The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-02-20

| There was considerab BILE argument
/ before the joint committee on railways
| OH the bill requiring railways to re-
| lieve their station agents and opera
tors after twelve hours work. The
| connittee decided to report the bill un-
! favorably.
The senate committee on railways
| decided TO favorably report the bill
| fixing deniurrage charges. after hear
! ing speeches by the delegation from
| Cha rlotte. composed OF McNinch,
| WeGdington, Wearn and ClarksoiI.
Charge of Cruelty to Convfcts.
At the penitentiary this afternoon
dence as to the charges of cruelty to
convicts. Ex-emDloye Wilson gave
his evidence charging Warden Flem-
Ing with cruelty. Wilson said Flem-
ing forced convicts to go barefooted
in the snow at the penitentiary and
refused to allow ministers to go into
the penitentiary, of excessively whip
ping persons and confining them in
dark cells to such da"rao that one
woman was kept Iher" until she had
fits. Wilson admitted he drank very
freely and had been drinking yastar-
day and today, that he was once be-
foe the panitentiary directors to tas-
.ify regarding this matter, but with
drew his charges. Warden Fleming
went on the witness stand and denied
every charge Wilson made. Superin-
tendent Mann id II" had discharged
Wilson for drinking, that all convicts
were we'll supplied with food and
. clothing. that Wilson had written him
making application to be re-employed
and expressing regret that he had
made charges against Fleming
Clerk Arlington, Of the pantentiary.
testified that good food clothing and
shoes We're supplied to the convicts.
-
none at all from Wilson until after
the latter hid been discharged.
senator Travis, ex-director Of the
penitentiary, testified that Wilson
appeared before the directors and
then withdrew his charges against
tIeming. Chairman Warren thinks
the evidence of some convicts will be
" at Marion. These conVirtS now be-
ing at HillSbOro
Text of Demurrage Bill.
Following is the text of TIE den,ur-
rage bill which will be favorablv re-
rorted tomorrow:
Section l. That chapter 1e4 laws of
1899 be amended by adding after sub
section "a of section and before sec
tion 8, the following:
Section (25) to make rules regula-
tions and rates governing demun age
and storage charges by railroad COM
panieS and other TRANSPORTS ton Cnm-
panics
Section (26) to make rules governing
railroad companies in the placing of
cars for loading and unloading and fix
ing the time limit for the delivery Of
freights after same have been received
by transportation comDanies for ship
ment."
This will make railways liable TO
shippers for delays of cars and mike
the law cut both ways.
tablishment of Lee County.
The bill to establish Lee county from
parts of Moore. Chatham aid Ha"nett
viii be reported unfavOrab by the
committee. The matter was argued for
a new county today by A. A. F sea-
well. T. l.. Chisholm. ]. Alton McJver.
Geo. r. NJ. Nelson, Dr. w. A. Monroe
and D. z. McIver; while against it w ~re
Judge j. d. McIver. w. ]. Adams. Sem
atOr London. r. Fl. Hayes. Senltor
Spence. Representatives Harrington. of
Moore. Siles of Chatham ard Harring
ton of Harnett. Advocates of the lew
county say they abandon fight for the
present. but will renew it two years
hence.
Night Session o. the House.
At the house night session State
GeOlogist Holmes spoke on the sub
ject of good roads.
Phillips introduced a bill to validate
certain acts of justices of the Deace of
Brunswick.
Murphy's substitute for the Watts
liquor bill was voted on. lost. aves 29,
noes 76.
The London bill as a substitute was
defeated. ayes 40, noes &c.
A substitute offered by Self was
lost. ayes 80. noes 81.
Amendment by Dnughton. allowing
brandy distilled from fruit raised on
owners land was adopted, ayes 81,
noes 43.
Amendment allowing the sale OF wine
in packages was lost
Amendment of Morton, allowing
country people to vote on the licensing
OF distilleries and saloons. same as
town, was lost on roll call by vote
of 49 to "a. Ma iority vote as first cast
was two majority for the amendment,
but several members changed their
votes. Mortons amendment to exclude
New Hanover from its provisions was
also lost
Smith. of Gates. offered an amend
ment to the Watts amendment. The
latters allows the people of incor-
porated towns 10 vote on the question
OF prohibition, dispensarry or license.
Smiths amendment allows country
people To also vote and it therefore is
greatly like Mortons
The house adjourned at 11:45 with
Smith on the floor. He will conclude
argument for his amendment tonor-
row.
Raleigh. y. c.. February lin the
| senate, bills were introduced
BY Woodard, TO regulate the killing
Of birds in Wilson.
BY Spence. to establish board of
examiners of BARRIERS to regulate that
profession and prevent the spread of
! conta gious diseases.
BY Eann, to protect railway con-
:uctors by providing that if holder
/ OF second-class ticket persists in rid
| ing in first-class car, against conduc-
! tors request 10 so in the other car, he
| shall be guilty of q misdemeanor
BY Bellamy, to amend the charter
| of Southport.