The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-03-14
TATE PRg.ss

enact a good one.-Lexington Dispatch
The failure Of the textile school Bill
In the senate is a disappointment and
a surprise. 1t had been supposed that
its principal danger was in the house,
n that if it could get through that
body it would have plain sailing in the
senate.-Charlotte Observer.
The libel law brought before the leg
islature seems to have been lost. Acct
dentally OF curse. The men who
stand In the passes defending the peo-
pie against the Entertainments and
schemes OF politicians had a right to
expect one little favor out OF the thou
sands MISUNDERSTANDING Truth.
The reaso the legislature has raised
the Standard of legislation is because
the people elected honester and better
men, A stream cannot raise higher
than its source. When unfit men are
elected 10 make | VS. the statutes are
sucn as he people ~repudiated last No.
vemDer. When good men are chosen
they enact laws that are approved Of
honest men.-Raleigh News and OBJ
| server.
! But the populists have doubts, as
thousands Of other good men belong
ing to other parties have, as to the
business OF the law and whether it will
be constitutional or not. They have
: their doubts whether that alone will
settle the negro question. They fea1
1t viii not. 1t has not done it in
Louisiana and other states where they
claim the negro question has been set
tied--Hickory Mercury, Populist.
/ II we were a member of the legisla-
ture we would have veted gladly for
Mr.. Gattis' amendment to restore the
old "blue-back" spelling book to the
common schools for two reasons: first,
because it learned people how to spell
with more accuracy thar the average
puplNof today and in the second place
because its price is within the reach of
the poorest family. We are sorry the
amendment was lost.-Charity and
Children.
Ohio has the best of reasons for
holding on to his job. After being sus-
pended by the governor, he was tried
n indicated by a legislature COM
posed Of his political opponents, and
unless he is just tired of the job, there
is no reason why he should resign.
After vindicating him the legislature
could not turn around and say he was
not q fit person for railroad commits
sioner. In fact to deprive the state of
the services Of SO good a man would be
a calamity.-Durham Morning Herald.
Much of this legislation was OF
course very important to the localities
concerned but the great number of this
class of bills has retarded considera-
ton of the important measures which
the legislature was elected to enact,
and this has resulted in some of them
being hastily considered and rushed
through at the end of the session. It's
a pity that the important legislation
of vital interest to the state and the
democratic party wasn't disposed of
first and local matters given second
consideration instead of vice versa
Statesville Landmark.
While those who travel on the main
line are protected, and the railway is
compelled to provide the Jim Crow car,
those who live On the branch lines are
still to be subjected to being placed on
the same footing with the negro, and
are compelled to put up with his pres
ence in cars which should only be for
white people. Is this right? If this
is in accordance with distributing the
same u to the gander that is to be
,dlshed out to the goose? Do not the
people who live along, and travel over
the branch lines deserves the same
courtesies and privileges that is afford
ed those who happen to reside along
the main line?-Washington Messen-
ger. .
The Smithfeld Herald thinks the f;
campaign of 1900 Will be a hot one. It
thinks the proposed constitutional
amendment will solidity the negroes
and a few white republicans while on |
the other side will be arrayed in an un-
broken phalanx the white supremacy
voters Of North Carolina. Thus the
herald thinks it the part Of wisdom to
forecast the result and prepare now
for a campaign which will surpass the
campaign Of '98. We do
lot fully agree with the Herald. It is
rue thai the negroes will regard the
constitutional amendment as a meas
Ire depriv1ng them OF the sweetest
privilege they ever enjoyed, that of suf-
and no doubt the most ignorant
by Office seeking white men,
will make a desperate effort to defeat
t; but the negroes werer taught a les
ION in 'SS they will not soon forget
Exchange.
Iaken as a whole the work has been
Conservative and Intelligent, and will
commend itself to the Judgment of
good people of the state. Coming
nto power as the immediate successor
the fusionists, who so sorely .outrag-
d not only the patience, but threaten
d the best interests. of the state with
heir degrading of its work has been
l~ecessarily partizan. But this parti-
anship was in behalf of economy. hon.
sly and decency, justice and fairness
IN other words to the control and di-
ection of the best citizenship or the
tate, to the good Of all, and the op-
ress1on or injury Of none. Some meas
res have been introduced which it
ERE better for the welfare of the party
the restoration and maintenance
I that cOnfdonoo $500 ~az-