The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-08-14
REDUCTION OF SALARIES.
OPENING OF THE CONVENTION.
[. c. Caldwell, Mayor of StatesviIle,
Was Temporary Chairman The
Con1mittees SeIected.

Was Temporary Chairman The
Committees Selected. -
The State convention of the Popu-
list party of North Carolina met in
Metropolitan Hall yesterday at fifteen
minutes after twelve.
The week had been full of political
incident.
There had been in Raleigh, certainly
since Monday last a strange, and per-
haps unprecedented commingling of
political forces.
If there were nothing else to give
sign of the revolution in the midst
OF apparent peace that is now going
on in this country, the turbulent I'M
dertow that was discernible in the
exchange of men of many minds, the
absence of plan-the uncertainty of
outcome even for twelve hours ahead
these would have been sign enough to
be read while running.
The Democratic State Executive
committee had met Monday night, and
had passed a resolution proposing cleo
toral fusion with the Populists. The
Republicans as soon as they read this
resolution in the News and Observer
came in with shrifty movement and
mysteriously, and have been sitting
around or bobbing about shy corners
ever since, more like coyotes with
their gaunt, hungry ribs almost show
ing, so greedy We're they for the old
ssarranQementf' with the populists.
Moreover, the under-rumor went a
round that Mark Hanna had sent word
to the Republicans that unless they
made terms with the Populists, not one
cent of his Doodle would be forthcom-
ing. Did not the good people here
abouts behold them, these twilight
prairie providers, and did not festered
stencil come from their presence into
the nostriIs of men who were in earnest
after silver, which has been made the
cause of the common people of this
country-without regard to creed,
color or condition. Were these Repub-
licans for silver? Do they answer
yes? Do North Carolinians believe
that the answer is true? They are
reeking with the atmosphere Of she
breath of Lodge and the cslnkered and
corrupt career of Mark Hanna who
was forced by New England to gag
the plain people with a gold plank
against the cry of the helpless masses.
Did they come to join gold with sill
yer. mammon with God the croak Of
the Cleveland iron-master with the
voice of the people? What did shey
come for? Did they see that the people
who believed in common principle
were trying to get together, and they
say "the people be-damned," give us
pie in the State and gold in the ma
ton. They would about cast over
with a malarial cloud as of microbic
exhalations above a green and stag
nant pond.
Ahi but they have been working,
these terredos boring into the piles
that the people were busy driving
home as foundation of good govern
ment.
The Democrats submitted their pro-
position with dignity, and stand upon
it sincerely. They are on record with
no stealthy secrecy about their move
ments.
Meanwhile the Populist Compression
al convention Wednesday afternoon
met, and did its work in order. Then
came the Populist mass meeting We'd
nesdav night. in which certain Popu-
list leaders tried to influence the peo-
pie. But it was noticed that the old
line Populists, such as Skinner and
Guthrie did not put in appearance.