The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-08-05
SENATOR BUTLER'S VIEWS.
Thinks Bryan In the Lead at Present.
Columbia State, Jitly 80.

Columbia State, July 80.
A few days ago, upon his return
from the North, after having attended
the national convention at Chicago,
Gen. NJ. G. Butler was seen and asked
for an interview in regard to the con-
vention. Senator Butler talked very
Interestingly of the convention and
the political outlook. He said: "Yes,
attended the Chicago convention as
spectator. Bryan speech was a
masterpiece of platform oratory and
had telling effect, SO telling that it
| secured him the nomination. 1t was
in striking contrast with some other
speeches, free from personalities and
| rant and delivered with deliberation,
dignity and great power
care you acquainted with MIR. Bry-
an?'
eyes. I served with him in Con-
gress, where he made fine impression
! as man aud speaker. I should not
take him to be man likely to take
the "big head" and therefore could be
relied on to do the right thing under
any circumstances.
''What do you think Of the pros
poets of the Democratic ticket?'
"That is about as difficult ques-
tion to answer as any you could put to
me. It is very hazardous to make
predictions as to political action in
this country three months in advance
or even so days. This has become
notably SO since party ties have be-
come loosened and less binding on the
voters. The currents Of political
thought change so suddenly nova
days that what seems probable to-day
may, in months time, turn out the
other way.
Cali the signs now point to Bryan's
election, but some imprudent action
or speech may change appearances.
Unfortunately money has become an
important factor in our elections and
results often depend on how much is
used. The Republican ticket will, Of
course, have much the largest fund to
draw from and that party has some
very adroit politicians who understand
where to place money to do the most
good.
So that while I believe ma jority of
the people favor the free coinage of
silver or some form of financial relief,
the question arises, can that majority
be left free to find expression at the
ballot box. Brass bands and hurrah-
ing have become a necessary part, it
seems, Of our election methods, but
the party which has the best and most
compact organization and ablest lead
ership is the party that usually wins.
How about the Chicago PLATFORM
"Well, if I had had the making of
that platform should have put ir it
more Democracy and less Populism. I
should have reinserted the plank in
last Democratic platform for the re-
peal of the 10 per cent. tax on State
bank circulation. AS earnestly as /
have advocated the free coinage of sill
yer for Is years, I would prefer, a
thousandfold, the repeal of that tax.
It would be of especial value to the
South and would in my judgment,
give US just what we need, safe,
sound, flexible, elastic, domestic cur
rency, and just enough Ct it. 1--we
get the free coinage Of silver, while a
desirable step in the right direction, it
will not bring about o financial mil
lenium and will be disappointing to
those who think SO. Free State bank
ing is far more important to us in the
South than free coinage Of silver. The
truth is we have had as much free
coinage Of cranks in the last few years
than any other currency and they seem
to be legal tender for all political
debts.
tThe financial question has been de.
graded from the forum of reason and
enlightened discussion to q mere ar
raignment Of the poor and the debtor
against the rich and the creditor class
| and what it may lead to no man can
foretell. hope Mr.. Bryan and his
friends will not permit the demagogues
| and cranks to so inaame the minds Of
the people as to dethrone their reason.
There never has been q time in tie
political history Of this country when
calm and prudent counsels were more
| needed, but I fear they would not be
followed, in some quarters, at least.
Calamity howlers are usually about at
election times. There is no room for
them in this contest. If they are
given back seat, Bryan will win. 1t
is nobody's race yet, but if Bryan can
keep up the pace he starts out on he
will come out ahead.
"Have you kept the run Of the
political canvass in this State?"
"No further than that what / get
from the newspapers. It presents a
most remarkable commentary upon
our condition. Three men occupying
high official positions are openly
charged with the grossest official cor
ruption. One comes out and pleads
guilty, confesses and avoids; another
enters plea of not guilty, unsustained
by sciDtilla of proof, and third ac-
knowledges to a fee in prospect,
earned, as I understand, in matter
coming before him as State Senator,
while State Senator. And what is
the most discouraging feature of the
whole business is that this taint Of
corruption, which must stick until
proven away, does not appear toinjure
the accused in the estimation of at
least some of their followers. We
must have fallen to very low plane
of political morality when such things
can be.
ut would be such an easy matter to
disprove these charges by producing
one wituess who received the commits
sions, and Of course he knows who he
divided with. Until some witness is
produced these men cannot escape the
imputation Of official crookedness and
wrong doing. Altogether we appear
to bo in , roru rorrv MIGHT