The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-02-17

after two years could drop it; that this
was fight between the S. A. l.. and the
Southern tapplause); that this Legislature
is placed between these two roads and If
we can dodge this thing, God knows Ia
like to do it; that the s. A. l.. has as
many lawyers here ms the Southern. The
>. A. L., he insisted, was no system, but
mere lot Of links, with responsibility
of no real head; that it was made up Of
six different roads and he wondered why
the directors Of each of these had not
met and backed Hoffman in his action:
that the only result Of this suit would be
big Law suits and some political capital
for some people who need it Why did
not the bill provide for suit to be brought
by the Governor or the Attorney General;
that great injustice has been done this
Legislature; that he did not believe in
lodging, but would give SO to dodge this
vote; the Attorney General is as honor
able rs any man behind this bill; he has
been in Il small way a railway attorney
but is it against the law for a lawyer to
have railways as clients? that the Popu-
list nominee for Governor was a railway
attorney; that insinuation had been made
against the Attorney General that he
had not been consulted as to whether he
would bring this suit; why is this calumny
cast upon him; how does any one know
the Southern will pay more for the lease?
that for S4S0.000 the Southern can build
from Mooresville OF Mocksyille that the
Southern win neglect one line or the other:
then the centre or the west would suffer;
chat the private stockholders were not
considered in this mater; they say the
trade is a good lease; that this bill would
t1,r
Code had simply been amended so as to
let the Governor or the Attorney
bring suit it would have been far better
than this bill; OF which both sides will be
sorry. with the State viii be bedeyiled by
this Internal lease question; that per
cent is enough interest.
Mr. Cook was mindful that the time
was too late to make an argument that
would meet all that has been said. He
discussed the substitute bill. There are
but three propositions in the bill. /. Shall
foreign corporations be required to do
business under the control Of North Caro-
lima > Shall that lease which has been
made by directors be tested in the courts
3. Shall railroad monop0ies be suppressed
in North Carolina? Everything else is
to enforce and carry out these provisions.
4
attention from these propositions. The
S. 4. l.. has nothing to do with this
matter The Southern Railway IS cling
ing to the lease with Il death grip because
it is to their interest. The people will
agitate this question till they can have
their rights. Shall we bow our necks
for the yoke Of foreign corporation?
You will find the people are for this bill.
X aj IL mot fD
do business on the same basis as North
Carohnians. We welcome foreign cor
porations, but they must come like our
own people. They have no right here
except by courtesy They ought not to
object to a license Two lines of the
S. A. L., after the substitute has been
cent additional. Let North Carolinians
stand by North Carolina (Applause)
This question will be settled right to-day,
or the people win settle it two years
hence The Southern Railway had just
as well take notice now chat the people
win settle this question. Did you ever
hear a North Carolina court repudiate
contracts The army of lobbyists and mill
ioaaire stockholders cannot deter them.
The directors Of the North Carolina Rail
one place whereby they can be indicated.
That is i'm the courts. In 1871, the coun-
ties through wh0ch this road runs were
worth $23 100000 We did not get value.
Tn 1895, the property is worth S57 600
600 With this increase, if we are not
entitled to more than Z per cent, how
are we helped by development? 1t was
q very strong and clear speech. closing
with a ringing appeal to North Carolin-
ians to allow the validity of the lease to be
brought?
AT $3.50 Cook called the previous ques-
ton Blackburn contended that there
was thirteen minutes time left the OPP
position. The Speaker said there was
twelve minutes yet left the opposition.
He also ruled that it had been decided
that Cook should close the debate There
was q protest against gag law" by
Blackburn, and sharp words between him
and Hancock The motion for the prey
ious question was sustained.
IN explaining his vote, Howe, colored.
Of New Hanover, caused a great sensa-
ton. He said that this very day Gov
Russell the promoter Of this bill, sent
for us TO come to his Office, and there
in his dictatorial and tyrannical manner
for presume he is perhaps in the employ
Of the Seaboard AIRLINE
At this instance Hancock raised a great
shout of order" and others joined in it,
Some moved that Howe be allowed to
speak longer, others said his time was
out But he said no more, as there was
cries of ''object!' object"
There was rafting voIley of applause
as the result Of the vote was announced
The Speaker announced that the substi-
mte had passed second reading Black
burn moved to adjourn until tomorrow.
The House, by a large majority, refused
to adjourn. Cook moved to suspend the
rules and put the substitute on it's third
reading. Hancock demanded that per
sons not entitled to the floor be removed,
and declared that lobbyists were at work
on the floor.
The vote on thc third reading was,
ayes, 60; noes, ~. Hancock moved to
put the ''clincher." This was done
The vote on Aiken's minority report
was as follows:
Ayes-Messrs. Aiken, Allen, Arledge,
Bailey, Bingham RIackburn Brewer