The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-03-03

derstood h a no f~usionists should stay
in office who could be gotten rid of.
MI. Allen said the bill was drawn
with a view tina the new commissioner
OF agriculture should take office June
18th.
Mr.. winston wanted this so amended
that II the new commissioner could be
legally elected earlier it should be done.
Mr.. Allen said this was entirely
agreeable.
Mr.. Moore offered an amendment
giving the board some power to pro-
tect the timber interest and to prevent
It's being needlessly destroyed, and
making such destruction a INSIDE
meanor
Der inspection and survey were more
particularly under the direction of the
geological department.
Mr.. Moore said that in the vicinity of
great ~tanneries timber was cut down
in Immense quantities for it's bari and
left there to rot.
Mr.. Rountree said that the timber
interests undoubtedly needed protec-
ton; that in the mountains this de-
StructiOn Of trees vas Wanton and
reckless.
Mr.. Moore's amendment was lost.
The bill hen passed.
Mr.. WinSton'S northumberland
the board shall investigate timber in
terests and promote it's growth and
protection-was accepted.
The next bill which vas taken up
was also a special Order-To provide
for the government of the Agriculture
al and Mechanical college at Raleigh,
repeating all former laws.
Mr.. Winston offered an amendment
which provides that the management
and control of the college shall be vest
ed in a board of twenty-one trustees.
The president of the college is made
ex-officio president of this board.
There are to be seven trustees elected
for two, seven for foul and seven for
six years. The bill provides for the
election at present of a sufficient
number to make the number twenty
one, as the fusionists, whose terms do
not expire, continue to hold office until
the expiration of such terms.
Mr.. Justice said the main change
from the old law is the election Of trus-
tees by the Legislature, and the pro-
vision that the trustees shall fill va
cancies. h trustees are to meet on
the second Monday in March and re-
organize.
The bill passed without debate and
unanimously.
Mr.. Thompson, of Onslow, from the
pensions committee, introduced an
Omnibus pension bill, covering 100
bills introduced, and it passed.
Mr.. Foushee introduced a bill to au-
thorize the issue of bonds to pay the
penitentiary debt, and Mr.. Rountree
a bill to amend section 1910 of the Code.
The senate resolution was adopted,
raising a committee to select members
Of the board of agriculture.
The election law bill was taken up
as a special order.
Mr.. Winston announced that ZACH
side democrats and republicans) would
be given half an hour for discussion.
Mr.. Petree, republican, in charge of
the republican side in the debate, Of
fered an amendment to strike out Sec
ton 1, which allows challenges on cleo
ton day. He said this was unjust, and
an undue advantage might be taken
of it.
Mr.. Winston said this provision had
for years been in the election law.
Mr.. Hampton made a ten minute
speech, and sent up amendments, these
being to make the election in Novem-
Der instead Of August, and to provide
for registrars of election instead of n
registrar, and to provide that there
be two democrats, two republicans and
one populist.
Mr.. Hampton declared the people
would ~repudiate this election law at
the polls. He said the worst provision
was that of challenges at the polls.
Mr.. Williams, of Yadkin, offered an
amendment providing for registrars
and poll holders Of different parties. He
declared that the great republican
party here in North Carolina is not
dead, but sleepeth."
Mr.. Pritchard, of Mitchell, said the
western people would not submit to
---. l@A 49, -Ls+o ~,o~ fhar~
would not be trif1ed with or suffer
their liberty at the ballot box to be
abridged.
Eaton, of Vance, colored, n of the
ablest of the republican speakers, an
~tagonized the bill.
Mr.. Williams, of Graham, also spoke
briefly in opposition.
Smith, of Craven, was given five
minutes.
At this point Mr.. Rountree came in
and said there were urgent reasons
why the joint session of the senate n
house set for 4 O'Clock this afternoon
to dispose of the case of j. W. and S.
Ohio Wilson should be postponed until
tomorrow. ~Postponement was made.
Smith, continuing his speech, said
the provision requiring the testimony
of two witnesses as proof of age would
debar him from voting, as he could
not produce two. witnesses to swear to
his age. He said the governor himself
could not give such proof.
Mr.. Winston explained in terse n
vigorous style the provisions Of the
new law. He said he was under obi
cations to the opposition. white and
black, for it's concern expressed today
for the future of the democrats. He
said the election law, with the excep-
ton of state and county election
boards. was the same as that in eff
feet UP to 1895. He arraigned the flu
sion party's election law, which he
termed a fair election law. The pro-
visions of the new law, he said, had
been thoroughly digested by the DEM
ocratic caucu He called the previous
question at 2 O'Clock. The various
amendments offered by republicans
were lost.
The bill passed its readings by a vote
of SIS to %. Mr.. Mcneil. Of Bruins
wick. was the only democrat who voted
no. He got fusion applause. democrats
say they do not relish his
boiling the party caucus
Bills were introduced as ollows To
abolish county boards of education. To