The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1910-07-07
DEMOCRATIC HARMONY?


be pursuing the proper course when
it makes such vicious and uncalled
for assault upon honorable and
worthy Democrats whose personal
and political records are clear and
clean, as in the article published be-
low, but we do not think so. The
Ansonian does not come to our ex-
change table and we copy from the
Greensboro News, but we do not
question the authenticity of the
article in the least. Here it is:
II Judge Manning holds the balance
of power on the Supreme court bench
as it is now constituted, his case
should be carefully considered before
he is retained in that body. 1t will
be remembered that he managed the
campaign OF Governor Kitchin, hold
ing at the same time high-salarled
position as counsel for the American
Tobacco Company. Soon after be-
ing inaugurated, MIR. Kltchln ap-
pointed Mr.. Manning associateludge
OF the Supreme court of the State.
The people then said that no laws
would be passed or action taken that
would harm the American Tobacco
Company, North Cardinals greatest
trust. They have not been disap-
pointed in this, although Mr.. kitchin
and Mr.. Manning tried to make them
believe, during the formers campaign
that great things would be done to
curb this mighty trust. True to the
belief OF those who opposed him, Mr..
Kitchin has remained practically
silent when the great trust was being
considered. True to the belief OF
those who opposed the appointment
OF Mr. Manning to the Supreme court
bench, he has on every occasion de-
livered his opinion in favor OF the
corporate interests OF the State and
directly against the will OF the people.
He may not be their servant, but
there is much evidence to show that
the people will do we'll to elect Judge
Allen, who, during his many years on
the Superior court bench, has shown
absolute fairness and sound Judgment
in dealing with the corporate inter-
ests and the people. His recognized
legal ability and his deep love for JUS
tice are so pronounced that even his
enemies are saying that he should
remain on the Superior court bench,
where he has so many more oppor-
tunities to exercise his superior legal
ability. But recently his opinions
have been overruled in the higher
court where Mr.. Manning casts the
deciding vote. These opinions were
correct in the minds of many of the
States leading judges and lawyers,
but they didn't stand where Mr..
Manning is said to rule. 1t looks
like there should be a change and
especially so when a man of Judge
Aliens pronounced type and ability,
entitled by reason of long service
and fitness, is desired by the people
and their friends.
This attack upon Judge Manning
and Gov. Kitchin, right upon the eve
OF holding the State convention, may
help the cause OF the candidate whose
claims the Ansonian is championing,
but if it does we mistake the temper
of the people Of North Carolina. But
whether it hurts one or helps another
Individual it serves to make good
political capital for the opposition
and we do not blame them for max
ing the most of it. Prefacing the
Ansonian's article with some COM
ments Of it's own the Greensboro
News says:
Throughout all this contest the
Democrats are waging-this fight
over aposition on the Supreme court
bench-we have felt keen interest,
because there is so much more at is
sue than the simple question of which
OF two good lawyers shall secure the
nomination. 1t involves the future
control of the Democratic party, and
the chances for certain men to be
governor and United States senator
are being determined by it. But in
it all we have had no word of criticism
for either OF the candidates. Our time
will come in the campaign, after all
the conventions have acted.
Since the above was put in type
the following from the Durham Her
aid OF yesterday is timely denying as
it does in toto that Judge Manning
is or ever has been an attorney for
the American Tobacco Company:
If Judge Allen is ahead in the race
for the Supreme court bench, as bis
friends claim, it would seem to be en-.
tirely unnecessary for them to make
charges against his opponent that
are without foundation. Even SC
. reliable a paper as the Wadesboro
Ansonian makes the charge in it's edi
; torial page that Mr.. Manning has
been attorney for the American To
bacco Company and that since he has
been on the bench his decisions have
invariably been in favor of the cor
pOratiOns. As to the first. Mr.. Man
ming is not and never has been ar
attorney for the American Tobacco
Company, and any one who wanted
to know the truth could easily fine
1t out. As to the second charge, We
are not prepared to deny it with the
data before US, but do not mind say
ing that we do not believe il. w
know that Mr.. Manning has suffered
because OF the impression that he is 6
, politician, a thing that he never was
} 1t Is true that he managed Mr.. Kitch
ms campaign, but it was not hi!
politics that won the fight. We donot
know that it would be best for Mr.
Manning to succeed to the position
he seeks, and it may be that he is MOI
so we'll qualified as his opponent, but
having known him twenty-five year.
we do not hesitate to say that we de
not believe there is cleaner lawyer
in North Carolina.
Takes Practical View.