The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-09-19
OUR RALEIGH LETTER.
TO COMPEL CORPORATION COMMISSION
TO RE-ASSESS RAILROAD PROPERTY.

TO COMPEL CORPORATION COMMISSION
TO RE-ASSESS RAILROAD PROPERTY.
Our Bright Educational future-To
Sell the Western North Carolina
Railroad-CryIng Over Spit MIX
The Shooting of President Mckinley
Other Matters of Interest.
From Our Regular Correspondent.
LEFT OVER FROM LAST WEEK.
RALEIGH, N. G., Sept. 9, 1901.
The sensation OF the week was the
serving OF papers on the Corporation
Commission for a writ of mandamus ito
be heard before Judge Robinson here on
September 23rd) to compel the Commits
sion to assess anew the tangible and in-
tangible property Of the railroads for
taxation during the present year. The
action is brought by Senator Ward, of
Washington county (who made some
reputation in the last Legislature by his
activity along the same lines) as counsel
for Sheriff Jackson" of that county.
Some of the knowing ones hereabout
allege that Justice Walter Clark is also
identified with the proceeding, and that
he and Mr.. Ward have been in conference
and that the language and figures used
by counsel are partly those employed by
Justice Clark in paper read at the re-
cent meeting of the State Bar Associa-
ton, etc. But l don't vouch for the cor
rectness of this assertion, though made
very decidedly.
But l do know that it was very gen.
orally understood among State officials
and members of the Legislature and
others last winter that the terms upon
which the suits between the State and
the three big railroad systems were COM
promised included an agreement a prom
Use, on the part OF the State that no
further new assessment of railroad prop
erty should be made until that of other
property-until 1908, in facial which
time the tangible and intangible property
of the railroads will be assessed sepa-
rately.
The object of this mandamus proceed
ing is to break that agreement and COM
pei the Commission to make the assess
ment now, although no new assessment
OF real estate or other property is made
this year. Chairman Mcneil, of the Cor
poration Commission, says Section so of
the Machinery Act does not require or
contemplate a separate assessment of
railroad property this year; that Section
48 fixes the date, and makes it "at such
date as real estate is required to be as
sessed for taxation" which will be in
1908. Judge Robinson will hear the
| case at chambers in Raleigh September
23rd
OUR BRIGHT EDUCATIONAL FUTURE.
On the opening day at the Agricultural
| and Mechanical College over 800 stu
dents appeared, more than half of whom
were freshmen, or new students, and
| completely filing the capacity OF the Col
lege. Owing to the lack of sufficient
dOrmitOry room a number are again
| turned away. This is deplorable and
the State should supply the additional
| buildings by all means. President Win
ston and his able faculty lit was never
| better, if so good, as this year, are doing
| a great work for the boys of North Caro-
| lima.
The new scholastic year at Trinity
College, Durham, occurs on Thursday
| OF this week, and this splendid institution
| surpassed by none and equalled by few
| in the entire South-never had a better
outlook for large attendance OF stu
dents or brighter prospects for bril-
liantly successful term. And no wonder
-for with it's handsome endowment and
magnificent buildings and equipment and
remarkably able faculty, with such ener-
getic and capable spirits as Chairman
Southgate, of the Board of Trustees, and
President Kilgo and others connected
with it's management behind it, it is
bound to "lead the procession" The
other leading colleges have good pros
poets before them also, and it is a source
of great pride and satisfaction to witness
the educational awakening" that is un-
! questiOnably spreading over the entire
| State.
| TO SELL THE WESTERN NORTH CARO-
LIMA RAILROAD.
The appearance of an advertisement in
a State paper Offering the Western North
Carolina Railroad for sale at auction on
October 7th, under execution from Rowan
Superior Court, was another sensation
OF the week. The sale is advertised by
Messrs. Overman, Long and Avery, coun.
sci for the widows OF engineer James and
fireman Howard, who were killed in q
railroad accident and who obtained judg.
ments some time ago aggregating 800.
600 against the Western North Carolina
RailrOad-not the Southern Railway
which holds a 99-year lease on the road
Counsel Tor the Southern say the latter
will ignore the proceeding because the
sale would not be valid, but the plain.
tiffs' counsel declare that it will be regu.
lar and that they will find purchaser.
CRYING OVER Split MILK.
good many people in Raleigh appear
to be on the ''stool of repentance" Just
now and are regretting their action in
allowing the bond issue voted on last
month to be defeated, by remaining away
from the polis-it being necessary for the
bonds to receive an actual majority of al
the names on the registration books
Therefore, while nearly 1000 voted fol
the bonds and less than 200 white mer
against them, over $50 voters did not
vote at all, and the bonds lacked 81 Of
polling majority OF all the votes that
could have been cast.
1t is very probable that quite a number
did not anticipate such result from
their inactivity, and now-they are sorry
lots OF 'em. Even some who voted
against bonds express regret at theil
action. 1t is a thousand pities that all
this is So
The magnificent work mapped out and
nearly completed by Chairman John C.
Drewry and the Street Committee during
the last four years was fast making
Raleigh one of the most beautiful cities
in the United States In another year OF
two this work could and would have
been completed but for the unfortunate
and unwise and deplorable result of the
late election. 1t has given the town a
black eye abroad, and crippled our pros
poets seriously with the outside world
But, worst of all, it has put damper or
the progressive spirit of our people tina,
had, after hard work, become very gen
orally shared and marked US for severa
years as live, "get-up-and- " hustlina
community.
THE SHOOTING OF PRESIDENT M'KINIEy