The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-06-08
UNIQUE ANNOUNCEMENT
Ar. Beckett Being Asked 70 Run for
the Legislature Answers Specific
Questions and States His Mental At
titude-Wants q Three Days Ses-
sion.

SueStfons and states His Mental At
titude-Wants q Three Days Ses-
sion.
Ia the Franklin Progress OF last
week We ani the most original an
nouncenent for Office that has ap-
peared in some time. Il IS an ad-
dress 10 the jeople OF Franklin coun-
~ by Mr.. T. w, Beckett We copy
most OF il. as follows:
| have been urged by a friend
possibly than he, but that
doesn't matter-to say that I you'll
accept the Democratic nomination
for the House of Representatives. At
first | positively refused 10 consider
the matter Al all. but recently I have
discovered IN my inward parts a dis
position 70 yield 10 the soft persu-
sion. It has been p~ersistently con-
tended by some Of the papers in the
State that the people should demand
OF every candidate. Why do YOU
want To go TO the legislaturee" The
position is we'll taken, the question
is IN eminently fair and proper one.
II in these times of peace and pros
perity, when all the great questions
OF human rights and liberties a
been settled, when the race question,
if not dead, is taking a long, sweet
sleep, when the leaders Of the enemy
have worn themselves to a fragile
whipping each other-if under these
conditions a man" sound of wind and
limb" really ants to go TO the Leg
islature, then he should be subjected 20
q rigid croSS-examination and required
TO state the reason why. Such n want,
unexplained, IL looks suspicious; II
creates a presumption against a man,
which if he can rebut, it becomes his
duty to his country and his family 10
do il.
| will assume, then, that in obedi-
ence TO h suggestion of the news
papers the people Of the country have
appointed a committee to wait on ME
and demand why | am willing 10 go
TO the Legislature. My reply is, be-
cause it has been made 10 appear 10
me that the people really and sim
cerely want me to be their represen-
tative. That is absolutely the only rea-
son that makes M entertain the idea
for one minute. If this wish on the
part of the people is as general and
as genuine as | have beer led to be-
lieve, then | am willing to serve you
in this capacity. If you do not want
me to be your representative, h |
ask you TO be frank with ME and TO do
me simple justice of attending the
township meetings or primaries and
sending up delegates o the county con-
vention who will vote for some Il
else.
| will here and now state what i
will stand for in case lam sent up.
| will put my views in the shape of
a program instead of a platform.
Platforms have lost their power. Part
ly from abuse, partly from disuse,
their glory has departed. In o cas-
es a platform is a euphOnious cOrrela-
ton of platitudes and 1nsidpiditie5
An observant photographer would
probably define a platform in its polit-
ical sense to be a continuance used by
politicians to walk into office on, as
one uses the gang-plank in boarding d
ship. On account of these things,
a platform is more or less in disfavor
and ]disreptute. Therefore, l will write
program.
PROGRAM.
General Assembly, 1907.
First Day. Organization.
2. Reception of Governors message.
3. Passage of act to restore to the
dogs Of Franklin county their tncient
immunity from taxation. Taxation
without representation is unjust.
Night Session: L. Consideration and
passage of Revenue and Machinery
acts-same as 1905. with any slight
notifications which shall meet with
favor.
2. Passage of insurance law in line
with recommendation of the Gover-
nor and Insurance Department.
Second Day.-Morning Session: 1.
Appropriations, same as 1905, with as
much additional for care of insanse
as possible.
2. Refer all bills relating 10 freight
and passenger rates to the Corpora
ton Commission with directions TO
make a thorough investigation to the
facts and then fix the lowest rate pos
sible consistent with the fairness and
Justice to the railroad, and with the
continued growth and development OF
the State.
Night Session: /. Election of United
States Senator.
Third Day.-Morning Session: !. Elk
ira appropriation to public schools of
the sum Of SOS. 406. 50.
2. Passage Of resolution that, not
w~ithstanding the charges and counter
charges hurled at one another by men
of place and prominence, the General
Assembly Of 1907 reafirms its faith in
the goodness of God and men, and in
the final perseverance Of Democratic
principles.
3. Photograph of General Assembly
4. Adjournment, sine die.
Though the program is snort, he
proper limits Of this article will not
permit a discussion Of he whole or
it. Just two features | will mention.
Ffrt the proposition 10 refer all
rate bills 10 the Corporation Com
mission ought 70 meet with the ap-
prevail Of the fairly disposed The
Commission was craa-ed and is main