The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-21
NO CONVENTION FOR HIM
SEN xroR BUTLER FLATLf REFOsES
no CALL ONE.
p.,,,.t.. He Says, Must Conhne Ihem>
s.lv.s to Preaching tho Doctrine ana
Getting Recruits Tor the Party

Senator Butler has sent to the commit
,e.. Of the National Reform Press Associ-
alton. which demanded that he issue
call for a national convention. the follow
ing letter, refusing to do so and giving
his reasons for his refusal:
Washington, ID. c.. April II, 1881,
Messrs. Frank Burket. w. ). Morgan.
l.. w. ID. Mays Abe Steinberger. JAS.
II. Ferris, 10 A. Parker. Milton PARK,
and J. $. Coxey, Committee y. X. T.
a.
Gentlemen. In answer to your commu-
nication requesting me, as national chair
man, TO call a general conference OF the
People Party not later than July l.
| wrote. stating that / did not thinN IL
either necessary or wise TO put our people
10 the expense and trouble necessary 10
hold such conference at this tlne' espeV-
tally in view OF the fact that 1t was haru
10 see how any good could result lhe'
from. But / wrote you That l "ouiu
submit your request to the full Nauonai
Committee Of the Peoples Party, ana IN
form you OF their sentiment ana Wishes
in the matter. This | did. and have waited
thirty days, the usual time TO receive
the replies.
Ninety-nve answers have been received
seventy-hve Of which give strong, clear'
and what seems 10 me the most conVlhc-
ing reasons why such a conference wouiu
not be wise. a number OF members vi
the committee take the position that II
the situation should be such next SPRING
on the eve OF the campaign, as 10 make
a conference at that time necessary, That
IL would be opportune at such time.
They express regret at the disposition OF
some to have the party at this time de-
clare what IL will or Will not do IN the
future as TO the best method for strength
ening the party and advancing its prin-
ciples They take the position that TO
one can at this time forecast with GER
tainty what would be the proper course
for our party TO pursue IN convention
assembled two or three years hence.
THE COURSE TO PURSUE.
Therefore. there is but one safe course,
Il seems To the committee, for every true
P0pulist TO pursue at this time; namely
to do all in his power to impress our prln-
cipcs upon the country, and 10 brihs
recruits into our party, and to stahd
ready when the peoples representatives
meet i'm convention to do what then seems
wisest and best TO accomplish the ENDS Tor
which we are all striving. The Populist
bring this about When the press Of any
party is united and aggressive the party
itself is united and aggressive. Therefore.
the committee appeals 10 every true Pop
ullst editor to cease the suicidal course
Of firing at each other. Turn your guns
on the common enemy. and let each issue
of your paper be full Of articles discuss
ing the tenets OF the party, as laid down
in the last national platform. Let there
be no relaxing Of efforts. but united ana
steady advance all along the hne' ana
victory will crown our efforts.
Besides the answers from members OF
the committee. | have received during
the last month quite "A large correspond
ence bearing on this proposition, from
every quarter Of the country. Nearly all
Of these correspondents regard the prop
osition as not only unnecessary and un-
wise. but express the opinion that evn.
instead Of good must come from expos
ing our party at this time TO the attacks
Of the enemy. who has money TO spend
to divide our forces They claim that the
earnest. patriotic workers who have built
up our party find II "a great hardship 10
spare the money necessary 10 attend con-
ventions, and when a legitimate or i'm
perative work Of the party makes tho
self-denial on their part unavoidable.
Besides they express the opinion thar
the majority Of the men who would attend
such a conference would not be the men
whom the people would select TO repre-
sent them in "A regular convention. Permit
me 10 say that thispoint seems well
taken. IL is evident that the rank and
III, 81 our party would not leave their
farms and work to attend primaries and
local conventions simply to elect dele
gates TO conference. not being impress
81 with the necessity for the same, as
they would to elect delegates 10 a regular
party convention where candidates were
to be chosen.
THE STATEMENT IN KENTUCKY.
In this connection permit me 20 also call
your attention TO the fact that a People
Party state convention was held I'm Ken
lucky last week. / am informed by promi-
nent delegates to that convention that the
sentiment as so largely opposed 10 call
ing a general conference that the few
who favored such position would not
even offer resolution 10 that eject.
Therefore. permit me to say that under
these conditions. a minority OF our party.
however large. respectable. and earnest.
cannot. II seems to me, insist upon a
nollcv being pursued that does not meet
the approval OF the majority Of our party.
Yours very truly
MARION BUTLER, Chairman.