Evening star., 1896-04-07
Hostilities Between Senators Butler
and Pritchard Are Suspended.
SPEAKER WALSER COMES TO MEDIATE
He Has Conference With Both
the Statesmen.
FUSION IS NECESSARY

A nag OF truce has been raised under
which Senators Butler and Pritchard of
North Carolina may agree upon terms of
peace.
When it became known to North Carolina
populists and republicans that Senator But
Ter had declared war on Senator Pritchard
through a circular letter he proposed to
send out to his constituents. practically ap-
pealing to them not to support the repub-
hcan Senator of that state for reelection
rext fall. CONSERVATION was created in the
ranks of both of these parties. Many
prominent leaders believed that such a
course would result in the downfall of the
two parties in the state and the ascendency
OF the democrats, who have only been
beaten by the fusion between the two
parties opposing them.
At first it was supposed that Mr.. Butler
was confident that he could carry the state
without republican support, and not only
elect governor, but dictate the senator
ship. But when this course was fully made
known through the columns of The Even
to be ready for the pending battle with as
much confidence Of victory as was possess
ed by the popnlst Senator while the demo-
Gratis throughout the state were Jubilant
over the prospect of a three-cornered fight,
v hich they believed would allow them to
control the state. f..f. - ....
A Mediator Arrives.
In this dilemma Zeb Vance Walser, speak
er Of the house of representatives of North
Carolira, was chosen by his political friends
to come to Washington on a mission Of
peace. Mr.. Walser arrived here yesterday,
and found deplorable state Of affairs. He
found that Mr.. Butler had his circular letter
manifolded and in envelopes ready to send
out. He realized that, If that circular
list Senator, 1t would be almost impossible
to effect reconciliation between the popu-
lists and the republicans. What made the
circular Of the greatest Importance was the
fact that MIR. Butler was chairman Of the
North Carolina state populist committee and
that 1t appeared to be an official deliverance
of the sentiment of the committee, although
it was well known that 1t was only a per-
sonal letter written by Mr.. Butler:
MIR. Walser Is. a republican. Still, he has
been on intimate relations with Senator
Butler. and could readily approach him in
such a crisis He called at the Capitol and
sent his card to Senator Butler, who re-
ceived him in the Marble room, and for two
hours a most interesting conference was
held. The importance of the situation was
shown to Mr.. Butler, and last night the
North Carolina Senator consented to with
hold his circular until after conference Is
held between the North Carolina state pop-
ulist committee and the conference commit
tee Of the republican state committee. This
meeting will take place on the 18th instant,
and the feeling among the populists and
republicans is that concilatory measures
will probably be adopted.
Mr.. Walser also had two hours confer
ence with Senator Pritchard, but he did not
find Mr.. Pritchard in q humor to forgive and
forget the assault made upon him by Sem
ator Butler without carefully weighing the
matter and until he should receive assur-
ances that he would have the support of
the populists during the coming campaign.
The Necessity for Fusion.
Mr.. Walser has strongly urged upon the
North Carolina Senators the necessity for
fusion in their state during the coming
campaign. and he is still here, hoping that
before he goes home he will be able to
bring both Of the Senators to similar
view on the situation. The embarrassing
feature of this political tempest Is that
Senator Buffers proposed action had been
to a number of his yolitical
friends In confidence, and some of these
gentlemen. taking his suggestion as a cue
have begun to open fire on Senator Pritch-
ard by the publication of statements re-
garding the situation.
state committee of North Carolina, will at
tend the conference to he held on the 18th
instant, and until after that meeting he
will do nothing to fan the flame of dis
cord between populists and republicans.
The peacemakers think that Senator But
Ter has acted prematureiy, and that If the
populists and republicans are to antag
onize each other such a course should not
have been adopted by Senator Butler until
after the conference to take place next
week has been held. These peacemakers
think that Mr.. Butler can be persuaded to
compromise on an agreement which will
give to his party the governorship in re-
turn for which Mr.. Pritchard will be sup
ported for reelection. If It should be
possible to bring about such an agreement
the fusion which existed in North Carolina
in 1894 will be re-established. and the fight
next fall will be made on the same lines
that existed during the last campaign.
Senators Butler and Pritchard ere not
now on speaking acquaintance, but Mr..
Walser hopes that before he goes home
10 bring them together in friendly con-
ference, and II he can do this he thinks
that an important crisis for both the popu-
l:sts and republicans will be overcome.