Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-02-21
BUTLER'S BIG FIGHT.
Republicans Garry the Day on the
Couuty-Governmcnt System-Addf-
tiouaI Masistrntes to lie Appointed
by the LegisInture-Notcs.

| RALEIGH. N. c., February 2c.-(spe-
| ciai)-The whole fight for cumulative
! voting" was made by Marion Butler be-
| cause he breads political absorption OF
| his Populist party by the Republicans
| with the new election-law and the new
| coiihty-goyernment law In force. as de-
| cided upon by the Republicans. the latter
| he believes, will put up straight ticket
| and go II alone In 1896 and not amaiga-
mate with the Populists. He wanted Gu
mutation because under Its provisions ne
could get in many OF his party as county
commissioners. His party would, in fact.
have dictated to the Republicans. All
during this session Of the Legislature the
Populists have kept threats hanging over
the heads of the Republican members.
These threats have been to the effect that
II the Republicans did not do certain
things the Populsts would go back to
the Democrats" A Republican leader was
asked If the Populists would continue to
vote with the Republicans in the Legis-
lature. He replied yes.
FORCED THE CHANGE.
The Populists have been completely
whipped by the Republicans on the coun,
ty-government question. 1t was the Re.
publicans who yesterday and last night
forced the change in the proposed law
so that the Governor will not appoint
county boards of audit and finance, but
that Superior-Court judges are TO make
the appointments. The Republicans de-
sire TO take away all power of appoint
ment from the Governor. as far as they
can. Another matter which the caucus
agreed on was the appointment of a
great number of additional magistrates
by this Legislature. These are to serve
six years.
\ BACK NUMBER.
The new county government bill on the
lines laid down by the Republicans. IL
now being drawn by Ewart Republican
and Hoover and Mewborne Populists).
IL Will be ready tomorrow. Marion But
ler's bill, drawn by Spler Whitaker. coun-
sci for the Fusion Steering Committee,
Is now back number.
Next Monday the House Committee on
Elections Will submit its report on the
contested cases from Edgecombe county
EVart. its chairman. tells me that IL will
be in favor of the Democratic sitting
members. II was in evidence before
the committee. which took evidence at
Tarboro', that hundreds OF negroes openly
voted the Democratic ticket This was
quile a revocation 10 EWart, who had
heard so much OF alleged election frauds
In the eastern counties There is not
the slightest evidence OF any fraud In
Edgecombe. Ewart assures me.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
final hearing on the bill to abolish
the Geological Survey was had yesterday.
State Geologist Holmes was for two hours
before the committee, and made an able
presentation of the work of the survey.
The public-printing matter is not yet
settled. One Of the Printing Commit
tee said to-day that the more IL is in
vestigated the better become the chances
o. Edwards & Broughton, OF this city.
being the winners. Stewart Brothers,
OF Winston. on a superficial view. ap-
peared to be the lowest bidders But
how the work IS TO be done outside OF
this city without additional expense and
delay is a puZZler.
ASSIGNMENT.
John r. Erwin, for many years Clerk
OF Mecklenburg Superior Court, has as
signed for the benefit OF creditors.
Mrs. Caroline Il. Lougee one OF the
Oldest and best-known residents of this
ri rfa6 lou