The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-01-24
HOT FIGHT IN THE HOUSE
NO SPECIAL PRIVILEGES FOR
ROLLER MILLS.
SWlNSON'S SALARY STILL ELUDES HIM
A Bill Passed in The House Removing the
Disabilities of Married Women, as to
Real Estate. No Objection
Made to it.

The really important bill passed by
the House yesterday went through with
out discussion, while two matters of
triiing moment were debated for some
two hours.
A resolution to pay $120 to A. L.
Swinson, the Enrolling Clerk in the last
Legislature, was talked to death in little
less than an hour; but the bill to ex-
empt roller mills from the operations Of
the Code law touching public mills was
not so easily dispatched.
But when it came to removing the
disabilities of married women as to
real estate, the bill went through with
only an explanation by Mr.. Council,
its author. And yet no more important
measure will be passed at this session.
1t not only marks a forward step in the
emancipation of women, it amounts to
almost Il revolution in the law touching
real property.
In presenting his bill to the House, Mr..
Council very correctly said that the bill
would in his opinion, bring about a
needed reform in the administration OF
justice The manifest injustice of this
law has been shown in our Supreme
court reports back for a period of 30
years. Under the law, as it now stands,
it is impossible for lawyer, unless per-
fectly familiar with the antecedents of
every person who has been seized Of the
property, to say whether or not title
is good
Mr.. Council read from Governor
Fowle's message of 1891, recommending
the repeal of this very law and pointing
out ifs hardships and injustice.
II have known one case" said Mr..
Council, ''in which a man had purchased
property, put on it valuable improve
ments, and AZ years afterwards a wo-
man came in from a distant State and
claimed and secured possession of the
property. This law on our statute
books, is a badge of the slavery of wo-
man. coming down to us from the
Mediaeval times. 1t ought long ago to
have been wiped ont. Woman has been
coupled long enough in this respect with
criminals. idiots and insane persons.
The bill passed its several readings
without opposition.
1t was not until the bill to pay A. l..
Swinson for services as Enrolling clerk
in the last Legislature came up for pas
sage that the flood gates of talk were
opened, and, barring short Interruptions,
they were not closed down till the hour
for adjournment arrived.
Mr. Allen, of Wayne, said he intro
duccd the bill by request, in order that
the Committee on Claims might investi-
gate the matter. Some members of the
committee could perhaps explain to the
House the facts that had caused a fa-
vorable report.
Mr. Council, of Watauga, stated for
the Committee on Claims that the
evidence showed Swinson had been duly
elected Enrolling clerk of the last Leg
islature; that in the session, because he
would not let some negro clerks come
into his office to work, the Legislature
had passed a bill abolishing his office
and re-enacting the law so as to have
two enrolling clerks.
Mr.. Council explained that Swinson
had been allowed $120-balance unpaid
for the term for which he was elected.
The bill presented by Swinson had, he
said. included $1e2 for his boy, as la
borer. This had not been allowed, as
there was no such office as laborer and
Mr.. Leatherwood, of Swain, was OPP
posed to trying to correct the evils and
mistakes of the Fusion Legislature.
MIR. Curtis. of Buncombe, protested
against allowing Swinson pay on the
very ground that 'he didn't let those
colored brethren come in when, if it
hadn't been for them he'd never have
been in the office himself A man that
will lobby around among the niggers and
then be too nice to let them help him,
ought to be kicked out, and that with
out pay
Mr. Winston of BERTHE: How many
days did Swinson work|'
Mr.. Council Thirty three
Winston: For how many days was
he paid?"
Council: 'T'hirty-three."
Winston: ''This bill, then, proposes to
pay him for time he didn't work?"
Mr.. Council. 'Yes, because he was
the legal possessor of the office. 1t was
very distasteful to me to pay this, as
much so as to any man in this House;
bet the question arose, was he entitled
to the office? We found that he was.
Notwithstanding the fact that it is dis
tasteful this House cannot afford TO do
other than what is just and right"
Mr. Ray, of Macon: How much
money did his son draw?"
Mr.. Council: Not a cent, either from