The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-13

The vote on The third reading was
called for and there were answers OF
| AYE" and mo- but Senator Woodafu'
OF Wilson, was On his feet, addressing the
| chair.
He made long speech against the Dill
| attacking il al various points, urging lhat
| brave and fearless men be not driven III
| to it's support by clamor, the demands Vi
prejudice and Thu cry of populism' IL was
speech made after the battle was over
| for the bill had been practically passed
| During the sirst portion of the Speech
| filled with appeals for support OF the
views he held in opposition to the Dill
and With an attack upon those VINO
had called for tile support OF the DILL ne
l held the undivided attention OF the SEN
ate. but when he opened up law DOCKS
and entered into, legal discussion Ihe
interest fell offs Senators wrote letters
and read newspapers and the buzz OF
| conversation in the Hobbies caused a rci-
| erence to this in his speech and cali
| for ouict from the President.
J Mr. Woodland said that there were
MANY reasons WHY he could not vote for
| the bill that as 2 representative OF the
neonIe he felt it conferred unusual pow
|
bill as yiolative o. the fourteenth amend
ment to the Constitution of the United
States. Said he, ''If there was a public
necessity for it, If there was general
demand, from the people. I could very
well see how this would affect those
DESTROYS of finding remedy for what
they considered existing ills, but | DO
not believe that I'VE ought to do for any
locality or any i@idividual what we are
not asked to do for every part of North
Carolina
He urged that the Senate go slow, that
certainly there could not be any just
complaint that the rights of the people
would SITTER at the hands of the Corpor-
alton Commissions. There was no conf
plant that they would abuse their pow
ers or fail to exercise them. He de-
clared that he stood for all the rights
of the people ana for the upbuilding of
the State that he stood against the cry
of populism, against the clamor of pre-
judice and for the conservative element.
Continuing, he declared that he stood
as a representative of North Carolina s
interests and with men who had been
warned concerning their support for rail-
roads that he stood for the protection
of the interest sof the North Carolina
Railroad, the States property, in obed-
fence to the voice of the directors CT
that road. The whole bill, he said, was
melted by the city of Durham, because
of it's inimical feeling to the Southern
railway, and the only question was
whether or not Durham should have g
| Union depot, a sity which, he declared,
had been built up and had grown be-
cause of this great thoroughfare.
He declared that brave and fearless men
should not be Influenced against the rail-
roads by such cls mors as had been made
for this bill; that the plea of the city
of Durham for help was on the ground
of prejudice to railroads. He intimated
that the city of Durham had obtained
it's rights CONCERNING the street in con-
trOversy by means that were to be ques
toned
With vehemence he plead that the Sen
ators be not led to support the bill by
the threats and intimidation of any,
This is a confession of weakness, he
cried out, ION she part of those who
argue for the bill and l condemn it,"
Evidently at this time Senator Wood
ard heard some voices discussing his
remarks. for he protested against some
Senators remark of ridiculous which
had reached him.
He appealed tc the lawyers not to be
ham, and asked that they should not
forestaIl the action of the courts by the
bill. with it," he exclaimed, 1.-The Sea-
board Air Line accomplshes by indircc-
ton what it has not been able to ac
NV,
Here Senator Spence asked if Senator
Woodland believed that q union depot at
Durham would hut the States interest
in the North Carolina road, and that if
it would not result in the North Carolr a
road having a costly building at the end
of it's lease. Senator Woodland said this
would be so if the depot was on the
right of way, but not so if it was not.
He declared that the bill was not IN
accordance with law and could not be
guaranteed in any way except as po-
lice power. Following this there was a
legal discussion between him and Sena-
tor Justice, and Senator Woodland took
up the legal parts as he viewed them,
urging that no law be passed for the
benefit of any locality or individual.
Closing his remarks, he said that be
recognized that he had incurred the dis
pleasure of the people of Durham, and
that of parties who had taken up the
cudgel in their behalf. To Senator
Justice he gave admonition lest his zeal
in fighting railroads lead him too far.
His position, he said, was taken for the
best interests of North Carolina.
Senator Lamb, of Cumberland. spoke
earnestly. Said he 1.-THE question as
see it is whether the people will rule,
CT great corporation which has gotten
control of the railroad property in the
State, ninety per cent of the cost OF
| which had been paid by people who had
'teetotally'' lost their money, the roads
being gobbled up by people North, who
| dictate or attempt to dictate not only how
the railroads shall be managed, but also
| what laws shall be put on the statute
books of North Carolina. This Lody
ought to control railroads, which are pub
lie servants and not be controlled by
them. THE question is" said he, "are
we to stand by the people or by the rail
roads. Let North Carolina see where we
| stand and let us pass this bill The Cor
| poration Commission is responsible to
| the people just as we are, and if these
are not respected the people have the