The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-10-30
Gov. Jarvis Answers a Letter on the
Senatorship.
Salisbury, N. c.. Oct. 26, 1900.

Salisbury, N. c., Oct. 26, 1900.
Hon. t. j. Jarvis, Greenville, n. c.:
Dear Sir-I have only a speaking ac-
quaintance with Mr.. Simmons, and know
ing the fact that he lives in your sec
ton of the State and that you are prob
ably well acquainted with him, l write
to ask you to give me your estimate OF
him as man. and of his qualifications
for the position of Senator. I also wish
TO inquire if you have any knowledge of
thea grounds upon which Senator Vance
opposed Mr.. Simmons confirmation by
the Senate. If YOU have the time.
would be greatly obliged to you for an
answer to these inquiries
Yours very truly,
j. w. HUNSUCKER.
October 90 1900.
J. w. Hunsucker, Esq, Salisbury N. c.:
Dear Sir-I am just in receipt of yours
of the 26th inst, making certain inquiries
of me in reference to the Hon. F. M.
Simons, and 1 reply at once as follows:
When l withdrew from the Senatorial
contest it was my purpose to take no part
whatever in the fight between the re-
naming candidates. and l have stead
tasty adhered to that resolution. l have
not, however, hesitated to rebuke all per-
sons who have made any assault in my
presence upon either of the gentlemen
who are in the race to the finish. MOI
have l hesitated to answer any question
that has been asked me as to the char
acter and fitness of these gentlemen,
and to assure those making the inquiry
of the high character and fitness of both.
therefore take pleasure in answering
your inquiries concerning Mr.. Simmons.
/ have known Mr.. Simmons intimately
for more than twenty years. | appointed
him the States proxy in the Atlantic and
North Carolina Railroad Company when
/ was Governor of the State. | canvassed
the State under him in 1892. with Gov
ernor Carr, when he was first chairman of
the State Committee. l was very closely
connected with him in the great cam
paigns of 1898 and 1900. l have mixed
much with the people of the east, where
he was born and raised, and ] take pleas
ure in saying / never heard aught against
his private character. l do not believe
any man of any standing in all the east
will, over his own name. say that he has
ever heard aught against his character.
think l may say his character is I'M
assaulted and unassailable.
Now, as to the opposition of Senator
Vance to the confirmation of Mr.. Sim
mons as collector. I let no man go ahead
of me in admiration and love of North
Cardinals great statesman. l had the
honor and privilege of being very close
to him in his life, and l think I am loyal
to his great name and fame. | did not,
however, always agree with him in all
~. 7 I'D ;-fo 70
differ with him more than once. One OF
the things in which | differed with him
was his opposition to the confirmation Of
Mr.. Simmons. l talked with him about it.
and tried to dssuade him from it. He
gave me fully, as l understand it, his
reasons for his opposition, and in nc
single instance did he ever assign
reason that reflected in the least upon
Mr.. Simmons integrity or character. He
thought that Mr.. Simmons had taker
sides against him in some matters of ap-
pointments, and that led, as | then and
now understood it. to his opposition tc
Mr.. Simmons. 1 think those are the facts
in the case.
Mr. Simmons is a lawyer and man Of
ability. He has given much of his time
to the study of political questions. 1 dc
not believe that those who come in close
contact with him will say that he is in
tellectually or morally unfit to be Senator.
I was warmly in favor of this primary.
believed it the fair way to select
Senator. l am, therefore, deeply grieved
at the bitterness and personal attacks
that have been engendered. Both Mr..
Simmons ard Mr.. Carr are men of stand
ing and character in the State. No good
can come of tearing either down. Both
are my personal and political friends,
and / am not taking any part in their
contest, but l appeal to the partisans of
each to cease all attacks upon the other.
| am truly yours,
THOS. j. JARVIS.