The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1916-09-12
CORRESPONDENCE
LETTER FROMTHE
STATES CAPITAL

Raleigh, n. c., September H.
The hard-worked Congressman
are this week back home at last,
after spending the entire summer
ut their desks in Washington The
less than two months they will
have to circulate among their con
Stituents and mend their political
fences before election day will
keep them tolerably busy
Doughton and Hood, of the
Eighth and Third Districts, will
find that Lewis and Butler have
been laying traps to. catch votes
while the congressman were busy
at Washington working to help
carry through the splendid ac-
compliShments of the present
Democratic Congress. But even
the Republican campaign com
mittec can see little hopes of priz-
inc those faithful servants of the
people from their jobs. Britt in
the Tenth will find the ground
we'll broken for a bigger crop
of Democratic votes than ever,
with a particularly strong man
contesting his seat. Mr.. Weaver,
it is said by visitors to Raleigh
from that district, is making q
fine impression, Democratic diff
ferences (the main thing that
opened the way for Britt s eiec-
ton two years ago. have been
all healed. and the party is thor
oughly united this year, which
means that North Carolina should
be represented by a unanimous
Democratic delegation in the next
Congress.
'EThe people are with us this
year for sure. said a we'll known
prognosticator. land it is only
necessary to get out a full vote
to elect every nominee on the
ticket. from Woodrow Wilson to
township constable' - But the
"stay-at-homers' on election day
will share none of the credit, SO
let us hope they will all JOIN the
procession to the ballot box this
year.
Republican "Slush FUND.- in
Evidence.
It is the Republican boast that
Marion Butler is rendering that
party mighty good service from
the Washington end Of the line
better, i'm fact, that if he were
right here ON the ground.
There ism any sort of question
about Butler being the real pow
er behind the throne in directing
the campaign, and that he has ;
big "slush fund with which t.
push the work along. The ,musua
activity Of Republicans here
abouts is causing Democrats t.
sit up and take notice., - and tn
dominant party throughout Nortl
Carolina has begun to see tn
need for earnest and etfectlv
work. And it is we'll Frank Lin
ney is chairman Of the Republica1
party in name only. Marion But
Ter is chief dictator and director
He has inauguratcd a pledge
card system for the benefit Q
weak kneed voters, and his hencf
men go right after every fello'
whom they hear express displea:
ure with any part Of the Dem'
cratic record Furthermore, tn
Republicans are taking more tha
ordinary interest in the organic;
ton Of clubs and attending tt
speaking appointments OF thel
campaign orators. Facing thes
conditions, Democrats shou]
have care and pass out word f
good party men everywhere to Q
busy A big corruption fun
such as the Republicans appc;
to have at their disposal, in II
hands Of bold and unscrupulo
men, is a thing that must be rec
oned with, and it will be a pa
Of wisdom for Democrats to be
guard continually from now un
sunset on election day. A stit
IN time saves nine.
False Statements Of Repubiica
Spellbinders.
The Republican spel'bind'
who are attempting to fool I
voters Of North Carolina by
alleged criticism Of the Den
cratic State administration, (
getting into deep water, and ;
hopclessly floundering in the V
bal maelstrom> of criticizln
the dominant party's public sch
system record and policy. I'll
have nothing better to offer, 9
studiously avoid telling the vot
the whole truth. They refuse
tell their hearers that the last
5. census report shows the st