The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1891-1893, 1892-08-19
MARION BUTLER WORSTED.
He Is Asked Some Hard Questions by
Democrats.

A large gathering of farmers held
basket picnic at Bryant's grove near Au
burn In this county yesterday, at which
about 400 voters were present. Mr.. Ma
rion Butler, as president Of the farmers
alliance, was invited to attend and make
an alliance talk. Mr.. Butler did talk
but forgot himself and made red hot
third party campaign speech confning
ership of railroads. In the course of his
speech Mr.. Butler gave opportunities for
the asking of questions and the result was
that questions poured in upon him. He
was asked about the railway plank
in his third party platform, and he
lodged the question in fubb fash
ion. Mr.. F. L. Merritt then read an
extract from an editorial in Mr..
Buffers paper, the Clinton Caucasion,
dated July IA, in which MIR. Butler de
clared that he was for democratic prin-
ciples, and asked why he had faced
about and changed his position. Mr.
Butler declined TO answer this question
or any more. He took occasion to at
tack the CHRONICLE, and in making an
illustration at one point in his harangue
used language which brought country
man to his feet. The countryman said
ladies were present and that such Ian
guage must not be used. Butler was coldly
received and did not succeed in
bringing out single cheer. He was
following in few moments broken talk
by DR.. Exum the third party candidate
for Governor, who could get no cheers.
Dr. Wayland Dowd, who was manager
of the picnic, made an announcement
that he was disappointed in politics,
having been introduced to what he had
intended to be friendly gathering OF
farmers and friends of the neighborhood
and after stating that he hoped no further
political speeches would be made intro
duced Mr.N B. Broughton who talked fol
half hour. Mr.. BrOughton was followed
by Mr. F. L. Merritt, democratic candi
date for the House of Representatives
Mr. Merritt did not make q campaign
r speech, but gave those present some ex
cellent food for thought, in answer to tn
extravagant propositions Of Mr.. Butler
Mr.. Merritt was followed by Prof. Mas
Y sey of the Agricultural and Mecanica
! college. who gave excellent advic
. upon diversified crops and prope
) tillage of land. Mr.. Turner, of Panthe
/. Branch township, being introduced sal
r he thought as politics had been intro
e duced he believed it a good time an
n place to talk politics and made good
j strong, straight democratic talk, whic
seemed to take and please the crowd.
The great event of the occasion, how
ever, was speech made by Mr.. Peril
Cover, an old man who said he ha
never made a speech before and ha
never been party man nor member {
the alliance. He said he was standin
- within mile of where he had started
te Young man and lived all his days. Th,
a he had voted for men who suited b
Y. views, both democrats and republican
ly until secession and rebellion had bee
l. ruined. He now saw secession and r
re bellion looming up again and he locke
o. for friends and found them only in Il
ut democratic party, where he expected
end his days He won the crowd al
the picnic closed one of the soundes
IL square out, fashioned, str4ight dem
ly cratic gatherings ever held. the ladi
taking part in cheering Mr. Cover.