The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-03-25
Bureau

culture, requested a newspaper man here
to telegraph to Washington and ask
whether the supreme court had decided
the case involving the states right 10
impose a tonnage tax Oh fertilizer. The
reply was that the case had been Gecid-
ed and in favor of the state. 1t is an
important decision, as out Of the tax the
expense of the inspection of fertilizer,
salaries of all officers, the maintenance
of the state museum and purchase of
specimens are paid and the agricultural
and mechanical college is aided to the ex-
tent of something like 80, 900 a year. The
fight against the tax on fertilizer began
years ago and was originated and kept
up by one lawyer and one manufacture
ing firm. So far as known no other firms
object to the tax.
IA telegram last night stated that the
case had not been decided
The Boston base ball club has arrived
at Greensboro where it will practice and
get in shape for the season.
Auditor Aver says he has heard of nc
KICKING against the date, April 5th, set
for the meeting of the state committee
OF the populist party. But it was
of the eleven pOpuliSt committee who ask
ed that the call be made that the meet
ing be held not later than April 1st. 1t
is the desire to get an early convention,
so as to be in a position to trade"
Some of the local republicans appear to
be greatly worried because c. T. Bailey
is to get the Raleigh postoffice. Bailey
always advised his friends to bet on him
as a winner. Senate Pritchard had long
ago, promised him the place. One repub-
lican limited today that an effort might
be made to prevent his confirmation.
The funeral of Mrs. James Dinwiddie
was held here this afternoon, from the
Presbyterian church.
Some gentlemen who were speaking
last night about the decision of the
United States supreme court in favor of
Caldwell and Pearson, Governor RuSSc1lS
appointeeS as railway commissioners,
characterized it is a states rights de-
cision." ]. w. Wilson, who is thus ousted
as chairman, has many warm friends
who regret to see him thus knocked out,
but his fellow-sufferer, Ohio Wilson, APP
pears to get no Sympthy.
Thus far sixteen federal prisoners have
arrived at the p~enitentiary here: One
from Alabama, eight from Virginia and
seven from Tennessee.
The Apex Lumber Company in this
county has sustained $1,000 loss by fire.
A resident here says that the drought
is illustrated by the fact that a we'll
which for ninety years has never failed,
is now useless.
1t is learned from persons near to
/, Chairman Caldwell, Of the railway COM
mission, that he is not satisfied with his
ruling against the exceptions of the rail-
ways to the passenger rate reduction,
and that it is quite probable that he will
soon call a meeting of the commission
to take action on that matter. There
was a rumor that such a meeting might,
in fact, be held Thursday of this week.
| Chairman Caldwell left for home at 4
O'Clock this morning. The populists who
were here at the time the decision was
made last week are said to nave exert
ed an undue pressure upon Caldwell TO
make him carry out Senator Buffers
views.
At military headquarters it is learned
that there is to be another division of
the naval reserves, or more properly ma
val militia, at Washington, making six
divisions in all. Washington is an excel
lent point for a division.
TIL Augusta (Ga.) base ball team ar
| rived here this morning and played the
| Wake Forest college team at the latter
| place this afternoon.
The shipments of fertilizers are very
| heavy. All the signs point to a big crop
Of cotton being planted.
In the fnt-.ie permits for the con-
/! Struction Of all buildings in this city are
to be required.
Arrangements are in pTogress for a tel
ephone line from here to Goldsboro, as
we'll as one to Henderson.
The second appeal of Vice President st.
| John from the order of the railway COM
mission reducing passenger rates is is
sued in pamphlet form. 1t is character
lied as the ablest Of all the documents
along that line.
Messenger Bureau,
Raleigh, N. c., March %.
News was obtained today confirming in
all respects the Information that Gov
ernor Russell withdraws all efforts to an
null the ninety-nine-year least Of the
North Carolina railway to the Southern.
1t is said the latter pays the attorneys
fees, a~ggregating some $4,000.
The error as to the statement that the
| United States supreme court had dec1d-
ed the fertilizer tonnage tax case was
due to the clerk Of that court, who in
some way mixed cases.
By the opinion of the supreme court
filed last evening J.. B. Barnes, the Nash
county man who was convicted of an at
tempt to outrage a young white woman,
goes to the penitentiary for seven years.
Barnes was thoroughly detected today
when the judgment of the court was
read to him in Jail here. He has been an
annoying prisoner and one who made all
sorts of complaints. His crime was a
peculiarly aggravated one and the gen
eral comment is that his sentence is fully
deserved.
Langdon, the forger, who was brought
here from Norfolk, told the sheriff to-
day that if he were only released he
would go to Cuba and join the Cuban
army. He is known as the dude Of the
Jail"
A specially interesting statement is
made as to the views Of Chairman Cald-
well, Of the railway commission. Sew
eral days ago your correspondent stated
that Caldwell was Of opinion that he had
dCCSO ndSllIS III NOtllIS 10 OSSTTulc tAS
exceptions of the railways to the reduc-
ton Of passenger fares. Caldwell now
says frankly that he voted against his
better judgment and foolishly yielded to
the clamor of politicians. By this he
meant that the pce1iist conference.
which was in session here at the time
he took action. put pressure upon him.
There is little doubt that Senator Butler
also exerted pressure. Butler was con-
stantly telegraphing and writing: Re
duce the rate" Caldwell further says
that ne is now of the governors way Of
thinking: that he believes the commits
sion has no evidence to sustain its action
in overrulirg the exceptions, and that
when the railways fight. that action in
the courts they will gain the case under
the Nebraska decision. Caldwell goes SO
far as to favor the abolition of the COM
mission, saying it will save the state
S12, 900 to SIS, 900 annually, and that he
believes the council of state can do the
business which would fall to a commits
sion. Caldwell is, in other words, in a
very embarrassing position. 1t is limited
that the commission will meet early next
week and hat Caldwell will vote to undo
what he has done. Commissioners Pear
son, who was disappointed because his
50 nnr adnnra6 aP-