The news & observer., 1897-03-04

four of the five commissioners signed the
warrant. He thought this insured safety.
Blackburn said "this is one time when
the Democrats sanction law we passed.
Walters said. Il do" Blackburn said
the Democrats had taken advantage of
the law and it had proved a boomerang to
the fusionists. Mckenzie asked Black
burn if he did not know that the Repub
licans had taken advantage of the law,
in Rowan for instance, n Democratic
county. Blackburn said, yes, he must ad-
NIT they had, but that did not make it
right He said he did not blame the
Democrats for taking advantage of the
law. Duffy ridiculed Cook, saying the
latter had appealed to the Republicans,
Populists and Democrats to stand by
him and repeal this law He said that
many times the Republicans had de
ciared on this floor that they only wanted
to know what the Democrats wanted to
do just the reverse, yet now they were
calling on the Democrats to help them
repeal their own slaw. Sutton, of New
Hanover, always interfering with Demo
cratic speakers, tried TO cut Duffy off, and
was hissed by the floor and galleries.
Duffy said the present law was better
than nothing and hence he opposed the
bill repeating it.
Johnson said there was an understand
ing between Cook and himself aS to his
bill. which Cook had referred to- He
called the previous question. The bill
passed its readings. The House took UP
JohnSon's bill, as explained by Cook and
it passed. Twelve electors, one-half to be
free-holders, to petition judge and the
latter to examine into the facts in the
caseD
The Louisburg dispensary bill was
taken mp on final reading. Blackburn
offered an amendment, being the vote to
the people of Louisburg township. It was
voted down and the bill passed. On mo-
tion Of Sutton of Cumberland the
''clincher' was put on it.
Bill was taken up 10 make the Board
OF Railway Commissioners n board for
the equalization of taxes; the board re-
ceiving no additional compensation. Lusk
explained. saying the purpose was to
equalize taxes in the various counties.
He said there was now great and unjust
variation in assessments Of real estate ana
that he felt sure the bill would raise
S150000 more of revenue out of taxes
taxation a cent Bryan of Chatham, said
it was absolutely impossible for board to
equalize taxes on country property. He
declared the town people living in town
ships could not make assessments. Schul-
ken offered an amendment excepting
Columbus county. Mckenzie said the
bill was not to strike at the landowners,
but that it got at class Of assets not
reached. such as banks, etc. He begged
Schulken TO withdraw his amendment,
saying ex-AuditOr Furman and Treasurer
Worth endorsed the bill. McCrary said
the idea i'm the bill if carried ont would
be of more benefit tie the State than any
law enacted at this session. McCrary
said it would stop false swearing as to re-
turns. Lusk said the only extra expense
was clerk at $500 The bill passed its
readings, after Schulken's amendment
had been voted down.
Bill placing Orange county in the
Fourth district and Vance in the FIFTH
district came up with n committee
amendment placing Surry in the Fifth
clam0r arose Young cried out: 1--WE
don't want the Fourth changed Table
the whole business" He said that some
people here were in for changing districts
so as to go to Congress. Cunningham
moved to table the bill. Int Withdrew it.
At this point the House adjourned until
a. m tomorrow.
The use Of the hall Of the House was
allowed Mrs Pattie ID. Il. Arlington from
30 to $50 Thursday night, on motion
Of Ferrell.