The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-04-25
Record of Hon. Charles n. Thomas.
(Sampson' Democrat1

aAAli
as it is generally understood that Hon.
Charles r. Thomas will be a candidate
FOR denomination, we deem II prope-I
III just, in view of his successful SER
vice rendered the third congressional
district Of North Carolina, to present
to the people and our readers a brief
statement of the work accomplished by
bin as the representative of this dis
trjct
1t Is just and right that the people
should know nov their representative
has administered the trust reposed in
him. and what his course has beer
since his election.
In 1898. Mr.. Thomas was first elected
to the fifty-sixth congress, reversing a
large fusion majority. in which result
MS personal popularity with men O;
all parties and all classes was a most
important element.
in 1860. he was re elected by a largely
increased majority. Notwithstanding
this fact. and his defeat OF the same
opponent. in the same district in both
campaigns. his second election was fol-
lowed by a contest for his seat, which
has been a sources Of much trouble and
expense. These facts we believe the
people will not forget. and that they
alone are sufficient to entitle him to
denomination by tine democratic party.
but when there IS added to these facts
the important. valuable. honest and
efficient service he has rendered to the
people of his district, there should not
ne the slightest opposition to his re-
turn to congress for another term. He
is in p position TO ender still more ef-
fective service the next term by req
son Of his knowledge and experience
and influence acquired during the fifty
sixth and f~fty-seventh congresses. He
will furthermore be unembarrassed by
complications arising out OF political
contests
In the ffty-slXth congress as well as
In the f~fty-seventh. Mr.. Thomas has
been constantly in attendance upon the
sessions of the house. His record shows
he mas seldom been absent from his
seat. and has never missed a vote upon
the important questions, or failed to
speak upon the floor in behalf of the
interests of his state and district.
In the fifty-sixth congress among
other important matters of legislation
ne passed the following bills for the
third district:
Bill appropriating $4,000 for repair Of
roadway to the National cemetery at
Newbern
Bill to establish terms of the United
States circuit court at New Bern and
Elizabeth city.
Bill increasing the pay of surfmen in
the Life Saving service.
Bill making appropriation to pay the
New Bern Masonic lodge for the use
and destruction of it's property during
the civil war.
Bills to pension Irving Johnson. Mrs.
4 snlln-l &c I4-a- -, a-l tA1-,
He secured In the river and harbor
bill appropriations and surveys for
every river in his district.
He secured the incorporation in the
omnibus bill to a southern war
claims of every bill presented by him
on behalf of his constituents.
In the debate upon the floor of the
house upon the man question early in
the first session O. the fifty-sixth on
gress, he spoke n opposition to the bill
establishing the gold standard.
He also. in accordance with his
party's political platform. opposed the
republican policy of imperialism in a
speech highly complimented.
He also made speeches in behalf Of
the Masonic claim bill: bill for repair
of roadway to National cemetery at
New Bern: bill Increasing pay of surf
men in the Life Saving service: bill
for Improvement of the Cape Fear
river between Wilmington and Fayet-
teville. and upon surdry other subjects
mot only OF local. but of national inn
p~ortance-
In the f~ifty-Seventh congress-. which
has been in session now for only about
three months. the representative of the
third district mas already secured the
passage of n bill establishing a life
saving station at Bogue Inlet. Onslow
county. N. c.. which means the appro-
priation of more tina $3.50 for the
construction of said station. and an an
nual pay roll of about S. 900 for cap
tain and crow to man the same.
He has also secured in the river and
harbor bill liberal appropriations for
all the rivers and harbors of his dis
trict. including survey of New River.
Onslow county; Neuse river from
Goldsboro to New Bern. and Carrot Is
land Slough, involving an expenditure
by the government of several hundred
thousand dollars.
In connection with the representa-
tive of the first district. Mr.. Small, by
personal influence and by advocacy OF
the same upon the floor. he secured the
Incorporation in the Urgency Defic-
iency bill of an additional a%ppropria-
ton Of s12.500 for the Marine Biologi-
cal station at Beaufort. N. G.
He also secured a favorable report
for the construction of a revenue cut
ter of the first class, tn he constructed
at a cost of $4,000. to navigate Pam
leo and Albermarle sounds and Neuse
river.
He will also secure bile resports
upon sundry pension bills and other
claims.
In the matter of rural free delivery
routes, Congressman Thomas has also
been exceedingly active and urgent
and has succeeded in having a large
number of such routes established If
the third district in the counties o.
Craven. Sampson, Puplin and Onslow
ard a petition is on file which will be
pressed for the extension of the ser,
vice elsewhere in the district.
For Carteret county the representa-.
tive Of the third district has been au-
thoriZed to say that he will secure ar
additional life saving station for which
an appropriation has already beer
made by law to be erected at Beaufort
This station was authorized some time
6 but there was controversy as tC