The commonwealth., 1900-10-11
MR.. SIMMONS high MOTIVES

The high, pralseworthy and patriotic
motives that have actuated Hon. +. M.
Simmons in his cause SIS regards the
contest for the senatorship, may be
clearly seen in the following article
from the Statseyiile Mascot, which we
hope every Dsmocr ttic voter in the
State may read, In these columns or
elsewhere:
"When the Democratic State Con-
yention declared for the senatorial
primary voting therein was limited to
those who voted the Democratic ticket
at the State election in August. When
the State comu1ittee met on Septem-
Der 5 to provide machinery for hold
ing the primary, Maj. E. J. Hale, edi-
tor of the Fayetteville Observer, pro-
posed that those who would vote for
Bryan and the Democratic candidate
for Congress In the November election
should also be permitted to vote In
the primary Major Hale argued that
thousands oi Popullsts would vote the
Democratic ticket In November II
chance was given them to vote ior
Senator.
"Just before the meeting of the com-
mittee this writer was standing talking
with Chairman Simmons, when two OF
his friends came mp with y copy OF
Major Hale,s resolution. One of these
friends OF Chairman Simmons, calling
attention 10 the resolution, said: IL
this passes, there are hundreds OF Pop
uiists throughout the State who Will
vote for Bryan aud the Democratic
candidate for Congress in order to vote
against you, for the Popullsts hate you
more bitterly than they do any other
Democra: in the Stats. II l we're you
l would Oppose the resolution. Mr.
Simmons did not besl tate moment,
but said: Il am fully aware, gentlemen,
that what you say Is true. The Popu-
lists hate me as they do no other Demo
crat in the State, and belleye many OF
them will vote our ticket for the pur-
pose of voting against me, but I don's
believe there will be enough OF them TO
defeet me. Even 1t there we're, a Dem
ocrat viii! DO elected to the Senate, and
these Popc'ist votes may insure North
Carollna's clectoral vote to Bryan and
the election of nine Democrats to Con-
gress from the State. Just at this time
when the Republican party is threaten
ing the South with reduced representa-.
ton in. Congress and the enactment ol
another force bill, when Republican
| President and Congress can do SO much
to nullify our constitutional amendment
1t is OF the utmost importance that &
Democratic President and Con gress be
elected. By extending the qualification
for voting In the primary as suggested
in this resolution we may secure yote'
for Bryan and our nominees for Cor
gress. The loss of one or two Congress.
men from this State might mean Re
publican Congress. I want my friend,
not to consider me, but the Interests
of the Democratic party, and l hops
they will vote for the resolution
"When the committee met Mr.. Sim
mons friends Gid vote for the resolu
ton and it was adopted.
Now we understand there are many
Populists throughout the State VIII
openly boast that they will vote tn
Democratic ticket in order to get
chance at Simmons We hear of som
of them in Iredell county. It is hope,
that Democrats will see to 1t tha
Chairman Simmons patriotic devotion
to the Democratic party when he kne,
it would be hurtful to his individus
: interests will not go unrewarded. F. N
Simmons is above all patriotic Dem
ocrat."