The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-08-13
ADDRESS or The PoPUlIs COM

sued by the PopuEst Executive commit
tee yesterday.
The State election laws were never SO
capable of fraud as was demonstrated i'll
the late election; for the first time in the
history of the State the people have risen
up and thundered their condemnation
against the prostitution Of our public
schools to partisan ends; the people never
had so little real voice in the manage
ment of their local affairs the legisla-
lures attempt to make the charitable and
penal institutions of the State the foot
ball of politics was never so fragrant; the
educational institution at Raleigh was
never before dominated by base law
breaking partisan, who used it in many
WAYS to vent his miserable spleen; the
State government has never except in
1869 been in the hands of men so igno-
rant. vicious corrupt and unfit; the judi
ciary was never so wanting in learning
and freedom from partisanship except
when Greasy Sam Watts sold justice and
1.-THE judiciary was exhausted" the White
nublic schools were never before put in
a position where negro committeeman
could have voice in their management;
never before since the days of Littleheld
did corporate greed so dominate and con-
troll Legislature; never before, except
during 1869, did legislators openly sell
their Votes; never before, during the
twenty years Of white rule, were public
officers forced to flee the country for Sc
duction or indicted for soliciting bribes-
these facts and others known of all men
make the claims of the Populist address
an insult to the intelligence of the people
of the State Most Of these crimes against
the State and against decent govern
ment have been committed by RepubE-
cans, elected to office by Populist votes,
though some Populists have proven
as base as Republicans. Many
people looked to see the Populists
repudiate them and disclaim responsible
ity for the whole catalogue, in so far as
they could do so; or to express their re-
greet that corrupt legislators and officers
have brought dishonor on the fair name
of the State. 1t will be shock to every
honest Populist to read that their COM
mttee glories in the shame of the State,
and claims paternity for the most dis
graceful brood of evils that have cursed
North Carolina since the thieving carpet
baggers were expelled by an outraged
people in 1870.
Every department of government in the
State, including the Railroad Commits
sion, is in control Of the Fusionists. II
any desired reform and retrenchment has
not been perfected the responsibility
rests with them. They had control of
the Legislature, and could have annulled
the miserable lease, if legislation can do
it. Processing to believe it ought to be
annulled, and elected to annul it, enough
Of them sold out to prevent any action.
If railroad rates ought to be reduced,
and our conviction as to this is well
known-why is there delay about it? Two
of the Commissioners are Of the Fusion
faith.
The only thing the Populist party has
wrought in North Carolina is the revivi-
flying Of the old Radical party and giving
it control Of the judicial, executive and
legislative departments of government.
Fusion with corrupt party of direct
ly opposing principles has given us higher
taxes and shorter school terms.
1t has given us bankrupt treasury
which cannot pay the just claims due by
the State.
1t has given us negro office-holders and
put hundreds Of negroes in authority over
white men.
1t has given us corrupt a1j drunken
legislators.
1t has given us depleted county treas
u':es and made it impossible for the hold
ers of county orders to get them cashed.
1t has given us lower tone of Of
fetal life.
1t has lowered the moral standard Of
the people.
1t has put a premium upon hypocrisy
and treachery.
The sin Of the Populist party is that
it has been a party to this debauching
Of the public morals and the elevation
of bad men.
There are many Populists who are
ashamed Of it. There are not few who
are astounded at it, and would gladly
| undo all they have done. They will try
when they have onportunity hut they