The semi-weekly messenger., 1908-03-10
Special 10 Aiessenger.O

Sci .sbury, N c.. March 5.-The con-
ference OF p-0mlnen, North Carolina
democrats called by Col. George l.
Morton, Of Wilmington. was TO be
held IN Salisbury this afternoon, but
a. O'Clock the names of htose in at
tendance could not lie secured. The
meeting is TO be in the nature OF an
executive session and all that could
be secured with reference 10 the pro-
posed action of the meeting before
going "a press was the following let
ter firm Hon. c. B. Watson, OF Wins
ton, which Col. Morton received this
morning
Winston. March 2rd, 1908.
Hon GeCI a. MoSton,
Salisbury, n. G.
Dear Sir: -
When | saw yo,E expescted TO have
been at Davidson SQUIRT tQis week and
run over and be with you at con-
ference of democrats to be held on
the evening%of the 5th. inst, at Sails
bury, but under he"urgent advice, and
I might say command Of my family
physician, | am at Rome aad OFF duty
for a, least a month. l am improving
and hope tCr be we'd soon but have
completely abandoned all work for the
present The local e6itor Of the Sen
tiner here cRied ME up Il few days
ago and asked me if ! were going
to meet you gentlemen in Salisbury
and make q speech + answered him
over the 'Dhnlp that r could not go,
which he understood, but that | was
in full svn7nathy with the men who
are expected TO be present on tha-
occasion and asked him 70 call on
me so that I might explain myself
fully. This he did not do, but sent 10
the paners what you have dgubdes
seen. You know my views on the
qU-estions that nave Nc doubt will
br discussed at your conference, that
such conference, and, in fact many
conferences between HOW and III"
meeting Of the state convention arc
Absolutely necessary looking TO the
welfare &C the democratic party, have
nu doubt The adoption Of the late
amendment to the constitution gave
to the democratic party in North
Carolina a lions strength: Thonsan Is
of democrats in the state, 7 among
the number, can bot think that our
organization has been using this
strength "as a lion" not only IN pro
posing to force prohibition upon sec
tions OF the state against their will
and their best interest, as many be-
lieve, but by following Il course in
the general assembly that has already
led and will continue to lead 10 fin
anciaI disater. There Is no part Of the
state that mas bad this fact so brought
home to them as ttfe heretofore pros
porous and thrifty towns and cities
yFrTr haS
Up along lines OF the Southern Rail
way. I firmly believe tfrTt unless the
forces that contrut tffe state demo-
cratic organization can r1 induced to
adopt more conservative lines and to
listen to the urgent protests OF great
majority at least Of the democratic
voters that disaster awaits us. I am
not one who thinks that present busi-
ness conditions have been brought
about about solely by state legislation.
but | do believe that state legislation
and reckless attacks upon great busi-
ness interests by politicians and news
paDers have greatly contributed TO the
bringing about OF present conditions.
] hope to be able in a few days to ex-
press myself fully upon ell these
questions in n public letter. I have
been an answering democrat, voting
the ticket at every election for more
than forty years, and have been great
~ honored by the party. I have no
interest now except to hope for its
continued success and that IL may for
years control the destinies Of the
state.
Trusting that the Salisbury meeting
will be harmonious and that 1t MAJ
result in good to the democratic party
of tie state. I arl.
Very truly YOUR
G. T. WATSON