Asheville daily citizen., 1894-11-21
nuts TOR PEARSON 70 CRACK

NUA lUk FLAMUN III MAIA
GEO. II. sMATHERs SPEAKS OUT
AND GIVES FACTS.
Mr.. Smathers, Who Is Familiar With
the Appropriation Question, Makes 1t
Plain That the Duke Articulated
Through His Tile.
Last Sunday, in the Charlotte Observer,
Richmond Pearson, who was elected to
Congress from the Ninth district. at.
tempted to review the past and fore
cast the future" az was previously au-
uounced. Pearson, in alludiug to his
victory. which many Republicans regard
40 sort Of defeat. all things considered,
referred to matters Of which be appar.
emily knew nothing. and in 90 doing has
thrust his bead into a hornets nest.
What follows In the interview THE
CITIZEN has had will be mighty interest
ing reading to the Duke. and it 10 com.
mended to his careful perusal. He will
doubtless find much to hold his atten.
ton and bring on fit Of reflection.
Special Assistant District Attorney
Geo. H. Smathers Of WayneAville, while
here yesterdav. was seen BY The CITIZEN
at the SWaunanoa hotel. :'Have you
seen Mr.. Pearson's letter ID the Obser-
VERT" asked THE ClrIzsN. "And what
have .vou to say as to his allegation that
his ANAL majority 10 attributable to the
expenditure Of $6s. 900 Of cash money
for political purposes in the counties Of
Jackson, Swain and Graham 7"
~ have read the letter referred to-"
said Mr.. Smathers. "Mr. Pearson 10 not
the only man in the district that consid.
ers bis election 40 a marvel As is well
known. l took no stock in the deed Of
assignment made by the Republican par
ty leaders in this district to Mr.. Pearson
and my marvel 10 that he received anv
votes at all, carving. as he did, his poll
tics under his hat. The statement that
any part OF the fund above referred to
was used by myself or any agent Of the
government to corrupt or to influence
any of the citizens of Swain, Jackson or
Graham 10 utterly false. and Mr.. Pear.
son should have informed himself Of the
facts before making such baseless and
unfounded charge. This appropriation
was made bv Congress, under the advice
of the Attorney General Of the United
States. after laborious and exhaustive
investigation. for the purpose Of ending
a litigation Of 20 years standing and as
a matter Of justice tn the Cherokee In
diaus in North Carolina, Whose affairs
had been managed by the government in
the past with almost criminal negli.
gence. The payments 90 far made were
made to claimants under decree Of his
Honor Judge Dick, aud not one penny ol
this fund, 90 far az know, was used by
the claimants to influence or control a
single vote against Mr.. Pearson. All oi
them, including 'Squatter' Bob Patter-
oous W uuS EAAs ASuioous . NSsuuSuAu
were plain old farmers, who doubtless put
the money in their stockings, and there
it 10 today"
"Many of these 'squstters.' as Mr..
Pearson calls them, are Republicans and
voted for the gentleman who now refers
gratefully to them 40 'squatters' and the
sons of 'squatters,' as I am credibly in.
formed by 'Squatter' Bob Patterson,
They viii hardly be partners to AN as.
signment' in 1896. will they?
"The result of the election, 20 far a. Mr.
Pea, son was concerned, has no doubt
surprised and mortified his supporters
Why, Just think Of it! In this great
Republican tidal wave Of 1894. this 'su
perb organizer passes the string by only
129 majority! Anv straight Republican
would have had 1900 to 1000! Had b.
put 10 much more Of his superb organi
zation' in this district his follower
would have at the close Of the contest
resembled shad after the spa wniug sea
son.
"Mr. Pearson seems to he afflicted
with an itch for writing. but hereafter
trust be will confiue himself to fact
when be alludes to any transactions t.
which am party, and not permit hi
imagination to run riot.
"Ths Legislature Of North Carolinl
has my sympathy in bis threat to pre-
vent that body from legislating. exeep
as be suggests He has been In the r.
publican party 90 long and been 90 yer.
jealous ia tue defence Of ito principles
and rendered that party such invaluabl
services, that any suggestion that b
would make would be at ono
appreciated bv such infants 10 th
party % Ewart, Lusk and Moody
! DOUBTLESS these gentlemen willlose man
nights Of needed rest in listening to th
suRgestions Of this modern politics
prodigy.
"But," said Mr.. Smathers in closing
II would suggest to that body that the
be very careful not to incur the displeal
ure Of that gentleman, 40 be might n
! turn to his first love- and again cast b
ballot against that party In which
now aspires to be leader"