Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-20
A LONG CONFERENCE
Butler and Holton Nap Out Fusion L."
6lSlation This Session.
FEATURES OF THE WORK.
County Government and Election Laws to
Be Repealed Says Hoiton--Othsr Re.
COMMUNICATING Bill

RALEIGH. N. c.. January ie.-(SpeciaD
Last evening there was a long conference
between the Populist State Chairman.
Marion Butler. and the Republican State
Chairman Holton. The object Of this
was to map out all legislation at this ses-
sion. Your correspondent this morning
had an interview with Chairman Holton,
in which the latter said 1.-The salient
feature Of the work will be the repeal
OF the county-government law. This
matter will be taken UP and discussed
next week. The bill to repeal the present
election law and enact a new one viii
be taken up at the same time, and these
will be jointly discussed. No county
government bill as yet introduced meets
the appreciation Of the majority In the
Legislature, or will be adopted as
whole. The bill which will be ps~Sseo
VIII he a combination OF ideas. In order
TO secure an election law which VIII give
perfectly fair elections, so fair tnat TO
one save a partisan can assail 1t as be-
ing intended TO give political advantage.
But we are determined that the majority
OF the people shall govern, and II We
cannot stand on that We are wiilIAg TO
fall.
THE INSTITUTIONS.
I'VE have not yet discussed the matter
of the Geological Survey and the public
Institutions. / think the latter VIII be
placed In the hands of friends or the
majority in the Legislature-that is, the
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES nothing will be done
to cripple the institutions. and men Will
be recognized for efficiency. There are
10 charges, SO far as / am aware. Inc
Agricultural Department will probably
be consolidated with the Agricultural ana
Mechanical College, in order 10 cut OH
EXPENSE and give advantages TO the coll
lege.
Another important matter Is provision
for local legislation. which accumulates
and consumes so much OF the time OF the
Legislatures. A new law will be enacted.
comforting authority upon clerks or
superior courts and county commissioners.
trustees, or whatever they may be desig-
mated under the new law. TO grant such
charters. etc. whenever this can be done
under the Constitution. There Is a vast
mass Of trivial bills before each Legisia-
ture. many. II not most Of which. might
not take up its valuable time, but be
disposed OF in a simpler moro expeditions.
and more economical way
LEXOWISM.
"a commission will be appointed TO In
vestgate frauds at the last election at
the ballot-boxes. This special commission
will be given authority to take testi-
mony and to secure witnesses In a man
ner similar to that OF the Fraud Com
mission over twenty years ago. In ofder
to make the work OF this committee
effectual bill, which was introduced by
Senator Sharp yesterday will be passed
This gives immunity to witnesses who
testify. without this the commission
would be Ineffective.
There will, in all probability, be a
special Superior Court Judge. at I've Gov
errors command. to try cases speedily
For such a judge there is a general
public demand and need.
ELIMINATION.
"There will be constitutional amend
ment submitted to the people for ratiiica-
ton. ENGRAVING certain cardinal princi-
pies into the election laws. This viii
be the elimination OF the whole work Of
cooperation Of the two parties. Tho
salient features OF this amendment viii
be In regard TO the manner of holding
the elections, and the matter OF regis
tration. This amendment will he made
one of the principal issues Of the next
campaign. in case the Democrats oppose
II. II such an amendment is not sub
mitted the fruits OF victory might be
swept away By a tidal wave on the resto-
ration OF Democratic Legislature.
MONEY TO BE SAVED.
"Much money Is to be saved In the
public printing; not 50 much in the prices
paid as in the looping of a. great part
Of the printing by the passage or the blIl
giving the county authorities the right
to grant charters, etc. thus cutting Gil
the Incorporation bills, private measures
etc, which so engross the time OF the
Legislature. Very many of such bills are
thoroughly covered by the general law:
IAN effort will be made IN the line Of
an extension Of public education by a
plan for local assessments. py schoOi ais
tricts, towns. or counties.
This interview brings out information
Of the greatest value to all the people
OF the State. Chairman Holton spoke
without reserve.
LAUGHABLE DEBATE
There was a debate In the lower house
of the legislature to-day. which caused
great laughter. 1t was on bill intro
duced by Lindsay CPopulisp, from Rock
ingham county. 1t proposed to amend
the section OF the Code regarding Thanks
giving proclamations so II would read
The Governor Is empowered 10 request
all Christian men and women, when
ever he may deem proper, to offer prayer
before Almighty God to avert from the
state the tyrannies and expressions Of
unequal laws. and acts OF wicked rulers
and people and. moreover, 10 render
thanks to Almighty God that the condl-
tiCns are no worse than they are"
\ Democrat offered an amendment in
sorting the word political" before con-
dtions. Lindsay made a speech In sup
pert OF his bill. He declared that the
people were called on TO give thanks no
matter whether in distress or prosperity,
and that the farmers and mechanics
this year had nothing whatever TO be
thankful for, and 10 do so was unrea-
ecnable. lie declared that 1t was CON
trary to religion Tor king or Governor
be allowed TO can upon the people to
give thanks. Yet there was n man in au-
thority who called on all people, saints
and sinners, 10 pray. Lindsay said he
had read in the New York World that
on Thanksglving-Da there was horse
racing. football games and dancing. He
declared that there was no reason for
the proclamation last November; II was
drawing together Church and State. and
would in time affect the moral senti-
ment of the people. Some Republicans
ridiculed Lindsays bill. and said there
was much to be thankful for. His bill
was tabled.