The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-05-20

honest man. saying that, aside from
his partisanship, there was not
more high-minded man living. The
speaker was shut off by Kisses, loud
cat-calls and a storm of disapprovaL
The expected dissenSion over con-
tests from the eighth district We're
avoided, when the credentials commit
tee reported favorably to the regu-
larity of Blackburn primaries in Sur
ry county, but also seated the con-
testing delegation. Blackburn was
plainly the hero of the convention. he
receiving more enthusiastic applause
when he spoke than any other speak
er.
Judge BynumS Opinion of the Party.
Speaking of the action of the con-
vention, ex-Judge w. p. Bynum, one
of the foremost and ablest Republi-
cans of the state, gives out the follow
ing interview:
The time has come in the tide of
Republican politics in North Carolina
when one of two things must be done.
Either the federal ofticeholderS must
own, control and manage the affairs
of the party absolutely, as they seem
! to be doing at this convention, or they
must abdicate and allow the party to
be managed and its politics shaped by
those whose political ties and Drinci-
,
ations than office getting, greed, grab
and graft. If the federal office
holders continue in control, then no
self-respecting man can or will be
induced to take part in Republican
: politics. But if they are forced to
abGicate. as they should be, then there
is a future for the party. This may
as we'll be said here aud now, The
! party seems to be adrift. without a
or n nn0 hn no h.
| age to speak above a whisper. Every
, thing is subordinated to the chance of
, being delegate or getting sn office.
The thoughtful, prudent people of
North Carolina never will and never
ought to consent to the management
of the affairs of this great state to
such an irresponsible cabal as now
controls the affairs of the Republi-
can party of this state
AT the morning session. Judge By
mum had been recommended as a
member of the resolutions committee
from his district, but the name of
Postmaster Reynolds was substituted.
He was pressed just before the ad-
journment as an elector-at-large, but
positively refused to accept a unani-
NOUS domination.
Roosevelt is Endorsed.
The committee on resolutions
strongly endorsed Roosevelt and every
act OF mis- Admir{iA ia tfon, pledging
his nomination. Thomas S. Rollins
was unanimously reelected chairman
of the state committee.
The only roll call of the whole pro-
ceedings was over the election Of the
last alternate to the national conven-
ton. when Clerk of the Federal Court
. Fl. L Grant defeated S. z. Hall, edi-
: tor Of the Union Republican. by n
large majority Every other nomina-
ton was made by acclamation. It
being generally understood before the
; session met in afternoon that Black
burn had brought his federal office
/ holding support of the west to the
l support of Collector Duncan in the
I east. and completely saved the day
for that element. 1t had been said
that Chairman Rollins strongly IA
vored the resolution against sending
federal otficeholders to the national
convention as delegates, but so over
whelming was Duncans and Black
burns combined strength, nothing
whatever was said On this point and
Duncan. Blackburn. Rollins and Me-
bane were elected delegates without
objection. Duncan being the only Of
ficeholder.
All the candidates made speeches OF
, acceptance, predicting victory. Other
strong speeches were made by Skin
ner. Holton. Rollins. Britt and many
others.