The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-02-07
Considered i'm Legisla-
tive Caucus.
GOOD PROGRESS MADE
In PerfectinS the Proposed Changes.
The New Election Abolish
the Board EquaIizauon-Noms
mating P~cnitennary Directors Undcr
the New Managcment-SpeeuIarion n
60 What Action superintendent Day
VIII Take.
Special TO The Messenger.)

Raleigh, y. C., February 2-The
committee on claims today decided 10
allow 1892 in full. Of what are known
as the Pamlico county oyster entry
claims. The committee will so report
tomorrow.
The special term OF the federal court
meets here next Tuesday.
There is fresh talk today about the
possible attitude OF Captain Day as
penitentiary superintendent. II he re-
sists the legislature. and has the new
act, it has passed, declared ~unconsti-
tutional, he may resign and the gov
ernor put in a republican. Many peo-
pie think he will pursue this course.
It Is rumored that he will Oppose no
resistance to the new democratic direc-
tors, If ]. T. LeGrand or F. b. Aren-
dell is made superintendent. Day is
| in a position TO give trouble.
The new eletion law is based on tho
election law continued in the Code as
amended by the acts OF 1855 and 1859.
The amendments the committee VIII
place in the new bill provide for n
state election board. composed OF five
| persons, TO be elected by the legisla-
ture every two years. This board Will
| organize this year by electing one OF
its members chairman and another sec
rotary. 1t will have power to appoint
co-election boards, and his board. with p
the governor and secretary OF state.
will compose the state board OF cam
vassers. County boards Of election VIII
call all elections, appoint registrars and
p~ollholders, who shall be men Of good
character, and fill all vacancies occurr-
ing. The county returning boards are
re-established. Many duties imposed
on sheriffs under the old law will be
given TO the chairmen OF county cleo
ton boards and chairmen OF county
boards OF canvassers. Registration Will
be surrounded by such safeguards as
will prevent Importation OF negro votes,
by requiring perfect Identification Of
voters.
There was a continuation OF the Scot
land county argument this afternoon
before the committee, John 5. Lock-
hart and John d. Shaw, Jr., making
speeches.. The hearing ends tomorrow
and then the committee will decide.
The senate judiciary committee de-
cides to report favorably the bin to re-
peal the act creating the state board
of tax equalization.
Winston's bill, which has passed the
house, making Capitalization between
whites n blacks a felony is unani-
mously ~disapproved. the committee de-
Gliding that the prevalence OF this crime
=.
passage OF the bill.
The Madison county bond case was
argued by George Smathers who wishes
the Legislature to levy a special tax
to collect $25, 900 for the bond issue, and
by J. NJ. Gudger, Jrp who represents
the commissioners and who says they
have not repudiated the bonds and
hat the ~bondholders' right Of action is
against the treasurer OF Madison coun-
ty and not in the legislative enact
ment. a letter from Senator Pritch-
ard today disclaims any authority or
purpose to interfere in this matter.
) George L. Morton, commander OF the
naval reserves, is here in the interest Of
l the Rountree bill, to give the command
/, er of the naval reserves the power to
appoint the staff officers and create the
q, office Of naval aid 10 the governor.
! In a special caucus of member Of the
various judicial districts his evening
! the following were nominated direc-
= tors Of the penitentiary: j. II. We'd
dington, eleventh district: w. II. o.
. borne. fifth district; DIR. n. f. Nor
: phew, tenth district; James LeGr9-
seventh district.
In the consideration Of the constitu-
. tional amendment tonight the Joint
; caucus altered the amendment SUBJ
mitted by the committee, by striking
out the section repeating section % Of
the article OF the constitution: by re-
!. curing residence in a county six months
in a precinct, ward or other election
district four months next preceding
the election, provided that the removal
from one precinct to another shall not
operate to deprive wNrm~ the
rgnt 10 vote IN tie from
which he has removed until four months
after removal, and by providing that
any person presenting himself for reg
istration shall have paid his poll tax
on or before March LIST OF the year In
which he proposes 10 vote. n shall
exhibit his tax receipt therefor when
ne offers 10 vote. Only four sections
POI the amendment were acted upon.
Senator Justice will offer an amend
ment TO section 5. providing that lin
cal descendants shall be allowed to reg
lister and vote.
A resolution that the general assem-
bly, finish its duties by February 18th.
n adjourn that day was adopted
The caucus was harmonious and will
resume work tomorrow night.
Separate caucuses nominated enato