The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-07-19

CALLS EXTRA SESSION

Especial TO The Richmond Virginian.)
RALEIGH, n. c., July is.-Gover
nor Craig this afternoon Issued a call
for a special session Of the legisla-
ture to begin Wednesday. September
24th, for the purpose of considering
the freight rates alleged discrimina-
ton against North Carolina points and
In favor OF Virginia cities, and also
to consider the proposed constitutional
amendments.
The North Carolina constitutional
amendments commission, which Is to
recommend or disapprove a number
of amendments proposed at the regu-
lar session OF the legislature last win
ter TO the special session, has been In
session here this week in the senate
chamber, following several previous
sessions.
One OF the features of the sessions.
which are now probably ended, was
the refusal by vote OF Q to to adopt
and recommend the proposed amend
ment giving the governor OF North
Carolina the veto power--this being
enc OF the very few States which de-
MES that power to its governor.
Amendment Not Urged.
Governor Craig did not urge 1t. and
Chief Justice Clark opposed the pro-
posed departure from existing consti-
tutional law on the subject--these two
highest State officials having ad
dressed the commission on this and
other proposed amendments
Governor Craig and Chief Justice
Clark were not so nearly agreed on
another of the proposed amendments
-t that of the initiative, referendum
and the recall, which the chief
| justice has long championed, and
who stated in his address that
he regretted that he must disagree
absolutely with Governor Craig on this
| subject.
| Governor Craig declared revenue
| and taxation to he the greatest ques-
| ton, 1.-The great issue which outweighs
them ALL" He would keep taxes near
| home" and regarded that as the real
solution Of the tax problem in this
State. He did not advocate the single
| tax, but he said he did believe that
! all property should not be uniformly
/ taxed.
| Bible in the Public Schools.
| Among the proposed amendments
| which the commission is handling is
that of reading of the Bible in the
| State or public schools of North Caro-
| lima.
Governor Craig declared the opinion
| that this was a matter now not rea-
| sonable to make an issue in cam
paisn, or to Incorporate into the con-
stitution of this State or the land"
He cited good citizens whose views
! deserve respect, in his opinion-the
! Catholics and Hebrews. whose Bible
| is not the same as that which would
be read In the public schools.
He said he did not fear any evil re-
suit from failure 10 make such pro-
vision. The communities, he thought.
should settle these things for them
| selves.
Where the poll tax matter came to
be touched upon in his speech, Chief
Justice Walter Clark said: ut may
be heresy to say SO here, but be
lieve the State of North Carolina
ought to take of the poll tax burdens
that fall 80 heavily on the poor man.
/. :. man without property may
he drafted into the army. while man
| OF property stays out. The
poor have the children of the coun-
try" he added. and the poor bear
the burdens of taxation, and the rich
escape them
Agrees With Craig.
The chief Justice agreed with the
reading Of the Bible and the opening
OF the public schools with prayer. The
Judge is n Baptist.
Il am n member of an orthodox
church" said he. but this is a mat
ter that should be left to the COM
r.unities to regulate. There are COM
munities where the Catholics and He
hrews predominant. Their views
/ should be respected"
| Z. S. Senatorial Aspirants.
| The probability that former Cover
nor II. b. Glenn and ex-Speaker of
the House Justice, of Greensboro. will
enter the contest for the United States
| senatorship, now held by Senator Lee
s. Overman, whose second term is less
than two years from its close, has re-
ecived additional impetus the last few
days.
No formal and exactly definite state
ment on the subject has yet been
made by either alleged asprant.
though the former governor has in
dicated that he will make statement
] in September, and make it first to
Senator Oyerman himself