The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1905-08-24
Charlotte Observer.

Share of the Cursing.
Charlotte Observer
SenatOrF. NJ. Simmons is coming in
Tor his share of the cursing these
days. There are men who believe
that he is leading the Democratic
party to fall. The opposition to
his policy is growing every day now
as the election of 1905 approaches.
Some men who were his friends and
allies six years ago would defeat !aiia
now, and the number increases.
A gentleman ofinfiuence and stand
ing in his community, while in Char
lotte some time ago, asked an OBJ
server man this question: "What are
the Democrats of the State going to
do? Will they continue to follow
the lead of Simmons and go to Ger
tain defeat and see their party dis
rupted or will they turn him DOWN."
The man who made that speech is
all right and regular, for he went as
a delegate to the last national con-
rention and is at present a member
OF the State exc cutive committee and
one who opposed the calling of the
committee to question Mr.. Simmons
right to do certain things during the
meeting OF the last Legislature. His
Democracy has not been challenged,
and would not be if his name was
given.
He answered his own questions as
far as himself was concerred. He
said: II am for sending every anti
Simmons man that We can to the
next Legislature and beat him there.
l worked for Simmons and helped to
elect him to the Senate five years ago;
have been friend of his, but he is
wrong. He has gone wild and is rid
ing this hysterical wave that is sweep
ing the State. l believe in bursting
that ring which is lead by Simmons
and Jim Pou. | think from what |
can learn that the next State conven-
tion will break it. l did not think
we'll of the call for the meeting of COM
mittee during the Legislature, but l
do not think Simmons had any busi-
ness dipping into something that
did not concern him. He went out
of his way to enter the fight at Raj
sigh."
If the Observer man were to name
this man he would be read out of the
party, and as it does not name him
the interview will be called a fabrica-
tiOn by some coward who would not
face the writer and say as much.
Another stalwart Democratic lead
er from q distant county dropped in
the other day to say that he did not
like the way things were going. He
never scratched regular in his life
and never missed an opportunity to
vote; he was not mad but blue. The
signs do not suit him. He would like
to see the Democratic party stop and
think a little before going further.
"What effect would it have on the
headstrong leaders say, if forty or
fifty or even more good men, such as
Cy Watson of Winston, Dick Hackett
of Wilkesboro, Don Gillian of Tar
boro, and others that l might men,
tion were to get together and hold a
meeting and beg to be heard?" he
asked.
"The time for reading men out OF
the party has PASSED; we cannot af-
ford to do it. Something must be
done. We can't go on like we are
going. The little laws that give an
officer the right to seize mans
property and take it from him with
out process are becoming oppressive
and people will not put up with it
much longer. There is great discon-
tent. l am for taking positive steps.
"The Republican party does not
hold out any hope. Instead of i'm
proving it grows worse. The leaders
seem to be foolish. 1t looks now as
| if Marion Butler would be taken in
and given a seat high up in the syna-
gogue. We must look elsewhere for
relief
II favor making q showdown
against Simmons and his cohorts. y
That sort of talk can be heard if a
fellow cares to listen to it. The bush
es are full of ofdiscOntented Democrats.
They are not threatening but pray
ing.
But if they were to try to defeat
Simmons who would be the man to
do it? 1t is said that Mr.. Chas. B.
Aycock could do it if he would but it
is declared that he has promised Sim
mons not to run. If this be true he
would not be a candidate nor would
he accept the place for be is man OF
his word. Some aver that Judge
Walter Clark would like to succeed
Simmons. He is man of great
shrewdness and ambition. His ways
are mysterious and cunning. But
all OF these things may turn out in
due time. 1t is certain that Mr.. Sim
mons has incurred the i'll will ofmany
of his former friends and co-workers.
Coming events will be watched with
interest.