The news & observer., 1897-03-07
ECHOES FROM THE FIGHT

DcDale DeSdU at o CLOCK, 1f. sutton
of Cumberland being in the chair, and at
2 o'clock the chair ruled thai under the
resolution the question upon the Senate
substitute be taken up, and it was so
done.
Amendments were offered by both sides,
one by Mr.. Murphy, of Rowan, who is
known to be an ardent friend of the lease
Other amendments were sent up and read
Motions and counter motions Were made
by both sides. for and against the lease
At this juncture Sutton of Cumberland
being still in the chair), Mr.. Dockery
raised the point Of order that under the
resolution of March 5, no amendments or
motions could be entertained. The Speak
er pro tenn. Sutton of Cumberland), ruled
that the previous question had not been
asked or ordered; that the resolution
adopted on Friday was simply to have
an hours debate and a vote at 2 o'clock
p. M, this being on the substitute-not be-
ing an amendment, but substitute,
which is but q new bill, and open to
amendments and motions till the pre-
yions question is called and orderd; that
under the rules of the House, the pre-
yious question could not be called, ex-
cept by the introducer or the chairman OF
the committee reporting the bill-Mr
Cook Of Warren-it being a Senate sub
stitute and not introduced in the House
The call for the previous question was
thus in the hands of Mr. Cook of Warren
chairman of the committee reporting it,
and the previous question could not be
called except by him.
From this ruling Of the chair, Mr.. Dock
cry appealed to the House, and the Gouse
reversed the chairs ruling.
This is how all the filibustering came
about.
I'VE have a Railroad Commission that
stands between the people and railroad
extortion. At least that is what it was
organized to do."-Hartness of Iredell.
With the admission Of the necessity of
the Southern, the directors gave the lease
10 the Southern for an inadequate sum-
Hartness.
McCrary: Only one man, and he Pop
ulist, in Davidson county, opposed the 90
year lease. That man opposed it because
he did not think the railroads should be
charged a higher rate of interest than the
State allows him to take"
While Cook was speaking, Fab I'll. Bus
bee, Esq, attorney for the Southern Rail
way, walked up in the hall to Blackburn
and gave instructions as to how to con-
duct the fight on the floor. And Black
burn followed the orders.
The advocates OF the original bill have
won a victory in almost every particular"
McCrary.
McCreary (Republican) appealed to the
Democrats to stand by their Governor,
saying: you've got nothing to gain by
allowing the thing to go into politics"
They want the scenes of yesterday re-
enacted" said Sutton.
Blackburn: "We are running rough
shod over the records"
Cook: ''If they want to take the ques-
ton out of politics, let the railroad give
the people a rental on the real value of the
property"
Dockery: 81 voted for the original bill
because it answered the demands Of the
people The adoption OF the original
bill makes it impossible to settle this
question If the Grant substitute is
adopted, it is a matter Of a compromise.
IL fought to the bitter end it will split
the State as well as the parties and drive
out capital"
Ferrel: "We have no evidence that il
this substitute from the Senate is adopted
that we would settle the question. The
Republicans in this House are now try
ing to get the Democrats to stand by them
so that monopoly, combines and railroads
shall control. The Populists have stood
against this lease The time has come
when the money power rules this Legis-
lature."
Hodges Of Beaufort, asked TO be ex-
cused from voting, saying as he did not
understand it, he would be forced to vote
no. Excused. Of course. Harry Skin
ner could explain why Hodges wants
to dodge.
Lusk: Much has said of the desire Of
gentlemen to take this matter out Of
politics. 1t will not be taken out. We
had as we'll sound the warning. 1t is
like Banquo's ghost. 1t will not down
until settled fairly and squarely. 1t is
question whether the railroads shall gov
ern North Carolina, or the people.
/ thought the 99-year lease was
wrong. | think the 36-year lease is
wrong. Nothing is settled that is not set
tied right"
Nelson: II voted formerly for the
original bill. 1t is now here as a substi-
tute" | had conscientious convictions.
am not sure whether / voted right or not.
/ entertain the same conviction now that
/ then entertained. While anxious to set
tie the question, | cannot see any reason
why | should vote differently now than
when the bill was originally here"
Pearson: "It is Simply a question be-
tween the masses and classes. / take the
part Of the people against corporate pow
er and Wall street. Money may wen
want to take this out OF politics. They
dare not go before the people with the
record they make here to-day"
we ought to die in the last ditch be-