The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-09-18
CALL F0STtD AT NIGHT
It Emanated From a Man Once Con
victed of Larceny.
A MESS" MEETING HELD IN TRENTON,
The Call Was TO Dissatisfied Democrats But
None Took Part in the Meeting Which
Fell to Pieces, Accomplishing
Nothinu

Nothing
State Chairman Simmons yesterday re-
ceived letter from leading Demo-
crat in Jones county giving a full ac-
count of the meeting held in Jones coun-
ty to get out a so-called Independent
ticket. 1t is as follows:
Trenton, N. c.. Sept 1e. 1902.
Dear Mr.. Simmons:-About two weeks
ago notice was put in the New Bern
journal calling mass-meetirg to meet
at Trenton on the 18th of September, for
the purpose of nominating county Off
GERS, acceptable to the people. The call
stated that great dissatisfaction existed
IN regard to the ticket named by the
Democratic county convention, and invi-
ted everybody to attend, regardless of
former party affiliations. These notices
were broadcasted all over the county.
being posted in the night time. to con-
ceal the author. Since the call the lead
ers OF the Populist and Republican par
ties in this county have been energeti-
cally and persistently working the mat
ter up, stating that it was to be meet
Ing OF dissatisfied Democrats and that
the call was made by Democrats.
Upon investigation it leaked out that
the. call emanated from one n. NJ. Col
Inns, of Mayesville, Republican. He
was indicted for larceny in Onslow coup
ty, tried and convicted at the fall term
OF 1885. He appealed and a new trial
vas granted. He left the State and has
recently returned, and is now living at
Maycsville. The second trial has never
come off. as he left the State to avoid
same. Since his conviction he has been
a bitter Republican.
The Democrats here circulated and
ventilated this affair all over the coun-
ty. and it is generally known who is
the origin of this Independent movement.
Yesterday, the time for the mass
meeting, there were about fifty people in
Trenton, three-fourths of them Demo-
Gratis, who came out of curiosity to seq
what was to be done NOT A SINGLE
DEMOCRAT IN THE COUNTY TOOK
ANY FART IN THE MEETING. There
was absolutely no interest or enthu-
siasm exhibited on the part of Populists
and Republicans, save two or three of
the leaders.
The leaders of the movement were
Frank Brown, Populist and Pritchard
Repuhiic:n,-me who voted for Pritch-
ard for United States Senator in 1897.
and was given position as clerk in the
United States Marshars office in Raleigh.
and n. NJ. Collins, Republican.
'Of course there were some other Pom
ulists and Republicans present but they
seemed to be ashamed to take part in the
meeting, owing 20 its origin. S. E.
koonce, POpulist clerk of the Superior
court. refused to go in the meeting. He
and Lewis King, exPOpulist county
treasurer, state publicly that they are
not going with that crowd.
Early yesterday morning Brown and
Collins were busy trying to get some OF
our defeated candidates to accept nomi-
nations at the hands Of this crowd, but
am glad to say they all refused and
consequently Brown and Collins were
very sick and it would have pleased
you to sec their chagrin and disappoint-
ment
AT o'clock the meeting was called
to order by W. NJ. Collins. and Frank
Brown was made chairman, and was
called ucon to state the object of the
meeting. The meeting was held in the
court house. and I don't believe there
were over 40 people present, about twen-
ty-hve Democrats and about fifteen Fu-
sionists. Brown and Collins we're the
only men who sat in the bar and the
only one who said word.
Brown spoke a few minutes saving
the object of the meeting was to name
q ticket. that would please all the peo-
pie regardless of politics. He said
that there was great dissatisfaction all
over the State to the men named nv
the Democrats. owing to the fact that
the party was run by bosses and rings
and therefore he said the meeting had
hccn called to give the people of the
county an opportunity to name a tick
ct that would suit them. He said in
selecting their nominees no regard would
be had for q mans previous politics. In
conclusion he said he would move that
in order to give the people another op-
porturiiy TO come together that this
meeting would adjourn to meet here
Monday, September 10Th. and he hoped
they would be able to get a larger
crowd present He took his seat and
for several minutes the silence was pow
erfuI- Finally he walked over and whis-
percd to Collins. who thcreupon seconded
the motion. The motion was put and
got. two votes. Collins and someone else.
Brown then stated If anv one wished
to say anything now was the time. and
he waited in vain for several minutes.
no one responding. Finally Brown sug-
gested an adjournment, which was sec
opded by Collins, which motions received