The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-01
BILL RUSS FOR GOVERNOR
THE COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS THINK OF
PUTTING HIM IN THE MANSION.
Advocated, Among Other Good Reasons, be
cause He Has Never Had Enough Sur
plus Money 10 Form a FL
nanciaI Policy.

The Raleigh people have long felt that
there was gubernat0rlal timber Ill the'f
popular Mayor, and until the meeting
of the recent Democratic State cohVeh-
ton there was a purpose to BRING nun
out at the proper time. Nheh tue
Democracy of North Carolina was here
in the State convention, however, an IN
cident occurred that made his best
friends doubt whether it would be eX-
pedient to give him the nomination. Al
ter holding his morning levee anu send
ing up some law breakers, the Mayor
walked down TO the Marlborough
House to greet his friends. 1t may
be that he was also getting ready 10
inaugurate his boom. He was feeling
fine and was shaking hands and swap
ping anecdotes with the delegates, when
he noticed that two delegates sitting
near the ladies entrance were whisper
ing to each other and pointing at him.
This aroused his curiosity. and the
Mayor moved toward their chairs
era dually. where they could get good
view of him and walked into the hotel.
IS he passed one of them said: Il
wonder what that id old Radical ~
down here for trying to associate with
decent Democrats" They had heard some
one call him Russ, and they thought the
genial Mayor of Raleigh was the wrathy
Governor of the State. While not at
all alike in the face. there is some
similarity in the 'embonpont" of the
Mayor and the Governor. Unless tne
Mayor can use anti-fat and change that
resemblance he recognizes that his
gubernatorial cake is all dough.
The hackers of Mayor Russ will ac-
cuse the News and Observer Of trying
to kill his boom by relating this Incl
dent 1t was too good to keep, and was
recalled by an article this week in the
Scotland Neck Commonwealth. from the
facile pen of Mr.. John r. Morris He
has an admirable article on the value of
the weekly newspapers, which he pre-
faces with the following happy references
to Mayor Russ:
"A few days ago, while going through
one of my periodical grip sack cleanings,
| found an old copy of the Common
wealth. / was at once reminded of my
promise to contribute something from
my pen to its columns, and also the
daring of its editor in proffering to pay
me.
Il am not professionally "A newspaper
man. and, hence, not having selected
that method Of perishing, | am yet re-
ceiving aims from sources so distinctly
non-literary. that my newspaper work,
principally in urging Bill Russ, the pres
ent mayor of Raleigh, for Governor. is
altogether an offering as free MS this
proffer from my pen to the Common
wealth.
when / first brought out Bill Russ
for Governor, Ibid so because he had
no financial views, and, hence, might
not antagonize the settled convictions
of Captain Buck Kitchin,. and, at the
same time be acceptable to the yellowest
gold-bug in North Carolina.
II have known Bill Russ since he in
early life, turned from contemplating IL
career as a Methodist minister, to lean
lis head affectOnately on the bosom Of
the Democratic party. While he has
always had enough to eat and to keep
him fat, and clothes of fashion and de
cency so decided as to warrant him, if
suddenly called on, to lead german At
the Capital Club of Raleigh to pitch
right in when the band began to play.
without having to run home and change
breeches. yet, at no time has he been
| so crowded with money as to feel call
| ed upon to frame any definite financial
| views.
II wish he had a pile of money as big
as his big heart, and big brain together
he had, he would be very rich man.
/ wish we could have A Governor 50
good as he would make. If so. we
would have n splendid executive over
| the civic and material destiny of North
| Carolina.
But, mercy me! I started to write
| about weekly newspapers the Common
wealth inclusive, and here | am riding
| one of my pet hObbies-Bill Russ can
| didacy for Governor"