The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1923-02-16
BY o. J. COFFIN
speciaI Raleigh Correspondent of
The INDEPENDENT

Its nose is red, its eyes are
too: a financial status is worse
than flu.
To recess or not to recess,
that is the question. Whether
to drive straight on and ap-
propriate money for progress
that may not be in the treas
urv when called for, or wheth-
cr to unhitch, take out and go
home to await the report of
the investigating committee
which has a pair of crack audi
tors at work on the books of
State Treasurer Ben Lacy
that's the Legislatures dilem-
ma.
Yes. it's an old-faShioned dilemma
and none of these dehOrned bruteS.
The Assembly will be damned if it
don't and be double damned if it do.
But there are several members of
the Legislature-for instance, viz and
namely. Pete Murphy, TObe COunOr,
Lywrgus NarSer, Fat GILES and
others too numerous and tedious to
mentiOn-whO don't feel responsible
for Il financial status and want to go
on. get the job done and call it a
legislative day. Luns Long is chair
man of the special status -determin-
ing committee and barred from TAX
ing a hand. His usual disposition is
10 20 on to the end of the furrow,
stopping not TO remove briarS nor
glsuCing over his shoulder.
lie has told the Legislature, how
ever. that some time will be requir-
ed TO discover what the Assembly
wants or doesn't want to know. Mr..
Maxwell may or may not have gotten
action in regard to freight rates and
union depots; but he has produced
the greatest amount of Legislative in
sction of anybody seen in these parts
in years.
You'll hare to ask somebody else
how and when. the Legislature will
recover from the shock. If the audi
tors should report that Commission
cr Maxwell discovered mare 's-nest.
no will probably be denounced in a
ringing resolution. progress Will Keep
its place on the program and every
body expect the Corporation Com
missioner, DIR. Charles Lee Smith,
and his stable df lawyers, Doe. Me
Brayer and his family and few other
e>S significant perSOnages will report
a good time.
If on the contrary, there be de-
felt of the size suspected and aLes-
Cd b- Mr.. Maxwell. the States flnau'
cial craftsmen are going to feel poor
ly. thank the Lord.
Not Ku KIux Assembly.
The NIilIikcu bill to secure publ
city for the membership of the Nil
Klux vent through the House this
corning by vote of 6} to H.
Whether it i< in an effective piece OF
legislation remains to be seen. but as
significant gesture of the LeglSia-
turc toward those who would super
>rdr the laws Of the State it has It's
strong points. The ku klux are re-
ou.rpd to file their membership lists
.ul other fraternal orders not mask
ing themselves are relieved Of the
necessity for doing so.
Everett Of Durham. Burgwyn OF
Northampton. Townsend of Harnett.
Bowie Of A>hp and ConnOr of Will
~ou led the fight for AlillikenS meas
wro. The opposition was not eXactiy
n~canizrd. but Wade of New Hanover
Hooks of Columbus, who denied that
U.. ht' wa> found in the neighbOrhOOd
after ruidng party had administered
l.ra>hius To negro farm demon
>.rat,r. and Martin of Washington
were OIL their feet OftenrSt and long
r-t against the bill Hooks was the
"a" mau. however. who devoted any
considerable time to a direct defense
IS rF. 3 ,,ptlplS
Pete Murphy CusseS.
Pete Nurphy of Rowan in report
U- 20 the House for the special COM
m'f.. wh.rh is investigating the
N'ars, financial status put cuSsing
CO., ",om"boIy" who has been saying
That Pete and I.m> Long Of the Sen
az" nay~ b"Ip"d maintain. il not
'.ru.,.h the financial deadlock III
"ri"r - urc Increased apprOpria-
i"a. fnr ra" higher educational i'll
-'"'tnus. An OdorifcrOus skunk
j '"I Hr uIa-sa~hionrd common liar
"'c" 'no of the expressions used.
long in the Senate introduced
j g.. -aa" r-port without taking notice
. '' Dis '-alurcr<.
i"" r"p"r simply stated that the
.'...'rra was unable to make any
>"..'.a"'"gy report Of the treasury $
81 ''.'..."n .ud 'ha, Il complete audit
b. --- --.......- Lo.L yyu.d r. -