The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-06-21
GOVERNOR AND RESIGNATION SCANDALS.


He accepted Railroad Commissioners
Caldwells. tentative resignation, or pre-
tended to do so, but there was string
tied to it, and the able lawyers who
helped Caldweii write the document
knew that it was loaded.
When Tom Bailey was made post
master the Governor accepted his resig-
nation as a director of the institution for
the deaf, dumb and blind before it was
ever rendered but as Tom had fat
Federal job he didn't make a kick.
John X. Smiths resignation as Super
intendcnt of the Penitentiary was pur-
chased by an election as Commissioner
Of Agriculture, after the Governor had
denounced him in unmeasured terms.
Now comes the latest resignation
scandal. In order to escape impeach
ment for drunkenness, Judge Norwood
agreed to put his resignation in the
hands of Col. Lusk, to be presented
upon certain conditions. 1t seems that
some weeks ago Col. Lusk saw Budge
Norwood on the train and detected old
apple brandy on his breath. Since Col.
Lusk ran on the prohibition ticket they
say he can smell drink across two
counties and frown down upon the gull
ty person who has imbibed. The colonel
fished up the old resignation, and sent
it to the Governor without conference
with Judge Norwood. AS soon as the
papers printed the news, Judge Nor
wood denied that he had resigned and
complained that Col. Lusk had presented
the resignation without authority. He.
repudiated, publicly and officially, the
right of Col Lusk to make him resign
without consultation, and also denied
the right of the Governor to name his
successor. 1t is understood that he will
resist his summary dismissal from office.
and will claim the right to hold court
until he resigns in earnest. The letter
presented was extorted under duress.
1t is very interesting legal question
whether Carter is Judge. As to the
fight between these Republicans the
public have little more interest than
they have in the ordinary wrangle of
this party Of rows and scandals. There
is an aspect, however in which it be-
comes of deep interest to litigants and
taxpayers. Until the matter is settled
by the Supreme court, it would be bet
ter for neither of the claimants to hold
term, for no litigant who loses his
suit will fail to appeal upon the ground
that the court is not legal one. Upon
the same ground men convicted of crime
will contrive to escape punishment, and
the proceedings of the court viii be
nullified. This will be the re-
suit, if one of the claimants
permits the other TO occupy the court
house quietly and hear the causes. IL.
however, each one of them demands
possession. we may he treated to scene
of personal collision at the
horns of the judicial altar, SO
to speak IL the solution should
degenerate into one of physical superior
ity, Carter would have the advantage.
In the first place he is younger and
tougher than his antagonist, and having
recently joined the party of trusts and
scandals, is in hotter pursuit of an
office than an old mossy-back who had
thought his hope for preferment gone
until the reform" wave restored the
goIdbugs, protectionists, and old fashion
ed Republicans to power.
In the best aspect. the whole affair
is disgraccful to the judiciary and the
good name of the State, recalling the
days of 1869, when respect for the
judiciary became extinct, because no
judges can enforce respect whose conduct
is such as not to entitle them to re-
ceiye it.
This is but one more scandalous chap
ter in the volume of scandals that have
succeeded each other in rapid succession
since the negroes and their base allies
gave us this disgraceful and degrading
administration.
We are glad to print elsewhere letter