The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-03-10
UNDOIhG FUSION WORK
OF Two Legislatures Part OF Their
Heavy Work-Atutude Of Kepubii-
cans and PopulIsts Toward the Fran
ehise Amendment-A Decision soon
TO be Made In w. HI. Days Case.
Ewart Again Appointed Judge-The
Farmers Behind I'm Their Work
Messenger Bureau.
Raleigh. N Q March =

suit here after April Attn TO test the con-
stitutionahty Of the act ~abolishing the
railway commission, when he has four
years yet to serve.
Yesterday no less than 32i bills were
ratified. This, it is said, breaks all
records for one days work. This leg
islature has broken the record as to
the number OF bills introduced.
The provisions of the sections in the
revenue bill taxing railways upon gross
earnings, which passed the house under
whip and spur were the work of Rep
resentative Willard. Ii is his pet
scheme. Yesterday afternoon HI was
IN the senate listening TO the discussion
there OF these sections and said that
them out. 1t was ar excellent predic-
tlon, for about midnight the senate
took that step. There is a bill which
Will get much more taxes out of the
railways. The opponents Of the Will
lard scheme admit that the railways
do not pay their just proportion OF
taxes. The railways say they do. and
much more, as compared with other
property.
The project of getting control of the
Atlantic and North Carolina railway
and of extending it westward is GER
tainly not abandoned. The next legis-
lature will be approached on that sub
ject. W. j. Edwards, the promoter of
the plan, says he has raised $780, 900.
this making $500. 900.
So far his Legislature has granted
charters to twelve railways and has
amended the charters of as many
more.
There was another blizzard last night
with a driving snow. which, however,
did not lie on the ground. Today a gale
blew steadily and the cold was keen.
The republicans here are delighted at
senator P~ritchard's letter in the Wash
ington Post on North Carolina politics
and with his attack on the proposed
franchise amendment to the constitu-
ton.
Your correspondents asked the chair
man Of the joint committee on finance
was the tax on theatres under
the new revenue act. He said 5000 to
the state and count at places where
population exceeds 10000. and that the
municipality may levy a tax not to ex-
that sum-. When asked if any COM
plants had been received from theatre
owners he replied no"
The railway commission met today.
Major j.: w. Wilson presiding. DR.. Alb
wv oiio al IL. NoSSB Tie ldIleF
the new member Of the board, were in
attendance.
A recruiting office will be opened
here. Major Davis. the army officer on
duty here, yesterday received the
blanks.
The new commissioner Of agriculture.
Samuel L. Patterson, goes into office
June 18th. John r. Smith holds until
that date.
SO far no news has been received
here of damage to the fruit trees py
the intense cold in February.
Messenger Bureau.
Raleigh, n. c., March s.
The legislature broke all records as TO
volume of business. The democratic
members say: w had to undo the leg
lslatiOn of the ~fusioniSts since 1893 and
then to do new work besides" But the
great volume OF work contains much
which need never have come before the
legislature. There are perhaps 500 char
trs and private acts. Yesterday an eff
fort to ave these left out of the printed
volumes signally failed. 1t was learned
at the office of the secretary Of state
today that the total number of acts rat
flied appreximates 1900.
The republicans and populists who
directly after the last election talked so
earnestly in favor of an abridgement of
negro suffrage. are now being ridiculed
by the republicans who aid nothing
and who hold Senator Prithard's view.
But il is known that the mass Of the
populists will support the constitutional
amendment. Many republicans say
now they will vote for it. They may
change their minds, but say they will
not.
1t is expected that by next week or the
week following the supreme court will
decide as to w. H Days title to the
office Of superintendent Of the peniten-
tiary. Claude Dockery. the chairman
Of the fusion board of directors. is here.
He speaks of there being two boards.
are yet on duty, pending a decision / IN
the Day case. One Of those thus hold
ing on is Thomas Russell, warden.
brother of h governor. The legisla-
ture has passed a bill, by the terms of
which even though Day wins his case
he cannot get a cent Of the money ap-
propriated at this session.
A telegram from H. C. Ewart To a
state senator here says Ewart is re-
appointed judge Of the Western district.
One OF the best informed county
superintendents OF public instruction in
the state writes your correspondent re-
gard1ng he new school law: 1T has too
much machinery, and how TO work IL
will puzzle the wisest heads in the
county, and even then il will never be
carried out. 1t is to be regretted that
some one did not uggest simplicity IN
our law maker
Today the body of Mrs. Anna NJ. Clark
mother OF Associate Justice Clark. was
taken TO her old home in HaIifay
county for burial.
Though the farmers have done M
work since January 1st, they say thew
a catch up" if the weather nov
proves favorable. The ground has ali
the moisture il needs and the freazss
thaws and SHOWS have mellowed =,
The peach crop is declared by exnerts
to be at least half killed-kiIed in rhs
bud. ae