The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-05-13
MIR. DAVIS COMES UP EVERY
COURT AND SWEARS HE is
NOT VIOLATING THE
LAW.

NOT long ago this paper, discuss
ing some of the men who attended
the blanket" in order to establish "a
respectable Republican party in
North Carolina" had something to
say of one L. E. Davis, of the county
of Wilkes, who had been indicted in
both the State and Federal courts.
Later on a correspondent added some
particulars and stated that it was cur
rently reported that Mr.. Davis was
drawing the salary of the Deputy Col
lector and that Mr.. G. II. Walker
was a mere figGre-head, or something
like that. In letter to the Winston
Republican Mr.. Davis complains that
ne has been slandered and says that
he does not draw the salary but that
Mr.. Walker really draws it and is
amply capable of performing the
duties of the office" AS to the other
matters, Mr.. Davis substantiates all
that has been said. We quote from his
letter in the Republican:
II very frankly admit that years
ago, when | was engaged in the man.
ufacture of spirituous liquors, l was
indicted in the United States court
and have always settled by agreeing
on terms of compromise with the gov
eminent or have been acquitted; but
it is unequivocally and positively false
that J run a steam diStillery or had
any other connection with the manu-
facture for sale of spirituous liquors
after my appointment as Deputy Col
lector, and he who makes the asser-
ton does so without the slightest fact
or circumstance upon which to base
the assertion.
1T is true that, at February term
1904, of Wilkes Superior court, l was
indicted for retailing and the facts
in connection with the adjustment of
that Indictment are as follows: The
Judge and Solicitor agreed with my
attorneys, Messrs. w. w. Barber, II.
l.. Greene and James w. Mcneil that
the matter might be settled upon my
paying a fine of 500 and the cost and
entering into a bond of 81 900 to show
that for a period of five years,
would not have any connection with
the manufacture or sale of SpirituouS
liquors; / readily agreed to the ar
rangement for the reason that l had
decided to quit the business forever;
the bond was executed in accordance
with the order of the court and the
following is q certified copy of the
same:
know all men by these pres
ents that we, l.. E. Davis, princi-
pal, and j. r. Henderson and w.
w. McEwen as sureties are held
and firmly bound unto the State
of North Carolina and to the
Board of Education of Wilkes
county liz the sum of one thous-
sand dollars, to the payment of
which we'll and truly to be made
We bind ourselves. our executors
and administrators; to be void
however if the said l.. e. Davis,
for the space of five years from
this date, shall not in any man
ner, either in person or by agent
engage in the manufacture or
sale of spirituous liquors or in
any way be financially interested
in the liquor business directly or
indirectly for a period of five
years, provided however if the
said L. E. Davis, during said pc
riod, shall in any manner direct
ly or Indirectly be interested in
the manufacture or sale of spirit
uous liquors then said sum of one
thousand dollars shall be forfeit
ed and paid to the school fund of
Wilkes county.
4 Witness our hands and seals,
February 6. 1904.
L. e. Davis, (SeaD
j. r. HENDERSON, (SeaD
80 81 w. w. McEWEN, (SeaD
81, C. H. Somers, Clerk Supe-
rior Court, do HEREBY certify that
the foregoing is Il correct copy
of the bond or file in this office.
Witness my hand and seal this
3rd day of May, 1905.
(SeaL &C. II. SOMERS,
"Clerk Superior Court"
II assert that L have faithfully kept
the obligations contained in the fore
going bond and 4have had fIo8 connec-
ton, directly or indiree4ly#, With Ttte
manufacture fJ1. sale of Sspifituouss Ii
quors since4its execution. IL
At every term of Wilkes IsGperi6l,
court, DAVIS has to comes Into Ecouft
and swear sssthat he has not violated
the law by manufacturing or retail
ing liquor. He says he has faith
fully kept the Obligation and we do
not question his statement. But just
suppose this confessed violator of the
internal revenue laws had been due
at Wilkes court to prove he was liv-
ing UP to the decree the very day ne
was invited to attend the 'banket!
In that event,9what would happened?
Why, the program for building up
respectable Republican party would
have had to be postponed until Davis
could go to Wilkesboro and take the
oath, No doubt Yerkes would have
gladly waited for him and the other
revenuers and ex-ravenuers, who were
conspicuous at the blanket"
THE LABOR QUESTION ACUTE.