The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-01-12
THE LEGISLATURE.
What Our Law Makers Are Doing
For North Carolina.
WORK OF THE OPENING DAY.

WORK OF THE OPENING DAY.
The General Assimbiy of North Caro-
lima convened Wednesday, Jan. 4th
The usual excitement and hustle at.
tended the opening.
WEDNESDAY,, JAN. 4-FIRsT DAY.
SENATE.-At II :O5, m, Lieuten-
ant Governor Reynolds raped ior or
der, the floors cleared of visitors and
Rev. N. M. Jurney, of Mount Olive
opened the session with d feryent
prayer.
THE PRAYER
20, God, our Father, we recognize
our dependence on Thee in all things.
We owe our llves to Thy grace, mercy
and forDearance. Make us grateful
for the past. Grant that we may never
fail to follow Thy Law. We beg for
wisdom from above to guide our
words, thoughts and actions. Bless
these men who have been elected to
come here. May the Lord camp
around and about them. May no
sickness bother or sin visit them.
Grant that no man may do aught that
Is shameful or sinful, or that will bring
disgrace upon him. Keep them from
all wrong. Guard their homes while
they are absent that no troubles or dis
ease may visit them. May they have
wisdom In making and unmaking our
laws. May no partisan feeling lead
them to do anything that Is wrong.
Bless the State and grant that all that
can be done. may be done for educa-
ton, industry and religion. We COM
nit ourselves and all that is ours to
Thy keeping. Bless the presiding
officer. OF this body. Give to him Wis
dom and all grace and cause spirit OF
kindness to prevail. Guide and lead
US, o, God, and when our work is
finished here, may we all have home
in that upper and better world through
Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen"
Immediately after prayer Hill f.
King, clerk OF the last Senate, called
the roll, all the Senators responding
except Senator Collie, of Louisburg,
who was I'll al his home.
The swearing in of the members
began and proceeded IN the order Of
the districts, the Senators coming for
ward in groups OF five to present their
certificates and take the oath to obey
and uphold the Constitution and laws
of the State and nation, the Lieutenant
Governor, of course, administering the
oath.
c. c. Daniels, OF Wilson, was elected
principal clerk.
Walter Murphy, of Salisbury, was
elected reading clerk.
J. B. Smith, of Fayetteville, was
elected doorkeeper.
Frank A. Clinard, of Hickory, was
elected engrossing clerk.
M. w. White, of Iredell, was elected
assistant doorkeeper.
E. B. Norvell was appointed en-
crossing clerk.
Senator Fields, of the thirtieth dis
trict. sent forward a memorial In the
usual form, In behalf OF Messrs .Eaves
and Lambet, of the 3lst district in the
matter of the contest. The memorial
was read and ordered referred to tie
Committee on Election when Or
ganlzed.
The memorial of E. P. Jones, OF
Sampson, was read to the same effect
and referred.
The chair announced that he had re-
celved letter bearing notice of con-
test and the evidence in the case of
Mr.. A. Cannon against Senator Franks,
OF the thlrty-fourth district. At the
instance OF Senator Justice it was also
referred to committee.
Senator Brown moved that as the
Senate was proceeding without rules.
The Senate rules of 1896 be adopted
for the guidance of the body until
other rules should be adopted. The
motion prevailed.
Senator j Justice moved that COM
rnittee OF three be appointed to act
with similar committee from the
House in notifying the Governor of
the State that the Legislature was as
sembled, organized and ready for pusl-
ness. The motion was adopted and
the char appointed as committee
Messrs. Justice, Glenn and Franks.
Mr.. Glenn sent forward an amend
ment entitled an Act to regulate tue
pay Of clerks and other employees of
the Legislature. The amendment pro-
yided that wherever the word .'fve"
occurred in the present act fixing the
of the employees, the
word ''fo1,r" shall be substituted The
act was read, and on motion of Mr.
G!en, the rules were suspended and
the bill passed its three readings with
out dissenting vote. The rules were
and the bill ordered sent to
the House without being engrossed.
TbH bill, it passed by the House, will
have the effect OF reducing the pay OF
the 'princlpals-engrosslng and read
M clerks and their assistants,
and of the doorkeepers and
assistants from five to four dollars per
day.
HOUSE.-As the steel-blue hands
on the whlte-faced clock IN the hall of
the House of Representatives pointed
to the hour of noon, Mr.. E. .. Masten.
the principal clerk Of the House of
1897, on whom devoEed the duty or
the present House, raped
for order.
He announced that Rev. Jesse H.
Page would offer prayer. All the Rep
as we'll as visitors in the