The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-10-05
ANOTHER CHAPTER ON FUSION
LEGISLATION.

LEGISLATION.
TO the Editor: In the early part OF
the session of the Legislature OF lo9i
member of the body came in the Stare
Library and stated to me that he had
been sent over to see about getting
Colonial Records" for members of the
Legislature and wanted to know now
they would have to be procured. IN
formed him that under the law, rs l
understood ii, they were not entitled 10
the work. Some time later he returned
and stated that they had investigated
the matter and the conclusion was ina
they were entitled and that they Would
demand that | deliver them on their
order. | replied that as long as re-
manned in charge of the Library | should
refuse to comply with their demand or
to deliver set to Il single member un-
less was ordered do do so by the
|. Library board. After this Il large NUM-
Der of the members called in person and
others sent written orders for sets Of the
work, all of which l refused.
They then informed me they were de-
terInincd to have the work and that they
intended to pass an act providing for
the distribution, giving one set (ten vol
umcs) to each member.
Soon after this / learned that bill
to this effect had been introduced in
the House and at once addressed note
to the Governor as Chairman of the III
brary board calling his attention TO this
attempted legislation and the injustice
of the same, as it would require every
n n
comply with the provisions of the act.
For some reason he ignored the matter
and in Il few days | saw that the bill
had passed the House and had been sent
to the Senate. ! went to DIR. Thomp-
son, Secretary Of State, who was Il
member of the board and when the mat
ter WAS explained to him he at once
agreed that il would be extremely un-
wise and unjust to dispose of the entire
edition OF this valuable work in any
such way and that he would go at once
to the Senate and have the bill defeated
He soon returned and informed me that
he had succeeded in having Colonial
Record" stricken from the bill ~ few
days after this perfect swarm of mem
hers of the Legislature came over to the
Library and demanded their Colon
ial Records producing a copy Of the
ratified bill" l still refused to deliv,
or them without written order from
the Library board. | went to see Mr.
Thompson and he was very much sur
prised to learn that the bill had passe6
in that form, as he was sure the Senate
amendment struck out Colonial Rec
ords." He afterwards told me that he
went to the Office of the Enrolling Clerl
and found the bill and that after the
bill left the Senate some one intercepted
it and inserted the words "Colonia
Records.
In justice to DIR. Thompson | will say
that / am satisfied that he did all in his
power to defeat this measure and he
was the only member Of the board
could get to take any interest in it ut all
Now, as to the effect Of this legisla
| ton. The Colonial Records is the wtri
Of Col w l.. Saunders, embracing the
history of North Carolina from its earl
lest settlement to 1916, consisting Of ter
volumes and sells anywhere for 5000
per set. The Estate Records" is the
work of Judge Clark and is a continue
ton of the former and embraces thu
Revolutionary period. This work is alsC
worth S00.O0 per set. Now, the bl'i -
ratified mot passed. provides for glyins
one set each tor $4,000 EACH to III
| members or seventeen thousand dollars
$4,000 of the peoples money, because
the peoples money had to pay the ex
pense of preparation and publication
From the nature of this division this
item would net appear in the Auditor
report.
One august Senator received a set o
! State Records" which was charged III
to him and few days after my sue
eessor took charge of the library he sen
an order for a set, which was delivered
to him, and short while ago he wrot,
to the State Librarian to please eent
him his quota Of Records to which h,
was entitled Any one who desires i
can get the name of this distinguished
statesman of North Carolina.
j. G. ELLINGTON.