The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-10-04
(From Our Regular Correspondent
RALEIGH. y. C.. October |, 1900.

\ very interesting conversation between
several prominent Democrats took place
in the lobby OF Raleigh hotel il day or
two ago, the subject OF comment being
the SenatOrship. the race for which has
become so interesting already and is get
ting to be more so daily.
The principal speaker was prominent
politician from the Western part OF the
State, and as his remarks brought out IL
new phase of the case, which may have
an important bearing with many elec-
tors | feel that | should reproduce them
here. as we'll Is those which followed by
others who We're parties to the conversa
tomas a matter OF general interest to
the Democrats OF the State.
WESTERN DEMOCRATS EMBARRASSED.
We people OF the West, said he, feel
considerably embarrassed over this Sena-
torial contest The unwritten law OF the
party for many years has been that the
East should have one Senator and the
West the other Senator.
We recognize the fact. OF course, that
the SenatOrship this time belongs to the
East and that we viii select the Senator
two years hence. OurpeOple of the West.
therefore, are disposed to favor and sup
port at this time that manfrOm the East
whom the majority OF the Eastern Demo
| Gratis prefer. We feel that this would be
| the proper course. 1t is the course we
| should expect the West to follow in 1902.
| We would not relish having our favOrite
| turned down ut that time because the
East should prefer another, and we want
to guard against setting such a precedent
| this time by not disappointing the East
in its preference.
''Bnt the trouble with us Just now is
that we do not know which candidate
the East prefers, and possibly we may
not learn the fact until after the day OF
election. definitely, and then it would he
everlaStingly too late.
suppose it should develop. when the
| Senatorial returns are sent in and print
ed. that the most popular candidate il
| the East has been defeated by the West
Such a result would not only be unfor
| tunate. but unjust to the East and gen
| orally unSatlSfactOIy-nOt to say that II
might react upon us OF the West when We
| come to select our Senator. Besides, il
might be productive OF dissensi0ns ant
other bad results
| "Ourpeople the great ma jority OF them
are very anxious to avoid such Il cOndi
ton; the great majority with whom
|
sentiment OF the West pretty thoroughly,
feel this way, many being pronounced il
| the statement But they don't know to
day which man the East prefers-whethe
it is Simmons, Carr, Waddell or Jarvis
| And that is why | say we are great ~
embarrassed.
AS far as | am individually concerned
| | intend to inform myself on this subject
| and then vote accordingly, whichever O
| the four gent lemen named he may be.
| WHO Is THE CHOICE OF THE EASTo
| Those present seemed to recognize al
once the force of the above sentiment ans
one gentleman (,lso from the West) re
marked: Il agree with you that i,
would be very unfortunate if the most
| pOpularman in the East should be defeat
ed by the Western vote. but how are W,
to avoid this danger | think. further
| that all things being equal, and with ne
| special or personal reason to interfere
| the Democrats OF tie West should Civ,
| preference to that one preferred by tn,
! East.
| An Eastern man then spoke up. He
has Il wide acquaintance, and is said t.
be one OF the best posted men on the
| political conditions in his section. SaC
he
''That can be easily shown. do no,
think there is any doubt in the minds O
any one who has taken the trouble t,
acquint himself with the political situa
| ton in the counties East OF Raleigh, that
Mr. Simmons will lead by IA large ma
iority in nearly all of these counties. My
| honest individual opinion is that Mr.
Simmons will get three votes to one fol
either OF the other candidates. in tn,
| East"
| This statement was not denied by any
| one. although there We're several Eastern
| men present.
| Well replied the original speaker. Il
that is the ease | shall certainly vote fol
Mr.. Simmons. think it will be the duty
| and the pleasure of most Western Demo
Gratis to Inform themselves. as far as they
can as to the choice Of the East and
then act accordingly-u there is som,
strong personal reason to Interfere and
feel sure they viii takcrainS to ;lcquan,
themselves OF the real facts and be gov.
| erned thereby. Such action would in
sure Il result that would be satisfactory
to all. and would avoid the dangerous
consequences OF an opposite termination
OF this friendly political family contes,
and its bad effect ON the future OF the
| party.
The other Western man. already al
| lud"d to. observed as the crowd broke
| up: Il shall pursue the same course. ana
! | will vote for Simmons. Carr. Waddel
! or Jarvis Just as am satisfied which one
| OF them Is the strongest man in the East