The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-11-22
(From Our Regular Correspondent. J

RALEIGH, y. T.. November II, l9OO.
1t now develops that an attempt will
be made to carry out the threat (cir
culated during the primary campaign by
fusion retailers of political gossip to
contest the seating of SenatOr-elect
Simmons next March. No mention of
the alleged design has been made in these
letters hitherto, because | did not con-
slider the source of the threat worth
noticing
Now. however. the matter has a.
sumed more definite shape and impor-
lance. in that it is announced that Sena-
tor Pritchard is collecting material and
''evidence' upon which to base a contest,
and that he land not Butler, as formerly
intimately will appear as leading coun-
sell in the contest. That Butler is be-
hind the scheme no one can doubt; it is
equally evident that Pritchard takes
charge of the ease largely because But
Ter. retiring at noon on March 4th from
the Senate. cannot act as prosecutor, ex-
cept behind the scenes. when his success
sOr appears to be sworn in Immediately
thereafter.
The Washington correspondent OF the
Raleigh Post states that Pritchard has
box, weighing 800 pounds, deposited
in his committee room filled with poll
books kept by the Republican committee
at the last election that this so-called
evidence. secured by Republican
watchers" on election day in August
will be used to impeach the validity Of
Senator Simmons election, the claim
being that the Legislature electing him
was frauduently elected one; that such
a contest is certain to be made at the
very outset of the extra session OF the
| Senate, such session being usual at tho
| beginning of the term of the newly elected
| President, etc.
| CAN'T KEEP SIMMONS OUT pRTCHARD
| WARNED.
| EX-COngrpsSman Settle now of Ashe-
! vile, writes letter to Senator Pritchard,
in which he warns the latter against
| such a course, and points out the fact
that in attacking the Simmons election
law (under which the November election
was also held) he Will be digging a pit
that may enguf the two Republican Con
yressmen-elect from the Eighth and Ninth
districts; that even if the Senate sup
| ported Pritcha.Id's contention, Governor
Aycock would Immediately appoint Mr.
Simmons to the vacancy thus declared
and the next Legislature would unQues-
tiOnably again elect him.
Mr.. Settle then appeals to Mr.. Prit-
| chard not to take a step that will I'M
| QuestiOnably serve to more Thoroughly
soldify the white people OF North Caro-
| lima and the Democratic party. He tells
him that by permitting the dead past to
| bury its dead the day when they both OK
pect many of the bankers. railroad mon
cotton manufacturers and other "busi
ness interests to align themselves with
the Republican party will be hastened
that contrary course will delay. if not
| prevent it's fruition-all of which is brief,
ed here for what it may be worth.
! THE EFFECT ON 'BUsINEss INTEREST
| VOTERS.
'One thing appears to be pretty GER
tain, however viz: If the Republicans
are really looking for any such recruits,
| the sooner that party and its leaders cut
| loOse-eternally and everlastingly loose
| from Marion Butler and all utilization
with Populists and Populistic clements
| the better for it," said a so-called "gold
Democrat" and manufacturer to me
Continuing he added: If Pritchard
starts out in this matter of contestine
Simmons election. it will be largely to
Obli2e Butler, and this course will GER
| tainly put a brake on any such embryo
movement among the business interests
| as Mr.. Settle al!udes to. 1t is likewise
the very worst thing he could do if he
hopes to build up white Republican
party in North Carolina"
CONDITION OF THE STATE TREASURY.
| A statement issued Saturday by the
| State Treasurer shows the following in
teresting figures: Receipts for year 800
81 $40, 1885,; receipts for 1900 tc
| November 1st, $3.50, 245.3S; balance
on hand at cloee of fiscal year december
1sD 1898, 1856, 279.91. Total, 1921,
| 242.9S. Disbursements, for the veal
1899, 81 SOC, O33,3 80; for the year 1900
Ito November 1st, 1,4G9, 221 81
Total, $1,000 254.91. The above re-
ceipts include $14S, 3SS.O9 received from
the sale of bonds on investment account
So that while the disbursements for the
two years Tor one year and clever
months, to be exact) We're Sill .9SS. O7
less than total receipts. there would
really have been deficiency OF sc, 400
had it not been for the receipts from the
bonds.
NEW RAILROAD SYSTEM TO PENETRATE
| EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA
And now Raleigh and Eastern Carolina
are to secure connection with another
great railroad systematic Vanderbilt
1t is to be a big thing for our folks if the
half what | am told proves true Less
than year ago supposedly little rail
road with a big name, yclept the Great
| Eastern. was incorporated by the Secre
tary of State. Now it turns out thai
this road is not only to be built from
Snow Hill Greene county, without rail
roads hitherto) to Fremont. Is miles
land this is now all graded and ready fol
track-laying), but that it is to come OF
at once from Fremont to Raleigh (4C