The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-02-12
IRONCLAD PROVISIONS.
THE RdILROAD COMMISSION BILL
AGiTN CONSIDERED.
Indications Are That North Carolina Will
Pass the Observation-Disclosures Protesting
Iege-North State Notes.

Iege-NOTtn Sthe Noie-'
RALEIGH. ". c., February 1l.-[Special. j
Many petitions are daily presented in the
House and Senate from the several counties
in the State. asking the repeal of the mer-
chants purchase tax.
As the law now stands all merchants and
other dealers who buy and sell merchan.
disc are subject TO purchase
tax in addition to his adj valorum tax Of one
tenth Of one per cent on the total amount Of
his purchases. in or out Of the State. except
farm products from the producer: II VIII
soon be presented in the shape of bill.
THAT RAILWAY COMMISSION.
Among the bills of general interest taken mp
in the House to-day the bill To establish
a home for INDECENT children and III rela-
ton to the employment of women
and minors under sixteen were noted,
but the event Of the day was the
Railroad Commission bill. which was taken
ND in the House rs unfinished business. 4
substitute was again offered and voted down,
and then followed in quick succession an
amendment TO provide for the election Of the
commissioners by the people, instead Of being
elected by the Legislature. This was defeat
ed. Then one providing that not more than
two of the commissioners should be of one
political party, which was also voted down.
Then the managers of the hill proposed To
undo the work of the Senate which had made
any member of the General Assembly ineli-
gible for the position of commissioner. but
the House refused to do 50 and defeated It.
GREAT EXCITEMENT.
The interest in the bill was so great. andthe
excitement over the matter so high. the
House decided to have night session TO dis
pose of the bill The crowd in the lobbies
l..
time since the bill came up. MANY
amendments were offered but all were voted
down. The bill is very radical in IT, measures;
gives enormous powers 10 the three commits
sioners: gives them among other things power
when they deem necessary Ia repair the
roads. 10 add 10. improve or change
the stations. and makes the penalty not
less than fifty dollars or more than two thou
sand dollars. and this is left TO the discretion
of these commissioners; that when passcn-
ger or freight depot has been establish
ed on a road. they shall not abandon
nor substantially diminish the accommoda-
tons furnished except by consent OF
these commissioners. These are only few
samples of the provisions that run through
the entire bill II was useless for any mem
Der 10 offer any amendment to the bill unless
the commissioners were satisfied with II. IL
passed the House as it came from the Senate
POSSESSION OF DEAD BODIES.
In the Senate the most Of the day was taken
up in discussing the bill allowing the I'M
claimed dead bodies Of convicts To 60 10 the
medical schools Of the State. There was
long discussion on the bill. and It was still
pending at the time of adjournment.
cOLoRED SCHOOL.
One of the questions now before the Legis-
ature is the organization Of a college of agrl-
culture and mechanic arts for col
ored people. That it will be estab-,
lished is very certain. Where 1t Will
be located is the question. Shaw University
and ST. Augustine Normal School. Of this city,
have made very liberal proposals 70 secure the
college as an annex. Durham, Winston and
Wilmington have made offers for It also.
UNIVERSITY TRUSTEES MEET.
The trustees of the State University met to-
day and Dr. Kemp p Battle rendered his res
ignati0n as president. II was accepted, and
he was elected professor of history. to iill the
chair recently established Many remarks com.
plimentary to DR.. Battlesable management OF
the University were made, and committee
was appointed TO prepare suitable resolutions
expressive of the boards appreciation Of his
services His resignation takes effect at the
commencement next June, AT which time the
trustees will elect new president.