The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-03-08
EsTO MONR0E's EXTENSION,
The Committee Made an Unfavorable Report
on Bill to Expand

The Committee on Counties, Cities and
Towns heard the Monroe expansion bill
yesterday afternoon. The original bill
was drawn so as to extend the corporate
limits of Monroe by legislative enact
ment merely. This bill was heard before
the House Committee and reported un-
favorably. The bill was then changed so
as to leave the question to a vote of
the people in both the old and the pro-
posed new boundaries, and in this shape
passed the House. When it came before
the Senate Committee Capt w. c. Heath,
secretary and treasurer of the Monroe
Cotton Mill, and representing these or
posed TO expansion, and ex-Representa-
tive R. L. Stevens, mayor of Monroe,
favorng the bill, came to Raleigh.
To these gentlemen Senator Beasley, of
Monroe, stated that as sentiment was di-
vided upon the question, he would be
guided by the recommendation of the
Board of Aldermen of the town. and as
they endorsed the bill, he would ask the
committee to report it favorably. Mr..
Heath intimated that the aldermen did
not favor to bill, whereupon Senator
Beasley said that if they did not they
should indicate their wishes to him.
This was on Monday. On Tuesday before
the hour set for the hearing before
the committee, Senator Beasley received
kilograms from the aldermen, which he
construed as confirming the opinion that
the aldermen did not favor the bill,
leaving it to a vote.
These kilograms were shown to the
chairman of the committee and other
gentlemen, all of whom confirmed the
views that the aldermen did not want
the bill passed. On this showing all the
parties considered the matter settled,
and Messrs. Heath and Stevens went
back home. On Wednesday Senator
Beasley received telegram from the
aldermen, saying that they did want the
bill passed. He wired them that tho
matter had been settled according to
their instructions and that if they wished
to reopen it they might send their rep
resentatives to appear before the COM
mittee.
Yesterday Mr.. Stevens and Mr.. Heath
came to Raleigh, and Mr.. Stevens asked
for hearing by the committee To the
committee Senator Beasley stated that.
inasmuch as he had given the aldermen
an opportunity to state their wishes and
they had expressed themselves as not
desiring the election bill to pass, and
he had considered the matter as settled
and they had now appeared to change
their minds, he would make no recon-
mendation to the committee, but desired
them to hear the facts in the case and
pass upon the question upon its merits.
Mr.. Stevens and then Mr.. Heath then
presented their arguments. Mr.. Stevens
made an earnest speech in behalf of thu
| bill, as did Mr. Heath in opposition to it
Mr.. Heath said that Mr.. Stevens haC
| made strong and honorable fight and
| that there was no feeling between them
THE speech of Mayor Stevens was one
| of the strongest made before any COM
| mittee in Raleigh during this session OF
| the Legislature, said a gentleman last
night. There is no doubt that the BIZ
would have passed if earnest advocacy
| by the Mayor could have effected it,
After hearing the argument the com
mittee took a vote and reported the bill
unfayorablV