The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1897-01-07
TUI sgNATORSUIP.

Senator Butler will be signed M. H."
THI sEsATORsHIP.
In nearly every speech IN the last
campaign Senator Pritchard gave the
public to understand that he had
changed his views. He is reported
not only by the newspapers, but by
those who heard him speak, to have
used expressions like the following:
Il have changed my mind about the
free and unlimited coinage Of silver
AT the ratio Of ~ to !. ! now think
that it would be disastrous. ! favor
it If we can get it by international
agreement. stand liat-footed on ev-
cry plank in the st. Louis platform,
the financial plank and ALL Again
he is reported in speech in Metro
pOlitan hall 20 have used the follow
ing language. The free silver people
want free whiskey, free trade and Tree
silver and everything free but free
negroes In short when he did not
keep silent, he ridiCuled and belit-
tied free silver, which is only one OF
the first steps to financial reform,
more money and relief.
Can any Popuist support man for
the highest and most important legis-
lative Office in the country, who ex-
presses such views? Besides the
leading Republican paper in the State,
editorially set forth the fact that Sem
ator Pritchard had changed and would
in the future stand squarely by the
"sound money" platform of the ma
tional Republican party, but that he
would vote for free silver till the
lth of next March. The editor stated
hat he had letter from Senator
Pritchard on this question and that he
was stating his position.
The above was understood to be his
position by the State committees Of
both the Populist and Republican
parties last summer. And this is why
there was no cooperation on the Sem
ator and Governor. The Peoples
PARTY was very anxious to make such
...... is won u e us the Governor,
.lJ 80. ate mittee by Il unani-
. ..a ra'r to support Senator
..uar. .r ..s man holding such
n.u l.Lurn for the Cover
nor. 80 the two committees cooper
ated as far as they could and left each
party to put up its own candidate for
the Senate.
II is now reported that Senator
pritchard is ready to change his posi-
ton again. Col. Skinner has a letter
from him, which he is showing around
10 some of the members of the Legis-
lature. We are informed by those
who have seen it that Senator Prichard
is now ready to pledge himself to vote
Tor free silver if it is not offered as q
rider to tariff and "other matters
This means that SENATOR Pritchard
puts tariff and other matters over and
above the financial question. When q
rider is put on any bill man votes
for or against the rider according tC
whether he thinks it of more or less
Importance than the other question.
In the first place no Populist coult
afford to vote for Senator PritcbarC
occupying this position, even if he hat
not changed last summer. n the sec
ond place, no Populist can afford tt
vote for man for Senator who has
Hoped around as he has, no matter
what he pledges now.
The Peoples Party has vigorously
and Justly condemned the Democratic
party for it's inconsistent and Hopping
course on the financial question. There
are dozens of prominent men who's
course and changing positions hav'
been what his has; every POpulist il
the State has condemned their cours
as unreliable and unsafe.
No Populist can MAINTAIN himself 0
his party unless he takes the sam
stala toward Senator Pritchard. An
ropulst who is satisfied with hi
course need never to have joined tn
Peoples Party, because he would hav
been at home in either of the old pal
ties. We warn each POpulist VIII
believes IN his principles and love
his party to consider these matters b'
fore he makes a fatal blunder-a blur
der that will be fatal to his party
his party is held responsible for h
acts