New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-18
THE AYTLBUTLER CONTENTION.

The most important political convention thaC
has assembled in Massachusetts for years Will
convene in Boston tomorrow. For nearly
generation a Republican nomination to the
Goyernorship of the old Bay State has been
considered equivalent to an election. Last
year broke the charm of assured victory and
gave triumph to the man whose pretensions
to the char once occupied by an Andrew hau 30
often been rejected. The campaign against
Buffers reelection began the hour the pons
were closed last November. 1t has gathereu
force as the months have gone by and revealed
the true character of the man whom some
strange fortune elevated to the Chief Magis-
tracy of the State. And tomorrow when the
delegates assemble they will represent some
thing moro than mere party interests. lhey
will represent protest against trlckery anu
demagogism and all that is base and degrading
in polItics-in short, all those characteristics
which arc known by the expressive name Oh
Butlerism.
The Republicans have endeavOred to keep this
one issue of Butlerism prominently before the
people. The call for their State Convention
was purposely made broad and liberal enough
for every opponent of the present Governor to
may have been. This liberality on the part OF
the Republicans has been met in generous
spirit by tho anti-Buterites in the Democratic
party, many Of the most prominent among thrm
having announced their intention to vote for
the Republican Gubcrnatoral candidate.
Every clement which could cause dissenslon
among the opponents of Butler has been kept
out of the canvass. No boom has been worked
ND for any man, as has usually been the custom
in past years. The only question as to
candidates that has been agitated is, VINO
unites in himself the most elements OF success
From the start the attention OF the Republicans
has been turned to four men, any one OF whom
il was believed could be elected. These are
Judge Devens, Ex-Governor Talbot, Congress
man Robinson, and Henry l.. Pierce. The first
two having Withdrawn from the field, the hom-
nation rests practically between Robinson and
Pierce. No delegates have, however, been
pledged to either one of these gentlemen, and
whoever is made the candidate will be the
unanimous choice of the Convention. Many
ohb;tionists nave also shown commend
able willingness to leave their favorlte issue
out of this years canvass and to unite heartily
in the effort to put an end to Butlerism. There
ia little. therefore to obscure the main issue
or 10 cloud tho into ligence of the people in
deciding how they shall vote
At present the outlook is full Of encourage
ment to the Republicans. This IS not saying
that tho task before the anti-Buterites Is an
easy one fer il is admitted that If the present
Governor is TO be defeated vigorous and per-
severing effort must be made. That the Re-
publicans and those who are willing to ala
them appear eager to make such an effort is the
most hopeful sign in the situation. The Butler
victory of last year was gained partly through
the Indifference OF Republicans and partly by
the votes of those who wanted to see "how the
old man would actr The Republican candidate
polled 1897 votes, while Butler received
1896 votes total of 253.943. In 1880
Massachusetts, gave Garfield 1G5. 20J votes and
Hancock Ill, 800 votes, a total of 277,l65.
More than $4,000 voters, therefore. tailed to
exercise their right last year. As Butler prob
ably received every vote that would have been
cast for him. this reserve force is undoubtedly
Republican, and it only needs to be called out to
insure the defeat of the arch-demagogue.
The indications are that this will TO done. A
oniet but determined sentiment pervades the
State. and the people appear to be fully awak-
ened to the necessity Of ending the political
career of man who has brought so much dis
grace upon the good name of the State. With
the nomination of n strong and une1ception-
able candidate and the skilful use of the ele-
ments favorable to them, the anti-Butlerites
will be able undoubtedly to score victory
against their willy and unprincpled antagonist,
and so encourage every lover of pure politics in
the Nation.