The news & observer., 1896-12-11
WI Circulate Tom Wa.son's letter
Against Butler, and Vii Skinner
Try to Win For Pyitcaard2
Mott or a Democrat.

Washington, Dec. f0.-Cspecial-A
prominent North Carolina politician pev
ID roe city has received letter from
,sleyille wuich indicates that Mark
f!anla is eaasayoging 70 mansDalar. ne
LeeisIatura Of abat State 80 as to win tqe
election of 81 Republican Senator to sge-
ceed Scnatsg Pritchard and that 3lr.
EIauna's basiHcss 10 this city bears
strongly upon the political situation in
that State, The letter indicates that
there Is combine embracing Senator
Pritchard, Congregsmen Person, Settle
nod Skinner and Col Jas. Il. Boyd.
These gentlemen held a conference at the
Ebbitt house last night, where they dis
cussed the siination and incidentally took
into consideration The propriety Of giving
a wide circulation TO Tom Watson's latest
attack u2ou Senator Butler.
The Watson article is extremely vic
dictive, 1t was copied in the Post Of this
city this morning.
"One Of the parties to the Pratchard
combine suggested in my presence last
night that Watson's letter be printed IN
the Post this morning." said the gentle
man from North Carolina, ''and it came
out on time. The suggestion was made
by Col. Boyd, who had just entertained
Mark Hanna at dinner at the Airing
ton. The suggestion was evidently ap-
proved by Mr. Skinner FOR that gentle
had in his possession the only copy Of
the Watson letter then known to be in
this city. All the members Of the (com-
binel except skinner, are Republicans.
Skinner is q Populist, and the publica-
ton OF Watson's letter in the Post
means, under the circumstances, that he
and the Republican members Of the COM
bine have engaged in a deadly feud with
Senator Butler, and it also means, in my
opinion, that Hanna is privy to the
scheme and viii use no end Of Federal
patronage to assist in the work Of crush
ing the chairman Of the Populist Ma
tional committee. 1t makes all further Coz
operation between Republicans and
Populsts in North Carolina impossible.
| doubt the feasibility of the thing, the
North Carolina Legislature on joint bal
lot stand, Republicans, 20; Populists, 56,
and Democrats, "A. If Skinner can car
ry with him the 20 Populists from his
Congressional district, the combine
will win but If he cannot
every member of it will be wrecked.
don't believe that he can carry more than
two or three with him. Senator Butler
will select his colleague in spite Of the
combine. / think that Mr. Mott, a free
silver Republican, who is at present So
licitor Of the Ninth judicial district, will
be the man, if not a Populist or a Demo
crat viii succeed Pritchard. Mr.. Hannas
interfering in State politics, outside of
Ohio viii create chickering's and prove a
boomerang. 1t will universally be re-
garded as piece Of unstatesman-like
impertinence. | trust that it may be
properly condemned in Kentucky as well
as in North Carolina"
PRITCHARD CLAIMS THE VOTES.
Washington, Dec 10.-Several Repub-
hcans Of North Carolina are at the capi-
tai. Among them are j. H. Boyd and
NJ. l.. Mott The purpose Of their visit
It seems is to strengthen Senator Pritch-
ards chances of reelection. 1t is under
stood that oyertures have been made on
the part of the Populists that they will
support Pritchard by caucus nomination
if he viii pledge himself to vote for free
silver on all occasions. This he has re-
fused to do, it is said, by his friends. He
declares he is a Republican and will act
with his party. He claims Populist
votes enough with the full Republican
to insure his election.