The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-02-28

| that the Rodman Heath Cotton Mills were
exempted from town taxes
Mr. Mason explained this situation.
saying that the mills had been induced
TO locate in WaXhaw by a promise from
the town authorities that they would not
| be taxed for ten years. and that now
the town was going to break this agree
ment and tax the property of the mills
Mr.. Rountree called attention to the
fact that it was unconstitutional 10 ex-
ompt any party from taxation. and said
he would not be willing to be party TO
passing any law that directly or in
directly violated the Constitution.
Mr. Mason asked If there was anything
unconstitutional in changing the corpor-
ate limits of a town. He said this was
all the bill undertook to do.
Mr. Mclean said that if the citizens
of a town had promised cotton mill that
they should be exempt from taxation.
they should hold TO it, Il hope the bill
will stand as it is. We are taking up
too much time of this Legislature talking
about the Constitution" Laughter.)
Mr. Curtis, "As | see it, there is no
proposition 10 exempt this factory from
taxation in the bill, but only 10 change
the corporate lmits.''
Mr. Gattis: Under the laws such ex-
emption would be only binding upon the
parties to the agreement, and not upon
the town.
MIR Baldwin was of much the same
c.'inion.
On motlon OF Mr. Gattis. the bill was
recommitted TO the Judiciary Commit
tee.
ELECTION OF TRUSTEES.
At u o'clock. in accordance with the
jaint resolution adopted, the House pro-
ceeded 10 the election of trustees of the
University of North Carolina
Mr.. Robertson, of Guilford. for the Com
mittee on rustees of the University, re-
ported the nominations made by the COM
mittee.
Mr.. Smith. of Gates, seconded the
nominations.
Mr.. Mclean asked if there were any
farmer on the list.
Mr.. Smith said there was one gentle
man from his county who was a farmer.
Mr.. Mclean asked if the gentleman
thought that the farmers were properly
represented. They did most of the voting
and paid most OF the taxes.
Mr.. Watts asked if Mr.. Mclean
thought the farmers would attend meet
ings OF the board of trustees.
Mr.. Mclean said they would attend.
since all their expenses would would be
paid.
Mr.. Carrawar nominated Mr.. Mclean.
bur upon that gentleman's request, with
drew his mare.
Mr.. Mclean nominated Mr.. Roderick
McRae of Scotland cnunfy
Judge Allent stated that he knew Mr.
McRae. and knew him to be a man ad-
mirally fitted for the position, but that
the Senate was electing the gentlemen
chosen by the Joint committee and he
did not consider that it would be ex-
pedient to displace any OF the gentlemen
on the committees list.
The chair appointed Messrs. Sheets and
Seawell tellers.
When the roll was called. the follow
ing members voted for Mr. McRae in
place of Mr.. McNamee: Messrs Mclean,
Oliver, Richardson. Stewart Watts
Shannonhouse, Zachary, Daughtridge,
Morgan. Britain, Parker Harris. Messrs.
Russell and Morris voted for Mr.. Nc
Rae in place of Capt. w. II. Day Judge
Graham and Mr.. Patterson voted for Mr.
McRae instead of themselves. The tellers
viii announce the vote today
PENSION BILL PASSES.
The special order at one o'clock was the
consideration of the pension bill This
had been amended by Mr.. Russell, as
mentioned above. Otherwise. it was just
as it had PASSED the Senate and been
recommended by the Committee on Pen
sions, Of which Mr.. Reinhardt is chair
sFap.
Mr.. Br!ttain amended to strike out the
proyiso preventing widows from receiving
pensions, unless they were married be
fore April l. 1865.
Mr.. Ebbs sent forward similar amend
ment. but withdrew it when he saw that
Mr.. Brittain's was to the same end
Mr.. Britain said he was a brother of
an old soldier and the friend Of many He
knew of manv ladies who had married
men after the war. for whom they had
waited until it was over and who had
been disabled by service. He thought
there should surely be no discrimination
against these widows.
Mr.. Beddingfield said that it was the
desire of the House to help ali OF the
Confederate soldiers and widows that it
possibly coIld.
There may be, he said "a few cases
such rs have been described. But there
are a great many more cases in which
those v-idows have married other men
and do not need the money"
Mr.. Wright said the committee had
passed the bill unanimously, that the
Senate had passed the bill and that now
the House ought to pass it unchanged
Mr. Parker offered an amendment to
make the date of marriage, 1868, instead
OF 1865.
MIR. Britain said he would accept this
Mr. Russell asked that the bill be
passed lust as it came from the com
mittee. He repeated that he was not
afraid to trust the House. "As for these
widows. one of the committee thought
of them. and were sorry for them but
we could not help all. We thought those
who were bone Of the bone and flesh of
the aesh of the men while they were
fighting and bleeding should have the first
consideration.
Mr.. Russell referred in 4 touching way
10 what manner of men they were who
fought for the carse.
Mr.. Allen, of Columbus, spoke feel
inglv of the scenes when the old soldiers
went off 10 the war. He quoted from
49,, r, cnaghp deDarture of the