The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-03-02
FOR SECRETARY OF STATE.
Col. W.P. Wood, of Randolph, Will
be Urged by His Section.

To the Editor: AS the time draws
nearer and nearer when the representa-
tives of the great body of white people
shall meet in their convention at Ral-
eich. and name the men who shall rep
resent that race in tho State offices for
the next four years, 1t is of the great
est Importance that the people should
consider we'll the fitness of every man
named for all these offices, and see to It
that only the best men of the State are
nominated. The time was in the history
of the great Democratic party when the
party sought the man and the greatest
concern of the people was TO get the
man to take upon himself the responsible
ity of the office. but in these days OF
"pie-counter craftsmanship. 1t Is too
often the case that the professional
politician gets the office and the true
statesman, of which We have many in
old North Carolina, are passed by I'M
noticed. 1t is useless to explain the
cause of this. for the recent experience or
the people with politicians Of the pie
counter class has abundantly proven
the necessity for a return 10 origina:
principles
| have in mind man for the office
of Secretary Of State, who is in no sense
a candidate for office, and never has
been. His claims are urged by the
writer because of his fitness for and
ability to fill the office In addition to
this he we'll deserves the honor ut the
hands of the party, because of his con-
timued labors i'll its interest, and u
lifetime devotion 10 the causes Of the
people OF the State and the best interest
Of her institutions In every campaign
since the war he has been an active par
tcipator, leading often a forlorn hope.
but with the courage and energy that in
spired confidence, and brought victory
to our hosts where prospects in the out
set Were gloomy and hopeless. The gen-
tlemen to whom / refer is Col. W. T.
Wood, of Randolph. At no time in his
life has he asked for office, always pre-
ferring to be a worker in the ranks OF
the party in whose interest he has Ia
bored necessarily since he obtained his
majority. Col. Wood combines in his
life and character all the elements that
20 TO make up the strongest candidate.
In his private life he is as pure as
Roman. In his habits he is model, be-
ing "a consistent member and leader in
the church, and in all the religious en-
terprises that go to add strength TO the
rank of upbuilding the morals of the
community he is quiet but potent fac
tor. At II, when the call came for vol
unteerS to fight his country's battles, he
was the third volunteer of the country
to enlist, and for four years he followed
the van of the host in the deadly con-
flict upon the fields of Virginia and
though seriously wounded twice, he
never quit his comrades until the heart
of Lee and the flower of the army were
crushed at AppomattoX. The bravery
of the soldier has been eXemplified In
his battle of life. He has never shirkel
a duty, or covered at the approach OF
an enemy Coming home from the
crushing defeat at Appomattox. he took
up the battle for bread, and out of the
well-Worn garments of conquered SCI
der. the aches. pains and sorrows of Il
defeated hero. without aid or encourage
ments other than his faith in his God
and the sympathy of impoverished COM
rades. he has built up business that is
second to none in this part of the State
Col. Wood is Il strong debater, an ag-
gressive campaigner and forceful, en-
Pertaining speaker. He would add
strength to the ticket, and give the
office Of Secretary of State a business
like administration. The business men
of the State should be represented on the
State ticket, and no better representative
of that class can be found than Col
Wood. Let the business men rally 10
his support and demand his nomination.
and it shall be so.
Yours very truly,
WILEY RUSH.
4 ShehOrO \ c. Feb Dc