The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-03-15

chairman of the committee which
made the report.
My language was too strong, I
withdrew it." said Senator Gudger.
II move that the report be received
without prejudice to the governor
said Senator Morrison.
Senator Lindsey discussed the report
fully and said: OF the Forty charges
made by White over thirty are found
untrue; yet the committee sees fit to
compliment him. The trouble arose
about three months ago when White
had a difference with a member Of the
faculty, and the superintendent had to
settle it against White, whereupon
White boasted he would make it hot
for Ray. The committee had done it's
best in our power. Realizing the re-
sponsibility resting upon it, our find
ings deserve no such onslaughter as
they have received from Senator Gud-
ger"
Senator Gudger's remarks, said Sen
ator Woodard, showed he had feeling
in this matter. The report is not one
of censure. The only thing that can
be construed against the board is GER
tain appropriations for maintenance
were diverted to permanent improve
ments. Mr.. Ray has made an excel
lent manager and superintendent and
the directors are good men.
Senator Gudger said: IF the sena-
uation I have been influenced in this
matter by any one let him make it
openly to me. I have studied this mat
ter because I realize it was a grave
duty
Senator Lindsey said it seemed to
be a question of veracity between
Senator Gudger and the committee.
The lobies and galleries were full,
and this heated and personal discus
sion, the most sensational during the
entire session attracted a great deal
of attention. Finally it was decided
to refer the report to the governor and
let him act on it. 1t was sent over to
the house which in a moment took the
same course.
Senator London, put Senator Mar
chall, republican leader, in a hole to-
day. Marshall attacked the new elec-
ton law bill.
Senator London asked him if he
wanted to re-enact the election laws
of 1895 OF 1897. Marshall stammered and
then said "yes." Senator London de-
clared the new law the fairest in ten
years.
NIGHT SESSION.
The senate went into committee of
the whole on the revenue bill.
Senator Long sent forward on behalf
of the Subcommittee the substitute for
section 81, merchants tax.-adopted 1t
provides:
'"Taht each Vender of or dealer in
goods, wares, merchandise commodities
Or effects of whatsoever kind or nature,
either retail or wholesale, except sucn
business or trades as are specially men
toned in other sections of this schedule
and which have a fixed annual license
fee levied upon them, shall pay an an
nual Incense tax of 81, and all persons
so engaged shall pay annually on the
whole volume Of gross sales, according
to the following schedule: Over $500
and under $1,000, 1 per cent; over $5,-
600 and under 100000 per cent. Every
person mentioned in this section shall
within ten days after the 1st day Of
January IN each year deliver to the
clerk of the county commissioners a
sworn statement of the amount of his
gross sales for twelve months or any
part of said time prior thereto. The
sheriff shall collect from every person
on said list furnished by the clerk the
taxes embraced therein. The county
commissioners shall have power to re-
quire the merchant or dealer making
the statement TO submit books for eX-
animation to them.''
Senator Long moved to strike out
section (taX on corporations loans) Sec
ton 6. tax on municipal loans) and
section z, ,(residence of holder of evidence
of debt9-adopted.
Section, 9, Reports from Corpora
tions" requiring all corporations to
make reports to auditor was taken up.
and Senator Morrison spoke in oppo-
sition to the entire section. A motion
to strike out the section was voted
down. to %.
Senator Henderson moved to strike
out the last six questions which cor
porations are to answer This was lost,
and the section was adopted.
Section IL. state aditor to make GER
tificate to register of deeds;;" section
IL. corporation taxes payable to state
treasurer" section 13, penalty for
failure to furnish reports and section
IA, tax exemptions repealed" were all
adopted
The inheritance tax section was next.
Senator London explained that an in
heritance tax prevailed in most states.
Senator Foushee moved to strike out
the first subsection for lineal inherit
ance tax-amendment lost.
Senator Alexander sent I'D an amend
ment to add to section II. taxing oil
tanks, the words this shall not apply
to cotton seed oil mins"-adopted.
Senator Foushee offered an amend
ment to section IL, which requires in
heritance tax to be paid in three
months. giving two years to settle.
was oNSSPSSQ ny COIuIlttcG anu
adopted.
Senator Foushee's amendment to Sec
ton 80. rate ot income tax. was adopt
ed, fixing it at / per cent. ON all and
abolishing the graduated feature.
Tne committee arose and reported
the bill, which passed-ayes, 25; noes,
8.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIvE
The house refused to concur in the
senate amendments to an omnibus JUS
tice Of the peace bill.
The bill passed allowing an extern
sion Of the states records from 1701 to
1901.
The bill to prohibit the state prison
farms from employing outside labor on
the farms between April 1st and De-
cember 18th each year. caused debate.
A motion to table the bill was lost.
1t was displaced by special order, the
contested election case of Wilcox
against Seawell. The majority report
WAS in favor OF seating fho meyY,b-or