The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-08-05
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
day AfternOOn-RepOrt of the BUSH
ness Transac ted aud Matters Discus.

yesterday afternoon. Colonel Roger
Moore, chairman, called the meeting
to order at 2.30 o'clock, Commission
ers Boatwright, Barry, Alexander and
Cowan being present.
After the minutes of the called meet
ing held last week were read and ap-
proved, reports of special committees
were declared in order.
Commissioner Barry, who was dele
gated to look into the advisability of
a special term of the criminal court
being held previous to the regular Oc-
tober term, reported that he had dis
cussed the matter with Mr.. w. r.
French, clerk of the court, who in
turn had communicated On the same
subject with Solicitor Richardson, and
the latter saw no necessity for a spec
ial term. Then, too, Solicitor Rich
ardson stated that the only open time
for the holding of a specitl term would
be the third week in next month, and
the regular term is only three weeks
later.
Chairman Moore stated that Il me-
ridian stone had been placed in the
yard at the City Hospital in accordance
with a suggestion made by Professor
J. A. Holmes, state g%eologist, at a cost
of $24.90. This bill and many more
were referred to the audit committee.
Mr.. Thomas A. Watson, superinten-
dent of the county home and house
~ k
there are only four prisoners, Jose
phine Pigford and Kenyon Murray,
colored, and Ed. Roderick and Edgar
Mintz, white, confined in the work
house.
A communication from Mr.. C. E.
Jeyens, applying for the position of
standard keeper, was read.
Chairman Moore related the story of
ex-Policeman Harriss, who was elected
standard keeper by the Foster board
and was afterwards discharged by the
same board, which dismissal he re-
fused to acknowledge, claiming that
he gave bond for two years and was
entitled to the office for that length of
time. Harriss at that time and has
now in possession of the cOunty's
weights and measures, and is some
what defiant.
Commissioner Boatwright thought
the matter should at once be investi-
gated, and he and Commissioner Bar
ry were appointed a committee of two
to conduct the investigation.
The communication of Mr.. Jordan
Branch, received at the last meeting
and in which the writer signified his
readiness to assume the duties of GUS
todian of the court house, was taken
up.
Reference to the record of the meet
ing of April Both showed that Mr..
Branch had been duly appointed to
the position of custodian, so Commits
sioner Barry %motioned, which unani-
mously prevailed, hat the appoint
ment be confirmed.
Register Of Deeds Norwood reported
that during the month of July he is
sued twenty-eight marriage licenses,
and exhibited the treasurer's receipt
for $26.60 the cOunty's share of the
fees.
The monthly report of DIR. W. D.
Mcmillan, superintendent of health,
vas read and ordered file. 1t was as
follows:
During the month of July I have
prescribed for two hundred and fifteen
(215) patients in the health Office, and
made sixty-five (65) visits to forty
eight patients at their homes. This
does not include the practice at the
Jail and county home.
1.-THE County Home is well kept,
clean and comfortable. The food
served is abundant and varied. There
has not been a case of acute sickness
at the home during the month.
I'VE have had two cases of sickness
in the Jail. One of which had to be
transferred to the hospital. The Jail
is very much crowded and should be
well cleansed and disinfected at least
every two days! l respectfully recon-
mend that the floors and walls be
washed with a weak solution of
bichlOride of mercury and the cages
n floors with carbOliZed water at
least twice a week. Though there has
been very little sickness in the Jail for
several months past a precautionary
method of sanitation would most
probably prevent any during the re-
mainder of the hot season."
Commissioner Boatwright asked
for an expression of opinion by the
board in regard to hearing complaints
about tax assessments.
On motion of Commissioner Alex
ander, a meeting was called for the af-
terp-on of the 18th instant, for the
e. press purpose Of inquiring into COM
plants of this kind.
Commissioner B~Oatwright stated
that the committee appointed to look
into the matter of having electric fans
placed in the court house, one in the
sheriff's Office and one in the vault in
the register of deeds department,
begged to report adversely. Owing
to the lateness of the season the COM
mittee did not deem it wise to obtain
electric fans.
Chairman Cowan moved the adop-
ton of the report, which was done.
A young white lad, James Foy