Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-13
RALEIGH'S BUDGET.
MAKING Fun OF RUSSELL AND THE
FREE-PAss PROSECUTIONS.
a New Railroad Scheme-Returned
His Fees and Washed His Hands
Telephone Matters-PersOnaI and
General Mention.

RALEIGH \. c., January 12.-(Special)
The grand jury of this county having pre-
scented Vice-President Andrews. Henry W.
Miller, and r. L. Potts, of the Southern
railway, for refusal TO answer questions
OF to produce books IL appears that to-
morrow the Railway Commission will not
take action in the contempt case against
them. but will await the result in the Su-
perior Court. Chairman Caldwell, of the
commission. who arrived this morning.
said he did not expect the presentment TO
be exactly in this shape, but that he had
learned that Solicitor Pou would put the
matter in such q way as to test the power
Of the commissions act so far as the
forcing of witnesses to give evidence is
concerned. This. as Chairman Caldwell
says, will settle the whole question of the
boards power and authority. 1t is con-
tended that under section y Of the rail-
way commission act it is made a INSIDE
ueanor TO refuse 10 answer the commits
eion's questions the penalty being fine
OF not less than $50 nor more than $1,000.
Caldwell says he must necessarily await
the action Of the Superior Court, as he is
not only sworn lawyer. but also sworn
as commissioner. So. instead OF a warm
time" at the commissions meeting to-
morrow 50 far as Andrews and Miller and
Potts are concerned. il appears that any
steps will be in Difference TO The matter
before the court.
Chairman Caldwell said TO me to-day
that sLbpoenas have been issued for Vice
President 81. John and other officials OF
the Seaboard AIRLINE for giving free
passes and also subpoenas for officials OF
the Atlantic-COast Line for the same
thing. lie added; I'VE will put all the
reads on the same footing"
In tho Superior Court here there is
prtseLtment Of the SeabOard Airline for
giving a free pass TO Railway Commits
siOner John II. Pearson. 1t appears that
this Is the pass which President st.
John sent him. and which he returned
with thanks.
People are laughing a great deal at
these "free-pass prosecutions" IL is said
Tkat Governor Russell yesterday stated
that he had bought $50 worth OF tickets
probably a mileage-book. The Governor
now heartily denounces newspapers which
ridlcule him about his free-pass business.
NEW RAILROAD SCHEME.
It seems reasonably sure that in "A little
while work Will begin on railway from
this city 10 Ellington, Harnett county. A
lumber company viii build the road, 10 de-
yelop the large tracts Of long-leaf pine
timber.
The Grand Lodge or Masons has settled
the suit as 10 the property lcrt by Mr.
Bradley. OF California. so it gets 500 a
year iacOmc
The Secretary Of State grants licenses
10 the Carolina Benevolent Association
OF South Carolina, 10 do business in North
Carolina.
T.. w Ayerltt. who was Governor Rus
sells counsel I'm the suit TO vacate the
lease OF the North Carolina railroad. re-
turns all the fees he has receiyse, 81 30
and washes his hands OF the whole bust
ness.
George VaDderblts landscape gardener
who will supervise the planning OF shrubs
end plants. the gift from Blltmore. al
ne Executive mansion grounds, is making
suggestions as 10 the Capitol Square. He |
yesterday told the keeper OF the Capitol |
that the number Of trees IN the square |
was twice too large.
The reports 70 the Railway Commission