The Frail? n Times
I I
Published Every Tuesday & Thursday ^ Serving All Of Franklin County
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Gy 6-3283 ' Ten Cents Louisburg, N. C? Thursday, May 1, 1969 (Twelve Pages Today) 100th Year-Number 22
Richardson In
Council Race
Plummer A. Richardson, * native of
Nashville, N. C. and general manager
of Richardson Funeral Home here, is
the first Negro to run for the Louis
burg Town Council in recent history.
Richardson filed last week for one of
the six seats on the Board.
Richardson attended the Nashville
schools, graduating in 1945 from Nash
County Training School. He graduated
from Tri-State College, Angola, In
dianna with a B.S. Degree in Business
Administration in 1954.
He served two years in the Navy
during World War II and is a member
of Galatia A.M.E. Methodist Church in
Nashville. He is married to the former
Geraldine Cyrus and they have two
children, Stacy Alicia, 3 and Herbert
C.. 2.
Richardson is secretary-treasurer of
the funeral home which he manages
and holds a similar position with the
burial association affiliate of the firm.
He is assistant secretary-treasurer of
the Nashville Credit Union, a member
of the Johnson-Gilliam American Le
gion Post in Nashville and a member of
the Na&hville branch, NAACP. He is
also a member of the National Funeral
Director's Association, N. C. State
Embalmer and Funeral Directors As
sociation and a past vice president of
the Eastern District Funeral Directors
and Embalmers Association.
ARCH WILSON
Death Claims
Arch Wilson
Arch N. Wilson, 62, Louisburg
tobacco warehouseman, died shortly
before 1 P.M. today in Franklin
Memorial Hospital following a lengthy
illness.
Wilson was a popular tobacconist in
Louisburg for a number of years, being
connected with the Big Franklin Ware
house, which he help found. He was a
past President of Green Hill Country
Club and a member of the Board of
Directors for several years.
Funeral arrangements are incom
plete.
Home Rule
With a scattering of "No" votes the
Senate passed the final bill in the
so-called home rule package Tuesday
and sent it back to the House. With
this action, the final steps were taken
which could bring about the most
monumental changes in the make-up
and operation of county government
in history.
Under the home rule package.
County Commissioners may call for a
vote of the people at a general election
and, If approved, change the number
of seats on the Board, the length of
terms, and the manner of selecting
Board members. Theoretically, the
Franklin County Commissioners could
propose such changes as one-man for
each of the ten townships or use a
one-man, one-vote formula and move
the terms to six or eight years or more
and could, with voter approval, have a
candidate voted on only in his own
district. It takes little Imagination to
envision the chabs such an election
would bring.
Without conferring with the people
Jaycees Round Up 8,000 Bottles To Aid Rescuers
Members of the Louisburg Jaycees are shown above viewing their bottle collection following a drive staged here Tuesday
night. Pictured, left to right are: Frank Read, Bill Fleming, Chairman of the project, Paul Brewer, Jaycee President, James Grady
and Bill Jonea.
Fleming reported the organization collected over 8,000 bottles and the collection Is expected to bring In over $150 to be
donated to the Louisburg Rescue Service. He also said the canvas of the area would be completed Wednesday night since all
homes could not be checked in the planned one-night effort. J
Fleming said the Jaycees wish to thank all who donated bottles in the drive and those who made cash donations to the
Rescue Service during the bottle campaign.
Many Recall Heated Elections Of 1941
By Clint Fuller .
Times Managing Editor
Next Tuesday is election day in
Louisburg and unless some unforseen
action takes place between then and
now, it is likely to be one of the
quietest days in years. Most municipal
elections have been of the non-noise
variety over the years. There was,
however, one notable exception. In
1941, they had a donnybrook.
Many folks around today vividly
remember the year and although the
Louisburg elections were soon over
shadowed by a county tangle over
liquor stores and the threatening war,
the Louisburg Town Council held the
spotlight for quite a few days that
year.
It seems that it all started when
somebody wanted to locate a cotton
gin here. When it was found that the
town electric plant would not be
adequate to supply the electric current
needed and that the plant-or perhaps
more precisely, the engine-was in need
of repair, the council and many private
citizens lost their cool.
Enterprising outsiders quickly en
tered the picture. Carolina Power and
Light Company expressed a desire to
either sell currant to the town whole
sale or to purchase the plant and
operate as a private business. At least
one engine supply company was dom
inant in the picture in its efforts to itll
the Town either a new engine or
"modernize" the old one.
Given the alternatives of continuing
in the power business or, in some
manner, relinquishing the operation to
the private power firm, members of
the Council and private citizens alike
began to choose sides. Some wanted
leave matters as they ? were -change
nothing. Others wanted to sell out and
forget the whole thing. Still others
expressed the opinion that the engine
should be fixed and there were some,
even then, who wanted to buy a
wholesale and let the Town profit
from the sale.
The issue came to a head, It was
thought, when on April 8, a public
meeting was called by the Council on
the matter. Of those present 24 voted
that the Council employ a "consulting
engineer to make an analysis *of gen
erated power as compared to pur
chased power." It was later to come
Could Bring Big Changes
Bv Clint Fuller Times Managing Editor
or obtaining their approval, the Board,
under the new bills, could set the
salary of every county employee. This
includes, presumably, the Sheriff, the
Register of Deeds and other elected
officials. The Board may also decide
6n the number -of employees needed
-by the county and fix fees and allow
ances.
And finally, the Board may now set
the time and plfce for its own meet
ings and the bill permits a majority of
the Board members to call a meeting
These are the general areas of
change allowed by the new legislation.
A study of the laws themselves is
needed to reach an understanding of
the full Impact likely to come.
The majority of the lawmakers ob
viously favored returning to the local
governmental authorities some of the
powers enjoyed by the legislature over
the years. Local legislation had be
come a headache for the lawmakers in
recent years, however. Much of It was
unnecessary and often led to a wide
variance in laws among counties with
similar interests.
It is not expected that he Franklin
County Board wilt begin changing
things right away but with tHfe passage
of the home rule package of bills, they
can.
Without having read the laws them
selves one would be at a loss to
consider what could take place if the
Commissioners suddenly decided cer
tain county officials are unnecesaary.
Actually, holding the purse strings
over the years, the Board already had
more power than most citizens
realized. The new laws spell out and
actually give them a great deal more.
Now that pay raises and fees, hiring
and firing and election changes no
longer have to be taken to the General
Assembly, It will probably cause In
creased interest in the activities of the
Commissioners. One thing is certain,
those seeking salary increases will now
know where the bread is buttered.
And the people now know where the
power lies.
Court Handles Host Of Traffic Cases
The following caaea were
disposed of on Monday, April
28th:
Jimmy Allen Fuller,
w/m/26, operating auto In
toxicated; no operator '? 11
cenae. Guilty of driving under
Influence; not guilty of no
operator's Ilcenae. $100.00
fine and coata. Appeal; bond
aet at $150.00.
Wardeli Harrti, c/m/50,
operating auto Intoxicated.
$100.00 fine and coata.
Wardell Harris, c/m/50,
(ail to yield right of way. To
pay costs.
Rickey Ray Chahiplon,
w/m/15, driving without li
cense. Nol proa with leave.
Rickey Champion,
w/m/16, hit and run; fail to
reduce speed to avoid colli
sion. Nol pros with leave.
Robert Earl Strickland,
n/m/26, fall to see movement
could be made In safety. Not
guilty. *?
Clem Puree, w/m/38, non
support. 60 days In j?U, sus
pended on payment of
$30.00 per week for support;
defendant not to go on pre
mise* of Mrs. Sarah Pearce for
2 years.
Ted Ray Young, w/m, ar
son, 3 cases Bound over to
May 12 criminal session of
Franklin Superior Court.
Jerry Allen Rogers, w/m,
arson. Bound over to May 12
criminal session of Franklin'
>i
Superior Court.
Arthur S. Person, speed
ing; passing In no paving
zone. Pr?yer for judgment
continued on payment of
cost! on firit charge. State
takea nol pro* as to improper
passing.
John Wesley Smith,
n/m/28, driving under In
fluence. 60 days In jail, sus
pended for 2 years on pay
See COURT P*ge 5.
out that the people believed this 24-3
vote was a mandate to the Council
even though no such engineer was ever
employed.
On April 14, th* Council instead,
passed a resolution to purchase an
engine and to make needed repairs to
the tune of $41,283.00. Council mem
bers F. H. Allen, W. B. Barrow, P. W.
Elam and C. R. Sykes voted in favor
and councilmen R. C. Beck and W. G.
Lancaster opposed the action.
In its Friday, May 2, issue The
Franklin Times headlined: The Battle
Is On. Thirteen had filed for the Town
Counsil election and Mayor W. C.
Webb was being opposed by present
day councilman Jonah C. Taylor for
the Town's top post.
Newcomers to the field included N.
F. Freeman, W. J. Cooper, W. F.
Shelton, who later served as Mayor,
Dr. J. B. Wheieas, L. 0. Tharrington,
C. C. Hudson. Wilbur A. Raynor and
W. J. Shearin. Wheless and Hudson
withdrew from the race on the Friday
prior to the Tuesday elections.
There appeared a full -page adver
tisement, sponsored by The Citizens
Committee, signed by M. ,8. Davis as
Chairman. The ad charged the Council
failed to respond to the will of the
people and asked -a number of ques
tions of the Council members such as
(1) If the Town had made a profit
from the sale of electricity, why had
not the engine been kept in repair and
paid for? and (2) If the money was
spent for other expenses, why had not
taxes been reduced?
It is difficult to describe the bitter
ness during the weeks of the heated
campaign but The Times reported that
by late afternoon of the voting day It
had dwindled to an atmosphere of
friendly competition.
The Council at one time was re
strained by court order from im
proving the electric faciyties and when
the restraining order was lifted by
Judge Leo Carr of Graham, N. C., the
action was appealed to the State Su
preme Court
But, back to the election itself.
There were 568 people voting that day
although a large number of others
were turned away because they were
registered In the county, but not in
Loulsburg. When the smoke settled,
nothing was proven by the elections.
P. W. Elam had not sought reelection
and of the five incumbent council
members, ail were reelected except C.
R. Sykes. The new new members were
W. J. Cooper and W. J. (Pete) Shearin.
If the incumbents bad displeased the
voter with their actions on the power
question, the impact had been missed
at the polls. W. C. Webb was renamed
Mayor, downing his opponent 337 to
217. Then, as now, personalities en
tered the picture. The voter had a list
of 13 known business leaders In the
community and more than likely,
things other than the power Issue
played a part in their decisions
The new Board, after several meet
ings, killed a resolution on July 11, to
allow the people to vote and to decide
the lasue. Beck, Cooper and LancaaUr
favored the move. Allen, Barrow,
See 1941 Page 6
Campaigning Quiet
No New Records
Expected Toesday
It is unlikely that any voting records will be set in the four municipal elections
Tuesday. Campaigning in Louisburg. Franklinton. Youngsville and Centerville hat
been quiet and with the.ab?ense of any heated issues in any of the four towns, a
light voter turnout is being predicted.
Based on past elections. Louisburg is likely to have, at best, around 600 people
to go to the polls. Franklinton is expected to have in the neighborhood of 600 and
Youngsville will probably vote around 125. Centerville is expected to attract less
than a hundred.
The largest vote in a municipal election in recent years-and perhaps, in
history- in Louisburg was the 735 cast in 1961. Second highest was counted in
1959 when 721 people voted. In 1963 there were 558, in 1965 there were 592 and
in 1967 a new record was set as only 501 citizens voted in the elections.
In 1957. 557 voted at Franklinton in the Mayor's race. There were 565 voting in
1965. 597 in 1963 and 608 in 1961.
Youngsville voted only 43 people in 1967 when the Mayor and Town Council
members were unopposed. In 1965, 109 went to the polls and in 1963, 151 cast
their ballot.
Centerville has had only one election. In 1967, 72 persons voted there. Town
officials were appointed in 1965, the year Centerville became incorporated.
There has been no public effort to get out the vote for next Tuesday's elections.
Little interest is being shown in any localities and it will be surprising if any of the
four municipalities exceed the predicted turnout. Many observers feel the vote will
fall short of the 1967 turnout.
*AT THE BOTTOM OF All THE TRIBUTES
PAID TO DEMOCRACY I5THE LITTLE MAN
WALKIN6 INTO THE LITTLE BOOTH, WITH A LITTLE
PENCIL MAKING A LITTLE CROSS ON A LITTLE
BIT OF PAPER *
SIR UJIHSTON CHURCHILL
Tuesday's Election Lineup
LOUISBURG
For Mayor
V. A. Peoples
For Town Council
(Vote for si*) _
Bill Beckham
George (Jolly) Bunn
Grover C. Harris, Jr.
' H. D. (Tommle) Jeffreys
Breattie C. O'Neal
P. A. Richardson
Bob Stanley
Jonah C. Taylor
Mrs. Thomas 0. Wheless
YOUNGSVILLE
For Mayor
Marvin Roberts
For Town Council v
(Vote for five)
James T. Allen
David Cyrus, Sr.
Monnie D. Hoyle
W. Tommy Moss
E. J. Pearce
John W. Pearce
Jease E. Preddy, Sr.
Ruawll N. Strickland
FRANKLINTON
For Mayor
Joe Pearce
? For Town Council
(Vote for five)
John F. Green
John Henry House
Charlie Hight, Jr.
Henry Franklin Holmes
James S. Joyner
For Board of Education -
(Vole for three)
B. Don Blockson
Nat Cannady
S. L. (Pete) Colbert
Clifton Conyers
James R. Jones
Thomas O. Perry
William Avery Wilder >
CENTERVILLE
For Mayor
J. D. Gupton
John W. Neal
For Town Council
(Vote for three)
Ernest H. Denton
John W. Pleasants
L. S. Ward
CP&L Chief To Speak
At Alumni Banquet
Shearon Harris, president and chief
executive officer of Carolina Power
and Light Company, will be the fea
tured speaker at the Loulsburg College
Alumni Banquet Saturday evening,
May 17, at 7 o'clock.
The 186 graduating students of the
college will be hosted and formally
initiated into the Alumni Association
by Dr. Thomas Manning Daniel of
Smith field, president of the associa
tion Special guests for the occasion
will be members of the Golden Agers,
alumni who left the college SO or more
years ago.
Mr. Harris, son of a Baptist minister
and1 prominent lawyer, came to Caro
lina Power and Light Company in
1967, after having practiced law in
Albemarle for eighteen years. He is a
native of Vance County. His under
graduate and graduate degrees were
earned at Wake Forest University. Mr.
Harris holds the Army's Bronze Star
and Legion of Merit for service In the
European Theatre during World War
II. Hla many actlvltiee include leader
ship responsibilities in the Hayes Bar
ton Baptist Church in Raleigh, trustee
of Wake Forest University, Board of
Associates of Meredith College, and
Board of Visitors of Wake Forest Law
See BANQUET Page 6
SHEARON HARRIS