The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-04-28
Messenger Bureau,

N~AOA 0S41SuAIolo pOoLN @@A~0
on J. 3. Coffield, one Of the members OF
the democratic board, who is here, and
told him the fusionists had decided 10
max a fight to keep the democrats
out. He confessed that it was the su-
preme court decision in the Day case
which had brought this idea into the
heads of the fusiOnists.
The state charters the Stanley Cold
Mining Company, of Montgomery coun-
ty, capital $500, 600; George W. Prentiss
and others stockholders. The
has bought what has been known as
the "Tebe Sanders gold mine,' which
is said to be a very rich property.
The insurance commissioner says he
feels sure all the insurance companies
will center North Carolina under the
new insurance laW. AS yet not fifty
have been licensed, but many are filing
or perfecting applications for admis-
sion.
At oxford this week the libel and
damage suit brought by Rev. T. j.
Gattis, of the Methodist conference,
against President John c.. kilgo, of
Trinity college, will be tried. Many
leading Methodists are involved in this
suit. 1t grows out Of the Walter Clark
Kilgo controversy, which has left a
great deal of bitterness behind it.
The government crop report issued
today for the week ending last night
IS encouraging. 1t says there vas IN
general, a of the favor
able conditions which prevailed last
week, except in the eastern coast coun
ties, which suffered from the heavy
rainfall accompanying the storm Of the
18th and Goth. The rainfall was quite
heavy from Southport as far north as
Greenyille. Southport reported over
6 inches. In the central and western
SLCiiOnS the rainfall was very light,
and g warm rain woul1 now be bene-
fciai, as the ground has become dry
and hard in some counties. Excellenr
progltss in planting corn has been
made, and large areas are ready for the
seeds. In many sections upland corn
is all in the ground AMI is coming up
nicely preparation of bottJrl lands for
con- is very backward. Planting Get
.or has commenced in several counties
on a limited scale; prepa .ation of cot.
ton land is under good Roadway every
where. Tobacco plants are still small
and late, but are growing nicely;
transplanting began this week in sew
era1 counties. Wheat, oats and rye con-
tinue to improve slowly, though not
up to the standard, and quite thin in
many sections. Seeding spring oats has
been finished except in the western dis
trict. All small grain would be bene-
fitted by gentle ain Large Quanti-
J1Co VI 1lSS "SIC ILL - SAA- $500
Some peanuts have been sown, WHICH
is rather early. Irish potatoes are re-
ported to be rOtting in northeastern
counties, but elsewhere are doing well.
Strawberry shipments are beginning III
larger quantities. Though a little late,
the berries are fine and prospects good.
Trucking interests are advancing
rather slowly. Good yields of apples,
plums and cherries are indicated by
the abundant bloom on the trees.
The spring term of the United States
district court began here today, Judge
Purnell presiding. There are many
mOonshiners to be tried, but the most
interesting case is that of ODonnel,
the professional safe-cracker, who rob
bed the postoffice at Washington, N. c.,
and who was captured in West Vir-
ginia and brought here. There is set
against his name a long list of crimes.
Since March goth eighty-fOur re-
cruits have been sent from here to the
regular army. Nine left yesterday.
The debts of the defunct North Caro-
lima Phosphate Company of Castle
Haynes aggregate over 500, 600, but
there is only IS 1881 to be divided. Judg-
ment is given for $50, 900 in favor of a
Raleigh bank.
The Norfolk and Western, the Dur
ham and Charlotte, the Raleigh and
Cape Fear, and the Raleigh and West
ern railways, all small ones, ask the
corporation commission to relieve them
from the provisions of the Jim Crow
car law, owing to the small passenger
traffic. The commission has such
power.
Especial to The Messenger.)
Raleigh, N. c., April 25.-Secretary
Ramsey, of the fusion board of agricul-
ture, as rapidly as the democratic
members of the board arrive, is Civ
ing them the following typewriter let
ter and resolutions:
The board of agriculture, nominal.
ed to the senat by Governor Russell
in March, 1897, and confirmed by tina
body. are advised by lawyers eminent
in their profession that the election o.
yourself and others as commissioner
of agriculture by the general assem-
bly, in March last, was illegal and void
and therefore, you are not entitled t
exercise the power and duties of thi
pOSition. There cannot be any Ques
ton as to our legality and right L
exercise the powers and duties OF com
missioners Of agriculture; and accept
ing the advice of our attorneys in thi
behalf. it would be exceedingly Wroni
in us to admit you to further partlcl
patton in the administration of the ag
ricultural department. we have, there
fore, to inform you that we have re
sumed possession and control of tn
department of agriculture. Enclose
find copies of resolutions adopted Apr
oath and submitted for your informa
ton. Yours truly.
u. D. MAULTSBY,
President Board of Commissioners.
Whereas. Members of the board o
agriculture nominated to the senat
of 1897 by Governor Russell and con
frmed by hat body, have been advls
ed by lawyers eminent in their profes
sion. that the persons who were elect
ed commissioners of agriculture by tn
general assembly in March last, ar
not lawfully commissioners of agricul
ture; therefore. be it
Resolved, BY the commissioners wn
were appointed to thelr position IN lss
az aforesaid. Tha they do now assum
possession and control of the agricul
Resolved, That the commissions
of agriculture appointed in 1897, a
aforesaid, do refuse 10 recognize an