The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-01-25
CANNON-CRACKERS
AND SMALL BOYS
Legislature to Choose County
Boards of Education.
GOV. DOUGHION''S BILL
King introduces the Separate RAGS School Fund
BiIl---To License Music Teachers---
Rights to Electric Power
Companies.

Rights to Electric Power
Companies.
Small boys, pop-crackers, toy pistols,
air guns and spring guns were under
discussion in the House yesterday.
1t was about a bill introduced a day
or two ago by Mr.. McNeill, of Scotland,
prohibiting the sale of fire-crackers
more than three inches in length, and top
pistols.
An amendment had been suggested, to
include spring and air guns.
Mr.. Blount thought it would be very
selfish to pass such law. He had zen
a boy himself, he said, and he thought
that the happiest memories of many were
connected with shooters, pop guns
and sling shots.
General Davidson strongly defended
the bill, saying he considered air guns
among the most deadly weapons.
Judge Graham and Mr.. Offman both
favored letting the boys have the air
guns and spring guns.
Mr.. Bowman declared the bill would
money, besides many lives. Moreover, it
would discourage the imbibing by boys
of the habits of desperadoes.
Mr.. Drewry favored the cannon cracker
and toy pistol part of the bill, on ac-
count Of the saving of property, as well
as lives.
that the boys would bore holes in trees
and fill them with dynamite, if they
could not make a noise with pop-crack-
ers.
MIR. Hall, of obeson, opposed the whole
thing, bill and amendments.
The matter was finally re-rcferred to
the Judiciary committee.
Governor Doughton proposes to change
entirely the method of choosing county
boards of education.
A bill introduced by him yesterday pro-
vides:
THAT the General Assembly shall ap-
point three men in each county of good
business qualification and known to be
in favor of public education, who shall
constitute the County Board of Educa-
tion. That the term of office of the said
members of the County Board of Edu-
cation so appointed shall begin on the
first Monday in July after their appoint
ment and shall continue for two years
and until their successors are appointed
and qualified. That any vacancy in said
County Board of Education from death
resignation or otherwise, shall be filled
by the remaining members of said
board"
The bill repeals section II, chapter 4
of bo D,,hIio 7 of 100t ond ciIhcfi i
tutes the above.
II accordance with a resolution adoptef
at the last meeting of the State Music
Teachers Association, Mr.. Fuller intro
duced a bill requiring vocal music to be
taught in all public schools in towns OF
over 5000 people. The bill further pro-
vides that all teachers of music in in
corporated institutions be required t.
pass an examination before a Board Of
Examiners composed of competent mu-
sicians to be appointed by the State
Board of Education.
Mr.. Anderson, of Clay, introduced
bill Incorporating the Hiawassee Valley
Railroad Company to run from Hayes
vile along the Hiawassee River valley
through Clay county southwest ant
extend the road to the State lines OF
Georgia and Tennessee. The capital stock
is to be $3.50 900, which may be increased
to $1,500,O00. The incorporators arc
Henry s. Gratz, F. Carryl, Edward H
Jacob, John B. Rhoads, Alfred c. Fixing
ton, J. S. Anderson, N. N. Rodgers, R
l.. Herbert, A. A. Fain, Jas. Vaughn and
J. w. Ferguson.
A bill by Mr.. Self, of Catawba, pro-
poses to give electric power and lighting
companies the same rights of condemning
property, etc. as are now allowed tele-
graph and telephone companies. II
amends sections 2,007, zoos, 2,009, 2010
and 2,012 of The Code, as amended by
chapter 81, Laws of 1899, by inserting
the words cor electric power and light
ing" after the words telegraph and
telephone" Section zoos is further
amended by adding provided, this sec
ton shall not be construed as requiring
electric power or lighting companies tC
erect Offices for public accommodation
Another bill bv Mr. Self provides that
in any case in which the general law reg
ulating elections IN cities and towns con-
fl.ctS with the charter of a town or city
the provisions of the "Narter shall gov
eTn. This amends section 19 of chapter
$50. Laws of 1901. and also section %
The House bill for the separate apli-
cation of the taxes cf the two races tC
the white and colored public schools
has made it's appearance. 1t was expect
ed. and Mr.. King, of Pitt. introduced it
Tho bill strikes out from section
of article of the Constitution the last
clause ''but there shall be no discrimi-
nation in favor of or to the prejudice
of either race"
1t amends the Constitution so that il
shall be lawful for either race to be
taxed separately and solely for the edu-
cation of IFS children but in all cases