The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-01

Mr.. Harkins, the collector of the Vest
ern district, commanding him to re-
fuse to disclose in q State court, any
informal on which he obtained by viz
tue of his position. In the 1ITth y. ;.
Reports there is an opinion which up
holds a ruling of the departments, pre-
venting the copying of official records
for State courts or the production OF
the record in the State courts. There
seems to be good reason for this
opinion. A district judge III Arkansas,
reasoning by analogy has held that
q, Federal official is not compelled TO
disclose in a State court any intorma-
ton obtained by virtue of his office,
The presiding judge sustained the Wit
ness and announced that the State
could appeal, tins | d.d not do, al
though notice was given, for the rea-
SON that | have other cases against
the same defendant and | shall apply
TO the Commissioner of Internal Rev
cnue for permission to obtain copies
of certain records and data OF the
storekecpers and gaEgers.
There Us probably more Whiskey
manufactured in Advance than in any
other town in North Carolina. There
is one rectifying establishment, which
have been informed, does an inn
lrensc business.
the present law obtained any license
10 sell liquor and l have been unable
TO obtain any proof, although l have
diligently inquired as to the sale of
any liquor. 1t is said that it is sold in
quantities less than five gallons and
in larger quantities.
One of the gentlemen, it is I'M
derstood is the largest owner i'll the
rectifyer ana in one or two Of the d.s-
County Commissioners, and his cousin
is another member of the board.
These gentlemen are prominent and
Influential, with large means and
wealth, surrounded by tenants and
employees, kind to the poor, lend mon
ey to the men who are needy and
have an influence which has fastened
their business and their ideas, to a
great extent on the community, not
only in which they live, but through
out the surrounding country
DR.. Baxter Byerly, who was the
town clerk and the only physician in
the town, man of high character,
and / am informed a good physician,
a fearless advocate of temperance and
good morals was so opposed by the
louor influence was compelled to
leave the community and locate else
where. influence was set in motion
against the business Of others which
seriously injured them. | have not
sought to Cypress any one, although
/ have sworn out bench warrants
against some of the Violators of the
law in the district | have done all ]
could in trying TO bring to justice the
violators of the State laws at Advance,
and elsewhere, who have perslstently
and are now, no doubt, continuing to
larger quantities of IL
quor, than their daily license tax per-
mits them to make.
They have defied the State laws by
erecting ferces around their distiller-
les and refusing to permit any one on
their premises except Fedora!
officers and l have been Informed
by Federal officials that au-
thorities higher up in the State have
given it out that any one who disclos-
ell information in the State court
would be d scharged from the service, !
ana. if necessary, / can give the names
o. my informers.
The above is only a brief outline. il
have tried to give the facts and could
give many more. but | have already
made this letter too long. / have been
re quested to go to Raleigh TO make a
of the cond tons as | know
them, but ! cannot go now / have
been informed that the town govern
ment of Advance is only a government
in name, and from the observation
that / have made abolt the town. |
there is really no necessity for the
existence of a town, 1T is probably the
town in The State now having !
a charter.
Very truly
WIN. c. HAMNOR,
Solicitor.