French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1916-1919, 1916-10-05
A 10 STATE rPOLITICs:

Some Of the Republicans have been
INVITING General Bickett for not say
ing more about state politics in the
speeches he has been making over the
state since the opening Of the CAM
paign. Of course not a single man of
them has challenged the General at
any of his appointments. 1t would be
a very foolish thing TODD, and they
know it. When Beckett starts talking
about anything the people begin to
st up and take notice. And if there
is anything in the wide world a Re-
publican hates to hear it is a review of
his party's attempted management of
State affairs. The Republicans have
been to the bat in this commonwealth
just two times during the last fifty
year period. In both instances they
made dismal failures. But it is need
less to say this. The people know It
by bitter experience and are not going
to take chances on letting that old
party of extravaganza and incompet-
ency come into power again until it is
purged of it's old-time leaders and
shows some evidence of honesty and
ability in the management of public at
fairs.
GA tree is judged by its fruits. Even
so a political party must be Judged
must rise or fall, upon its record; not
its capacity or it's ability to make
promises, but upon how it's admins
tration has affected the welfare of the
people" The Democratic party OF
North Carolina stands upon it's record
and it is not necessary for its Demo-
cratic nominee for Governor to notice
the criticisms of Republican spell
b nders. His party has done nothing
for which he feels that an apology
would be in order. There has been nc
scandal, no corruption, no in%efficiency,
unrest amongst the people. no abuse
of power, no charge Of unfaithfulness
to promises of fealty to the interest Of
the people. Then why should Demo-
crate candidates waste time explain
ing" when there is nothing to ex-
plain?
There is no getting away from facts
and in the matter of economy the Dem
ocrats have all the argument on their
side. The per capita cost of the gov
eminent of this State, under Demo-
cratic control, is only $1.46, the low
est, with but a single exception, of any
other state in the union. The truth is
the state is spending too little if it ex-
poets to keep pace with this progress
sive age. Governor Aycock boosted of
the expenditures for various objects
during his administration and chal-
lenged the Republicans to show where
a single dollar had been misap-
p%ropriated. His successors have done
likewise and the challenge still stands
Under the direction of Democratic
officials, the State has cared for it's I'M
fortunate, educated it's children and
made rapid progress along moral and
Industrial lines. Under the protecting
arm Of Democracy the State of North
Carolina has made greater progress
the past sixteen years than almost any
other state in the Republic, and only
those citizens who are blinded by party
prejudice will consider for a moment
the suggestion of a change of steward
ship. The Democratic record of prog
ress in agriculture, in banks, in rail-
roads, in manufacturing, in wealth, is
without a parallel in the history af the
State. And this is what worries the
Republicans, who are unable to pre-
sent any argument that appeals TO
sensible thinking people.
General Beckett likes to talk about
things that are pleasant and agree
ableG which fact accounts for the most
del ghtful addresses he has been max
ing over the State touching Democratic
achievement: He can, in truth. say
nothing complimentary of the Republi-
can record in North Carolina How
ever. he recently accepted the chal.
lenge and, in a mastery address at
smithfeld, lay bare facts before the