The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-01-12
The g} rs Will Return Only
to Vo1e as They Please.
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
Now TO Wr, stle With the Sena-
torial Problem.
SKINNER SAYS HE COULD WIN
But Butler Says the Great spell
Binders" is Evan Weaker Than
Friichard and is aiking
the Veriest Rot.

The Populists held two caucuses last
night. The regular caucus met in the
Senate Chamber, the boilers met IN the
hall ST the House. The regulars had
made their proposition to the bolters IN
yitIng them back, and were waiting to
hear from t4enl filling up the time III an
informal way discussing the situation.
The toiters in the meantime We're rails
ing very large crop of cain cussing
out everything in general, the Demo
crats in particular. The burden of the
speechs was what the speakers termed
Democratic lies.
Finally the resolution already foretold
in the News and Observer was passed, to-
wit. That they, the bolters would re-
turn to the regular caucus with the un-
derstandng that they might vote as
they pleased for u. $. Senator. This re-
solution, the substance of which was die
tated in Senator Pritchard's room was
coupled with the appointment of a COM
mittee composed of Messrs. Pagan, Bry-
an. of Chatham, and DR.. Parker to re-
ceiye and report the reply of the reg
,ular caucus. The action was reported TO
the regular caucus just before IL O'Clock.
The regular caucus listened to the condi-
tions and after some discussion appoint
ed the following committee to act in con-
ference with the committee appointed by
the boilers, Messrs. Clarke, Of Halifax;
Dixon, Of Green, and Whitener, of Ca
tawba. This conference committee will
meet Mt 0 O'Clock this morning and viii
proceed to agree or to disagree; both
sides seem to be defiant, the boilers some
of them say that the terms proposed will
never lie modified, the regulars say that
there will be icicles in sheoll before any
such proposition is accepted
.Yye are ready" said one Of the regu-
lars TO open our arms to our airing
brethren, but when they come they must
come with a willingness to abide the ac-
tion of the caucus of the Peoples party
with reference to the Senatorial and
all other matters of such vital impor-
Sance.'
SKINNER A MIGHTY MAN.
Col. Skinner said last night, when ask
ed about tie Senatorial fight, that he
commanded the situation, and could
make any kind of combination that he
wanted to make and be Senator; but that
under the present conditions existing he
would disapprove Of his own election or
the election Of any other Populist that
could he named, on the ground that the
integrity. the honor and the good faith
of the Populist party is involved in the
situation The Ponulists, he said, could
not afford to attain representative
in either the lower House or the Senate
unless the country understands his exact
status and obligations to his people.
Col Skinner further stated that he was
being fooaed with kilograms and letters
in approval 0f bis course. lie claims to
have bekind Lin a majority of tie P0pu-
list National committees, and says he can
command at any moment the active sup
port Of Representatives Howard and
Goodwin, &c Alabaxla; Cyclone Davis, Of
Texas; TEN Watson, Of Georgia, and
almost the united reform press Of the
county,.
''SsstiH, I ara no enemy Of Senator But
ler," said Col. Skinner ''TIe is my friend.
lie was my friend when / led him out Of
the Democratic party in 1892 He viii
find later on that | an the same friend In
1897 or in 1900"
Speaking Of the men who are following
him in this fight, Mr.. Skinner said that
the Populist party would never have been
in existence but for this type, and char
acter of nen. "They have ever applauded
the action Of any man who believed he
was right Is speaking outside Of the eau
Gus. They have applauded on this line,
the action of Teller, when he left the st.
Louis convention in order to keep faith
with bis people, and the action Of Towne
and Hartman, who had the courage to
strike for the right. They know that the
Populist party, as we'll as this Ameri-
can government, had its beginning in
such an Independent declaration, and they
believe that the continuance of the Pop
ulist party and the perpetuity Of Ameri-
can institutions are now dependent upon
such characters and such spirits. The
men that are in line with Skinner are in
line with all the reforms contemplated
by this Legislature, and in line to declare
boldly for a Cuban declaration Of indie
pendence"
asked Mr.. Skinner how he sized up
the situation last night.
"As absolutely certain for Pritchard."
he replied, with the acknowledgment
of weakness on the part OF Butler, by
trying to bring outside influences, when
it is known to be done by Democratic di-
rectien.''
''What outside influence has Mr. But
Ter brought to bear?'
'"The Democratic party are very much
interested in trying to secure n co-opera-
ton with the Populsts. and it is under
stood that they are willing to make a
campaign fund to bring such Populists
to Raleigh to control the situation. But
do not believe. and win not believe
that the Democratic party has resorted
to money to control the situation. know
as practical politician, that the Demo