The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-10-23


has clean and invulnerable record.
The people have confidence in his pa
triotism and ability, and his personal
popularity among all classes and condl-
tions of men is such as to place him pre-
eminently above all competitors. One
of the leading papers of the district says
of him editorially:
''Mr Thomas is widely known through
out the State as a gentleman of charac-
ter and ability, and the Democrats of
the District will find that they have
placed their standard in good hands. A
good speaker and able debater, our peo-
pie remember the splendid speeches he
made in this district two years ago as
a Bryan elector."
One of his friends writes of him:
"Charles r. Thomas is as true man
as lives. In thorough sympathy with
the people, there is yet none of the
demagogue about him. Well-balanced,
studious, courteous and respectful to all;
warm-hearted liberal and of broad
views. he is always the same and grasps
the hand of the toiler, the laboring man
and the poor man with as much warmth
and sympathy after an election as be-
fore election"
Mr.. Thomas has always been a strong
advocate of silver coinage, and stands
squarely and firmly for the principles
and demands of the Chicago platform of
1896 of the Democratic party. He
also stands for the good government of
State, county and municipality demand
ed by the Democratic State platform of
$685.
To show his popularity with all it IS
sufficient to say that when n candidate
for the State Legislature in 1896 IN
Carteret county, he received the votes
of citizens of that county Irrespective
of race, creed or party. Mr.. Ihomas
has only one opponent, Hon. John II.
Fowler, Populist, the present member of
Congress from this district, who resides
at Clinton, Sampson county, n. G. Mr..
Fowler was renominated by the Popu-
list convention early this year for Con-
gress. The Republican convention,
which met at Fayetteville on September
Doth, passed the following resolution:
''Resolved, That we do not make a
nomination in this district"
This means the bosses and the ma
chine politicians of both the Populst and
Republican parties have determined to
place Mr.. Fowler's name upon their
ballots; but the bosses have had their
say now and the people will have their
turn at the polls on November the Sth.
There is open and widespread revolt
and rebellion in the district against Mr..
Fowler on the part of many POpulists
and among Republicans. Many Repub-
Leans openly declare that as Fowler is
the only candidate, Mr.. Thomas cleo
ton is assured.
1t is openly charged also that the
passage of the resolution to make no
nomination was secured not only by the
overpowering influence of the machines
the Republican and Populist committees
at Raleigh, but also by the open and
notorious use of money.
Mr.. Fowler has made no record in
Congress. His whole record consists of
six leaves of absence and two petitions
presented and four local bills introduced,
upon none of which has any action ever
been taken.
On the tariff he lodged, being mark
ed present and not voting" and he adj
vocated in q one-minute speech the fifty
million dollar appropriation for the war.
His career as Congressman has given
satisfaction to neither Populists nor Re-
publcans, and has consisted principally
in drawing his salary.
If the voters of the district wish to
repudiate committee bossism and ring
rule, and the dictation of the commit
tees contrary to the wishes of the peo-
pie of the district, let them see to it,
notwithstanding the official ballot, that
Mr.. Thomas is elected the representative
of the people of the district in the next
Congress.
Conservative, fair, free from prejudice
while true to Democratic principles, he
will represent and serve the people and
interests of the whole district.