STACK & PARKER
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
MONROE, N.C.

October 16, 1919.

Hon. T. W. Bickett,
Raleigh, N.C.,

Dear Governor:-

We have been spoken to to appear for the State in the prosecution of certain policemen and others in the City of Charlotte who are alleged to have killed and wounded a number of persons on August 25th when the trouble at the car barn occurred. We have investigated the evidence in this case and we think that this is a very, very serious matter, but we also think that the guilty parties and those who are responsible for their conduct have such a hold in Charlotte that it will be very difficult to bring them to justice.

We had a conference with the Attorney General, Hon. J. S. Manning, in Charlotte on yesterday, and after investigating the law we came to the conclusion that it was not wise to attempt to have a coroner's investigation, but that the only proceeding which gave any promise of success as a warrant sworn out and prosecuted before a Magistrate.

Mr. Newell, who is representing the private prosecution, is arranging to issue warrants as soon as the recall election is over, and he will set the hearing either for Thursday, 23rd, Monday 27th, or Wednesday 29th, as may best suit the Attorney General and the other parties interested. The hearing will probably be set for Monday, 27th. Judge Manning says that he will come to Charlotte and assist in the prosecution, if you request him to do so, and we are writing this letter to urge that you request Judge Manning to come to Charlotte and assist in conducting this investigation. Our opinion is that the presence of the Attorney General will save the proceeding from being regarded as a factional fight and will insure to all parties a fair hearing. From what we have heard as to the situation in Charlotte, we very much fear that the local Justice of the Peace would not be inclined to bind over the guilty parties however strong the evidence against them might be, if the prosecution were conducted by the attorneys for the private prosecution alone, but the presence of the Attorney General would, in our opinion, insure a legal hearing, legally held and legally carried out. We regard the Charlotte trouble as not only very serious, but very important in the life of the State, and we sincerely trust that you will request the Attorney General to be present, and that he can arrange to be present at this most important hearing, for, in our opinion, there is at stake not merely the punishment of the guilty in this case, but the preservation of the law and of men's respect for the law.

With highest esteem and with personal good wishes, we are,

Very truly yours,

Stack & Parker

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