The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1894-02-22
SENATOR NANCEAND MR.. SIMMONS
ONCE MORE.
Their Differences Ought to be AMIGA
bly, Adjusted and Mr.. Simmons Com
tirmcu
New j}prue ,jOuluaiI

iirmcd.
New Berne journal.
Senator Vance's letter is before the
public. We confess that it bewilders
US, for it shows that there was no
occasion for the hair splitting difference
between "Opposng Mr. Simmons
confirmation" and q obstruCting' it.
1t is evident that the Senator is doing
both, and will continue to do 50 " at
all hazards and to the last extremity"
We regret, deeply regret, this con-
ditions of affairs. We have not
word of CenSure for the venerable and
beloved Senator He is one man that
we would walk across a continent to
vote for; but, nevertheless, in our
judgment, Mr.. Summons should be
confirmed.
Wherein is Mr.. Simmons to blame
If he has given oifense to Senator
Vance, we are sure it was uninten-
tiOnal. He was a citizen visiting the
national capital in furthcranCc of his
own interests. He was not there as
the Chairman Of the Democratic
Executive Committee of North Caro-
lima. He was there as private citizen,
but that he was chairman Of the COM
mittee was no secret, and 1t could not
be otherwise than that his wishes
would be consulted and his opinions
asked as to the fitness of persons for
the positions for which they were
making application. If Mr.. Simmons
party association had been confined to
Fast North Carolina, there would have
been some reason for limiting his
influence TO positions in the East, but
such was not the case The whole State
was the field Of his legitimate opera
tiOns.
There Is no evidence, so far as We
know, that Mr.. Simmons SAID any thing,
adverse to the aspirations OF any
gentlemen, in any other way Ihan III
answer to the direct enquiry of the
President. What was he To d. when
the President asked him as to the
proprlety OF the appointment of Mr..
Gudger and Major Hale? Would it
have been right for him 10 play the
coward and decline to answer Was
he to keep his mouth shut for fear it
would inJure his own fortunes? He
had no right to refuse an answer?
He simply said, as we are informed,
that he did not consider the services
of Alessrs. Gudger and Hale of such
nature as entitled them to the
positions for which they were APP
plicants. We do not say that Mr.
Simmons was right in his opinions,
but that he spoke his honest convic-
tions we have no doubt
We do not see what there is in all
this to offend Senator Vance, but his
conscience is in his own keeping, and
in matters personal to himself he is the
exclusive Judge of the propriety of his
conduct
We have been exceedingly anxious
that this matter should be entirely
Invested of personalities and be con-
sidered in its relation to the Demo-
cratic party.
Whatever his merits or his dement's,
MIR. Simmons is the official head of
the Democratic party in North Caro-
lima, and as such has been appointed
by the President to an honorable and
responsible office. The campaign he
conducted in 1892 was successful, and
the President has said to him "well
done good and faithful servant"
There is no necessity for the clash
ing of clans. The North Carolina
Democracy ought to be unit, and in
our judgment the speedy confirmation
of Mr.. Simmons will be promotive Of
that harmony without which the
future success of the party is lmpos-
Sible.
The idea that every man who tavors
the confirmation of Mr.. Summons is
an enemy of Senator Vance, is pure,
simple and unadulterated nonsense.
In the early part OF the war
company, in attempting to execute
military evolution, got all tangled up,
but the captain was equal to the
occasion. Rising to his full height he
shouted, at the top of his voice, " Men,
disentangle to the 'front.' Will some
brave captain please give the same
command to the Democrats OF North
CarOlina.-New Berne /1a,U1L