The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-01-30
StVENTY-.THRE VOTES
Watson Received So, and Craig 1l---Nomlna-
lion Made Unanimous Without Dis
senting voics---Spseches of
Candidates,

The end is over. 1t came last night
rather Unexpectedly to many, but there
were many who looked for the contest to
end last night. Everybody was anxious
to have it over and when it became ap-
parent after the second ballot. that
nomination was in sight, there was
feeling of relief on all sides The legis-
lators had come to place where they
wanted the struggle ended. The feel-
ing of WEAKNESS that has caused the
public cry out to have the contest ended
was even stronger in the Legislature.
1t has been remarkable that con-
test so free from bitterness should be
so long protracted. 1t is tribute to
the esteem and regard in which the can
didates were held. From the first moth
inc but friendlness has prevailed among
the candidates and their friends, and rhe
end leaves 10 animosities or heart
burning.
The caucus opened promptly at eight
o'clock. There. seemed to be listness-
ness at first which pervaded the Whole
House. The only absentee in the caucus
not paired. was Woodley, of Chowan'
Goode of Cleveland, (an Overman mani
was paired with Glenn, of Guilford, ia
Watson man.
The first ballot aroused no interest
though there was some applause Whcn
Watson was in the lead. The vote on
the 57th ballot stood:
Watson. =. =. % '' - or
Overman.. .. % 20 '' - - VI
Craig. =. - 10
The 5Sth ballot was:
Overman.. :. .' - - OF
Watson. .. :. :. % 80 oo
Craig. 80 .. - - -
The announcement was received with
continued cheers by the Overman men
On the floor and in the gallery. They
felt that they were going to win and
showed it in every movement The 59th
ballot stood:
OVerman.. :. -. :. %
Craig. =. =. :. IA
The Overman cheers were then more
enthusiastic and hearty than at any
time before. His leaders and supporters
crowded the aisles and appealed to every
Craig man who would listen to ''get on
the band wagon, they said and vote
vaded the Overman forces in the hall,
and as the next vote was found to bring
him within three votes of the nomina-
tion. The Goth ballot stood:
OVerman.. 40
Watson. =. :. :. :. :. =. :. :. .. q. So
craig. IA
Amid great excitement, the roll call
for the 61st ballot was proceeded with.
Everybody felt that the end was near.
The Watson men looked solemn and
sombre; the Overman men We're jubi-
liant and could not keep their seats. The
galleries caught the contagion and every
body was restless and nervous as the
procession of members passed by the
open basket and deposited their ballots:
1t was precisely 9:57 o'clock when Rep
resentative Whitaker began to call out
the ballots and Clerk Murphey to repeat
them. Whe it was found. as the roll call
was completed, that Overman was nomi-
mated, there was wild cheering. The 61st
ballot, which nominated was as follows:
OHed'Idh' 80 - 80 - - - - - ''''' 10
WaISO0.. %
Graf a.. =. :. IL
Then the applause grew fast and furi-
Gus and everybody was talking at once.
Senator Webb, of Buncombe, seconded
by Mr.. Doughton, of Allegheny. and the
nomination was made unanimous.
On motion of Speaker Gattis a commit
tee of three was appointed to wait on
Mr.. Overman and notify him that he had
been nominated, and to invite all the
Senatorial candidates to come before the
caucus. The committee named was CON-
posed of the following: Messrs. Webb
Doughton. Gattis, Murphy and Watts.
While the committee was out, on motion
of Senator Blow, the public was invited
to come into the hall and it was a gay
scene The listlessness passed and every
body was glad the long strain was over =
the Overman men were happy that they
had won and the supporters of Watson
and Craig, who had made a warm fight
and had lost, glad that the strain was a.
last over, and Senator had been named.
The caucus, having completed its work
which had gone on for many days during
which sixty-one ballots had been taken
waited lmpatiently for the coming of the
man it had named as the Democratic
nominee for United States Senator from
North Carolina, and who today will re-
ceve the solid Democratic vote for that
great office.
Suddenly, as the caucus waited there
We're shouts heard in the distance
These heralded the coming of the win
ner in the great contest. The shouts
grew louder, and as the party reached
the rotunda of the Capitol they grew in
volume.
Without the Hall there was mass