The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1895-03-14


instead of 1896. Lost The original
bill for county adoption then passed
third reading.
HoUsE.-Usual opening.
COUNTY GOVERNMENT BILL.
Mr.. French called up the County
Government Bill and said he would call
the previous question at II 80 IL
hours il there were amendments, but
he wished to say decidedly that there
would be no amendments passed, that
the bill would be passed exactly as it
was. Ray thought it would take two
hours to show up the beauties OF the
bill. which time French conceded, ask
ing Smith Of Gates, how much time he
would want (aughter) and Smith rising
French said, "Shake not thy auburn
locks at me" Oaughter). Smith wanted
twenty minutes, which he decreased to
fifteen.
Ray took the floor and began the de-
bate. Ray said that the Fusionlsts adj
mitted their cowardice in discussion of
the bill in saying that they would not
cross 1t" or dot an a." that they had
taken away from the people every safe
guard in the levying of taxes. In one
section you had provided for an endless
confuson and row which will spring
disturbance and devllment all over the
country. A Judge is called upon to
appoint two men to thwart all the
measures that the Commissioners may
think wholesome for the county-thus
saying that the people who elect these
Commissioners hadn't sense to know
who or what they want for their county.
Ray took up the bill reading portion
of section 3-the proyiso-which Ray
said would be laughing stock to all
men knew law Ray who sneered, at the
title "for the people" Brown said it
took three weeks to get the name. Ray
said when the people get on their war
paint he would wish they had taken
three months, that the bill was piece
of weakened cowardice. Speaking of
the magistrates and the books furnished
them, Ray said it would cost the people
hundreds of thousands of dollars take TAI
away the title and ns.a9tthing was left if
yOu, were Neie afraid to trust the people with
the election of Commissioners why
didn't you say so instead Of taking away
their powers under title to restore
good government to the people. Ray
said this Legislature had been failure
had done nothing despite all its
promises. Ray said he was so unwell
that he could hardly stand up, and only
made the attempt to speak in obedience
to his duty, but he spoke at moments
with his usual fire, his filings of sarcasm
being always artistically handled.
Ray was followed by Monroe, who
read his speech, carefully prepared.
In the midst of Monroe's speech,
Williams, of Craven. interrupted him
to move that to save time the speech
be printed. The suggestion seemed to
be coldly received by the members, and
Monroe proceeded. Monroe asked was
this bill suited to the genius of our
people, He trowed not There were
many fine passages in Monroe's speech,
closing with an imploring appeal that
the bill do not pass.
wINBoRNE's WINGED WORDS.
WinbOrne was against putting an
untried and undemocratic principle at
work among our people in the place OF
one that had prevailed in all Saxon
spirit among freemen for 116 years
until in 1868, under the Candy Consti-
tuition, these liberties were taken away
under that law it proved to be a pro.
life source of woe to twenty-seven
counties of this State-the credit oil
the counties was destroyed, and it was
not until 1876 that we were rescued
} Then the people of North Caroline
hearing the cries of help of these
: twenty-seven counties came to the res
cue. re-established our present count,
} government and thus restored our cred
: it. Mr.. Winborne cited figures to show
the difference between the two systems
In the first three years there were saved
to these twenty-seven counties 1914 500
J $3.50, 900 of debts contracted by the ole