Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-02-07
ACROSS THE BORDER.
THE PROGRESS OF LEGISLATION
IN NORTH CAROLINA.
TAXING INSURANCE RECEIPTS.
The Proposed Franchise Amend
nent--Sfate Democratic Chairman
rate Car Question.

RALEIGH, n. c., February G.-(Spe-
l.)-There is an effort TO have the rate
Of taxation on gross receipts of insurance
companies increased to per cent. 1t is
now per cent. The movement is causing
quite a stir among the insurance men,.
The House Committee on Insurance has
taken Wizards insurance bill as a basis
for a new insurance law, and will utilize
parts OF it.
The rainfall Is excessive. 1t has been n
rainy winter. In fact so much rain fell
in the autumn as to interfere seriously
with the sowing of small grain. Wheat in
this section does not look well. The stand
is poor and the plants small.
Your correspondent to-day had an inter-
view with Democratic State Chairman
Simmons In regard to the franchise
amendment to the Constitution. Mr.. Sim
mons said: There is I'm the Democratic
legislative caucus no difference Of Opin-
ion as TO reporting the amendment favor
ably. There is a little difference as to
details All will be fully agreed on, and
then the amendment will pass with prac-
teal unanimity. The only difference Is
as to the limitation of the grandfather
clause. The argument is made by some
persons that the requirement Of the bill
that after 1904 no person can vote who
cannot read the Constitution Is asserted
by some to be a hardship. and as tend
ing to dlsfranchse white persons, be-
cause I'm the extreme west there are per-
sons who are so bitterly opposed 10 edu-
cation that they will not send their chill
dren to school. on the other hand, it is
said that this particular feature OF the
bill will force such people to allow their
children TO be educated, and that IL Is
entirely proper so TO force them, as there
Is no reason why there should be an I'M
educated child I'm all North Carolina.
Rev. j. L. Burns, keeper Of the Capitol
IS to-day at deaths door. He has pneu-
monia. He is in his room at the Capitol
He is a native Of Mississippi. but for sew
eral years was a Disciples preacher in
Northeastern North Carolina.
The Supreme Court to-day held the BIZ
ennial examination Of applicants for IL
cense as attorneys. The examination was
written, not oral. it is the second written
examination ever held At the last one
twenty-six applicants failed TO pass
To-day i'm committee Senator Ward pre-
scented a "separate-car" bill, which Is "A
copy Of the Georgia bill. Some leading
committeeman SAID tney pfolerIeu IL 10
all others. II provides for only one rate
of fare, while here there are two-not by
statute. however, but by custom.
The Senate and House committees on
education gave this afternoon the first
hearing on tine school textbook ques-
ton. Winston & Winston appeared for
b. T.. Johnson & Co., of Richmond.
The Senate Committee on Railways
agrees to report fayorably the bill allow
ing the consolidation Of all the divisions
Of the Seaboard Airline with one an
other, and with other railways not pa
rallel or competing.
\ bill was introduced in the Senate to-
day TO abolish the Western Criminal Cir
cult Court. There was warm discussion
Of a bill requiring the county authorities
to order local option elections whenever
one third Of the qualified voters request.
1t will be continued tomorrow.
The House made the bill creating Scot
land county the special order for Thurs
day. There was a lively debate on a bill
TO reduce the fees of county officers about
% per cent. 1t was tabled. The event of
the day was the discussion before com
mittee Of the bill to punish trusts. Bust
ness-men are TO be given hearing We'd
nesday.