Evening journal., 1894-01-19
THERE WAS NO SECRECY
Amendments Before the Leg
islature for Over a Month.
FREELY AND FULLY DISCUSSED

What the Journals show Concerning the
Registration Law Amendments
Speaker whiteman offered His Record
Book to the Morning News But Il Was
Not Aocepted-Victor. B. wooiiey's
Statement.
The Republican charges that the
state registration law for the city of
Wilmington, passed by the Legislature
in 1891, was secretly amended at the
session Of 1898. falls fiat before the
journals Of the Senate and House, and
the declarations Of the officials.
The part stricken out Of the city
registration law for state elections was
construed differently by number Of
attorneys. Its terms were doubtful and
uncertain, and the Department of Elec-
tions had considerable difficulty in agree
ing upon construction. The depart.
ment, under the law as amended still has
the option Of doing that which the
original act evidently contemplated, but
in doubtful terms.
No Foundation whatever.
speaker OF Tue HOUSE j. nuINtN W HlfD
man was called upon by an EvENIEo
JOURNAL reporter this afternoon aud
asked to make a statement concerning
the course Of the bill in the Legislature
He had read the charges aud said
'rhe charge is without any tounda-
tion whatever My record shows that
the bill was introduced by Mr. Spruance
aud read the first time on March j.
1t was read the second time on March %
and referred to the Committee On
Municipal Corporations.
1T laid In committee for seven days
aud was reported favorably on March 90,
on which day it was read third time
and passed the House.
Il have no especial recollection Of this
bill when it first passed the House, bat
have a distinct recollection OF being in
formed by MIR. Wooley that the Senate
had amended the bill so that its passage
would not affect c. F. Thomas ia either
his office OF City Councilman or member
of the Department of Elections Had It
not been amended his position as City
Councilman would have rendered him
ineligible for the office which he now
holds.
My attention was directed to it that
might see that the Senate amendment
was concurred ia by the House When
it was returned from the Senate l have a
distinct recollection OF having notified
| Mr.. Spruance of its return as
amended, whereupon Mr. Spruance
moved for the concurrence Of the House
In the Senate amendments Before this
motion was put Mr.. SpruaDce, from his
desk, stated openly and fully the nature
Of the Senate amendment, after which
the House concurred.
Where Ignorance Is Bliss.
81 offered ny journal, which is my
private property, TO Morning News
man, who told ne they were going to
criiicise the action of the Legisla
ture, and told him that be could hav,
access to it at any time to gather infor
nation needed or desired AS to th,
method of the passage OF any bills by th'
Legislature If he had taken advantage
of that offer he would have seen that thI
lapse of time between the dates upol
which the Legislature acted upon thi
measure showed that there was no dis
position to hurry or to secretly act upol
the bill
What the Senate journal shows.
'The Senate Journal now in possession
of Clerk w. A Hardcastle at Smyrna
shows that the bill was read first tim
on March 81, two days after It had passed
J the House, read the second time on Apri
3, two days intervening, and referred &
the committee on elections
"It was read the third time and passed
on April 10. a period Of ten days inter
vening between the time it twas referre
to the committee and the time 1t passed
''His record also shows that the yea
and nays were called and that Senate
: McMullin, a Republican, voted yes an
Senator Pilling, his colleague, vote
$ no
rha-. Wa ~, cacracv Abont H.