The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-01
McLEAN'S SUBSTITUTE
FIXING ONE UNIFORM FARE OF
THREE CENTS.
CAPT. WRENN BEFORE THE COMMITTEE
And Discusses The Bill from the Conductor
Point of View, Subcommittee to Draft
a Bill will Give Hearing at
3P. m. To day.


The joint Committee on Railroads met
In the Senate Chamber yesterday after
noon. At the meeting it was made mani
fest that the separate car bill will be
pressed to an early enactment into law.
There was no division of opinion as to
the necessity of passing the law in obedi-
ence to the demand of an almost unani-
nous public sentiment. A vote was
taken to get the sense of the commit
tee on that point, and all voted for
separate cars.
There was considerable difference of
opinion, however. as to what measure
would sufficiently meet the wishes Of
the travelling public. and at the same
time entail no unreasonable hardship on
the roads. The main points of difference
were as to rates, kind of cars and the
exemption of certain roads. In order
that all the views might be harmonized
SO far as possible on these points a sub
committee was appointed to draft sub
stitute bill in the best light obtainable,
and the committee took a recess until
Thursday.
u
Seaboard Air Line of % years
experience, appeared before the commit
tee to present the views of the conduc-
tors. His remarks were exceedingly
practical and received the careful con-
sideration of the committee. He
said he merely wished to give
information; that soon after the cleo
ton he kept a daily record of negroes
riding on his first class cars, and that
for 30 days there was an average of
but ) 1-3 per day for the ITO miles
from Portsmouth to Raleigh. He hoped
that il the bill was passed the discre-
ton would be left the conductors to put
negroes in the white car or whites in
the negroes car when there was an
overflow. He said that foreign immi-
grants were much more Objectionable
than the negroes who ride i'll first-class
cars. To pull an extra car would entail
an extra risk and make connections more
difficult.
DO you not think there is npblic
demand for separte cars@ was asked.
Il do not. | have talked to a great
many ladies and gentlemen. They all
expressed the opinion until the objections
/ have stated We're given when they
agreed with me-"
How often would you probably be
compelled to refuse passengers for want
of roomw asked Chairman Brown.
II should say six times a year.
Mr.. Mclean, who next appeared be-
fore the committee said he introduced
the first separate car law in obedience
to what he thought was public senti
ment-this on the same ground that ne
groes are excluded from white schools.
theatres and hotels. In all other South
ern States. except North Carolina and
Virginia, this law was in force. The
railroads claim that by enforcing sep
arate cars without concessions they
would be losers. He wished merely to
do eyen-handed justice to all. individuals
and corporations. The railways have
developed the State. We should in
wife capital into the State The man
who comes here to pander to an I'M
healthy sentiment against corporations
is unworthy to be a representative. He
had interviewed the railroad people and
had obtained their views. The people
of North Carolina expect this Assembly
to legislate to the oppression Of nobody
He was wiling to give conductors the
privilege to put whites in negro cars, or
vice versa, provided they Informed the
Railroad Commission of the fact and
reasons therefor North and South
Carolina alone enforce first-class and
second class rate.
Senator Brown said he favored leav-
ing it to the Railroad Commission to
adjust special emergencies where the
conductor would be compelled to eject
passenger or put them in the car for the
other race.
Mr. Rountree asked whether it would
be possible to run n first class car for
whites and n first class car for negroes
and a car divided into two compartments
as a second class for each.
Senator Ward said he was opposed to
any rate which did not leave the min
imnm as low as at present. AS TO the
Railroad Commission he did not wish to
say anything 10 the prejudice of the
men on it. But it should not he left tn
them to exemnt short lines. The evi
dence before the Commission would NJ
WAYS be ex parte. He thought the leo
isiature was as competent 10 4nd"e IT
the premises as the Railroad Commits
sion.
A railroad official had come into the
committee and had denied that there
was either necessity or demand for sep
arate cars. He was opposed to leavinp
malFer OF SHcH Nitdl SoH'eih W " ii't'
court to EXEMPT lines that concernef
him and his people. on evidence where
only one side was heard. NJ Mclean
"Are you in favor of abolishins the
Railroad Commission. | am unless il
shall he better in the future than in
the past"
He wished steamboats, inclnded in the
law. He did not like to sit by ne%r"
anv better on boat than on a train
Mr.. Robinson. of Cumberland. said b"
thought there could he no doubt as r.
the demand for separate cars hut he die
NOT think there was a demand for one