The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-01-02
NOT MAN FOR SENATOR
MARSH MOTT THINKS HE OUGHT
TO HAVE IT.
COMES HERE AND TELLS RUSSELL so
Counted Russell in at the State Convention
and the Governor Told Him Year
Ago He Was His Second

The news, printed exclusively in the
of authority, that the Governor con-
templated appointing Adjutant General
Cowles to succeed Senator Pritchard, in
case the latter should resign to become
Federal judge, has raised a howl of pro-
tests from the Republican party of the
State.
Marsh Mott came all the way down
from the State of Wilkes to investigate
the rumor. He found there was some
thing in it, and he was not pleased,
even though Cowles is his brother-in-
law. 1t is natural though that Marsh
shouldn't be pleased. One may like his
brother-in-law ever SO well, but the
usually likes himself better. Now,
Marsh thought he had a cinch-a sort
of lead pipe affair-on this senatOrship
vacancy. Was he not chairman of the
convention that nominated Russell, as
such did he not count him in? Was he
not a candidate-on the quiet here-at
the same time Pritchard was, during the
last Legislature? Did not Russell tell
him at that time that he was for Prit-
chard first and for him next? Marsh
said then he did? He ought to know.
Has the Governor changed his mind?
That's what Marsh wants to know and
came here to find out.
With this object in view and this
question on his lips he went to see the
Governor as soon as he arrived here
Friday evening, and spent half the
night at the Mansion in consultation
with His Excelency.
Did he find out? That, l couldn't find
out. l simply know he was as dumb
as an oyster yesterday morning, and in
no good humor, denying everything in
monosyIlables. If his humor is any in
dication, he found out that the Governor
had changed his mind.
Though Mr.. Mott wouldn't talk, there
were some other Republicans here who
would.
''This talk of Cowles for United States
Senator is all bosh," said a Western Re
publican yesterday. Il don't mean to
say there is no such ground for what
has been published in the newspapers,
for the matter has been undoubtedly dis
cussed in the Executive office. Still
that doesn't back any water on what
I've just said-that it's all bosh.
IF Russell is trying to play game,
which he undoubtedly is, if he's serious
about this thing, then he will slip up
and defeat his own purpose. Why, mo-
body would ever have thought of Cowles
as United States Senator; the idea is
ridiculous. But for the fact that he
wants stalking horse, a fgure-head,
a man that by no possibility can be
elected by the Legislature, be it ever so
strongly Republican, Governor Russell
would never thought of it either.
.sNow if he imagines he can appoint
such man and then when the LegSla-
ture meets be himself elected, he's very
much mistaken, / can tell you. The
people will stand no such monkey BUSH
ness. The only way he can be senator
is, in case Pritchard resigns, to himself
resign and let Reynolds come in as Gov
ernor and appoint him. Even then the
people would not endorse such action,
and the Legislature would not elect him
in $780,"
Speaking though of Russell's resign
ing and Reynolds appointing" said
another equally strong Republican, but
from a different section of the State, Il
notice from the News and Observer that
Reynolds was in Raleigh the same day
Cowles was. Is there any significance
in this coincidence? Cowles and the
Governor have evidently discussed the
matter, has Reynolds and the Governor
also talked it over? 1t would be inter-
esting to know.
THE people in my section were as
founded by even the serious suggestion
of Cowels' appointment"
These two Republicans, because of
their friendly relations with the Gov
eInor'' didn't want their names given,
but their views are here printed to show
what Republicans are saying and think
ing of the suggestion.