Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-21
POLITICAL FORECASTS
POLITICAL FORECASTS
The Condition Of Affairs in the
Buckeye State.
SPLIT AMONG ALLIANCE LEADERS.
An Estimate of the Situation in
North Carolina.
THE AIMS OF THE FARMERS.
DEMOCRATS AGAINST ALLIANCE MEN.
HE AIMS OF THE FARMERS.
DEMOCRATS AGAINST ALLIANCE MEN.

DEMOCRATS AGAINST ALLIANCE MEN.
Hot Fight Between Them in Progress in
North Carolina.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
RALEIGH, N. c., May 21.-The Farmers Al
lance has a stronger hold on the politics Of
North Carolina than Of any state in the Union,
not even excepting Kansas. President Polk is
a native Of North Carolina, and, until his re-
moval to Washington year or two ago, was q
resident of Raleigh. He is also the owner OF the
Progressive Farmer of this city, the organ
Of the alliance in this state and Virginia.
The legislature Of this year had an over
whelming alliance majority and dictated all the
legislation effected, including the railroad COM
mission, which it created, electing the alliance
state secretary, Beddingfeld for the long term
OF six years., farmer lawyer, Mason Qor four
years), and an ex-railroad man, Wilson (for
two years., as the commissioners.
VI the eight democratic" members OF the
next Congress five are outspoken alliance men
and only three of the old members were re-
turned, and one of them by the skin of the
teeth"
In this state. however, the alliance (unlike
the modus opcrandi employed in Kansas) has
not as yet operated as q separate political
party. 1t has thus far done all its work inside
OF the democratic organization. 1t has simply
and district conventions and nominated whom
soever they pleased. In other words the Farm
ers Alliance Of North Carolina has captured
the democratic party, and it is this fact which
now threatens to create tempest upon the sea
OF politics in this state, which for several years
mas remained almost unruffied.
The democratic leaders and 'smanagers'' are
not members of the alliance. Being princi-
Pally lawyers, they are not eligible to member
ship In that order, and it is with an i'll grace
that they watch the reins of political power
slipping from their grasp. Heroic measures
are likely to be adopted by the straightout
democrats, and the indications point to turbu-
lent times ahead.
CLEVELAND AND THE ALLIANCE.
1t is fact too apparent to require discussion
that large majority of the democrats Of this
state favor the nomination Of ex-President
Cleveland next year. This desire has been, I'M
TIL recently, the almost unanimous wish of the
democratic alliance men. But since the publ
cation OF Mr.. Cleveland's letter on the silver
question the alliance lecturers have taken sides
against him. and the former par tiality for Cleve-
land among the alliance members has been neu-
tralized to some extent by their speeches before
the county and district alliances. Neverthe-
less, large percentage of the farmers still pre-
ferred Cleveland as the best and most available
man until the recent declaration of President
Polk was made public. Col. Polk has clearly
intimated that if Mr.. Cleveland, with his anti
silver views, is nominated by the democrats,
the alliance will not support him.
THIRD PARTY CANDIDATE.
In that event the candidacy Of a third party
nominee would be made necessary, because the
alliance couldnot support republican ''protec-
ZIONIST" 1t is the general opinion here among
the regular democrats and a view which largely
obtains among the anti-Cleveland alliance men,
that no definite steps will be taken by the alli-
ance, as an organization, toward the organiza-
ton of third party until after the democratic
national convention adjourns.
TEE ALLIANCE PROGRAM.
From all The STAR correspondent can gather
the program Of the Farmers Alliance of this
state is to capture the state convention next
summer, if possible, then to nominate an alli-
ance man for governor and alliance men for
most Of the other state Offices and thus thew
will become the democratic nominees as was
done In South Carolina last year. But their
work will not stop there. The subtreasury
Polk element will endeavor to send an anti
Cleveland delegation to the next democratic
national convention, with what result remains
to be seen.
THE NEXT GOVERNOR.
There is likely to be q hot fight over the
gubernatorial nomination. Two aspirants
stand out prominently, head and shoulders
above all other available democrats, for the
honor. They are Hon. Chas. NJ. Stedman of
Asheville and Julian S. Carr, esq.,, of Durham.
Maj. Stedman was lieutenant governor from
1880 to SO and came within q few votes of de-
feating the late Gov. Fowle for the nomination
in 1888. He is probably the finest orator in
the state, man of wealth and great popularity
Thousands Of democrats think he is now en-
titled to the Office and will do all in their power
to make him the next governor of the state
Mr.. Carr Is president and chief owner of the
largest smoking tobacco works in the world and
Is largely interested in various manufacturing
enterprises in this state. He is worth over
81, DOC, 900. He has not figured prominently in
politics heretofore, but it is now stated that he
Is ambitious to step into Senator Ransom's
shoes at Washington and will use the guberna-
torial stepping stone to attain that end. He is
popular, well known throughout the state, and
money makes the mare 60" He will be for
midable candidate.
Now. there is no doubt that the democrats
Qncluding the farmers, if not influenced by
the alliance leaders, want one of these two men
nominated. But if the alliance obtains control
OF the convention neither Of them may be
chosen, as they are not members Of that Or
ganization. Congressman Alexander, the new
member from the sixth district, would prob
ably suit them better.
TWO NEWSPAPER GUNS.
Preparations for the struggle are now being
made. The two morning dailies of this city are
to be enlarged and improved and pitted against
each other. The daily Neaos and Observer and
the weekly Intel.igencer, two Simon-pure,
straight-out democratic papers, will be con-
solidated next week and the two editors will
lock shields in the fight to maintain the present
democratic organization, as against the seduc-
tions Of the Farmers Alliance element, which
would gobble up the party.
On the other hand the Daily Chronicle has
purchased q new press, cutter, paster and
folder, and entire new outfit and on June
will appear as an eight-page daily, Just twice
the size it is at present The publisher of this
paper is state printer, made SO by the alliance
legislature, and has a decided leaning toward
that element of the party.
The Netcs and Observer and the Chronicle
have been personal enemies for some time, the
editors having already had two physical
encounters.
There's fun ahead, and at this writing it does
not look encouraging for the democratic party
OF North Carolina. In the event Of o perms-
nent split the republican party, embracing
l25, 900 voters, would spring into the arena with
renewed life.
FARMER POLITICIANS AT ODDS.
Leaders of the Alliance in Ohio Do Not
Agree Among Themselves.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star