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THE TIMES. BVBBY MOHH1NQ, BXOBPT MONDAY HOANOK.B PUBLI?BING CO., Publishers and Proprietors, TIMES UUILDINU, 1X1 CAMTUKLL AVENUE 8. W. TERMS BY MAIL (Postage Prepaid), Dally, one month.? Jg| ?* three months ..... l.po " six months. ?? one-year, In advance .... a.w undoy Edition, one year .... 1.00 Thji Tikjss 1b a member ot the Associated Ptobb?tho greatest nows-collectlng association In the ?world?and receives ovor a special wire the roll telegraphic news service ol the Associated Press?tho Bame news trom all ovor the United States and the world that 1b simultaneously re? ceived by the great dallies ot Wow YorX, Philadel? phia and Baltimore. JANUARY. 8 M T W T F S . 18 3 4 5 G 7 8 0 lO 11 18 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 33 23 24 25 20 27 28 29 80 31 ... THE NEW OITY OHABTBB. Roanoke is not a very old olty, but for a time its growth was very rapid. Thus it happened that many ol the pro? visions for its government and main? tenance were inadequate, and in conse? quence revisions of the charter have been several times necessary. Some of these changes wore wiso and worked well in the machinery of municipal management. Others born of ignorarca of the true needs of the city or an ex? aggerated idea of its limits and possi? bilities were early found as unservicea? ble as the fifth wheel of a wagon, and as unnooesBary as a brake upon a smooth and levol road. Ab a result of these unprofitable Innovations the olty was put to a great deal of unnecessary ex? pense in the creation of new offices, for which there was no necessity. All of those changes in the charter are so fresh in the minds of our oltiz3ns as to noed no recapitulation. Suffice it to say that moat of thorn have been fully triod and found wanting, leaving the tax-piyors with tho burdens to boar and the community tho ill results of so much overweight. Recently tho City Council, with tho moat laudable motives possible, have overhnulod tho present charter,and after weeks of laborious work havo formu? lated a no w one which is to bo presented to the legislature for adoption or rejec? tion. While some of tho minor changes of tho document may bo improvements ovo? old method i, there are those which on a careful ex&mlnation, will ba found unnecessary innovations, and somo ot thorn of very doubtful propriety. A short review of somo of thesa proposed changes may not bo out of order in this connection, along with a notlco of such objections as aro apparent on examina? tion. First la tho list of ouch objections is tho proposition to combine the office of mayor with that of justice of the peace and pay him a tlx od salary for his ser? vices. Instead of doing this it appaar3 to us that a far betier plan would ba to pay the mayor of the city merely a nominal Balary or lot him servo for nothing as members of tho Council now do. Thus the people would bo ablo to bestow tho honor on somo worthy citi? zen who would bo unablo or unwilling to devoto his whole time to the plod? ding detalli of suoh a position as Is con templatod In the provisions of tho pro? posed charter, while the legal dutios could bo moro satisfactorily ?llol, per? haps, at a fixod salary by somo one better acquainted with the law. Again it appears to us that tho crea? tion of tho position of city tax collector, and paying tho treasurer a salary is "imply adding to tho numbar of paid officials without, in any degree, lesson? ing expenses. This work of collecting taxes, licenses, etc., seems to have boon done as well under the old system as it will be possible to do it under tho now. It is simply adding to tho complications ?of the municipal govornment without any reciprocal roturas in the matter of economy. The plan of paying tho commissioner of revenue a salary instoad of cornpon Batlng him by the legltirn&to foes of tho office, is open to tho general objection, In the ctse of ali such otlloers, that where the salary is Axed by law the in? centives to aotivo exertion are in a large degree removed, and, in consequence, instead of adding to the roceipts of the olty from this office, it is only paving the way for deficits. As a plain busi noss proposition, founded on evan a slight knowledge of human nature, it must be admitted by all that the worst collectors imaginable, as a rule, aro salaried ones. Somotimos, it is truo, men aro so oonscientiouo that they will work harder for a wookly, monthly or annual stipend than for wages which are paid in fees and commissions; but those men are rare, so far as tho exper? ience of governments and corporations is concerned: Another proposition that demands tho thoughtful consideration of tax-payers la the one to give the Council tho power to increase the bonded indobtednoss of the oity to an extent not exceeding fif? teen per centum of tho assessed valuo of the real and personal property of tho oity for the benefit of schools and to make suoh internal improvements as in the wisdom of the municipal loglslaturo may seem nocesiary. Tho law already allows the olty to issue bonds to ton per cont, of the assessed valuo of such prop? erty, and, in view of tho groat shrink? ages which have ocourrod in values hero within tho past four years,i t would seem just as well for tho oity to feel its way for awhile, boforo rushing eagorly for? ward to a five per cent, addition to auoh bonded indebtedness. There will be time enough for this a few years later, when prosperity has come on with a full swing, and then, indeed, tho rapid fill? ing in of vacant places and the great enhancement in values may render this unnecessary. At any rate, our advice in the matter of charter amendments, le to go Blow, and in every case let well enough alone. THE NEW TEAR. To-day Is the beginning of a new year. The one just closed has been a long record of disasters by sea and land, of ware and rumors of wars. The year 189G, in tho unsettled issues left by 1895, is fraught with great events, involving the peace and happiness of millions of human beings. Life, how over, 19 full ot vicissitudes, for the meeting of which a conscience void of offense towards God and man is alone required. The Times wishes all of its readers a happy new year, and hopes, when the veil that hides the future is lifted, that it will reveal a fullness of peace and proiperlty to the people of this city, State and nation. Russia, not bo very long ago, was ro ported as being nearly bankrupt. Re? cent developments, however, show that the government of the Czar not only has money onough to moet all Its obliga? tions, but is ready to lend it to other nations. China borrowed of Russia, through France, the funds with which to pay the Japanese indemnity, and now it is reported that the Qreat Roar of the North is ready to lend money to the United States. Nor is this all. Rus? sia, it is said, hts entered into a secret treaty with the Sultan of Turkey,and is offering to loan t/ioney to him to re? cuperate bis finances, which are oald to bo in a helpless condition. What Eng? land will do under the circumstances remains to be seen. I\ certainly does not seem that there is much co-oper? ation among the great por??rs in regu? lating Turkish affairs. The go'.d reserve is now lere than sixty four million dollars, and tnother bond issue is Impondlng. Bits there is no deficit In our revenue, According to Secretary Carlisle. We borrow money to maintain the gold reserve; the gold hunter depletes the reserve with our greenbacks; tho greenbacks go into the Treasury, and, in a sort of now you see it?and-nov/-your>don't way, stand off the deficit, pay current governmental ex? penses and come^up again smilingly to the work of depleting the gold reserve. Great Is the art of jugglery In finance, and Carlisle Is its prophet.?Petersburg Index-Appeal. ? o Brazil, following the example of England In tho Venezuelan boundary question, refuses to adopt the sugges? tion of Great Britain to arbitrate with tho last named power the disputed ownership of the Island of Trinidad. In other words the South American re? public gives John Bull a doso of his own mediclno. 1'ropooed Union of Societies. Cincinnati, Ohio, Dec. 31.?A move? ment toward tho unification of the two similar societies, tbo Sons of the Revo? lution and the Sons of the American Revolution, was begun here to-day, when a half dozen or more representa? tives of tho two Onlo societies of the orders mot for conference. Tno differ? ences between the two organ'zation* is so slight that there is reason to believe the Ohio societies will favor amalgama? tion ana thoir iufluence may be effective in producing a complete unification of tho two organizations. An ez-Convlct Lynched. Jackson, Miss., Dec. 31.?News has reached here ot tho lynching of Andrew Hrown, a negro ex convlct and a notorious cattle thief, in Simpson county. Brown attempted to sell three fat cattle at Westville and was arrested. A constable started with him to a justice of the peace near where the theft was committed. On the way bo was taken from the offloors by a mob, swung to a trao and riddled with bullets. Three Men Killed by nn Explosion. WilkbsbABRE, Pa., Dec. 31.?A ter? rific boiler oxploslon, by which three mon were killed, occurred at the law colliery at Avoca, a small mining town twelve miles from here, this morning. Tho dead are: Alexander Young, aged 33. a pump driller; Thomas McDonald, aged 52, machinist, and John Rolls, aged 50 The two first named were mangled beyond recognition. The ex Dloslon is supposed to have been caused by low water in the boiler. Duchesa of Marlborouith Well. Rome, Dec. 31 ?Inquiries were made to-night by the representative of tho Associated Pross as to the health of the young Duohe89 of Marlborougb, for morly Miss Consuelo Vandorbilt. of Now York. It has been learned that Bhe is In excellent health, and went last oven lng to the theatre. To-day she visited the Vatican museum. Electric hitter*. Electric Bitters is a medicine suited for any season, but perhaps more generally needed, when tho languid ex? hausted foiling prevails, whon tho liver la torpid and sluggish and tho need of a tonic and altorativo is folt. A prompt u?o of this medicine has ofton averted long and perhaps fatal bilious fovers. No mediclno will aot more surely in counteracting and freeing tho system from tho malarial poison. Headache, Indigestion, Constipation, Dizziness yield to Electric HltterH. 50o. and 81 por bottlo at Ma88le's Pharmacy, 109 Jefferson street. "There Ih music in tho air !" Listen I KndrowB* belled teams are delivering coal and wood to customers. Send In your orders. Dollars and Sense. We want to keep things humming in our Tailor? ing Dspartment during the dull season. We've soms p irtlcularly good Suits that we'll make npat particularly smsll prices just now. Our $20, $22.50, $25 and $26.50 Suits can be had for $17, $18, $ao and $22.50. If you're wise, you'll be at the first picking. 137"Remember that wo keen all our garments presHOit ami repaired free of charge. GILKESON & CHILD, HATTKRS AND BIKN'S VURNISHKKB. THE SAN FRANCISCO SOANDAL, Mr.?. Davidson Persists In Her Story and Gives Detail? tn Corroboratlon. San Fbancisco, Deo. 31.?Mrs. Mary Davidson, the Sunday-school teaoher who is under arrest for an alleged at? torn pt to extort money from Rev. Dr. G. O. Brown, pastor of the First Congres? sional Church, has made public a lengthy statement, in which she re? iterates the oharges made against the minister. Many details are given for the purpose of corroborating the story. Mrs. Davidson says Miss Overman told hor the names of other women who,were known by Mr. Brown. t One of the moat interesting features of the story is the statement that Miss Overman went to the local newspapers four months ago and offered to Bell a Btory for Sl.OOO, which she said would ruin a prominent resident ot this olty and cause a sensation all over the coun? try. When the statement waB first made MiBS Overman denied the assertion. Tho paper in question to-day prlntB an inter? view with its oity editor, in which he says a woman whom he believes to have been Miss O verman did offer to sell him a Boandalous Btory about a prominent man whom Bhe refused to name unless paid 81,000. Miss Overman, who resides at Ta coma, Wash , was divorced from hor husband several yoars ago. Hor hus? band, who was a gambler, was killed in a gambling bouse at Butte, Mont. The local ministry and the members of Dr. Brown's church express tho utmost faith in his uprightness. The ministers, at their weekly meeting, adopted a resolu? tion of confidence in Dr. Brown. Mrs. D&vidson says sho will mako further sensational accusations during ber trial, involving 8over.il prominent members of the First Congregational Church, molo and female, in scandals similar to that in which she implicated tho pastor. Miss Ovorman to-day admitted that four months ago sho offered to soil to a local paper, for SI,000, a story which sho said would ruin a prominent man in this city. Miss Overman said when she offered to sell the story she was undor tho influence of Mrs. Davidson and as a matter of faot know nothing against any prominent man. A STARTLING CONFESSION. An Operator Admits That ho Caused a Wreck. Cincinnati, O., Deo. 31.?Tho start? ling developments to-day about last night's wreck was the confession of Fred Droege, tho operator at Storr's station In Cincinnati, that ho was to blame for the wreck. He visited Superintendent Rawn of tho Baltimore and Ohio South? western and said that the train dis? patcher at Washington, Ind., asked him if the Louisville express, No. 19, had passed his station. He answered that it had not. The fact was No. 19 had gono by. Orders were then (riven to the St. Louis accommodation, No. 8, coming east to meet No. 19 at Delhi, eleven miles west of Cincinnati. The Washington, Ind., offfoe soon learned that No. 19 had passed Delhi. Then ho knew that a bead end collision was inevitablo and told Storr's station to propare wrecking train at once, which was done. The collision occurred In a curye at Coal City, fourteen miles west of Cincinnati. Tho rest has already been told in those dispatches. Unlawful Arrests by Deputy Marshals. KANSAS City, Mo , Dec. 31.?A special to tho Star from Perry, O.T., says: In? dignation exists in Pawnee countv over tho unlawful arrest by deputy United States marshals of men and women charged with cutting timber on Govern? ment landB and selling whiskey to Indians. Investigation shows the charges to have been trumped up, and about ono-balf of the deputies of that county have been reoommended for sus? pension. Suicided From Chagrin. West Chestkk, Pa., Dec. 31.?Rather than appear in court as a defendant in a shooting case, Lewis R Clayton, a pop? ular young farmer of Thornbury town? ship, committed suicide to day by shoot? ing himself in tbe hoad. Clayton had been arrested on the, instance of George Sbarpless, charged with attempting to shoot tbe latter a few weeks ago. Clay? ton brooded over bis arrest, and had often told bis parents of people teasing him about the oase. His trial was to havo taken place next month. Hunitnc for a Desperado. Kansas City, Mo Deo. 31.?Aspeolal to the Star from Porry, O. T., says: Kill Doolln, an outlaw, after an unsuc? cessful attempt to compromise with tho authorities, is bolng pursued by armed deputios Doolln, tired of living a life of outlawry, agreed to surrender if assured of a light sentence. The proposition kh refused by United States Marshal Nix, who immediately set bis officers out to capture the robber aad mur? derer. Alleged Counterfeiter Arrested. ' Atlanta. G&., Dec. 31.?William Graham, tho allegod shovor of bad money, who wan captured at Paola, Kan., ten days ago by government offi? cers, reached hero to-day. He is in the ctis'ndy of tbe United States marshal of Kansas City, and will bn placed in jail here to await trial Graham Is a mem? ber of tho Dye gang. Tho officers now think tboy have tho whole gang. nueklen'H Arnica Halve. The Host Salve In tbo world for Cuts, Bruises, Sores, Ulcors, Salt Rheum, Fever Sores, Tetter, Chapped Hands, Chilblains, Corns, and all Skin Erup? tions, and positively cures Piles, or no pay required. It la guaranteed to givo perfect satisfaction or money refunded. 1'rloe 25 cents per box. For sale by Masslo'o Pharmacy. 109 Jefforson street. REPENTED AT LAST, A Defaulting Tax Collector Makes Res? titution. Kansas City, Mo., Deo. 31.?David Crockett Hoggs, who was tax collector of Wyandotte county, Kan., in 1859, and who suddenly disappeared iu that year with a shortage of about $5,000 returned to Kansas Oity to day voluntarily to make good his shortage. Mr. Boggs is a son of L. W. Boggs, who was governor of the State of Mis? souri in 1834-3C. When he disappeared he entered the Confederate army and served under General Forrest In the Second Missouri cavalry. At the close of the war he went to Colorado and en? gaged In the stook business. He never oommunicaied with his family and all of them who are now living supposed that he was dead. Mr. Boggs' father, the governor, died In Oregon during the war. Mr. Boggs' realdenoo is now at Mont rose, Oolo. He returned to Kansas City solely In order to make good bis short? age, having made a small fortune dur? ing his absence. He desired, he said, to die with a clear conscience, and, as he wao old, asked that ho not ba made to buffer for bis youthful misdoings. His wish will doubtless bo granted. HORSELESS CARRIAGES. Grand Transportation of a Cleveland Cor poratlo'n. Cleveland, O., Dec. 31.?An evening paper says that a mammoth Droject for tho transportation of passengers tnrough tho streets of Cleveland la now under j way. Toe plan embraces the practical j use uf horseless carriages on time sched? ules, with various lines In operation over regular systems of streets. A part? nership of wealthy Clovolanders has al? ready been formed to carry out this great project, and a big corporation is to be obtained eventually. The first lot of carriages have been ordered and it is expected that a part of tho system will be in active operation by June I, 1896. The horseless car? riage motors to be used are tho product of an Inventor of Gormany. They are noiseless gasoline motors of the most improved order. Thia make of tho oar riages is already In uao and thero seems to bo no doubt as to their perfeot utility. Tho faro will be 2% cents to all sections tho city. Mhslng Steamer Hcurd From. Charleston, S. C, Deo. 31.?The fruit schooner Ella S. Hill, consigned to H. Bayer & Son, which has been out thirty-four days from the West Indies and was supposed to have been lost, was heard from to-day. Bayor & Son received a message that the schooner had reached Antigua, having passed through a severe gale. She is in no way damaged and her crew are in good health. She is due In about ten days. NOTICE. Roanoke, Va., Dec 31, 1893 To tho Citizens of the City of Roanoke: Notice Is hereby given that tho City Council will hold an adjourned meeting in the Council chamber of the city on the 2d day of January, 189G, at 8 o'clock p. m., for tho purpose ot considering a draft of a now charter for the city of Roanoke, which haB bsen submitted to Council by a committee thereof; and, by a resolution of the Council, It is pro? vided that all citizens of tho city in? terested in the proposed amendments to tho city charter are Invited to be pres? ent,and may submit suggestion!! in writ? ing, which will be taken undor cm sldoraticn by Council and acted upon In accordance, therefore,- with tho pro? vision!) of said resolution, all citizens interested in said city charter amend? ment are Invitod to bo present at said meeting. R. A. Buokner, President Council. ood Pure If it is, you will bo strong, vigor? ous, full of life and ambition; you will have n good appetite and good digestion; your sleep -will be sound and refresh lag; your nerves will be strong; you will have little nccel to fear disease in any form. But how few can say that their blood is pure! How many people are Buffering daily from tho conse? quences of impure blood, scrofula, salt rheum, rheumatism, catarrh, nervous? ness, sleeplessness, headache, and Hood's Sarsapa.ill? purifies, vitalizes and enriches tho blood. Therefore, it is the medicine for yon. It will give you pure, rich, red blood and strong nerves. It will overcome that tired fooling, create an appetite, give refreshing sleep and make you strong. Is not this just what you want? Then take Hood's Sarsnparilla. It is tho best building up medicine. Hood's SarsapariBia Is the Only True BBood Purifier Prominently in tho public eye today. ' Hood's Pills 812 A HaM New Year to A] This is the time for making new res? olutions. One that you should pos? itively make in order to have more money in your purse the end of the year is to purchase your ? ? ? FROM THE SQUARE DEALING PMleliiMa One Price H?ing House. MANUFACTURERS -OF WOOLENS CUSTOM 1 AND - - - $14.00 - - - - $25.00 ? ? ? 310.00 ALL-WOOL BLANKETS ! "te?TAff* tfMITTIMP V I DM * Double nnd Twisted, Mi!11 INu inn,} 1 oac i>cr uuucn. Business Suits to Order - Elegant Clay Weave Suits Specialties in Suits - - NO READY-MADE. BONS?CK BROS., 21l>tf and 212 SALEM AVKNIE. '?For oar Christmas trade this year we offer you some valnahle presents, ?.nch as Fine Hockers Banquet .Lamps, Silver-Plated Tea Sets. KngllBD Dinner Sets, Fine China Uecorutod Tea Seta, Art Squares. Ladles' Deeka, and'a thonsunrt other articles that are really cheap. Hlegunt pictnro frames, worth J3. this wcok lor only $1, with World's Fair view thrown in. ...,?,....??.?? Don't hny traehy toys for Christmas prcacnts when you can get such valuable articles as we are offeriUR this year for so little monoy^ at BARGAIN *** FURNITURE NO. 80 SALEM AVENUE. HOUSE, ... SEE ? > ? ? W. S. McCLANAHAN & CO., REPRESENTING TU Ii Assets Over $78,000,000. Accident Department /Etna Life Insurance Company. Assets Over 843,000,000. Six First-class Fire Companies. ? a HiTo.. V Camploell j&^&tl-VlG on as easy terms aa i.ny hooso in the city. Come und aee for yourselves. Yours to lileace, CINCINNATI INSTALLMENT CO., 201 and SOS, corner Commerce Street und Salom Avenue. Roanoke Times Has Full Telegraph Service Five Dollars a Yeai in Advance