The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-10-13
Nominated For the Legislature
From Person Comfy.
IS a CONVICTED CRIMINAL
The Story of His Trial and Sen
tence Last January.
THREE PoPuLlsTs ON THE JURY
R,a the jury Was Unanimous For Con-
viction From the Time They Took
the Case---Repudated by
PopuIists of Person.

s. P. Satterfeld has been nominated
for the next House of Representatives
from Person county.
S. p. Satterfield is Republican, and
was clerk in the last House of Repre-
sentatives.
S. p. Satterfeld, on January 18th
last, was found guilty by jury OF ms
fellow-citizens of ''willful, unlawful
and negligent misconduct in office"
s. =. Satterfield, on January l4th last,
was sentenced to fine of $3.50
and costs or work out the same on the
public roads.
From the time they took the case the
Jury were unanimous.
There were on the jury three Popu-
lists a nd nine Democrats.
And vet there is the astounding at
tempt being made to ALLOW S. p. Sat
terrified to participate in the law-mak-
ing of this States. P. Satterfleld VINO
willfully and unlawfully misused his
office to the enlargement of the most
sacred rights of the people.
S. p. Satterfield, after his nomina-
ton by the Republicans of Person
county, was repudiated by the Popu-
lists of Person who refuse to fuse on
a man with such record.
The Populists drew the line on Sat
terrified.
The bill of indictment against Sat
terfeld set forth that S. p. Satter-
field, principal clerk of the House of
Representatives wrongfully omitted
to perform the duties of his office by
delivering to the Enrolling Clerk, j..
w. Brown, an alleged act. bill which
had been tabled in the House of Rep
resentatievs, and that the bill should
not have been enrolled.
The second count set forth that
S. p. Satterfield ''fraudulently and
corruptly procured" this enrolment.
Today this S. p. Satterfeld, under
criminal conviction, stands as can
didate for seat in the law making
branch of our State government.
The statement of the facts above are
quite enough to appeal to all honest
minded citizens, without regard to
color, creed, condition, or politics.
In regard to this same Assignment
Act,' Judge Faircloth, when it came
before the Supreme Court, said in the
decision:
''If crimes are perpetrated in legis-
lation the authors are liable and can be
punished as other violators of the law,
and possibly a reasonable and honest
effort by the proper authorities would
bring to light the authors of the
wrong"
Quoting from Judge Clark's opinion,
Judge Faircloth read as follows:
s'The act of a corrupt and hired viii
liam whose proper place is in the peni-
tertiary, should by no process OF
reasoning or refinement of logic, be
imposed on the people in expressed con-
tradiction to vote of the General AS
sembly."
Solicitor Pou in his Splendid. fear
less and truthful arraignment of the
convicted man, said that lie was
stamped on the back of the bill; that
the defendant had carefully endeavor-
ed to cover up his tracks by making in
the Journal no entry of the tabling of
the bill, and that he took no receipt
from the enrolling clerk; that he was
seen going to the enrolling clerks Of
fee by Smith; that shortly afterwards
the bill was found enrolled and there
after found it's way back into the pos
session of Satterfield.
Judge McIver charged the jury, as
TO the first count. that they must be
satisfied from the evidence BEYOND A
REASONABLE DOUBT THAT THE
DEFENDANT WILFULLY, UNLAW-
FULLY AND NEGLIGENTLY CAUS-
ED, OR PERMITTED THE TABLED
BILL TO BE ENROLLED; that if they
should so conclude, they must find
him guilty on this count.
The charge was a clear, succinct
statement of the law. 1T was delivered
in an impressive manner, and made a
profound impression. It was impair
tial, and THE JUDGE WARNED THE
JURY OF THE IMPORTANCE OF
THE ISSUE TO BE DECIDED AND
CAUTIONED THEM NOT TO FIND
THE DEFENDANT GUILTY UNLESS
THE STATE HAD MADE OUT IT'S
CASE BEYOND A REASONABLE
DOUBT.
With all these warnings and safe
guards from the Judge, on behalf of
the prisoner, THE JURY, THREE OF
WHOM WERE POPULISTS, were
unanimous, from the time they took
the case, for his conviction.
Does not the monstrous act of nomi-
mating this man, while even now he
is under criminal conviction, bear out
the danger, which the News and
Observer is constantly trying tc
hold before the good people
of the State, that viii come
to them and their States honor
should the State government be turned
over to the base and desperate gang
represented by Russellism.
Can Republicans claim consistently
indeed, to be looking after the honor
of this State, when they put up a no
torious law-breaker for the House o.
Representatives of free and peace
full and honorable people.
The story told saboye carries it
own appeal. 1t appeals not to dishon
orable but to honorable men, and it i
not to be thought for one instant TIL
Republicans, not satisfied with tn
faint of Satterield within thei
ranks, shall be permitted further t I
impose the disgrace of his presence a
mong the law-malxing body of tn
State, the chief index of whose homo