The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-10-07
GOLDBUG PRITCHARD is THE CON
DITIoN OF COUNTY FUSION.


publicans and Populists upon the leg
islative ticket, with reference to the
election of a successor to Senator
pritcbard. The arrangement that the
Republican and Populist committees
SIGNED makes no mention of the Sena-
torial question for obvious reasons
But the official action OF the kepuph-
ran Executive committee, and subse-
o1ent transactions show that the Re-
nublicans are making support OF
Pritehard the basis of fusion IN nearly
all the counties in which there has
been fusion between the Republicans
and Populists. AS showing the Repu'b-
lean position, we quote the following
/ resolution adopted by the Republican
State Executive committee at it's meetA
ing in Raleigh, August Is. After re-
solving "to heartily endorse the action
,of the National Republican consenz
ton in nominating Mckinley and Ho-
bart. it was declared, eve hereby
pledge our earnest support of their cam
didacy and the platform of principles
upon which they stand" that is, a
hearty endorsement of the existing
gold standard" A tender of co-opera-
ton to the PopuHsts was made in these
terms:
e''It is therefore resolved by the
State Republican Executive COM
nIittee in regular meeting assem-
bIed, that we recommend to the
Republican voters of the State the
necessity of cooperation with the
Populists in all the counties, where
it is practicable on the Legislative
and county officers, with the under
standing that members of the Leg
islatHre of BOTH PARTIES shall
support the nominee of the Repub-
lican caucus for, United States Sem
ater.
This was equivalent to saying that
members of the Legislature of both
parties hall support" Jeter G. Pritch-
ard, for the reason that he is the nomi-
nee of the Republican party in the
State for Senator, and the party is
honorably bound to make him its eau
Gus nominee. For proof of this state
ment we append the following resolu-
ton, unanimously adopted by the Re
publican State convention in Raleigh
i May last: E8s
"Resolved, That it is the sense
of this convention that the Honor
able Jeter c. Pritchard be named,
as he>is hereby named as the cam
fr4
succeed himself as United States
Senator from this State, and that
the delegates of this convention
pledge themselves to use all honor
able means to secure his election"
The Republicans in the several coun-
ties are refusing to fuse with the Pop
ulists except upon the pledge of sup
port of Pritchard or the caucus nomi-
nee they are the same thing. In Sem
atorial districts like the one in which
Caldwell county is situate, they require
the Populist nominee to openly ayow
his support of Pritchard In counties
like Wake, where such public ayowal
would be fatal to success, they only
require the candidate to give a secret
pledge, and say to the public that
he with abide the action of the Pop
ulist caucus" This always means as
Pritchard.
Z In some ceqhties,s, natahlK .DupHp,-
+heprcof thaB tBae Repuaaieals derhaandl
support of -PFitehard as condition
precedent to voting for a Populist for
the Legislature is afforded.
In that county the Populists and Re-
pnblicaaas agreed upon a fusion ar
rangement the Populists being accord
ed the member of the Legislature.
When the popallist- contention met Mr.
Ward wassnominaAed.s Shortly there
after he was approached by the negro
Republican Leaders there are no white
Republicans in Duplin) and asked if
elected whether he would support
Pritchard for the Senate. Mr.. Ward
replied that he would not support MFR.
Prftchard or any other goldbug. This
displeased the Republicans. They ar,
gued with Mr.. Ward they plead with
Mus A44AA Jdoo ~ 5AfC
them secret pledge of support of
Pritchard, and said they could guaran-
tee his election. He steadfastly main
tanned that no honest Populist could
support gold man for Senator, and
then the Republicans dropped him like
hot potato. They got together then
and endorsed f. M KeathIy a fusion
member of the last Legislature, who
readily agreed to vote for Pritchard
for the Senate. Mr.. Ward is the regu-
lar nominee of the Populist party
Since his Reputation by the Republic
cans. the Populists have held no meet
ing. That element of the Populist par
ty that really is in earnest in its advo-
cacy of silver will vote for no man for
Representative or Senator who will
vote for Pritchard or any other gold
man. The news comes to us from four