The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-08-28
Simmons for Senator.

To the Editor: In this sectic:. OF
North Carolina we are firm adherents
to the old time maxim that to the vic.
tor belongs the spoils. We feel tina;
this is especially applicable in the mat
ter of choosing a Senator to succeed the
late, but not lamented, Butler. We
realize of course that this must not be
the only test for preferment, but taken
in connection with other things of equal
weight, this trite saying makes a
mighty good rule 10 tie to.
The State has been redeemed from
Republican and negro rule and corrup-
tion. To one man more than to anv one
other is due the credit for the great
victory won by our Democratic forces
on August End. That man is, as all whe
know anything at all of political workings
in North Carolina are ready and willing
to admit, the Hon. Furnifold NJ Sim
mons Three times has he performed
the laborous duties as our State chair
man, and each time by his matchless
generalship, splendid executive ability.
and untiring devotion to the work in
hand, won victories which were truly
great l am only a Democratic voter
have never held office, nor never intend
otherwise, but l believe in fair play, and
believing this, l feel that the party to
which l belong would show itself guilty
of the basest ingratitude were it to fail
to bestow upon Mr.. Simmons the office
now within its gift. IL is generally un-
derstood that Mr.. Simmons uesires the
office of United States Senator. He has
a right to expect it. for he has amply
Of6rp wit
power to give. But put it on a higher
plane than party politics. He has rem
dered the State a service that not more
than one man in each century is able to
do. He has redeemed a sovereign State
from political thraldom. The great
Vance performed this service for oul
state towards the last OF the Nineteenth
century-Simmons at the first of the
Twentieth. We are proud of our history
which shows our appreciation Of the
works of Vance. Shall we forfeit our
record as lovers of right by allowing the
history of this case to be differently
written? l for one have too much conf
dence in North Carolinians to believe
that we will.
For the other gentlemen who are as
piring to, and pushing their claims for,
the SAME POSITION L nave the HISiSot
respect. Both as refers to their De-
mocracy and ability, but l cannon nelp
but deplore their utter lack of judgment
and lack of regard for the eternal fitness
of things, as shown by coming out at
this particular time. OF course this mat
ter will be settled in primaries. / am
in favor of the primary system generally
speaking, and have no objection to it in
this instance aside from the fact that it
will be rather in the nature of an I'M
necessary labor. The result will simply
be a ratification of the wishes, already
expressed, of two-thirds of the loyal
Democrats in North Carolina, i. e., that
r. NJ. Simmons is to be our next Sena-
tor to grace the seat SO long disgraced,
and that he by his works at Washingtc
shall cause the Old North State to again
take her place on the list of States as
occupied when represented by such men
as Vance and Ransom.
Respectfully,
]. w. STEED.
Steeds N c. August o.