The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-05-20
ELECTING DELEGATES
The National Convention Re-
cognizes Only the State.
DISTRICTS RECOMMEND
Ex-Chairman Ed. Chambers
Smith interviewed.

Thinks Russelrs Nomination Weak, Be-
cause He Depends on PopuIist Sup
port That lie Can't Get--Thinks
Adams Will Win in the Ninth.
4 News and Observer reporter yes
terday had an interview with Ed.
Chambers Smith, Esq, ex-Chairman
of the Democratic State Executive
Committee.
Mr.. Smith. what do you think of
Judge Russell's nomination." was
asked.
1T is a weak one. He was nomi-
mated on the idea Qeaving out the
money charged to have been used
that Butler and the Populists would
endorse him, but I don't believe this
to be tree. The Populists will never
permit a Republican to be Governor
of the State, and especially will they
not permit Russell, who seeks to dis
integTate the Populist party by
breaking down its leaders. The Pop
ulists, headed by Senator Butler, Con-
gressmen Shuford, Strowd and others
know that the material prosperity of
North Carolina will be retarded by
Republican control, and they will
never aid directly in bringing it about.
They have been, and probably are now,
willing to cooperate with Republic
ems so long as the control does not
rest in Republican hands, but beyond
this / do not believe they are willing
to 60. In my judgment the people in
November will send Judge Russell
back to his ''old negro NANNY for
nourishment instead OF authorizing
him to draw it from the Public
Treasury"
ssMr. Smith, ] see from the papers
there is a question about the selec-
ton of delegates to the National Con-
vantion. and, as an ex-ehairman Of the
Democratic State Committee / should
like to have your views"
ssWell, there seems to be an errone-
Gus idea in regard to the selection of
district delegates. The National Con-
vention, of course, only recognizes the
State. and delegates have been hereto
fore elected by districts as matter of
right, while really the power to select
all delegates resides in the State con-
vention. The various districts only
recommend las in the 9TH certain
men as delegates, and, If they repre-
sent the idea predominating in the
State convention, they are elected.
Where congressional conventions have
not been held prior to the State con-
vention, it has been customary for the
delegates to the State convention from
the various districts to meet and select
the men of their choice for delegates,
at the same time as they select their
members of the State committee, res
olutions committee, permanent organ
ization committee, credentials COM
mittee, etc, and these are recon-
mended to the State convention for
election. / suppose, of course, this
will be done this year, as it is advisa-
BILE that our congressional eonven-
tions shall be held after the National
Democratic Convention, SO that we
may know the nature of the plat
form"
ssWhat do you think Of the nomina-
ton of Adams in the 9th district"
at is a very strong nomination.
Mr.. Adams is bold aggressive silver
man. and will command the sup
port of the silver men, of his district.
/
though nominated and elected as a
virtual Populist, has shed his coat
and repudiated his foster mother. /
think j can predict that the real silver
men will vote for Adams"
ssyhat course do you think the
Democratic State Convention should
pursue as To nominations?
ut is certainly the wise course, It
seems to me, for the State Convention
to elect delegates 20 the National Com
yention and q State committee, and
then adjourn until after the National
Convention. We, IN the present state
OF affairs. should not make platform
and nominate ticket including
electors, who are State officers, until
after we know what the National
platform is; otherwise, we might be
placed an the position of nominating
(State) electors on platform antag-
onistic TO the National platform, and
this might be little awkward. IL we
adjourn, as indicated above, we will
have the whole situation before us
when we write a platform and nomi-
nate candidates, and can act in such a
way as will rebound to the advantage
of the Democratic party and the State,
and this all patriotic citizens wish TO
do
1T would prove rather embarrass-
ing to John s. Henderson and R. III.
Battle or Col. Joe Caldwell and -. III.
Bum to canvass as electors for the
State-at-large on a silver platform,
and would be suggestive of the unfit
ness Of things to name James III. Mer-
rimon and James G. MacRae or G.. b.
Watson and Josephus Daniels as the
defenders of gold standard plat
form"
"Win the convention instruct it's
delegates?"
81 do not know, but look for the
convention to be overwhelmingly for
the free and unIimited coinage of sill
yer and gold at the ratio of 10 to i,
and / believe it will instruct all our
delegates to vote as unit, and for the
financial idea that tho State conyen-
tion will represent. Amy other policy
would be suicidal, especially when a