The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-03-02
THE LEGISLATURE.
The Work Of That Body RAPIDLY
Drawing to Close.
D1sPENsARY FOR GREENSBORO
TUEsAAY, FEBRUARY 2lst

TUEsAAY, FEBRUARY 21st.
SENATE.-TheG Greensboro dispen-
sary bill was the special order for one
O'Clock and Immediately when 1t was
taken up Senator Bryan offered an
amendment providing that the ques-
tion of dispensary or no dispensary
should be submitted to vote Of the
qualified electors.
Senator Hairston, who had charge of
the minority report on the bill, gave
the amendment right OF way, the issue
being whether the dispensary should
be established outright or only by a
special election for it.
Senator Wilson spoke first and did
not conceal that he was poorly pleased
that there should be an attempt to
amend the bill contrary to the wishes
of the representatives of Gullford
county.
Senator Wilson said it was a matter
that effected his people, the people he
was sent to represent. It was purely
local measure and he was RESPONSE BILE
to his people. The question had al
ready been submitted to vote Of the
people. The negroes held the balance
Of power in Greensboro. The Senator
from Craven did not wish the negro to
rule in Newbern but was willing to give
them an opportunity to rule IN Green's
boro. People had been induced by out
siders to come on the floor and declare
that the people he represented did not
want the dispensary He thought he
was advised as to what they wanted.
Senator Campbell denied that ma
jorlty of the white voters of Greensboro
were in favor OF the dispensary.
Senator Lindsay said that all the rep
resentatiyes OF Gullford county and all
the senators living near Greensboro fa-
vored the dlspensary.
Senator Justice said the Senator
from Greensboro had made an honest,
earnest effort to ascertain the wishes of
his people. He had declined to advo-
cate the bill until the people had spo-
ken in a primary. The primary was
held and was overwhelmingly in favor
OF the dlspensary. The negroes IN
Greensboro held the balance of power
and their vote would control on high
moral question. lie stood with the
good people of Greensboro.
Senator Bryan said the negroes
would not control under the new cleo
ton law. The question was not pure
ly local because it established prece-
dent of allowing minority to dictate
legislation.
Senator Glenn said that If the repre-
sentatives Of the county were divided
there would be some excuse for intel-
fering; but they all favored the bill.
Greensboro was IN largely Quaker
county the people favored prohibition.
It was the grand centre OF female edu-
cation in the State, the place where the
future mothers OF North Carolina were
being trained. The dispensary 6epriv-
ed no man OF his rights. Every man
could drink to his hearts scontent but
it put an end to treating. 1t put an
end also to drinking after sundown, the
greatest curse of the country. 1t was
said that the passage of the bill wouid
hurt the Democratic party. If the
Democratic party had to stand upon
such grounds then let it be swept away.
There were 100 petitioners for the
dispensary and only forty against it.
Senator Hairston asked if part of the
petitioners were not negroes.
Senator Glenn replied that if so it
showed that some negroes were rising
to higher moral plane. The repre-
sentatives of Guilford would be untrue
to their obligations if they failed to
support the bill. "Who fayors the dis
pensary?" he exclaimed. "The good
people of Greensboro. Who oppose it?
A man who few years ago came from
the North and settled outside OF Greens,
boro. The citizens voted tax to build
an avenue out to his property. Now
no liquor is allowed to be sold about his
home. but he wishes to have it sold
near the homes OF other people"
Senator Glenn declared that he had
been warned not to favor the dispense
ry as it would injure his chances Of
political preferment. Such should not
deter him. He would cast his ballot
Tor the dispensary regardless of conse-
! quences to himself.
Senator Franks said there could be
no morality about legalizing the sale ol
liquor. He preferred the bar-room to
the dispensary.