The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-19
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ACTION BY P0PU
LIST CONVENTION.

The defeat by vote of more than
two to one of those so-called Populists
who tried to commit their party to Re
publican doctrine was as complete as ii
was surprising to most of the politicians
of all parties in the State.
test going on in the Populist party. One
faction, led by Harry Skinner, Othe
Wilson, Rev. Babb and others, have
been seeking to make the Populist party
permanent annex of the Republican
party. The other faction, led by Sen.
ator Butler, Mr.. Fowler, Mr.. Shuford
and Mr.. Stroud, have been fighting I,
secure the passage of a resolution seek.
ing cooperation with the Democratic
party.
Until yesterday it was generally sup
posed that the first faction would win
in the Populist State convention. Theii
success meant the absorption of the Pop.
ulist party by the Republican party and
the surrender to the gold bugs. They
had the support of most of the pic
EATERS who were in attendance upon
the convention, and of the powerful
Republican lobby that had put their
money into paying the way of delegates
they could control to Raleigh. They
carried the first, fourth and eighth Con
gressionaI districts, when they had ex
pected TO control by carrying these and
the second and ninth.
The defeat of Skinner, Wilson & Co,
means that, whatever else the future
holds in store, the majority Of the Pop
ulist party cannot again be led into co
alition with the Republican party. II
means that they have learned through
the dear school of experience that Re
publican rule in State and nation means
negro domination and gold-bug robbery
1t means that many Of them are sick
unto death of negro school committee
men and bad State government, negro
postmasters and bad federal govern
ment, and that they desire n union OF
forces of the white men of the State to
give clean government at home and Sc
cure just financial legislation. 1t means
that they recognize that there is moth
ing in common between the protested
principles of the Populist and Republic
can parties, and that they see Il further
continuance of fusion between them will
mean absorption 10y the Republican par
ty. These things have dawned upon
some of them slowly. That it has come
to them now is hopeful sign for bet
fer things in North Carolina.
Under present conditions, there is DC
eDying the fact that the Populist par
ty holds the balance of power in North
Carolina. In 1896 the Populists voted
with the Democrats on the electoral
ticket, and in spite Of the money poured
they won by majority of 10000. BY
a wholly inconsistent and indefensiblc
policy they acted with the Republicans
in State matters, and put the Stat,
largely in the hands of the Republican
party. The result of Republican rule is
seen in scandal corruption, incompe
tency, yenality and disgrace. This has
Disguised the better class of the Popu
lists who are resolved to have nothin:
further to do with the Republican party
Some of them have openly joined tho
Democratic party and most of them have
combined to rout the Republican fusion
lists in their ranks. Will the Democrat;
give them helping hand now that they
have repudiated Republicanism?
1.-THE result of the Populist convention
puts new phase on the situation sale