The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1904-03-31
OUR RALEIGH LETTER.
THINGS SEEN AND HEARD At THE STATE
CAPITAL.
GORMAN NEWS BUREAU.

GoRMAN NEWS BUREAU,(
RALEIGH. n e. March 20, 1904.
The Hearst boom in some OF the States
is having at least one good effect on the
party: It is causing the conservative ele-
ment to ''get together" and practically
agree on q candidate in advance OF the
! meeting of the National Convention. 1t
is opening the eyes Of those semi-bllnd
leaders to the peril of longer postponing
efforts to crystalize popular sentiment IN
favor of one or two men who have
chance to win, and who are fitted for the
high and exalted Office OF. the Presidency
of the United States. 1t is convincing the
party managers and leaders that 1T will
not be safe to longer let matters drift
along as they have for several months.
In North Carolina the disposition to
agree on a s'good man. at present seems
to most largely favor Judge Parker, OF
New York. He is generally conceded to
be ''clean man." and he is known to be
an able lawyer and jurist.
But it is the simple truth to add that
his name does not create any enthusiasm
in anybody, and if he did not reside in
the pivotal State of New York he would
never be mentioned as a Presidential pos
sibility. Still, the prevailing opinion
seems to be that he is the most "avail-
able man-and if he is nominated he
will be put up chiefly for that reason.
The truth Of the business is that the
/ Democratic party has not been SO short
of Presidential timber as at present in a
and brainy statesmen, and really big
seems to be available" at this time
men like German, Cleveland, Hill, Bailey
and a half dozen Others This condition
is due chiefly to the quarrels and differ
ences within the party during the last
ten years.
Shrewd and well informed politicians
in Washington end New York will tell
you ahat if Grover Cleveland could be in
duced to accept a fourth nomination
land do not believe he could be prevail
ed on to do SOY that he would be likely
to beat Roosevelt Some of them say he
| would be certain to do it, and then they
add that he is the only man the Demo-
Gratis can put up that could beat the Re
publican candidate this year.
And yet it is not probable that the con-
vention would nominate Cleveland, if he
| were to consent to accept. And although
! the ''old man has largely regained his
former popularity with the rank and file
of his party, there is yet a considerable
proportion of Democrats Especially
among the recent lieutenants of Bryan
who would rather see Roosevelt elected
than to witness party victory under
Cleveland's leadership again. 1t is this
feeling that helps along such ''boom"
in the interest of a candidate like Mr.
Hearst.
Anew candidate for the nomination for
Lieutenant Governor has entered the
field, viz, Hon. Joseph A. Brown. of
| Columbus county-one of the best men in
North Carolina, and one who has served
his State and party most ably and eff
| GENTLY, in the Senate and elsewhere He
| was the president pro tenn of the Senate
at the last session OF that body, and
made a most excellent presiding officer
He will make a strong race and his
| friends (whO have, after much persuasion,
| induced him to allow the use OF his name)
| expect to see him nominated
The voluntary appearance of K. S.
Finch before Chief Justice Clark last Fri
day and Saturday, to answer the bench
warrant issued for him on March 10Th,