The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1909-03-11
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
A Summary OF Legislative Proceedings
During the Past Week.
SENATE.

SENATE.
Tuesday, March 2nd-The Senate
by vote of 22 to 21 adopted sub
stitute by Bassett for the Dockery
bill to require all railroad companies
except those 215 miles in length OF
less, independently owned and oper-
ated to equip their locomotives with
electric headlights. The bill will be
reconsidered in the Senate Wednes
day.
The Doughton illuminating oil in
spaction bill was passed. 1t provides
for inspection tests and the appoint
ment of inspectors. The cost of the
inspections will be paid out of the
proceeds from a tax of one-half cent
per gallon levied by the bill on al
Illuminating oils sold in this State
the balance of taxes above the in
spection costs to be conveyed into
the general school fund.
A bill was introduced to authorize
married women to contract as if un-
married.
The Senate bill to authorize the
board of county commissioners of the
several counties to increase the pen
sions of Confederate veterans and to
levy a special tax therefor, passed
it's final reading.
HOUSE.
The House has before it the Ma
chinery Act, having disposed of the
Revenue Act. Important changes in
the bill as reported by the committee
have been proposed.
There was a long debate over eff
forts by Dowd, of Mecklenburg, AMI
Connor, of Wilson, to secure amend
ments to section 33, so that non-resi-
dent owners of shares on bank stock
could be assessed at the place where
the bank was located. The amend
ments were defeated. DR.. Gordon
secured an amendment, placing the
banks in the hands of the Corpora
ton Commission, instead of under
the supervision of Auditor.
SENATE.
Wednesday, March 3rd-Tne SER
ate, after careful reconsideration,
passed the headlight bill, which re-
quires all the railroads in North Car
lima, except those less than 125 miles
in length, to equip all their locomo-
tives with electric headlights by the
year 1913. 25 per cent. of the loco
motives are to be equipped with
these lights each year.
By tremendous majority the Sen
ate voted to increase the pensions of
Confederate veterans from 100000
! to $500, 900 per annum.
The House bill to issue $500, 900 OF
bonds for carrying out the provis-
ions of the Beckett act of 1907 to
care for the insane and other mental
detectives, roll call measure, pass
ed its second reading in the Senate
and will be read third time tomor.
row.
There were many interesting dis
cussions in the Senate, those on the
anti-Audubon Society bill and the
Ormond bill to provide plans and {
system for public buildings in Raj
eigh being unusually notable. The
Senate when it adjourned after the
morning session had not disposed Of
the bird bill. The Ormond bill wa'
defeated by two votes.
A bill was introduced by MIR
Travis to improve the roads of Hall
fax county.
HOUSE.
The House passed on it's secont
reading the Blow public school Law
one of the most far-reaching meas
ures adopted by the Legislature at
fecting the State school system. l
also passed the optometry act, whlcl
creates board of examiners and
for the protection of the people from
irresponsible dealers in eye glasse
and quack eye specialists. The repu
table opticians of the State desire
the passage of the bill.
By vote of 54 to Al the Hous
defeated the bill to amend the Cor
stitution relative to the Homstea
exemption, which would have PEI
mltted the people to vote on tn
question. Another bill that falle
of passage in the House was that
relieve married woman Of their di
ability to contract.
SENATE.