The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-09-01
THE SCOTTISH CHIEF.
JOHNSTON, DAVE AND IREDELL,
Maj Graham Thinks They Were More Infiuen-
tial Than Willie Jones.

To the Editor: In your communication
on Halifax and Willie Jones in issue of
18th inst. you state that Willie Jones pos
sessed ten times the influence in the
State that Samuel Johnston, William r.
Davie and James Iredell did. l do not
draw the same conclusion from the his
tory of that time To me Samuel John
ston stood almost alone as first in the re-
spect and confidence of the people and
Richard Caswell was TO some extent See
ond.
Samuel Johnston first appears as mem
Der OF Provincial Council in IVA. John
Harvie is president, taking place of Gov
ernor OF Colony on flight of Royal Cover
nor Martin On death of Mr.. Harvie, Mr..
Johnston succeeds him. and in 1776 is re-
elected to the same body and unanimous
ly reelected as presiding officer, an6 so
continues during the existence of the
Council it being abolished when the
State government was formed He was
chairman of the Provincial Council, and
so elected by the Congress. Although not
member Of the convention which formed
the State Constitution in 1916 and his be-
ing in the capacity of Governor at the
time is probably the reason he was not
a member; he attended the sessions nd
Wheeler says contributed by his genius,
talents and influence to preserve It's con-
sentative character" He was a member
OF the Continental Congress in 1902 He
was Governor of the State in 1873;
would have been reelected in 17Sa. hut
when North Carolina adopted the United
States Constitution he was elected her
first Senator in the United States Con-
gress oil the first ballot by "a very larse
majority" (Report of tellers.)
1t required several days to elect his
colleague. He would have been reelected
at the expiration of his term-only one
other name being proposed-but he de-
clned. The Legislature passed resolu-
tions "Of thanks for his faithful services"
as Senator. He was a member of the
convention which considered the Federal
Constitution in 1888, and although more
than two-thirds of the members differed
from him as to ratification he was unani-
moCsly chosen to preside That Mr. Jones
was with the majority is generally cited
as evidence of his being the more intuen-
tial man. If this is true it was hut short
liver for in less than four months the
Legislature called another convention.
Mr.. Jones was Senator and opposed the
call; the vote was ayes 30, nays Is in the
senate and without opposition in the
House.
Mr.. Johnston was president Of the con-
vention in 1889 and the Constitution was
ratlf1ed by larger vote than defeated it
the previous year.
After most active and DISTINGUISHED
service as a soldier, Davie enters political
lie as member of the House of Commons
In 1856 and serves 1867, 1891. 93-4. To
him more than to any other son the State
IS indebted for the establishment of The
University. He was a member of the
convention which framed the Federal Con-
stitution and of the State convention
which considered it.. WAS appointed major
general in 1877 to command the North
Carolina troops to be raised &c fight
France. In 1898 he is made brigadier
general, U. S. A.; 1913 he was elected Gov
ernor of the State: 1893 was appointed by
the President as Ambassador on commits