The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1897-03-11
N. 3. JOSEY,

Mr.. Wards amendment to divide the
money equally among all townships
was lost.
Mr.. Dixon's amendment, providing
for either voluntary subscription or
tax was adopted Ito amount to not
over $500 to township.
Mr.. Hancock's amendment inserting
"publie schools" was adopted and the
bill passed its second reading-ayes,
IS; noes, 20.
The bill to establish dispensary at
Louisburg came up, with favorable
report.
Mr.. Blackburn offered an amendment
that the matter be submitted to the
people of Louisburg township.
Mr.. Barrow said large majority of
the qualified voters had asked the pas
sage of the bill.
The amendment was lost-yeas, 80 !;
nays, IS, and the bill passed its second
reading yeas, SO; nays, 21.
TUESDAY, MARCH 2ND.
SENATE.-Among the bills passed
were:
The bill to establish colored state
normal school carrying an appropria-
ton of $4,000 passed.
The penitentiary bill was taken up.
It takes control of the penitentlary out
of the hands of the present officers and
gives the governor power to appoint
nine directors and to name the chief
officer by consent of the senate and to
name the wardens etc., by consent of
the directors.
Senator Person moved to pass the
bill oyer indefinitely.
Senator McCaskey opposed postpon-
ing the matter, saying it should be set
tied at once.
Senator Grant said to defer the mat
ter affected the inmates OF the penf-
tentiary and the integrity OF the gov
ernor. IT it is the purpose to take
charge of the prison there is no better
time than now to settle it; if there is
any republican or populist here who
opposes it let us put him on record as
being against the wishes of co-opera-
ton.
Senator Whedbee opposed considera-
ton of the bill, saying it gaye the gov
ernor extraordinary power, such as no
one man in North Carolina should be
vested with. When he (Whedbee)
came here 1t was not his intention to
be driven by "gag law" nor was he
going to submit to be ruled as by
"czar." There has been too much in
fernal cowardice shown here in this
legislature by trying to give one man
all the power. This bill gives Governor
Russell power to appoint whoever he
desires to rule this institution. Senator
Whedbee said he was perfectly willing
and glad to &C on record as opposing
such measure. Let the people haye
voice in the matter aud say who shall
govern the penitentiary and not Coy
ernor Russell.
Senator Moye rose to ask a question.
Before he could do so Senator Whed-
bee asked him what he wanted as his
part-a postohies? If so, Governor
Russell could not give him that.
Senator Person said as for the re-
marks of Senator Grant, he desired to
say to him that he was glad to go on
record as being opposed to the bill plac-
ing the government OF the penitentiary
in the governors hands. He called the
previous question on his motion to in
definitely postpone, which was lost
ayes, 8; noes, 81.
Senator McCaskey called the previ-
Gus question on the original bill, which
was ordered and the bill passed its
second reading ayes, %; noes, IA. It
was placed on its third reading and
passed.
HoUsE.-BiIls passed to allow col
ored physician to be employed at the
colored institution for deaf mutes and
blind here and to establish graded
schools at Washington.
The bill passed to forbid the James
vile and Washington railway to sell
to any other company its right of way
in the town of Washington and renuir-