Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-07-16

He HASN'T Made up his Mind about His
Future 1Tovements-A Job that was
Put mn on a Greenbacker.

He Hasn't Made mp his MIND ABOUT BIS
Future 1Iovements-A Job that was
Put up on a Greenbaeker.
In an interview. SAYS the New York
Times, while on his way from Chicago,
Gen. B. f. Butler said: II have never
told auy one that should run as an INDIE
pendent candidate for President. That is
not determined on. I cannot say what
viii or win not happen, so far as the
coming election may depend upon me.
Your idea that my candidacy viii draw
support from both the Democratic and
Republican parties, and that, therefore,
the totals will be proportional, not Affect
ing the result, my vote being the least,
makes me but a fly on the wheel.
There are a hundred Congress
sional districts in which the
election is settled by less than vote OF
500 one way or the other. Suppose men
are organized for work in those districts,
who thinks il worth while to solicit their
support The men who want TO be Gov
ernOrs and Congressman. Some men wish
to be President that they may send their
names down IN history. That motive does
not affect me. Ny name will figure in
the history of this country. The sch0Ol-
bows of the future will know of Butler
when the names of some of the Presidents
Will be lost even to history. But there
are many earnest and true men who feel
that l represent them, and that l
should do so in a more active
way. They urge me to remain a candl-
date for President. to stand for the princi-
pies which they believe in, and in which
they know l sympathize. Is it best for
them and for me? They are good men
and true, sincere in their belief, and IN
seeking the public welfare, have already
accepted the nomination of the Green
back party. The best things in the Demo-
cratic platform / subscribe to. Some of
them are substantially my own views. /
have met Gov. Cleveland but once, and
have had no quarrel with him, but he is
not the representative Of those principles
in regard to the government OF corporate
powers, transportation, currency, and the
labor question in which l believe. Let
me make it plain to you why he is not
acceptable to a great body Of men,"
Gen. Butler recapitulated with particu-
larity Gov. Cleveland's position on the
Elevated Railroad fares bill, the car
drivers bill, and the Orphan Asylum bill,
which have lately been employed to
affect the success of Gov. Cleyeland's
nomination at Chicago. "Now,o con-
tinued Gen. Butler after this diversion,
s'New York is the battle ground of this
election. The work will be concentrated
there. If | were to spread myself out,
| then. over the country could effect moth
ing sarcasticallyl-a fly on the wheel.
But suppose l take New York. In
military parlance, suppose l mass my
forces. not weaken them in long. thin
line. During the last campaign in Massa-
chusetts | made siXty-three speeches
in twenty-one days. Having the motive
of my own treatment at the convention,
and the fervent cooperation of the Anti
MonOpOlist and the Greenback Labor
parties, something might be done. In
that case you might change the figures;
you would not call me the fly on the
Wheel but the bull in a china shop or
perhaps Laughing heartily, "a jackass
dancing among the chickens"
At this point middle-aged gentleman,
one of the passengers, came hurriedly
along the aisle.and said: "EXcuse me for
interrupting you, General. / only wanted
to shake hands with you"
Gen. ButIer-Thank you, sir.
Passenger-And to say that two of us,
smoking and talking in the car ahead,
concluded to take vote, and have done
so. l report to you the result: 1 for
Blaine, 10 for Cleveland, and 16 for
Butler.
The passenger then departed as hur-
riedly as he had entered. Gen. Butler
said: 81 hardly think that vote came from
the drawing room car. l should judge"
he continued, ''that the vote is fair ex-
preston of the sentiment of the people
taken here and there as you md them. If
that is the case, Cleveland had better de-
cline in my favor. In the matter of hear
ing 1 was treated fairly by the con-
vention; the delegates listened re-
spectfullY, and III of them voted for my
platform. / knew how to estimate the
cries of those put into the audience for
the purpose of insulting and bowling
down all opposition to Cleveland. 1t is
the few men who manage the machine
who are responsible for this sort of thing.
Think of it. Three thousand tickets dis
tributed by the National Committee to
New York's Cleveland contingent and $50
to Massachusetts. However, | do not CON-
plain. Twenty or thirty men in Congress
of firmness. acting together solidly, will
control the House and legislation"
ssThe nomination of Hendricks for
President might have been easily accom-
plished," said the General. ''The affair
was badly managed. l do not think
the Cleveland men had an understanding
about it, but when the affair began to 90
wrong they had plenty OF time to discern
what was up, and to effectively guard
against it. There was meeting the
night before, at which the matter was
discussed. l advised that nothing be at
do more than set men to thinking. The one
vote for Hendricks from Illinois would
have come in all right. Being a Tepeti-
ton of the last ballot, it would not eX-
cite remark. Indiana should have stood
firm to Mcdonald. Then when the list
had been completed one OF the States,
perhaps Michigan, should have asked to
change, and announced a few votes for
Hendricks. This would have set the peo-
pie wondering what was up, and pre-
pared matters for the next ballot. Ar
kansas. starting on the roll at the next
call with votes for Hendricks, with some
few in those following, would have put
the thing in irresistible motion. But the
usual stupid work of men in masses hap
pened, when the explosion took place over
the vote, and the Indiana men lost their
heads. 81 shall do nothing in pet" con-
cluded Gen. Butler. 81 shall not speak in
pet. If such had been my mind, / had
reason enough to show it at the cOnven-
ton. No, l viii take plenty of time to
shape my course. / have said more to
you on this subject than to any other
man. If there is fusion in Michigan the
electoral ticket ought to be arranged as |
have previously said. Twenty-siX good
men should be selected, and the ballots
should be headed so as to ascertain the
number cast for the two candidates. The
amount would determine the percentage
of each for electors, and the odd men
should 90 to the biggest fraction. 1 can
not say whether this will be done or at
tempted in Michigan.
Later on, when the conversation with
Gen. Butler had terminated, visit was
made to the smoking car. Who should be
found there but Democrats returning
from Chicago. They were asked how it
was that the carload happened to be so
strongly for Butler. 'Just this way"
said one, sour Greenback friend and his
associate were engaged in a long discus
sion, and the other, to back his opinions,
challenged the Greenbacker to take vote
of the car. We then decided to put up a
job on him, and all of us hereabOut voted
for Butler when the tally came round"
KETTX,S VIEWS