The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1907-10-24
PUBLIC MASS MEETING.
Rev. G. 7. Lumpkln Sets Himself
Straight.

At a meeting at Madry's new
warehouse, on Tuesday night, MIR.
Lumpkin explained his position IN
regard to several charges which are
afoat against him in regard to what
transpired during the fight before
the House committee during the
Legislature. In the beginning MIR.
Lumpkin stated that he regretted to
do what he was about to do, but
that he had been forced to do so, by
certain false charges. He had hoped
to settle general issue without re-
gard to persons. He now proposed
to rehearse the matter from begin
ming to end and prove each step by
men in the audience. He first show
ed that Mr.. Kitchin had misled the
voters of Scotland Neck in regard
to his position on the whiskey ques-
ton, by certain statements made to
Mr.. Whitley, Mr.. Pittman and him.
self prior to his election. He show
ed that Mr.. Kitchin had afterwards,
in the Legislature, introduced a bill
bringing about an election in Scot
land Neck, when all the voters here
thought Maj. Neal had done it. He
dwelt upon the discourtesy with
which Mr.. Kitchin had treated the
committee which went to Raleigh to
meet him on the matter-that he
had refused to see them, putting
them off from time to time, until
the meeting of the House committee.
He showed how Mr.. Kitchin had re-
peated these actions from time to
time.
He said that Mr.. Kitchin had
agreed to leave the purging OF the
two petitions to a committee OF
three, or as many of them as could
be present, and that Mr.. Morrisett
alone had gone. That after purging
the two lists the Prohibitionists had
had majority and still Kitchin had
refused to keep his agreement. He
said that he had been criticised as a
minister of the gospel for taking
part in this fight, but showed that
his every visit to Raleigh had been
caused by requests from Mr.. Kitchin,
either by telegram or letter, and he
read the letters and kilograms. Mr..
Lumpkin further stated that the
prohibition element had made re.
peated attempts to agree with MIR.
Kitchin and thus avoid what had al.
ready come-a fight; but every effort
had been in vain.
He introduced a written state.
ment from Mr.. billiard showing
that he (Hilliard) had not abandon
ed the cause of temperance because
it was hopeless, thus refusing to re
turn to Raleigh the second time; bu,
that he had returned the SECOND
time, and would have returned thu
third time had he not been sick il
bed. Mr.. Hilliard further >stateo
that he did not read the original pc
titions in full, but took Mr.. Kitchin''
footing-up, and that he and Mr.
Sam Kitchin had come to no agree
ment then, but had agreed later t.
leave the petitions as they were.
After Mr.. Morrisett rehearsed tn
names that had been cut off of eacl
petition and showed how each hat
stood finally, Mr.. Lumpkin explain
ed the origin of the expression "rab
ble'', which has been so often refer
, red to. He showed that it was neve
intended to refer to the qualified
voters of Scotland Neck, but to Ger
tain outsiders whose names had n,
business on either petition.
When Mr.. Lumpkin had taken hi
seat Mr.. Albion Dunn made an ex
) cellent speech, in which he answere'
clearly several arguments whicl
have been used on the other side
Want of space forbids our dwellin,
on the matter further.