The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-07-20
cONNOR|
Speech of Mr.. Victor Bryant,
of Durham at Greensboro
In Few Words a Great Deal Is Told Very
Beautifully Of the Candidates
Fitness,

Mr.. Victor Bryant, of Durham, nomi-
mated Judge Conner for Associate Jus
tice of the Supreme Court last Wednes-
day at Greensboro in the following
words, brief, but full of ideas:
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen: I de-
sire to present to you as a candidate, a
gentleman worthy of the confidence and
support Of every delegate to this conven-
ton and every citizen of our State.
By dilgent study and preparation, by
long practice at the bar, by ten years
experience upon the Superior court
bench, he has been fitted for promotion,
Charming in his manners, lovable in
character. gentle as a woman, as Yir-
tuous as he is just, a learned lawyer, a
loyal party man, a devoted churchman,
a splendid gentleman, / present for your
consideration the name of H. G. COnnOr.
His name stands for what is best in life
today, and If placed upon the bench his
record will be an eternal inspiration to
those who love nobility, justice, truth
and devotion to duty.
Born of honorable and humble parent
age he educated himself. Left by the
death of his father before he reached
mans estate, the sole support of his
mother, brother, and sisters, he assumed
and discharged this obligation with the
cheerfulness and fidelity which has char
acterized his life. Having chosen law
as his profession he recognized her as a
jealous mistress and has given his life
to the service as practitioner at the bar,
administrator upon the bench, or maker
in the halls of legislation.
In the practice he moved upon high
plane, rendering the service of an attOr-
ney to his Understanding more. Rich
and poor alike have submitted their
cause to him with confidence that they
would receive faithful service.
Upon the bench he knew no distinc-
ton between suitors. With him justice
was the same whoever stood at the bar.
He had no fayorite attorney, and none
ever complained that he was discour-
teous, partial, or unjust Elevation
gave no haughtiness to his manner, and
good report brought TO him no conceit.
During his service upon the bench many
causes of Importance were heard before
him. but none of more Importance than
that which involved the right to tax the
branches of the Atlantic Coast Line Rail-
road. His decision that the State had
a right to tax was sustained by the State
and the United States Supreme Courts,
and the effect thereof has been to place
annually more than $3.50, 900 in the Treas
ury.
In the halls of the Legislature his SER
vices have been too recent to rehearse
Suffice to say he has always had the
manhood to advocate the right as he saw
it, whether he was opposed by the dem
agogue who would have stricken down
the well-to-do, or approached by the
lobbyist who would have imposed UNI
equal burdens upon the poor.
Let the great Democracy nominate
him as its candidate for this elevated
place. If you seek one who has render
ed party service, none has been more
loyal than he. If you seek one with ex-
perience at the bar, and upon the bench,
we invite comparison of his record
with any of the States distinguished
sons. If you would have a learned law
yer, a ripe scholar, a profound law
maker, he has all these characteristics
- Ni ii'NN0NiS anu luHHlHS over. IL
you would have a Christian gentleman,
without fear or reproach and judge with
out prejudice or favor, there breathes not
today within our State a better candi-
date than he.
Let this Democracy honor him. and
thereby add new luster to a bench al
ready made renowned by the memories
of Smith, Battle, Pearson, Ruffin and
Nash.