The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-02-14
). Turner, of lredelI, for Governor.

:. Turner, of lredelI, for Governor.
To be chief magistrate of common
wealth, something less in extent than the
Kingdom of Eng land, to exercise direc-
| ting influence over the States most
weighty interests, in certain cases to sit
| in the seat of imperial Caesar, holding
! the scales of life and DEATH such things
the governorship OF North Carolina i'm
| Ilies. Upon him, who a few months
hence is to hold this place, will be cast
| the burden of no ordinary responsibility,
! aud out IN the unknown future already
destiny is preparing his work. There are
| those, now perhaps careless and happy,
who will entreat him with tears and
| lamentations, lives, whose whole future
current, for good or i'll. JOY or sorrow,
peace or misery, will be changed by the
touch of his hand. Some there are whose
dearest ambitions his unrestrained aru
will dash down to the dust and others
whose most cherished wish. at his de-
cree, will be granted. There is need that
he be a wise man and a strong man,
but above all, there is need that he be
good man, whose heart beats in re-
/
nature. Fortunately, the great party,
which brought North Carolina out of the
c:,taclysn of war and the horrors of re-
construction, which has been true to its
interests these thirty years and more,
is still rich in material OF leadership, and
among those who have entered the pres
ent contest for that glittering prize, there
/ is not one who should it fall to his
| there
fcre, word spoken for any of these
men, the recognition of his merits, and
the commentator of what seems in him
commendable must not be taken as dis
paragement of the rest. 1t is my purpose
to make some comment upon the record
and character of the present lieutenant
gov ernor, whose name, it is understood,
will be presented to the next Democratic
State Convention as a candidate for the
.Gubernatorial nomination.
Born forty-six years ago, Wilfred D..
Turner is in the prime of vigorous
manhood, approaching the zenith of a life
filled with useful labor and crowned with
success. glance at his clear cut feat
ures, and clean shaven face, surmounted
by mass of iron gray hair, shows him
one possessed of marked individuality; a
purpose, when once his mind has been
made up. His eyes are gray and keen.
looking the beholder square in the face,
with an unfaltering gaze, which has moth.
ing to conceal. The son of sturdy
| citizen of iIredell county, a pioneer cot
ton manufacturer governor Turner en-
joyed good advantages in his youth, and
made good use Of them. After receiving
;,,i,, h IL,
he took his degree at Trinity, graduating
/ from that institution with an enviable
rec ord. School days over, he began the
study of law in the office of that dis
| tinguished jurist, Judge r. F. Armfeld.
From pupil he soon rose to partner and
his association with his learned instruc-
tor, terminated only by the death of
the latter. Steadily, Governor Turner
has risen in a profession slow, until he
stands in the foremost ranks of the Pied
mont bar. Keen perception of the cru
cal points in a case careful and con
scientious preparation, unusual powers
as an advocate, and absolute fidelity TO
the cause intrusted to him, constitute
some of his chief characteristics as a
| lawyer. Those who have been long ami
Intimately associated with him in combat
az the bar, bear cheerful testimony to
his high and delicate sense of honor and
his rigid observance of professional obli-
cations Ee takes no short cuts. adoryts
no method of doubtful propriety SAVIOR
lug OF the shyster's sinister practice.
Whatever agreement he makes. whether
verbal or written that he keeps in the
tulness Of the spirit and the exactnpss
of the letter.
given signal proof of his ability. He is
closely identified with several LARGE and
successful business enterprises, which his
executive capacity has materially helped
to set on foot and keep in successfus
operation. Doing with his might what his
hands find to do, the breadth and versa
tlllty OF his talents are revealed by the
'incontrovertible argument of results.
In politics, he has always been a Demo-
c1at from principle, and an efficient work
e. IL the party ranks His creed is &C
quiesence in the will of the majority when
the party has spoken through the au-
thcrlzed agency of its National Conven-
ton. II mistakes are made and b,unders
committed, the proper course, according
TO his veiw, Is to correct those errors
Within the party councils and not TO dis
rupt the organization on account of diff
ferences In individual opinion.
During the sessions of 1887. 1889 and
1881, he represented Iredell county in
the State Senate, where his influence was
feit Tor good in some of the most i'm
portant legislation in those years. He
was recognized among the Democratic
| senators as strong and safe leader.
For several years, he served as chairman