The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-11-18

ernmen has decided to investigate the
circumstances under which James w.
Tolbert, assistant postmaster at Nc
Cormick, $. c., was compelled by the
threats Of an armed mob to abandon
his office and home. With tina view,
the matter has been placed in the
hands Of United States Attorney La
thrOp with Instructions to look into the
case with a view to the prosecution OF
any violations Of the federal statutes
in this or any other cases growing out
of the recent race troubles in tina To-
caIity.
AS a preliminary step, Mr.. Tolbert
has sent a telegram to Governor Ell
lerbe at Columbia, asking to know
whether, as governor of South Caro-
lima, he can and will afford him pro-
lection in returning to his family and
office.
Following is the text Of the teJe-
gram. to which no answer had been re-
ceiVed when Mr.. TOlbert was seen by
a representative of the Associated
Press today:
Nv ashington, November 10.
"TO the Governor Of South Carolina.
Columbia, S. c.:
clA " N1~ VI - O0i
where l was born and raised and have
always resided. My home is at Nc
COTmick, in the county Of AbbeVille.
My wife is postmaster there, and |
am her assistant and conduct the bust
ness of the office for her, she being a
delicate woman. On Thursday, the
10th instant, l was forced by an or
ganized and armed mob of 100 men to
leave my family and my home under
the threat that if | remained there |
would be killed. L therefore fled for
safety because [ was unable to resist
this mob. l am a large land owner in
the county Of Abbeville and also the
owner of valuable houses and other
real estate in the town of Mccormick.
My wife is there with our only child,
a girl 4 years old, without my pres
enCe and my protection, on account of
the action of an armed mob, and my
property is without proper care. l
have committed no crime against the
laws of my country and hav done
nothing to give any OffenSe whatever
to any man or set of men, save that l
am a member of the republican party
and believe in the doctrines of that
party. | send this to know if you, as
the governor of South Carolina, can
afford me protection as one Of it's citi-
zens, and as an employee of the United
States government, that l may return
to my family, to my property and my
business and be safe from mob viO-
lcnce. AnsWer care Of St. James HC-
tel, Washington, d. G.
JAMES w. T~OLBERT."
Columbia. s. c., November 16.--GOV-
ernor ElIerbe sent this reply to Toll
bert's telegram:
eff YOU return home / will give You
all the protection in my power. don't
think it prudcnt for you to return while
the excitement exists"
FOLLY OF FEDERAL INTERVIEW
TION.
Columbia s. c., November 16.-Cnit-
ed States Senator John l.. McLaurIn,
of South Carolina, who arrived here TO-
dav from Washington, in an interview
about the recent election riots in TINS
state SAID:
ANY interference at this time on
the part Of the federal authorities, IN
my opinion, would be most unWise. The
excitement at the seat Of the trouble
has not yet claimed and any move
locking TO interference would only
make bad worse. Conservative course
on the part of the administration would
be Of incalculable Value in res SCORING
things to their right conditions. The
state administration is doing all thai
is necessary at this time and it will be
most unfortunate for the federal pow
err 10 take any action.
Since have arrived in Columbia
and have heard a full statement of the
facts of the Greenwood trouble, L
want to go back to Washington, where
am 81 tiSfied if ] can see the proper
authorities | can make them see the
unWisdom Of federal interference. The
people of Greenwood country are con-
sentative, quiet and ~law-abidlng ana
never would have adopted such a radl-
cal course if there had not been eXaS-
perating conditions of long standing.
The governor is using all the means
in his power 30 restore things to their
normal condition.
Washington. November 16.-COncern-
ing claims of interference with the
postal service, it is stated at the post
office department that there is no evil
dence that postal service has been IN
terfered with: tina officially the de-
partment has no knowledge of the Tai
bert, Who is only assistant postmaster
at a fourth class postoffice and. there
fore. appointed and employed by the
postmaster and not by the department..
The postmaster is the wife of Tolbert
and as she is not interfered with the
department officials say there is moth
ing to show the department should act
in the matter.
Mr.. TOlbert called on Postmaster
General Emory Smith today with a
view to securing some action in the
premises. but was told of the conclu-
sion OF the department mat there was
nothing of which it could take cogniZ-
anCe.
THE TERESA ABANDONED.
The armored cruiser Maria Teresa
has been abandoned by this time and
lies a wreck off the coast of Cats is
land. The department has wired Cap
tain McCalla as follows: IF you are
satisfied, after consultation with the
officers named, hat the Teresa cannot
be saved, you are authorized to aban-
don the wreck. AS to any other mat
ters, exercise our own judgment. No
tify the British authorities. When o
have done all YOU can return to Nor
folk"
The captain was subsequently direct
ed to bring the wrecking tug Potomac
to Norfolk with him when he came in
stead of returning her to Santiago.
The navy department. has not vet