The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-01
LITTLE DONE AS YET
The Drummer Boy Seeks an Early
Nomination But Mott and Carson
are Taking Their Time and
at a Late Hour the Gre
dentiaIs Committee
Had Not Re-
ported.
Especial to News and observer)

Wilkesboro, N. c., March 91.-The Re-
publicans of the Eighth District are hold
ing the most exciting convention ever held
in this district and up to 10 o'clock p. m
not even the report of the committee on
credentials has been filed. The Black
burn men are nervous and are ringing the
courthouse bell every hour or so, hoping
to force the convention along, but they
forget the old Iron Duke of Iredell, DR..
j. j. Mott is leading the insurgent or an
ti-Blackburn forces and is at the head of
the credentials committee, and that DR..
Carson, the district chairman, is Linney
man and is not going to proceed until Mr..
Mott is ready. Just when the report will
be made and the convention gets down to
business is not known. The Blackburn
men are anxious and intend to force a
nomination.
THE PROCEEDINGS IN DETAIL.
The morning dawned on the soberest
crowd OF radicals that ever assembled at
a convention in Wilkesboro, this to credit
of the Watts law. They tried to be good
humored but beneath the surface could be
seen desperate intentions. From rumors
after the Blackburn men learned that
+ Mott and Campbell would Zoe placed on
the committee on credentials, and this
brought forth threats of violence. They
openly said that unless they We're treated
fairly thew would nominate Blackburn
anyhow and he should run the race,
whether another candidate was made or
not.
Ralf-past one o'clock and the crowd
is wandering towards the court house fill
ing the spacious room.
Contested and contesting delegations
beth try to sit under the banners of the
respective counties. Those who were mad
this morning have cooled off, the effect
OF the morning drink has passed away
and everything promises good humor.
Here comes the graceful form OF the
tall Sugar-tree of the Watauga," gliding
down the aisle. Three cheers for Black
burr" rend the air. Then comes the
rortly Bull of the Brushes eating an
apple he has brought from "Tater Hill, .
and some one yells, Clear the way, the
bulls turned loose" and the Alexander
and Allegheny delegations make gre; t
demonstration. There's the old hero
yclls voice from the rear.
Gus Price, the most imposing parsonage
in the crowd, but white as d ghost, strides
dcwn the east side aisle and wnile his
cohorts split their throats, passes clean
around the front Of the crowd and takes
his seat just behind Blackburn.
Jim Mcneil has posted himself at tne
rea. door and claims he isn't much in
terested.
Sam Marshall is sitting under the Surry
haui,pr and pao~r ar0und ~ falxo 0nOd
view of Blackburn, rising up in his chair
IL H. the first time l have evar seen can
dlCates DIP at the mont at convention.
But here they are all well-groomed as
If 10 say, Gentlemen, we are willing
today to stand on our looks
At exactly clock, De. C. j. Carlson, of
Alexander, district chairman and Linney
Ean, calls the convention to order as
each contingent vies with the other in
applause. The secretary, c. H. Cowles,
calls the rolf OF counties and contests
are filed from Ashe, Allegheny, Rowan,
Surry and Wilkes. Pot Crisp, of Caldwell,
states that Mr.. Isbell, an anti-Blackburn
man, wishes to enter a protest to the
casting OF the vote of Caldwell The
Chairman announces as members of the
COMMITTEES on Credentials: Dr. j. j. Mott
and j. w. c. Long, of Iredell, aud H. T.
Campbell, OF Alexander, the first and last
named anti-BlackbuIn men,, The commit
tee ret;res and the convention. is out of
work. Now the fun begins The crowd
cells for first one ard then another to
sreak, but no one responds. Gordon Hack
EFT is sitting next ~ Pat Crisp Every
body knows Hackett to be a partisan
Democrat, but he is bent on tun Pat
Crisp gets up and says: Gentlemen,
don't let's have any speaking now. Later
on / want to hear all the big guns, Co.
LiEney, Mr.. Price, Mr.. Blackburn and
this gentleman pointing to Gordon
Eackott, ''whie the crowd laughs and
calls loudly for Hackett without response.
Rufs Henderson, the Wilkesboro postfnast-
err moves that recess be taken until
the Credentials Committee is ready to
report which is adopted and the crowd
ALTERS.
AT the ringing of the bell the crowd
. reassembled. Q
The Blackburn crowd have heard that
the credentials committee is going TO do
tEcm,' and the yhave rung the bell in or
der to force meeting to enedavor to cap.
ture the chairmanship.
Ruff Henderson nostma Ster af Nillxp ps