The age-herald., 1899-04-08
CHAIRMAN EARLE'S
 FIRST INTERVIEW
Marion Standard Quotes Him on
 Cause
OF HIS REGENT APPOINTMENT
Alleged He Attributed It to Desire of Governor to Palliate Corporate Interests-Mr. Earle Says
 This Only His Opinion.

An editorial which appeared recently Tn view w.th P. II. Earle. recently appointed chairman of the county revenue board, has occasioned considerable comment in politi- cal, as well as other circles.
 In the interview it is alleged that MT. Earle attributed h's appointment to a desire on the part of Governor Johnston to make friends with the strong corporate interests of Jefferson county. MT. Earle has repeat edly declined to be interviewed for publi- cation, and he now declares that when he had conversation with the editor of the Standard he was not aware that he would be quoted.
 The editor al and the interview MT. Earle gave out last night are appended:
 All admit there is not a safer finan- cier in Jefferson county than Rr. Paul Earle, chairman of the new revenue board recently appointed by the gov ernor. He knows no favorites in busi- ness. But just why the governor ap- pointed him has been no greater mys- tery than MT. Earles acceptance Re porters, politicians, friends and ac- quaintances have made fruitless effort to solve the problem. MT. Earle is not only an ardent goldbug, but 1t is now a mooted question whether he voted for Palmer of Mckinley. The writer has often been amused at the outspoken way in which MT. Earle would denounce the silver cause and lean so far over the republican fence that you couldn't see his toes. To ment on Captain Johnstons name in his presence was like waving the red flag in the face of that immortal bovine If he has ever recanted along this line it has never been given to the public.
 The Standard editor saw MT. Earle the other day. The positive character of the man is always attractive. The temptation was too great not to put the reportorial probe into him. It had to be done adroitly, for MT Earle dis likes newspaper notoriety. But he is a clever, genial fellow when you know him, and kind friend when he likes you.
 ''I have often wondered, MT. Earle why Governor Johnston appointed you chairman of the revenue board" began the reporter, "and have been equally as mystifed by your accepting an ap- pointment under him, more especially when some of the men removed have been your friends socially politically and in a business way since your boyhood."
 ''I must say,' replied MT. Earle, q was very much surprised when the place was rendered me-. I never dreamed of such a thing. I didn't want the office; in fact, it will cost me more than the salary to attend to it. l debated some time about accepting went to the gov ernor about it. He told me the corpor- ate interests of the county thought he was antagonstic to them; he wanted to disabuse their minds of this idea; said they had confidence in me- my business friends came to me and in- sisted that 1 take the place. After care- fully looking over the situation, in com pliance with the wishes of those friends, l decided to accept and await the action of the courts as to the legality of the appointment, with a fixed determination not to antagonize anybody in the mat ter. If the courts decide in favor of the new board I shall give the county the same service in looking after the coun- tvs business as l do my own private