The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-02-21

This Fact Conceded by an Parties.
Small Fire at the Insane Asylum.
The Fight on the Liquor Question.
A Pardon Sent Too Iate-The Dog
Tax Eil Killed.


I-a4Gtthy ~ 49, ENGs
It appears to be regarded as GER
tain that there viii be no extension
OF the capitol. Monday evening there
will be a meeting OF the committees
on public buildings and grounds to
consider a plan for = new building
for records. and also h capitol! ex-
tension matter. One architect claims
that he can build the two wings OF
capitol extension for $4,000 each.
and the dome for $4,000. but 1t Is
declared by some persons that il can
not possibly be done for h money
A great many persons are interested
In the hearing. there being two sets
of ideas as to the new building.
Last night there was a little IRE
In the laundry building at the hos
pital for the insane here, but the work
Of the iremen at the institution was
prompt and the damage was only
about 800. The fire goes to prove
the necessity for an automatic
sprinkling apparatus for the laundry
as suggested some time age by In
surance Commissioner Young.
Public interest now centers on the
liquor and a~nti-liquor fight In the
legislature, and is d~ecpened by the
call Of the democratic state commit
tee to consider that matter. On the
one hand II is charged that the COM
mitteemen desire to run the leGisla-
ture. and on the other hand that a
certain newspaper wished to occupy
this position. that 1t has so far done
so. There is a good deal of rather
bitter talk in and out of the tegisla-
ture. one of the most prominent
members said today that he felt en-
tirely sure the Ward bill would pass
the house as easily as it passed the
senate. The whole business IS tho
liquor fight in a new shape. he and
others say. Senator Simmons drew
the Ward bill ard has never yet fail
ed to carry his point. 1t is contend
ed by the advocates OF the Ward bill
that it is carrying out the statement
as to party policy made during tho
campaign by Chairman Simmons,
that there must he proper regulation
Of all distillery towns. The distillers
are solid in their fight against the
Ward bill, and are spending a great
amount of money tc defeat It, hiring
lawyers n paying the expenses of
other influential men to come here
and work against it. Some of the dis
tillers do not show themselves on the
ground. but others do SO.
The legislature ought to adjourn on
the 4th Of March, but it seems to BE-
impossible for it to do so in less than
a week after that time. Not a singh.
important bill of a general nature
hoe xyn no ccnI both 49, x1I4 - 49,
legislature. and important legislation
is more longer delayed than ever he
fore known. Great numbers or minor
bills have become laws. but there is
n general hanging back AS to great
matters. Everybody IS afraid of the
committee on appropriations. The
bills carrying appropriations all have
to run the gauntlet of that
committee. and it certainly has its
hands full. That there will have to
be a very heavy scaling of some, at
least of the appropriations asked for
is already evident.
Fine weather prevails now and the
snow is gone 1t is the first fine
weather since the 1st day of the wear.
Governor Glenn telegraphed a par
,lon for a mar named Wilson, who
was on the Iredell county chain gang.
upon affidavit that he was critically
sick, but the pardon did not reach
hin. in time to 90 any good. It and
. death arrived about neck and neck
The mans nickname was Lucky
Joe" but that time his luck failed
him.
Just as was expected, the dog tax
bill met a quick death in the legisia-
ture For twenty efforts to Sc
cure a tax on dogs has been made but
has failed. Once a bill to tina effect
got through n house, but that was
all.