The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-11
Ifth8 S8nat6 We're aJUru
Another View of the Methodist Publishing House
Claim.


at the columns of any Southern news
paper, secular or religious, during these
days of conferences in the Metho dist
Episcopal Church, South, but he reads
scholarly discussions and resolutions re-
lating to the BarbeeASmith-Stahlpl
episode which it seems must form a
chapter in the history of Method ism
rather than few pages in the biogra-
plies Of the respective persons.
Why this transaction should necessi-
tate the expenditure of so much, earnest
thought, why it should so cumber the
records Of conferences, why it should
become so highly sensational, why its
happening should so terrify good Meth
odists, why arouse so great solicitude for
the future well-beng of Methodism, why
call forth meeting of the reverend and
learned bishops of the church to dead
with it, some people who are members
of such church do not fully understand.
Eliminate the amount involved, sub
stitute ordinary mortals for jurors in
stead of Senators, if perchance they
be more than ordinary flesh and blood,
place a man instead of the Methodist
church as claimant, and an individual
instead of the United States Govern
ment as the alleged debtor, and let
us thus view the case. There can GER
tainly be no objection to such change of
parties, and it may aid in Kidding the
mind of sentimentality-for it is only a
naked question of right or wrong.
A = sN1A nIca Hx.I
of good men and true to try the issue
joined in the action wherein John Wes-
ley Jones is plaintiff and Samuel Brown
is defendant, the sworn duty of the ju-
rOrs being to hear and determine, from
all the testimony, whether or not Samuel
Brown is indebted unto ]. Wesley
Jones, and if so, in what amount.
1t is proper to say that old Samuel
Brown, better known in his country rs
Uncle SAM" is an honorable man in
his dealings, able and willing to pay
any and all just demands, and that this
controversy with his neighbor J. Wesley
Jones would not have arisen had he
personally known of the full facts upon
which the claim was based. True J.
Wesley had asked him for payment Of
the value Of property taken from him
by agents of Uncle Sam, but sufficient
proof had not been presented. and SO he
told j. Wesley that upon proper ascer-
tainment he would pay him every dol
lar that was due.
Having said this much for Uncle Sam,
1t is but fair to state that j. Wesley
Jones is highly respected and esteemed
wherever known, man OF sterling
worth and integrity, and warm-hearted
as well. His business interests are
quite varied, and necessirate the EN-.
ployment of agents, among whom was
entrusted certain financial affairs. the
looking after the claim against Uncle
Sam devolying upon him.
Darby's duties were SO numerous that
he engaged the services of Stahlman,
Esq. TO assist him in collecting and of
fering the proof in the case against
Uncle Sam.
The trial was, conducted in quiet
way, the jurors sat and listened to the
testimony, carefully scrutinized every
portion of the proof offered, and upon the
closing of the evidence, after mature de-
liberation, found that J. Wesley Jones
had established his claim to their salts
faction, and so stated in their verdict
fixing the amount due as proven. Uncle
Sam was satisfied and paid the judg-
ment in FULL
OF course people talk about results OF
trials and this one was no exception. It
seems that during a recess of the court
one of the jurors, perhaps more, en-.
quired of Agent Darby how much he
was going to allow Mr.. Stahlman for
his services, and he left the impression
about 80 per cent of the recovery.
Well, afterwards it was discovered
that Agent Darby had suppressed the
truth, or Withheld part of it, in his
conversation with the juror or jurors,
and when Mr.. Gates. who was one Of
the jurors, learned of such sup .jress!on
he became highly incensed. and ventila-
ted his views very numerously through
out the settlement. That any man
should practice deception on him mr.
Gates aroused MS ire, and he lest sight
of the fact that he had served on the
jury. Then well-dIsp lSed neighbours anG
friends came to J. Wesley Jones and
dleicately suggested that he ought MT to
take the money because some 1f the
jurors labored under misapprchension
as to the per centum his Agent Darby
paid Stahlman for his services Some
went so far as to say that in their 0rin-
ion it was stained" and they feared
for his reputation if he kent il.
A few days later Wesley Jones went
over to the county-seat and called on
his old and valued friend. ex-Judge JUS
tice, and told him of the talk in the
neighborhood about the money he ha5
received on the Uncle Sam" claim and
asked what he thought about it. After
celebrating for a few moments sh'
Judge said:
''Did Uncle Sam owe you the fur
amount of your claim?
"He did," answered J. Wesley.
''Was it a cOnscionoble debt|'
"Yes, sir" replied J. Wesley, with
some warmth, Il would not dare to 60
before jury and ask for the payment
of money that was not honestly due for
honest values. / regard my character
too highly to begin, at my time of life,
course of living that would appear ques
tionable."
HAS anything transpired since the
trial and payment of the money in any
wise impeaching the testimony on which
the judgment was basedY"
Nothing at all, to my knowledge" re
sponded Mr.. j. Wesley Jones.