The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-01-17
THE DEMOCRATS AND THE SI0N-
ATORSTIIP.


ATORSHIP.
The Democratic minority in the Gener-
al Assembly has been very silent in the
general caucussing and ''cussing' that
have marked the Senatorial contest. As
a minority party, it has been the course
Of wisdom. At the first caucus held the
following proceedings were had:
1.-THE Democratic members of the Gen
eral Assembly,in caucus assembled, CON
fiding in the professions OF the Peoples
party that they earnestly advocate and de-
sire free coinage OF both gold and silver al
the present legal ratio, and reformation
OF the financial system of our country,
and being sincerely DESTROYS Of the
financial reform set out in the platform
Of the Democratic party at Chicago, do
resolve
/. That we invite cooperation with
the members OF the General Assembly
who belong to the Peoples party to the
end that Il consistent, answering and
earnest advocate of free coinage Of silver,
and opponent OF trusts and combines, and
an advocate Of an income tax, be elected
to the United States Senate.
=. That Il committee of five, two Sena-
tors and three Representatives. be APP
pointed to confer with a committee to be
appointed by the Peoples party members
to arrange all details, and that said COM
mittee make known at once this action
to the Peoples party caucus Of members
of this General Assembly.
3. That should the Peoples party fa-
vorably respond to this proposition for CO.
operation, we pledge ourselves to abide
by and perform any agreement entered
into by our committee.
The foregoing resolutions were unani-
mously adopted and the following CONF
mittee hereunder appointed: Senators
r. S. Parker. Il. s. Abell Representa-
tives DIR. h. f. Dixon, J. III. Mckenzie,
j. H. Nelson. j. F. RAY.
Chairman.
j. w. Ferguson, Secretary.
10 the Caucus Of the Peoples Party.
Members OF the General Assembly:
We the undersigned committee, re-
specially present the enclosed resoIn-
tons. and ask that they be considered,
and that we are notified as to the result.
Il. s. PARKER,
f. S. ABEII,
DIR. B. r. DIXON,
+. III. M'KENZIE.
i. l.. NELSON.
Committee.
This action of the Democratic caucus,
taken, as we understand it, with perfect
unanimity, expresses the sentiment not
only Of the members Of the General AS
semhly but of the bulk Of the party in
every part Of the State As was to have
been expected, there has come criticism
from the gold wing Of the party, and
from those who refused to support the
full Democratic ticket in the late election.
These same gentlemen, who are criticiz-
ing this unanimous action OF the Demo
cratic caucus, opposed the adoption Of a
silver plank in the Democratic platform,
and antagonized the State ExecutiveCom-
mittee in arranging fusion electoral tick
ct that gave Mr.. Bryan the electoral vote
of the State. While recognizing their
deem wise, we submit that their pre-
sent criticism il exactly in line with their
policy during the campaign Of 1896, and
is hurtful and unwise.
The Democratic party i'll North Caro-
lima and in the United States is a silver
party by every declaration that party
can make. In its national policy, it seeks
TO weld the silver forces together for q
great successful struggle in 1893 and
1900. Whatever honorable course that
win tend to unite all advocates of the
free coinage of silver ought to be adopt
ed In Idaho, the reelection OF Senator
Dubois is earnestly supported by all Dem
ocrats who are anxious for financial re-
form. In North Carolina the same forces
are battling for the overthrow OF Senator
Pritchard and all others who helped to
enthrone the Hanna Mckinley dynasty.
1t is natural that the gold men of all par
ties should dislike such a course, and
seek TO antagonize it. 1t is equally ma
tural that all silver men should be en-
thusiastically in favor OF such a course,
and seek to further it. Elected upon o
solemn pledge in every county TO spare
no effort to send consistent, unswerv-
ing and earnest free silver man to the
United States Senate, the Democratic
Legislators voiced the true sentiment of
their party in the resolutions adapted.