The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1896-09-10
POPULISTS AND REPUBLICANS
FUSE,
Popu1lsts Took Senator, Sheriff, Treasur.
er and one Commissioner and Left
The Rest for the Republicans.

Last Monday the Populists held thei1
county convention in Halifax. Com
mlttees from the Populsts and Repub'
Iicans had previously agreed that the
Populists should nominate for certain
offices and leave the rest to the Re
publicans.
The Popullsts held caucus for three
or four hours Monday. There was a
lively discussion behind the closed
doors, some favoring fusion with the
Republicans and some opposing It,
The report OF the committee outlined
the plan of fusion. Capt. E. A.
Thorne offered the following substitute
for the report of the committee:
"Whereas, it is a fixed principle
with the Peoples party that free and
unlimited coinage of gold and silver at
the ratio of Is to l is the paramount
question before the American people
therefore,
Resolved, That we pledge ourselves
to support no man for any legislative
Office who does not unequlvocally and
unqualifedly avow himself in favor OF
free coinage, and against the election
of any gold standard candidate for
President or United States Senator"
Capt. w. III. Kitchin led the debate
in support of the substitute in aspeech
of more than an hours length. When
the vote was taken with kitchin in the
chair 1t stood 30 for the fusion report to
10 for Thorne's substitute.
Capt. Kitchin, Capt. Thorne, Mess
Henry N. Clark, John Patterson and
others walked out and said they would
have nothing to do with a fusion with
party that declares for gold.
With }. T. Dawson permanent chair
| man of the convention the following
nominations we're made For the Sen
ate the names of G. P. Simmons and
E. T. Clark were put before the con-
vention, and when the vote was taken
Clark was declared the nominee for the
Senate.
w. E. Bowers was nominated for
county treasurer, J. T. Dawson for
sheriff, A. A. White and T. N. Harri-
son for county commissioners and A.
E. Thorne for surveyor, notwithstand-
ing Capt. Thorne had left them.
REPUBLICANS FELL IN.
The Republicans held their conyen-
ton Tuesday, after an all-night caucus
in the court house, with State Chair
man A. E. Holton to advise them.
Holton addressed them Monday
night and Tuesday morning. eve shall
refer to Holton's speech at another
time.)
Tuesday after long caucus behind
closed doors, which meant strong fight
against fusion by some of the Republi-
cans, the doors were opened and the
Republican convention assembled
Mack M. Furgerson acted as tempo
rary chairman. j. III. Harmon was
made permanent chairman, R. J. Per-
ry secretary, and - Robertson assist
ant.
The Populists did almost all their
speaking in the caucus but the Repub-
licans were full in the convention, even
after an all-night caucus. There was a
general hubbub and considerable con-
fusion as to what they should do first.
Here be it said to the credit of the col
ored people that what was done was
done by them alone, Tor not white
man took seat or opened his lips to
suggest or offer single nomination.
County officers were first nominated.
The names of Mack M. Furgerson and
H. B. Williams were put before the
convention tor register of deeds, the Of
fee left vacant by the Populists. Fur
gerson was nominased.
The names of G.. P. Anthony, Gull
lord Gee, and N. Fender were put be
lore the convention for commissioner.
Anthony's nomination was made unan-
mOus.
For coroner the names of Dock Shear
n and I. J. Powell we're put before the
Some one called out "Ike's
lead - "The name of Ike Powell Is
said the man who put him |
n nomination, and Dock Shearinis
was made unanimous.
FOR THE LEGISLATURE.
Here sure-enough speech-making be-
gan. For the lower House of the Cen
'ral Assembly the following names
we're variously placed before the con-
7ention: r. J. Perry, G. G. Baker, J.
VI. Pittman, Albert Austin, HI. J. Hew-
In, J. III. Arlington, J. II. Collins,
Scotland Harris and B. w. Brown.
In eulogizing his candidate one
speaker said, "He is educated in Greek,
Latin, and many other langua ges."
Some one in the crowd roared nDon,t