The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-12-26
CONSIDERS THE CONDITION OF STATE
INSTITUTIONS.
REPORTS OF COUNTY OFFICERS.
Secretary Denson's Report = anger
Accommodations for Insane In Coun-
ties Needed Improvement IN state
institutions and Orphanagee - The
Reformasory school supreme Court
Decisions-nlegaiity of Farming Out
Taxes-New Trial for Jefferson.
Special to the Messenger.

Raleigh, y. C.. December aa-The
supreme court dies an opinion N aa
interesting case from Macon county.
The sheriff made an ARRANGEMENTS win
a man by which the latter was TO col.
Ilect taxes and divide the pay. This
court says his is ilaegal; the sheriff
can have a deputy, but must resain
control or the Office.
James O.Litchford is appointed as
I~sistant quaroerTnaster general. with
rank of major.
The board Of public charities today
considered the condition and
lment OF county homes and jails, as
shown by n reports OF county visitors
Secretary Denson's report was Adopted.
1t deals largely with the need OF larger
accommodation for the, insane now in
the county homes and jails. The board
decided to place this matter specially
before the public. Gratifying improve
ments in state Institutions and orphan
Iages ara reported. The board visited
and inspected the p~enitentiary, giving
Especial attention to wards occupied by
the criminal insane. Their are now
/ ,042 convicta OF these 355 have beef.
Ireceived during the year while 4Se
We're released on account expiration Of
sentence. pardon CT death. There are
hfty-four convictS under 10 years OF
age. The board says this number is
sufficiently large for the beginning of a
Ireformatory school. The insane asylum
here was also inspected. 1t was found
in more satisfactory condition than
lever before. The new anneXes are
models OF convenience, and comfort.
Per capita cost has been reduced $63
since DR.. Kirby took charge as superin-
tendent.
The supreme court gives j. ]. Jeffer-
son, the assassin of Captain Calvin
Barnes, from Wilson county, a new
trial, on the ground that Barnes dy-
ing statement TO his little son: Ned
have Jefferson arrested was a suppo-
sition and not a fact. Justice Mont
gomery, in delivering the opinion, ex-
presses great surprise hat the solicii
admitted the statement. The new tr
lis granted ON the further grounds that
the jury in its verdict said: Guilty
OF murder as charged in the bill" while
it should have said of murder in the
first or Second degree.
The supreme court files the follow
ing opinions. State VS. Mallett, from
Edgecombe, motion of defendant de-
MED, and former opinion OF the court
affirmed. Robson VS. Mcdowell, from
Bladen, motions of both plaintiff and
defendant refused. Garrett VS. Reeves,
from Haywood, new trial. Mincy VS.
Foster, from Macon, affirmed. Canse-
Ter VS. Penland, from Macon, reversed.
Bank VS. Warlick, from Lincoln, affirm
ed. ASbury VS. Electric Railway Com
pany, from Mecklenburg, no error.
WILSON VS. Wilson, from Rutherford,
Affirmed. Pants Company VS. Smith.
from Poly reversed. Adams VS. Railroad
from CASTOR, reversed; State VS. Bost.
from Mecklenburg, reversed; Butner VS.
Blevins, from Surry, affirmed; White
VS. Fox, from Alexander, affirmed;
State VS. Brown, from Iredell, reversed;
Walters VS. Walters, from Sampson,
new trial; Daniel VS. CroweGl, from
Wilson, reversed: Aston VS. Massen-
berg, from Franklin, error; White VS.
Trip, from Pitt, affirmed; King VS.
lStokes, from Pitt, reversed; State VS.
Jefferson from Wilson new trial;
Norris VS. House, from Mcdowell, re-
iversed; Bernard VS. Hewlett from New
Hanover, per curtain, reversed; High
VS. Pannill, from Vance, per curiam,
affirmed The court adjourned for the
term.