Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-11-05
Senator Marion Butler Thinks They
Should Reorganize the Senate.
SAYS THERE ARE ENOUGH TO Do SO
His Views as to the Platform oil
the Populists.
THE PEOPLE ARE THINKING

Is in Washington on hOuSe-huntlns mis-
sion. Mr.. Butler will lease a house in the
northwest section of the city, and will bring
his family here about November To-
During the political upheavals in North
Carolina of the past two years Senator But
Ter has been one Of the most prominent and
energetic political fighters of his state. AS
the leader of the populists he has established
a reputation for shrewdness and courage,
and his friends expect that he will cut quite
an important figure when he takes his seat
In the United States Senate next month.
Mr.. Butler has the appearance of college
professor who has led a retired life as
student rather than of a political worker.
He has prominent features, dark brown
hair that Is allowed to grow longer than is
customary, and is parted very far over on
the side of his head. He has pointed beard
ana mustache, the front view of his face
showing considerable resemblance to Sena-
tor Brice who he does not resemble in any
OF his political ideas.
Mr. Butler was seen by a Star reporter
today He conversed freely on political
matters, talking in a quiet and reserved
manner, often as If weighing his words
But he makes no attempt to tone down radi-
cal views when he believes them to be prac-
teal, and he feels that the populists as a ma
tional party have suffered accusations of
lmpract1cabillty more because some of their
tenets are too little understood and because
they are somewhat lin advance" of the
times rather than because they are really
faulty in principle.
The Populist Platform.
I fought some portions of our platform, !"
said Mr.. Butler, when 1t was adopted be-
cause did not think it was good politics to
construct 1t just as 1t was finally adopted.
though indorse the principles contained in
II. would be willing to meet any one in a
Of
zatlon or our railroads, for instance and
would rear no argument that might ne adj
Vanced against the proposition ff I could
only nave an unprecedented audience The
but thought it was a mistake COR +he MA -
form 10 lndorse any system rather than
merely declaring in favor of the princip,e
involved. rNAiAe
Il believe the platform to be adopted ~ our
next national convention will conform pretty
closely to that adopted by the populists of
AentucKy: The Kentucky platform makes
a. 80 o.nel issues subordinate to the financial
issue, Wnlch Is the most important thing be-
1ore this country at the present time. have
no IDEA that the populists will desert auy OF
the pianks which form a part of its plat
nrona now w. mat doesn't seem to me to be a
proper thlns Tor a party to do When its
principles are laid down and people attach
themselves to the party because of those
principles they have right to stand Up for
them. But for practical work the imnor,an n,
| questions that are well understood nv the
people should be put in the foreground and
the Tree coinage Of silver stands out prom
lnently as the great issue that is to be
iouSnt over IN the next campaign.
Must Conciliate Silver Men.
i notice that there is some talk of tbf
| friends of Gen. Harrison displacing Senate,
carter from the Craftsmanship of the ma
tlonal republican committee because of his
views on silver. and because ne is not sup
| To ha f,.;a
the ex-President. 1 can hardly think thi.
Is true' and l expect to see denial of the
statement. 1t seems TO ME to be such bat
politics for the gold men of the repub,Icar
party to drive out the silver men of thei,
party that I cannot think the report il
| true Inc only hope of both the denlocra til
| and republican parties is to conciliate tn,
sliVer men and to persuade them to stay
| with them. There is no doubt that there Il
a large majority Of the vo,ers of the coun
| try today in favor of silver, and party lead
ers must recognize this.
There never was time in the history O
our government when SO many people Wer
| thinking on political questions and doir @ s,
little talking about it as today In Nortl
Carolina, for instance, ten years ago yer,
| little thought was given to pol. teal matters
The average voter knew little of what wa
going on in Washington and they felt tina
the leaders would take care of that Nov
the situation is changed. l have applica
gressional Record for the next Congress
| where l will be able to get ten COPIES. TIL
people in my state want to know what i
going on here, and they want 1t Grst-land
DO you think there will be reorganiza
| ton of the Senator tine reporter asked.
Senate REORGANIZATION.
II think there ought to be reorganiza
ton. Why shouldn't the silver men in tn
Senate reorganize that body? There ar
enough of them to do so, and they cou
then control. Men have been sent here yea
after year upon their declarations in favor O
| silver. and 1t seems to me that if they re
fuse to come together and organize the Sen
ate, they will have to answer to their con
stituents later on
| do you mean an organization on ron
| partisan basis?" Mr.. Butler was asked.
Certainly. Why no.? Why shouldn't tn
silver men simply get together in the in
terest of the one great issue before tn
country, and for which they all claim to b
| working? They could organize the Senate
and 1 see no reason why they should nc
do so.'
Mr.. Butler is now stopping at the Shore
ham, and will return to his home in a fe,
days.
..Dlack America" Thief Sentenced.