The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1908-02-06
THE N. C. LEGISLATURE


Sine Lie, Saturday.
The compromise Of Governor Glenn
is now law, the House amendments
to the Senate passenger rate bill hav-
ing been concurred in by the Senate
without debate Saturday morning.
The Legislature in extraordinary ses-
sion enacted several important laws
beside the rate bill and the prohibi-
tiCn bill, and in addition to these a
large number of local bills were
passed for the benefit of many coun-
tiCs and towns.
The House and Senate adjourned
at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon by
the Legislature clocks. There was
good feeling and mutual congratula-
ton among the members, and all go
home well satisfied with what has
been accomplished.
During the session 205 bills and 10
resolutions were passed.
The Governor transmitted to the
Legislature a farewell message.
The Famous Passenger Rate Bill.
The bill as finally passed by both
houses, provides for a 2 1-2 cent rate
for passenger fare in this State and
relies upon the railroad companies to
fulfill their promises in letter to Gov.
Glenn offering 2 1-2 cent interstate
rate Of mileage books of 1000 miles
to firms, heads of families and four
other members at 2 cents; of 1000
mile books at 2 cents a mile to indivi-
duals and of intrastate mileage books
70 500 miles at 1-2 cents, good fol
/ the heads of families and dependent
| members not to exceed four. This
bill is in harmony with the rates Of
fered by Gov. Glenn to the railroads
which fought the IA cent rate, ex
cept that reference is made to an ad-
justment of the rate in January, 1908,
by the corporation commission if the
rate is found confscatory or exces-
sive, a provision which the railroads
have agreed to foregc.
The general State election on the
prohibition question, as provided In
the prohibition bill, will occur on
May 26th.
The Senate.
The resolution with respect to the
agreement between the Governor and
the railroads, which President Win
ston announced as the "Public Con-
science Bill" authorizing the Cover
nor to accept the $17,500 for payment
of attorneys fees and costs of liti-
cation, but not one cent for defray-
ing the expense Of conveying the leg
islature, was killed.
A resolution was offered by Mr.,
Daniel and unanimously carried
| thanking the Lieutenant-Governor fol
the faithful and impartial manner in
which he had presided over the ses.
sions Of the Senate.
At 2:42 the President declared the
house and senate adjourned without
day.
The house acted on 303 bills and
| resolutions, about two hundred OF
these being house bills.
The message from tho Governor
congratulating the legislature upon
its work, was as follows:
To the Honorable, the General AS
sembly Of North Carolina:
Gentlemen: I have nothing furth.
er to transmit to your honorable
| body. Your work is done, and well
done, and you deserve, and will re
ceive the plaudits of a grateful peo.
pie. In settling the rate question OF
basis just to the State and equl-
table to the railroads, you have re-
stored harmony, protected all bust
ness interests and demonstrated the
/ fact that the sovereign can compel
obedience from its creators that dis
obey it's laws, and also extend its
hand in helpfulness when the subject
acknowledging its allegienee, asks fol
needed assistance The State has
ratified the agreement made with the
railroads, and / feel assured that tnt
railroads will in good faith fully
carry out their contract made with
me, thus showing by their acts the
verify Of their words when they pro-
fess a desire for kindly relations be.
tween all classes and conditions. You
likewise acted wisely in appropriat.
ing funds needed for litigation be-
fore the inter state commerce com
mission, to prevent determinations
against our State as well as in pass
ing other laws much needed for the
States upbuilding, but in all you
did, protecting the small roads
against burdens that they could moi
bear, thus encouraging the building
of new lines into undeveloped terri
tory.
Asked by the Anti-Saloon League
and believing myself that, since over
so per cent of the entire territory ol
the State had already endorsed pro-
hibition, it would be too costly and
only engender strife to have gen =
al election throughout the State. l.
in my message, favored State prohi-
bition by the legislature In my
Judgment, however, you thought il
best tc submit the question to the
vote of the State, and I cheerful,
approve you course, and now offer
my services as a volunteer to carry
your law before the people and ash
them by their votes to ra'ify what
you have enacted In my judgment
I State prohibition will win by an i'm.
n,cnSa majority. and will prove the