The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-03-09

deliberations of this body with credit
TO yourself and honor to the people of
North Carolina. Lat this remind You of
that fact And further, Judge Conner,
let it ever remind you that you have
a warm spot in the heart of every mem
Der of this General Assembly.
4 burst of applause from members
upon the floor and visitors i'll the gal
lsry greeted tie close of this eloquent
speech of presentation.
In Judge Connor's voice there was
somehow the suggestion of tears.
There are times" he began huskily,
when it is best not to attempt to
sneak, on account of the feelings that
well up in the heart.
ION the morning of the 18th of Sep
TENDER there was no man III North
Carolina that regarded himself more com
pletely in private life than did |. With
in few hours after the sun rose on
that morning | found myself swept
along by current l could not resist.
took up the burden and bore it as best
| could. That burden eliminates to-
day in the proudcst moment of my
life
MY feelings in regard to this tes-
timonial of your esteem and regard
cannot express. 1t will ever be a source
of pleasure to me and mine.
1T is but natural, coming here as
lid without experience, that / should
have made mistakes. That / have
made them nobody is more conscious
than J. The duties OF my position have
been artuous and trying, but to have
won the coincidence and esteem of such
Il body Of men is Il reward that any
man would be proud of.
Il desire now to return to yOu-not
my thanks, that would be too COM
mon and too cold IL ternl--indeed. |
can't find words to express my feelings.
I'VE met here on January 9th com
missioned to discharge great duties. We
leave with the consciousness of having
done our best. In so far as we have
succeeded we will be praised and APP
plauded by the people of the State. Over
any failure it is TO be hoped the mantle
of charity will be thrown
This gift from you | shall take to
those near and dear to me. 1t shall be
an inspiration to stimulate them to high
endeavor, and to those who come after
me memorial to point the way TO
great service for North Carolina"
These sentiments, so simply and feel
ingly expressed, We're heartily applauded
At the conclusion of his speech Judge
Conner was presented with handsome
bouquet, given by Miss Johnson. in be-
half of the lady teachers at Peace In
stitute.
THE POPULISTS APPROVE.
Phe Populist minority i'll the House.
through their leader. Mr.. C.. II. John
son. of Sampson. were the authors of
the resolution of thanks of the Speaker.
1t was adopted unanimously and reads
as follows:
Resolved that the thanks of the
House of Representatives are hereby
rendered to Hon. III. g. Conner for the
able, impartial and dignified manner
in which he has presided over this
body during its session 1899
Mr.. Petree. one of the Republican
leaders, followed Mr.. Hampton and said
that Judge Conner had been ever con
siderate, just and thoughtful. knowing
no mans politics in his rulings.
THE REPUBLICANS PRAISE HIM.
Mr.. w. w. Hampton. Of Surry, the
leader of the Republican minority in the
House, speaking on the resolutions offer
ed by Mr. Johnson, the Populist leader:
Il was not present on yesterday when
the gentleman from Sampson introduced
a resolution expressing the thanks Of
the Republican and Populist members
of this House for the dignified and i'm
partial manner in which the Speaker has
presided over this body. / now ask this
to express to you. Mr.. Speak
err. and the members of this General As
sembly. my sincere thanks for your kind
and courteous treatment.
Il would not be true to my conscience
or loyal to the grand old party that j
have the honor to represent If l failed
of this opportunity to give expressions of
high esteem and implicit confidence in
our presiding officer. With his courte
Gus bearing, his impartial rulings. his
cultured and mastery exercise of au-
thority, he has won the unfeigned re-
gard and deep respect of his opponents
and am proud to commend his excellent
traits of mind and heart and disposition.
His executive ability is unquestioned and
proverbial. and his fairness to both
friend and antagonist deserves the high
est commentator of all parties and fac
lions. | quit the chamber with malice
to none and good will for all. Hard things
have been said in the heat of political
discussion | have questioned with all
the ardor of my soul policies and princl-
pies espoused by other members, but
now in the evening of the session. |
expugn from my heart all bitter strife
and feeling and to all Gods best ia
vors is my wish and benediction. And
want to say further that if it is not
convenient for me to shake the hand of
each member of this House, my best
wishes will follow you to your homes
and | shall always rejoice to hear Of
any good fortune that may overtake
YOU.
THE NEGROES THANK HIM.
Representative Isaac Smith, the cor
ored representative from Craven, at the
close of yesterdays session, spoke as
follows;
'Mr. Speaker and members of the
General Assembly of North Carolina:
when the sheriff of the grand old
historic county of Craven, handed me
my certificate of election, | then looked
forward with unbounded pleasure, with
brightest anticipation of Il fond desire
bathed in sparkling silvery rays of sun
L I... fA,.