The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-12
BUNCOMBE is ALRIGHT
HON LOCKE CRAIG SAYS IT WILL RETURN
TO DEMOCRACY.
The Democrats Of Buncombe are Now Engaged
In a Hot Municipal contest--Richmond
Pearson to be Defeated.

1--WE do not think there is room to
doubt that the Democrats will carry
Buncombe at the next election. There II
every reason why we should 10 so,
and the Republicans really believe that
Buncombe will retrun TO her Democratic
moorings, " said Hon. Locke Craig, a
leading attorney of Asheville, who Is
attending the Supreme court.
land carrying Buncombe means ne
continued 'electing two Democratic sen
ators from the Buncombe Senatorial ans
trict, and electing Democrat 10 IN ~,
gress to succeed Richmond Pearson. ne
people of the West are open III t'eii
outspoken indignation at the lful's "a
Republican rule in North Caroiliia anu
in the nation. They have recslV'a
stone where they were pfoliliseu p'cdu'
and in the many instances whefe crrup-
ton has been established III mas scNen"i
many who voted in 1880 lof me men
who are now in office
Asked as to the municipal campaign
in Asheyille. Mr.. Craig said that the
Democrats had made their nominations
and were beginning a vigorous and EN-
ernetic campaign. 1t is a close fight
in Asheyille since the wholesale lmp0G-
totien of negroes. Last year the Dem
ocratic municipal ticket won the mayor
atv INV n majority of less than fifty.
The margin is small, but the advantage
of the Democratic position ought to
insure victory again this year.
Speaking of State politics, he said
that every Democrat in the Ninth district
would enter the campaign with his wal
paint on. determined TO reclaim North
Carolina from the domination of corrup-
ton. scandal and Reputation. Many oil
the best Republicans of the west say
that they can no longer acknowledge
allegiance to a party as unfalthful to its
trust as the Republican party has been
There is certainly much diSsenslon
among them. They are Disguised with
Governor Russell's policy, many of them
openly assert their antagonism to Rich
mond Pearson, and nearly all denOunce
Mckinley for his lack of manhood and
holiness in maintaining the honor and
prestige of the United States. The
Democrats are solidly united. The few
that were off in the last election on the
sound money idea, are with us now.
When asked were the Democrats OF
the mountains standing by the Chicago
platform, Mr.. Craig replied, they are
without a dissenting voice. Whenever
Bryan's name is mentioned in a polltl-
cal meeting, it is always greeted with a
storm of applause. He is regarded as
the greatest expounder of the principles
of democracy, and without a peer as
leader. He will be re-nominated for the
Presidency on the Chicago platform, and
our people are not in the humor to again
submit to the fraud and corruption that
made Mckinley President. | often hear
people speaking of what will be done Ill
1900, when Bryan goes in with as much
confidence, as if he had been already
elected. and they were but waiting fol
the inauguration. The people of NORTH
Carolina have seen what the gold stand
ard and Republican rule in North Caro-
lima means, and will not forget the lesson
for twenty years to come. The Demo
cratic PARTY of the West is clearing the
decks for action on the coming cam.
paign. and the fight will be made with q
yigor and enthusiasm that will insure
victory.
/ did not talk about the Congressional
fight with Mr.. Craig because he is a
candidate for the Democratic nomina-
tion. and naturally is not ready TO DIS
cuss his own candidacy. He is one OF
the abest and most eloquent of tR@
Younger men in the party, and his mag
nificent campaign for Bryan and bl'
matallism in 1896 endeared him TO the
Democracy of all sections of the State
He is as brave and manly as he Is able
and eloquent, and if the Democracy OF
the Ninth district puts the banner IN
his hands, the Democracy of the State
will know that it has Il champion OF
acknowledged fitness and ability. As
a debater. Mr.. Craig is easily tae> supe-
rior of Richmond Pearson and would
give ''the Duke of Richmond Hill more
than he could stand.