The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-05-30

sues Presented By the Record of
Candidates, and Thereby Fix the Po-
sition of North Carolina As a Pro-
sressiye or Reactionary State.
Hon. E. J. Justice, former Speaker
Of the House of Representatives, spent
yesterday in Raleigh. He reports that
the people are much interested in the
senatorial contest to be settled next
year. and he predicts that tn econtest
will be decided upon principles and
the public records Of the candidates..
Speaking Of the matter, Mr.. Justice
said:
There is nothing to be deprecated
about q long contest for United States
senator. if it Is to be a campaign for
principles, and the campaign will re-
suit in the people taking a larger in
terest in matters Of government, and
properly solving the issues.
Edmund Burke once said as long
as there were abuse there should be
agitation. It is by reason of agita-
ton that United States Senators are
to be elected by direct vote Of the
people, and the income tax is about
50 become a thing accomplished, and
lorimer is to be retired from the
Senate in disgrace. If the law as
announced by the Supreme Court Of
Che United States in the Standard Oil
ease is changed, it will be by act of
Congress due to agitation. 1t was
agitation that produced Woodro"
Wilson in New Jersey to displace
Smith and LaFollette in wisconsin to
displace SpOoner.
Measured by the standard Of per
Torrance these men have justified the
commissions that gave them political
birth, and the people Of these States
are better for the effort they made to
free themselves from the burden Of
privilege n dishonest greed.
To the political inertia in North
Carolina is due the failure to have an
effective antitrust law a corrupt
practices act, a legalized primary for
all parties, the initiative, referendum
and recall, and other important re-
IF a Water-power and cotton mill
trust destroy the Independent manu-
~facturers and depresses the price of
cotton, as was done in the tobacco
business It will be because the people
remain q~uiescent.
Il have noticed that the fellow
who has his hands in the pockets of
the public cries the loudest for peace.
IF abuses in government ave
grown up under a political party /
believe it is the duty OF patriotic
citizens who belong to that party to
reform it.
n party is better than the laws
it makes when in powr.
I do not believe one can help his
party by defending it's errors.
IF the Democratic party in North
Carolina will shape it's course so as
to be worthy of the confidence of all
good men, it will win the support Of
republicans who sympathize with the
harnin fjOhf for iohfnn,,cr 10 =.
being made by men like LaFollette.
The nomination of the right man
for Senator will help much
If the campaign for Senator were
to be a personal one it would en-
barrass me to decide between friends
whom I like and whose personal
I admire.
4 do not think any of the candi-
dates justly complain Of a dis
cussion Of their political beliefs or
performances. The question with me
ps what do the several candidates
for, and how jealous and effec-
i've will they be in writing their prin-
n law. There is high au-
for the statement that by
fruits we shall know them
while I am supporting one Of the
candidates I am not the spokesman
for him, and do not speak upon the
authority Of n of them.
My only reason for giving out this
interview is that I believe the public
ought to take advantage Of this cam
paign to decide live issues presented
by the announcements or records OF
the candidates, and thereby Ak the
Of North Carolina as a pro-
.ressive or a reactionary State.
III the election of one Of the can
0idates will mean the triumph Of cor
rect principles that candidate should
ITO avoid having m for the
Legislature tagged as the property Of
the candidates for the United States
Senate and in order t,.at the man
for the United States Senate