The news & observer., 1905-12-19
MAKES
ASUODEN STROKE
Committee Meeting to
Consider His Demand.
A COTTON ESTIMATE
He Asks January Report. Webb and
Others to Oppose it in Commit
tee Today. Public Building
Bills. Funny Non "Estness"
of Bower.
BY THOMAS j. PENCE.


BY THOMAS j. PENCE.
Washington. ID. c.. Dee. 18.-Much
to the surprise of many Southern Rep
resentatives. announcement was made
this afternoon that a meeting of the
House committee on agriculture would
be held tomorrow 10 sonsider Repre-
sentative Coverings resolution, de,
| manding a new cotton estimate from
the Agricultural Department for pub,
lication January 10th. The call for
the meeting was issued by telegraphic
communication from Chairman Wads-
worth. who is in New York.
| Lowering has quietly worked up a
committee meeting. but the opponents
of the measure say he will be unable
| to get a favorable report Represen-
tatiVe Robertson, of Louisiana, Burle,
son. of Texas. and Webb of North
| Carolina will be on hand to fight the
measure tomorrow. They believe the
sentiment of the committee is against
| the resolution. The meeting tomor-
row NAV have the effect of unsettling
! market conditions.
| Ex-Congressman Thomas Settle ar
| rived here today from Philadelphia.
and learned for the first time that the
| insurgents in the Republican camp
| had handed the State organization
some hard raps i'm administration cir
cles He was invited to go to the
White House. but was not in the State
and it is probable that he viii call on
| the President before returning home
for the purpose of giving his support
| to the Blackburn cause.
When asked about his position ne
said II stand with the Republicans of
1 nn IN N i
mously declared by resolution in favor
| of change in the partv officials.
! There is no healthier party principle
IAN that of rotation in Office
Public Building Bills.
Representative Pou introduced today
a bill for $4,000 public building at
| Henderson and Representative Pat
| terson introduced $4,000 public
/ building measure for Fayetteville.
Owen Pope. of Weldon. is here to
stand examination for assistant pay
master in the Navy.
Mr.. and Mrs. Chas L. Mcdowell,
who are here on their bridal tour,
were the guests of Mrs McDowells
brother Representative w. w. Kitchin.
at the Capitol today.
Information was received here today
| to the effect that Postmaster Patter-
son. of Concord is circulating a peti-
| tion for his retention in office. The
| Postmaster General has asked for
Patterson's resignation. and judging
| from a letter whitten a member on the
subject the department will insist on
the appointment of a new postmaster.
The Gagtonia Office Case.
Representative Blackburn has about
| decided to take a hand in the Gastonia
/ postoffce contest. The announce
ment from the White House last week,
| when the twenty-five insurgents stood
up before the President to the effect
! that the Representative from the
| Eighth district would be consulted
with reference to all appointments
outside his district is responsible for
| Mr.. Blackmurn's decision The
! Congressman is avowedly for Mrs.
Holland, whom he has given his en-
| dorsement. Blackburn's friends he
lieve that Rollins is in an embarrass-
| ing position with reference to this
| contest. The State chairman has
| always declared that he would recog
nize the recommendations of the coun-
| ty organizations ~ giving his aid to
applicants for office. 1t IS declared
that he has violated this principle
| in the Gastonia contest. and that in
| stead of endorsing Mrs. Holland, who
lis favored by the majority of the Re-
publican county committee of Gas
| ton. he has taken up a nonresident
and is urging his appointment Mr..
! Blackburn's attitude will make this
| contest of more than ordinary interest.
| Ii is the first postofiice fight outside Of
! his district in which he has engaged,
and the Presidents decision will have
unusual significance.
Why Did Bower Flee?
No little merriment has been Gre
ated by the disclosure of the fact that
! ex-Congressman w II. Bower failed
20 see the President when the immor-
/ tai band of insurgents marched on the
/ White House last Thursday Mr..
Bower. who Topped from the Democ-
| racy some months aga, was pocketed
| amongst such leaders as Blackburn,
/ Ewart and Grant. when the assault
was made on the executive mansion.
/ The Republicans were apparently
| proud of their recruit whom they
| kept to the front for the purpose of
| presenting him TO the President with
all the flourish possible. The sight of
Loeb was the signal for grand rush
| to grasp the hand of the Presidents
| right hand man, and the ex-Demo-
| cratic Congressman was elbowed to
| the rear. Some say that MIR. Bower
| was chagrined. while others say in his
| defense that he became suddenly i'll
| but il is known that he beat a hasty
retreat. and left the White House very
/ hurriedly without seeing the Presi-
dent Mr. Bowers abandonment OF
| his companions. at the critical mo-
| ment during their invasion of the Ma