roeiLUSMEP OEM-WEEKLY
volume xxxi.
OXFORD, NORTH CAROLINA, WEDNESDAY, APRIL. 26th, 19 W
NUMBER 33
THE COUNTY CONVENTION
GRANVILLE democrats hear
ENDORSEMENT OF NATIONAL
ADMINISTRATION
Every jtiiiuciat in oraiiviiio is a
Chosen Delegate to the State Con
vention to be Held in Raleigh
Thursday April 27th.
'
Endorsement In the form of an in
spiring speech by General B. S. Roy-
ster and seconded by the enthusias
tic applause of those citizens in at
tendance, of the record of the admin
istration of President Wilson, and
u.o oieeuon of delegates to the Demo
cratic State Convention featured the
Granville County Democratic
Convention held in Oxford at
noon Saturday. Five delegates at
large and seventeen precinct dele
gates were chosen, and on motion of
Senator Hicks the delegation was en
larged to include every voter in the
county who may desire to attend the
State Convention.
County Chairman B. K. Lassiter
called the convention to order, and
Thurman Knott, the permanent sec
retary, was presetnt.
By unanimous choice, G. L. Allen,
tlio grand old Democrat from Brass
field, was named temporary chairman.
Capt. Thad G. Stem, Charles R. Gor
don and Dan A. Coble were named
asristant secretaries.
The following delegates at large
were elected: A. W. Graham, R. W.
Lassiter, Thomas C. Rogers, T. G.
Currin, D. G. Brummitt.
Upon motion of General Royster,
each precinct elected its own dele
gate, which resulted as follows:
Dement, E. C. Harris; Bell Town,
Charles R. Gordon; Wilton, A. E.
Bobbitt; Grissom, G. L. Allen; Creed
moor, I. E. Harris; Wilkins, W. R.
Fleming; Geneva, Dr. E. B. Meadows;
Buchanan, D. T. Winston; Howard,
J. M. Phipps; Oak Hill, R. S. Hart;
Berea, L. S. Russell; Bullock, A. A.
Hicks; Stovall, F. H. Gregory; Salem,
E. A. Hunt; North Oxford, J. W.
Hester; South Oxford, B. K. Lassiter;
Stem, W. S. Gooch.
Resolutions
The following resolutions, offered
by E. A. Hunt, of Salem township,
were unanimously adopted amind
much enthusiasm:
Resolved I, That-the Democracy of
Granville County in Convention as
?er bled, heartily endorses the mag
lficent administration of Woodrow
Wilson and hereby approves the wise,
sane, atnd just policies enunciated
and pursued by hin in both domestic
and foreign affairs.
II. That it endorses the earnest
efforts put forth by our President to
preserve peace and approve the firm
stand taken by him in controversies
T.ith foreign governments with res
pect to the rights of American citizens
abroad and on the high seas, be
lieving that his attitude is in entire
conformance with the principles of
justice and humanity.
III. That it earnestly urges the;
Senators and Representatives in con
gress from North Carolina to stand
by the President in the present crisis,
and denounces, as unpatriotic and un
American, the efforts of certain prom
inent Republicans to play petty poli
tics and make political capital out of
grave international complications.
IV. That the Democracy here as
sembled appreciates the grave and
trying difficulties under which our
President has labored and hails with
Pride and admiration th& calm wis
cm with which he has met them and
that it hereby sends greetings to
Woodrow Wilson, our great leader,
ni endorses him for renominatiom.
and re-election.
On motion of Hon. D. G. Brummitt,
a copy of the above resolution will be
sent to President Wilson.
MR. R. W. LiASSLTER HERE
Will Attend the State Convention
Before Returning to Wash
ington. Mr. R. w. Lassiter, of the Treasury
ppartment, came down from Wash
ington last week to spend Easter
"with the children." Mr. and Mrs.
Berkley Simmons accompanied him to
Oxford and are the guests of Mr. and
Mrs. R. G. Lassiter.
The Pig Club
Read carefully on the last page of
this paper the rules and regulations
J the Pig Club as announced by the
National Bank of Granville. Let the
ys and girls qualify along scientific
lines. ..
Copies of Amendments
Will Be Distributed
PRINTED SHEETS OF PROPOSED
CHANGE IN STATE CONSTI
TUTION ARE RECEIVED
HERE.
One thousand copies of the Con
stitution of the State of North Caro
lina, containing the four proposed
amendments to that document as
written by the General Assembly of
1915, have been received here by
Register of Deeds J. B. Powell. They
are sent by the Secretary of State,
and are for free distribution among
the people of Granville county. All
persons desiring copies may secure
them from Mr. Powell.
The four amendments will be vot
ed upon in the general elections next
lNovemDer, ana tne advance copies
are distributed in the hope that as
many as possible of the voters of the
State will become acquainted with
the provisions in the proposed
changes.
The first amendment provides for
restrictions to local, private and spe
cial legislation in the General As
sembly. The second is designed to confer
authority for the prevention of de
lays in trials by providing emergen
cy judges where the occasion de
mands. The third would prevent the grant
ing by the General Assembly of spe
cial charters to corporations.
The fourth is intended to prevent
special charters being given to towns
cities, and incorporated villages.
GRADUATING RECITAL
Misses Blanche Surles and Fannie
Buchanan to Qualify
The following graduating pro
grams will be given by Miss Blanche
Surles, Reader and Pianiste, and Miss
Fannie Buchanan, Pianiste, Thurs
day and Friday at 8:15 p. m., in Ox
ford College chapel.
Blanche Surles, Pianiste assisted by
Marguerite Jenkins, Contralto.
Thoriday Evening
Sonata Op. 14 No. 2 G major. .Beethoven
Sing- Smile Slumber Hugo Gounod
Minuet G major Bach-MacDowell
Mazurka G minor Saint Saens
Tthe Foolish Little Maiden Troyer
Waltz C sharp minor. Chopin
Carmenia Walton-Wilson
Concerto E flat major Mozart
Fannie Buchanan, Pianiste; Blanche
Surles, Reader.
Friday Evening
Sonata Op 2, No. 3 C major. .Beethoven
(a)Alonzo's Letter (Monologue One
Scene) Carles Barnard
Courante (From French Suite No. II
Bach
Etude E flat major Chopin
Jauline Pavlona (Monologue) . .Aldrich-
Short
Arebasque No. I Debussy
(a) A Piece of Cake Anon
(b) Betsy Hawkins Goes to the City
Haughwont
(c Aunt Maria McCollum
Concerto G minor Mendelssohn
Music on the Rappahannock. . .Somer-
ville-Bell
REPUBLICANS ACTIVE
They Will Put a Strong Ticket in the
Field.
The Granville County Republicans
are laying mighty low these days and
not saying much, but it is rumored
that the following named candidates
will enter the primary in June.:
Joe H. Gooch, of Stem, for the
House of Representatives; W. S.
Cozart or R. H. Rogers, for Sheriff;
H. Wl Davis, of Bullock, for Register
of Deeds,; J. Ed Pergerson,of Creed
moor for Treasurer; Ned W. Hight
for V Coroner ; County Commissioners :
Chas. G. Royster, Jas. S. Rogers, G.
T. Sikes, S. H. Jones, Wiley Urn
stead. Mr. W. L. Peace, of Oxford, is also
thinking of shying his hat into the
ring for county' commissioner but
has not announced himself.
They will probably put out the
best ticket that has been offered by
that party for years, but it goes with
out saying that the unterrified Democracy-
will put them to sleep in the
November elections.
A Musical Treat
The brass band from the Blind In
stitution, Raleigh, will give a con
cert in Orpheum theatre Friday night
Go out and help a good cause. The
music will begin at 8 o'clock sharp
and the admission is 25 cents.
THE WAR NOTE
THE UNITED STATES READY FOR
ANY EVENTUALITIES
Tentative Plans to Cope With Every
Conceivable Situation Arranged by
Officials. Numerous Dispatches on
Subject Sent to Diplomatic Agents
Abroad. Feeling in Washington
Not at AU Optimistic Over Out
come. (SUMMARY)
The United States Government has
made tentative plans to cope with
every conceivable situation ' which
wculd result from the severance of
diplomatic relations with Germany.
For reasons known to the Washing
ton Government they deem it unwise
to discuss the details.
There is reason for believing how-,
ever, that some of the plans have to
do with the safety of American cit
izens in the German Empire and that
others have to do with American su
pervision of German interests in the
countries at war with Germany.
Among dispatches received from
Ambassador Gerard within the past
few days was one describing the
manner in which the American note
was received by German officials.
While this, too, was held as confi
dential, it is understood the Ambas
sador represented Berlin officials as
being greatly surprised at the de
mands of the Washington Govern
ment. Mr. Gerard is said to have gather
ed at least an - impresison that the
foreign office had no idea that the
communication would be as drastic
and final as it was.
It is well understood, however, that
the United States' under no consider
ation will permit delay and discuss
ion unless it is preceded by a declara
tion from Germany that she has so
modified her submarine warfare as to
bring it within the scope of interna
tional law.
It is expected that before Wednes
day, or certainly soon thereafter,
Ambassador Gerard will be in a po
sition to forecast with some degree
of accuracy what will be the view
of the German Government.
In the meantime the situation in
Washington remains one of tense ex
pectancy. Officials are confident that
before this time next week the issue
will have been settled; that the Uni
ted States will feel certain the safety
of innocent non-combatants on the
high seas is assured, or steps for a
diplomatic break will have been ta
ken. Among the foreign diplomats in
Washington the concensus of opinion
seems to be that diplomatic relations
between the United States and the
Allies of Germany need not necessar
ily be affected.
It is considered quite probable that
Austria will be called to account
should it develop that her submarines
too, have not been acting with a
proper regard for the rights of non
ccmbatants. A DISTINGUISHED VISITOR
Col. H. P. Kingsbury Returns to the
cenes of His Boyhood
Col. H. P. Kingsbury, a retired
U. S. Army officer residing in Wash
ington, was the guest of Mr. R. W.
.Lassiter three days last week. He
returns to the scenes of his boyhood
after an absence of forty-two years.
Col. Kingsbury was born where
General Royster now lives, the house
in which he saw the light of day now
stands on Front street near Gilliam.
He is the son of the late Russell H.
Kingsbury, who did a mercantile
business for many years at the inter
section of Main and Littlejohn street.
Col. Kingsbury was the first cadet
tc enter West Point Military Academy
after the war. He received the ap
pointment from the handof General
Grant soon after Johnson's surren
der near Durham. The three big mer
chants' in Oxford during Col. Kings
bury's childhood days were his
father, Russell Kingsbury, Herndon
and Kite.
Many changes have taken place in
Oxford since Col. Kingsbury left
forty-two years ago, but here and
there he pointed out am old land
mark. Some of his sweethearts in the
long ago were Mesdames Pinnix,
Elliott and Hargroves.
Republican Siren Song:
"No Primary For Me"
GENERAL ROYSTER EXTOLS THE
VIRTUES OF THE DEMO
CRATIC PARTY
In a forty minute speech . before
the Granville County Democratic
Convention last Saturday, General B.
S. Royster harkened back to 1894-96.
There were those in the audience that
remembered the stirring scenes of
those days. , The Republicans had
long been in power and brought
poison to the State and the county.
It was a dark picture, held before the
freemen by a masterful hnnd.
"Who among you," asked General
Royster, "felt a sense of security for
your family in those days when called
from home?" He challenged any
man present, or in the county.to deny
that we do not have better rule now
than in those days that tried men's
souls.
"The common enemy is standing
around about the camp, advising the
voters not to go to the polls. In this,
they hope to make a big showing and
encourage their party to put forth
greater energy."
General Royster declared that the
old fashioned simon pure Democrat
is good enough for the people. He
takes very little stock in the hyphenated-democrat,
but has no objection
to a progressive-democrat getting out
among the people and giving express
ion to those fundamental principles
lor which the Democratic party
stands.
"The primary is but the power to
express one's opinion," said the
speaker. "I see no valid reason why
a Democrat should object to telling
the pollholders as to what party he
affiliates with. It is a very simple
matter; you procure a ticket and
state to what party you belong
Democrat or Republican and the
ticket is deposited in the box in ac
cordance with your acknowledged af
filiations." Atthis point General
Royster mopped his brow and stated
that he could understand why some
people do not want to show their
hand at the ballot box. (Cheers.)
General Royster stated that there
is no sharp contest between the can
didates. "All those who have offer
ed for State offices, and subscribed to
the rules, are all good men. But if
we are to have what is called an im
aginary house cleaning, let us do it
within the limits of the Democratic
party. Are you willing to kick out
Democrats merely to fatten Republi
cans? There is nothing to be gained
in that transaction."
General Royster declared that the
Republicans know more things that
is not true than he ever heard of.
(Cheers). "I appeal to the voters to
be truthful and diligent. Do not
have any harsh criticism of the op
ponent; they, too, have friends. There
can be no doubt as to those who will
be elected; but let us make the ma
jority large. Pay no attention to the
Republican 'siren song' and let us
present a solid front to the enemy."
General Royster spoke about forty
minutes without notes. One thought
of the lurking fox without the gate
fired his heart and soul. Republican
ism will never again get a foot hold
in North Carolina while the like of
him lives to tell the tale. j
OXFORD BAPTIST SUNBEAMS
Large Congregation Attends a Most
Impaessive Easter Service
One of the most impressive services
in Oxford Easter morning was that of
the Sunbeams of the Oxford Baptist
Church. The children themselves
deserve much credit, but it could not
have been otherwise with such cap
able young ladies as Misses Sallie
Webb and Sadie Parham in charge.
In the processional, "Christ the Lord
is Risen Today," the children, about
fifty in number, entered by the front
door, resembling as it were-emblems
of purity. They were very pretty in
their sweet innocence and sublime
faith. The church was tastefully
decorated "with Easter flowers.
"The Blindness of Virtue"
"The Blindness of Virtue," one of
the strongest Essanay photo plays, by
Cosmo Hamilton, with Edna Mayo
ar.d Bryrnt Washburn in the title
role, will be seen at the Orpheum
Thursday night. The picture enlight
ens as to the fundamentals principles
of life.
THE HON. HOWARD GARNER
.
THE LORD MAYOR OF THE HUR
RICANE AND MUCH BELOVED
Mr. G. L. Allen Tells The Public
Ledger How the Hurricane District
Got Its Name and How The Dis
trict Has Grown.
Our old friend G. L. Allen, of
Brassfield, while in attendance upon
the County Democratic Convention
last Saturday, told the editor that we
stretched the Hurricane district too
much in some of our recent reports.
So many men have denied that there
is such a place as the Hurricane we
were glad to hear Mr. Allen acknow
ledge that it does exist. We learn
from him for the first time how the
Hurricane district get its name. He
said that he had heard elderly peo
ple state that many years ago a hur
ricane passed over the extreme south
eastern portion of Brassfield town
ship and the adjoining lands in
Franklin and Wake counties, uproot
ing trees and doing much damage.
After the great storm, said Mr. Allen,
the territory was referred to as the
Hurricane district. In later years
when any violence was done over in
that part of the world it was charged
to the Hurricane district merely for
convenience. Thus it will be seen
that the Hurricane district has grown
by leaps and bounds and that there is
danger of it leaping over the banks
of Tar River.
Laer in the day, we met the Hon.
Howard Garner, who was introduced
to us as the "Lord Mayor of the Hur
ricane." A jolly good old fellow
and as true as steel is he. We are
told that he made one of the best
commissioners the county ever had.
I Ass tn forHlitv r f cni 1 run d n rVil a non.
pie the Hurricane district of Gran
ville county is unsurpassed.
Nowl. will some one acknowledge
that they live in "Shake-Rag" and
tell us how it got its name.
If historic "Shake-Rag" is where
we think it is, it is one of the garden
spots of old Granville, and like the
Hurricane noted for its genuine hos
pitality and noble men and women.
THE COUNTY CHAIRMANSHIP
Senator A. A. Hicks Accepts the
Office.
At the annual meeting of the
County Executive Committee last
Saturday, Mr. B. K. Lassiter who
served the county for more than two
years in the capacity of chairman of
the Executive Commiti.ee, declined to
let his name go before the Committee
for . re-election. Several speeches
were made euligistic of Mr. Lassiter's
faithful service, and the Committee
reluctantly accepted his resignation.
Senator A. A. Hicks was unani
mously elected chairman of tho Com
mittee. He is familiar with condi
tions in ths county and will make a
good chairman.
POPULAR COUPLE WED
Miss Ethel Overton the Bride of Mr.
Dorsey Currin.
A pretty marriage was solemnized
last week when Rev. E. G. Usry
united in wedlock Miss Ethel Over
ton and Mr. Dorsey Currin, the cere
mony taking place at the home of
Rev. E. G. Usry.
The bride is the daughter of Mr.
Jack Overton and is one of the best
school teachers in the county. She
has taught at the South Oxford
graded school for some time and did
a noble work and won the esteem and
confidence of her pupils.
The groom, Mr. Dcrsey Currin, is
the son of Mr. Amos Currin and is a
young man of sterling qualities. He
holds a responsible position with Mr.
I. W. Mangum, proprietor of the
Minor Warehouse.
The happy couple are on an extend
ed trip to the North.
Automobile Accident
While rut riding Saturday with
two other young men of the county.
Mr. Sam Harris was painfully hurt in
an automobile accident out in the
Kinton Fork section. They were
making good time, it is said, when
the. car struck a sand bank and turn
ed turtle. Mr. Harris was cut in the
face and the other two young men
were more or less shook up. Dr.
Thomas took seven stitches in Mr.
Harris' face and he will be entirely
well in a few days.
V