The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-02-15

The Congressional Contests at
shington-Linney's Successor
Various News Notes of Interest.
(From Our Special Correspondent
RALEIGH, n. C., February IA, 1900.
If the enemies of the proposed amend
ment do not call off such "champions" OF
their cause as the negro Congressman
George White, and Others OF bis ilk, the
adoption OF that righteous measure will
come pretty near being unanimous, SO
far as the votes of the white men of North
Carolina are concerned.
The Infamous utterances of White in
Congress a few days ago, in which he
essayed to place upon the same level the
virtuous white wOmanhOOd OF North
Carolina and the South and the virtue
selling and lewd black wenches OF his
race, has already turned the moral
stomach of every decent and self-respect
ing person who has heard or has read ac-
counts OF them.
At the same time he has succeeded bet
ter than any friend OF the amendment
could have done in convincing all think
ing people cOnversant with his attitude
that the amendment is a necessity to
thwart the purposes and keep out OF the
halls of legislation and other public
Offices of honor and trust such political
lepers as he-the worst enemies of the
material welfare and progress of his own
race as we'll as of the Caucasian, and a
constant and threatening menace to the
peace and good will which should and
must obtain between the races, if the
negroes are to remain where they are.
DISCUSS THE CANDIDATES. BY ALL MEANS.
l was standing in a hotct. lobby the
other evening surrounded by a half
dozen prominent State Democrats, all
visitors to Raleigh and representing diff
ferent sections, when one of the leading
party men of the State, a member of the
State Executive Committee, came up.
One of the group was expressing the
fear that there was not enough discus
sion of the probable candidates of the
party this year in advance, that he be-
lieved in ventiating the records and fit
ness and availability OF men who aspire
to high Offices before nominating them.
1.-The people are accustomed to this and
demand it., he declared. "and one of the
good effects is that it leaves no undis-
armor to be punctured by the enemy
y
"Mum is not the word" he continued,
"and there has been entirely too little
said about men who seek to become
standard bearers of the party this year.
In two months time we've got to nomi-
nate our State ticket, and so far there
has been scarcely anything said about
it's personnel. We leaders need not think
we can, or will be allowed, to make up a
slate and force it on the convention or
the voters. Not that believe or think
there is any such plan or desire on the
part of any of us, but | simply state
what | know to be true The masses
want to hear the prospective candidates
discussed. [ say, bring them all out in
the open and let the people have look
at 'em."
Then the State Committeeman alluded
to joined in and said: 81 agree with you.
| think the reason SO little has been said
about individuals is because of a wrong
impression that has gotten out concern
ing the advice and desires of the State
Chairman and the State Committee.
"While we all want to see individual
selfshness subordinated largely this
year, in the interest Of the amendment,
which is more important to us than any
individuals success, yet there is no
earthly reason why the preferences of the
people for Governor and other high
Offices should not be freely and fully dis
cussed. | hope they will be-
DEMOCRATIC STATE TICKET
The friends of various gentlemen, more
or less eminent, are at last beginning to
press the claims and capacity OF their re-
spective favorites for the several State
offices to be filled by the election in
August-all subject to the Democratic
nominating convention of April 18th, of
course.
The Neus and Observer and the Morning
Post, of this city, recently published cuts
and communications recommending Col.
John s. Cunningham and Senator NJ. H.
Justice for the Gubernatoral nominal
ton, and will also treat Hon. c. B.
Aycock and Col. Theo. F. Davidson the
same way.
1t is a remarkable fact that nearly
every Democratic visitor who comes to
Raleigh if asked his preference will, after
stating it, add: 'But whether it be
Cunningham orAycock, Justice or David
son, am glad to feel that the State will
be blessed by a patriotic administration,
conducted by tirst-class man."
At present the general impression is
that the race will be an interesting one.
Most of those whom have interviewed
expressed the opinion that the race
promises to be a close one between
Aycock and Cunningham, with Justice
and Davidson possibly holding the bal
ance OF power, if they remain in the field
to the finish.
There has been change in the condi-
tons during the last month or two. At
h. hot
would not have serious opposition. But
that was prior to the discovery that Col.
Cunningham sfriends were in earnest and
before Messrs. Justice and Davidson an
nounced their candidates..
Mr.. Aycock's special advocates think
their champion still leads and will con-
tinue to do so. This the Cunningham
adherents deny, and point to the recent
rapid growth of their idol as an evidence
of what he will do Sin the home stretch"
The Justice and Davidson supporters
declare they may yet hold the winning
hand. And there you are.
BRYAN AT RALEIGH
Hon. W. J. Bryan, the last and in all
probability the next, candidate of the
Democratic party for President, came to
Raleigh on Tuesday afternoon of this
week (Feb. 13th) and addressed an i'm
mense throng of people, which was not
confined to the citizens of this city, quite
a number coming from Durham, Green's
boro, Goldsboro, New Berne, Henderson
and other towns OF the State.
Mr.. Bryan is easily one of the most
eloquent men OF this country, and prob
ably has no superior as political
speaker. Even those who do not agree
h h ftA nd hn~
questions cannot fail to enjoy and ap-
preciate the thrilling oratory of the
speaker.
Mr.. Bry an came in response to an in
vitation extended him while in New York
L.. rlax- L. NJ