The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-09-06
JUDGE BYNUM EXPLAINS.

AsHEvILLE, N. O., Aug. 25, 1892.
Mr.. EDITOR:-In your issue of the
2dinst. 1 find the following publication,
to-wit: (Here The resolution of the
State Alliance was inserted, but we
omit it, as it has been published often.)
The first name published as refusing is
John G.. Bynum, Judge Superior Court.
1 did, about December LIST, 1891, re-
ceive from Mr.. Barnes a circular letter
of which the above is a copy.
On December 9Th, 1891, l wrote MI.
Barnes as follows, tO-wit:
w. S. Barnes, Secretary, &C.:
Ny DEAR SIR:-The resolution of the
Farmers State Alliance and your cir
cular letter in regard to the use of rail
road passes by myself since my cleo
ton as Judge of the Superior Court of
North Carolina is received, and reply
ing will say, I know nothing of your
Order or Association; it is secret and I
am excluded from it's benefits Or privi-
leges; I cannot therefore recognize the
right Of the Alliance to make the in
quiry, any more than I would the right
of the State Medical Association, or
the Methodist Conference, or the Pres
byterian Synod; still I do not desire to
be discOurteOus, OF decline to answer
the question upon that ground, espe-
cially as I have nothing to conceal but
before answering, l desire in common
fairness to ask you as the Secretary
and Treasurer Of the N. @. E. S. A. two
simple questions which yOucan answer,
and which l cannot enter into one Of
your meetings to find out, which ques-
tions are as follows:
First. Does the Alliance propose to
-.-IIs-L- IL 49, --o-lI 49, 0~C--ou -
their inquiry9
Second. If they do not intend to
publish to the world what use do they
propose to make of it9
eff your answer to the first question
is in the affirmative, I will answer
your question with pleasure; if that
question is answered in the negative,
then my reply will depend upon your
answer to the second inquiry.
Enclosed find stamped envelOpef for
reply. Yours truly,
JNO. GRAY BYNUM."
On December 18th, 1891, 1 received
from Mr.. Barnes a reply off which the
"Judgo j. G. Bynuno, Morgamton,
NY DEAR SIR:-Yours of the 9Th to
hand, and in answer to your inquiry
or INQUIRIES must say that all that the
Alliance did in this matter was pub
lished in the resolution sent you by me.
"The letters will be turned over to
the Executive Committee, who will
have them laid before the State ALI
ance meeting of 1892. Do not think
they will be published, though some of
them may; but I cannot say not know
ing what action will be taken by that
body. 1 think the intention of the let
ter of inquiry was to find out who of
the State officials were disregarding
the act of the legislature creating the
Railroad Commission, aclause in which
has reference to free passes.
Yours truly,
w. s. BARNES"
This correspondence explains itself.
I have never used a pass over a rail
road since the 31st of March, 1891.
The Auditor was informed Of that fact
at that time. Mr.. Barnes would have
been, had he answered the inquiriesin
nv letter to him 80 that l could have
been informed that a proper use vas
to be made of my reply. 1 will be
obliged if you will publish these com
m~unications. I am,
Very truly yours,