The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-03-07
THE ARGUMENT CLOSED
STRIKING CONTRAST TO TREATMENT
ACCORDED MIR. CRAWFORD.
FRANK |. OSBORNE SPOKE YESTERDAY
And Dudley Ranted in Behalf of The War Horse.
Un favorable Comment on His Halt. Soled
Brief Asking That Dockery be
Seated. New Postmasters.

Washington, March Especial AT
today's adjourned hearing in the contest
ed election case of Dockery VS.. Bella
my, before election committee No 2, At
torney Busbee concluded his argument
begun yesterday at noon. Mr.. Busbee
spoke all day yesterday and made his
argument not only close and convincing,
but interesting, having the earnest at
tention of the committee during every
moment of his speech. Mr.. Busbee' s
mastery of all the facts and circum-
stances of his case was remarkable and
there is no doubt but that he made a
most deep and favorable impression on
the committee. Old politicians declare
that they have never heard a more con-
vinCing argument in an election case.
Judge Weaver, the chairman of the
committee, decided at the conclusion of
Mr.. Bushels argument that the aIfida-
Wits offered by contestants asking for re-
opening of the case and those of the
contestee in reply would be considered in
executive session and that no argument
would be heard on them. Mr.. Bus5ee in
sisted that the disturbances in Whining
ton should not be considered b. the
committee because they happened after
and not before the election, and therefore
could have had no effect on the vote of
New Hanover and that furthermore the
Wilmington riot was racial and not polit-
ical and was brought about by the intol-
cradle conditions obtaining in New Han
over, eliminating in the publication OF
the infamous Manly letter. Mr.. Busbee
admitted that there we're cases of I'M
justifiable violence in Richmond county,
but contended that they were not all
political, but in some instances were
committed by irresponsible parties to sat
isfy private grudges and that in any
event the violence was local and spo-
radio, and must in justice be confined to
localities and precincts where they occur
red. That they should have no effect
toward impeaching the vote of other pre-
cincts and counties.
Hon. Frank Osborne of Charlotte, fol-
lowed Mr.. Busbee and made a very bril-
liant and convincing argument and was
followed very closely by all the commit
tee throughout his speech, which covered
period of three hours. Whether or not
the committee is unduly Influenced in its
ultimate decision by Mr.. Dudley's lurid
and bloody shirt speech, they have shown
the utmost fairness and courtesy toward
the contestee and his counsel throughout
the argument. Their action in this re-
spect offers most pleasant and striking
contrast to the treatment accorded to
counsel for Representative Crawford by
committee No. 3, trying the Pearson
Crawford case. Mr.. Bellamy's attorneys
have not only received courteous treat
ment, but have been allowed all the time
they desired in which to present their
case, while Mr.. Crawfords attorneys were
given only one hour apiece to answer
Pearson's lurid and sweeping statements
which in the circumstances was absurd
ly inadequate and unjust. Crawford's at
torneys were constantly interrupted In
most curt and officious manner, Faris
sitting during the hearing beside
Pritchard and the Duke of Rich
mond Hill and asking the questions
suggested by them, and Roberts of Mas
sachusetts, the chairman not having the
decency even to pretend to fairness, but