The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-02-22
IMPORTANT LEGISLATIVE MEASURES
UNDER DISCUSSION.
THE JOINT FINANCE COMMITTEE
AT Work on the Revenue Bill-The
Dog Tax Defeated-Ths Proposed Tax
on Gross Receipts OF RailroadS-Fa-
Trust Bill-The Tax on Receipts OF
Street Railways. etc. Stricken Out
The Fertilizer Bill.
Especial to the MessengerD

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Raleigh, n. c., February 20.-The
house propositions and grievances COM
m ttee tonight decided to report favor
ably on bills for prohibition for Samp-
son; for stock law in part of Duplin.
and to prevent the giving of liquor to
minors and lunatics and insane per-
sons.
After lively discussion the amend
ment to have the Tarboro dispensary
go into effect January 1st next was
adopted. Donnel Gillian and H. A.
Gillian spoke for and Julian Baker
and w. o. Howard against the exten-
sion Of time from July 1st next
A very important session of the
joint finance committee was held this
evening. The dog tax provision in the
revenue bill got only three votes
London. Willard and Dean. The pro-
vision taxing street railways, water
works. electric light plants and gas
plants per cent. on gross income, also
ad valorem, was modified by striking
out the tax on gross receipts so 1t
stands as at present. There was dis
cussion of the section taxing railways
on the basis of gross earnings per m lie
annually, beginning with one-tenth of
l per cent. on gross earnings of 81 900
and climbing up to nine-tenths of l
per cent on gross earnings of $4,000.
Henry Miller. of the southern railway,
asked that this tax be made $4,000 for
all roads in the state and then pro rat
ed. This matter is to be settled to-
morrow. Mr.. London moved to strike
censeS. The motion was lost. There
was long discussion of the new Sec
ton taxing cigarette manufacturers
one half cent on each 1000. and max
ing annual tax on dealers $500. Sena-
tor Woodard, and Mr.. Briggs, of the
cigarette factory at Wilson, argued
against this tax, and sad it was pro-
bibitory and would drive out of busi-
ness most cigarette dealers; that most
of these sold only $4,000 annually, on
which profit in only $3.50. The sec
ton went over until tomorrow.
The state superintendent of public
instruction decides that where a schoo
committee employees a private school
teacher outside the limits of th0 e"'-
district he s not entitled to pay ana
cannot collect it by law.
The subcommittee - Henderson,
FouShee and Ward-submitted TO tho
full senate judiciary committee bill
which the latter committee decided to
report favorably, giving sweep ng
and exceedingly strict antitrust law.
1t forfeitS the character, franch Sc and
corporate existence of any state cor
poration in a trust or pool. The attor-
ney general is to sue directly for the
penalty of $500. All contracts made
with trusts are declared fraudulent;
evidence not to be use against witness
es The attorney general can send for
md M n N
make the officials of any corporation
make out on an official form that they
are not in a trust or pool, and II not
made in thirty days after demand 1t
shall be prima face evidence of
trust. Laborers' organizations to main
tain standard of wages are not to be
interferred with.
The fertilizer bill prepared by tn"
joint committee on agriculture was
discussed this evening, particularly
sections and 10 requir, ng that in case
of fertilizers not coming UP to guaran-
tee double value of shortage shall be
collected by the buyer and that -
shall have a lien on any assets Of the
manufacturer. Fred Oliver and James
H Pou agrued that this would drive
manufacturers out of the business.
Commissioner of Agriculture Patter-
son said in reply to a question by Mr..
Mclean that he did not believe there
was any purpose to defraud buyers
The only change of the present law he
thought necessary was one Civ ns
speedier and easier way to get dam
ages. Winston. Durham, Rale'p" a~d
other fertilizer factories were repre-
sented bv officers and counsel. The
matter will be definitely passed on to-
morrow.
Governor Aycock and ex-Ch'ef Justice
Shepherd will be honorary pallbearers
at DR.. Kirby's funeral.
Opposition to the fertil' Zer bill prov
ed SO strong that the agricultural COM
mittee tonight put subcommittee at
work to redraft the entire bill.