The news & observer., 1897-02-27
Newbern's Negrophilist Makes
=. His Own Quorum
COUNTS ABSENT MEMBERS
TO GIVE THE REPUBLICANS CON
TROL OF CHARLOTTE.
AN OUTRAGEOUS PROCEEDING
The City TO be Taken Out of the Com
troll of the People and Placed in
Control of the Governor of
North Carolina.

has the reputation of being the most
bitter partisan and ardent negro-lover in
the Legislature, and well does he deserve
the honor(0.
His acts entitle him to the distinction
and should dislike to see any one. even
little Roberts, try to deprive him of it.
If there was ever amy doubt ON this
point in the mind of any one it would
have been dispelled had they attended
the meeting of the House committee on
Towns and Cities yesterday afternoon
in the Supreme court library.
There were enacted the most high
handed and disgraceful scenes have ever
witnessed among men who are allowed
to direct even their own movements,
much less make laws for others
The bill under consideration was an
act to amend the charter of the CITY OF
Charlotte. There were seven members
of the committee present, when the near
ing of the bill was begun as follows;
Hancock, (Rep.), Walters. (Dem.), Nor
ton, (Pop.), Eddins, Dem.), Williamson,
(Rep9. Freeman, (Rep), Roberts, (kepJ
This is bare quorum, the connnlUtee
consisting of thirteen members. Hancock
is chairman, and Roberts secretary or the
committee. 1t was these two that made
such spectaces of themselves that three
of the committee left ia disgust and
even Walter Henry went off into
neighboring alcoye and concealed himself,
fearing that his red head might further
infuriate these political-ohina-s shop bulls.
Hancock talked and presided, all at the
same time, until finally, DIR. Freeman,
for the sake of decency, took charge of
things and tried to restore peace by call
ing the chairman to order. Then Ham
cock resumed the claalr and his high
handed proceedings began in earnest.
The two Democratic members of the conf
mittee had been gone several minutes,
having slipped out while Hancock was
fiatly disputing every sentence Represen-
taitiye Morton was utterlng. As soon
as the squabble ended Morton also start
ed to leave when Hancock, without amy
motion having been made by anybody,
said, Hold ON we are going to vote ON
the bill now.
1.-The bill is an infamous one" said
Morton, land I'll not vote for 1T. III not
vote on 1T at all here, for | haven't been
treated with respect And, besides You
haven't got quorum anyway"
"Well, well not let THAT hinder us,
retorted Hancock. There was quorum
here awhile ago and the members went
away to keep US from reporting this bill,
will but Wen report it favorably any
way"
..Do as you like said Morton, and he
was gone.
Boiling over with rage Hancock order
ed a roll-call then said a roll-cal wasn't
necessary as everybody was agreed and
directed the clerk TO make an endorse
ment ON the bill to the effect that it was
recommended that it do pass.
sAnd put on There" he added, that
the Democrats and Populists went away
to break a quorum.
IF there is any reporter here | wish
he would please make a note OF the fact
too," chimed in Roberts.
He was informed thaf the reporter
had his quorum all right enough.
The hearing of this bill began with a
speech by Walter Regulus Henry, who
wants to be o. judge but can't Walter,
too, proved himself an ill bird and did
his best TO befoul his own nest. He de-
nounced Gharlotte's city government in
the severest terms. Iie said it was the
meamest and most unscrupulous govern
ment in the universe--the most tyranmi-
cal and oppressive. Further he said the
city was hopelessly Democratic and the
Populsts and Republicans could never
get any part of the offices if the ma tier
were left to popular vote of the people.
1t was, he said, bin providing for
local self government, and giving repre-
sentation to people who are in the minor
ity and have no hope of ever getting amy
thing, unless the Legislature gives them
the relief asked in this bill.
He spoke in this strain for five min
nfes. Then Capt. Walters said he
thought it was perfectly plain on Mr..
Henrys own statement that thds bin
ought not to pass. He spoke of Char
Iotte as the most beautiful and progres-
giye city in the State and told how royal
ly the people there had entertained the
Legislative committee that had had occzl-
sion 10 go there and said that from the
best he could learn the people OF Char
lotte did not want the bill passed. They
certainly ought to be allowed a hearing
ON it.
ssI tell you this is an internal bill and
il will raise hell and it ought to 10 1t.
Tt denies TO Charlotte the right Of local
self-government / am in favor of post
poning action.
DR.. Freeman, of Henderson, agreed
with Capt. Walters. He said he had
always been a Republican burt that he
favored letting the majority rule. IL the
Democrats had AN Overwhelming majori-
ty, as Mr.. Henry said they had, they
ought to be permitted to control the city.
If the Republicans had the majority,
I'd say go ahead boys and enjoy the
spoils, you are entitled to them. Inc
most sacred thing in the world TO me is
ahe right Of local self-goyernment, and
I shall vote against this bih There is
not a better regulated city anywhere
than is Charlotte"
This was too much for Henry lie
asked to be allowed another speech. Han
cock said he could have it. He repeated
what he had already said, with variations
and with his Eoudest below. WlGle ne
was talking Capt. Walters and Mr.. Ed
s;na left to attend other committees,
tbere being no prospect of Mr.. Henry fin