The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-24
IF w 4RT FAILS
BOYD MAY WIN
But He Will Have to Fight
for 1t.
TIL POP. CONVENTION
SENATOR BUTLER TAKING THE
INITIAL STEPS.
HIS ALLA CE WITH THE REpU u AN
Probable That Meeting Of PopOIist National
Committee Wi &c Called to Meet in Wash
ington in February to Decide on
Time and Place.

Time and Place.
Republican politicians are perhaps
more Interested just now in the outcome
Of the fight ON Ewart's confirmation than
in anything else.
Few If them expect him to be con-
firnled and all of them realize that it is
his last chance. And when he fails there
will be a rich, rare plum for some
body.
Who? That's the question they are
now discussing.
AS it is understood that Pritchard is
longer reckoned in the calculation. But
waiting for Simonton's shoes. he is no
Jim Boyd is in it decidedly. In fact
there are those who are ready to wager
that if Ewart fails the railroad in
fuence will force Boyd's nomination.
But Boyd, like Ewart. will not find
all plain sailing. Even in his own
party he Will find opposition of the
strongest sort; and when he comes to
the Senate for confirmation he will find
the anti-ralroad forces there to fight
him and his Ku-Klux record aired in
the most public manner by his own
party associates.
Nj. William f. Curtis, Washington
correspondent of the Chicago Record,
writing to his paper has this to say OF
North Cardinals Senator's:
The Third Party organization in the
Senate has fallen to pieces. Its most
prominent members are already hedging
and gradually working their way back
toward the Republican side line. At the
beginning of the session Mr.. Kyle, Of
South Dakota, who describes himself
in his autobiography as an Independent,
went straight into the Republican camp;
bur Mr.. Butler. of North Carolina, Mr..
Feitfeldt, OF Idaho, Mr.. Jones. of Ne
vada, Mr. Teller, of Colorado, Mr.. Tur-
ner. of Washington. and Mr.. Pettigrew,
of South Dakota, held caucus and by
unanimous vote decided 10 go with the
Democrats for the reason that they rep
resent the same position and held the
same belief ON the most important is
sue before the country. As stated in
these dispatches al the time Mr.. Petit
grew was appointed an emissary to con-
fer with the Democrats and arrange
for places on the committees. He did so
according to his instructions, but ia the
meantime the individual members of the
Third Party hustled around to take
care Of themselves. Mr.. Jones, of Ne
vada. and Mr.. Stewart, of Nevada,
Went straight to the Republican caucus
committee, asked for their old chairman
ships, and got them, while Senator
Pritchard of North Carolina, asked
similar. fayors for his colleague, Mr.
Butler The caucus committee, recog-
ming the significance of the situation,
volunteered to place Mr.. Teller at the
heed Of the Committee OH Claims, which
he lad occupied for several years, but he
declined to accept any fayors from
them, and Mr.. Warren. of Wyoming,
was appointed in his place.
However, before these assignments
We're made Senator Aldrich sent on,
scouts to interview the Senators named
and ascertain whether they were playing
the part Of the 'prodigal SON. in sim
cerity or were actuated by selfish mo.
tives. The scouts reported that Jones,
Stewart and Butler had pledged them
selves to vote with the Republicans Oh
all questions except finance and de-
sired to he counted as on the Republican
side. Somebody asked Senator Stewart
why he didn't turn around and join the
Republicans out and out
Wait till I get to a wide place in
the road was the reply
Senator Buffers case is still under
discussion. He was assigned to his old
committees-Naval Affairs, Postoffices
and Post Roads, Fisheries and Coasr
Defences-and his name appears at the
of bo cf Of
head of the list of Democrats. He was
also given a place on the Committee Or
Relations with Cuba, which is quite n
distinguished honor, so that he is well
satisfied with his treatment.
Some of the Republican Senators
think, however, that Butler is looking
Tor refuge in time of trouble and is
more anxious for his own welfare than
for the welfare of the Republican party.
Ills Senatorial term expires in 1901,
and the Legislature which will choose
his successor will be elected in Novem-
Der next. Butler is Populst-one Of
the founders of the PopuIist party and
chairman of its National Committee.
He came to the Senate originally by a
fusion arrangement. and he wants to Sc
cure a second term by fusion with the
Republicans. 1t was stated by members
of the Republican National Committee
during their session here last week that
Butter and Pritchard have entered into
a combine under which the votes of the
Populists Of North Carolina are to be
thrown for the Republican electoral
ticket, and the votes of the Republicans
in the LEGISLATURE for Butler: but the
Populist party in North Carolina is al
most extinct, and some Republicans
from that State declare that Butler is
getting great deal more than he can
give.
Senator Butler has parted company
with the Democrats of North Carolina
on the constitutional amendment which
they have proposed for the disfranchise-
ment Of the negro. This amendment
pretends to establish an educational test
for suffrage, but while it debars negroes
who cannot read and write from the
ballot box it still retains that privilege
for illiterate whites who voted. or whose
ancestors voted, before the passage of