The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-01-08
Gen. Carr for Senator.

To the Editor: The Senatorial candl-
dates have pitched their camps in Ra-
leigh and are lining UP their forces for
the final battle to be fought out in the
Democratic caucus. All kinds of esti-
mates have been made. none of which
has any particular value. 1t is generally
thought that on the first ballot Overman
or atson will lead Carr will be third,
Craig fourth and so on. BY the third
ballot the caucus will get down to bust
ness. All the complimentary votes will
have been cast and the casting about
for the best man to unite on will begin.
1t will not be necessary to go outside or
the seven or eight avewed candidates to
fix upon this man. AS long as there is
any sort of a chance of making selec-
ton from among the declared candidates
q dark horse will not be considered, as
the general sentiment is in favor Of Civ
ing the prize to some one who has made
the entire race Conservative public
opinion indicates General Carr as the
winner. Overman and Watson will de-
velop their full strength on the first two
ballots, which will still leave them far
short of the goal.
When the friends of these gentlemen
who will they look to? There is but one
logical, ethical candidate and that is
General Carr His claims as a represen-
tativc North Carolnian of national
prominence will appear. His claims as a
Civil War veteran will appear. His
claims as a frierA1 in need TO his fellow
comrades will appear. His innumerable
benefactions to worthy institutions end
individuals-to public and private chart
ties-will appear. His munifcent and
long continued contributions to his
partys needful expenses will appear.
His public spirit and State pride will APP
pear. His constructive record as a self
made man Of business will appear. His
broad, cultured, progressive, statesman
like ideas will appear. The fact will also
appear that in return for the unstinted
aid he has lent the party, he has been
promised time and again by its leaders
anything within its gift he wanted. And
the further fact will appear that If the
Democracy would purge itself of ingrati-
tude it will not again. turn down it's bene-
factor for the only thing he has asked
at its hands. This is but the barest
statement of some of the claims upon
which General Carrs candidacy rests.
And they are claims that no Democratic
legislator having at heart the wellbeing
of his party. can decline to consider.
We have already in the Senate a man
of consuming and conspicuous ability as
a lawyer and politician. We need as his
colleague a man of equally commanding
ability in business--a man of affairs and
activities-a captain of industry who will
be the fitting exponent Of our industrial
progress and aspirations at this era.
Every formidable candidate in this fight
is a lawyer and a politician and more or
less a replication of Senator Simmons,
with the single exception of General
Carr
Why not take business man this time
The representatives Of the people cannot
with impunity ignore his claims. He has
not su!ked n his tent on account of his
defeat at a time when his candidacy~Was
inopportunc, because it was no reflection
upon his party standing popular
strength. Although his friends feel that
the party now owes him doubly this only
honor he has ever asked of it. he has
questioned the right of no candidate to
appear against him. On the contrary, he
is the friend of every man who stands
opposed to him If no one of the other
candidates finds that his legitimate
strength is sufficient to secure his nomi-
nation and that a compromise candidate
must be agreed upon, why not take Gen
eral Carr?
His selection will mean general salts
faction and not heart burnings, party
unification and not disruption. 1t will
mean recognition and requittal for his
II. n
mean that the Democratic party is ruled
by a majority as well as by machine.
But if he wantonly repudiated and hui
inflated this time then $4,000 Democrats,
who in 1901, resisted all conceivable pres
sure and supported General Carr in tht
most adverse, disadvantageous and I'M
equal contest in which a man was ever
involved, will ask the reason why.
c. A. MATTHEW'S.
Charlotte, n. c.. Jan. T.