Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-16
RALEIGH'S BUDGET
NEW BILLS INTRODUCED IN THE
LEGISLATURE.
a Warm Debate on the Gold Con-
tract Observation-Disclosures Laws
Fountain Not Recognized-Con-
Wet Labor on Roads-Briefs.

RALEIGH, n. c., February 15.-(Spe-
cial.)-Bills were introduced In the Legis-
lature to-day 10 enact the Illinois
law for the protection OF inebriates; to
protect sheep by taxing all dogs; TO add
as cause Of divorce conviction of a
felony and life imprisonment.
There was long and warm debate on
a bill forbldding gold contracts" the
Republicans antagonzng 1t and the
Democrats and the Populists supporting
1t. 1t was made the special order for
next Friday, after Republican attempts
TO table 1t had failed.
The special committees on redistricting
the congressional districts were ap-
pointed.
A bill was introduced to so amend the
insurance laws as to forbid any bust
ness to be done, save by regularly COM
missioned and licensed agents, this not
TO apply TO the property OF common car
riers. The fine for violation Is TO be 500
for each offence, and half to the in
former.
NOT RECOGNIZED.
This Legislature will elect a State SUI
pervisor of Elections for each OF the
three partieS-Republican Democratic.
and Populst.
To-day Senator McCaskey. chairman
OF the caucus Of the PoDulist boilers,
was asked if they recognized w. L.
Fountain as Populist chairman. Foun-
tain was appointed during the recent
senatorial contest, Hal. Aver having re-
signed. McCaskey said in reply: "Foun-
tain Is really not chairman. Our party
law expressly stipulates that the chair
man must be either elected by the State
Committee or by a majority of the State
Executive Committee He was not
elected by majority Of the committee"
When asked what would be done, and
would he be recognized as chairman by
the boilers, McCaskey said: Until the
State Committee or the State conVen-
ton meets we VIII appoint a proxy"
When asked If by this he meant n SUI
pervisor OF elections, McCaskey replied,
Yes"
Now, the fact is, the Supervisor Of Elec-
tons is the real head OF the party. He
appoints all the poll-holders and judges
of elections. Congressman Harry SKIN
ner wants the place. so does McCaskey.
The latter will get it. This, it is limited,
has already been practically agreed on
by the Republicans and Populist boilers,
who have absolute control of the Legs
lature.
Harry Skinner arrived yesterday. lie
addressed the caucus of the boiling Popu-
lists tonight. Your correspondent to-day
asked him his view of the bill to annul
the lease of the North Carolina railway.
He replied: Il oppose the lease, and 50
favor the bill TO annul it," He was asked
how the boilers stood on that question.
McCaskey, their chairman, who was in
the room, said: II think they are unani-
nous for the bill. They are practically
solid. ] only know Of one or two who may
oppose it."
FIAT MONEY.
Skinner was asked If his faction recog-
nized the majority Populists. He replied:
eve recognize all persons as Populists
who recognize the basic principles OF
Populsm-free silver, 16 to 1, scientific
money CCall II fiat money and be done
with it, interjected McCaskey). and gov
eminent ownership of railways and tele-
graphs. We are not proscribers. We
think free silver ought to lead in the
fight. Prosperity is more desirable than
the success Of any party. This can only
be secured by equal protection, and equal
protection can only be secured by free
silver, 16 to ]"
A. l.. Swinson, enrolling clerk, or ex-
enrolling clerk, of the Legislature, was
asked to-day what he proposed to do
next. He said he would consult his at
torney as to the next step TO be taken;
that he was entitled TO pay for the entire
session; that the bill which was drawn TO
Gust him was fraduently enrolled, since
he was legally at that time the only
enrolling clerk, and no one else could
enroll it; that the President Of the Senate
ordered A. c. Lehman TO get the bill and
enroll it; that Lehman had no authority
to do this.
CONVICTS AND ROAD-MAKING.
The thirty members of the Legislature
who visited the fine road of Mecklenburg
county will recommend TO the Legislature
the employment of all able-bodied male
convicts in road-making instead of on the
State farms. one member said to-day
that the farms did not yield any large
profits and that he thought they were IN
competition with free labor.
Several delegations arrived to-day 10
work against the bill to annul the lease
Of the North Carolina railway. President
Alexander and Director Maxwell, of that
road. are here. Salisbury sends as dele
cation w. c. Coughenour, j. II. Ramsay
John Beard, d. r. Julian. John Il. Julian.
burlington sends Il. w. Ward and Il. w.
Ward, Jr.
Among other arrivals are Theo. f..
Davidson. Of Asheville; w. j. Crosswen'
and T. b. Carroll, Of Wilmington.
Harry skinner, it was stated yesterday
while studying law at Lexington, Ky, oc-
cupied Henry Clays room. lie said To-
day: ut is a mistake. ! occupied Jeh.
Dayiss room. and that is where l got
my kicking qualities
Warren Coleman, of Concord, Is greatly
pleased at having had passed III one Jay
enrolled. and ratified, his bill charterinS
a cotton-miu in Cabarrus county. to be
operated by negro labor entirely. He says
the enterprise is an assured success.
The Legislature win amend the charter
of Raleigh so as to give the Republicans
control. Notice that such step will be
taken is given. There will probably be a
police board.
The Democratic caucus met tonight 10
consider the matter Of supporting the bill
IN annul the lease of the North Carolina
railway. Lieutenant-Governo Reynolds
Republican) says the bill has gained
ground since last Saturday and that ne
knows three members who have changed
front and favor It, saying that as modihed
Il merely gives power to test the validity
NJ the lease. Chairman Manly and eN-
senator Jarvis attended the Democratic
caucus.
gsDSap ~ v*W3