The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-03-07
GETS FAVORABLE REPORT
Both City Factions Want to Control
the Commission.
LIVELY DISCUSSION YESTERDAY EVENING
Representative Drewry Got Favorable Report
on Bill to Let Present Board of Alder
men Mans First Board Of
Commission.
Commission,

The first gun in one of the hottest mu-
nicipal campaigns ever seen in North
Carolina was fired yesterday in the hall
of the ouse of Representatives. There
were some of the best men in Raleigh
present, who without regard to factional
politics favored a Police Commission for
the city of Raleihg in order to take the
police out of politics.
factions in Raleigh. Both of them are
advocating the Police Commission in or
der ,as they say, to get the police out of
politics. But each faction wants to name
two of the three commissioners
Is that the milk in the cocoanut?
Mr.. Drewry, who is spokesman for one
faction of city politics, in the bill which
he presented, named as two of the three
commissioners, men who belong to- the
same faction in city politics. Those be-
longing to the other faction are very
much opposed to the other factions hav-
ing two of the commissioners.
1t locks to a man up the tree htat there
is not much getting the police out of
politics in passing the bill under present
conditions. If either faction is going to
name two OF the commissioners how have
you got the police out of politics?
Mr. Drewry, who introduced the bill,
opened the ball by saying that some time
ago Mayor Powell spoke to him about
having a Police Commission 1t seemed
good idea. "At first thought it the
best way to let the people elect the
first board. Then l thought the Board of
Aldermen ought to appoint" | told him
If you are going to get it out of poll
ties. let the people elect. Otherwise
craftsmanship might enter into it. He
thought ii best to select three good men
ty the present board
If the next Board of Aldermen elects
ii will keep it in politics Though pres
ent board might manifest some partisan
ship.
Agreement could not be had and so he
introduced the bill naming the first three
members. The Board of Aldermen yes
terday passed resolution that the chair
man of the committee be authorized to
confer with representatives in the Leg
islature from Raleigh to secure the best
board possible.
Il then proposed that the members
Mr. Whitaker to see Senator Norris. Hun
ter wanted each member of the House
to select one / thought that not fair
to Senator Norris. / selected Mr.. Pc
gram; Mr.. Whitaker selects Mr. A. A.
Thompson, and Senator Norris suggested
MIR Arthur.
personally l would not consent for
the present board to elect-ought to be
elected by the Legislature on the citi-
zens of Raleigh"
Mr.. w N. Jones: Are you willing for
the people to elect the board?"
Mr.. Drewry: II thought so at first,
but do not thing so now"
Mr.. F. B. Arendell vigorously opposed
the bill; said he hated TO oppose any
thing that Mr.. Drewry wanted The
people of Raleigh do not want any such
legislation. Do not want any of these
prerogatives taken from them. We have
taken in 5000 people by extension. They
ought to have a voice in any such radical
change. The bill embodies three names.
not selected from the people, all living
in the present territory of the city OF
Raleigh-no chance left TO select one
from among the residents of the annexed
portions of the city.
There is factional fight in this city,
but S5 per cent of the voters do not be-
long to either faction. The board pro-
posed one method; Mr.. Drewry proposed
another method. After Greater Raleigh
is organized, then il might be well to
hame a Police Board, but not now. Let
the people we have taken in against their
viii be heard. They said they would not
get police protection. We promised they
would. Now we propose to take action
that will deny them any voice in any
thing relating to the police.
Mayor Powell was the next speaker.
He said he was the originator of this
measure for a Folice Board. The board
passed this measure. permitting the in
coming board TO elect We will ask YOU
to table the whole thing or let the peo-
pie elect. We bitterly oppose taking awav
local government
Mr.. Drewry; "Do you think by leav-
ing it to the people, it will get il out
of politics?"
Mayor Powell: "It would"
Mr.. w. n. Jones was the next speaker.