The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1907-01-10

lng's papers concerning the notice of
my contest ION Mr.. Hackett and the
reflections upon Governor Glenn is
without my authorization. My notice to
him signed by myself, will be sufficient
for public scrutiny. Thus far any sig-
natare appearing in the papers purport-
ing to be mine is q forgery. In the no.
tice of my contest which I have issued
there will be found no suggestions of
corruption on the part of Governor
Glenn. The notice will speak for IL
self. E.'SPENCER BLACKBURN
Denial q Surprise in WashingtOn.
Hearing of Blackburn's denial, the
Washington Correspondents of the News
and Observer writes:
Washington, D. c., Jan. 2-Represen-
tative Black burns declaration that the
letter to Hon. r. N. Hackett, contain
ing libellous charges against Governor
Glenn, is forgery, astounded newspap-
er men in Washington. The letter was
given to the press Saturday afternoon by
g Mr.. Perkins, who has acted as Mr..
Blackburn's press agent for the past
year and who has borne the relations to
him of personal and political confident
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 docu-
ment. He brought copy of the letter
to the Office of the correspondent of the
News and Observer and afterwads ped
dl I'd the epistle in other newspaper Off
ces, 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 mod estly
represented himself to newspaper men
as Black hurn's secretary, position 1t
is unders Ood that he holds. MIR. Hide
brand was ignorant of the contents of
the document and Mr.. Perkins volunG
teered co give him the benefits of in
IOrmHGl9Q bQd6 ne pOSS6SS0Q.
Wanted Wide CIrcuIatiOu.
Mr.. Hlldebrand says Perkins slid TO
him.
''This is a letter Black burn wilt to-
night mail to Representative-elect
Hackett. 1t has just been completed in
the Office of Mr.. BIackbarn's attorney,
q otptain john G. Capers, of South Caro-
lima. We want it given wide circula-
tion and printed especially in
Washington>and North Carolina pap
ers."
Mr.. Perkins said that it was his in
tention to call for representative of
the Associated Press so that it could be
distributed by that organization.
Knew WhaI he Was Doing.
Having found out the seriousness of
the charges contained in the letter, Mr..
Hildebrsnd questioned Mr.. Perkins
closely.
"Oh." said the personal representative
of the Congressman from the Eighth,
He has democratic evidence of the
truthfulness of the charges.
At the Associated Press Office the
statement was made that the letter was
left there by Mr.. Blackburn's 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 success,
but the fact was developed that he was
in communication with Mr.. Blackburn's
attorney, John G. Capers.
BIackburn's Man Friday.
Mr.. Perkins became introduced to the
North Carlina political game through
the Republican Congressman. This was
year ago. At that time Perkins was
attached to the, Blackburn outfit in
Washington. With the adjournment of
Congress he went to 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
Blackburn's numerous doings Perk-
ms appeared in Washington again about
the time Congress convened and has
been dlscharging the duties of private
secretary to the Congressman. AS a
matter of fact he has been regarded as
Mr.. Blackburn's closest political assocl-
ate in addition to holding the Office of
private secretary.
BIackburn should sue Capers.
If Mr.. Blackburn is indignant by
reason of his connection with the now
famous letter addressed to Represents
tive elect Hackett, he should enter suit
for damages against John g. Capers IS
NELL "a nrnirrh Dnnlxinr Mr. 90 rnrn