Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-04
FIGHT OVER FREE PASSES
Sensational Or tonne of the Agitation in
North Carolina.
Proves q Political BoomeraAk to the
InstigatOrs-POpulis Party L.
Rapidly Dfsintegratfng.
l Correspondence Of The Evening s,a-.

SpeCisl Correspondence oil The Evening Siar.
RALEIGH. N. c., November B. 1897.
The agitation of the free pass question,
begun as political move by Senator But
Ter and Governor Russell, is leading to
some remarkable results.
That question and the matter of lower
passenger rates on railroads are being
pressed by Senator Butler and Governor
Russell, who pull together like a yoke of
oxen. The friends of Senator Pritchard
never speak of the governor as a republi-
can. but as populist.
There are to be prosecutions in this coun-
ty of officials who have free passes Gov
ernor Russell is by his own confession liza
BILE to such prosecution. He says he took
free passes because they were pressed upon
him and because Judge Simonton has them
and adds that he has packet full OF them.
The governor is to be witness In the
case.
Sensation ut Asheville.
At Asheville there was an even greater
sensation. Judge and eX-Congressman
Hamilton G. Ewart made the declaration
that complimentary passes were not pro-
hibited, and that he had such passes.
Then a magistrate, w. H. Deaver. issued
warrants against local officials OF the
Southern railway for issuing passes to
Jud6S EWdIt. lLlS wis lOlOWeu Dy d de-
nunciation of Deaver by Ewart from the
bench. The next step was the serving of a
rule by Beaver upon Ewart, returnahie
November ], 10 show cause why he should
not be punished for contempt But when
November i came beaver was in trouble
He was convicted in Ewart's court of en-
beZzlement, and pleaded guilty in three
other cases of criminal misdemeanor. and
threw himself upon Ewart's mercy. The
evidence disclosed a complete system of
Matchmaking, eXtortion and embezzlement
OF a most amazing character and scope.
Several officials and detectives are in
vo!ved with Beaver. The latter was the
head Of a detective agency and also OF
marked prominence in the Grand Army OF
the Republic.
Judge Ewart announced from the bench
that bold and vicious attempt had been
made to prevent him from pressing the
trial Of Beaver. Ewart has directed the
solicitor to draw bills against the Southern
railway for issuing passes to persons other
than employees, and says his object is To
ascertain whether a railway has Il right to
issue passes to newspapers. He has direct
ed the solicitor to name the editors of the
Asheville Citizen as witnesses in this mat
ter; and says he will make it n test case,
upon which the Supreme Court must pass
SO as to see whether any person not an
actual railway employe can ride on free
pass.
Gov. Russell Embarrasscd.
Governor Russell is in a very embarrass-
ing poSition III is perfectly clear that no
man can get federal office here in North
Carolina unless Senator Pritchard ap-
proves. And between Russell and Prit-
chard there is not the slightest unanimity
Of feeling. The result is some of Russelrs
closest supporters, of whom there are few
at best, are falling away. One of these
Weii-knoWn negro. member of the state
committee and applicant for the post office
at Raleigh. said to me: 1T is we'll known
That ClaudiuS. Dockery is to he tho pext
nominee for governor" Mr.. Dockery is.
anti-Russeliism
The populist party is rapidly splitting I'D.
Part OF it will go to the republicans and
part to the democrats. 1t reached high
water mark last November.
Ex-senator Ransom Redfvivus,
Recently ex-senator Ransom said: Il am
cut OF politics IN North Carolina" Today
a distinguished ex-Congressman and demo-
crat said. Ransom made only one mistake
in that interview. He used the word out
improperly. He is in North Carolina
politics at this moment. Yes, and in 1888
he Will be in line with the great mass OF
mis- party. Say that"
A new democratic daily paper is to an
pear here about November 10. 1t is said
Gen. Ransom is interested in this new ven
ture in Journalism. The list of stock
holders is said to be long one. The APP
ponents of the lew paper say it is to be
the organ Of the gold democrats" while
the promoters of the paper declare 1t will
be straight democratic in politics.