The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-09-28
Especial to The Messenger.)

Especial to The Messenger.)
Raleigh, N. c., September 23.-Late
this afternoon Governor Russell sent
the following letter to Chairman James
". Wilson, Of the railway commission
Take notice that after due investi-
CATION and consideration, / am con-
WINGED you have violated the railway
commission law in some Of the partic-
ulars mentioned in my letter to you of
August oath, and hat you have not
only violated the said act in the speci-
fications set out, but that you have
otherwise, within it's meaning and in
tent and words, become disqualified to
act.
Now, therefore, in obedience to the
duty imposed upon me by said act, l
do hereby suspend you from the office
of railway commissioner and chairman
Of said commissioners, such suspen-
sion to continue until the question of
your removal or restoration shall be
determined by a vote Of the legislature
in Joint session. The fact of your sus-
pension IOSelHcT Will IcdSOuS lItIelOT
and evidence, documents and Informal
ton connected Herewith will be re-
ported to the next Legislature. You
will further take notice that under and
by virtue Of the power conferred and
duties imposed upon the chief execu-
tive, l AVE appointed L. G. Caldwell.
of Iredell, to fill the vacancy caused by
your suspension. Inasmuch as you
are understood to deny the power of the
executive to suspend you from office,
as provided by statute, 1 have request
ed Mr.. Caldwell to make demand on
you for possession of the office, and
upon your refusal, to bring action
therefor to the end that the title. to the
office may be judicially determined"
A letter similar to this was sent Com
missioner Ohio Wilson, informing him
of his suspension and Of the appoint
ment of John H. Pearson, of Morgan
ton. The latter is a democrat and as
a member Of the Legislature at it's last
session he vehemently opposed the
ninety-nine year lease of the North
Carolina railway. Caldwell is a Butler
populist and it is easy to see the hand
of Senator Butler in his appointment.
The matter now goes into the courts,
the present commissioners. W.. Will
son, Ohio Wilson and DR.. D. H. Abbott
meanwhile continuing in office.
Tonight John H. Pearson was inter-
viewed. He said: James c.. McRae
is my attorney. Tomorrow morning I
will take the oath before Judge Mont
gomery and will then make formal de-
mand on Ohio Wilson for the office. I
will bring suit in Wake superior our
beginning October oath. There will, Of
course be an appeal to the supreme
court, and the latter will a the
case. This position came to me entire
ly unsolicited. 1 think the interests of
the state can be served without Op-
pressing railway corporations in the
least"
L. C. Caldwell left tonight for States
vile and will tomorrow take the oath
before Judge Furches, then he will 60
to Morganton and make demand on
Major Wilson for the office.
Ohio Wilson was interviewed tonight.
He said: u. c. L. Harris is my attOr-
ney. 1 have sent Mr.. Pearson my con-
gratulations and will give him well
come when he comes tomorrow. I feel
that so far as I am concerned I a
lone nothing I am afraid for the world
to know, and 1 have no fears. There
are legal tribunals to appeal to n I
have no doubt as to the result. When
ever my integrity is attacked from
whatever ource or motives, 1 shall de-
fend it. There is no question as to
our having all the powers and rights of
a court until the courts decide against
us. Not only a state question, but a
federal constitutional one is involved,
and hence there is a right of appeal to
the United States supreme court und1r
the fourteenth amendment"
Commissioner Abbott was with Ohio
Wilson. He was asked his view Of the
matter and replied with a placid smile:
Il nave not a word to say. You said
enough today about my position"
Then he added with another smile:
There is working ahead for some
body
1t is learned that w. w. Clark, of
New Bern, is Abbott's attorney, and
advised him to pay no need to the gov
ernor's effort to suspend Commission
ers Wilson.
l.. G. Caldwell was interviewed and
said: This office is as Unexpected to
me as to anybody else. The governor
had not spoken a word about it until he
sent for me day before yesterday. Two
weeks ago he spoke about the commits
sion and also about the North Carolina
railway lease. / am opposed to that
lease in it's present condition. but T am