The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-14
REb LETTER DAY
AGAIN IN HOUSE
Watts Bill Versus Local Self
Government.
VERY SPIRITED DEBATE
Messrs Hinton and NcwIand for the Bill, and
Messrs. Smith, Benbow and Bryan on
the Other SidL---Continued
Last Night.

Last Night.
Yesterday was another red-letter day
in the House.
Again the gallery was filled with la
dies in their bright colors, watching the
scene below with faces all animated with
interest; and in the lobbies prominent,
representative men of the city and many
from out town crowded to hear the
second days debate on the Watts bill.
The first speaker was Mr.. Hinton, OF
Pasquotank, who protested eloquently
and vigorously against the amendment
offered on the day previous by Mr.. Nor
ton.
Mr.. Hinton was followed by Mr. Ben
| bow Republican member from Yadkin, who
opposed the bill because he said his peo-
pie did not want it, neither Democrats
| Lor Republicans, and he asked that they
be allowed to vote upon it.
Then CAME Mr.. Smith, of Gates, who
offered his bill as a substitute, and made
IN exhaustive argument for the right
OF the people to govern themselves. His
speech was very strong from a legal
| standpoint, and was punctuated with
many eloquent periods. Re claimed that
his bill did every bit as much for the
cause of temperance as the Watts bill.
| without depriving the people of the sew
eral counties of local government.
Mr.. Newland of Caldwell responded
| to Mr. Smith in a powerful, forciblc
speech declaring for the bill on the
broad ground that the people wanted
and demanded it. He was much ap-
plauded especially when he paid grand
tribute to the women of the State.
Mr.. Murphey, of Rowan. sent forward
his substitute bill, but made no extended
| speech for it, saying he would discuss
! it fully in the Committee of the Whole.
| The last speech of the morning was
made by the "Old Red Fox of Wilkes,
Gen. Bryan. He declared the bill should
be entitled an act to monopolize the
manufacture and sale of liquor in North
| Carolina, instead of to regulate 1t, and
! then went on to make very much the same
| speech that he made before the commit
tee. His witty salles and disquisitions
about prohibitionsts, and country versus
city preaching brought down the House
! several times.
| There was a night session last night
for the first time.
THE DAY IN DETAIL
The House was called to order at ten
o'clock by Speaker Gattis, and Rev. A.
r Tyre, of Wilson, offered prayer.
PETITIONS.
Gattis, by request From distillers and
those opposed to temperance legislation.
Davidson: From Ramoth against their
! inclusion in city of Asheville
/ Dpi++ fpnlnpT-
/ ance legislation
Erwin: From Burke for temperance
| legislation
Shipman From churches in Columbus
for temperance legislation.
Morton In relation to pending bill
| concerning osteopaths
Hinton: From Pasquotank for dispen-
Sary.
Gay: From Northampton asking for
vote on the stock law.
Wooten: From certain townships OF
Lenoir against extension of stock law.
Rucker: To prohibit liquor near Center
| Church, in Rutherford county.
| Price: From Stanly against temper
aEce legislation, by request.
Thomas: From Ashe for prohibition
law in the county.
Lucas: From Swan Quarter for London
| bill.
Lucas: Fer prohibition near schoo!
house
| Britton: To place an Confederate
on pension roll.
Crocker: By request, from Wilson, for
| temperance legislation.
Bowman: Petitions from Mitchell for
London bill
At the hour for reports of committees,
General Davidson reported a substitute.
| bill providing for the revision of The
| Code. and contemplating three commits
sioners to be selected by the House.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
| Doughton, of Allegheny: TO provide
| for stock law elections in certain town
| ships in Allegheny county.
| Ray, of Yancey: To authorize the COM
missioners of Yancey county to issue
| tonds to pay its outstanding indebted
| ness.
! Ray: To incorporate Yancey Collegiate
| Institute.
Britain, of Randolph: To prohibit the
manufacture and sale of liquor in certain
| localities Of Randolph county.
| Mccall of Davidson: For relief Of H.
| 4. Phillips, Clerk Of the Superior Court
| of Davidson county.
| Hughes, of Camden: To establish com
pulsory school attendance in Camden
| county
| Hughes: TO place N. S. Burgess on the
| pension roll
Hughes: To place II. S. Hamlin on pen
sion roll.
Hughes; To place Solomon Jones on
pension roll.
| Davidson. of Buncombe To amend
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