The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-10-30
AN OPEN LETTER.
Col. Julian S. Carr Writes a Letter to a
PopuIist Friend That Will Con-
vince Honest PopuIists.
Durham, N. c., Oct. "a, 1893.

VI
an honest, fair-minded man, open to con-
viction and seeker after truth. l would
not trouble to write you this letter.
have been panied, my dear friend, to hear
that you and your son. James. both make
the declaration, that there are no ne
groes in office in North Carolina, except
ing such negroes as were either appoint
ed to office by Democrats, or recommend
ed to office by Democrats"
Now, my dear sir, this statement is so
far from correct that it shocks me to
think you could believe it, much less be
circulating the report.
l shall not attempt to mislead you in
the slightest particular in this matter,
but will state the truth as it is. When
the Democratic party went out Of power
it was rare that a negro office-holder
could be found in the State: and when
one was found, it was in a position and
under circumstances which did not
make him obnoxious to the white people.
and which did not create within him
desire to rule over and dominate the
white man.
In the four years of Republican fusion
legislation, and in the year and half OF
Republican-Populist fusion administra-
ton, wonderful strides have been made
in comforting office upon the negro. and
in setting him up to rule over white
men.
To show the progress being made in es-
tablishing the negro as ruler IN various
and sundry positions in the State, l give
a partial list of the Offices held by him.
selected from a few counties of the State
as sample, by way of illustration.
In Columbus county there are IL negro
school committeeman, negro magis-
trates. and negro postmasters.
In HEREFORD there are 6 negro magis-
trates, / constable, 10 negro school COM
mitteemen, 2 negro postmasters and l
negro on the board of education.
In Perquimans there are 16 negro mag
istrates, 10 school committeeman, MEM
Der board of education, 1 county commits
sioner and / town constable.
In Jones there are 5 negro magis-
trates, - negro school committeeman, in
five townships there being two negroes
on each committee.
In Caswell there are negro magis-
trates, negro school committeeman in
each township, 1 negro deputy sheriff.
In Wayne there are 6 negro magis-
=
dermen, 1 clerk in Goldsboro postoffice.
In Nash ther are 3 negro magistrates
and II negro school committeeman.
In Edgecombe there are negro post
masters in the towns of Rocky Mount.
Battleboro and Lawrence; there are 30
negro magistrates and negro cOnstables,
besides a large number of negro school
committeeman.
In Richmond there are 10 negro mag
istrates, % negro school committeeman,
two negroes being on every school COM
mittee Except one where there is va
cancy,) 1 negro on the board of educa-
ton, 1 deputy sheriff and negro road
Overseers.
There are 40 or more negro postmas-
tiers in Eastern North Carolina, not one
of whom was appointed or recommended
by Democrat.
In the city of Wilmington the majority
Of the offices are filed by negroes, also
in the city of Newbern, and in the towns
of Greenville and Kinston, the policemen,
deputy sheriffs constables, and all such
positions are largely filled by negroes,
not one Of whom was appointed or rec
commended by a Democrat.
This progress has been made under
Republican administration of affairs,
with the aid of the Populsts; and it is
safe to conclude that if the Republican
party is continued in power, this progress
Of the negro as an office-holder will con-
tinue to go on. What then are the re-
suits likely to be, when Gov. Russell
himself is on record as saying, THE
NEGROES GENERALLY GO WITH
THE RASCALS." Touching the real
condition of affairs in Wilmington, in
yite your attention to a letter written
during the past week. by Mr.. w. II.
Chadbourn, the Republican postmaster
at Wilmington, a close personal friend
and associate of Gov. Russell.
Extract from Mr. Chadbourn's letter.
''As matter of fact, there are in this
county 36 negro magistrates and o col
ored register of deeds, and various minor
officials besides some presidential APP
pointees, and the property owners, tax
payers and business men seriously object
to this state Of affairs, and there now ex-
lists here the most intense feeling against
any sort of negro domination.
''There is greater feeling of unrest and
uncertainty about the maintenance of or
der than / have ever seen and many,
even the IuOSI cOIlSeISdllbc, Ictl i]IdL IL
race conflict is imminent, than which
nothing could be more disastrous, not
only to this city and county, but to our
party in the State, and rather than have
riot, arson and bloodshed here, /, Repub-
lican though / am, advise the giving up
of the local Offices in this county, as
there are no national political principles
involved in this conflict.
II had thought at first that it was mere
~ the usual political cry and the fight
for the offices. but l am now convinced
that the feeling is much deeper than
this, as it pervades the whole community,
and there seems to be settled deter
animation on the part of the property own
ers, business men and tax payers that
they will administer city and county
government"
What is the state Of affairs in New
bern? Permit me to call your attention
to the following:
Mr.. l.. T.. Green, near Ellenboro,
wanted to know the truth about negro
rule in Craven county, and wrote to the
clerk Of the court for the facts in the
matter. Below we give the answer Of
the clerk to his letter Of inquiry, and if
Won are an honest iuryman Won will de-