The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-02-02
THE LEGISLATURE.
What Our Law Makers Are Dcinr
For North Carolina.
MUCH WORK DONE.
TUESDAY, JANUARY "a.

TUESDAY, JANUARY "a.
The work of investigation is not al
lowed to halt. Senator Smith intro
duced bill providing for an examina
ton into the'affairs of the Agricultu
raj and Mechanical College for the col
ored race, situated at Greensboro. The
charges of mismanagement in that in
stitution have been open and sweep
ing, and have had sufficient colorine
of truth to warrant an investigation
The bill was passed under a suspen.
sion of the rules and sent to the House
for immediate action.
BILLS PASSED.
S. B. IA. H. B. 60: To repeal
chapter 500, Laws of 1897, as to work
ing the roads of Wayne county
Amended so as not to prevent the col
lection of the tax for 1898.
S. B. 139: To repeal the charter of
Newbern and vest city property in
trustees until lew charter is granted
S. B. 1856: To require nonresident
hunters to pay a license of $25 for
each float from which wild fowl are
shot in Dare county.
S. B. 155, II. B. 65: To promote
temperance in Dare county bv forbid
ding giving or selling intoxicants to
minors.
S. 3. 279. Senator Travis: To in
corporate the Roanoke Railroad and
Bridge Company.
HOUSE.-The discussion oyer the
Fayetteville dispensary occupied con-
time. 1t was disposed of and
was victory for dispensary advocates.
Immediately upon the announce
ment OF the Calendar, Mr.. Robinson,
of Cum berland, called up the bill, say
ing that there was quite large dele
CATION in the city from Fayetteville
and they desired the matter settled so
that they might return home.
''In 1897" Mr.. Robinson went on
TO explain when the bill had been read,
The county of Cumberland Twas repre-
'ented by two Republicans. Without
consulting their people they secured
he passage of this law. It Is charged
hat they did SO through malice to-
ward some of those who secured the
lefeat of their pet scheme police
ill for Fayetteville. How much
ruth there is in the charge, I can't
ay.
"The citizens of Fayetteville are
cry much diyided on the dlspensary
uestlon. Some who first opposed 1t
ow favor it, claiming that it promotes
ood morals. The property owners, as
rule, though oppose it on the
round that it hurts business.
II am heartily in favor of good |
norals. I am likewise in favor of |
eiping the business interests of Fay
tteville. I am also a Democrat. I
elieve we can never do better than
abmit the questions to the people
'om whom we derive our authority
tut right here l am met with an en-
situation. They say we ia
or submitting the matter to the peo-
le, but who are the people? There Is
large, ignorant and corrupt negro
ote. What are you going to do with
lem? My substitute bill, which is
ow before the House, provides for
lbmitting this thing to popular
ote, under such election law as we
1all here pass. The same people will
ote on this question OF dispensary as
Ill vote on the Constitutional
"Before the dispensary Fayetteville
ad twelve bar-rooms which paid ST.
10 to Fayetteville and 81, 200 to Cum
srland county. Now, from this dis
snsary, the town gets $2.400. Be-
des the dispensary has made $4,000
rofits."
Mr.. Rountree, Of New Hanover
How does the gentlemen think we
1ght.to vote On this blll"? daughter
Mr.. Robinson "I'm willing to re-
r the matter to the wisdom OF the
ouse. It's a matter that concerns
1t only Cumberland county, but it
'ncerns every county in the State,
Id the whole Democratic party. 1t
It's precedent"
Mr.. Mclean, of Harnett: "On
hich side, in your opinion, are ma
rity Of the white people?"
Mr.. Robinson: "I have no way to
me 60 that. If we judge by the pc
lions the people are divided"
Iaughter.)
Mr.. Rountree Chow does the
.ntlemen think we ought to vote?'
Mr.. Robinson: every man ou ght
vote as he sees fit. (Laughter) I
III say frankly I will vote for my
bstitute."
Mr.. Powell, Of Wake: 'sDo you
ink the dispensary has reduced
,me?"
ATr. Robinson eff the reports of
e mayor OF Fayetteville be true it
Is reduced crime. Some others say
hasn't, "Laughter.)
Mr.. Ransom, OF Mecklenburg
;an't the question be submitted to a
tie Of the white people?"
Mr.. Robinson s'There Is no ma
inery in Moth Carolina for submit
ng it to such vote".
"It is a question of under which
ng we will serve: King Dispensary
King Bar-room." |,
Mr.. Moore, of Jackson: "Haye
u any petitions to let this dispen-
nv stand as it now is?'
Mr.. Robinson: II have"
Mr.. Moore "Have you any petition
submit it to a vote of the people?" ,
Mr.. Robinson 81 have not. It is