The weekly sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1886-1887, 1886-05-20
A VILE ISLANDER,


The Prompt Action OF the Rockingham
County Commissionersin the Matter,
60 From the Leaksviue Echo.
II i we'll known in this county, that
during the last year or two Webster's
Weekly has lost no opportunity to SLAM
der and blacken the name of Hon.
James w Reid, on account OF. the
personal enmity of Mr.. Webster for
this gentleman. Every such effort,
however, has recoiled OH the editor.
After Mr.. Joseph Bradfeld was refus.
ee revenue Office by Collector Boyd,
the columns of the Weekly were open
ed to his slanderous and scurrllous
Communications, abusing both Mr..
Reid and Collector Boyd. About two
weeks ago Mr.. Bradfeld came to Reds
vile and was closeted with, Mr.. Web
ster, and the result of his visit was the
scurrilous communication signed by Mr..
Bradfield under the name of "Regu-
lus," rejecting on the integrity of Mr..
Reid in regard to transaction with the
Wachovia National Bank, wherein he
had pledged certain county scrip al
lowed him for money advanced to the
county, as collateral security for a
loan of money.
Mr.. Reid, having been informed of
the status of affairs, came home at once
and appeared before the Board Of
Commissioners on the Sd inst, stating
his connection with the matter, and
calling on the Commissioners to state
whether or not his action in the trans
action was had with their full knowl-
edge and concurrence and that if his
conduct In the matter was not entirely
satisfactory to the Board, who had
control and supervision IF the county
finances, then he desired a full and
thorough investigation. Each MEM
Der of the Board expressed himself as
fully satisfied, and Mr. Reid's vindi-
cation was full and complete; and un-
sought and unasked, the Board handed
Mr.. Reid full and complete vindica-
ton in writing. Mr.. Webster was
present and cognizant of the whole
proceedings, and yet in the face of all
this, published Bradfeld's scurrilous
communication.
We take pleasure in publishing the
following statement from the Board of
Commissioners, which explains itself {:
WENTWORTH, N. c.. May II, 1886.
To the people Of Rockingham, County:
We, the undersigned members of the
Board Commissioners of Rockingham
county, having seen a communication
in Webster's Weekly of May 4th, 1886,
detrimental to Mr.. James w. Reid,
late Treasurer of Rockingham county,
in connection with his action in pledg-
ing certain county claims allowed him
by the Board as collateral security to
a debt due the Wachovia National
Bank, deem it our duty, as it is pleas
ure, to state in justice to a faithful of
fcer and an honorable man, that the
said claims were duly and properly al
lowed Mr.. Reid for jury and witness
tickets paid by him, his commissions
as Treasurer, orders for supplies fur
nished the county and paid by him
AT THE REQUEST OF THE
BOARD of Commissioners to defray
the expences of the new Court-House,
80 as to enable the county to get the
benefit of the usual discount in pur-
chasing for cash and for this advance
ment to the county Mr. Reid has de-
clined to receive any interest. We
further state that Mr.. Reds entire
conduct in pledging said claims to the
Wachovia National Bank was had
AFTER CONSULTATION WITH
THE BOARD, and with THEIR
FULL KNOWLEDGE and CON-
CURRENCE, and WAS UPRIGHT
and HONORABLE and ENTIRE
LY SATISFACTORY to us. We
add that at our last regular meeting
on May 3rd, 1886, Mr.. Reid appeared
before us and stated that rumors and
reports regarding the said Bank trans
action and detrimental to him had been
circulated in the county, and demand
ed an immediate and thorough inves-
tigation. All the facts being within
our immediate knowledge; and having
had our concurrence, we at once
promptly and cheerfnlly exonerated
and indicated him, and gave state
ment in writing to that effect, and the
editor of Websters Weekly was present
at our said meeting and cognizant of
this proceeding. We have given this
statement in justice to the reputation
of our former county Treasurer, whom
we have always found, during long
intimate official acquaintance, faithful
to all the interests of the county COM
mitted to his care.
A. j. ELLINGTON,
Chm Board Com RS.
j. A. GIBSON.
c.. S. HAMLIN.
We were not members of the Board
at the time of these transactions, but
from statements of the old Board we
are satisfied that the pledging of the
Sc, 800 of scrip was fully known and
approved by the Board. We also
know that all the said scrip is now