The news & observer., 1901-02-23
ONLY 1-2c. REBATE
TO OYSTER MEN
House Defeated Amendment
to Make it One Cent.
TAX BILL INTRODUCED
Confederate Veterans May Peddle in
Any County Without License.
NEW REGULATIONS AS TO HEALTH BOARD
The Veterinary Association Bill Killed Once
More, This Time For Good. House
Adjourned in Honor Of Wash
inglon's Birthdsy.

inglon's Birthday.
The oyster law passed the House yes
terday just as it was reported from the
committee. with the exception of an
| amendment which merely erlates to the
form of enforcing the collection of the
tax
Hereafter an ex-Confederate soldier
who was honorably discharged from
service will be allowed to peddle in any
county of the tate without paying a H.
cense tax
Mr.. Gattis, of Orange, for the commit
tee on Finance. introduced the revenue
bill, which has been the occasion of so
many committee meetings and hearings.
and from which so much has been ex-
pected in the way of increasing the
States revenue.
The only part OF the oyster bin that
| caused any discussion was the proviso
TO the section taxing all dealers, can
ners, packers, shuckers or shippers two
cents on every bushel purchased by
them. allowing them TO retain one-half
cent nAr buehel as rnhata such
oysters as are chargeable with the two
cent taSs .AG.a aIM alA a.. u u
, 49,. -,4choiSon, or beauLvI I, 49,, - -
amend this by making the rebate one
cent instead of one-half cent.
Mr.. Mann. of Hyde opposed this
amendment, saying That the dealers ana
Gamers and packers Were making more
money at oysters than any people en-
gagged in the business, and had been es-
Gaping more taxation. At first, he said
the committee had refused to rebate any
Of the tax, but had finally yielded to the
arguments Of the gentleman from Beau
/ fort, and had agreed to grant this re-
bate as compromise. These concerns
had escaped taxation for the past two
years They have made practically no
report whatever since last March. A
cannery in my county has been handling
250000 bushels, and making returns for
| 80, 600"
Mr. Nicholson explained that it was
the dredgers that really paid the tax
Ii is not the packers, he said that /
am trying to protect, but the dredgers
! am frank to say the taxes have not
j been collected. but | don't believe in
taxing the dredgers because the packers
duty. 1t was the fault of the officials
that the law was not carried out" In
reply to inquiries, Mr.. Nicholson further
! said that one reason why be wanted TO
allow the larger rebate wa sin order to
keep the Gamers and packers from
moving out of the State.
Mr.. Mann thought they would remain
anyhow, for reasons of convenience
Mr.. Nicholson said it would be very
easy matter for them to move away as
all their buildings We're of the cheapest
description. and they could break up in
the twinkling of an eye.
Mr.. Thompson, of OnslOw, said the
committee had given the bill consider
able time and care. The majority were
opposed TO any rebate. In a spirit of
compromise moved to allow one-half
cent. A practical oysterman, dredger
stated before the committee that the
two-cent tax was entirely satisfactory"
Mr.. Nicholson: Then, if that is the
case, | would favor a five-Cent tax and
a rebate of three cents
Mr.. Thompson: Il would oppose that,
because l don't believe in taxing the
man who digs the oysters out of the
mud"
Mr.. Nicholson said that the tax would
not fall upon the dredger.
Mr.. Thompson claimed that. as the
majority of the dredgers were unedu-
Gated men, the packers would take ad
vantage Of them. He went on to speak
OF how greatly the tate needed the tax,
saying that all the rebate necessary was
given. Six thousand dollars in claims
are now before the commission. and
there is nothing with which to pay
them.
Mr.. Nicholson: us not that simply
becaues the law has not been enforced"
Mr.. Thompson; Yes, but We need
money to pay the debt. BY this !aw. we
can pay this debt and put something in
the treasury, and / call upon the as
sembly 10 stand by the committed"
Mr.. Dees, of Palicu, said he repre-
sented the dredgers, and they had no
kick to make. He was opposed 10 any
rebate, hut had agreed to the conpro-
mise.
mir. Nicholson stated that. when in the
committee resolution to prevent ali
dredging had been introduced, he was the
only member 10 vote against it.
Mr.. Mann corrected this statement, say
ing that, although he was the man VINO
rad introduced the resolution he had
v3ted against II himself
On the question being put, Mr.. Nicho-
sons amendment Was lost.
Continued on Fifth Page}