The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-03-07
(Frnm Our Regular Correspondent
RALEIGH. n. G.. March 4. 1901.


parchment trial OF Supreme Court JUS
tees Furches and Douglas will begin. 1t
will consume at least two weeks. and
probably more, for the speeches OF the
great lawyers in the case, on both sides
will occupy several days.
Ex-GOv Jarvis. Frank l. Osborne.
Fabus 81. Busbee. b. F. Long. W. ID.
Bynnm, Charles NJ. Cooke and Lindsay
Patterson, compose the counsel for tho
defense. There has been some disarrange-
nlent of counsel for the prosecution with
in the past few days, by the declinatiOn
of ex-Jndge j. H. Merrimon and ex-Attor-
ney General T. F. Davidson both of Ashe-
vile, who announce that they cannot
serve in the case. Messra j. H. Pou and
Charles NJ. Bnsbee. OF Raleigh, are def
nitely engaged, and it is stated that Hon.
c. b. Watson has been asked to assist in
the prosecution. At least two other
lawyers will be announced later. 1t is
not certain that Mr.. Watson will he OF
counsel. it is added. 1t is said that Judge
Furches himself will give testimony.
Your correspondent will be present. in
reportorial capacity, throughout the
trial and will keep you informed OF its
progress and result.
Already there is considerable specula-
lltpl d5 W Ule bcIuNU -. ~ totIidOoIS ~
requires twO-thirds, or "a to convict.
There are nine Republicans, two Popu-
lists and thirty-nine Democratic Senators.
Seventeen of these can prevent conviction.
If six Democrats vote for acquittal (as-
Stunning that the eleven anti-Democratic
Senators vote likewise). there can not be
a verdict OF guilty. Whether any Demo-
crat so votes will depend upon the evil
dence adduced at the trial No man can
accurately predict the result at this time.
THE TEN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS.
Not until the close of the past week did
the Democratic caucus decide to rediatrict
the State for the election Of Congressman
and then ''by the skin of it's teeth" the
proposition carrying by only small
| majority.
The bill decided on gives the Repnbli-
cans one district certain. and with three
Others doubtful to say the least. am
told by a Democratic member of the Leg
ialature that three districts will be pretty
apt to elect Republican Congressman
next year-''if the opposition can find
and will nominate able men,"
! Everybody agrees that the basis figured
on (the vote last November) was more
favorable to the Democrats than thu
party has right to expect in another
year. And vet. even with these figures
the Tenth district is Republican by owe
one thousand, while the Eighth's figured
out Democratic majority is only 800. tn
Ninth's being 1900. and the Fifth
1000. A prominent Fifth district Demo
crat said to me today that I'VE will hav
a hard pull to carry the new Fifth dis
trict." A Mecklenburg Democrat of wild
knowledge and acquaintance said. "w
are in a Republican district. normally
without doubt" meaning the Ninth il
which Mecklenburg now is.
Here is the population of each new dis
trict. together with the estimated Demo
cratic majorityin each Except the Tenth
! which is Republican, according to tn
| November. 1900. vote: First district
population 1906. Democratic major
| ity 1858; Second. 72.496. 9.271; Third
157, 704. 3.464; Fourth. 17S.O61, 1880
Fifth. 24s.92S, 2.O25; Sixth. 163OO1
4.4O7; Seventh, 193.O9S. 2.4O7; Eighth
217.6O4, 800; Ninth, 21O.9O8, 1,21z
Tenth, ITS, 500, LOAF, Republican.
DEFEAT OF THE WHITE SCHOOLS TAXA
TON PLANS.
A bill was introduced in the Senate las
Wednesday to amend the Constitution
!. Article TX, Section 2, by adding this Pre-
vision:
But nothing contained herein sha
prohibit the people of any race, living i
any county, city, town. township. Q
territory. from levying a special tax fo
educational purposes Of that race, if
majority OF the qualified voters OF tina
race shall, at any election duly held fo
J that purpose, decide to levy said ia,
which tax shall be levied upon the prof.
] \ Ill. 81 ho<
II the bill passes, the proposed amend
next general election. But a similar bi
in the House, which had been sleeping
the committee on Constitution amend
ments for six weeks. was virtually kille
a day or two ago by being re-committet
this time to the judiciary committee. Tt
. first committee reported it without pr
judice." which is the polite way Of stall
bling bill under the fifth rib
Some OF the great constitutional Law
yers'' of the House claimed that the hi
was in conflict with the Federal Constit,
ton, while Others filled equally as full {
Blackstone declared it was not. Man
of the legislators declared that the
would find a way To educate the whit
, children of their counties without bein
compelled to tax themselves proportion
ately to educate every little 'nigger' i
their communities But how? That
the question. Attempts at Legislation
seem to have been failure
WHERE WE ARE AT
The sixteen judicial districts have ais
been apportioned. and four new Superio
court judges are to he appointed sOor
1t is stated that E. j. Justice and W. E
Rodman may be among the number
Francis D. Winston is also mentioned.
The following counties are in the ind
; cial and Congressional districts. respet
; lively. named below: Halifax. 2 jud.,
cong: Pitt. 3 ind. Z cong; Vance, 4 jud
cong Edgecombe. 4 judi. cong: Nasf
4 jnd.. 4 cong; Onslow. 5 jnd.. 3 cong
Robinson. Z jud.. cong; Cumberland