The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1907-02-07
SCOTLAND NECK LIQUOR FIGHT.
Its Progress BEFORE The Legislature.
News and Observer, Feb. 2.

Of Halifax, which provides for the
repeal of the special act putting
Scotland Neck under prohibition.
The House committee on Coun-
ties, Cities and Towns yesterday
afternoon by vote Of ten to
five, really of eleven to five, as chair
man Hawkins states he is with the
majority, ordered an unfavorable
vote on Mr.. Kitchin's bill, which
also had the support of Major J. B.
Neal, the other Halifax Represent
ative.
A SURPRISE STARTS UP.
The adverse report on the bill came
after a turn in the matter which gave
a surprise. The committee had prac-
tically agreed to be governed in its
vote by the wishes of the majority OF
the voters at Scotland Neck as eX-
pressed on the petitions, and then
the question arose as to who should
be regarded as legal voters. Mr..
Kitchin contended that those who at
the time Of election would be voters
should be the test, while Rev. G. I.
Lumpkin, for the opponents Of the
bill, urged that men who could vote
right now, to-day, should be the test.
The decision as to those views was
then put to a vote.
MR.. KITCHIN LEAVES THE COMMITTEE.
The views of Mr. Lumpkin for the
prohibiti0nists prevailed by vote of
ten to five. and at this Representa-
tive Kitchin announced that he would
no longer appear before the COM
mittee, but would fight for the bill
on the floor of the House, his posi-
ton being that terms he stated as
having been agreed upon between
himself and Mr.. Lumpkin as to the
rule for a voter had been ignored.
SAY NOT COURTEOUS TREATMENT.
At once Representative Owen
moved to report the bill unfavOra-
bly,, but at the request of Chairman
Hankins withdrew this so that the
matter might be discussed. Elk
planning his motion Mr.. Owen de
clared that when Mr.. Kitchin abrupt
~ left that he thought he was done
with the matter, and that he con
5idered that MIR. Kitchin had not
treated the committee with the cour.
tesy due it. Mr.. Bryant, who haC
seconded the motion, said that he
thought Mr.. Kitchin had treated the
committee very discourteously, but
that if Representatives. Kitchin anC
Neal yet wanted to be heard he was
willing to withdraw his second, tha-
these petitioners had just as much
right to be heard by the committee
as had Mr.. Kitchin.
ELEVEN FOR UNFAVORABLE REPORT
Then Mr.. ". 4. Dunn explained
the matter from the point of view O.
the prohibitionists in Scotland Neck
Representative Lockhart making ;
plea for a favorable report on tn,
bill, but an unfavorable report wa
ordered by ten to five, those oppos
ing the bill being Messrs. London
Bryant, Owen, Buchan, Clifford
Woods, Mclean, John, Pritchard
Galloway Of Pennsylvania, ten, ant
Chairman Hankins, eleven. For tn
bill were Messrs. Lockhart, Wash
ington, Boyd, Albright and Wells
five. Representative Lockhart CAV
notice Of minority favorable repor
in which others would join.
THE MEETING STARTS UP.
The meeting began with mucl
| talk as to what agreements had bee
made as to signers Of the petitions
and what matter the committee wa
to pass on, Mr.. Kitchin eXpressin,
one view as to whom should be con
sidered the majority, Mr.. w. A
Dunn saying that MIR. Kitchin wa
absolutely mistaken. Mr.. Kitchi1
| did not think that the legality O
voters in Scotland Neck should b
passed upon by the committee, blu
suggested that it go to the Commit
tee on Judiciary. Finally it was de
cided to go into the merits of tn
case, Mr.. Kitchin to speak first 70
the bill. He stated that he woul
waive this right and speak only i
conclusion. Mr.. Dunn did not thin
, this was right as he and others want
ed to know upon what grounds tn
matter stood, Representative Owe
saying he would like to know also.
MR.. KITCHIN FOR THE BILL.
Representative Kitchin then state
that he had introduced the bill wit
the consent and agreement Of tn
majority of the voters of Scotlan