The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1907-03-19
Spirit of The Press.
The Proof Called For.

Webster's Weekly.
ON another page will be found some
interesting reading-the report Of z
sermon preached in CT arlOtte by the
Rev. Pluto Durham followed by z
| personal statement from Mr.. Josephus
Daniels, editor of the News ana OBJ
server, whom the preacher attacked
in his sermon and whom he sought 10
provoke into q personal IN
Raleigh. The Raleigh Evening Times
and staff correspondent Of the Char
lotte Observer had published it abroad
that Editor Daniels was bossing the
Legislature, even TO the extent of
using it as an instrument for crafty
ing his personal spite against men anG
corporations who stood in the way OF
his selfish ambition. The Observer
correspondent wrote among other
things:
1t is said that Mr.. Daniels has
constituted himself political dicta-
tor for the State and is doing
what he can to drive the Legisla-
ture TO unreasonable and unfair
measures for the upbuiIding of
himself and allies. He IS
charged with welding the party
whip, eve failing to use it when
and where he thinks it is needed.
His venom and malice is unnln
riot.
SO much for g~eneralities. Now for
the specific instance in which Editor
Daniels exercised his political lniiu-
ence for personal spite:
Mr.. Daniels dislikes. almost
loathes Mr.. Henry \. Page. of the
AshebOrO & Aberdeen Railroad.
Mr.. Page has been O~utspoken
against him and threatened to
reVea some alleged connection
with the Seaboard Railroad when
Mr.. st. John was manager. These
things have stirred Mr.. Daniels
deeply. Now. it is said here.
that to get ever Mr.. Daniels has
had inserted in the new rate bill.
which was drawn by a conference
committee, what IS known as 1.-The
60-mile limit
All roads. except those indepen-
dent lines under so miles long.
and new roads now building. to
be exempt for two years. shall not
charge more than 2 IA cents a
mile. In putting in his claus
Mr.. Page'S road, which is Just
s. miles long, is the only one
caught. The Norfolk & Western.
a rich railroad. comes from Roam
oke to WinstOn-Salem, a distance
Of Tess thar so miles, and the
Louisville q Nashville. another
wealthy road, comes into MUIR
phN, ana operates Is or more
miles IN this state. would be with
our the scope Of this proposed
A very serious charge. involving
the honor not only Of the editor of tho
news ana Observer, but of the con
ference committee. who are alleged to
nave done his bidding.
IT was echoed in a sermon from -.
pulpit of Trinity Methodist church
1flafiotte, by the pastor, Rev. Plaro
durham. He said very specifically.
IL has come MY KNOWLEDGE
mat as the laws are being made
IN North Carolina some cornora-
tons are allowed to go Scot free
because some men are friendly 10
them, while by fixing the length
Of a that are to come under
the rate law at so miles. one cor
poration. headed by a hfgh-tone1
citizen of the state. was modo ~
OBJECT of the WRATH Of An
INDINlDUAL WHO HOLDS THE
WHIP HAND. while great cor
oorations escape.
lhe gait of the PaIetph
Times and the staff c-orresnon1ant :
the Charlotte Observer were deniad -.
me Of the conference COM
noee. IN investigation was asked
~ ana the editor of the Times. t1te
observer staff CORRESPONDENT. MIR
bryant, and the Rev. Plato durham
were summoned as Witnesses IT,
ZINES editor refused to divuIge tho
idHles OF MS infOrmants as the STATE
ehehls We're made to him in confidence
senator Drewry, the owner of the pa
~. the papers offensive
charges and aid he regretted their
puDilcation. This the editor refused
70 concur in and resigned. Mr.. Brv-
ant was unable to give the investi-
gazing committee any information.
ndVlms based ms sensational article on
the Times editorial and common Ia
mOrs.
n Rev. Plato Durham, who stated
that certain things had come to hie
absolutely refused In.
~ y tne source of his information.
me report of the findings Of Tho
committee makes rich eadin W
peg 70 quote from the testimonv ,r
the Charlotte preacher: y
would you mind telling MS
MI durham, who that man was