The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1900-07-26

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electors, but OF county officers as we'll
The two collectors of internal reve
nue. for this State, by reason OF the larg'
number of officers under them, are the
recognized managers and dominating
spirits in nearly all the conventions o
their party within their respective di-
visions. They frequently attend ir
person the district conventions within
their territory, and through their IN
fuence aud that of their subordinates
effect nominations. The Hon. Thoma.
Settle of Ashville, ex-member of Con.
gress, and the Hon. Isaac NJ. Mee1ins
of Elizabeth Citv, who has been victi-
mlzed by the Vaccinations of these
office-holders, can furnish you with
confrmatory evidence of these state
ments.
Not only are Republican conventions
controlled by this element, but the
conventions of their political allies
the Populists, are likewise so controlled
In tho late State convention of the
Popullst party many OF the leading
and most influential tigues were men
holding positions to which you had
appointed them. While there were
not as many delegates holding Federal
Offices In this convention as in the
Republican convention, they we're O
qually rs potential in shaping it's policy
and it is a matter OF general knowledge
in this State that it is this Office hold
ing contigent in the Populist party
which has forced upon it the unnatural
compact that today makes it to all In
tents and purposes part of the Re
publican party.
In every section of this State deputy
collectors, deputy narshals, deputy col
lectors of customs, store-keepers and
gaugers, and clerks in these several
departments of the service are conspic-
uous Tor their activity In local politics.
Their offensive partisanship is the sub
ject OF general remark and universal
scandal. Wherever they go In the
discharge of their duties they distribute
partisan literature and agitate in favor
Of the candidates and policies of their
party. They attend public speakings,
sometimes travelling long distances to
do so, often travelling out Of their di-
visions. 1t is openly charged that in
many instances persons engaged in
the sale and manufacture of liquor are
shown leniency cr treated with harsh
ness by these subordinates for partisan
reasons. Recently the honor bic judge
Of the Eastern district OF North Caro-
lima, In sentencing two negro post
masters appointed during your admin
is:ration, for defalcatlon in Office, took
occasion to animadvert upon the SEEM
ing effcrt of certain Federal officials
to secure lenlency for these offenders.
Since the beginning of this campaign
an attorney charged in open court in
his address to the jury that there was
an understanding between certain
illicit dlstiliers and the revenue officials
70 screen the former on account of theil
politics, and when the district attorney
demanded that he give the names OF
places and persons he gave them both
without the slightest hesitation.
1t is charged, and not denied, that In
many sections of the State fourth class
postmasters have been extremely and
offenslvely active in politics, discussing
partisan questions in and from their
offices and distributing partisan litera-
ture.
A census enumeration has just been
completed In this State. All Of thes5
enumerators were either Republicans
or fusion Populists. [ have received
hundreds of complaints OF the offensive
and political activity of these officers
while engaged in the discharge of their
duties, not only In the distribution OF
partisan literature by them as they
went about from house to house III
the discharge of their duties, but
frequently injecting into the lnquir-
les which they we're required by law
to make, inquiries as to the political
views and purposes Of the citizen, With
reference to the political questions
now pending in this State, and in at
tempting to persuade in behalf Of theil
party those whose political views they
might influence.
1t Is also currently rumored and ur-
ders:ood that the entire Federal Office
holding body In this State, in utter
of the civil service regulations
have been assessed for Republican and
fusion campaign purposes. OF course,
do not pretend to know for what
purpose this money has been sent !;
put the enclosed affidavit of w. Roy
Son ervllle will show how part Of this
fund mas been invested. send you
this affidavit because 1t establishes the
charges of offensive partlsanship
which l have herein before preferred
against the collector of internal reven-
ue and district attornev OF the Western
district, and because It shows, 1t the
statements of Mr. Somerville are true,
a transaction not only partisan In Its
but, to say the least, OF
questionable morals. Your attention
is called to the tact that the affidavit
shows they bought no interest in the
property of the paper, but only bought
the opinion and the conscience OF
its editor
Recently this State has been flooded
with circulars threatening the arrest oil
the State election officers under war
rants to be issued by the United States
commissioners, with the approval OF
the Republican chairman as district
attorney of the Western district, and OF
the district attorney of the Eastern dis
trlct. 1 herewith enclose you one OF
these circulars. Strenuous efforts have
been made by the Republican State
chairman, who Is also, as have stated,
district attorney, to frighten these elec-
+io,, off;corz into cOnsfrninp and anfOrc.