Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-04-20
SENATOR BUTLER.s LETTER.
lie speaks Plainly to the National Re.
form Press Association.

He Speaks Plainly to the National Re-
form Press Association
senator Butler. chairman of the people,
party national committee. has sent the fol-
lowing letter to the committee CT the ma
tional Reform Press Association:
In answer to your communication request
ing me, as national chairman, to call a
general conference of the peoples party
not later than July 4. wrote, stating that
did not think it either necessary or wise
to put our people to the expense and trou-
BILE necessary to hold such a conference
at this time. especially in view of the fact
mat 1t was hard to see how any good
could result therefrIm. But 1 wrote YOU
That l would submit your request to the
fuii national committee of the people s
party, and inform you of their sentiment
ana wishes In the matter. This 1 did. and
have waited thirty days. the usual time to
receive the replies.
Nlnety-1ve answers have been received
seventy-ive of which give strong, clear
ana what seems to me the most convincing
reasons why such conference would not
be wise. number of members of the
committee take the position that If the
situation should be such next spring, on
me eve OF the campaign. as to make a
conference at that time necessary, that 1t
would be opportune at such a time They
express regret at the disposition of some
to have the party at this time declare what
1t Will or will rot do In the future as to
the best method for strengthening the party
and advar cling its principles. They take
the position that no one can at this time
forecast with certainty what would be
the proper course for our party to pursue
In convention assembled two or three years
hence.
Therefore. there is but one safe course,
1t seems to the committee. for every true
popu!ist to pursue at this time; namely, to
do all In his power to impress our prin-
ciples upon the country, and to bring re-
cruits INTO our party. and to stand ready
when the peoples representatives meet in
convention to do what then seems wisest
and best to accomplish the ends for which
we are all striving. The populist press can
be most powerful faetor to bring this
about. When the pressbsof any party is
united and aggressive. Therefore, the COM
mfttee appeals to every true populist edi-
tor to cease the suicidaF course of firing
at each other. Turn your guns on the COM
paper be full Of articles discussing the
teifets of the party. asbk&id down in the
last nattoral platform. Let there be no
relaxing of Efforts, but aisinited and steady
crown our efforts. asq
Besides the answers from members of
the committee. 1 havetsreceived during
the last month quite adlarge correspond
every quarter Of the country. Nearly all
OF these correspondents regard the PROPOSE
tion as not only unnecessary and unwise,
but express the opinionsfhat evil. instead
of good, must come from exposing our
party at this time to the attacks Of the
enemy. who has money 70 spend to divide
our forces. They claim that the earnest.
patriotic workers who have built up our
party find 1t great hardship to spare
the money necessary to, attend conven-
tons. even when legitimate. and impera-
tive work Of the party makes the self-de-
NAL on their part unavoidable. Besides
they express the opinion that the ma
Jof1ty OF the men who would attend such
q conference would not be the men whom
the people would select to represent them
In regular convention. Permit me to
say that this point seems to be wen taken.
It Is evident that the rank and file Of our
party would not leave their farms and
work to attend primaries and local con-
yentions simply to elect delegates to q con-
Terence. not being impressed With the necas-
@ty TOT the same. aS they would to elect
Delegates 20 . regular party convention
where candidates were to he chosen.
In TINS connection permit me to also call