Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-11-22

bove iustlc6 IN our courts. 1nV6SG1SaIlOA Ads
Shown these complaints to have had no just foun
dafion and the manifest fairness with which oul
i3ciaI officers have held the scales of justice has
won the admlrtlon OF all At one time tnese cC II
nIaints seemed alarming. deemed 1t or Vita
Importance to ascertain whether there was any
INST ground for them, and if they were found to
i've unfounded to counterfeit their baneful lntu-
nre and upon receiving from the military CON-
,nandant of the State, complaint from citizen
of Wilkes county, imputing grossly disoyal con-
duct to certain persons being organized as State
m;iitia deemed it necessary to send an agent, in
conjunction with one appointed by the military
commandment, to inquire into the truthfulness OF
these allegations. | appointed William s. Mason,
ESQ of this CITY, His report, well as that OF
tIe officer sent with him, by Gen. Robinson, showed
the groundessnes of the complaint. MIR. Mason
bore his own expenses and performed this service
with the knowledge that had no power to give a
warrant for his compensation. His services were
valuable to the State, and trust you will have no
hesitation in giving him suitable compensation.
ELECTION U. s. SENATOR.
The term for which the Honorable John Pool
was elected United States Senator Will expire on
the 4th of March next. Although we have no IN
locations how long it will be the pleasure OF the
dominant party in Congress to exclude us from any
participation in national legislation, we ought as
think to continue to perform on our part, all our
constitutional duties; among which Is the election
of Senator, with all the qualifications prescribed
in the Constitutions; and l, therefore, deem 1t
proper to call your attention to act of Con-
gress approved July 18th, 1866, entitled " an act
to regulate the times and manner for holding
elections for Senators in Congress-" copy of
which accompanies this message.
ARTIFICIAL LIMBS.
Under the resolutions authorizing the furnish
ing of manned soldiers with artificial legs, passed
AT the last session of the General Assembly, de-
volvnS on the Governor the duty of carrying the
same into execution, addressed letter to the
Sheriff of each county of the State, requesting him
TO report to me at an early day. the number in his
county who had lost limbs, distinguishing those
who had lost legs from those who had lost arms.
| also addressed letters to number of manufac-
turers of artificial limbs, whose patents had been
approved, and who manufacturing limbs for
the manned soldiers of the United States, request
ing them to send me samples Of their manufac-
ture, and to submit proposals for supplying the
State. Many specimens were sent and proposals
made. After a careful examination and extensive
inquiry, closed a contract with Jewett d Co., at
seventy dollars for each leg and fifty dollars for
each arm to be supplied To insure an easy tit, 1t
was necessary that the soldier should be IN the
shop and there have the limb fitted to the stump,
and the contract, therefore, required the manu-
facturer to make them in shop IN this city. To
enable the soldiers to come mere "ithont cost
wrote to the Presidents OF each OF the hallroads
and transportation companies, requesting free
passage for them, coming and going, to which all
Of them promptly assented. [ caused to be fitted
NJ house with suitable bedding, &C., for such of
them to occupy as might choose to do so, they be-
ing at no expense, except for provisions, which
they could bring with them or otherwise procure.
employed Mr.. s. G.. Ryan to attend to the details,
whose report to me accompanies this message
The Sheriffs, without exception, have given me
their prompt cooperation.
The Government of the United States pays the
same contractors seventy-ve dollars for each leg.
1t will not cost the State more than this sum, in
Guiding all the incidental expenses. The manu-
facturers are executing their undertaking faith
fully and giving, so far l have heard, entire
satisfaction to the manned soldiers. L am much
gratified with the successful and satisfactory man
ner in which this work is progressing, which gave
ne much anxiety and solicitude in the selecting
of the patent and arranging the beginning of the
work. l. refer you for further particulars to the
accompanying report of Mr.. Ryan, who has faith
fully and diligently kept the books and attended
to all the details.
IUNATIC ASYLUM.
The close of the war left the LunatiC Asylum in
a most deplOrable condition. On the occupation
of this city by the United States army, the benev
Oent design of this Institution did not protect
from spoliatiOn. The fencing, which inclosed its
grounds, some - acres, was torn away and used
for fuel or other purposes. The orchard and gar
den were exposed. It's stock of mich COWS, hogs,
com pork, &c, was sized and taken away. 1t is
lust to the United States officers in command
here, to say that they prevented the disbanding
of the Institution, and the turning out of the poor
maniacs, by furnishing the needful supplies until
by the partial restoration of the civil authorities,
the State could resume her guardianship it.
Under the Act, ratified the 10th day OF March
last, to secure better government for the In
Asylum, yestlnS the government OF the lnstl-
tuition in five superyisiOns, to be biennially APP
pointed by the Governor, and the Governor to be
OticiO, Chairman of the Board, solicited and
obtained the consent of five gentleman, distin-
g-iished for capacity and beneyolence and all resi-
dent in Raleigh, TO serve supervisors ; to wit
Haywood, Talbot H. Selby and Chas. Dewy and
upon The resignation of DR.. Haywood, after few
months service, obtained the consent Of DR.. Chss.
E. Johnson, and appointed him to I'LL the vacancy.
These gentlemen are entitled to the thanks of the
State for their digent efforts, requiring much of
their time-Often upon sudden calm the dis
charge of their duties. The journal of our pro-
ceedings is open for your inspection. We have ell
dcavOred to do everything We deemed compatible
with te laws and consistent with enlightened be-
nevolence. to diminish the expenses of the Insti-
tuition. Your attention is invited to the report of
the Superintendent, Dr.. G. E. Fisher, which here
with transmit to you, indicating the particu-
lars as to which we deem additional legislation
necessary. 1t is believed that it presents full
and fair showing of the management at this great
charity and its future wants. The whole of the ap-
preparation for its support has been exhausted A
further appropriation will be needed at an early
day. to lay in supplies for the coming year. We
did not cOnstrue the act making the appropriation
for the support of the Institution this year.
tempating the payment of sundry debts cOntrac-
ted for supplies salaries, &c towards the close of
trouble in scaling these debts, mostly on the basis
ofConiederate money. adjusted according to the
scale of depreciation established by the General
Assembly, some of them would get much more,
and others much less than we deemed equitable.
We submit a report of the amount which we think
ought to be paid to each of these creditors, and
recommend that an appropriation be made for
their payment.
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
1t VIII be seen by the able report of our Public
Treasurer which l herewith, transmit, that we
received some months ago, the scrip for one hum
drcd and seventy thousand C70,O00l acres of pub
lie land, being share of a donation of public
lands by Congress- to aid in establishing colleges
III the several States and Territories, to impart
instruction in agriculture and mechanic arts
BY the second section of Act of the General
Assembly, ratified the fifth day of March, 1866,
the Public Treasurer is empowered by and with
the advice of the Governor, to sell this land and
invest the proceeds in stocks of the United States
of the States other safe stocks, yielding not
less than five per ce3.tJul interest. Owing to the
Homestead law, which grants limited quantities
of the public lands to actual settlers, at nominal
price, our script If now put in imarket, Wi bring
little more than fifty (50) cents per acre. If sold
ut this price, the endowment of the proposed col
lege would be very small-and in the present I'M
settled condition of our country, the election of
the stocks in which the investment should be
made, is most embarrassing. The low price OF
our ante 6eli,tnl bonds invites investment in them
if the State shall be allowed to recuperate and
keep faith with her creditors which l hope and
believe will be the but in the painful uncer-
tanty which clouds the future, damage
could be foreseen from little delay, We have de-
clined the responsibility of making sale, and de-
Gliding in what stocks the proceeds should be in
vested, and We respectfully ask for more specific
instruction from your honorable body. l am sure
the State will heartily cooperate in adopting the
most efficient means OF carrying out the designs
Of COngress-tO wit, giving the aids of science to
the chief elements of American STRENGTH and