The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-02-21
OUR RALEIGH LETTER.
THE D0INGS Of THE LEGISLATURE DULY
RECORDED.
impeachment Proceedings - Fewer
Grounds for Oivorce-Not an Easily
Influenced MISUNDERSTANDING
Education or NOt-The Congress.
Notes of Interest,
CFrom Our Regular Correspondent

RALEIGH. \. C.. Feb. Is. 1901.
This House was kept in session all day
Thursday and Friday and Saturday. two
sessions being held each day. to hear the
argument on the impeachment resolu-
tons, Judges Allen and Common. pro and
con. were the leaders in the debate. but
nearly all the more prominent members
OF the House judiciary committee (all
lawyers) spoke on the subject Thursday
and Friday-and still the argument con-
tinued.
Saturday morning the verbal batteries
opened up again early. and it was talk
talk, talk, 1t really seemed that it would
never end. Lawyers and laymen spoke
again until everybody was worn out.
At 4 O'Clock Saturday evening the
debate was begun anew, and kept up till
a late hour.
The House finally adjourned till Mon
day, agreeing to take vote then (today)
The general belief OF legislators is that
the Impeachment resolution will pass by
about 20 majority
The Smart Alexis have already
selected the lawyers who must be en-
ployed to defend the Justices when
needed. Here's the list. and | announce
to waiting world. well knowing how
eagerly it will be received and the i'm
piicit confidence that will be placed in it,:
Frank l. Osborne, W. p. Bynum, Spier
Whitaker. F. H. Busbee Possibly the
Alecks' will consent to add one or two
to the list if found advisable
FEWER GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE.
The divorce bill was argued in the Sen
ate for hours on Friday and Saturday
the contention being the amendment of
the Senate committee adding abandon
ment for three years to the three causes
for divorce allowed by the House bill
The bill was finally made the special
order again-this time for next Wednes-
day.
NOT AN EASILY INFLUENCED LEGIsLA-
TURE.
| was talking with Senator Brown, of
Columbus, the other night and we We're
discussing the passage of the AycOck
schoOl-boOk bill by unanimous vote in
the Senate and with less than score Of
votes in the House against it, and the
efforts now making in some quarters to
exempt graded schools in the cities and
towns from its provisions-a plan which
would deprive the town school children
and their parents of cheaper books.
Senator Brown, who worked hard with
Senator Aycock for the passage of the
bill, said: Il think the vote was a high
compliment to this Legislature. and
shows how devoted it is to the peoples
interests. ! don't mean to say that an,
undue influences were attempted by any
one in this matter. but the fact that the
big book publishing firms were against
it and had such a large array of learned
and shrewd attorneys and agents at
work here, would have led to the develop
ment of a much stronger opposition had
the Legislature been less devoted to the
State and the people it represents. and
Influences that are so often brought to
bear in such cases had been attempted"
COMPULSORY EDUCATION OR NOT
There is now pending in the Legislature
a bill (by Mr.. Whitaker. of Guilford) re-
|ating TO compulsory education that is
M important one. 1t provides as fol-
lows:
Section l. That the Board of County
Commissioners when petitioned by one
third of the qualified voters OF the county.
Or town. city or township of said county.
shall cause all election to be held under
The general provisions of the Election
Law.
Sec. 2. That if at said election
pulsOrE Attendance any child living in
the said county, town. city, township or
townships, who shall have reached the
age OF eighteen years, without being able
to read and write any section of the Con-
in the English language. shall
attend the public schools, unless educated
~ HOY l. Oh L. l. -
comply with the provisions of this act:
exceed sixteen months: Provided. further
this act shall not apply to any child who
S physically or mentally unable to at
tend school.
Sec. 3. That the parent or guardian OF
any child willfully violating the provis
ons of this act shall, upon conviction, be
ined not exceeding five dollars for each
)ffense.
Sec. f. This act shall not be operative
n any school districts where there are
lot sufficient Recommendations in the pub
lc schools to seat children compelled to
attend the public schools under the pro-
'lsions of this act.
THE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS
During the past week the Joint commit
ee on Congressional Districts held several
meetings., at two of which party leaders
rom several districts appeared and
lrgued for and against the proposition
o appOrtiOn ten new districts at this
essIon. The majority We're against it,
srguing that it would be best to put it off
wo years and elect d Congressrnon-at-|
arge next year Strong arguments were
made by some in favor of action now.
The committee has reached no decision
ct, and until it does neither of the three
Nils that have been prepared so far.
1apping out the districts, will be con-
ldered in detail A conclusion will be
cached this week probably.
MINOR MENTION.
There is a bill pending in the Legsla-
nre to increase the tax on the gross
remlums OF life insurance companies in
his State from 2 to * per cent. and the
Ak on local sub-agents of companies
ON so cents to 81. About 81. 900. 900
is collected in North Carolina in
remiums on policies by the insurance
gents of this State
The bill authorizing the Governor and |
ttorney General to employ counsel |
. defend the registrars of election last
ugust indicted in the Federal Court bv |
lotion and his political schemers. passed |
ne Senate Thursday evening. after hot |
ehate lasting three hours. and is now a |
wv. All the Democrats voted for it and |
Il the Republicans and Populists against
The revenue bill was worked on all last |
eek by the Joint finance committee. but
is not vet completed. 1t is burden 1
ome job. calling for the exercise of great
are and patience The States revenue
ill be considerably increased by the new
i'll when it is finished The tax on in +
)nes will he a feature as we'll as that on
abroad and corporation property. Cot
IN mill capital may be called on to paw
Iore tribute than formerly along with
lat of other corporations.
One of the most important bills passed
'ithin the last few days was that afford