The record-union., 1891-02-18
LEGISLATURE -2sTH SESSION.
The Senate Votes that Train-Wfeck.
ing Shall be a Capital 0ffense.
Defeat of Mr.. Dray's Anti-Pol1 Tax
Bfll-The Assembly at Work on
the Appropriation Bill.
SENATE.

Inc senate met at 10 O'CLOCK a. M,
Lieutenant Governor Reddick in the
chair. Roll called, and quorum present.
Prayer by the Chaplain. Reading of the
journal dispensed with.
On motion of Mr.. Dray, the electric
railway bills, three in number, were
made the special order for Wednesday
morning.
Mr.. Ostrom presented petitions in favor
of reform ballot law.
Reports were received from the Com
mittee on Education and City and County
Governments, of bills relating respect
lively to the increase of Indebtedness by
cities, counties and Boards of Education,
and for the levy and collection of taxes
by cities under the fourth class, recon-
mending their passage.
Mr.. g. III. Williams, from the Commit
tee on Federal Relations, reported back
S. j. r. IA, requesting Congress to permit
the taxation of treasury notes; passage
recommended.
Also, A. ]. r. 10, relating to the foster
ing of American shipping; passage rec
commended.
Also, A. J. r. 3, relating to foreign I'M
migration; passage recommended.
Mr.. Denison. from the Committee on
provide for paying VIM. Carey Jones for
his services in compiling the State text
book on Civil Government; passage
recommended,
Mr.. G. j. Campbell, from the Commit
tee on Counties and County Govern
ments, reported back favorably S. B. 19l,
prohibiting the sale OF lottery tickets.
Also, S. BIS 6lS and 6l9, relating to the
time of settlement by County Treasurers
and Auditors with the State Controller.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
= By Mr.. Crandall-Amending Section
GIG of the Political Code, relating to in
surance companies.
BY Mr.. Denison-Providing for the
deficiency in the appropriation for the
expenses of the State Board Of Railroad
Commissioners.
By Mr.. DeLong-Amending Section
737 of the Political Code, relating to the
salaries of Superior Judges in certain
counties.
By Mr.. Mahoney-Providing for the
employment of destitute citizens.
By Mr.. Misunderstanding to the Bureau
of Labor Statistics.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS.
Mr.. Heacock gave notice of a motion to
so amend Rule "A that no Senator shall
speak longer than five minutes on any
question, without unanimous consent.
a resolution was offered by Mr.. De-
Long, providing that committee OF
three be appointed to confer with like
committee OF the Assembly, to arrange a
plan for facilitating legislation. Adopted.
Mr.. Crandall offered resolution au-
thoriZing the Secretary of State to pro-
vide each member of the Senate with a
copy of the debates of the Constitutional
Convention. Adopted.
MIR. McComaS presented petition for
the support of Ex-Governor Pico. Re-
ferred.
Mr.. Britt offered a resolution author
izing the Controller to draw warrants for
SIS 20 each for mileage of three members
of the Committee on Public Buildings.
CONCERNING POLL TAXEs.
Mr.. Dray addressed the Senate at con-
siderable length in support of his pro-
posed constitutional amendment abolish
ing poll taxes. He declared the operation
Of the poll tax law to be equivalent to Il
species of slavery it practically
amounted TO involuntary servitude. 1t is
burden upon the laborers of the State,
from the profits of whose toll all taxes are
paid. Capital does not pay its Just pro-
portion of taxes, and to this burden upon
the laboring classes is added that of the
unjust poll tax. There are any number
of men in the State who pay no property
tax, and hence escape paying even the
poll tax, because there is no way to reach
them. But wherever laborers' are en-
salf and garnisheeS their wages, if neces-
sary, in order to get his percentage Of the
poll tax.
Mr.. Preston differed with Mr.. Dray.
He held that the laboring classes should
pay their just proportion of taxation. If
they did not, there would not be sufficient
revenues TO support the Government, and
hence the enterprises that now afford en-
ployment to men could not be MAIN
tained, and the laborer would have moth
ing to do. The men who enjoy the bless
lngs of employment should pay their
share of the taxes necessary to secure
them those blessings. In the mountain
counties, where the population is sparse,
the road poll tax is necessary for the
maintenance of public roads
Mr.. OStrom also spoke against the pro-
posed amendment. He admitted that
labor produced capital, but denied that it
paid the taxes. The poll-taxes were nee
essary for the support Of the public
schools, and more than half the revenues
from that source came from the Chinese,
who otherwise contributed very little
toward the expenses of government.
Mr.. Dray again spoke in support of the
measure. reiterating the assertion that it
was in the interest of the poor man and
designed to compel large landholders and
corporations to bear their proper burdens
of taxation.
The amendment was lost-ayes II, noes
Is.
SPECIAL ORDER.
S. B. $50, relating to the appointment of
a married woman as administrative of an
estate of deceased person.
The roll was called, and the bill was
passed-ayes 30, noes ,.
Mr.. Berry gave notice of motion to
reconsider.
WORK ON THE FILE.
Senate Constitutional Amendment No
IA, relating to the framing and adoption
of charters by cities of more than $500
inhabitants. Adopted-ayes %, noes 0.
Senate Constitutional Amendment No
II, relative to juries in Justices and Po-
lice Courts. Adopted-ayes %, noes 0.
At 1890 the Senate took a recess until
2P. N.
Afternoon Session.
The Senate reassembled at o'clock p.
NJ, President pro tenn. Fraser in the
chair, and at once took up for consider
alton the special order, S. j. r. 20. rela-