The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-02-15

all we can, no matter where YOU put u.s.
m sorry to see that nobody here seems
TO want us, They seem to think we are
hopelessly and forever Republican.
want TO say that the day is past when
eoFsyth VIII ever again be anything put
democratic by from 400 to 600 majority.
l. personally, rather favor the watts APP
2ortlonment, but | don't care whose APP
ooruonmeht YOU adopt YOU Will not snake
ne democracy of either Forsyth county
or the present Eighth district
senator w. P. Wood. of Randolph Ia
7ored the Watts bill His people, he said,
wanted to get out of the Fourth ulstrlct,
as now constituted: not that they DIS
liked the people, but that they had to
ONE across two counties to attend tnelr
conventions. He believed the watts Dill
would send ten Democratic Congressman
from North Carolina.
Mr.. W. w, Zachary. of Madison, Vlgor-
1usly opposed postponement OF the re-
lppcruonment. People expected II now
1t being the usual custom to fe-apportlon
the State after each census. He thought
It no time to play politics.
III we can't judge by past votes IN
he various counties how the new dis
tricts will go at the next election, ne
asked, "how can we judge what will be
he result IN the districts as now con-
stituted?"
At this point the committee adjourned
ill o'clock, it being stated that other
Democrats from the various districts, not
he present. desired to be heard at that
time
AT the night session, discussion of the
re-apportionment by those not members
If the committee, was continued
The first speaker was Mr.. E. B. Jones,
of Forsyth. Mr.. Jones thought this Leg
islature ought to redistrict the State
He said:
There are several reasons why TINS
should be done. and / can see no reason
why it shouldn't be done. have read
the Watts bill and l think it makes
eight districts certain for the Democrats,
with good chances in the other two. II
you leave the districts as they are now
you have no guarantee as to what the
next Legislature will be. If you make the
aPportionment no Legislature can change
it for ten years under our constitution. If
this Legislature doesn't make the reap
portionment the next Legislature viii
and we don't know what the political
complexion of that Legislature will be.
Mr. Jones thought either the Watts or
the Moore bill would be satisfactory to his
people. To begin the policy of electtng
a Congressman at large would, he
thought, create confusion and trouble two
years from now
Mr. R. N Hacket, of wilkes, opposed
a redistrict at this time, preferring to
wait till the effect of the amendment is
known He feared that the elimination of
the negro vote would make a material
change in the white vote.
Mr. o. b. Eaton mayor of Winston,
agreed with Mr. Jones in advocacy of a
redistrict by this Legislature. He thought
his people would be satisfied with either
the Watts or the Moore bill.
Representative Wilson. of Caswell coun-
ty. opposed any change in the districts at
this time, and favored election of the
tenth Congressman at large.
But whatever is DONE he added, we
want the Fifth district to remain just
as It u.s."
Mr.. II. c. Cook. elector for the Third
district. considered it rather dangerous
to- redstrict the State at this time. He
said:
Its like taking a leap in the dark.
The effect of the amendment is not
yet known. Nobody knows how many
negroes are disfranchised, nor the effect
of their Acknowledgement on the white
vote Two years from now We'll know
how many negroes are on the registration
books and on which side the majority
of the white vote has aligned itself.
Then we can act intelligently."
He did not think there was any prob
ability Of the next Legislature being Re-
publican. and he believed it best for
the interests of the Democratic party.
that the districts remain as they now
are.
At $50 the committee adjourned sub
ject to the call of the chairman.