The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-05-20
Friday. May 20. o
REPUBLICAN, STATE OONVEN-
TION.

The republican state convention Al
this writing is in session in Greensboro.
What has been done has not yet come
TO our knowledge. Our Geographic dis
patches later on will give our readers
an account Of the proceedings. There
are some things, though. which. oc-
curing before the meeting OF the con-
vention. show a peculiar CONDITION OF
affairs. In the first place, the repuo-
licans OF the western part OF the STATE
evidently the adherents of Chairman
Rollins, resent the authority exercised
nv Revenue Collector Duncan. There
seems to be a fight or between these
two factions. Mr.. Duncan. II Vouio
seem. desires to show the other 1ac-
ton that he still is in the saddle ana
hat he Is going to continue 10 RUE.
The monument as delegates from
CasweIl county to the convention OF
the men who have recently been con-
yicted in the federal court at Green's
boro OF defrauding the government was
surely intended by Boss Duncan as q
defiance Of the Mott crowd. 1t was a
remarkable way to show defiance and
independence. Two men who. but for
the right of appeal and ability to give
appearance bond. would now De IN a
federal p~enitentiary, are made dele
gates to the party's state convention
This is done. it is said. for the pur-
nose of showing the republicans of the
l;-+riot that Mt duncan
and his followers resent the indictment
and conviction of these men. and that
a fight will be made to defeat the
election of Mr.. Holton as a delegate at
large to the national convention.
What the outcome of all this will be
cannot yet be even con1ectureo. Inc
republicans of his state. especially
those OF the western section, seem 10 De
greatly divided. There is much dis
sention among these. especially IN the
eighth congressional district. a
is great hostility between the mem
bers of the party in the two sectlohs
of the state. Mr.. Duncan thinks pc
cause of his position he should De the
leader of the party. The chief strength
of the republicans lies in the west
Tbese men resent the attempt of an
oficeholder from the extreme east at
tempting to rule the party and to be-
come the dispenser of federal patronage
in their section.
How this fight will end no n yet
Knows. but we suppose a truce Will De
patched up at the convention. AS a
rule republican factions get together
by election day, but the fight In this
state of late has been SO bitter, espe-
c;alIy over the congressional nomina-
ton in the eighth district and the con-
troll of patronage hat we may look
for this TO be on exceptional case.
OF course, if the republicans keep up
their factional fight it will make VIC
tory easier for the democrats, but IL
they do heal their differences and vote
solidly, the democrats still have no
thing to fear. There is no danger
whatever of the republican candidate
for governor being elected. There are
only two congressional districts in
which they nave the ghost of a chance
of success, these the democrats
will carry if they do not permit any
discord among themselves.
I'VE are more interested in this fight
among the republicans through curios-
ity as to what will be the outcome
within their party than as to any bear
ing it will have on the success Of ours.
if those German officials who