The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1907-05-16
Our Raleigh Letter.
GORMAN NEWS 81 REAL,
Baleigh, May 18th, 1907.

The masOns and other wOrkmen are
busy this week laying the granite pedes-
tai in Capitol Park for the bronze statue
that is to be formally unveiled next
Monday, May'20th, in honor and to the
memory of Ensign Worth Bagley, whom
Raleigh and the State OF North Carolina
contributed to the L. s. Navy and who
was killed of Cardenas-the first officer
killed in the war with Sphin. The event
will be of much interest to the people OF
this State and large crOyed of visitors
are expected to be here on the occasion
OF the unveiing including several noted
men from other States. As before stated
in these letters. Capt. Richmnd Pearson
Hobson of Alabama. a district OF whic!
he now represents in Congress, and who
figured SO coDspicuously IN the naval
warfare against Spain. will deliver the
principal address, and Lieutenant Bin"
Of South Carolina, AMI who was born
in North Carolina, another Spanish war
naval hero. will be an honOred guest OF
the occasion and will make an address.
Both knew young Bagley we'll personai-
Iy. Governor Glenn will formally ac-
cept the monument Oh behalf OF the
STATE. \ very interesting and patriotic
program OF exercises for the day has
Dttil DffIftItti, tilC
will sell reduced rate tickets and all who
come to Raleigh to witness the unveiilng
ceremonies vii, enjoy the occasion. no
doubt.
Those Of your renders ,ho are familiar
with tie general appearance OF the beau
tiful square block that surrounds the
State House and constitutes the Capitol
Park, have no doubt observed the Old
brick binding on the southwest corner
of this square AMI which was built tor
aud many years used us the State ar
senal." For number Of years attempts
have been repeatedly made to secure the
removal of the old eyesOre, and as many
times met with failure. Even an act OF
The l. 0islatnre several years ago did
not accomplish the purpose. 30 apprO-
priatiOn having been made for the cost
OF removal" it was explained by those
in authority. Another resolution was
passed by the general assembly last win
ter commanding as well as providing for
its removal and last Saturday evening
the last Of its four walls was torn down.
and wOrkmen are today removing the
last of the debris The new statue being
erected is near the spot occupied by the
late" old arsenal building. The general
appearance of the beautiful green square
is greatly improved by the removal OF
the old eyesOre.
1t is said today that some of the pres
ent State officials are indignant and
angry because OF the publication in a
number Of the State papers of articles
and correspondence discussing the candi
dates and probable candidates for the
Democratic nomination for the several
State offices. One OF the daily rewspa-
pers in its Sunday edition prints story
from it's Raleigh correspondent purport-
ing to represent the feeling of one of the
most prominent State officials and the
position of others. II that story is true
in detail it naturally l. ads one to think
that the present incumbents are entire
ly too jealous and sensitive on the sub
ject The statement is made that men
have been brought out as alleged can
didates who have and never had any
idea of aspiring to the positions in con
nection with which they have recently
been mentioned" by some of the news
papers, and that there are really no can
didates in the field for the nomination
for several of the most important State
offices, except the present incumbents, all
OF whom have served two or more terms
and in some cases appear inclined to
hold on for life
So far as reference to this subject has
been made in these letters, [ have to say
that those who assert that there are no
aspirants for certain of the offices named
except the present officials are certainly
mistaken. Those have referred to, in
deed. are not the only ones. The mistake
made was not in naming too many.
but too few. For instance | hear from
good auth GRITTY that Chief Clerk Maxwell
of the State Senate will be in the race