The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-01-14
JUDGE WHITAKER ON THE CASE
Thinks il Should be Investigated by a
Legislative Committee.

There were many rumors current on
the streets yesterday in regard TO GER
tain statements alleged to have been
made by Judge Spier Whitaker about
the cases of clerks Satterffeld and
Brown, who have been on trial here
for the past several days.
In conversation with two promin-
emit gentlemen about the trial he re-
marked that if Brown and Satterfield
were guilty of the charge against
them they ought to be sent
to the penitentiary. lie said
there was money used IN the
passage Of the bill and he knew where
It game from, that they tried TO get
him to appear for them for nothing
because it was for the good OF the par
ty but he refused to do it.
When asked why he had not told this
to Solicitor Pou he said he didn't know
whether what he knew would be COM
petent evidence in a criminal proceed
ing or not, but if the investigation
were before a Legislative committee
where evidence would be taken by a
drag net he could tell them all about it.
Judge Whitaker was seen in his of
flee by News and Observer reporter
and after declaring the above entire
IL false, gave out the following author
lied interview:
Both Mr. Brown and Mr.. Satter-
field applied to me through their
friends the one through Mr.. j. G. L..
Harris and the other through gentle
man living in Oxford, to appear for
them free of charge.
"Mr. Satterfeld's friend put it upon
the ground of poverty and party, re-
porting to me that Mr.. Satterfeld said
it was an attack on the cooperation
party, and that therefore / ought to
appear for nothing Mr.. Browns
friend put it upon the ground of Mr..
Browns poverty and large family i
declined TO appear for nothing for two
reasons-one was that in my opinion
it was not and should not be made a
party contest and the other was that
| was unfortunately fighting poverty
every day myself and had a large fami-
~ TO support and educate; that | was
a lawyer pure and simple and would
be glad to appear for any man, re-
gardless of color or party, in consider
alton of proper remuneration.
Il stated further. that without know
ing anything about their guilt or i'm
nocenee. presumed they were inno-
cent.
''Do YOU believe the bill was gotten
through the legislature by fraud and
corrnption2"
From what ! have heard from yari-
Gus sources ] am inclined TO believe
that the bill was gotten through cor
ruptly and fraudulently. / do not be-
lieve, however, that any trial of any bill
of Indictment against any person or
persons will expose the whole truth, on
account OF the restraint of legal
technicalities. | hope and believe that
the next legislature will appoint an
able and fearless committee 70 thor
oughly investigate this matter, re-
gardless of political or party prejudice.
When laws can be made in the manner
i'm which everybody believes this law
10 have been made, not only without
the consent, but against the will OF the
people. and men who are guilty Of such
practices go unwhipped of justice, the
liberties of the people are in danger.
II do not mean to express any opin-
ion as to the guilt or innocence OF any
particular man.