The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-02-15
PASSENGER Rates IN HOUSE
Many Arguments for and Against
the Measure.
MORTON SPOKE IN OPPOSITION
Declared That People Wanted Better
Facilities Not Lower I;ateS-Rail-
roads q Great Factor i'm Develop
ing the Industries of the State
Especial to The Messenger. }

NOPCSldl 10 Inc AlSSSeuSeT.)
Raleigh, n c., February 13.-Tne
senate met according TO adjournment
Bills were introduced as follows: By
Buxton, TO establish a special record.
er's court at Winston Salem and pre-
scribe it's jurisdiction. By Ormond, re-
garding the seizure of illicit distilleries
By Drewry, to require an annual ap-
pOrtionment and accounting of life IN
surance companies on policies.
Bills passed third reading as fol-
lows: To amend the charter of the
Carolina Loan & Trust company on
Wilmington. To allow New Hanover
to work conVicts in Pender
Bicketts house bill for the care OF
mental detectives came up on third
reading. Webb offered an amendment
striking out the words "Such addi-
tional Buildings and inserting the
words and such additional buildings
and equip and furnish and provide
water, heat and light and other things
necessary for the comfort of the in
mates. Webb'5s amendment was adopt
unanimously.
Bills passed repeating the special
tax law in Burgaw township, Penoel
county. To amend the revisaI so as to
grant upon reasonable terms francnl-
ses for public utilities, time not to
exceed 60 years, unless renewed at ex-
piration of grant To permit towns to
sell water-poWer and light plants, Cum
berland being excepted. To allow seven
years ins which to file caveat TO a
will. To appropriate $4,000 for the
negro department at the Jamestown
exposition. To permit persons to dis
connect Telephone wires attached &C
their houses or to trees upon theil
premises without penalty.
The senate took up Daniels bill re
garding delayed freight, constituting
certain statutues and declaring that
the bpaass.k of proof shall lie upon the
railways. Mclean offered an amend
ment that if the delay be due t.
causes which could not have by Ord1
nary care been foreseen and were un
avoidabe the company shall be re
lieved from penalty for delay but no
from costs The amendment was
adopted and the bill passed.
The bill to increase the number o
challenges of the state in all crimina
actions less than capital was mad
special action for Friday noon.
HOUSE.
In the house today the committee On
the counties reported the Lee county
bill unfavorably, a minority report
with seven signatures being filed, and
the bill was made special order for
noon Thursday. LaughinghOuSe intro
duced resolution requesting the cor
poration commission to inform the
legislature as to the terms upon which
the recent suit to force the Southern
railway to continue the Selma cornec-
tion was settled, and whether in con~
sideratiOn of the release of 81 SOC
penalties incurred by the railway. the
state was or was not reimbursed for
expense of attorney fees in the matter.
When the bill repeating the LONDON
libel law was reported favorably BY
the committee on propositions and
grievances Julian moved that it be re-
referred to judiciary committee No. =,
Julian saying it was introduced yes
terday, the title not indicating its
far reaching Importance, and that 10
editor or publisher of a newspaper IN
North Carolina had been notified OF
such Z bill or of a hearing upon it So
precipitately before a committee.
Dowd moved reference to committee
No. l and the motion prevailed.
The very important bill prepared by
the committee on public service or
porations reducing passenger rates n
railways came up as a special order il
being known as the Justice bill, Mr..
Doughton being in the chair; 1t pro
vides for passenger fares OF two cents
on roads whose passenger earnings tx
ceed $500 per mile; for 2 IL cents
for those exceeding $1,000, and cents
for those under 81 600 mile. Turitng-
ton offered a substitute bill providing
| for nrst and second class IaTeS anu cLn-
| powering the corporation commission
| to reduce rates from the present FIRST
| class rates to ga cents on cerLatr
i roads.
Morton, opposing the bill, said il i
| were not for the railways development
Of the mining and factory industry c
the west and the trucking and fishing
and lumber industries Of the east
North Carolina would be twenty yeas
behind it's present stage OF develop
ment- The people do not desire L
cripple the railways as this bill woul'
do. They are not demanding reduc
tion Of fares. but desire better accom-