The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-11-06
Mr.. Simmons Speech was
Masterful.
CONTINUED From First Page.D

by As per cent, that sum being the av-
erage ad valorem tax the foreign pro-
Queer is required by that act to pay fol
the privilege of selling his goods in our
market
"On the other hand, the Democrats
demand that the minute the domestic
price exceeds a fair and reasonable
profit. the consumer shall be given the
full benefit OF foreign competition. 1T
holds that the American producer IS
entitled to sell at a fair oft, and if
any article, manufactured or not man
ufactured can not be produced IS
chearlv in this country as abroad the
producer shall be given sufficient pro-
lection to enable him. within. revenue
limits to pay the American scale of
wages and hold the domestic markets
against his foreign competitor. But 1t
also holds that the consumer is equally
entitled to buy at a fair price, and
that any system of taxation which
does not hold the scales evenly bal
anced between these two conflicting
interests is an unfair and unjust Sys-
tenn; and so believing. it demands the
revision and reduction of the present
tariff schedules in a spirit of justice
and conservatism, and with due re-
gard to the rights and interests of both
producer ana consumer, to the end
that while one may make a fair profit
the other may buv at a fair price"
Mr. simmons then compared the
record of the two parties in this
state. He said that the Democratic
party was composed of the best peO-
pie of the State, and that they might
have been expected to give us good
government. This they had done. The
Republican party was composed of an
oligarchy of Office-hOlderS and negro
organizers. and they might have been
l.. Il
and they did.
He exploded the only charge the
Republicans have made against the
AYcock adminstration-that of ex-
travagance. He said that after a care
full investigation of the records he
could say that not one single item OF
expenditure had been made by the Ay-
cock administration that was open to
the charge of extravaganza. He had
mo apologies to make for the increased
annropriatiOn to the Confederate SOL
diers. God bless every one of them.
We will increase it again if they need
it," The Democratic party would con-
tinue to make expenditures for schooi
purposes and for the uplifting of our
people until North Carolina should
stand abreast of her sister States.
Four Things to be Proud OF.
He said the Democratic party had
done four things in North Carolina TO
be proud Of l. 1t had rescued the
state from the hands of the fusion
combination with 1000 negro office
holders. and placed it the hands OF
those who had the good of the State al
heart; :. 1t had built a school house
in every district in the State, had run Il
four months school in every district,
and had increased the enrolment of
white children in the public schools
$4,000; g. 1t had abolished ignorant
negro suffrage; 4. 1t had driven the
crossroads GROCERY and the country
distiiiery out of the country, ana
placed them where there was police
protection.
THE amendment and the Watts bill
have just about put the Republican
party out of business in North Caro-
lima"
AS a proof of the practical benefits
of the amendment. he pointed to East
ern Carolina, and compared the pres
ent with the past conditions. That Sec
ton is now prosperous, and capital is
being invested every day. "Who is it
that wants to send you back to past
conditions? The Republican party of
the State? Nay, but a greater than
lyou, the Republican party of the ma
ton. The most dangerous enemy the
amendment has today is Theodore
Roosevelt"
He said the Democratic party had
| defined its position on temperance III
its platform. That is: Wherever Ii
quor is to be sold in North Carolina, it
must be surrounded bv police proteC-
ton" He said that the men had
rights, but that the women and Chill
dren had rights also; and that these
must be protected.
Here Mr.. Simmons indicated that
he was about to Quit. Some one in the
audience cried go on" Then with
wonderful dramatic effect the speaker
said he felt tonight like he had gotten
! Democratic religion over again-that
| he never came to Richmond county
! without being regenerated. That here
/ he found the purest Democracy in the
State. The representatives of that
/ Democracy felt proud of themselves
at this and cheered long and loud.
Outlook Heart Cheering
| OF the National outlook Mr.. Sim
mons said:
THE National outlook is of a char
acter to cheer the heart of every true
and loyal Democrat. The tide of pop
uIar favor is not only running with us
! but is rapidly assuming the sweep of a
] torrent bearing everything before it.
1T is an inspiring spectacle. The
Democratic party is no longer on the
defensive. After years of defensive
| fighting on the eve of the election I'M
der the lead of a consummate general
the party out of power is on the ag-
/ gressivc and pushing the charge
while the party III power is not only
on the defensive and in retreat, but
as it fees begging to be allowed to eA-
plain.
Explain what my friends? Explain
the crime and treason against the peo-
pie in the commission of which Cortel-
you and the Republican leaders have
been caught red-handed and exposed
Fleeing from what my friends? Flee
ing from the wrath of an outraged and
! betrayed people. For years we have
charged the Republican party with
selling and bartering away the law
making and laW-enforcing powers OF
| the government. Year after year II
has grown bolder and bolder-in sell
ing to the minions of monopoly and
organized greed the privilege to tax