Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1895-05-17
THE TOWN ELECTION.

EpENroN, y. G, May IS 1895.
Fuitor FISHERMAN * FARMER:
The late fusion Legislature gerry
mandcrcd our town, and so changed
the lines of its wards rs to make the
third and fourth nopclcsSly republican,
! aud leaving the first and second cx-
trcmcly doubtful unless the democrats
were united. At whose instance il was
| done It is unnecessary to say, but the
writer has been totally unable to find
| any democrat who was party TO or
desired it,
! When the CouuCilmcn ordered the
election 10 one knew that the recent
charter amendment raised any question
| as to whether the constable and treas
urcr should be elected by the popular
vote, or whether as had heretofore
| been done, there election should bc
| made by the CounCilmcu. At 4 time
entirely too late to give notice of same,
it was suggested by 4 leading citizen
that possibly an election by the people
was required by the law rs it stood.
When the votes were counted out it
appeared that the present Constable
and Treasurer had each received three
votes, and as stated in the last issue of
your paper the fact has caused Consid-
cradle comment, and, rs il occurs TO
me, some unnecessary criticism.
While | was not candidate, nor
member of any executive committee,
still as know why those votes were
cast, and as | believe there is n mis-
conception of the matter, i have CON
Cludcd to write this article so as fairly
to present the facts TO the public.
There are only four wards i'll Eden
q DS
lcsSly against us. On the morning of
the election there were three Candi-
dates i'll the second ward for council
man. The result was i'll grave doubt.
II was not by any means an assured
fact that we could win inlthc first ward
No one knew what the republican as
pirantS for positions knew about the
law. FIVE failed to carry both the first
and second wards no one knew what
would be the name or color OF the new
constable. 1t was impossible that any
publicity could be given to the matter
lest the enemy should learn it and de-
feat us by svoting solidly for con
stable and treasurer.
Was it not i'll any view of the case
good politics and good judgment to
block the game on them 50 that ifthcy
carried three wards even, they could
lIOl CiCCl IL OOllStdDlc ana treasurer!
Had the secrecy been divulgcd and
the republican voters had defeated us
by clccting a constable, what then
would have been the cry Of those who
arc now assailing the secrecy?
Suppose no vote had been cast for
constable by any democrat, and when
we saw the votes counted it had APP
pcarcd that some republican had voted
for himself what then would have
been your editorial comment on the
wisdom Of party leaders who had allow
cd such thing to happen
IN fact, without any bitterness offccl
ing, this writer would suggest that
making public in partizan contest
any fact which might be used TO defeat
us, would SAVIOR of the same order of
political sagacity as the publication III
a democratic newspaper of anOny-
nous assaults on your own party, To
be used hereafter against us.
Now sir. | ask any candid man if
what was done was not required by the
circumstances which Surr bundled us, as
plain matter of prcCaution and self
preservation.
This writer makes no apology for
saying that he was born and raised a
white man, and through all the shift
hypocrisy he holds to the standard
which was set him i'll his cradle, and he
applauds conduct and effort Of friends
who take advantage of every law to
keep the white women and children of
Edcnton from being under the govern
mcnt of any people except those of
their own race. And if the editor is
opposed to this sentiment | may DC cx-
cuscd for gratuitousIy suggesting that
it is time for him to change the politics
Of his paper.
So far as the opposition iof those op-
posed TO the present constable IS con-
cLrncd, have nothing to say except
this: unless you fancy that the views of
a majority Of our people are mirrorcd
in your own feelings, might it not be
we'll for you to invite, by notice i'll your
paper, every straight democrat i'll
Edentou who opposes the present in
Cumb bent to visit your office and sign
statement TO that effect. Then carefully
preserve the list Of signcrs and pub
lish their names III your issue OF the 24th
instant. Iu this way We might fairly
form an idea based on facts, and not
be left adriftion the sea Of absolute con
lecture.
Some have said they blamed the
Mayor for announcing the three votes
at the court house door. They will not
blame him longer, l am sure, ,whcr they
learn that it was his sworn duty to do
exactly what he did.
This article is not intended as a re-
ply to recent communications in your
papcr. The wall of grumbler whose
yelled hand strikes from his hiding in
ambush, fails either TO elicit the appro-
val of honorable allies or TO excite the
fca of the victim at whom he would
aim. Respectfully,
w. NJ. BoSD.