The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-04-13
Especial to The Messenger.)

Raleigh, n. c., April 1.-THE pre-
diction that the democratic state con-
'vention today would be record
breaker was fully verified. All last
nights trains were packed with peo-
pie and so were this mornings trains.
The enthusiasm of the crowd was un-
bounded.
The weather was the only unfavor-
able thing. 4 cold northeast wind and
a drizzle made things quite unpleas-
ant. The hall room was insufficient.
1t became known at 10 o'clock last
night that Charles 2. Aycock would
be nominated by acclamation, Theo-
.dore Davidson having at that hour
withdrawn from the race for governor
AycOck buttons We're much in evil
.dence today They bore his picture
and the words Our Next Governor"
The republicans and the machine
populists viewed the great throng OF
representative democrats with amaze
ment. Some of them said frankly
they felt blue.
THE CONVENTION ASSEMBLIES.
1t was three minutes to noon when
the state convention met. There were
1000 people in the academy of music.
The scene was memorable All rec
ords were broken. State Chairman
Simmons was given an ovation when
he entered. Rev. DR.. Ivey, editor of
the Raleigh Christian Advocate, offer
ed prayer, saying this convention was
here in the interest of intelligence and
good government. The chairman in
structed Secretary John w. Thomp
son to call the roll OF counties. Every
county was found to be fully and per-
sonally represented; no contests were
reported. Temporary officers were
announced. The secretaries were w.
c. Dow John c. Lamb. of Martin,
and representatives of the democratic
press; reading clerks, Stephen McIn-
tyre, of Robeson, and E. 3. Lewis, of
(Ienoir; sergeant-at-arms, George F.
\kennedy, of Wake; assistants, W. V.
Clifton, Samuel Hinton and w l..
Davis.
The chairman announced that under
the plan of organization II was mis-
privilege and duty to name a tempor-
My chairman of the convention. How
klFer, before announcing the temporary
chairman he wished, with the consent
of the convention, to say a few words
about the developments since the last
campaign, the work which was facing
the democratic party in the state and
what has Deen done by the state exc
cutive committee.
Mr.. Simmons was greeted with great
applause. He reviewed the last cam
paign, and the last legislature, the
proposed constitutional amendment
and the false Statements that its enc
mics have sent cut, misrepresentation
that have been made by republicans
who depend upon the ignorant negro
for their success; he told of the dis
tribution of literature through the
democratic daily and weekly press of
North Carolina, answers to misrepre-
sentations distributed by enemies of
white supremacy" When he men
toned the name of George White,
Kisses came freely. He recalled the
demands of White that the negro race
must have more offices and power.
The invitation had been given and
there was an acceptance of the issue
Mention Of the name of Bryan drew
enthusiastic outbursts of applause.
Mr.. Simmons said the result of the
vote on the amendment was already
assured that not all the soldiers Nc
Kinley can spare from fighting ne
groes in the Philippines can defeat the
purpose of the people of North Caro-
lima in the present campaign He said
the object of the amendment could be
stated in ten words: ITO diSfranchiSe
= the ignorant negro and not disfran-
! chise the uneducated white man.
This, he said, is neither violative OF
Astatue OF moral law, but is based or
well known differences of moral and
intelluctual attachments of the two
races.
/ Mr. Simmons closed amid great ap-
plause with remarks that every white
man in the state shall vote. by the
Eternal God they shall vote"
Mr.. Simmons presented Mr.. E. Y
Webb, OF Shelby. as temporary chair
man.
Mr.. Webb made a well timid speech
and then the convention began bust.
VICE PRESIDENTS.
The list of districts were called anG
the names OF vice presidents and
members of the various committee:
selected by district meetings thi:
Hsrning were announced, as follows
Vice PresidentsNFfrst district, B.
Ivey, Pasquotank: Second, j. w
: Granger. Lenoir; Third. w. E. Muir
Gibson. Moore; Fourth, w. H Watkins
Randolph; Fifth, c. NJ Stedman, Gull
ford: Sixth. J. P. Caldwell, Meeklen
burg: Seventh. r. L. Smith. Stanly
Eighth, W. w. Barber, Wilkes; Ninth
y B. Norfolk. Cherokee.
COMMITTEES.
esmmittee on Credentiais-First. J
~. Pruden. Chowan; Second, r. B
PEBBLES, Northampton; Third, Johl
| Underwood. Cumberland; Fourth, ia
eso Battle. Nash; Fifth. ]. w. Noe
Person; Sixth, Stephen Mcintyre
Rooeson; Eleventh., Emery, Forsyth
Eighth, L. w. Folger. Surry
Ninth. n. II. Justice, Rutherford.
Committee on Permanent Organiza
ion-First. A. Q. Gallord, Washing
ten; Second. w. e: Daniel, Halifax
lhard. s. o. Middleton. Duplin