The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-17
THE MASSACHUSETTS WHALE
GEN BTTLER NO LONGER TIE UHILE
~ BAY STfIE POLI1ICS.


|
Capturing the Democratic Convention and
| Holding "a Large Minority In the Kcpub-
iicnn-Proposni to Defeat his Nomination.
| WORCESTER Sept 1G. Tho so-callcd Dem
ocrats 81 Massachusetts, hold their State Con-
vention hero tomorrow. and day aftor to-mor-
| row the organization hitherto styled Republican
meets to make its nominations. But tho words
Democrat and Republican have suddenly
dropped out Of the political dictionary Of Mas
sachuscus. They are occasionally used in con-
vcrsation in tho hotel corridors and in caucus.
but it is merely from forcc OF habit. Tho disin-
| tcgration or the two parties has boon SO rapid
and complete that here on the eve Of the Con-
vcntion the old names are practically ~ ohso-
lctc rs Barnburncr or Frcesolnr. This change
| wouidbo amazing in any State; in Massachusetts,
1t Is moro than amazing. 1t has been brought
about by the audacty ot ono man. who. eight
ycars ago, in moment Of personal piquc. sworc
with all tho solcmni'y Of which he is capable
that he would be Governor Of Commonwealth
that pretty thoroughly detested him.
Three times since 1870 Con. Butler has come
down to Worcester to carry 10y storm tho con-
vention OF n party onccrcd by his invotcrate
foes. Twice tho attack was made on the camp
OF his own party and was unsuccessful. This
third time it is the Democratic Convention that
he sets about capturing, but the attack is only
incidentally in a campaign in which he has e.
| fectually split both Of the old parties and mado
himself the dividing limo in State politics. That
is what makes to-nights situation so astonish-
ing. Two months ago the lively General was
Jonah in the belly Of the whale; now he is tho
whale and Massachusetts, is Jonah
\ clear majority OF the delegates chosen by
| the Democrats Of tho state come to Worcester
intending to make Butler their candidate. Some
| OF the Generals most sanguine friends claim
numbers. 600 decsatcs ont II tho SO Th"Tr1a
| Is always. however, n percentage made upbi
| sirutions leave some TO their discretion. or
| who con rcal their intentions Leaving all these
| out II tho reckoning, Butler still has strength
enough T. organize the Convention. But this is
not all. Not only has Butler "A majority in the
| ranks 81 the p"mocratic delegates but he has
also large minority OF the delegates elected by
| tho Republicans for their Convention day after
| tomorrow
| Never in any state campaign have go many
| votes been determined bcfore "A Convention was
| held; never have Conventions been held with
ne proSue't Il eNertng So little influence
| the llnal result az tn" polls.
In this emergency the anti- Butler leaders Of
both parties propose three things. The Wild
ness of their prov 'stiOus indicates IA well ns
ANYTHING can tho desperate character Of the
situnt.qn in which they Mud thems. lives. Tho
nrst plan Is t. exclude" from the Democratic
Convention all delegates known or suspected TO
he Butler mon. The Executive Committee which
has already voted that no Butler delegate
Convention in Mechanics Hall to- morrow with
Gen. James :. Whitney Of Boston as Chairman
Inc programme ~ tho swaow-tai Democrats
ike Judge Abbott. Gen. Whitney. and the mem
bers 81 the ENrrutiy" Committee. all ~ whom
are in the habit OF dining ~ loung's Hotel and
dcpOrlng over their wine the badness Of But
llers methods. is 70 gag thg,. party and force
who also dimes at Noungs Hotel and considers
Butler demagOgue. Mr.. Russell has alrendy
consented to accept this hopeless nomination.
with the UNDERSTANDING that II is To- be renewed
AZ tho next Convention when Butler may be out
| OF the way ana the support Of the swallow tails
worth more. The Abbott wing OF tho u