The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-11-23

to be present at the next meeting to be
heard on this matter.
This brought the Commission to the
matter that had given the Southern Rail
ways attorney so much cOncern-thc
Jim crow" car. Mr.. Pearson read the
following resolution:
Ordered, That on and after January
list, 1899, all railroads doing business
III this State shall be required to furnish
separate cars or compartments of cars
for white and cOlOred passengers.
There shall be no difference or dis
elimination in the quality, convenience
or accommodation of the cars or COM
partments set apart for white and coli
ored passengers, except that determined
by the class of tickets which they hold,
either for first-class cars or compart-
ments or for secOnd-claSS or compart-
ments. 1t shall be the duty of the con-
ductor or employees of said car, to assign
all passengers to their respective cars
or compartments.
And it is further ordered that no
conductor or employee in charge Of said
cala shall permit white and colOred pas
sengers to occupy the same car or COM
partment of ears. This order shall not
apply to nurses or servants in attendance
on their employers. or to employees of
the railroad while engaged in their du-
ties. or to officers in charge Of prison
erS."
Mr.. Pearson, speaking to his resolu-
ton, said this was n matter that he had
had under consideration for some time
and he was decidedly of opinion that the
order ought to be passed.
ut is said by some we ought to wait
for the Legislature to act. but we can
do it more promptly and besides | think
it our duty. 1t would cost the tax-pay-
ers less and would be more promptly
and satisfactorily put into effect"
He stated also that the law was al
ready in force in several of the South
ern States and he thought it a step in
the solution of the race problem
DR.. Abbott said he'd thought over the
question Il good deal and he was of opin-
ion that it was Il question of sentiment
rather than one Of business. The cam
paign had just been fought out, no ref
erence had been made to the matter in
either platform or on the stump. 1t
was not long until the Legislature, he
said, and he thought it presumption to
tant matter.
Il am much opposed to riding with ne
groes. Color is color with me, but I'm
opposed to passing this resolution at
this time"
Mr.. Caldwell said he thought the reso-
luton Il good one but he didn't think the
commission ought to boss it just at this
time.
There can be no question as to power
and authority of the commission to pro-
vide separate and equal accommodations
for the white and colored races on the
passenger trains of the various roads of
the State: Section %, Railroad Com
mission Act.
'"Fhe only question presented to my
mind is: All former commissions having
passed the matter over and this commits
sion not having acted up to the present
nearness of the meeting of the General
Assembly, would it not appear, under the
circumstances. that to act NOW, know
ing that the General Assembly will in all
probability act in the premises, would
be simply to forestall the action of the
General Assembly and "A putting in
above the ford
'"The order. if made now. could not be
made operative any sooner than an order
of similar import made by the General
ssembIy. No time can be gained but
the proceeding here would be ex-parte.
The roads would have the right under
the laws. to be heard and appeal, if they
desired all of which would, of necessity,
carry the matter up to the meeting of
said Assembly.
"The question of a uniform rate or an
increase in the capacity of the roads to
carry tn sam amount of travl necessi-
tating more cars of equal accommodate