The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-28
Politics and Politicians.

office the State has to bestow on one of
its citizens, and it is natural that it
should be sought by a number of worthy
and able men. We have none but friendly
feeling for all the candidates. But we see
in Hon. Lee S. Overman. of Rowan. the
ideal man for the place. He is in the
prime of a magnificent manhood. OF
striking personal appearance, educated in
one of our State colleges, lawyer in the
, front rank of the profession, an orator
the equal of our eloquent Governor and
camraigner and debater he is the peer
of any man in the State. He has served
several terms in the Legislature and has
displayed a genius for legislation that has
given him a State wide reputation. AS
speaker of the House, he made a reputa-
ton that stamps him among the ablest
of parliamentarianS. All his study,
training and work have peculiarly fitted
him for seat in the highest legislative
assembly in our land.
His private life has been model of up
Brightness, integrity and openness, and
no man is more universally popular with
his home people-people who have known
him and associated with him through
out his school days and professional
His services to his party are we'll known
and acknowledged by everybody. He has
given his time freely in every campaign
since 1876 and has spoken in nearly every
county in the State. Throughout Pied
mont North Carolina it is only necessary
to advertise Lee S. Overman to speak
to insure a crowd. And no man has the
power in a greater degree to enthuse the
faithful convince the doubtful or con-
vert the errine than he. But in spite of
his great services to his party, he has
never asked for any office outside
his own county. In no State, Congress
sional or Judicial convention has he ever
asked for recognition or reward, To no
President, Senator or other United States
officer has he applied for an appointive
office Modest to a fault in his own be-
half, he has been ever Jealous in. pushing
the claims of his friends and promoting
the success of his party.
Mr.. Overman lives in Rowan county, the
Gibraltar of North Carolina Democracy.
Since the redemption of the State from
carpet bagism, his county has never gone
any other way but Democratic While
nearly every other county in the State
has been caught in the snares of Liber-
alism, Fusionism or some other move
ment to dislodge the Democratic party
from power and bring disgrace to the
State. Mr.. Overman's county has stood
steadfastly for the right.
The seat 10 be filled in the Senate, ac-
oordng to a time honored custom, be-
longs to Western North Carolina. Of all
the candidates Mr.. Overman is nearest
the center of the West. He is more COM
pletely identified with all the West than
any others of the men whose names will
go before the Democratic caucus. He
will enter the contest with the votes
of more Western counties than any other
candidate and will also have enthusi-
astic support from the centre and East.
He may not have majority on the first
allot, but will be the leading candidate,
and this lead will be so marked, we hope,
that his nomination will soon follow.
More people in the State are for him
than for any other candidate, and
smaller number will be disappointed by
his election than by that of any other
man.
He was the caucus nominee in 1898,
, when there was no chance of an election.
Make him the nominee in 1908 when a
tion-Newton Enterprise.
We submit the following to our read
ers with the request that our friends, in
terested in the measure, will render lis
their aid in securing better roads for
Johnston county.
The next General Assembly will be
asked to pass bill providing ways ard
no
for its introduction.
|. The principal points of that measure
| will be-
/. Authority to levy ana collect spe-
cial tax for the construction. improve
ment and maintainance of the public
roads
2 Provision for the employment of
county convicts, as we'll as convicts from
| other counties, not using their conVl2ts.
Creation of the bonded office or
| County Road and Bridge Supervisor
| whose duties shall be to exercise per son-
| al supervision of all work connected
| with roads and bridges and who snail
! take the place of the Letting ana he
| ceiving' commissioners.
| The above ideas will be embodied IL
| the measure Let us hear from the reo-
ple. The columns of this paper are open
! for the publication of short. signed cow
| mupications concerning this SUBJECT
whether in approval of or opposition 10
| our views.-Smithfield Herald.
Hon. Robt. N. Page, Representative
elect for this Congressional district, has
appointed Mr.. Charles Ross, of Randolph
his private secretary. Mr.. Ross was
! member of te last General Assembly anc
is a very bright young man. He placed
Mr. Page in nomination at the Monroe
convention, making a speech that was
highly complimented on all sides
Wadesboro Messenger and Intelligencer.
Mr.. J. A. McCray, member-elect OF the
Legislature from Arson county, was IL
the city yesterday, returning home from
Chapel Hill, where he has been attending
the Law Department. Mr.. McCray eX'
pressed himself as favoring the election
of Hon. Samuel NJ Gattis for Speaker
of the House. Arson county held pri'
mary at the last election and instructed
for Hon. c. B. Watson, for the United
| TaT W