The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-02-17
u. R. Aiken Republican), Of the commit

for the original bill as its report Both
reports were read and the proceedings
were witnessed by a large and deeply IN
fertsted number of people IN the lobby
and galleries. The majority rejort was
first read, and then the minority report
The latter declared the bill to be the
deadhest blow ever struck at Western
North Carolina.
Mr.. Cook said the discussion ought to
be arranged before it began; that there
was to be three hours discussion, and at
the expiration of that time he would
move the previous question. This was
all decided upon.
Mr.. Schulken was the first speaker,
and said the House was so familiar with
this matter that he regretted so much
time was to be given to discussion, as
members minds were made up. He ia
vored the bill, as a member of the COM
mittee who had heard the long argument.
He said that the people asked that the
99-year lease equal to sale, be annull-
ed. And ON the other side was the
Southern Railroad, who had gObbled up
for almost a century the finest property
the State owned; that competing lines
wish to come in and hid for the lease;
claiming it to be worth far more than
the Southern pays; that the information
was that the lease was secretaly made;
that it may not have been an intentional
fraud. but the conduct of the directors
showed that it was fraudulent, and that
persons who wanted to bid were shut
out; that he did not blame the Southern
for gobbling up the road; that it was a
business matter. money making matter
-. I Aba n tho
people of the State; that the property is
leased at a profit of only $46,50 when
the Seaboard Air Line would have paid
S136.S00 annually; that the people had
not approved the lease; that here was am
opportunity. when the lease may be an
nulled by an action, to put S136,S00 an
nually among the people; what would be
the answer to the people of those who
here vote against this bill; that the issue
was made whether the railways should
control the people, or the people the
railways; that members who vote against
this bill will be politically damned, and
can never return to these halls; that he
knew some who would vote against IT,
and he wanted to spot them; that the
Southern Railway wishes to remove it's
cases to the Federal courts; that these
courts are made up of railway people;
that the State simply in this b:ll, required
all foreign corporations to take out IL
cfnse and agree not to remove its cases
to the Federal courts
Mr.. Freeman said the people would for
DAYS remember this memorable day; that
one of the most absurd propositions I'M
aginable was under discussion; that he
represented a territory which, almost TO
a man, was putting veto ON TINS bull;
that he wanted to deny that this lease
was made iii a corner, at dark-lantern
meeting: that the cause of the intense m
terest in the West was that the people
wanted the State opened wide for deyel-
opment. that this bill was poppy-cock
legislation, which slapped capital In the
face, and that the people Of the centre
and West would resent the majority re-
port: that the majority rejort gave the
Seaboard Air Line a monopoly, and pro-
posed to shut out competition that the
bill bore on its very face "conhscauon;
that the private stockholders We're pleas
ed with the lease and its safeguards; that
fine passage Of the bill would crush out
the private stockholders that it would
cause internhnahle lawsuits that there
were propositions in the majority
report which were the most ABB
surd since the Declaration Of
Independence: that unheard OF
power was given to the Governor and
Secretary Of State; that they could drain
out capital; that North Carolinians would
not submit to such law as this.
Pearson said he favored the minority
report; that Gov. Cars idea IN urging
tie lease was that he might get the
North Carolina Railroad on the tax list
that be made great mistake; that the
Democratic party had nothing to do with
the lease but would be held to u strict
accountability for its vote here: to-day;
that he would make no charges agalns
1 any one in connection with the lease
that no Democrat IN the last eampaigH
dared raise his voice against the bill
4 that the railway had, to his MIND, been
virtually sold to a foreign corporation;
4 that the State does not really realize
i four per cent on the property; that the
I talk of seven per cent was ridiculous;
that the appreciation of the property IN
thirty wears was enormous, and that he
trougbt it now worth 81, 100000; that the
peoDle Of the State have no lobby here,
while the Southern has lobby; that the
neonIe expect the legislators to stand for
their best interests; that Gov. RusseH
had shown true heroism in urging this
matter. that there was no politics III IL
tbat no consideration should be given the
i betternents which the Southern has put
mon the road; that the bill proposes that
/ the Governor shall look into the lease
and if it be valid let it stand, II not let
| If he annulled; that he would support
| this bill if no bid had been made; that the
road could stand on its feet; that the
North Carolina Railroad had been safety
Of the Southern; that he favored placing
the road in the Governors hands, so he
could make the best trade possible; Ihat
II wopld have been better if Gov. Carr
had not put the road on the tax list, but
had added the amount Of the tax to the
rental so as to benefit the whole State
| instead Of eleven counties.
Mr.. Blackburn said he did not care
whether he ever came back. The North
| Carolina Railroad was not valuable eX'
cept by the work of the Southern. The