The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-07-28

cooperative ticket, representing all
elements opposed to the Democratic
machine, and unite our vote upon it,
with a bright prospect of electing it?
week ago or more our State chair
man wrote a letter to every county
and township chairman in the State,
and also to every county and legisla-
tive candidate whose name had been
received at headquarters, presenting
these very questions, and asking for
advice. The letters in reply from
every county in the State were almost
unanimous in favor of a cooperative
ticket. The only difference of opinion
expressed was as to the composition
of the ticket. Permit me to say that
| cannot feel otherwise than highly
hattered and gratified at the express
sions in these letters expressing a
strong desire that | should head this
cooperative ticket for Governor.
When these letters in reply from
all the counties were in, conference
was held by the committees and such
of the State candidates as could be
gotten together The result Of that
conference acting under the advice OF
the letters received. is a cooperative
ticket. which the State committees are
now sending out to be voted for on
August ID The ticket is composed
very largely of Populists, there being
only three Republicans out Of eleven
candidates. And, besides, we have I'M
der this arrangement the united force
of the Republican members of the Leg
islature for Senator Buffers return
10 in,
could have secured had | permitted
my name to head the ticket for Cover
nor. / believe, under these circum-
stances, and | think you will agree
with me, that it is of more value to
the party to re-elect Senator Butler
than that | should be Governor.
And by this arrangement, further
more. our chances for electing a ma
iority of the Legislature is very much
better than it otherwise would have
been. You will readily understand
that we cannot expect very large
number of members of the Legislature
from the East at this election. The
members of the Legislature in opposi-
ton to the Simmons Democratic ma
chine will come largely from the cen
trail and western portions of the State,
where there are many white Republi-
cans.
Also we must remember that, while
the prospects of electing the State
| ticket is good, yet the prospects OF
| electing a majority of the Legislature
| is MUCH BETTER. In short, we could
| lose the State ticket by twenty thous
and and yet save the Legislature
| Therefore, if we should lose the State
| ticket, we would secure by this ar.
rangement the reelection of Senator
| Butler for a United States Senator and
| the harmonious action of the Legisla-
| ture in the repeal of the infamous
| Election Law and the adoption of the
| constitutional Amendment recon-
r.anded by the Peoples party State
convention to prohibit the negro from
holding office, and thus not only set,
| tie the NEGRO question: but besides
| have the credit of doing it ourselves
in the place of the present dangerous
DISTINGUISHING scheme submitted by
| the Democratic party.
These reasons seem to me to be suf
| ficient justification for my course anC
my party's course in this matter, anc
I am satisfied that they will satisfy
| every Populist in the State that this is
| the best thing under the circumstan-
| ces that could be done.
Now permit me, in conclusion, tc
| ask you to urge my friends every
where to give the ticket, as presented
a loyal and hearty support. DO this
and the cause of political liberty will
win in North Carolina without
fraud without force and without
claw (?) obtained by force Oh
fraud" which after all is but legal
| lied fraud.
We can and must carry the Legisla-
ture. Get every man to put his shout
| der to the wheel till the votes are cast
and counted and it will be done
Yours very truly,
CYRUS THOMPSON.