The Charlotte Democrat., 1897-02-11
4 SPECIAL MESSAGE,
GOVERNOR RUSSELL ADVOCATES
ANhULLING THE LEASE.
Southern.-The Seaboard Air Line
Offers 100000 Year for the
Lease. Wants to Bring in the A.
~

special message to the Legislature
relative to the revocation of the lease
Of the North Carolina Railroad to
the Southern railroad company. The
correspondence with President Hoff-
man of the Seaboard Air Line IS
embodied in the message President
Hoffman offers 100000 annually for
the lease
He says the Seaboard Air Lin:
was not allowed to make bid, when
the lease was made and says that the
Seaboard will be willing to handle
all of the Southern's trains on part
of the track at the usual trackage
compensation and also make connec-
tions with the railroad. The Cover
nor thinks the competition will do
the State good.
Governor Russell in commenting
on the letter says that President
Hoffman's statement that the Sea
board was not allowed to bid on the
lease is startling. He declares that
if the allegation can be established
in court of equitylt will nullify
the lease on the grounds of palpablt
and fragrant fraud.
He says he does not doubt tha
| the Seaboard's bid will be increased
by those desiring the property an'
urges the Legislature to pass the bill
already introduced.
He thinks if the lease is not re
! voked it will be best for the State t
sell its stock.
He suggests that the lessees of tn
North Carolina road be forced ais
to lease the Atlantic & North Caro-
lima road, which runs from Colds
boro to Morehead City.
The bill now before the Leglsla
ture, the passage of which the Gov
ernor advocates, provides for tn
annulment of the lease Of the Mort
Carolina railroad to the Southern.
THE TEN HOUR BILL.
The committee Yesterday evenin
decided to report unfavorabiy tf
bill making ten hours legal da,
work. A large number of cotto
mill men were present to prote
against the proposed law. Messr
Orr, r. NJ. Oates, J. A. Tate, G.
, Patterson and J. NJ. Odell we.
among the manufacturers who al
peared. The bill was introduced
, Mr. Carter by request. Two men
bers spoke in r9qo@aef tlaaQe b
, ! little defense of it was made, al
the measure went by the boar
Numerous petitions from operativ
had been sent mp, asking that t
bill become law.
SPEECHES OF REID AND RANSOM
d The News yesterday afterno
gave to the people of Charlotte t
first news of the turning down
! Messrs. Reid and Ransom.
- The News and Observer IN
= account of the affair says Of t
- speeches of the two contestees:
" Reid of MeckIenburg spoke
defence of that county and of
people, whose honesty rad been
. noted all over the State and natit
He said he stood here fairly a
,s honestly elected, the report Of t
% o majority to the contrary notwit
y standing, and that he had certain
~ received majority of the votes ca
= He said 1t had been made to appt
10 that during the campaign and
! the election a reign OF terror exls1
=, in Meckleubarg. He said this v
10 10 false. That grand old county
~ the birthplace of liberty, the no
no of men who spurn polit Cal slave
~ and who will not countenance tral
" in elections. The election last !
yember was quiet, orderly and
- cent. The only reason why
10 contestants failed to be elected, '
.os because tley did not get Fo
;19 ;n enough, but yet they came here
IL contended that according to the
49, - rangement and combination agr
"' on they should have had cert
number of votes. But, said he, g
hest laid schemes of mice and n
gang aft agIee." He was not /
to to say that partisan prejudice
ia. ANYTHING to do with the report OF
. majority, but would say the mlno
ere report was in accordance with
at facts and the evidence. He del
re- that there was "pandemonium
,rs. political hell turned loose" in Mt
he Ienburg. as had been alleged, and
M. cast back the foul asperslon.
said the contestants had failed
me give thirty days notice, and he
nts their case should be cast out.
if not require euch notice in Meek
md burg, and yet require it else"h
Md In conclusion, he said he cast [
with scorn and contempt the re
la tions ard aspersions upon this CO G.
ties tv. snd asked at the hands of
ing House the adoption of tbs mine
ler- report.
ax- HANSON SAID the only le"0on Il
the Republican contestants did
ar win in the election was because
) at Populists did not vote for them,
son that he had certificates stating
and they did not vote for the contest
,me He declared he would not hav
cepted the office had ne not bell
lers he was fully entitled to it
tho