The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-03
THE SENATE ROUSEO
TO INSTANT ACTION
Alleged Cruelty to Convicts
to be Investigated.
THE PEN 0FFICIALSASK 1T
Senator Baldwin Proposes That the Senate Ap
point Committee to Hear Complaint
Concerning Charges OF Discrim-
nation in Freight Rates.

nation in Freight Rates.
The Senate was not overburdened with
the presence of Senators at yesterday
session but those present moved the
wheels of legislation briskly.
How quick North Carolinians are to
take action when charges are laid of in
humanity and cruelty by officials or en-
ployes of the State was exempIified yes
terday in striking manner.
The cause of this was the charges of
Mr.. ]. L. C. Bird, of Marion, n. c., con-
oerning the alleged cruelty to the con-
victs lately removed from Spruce Pine
to Marion, and given publicity to in the
newspapers. There was no petition sent
in, there We're no charges filed, yet the
Senate, and with it the House, recog-
nized the great gravity of the charges
appearing in the papers and instant ac-
tion was taken.
The Senate had not been in session five
minutes when among the bills introduced
was one by Senator Norris, of Wake
asking for an investigation of the
charges. Following quick on its heels
came one from Senator Reinhardt ask
ing, for full investigation of the finan-
cial affairs for the past two years, and
also for an investigation of all charges of
mismanagement. A third bill also came
quickly and this was from Senator Mann,
setting forth the grounds which caused
the drawing of the bill, and providing for
a thorough investigation of the charges.
In 20 minutes from the time the Senate
began its session the Mann bill had
passed its three readings and had been
ordered sent to the House without en-
grossment. In six minutes afterward a
like bill was received that had passed
the House, and after finishing another
debate that was going on the Senate, in
order to expedite matters, reconsidered
and tabled the Mann resolution, and con-
Cured in the Blount resolution which
had been passed by the House. In ex-
actly forty-six minutes after the sessions
of the two Houses had begun the inves-
tigating resolution had unanimously
passed both branches of the General AS
sembly.
The resolution, introduced by Senator
Mann, and the samc as the resolution
from the House, which was adopted by
both bodies, reads as follows, the title
being "a resolution to investigate the
anagement Of the State Prison in re-
moving convcts in camp at Spruce Pine,
n C. to Marion, N. C., and for other
purposes"
Whereas, it is alleged by ]. l.. c..
Bird, of Marion, n. c., that the conduct
Of the penitentiary authorities in remov-
ing those convicts (referring to the re-
moval of convicts from a camp at Spruce
Pine, in Mitchell county, N. c., to Ma
ron, in Mcdowell county, N. c., at the
time and in the manner it was done. is
q shame and disgrace to a civilized peo-
pie"
And whereas, other charges of inhu-
manity cruelty and misconduct on the
part of the penitentiary authorities at
the time of the removal of the said
Convicts from Spruce Pine, ~ c., to
Marion N. c.. above referred to and on
other occasions have been made by said
j. l.. G. Bird in letter dated January 29th.
1908 printed in the Charlotte Observer" i"
And whereas, the charges above set
out have been denied by the authorities
of the States Prison. now therefore it is
resolved by the Senate, the House Of
Representatives concurring."
First. That said charges be investi-
gated by the Committee on Penal Insti-
tutions of the Senate and the Commit
tee on Penal Institutions of the House
Of Representatives sitting in joint ses-
sion.
Second. That said joint committee in
vestigate such other charges of miscon-
dtaf On ho nf management
the State Prison as may be brought to
their attention..
Third That a sub committee, con-
sisting of the chairman of the Senate
Committee on Penal Institutions and one
other member of said committee, to be
selected by the chairman, and the chair
man of the House Committee on Penal
Institutions and two other members OF
said committee. to be selected by the
chairman. shall visit Marion, n. c., and
such other places as may be necessary,
and take evidence, under oath, Of such
witnesses as may appear, or be produced
before il pertinent to the charges above
mentioned or any other charges that may
be brought to the attention of the joint
committee herein provided for. Such Joint
committee and subcommittee shall have
power to compel the attendance of wit
nesses. the production of books and pa
pers,s to examine witnesses under oath,
as in courts of law, and shall renort the
result of such Investigations and make
such recommendations, as in the judg-
ment OF the joint committee. are neces-
sary for the correction of abuses and the
punishment of offenders"
This resolution of Senator Mann's was
fha
when that OF Senator Norris was reached
he withdrew it, as Senator Mann's COW
cred the ground. Senator Reinhardt's S
resolution for an investigation of the