The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-08-29

Mr. Henry was the Man who Used Ma j,
Hale's Name--Maj, Hale PrOmul-
gates Plan for Democratic Pri-
| maries Which Permits Men 10 Vote
In the Primaries Upon "A Pledge
That they viii support the Demo-
cratic Party Nominees.
FAYETTEVILLE, N. c., Aug %.
To the Editor of the News and Observer:
Pardon me for complaining that you
have taken an uuwarranted liberty with
my name in describing me in the head
lines put over Mr.. w. r Henry's politi-
cal letter of yesterdays date, printed in
your issue of to day, as his friend"
hardly know Mr.. Henry, having met him
but twice--in all, couple of minutes.
The first of these occasions was at the
State Department, in Washington, in the
spring of 1898, when | was introduced
to him by his friend, Senator Ransom,
who was pushing his candidacy for of
fee. What my estimate of MIR. Henry's
forthcoming address (referred to by him
in his letter. may be, cannot, of course,
predict, as | have no other knowledge of
it, or of his intention to issue it, than
that derived from your paper.
AS the position of my newspaper on
the question of silver convention called
by Democrats, appears, also, to have been
a subject of discussion in the NEWS AND
OBSERVER, venture further upon your
indulgence to say:
/. That | am opposed to any formal
action by North Carolina Democrats
which does not proceed from, or under
the authority of, the regularly consti
tuted State party organization. Such
irregular action, in my opinion, would
be a step toward party disintegration.
2. That | would gladly support a
movement by Democrats, addressed to
the Executive Committee and having for
its object the diposal of the question of
calling silver convention.
8. That | think the positi of the
Democratic party in North Carolina on
the silver question too well settled to
make the calling of a convention to re-
affirm it necessary or desirable.
4. That if the Executive Committee
have the power to do so, | would wish,
as the object Of the movement referred
to, that they declare that the primaries
next year will be open to all who will
pledge themselves to vote the Democratic
tickets (State and National) provided the
National Democratic Convention nomi-
nate a silver candidate on silver plat
form. This would give those who might
come to US on such terms, liberty of &C
ton in cese we should fail next year to
make good our claim that the Democratic
party is the true silver party. As far as we
are concerned, We must gain recruits in
order to lift our party out Of It's present
condition of a minority party. So far as
| can see, our only chance to do this is
from the ranks of those whose chief COM
plant against US is the uncertainty of
the silver policy of the National Demo
cracy.
That if the Executive Committee
have not such power, would wish, as
the object of the movement referred to,
that they be requested to call conven-
ton to dec de whether or not the prima-
ries should be opened as suggested in the
preceding paragraph. If We have no
other chance for saving the State cleo
ton than by thus opening the primaries,
the agitation caused by holding a con-
vention at an irregular time would be
but small price to pay for such re-
suit. If the question of opening the
primaries can be settled by the Executive
Committee, by all means omit the con
vention. That is matter of compare
tive detail
/ have the highest regard for the gen
tlemen who have signed the call for a
silver Convention, and appreciate the
patriotic motives which 8ctuate them,
but l think the cause of silver, as well as
of the Democratic party, would be in
jured by the course proposed We do
not go outside of the church for religion
because there have been some bad Popes
of Rome. If the party organization
throughout the State be bad or ineffi
Gent, let US change that. As member
of the State committee, | should be glad
to join my colleagues in rendering our
resignation at the regular Convention
or at the earlier one, if called-in order
that the party's representatives may be
freed from embarrassment in the selec-
ton of our successors.
Respectfully yours,