The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-02-19
NOTES.

NOW that half the session has ex-
In pired, and the committees are
beginning to bring in their reports,
the business of the body is assuming
more of a general character and hence
of more general interest to our read
ers. Among the important measures
acted on during the past week was the
one to increase the efficiency of the
State Guard. The original bill asked
for an increase of the number of com
panies from 25 to 80 and an increase
of the annuity from $3.50 to $500 to
each company, and also an appropria-
ton of $4,000 for the establishment
of an ~Encampment, which amount, if
given, was to be supplemented by
$4,000 from the general government.
The oil in this shape was defeated,
but was subsequently passed, by keep
ing the number of companies the same
without any increase of annuity, and
giving the $4,000 for the encamp-
ment. The views of The PROGRESSIVE
FARMER on this important subject are
given elsewhere. The amendments to
the Constitution, proposed by Senator
Means, providing for making the Com
missioner of Agriculture a State Off
Ger and making the Office elective, &C.,
were defeated.
The Educational bill has consumed
much time in both houses and elected
a great deal of discussion. 1t was
amended and e~masculated until even
the learned author a hardly recog-
nize it as his production. When a
boy, we debated the query: eff pair
of pants has been patched until all the
original cloth is gone, is it the same
pair of pants 2"~ We imagine that
Supt. Finger is wrestling with this
problem as he looks at his bill. Else
where we notice its principal features.
The charter to incorporate the State
Farmers Alliance was introduced in
the House by MI. Beddingfeld and
passed its several readings and was
sent to the Senate, where it was OPP
posed by Senator Luske and was re-
ferred to the committee on corpora
l,tions.
+ The Railroad Commission bill came
up in the House on Friday, and a mi
Inority report was presented and signed
by z. Y. Walser and Senator Thomas.
This report simply provided for al
advisory Board. 1t was voted down
and the majority report passed its Sec
ond reading by aovote of SO to &c.
Capt. @. M. Cooke, chairman of the
committee, made a splendid argument
in favor Of the Commission, which was
listened to with deep interest by a
crowded house. On Saturday the
House voted to postpone it's further
consideration until tomorrow WED
nesday). 1t is thought it will pass the
House without difficulty and without
material change, but it will be sternly
resisted in the Senate. Indeed, the
friends of the railroads, or rather the
opponents Of the bill, claim that it will
be defeated in that body. But we do
mot believe it. We do not believe
that a measureso just and so urgently
needed in North Carolina, and which
is called for so loudly by the whole
people, win fail to pass. Over one
thousand memorials, representing over
fifty thousand voters and taxpayers,
have passed through this Office and
have been placed before the Legislat-
ure. Gov. Scales and Gov. FoWle
both urged its enactment, and should
the Legislature suffer itself to be
hoodwinked or deceived by the rail
roads and their attorneys, and adjourn
without passing it, we would not be
surprised if an outraged people would
rise in their might and demand of the
Governor to call an extra session to
enact the law.
The people are terribly in earnest
about this great, and to them, fmpor-
tant matter, and they win be disap
pointed if their wishes and necessities
are not recognized by the Legislature.
Let the friends of the bill place
themselves and its enemies on record.
Let them call the ayes and nays on
every motion that is intended to retard
the bill. Earnest, constant and per-
sistent effort is being made to defeat
it, and its friends must be on the alert
| and be firm. Vote down all amend
| mnnts and mass the bill