The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1894-11-20
THE FUSION MOVEMENT IN THE
NINTH CONGRESSIONAL
DISTRICT.
"strike. But Hear Me-"

would be published in a Peoples party
paper that it was hoped would be
started in Asheville at that time. Dis
appointed in this I requested it's publ
cation in The PROGRESSIVE FARMER, but
before this could be arranged the cleo.
tion was too near to allow parties criti-
cized to reply before the election, and
for this reason it's publication was de-
layed. G. E. B.
AS one of the original Populists of
this district who was privileged to take
a somewhat active part in the first con
test of our party, in 1892, it may not
be amiss for me to say a few words OF
the above question that is having, and
is sure in the future to have, so great
an Influence on the destiny of our party
in this State.
During my joint canvass as elector
with my Democratic and Republican
competitors two years ago l was con
stantly impressed with the fact that
the election would not show the real
political opinions of the p~eople-that
its results would not begin to show the
real amount of distrust of and dissatis-
faction with the old parties or interest
in the new My estimate of u
strength made conidentially a few
weeks before the election was 1, 500 in
our district, As, 900 in the State and l.
600, 900 in the Nation. AS we get 1 483
in our district, Notwithstanding Mr..
Browns withdrawal, and $4,000 in
the State I was greatly pleased with
the result.
Having no confidence in the Demo
cratic party rs a reform party l was
confident of great accessions to u
ranks from it in the next contest. The
Democratic party did worse ever than
was anticipated, but what progress has
our party made in this district In my
opinion it has not only not made prog
ress but in some respects it has lost
ground. This want of progress or retro
erosion may be laid at the door of
fusion or cooperation, if you prefer
to so call it. This movement has not
only cut off recruits but has caused
some to go back to the Democratic
party and others, 1 fear, to go back to
the Republican party, there to remain,
although they do not as yet realize the
fact.
l was absent from the State last
winter. On my return early in March
some Populist friends insisted that l
should write to Hon. Marion Butler
and learn the truth or falsity of certain
reports of an agreement bet ween him
self and Hon. Richmond Pearson. 1t
was currently reported that the former
had agreed to support the latter's can
didacy for Congress in our district. At
first I declined to do so, insisting that
such a report was rediculous-that put
ting principle aside Mr.. Butler was too
considerate and prudent to make such
an agreement without even consulting
the Populists of our district. I finally
consented to write him and did so on
the 18th of March. In this letter I said
l wrote at the earnest solicitation of
some who were disturbed by certain
reports-that I could not believe the
reports for reasons already stated but
added that if there was Gny under-
standing UUhGteUer between him and
Mr.. Pearson 1 wished to know all the
particulars.
On the 22i Of March he wrote me in
reply that there had as yet been no
agreement made with any parties as to
the course to be pursued in the ap-
call a meeting ere long of the leaders of
the party consult as to the best course
t. be pursued" This letter naturally
confirmed me in my belief that Mr.. But
Pearson. But we were soon disturbed
by statements of leading Republicans
called together in Asheville at Mr..
Pearson's solicitation. At the caucus it
was stated that Mr.. Pearson showed a
letter from Mr.. Butler in which he
agreed to support Mr.. Pearson's candi,
dacy. In return Mr.. Pearson was to
secure votes for Mr. Butler for the U.
S.. Senate.
Early in April Mr. Pearson came to
Haywood to look after the Populist
votes he had bargained for. He earnest,
ly sought an interview with me In
this interview he spoke of Nj. Buffers
high opinion of ms-said among other
things that Mr.. Butler said l would
have gotten 5000 or 1000 woes in the
last contest if I had been the candidate
instead of Mr. Brown. Mr.. Pearson