The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1898-10-06

sign haunts in the face of every white
nan in the State as he goes to More
HeadD ard with the past and present
Before US what shall the future give
20 uS?'
NEGRO MAGISTRATES.
NegroiZing has progressed much
farther here than in any other county
where I have been. There have been
many negro magistrates in other sec
tons, but Newbern is the only place
where they are active in the discharge
Of the functions of that office. And
here they are active to a pernicious
extent There are some four or five
negro magistrates in Newbern. and
hey are 80 active that it is an unusua1
hing for white magistrate to try d
case. These negroes have runners and
'tr;kers out all the time looking for
business and if loud word is spoken
or the least indication of a braWl the
runner makes for the office Of the
nearest negro justice of the peace and
sWearS out warrant. So eager are
these creatures for business and the
fees that come with it. that it is not an
unusual thing for two or them to issue
4 warrant for the same person charg-
ne the same offensa. They prey upon
their own race in this way. but have
no Hesitation in arresting white people
OF either sex if an opportunity offers.
AN ILLUSTRATION.
A few days ago Lucille Westbrook
and Lucy Francks, two negro women,
rad what may be termed a scrap. No
blows were struck. no damage done
There was loud talking and the bust
ness etters for these negro magis-
trates heard it. Fred Douglas, ]. P,
(who, by the way, is another ex-pen-
sion agent debarred for fraudulent
practlCes) got his warrant out first,
tried the parties and convicted them
f a simple affray. But Esquire M W.
Chapman. negro, had also issued a
warrant for the same parties for the
same Offense. The WeStbrook woman
appeared, Informed the justice that she
had already been tried for the offense
She demanded to know who her ac-
cuser was: Chapman declined to say,
The woman demanded Immediate trial;
--apman refused and fixed the hour
at p. M, and demanded a justified
bond of the defendant for her appear
ance. Defendan. then demanded an af-
fdavit for removal to another Justice
Of the peace. Chapman refused to
swear the defendant to this affidavit
and decline- to remove the case. De-
PENDANT went home without giving
bond Shortly thereafter she was ar
rested by negro constable. and
placed in the custody of special OFF
Ger to await trial at o'clock Finally
chapman accepted a justified bond
for the WOmans appearance. and she
was discharged till 2 o'clock when she
appeared with counsel and an affidavit
Tor removal before another justice II
appeared upon examination that the
warrant under which the defendant
was arrested had never been signed by
Chapman. Despite the protest of de-
fendant. Chapman proceeded to sign
a tar, Infn
held in custody under it for hours. and
without being signed. The demand for
the name of the person swearing gu,
the warrant was renewed by defend
ants counsel Chapman went out ant
mad consultation with j. E. O'Hara
| negro LAWYER and ex-Congressman
and on coming back said the informant
was negro named Brown Brown
on beng interrOgated said he had
never been sworn on the matter. He
sald the only conversation he had eve,
had with Chapman about the case was
/ the day before. when Chapman and the
negro constable called him ont anf
asked him if he knew anything abon1
a night between the defendant an6
Lucy Francks. and he told them he
mad heard they had fight but did moi
see 1t. The defendant then filed he,
aHldaVlt for removal. Chapman asked
Lawyer o'Hara if he was bound r.
ANSS. SdlO ne
was. chapman then said he would dis.
miss the case. Defendant objected bu
the case was dismissed.
FOR MALFEASANCE IN OFFICE
On August soth Lucille westbrool
sWofe out a complaint against Chan
man Tor malfeasance in office. Thi,
Complaint was heard on September az h
On TINS hearing, after the States eyi
dence was introduced, CHAPMAN adj
United that there was priua facit
case against him, waived further ey
ANIMATION and gave recognizance fo,
/ appearance at the next term of tn,
, circuit Criminal Court
AN OUTRAGEOUS CASE
Geo: L. Gaskill is a white man an,
! a wei known druggist Of Newbern n,
married a Durham lady They hav,
one enid. a baby. a small colored cir
was engaged to nurse the child, II an
! pears the negro girl was an orrhan
thoush MI Gaskill was n1t ~---'- O
II. An uncle and aunC Of the negro
girl, without her knowledge, or that 0,
| Mr.. Gaskin. went before the clerk O.
| the Superior Court of Craven and haj
| the negro girl bound to them. They
went to Mr. Gaskills home to demand
the child. Mr.. Gaskill was not a
home. When these negroes told Mrs
Gaskill the object Of their visit. tn,