The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-07
JUSTICE PLEADS
FOR HUMAN LIFE
Senate Discusses R. R. Bill
and Whistle Warning.
SEEKS A BRANCH COURT
The Dogs to be Taxed in Lenor TO Aid the
School fund---More Legislation is Pro-
posed for the Confederate veter-
ans Pension Laws.

ans rerSl0n Laws.
The value of human life as against
the pulling of bell cord and the blow
ing of a whistle was the subject OF a long
debate in the Senate yesterday.
Outside of this discussion there was lit
tie other talking for or against bills,
the law-making hopper doing a steady
grind till after half past one o'clock.
The Tarboro Dispensary bill had
short moment in the grind. 1t had passed
the votes cast should decide the question
of 'dispensary'' or mo dispensary' in
TarbOro, but the House said it must be
by majority of the qualified voters. Sen
ator Gillian said that while the House
amendment did not meet with his ap
proVal he had rather take that than
have the bill fail. He moved for con-
currence in the House amendment and
the bill is a law that will be voted on in
twenty days after a certified copy reaches
Tarboro and notice is given.
Senator McBryde introduced new bill
in North Carolina legislation. 1t is to
provide a Branch Court" for Robson
shaH-b be held at Red Springs as we'll as
at the county-seat, Lumberton. The peo-
Ile there are ready to erect a building
TO be used as a court house without ex-
pepse to the county. The bill is not to
move the court house or Jail, but simply
TO hold certain terms OF the court at Red
Springs to which all necessary records
would be taken during court. The bill
has for its purpose the doing away OF
talk of creating a new county and is
copied after a Maryland plan.
Senator Pollock finds in the dogs a
source of revenue to aid the public
school fund. He has introduced a bill
10 tax dogs one dollar and five dollars
for males and females respectively, the
proceeds to go to the school fund, the act
only to apply to Lenoir county.
When Senator Marshall's resolution
that when the Senate adjourn it do so
out OF respect to the late James NJ.
Moody member of Congress, Senator
Woodland said that this should be changed
so as to read late a member of this
Senate" as this body had nothing to do
with Congress. Senator Goodwin incor-
rOrated this idea in q amendment, which
was adopted.
II6 SHcClcl OiCI Va lHt udJ Ndo TIE
Lil of Senator Justice for the protection
of human life h. requiring railroads to
give warning to persons on the track
ahead by ringing a bell or blowing a
whistle. On this bill Senator Justice
made an earnest and forcible speech,
urging the necessity for the law. There
was strong opposition expressed to it by
several Senator'S, an analysis of their ar
CllmGpt Shnwinp thpir loo +ha
with the act of Senator Justice as a law
it would not be safe to present such
cases to a jury.
Senator Justice said that he had in
troduced the bill to accomplish what the
title says, ITO protect human life" He
said there is some misapprehension about
this bill. 1t really puts no additional
burden on railroads, and simply provides
that the men moving trains shall see
what is before them and give timely
warming 1t is the law in North Carolina
that a person going on railroad track
is a trespasser, yet in view of all cir
cumstances it is wise that a law of this
kind be adopted. Without it there are
four cases which call for capital pun
ishment-burglary, rape, murder-and
getting on the railroad track. 1t is now
a duty to look out not for trespGssers,
but for women, children and the help
less 1t is no added burden as the en-
gineers are required to keep lookout,
and this bill only requires that they shall
see what is ahead, and stop the train
rather than to go on and kill"
Senator Woodland asked here if the
scope of the bill was not when q rail-
read company struck or killed person.
and the signal was not given that it
made the railroad company, per Sc, liza
BILE. Senator Justice thought not, and
said he would not support such a bill
himself. Continuing he said that his
bill went a little farther than notice
given to a helpless person on the track
and required that when person is up
and walking to try his senses and touch
him UP with a whistle rather than with
a ow-catcher.
1.-The reason for such a law" said he
''is that in North Carolina last year six
ty people were killed on the
track. My bill simply provides
that the engineer shall give
warning, and thus save human life.
Whether drunk or sober. men on the
track ahead be given a warning. An
outlook must be Kept why not have the
signal given? If AMMAN appears to be in
possession of his senses only the signal
need be given and the train need not
stop or reduce it's speed. The Southern,
the Seaboard Air Line, the Atlantic Coast
Line and other roads now required by its
rules what his bill asked. My bill only
makes their rule a law
Senator Webb sent forward an amend
ment prohibiting people from walking on
a railroad track, or use it as pathway
except to go Immediately across, viola