The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-02-09
WHY SENATOR PRITCHARD SHUD-
DERS.

II shudder when | think of our COM
in6 fate in the event that Democratic
legislature is elected next fall. Fix
tract from Senator Pritchard's letter.
senator Pritchard's friends have
claimed for him that, though not
native of NorthCarolina, he is true
son of the State, and man who hon
ors its glories and its good name.
He belied this reputation by celebrat-
ing his introduction into the Senate
by uttering calumnies upon the good
name of the State and libelling its citi-
zens, declaring that his party had
been kept out by fraud. Never before
in the history of the State did one OF
its sons. on the floor Of Congress, put
a false stain on the States fair name.
Now it is this same man who would
"shudder" il the Democrats should
carry the next Legislature. There is
no doubt that he would ''shudder'-
for the Democrats viii be sure to leave
out in the cold the man who slandered
the State on the floor of the United
States Senate, and put that vile
SANDER in the permanent records of
the country.
Senator Pritchard talks a great deal
about .'honest elections" when he
knows full well that the Fusionists in
the last Legislature framed an elec-
ton law that places it in the power
of their politicians to practice more
fraud than was ever perpetrated, and
that the law was enacted for that pur-
pose. No doubt many of the Populists
were induced to believe that it
was an ''honest election law, but
Senator Pritchard knows very well
that it was made so that the Re-
publican and Populist poll-holders
could manipulate the returns. To-
day his only anxiety for fusion is
desire to get the election officers. He
would sign a contract tomorrow to
give up every Populist vote if he could
get the poll-holders at every precinct.
That is the milk in the cocoanut, and
if Senator Pritchard was as frank as
some other Republican politicians, he
would readily admit it.
During the campaign Of 1894, Sena-
tor pritchard said that the Republicans
and Populists had not abandoned their
principles they were merely holding
them in allegiance" until the election
law could be repealed. 1t has been
repealed, and a new law framed by the
Fusionists put in its place. is it nee
essary, under such an honest cleo
tion'' law, to continue to "hold prin-
ciples in allegiance" TO beat minority
party? is it necessary even to have
fusion if 1.-THE State is Republican and
has been since the WARP"
The people cannot be fooled, Sena-
tor Pritchard, by telling them that you
..shudder'' when you think of "our
coming fate in the event a Democratic
Legislature il elected next fall" They
have tried Democratic Legislatures for
twenty years, and found that they
never were guilty Of the wholesale
robbery Of the session of 18G8-'69, or
the petty corruption, scandalous pro
ceedings, and tax-increasing enact
ments Of 1895. You will "shudder''-
out in the cold, but the people will
have better laws. We have had in
North Carolina for twenty years a
State administration that is the pat
tern for all modern governments, free
from scandal, free from fayoritisms
and free from corruption. Honest
| and brave men have held the places of
honor, and the people would welcome
d return of the days when learning and
patriotism, and not ability to make
deals, were the requirements for high
official position.
The people "shudder" at the com
ing fate If another Legislature like
that Of 1869 or 1895 should be elected
next fall. Senator pritchard "shud-
ders" at the thought Of being put out
in the cold. and at the fear of losing
control Of the election machinery.