New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-14
MARION BUFFERS TRIUMPH.
THE NORTH CAROLINA FUSION MOVE.
MENT
YOUNG MEMS REVOLT AGAINST BROADER
POLITICs-A VICTORY FOR HONEST EIEc-
TIONs AND HOME RULE

TIONS AND HOME RULE
fFRoM STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE,
Goldsboro. N. c.. Dec. 11.-"Coonel Ingersoll IA
wrong on point exclaimed OF the
bravest and most consistent Republicans In the
South ex-Judge ID. l.. Russell, when met him
in Wilmington. HE says that miracles are i'm
possible. But we have had one in North Caro-
lima vertabe miracle The political revolu-
ton in this State is nothing else"
While making the circuit Of North Carolina I
had heard many causes assigned for the aston.
ishing success Of the Fusion movement. such as
fve-cent cotton, the hard times, agrarian unrest
apathy Of the Democratic masses, revolt against
odtime brigadicr politicians. and discomfort
over the financial policies of Congress and re-
pudation Of party pledges; but this was the first
suggestion Of supernatural agencies. But when
| shook hands with Marion Butler in his modest
house in Godsboro and reflected that the des-
TIMES Of the great conservative State OF North
Carolina mad suddenly been transferred to the
keeping Of an unknown young man. who had
been editing a weekly newspaper for three years.
Il seemed to be something like miracle.
had called at his office in a small brick building
where three compositors were svtting type for
his paper, THE Caucasian. and had been CON-
Quoted several blocks to an equally unpretentous
cottage, where he was recovering from nervous
exhaustion, caused by the labors OF protracted
campaign. A quiet unassuming young man
with a pallid, thoughtful face, met me in his
parlor with unaffected simplicity. This was
Marion Butler, Populist leader. chief organizer
Of the Fusion movement the destined successor
of Senator Ransom. and the man who will have
more TO do than perhaps any one else with
Shaping tho legislation by which Democratic
ascendency established by Ubiquitous election
laws and maintained by machine methods In
every county Of the State will be brought to An
end
Marion Butler IS now in his th!rty-second year.
His father was a farmer in Sampson County. who
kent a country store. He was educated at the
State University. but was interrupted in his law
studies before he could obtain license to prac-
tse He was the oldest son of a large family.
and In consequence Of his fathers death was
forced to relinquish his chosen profession. He
carried on his fathers business in the county
and looked after the education Of his brothers
and sisters He took lively interest In local
politics but he was soon convinced that the
party was managed by machine methods, and
that young blood was not wanted The party
managers had established a system when en-
abled them to control nominations and elections
in every county. This young Democrat deter
mined 10 smash the machine in his own county.
lie bought weekly newspaper, and made 1t the
champion Of the farmers and the plain people
Of the district. He challenged the authority OF
the politicians to dictate nominations. and rallied
about him body Of enthusiastic young Demo-
Gratis In 1891 he was elected 10 the State senate
by a ma jority of 500 after an energetic canvass,
in which the methods Of organization adopted
In the recent election were anticipated In 1893
he became the president OF the State Farmers
Alliance abandoned the Democratic party. and
was the recognized leader OF the Populist re-
volt In North Carolina.
The Fusion canvass was opened year ago.
when Mr. Butler transferred his prn -ofhce to
Coidsboro and introduced the secret methods OF
the Farmers Alliance. AS early as January he
entered upon the work OF reorga nizng the Popu-
list party and OF opening negotiations with Re.
publican leaders who were themselves In revolt
against bad management OF their own party His
plans were carried out so quietly that Demo-
cratic politicians never suspected that his paror
was the headquarters for campaign as SYSTEM
All, as it was aggressive. large mail was re-
ceived every day. and one or two stenographers
were employed In answering letters From week
10 week men arrived from various counties and
remained until they were trained for work. MI
Butler aimed TO make Populism a young mems
movement and to creat e force OF faithful work
ers who would obey orders and gather about them
disaffected Democrats Names Of lukewarm Demo-
Gratis were reported from every eastern county
and The Caucasian" was sent II them. one
county after another was provided with an EN-
cient local organization, until at the end ot 'hs
campaign 1t was practicable to issue from 'he
general headquarters order which rendered
Democratic defeat absolutely certain.
Meanwhile the Republican party had also been
reorganized. Its leaders were IN the wes'sr"
counties. where the negro vote was insignihcsh!
and they did not understand the situation IN INC
east There were few white Republicans In the
black counties. and the policy OF the state Coni'
mittee under the leadership OF veterans ike
Chairman Eaves had been To discourage recrui''
ing and to keep II negro party. With the dis
placement Of Mr.. caves. who was the chief oppo-
nent Of Fusion. Mr. Butler practically conductor
both the Populist and the Republican campaigns
in the negro counties. \. +. Holton the ne"
chairman of the Republican State COMMITTEE
represented the younger and more progressive eie-
ments of the party In the western counties anu
he was we'll pleased To have the campaign COM
Quoted in the eastern counties by Mr.. Butter ""o
was more familiar with the conditions there. Inc
official circulars were signed by both chair'"ei
but the work Of dividing the Democratic vote anu
Of bringing the negroes into line for the r usio"
ticket devolved mainly upon Mr. Butler
Fusion had been defeated In 1892 by Chalrn'"a
Eaves and his supporters. 1t was accomplsneu
this year through the cooperation OF eS-1uuee
d. l.. Russell. James ]. Mott. j. {. Pritchara anu
Chairman Hoton with Mr.. Butler. Both ooh'e"'
lions sanctioned a plan OF campaign based upo"
the division Of the United States Senstorsnip'
and the judiciary. State. Congressional ana les'''
lative nominations. 1t was plain, straig"''o'-
ward business arrangement and was honorary
carried out by both parties. The two state com.
mittees settled all the details. The chair"e"
were beset with spies and could not depend upo'
either the mails or the wires. They employer
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