Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-08-01
WILLIAMS-SETTlE CASE.
Interesting Correspondence In the Matter
of the Contest Before Congress.

Interesting Correspondence In the ma'~'
of the Contest Before Congress.
WASHINGTON, -. c., July I.-Thf
Willams-SettIe election case from the
Fifth North Carolina District is likely to
come before the House for action shortly
This was one of the first contests con-
sidered by the Committee on Elections
and as long ago as January 3ist Mr..
Paynter reported for the committee that
MIR Settle was entitled u the seat he oc-
cupied.
on the 9Th INST, however, Messrs. Wood
ward. Patterson. Hayes, Denison and Jones
filed "a minority report concurring IN q
resolution declaring Williams entitled 70
the seat. one Of the points male oy
Williams I'm his contest was that no.
tary before whom Settle took testimony
in Rockingham county was an iniant-
/ e., under q years of age-and that ne
was not. therefore. under the law oil
North Carolina, even a de facto oihcer'
and was not authorized 10 take deposit
tons The majority OF the committee, re-
feYrng to this. says: Tine committee
does not pass upon this question, because
II Is not necessary TO do 50 for the pur-
pose of determining who is entitled 10
the seat
In this view of tie case, the subjoined
correspondence Is interesting
RALEIGH. n. c., July "a, 1871
Hon. Thomas Settle, Washington:
Dear Sir.-I am instructed by the GOV,
ernor TO inform you that he Is INFORMED
that T. A. Rattlife. Jr., of Rockingham
county. whom he appointed upon your
recommendation notary public, Is under
age. and. therefore, under our law tsec-
ton 81 of the Constitution Ks ineligible
70 such pOsition. Unless this Information
can be refuted, he will feel compelled 10
ask for his resignation. When ne ISSUED
the commission Ire told you he would APP
point any one you would recommend,
thinking, of course. that you wouId not
place him in this position. He feelS, De
fore taking action In the matter, that you
should be Informed. and hence this letter.
Please give the matter your prompt atten-
ton and oblige. Yours very truly,
-. f. TELFAIR. Private Secretary.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., July %, 1894.
IS. +. Telfair, Esq, Raleigh:
"My Dear Sr,-Your letter of the 2th
instant, in reference to MIR. Rattlifie. Jr,
written by instruction of the Governor
was received this morning. You say that
the Governor has. been notified that Mr.
Rattfine is minor, and unless this IN
formation can be refuted he VIII feel
compelled to ask for his resignation
1T would crafty something more than
idle curiosity on my part to know VINO so
informed the Governor and why TINS mat
ter was not agitated at an earlier date.
Mr.. Rattliffe was commissioned, pc
lieye. in March, 1893. and n few months
Of the same remain uneXpired:
He served the greater portion OF
his time without complaint or
notice OF ineleibility II Is a
rather singular coincidence that this mat
ter should imperatively demand action
iust at the time IT is expected my contest
will be called up for decision by the
House Of Representatives. You say:
When he Uhe Governor issued the COM
mission he told you (me, that he would
appoint any one YOU % would recon-
mend The Governor dd not tell me
that. lie said he would appoint any
Democrat whom | would suggest. ana he
actually refused to appoint Mr.. II. NJ.
Joyce Of Danbury, \. c., because he was
a Republican. or rather because h was
not "A Democrat.
~ regret il very much II the Governor
feels any embarrassment on account OF
having made this appointment. ana !
assure him through you that when l
recommended Mr.. RattliHe uld not Rn""
he was a minor. but recommended NJ"
on the sugge stion of MIR. y. II. John-
son. a good Democrat. lnasmuch as MT.
Rattlime's qualifications TO I'LL the posi-
ton OF n notary pub ic have been the
subject OF 50 much concern to the people
of North Carolina. il Is deeply to be re-
grotted tha, the 20 nj at issue cannot
receive a judicial construction. The opin-
ion OF the legal profession Is not ell one
way. But the Governor having salts
aed himself and apprehending that greai
injury might result from MIR. Ratt ne
serving the few remaining months OF MS
term. | shall not interfere with his de-
termination by any suggestion.
Every truly. yours,
THOMAS SETTLE"