The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1909-01-28
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
A Briet Account Of Seine Of the I'm.
poPtaRt Events that have TranSpired
at the Legislature since its Opening
Session.

Impossible TO give tne usual report.
Wednesday, January 9Th, the Gen
eral Assembly held it's opening ses-
sion, and confirmed by election the
nominations made in caucus Tuesday
night. In the House, the election
resulted as follows:
Ex-Judge A. w. Graham, of Gran
Vile, Speaker of the House; Princi-
pal Clerk, T. G. Cobb, of Morganton;
Reading Clerk, R. M. Phillips, of
Lee county: Engrossing Clerk, w.
D. Kinsland, Waynesville; Sergeant
alarms, G. S. Fitzpatrick, of Lenoir.
In the Senate, the following officers
were elected:
Whitehead Kluttz, Of Salisbury,
President pro tenn; A. j. Maxwell
of Craven county, Principal Clerk;
Mark Squires. of Lenoir, Reading
Clerk; ". E. Hooks, Of Greenville,
Engrossing Clerk; and R. F. Staley,
Of Wilkesboro, Sergant-at-Arms.
Thursday, at joint session Of the
Assembly, Governor Glenn read his
message in person.
The bill passed by the Senate, on
Friday, January Sth, to increase the
Governors salary failed to pass the
House.
Nothing of any further Importance
vas brought up until Monday, the
l1th, when Mr.. Whitehead Kluttz,
Of Rowan, introduced in the Senate
a bill providing for the creation of a
State highway commission, the OBJ
iect and purpose Of which shall be
to instruct. assist and cooperate in
the building and improvement of the
public roads of the State" The
plan followed and outlined in the bill
is that which has been SO successful
y carried out in various States, those
lrafting the measure having inyesti-
gated the situation at great length.
Copies of the bill have been sent to
practically all of the heads of the
country rn2d-hvill;rG forces anu ell
yineers throughout the State, and
others, and nothing but approval and
commendation has been expressed
With regard to it. The sentiment Of
those members of the Assembly who
nave investigated it's provisions is al
together favorable, the only issue
oroblematical as to its ratification in
iull is that relating to the amount to
oe appropriated by the State.
Section 22 reads as follows: The
sum of $50. 900 annually is hereby
appropriated out Of any moneys in
the Treasury, not otherwise appro-
priated, for the purpose Of carrying
out the provisions of the act"
On Monday, the 11th, the invita-
ton of President Venable, Of Chapel
Hill, TO participate in the celebration
Of Lees birthday at the State Uni
versity, Tuesday, January 10Th, was
accepted.
Tuesday, January 18th, before an
assemblage of the people Of North
Carolina, and the Geueral Assembly,
Governor w. W. Kitchin was inau-
gurated. 1t was a brilliant inaugur-
al day. and great crowd witnessed
the inauguration. The following
other officers were installed on this
day: William C. Newland, Lieuten-
ant Governor; J. Bryan Grimes, Sec
retary Of State; B. F. Dixon, State
Auditor; B. r. Lacy, State Treasur-
ar; j. Y. Joyner, Superintendent
Public instruction; I. w. Beckett,
Attorney General; M. L. Shipman,
Commissioner of Labor and Print
ing; w. A. Graham, Commissioner
of Agriculture; James r. Young,
Insurance Commissioner, and B. F.
Aycock, member Of North Carolina
Corporation for term of six years.
Wednesday, January 18th, Lieu
tenant-Governor w. C. Newland oc-
cupied the chair that former Presi-
dent Francis D. Winston graced for
the past four years. A bill was in
troduced in the Senate to require the
Superior Court judges to remain at
the county seats during the full
court terms. There was a joint res
solution to adjourn the Senate ano
House sine die on the 18th day Of
February. On motion of Mr.. Travis
further consideration of the bill was
postponed until the Goth day of Jan
uary,
Thursday, January 14th-House
invited DR.. S. A. Knapp, head of the
farm demonstration work Of the U
S. Department Of Agriculture to ad
dress its members, and appointed {
committee to ascertain a time thai
will be most convenient" for hi:
coming.
The committee appointed by
Speaker Graham to attend the State
tuberculosis Convention at Char