The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-09-14
WHY CONSISTENT P0PULlSrS WILL NOT
SUPPORT THEIR PARTY.


principles upon which the Populist party
was organized. 1t is because they
see that, instead of contending for finan-
cial reform, the Populist machinery is
| in the hands of the Republicans and
| their party is being used to strengthen
| the gold standard and continue corrupt
and low government in North Carolina.
| 1t is surprise that any man, not origi-
nally n Republican, except those who
make money by selling out their prin-
ciples, continues to affiliate with party
that here in North Carolina is controlled
by the Republican party.
At the recent Populist State conven-
the Executive Committee to cooperate
in North Carolina upon certain conditions
which were named in the resolutions.
The committee had no authority to CO.
operate except upon the terms named,
and those terms were set out in regu-
lar order and in such plain terms as
brief, the terms were first and fore
most the endorsement of the letter writ
ten by Hon. William J. Bryan which
declared against vicious Republican poll
cies; advocacy of low railroad rates.
opposition to gold contracts, hostility to
government by injunction, opposition to
NV n.
ton preventing the removal of cases
to the Federal courts; the repeal IF the
present election law and the passage OF
new law giving each party the right
to name its own election officers; the
election Of nine free silver Congressman,
an anti-monopoly Legislature, able
bias; and preserving to the Populists as
many offices as they now have. This
last clause, inserted by office-holders to
keep themselves in office or to prevent
honorable cooperation, was so revolving
to the men who wanted financial reform
as to cause the rejection of the propo-
SlIIOH by tHc DeIHOCFdOC CohN chIioH'
After the adjournment of the Demo
cratic Convention, declining the PROPOSE
ton, the Populist State Elk. Committee
waited on the Republicans and said in
substance: ''If you will fuse with us
we will strike out every proposition
adopted by our State Convention, except
the last, to-wit: "as will preserve to the
Populist party not less than its present
representation in both State and National
affairs" What was the answer? The
Republicans virtually replied: eve will
accept upon condition that you will
make Harry Skinner the leader of your
party, and agree to elect 70 office who
ever we nominate, gold-bugs, negroes,
corporation agents or what-nots." The
Populists gagged a little at that. They
had formally expelled Skinner because
he was a traitor to his party, and to
elevate him to leadership was to expose
their utter and complete sell out to the
Republican party. No convention of
Populists had given them the right to
surrender, or TO unite with the gold
party upon any terms, but the, Executive
Committee was composed of offce-hold-
ers who needed their offices, and con-
trary to the action of the State Conven-
ton, the terms of the Republicans were
accepted and the campaign is being
run absolutely and completely just as
the Republican State Executive Commit
tee dictates.
Let us see how far the Populist ma
chine has gotten away from POpulist
principles, and the kind of men the Pop
ulist office-holders are placing in nomina-
ton for office. First and foremost, Col.
Harry Skinner, the "arch traitor" as
the Populist legislators termed him was
renominated for Congress IN the First
district. 1t is pleasant to know that
thirty Populists bolted the nomination
and that the rank and file Of the Popu-
lists throughout the district openly de-
clare that they will not support the
gold-bug and monopoly tool.
In the Seventh district Mr.. Shuford.
member of Congress, had voted mainly
with the Democrats in Congress, and
had opposed the election of the tool of
the gold conspiracy and the monopolsts
to the United States Senate. The Re-
publicans demanded his head and the
Populists in convention defeated him
for denomination.
In the Fourth district, Mr.. Strowd had
taken his stand for silver and against
Pritchard. Ed. Johnson, the negro AS
sstant District Attorney, announced
that the Republicans would not support
Mr.. Strowd. And forthwith the Popu-