The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-12-27

Ewart to Walk the Plank-PTfschaYd
TO be SheIved with . JudgeshiP-Lusk
to Serve rs enato for a Little While.
The Wilmington Riot Matter
A special { the Raleigh Post OF yes
terday from Washington says.
Ever since Governor Russell's visit
here there have been rumors current
in the inner North Carolina circle that
a deal is on foot whereby Ewart is to
be defeated in the senate for Judge OF
the western district, Senator Pritchard
to be appointed in his place and V. S.
Lusk to be named as senator by Gov
ernor Russell to succeed Pritchard.
This same rumor was current las win
ter, but proved to be at that time un-
founded. 1t appears now with a SEM
blance of substance at least to it, but
whether it is well founded future devel-
opments alone can determine.
1t is certain now that Governor Rus
sell is opposed to the confirmation of
Judge Ewart. He covered his tracks so
well while here that at first he was be-
LEVIED to have interested himself in
Ewart's behalf. Senator Pritchard vas
led to so believe, but after the COVER
nor's departure, he became possessed
of information to the contrary. Sena-
tor Pritchard still favors Ewart, but
the best legal minds in the senate are
opposed to him and Senator Butler will
leave no stone unturned to defeat him.
1t is we'll known here that Pritchard
would not decline a life position such
as is the place Of judge of the western
district of North Carolina. At the
same time, Pritchard does not wish to
be placed in a position of being even by
inference, opposed to Ewart, and he
frowns upon all suggestions in that di-
rection. Yet if Ewart if defeated
Pritchard's is the name that is likely
to occur to the president as an accept
able one. 1t is said that Governor Rus
sell suggested him to the president.
Then too Pritchard would meet with
almost instant confirmation. Senate
rial courtesy alone would insure that. 1t
is also pointed u that in the next SEN
ate, with a heavy republican majority,
P~ritchard's vote would not be needed
by the republicans. Butler would not
oppose Pritchard. In fact they have of
late been getting closer together than
heretofore. P%ritchard's days, demo-
Gratis assert, are numbered in North
Carolina, and beyond his present term
as senator he would have no polit-
ical future. AS judge he would have
a life position. Then too, it is said
that Butler would angle for Pritchard's
h01r ip aor1,Ioroor ~ D,f1a~,r 81
lowing Pritchard's Confirmation. This
would leave the road clear for Russell
to reward Mr.. Lusk, a friend of Pritch-
ard as we'll as himself, by appointing
him.senator. All this suggests the for
nation of a Observation-Disclosures
combine, and the ground indications,
at present, look that way.
ALL LOOKS TO SIMMONS.
Among democrats here no other name
is heard as the next senator from North
Carolina except that of Chairman Sim
mons His record while in congress
was excellent, and among the older
members, both of the house and the
senate, he is remembered most pleas
antly. 1t is not believed among demo-
Gratis that any combination can be
Aouhu ohioAS IL pOPuIlol-I
that can prevent the democrats from
controlling the next legislature.
WILMINGTON RIOT CASES.
The department of justice does not
seem to be concerning itself much owe
the Wilmington riot cases. The direct
prosecution of these cases has been
placed in the hands Of District Attor-
ney Bernard. Regarding the detail of
witnesses summoned before the grand
jury, ETC., the department Of justice pro-
fesses ignorance.
1.-THE presumption is tha5 officials will
do their duty, is it not?" suggested The
Post correspondent to Assistant Attor-
ney General Boyd, referring to the fail
ure of Mr.. Bernard to have essential
witnesses before the Raleigh grand
jury.
"That is the presumption" he said,
but sometimes it is a violent one" Mr..
Boyd said that so far as he knew nc
letter from Judge Purnell, tart or
otherwise" regarding the wilmington
affair, had been received by the depart
ment of justice.
Bunting and Melton are all here and
have been for ten days or more. They
tcould easily be reached. Mr.. Bernard
evidently believes with Congressman
Kitchin, that his efforts to get indict-
ments in the Wilmington case would
be u%navailing. Said Kitchin: mo grand
| jury that can be assembled in our state
| will return indictments against any one
in the Wilmington affair.""
Congressman Strowd has not beer
| here this session.
White, the negro congressman, ap-
peared in his seat yesterday for the first
time.
Only Kitchin and White of the NORTH
Carolina delegation were present wher
the house adjourned Wednesday fol
1.-The Christmas holidays, all the other:
having left the day before for home.
HesIer.S Cotton RenQrt