The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1897-02-18

these men to sacrifice their principles
and betray their party on the Senate
rial question. 1t seems that at that time
the Republicans, in effect, broke their
cooperative contract with the Peoples
Party organization by making . deal
with enough individual members OF
the party to bolt and give them . ma
jority for any and al oftheir schemes
and looting projects in defiance Of the
Peoples Party organization.
The hungry Republican bone hunt
ers remembered how the Peoples Par
ty caucus forced them, during the ses-
sion of the last General Assembly, to
keep up an appearance CT respectable
itv and decenoy. Two years ago 1t
developed that there was q horde OF
Republicans who had arranged to d.
vide out to themselves every place
from superintendent or President to
spittoon cleaner in the various asy lums
and other State institutions. They
wanted the legislature at that time to
grab these institutions bv revolution
airy means, and take charge of them as
political booty. But the Peoples Party
promptly set it's foot down upon this
unwise and suicidal, not to say unpa-
triOtic scheme. The bone-hunters and
looters became exceedingly angry, and
made desperate efforts to capture the
Peoples Party caucus by Offering a
number Of fat places in these institu-
tions to individual members OF the
Peoples Party caucus; their scheme
did not work. II it had, that one act
would have become the leading issue
in the last campaign, and on it the
Democratic party would have gone
back into power triumphantI-.
The Peoples Party capcus took the
position that the legisla' IRE then in
session not only had the right and
power, but that it was its c..:y to fill
the vacant places on The various
boards of directors /, ID tru, =, com.
prising one-third II the ,ective
bodies. That it was the duty vi that
legislature to do this and stop there.
To go before the people in the next
election on their record, anu ask their
endorsement and return to power.
That in the next legislature (Which
is the one now in session another one
third of the directors of these institu-
tions would be elected, This would
make tWO-thirds; and then in the reg.
ular and legal order of things, the d.
rectors should hold an annual meet
ing, and in all such meetings the ma
jority of The directors could vote for
such men aud measure as in their
judgment the interests of these insti-
buttons and the State demanded. This
was the position taken by the Peo-
pies Party caucus two years ago
That such a course was not only pa
triotic but also wise and good politics,
events have fully demonstrated.
But what do we see nowp The pres
ent legislature can elect the other
third of these directors and proceed in
a decent and orderly manner to take
charge Of or to make such changes in
these institutions, as the directors at
their next meeting may determine
upon. But the same gang of bone
hunters and hooters, who were so
much annoyed and aggrieved at tn,
decency and respectability forced
upon them by the Peoples Party eau
Gus two years ago, determined not to
be forced into keeping up the appear
ance of decency even q few months
longer. They have determined not to
wait even until the directors of these
institutions meet, according to law.
They break their cooperative con.
tract with the Peoples Party and make
bargain with the boilers and traitors
from the Peoples Party to grab and
loot the institutions instauter.
But having committed political per-
tidy and having entered into an unholy
combine for power and peif, they are
now hesitating to take and divide out
their ill-gotten booty. They fear the
people and fear the Peoples Party eau
Gus, that stands up for the right and
the interests of the people. There
fore, they have decided to use any, or
all of this booty, if necessary, to try to
tempt and corrupt the Peoples Party
caucus. As anxious as they are for
places themselves, they are busy Offer
ing places to members of the majority
caucus. They know that if they can
get the Peoples Party caucus to con-
done their crime or to share their booty
with them, that then the PEOPLES
rarity caucus cannot condemn and
brand their treachery and perfidy.
These positions are being offered "A
hush money. We do not believe that
there is single member of the Peo.
Piles Party caucus who can be TEMPTED
and corrupted by such means. It
would be bad enough for any member
OF the majority caucus to take an Of
ice from such a combine, even A !.
personal matter; but it would be most
Infamous to take it when he Womb
have to compromise and betray his
party by doing it, as he would. IL anv
member Of the majority caucus should |
soccumb to such insidious temptation |
and desert to the enemy at this honr.
ne would surely merit greater scorn
and condemnation, il possible. than
the people in their righteous indirna.
ZION nave already visited on the heads
OF the Hanna boilers. No true Popu.
llst can even vote for any of these
great scnemes,mnch less to take any Of
'ne booty from the nnholy combine.