The news & observer., 1901-03-14

This debt had come from the Fusion ad-
ministration.
Mr.. Simms said that the extra appro-
priation of $500 for support and main
tenance, making the whole allowance $780,
600 in addition to the standing appropria-
tion of 10000, was necessary because
there were now more than sixty children
asking for admission to the institution.
The $50 year for books was necessary,
as this was the only institution in the
State that did not have a library.
Judge Allen proposed to amend by MAX
ing the amount SIS, 900 for support and
maintenance, and $4,000 annually for the
payment Of deficit and for improvements
instead Of $15, 405.5S for 1901, and SIG, 600
for 1902, as provided in the bill.
Mr.. Page said this would simply shut
out a certain number of blind children
from the benefits of the institution.
Mr. Daughtridge asked if the State took
care of the children who were able to
pay for their own maintenance. He read
from the constitution to show that the
State was only required to care for the
INDECENT deaf, dumb and blind
Judge Graham said that a decision of
the Supreme court yesterday afternoon
had held. as Mr.. Daughtrdge said that
the State was not bound to care for those
who could support themselves, in the
case of the insane.
Mr.. Daughtridge considered the appro-
priations too large altogether.
Judge Allen said his amendment did
not reduce the capacity of the institu
tion for caring for blind children. 1t
gave an additional allowance of $4,000
over that of 1899 He went on to say
that he considered the amounts asked for
too large.
Mr. Daughtridge offered an amendment
providing that INDECENT deaf, dumb or
blind children should be given the prefer
ence, and that if others were admitted,
they should pay their own support. This
was accepted, but laid over until the
end of the bill should be reached.
Mr.. Simms said that there was only
one of the children at the institution who
was able to pay his own expenses. The
county furnished the clothing of the chill
dren.
Mr. Craig spoke against Judge Aliens
amendment. He was not one of those that
thought North Carolina was such a poor
State. "If the institution needs this
money, she ought to get 1t. On
this proposition, he was obliged to re-
ly upon the report of the committee.
Judge Allen said we did know without
the committee that this institution got
along on 100000 and received an in
crease of $12,500 ten years ago. This
ought to be dealt with as a practical
question Give them all that you can,
but don't give them more than you have
Don't put debt upon the people"
Mr. Spainhour said if we could give
all of these institutions all that they
asked for, well and good, ''if We can
not, we ought to trim them all down
in the same proportion"
Mr.. Robinson spoke in favor of Judge
amendment. He said that he
agreed with the gentleman from Bun
combe. that we had to depend upon
the reports of our committees. Now,
committee appointed TO investigate the
affairs of this institution reported the
other day to this assembly that funds
had been expended wrongly
Mr.. Page interrupted at this point to
say that the report merely said that
part of the maintenance fund had been
used for improvements.
Mr.. Shannonhouse brought out the
fact that part of this fund had been
used in paying the debt. So that they
had used only about $4S,000 for actual
support and maintenance.
Judge Allen then reminded the House
that his amendment gave the institu
tion $55, 900, an increase of 81 900.
Mr.. Robinson said lie was in favor of
making appropriations to institutions,
provided he was assured that the funds
were judiciously used.
Mr.. Simms claimed that the use of
funds to pay debts was necessary to
maintenance and support. He read
from the code to show that the direc
tors had not transgressed the letter of
the law.
Mr.. Mason said that under this bill
we provided for the debt and the i'm
and therefore the proposed
should be sufficient.
Mr.. Simms said there still would not
be enough to care for the children. He
made an appeal to the House not to
shut out a single ray ofs light from the
blind children.
Mr. Watts said he believed in doing
everything possible for the blind chill
dren; but it seemed to him that ten
thousand dollars worth of rays OF
light was all we could afford.
IlS QucStlOil was lUcu put, ana JuQR6
Aliens amendment was carried.
ELEVEN THOUSAND FOR UNIvER-
SITY.
Section 4, providing for an annual ap-
of $4,000 to the University
of North Carolina, IN addition to it's
standing appropriation.
Judge Common spoke of the high duty
that was before the Democratic party.
He would rather see his party go down
in honorable defeat than fail in it's
duty for fear of failure. He had heard
the gentleman from Onslow preach the
funeral sermon of the Democratic party
for two sessions.
The Board of Trustees of the Univer-
sity headed by the Governor, had ask
ed for this appropriation. ."Dr. Venable
tells us that it is absolutely necessary
in order to carry on the work.
Mr.. Whitaker, of Forsyth, said it
seemed to him that this was one of the