Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1892-12-15
NEwBERN, N, c., Nov. 81. 9

My DEAR SIR:-I must ask your
pardon for failing 50 long 10 ac-
knowedge the recei IT of yonr recent
favor, but [ have been much i,Ids-
posed since my return here from
Raleigh, as we'll as ingrossed in
my much neglected private at
fairs.
1 must confess ] hardly know
what to answer your tonching
request that | assistyou in securing
the appoin tment to the position
which you intend to apply for.
You must know, without any
assurance from me, it would give
me great pleasure,to do you a per-
sonal favor, but am sure you can
not fail to sec how embarrassing: not
to say hurtful, it would be for me
to take part in p contest between
friends over local positions. For
this reason | have refused to sign
petitions of friends residing in my
own town, where | am supposed
10 be better Informed as to the rel
atiYe merits of the opposing appli-
cants, and my judgment impels
me to follow the same course to-
wards applicants in other commun-
tiles who have honored me by the
suggestion that | might aid
them. 1 seems to me this
course for me to pursue, since if l
could be of any service in this res
gard, the influence [ am asked to
employ is rot my personal but Off
cial.
l have thought much upon this
subject during the past few days,
and it has occurred to me that our
Senators and Representatives in
Congress would be much aided
and relieved il some method could
be devised by which the County
Executive Committees would inA
vestigate and in an official way
decide conflicting claims arising in
the distribution of local patronage.
These decisions would be nothing
more than partisan recommended
tions, and would be given by our
Representatives only such weight
as this sanction would naturally
iInpart to them. Likewise the
State and District Committees
might act in cases which would
naturally fall under their respect-
i've jurisdictions. It is not un.
reasonable to suppose under such
a system, m,patronage would be justly
and meritorionsly awarded; scan
dals, and expensive, not to say in
many cases unseenly, contests
avoided CT rendered less public.
OF course such a pan could net be
inaugurated and should not be at
tempted without tie approval and
consent OF our Representatives in
the Cong rese, to whom the Presi
dent looks for advice in these matt
ters, and upon whose advice he
generally very properly acts. [ am
inclined TO think but little if any
opposition would be off=red by
the m to any plan along this line
the feasibility Of which would
meet the approval of their judls
ment.
Ii a system Of the kind I have
suggested would tend to accom~
plish the end l have estimated, |
am sure it would accomplish an -
other object, which from a parts
san standpoint is much TO be de-
sired. Our weak point as party
is lack of local organization, and
this would produce better and
more perfect organization in the
the counties. 1t would invest
these committees with new and at
tractive functions, and the hest and
most active men in the party
would not only seek place on them
but would also discharge the dus
ties imposed with zeal and eff
cheney hitherto unknown with us.
With the strong Democratic SEN
timent among our people; fostered
and guided by such an organiza-
ton as would be thus seeured; the
Democratic party would become
invincible in the State of North
Carolina.
l have always believed in the
efficacy OF organization, but my
faith in il as a political factor has
been greatly, almost imm easurably
strengthened, by my recent exper-
ience.
With safety, and I hope without
immodesty, [ can say our organiza.
tion in North Carolina is better
than it has been; but is far short
of what it should be, if we wish
to be prepared to contend with
such dangers to our party ascend
ency as those we have just snccesss
fully resisted.
These are suggestions; crude, ]
admit; but which I make after
some, though not mature refec-
tions; and while [ think them
worthy of consideration and should
like to have them discussed, | cons
elss / am ratt,er wary of pracr
ticability or wisdom.
| I have written some what hur
riedly and perhaps disconnectedly.
but you will understand what ]
mean, and I am sure will appreci.
ate my situation and the embarass
ment I feel in the large number O