The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-02-05
WAS DECIDED LAST NIGHT
AT CONFERENCE HELD AT THE
MANSION.
THE GOVERNOR STILL AGAINST HIM
But He Tried to Shift the Responsibility on
to the Shoulders of the Directors and
They Kicked Against Any
Such Arrangement,

Early last night Hancock's fate seem
ed to be sealed.
This morning his prospects are much
brighter. Unless something unforeseen
happens tie will be given another chance
and will leave Raleigh as president Ct
the Atlantic and North Carolina Rail
road.
The change came last night at tie
Governors Mansion, where His Excellen
cy held a private consultation with the
State directors of the road.
The Governor is dead against HIN
cock, but he wanted to shift the respOn
sibility of turning him out or retainil {
him on ito the directors. But this load
they deeliHed to shoulder.
They did it for two reasons: First
because they are not fond of toting load
made for other peoples backs; and sec
ond, for the reason that there is som
question aus TO the power of the director
to turn Hancock out as president. The
are as much against him rs the Govern
or, but they have no hankering to appea
in the role of executioner if they ca
help it.
As to the Governors power to dis
miss him any day there is no question
But instead of making up his mind tt
do this or not to do it, as became him a
Governor, he played the baby act and
told the directors If they would pass \
resolution generating Hancock, al
would be we'll
You gentlemen live down in his sec
ton. along his road, and you know tn
sentiment there-you also know the par
ticulars of the charges against him.
want you to decide what is to be don
in this matter"
But they declined to decide, even
though at least three members of tn
board are candidates for his place.
I'm in favor of giving him chanc
for his life" said one of the stronges
candidates for. his place. $50 am |,
chimed in another. This is life an
death matter to him, and no hasty action
should be taken"
This sentiment prevailed or seemed t
prevail, when the conference broke Il
at 1915 o'clock. To be sure no forma
vote was taken or test of strength made
but the -him-another-c sent
ment seemed to prevail.
OF course when they meet again thi
morning all this may be changed-thing
look so different in the garish mornin
light. Then there's no telling what in
fluences may be brought to bear. TIL
slightest thing may throw the Who'll
combination out of gear. The Goyerno
may change his tactics, take the bit
his teeth. run away with the whole out
fit and break HancOck's neck.
All or any of these things may hap
= l. sc1xxs< L..
night, when / interviewed four of til
directors and three candidates for Han
cocks place was as above indicated.
Hancock had hearing yesterday af
ternoon. The directors met in the Gov
ernor's office at 4:30. All the State direc
tors and all the directors for private
stockholders, except one tMr. j.
Morehead, of Charlotte), were present
The board of directors is composed
the following persons: T.. J. Moore, y
Newbern, State proxy. Directors fo
the State Daniel w. Patrick. Snow Hill
DIR. J.. e. Person, Pikesville: Rober
Hancock, Newbern; VIM. III. Chadbourp
Jr., Newbean; Edward III. Meadow
Newbern; II. ID. Hewitt, Newport: "
H Sawyer, BaybOro; John Il. New
borne, KmstOn. Directors for the privat
stockholders RI. Tucker. Raleigh
j. NJ MOrehead, Charlotte: n. NJ. Jour
ney, Goldsboro; Thomas Daniels. New
bern.
Soon after the meeting was called
order, Mr.. Hancock, who was waiting
in an ante-room, appeared and made
report as to the condition of the roa
and some special improvements he ha
been authorized by the board to MAKE
Then he came to one of the real object
of the meeting: The Hancock-Abbot
scandal. He gave his version of tn
affair, ridiculed the statements mad
by the young woman and her friends an
produced letters and affidavitS in his de
Tense.
TIE Governor was present during thi
recital.
At it's conclusion Hancock retired an
after some slight discussion the boar
adjourned to meet again this mornin
alto O'Clock.
The impression prevailed last nigh
that if Hancock should lose his plac
John f. Mewborne. of Kinston, woul
probably be chosen his successor. New
borne is himself director. and a broth
er to the superintendent of the peniten
tlary. He has been secretly working TO
the place for sometime and it is believe
will get it. His brother is here doing
all in his power to aid him. The othe
candidates are Dan w. Patrick, L. d
Hewitt and w. ]. Pope. The two for
mer are also directors. Pope is not
director. 1t has been understood tina
w. III. Chadbourn, Jr., another director
was a candidate. but this was denie
last night. He has a place PRACTICAL
for life in the United States survey
service, and it is not believed that b
would sacrifice this certainty for shor
term as president of the "mullet road.
If he wanted the place, though. th
Governor would probably give it to nh
in preference to any of the other cand
dates.
The second object of the meeting, an
another subject last night discussed, j
the lease or sale of the Atlantic an
North Carolina Railroad to the Souther