The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-01-05
FEWER EMPLOYEES
AND LESS PAY
The House Begins Economy
at Home.
ALL SALARIES REDUCED
ALL DEPARTMENTS ARE TO BE
INVESTIGATED.
THE RESOLUTION PASSED LAST NIGHT
The Committee Will Probably be Appointed
To-day. The Work Will be thorough
AMI Will Begin at Once.
Two Caucuses.

Two Caucuses.
Though the Legislature is only one
day old. two facts may be put down as
certain:
. 1t will cut down the number of en-
ployes and otherwise reduce expenses.
1t will investigate the public institu-
tions and their conduct
These things were decided upon last
night in caucus.
The first caucus was joint one of
members of House and Senate. 1t was
called to order BY Mr.. W. b. Council. of
Watauga, and Senator Thomas G.. Skin
ner, OF Hertford, was elected chairman.
After considerable discussion over the
matter of enrolling clerk, it was de-
cided to repeal the act of 1897 providing
for two enrolling clerks, one to be ap-
pointed by the presiding officer of the
Senate and one by the Speaker of the
House. The old law will be, re-enacted
providing for one clerk. and it was de-
cided to elect E. b. Norvell. of Chero-
kee, the Senate nominee, for the posi-
tion.
The enrolling clerk matter settled. Mr..
Francis ID. Winston. of BERTHE, intro
duced the following resolution. provid-
ing for an official investigation into the
affairs of the penitentiary and agricul-
tural department.:
s.That it is the sense Of this body that
the public interests demand that an in
vestigation be had of the conduct of the
various departments of our State gov
ernment, and especially the penitentiary
anagement and the department of ag-
riculture since January 1st, 1897"
The reading of this resolution was
greeted with applause. as was also the
statement that the party was not to be
bound by Russell's appointments. sew
eral speakers plainly amending that no
quarter was to be shown in dealing with
this matter.
Before the vote was taken. though.
the following substitute was offered by
Mr.. d. III. Mclean, of Harnett. ac-
cepted by Mr.. Winston and unanimously
passed.
"Whereas it has been charged by the
press of the State and not authoritative
ly denied that various sums of money
have been paid out of the State Treas
ury as loans or advancements to some of
the public institutions of the State with
out authority of law and that gross ir-
regularities if not transactions of a
graver type prevail in other branches of
the public service; and whereas the truth
of these matters should be ascertained,
to the end that proper remedy be APP
piled thereto; whereby the interests of
the people shall be jealousy guarded,
1t is therefore the sense of this eau
Gus that thorough investigation be en-
tered upon by the General Assembly of
all the departments of the State, and that
legislation to that end should be enacted
at once if necessary.
The House caucus which met after the
joint caucus erected a steering committee
composed of Lee s. Overman, of Rowan:
T.. j. Justice, of Mcdowell: ID. III. Nc
Lean, of Harnett; George Rountree, of
New Hanover; J. Frank Ray. of Macon:
Heriot Clarkson. Of Mecklenburg, and
w. B. Council, of Watauga.
The committee appointed at the caucus
Tuesday night to fix the number of
House employees, clerks and laborers.
made the following report reducing the
number of House employees 40 per cent
and the salaries of those retained 30
per cent.
sThat in view of the depressed prices
of all products and i'll keeping with the
pledges made to the people. we recon-
mend that the salaries paid all clerks.
assistant clerks, door-keepers and as
sistant door keepers. messengers. labor
ers and all other persons employed by the
House in any capacity, except as pages,
be reduced 90 per cent of the amount
paid during the, session of 1897.
I'VE recommend that the number of
persons to be employed now be fixed as
follows:
''One principal clerk.
1.-TWO assistants to be selected as is
now provided by law.
mine pages-one from each Congress
ional district.
'One laborer to look after the water
closets, to be appointed by the door
keeper after consultation with the
Speaker.
'"Three laborers to be appointed by
the door-keeper after consultation with
Speaker.
'One laborer to look after the heat. to
be appointed by the door-keeper.
Zone messenger, to be appointed by the
Speaker
1.-Two assistants to the engross;ng
clerk. to be selected as now provided by
law"
The committee making this report is
composed of Francis ID. Winston. H. G.
Connor. w. II. Allen, Locke Craig and
T. j. Williams.
The report was adopted and the eau
Gus adjourned.