The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-11-15

This, of course, riled Judge Purnell.
Being a judge on the bench he naturally
didn't like to be considered as under
the control and influence, in his official
acts of any man. So he sent Fortune
a notice that change would be made
in the office of clerk by January LIST.
1900.
Fortune now did more talking than
ever-gave interviews to the newspapers
in which he criticised Judge purnelFs
motives. This. You know, was not cal
culated to improve matters, and Judge
Purnell gave Fortune notice that unless
he closed his face his head would drop
much earlier than he had expected.
The newspaper interviews ceased. but
Fortune continued to discuss his de-
plorable plight on the street corners and
to growl between the four walls of his
office. He didn't think he'd been treat
ed fairly and he didn't hesitate to say
So.
In the meantime, by way of adding
fuel to the flame, there was Il pretty
deep gulf washing out between Judge
Purnell and Senator Pritchard.
1t first began with the Fortune APP
pointment, as above Indicated 1t grew
as Fortune kept boasting that Senator
Pritchard was boss of the ranch and
Judge pHrnell dare not buck without
the Senator's permission. x,a
Then it came to Judge Purnelfs ears
that parties to suits in his court, nota-
bly, the defendants in the Ashevlle
Bank cases, We're employing Senator
pritchard because he was understood to
have great influence with the court-in
fact that what Senator Pritchard said
went with Judge Purnell.
This naturally made the Judge rebel
lious and DESTROYS of showing that the
charge was not true. And thus bad
matters grew worse. But the straw
thar broke the camel's back-and For
tunes too--was q letter from Senator
Pritchard taking Judge Purnell sharp
ly to task for his determination to turn
Fortune out, and an equally sharp reply
from Judge Purnell calling Senator
Pritchard down for daring to lecture u
United States judge for his official acts.
1t was ut this juncture of the pro
ceedings that it was discovered that
Fortune was signing discharges III bank
ruptcy, when they should have Been
signed by Judge Purnel. And it was
this discovery that settled Fortunes
hash.
Judge Purnell had intended, he said
TO let Fortune stay in till January 1St
in order that he might get the fees
from the December term Of court, but
now he determined 10 be rid of him at
once and for ALL So he hied himself
away to Washington to nave it out with
Senator Pritchard.
The Senator tried to dissuade him from
his intention-itried to gain time for
Fortune, but his prayers We're in vain.
Judge purnell told him he might recon-
mend Fortunes successor. but keep For
tune he would not. Senator Pritchard
declined to recommend
Then" said Judge Pufnell GIN do
both the recommending and the appoint
ing. III name Green the deputy clerk
Of the court ut NeWbern, for the place"
This brought Senator Pritchard to
terms.
"I'll not recommend anybody to sue
coed Fortune" he said, because he's
my friend and / don't want him turned
out, but if | should recommend any
body it would be II. l.. Grant of Colds
boro.'
WELL said Judge Purnell, I"ll ac-
cept that as a recommendation and APP
point him. Grant will be clerk, to sue
ceed Fortune at once.
Now Grant, they say, has been haunt
ing Pritchard for place, ever since
he lost his job as paymaster in the
Volunteer army, and he snapped up the
clerkship Immediately it was rendered
He came here and spent day to see
how quick he could get into office. Yes
40 honH anI
this morning he will qualify. Maj.
Grant will still reside in Goldsboro, but
will spend most of his time in the office
here Fortunes deputy clerk, George
l.. Tonnoffslli, will be retained for the
present by Grant.
Fortune will continue to reside in RAJ
eigh, he says, but he doesn't know just
exactly what he will do here. Senator
Pritchard has promised him another
good job, he says. but he doesn't know
now what it will be. He thinks the
chances are good for a place in the
Senate when that body is reorganized.
That he has been Badly treated in re-
gard to the clerkship Fortune declares
from the housetops. He says his office
has been well and carefully conducted,
his deputies have been competent and
he himself has been attentive to bust
ness. As to the signing of discharges III
bankruptcy, he declares positively that
Judge Plrnell told him to sign them,
saying that it was not necessary Tor
the judge to sign them.
II don't believe that at the time Judge
purnell did this" charitably commented
Mr.. Fortune, "he was laying a trap
for me. / think he just simply didn't