The news & observer., 1905-10-26
Mr.. Norris and Judge
Cooke in Tilt
COURT HOUSE AGAIN
Superior Court EnIiyened by Warm
Defense Of the County Commits
sioners Whom the Judge
Criticised. Judge Cooke
Speaks His Mind.

In the Superior Court yesteray
morning the matterFo Judge Cookies
criticisms of the county in relation to
the poor condition of the court house
took a new turn upon the request OF
County Attorney H. e. Norris to state
the nosition of the Board of County
Commissioners.
While no disresDect was shown by
Mr.. Norris to the Court, and there was
no irritation from the bench, at the
same time the ensuing colloquy was
of a nature to greatly stir and inter-
est the crowd present.
Mr.. Norris warmly defended the
commissioners. claiming that they had
done great deal to better conditions
in the county generally and had al
ready under way plans looking to the
improvement of the court house; and
Judge Cooke good-naturedly. but with
a deal of caustic comment repeated
the scoring he had given the condi-
tiuns obtaining in the building on the
day previous.
Mr.. Norris Statement.
Mr.. Norris said in part:
1--WE learn from the morning papers
and from those present in court that
called attention of the public to the
bad condition of the court house tn :
failure of the commissioners to do
their duty and that if you had a
grand jury you would have them take
the matter up: and made use of other
remarks rejecting upon the commits
sioners The commissioners feel that
this was unjust. and is humiliating and
CALLING to them: and, as | believe your
Honor win agree, when you know the
facts concerning the present Board OF
commissioners and their attempt TO
better the conditions of this county.
The present board is composed OF flVe
men whose personal character ana IN
tegrity is above reproach; than whom
no better men live in Wake county.
Having been elected last year they
have been in office only about ten
months, during which time they have
done and are doing their utmost to
better former conditions. Prior 10
their election the management or
county affairs was not satisfactory TO
the public; a deficit from $4,000 to
$4,000 occurring yearly for several
years past. The people elected these
men with the understanding that they
would remedy existing conditions; and
| am proud to say this Board has so
conducted the affairs of the county
that there will be no deficit this fiscal
year, but probably surplus; although
the former Board had expended a
large amount Of money properly be-
longing to this fiscal year. This
Board has paid over $4,000 of out
standing accounts made by former
Board, and had to their credit on
October the first, this year, nearly
$4,000 to county fund, and over $15,-
900 to Road fund. and have built
more permanent roads than during
any like period. The Commissioners
some time ago obtained the con-
sent of the Board of Education
to vacate the rooms now occupied by
it. known as the Judges rooms; and
they are preparing quarters on the
third floor of the court house, and as
soon as that work is completed the
Commissioners had already deter
mined to thoroughly renovate and put
in good condition the court room and
every office in the building. 1t is true
that the Board has been using every
possible effort in that direction and
they felt they should be commended
rather than blamed; and l am sure
your Honor will agree with us in-thls. y
His Honor replied of course if
that is true they should be; that he.
however, had to take things as he
found them. and as the court house
appeared it was not creditable to the
countv-that no respectable man
would be willing for his wife to re-
main in such a court house during a
trial, as they were forced sometimes
to do. and instead of a carpet costing
IL 1-2 cents per yard and inadequate
furniture, there should be something
more in keeping with the progress OF
the times, as the court house should
present such conditions as would serve
as an education to it's citizens.
Mr.. Norris said: '"The' Commission
ers agree that these improvements