The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-02-23

Asheville. \. c., February 21.-IWo
indictments were returned by the 1eo-
eral grand jury today against r.
snencer Blackburn, republican con-
orassman from the Eighth North car
olina district, charging him with prac-
ticing before departments of the gov
ernment and accepting fees for the
service after his election to the house
of representatives.
The indictments allege that Black
burn appeared before the treasury oe-
partment and the commissioner OF III
ternal revenue, as attorney, ana secui
ed a compromise of the cases against
Ace Dinkins and 2. A. DAVIS, VINO are
charged with violation Of the laws
governing the making of whlskey IN
the Fifth North Carolina district. II
is alleged that Blackburn was palo
800 by Davis and $500 by Dink1ns Tor
his services and the date OF accep-
tance on these fees is placed III Feo
ruary and March 1905.
The Indictment is based on section
1882 of the revised statutes Whlch
saws: mo senator, representative nor
delegate, after his election, and our
ing his continuance in office, snail re-
ceive or agree to receive any colnpeh-
sation whatever etc. 90 no
sentative Blackburn tonight author-
ized a denial sin toto" of the charges
contained in the indictments returned
against him today at Ashevllle, n. C'
alleging that he practiced before the
treasury department and received lees
for such services in violation OF law.
Mr.. blackburn declared that he mas
not committed any offense He de-
cIined to answer specifically the
charges tonight but will make state
ment tomorrow.
The following article taken from
Yesterdays Washington Post concern
ing Mr. Blackburn's attitude TOWARD
the charges that have been made
against him, in this connection will
be read with interest.
The Post says:
The charge made Monday that the
alleged acceptance of fees by Repre-
sentative E. Spencer Blackburn, OF the
Eighth North Carolina district, FOL
services on behalf of his constituents
before the departments, was being IN
vestigated by the United states dis
trict attorney, with the sanction OF tns
department of justice, was met yes
terday by a clean-cut statement IRON
the representative.
In this statement, Mr.. Blackburn de
nies hat be has been guilty of Vlolat
ing either ;he letter or the spirit o
the law. but admits that he has don
all he could for his constituents with
out the payment of a cent or the ex
pectation or promise of any reWar'
whatever.
The district attorney for North Car
olina is A E. Holton, and he has bee
Wa several
stated that he held several conference
with Attorney General Moody concern
ing these alleged violations of law. an
that the matter would be brought oe
fore a special session of the grand Jur
of the federal court at Asheville. Nj
Blackburn's home, this week.
Politics i'm the Case.
According to the friends of NJ
Blackburn. there would seem to
something of politics behind the ma
ter. 1t is known that Mr. Blackbur
has complained becadse he. being tn
state. was entitled to some of the fec
eral patronage, and believed that
was not treated fairly in the dlstrlbl
ton of this patronage.
Tt was claimed by Mr.. Blackbul
that in giving out the offices In Nor'
Carolina the administration SHOVE
marked preference for the recommel
dations of Judge Pritchard, form
United States senator. and Thom
Rollins chairman of the republlcf
state committee. who is a son-ln-ia
of Judge Pritchard.
Representative Blackburn is one
the most popular men in the hous
where he is now serving his secol
term He and his wife are we'll know
in Washington society. Mrs. Blac
burn is the daughter of Myron M. Pa
ker. of Washington.
Saws He Is GuiltlesS.
In a carefully prepared stateme
Mr.. Blackburn said yesterday:
At have committed no offer
against the law of the land. either
letter or spirit. and have yet to belle
that the courts of my state and cou
try are to be prostituted for persor
and political ends for the simple re
son that 1 was elected to congress o'