The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-07-21
SeNAT OR BUTLER AR6,VcS.
The s4orrh Caroinian Voices the Senti-
ment of Southern Pops.

st. Louis, July Ex-senator Marion
Butler, of North Carolina, arrived last
night. He will be followed in day
or two by the remainder of the North
Carolina delegation, which will come
in a special car. Senator Butler is
one of the youngest members of the
Senate, and since he took his seat has
become one of the porminent factors IN
the Peoples party The Senator said
that he had not been in conference
with any of the leaders here, and it
was yet too early to express an opinion
as to what course was best to pursue.
There were, he said, many delegates
on the way to the convention, all of
whom were entitled to be heard, and
whose views would no doubt be valua-
BILE in reaching determination.
There is a great difference in the at
titude of the Western and Southern
Populists," he continued. "In the South
there has been a contest between the
Democrats and the Populists. In the
West the contest has been with Re
publicans. Before any decisive step is
taken, or any proclamation is made for
the Peoples party, it would be well
for those two forces to come together
and compromise or adopt plan of ac-
ton which will be acceptable to ALL"
Senator Butler paid high tribute to
William J. Bryan, the Democratic nom
inee for President. "He is, said the
Senator, "the best man presented by
the Democrats at the Chicago conven-
tion for nomination. His fearlessness
and aggressiveness commend him to
the people. In the South his nomina-
tion has been well received by his own
party. BY the Populists he is preferred
TO any man in the Democratic party.
The Populists would no doubt have
preferred to nominate him as a candi-
date of their own, rather than to in
dorse him. He is a young man, and
has not been associated with the old
leaders of the Democratic party so as
to acquire their views and prejudices,
which are in many instances so un-
satisfactory to the Populists. His
brilliancy, youth, and ability give him
claim that no other man in the Demo-
cratic party possesses. He has shown
more devotion to the great cause of
financial reform than any OF his par
tv. for he alone had proclaimed that
the reform was stronger than party
ties"
Although speaking in such high
terms Of Mr.. Bryan, Senator Butler
gave no indication that he favored his
Endorsement by the Peoples party
THAT" he said, els a matter I do not
care to discuss. We, as a party, must
look to the preservation Of our organi-
zation. In the South il is especially
necessary for the Peoples party te
maintain itself, as it can thus only
make headway against Ene orsanfza-
tion which has been antagonistic in
many ways to the peoples interests. Tt
is no doubt possible that plan can be
devised which will maintain the party
organization and still not be antagonjs-
tic to those interests for which the
Peoples party stands. All OF these
things must be adjusted in fair and
free conference. And until this confer
ence can be had / do not care to out
line a plan or take a position which
may be altered after more extended
investigation and an interchange of
views with men now on the ground and
yet to come"
"But," continued Senator Butler,
"this question is greater than party.
Rest assured of one thing, the Peoples
party will do everything that is hon
orable and possible to prevent the cleo
tion of gold candidate as President.
The action of the Democratic conven-
tion at Chicago was a political victory
for the Peoples party, inasmuch as
the platform and candidates are the
best that have been put forward by
that party in quarter of century