The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1891-02-24
SENATE.

SENATE.
THIRTY-FOURTH DAY-SATURDAY, FEB
RUARY H..
Lieut.. Gov. Holt raped the gavel at
II o'clock. Rev. E. L. Pel, of Frank
linton, offered prayer.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.
DR.. Twitty made a report from the
Propositions and Grievances Commit
tee; Mr.. Paine, from Committee on
Education; Capt. Wilcox, DR.. Twitty
and Mr.. Bellamy, from Committee on
Corporations; Mr.. Davis, of Haywood,
Mr.. Mclean and MI. Green, of Har-
nett, from Finance Committee; Mr..
Russell, from Committee on EngrOssed
Bills; Mr.. Lucas and Mr.. Shankle,
from Committee on Fish and Fish In
terests; Mr.. Green, of Harnett, from
Committee on Military Affairs; Mr..
Mclean, from Committee on Enrolled
Bills.
PASSED THIRD READING.
To amend charter of Weldon; to al
low the town of Madison to levy a
special tax; to authorize Alexander
county to impose a special tax; to in
corporate H~ayesville, in Clay county;
to incorporate Everetts, in Martin
county; to provide an alternate method
of working and keeping in repair the
public roads in Buncombe county; to
amend the charter of Edenton; to
amend chap. 484 of the laws of 1889
an act to supplement the school fund
so that Greensboro may vote a special
tax.
TO MAXI W DEGREES OF MURDER
Senator Turner's bill came up. 1t is
as follows {:
Sec. 1. All murder which shall be
perpetrated by means of poison, lying
In wait, imprisonment, starving, tor
ture, or by any other wilful, deliberate
and premeditated killing; or which
shall be committed in the preparation,
or attempt to perpetrate any arson,
rape, robbery or burglary, shall be
deemed to be murder in the first de
gree and shall be punished with death.
Sec. 2. All other kinds of murder
shall be deemed murder in the second
degree and shall be punished with i'm
prisOnment in the p~enltentlary not
less than five nor more than thirty
years.
Sec. 3. Nothing herein contained
shall be construed to require any alter
alton or modification of the existing
forms of Indictment for murder; but
the jury before whom the offender is
tried shall determine in their verdict
whether the crime is murder in the
first degree; and if the accused confess
his guilt, the court shall proceed to as
certain the degree of the crime by the
verdict of a jury, upon examination OF
the testimony, and render judgment
accordingly.
Mr.. Turner explained his bill. There
is need of a change in the law. Often
to light punishment is inflicted. This
bill is recommended by the Attorney
General and will have a tendency to
prevent crime.
Mr.. Bellamy felt that this innova,
ton was of such great value, and had
worked well in Virginia, it was best to
lay this bill over and make it a special
order for Tuesday.
Mr.. Turner concurred in this opinion
and the bill was passed over.
TRINITY COLLEGE TOWN.
Bill to incorporate the town of
Trinity College came up. Mr.. Turner
had introduced the bill at the request
of President Crowen and Justice Clark.
He was sure, however, that they
would not favor it if Durham opposed
it. Durham had done much to nOurish
the College, and it is proposed only to
incorporate the land given to the Col
lege by Mr.. Carr.
DR.. CrOwel had this idea: That boys
in college frequently antagonize the
town government, andi the boys were
allowed to vote and~hold Office they
would learn something of government
and become interested to secure good
order. In England this plan works
well and is of value to the boys. ]
would be glad to test the expert
ment of giving college boys a voice in
initiative in this legislation.
Mr.. Russell said if MI. Turner
wanted to experiment in this line, he
had better begin at home. The people
of Durham opposed this bill. 1t may
be one of Uncle Remus' witch babies.
1t is a fondling and I doubt if it be-
longs to the human race Durham
had done much for Trinity, and there
is no citizen in Durham who knows
anything of the bill. They do not
wantit. President Crowen has been
trying to beat the devil-in this case
he has done so. This bill is a stab in
the dark. Durham's Representatives
have not been consulted. He was sorry
that Mr.. Turner had pursued this
course, for he had formed a high opin
ion of him and hoped that he could
honor him greatly some day. This
bill allows the little boys to vote. L
is a farce and an absurdity. 1 wish
MI. Turner would let other peoples af
fairs alone. I am satisfied our people
do not want any such experiments il
this line. Mr.. Russell resented Mr.
Turner's ignoring his right as Dur
hams Senator and said so very plainly
Mr.. Turner said that if he trespasseC
upon the rights of Senator Russell, h.
asked his forgiveness. He had intro
dncnd If nv ren11est and would not nnc.