The Savannah morning news., 1900-07-30
FEAR OF BLOODSHED
TROUBLE EXPECTED IN NORTH
CAROLINA ELECTION.
LITTLE DOUBT AS TO RESULT.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
WILL DE CARRIED.

Democrats VIII Put In Their state
Ticket and the Fusionists Are Re-
lying on Capturing the Legislature
and Returning Butler to the Sem
nte-ThOmpson Has Withdrawn in
Favor of Adams People Are
Aroused TO High Pitch.
Raleigh, N. c.. July "a general elec-
ton will be held in this state next Thurs
day. and the question of the adoption of
an amendment to the constitution limiting
the electoral franchise will be voted on.
There is apparently little doubt as TO the
result of the election. both as to the
amendment and the state ticket. 1t now
seems to be simply question of major
ity. The opponents of the amendment ac-
knowledge that 1t will be adopted.
As the amendment and the Democratic
state ticket will run very close together,
tho Populists and Republicans have prao-
ticaliy abandoned their state ticket in an
effort to elect a majority of the Legisla-
ture and return Butler to the United
States Senate.
During the first three months of the
campaign they had two state tickets
in the field-a straight Populist ticket and
a straight Republican ticket There was,
however. all along perfect unity of action
by the two state committees and an un-
derstanding between the leaders of the
two parties that at the proper time before
election their tickets would be consoli-
dated
This consolidated ticket. which is
known the fusion ticket" was made
up little more than a week ago, and has
been printed and distributed. On il are
three Republicans and eight Popullsts
The offices assigned to the Republicans
are Governor, attorney general, and chair
man of the Corporation Commission.
Thompson Expects Defeat.
DR.. Thompson. Populist nominee for
Governor. has issued an open letter an
nounclng his retirement in favor OF Adams,
Republican, In this he practically con-
cedes the defeat of the state ticket and
thus indicates the future policy of the
fusion compagn:
I'VE have under this arrangement the
united force of the Republican members
OF the Legislature for Senator Buffers
! return to the United States Senate, which
we could not have secured had / permit-
ted my name to head the ticket for Gov
ernor l believe that II is of more value
to the party 20 re-elect Senator Butler
than that | should be Governor. We could
lose the state by 1000 and yet save the
Legislature. Therefore, If should lose
the state ticket, we would secure by this
arrangement the reelection of Senator
Butler"
Fighting for Legislature.
In accordance with this plan. the fus-
ionists are making a desperate hghs for
the Legislature. and the campaign is be-
ing conducted personally by Senator But
Ter. Republican Chairman Holton is rem
dering him all possible assistance. In
close counties and senatorial districts
they are sacrificing everything for the
Legislative ticket
The Democrats, however. allege that
the effort is a futile one; that the Leg
islature will be safely Democratic in spite
of all that the fusionists may do They
claim that a preliminary poll Of the regis
tered vote shows that they will carry
every eastern county with three doubt
full. In the west they say they can af-
ford to lose several counties that they
carried two years ago.
There are now just three more days un-
Ill the election. Both sides are hard at
work and active CAM balgnlng will con-
tinue up to Wednesday night. II is the
bitterest and most exciting campaign this
state ever has known. The battle has
been fought on the race issue. brought
to the front by the proposed franchise
amendment, by which $1,000 ignorant ne
gro voters are to be disfranchised.
BIoodshed Is Feared.
For the past month at least a thousand
speeches a day have been made In the
state and the people are aroused to such
a pitch that bloodshed is feared. So far
there has been none and the best elements
OF both sides hope there may be none.
though in many Eastern counties the red
shirts have declined to allow fusion cam
paigners 10 speak.
on account OF threats by Senator But
Ter and his followers to prevent the cleo
ton, by injunction or other methods, the
Legislature Will convene here tomorrow
and adjourn from day TO day until elecL
ton day. The Democratic leaders say
that II there is interference on the part
of the opponents of the amendment, II is
certain that there Will be serious trouble.