The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-12-28

nensou Ior dis stand In the Railway
Commissioners Case-Batchelor's Report
cn the Guarantee Comp p.ut.s
Messenger Bureau,
Raleigh, n. c.. December 25
There was crisp weather here today,
with the mercury we'll down in the 2O's.
There was almost general suspension
Of business. The public Offices were
closed The national and state flags
We're displayed o nthe capitol. There
were services at the Episcopal. Catholic
and Methodist churches.
At the railway commission Office the
new commissioners. Pearson and Cald-
well, were sworn in this morning Clerk
Brown of the commission arrived rhi/
morning. He said Il am just telling
these gentlemen that as the supreme
ers I give them my services. / would
have been here yesterday but had a
delayed train" Pearson and Caldwell
said: 1--WE are doing no business
Nothing of any kind will be done until
after the holidays. We will probably
go home this evening"
Adjutant General Cowes arrived
here today upon a telegram from the
governor. 1t was at the latters in
stance that he was appointed re-
ceiver of the Piedmont bank at Nor
canton. = The governors telegram
called him here on that business. The
governor was very angry because a
story got abroad yesterday that Cowles
was sent for to protect the new railway
commissioners in their office. Cowles
10 no
bond and would take charge of the
bank next Monday. Certain matters
which were obstacles have been remov-
ed and it is arranged that the s67, 900 of
| the banks colaterc. held by other
banks shall be turned over to the re-
ceiver, to be collected. The amount
due other banks is only $25.000 The
saving to depositors will of course be
the difference Between the two sums,
as there will be no forced sale at sac
rifice. Cowles says he will give S25,-
900 bond to the banks to cover the
debt.
Railway Commissioner Otho Wilson,
arrived this morning. Chairman Will
son who arrived yesterday morning.
was here only a. few hours. 1t seems
{ that there are now five commissioners,
and will be until January 20th when
| the United States court hears the mat
ter.
Many compliments are paid Chief
| Justice Faircloth for the stand he took
| in the matter OF the railway commits
! sion. Prominent men say he stood for
| law and order and for good conserv-
atism
w. p. Bachelor, who went to Balti-
more to examine into the status OF the
| guarantee companies, says that he was
! told by one companyS officials that it
tf1oarr m uat in
state. He says in his report to the
| secretary of state that so far as the
| bonds of employees, officers, admins
| traitors, and guardians are concerned,
| the business is properly guarded. but
as to bonds in attachment and those
guaranteeing performances of con-
| tracts, bonds in injunction cases and
| other court proceedings there is some
! doubt and an element of speculation.
| but the companies say the safeguard
is ample.
| The secretary of state licenses the
| Merchants and Manufacturers fire in
surance company Of Baltimore. He
| will in a day or two license the Guar
| antees' Finance Company, a new one
| of Philadelphia, as soon as the appoint
ment of general agent is accepted.
! Work begins at once on "a new ceiling
| of steel to replace the plastered one in
| the supreme court room.
| It is asserted here that James II.
| Young, colored, is figuring on a trans
fer from the state agricultural depart
| ment to the office OF revenue collector
| here He is one OF Governors Russell's
| main supporters.
| The farmers are glad to see cold
!! weather, as a great mny hogs are to be
| butchered; the greatest number since
the war, 1t is said.
The supreme court meets again in
! February, for the spring term.
The superior court declares that the
| law requiring all practicing physicians
to stand an examination and have
license is constitutional and just.
A rumor is current that General Su-
perintendent Green OF the Southern
railway will resign in January and go
to the Sea board Air Line.
| Chairman Wilson OF the railway COM
mission telegra phed to Otho Wilson at
Washington. D. c.: Return ye wan
dering sinner, return"
In the dissenting opinion by Justices
Montgomery and Clark in the case
| against ex-Clerk s. p. Satterfieid. the
latter is well roasted" and the charge
| OF fraud is made plain by giving the
| testimony. The republican judges
found for Satterfield, republican.