The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-02-02

and but for the fact that the present
sheriff is Republican you would not
now be considering a proposition to re-
establish it."
Mr.. Carroll, of Alamance: Does the
gentleman think Surry needs county
treasurer
Mr.. Hampton said he did not, and
that the county was now in better con
dition than it was two years ago. lie
would give any man who would 60
there and examine into the matter n
check for $500 if he didn't come back
and SO report.
Mr.. Gattis, Of Orange, said the com
mittee had heard both sides on this
question carefully. 1t was in evidence
that the county was badly behind i'll it's
finances: also that the present sheriff
was charging Il commission for receiving
and paying out moneys, whereas the law
expressly provides that he shall not do
so: that the Democratic sheriff had not
done so.
'tFurther it was shown in committee
that the sheriff has been paying county
orders to partisan friends, while those
of the opposite party have to wait for
months and years to get their money.
The school fund also is in bad condi-
ton.
II would like just here to state in
reply to my friend Hampton, that
there were two issues in the last cam
pagn: White Supremacy and Good
Government You may have white SUI
premacy in Surry county, but You
haven't got good government, if the evil
dence before us be true"
Mr. Hampton: 'I'll stand by my $500
offer as to the financial condition of the
county"
Smith, (col. Rep). of Craven: The
gentleman from Snrry asks us not to
pass this bill. Asks Democrats not to
vote for it, an then abuses them
abuses the very men he's askin' not TO
pass it-abllses me. | didn't ut nrst
know how I'll vote, now I'll vote
ag'inst his bill if | get a chance. SO help
me God. | want this Legislature to
'lect that treasurer an I'm sorry it
couldn't 'lect representative from
Surry He comes here and buses such
as meme who represents the grand oil
county of Craven, that has contributed
as much to literature as any other in the
State. From that county came such
men as Judge CASTOR, whose autograph
rests in the Supreme court over yonder
as inspiration to the young men of
this country.
81 am the sole representative of these
people. And yet the gentleman gets up
here an refers to me as that OF man..
Calls me an OF man-an OIL Democrat:
then in the next breath he asks the
Democrats to kill that bill.
"Why, he's got the cheek of a brass
monkey.
Pm here representa- my race I'm
doin' it consistent. If | amt who i -
name of God is? That's what / want to
know.
Il was sent here by the colored race
sanctioned by the white race If they
hadn't wanted me they could have
manipulated so as to beat me.
'1hen he Hampton comes here an
disgraces the people what sent him here
by 'busin' me an calm me Of
Democrat"
BY this time Isaac had worked him
self into quite fury, and the Speaker
called him to order. warned him that he
must desist from personalities and con
fine himself to the question.
DIR. Mcneil, of Brunswick, rising to Il
point of order, said he must object to
the language used by the Craven mem
her in reference to the gentleman from
Surry.
Mr.. Hampton Il do not rise to make
any reply to that TRADE / shall consid
err the source and pay no attention to it,
Il do wish to deny, however, the
statement made to the committee that
,hn Il, a =. -,
the payment of county orders. / was
clerk while he was sheriff. and / know it
to be untrue. He is an honest man and
man of high character"
Mr. Leatherwcod, of Swain, thought
the bill good one, and he advocated
its passage.
Mr.. Gillian, of Edgecombe. said <
was admitted before the committee that
the sheriff's bond was insufficient
worth hardly $1,000.
So far the line of cleavage in the de-
bate had been political. Now it struck
across-lot on the Democratic side of the
House and from that moment the death
knell of the blu began to ring.
Il am opposed to this bill because
am a Democrat" These words were
spoken quietly enough by Mr.. Craig
Democrat, of Buncombe; but they
smote the ears of his hearers with
wonderful force and significance. -
am in favor of the restoration of white
government in the counties of the East.
where there are negroes-and my vote
will always be found on that side. But
with the people Of the West it's differ
ent. If they want bad government
Republican government-let them have
it. They have chosen their officers, anC
/ take it they wouldn't care to have this
Legislature coming in and interfering
They are able to govern themselves"
Mr.. Winston: rs there any Other
way far this county to get treasurer?
Mr.. Craig: II think not Let the
Legislature, if it so desires, create tho
office or delegate the power to create
it; but leave to the people the choice
of tie man TO fill it. j am opposed to
this House trying to administer the af-
fairs of Surry or any other Western
county. And | for one shall vote
against it,
Mr.. Mclean, of Harnett, favored the
bill because he thought the Democratic
minority was entitled to some protec
ton at the hands of this Legislature