The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-02-23
Democrats Scheme to Recap
ture North Carolina.
COMBINE WITH PoPULlSTS
How the Big Offices Are to be
Divided Out.
BUTLER AND SMITH ARRANGE IT
Free Silver and White Supremacy is to
be the Platform on Which All
VIII be invited to
Stand.

Washington, Feb. 22.-(Special.) -
The conference to "save the State was
held last night according to advices
duly wired the News and Observer.
There were present Ed. Chambers
Smith, r. B. PEBBLES, w. A. Guthrie,
Congressman Shuford. Senator Butler,
and DR.. Mott.
Capt. PEBBLES told me this morning
that it was high time that something
was being done, and Ed. Chambers
Smith said if anybody could propose
anything better than this new fusion.
let him do it, or forever hold his
peace.
The interesting rumor now develops
that it was at Buffers invitation that
these gentlemen assembled here.
Butler having cut loose so radically
from all gold men, and Mott not being
able to deliver the Republicans, the
old fusion with the gold-bugs seemed
to be taking the shape of an impossi-
bilry, so that something had to be
done. Thus Mr.. Butler picked out Mr..
Smith as the patriot" who would be
willing to meet him half way.
Capt. PEBBLES said the utmost har-
mony prevailed at the meeting, but
was unwilling to tell the details of the
plan mapped out. From another trust
worthy source, however, / am informed
that, by the agreement involved in it,
if not entirely reached in the confer
ence, the Democrats are TO have the
Governor, the Secretary of State and
Attorney-G the Populists keep
ing Worth as Treasurer, and getting
the nxet Senator; the Legislature to
be divided out to the Democrats and
Populists in proportion to their rep
resentative forces.
/ asked my informant how about
the Auditor. He seemed to have con-
ceded the Auditor to the Populists, but
afterwards half way corrected himself
as to this. Just here Maj. Guthrie
turns up, and ] am informed he is kick
ing mule high against this new
fashioned deal for Governor. Mai.
Guthrie seemed disposed to deny that
he was kicking, but he did not seem
very emphatic in his denial, and my
informant construed him to be not
enthusiastic about the new deal.
Another gold-bug Democrat said
there were many good Democrats who
would take no stock in the new move,
and considered it as logically leading to
a ticket which he said some people
would like to be as follows: For Gov
ernor, Judge Walter Clark; Secretary
of State, Charles M. Cooke; Attorney
General, Ed. Chambers Smith; Treas
urer, w I'll. Worth; Supreme Court
Justice, Capt. r.. j. PEBBLES; next Sena-
tor, j. j. Mott. Some such un-
finished plan as this my informant
thought had taken shape in Raleigh
before these gentlemen arrived here.
He said, moreover, that Judge Mac
Rae, Mr. Spier Whitaker, and Maj.
Guthrie were TO be side-tracked for
Governor and this was the reason why
he thought there would be the devil
to pay.
On the other hand another strong
Democrat, who is entirely disinter-
ested, says the movement will meet with
a hearty response from large por-
tion of the people. To say the least,
the whole business has created some
" hat OF a sensation among the little
North Carolina colony here, as we'll
as among those visiting the city.
views, is quoted as having said that he
was for fusing with one party or the
other. he didn't care a rap which one.
To-day's Washington Post, under a
display head. says:
There is a movement on foot
among leading Democrats Of North
Carolina which,if carried to a success
full consummation, Will nightly affect
the political destinies Of that State and
completely reyolutionize existing con-
ditions. The plan, in brief, is to break
up and destroy the present alliance
between the Republicans and Populists
that took away in 1894 the political
supremacy which the Democrats had
enjoyed for nearly quarter of a cen
tury. The plan projected now is TO
bring back The Populists into the
Democratic camp, and to receive them
not exactly on the basis of returned
prodigaI son, but on an equality, as
brethren unite after a period OF brief
arrangements.
"The common meeting ground IS TO
lie silyer-free and unlimited coinage
Of the white metal at the ratio of 16 to
/, with the further understanding that
AngIo-Saxon supremacy is necessary
and must be preserved in the old North
State.
a reporter OF the Post met Hon
Ed. Chambers Smith and Capt. w. IL
Day, OF Raleigh, and Col. R. B. PEBBLES,
of Northampton, at the Hotel Raleigh
last night, men of high reputation at
the bar, and prominent for years in the
councils Of Democracy. Mr.. Smith was
chairman Of the State Democratic
Central committee few years ago,
and during his incumbency the party
obtained the largest majority reached
since reconstruction days. lie was
also fhe Ipadfnr snirit in ca1Iinr the