forefinger at me said plainly that I was evading the question, and that the Committee could report against me. Talk, he said, was useless in face of the fact that he had seen the butcher carrying a sirloin steak into my kitchen as the Committee came through my front gate. Honey Creek, he de- clared, as he put on his bat and headfd the delegation towards the door, would know how to deal at the polls with a candidate who added duplicity to ferocious thirst for the blood of inoffensive boasts. whose lives, I want to tell you,' he said, nodding his head at me in a menacing manner, are just as precious as vours. The next evening I had a visit from, a de- legation representing the Anti-Virus Associa- tion of Polo. The purpose of the coming of these gentlemen was to ascertain if I favoured compulsory vaccination. Really, you know, I had given no thought at all to the subject, and I cared nothing about it, one wav or another, Because if you do, said the chairman, who watched me narrowly while I silently reflected upon his question, Quite uncertain, how to frame a judicious answer, we demand to know if you are or are not prepared to insist upon vaccine material direct from tho cow ?' This even was more perplexing, and so, at length, T said that as a matter of fact I had never examined the authorities upon the matter, and confess my inability to reach thoroughly sound conclusions. For one [ was not aware of the precise relation of the cow to the operation of vaccination, but if the direct-from-the cow plan was upon the whole thought by trained scientific minds to be the safest and best, why, of course, [wag wiliing to commit myself unreservedly to it. The chairman said that he was prepared, in dealing with the politician, to have an at- tempt at shuffling, but as all educated man I certainly knew that the word vaccination was derived from Vaccinus, a cow, showing the closest possible relation of the two things, and he gave me warning now that the Anti-Virus Associaaion of Polo was ready to pour money into Merriweather County to defeat any can- didate whose views were upon this vitally im- portant subject were of a questionable char- acter—and, in his opinion, mine were. When I apked him if he woxild be good enough to explain to me what this matter has to do with the duties of a Supervisor of I Fences and Telegraph Poles, he answered, quite rudely—' It has a heap to do with it. Don't cows "break down fences and rub them- selvegaaiDst tcleprsph po es? show yon over at Polo, when the votes are counted, what it has to do with it; As the delegation began to withdraw, I thought to restore good leeling and to close the incident happily by mentioning that I did not care for the office; but, as Mrs Latimer had very felicitously suggested, I had consented at I the urgent solicitation of my countrymen to act along the lines of the well-known historical precedent established by Cineinnatua. But the chairman, turning upon me fierce- ly, said that what was done in Cincinnati was one thing, and what was done in Merriweather County was another thing. He spoke for nothing but Polo and cow-virus, and he meant just what lie said- Then he slammed the front door, and a moment later closed the front gate with even greater violence. McWhirr walked home from the post office with ilia on the next afternoon, and seemed much depressed. He said, if you go on this way, you'll wreck the whole thing. I count Polo snd Honey Creek as good as lost alter the way I hear you handled those two delega- tions yesterday. Of c our so. they are cranks, but they have votes, and if you only could show some little versatility in adapting your- self to the vagaries of these people. Have you no acquaintance with human nature?' 'But,' I said to bim, why not let it go to wreck? That's what we want. You said your- self you wanted me to bo defeated.' 'Now, look here, Latimer, he said angrily, you're a candidate in the hands of the Colonel, and if you meddle with his plans and try to play politics on your o<vn account, the "first thing you know you'll be in the worst kind of trouble. Mmd what I tell you. I wish we had never put you up.' I said I wished so too. "'The Colonel says if be had it to do over again he'd give ou the go-by and nominate an old settler. The old ssttlers are getting restless because they're not recognised. I wish to gracious you were one, or else a wiser man.' I was about to offer a dismal sort of pleasantry to the effect that. it was useless for a man at my time of life even to begin to try to become an old settler, but McWhirr brushed it aside in a disagreeable manner, and said he would send Moriartv up to see me to-morrow evening to pive me some kind of drill in practical politics. Moriartv, he assured me. was past master in the business, and perhaps even I could learn from him some of the elementary principles of the Jloriarfcy came. He was a big ruffian who towered above me in my parlour and looked down upon me, making me feel smaller than I really am. I have tried not to hate that man. He addressed me as and almost the first quest ion he asked me was if I was'fly.' I hardlv knew how to talk to a man of that kind; "I had never met one before, but, as he sat there looking at me with a kind of pitying smile, I was so much embarrassed that just for the sake of saying something I mentioned that Mrs Latimer had recalled an incident in the life of Cincinnatus as having some resem- blance to mv embarkation in the campaign for reform. What do you think he answered? Reform nit." Extraordinary, wasn t it ? Moriartv, however, went on to say that McWhirr told him I was a slush-and-mush- man, with a mud-head, and no sanij in my I holder,' but I can see at a glance, he said, • that vou're one of us. I'd know you any- where's for a sundowner. What we re going to do is to give the Regulars hot stuff by the ladle-full, and when I get at them you take notice that you'll hear 'em gurgle mark me I interrupted him to say that if he had any suggestions to make for my personal line of action I was willing to hear him. But he replied to the effect that my best hold was to give him plentv of dough, and .hen go off by myself and saw wood T never could under- stand slang, so, even when he asked me if I had any long green in my clothes, his design was not clear to m*. Brit at last he made it plam that he wanted money, and T tatber.-d that he Wished to use it for corrupt purposes. 1 told him fiatlv that I would not give hun a. dollar. « Thon th- ruffian became enraged, and shook his fist at me, and said 1 was a sawduster, and ought to go a rid play dolls with real baby clothes, instead of trying to play poll ICS. "I ordered IIlm to quit the house. but he jumped at me sothat I was clomf]c; ? rotrcab behind the sofa. He roared out that he knew I was a defaulter at the bank, and ha bad the written confession of my pal, and then he said You'll do time, young fellow, before I quit you hear yourself sizzle on the iron bars. I'll jot you down in my diary, he said. You kn ow how helpless a small man is with a gigantic brigand like t.hi<», and so J slipped from the shelter of the sofa, and ran upstairs, leaving the parlour at the mercv of the scoun- drel. As I passed through the doorway I heard him sav that I was a snoozer. I was really afraid the now would ptot some harm to me or my family and I to.d McWliirr so when I saw him in the morning but McWhirr looked gloomy, and said that if my nomination papers had not been filed with I the Secretary of the Commonwealth he would insist upon my getting off the ticket before I offended, with my strange conduct, any other of the devoted adherents of the cause. How- ever, said McWhirr. we just have to make the best of a bad and then he said that if I couldn't do anything for the cause myself, perhaps some of my friends could, and would I ask some of the young men in my Bible class to attend a mass meeting of the Regulars in Maginnis Hall, and git on the front benches, and howl down the speakers. < Every little helps,' he said. Mrs Latimer, in reflect ing upon this really indecent 'suggestion, said she never before fully realised the wickedness of politics. On the following Tuesday afternoon the express man dumped upon my front porch a box of strange appearance. It was made of wood, with strips of muslin glued along the edges, and with a bit of trjng banging from a hole in th3 lid. 1 was not expecting anything to come to me by express, and while I stood there looking at the box thus strangely pre- pared, I wondered what it could be. When Mrs Latimer came out she reminded me of the threats made by Moriartv, and said she was sure it was an infernal machine. An instant later she darted into the hall, bolted the door, with queer thoughtlessness of the peril in which the left her husband, and flew upstairs, where she buried herself.in the bedclothes. I forgave her freely, for I felt that she was un- nerved. Nor could I blame her for having fear. for Moriartv was capable of anything, and 1 had heard McWhirr himself say that if ijou can assassinate a candidate it sometimes helps the cause. fo" you get rid of a man you don't want and you make votes by fastening the crime on the enemy. The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the McWhirr said to me with his own lips, in speaking of just such a cascout in Arizona. As a. matter of philosophy this no doubt is perfectly sound, but I am an unaspiring man. with no "longings for the honours of martyrdom, and, besides, Cb ave a. wife and children, with not"' a doilai of insurance on my life, and my house was burdened with a small mortgage. I had an impulse to fly down the street, leaving the box lying there, but that seemed cowardly. Suppose it uhould be exploded by clockwork, blowing Mrs Latimer 4J atoms, and red acing the house to splinters, and the mort- gage to waste-paper? The thought was intoler- able. Upon consideration, I walked around to the back ofthehouse, and got the garden-hose. Fastening it to the spigot, I turned a stream of water upon the wicked-looking box, determined I to saturate it until the explosives should be made harmless. While I was engaged in this work our Policeman, Barker, came by, and 1 called him in. When I had explained to him the nature of When I had explained to him the nature of my fears respecting the box, he looked grave, and sn-d Very likely, Mr Latimer. It looks like an infernal machine, don't it ? The Regulars are bi1in' mad at you, and there's no knowin' what they'll do.' think the best thing to do, I said, would be for the police authorities to investi- gate it. Suppose you take it down to the station house?' Barker walked around the box four or five times, looking closely at it, and then he said he thought he heard wheels going round inside. I was sure he was mistaken. Then he proposed that we should touch a match to the end of the string and run. This seemed to me to be mere madness. Barker said he wasn't afraid of the thing, but if he carried it, it would wet his uni- form, and that was against the regulations. I proposed a wheelbarrow, but he asked me if I didn't know that to jolt dynamite would be to blow us both into eternity. Finally he said that if the job was worth sereuty-five cents to me, and I would take care of the orphans if there should be an explosion, he thought he knew a man who would take the risks of carry ing it off. I gave him the money, and promised to look after any children who should be de- prived oftheir parent by an accidcnt to the box, and then I urged him to go and find the man at once. Barker put the silver in his pocket, walked round the box twice more, then picked it up, and, holding it away from him, walked rapidly to the station house. I called Mrs Latimer, and we stood upon the porch, waiting to bear the explosion. In twenty minutes Barker returned with sunshmc upon his face, and handed me wet letter, the ink upon which had run in such a manner that I could read the contents with difficulty. It was from the Corresponding Secretary of the Woman's Rights Association of Happy Hollow, saving that the society, recognising the fact that mv candidacy was a tribute to, as my election would be a victory for, the cause of Woman Suffrage,, begged me to accept, with its warmest congratulations, the eight pounds of caramels sent in the box with the letter. As I folded the letter, Mrs Litimer, who-e fears of course had been completely removed, asked Policeman Barker where the caramels were. mam. Spoiled by Mr Latimer squirtin'the 110<:0 on 'em.' But, in truth, I noticed chocolate-stains about the corners or Barker's mouth, and he had a guilty look. wholly foreign to his usually honest and open countenance. "Unfortunately the news of this incident got a bout, and created much amusement,and McWhirr, with the air of a man from whose soul Hope has forever fled, said that if he didn't, know positively I was a square man, he would actually believe the Regulars had bribed me to work against the Reform ticket. Despair was in every tone of his voice, and he said the Colonel was publicly using language about me that was not fit, to print. But there is no use prolonging the narra- tive of the events of the campaign Election day came and passed, aud all the candidates on the Reform ticket were defeated but the Colonel and me. The Colonel had 1,457 majority, and I was elected by four votes. The result seemed to me strange. McWhirr explained that the Colonel had done the big- gest job in trading' that he ever heard of. But my election was a serious matter. He said I was the last man heever should ha ve suspected of doing crooked work. I asked him what he meant. He answered that he thought I hadn't wanted the office, and why I should take such chances of criminal prosecution for a place that was worth only three hundred dollars a year, and I to find my own horse and buggy, was beyond him. The fraudulent voting bad been ¡ awful- The Colonel had declared he never saw anything hke it even in his experience. 'Queer, said McWhirr. how a man always goes so far in bis first step from the paths of rectitude. There's trouble ahead for you, Latimer. You know I told you politics was a dangerous thing to fool When the Colonel sent for me, I went down to his headquarters at the Eagle Hotel. He had with him the defeated Regular candidate for Sheriff. The Colonel bad just made this man his first deputy. plans,' said the Colonel, slipped a cog. somehow or other. I had laid it out to Iseat you. You voted for yourself, ot course, but some of your friends must have done lively work. I hear queer stories about your Bible class.' I asked him to explain himself, and then he said he had been conducting a reform cam paiga and had to be careful. Ho was willing to pass this thing of mine by unless the oppo- sition took it into the courts. But Dixon. the Regular Chairman, was furious, and it might be necessary to throw him a victim. He said he would see Dixoh." This was on Wednesday. On Thursday Moriarty and seven othcr, most of them from Susanville, were arrested for repeating. In the magistrate's office they all swore they were members of the Latimer's Bible Class and that I had hired them to do the work. Moriar- tv said that I first made the proposition after the lesion on the preceding Sunday, and that he was so much shocked that lIe completely lost his presence of mind. You know how news of that kind flies about in a small town. My pastor called the same evening, and after speaking with deep feeling aboufct the demoralising influences of greed for office, and about the awful example to my children, ho said to me, Go away some- where, dear friend, and try to live down your past." The fat German who bad played the saxo- phone also came to the kitchen door and urged me to return to Germany. He said he knew his father would forgive the four dollars — he would write to him about it: and he would ask his father to give me lessons on the saxo- phone sa that I could join a German band and begin my life over again. Mrs Latimer, whose distress was of the most deadful character, insisted that I should take legal advice, and so I called in Major Wilson. The Major, after examining the case. said he considered the situation grave. Whichever way you look at it.' urged he, you must lose. If you make an unsuccessful defence against the charge that you instigated your Bible Class to stuff the ballot-boxes with fraudulent votes (and I don't see how you can overthrow the testimony of Mori arty) you go to prison. If you prove that you are not guilty, you will have to accept the office to which you were elected or go to prison The L'lw gives you no option. If you accept the office you give up a 2,500 dollars place for a 300 dollars place, and you are a ruined Your mortgage will be foreclosed in three days. So there you are* It is a bad job, I don't think I ever handled a tougher problem than how to keep you from incarceration or from financial ruin.' He said he hated to suggest separation from my family, but as my friend as well as my counsel, he inclined to believe the easiest solu tion of the difficulty was for me to get away quietly in the night and in some distant clime, whore I was not known, to try to struggle to my fed; Rgain. "I allied him if he didn't think this was pretty hdrd fur a man whose; sole motive for appearing in public life, was that which had animated Cincinnatus: namely, a desire to serve his fellow countrymen? But the Major said the cases were different times had chanced Cincinnatus, in his view, was rather a shady character anyhow, and even supposing him to have been all right. things nowadays didn't work like they used to The Major said he had no money to lend, but if I was short of travelling expenses he would take my house off my hands for spot cash, which he could borrow. I had better act quickly, because as he came up the street he heard that the director of the bank had experts at work on my books. looking up evidence of a possible shortage; and te President told him yesterday that, no matter what the examination showed, they were determined to sever my connection with the bank. because it was unsafe for a financial institution to have an employee con- cerning whom such uKly rumours were in circulation.. And so here I am, down in this remote Mexican mining town, keeping books for the Turalura Silver Mining Company, my reputa- tion blasted, my home broken up, and I an exile from my native land Not that I care so much for exile, for the Republic is lost beyond hope. The Colonel and McWhirr will kill it, if nobody else does. I shall try to be happy here, and to keep out of politics. But, I do you would look up a matter for me. What are tho exact facts, anyway, about Cincin. natus?"
FIGHTS ON FOOTBALL FIELD.
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FIGHTS ON FOOTBALL FIELD. Scene at Briton Ferry. During the match of Briton Ferry Crusaders v. Grandison, two janior teams, at Briton Ferry on Saturday afternoon a scene occurred. It being the only match in the district there was a fairly good crowd. Grandison were having the best of the play, and Evan White crossed over in the corner with what was sup. posed to be a try. Several of the Grandison players immediately objected to the try, and stated that vhe ball was not carried over the line, and the re- feree, Mr Mayford, of Neath. upheld the objec- tion and disallowed the try. Immediately there was a wrangle. A free fight ensued, in which two spectators joined and sided with I Grandison. The referee, however, intervened and induced the spectators to leave the field, and play was resumed five yards from the line, when, immediately after the serum, two players again began to fight over the same question, and this time the spectators swarmed on the field, and for several minutes there was a heated discussion and another fight, but for- tunately the referee was not interfered with, and after about five minutes the game was re- sumed in a much better spirit. The game ended in a draw, neither side scoring. )
IMr Percy Alden, M.P., ! at…
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I Mr Percy Alden, M.P., at Cardiff. SOCIAL PROBLEMS OF THE DAY Adult Schools of the Society of Friends. j THEIR WORK DESCRIBED. The annual business meeting and conference of the Western District of the First Day j Scbool Association of the Society of Friends was held at the Friends' Meeting House, Car- diff, on Saturday. There was a pood attend- ance of delegates from Hereford, Cardiff, Glou- cester, and Leominster, and other schools in the district. The Cardiff Adult hchool is held at 9 0 clock each Sunday morning at the Friends' Meeting House, Charies-strcet, and there is also a branch school held at the same hour at Nora-street, Broadway. The district secretary ia Mr Edw. James Bevan, and the local secretary is Mr Charles Darch, the latter in conjunction with the president of the Cardiff school, Mr J. H. S. Elliott, having been largely responsible for the excellent local arrange- ments. Saturday morning was spent by the delegates in visiting places of interest in the locality. The Conference. The business meeting and conference was held at 2.30, Mr E. Ernest Boorne, of Chelten- ham. presiding. It was resolved that tho Executive Centre of the First Day School Association for the Western District next year be removed from Hereford to Gloucester. Mr Boorne was re-elected vice,president,and Mr E. Bassett Reynolds. Leominster, treasurer. Mr W. A. Stephens, of Gloucester, was elected dis- trict secretary, with Mr Lionel Peckover as assistant. A Central Committee was elected, and Mr Ed. James Bevan the retiring secre- tary, and Mr Samuel Alex Fox were appointed representatives of the district at the General Committee. The reports of the secretary and treasurer were adopted, and it was decided to make application to headquarters for an extra grant of £15 to meet the increased expendi- ture. Mr Percy Alden, the organising secre- ) tary of the Friends Social Union, delivered an interesting address on -< Twentieth Century Problems," dealing mainly with the over- crowding of the towns and the depopulation of the country. The land question was un- doubtedly at the bottom of the housing ques- tion, and the oni y way to obtain redress would he by a system of taxation of ground values. He personally believed that this would be an immense benefit to the tenant. There was no injustice in asking for some of their own back. The only way they could get these benefits v. rrs by taxation or by legislation which would opportunities to municipalities to purchase vacant land adja- cent to the towns, which way continually in- creasing in value, at a fair price. This was done in Germany, and the increase in the value of that land meant no rates at all in the towns which had purchased. (Applause, j Discussion followed. At 6 o'clock the renorts from the adult schools at Hereford, Cardiff, Gloucester, and Leominster were read and discussed. Adult Schools and the Sccia! Problem. There was a capital attendance at the Charles- street Meeting House on Saturday evening, when a public meeting was held. Councillor Crossman presided 2,nJ. Was supported by Mr Percy Alden, M.P., Mr A. Sessions. Mr Percy Thomas, and others. Alden delivered an inspiriting address on Adult Schools and the Social Problem." There were1, he said, some- thing like 80,000 or 30.000 members of adult schools in the country, and they ought to be able to make their influence felt. Adult school were worked in a thoroughly democratic way, and they were inclusive, for they said to anyone who desired to join Are you willing to come on the broad basis of friendship and brctherhood ?" He de sired t.o emphasise the idea that the adult ¡ schools were inclusive because so many of the churches were either intentionally or uninten. tiona ly exclusive. The adult school, being m- clusive, was just the sort of machinery that they wanted lor creating the atmosphere in which social reform could be achieved. Members of adult schools should guard against the school becoming a mere club, but should strive to make it a place where ideas were worked out satisfactorily—many of them had not a high enough idea of social reform- Working men ¡ must help themselves, and remember that it was only the working inati who was a religious man that could do many things that were needed to-day. After referring to the work achieved by the Society of Friends in founding ) adult schools, the speaker referred to his own I experiences in opening an adult school in East ¡ London. The men in this school set to work to reform the district. They had a Public Health Committee and other organisa- tions, with the result that in 12 months the local authorities found it necessary to appoint six new sanitary inspector and two women health visitors and twobuiiding inspectors, and the result had been that the public health m the distriet had greatly improved. It was wonderful what a few men, if they were deter- mined and energetic, cou:d accomplish in a district. lIe would like to see a Local Service Committee in connection with every adult school in the land. An interesting discussion took place, and Mr Percy Thomas expressed the view that Cardiff was a city which was admirably adapted for tho extension of adult school work, snd he hoped that much good would follow the, holding of the confercnce. The Chairman said that white he believed that the Council wal I pretty wide awake, they Would welcome in1 creased watchfulness on the part of the citizens. Hearty thanks were accorded the lecturer and chairman. The Work of the Church. The usual mission meeting was held on Sun- day evening,fotlowed by a public meeting,pre- sided over by Mr John H. S. Eliiott. president of the Cardiff school. Mr Percy Alden delivered an address, taking as his subject The Church and the Social Problem," in the course of which he pointed out that if the lives of the poorer classes were properly examined, it would be found that they were the sons and daughters of casual labourers, and of men who had never had a fair chance to live or regular work to do. To these they must be merciful. They had to be saved from themselves, KGd this was the work of the Church. Yet it often happened that when the rich left a district the Church buildings were often sold and others built in the richer districts. This was quite contrary to the teachings of Christianity. Rathershould ¡ they sell up the elegant churches of surburbia, and erect edifices among the poor. Thev ought to give the poor their best. lie held that every man ought to study some social problem, and see how far he could try to solve it.
--------"UNDER A SPELL."
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"UNDER A SPELL." PONTYWAIN COUPLE'S DIFFERENCES. The Newport County Magistrates had again before them on Saturday the case of Mary Anne Young v. Eli Young, of Pontywain. an aged couple, who after 38 years of married life have separated. The wife now sought a judical separation on the ground of her husband's alleged persistent cruelty. The wife briefly sketched their matrimonial career, ma.king a Point of the fact that when they married they were on terms of perfect equality. We both of us," she sa.id, had nothing." Two years after marriage she was disillusioned. She found that her husband was very superstitious and bad-thoughted." and during- the past 30years she had had notiiinsr but trouble. Her husband had got it into his head that ahe bewitched him and cast a spell over him. Of course." said Mrs Young, that is nonsense, I can't turn his mind." implying that if she could the results would have been different. Some time ago the husband was detained at Abcrgacennv Asylum, but was liberated on the understand- ing that Mrs Young would be responsible for the consequences. The wife told the bench that she could put up with him by day, but Was afraid of him by night when she was alone and unprotected. She also gave instances of his illtreatment of her, stating that on one occasion he caught her by the ears and shook her" jika a dog shaking a rat." The husband, for whom Mr D. Powell ap- peared, repeated his grievance that his wife, when she left him, took away her clothes and refused to return them. If she restored them, there was an open door for her again. The magistrates in the result adjourned the case so that the husband might he medically examined.
.---------------------TRAMPS…
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TRAMPS AND WORK. 3s for 8-Hours' Day Refused. Thomas Jackson, a tramp, was before the Pontypool Bench on Saturday charged with refractory conduct at the Pontypool Work- bouse. and was sent to prison for 14 days with hard labour. Mr T. P. II. VVatkins informed the Bench that on Thursday mcrninga representa- tive of the Great Western Railway attended at the casual ward and offered permanent work to six men, the rate of pay to be 3s per day of eight hours. All of tbe men refused the offer, That morning he bad again attended the Work- house and offered similar work to eight men with the same result-—The Chairman That shows the necessity for the establishment of a labour colony.
BOYS KILLED BY MOTOR CARS.…
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BOYS KILLED BY MOTOR CARS. Danger of the Road. At Longford Bridge, near Manchester, on Saturday a boy named Norman Winnings wad knocked down and kiJIed by a motor car. Ho had waited till two motor card had passel in one direction before crossing the road, but failed to observe the third, vciiicli came along in the opposite direction. The ear is owr.ei by a Manchester doctor. Clarence Harvey, a hoy of eight, wa" killed by a motor car on Saturday near Newton Abbot on the Kingsteignton-road. It is stated that with others he was coming out of a gate- way when the car along and knocked him down, his head being terribly crushed. The occupant cf the car picked him up and con- ) veyed him to Newton Abbot Hospital, but Jife I was found to be extinct.
" White Shirt" Parades. -4----
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White Shirt" Parades. -4 POLICE SUMMON STRIKERS. PROCEEDINGS AT BRIDGEND. A batch of cases forming a sequel to the reo cent disturbances at Maesteg on tho occasion of the strike in connection with the non-Unionist question was on the list at Bridgend Police Court on Saturday. Eight underground workmen were sum- moned for various uifences, including the use or obscene, abusive, and insulting language, with the intent of putt ing persons in fear with wilfully obstructing the iree passage of certain streets, and with obstructing a, police- officer in the execution of his duty. Mr T. J. Hughes, Bridgend", appeared to prosecute in all the cases on behaH of theChief Constable of Glamorgan, and Mr Evan R. Davies. solicitor to the Maesteg District of the South Wales Miners' Federation, appeared for the defendants. The defendants were :—David Saunders, 3S, High-street David Williams, 90, Picton- street; Trevor Lewis, 97, Caerau-road James Davies, 10, Brown-street; Phillip Lewis, 17, Tonna-road WTilliam Henry G riiliths, 42, Tonna-roacl David Jenkins, 75, Caerau-road and Kiehard Lewij, 15, Grove-street, all of Maesteg. Mr Davies said the police had informed him that the summonses had not been served upon one 01 the principal defendants, and he thought it would be better—in their Worships' interest, and in the interest of all parties concerned—if the cases in which summonses had been served were allowed to stand over until next Saturday, by which time all the summonses would no doubt have been served. it would be a great dea! better if all the cases should be taken to- gether, otherwise it would ba uecp.5sary to re- peat the evidence. Mr T. ,T. Hughes said he did not think Mr Davies had stated the matter quite properly. The fact was thai Mr Davies went, to the police superintendent and applied for an adjourn- ment, and in the course of conversation :t was mentioned incidentally that the suggestion for an adjournment did not come from the police at all, but that when tho adjournment was asked for the polico would offer no objection because it was more desirable that cases of this kind, which were of a serious nature and arose out of one transaction, should be dealt with at one sitting. Mr Davies replied that he told Superintend- ent Davies distinctly-Superintendent Davies was present to bear him out—that he was per- fectly prepared to proceed with the cases in whicii iummonses had been served that day, but tlnu in his opinion it would be better for all parties awl for their worships that they should ail be dealt with. together. The Chairman IL. Yv. Llewellyn) said it Wag evident both parties Were agreed as to the desirabiiityof adjournment of t110 cares in which summonses bad been served, and there- fore they would ba allowed to stand over until Saturday.
. - WESTON GIRL'S PLIGHT.
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WESTON GIRL'S PLIGHT. Alleged Concealment of Birth. At Weston-super-Mara on Saturday Bessie North, a kitchsnmaid at a local restau- rant, was remanded on a charge o conceal- ment of birth. Sergeant Barclett stated that the body of a male child was lound in a trunk in prisoner's bedroom. The mouth of the child was filled with a piece of flannel six inches square, which had been stuffed in so as to cause the mouth to be wide open. Prisoner said, If you won't make a charge against me I wili tell you all about it, and how I dili it." The inquest on the body of the child was held the same by Dr. Craddock at the Three Queens Hotel, the police being represented by Superintendent Brown. Alice Venn, wife of a furniture remover, of Hopkin-strect, said Bessie North came to lodge with her on Tues- day last. On Fridav evening whilst making the girl s bed she noticed n peculiar smell, and m trying to find the cause of it she was led to open the girl's tin trunk, and there found the baby s boay wrapped in a. piece of linen and an old skirt Witness was very frightened and called in a neighbour. The girl had shown no signs of bfcin5 enceinte whilst she was in her house. Dr. lemple said he had made a posfc-mortein examination of the baby's bodv and had come to the conclusion that death was caused by asphyxia, produced by the piece of flannel besng pushed into the mouth. Dr. Temple said the girl would be able to appear if the inquest were ad journed for a week. The mquiry was adjourned accordingly. Bessie North is a sparely-built girl hailing from Axminstor.
AMBULANCE BRIGADES AT PONTYPRIDD.
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AMBULANCE BRIGADES AT PONTYPRIDD. Inspecting Officer's Commendation. The nrst inspe-tion in connection vith the St. John Ambulance Brigades in the Ponty pridd. Rhondda.and A berdars Valleys was conducted by Surgeon-Major J. Arnallt Jones. Aberavon, on Saturdav. The various corps, headed by the Great Western Band, marched to the Ynysyngharad ground, Pontypridd, where they engaged in drill and practical am- bulance work. Ther. was a good muster of men from Mardy, Ferndale, Pentre, Ystrad, Mountain Ash, Penrh¡wceibeto, Great Western Colliery (Pontypridd), Clydach Vale, Llwynypia, Penygraie;. Treherbert. The majority of the corp.) were attired in regulation uniform, and did the drills with smartness and precision. A thorough knowledge of ambulance work was shown, the dressing of the injured patients being accomplished in thoroughly approved style. The inspecting officer, who was accompanied by Chief Superintendent Taiiesin Richards. M.L., Mardy, a.nd Acting-Superin- tendent T. Davies, Ton highly complimented the men upon their work, and expressed bim- self agreeably surprised at the efficiency at- tained in so short a time. The Mardy corps, which numbers close upon 50 members, has already distinguished itself in open competi- tions. At Abergavenny and Poatypridd it carried off the shields offered.
---------1st CHAPTER OF GENESIS.
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1st CHAPTER OF GENESIS. A Misapprehension. It appears that what took place at the Pem- broke Education Authority's meeting on Fri- day concerning the exclusion of the first chap- ter of Genesis from Scripture reading in the schools was misunderstood at the Press table. It came about in this way. The clerk (Mr W. Davies George) stated that he had received a letter from a-Dr. William. Atkinson, the pur- port of which was to ask that the first chapter of Genesis should not be read in the schools. Mr \V. Palmer Morgan at once rose and said I move that it be not read." Mr Joseph Thomas seconded, and the motion was carried without discussion. All the reporters present took it that the motion referred to the reading of the first chapter of Genesis in the schools. It seems. however, that Mr Morgan did not wish to sub-edit the Bible he merely meant that the letter referred to should not be read to the meeting. Some amusement, and not a little uneasiness, has been caused by the incident in Pembrokeshire, and theological circles were already beginning to stir.
MILFORD HAVEN & THE G.W.R.
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MILFORD HAVEN & THE G.W.R. inadequate Railway Service. At the Milford Ra. ven F rb'lu District Council on Friday night Dr. Davies suggested that the (KW.lt. Co. should be approached with a view to advertising by means of photographs the unrivalled facilities of the.harbour for boating and fishing. Mr James Thomas thought the railway com- pany sbou1d be urged to make Milford Hayen the terminus instead of Neyland. Mr Kelway complained that Milford Haven was not granted facilities in connection with the Irish boat train. The G.W.R. Co. obtained more revenue from Milford Haven than any other place lower down than Swansea, yet the railway facilities left much to be desired. At present business men going to Cardiff by the first train in the morning were unable to make their calls and return the same day. A letter was received from the railway com- pany intimating that a new train would leave Pacldington for Milford at 8.45 a-m., and on the motion of Dr. Griffith the question of an improved railway service and of making Milford a terminus was referred to a special committee.
-----___---15 STITCHES IN…
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15 STITCHES IN THE FACE. Result of a Cardiff Quarrel. An exciting incident occurred in a public- house in the centre of Cardiff on Saturday night last. Two men quarrelled, and in the disorder which followed a glass was hustled over the beads of the little company of men in the bar. The glass caught James Ware between the eyes, inflicting serious injuries. The blood rushed down Ware's face, and be presented a gruesome sight. The man who is alleged to have thrown the glass at once left the b public-house, and he has not since been seen in Cardiff- W are was taken to Dr. Buist's surgery, and it was found necessary to place 15 stitches in bis face. On Monday Ware attended at the Police Court, and on his application a warrant was issued lor the arrest of the man who is alleged to have thrown the glass. In spite of inquiries and a close watch on quar- ters the man is known to frequent, the police l have failed to execute the warrant.
BURGLARY IN DEVONSHIRE.
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BURGLARY IN DEVONSHIRE. Big Haul and a Recovery. At Okebampton on Saturday night two burglars broke into the jewellery estabhsh- ment of Mr '.V. H. Cornish and stole about £300 worth of slock, only gold articles being taken. Two men were arrested at Exeter on Sunday, one being an ex-convict, and the whole of the stolen property was recovered. Both men carried revolvers.
[No title]
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1It n J Mr J. C. Harvey.manager of the convict i ship now on exhibition at Swansea Docks, has met with a serious accident whilst cycling at Swansea, and has been conveyed j 0 his home at Gloucester suffering from a fractured knee. ) cap and abrasions sn the body.
Advocate of Parks.I .
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Advocate of Parks. I THOMAS OF LAN, SWANSEA. Unveiling of a Statue. The ceremony of unveiling the statue which has been erected by public subscription in the most central of Swansea's parks, in honour of Mr William Thomas, of Lan, who was the | pioneer and champion of open spaces at Swan- sea, took place on Saturday, in fine weather, and in the presence not only of a. large and enthusiastic concourse of people, but also of the veteran in whose honour the statue was erected, and who is now over 90 years of age. Shortly after 4 o'clock a pro- cession,^ headed by the police band, and com- posed o £ members of the Corporation, Friendly Societies, bhrgesses. with the Mayor, the ex- Mayor, Sir Griffith Thomas, and Mr Thomas of Lan bringing up the rear in a carriage, started from the ouilclhalt, and passed through the streets, which were lined with large crowds, to the Victoria Park. Here, near the statue, a platform had bsen erected on which the prin- cipal perfeons connected with the movement assembled. Alderman Spring said they had met to do honour where honour was due. If there was a man in Swansea or in all Wales who had dc- served the gratitude of the people it was Thomas of Lan, (Applause.) Alderman Spring S'1id it did his heart good to see such a lare crowd of people gathered to show gratitude to a man whose life had been devoted to the good of the people. Ead there been no Thomas of Lan thece would have been no Victoria Park. The statue they were going to unveil that day was a magnificent one, and it was the work of a local sculptor, Mr Ivor Thomas. Mr Spring then asked the Mayor to unveil the statue. The Mayor said he was exceedingly pleased to have the honour and privilege of unveiling the statue. Xo one deservpclsucb a tribute more than Thomas, of Lan. One of his earliest recollections in the Council 17 years ago was Mr Thomas pegging away for open spaces. There was opposition, and the situation was only saved by the persistence and energy of their old friend. The youth of the future would in that statue know Thomas of Lan, but not as they knew him in the Council—as a kind- heartcd gentleman, upright and straightfor- ward in his dealings, one who said what he meant, and meant what he said, and one who successfully carried out his gre.at purpose. He had spent his whole career for the interests of the people, and now in the evening of his life he knew they would all join in invoking God's blessing on him during the rest of his days. (Applause.) THE STATUE. The Mayor then, amid the plaudits of the crowd, unveiled the statue, which stands 10ft. high. It has a plinth of Forest of Dean stone and a handsome polished granite pedestal, upon which stands the figure, in heroiesize. of Swansea's open spaces cham- pion. The figure represents Mr Thomas in a characteristic attitude, in his Mayoral robe j and chain, and with a scroll in his left hand. It is the Thomas of Lan of 39 years ago, before old age had begun to set its seal upon him. The pedestal bears two bronze medallions, one being1 Mr Thomas's own coat-of-arms and the other tbe arms of the borough of Swansea. The inscription runs :— William Thomas, Esq.. J.P of Lan, Mayor of this Borough, 1877-78 Pioneer-champion of open spaces. Erected by public subscription. Unveiled by the Mayor of Swansea, Sept. 22nd, 1906. I Veteran's Characteristic Reply. Mr William Thomas, of Lan. who seemed in rather feeble health. made a quite characteris- tic speech in reply. He said lie had had his say for 32 years in the Council,and he felt he had now nothing to say to them except to thank tbemirom tee bottom of bis heart. To the Mayor and the ex-Mayor and all who had assisted he expressed Im gratitude. As for open spaces, they had still only 100 acres in the town—10 acres for 100 000 people, a mere fleabite There was a good deal yet to be done and could be done. The labouring man was now an intelligent and educated man. In his (the speaker's) time they were in darkness. He did not want to set class against but there were too many brewers, lawyers, <& in Parliament, and his idea was Jet those who had gone through the mill get in there. There were great problems to be thrashed out—he only wished he could have his day over again. (Cheers.) Mr Thomas said he desired to express his thanks to the Press for their- assistance in bis campaign. fie! thanked all friends who had assisted him, and he also thanked his enemies, without whom he. perhaps, could not have done so much. They rose up against him but he rode over them. (Cheers and laughter.) Mr n, D, Hurnie said there were to be new docks and new works in Swansea, and if Swan- sea became a town of 200,000 people it was only right they .should have 200 acres of parks. They had the power of putting men in the Council who were in accordance with their views. He proposed a vote of thanks to the Mayor. Iastirring speech Mr James Livingston seconded. It v. i^s, he said, 32 years ago since first that resolution of the campaign in the I Council was proposed by Mr Thomas and seconded by himself, and it was the beginning of a fi^lit as stern as any which had been wit- nessed in Swansea or any other town. It took 12 years of hard hitting. In spite of opposi- tion, amounting almost to personal hostLity, Mr Thomas persisted, and he succeeded in winning the day. His statue would remain in that park as a sentinel to guard the liberties of the people. The resolution was carried, and the Mayor replied. bir Griffith Thomas moved a vote of thanks to the subscribers and the Executive Com. committee, and the ex-Mayor and Mr A-C. Wright (secretary of the movement) responded. Mr Wright described the history of the move- ment. and mentioned that the school children of the town alone had subscribed over £40 to- wards the statue. The proceedings then came to a close, the aged champion of parks being heartiiy cheered as he left the platform.
---'r------WEST WALES SEA…
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-r- WEST WALES SEA FISHERIES. Is Patrolling Necessary P At a meeting of the Milford Haven Sea Fisheries Committee, at Haverfordwest. on Saturday, Sir Charles Phillips presiding, the question of continuing the patrol of the Pem- brokeshire. Carmarthenshire and part of Glamorganshire coasts was discussed. Dr. Griffith (chairman of the Pembroke County I Council) proposed that the committee should dispense with the services of the Maritana (the patrol boat). He argued that the boat was really too small to effectively carry out her work, and was expensive to maintain. More- over she was not required, as there was so little, if any, poaching around these coasts, and very little inshore fishing in either St. Bride's or Carmarthen I Bays. The ratepayers of the two counties were complaining of the great increase in the rates, and this WHS an unnecessary piece of expendi- ture Mr C. C. Morley, head of the firm of Sellick, Morley, and Price, trawler owners, Mil- ford Haven, seconded. He gave some interest- ing particulars concerning the trawling indus- try. He said they had 15 small boats of 103 feet length, but found small boats did not pay, and were getting rid of them for bigger ones of from to £lO.JOO. These were required to earn £2.500 a year in order to pay expenses, and were not likely to potter about in small bays for under- .si/.ed fish- Moreover, two skippets caught poaching some time ago were made to pay their own tines, aud when th skippers knew the < lirrns would do that in all cases they found poaebing- did not pay. Dr, H, L. Thomas Whitland, in opposiegthe motion. said he was cOIJvinced from his own personal knowledge that ,the boat had done great good ail along theircoasts in developing naH fishermen and protctlDg their industry. Mr H. A. evill. Llanelly, and Mr Dawson, Saundersfoot. spoke in the same strain. Sir Charles Philipps said he bad calculated that the cost of the boat to the ratepayers of Pem- brokeshire and Carmarthenshire was one-third of a penny in the As Pembrokeshire was in danger of losing so many of her industries, and the fishing industry was now the greatest of all remaining save agriculture, they should be very careful not to take any step which would injure it Mr W. H. Phillips, Tenby, said so long as they had enclosed areas so long would they want a patrol boat. The motion was defeated by eight votes to five. Two Distinguished Names. The Clerk (Mr W. Davies George) said the fishery officer had reported a case of alleged fishing in Fishguard harbour with an illegal nietih. When the officer spoke to the persons concerned they gave two very distinguished names. Some amusement was caused when the clerk gave the two very well-known names of the alleged poacher's. He stated that the officer was in communication with the prosecuting solicitor, b
I Settlement of Terms.I
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Settlement of Terms. The threatened stoppage of work by the hauliers in the Dowlais coalfield has been averted. At a meeting held in the Oddfellows' Hall on Saturday evening, Mr John Shankland presiding, Mr John Davies, C.C., miners' agent, stated as the outcome of the con- ference between Mr H. W. Martin, J.P., Sherwood, Cardiff (as representing Messrs Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds, Ltd.), he was able to state that the hauliers, both day and night workmen, would receive the lid Der turn for dooring which they had sought for, making the payment 3s lOd all round. The agent's report was adopted, and it was declared that the increase would come into operation on October 1st. A suggestion that a lodye exclusively for hauliers be founded in the district had unanimous support, and the agent promised to submit it for the consideration of the Executive Committee,
u_------------ABERDARE MINISTER…
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u_ ABERDARE MINISTER INJURED. A Peculiar Accident. The Rev. J. Lewis Jenkins, B.A., Trinity, Aberdare, on Sunday was looking out of his bedroom window when he slipped, and his hand went through the glass, causing severe cuts. which had to be stitched. He was unable to occupy the pulpjt during the day.
__--Mystery of a Revolver.…
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Mystery of a Revolver. THE ABERCANAID TRAGEDY. Strange Stopy at the inquesi. The inquest on the body of Thomas Harries Thomas, 6, Quay-row, Upper Abercanaid. who was found dead in the kitchen of his house on W ednesday morning, was opened to-day before Mr Rhys (coroner) and a jury at the Richards Arms, Abercanaid, near Mertliyr. It was at first supposed that Thomas, who was 20 years of age, the survevor-aporentice in the Plymouth Pit, Merthyr, had fallen down in a lit. and had struck his head against the handle of a frying jian, which protruded from the oven. A post-mortem examination was ordered .when Dr. McDoiineli discovered a bullet in deceased s brain. No weanon could be found, so the police tool: oossession of the house, made a thorough search, and at length discovered a revolver m the pantry of the kitchen where the body was iound. John Thorny, deceased's father, said he went to work at 6 o'clock on Wednesday morning, and Ieit his son in bed. His son was an athlete and was out practising on Monday night. He had never seen a pistol in his possession and to his knowledge he had never had any trouble. Mary Bcvan, deceased's sister, said she called her brother at 8.15 a.m., having previously prepared his meal for the day, and placed it ia his box. She then went into > her bedroom. There was no one else in the house as her husband and lather hid gone to work Jong before that. She did not hear any noise as she went to sleep after seeing that the food and breakfast were put ready. Fmdine of tbe Eodv. f At 9.20 a neighbour, Mr3 Jones, called her, and she went down. She went to the kitchen and saw her brother lying on bis before: the fire-place. She did not notice where his clothes were, for she was so excited when she saw him. She fell on her knees and called his name. She dia not see a pistol anywhere. She was so upset as she saw blood coming from the side of his bead. Her brother was always in a happy mood, and she did not know of anything to trouble him. Hannah .tones, 2, Quay House, a neighbour, said she called at Thomas's house about 9.30, and Raw deceased lying down by the. fire. Miss Bevan knelt down ar»rl said, Ob, Hannah, he is dead She i did not see a pistol, neither did she put away any clothes into the cupboard. A crowd of J people came into the house before the'police arrived. She had never seen deceased with a pistol, and he always knew hIm as a happy 1 man. Mrs Frances Griffiths. 4, Quay-row, said she J was near the house at 9.30, and did not hear a shot. Mrs Ellen Davies,-of Quay-row, said that after 9 o'clock she heard a row as if something fell down in deceased's house, and called the attention of her washing girl to it. She was j called to the house. She did not move any ) clothes, and she did not see a pistol. William Bevan, collier, Cwm Pit, said-he went to work at 6.15 after his father-in-iaw. Deceased wa; then in bed. He did not know that Thomas had a pistol. He never went to see hini practice running. Deceased always seemed haptiy. John Beit, Penlan-^tr^et, said he saw the deceased with a revolver last Sunday. It was loaded in sis chambers. Deceased said he wanted it to start in the races in which he was competing. The Coroner expressed surprise that no one had found out where the pistol was purchased, and said under the regulations a man could not buy a rsvoiver without producing a license, Revolver's Mysterious Appearance. P C- E- Richards proved finding the body as described. In a bedroom he found deceased's waistcoat with five cartridges in the pocket. Thcye were no clothes on the floor. Deceased's working clothes were found in the pantry. P.C. Henry Davies said he searched the pantry on Wednesday and did not find a weapon. On Thursday he searched the pla.ce again, and in the same cupboard, part-ly wrapped in a child's frock, was the six- chambcred revolver now produced, just inside the door. The pistol contained one discharged cartridge. P.C. Richards, recalled, said the rag and the revolver were not in the pantry on the Wed- nesday. Davies said that on Thursday afternoon he sawthe glitter of the revolver in the pantiy, and found the weapon, as described. He was quite certain that it was not in the pantry on Thursday morning. Irfrfi Bevø.n. recalled, said the material found round the revolver was used as a duster. She had an imbecile sister, aged 17, who pulled the rags about the house. Inspector Daviea said that when the other officers were scerching the pantry and cup- board William Bevan was in and out of the room, and he was in the front room with Mrs Bevan, as she seemed bad. He could not see the cupboard from the front room. Mr Bevan weat out of the house for abcut 10 minutes and returned. By Mr Griffiths It was not true that Bevan was with witness in the front room all the time. Medical Evidence. Dr. McDonnell said he was called in at 10 o'clock. and found the room crowded, The man was quite dead. There was a wound in the light temple from which blood had flowed. The right eye v> as black. There was a slight abrasion on the right ear and shoulder. He saw no clothes about the room. The wound was absolutely clear. There was no sign. of blackness or scorching of the skin around the wound, but the inside muscle was blackened with powder- Underneath was a wound through the bone, about half an inch in diameter- He found a bullet in the bone of the skall on the opposite side of the head, so that the bullet travelled through the head. The bullet caused death. The revolver must have been held ciosc against dçceased's head. The Coroner Do you think it was a self- inflicted wound ? Dr. McDonnell: I do I don't think it was a mischance owing to the direction of the wound. The Coroner said it was clear that while the police were in the pantry Bevan, who bad the • pistol, put it into the cupboard. This was a foolish thing to do, and also that he did not make a clean breast of it. The jury returned a verdict of suicide, bat that there was nothing to show the state of his mind at the time.
A PORTHCAWL BURGLARY.
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A PORTHCAWL BURGLARY. The house of Mr Thomas Sims, fishmonger, Pcrthcawl, was on Friday nicht visited by an uninvited guest. Mr Sims resides in a small cot- tage in the centre of Philadelphia-road. About 1.30 a-m. on Saturday Mrs Sims heard the sounds of footsteps on the stair, apparently descending. She attempted to awaken her husband, but for close on half an hour was unable to do so. At last she decided to go downstairs with her young nephew, who is staying with her. When they got downstaira they saw that a chest of drawers had been ransacked, and the backdoor was open. Mrs Sims screataed, and her husband became aroused. He discovered that his trousers had been taken from the bedroom, and they were found at the bottom of the stairs. The sum of £4 15s in silver had been removed from the pockets, and only two threepenny bits were left. In the chest of drawers every drawer had been opened, and papers, including marriage certificate, etc., were scattered over the table. Mrs Sims, when seen on Saturday, said the hack and front doors had been locked, but the back bedroom window wa3 left open. As fa* as she could seo nothing but the money had br en taken. ) The husband, seen by our representative, said he believed he had been chloroformed in his sleep, for when he came to himself he felt very dazed. He suspected that the thief was someone who knew the place and where he kept the money. His trousers had been moved and the key of the drawer down- stairs taken from the pocket. From tbe drawer downstairs £6 10 or £7 in gold had been stolen. The whole affair was a mystery to him. The police were apprised of the occurrence, and searched the whole house. There were no marks anywhere to indicate how the house bad been entered.
EISTEDDFOD AT KENFIG HILL.
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EISTEDDFOD AT KENFIG HILL. Mr G. Sibbering Jones, C.C., presided over a successful Eisteddfod at Kenfig Hill on Satur- day. The adjudicators were Mr Dan Priceu A. R.C.M., London, Mr James Singleton, A.C., Taibach, Mr D. H. Price, Mr M. D. Williams. M.E., Pyle accompanist, Miss M. A. Richard? ] secretaries, Messrs T. M. Jenkins and Taiiesin Jones conductor, Eilir Mai, Birchgrove. Awards :—Pianoforte solo, children under 16 years, John Morgan Nicholas, Port Tlbot; solo. children. D. J. Williams recitation, Rees John and E. Dunn, divided violin solo, Miss E. Lewis,' Aberavon solo, Miss Dunn; essay, "New Testament idea of Social- ism, Mr T. 3. Rees. Pyle; recitation, 1, Miss Jones; 2, Miss John; violin solo, Aneurin tenor soio, Mr William Thomas re- citation, Mr Gwiiym Williams. Laieston free- hand drawing. J. H. Juvenile choirs—three competed, viz., Coytrahen (conductor. Mr Solomon Paget), Kenfig Hill (Mr David Richards), Taibach (Mr Richard Dyer). Tai- bach were awarded the prize. Male voice competition—nine parties entered, viz Port Talbot (conductor, Mr Tom Rees). Kenfig Hill (Mr William Rees), Nantymoel (Mr Morgan Williams, A C- ), Cymmer (Mr William Jenkins), Briton Ferry (Mr Joseph Thomas), Maesteg Music Lovers (Mr Morris), Margam (Mr Richard Henry), Garw Valley (Mr John Butler), Maesteg (Mr Solomon Rees). Ganr, Valleyp arty secured the award, and Mrs Dr. Cooper invested the successful conductor. Tenor solo-" E0S Cynffug." The Eisteddfod was in aid of a fund for the extension of Sunday school work. During the; proceedings Mr Woosriam, an Australian, deli- vered an addrcss ou the importance of a Welsh- man haying a thorough knowledge of the.; Welsh language.
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Policeman's Little Boy Oh, I say, mother, what do you thmk ? It's awful.—Police- man's Wife (in alarm): Why,what—what is it —Policeman's Little Boy It's a fight going on in the street. Ever so many people fighting and making an awful row.—Policeman's Wife (re- I assured) Qh, 15 tha all r Of course, your t father won't be there.