The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1904-06-23
Jour RALEIGH LETTER.
THINGS SEEN AND HEARD AT
THE STATE CAPITAL.
GoRMAS NEWS BUREAU,

RALEIGH, N. S.s d uHe ~, lSOfJ
Greensboro is the centre of political in
terest and activity this week. The con-
test for the gubernatorial nomination
will be a close and exciting and possibly
a prolonged one. 1t is not probable
that the matter will be settled before
Friday and Saturday may find the con-
vention still ia session.
Stedman and Glenn will receive pretty
nearly the same number OF votes on first
ballot, and neither will have exceeding
500. 1t will require 622 to nominate.
Between 200 and 800 votes will be di-
vided between Turner and Davidson,
about two-thirds of which will be cast
for Mr.. Turner.
1t is therefore apparent that no nomi-
nation can be made until there comes a
break in the forces of one OF the three
leading candidates Which ones that
will be no one can foretell at this hour.
Owing to these conditions there is going
to be an interesting time, and the pra
teal and skilled politicians are strictly
in it.
There is already talk about scOmbina
tion,' but it probably does not amount
to much; for there is too little material
to work with, as it is generally under.
stood all the present State officers, ex
cept the Governor and Lt.-GOvernOr, are
to be given a second term.
1t looks like Winston for Lieutenant
Governor, though it is now stated that
at least three others will contest for this
nomination, viz, Col. George L. Morton,
Senator Joseph A. Brown and Senator
Henry II. London.
Judges Brown and Hoke will be nOmi-
mated for the Supreme Court justiceshlps,
to succeed Montgomery and Douglas,
but Judge Justice will receive large
vote in contesting the honor with Judge
HOke
At this writing do not learn that any
one has yet been definitely picked out for
elector- at-large. Two of our most elo-
quent men should be selected.
The question of ''legalized'' primary,
State and local. is again being discussed
in certain quarters. But the proposition
does not meet with general favor. Most
of us remember too well the deplOrable
effects of the State primary of 1900, to
settle the United States Senatorial nomi-
nation-and haven't got the bad taste
of it out of our mouths yet.
1t is not a foregone conclusion, by any
means, that the so called ''big four ire
! Gently decided upon" by some OF the
'Big Ikes') will be chosen electors-at-
large, for several reasons. In the first
place the Democratic party of North
Carolina is too prolific of great men
land is continually growing a perennial
crop of another class who claim to be
great men, and who insists upon being
SO considered by others) for it to confer
all of it's greatest honors on any three
men without arOusing no little jealousy
| ,,l 1;ce No bo von'f OuCrh
honors land 'perquisites') to go around,
as it is-however widely they might be
distributed. This is one of the draw
backs in State that has but one politi-
cal party that can entertain a hope oil
success at the polls. But l am informed
that there is no disposition on the part
of Senators Simmons and Overman and
Governor AycOck to ''monopolise all the
highest hOnors and Offices" Neither oil
them is an active candidate for delegate
at-large, as far as know, and Senator
Simmons has recently stated that he
was mot a candidate AS for one oil
the defeated candidates for the ''guber-
nation" whohas been suggested as the
fourth member of this proposed triumvi
rate, it would be rather inconvenient
not to say hazardous, to pick him out
at least day before the nomination Of
candidate for Governor is made. II
our present Governor and Senators are
elected delegates at large to the National
Convention it will not be due to Their
own efforts, but to the desire OF the Dem
ocrats of the State manifested through
the command of the convention.
The high degree Masons were here in
force during the past week-the Knights
Templar, Royal Arch Chapters and Mys
tic Shriners-and a most enjoyable as
we'll as profitable three days of labor and
refreshment was the result. Masonry in
all its branches is now growing more
rapidly and taking a deeper hold upon
its devotees than ever before, in the his
tory of North Carolina. as is shown by
the reports of the Grand Secretary John
&. Drewry.
Raleigh's Confederate Drum Corps
(the only one in existence that saw
service) is back again from the Confed
crate Reunion, where they attracted
much attention. These three ''Old Rebs'
do not at this late day very greatly re
semble the conventional and picturesque
drum majors but "they got there just
the same!'
1t is reported that Judge W. S. OF
Robinson, Republican National Com
mitteeman, will be sacrificed this week
at Chicago because of his anti-negro SO
cial equality views as practically carried
out some months ago at Washington
Some OF the judges friends have beer
telling him for some time that his proper
place is in the Democratic party.
LLEWXAM.
! Driven tn Nesnaraf1on