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Page TWO THE PILOT—Southern Pines, North Carolina THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1964 Southern Pines ILOf North Carolina Two-Party Line? “In taking over The Pilot no changes are contemplated. We will try to keep this a good paper. We will try to make a little moneji for all concerned. Wherever there seems to be an occasion to use our influence for the public good we will try to do it. And we will treat everybody alike." — James Boyd, May I'.S, 1941. The State, Congressional and County Races As the 1964 political campaigns have developed—on the national. State, 8th Congressional District and Moore County levels—we have become increasingly con vinced that Party labels are important. We have found, with renewed con viction, that there are abiding differences between the Democratic and Republican Parties. And we are forced to conclude that ticket-splitting by voters, except on the rare occasion when a candidate of one’s own Party is utterly unacceptable, is a futile and confusing political pro cedure. As a Democratic newspaper, therefore, we endorse the full Democratic slate of candidates on the ballots that will be handed to Moore County’s voters when they go to the polls on Tuesday, Novem ber 3. This means we are: For Johnson and Humphrey for Presi dent and Vice President, as outlined in detail on this page last week. For Dan K. Moore for Governor and Robert W. (Bob) Scott for Lieutenant Governor; and for all the Democratic members of the Council of State and the Superior Court judges appearing on the same ballot. For Dr. W. D. (Bill) James for Con gressman from the 8th District. And, on the State Senatorial and Moore County levels, this means we are: For Voit Gilmore and Robert Morgan for State Senate (opposed by only one Republican). For T. Clyde Auman for member of the House of Representatives from Moore County, in the General Assembly, who has Republican opposition. For Judge J. Vance Rowe as judge of Moore County Recorder’s Court and for W. Lamont Brown as solicitor of that court (both unopposed by Republicans). For the five Democratic candidates for the Board of County Commissioners, only two of whom—W. Lynn Martin and W. Sidney Taylor—have Republican opposi tion. For the five Democratic candidates for the County Board of Education, of whom, also, only two—Jere N. McKeithen and W. Howard Matthews—are opposed by Republicans. And for Paul S. Ward for county sur veyor (unopposed). Here are two basic considerations un derlying this blanket endorsement: 1. What is this Republican Party that is trying to catch hold of the reins of government at these various levels? It is a Party riven with discord and basing what purpose and unity it can now mus ter on Goldwaterism—a radical, peculiar concept of government that the American people cannot stomach and will in all probability overwhelmingly reject on Tuesday. It is a Party that—except for the 8th Congressional District race where Republican Rep. Charles R. Jonas, is the incumbent—cannot offer Moore County voters even a full ticket of candidates, on the State, State Senatorial or County levels, yet brazenly assumes its capabili ty to lead and govern—willy-nilly, catch- as-catch-can, with its partly full grab-bag of officeseekers. It is a Party that is untested in State and county government and whose candi dates, if they were to win, at State and county levels, would be boxed away in ineffectual and futile minorities, whether at Raleigh or at Carthage. 2. If some Democrats are not entirely satisfied with all their candidates, they should not express their doubts by help ing to elect Republicans in November, but rather by upgrading the quality of their own candidates in the May primary. It is folly for Democrats to abdicate now, at the first threat of opposition. Work to strengthen and revitalize the Democratic Party and its candidates—yes. But re treat hastily before a handful of Re publican challengers—no. We want to make one point clear: where there is real vitality in Republican challenges, as we detect in some of the races for Moore County offices, we salute the spirit of civic endeavor that moti vates these candidates and acknowledge the healthiness of this opposition as such —while, on the other hand, we must strongly assert the futility and untime liness of a ticket weak in numbers and experience, if strong in zeal. ^ ^ In capsule size, here’s our thinking, against the foregoing background, on some of the key races: Dan K. Moore, Democrat vs Robert L. Gavin, Republican, for Governor— We can think of no more abortive or unpro ductive political impasse than Gavin as Governor (having no veto power) facing an overwhelmingly Democratic and largely hostile General Assembly. The Republican slate for Coimcil of State (itself incomplete on the ballot) lists a generally undistinguished group of can didates, if we can judge from their cam paign biographies. For Lieutenant-Gov ernor, the record of Bob Scott, Democrat, far outshines—in evidence of ability and accomplishment—that of Clifford Bell, Republican. Dr. W. D. (Bill) James, Democrat, challenging Rep. Charles R. Jonas, for 8th District Congressman: Here is a truly partisan conflict. Jonas has gone beyond the call of even his own Party’s duty in opposing measures designed to make possible a more rewarding, more secure, more hopeful life for the ordinary man, all the way from voting against the minimum wage bill in 1961 to the anti poverty and “medicare” programs this year. As a state senator and as a cam paigner this Fall, Dr. James has shown that he shares abundantly in the tradi tional Democratic concern for the bulk of the people, with a special emphasis on health programs and apparently, also, differs with Jonas in having a much more enlightened outlook on the econo^nics of modern government and the participation of the U. S. A. in the community of nations. T. Clyde Auman, Democrat, vs Robert S. Ewing, Republican, for the N. C. House of Representatives from Moore County: This is a significant race in which is sumnied up one of the points we have been making—the futility of sending a Republican to join a very small minority in a Democratic General Assembly ready and willing to slap this minority down. Testimony bearing witness to the in effectiveness of Republican legislators in Raleigh was given recently in Charlotte News articles which related what hap pened to the Guilford County delega tion of five Republicans—four in the House and one in the Senate—who went to the General Assembly in 1963. They were, said the News, “not able to get any State-wide legislation through the Gen eral Assembly ...” The story notes that they got most of their routine local bills passed, but couldn’t pass a contro versial local bill to which some Guilford Democrats objected. Clyde Auman and Bob Ewing are each exceptional citizens, with a record of ^extensive comrqunity service to their home towns, county and state. However, other things being equal, we choose to support Democrat Auman, for the practi cal reason cited and because his roots are deeper in Moore County soil and tradition, with nearly three times as long a career of service in the county as has Ewing; and because Auman personifies the best in Democratic Party principles. State Senatorial Candidates: Demo crats Voit Gilmore of Southern Pines and Robert Morgan, of Lillington are obvious and common sense choices. They are op posed by an incomplete slate of one— John N. Ogburn of Asheboro. Morgan is an experienced Senator with a great record of civic service and business ex perience. Gilmore’s outstanding record in local government, business, civic work and a high federal post in Washington is well known over Moore County. County Commissioner and Board of Education candidates: Democrat W. Lynn Martin of Eagle Springs, opposed for county commissioner by Republican Robert G. Holden of Robbins, personifies the “reform within the Party” principle we noted above. He was chosen in the primary, over an incumbent commission er whose constituents evidently felt had not brought the needed vigor and pro gressiveness to the office. Martin should not now be denied the chance to serve— and there is every indication he is quali fied to serve well. The other opposed Democrat, W. S. Taylor of Aberdeen, is generally rated as the most alert, in formed and conscientious member of the board. It is strange that the Republicans, with J. Kimball Watson of Southern Pines as candidate, should have chosen to challenge Taylor, if they were able to field only two candidates out of a possible five. We see no reason why Taylor should be ousted. Chairman Jere N. McKeithen of Aber deen and Howard Matthews of Route 3, Carthage, are the two Democrats facing opposition for the county board of educa tion from, respectively. Republicans Coolidge Thompson of Pinebluff and Dr. Charles Phillips of Southern Pines. Mc Keithen and Matthews are experienced, hard-working and effective members of a “team” that is in the midst of planning and executing for the county school sys tem an impressive and far-sighted pro gram of high school consolidation. We see no reason to deprive the county of their services in a project that, while some times controversial, has won almost uni versal admiration. y/ Sout^ SYSTEM LENDS DIGNITY TO ELECTION Poll Watching: A Wise Practice Four days more and the big day will be here. It’s a momentous day, this crit ical time that comes to the United States every four years with a Presidential election. Every Election Day is differ ent from the last and certainly this one seems different in a great many ways. To name only one difference, and a very trivial one compared to the basic per sonalities and issues: think of the vast increase in the number of words spoken, shouted, sung during the preparatory weeks and months of this election, millions more than ever before. The very thought is too much. When the words actually cease, as the final count is made, the silence filling the atmosphere, over the U. S. will seem like that of the Ice Age. Preparations for the day are going on in all towns of Moore County; polling places are being readied and the folks to man them, those having official duties, are getting all set. This year, as usual, judges have been appointed to keep watch fully stern eyes on the conduct of the election. As usual there will be the self-appointed, or precinct-appointed, poll watchers on guard against any violation of the rules. They hover about, ready, especially, to pounce gleefully on anybody who hangs around closer to the polls than he’s supposed to. It’s always en tertaining in such cases to note that the glee is greater if the un conscious offender is a member of the pouncer’s own party than if he is a supporter of the detested rivals. It’s always more fun to point out, in superior fashion, the error of a friend. You Never Know Looking back over the years, it’s impossible to recall any trouble of a surenuff mean type taking place around here, but you never know. That’s the gen eral opinion, spoken so slowly and with such authority: “You never really know what might happen on Election Day!” Espe cially on Presidential Election Day. And odd things sometimes do happen. There was the case of the over- zealous poll watcher last year. He stalked a lady voter into the voting place and then stalked out behind her as she came out. Stepping up to her in loud and solemn tones he addressed her thus: “M’am, did you vote?” The lady turned an icy stare on him: “Vote!” she said “What do you mean? You know perfectly well I didn’t vote. You were right be side me and heard me ask Miss X. if I was registered and she said: ‘No’.” Her glare deepened. “You trying to tell me I voted without being registered? Is that what you mean?” Sounds of hasty retreat by the poll watcher. This setup of judges and poll watchers is a good one and most of them take their duties very seriously. Their usual tact and good judgment is marked; most are highly respected folks in the community and each political party is in honor bound to select people of integrity and fairness for this sometimes exacting duty which could call for courage as well. Not that it will often be needed, but again there is the old saying: “you never know.” It is up to both parties to see that their workers do a good job and stick by it for their assigned hours. Rumors and! Facts There are rumors every elec tion time and this time is no ex ception. Generally they are about vote-buying. The word goes around that a certain crowd “is paying them to vote” their way. You probably don’t know which crowd—and before the day is over both sides will be accused— nor do you know just who their victims are. It’s not hard to fig ure, though, that they will be the ignorant, the unwary, and al ways the poor to whom the price of a vote will be a hideous, irre sistible temptation. Generally the rumors have no foundation in fact, but not al ways. An imagined episode as recounted to a friend might be something like this: Two men are talking: One says: “You say he paid you to vote?” “Sure did.” “Did you vote the way he said?” “How could I not? He’d take after me if I didn’t.” “It ain’t so good to be paid. Anyway, how’s he going to know which way you vote?” “He’d know. Yessir, he’d know. He told me he’d know because he’s a poll watcher. He’s bound to know.” His friend’s reply of disgust at such ignorance is not recorded. Even imaginatively. Important Foolishness aside—and maybe it isn’t always foolishness—^the system is important as lending added dignity to the public ex pression of citizenship. It is also wise and necessary. If there might be any shenani gans, it would cut down on them or the chance they become seri ous. At the least, the presence of well-conducted vigilance at the polls is a sign that things are being run in an honest, efficient manner. It is a visible pledge that a people are taking seriously their civic responsibilities to wards the county, the state and the nation. —KLB The Public Speaking Goldwater Offers Nothing To American Working Man To The Editor: Please permit me to reply to the letter of Pat Van Camp of Southern Pines that appeared in the October 22 edition of The Pilot. We, the working people of America, remember too well the late 1920’s and the early 1930’s when we had Republican leader ship in this country. We cannot go back to that. So, Mr. Goldwater himself has given President Johnson the Negro vote and the votes of all minorities and working peo ple of this country, because he has offered them absolutely NOTHING; whereas. President Johnson and the Democratic platform have given them hope and an opportunity to continue a Progressive America. Mr. Goldwater states that he wants peace; but how does he hope to get peace? By frighten ing all of our potential enemies to surrender? We cannot do that —we are dealing with proud people, proud countries. We need a President with the sound, rea sonable thinking and the ability to negotiate and keep us out of a war! Does Mr. Goldwater feel that he can frighten the Negro into surrendering his rights as a citi zen of the United States? Does he think that he can tell them to stay out of the streets and stop demonstrating—and they will do it? Mr. Goldwater is well on his way toward completely destroy ing the great Republican Party —established 100 years ago by the great President, Abraham Lincoln. He is replacing all of the Republican liberals whose think ing has meant so much toward progress in our country, with men like Senator Strom Thur mond of South Carolina, Gov. Johnson of Mississippi and Gov. George Wallace of Alabama. Mr. Goldwater has a perfect right to run his campaign in any way that he sees fit—but don’t insult the intelligence of the Ne gro and other minorities by ask ing them to vote and support a program such as his. If elected, it will be “gold for the rich, and water for the poor.” S. O. McQUEEN Route 2, Apex Thurmond Lauded: 'Righlisis' Protecting The Constitution To the Editor: Sen. Strom Thurmond (S.C.) and Ex-Gov. and also Ex-Secre tary of State James Byrnes, two very well informed Americans, have swapped over to the Re publican Party. It was dreadful of your editori al to ridicule Sen. Thurmond; he is a fine patriot, made a fine rec ord in the Senate and elsewhere. He took his military training at Fort Bragg, became a general. My husband knew him there, went to see him one day, years ago, saying, “Good evening, Gov ernor,” and the Governor said: “I am Colonel Thurmond here” .—and he preferred to be so call ed. He had, in recent years, done a wonderful work against “mili tary muzzling” and the so-called State Department’s “No Win Pol icy.” Those who boast they “never voted anything but a straight Democratic ticket” are bragging that they always voted without studying the issues or informing themselves about each candidate, maybe without learning or car ing about what was best for our country. The day is at hand when this policy must be changed. The ultra-liberals are leading us down the road to Socialism. Lenin, the “great Communist,” said “Socialism is just a soften ing-up for Communism.” Think that over before you vote. Being a “rightist” today is holding on to our great Constitu tion and refusing to have it torn asunder by the radical-liberal crowd. So what’s the matter with that? M. S. DESPLAND Southern Pines Talbot's Slip Showed It’s seldom you can call the turn on Moore County’s J. Talbot Johnson. Last week, though, at the Kiwanis lundheon, dogged if he didn’t goof. And dogged if he didn’t pick it up himself before anyone else. It was introduction time and the mellifluous phrases in praise of his friend flowed from the lips of the noted introducer like honey from the comb. He sat down amid cheers and President Bob Ewing said, “Talbot, we could all take lessons from you!” Somebody else took the floor, but there was a sudden scurry and scramble. Talbot was on his feet again. “Hold on,” he called, “Hold on! I just realized: I forgot to call my friend’s name!” No Pinks In Kansas City Stopping for a sandwich one day in crowded New York, you find a new kind of squeeze. In stead of tables, this restaurant has chairs with a wide arm, like the ones for studying in school; the waitress simply puts your tray down on the arm part. But first you must get yourself into the chair, which is lined up, arm to arm, with a million oth ers in the stuffy room. Not an easy feat especially with a big coat—which you have to remove or die of the heat—bag, and par cel. If you aren’t very careful your coat will land in your right- hand neighbor’s soup, while your progress into your own chair will knock most of your other neigh bor’s rolls on the floor. It’s a case of doing the twist to get in. In the same boat, we were, and, for one thing, you could smell how good your neighbor’s meal looked, and that was the opener: “What is it? What did you take? It looks delicious.” Your righthand neighbor is tall, pretty, mid-thirtyish, tweed suit. Soon it’s: “And where are you from?” “Kansas City.” A bit of chat about Kansas City and then the leader: “How’s politics out your way?” It seems there isn’t too much excitement out there. Just the same, there has been a lot of switching, and this has been con fusing. She has voted Republican for the last three or four elec tions, though she started as a Democrat, but this year she’s just about made up her mind to switch back. Most of the people she knows will vote for Johnson. “I don’t really like Johnson much,” she says. “All that Texas LBJ stuff; it’s so silly. But you just can’t vote for Goldwater. He has that soft sweet way of talk ing and then he comes out with the most terrifying things! The thought of Goldwater and that Miller scares me pink!” A large face, rather the shape of a horse’s, peers around from the other side: “What did you say?” comes a rather stately voice. “Did I hear aright? Did you say ‘pink’? You might better say ‘Red’, my dear, and be done with it. There are too many Pinks and Reds around!” My neighbor’s pretty face is stern “Not out in Kansas City!” she declares proudly, “or KI^s or Birchers or any of those things. And anyway, m’am, we weren’t talking about Reds.” “Oh? Pinks, then,” said the Face, “they’re just as bad. They The waitress’s voice breaks in: “Lady, if you’ve finished your lunch. . .” “Oh my!” exclaims the Face. “Yes. Of course. It’s two o’clock. My shampoo! oh dear. . . well, never mind; only I do hope such a nice young woman isn’t really a Pink.” Rising, mountain high, she squeezes her towering self out of her chair, dipping up with her fur-piece, as she turns, a large dollop of Russian dressing. THE PILOT Published Every Thursday by THE PILOT, Incorporated Southern Pines, North Carolina 1941—JAMES BOYD—1944 Katharine Boyd Editor C. Benedict Associate Editor John C. Ray Business, Adv. C. G. Council Advertising Bessie C. Smith Advertising Mary Scott Newton Business Gloria Fisher Business Mary Evelyn de Nissoff Society Composing Room Dixie B. Ray, Michael Valen, Thomas Mattocks, J. E. Pate, Sr„ Charles Weatherspoon, Robert Coffin. Subscription Rates Moore County One Year $4.00 Outside Moore County One Year $9.00 Second-class Postage paid at Southesm Pines, N. C. Member National Editorial Assn, and N. C. Press Assn. By ANN J. McNESLL
The Pilot (Southern Pines, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Oct. 29, 1964, edition 1
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