The news & observer., 1897-03-06
-Disgraceful Rioting
I'm the House.

to the gallery which Joined in the general
rioting, kissing and clamor that made
confusion worse confounded.
Blackburn's suggestion ran like a
spark ON the dry prairie grass. His
followers yelled approval-there was an
other cloud-burst in the wild storm
and in the midst of the yelling, swearing
and cursing, a motion was put and de
clared carried, that Representative Free
man he called to the chair, and the
lease business be proceeded with.
The Blackburnites hustled Freeman
to the chair. He stood upon the eleva-
tion, timorously appealing to the bowling
mob of apparent maniacs to 'be in or
der"
As we'll might he have commanded the
waves to subside, the winds to cease or
the sun to stand still. He was no more
than a straw in a cyclone.
A dozen members stood in the middle
aisle speaking, while twice as many stood
behind them applauding every epithet
hurled at Cook or Blackburn.
Many members left the hall disgusted.
Lusk was so mad his white moustache
trembled and shook like a leaf in temp
tones. Nobody heard him except the re-
porters. He said:
This is revolution. 1 appeal to you
to put it down to put your foot upon it,
''rhe like of this thing has never been
seen in any legislative body
Speaking to Freeman, who oc-
cuped the Speakers chair, Lusk
said: you have no right in that chair
You are usurping powers that do not be-
long to YOU
Continuing Lusk said II have taken
no part in these riotous proceedings.
say here and now that this proceeding is
treason. shout land here he raised his
voice. Treason TO the people of North
Carolina"
1T is a crime against the Constitu-
tion of North Carolina
This thing shall not prevail. / pro-
pose to see to it that this treason and
revolution does not co." and he proceed
ed in much the same line, nobody except
a dozen around the reporters seat pay
ing him any attention.
Person, of Wayne, and Blackburn,
q heated wordy war midway down the
central aisle. Among other things Per-
son said:
This is damnable revolution. 1t
shall NOT prevail"
Claude Dockery was also adding to the
variety and spice of the tempest. With
his mat on his head, his eyes flashing
fire, he approached the Speakers desk
and ragged and burned and howled, but
nobody paid any attention to him.
He spit out something like this: Il am
willing to help settle this lease matter,
but ! Will not stand any revolutionary
measures. 1t must be settled according
to law. / protest against this revolu-
tion. He talked on amid jeers and
bowling and ragings.
DR.. Alexander, Of Tyrrell, had not
been quiet during all this row. When
Freeman started to take the chair, DR.
Alexander grew very hot in the collar
and cried out as if he was ready to do
violence if necessary, mo man goes into
that chair"
During all this row, there was one
quiet man in the chamber
Col. A. B. Andrews, President of
had a bonus of $4,000 annually at
storm.
He had time to think.
He saw that his crowd was now guilty
OF worse revolutionary proceedings than
they charged the Cook men were putting
in practice.
He sent for his managers.
And then Henry Miller, Jim Moody,
Ki Gudger rushed up to Blackburn, Free
man and other railroad advocates, and
said: 'Be quiet. 1t is best to go home,
and come back at three O'Clock"
Their activity somewhat quelled the
storm. But Ki Gudger thought he ought
to appoint himself Speaker pro tenn, and
he rushed up to the Speakers chair, and
told his crowd to adjourn quietly, go
home, and be back at three o'clock ready
for business.
Finally the surging bowling mob dis
persed, and the members separated in q
very ugly mood.
1T is a repetition of the 1868 outrages
only worse" was the remark of a con-
servative old gentleman who happened
to have present then and now.
party compared with this legislature"
remarked Col. Olds.
The news OF the riotous proceedings
spread like an alarm of fire.
1t was an alarm worse than fire.
1t was the bell that sounded out The dis
grace and humiliation OF the old State
to all the world.
1t told that Reyolutionists We're in
control. 1t sounded out that Order had
gone; that even Decency had been cast
to the winds; and that Anarchy was en-
throned in the State House of Repre-
sentatives.
The orgies and disgra aceful proceedings
almost broke up the Senate, and MANY
Of the grave and reverend Lawmakers
Of that body rushed over to the House
to see if indeed, as it sounded, q new
Reign of Terror had been ushered in
A few moments later, while the Senate
was discussing the educational bill, some
me urged that certain provision ought
o pass because it had passed the House. !
Frank Ray had the floor and he cried