The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1904-03-31


IL seems That Gov. Ayco<k Jo>~pars
Daniels and the Attoraey G@neraI Were
Parties to an Axr~en~ut to- Drop sh<
Conspiracy Proceedings Axsinss AcB~~
/ and Finch wouIdnst This Axr~en~es
D~fsss the Enas Of Jssstcs
| Much has been said in the news
papers Of the State within the last
few weeks regarding the tenn porary
receivership Of the A. Ii n, c.
Railroad which runs from Colds
boro to Morehead City. The State
owns the majority OF the stock In
this road and the balance of stock Is
owned by several private stockhold-
ers. Several offers have been made
to the Governor for q lease OH the
road-all offers were rejected. Over
month ago two gentlemen by the
names Of McBee and Finch asked
for receiver for the road, as Il was
not paying its stockholders. The
receivership Was granted by the
Federal Court and Mr.. McBee was
appointed receiver.
| Gov. Aycock and Attorney Cen
eral Gilmer asked the Supreme
Court to issue bench warrants for
McBee and Finch on the charge OF
''conspiracy" to damage the road,
etc., and further charging that these
gentlemen had paid for no stock in
the road. The bench warrants were
Issued. McBee appeared in court,
was bound over to Wake Court I'M
der $4,000 bond on charge of sscon-
spiracy,"
The receivership was annulled, as
1t was charged McBee owned no
stock in the road.
Finch was not in the State at The
AcBee hearing, but appeared for
trial On last Friday, and the hearing
was continued until Saturday after
noon.
The above is synopsis of the
case. Now for the hearing and the
developments.
SENSATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS
Capt. w. II. Day, who was the
first witness for the State. after
answering some questions as to the
institution Of the receivership suit
In which he was one OF the counsel
tor McBee and Finch, proceeded to
make some statements that precipi-
tated quite sensation. He told of
an agreement between counsel for
McBee and Finch and Governor Ay-
cock, that in cOns.derati ton Of the
withdrawal of the complaint and
petition to the Federal Court for the
receiver, the prosecution against
McBee and Finch for conspiracy
would be abandoned.
Gov. AycOck was sent for and ap-
peared in court before Chief Justice
Clark would allow Captain Day to
proceed with his statement. He
then told Of the Governors sending
for Judge Robinson, Zone Of the
counsel for McBee and Finch) inn
after the McBee hearing,
and asking if something could not
be done to stop the whole thing,
and that an agreement was reached
by which counsel for McBee and
Finch abandoned their receivership
case, having assurance that the So
licitOr would not present a bill Of
ln6iafnonr,f fn fhn |
Grand Jury against McBee ana
Finch.
Governor Aycock, (the Educa::
tional Governor asked to be per-
mitted to make a statement. He
explained that there was really no
settled agreement, but rather a sort
IF "tacit understanding" that the
proceedings against McBee and
Finch would be dropped if the re-
'eivership business were dropped.
1t also came out during the trial
hat the Governor sent gentleman
o Josephus Daniels, editor of the
News and Observer" to get his
onsent for the dropping of the
and that Daniels had
aid he would be satisfied to have
he prosecution dropped.
(But the next morning the ssNews
nd Observer came out, stating
that no agreement had
cen made. 1t seems that Josephus
roke faith with his crowd.)
Capt. Day read two or three let
ers in court to prove that there was
a agreement by the Governor, At
'rney General, Josephus Daniels, D.,
nd the Solicitor to drop the pro- %
'edings against McBee and Finch,
the receivership was dropped.
At the close of the argument
ldge Clark required Finch to give
bond of $4,000 for his appearance
the Superior Court. He also said 81
part: "The Court cannot let pass
noticed the limitations which
I'VE been made in evidence and in
gument that there has been a pri-
tie arrangement by which, if the 81
'fendant is bound over to court the
'licitor is not to send q bill. and
is case is to be allowed tn die unopI