Evening star., 1898-10-24
Possible Need Of Federal Soldiers
in North Carolina.
At A CABINET MEETING
Serious Trouble Between the Races
Expected.
MR.. PRITCHARD'S LETTER

The possibility of having to send federal
troops into North Carolina was discussed
al the White House by the President at an
informal cabinet meeting this morning.
The gravity of the situation in that state
is felt by administration officials here, and
nobody knows what may be the outcome.
Senator Pritchard has written letter
to republican officials pcturing the situa-
ton there, and saying that Governor Rus
sell may have to call on President Mckin-
ley if there is not a change in the situa-
ton. He says that the state troops are in
the government service. and not many are
available to quell prospective riots.
There were with the President, Attorney
General Griggs, Secretaries Alger, Long
and Hay. The facts as set forth by Sena-
tor Pritchard were discussed. OF course
the President has no power to send federal
troops to North Carolina until the governor
has made requisition for them and sets
forth that he Is unable to handle the situ-
alton with the forces at his command The
President desires to do nothing to give the
appearance of using federal troops at cleo
ton times, when their presence might at
feet the election.
Intense Race Prejudice.
The letter of Senator Pritchard was writ
ten before the riot near Lumberton, N. c.,
yesterday, and is based almost wholly on
the intense race prejudice and the whole
sale purchase of arms. The senator sees
trouble ahead. The white people have
bought arms in large quantities and the
colored people are buying them wherever
purchasable, although it is charged that
the merchants, majority of whom are
democrats will not sell weapons to the
colored people.
The most serious trouble is looked for in
counties where the eoored people pre-
dominate. 1t is charged that the democrats
are buying weapons in those counties to
intimidate the colored voter and to keep
him away from the polls.
After the talk at the White House Chair
man Babcock of the republican congress
sional committee saw the President about
the outlook in North Carolina He appre-
hends trouble on election day and probably
earlier
So far there has been no extensive riot
ing in the state. Governor Russell could
not call for federal troops until the riot
ing had actually occurred, and he was able
to show that he had exhausted all the eff
forts of the state to suppress it. The ex-
pectation is that the trouble may be kept
in hand until election day. Wise and cool
heads in all the parties in North Carolina
are working to prevent fighting at the polls
and hope to succeed, but the information
of all kinds coming here Is that bloodshed
can hardly be prevented on election day.
Aim of the Democrats.
1t is alleged by high officials here, and
charged by North Carolina republicans,
that the aim of the democrats is to elect
silver democrats to the House of Repre-
sentatives, but North Carolina democrats
say that they are simply trying to wrest
the state government from the republic
cans and from what they declare to be ne
gro domination.
Governor Russell is republican. He was
elected two years ago, and has two more
years to serve. The legislature, county
officials, court judges, etc, are to be elect
eo Ihe democrats are working hard to
secure the legislature. If they do not win
TINS year. they say, they will never win.
senator I1llman is now speaking in North
carolina. Senator Daniel of Virginia will
go there in few days to make several
speeches.