The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-04-12
THERE OUGHT TO BE NO DIVIDED
RESPONSIBILITY


In December last, when Mr. Mewborne rendered his
gnaon the Governor superintendent there many
who surprised that he should voluntarily resign pos
ton paying $4,000 per That surprise vanished when
it acertained that in less than years. under Fusion
management, over TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND Dol.
LARS had been squandered stolen wasted-or all three
When it further learned that the pententiary did not
have dollar pay its living expenses and the State Treas
had refused advance the management another dollar
surprise felt that Mr. Mewbome had turned loose The
red hot poker.
When Mr. Mewbome resigned, it only a few days be
fore the time of the assembling of the Legislature The Gov
must have known the desperate condition of the pen
tertiary The proper for him to have pursued upon
Mr.. Mewbones resignation have put the situations
of that institution in his message the General Assembly,
and to have requested them take charge of its affairs and
pay the big debt which the ncompeens he had appointed
had piled up Instead of pursuing that the Governor
work devise hrewd scheme circmvent the Leg
atme and retain the pententarv in the hands of his person
al favorites. He appointed Capt W. H. Day, brilliant at
orney. whose best friends did believe he possessed the
qualities necessary take the penitenary of the mire
of debt and msnanagemen and Of lax methods and pu
it practical selfsustaning basis Capt. Day confirm
ed that opinion by stating Immediately after his appointment
that he did propose the penentiary, but expected
to make it success by appointing competent the
head of every department and let them manage If there
had been other why the incoming Legislature could
not agree to Capt Days appointments that would
have made his appointment Objectionable The State
rich that afford to pay 81, 500 year select
o the pententiary
That the status when the General Assembly The
sentiment in that body against any divided responsibility in
the conduct of the penentav great that the first
Democratic it made itself felt. When vigorous and
speedy action about be taken to Dust Capt Day, dis
nguished Democratic leader the said
these words substantially: "There necessity Of taking
action against Capt Day. He will cheerfuly abide by any
decision which this and the Democratic party makes"
Another Senator said he knew that Capt Day anxious
only to be in harmony with the party policy, and when
formed Capt Day would submit it.
The and the Democratic Legislature
ing that under Russe's administration TWO HUNDREDS
THOUSAND DOLLARS had been lost to the taxpayers de-
temned that the duty of the Legislature take
troll of the pententary through its agents. and to that
end enacted legislation looking to putting its affairs in the
hands of selected BY the Democrats in Did
Capt Day then abide by the action of the Democratic party
with which he is said have voted last November! Did he
fulfil the promises made for him by able Senators Not only
did he submit to the decree of the Democratic party, reg
uarly entered but he placed himself in antagonm the
party position and appealed to the annul the ga
ton that received the approval of the Democratic par
ty thus putting himself outside the pale of party action and
receiving public rebuke from Senator Glenn who had
pledged the that Capt Day would abide by its acton
Here the of the between Senator Glenn
and Capt Day that appeared the local columns of the News
and Observer of February 18th:
Weary of dance and play, the Assembly yesterday
morning rushed bill through enable notice to be served
Capt Day time get the matter before the Wake county
approaching session The notice served yes
teay and Capt Day. accompanied by Judge McRae his at
torney, appeared before the committee have
Senator Glenn who had stood Loyalty by Captain Da2
throughout made aspeech with heat and point when Capt
Day appeared before the committee
II Decline, said Senator Glenn, Ito have anything more
do with this matter. feel that have not been treated
right by Mr.. Day"
'In what respectg asked Captain Day
II your FRIEND" the reply, n and stood by
YOU. will repeat what others said about you, bat
vouched for your Democracy stated that matter what
the of the might be- you had authorized me to
say that you would abide by that action Now Mr. Day. ask
you you did authorize make that statement before
the caucus.
Capt Day replied that he had made the statement and
meant it. but the caucus had treated him badly He asked
Senator Glenn if he thought he should stand by the promise
"Senator Glenn replied that he had him false light