The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-11-28
NEED FEWER MAGISTRATES
ture Should nsider-T Re-
claiming of Rice Fields Red
Springs Notes.

Correspondence of The MeSSenger.)
Red Springs, N. C.
The Messenger:
For the past two months we have
had fine weather and today cotton
fields are white with blossoms. Farm
ers have had excellent weather for
gathering crops and the results of this
year are generally satisfactory. Not
outstanding reports to the contrary,
immense quantities of field peas have
been gathered in many sections and
we think the farmers generally are in
good condition. Tobacco is successful
ly cultivated in lower Robson n we
expect to see many fields planted in
this section during the coming year.
Lack of experience and low prices
caused some to loose money in growing
tobacco some years ago, but the sue
cess made in lower part of this county
during the past two seasons has in
duced our farmers to further expert
ment in this direction. A tobacco ware
house in Red Springs is among the
probabilities of the coming year.
The Atlantic Coast Line passenger
depot at Red Springs is a thing of
beauty. 1t was completed recently
and opened to the public during the
past week. Mr.. S. r. Townsend has
nearly completed a large brick build
ing on Main street, two stories III
height and Red Springs can now boast
OF as fine stores as can be found in the
state. The Presbyterians are perfect
ing arrangements for the erection of a
larg brick church, the present building
being entirely too small to accommo-
date the large congregations that at
tend.
We hope the general assembly viii
effect some change in our magisterial
system. We have too many magis-
trates and frequently the office goes a
begging. Where there are too many
magistrates, the fees are so small that
there is NJ inducement to qualify one
Tor the duties incumbent and it is fire.
quently the case that warrants are i'm
properly drawn. What would the pub
lie him of two justices holding court
for good part of a day in trying a
divorce case? Yet a divorce was &C
tually granted, SO / have heard, d.
vorcing man and wife, Writs are fire.
quent for the arrest of men charged
with SANDER Of fellowman. The ig-
norance prevalent in some sections is
amazing. Something should be done
to dignity the office and we would sug-
gest hat I'VE magistrates only be
$1,000 III SeSh ~ III dllu lIldN
their qualifications be passed Upon by
a superior court judge. We need 4
new cod of laws. Many magistrates
through the state have not been sup
piled with a code and have to rely on
Battles Revisal. Give US a change IN
the magisterial system.
II is reasonable to estimate the rice
lands of the lower Cape Fear at 90
600 acres, available for the production
of rice only. These lands can be made
available for the production of other
crops by adopting the plan pursued in
Holland of dyking out the tidewater.
| Haarlew Lake has been reclaimed, on
this way and the Seawater has been
pumped out by steampower. A large
area of land has thus been made avail
] able in sustaining the dense population
of Holland. Farms M villages ar.
now seen in the bottom of the lake,
where once occurred some of the great
seafghts Of modern history. The low
lands of the Delaware river have been
reclaimed in the same manner and the
immense outlay incurred has been
more han repaid by the Increased
valuation Of the land. Galvanized iron
plates were used on the construction,
of the dykes on that river which pre-
vented water from ooZing through the
embankment and also prevented the
danger resulting from animals burrow-
ing through the dyke as frequently
happens in Holland. The lowlands OF
the North East branch of the Cape
Fear have been lifted up above tide
water by seismic forces and in course
of time if the gradual elevation con-
tinues, the rice lands along the north
west Cape e will also be lifted UP
but then we cannot wait for the sioN
operation of seismic forces.
ii. Mem.