The news & observer., 1897-03-05

In His Absence.
c. A. Reynolds, Lieutenant-G Governor
of North Carolina, and A. II. Hileman,
Speaker of the House of Representa- tiYes,
were placed under arrest yesterday after
noon at 2:30 o'clock.
Mr.. Hileman was released last night at
8 O'Clock. Reynolds, though allowed %
go free on his own recognlzance, Is sun
in the custody of the law thus morning
awaiting the decision of the court.
The warrant was sworn out before JUS
tice Maroon by A. l.. Swinson (Pop.l, OF
Goldsboro, and sets forth that ON or about
the 12th day of February, 1897, while he
was in the lawful possession OF certain
aff;ca and room. known as the Enrolling
Clerks office, Reynolds and Hileman un-
lawfully, wilfully, with force and NO
lence and with strong hand, did break
into and enter the said room and forcloiy
Lakeland keep possession thereof, and that
after they had forcibly broken into the
office. they unlawfully, w1lfully, with
force and arms and with strong hand
broke open the private drawer of Swlnson,
all of which breaking and entries were
against the viii of Svinson, who was
present and for.bidding, and against the
statute and dignity of the State.
WOULD NOT APPOINT NEGROES.
1t will be remembered by the readers of
this paper that Swinson was for the frst
month of the Legislature Enrolling Clerk.
Claude Dockery. of Rockingham, had a
negro named Quick he wanted TO appoint
assistant in Swinson's e4fice, and the Hal
flax negro Representatives had Il negro
named Young they wanted employed.
Swinson refused to appoint them The
Republicans tried persuasion, then bull
dozlng. then threats. None OF them
availed. Then they said Swins0n was
extrayagant in the conduct of his
Office axd was spending too much mon
ey. On this charge they turned him out
by aboEshing the Office and placing the
work under the supervision of j. NJ.
-Mewborne, Of Lenoir, and John Reynolds,
G. A. Reynolds brother
The real reason, however, of Swim
sons dismissal, was his refusal to ap-
point the two negroes.
Having passed bill to get rid Of MIR.
Swinson on Friday, FEBRUARY l2th. there
was no legal way to get the bill abolish
ing him ratified until the next
Monday. This troubled the reyolutinists
and negrophilists for time, but not for
long. They had smelt blood and were
ready for anything. They waited until
Mr.. Swinson had locked his Office and
gone out for a few moments, AMI then
they got a lock-smith, picked the door
end entered his office, and finding that this
lock-picking going ON, Mr.. Swinson Of
course protested against it, but they con-
tinued. and as a result of it all the above
warrant was sworn out, and the cause
heard yesterday evening from 3 to 10
O'Clock By Justices j. G. Maroon and
John Nichols.
THE STORY OF THE ARREST.
At 2:30 o'clock yesterday the two
branches of the General Assembly were
IN session. Their presiding officers We're
busy as bees railroading bills through and
pounding the desk in front of them when
a messenger touched them on the arm
and told them an officer wanted them
in the rotunda. They went out. Consta-
BILE John Il. Upchurch read them the war
rant and notified them to appear in per-
son. at ) o'clock, before Justice Mar
com to answer the charge preferred a
gainst them. They signified their will
Iingness to do so and were thereup0n al
lowed to go upon their own cogni2ance.
The news of the arrest spread like
xviIdfire and the Republican leaders
fiocked around the prisoners, offering
aid. advice and sympathy. Senator
Smathers and T. R. Purnell offered their
services as counsel, and at their sugges-
ton the whole outfit went over TO the
Attorney Generals Office TO consult about
what was best to be done. In addition TO
the tny., prisoners the following persons
were present at this counsel Of War:At-
fornev General Walser. Senator Smath-
ers. w. III. Worth, Chairman H0lton,
r. r. Purneu. J. NJ. Mewborne, G. Ed.
Kesfler and A. c.. Lehman. They re-
mained in session until 4:45 O'Clock when
they adjourned to the magistrates Of
fee.
The plaintiff Swinson was represented
by Mr.. w. G. Douglass, of this city.
AS was natural the incident created a
great sensation and Magistrate Marcom's
Office was crowded to suffocation before
the trial began and it was decided to
adjourn to the Mayors office.
TWO MAGISTRATES TRY IT.
Just as this was about to be done,
however, Mr.. Purnell privately asked Mr..
Maroon if he had any objection to as
sociating with him in the hearing Of the
case Mr. John Nichols Mr.. Maroon
said he had no objection, but If the de-
PENDANTS did not want him (Marcom) to
try the case it could be removed. Pur-
nell told him he did not wish that but
had made the suggestion because OF the
Importance OF the case. Thereupcn Mr..
Maroon invited Mr.. Nichols to sit with
hirm.
The hearing in the Mayors Office he
SeA with the reading of the warrant.
Er, PurReu made the point that the