The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-02-28
Republicans Leaders Anxious
TO Have One.
GOV. Russell AGAINST IT
But THEY MAY FORCE HIM TO
CALL IT.
lr WOULD COST ABOUT $4,000
Much Of the Most important Legisla-
ton Of the Session tsas Not Yet
Been Touched :, The
Last week.

There is talk of an extra session Of the
General Assembly.
This gossip is confined to members,
and Republican members at that, but
the matter is being more and more dis
eussed as the session draws to close.
And it is now only one week before the
60 DAYS fixed by the Constitution ex-
pires. The Legislature can stay in ses-
sion after that time as long as it pleases
but if ii does so the members will get no
per diem for so doing.
Now it is argued that this time is in
sufficient for the transaction of such leg
islation as is ON the calendar and abso-
lutely necessary to be enacted. Much of
the most important legislation of the ses-
sion has not yet been touched. The time
wasted over the election of United States
Senator is in great part responsible for
this state of affairs.
SO strong and wholly unsatisfactory
mas been the session to all parties that
they will be glad to see it come to an
end, and unless there is a wonderful
change IN public sentiment next Satur-
day might Will witness the close of the
present General Assembly.
The Republicans who are talking the
extra session idea realize all this They
realize also that Gov. Russell is as sick
of the Legislature as is anybody else,
and however much they may desire an ex-
ira session to complete the public bust
ness and patch things up generally, they
do not believe he will cali it unless he IS
compelled to do so.
The only way to compel him to do this
is not to provide revenue for running the
a. With This 51ao IN
view, it is said, the revenue and machin-
cry act has been delayed longer than ever
before. Here it is the last week in the
half disposed of in the House. In adj
dit.on to this there is a stack of impor-
tant bills on the calendar.
The programme. | am told, is to give
the time to the regular calendar, let the
revenue bill drag along until the regular
session expires, then the members Will go
home, leaving no quorum and no proyi-
sion for raising revenue. This will make
am extra session Imperative.
Such a session If called can last only
20 days At least members can receive
compensation for only that length Of
time. This 20 days, however, would cost
the State between $4,000 and $4,000,
at CDe least KtOSSlDie eSpiLidtt. 1alS LIMIT
age of members alone would be nearly
$4,000; or to be more accurate it would
be just the same as for the present ses-
sion, S9,540. This does not include the
mileage of the numerous clerks and other
officers. which is at least $500 more.
Indeed an extra session would cost
just one-third as much as the present
session, which first and last will have
cost the taxpayers not less than 1926
900 when it shall have adjourned.
Do the people want an extra session
Do they think it necessary? Will they
endorse their representatives if they
leave the public affairs in such shape
that the Governor will be compelled to
call one2 Would they not rather thank
them to pass the revenue bill and so
home without touching another bill than
have them to put the State to this great
and unnecessary expense?
The State would get off light at $780,
600 for an extra session.