The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-08-02
By the PrOddings From
the Public.
RUSSELL, BY MEDDLING
In Matters Which do not Concern
Hin. Gets His Party into Trouble by
Even Butler Cannot Approve Of it
Soldiers Delighted Al the Idea Of
Leaving Camp Russell Valuable
Dogs Poisoned.
Messenger Bureau
Raleigh, N. c., July %.

The penitentiary officials are angry
because the public is %prodding them
for the unconscionable delay in max
ing the report for 1897. That is the
report which John R. Smith ought to
have promptly made as superintendent.
A penitentiary official says the report
will be made this week; that it has
been placed in the hands of w men
in Raleigh in order that they may put
it in shape. He says Smith has sworn
to it, and that it is up to January /,
1898. He admits that it should have
been ready by February or March. He
says it will show a little balance on
the right side of the ledger.
In past years the reports have al
ways been at the service of the news
paper men, and of the public. But it
is not SO now. The present peniten-
tiary people will admit the misman-
agement and rundown condition of af-
fairs under Smiths management,
with convicts short on supplies of
ter financial showing. Many of them
did not even have two shirts.
Democratic State Chairman Sim
mons asked for the report for 1897,
but got only an insulting, personally
insulting, letter, which it is confessed
was written by Governor Russell and
not by the present superintendent OF
the penitentiary. 1t is another time
when Governor Russell has put his
foot in it." He has furnished the
democrats with a better campaign doc
ument than the report for 1897. Sen
ator Butler in an editorial today says
of the letter: ION Superintendent
Mewboorne's account we would like
for the reply to have been more dlgni-
fed"
Chairman Simmons today "roasts'
Superintendent Mewboorne, that being
merely another name for the governor,
and uses the most direct language in
referring to him.
The news that the remaining COM
panies of the Second regiment are to
leave here at one was hailed with
JOY. Officers and men alike are thor
oughly tired Of this camp. All are
glad to leave. They are pleased with
the station to which they are to be
sent. Of these Lands End not far
from Port Royal, is said to be the
most undesirable. Headquarters will
be at St. Simons island, Ga This is
said to be a delightful place.
The regiment has at last, after quite
two months delay, received cartridge
belts and bayonet ~scabbards. A very
few recruits are yet to be equipped.
Private Hagler, who died yesterday,
was buried at the national cemetery,
buried there. Chaplain Osborne cOn-
Quoted the services at the grave.
There is an outcry here by the own
ers of dogs. No less than nine dogs
have been poisoned in the capitol
square in the past three weeks. 1t is
more than intimated that the poison
ing is done by one or two state Off
Gals. Today a fine dog ate of some
poisoned meat and died in his masters
presence. Arsenic is the poison used.
Today the work began of installing
the heating plant at the Baptist female
university here.
A letter from Camp Cuba Libre says
the Captain of Company /, First North
Carolina volunteers has been promoted
The secretary of state is sending out
$1,000 copies of the new election law.
Larger shipments of grapes are be-
ing made from here and from South
ern Pines.
Major Dixon tells me that it is fully
expected the Second regiment will
leave here on Sunday. AS yet trans
portation has not been received. 1t is
expected by tomorrow.