The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-01-25

Mr.. Robinson: "Some people say
they have. some say they have not.
Uaughter.)
Mr.. James, of Pender: What is
the gentleman's opinionY
Robinson: "It is hard to form an
individual opinion" Great laughterD
Mr.. White, of Halifax, said he very
much appreciated the position in which
the gentleman from Cumberland (Robin-
som was placed.
Hes between two hot fires, and he
finds it hard work to keep out of dan
ger. I'm clear as to how I'm going
to vote. l shall not vote to change
something when by so doing you run the
risk of going back to what's worse. And
in my opinion the gentleman from Cum
berland will do the same if he votes as
he ought. If he leaves it to a popular
vote the negroes will vote and he will
lose his dispensary.
1T strikes me anyway that the gentle
man from Cumberland has slightly
changed his base since this thing be-
gam"
Mr.. Davis, of Haywood, explained the
fight before the committee and the con
siderations that influenced them in their
report.
.Ir. Clarkson, of Mecklenburg Ito
Mr.. Davis, of Haywood) II believe
you are from county that has a dis
pensary. How does it work up thereI'
Mr.. Davis: My people, | believe,
approve it. There is great Improvement
in the morals of the town of Waynes-
vile. The improvement in the country
is not so great"
Mr.. Clarkson thought the dispensary
hO of bO 4po ia
problem in the cities.
"The majority of the petitioners be-
fore this House are white people," he
said. asking for a continuance of this
dispensary. A majority of the white
people have spoken. Why should we
disregard their voice or send it back
for that voice to be stifed by ignorant
negroesF'
Mr.. Alexander, of Rutherford Ito Mr..
R0binson): "You are in favor of elimi-
mating the negro from politics. Yet you
want to send this matter back for them
to vote on|'
Mr.. Robinson: ',The act is llot to go
into effect until June and by that time
the new election law will be in force.
Mr.. White, of Halifax, amended the
bill to strike out the section providing
for submitting the question to a vote
of the people.
Mr.. Robinson said majority of the
property holders-certainly the large
property owners--were opposed to the
dispensarv.
Mr. White: Don't a majority of
the property owners ON the anti-dis-
pensary petition live outside the town.
Mr.. Robinson: 'Some of them do
and some don't" Naughter.) "There
are some property owners on both pc
titions."
Mr.. White: I'm talking about your
petitions?
Mr.. Robinson: Both the petitions are
mine" Great laughter)
Mr.. Mcneil, of Brunswick, spoke in
favor of the dispensary. 1t had, he
| said. worked well in Fayetteville and
he thought it bad policy to tamper with
a thing that is working well. Better let
well enough alone.
Mr.. Ray, of Macon. chairman of the
Committee on Propositions and Griev-
ances, thought it due the House that he
make statement. The committee,
he said, was divided on the BILL Three
favored submitting the bill to a vote
of the people, provided the election be
held under the new law. All the COM
mittee favored the amendments. Every
body wanted the bill, outside of section
8, which the amendment of the gem
tleman from Halifax (White) strikes
out
II was in the MISUNDERSTANDING a
submission of the question to the voters.
But I want to say right here, no mat
ter how you vote you'll not wound my
feelings. If you adopt the amendment
of the gentleman of Halifax (White)
you viii do just what a majority of
the white people are asking.
Il do believe this bill ought to be di-
vested of every political consideration.
It's question entirely of morals. When
it comes to fastening a wrong on com
ing generations, /. for one, am going to
lay aside politics" (Applause) TT is
safe in all questions affecting the morals
of the people to fellow, the lead of the
preachers whose lives. so far as we
know, have been spotless. They are
all for the disnensary as against omen
saloons, blOckaders or blind tigers
The previous question was called, but
Mr.. Robinson asked its withdrawal in
order that his colleague CRav, of Cum
berland) might give the House his
views.
III WIS WltHurdWH, but MI. 4ldg ue-
clined to speak, despite Mr.. Robinson's
urgent invitations.
Mr. Robinson called the ayes and
noes. but the caH was not sustained.
Mr. Whites amendment striking out
the provision for submitting the matter
to vote of the people was adopted
without a dissenting vote.
This done the bill passed its several
rnadinoS IInoOimOuSlV