The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-03-12
Work ofthe General Assembly
Commended.
HE DOUBTS But ONE ACT
Fears That Revenues viii Not Meet ApprOpria
lions and Urges That Pay as You Go
is the Policy in Which the
People Believe.


General Theo. f. Davidson, who so ably
represented the county Of Buncombe.
He is a wise and conservative legis-
lator and in the House of Representa-
views, these being of great value in
shaping legislation.
Gen. Davidson left the city yesterday
but before he left an interview was
had with him, and he was asked his
views as to the General Assembly and
the measures which it had made into
law
Gen. Davidson expressed himself free
| Is, and in his remarks will be found
much of encouragement to the State,
which he says he can truly congratulate
upon the result of the work Of the As
sembly. Being asked first of his opin-
ion of the Assembly as a body, he said.
Il have been either a member of the
General Assembly or connected with the
administration of public affairs which
brought me in contact with that body
for the last quarter of a century and
/ do not believe that there has ever
been one in my time in which the aver
age ability was greater than in the one
jGst closed. In referring to this / speak
more particularly Of the House with
which | was Of course, more Familiarity
connected, being a member of that body.
was impressed at the beginning of
the season and that impression was in
tcnsiled at the close by the unusual
number of young men of great promise.
1t seems to me that in respect to the
young men who are to come after US
and shape the policy of the State there
need be no fear
What is your opinion Of the legisla-
ton efrected?"
with respect TO legislation generally
think it was eminently wise and con
servatiye. There was absolutely no
radical element in the General Assembly
and there has been no radical legisla-
ton Of any kind.
THE unfortunate condition of cur
fiscal affairs made it very important
that the credit of the State should be
maintained on the one baud and due
regard for the Taxpayers should be had
on the other, and Il believe both objects
have been secured by the legislation.
THE only public measure of which
| have any apprehension is the act
which takes the literary fund out Of
| the Treasury and appropriates it to the
construction and maintenance of school
houses in the State. / doubt if there
is any or much necessity for such legis-
lation, as my information is that there
is scarcely a district in the State that
does not have respectable accommoda-
ton for the school children and we
have hardly reached the period when we
can afford to indulge in fanciful aesthe-
tic school, buildings however pleasant
they may be.
"All past tinkerings with the Literary
Fund have been disastrous and have
operated livery injuriously upon the
political party that was responsible for
them. The law in question seems to
be pretty well guarded and if those
who are charged with its execution
have a due regard for their respon-
sibility and will discard sentiment in
its application there need be no danger, .
What are your views as to the
revenues to be derived under the changed
law?"
81 doubt if the present Revenue Bill
will produce enough to meet the run
ming expenses of the State, including
the appropriation for the common
schools for the next two years Every
thing will depend upon th3 new assess
ment this summer and past experience
ought to teach us that it is not safe
to rely upon an increase of assessment
for an. increase of revenue. The Commit
Ice based it's opinion an increase under
the present levy chiefly upon schedules
3 and c, and the chief item was the
|
ditions that estimate would not be
unsound. but we must remember that
the Watts Bill goes into effect on July
| the first and in May portions of the
state will make great changes in the
| liquor business. Many manufacturers
aad distillers will go entirely out of
business. while others will temporarily
suspend. so that I think it would not
be uneafe to say that the volume Of
business for the next year would be re-
duced by one-half. After a while the
business will readjust itself to the new
policy and 1 am inclined to think that
| the revenue derived from this traffic
viii be vastly increased"
lone of the most important acts of the
| session, and which will, perhaps, have
! a more lasting affect than any other, was
the bill 10 revise and codify the public
laws. This work has been too long de-
| layed and there has been great com
| plant and much inconvenience to the
people in consequence With the excel
| lent Commission now appointed we may
hope for a great reform in this direction.
1t is the subject which touches our poo
pie in their daily life at almost every
point"
What is your view of the liquor legis~
lation?"
THE liquor legislation as it became a
law in the form of the Watts bill, is a
new departure. but l believe when its
fundamental principles are illustrated by
practical application it will be found TO
be very great step forward. There
was an almost universal demand from
our country people. those who live the
rural districts and who We're denied the
protection of municipal control, for re-
lief from the disorders which unavoid-
ably arose from the sale and manufac-
/ ture of liquors in the country The
| towns and cities could protect themselves.
but the men women and children in the