The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1900-11-22
OUR RALEIGH LETTER.
ATTEMPT TO DEBAR SIMMONS FROM THE
SENATE Would BE DISASTROUS TO
REPUBLICAN PLANS, AND WHY.

out the threat (circulated during the
primary campaign by the fusion retail
ers OF political gossip to ..contest" the
seating OF Senator-elect Simmons next
March. No mention of the design has
been made in these letters hitherto, be-
cause did not consider the sources OF
the threat worth noticing.
Now, howaver, the matter has assumed
more definite shape and importance, in
that it is announced that Senator Prit-
ard is collecting material and 'eyl-
dence" upon which to base a contest,
and that he (and not Butler, as init
mated will appear as Heading counsel"
| in the contest. That Butler is behind
the scheme no one can doubt: it is
equally evident that Pritchard takes
charge of the cease" largely because
Butler, retiring at noon on March 4th
from the Senate, cannot act as prosecu-
tor, except behind the scenes, when
his SUCCESSOR appears to be sworn In
| Immediately thereafter.
The Washington correspondent Of
the Raleigh Post states that Pritchard
has box, weighing 800 pounds" de-
posted in his committee room and
filled with "poll-books kept by the Re-
| publican committee at the last cleo
ton :" that this so-called "eYidence,'
secured by Republican watchers" on
election day in August, will be used to
lmpeach the validity of Senator Sim
mons election, the claim being that the
legislature electlng him was fraudu-
lently elected one that such contest
is certain to be made at the very out
set of the extra session OF the Senate,
such session being usual at the begin
mining of the term of a newly elected
President, etc.
CAN T KEEP SIMMONS OUT.-PRITCHARD
WARNED.
Ex-Congressman Settle, now of Ashe-
vile, writes letter to Senator Prltch-
ard, in which he warns the latter
against such a course, and points out
the fact that in attacking the Sim
mons election law (under which the
November election was also held) he
will be digging pit that may engulf
the two Republican Congressmen-elect
from the Sth and 9th districts: that
even if the Senate supported Pritch-
ards contention, Governor Aycock
would Immediately appoint Simmons
to the vacancy thus declared and the
Legislature would unquestionably
again elect him.
Mr.. Settle then appeals to Mr..
Pritchard not to take step that will
unqustionably serve to more thorough
ly soldify the white people of North
Carolina and the Democratic party.
He tells him that by permitting the
dead to bury it's dead the day when
they both expect many CT the bankers,
| railroad men, cotton manufacturers
and other Cuisines interests" to align
themselves with the Republican party
will be fastened /; that contrary course
will delay If not prevent its fruitlon-
all Of which is briefed here for what it
| be worth.
ITS EFFECT ON BUSINESS INTEREST"
zone 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 Popullsts and populis-
tic elements, the better for it," said a
socalled ''gold democrat" and manufac-
turer to me. Continuing he added !:
eff Pritchard starts out In this matter
OF contesting Simmons election, it will
OO AA SOiy W OUIlSO OutlcI, duu ILLS
course will certainly put brake on
any such embryo noyement among
| the business Interests as Mr.. Settle
alludes to. It 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
interesting figures: Receipts for the
year 1899, 81 ,545, III, $50 ; receipts for
1900 to November, lst., 81 ,48O, 245, 3S ;
balance on hand at close of fiscal year
December 1st.,) 1898, $l85, 279. 81.
Total, $3,21I,242.9S. Disbursements,
for the year 1899, $600,O33.3O; for the
year 1900 Ito November, LIST }, $1,469,
221.61. Total, $3,O69, 2549I The
above receipts include $14S, $500 re-
ceived from the sale OF bonds on invest
ment account. So that while the dis
bursements for the two years Cor one
year and eleven months, to be exact)
were Sal, 988.O7 less than total re-
celpts, there would really have been a
deficiency of Sc, 400 had it not been
L r ~