The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-03-01
THE NEW ELECTION LAW.
1t Went Through the House With Lit
tie Discussion.

1t Went Through the House With Lit
tie Discussion.
The new Election Law came up at
/ O'Clock as a special order.
Before the bill was read rule of or
der was adopted whereby one hour was
to be devoted to its discussion-one-
half hour to be given to advocates of the
bin and one-half hour to its opponents.
The time of the friends of the bill to
be Mt the disposal of Mr.. Winston, who
was in charge of it, and the time of
the opponents of the bill was at the dis
posal of Mr.. Petree tRep.) of Stokes.
Discussion of the bin was opened by
Mr.. Petree, who amended to strike out
section u. giving the power to challenge
and stand aside voters on the day of
election. He thought this provision
an unjust one that could easily be TAX
en- advantage of on election day.
At this point Isaac Smith wanted to
know of Mr.. Petree how much time the
colored members of the House were to
be given.
Mr.. Petree-.Five minutes. Mr.. Eat
on of Vance, will consume that
..Smith-"How much time do you give
the member from Craven Smith
Mr.. Pctree--'None."
Against this Isaac kicked nightly,
saying he was being denied IA constitu-
tionai privilege, the right to get up on
the floor and express himself on any
question o&importance before the Legis-
lature.
His kick brought no response, except a
call to order.
Mr.. Hampton, Rep., of Surry), sent
up exactly dozen amendments, all OF
which We're voted down.
These amendments were IN the main
as follows:
To change the election back to No
veimber, instead of August.
TO provide for three registrars. no
two of whom shall be of the same po-
litical party. but all of whom shall be
men of good character. and able to read
and write.
To appoint on the State Election
Board two Democrats, two Republicans
and one Populist; on the County Elec-
ton Board, two Democrats and one
Republican.
To strike out the section providing
for roping off the polling place; also the
section allowing challenges on election
day; likewise the tax-paying section.
To strike out the section authorizing
the appointment of special officers to
protect the voting place and preserve the
peace: also the, section regulating the
size and character of the ballot to be
voted.
To strike out the section authorizing
the Judges of election not to count mark
ed ballots or those cast In the wrong
box.
VI. esntI mo ant
were adopted the election law would
no = prnttv good one, and he believed
he would vote for it.
He denounced the election methods of
the Democrats and said in 1894 that
party was swept from power as re-
Duke for these methods.
Mr.. Hampton-"l'll ietve you to ex-
plain that ,
Mr.. Ray, of Macon-"What was the
cause of the rebuke in 1897
Proceeding Mr.. Hanptou pointed out
his objections to the proposed law, the
principal ones of which were that the
election board was not equally divided,
and that challenging was allowed on
election day.
..If this election law is passed in its
present shape it will greatly assist IN
defeating your constitutional amend
ment in Western North Carolina.
Mr.. Williams. of Yadkin, amended TO
rroyide that not more than two of the
nvc members of the State and county
boards of election should be of the
same political party.
10 my mind the Republican party
Of North Carolina is not dead; she is
only sleeping" !,
He was very much afraid 1t would
scare Democrats away from voting for
Ar Curtis. of Buncombe-"Do you
object 10 people being scared away from
voting for this amendment
Mr.. Williams evaded the question by
saving that he objected to any law
maj was not in all respects just and
right.
Mr.. Prtehard. of Mitchell: denounced
,ha law as unfair. Us unjust aud u