The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1915-03-18
Edward |. Travis.

SAS%AA'
ment of North Carolina--the regu-
lation of all corporation engaged in
public service in this state the su-
pervision of all North Carolina
State banks, and general supervis-
ion of the execution of the tax laws
of the State, including the asses
sment for taxation Of all North Car
DINA corporation.
There have been but few periods in
the States history that developed a
higher type of patriotism than the
revolution" or campaign of 1898
and it is to this period that Mr..
Travis owes his introduction to the
State. Politics in Halifax county
has become q matter of necessity.
1t presented a demand for either
revolution or emigration. Mr..
Travis and few other leaders de-
cided to emigrat and Halifax becom-
e5 the storm center on the northern
border as did Richmond and Scot
land on the southern border. After
it was all over Mr.. Travis found
himself a member of the State SEN
ate of 1899, in which there were
only five members Of the opposition
party.
CAME INTO LEADERSHIP.
No finer tribute could be paid
him than that, coming practically
unknown to the state, to that senate
made up largely Of leaders in the
State, he aquired IN it a position of
universally recognized leadership.
He gave himself up largely to one
ldea-the submission Of constitu-
tional amendment regulating suffr-
age that would make repetition of
OF 1893 campaign unnecessary. The
fight for the Submission OF this
amendment was made in party eau
Gus behind doors that were closed
and barred, and the State has lone
forg )ttor, It it ever knew the slend-
er thread by which the fight was
Won. Many Of the stoutest hearts
were filled with mis- giving-if the
EFFORT should fail before the people
the barty wonld be swept out of
power with it. Mr.. Travis made
the final speech in caucus that broke
through the opposition; he was Sc
lected to make the closing speech in
its defence in open session, and was
presented with a testimonial by his
colleagues at the close of the session
and recognition Of his successful
leadership Of this fight.
FOUR TIMES IN SENATE.
He was returned to the Senate in
1901, 1903 and 1909. In 1901 he
was elected chairman of the Bord of
Directors of the States Prison, and
had a large part in converting that
institution into a financial asset in
s.ead Of a liability. In 1903 he led
the three weeks, three concerned
fight IN the Legislature that finally
resulted III Of Hon. Lee S. Overman
to the United State Senate.
At the age Of A he had acqired
a commanding position in the pub
nc affairs of the state, an at the bar,
when ne was stricken by the insane
bullet, from it required two years
/ to recover six months of which was
spent with his neck in plaster case
He was finally sent home in the in
terest Of the mortality record of the
hospital, but he wouldn't have it that
way, took directions Of his own case
aud got entirely well.
ENGINEERS RATE VICTORY.
He was leader in the long con-
test that resulted in the selection at
Charlotte of his former countynYen
for Govenor, and was appointed by
Governor Kitchin a member Of the
Corporation Commission, He has
been reelected and is just beginning
TO serve q six year term. The nota-
bic success. with which he is admins
terlng this office is to recent history
co require review. But it NAV be
remarked Ia passing that the naste-
ry of the freight rate difficulty two
years ago was pretty piece Of
tight rope work as one would wish
to see. With the railroad INSISTING
their revenues were already to small
and the shippers of the State in
arms for redress Of grievances he
and his associates engineered an
adjustment that finally became ac-
ceptable to everybody except the
Virginia cities.
IN AMENDMENT FIGHT.
His friends credit him and his en-