The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-04-04
NEW HALLWAY COMMISSION
Frank McNeill sworn I'm as Chairman.
Error I'm the Revenue Law-Bids f0r
the New state Bonds
Messenger Bureau,


Raleigh. N. c., April 1.
This morning Frank McNeiIl was
sworn in as chairman of the railway
commission by Judge Walter Clark.
Last month Mr.. Rogers, another one
of the commission, was sworn in.
Chairman McNeill said that on the 5th
instant E. c. Beddingfeld would be
sworn in as commissioner of corpora
tions, under the new act. Dr. Abbott,
who contests Beddingfeld's right, cam
not bring his suit before the 5th. 1t is
friendly suit. At one time there
was a little uncertainty as to wheth-
er DR.. Abbott would sue for
the salary for his unexpired term of
four years or for the seat, but he de-
cides to sue for the seat. It is a friend
ly suit
There is an error in the new revenue
law, as to the tax on bank stock, which
the safe treasurer says will cause the
loss Of at least half the usual bank
license tax It says that the tax shall
be on stock over $25,00 when $4,000
was intended. 1t is an expensive error.
There is another error in the act It
en- S as follows: Ratified this Sth day
of March, 1897" when it should be
1899"
The state treasurer says he will as
soon as a demand issmade publish ad-
vertisements for bids for the $4,000
of bonds to pay the debts of the peni-
tentiary and the $95, 200 for the pur-
chase of farms. There is great demand
in advance for these bonds. Bids are
in fact pouring in now. They are to
bt per cent. ten year bonds, and 108
is offered for them. The treasurer says
he confidently expects to get 100. He
will have to give thirty days notice.
Capt. w. H. Day says that the fail
ure of the legislature in January to
make an appropriation to pay the
fusionist employees Of the penitentiary
has kept the latter in Office and that
in one way and another it has cost the
state $4,000.
The claim is made by the opponents
of the new oyster law that under it the
Gamers who are Virginians and Mary
landers, can and will bring their own
boats here and injure the native boat
business.
It is said that Norfolk is the centre
from which the smallpox is spreading
in this state. 1t was thought that the
aldermen here would order compulsory
vaccination, but they did not do so.
They have employed two physicians
who will make a house to house can
vass and yaccinate all who are willing,
reporting the names Of those who re-.
fuse. What will be done to the obsti-
nate ones is not stated. Not over half
the negroes in this city are vaccinated.
They are the really dangerous class.
Vaccination is quite general among the
whites
There is no question that by hand
some majority Raleigh will next month
vote the issue of 100000 of street i'm
provement bonds.
In the past fourteen days fifty six
men have been enlisted for the regular
army at the recruiting station here.
No enlistments for the Philippines are
now made, but they are now made for
Porto Rico and Cuba-these being only
of white men. Negro troops will not
be sent out of this country. 1t is said
that of regulars only three regiments
of infantry, five and one half Of caval-
ry and four of artillery will remain in
the United States.