The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-01-27
NO EXPERT TESTIMONY
TANKING UP IN PUBLIC IS NOW
PROHIBITED.
THE TlMBERLAKe OFFICER INJUNCTION
The Bill to Restore the Burlington officials to
Citizenship Was Passed. Bonds
Given in Surety Com
panieS.


The Legislature of 1897 passed law
making it q misdemeanor for any per-
son to be found drunk or intoxicated
on the public highway or public road,
or at any public meeting. For this a
penalty Of mot less than so fine or
imprisonment for not exceeding thirty
days" was fixed.
The act was made TO apply only to the
counties of Buncombe, Henderson and
Transylvania
The Legislature intended, MS is shown
by the text OF the act, TO put the matter
within the jurisdiction of justices of
the peace, but failed to do so, as a
fine greater than $50 may be imposed. 70
remedy this defect in the law Mr..
Craig, of Runcombe, the other day in
troduced bill making the penalty 50
10 SO.
And it WAS this bill that caused the
star discussion in the House yesterday.
Mr.. Craig raised the curtain on the
performance by explaining the law and
his amendment to it and the reasons
therefor.
Before he could get off the centre of
the stage, Mr.. Patterson, of Caldwell,
came on with an amendment to reduce
the fine to 81. He said he thought it
rather tough on Il bibulous citizen, if
caught in his cups away from home, to
make him pay $40 When, however,
his attention was called to the fact that
rhe act applied only to Buncombe. Hen
derson and TRANSATLANTIC, he withdrew
the amendment.
Nj. Pow nf Macon nayt annn1rp1 nd
wanted to ask Mr. Craig Il few ques
tons:
Had there ever been any indictment
and convictions under this law?
Mr.. Craig was unable To answer.
How many drinks does it take TO
make one drunk?
Mr.. Craige: 'You'll have TO ask
somebody else. My experience is rath
or limited
Mr.. Ray: ''My opinion is. though
I'm not an expert on the subject. that
il 4 man takes drink and feels it he's
intoxicated and has violated the laws
of his country.
INSTEAD Of I'm amendment reducing the
fine. the gentleman from Caldwell ought
10 have offered a substitute bill 10 re-
peal the thing entirely. That's the
proper thing for a sensible Legislature
III no. an Stili HIVE thS-iiA ~ TX iiOl-
ted from the statute books OF free
country"
Then Mr.. Ray read the law: '''That
upon complaint before any justice Of the
peace he shah forthwith Issue n warrant
for the arrest Of the accused. and in
the absence OF n duly authorized officer
to execute said warrant, shall denutize
any citizen TO execute the same.
..Now. under this law, if man secs
mo take q drink he has prima facie
evidence tlht I'm intoxicated and he
can go before 4 magistrate and have
me arrested not only have nae arrested,
hui lie can arrest me himself. if j take
ig dr.nk''---
Mr.. Nicholson. of Beaufort; "Did
lie gentleman ever go into BuncombeT
Mr.. Ray: Yes. and that's why I'm
talking against this bill.
II don't know whether they'd ever
&catch nly good friend Wilson, Of Tran
sviyania. under this hill or not. but my
advice 10 him is that he'd better offer
a substitute 10 wipe out the whole
thing. There's no telling what might
ba '1. l 3fsvvTFD
ar. Curtis. Of Buncomhe, here ad-
dressed the chair
Mr.. RAY: 81 don't know whether Won
want 70 ask me a question or make 4
speech"
Mr.. Curtis: II don't want to do
either. / simply want to say [ hope
the Honse viii not repeal this law. The
better class Of citizens III my county
want If. ] viii say also that the gem
1laman from Macon had better be
attending to his own affairs and not
take charge Of those Of Buncombe. Hen
derson and Transatlantic. These coun-
ties have representatives here vino are
amply able to look after their Hffairs.
All we want in regard TO TINS bill is
Z that II be fixed so that we can prop
erIv enforce il"
AIR Craig: Unless the gentleman
from Macon wants to further discuss
INV bill. III call the previous question. :
Mr. Williams. Of Graham. AMENDED
- e+rike ont Tho words 20" intoxic"ted :
The amendment was lost. and the
bill was passed on its several readings