The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-04-21
Trying to Get Evidence
in His Contest.
THE HEARING In RALEIGH
II. B. Russell on the Witness stand.
Ex-ChIef of Police Melton to Testify
tervIewed-RepOrt of the State 1nsur-
ance COmmfssiOner-Reco n da.
tfons of Committee Examining Agri-
cultural College.
Especial to The Messenger

Especial to The Messenger.)
Raltigh, n. c., April 19.-Congress-
man John D. Bellamy arrived today to
be present at the taking of testimony
in the election contest Of oliver H.
Dockery against him. The investiga-
ton began at noon in the federal court
ROOM
Charles N. Busbee appeared as Bel
lamy'S counsel. The first witness was
r. 3. Russell, of MaXtOn, chairman Of
the republican committee of the Sixth
district. He testified that there was
intimidation of negro voters before and
on election day; that red shirts" ter
rorized them by nightly raids and
warnings not to go to the polls. Bus
bee objected to the above evidence.
Mr.. Best, who is taking the dispositions,
said he could not pass upon the COM
potency Of the evidence, but would take
down all of it. Russell said he did not
vote for Russell for governor, as the
latter was his personal enemy, and he
had sworn he would never vote for him.
All the afternoon was devoted to
crOsS-eXamination Of r. B. Russell,
Busbee, counsel for Bellamy, trying to
break the effect of Russelps testimony
by suggesting that the latter's incom-
ptency as chairman of the Sixth con-
gressional district, the vote of the Croa-
tan Indians and the alienation of Dock
ery's friends caused Dockery's defeat.
The deposition of ex-Chief of Police
Melton will probably be taken tomor-
row. The only member of the clan on
the scene to give testimony is Stand
ard Keeper Harriss. Melton looks bur-
dened with the sorrows of all the ages.
Your correspondent asked him Z he
wished to make a statement for the
benefit of the Wilmington people. He
surlily said: NO" and turned his back.
The governor and Mrs. Russell and
Auditor Aver and Major and Mrs.
Charles L. Davis went to Southern
Pines this afternoon The governor
speaks there tonight.
The report on the insurance busi-
ness in North Carolina last year, COM
pleted today by Insurance Commits
sioner Young, shows life premium re-
ceipts to be s1,500,O 900 and fire premium
receipts 200, 600. There were 141 COM
panies licensed last year. So far, nine
ty-six have filed applications, but only
forty-one have compiled completely
with the new law and been licensed.
Only two companies appear to be kick
ing about the Craig bill. Out of forty
two licensed four are new companies.
- 1or o11
companies in which risks are reissued
must also have North Carolina license
and this Commissioner Young says will
bring in twelve or fifteen companies.
May 1st list of all companies author
| lied to do business will be published.
President Alderman, of the universi-
J ty, is here and says Charles L. Van
Noppen presents a life size statue Of
| Thomas H. Benton to the university.
He also says that a great amount OF
work in many improvements is in prog
ress-a $4,000 alumni building, the $15,-
900 Car dormitory and a complete sys-
tenn of waterworks, costing $4,000.
Water comes from Bollings creek, a
mile distant
The special committee to investigate
| the Agricultural and Mechanical COL
lege did hard days work. It examin-
ed each member of the faculty, ask
ing for suggestions of improvement OF
| departments. Then it inspected the
buildings and dined with the students
! 1t adopted some resolutions which de.
clare vacant the places held by two
! Republican and populist) members Of
the faculty-Professor Emery, profes.
sor of agriculture and agriculturist 81
the experiment station, and Professor
Butler, bursar and professor of Eng
lish. It recommended to the full board
that the position as instructor OF
mathematics held by Professor Wright
fusionist, be declared vacated, and
recommended that democratic watch
man replace the present fusionist. Ma!
End the committee meets. Then it viii
make some changes as to clerks a
the experiment station.