The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-07-15
WHO ELECTED WHITE?
Mr.. Fountain Says Butler and
Lloyd Did 1t.
A Letter From The ex-State Chairman Of the
Populist Executive Committee That
Ought 10 Settle il.


1t will be remembered that recently
some question was raised between Mr..
f. NJ. Simmons and Senator Butler as
to who is responsible for the election
of George H. White to Congress in
1898. Mr.. w. f. Fountain was a can
dictate ON a platform of White SUI
premacy, becoming such it was
thought at first, with the consent and
approval of the leading Populists. 1t
was also thought that j. b. Lloyd, the
Populist candidate, would withdraw
in favor of candidate favoring this
issue. Lloyd, however, did not with
draw but received enough white Pop-
ulist votes to prevent Fountain elec-
ton. The result was that White was
elected. Mr.. Fountain tells in the fol
lowing letter where the responsibility
for this lies:
Tarboro, N. c., July 10, 1900.
Hon. F. NJ Simmons, Raleigh, N. C.
Dear Sir: l have read the Caucasian
article charging the Democratic party
with the responsibility of the negro Geo.
Whites election to Congress in 1898, also
your reply in the News and Observer,
which in the main, is correct.
My name being mentioned, l desire to
say that my candidacy in that campaign
was of my own volition without reward
knowing full we'll that I could not be
elected without the united support of the
white men, or endangering the success of
White Supremacy. My purpose was to
make sure of that issue and at the same
time place the responsibility of Whites
election, which was a forgone conclusion,
upon Butler, Lloyd and their allies.
l charge that the responsibility rests
mainly upon Senator Butler, because
Lloyd proved to be a tool in his hands, as
the following facts will show and which
1 feel should be known throughout the
State at this time, in order that the un-
informed may not be misled:
In the first place, Lloyd secured the
Populist nomination for purpose, which
is now patent to all, also shows that
| negro domination was practiced at the
time fusion was effected for the districts.
Before entering upon his canvass, Cap
tain Lloyd was waited upon by Demo-
cratic committees who proposed to give
him their party'S endorsement and solid
support if he would announce in favor
of White Metal and White Supremacy in
his speeches. This he failed to do Then
it was l was approached, as district chair
were perfectly honest and candid in their
desire to defeat the negro Geo. White, but
that it was impossible to elect Captain
Lloyd since his speeches had disappointed
them and created bitterness toward
him, which could not then be
overcome; that they would gladly
have supported him and would
still support any other Populist
Lloyd, if he would meet the issue of
White Supremacy. l was requested to
see Captain Lloyd and explain the matter
to him, which l did and Captain Lloyd
desired conference with them, which
was arranged and he then became con-
WINGED of the blunders he made, and
then and there agreed to resign in favor
of some other Populist to be substituted
by the executive committee, but before
making it final he wished to see Senator
Butler and requested me to go with him
for that purpose. When we reached
Rocky Mount, he, having arrived at def
mite conclusion, dictated a telegram
stating he had concluded to resign, which
was sent to Tarboro so Messrs. Simmons,
Dunn and others would have something
definite to act upon about postponing their
Upon arriving at Senator Buffers home
and after discussion of the matter,
Senator Butler consented for Lloyd to
resign. Thereupon Lloyd handed in
his written resignation to be presented
to our committee, the call of which he
wrote and l mailed before we left Tar
boro. 1t was also clearly understood that
Lloyd was to go to Raleigh and stop
mi, Of Il &c oh tor
Butler was to see that the State commit
tee substituted the name which might be
selected by the committee in the place
of Lloyd's. Before retiring for the night
| asked the Senator and Lloyd if all the
above was already understood and agreed
to and if l should proceed in accordance
with said agreement. They replied yes
On our way back Lloyd went to Raleigh
to carry out the preliminaries. After
reaching Raleigh he wired me to meet
him and Senator Butler in Goldsboro
Upon my arrival in Goldsboro he inform
ed me that the Senator did not come
that he had a sealed message from Raj
egh which he was taking to the Sena-
tor. He said the message did not re-
late to our programme. The next day, at
the meeting in Rocky Mount, to my great
surprise captain LlOyu came III
handed each member a letter from Sen
ator Butler urging them not to accept
Lloyds resignation Lloyd by lilibuster-
ing prevented any action on the part OF
the committee until train time when he
and some of the committee left on the
train In the meantime / told Lloyd that
if he would keep faith with all parties and
let his resignation be acted upon that
under no conditions would allo my name
to be substituted by the committee-that
Macarthur or any other would be substi-
tuted; that the written proposition OF
the Democrats was that any Populist who
would meet the issue would be acceptable
to them, and receive their undivided sup
port. However, the remaining committee
men, after understanding the matter ap-
proved of the proposition and urged me
to secure an extension of time from the
Democrats and reconvene the committee
to act upon it. | did So but this meeting
was defeated by Butler. Upon his request
| went to Raleigh expecting to have the
meeting of the committee there, but
| Lloyd proposed to leave the matter to
Butler and DR.. Thompson to say if he
should resign, and OF course they said
no. Thereupon l announced to them in
the presence of the Governors Council,