davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-19

eral Relations. The matters outside
of local legislation, in which he took
the deepest interest were on finance,
appropriations and temperance. The
Finance Committee. under his chair
manship, did not make as many
changes as usual in the Revenue Act,
but held fast to the wise provisions of
former acts, thus giving to the State
probably the best revenue act in its
history He favored liberal appro-
priations, but opposed extravagances.
He spoke seldom, but his speech with
reference to what he regarded as the
breaking down of all temperance leg
islation in the Wine Bill was one of
the most effective speeches of the en-
tire session. He secured the passage
of an act rechartering the town of
Randleman, and provided for graded
schools and other local legislation
Colonel Wood was one of the brav-
est men in the Confederate army, and
deservingly stands high among the
Confederate Veterans. He enlisted
i'm the war at the age of seventeen and
when the war ended was in prison at
Point Lookout. He was a member OF
the Twenty Regiment and Pet
tigrew was his first colonel He was
in between fifteen and twenty import
ant engagements and carries now
bullet which he received in the second
battle Of Manassas. Naturally he was
careful to look out for the interests
of the Confederate veterans and for
liberal appropriations for the Confed-
crate Home.
Colonel Wood is Democrat of
Democrats, "a Hebrew of the He
brews.' He began voting the Demo-
cratic ticket when he was eighteen
years old, three years before the legal
age in times of peace, but he was a
soldier in camp at the age of eighteen,
and was permitted to vote and cast
his first vote for Vance for governor
Since that time he has never missed
an election or scratched a Democratic
ticket
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-19

years to run, found a vigorous oppon-
ent in Mr.. Ward. TIe took the ground
that inasmuch as there was no inn
mediate necessity for considering the
matter it was wise to let the appli-
cation go over to some other legisla-
ture. He was all the more inclined to
this position because, as he stated. the
Rowland Improvement Company had
increased the freight rates and other
wise irritated the people along the
line of the road and it was best to
wait until a later date to consider this
matter After a hard fight the extern
sion was not granted by this legisla-
ture. Much legislation of local mat
tiers engaged Mr.. Wards attention. He
was chiefly known however, through
out the State by reason of the fact
that he is the author of the Ward
Bill, conservative and moderate
measure looking to secure adequate
police protection where liquor is man.
ufactured. guaranteeing supervision
and control of saloons by notice. and
carrying into effect some of the pro-
visions Of the Watts Law. In present
ing his bill to the Senate Mr.. Ward
made one of the greatest speeches of
the session and the passage of his
law in view of the bitterness of which
it was attacked added greatly to his
reputation as a LEGISLATOR.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-19
ROBERT C. FREEMAN.
Member of the House of Representa-
tives From MecxIenburg County.

Robert Collins Freeman was born
at Steel Greek, Mecklenburg county,
January goth, 1864, and was educated
at the High School at Dixie. He was
married November 9th, 1899, to Miss
Irene Atwood Brown. AS young
man he taught school and has taught
music all of his life, being a proficient
musician and teacher of music. He
is leading member of the Steel Creek
Presbyterian church, which is the
largest country church in the South
ern General Assembly, having over
six hundred members of the highest
type of men that can be found In
North Carolina. Mr.. Freeman, from
his early manhood has been a devotee
Of music, and is the leader of the
choir of his church.
From the time he could vote he has
been an active Democrat He was
elected to the Legislature from Meek
lenburg in 1908 and reelected in 1905,
his last majority exceeding $500. He
is a successful farmer and merchant
and is interested in various business
affairs, and has been Secretary and
Treasurer of the Mecklenburg Farm
ers Mutual Insurance Company, since
it's organization. In this General AS
sembly he was chairman of the Com
mittee on Public Roads and Turn
pixies. He took deep interest in pub
lie road improvement, and from the
inception Of the Improvement of the
roads Of Mecklenburg county he has
been a leader in his section and con-
tributed much towards making Meek
lenburg the banner county in road
construction in this State. On this
committee he led in every movement
which would work for the upbuild-
ing of good roads in the State. He
also served on the Committee on Agri-
culture, Counties. Cities and Towns.
Insurance, Manufacturing and Labor
He was deeply interested in temper
ance legislation and every time a bill
was introduced incorporating a small
town he insisted that clause should
go in the bill prohibiting the manu-
facture or sale of liquor in the town.
This did much to prevent the posi-
BILE incorporation of small villages to
become the Ravens of saloons driven
out of prohibition or dispensary terri
tory. He was interested in child Ia
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-19

Dumb, immigration and Claims.
Among the measures in which he
took most interest were those to secure
wise temperance legislation and the
abolition of all easy divorce laws. He
supported the Ward bill and made a
brief but telling speech in favor of it..
and supported all effective temper
ance legislation.
He was active in support of bills
repeating the lax divorce laws, and
spoke brilliantly in favor of the law
that now adorns the statute book. He
was earnest in his opposition to the
bill to permit the establishment of
wine shops in the State, holding that
they would result in great injury. He
urged the passage of the bill that gave
an increase in the salary of the judges,
and was one of the strongest advocates
Of good roads in the Legislature.
He took a leading part in all legis-
lation looking to the betterment of
the public schools, and was particu-
larry interested in the acts that will
provide graded schools for Franklin
county. 1t g expected that, under
the new legislation. every town and
village will establish a graded school
during the present year in Franklin
county.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-19
j. b. CoFFIEID.
Member of the House OF Representa-
tiyes From Martin County.

Junius Bryan Coffield was born III
Martin county February End, 1883, ana
was educated in the public schools ana
then went to school at Horners, then
at Hamilton and then at Oxford. On
September goth, 1855, he was married
to Miss Elizabeth Pender, of Tarboro.
He is an Episcopalian. In his long
life he has devoted himself to mer'
chandising and farming, but OF late
years has devoted himself exclusively
10 farming. He has held number
Of important positions. He was mayor
of Tarboro two terms, register OF
deeds of Edgecombe county, and fol
ten years member of the Board of
Agriculture and one of the most use
full members of that board in its whole
history. He took deep interest in the
progressive steps looking to the agrl-
cultural development of the State, and
his service on that board will prove or
lasting value to North Carolina. For
ten years he served as chairman of the
Finance Committee of the board and
was careful and active. For fifteen
years he was chairman of the board
of county commissioners of Martin
county. and so we'll did he manage its
affairs that the county has not known
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-19


surance, Revision of The Code and
Liquor Traffic. While taking a lead
ing part in all important legislation
and speaking effectively and strongly
upon many matters before the House,
Mr.. Feimster was chiefly interested
in laws looking to temperance and
education and divorce He was par
ticularly interested in the McNinch
Bill as it passed the House, and made
magnificent speech in its support. He
had charge of the Ward Bill on the
floor of the House when it passed by
very large majority, and made a
singularly strong speech in favor of it.
He stood with the minority of the
Judiciary Committee for reduction of
challenges for the defendants in
capital cases and for other reforms in
the practice of the law. One of the
most important measures of the ses--
sion was one to carry into effect the
provisions of the Watts Bill, for which
the temperance forces are indebted to
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-19

New Bern where he has built up a
large and increasir~ practice. He
made a brilliant campaign and was
elected with 4,800 majority. He served
as chairman of the Shell Fish Com
mittee and as a member of the fol-
lowing committees: Judiciary. Corpor-
alton, Claims. Fish and Fisheries, Shell
Fish, Military. Codiffcation of Laws
and four other committees.
Mr.. Ward took a prominent part in
all important legislation. He was par
ticularly interested in the bill to in
crease the salary of the judges and
early introduced a bill to that effect.
He favored bills to establish a re-
formatorv. Immigration bureau and
regulating the homestead. AS a mem
Der of the Committee on Claims he
took a deep interest in the settlement
of the South Dakota bond matter
The application for an extension of
charter of the Atlantic and North Carr
DINA Railroad. which has fortY-seven
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-19

what a debt was or high taxes. He
has represented Martin county three
times in the Legislature, in the House
in 1883 and 1891 and 1905, and has
been a useful, conservative and pa
triotic member. In the last election
he was chosen by 1000 majority. In
the House he served as chairman of
the committee on Salaries and Fees
and on the following committees: Fin
anee, and on the sub-finance commit
tee to prepare the machinery act; LIZ
quor Traffic, Pensions, Agriculture. Re-
vision of the Laws. He was one of
the three members of the House ap-
pointed on the special committee to
investigate the South Dakota bond
matter, the most important committee
named during the session of the Gem
eral Assembly. The House unanimous
~ adopted the report of that commits
tee and passed the bill recommended
by that committee, thus settling the
most difficult matter that came before
the General Assembly. Mr.. Coffield
was opposed to the Ward Bill, but was
in favor of a substitute that would
submit its provisions to a vote of the
people.
Mr.. Coffield was one of the twenty
four members of the Legislature who
served in the Confederate army. He
enlisted in the Fifth North Carolina.
Cookies Brigade. and was then trans
ferred to the First North Carolina UNI
der Stewards Brigade, Johnston's Di-
vision. The whole regiment was cap~
tured at Spottsylvania, and Mr.. Cof-
field, in company with all the other
members of the Brigade, We're put in
prison at Fort Delaware Among his
associates in that prison were C. NJ.
Busbee, w. II. Kitchin. w. II. Day.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-19
~--=-77777777=7=77-
w. p. WOOD.
Member of the House of Representa-
tives from Randolph County.

William Penn Wood was born at
ASHORE. May End, 1843, and was
educated in the public schools of that
county. He was married on Decem-
Der 4th, 1872, to Miss Eta Gunter,
who died September, 1893. He is a
successful merchant at Asheboro and
prominent member of the Methodist
church. He has long been leading
and influential Democrat in his coun-
ty, served on it's committees, was
county treasurer two terms, served in
the Senate in 1901 and four times
town treasurer. He was elected to
the House by $50 majority, the larg-
est majority ever given to Demo-
cratic candidate in Randolph county.
He was prominently mentioned for
Speaker of the House and had strong
support. He served as chairman of
the important committee on Finance,
and was a member of the following
committees: Railroad and Corpora
ton Commission, Education, Pensions.
Appropriations Claims. Insane, Fed
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-19
c. G. WADE.
Member of the House OF Representa-
tives From Montgomery County.

Christopher Columbus Wade was
born in Richmond county. September
IT, 1857. His father moved from
Richmond to Montgomery county in
1851 and he has since resided in that
county. Mr.. Wade was educated in
the academies of his county and en-
listed in the army at the first call for
volunteers. He was member of the
23rd North Carolina Regiment. and
was under Hoke. He had a serious
illness and was discharged lust before
the battle of Seven Pines. when he
was in the hospital at Richmond. He
was married Dec 90 1866. to Miss
Sarah Margaret DeBerry and is a
member of the Methodist church. His
life has been devoted to farming. deal
ing in real estate and mining and as
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-19
FRANK r. NlcNINCH.
Member of The House of Representa-
tives From Meclzlenburg County.

Frank Ramsey McNinch. who was
named for his father, was born in
Charlotte, April 81, 1873 He was
educated in the public schools of
Charlotte, then spent two years in a
private school, and went into the ac-
tive work of life. Afterward he
studied law, without a teacher at
first, and then finished his law educa-
ton at the Law School Of the Univer-
sity of North Carolina. He was IL
censed to practice law in 1899, and
soon obtained a good practice which
has steadily grown, and today he
ranks with the most capable and sue.
cessfuI Of the younger members of
the strong bar for which Charlotte is
noted.
Until he was elected to the Legisla-
ture from Mecklenburg county he had
held no public office, though since he
attained his majority he has taken an
active interest in public affairs, and
an Democratic councils. No member
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-19


ways stood for the measures which
tended to the moral and material de-
velopment of his county. He was elect
ed to the General Assembly IN 1893
and reelected in 1905, his last ma
jority being over $500. He stands
among the ablest physicians IN Meek
lenburg county, noted for its strong
corps of able physicians He OBJ
tanned the Appleton prize for the high
est average examination before the
State Medical Board in 1883. and has
been twice elected president of the
Mecklenburg County Medical Associa-
ton.
In the present General Assembly Or.
Alexander served as chairman on the
Committee on Counties, Cities and
Towns. and made an ideal chairman
for that important committed He
served also on the Committees on
Propositions and Grievances. Educa-
ton, Deaf. Dumb and Blind. Penal
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-19

tics is an earnest Democratic worker
was County Treasurer two terms. has
served as a member of the County
Executive Committee. and in 1902 was
nominated for the legislature. His
record in that body was so satisfactory
that he was reelected in 1904, and
served in that body as a member of
the following committees: PROPOSE
tions and Grievances, Counties, Cities
and Towns, Public Roads and Turn
pixies. LIQUOR Traffic, Fish. Oyster and
Oyster Interests, and Appropriations
While deeply interested in all legisla-
ton that would effect the whole State,
Mr. Uzzell was chiefly interested in
legislat ton that would. in his opinion,
improve the agricultural conditions of
the State He introduced the Land
lord and Tenant Bill. which became
a law. He had introduced a similar
measure in the legislature of 1903 but
it had failed in the Senate. and his
chief desire in returning to the legis-
lature was to secure the passage of
this bill in which his whole heart was
centered. The bill as it passed is pub
lished elsewhere in today's paper, Mr.
Uzzell, wishing the bill for his own
county and not desiring to make it APP
ply to those counties not desiring it,
introduced it as a local act. but men,
bers of the legislature from twenty
or more counties approving the meas
ure and desiring it have it apply to
their county added their county to the
bill so as the measure passed it
embraces ~robably one-fourth of the
State. Mr.. UZzell and others who
aoree with him. believe that this is
the most important measure of the
entire session and that it's benefit TO
landlords and tenants will be justified
by it's practical operation. Mr.. Uzzell
was a faithful and conscientious legis-
lator. always in his place and stood
for conservative legislation, He said
that he did not believe that the people
wished radical legislation on any line.
He supported the Ward Bill because
he believed it was a moderate and
conservative measure.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-19

Institutions and Agriculture. He was
the author of a bill increasing the
Jurisdiction of magistrates and fixing
the poll-tax in the State, making it
misdemeanor to fail to pay it. He
was one of the most careful and thor
ough men in the General Assembly.
His name came first on the roll and
he often accompanied his wise vote
with a one minute speech which con-
tanned such logical statements of his
position, SO strongly put as to carry
weight with it and help along any
cause for which he voted. He took
deep interest in temperance legisla-
ton and always stood in the vanguard
Of those who stood in favor Of re-
stricting the power and Influence Of
the saloon and building up the home
and its highest interests.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-19
A. Il. UZZELL.
Member of the House of Representa-
tives From Wayne.

Atlas Thomas Uzzell was born in
Wayne county October 81, 1854. and
was educated in the county schools.
He was married on Dec. IS, 1879, to
Miss Eliza Peele. of Wayne county. He
has two sons. the Oldest Floyd was
educated in the University of North
Carolina. and returning home is now
associated with his father in running
the farm. The other son. Robert. is
student at the A. & NJ. College at
Raleigh. Mr.. Uzzell is a Methodist
His only occupation in life has been
that Of farmer, and he has magnifi-
cent plantation with commodious
and excellent home, splendid tene-
ment houses, and is one of the best
farmers in Wayne county. He has
always been deeply interested in poll
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-19

Senator Long, of Iredell, and Mr..
Feimster, of Catawba. (That act APP
pears elsewhere in today's paper.) In
matters of local legislation, Mr..
Feimster looked after his county care
fully, and secured the amendments
to church charters guaranteeing them
police protection.
Moved by high moral considerations,
Mr. Feimster was one OF the leaders
Of the House. One day when he was
speaking on the divorce bill, man
said to a gentleman present, Look
at Feimster. He ought to have been
one of Cromwell's soldiers. He has
the moral courage and the physical
daring to have been one of the in
vincible Ironsides." For his consistent
devotion to principle and his earnest
championship of measures in line with
his convictions, Mr.. Feimster won the
respect of every member of the House
as he will win the approval of his con-
StituentS
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-19

Franklinton, member Of the Board OF
Education for his county, and in 9TH
err official capacities-at all times serv-
ing his people with efficiency and pub
lie spirit
In 1904, when Mr.. F. S. Spruill re.
signed as candidate for the Legisla-
ture to become elector-at-large Mr..
Ballard consented, at the earnest so
licitation of his people, to make the
race for the House. and was elected
by a majority of over 2,100.
He is prominent and influential
member of the Methodist church, and
has been superintendent of the Sun
day school at Franklinton for twelve
years.
In the present General Assembly he
served as chairman on the Committee
on Internal improvements, and mem
Der Of the Committee on the Revision
of the Laws, Education, Deaf and
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-19
II. o. ALEXANDER.
Member of The House of Representa-
tives From MeclIIenburg County.

DR.. H. Quincy Alexander was born
in Iredell county, August 23rd, 1868.
He was educated at the common
schools and academies OF his county.
and graduated at the University of
Maryland in medicine in 1888. He was
married in August, 1888, to Miss
Annie Lee Campbell of York county,
South Carolina. He has devoted his
life to the calling of a physician and
farmer, and has always taken deep in
terest in public affairs. He has al
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-19
DAVID L. WARD.
Senator From the Eighth Senatorial
District.

David L. Ward was born in Wilson
county October "A. 1860. He was
educated at Wake Forest College. He
was married in New Bern February
Z, 1900. to Miss Louise Sholleburger.
He has taken part in all political
campaigns since his youth and is one
of the most effective and eloquent pub
lie speakers in Eastern North Carolina.
He has been county attorney of Craven
county about six years He obtained
license to practice law soon after
graduating at college and practiced
first at Wilson, afterwards settled in
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-19
Brief Sketches of the Lives of the
Men Who LegiSlated For the
Good of North Carolina.

Mr.. Coffields life was saved by the
wife of the provost marshall, who was
a Mason. His career in peace and in
war has been creditable and honorable
and he can truly say: II have done the
State some service
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-19

Dor legislation, but thought the bill
presented before the committee was
too far reaching, and that very con-
sentative steps should be taken along
these lines. He voted with uniform
consistency for every measure for the
moral and material upbuilding Of the
State, rejecting credit upon his coun-
ty and himself