The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-08-02
DEPARTMENT SCANDAL

There has been no denial from any
source that Governor Russell secured the
swapping of places between Mewborne
and Smith exactly rs Mr.. Bailey, of the
Biblical Recorder, states. A member OF
the Board, writing to friend, says:
..My recollection of the conversation in
the Governors office was about this:
The Governor said Gentlemen, | have
called you in my presence to discuss the
proposition to change positions with Mr..
Smith and Mr.. Mewborne. AS John r.
Smith is totally unfit to be the Superin-
tendent of the penitentiary, and entirely
unreliable in all business matters, l re-
commend the change. In these hard times
Il man won't give up one office unless he
can get another, therefore an exchange
of positions is necessary, and unless there
can be a change made it looks like the
State will be ruined
''Then some member. | don't remember
who, suggested that we needed a good
man for Commissioner Of Agriculture,
and the Governor remarked 1t requires
no brains to run that institution
''This is about the run Of the conversa-
ton as | remember it now
We submit that no Democrat ever gave
such damaging testimony against any
Republican official as the Governor gave
of his own appontee. 1t is true that the
Governor did not willingly turn States
evidence. This paper had day after day
exposed the doings at the penitentiary,
and the Governor became convinced that
all that was published was true. In
his desperate attempt to make change
that would end the public scandals. he
conferred with j. c.. l.. Harris. These
two fertile minds invented the plan of
having Smith and Mewborne swap
places. They did not dare to turn John
r. out in disgrace and they doubted
whether they had the power. John II.
had been one of the ring-leaders in steal
ing the nomination from Dockery. He
knew too much to be eXasperated. The
Governor argued that as long as John r.
was drawing a salary he would not tell
all he knew about the ways that are
dark in which they both participated to
Therefore John r. was induced to agree
to the change, though the salary was
smaller. There is rumor, however.
that. by some hocus pocus, John Il. was
to receive as large sum out of the Ag-
ricultural Department rs at the peniten-
tiary. In his letter. to the Governor.
Bailey in addition to that portion of his
letter printed on Sunday, said:
81 have been informed, and / give you
the information for what it may be
worth since | will no longer be in po-
sition to watch. that while the salary
of Mr.. Smith as superintendent of the
States prison was $500, whereas it is
now as Commissioner only 81 800, there
exists an understanding that he shall
illegally and immorally get $500 per
annum from the Board OF Agriculture:
that Mr.. Smith would not agree upon
the exchange until this understand
ing was reached. The padding of some
items Of the budget at the June meet
ing of the Board-74to which 4 called
the attention of the Board at the time
may throw some light upon the mat
ter. Gas. water and telephones cost
500 the last six months: for the next
six months 5000 is appropriated. Print
ing paper cost S3.617: $1,000 is appropria-
ted. There is a special appropriation OF
$4,000: of this amount $1,000 is for the
experiment station work and $500 for
the museum, the balance of 81. 700 is for
labor. fuel. repairs and such special ap-
as may be ordered. You see
it will be very easy to carry out this
undertaking if it exists"
1t is asserted by his friends that if
such an understanding existed, the Gov
ernor denies any knowledge of it. AS to
Mewborne, the change meant an increase
of salary from 81 800 to $500 and
that is all that Mewborne cared about.
So the change was made.
There is no defence or excuse that can
he offered for the disgraceful jobbery
by which the present gang has debauched
the public service and made it impossible
for any citizen Of character to even
apologize for conduct so subversive of
even pretension of regard for the peo-
PIES rights.
The number of men killed at the San
tiago engagement was about 24O, we lost
go on the Maine-One officer and four
sailors at Cardenas, and few others.