The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-01-17
Especial to The Messenger.)

SENATE.
Raleigh, N c., January 1.-THE sem
ate met at 10 o'clock.
A resolution was introduced that
there should be an investigation as to
the s25,e0O claimed to be due by The
state for equipment and mastering in
of troops of the three North Carolina
regiments last year. 1t was referred
to the finapce committee.
A bill was introduced by Senator Da-
Wis, regarding. fences in Brunswick
county.
The following bills passed final read
ing: To provide permanent system of
government for Craven county. To
provide for filling of vacancies in Of
flee in Craven. To regulate bonds Of
officers of Craven. To increase the
number of commissioners in Craven.
To re-unite the Richmond, Petersburg
and Carolina railroad. To amend the
charter of St. Mary's school, To re-
peal public printing laws enacted by
the last legislature.
The senate finance committee re-
ported favorably the house bill TO re-
peal the act of 1897, establishing a
board of equalization.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The house met at 10 o'clock.
The announcement was made that
the governor would send in, not later
than next Tuesday, his reasons for re-
moving Railway Commissioners Otho
Wy
1t was further announced that the
governor had informed the special
committee that he would, if it were
desired, furnish the names of the per-
which he made the removals.
Bills were introduced as follows: By
Mr.. Willard, to revise the jury lists of
New Hanover county, and to amend
the charter of the Wilmington Gas
Light Company, by allowing it to con-
| solidate with the Electric Company or
! Seacoast railway. By Mr.. Ray, Of
| Cumberland, to change the time of
| meetings of county commissioners to
| first Tuesday in each month and to
! prevent exhorbitant charges by mer-
| chants on chattel mortgages or other
| securities. By Mr.. Moore, to amend
| the Code and make bastardy proceed
ings quasi-civil actions. BY Mr.. John
son. to amend the act of 1895 regarding
fishing in streams in Sampson county
| The resolution reducing pay of vari-
| Gus employees 20 per cent, in accord
| ance with the agreement made by the
democratic caucus last week was
| adopted. The reduction is based on the
| pay of 1897. 1t does not effect the pay
| of clerks, which was cut to "a, or tc
| laborers, who get 81 per day, or tc
| uages, who get 81 per day.
Bills passed repeating the act as t.
cotton and peanut weighers for Edge
cobe county, and to amend the charter
| of Fayetteville. The latter bill change.
. the poll tax from $3.50 to SO, this being
| dore by the committee on cities anc
| towns, to preserve the constitutional
| equation, and gives power TO charge
| privilege tax; makes the aldermen sol
judges of the fitness Of applicants 70
liquor license and provides that no
less than $500 shall be charged for sucl
license, in event that sale of liquor II
Cumberland county shall be authorize
hereafter, and limits the powers Of tn
board of audit and finance. Mr.. Rob
inson, of Cumberland. made an abl
explanati ton of the bill.
Raleigh, n. c., January 14.-Tonigh
Experts c. Rosenthal. Geo. w. Thomp
son and Claude Barbee gave to Penl
tentiary Superintendent Day their re
port on the penitentiary books and &C
counts. They say they have made tn
most critical examination possible, an
find the method of bookkeeping an
record-making in vogue now and here
tofore so crude and incomplete that
perfectly accurate balance sheet
,, impossible, until such time as all cred
i itors of the penitentiary have filed du
ly approved accounts. There seems I
have been no such thing as individus