The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-07-18
OUR GREENSBORO BUDGET.
Correspondence of The Messenger.)

II the trial OF Sparnell at Salisbury
yesterday for completely in the lynch
ing Of the TIVE negro boys there a
month ago, there was no positive evil
dence whatever against them and his
discharge by Judge Shaw was based
on this ground. A much more impor-
tant, and tc he profession especially.
was the point made by Overman and
Murphy, counsel for the prisoner, at
the beginning of the trial. tha ever
granted that Sparnell was proven by
testimony TO be guilty, the very act
under which the solicitor was proceed
ing, granted him a pardon. Judge
Shaw evidently hougn so, but would
not make a ruling On il, reserving his
| decision until all the evidence was
heard, when il was not found necessary
TO pass upon this interesting question.
For a month Solicitor Hammer has
been examining witnesses privately be-
fore the coroner, under the authority
of the act, known as the Watson anti
lynching law, passed in 1893, and pre-
pared by Hon. c. B. Watson, now a
candidate for the United States SEN
ate. Among the men who had been ex-
amined by Solicitor Hammer before the
coroner and whose affidavit was in
court yesterday. but not allowed to be
"oc NH1 OIoA ~
The point made by another candidate
for United States a was tina the
act absolutely pardoned his client, even
were heguilty, not from any testimony
he had given, duplicating himself and
others, but from the simple fact that
he was called upon to make an afi-
davit and undergo an examination at
all. The point is so interesting and
plausible, that the section of the act
invoked in appended for all to see it,
and is in the following words:
Public Laws 1898, CHI. 461, Sec. 5.-An
act to protec prisoners confined in
Jail under the charge Of crime until
they can be fairly tried by a jury of
good and lawful men in open court.
Sec. 5: In all Investigations before
a justice Of the peace, coroner, Judge,
grand jury, or courts n jury. or the
trial of the cause, as authorized by this
act or under existing law, no person
shall be excused from testifying touch
ing his knowledge or information in
regard to the offense being investi-
gated, upon the ground that his an
swer might tend to subject him to
prosecute, pains or penalties, or that
his evidence might tend to eliminate
himself, but 10 discovery made by
such witness upon any examination
shall be used against him in any court
or in any penal or crimina prosecution
and he shall when so Xamine as a
witness for the state be altogether
%pardoned of any and all participation
in any crime arising under the provis-
ions of this act, or under existing law,
concerning which he is required to
| testify"
Colonel James T. Morehead pro-
the resolutions adopted by the
Mecklenburg Democratic Convention,
| Saturday, as another declaration Of
Il in6~annn6anna from ManE1anh1Iro's and
declares that they ought to be adopted
erbatim by the state convention, and
have no other resolutions adopted, but
them.
Judge Adams, it is learned, will have
the disposal of several good offices,
and already candidates for his favor
are coming in thick, it is reported.
Revenue Agent Patterson has received
notice of recent seizures of Illicit dis
| t~illeries in Jackson and Pennsylvania
counties, and also of two in South
| Carolina.
Misses Madge Sadler, of Charlotte,
n Kate Caster, of Fayetteville, left
for their homes today. after a brief
visit to Miss Dora Devil, of this city.
There was a sensational trial of a
prominent citizen Of Davidson county
in Lexington today, on a charge of Sc
duction of a widow, daughter Of a
prominent ex-officer Of the county.
The usual fo1erunners, managers.
etc. of different candidate are on the
ground here, and all last night and to-
day, they may be seen with their heads
together, in rooms of the hotels, on the
curbing and at other places getting the
lay of the land for their respective
men. The chief subject Of all this cogi-
tatiOn. caucuSSing and conference,
from the identity of the parties group
ed, / should say, was that of the east
ern associate judgeship and corpora-
ton commissioner. Each candidate
claims a majority on first ballot, so far
as the race between Connor and Brown
goes, while not a few say that there
will be no minat of either on first
ballot, as sectional lines will not De
drawn as close as some seem to think.
The talk seems to be mostly that
Common and Walker will be the win
ners, but one of Judge Browns man
ayers, who has arrived, Congressman
Small, gives the authorized statement
that Judge Brown will certainly be
nominated on first ballot. The latter's
friends have not arrived yet in the
same force as the former, and does not
seem to have the same fine organiZa-
ton of plans and forces. Another gen.
eral talk is the evident impression
among those here, that Mason will get
the nomination for commissioner
though B~eddingfield expresses perfect
confidence in his winning strength.
Beddingfeld mas undoubtedly a big
lead in instructed votes over all 9TH
ers, u Mason, Michaux, Brown. Wat
son and Fairly, all say, that their scat
tering votes will put them well up &c
the front, when added to their instruct
ed vote.
Arrangements for the comfort and
entertainment OF the delegates have
been made by Chairman Scales and hi:
committees, with the very best system
Of organization and supplies. Ever
body seems today perfectly well salts
fed with their apartments and hote
accommodations at the hotels, many
being honestly enthusiastic.
Il am using a box OF Chamberlain
Stomach and Liver Tablets and Mn