The news & observer., 1897-03-07

He said the committee appeared to be
making deals.
Person, of Wayne, took view the
opposite of that of Cook, his desk-mate;
that the policy of the House had been to
sustain the majority report OF commit
tees.
Parker, of Wayne, offered this amend
ment: 'sThat the public printing be let
to the lowest responsible bidder and that
said prices shall not exceed a price of
25 cents less than prices of 1893" He
said that according to the bill no con-
tract could be made with any body save
Barnes.
Freeman said that the committee had
made an agreement with Barnes pro
v:ded this bill passed, as Barnes was the
lowest bidder. Alexander said: "As a
member OF the committee | deny that
Barnes bid is the lowest"
Parker went on to say that there
was big dispute in the committee and
out of this good to the State might come.
He said that the majority report called
for a reduction of 10 per cent on the
price of 1898. Freeman said Barnes
might go still lower. Parker insisted
that Barnes would so to the limit. He
read a letter from Nash Bros, of Colds
boro, saying that they would take the
State printing at % per cent less than
the 1893 prices. Freeman asked Parker
If he did not know Barnes bid was 33
per cent less than the prices of 1893.
Parker asked why then the committee
allowed the prices to come up to 10 per
cent of those of 1898. He said Nash
Bros. had deposited $500 and given
S. 900 bond. He read extracts from Stew
art Bros circular, in which it was said
the people were watching the Legisla-
ture on this public printing business.
He said Stewart Bros. acknowledged
in this circular that Nash Bros bid
was the very lowest.
Cunningham offered an amendment
leaving the awarding of the public print
ing to a committe of four representatives
and three Senators. He declared the
matter ought not to be put in the hands
of the Council of State. de could only
take the idea that there was politics IN
the substitute; that there must be some
favorite in sight. He said the commit
tee had, IA to 2, reported the bill favor
ably. Alexander said the committee
stood to 4. Cunningham declared 1t
was not right to put all the power and
all the business of the State into the
hands of a few. He expressed the hope
that members sometimes cast their eyes
upon the portrait of George Washington
who always declared against the rule
of the few.
Freeman rose to a question of personal
privilege and spoke regarding the state
ment in Stewart Bros circular that the
committee had met at night with closed
doors. He said it was false; that Stew
art Bros. were present and refused to
exhibit their books. Freeman said the
printing expenses for the past two years
were far heavier than before.
Craven said that the bill itself was
fraud; that it was a sneak thief which
was caught in the House some days ago
and sent back to the committee. lie
said the committee did not really know
about the bids. He said Barnes and
Nash's bids were nearly the same, ac-
cording to Barnes comparisons on the
bids, but that the bill does not refer to
the bids He said he voted for the bill
in committee; that this was done TO get
it out of the way; that he thought then
it was based on comparison Of the
bids, but that this was not true.
NoCHuIhtn AdbOiGd SAAS cdb9t@N0SN
cause it gave anybody a chance to bid,
and gave the State the benefit, and cut
out all cliques and gave plenty Of time
to award the contract properly.
Mr.. Hancock said the lobby had been
begging and bothering everybody. Not
a member of the committe could under
stand the bids. In one item there is a
bid of one cent from one party and fifty
cents from another party. Not being
able to determine lowest bidder, we ought
to leave ii to the Governors council. Dr.
Alexander, q member Of the committee,
said giving it to the Governors council
was the best solution. He called the
previous question. Carried. Cunning
hams amendment to appoint committee
to let to the lowest bidder was lost.
Parker's (of Wayne) amendment-the
substitute to give the matter to Gov
ernor's council was put and adopted by
vote Of "a to 45. Passed second and
third reading The "clincher' was put ON.
Mr.. Dockery's bill to amend the char
ter OF Laurinburg came up with Senate
amendment On Dockery's motion 1t
was concurred in.
Grants bill to appoint police board
for Goldsboro came up next. 1T is the
bill Grant snealied through the Senate.
Person, of Wayne, wished he had the
time to tell the necessity of the passage
Of this bill. Twenty years ago Vance
said: There is retribution in history.
Russell said the same The Legislature of
1877 gerrymandered Goldsboro and de-
MED local self-goyernment. He read
address of mayor of Goldsboro. Democ-
racy has gone too far in manipulations.
1t rose on the colored brother. They
have disfranchised negroes. There have
been such conditions in Goldsboro that
it makes men slaves. There is reign
of terror that makes men afraid to vote
anything but the Democratic ticket. Co
ercion is practiced. Our liberties depend
ON this bill. Parker, of Perquimans,
asked: "What is the necessity of this
billg' He replied by bloody story. 1t
is to get the thing out of the hands OF