The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-02-06
DIDN'T BUY 1T ALL.

"Per" Riggsbee Thinks When He
Bought the Office of County Treas
urer he Bought the Right to Dictate
to the Commissioners.
Per" Riggsbee's doing away with
the Golden Rule and substituting DO
other men, or they will do you," in its
place, may do for him and the men
from whom he bought the office. But
it will not do for the people of Wake
county. The too smart, smart young
| man is getting altogether too big for
his pantaloons, as may be seen form the
following incident:
At the meeting of the Board OF
County Commissioners ofWal<e county
on February 4th, 1896, Rev. ID. 5. Saul
ter, a highly respected and Intelligent
colored teacher came before the COM
missioners with a voucher for sigma
ture. Mr.. Riggsbee was also present
to contest the same, claiming that the
voucher was illegal and irregular.
1t seems that some time in Noyem-
Der last the Board had decided that no
school should be taught before Janu-
airy 1st, with view of drawing the
money from the apportionment to be
made at that time, to take effect upon
teachers receipt of notice. This had
not been the State superintendent S
ruling in regard to the school law, nor
had it been the customary practice IN
this county, but committeeman were al
lowed to begin schools in the fall and
continue on during the winter months
with the understanding that teachers
should draw their pay from the APP
I. IL To- ,tsxr
inasmuch as it was altogether within
the school year as prescribed by the
school law. 1t seems that the district
in which Saulter was teaching had
some money in the treasury, but not
fenough to carry the school until the
next apportionment should be made.
Saulter's school was in progress when
the above action of the board was TIA
ken. He stated to the Board that he
had received no notice from Mr..
Rogers. clerk of the Board, but that
happening in Mr.. Riggsbee's Office he
was told by Mr.. Rogers that the com
missioners were going to close his
school. He went at once to Mr.. Rogers
who admitted that some resolution of
that kind had been passed but that the
Board bad since decided TO allow pay
10 IbOSf SEDOOiS WHICH NCIG dlIGdAlA
i'm progress, inasmuch as it had been
the custom heretofore He went to
see the State Superintendent, who told
him TO go ahead that he could get his
money He saw Mr.. Stronach, chair
man of the Board. He was very busy
in his store. and told him that Mr..
Rogers, the clerk, would explain the
whole matter. He went to Mr. Rogers,
who told him that he was very glad
that the schools could go on. He went
again to Mr.. Riggsbee, who told him
by all means TO go ahead and not lose
his school. Saulter did SO until the
next meeting of the Board, when he
came before them and was formally
notified that his school must stop. He
closed his school at once.
The Board thoroughly investigated
the matter and decided that it was
case of equity, and that under the cir
cumstances Saulter should have his
pay. Thereupon Riggsbee few into
great passion and began tearing a
piece of paper with vehemence, walk
ing about the room talking loudly.
He then turned to the Board and with
outstretched arms said in a loud voice,
II give you notice here and now you
have allowed an illegal voucher | will
never investigate another voucher that
comes before me. / wash my hands
of the whole business"