The year 1926 brings to a close my term of office as Clerk of the Superior Court of Hyde County. During the eight years I have been in office many and varying changes have occurred in the history of Hyde County. Many changes have come into my life during this time, but my stay in the clerk’s office has been a valuable asset to me by way of affording a splendid opportunity to get acquainted with Hyde County’s condition and needs as a county, and, at the same time, to know her citizens more intimately. I am, therefore, taking this opportunity to express to every citizen of Hyde County my sincere appreciation for whatever support and encouragement I have received from the good people of this county. The clerk’s office has many and varied responsibilities; many of which are technical, while others are burdensome.
I now have but a few months in office and during this time I want to insist upon every person who has any unfinished business connected with the clerk’s office, to give it his immediate attention. Various criticisms are ofttimes showered upon public officials by those who are not informed or by those whose prejudices tend to dim their vision, chill their conscience and harden their hearts. I hope no such people live in Hyde County who have grievances against me as an individual or as an officer, and insist on fattening these grievances or indifferences upon rumors or suggestions not founded upon facts.
While I am in office I shall be glad to have any matter brought before me or called to my attention which has not been satisfactory to the parties in interest. If I am in error, it will e a pleasure to yield to correction shown me; if I am right, those who have grievances should recognize the error and cancel the charges.
The question of holding public office is purely a business proposition. When we take business out of public affairs we jeopardize the public safety of every citizen whose interest is dependent upon any public official or public trust.
Therefore, I am taking the liberty to emphasize this fact and to request people of Hyde County to be fair with me and let me be fair with them, concerning the administration of official duties during my terms of office.
If any person wishes to adjust a matter in which I am called upon, or expected to correct an error or perform a duty, I will thank such person or persons to bring this to my immediate attention. If, on the other hand, any person or persons have failed in any way to comply with the laws relative to their duties connected with this office or by order of the court and have failed in any way to comply with the laws relative to their duties connected with this office, or by order of the court and have failed in any way to observe such laws or orders of the court, I am insisting that such person or persons give this, also, their immediate attention. That is to say: When my term of office expires, I want all my records complete. I trust that I shall have performed every duty imposed upon me by law and that no persons’ rights or privileges have been imposed upon or interfered with. It is my desire that my successor will find every account, due this office, filed in proper form before the expiration of my term, so that I will not have to apologize for myself for the things which I have done or failed to do as a public official, nor will I have to make excuses for those persons who have neglected to perform their duties in connection with any matter connected in any way with this office.
Again thanking all of the good people of Hyde County for the favors shown me and t rusting that I may enjoy their confidence and respect in the future, I am
Very sincerely,
O.L. Williams
Clerk Superior Court, Hyde Co.
From page 2 of the Hyde County Messenger, Fairfield, N.C., March, 1926
On page 6 of this issue of the Hyde County Messenger there is an ad announcing that “Mr. O.L. Williams of Swan Quarter will be a candidate for Representative of Hyde County in 1926 election.”
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/2022240360/1926-03-01/ed-1/seq-2/
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