The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-12-23
Both populists and Repuoh-
cans Dsnounos Pritchard.
WILL NOT SUPPORT HIM
A Republican Says He is a
Traitor 60 His Party.
poPuLIsrs WILL NOT TRUST HIM
Aver Still Comforting With the Re-
nubiican Leaders and is Calling
the Populists Together For
a Caucus.
a Caucus.

1t may require more than fifteen Popa-
list votes to re-elect Pritchard to the
United States Senate.
With. the increasing probability that
Senator Pritchard will announce himself
i'm favor of silver coinage IN order 70
secure the populist vote, comes the talk
of n bolt on the part of the Republicans
against what they consider a reputation
of the cardinal plank of their platform
sound money.
One Republican member Of the Leglsia-
ture-and he will be a leader in the House
SAYS that if Pritchard carries out the
nrprranlme outlined in yesterday morn
ingss News and Observer by Gudger ana
Ewart. he will fight him in caucus rs a
traitor 10 his party aud vote against INN
apenly in the Legislature as unworthy TO
renresent the Republicans of North Caro-
lima.
Better" said he, give us another
straight Populist at once than give us
something which is neither fish nor fowl
"a lukewarm nothing that is only mt TO
he spewed oat of the mouth. II we are
entitled to a Senator at all we are entl-
tied to a Republican who Is Republican.
IF pritchard is really for silver he ought,
like Teller. to have had the bravery 10
have come and said SO long ago, ana then
we would have known what manner OF
man we were endorsing. No, sir, ne IS
not doing the manly thing in this matter
and I propose TO denounce him at the
proper time.
And" he added, with knowing look,
.there are others. Pritchard will lose as
many Republican votes by this course rs
he will gain Populists.
TWO POPULISTS' VIEW.
And | did find Populists-inen
who have been ardent fusionists, who
saw that they have no confidence in the
Nolachucky statesman and would not,
were they in the General Assembly,
vote for him under any consideration.
One man especially, prominent Office
holder and one high up in Populist party
councils, said that he did not see any
Ponulist could vote for Pritchard after
his course in the last campaign.
..There is" he said, "a great deal more
than simply Jeter Pritchard back of all
this matter-more even than Senator
shin. Involved in this fight is the perpe-
tuation of fusion. If the Populists defeat
Pritchard that ends forever Republican,
Populist fusion. If they&join with the
Democrats in electing Senator then
hereafter the Populists and Democrats
must cooperate That's the situation IN
a nut shell, and that's what is causing the
Populists to hesitate about declaring
against Pritchard
sAnd'' he added significantly, 'Pritch-
ards friends are using this argument Tor
all it's worth
This man is an exactly opposite type
of populst from Judge Spier Whitaker
bat they entertain about the same views
on the Senatorial question. Writing to
the Progressive Farmer this week, Judge
Whitaker points out that the proper
course for the Populists to pursue is to
nominate Populist for the Senate and
vote for him. He says:
1T is rumored that there is battle IN
progress between two great leaders OF
our party as to what Republican shall be
supported by the party for the United
States Senate, and, am sorry to say, this
rumor seems TO have some foundation III
fact Before the cooperation OF the
Peoples party and the Republican party,
what Populist would have for moment
entertained the idea of voting for Re
publican for the United States Senator
No CONFIDENCE IN HIM IL
Then the Progressive Farmer calls
Pritehard by name and openly says its
estimation of him is mighty small. In
connection with Pritchard's card denying
that the Republicans will attempt to cap
lure the Senatorship by Mark Hanna
methods, it adds:
But Pritchard has pursued course
Al, |, 10 ts.,l
to much consideration among people who
cannot be hum-bugged.'
Hal. Aver is the only Populist i have
vet found who predicts Prtchard's cleo
lion in case he renews his pledge to vote
for silver He says the Populists are
anxious to vote for him and will gladly
do so if he will promise to vote for silver.
This is the view he expressed to ths
Rev. HI Budger and Judge Ewart in
their conference Sunday and Monday and
to Mai. Grant at the Park Hotel last
night. And it is these things that
have made it common remark that if
Pritchard is not elected it viii not be Hal
Ayers fault
And he proposes to fix the Populist
members early in the game. He wants
them to come day or two ahead of time.
them and hold such caucuses and prayer
meetings as may deemed necessary.
Mr.. Aver yesterday issued the following
circular letter to Populst members:
''The suggestion may not be necessary,
but | venture a reminder that it would
be well for all Peoples party members of
the Legislature to arrive here as early
on Tuesday, January 9Th, as they can 1t
will be very necessary to hold caucus
before the regular opening day, and all
our people ought 10 attend 1t has been
suggested that the members arrive here
on Monday, but Tuesday, | think viii
be early enough"
Last night Mr.. Aver and Maj Grant
were in conference in Maj. Grants room
ut the Park Hotel, by appointment
HAL AYERS LITTLE DIARY.
SUNDAY Xxi Budger, otherwise
Hmekiah Gudger, reaches Raleigh after
i visit to Washington. lie registers ut
the Park. He is Pritchard's special con-