The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-01-16
NEWSPAPERS OPINION
ERIENn OF DEMOCRACY

Death has removed from the ranks of the state
administration in Raleigh an outspoken champion
of democratic government, IN the passing OF Az
torney General Dennis G. Brummitt.
However, the power which he exerted in waging
an earnest fight for local self-government has not
been buried with his body, which was consigned 10
the earth this afternoon.
Every man who has ever championed the cher
ished rights of the people in the past has always
died, sooner later-and his passing at the time
usually seemed caamatious to those who looked to
him for leadership. Nevertheless it appears that
righteous causes have way of surviving and gain
ing momentum, even when robbed temporarily of
directing head
And so, those who today see in the death of Mr..
Brummitt severe blow to the revival of Jeffer-
sonian democracy in our state government should
take heart in the knowledge that fundamental prin-
cples are immortal and Individual mans only con-
tribution is in their remuneration and application
to changing conditions and times. The power to
reclaim the right of local self-government in North
Carolina still rests with the people.
1t is well, though, that we should pay fitting
tribute to man who above all other North Caro-
linians of recent years, has had the temerity to
lift his voice in opposition to the powers that be in
Raleigh.
While it has been popular for members of the
administration to accept the role of a sycophant
and join forces with those bent on still more COM
plete Capitalization of state power, Mr.. Brummtt
refused to become Eyes" man. Thus he rendered
heroic service to the people-not all of whom fully
appreciate the situation which confronted him and
the courage with which he fought their battle
The Raleigh News and Observer views the sud-
den passing of the Attorney General as marking a
great crisis in administration affairs at the state
capital and concludes:
"Ths is no obituary of great dead man. This,
it is hoped is no obituary of free government in
North Carolina. But when Brummitt died some
thing happened more important in North Caro-
lima than Brummitt's DEATH Swiftly the State
came with his passing to the climax in the strug-
gle within government in which he gave his intel
ligence and his energies. All at once with one
mans unexpected DEATH the State is for practical
purposes transformed into State of fully concen-
trated powers in one mans hands.
eff such power in democracy dismays those who
followed Brummitt, it should fill with a deeper
sense of responsibility those who upheld the pro-
cess of Capitalization under Gardner and have
faith in it under Ehringhaus Above all others
the Governor must realize that with Brummtt's
death his own responsibility is increased with his
power. He holds today in office power no Gov
ernor ever held before. With the voice, which
sometimes must have troubled him but often also
showed him the taut in the way he moved, stilled
forever, he goes on safer from criticism within the
ranks of government but no safer from mistake
because dissent is no longer at his hand as he
moves in new power that grew with one mans
death. Hickory Record