Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-10-10
A CURIOUS SCHEME.
AN INTERESTING Dit OF OLD
NORTH STATE HISTORY.
Wanted to Become n French Colony.
VIII Reply to DIR. ThompsOn's At
tack on the Church-POJItical and
Industrial Notes.
Industrial Notes.

RALEIGH, y. c.. October 9.-(SpecialD
There is n curious bit Of history in regard
to the late war which Is perhaps not
known to over a dozen people in the
State. Some time In 1850 number OF
gentlemen met in Halifax county ana
took the initial steps Of a movement TO
request the French Emperor to take
North Carolina under his wing as a
dependency or colony. 1t is n queer thing
10 think of, but the gentlemen who took
part in the meeting were In earnest.
The State Pension Board met to-day
TO pass upon the last of the new Gppl-
cations for pensions. or these there are
about fifty. In all there are 10 new
applicants this year
The cotton-growers say that the crop
in all this section Of the State will all
soon be in the gin-houses. There is no
tendency TO rush the crop into the mar
ket. The farmers owe less than in many
years. have made few mortgages, and are
generally in good plight.
The rector Of one of the churches here
was requested 10 preach a sermon on the
attack on the Church made by DR.. Cyrus
Thompson. president of the State Ali
ance. He said he Gid not care TO take
part In the fight, which seemed TO BE-
largely political The pastor of another
church here will next Sunday preach a
sermon in reply TO Or. Thompson. The
Doctor will publish a letter next week
in which he VIII defend his statement
that the Church is the enemy Of human
liberty.
MANY CONVICTS.
No less than twenty-one cOnvicts ar
rived at the penitentiary yesterday after
noon ana this morning. OF these thirteen
were from New Hanover. seven from
Chowan. and one from Vance.
Ii is learned at the Executive office
that this State will have good
representation at the national road
congress. and also at the farmers par
Lament, both TO be held at Atlanta.
Deputy Revenue Collector Shelburn re
ports the seizure yesterday near Dur
ham OF 12j-gal!On Illicit distillery.
The finishing touches are being put on
the mechanical building at the coiored
Agricultural and Mechanical College, at
Greensboro. 1t is three stories Ligh. and
Will be well equipped with machinery.
Some Democrats are expressing them
selves as very strongly In favor of an
entire reorganization Of the party in this
State They say 1t is n necessity. They
also say that the Central Executive
Committee ought to be abolished on the
ground that II is not i'm touch with the
country voters. Its members are all Ra-
leigh men, and while able. are yet not
acquainted with the views of the rural
voters. The feeling is that the party is
in straits, and that something must be
done to popularize Il.
THEY ARE WAITING.
Colonel Thomas b. Keogh. a we'll
known Republican of Greensboro, is
here. and was asked what his party in
tended to do in regard TO the silver ques-
ton. He said: I'VE are waiting why
waiting. to see what the National Com
mittee will DO. \ few of the workers
are doing some talking, and all they talk
about is the currency question. Our
party is so divided that | cannot form
opinion. But whenever the bugle
sounds we will all get in line. 1t is en-
tirely natural that we should absolutely
obey what our national convention de-
crees. We have always so obeyed."
Efforts are being made. Colonel Keogh
says, to make a sale Of the iron and
steel companys plant at Greensboro,
and with good show of success. 1t cost
10000. a good deal of its land was sold
to the Cone Company. which is building
two large cotton-mils. Colonel Keogh
SAYS that Greensboro. is now more pros
porous than ever before and that for four
months past there has not been an I'M
employed mechanic there. A large in
crease of the population Will be secured
within the next twelve months.
All the stock Of the Mechanics Dime
Savings Bank, Of this city, has been
taken. and is already at 10 per cent. pre-
MUM.
the Aldermen who fail to attend meet
ings are now fined under a provision
in the new charter of this city. The
fine is g.
The contract for steam-heatlng the six
buildings at the Agricultural and Me
chanical College here which was awarded
yesterday to a Raleigh firm, will cost
about $500. This was the only North
Carolina firm which bid.
The State Experiment Farm will make
a special exhibit at the Edenton fair
There will be more fairs in the State
this year than in several years past
one hundred of the cadets Of the Az
ricultural and Mechanical College here
are expected 10 so to Atlanta. The
Governors Guard Will also attend.