The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-02-02
NORTH CAROLINA NEWS.
THE CONDITION or POLITICS
PUZZLES ALL THE LEADERS.
Senator ButIer Dominated the silver Con-
vention-The Republicans, Always on
the Defence, Now Aggressive.

RALEIGH, y. c., Feb. 1.-Special.-
The Oldest politicians, no matter what
their party, are mystined and amazed
at the political situation In North caro-
lima to-day. And il is indeed enough to
puzzle them. The Democrats are AT sea.
They have in past years always been on
the aggressive, but now they are playing
"a waiting game. declaring that 'hey
oppose an early campaign, and think the
delay ought to be as great as posslple.
They hope something will turn up, they
know not what.
The Republicans. who for twenty years
past. have nearly always been on inc
defensive in North Carolina politics arc
now the aggressors. They are, or a.
sert that they are, literally showing inc
Populists ahead OF them. and they bold
~ say that there viii be fusion WIN
tho latter, and that the Republicans
arc TO name the Governor. This makes
tho Populists angry, but at this the ne
ullblicans laugh. and simply say nat
can the Populists do?" There is a World
OF meaning in the words. The Popullsts
and the Republicans were hnhed To-
gether in 1892, and what the Republicans
mean is that these bonds cannot no" ne
broken.
the Democrats. but appear 10 thihk
that il is no trouble TO beat the latter
nationally, as we'll as in the state. me
Populists are raising quite row JUST
at present, by making demand on the
Republican leaders that the latter snsIl
pledge their nominees to support no man
who favors a gold standard. NOW inc
I Republicans have with blunt qulckneSs'
said they will make no such pledge. Ihere
|
The Populists say that for them to DO
81 would mean death to their party ana
their hopes. They insist that the dc
tum Of the so-called State SILVER Con-
yention. held here last September. must
be obeyed literally. That was IN the
shape Of a resolution, written by Send-
tor Marion Butler, State Populist chair
man. declaring that no support was 10
be given any man who did not make
frank avowal that he was for the free
and unlimited coinage of silver.
THE SILVER CONVENTION.
Senator Butler absolutely dominated the
silver convention. which was attended
by a dozen Democrats, half as many
Republicans, and perhaps 80 Populists,
including those from near by. Senator
Butler forced his views. which are for a
silver party. without regard 10 politics.
He has worked for this for many months.
II IS his ideal, his hobby. lie believes
there are enough silver Republicans TO
force that party TO endorse his views, and
make the pledge. lie also believes there
are enough silver Democrats TO sweep
/ their party away. Senator Butler had
| a pet scheme last year this being nom
| partisan Supreme Court. Now he de-
/ sires non-partisan electoral ticket. lie
has asked all the township chairmen Of
! his party 81 they do not think such a
/ ticket exactly the thing needed. and
/ their replies are pouring in. Pending
/ their arrival he had a conference with
! Senator Pritchard. his Republican col
/ league. and demanded the pledge above
alluded 10. Pritchard declined TO give
it, Now II is a fight from the word
60. according 10 Senator Butler who in
! 1892 made reputation as a fighter and
political manager.
+ THE POPULISTS SMALL POTATOES.
what the Populsts may say is no
more than a dogs bark" says Re
publican of State prominence. But this
moves one TO remark. What would the
Republicans be without their Populist
alies?" Populists say that II they did
not have as many votes I'm 1894, they did
half the work that was DONE and they
are now entitled TO an equal voice in
affairs.
The Populsts therefore. cry, Pledge
for silver and a non-partisan electoral
ticket The Republicans sheer at them
and their demands. and this sneer IS led
by Senator Pritchard and Congressman
! Pearson, or. rather, by their newspaper.
The Democrats are Of several factions.
One thinks that fusion Is a certainty, no
matter how doubtful IL may appear now,
/ and has no hope Of Democratic success.
! Another thinks that the Populists may
| split. and while a fourth Of them return
| TO their mother party the Democratic
! three-fourths will go over TO the Repub-
! icans, bag AMI baggage. Another fac
| ton thinks that the POpulists may carry
| things so far as 10 really cause the for
| nation OF a silver party.
IL is hard 10 estimate tho strength or
| the silver element in the state. Senator
| Butler no doubt. thinks he can come
nearer the figures than any one else.
| The silver men do a great deal Of talk
| ing: the gold men, very little indeed.
II Is alleged that the number Of the
latter is much greater than is popularity
/ believed: and also that the protective
/ sentiment I'm the State IS far stronger
J than is supposed. on the other hand,
| IL IS said. by such men as d. /. Russell,
of the Republicans: Senator Butler. Of
the Populists: and +. NJ. Simmons. Of
the Democrats that something like 90 per
cent Of the voters in the State favor free
silver. Those are free-silver men. There
are plenty Of Republicans who say the
majority OF their party will never sup
mort free silver.