The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-12-22

Citizens National bank here will be
one of the speakers at the annual BAN
quet of the Associated banks Of New
York city. President Roosevelt Is also
to De a speaker there.
The condition of Cadet Ethridge, sick
Of pneumonia at the AgricuItul al and
Mechanical college here is reported rs
somewhat improved today.
The Supreme court finds no error in
the case of the State against Fritz,
from Mcdowell county. THIS was he
case in which it was charged thai
Fritz had given q challenge to a duel,
this challenge being to a fight with
fist. The Supreme says it WIS
not Il duel, but an affray, thus sustain
ing the court below.
The State Labor Commissioner is
compiling the figures regarding facto-
ries and factory labor in North Carroll
ma 1t will show a considerable M
crease in the number of all facto. les,
particularly cotton mills and funituta
and other God working plants. 1t is
probable that it will show an increase
in wages. 1t will be interesting to
know how great has been the reduction
in the number of children employed 10
mills. The law regulating child labor
becomes effective January 1st. 1t is
not a sweeping law, but rather a COM
promise measure, and probably the next
legislature will still further extend it.
Quite a lively local controversy has
grown out of the feeling for and against
Pastor MasSee of the Baptist church,
and this has assumed quite a personal
phase. The congregation appears to be
solidly backing its pastor.
In the Supreme court today the Reg
lister case was taken up, the effort CT
the defense being for a new trial, some
of its evidence being that Cross Ed
mundson. now in the p~enitentiary upon
conviction Of being an accessory to he
murder OF Jesse Soles and a negro man
near Whiteville, had given nvidenr"
against the Registers after threats by
three or four men that they would kill
him unless he took this part in con-
victing the Registers. 1t is said these
threats were made While Edmunds0n
was in Jail at Whiteville, and hat the
men who made them told him if he id
what they desired he would not he
punished at all. Some Of the testimony
was by state ~convicts, in the peniten-
tiary here IND some by citizen Of Co
lumbus county.
Secretary Richard H. Lewis, of the
State board of health has returned from
AlamanCe county where he investigated
the smallpox situation. There are a
number of cases. but the type is mid
The people rs a rule. greatly object to
being vaccinated. A large inc ease ii
the number Of cases of smallpox in the
State is expected this win er. The"
has been an increase in the number ~
cry ynar since the disease made its ap,
pearance in February 1890
\ new roof. Of red tiles is being out
upon Christ Episcopal church here
which is one OF the most beautiful!
churches in this country. in the opinion
/ of leading architects. The church :
built Of native granite and hrown-sto0e.
and its interior fittings are Of loog Leaf
! pine highly polished.
, Adiutant General Royster IS Vrepar-
ing his annual report on the National
Guard OF this site. The report Of the
commandments of the various organic L
tons show tina the Dick Law has had
n very fine effect upon the force. X
. was expected that much more Will oe
/ done for the National Guard next yea
. The officers desire 10 participate IN
movements by large bodies cf troo0S,
! that IS in groups Of States, and PERHAPS
there may be something Of hat kind
next summer in this section Of thc
country.
Mention has been made OF the re-
markable growth OF the MasOns in this
State this year. The Odd Fellows have
also increased remarkably. and haV@
-ayar had 50 nrOsua-OrS q wear
Some of the Directors of the Audito-
rum Company here appear 20 thinF
that something will he done next yea:
in the way of Z building. 6nd he9Ct
their meeting this month will be of H.
terzst. 1t is certainly desired to- pa
he political convention held hetfe mex
year. but it is recognized thatNampit
accommodation for them will nav % OK
) provided.