The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-10-02
FUSION RIPENS IN WATAUGA.


Thus far most attention mas been di-
rectcd TO an exposure of the conditions III
the eastern part of the State brought
about by fusion. 1t was by no means
to be Inferred on that account that the
beauty of reform and economy" had
not been exemplified in other sections of
North Carolina. The manifestations are
somewhat different but the odor is prac-
ticaily the same wherever fusion has had
its way. A story comes from WatauSa
that is quite as disgraceful as the Craven
serials. only in a different way.
Under Democratic rule the paper of
that county had always passed at its
face value. Orders on the treasurer and
school vouchers were as good as treasury
notes. There were i'll the county, how
ever. some of the gentry with capacious
mouths and lungs that have so abound d
elsewhere. They persuaded the citizens
to dispense with Democratic extrava-
gance and go in for fusion economy.
Shortly after the fusioRists got control
it began to be difficult to get paper on
the county cashed. No unusual expenses
had been incurred by the county, but
the treasurer continued to turn down
paper because he had no money to take
it up. The keeper of the work-house
and the taller have not received cent
for the past six months and the Repub-
lican register Of deeds has received moth
ing for his services as secretary to the
board of county commissioners for ten
months, and threatens to sue the county.
The county is in debt from $4,000 to
$1,000 though the valuation of property
has been increased and the assessment
is from six to ten cents higher on the
500 than under Democratic rule.
This state of affairs, however, pales
beside the management of the public
school fund One ]. Il. Johnson. whose
character was such that his party dared
not nominate him for an elective office,
a man of very inferior education, but a
mighty shouter and worker at the polls,
schools by the Republican board Of edu-
cation. The board, however, took the
precaution to have Mr.. Johnson promise
to groom his personal character and live
as an upright Republican reformcr
should. He kept his promise for several
months, visited the schools and drew
his per diem with the most commendablc
. zeal and regularity.
After time. there came into the
county one MIR. Jones, of pleasing pres
ence and easy address. 1t was noted
that Mr.. johnson drove Mr. Jones over
the county, using his own team for the
purpose. They visited every district.
BY and by Mr. Jones departed. Then the
facts came out.
School vouchers for various amounts
began to pour in on the treasurer payable
to Mr.. Jones. for school charts he had
sold to the school committeeman. most
of them Republicans, of the different
districts. A mortgage for $500 on Mr..
Johnson's house had been raised An
investigation was begun.
1t was found that the facile Mr.. Jones
had been introduced to the committee
meen by Supervisor Johnson, who vouch-
ed for him and his charts. Once or
twice he had been introduced as Super
intendent Mebane in order to impress the
committeeman the more. The charts
were sold for $3.50; they were worth
500 In the majority of instances the
committeeman was asked to sign Il
blank @orm'' recommending the charts
TO others He signed without examining
the blank Did not the supervisor OF
public schools say it was all right? The
blanks were vouchers afterward filled
out at his leisure and for such amounts
as pleased him by Mr.. Jones. One blank
called for 1885,.
Only $1,000 worth of vouchers have
turned up as yet How long Mr.. Jones
will cerna-'''Ge Il, -w7 5ir-S!s endless chair
is predetermined. In any>case -th'
children of Watauga are not I'LL liz t
nave any public schools this winter.
ana what was done with Mr.. Joh
son. the reformed and reformer?
secret session of the board was coll,