The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-07-25
Butler VERY UNEASY
Oyer Recent Republican
Conference.
THB FRANCHISE ISSUE
The stumbling Block In the Populiss
Senator'S Way-Republicans Want 60
Know His Posiuon-Repuklieans
Ready 20 Revolt Against Any Action
That Advances RusselI's Interest,".
The Odds Against Ewars's Connrma.
tion-What Russell L. After,
Especial to The Messenger.)

Raleigh, N. c., July 21.-The clerk of
the corporation commission reports that
the assessment Of transportation, tele-
phone and telegraph companies as final
ly agreed on by the commission is s43,-
Of action. The assessment by Judge
Simonton is s34, $50, 1872.
The corporation commission meets
next Tuesday and will decide on its line
o faction. The assessment by Judge
Simonton will, it appears, be certified
until he passes upon the assessment
made by the commission.
Senator Butler arrived here today.
He and Senator Pritchard were togeth-
er at a hotel a little while. Butler ask
ed if Governor Russell were here.
Pritchard wants to now how Butler
stands on the constitutional amend
ment. Republicans who attended the
conference yesterday and today say
Butler is on the anxious bench and
wants to know the outcome Of their
conference and that he fully realizes
that he has got himself in the same
fix in which he got Senator Pritchard
two years ago. Republicans add: 1--WE
will not know Butler until he an
nounces over his own signature where
he stands on the constitutional amend
ment. If he favors it that is the end
of him."
Republicans say that Governor Rus
sell, while wanting the senatorship,
knows he cannot get it, and that he
really has his eye on the position as an
attorney in the employ of the American
Tobacco Company; that his recent ap-
pointments of Angler and O'Brien, who
are very close to the Dukes, of Durham,
as directors Of the North Carolina rail-
way, were with this purpose in view.
Republicans say there is a surprise
in store as to who will be the republi-
can candidate for the senate as Pritch-
ards successor, and that he will not be
a politician or a lawyer, but a business
man. They swear theye would rebel
against any deal which would make
Russell senator or give him any other
national appointment. This they de-
, clare was the general sentiment at the
conference here and of their party, with
the exception of Wheeler Martin and
one or two others. They say they do not
think Russell car do much more harm
to the republican party than he has al
ready done, and thai if he can find
; means of easing himself out, all right.
and if not, all right. They say the odds
! are against Ewart's confirmation. and
it so appears. The question is whether
republicans can aid Ewart any longer.
They are willing to give him the clerk
ship of the federal court at Asheville,
which is worth 5000 a year.
, The state charters the Carolina and
Alamance cotton mills, both in Ala
nance county. Both are owned by sew
en- Hollis and James N. Williamson
| and the capital is $50, 900.
Republicans decide that in the event
! Attorney General Griggs takes Alger's
war portfolio they will urge the pres
dent to promote James E. Boyd to be
attorney general.
; The Ayden Lumber Company, of Pit,
county, chartered, capital SIS, 1000.