The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-11-01
(Cha:Iotte Observer
Cdhor OF The Observer:

It y.
Talson, bearing upon the charges fled
before the United States Senate by
Senator Vance. against T. NJ. Simmons,
:0- nc purpose Of preventing his con
tu:aatiou as collector for the cas- -ern
d!-tr:.:t of North Carolina, we, the M
ders:gned Democratic citizens and tag Y
,G-r-s o. the city Of Charlotte, beg to
sub.lht the following:
/. This cone positc letter is unki1d, I'M
jtst and misleading. Mr.. Vance seems
- have a very vivid recollection as to
rything whicn t-anepired in connec-
ZION with the charges tiled against, Mr..
Simmons, except the charges them
selves.
Unfortunately, Mr.. Vance's memory
rs t. the specific charges Is hazy and
:rdi5tinct. This Letter, therefore, is but
a repetition OF the old adage about eX-
Libitjng the old PLAY Of Hamlet Wi h
that eccentric Dane left out. Mr.. Vance
does say, however, that he does remcm-
boy that there were s0iae charges Of Il
personal character. and some serious
objections 10 Mr.. Simmons, which wcrc
filed ct the time with the finance com
nit:ce oc the Senate: but that he has
,nade dilgei.t search for these papers.
but failed 20 find them in the records,
ar, that they had been ''ahstraCtcd' by
some one, be does not know who. This,
sn reply t. Mr.. Simmons assertion that
tie deceased Senator did not oppose his
confirmation Ion account of any
charges against his personal character,
clearly shows Mr.. Eance's intention to
assert that charges were filed before
the Senate finance cour1ittee rchectins
on Mr.. Simmons prirat" character.
Bat unfortunately for Mr.. Vance, in
dealing with 50 delicate matter as 81
mans private character, he is unable to
specify the nature Of those particular
charges. because the papers in the case
49, tn
implying thereby, no doubt uninten-
tionaliy. by some friend Of Mr.. Sim
mons, in order that these serious
charges might he put to sleep" MI.
Vance is again unfortunate in not I'M
drrstanding his moral duty in dealing
with so delicate a matter rs man s
private character: to wit, that, in such
n case. he ought not deal in half truths;
that the thing honest men want under
snch circumstances is the whole truth.
If he had understood this to be his
duty, if his memory did not again trick
him he would have added that every
single charge against Mr.. Simmons was
made by either a Republican or Popu-
list, with the solitary exception of Maj.
f. J. Hale. who. by the way. is now
supporting Mr.. Simmons. because, as
he says. ''he more nearly represents
Senator NanceS political views than
any other candidate" For the purpose
VI Itl til'I itlitsillil, vi. hiiN' iii' III
DRY. and enlightenins the public, we
beg 10 say that Mr. \. J. Field. of Raj
"lgh. Is III possession OF Inc eiitlIe HE OF
papers III the case. including an tne orig
inal charges. every one of which REFER
to Mr. Simmons political methods.
They were prepared by the following
gentlemen: Charles A. Cook. Gfepl, s.
Otho Wilson. Popl. Jas. +. Ray. fRep).
Thos. S. MaIloy. Rep). Jno r. Hussey,
H:epl, and Mai. E. ]. Hale. DEM.
who i now. as above stated, an ardent
supporter Of Mr. Simmons. No doubt
Mr.. Field will inform Mr.. Vance by
what methods he 'ahsracted' those
papers from the records. and also that
along with the aforesaid "chargeS''
were fled numerous "endorsementS'
from the hest. p,1rcst and nblest Demo
Gratis in the State, certifying to Mr.
ability. not only rs a Democrat. but as
a private citizen: the fact being that
he was endorsed by the then Governor
and all other State officers. including
every member Of the State Supreme
Court, the States entire delegation in
Congress. and no less n man and pa-
1riot than Matt W. Ransom.
Who will dare assert that these lea l.
ing citizens of Nor-n Carolina would
have gone ND against Senatyr Vance
and his wishes in support OF such &
man as Mr.. Vance's letter would imply
Mt. simmons 10 ne w no Will, N TINS
late day. have the effronterv to hurl II
the face of ali these sterling citiz ms
AMI Democrats the charge that they
endorsed q man for office who was moth
ing more than political triClzster. anC
= citizen of otherwise ''shady" reputa
ton?
As much as we revere the name of the
dead Senator, in the light Of the test
monv 81 sTch mer, we cannot help bu
conclude that his opposition to Mr.. Sim
mons grew alone out Of his unf~iend
Illness for Senator Ransom and the
Cleveland admin tration. and was al
loEetneT personal matter
- Pr talson. when he caused Mr.
ance letter 10 he published, mus
nave Known, If he was at all familiar
win the pohlcai history o. the last
E"cnde n this state. that it was not {
fu... far and frank statement Of II
Fhe facts connected With the suhincl
under discussion: and, besides. Mr.
/ IeidH letter giving ali the facts in n,
case was published in The Raleigh
Morning Post on the 18th ms. t.
Wh!rh he might have referred If he ST
ut2!rrh.
nier these circumstances, it 4
STeauy TO DC lamentcd that he should
nave seen me necessity or calling III
the Sh"se or senator Vance, with which
20 einphasiZe his and NJ. Nanco's at
tempt I" b!9 Ken the reputation OF tn,
ch;i:1hSh OF me bemocretic state eX
e'"H'e C9'L'ih,tle we wed 10 no u!dl
except Ut. faiSon. who Is rPc0@nlzGG
70 De the greatest lover of Vance in th'