The independent. [volume] (Elizabeth City, N.C.) 1908-1936, 1926-06-25
10 MILLIONS INVOLVED
IN THIS RECEIVERSHIP
Most Far Reaching Court Order, State or
Federal, in History of North Carolina, Is i.
sued by Judge Meelins at Elizabeth CITY

order ever issued in North
Carolina was the order of
Federal Judge Isaac M. Meek
ins in the U. S. Court in Eliz-
abeth City last Saturday ap-
pointing a receivership for the
Tri-State Tobacco Growers
Cooperative Marketing Asso-
ciation.
By Judge Meekins' decision assets
of more than $4,000. 900 of the asso-
citation were lifted over bodily into
a receivership Few in Elizabeth
City realized the Importance Of the
matters involved. There are $1,000
members of the cooperative in Vir-
ginia and the two Carolinas. They
own real estate to the value of
about $3,000,0OO and have so mil
lion pounds of tobacco I'm storage.
Judge Meekins first heard the
petition for a receivership In Raj
eigh last March. He found the af-
fairs of the cooperative in deplor-
able shape; the evidence showed
that high salaried officers Of the
cooperative had used their offices
to make contracts favorable to them
selves to the great financial loss of
the cooperative. One man, drawing
a salary of $4,000 year, is alleg-
ed to have made $500. 900 out of the
cooperative In single year.
Judge Meekins did not throw the
cooperative into receivership at
once. He gave them time to put
their house In order and show q
cleaner slate. But it was not appar-
ent to the Court that the affairs of
the cooperative were i'm any better
shape when the cause came up to
he heard last Saturday, than they
were three months ago.
Disappointed Palms
The appointment of a receiver
ship for IN -orgs Hization with assets
OF $19.OOO.O00 offered Judge Meek
ins the greatest opportunity that
ever came to Federal Judge In
North Carolina TO hand out patron
age. 1t was Judges opportunity
TO pay considerable political debts.
Scores Of North Carolinians, old
friends and neighbours Of Judge
NIeekins, Republicans and Demo.
Gratis. were clamoring. for the ap-
pointments. Aydlett wanted to be
one of the receivers AMI get a
finger in those 10 million dollars;
so did Clarence Pugh. But to- the
surprise Of everybody except those
who know him intimately. Judge
AIeekihs lifted the whole thing
squarely out of politics. He ap-
pointed NJ. l.. Corey, Of New York
City: James Fl. Pou. of Raleigh
and Hallett S. Ward Of Washing:
ton.
NJ. l.. Corey of New York Is
lawyer employed by creditor banks
of the cooperative and these banks
have claims aggregating something
like $4,000 against the coopera-
tive. Judge Meekins declared that
they were entitled to representation
i'm the receivership. James H. Pou,
a Democrat is considered one OF the
ablest lawyers and business men In
the State. Hallett S. Ward is
friend of the cooperative and has
rendered It valuable service since
its organization. His appointment
plea sed the cooperative.
Meekins Looks Up To Taft
Juicy patronage, that receiver
shin: but no State Republican and
no friend of Judge Meekins in Eliz-
obpth City benefited thereby. Judge
NIcekins may have disappointed his
poIiticaI friends, but one who knows
him we'll said: "NIeekins takes a
peculiar pride in the judicial posi-
tion which he occupies; he will
never abuse it. He owes his ap-
uointment TO the Federal JndiciaC
70 William Howard Taft. President
Taft made no mistake in going over
the heads of Republicans and ap-
pointing Judge Henry G. Connor to
the Federal Judiciary In North
Carolina at a time when he was
compelled to declare that there
wasn't a Republican in North Caro-
lima who could measure up to the
appointment. At later date when
Judge COnnor is removed by death,
Taft, now Chief Justice Of the
Supreme Court of the United States
saw in Isaac Meekins judicial tim
bcr worthy to succeed Judge Connor
and used his influence with Presi-
dent Coolidge to secure Meekins
appointment. 1t was great COM
pliment Judge Taft paid Isaac
Meekins and no one appreciates it
more than Meekins; Meekins will
never disappoint his friend Judge
Taft"
History of the Litigation
Ine Tri-State Tobacco Grove
Cooperative has nau hard sled ~.
''rI-rr-.- - -.-- ~.