Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1896-04-16

Congressman, and the creates
men in the State. In 1882 ano
again in 1854 and in 1886 he was
elected to the House from Ala
nance county, serving as Speaker
at the session of 1885. He was 9
safe, progressive and useful legis-
%lator, conserving all the interests
of the State with the same scrup,
ulous care that he had conserved
his own interests. He never had
ambition to 60 to the Legislature
accepting the nomination three
times at the urgent solicitation OF
his countymen, who recognized
him as a strong candidate before
the people and as a tower OF
strength in the Legislative halls.
In 1883 Col. Holt was nomi-
mated for Lieutenant Governor on
the ticket with the late Daniel 6.
Fowle as Governor. The ticket
was elected and Gov. Hollis in
cumbency of the office of Lieuten-
ant Governor was marked by tt G
same spirit of usefulness and sue
cess that were brought out when
he served in the House. Upon
the death of Governor Fowle, he
became Governor of the State.
His honorable and successful ca
reer as North Cardinals chief
magistrate is known throughout
the length and breadth of the
State, Many important and deli
cate duties came to him while
Governor of the Commonwealth;
many vacancies in office to fill;
many complex matters. To all
he gave patient investigation, and
was so wise in his appointme ats,
so just in his decisions, and so
happy in his settlement of con-
t1icting interests and knotty ques
tions that he added to his reLuta-
ton and came to be recognized as
the equal of any of the States
great sons in the domain of states
manship as well as in business and
manufactures. He retired from
the office with the respect and
goodwill of the people of all par
ties, and returned to his private
business with added honors and
hosts of new friends.
Governor Holt had always
shown his warm interest in educa-
ton, having been a trustee of
Davidson College and the Univer-
sity, both of which institutions
were helped by his contributions.
His public speeches on education
went to the root of the question,
and his admonition to men of
wealth, "Investin immortal mind''
is one of his happiest sayings and
best admonitions, and will live
when his children's children have
passed away. In 1895, the Uni
versity conferred on him the de-
gree of LII. D.
When the State Fair at Ra-
leigh, fifteen or twenty years ago,
needed a strong man to put it on
its feet, Col. Holt accepted the
presidency, and put his influence,
personal effort and his purse at
the command of the Agricultural
Society.
For years Gov. Holt was presi-
dent of the North Carolina Rail
road, and was a large stakeholder
in that corporation. He was
president of the road until he was
elected Governor, and was relied
upon by his Observation-Disclosures
to protect their interests. He
understood railroading and if
called to the actual management
of a great railroad enterprise
would have managed it with great
success.
Some months ago Editor ,Cald-
well, of the Charlotte Observer,
paid the following deserved com
pliment to Governor Holt:
s'North Carolina has had few
if any better Governors than Hon.
Thomas M. Holt made it, and
yet It is not on his record as
legislator and Governor, as
honorable to the State and as
creditable to himself as it is, that
his fame deserves to rest, but in
this, that he has added as much or
more than any other man to the
States material welfare. He has
created industries, he has given
employment to labor, he has ele-
waited people who but for him
would have occupied lower sta
lions, and made comfortable in
life other people who but for him
would not be comfortable. Adj
vancing himself he has helped
others. He has added to the sum
of human happiness and been
benefactor to his race.
WORDS GOOD AND WISE FROM JU DIG