National Republican., 1883-10-09
RULER OF MASSACHUSETTS.
His LaConic Description Of the Political Parties
in His State.
If He Wasn't Sure Of Reelection, He
Says He Would Withdraw
He Declines 10 Reply 10 Bayard Because He DOOSn'
Know What Bayard Said.
but He Is Very Anxious TO Sec Copy OF
One OF Robinson's Speeches.

Gen. Benjamin +. Butler, governor of
Massachusetts,, is in the city. The interviewer
found him at his Office on Capitol hill last
evening, and asked him for an expression of
opinion on Massachusetts politics.
Massachusetts politics can be summed up
in ono short SENTENCE the governor an
swered "One party in Massachusetts is try
ing to ruin the state and the other is trying to
redeem &C."
The look of complacency that settled down
upon the governors countenance made it
unnecessary to ask tho question, "and which
party do you belong to ?" The answer was
written on his face. His is clearly the party
that is trying to redeem the state, in the gov
ornors estimation.
WELL what will be tho result of the con-
test between the two parties you have de-
scribed ?" asked the interviewer.
"If I had the slightest doubt upon that ques-
tion 1 would withdraw from the race for
governor"
"There is no immediate probability of
your withdrawing, j fancy. Or is there Z"
al have written no letters Of withdrawal"
no replied, with something approximating
broad grin, and then he settled down further
into his chair closed his eyes, and shook with
silent laughter at the ludicrousness of the
idea. " L will notify you when l withdraw"
he added soberly.
"You expect to be reelected then?"
+" l shall unquestionably he reelected. What
other result could you look for?" Ought there
to be the least doubtp
but is there not detection from the
ranks of your supporters"
Il have only heard of two we'll authenti-
Gated cases of desertion. In both cases the
deserters are men who applied to me for Office
and were refused. They ought to have de-
serted, and 1 expected they would desert
These are the only two instances | know any
thing about"
"You count then on the practically solid
support of the men who voted for you last
year W
"Yes. A great many good men voted for
me last year. A great many good men will
vote for me this year-enough to elect"
BY what maiorityW
al have not thought of majorites. l do
dot trouble myself about majorities."
/" Is there nothing further you care to say
about the situation in Massachusetts, W
No. did not want to say what have
said. You have asked me some questions
however, and have answered them"
so you have. Thanks. Now may / ask
you one more question? Have you anything
to say about Senator BayardP He has been
paying his respects to you, notice."
II have no authentic information as to what
Mr.. Bayard has said about me-" he answered,
with the taintest suggestion of sncer i'll the
tones of his voice. "He is reported to have
said something, and to have denied that he
said it, Then he said something else, and then
said that he didn't say what he said he said.
Now. how am L to know what he really did
say about me? Mr.. Bayard has Alright to his
opinion about me, and have right to my
opinion about him. | have very decided
opinion. l do not, however, think it quite
decorous for either of us to give public ex
preston to our opinions of one another"
Your opinion OF Senator Bayard would be
widely read, governor"
The interviewer paused for an answer, but
a smile was the only reply given.
"Now," said the governor, after II momen-
tary pause, IL want to ask you ques-
ton"
"What is it?"
"Did your paper, which is the leading re-
publican paper of the capital of the nation
ever print speech delivered by Mr. Robin
son, my competitor, while he was in con
gress?"
II do not now recall the publication of any
lengthy speech by him."
:" Did you ever hear him make speech "
"Yes, several. One in particular recol-
lect distinctly because | thought it the best
five minute speech ] ever listened to-"
"You were greatly pleased"
Yes, greatly pleased"
did you, do you recollect share the
pleasure you enjoyed with the readers of THE
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN?"
:" do not think reported the speech, an6
do not believe it was published in full il
the papers,"
ut too bad that such model speocl,
should not have been published Many Of
my speeches. which have no doubt were
much worse than any Mr.. Robinson delivered
in congress, have been published all over thu
land thought perhaps you could put m'
in possession of file of some newspaper con
tanning one of his speeches"
Perhaps, governor, If you would advertise
for a with "a gnnpph Of hia in IL
your desire in this respect would be graft
fed"
NO do not think will do that. 1t woul,
do no good to advertise for something that ha
no existence. But, really, | would like +
see published speech by Mr. Robinson o
get my hand on some tangible evidence he ha
done something-something, you know tina
l can talk about, something to combat. A
the old farmer said, it gives n fellow a terribl
wrench to kick at nothing"
In conversation with confidential frien
of Gen. Butler this evening ON the genera
political situation, the friend remarked tina
\ he was quite certain there would be not les
[ than three strong presidential tickets in tn
field next year. He said: There is ever
\ indication that a strong third party move
ment is organizing, and politicians, in max
ing up their states, must not leav
[ this out of their calculations Tho move
/ ment is founded on the Drawn of the ma
tion. Two million workngmen will deman
voice IN the government. Ihey want I
have something to say about the enactment
laws in congress. They know their strength
and they know what to do to make thei
power felt. In my opinion, they will nominal
n candidate for the presidency next year, an
am satisfied the man they select viii bo on
the best element of both parties can unite
supporting The young men of both old partiC
are in state of open rebellion. The ol
party lines are breaking down, and all that
needed to cause wholesale desertion frof
existing organizations is the occasion and th
man. The occasion and the man will be PR
sentod next year"
This language, coming as IL did from a clos
friend of the man alluded to- may bo r,
garded as having considerable significance.
DEzENDoRF IN FAIRFAX.