The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1901-02-07
TEE LEGISLATURE.
What the Law Makers ara Doing.
VARIOUS BILLS AND MEASURES.

VARIOUS BILLS AND MEASURES
TUESDAY, JAN. 29TH.
News & Observer.
SENATE-The Senate had another
! short session, but three bills were befor,
the body which are OF note. The frs
was by Senator Speight, by request, fol
\ state examining board for BARRIERS
another was by Senator Broug hton au
thorizlng the CITY OF Raleigh to Issue
100000 In bonds for Improvements
This bill is an exact copy of the act OF
1899 under which 100000 has been
issued in street improvement bonds
The bill to establish the Office of treas
urer of Surry county, created debate
and finally went to the Judiciary Com
mites.
HOUSE.-Mr. Willard's bill to regu-
ate the execution of criminals came
i'll for some debating, and was finally
on motion of Mr.. Spainbour, of Burke,
re-referred to the Committee on Prop
osltions ard Grievances, with several
amendments.
The bill provides that all convicts
sentenced to death shall be removed
from their respective county jails to
the State Penitentiary Immediately af-
ter sentence, and kept in the central
prison until the time set for their execn,
tion which Is to take place at the State
Penitentiary, and to be carried out by
some life convict designated for the
purpose.
THE DEBATE.
Judge Connor: l agree with th t,
general provisions OF the bill but I d.,
net approve of the section providing
for conyict executing the sentences
am also opposed to public executions
[ do not think anytbing Is 80 desrad;as
as an exhibition OF that kind.
Mr.. Willard, of New Hanover, whvs
introduced the bill, spoke in its favor,
out said be should not object to I'D
amend ment offered by Judge Conaor
to remove the features that were objec-
tionabte.
Mr.. Mclean, of Scotland / am op-
posed to that bill. I don't think our
laws ought to be executed by convicts.
1 think we can find enough good men
to do it. Moreover, it would be very
III case the convict had to be
brought some distance.
Mr.. Duls, OF Mecklenburg It has
been the custom from time immenor-
ial for the shoriffs CT the counties to
execute the law. I want to call atten-
tion to the expense of bringing all
these prisoners to the central prison
Then 1t is very hard On the families of
the criminals, and they are entitled to
some consideration.
Mr.. Blythe, of Henderson Our law
makes ample provision for the execu-
ton of criminals. It permits their
to be with them until the
time of the execution, and provides
for the disposition of the body.
Mr.. Britain, of Randolph: I come
from one OF the strongest Quaker coun-
ties in North Carolina, and we have
never ha:: sheriff who was unwilling
to perform the duty of execution. /
believe In private executions; most OF
the people in my county do. This law
would be very hard on the families o:
the criminals, aud for this reason If for
no other oppose ike bill.
Mr.. Smith, of Gates, moved that the
matter be made special order OF busl-
ness the following day, as the ques-
tion called for great deal OF considera-
tion.
Mr.. Mclean said he saw no use in
taking mp the time of the Houee dis
cussipg this matter as for him, he bad
made up his mind, and nothing could
change him.
Mr.. Bradshaw of Person: I think
public executions are a disgrace to cly-
lllzation. There was one in my county
not long ago, and ne-er saw a more
spectacle. / see no reason
WHY a man sentenced to pay the high
est penalty of the law should not be
sent to the penitentiary, and be quiet
ly contined, AID executed privately III
a decent manner. If ne must have
capital punishment, let us have it con-
Quoted in the most humane manner
Mr.. Tompson Of Onslsow Il hope this
matter will be postponed. If there Is
anvth1nr in it to ahOllah capita1 pnn