New-York tribune., 1896-07-24
THE WORTH CAROLINA SITUATION.
PROBABLE RENEWAL. OF THE REPUBLICAN,
POPULIST ALLIANCE-THE DEMOCRATIC
POWER WANING
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBuSE.l

Washington July 23-A North Carolina sound
money Democrat tells Tribune correspondent that
the situation in his State Is very complicated, but
ne thinks the complications are against his party
owing to the position the Populist leaders nave
assumed He says:
Butler who is n pretty shrewd fellow ana mas
his partIsans under thorough control. Is bound 10
renew the alliance with the Republicans In state
matters. | reason this way: portion OF the Of
fees has been secured already through the coop
Grafton. Another portion is yet In the hanos Oh
the Democrats. Not TO take the residue would caii
in question the wisdom Of having captured those
won the last election Offices are always In de-
mand. and. matter whether the Popuists vote
for against Bryan in North Carolina the re-
naming State and County offices will fall to the
Popusts only II they unite with the RepuDlicans
on State ard local affairs. II Is true that 1t VIII
be a little awkward for the Populists TO oppose
their silver allies in North Carolina while cpfnoih-
ing with them in the Presidential campaign put
the Populsts are used to Inconsistencies and don't
care a row OF pins what people say about them FOR
all the fuss they make about being ignored by
Democrats.
"Another weighty consideration is the fact that
II there Is no fusion the Democrats. II they carry
the State would repeal the election law. which
was passed by the last Legislature composed OF
Republicans ana Populists. This action wouid uhoo
a great part Of what the two cooperating par
that whatever Buffers folks do at St. Louis as
regards North Carolina State politics. there VIII
be a cordial cooperation.
I'm the light of this necessary assumption let us
look ut the figures OF the last two elections the
National election Of 1892 and the State election OF
1884, In round numbers. Cleveland received IN Ies-
l33. 600 votes Harrison. 10000 and Weaver f'o"'
The combined Republican and Populst vote was
l4j O0 or 1850 majority in the State The Demo-
Gratis then. and have been since minority
party. Not ony so, but they seem 10 nave Oech Ill
"A steadily decreasing minority. for In the eiecuoh
of 1894 for Justice Of the State Supreme Court far
cloth. Republican, supported by the Populists' re-
ceiyed ltSceO votes while Shepherd Democrat nad
only 1900 votes Falroloths majority WAS ZIpoo
"in the approaching election. Watson. the Demo
popular man. is not going TO get any votes @ IrHm me
Populists. You can rey upon that ne wi Wi, ntw nr
which have shown TO he in decided minority, ou.
also upon such weaknesses as his politial enemies
my devrOp Russell the Republican eanc,date'
could afford lose few thousand votes ana SUI pe
c.ectcd Some of the nesroeS are inceseu ,a ms
not at present be doing all they can FOR MN Out,
making all possible allowance Tor @ p21h OF I tn.Sv
thing IL is wise 10 assume that he VIII gel nearIy
eli his party's votes and be supported fully by me
Populiss. unless they should decide as is M hsrTs'
fuse on all but the Governor and run Major w a;
Guthrie an old Republican. for that once II
they do that 1t would be the most inteIeSIng nare IT,
cornerad tight which ever waged IN Nortn ChIo-
Ina and no man could predict the winner pecause
some OF the Republicans might 20 over 10 dI
ir1apne however, that In case the Hopu!ist callul-
date gained greatly Judge Russell would Withdraw.
II. has been quoted as lrtimating that ne would 40
81 if i; were for the partys advantage Inere Is
pretty general belief that he has written letter
Offering 20 withdraw. ...
Apropos OF this intelligent Democrats stateneHs,
which throws some light the subject ne trcs,- Is
the folowlng: A prominent Republican from NOrth
Caroira received a letter yesterday from promi-
uent North Carolina Republican at present, IN tne
state In that letter. II IS said In the way OF sIIns
Information from the inside. that the former hrns
Of fusion cooperation between the Repuo.cais s
and Popists would be the basis OF co-operation TINS
veor This means, CT course, that there VIII ne
co-operation between the parties and that II VIII oe
on Inc lines OF is9i. IN other words, the hepup-
ilrans and Popusts will unite In State ana !egls-
iotivo and county tickets preserve what was Sc,
cured two years ago, and TO complete the poht'cai
conquest Of that period.