The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-03
FATE OF SCOTLAND
COUNTY
NOW WITH The JURY
All the Arguments Have Been
Presented.
EFFECT VERDICT TODAY
BOTH SIDES ARE CLAIMING A
VICTORY.
IT HAS BEEN A SPIRITED CONTEST
The Closing Speeches on Ti'her Side Were
Made Yesterday afternoon by Mr.. las.
A. Lockhart and Mr.. J.h1
D. sh3w, j
D. shsw, j


SO far as argument is concerned tbs
fate of Scotland county before the
House committee is sealed.
The committee yesterday afternoon
heard the last of it. This afternoon a
decision will be reached.
What will that decision be? The
Scotlandites say 1T will be decidedly
Scotch-aEout II out of -. The Anti's
say it'll be Richmond by a good ma
jorty in the committee and bigger
one in the House.
Which 90 think right? My only
answer is, I'd rather be no prophet at
all than false prophet. I've heard the
argument and you've read it. Hence
you know as much as | do and your opin-
ion is worth as much.
It's been great fight. Holly con-
tested at every point, but in good ma
ture and friendly spirit. Some fine
speeches have been made on the subject,
but none, methinks, better than those
heard yesterday afternoon.
Ext Congressman James A. Lockhart
spoke against Scotland, and Mr.. John
d. Shaw, Jr.. for it. Both were at their
best.
Mr. Lockhart began with the explana-
ton that he did not live, either in Rich
mond or in the territory in dispute. He
was simply an attorney, employed TO
argue the case.
The organization of a new county,
he said, was a matter of State interest
and Importance THE establishment of
a county is the formation of the State
into political divisions, and should be
done only after the most careful inves-
tigation. Our State has been establish
ed now for 100 years, and we've lever
had any settled policy as to the forma-
ton of counties.
Look at Richmond county. 1t is a
long strip of territory along the South
Carolina line. 1t was evidently formed
without any idea as to what is right and
proper. The other counties have been
formed in the same way. Don't YOU
think it's about time we had turned
about and stopped this disorGerig. crude
manner of dividing up the State? In
the establishment of new co-rty you
want to know something of the topo-
graphy of the county, of IFS area, its
wealth, its inhabitants and their general
welfare and convenience. On these
points you have already been addressed
by both sides.
1t was argued by Mr.. Lockhart that
even if there was necessity for new
county the time had not yet come for
its establishment.
You have not given this matter the
consideration it ought to have. Here
l.. Il. Il. al y9af1
ing for county, and upper Robson IS
doing the same. Lower Richmond IS
trying to cut off upper Robson. Now.
why do this? Why not settle it, and
settle it in such way that it win stay
settled. Don't you know they'll be back
here. two or four, or six or ten years
from now knocking at your door-these
Robson people. Why cut off now a
little community just to satisfy a cry
for convenience or whim of vanity!'
The taxes, Mr.. Lockhart declared,
would have to be increased with the
creation of the new county.
.And the Scotland section has not
shown that they've any surplus in the
way of wealth or taxes.
THE time may come in the history of
this county when you can, as matter
of State policy, cut up this county. But
it has not come yet. The time may
come when population has increased;
when industries have been built up, that
YOU will find it advisable to do some
ssich thing as is now asked to be done
Every time you levy another cent
taxes You are deprivns some one OF
something that they need. Few of oul
people can pay their taxes and not fee
it. 1t takes from somebody mat winch
he will need tomorrow or next week