W&ftther To-Dayi KAIN, WARMER,
The News and Observer.
VOL. XLV. NO. 148.
Compromiss Army Bill
THE MEASURE MEE TS OPPOSITION
IN THE SENATE
Mr. Cochran Declares We Made an Alliance
With the Filipinos Which We
Shamefully ViolitecL
Washington, Fob. 25.—After two
hours devoted to the consideration of
bills oil the calendar to-day the Senate
at 1 o’clock began the consideration of
the compromise Army Reorganization
Bill which had been agreed upon by
the members of the Military Affairs
Committee. Until a short time before
the measure was taken up. it was sup
posed it would be passed to-day with
out serious difficulty, but when it was
learned by some Senators that the bill
provided for a permanent increase in
the standing army, objections wore
heard and it became evident that the
measure would have to run the gauntlet
of sharp criticism.
Mr. Gorman, (Deni., Md.), desired
that the authorization of a permanent
increase in the army should be given
and prepared an amendment as follows:
“That each and every provision of
this act shall continue in force until
July Ist, 1901, and on and after this
date the officers and men including
general officers and staff officers shall
be restored to rank and numbers as
provided for by law prior to April' Ist.
1898, except the cadets appointed prior
to July Ist, 1901, and except as pro
vided for in the act to authorize two
additional regiment of artillery, approved
March Bth, 1898.”
Speeches in support of the bill were de
livered by Mr. Hawley. (Conn.); Mr.
Cockrell, (Mo.); Mr. Carter, (Mont.);
and Mr. Smith, (N. J.), and against it
by Mr. Gorman, (Md.), and Mr. Allen,
(Neb.). No agreement to vote on the
bill bad been reached when the Senate
adjourned.
At the opening of the session a joint
resolution relative to the Greater Ameri
can Exposition to be hold at Omaha,
Nebraska, in 1899. and to encourage the
same by providing without expense, to
the Government for exhibits front Cuba.
Porto Rico, and the 1 -adrones and the
Philippines, was adopted.
A bill was passed authorizing the
construction of three bridges across the
Conecuh River, a navigable stream in
Escambia county. Virginia.
The compromise Army Reorganization
Bill was then taken up. Mr. Gorman.
(Md.), suggested that the bill go over
until Monday, but to this Mr. Hawley
objected.
Mr. Carter asked unanimous consent
to vote on the bill at 3 o’clock Monday.
Mr. Allen, (Neb.), objected.
,Mr. Cockrell, (Mo.), a,member of the
Military Affairs Committee, discussed at
length tlie features of the measure.
“This measure,” snide he. “has been ex
amined very carefully. I endorse it be
cause it is right, just, proper and «"pes
sary. It will settle for years to come
the standing army controversy.”
Further along in his analysis of the
lull Mr. Cockrell said the increase in
the army provided for by the hill was
“perfectly justifiable and absolutely es
sential.”
Mr. Hawley offered an amendment,
providing that “no person who has pass
ed the age of 45 years shall be ap
pointed as a field officer in said force
(the volunteer force) officers of the
regular army excepted.”
Mr. Pettigrew suggested an amend
ment to the amendment excepting also
officers and enlisted men who served in
the war with Spain.
Pending action upon the amendment
Mr. Allen, (Neb.), addressed the Senate
in opposition to the general features
of the bill. He was surprised that Mr.
Cockrell could give his sanction to such
a measure. “If there ever was a hule
ous skeleton, a monstrosity, a deformity
in legislation, this bill is one,” lie de
clared. “It is warped, disjointed, dislo
cated. It lacks science, it lacks co
herence, it lacks good nscnsc."
Commenting upm section 9 of the
bill which gives to cooks the pay and
allowances of sergeant of infantry Mr.
Allen said ironically that it evidently
repaired a higher order of talent to
cook than to tight. “If all that lias been
said about canned beef and embalmed
beef is true,” said he, “ the ordinary
cook ought to have higher pay than
a colonel, because it would require a
high order of skill to cook and serve
such food successfully. I am not con
cerned in this delightful light now go
ing on between the Secretary of War
and the General commanding the army.
I honor General Miles in that fight.
Every intelligent man in the country
believes that our army was fed on that
trash and a large percentage Nf the
sickness and mortality in the army was
due to the food given to the soldiers.”
Passing from the army troubles Mr.
Allen adverted to some in the navy. He
regarded it as a glorious thing that
Admiral Dewey had the presence of
mind to out the cable between him and
Washington and that it was fortunate
for Dewey he was in position to sever
connection with Washington.
"Then, too.” said Mr. Allen, “we have
the controversy over the two Rear Ad
mirals in tins navy. Whether the man
who fought the battle resulting in the
destruction of f’ervera’s fleet and won
it shall have the laurels of victory or
whether they shall go to a man who
was ten miles away seems a subject of
controversy by the Navy Department.
“The American people, seventy million
of honest hearts and honest souls will
LEADB ILL NORTH CAROUMA DAIUEB II NEWS 110 CIRCULATION.
always believe that Schley was the
hero of that battle, and won that battle,
and 1 am not detracting anything from
the services of Admiral Sampson who,
if lie had been there, would have ac
quitted himself nobly. This seems to be
a game of battledore and shuttlecock,
and over in the Navy Department they
are shedding more ink than blood.”
Mr. Gorman said that if one proviso
were contained in the bill to the effect
that at the expiration of the two years
the army should again be reduced to
a peace footing of 27,000 men. he
would agree to it.
“Whatever the conditions may Ik>,”
be continued, “with the acceptance of
the proviso I suggest you will have an
army of 100,000 men until four months
after the term of President McKinley
shall have expired. The measure will
give him greater power than a President
ever had.”
Mr. Hawley had asked who was
afraid of a large standing army. In
reply he (Gorman) said that every Stale
in the Union was afraid of it. He (Mr.
Gorman) was afraid of it himself. Such
an institution was contrary to the spirit
of our affairs.
lie had great personal respect for Mr.
McKinley, and had no criticism except
that in his good nature he had permit
ted weakness and inefficiency in the
Departments. "Weakness, I say,” re
peated the Senator, “time alone can re
veal whether there had been anything
worse.”
lie computed that for next year the
expenditures on account of the army
and navy would aggregate $309,000,009;
greater than the total expenditures of
the Government for IS7I to 1870. He
predicted a deficiency of $180,000,000
Then there must be an increase of the
direct taxation or more bonds or certi
ficates. “Even now,” said the Sena
tor, “I hear that the Secretary of the
Treasury is contemplating the issue of
more Government obligations.”
Mr. Tillman asked if the Philippine
rebellion would not be put down by vol
unteers and Mr. Gorman said he saw
no reason why it should not lie. But
this was not the desire. The wish was to
have more shoulder straps and more
men to wear them.
Mr. Gorman declared that under the
present head of the army a i.nper or
ganization of the service could be ef
fected.
Mr. Tillman interrupting Mr. Gorman
“Then there is nothing in the bill t<
prevent a recurrence* of th ■ embalmed
beef scandal?”
Mr. Gorman passed off iho question
lightly, saving he knew littU about it.
Mr. Tillman: “None of us know
anything about it yet. perhaps; bur tber
is so much of it in the air we can smell
it.”
“1 did not know this,” replied Mr.
Gorman. “The Secretary of War is a
much abused man. He is not responsible
for the Department in which that scan
dal originated, a Department in which
the officers are appointed for life.”
Mr. Carter, a ( member of the Military
Affairs Committee, replied to Mr. Gor
man.
After discussing at length the result
of the war with Spain, showing how the
Philippines fell into our hands, he asked
if it was desirable to leave those islands
to float about the Pacific its political
derelicts. To do that, lie declared,
would be the national crime of the cen
tury.
Mr. Smith, (Dein., N. .T.), in stating
bis reasons for supporting the bill, said
that as a general and broad principle
he was opposed to it large stand'”"
army, in ordinary circumstances. He
regarded such an army as dangerous to
tht’ liberties of the people.
“In the hands of a less scrupulous
man than President McKinley,” lie said,
“a large standing army may he used
to repress freedom of speech and the
pressure might be used to sustain large
corporations in unlawful combinations.
It will cause an immense expenditure
of public money. There is no necessity
tor a large standing army when viewed
lrom the lessons of the past glorious
battles of thi 1 volunteers.
‘I will not see the flag displaced or
the country humiliated through any ac
tion of mine.” he said. “I am a Demo
crat and shall always remain so, but I
am an American citizen.”
The Army Bill was then laid aside for
the day.
On motion ol* Mr. Hawley it was
agreed that when the Senate adjourned
it he until 11 o’clock on Monday morn
ing.
After passing forty-seven pension bills
the Senate at 0:36 adjourned.
PROCEEDINGS IN THE IIOFSE.
Washington, Feb. 25. —Owing to the
pressure of business the House met at
I I o'clock today. Mr. Henderson.
(Rep.. Iowa) stated to the House that on
account of the great amount of public
business to be disposed of during the
remainder of the session it was desira
ble that the House meet ‘hereafter at 11
o’clock. An order to meet at 11 o’clock
was made.
The House then went into committee
of the whole and reassumed the con
sideration of the Army Appropriation
Bill. General debate closed yesterday
RALEIGH, N. C., SUJN DAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 26 1899.
and today the bill was read for amend
ment under the five minute rule. Mr.
Hay. (Dein., Ya.), the ranking minority
member of the Military committee, cri
ticised the amount, carried by the bill
which, he said, was plainly insufficient
to maintain an army of 100,000 men.
The hearings before the committee, he
said, hud show’ll that it cost SI,OOO to
main tain one ‘ enlisted man serving in
this country and more while serving
abroad. The Dill appropriated $79,000,-
000. His estimate was $120,000,000.
He charged that the friends of a large
standing army did not desire to let the
country into the .secret of its enormous
cost. But there would surely be a defi
ciency.
Mr. Hull said lie frankly conceded
that if the reorganization bill reported
to the Senate yesterday became a law
there would be a deficiency.
Mr. Hull in the eour*e of some re
marks said he understood the Senate
Committee compromise army reorganiza
tion bill would never go to conference.
Mr. Underwood, (Deni., Ala.), raised a
point of order against ttye provision for
an increase of the number of clerks and
being overruled moved to strike it out.
The motion was lost.
Mr. Cochran. (Deni., Mo.), attempted
to secure time to answer the statements
made on the other side yesterday that
there was nothing in the nature of an
alliance between Aguinaido and the
American forces before the capture of
Manila.
Mr. Hull objected.
“This is not the first time,” said Mr.
Cochran, “that the majority In the elos
mg hours of a debate have made
charges and then objected to replies.
Their objections are matte to cover their
retreat.”
Mr- Hull thereupon withdrew his ob
jection and Mr. Cochran' proceeded to
give what he said was tap* most “iin
norfant chapter” of the war. Iq>oii the
testimony of three American Generals,
he contended first that we solicited an
■ alliance; second, that it was solemnly
formed: third, that the Filipinos kept
-heir faith, and fourth, that we shame
billy violated our compact - . He
'■ed to the reports of General Anderson,
General Greene and General Merritt to
•wove his assertions of the valuable aid
••t nderod by Aguinaido ar.d the insur
gents.
Mr. Cochran also insisted that the
money said to have been embezzled by
Vguinnldo ($400,000) had been used in
‘he purchase of arms and in fighting the
'■burnish domination in the Philippines.
This, he said, was piovt-u by the testi
mony of Consul Wihlman.
Mr. Lewis, (Dent.. Wnsim.i. delivered
a sort of valedictory upon tin* conclusion
of his two tchilis in Congress.in which lie
‘xpressed his views, amid generous ap
•dause from both sides of the house that
no matter what differences there might
W* as to our rights and duties in jhe
Philippines, Congress must and every
member of Congress should support our
soldiers fighting abroad for the honor
md glory of their country.
Mr. Lacey, (Rep., lowa*, after com
alimenting Mr. Lewis denounced the
other side generally for firing into the
“ear of (bis by sounding the praises of
Vguinnldo and Agonoillo upon the floor
of the House. Concluding he paid a
"lowing tribute to the valor of the Am
erican soldier fighting in the trenches
under the tropical sun at Manila.
Mr. Grosvcnor, (Rep., Oljio), pursuing
he subject along the same lines said
t was treason to stop and 'nesitate as to
whether our soldiers should he defend
’d. He denied that there had been any
>llianee with Aguinaido and su'd that
’t the proper time he would produce the
-eeords. The first order of the Presi
dent after the fall of Manila had forbid
-1 n any and all alliances of any char
•'cter with anyone. He referred to
Aguinaido as a scallawag.
“I can say what I desire lit two sen
tences,” said Mr. Cannon. (Rep., Ills.),
vho then got the floor. “If the speeches
made (here yesterday by Mr. Simpson
•ml others had been made yesterday in
Manila they would have been arrested,
‘ned by drumhead court martial and
-•'hot (Republican applause and Dento
"ratic jeers.) The United States lms
and will continue to exercise sovereign
ly in the Philippines. If they are ob
structed the power of the whole pro
file as representtd by the army and navy
will s(*c to it that our authority is m lin
•ainad. and the rocks and mountains
will fall upon any 'individuals or any
party which seeks to obstruct us.”
(Great Republican applause.)
Mr. Simpson rose to a question of
personal privilege to answer the state
ment of Mr. Cannon that if he (Simp
son) -had made his speech at Manila
be would have been court martialed and
shot. Perhaps this anight bo so, said
Mr. Simpson, derisively, adding:
“But to be shot at Manila is better
than to be shot here by an old muzzle
load’ng brass canon.”
There was great laughter at Mr.
Simpson's pun. He had not, lie declar
'd. criticised the soldiers, for the glorm.l
bi their heroism. But the blood of those
brave soldiers from Kansas and else
where who had fallen nr Manila, was
on the head of the President as Com
mander-in-chief of the army.
The committee rose at 2 o'clock with
out having completed the Army Bill
and took up the Special Order of Eulo
gies to the late Senator W.d bail, of
Mississippi.
Eulogies were also pronomn >! on rim
late Mr. Love, of Mississippi.
At the conclusion of the < ulogics at
5:55 the House adjourned.
WEEKLY BANK STATEMENT.
New York, Feb. 25. —The weekly
bank statem. int shows the folio ving
charfres: 'Surplus reserve deert nsed
$4,038,925; loans increased $12,963,900;
specie increased $523,000; legal tenders
decreased $1,221,000; deposits ‘nor used
$1.3,401,300; circulation increas'd 84,-
000.
The banks now hold $30,334,900 in ex
cess of the requirements of rite 25 per
'cent rule.
WHY DEWEY CABLED
FOR IRE OREGON
Desires to Overawe the Phil
ippine Insurgents.
THE SURRENDER OF CEBU
MOST IMPORTANT PROVINCE OF
THE VISAYAS GROUP.
CPY OF MANIU REPORTED QUIET
The Naivt Sharpshooters at Calo?cin, Row
euar, Con inue 'o Ga'l oar 'r ops In
su r arce Companies Hold 0 u Rtspon
sh'e f;r Fires in Manila.
Washington, Feb. 25. —The despatch
from Admiral Dewey speaking of politi
cal reasons for sending the Oregon to
Manila at once, is still the subject of
general discussion here. BiU apparently
the Administration s satisfied that it
understands exactly v. bar the Admiral
meant when he used the term “political
reasons” for it Was stated positively at
the Navy Department to-day that no in
quiry had been addressed to the Admiral
on the subject and that he would mb
bo called upon for a further explanation
This means that the interpretation plac
ed upon the phrase by the Administra
tion is exactly that conveyed by Secre
tary long yesterday, namely, that the
big ship is regarded as necessary to un
| FURIOUSLY INDIGNANT. f
I %
| (letter forri Leading Educator in Piedmont N C ) 5
j “Keep hammering at the Wi sons. The \
| adoption of the committee report will be a |
t fatal mis ake and will go far t ward mar- |
| ring the good work of this Legislature* It |
t must not be done. The people all over ♦
j the State are furiously Indignant.” |
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦«♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦*
press the Filipinos, not only on Luzon,
but those on other islands of the group
with the overwhelming power of tlib
United States Navy, for it is said at
the Department in the dense ignorance
in which these people live they cat; Ic
impressed only by personal observation.
JThe published statement that Adai 'MI
Dewey’s despatch on this subject came
in open English is an error. the De
partment received from him two de
spatches yesterday; one relating to the
arrival of the Yorktown which was in
plain English and the other relative to
the Oregon which was in the navy
cipher. It was not intended that this
despatch should have been giv; 11 out lot
publication but in the haste of prepare
lion of matter to go before the Cabinet
it escaped close scrutiny on the part of
■Secretary Long and was permitted to
reach the press along with the other
current routine despatches.
Admiral Dewey cabled the Navy De
partment today that be had sent the
gunboat IVtrel from Manila to Cebu.
It is the purpose, of the Admiral to es
tablish the sovereignty of the United
States at the capital of the island
which is a populous town of 35,000 in
habitants.
\V ar Department reports say the Is
land of Cebu is the most important pro
vince* of the Yisayas group, its area
being 2,000 square miles and its popula
tion moiv than a half million. Under
the Spanish regime the capital was a
city of considerable commercial import
ance.
The Admiral made no mention of any
thing save tin* I’efcrd in this morning’s
advices so the officials here are con
vinced that nothing of -importance" at
Manila lias happened over night.
I-n view of the apparent disparity be
tween Admiral Dewey’s rejvort of the
sailing of the Petrel from Manila for
Cebu and General Otis’ announcement
of the surrender of that city to the naval
forces which had taken “quiet posses
sion,” further inquiry was made, by the
Navy Department, and it was learned
that Admiral Dewey had b eii misquot
ed and that what he had reported was
that the Petrel had received, the sur
render of Cebu.
SPANIARDS IN PERIL.
Madrid, Feb. 25 General Rios, who
commanded tin* Spanish troops in the
Philippines, cables from Manila that the
position of the Spaniards there “is be
coming very insecure owing to the
movement of the insurgents of the
town.”
DESPATCH FROM GEN. OTIS.
Washington, Fell. 25.—The War De
partment today received tin* following:
“Manila, Feb. 25th.
“Adjutant General. Washington:
“Condition of affairs, quiet, progress
ing favorably. Anxiety need not be
felt iu regard to the situation. Will
send small body of troops to Cebu
where navy took quiet possession.
(Signed) “OTIS.”
OLD GLORY OVER CEBU.
Manila. Feb. 25.—11:55 a. m. —The
steamer Nenstra Senora Dei Carmen
has arrived here, bringing the siows that
the American Hag lias been raised over
the Island of Cebu, east of the Island
of Negros.
WILL RFSII TO MANILA.
The Transport Grant Receives Hurry
Orders at Ceylon.
Colombo. Island of Ceylon, Feb. 20—
0:30 a. m.—The United States transport
Grant, which sailed from Now York for
Manila on .January 19th with troops un
der command of Major General Henry
W. Lawton on board, arrived here to
day.
General Lawton received a cablegram
from Major General Otis, in charge of
the American military force in the Phil
ippines, saying; “Situation critical.
Your early arrival necessary.”
He it Iso received from General Corbin,
United States Adjutant General, a cable
despatch urging him to hurry. General
Lawton ordered bis officers to buy sup
plies regardless of expense, and the
transport is taking on coal and water
hurriedly. She will try to reacli Manila
without further stop.
THE ROANOKE FOR MANILA.
San Francisco, Cal., Feb. 25. —'The
United States transport Roanoke will
sail to-morrow for the Philippines. She
wi.i carry 2,500 tons of army stores and
also 100 enlisted men and officers.
NATIVES IN THE CITY COWED.
Hold Otis Responsible—'Sharp-Shooters
Gall Our Men.
Manila, Feb. 25.-3:45 p. in.—The
military police 'have raided several sus
pected houses in various districts, cap
turing small bodies of 20 to 30 p rsons
in each place. This and the seven
o’clock ordinance is effectually dispell
ing the fears of threatened outbreak of
the natives, who do not dare, singly or
collectively, to appear on the streets af
ter dark. The feeling iu the city has
decidedly improved although the Chin
ese are still timorous. Hundreds of ap
plicants for ccdulas besiege the regis
ter’s office, the natives apparently be
ing under the impression that their pos
session insures them from interference
and the ignominy of being searched for
arms on the streets.
If is generally believed that the dis
astrous results of the attempts to at
tack the city and destroy property, the
Filipinos themselves being the worst
sufferers, will prevent their recurrence,
but every precaution is being taken to
deal with an emergency if it arises.
The insurance agents refuse to enter
tain any claims on account of Wednes
day night's fires. They intimate that
General Oris, having guaranteed the
safety of life and property of the in
habitants of Manila is responsible for
these claims.
Outside of the city, the sharpshooters
about Caloocaa are very annoying. Six
men belonging to the brigade command
ed by General Harrison Gray Otis, have
been wounded since midnight. All is
quiet elsewhere.
The German first class cruiser Kai
serin Augusta has arrived here.
THE COR Nlßilr AI >AM S CASK
It is Reported That An Arrest Wi ! l b<*
Made on Monday.
New York, Feb. 25.—Miss Emma Mil
ler, a clerk in a jewelry store* in New
ark, and W T . C. Fisher a wig nialcr
of that city, have been subpoenae 1 to ap
pear before the Adams inquest Monday,
Miss Miller is the young woman wl o
sold the famous silver match holder,
while Fisher is one of the* wig makers
who received a call from tin*
red-bearded man. The latest bulletin
as given out today front police head
quarters is that an arrest will Is* made
on Monday. This announcement has
been madq before, hut the east* is in
such a peculiarly uncertain stage at
present that almost any development is
now expected.
NEGROES BEAT HIM TO DEATH.
White Man Was Drinking and Got
Into a Row With Negroes.
Red Springs, N. C., Feb. 25.—(Spe
cial.)—Calvin Mcßryde, of Bowman, N.
C., was beaten by Henry McGill and
Luther McLean, colored. Wednesday
night, and died at 2 p. m. next day. He
was drinking some and got into a row
with them, threatened and cut them.
They were in the service of G. C. Graves,
of Carthage, and escaped, lie will try
to aid in capturing them.
Mr. Mcßryde was a fine man about
47 years of age and leaves a family.
Tax on Gross Earnings
HOUSE DECIDES THAT IT OUGHT
TO BE LEVIED.
V v>
And Even Those Who Voted o °Vnst it
Acknowledged That Railroac.. Vere
Not Paying Enough Tax.
“Whereas it is claimed and generally believed that the railroad property of
the State is not bearing its equal proportion of taxation; and whereas all the
property of the State should bear its full share of the burdens of government,
"Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring, that
the Railroad Commission or anybody succeeding to its powers De and they are
hereby directed as soon as practicable to revise the assessment for taxation, of
the entire railroad property of tlie State, taking in consideration in making
the said revised assessment, the earnings and gross income, as well as the fran
chise of said railroads.
“Resolved that this resolution be in force from and after iis ratification.”
Resolution introduced iti the House yesterday by Mr. Overman, of Rowan.
“Resolved, That the Railroad Commission be and are hereby instructed to
assess the value of all railway projicrty in this State for taxation on the basis
of 0 per emit upon their net income.” —Resolution introduced in the House Fri
day by Speaker Connor. 4
There be some people who look upon a
corporation as a sacred thing. Especial
ly if it be a railroad corporation.
Tlie more powerful the more sacred.
If they found a corporation and a fel
low mortal drowning they’d throw a
rojie to the corporation.
They look on a railroad corporation
as a Hindoo does on the sacred gray
apes of India. They must be permitted
to live rent clear in the governmental
banyan tree. They must be free to de
scend—'these corporate gray apes—and
take anything they please, whether it be
food or funds or the house over your
head.
And no man may oppose them, or
withstand them or force them to pay.
This is how some folks look at rail
road corporations. Others hold a wide
ly different view.
To their untrained minds and inexpe
rienced eyes there’s nothing sacred
about a railroad. They know no rea
son why it should not be treated as
R EDI IKS ENT ATI YE 11A RTS E LL.
OF CABARRUS.
A Leader in the Fight to Secure Just
Taxation of Railroads.
other corporations or as the ordinary
citizen of the State.
To this latter class belong the Demo
cratic* members of the House in this
present Li gisja tore.
How do I know? I judge by their
words and by their vote.
For almost three whole days they
have hec-n debating four short sections
of the R venue Act —sections taxing
railroads.
And why? Not because they thought
railroads, ought not be taxed. But be
cause they wanted to find the just atnd
proper method for imposing such tax.
It was admitted, almost to a man.
that railroads are not hearing enough
of the burden of taxation. The ques
tion was how to make them hear more.
A small majority of the members (as
the final vote showed) thought it should
be done by means of a graduated tax I
from one-eighth to one per cent.) on
incomes. The minority favored an in j
creased aid valorem tax on railroad I
property. This latter tax can only be |
levied by the Railroad Commission,
hence Judge Connor’s resolution of in- j
struetion to the Commission Friday and
Mr. Overman's yesterday. Both are
printed above.
It was 11 o’clock when the House'
resolved itself into committee of the
whole to resume consideration of the j
Revenue Act. Mr. Moore in the chair. j
Mr. Willard, of /civ Hanover, said
he thought the sections taxing railroad
earnings Had liecn sufficiently discussed, j
He therefore moved that Mr. Julian's
:y tend men t striking out these sec- j
tions be reported back to the House j
Mr. Craig thought tlu* question was on
Judge Connor's resolution, which, he had
understood was offered as n subs itn'e ,
for Mr. Julian’s amendment.
Judge Connor repeated his statement
of Friday, that his resolution had b * >n
hastily drawn and he would like for it
t*> bet considered by members before !
voting on it.
Mr. McLean, of Harnett, wanted 1o
know if it was not offered as a substi
tute for Julian’s amendment.
Judge Connor said it was not. that 1
he did not think it germane to a Rev- j
euue Act; but in case of its adoption '
THIRD EDITiONi
PRICE HVECKNTS.
the sections of the Revenue Act tin Ur
discussion would iff course have t > be
stricken out.
Mr. Willard insisted on his motion io
report the amendment t<> the House
without prejudice, stating that he aid
■this in order to cut off debate.
Mr. Overman thought this unwise .is
it would simply transfer the fight to the
House.
Mr. Iloltnan said if it did it would
be on the third reading, for by this mo
tion the bill would In passed on its
second reading and that would be some
thing.
Mr. Willard’s motion prevailed and
i the committee rose.
) When the House resumed its session
Mr. Moore, of Jackson, reported that
i the whole revenue bill, except sections
j 59, 00, 61 anil 02 had been adopted : n
Committee of the Whole and to these
sections an amendment was pending to
strike out.
Mr. Overman moved that the House
proceed with consideration of the bill on
its second reading.
The motion prevailed and Mr. Willard
called the previous question.
He withdrew if. however, for the pnr-
REPRESENTATIYE BUNCH, OF
GUILFORD,
Who Made the Motion to Pass the Bill
For Dispensary at Greensboro.
pose of allowing Mr. Overman to offer
the above resolution.
In doing so Mr. Overman said for
sixteen years he had been on record in
the Legislature and in tlie Supreme
court as in favor of making the : ail
roads bear their just propoatidlp of the
burdens of government.
“In 1883 I introduced tno first Rail
road Commission bill ever introduced in
the General Assembly of North Caro
lina. , They were then paying but a
pittance of taxes. After that from turn*
: to time* I have* stood mi this floor and
tried to get their property on the tax
books.
"No matter what pledges have been
made not to tax this prop rty 1 will not
follow them. But I stand here to say
that, no pledge of the kind has been
made by the Democratic party, except:
the pledge in the platform to treat all
interests with equal and exact justice.
"I also stand here to say that this
■pledge will la* kept; that nothing will b *
done to destroy any interest.
“Whil I favor increased taxation of
railroad property, I do not think the
principle involved in this proposition to
tax gross earnings is founded on correct
principles. Neither do 1 think lie
Railroad Commission has done its duf\
in this res[**ct. I am in favor of tin*
election of three commissioners br i-id
unnded tutu that will give this ,carter
the attention that it demands.”
Mr. Overman said he thougnr Judge
Connor’s resolution was along ;he right
line, but under it some of the railroads
would escape further taxation, and that
for this reason lie sent forward another
resolution.
“If the Railroad Commission Joes its
duty under this resolution 1 Indie v” ii
will bring into the treasury Sl 'dM (X) of
increased taxes.”
Mr. Holman: “What power has (he
Commission under your resolution that
it has not had'all along under th,* R.in
road Commission Act?”
Mr. Overman: “None. But tins is n
resolution of instruction, expressing the
will of this body. It will be a voice
that the Commission will not, dare not,
disobey.”
Mr. Willard renewed his call for the
previous question.
(Continued on Second Page.) /