The news & observer., 1901-01-13
DEBATING GALORE
IN BOTH HOUSES
---------a-- ss iseAa
To Vote on Increase of Gov
ernor's Salary Monday.
The MINORITY REPORT
Senate Not Inclined to Give Too Much
Power to Corporations.
APPROPRIATION FOR CRIMINAL INSANE
Republican Senator Dos Not Deny Negro RUE
Existed. LonGon's Libel Bill Presented.
Senate Adopts Measure For Better
Ventilation Of the Halls.


Discussion and debate were the order of
the day in both the House and Senate
was the report of the special committee
ON the bill introduced by Senator Justice,
TO increase the Governors salary from
$4,000 to $4,000, which passed the Senate
on Friday Representative Hayes, of
Chatham, submitted the report, which was
favorable to the bill. Mai Graham, OF
Granville. gave notice of a minority re-
port which he wished to submit in writ
ing and have placed on record He asked
for more time, until Monday. before vote
should be taken on the matter. Then en-
sued the rather lengthy debate printed
below, which resulted in the matter going
over until Monday at 11:10, when it will
be taken M as special business. Time
will he allowed for debate until 2:30.
when the vote will be taken. This will
give time for the enrolment and ratifica-
tion of the bill before the incoming Gov
crnor assumes Office.
CONSTITUTIONALITY OF BILL.
The minority report was occasioned by
a division Of opinion in the special COM
mittee as to the constitutionality of the
bin According to some, the Governor
term begins Jan. 1st, and in that event
the incoming Governor would not get the
benefit of the increase. The general
opinion however. seems to be that the
term does not begin until the Governor
elect is installed in office.
The committee stood to 2 in favor of
the bill Messrs. Rountree, Hayes, and
Robinson. of Gulford were the majority,
and Messrs. Graham and Collins the min
oritv.
SENATE ON CORPORATIONS.
little political tilt started by Sena-
tor Gambler marked the opening of the
Senate. The bill to amend the charter OF
The Whitney Deduction Company was re-
referred to the Corporation committee.
This bill gives the corporation the right
10 condemn private property for its rail-
roads, 10 build and operate street car
lines in towns and to exercise other pow
ers allowed b. the Constitution. This
seemed TO several of the Senators to be
lots of power to give a corporation and
they wanted it looked into very carefully.
This action seems to indicate the poll
porations. They want to be liberal, but
AT the same time OF giving powers far in
excess of those that could be enjoyed by
any indvidpal.
The whole thing may be summed up
in the words of Senator'S Morrison and
Travis during the course of the debate:
THAT the right of eminent domain should
be given to corporations only for build
ing railroads which shall be used as pub
lie carriers, and not exclusively for the
benefit Of the corporations involved.
THE DEBATE IN THE HOUSE.
The day wascharacterized by rather
lively debate in the House, when the
report of the special committee ap-
pointed to consider Senator Justices
bill to increase the Governors salary
was submitted by Mr.. Hayes, of Chat
ham, The report was favorable to the
bill, stating that majority of the COM
mittee endorsed it,
Mr.. Graham, of Granville, a member
of the committee, who actively opposed
a similar measure in 1885. stated that
there was 4 minority report of the COM
mittee. which would be duly submitted
in writing. He said that the minority
considered the bill unconstitutional,
and thought it would not affect the in
coming administration. Accordingly
ne asked that the matter go over until
Monday, pleading the shortness of the
time in which to prepare himself for
thorough presentation of the matter.
Mr.. Hayes rejoined that the gentle
man from Granville seemed to be pre-
pared thoroughly on the point of law
involved, to judge from his opposition
i'm the committee meeting. Why not
state his objections orally, and then his
Mr.. Rountree of New Hanover: The
gentleman from Granville has had this
matte runde~ consideration for fifteen
years. and is as well prepared to state
MS position now as at any other time.
This is matter we ought to dispose OF
right away. If we dispose OF it at ALL
We might as we'll act on the matter
now, and me minority report could
then be regularly filed along with the
committees report
Mr.. Graham: 1t seems from the re-
marks of the gentleman who preceded
me that they already know the sense
OF the House on this matter. They are
taking ii for granted that the measure
Will pass. They talk about passing the
bill as NATTER already settled, and
then filing the minority report as a
mere matter of form.
Mr.. Rountree: must protest against