The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-02-21
Ghe Wlessenger.
AN OVERTURNED GENERAL ASSEM-
BLY,

The business of a legislature is al
ways heavy. The business Of the
present legislature is exceedingly heavy
perhaps more so than any correspond
ing body in twenty-five years in his
state. There is always a great rush
of local business, much of which IS
necessary and important to communi-
tiles. This is to be attended TO watch
fully. A great deal is attempted, IN
addition. of a local kind that comes to
nothing, because ~valueless, unneces-
sary. 1t takes time to kill on this
sort. In the present body because Of
the extraordinary events in the recent
past, the great abuses and wrongs per-
petrated aginst the people by the fusion
legislatures in the last four years, the
number of very unusual and still very
important measures to be acted upon
carefully, with all circumspect!on and
wisdom-these and the general legis-
lation necessarily consume time, en-
gage the close attention Of the best
equipped members, and make it imper-
alive that all shall be done for the
welfare of the state, for the protection
and benefit of the citizens at large n
especially in certain hitherto sorely
afflicted communities.
So we must all cultivate patience,
and await the final output. There is
SO much remaining to be done. that if
well done, we would suppose that If the
first of April were to find the general
assembly in session it would hardly
have perfected and completed all its
work.
The separate car measure, the new
election law, the amendment to the
constitution, the insurance bill, the
very important school law, the state
board of railroad commissioners, the
public schools, the manning properly
of state institutions with efficient quail
ifed boards, the dealing with foreign
corporations, the perfecting a rigid law
against the wicked trusts-these are
the most important measures, but there
are many others which of less general
signiicancy and importance require the
most cautious, patient, intelligent
handling. 1t takes time t repeal a
stack of vicious laws enacted by blind
ed, stupid, reckless partisans who
came we'll nigh wrecking the North
Carolina ship of state. There ought to
be a dog law passed, and would be
passed if the legislators had as much
spirit Of ~self-sacriice as they have re-
~,gn "for the remainder biscuit" In
North ~carolina it will require a new
class entirely o. public servants before
the great sheep industry is ever duly
fostered, and the %devouring, deviiish
ours and other CANNES are made to
help educate the children of the two
races.
There have been some delays IL
dealing with two or three very lmpof-
San1 measures that are passing all un-
derstanding by outsiders. There are
two acts that should have been passed
within five days of the opening of the
.deliberations-the Jim Grow car scare,
and a new election law. The very
worst, the most rascally, the most cor
rupt election law ever foisted upon a
free and enlightened people is the very
law under which we are all still living.
There seems to have been a paralysis
of action a result of "wobbling' of con-
viction in these fundamental demands
of the democratic party. When Will
the body be able to adjourn? 1t will
be a tremendous blunder if it adJourns
in the next seventeen months.