The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-09-13


Sept. {, 1898. Raleigh
That no such payment was made is
the basis on which the superstructure
| of Dr. Thompson's fabrication rests.
The fact is that the payment was
made. and so DIR. Thompson's assault
on the character of Capt. Coke in this
| matter. is shown to be without any
foundation whatever.
In connection with the above. DR..
Thompson also said;
My fellow citizens: One other re-
markable thing When l went into the
office of Captain Cooke. my immediate
predecessor said to me: Here | have
this much money on hand;' and he pass
ed over a balance sheet which we both
signed. He turned over the money
to me. OctaviuS Coke. his predecessor.
died about the LIST of September. 1898.
Capt Cooke was appointed. and went
into office September 2nd. There is
not in that office one particle of record
OF Il settlement between the outgoing
and incoming Secretary of State.
Not a bit. And yet in the midst of
all these things they say you are going
back into the Democratic party.
Mighty nice. isn't it? They howl mig
ger Make it black they think, and
then you can't see these things
And yet there was such a settlement;
and there was written evidence of it,
and / left il in the office when | turned
the office over to Dr. Thompson.
When Mrs. Coke had qualified as ad
ministratrix. she selected Mr.. Charles
Ii. Belvin to represent Capt. Coke,
and / selected Mr.. Robert L. Gray TO
represent me. Mr.. Belvin | believe, is
Republican in politics. He is a man
of high character. and is one of the
most experienced and efficient account
ants in the State. He is president of
the Raleigh National bank. Gray is a
lawyer of high standing: the reporter of
the Supreme court, and likewise has the
reputation of being very superior ac-
countant.
These gentlemen, assisted by Mr..
plummer Bachelor. who had been the
chief clerk in the Secretary's office for
many years made an examination and
report, such as the important nature
of the proceedings required, and ascer-
tanned the exact amount that was due
| by Capt Coke's administration, to the
State Treasury, on every account; and
| their report was accepted by me, and
| the money found by them to be due to
| the State was paid into the State
| Treasury, except what was due on the
land grant account, and that was sub
| sequently paid over to me, as stated by
| DIR. Thompson.
And that report was in the office of
| the Secretary of State, when l turned
| the office over to DIR. Thompson. 1t
| probably did not suit Dr. Thompson to
ask Mr.. Bachelor, whom he continued
rs his chief clerk for seven months,
about it. 1t suited his purposes better
| to make false statement in regard to
| this matter, as he did in regard to the
| money not being paid to the Treasurer.
That statement prepared by Mr.. Bel
vim and Mr.. Gray was to the effect
that Capt. Cooke was accountable for
public moneys as follows:
For land grants. ............S 0,S94.9O
Fees. .... 3,7399S
Sale of Laws ..... 600
Sale Of Supreme Court reports 79O.22
Seal Tax. ... 51.50
Insurance Taxes. ........... 11,343.24
Cornoration Tax. 5000
Entries Vacant Land 1890. 791.6S
A total Of. ............. 500, 667. 80
The first item of the above was turn
ed over to me, and | gave my receipt
for the same, and charged myself
Herewith, on the proper book, and sub
| seauently settled with the treasurer
| therefor.
| The last two items were turned over
to the State Treasurer for the Educa
| tional fund.
! The other items were paid to the
treasurer for the General Fund. These
| noypoantc wore made Spntpmbpr 18th,