The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1904-07-14

| THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEES.
Charlotte Observer
Hon. Alton Brooks Parker, of New
| York, the nominee of the Democratic
party for the Presidency, is native OF
Cortland, that State, and was born in
1862. He had common school edu-
cation, read law, was surrogate OF Uls.
Ter county for eight years, was dele
gate to the Democratic National Con-
vention of 1854, was offered the posi-
ton OF First Assistant Postmaster Gen
eral in Mr.. Cleveland's first administra-
ton, but declined 1t. He was chair
man of the Democratic State Executive
Committee of New York In 1885 and
led Mr.. Dayid B. Hill to the Governor
ship. The same year he was appoint
ed judge Of the Supreme Court
which in New York is not the Supreme
Court as we have it in North Carolina
and in 1898 was promoted by elect
ion to be Chief Judge OF the Court OF
Appeals, which is the highest judicial
position in his State. In this position
he has borne himself ably and WORTH
ly and holds it without Republican op-
position. There is a fashion among
both parties of New York in endorsing
men, even of opposite parties. who
have done we'll as judges, and so Judge
Parker has upon him the imprimatur
of both the parties. Yet there is no
question concerning his party affilia-
ton. He has been Democrat all his
life. An adherent of the. gold standard
sentiment OF his party when the mon.
ey question was vital yet he voted for
Mr.. Bryan in both the elections when
the latter was candidate, thus preserv-
ing bis regularity. 1t has been object
eG to him in recent months that he
would not talk, that nobody knew his
views upon public questions. The OBJ
lection is not we'll founded. His silence
has been the silence of dignity. His
political record is established, and as
the "Chief Judge" OF the chief State
i'll the Union, 1t did not become him
to talk for the public Or to give any
sign OF candidacy for the first Office Ii
the nation. Judge Parker's record as
man and Democrat is wholly good
His party and the country can affo-.
to trust him. The party can be proud
Of him as its candidate, and II he Is
elected his record in the high Office f.,
which he has been named will be sucl
that his country Will be proud of hin
as It's President.
The surprise OF the st. Louis c,n-
yentlon was the nomination of H,n.
Henry G. Davis, of West Virginia, i,l
Vice President. It is not recalled t;la
his name had been suggested for this
distinction. Another surprise in the
choice is found in his extreme age-.he
is IN his-elghty-first year, having bel
born in Baltimore November Is, 1928.
He was left fatherless and went +,
work young on meagre education, bis
first active employment having beel as
manager Of a farm, and then succ .ss-
lively as brakeman, conductor and Sta
lion agent on the Baltimore and Oaiu
Railroad. He later became a merchant
and collier, projected and carried to
success the West Virginia Central &
Plttsburg Railroad, of which be is pres
ldent, as also Of the Piedmont and
Cumberland Railway and the DAVIS
National Bank OF Piedmont, West Vir-
ginia. He has been a member of
both Houses OF the State Legislature
and was United States Senator from
1871 to 1888 when he declined reflect.
Ion. Mr.. Davis is a man of large
wealth, and has been for many years a
conspicuous figure in the political and
business affairs OF his State. 1t is vet
10 be ascertalned whether his nomina-
ton tor the Vlce-Presidency was in
4plred by the tact that West Virginia
Is more than doubtful-has Indeed
become Republican-State, and it is
aoped that his popularity will reclaim
1t, Or whether, he being possessed CT
arge means, it Is hoped that he will
'ecome a large contributor to the
campaign fund.