The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-01-23
SENATOR SIMMONS.


born in Jones county, North Carolina
in 1854 and was forty-seven years old
last Sunday He was prepared for col
lege by Prof. Joseph Kinsey, now
president of Wilson Seminary, who was
then teaching in Jones county. He en-
tered Wake Forest, where his father
age and, after remaining there about
year, matr.culated at Trinity College,
then located IN Randolph county, while
that great teacher, the late DR.. Craven,
was president. He graduated at that
institution Ill 1873 in a class with Hon.
JONES A. LCckhart, Prof. Pegram of
Trinity faculty. Prof Hodges, of
Davie, George b. Everitt, George L.
Watson, Prof. Simpson and others.
Returning to his fathers farm in Jones
county he spent six months reading
law on the farm and obtained license
to practice law in January 1876. He
then lacked seventeen or eighteen days
of being Jventy-one years of age.
Judge Pearson observed to the class,
II presume you are all twenty one
years of age Mr.. Simmons said: II
am not, but will be on the 25th of this
month" and the Chief Justice answer
ing said: well. young man, 1 guess
you will not do much mischief during
that time and Nh Simmons was
granted license.
After obtaining license he practiced
to New Bern. and, after being there a
year or so, formed copartnership
with the late Judge Matthias E. Manly
and his son, Clement Manly, Esq. At
ter Judge Manly's death, the partner
ship was continued between Mr.. Sim
mons and Mr.. Clement Manly until 1882
Before leaving Jones county and short
ly after passing his majority, Mr. Sim
mons was nominated by reclamation
for the House by the Democrats and
made a canvass marked by it's thoro
ughness and brIlliancy and, though not
elected. so reduced The Republican ma
jority that he was defeated by only a
small majority. In 1874 (before he was
of age) Mr.. Simmons canvassed Jones
and Onslow counties in favor of Capt.
candidate for the Senate, and held sew
eral joint debates with the Republican
candidate, Mr.. Francis D. Koonce.
Shortly after his removal to New Bern,
he was nominated by the Democrats of
Craven for the Legislature and can
vassed the county, winning many
friends and much praise, but of course
could not overcome the Republican
majority.
In 1886 Mr.. Simmons was elected to
Congress from the Second district
(lxnown as the Black distrcD. his COM
petitors being two negroes. each claim
ing to be the regular Republican nomi-
nee He was reelected in 1898. but in
1900 was no. candidate for re-elec-
ton. and the district lapsed back to a
Republican district His term in Con-
gress was characterized by industry, de-
yotion to the interests of his conSti-
tuents and rarty loyalty. He made a
few speeches excellent, strong and ef-
fective that gave him a hold upon the
confidence of the people of his district.
Shortly after the expiration OF his term
in Congress. Mr.. Simmons moved to
Winston where he remained a short
time and returned to New Bern.
In 1892 Mr.. Simmons was chosen
Chairman of the Democratic Executive
Committee and managed that difficult
campaign with consummate ability,
winning magnificent victory. In 1898
he was appointed b. President Cleve-
land Collector of Internal Revenue for
the Eastern district OF North Carolina
and made an efficient and popular Of
ficer. Upon his retirement from that
position he formed partnership with
uGSSIS. dilu W. L Ou anu "a ~
Ward, for The practice of the law and
has since lived in Raleigh. He was
elected State Chairman in 1898 and
lead the forces that resulted in a Dem
ocratic victory in tnat year. In 1900
he was again chosen chairman and
again a brilliant victory was won I'M
der his leader ship. He is an astute pol
itician, an indGfatig&r'e worker, wise
general, successful executive, writer
of powerful argument, a lawyer of
learning, and an all round well-equip-
ped able public man. who goes to the
Senate where he VIII well and truly
represent the best sentiment of the
State.
The Morning Post yesterday ran as
on tho Coutbarn ilroad side track