The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-03-30
Republican State Secre-
tary Parades Skeletons
BLACKBURN SMILING
The drummer Boy" OF Many Homes
Declines to Beat Any More Re-
treats and Slick as Ever He
Feels that His is the
Band Wagon.
Especial to News and Observer

Winston Salem, N. c.. March 29.-The
Eight district fight continues to absorb
the minds of politicians hereabouts, who,
notwithstanding the claims that Black
burn has carried seven out of eleven
counties, lcok for gay time Thursday
at Wilkesboro. Reports are very con-
fiicting and you can get any kind of news
you want, it depends on who you seek
it from
But there is no doubt but that the
drummer boy has got his opponents beat
ing a retreat thus far saw big burly
Republican from Rowan today, VINO
swore in his wrath that there were sew
eral tricksters who had things up their
sleeves, while plenty of fellows from Surry
and Wilkes were toting a hip pocket and
thirst.
So great has been the interest here that
the trains going to and coming from
Wilkes have been met by numbers of
local Republicans anxious to learn the
news, most CT them hoping TO hear the
Blackburn has gone to find McGinty in
that Watery home
A number were at the depot this af-
ternoon when the train rolled in from
Wilkesboro. the surprise of the crowd
who should alight. but the Tall Sugar
Tree of the Watauga" as Will Newland,
OF Caldwell, called the drummer boy. dur
ing that memorable fight for solicitor when
Ncwland compelled him to beat retreat.
Backburns hair was long, but he looked
as slick as ever. While talking conf
dentially to Assistant Postmaster Vance,
the crowd viewed him as they would a
fine cock plumed for the fight.
District Attorney Holton was taking a
full view from afar. when an ardent Price
man said to him: "He thinks he's got
it, but he'll hear something drop yet"
whereupon Holton remarked; "Black
burn has got the boys whipped, and he
feels it, look at him AS the train pull
ed out Blackburn stepped upon the rear
platform and waved his hand at the
crowd, his face wreathed IL smiles.
While at the depot Blackburn, the many
homed candidate. said to me: MIR. R. H
McNeilfs statement that Ashe would send
a contesting delegation is not correct
Everybody was for me in the Ashe con
venton and McNeil tried to oppose me.
but he could not get into the convention"
Blackburn said he was on his way to
his trip There was a report heard after
the train left that he was going there to
say to Mr. Price: "Gue, I've fought a hard
fight and I've got you beat. Now jump
on the band wagon and all will be we'll"
l learn from an anti Blackburn man
that it is expected two conventions will
be held in Wilkesboro thursday. that if
the contesting Price and Linney delega-
tions are not seated they will Withdraw
and with tne Rowan. Stanley, Alexander
and Iredell delegates, nominate a. genuine
Eighth District man, but, as l stated, you
can hear anything.
An interesting story comes from Ashe. |
1t appears that the county convention |
stood Sc for Blackburn and 20 for Linney, i
J. w. Mcneil and Willborn. s. G. Par |
sons an ardent Blackburn man, was in
the chair. An attempt was first made toi
give a complimentary vote TO Willborn !
which failed. Then an attempt to have
the delegates go uninstructed.
Mr.. r. II. Mcneil. secretary of the Re- |
publican State Committee, now practicing |
law in Washington, but who claims Ashe |
as his legal residence, took the floor to |
speak against Blackburn. Immediately an |
effort was made to stop him. John g. |
Hardin, chairman of the county commit |
tee, declared that McNeill had no vote in
the convention; that he had not paid
bis poll tax.
While the sheriff was determining as to |
The poll tax Mcneil took occasion to tell |
some OF the boys. what he thought of
them: ou ungrateful M, pointing
his finger TO an officer holder, ''vou know
got you your job. And YOU pointing
at another, you know saved your broth
ar from the penitentiary." Thus the bril-
liant young lawyer hurled his wrath at
those former friends who were now
sighting him. Finally when the eloquence
waxed warm, he pulled off his coat in de-
tiance. but soon peace was restored, and
the Blackburn men rushed the 'uctions
through with whoop.