The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-01-08
WHO WROTE THAT LETTER.
Biackburn's Secretary Gave Ii to- Re-
porters-Accepted rs Genuine
Blackburn's Lawyer Virtually Com
mits His Client n the Responsible
Author OF the Document.

mits His Client n the Responsible
Author OF the Document
Washington. d. c., January 2.-Rep-
resentatve Blackburn's declaration
that the letter to Hon. r y. Hackett.
containing libellous charges against
Governor Glenn, is a forgery, astound-
ed newspaper men in Washington. The
letter was given 10 the press Saturday
afternoon by a Mr.. Perkins, who has
acted as Mr.. BlackbuTn's press agent
for b past year and who has borne
the relations 10 him OF personal and
political confidant as well as those OF
private secretary.
The publication Of the letter was en-
tirely voluntary. Mr.. Perkins appear
ed in newspaper Offices unSought and
distributed manifold copies OF the doc
ument. He brought Il copy Of the
letter 10 the Office OF the correspondent
OF the News and Observer and after
wards peddled the cpistle in other
newspaper offices, the Associated
Press being among the number. The
correspondent of this paper had not
returned from North Carolina. but the
copy intended for him was received by
w. A. Hildebrand and put on the
wires. Mr.. Perkins modestly repre-
scented himself to newspaper men as
B~lackburn'S secretary. a position Il is
; understood that he holds. Mr.. Hide
brand was ignorant of the contents IF
the document and Mr.. Perkins volun-
teeTed to give him the benefit OF in
formation that he possessed.
Mr.. Hildebrand says Perkins said to
him
This is a letter Blackburn will to-
night mail to Representative-elect
Hackett. 1t has just been completed
in the Office of Mr.. Blackburn's aLt0r-
| ney, Captain John G.. Capers, of South
Carolina. We want it given wide cir
culation and printed. especially in
| Washington and North Carolina pa
| pers."
Mr.. Perkins said that it was his in
tentiOn to call for Il representative of
the Associated Press so that il could
be distributed by that organization.
Having found out the seriousness
of the charges contained i'll the letter
Mr.. Hildebrand questioned Mr.. Per-
kins closely.
oh" said the personal representa-
tive of the congressman from the
Eighth. Mr.. Blackburn knows hat
he is doing. He has democratic evil
dence of the ~truthfulness Of the
charges
At the Associated Press Office the
statement was made that the letter
was left there by Mr.. B~lackburn'5
private secretary, Mr.. Perkins.
The epistle reached other Washing
ton newspaper offices in the same way.
Every effort possible was made today
to locate Mr.. Perkins, but without sue
cess. but the fact was developed that
he was in communication with Mr..
Blackburn's attorney, John G. Capers.
Mr.. Perkins became introduced to
the North Carolina political game
through the republican congressman.
This was a year ago. At that nj
Perkins was attached 20 the Blackburn
outfit in Washington. With the ad-
journment of congress he wen 20
North Carolina to edit the Tar Heel.
When the campaign began Perkins
toured the district in company with
the congressman and wrote specials
to the Tar Heel about B~lackburnS
numerous doings. Perkins appeared In
Washington again about the time con-
gress convened and has been discharg-
ing the duties of private secretary TO
he cOn gressman. AS a matter of fact
he has been regarded here as MI.
B~lackburn's closest political associate
in addition to holding the office OF prl-
vate secretary.
If Mr.. Blackburn is indignant by
reason of his connection with the now
famous letter addressed to Representa-
tive-elect Hackett, he should enter suit
for damages against John G.. Capers as
we'll as against Perkins. Mr.. CaperS
has come dangerously near admitting
that Mr.. Blackburn is the author or the
letter. This he did this morning prior
to the announcement from Greensboro
that Blackburn had branded the letter
as a forgery. Mr.. Capers a II was
not good form for an attorney to dis
cuss 4 matter of this kind without the
sanction of his client; but he did COM
NIT himself to this extent.
"AH YOU can say for me is that Gov
ernor Glenn can hardly have Mr..
Blackburn arrested while he is on his
way to resume his seat in congress.
All that | ask for my client is that We
be given a little more time in which
to make good his charges"
When Mr.. Capers made this state
ment involving Blackburn with inc
authorship, he declined to say one
word of the congressman's charge5 o.
forgery. Tonight he was questioned
by another newspaper man with rei~r-
ence to the letter and admitted thAt
he had heard of Blackburn's disavowal
of authorship. He declined to say
one word regarding the preparation OF
the letter. but did not support Mr..
Blackburn in his charges of forgery.
1t is interesting in this connection
to know that Blackburn gave notice
10 the sergeant-at-arms OF the noHSl
that he would contest Hacketts ele2-
ton the same DAY the letter IN que"-
ton was made public.
Governor Glenn'S announcement 81
his intention to SUE Blackburn I"i
criminal libel was published in Tues
49, ,rn That NIGHT the HDuSltSS~