The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-01-11
NOT A BREAK IN
THE CAUCUS
No Candidate is Yet in Sight
of the Nomination.
CONFERENCES YESTERDAY
Rumors of Calculations That are Being Figured
Out by Which a Senatorship
is 10 be Won in This
Weeks Caucus,

Weeks Caucus.
The aftermath of the First Engagement
in the Senatorial Campaign arrived and
departed yesterday, leaving to the un-
observant nothing that a day of peace
and ease.
But there was work yesterday, and de-
termined work, in every camp. There
was no display of what was going on,
but as the day moved the adherents of
each of the Senatorial candidates kept
in touch with his choice and kept feeling
the temperature Of the political pulse.
The expression given by each of the
candidates in yesterday mornings News
and Observer is a correct index of the
condition late last night The morning
began with the adherents of each can
didate determined to stand by his man
and it ended that way.
Not the rumor of the change of a
single vote was heard during the day.
The ballot in the caucus had shown the
leanings of many Of the Legislators and
these were interviewed by friends OF
other candidates yesterday, but late last
night from each of the headquarters the
report was of unbroken lines.
1t is understood that there was a con
ference of the Overman men yesterday III
the Raney Library Hall, and that there
was a careful study of the situation
The views of all were taken, and the
great question was: Where are the "a
votes needed to come from?" On basis
of locating these the conference went
on.
The friends OF the other candidates
were not idle either.
Rumor was busy yesterday figuring out
how the Overman forces were going to
get the "a votes they need, if they hold
all the 80 cast on the last ballot, and
at night it was said that the future OF
politics in North Carolina for the next
four or six years was wound up with
the contest here for the Senatorship.
On all sides you can hear all sorts OF
rumors, big claims and some boasting
But those who are best acquainted with
the situation know that at midnight
last night (Saturday)-twenty- -four
hours after the caucus adjourned-there
had been no appreciable change in the
situation. Overman's friends are hope
full because he is in the lead but they
are unable to figure out where he will
get the twenty-four votes he needs
Those who talk in the hotel lobbies say
he is sure to win. but the men on the
inside, while. believing and hoping he
will win and feeling that the chances
favor his nomination, know that he has
no "cinch" on the nomination,
The same is true as to the other can
didates. They are hopeful and hard al
work, but nobody is near enough the
goal to feel confident of victory The
friends OF each, Watson and Craig, are
united and determined. If there is
break in their lines it does not appear
1t was rumored last night that Judge
Hoke's name would be withdrawn OF
Monday night. Captain Alexander's sup
porters were standing pat" Genera
Carr went home to spend Sunday anC
will be back tomorrow to press the fight
The friends of all the candidates. ex-
cept Overman, while each expects hi.
man to win, are confident that at no time
will Mr.. Overman reach more than &C
votes out of the necessary "A votes Mr.
Overman's friends are equally confident
that when break comes-(and they
predict it will come on Monday night
Overman will get enough. Both Craig
and Watson's friends last night said thai
Overman would never get enough votes
to win. The friends of each think, wher
the break comes, his candidate will ride
in on the tidal wave.
Such is the gist of the talk heard on
every hand. But it all may be summed
up in these words: At midnight on Sat
urday night, the waters were as muddy
as ever. no break could be found in the
lines of either of the candidates, and
when the bailotting begins Monday
night-unless there are changes from now
on-there will be no substantial change
in the voting from the last ballot on
Friday night.
The Democracy of the whole State will
feel proud to know the feeling that eX-
lists between the candidates and theii
friends. From first to last there has
been the kindliest feeling between them
Thy met in ach others headquarters
swap stories and laugh together at good
jokes that go around, and wage theiI
contest on hight plane. A stranger tc
'Nof Calmly ways would never sup
pose that Alexander, Carr, Craig, Over
man and Watson were competitors fol
the great office of Senator. There has
been nothing done that does not reflect
credit upon the candidates, upon the
party, and the State. May the kindly
feeling continue to the end, and may the
best man win.
-
Last night Mr. and Mrs. JSsephus
Daniels gave dinner at their home or
South street. where the Senatorial can
didates and other distinguished Demo