The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1901-02-21
OUR RALEIGH LETTER,
to the Commonwealth.

Raleigh, N. c., February 10.-The
House was kept in session all day
Thursday and Friday and Saturday
two sessions being held each day, to
hear the argument on the impeach-
ment resolutions, Judges Allen and
Conner, pro and con, were the leaders
in the debate, but nearly all the more
prominent members OF the House judi
iciary committee Gall lawyers)spoke on
the subject Thursday and Friday-and
still the argument continued.
Saturday morning the verbal batter
ries opened up again early, and it was
talk, talk, talk It really seemed that
it would never end. Lawyers and lay
men spoke again until everybody was
worn out.
At 4 o'clock Saturday evening the
debate was begun anew, and kept up
till late hour.
The House finally adjourned till
Monday, agreeing to vote then Ito
day.. The general belief Of the legis-
lators is that the impeachment resolu-
ton 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 I an
nounce it to the waiting world, we'll
knowing how eargerly it will be receiv-
ed and the implicit confidence that will
be placed in it Frank I. Osborne, W.
P. Bynum, Spier Whitaker, F. H. Bus
bee. Possibly the "Alecks" will con-
sent to add one or two to the list II
found advisable.
FEWER GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE.
The divorce bill was argued in the
Senate for hours on Friday and Satur-
day-the contention being the amend
m emit of the Senate committee adding
aband ;.;l,ent for three years to the
three causes for divorce allowed by the
House bill. The bill was finally made
the special order again-thls time <for
mex; Wednesday.
NOT AN EASILY INFLUENCED" LEGIsLA-
I was talking with Senator Brown OF
Columbus the other night and we were
discussing the passage OF the Aycock
school-book bill by unanimous vote
in the Senate and with less than a score
of votes In the House against it, and
the efforts now making to exempt
graded schools in the cities and towns
from Its provislons-a plan which
would deprive the school children and
their parents Of cheaper books.
Senator Brown, who worked hard
with Senator Aycock for the passage OF
it said think the vote was high COM
pliment to this Legislature, and shows
how devoted it is to the peoples inter.
ests. I don't mean to say that any I'M
due Influences were attempted by any
one in this matter, but the fact that
big book publishing firms were against
it and had such large array Of learn.
ed and shrewd attorneys and agents al
work here, would have led to the de-
velopment of much stronger opposi-
ton had the Legislature been less de-
voted to the State ard the people il
represents, and influences" that &C
often are brought to bear In such case,
had been attempted.
| COMPULSORY EDUCATION OR NOT.
There is now pending in the Legisla'
ture bill (by Mr.. Whitaker OF Gull
ford) relating TO compulsory education
that is an important one. 1t provides
as follows:
| Section l. That the Board of County
Commissioners when petitioned by
one-third of the qualified voters of the
county, or any town, city or town
ships of said county, shall
cause and election to be held under the
general provision of the Election Law
Sec. 2. That if at said election 6
majority of votes cast be "For Compul
sorry Attendance" any child living in
the said county, town, city, township
or townships, who shall have reached
the age OF eighteen years, without be-
ing able to read and write any section
Of the Constitution in the English Ian
guage, shall attend the public schools
unless educated by other means, nnti
he shall be able to comply with tn,
provisions OF this act: Provided, that
said attendance shall not exceed six.
teen months: Provided, further, thi.
act shall not apply to any child who il
physically or mentally unable to at
tend school.
Sec. 3. That the parent or guardian
of any child willfully violating the
provisions OF this act shall, upon con
viction, be fined not exceeding $500
| for each 0ffouso