The progressive farmer., 1903-02-03
WHAT THE LEGISLATURE IS DOING.

was Incoming almost uncomfortable. And the lucky
man is Mr. Overman-although we thought and
said last week that the chances favored Mr.. Wat
son. We did not misrepresent the situation. By
far the larger number of observant politicians, in
cluding some of Mr. Overman's managers be-
lieved as we did. Watson's outlook had bright
ened with every break and he had come within
five votes of the nomination. But there's many a
slip 'twxt the cup and the lip. Thursday night
the balloting opened with Watson still in the lead
Craig 10, Overman 81, Watson 64. Then the
break began, Overman climbing to 81, then to
sc, then to 70, then to the nomination with 73
votes against So for Watson and II for Craig. The
long struggle had ended and the Overman men
went wild. The Craigites and WatsOnites were
not pleased, but they were certainly relieved; they
said by looks what Lord North said in words
when the American Revolution ended "Thank
God, it's all over. The struggle had indeed been
trying-not bitter, but thoroughly strenuous.
There were no hints of corruption, but political
wire pulling had been planned and practiced
night and day. We believe that Col. Olds reports
the rumor that all the offices from Governor down
for eight years to come we're bargained out.
After the caucus nomination, speeches we're
made by the three quondam candidates. Watson
made a good-humored Speech Craig a graceful
speech, while the victor made one quite as good
as could be expected of man in the hour of
great triumph. He reafirmed his belief in the
principles of his party, condemned the trusts, and
declared that he under obligations to no cor
poration for his nomination.
The formal election occurred Friday when the
two Houses met in joint session. Forty-one Sena-
tors and 81 Representatives voted for Mr.. Over
man; three Senators and 18 Representatives sup
ported Mr.. Pritchard.
So it is Senator Overman-or will be on the
4th of next month and for six years thereafter.
AS a rule the people seem to be quite well salts
fed Mr.. Overman is regarded as representing
the more conservative and broad-minded ele-
ment of his party, and thought his campaign
last fall more dignifed than that Of Mr.. Watson
Mr. Craig We recall that we said of him in
discussion of Senatorial candidates, October
7th: "Mr. Overman is strongly defending the
policies of his party but has not yet been reported
as trying to arouse dead issues, or revive preju-
dices that should be allowed to rest" A brief
biographical sketch Of the new Senator is given
page 5.
Last week interest centered in the Reformatory
and temperance bills. The ladies Of the North
Carolina W. @. T. q. appeared for the former and .
the day in behalf of their principle, though
we Iear CnaT Che Dill agreed on Will not carry out
that principle very effectively. It seems to us
that it would be better for the State and counties
to divide the expense of maintaining inmates of
the institution, while under the Parker bill the en-
tire expense 800 a year for each child-must
be borne by the county from which the offender is
sent. The bill provides for the admission of
white terminals" (the term seems too harsh to ap-
ply to children) between the ages of six and 16,
also of children likely to become criminals, such
as waits and beggars. The institution to be
known as "The North Carolina Industrial
School," and the Board of Directors is to consist