The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-02-02

1
this bill, which Incorporates th
amendments asked by both sides an,
leave the matter to be settled at th
polls"
Mr.. Boushall: "Any negroes O,
the petition against the dispensary?"
Mr.. Robinson "About 200,
think"
Mr.. Boushall "Any minors ant
people of bad character who couldn'
get whiskey at the dispensary ?"
Mr.. Robinson: II have heard tha
charged"
Mr.. Council, of Watauga: "Undel
the operations of the dispensary have
the morals of Fayetteville been i'm
proved ?"
| Mr.. Robinson "Some people SAY
they haye, some say they have not
Laughter.)
Mr.. James, of Pender: "What Ii
the gentlemen's oplnion?"
Mr.. Robinson at is hard to form
an individual opinion" (Great laugh.
ter)
Mr.. White, of Halifax, said he very
much appreciated the position III
which the gentlemen from Cumber-
land (Robinson) was placed.
"He's between two hot fires, and be
finds 1t hard work to keep out of dan
ger. I'm clear AS to how I'm going to
vote. shall not vote to change
something when by So doing you run
the risk of going back to what's worse.
And IN my opinion the gentleman
from Cumberland will do the same ii
he votes as be ought. If he leaves 1t
to a popular vote the negroes will
vote and he will lose his dispensary.
1t strikes me anyway that the gen.
tleman from Cum berland has slightly
changed his base since this thing be-
gan"
Mr.. Davis, of Haywood, explained
the fight before the committee AMI the
considerations that influenced them IN
their report.
Mr.. Clarkson, of Mecklenburg Ito
MIR. Davis, of Haywood II believe
you are from county that has dis
pensary. How does it work up
there"
Mr.. Davis: "My people, believe,
1t. There Is great improve
ment in the morals OF the town OF
Waynesville. The improvement In
the country is not SO great"
Mr.. Clarkson thought the dispen-
sary the true solution of the liquor
traffic problem III the cities.
''Tne majority of the petitioners be-
fore this House are white people," he
said, asking for continuance of this
A majority OF the white
people have spoken. Why should we
disregard their voice or send 1t back
for that voice to be stifled by ignorant
Mr.. Alexander, of Rutherford Ito
Mr.. Robinson): "You are Ill favor of
the negroes from politics.
Yet you want to send this matter back
or them to vote on"
Mr.. Robinson "The act is not to
20 into effect until June and by that
lime the new election law will be in
orce."
Mr.. White, of Halifax, amended the |
Dill to strike out the section providing
or submitting the question to a vote
If the people.
Mr.. Robinson said majority of the
holders-certainly the large |
owners-were opposed to the
Mr.. White: "Don't a majority of
he property owners on the anti-dls-
'ensary a;yy petition live outside the
Mr.. Robinson: "Some of them do
nd some don't" (Laughter.) "There
re some property owners on both Pc
ltions."
Mr.. White: "I'm talking about
our petition?"
Mr.. Robinson "Both the petitions
re mlne." (Great laughter.)
Mr.. McNeill, of Brunswick, spoke In
avor of the dlspensary. 1t had, he
aid, worked we'll in Fayetteville and
e thought it bad policy to tamper
With thing that is working we'll.
Better let we'll enough alone.
Mr.. Ray, of Macon, chairman OF the
Committee on Propositions anG Griav-
noes, thought it due the House that
e make statement. The committee,
e said, was divided on the bill.
'hree favored submitting the bill to a
ote of the people, provided the cleo
ion be held under the new Jaw. All
be committee favored the amend
aents. Everybody wanted the bill,
utside of section 8, which the amend
1ent of the gentlemen from Halifax
Whiie) strikes out. |,
II was in the minority-favoring a
ubmisslon of the question to the vo-
ers, But want to say right here, no
natter how you vote you'll not wound
~ feelings. If you adopt the
of the gentleman of Hal
lax (White) you Will do just what a
majority of the white people are ask
ng.
"I do believe this bill ought to be
ivested of every political consldera-
ion. It's question entirely of NOR
Is. When it comes to fastening a
'rong On coming generations, I, for
ne, am going to lay aside politics"
"It is safe in all ques-
ions affecting the morals of the peo-
lie to follow the lead of the preachers
hose lives, so far as we know, have
cen spotless. They are all for the
ispensary as against open saloons,
lockaders or blind tigers.'"
The previous question was called,
ut Mr.. Robinson asked its withdrawal
j order that his colleague Cray, OF
oi,,o ha h1,,eo