The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-05-25
CAN WE AFFORD TO NOMINATE
CLARK?


The one great political sensation of the
day that has been attracting the atteu-
tion of the people of North Carolina for
the past two or three weeks. is the
charges made by eX-Railroad Commits
sioner James Wilson, against Judge Wal
ter Clark. claiming that he had written
certain letters to Governor Russell and
THEM publication would show that he
had been the instigator of certain suits.
which he would be called to pass upon
as an Associate Justice of the Supreme
court. Ever since Mr.. Wilson issued his
row famous letter, the press of the
State has been demanding their publica-
ton, and in the Sunday papers they
wereemade public. AS to whether these
letters prove the charges of Wilson or
not, we do not pretend to say, but we do
say that whether they are true or not
there is one statement of facts that can
not be denied, either by Judge Clark's
most ardent supporters or his bitterasr
opponents, and they are facts that the
Democrats in North Carolina cannot fail
to take note Of There are great many
Democrats in North Carolina. who. UNI
der the circumstances. will not support
Judge Clark. Not only will the great
body of the membership of the Metho-
dist church decline 10 support him at
the polls, but they will leave no stone
upturned to bring about his defeat.
There is no member of the Democratic
party that can predict with certainty
the outcome of the coming election. For
the first time the election will be held
under the amended constitution, and
-4It1 =.
the former Democratic majority is yet
unknown. Thea as conclusive as some Of
the friends of Judge Clark claim his an
swer to Wilson to be, there are some
charges brought against him which he
does not deny in his letter, that if they
remain unanswered. thousands upon
thousands of Democrats will refuse to
support him. For example, it is charged
that he sought to be elected to the u.
S. Senate at the hands of the Populists.
Then after the death of Judge Fairclcth,
and before his body was committed TO
mother earth. he asked DR.. Thompson TO
intercede with Governor Russell TO APP
point him Chief Justice. 1t Is also
Charged that be had no sympathy with or
encouragement for the white supremacy
campaign of $685. and all during this
campaign he was constantly comforting
campaign he was constantly comforting
he does rot deny either of these allega-
TORS. Then the grave charge is made
that he instigated and promoted ltl-
gation in at last three cases. upon which
he knew if an appeal was taken 10 the
Supreme court, he would be called to
pass upon it. and he is asked if he did
hat
suggest the character of editorials for
the PopuHst papers. and then direct that
the copy be destroyed. But instead of
answering any OF these charges, and
there are others we have not mentioned,
his reply to Mr.. Wilson is full of abuse
of individuals and the railroads. Now
we ask, considering the extraordinary
situation confronting the Democratic
party, that the coming election Is the
first to be held under the amended cor
stitution, the great body of the rank and
file of the Democratic party that cannot
be induced to support the candidacy of
Judge Clark for Chief Justice. aside
from the charges made against him in
the Wilson letter. and with the pres
ent light before the Democracy of
North Carolina, can they afford to noni-
nate him for the exalted office to which
he aspires and man that would add
weakness rather than strength to the
ticket? Would not such a policy be a
suicidal one, and one ending in raising
to the Supreme Court bench a Repub1i-
can instead of Democrat? We believe
it would, and under the circumstances,
aside from the Wilson letter. the Demo
cratic party cannot afford to load itself
down with Judge Clark for Chief JUS
tice.