Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-21
PRlTCHARD'S PLUM.
GOT NORTH CAROLINA's SENATOR
SHIP ny az MAJORITY.
The Populists Dividcd-skinner Ex-
communicated-An Exciting Incl
"cnf-Lost His Tempcr-Microbc
scalps-A Marriage.

@'ph, y. T., January D.-(Spe-
ciaL)-The vote for senator on Joint bal
lot to-day resulted as follows:
fntchard Republican), IS; Thompson
populisD, %; Doughton OemocraD. 80.
Pritchard's majority OF the votes cast, r.
Majority Of the entire membership OF
the Legislature, 3.
There appears TO be little or no doubt
that the Populists are divided. The
boilers, IL Is thought, will practically
unite with the Republicans. Senator
Butler virtually says cooperation of the
Populist majority and the Republicans
Is at an end. Every leader In the party,
except Harry Skinner, stands with But
Ter In this matter. Skinner IS now ox-
communicate. 1t was said by Populist
that compared TO the "bull" Butler will
issue against him, "bull OF excommuni-
cation" will be as but a valentine. Skin
ner knows his position.
The Republicans. who have thronged
the city for two weeks, began to leave
last evening. They regarded Pritchard
as sure winner. Pritchard himself ex-
pected to 10 majority to-day.
one Of the many incidents yesterday
occurred in the lobby OF the Park Hotel
Pritchard said to Congressman Shuford
PopulisD, a great worker against him.
that Shuford thought he was playing a
great game. Shuford replied he did not
know. Then Prltchard cursed him round
ly, and told him he would attend to his
case after matters i'm hand were disposed
Of. Several persons witnessed this in
cdent Senator Pritchard is usually
very cool, but this time anger oyerpOw-
cred him.
Senator Buffers paper to-day was boil
ing hot. It was full of denunciation
of the boiling Popullsts and the Republl-
cans.
1t is said that certain lot of Re-
publicans have tried hard to muster up
enough courage to attack Pritchard. It
is alleged that six negro members OF the
Legislature were ripe for revolt. But,
If any plans were made. they failed OF
accomplishment.
MICROBE SCALPS.
The talk about microbes" by the Le-
gislators continues. One member said
he favored Offering a bounty for mi
crobe scalps" as some counties I'm the
western part of the State offer rewards
for wolf scalps.
The odds appear now to be against the
resumption of street-car traffic here.
The cars have always been operated at
a loss, and will be for the next ten years,
it is said; and they will not be put on
again unless 1900 lights are guaranteed
the company, or double the present num-
ber
The State to-day received another rapid
fire Hotchkiss gun from the War Depart
ment.
1t is stated that $1,000 of the firemen's
relief fund is now In the State Treasury
uncalled foi.
Rev Dr. Marshall. rector Of Christ
church, here. is said to have meningitis
This evening at 9 o'clock, at Christ
church. Miss Mary Miller. Of this city,
and DR.. Lacy Gibson, of Stanton. Va,
were married.
BEING RAPIDLY IMPROVED.
President s. b. Alexander. of the North |
Carolina railway Is here He is making
an examination OF the road. and says it
IS being very rapidly improved by the
Southern. lie is much impressed by the
new shops at Salisbury the building be-
ing Of steel. He doubts that the road
between Greensboro and Salisbury. will
be double-tracked. until the Mckinley
wave" comes along. His views as 10 the
lease of the North Carolina road 10 the
Southern are very decided. He says the
state Is only stOckholder and II, as q |
majority stakeholder, can do as II
pleases, then If the State were a minority
stockholder fl any road. the majority
stock could serve 1t as il pleased. II is |
all a matter for the courts, he remarked.
A prominent Republican declares that the |
lease IS invulnerable on legal grounds;
that a contract valid by State law, when |
made, cannot be impaired by any subse- |
duent legislation and that the Supreme |
Court Of the United states so says.
The positive statement IS made that the |
grip does not attack negroes; that, In |
other words, # is "a white mans dis
ease"
WHAT THE VICTORY MEANS.
The following statement was issued to- !
day by Senator Pritchard: This victory |
means that the Middle -of-the-Road Popu- |
lists are I'm the saddle II means that |
Colonel Skinner is not only the leader of |
the Populist party IN North Carolina, but |
bv his able management of this interest,
he has demonstrated the fact that ne |
will rank i'm the future as the leader OF
the Populist cause. He has observed |
every pledge that his party made to the |
Republican party two years ago, ana IN |
so doing he has not required a single |
pledge from me or any other Repubh- |
can. and made no sacrifice Of the silver !
cause because he knows l occupy the |
same position now that / occupied two |
years ago..