The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-01-12

them not be disappointed.
ITO preside over this House is ar
honor at any time, but by us at this
time and under such conditions as
confront hs should crafty the ambi
ton of any citizen. And l assure il
does gratity the ambition Of him upon
whom you have conferred the honor.
"ln the consideration of the business
before it this House must CONFORM to
have rules and regulations prescribed
by the goyernmento OF legislative bodies
l bespeak your assistance In this
respect, and now declare the House
ready to proceed with the transaction
of the business that has called it to.
gether."
At the conclusion of this
short speecf, the oath of Office was ad-
ministered to Judge Connor by Justice
Walter Clark and the House proceeded
to the election of the other officers
named by the Democratic caucus.
Brevard Nixon, of Mecklenburg, was
elected chief clerk w. r. Stallcut, of
Macon, was elected doorkeeper Thos.
J. Wood, of Randolph, assistant door
keeper; w. w. Wilson, of Raleigh,
reading clerk J. S. Elmore, of Swain,
engrossing clerk.
A resolution, offered by Mr.. Winston,
of BERTHE, Was passed to the effect that
the rules of order used by the General
Assembly of 1893 be adopted until
further order by the House,
On motion of Mr.. Moore, of jack
son, the resolution from the Senate
appointing committee to walt on the
Governor was concurred in and the
Speaker named the following persons
to represent the House Walter E.
Moore of Jackson Lee S. Overman, of
Rowan, and r. J. Petree, of Stokes.
At this point the first House bill of
the session was introduced by Mr..
Francis D. Winston, of BERTHE. 1t is
an act to repeal the present law in re-
gard to the public printing and was
accompanied by joint resolution
"The object of this bill and joint
resolution" Mr.. Winston explained,
"ls to take the public printing from the
present persons and give it to others
more in harmony with the surround
ings. But for the lateness of the hour
| would ask Its immediate considera.
tlon"
Mr.. Oyerman, of Rowan, wanted to
know whether or not there was nov a
contract between the present printer
and the State.
Mr.. WinStOr-''There is not"
Mr.. Overman--''Is there no sort OF
There is one between the printer
and Council of State" replied Mr..
Winston, "but it contains wonderful
provision whereby either side can kick
cnc whenever it sees fit to do So"
-"On account Of the !ateness Of the
hour will not ask consideration of
bill and res olutions to-day" said Mr..
Winston. ''Let them go to the calen-
dar"
This completed the business of the
first days session of the House.
JANUARY 5-sEcoND DAY.
SENATE.-Rev.L Levi Bronson Of
fered prayer. Senator Collie, who was
absent the first day, came forward and
took oath of office.
TO INVESTIGATE THE PENITENTIARY.
Senator Brown introduced bill to
Investigate penitentiary matters. Fol
lowing is the text of the bill
The General Assembly do enact:
Section l. That joint committee
x M
Senate and three on the part of the
House be appointed to Investigate the
condition and management OF the
State penitentiary for the past four
years.
Sec. 9. That the said Joint committee
be authorized, empowered and directed
to inquire into the financial condition
of the said State penitentiary, with full
power and authority to inquire into
and investigate any and all charges OF
fraud, negligence, immortality, incom-
potency and encouragement on the
part OF any officers or employees OF said
State penitentiary, and the farms and
in any way connected with
or managed by the officers and en-
ployes OF said State penitentiary.
Sec. 8. That said joint committee
be, and are hereby empowered to en-
ploy competen; ;acco:intants, ,stenograpb-
ers and counsel to ard in said inves'!
ton to elect a chairman and sec
retary to subpoena witnesses and coca-
pei their attendance; to enforce the
production and examination OF books,
records and papers, under tho same
forfeitures and penalties as provided by
law to compel the attendance OF wit
nesses and the production Of papers i'll
the Superior Courts OF the State.
Sec. f. That the chairman OF said
Joint committee shall have full power
to punish for contempt any officer or
en- ploye of said State penitentiary who
shall wllltullH refuse to obey all slh-
pmnas directlng his Or their appear
anca before said joint committee, "r
whn shall vi]!iuliy TAI! or refuse to
produce any books, papers or records
relating to the affairs of the sad i'll
sti:utlOn.
Sec. 5. That the said joint co1n-
mitiee is directed to proceed without
delay to make said investigation and
report their findings to this General
now in session.
Sec. 6. That the said JOINT commit
tee are empowered to visit IN person
the said State penitentiary and all
farms in connection Herewith, and to
make personal investigation and ex-
am;nai,on of all books and papers