The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-08-13
POPULISTS MEET
Proposed Caucus Turned Into a
Public Meeting.
THE HALL WAS WELL FILLED
Henry Caldwell, Exum, Thomp-
son and Other Speak.


tic Party Cheered-- Evident Senti-
menfFor the Nomination of Separ-
ate Ticket--No Action Taken, Only
Speech Making. That Was All.
The agreement seemed to be yester
day that there should be Populist
caucus last night in Metropolitan Hall,
but when the hall began to fill, there
seemed to be no restrictions ON the
door, and so people of all political par
ties sought seats. Thus it looked after
all as il the caucus idea had been aban-
doned, for the purpose of having a gen
eIal Notification ON the eve of the State
convention, which meets to-day.
The body of the hall was well filled,
mostly with Populist delegates, while
on the platform were Senator Butler,
Ohio Wilson, Hal Aver, and others.
Senator Butler called the meeting to
order and introduced Mr.. Nat Garrett,
of Nash county. MIR. Garrett spoke at
some length, fuently outlining the
course of the Populists in connection
with public issues, especially IN con
nection with Bryan and Watson. Mr..
Garrett brought down the house by
telling the reply of a Populist to Il
man who had said that the Democracy
would swallow up Watson, namely,
that if they did swallow Watson they
would have more sense in their tail
than they had in their head.
MIR Garrett said the test of silver
sincerity in the Democratic party
ought to be whether they were willing
to take down Sewall; if they We're sim
cere they would take Sewall down.
Mr.. Garrett wound up with a little
Joke, which brought the house down.
Col. Harry Skinner was called for
and was invited TO the stage by Sena-
tor Builder, but was not in the house.
Mr. Walter Henry was called for and
came down the side aisle amidst APP
plause. As Mr.. Henry ascended the
platform the cheers increased.
Mr. Henry spoke of the Popuiist par
ty as the training school of American
politics (cheers and a voice, That's
the truth"i) The farmer had always
been a patriost, continued Mr.. Henry,
and here he went into quite an elabo-
rate apostrophe to the farmer, who he
said should rise in his might.
Mr.. Henry challenged any Democrat
70 meet any PopuIist and successfully
deny the fact that the Democratic par
ty had broken twelve promises out of
thirteen Mr.. Henry denounced Dem
ocracy as boat of stone with pirate
crew. and bound to perdition. Look
at the Democratic PLATFORM" eXclaim-
ed Mr.. Henry. CANT got none!
shouted two voices amidst laughter).
Mr.. Henry scored Senator Jarvis for
- d.,
and claimed that Bryan had always
been Populist. Mr.. Henry said that
BRYAN was nominated by the Populists
on the implied condition that Sewall
would be taken down and Watson be
put in his place Mr.. Henry criticised
Sewali severely as a monopolist and
railroad prince. He said the Populists
demanded that there should ''be no
two tickets" There were few excla-
nations endorsing this sentiment,
comparatively few, say one-ffth of
those present. Mr.. Henry said the Pop
slists held the balance Of power Ga
voice: ''And we are going to hold it'l
He said if the Populists went with the
Democrats and won, the Democrats
would repudiaae their present plat
form in four years from now. Mr..
Henry threw the burden of silver sue
cess upon the Democrats and demand
ed that they take down Sewall. But he
said if the Democrats didn't take Sew
all off, the Popullsts would put out a
straight ticket. Senator Butler, sit
ting behind Mr.. Henry watched close
" twas il with regret?) the effect of
this sentiment, which brought out n
vociferous cheer. Mr.. Henry closed by
shouting Either the retirement Of
Sewall or a straight ticket!') Great
applause). !,
DIR. Exum was calle for and came
forward amidst applause. He said it
took backbone in 1892 to stand the
defamation, c0mmingled with stale
eggs that met the Populists (applause
and laughter). DR. Exum said it was
choice between a Cleveland dynasty
and q Republican monarchy. He said
that C. B. AycoclJ promised under GER
tain conditions to go with the people.
"Has he done it?'' he exclaimed
"No! Has he lied? I leave that for
you to say"
DR. Exum pointed to Senator Butler
and said amidst laughter, that he had
realized the aromatic odor Of stale
eggs. He did not believe in putting
man too high up in the synagogue
until he had been tried.
Senator Butler came forward and ac-
cusing the Democrats of having stolen
the Populist platform, introduced Mr..
r. C. Caldwell, mayor of Statesyille,
who, he said, had come over to the
Populists since the Chicago conven-
ton. Mr.. Butler referred to Bryan
and Watson as the names that would
head the Populist electoral ticket in
this State.
Mr.. Caldwell came forward and said
there was only one qualification neces-
sary for entrance into the Populist
party and that was "do right" Gap
plause.) Mr.. Caldwell urged all TO
stand by Watson until the last gun.
applause and cheers.) Mr.. Caldwell
was good speaker but was very bitter
against the Democrats. When he was
about to stop, there were shouts of
$50 on! Go oni" He was in favor of
meeting the Democrats half way, if
they would come up to the gap by
taking down Sewall. He said he twas
a sorter skeered o the tail end o. that
ffalxat - and closed nv fallipor a., oil;