Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1908-02-20

3 CJa6n MAJOR Jonu w
Graham aud Lieutenant Governor
Winstou-Mr. arahan's Sp'endid
Wo,k as a Legislator Praised.
IFrom the Daily Charlotte 90.
server, February S. l9o91
A session of the Legislature is an ok
setting test not only OF the intellectually
fitness OF the various members, but also
OF their moral character. The people,
would appreciate this fully could the
secret history of, ail our legislation be
spread before them. They could see
t! en- the great part which personal*am-
| billions and private interests play iii that
legislation. Indeed. to many members
the Legislature has been but Il stepping
stone to something that they fonuly
imagine is higher and better in pubic
lie. This is not an ideal condition.. In
truth it is an evil-sometiines a verv
great evil j; else why should onr statute
books be so largely filled with acts rs-
pealing acts In Il tree. a growing anu
a prosperous State, there Tan be no
more important or responsible position
than that OF law maker. The people
should no more select a man to legis,
ldIC lOT LllCu1> WIZ 10 wal OO A>JN
dice and with passion, Than tEey would
select such a man to hold impartial
scales for them in their courts OF jus
, tice. Experience, sobriety. wisdom.
Should be no less characteristics of a
legislator than a judge.
Influenced by considerations "f this
kind the people OF the nineteenth sen
atorial district, in the fall OF 1906. Sc
lected MS their Senior Senior Mai. John
w. Graham. OF Hillsboro.
/, Mater Graham at the time OF his elec-
ton was verglng upon old age, but IN
!, iull yigor of mind and body. F9l
twenty wears he had been out oil poN'
| tics. in the sense of being a candidate
for political office, devotipg his time
= and talents to the study AID practice Q
; his profession. He has never been /;
{ politician in the ordinary Specification
of the tel m. His constitutional reserve
! prevents him from being a good mixer
!, Guided 10y his " conscience ant
Judgment, too, he, Il few years age
d look the unpopular side ct 1--we grea
public questions, and it is seldom tina
The people forgive a man for bein'
wiser than they. Notwithstanding
% these disadvantages and limitations, u
d was unanimously nominated n I'll
umphantly elected, on account OF IN
Il wei,ht of his character. the soiidlty 6
10 his Judgment and the perfect com
\ dence OF the people in his consc!ei
tiousness. In the light OF both session
CT the Legislature he has wholly Just
lied this confidence. 1t Is MOI clalmih
~ too much to say that had the LeSlsi'
:. thre of 1907 adopted his views 10 u
- matter OF railroad regulation, the
ria - ~ -A.r, I,ono M npfsQSS11V@ {OI.
vn ~Snecia, session in 1908. AS to tn
however. there is room tor difference
- o%ninion. hut there can be none as to q
- tactfuiness. his wisdom and his magn
LIE nimity at the special session.
ny I. in writing this. have had no col
*. munication with Major Graham !; ma
in tact had no conversation within
3 in regard to the matter do not knc
his point of view even ; but 1t do
nd seem to me that the episode our
r,h when arose a sharp verbal CLASH
tween him and the Lieutenant GOV
'eH nor at the session of 1907 has not be
% presented in its proper light, anu l a.
DO. waited until the matter had Deco
his history and asperities had been soott
eli IN nresent the views Of some, at lei
~ of the MAJORS constituents upon 1t.
Sell On Friday he, as chairman OF 4
ler comnit,ee on railroads, had secu
lat from the Senate a distinct declarat
OF it's policy in the matter OF passen
i rates, 1t adopted by a good major
on its third reading, his bill provld
"ho 4 2 | 2-cent fiat rate. That attern'
hos. he was called 20 Hillsboro on lmpors
En-. business. Returning to Raleigh
next day, he found that the very 81
tors who the day before hah voted v
him had, in his absence, mind you,
in that is the sting contemptuo'
Sought east his bill into outer darkness, "
circumstances and with language
as his friends thought, mounte
serious and uni unsuitable indlynit!
him. Not only this. q om,n'tte
.. been appointed to confer VIII d slu
cofnmiLtee OF the House ana ne' .lo
chairman Of the Senate commute
over ,,Aroads. had been omitted from
rtaih ln,I.rence committee. What WOf
y NJ. then, that he. a proud. stli-respec
j.. man. snOull have used i'll his sp
cord that night while writhlng under Il S
)eecs of Injustice, if o foul play, lang
Page that was not parliamentary.
I sale Then came the extra session G
house tor the express purpose OF pmtlil
nday. effect the 2 Lucent flat rate. was
Welvt over before an instance i'll which d
;ribed might with more perfect prop
shout his 10 triumphe in the pres
of those who had he ped indis1
a anS upon him. Yet, Ignoring the pas
III n went quietly. painstakinglY andl
> fnai icusly to work upon the business {
Va extra session-no triumphant spee
, ,o no provoking, Il told you IS.
= So" q 1hen later. when the OCCASION pr
- 80 =" ed itself. he paused in the. mllIs
ne W speect, to make a ~magnanlmoQS
81. : graceful apology to u IL ut
Governor Tor the excessive heat
Ian.n remarks at The session OF 19O7. al
us W . NV that was met III the spirit IN
49,. Il as given. It was beautlinliy
/, ,te on tn. part of both. ut is the 9
.n.,oo a man to pass over a trau>sresslo!
,"-".. must not be UNDERSTOOD as.
IL oak SENSE ops" II nnnn any |
s.ane senator or not. The people Of &
.so"oe trict which Major Graham rep,
.lieno have rights in the matter. ney
y, SUn his earnest devotion to duty. !
': 1es,'.1 lirnt industry, his unwavelin
: s az ness, his stauhch honesty, MS I'M
20 john .TS|,I.., an,l hiS prevailing X