The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-05-09
wILsON-CLARK NATTER.

In The Messenger Of April 25th we
published Major James W. Wilson's
open letter making serious and grave
charges against Hon. Walter Clark,
who is a candidate for chief justice Of
North Carolina. showing why he should
not receive the nomination at the hands
OF the democratic party, and referred
among other things TO certain letters
that he had written to Governor Daniel
l.. Russell.
In u issue Of Thursday, May LIST, a
reply was printed, prepared by Mr.. w.
p. Bachelor. of Raleigh, which it has
been charged is a reply by Judge
Clgrk to the Wilson letter. In this let
Ger 1t is stated that "he Clark knew
well ne had written nothing to Russell
or any one else that could cause any
friend OF his to blush for shame" and
again he says Il may0add here tina be-
for leaving Judge Clark. he added that
while he did not propose to be drawn
into any newspaper controversy 1 could
a for him, in any article 1 might
write, that he demanded the publication
of this letter that the people of North
Carolina might know what it is. that
there was no official act of his which
he did not invite the closest scrutiny,
M that furthermore he desired in
common Justice and fair play that the
original Of this alleged letter should be
placed where ii can be seen and ex-
amined."
Immediately on the publication of Mr..
bachelors letter, a representative of
The Messenger called upon Ex-Gover-
nor Russell and requested a copy Of
this letter, which he declined to furnish
until he had had sufficient time to hin
of the matter. In The Messenger of
Sunday we said:
1T is stated here upon unQuestioned
authority that Governor Russell wrote
y letter to Judge Walter Clark yester-
day saying that he had seen Batche-
Tors letter and understood from it that
Judge Clark demanded publication of
his letters and stating that if Judge
Clark is willing he will allow all his
letters to be exhibited to responsible
persons for identification n will give
them out for publication"
The Charlotte Observer of yesterday
has the following from its Raleigh cor
respondent:
THE letter referred to in last nights
special rs sent by Russell
to Judge Clark was. it is learned, de-
1ivered by w. H. Day today. 1t is fur
Their said that Day asked State Treas
urer p K. Lacy to go with him to Judge
Clark when the letter was delivered,
and that Lacy accompanied him; that
Russell. in his letter. said he a not
given put Clark's letters, but had shown
them to only one of the counsel in the
Impeachment trial of Furches and
Douglas: that he doubted, however,
whether n public officer was entitled 40
consider as private letters on public
matters. but that he had reserved this
doubt in Clark's favor. as the latter had
requested him to keep the letters pri-
vate. 1t is further stated that Clark
told Day he would consider Russells
letter and reply tomorrow. 1t is learn
ed that Day said very plainly that he
and ]. w. Wilson were not friendly and
that he was of counsel in ouSting Will
son and that the charge that he aided
Wilson was untrue.
cit appears from what can be picked
up in the way of news that the Clark
Russell letters are to be given to a
waiting public this week and that they
will add considerably to the gayety OF
nations"
The Messenger will no doubt know by
tomJrrow's issue whether the letters
are 10 be given out and for the sake OF
Judge Clark we hope he will agree u
have them published. The Messenger
has ~purposely refrained from comment
ing on the matter. but we now think
that the time has arrived for Judge
Clark to agree to their publication If
the letters are true. as charged by
Ma or Wilson. then the friends of Judge
sClark should not press his candidacy.