The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-11-30
CAUCUS WORKMAN EXAMPLE TO FOL.
4 LOW.

"Well, boys, let's go down and ratify
what the Democratic caucus did last
night" was the daily salutation of a Re
publican leader to his Republican collea..
CUES in the Constitutional Convention of
1875.
| The Democratic majority In that body
was SO small that the Democrats intro
duced no business in the regular session
that had not been fully considered and
matured in the Democratic caucus. 1t
was necessary for them to vote as n
unit for anything that passed because
cessity brought about such Il spirit of
wisdom that their deliberations were ap-
proved by the people and under the poll
cies they inauguated the Democrats We're
in uninterrupted power in North Carolina
! for twenty years.
| The Legislature that meets in Raleigh
on the first Wednesday in January has a
large Democratic majority and the same
necessity for caucus action that existed
then does not now exist. but the wisdom
of caucus action then ought to induce the
Democratic majority in this Legislature
to consider all the grave matters in eau
Gus. There is no difference of opinion
among the Democratic members as to the
ends in view. They will all come to Raj
eigh united to carry out every plank
in the Democratic State platform and to
preserve inviolate every pledge made in
the campaign. 1t is not to be expected,
however, that all the members will agree
upon the best methods of carrying out the
platform promises and campaign pledges.
Among the many able men chosen to the
Legislature, it is certain that there will
be differences of opinion upon many mat
ters that will arise touching the most
important legislation that the people ex-
pect the Legislature to enact.
The example of the Constitutional Cor
| vention of 1875 is one that. the General
Assembly can proftably adopt with refer
ence to all questions that touch party FOL
| icy. The chief questions that will occupy
the thought of the body will relate 10 suf-
frage and an election law. There is
strong sentiment in favor of Constitu-
tional amendment that will eliminate the
bulk of the negro vote There is a strong
sentiment that this end can be practically
secured by other means that will not be
attended with the difficulties that they
believe lie in the way of a 60 lstitutionai
amendment. The settlement. Of the sur
frage question is one that will need The
united wisdom of all the members. To Sc
cure this, the subject should be consider
ed in all its lights by the full Democratic
caucus where members will feel like ,iis-
Ecussing it with more freedom than III the
open session. Whatever q Tee nces eS'st
| among Democrats ought to be settled in
| the Democratic caucus, and the measure
or measures there agreed upon ought to
| be adopted by the solid vote of the party
| in both houses. 1t will not matter Mat
plan is adopted, it is certain that the Re-
publican party and such allies as It can
secure will oppose it. They will seek to
| distort it and TO make it an issue in the
| next campaign. 1t will be the duty OF
the Democratic members to vote as a unit
and go before the people with a soiid
| front in support OF the measure or meas
ures which the wisdom of the party APP
proves. Those who would have preferred
another plan to that adopted by the eau
Gus ought to accept the decision of the
majority without giving to the public the
differences that were discussed in the
councils of the party.
Upon every other party question that
| affects party policy, and every great or
important matter that will be discussed b.
the people, the only wise thing to do will be
| to get the Judgment of all the legislators
| in caucus before discussing it in open ses-
| sion. There has been much suggestion
of Impeachment of certain officials. That
| is so grave a matter that no member or
members ought to enter upon it until the
| caucus has decided what is the proper
policy to pursue. 1t is expected that in
vestigatons of certain departments will
be ordered. That, too, is a matter that
ought to be settled by the party caucus.
| AS a matter of fact it would be bless
| ing to the State and strength TO the
party if all questions, except mere mat
tiers of routine, We're debated in caucus
and the party would present as united
a front now as in the convention or 1919.
| If Governor Russell was bound, IN
| view Of the Dockerys support, TO give
| Ollie a place in the army, it has been sug-
gested that it would have been more hit
ting to have given him Il commission in
Jim Young's regiment.