The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1896-05-14
sOME INSIDE FACTS.

A few men In the Peoples Party are
just now taking delight in calling at
tention to the statement, made by Sem
stor Butler to the last legislature that
he favored cooperation again, and Ia
the event Of such cooperation that he
favored the election Of a Republican
for Senator to succeed Senator Pritch-
ard. Those who are quoting this state
msnt say that, therefore, they are in
favor Of accepting any terms that the
Republicans make to US for co-opera-
ton this year. These men loudly
proclaim that we are under Obliga-
tions to the Republicans, and that we
have no right to have anything to say
about the terms Of cooperation, but
In order to keep "good faith" We must
90 1t blind, let the Republicans name
the terms, and then fall in line and
support any ticket or condition that
the Republicans name. They seem to
take the position that we are bound to
cooperate with the Republicans even
III means sacrificing every principle
Of the party, abandoning the organi-
sation OF the party, and going over,
body and soul, into the Republican
camp. They say that the reason they
are bound to accept such hard terms
10 because Senator Butler said he ia
vored cooperation.
Such an exhibition Of over-sensitive
regard and blind loyalty, which these
few Populists seem to have for a vol
untary expression of wish or desire of
Senator Butler is very remarkable.
Their blind subserviency to Senator
Buffers wish As expressed above is so
very remarkable that it needs to be
analysed. Let US see il there is not
something beyond their desire to ad-
vance the Peoples Party, behind
their apparent over sensitiveness
about this matter. What position
would We expect any man Of fair in
telligence, who had no axe to grind,
to take with reference to this state
ment made by Senator Butler?
A fair minded man who wanted to
act squarely, to keep good faith, and
at the same time to stand by his prin-
ciples and guard the interests of the
Peoples Party, would, we submit, take
the following position: lie would, in
the first place, ask whether or not
there was bargain and sale with ref
erence to the election of Mr.. Butler to
the Senate. That is, did Senator But
Ter or any Of his friends, or the Peo-
Pies Party as an organization, have to
make promises and pledges to the Re-
publicans as q condition to his cleo
ton to the Senator lie would also in
quire whether or not Senator Butler
had to make this particular statement
that he did make as a condition to his
election, or as a part of a trade and
bargain agreed on beforehand. If so,
he would ask how far the PEOPLES
PARTY, as aparty, was bound by such |
q trade.
He would find upon investigation
That cooperation had practically been
agreed upon in the State before Sena-
Tor Vance died, when there was but
one Senator to elect, and that one of
the terms of the cooperation was that
the Peoples Party was to have the
6enatorship.
Second, he would find that the MEM
bers OF the Legislature, with few ex-
ceptions, were pledged by their con-
stituency from one end of the State to
the other to support Mr.. Butler for the
long term, and that they were pledged
to do this without any condition, but
simply in view of the whole arrange
ment Of the State, Judicial and other
tickets, on which the Republicans had
BY large odds the greatest number of
candidates.
Third, he would find that every
candidate among the Republicans for
the Senate informed MIR. Butler and
MS friends voluntarily, and not only
Informed them but assured them. thai
they were not candidates for the long
term, but only for the short term. and
further that Senator Butler was nomi-
mated for the long term without
single pledge, promise, or condition be-
Ing made by him or any one else.
Fourth, he would find that when
Senator Butler made the statement
that he did before the legislature
about cooperation for the next year.
that not single Republican or Popu-
Inst expected him to make such a state
nent, or knew he would make such a
statement before it was made. The
statement was not only purely volun-
tary and gratuitOus, but simply ex-
pressed the opinion and desire of Sem
&tor Butler with reference to the mat.
ter. He said that he favored cooper
alton for the next year, and, in the
event Of Incorporation, the election of
Republican for the long term. Sem
ator Butler was under no oblipa.
tion to make such statement, but he
did make it simply because it express
SEQ his views and feelings then, and
" expresses his views and feelings
now.
But where is the man who is not a
fnaye or fool Cor a blind pie-counter
h1uFnter) who will say that this state
ment by Senator Butler binds him or
the Peoples Party to accept any terms
which the Republicans see fit to name. |
TINS would be the most absurd propo.
sition ever made by any man outside
q lunatic asylum. In short, Senator
Butler WAS not elected to the Senate
~ any trade or deal or promise with
any politicians or anv otbor ,.na;