The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1906-04-26
BLACKBURN is ACQUITTED.

burn 10 again a free man. be has
been acquitted on the criminal
charge of taking fees to practice
before the departments at Wash
ington since becoming q member
of congress in violation of the
Federal statute. The HUSTLER
has believed all the while that the
Indictment of Mr.. Blackburn was
actuated by a desire upon the part
of political antagonists to cripple
or destroy his political influence,
else the charge would have been
conspiracy. The fimsy evidence
adduced by the government in the
trial would seem to warrant the
conclusion of political persecution.
This idea of persecution, too, was
advanced by the able and astute
attorneys for the defense and
weighed nightly in favor of the
accused. Even the departmental
official who was a witness for the
government did not testify that
Mr.. Blackburn practiced before
the department and it is no WON
der Judge Golf ordered a verdict
of not guilty to be entered in the
case.
We have no admiration for
Blackburn's political methods, but
his record will compare ~favorably
with the former action of the band
of republicans who have been ar
rayed against him since his cleo
ton to congress last year and the
outcome of his trial will be gen.
orally approved by those who be-
lieve in q square deal. It is a Sc
we're rebuke to the persecution of
peanut politicians.
The CONSCIOUSNESS manner in
which Mr.. Blackburn conducted
his campaign against Mr.. Newland,
if reports be true, brands him as a
conspirator and this ia the offense
for which he should have been liz
dicted. IF he openly condoned
violations of the revenue laws by
distillers in his district and ad-
vised the manufacture and distri-
button of liquor free liquor-for
the benefit of his political inter-
ests, he is guilty of conspiracy
against the government and should
be required to atone for such of
fense. It is said that the District
Attorney was aware of these things.
Then why did he not take action
in the matter instead of taking up
insignificant charges of p~racticing
before the departments, a thing
which former Senator Pritchard
admits to have done himself? Can
1t be that the charges recently in
vestigated were made only with
the view to staying the hand Of the.
congressman until certain Federal
officers could be safely landed for
another term, with the expecta-
ton of his release when this re-
suit had been accomplished? If so
the expected has happened. But
we. cannot judge of these things
aud it makes little difference to
us one way or another. A dispatch
from Greensboro dated April 81,
says of the acquittal:
"Since his vindication Congress-.
man E. Spencer Blackburn has re-
ceived from all parts of the state
over five hundred kilograms con-
graduating him on the outcome of
the trial. As Mr.. Blackburn re-
turned from the court room on
yesterday he was given ON informal
reception in the Benbow lobby by|
his many friends IN Greensboro.
All political feelings were forgot
ten as they grasped the congress-
mans hand. Democrat and rel
publican alike eager to show their
qualification of Mr.. Blackburn's
victery. Mr.. Blackburn and fam
lily will leave for his home in Wash
ington, D. c., in a few days"
Why certainly He is the
'whole thing" now,, even with
those who have been malinging
him.