The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1899-03-30
SOME AFTER THOUGHTS
SUGGESTED BY THE WORK OF THE
LEGISLATURE.
nuch That Will be of
Lasting Good to the State-InteIli-
gence, Zeal and Efficiency of the
Members Praised by Speaker Con-
nor and Lieut. Gov. Reynolds.
Wilmington Messenger.)


fifty-tive working days 1--WE take it for
granted that the salons obeyed God,
setting a good example thereby, rest
ed from their labors on the Sundays
if they did not exactly keep" them
"holy'D actually adopting some l, 300
public acts, thus cheating the rec
ord" the wonder is that they did so
well. 1t is not surprising, if regret
full, that they failed signally as to
some just and important measures.
1t is very sure the General Assembly
needs an omnibus bill for hundreds
OF private measures. Long ago this
writer urged this arrangement of re-
lief and economy, as the newspaper
files will show.
The members many fresh in
legislation-have no doubt done what
they could for the good OF the old
State under the peculiar circum-
stances and with the light before
them. Some failed their party and
the interests of the State in critical
hours. They may have to answer for
this before their constituents.
Speaker Connor and Lieutenant
Governor Reynolds, the presiding
officers in the two houses, approve
highly Of the work accomplished and
bear earnest witness to the intelli-
gence, zeal and efficiency of the mem
bers, as whole. The Lieutenant
Governor Is not q Democrat, but he
indorses the members in no unmis-
taxable words and says .'he could
not imagine any better set of repre-
sentatives than the body the Senate)
before him.
We are disposed to bestow the bou-
quet upon the House of Representa-
tives as the wiser and more faithful
Democratic body. The House had
the brains and the Senate perhaps
more wisdom.
Speaker Common certainly won
golden words Of Endorsement and
silver manifestations Of approval.
That tea set was bright declaration
of good will and kind words. That
he richly merited all this is true for
he is model speaker we may not
doubt, and we know him to be a
model gentleman-pure, genuine,
sincere, urbane, honest and honor
able. May his tribe increase.
In his farewell address to the
House he bore high evidence in be-
half of the body over which he had
presided with so much of dignity,
fairness and ability. Referring to
the very important suffrage question
to be settled at the polls by the adop-
ton or rejection Of the proposed
amendment to the Constitution, Judge
ConnOr said:
There were, of course, differences
of opinion in regard to the wisest and
best manner of dealing with the ques-
ton. These differences have been
discussed fully, and mutual conces-
sions have been made, and, after long
and lahOrious efforts, the intensity
of which will never be known save
by those who engaged in them, a
common position was reached, re-
sulting in a proposed amendment to
the Constitution. That it is not per-
feet none know better or appreciate
more fully than ourselves; that it is
the best possible outcome of the
situation we believe to be true. We
also believe it is basis upon which
we may be able to build safe, stable
and intelligent system Of suffrage in
this State. We submit it to the peo-
pie for their ratification"
Let the white folks resolve come
veal or woe. come Pritchard or Rus
sell, that they will carry this amend
ment and save the State from con
fusion, from lawlessness, from anar
chy. from negro rule, from demagogit
bossing. from Pritchardism and Rus
sellism and cOnspiracies against the
commonwealth henceforth and for
ever more. Lock shields and swear
upon the altar Of your State that nc
detriment shall befall it at the hands
of its enemies, malignant, hungry
despairing.
Speaker Conner called attention tC
the remarkable fact-a curious anon
alv-that the Legislature, the law
makers, had to sit as jurors in trying
a case. 1t was not q case OF infection
from Russell. He played all roles
and vet the Tennessee eulogist find:
only applause and gush for him
Nothing could be more undeserve,
and insincere. Speaker Common con
cluded in this wise:
We commit our work to the fail
and Just consideration of the con
stituencv who coniided to us thei
highest and best political interests
- For reasons deemed wise to us
we have, as the Constitution provide
we NAV do. determined to ad journ t.
dav certain In accordance there
fore with the joint resolution OF The
two Houses, | hereby declare thi
House adjourned to the second Tues
day in June. 1907
We hope and believe that the Popu
lists, with few exceptions. who vote'
for the White Mans Rule in Nortl
Carolina last year, will heartily co
operate this year with the Democrat
in putting an extinguisher for al
time upon all possibility of negr
rule over the white people OF GU
common State, so endeared to us b
so many ties that bind" The tigh
will be heated and sharp, but unles
! the white race is sordid and low an
recreant and debased the cause c
Anglo-SaNon civilization will be mad
safe.
Let us not fail to emphasize tn
& fact here that the Populists in tn
! Legislature voted squarely with tn
). Democrats for the amendment to tn
i Constitution. They will be sure t
e help in the coming battle for 1t
2 adoption and white supremac!
foot IL, nnnnactinn with tb