The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-10-14
FERNS OF SUBSCRIPTION.
WILMINGTON. n. C..
FRIDAY, OCTOBER IA, 1898.
MR- CHADBOURN,S ACCOUNT OF
THE ssGREAT PROSPERITY"

The very amusing part of Mr.. Cnad-
boayrp's true statement" is his at
fsmpt to give the black radical usurp-
eli city government full credit for what
ha claims to be the unprecedented
of Wilmington, eclipsing
any thing seen here since the war. II
the trade statistics Of the city really
show this unprecedented prosperity
claimed by the facile varnisher Of sta
sisfics then we shall rejoice with
others. But we do not believe the
statement. AS TO there having been
more building of houses han at any
time since the war ended and (which
will continue" thanks to the honest,
faithful, vigorous, law enforcing black
radical city government, there are just
TWO remarks to be presented:
First, the cost of building was never
before SO little. A contractor said to
us. there was never before so favora-
BILE a time for people to build. Lum-
Der is very cheap and labor at no more
than half price" Think OF great
prosperity" when carpenters ana
Others work for half price or less. We
know of residences built at at least gu
OF 70 per cent less than they could
AVE been built for five or six years
ago. We know of two dwellings that
were built Cloth %included) for $3.25O
that would have cost quite $4,000 five
years ago. And it is so all around the
city. People are taking advantage or
the extraordinary low prices to get
them a house. 1t is their opportunity,
and the foul, black, city usurped gov
ernment has nothing under heaven to
do with it. Lawlessness, viciOusness,
ue%grophilism have no part or lot IN
promoting prosperity or increasing
house building.
Second, we much doubt if there is a
single house built in Wilmington that
was built because of any benefits de-
rived from or confidence reposed in the
black and white combine that dominate
the town owing to high handed usur-
nation and the destruction Of the price
less. inherited, inalienable principle OF
Home Rule, the very thing Ireland has
been struggling for during an hundred
years. The builders are not IN the
least degree enamored Of the accursed
negro governments. Chadbourn dreams
or nan when he thus tells Jeter
Pritchard of the astounding, stupen-
ozIs prosperity that has been brought
about by the greedy, remorseless, Ian
gerous usurpers who"wOuld rather rule
IN hell than serve in heaven Quit
drawing upon fancy for your theories
and false facts"
There are in Wilmington and New
Hanover county, the smallest county in
She state in square miles, 81 (nlnety-
l. one) niger officials, and without
counting the names of the two negro
assistants to the register of deeds, the
swo thirds negro street force, numer-
Gus negro deputy sheriffs of townships
other than Wilmington, and the many
negro special police none of which is
given. Neither the names of the negroes
working at the post office no the mail
carriers. We suppose 140 or more ne
groes are thus employed. But that does
mot strike y dadbourn as ~negroizing
the coup 18th officials. He is a most
cheerf& [5ptimist and takes a roseate
view Of things. A black in his view
As a most attractive and desirable
thing or %appendage to have hitched on
70 city government, etc.
We are reminded in his fanciful
statement and hopeful declarations,
when he knows too there are 1870 or 40
darkies in the employment of the city,
the democrats having to foot most of
The bills for the same, and against
their wishes and interests, of the we'll
known fellow in the Noachic food who
climbed to the highest tree On the high
est mountain and standing on the
highest limb tiptoe remarked with
genuine C~hadbournian GOODNESS as the
water was flowing nearly to his mouth
There will no. be much of a
shower after ALL 40 negroes in
Office at the white man S expense is
but a trifle, an amusing bagatelle, a
something delightful affair to con-
template.