The news & observer., 1901-02-06

nIteen (l9) cents, ana tnat the pension
law be amended accordingly
Sec 3. That this act shall be in force
from and after its ratification.
RESOLUTION or INVESTIGATION.
The bin by Senator Lindsey. of Rock
ingham for an investigation of the man
agement OF The schools for the education
OF the deaf and dumb and the blind was
favorably reported to the Senate yester-
day from the committee to which it was
referred and it precipitated one Of the
liveliest discussions of the session.
When the bin was read Senator Me-
lntyre started the ball rolling by offer
ing an amendment to strike out the pro-
vision in the bill for a special committee
of two Senator's and three representatives
TO make the investigation and substitute
in lieu thereof the regularly appoInTad
standing committees of the Senate AMI
House on institution for deaf, dumb and
blind. Senator Mcintyre argued that this
was the proper committee to do this
work. Since charges of fraud and corrup-
tion had been made against the school
it was due to the management and to
the people of North Carolina that the
investigation be thorough and effective.
The Senator was interrupted and told
that the bill did not charge anything
against the institution.
In reply Senator Mcintyre read from the
bill which authorized the special commit
tee to investigate charges of fraud, ex-
travagance and incompetency." Why then
are such things specified unless there are
some imputations to that effect? Why
look for fraud where there is no suspicion
OF fraud?
Senator Lindsey: with the Senator's
permission I'll say that / thought my
position was thoroughly understood ]
made no charges but simply desired to
give the committee broad grounds and not
fetter them in their inquiry. II / had
thought of any other words besides those
enumerated / should have put them in
alsO.
Senator Gudger said that he understood
the Senator from Rockingham had only
heard reports of "extravagance and mis-
management and therefore he would of
fer an amendment to strike out the words
fraud and corruption" This amendment
was accepted by the introducer Senator
Lindsay
SENATOR. McINTYRE'S AMENDMENT.
Senator Mcintyre then resumed his ar
gument in support of his amendment not
10 have special committee, but allow the
regular committee, to make the investiga-
tion. He read the names of the commit
tee and asked what reason could there be
for taking it out of their hands. There
could be no valid objection to having six
teen legislators pass upon the institution
instead of five. The appointment of a
special committee would be a reflection
upon those gentlemen selected at the first
OF the session to look after the institution
Such special committee could only be
justified on the ground that the regular
committee was incompetent or that a
very close relation existed between the
management of the school and the COM
mittee and certainly none of this was true
here.
Senator Lindsey disclaimed any in
tention to reflect on the committee and
he did not believe any Senators so under
stood him. He believed that small COM
mittee could do better and more effective
work than large one. 1T just amounts
TO this" concluded the Senator: II did my
duty when l introduced the resolution.
Now if you want an investigation pass it
as it is and if not then leave it to a large
committee of sixteen.
Senator Aycock said he did not agree
with the Senator from Robson (Mr.
Mclntyre). His experience was that a
small committee could certainly do more
effective work than q large committee.
The reason there is not more investiga
tions made of institutions is because when
a Senator introduces a simple resolution
to look into a establishment of the State,
whose interest he is sworn to guard, then
he is stigmatiZed and criticised as a man
poking into other peoples business and
meddling in affairs. That is wrong. The
trouble is that an effort to investigate
is too often followed by a movement to
whitewash.
Senator Mcintyre interrupted and asked
if he thought the standing committee
would do such a thing.
SENATOR AYCOCK'S OPINION.
Senator Aycock explained that he did
not but the resolution would be weakened
and crippled if the amendment was adopt
ed; continuing he said Il made no charges
against Jno. E. Ray; though / hardly know
him have reason to believe him an hon.
est gentleman, but there are reports out
about the management of the school of
which he has charge, and the committee.
as provided by the Senator Offering the
resolution, ought to be appointed to do the
investigating in justice to Mr.. Ray him.
self. This effort to turn the work back in
to the hands of the standing committee is
reflection of the introducer of the bill,
Senator Mcintyre said Senator Aycock
had offered two objections to his amend
ment, first because the regular committee
is too large and the second because the
committee would whitewash.
Senator Aycock: 81 didn't charge that"
This resolution declared Mcintyre,
is copy of the bill to investigate the
penitentiary and is unknown in legisla-
tion relative to an institution of the same
politics"
Il don't know anything about politics in
this matter, declared Senator Lindsey.
Senator London said that the committee
had reported. the resolution favorably and
he thought that this bill should pass as
introduced and in justice to the institu-
tion itself no changes should be made
The best man to make any investigation
was the one making or producing the
charges Pass it unanimously and let the
otnr