The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-08-20
Ex-Babb Reinstated as Penl-
Tertiary Chaplain
HE WAS GIVEN "RELIEF''
BUT DIRECTOR E. T. CLARK EN-
TERED A PROTEST.
AND He WAS AGAIN BOUNCED
Babb is Made a Scapegoat For the Whole
Outfit He is Not the Only Black
Sheep.

Sheep.
Earls after the Adjournment of the
Legislature, this paper stated that eA-
Rev. II. w. Babb had been selected p9
the management of the penitentlary To
act as chaplain of the State farms AT
tba+ time we published that he had been
tried and recommended for expulsion by
1be Raptist church for drunkenness,
falsehood. improper relations with wom-
en- an dother scandalous conduct. we
gave the full statement, copied from the
Biblical Recorder. at the time. Later we
nnhlished n letter from Rev. John r..
White. Corresponding Secretary of the
Baptist State Convention, protesting
that it was a disgrace to the State 10
have such n man as Babb to preach even
TO convicts.
This exposure deferred John r. Smith.
the SUPERINTENDENT, and the Board of
Directors from giving Babb the place
which had been promised him IN the dl-
vision of spoils AS soon as they saw pub
lie sentiment would not permit the EN-
ployment of Babb, the papers that nave
fallen low enough TO defend this dis
graceful State administration, declared
that there had never been any Intention
of appointing Babb as chaplain; that 1t
was "a Democratic lie'' circulated by the
News and Observer; that the Fusionists
were too pure to even think of having
such a man as Babb associate with them
and much more of the same sort OF
talk.
AAa ~ ~ k-tStg
Three or four months passed away.
Hx-Rey. Babb began to get SASSY" He
Had been one of the chief whippers-in for
Pritchard and Russell. He was one of
the best whips here during the Legis-
lature. He knew Harry SINNERS secrets.
He knew many of the corrupt deals of
the whole gang. He was hungry and was
beginning to talk. This scared the whole
gang from Pritchard, Russell and Skin
ner down. The civil service regulations
kept Pritchard and Skinner from getting
him place in Washington-the dumping
ground in times past for such fellows as
Babb. The only opening was in the State
penitentiary And so two weeks ago he
was sent to the Halifax farms to earn his
support as a spiritual guide and leader CT
abe convicts. 1t was hoped that he could
be silenced and that the public wouldn't
know of the appointment. But there was
one director of the penitentiary who
would not be party to the employment
of such man, and at meeting of the
Board, e. Il. Clark, Esq, of Halifax, en-
tered the following protest:
II respectfully protest against the ap-
pointment of Rev. II. w. Babb as chap
lain to the State farms in Halifax and
Northampton. If a chaplain is needed at
all, one ought to be chosen who is above
reproach. append as a part of this pro-
test the following article from the Bibli-
cal Recorder of Goth of February, 1885,"
The article is as follows:
WHAT is TRUE OF BABB.
The ministers of the Chowan Associa-
hon met at the earnest solicitation of
Rev. II. w. Babb, in Edenton, NC, Feb
ruary IS, to investigate the many charges
against him detrimental to his Christian
character After a full, free and fair
investigation of the charges, it was de-
eided by the entire convention to lean to
the side of mercy. They endeavored to
use the mildest words possible to express
the truth brought out in the trial. The
following is what was found to be true
in the investigation:
I.-DRINKING.
"a. Rev. r. w. Babb drinks habitually,
and sometimes with public drinkers.
Sustained unanimously.
~ On one occasion, at least, he drank
a cup of Communion wine at the close of
the service.
90 He has occasionally ordered drinks
from bars, and drank with others who or
dered them, and frequently had his bottle
filled at bars.
Sustained unanimously.
"a He sometimes drinks at public bars.
Sustained unanimously.
% He has been perceptibly under the
influence of liquor.
Sustained unanimously.
H.-FINANCES.
The charge that his financial record is
unjustifiable. The following under this
charge was found to be true:
"a Culpable Indifference to his fnan-
cial obligations.
Sustained unanimously.
(2) Persistent refusal to pay his debts.
Sustained unanimously.
81 He collected money to build bel
fry for Plymouth church, and refused Il
nav it over to the church. He also collect
ed money for Sunday school supplies fo
Trawick church Sunday school, for which
he has never accounted.
Sustained unanimously.
III.-FALsEHOOD.
Repeated falsehoods.
Sustained unanimously.
IV,-WOMEN.