The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-03-16
HAMR|Ck INSISTS
ON
BEING PRYED LOOSE
Thinks He is Still Labor
Commissioner.
With CAPTAIN BILL DAY
IN THE NEW ROLE OF CHIEF
INSPIRER
With CAPTAIN BILL DAY
ANNOUNCED he WOULD NOT CONTEST
On Tuesday Afternoon bu. Saw Visions Before
Wednesday Morning The Case Goes
10 the Courts.
TO the Courts.

Labor Commissioner J. Y. Hamrick
yesterday morning refused to give Com
missioner-elect Il. Il. Lacy possession
Of his office. He announced that he will
hold on until the court Gusts him.
At ) o'clock of the afternoon before
Mr.. Hamrick had told Mr.. Lacy that he
would yield possession without a con-
test. But when Mr.. Lacy called at the
office of the Labor Commission yester-
day morning. at 10 o'clock Mr. Ham
rick had changed his mind from the
day before. The lightning change artist
has shown him visions meantime.
The term of office for which Mr..
Hamrick was elected expired yesterday
morning and he therefore has no more
title to the place than the Arkhand of
Swat. only he is in possession and the
Arkhand is not.
To do Mr.. Hamrick full justice.
think lle feels very much that way
about it himself, and the color of the
business is not very much to his liking.
He didn't say SO, but he showed no
especial enthusiasm for his ready-made
contest.
| found him sitting before the empty
sockets of his desk yesterday morning:
all had been prepared for turning the
Office over to his successor: the floor
had been swept. and the guilds of mas
ticated tobacco detached from the walls.
lorn mementoes of DR. Warren Vines
Hall
'.Did you not tell Mr.. Lacy yester-
day afternoon that you would not con-
test" | asked. Mr.. Hamrick shifted
uneasily in his office chair: Il did, but
| saw my attorneys afterward and they
advised me not to give up
WHO are your attorneys"
II don't know that it makes any diff
ference; McRae 4 Day and j. G. l..
Harris. though
Capt Day came up TO your office did
he mott
Capt Day was in the building"
Mr.. Hamrick displayed all the sylnp-
toms of not liking the drift of the con-
versation. He switched off to the mer-
its of the case for while, with Incl
dental and touching references to the
weather.
How long have you had Capt. Day.
Judge MacRae and ]. G. l.. Harris en-
ployed:" was asked.
'Oh, for some time.
Ever since the law was passed r.
organizing the department.!
NO, not ever since"
Are the points involved in Your case
the same as in the penitentiary case Of
Capt. Day."
No, there are several points Of diff
ference"
did your attorney suggest any new
points to you. when you saw him yester-
day, that led you to change your mind.
no, he just came up and told me not
to give up the office: he did not talk
very long
And thus in an unsllspecting moment
had Mr.. Hamrick revealed Capt. Billy
in the brand new role of inspirer OF
worry The backbone Of Mr.. Ham
ricz's sudden purpose TO contest stood
bare Capt Bill Day had come up
My commission expires today CON
tinued Mr.. Hamrick, but my attorneys
say | was elected to hold until my sue
cessor shall be duly elected and quail
fed. They say the act recognizing
the department is unconstitutional and
therefore ! can hold the office. If the
office had been filed under the old law
there would have Deem no contest. ! ex-
pect to draw no salary until this case
Is settled and am anxious that it shall
he settled as soon as possible
Mr.. Hamrick added that he had not
drawn all of his salary for his term OF
Office.
MIR. Hamrick met me on the street
about 3 o'clock on Tuesday and sand
he would give possession without con
test said Mr. Lacy yesterday. lie
told ME he was cleaning up his Office
preparatory to turning it over to me
today: that he was burning unnecessary