The Robesonian from Lumberton, North Carolina • Page 9

"ill 1 i i IS L-T-'; THE ROBESONIAN Page 9--The Robesonian, Lumberton, N.C., Monday, February 7.1977 General Assembly May Restore Death Penalty For Murder But Not Rape art' (im RALEIGH (AP) The North Carolina General Assembly seems certain to restore the death penalty for murder, but it's highly doubtful it will approve capital punishment for rape. A poll of the House Judiciary II Committee, which is considering death penalty legislation, showed seven of the 10 members for the death penalty for first degree murder with only two opposed. One said he might vote for such a bill and another said he would vote to send the measure to the House floor but was not sure how he would vote once it got there. The poll showed 10 members opposed to the death penalty for rape with only one indicating he would such a bill. There remained a faint possi- Absentee Voting Bill Goes To Senate For Approval Rep.

David Parnell, Horace Locklear and Joy J. Johnson cosponsored a state-wide bill in the North Carolina House that will allow absentee voting in school board elections. The bill passed unanimously in the House Friday and is now in the senate for final approval. The three Robeson representatives who serve Hoke and Scotland as well, offered the bill on the first day of the 1977 session after requests from Scotland County to clarify the absentee voting procedures in all elections. "We had these requests from Scotland County before the session began in Janury, but we agreed that it was a bill needed statewide," Rep.

Parnell recently explained. "Evidently, the rest of the representatives agreed with the need because it passed last week, with no opposition. The other representatives asked only a few questions before sending it to the Senate for approval." The local legislators had discussed the bill with Alex Brock of the N.C. Elections Board, who explained the current "law which removed school board elections from the list of elections' eligible for voters. The "debate and vote on the Equal Rights Amendment is expected to be discussed by the representatives the majority of the week with a final vote anticipated by Wednesday.

Observers of the Assembly have reported that the vote will be close, and few are predicting which way the amendement will move. The house can kill the amendment for this session or, by supporting it, send it to the senate for vote, which is also expected to be close. Rep. Parnell has stated that he will again be voting against the controversial amendment, while Rep. S.

Locklear and Johnson have voiced support. Rep. Parnell, who helped to defeat the amendment in the last session, says he has received a considerable amount of mail from all over the state, both in support of and against the passage. "My main reason for rejecting the amendment is the second portion of the language, where the U.S. Congress is given the power to make laws pertaining to the sexes and the family," Parnell explained.

Rep. Parnell also feels the amendment would "deprive women of many protections they now have under the law, particularly in the domestic realm." bility that the committee might agree to send a bill providing the death penalty for rape to the House floor via a without prejudice report in order that the issue may be debated and voted on by the full House. Four members said they would be willing to do this while five said they would not. One said he probably would and another said he probably would not. One of those who said she would reluctantly vote for the death penalty for murder was Rep.

Bertha Hott, D-Alamance. "Basically, I don't see any need for it," she said, "but the death penalty is a natural response by a society that feels threatened." Another who said he would vote reluctantly to send a murder death sentence bill to the House floor for debate was Rep. James F. Morgan, D-Guilford. "I've got serious hangups on the death penalty, but I feel I ought to work for a constructive bill for the House to vote on," he said.

"It's not an issue that should be held in committee. I'm against rape being included in that statute. If someone wants a separate bill for rape, I would vote to send it to the House floor." Morgan said that on the House floor "I would vote against rape beiig a capital crime, but I'm not sure how I would vote on murder." One of those opposed to the death sentence for rape was Rep. James E. Ezzell D- Nash.

"I think even most women would admit the death penalty is pretty severe punishment for rape unless there are pretty gory circumstances," he said "I think juries often are reluctant to convict a defendant of rape when they realize it might cost a man his life." Several of the legislators argued that the death penalty for rape may result in the death of rape victims. "I feel there have been any number of cases in the past where women were murdered when raped because the culprit wanted to conceal the evidence," said Rep. William A Creech, D-Wake. Judicial Procedures Took Spotlight In Legislature Mother Calls Church Vanguard For Justice RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) "The church must be in the vanguard of seeking justice," the mother of the Wilmington 10 leader said Sunday.

"There are some people in power today who still cherish the institution of slavery," said Mrs. Elizabeth Chavis, mother of the Rev. Ben Chavis. "We must look for a rejuvenated system leaders who, in the words of Jimmy Carter, are 'born Chavis and nine other persons were convicted on charges involving the firebombing of a grocery during Wilmington's racial upheaval in 1971. Mrs.

Chavis was among 16 speakers at a "Revival of Jus- tice for the Wilmington 10," which was held at Laodicea United Church of Christ here. The speakers included Mrs. Anne Sheppard Turner, the only white member of the Wilmington 10 and the only defendant to be paroled thus far. The others received prison sentences totaling 282 years, with Chavis being sentenced to 29-24 years. Mrs.

Turner said she "spent 21 months in hell for lies" by prosecutor Jay Stroud and witnesses at the 1972 trial in Burgaw. "The governor in his inaugural speech asked us to mobilize against crime," Mrs. Turner said. "I ask you now to mobilize against the real criminals." The trial generated nationwide publicity because of its racial and political overtones. Most of the defendants were of high school age and many blacks associated with the case have insisted that racism resulted in their being given lengthy sentences.

Other speakers including Mrs. Deloris Moore, mother of defendant Wayne Moore argued that the sentences were too stringent for the crime and that the arrests and trial represented "calculated attempts against the civil rights movement in North Carolina." By VIRGINIA SIMKINS Robesonian Staff Writer The 2 E's (Energy and ERA) got the headlines in news of the General Assembly last week, but other legislative matters received attention, notes Senator Luther J. Britt Lumberton. The Judiciary Committee, Of which Britt is chairman, conducted its regularly planned agenda on Tuesday and Thursday. Stress here was on certain judical procedures, which have been in the spotlight for a week or so.

The Driver's License Renewal matter, involving the waiving of certain testing if a person has not had violations against him in the past four years, was held up for a time to permit a report from the Department of Motor Vehicles. The survey seemed to indicate that the trial suspension of certain testing had worked well. One problem created by the act was that the federal tendency is contrary to the North Carolina leniency. There was a fear that this difference could result in loss of federal highway funds. Records show that several other states have a law similar to the one North Carolina wishes to continue.

Waivers as to loss of federal highway funds are obtainable. Judiciary reported the bill out of committee; it has passed the senate. The bill that would permit a court appointed counsel for a juvenile in the matter of parental rights has been relased from the committee and goes to appropriations for study. There would be some cost to the state with the matter of fees for the court-appointed attorneys. The law permitting the transfer of a civil case to an adjoining county or to a county in an'adjoining judicial district, went from Judiciary I to the Senate, has passed and moves to the house.

Action on the dismissal of frivolous charges against district attorneys will be heard this Tuesday. The bill involving the confidentiality of medical reports and a defendant's ability to stand trial will be heard on Thursday. Judge A. H. McKinnon Lumberton, is concerned about this phase of law and will be heard by the Judiciary II committee on Thursday.

Hearings were set for several bills on Thursday. The one permitting a fire marshall or a civil defense head in the county to use red lights was not heard. Neither was the bill regarding the disposal of confiscated weapons. The bill involving picketing or demonstrations near the scene Of a trial will be heard on Tuesday. At that trial Judge Hamilton Hobgood will appear before the committee.

The bill arises from the demonstrations at the Joan Little trial, at which Hobgood presided. On Thursday, there was a hearing on changes in rulings about day care centers. The senate passed the house version at a second reading. The third reading will come up this week. A number of bills regarding sex bias are being presented for study.

The one concerning a peeping Tom male or female --was re-written and was killed in committee. Many of the sex bias bills were presented as miscellaneous statues, in a sort of omnibus type of bill. They will be introduced later' as separate bills, to develop specific statements. In commenting on the energy situation, Britt spoke favorably of the way in which the department of public instruction has planned to meet shortages of fuel. Alerted by conditions several years ago, the state department of public instruction has made studies and has plans for meeting energy problems.

There is a careful inventory of all fuel available for schools and its location. There is a day-by-day accounting for fuel use in extreme weather, so that shortages are pin pointed. Water Hauled In By Natl. Guard MARSHALL, N.C. (AP) This town of about 1,000 people had less than 24 hours' worth of water in its reservoir Sunday, and the National Guard was to arrive today to haul emergency water supplies.

Officials said watr lines between the reservoir and wells had apparently frozen and ruptured. Moreover, many residents appeared to be letting small amounts of water flow to keep their own pipes from doing the same. Suggestions Given To Combat Pornography In Books, Movies Lynn Rogers was named Miss Pembroke Junior High Friday night at the school pageant held on the PSU campus. Lynn, a ninth grade student, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs.

Oscar Rogers of Pembroke. Sandra Revels, ninth grade, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Revels of Maxton, was first runnerup. The pageant was based on talent and evening gown competition.

Second runnerup was Gina Maria Maynor, eighth grade, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Gerald Maynor of Pembroke; third runnerup was Lisa Stover, ninth grade, daughter of Mrs. Victoria Stover of Pembroke; fourth runncrup was Charmaine Locklear, eighth grade, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.

Herman Locklear of Pembroke. The Miss Congeniality award went to Charmaine Locklear. (Elmer Hunt Photo) Speaking Thursday morning before a prayer breakfast, Ken Fountaine, a businessman who has waged a one-man war against pornography in the movies and on the bookstands of Lumberton, suggested definite steps that can be taken to combat it. "People can write and talk all they want, but it is going to take the concrete action of human beings to rid ourselves of this situation," he said. Fountaine, who has gone by himself to appear twice before the city council and also complained to local theatre owners, made a suggestion to the prayer breakfast.

"If a person or better still, a group of people would go to see these X- rated movies and the moment that sex or an obscene scene appears on the screen, telephone the district attorney, things would start happening. Joe Freeman Britt says he will prosecute anything that appears in the movies to be obscene. "The result would be the movie would be impounded for showing before a judge and the theatre owner is tied up. This kind of action would stop movies of this kind every time they are shown. The theatre manager would realize that although he is making a good profit with the X-rated movies, he can't stand being in court all of the time." To take this kind of action will take preseverance, going to one X-rated movie after another until they are eliminated, emphasized Fountaine.

Fountaine said a police guard should be stationed at every movie house, checking the ages of those going to see X-rated movies. "We have so many young kids getting in to see these X-rated films, and no one is doing anything to stop it," he said. Fountaine said something had to be done to stop "these gangsters who are walking around" dealing in smut. The Lumberton man also brought to the prayer breakfast at the Red Carpet Inn a magazine article relating how one man, aided by his electrical union led in the enactment of the Rhode Island display law. This law makes it illegal for sex publications to be displayed in places frequented by the general public in Rhode Island.

"Armed with the statute on the books, state and local authorites have been able to walk into a store or newsstand and place the owner under arrest, without a judicial hearing to determine obscenity," the article indicated. Store owners in the state of Rhode Island, who are no longer displaying sex publications have seen a 95 percent drop in sales of such publications. Fountaine claims that he has received a lot of moral support for his campaign. "Many have called and asked what they can do. They say they can't go to meetings, Can't write letters, but stand behind me 100 per cent.

But to do what we are seeking to do takes preseverance." Fountaine says he is ready to go to Raleigh or anywhere to combat smut sellers in Lumberton, Robeson County and North Carolina. ON TIPTOES, an antenna technician removes the brackets that held the uppermost antenna on the tower atop the Robeson County Jail. The sheriff's department made a switch during the weekend and now the county radio system is working from an antenna atop the court house. The couijtyJtyBpeajter system for radio communication is mounted on the tower at radio station WAGR following.c.ollapse.of the county's repeater tower in Raft Swamp. (Bill JPrice Photo) Long Agenda Given To City The Lumberton City Council will meet tonight for its bimonthly session, with a lengthy agenda scheduled.

The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. in the council chambers at city hall. On the agenda is a discussion Of Foxcroft subdivision which was tabled from the Jan. 17 meeting of the council. Whether the council will take any action other than sending the matter to the planning board, which meets Tuesday night, has not been indicated.

Also on the agenda is a report from the Recreation Commission on possible uses of the River Ranch property, as requested by council. In their recommendation for developing the area, the Commission does suggest scheduling 1 public meetintgs at a later date for additional input. A report from the Redevelopment Commission will also be heard, which will include consideration of bids for demolition of the Weinstein and old Lorraine hotel buildings. Commission voted to award the contract to the low bidder last week and will now come to council for confirmation of their decision. The Lumberton Bicentennial Committee will make a- request for approval of locations for two flagpoles to be located the downtown plaza, as part of -the permanent display ronv the committee.

Parenthood Course At Robeson. Teeh A course on parenthood and- problems of childhood offered by Robeson Technical" Institute, beginning Tuesday, Feb. 8. Mrs. Vicki Bass will be the instructor for the 30-hour course that will meet in the Conference' Room at RTI campus, each Tuesday at 7 p.m.

The course will be divided into four sections dealing with abuse and neglect, child's reaction todeath and illness and child's reaction 'to divorce. There is a $5 registration fee and all students must be 18 years of age or older. Bible Workshop Offered upon Worker Compensation Is Topic Workers' compensation will be the topic of discussion at the upcoming Southeastern Safety Council to be held Friday 15 in Fayetteville. Forrest H. Shuford chief deputy commissioner for the N.C.

Industrial Commission will be the keynote speaker at the first quarterly meeting of the council made up of area industrialists. The meeting will be held at the Barbecue Lodge in Fayetteville, at the intersection of 1-95 and 301, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The dinner will cost $4.75 per person and reservations are requested by Ethlene Shaw, Knit-Away, P.O. Box 740, Raeford, no later than Friday. A special workshop in teaching with emphasis Sunday School lessons willrbe- offered at Robeson Technicfl Institute, beginning Tuesday, Feb.

8. Miss I. Ruth Martin Will' be instructor for the class which will meet every Tuesday for five weeks, from 7-ifl pi.m. A review of the Sunday School lessons based on both the International Uniform lessons and the life and Work curriculum program will be offered. Visual aids and indepth consideration of scripture passages chosen for Sunday School lessons will, be Use'd;" There is a $4 regiSttatiqnrfee and all students must -be 18 years of age or older..