The Harrison times., 1901-03-02

Two disgraceful fights have been
brought on in the house by the gen
eral appropriations bill. The oppo-
sition 30 its passage at this time
contend that it is unsafe TO pass the
bill until all measures calling for the
expenditure of money are acted up-
on and it is known just how much
will have to be appropriated Some
of the members also-charge that il IS
the intention to railroad the bin
through the house and senate before
the expiration of sixty days, and ad
jouIn, in order to head off a mass of
railroad and corporation legislation
which is accumulating in the senate.
On the other hand, the members
who are pressing the bill say the op
position wish to delay action until
too late to pass it in sixty DAYS, and
thus make an extension of the ses-
sion a necessity We are inclined TO
think both are right
A bill has passed both houses au-
thorizing cities of the first and sec
ond class to establish public libra
ries.
A bill compelling railway compan-
les to pay the salaries of the railway
commissioners has passed the house
A bill has passed the senate Great
ing the office of county school super
intendent. We think the idea is a
good one, but the bill is, we believe
defective in that it gives the county
superintendent authority to annul
contracts-made- by the board orsH-
rectors of any district This will
probably V be corrected when the bill
reaches the house.
The second Tuesday in November
has been designated as Arbor day
by both houses.
The senate killed the house ROLLER
mill bill,'' and it was the best Job of
the session
The committee to visit Sunnyside
plantation and other properties Of
fered the state for a convict farm has
been appointed. On the part of the
senate-Senators Haney, Mardis
and Clark; house members-Stan-
field, Poole, Turner, Craig, Mears
and Holt.
Senator Shorts bill providing tor
a "a mill tax for confederate pen
siOns has passed the senate and is
now before the house. There is no
doubt of passa K. This bill increases
the amount for that purpose from
S42 900 to about $135 900, and
will be sufficient to pay arrearages
and the full amount allowed by the
pension board
AS predicted several weeks ago,
the fellOw-servants bill received its
final quietus in the senate after re-
ceiving the practically unanimous
vote OF the house, it being ''indeh-
nitely postponed.
The house is cursed with a halfdoz-
en- wind workers." who are not on
ly nuisance to that body but an ex-
pensive luxury to thestate. Atevery
turn they make long winded speeches
Astounding in buncombe, and are usu-
ally on the wrong side of every ques-
ton. They occupy about cne-fourth
of the time, and cost $3.50 per day.
The gentle lobbyist is very much in
evidence, and the most barefaced is
the penitenitary lobby Credit must
be given them for lighting IN the
open, at least; but as a matter of
fact they are the toughest lot eyer
seen in any legislature They are all
on the ground, from superintendent
to Ianitor, and their energy is to be
commended. Senators are continually
importuned to stand by the gang
in the confirmation of their nomina-
tiOns. and they are but waiting to
catch enough OF the opposition out of
their seats to run in"
Last Thursday Brooks of Pope
introduced A resolution to rescind
the action taken a week before ap-
pointing a committee to visit Sunny
side planta tion and other properties,
with a view to obtaining a convict
farm. 1t brought on a fight which
lasted all day. and thirty minutes
after the resolution was introduced
the lobby of the house contained the
entire pen" contingent, who used
every effort to carry the resolution.
They failed, however, and the state
will have a convict farm. 1t may be
Sunnyside, or it may be some other
Then, thank God, the occupation of
this unconscionable body of lobbyists
will be gone. and no more private
fortunes will be built up through the
leasing of convicts, and at the ex-
pense of the safe. Our present
system is disgrace to civilizat ton.
The galley slaves of ancient Rome
compared with our 'stockade" con-
victs were entertained as princes.
We hope shortly to be able to give
you pen picture of convict
stockade," that is the place of con-
finement of leased conyicts in the
bottom country. 1t will be correct
one and we promise that the horrible
details will wiring the hearts of every
man who has a particle of humanity
in his system, and cause the readers
of the TINES to shudder and grow
sick at heart.
Mr.. lobe, connected with the
auditors Office, promises that the