The news & observer., 1897-03-09
BY SENATOR MARION BUTLER.

By SENATOR MARION BUTLER
'Wlnd do you think of the result of the
6ght in the Legislature on the lease
saestiom?'' / asked Senator Butler last
might
at has been both defeat and vic
terry for the people. 1t is defeat because
over three-fourthS, if not nine tenths, OF
the people demanded that the lease should
be annulled. A bill intended 10 accom-
plish this purpose was introduced and
passed the House, but was defeated by
railroad and monopoly influence In the
Senate.
''This victory for Col Andrews and
the Southern Railroad emboldened them
70 assert their ownership of the Legis-
lature and the State. Whereupon they
had the audacity to offer a bill asking
the Legislature to endorse and ratify the
terms of the midnight deal which they
call a lease, In every respect except as TO
the term Of years. In short, they had
the cheek to ask the Legislature, which
is supposed to represent the people, TO
ENDORSE IN BROAD DAY LIGHT
THE CRIME OF THE CENTURY
WHICH WAS COMMITTED IN THE
DARK. This bill, which was bill of
sale to the Southern Railroad, they passed
through the Senate by majority Of two
votes. This bill went over to the House
the same House which ten days before
had stood by the people with majority
Of 6-but behold, during this period the
Southern Railroad had done its deadly
and damnable work in that body, the
Southern Railroad had a majority OF 13
Then it was that those who were yet un-
contaminated by monopoly influence pre-.
vented the passage Of the railroad bill to
endorse the lease, by every parliamentary
tactic that brave, true and heroic repre-
sentatives of the people could bring to the
rescue. And here is the peoples victory.
but the railroad people claim that they
put YOU in a hole when you voted to
table the bill with the 10 per cent amend
BiAat'
Yes, but thep eople will remember that
when the 10 per cent amendment to the
railroad bill was offered in the Senate
every friend of the people voted for it
AM that every tool and hirelins Of the
Southern Railroad voted against it. But
last vote in the House showed that the
Southern Railroad owned a majority of
13 in that body, and hence would vote
down all amendments. Therefore if they
ever brought the bill to endorse the lease
TO vote, they would pass it and
have the State, through its legal, though
faithlees, representatives, committed to
the infamous bill as it came from the
Senate Hence, the true representatives
of the State took their first opportunity
70 table the railroad bill with all amend
ments. They did right"
what relief is there TO the State and
fhe people after this resultY
'Col. Andrews and the Southern Rail-
read captured and owns majority Of this
Legislature and prevented the people
from getting relief. But the minority
prevented him from getting the lease
ratified and tying the hands of the people,
therefore the whole question is till in the
saaTigs Of the people. They can and they
will send Legislature here two years
henee that will annul this lease and save
10 the State $4,000 year on this ques-
tiom alone. Besides, they will send
Legislature that will be true to the people
On dozeps OF other questions which rail-
road Influence has been powerful enough
10 XIII IN 4flis. In short. the line OF battle
between the gold trust and its allies,
M railroad combines, is now clearly
xra wn in the State and nation. The most
xoytTful and effective agents of the gold
4rnFf I'M the late campaign we're the great
railway corporations. Therefore, every
assgcere silver man must and will in the
gutslYe, Isne up eolidly against these two
slIs-d enemies of good government
'TNO MAN CAN COMPROMISE
WITHOUT BBTRAYING THE PEO-
pT1E Ds TIE FINANCIAL ISSUE"
"Wae your present trip to Raleigh to
hold the p9pulists u line on this lease
N a4esfSonT'
Hsgo. Ishe Peoples party took a clear
assd strong position On this question in
ste l,tsi State platform, therefore the
80 M NJ pVerg ff7te Popuist was known
sx.fesp the Legislature convened. or
sza.ree. 10 tae expected the support OF
the Hanna bgltefs on this or any other
.,.,e<slseet II G,e interest Of the people. In