The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-26
.|T'S EWART! THUD!
His Own Sharpen the
Axe for Him
No Matter Who the Democrats Nom
mate, it is Claimed that His De-
feat is a Dead Ger
tainty.
Especial to News and Observer

Asheville, N. c., April 25.-The
nomination of Hamilton G.. Ewart for
Congress from the Tenth North Caro-
lima district at Hendersonville last
Wednesday, has placed the Republic
can party in this district in worse
plight than the nomination of Black
burn at Wilkesboro has done in the
Eighth district. That Ewart is al
ready defeated no matter whom the
Democrats may nominate, and that
the rank and file of his own party
will contribute largely toward this de-
feat is also certain. Republicans OF
more prominence in this city and
county are declaring that they will not
not only vote for him, but that they
intend to vote for the Democratic
nominee. These Republicans take the
view that they cannot give moral sup
port to a man against whom such Sc
riouS charges were brought and
proven at the time Judge Ewart was
appointed judge of the United States
court for the western district of North
Carolina. The party leaders will, of
course, pretend to support the nOmi-
nee. but even these will do so in such
a lukeWarm manner as to show plain
er than words that they desire his de-
feat. The whole truth of the matter
is, the Republicans know and have
for some time that Ewart cannot eX-
plain the charges that will be made
against him on the stump; that the
failure to explain these charges will
place the party in an embarrassing po-
Sition; that he is doomed to defeat,
and that they intend to make this de-
feat so overwhelming that it will for
ever and way put Ewart out OF poll
ties in this district. To use the eX-
preston of one we'll known Republi
can: Yes, for party's sake | can and
will vote for Ewart, but / viii do like
many others will do-cast my ballot
for him and at the same time pray for
his defeat" Two prominent tepubli-
cans were asked last week the status
of the Congressional contest. One re-
piled: 1T is not a question of Judge
EWart'S defeat-that has been accom-
plished already. 1t is simply ques-
ton of what majority his opponent
will receive, and for one | believe that
when the ballots have been counted
next November it will be found that
Mr.. Ewart has been defeated by not
less than $500 votes" The second
Republican said: "Ewart's defeat
will be accomplished by not less than
1000 majority. 1 would not be sur
priSed if it did not reach 5000" And
that is the way it goes, Republicans
and not Democrats, predicting the de-
feat of the Henderson man. OF course
Ewart is not without his followers.
The serious charges that have been
brought against him are, in some
quarters, disbelieved, and where this
state of affairs exists are to be found
his staunchest admirers. Others be-
lieve the charges against the nomf-
nee, but firmly believe that he is the
best politician in the district that he
will be elected and that it is to their
best interests to aid with all their
might his election.
Who will the Democrats place in the
field as Judge EWarts opponent?
The Democratic convention Will prob
pearanccS. however, Congressman
Gudger will be renominated, but not
without opposition. Already So! Gal
lert, of Rutherford, IS an avO""d ,:r-
didate and there may be others. But
the concensus of opinion is that Mr.
Gudger, while not an oVerStrOng man
politically, is entitled to a renomina-
ton and it is almost certain that he
will be chosen as Mr.. Ewart's oppon-
ent.