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LUCIUS V. BASSETT
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW
ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA
OFFICES IN MASONIC TEMPLE

His Excellency T. W. Bickett,
Governor,
Raleigh, N.C.

Dear Sir:

Basing my action upon the attitude which you have seen fit to assume toward the Local Board for the County of Edgecombe, as disclosed in your letter of the 16th instant, copy of which is hereto attached, I have to ask that you take such action as may be necessary to relieve me from further service as a member of that body. You will, therefore, please transmit to the President my resignation as a member of such Local Board, with your request for its prompt consideration and acceptance.

I feel constrained to further suggest that no action of the Local Board for the County of Edgecombe justifies the censure contained in your letter above referred to; nor, indeed, do I find warrant therefor anywhere in the Selective Service Regulations. Be that as it may, I, for one, acting under the sanction of my oath as a member and as chairman of such Local Board, cannot, in the exercise of my quasi judicial function as such, consent to yield my judgment to that of another- even though he be that Governor of the State of North Carolina. However, I have no disposition to further contest this matter with the executive head of the draft system in the State. In the assertion of a proper sense of personal dignity, and with a sincere desire to promote the more harmonious administration of the Selective Service Law in the State, I have, therefore, tendered my resignation as above set out. I trust that you will see that it is promptly accepted.

Very respectfully,

Enclosure: 1918, Feb. 16. Bickett to L. Ex. Bd. of Edgecombe Co.