New-York tribune., 1896-12-27
NORTH CAROLINA'S TANGLE.
MORE COMPLICATIONS IN THE SENATOR
SHIP CONTEST.
Mr.. PRITCHARDs LEANINGs TOWARD FRED Sill
YER CAUSE SOME OPPOSITION FROM SOUND
MONEY REPUBLICANs-Hfs CHANCES OF
SECURING THE REQUISITE Nun
BER OF PoPULIST VOTES.
feY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRiBuNE.l

| Der OF PoPULST VOTES.
fsY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNE1
Washington Dec 2s-The declarations Of ex-Con-
gressman Ewart and other friends that Senator
Prchard would support free-coinase measure
when no used as rider to tariff bill have had an
unookedfor effect in the contest for the North Car
oina Senatorship 1t was supposed that the Sena-
tors only trouble to hod on TO MS fopuHs'
friends in the Legislature. II now seems that M an-
dton ne must find way 10 please the SOUND Money
Republicans The situation at Raleigh. therefore, as
sumes more complicated phase and taxes the re-
sources Of the leaders to the utmost AccordihS %
nelligence usf received. Associate Justice Furches
Of the STATE Supreme Court one OF the most prom'-
nent members of the Republican party but one VINO
has not recently taken active part in pohucs on
account Of his connection with the judiciary has fet
/; Incumbent him 10 utter sentiments OF opposi-
ton 10 those attributed by personal friends OF Sen
atoy Pritchard 10 the latter.
1t is said that Judge Furohes told newspaper man
that he could have interview on the subject oi me
Senatorship and that the Justice PROCEEDED 10 'e'
the reporter that the Senator would greatly weaken
himse.i with Republicans # he yielded TO the Popu-
lists on The silver question in order to secure ,ner
votes for mis- reelection Another newspaper man
called on the Associate Justice and was iniorme' ol
The truth of the report about his opposition 10 MI
Iritchards alleged policy and action. but ny 'nls
,ime ne Justice had beer advised 10 withhold the
interview and accordingly told the second reporter
that his views mus; nor ne given 70 the public. He
reaffirmed the views with sreat emphasis. however
The relevancy Of this wol-at;ested Story To the
situation is that there is sodnd-morer sentiment
within the Republican party Of North Carolina. and
that IN some way another il VIII find expression
Ii, is though that it may modify any uiterance on
! the silver question which may come from Senate
Pri;chara His sympathy Cor 'he silver side OF the
currency question Is no doubted at all. even ny Popu-
lists. who are now making the most OF his support "
Mex and Hobart. What his Republican friends
fr ba r',.O cd h1 U nj
Welded his private convictions and defended the pro-
vision in the s.; Louis pa form for ternaona
conference They maintain that he will do every
thing he a Republican for free silver. just as
they say Carter and Mantle Will, that he vii oppose
using free silver as club kill protective tariff
WITH and that II the Popus;s are sincere In profess
ing 10 desire the Of silver Republican they
will support Pritchard. who is good A silver man
Marshal Mott or Governor-eect Russell Indeed
they assert that Pri,chard has superior claims the
Popu.st party every ground to any other man
whatever
The Republican party in North Carolina is prob
ably nne-tenths in favor Of free coinage but II
has stood ny he National party. which Is COM
mitted 20 the opposite policy. Among tho Repuh-
Iican leaders some Of them personal friends Of
Senator Pritchard. are several pronounced honest
money men. part Of these are willing TO comply
with the Popust demands and proclaim Priichard
free-slver Republican, pledged TO support free
coinage in the Senate hut another part, Ike JUS
tice Furches declares that the party cannot afford
to take the step. The difficulty is clearly defined
Fifteen 10 eighteen Populist votes are required TO
elect. All OF the Popusts profess 10 be radical
frce-silver neorlo. IT. secure these votes. any
Of the Republican members OF the Legislature
VINO are for sound money offended. the sacri-
fee is msde for nothing. on the other hand. If the
declaration made - ne candidate shall be merely
sufficient TO placate the Populists but not sufficient
TO ALLEVIATE the gold-standard Republicans. Mr..
Pritchard may be reelected by holding his
party together and breaking up the Popuist party.
best Judgment all along has been that
when Senator Butler and his lieutenants distinctly
ascertain that requisite number or Populist votes
have been obtained TO make Senator PrltchardS
recollection the PopuSt caucus Will witA
practical unanimity indorse the latter as its can
didaie.
Butler's present attitude Is one of defnance. APP
parentiy n" seems 10 nc deberatins whether he
with Republican exile. sucA as Colonel Dock
cry He haa said unequivocay that the Popuiist
party would not support a Democrat even such 4
Populistic Democrat as Associate Justice Clark.
for the succession. BUtl'rS views ana movements
closely watched. Unless the nr-Butler Popu-
lists strong enough. united with the Republl-
Butler VIII desert his late allies, and. beginning with
the Senatorship. take his chances with the Dcmo-
that faNors that view IS that the Demo rats since
Vance died and Ransom w"nt 10 Mexico. have had
no leader IT, however, the Democrats should ac-
cept Senator Buffers leadership they would eat
more humble pie than they have ever heretofore
done Butler would lead them. not Democrat.
but as a Popuhst. and this fact would drive oat
list ranks into the Republican part a pretty in
fuential element in both. North Carolni ians know
racy entirely q 20 humate the party into abject
submission to his schemes and purposes. What
these are. so far as they relate 70 ms personal
ambition. have already been outlined in The Trib-