The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1895-01-08
JOHNSTON HEARD FROM.
The Magistrates Pass Resolutions De-
nounciug a County Commissioners
Who Last Year Succeeded in

nounciug a County Commissioners
Who Last Year Succeeded in
Being Elected by Claim
ing to be a Democrat.
At the June meeting, 1892, of the
Board of Magistrates of Johnston
county, Mr.. Irving w. Hocutt, of
Wilder's township, was nominated for
commissioner. As his Democracy had
been questioned and as the justices of
that county intended to elect no man
commissioners who was not a faithful
Democrat, inquiry was made, it seems,
and it is said that Hocutt informed
those inquiring that he was a Demo
crat, that an injustice had been done
him by the reports and that he would
accept the Office if elected. One of his
friends stated these facts to the board,
then in session, and Hocutt vas duly
elected, defeating one of the then com
missioners, a good Democrat, J. r.
Barnes.
Very soon after his election Hocutt
left the Democratic party, joining the
Third party, and ran for the Legisla-
ture on that ticket, but was defeated
by a very large majority. During his
canvass he was often called upon to re
sign, but 30 arduous was he to hold
office that he held on
At the recent meeting of the justices
of Johnston county the resolutions pub
lished below were adopted by a very
large maj ority. When it was proposed
to adopt them by a viva voce vote some
magistrate proposed an aye and no
vote, and only about eight votes we're
cast against the adoption of the resolu-
tions, and most of those votes were cast
by friends and relatives who did not
wish to see Hocutt humilia, ed. There
was but little dispute if any as to the
correctness of the facts set forth in the
resolutions. Hocutt was informed also
that if he would resign the gentleman
Offering the resolutions would not pro-
pose their adoption, but he still held
on.
1t is interesting to note that Hocutt
was defeated by the same man who he
had defeated two years before. This
action of the board was a just rebuke
TO Hocutt and a just .vindication of
Barnes. The resolutions arc a follows:
WHEREAS. At a meeting of the Board
of Magistrate 8 of Johnston county, in
June, 1892, oneI. W. Hocutt was voted
e. 1koo%oI ~ ~ ~ SaoiOrnm IF cold
county; and whereas, the said Hocutt
was elected upon the express statement
made by himself privately and by his
friend publicly that the said Hocutt
was a faithful and true Democrat; and
whereas, the said Hocutt defeated a
true and tried Democrat and a faithful
and upright citizen, ]. R. Barnes; and
whereas, the said Hocutt almost imme-
diatelY after the election wilfully be-
traYed the trust which the Board of
Magistrates repOsed in him by joining
the Third party. Therefore be 1t
ReSOLUed, by the B )ard of Magistrates
assembled in Johnston county, that we
denounce the course of the said HOcugt
as unpatriotic, unmanly and dlshonOr-
able.
3. That we believe he intended to
join the Third party at the time he was
elected.
3. That he obtained his election by
false representation and thereby prac-
ticed an imposition upon the Board of
Magistrates and that if he now has n
self respect he will Immediately resign,
and we ask him to resign.
4. That a copy of these resolutions be
spread upon the minutes of this Board
Cine above was handed us for publica-
ton to show how bitter partisans carry
on business. Editor )-NOrtb Caro-
HniGn.