The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-05-02

olSllilCtIy uliCeISlOOo liilA ne - d Siiio
crat, and it not, and mas not been d can
didate for the nomination or endorse
ment of any party. except the cemo-
cratic party, that If nominated by the
democratic party at its convention on
August Sth, he would he a candidate for
reelection. otherwise he would not be a
candidate"
The News and Observer IN comment
ing upon it states that Judge Clark and
Judge Common had been nominated
without their consent. suggests a rea-
son why Judge Conner would not be a
candidate, and adds as follows: Judge
Clark is not in the same boat. ASsum-
ing the democrats VIII nominate him..
he will receive the votes of his own
party n the popuiists, and it may be
that the republicans viii follow suit
and he will be elected UNANIMOUSLY"
On the following day the News and
Observer editorially. Captain S. A. Ashe
being the editor, said as follows: 1T is
well to observe that Judge Clark in his
interview which we printed yesterday
says in effect that the action of the
populistS in endorsing him was without
his sanction. and that he would abide by
the action of the convention of his own
party, just as if the populists had taken
no such action. otherwise he will be no
candidate"
After these proInpt and excellent de-
clarations, the populists and republic
cans who voted for him. could have no
mfsconception Of his attitude.
Two days after Judge Ciark's card.
| Judge Connor published a very similar
one in the News and Observer on Aug
ust 4th. The following week, on Aug
ust 8th. the democratic convention
met and with all the facts known to
Chairman Simmons and other leaders.
and indeed to the public. Judge Clark
was unanimously nominated by the
| Tar,norof ic Marty .J;r6pa Cnpnnr cnulf
not run against Judge Burwell. the
nominee of his own party. but Judge
Clark being the nominee OF the demo-
cratic party had no right to refuse any
votes rendered for its nominee. His dec
laration that he had not sought the pop
ulist endorsement is as explicit as pen
cau make it, was written by the chair
man of the democratic party and was
not denied by a singls man, populfst or
otherwise. in the whole state-
Two years later. as Major Wilson
says, Judge Clark was rendered the
democratic nomination for governor.
and we know that he was unanimously
endorsed for vice-president by the state
convention, and later was voted for By
several states at Chicago. as the run
ming mate of Mr.. Bryan. and his friends
say he failed of the nor iuatfon and
only because when {. boy ne had been
a confederate soldier. After these party
endorsements. six or eight years ago. AZ
Is too late to question hls party loyalty.
We who live in Raleigh. where ne has
resided for nearly thirty years past,
know that he has attended every demo
cratic primary and ALWAYS voted the
democratic ticket without scratching.
For a great part OF tho time I lived In
the same ward and we voted at the
same box. What better proof IL need
ed? He has rot canvassed, Of course
since being on the bench. but before
that he had canvassed and contributed
fiberalIy of his means 10 party success.
What record can Major Jalaes w. Will
son show in this respect? Has he not
held office under every political party
in North Carolina since the war; Is
there nothing in the fraud commission
touching his dealing with Swepson and
Littlefield in their performance in days
of high republican ruie'
1t is charged in the pamphlet against
Judge Clark that he declined the demo.
cratic nomination for governor. which
he did because of his lack OF means, a:
he stated at the time, 70 fill the position
with the dignity due the state upof
the then insufficient salary of that Of
flee with a young family t. be raised
and educated. 1t was suggested by his
friends. not by him. ihat ne could re-
main on the bench and be elected with
out c~anvassing. This bad been done ths
year before by Chief Justice Turney
| OF tennessee, VINO Nldu DGtH tlcCltt
governor without ~canvassing n with.
out ~resigning his position OF chief jus.
tice, and the same thing had been done
I'm New Jersey. This movement was es
pecially opposed by the railroad elemen
whose principal desire then. as now
was to get Judge Clark Of the bench
Ny recollection Is that Judge Clark did
not avo the proposition himself. am
only agreed to IL il the convention de
sired II. their Judgment was also 10 tn
contrary, and that excellent gentleman
and sterling democrat, Cyrus 3. Wat
son was nominated and defeated. TIL
history Of the court since that dat
shows that Judge CLARK rendered a rea
!, and substantial service to the public b.
; declining TO leave the bench. So muel
for the charge of party fealty. Judg
Clark has never been a partisan IN tn
: bench. but in his opinions and his dis
senting opinions, especially in the -of
] fice-holding cases." he has shown tina
. In the construction Of the constitution
: and all matters touching h fnheren
rights Of the people and their right I
I voice their sentiments. through thei
legislature he has ciung TO the faith O
o J our fathers
e The charge that Judge Clark was