The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-02-10
Of the Legislature.

No'S VI Oitdu Cdol uDOu liz
waters" that aided Senator Marshall,
of Surry, yesterday.
Diligently he has sought to obtain the
passage Of a bill making a change in
the line between Stewards Creek and
Franklin townships in Surry county. The
bill came VI with a favorable report
but some Senators at first thought there
was politics" in it and it was deferred.
Yesterday it came up again and Sena-
tor Marshall urged it's passage as a local
which all parties asked for in
that no politics" was behind the bill.
Senator Webb, who had interposed an
objection until Representative Doughton
was heard from, withdrew his objection
as he had not heard from Mr.. Doughton.
Senator Henderson thought that the mat
ter might properly go to the county com
missiolers. Senator Pharr thought it
was just to Senator Marshall to let it
pass, and Senator Glenn took the same
view. Senator Hoey read a petition from
the people affected asking the change.
Senator Hoey, in telling the Senate of
the petition for the change, raised a
ripple of laughter, when he read the
following letter, signed by ten men:
There are fourteen homcStcads direct
ly concerned and prospects for more, in
the near future. Politics, seven DENT
Gratis and seven Republicans; religious
faith, three kinds of Baptists, two kinds
of MethOdists, the balance all sooner
cats. The intention Of this petition IS
for the betterment of all parties and de
nominations, SO help me God"
Senator Blow moved to table the bill.
He had read from the law and showed
the relief sought could be obtained from
the county commissioners. He also gave
notice that he would move to table all
future bills which could be attended TO
otherwise, and would do this for the
good of the State. He withdrew his mo-
ton to table on request of Senator
Mitchell, and here is where the bread
on the waters" story comes in.
Senator Mitchell said that in 1895
when he was a contestant for a seat in
the Legislature and Senator Marshall
had the deciding vote in committee that
it was cast for him. q feel under spe-
cial obligations to him. he said. land
l hope this favor Will be granted to
him"
Senator Blow renewed his motion to
table, but it was lost, only his voice
being heard on the aye" side. The bill
passed its final readings and Senator
Marshall was happy.
When Senator Godwin's bill to prohibit
Kissing the Bible in taking oaths came
up there was a scrambling debate, many
members coming in. A substitute bin
was offered by the committee, which
simply abolished the necessity for kiss
ing the Bible. This left the solemnity
OF the oath in the token given by laying
the hand On the Bible.
Senator Mcbride said it was an old
custom to kiss the Bible, learned that
it had been in the laws of North Caro-
lima since 1777, probably before and was
opposed to the bill. Senator Pollock
also opposed it and said that germs and
microbes might be talked Of, but the
idea Of these in the Bible did not fright
en- him and Re was opposed to the limo
walton. He suggested that people might
get individual Bibles if they desired.
Senator Henderson said he knew moth
ing Of the doctrine CT microbes ana
germs, but he thought that there might
be millions of them in the Bibles kissed
by a mixed crowd in a generation cs-
IeCldliy d0 he Hdu ucdIu THAT IN Il pound
Of cherries there were a million microbes.
He saw no added solemnity in kissing
a lid to the Bible.
Senator Goodwin explained that he did
Tot want to take away the solcmnity. but
that he wished to protect ladies and
children from pressing to their lips q
book handled and kissed by many. Those
experienced in such matters did not
Eicc tho hnot- hut only wont fhrnuph tho
molten. He thought the laying on Of the
hand sufficient.
enator Wellborn announced his oppo-
sition to TIE bill, and Senator Hicks did
likewise. He said the kiss was not the
first kiss of affection, nor cid he expect
people to take in half the book at a
kiss. He told of Granville county and
said they had white Supremacy Bibles
there. one set for the white and one
for the colored. He proposed that old
Bibles be given to the poor and new
Bibles be bought frequently by the
courts.
Senator Beasley favored preserving the
old landmarks, but wanted these to be
a little clean. He disclaimed a knoWi-
edge Of microbes and sale that a man
must either violate the order of the
judge or violate his sense of personal
cleanliness in kissing some Bibles pre-
sented, as these were often as bad and
dirty as If they had been in an ash heap.
man who values cleanliness lodges
such 4 kiss aid he. Senator Hicks
that he advised that Senator Beas-
county have Bibles as did Gran
Vile.
Senator White remarked that for some
reasons he opposed any kind of lcgisla-
ton that prohibited kissing, but that
did oppose this kind for sanitary res-
sons. Senator Baldwin said this was d
pr OPPRESSIVE age, but he was opposed TO
this kind of progression, that it was TAX
ing great solemnity from the oath and
many a young man, ready perhaps
to perjure himself, was kept straight;
when he kissed the Bible he had learned
to revere in childhood when at his moth
er's knee.
Senator Marshall did not favor an oath.
said a mar who would tell a lie would
swear one. lie offered an amendInent
he afterward withdrew, that IN
of saying so help me God there
be said in the presence OF Al
mighty God."lHe was told that no such
wcrds were used.
Senator Mitchell moved to table the
amendment. but this was lost.