Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1913-02-13
Law MAKERS BUSY.

Press reports from down the Raj
Sigh way indicate that members of the
General Assembly are now at work
i've earnest, with the view to adjourn
ment in time to attend the Inaugural
ton of President Wilson on March 4.
The house has already begun holding
night sessions and is making progress
mG4e rapidly than previous sessions
ere wont to do four weeks proceed
ing the time for adjournment fixed
by law. Considerable work of local
significance has been done. already,
but few matters of real public impor-
lance has yet been accomplished. Pref
u soon the solons will begin to hold
three sessions a day and the mill is
going to grind rapidly.
The most important bill which has
Been enacted into law is that increas-
ing the number of judicial districts
from sixteen to twenty. We have not be-
neved this at all necessary, but mem
bers of the Legislature were pursuad-
ed that an urgent demand existed
Wstffying the action taken and the
deed has been done. The enactment
&f the measure means four additional
Judges and, presumably, an equal num-
Ser Of solicitors to be selected by Gov
ernOr Craig and the expenditure of
approximately, $25, 900 additional per
aDnum for better facilities for the ad-
m~iHistration in the State" This in
Gease in the number of judges should
be adequate to fully meet the demand
for more courts, and will be if the law
yers try al hard to get ready for the
trial Of their ase and many of them
do in begging for more time.
Another important enactment is en-
bodied in a joint resolution providing
for an adjourned, or called session of
the General Assembly to submit to the
people specific amendments to the
State constitution. The resolution
authorizes the appointment of five
from the senate and eight from the
house to sit with a commission Of five
appointed by the governor during the
recess, or interim between the ECU
Ear and special session to consider all
bills for constitutional amendments to
be acted upon by the General Assem-
bly, when it reconvenes. The amend
meRts agreed upon will be submitted
20 the people for final action at the
general election in 1914.
The Statewide primary bill is still
hanging fire. 1t will receive attention
IN an amended form, this week. The
original bill proposed by Representa-
tive e. j. Justice, of Guilford, provok-
ed such a storm of disapproval that
the author wisely consented to a re-
ference of the bill and a substitute for
Il has been prepared. The solution
OF this primary question is likely to
Be q Statewide measure applying to
The nomination of candidates for State
and district officers, leaving the coun-
ties to handle the mattergas they. may
elect to do so. In this revised form,
we see no good reasonowhy. the effort
should not succeed.
There seems TO be aSstrong senti-
ment amongst the members to provide
On six months school term and compel
attendance. To lengthen the public
school term ear the spending Of a
great amount of money and the means
for securing the necessary funds must
be provided. The proposition is Civ
ing the lawmakers no little concern
It is a vexing question, this PROPOSE
ton of raising money,-and it is lit
tie wonder that the committees in
charge of the problem are taking time
for serious thought and consideration.
The big appropriations two years ago
have been difficult to handel and leng-
thenfng the school term means the ex-
Fenditure Of a vastly greater sum than
we before. Our sympathy goes out
20 the faithful band who are endeavor-
ing to find a way.
A bill restricting child labor in man
U~facturfng establishments and provid-
ing g factory inspecting is, also, on
the way and ought to be enacted into
kw, along with the statute proposing
ecmpulsory school attendance. These
and q number Of other m~eritorious
measures should find their way to the
statute books, and we hope they will
before the session ends.
a bill to allow the Governor of