Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-04-13
FUSION IN NORTH CAROLINA
Republicans for and Against a Ooali-
ton.
Probable Democratic Nominees for
Troubles-Negroes' Position.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.


question whether there shall or shall not be
fusion of the republicans and the populists
Within the past few days the discussion Ct
this question has led to some lively inter-
views and positive declarations. Charles
Price. who takes a high rank among the re-
publicans, declares positively that If there is
fusion he will canvass the state against it.
He rays further that he intends to let the
republican state convention know that If the
party desires his support 1t must not fuse.
John B. Eaves, who has for the past eight
years been the chairman Of the republican
party in North Carolina, declares, with en-
phasis, that there can be no fusion bet xeen
his party and the populists on a state tick
ct. He says he has not fought for the prin-
ciples of republicanism for thirty years and
yet be willing now to surrender his party
and its principles into the hands OF an ag-
gregation of indictments and Office seekers
who represent no principle. He insists, as
he did two years ago, that a fusion with the
populists even though il brought about the
defeat of the democrats, would injure the
republicans, as in order TO effect such a
coalition the republicans would necessarily
have to subordinate their principles and pur-
poses to the the ambition of the populists,
who are really more antagonistic to republi-
can principles than the democrats are.
Eaves, like Price, vows that he will Bit
terly oppose every movement looking to-
ward fusion.
]. c. L. Harris is the spokesman of the re-
publicans who favor fusion. He says that
of the 240 votes in the republican state con-
yention ii will be found that not fifty are
opposed to fusion. He declares that the
fusionists will make things lively for Price
and those Of his view, and says further that
no republican who is entitled to the position
of leader of his party in his township holds
Prices views. Now, Harris Is an extremist
on the question of fusion. He aired his
views on that question two years ago be-
fore the state convention of his party and
was literally overslaughed, at which result
be became very angry. Some of the republi-
cans ridicule Harris. One of these is Shaft
fer, ex-postmaster here, who, when asked
what was the republican view as to fusion,
said that the party had not as yet been told
by Harris what 1t must think, say or do.
j.. Mott and Daniel l.. Russell, both among
the wealthiest republicans in the safe. are
Harris supporters.
Chairman Simmons Of the democratic state
committee was asked by your correspondent
what he thought of the prospects of fusion,
and replied that he did not think it prac-
ticable. Some of the other leading cemo-
Gratis said that in their opinion the brains"
of the republican party opposed the idea
1t is settled that Richmond Pearson OF
Asheville is to run as the Independent
candidate for Congress in the ninth district.
He Is a republican, son of the late Chief
Justice Pearson, and is wealthy. His
money makes him a man to be petted by
a serpent he will find himself much poorer
in purse before this year ends. 1t appears
TO be agreed that no nomination will be
made in that district by either populists or
republicans, but that Pearson shall be in
dorsed.
Democratic Congressional Nominees.
One of the leading democrats in the state
was asked to give what in his opinion will
be the democratic congressional ticket in
81 al
trict Branch, renominated; second, Wood
ward. renominated; third, very doubtful,
little sentiment as yet developed, but per-
haps either Grady, the incumbent, John d.
Shaw, or James G. Kenan: fourth, in doubt,
but c. NJ. Cooke is developing strength:
fifth, John r. Webster or j. L. King; sixth
district, the race for the nomination will he
between Alexander. the incumbent, John S.
Lockhart and j. I. lie Grand: seventh,
Henderson. reno minated; eighth. Bower. re-
nominated; ninth, Crawford, renomnated,
or Hope Elastic latter is certainly devel-
cping much strength. This prediction as to
nominees will be found to be of real value.
The republican state chairman was inter
viewed as TO whether the county commit
tees of that party would be allowed to fuse
on county tickets, but said in reply that as
yet no opinion could be given on that sub
jcet The populists want to capture the
legislature, because they want to send
Marion Butler, the president of the National
Farmers Alliance, to the United States
Senate in Ransom's place The republicans
will, IL they get majority Of the legisla-
ture, elect Jeter c. Pritchard to that posi-
ton. He is from the extreme west and
may be termed the leader of that party in
the state
The republican state committee will in a
month issue an address to that party. and
the plan which will be outlined is to fuse in
counties and districts in which the party
has no show, but to keep the state ticket
which will be for treasurer and three SUI
preme court justices. straight. 1t is al
legged by the fusion republicans that within
sixty days. at the most there will be a con-
ference of their party and the populists
at which decisive steps will be taken.
Tillman's Troubles Hurting the Popu-
lists.
1t is fact that the Tillman troubles now
prevailing in South Carolina are hurting
the populists in this state. Tillman is an
object lesson. He shows how far a popu-
list will go when he gets the upper hand.
The feeling against Cleveland, by reason
of his veto Of the Bland BILL runs high.
Your correspondent has not found "A news
paper or a public man in the state indors-
ing the veto. Some of the bank men NAV
favor it There are persons who say that
nothing could have been devised as better
calculated to disrupt the party in this state
and to swell the ranks of the popultsts than
Cleveland's action. AS you were Informed
months ago, in this correspondence Ihe
strength upon disconnected democrats
Hence they greatly enjoy the abuse Of The
President, now so freely heard At The
same time even the most fanaticaI popUljst
gives Mr. Cleveland credit for great int.g-
rity Of purpose and courage of convictipn
North Carolina is a silver state" ana
perhaps in no state can more democrats he
found who warmly favor cutting loose fr1nn
the New York democrats. This is sin1lv
and solely because the latter are considared
TO be under the rule of Wall street Two
years ago the populists ceaselesslv se
nounced these Wall street Influences rnd
now the democrats are heaping lust as hit
ter abuse upon the same Influences
You have been informed of the earnest
efforts made by a leading democratic naner
to disassociate this year the state from The
rational issues. This was to make "a state
campaign, virtually dropping Cleveland
and all national matters and differences cut
OF sight But some of the papers are tear
ing this plan to tatters. They assert taat
TO follow it would be to throw over an The
congressman. 1t seems that this IS enti,,sly
true.
The democratic papers have now as a
rule arrayed themselves on the side Of
Senator Vance or Senator Ransom. ara
some bitter things are said. often in an
adroit way. Ransoms reelection is GER
tainly doubtful. There are people who saw
they would like to see new men in tbs
places or both these Senator's
Position of the Negroes.
The negroes keep quiet as to politics. One
OF their leaders says they will biie their
Of