The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-01-06
Republicans Already Rejoicing
Over Their Victory.
ENDORSED BY THE CAUCUS
What Action Butler Will Take
Is Yet Unknown.
DEMOCRATS MAKE PROPOSITION
HoIton Snubbed and Then Endorsed
by the Republican Caucus--Popu-
lists and Republicans
Divide Offices.

The battle for the SenatOrship has been
fought and is now practically ended. 1t
has been lost and won and Pritchard is
the winner.
He was backed by Col. Harry Skin
ner and the Colonel has brought him
through without a scratch When.dark-
ness settled over the city last night But
Ter was in bed with sick headache foil
ed and beaten man; Pritchard was in his
room receiving congratulations, and Con
gresham Harry Skinner was bearing all
the honors of the victory thick upon him.
Col Skinner carried in his pocket a let
ter from Senator Pritchard. which he
read to me- bearing date Of December 10,
1896, pledging the writer TO work and
vote for free silver ut all times and under
all conditions unless it was presented as
rider or obstruction 10 some important
revenue legislation This is the letter he
read to the caucus, and on the strength
Of which he secured the pledge of the
Populists to vote for Pritchard
This hand-to-hand fight between But
Ter and Pritchard for the successor TO
the latter, has caused the Park Hotel
to be packed with politicians since Sun
day from all parts Of the State, in addi-
ton to the 40 members of the Legisla-
turc. which convenes at noon to-day.
1t is the fight Of Buffers life, and both
he aud Pritchard are quartered at the
hotel
All three parties were in caucus last
night to organization, and TO consider the
question of Senator, though the cleo
tino does not taken place until the 10Th
instant.
Congressman Skinner leading the
Pritchard faction of the Populists, met in
caucus yesterday afternoon with some 80
Populists. After the caucus he gave to
the news and Observer the names of
sixteen Popuhsts who would vote for
Pritchard, caucus or no caucus. These
are published in another column. There
are eleven more names not given, who, he
says. will vote for pritchard in caucus
The Republicans were Joyous last
night, but many things are to happen
which Buffers followers think his
shrewdness and coolness may vet turn
to sensational account.
Hileman was Late last night named
for Speaker. Hileman is a Populist from
Cabarrus county, and is for P4itchard.
As the case stands at this moment, Butler
has been routed, his opponents say ire
vocably.
CAUCUSES LAST NIGHT
Most of the legislators are here. The
few ~belated members are expected this
morning. All day long yesterday they
/ Surged through the hotel hobbies, paraded
the streets and discussed the perplexing
situation. They didn't talk about bills
that were to be introduced or measures
that are to be proposed as they usually
do. "Pritchard," "Pritchard" was on
everybody's lips. Even the fight for the
Speakership possessed interest as it had
a bearing on the greater contest for SEN
ator.
But last night the hotels were deserted.
! Even the bar-rooms had TO get along with
a small crowd In the early part of the
night-later they had all they could do.
After supper everybody went to the Cap
itol-legislators, offce-seekers and private
citizens. Nobody could get in but mem
bers and yet they all hung around to
gain some tidings from the battle that
I they imagined would rage within the
/, halls. But it was not much OF a battle
Indeed it was a very tame AFFAIR." sort
Of cut and dreid thing, with some little
spice thrown in for flavor
On the Senate side of the capitol,
where the Populists met, there was
more life, and yet, save for some sharp
things that were said when a proposition
from the Democrats in regard to the
Senatorial question was presented, and
one OF Col Harry SINNERS old time spell
binding speeches, the whole thing was
without special interest or incident.