The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-13

MORTON IN OPPOSITION
Exhaustive Agum ent for the Bill by Mr.. Cowan
---No Vote Reached d---Discussion Will be
Continued Today--- --Lobbies and
Gallery Packed

Gallery Packed.
1t was a Lucus day in the House yes
terday.
The aged, popular member from Hyde
completely took by storm the big crowd
that had filled lobbies and gallery, every
inch of them, to hear the Watts bill dis
cussed.
Almost every sentence uttered by Mr..
Lucas was applauded by the ladies that
thronged the gallery and the representa-
tive citizens that filled the lobbes.
Mr.. Lucas was responding to Mr. Nor
ton, who had spoken with great vigor
against the bill. 1t was a great occasion,
and will go down as one of the most
mcmcntous days in the House during the
session Of 1903.
Yesterday was the first day the mem
Der from Hyde had been in his seat
since his severe attack of the grip And
in the morning, when he arose to ask
that the corporation bill under discus
sion be deferred, such applause greeted
him that it was some time before he
could speak. AS soon as he could do
SO, he said: You make me feel mighty
good
But no action was taken on the Watts
bill yesterday Mr.. Cowan, OF Jackson,
spoke for it at some length, treating
every phase of the question exhaustive
ly. He was followed by Mr.. Morton In
opposition, who offered to amend by leav-
ine the matter to a vote of the people
Then came Mr.. Lucas great speech, an
sweriug Mr.. Morton's arguments
1t is obable that today the House
"sI solve itself into a Committee of
t-a Whole and discuss the entire ques-
lie1.
ThCre was another quite spirited debate
yesterday. That was over the bill to al
lH one corporation to hold stock in an
er corporation.
Judge Graham opposed the bill strong
:, holding that it would tend to foster
the formation of trusts and combines
Mr.. Smith also feared the bill, as did
Mr.. Lucas. The bill was ably defended
by Messrs. Guion and Fuller, Robertson
and Bullard.
The bill by consent went over for
further consideration by the members.
Judge Graham introduced two import
ant joint resolutions. One under the
authority of Article of the Constitution
of the United States makes application
to Congress to forthwith call a Consti-
tutional Convention for the purpose of
submitting to the States for ratification
an amendment TO the Federal Consti-
tuition providing for the election of
United States Senators by direct vote
of, the people.
The other is for the enlargement of
the Capitol, and calls for the appoint
ment of a committee of five, consisting
of one Senator and two members of the
House, the Governor of the State and
the Chief Justice of the. Supreme Court
who shall investigate and report to the
next General Assembly Plan, together
with the probable COST for the addi-
tion of a north and south wing, as in the
Capitol at Washington. These wings are
to contain additional rooms for State
Offices, including the Attorney General
and the Superintendent of Public In
struction, suitable chambers for the
House and Senate. (the present halls
for those bodies to be converted into
committee rooms), the Supreme Court
and its library, and the State Lii
brary
Mr. Morton introduced a bill to protect
buyers of salt 1t provides that every
ba- of salt shall be branded with the
exact number of pounds it contains A
bag Of salt is supposed to weigh two
hundred pounds, but it often happened
that they contain only 1S0 pounds.
THE DAY IN DETAIL.
Speaker Gattis called the House to
order at ten o'clock, and Rev. Marvin
C,,IL of ct
offered prayer.
PETITIONS.
Blount: From Washington for temper
ance legislation.
Curtis: From Ashville, for London bill.
Britt: From Robson for temperance
legislation.
Shipman: For incorporation of certain
Baptist churches in Columbus county.
Warren: To place an ex-Confederate
soldier of Person county on the pension
roll.
Shelton: From citizens of Co1etoe,
Edgecombe county, opposing the London
bill.
Anderson: From Clay for temperance
legislation.
Murphey: From Rowan for temperance
legislation.
Daughtridge: Memorial from students
of A. and M. College, asking for an ag-
ricultural building.
Dobson: From citizens of Surry ask
ing to be allowed to work roads instead
of taxation.
Jarrett: From Macon for temperance
legislation
Drewry: To place certain ex-Confeder-
ate soldiers on the pension roll.
Graham: For prohibition of liquor
within three miles of Fellowship Baptist