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

The Democrats of the Thru Congress
sional District Of North Carolina, III
convention assembled at Clinton, n. e.,
on June 80, 1898, nominated as tnelr
candidate for member of the House Oh
Representatives, Fifty-sixth Congress,
Charles Randolph Thomas, of Newbern,
Craven county, \. Z.
1t is to be hoped he will be chosen by
the voters of that district as their Rep
resentative in Congress for the ensuing
term on account of his well known abH-
ity and character, and because III nm
the people of his district Will nave a
bold and fearless champion of their
rights and interests, and an active, Vlgi~
liant Representative.
He is well known in North Carolina,
having served the public in many ways.
The following brief sketch of his IRE,
however, will not be amlss, ana VIII
show. the esteem in which he is he'd
by North Carolinians, and his personal
and political record:
Charles r. Thomas was born in Beau
fort. n. c., in 1861. Since 1867, with
the exception of a few years interval.
he has resided at Newbern, \. Z.
He is the eldest of five sons of the late
Judge Charles r. Thomas, who was
Secretary of State of North Caroilna
during Vance's term as War Governor
and a member of Congress from ISL TO
1875.
Three of his brothers are in the Pres
byterian Ministry, and the youngest
brother is a licensed physician.
In private life man of integrity, Mr..
Thomas is well equipped for public iifeI
and service.
Graduating at the State University I'M
1881. and from the Greensboro Law
School in 1882 since that time he has
steadily and successfully practiced his
profession.
In 1886 he was elected as Democrat
TO the State Legislature from Carteret
county, and served in that body with
some of the ablest men of the state.
He was a member of the judiciary
committee. and voted for and advocated
upon the floor of the Legislature the Dill
to establish the College of Agriculture
and Mechanic Arts so much desired by
the farmers.
He carried Carteret county by ma
iority of over 500, the largest majority
given any Democrat since the war; he
turning to Newbern he served WIN
fidelity the Democratic board of COM
missioners, as attorney for Craven couh-
ty. for six years, and during that time
was engaged in much important litiga-
ton for the county.
Tn 1893 he was elected a Trustee of the
University by the Legislature
In 1896 he was nominated and elected
&c Democratic Presidential Elector for
tbe Third Congressional District, making
a thorough canvass of the district.
When the electoral college met at
Raleigh in January, 1897, in the Senate
chamber. he was chosen by his col
laagues to make. and made the opening
sneech. nominating William j. Bryan
for President of the United States.
His speech on that occasion fully sus-
tanned his reputation as an able, elo-
uuent and aggressive advocate or the
Democratic cause, and was listened TO
by large assemblage of people from all
parts of the State.
Mr.. Thomas excels as an orator.
1t is well known that at the University
he received every oratOrical honor TO De
bestowed.
His speeches before the North Caro-
lima Press Association, and in memory
oe Vance, before the Teachers Assembly
of the State, and upon other OCCASIONS,
have long since established his reputa-
ton in this line.
His argument before the committee
on elections in the United States House
of Representative in the contest over
the seat of the Hon. John G. Shaw,
was highly commended. In this case he
was, of course, for Mr.. Shaw, winning
the case.
Mr.. Thomas has taken an active part
in politics ever since his admission to
the bar.
In 1884 he was a member of the Com
mittee on Platform at the State conven-
ton, and afterwards was elected a men,
Der of the Democratic State Executive
committee, and has been member of
the county, Judicial and Congressional
committees.
Always true to his friends, and mag
unanimous to those who differ with him,
he is one of the most industrious and
accurate men in public life, and would
be an ideal and excellent representa-
tive.
Moreover, he is in close touch with the