The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-03-02
YESTERDAY IN
THE SENATE

4
earnest yesterday: it was not a day of
much speech making but bills were act
ed on with the greatest promptness. The
new school law, which was introduced
by Senator Mcintyre, chairman of the
Committee of Education. passed It's sec
ond reading unanimously. The Senate
promptly concurred in the House amend
emnt 10 the pension bill and passed the
road law, the bill authorizing the Secreta-
ry of State to return TO insurance COM
panies their charters filed under the Craig
act and adopted an amendment to the
House bill for commission TO examine
the State institutions so that the General
Assembly shall elect the commissioners
instead OF the Governor appointing them.
After session of five hours in the day
the Senate convened again at eight
o'clock at night.
DEBATE ON THE ROAD LAW.
On motion of Senator Alexander, tho
bill providing a general road law was
taken from the Judiciary Committee and
placed on the Calendar. Senator Alexan-
der then offered an amendment as a sub
stitute to Senator Travis amendment
that this act should apply only TO Neck
lenburg county unless 1t should be adopt
ed by the commissioners of any county
in which case it should take the place
OF such county's present law. Senator
offered substitute with some correc-
lions, for the entire bill. and this sub
stitute provided that section -. to
Oh 6o1 IN
apply only to Mecklenburg,
A CHARLOTTE PROBLEM
The fact that the section remained
in the bill meant war, and Senator Nor
ton started the conflict by moving 10
strike out section H.
Senator Alexander said that this sec
ton was only To protect the west en-
trance of Charlotte: that side of the city
being fianked by the Southern Railway
for 21s miles. There is no way OF getting
into Charlotte except by this 60 foot OF
road where it crosses the Southern
Railway track He did not want TO take
advantage of the railroad, and he told
the officials that he would urge this
statute, which is taken from an Ohio law.
Senator Justice asked if he could not
empower the city OF Charlotte to deal
with the que stion, or take some other
method that this strong statute.
Senator Alexander replied that when
he wanted to do a thing he tried TO do
il so thoroughly that it would accom-
plish the purpose. This highway had been
used there 100 years, and he wanted ii
preserved TO the people. The city and
county officials had been appealed to- but
could do nothing.
Senator Webb asked if he was not will
ing TO strike out the part providing that
III any one was killed the railroad en-
ployes were guilty OF manslaughter.
Senator Alexander consented TO this.
Senator Aycock thought no counties
should be exempt from the bill, he be-
lieved it one of the best laws of this
session and hated TO see it weakened.
He thought, however, that the railroads
ought to be given longer than two min
utes to stop on the crossing.
Senator Woodward said the power ought
10 be given to Charlotte to regulate this
matter and this Legislature should not
be asked for special regulations of a
police character for any city. He said
this was not the first statute taken from.
the laws of some other State, and it was
here was different He was not attorney
for railroads, but was suing them How
ever, he did not want to annoy them with
useless and inconvenient statutes.
THE BILL PASSED.
Senator Glenn sent an amendment
striking out minutes and inserting 10
No Senator has a right to put such an
unjust restrictions on railroads. This
bill only allows two minutes and it is
impossible for trains to only stop that
short time. they would have to take more.
A highway from Charlotte could be built
through the cemetery if another ext. was
desired. He explained TO the Senate the
situation at this point.
The following counties were by amend
ment, exempted from the BILL Person,
Randolph. Gulford and New Hanover.
Senator Glenn's amendment was lost.
Senator Morton's amendment providing
they should not block the track only in
case any vehicle was waiting to cross
was adopted. The bill passed its third
reading Senator Crisp Foy, Glenn,
Morton and Wood voting no"
now THE SECTION BEADS.
AS the bill passed section n fapplying
only to Mecklenburg) was made to read
as follows:
Section II. 1t shall not be lawful in
cities having a population over five thou
sand inhabitants for any railroad COM
pany, superintendent, agent or other en-
ploye thereof, either directly or Indirect
ly, to obstruct, use or occupy any one of
the four principal streets to be designated
by the County Highway Commission of the
proper county with any locomotive, ear
or cars, or train, by permitting or suf-
fering such locomotive, car or cars or
train TO remain upon or across such
street or any part thereof, or by coupling
switching or shifting of locomotive, car
or cars or trains, or the making UP of
trans upon or across such street or any
part thereof, or by moving or stopping
long freight trains upon or across the
same, for period longer than two min
utes at one time; and whenever any such
street has been thus INSTRUCTED, used or
occupied it shall not be lawful for any
railroad company, superintendent. agent
or other employee thereof, either directly
or indirectly, TO so ohstruct use or oc-
cupy the same or any part thereof for
q period of ten minutes thereafter il
any vehicle stands waiting to cross and
any railroad company companies so
ueipU cuch ctrppt during said nprind of