The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-03-03
THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS
Takes Action or Several Important
Matlers-The Public Printing-Hali-
fax Court Closed by Smallpox Scare
Especial to The Messenger.)

Especial to The Messenger.)
Raleigh, N. c., February 27.-The
Capital City Printing Company, of Raj
leigh, mainly owned by Barnes Brosv
made the lowest bid for the public
printing and the printing committee
had to lay the matter before the dem
ocartic caucus tonight. Chairman
Hoey, of the committee, says this is
the result of the legislative amendmnet
to the printing bill. The latter did not
provide for giving the work to the
lowest bidder.
1t is said that some eastern members
Of the legislature are pressing Over
man, of Rowan, for chairman of the
railway commission, out that he will
not accept it as he has other intentions.
The committee on appropriations de-
cides that the bin increasing the ap-
preparation to the state guard to SIG, 900
is entirely proper.
Railway Commissioner Pearson is
working like a beaver to induce the
Legislature to defeat the committee re-
port in favor of J. w. and Ohio Viii
son.
Representative Dees, of Pamlico, who
LdO pISuIIlOLld, Is now recovered. hep-
resentative Hart, Of ~Edgecombe, who
has had pneumonia three weeks was
in his seat today.
The joint caucus tonight unexpected
ly decided to elect, in caucus tomor-
row night, three railroad commission
ers. Bills a~bolishing old commission
and creating a new commission with
control over banking n building and
loan associations will be passed tomor-
row. The commissioners salary is
81, 1000. The caucus decided not to i'm
pose the duties of insurance commits
| sioner upon the railroad commission
but to create a separate office for in
surance commissioner. This officer, to-
gether with the labor commissioner and
the keeper Of the capitol, will also be
elected tomorrow night.
The amendment to the printing bill
was referred to a committee, which
| was instructed by the caucus to ac-
cept the lowest responsible bid. It
| therefore, seems that the committee
must give the work to Barnes Bros, OF
| else decide that they are not respon-
| sible as contractors.
The Wilson matter was taken up and
it was determined that the report OF
the committee should be acted upon ir
joint session tomorrow afternoon. The
question as to acceptance Of the com
mittee's report will be decided by
TOll cdu NOle, ana edcn wilson VIII Dt
voted upon separately. It is under.
stood that the fight for endorsement
Of the report will be made by Osborne
Rountree, E. ]. Justice and Patterson
while opposition is anticipated from
Senators Ward and Cooley, and Stew
ems of the house. Speaker Common ad
vOcated the theory tonight that sum
mary disposition could be made o
Ohio Wilson by accepting his resigna
ton, but the caucus concluded to val
the result of trial on joint session, whe,
in any event, it is stated his resigna
ton will be accepted.
Judge Battle is here. He stated to
night he was unable to hold court il
Halifax on account of smallpox. Their
are two cases there n considerabl
panic.
The enate committee On education
considered the textile school bill toda,
executive session. 1t is understood tina
the bill will be fayorably reported.
Rountree says the principal effect Q
the amendment to the charter of Wi
mington viii be to abolish the polio
commission and require notice Of te
instead OF fifteen days. He says ne,
registration is unnecessary, Is the leg
islature will pass a new election Law