The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-01-14
The GOVERNOR
AND The GIDEON
Dan and Ohio Were the Star
Witnesses.
BEFORE HE COMMISSION
OHIO TELLS SOME JUICY POLIT-
ICAL SECRETS.
TALK IF t>DlsTING HIM FOR Perjury
The Governor # North Caro.ina els the
Statesmen from Rhamkatte That
He has Lied il Ills Evidence

statesmen ron hhamkatte nat
He has lied il Ills Evidence
Befo the Commission.
1t is a peach of fight, a very rose of
a row-the contest now going ON be-
tween the Governor and the Commits
Sioners he has turned out of office.
1t is beginning now to look as if he
didn't have sure evidence ON which to
base his action, but was relying on his
new Commissioners to establish it
for him-or perhaps it would be more
proper to say discover it for him. In
their hunt they have been quick to
strike the broad and bear-hke trail of
the Grand Gideon, 5. Ohio Wilson, the
statesman from Rhamkatte.
This evidence-hunting theory may be
all wrong, but the proceedings of the
Railroad Commission last Saturday and
yesterday seem to bear it out.
And there can be no doubt that tho
Governor was terribly in earnest yester-
day 1t is not for fun that a Governor
goes before a court and takes the wit
ness stand in order to deny or explain
a statement made by witness
That is what he did yesterday after
Ohio Wilson testified in regard to the
use of free passes. Then Ohio talked
back, and l4le Governor replied; 0th0
replied again and now the Governor is
talking about indicting him for perjury.
All of which is mighty big fun. I've
enjoyed nothing so hugely since John
williamson and Fletcher Harrison had
a fight in the niger convention here
while the band played ''There'll be a
Hot Time ia the Old Town Tonight"
1T makes beautiful scrap and to one
who takes dog-eat-day view of such
contests nothing more entertaining could
be found
Ohio opened the ball yesterday by tell
ing all he knew, duplicating everybody
and then trying to explain why it was
done. He led the Governor such a dance
that His Excenency couldn't stand the
pace and last night ne was breathing out
threatenings and slaughter against the
statesman from Rhamkatte
Last night the Gideonss smile was
bit wilted. His ancient beaver and
Walter Henry coat didn't wear their
accustomed air of swagger Indifference.
Bat all this may be a bluff. Whether
Governor Russell can hold all the rope
he has taken in and add to it remains
to- be seen. The 18th is not far away
and the Gideon is looking TO that day
ana Iit5 CHkLEI lJLdtGb AgA kiANAAA@ Jul I
as his salvation.
The Commission meets again this
morning at 10 O'clock and there may
then be some more sensational develop
ments.
When put on the stand, as soon as the
Commission met yesterday morning be-
fore answering any questions, the Cid
con said:
II give evidence ON these matters IN
der protest, as there is litigation over the
office of Railroad Commissioner pending
in the courts, and | am denying your
right to the seats you now hold, and
farther, the testimony / give might pre-
JUDGE my case now in the courts"
He was assured that it was not the
intention of the Commission to use any
of the evidence against him.
Have you used railroad pass since
the first day of January, over the South
ern or any other line?"
II have"
''WilI you please designate the lines 81
''Fhe only one l have received I'D te
date is over the Southern. The Sea
board Air Lines has not been received.
have fled application through the local
agent and he has stated that it would
be sent. | only publish two schedules,
the Seab0ard and Southern"
The pass-a quarterly-Was produced
and handed to the chairman.
During 1897 or 1893 have you had
a frank on telegraph lineT'
Il have not"
''Haye any articles been sent or receiv
ed dead-head by you through the South
ern Express?'
christmas Eve there was small
package, weighing probably four OUNCES
4 IL. 4