The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-01-10
D EMCCRATS RESPONSIBLE
FOR CONDUCT or IT'S AFFAIRS
AND MUST CHOOSE IT'S
OFFICERS.
A SPIRITED DISCUSSION CT P0iCY
And Difference Ct Opinion as to the 54s' Course
10 Pursue. If Necessary The Law 81
thor'zirg Appo'ntm nj by Gov
ernor vii be REPEALED.


The Democrats will take charge of Che
penitcntiary and pass upon all appointees
to places in its management. That was
decided in joint eaucus Of the two
Houses held in Commons Hall last
night.
Hon. ID. Ii. Mclean introduced the
resolutions which, after Il number Of
amendments, and lengthy discussion
finally passed the caucus. Senator
Collie, of Nash county, introduced set
of resolutions, and resolutions were in
troduced by others, while amendments
abeunded.
In addition to the declaration that the
Democrats will take charge of. and make
the appointments TO places III the peni-
tertiary, it was decided to make Il rigid
investigation Of its affairs, under Il joint
committee of the two Houses.
If the Legislature finds such Il step
necessary in order to get control of the
penitentiary a bill will be passed re-
pealing the law authorizing the appoint
ment of the Superintendent of the penl-
Tertiary by the Governor, though it was
the wish of the caucus that this step
may not be necessary.
1t was frankly said on the floor of the
caucus last night that the Democrats
could not afford to assume the respon-
sibility for any management that they
had not chosen, and as they must bear
the responsibility they proposed to choose
the men to whom the conduct of the in
stitution must be entrusted.
The caucus met at o'clock and re-
manned in session until 1920. Consider
able difference of opinion developed as
to what should he the scope and nature
of the resolutions. as to the weight Of
authority that should he vested in the
committee called for by the resolutions
to investigate into the affairs OF the
penitentiary, and us to the course that
should be pursued toward the Democrats
who have accepted places under the
management appointed by Governor
Russell.
Speeches were, made by Messrs. Os-
borne, Conner, Glenn. 0yerman, Nc
Lean and others. and the discussion be-
came general ana spirited. The Sena-
tors. speaking broadly favored a more
conservative course than the members
Of the House or than that which was
finally decided upon, and while they
acquiesced in the decision of the caucus
they did 50 without being convinced that
altogether the best party policy had been
adopted The differences of opinion, Of
course. were not coincident with the di-
yiding line between the two Houses, but
most of the Senators would doubtless
have been better pleased if they had
caucussed separately.
A number of members favored the
appointment Of Il preliminary committee
to go over the ground and make recon-
mendations before a sitting committee
with plenary powers was appointed to
take charge of an investigation and send
for persons and papers. Others with
the sentiment: Nothing with Russell 5
livery on" wished to repeal the law
authorizing appointment by the Governor
and put in new management from the
ground up. The resolution as finally
adopted was Il compromise between the
two 1t was decided that there must
be a new superintendent, an investiga-
ton of the affairs of the institution for
the past two years, while the party is
not committed as to the Democrats who
have received appointments under Cap
tain Day. Doubtless as Democrats
they would greatly prefer to owe re-
sponsibility to a Democratic Legislature
rather than to a Republican Governor,
The majority of the Legislature stands
pledged to a reorganization and inyesti-
CATION of the penitentiary and its eau
Gus has decided TO take both steps.
Captain Day is understood TO have
said that he would not seek to retain his
place rs Superintendent of the peniten'
tiary if it should develop that the Demo
cratic caucus desired to inaugufate n
new management. Now that the eau
Gus has decided it is not improbable
that he may tender j. his res@sation,
What Governor Russell will do under
such circumstances, whether he will APP
point another Democrat Of his own
choosing, will ask the Legislature tc
name it's choice or will appoint a Re
publican is problematicl.