The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-11-06
SIMMONS SPEECH
WAS MASTERfUL
Declared 1.-The Wisest
Man Prominent in
Southern Politics"
PLEASES ROCKINGHAM
Extracts From the Convincing and
Powerful Speech of North Caro-
Iina's Senior Senator.
Its Richmonds
''Unterrified."
BY p. C. WHITLOCK.

(SpeclaI TO News ana observer
Rockingham, N. c., Nov. 5.-Sena-
tor Simmons spoke in the court house
here last night. Notwithstanding the
fact that it had been raining all day
and was still raining at the hour for
the speaking to begin, there was a
fairly good audience of voters A few
ladies had braved the weather, and
occupied seats in the bar.
Richmond is Simmons county, and
but for the rain the court house would
not have begun to hold the crowd.
While the committee had gone to
the hotel for the Senator, Mr.. Hector
Mclean, of Scotland county. Demo-
cratic candidate for the State Senate
from this district. who was present,
was introduced. and made an an
nouncement of his candidacy. this be-
ing his first appearance here in the
campaign. His Scotch humor was ap-
preciated, and applauded.
Mr.. Simmons was introduced by Mr..
Cameron Morrison in an exceedingly
happy manner. He referred to the
great work done for the Democratic
party by Mr.. Simmons. He said that
to him. more than to any twenty 9TH
er men, was due the fact that 10000
white men in North Carolina can vote
at the coming election without having
their votes cancelled by as many igno-
rant negroes. He referred in terms
of highest compliment to Mr.. Sim
mons record in the United States Sem
ate. He has measured up to the ex-
DectationS of his friends in every in
stance" said Mr.. Morrison. He is
said he, 1.-The wiseSt man, in my judg-
ment prominent in politics in the
Southern States today
Mr.. Simmons speech was masterful.
Ia ot io1 oFc
and the personality of Mr.. Roosevelt.
Referring to the Republican candi-
dates in North Carolina, he said that
he preferred not to have anything to
say about these gentlemen whom the
Republican party in this State had put
up for slaughter. AS to the National
ticket, he said Mr. Roosevelt was
popular with a few restive spirits like
himself who feel restrained by the Con
stitutiOn and the law of the land, ana
who desire to burst their bounds. He
is also popular with those who gath
er around Washington seeking to have
laws passed for their privilege, and
who are best characterized as a species
of "horse leeches.' He is popular with
the negro; and also with the cowboy
the most lawless of our population
Mr.. Simmons then showed why he
ought not to be popular, and was not,
with the farmer. the laborer. the Qua
ker, the conservative, law-abidine
people of the country. And he ought
not to be popular with the PoDulists
either" said the speaker. Then turn
ing to Mr.. Cameron Morrison he
asked how many Populsts there were
in Richmond county. Three replied
Mr.. Morrison. This created a laugh.
The Character of Roosevelt.
Referring to the corruption in the
Postoffice Department. Mr.. Simmons
said ne did not charge Theodore
Roosevelt with corruption. but that he
was responsible for his agents. That
We were going to elect a man who
would clean out the Augean stables, if
ii took a life time. He said Mr.. Roose-