The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-03-14
(From Our Regular Correspondent. }
RALEIGH, N. c.. March II. 1901.

hALElGH, N. u, March Ii, 1911.
The great impeachment trial began at
| noon today, in the Senate Chamber, and
| will continue throughout this week and
portion (if not ally of next week. The
speeches OF counsel are expected to con-
| sumo fully one weeks time.
On last Wednesday the accused Judges
appeared in the Court for the first time
in propra persona, with their counsel
and filed their Answer to the charges
The reading of this paper consumed near
~ two hours, and makes sixteen columns
OF the average newspaper. 1t is an ex-
haustive document, in which a general
denial OF the main charges is made; states
that the mandamus was against a Spec
lal appropriation, and that the great
ma ority OF cases decided by these two
justices land the late Chief Justice Fair
cloth) involving title to office were
against the claims OF those affiliating
with the party to which the Judges be-
longed and in favor of the Democrats
including the attempts of the Fusionists
to turn out the Democratic directors of
the charitable institutions four years
ago.
On Friday, Sth instant, the House
managers filed their replication in the
case, which brought the progress OF the
trial up to where it began today
There ia wide difference of opinion
hereabouts, among public men and gen.
eral public: as to whether the Court will
convict or acquit the defendants You
can meet men at every turn who are
equally certain that it will or will not.
THE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.
Secretary OF Agriculture Patterson 10
probably highly pleased with the result
OF the efforts OF his partial friends to
make him supreme in the Department OF
Agriculture
The several bills passed not only make
him chairman OF the board of directors
as well as Commissioner of the depart
ment, but he is given authority to ap-
point the Assistant Commissioner of Agri-
culture and the Secretary positions now
held by j. W. Thompson and T. K.
Bruner) and all other officers and en-
ployes OF the department, down to spit
toon-cleaners, and to remove any OF them
at will. In addition to this he and Prof.
Holmes OF the geological department
are given additional powers, and
may survey roads and travel at the ex-
pense OF the railroad companies and
other common carriers OF the State.
The members Of the Board of Agricul-
ture (whO must now all be practical
tarmers) will really have very little to do
hereafter, it is understood.
Mr.. Patterson's friends say he has
mad a good Commissioner His critics,
granting this. reply that the power which
he has just been invested with by legisla-
tion is too great and varied to entrust
to any one man. be he whom he may
and SO it goes.
RETURN. OF POPULAR COMPANY
Since the repeal of the Craig law" $50
far as it applies to insurance companies),
most of the life insurance companies
which withdrew from the State two
years ago have returned. or given notice
that they will do so.
Among the companies that withdrew
We're a half-dozen of the largest, Oldest
and most conservative and successful
companies in the world-all because the
new requirement OF demonstration"
might operate disadyantageously in the
remote future, possibly to policy holders
in other States. Being unwilling to
the interests of any OF it's pat
rons the "Old Mutual Benefit of
Newark, n. j., was among those that
withdrew, notwithstanding the fact that
it was doing the biggest business of anv
company in North Carolina.
MIR. John e. Drewry, of Raleigh, the
general agent, has now taken out license
for the Mutual Benefit to resume bust
ness, and already many of it's old local
agents are returning to his company. pre-
ferrng to represent it. This company
paid annually several thousands of dol |
lars tax on premiums up to several years |
ago, and its popularity with the insur-
able public in North Carolina will soon
be above par again. Mr. Drewry, who il |
one OF the most capable insurance men In |
the South, probably has as many Dor
Eonal friends as any business man in |
North Carolina, and with such popular
it is little wonder 80 excellent
company should reach the high-water
mark OF success here
TO EDUCATIONAL INsTI-
TUTIONs.
The appropriations, regular and special.
asked for by the educational and Chart.
able institutions, We're greatly in excess
ot those in former years, footing I'D to
over a million of dollars. OF course they
had to be cut extensively. For the Uni
versity, the increase to $4,000 recon-
mended was approved; as was also $15,-
200 per annum for four years to dis
charge Indebtedness of the State Normal
1t Greensboro and a special appropria-
hon OF $25 200 for the same College to
)ulld and equip a practice and observa-
-lon school building; also $4,000 per
annum for two years for a textile depart
nent, or annex, to the Agricultural and |
Mechanical College and the payment OF
b2O, 900 for the indebtedness OF that in
ItitutiOn.
Two hundred thousand dollars was the ]