The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-01-06
THE MORNING HOUR FULL
MANY BILLS INTRODUCED AND
PASSED OR REFERRED.
BILL TO INVESTIGATE THE PENlTENTIARY
Sentup by Senator Brown and Put Through three
Peadirgs. Provides for Joint CON-
m tee With Full Powers.
Text Of the Bill.

ItHI OI tne Dill
Yesterday in the Senate was eyentful
only in the sense that matters were
attended to. They were attended to, but
so smoothly and quietly that only those
who kept in close touch with the pro-
ceedngs were aware of the Importance
of what was going forward.
There were few visitors here and
there a man would lounge in on the
floor to look ON for a while and then go
out. The galleries were almost wholly
empty throughout the day This SEN
ate is not one that appeals particularly
to the galleries. The gallery filling ele-
ment, so far as has developed, was
largely left ont of the makeup Of the
Senate when the people or North Caro-
lima celebrated the recent debacle. The
gentleman who wears numerous flowers
on his lapel and in his oratory may be
present but as yet he has failed to
strike an attitude. There has been no.
soaring aloft before admiring eyes "A
that sort of thing
There are many able men In the
ate, men wh0-ran make good spe
but as yet there has been no speech
no. attempt at speech. 1Eer9 seems
to be tacit recognition Of the. fact
that, as Senator Glenn said yesteEday,
the Senate ''has lots to do" md
thorough understanding that way
to get it done is to do it, and rot to
talk about it. Therefore, though there
were one or two excellent opportunities
for speeches yesterday, when Senator
Brown introduced his bill to investigate
the penitentiary, for instance, no
speeches were made but instead the Sem
ate suspended the rules, put the bill
through its three readings and ordered
it sent to the House forthwith. Not n
Senators has spoken for three consecu-
tive minutes as yet.
Quiet. orderly. dignifed and conserva-
ton, it must do the hearts of all those
who saw the preceding Senate good to
look on the present body. / say the
Senate is conservative, because that is
the constant attitude of the body, and
it came out time and again yesterday,
and in dozens of little ways during the
sitting. There is nothing more certain
than that nothing radical or i'll advised
members who have been the moving
forces thus far are present.
The minority are merely spectators.
With the exception Of Senator White.
of Clinton who stated during the first
session that no attempt would be made
to obstruct legislation, no Popnlist or
Republican Senator, so far as l have
seen. has taken any part whatever in
the proceedings of the body. No one
has risen to his feet to make a mo-
ton or to offer objection or protest.
The Senate is acting on the policy Of
one thing at time. Yesterday the bill
providing for an investigation of the
penltentiary was put through. If not
to-day, then shortly, bills will be intro
duced providing for a similar investiga-
ton of the Agricultural department.
probably for the abolition of the labor
commissioners office, as now conducted,
and other things in order.
ms Senate works very much as does
properly constituted committee.
PROCEEDINGS IN DETAIL.
The Senate met at noon on Yesterday.
The Rev. Levi Branson offered prayer.
Clerk Daniels read the proceedings of
the previous day. Senator Collie who
was absent on the first day Of the ses-
SION was present and came forward
and was sworn in. A request was read
from the State auditor that all orders
for money be sent down before 3 O'clock
p. M, in order that the books might be
properly posted before the ensuing day.
a request from photographer Whar-
ton that members give him as early
sitting as possible for the Senate group
was read
Senator Robinson, of Sampson, sent
forward the papers in the contest from
his district. with the request that they
be referred.
Senator Fields did the same.
Mr.. Glenn, in behalf of the joint COM
mitteee announced that the committee
had waited on the Governor of, the
State and informed him that the Assem-
bly, was organized and ready for pub
lie business.
Senator Brown. from Columbus, sent
forward a bill to appoint n joint com
mittee to investigate the affairs of the
penitentiary.
The text Of the bill is as follows:
Senate Bill No. ,.
An Act to appoint a committee to in
vestgate the management of the State
penitentiary.
The General Assembly of North Caro-
lima doSenact.
Continued on Second Page.) -