The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-12-25
FOR RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS.

To the Editor: We notice that some
have mentioned their favoriteS for Rail
road Commissioners. Now if you will
allow us space in your valuable columns
we want to say that the host of friends
of Capt. w. /. Everett, of Rocking
ham, wish to put his name forward for
that honora bic position. Captain Everett
is Christian gentleman of honor and
ability, and he possesses in Il high de-
gree all the qualities necessary to fill
the position. With the facts before us,
we wish to examine the past record of
this noble Christian gentleman and pa
triot, so that all may know what kind
of Il man we wish for Railroad Com
missioner
In the year 1859 Capt. Everett was
assistant engineer of the Wilmington,
Charlotte and Rutherford Railroad in
charge of the location and construction
Of said road. and in the year 1861,
oheying his country's call. he entered the
Confederate army He served the first
ten months in the army as orderly SER
gent of Company ID. Twenty-Third
North Carolina regiment. During this
time he was frequently detailed to
furnish plans and specifications for the
construction of Notifications, bridges,
etc, under Gems. Early, Van Dorne,
Beaurcgard and Joseph T.. Johnson.
He was then promoted to quartermaster
of the Twenty Third North Carolina re-
giment with the rank and pay of a
cavalry captain. While serving as such
he was at times in charge as brigade
Quartermaster. He was sent into West
ern Virginia and Pennsylvania, the
enemys country. with one sergeant
alone, save the Transfers, ID purchase
and bring out army supplies. This was
successfully accomplished, though done
in the midst Of n regiment of Yankee
cavalry
In the year 1868, it being regarded
as a military necessity to complete the
gap of unconstructed road between Old
Hundred and Charlotte, Captain Everett
was detailed from the army to take
charge of the grading. In 1864, the ad-
ditional work of Road Master from Will
mington to Old Hundred was put upon
him. and later. in the year 1866, he was
promoted to chief engineer and general
superintendent Of the road from Will
mington to Charlotte. 1t was during
this year that the stockholders gave
him bonus of $1,000 for energy and
skilful management. In 1872, his health
having failed, he resigned his position.
Under his supervision the road was
graded, track laid and bridges built from
the Bladen county line to Wadesboro.
After Shermans raid he was put in
charge of the rebuilding of the road. all
the bridges and large part of the track
of which had been destroyed. He COM
menced this part Of the work with not
white man and only sixteen negroes.
There was not a saw mill on the line of
the road at that time-all the lumber
used was sawed out with whip-saw.
1t is a fact worthy of note that at no
time in all his railroad experience did
he ask for Il position or promotion. 1t
was done without his solicitation. Now.
is not that a noble record? Captain
Everett has held other important posi-
tons. He served his people nobly in
the State Senate of 1885, from the then
Twenty-SiXth Senatorial district. The
Republicans had majority in the dis
trict composed of Richmond and Mont
gomery counties), of 200 to 800, yet, ow-
ing to his great popularity, he was elect
ed by majority of 500. He was the
only Democratic candidate on the coun-
ty, State or national ticket who receiv-
ed majority in Montgomery county
He served his county nobly as com
missioner for many years. Under his
iskilful management and financiering,
the taxpayers of the county were saved
thousands of dollars. Among the resolu-
tons adopted at the Richmond county
Democratic convention of 1886 we find
the following:
"Resolved. That the Democracy of
Richmond county in convention assem-
bed do heartily endorse the record of
Capt. w. /. Everett late Senator from
this. the Twenty-Sixth Senatorial dis
trict. In the discharge of his duties he
was able and fearless his record rs a
legislator is beyond reproach. and he is
richly entitled to the plaudit, We'll done.
thou good and faithful servant"
Now we are done. Give us this man
for Railroad Commissioner. He stands
without a peer. Under his management
of that office he will add lustre to the
fair name of our noble State.
d. i. 0'BRIEN.
Roberdel. y. c., Dec. /. 1893.