Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-16
FUSION IN CONTROL.
RefoI M Plans In the North Carolina
legislature.

Specia, Correspondence of The Evening Star.
RALEIGH, N. c., January IA, 1898.
The legislature Is in full swing, and the
fusionists plainly show that they are the
absolute masters Of the situation. Ihey
tell the democrats so ON the floor and IN
their anxiety to institute what they term
reforms have adopted some plans winch
are novel, to say the least For instance.
there are forty-five lfusionists and only
five democrats in the Senate. The heuten-
art governor, who is the president of the
senate is a democrat 1t has always been
the case that the presiding officer of either
branch of the legislature has named the
committees.
But the fusionists have adopted a resolu-
ton naming republican and a popullst as
members of committee of three to Sc
lect all committees. The president was
given the poor privilege of naming the
third mail on the committee. lie named a
democrat. OF course: the latter cuts no
figure. In fact, the democrats stand no
more of a showing in this legislature than
does a srowbank in July. They know their
helplessness. The governor has no veto
power and SO the fuSfonlStS nave every
thing in their hands. :
The fusionists have given the democrats
in the house to understand that 1t is their
purpose to right all wrongs; that they
were responsible for whatever they did, and
that no tilibustering or factious opposition
would be permitted. The republicans have
sent some Of their strongest men TO the
legislature and they have advisers here in
great numbers The populists have no men
whose ability is at all marked, but Marion
Butler manages the entire populist work:
Not step is taken without his advice and
consent. He is a power with the repub-
licans as well as the populists, and many
| times day is the expression heard, wv hat
does Mr.. Butler think of this?'
The fusionists are taking right in hand
the matter of unseating democrats There
are more election contests than ever before
known at session; so many, in fact that
If the contestants are successful. the per-
sonnet of the house will be considerabl
changed.
The New Election Law.
Ex-Congressman Ewart introduces bill
to repeal the present system of county gov
eminent so that at the next general cleo
ton the people will elect magistrates, and
the latter will elect what are to be known
as county trustees. There are now allowed
five magistrates to each township, and
EWart's bill proposes that this legislature
shall elect enough to I'LL all vacancies
which occur soon by the expiration OF
terms. and also elect five more in each
township. This gives the fusionists ma
iority Of magistrates. In counties where
the freeholders to the number of 100 make
petition to a judge the latter is to appoint
a board of audit and finance of three menu
bers, this board to be a check on the trus-
tees. What is known as county govern
ment," that is, the election of magistrates
by the legislature each two years, has been
the backbone of democracy in this State
since January, 1877. when that party got
full possession of the state government,
and it is against it that all the wrath of
the fusionists is directed.
The election law which was enacted four
years ago puts all the burdens on the
voter, the fusionists claim. The voter is
made responsible for his own registration,
and, it Is claimed cannot get aid from the
registrar of election. 1t is the plan of the
fusionists to make the registrar see that
the voter is properly registered. The chair
man Of the house fusion caucus has al
ready introduced a bill to repeal the pres
ent election law His bill was drawn by
Daniel l.. Russell. 1t has what he says is
new feature-namely, the one box and
one ballot system. All ballots are to be
kept year, so they can be used as evil
dence in election contests. All returning
boards, county and state, are abolished and
pollholders are to make returns direct to
clerks of superior court A bill along this
line is sure to pass, for the fusionists are
pledged to pass it. 1t was one Of the rea-
sons why they fused.