The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-01-10
CLIPPINGS FROM OUR EXCHANGES.
STATE PRESS.

District Attorney Holton's statement
about his connection with the repub-
Ican club would seem to indicate that
the recent reconciliation" between
him and Ion E. Spencer Blackburn
was not as complete as has been re-
ported. What effect this last will have
upon the political fortunes of h two
men remains to be seen.-Winst.,n
Journal.
Connecticut is of the few states
in the American union which has no
debt 1t has public buildings surpass-
ed or equalled by few other states, and
they are all paid for. Hamilton and
his school wouId regard Connecticut's
condition as depIorable for they re-
garded a public debt as a necessity and
a blessing. Some states and some COM
munities still suffer under the same
delusion.-News and Observer.
That was a most ridiculous perform
ance in a little Oklahoma town. when
Dad" Coleman applied h torch to a
pile of cotton estimated at about six
ty bales" to show the world that the
farmers there are not to be outdone
in this insane species Of patriotism. It
turns out hat the cotton burned in
Georgia was nothing more thar a pile
of waste. 1t will very likely be found
that something was wrong with these
sixty Oklahoma bales.-Chariotte
Chronicle.
United States Senator Mitchell, who
has been indicted for participation in
land fraud in Oregon, no doubt
wishes there was no such thing as a
1,o &c.,, -x 49,
only evidence adduced against him
was given by a convict, but as grand
juries only hear one side, leaving the
investigation to be made by the court.
the senator must rest under the
charge until he is given a chance tc
refute it.-Greensboro Record.
Whether or o the fall OF Port
Arthur mean the termination of the
war in the east we leave to the war
prophets, who have alrady distir-
guished themselves by predicting in
regard to this war. Port Arthur, ac-
cording to their schedules, has BEEN
falling for about ten months, We
Will, therefore, wait yet a little while
longer before we put in type our edi-
torial on the close of the war.-Char-
lotte News.
The size of the cotton crop this year
puts to sleep the contention Of those
of us who thought that the south could
not Increase its crop at will on account
of the scarcity of labor. If other agen-
les keep hands off. supply and demand
can do most anything. In three years
time h south would be growing co.
100000 of bales annually if she could
sell them for 16 cents a pound. But
with a six or seven cents prospect. she
may find it e%xpedient to grow only
100000 or L 5000, 900 for a time
Monroe Journal.
The Durham Sun says: "The pres.
1dents suggestion that a whipping post
be set up at Washington for the pun
Of wife-beaters seems likely
to be answered practically. The sug-
gestion has been approved by emin-
ent authority, and the telegraph re-
ports that there is a disposition to
make a trial Of it." Come to think of
it. Washington is a good place for eX-
perimental laws. The citizens cannot
vote and therefore the politicians need
not be afraid of the wrath of those
who take offence at the laws put in
fOrce.-Charlotte Observer.
A compulsory educational law for
The state needs the closest and most
thorough investigation before it is en-
acted. The fact that it works well in
some states where it is, and has been
for some time in operation, is not
proof positive that it would be accept
BILE in North Carolina. or in other
states where like conditions obtain.
This paper took the position more than
a year g that this would not be wise
legislation for our state. And we
have no reason nov for the slightest
modification of this view. We are
writing this article, we'll satisfied that
the present legislature will not pass
any such law. They will come no.
where near it. The measure Will be
introduced. and it will have its
friends, We are glad if it may. for
this is a matter that is worth discus
sion.-Raleigh Times.