New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-11-13
ENFORCING THE NEUTRALITY LAWS.
THE STEAMER THREE FRIENDS LIBELLED BY
SENATOR PRITCHARDS ChAAC1c.
IF HE CAN SECURE SEVEN PoPULIsT VOTES HE
MAY BE REELECTED.

III HE CAN SECURE SEVEN POPCLisT NoIES NE
MAY BE REELECTED.
w.s,ing,on Nov u (SpeciaD.-According TO the
statement Just made by Chairman Holton OF the
Republican State Executive Committee seventy
nine Republicans have been elected 10 the NORM
Carolina Legislature out Of a total OF l'o members
In other words the figures given show that Senator
Pritchard's Republican support Is only seven Votes
short of a majority, not taking any OF his Popuiist
friends into the calculation 1t Is said here that
more than that number OF Populist menpers-eiect
have privately pledged themselves to vote TOT MI
Pritchard's reelection. The only question mas
been. VIII these members resist the pressure from
tho otbe, Populjsts stay out OF the caucus. and
their votes in Joint session for Senator Pritch-
ard? Senator Buffers sway over the Populist mind
in North Carolina has up to now been so compete
that a great many persons. OF all parties nave
Jumped the conclusion that 1t would not iaii IN
this Senatorial matter. II may be true That the
pledged Populists may finally go back upon their
plixhted word at the dctation OF the Populist
leader and in accordance with Populist clamor
But there are several considerations advanced by
persons who are acquainted with at least some OF
the facts In the tangled SITUATION, which may ieau
10 a contrary conclusion.
Senator Pritchard Is ana mas been all the WINS
in close personal and political relations with the
leaders of the Peoples party In many counties OF
the State He and his Congressional friends, Rep
resentatives Linney and Pearson. have always
suits In North Carolina politics. even with Senator
Butler in opposition. The latter is aware that n
strong element In his party chafe under his leader
| ship and seek to emancipate themselves from II.
| Among the noted Populsts who are In this cate
| CORY are Congressman Skinner and Secretary OF
Stateelect Cyrus =. Thompson late contestant for
| a seat in Congress. These are both able men, and
have a number of friends and followers. In the
late State Convention they made 1t decidedly warm
for the Butler majority. Butler found 1t necessary
to placate Thompson by giving him the best-paying
| place on the fusion ticket.
| The Senator's present position seems to be 10
create public opinion against Mr. Pritchard's re-
| election on the ground that his colleague has re-
pudiated his former free-silver views. But Prtch-
ard Is simply standing by his party's platform and
those Popullsts who are for his reelection pledged
| his position on the silver question was The truth
| IT, there are many Populists who care a great deal
more for securing tangible personal results by con-
| tinuing the alliance with the Republicans than they
do for the so-caed principles OF their party Hence
| they will probably not Join in the general clamor
raised to defeat the reelection OF Prchard to the
Senate. They will also take this view: I'VE were
| pledged when Butler and Pritchard elected
| before to support the Republican caucus nominee
for the succession to Prtchard. whether Pritchard
| or another" Other Populists will say in reply
| cuses U.S. II any pledge ever made"
| To the Populsts who desire to vote for Senator
| Pritchards return this will have little weight
! since they less for silver than other things
| and excuse themselves by saying Free coinage is
| now impossible"