The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-09-02
FALSE CHARGES THE STOCK IN
TRADE OF REPUBLICANISM.

A common mistake of Republicans
in North Carolina is that the party
and it's members-rather it's Bosses
make statements that have not been
digested, when they attack the record
of the Democratic party.
A little thing like truth don't count
with them when they make campaign
sense or argument behind it that is
dished out to the people. The idea with
them seems to be: just shout loud
enough and whether it is so or not
don't count at all.
A case in point is the charges made
by the Republican State platform in
which it is charged that the present
State Administration has been extra
VACANT and attempts by it's words to
create the impression that the eX-
been corruptly increased by the Demo-
cratic administration.
The charge is not true. No think
ing man would attach a moments
consideration to it with the figures be-
fore him, and it is that the truth
might be known that State Chairman
Simmons has had inserted in the
Democratic handbook the official
figures from the books of the State
Treasurer showing the expenses of
1908, the Democratic administration in
charge and contrasts these with the
the Fusionists were troubling the
State.
And what do these figures show?
That item by item for the conduct of
the same things the Democracy in
1908 spent less by $157,166.67 than
was spent in 1900 when the Fusion
lists controlled. But is this all? Not
a bit of it. for the Democracy being
the party of progress, enlightenment
and education went forward and spent
money for the accomplishment of
great things in the State, which an
incompetent and shiftless Republican
party could not even think about.
Look back over the years since the
Democracy drove out Russell and the
Fusionists See what has been spent
for the conduct of schools, for hos
pitfalls, for new buildings for these. for
pensions to Confederate soldiers for
repairs and equipments for school and
hospital buildings. For these things
in 1903, besides repaying the loan of
$4,000, 900 made necessary by the debt
FL iStc loft n m
the State. the Democratic administra-
ton paid out $631,557.77. 1t is a
grand work which has been done. and
the whole State, irrespective of party
interests, has right to be proud OF 1t.
Here are some things to be consid-
cred: In 1900 the Russell admins
tration paid from the State treasury
nothing for public schools, as against
100000 paid by the Aycock admins
tration in 1908. To the Confederate
veterans 100000 more was given in
1903 than in 1900. For the care of
the insane the Democracy gave $75,-
500 more in 1903 than the Fusionists
in 1900. For the Deaf, Dumb and
Blind the present administration gave
in 1908 $4,000 more than was given
in 1900. These are only a part of the
things which the Democracy in con-
troll in the State has done. but by
this sample you can judge the whole
record.
In every department of the govern
ment of the State,-EXecutive, Judi
cial, Legislative-the Democracy in
vites comparisons as against the re-
cord of Republicanism and Fusionism.
The Democratic administration has
been marked by cleanness. ability and
business like methods, while incompe-
tency and shiftlessness not to uso
harsher terms, is the record left
by Fusonism- Republicanism.
But the people know for the people
think. 1t has hardly been necessary
to make such statements for back of
this time there has not been one year
of Republican or Fusion control in
North Carolina which has not irritat-
ed and exasperated the people, which
has not been marked by the grossest
incompetence and mismanagement. In
the Democracy the people of North
Carolina have obtained every relief
ever given them. and relying on it's
past course, proud of it's ability and
cleanness, the badge of authority,
conferred by great majority in North
Carolina, will again be given the
men selected as the Democratic
Standard bearers.