The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-01-27

the Hebron Lodge OF Masons at Hender-
sonville.
Robertson. Of Guilford: To incorporate
the Audubon Society and provide for the
preservation Of song ard game birds OF
this State.
Dockery, Of Richmond: To incorporate
the Bank Of Hamlet.
Hamilton. of Cabarrus: To abolish the
custom OF kissing tho Bible in taking
oaths.
Harrington, OF Harnett: To pension
John W. Leslie.
West, Of Cherokee: For a pension to
9. Y. Stallcup. OF Cherokee county.
PASSED FINAL READING.
To increase the number of commission
ers for Carteret county.
To amend the Corporation Commission
Act of 1899, so as to confer upon the
commission power TO compel. in its dis
erection the erection of Union depots in
towns where two or more railroads enter.
Mr.. Morton made a short legal argu-
ment in opposition to the bill. Mr.. Ora
ham replying in it's support Roll call
showed y for to 81 against, and the bill
was ordered engrossed and sent TO the
Senate.
To reduce height of fence in Madison
county from five to four feet. (Knock-
ing three rails off the top)
To provide for better sanitary condi-
ions in the Hall of the House; authoriz-
ing the keeper of the Capitol to at once
remove the old carpet, sell same and pay
proceeds to the State Treasurer, and to
purchase and put down a cork carpet.
LAWYERS VERSUS DITCH.
There were some lively repartee be-
tween Messrs. Erwin, of Burke, and
Newland, of Caldwell, over a bill by the
latter for the drainage of Lower~Creek,
in Caldwell ard Burke counties. The
bill had been reported favorably by the
Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Erwin first offered an amendment
providing that no tax whatever for said
drainage be imposed on any citizen of
Burke county. He next moved that the
bill be re-referred to the Committee on
Propositions and Grievances.
He ridiculed the idea of having such a
bill considered by a committee Of law
yers, the Judiciary Committee, Of which
Mr.. Newland himself was chairman. He
raised a fine breeze of laughter, the first
of the session, in asking what lawyers
knew about ditching low lands in Burke
county. L neY knew all ABOUT SclIl1R d
client out of a ditch, but very little about
where the ditch ought to be, and cared
as little. In speaking of Caldwell coun-
ty, he said it was well known hat it's
soil produced little else than corn and
fury, and he would never take Mr.. New
land for an all-round farmer. He was a
splendid citizen, a fine lawyer, but not an
expert on protecting the land owners of
Burke county from having to pay taxes
for the benefit Of draining CALDWELL
county farm lands.
Mr.. Newland explained that the bill
was carefully considered by the Judiciary
Committee, of which Mr.. Erwin was a
member; that he made his fight there
and lost, every member except himself
voting to report the bill favorably. Mr..
Newland contended that the effect of the
law would greatly benefit Burke citizens,
and that the citizens of Caldwell coun-
ty, at their own expense, had paid the
expense Of removing a mill dam on this
creek in Burke county.
Mr.. Erwin retorted that he had a let
ter in his pocket from a citizen of Burke
county, declaring that he had paid out
as much as 5000 himself towards re-
moving that very dam.
The bill, by q close vote, was referred
10 the committee on propositions and
Grievances.
To prohibit hunting with torch, dog,
lantern or gun in Stan1y county without
consent of the land owner.
To extend the time for settlement of
State taxes by the sheriff of Haywood
county.
To authorize the Treasurer of Davie
county to pay Miss Annie P. Smith, a
public school teacher 800 co
To provide for the appointment of
Court Stenographers for Union and Bun
combe counties.
To prevent obstruction of Briar Creek
in Wilkes county.
To prevent hunting on another's land
without consent Of the owner, in Wash
ington county.
At 1:45 o'clock the House adjourned to
meet this morning at 10 o'clock.