The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-01-13

BUT RE HAS DENIED IT
RUSSELL is FOR MARSH MOTT
Skinner Says that if Pritchard is Now
Beaten in the Face 1t Will Be
Done by Republican
Justification.

To the casual observer there was. no
change in the Senatorial situation yes
terday, but to the man who looked deeper
there were strong indications of very
great change, and change at the very
point where it is calculated to do Pritch
ard the most harm-a break in the Re
publican ranks.
All day long sullen feeling seemed to
pervade those who have thought, talked
and dreamed of Pritchard's election ever
since they have been here. RusselFs ar
rival and Inauguration had somewhat
side tracked the Senatorial matter, and
the Republicans had time to rest from the
hot. feyerish campaign they have been
making among the Popuists and take a
sober second thought-a luxury they have
not treated themselves to since they have
been here.
With this second thought came new
thought 1t was this: What will it profit
us to elect Pritchard and lose the cooper
alton of the Populist party in the futuTeE
The awful significance OF the question
startled, astounded them and for the first
time since the fight began they questioned
the wisdom of electing Pritchard.
This was treason to Pritchard and they
! felt it, but they kept asking among
themselves: Is it wise to push this fight
| to the extent that we are now doingE
With this came the question:; Il not
Pritchard, then whom?
There is DR.. Jim Jeremiah Mott. But
| he cannot command the united support
| Of any faction or party.
Col. Dockery is in the same boat and
| nobody can tell where either OF them
stands, except that they are for silver
first, last and all the time. This the
Republicans do not like, while the Demo
Gratis do. Both of them are high tariff
ment. This the Democrats object to, while
| the Republicans applaud it.
But aside from all this neither one of
| them are Republicans in good standing
| n second thought
The talk was all of Marshall L. Mott
| He is Republican, Republican of
good standing in his party-but a strong
| silver man. Even the Populists, his
friends reasoned, can find no fault with
| him on that line. His election, they
| argued, would be satisfactory to both
| the Republicans and Populists and in
| stead Of separating them forever as win
| the election of Pritchard, it will be Il new
| bond OF sympathy and agreement to bind
| them together. 1t was also said that
| Mott had many and strong friends among
| the Republican members and could easily
| bring around him n good following. 1t
| was claimed that Judge Russell was for
him against the field at any time he
| might choose to become candidate.
| This was explained by saying that Rus
| sell owed his nomination to Mott, and
| would do his best to repay him in kind.
Thus the talk went on all day long and
| last night when / asked Col Skinner
| how the situation stood he reiterated his
| statement that Prtchard was absolutely
certain of reelection.
"He can only be defeated by dissaffec-
ton in the Republican party" he added.
| When | asked him if he looked for any
| trouble from that quarter, he told me that
| he did in one or two men.
Others said that the trouble that was
brewing was much more widespread than
| that, and If Marsh Mott did become a
candidate it would seriously endanger
| PritcharPs election, if it did not defeat
him.
Late last night / asked Mr. Mott what
| all this talk meant
Are you a candidate"
II am not" he replied emphatically.
Il have heard several times to-day that
you were"
Find me man who can say that !
ever approached him in my own interest
or ever gave my permission for anybody
else to do So"
This, Of course, closed the interview,
but | have it on good authority that
Pritchard may wake up any fine day to
find many of his Republican political
ducks out OF row and quacking for dear
life behind another leader
The logical candidate, and I am in
formed the most probable candidate, for
this leadership is Marshall l.. Mott
Will the Republicans choose continu-
ance Of POpulist cooperation or will they
| choose Pritchard?
The next few days viii decide.