The Charlotte Democrat., 1897-01-28
Calls Him,
Butler the MaryplOt.

DutieT the mdTyplOt.
P J. Moran, the special cores
pondent of the Atlanta Constitu
zion writes this review of Senator
Marion Buffers career in national
politics:
'sTbe defeat of Senator Marion
Butler in his effort to ., compass
that of Senator triteb I'd. who
sought re election to the United
States senate, is political retrlbution
of a decided character. If ever
politician played the roll of marplof,
it was Marion Butler during the
past campaign; and if ever chickens
came home TO roost, they did SO
when Pritchard threw his populist
rival into the slought of political
despond.
"Senator Buffers first appearance
in national politics was in July of
last year, when he went to the peo
ple's party convention at the head
of the North Carolina delegation
AS one who was there noting events,
| had occasion to observe him. Up
on his arrival he found a state of
things which appealed to his itching
for diplomacy, and he was not slow
to avail himself of it. The delega-
tions from the former Republican
States of the middle West, placing
the defeat of monopoly above the
gaining of few offices, were anx-
ious to bring about union between
all the silver forces. These people
not only had States to deliver to the
cause, but they HAD demonstrated
their ability to make the delivery
good. Several of these States four
years before had voted for Weaver,
and others had voted for Cleveland
through the aid which Populist
disaffection had created in Demo
cratic favor.
"Then there were the delegates
from the South-from States safe
in any event-whose policy was that
of confusion. While free silver
might triumph, they would lose few
sheriff's berths and county clerk
ships. There was the Texas delega-
ton Lead opposed to anything which
meant the triumph of principle if
by doing so Kearhy's chances for
the governorship were weakened or
probability existed that Stump
Ashby might be left at home. Cy-
clone Davis, who to the last declar-
ed that more offices were in sight
as result of fusion with Republi
cans, was a violent middle of the
roader. Let US go back to Texas
said he, and we can trade for our
selves.
"Ihese forces proved to be so
nearly even that it was uncertain as
to who should win The intelli-
gence and the patriotism of the peo-
ple's party were in favor of the
straight acceptance of the ticket
nominated at Chicago. General
Weaver, who had passed through
the storm which greets every new
movement, headed this wing of his
party, and he had at his back the
venerable General Field, of Vir-
ginia. Senator Allen the most able
of the peoples party's public men,
was openly committed to such ae-
ton, as was also every man in the
convention who had a vital coustit
uency at his back. This element
was made up from Kansas, Colora-
do, Nebraska and other States which
had demonstrated their ability to be
of service. The Democratic minor
ity in these States were perfectly
willing, for the success of the cause.
that the Populists should take off
the honors of organization. But it
was from the rotten boroughs of
populism that the opposition came.
Fhe delegates-Socialists at that
from Rhode Island, were middle of
| the readers! In word, the middle
of the-road contingent was compos-
ed of delegates who represented un-
available constituencies, whilst their
opponents stood ready with electoral
votes for actual delivery.
"This was the situation when
Marion Butler dropped his gripsack
in the Lindell house, and registered
his name. He had with him dele
CATION of 95, which held the balance
of power as between the contending
factions. He first played to the
middle of-the-road people TO allow
him unanimous vote for the tenn
porary craftsmanship Once in the
chair he became an ardent patriot,
and fought, much as he may now
deny il, straight IL line with Weaver
and Field, and through some clever
work threw the permanent chair
manship to Senator Allen. Although
the vote was close it was regarded as
compact, and the decision was
reached by the steering committee
to rush through the nomination of
Bryan and Sewall There had been
worked up strong opposition to
Sewall, it is true, but it was counted
as certain that, following the nomi-
nation of Bryan, Sewall's success
would be a matter of course That
calculation was thrown into doubt
by motion to bring on the election
of vice president first.
"'Let US vote that down. whis-
pered Weaver to his lieutenants. The
vote proceeded, on strict factional
lines, as developed in the vote which
bad elected Chairman Allen. AS
the MS were reached the foxy But
Ter slipped down from the platform.
| an1 bo yxrac coop coar r,1innrl1n1r