National Republican., 1888-06-04
NORTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATS.
Defeat of the Bourbon Wing of the
Party.


RALEIGH, N. c., June 1.-The Democratic
state convention, after a two days and
nights boisterous session, adjourned about
. o'clock this morning. For years there
have been two elements Of the Democratic
party in this state, the one led by Senator
Ransom, and the other led by Judge Fowle,
Union man at the commencement of the
war, who was the leader Of that element In
the Democratic party.
Fowle has been standing candidate fo'
almost every important Office for the last
ten years, and has proved strong "second
man" but always defeated by the Bourbon
element of the party.
Judge FOwle was an applicant for the
Office of solicitor general when Mr. Cleve-
land became President, and was strongly
recommended by almost the entire bar OF
the state. Senator Ransom claimed great
influence with the new administration, but
that influence seems not to have been ex-
ertcd in the interest of Judge Fowle, be-
cause he failed to receive the appointment;
but Gov. Jarvis, who was regarded as q
formidable rival Of Mr.. Ransom for sena-
torial honors, was sent to Brazil, where he
would he well out Of the way.
The Fowle wing of the party have been
smarting under this treatment Of their
chief, and this year determined to down the
handsome senator and his followers. Lieut..
Gov. Steadman was regarded as the Ransom
candidate. lie Is confederate major mot
biigadier), so the lines were squarely
drawn between the two factions, and Fowlc
won.
Col Thomas VI. Holt, who is of the Fowle
faith, was nominated for lieutenant COVER
nor. lie has had the gubernatorial bee In
his bonnet for several wears, and the triumph
f,,, ,l,a tf,,,, xtyfn n In
the event of carrying the legislature under
the leadership Of Fowle, he will become a
very popular candidate for the Senate, and
bis claims will, ofcourse, he pushed by Holt,
who will not be unwilling to assume the
duties of governor Another evidence of
the opposition to Mr.. Ransom is the fact
that every one of the present state officers
were renominated except the auditor, Gen.
w. p. Roberts. who was brave confederate
officer, and special friend of the senator.
He was set aside and Fowle man nomi-
mated
The contest will be in the election of
members of the Legislature or course
both Fowle and Ransom will use efforts to
have those OF their own faction elected.
Ransom has always been liked by the Re
pubicans, and in a contest between himself
| and Fowle would undoubtedly receive Re-
publican support, but for his recent inter
ference in the second congressional district,
where he aided his protege, Simmons, in
getting upa split in the Republican party,
by bringing out an Independent Republican
candidate, for the purpose of securing the
reelection of Simmons. This may drive
of Republican support, in case he should
need II to secure his own reelection.
The senator occupies rather ticklish po
sition just at this.time. The Fowle element
| is now on top, and Ransom's only hope is
| to secure majority of the legislature who
are favorable TO his election. The contest
in this state will, therefore, be watched with
| interest
The position of the Democratic party 1:
indeed strange one. They favor the Mills
bill, and at the same time demand the repeal
Of the entire internal revenue system be
sides. Their candidate for lieutenant gov
emor, Col. Thomas VI. Holt, has been
known as a protectiOnist. How he cal
reconcile these conflicting positions is {
matter for future development. He is al
right ON the ''color line," however, and thil
may reconcile Bourbon opposition to somt
| extent.
The ticket Is truly ''conglomeration'
| Of political absurdities and inconsistencies
and the Republicans expect to defeat ii b,
a large majority. RALEIGH.