The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-04-22
BLACKBURN ASSA|L 5
WHITES Of HIS
STATE
And kitchin Closes His Lips.
With a Recital of
Facts.
WE HAD NO NEGRO RULE
This is the Extraordinary Statement
That Draws the Fire of
Kitchln.
THE CHARGES UNQUALlFIEOlY FALSE
Such Is kichin's Reply to the Assertion That
the Revolutions of 1898 and 1900
Were to Elect Certain Men
to Office.
THE CHARGES usQuALlnEOLY FALSE
Especial to News and observer.)

Washington, d. c., April 21.-In the
House today Representative Blackburn
in discussing the Military Appropriation
Bill, secured the floor for ten minutes.
Most of this time was used in abuse of
the white people of North Carolina for
throwing off negro rule in the elections
of 1898 and 1900. Mr.. Blackburn charged
that there never had been any negro
rule in the State. and that, the Red
Shirts of North Carolina, were organi-
zed for the purpose of electing certain
men to Congress and sending a Demo
crat to the United States Senate.
During his speech, Mr.. Blackburn said
that armed bands of, Red Shirts had
ridden over the State terrorzing the
people, discharging fire arms for the
purpose of electing Democrats to office.
The latter part of his speech was char
acteriZed by extreme bitterness. His
effort was rather sophmOric and made
but little impression.
AS soon as he could obtain the floor,
Representative w. w. Kitchin replied in
a speech of fifteen minutes in length.
Mr.. Kitchin took up the charge preferred
by Mr.. Blackburn and discussed them in
most effective, but parliamentary
manner.
As to the charge that the revolutions
OF 1898 and 1900 were gotten up for the
purpose of electing certain men to
office, Mr.. Kitchin said his only answer
was an emphatic denial. ITO be plain,
said he, 1.-The charge is absolutely and
unqualifiedly false" He then showed, in
a most powerful manner, that the white
people of North Carolina united in 1895
and 1900 to rid themselves of a horde of
negro .officeholders and to throw off the
rule of those representing the negroes,
all of which made conditions in the
State intolerable. He gave the number
of negro magistrates in Halifax, New
Hanover. in BERTHE, and in other coun-
ties of the State.
Quoting these statistics to Mr.. Black
burn, he challenged a denial of the
statement. Mr. Blackburn sat silent in
his seat.
What say you?" said Mr.. Kitcbin.
is this negro rule or not? Do you
deny these fgures?" Holding up a Re-
publican ticket OF Craven county, he
challenged denial of the fact that a
number Of negroes appeared thereon.
What say your said Mr. Kitchin. ''Is
this negro rule or not?"
Mr.. Blackburn, excitedly and in loud
tone of voice replied do you not know
that within the last three weeks. the
negroes sat on the jury in PasuuotanlS
county, which tried Wilcox for his life ?''
rs this the best answer you can give %
replied Mr.. Kitchin. Have you no other
reply to the facts and figures | have
given to the House?"
Mr.. Kitchin replied further that tho
policy of the Democratic party had al
ways been to see that the negro re-
ceived exact justice in the courts. eve
do not say that he shall not sit on our
juries," said Mr.. Kitchin. 1--WE do not
say he shall not be witness in the
courts of our State. We do say that in
the administration of justice he shall be
treated as fairly as white man. but
We do say that in our State, by God s
held, he shall not hold office over us
and our children; and you people who
are helping him to hold Office and arous-
ing in his breast ambitions which can
never be realized are his worst enemies. -
At this point Mr.. Kitchins ten min
utes expired. Il ask for few minutes
additional" said he. General Hill, who
had charge of the time on the Republi-
can side would only consent to give him
1--we minutes more upon condition that
he would not refer to Mr.. Rlackburn's 8
speech. Il promise not to refer to Mr..
Blackburn further" said Mr. Kitchin.
For five minutes, with great effect. he
stated the position of the Southern people
in reference to social equality In reply
to the remarks of Congressman illett.
(Republican, of Mass.) who said that
while he did not favor social equality
himself, he did object to the prejudice
and feelings of the Southern people to-
wards those Northern people who did ad-
vocate social equality.
Mr.. Kitchin said I'VE believe that
social equality is wrong; We believe it
would encourage miscegenation, and
this brings the superior race upon a
level with the inferior, and in no wise
elevates the inferior race
He concluded his speech amidst great
applause, stating that the views Of the