The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-06-15

members would be united for the best
interests and peace of the state. The
roll was called and showed the arrival
OF more members.
The speaker called attention to
vacancy on the Vance statue COM
Hart, Of Edgecombe. The speaker ap-
pointed Mr.. Curtis, of Buncombe, 10
I'LL the vancancy.
The house took up the ELECTION law
on its third reading as the special or
der
Mr.. Johnson, of Sampson, populist.
offered several amendments, providing
for county boards, nominated by the
three political parties; that no pre-
cinct shall contain more than 400 vot-
ers; that pollholders shall at request
put the ballots in proper boxes: allow
ing appeals from decisions of regis
trars
M. Johnson spoke in support of his
amendments, charging they were in
the interest of justice, fairness and
liberty. He said he had never heard
any one say the present law was just,
and declared it was for only one pur-
pose-to thwart the will of the people.
He declared the white people should
and would rule. He said in some coun-
ties in the east it had been necessary
TO use heroic means. He had rather
teach his boy to take a Winchester
and protect himself than teach him TO
lie or defraud. He said the election
law would disfranchise not only the
negroes in the east, but great many
white people. He said he was not here
to defend negroes; that the latter
ought never to have been given the
right of suffrage when they We're given
it. He declared the election law was
terrible mistake and would drive
away many good people.
Mr.. Justice, of Mcdowell, replying
to Mr.. Johnson, said, as to negro DOM
ination, North Carolina was the only
place in all the world where a majori-
ty of white people was controlled by a
minority of negroes. He said in 1894
Mr.. Johnson and his populist col
leagues Joined with the republicans
and brought about the election of Rus
sell and negro domination; that on su-
preme court there are judges who took
their places by negro ballots, and that
100000 negroes dominated the state.
He declared his opposition to all Mr..
Johnson's amendments and attacked
them individually, showing their fall
lacy. He showed that the fusionists
would put two of their men on the
election boards. He declared that the
democrats We're as honest as other
parties that the names of Marion
Butler and Holton were synonymous
for dishonesty and fraud in elections;
that in 1928 republicans had nomi-
mated to the democratic legislature
negroes for magistrates; that as a
courtesy the democrats had elected
these, without knowing whether they
were negroes or not, and now the
fuSionlStS are going around saying the
democrats had appointed negro magis-
trateS.
Mr.. Justice declared that democrats
would end this matter by putting an
end for ever to negro Office holding in
North Carolina, (applause.)
AS to the matter of appeal to the
judges, Mr.. Council said that the dem
Ocrats had enough experience with
''non-pa tisan" judges, with their dis
honesty with their abuses of injunc-
ton and mandamus, with their inter-
ference with the people as expressed
by the legislature and with their act
ing as supervisors of election. He went
| ment that no man seeking to register
could prove his age, that this would
not affect white men or negroes
who are known, but that it was to in
veStigate those who were unknown. AS
| to Johnson's charge that no one had
| defended the election law, he said the
| charges made by the fuSionists We're
| so trivial as not to need answering.
Smith, colored, of Craven, asked
| Mr. Johnson whether the latter rep
| resented the policy of the populist par
| ty i'm saying that negroes ought never
to have been given ballot.
Mr.. Johnson said he represented
| the white people of North Carolina.
With wave of his hand over the dem
| ocratic members, Smith said These
| represent the white people,
The whole house roared and cheered
Smith told Mr. Johnson he owed his
| seat to negro vote; that Senator But
4 1a,~ sod hi 70 hor Of 20,
| negroes had put populiSts in power
| and honor populiSts wanted to turr
down the negro. Smith declared he
| and others had been deceived into vot-
| ing for Governor Russell; that negro
4 votes elected him. He said johnson
ought not to decry the colored race.
| Smiths conclusion was greeted with
| applause.
Mr.. Winston, of Betrie, said John
sons tears over this law were those
| of the crocodile. Mr.. Johnson was cor
| correct in saying that the people o.
| eastern North Carolina were ready K
| take heroic measures against johnson
! and his kind but that under a JUS
| election law, which was being enacted
| there would be not need of such meas
| ureS.
] In conclusion Mr.. Winston called tn.
| previous question.
Mr.. Johnson's amendment was pu
to a vote. Mr.. Johnson tried to ge
the yeas and nays, but failed. Hi
amendment got only four votes.
Mr.. Giles, republican, of Chatham
| introduced some amendments. H
| said no matter what sort of elctiol
law was in eect, eastern North Caro-
lima would go democratic.
Mr.. Curtis asked Mr.. Giles if tn
fusionists had not declared that unde
their election laws of 1895 fraud wa
impossible.
At this inquiry the house laughe
heartily.
Mr.. Giles made 'wobbling'' an
Swer. He said: You can carry east
ern North Carolina anyhow; give u
my amendments for the center and tn
west He said section IS of the lay
was an insult to every judge in tn
state. If any members of the judiciar
had done wrong it was better to i'm
peach them. The people of Chathar
country hated the election law muc
more than they did the amendment.
A member asked why then If it wa
such good campaign document, Mr.
Giles opposed it
Mr.. Giles was asked if his amend