The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1905-08-24

| desire to win elections.
These facts are written large and PLAN
i'm the history of recent events, that the
wayfar1ng man, even though he be a fool
need not err therein.
The only other possible explanation of
the facts lies in the theory that our 'tlead-
ers' are absolutely incompetent-are most
unthinkable "nincompoops."
Let US glance at the history of recent
congressional elections.
The Organization bitterly fought the
nomination of men deemed at all likely to
be elected; and it would be hard for them
to point to any real and efficient and or
comfort given by them to any candidate
In the tenth district, for example, the
prospect of success seemed bright. The
organization bitterly fought the nomina'
ton of either Judge Ewart or Thomas Set
tie, the two most experienced campaigners
in the district.
Judge Ewart was nominated, and it is
notorious that the machine was worse than
lukewarm in his support. He failed; and
it may be that they have, in consideration
of his failure, forgiven him for running.
Blackburn did not fail ia the 9Th, and
the organization has never forgiven him for
his success. The moment his election was
announced he became the target for all
manner of abuse from the organization
leaders. Instead of offering him such aid
and encouragement as would help him to
pave the way for another victory at the
next election, every possible step has been
| taken to make it difficult to carry his dis.
trict again.
| They are planning to establish 10 Green's
boro, his old home, a daily newspaper with
| which to fight him. They make it to be
sure, some dimsy pretext that It is to be a
| republican paper, run for the advance
ment of the party at large; but l think that
the public in general is fully aware that
they contemplate merely an ''anti-Black-
| burn" sheet; that their sole aim an object is
to crush the growing power and influence
| of Blackburn and those who, like him, are
pleased by victory st the polls, and to per-
petuRte in power the present aggre cation o
icomplacelt patronage brokers.
You may get IN instructive side light up
on their claim that they really desire a
strong, live republican daily, by rejecting
| on this fact.
In short, the organization embittered the
last days Of the tate Congressman James
M. Moody. It contributed, as far as it
dared, to the defeat of Judge Ewart; and it
is fighting Blackburn ''tooth and t~oe-nail. y
1t is true that some of our recent con-
/ gressiouaI candidates do still bask in the
smiles of the organization. The thought
full will, however, note that they are of.
| those who ''also RAM who merely went.
through the form of making Il campaign,
and then cheerfully accepted predestined
defeat. Such candidates please the organi-
zation; but it can never forgive one who
wins at the. polls.
Fighting those who win elections and re-
| warding those who lose them is not the on
ly queer" trick INDUCED in by the organi-
~zation.
The distribution of the Federal patron
age has been managed in such a manner as
almost to prove a deliberate intent to DIS
IGust, discourage and disrupt the party.
II Something over thirty of the kinsfolk of
our present chairman haYe been appointed
to Office. About q dozen relatives of Col
lector Harkins (who himself seems slated
for a third term) have been similarly bless
ed. j. Wiley Shook is the nucleus of q
considerable bunch; and there may be other
happy family groups.
They long since made the terms of the
Federal Offices of the state subject to the
laws Of inheritance and dover. Now they
seem bent on making their terms perpetu-
al.
In spite of the clamor against the prac-
tice in general and these concrete cases In
particular; Chairman Rollins seems bent
upon re-appointing his father, Collector
Harkins and others, to third terms in their
very lucrative Offices.
History is said to repeat herself; doubt
less because, human nature being pretty
much the same thing at one time as anoth-
er, like conditions induce like actions. |
There is comfort in the thought. In 1886
the organization had become almost as ar
bitrary and offensive as the present close
corporation, and as skilled in the gentle art
of losing elections. The party revolted, |
reorganized, and, under entirely new man
agement, commenced at once to win vic
tory at the polls. 1t kept on gaining
ground until it had carried the state.
1t can as easily be done again. For the
party's sake, let US do it!
The time Is ripe for immense republi-
can gain in North Carolina, if we can Sc
cure competent leaders who honestly de
sire success at the polls.
Let US therefore entrust the direction of
party affairs to men whose ambitions can