The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-01-13
MORE DEMOCRATIC VIEWS
AS to Needed Change in
Election Law.
MASONS in SESSION.

to be Removed From all state Insti.
tutions Possible-The Railway Conn
mission 20 be Reorsanized.
Messenger Bureau,
Raleigh, N. c., January II. -
The grand lodge of Masons is in ses-
sion here, and never was the attend
ance larger. Grang Master Walter E.
Moore (who is, by the way, a member
of the lower house of the legislature)
is presiding. His address recommend
ed the appointment of a committee on
charity, which isSto pass upon the
merits of all appeals for Masonic aid,
also that relations with the grand lodge
of the state of Washington be severed
because it has recognized negro Ma
sonry, which is clandestine. Special
tribute was paid by the grand master
to the late John H. Mills, the founder
of orphanage work in North Carolina.
The grand master says Masonry is
fourishing in this state. The grand
over So, 900 on hand, with no indebted
ness. The grand secretary reports two
new lodges, and three revived during
1893 Two lodges surrendered char
ters, one became dormant. There are
at present 307, with 1884 members, a
net gain of asa The report on the Ma
sonic orphanage at Oxford is very sat
isfactory, there being. 217 orphans un-
der it's shelter. The cost per capita is
nearly ready for occupancy. Grand
Orator Locke Craig, of Asheville, de-
livered the annual address.
The following committees were ap-
pointed:
= Foreign Correspondence-Dr John B.
Collins, S. H. Rountree, Dudley Peed.
Finance-W. S. Primrose, w. A.
.Withers. w J. Wier.
s--e eBnnnished~ D. fUrfer.
c. w. Morgan, T. M. McKoy
Propositions and Grievances-No. 1,
w. L. Grinner, Geo. H. Riggs, David
Cox: No. 2, w. H. McLaurin, H. NJ
Gallop, c. F. Herring.
Credentials-D. S. Hamilton, c. P.
Snuggs, A. B. Andrews, Jr.
Appeals-W. B. NcKoy, w. A. Wool
ley, w. M. Boone.
Fraternal Dead-Rev w. c. King,
Rev. Eugene Daniel, c. G. Pusey r. W.
Joyner, DR.. G. A. Julian, DR.. John
Thomas.
Schools-A. L. Brooks, J. w. Moore
j. L. Scott, Jr., w. w. Parrish, J. l.
Gwaltney, j. M. Faust
Return of Lodges-No. 1, C. E. Cup
ton, J. J. Cockrell, W. J. Jordan; No. 2
E. A. Simpkins, w. H. Johnson, Rich
ard r. Williams; No. 3, E. M. Koonce
w. L. Williams, Dan Abrams.
Charities and Dispensations-No. l.
B. w. Hatcher, j. B. Griggs, M. l.
Reed; No. 2, Charles F. Bahnson, A. j
Harrell, r. L. Hendricks
Jurisprudence-F. H. Busbee, David
Bell, II. w. Stubbs, P. M. Pearsall, A
A. Hicks, M. L. Mauney, w. H. Car
roll, H. Med. Robinson, Judge MacRae
On Orphan Asylum-John w. Gotten
F. M. Moye, w. L. Liddell, r. w. Hack
EFT, s. M. Gattis, DR.. V. Dunston, j
r. Fuller, ]. c. Munds, F. D. Jones
A. ]. Harris, H. B. Warner, T. c. Linn
The agricultural department is not
advised of the prevalence Of hog chol-
era in any part of the state this sea-
son.
! 1t is stated that potato rot has
ruined many sweet potatoes. In John
ston county it is said the loss is heavy
w. r. Allen, Of Wayne, chairman OF
the house committee on railways and
railway commission, will draft bill
covering the reorganization Of the rail-
way commission. This means the abo-
lition of the present commission and
the creation of a new one, with enlarg-
ed powers.
AS was stated in the report of the
democratic caucus Monday night, it is
the democratic plan to take charge OF
all departments and institutions pos
sible and as quickly as possible. Natu-
: rally the railway commission is in this
list. 1t is the plan to eliminate al
Russell appointees whenever this can
be done legally. Such is the party
wish, plainly expressed, and this the
caucus fully knows.
Many leading members of the house
were interviewed today and asked, to
| give their views regarding the best
election law and the matter of limit,
ing the franchise. They talked freely
and frankly.
Lee S. Overman-I think the Louis
lana law the proper one, if it is consti.
tutional. There is no question of the
passage of a law limiting the fran
chise.
F. D. winston-Sentimen is rapidl,
developing in favor of my bill, which
is the Louisiana law, with some modi.
fcations. / find that the drift of sen.
timent is that the elections should bs
in August, instead of in May, as
proposed. I shall not oppose ths
change. / find the basis of the Louisi
ana law warmly favored My bill i:
entirely constitutional
Foushee, of misunderstanding very
similar to the Louisiana law will b.
enacted. I regard that as a good law
Ray, of Macon-I prefer the waltor
law. in Virginia. I think it will an
swer our purposes better. 1t is con
servative and suits our people
Locke Craig-I think the Louisian:
law the best we can adopt. I think tn
sentiment is in favor of 1T because /
Is honest and does not depend uool
| any party machinery