New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-17
THE BREAK in THE SOUTH.
ELECTION REFORM IN NORTH CAROLINA
DREAD OF NEGRO DOMINATION DECLINING
WHAT THE FUSION LEADERS HOPE 10
ACCOMPLISH FEDERAL ELECTION
LAWS UNNECESSARY AND

HARMFUL.
[FRon A STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRrBUN11
Raleigh, n. c.. Dec. H-Since reconstruction
times single cause has operated to keep the
South solidly Democratic. TNat cause has been
dread Of negro domination Southern men have
acted from what they honestly considered to be
the instinct Of self-preservation. They have said
that whatever else might happen the white race
must remain dominant and protect itself against
ignorance. For twenty-five years there was only
issue in Southern politics-the race question.
Republican policies never had fair hearing and
this was because the party was the negro party.
Democratic policies were blndly and unintelli-
gently followed because the party the white
mems party Various centrifugal forces were
gradually evolved, such as the industrial move
ment for the development of the mining and
manufacturing resources Of the South. the dis
content OF the agricultural classes arising from
low prices of staples, an uprising Of the younger
generation Of voters against brigadler drillmas-
ters and a recoil of public conscience against
registration trckery and systematic election
frauds; but all these tendencies toward the dis
ruption OF the Democracy were counteracted by
the question.
Now, what has happened recently In the South
has been marked reduction in the potency OK
this centripetal force. This has come about In
various ways The negroes have shown no dis
position to organize in defence OF their political
rights and either from Encouragement or from
a conviction that they have no chance OF success,
they are taking less interest every year In elec-
tions; and consequently the whites have greater
confidence than formerly In their ability to keep
the control OF their local and State governments
in their own hands. The Southern Democrat
"
he talked about the evils Of negro domination; he
knows the weakness of the blacks and is only
half in earnest about it now. Moreover, he 10
weary Of the race question and anxious to have
II taken out OF Southern politics so that parties
can divide on National policies II he be Pro-
tectonist from business interests. or II he be op-
posed TO free silver as a matter of principle, he
desires to vote on those questions when he goes
TO the polls. instead OF registering year after year
a white ballot against negro domination, and
hoping in his heart that there isn't any unneces-
sary or particularly scandalous cheating on MS
side The repeal Of the Federal Election laws has
removed what he regarded whether nationally
or unreasonably as standing menace OF the re-
opening Of the race question II has impaired
powerful impulse TO the various centrifugal forces
which have been mentioned and the first decided
break in the solid South has followed.
All these influences are illustrated in the poll
tics Of North Carolina. There has been in
dustrial movement here Of rapidly increasing I'm
portance. For example, there are now in the
state l42 cotton mills with $50, 1853 spndles. 12.lSA
looms and 1852 cards. Then there has been wide
spread agricultural discomfort and unrest, which
has been aggravated by the fall in the price OK
cotton. The farming classes, being heavily In
debt and getting less for their products every
year have been in a state OF revolt against exist
ing conditions. They have been organizing IN
farmers alliances. clamorng for Popuiist legis-
lation against railways and corporations. and agi-
tating for free silver the theory that cheap
and dscredted money would help the debtor
classes. Then, too. there has been revolt on the
part of young. ambitious and restless Democrats
against old-schoo party leaders and the despot-
ism OF a political machine which had absolute
control over nominations and elections. To this
has been added a recoil among Republicans and
Democrats alike against trickery and dishonesty
in registration and elections as demoralizng
nractices unworthy Of the South. Until the Fed
eral Election laws repealed dread OF negro
government was strong enough 10 prevent the
disruption of the Democracy When the state
politicians could no longer make use OF the so-
called force legislation as a means OF terrorizin8
timorous voters the revolution came with a rush.
A coalition movement in which Republicans ana
Populists were joint partners, swept the State.
The Democracy lost the two higher courts, SIX
ont of nine Congressman, the Legislature and two
United States Senator'S II the fusion movement
can survive the vicissitudes OF the next two
years. the State may be carried against the De-
inocraty in the next Presidential election.
Passing now from the consideration or causes
to immediate results. | may dismiss the approach
ing Senatorial elections with brief comments.
Senator Ransoms seat for the long term has been
apportioned to the Populists. and there Is only
one candidate, the chairman of the state COM
rnittee Marion Butler He will be undoubtedly
elected Senator and. while his position on tho
tariff question is uncertain. IL is expected that he
will vote with the Republicans at Washington on
the question OF reorganizing the Senate. Ihere
are seven candidates on the Republican side for
the short-term Senatorshp, Of whom hve are
from the western counties, one from the centrai
section and one from the east. or me western
candidates James J. Mott and j. {. Prltcharu are
the most prominent. with a. +. Holton' H. q.
rwart and J. NJ Brewer as substitutes. Mr..
Pritchard received a complimentary nomination
for United States Senator when there was no
chance of electing him. and his name was fre-
ouently mentioned during the recent canvass as
q candidate for the office. Mr. Mott Is strong
man who Is regarded the natural Repuoncah
leader In the western counties. Mr. Holton' ike
Mr. Pritchard. is one Of the younger men IN the
party and was chairman of the Republican STATE
Committee Mr. Ewart and Mr. Brewer are ex-
congressman Mr. Dockery has been candidate
for Governor and Consul-General at Rio ana may
be a compromise choice. Ex-Judge d. l.. Russeii'
OF Wilmington. is an eloquent speaker ana man
Of great force Of character. Sectional consloera-
tons will be urged against him. since, ike Mr.
Butler he represents the eastern countess ana
he will have. moreover, few delegates IN the ne
publican caucus. The Populist caucus VIII s'an"
for the eastern and central counties. while the He-
publican caucus Will be recruited mainly from 'ne
western or white section OF the state.
The Speakership has been assigned TO the NO
publlcans and there is no probability that there