The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1897-03-11
THE STORY OF
THE FIGHT.
The Minions Of Corporation Power
Prscipissse a Riot In
the House.
THOSE WHO STOOD FIRM

Hslssit, Of Re Representatives, Of North
C.rsi,na s,aadiIx far Greed 4 s.inst the
Psopis-The Pspaiisss .. Firm /.
Eeek
TIE following is a brief aeeouu.
of the great railroad lease fight IN
the House.
at two minutes before noon Mr..
Sutton OF Cumberland, member Of
the committee to investigate the
lease of the North Carolina Railroad.
TO which the Senate substitute bill
was referred. rose. Mr.. Cook, who
is chairman of that special commit
tee, was in the chair. Mr.. Lusk had
presided during the earlier part OF
the session, and Speaker Hilernan,
who was SO hoarse that he spoke
with din Guilty, sat on the left Of Mr..
Cook. Mr.. Sutton asked consent 10
call up a resolution asking the Su-
preme Court to give tomorrow It's
opinion it the matter Of the Senate
substitute for the lease bill. Mr..
Blackburn sprang to his feet, and
as the hands pointed to noon, de-
clared that the hour set for the spe-
cial order, the Senate substitute lease
bill had arrived and that it must be
taken up. Mr.. Sutton Of Cumber-
land, said he wanted the special or
der held up until the resolution was
acted On. Then the storm burst. Mr..
Blackburn (Republicap), said: "Iou
know under the resolution adopted
by this House no resolution can be
introduced save by unanimous con-
sent. You know the Journal shows
that the resolution is not introduced.
| move that the House concur in the
Senate substitute:'
Then confusion broke loose.
Twenty members were on their feet
at once, all shouting, all protesting.
The railroad faction stood up al
most to man and arrayed them
selves. For two or three minutes
tae uproar continued. Then Alex
ander, of Tyrrell. moved that the
House take a recess 3 until o'clock.
Then there was a roar of protest.
"Vote it down; vote it down, yelled
the railroaders!" and amid the din
the voice of Mr.. Sutton and Mr.. Han
cock could be heard seconding the
motion. The aisles were filled with
a bowling mob. Mr.. Cook put the
motion. There was a burst of "aye,'
and an answer Of "no," which rat
tied to the dome and descended in a
torrent of sound. "Division,'
shouted Messrs. Blackburn, (Rep),
Murphey, DEM, and forty more.
Mr.. Cook declared that tho House
had taken recess until 3 o'clock.
i .ckburn strobe up the aisle.
THAT is false" he cried. Il ap-
peal from the decision Of the chair
The scene was at this moment in
j ( scribable. If anybody but lot
of wild and frenzied corporation
minions had caused it, it would ga
3own as anarchism. Mr. Cook left
the chair as the squall fell. he
stepped to the rear lobby. The up
roar ragged. Pandemonium broke
loose. Members rushed to the front
Some put on their hats and moved
toward the door. Some of the more
timorous hurried to the lobby. The
atmosphere was filled with execra
tions from the railroaders, mainly Of
Mr.. Cook and his ruling. at is IT,
rannlcal." 1--WE will not submit te
it."
Some one shouted, "For Gods
sake, stop this. It is the most dis
graceful scene the State ever wit
messed. Never talk about the legs.
lature of 1868 again."
During the turmoil the Speake,
(Hileman) sat serene in his chair on
the Speakers stand. Suddenly Mr.
Murphy shouted: "The House is
without Speaker. l move we cleo,
Mr., Freeman Speaker pro tenn" 81
second the notion" said Mr.. Black.
burn and score of others. Mr.
Murphy put the motion. There was
q rafting volley of ayes, and taking
Mr.. Freeman by the arm. Mr.. Muir.
ply led him to the Speakers desk
Mr.. Freeman did not take the chair
but stood at the end of the desk.
The assemblage was now mob
The galleries fairly bulged with wild
eyed, excited spectators. The up
roar reached the Senate and the San
ators poured into the hall of thu
House. Suddenly Mr.. Lusk rushed
to the front, and, leaning over the
desk at which the correspondents Of
the newspapers were seated, raised
his arms high above his head, and
IN his loudest voice shouted, as he
looked at Mr.. Freeman at the Speak
er's desk: II protest. In the name
OF North Carolina, l protest. This
Is treason. This is rebellion. W.
ought to send for force to clear thi,
hall and to stop these riotous anc
revolutionary proceedings. B.
ashamed Of yourselves. Be- men ;
All this was said with rising note
to an accompaniment of yells ane
cries which stunned the ear.
DR.. Alexander, rushing up nea,
the desk, shook his fists at Mr.. Free
man. His eyes flashed with anger
Come down from that place." b,
cfled, you are usurper. You ar,
traitor"
The railroad factions all part,
ilues broken between D Democrats anf
Republicans who were standing al
most solidly together, roared ani
glared, Angry words passed ani
repassed: Suddenly n. A. Gudper
appeared while Mr.. Freeman wa,
speaking, and stood beside him M
freeman was entreating the Hons,
to be quiet; to listen to him. 81 an
not going to hurt YOU" he cried
Gudger leaned over the dess
and said: Now, boys. let's al
leave" Mr.. Freeman said: "Don,r,
get excited. This is a small matt
The journal shows we have take,
recess until 3 O'clock"
Claude Dockery, railroader
walked to the Speakers desk anf
SAID: "Gentlemen, hear me. ".
WILL settle this matter at this sess;o,
OF the Legislature, and fairly. Int
protest against this revolnf;ons