The semi-weekly messenger., 1908-02-04
Especial to The Messenger. }


Raleigh, N. c., January 3J.-The
session OF the house began at ten
o'clock, an hour earlier than heretofore
during the extra session, Rev. DR..
Tyree, of the First Baptist church,
offering prayer.
During the sec sion dozens of petit
lions from railway men asking the re-
peal of the present railway rate law
have been received and Representa-
dve Julian of Rowan, presented sew
ara4 more of these, signed by railroad
men Of Salisbury and Spencer
Mr.. Cowles, republican, of Wilkes.
introduced a resolution that the ST.
500 which Governor Glenn recommend
cd, should be paid by the railways un-
der the terms of the rate bill compro-
mise. be not accepted. This resolu-
ton was Immediately tabled.
Other resolutions introduced were
by Gordon, providing for publishing
the laws enacted at this extra session
LIN one volume and by Harris of Wake,
to pay the actual railway fare of the
pages one way The house resumed
consideration of the special order, the
passenger rate bill and Preston of the
committee on public service corpora
tion opened the days debate, speaking
ia support of the bill, reported favor
ably by majority of the committees,
there being three bills already before
the house, and the bill passed the sem
ate last night, coming over, to make
the fourth. MI. Preston concluded his
argument in a very strong and earnest
plea for the taking of action by the
Legislature on this agreement and not
adjourn and leaving the matter up in
the air FOR he declared that 95 per
cent OF the people of the state de-
sired it settled here and now.
Douglas, Of Wake, said that in this
entire controversy there were two dis
tinct lines of battles, on one side be-
ing the railways and on the other the
people. He said this fact ought to
be remembered. 1t seems incredible
that all this row was over a question
of q quarter of a cent a mile. He
wanted to know whether any of the
wise men on the committee could tell
him what it. cost the railways to haul
passenger a mile. Mr.. Carter asked
Mr.. Douglas whether he wanted the
cost up hill or down hill, to which
Douglass replied that he did not care
which; that he wanted to know and
that no man could tell.
Chairman Manning Of the Pubic Ser
vice Corporations Committee, said that
the committee was unable to give this
information because the railways say
they have not been able to figure it
out themselves Douglas then wantel
to know if anybody could give him an
estimate of what per cent the railroads
would make on their investments by
hauling at 2 1-2 cents.
Speaker Justice answered that the
Southern railway, would, according to
its own reports, make from II to II
per cent on this rate of fare
Mr.. Douglas said if he could be con-
vinccd of these figures, he would de-
seTt the committee bill, which he hon
estly desired to support and carry out
the recommendation made by the gov
ernor, and would stand pat on the
rate fixed in the law enacted last
year.
THE SENATE.
In the senate Kluttz introduced a
resolution authorizing the governor to
appoint ten commissioners to repre-
sent North Carolina at the exposition
at Seattle next year, the plan being
to improve North Cardinals trade with
Oriental countries, particularly in cot
ton goods.
Senators Harrington and Brown who
were absent last night when the vote
was taken on the railway rate bill,
were permitted to have their votes re-
corded In the negative.
Bills passed their final reading to al
low Onslow to issue county home
bonds; to levy tax for interest on
them and provide a sinking fund also
for construction Of new railroad; to
extend the time to within three years
within which railways chartered may
begin construction; to amend New
Hanover's primary election; to compel
Cherokee Indian children to attend
school; to appoint magistrates for
Pender, Onslow and Robson; to pre-
scribe the time in which veterinary
surgeons must register before clerks
of the court.
The senate took up for the second