The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-10-14
WON'T AFFECT RESULT.
Mr.. H. L. Cook on Cumberland "Inde-
pendents."


Mr.. II. L. Cook, of Fayetteville, Chair
man of the Cumberland County Demo-
cratic Executive Committee, arrived In
Raleigh yesterday afternoon on legal
matters to be heard in chambers before
Judge Undertake tomorrow. A reporter
asked Mr.. Cook what the news was in
Cumberland, to which he replied tina,
nothing unusual was occurring, the peo-
pie generally have made fair crops and
that Fayetteville was buying a great deal
Of cotton this. season, the receipts being
much larger than usual.
Asked as to the political situation &c
said the outlook for Democratic success
was bright; that the Democratic party
has nominated most excellent ticket
which is very satisfactory to the people
at large, and especially to the Democracy.
That there was some friction and some
disappointment such as is incident to
nearly all nominating conventions, but
that is all passing away rapidly, and
the party is coming together in solid
pnalanx AMI we will win by a very large
majority, probably 1000.
Us the prohibition question giving the
party any trouble" he was asked.
mo, there has been some division
among Democrats, but as it is not a
political question and is to be voted on
at the election in November, apart from
olitics. and the Democratic nominees
having declared that they will carry out
the wishes of a majority of the people
as determined by the vote. both the pro-
hibiticn and prohibition advocates
arc satisfied, as indeed no one can rea-
sonably object to that position. The
democrats are not taking sides upon the
question in any manner. 1t simply says
to the people vote upon that question
and rs majority vote the party will
obey the will Of the majority"
What is the cause of Senator McNeilfs
detection" was asked him by the re-
porter.
II really cannot explain it. 1t is
matter nf great regret on the part of his
friends but lis opposition to the Demo-
cratic ticket will not carry many men
with him. In fact after much inquiry
I find that the Independent movement
has but little following among Democrats
and will not materially affect the re-
suit Senator Mcneil was an influential
Democrat. but, in his case, as with others
nj the pas, he will find that he leaves
lis influence with Democrats behind him
when he leaves the party, and opposes
lis nominees after being a candidate be-
fore the convention and speaking in his
own behalf. It was a very small gather
ing which met last Friday, in room in
the Central Hotel. in fact I have been
told by one who was present that there
were only twenty three. Some have not
always voted the Democratic ticket but
have run against its nominees in the pass.
With one or two exceptions the McNeill
nominees were all candidates for various
positions before the Democratic conven-
tion. Cumberland is all right for straight
DemOcracy-no doubt about it,
Hon. Geo. M. Rose, ex-Speaker of the
1Ious Fl and chairman of the Cumberland
Democratic convention being present
when the above interview was had 2-th
MIR Cook endorsed it as the correct sit
nation. and his estimate Of the majority
is 400 to 600. He says the Democrats
will sweep the county beyond doubt.