The gold leaf., 1909-11-04
dolly" Thomas.


Bailey, Himself a Former
Newspaper Man, and one of
the Best in the State Gen
ial, Wholesouled, Loving His
People and Always in Close
Touch with Them, the Death
Of Such a Man Leaves a
Void in His Community and
the State-His Paper a Rep
resentative One.
did not know J. A. Thomas as in
timately as many in Franklin county
did; and | feel that | am not as
worthy as many are to write of him.
But. as l have read the Franklin
Times week by week since his death.
| have been impressed that, in the
absence of those sketches of him
which those who did know him bet
ter than | might have written what
| have to say Of him cannot be out
of place.
| have read the Franklin Times
about fifteen years. So | knew
Thomas as newspaper writer. He
was by all the marks IL good one. His
paper was always interesting, repre-
senting the county news, views and
spirit, far better than most local pa
pers, and carrying a good proportion
OF serious and helpful matter. His
distinguishing virtue as an editor
was his closeness to his people. He
knew the Franklin county people in
way that few men have known the
people of any county. And he was
one OF them. He was not above
them. 1t was unthinkable to him to
be above them. He did not sit on
his editorial pedestal and hand down
advice and opinions to them; but he
spoke for them; thought their
thoughts; and their interests were his
interests. This means that he had
common sense; for common-sense is
the cOmmOn-sense, that is, the COM
mon Judgment of the sum total OF
people round about one. The only
way to have cOmmOn-sense is to live
with "the folks" and to be one OF
them. This Thomas did; and it was
this that made him a strong editor.
Thomas was also a politician, a
down right politician. He was not
ashamed of it, and l am not ashamed
OF it for him. The politician may be
a most valuable citizen; and he may
do great harm. Thomas was of the
valuable sort. He knew the minds
of his people, and he knew how to
write and direct their minds. He
kept the people of Franklin together
and my Judgment is he kept them on
the right track.
AS a politician he was good
fighter. He fought to the last ounce
in him. But he did not fight selfshly
He loved the Democratic party
literally loved it, and l think he al
most hated the Republican party
He certainly abhorred it. But there
was no hatred of men in his warm
heart. Seldom have known a more
genial soul-a man more disposed to
be of goodwill to good willing men
The shams received his contempt
and demagogs got Indignation from
him. He was quick to discover the
false note in any man; and as quick
to turn from such an one.
AS a politician two features ol
Thomas career stand out. He was
a prOdigious party worker. He kept
Franklin near the top. as a Demo
cratic county. He canvassed the
people personally. He was fighting
Democrat all the year round. His
interest in his party never wavered
He was always at his work of heal
ing wounds and curing disaffection
and preaching Democracy; and the
result OF it was that when election
day came Franklin rolled up great
ma jority. He was also a true soldier
OF his cause. Faithful to his friends
to the last degree, he would make 6
great fight for them. But if they
were beaten for the nomination be
took up the cause of the winners
and fought just as hard for them.
offer him to our people as fine ex
ample of working Democrat, the
like Of which we cannot have toe
many.
So as an editor and party leader
he rendered his county and State fine
service. doubt if there has been 6
county chairman in North Caroline
that was his superior.
But Dolly" Thomas was Dolly
Thomas not because he was an editor
or politician. He was called DOL
ly" because his fellow men loved him
and they loved him because of tn,
warm love in his soul. He was on,
of the most genial of citizens. Th,
handshake, the smile and kline
word were the part of him that wer,
never eclipsed. He must have haC
his gloomy days; he must often hav,
been burdened. We all are in on,
way or another. But Thomas glad
ness was dominant This was tn,
reward he won-a happy heart. No
wealth for him, nor fame; but hap
py heart. Men said he was genial
That is all right. But why did the,
say it? Was it not because he re
fiected back upon them from his owl
soul the better spirits of their own
And they felt true human warmth
in his presence, a warmth that ever.
| heart ought to shed abroad, bu
which not many succeed in doing.
When l heard of his death l wa
unprepared for it. l had seen him /,
few weeks before; and l knew of hi
illness. But | did not think so fine
spirit was so soon to leave US. An,