The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-08-16
cry respectfully
Your obd't servant,
SPIER WHITAKER.


RALEIGH, N. O., Nov. 10, 81.
Mr.. ". S. Barnes, Sec. Treas. N. G. F.
S. a, Raleigh, ~ c.:
DEAR SIR:-I have the honor to &C
knowledge the receipt of your letter in
which you inform me that a resolution
was passed by the Farmers State ALI
ance of North Carolina, at it's annual
meeting August 18th, 1891 at More
head City, as follows:
WHEREAS, The Alliance demands
prohibit the using of railroad passes by
our Representatives in our State and
National Legislatures; and whereas, it
appears from a statement made in this
hall to-day, that railroad passes have
been issued for this purpose; therefore
be it
"ReSOLUed, That our State Secretary
be instructed to write a letter to each
of our Senators, Representatives, State
officers, Judges of the Supreme and
Superior Courts, and Solicitors, max
ing the enquiry if he has used a rail
road pass since his election. If no re-
ply is received, that the Secretary shall
then send a registered letter making
the same enquiry; and then if no reply
is received he shall have the letter pub
lished ard kept in some one of the re
form papers," and asking me to an
swer whether or not I have used a rail
road pass since my election as Superior
Court Judge.
The legislature of North Carolina, at
its last session, made it unlawful for
any railroad company to collect from
any person a greater or less cOmpensa-
ton for any service rendered in the
transportation of passengers than it
receives from any OtDer person for do
ing him a like and contemperaneous
service, excepting, however, ministers
of religion, certain INDECENT persons,
and railroad employ ees; and gave to
the Judges of the Superior Court, in
addition TO the compensation then al
loved by law, the sum Of two hundred
and fifty dollars per annum in lieu of
and in Communication for their travelling
expenses incurred while engaged in the
discharge of their official duties.
Until the receipt of your letter I La2
supposed that even the most unin-
formed understood that a Superior
Court Judge was sworn to support the
that it had not occurred to any one
that it was his duty to execute or obey
the Alliance demands"
l. OCS W OSS0LO SOu U141 lily CO11UOCU
as judged the Superior Court of North
| Carolina shall in no way be regulated
or influenced by the platforms or "de,
mands" of any political party, organi-
cation or society. That I shall endeavOr
to constantly remember that 1 am a
servant of the people, the whole peo-
pie, of all shades of color and opinion,
and that / am solemnly bound to obey
the laws which they have duly and
formally enacted and published for the
guidance of us all.
If I were a member of your honor
able, patriotic, and, in many respects,
useful organization, l would consider
myself, as an individual, in honor
bound to obey its demands" if I
were a partisan seeking office l might
court its favors, owe under it's crlti-
cisms, and, perhaps, advocate its prin-
ciples; but as a Judge of the Superior
Court | can only obey and fearlessly
and impartially administer the laws of
my country.
There is a court constituted and APP
pointed for the regulation and punish
ment of Judges and other officers who
are unfaithful to their trusts; and be-
fore that court | am at all times ready
to answer for my official or personal
conduct.
must decline to answer your ques,
ton because you have no right to ex-
pect an answer, because your question
implies at least a doubt of my honor,
and because it is accompanied with a
threat.
have the honor to be
Your obedient servant,
SPIER WHITAKER.