The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1903-01-08

Candidates Establish Headquarters |
aud Set Their "Barkers" to Work |
Satisfactory Report From 7anage-
ment of State Prison.
RALEIGH. n c., January 5, 1908.
As thrse lines are written the General
Assembly is about to convene, and inter
est centers in this event. Three lending
propositions that will attract much at
tention and become hntly contested
questions are, respectively, the election
Of a Z. S. Senator, the ''chiid labor" bill
designed to regulate also the number OF
hours cotton mills and other manufactu-
ring establishments may operate per
dav.) and the bill to eliminate whiskey
distillrries from the country districts
(cOntining them to Incorporated towns
exclusively, where they can be constantly
under police supervision)-a there's
walking ahead" for the contestants on
both sides of the two latter propositions,
as we'll as those identified with the octa-
gnnal Senatorial contest.
Overman, Carr. Watson and Craig
have had headquarters opened here
for some time. and this week "A number Of
new and additional ''barkerS" las the ia
kris say have arrived to- talk up the
Guiding the above named and the other
four-and they are already in full cry
chasing the susceptible and vulnerable
Lawmakers. Some are predicting a long
contest. and probably II deadlock, in the
caucus, and in that event a nimble pencil
push r has been stuffing some of the
| ''great daiie>'' of the North with i'm
probable stories One of the latest of
| these is he probability" of the election
| of ex-senator Matt W. Ransom-the
| writer. apparently, not once rejecting
upon the fact that Gen. Ransom is not
only not seeking Il re-entrance into ac-
tive politics, but is way down East"
man, and hardly eligible this year for
| election to the Senate.
If the LEGISLATURE should do the i'm
probable thing of Throwing section to
| the wind; and decide to s+lert an East
ern man, it would be more likely. in my
opinion, to select Gov Aycock (who is
not canddate) than Gen Ransom But
| the indica tions. even in the event of a
protracted contest, is that it will do
neither.
The Watson men have been making
the biggest claims and doing the most
Dragging, followed by the Craigites. But
careful and astute politicians tell me that
Overman already has the inside track,
and that his chances for winning out are
the best. Gen. Carr's friends are hope
full, and now and then you hear the name
| of Bob Glenn. Dark horses are being
detected in some quarters, and James
II. Pou, of Raleigh, is prime favorite
| with all who are looking for a dark
| horse to win. He is an able man. But.
as | have said, Overman stock seems to
be rated the highest now, and it ia q fact
| that he is instantly growing in favor.
He is said to be much stronger now than
| he was a month or two ago. l know him
| well, and if he is elected no mistake will
| have been made. He is one of the best
and ablest men within the confines Of
North Carolina to day. and would reflect
credit and honor upon his State in the
| q. S. Senate. And | want you to under
stand that when say this it is by no
means intimated that either of the other
aspirants for the honor would not do so.
Indeed, it is a fine list to choose from.
The management of the State Prison
have made their report to the Governor,
for transmission to the Legislature, and
it is the most satisfactory one in many
years. There is difference in the
amounts paid out for expenditures by
the Fusion Day-Arendell regime and the
present administration for the same
length of time (two years) of nearly
$500. 900. During the present Mann-Ar
ringtOn administration the expenses for
the last two years were $25O,OOO, while
during the Day administration of two
Years previous the expenses aggregated
$45O,0O0. The big saving right here
tells the tale. The penitentiary is now
not only entirely out of debt, not owing
a dollar to any one, but has actually
earned latter paying all expenses) $4O,-
2SS during the last two years. 1t is d
source of regret. however, that three OF
| the best men of the directorate now re-
tire-Messrs. o Berry, Brown and Travis.
the first named for business reasons and
the two latter necessarily. both being
elected to the present Legislature.
r l.. Gardner, we'll known travelling
salesman for a Richmood house, is
wanted by the police authorities of Will
liamston for alleged seduction and MUIR
der-his victim dying few days ago as
the result of drugs furnished by Gardner,
| it il said LLEWXAM