The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-07
POPS ARE FOR FUSION
Will Make A Proposition To
The Democrats.
THE GIDEON DISSENTS
REPUBLICAN FUSION WILL
ALONE SATISFY HIM
ORGANIZE TO RUN REP. POP FUSION ORGAN
The Hayseeder Goes in As So Much Stock
State Convention Meets May l7th.--
Nc Nominating County Con-
ventons Till Then.

Thompson and Auditor Aver.
In accordance with instructions of the
committee. it is suggested that 1t would
be prudent and salutary for Populists
not to hold any nominating convention
either county. judicial or Congressional,
until after the meeting of the State
Convention.
Populst leaders propose to make an
effort to get the silver forces in North
Carolina together during the next cam
paign. They openly announce their pur-
pose to make proposition to this eff
feet when their convention meets.
OF course. it cannot be foretold just
what this proposition will be, if in
deed, it is ever made at all. The fol-
lowing, however, seems to embody the
views of those who now favor making
terms with the Democrats: Give the
Democrats all the judges and the solicit
tors that they now have, while the Pop
ulists take such as they now have; some
thing like fair division of the Legisla-
tive ticket, and an agreement that there
must be no change in the election law
Il recommendation that POpulists and
Democrats effect county fusion where
ever possible but this will not be bind
ing, and each county will be left free,
with this recommendation. to arrange
matters as may seem best under the cir
cumstances.
This, i understand, is about what
Senator Butler, Secretary Thompson.
Chairman Fountain, Auditor Aver and
Messrs. Sims, Lloyd, Atwater, Sheriff.,
Wallace, Macarthur, Pigford, DR.. Mer-
rift and congressman Fowler, Shuford
and Stroud, think would be a fair prop
osition.
"All reports and suggestions indicative
of anything like an actual factionial
fight in the committee" said Auditor
Aver. 'are more imaginary than any
tnlng else. The most common condition
TO be observed in any kind of assembly
of men is difference of opinion on either
a small or great question, and the
simple fact that the opinion of any
two or three men does not prove to be
the opinion of the majority is no eyi-
dence that the two or three men differ
ing have met a Wateloo or been rebuked
or anything of that sort.
Nothing occurred in the committee
melting to indicate a fractional struggle.
Nothing can be wilder or more ridiculous
than some suggestions that have been
made to the effect that the result of the
meeting was a victory of any combine
especially of any combine that had any
preference Of fusion or cooperation of
one party over another.
There has been some suggestion that
the outcome of the committee meeting
indicated a victory for faction that
favored Republican fusion The absurdi-
ty of any such impression as this can
be shown by the fact that it was sug-
gested in the committee meeting that
there ought to be a cooperation and
union of forces believing in the same
principles and ideas. Not the slightest
objection was raised to the suggestion
or the smallest opposition advanced to
it by word or sign. The fact is when
the committee adjourned there was an
impression, even a conviction, that the
convention ought to arrange in some way
for an honorable cooperation of reform
forces; and that the convention ought to
make proposition embodying honora BILE
terms of cooperation to any organiZa-
ton believing in any or an important
part OF the principles advocated by the
Peoples party.
Il believe that the convention will
frame proposition which will be sub
mitted to the Democratic convention.
think the most patinstaking effort will
be made to frame this proposition i'm such
way as will eliminate friction and
command confidence between the two
parties. and it is my firm belief that orr
Democratic friends may look for some
thing of fhis kind
On the other side is Otho Wilson
Capt Peace, Jas. Amis, Tack Garrett
II. A. Cobb, ]. Y. Hamrick. Congress-
man Skinner and one or two more.
They favor Republican fusion and will
leave no stone unturned to secure it.
Though in the committee meeting
they opened not their mouths when CO.
operation with the Democrats was spok-
en- of; though they sat perfectly still
when it was pointed out that on North
Carolina. to q great extent, depended
the result in 1900; though no objection
was offered when it was stated on au-
thority that William j. Bryan desired
4 union of the pOpulists and Demo.
erals of North Carolina-yet as soon as
the committee adjourned they straight
way began TO plot among themselves
how they could defeat themselves.
In tins plotting the Cassius was Otho
Wilson and the Brutus chosen was Capt
Peace. These conspirators called Sc.
cret meeting at the Branson House yes
terday morning at $50 o'clock. There
they took counsel among themselves how
they might defeat any cooperation be-
tween the Democrats and Populist.s.
To begin with, they said they must
have an organ: that the Caucasian was
against them; so they agreed to form n
stock company and establish a newspa.
per here at once to advocate Rep-por
fusion. Ohio Wilson put in as stock tho
Hayseeder's goodwill and mailing list
The others present took stock The
name of the paper and its editor has
not yet been decided upon.
The paper business disposed of, an or
ganization was effected for the purpos,
Of going into every county in the Stat,
and having an anti-Democratic co-opera
ton delegation appointed to the Stat,
convention. The Grand Gideon is t.
have special charge Of this missionary
movement.