The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-07-13

THE PARAMOUNT ISSUE IN 1898.

A correspondent asks, "What will be
the leading issue in the campaign of
1885,"
In the domain Of national politics the
issue in 1898 will be the same as in
1896, without the crossing Of IT. or
the dotting of an 81" The failure of
the advocates of free coinage to elect
Bryan in 1896 was due solely to the sue
cessful use of an unprecentedly large
corruption fund. We do not believe
st is possible to buy two national cleo
lions in succession. Every promise made
in 1896 has been broken, and men who
were promised bread have been given a
stone. They will not be deceived again
by the same crowd that deceived them
before. In 1896 the influence Of money
was able to compass the defeat of JEFF
ferson. 1t was shorn of its power when
its hostility to the real welfare of the
people became manifest, and in 1SOO
Mr.. Jefferson's principles prevailed by an
Overwhelming HdJoiils. AiSeoAy WIZ
repeat itself.
In North Carolina, the issue that will
swallow up all other issues will be the
determination to rescue the State and
its affairs from the hands of the ignOr-
ant, corrupt or wanton men who in a
short lease of power have manifested
their unftness to govern the State or
to administer the affairs of the ninety
six counties, which are even more inn
portant than the State government. The
only portion Of the government of North
Carolina that is to-day free from scandal
is the town and city governments which,
with few exceptions, have not passed
into the hands Of the Republican party
and their allies.
Hardly day passes when in this or
some other paper in the State, some new
scandal is not uncovered to the public
gaze, and the end is not yet. In some
of the counties, it is already apparent
that there will be deficits. The schools
have even been brought into the mire
of petty peanut politics, and nothing
but the decision of the Supreme court
kept the charitable institutions out Of
the hands of the men whose only desire
was to obtain the Offices that were held
by competent men.
The legislation enacted, when it was
not vicious, was crude and silly. Merit
orious measures, as a rule, did not get
q decent hearing, and if, perchance, there
was a disposition to enact a good law,
the ability to properly draft and enact
it was often wanting. Its friendship for
education was the only ray of light in
q night Of blackness, ignorance and cor
ruption. The people of all parties stood
aghast at the venal and vicious spirit
that dominated that Legislature. They
have been astounded again and again as
law after law that imposes grievous
burdens and unheard Of penalties has
come to their knowledge. They are
shocked every week at the wanton dis
regard of every principle Of decent gov
eminent displayed by men elevated to
power. In many instances, these ten
dollar men in thousand dollar places,
conscious that they will never have an
other chance at the public crib, have
shown their hoggishness and greed in
a way to disgust all decent members
of their own party.
The people of North Carolina believe
in q clean, honest and frugal govern
ment, the kind they have enjoyed for
twenty years. They are already sick and
disguised with the reign Of incompe-
tency, hate and scandal the change of
parties have brought, and their wrath Il
kindling against that day when they
can visit vengeance upon the men who
have betrayed their trusts, brought
shame upon their State. made bankrupt
treasury, and inaugurated reign Of
scandal, petty greed and rottenuess that
even now stinks in the nostrils Of the
people. In 1876, all men who wanted