The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-10-09
ANOTHER STALWkRT
MIR. THOMAS II. DEVEREUX Sc
CEDES FROM THE CAMP OF
PRITCHARD.
FOR STATE FUSION ONLY

in Line With Settle, Holton and the
Winston Republican--FusiOn as to-
the Electoral Ticket Illogical and
Out-Of-the- Question--The Republic
cans Must Stand by Protection and
BimetaIlism. Says Mr.. Devereux.
It must not be imagined that all those
in the Pritchard pow-wow at the Park
Hotel the other night where in sympathy
with the Fusion views of the Madison
statesman. The contrary is the case.
The NEWS AND OBSERVER took occa-
sion in line comment on that coming
together of the Canoodlers to say this :
$50 many people thought that Tom
Devereux was a Settle man."
And so it turns out Mr.. Devereux was
at the meeting and heard everything
that went on, and it is not impossible
that the Pritchard crowd looked upon
him as a new convert.
Mr.. Devereux has, since the meeting,
been slow to comment upon the outcome
of the Canoodle, but yesterday in con-
versation with NEWS AND OBSERVER re-
porter, he came upon the sub
ject and finally put himself squarely
and clearly on record and in line with
Holton, Settle and the Winston Repub-
lican.
So that the march of Mr. Pritchard
from the mountains to the sea was not
altogether triumphant one.
Replying to question as to his views
on the fusion question, Mr.. Devereux
said:
GAS regards cooperation in State
matters | look on that as a settled
fact OF course the two parties,
Republicans and P0pulists, must con-
tinue to cooperate in State matters
to enable them to retain the re-
suits of the cooperation victory of 1894.
By this [ mean the protection of the
present election law and county govern
ment system from the assaults of the
Democrats and the return of Senator
Pritchard as his own successor to the
United States Senate These are the
main features of the contract of last
year as | understand them, but as | was
not one of the men who arranged mat
tiers, | cannot speak of my own know
ledge.
$50 much for State matters. But fail
to see how the cooperation can be car
ried into Federal questions, or, in other
words, how it is practicable or even pos
sible for the Republican party in the State
to continue in touch of elbow with the
party in the Nation, and at the same
time agree in advance of the action of
the National Convention on the subject,
and not even upon consultation with the
National Executive Committee, to sur
render to hostile organization one-half
OF the electoral votes Of the State. AS
understand our plan of party government,
the party in the several States can and
frequently does, act for itself, independ-
ent of the National organization in
purely statal matters without having its
loyalty to the party questioned, and this
Is particularly the case in off years, as
was done in this State last year. But in
Federal matters | take it that the States
can only act under the National platform
If they desire to continue in the Nation
al organization. just as the counties must
act under the State platform in State
politics if they desire to continue in the
State organization. And hence, say, |
don't see by what authority the party in
the State can agree tosurrender one half
the electoral vote to the Pops IL 1t de
sires to continue in the National organf-
zati0n.
t'But suppose, for the sake of the
argument, that it can; is it expedient, is
it good politics2 think not. From all
the indications now the next Republican
platform will declare for bi metallism,
with proper ratio established between
the metals, and protection. The Populists
are for unlimited coinage and free trade.
Now, with what consistency can Re-
publican declare for both metals and
vote for five men out of eleven who de-
clare that they lock upon his policy as
ruin2 And how can Populist, without
stultifying himself, vote for the Republi-
can electors No one in his right mind
believes for moment that the Populists
have the slightest scintilla of a chance
to elect President Then where is tie
use Of doing vain thing and voting for
Populist electors who if elected can and
will most probably be used as threat
against the party who aided in their
election to force them into terms of ad
vantage to the Pops In other words to
enable the Pop leaders to trade and
dicker between the two great parties, one
of whom will name the next President.
"The difference between Fusion in the
State last year and Fusion in the nation
in 1895 is just this In the State the
Reps and Pops were in full accord on
principle of reform in the election and
county government laws and they coop
Grated to that end: In the National
issues, though, they differ on fundamen-
tai principle andtherefore cannot co oper-
ate in the selection of men who when
elected cannot cooperate for common
object"