The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-03-12

vi dAd-
llOn, was taken ND.
hlr. Graham offered an amendment to
s'rIke out section Sc and insert that
annual licenses tax for operating SUCH
raiiroads within the state shall he as
IoifoWs: When the gross receipts per
nike exceed $1,000 per annum, but do
not exceed 5000 a tax of 2 ner cent
upon such gross receipts; where gross
receipts per mile exceed IS, GOO per wear
. per cent. upon such gross receipts.
gross receipts. as used in this section
snail mean receipts for business done
wholly in this state and the pro rata
mileage for through business done in
this state. He made a strong and ear
nest appeal for the amendment and
went into an elaborate and carefully
showing how little
Tax tnls class or property paid in COM
parlson with merchants. m and
al Glasses of private citizens who were
or moderate means.
wright said he was opposed to op-
pressing corporations for rpo of
taxation and he thought the amend
ment was unjust. That for thirteen
years he had brought mary suits
against them, but did not believe in
taxing them unjustly.
Mr.. Willard opposed the amendment
and said Judge Connor, who represent
ed the state in the recent litigation,
could explain the situation.
MIR. Connor said railroad valuation
OF property had been increased $40, O0O,-
900 in the past two years and gave a
history of the trial and investigation
Of the valuation of other property in
the state. He said the settlement of
this litigation met with the approval
of the people Of the state needs no
defense. He said in answer to a ques-
ton from Judge Graham, that there
was no agreement made in the COM
uni but the roads should not be
made subject to an income tax, as the
corporation commiss on nor the attor-
neys had or attempted tt exercise any
such privilege; that he proposed to
stand by the fair settlement made and
defer to the recommendation of Gov
ernor Aycock; that the tax sections
reported by the finance committee was
also approved by the corporation COM
mission.
Mr.. Thompson said the finance COM
mittee had seen fit to adopt the section
reported in place of a bill he had in
reduced providing for tax on gross
earnings and that he yielded to their
judgment n should support their
recommendation. The amendment was
lost. Section sc was hen adopted.
Section 81, express and telegraph
compan es was taken up.
Mr.. Gattis moved to exempt tele-
phone companies.
The section imposes a tax Of 2 per
centum on gross receipts within the
state. Pending discussion of amend
ments trikin out the proviso that
the county, city or town should not
impose any additional tax, and other
tax, the mmit arose
at 2:40 o'clock and took q recess until
4 o'clock p. m.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Bills were passed to increase the sal
airy of state librarian to 81 900 allowing
$500 for clerk hire and making a pro-
vision for separate places for whites
N blacks in the library.
! The committee of the whole devoted
the afternoon to discussing the remain
ing sections of the revenue bill.
Section 81. as To telegraphs, was
adopted.
Section So. tax on corporations, sec
ton SO. marriage license and the re-
mainder of the sections were adopted
without material amendment.
The tax of So was put on stationed
ocullsts and opticians, and s25 on itin-
Grants.
Section 80. rate of income tax. was
adopted without amendment.
The bill was then adopted as a whole.
The committee rose and reported to the
house its completion of the bill. recon-
mending that it pass as amended by
the committee. The bill was then con-
sidered in the house.
Mr.. Graham offered the same amend
ment discussed in the morning, taxing
gross earnings of railroads, as substi-
tute for section Sc. The amendment
was adopted by a vote 80 to 81. Elk
element was intense when this was
amended. Attendance was light.
The bill passed it's third reading
ayes. "a; noes, 9.
Mr.. Winston lodged a motion to re-
consider the vote.
Mr.. Graham moved to lay this motion
on the table.
Messrs. Winston and Allen. Of
Wayne. protested against Mr.. Graham's
motion.
Mr. Allen. of Wayne. said he was not
a railroad lawyer, blu was satisfied a
great mistake had been made, and it
would we'll bear at least consideration.
The adoption of Mr.. Graham's motion
would shut off all opportunity for re-
consideration.
Mr.. Winston claimed he did not make
the notion; that he simply lodged a
notice hat he would max the mo-
ton
The speaker ruled that the motion
had been made and Mr.. Graham's mo-
ton to table was in order.
The roll call on Mr.. Graham's
"clincher" showed-ayes. &c; noes, o.
some absent members ran in shouting
as they entered no" Mr.. Winston
then moved to reconsider the vote by
which the bill passed its third read
ing.
The speaker announced that the ayes
had it.
Mr.. Graham called for a division.
Mr.. Allen and Mr.. Winston claimed
this was out of order.
The speaker ruled il out of order and
that a division could not be had or roll
called.
Mr.. Graham protested against this
ruling.
The speaker aid Mr. Graham could
appeal from the ruling.
Mr.. Allen went over to see Mr.. Ora
ham n tried to settle the matter. but
came back and announced that he and
Mr.. Graham were rather too warm. as
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