The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-01-27
FIRST REFORM MEASURE
Adopted by Both Houses
of Legislature.
PENITENTIARY AFFAIRS

Taken cut Of the Hands Of the Gov
ernor-House Passes Bill TO .Investi-
gate Management OF the State Instis
tutions-lnformation Wanted From
AState Treasurer as TO His Disbursel
meDts-Craven County Government
Bill Passed by the House.
Especial TO The Messenger)
SENATE.
Raleigh, \. c., January 25.-The fol-
lowing bills were introduced: To amend
the charter of Greenville. To regulate
holding OF inquests in Northampton.
To establish a dispensary at Jackson.
The following bills passed final read
ing: To allow the commissioners of
Moore to fund the county's indebted
ness. To authorize Elizabeth City to
issue bonds and levy special tax. To
reduce the cost of recording crop liens.
To reorganize and incorporate the
state penitentiary. The vote upon this
bill was So ayes and 5 noes.
Senator Fuller said this was a bill
to provide a parent for the orphan
child; that he believed it was a good
measure and therefore he voted with
the majority.
The bill codifying and consolidating
the insane laws came up with favora-
. BILE report from the committee. There
/ was a lengthy discussion as to the
clause with reference to confining the
criminal insane in the penitentiary
here, this being opposed by majority
of the senators who spoke. Finally the
bill was re-referred.
The bill to incorporate the North
and to amend the charter of the
Southern Investment Company passed.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
The house met at 9 o'clock.
Bills were introduced as follows: To
reduce auction fees on leaf tobacco. To
make abandonment and non-residence
additional cause for divorce.
Mr.. Suggs, of Greene, introduced a
bill to head off the injunction granted
by Judge Timberlake against the new
county, restraining them from per-
forming any of the duties of their Of
flee or enjoying any of the emolu-
ments.
The bill reorganizing the penitentiary
was taken up. 1t was the one agreed
on at the democratic caucus last night
| and changes the name to the state
Prison and creates twelve new direc-
tors. The bill passed it's second read
! ing without debate. On it's third read
| ing, Mr.. Hampton, republican, de-
manded the yeas and nays, and also
| asked for an explanation of the bill.
| This was quickly and succinctly given
by Mr. Foushee, who said the bill was
| to turn over to the democratic party
the penitentiary and farms. He said it
| was in the nature of writ of eject
ment.
AT this there was laughter. The vote
on the bill was-yeas, SO; nays, Is. The
bill was Immediately sent to the SEN
| ate.
The resolution creating joint COM
| mittee to investigate the affairs of the
agricultural department was taken up.
1t also places upon the committee of
| three senators and five representatives
the duty of investigating the affairs
for the past four years of the state
treasury and the charitable institu-
tions. 1t passed without debate, after
| a republican amendment to make the
period six years had been voted down.
The bill to change the time of meet
ing of county commissioners to the
| first Tuesday was tabled.
The bill passed to prevent hog and
chicken cholera in Edgecombe.
The bill in regard to fishing nets in
Albemarle sound and tributaries, with
amendment excepting Roanoke river.
came up, being the result of a compro-
mise between all the fishing interests
1t passed. 1t prohibits the use of nets
which reach the bottom.
The bill passed it's third reading to
allow Fayetteville to take % per cent
of last years taxes in full settlement
The bill to restore Mt. Airy town
ship, Surry county, came up. Mt. Airy
township had issued $4,000 of bonds
and the Baltimore Savings bank bought
Inem- Inc legislature OI 1880 cut UOWI
Mt. Airy township. leaving of it the
town alone, and then in 1897 the legis-
lature abolished Mt. Airy township en-
tirely, trying to avoid payment of an
honest debt Republicans confess
ed that the bonds were a just debt but
they called for the yeas and nays on
the passage of the bill and up rose the
republicans and populists. The bill
pased-S7 to IL.
The bill TO repeal chapter 491, acts
1898, in reard TO impounding live stock
in Edgecombe passed. as did the bill
amending the charter of the town OF
Southport and the bill to elect four ad-
ditionai commissioners for Craver