The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-18
THE SPIRITED ARGU MENT
IT WAS OVER ENDORSING BUT
LER, JONES AND TURNER.
INTERVIEWS With SOME P0PuLIsTS
Some Very Interesting Expressions From
Representative Popuists Which Add
to the Political Chat of
the Day.

uIC OdJE
The discussion in the Populst confer
ence Wednesday evening, over the ques-
ton of resolutions was very spirited,
and brought out the fact that there are
three distinct factions comprising tho
Populist party in North Carolina. There
is a faction represented by such men as
Caldwell and Simms. of Cabarrus; Cald
well, of Iredell, Atwater, Of Chatham.
and others who boldly declare that they
are in favor of cooperation with the
Democrats in State and national mat
ters There is another, and perhaps the
strongest of the factions who
desire, they say. to stand firm
upon the doctrines of the Pop
rllist party, maintain, ms they pro-
claim, its autonomy and integrity, and
let the proposition for cooperation
come from the other parties. This fac
ton is represented by DIR. Cy Thompson,
Rev. Baylus Cade, and it was joined
Wednesday night by II. f. McCaskpy
and others who have hitherto been re
garded as staunch Rep.-Pop. fUlsionists.
But there is another crowd more promi-
nent, if not more consistent, who declare
openly and boldly that they will have
nothing to do with the Democrats: that
they are for Populist- Republican fusion
first, last and all the time TO this fac
tion belong Peace and the Dalbys, of
Granville; Amos Gill and Garrett, of
Vance; Ohio Wilson, of Wake; Prank
Brown, of Jones; Harris, of Hyde; Line
berry and Bryan, OF Chatham, ana
others.
None of these leaders Of the different
factions hesitated moment in express
ing themselves at the recent confer
ence. The CaldwellS, OF CabarruS and
Iredell; Sims, Atwater and others, spoke
boldly and vigorously in advocacy of
Democratic-Populist and Silver Republi-
can fusion along the line laid down by
the national chairman. Mr.. Morrison
Caldwell made a vigorous speech that
was heartily applauded declaring that
the POpulist party could not maintain
its self-respect and retain the confidence
of reformers by continued fusion with
the gold bug Republican party, and that
the hope of the party. so far as securing
national reform was concerned, lay in
the cohesion and cooperation of all the
silver forces.
Atwater, of Chatham, declared that
unless the Populists endorsed the utter
ances of the National Peoples
party, the Democratic party and
the Republican silver party that
the Populist party in North
Carolina would fall TO pieces. and that
so far as his county was concerned. if
the Populists wayered in this regard,
the Democrats, fighting under the silver
banner would carry the county by 400
majority.
Rev. Baylus Code spoke with telling
effect in favor of endorsing the utter
ances of the national chairmen. He
was in favor of coming aggressvely toI
the front and standing by the decara-
tions. If the Democrats were sincere
that fact would soon be ascertained if
they were not sincere, let them stay inI
the hole that they would be put in. The
populist party had nothing to lose and
all to gain in standing by the principles
il Inspired, let these principles lead il
wheresoeyer they might.
Perhaps the biggest speach of the
evening was made by DIR. Thompson in
support of the second resolution. en-
Horsing the three national charmen.
He yielded to no man in his love for the
Peoples party, and the great reforms
that had been inspired by it. These
principles would live, whether parties
live or die.
The addresses of the national chair
men were commendatory, and he for one,
stood by them, and thought it would
be disastrous TO the party for this con-
ference to meet here and vote down Il
resolution of this kind.
McCaskey came to the convention OPP
posed to passing resolutions, but he IA
Y0red them now, and he made a speech
strongly advocating the adoption of the
resolution endorsing the national chair
men.
Hal Aver declared that there was no
use clubbing over the matter. The
principles set forth in the three adj
dresses were the principles they had to
stand by or go down. Everybody knew
that Bryan was the embodiment of these
principles. and that he was the only
man today in the United States that
they could vote for in 1900, with any
hope of success.
Peace, of Granville. who was the only
man on the committee of six, who OPP
posed reporting the resolutions. was the
first to speak against them. 1t looked
10 him like a proposition to fuse with
the Democrats and ne wanted none
Of it.
Daily spoke in vigorous opposition
lie had no love for the Democrats. and
wanted to have nothing 10 do with
them.
Ohio Wilson believed in continued Re
publican populist fusion from Consta-
bic up. He favored the first resolution
recognizing the minority Populist, but
he opposed the second resolution.
Frank Brown, of Jones, thought he
could see the hand Of Marion Butler in
these resolutions. He stood square for
Rep.-Pop. fusion. The Populist party
stood for something else besides silver.
He was tired hearing nothing but silver,
and was against the resolutions.
Judge Whitaker thought it was a
question of what the party wanted to
do If it desired to fuse with the Demo-
crafts, they ought to pass the resolutions,
but If they passed these resolutions, en-
dorsing the utterances and recommended
tions OF the national chairmen, they
could not hereafter consistently talk
about fusion with the Republicans.