The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1894-02-15
Mr.. SIMMONS REPLIES.
In Sundays Obserrer-Chronicte, Nj

Senator Vance, In letter 10 tne
Asheville Citizen, dated February D,
1894, and published in your issue Of
Yesterday, declared himself opposed TO
my confirmation for the alleged reason
that as Chairman OF the Democratic
Executive Comnittie OF this state,
went to Washington and interfered
with and defeated the appointment OF
Mr.. Hale to high grade foreign
, position, and Of Mr.. Gndge- for Coilec-
tor Of Internal Revenue, and secured III
his stead the appointment OF Mr.. Elias
whom he antagonized. In view OF
this specific and public statement by
the Senator on the grounds OF his OBJ
position to my confirmation, am con-
strained to believe it proper for ne to
make a statement of my connection
wi n the appointments referred to by
him that those interested may judge
wether | have transcribed my rights
on the one hand or ursurped the pre-
rogatiye Of the Senate on the other.
Both as a citizen and as Chairman OF
| the Democratic Executive Committee,
| was, on account of their acknOwled-
| ged fitness and eminent party services,
|
of Mr. Glenn for Attorney OF the West
ern district and of Messrs. Jernigan,
Robbins and Henry for the best obtain
able positions in the foreign service OF
the Government Some of these gent
lemen had appealed to me in very ur-
gent terms to go to Washington IN
their behalf I cheerfully yielded to
their solicitations in this respect be-
cause thought they deserved the re-
cognition they sought as a reward for
honorable and faithful public services,
and / felt they had the right to call
upon me as the chairman of the Ex-
ecutive Committee of their party to
assist them to that end, to such extent
as might be able. was opposed, as
was also Senator Vance, to MIR. Elias
for District Attorney, but l was not
opposed to Mr.. Gudger for collector.
| had taken no part in the contest for
the latter position, and the appoint
ment 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 Lon
don position which pays about $4,000
per annum, l am informed, and | had
not complied with his request, because
did not think him entitled to absorb
all the patronage in this service which
might be accorded to North Carolina.
This was the position which occupied
with reference to these gentlemen
when / called upon Mr.. Cleveland and
the Assistant Secretary Of State, Josiah
Quincy I had no communication
with Senator Ransom concerning the
appointment of either Gudger or Hale
and did not then know his attitude to-
wards them nor towards Elias, except
that he was opposed to him for Dis
trict Attorney.
When | went to the White House /
1 did not expect to allude to the con
test over the collectorship. [ went
> simply to advocate Mr. Glenn and the
, other gentlemen first named and did SC
with warmth and ardor / spoke Of
Mr. Glenn's opponent, Mr.. Elias, in
such high terms of praise as | thought
then, and now think him entitled to re-
ceive. When Mr. Gudger was men.
, toned, l spoke of him in equally high
terms OF praise, / became satisfied how
ever, before the interview closed that
, the President would appoint Mr.. Elias
either District Attorney or Collector
and in response to question, l ex
) pressed the opinion that there was 8
more general crystalization OF sentl
ment in favor of Mr.. Glenn for District
Attorney than there was for Mr.. Gud
ger for Collector, there being at that
time quito q number OF strong can
didates for the latter position and fo1
this reason. expressed the belief that
there would be greater disappointment
in the l.arty if Mr. Gud ger was appoint
ed Collector. l did not advocate the
appointment of Mr. Elias nor oppose
the appointment of Mr.. Gudger fol
collector.
: In all I said or did in this behalf,
: was actuated by no thought Or pur
t pose of antagon;sm to Senator Vance
, or favoritism to Senator Ransom, for
then regarded both as my friends but
was moved and influenced purely anl
, simply by what I thought to be m,
| duty to the party in the interest Of har
! mony and right.
With reference to Mr.. Hale and hi
aspirations for high grade foreign ap
point,nent, l will state generally an(
= briefly, that / have never advocates
G him for any position. and | have II
. the exercise Of my right OF persona
opinion at all times denied his claim
to precedence over all other North Caro-
0 linians iii the distribution Of thu
: foreign patronage of the government
: During my c,'uierence with thu
President q have had but one witt
y him since the eiection) the claims o
!! Jernigan. Robbins and Henry were dis
d cussed, but nothing was said abou
e Mr.. Hale. During my stay in Wash
q ington ON this visit, l called upol
7 Assistant Secretary Quincy twice, one
:, of my own accord and the second tim
J. at his suggestion.
On the occasion of my first visit
: made solely for the purpose Of urgln!
> the recognition Of Messrs. Jernigan
/, Robbins and Henry, I was told by hin
u that it had been suggested and claime
8 that Mr.. Hale ought to have the mex
T. best place in the foreign service give
to North Carolina. From this claim
dissented and expressed the opinio
n that he was not entitled to precedenc
t, over such gentlemen as Robbins, Jel
IS nigan and Henry. and that it would b