Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-06-02
SILVER THE ISSUE
All Other Questions Subordiuated in
North Carolina.
SEEKING THE VOTES OF POPULISB
Democratic State Convention to
Meet June IS.
SDT TT IT'D INTO ia (WTTONC
SPLIT UP INTO FACTIONS
ccial Correspondence Of The Evening Star

RALEIGH, ". c., June l, 1896.
There is really no political issue in this
state today except free silver. The repub-
lican state convention tried to make it ap-
pear that protection was the issue, and
financial matters secondary, and Senator
Pritchard prepared the financial plank,
which democrats and populis;s declare Is
the worst kind of a "straddle." The re-
publican state chairman applies the same
term to it. A republican who attempted
to introduce free silver resolution says
the committees would not give MIN hear
ing.
The democratic party here is "all to
pieces" So far, there is not, late az 1t
Is in the year, any sign of harmony, but,
on the contrary, as much discord as ever.
The state chairman is said to be by no
means pleased at the outlook. There are
two chief views Of the situation. One fac
ton declares for cooperation with the
populists, and is willing to let Senator But
Ter dictate the terms, such as division OF
the state ticket and Endorsement of popu-
lists for Congress, etc This faction is
willing to see a populist nominated for
governor. Another faction says the thing
to do Is to nominate straight ticket, and
make no concessions or compromises, but
If beaten to de game. 1t is their view that
If the republicans win two years of repub
lican rule will make the state sure for the
other words, that in 1898 the democrats
carry the legiSla allure.
1t is difficult at this stage of the game to
say which of these factions is likely to
prevail. but II seems probable that the one
favoring cooperation with the populistS Is
in the ascendancy. While the populists
have leaned toward the republicans, they
now seem to lean toward the democrats.
Senator Butler is claimed to be the leader
in this movement and his newspaper
makes many very severe cuts at Pritchard
and Russell. Neither of these is in any
favor with Butler and the state committee,
of which he is chairman. Republicans as
sert, however, that the rank and file of the
populists are really in favor Of fusion with
them.
Ed Chambers Smith, the head of the
democratic free silver movement, said to
The Star correspondent today: THE North
Carolina delegation to the national conNen-
ton at Chicago will not be Instructed to
bolt. 1t will be made up Of carefully Sc
lected men. who can be trusted, and who
will be instructed to vote as a unit for
silver man and silver platform"
Smith was asked what DR.. Mott, national
chairman of the free silver or national"
party, would do in case the democrats
nominated Teller and Blackburn. He re-
piled: He will go with the democrats"
The republicans count On getting a good
slice Of the democratic vote for protection
and sound money"
The democratic party will have a new
chairman to elect June d. when its state
convention meets, the present incumbent
declining to serve longer Friends of eX-
Senator Jarvis are pushing him for the
place, but 1t is said he will not accept I'M
less unanimously elected.
There is movement among some of the
populistS to force their state committee of
which Senator Butler Is chairman, to call
a convention to elect delegates to their ma
tional convention. The committee decided
at its meeting a month ago not to call
convention. hut to itself appoint the dele
gates. State Senator ]. NJ. Newborne. who
is one of the "bolters' against Butler, Is
heading this rev movement. 1t is asserted
that he has a strong backing
The surprising statement is made that in
this state there are 10000 to 1000 men,
bers of the A. P. A. Up to this time any
mention heard of this organza ton has
beer as of something far away.
The negro vote is again interesting
factor in a campaign. The populistS as
sert that they have many negroes in their
party The republicans declare they have
the negro vote under perfect control, as
usual, and can carry it solid. The work
among the negro voters is usually done in
the week or two weeks immedlatel before
the election. Two years ago the democrats
were ahead up to two weeks before cleo
ton day; then the news few among the
negroes. mainly through their preachers
and in their churches, and their vote was
cast like avalanche. The democrats are
this year in many cbses determined to
draw the color line rigidly, but in other
cases they seek the negro vote in quiet
way. II looks now as IL the mass of the
negroes VIII vote for Russell, and acquesce
If not rej' zee at his nomination.
A rumor was given considerable currency
that Oliver H. Dockery, who, his friends
say. lost the gubernatorial nomination
mainly through the adverse influence of
Senator Pritchard. intended to come out as
a candidate fer the Senate. Col. Dockery's
nearest kinsmen assure The Star corre-
spoadent that this is unfounded.
One of tie funniest things seen so far in
the campaign is the address to the voters
of Vance and Warren counties by w. H.
Davis, who says: Il am Jefferson demo-
crat, an Abraham Lincoln republican and
an L. L. Polk populist." He simply calls on
all people to vote for him.