The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-07-09

in all other respects discordant and an
tagonistic, desire to destroy what they
considered common enemy.
The political tone and color of this
body was in marked contrast to that
which had controlled since 1870. The
fusionists were in a majority so large
that the minority were helpless. For
the first time in our history statute
found its way into the hands of the
Clerk ON Enrolled Bills and had the sig
nature of the presiding officers which,
in fact had not been enacted by the Sen
ate and House. The Importance of the
act and its drastic provisions gave the
question of its validity much prominence.
1t was brought into litigatiom by direct
attack, the facts admitted and its valid
ity sustained by the Supreme court, but
with strong dissenting opinions, the sub
ject received the usual amount of discus
sion among members of the har. While
the lay and the legal mind of the State
revolted at the suggestion that Il statute
can have the effect and force
of law otherwise than by the
of the people. there is much in the
argument that the integrity of the
records of one department of the gov
ernment cannot be called into question
by another department. The people, as
they always should do in a government
like ours, where their wrongs may be
righted by constitutional methods obey
ed the statute until the next General
Assembly repealed it. 1T is to he hoped
that the occasion will not again arise for
the discussion of so delicate and vexing
a question. That it ever arose is to be
de1plored.
We find that hut little legislation
affecting tile substantive law or that OF
procedure was enacted ut this session.
Many statutes. especially the revenue
law. indicate the temper of the body III
regard to the adjustment of the politi-
cal burdens and benefits. 1t was at this
session that an act bearing the title.
An act to restore self government to
the people" reversing the policy of the
State for twenty years. was passed.
BY this change the election Of the Jus
tices of the Peace and County Cont
mssioners was vested iii the people.
The bends of county officers We're re
dnced and provisions made for giving
silcll bonds in Surety Companies.
These statutes indicate clearly the
change which had come in respect to the
governing class in the State.
The. dominant party gave to the cleo
ton law its best thought and enacted
what was declared to be in very truth
the perfection of human reason, p0litical
fairness and wisdom. If made to per-
petuate its own power. the impartial his
toFian must, in the light of the after
math declare that it was a dismal fail
ure. The radical changes made III the
municipal charters followed by the as
slmptiom of control without regard for
the wishes or interests Of the citizens
can not be easily reconciled with the
l,rofessed devotion to local self-goyern-
ment. There has not been in the history
of the State exhibited more disregard
for the right of local elf-government In
regard to towns and cities than the leg
islation Of 1895 and '97. The results
which followed this legislation were en-
tircly characteristic of the people of this
State from their earlier history Law
abiding and peaceful when left to them
selves they have ever been restive and
even turbulent when any other govern
ment than that Of their own choosing
was imposed upon them. The men of
1898 were line;l descendants of those OF
Mecklenburg and the Cape Fear of
17715.
The members OF the General Assem-
bly, of 1899. as a rude, accepted nomina-
tons with the expectation of being de-
fcated. The leaders and exponents Of
thought in the State. had but little con-
ception Of the extent to which the politi-
cal sentiment of the people had swung
from one extreme to the other. Events
occurring pending tho campaign had n
marked effect upon the reslrlt which was
but little less than revolution, sur
prising the leaders and attracting the at
tention of the entire country. \ ques-
ton which had to large extent become
auiescent suddenly forced itself to the
front and stirred the minds and hearts
Of the dominant race as never before in
our history. The House of Representa-
tiyes contained an overwhelming ma
jority of Democrats. The minority were
divided between Popml:sts and Republi-
cans. Of the latter four were negroes.
The Senate was even more unanimous.
More than the usual nglnber Of strong,
able and experienced lawyers were mem
bers. The farming, manufacturing and
general business interest of the State
were well represented As an indication
of the temper OF the body in respect to
the acts and doings OF the sessions of
1898 and 1897. the second resolution in
trotfflced and adopted contained pro
vision for the appointment of com
mittee of FIVE to carefully examine all
public laws passed by the General As
senblies of 1895 and 1897. and to re-
port what laws should be repealed or
amended and to make such other recon-
mendations in regard to such laws as to
them may seem proper While. of
course. the committee made no report as
to such ''Other recommendation"
find that of the 21S statutes then in
force whicir were repealed and amended
100 Of them were of the public laws of
the session Of 1897. and 81 Of the ses-
sion of 1895. Probably it is the only
instance i'm the history OF this or OF any
other State where .'the States collected
will has undergone so marked change
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