The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-07-30

spectors for the purpose of looking AFTER
things. In January | think things were
reported to be going on at Newbern. L
went down there and found Irregular
ties Mr.. Fields was then added TO
look after the sounds and rivers. No
more inspectors We're put on then until
about the time the Legislature adj
iourned. Irregularities were reported
from Fayetteyme and little Washing
ton. SO | sent some blank commissions
to members of the new board who were
sorter locking after things and they APP
pointed the men; four in all We're ap-
pointed this way"
How much did this increase your
receipts? We only find little over 81
O00'
"Well we seized a good deal of goods
and compelled payment.
"Cite some instances"
I'VE seized goods at Elizabeth City,
Newborn and Washington. There We're
several factories that we found had not
paid any tax since 1894. In Tyrrell
county IA guano agent told me that half
the fertilizer used was brought in bar
rells and the farmers carried it away
and used it without any tax ever being
paid"
"Why was your increase in receipts
so small them
Il can't tell about that; I am stating
the facts"
did you appoint all the inspectors?''
No"
"Who did,"
There were three directors who want
ed to be inspectors. The board did
o1o 4 hY1t 4 Ina
the chairman of the executive commit
tee and myself could appoint three and
of course we understood who the board
wanted appointed and appointed the
three members. The three were Ray,
Brady and Flow. After the Legislature
met there was a camor from this place
and that for inspectors. Then the
board made general order that the
chairman of the executive con-.
the commissioner should appoint such
as were needed"
How many inspectors were there De-
cember list, 1882
about nine"
You then appointed three?'
"1es. Fields and the balance were ap-
pointed in March after the new board
came in.
Who were the others?"
Il. p Lane, of w nittakers; w. w.
Huske, of Fayetteville; Thos. Badger,
of Raleigh, and DR.. Parks, of Wayne
What kind Of man was Mr..
Flow? z"
Welt don't understand what you
mean"
And an expansive grin slowly trans
formed the chaos of Johns countenance.
Il mean, was he competent"
We'll, he was competent enough
reckon. lie was appointed by mem
bers of the board.
Did he stay sober long enough to at
tend to his business?"
He might have done so,' (Here the
grin became an undisguised chuckle).
lie was not sober a good many times.
why did you retain man in the
service who got drunk
Il have seen him drunk as mem
Der Of the board. | have never seen
him drunk as an inspector"
We'll how often was he drunk as a
difectorY
let me see, said John r. re-
flectiyely, Il don't know how often the
board met"
did he fail to attend meetings of the
board because he was drunk
Il don't suppose there was any time
he could not have gotten here; some
times he didn't get here
why did you appoint man of that
sort?"
That's pretty hard question to
answer. | knew It was not right, but
the board minated that they wanted
him. Mr.. Harris favored his appoint
ment for one
Were there any other members
drunk y
Not so drunk they could not at
tend
What members of the new board
said more inspectors were neede1!"
Hart, Coffeld and Grimes said more
men were needed in their country, and
after they left ] appointed men down
there"
why We're the last three inspectors
appointed."
AT the request Of members of the
Legislature and Of the new board"
WAS this increase in the numner OF
inspectors necessary or was it in re-
spouse TO Il demand for places?'
IF | believed what men told me il
was necessary"
Did you believe it,
Il had my doubts about it. But whel
men in authority demanded appoint
ments, | did not know how to refuse
them.
did you not yield to clamor for
places when your Judgment did not hold
it necessary!
Il could hardly answer that question
yes"
Were you asked to resign as superin
tendent OF the penitentiary?
Il don't know rs | was asked to re
sign. Sometime III December, ~, j. C.
ID. Harris came out to the penitentiary
10 see me and talked around. He asked
me when | was going home. / got from
him that they wanted to know il | was
willing TO change to Commissioner of Ag