The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-06-03
THE WILMINGTON
REVOLUTION
Forced Upon the People to
Preserve Life and Pro-
tect Property.
IF WAS NOT POLITICAL
The Condition of Lawlessness Preced-
ing it Was Result of Fusion
Government.
IT WAS NOT POLITICAL
HOW IT WAS ORGANIZED AND CONDUCTED
In The Midst Of il the Whites Protec ed the Me-
groes. Il Occurred After the Election.
Beneficial Results to City
and County.
BY IREDELL MEAREs.

The effort by the Republican speakers
i'm this campaign to make it appear that
the Wilmington revolution, which occurr-
ed November 10th, 1898, was inaugurated
by the Democratic party in New Han
over county, to carry elections by intimi-
dating negroes, even to killing them,
merits the dsapproval of every citizen
Of the State who understands the real
significance of that revolution. 1t was
not conceived nor cOnsummated in the
interest of any political party. Tho "av~
olution was the outcome of a social con-
Gition caused by the incompetent admin
istration of public affairs in this city,
md county by the Republican and Popu-
list parties. This condition. in 1888, was
one Of lawlessness, insecurity to life and
property, and its dangers confronted the
people of Wilmington night and day, with
aggravating and increasing insistence
The city government had been directed
previous 10 the fusion Legislature of
S95 by the mayor and a board of ten
aldermen There were five wards in the
city, two aldermen being elected from
each ward. Three of these wards were
controlled by white men, who were thus
enabled to elect always six of the ten al
dermen. and by that narrow majority the
city government was controlled and di-
rccted by the white citizens. The alder
mon elected all city officials and APP
POINTED all subordinate employees. There
was a Board of Audit and Finance, having
q veto power upon expenditures whose
members were appointed by the Governor
0f the State The Fusion Legislature of
S95 created a Board Of Police Commits
sioncrg, With power to elect all officials
and employees, with the exception Of
the mayor, and the members of that
board were named in the act. It con-
sisted of three white Republicans, one
Populist and one negro. The board of al
dermen was continued, but practically
stripped Of power. 1t had no power to
appoint subordinate officials. employees
or policemen, but it was supposed to have
control of these in administering the gov
crnmcnt and in preserving the public
peace. This Act was repealed in 1897 by
the Fusion Legislature. and instead, the
Governor was given the power to ap-
point, not only the Board of Audit and
Finance but five Of the board of alder
men. The citizens were allowed in each
ward 10 elect one aldermen This en-
abled the Governor and the Republican
party TO control the board of aldermen by
the FIVE aldermen appointed by the Gov
ernor and the two aldermen elected
from the negro = .rds. Governor Russell
made the appointments. The result was
that Dr. s. p. Wright was elected mayor
and John f. Melton the chief of police.
The former was Republican and the
latter claimed to be Populist. Neither
of these men were fitted for the positions.
The subordinate city officials and en-
ployees, with few unmportant exceptions,
we're composed of incompetent white men
and negroes. The assistant city clerk
and treasurer was a negro. There were
about seventeen ngro policemen appointed.
The county government passed into the
control of the Populists and Republicans
at the fall election of 1896 under the
county system provided by the Fusion
Legislature. Elijah Hewlett, Republic
can, was elected sheriff; G. z. French,
Republican, was elected to the Legisla-
ture. 1t was Frenchs desire to have
been elected sheriff, but Russell wantal
him i'm the Legislature. The arrange
ment was made by which Hewlett would
receive nominal salary from the office.
and French, after coming back from the
Legislature. would administer the office
and take the fees. French was there
fore practically the sheriff. The greater
number Of his deputies were negro poll
ticians of Objectionable character. Hew-
lett was afterwards indicted for farming
out his office. and rather than face the
Indictment compromised with the suitor.
There were forty-two negro magistrates
elected. The Board Of County Commits
sioners was controlled by Republicans.
The criminal court for this county had
been presided over by an able Demo-
cratic jurist for many years, but the Fu-
sion Legislature of 1897, abolished the
court. in order to oust the presiding
Judge, and recreated it to supply a place
for a Republican. and gave authority to
the Governor to appoint the Judge. Gov
ernor Russell appointed Judge Sutton.
who presided over the court from that
time to the fall of 1898
In the summer of 1887, President Nc
Knley re-appointed John c. Dancy.
negro politician. who did not reside here.
Collector of Customs for this port. His
special deputy was negro number of
tnspectOrs and boatmen were negroes
Altogether there were in the fall of 1898
as many as ninety-three negroes. hold
ing office in this city and county. in
cluding- some six or seven in Federal
annointive offices.