The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-01-10
|. MORTON
IS IXONERATEO
Reply to Charges in a Letter
viIifyng Him,
THE LAWS TO BE INDEXED
Letter Signed by Members of Senate Committee
on Railroads Vindcates Mr.. Morton
Of the Charge Of Dscourtesy
TO Delegation.

to oDelegaiion.
The House was in session only about
one hour yesterday, the third day; but a
good deal of business was transacted in
that short time.
Outside of the regular work of intro
ducing and passing bills. the most note
worthy event of the day was a question
of personal privilege to which Represen-
tative G. L. Morton. of New Hanover,
arose.
After stating that it had come to his
knowledge that on the night of the cleo
tion of Speaker of the House letter
making charges that were libelous in
their nature against him had been placed
on the desk of each member of the DEM
ocratic caucus. at time when it was
known he would not be present, Mr., Nor
ton went on to say that at home, where
he was well known, he never made it
practice to reply to any criticisms that
might be made upon his public acts. But
here there were very many to whom he
was not so we'll known.
Mr.. Morton called attention to the fact
letter calculated to do him injury, only
one had voted the Democratic ticket at
the last election This, he thought, was
sufficient to show the kind of men they
were who had trumped up these charges
against him.
AS the charges concerned his actions as
a member of the Committee on Railroads
of the Senate of 1901. Mr.. Morton said
he thought that it would be sufficient vim
dication of himself to read a letter that
had been written and signed by every SEN
ator save himself who was on that com
nittee.
Mr.. Morton then proceeded to read the
letter. as follows:
1--WE the undersigned were members
of the Senate Committee on Railroads
and Railroad Commission in the last Gen
eral Assembly, of which Hon. George L.
Morton was a member. and we are sur
prised to learn that he has been charged
with treating with scant courtesy del
egation of lumber men who appeared be-
fore said committee in advocacy Of a bill
introduced in their behalf Such an ac
cusation does Mr.. Morton gross injustice.
THE delegation was heard patiently
and courteously by every member of our
committee, and a special meeting was
called for their benefit.
THAT the bill was reported adversely
by unanimous vote Of the committee
with the exception of the vote of the SEN
ator from the district from which the
delegation came should be sufficient an
swer to their other charges against Mr..
Morton. We take pleasure in stating that
Mr.. Morton was one of the most efficient
and industrious members of our commit
tee.
"(Signed). H. A. London, chairman;
John E. Woodard, J. A. Long Howard A.
Foushee j. A. Brown, Lindsay Fl. Mich
ael."
bill to authorize the Secretary of
State to appoint assistant to index the
laws was introduced by Judge Graham, of
Granville and put upon its immediate
readings and passed. 1t appropriates
sum not exceeding $500 for this purpose.
A bill for the relief of Miss Leila F.
| Godfrey, of Jonesboro, to replace two one
thousand dollar State bonds that were
| stolen by burglars, was introduced by
Representative Harrington, of Moore
and passed on it's several readings without
delay.
new bills introduced. Four were passed
on their final readings.
PROCEEDINGS IN DETAIL.
The House was called to order at II
O'Clock by Speaker Gattis and opened
with prayer by Rev. DR.. w. C. Tyree, of
| this city.
motion to dispense with the read
| ing =" the journal was earnestly oppos-
| ed by Mr.. Morton, who cited a case of
the last session in which law suit re-
! lating to bonds at Wilmington was the
result of failure to read the journal, and
! the absence of the record of the bill on
! the journal had not been discovered un-
! til too late This could not have occur
red, had the Journal been read each day.
| for the omission of the bill from the
records would have readily appeared to
the member interested. The motion to
dispense with the reading was withdrawn
and the clerk read the Journal of the
| proceedings of Thursday.
PETITIONS.
Newland, of Caldwell: Asking for APP
pointment of justice of the peace in
Caldwell county.
RESOLUTIONS.
BY Watts of Iredell In favor of
Capt Frank Bennett, doorkeeper of the
| session of 1901 to pay per diem and
mileage expenses one day of session of
! 1903 Rules suspended. Resolution
passed and sent to Senate without en-
! grossment
INTRODUCTION OF Bills.
No 16-Graham, of Granville: Relief
of Lena Lee Ellis. school teacher of
Granville county.
No. 17t-Gthham,3 of Granville: Au-