The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-03-03
The Legislature Meets I'm Joint Session
TO Fass on the Case-After Much DE.
bate on Preliminaries IL Adiourns In>
til Today
Especial to the Messenger.)


Raleigh, n. c., March 1.-The SEN
ate and house met in joint session at
o'clock to dispose of the cases OF j.
W. and S. Otho Wilson. The lieuten-
ant governor called the joint assem-
blage to order Speaker Connor made
statement of the case.
Senator Justice offered a resolution:
THAT the report of the committee as
to Jas. W. Wilson be adopted and that
he be not removed from his Office"
Mr. Council said he hoped it would
be adopted.
Mr. Hampton moved to amend the
resolution by hearing both cases at
once.
Mr. Justice, of Mcdowell, said it had
been agreed to. separate the cases.
Senator Ward, wanted to know some
reasons why they should be separated.
He intimated it was attempted to sep
arate Otho Wilson, because Of his bad
standing in the democratic party, from
J. w. Wilson, who stands high as
| democrat. He said ]. w. Wilson had
as many powerful friends in North
| Carolina as any man in the state. He
said the report on the Wilson's was
made jointly and their cases ought to
be so considered. He hoped Mr.. JUS
| tees resolution would be voted down.
Senator Justice said his purpose in
introducing the resolution to try the
cases separately was because it was the
inherent right of every man to be SO
tried; that the charges, if charges
they are, are distinct. No Judge
would in such case fail to order a sew
erance.
Mr.. Allen, of Wayne, read the reso-
luton submitted by the committee two
weeks ago that the report Of the COM
| mittee exonorating both Wilson's be
adopted.
Mr.. Justice said that the last named
! resolution had been lost or mislaid
and that he offered his resolution as a
substitute.
A vote was taken on Hampton's
amendment to put the cases together.
The vote was 64 for and 49 against, so
the amendment was adopted.
Mr.. Robinson moved to reconsider
thsf vote; o, - -, , ,,,,..o, !
! heard cases separately and that it was
due the committee to take up the
cases separately.
The vote on Mr.. Robinson's motion
to reconsider was yeas, SO; nays, SIS.
Mr. Hampton withdrew his amend
ment.
Mr.. Allen, of Wayne, sent up sub
stitute that the legislature consider
both cases together and that the vote
be taken separately, first as to J. w.
Wilson and second as to S. Otho Will
son. Mr.. Justice accepted this and it
was adopted.
Mr.. Rountree offered a resolution
| that counsel for the governor and for
the Wilson's be given a hearing and
time divided.
Mr.. Osborne said the committee had
heard counsel on both sides, and he
could not understand the motive which
| would deny the right to counsel. 1t
| would be first time in 300 years such
denial had been given by judicial
body.
Mr.. Daniels, of Wayne, wanted coun-
sci heard.
Mr.. Patterson, of Robson, said coun-
sci had been given full hearing before
committee.
Mr.. Osborne said yes, but that coun-
sci were always allowed in both upper
| and lower courts.
Speaker Connor said the question
pesented was like that in an impeach-
ment trial and that q man had always
the right to be he&i through his coun-
sci. These men stand for what is
greater than their lives, their honor.
! Mr.. Ward said there were members
on the floor who were as able to argue
this case as any lawyers in North Car
olina.
Mr. Thompson, of Onslow, wanted to
know if counsel for the governor were
present.
Mr. Ray, of Macon, wanted to know
if the accused asked for counsel before
this body or whether they were willing
to be tried on the evidence; that the
evidence was printed and in hand.
MI. RODeSOn salQ as one or sworn
jurors in this case he wanted to hear
counsel; that time is specious, but so
are the liberties Of the citizens.
Senator Jerome offered an amend
ment to Mr.. Rountree's resolution that
the Wilson's counsel be given one and a
half hours and the governors coun-
the same time and that no senator's or
representatives speak save in expla-
hation of their votes
Mr.. Robinson objected to the latter
part Of this and Mr. Jerome struck ii
out
Mr.. Craig said Mr.. Rays inquiry was