The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-01-11
UNDECIDED AS TO WHETHER HE SHALL
RESIGN OR NOT
TEMPESTUOUS BOARD MEETING
A Minority Of the Penitentiary Dfrec-
torate Meet and Approve Days Re-
port-Other Members Arrive and De-
mand Reconsideration, Which Is Re-
fused - Day and Travis Denounced.
A Signed Protest Refused-No Talk of
Impeaching Supreme Court Justices.
Especial to The Messenger)


Raleigh. n. C. January S.-Lieuten-
ant Governor Reynolds arrived this af-
ternoon. He said to Your correspond
ent:
Yesterday / stated / would resign
tomorrow directly after the organiza.
tion OF the senate, 50 I could immedi-
ately take tie Winston postmaster
ship. Since arrival here I have de-
cided to write Congressman Linney
and ask whether I should resign now
where I have but a few more days to
serve. and whether I might be crit
icised for resigning now will be
governed in this maNteer by the wishes
Of the postoffice department
I want to say of Governor Russelrs
administration, that. despite criticisms
it has been a good one and will go into
history as one Of the best North Car
olina has ever had"
Five members of the penitentiary di-
rectorate-LeGrand. Gotten. Young.
Denmark ani BaHard-are furious,y
angry ar the way they were treated
today.
They say today's meeting was ex-
tren1ely StoITny. There were such per-
sonalities between LeGrand and Super
intendent Day and LeGrand and Ira
Wis that it seemed there would be a
fight.
They say the board adjourned last
night until this morning, appointing
committee of five to pass upon the re-
ports of the officials. They say this
report was adopted the moment the
ivncr hi hot Iaf,-
arrival.
| They We're indignant at what they
| term the snap judgment and asked a re-
consideration. but this was refused.
For three hours the dispute lasted.
The wrangle was hot LeGrand's re-
marks to Chairman Travis of the exec
| utive board, We're vitriolic.
Director r. r. Gotten said he had
been a member of the board eight
years and in ali his life he had never
been shown so little courtesy or con-
sideration; that as a director he owed
it to himself and the state ito be inform
ed as to the exact status and the amount
of penitentiary property and crops
| mentioned In reports as being on
| hand; that for twelve months the di-
rectors have been kept absolute in the
dark az to all expenditures and re-
| ceipts, and We're at least entitled to an
opportunity ITO inform themselves as to
the exact status of the penitentiary
before approving the report, which wns
| vague and indefinite.
Gotten, LeGrand, Ballard, Young
and Denmark then signed a protest.
This their opponents refused to re-
ceive. and thereupon they gave it to
the newspapers. They are confident
the Legislature will fully investigate
the penitentiary management.
Members Of the board who thus Of
fered the protest say eight members
participated in the meeting, these be-
ing Chairman Davis. Newland. Perry
Travis. Gwaltney. Bryan. Morphew
and Clark.
LeGrand said the body had acted
without quorum, their being eighteen
members Of the board.
The eight reelected the old execu-
tiv board-Trevis, Perry and Newland
The penitentiary officials claim thaa
those who offered the protests ar,
only seeking an excuse for fault find
ing.
So far no talk has been heard among
legislators about impeaching Justice,
Furches and Douglas OF the suprem,
. court. One Of the leading democratic
. senators said he did not believe ther
would be any impeachment.
A telegram was sent by Senate
Brown to Lieutenant Governor Turn
. er. urging him to come here and ar
range the committees tomorrow. Turn
, er replied that If the caucus desired
he would be here.