The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-10-25
QUESTION OF THE HOUR.
Colonel F. w. Foster Recognizes the Gravity
OF the Situation.
The Or7y Other Republican Leader Who Has a Business Standing Coin
cides With Postmaster Chadbourn About the Condition in Will
mington--Property Holders of Intelligence and Morality
Who Pay the Taxes Should Control.

Who Pay the Taxes Should Control.
A reporter of Tae Messenger last evening called upon Colonel F. v. Fos-
tex, one Oft the most prominent and influential of the republican business
men of Eastern North Carolina. and lately chairman of the Board of County
Commissioners of Rev Hanover county, for the purpose of ascertaining his
views upon the present condition Of affairs in our city.
The colonel received the reporter pleasantly and answered all questions
freely and fully. He said he fully recognized the fact that the situation here
va extremely grave, with imminent danger of trouble between the races,
which, as a business a nd a citizen he earnestly deprecated, As h oe-
lieved that the city would OF recover from the i'll effect of such a conflict
and said:
Taking into consideration the determined will N set purpose of the
citizens who represent. the class of or citizens who pay s5 PEI cent of the
taxes. to take control of affairs, I have remarked to quite a number of peo-
pie, and am still of the opinion, that it would be best at this time fol- the
republicans no to put a county ticket in the field. While 1 say this 1 want
to emphasize the fact that I hrmely believe in the principles of the republf
can party"
In speaking further of the terrible condition of affairs here, Colonel
Foster said he recognized the fact that the present movement a n by
the business men and tx payers of the community to administer and control
their affairs. Il think" he said, that the representatives of 50 per cent of
the taxes paid ought to control They ought not o be deprived of their
privilege OF controlling the administration of their affairs I want n o citizen
deprived of any of his rights o privileges o which he is entitled by reason
of his intelligence and moral worth. vet an heartily in favor Of thu control
OF affairs by tbs intelligence, character and property interests Of any COM
uunity"
Being asked with regard to the number of colored oficeholders sin New
Hanover county, Colonel Foster said that before reading Postmaster W. H.
Chadbourns letter stating that there are thiry-six colored magistrates in the
county he had n o idea that there were over a half dozen.
The colonel added that in giving the advice about not putting a repub-
lcan county ticket in the field and expressing the views above, he fully be-
lieves that he is acting in the best interest Of the colored nan
The above views by Colonel Foster ought TO have very great weight on
the unhappy situation here. He is a republican by principle, but all classes
of people in Wilmington fully recognize that he has always been interested
in the welfare OF the community. He is n Of u most public spirited
CITIZENS m no man here la been more earnesty interested in tn upbuld-
ing and prosperity of III city. He las been particularly interested in the
industrial development OF Wilmington and as secretary Of the committee
which was appointed to induce enterprises to locate here under the special
act Of the general assembly exempting e manufactures from taxation for
a period of zen years, he has done and is still doing splendid service
Coo1nel Foster las beer a citizen of Wilmington for moret than thirty
three years. Coming here at The fall of Fort Fisher, many Of or citizens
remember his generosity to he officers and soldiers Of the Confederacy
While in charge of the commissary he o only issued food supplies o sol
diers and citizens. but supplied SEQ needy confederate soldiers with clothing
In his official capacity as a member of the legislature, as a member of the
board Of county commissioners. and as chairman of the board Of county
commissioners, he has always manifested great interest," in the prosperity of
nomtca1 administration Of h financial, snsirs y, h mntv whnsc chairman
Of thu recent republican board of count commissioners. 1t will be remem-
bered that when the board first organized with him al chairman he offered
and the board adopted a resolution requesting a committee Of the Chamber
of Commerce, composed Of a large majority OF democrats, to cooperate with
the board in securing the best and most economical administration of the
affairs of the county
Colonel Foster, in the views he expresses above, shows that he still has
the best interests ofW Wilmington at heart, and his opinion must necessarily
have great influence in tn crisis which o involves the best Interests of
Wilmington and New Hanover county. !. =.