The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-01-23
WATSON NOW LEADS
THE CAUCUS FIGHT
There Was a Shifting of Bal
lots Last Night.
THE STRAIN is INTENSE
II is Generally Believed That Tonight Nom-
nation Will End the Contest That
Has Been so Vallantly
Wsged,

The Democratic caucus will name the
next United States Senator tonight
There is no doubt about this. The
deadlock is broken and tomorrow's News
and Observer will tell its readers the
name of the successor of Senator Pritch-
ard.
Who will it be?
That's another stcry-and will be con-
tinued in our next"
When the Democratic caucus was
called to order last night the gallery was
packed. There was deep interest. for
there was expectation that something
would be doing" There were no pre-
liminaries and as soon as the roll was
called the tellers took their places at
the basket and the ballots were deposited
while there was a greater hush in the
hall than at any time since the balloting
commenced. 1t was generally understood
that Alexander would withdraw and there
was talk that Craig would do likewise.
But the first ballot showed that Craig
had his full support.
The forty second ballot resulted as
follows:
OVerman 90
watson 0z
Craig 81
Upon the announcement of the vote, the
Watson men, encouraged by the gains
they had made, started applause.
The next ballot, the forty third, was
ordered at once. 1t was waited with deep
If rac,1ltad foIlowc.
Watson :. :. :. :. :. =. :. :. 50
! Craig =. =. =. =. 26
| When it became certain Watson was
! leading, his friends set up round of
| cheers and began to feel that they were
going to win. There was so much con-
fusion in the hall that the chairman de-
! clarcd the members must be quiet before
/ the balloting could proceed. There was
much nervousness on the part of all the
managers Senator Travis (Overman
| leader) walked about like a Gagged lion;
Senator Webb (Craig leader) couldn't be
! still moment and paced the floor. EX-
Lieut. Governor Doughton (Watson lead
err didn't move about so much, but every
feature of his face was tightly drawn
and he showed nervousness The calling
of the vote on the forty fourth ballot
/ was taken down by nearly everybody on
the floor and by many in the gallery, and
| the tension was great.
The forty-fourth ballot resulted:
! watson oO
OVerman 90
/ Craig Il
The applause by the Watson men was
81
The roll was called again at once amid
suppressed excitement. The forty-tifth
| ballot showed no change. 1t was:
! watson - oV
J OVerman E. DO
| Craig Il
The Watson men again cheered. The
! roll was called again at once. There
was some confusion in the hall and much
moving about by the members, most OF
| them showing nervousness. Many ex-
pected nomination on that ballot and
the calling of the vote was heard with
rapt attention.
The forty-siXth ballot showed a gain
! for Watson and its announcement was
received with applause. 1t resulted as
| follows:
| OVerman 90
Craig -. -. .. =. :. E. =. :. IL
At that juncture Mr.. Justice, OF Nc
| Dowell, a leader of the Craig forces,
moved that the caucus ADJOURN until to-
! night at o'clock.
The roll was called and the caucus ad-
| journed by vote of So to A until 8
o'clock tonight when a Senator will be
named.