The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1894-02-15
LETTER FROM MR.. SIMMONS.
He Writes i'll Reply to Senator Vance
and Explains His ActiOn---Says He
Did Not Mean to AntagOnize Sen.
atOr Vance. &c.

atOr Vance, &c.
RALEIGH, n. C., Feb. 10.
10 the Editor of the Neus- Observer Chronicle:
Senator Vance, in letter to the Ashe-
vile Citizen, dated February 5, 1894, and
published in your issue of yesterday,
declared himself opposed to my confir-
nation for the alleged reason that as
Chairman of the Democratic Executive
Committee of this State, | went to Wash
ington and interfered with and defeated
the appointment of Mr. Hale to high
grade foreign position, and Of Mr.. Gudger
Tor Collector of Internal Revenue, and
secured the appointment in bis stead of
Mr.. Elias whom he antagOniZed. In
view of this specific and public state
ment by the Senator of the grounds OF
his opposition to my confirmation, |
am constrained to believe it proper for
me to make q statement of my connec-
ton with the appointments referred to
by him that those interested may Judge
whether | have transcribed my rights
on the one hand or usurped the preroga-
tive of the Senator on the other.
Both as a citizen and as Chairman of
the Democratic Executive Committee, T
was on account OF their acknowledged
fitness and eminent party services, ar
IDENTIFY in favor of the appointment of
MIR. Glenn for Attorney of the Western
district and of Messrs. Jernigan, Rob-
bins and Henry for the best obtainable
positions in the foreign service of the
government. Some of these gentlemen
had appealed to me in very urgent terms
to go to Washington in their behalf
| cheerfuly yielded to their solicitations
III this respect because l thought they
II Il
IL reward for honorable and faithful
public services, and | :elt they had the
right to call upon me as the Chairman
Of the Executive Committee of their
party to assist them to that end, to
such extent us l might be able l was
opposed, as was also Senator Vance, TO
Mr.. Elias for Dristrict Attorney, but
| was not opposed to Mr. Gudger for
collector. | had taken no part in the
contest for the latter position, and the
appointment OF Mr.. Gudger would have
been entirely satisfactory to me. Mr.
Hale had requested me to endorse him
for the position OF Consul General to
London, a position which pays about
$50, 900 per annum, | am informed, and
| had not complied with his request, be-
cause did not think him entitled to alb
sorb all the patronage in this service
which might be accorded to North Caro-
lima. This was the position which | oc-
cupied with reference to these gentlem Ell,
when | called upon Mr.. Cleveland and til /.
Assistant Secretary of State Josiah
Quincy. | had had no communication
with Senator Ransom concerning the ap-
pontment of either Gudger or Hale, and
did not then know his attitude towards
them nor towards Elias, except that he
was opposed to him for District Attorney.
When went to the White House [ did
not expect to allude to the contest over
| the collectorship. | went simply to -ad
yocate Mr.. Glenn and the ether gentle
men first named and did so with warmth
and ardor. l spoke of Mr.. Glenn's CD
| ponent, Mr.. Elias, in such high terms o.
praise as | thought then, and now think
| him entitled to receive. When Mr. Gudger
was mentioned, [ spoke of him in equally
as high terms of praise. | became salts
| fed however, before the interview closed,
that the President would appoint Mr..
Elias, District Attorney or Collector, and
response to question | expressed the
| opinion that there was q more genera
capitalization OF sentiment in favor Of
Mr.. Glenn for District Attorney thar
there was for Mr.. Gudger for Collector
there being at that time quite number
of strong candidates for the latter posi-
ton and for this reason, expressed tn,
belief that there would be greater disap
pointment in the party if Mr. Glenn failed
to receive the position of District Attor
ney than there would be if Mr. Gudgel
was not appointed Collector. | did MOI
advocate the appointment of Mr.. Ella.
nor oppose the appointment of Mr.
| Gudger for Collector.
In all did and said in this behalf
was actuated by no thought or purpose o
antagOnism to Senator Vance or favor
itism to Senator Ransom, for l then re
garded both of them as my friend, but
simply by what thought to be nv dut,
to party in the interest of harmony an(
| right.
With reference to Mr. ~Hale and hi
aspirations for high grade foreign ap
pointment, will state generally ami
briefly, that have never advocated hin
for any position, and | have in the exer
else of my right of personal opinion a
all times denied his claim to precedenc,
over all other North Carolinians in thu
distribution of the foreign patronage O
the government.
| During my conference with the PreSi
dent q have had but one with him since
the electiOn) the claims of Jernigan, Rob
bins and Henry were discussed, butnoth,
ing was said about Mr.. Hale. During m,
stay in Washington on this visit called
upon Assistant Secretary Quincy twice
once OF my own accord and the secon(
time at his suggestion.
On the occasion of my first visit, mad,
solely for the purpose of urging the re
cognition of Messrs. Jernigan, Robin.
and Henry, was told by him that it hat
been suggested and claimed that Mr.
Hale ought to have the next bes plac,
in the foreign service given to Nortl
Carolina. From this claim l dssentet
and expressed the opinion that he wa.
not entitled to precedence over such gen
tlemen as Robbins, Jernigan and Henry
and that it would be unjust to set asid,
the men who had borne the heat and
burden OF the fight, then just ended il
victory, for Mr.. Hale. knew ofnothine
in his political career which entitled hin
to such paramount consideration ant
| believed and said if he were appointed
over these gentlemen it would create
great dissatisfaction in the party. II
taking this position | acted from a sens,
OF duty to the party and without feelings
personal to anyone. This is the sum O
the facts of my so-called interference will
these appointments. Senator Vance say,
my tone has been defiant and INSULTING
to him. He has been misinformed.
have neither privately nor publicly give1
forth any utteranGe which could max
me amenahle to this charge. / have NJ
desire to make an issue with Senator
Vance regarding my right to express an
l.. D. H..
vocacy or opposition to the claims of al
aspirant from this State for fedora
position requiring senatorial confirma
ton. That is not the issue made by tn