The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1900-02-22

Cunning ham he is going to get big
vote IN the 4.h, 9th aud 7th districts,
and some from the third and first and
he's the coming man, we believe.
His candidacy will add Thousands OF
votes to the chances of carrying the
Amendment (for We must and will
carry that righteous mea surrey and in
all the State there is no stronger adj
vocate and champion OF 1t than John
S. Cunningham"
And then a crowd of the popular
Colo nel's friends in the lobby of the
Y arboro began to applaud the speaker
and to chime in all sorts of nice words
of endorsement of their favorlte. There
is not room in this letter to print them
and would be afraid to incorporate
them any way, lest some one might
accuse me of showing Partially and
I'm not only repeating the gist Of
hese interviews as matter OF polit-
ical news and development, in whic h
your readers are all interested at this
particular time.
THE EX-POPULIsT VOTE.
There is proba bly, one point in this
argument that should be noted, how
ever, and will do so briefly.
"You must remember" said the
speaker, "that fully $4,000
farmers who had voted with the Pop.
ulists in 1892, 1894 and 1896 came to
our rescue in 1898 and again voted the
Democratic ticket.
"Now we must retain that vote at
all hazards. Subtract those Is 900 ex-
pops from our less than $4,000 ma
jorlty, and We haye small margin, too
small for comfort Place them on the
other side and we find ourselves In the
minority again by over 10000. Now
which of the candidates tor Governor is
most likely to retain that vote-all law
yers but one? To ask the question is to
answer it. Col Cunningham would
command the votes and hearty support
of every one OF these men and thousands
of others who have not jet returned to
their old party, Not that Cunning
ham is anything of pop. Il would
not like to accuse him of it, for in all
North Carolina there is not a more
pronounced Democrat or stronger party
MANI but that, withal, he is a conser-
vative man and "man of the people"
there you have it: He is q man OF
the people"
JUSTICE AND DAVIDSON.
There were lew visitors here from
| west Of Greensboro, to which section
the strength of Messrs. Justice and
Davidson is principally confined.
Kind words for both gentlemen
were not lacking, however, and 1t is
evident that both will receive flatter-
ing vote on the first ballot, and from
what could be learned it is probable
that their friends intend to stick to
them as long as there is chance of
winning the nomination.
eve Think said prominent west
ern Democrat" that it would be wise
to nominate western man for Govern
or this year, notwithstanding that the
candidate at the last election watson
was a western man. It is advisable to
have a man who il close to the people
of the west, as the enemies of the
Amendment are making their strongest
fight in our section. 1t the convention
agree with us, then Justice or David
son is the one to select. We all know
their ability and sterling democracy"
''ToM MASON FOR GOVERNOR"
Since the above detailed information
and arguments were given me I have
had talk with several leading eastern
Democrats who assured me that it was
bv no means impossible that lion
Thomas w. Mason, OF Northampton
might yet be brought cut by his friends
for the gubernatorial NOMINATION.
"If he enters the race" said one oil
them to-day, che will have big fol
lowing and will receive a most f1atter-
ing vote at the start. Conditions NAV
become such that it will be polite and
advisable to nominate him.
"My! but what a campaign be
would make Talk about your STUMP
speakers, TOM Mason's superior is mo-
to be found in North Carolina"
SECRETARY OF STATE.
, So far only two gentlemen are seri
! ously discussed here in connection will
the Democratic nomination for Score
' tary OF State, viz, Hon. J. Brya,
: Grimes, of Pitt, and Hoa. D. III. Nc
> Lean, of Harnett, both exceedingl,
popular gentlemen and widely known
J A leading Democrat from anothe
Q county, visiting in Raleigh this weel
= declared that svsssluaJ
! great blowing, especially among til
Y farmers. "The fact that he is the pre-
a ldent OF the State Tobacco Grower.