The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-10-08
TIRED OF NEGRO RULE
Commercial Stagnation Log
ical Outcome of Corrupt.
Government.
T" lNTOLERABLE
CONDlTIONSn
EXIST IN WILMINGTON. DE
CLARES THE CHAMBER or
COMMERCE..
CAPITAL AFRAID TO INVEST HERE
President Chadbourn, Prominent Republican,
Declares His Sympathy With The
Resolutions.
Wilmington Starr


The Wilmington Chamber of Com
merce yesterday took a decided stand In
regard to the political situation in the
city and county, declaring that while the
Chamber is sensible that its province IS
commercial and not political, and dis
claiming any intention to enter the
sphere of politics. they as citizens belleYe
that good government and security to
life and property are not possible under
the present political negro-rule regime
The meeting was largely attended and
great enthusiasm and determination were
manifested The resolutions in full rs
adopted are as follows:
BE it Resolved by the Chamber of
Commerce. That the political situation
in this city and county is u menace to
the peace and order of the community,
in which property has no protection and
life of the citizen no security; that the
feeling of unrest and apprehension fol-
lowing upon an incompetent public SER
vice which, while it exacts tribute IN
taxes offers no immunity from danger to
the property or person of the citizen, IS
detrimental to every business interest,
arrests enterprise, hampers commerce
and repels capital which might otherwise
find investment in our midst. That
such commercial stagnation and social
disorder are the logical outcome OF con-
dition which finds the control of gov
eminent in the hands of corrupt and IN
competent men, whose authority fails
to inspire fear in the worst element or
our population as it does TO command re-
spect of our best citizens; that this law
less and wholly irresponsible element,
fortified by the consciousness that the
authorities are either imDotent or un-
willing to impose restraint upon them
and protect life, propern convert lib
erty into license, perpetrate outrage oh
every hand, disturb the peace of the com
munity aud offer indignitiess to Our white
women which have eliminated in in
stances of personal viosence to them
on our streets, and in an attack or the
virtue and womanhood of our South
land BY the negro editor of the infamous
Daily Record
s.Resolved, That in view Of these i'm
tolerable conditions. it is the sense OF
this meeting that it is the duty of ev-
cry good citizen to exert his utmost in
fluence and personal effort 10 effect re-
suits which win restore order, protect
property and give that sense of security
to our lives and our homes which OBJ
tains only in civilized communities.
..Resolved. That this Chamber is SEN
sible that its province is commercial
and not political. and the intention or de-
sire to enter the sphere or politics is
disclaimed, but the conditions confront
ing us and calling for solution are COM
mercial and social. and not political; and
as citizens and business men, with the
one desire to promote the prosperity,
neace and happiness Of the community,
we declare to the world that these bless
ings are not possible under government
by the present political regime, whose
existence and power are predicated on
the blind adherence of the negro element
of our population which, taken as
whole. with some worthy EXCEPTIONS are
under the most absolute bondage and
domination of a few designing men of
the white race. who for selfish ends play
upon their prejudices TO array them
against order and good government.
The meeting was presided over by
President james III. Chadbourn, Jr., who
was one of the first to spring 70 his
feet in the unanimous rising vote on
adoption of the resolutions. Mr. Chad
bourn has up to now been prominent
Republican and was elected treasurer of
New Hanover county by that party
which Office he now holds. He, however
yesterday declared himself in hearty
sympathy with the resolutions and sew
eral Of his most intimate friends Say
that he has signified his intention to
vote a straight Democratic ticket at the
approaching election.
The following well known business and
professional men were in attendance
upon the session Of the Chamber and
voted for the resolutions: First vice
president, Walker Taylor; second vice
president, w. IT, Worth secretary and
treasurer. John ID. Cantwell; Mr.. j. Al
len Taylor. Capt. Il. G. James, Mr.. Hugh
McRae, Mr.. Samuel Northrop. Mr.. Geo.
Harris. Mr.. George Harris, Jr.. Mr.. :.
H. Fishblate, +. Il. Manning, Esq. Mr..
John Williams. Mr.. w. II. Northrop,
Jr., Mr.. w. X. keenan,. Mr.. G. G. Gov
ington, Col. Thomas Strange, Mr. ii. *.
Nash. Jr., Mr.. r. w. Hicks, Mr. j. G.
Stevenson, George Rountree, Esq, Mr..
r. L. Higgins, Mr.. NJ. w. Jacob, Mr..
Walter Parsley, Mr.. George Holmes,
Mr.. ]. III. cartwright, Mr.. John s. Arm
strong, Mr.. Il. III. Stedman. Mr. Pear
sail. Mr.. T. r. Bagley, Mr. T. b. Mercer,
Mr.. w II. Northrop, Capt r. n. Sweet,
MN. jacob, Col. f. w Kerchner, Mr..
IL. w. Clawson and William ]. Martin.
The resolutions were introduced by Mr..
Samuel Northrop, who said that he was
constrained to present them because lie
believed that the social and business In
terests of the city and county demanded
that the Chamber take some action IN
regard to the matter. Mr.. George Hair
riss moved the adoption. which. as stated
above. was done by a unanimous rising
vote.
During the preliminary discussion. Mr..