The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-05-13

No New Rifles for tire state Volunteers
Governor Ru&sen uefuses 90 Give
Up the Arms Of Those Companies not
volunseertng-TrOublc N Making Up
the second RegiEnens-Insurance He
port Of the Secretary Of State.
Messenger Bureau.

inc SeCOno 48e2l ~ 1sS
port of the Secretary Of State.
Messenger Bureau.
Raleigh. y. c., May H. 1895.
There has been ten times as much
trouble in making up the Second regi-
ment of volunteers as there was in max
ing up the First regiment. The chief
cause Is the failure OF the companies
first assigned to come up to the require
ments. Today the last OF the COM
panies of the Second came in. They
brought many men. The fault with
most of the companies of that regiment
already here is that they brought too
few, thus causing their officers as well
as the mastering officer great worry.
The strange fact developed today
that the government is short on sup
in the newspapers that the government
had made asst purchases of calibre 80
rifles. These statements appear TO be
false, as the mastering officer here has
orders to utilize all United States pro-
perty in the hands of the volunteers
here-tents. rifles and clothing. There
are 500 rifles held by the First regiment.
1t is evident that an effort was made to
obtain all the rifles held by the state
guard, but Governor Russell refuses to
permit those held by the II companies
of the state guard which did not VOL
unteer to be turned in. He tells the
mastering officer he will keep these for
the use of the state guard.
The adiutant general saws fha all
the rifles and other military stores In
use by the volunteers have been by or
der turned over to the government. to
which they all belong. He says that
he therefore cannot arm companies in
towns where the companies have VOL
unteered, until the government finds
what arms are necessary to equip the
troops called for and then restores the
proper supplies to the states under the
provisions of the militia act of 1904.
1t is inconceivable hat the govern
ment should not. in the weeks which il
had for preparation and with the money
in hand. have bought rifles of 30 calibre.
using the service ammunition, and as
soon as a regiment was mustered in
have placed such rifles in their hands.
This state has tents enough for a full
regiment and a four company battalion.
All these are in use here. and they
may be taken to Tampa. 1t so appears.
as only $50 additional tents are ordered
sent here.
The last six companies of the Second
regiment came in this afternoon. The
companies at LenOir and Morganton,
of which Edward Jones and A. c..
Avery, Jr., were captains, combined,
and take the place of Gladstone's COM
pany from R~eidsville, the latter having
failed to get the required number. The
Washington company of the Second
will on hafnra tho C1rUannC fnnonrrnyx-
1t has recruited from Roanoke Rapids.
The additional tents needed for the
companies of the Second a V not ar
rived and Mastering officer Gresham
says that unit they come the men of
companies will be quartered ia
the nail building at the fair grounds,
in 300 yards of the camp, which will
easily shelter 5000 men. There are
plenty Of blankets n straw for bed
ding.
Seniority of commission in the state
guard regulates the position of cap
ain in the regiments of volunteers in
this state.
The weather continues cool, but it is
exactly what the troops desire.
Two privates from the Goldsboro
company, b" of the First regiment,
deserted. One was captured and is at
camp under arrest.
There has been n is quite a pressure
for appointments by the governor to
positions in the volunteer service. Some
politics has crept in, but as a rule the
governor has done well; better in fact
than so nOn-military an individual was
expected to do.
The physical examination Of the 252-
officers and men of the negro battalion
is completed.
1t is said that work on the Moore
county and Western railway, from
Concord to Aberdeen, is to be begun on
the Concord end.
Very fine copper ore from a new mine,
in Granville county is being taken out.
The Episcopal convention of this did,
cese met today at Henderson. Bishop
Cheshire called it to order. Rev. Dr.
M. NJ. Marshall, of Raleigh, is presf-
dent.
AT camp Grimes today a member of
the Durham company, Il" of the First
regiment, was arrested. charged with
stealing some diamond rings. He is
not a Durham man but went to that
place and enlisted in the companyrten
ago.
Cars, are being sent her for moving
the volunteers to Tampa. It seems
that the. governor has the rishC to
designate which regiment shall go. OF
course he has no choice save theaF First,
as it will be at least four or five days
the Second is mustered into the
States service.
The. secretary Of state today gave out
the insurance report Of his department
for 1885,. 1t says:
During the year beginning April /.
1897, t24 companies have been licensed
to, operate in this state No, puAlica-
ton of the business was required by
law prior to 1893, and lean find 10 re-
cord OF the insurance business done
which would suggest the Volume Of the
or the revenue. which the state
nave derived from it prior to
1891. 1t appears that,i in 1884, r00 COM
panies were licensed, and reported pre-
miam receipts Of not less thar 81, 700,-
600, that in 1892, 100 COMPANIES were
licensed, and reported premium re-
ceipts of not less than 81. 600 ,O0e: that in
1855, Ill companies were licensed, less
than 100 Of which reportsd premium re-
eeips of 81. 100, 0se, hat IN r8S. 119 con-