The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-28
CLASH AT THE POLLS CERTAIN.
WTLMINGTON BUSINESS MEN AP-
PEAL TO GOV. RUSSELL.

Feeling in the Present Campaign
So bitter That a Conflict Is Al
most Certain on Election Day.
They Ask the Governor TO Sup
press the Republican Ticket or to-
Make Personal Sacrifice In Or
der 20 Avert "a CIash-Gov. RusseII's
Reply.
Washington, Oct 27 Col James
e. Boyd. assistant attorney gem
cral, has returned 20 WASH
Ington from North Carolina. He VIII
be here short time and return to take
part in the red-hot political campaign In
progress. He viii make a number OF
speeches. He describes the fight as a des-
perate one.
The situation IN North Carolina seems
to grow more dangerous every day.
The following correspondence between a
number of Wilmington business men and
GOV. Russell is made public for the frse
time aud explains how serious the outlook
is:
wilmington, n c.. Oct. "a. 1S9s.-Hon.
d. /. Russell, Raleigh. n. G. Dear Sirs
We have been deeply concerned during the
| past week by The very excited state of our
inhabitants in view of the approaching
election which threatens TO provoke war
/ between the white ana black races.
we have frequently observed during POI
! itical campaigns in the past a degree of
] hostility, which, az times appeared to
! threaten the public peace. but which pass
! ed off when wiser counsel prevailed; but
/ the present state Of excitement rs appar-
| entity really beyond hounds. and we de-
| clare 70 you our convictions that We are
on The brink Of a revolution, which can
| only be averted by the suppression OF a
| Republican ticket.
THE white people and taxpayers gener-
ally protest that they have been driven
! TO desperation and we have no hesita-
! ton ia saying that even the usual indis-
| cretion oi political partisans on the next
! election day VIII precipitate a conflict
which may cost hundreds, and, perhaps,
! thousands Of lives, and the partial or en-
! tire destruction of the city
I'VE, therefore, on behalf of the con-
/ seryative business firms in Wilmington,
deeply interested in the peace and welfare
| OF our community, entreat you, as the
| representative of the Republican party
! here to meet the emergency and avert
a calamity by the means which we have
indicated, or by some other personal or
| political sacrifice, which would be grate-
fully recognized and approved by our
conservative and patriotic people. who
look to you in this extremity. This lettor
IS signed by Alexander Sprunt g. Son,
John Wilder Atkinson J Fl. Sloan. Will
|
Coy. Russelrs reply was as follows:
"Gentlemen-The substance OF your et-
ter Is that the Republican state ticket
of New Hanover county must be Suppress
ed; that is. the Republican voters of thai
! county shall not vote the ticket of their
party. That If they they do So there VIII
be revolution and conflict, which may cost
hundreds and perhaps thousands of lives.
and the partial or utter destruction of the
city.
"Who constitute, who are the men on
| this Republican ticket The Republican,
| convention OF New Hanover county have
not nominated ticket. According to my
conclusion they propose 20 nominate a
ticket that will be composed, with one ex-
ception. OF white men, That exception Is
the register Of deeds, a coored man, who
has held that office for two years. who,
am Informed and believe, is competent,
and has made reasonably good officer,
and as to whom ! have heard no COM
plant as to his official conduct. The Re-
publicans propose, as / am informed, to
vote for the following members of the
legislature: For the Senate, b. r. Keith:
for the House, ID. J.. Gore and r. B.
Davis.
Now, who are these men? Mr.. Keith
Is reputable merchant OF your city He
was voted for by perhaps 30 per cent
Of the Democrats of your county in the
last election as elector on the presi-
dental ticket and was elected by the peo-
pie Of North Carolina by a majority OF
some 10000
capt. r.. b. Davis has been for many
years a leading man in North Carolina.
He has been one Of the leaders Of the DEM
ocrauc party IN the state. He has been
elected by their votes and has served as
one Of their most important men in the
legislature. He is a gentleman of educa-
ton ana culture, and an orator of dis
tnctIon. He was an eector for the sta te
at large IN the last presidential election,
and was elected by the whole people OF
the state by some 10000 majority.
Mr.. ID. IT, Gore is man Of large prop
crty and OF extensive business connec-
tons. As l understand it. be has gener-
ally acted politically with the Democratic
party until the election of 1896, when he
voted for Mckinley
"All Of these men are North Carolinians,
as well connected, as capable and as close
iy associated with the business, the social
and material interests of the state as any
three men who could be found In your
community.
II am informed that the Republicans
OF New Hanover are willing to adopt such
a ticket for county commissioners as will
give the highest assurances OF projections
of property rights ana of honest and
economical county administration
You say the Republican ticket must be
suppressed. Do you mean to suppress the
Republican ticket which will be NOT only
|
the privilege Of exercising their consdtu-
tional right to vote for members OF the
legislature and county officers, but also
would deny them their right to vote for
members OF Congress and judges and such
state officers as are to be voted for in this
election? They would thus be deprived
not only of their rights under the state
constitution but those secured to them
under the United States constitution as
we'll Very truly yours
ID. l.. Russell, Governor"
| N. |. -.