The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-06-05

The regular monthly meeting Of the
Board of County Commissioners was
held yesterday afternoon. All the
members We're present, Commissioners
McEachern (chairman). Robertson,
Holmes, EoIiers and Alexander. At the
session several matters of general in
terest We're attended to, among which
was the adoption Of the following very
important resolution:
The taX-liSterS be instructed to
place upon the tax list of county
the names of all persons who have re-
sided within the county more than six
months OF the year Immediately pre-
cedlng June LIST. and to decline to al
low an agent to list the property of
such person or persons on the grounds
OF non-residents; AMI in case of the
failure OF the proper person to comply
with the law by listing the property
the tax lister shall place the property
of such parties on the delinquent list"
Another matter of interest and one
Which will probably give rise to a pretty
question before the courts was in ref
erence to the fees of the Oroner. The
commissioners. after obtaining legal
advice dea41ed tina the coroner was
not entitled to fees for viewing the re-
mains of those dying suddenly or who
are killed by accident. unless foul play
is charged by affidavit of some per-
son
With this opinion DR.. c.. d. Bell, the
coroner. differed and presented to the
board a lengthy letter, in which he
cited various authorities to sustain his
position. He Contended that in the case
of a suspicious death that it is not ne
cessary for an affidavit, as mentioned,
TO be made, but that it was the duty of
the coroner to investigate.
ID. Bellamy. Jr., Esq, of the firm of
Bethany & Bellamy, was present and
gave an opinion, based upon the Code
Of the State. sustaining the position
taken by the commissioners. which
was adhered to.
DR.. Bell still remained firm ia his
conception of the law. so it is very
probable that a test case before the
courts will result whenever the occas-
ion arises.
BID FOR THE OLD COURT HOUSE.
A sale of the DID court house build
ing and the ground adjacent thereto,
which has not been sold. was made to
the meeting. but was declined, as the
board. save Commissioner Alexander,
expressed itself as not DESTROYS of sell
ing the prOpertv which will probably
be enhanced in value.
OllSI - LIZ pullulllS III bJd7
cent land was made by Mr.. T. W
Wood through his counsel. 4. ]. Mar
shall. Esq. The offer was 81, 300. COfn
missioner Alexander expressed himself
as IN favor Of making the sale.
MONTHLY REPORTS.
The usual monthly reports were re
scented and accepted.
The register of deeds reported thai
during the month of May he ISSUED
twenty-five marriage licenses and hac
turned over to the county treasurer the
sum OF S23.70.
The clerk Of the superior court re
ported having turned over to the
treasurer S16S.
DR.. w. D. McMillan. superintendent
Of health. reported that during MAY
he had treated at the health office one
hundred and twenty-eight patients ant
that he had visited during the sam
month thirty-two patients at thei
homes. He reported the count home
Jail n convict camp in good s%anitar!
condition. There was only n case o
sickness at the jail and at the cam
there were five cases of ever. on
case of remittant fever was transfer
red from the camp to the hospital
There We're no prevailing diseases il
the county except the mumps ant
w~hOOping cOught.
DESIRE BETTER HOURS.
A communication was received from
Hon. John D Bellamy requesting NOR
suitable hours for keeping the office o
the register of deeds open for the con
v%enience of the lawyers.
On motion of commissioner Holmes
it was decided to request the bar t
suggest the hours that Will best sui
the convenience of the majority.
OTHER MATTERS.
he report of last weeks grand jur.
was read and noted by the commits
sioners. In reference to the road
] roller, mentioned in the report. Chair
man McEachern stated that certain