The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-07-20
Vigorous Protest Against Action of Federal
Officials in this State.
THEIR OFFENSIVE MEDDuNG IN POLITICS,
Their Frequent Violation of the Civil Service
Law and Prostitution of the Offices for
Party Purposes by Appointees of
the President in this State.

ne nominating emen IN nearly all
district n county conventions of their
party throughout the state. They die |
tate nominations, not only for state |
oIIlclalS, congressman and electors, but
OF county officers as well. The two
collectors Of internal revenue for this
state, by reason of a large number Of
ofncerS under them, are the
managers and dominating spirits in
nearly all conventions of their party
within their respective divisions. They
frequently attend in person district
conventions within their territory. and
through their influence and that of
their subordinates, effect nominations
hon. Thomas Settle, of Asheville, ex-
member of congress-, n Isaac NJ.
Meekins. Of Elizabeth City, who have
Deen victimized by the Vaccinations
OF these officeholders, can furnish you
with confirmatory evidence of these
Not only are republican conventions
controlled by this element, but conven-
tons of their political allies, the pop
ullsts, are likewise so controlled. In
the late state convention of the popu-
list party many of the leading and
most prominent and influential figures
We're men holding positions to which
you had appointed them. While there
were not as many delegates holding
federal offices nm this convention, as in
the republican convention, they were
equally as potential is shaping its pol
Icy, and 1t is a matter of general
knowledge in this state that it is this
offlceholding contingent in the popuIist
party which has forced upon it the
unnatural compact that today max
it to all intents and purposes part of
The republican party.
I'm every section of the state depu-
ty collectors, deputy marShals, deputy
collectors of customs, store keepers
/ nnI 0nIrrar- n I'D oInrly- - +l~-n we
al departments of service are conspic-
iOus for their activity in local politics.
Their offensive partiZanship is a subject
of general remark and universal al
dal. Wherever they go in discharge
of their duties they distribute parti-
zanship literature and agitate in favor
of the candidates and policies of their
party. They attend public speakings.
some times travelling long distances
to do so, often going out of their divis-
ions.
TT is openly charged that in many
instances persons engaged in sale and
manufacture of liquor are shown len
] iency OIL treated with h~arShness by
these subordinates, for partisan rea-
sons. Recently the Hon Judge of the
Eastern district of North Carolina, in
sentencing two negro pOStmaSterS ap-
pointed during your administration,
for defalcations in office, took occasion
10 dIllllduNSIl upon lHe StSilllHS ellOTl
of certain federal officials to secure
leniency 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 il
licit distillers and evenue officials, to
screen the former on account OF their
politics, and lei the district attorney
demanded that he give the names of
places and persons he gave both with
out the slightest hesitation.
1T is charged and not denied that in
many sections of the state fourt class
postmasters have been extremely and
Extensively active in politics, discuss
ing partisan questions in and from
their offices and distributing partisan
literature.
"Censu enumeration has just beer
completed i'm this state. All of these
enumeratorS were either republicans
or fusion populists. I have received
hundreds of complaints of offensive
and political activity of these officers
, while engaged in the discharge of theil
duties, not only in distribution of par
tiSan literature by ithem as they wen
about from house to house in the dis
charge of their duties, but infrequently
injecting into inquiries which the!
We're required by law to make. enquir
! les as to the political views and pur
, poses of citizens, with references Il
political questions now pending in thi
state, and in attempting ito persuad'
in behalf of their party those who's
= political views they thought they NIGH.
+ influence
a 1T is also currently rumored anC
+ understood that the entire federal of
= ficeholding body in this state, in ute
disregard of civil service regulations
have been assessed for republican AM
fusion campaign purposes. OF course
Il 70 1nAx- fN~ y-h MI
z pose this money has been spent; blu
E the enclosed affidavit of w. Roy som
erville will show how part of this fun'
i has probably been invested. l sem
u you this affidavit, because it estab
= fishes charges of offensive partisanshil
y which 1 have herein before preferre'
,. against the collector of Internal e
\ nue. and the district attorney of tn
, Western district, and because it shows
; if the statements of Mr.. Somerville ar
! true, a transaction not only parrish
4 in its character but, to say the least
> of questionable morals.
Your attention is called to the fac
O that the affidavit shows they bough
, no interest in the property of the pa
;, per, but only bought the opinion an
. conscience of its editor.
t Recently this state has been foode
: with circulars threatening arrest c
state election officers under warrant
Y to be issued by United States commits
sioners, with approval of the republ
: can chairman as district attorney Q
: the Western district, and the distrit
# attorney. of the Eastern district.
herewith enclose o one of these Gil
; culars. Strenuous efforts have bee
made by the republican state chair
5 man, who is also. as I before state
u. district attorney, to frighten tines
= election officers into constituting an
- enforcing our state registration Law
o in accordance with his views Of the
70 meaning and in the interests OF II
ar party he represents. To accomplis
If result the fact that the chairma
,e or the republican party Is also Unite
q. States district attorney has been en-
lie phasized for the purpose. it is believe
m OF suggesting the idea that as distri
lg attorney he could and would invol
the authority of the United States go
at to carry out the threats MAJ
- Il hv him Ia a. - IL,