The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-06-20
Thos. w. Mason For Corporation
Commissioner.

| To the Editor: The Importance of the
| office of Corporation Commissioner is
| in the opinion of the thoughtful reflect
| full people of the State, not second at this
time to any office to be filled at the
approaching election The proper dis
charge of the duties requires man, not
only intellectually capable, but of I'M
questioned integrity and undoubted
moral courage.
| The Hon. Thomas w. Mason, in my
| opinion, possesses these qualifications
in an eminent degree Graduating at
| the University of North Carolina with
| first honors, when but a youth, he left
college with a moral character unques-
| toned clean and upright in all his
habits and ways, and these he has pre-
| served and strengthened through life.
| He was bred to the law, taking his
course at the University of Virginia. He
became a Confederate soldier. He was
of the South's best type of chivalry and
unsullied personal honor How he
thrilled the vast audience that surround
ed him by his magnificent oration-his
eloquent tribute-to the soldiers of the
South on the occasion of the laying of
the corner stone of the confederate
monument at Raleigh some years ago,
none who heard him will ever forget
After the war he returned to his farm
in Northampton county, where he has
since resided. Farming has been his
principal vocation, though he has prac-
tised law. not as a shyster. but upon
high plane. He has read good books, he
has thought great thoughts. He is a
philosopher. He has taught us what a
beautiful thing it is to be an unselfsh
patriot and Christian gentleman. 1t
can we'll be said of him that the good
of his country has Outranked any thought
of personal advancement. Once he ably
represented his district in the State
Senate. When in 1891. the Railroad
Commission was established, without
personal solicitation on his part, he was
named by the General Assembly as one
of the first Commissioners, and his
powerful intellect and Analysing force
contributed largely to the organizing of
that work and providing the details for
it's operation.
Under the law creating the Commits
sion, it was provided that of the three
Commissioners first elected. one should
hold for two years, one for four years,
after the term should be six years. The
purpose was that there might be con-
tinually on the board at least two men
of experience in the work. The term of
these first elected was determined by
lot. Major ]. NJ. Wilson drew the two
years term; Mr.. Mason the four. and
Mr.. Beddingfeld the six years term. At
the expiration of Maj. wilson's term
boin efsl ~,
the Legislature, he was reelected for
six years. But two years later
when Mr.. Masons term expired, the
elected S. Ohio Wilson in his stead.
Two years later, in 1896, his party nomi-
mated him against his wishes for Lieut.
Governor and demanded that he make
the fight. He buckled on his arh1or and
bravely battled against the cohorts of
the corrupt coalition from the mountain
to the seashore. M H3
He has stood with all his intellectual
and moral power for the Deahocratic
party in every campaign for Rhe last
thirty-four years. 1t would seem but an
act of simple justice to elect Mr.. Mason
to this position again. 1t falls far short
of the measure of just reward from
the people of the State for his unselfsh
and patriotic services.
But we do not rest his claim upon
that ground alone but rather that the
Democratic party and the State cannot
afford to pass by the opportunity of
filling this office with one so well fitted
therefor by experience, great Gapabili-
ties and high integrity.
Let the Democratic Convention do the
State the great good by nominating Mr..
Mason for Corporation Commissioner.
B. w. BALLARD.
Franklinton, N. c., June Is, 1902.