Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1913-02-13

jackson County's Capital.
The citizens of Jackson county were
UP in arms in Raleigh last week and
precipitated one of the warmest and
most exciting fights yet waged before
a committee. The question arose over
the bill introduced by Representative
Wike, which, if it passes, will sub-
NIT to the qualified voters of the coun-
ty the question, long agitated. of NOV
ing the governmental seat OF the coun-
TT from Webster to Sylvia. Fully a
score of the county's citizens appeared
before the committee and those favor
ing the bill were armed with a petit
ton from fourteen hundred citizens,
asking that the people be permitted to
express their sentiment at the polls
in May. This is not the first time that
this question has been discussed and
it has been a campaign issue for
years, but from what appears on the
surface it did not play an important
part in the last campaign. The COM
mittee on Counties, Cities and Towns
OF the House rendered a favorable re-
port after hearing the argument from
the citizens. The Sylvia side of the pro-
position had the larger number of cit
liens here. The Senate committee,
though not a quorum, sat with the
House committee On the question. The
House committee voted nine to seven
in favor Of submitting the question
to the vote of the people. A minority
report was filed and some good wire
pulling soon had the minority re-
port, the majority report in a sense,
as members not present to hear the
matter were persuaded to sign minor
ity report. The House has not taken
I'D the matter and it is not known
where the thing will end, but infu-
ences are being brought to bear
against the passage of the bill, while
Influences are also being exerted for
the other forces.
The speeches on the question were
very much heated and at times the
speakers INDUCED in personalities,
that was regretted by some present.
The fight is by no can to and end,
and more interesting developments
are promised.
Coming from Jackson county in the
interest of the question were the fol-
lowing, who are in favor of the pas
sage of the bill: Coleman G.. Cowan.
George w. Sutton, c. c. Buchanan, all
of Webster; s. w. Enloe and c. J. Har-
RS, of Dillsboro; T. G. Bryson, A. j.
Oils, Dan Tompkins, Theo. Buchanan,
Nj Buchanan, B. C.. Grindstaff, e. L. Nc
Zee, John Wilson-al of Sylvia, ]. J.
Hooker, Dillsboro; A. G. Reynolds,
Thos- A. Cox. D. D. Davis. of Cullo-
whee.
Opposing the bill were: W. E.
Moore, A. B. Allison, r. L. Madison. of
Webster.
Enemies of the bill had considerable
achievements early Monday morning
when a delegation eleven strong arrfv-
ed from the towering mountains OF
Jackson county, as follows: o. b: Cow
ard, w. r. Self, E. G. Hedden, A. W.
Davis, John billiard, all of Webster;
p. N. Price and J. A. Tritt, of Tucka-
seigee; Rover Cooper, Holmes Bryson,I
John Leatherwood and Cole Allison,
of Dillsboro.
A successful attempt was made in
the House Monday to delay further
consideration of this bill. When it
was called up, the point was raised
that there were too many members
The question will be resumed
Au4AAS JAO WOOAs
New Bills introduced. {
The bill providing for a $4,000 six
per cent bond issue by the commits
of Henderson county for the
purpose of s~urfacing the graded roads
Of the county, which has been in max
lng for several weeks by the non-par-
tisan committee composed of J.. P.
Fletcher, F. S. Wetmur and p. F. Pat
5on, was introduced Monday by Repre-
sentative j. P. Patton.
The principal features of the bill
will be found below but~those desir-
ng fuller information will find it in a
complete synopsis of the bill in next
weeks Democrat.
Under the present law, all persons
to road duty are required to
in six days on the road or pay the
Ium of Sc. The new law will require
,nly five days work or $3.50 per year.
rhe compensation of the officers will
De reduced about so per cent and they
will be designated as district over
Ieers. The bill provides for hard sur
acing or s~and-claying the main |
horoughfares of the county, those
whic hhave been graded and are to be
graded in preparation for this appli-
The outstanding features of the
bill are strikingly similar to those of
he present law. The bill shows
much hard work on the part of the .
committee in an effort to make a law
hat will meet with the approval of
he majority of the people of the
Mr.. Patton also introduced a-bill
Lis week authorizing G. p. Rogers to
a constable with police pow +
ers within a radius of one mile of the
Hosiery Mills in East Flat
Rock, term of Office to expire in April
1917.
Representative Bolich started off
the legislative program Monday by
a number of bills of in
terest to Polk county.
The most important bill of his au-
Ehorizes the Polk county commission
ers to make a 800, 900 bond issue for
the purpose of building good roads in
Polk county. This issue of bonds will
make nOScih1o tho n0pop1nf;0r ~ 4bo