The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-09-05
Mr.. T. N. HILLS POLITICS.

1t is to be assumed as a fact in view
of recent events that Mr. T. N. Hill, of
Halifax. must be classed as a Republic
can and that those who cast their bal
lots for him must do so recognizing that
he is Republican.
The evolution of Mr.. Hill has been Il
three-fold one. but not an unusual one
for men who assail the Democrats and
who place themselves as critics upon the
action Of the vast majority of their par
ty. 1t has been exemplified in the ac-
ton of men now actually engaged in
gorging themselves on pie at the Repub-
lican pie counter, who first began by
carping at Democracy, soon to appear as
Populist leaders and then with another
flop to land in the Republican ranks,
with an office attached or one with a
string to it.
Note the position of Mr.. Hill, who
claiming to be a Democrat, found so
much to dissatisfy him in the action of
the Democratic party which in it's con-
vention by practically a unanimous vote
named Judge Walter Clark as its nomi-
nee for Chief Justice, that over his own
signature, in cards furnished the papers
of the State he announced that he was
a DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE for the
office of Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court of North Carolina, subject, how
ever to such action as may be taken by
any State convention COMPOSED OF
DEMOCRATS that assembled to nomi-
nate a candidate in opposition to Judge
Clark.
That was the first step in the evolution
of Mr. Hill. 1t was to be Democratic
convention that should place him in nom
nation, but no such convention has been
held, in fact it is a matter of impossi-
bility for such to be held, as the "arbitra-
ment of the party" must be obeyed for
a man to continue to be a member of
that party. When he declines to do this
he becomes a bolter, and Mr.. Hills de-
sire to be Democratic candidate was
a mere juggling with words.
The second step in the evolutionary
process was in the circular issued with
Mr. Hfrs card, calling the Warrenton
mass meeting. In this call the words
composed of Democrats" were omitted
- o;r
from the negro printing office in Little
ton, and amy State convention" was the
reading No word of protest against this
las been heard from Mr.. Hill though the
matter was widely advertised, and it is
known of all men what fascos two at
tempts at holding ''mass conventions in
Warren county resulted in. Six men at
the first seven at the second and neither
composed of Democrats.
The third step in this evolution is to
be found in the records of Senator
Pritchard's convention in Greensboro.
Here it was that Mr.. Hill was endorsed
as a candidate for Chief Justice in OPP
position 10 the Democratic HOHllHee' NoI
get has there come a sound from the
Halifax attorney concerning this en-
dorsement but it is safe to say that he
accepts the endorsement of the Repub-
licans as nomination, and is willing to
forego "such action as may be taken by
any State convention composed of Dem
oerats" His silence is the guarantee of
this.
These are the facts in the case and
there is no gainsaying them. Mr.. Hill
himself compels his classification as
Republican and his election, if such were
n possibility in the realm of politics"
would place him on the bench as Re-
publican, owing his election to that par
ty. Thus it is that Mr.. Hill, and his
friends, must no longer have masque-
raie behind the word Democrat when
Republican" is the party classification
of the Pritchard party's choice for Chief
Justice.