The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-04-28
Especial to The Messenger.)

Especial TO The Messenger.)
Raleigh, n. c., April 26.-This after
noon was made decidedly interesting
at the agricultural department. The
fusionist members of the board of ag-
riculture had a short session this morn
ing and then awaited o'clock, when
the democrats were to come. Never
were more nervous men seen than
those fusionists. They had all sorts
of watchmen from public buildings
and these and their members stood at
every door, ready to close it.
At o'clock, here came the demo-
Gratis. The big centre door was closed
with a bang. Then the door to the
board room was closed, and last of
all, the door to the commissioners
room. Standing in front Of the board
room door was J. c. L. Harris. Upon
the portico came the democrats headed
by Chairman J. S. Cunningham and
accompanied by their attorneys j. H.
Pou, E. w. Pou, F. M. Simmons and
S. F. Mordecai. S. L. Patterson, COM
missioner of agriculture elect, was
with them. AS they reached the board
room, one of them, ]. Bryan Grimes,
stepped by Harris and walked in the
room Secretary J. l.. Ramsey locked
the door behind Grimes. Harris said:
What is your pleasure, gentlemen.
Cunningham said Pou would speak.
Then J. H. Pou demanded admission.
Harris refused him. Pou asked by
what authority it was refused. Harris
replied it would not be given; that the
old board was the only one legally con-
stituted under the Day decision and
that the members elected by the leg
islature had no status. Pou said: Then
the closing of the doors is evidence OF
physical restraint" Harris said: Yes" )"
Pou asked whether the fusionists have
a ease agreed made up at once so as
to go before the supreme court. Harris
replied he could not say until his board
had conferred about it. He asked that
the request be put in writing, and said
his board would quickly answer in
writing, and added that it was acting
under the written opinion of w. H.
Day, T. M. Argo and l.. c. Edwards.
Pou then said: I'VE will have to bid
you adieu. We will meet at Philiphi.' -
II will be there said Loge. Pou an
swered that the democrats would meet
Immediately in another part of the
building and there await reply. They
then went into the corporation COM
mission room, which opens upon the
main hall of the agricultural depart
ment, and so passed into the hall.
When they had gone a few feet into
this, Harris hurriedly appeared and
with outstretched hands, barred the
way. Behind him was ]. c. Ray, fu-
sionist member from Watauga, who ex-
tended his arms also. Harris forbade
them to come further. ]. B. Coffield,
democratic member, pushed by them
both, telling them it was a public
building. Bryan Grimes passing out OF
the closed room, joined his fellow dem
NScrats. Fusionist Ray closed the fold
ing doors into the room in the rear OF
the board room and stood with his back
against them.
There are twenty-four members OF
the board of agriculture. The demo.
Gratis had only twelve present. DR.. W
r. Capeheart, S. L. Hart. and W. =
Smith not being present; but Harris
and Ray were inside with them and Sc
made fourteen, leaving only six locked
up in the board room.
Cunningham called the board to or
der Harris and Ray did not know the!
were making up quorum. There wa
critical period for some moments
There was fight plainly shown on tn
faces of several democrats. Some said
Lets go right into that room.''
The first motion was made by Will
liam A. Graham that Secretary Ram
sey be notified to produce the records
1t was adopted and notice was sent t.
the fusionists that the board was il
session Graham was appointed to no
tify Ramsey. He returned and sal
that Ramsey declined to produce tn
records.
On Grahams motion he was immedi
ately removed as secretary and T. K
Bruner was elected secretary pro teu
During these proceedings spectator
began ITO come into the hallway in th
. rear Fusionist followers were in 9th
AVER corridors, among them several ne
groes. Even the museum doors wer
closed, though it was not the closin
hour
Ray, fusionist, said he had four year