The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-09-26
Wishes of Blackburn and
Wants of Rollins.
Hon. {. Y. Webb is EndeaVoring to
Secure the Release From lmpris-
onment Of Corporal Herbert
Branch, of Morganton. The
Story OF Young Branch.


Washington, ID. c., Sept. 25.-Al-
though it is not admitted that Re-
publican State Chairman Thomas S.
Rollins visited either the Department
of Justice or the Internal Revenue
Bureau when he was here last week
the impression gathered from certain
OfiiciaTs who don't talk for publica-
ton, is that if Holton is relieved or
his job as United States District At
torney for the Western District of
North Carolina Mr. Rollins is ready
and willing to succeed his friend next
year. This, it is also said would not
p.ease Hon.Spencer Blackburn, unless
he could be assured that he would
be Rollins successor as State Chair
man: and that Rollins is not likely
10 permit. as he wants some one in
that position who would distribute the
Federal jobs in North Carolina ac-
cording to direction.
1t is expected that Mr.. Rollins win
return here next week to see Presi-
dent Roosevelt and that the matter
of a successor to Holton will be taken
up.
Mr.. Blackburn is also expected 10
be here early in October before Mr.
Roosevelt goes to North Carolina, and
no slight difference in the way these
two visitors to the President will de-
scribe the recent proceedings at
Greensboro. 1t is also said that Mr..
Rollins intends to allow Mr.. Black
burn to name only one man for Il
Federal job in the forthcoming shake
up. He is TO name Wagner to take
Millilxen's place as marshal for the
western district. THE President win
undoubtedly find some difficulty IN
determining how to give both gentle
men a square deal under present con-
dtions," remarked an official today.
The Case of Corporal Branch
Hon. f. Y. Webb came to Wash
ington from Shelby. n. c.. yesterday
To intercede at the war department
for release from Imprisonment in the
Philippines of Corporal Herbert
Branch who enlisted in the United
States army from Morganton, \. G.,
over two years ago. Young Branch
for some trivial offence was placed
under arrest; and going to the guard
house with a sentry and two soldiers,
he took down rifle and pointed ii at
the sentry. calling him to look out.
He was seized by the two other men,
and in the acuffie the trigger WAS
struck and the bail penetrated tn :
ceiling.
son injured in the scuffle but ne WAS
tried by courtmartial and sentence
to five years Imprisonment and dis
missal from the army without pay.
He has already served two years, and
with the exception noted his conduc.
has always been most exemplary ac-
cordins tofthe military record A pc
tition signed by the best citizens of
Morganton, including the Mayor or
the town, was forwarded to the Pres
by him to the war department.
Branchs mother is in most
physically because of her sons i'm
that he must have been temporarily
insane if there was any intention on
his part to shoot the sentry, which
his friends do not believe.
Young Branch's father was af-
ficted at times and died in the Nor
canton asylum.
Mr.. Webb has done all that he can
to induce favorable action on this pc
tition. and has promise from Col.
Ainswortn, military secretary TO the
Secretary of war. that if General Cor
bin at Manila to whom the request
and papers in the case have been
forwarded. shall in any way be IN
clned TO regard the case with lenl-
iency. he will see that it is acted up
on at once. Col. Ainsworth this az
ternoon indicated that he had been
most favorably impressed by Mr..
Webb's statement of the case.