The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-01-18
THE WHITNEY COMPANY BILL
The Subject of Quite a Discussion I'm
the Senate on the Granting of Extra
ordinary lower to Corporations.
The House Passes the Bill to Increase
the Governors Salary-Mr. Graham's
Minority Report-New Committees
for Both Houses
Especial to The Mesgenger.)
SENATE.

noS - III Lev oSANNS ~"
electoral college could occupy the sen ,
ate chamber.
At the latter hour business began.
The committee on rules seported,
recommending the last senate rules,
with two new committees, n on
congressional districts. the other on
congressional appointments. A change
made requires the majority OF q COM
mitttee to be present and vote when a
bill On which it has reported is voted on.
No vote was taken today on the report
Of the committee.
A bill was introduced by Senator
Currie to incorporate the Bank Of Gin
ton.
The bill to amend the charter of the
Whitney Reduction Company caused
long and, at times. rather warm dis
cussion. The bill allows the company
to condemn land anywhere for rail-
ways or factories.
Senator Morton. for the committee
on corporations, offered a substitute,
which allows the increase to 81, 000, 900,
but does not grant larger powers than
are in the other charters North caro-
lima has granted. Senator Morton said:
81 have no objection to corporations
coming into my county. but we want
them to come on the same footing as
others, under the constitution and not
with powers far in excess of any ndi
viduals. Here you give this corpora
ton the right to build street a lines
and other things anywhere, with no
assurance that anything will be done.
You are giving away franchises that
may operate to keep out local enter
priSeS, enterprises which intend to do
something. I am willing to grant to
corporations when they give reasonable
assurance that they will do the things
--LsaE %Lor- - n0rr0r for Thew on Oht
to know what they want to do and
ask for these rights"
Senator Morton went on to say he
knew nothing personality of h Whit
ney Company, but it seemed a great
enterprise. He desired to treat corpo-
rations rs individuals. but by fairness
to encourage capital. Private individ-
uals with sufficient capital could do
things this company asks, then why
not give the same rights to this corpo-
ration. Let it rave the right to go any
where. If fifty corporations came ask
ing US to give them right to go amy
where in the state and build great en-
terprises give them h chance and
perhaps some of them will do these
things for the states good.
Senator Morrison aid Has the leg
islature a right to grant a corporation
the right to condemn private property
for factories"
Oe0dlOT D1OIIOu Ill i IulIlh II lloo
and the very act that such unusual
privileges are given will often insure
success Of the enterprise n facilitate
raising needed capital. Several, scores
Of corporations. 10Y have such rights
as this company is given" He read
the act of 1899, incorporating Cape
Fear Power Company. which gave it
the right Of eminent domain for Its
works." meaning any of the numerous
things for which the company is chan
tered.
Senator Morton said this seemed to
be q precedent for the senate as to
corporations and he wanted to get the
sense of the body on its policy towards
corporations.
Senator Morrison said the objection
able features had been eliminated and
the only thing he now opposed was the
giving of such rights without n
guarantee that they would carry out
the rights they asked He did not wish
to be put in the attitude Of opposing
capital. He favored encouraging in
vestments here. but he wanted this to
come in as private individuals.
Senator Aycock said let us build up
capital here and not do everything to
bring capital here.
The bill passed its second reading
80 to 5, Senators Dula. Robinson and
Morrison voting no.
The bill to incorporate the Bank of
Plymouth passed its final reading.
Bills to incorporate the Bank of Ere
mont, the Hertfcrd Banking Company,
and the Bank of Randleman passed
their final reading.
The senate then adjourned until .
O'Clock tomorrow.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The house met at 1880 o'clock. Peti-
tons were presented from Curr1tuck
asking that oyster dredging be per-
mitted, and n form Quakers, urging
the establishment Of a reformatory.
Bills were introduced a follows;
By Mr.. Stewart. to make bastardy g
misdemeanor; by Mr.. Ellen. to abolish
fences in Nash.
The bill to allow Rocky Mount to is
sue water and light ond passed it:
third reading.
lowing new committees: Courts ant
court districts, congressional districts
and congressional appointments.
The special order-the bill increasing
the governors salary to $4,000, wal
taken up and debated for hours. TIL,
vote was-yeaS, 55; nays. 50.
A. W. Graham. of the special com
mitteee on this bill. who led the fgh
against it. filed a minority report t
h effect that the increase or Salar.
could not apply to the incoming gov
ernor and the object OF the bill woul,
be The repor was in tn
shape of a Law brief. an elaborate lie
gal argument, citing supreme cour
opinions against the legaIlty OF the in
coming governor liking the additions
salary.
Mr.. Hayes supported the bill, Nj
Graham made a long speech In opposi
ton
Mr.. Rountree said as a lawyer h
was of the opinion that Mr.. Graham
argument was untenable. To his min
the bill was entirely constitutions
that no doubt the woods were full @
men who would take the governor
office for the rent Of the mansion; tina
there were others of the rich VIII
would take it for the hon alone: tha
Is not the kind Of man we want 70
governor. / am not b~etraying conf
dence when / say when the deman
came form h state for Aycock fc
governor he did everything in mis- pow