The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-09-25
The Populist Convention Make
Terms With Republicans.
A FIGHT IN CAUCUS
But the Fuslonists Win by AL
most UNANIMOUS Vote.
WILSON VS.. WHITAKER
S. Otha Makes the Fight For Fusion
and Wins Against Judge Whitaker
Who Fought Against Dicker-
ing With Goldbugs.

The Wake county Populist conyen-
ton met yesterday. Every township
in the county was represented. The
local Republican leaders were as thick
as Populists in the convention.
There was a caucus held, of course,
who ever heard of Populist conven-
ton or Populist anything else with
out caucus. The caucus yesterday
met at eleven o'clock, and adjourned
at one, and it was in the caucus that
the question of fusion with the Re
publicans was settled. S. Ohio Wilson
was the fusion leader, he spoke at
length in favor of county fusion with
the Republicans declaring that, the
only sure method of beating the Dem
ocrats. Judge Spier Whitaker spoke
against fusion, except upon principle
and declared that the only honorable
fusion was fusion on the basis of free
and unlimited coinage of the silver, and
the other reform principles involved
in the campaign. But he talked to
deaf ears and when the vote was taken
II was 213 in favor of fusion to % a.
gainst it.
The caucus adjourned and the con-
vention was called to order at l o'clock,
s. Ohio Wilson was chairman and Guy
V. Barnes and j. w. Denmark secre-
taries. After the caucus action
had been ratified. 1t was stated that
the Populists should name a Senator,
a member of the House, Register Of
Deeds, Surveyor, Treasurer and two
county commissioners. State Senator
Norris arose and desired to know if it
was not understood that all candidates
on the fusion ticket should be silver
men and that no gold bugs should be
put on. A delegate named Medlin
from Houses Creek arose and protect
ed against bringing that question in
the convention, declaring that if that
was to be brought up they had just as
well adjourn.
Chairman Wilson stated that all that
matter had been thoroughly discuss
ed and understood in the caucus, and
that was the last reference to silver.
Nominations for Senator were declar-
ed in order. The names of Rev. Fl. w.
Norris and Charles Utley were placed
before the convention, On the first
ballot Utley received 11S votes; Nor
ris, 112, and j. w Denmark 5. Utley's
nomination on Norris's motion was
made unanimous
For the House, the names Of /. N.
Raines, Secretary of the county Ali.
ance, j. M. Ferrall, of Marks Creek,
and Hardy Bagwell, of st. Mary's were
placed before the convention.
Raines came within 2 votes of being
nominated on the first ballot. but
was defeated by one vote by Ferrall
on the second, and FerraH was declar-
ed the nominee.
For Register of Deeds, to the surprise
of Joe Rogers, the names of j. 2. Good
win, c.. f. McCullers and j. G. Fort
were entered, and to his still greater
surprise, he only won by 5 votes on
the first ballot. Rogers's nomination
on motion of c. B. Ray was made
unanimous. Tt took four ballots to
nominate a Treasurer, III. III. Knight,
the present incumbent, j. j. Penny
, and r. N. Wynne and Guy Y. Barnes
were the contestants. Knight won on
the fourth ballot and after a hard
fight.
PittInan Stell, of Rolesville got Sur
veyor's place by reclamation. w. IL.
Chamblee, of Little River, and Rufus
Barbee, of Cedar Fork, were nominal
ed for county commissioners and then
after an exortation from Chairman
Wilson that everybody should support
the ticket and vote Loyalty for the
Bryan electoral ticket, the convention
adjourned.