Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-05-27
ofIlclala BY The Govornor was thon taken

the clause providing for the apportion-
ment of the school fund on the basis OF
"a per diem for every day taught by
each teacher In the said districts, the
amounts to be distributed annually.
His amendment, which was adopted
after lung discussion, provides that
the fund shall be distributed equitabiy
among the districts OF the State as the
General Assembly shall provide.
Another amendment, presented by
Mr. Cooeh, was to eliminate from tho
section tho clause which requires the
General Assembly to make provision
for tho paymsnt of not less than
500, 600 Annually for tho benefit Of the
free Schools. This was discussed at
length and finally defeated. The next
section was that Of exempting from
taxation schoul property, which brought
up the question of sectarian schools.
Mr. Clark moved to strike out OF Sec
tion 3 the portion providing for the ex-
emption from taxation OF real estate
used for educational purposes. lie
claimed the idea was dangerous.
Mr.. Spruance said il was intended to
apply only to real estate used for
schools. and as 1t did not exempt prop
erty held as an investment, believed it
should remain, as4t 1Si'
Mr. Clark cited an instance of an in
stitution near Clayton which held 100
acres OF land, which was exempt from
taxation under the statutes, He main.
tanned that il the section was adopted
as printed itwould be even more sweep.
ing 10 it's effect than the present law.
Mr.. Spruance Mt this grew quite elo-
quent in defense Of the institution re-
T.. a.. L. "a. t.. L. 49, In
statement made by the gentleman frum
Kenton, | will say that own farm
adjoining the lands of tho institution
to which he refers. and ] am perfectly
willing to continue naying my taxes
and bid the people who are engaged in
gathering 10 the destitute and hume
lese children God speed This iustitu.
tion is supported altogether by volun-
tary contribution. and 1 would be-
pleased to sec them gather in 1000
orphans and needy children. or course,
ii they acquire more property than ia
necessary it would be taxed
Mr.. Richards stated III favoring the
motion to strike out by asserting that
a similar provision could not be found
in any constitution. He also stated
that in sectarian schools children were
compelled TO receive the denomina-
tional training no matter what the de-
sires of their relatives might be in this
regard.
| Mr.. Donahoe here interrupted Mr..
Richards and said that tine latter was
| incorrectly informed in regard to these
schools, because child who was not a
Romanst. IL taken TO an institution
| under the jurisdiction of the Catholic
church, was not compelled to receive
religious instruction il a request to
| that effect was made. 'The only re-
| ligious training they received was that
| gained through example, and no child
| has ever been Injured thereby"
Mr.. Richards was evidently surprised
| at the assertion, and asked il he had
understood the gentleman from Will
| mington that Protestant child sent to
| a Catholic educational institution was
not compelled to receive religious In.
struction.
"That 10 exactly what / said and /
can prove the ASSERTION at any time. !"
After some further discussion the
yeas and nays we're called on the motion,
resulting as follows:
| Aye-Burris. Cannon, Clark, Cooper,
Horsuy. Moore, Pratt, Richards, Sapp,
Smithers, Wright-ll.
Nay-.Cavender, Cooch, Dasey, Dona-
hoe, Evans, Gilchrist, iiearne, Herring,
Martin, Murray, Orr, Salisbury, Spru-
ance, Biggs-l4.
The section as amended was then
adopted, and nothing further being
ready for consideration the convention,
at 4. 80. adjourned until this morning.
In view OF the fact that the House
has killed the Railroad Commission
bill, the following new article will be
offered:
ARTICLE =.
Section /. a commis sion 10 hereby
established to be known as ''The Rail
road Commission" which shall he com
posed of three members, one Ut whom
shall residein each county of the State
Any two of them shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business.
Sec. 2. The said commissioners shall
be appointed by the Governor, by and
with the consent of ma jority OF all
the members elected to the Senate, one
for the term of one year, one for the
term OF two years and ono for the term
| Of three years; and thereafter all ap.
poiutments of members OF said Railroad
Commission shall be made as aforesaid
for the term of three years, and they
| shall hold Office until their Successors
are duly qualified provided. that any
vacancy occurring in the said Railroad
Commission before the expiration of a
term shall be filled by appointment as
aforesaid for the remainder of tho term
and provided further. that in case such
vacancy shall occur when the Senate is
not in session such vacancy may be
filled by the Governor without contir-
nation By the Senate until the end OF
the next session of the Senate.
Sec. g. The said Railroad Commits
sion shall have power to investigate
any grievances committed by any com
mon carrier or transportation company
touching freight charges or efficiency
OF transportation, and upon complaint
to tho attorney. general, he shall have
1 power to institute end prosecute pro-
| ceedinga for the redress of such
/ grievances in such manner as shall be
prescribed 10y law.
i Sec. 4. No person in the service OF
i any railroad or com mon carrier com.
pany or corporation, or Of any firm or
association conducting business as a
common carrier, or 10 anywise pecun-
iarily interested in such company, cor
poration, firm or association. or in the
railroad business, or as a common car
rier, shall hold the Office Of Railroad
Commissioner.
Sec. 5. The General Assembly shall
provide ny law for the compensation OF
the members OF said commission.