The news & observer., 1897-01-24
QD[N][D[E[R
IT[B[E [DOR1[E

Two wears ago the Republicans were
in hot haste to deprive the Governor OF
all mower. and did take all power from
him that the Populists would help them 20
corrx through. This Legislature, anN-
inns to get the lions share or lhe otate
ot4ices. they have their shrewdest lawyers
nrenaring bills to put everything III the
Covernor's hands, But they nave STRUCK
q snag The Populists will not permit
sucb bill to go through, and Governor
Russell has called halt. lie says tnat
tho ponulists must be reassured, must
no given half of all the offices, and that
no will put his foot down on the Prltchard
nronosifion to act only with the boiting
ponulists. His argument is that the
Renuhlieans have got them anyhow.
They have already virtually come INTO
the Republican party, and are pouha
70 stay. He wants now to treat with
the Butler silver men and effect continued
co-operation with them. SO anxious IS
no to do this it is said he will throw the
pritchard Populists overheard as a last
resort before he will miss a cooperation
with the members of the majority caucus.
Reason: The Governor is looking to the
future. He knows that Butler and his
crowd will control the next State Popu-
list convention, and therefore control the
machinery of the Populist party lie
knows that while they did not vote for
him, the Populist poll-holders and regis
trars worked with the Republican cleo
ton officers, and in the towns and cities
they put on Republicans as Populist poll
holders, thus giving the Republicans alb
solute control of the election machinery
in most of the towns. Governor Russell
knows that the manipulation of this ma
chinery put him i'll office, and he would
sacrifice any and everything to keep it.
Hence. while feeling close to the bolting
Populists, he would destroy them, if nee
essary, to hold Butler and his machine.
Watch Daniel l..
Loge Harris has been commissioned
10 draw bill providing for a change IN
the mama cement of the penitentiary, tax
ing the management out OF the hands
OF the Legislature and give it to the Gov
ernor. AIr. Harris's bill will provide for
the repeal of the act of 1895 and only
one or two changes will be made in the
act OF 1893 This gives the Governor the
right to appoint a superintendent and
name the directors, who must be con-
firned by the Senate. If Judge Russell
has the power of appointment he will
name John r. Smith, who promises he
will take good care of any Democratic ed
itors who may be convicted of libel or
of contempt of the non-partisan judi
ciaTy He has promised particularly, if
he gets in, to take care of any of the
News and Observer staff who may be so
unfortunate as to feel the clutches Of the
law.
Senator Ashburn will preach to-day at
Willow Spring Primitive Baptist church,
near Myatt's Mills to-day. He went out
10 visit friends in that section.
where are all the pages 2 bawled out
Lieutenant Governor Reynolds in the
Senate yesterday morning. If the Demo
cratic Senators had not been the most
considerate of men one Uf them would
have said: you discharged two Of the
best, after you promised LIT. Gov. Dough
ton to keep them You ought to be sorry
now that you didn't keep your promise" I"
The bill before the House Friday to
enact law forbidding any person or
persons from interrupting political
meeting created quite long discussion