The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-01-20
UNFAVORAB|E REPORT
On Repeal of Fayette-
vile Dispensary.
The MATTER ARGUED

BY Representatives OF Both lSides Be-
fore the Legislative Commitsee-De.
eision Of the COmmittee-An Address
by Dancy, White and Other Negroes
TO the Negroes Of thest ate-An Effort
Defeated by Close Vote
Especial to The Messenger.)
Raleigh, N c., January 1s.-There
was large assemblage in the
old state library this afternoon and
again tonight to hear argument for and
against the bill to abolish the dispen-
sary at Fayetteville. The following are
here to urge the legislature not to re-
peal the bill: DR.. ]. w. McNeill, chair
man of delegation ]. A. Oates, D. T.
Oates, Rev. c. A. G. Thomas, David J.
Bruce, w. H. Downing, ]. Walter
Smith, E. J. House, Q. K. Nimocks,
ex-senator Mclaughlin, John McPher-
son, Rev. T. H. Leavitt, John Lamb.
This delegation brought here petitions
signed by Ills white men and 60 wo-
men. The committee gave full hear
ing. Representative Ray, of Cumber-
land, first spoke, favoring uncondi-
tional repeal of the law establishing
the dispensary. Representative Rob-
inson followed him favoring submis-
sion to people Of the question Of aboli-
ton or maintenance. Ray said, later
; he was willing to submit the question
to the voters of Cumberland county.
Many arguments were made pro and
con. Hon. George NJ. Rose spoke as
counsel for those who desire the dis
pensary abolished.
The committee at the night SESSION
heard argument by Messrs. Rose, E.
| ]. Hale, Arthur B. Williams and Rep
| resentative Ray in favor of allowing
| the people of the county to vote as to
! whether the dispensary shall remain
! or not. DR.. McNeill, J. M. Lamb, Evan
! gelist Leavitt and d. S. Bruce spoke
in oposition to the bill. 1t was said by
some of the oppnents of the bill that
they were willing to submit the ques-
J: ton to the white voters, but Rose said
| this was apart from the question.
The committee at 10:30 o'clock de-
clared the hearing closed, and at II
vorably. 1t is Rays BILL which thus
was turned down.
The legislative joint committee on
election laws practically decides that
it will adopt the election law of 1893
with some notifications.
The senate judiciary committee will
report favorably the bill which legal
ICES the reorganization of the South
Carolina and Georgia Extension rail-
way and all other roads sold under
foreclosure proceedings prior to 1897.
Tonight White and Dancy signed ar
address to the negroes of North Caro-.
lima. Included in this is a memorial tc
the legislature, asking it not to pass
any laws, the effect of which would bt
to "blunt our aspirations, ruin Oul
! manhood and lessen our usefulness a.
citizens, but guarantee us an equa
! chance with other men to work ou
| our destiny, and we ask you to con
|, tinue your friendly aid toward us
, which has so marked the good relation!
existing between the two races in oul
. ! state in the past. We are not insensi
BILE, but acutely grateful to our whit
neighbors in North Carolina for th
!, , liberal educational facilities so nobl.
: inaugurated in our behalf" A commit
= tee of nine was appointed to presen
the memorial. The address urges III
negroes not to be hasty in seeking an,
changes in their present surrounding
and plans but to quietly and industri
t ously fulfill all contracts with land
t lords and otherwise, and where neces
e asry, enter into new ones for the cur
3 rent year.
= Today what was termed a negro stat
d council, called by Congressman Georg
? Fl. White and others, was held here a
one of the negro churches White pre-
sided and Collector of Customs Joh
G. Dancy, of Wilmington, was secre
: tory. Eighty-nine persons were pres
> ent as delegates principally from east
r ern counties. An effort was made b
: White and some others to have resc
: luton adopted advising the negroes I
- emigrate in case the democrats mad
= their stay in North Carolina intolera
s ~ble," and agreeing that each woul
> aid the others in so emigrating. Upo
!. refusal to modify these resolutions, tw
o leading negroes, Rev. r. H. w. Lea
: and DR.. S. A. Scruggs, left the conver
ton, giving notice that they would r.
sort to the newspapers to state tt
e true facts in this case. This evenin
e the convention agreed to strike out tn
e part of the resolutions, and the yo
: on striking out was AZ to 81.
r :.