The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-04-02
1.-THE LARGEST CIRCULATION OFF AMY NORTH CAROLINA DAILY

down the terms of fagreementmoret than
four months ahead of the time when we
will have to act officially. Certainly
there is nothing for us to gain by such
hasty action; but, on the other hand,
the Republicans see how they will gain
by it. The Republicans are also very
anxious to get us to agree to vote for
their candidate for the Legislature IN
every county in the State. ] should re
gret very much to see our people con-
cede the member of the Legislature
from your county to them. We must
not give the Democrats the chance to
raise a howl and point to the danger
of Republican Legislature. If the
majority of the men being run for the
Legislature are Populists, then the
Democratic politicians will not be able
to raise any of the old party prejudice
cry. A Republican Legislature would
be almost as bad as a Democratic Leg
islature. Outside of the question of
the election law and county govern
ment, a Republican Legislature
would be even worse. No good citizen
can want to see the Legislature of
North Carolina controlled by either
the Democratic or Republican party.
We all know that we etnncU be attaC k
ed for any action of the Peoples party
members of the last Legislature. The
only things that we can he attacked
for are those things which we could
not prevent. Everybody knows that
the Peoples party was the restraining
and saving force in the last Legislature.
Every member of the Legislature
knows that we had difficulty in getting
the Republicans to stand with us even
to put the six per cent interest law
through.
| suggest that if you DO have a con-
ference with the Republicans in your
county, and they should insist on some
terms of cooperation being agreed on
now, that you say to them that the
Peoples party will insist on naming
the Governor, and also that yol viii
want to name the member Of the Leg
islature from your county; but that if
you should concede them the member
of the Legislature he must be pledged
to vote for no man for the II. S.
Senate who supports a gold-bug for the
Presidency. This will test their sin
cerity; and if they should not agree
to this proposition, then it gives you
the matter for future consideration.
Besides, there are several important
matters Of State legislation that will
come before the next Legislature, and
we viii want the candidates for the
Legislature to stand on these ques-
tions. These questions viii not be
fully determined until the State con-
Yention meets.
Therefore, in conclusion, permit me
to urge upon You the necessity Of not
committing yourselves this early. 1t is
certainly wiser and better party policy
for the counties not to take any action
until after our State convention meets.
We win have an opportunity then for
a full conference, and discussion of
these matters; and, besides, we win
have all Of the facts, and the full poll
teal situation clearly before us, so
that we can be sure to act in the wisest
manner.
Yours very truly.
MARION BUTLER,
Chairman p. r. State Ex Com.
r. s. Try TO keep all of the Repub-
licans and Democrats that you possibly
can out of the old party primaries that
send delegates to their State conven-
tions; and also urge those who insist
on going into the primaries to send on
ly such delegates as will vote to in
struct the delegates to the National
conventions not TO vote for any gold
bug candidate for the Presidenct
This letter given to the people of
North Carolina, through the News and
Observer, will no doubt cause d sensa-
tion in North Carolina political circles,
and when j show it to Senator Pritch-
ard tomorrow he win grind his teeth
a bit.
Skinner, before sending his reply to
Holton showed it to a leading Popu-
list here who was, to say the least dis
gusted at his come down to Holton,
as to his ignorance Of county fusion
in Tyrrell county This Populist,
man close to Butler, said that HoIton
needed take down and would getit be-
fore long; that he was swimming over
his depth and was running things with
a high hand, as he (Holton) thought.
To-day marks twelve hours Of such
bitterness between Populists and Re-
publicans here as has not been known
before. 1t went to the boiling point
and, though some say that Butler is
working a game and will come around
yet, my personal knowledge of venge-
full feelings between the two Senators
leaves me powerless to believe in any
thing else than the permanent disrup-
tion Of them and their followers.
w. e. CHRISTIAN.