The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1912-09-19
WHEN WILL THE MORTGAGE OF
THE STATE TO THE CORPORA
TONS BE LIFTED?

Recently, Governor Kitchin charg-
ed that Senator Simmons went among
the members of the Democratic Leg !
islature and Iobbied to get through
several bills which the corporations
and trusts desired passed. Governor
Kitchin was armed with the proof OF
the fact that Senator Simmons not
only lobbied for these bills, but was
seen doing this work for the corpora
lions on the floor OF the Legislature.
Mr.. Simmons came back with an
explanation to the effect that he was
not lobbying as an attorney, but that
he went to the Legislature to get
certain bills. which the corporations
desired, passed, to carry out some
pledges which he, as Democratic State
Chairman, made these corporations
in order to get their support for the
Democratic party.
AS best we can Judge from the pub
lished charges by Governor Kitchin
and the published confessions by Sem
ator Simmons, it was In the campaign
of 1898 that Mr.. Simmons mortgaged
the State to the corporations for their
support. 1t would seem that the
Democratic party had betrayed the
interests OF the people and passed leg
islation in favor of corporations and
defeated legislation in the interest of
the people at every Legislature since
to a sufficient extent to fully satisfy
any mortgage made.
1t would seem, however, from the
course OF the present campaign that
the mortgage of the State has not yet
been satisfied, and that the corpora
tons were demanding another Leg
islature to serve them at the expense
of the people and are again demand
ing the reelection of Senator Sim
mons in order to carry out the obli-
cations of the State thus made. 1t
seems to us that it is high time that
the people should know who contrib
uted to the Democratic campaign
fund, and how much money was put
up, and how long the obligation or
mortgage was to run.
The Democrats in Congress have
been raising a great hue and cry
about the investigation of campaign
contributions, and loudly proclaim
ing that the people should know the
facts. Just before Congress adjourn.
ed, the Democratic House passed q
resolution appointing a special com
mittee to investigate all campaign
contributions to both parties since
the time that Roosevelt was nominal
ed for President. 1t seemed to be
their special desire to find how large
the contributions were that had been
given in any and all campaigns when
Colonel Roosevelt was a candidate.
Immediately upon the appointment
of this committee, the enemies Of
Colonel Roosevelt, including the
Standard Oil Company, were giver
an opportunity to testify, in which
they attempted to reflect upon Col
Roosevelt and his campaign commit
tee in accepting Standard Oil contri
buttons. Colonel Roosevelt demand
ed an opportunity to reply at once
but this opportunity was denied him
We notice that Senator Simmons
in his speech opening his campaign
in Charlotte last week. claimed cred
it for favoring and helping to pass tn,
resolution for the fullest investiga
ton Of campaign expenses. Now
why should not the people of thi
State have an investigation of tn,
campaign contributions made to Mr.
Simmons and other Democratic com
mfttees since Mr.. Simmons was chair
man? Why should not the peopl
know who contributed the money
how much they contributed, so tina
we may determine when the mort
gage to the trusts can properly b
foreclosed and the people again Sc
free?
SIMMONS CHEAP STAGE-PLAY.