The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-07-27

1Hh fOS4TlON Of' THE CANDIDATES.
We copy the following from the Asheville News,
and we hope all who familiar with Dir McRae s
position here and in H. East will read it and see
for themselves how -ie has changed on the ques-
ton of State aid to internal improvements
Judge Ellis positic is the same in the mountains
as it was elsewhere from the commencement of
the campaign:
THE DIsCUssIoN.-Messrs Ellis and McRae,
candidates for Governor, addressed the people at
Ashevlle on the 10th. Most of the points made
by them are already familiar to the people of the
State On one subject, however, of surprising in
tereSt to every friend OF the present system Of In
ternal Improvement, throughout the State, we de-
sire to describe with careful accuracy, the position
occupied by both candidates here, in Buncombe,
in order that the public, throughout North Caro-
lima, may be able to decide the question as to the
consistency and consequently the stnce3qy of each
Mr. McRae pronounced himself in favor of all
appropriations which had heretofore been made,
for advancing the present system of Internal I'm
provements by State aid in North Carolina; said
that though not in the Legislature at the time he
declared and had llabitually declared, himself in
favor of them, and ready to shoulder all the re-
spOnslbllty of these measures-that he was as good
Il Rail Road man his opponent. He was not
only in favor of taking off the restrictions of the
w ~ " Ildll hOau imposed section
feature" SO as to permit the work to progress on
the whole line at once, but "when the present APP
preparations were exhausted he would go as far as
any man for further appropriations"
Judge Ellis said: "Will you put that down in
writing, and sign it 2" Mr. McRae repled-'I
will not sign anything written by my opponent"
On Judge Ellis repeating the question several
times, he said he was ready to put in writing a
statement witnessed by any six respectable citizens
n. W. Woodfn, ESQ., then said he wished to
ask both gentlemen question: ''Supposing, the
restriction being removed, we go to work and fin
ish, within four years, the Road from the Tenncs-
see line to the Blue Ridge, if the money is ex-
hausted, will you then recommend an appropria-
ton to complete it?'
Judge Ellis at once replied, he had throughout
the canvass maintained that he would, and now
repeated the declaration
On the question being directed to Mr. McRac,
he walked across the stand and back, and after
hesitatng manifestly confused, said: 'He would
not recommend any State aid for the next two
years; and that no earthly power could induce him
to be candidate second term"
Judge Ellis said-''Ihe fair thing is the fair
thing. want this matter thoroughly understood"
Mr. Woodfn repeated his question. Judge Ellis
again replied, che would" III McRac again said
he would recommend no State aid in the next two
years, he expected then to he out of Office, but he
would then give it his unc6iciot advocacy, and go
as far the farthest, for the completion Of the
work by State aid.
The following note addressed by Mr. Woodfn
to the candidates, and their responses shows the
position taken by each. The original document
is III possession:
AsHEvILLE, July lG, 1853
To tie -,nora6ze d. ". Eds and d. K. NcRoe:
GENTLEMEN:-In your discussion at this place to-day
understood you both saying that you were opposed
increasing the debt of the State present beyond
the amount pledged by previous cgislation but that
when the time came if it should be found that the four
millions already appropriated to the Western n C. Rail
Road, together with the two millions required of ndi-
viduas, would not extend it the Tennessee line you
would be in favor Of the State making further appropri
alton sufficient to complete it, the payment by prl-
vatc subscription, of one-third of the amount.
Regarding the time at which this would become pro-
per- yet left indefinite, and very important to
part Of the State and both appearing to suppose
would require six eight years, l PROFOUND to you
both the question: Whether if the State and private
subscribers should subscribe and expcnd and work out
the said of six Millions within four years, you
would, if in office, recommend further appropriations,
the time for its completion? And took occasion to
express the opinion. that if the charter should be
amended to relieve of the requirement to finish
by sections proposed that we could accomplish
it within four years. except, perhaps part of the
tunnel.
To this interrogatory understood Judge Ellis to
in the affirmative; and Mr. McRae to say that in no
contingency would he be candidate for reelection, so
that lie would not then be in Office but rs far as he
could any influence private CITIZEN it would
be done chcerfully.
Will you, each, be so kind as to say, whether am
correct as to the responses &c.
Your Obt servant,
N. W. WOODFIN.
The foregoing is correct statement, according to
ny N''>''' join W. ELLIS
The foregoing is, in substance, the responses given
by me to your queston-and is the position have al
ways occupied
D. X McRAE.
We do not think that Judge Ellis meant by the
above that he was opposed to granting aid to the
Coal Field Road He either lost sight of that
work at the time or he did not understand the
question as having bearing on that matter.
We know that he is in favor Of aiding the Coal
Field Railroad-he has said so repeatedly and that
should be satisfactory to the people OF tayette-
Vile The question raised at Asheville has moth
ing to do with the Coal Field Road
ANOTHER CHANGE!
", NJ hoe