The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-11-02
rnr SENATORIAL CANDIDATES
Jarvis Speaks of the Cam
dfdates, Especially Mr.. simmons,
and Their Qualifications
Especial to the Aessenger.)


Especial to the Messengerl
Raleigh N. c.. October 2a-Ex-Sen-
ator Jarvis wrote today In reply to q
question:
When I withdrew from the senate
rial contest &c was my purpose to take
no part whatever In the fight between
the remaining candidates nave
s~teadfastiy adhered TO that resolution.
I have not. however. hesitased to re-
Duke all persons who have made any
assault in my presence upon either OF
gentlemen Who are In the race to
the finish. Nor have I hesitated to
answer any question asked me as to
character and fitness Of these gen.
tiemen. n TO assure those making
inquiry OF the high character and 1T
ness Of beth I. therefore. talre pleas
ure in answering your inquiries con-
corning Mr.. Simmons. I have known
him intimately twenty years. I ap-
pointed him states proxy for the At
4antc n North Carolina Railroad
Company when governor. I canyassed
h state under him In 1885,. with Gov
ernor Carr. when he was first chair
man OF the state committee. I was
very closely connected with him in the
great campaigns OF iSeS and 1900. /
have mixed much with people OF the
a s n he was born and raised.
n / take pleasure in saying / never
heard aught against his private char
acter. i do not believe any man OF
any standing in all the east viii. over
his W name. say he has ever heard
aught against his character. think
/ may say his character Is unassailed
and u~nassailable.
Now, as TO the opposition OF SEN
ator Vance to the confirmation OF Sim
mons as collector. I let no man go
ahead ~ NJ IN al~nEra ss@. 80 49,
North Carolina's great statesman. L
a n honor and privilege OF being
very close to him in life. and think L
am loyal to his great name and fame.
l did not, however. always agree with
him in all things. In fact, / had the
misfortune TO differ with him more
than once One OF the things in which
l differed with him was his opposition
TO the confirmation Of simmons I talk
ed with him about il. and tried to dis
him from IL. He rave me fully.
as / understand II, his reasons for his
opposition. and in no single instance
did he ever assign a reason that reflect
ed in the least upon Simmons integrity
or character. He thought Simmons had
k sides against him in some mat
tiers OF appointments. and that led, as
L then understood il. to his opposition
to Simmons. / think these are facts
in the case.
Simmons is a lawyer and a man OF
ability. He has given much OF his time
to study Of political questions. do
not believe those who come in close
contact with him will say he is intel
lectually or morally unfit to be senator.
/ was warmly in favor Of this primary.
1 believed 1t a fair way TO select a SEN
ator. I am, therefore. deeply grieved
at the bitterness and personal attacks
that have been engendered.
Both Simmons and Carr are men Of
standing and character in the state.
No good can come of tearing either
down. Both are my personal and po-
litical friends. and / am not taking any
part in their contest. but / appeal to
partisans OF each to cease all attacks
upOn the other.