The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-05-24
CARES NOT FOR CRfUIT
Not Passed by the Committee Because
of Interest of Any Senator.
PRITCHARD AND HE WORKED TOGETHER
His Interest Was 10 Secure the Legislation, Be-
cause He Believed the Towns Entitled 10
II. Mad no Wish to Take All
the Credit
Especial to News and Observer


Washington, d. c., May Ex-senator
Simmons said today that in view of the
various statements made in the newspa-
pcrs concerning the Winston and
Greensboro public building amendments
to the House Omnibus Bill it was prop
er that he should make plain statement
of the facts concerning these amend
ments. He said that when the Senate
committee first met to consider the
House Omnibus Bill, there was some
general discussion as to what line of
policy should be pursued: that after sew
eral suggestions had been made he made
a general molten that all public building
bills which had passed the Senate dur
ing this session and had been left out of
the House bill be added by way of
amendment to that bill. This motion was
put by the chairman and unanimously
adopted by the committee
There were eight bills which had pass
ed the Senate and were not in the House
bill, among them being the bill for
public building at Winston
that part of the bill which provided for
the enlargement and repairs of public
buildings was under consideration. he
moved that $500 be added for the en-
largement and repair of the public build
ing at Greensboro. n. c., and in the
course of his statement in support OF
the amendment, called attention to the
letter of Judge Boyd to the Attorney
General. and to Attorney General
Knox's letter, showing the necessity of
the enlargement of this building: that,
ar the conclusion of his statement. he
said to Senator Fairbanks. the chair
man of the committee, this was the
building that Senator Pritchard and
Judge Boyd, as he understood. had
spoken to him about To which Senator
Fairbanks replied in substance, Eyes
| they had spoken to him about 1t AMI IT
! seemed to be a necessity and thereuon
| the motion was put and unanimously
adopted both Democrats and Republicans
on the committee voting fer / t. At
subsequent meeting of the committee,
Senator Fairbanks stated that he had
| telegram from Senator Pritchard, asking
| him to hold up the Greensboro
statement was made he remarked 10 the
chairman that the Greensboro item had
already been favorably acted upon and
the full amount asked in Senator Pritch-
ards amendment had been added TO the
| bill. Senator Simmons said that of
course it is understood by all that the
bill for the Winston public building and
the amendment for the enlargement and
repairs Of the Greensboro public build
ing were introduced by Senator Fritch-
ard, and that his interest in the matter
was that of a member of the committee
and citizen of the State.
| (The foregoing statement by Senator
Simmons is in accordance with our re-
collection of what transpired before the
committee on public buildings and
grounds-Geo. Turner, c. A. Culberson,
G.. G.. Vest)
Senator Simmons said further the suS-
geStionS that these measures were passed
| because of Senator Pritchard's interest
| in them and simply at his request was
rather surprising to him. That might,
he said have been the cause of Senator
Fairbanks supporting the measures, but
he was certain it was not the reason that
moved the whole committee, surely not
the five Democrats on the committee.
These bills, like all other bills, were
passed by the committee upon their
merits and after proper consideration
Neither this bill, nor any other bill, in
his judgment carrying an appropriations
lin the case of these two bills 1926, 000)
had been passed simply because of the
interest and request! of any Senator. He
was satisfied that Senator Fairbanks had
not meant to say that he had agreed to
pass this bill for Senator Pritchard, and
that he had done it. He was sure he
simply meant to say that he had prom
Used the Senator to use his influence in
behalf of the bills.
Referring again to the Winston Salem
bill he said that at the first hearing OF
the committee on this bill before it was
reported to the Senate opposition from
Republicans and Democrats had de-
veloped; that he and Senator Pritchart
had discussed this opposition and hat
done what they could before the next
hearing to remove it. Before the second
hearing, the most of this opposition was
overcome but there was still opposition
When the bill was called up again, Sena-
tor Quarles moved to reduce the appro.
pration for the purchase of the cour
house from $4,000 to 1925 900; that hi
urged Senator Quarles to withdraw hi!
motion and let it go through at $3.50, 900
, When he found that Senator Quarle;
would not yield, he suggested a com
, promise at $4,000, saying that he hoped
, the county would accept $135, 900, but h,
was sure it would not accept 1925, 900
After some discussion, this suggestion
was agreed to, but one Republican Sen
ator voted against the bill at every stage
He says the Winston committee, com
posed of Messrs. Glenn, Hanes AM
Eaton, who were here at several meet
ings, know these facts; that when tn