The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-02-02
Tm Wessengn.
THE FIGHT FOR OFFICE IN THIS
STATE.

That was a Knockout blow the RoL
gins contingent got in the White house
Saturday last They are trying to
rally and 10 make it appear that they
are not so badly hurt, but they make
a poor out at it.
AS Jon as it vas announced that
the president had decided to appoint
Mr.. Biackburn's candidates as post
masters at Greensboro and Goldsboro
the leaders of the other faction hur-
ried to Washington and with Marion
Butler at their head they undertook to
storm the executive Office, but the at
tack was an utter failure. The inter-
viewing committee was composed Of
Marion Butler, Chairman Rollins,
Committeeman Duncan, ex-Justice
Douglas and Mr.. r. d. Douglass, the
last named the organizations candi-
date for postmaster at Greensboro.
The only consolation the callers had
was in the statement from Mr.. Roose-
welt that had he known Nh. Douglass
was a candidate things might have
gone differently, but they were told
most emphatically that the president
would not change his mind as to the
a~ppointees for these two offices.
The Rollins-Butler crowd say that
the action of Mr.. Roosevelt in these
two cases does not necessarily mean
that Mr.. Blackburn will have control
OF the other appointments in this
state. They pretend to have good
reason for believing that hereafter
they will be consulted. They do not
take the public into their confidence.
though, as to the foundation for such
belief. In the meantime Mr.. Black
burn is we'll satisfied with matters as
they now stand and is willing to trust
to his usual good luck or whatever
else it may have been which enabled
MIN to gain these two decisive victo-
ries over his political enemies.
Mr.. Rollins vehemently denies that
these two appointments were the re-
suit of an agreement between himself
and Mr.. Blackburn to the effect that
the latter would support him for dis
trict attorney if his opposition to
Frazier and Grant was Withdrawn.
Mr.. Rollins feelings have been greatly
hurt by the publication of such q
statement in some of the papers of
the state and he says it does him great
injustice.
The question is asked: If it was not
such a deal which pu, these apnoint
ments in Mr.. Blackburn hands
wasn't it the statehood bill? 1t is
stated that only a few weeks o as
surance was given Messrs. Rollins and
Duncan that organization men would
be named for both these offices. Evil
IDENTIFY something has occurred in the
last few days to reverse the situation.
What that was neither side will give
out and the public will never know.
The presidents statement to his CAL
lers on Saturday that he had allowed
Mr.. Blackburn to name the pOstmas-
ter of Greensboro because that was
the cOngressman's home town was
met by a vigorous protest and state
ment that the latter had officially de-
clared Wiikesboro to be his home. If
he put up this plea to the president it
was an act of deception and it would
be inconsistent with Mr.. RoOsevelt's
often declared principles and his past
record not to resent such conduct.
1t will be q surprise to the country
that Mr.. Roosevelt a1loved a con-
gresham to secure an appointment
from him on misrepresentation of
facts.
AS to the GOldsbOro appointment the
president gave the committee no rea-
son for his action. It would have
been better had he remained silent as
to his reasons for the Greensboro ap-
pointment also if he has none better
than the one given.