The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-01-17
LEGISLATIVE.

gro but in a way that the United States
supreme court may not approve of.
If it does not, then what? Unless the
legislature takes a recess instead Of ad-
journing its work may go for nothing
as to the election law. 1t will be wiser
to try g sure bill than an uncertain
one. 1t is said Pritchar.i will test the
Louisiana law if the legislature adopts
it. But when? He may choose to
postpone and force a REPETITION Of the
last campaign in 1900. Is he too good
to do it? Next Tuesday the democratic
caucu is to take action. Croekett's
motto will fit the occasion-"Be sure
you are right, then GO ahead"
1t is wise in the senate to cut off new
bills after the 18th of February, except
approved by a tho-thirds vote. With
out such a resolution work will ac-
cumulate to the very end of the sixty
days.
Representative Wizards bill 20 call
an election in New Hanover county to
appropriate $685. 900 for road construc-
ton is timely, important and needed.
The only difficulty is raising the
wind with present heavy indebtedness.
OF course bonds will be issued and pay
day deferred, but interest must be
met. But road building is in order
among enlightened people, and it is
important that there should be excellent
roads leading to this city. They will
greatly benefit the people in the QUIZ
try as it will those in the town.
The talks of some colored men before
the joint committee OF constitutional
amendments showed enlightenment and
progress. Parson Leak spoke out in
censure of the ~s'vicious legislation" for
Wilmington by the late fusion gang.
He expressed confidence in the ability
and fairness of the democratic in the
legislature. Professor Crosby talked
like a man of sense and candor. He
sees the situation and how 10O,0 900 ne
groes will always vote for the %republi-
a party regardless of anything
He is surely wise in this:
81 regard this solid black vote as be-
ing a great menace to our government.
The negroes are in fact to be saved
| from themselves He said he had no
| request to make as to voting only to
l oc1> fho 1or;o1o{,ro 4o ID urho{ ~ &C
| heart it thinks right; that the majority
in the legislature is far seeing, honest
| and earnest, ito disfranchise enough
negroes to make it certain that good
government will prevail. Do that and
stop. Do not go the the extent of per.
| %secution."
Senator Mason mad a strong speech
in the senate against expansion. He
is a republican from the west. His
points were keen and driven home
with intense vigor. Papers said the
speech was rugged" 1t was filled
with argument we'll put, and was strons
in common sense. The speech OF Sen
ator McLaurin, Of South Carolina, wa.
decidedly vigorous, clear and wise
His argument was we'll construed
and his attack upon the republican
Inconsistency was compact, direct, con
elusive. His discussion just here wa
capital and most damaging to the i'm
perialists. Take this:
cit is passing strange that senator
who favored universal suffrage shout
now advocate Imperialism. There /
a glazing Inconsistency in those posi-
tions. If they are sincere in thei
views as to the Philippines, they shoul
propose ar amendment to the consti
tuition which will put the inferior race
in this country and the inhabitants @
the Philippines upon an equality as t
their civil and political rights and thu
forever settle the vexed race and sui
frage questions in this country as we
as in the outlying territories"